From WSWS

With only six days remaining in the US election campaign, both of the major capitalist parties are preparing for a situation where the November 8 vote fails to resolve the bitter struggle over control of the White House. With polls showing a tightening contest following the unprecedented intervention of the FBI, whose announcement of a renewed probe of Clinton emails was calculated to damage the Clinton campaign, it is increasingly likely that the contest could be determined by the outcome in a single state, such as occurred in 2000 with Florida and in 2004 with Ohio.

Clinton's lead had already begun to shrink prior to the FBI intervention, particularly after the government announced that Obamacare premiums would rise by an average of 25 percent in 2017.

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and her Republican opponent Donald Trump are mobilizing thousands of lawyers for deployment on Election Day to battleground states such as Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Ohio in anticipation of widespread efforts either to block voters from going to the polls or to disrupt the counting of the ballots they cast.

On Sunday, the state Democratic parties in Nevada, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Arizona filed preemptive lawsuits against the Trump campaign and state Republican parties charging a "coordinated campaign of vigilante voter intimidation" that violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871.

The suits targeted bogus "exit polling" and "citizen journalist" activities sponsored by Republican operatives, in violation of a 1982 court order that binds the Republican National Committee not to authorize or carry out "ballot security" campaigns aimed at voter suppression. The order forbids challenging individual voters either as they arrive at the polls or when they cast ballots, except as authorized by a federal judge.

Citing Trump's call for his supporters to invade polling stations in the city of Philadelphia, where the large African-American population is expected to vote for Clinton by huge margins, the Pennsylvania suit claimed that "the conspiracy to harass and threaten voters on Election Day has already resulted in acts that threaten the voting rights of registered Pennsylvania voters."

In Newark, New Jersey, US District Court Judge John Vazquez issued an order Tuesday giving the Republican National Committee 24 hours to provide details of agreements with the Trump campaign on efforts to prevent alleged "vote fraud" at the polls on Election Day.

Trump has regularly denounced what he calls a "rigged election," referring to get-out-the-vote drives in low-income, minority and student neighborhoods, and has declared that he would not necessarily concede the election result if he loses. In the last debate with Clinton, Trump said he would "keep you in suspense" on that question. The Trump campaign website urges volunteers to sign up as election observers to "help me stop Crooked Hillary Clinton from rigging this election."

The 2016 election is the first presidential campaign to be conducted after the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby v. Holder that struck down key enforcement provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act on the grounds that racial discrimination was no longer a significant factor in denying access to the polls.

This decision opened the door to Republican-controlled state governments enacting measures deliberately targeting African-Americans and other groups believed more likely to vote for Democratic candidates. A series of court decisions this year have blocked such efforts in North Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin and several other states.

As the final week of the campaign began, Trump and Clinton continued to trade allegations of criminal activity in the wake of the letter from FBI Director James Comey to eight congressional committees Friday announcing new "investigative steps" in the probe of Clinton's use of a private email server while secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. This amounted to reviving an investigation that has been dormant since July, when Comey declared that there was no basis for bringing criminal charges against Clinton over mishandling classified information on her private server.

The letter was purportedly triggered by the FBI's acquisition of the laptop belonging to former Congressman Anthony Weiner, husband of longtime Clinton aide Huma Abedin. FBI agents found emails that "appear to be pertinent" to the Clinton probe, Comey said in his letter, although he acknowledged that since the emails had not been examined, there was no way of knowing whether they were "significant."

Given this uncertainty, Comey's public declaration to Congress only 11 days before the election was an unprecedented political intervention by one of the principal agencies of the military-intelligence apparatus. Its only foreseeable consequence -- and its purpose -- was to damage the Clinton campaign and bolster Trump, who had been trailing in most polls.

The brazenly political character of the FBI intervention was confirmed on Monday, when the agency released 129 pages of documents from its closed investigation into Bill Clinton's controversial 2001 pardon of fugitive billionaire Marc Rich. Nearly half of the pages of documents are completely redacted and there is little new information, making the decision to release the material eight days before the presidential election even more dubious. The conclusion of the investigation -- that there was insufficient evidence to warrant prosecution -- was omitted. Then on Tuesday, the FBI sent out a Twitter notice calling attention to the release of the documents.

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This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.

We bring to the attention of our readers Mark Taliano's I-Book entitled Syria's War for Humanity. In contrast to most geopolitical analysts of the Middle East, Mark Taliano focuses on what unites humanity with the people of Syria in their struggle against foreign aggression.

Taliano talks and listens to the people of Syria. He reveals the courage and resilience of a nation and its people in their day-to-day lives, after more than five years of US-NATO sponsored terrorism and more than two years of US "peacemaking" airstrikes, which have largely targeted Syria's civilian infrastructure.

Author: Mark Taliano

Everybody in Syria knows that Washington is behind the terrorists, that they are financed by the US (at tax-payers' expense) and its allies, trained and recruited by America's Middle East partner. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been financing and training the ISIS-Daesh, al Nusra terrorists on behalf of the United States. Israel is harboring the terrorists out of the occupied Golan Heights; NATO in liaison with the Turkish high command has since March 2011 been involved in coordinating the recruitment of the jihadist fighters dispatched to Syria.

Moreover, the ISIS-Daesh brigades in both Syria and Iraq are integrated by Western special forces and military advisers.

While all this is known to the Syrian people, Western public opinion is led to believe that the US is leading a "counter-terrorism campaign" in Syria and Iraq against the Islamic State (ISIS-Daesh), an entity created and supported by US intelligence.



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(Image: Damascus National Museum, M Chossudovsky, 2011.)

"Everything that we saw in Syria speaks of humanity's common heritage," says Mark Taliano. Syria is the cradle of civilization, Mesopotamia, the Land of Two Rivers, where the early civilizations of the fertile crescent took their roots.

This is what the Washington Neocons want to destroy. But to reach their objective they need to wage a dirty propaganda campaign that conveys the illusion that America is involved in a "humanitarian", "peace-making" undertaking.

The Syrian people know who the real terrorists are. "The Western assault on this country is an assault on our common humanity, and an assault on Syria's progressive and forward-looking future," says Taliano.

Mark Taliano focuses on the truth as an instrument for building peace and counter-propaganda:

"Should the West's 'regime-change' operations succeed, the secular, pluralist government of President Assad will be replaced by its opposite: a barbaric, sectarian regime, and chaos.

"Yet Western politicians are seemingly propagandized by their own lies. Or perhaps they see no choice but to cravenly follow diktats from above. Humanity's better nature, however, demands that we all open our eyes, that we learn from history, and that we embrace the rule of international law rather than the diktats of a criminal Empire. Syria and Syrians must be saved, not destroyed.

"Currently, my interests lie in digging for political truths in a world that is rushing headlong into war and barbarism, on a bedrock of lies.

"When I find such truths, their trajectories invariably lead to peace rather than war. So now, my 'crusade' is to help share the truth, to make it broad-based, and to make a positive difference.

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Reprinted from www.truth-out.org

As the distinction between the truth and lies fades in public life, politics appears to be increasingly emptied of any substance. As Lucy Marcus has observed, "Nowadays, facts and truth are becoming [more] difficult to uphold in politics (and in business and even sports)." Certainly, in the age of Trump there is a great deal of evidence to suggest that the appeal to reason, informed judgment and facts is at odds with the current political culture. That is, truth and evidence have gone the way of the electric typewriter, or so it seems.

Americans seem to have a growing fondness for ignorance, an attitude that reinforces the downsizing of the civic function of language. Falsehoods and deceptions no longer appear marginal to political debate but now seem to shape much of what is said by the presidential candidates. This is shockingly true for Trump, who has organized much of his campaign around endless fabrications, sending fact checkers into a frenzy of activity. When Trump is caught in a falsehood, he simply ignores the facts and just keeps on lying. His followers could care less about whether he deceives them or not.

On the other hand, Hillary Clinton has earned a reputation as a chameleon, willing to say almost anything to promote her political career, regardless of whether she sacrifices the truth in order to do so. Her email scandal is largely read as symptomatic of a more pronounced and deeper level of dishonesty. Consequently, she is viewed mostly by the general public as untrustworthy. In response, she has managed her truth deficit by invoking her lifelong defense of families and children. For instance, during the second debate she claimed she wanted "America to be for our children" and attempted to bolster her concern for the welfare of children by pointing to her early work with the Children's Defense Fund. In the third presidential debate, she argued against Trump's call for exporting 11 million immigrants by stating that she was against his deportation policies because she "didn't want to rip families apart [and was against] sending parents away from children." In her political television ads, she points to supporting policies that "will invest in schools and colleges [and will work to] develop an economy where every young American can find a job and start a family of their own."

Unfortunately, Clinton only focuses on managing some of the problems that young people face, rather than doing anything to change the conditions that produce them. For instance, she says nothing about what education should accomplish in a democracy when educational policies are driven by a neoliberal economy that she supports. And while she talks about providing jobs for young people, she has little to say about transforming rather than adjusting an economy marked by wide gaps in inequality, wealth and power.

Matters of power, state violence, extreme poverty, institutional racism, a broken criminal justice system, the school to prison pipeline and the existence of the mass incarceration state, among other important matters, rarely if ever enter her discourse and yet these are major issues negatively affecting the lives of millions of children in the United States. And her alleged regard for children falls apart in light of her hawkish policies on global regime change, drone attacks and cyber-warfare, and her unqualified support for the warfare state. Her alleged support for children abroad does not capture the larger reality they face from when their countries are invaded, attacked by drones and subject to contemporary forms of indiscriminate violence. Rather than critique the US as a powerful engine of violence, Clinton expands its imperialist role around the globe. This is a key point in light of her defense of the rights of children, because her warmongering ideology puts children in the path of lethal violence.

At the same time, Clinton's promise to address the problems many children face in the United States reeks of a disingenuousness made visible by her history of siding with and supporting policies that were injurious to children. Not only did she once disparagingly call young people super-predators, but as the First Lady she strongly backed her husband's campaign to "end welfare as we know it." President Clinton's welfare policies did great harm to poor children. They eliminated the Aid to Families with Dependent Children federal assistance program and infuriated Marian Wright Edelman, the president of the Children's Defense Fund, to the degree that she ended her working relationship with Hillary Clinton. According to Edelman, the bill represented a frontal assault on the well-being of poor children and families. Yet as late as 2008, Hillary was still touting this pernicious welfare bill as a success. She also supported Bill Clinton's "tough on crime" policies, which, according to Michelle Alexander, "resulted in the largest increase in federal and state prison inmates of any president in American history" -- which has a devastating effect on the families and children of color. Finally, Clinton supported Bush's invasion of Iraq, which led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of children.

Occupying the right wing of the Democratic Party, Clinton has aligned herself with a war culture that supports drone warfare and continues to support military policies that result in the needless deaths of millions of children in the Middle East, Yemen, Somalia, and other places that bear the brunt of America's foreign policy. It is difficult to imagine, given Clinton's coziness with the financial elite, big corporations, the military-industrial complex and the reigning war culture, that she will do anything that will lessen the violence to which children, both at home and around the globe, will face under her potential reign as President of the United States. Clinton has nothing to say about the need for a collective struggle for economic and political justice. Given her past history, Clinton's disingenuousness becomes even starker next to the images of war and violence that mark the bodies of youth both in the United States and abroad. Her commitments to war and security have been built on the misery, mutilation and deaths of young people and her recent alleged support for the welfare of children does little to cover up the many ways capitalism, militarism, state violence and racism are killing poor Black and Brown youth.

Rethinking the Horrors of War

The horrors of war became painfully visible when the image circulated of the lifeless body of Aylan (Alan) Kurdi, a three-year-old who washed up on a beach face-downin the coastal town of Bodrum, Turkey, on September 2, 2015, while traveling with other refugees toward the Greek island of Kos. A second haunting image appeared on August 17, 2016, showing five-year-old Omran Daqneesh, bloodied and covered with dust, sitting silently in an ambulance after an airstrike on Aleppo, a city in northern Syria.

Ordinarily, such images of children dead, injured and suffering motivate public outrage and also incite people to act. Omran's image was widely circulated by mainstream news organizations and in the social media. The image provoked so much international outrage that the governments of Syria, China and Russia claimed it was pure propaganda and was staged.

One of the most powerful images in history to provoke moral outrage and public anger was the image that circulated in 1955 of the grossly mutilated body of Emmett Till. That depiction of the effects of brutal racist violence helped to galvanize the civil rights movement.

Another image that changed the course of history was on display in 1972 when an anguished and terrified young girl was photographed running naked after a Napalm bomb burned and disfigured her body. The iconic picture played a significant role in mobilizing protests that helped stop the Vietnam War.

Reactions to such horrible images still exist, but the brutal and unthinkable acts of violence they portray now seem to produce short-lived outrage and blend into the all-encompassing spectacle of violence and the fog of war. What is crucial to acknowledge is that the war has come home and has trapped many young people in its spiral of accelerated violence, which has become a new form of domestic terrorism and the primary force promoting a machinery of literal and social death for many youths. Domestic terrorism is now exemplified every day in media stories focusing on the killing of unarmed young people by the police and in the gun violence that is turning poor urban cities into war zones. Violence has become a habitual response by the state to every social problem. This has become more and more evident as the application of militarized police power produces on a daily basis a growing number of images of dead bodies which increasingly find their way onto the screen cultures of the social media. In the US, according to Marian Wright Edelman's Children's Defense Fund column, "Seventy-eight children under 5 died by guns in 2015 -- 30 more than the 48 law enforcement officers killed by guns in the line of duty." In other words, Edelman writes, "guns killed more preschoolers in one year than they did law-enforcement officers." In Chicago alone, in the first eight months of 2016, 12 people were shot daily. According to a Carnegie-Knight News21 investigation:

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Reprinted from www.yesmagazine.org by Tracy Loeffelholz Dunn

On Thursday, scores of law enforcement officers from seven different states showed up with riot gear, armored vehicles, and military weaponry to clear away Standing Rock's newest camp, the "1851 Treaty Camp." The camp stands directly in the path of the Dakota Access pipeline. Tipis and sweat lodges were destroyed. Vehicles were set ablaze. More than 140 protesters were arrested.

More than 140 protesters were arrested.

The county sheriff is claiming the water protectors were violent and that police were stopping a riot. But hours of live video feed from people caught in the confrontation showed instead a military-style assault on unarmed people: police beating people with batons, police with assault rifles, chemical mace, guns firing rubber bullets and beanbag rounds, tasers.

Dave Archambault II, chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, has maintained that its citizens and supporters are engaging in peaceful, nonviolent expressions of their opposition to the pipeline.

Tara Houska, national campaigns director for the Native environmental group Honor the Earth, and Thane Maxwell, an organizer with Honor the Earth, have been at the camp for months. They describe what is happening:

Law enforcement from at least six other states have been involved in the assaults in North Dakota. And Morton County's sheriff claims the federal government's refusal to provide manpower and financial assistance factored into the call for help from other states. Tell me about the law that allows this.

The troops from other states (Wisconsin, Indiana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, and Nebraska) are sent here through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which was designed for natural disaster situations. In 20 years of operation, EMAC has only been used twice for protest purposes--in the Baltimore rebellion after Freddie Gray's murder and here at Standing Rock. Its use here was made possible by Gov. Jack Dalrymple's declaration of a State of Emergency, which was itself a gross misuse of funding and powers intended for natural disaster relief. DeSmogBlog did an excellent, in-depth piece on this.

If folks in those surrounding states and counties want to complain about their tax dollars going to support this, what should they do?

I (Thane) am from Minneapolis, where Hennepin County Sheriff Richard Stanek has sent 30 Special Operations forces to Standing Rock. We encountered them here on the front lines on Thursday and documented their brutality against us. Tara shot footage of Hennepin County officers violently beating a man with batons that they had pulled out of the crowd. Honor the Earth has a substantial constituent base in Hennepin County, so we and our allies have pushed hard to demand the sheriff withdraw the troops. Thousands have signed petitions and attended rallies at government offices this week, and many elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and faith leaders have issued public statements calling for immediate withdrawal. But so far, we have not won. We encourage people in other jurisdictions sending troops to demand their elected officials put an end to this violence. Don't take no for an answer.

How many water protectors have been arrested so far?

Over 400 people have been arrested. Some are still in jail from the mass arrests on Thursday, as law enforcement makes it extremely difficult to track people, so an exact count is unknown.

There have been reports of police violence against elders and children, right?

Yes. Elders and children have been bitten by DAPL private security attack dogs, pepper-sprayed, shot with rubber bullets, and beaten by police. Often elders are in ceremonial dress and actively praying when arrested--drumming, singing, burning sage. One member of the International Indigenous Youth Council suffered a broken wrist from a strike with a police baton, and just a few days later an officer saw the cast and intentionally twisted her wrist to reinjure her.

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"From time to time I get the questions in advance," current DNC Chair, Donna Brazile, wrote to Jennifer Palmieri, Hillary Clinton's Campaign Communications Director. Brazile's email was sent March 12th, the day before the 9th debate in the Democratic Primary aired on CNN.



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This email is available as a PDF here (https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3212725-Re-From-Time-to-Time-I-Get-the-Questions-in.html) and can be viewed on the Wikileaks page here (https://wikileaks.org/podesta-emails/emailid/39807) and the original email file downloaded here (https://wikileaks.org/podesta-emails/get/39807).

This and another key email from the John Podesta email dumps provided by Wikileaks expose Brazile's unethical activities - in effect "rigging" the debates by providing her candidate with the questions in advance. CNN's reputation was tarnished given Brazile's paid status as a "CNN Contributor" which ought to raise the question of news entities having political operatives on their payroll in the first place. But Brazile's ethical transgressions go beyond her association with a major television news outlet. As then Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee Brazile was prohibited from acting on behalf of any particular candidate prior to the Convention formally nominating the Party's choice. Brazile, now the Interim Chair following Debbie Wasserman-Schultz's disgraced exit following similar Wikileaks revelations, is now in charge of enforcing the Party's "Neutrality Clause" (Article V, Section IV of the DNC Charter). [See https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2990549-Pages-From-DNC-Charter-Bylaws-9-11-2009-2.html]



"I rarely hear it. I'll send a few more," added Brazile, indicating that this email would be followed up by further advance disclosures of the debate questions. ("I rarely hear it" was a reference to Clinton's stock position/statement on the death penalty - an issue of concern for the campaign and the topic of this particular question).

Brazile, despite the unambiguous evidence, not only pulled the Russia-baiting deception in response, but outright attempted to deny both that she improperly used her DNC position to favor Clinton (her response was she emailed both candidates) and that she provided Clinton the questions in violation of her position with CNN.

We know from another scandolous leaked email from the Podesta files that this was not the first time Brazile did this.



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This email is available as a PDF here (https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3212724-One-of-the-Questions-Directed-to-HRC-Tomorrow-Is.html) and can be viewed on the Wikileaks page here (https://wikileaks.org/podesta-emails/emailid/38478) and the original email file downloaded here (https://wikileaks.org/podesta-emails/get/38478).

This email was sent on March 5th ... the day before the seventh primary debate - a Town Hall in Flint, Michigan. The subject matter was again of prime concern for the campaign as it had to do with Clinton's response to and positions on the Flint Water Scandal. The Campaign was scrambling to work out, as is seen in the Podesta emails during this week, Hillary's response to this issue in general. What we now know is that the private citizen who asked this Town Hall question, Lee Ann Walters, was still not satisfied with the prepped answer Clinton gave live during the Town Hall "debate." (SEE: http://www.mediaite.com/tv/cnn-debate-attendee-reacts-to-her-question-being-leaked-to-clinton-campaign/)

Again the emails themselves speak volumes that cannot be silenced by party-speak propaganda and sleight-of-hand tricks of sophistic rhetoric. The emails provide details such as verbatim text of the question as read and details, as in this, of the person submitting and asking the question.

So the question, in light of Brazile's angry outbursts feigning denial, is will there be further emails released from the Podesta dumps revealing her delivering upon her promise to "send a few more"?

Analysis of the database and what has been released suggest that there is a possibility of this. But if any there won't be many - at least directly from Brazile's account itself.

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Around the world, a vibrant and active grassroots movement is demanding a place at the environmental table for the intersecting concerns of women's rights, Indigenous rights, and climate justice.

Women's Earth and Climate Action Network, International (WECAN) is spearheading Ten Days of Global Mobilization , from October 28 through November 6. The goal is to bring visibility to the environmental challenges affecting girls and women throughout the world, and to highlight how global action is shifting the equation. This designated time period will shine a light on self-organized actions, as well as exhibit implemented solutions.

Organizers of the initiative have put out a call for women and girls to send in photos and statements, or to participate in escalated actions "including but not limited to educational events, community projects, protests and marches."

I spoke with Natalie Cronin, featured in the WECAN's Mobilization Action Gallery. Natalie is a daycare provider, child advocate, climate activist and a Moms Clean Air Force Supermom. She was present at the demonstration in front of Senator Chuck Schumer's office in Manhattan on October 26. The objective was to pressure Sen. Schumer on the Spectra AIM pipeline, a project that would place a pipeline within one hundred feet of the antiquated Indian Point nuclear power facilities.

The mother of two, Natalie related how she found herself becoming increasingly upset when she was pregnant about issues impacting the environment. "I want to fight because it's a way to push back against despair," she said.

Natalie was arrested in May during an action in Peekskill, protesting Spectra. "I'm fighting for our children's future," Natalie emphasized. "At the end of the day, it's going to take bodies on the line -- but in the end, we will get it done."

Living in New York City doesn't preclude Natalie from seeing the big picture. If anything, it has informed her activism. "All of our grievances are connected," she said. Her specific advice to women who come from a privileged situation was, "Take part in real advocacy. Activism is available to everyone. We need to vocalize about everybody's children."

Women in developing countries confronted by climate disruption face additional obstacles in their efforts to produce food and collect water. In the United States, low-income communities and people of color have been disproportionately impacted by toxic sitings.

Currently, the voices of American Indigenous activists are finally getting heard. They have been instrumental in bringing visibility to the fight against pipeline expansion.

Since April of this year, members of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe have pushed back against the violation of their lands, water, and ceremonial locations -- all challenged by the pursuit of the Dakota Access Pipeline . The pipeline project, as designed, would pass under Lake Oahe and the Missouri River, a key source of the tribe's drinking water. The path of the pipeline is almost fifty percent completed and would cross four states.

Every day the situation escalates, as militarized police in riot gear clash with demonstrators specifically trained in "peaceful resistance."

WECAN has been at the forefront of connecting the dots between women climate activists around the world. Here's how you can help.

Fight for the Environment!

This article originally appeared on the website Moms Clean Air Force
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Bavarian Inn Restaurant cooking up two ways to celebrate Thanksgiving Day

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Want to enjoy a Thanksgiving Day meal without the stress and mess of a busy, cluttered kitchen? The Bavarian Inn Restaurant is offering two different dining options on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24.The Bavarian Inn Restaurant will be serving its traditional full-service dinner, offering holiday fare, the restaurants famous family-style chicken dinner, or a choice of old-world German specialties. In addition, diners have the opportunity to enjoy the rest of their holiday feast at home, with carry-out desserts, such as apple and pumpkin pies, and apple kuchen. Serving hours are 11 a.m.  9 p.m.In addition, the Bavarian Inn Restaurant is offering a complete carry-out turkey dinner, including a 14-16 lb. roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, buttered noodles, Blue Hubbard squash, cole slaw, cranberry relish, Bavarian Inn chicken seasoning, and a loaf of Bavarian Inn backofenbrot bread. Price for the complete dinner is $175, including tax. Apple and pumpkin pies are also available at a special price of $12.Limited seating availability remains for Thanksgiving Day, so reservations are highly recommended. To book a table, and to order take-out dinners, call 1-800-BAVARIA or 989-652-9941. Take-out dinners must be pre-ordered by Sunday, Nov. 20.Friday, Nov. 25 is another ideal day to visit the Bavarian Inn as part of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. That day marks the festive Frankenmuth Holiday Celebration and Candlewalk, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at the nearby Frankenmuth River Place Shops.About Bavarian InnCelebrating 125 years of service in 2013, the Bavarian Inn Restaurant has become a Michigan landmark. Generations of diners, lodgers and tourists from around the globe have discovered true Bavarian hospitality thanks to Dorothy and her late husband William "Tiny" Zehnder. Guests experience the old-world European charm of the Bavarian Inn  whether its the famous chicken dinners, fresh baked goods or Michigans greatest selection of German beer. Bavarian Inn also prides itself on being one of the top consumers of Pure Michigan agricultural products. Nestled within a backdrop of authentic German architecture, a variety of shops and other fun activities, a trip to Frankenmuth would not be complete without a visit to the Bavarian Inn. Learn more atBavarian Inn online press room:713 S. Main StreetFrankenmuth, MI
Global Consumer Water Treatment Systems Industry 2016 Market Research Report | Market Intel Reports

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Steven Smith Joins Savas Beatie as Editorial Director

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EL DORADO HILLS, CA: November 1, 2016  California-based Savas Beatie, a prominent independent U.S. military history publisher, has announced that Steven Smith will be joining the firm as Editorial Director, beginning November 1, 2016. Savas Beatie is renowned for its award-winning Americana line, and especially its dominant presence in the field of American Civil War studies.We are very excited to welcome Steve aboard, said Theodore P. Savas, the companys Publisher and Managing Director. I have known Steve personally and professionally for nearly two decades, and the opportunity to work closely with him to build our line and expand our visibility is very exciting.Savas Beatie publishes a lot of exciting titles in a variety of areas, and is widely respected in the publishing world, explained Smith. I am excited to join this dynamic organization and hopefully help take it to the next level.Smith, who was the founder of New York-based Sarpedon Publishers, one of the most respected military history houses of the 1990s, has most recently been the editorial director of Philadelphias Casemate Publishers, where he guided nearly 200 works to fruition. He is also the author or co-author of 10 works of his own (sometimes under the pseudonym Stephen Tanner). Throughout his long career Smith has demonstrated a knack for achieving national acclaim for military-related titles from ancient history through Americana to studies of current military operations.Smith will work from his office in Rockville Centre, NY, which, combined with SBs main office near Sacramento, CA, will give the house a truly transcontinental reach. Meantime, both Savas and Smith agree: never has the military history field been more important to keep vibrantnot just for readers but for the public at large.About Savas Beatie LLC: Savas Beatie is a leading independent military and general history publishing company with distribution worldwide. Read more about the company and all of their books atSavas Beatie LLC989 Governor Drive, Ste 102El Dorado Hills, CA 95762Contact: Sarah KeeneyEmail: sarahs@savasbeatie.comPhone: 916-941-6896Fax: 916-941-6895
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Palace Floors of McKinney has come together with Click4 Home Services to design and implement their brand new website. They are pleased to announce the launch of this website this October. The goal they had in mind aimed at reaching further out to the Plano, Allen, and surrounding areas community to offer clients more content, information, and ease of access to their business. The new website meets and exceeds all their goals and is now ready to help modernize their services for their clients.Feel free to get in touch with us on our new website at palacefloorstx.com/ or you are welcome to stop by our showroom any time during the business hours of Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM until 7:30 PM Sunday from Noon until 6:00 PM. If youd like to give us a call, our office can be reached at 469-343-1313. Our Friendly staff is always here to assist you with all of your home flooring needs from choosing a type of flooring, offering the benefits and disadvantages, or just answering any questions or concerns, were here to help.This company has been in business for almost two decades for a reason. Over the years, theyve made a name for themselves as the best flooring store and installers in the McKinney, Allen, Plano, Frisco, and surrounding areas. Whether you need a complete remodel of your homes flooring, bathrooms or kitchens, or you just have a smaller project within your home or business, Palace Floors of McKinney has you covered.Many clients dont realize the depth of our expertise, we arent just a flooring store, we offer many comprehensive products and services. Whether your home or business needs a remodel involving plumbing and cabinetry or just new tile and flooring, we can take care of it from start to finish! Some of the products and services we offer are as follows:PlumbingSheetrockBlinds & ShuttersShower InstallationsStone & Granite FlooringHardwood & Laminate FlooringCarpet & Tile FlooringStairs & CabinetryFor the best service, from only the experts in flooring, get in touch with Palace Flooring of McKinney today.Click4 Home Services has been serving the areas community of businesses both small and large for quite some time. They have enjoyed helping businesses such as ours to set up websites just like this one,, to give clients like you the advantage that revolutionizing your services brings to your business. Click4 Home Services can help your business compete in the new high tech market to continue offering your products and services to as many potential clients as possible while giving them easy access to your business information. If youd like to see what Click4 Home Services can do for you, give them a call today!Contact informationAddress:115 Richardson CT. Ste. PAllen, TX 75002Phone: (469) 343-1313Website:Need Responsive Web Design?Click4Corp115 Richardson CtAllen, TX 75002469-441-4678Need Home Service Directories?Living around Dallas? In need of service from a business establishment? Click4 Home Services is a directory website dedicated for business establishments around Dallas TX and Plano TX. Call now at 972-954-2779.Click4 Home Services115 Richardson Ct, Suite HAllen, TX 75002469-407-9903click4homeservices.com
WOMEN-FOCUSED ISABELLA FORUM LAUNCHES IN LONDON WITH INAUGURAL FINANCE, INVESTMENT EVENT

Isabella Forum launches inaugural event in London for women to better understand personal finance and investing

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Isabella Forum launches in London, holds inaugural finance event for women to better understand money management and learn to invest for every stage of life1 November 2016  LONDON  Female finance network Isabella Forum officially launched last week with a day-long event in London featuring high-profile women speakers from financial planning, wealth management, and investment arenas. Themed "The Journey Begins with You", the inaugural Isabella Forum event brought together nearly 100 guests from finance, industry, media and tech backgrounds. The guests took part in various discussions and shared advice on setting and achieving personal financial goals throughout each stage of life.From identifying financial dreams and realities, understanding the practical fundamentals of investing, to finding the right financial advisor, the conference covered a range of critical money topics for women. Headline speakers Ruth Sturkey, founder of financial planning consultancy The Red House, and Annabel Watson, portfolio manager at C Hoare & Co., delivered keynote talks, followed by a panel discussion comprised of diverse financial advisors, and in-depth breakout sessions moderated by topic experts. A panel of invitees shared their personal struggles and successes with balancing money decisions to close out the event, initiating further sharing and networking amongst guests.With women juggling so much to do every day, we dont get much time to sit down, think and plan our financial futures, explains Grace Maa, Isabella Forum co-founder and former Barclays private asset manager. There's a real need for women to be able to share information on how to handle money decisions. This event wasn't about selling women products or services. It was about women helping and supporting each other by passing forward their personal money insights and experience.Isabella Forum aims to help women take active control of their financial future. Organised by women for women, Isabella Forum enables women to speak openly about money and to access a community of like-minded women for honest, practical money management advice without sales pressure from advisors. Last weeks event kicked off the first in a series of Isabella Forum conferences and seminars for women to engage in open, honest conversation around money management.Were pleased with the fantastic response we received following our first event but were even more delighted to see Isabella Forum play a vital role in encouraging women to change their behaviors: by taking steps now to secure their financial future, says Jennie Byun, Isabella Forum co-founder and former JPMorgan investment banking analyst.Whether its having enough for retirement, starting a business, or funding children's educations, our hopes and dreams and futures are all worth planning for! Isabella Forum helps women understand the practical implications of how to make their financial dreams become their financial realities," says JennaCardone, Isabella Forum partner and former HSBC wealth manager.For more information on Isabella Forum, visit:MEDIA CONTACTJennie Byun/Grace Maainfo@isabellaforum.comIsabella Forum is a network developed to enable women to better manage their money around major life events. Founded and self-funded by ex-City professionals Jennie Byun & Grace Maa, Isabella Forum is a safe, friendly environment free from jargon and sales pressure that encourages women to provide and receive valuable advice on personal finance. Isabella Forum hosts a range of tailored events around personal finance and investing, while also providing resources and opportunities to engage online at isabellaforum.com.Isabella Forum27 Hereford RoadLondon W2 4TQPress contact: Jennie Byunjennie@isabellaforum.com
Hawkfield art consultants: Growing up with Artists

Sally Caverly is not just the owner and curator of Hawkfield consultants, she is also the heart and soul of the establishment. Her fondness for art developed as she grew up with her parents who are both artists. With this kind of environment, she started to appreciate the importance of preserving and enhancing arts and its value. Art collecting came about as a natural product of interacting with her family and from her school and work environment.Sally has a B.A. degree in Marketing from Simmons College, a diploma from Phillips Academy in Andover and later obtains a Masters degree in Education. She was employed as a Market Research Department Head at Houghton Mifflin Company and currently serving as a Director at the North and South Rivers Watershed Association.Being the youngest in the family, Sally was trained in the business in her early years as she was quite often tasked to serve as auctioneer for her parents who fortunately obtained a stunning collection of American impressionist paintings and sculpture. Later on in her twenties, she bought her first in her art collection which is a pastel drawing of wild ducks by William Henry Chandler.You will notice on her collection her interest on artworks with ducks, geese and wild birds and animals. And even her attachment with her home environment in the East Coast is quite apparent in the art collection of Sally Caverly. Her love for art and vast experience has helped Hawkfield Gallery to maintain its charming appearance which attracts many clients in visiting the establishment.We specialize in 20th and 21st century American fine art and folk art, having a particular interest in American impressionism, wildlife bronzes, decorative songbirds, and shore bird decoys.3171 Cedar Springs Rd Dallas, TX 75227
The Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem to 2016 - 2030 : Market Creating New Opportunities for Insurance, Retailers, Major Player Profiles, Enhanced Technical Support and Additional Protection Features

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The Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem: 2016 - 2030 - Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies & Forecasts Size and Share Published in 2016-08-23 Available for US$ 2500 at Researchmoz.usDescriptionTo Access the Full Report, Please Visit :Given the increasing prevalence of expensive household goods, cars and consumer electronics, insurance has become an unavoidable and often necessary cost in modern life. Mobile phones, and smartphones in particular are no exception to this trend.Most major wireless carriers, insurance specialists, device OEMs, retailers and even banks now offer insurance plans that cover theft, loss, malfunctions and damage of mobile phones. Many policies now also integrate enhanced technical support and additional protection features such as data backup facilities, allowing users to securely backup their phone data online.SNS Research estimates that the global mobile phone insurance market is expected to account for nearly $20 Billion in revenue by the end of 2016. The market is further expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 12% over the next four years, eventually accounting for over $30 Billion in revenue by the end of 2020.The "Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem: 2016  2030  Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies & Forecasts" report presents an in-depth assessment of the mobile phone insurance ecosystem including market drivers, challenges, opportunities, value chain, future roadmap, case studies, ecosystem player profiles and strategies. The report also presents market size forecasts from 2016 through to 2030. The forecasts are segmented for 5 regional and 25 country level markets.Key Findings:The report has the following key findings:SNS Research estimates that the global mobile phone insurance market is expected to account for nearly $20 Billion in revenue by the end of 2016.The market is further expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 12% over the next four years, eventually accounting for over $30 Billion in revenue by the end of 2020.In an effort to boost the uptake of mobile phone insurance, wireless carriers and insurance providers have extensively enhanced their insurance offerings with the addition of location tracking, data protection/recovery features and integrated technical support.The success of mobile phone insurance plans has driven several wireless carriers, such as NTT DoCoMo and Orange, to invest in the sales of other insurance products through mobile phones and their retail outlets.New insurance models are also beginning to emerge, such as London-based So-Sures social insurance for mobile phones, which allows customers to get up to 80% of their money back, if they and their friends dont claim.Device OEMs are beginning to invest in tailored plans to suit the specific requirements of certain regional markets. A good example is Xiaomis Mi Protect plan in India, which covers accidental and liquid damage, for as little as $7 per year.Topics Covered:The report covers the following topics:Mobile phone insurance ecosystemMarket drivers and barriersInsurance policy structure, distribution channels and key trendsCase studies of mobile phone insurance initiativesIndustry roadmap and value chainProfiles and strategies of over 40 leading ecosystem playersStrategic recommendations for ecosystem playersMarket analysis and forecasts from 2016 till 2030Forecast Segmentation:Market forecasts are provided for the following regional and country level submarkets:Regional SegmentationAsia PacificEuropeLatin & Central AmericaMiddle East & AfricaNorth AmericaCountry Level SegmentationArgentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, UK & USAGet a Sample Copy of the Report:Key Questions Answered:The report provides answers to the following key questions:How big is the mobile phone insurance opportunity?What trends, challenges and barriers are influencing its growth?How is the ecosystem evolving by region?What will the market size be in 2020 and at what rate will it grow?Which countries will see the highest percentage of growth?Who are the key market players and what are their strategies?What risks are typically covered in mobile phone insurance offerings?How can insurance plans help wireless carriers in reducing churn?What strategies should wireless carriers, device OEMs and insurance providers adopt to remain competitive?Countries covered:ArgentinaAustraliaBrazilCanadaChinaColombiaFranceGermanyHong KongIndiaIsraelItalyJapanMexicoNetherlandsPolandRussiaSaudi ArabiaSingaporeSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSpainTaiwanUKUSAInquiry on this report:Table of Content1 Chapter 1: Introduction 101.1 Executive Summary 101.2 Topics Covered 111.3 Forecast Segmentation 121.4 Key Questions Answered 131.5 Key Findings 141.6 Methodology 151.7 Target Audience 161.8 Companies & Organizations Mentioned 172 Chapter 2: An Overview of Mobile Phone Insurance 192.1 The Role of Insurance in Our Daily Lives 192.2 Why Have Mobile Phone Insurance? 202.3 What Risks Are Typically Covered? 212.3.1 Accidental, Malicious or Liquid Damage 212.3.2 Electrical or Mechanical Breakdown 212.3.3 Theft or Loss 212.3.4 Unauthorized Calls & Usage 212.3.5 Data Backup Facilities 222.3.6 Overseas Cover 222.3.7 Accessories 222.3.8 Others 222.4 Distribution Channels for Insurance Plans 222.4.1 Wireless Carrier Branded 232.4.2 OEM-Provided 232.4.3 Associated with Bank Accounts 232.4.4 Retailers 232.4.5 Other Direct-to-Consumer 232.5 Market Drivers 232.5.1 Growing Penetration of Smartphones 242.5.2 BYOD: Perfect Candidates for Insurance 242.5.3 Reducing Service Disruption 242.5.4 Proliferation of Large Screen Devices 252.5.5 Packaged Policies 252.5.6 Strong Support of Tier 1 Wireless Carriers 252.5.7 Growth of Mobile Payments: Creating New Opportunities for Insurance 252.6 Market Barriers 262.6.1 Consumer Disbelief in Insurance 262.6.2 Unclear Terms & Conditions 262.6.3 Fraud 262.6.4 Slow & Unfair Claims Handling 262.6.5 Time Limitation to Purchase Policy 27ResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ bit.ly/1TBmnVG
The Top Five Vendors in Global Patient Temperature Management Market

Global Patient Temperature Management Market Top Vendors Identified by Beige Market Intelligence

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The Temperature Management market which consists of Patient Warming System and Patient Cooling System is going to be a US$ 1.6 billion market till 2021. This huge growth in the market has led the way for a gigantic competition among the existing as well as the emerging vendors. The patient temperature management market is highly competitive with presence of large, medium, and small players. Some of the major players in this market are The 3M Company (US), Smiths Group plc (US), Covidien plc (Ireland), Stryker Corp. (US), and C. R. Bard (US). Other notable players in the market are ZOLL Medical Corp. (US), Geratherm Medical AG (Germany), Inditherm plc (UK), Cincinnati Sub-Zero Medical Division (US), and the 37 Company (the Netherlands). In this highly competitive market, players have adopted various strategies such as partnerships, agreements, collaborations, joint ventures, expansions, new product launches, and mergers and acquisitions to strengthen their foothold in the market.We have mentioned the merger and acquisition and key strategies of the top five vendors hereThe 3M CompanyThe company which has a strong geographical presence in 70 countries across North America, APAC, Europe, EMEA, and Latin America, mostly focuses on the development of new products to accelerate its organic growth. Moreover, the company focuses on inorganic growth strategies such as strategic acquisitions to strengthen its patient warming business and increase its share in the patient temperature management market.The acquisition of Arizant, a manufacturer of patient warming systems,led to the expansion of the companys portfolio for temperature management."Smiths Group plcSmith Medical Foundation , is a group of Smith Group Plc and is operating in more than 30 countries. The company not only has a strong foot hold in the market but also has been a reputed brand in temperature management market. The company majorly focuses on expanding its business in the emerging markets across all geographies.in January 2011, the company established its subsidiary in India to cater the emerging markets. Also, the company increased the size of its workforce in Brazil, China, India, South East Asian countries, and the Middle East markets.C.R. BardThe company is one of the oldest player in the medical devices market. The companys major strength lies in its long-term presence (more than 100 years). It majorly focuses on merger and acquisition along with targeting the clinicians to purchase the medical devices. The company in October 2011 acquired Medivance, a market leader in therapeutic hypothermia, which helped the company to expand its portfolio for temperature management.StrykerStryker is one of the leader in the medical technology world. Its temperature management sub-segment provides hyper/hypothermia systems, localized therapy systems, blood fluid warming systems, and forced air-warming systems.In 2011, the company acquired Gaymar Industries, a US-based manufacturer and supplier of patient temperature management devices. This enabled the company to strengthen its product portfolio and widen its customer base.Medtronic plc (Covidien plc)Medtronic plc has a wide range of temperature management systems and operates through 41 manufacturing facilities in 17 countries and markets its products in more than 150 countries. The company focuses on R&D as its major strategy for growth."Medtronic acquired Covidien plc (Ireland). Covidien plc is engaged into development, manufacturing, and sells of healthcare products used in home and clinical settings. With the acquisition of Covidien, Medtronic entered into the temperature management market.Fore more information, Order a report Now: Global Patient Temperature Management Market Strategic Assessment and Forecast Till 2021.For free sample write us to contactus@beigemarketintelligence.comCheck out our recent press releases and other blogs on Global Patient Temperature Management Market.About Beige Market IntelligenceBeige Market Intelligence is a provider of competitive business intelligence, working across various industry verticals. Our expertise and knowledge ensures that the market analysis Beige provides is comprehensive, detailed and complete. The analysis helps our client organizations become aware and to make educated decisions, as far as investing or devising a marketing strategy is concerned. The actionable insights delivered through our market research provide a comprehensive market analysis for every level of market segmentation in an industry.Our team of experts ensure the analysis you receive is not just analyzed and presented, but can also be customized based on the clients requirement. Our deliverables guarantee our current global client base do not look beyond Beige when it comes to competitive intelligence.Beige has an employee base present across the globe. Our analysts come with numerous years of industry experience, which ensures we not only understand our clients but deliver high quality reports as well.KhyamaBeige Market IntelligenceChinnapannahalli Main Road, Bangalore 560037contactus@beigemarketintelligence.comUS: +1 347 903 9949UK: +44 20 323 99499APAC: +91 99 012 75473
Singsys Pte. Ltd. Employees participation in 'AWSome Day Online Conference': Ready to host Data virtually

Singsys, a Singapore based Mobile Apps and Web Development company, specializing in craft cutting edge Mobile, Web and E-commerce technologies has announced that their employees, Nirmal Yadav, Siddhartha Suman, Shantanu Prakash and Shubham Jain have participated in 'Awesome Day Online Conference' of AWS (Amazon Web Services) held on 18th Oct 2016 and received 'Certificate of Attendance' on successful completion.AWS claims almost 100 percent reliability, scalability and availability on behalf of its robust design and globally distributed servers. This was a one day conference with a step-by-step approach towards AWS core services like hosting Distributed Applications and Databases, Infrastructure Setup, Computation and Storage Management. It was delivered by AWS Educations technical instructors. The event was beneficial for IT developers who are interested in virtual hosting over a cloud based platform which ensure application scalability, data security and other such useful infrastructure architecture aspects.AWSome Day Online Conference was aimed at developing deeper understanding of AWS core and application services. It also taught how to deploy and automate complete infrastructure on the AWS Cloud. This conference ensured our employees are able to build and deploy scalable and secure applications on the AWS Cloud at the end of the day.About Singsys Pte. Ltd. They are a professional team reflecting deep expertise as UI/UX designers, web developers and app developers with a vision to bond ideas onto digitized Mobile and Web platforms.Singapore-Singsys Pte. Ltd.Address: Singapore OfficeSingsys Pte. Ltd.1 North Bridge Road #17-10High Street Centre,Singapore (179094)
Voolsy iBeacon based food ordering app inside the restaurant unveils a fresh look

Voolsy New Launch

A Food-tech startup and a pioneer of iBeacons in India for the Restaurant Industry, has revamped itself. It has unveiled a new logo, website and app to align its image with its emerging growth strategy and connect with the users in a better way. The apps new look reflects the modern and trendy attitude while maintaining the goal to offer dining services in a simplified manner.It is important that Voolsy retains its established values, but at the same time develops a new and modern identity. The rebranding will ensure that we get the right message out there. We feel it is important to let people know what Voolsy stands for. Our tagline We Simplify It signifies our commitment to the users of the app. With the landscape of start-ups changing rapidly, we feel that the placement of a brand plays a vital role in its recognition which led to this change. said Smit Nebhwani, Cofounder & CEO, Voolsy.The new look has been designed stating the companys strong and unique value proposition with an improvised feel. As a rapidly growing start-up, Voolsy is gradually adding more offerings in its product addressing the need of the hour. It has a further vision to offer technology driven services that help people not only save time but avail offers realtime. With this new look, Voolsy is planning to take some aggressive marketing initiatives.Amrish Patel, Cofounder & President, Voolsy said This is an exciting time now that we have continued to develop as a firm throughout the past eight months. Since we are growing, we feel that this is the right time to invest further into our marketing strategy, hence creating an even stronger brand presence both offline and online. We have worked closely with our team, as well as focused on our current user base to develop a brand identity that represents what Voolsy stands for.Voolsy is indias 1st iBeacon based application that works inside restaurants. Voolsy detects restaurant automatically with iBeacons and give ease to place an order and pay for the same from a customers smartphone. Voolsy has gained vast user base at Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Mumbai with plans to reach Delhi and Pune shortly. Voolsy app is currently available in iOS & Android smartphones.Voolsy Networks Pvt. Ltd.408-409, Zodiac Square, Opp. Gurudwara, S.G.Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat - 380 054+91 (79) 4030 5787Irfan Pathangodigital@voolsy.com
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Market Overview, Size, Share, Trends, Analysis and Forecast to 2025 |The Insight Partners

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LED lights are based on semiconductor modules and release less discharged heat as compared to fluorescent and incandescent products. LED lights are utilized across numerous end-user industries such as commercial, industrial, outdoor, and architectural. Profile ration of LED in applications such as traditional lightings has given a solid thrust to the lightings market. LED is anticipated to surpass the conventional compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) and cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) lighting market as it delivers high level of illumination, long life, high reliability, and high efficiency. In addition, LED lighting is a cost effective solution over conventional lighting applications such as CFL and CCFL.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Light Emitting Diode (LED) Market to 2025 @The global LED market is segmented by technology, namely: traditional LED, high brightness LED, organic LED, polymer LED, and ultra violet LED. The global LED market is further segmented by applications, into automotive, general lighting, display screen, backlight sources, forensic &research, and government. Furthermore, the global LED market is also segmented on the basis of product types into low power product and high power product. Lastly, the global LED market is also segmented by installation type as new installation and retrofit.The initial capex required for LED lighting is huge and this is restricting its initial acceptance. However, considering the longer lifetime of LEDs, the overall cost of the same is low when matched to CFLs. Incandescent lamps utilize extra energy than LED lamps; therefore, numerous governments have introduced laws to restrict their use. Moreover, non-commercial LED market drivers include actions implemented to back usage of LED lighting systems at the legislative level, and improvement of standards and regulations for running energy-saving lighting systems at the individual organization stages. LED lighting is environment friendly, as it does not produce toxic gases. For instance, fluorescent lights emit toxic bi-products like carcinogenic, which cause cancer, whereas incandescent lamps emit huge volumes of carbon dioxide. However, LED lighting overcomes these shortcomings with better reliability and better illumination.Request Sample Copy @It is expected that the consumers will gain awareness regarding the aids of longer life of LED and ultimately would lead to a widespread adoption of LED lighting during the forecast period. Declining prices of LED lamps, growing display backlighting applications, longer life span and high efficacy of LED lamps are key factors propelling the global LED market. LED lighting offers enormous prospects to save energy intake across residential, outdoor and architectural applications. Additionally, outdoor LED lighting is further gaining popularity for usage in tunnels, traffic lights, roadways, parking lots and garages. Residential applications for LED lighting consists of lighting in kitchens, dining rooms, hallways, and bathrooms.Cree, Inc., Epistar Corp., Nichia Corporation, OSRAM Light AG, Siemens AG, Koninklijke Philips N.V., and Lumileds Lighting are the chief LEDmarket players globally. Other prominent vendors of this market include General Electric, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Bridgelux, Inc., SemiLEDS Corporation, Seoul Semiconductors Co., Ltd., and Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Both, Siemens and Phillips, have bifurcated their lighting work from their core business to enable faster response to market dynamics and to achieve greater revenues. In addition, General Electric has taken steps to initiate manufacturing its own LED circuit panels, which could prove to be an effective strategy for their lighting business in the future.Make an Inquiry @Few Key Points from Table of Content7 Global Light Emitting Diode (LED) Market Analysis7.1 Global Sales Revenue and Forecasts to 20257.2 Global Light Emitting Diode (LED) Market, Competitive Landscape8 Global Light Emitting Diode (LED) Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  Technology8.1 Overview8.1.1 Segment Share (%), 2014 & 20258.2 Traditional LED8.3 High Brightness LED8.4 Organic LED8.5 Polymer LED8.6 Ultraviolet LED (UV LED)9 Global Light Emitting Diode (LED) Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  Applications9.1 Overview9.1.1 Segment Share (%), 2014 & 20259.2 Automotive9.3 General Lighting9.4 Mobile Devices9.5 Signal & Signage9.6 Forensic & Research9.7 Government10 Global Light Emitting Diode (LED) Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  Product Types10.1 Overview10.1.1 Segment Share (%), 2014 & 202510.2 Low Power Product10.3 High Power Product11 Global Light Emitting Diode (LED) Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  Installation Type11.1 Overview11.1.1 Segment Share (%), 2014 & 202511.2 New Installation11.3 Retrofit13 Global Light Emitting Diode (LED) Market, Key Company Profiles Included Key Facts, Business Description, Financial Overview, SWOT Analysis and Key Developments13.1 Cree, Inc.13.2 Epistar Corp.13.3 Nichia Corporation13.4 OSRAM Light AG13.5 Siemens AG.13.6 Koninklijke Philips N.V.13.7 Lumileds Lighting13.8 General Electric13.9 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.13.10 Bridgelux, Inc.13.11 SemiLEDS Corporation13.12 Seoul Semiconductors Co., Ltd.13.13 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.Inquire about discount on this report @About The Insight Partners:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comThe Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Refrigerated Vehicles Market Expecting Worldwide Growth by 2021

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Refrigerated vehicles are used for transportation of vulnerable food, pharmaceutical and healthcare products. The increasing population and consumer spending on food products has surged their production globally. Among food products, dairy products and fresh fruits and vegetables require cold storage and transportation for their sustainability. The increasing global warming has been emerging as a matter of great concern for the food producers globally which is reducing the shelf life of these products in non-refrigerated conditions. Most of the pharmaceutical and healthcare products need protection from heat and light to maintain their chemical and biological formulation. All these concerns have been driving the refrigerated vehicles market globally and are expected to increase in terms of growth rate during 2014-2020.Request to view Sample Report @Refrigerated vehicles include a large types of vehicles used in several transportation requirements based on loading requirement. Some of their types include refrigerated vans, refrigerated trucks, refrigerated trailers, refrigerated railcars, refrigerated ships, refrigerated transport by air, refrigerated containers, atmosphere controlled containers, intermodal refrigerated containers, insulated containers, integral reefer containers and multimodal temperature containers. The increasing consumer awareness about fresh products is one of the important factors which have been escalating the demand for refrigerated vehicles globally.The developing and underdeveloped countries have an underdeveloped cold-supply chain infrastructure which leads to destruction of a large quantity of food products every year. This also increases warehousing charges of the food manufacturers and the distributors as they have to maintain local distribution points in the area of demand. The growing population and increasing per capita income in these countries is boosting the demand for food products which is further creating demands for the refrigerated vehicles in these countries. The dairy product consumption in Asia Pacific countries have also been increasing to a great extent in recent times. The pharmaceutical and healthcare industries have also been growing at a rapid pace in these developing countries which is creating demand for the refrigerated vehicles in this domain as well. The shortage of skilled labor and unstable fuel prices are the key hurdles for the refrigerated vehicles market. The companies operating in the refrigerated vehicles market are improving the fuel efficiency and noise reduction of these vehicles.There have been several technology development and introduction in the recent times by the refrigerated vehicle manufacturers. They include CorroGuard and ThermGuard by Great Dane, Strip door solution for refrigerated trucks by R.O.M, GRIPTM by RTE, LED based indicator by Carrier, economical cold plates by Johnson, reefer monitoring system by PAR, reefer-trak sentry solutions by Star-Trak, Secureseal system by OEM Group, new alternator by Robert Bosch and Fleetview by Terion.Request to view Table of content @Among regions, North America dominated global sales of refrigerated vehicles market, followed by Europe. There are a large number of market players in the refrigerated vehicles market which are operating in a particular country or globally through their subsidiaries. The global refrigerated vehicles market is fragmented however; it is increasingly advancing towards consolidation with a number of companies engaged in merger and acquisition activities.The key market players include Great Dane Trailers, Ingersol Rand Company Limited, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Limited, Schmitz Cargobull, R.O.M., Thermo King, Carrier Transicold, Johnson, PAR, Star-Trak, GE, OEM Group, Robert Bosch, Terion, Northgate Plc and Fraikin Limited.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Healthcare IT Market to Record an Impressive Growth Rate During the Forecast 2020

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Healthcare information technology (IT) is a vast field that involves the use of information technology for designing, creating, developing, using and maintaining information systems in the field of healthcare. Healthcare IT market is growing at a fast rate due to technological advancement in the field and increasing demand for improved healthcare facilities worldwide. Healthcare IT allows exchange of health-related information among organizations electronically. On the basis of applications, healthcare IT market can be segmented into clinical technology, non-clinical technology and payer technology. Various wireless technologies are available in the market such as radio frequency identification (RFID), bluetooth, WLAN, WWAN, WMAN, zigbee technology and others. Use of healthcare IT lowers the cost of treatment and reduces errors associated with healthcare facilities; thus improves the efficiency of the healthcare system.Request to view Sample Report @On the basis of delivery mode, web-based technology has the largest market. However, cloud technology is growing at the fastest rate. This is due to various successful technologies being used in cloud technology, such as Saas, Paas, Iaas and others. North America, followed by Europe, has the largest market for healthcare IT due to rise in incidence of various diseases, increasing adoption of electronic health records and technological advancement in the region. Asia is expected to show high growth rate in healthcare IT market in next few years due to rise in ageing population, increasing patient pool in the region and government initiatives sin the region.Technological advancement, government initiatives, rise in investments from healthcare IT players, increasing number of patients are some of the key factors driving the growth for global healthcare IT market. In addition, increasing demand for better healthcare facilities and rising need for integrated healthcare systems are expected to drive the market for healthcare IT. However, high maintenance and service expenses, lack of experienced professionals and interoperability issues are some of the major factors restraining the growth for global healthcare IT market.Request to view Table of content @IT-enabled healthcare solutions for physicians, emerging markets such as China and India and innovation of some new information technology in healthcare are expected to offer good opportunities for growth of global healthcare IT market. In addition, shifting focus towards patient-centric healthcare facilities is anticipated to develop good opportunity for global healthcare IT market. Some of the trends that have been observed in healthcare IT market are increase in the use of mobile devices, rising adoption of electronic health records and wireless and cloud technology in healthcare. Some of the major companies operating in the global healthcare IT market are CERNER CORPORATION, Dell, McKesson Corporation, GE Healthcare, Agfa Gevaert NV, Siemens Healthcare, NextGen Healthcare Information Systems Inc., Epic Systems Corporation, Allscripts and CareFusion Corporation.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Solid State Lighting (SSL) Market Share, Size, Forecast and Trends by 2025 |The Insight Partners

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The term solid state lighting refers to the light emitted by solid-state electroluminescence or fluorescent tubes. Solid state lighting (SSL) uses polymer light-emitting diodes, semiconductor light-emitting diodes, and organic light-emitting diodes as a source of radiance.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Solid State Lighting (SSL) Market to 2025 @Compared to the conventional lighting technologies such as incandescent lamps, the solid state lighting products provide higher output with lesser amount of energy. Incandescent lamps failed in optimum conversion of electrical energy into light, and SSL overcomes this issue. Additionally, high durability (5 to 8 years) of SSL products is another advantageous feature which is expected to boost the adoption of SSL products during the forecast period. Furthermore, lower maintenance costs, reduced size, versatility, and high energy efficiency of SSL products when compared to other conventional products, is expected to propel the global solid state lighting market during the forecast period. The solid state lighting product are designed to reduce the biological impacts, thereby prompting their use across the globe. Also, improved optical distribution of light in SSL products, significantly reduces the light wastage/scattering, and therefore produces better illumination.Reduction in amount of manufacturing material (such as aluminum) for SSL products lowers the manufacturing cost and time, thereby serving as a key opportunity area for the SSL vendors globally. Furthermore, the expected implementation of SSL, owing to enhanced color stability and lumen proficiency, within several lighting applications including automotive lighting, general lighting, and medical lighting, is analyzed to promise significant growth within the global solid state lighting market. The high initial cost of SSL products hinders the global solid state lighting market. Additionally, poor efficiency of SSL products in heat sensitive applications further restricts the global solid state lighting market.Request Sample Copy @The solid state lighting market has been segmented on the basis of technology into light-emitting diodes (LED) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLED). The SSL market has been further segmented based on applications, namely: general lighting, automotive lighting, electronic billboards, backlighting, and medical lighting. On the basis of installation type, the global solid state lighting market has been fragmented into new installation and retrofit. Additionally, the global solid state lighting market has been further segmented by end-user industry verticals into residential, education & research, healthcare, commercial, industrial, consumer electronics, and automotive & transportation.Asia Pacific (APAC) is observed as the largest pool for global solid state lightning market owing to availability of cheap labor and low manufacturing costs. In addition, North America leads the global solid state lighting market owing to a significant implementation of SSL technology in lightning products. In addition, governments of developed regions such as the North America and Europe, are planning to ban incandescent bulbs and increase adoption of energy-efficient and eco-friendly technologies for illumination, thereby further expected to bolster the global solid state lighting market In South America (SAM), Brazil is expected to be is largest contributor to global solid state lightning market due to rapid infrastructural development propelling employment of large amount of SSL products.Make an Inquiry @Some of the key players operating within the global solid state lighting market include Osram Licht AG, Nichia Corporation, General Electric Company, Royal Philips Electronics N.V., Seoul Semiconductor Co. Ltd., Applied Materials, Inc., Cambridge Display Technology Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Cree, Inc., Eaton Corporation PLC., Lumenpulse Inc., Energy Focus, Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., and Tridonic Gmbh & Co. KG among others.Few Key Points from Table of Content7 Global Solid State Lighting (SSL) Market Analysis7.1 Global Sales Revenue and Forecasts to 20257.2 Global Solid State Lighting (SSL) Market, Competitive Landscape8 Global Solid State Lighting (SSL) Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  Technology8.1 Overview8.1.1 Segment Share (%), 2014 & 20258.2 Light-Emitting Diodes (LED)8.3 Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLED)9 Global Solid State Lighting (SSL) Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  Installation Type9.1 Overview9.1.1 Segment Share (%), 2014 & 20259.2 New Installation9.3 Retrofit10 Global Solid State Lighting (SSL) Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  Applications10.1 Overview10.1.1 Segment Share (%), 2014 & 202510.2 General Lighting10.3 Electronic Billboards10.4 Automotive Lighting10.5 Backlighting10.6 Medical Lighting11 Global Solid State Lighting (SSL) Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  End-user Industry Vertical11.1 Overview11.1.1 Segment Share (%), 2014 & 202511.2 Residential11.3 Education & Research11.4 Healthcare11.5 Commercial11.6 Industrial11.7 Consumer Electronics11.8 Automotive & Transportation13 Global Solid State Lighting (SSL) Market, Key Company Profiles Included Key Facts, Business Description, Financial Overview, SWOT Analysis and Key Developments13.1 Osram Licht AG13.2 Nichia Corporation13.3 General Electric Company13.4 Royal Philips Electronics N.V.13.5 Seoul Semiconductor Co. Ltd.13.6 Applied Materials, Inc.13.7 Cambridge Display Technology Ltd.13.8 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation13.9 Cree, Inc.13.10 Eaton Corporation PLC.13.11 Lumenpulse Inc.13.12 Energy Focus, Inc.13.13 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.13.14 Tridonic Gmbh & Co. KGInquire about discount on this report @About The Insight Partners:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comThe Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Diesel Gensets Market Would Register a Healthy Growth Rate During the Forecast 2020

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Diesel gensets supply electrical power to households and industries during power-cuts and power deficiency to prevent discontinuity in daily activities and business operations. Diesel gensets works on the principle of conversion of kinetic energy into electrical energy. Diesel gensets are made up of an internal combustion engine (IC engine) which is fuelled by diesel and alternators (electrical generation unit). Based on power production capacity or power rating, diesel gensets are broadly classified under four categories, namely low power rating (below 60 kilowatts), medium power rating (60 kilowatts - 300 kilowatts), high power rating (300 kilowatts - 1 megawatt), and very high power rating (1 megawatt and above).Request to view Sample Report @Asia Pacific was the largest market for diesel gensets in 2013, followed by Europe and North America. North American and European markets are heading towards maturity while the emerging markets in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Latin America have high growth rate. Growth rate in rest of the world (Middle East, South America and Africa) is the highest to increasing power demand owing to infrastructural developments in the countries such as Brazil and South Africa.Based on product segment, low power rating diesel gensets hold majority of the market share mainly due to their wide acceptance in domestic, manufacturing, data centre, mining and petrochemical industries. Very high power rating gensets are expected to witness highest growth across the power rating categories in the coming years which are attributed to their increasing demands from manufacturing industries. However, the increasing government regulations against pollution caused by diesel gensets and evolution of emission standards are posing threat for the industry. The trend of eco-friendly power generators such as solar panels and batteries and rising petroleum prices are also restraining the growth of diesel gensets market. Gas gensets are one of the emerging power source and a substitute for diesel genets. However, they require related infrastructure for the gas pipelines which are absent in most of the regions in the developing countries.The power requirement in developing countries is increasing due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. However, the deficit remains due to the demand and supply gap. Moreover, the ageing power infrastructure and non-reliable grid power supply in the developing countries have been creating further power deficit, which is expected to boost the demand for diesel gensets. The increasing demand for mobile diesel gensets and bio-fuel based diesel gensets is providing new opportunities for global diesel gensets market.Request to view Table of content @The major companies operating in the diesel gensets market includes APR Energy Plc., Broadcrown Ltd., Caterpillar Inc., Cummins Inc., Dresser-Rand Group Inc., F.G. Wilson Inc., Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd., MQ Power Corp., MTU Onsite Energy Corp., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Wacker Neuson SE and Wuxi Kipor Power Co. Ltd.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Costume Jewelry Market Set to Grow Exponentially During the Forecast 2020

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Costume jewelry (also known as fashion jewellery, trinkets, junk jewelry, fake jewelry and fallalery) is a jewelry made of less valuable materials as compared with valuable materials such as gold, diamond, platinum and other precious metals and gem. The raw material used for these jewelleries include base metals, glass, plastic, synthetic stones, semi-precious stones, beads, ivory, lac, leather, terracotta, pearl and metals such as silver, aluminum and brass. On the basis of products, the costume jewelry industry is broadly categorized as bracelets, brooch, earrings, necklaces, chokers, bangles, finger rings, toe rings, anklets and pendants.Request to view Sample Report @The costume Jewelry industry operates as a true global industry as the raw materials are mostly sourced from Australia, Africa, Russia and Canada, manufacturing takes place in China, India, Italy and Turkey whereas the largest markets is North America, followed by Europe.The developing economies such as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are the fasted growing market with double digit growth rates. Asia Pacific is the largest producer of costume jewelry and expected to take over North America in terms of consumption in the coming years. High growth rate in Asia Pacific region is attributed to the rising income of the consumers in these countries. Further, with the massive urbanization and westernization taking place, the consumers are now becoming more fashionable and trendy. Moreover large population of young consumers (average age is 29 year and 37 year respectively for India and China) are also a key contributor in overall growth of costume jewelry in these countries.The key drivers for the costume jewelry include increasing prices for gold and other precious gems and pearls, internationalization of brands and increasing demand of men costume jewelry. Some of the key challenges for the costume jewelry industry include rising raw material cost and fad sensitive market of fashion jewelry. The unorganized supply chain of the raw materials in costume jewelry industry also act as a major restraint for the industry as it sometimes lead to steep hike in the prices of raw materials. Online channels, which are still new trend, offer new opportunity for the market.Request to view Table of content @Some of the major player in operating in the industry includes, Buckley Jewellery Limited, The Colibri Group, Avon Products Inc, Swank Inc, H. Stern Com. & Ind. S.A., Cartier SA, Channel S.A., Louis Vuitton North America, Inc., Stuller, Inc., Yurman Design, Inc., Billig Jewelers, Inc. and Gianni Versace S.p.A.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Proton Therapy Market Is Increasing Awareness About The Benefits Of Advanced Treatment & Industry Analysis By 2019

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Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy especially for cancer patients with significant advantages over conventional radiation therapy in terms of efficacy and unwanted side effects. In proton therapy a beam of protons is irradiated to diseased tissue with the help of a particle accelerator. These protons cause damage to targeted cells by interfering with their genetic functions. Protons, due to their large mass do not scatter side and are more precisely localized to targeted tissue allowing significantly less damage to adjacent cells.For Any Queries Get Solutions With A PDF Sample :According to The National Association for Proton Therapy, there are 10 to 12 centers providing proton therapy treatment across United States including UC Davis Crocker Lab, Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center and M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and 8 new centers are in development. Proton Treatment Center at Loma Linda University Medical Center was the first facility to treat its patient with proton therapy in 1990. Since then the world has witnessed a massive growth taking place in the development of other centers across the globe. Today, other centers are operating in countries such as Sweden, Japan, Canada, China, Germany and France. In coming years few more centers are about to be established in countries such as Poland, Austria, Hungary, Russia and Australia.Till now more than 80,000 patients suffering from a variety of cancer diseases such as prostate cancer and brain tumor have been treated with proton therapy and the demand is expected to grow further as more medical professionals and patients learn about the benefits of this therapy. Geographically, North America and Europe are the largest market as majority of the centers enabling proton therapy treatment are located in these regions. In Asia Pacific, the market is predicted to grow with the opening of new centers in Australia and under the influence of increasing awareness about the benefits of this advanced treatment. The high cost of therapy is one of the major challenges to growth of this market. This has cascaded down to reimbursement as insurers currently refuse to compensate for such highly expensive procedures.Request Discount of premium Research Report :There are very few companies engaged in the development and manufacturing of cyclotrons, synchrotrons and other equipments required by proton therapy centers. Ion Beam Applications, S.A., a German company dominates the market with a market share accounting for more than 55%. Other players include Hitachi, Fermilab Scientists and Varian Medical Systems.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Cerillion expands in Asia Pacific with new Senior Vice President

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London, 1st November 2016  Cerillion plc (AIM: CER), a leading provider of billing, charging and customer management solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alistair Carwardine as its new Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific. Based in Sydney, Alistair is responsible for leading Cerillions expansion in the region, including managing existing customer and partner relationships in Australia and New Zealand, as well as developing new business and guiding Cerillion strategy across the broader Asia Pacific region.Alistair is a highly successful telecoms delivery executive, with more than 25 years experience in a variety of senior technical and management positions at companies including AOL7, Orion Telecommunications (Ireland), Commander and most recently as Technology Director of M2 Group Ltd. Prior to this, Alistair served 15 years as an officer in the Royal Australian Navy.Alistair commented: As Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific, my mandate is to provide a regional focus to Cerillions account management and sales functions, as well as building a local team of experts to expand and enhance our delivery capabilities. Cerillions pre-integrated Enterprise BSS/OSS suite and powerful SaaS billing and subscription management solutions are ideally suited to the market here in Asia Pacific and I am excited by the new business opportunities the region offers.With an established client base in Southeast Asia and Australia it is crucial for Cerillion to provide local expertise to support the growth and development of these customers, added Louis Hall, CEO, Cerillion plc. Alistairs experience and track record of delivery made him the ideal candidate to establish our new regional presence and I am delighted to welcome him to the Cerillion team.About Cerillion plcFounded in 1999, Cerillion (AIM: CER) is a leading provider of billing, charging and customer management systems delivering its solutions across a broad range of industries including the telecommunications, finance and utilities sectors. The Company has a global customer base, with more than 75 customer installations across 40 countries and customers include Cable & Wireless, KDDI and MTN. For more information visit:125 Shaftesbury AvenueLondonWC2H 8ADUnited Kingdom
Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices Market : Product Innovation The Key Strategy For Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices Manufacturers

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Blood pressure can be defined as a measure of force that is exerted upon the walls of blood vessels. The exact cause of high blood pressure is unknown but it develops with changing lifestyle and growing age. Geriatric population, rising obese population, sedentary lifestyle are the factors that contribute to the growing incidence of hypertension. Rising incidence of blood pressure increases the awareness about blood pressure monitoring techniques. Hypertension is a chronic condition and a leading cause of death and is responsible for cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks globally. The global blood pressure monitoring devices market has been broadly segmented on the basis of device type, end user and geography. This report analyzes the current scenario as well as future market potential for blood pressure monitoring devices market globally.For Any Queries Get Solutions With A PDF Sample :The competitive landscape of the global blood pressure monitoring devices market is dominated by companies with a diverse product catalog and expansive presence across various regions. Omron Healthcare, Welch Allyn, Philips Healthcare, Shenzhen Kingyield Technology, Panasonic, Contec Medical Systems, and A&D Medical. According to Transparency Market Research, the top five companies in the global blood pressure monitoring devices market accounted for 55% of the market in 2014, indicating a high degree of consolidation that is only likely to increase in the coming years.The sustained product development efforts carried out by major players in the blood pressure monitoring devices market have led to a market marked by price-based competition. This has given large companies an edge over new entrants and specialist companies, which is likely to result in significant M&A activity in the blood pressure monitoring devices market in the coming years.According to Transparency Market Research, the global blood pressure monitoring devices market was valued at US$2 bn in 2014. It is likely to exhibit a strong 7.30% CAGR from 2015 to 2023 and rise to a valuation of US$3.8 bn.Home-based Healthcare to Remain Leading End User of Blood Pressure Monitoring DevicesThe key end users of blood pressure monitoring devices are hospitals and patients availing home care facilities. The latter is likely to remain the leading contributor to the global market, with the valuation of the home care segment being almost twice that of the hospitals segment. The use of blood pressure monitoring devices in home care has been driven by the rising prevalence of hypertension and other lifestyle conditions that dont necessarily require hospitalization but do necessitate continuous monitoring.The incorporation of blood pressure monitoring devices in home care has also been helped by the steady product innovation in the industry. This has resulted in the production of reliable and efficient blood pressure monitoring devices, which has helped increase patient confidence. Due to the relatively simple fundamental nature of blood pressure monitoring devices, product innovation and price reductions have become the key strategies for manufacturers, which has helped drive the demand for blood pressure monitoring devices.Unfavorable Reimbursement Policies Restrict Adoption of Blood Pressure Monitoring DevicesDespite the significant demand from hospitals as well as home care initiatives, reimbursement support for blood pressure monitoring devices is lacking in many countries. This is the key restraint on the blood pressure monitoring devices, as the increasing popularity of home healthcare means the reimbursement frameworks will need to be rearranged to reflect the increasing demand for blood pressure monitoring devices.Asia Pacific Set to Dominate Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices MarketIn 2014, North America was the dominant contributor to the global blood pressure monitoring devices market due to the presence of several leading international players, the increasing prevalence of blood pressure disorders, and the widespread availability of blood pressure monitoring kiosks for public use. The increasing deployment of blood pressure monitoring kiosks, which are becoming common in shopping complexes and other public areas in developed countries, has significant potential to drive the demand for blood pressure monitoring devices in North America and parts of Western Europe in the coming years.Request Discount of premium Research Report :On the other hand, the immense potential of Asia Pacific, thanks to its large population base and the formidable presence of unmet medical needs, has encouraged several manufacturers of blood pressure monitoring devices to focus on it as a market for the present as well as the future. While Asia Pacific trails the North America market at present, it is expected to catch up with it over the 2015-2023 forecast period and emerge as a leading contributor to the global blood pressure monitoring devices market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Electronic Health Records (EHR) Market to Benefit from Government Initiatives to Adopt EHR Systems

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Over the past two decades, information technology has revolutionized every facet of the mankind. In current scenario, healthcare practices of all types and sizes, and information is both a benefit and a challenge for every provider. Awareness about the disease and treatment is saving lives, while lack of effectively managed data might place this information at risk. Although, several pilot and cohort studies has been undertaken by government organizations and institutions pertaining to effectiveness of a computerized patient healthcare information system. Despite such studies many hospitals/providers especially in emerging markets have not successfully introduced an electronic health record (EHR) with clinical data entry at the point of care which clearly illustrates latent gap and scope of market expansion in forthcoming years.For Any Queries Get Solutions With A PDF Sample :EHR systems have encouraged many physicians around the world to adopt information technology for their routine work. The use of EHR systems helps in maintaining updated information of patients, reduce healthcare costs, improve accuracy and efficiency, and reduce medical errors. The growing government initiatives to encourage the adoption of EHR systems for healthcare facilities has driven the growth of this market. On the other hand, the absence of skilled healthcare IT professionals and high installation costs of EHR systems are some of the major factors that are expected to hamper the growth of this market in the forecast period.On the basis of installation type, the global EHR market has been divided into client server-based EHR systems and web-based EHR systems. In 2013, the client server-based EHR systems segment held the largest share in the global EHR market; however, the web-based EHR system segment is expected to grow significantly throughout the forecast period. The high growth of this segment can be attributed to the nominal upfront prices of these systems. By end-user, the global EHR market has been classified into ambulatory centers and hospitals. In 2013, the hospitals segment accounted for the largest share in comparison to the ambulatory centers segment.Geographically, the global EHR market has been segmented into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. Among all these regions, in 2013, the North America region dominated the global market in terms of revenue, accounting for 42.6% in the global EHR market. This region is anticipated to continue with its dominant position, exhibiting a 5.8% CAGR throughout the forecast period, owing to the rising government funding for the implementation of EHR systems.The North America EHR market is followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The prominent players operating in the global EHR market have set their focus on developing markets such as India, Mexico, China, Brazil, and South Africa, where most of the hospitals are adopting digital technology. Apart from these, countries such as Australia and Japan are considered as the most promising markets throughout the forecast period. In Rest of the World, the EHR market is projected to exhibit healthy growth due to the growing market penetration by multinational companies.A new market research report has been recently published by Transparency Market Research. The report analyzes the scope of the global electronic health records (EHR) market. The research report, titled Electronic Health Records (EHR) Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020, provides an overview of the EHR market coupled with the market drivers, restraints, product segmentation, and the competitive landscape.According to the TMR research study, in 2013, the global market for electronic health records was worth US$15.56 bn and is anticipated to reach US$23.98 bn by the end of 2020. This market is expected to exhibit a 6.4% CAGR between 2014 and 2020.Request For Discount On This Report :In the last section, the research study analyzes the competitive landscape of the global EHR market. The analysis includes company overview, contact information, financial overview, business strategies, SWOT analysis, mergers and acquisitions, and recent developments. Some of the key players operating in the global EHR market are Epic Systems, Cerner Corporation, GE Healthcare, McKesson Corporation, Medical Information Technology, Inc. (MEDITECH), NextGen Healthcare (Quality Systems, Inc.), Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc., eClinicalWorks, and Computer Programs and Systems, Inc.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
The Global Alternative Healthcare Providers Market Is Witnessing An Admirable Growth Due To Medical Advancements & Industry Analysis By 2023

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Complementary or Alternative medicine(CAM) refers to different medical therapies and systems outside of conventional healthcare to improve and treat the mental and physical illness.CAM therapies are based on the knowledge, practices and skills derived from theories, experiences and philosophies to improve and maintain health, as well as to diagnose, prevent, and treat various disorders. Alternative healthcare providers offer a variety of medical and healthcare systems, products and practices used by patients without medical supervision. CAM therapies are particularly used by people with chronic illnesses and pain, such as liver disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and cancer. Alternative system of healthcare include Ayurveda, unani medicines, yoga, acupuncture, homeopathic medicines and others systems of healthcare.For Any Queries Get Solutions With A PDF Sample :Complementary or Alternative medicine can be categorized on the basis of Interventiono Alternative medical systemso Mind-body interventionso Biologically based therapieso Physical manipulationo Energy therapies. Typeso Ayurvedao Yogao Naturopathyo Homeopathyo Unanio Siddhao Acupressureo Acupunctureo OthersNow a days, people are evidently looking for more gentle and natural methods of healing and thus are increasingly supporting different types of CAM therapies within existing healthcare systems that will subsequently lead to the growth of alternative healthcare providers market. According to an article published by the EUROCAM, an association of European CAM organizations, currently, CAM is practiced by around 145,000 doctors trained in conventional medicine and a particular CAM modality. The rising awareness and interest of healthcare professionals in CAM therapies is expected to drive the market of alternative healthcare providers market. Moreover, the World Health Assembly, the supreme decision-making body of the World Health Organization WHO has urged its member states to integrate CAM and traditional medicine within national healthcare system. This would further boost the market for alternative healthcare providers.The global alternative healthcare providers market is witnessing an admirable growth due to medical advancements, high number of research activities in this segment and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. The increasing prevalence of different cancers in developed as well as developing countries has resulted in a significant growth in alternative healthcare providers market. According to WHO, 14.1 million new cases of cancer were observed and 8.2 million deaths occurred throughout the world in 2012. This significant rise in cancer incidence has driven the growth of CAM therapies. However, lack of awareness and unregulated market may hinder the growth of alternative healthcare providers market.In terms of geography, alternative healthcare providers market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East. Among these regions, North accounts for the largest share of alternative healthcare providers market due to increasing awareness about various CAM therapies among people and rising prevalence of chronic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer. Europe accounts for the second largest market for alternative healthcare providers owing to high acceptability of various CAM therapies, rising incidence chronic diseases and high disposable income. However, Asia Pacific market is expected to witness positive growth due to high rate of development in healthcare industry, rising demand for herbal and natural medicines and growing medical tourism industry.Request For Discount On This Report :The global alternative healthcare providers market is highly fragmented due to the participation of mid-sized and small sized manufacturers. Some of the major players in alternative healthcare providers market includes Allen Labratories Ltd. Baidyanath Herbal, Dabur Limited, Hamdard Laboratories, Medisynth Ch. Pvt. Ltd., and SBL Homeopathy Medicines.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Elderly and Disabled Assistive Devices Market to Amount to US$19.6 bn by 2019, Led by Hearing Aids

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Elderly and disabled assistive devices comprise of all the devices that are utilized by the population for movement, listening, reading and other activities of life. Geriatric population are not self dependent for various day to day activities of life, they need support of various equipments and devices to perform different needful things of life. In the same manner, disabled people also require these devices. The devices which make their life easy, comfortable and independent are classified as elderly and disabled assistive devices. The overall elderly and disabled assistive devices market is segmented into medical mobility aids and ambulatory devices, medical furniture and bathroom safety products, vision and reading aids and hearing aids.For Any Queries Get Solutions With A PDF Sample :Each of the segments has been further classified into various sub-segments based on the types of products. Medical mobility aids and ambulatory devices include wheelchairs, medical scooters, cranes and crutches, door openers, walkers and rollators and transfer lifts. Medical furniture and bathroom safety products include medical beds, commodes and showers chairs, ostomy products and bars and railings. Vision and reading aids include Braille translators, reading machines and video magnifiers. Hearing aids include receiver-in-the-ear aids, behind-the-ear aids, in-the-ear aids, canal hearing aids, bone anchored hearing aids and cochlear implants. The market size and forecast for the period 2011 to 2019, in terms of USD million, considering 2012 as the base year has been provided for each segment and sub-segment in the report. The compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for each segment has been provided for the forecast period from 2013 to 2019.As per the report, the increasing disabled population and geriatric population, rising funding by governments, and launch of new cutting-edge products including powered wheelchairs, implants, sensor-based door openers, and portable reading machines have fuelled the market for elderly and disabled assistive devices. On the other hand, the expansion of the market may be inhibited in the coming years due to rising product prices. For instance, advanced hearing aids such as bone anchored aids cost about US$10,000 per device at present.The report segments the elderly and disabled assistive devices market on the basis of type, product, and geography.On the basis of type, the market is segmented into medical mobility aids and ambulatory devices and medical furniture and bathroom safety products. Medical mobility aids and ambulatory devices include mobility scooters, wheelchairs, cranes and crutches, transfer lifts, door openers, walkers and rollators, and others including pillows, back supports, and cushions.On the other hand, medical furniture and bathroom safety products include medical beds, ostomy products, bars and railings, commodes and shower chairs, and others including pool lifts, bath lifts, hearing aids, and vision and reading aids. Hearing aids are further segmented into receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) aids, in-theear (ITE) aids, behind-the-ear (BTE) aids, cochlear implants, and bone anchored hearing aids. Vision and reading aids are further segmented into reading machines, braille translators, video magnifiers, and others including kitchen appliances and books.Amongst these types, in 2012, the segment of hearing aids held the biggest share in the elderly and disabled assistive devices market. This is owing to the huge number of people suffering from hearing impairments. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 5% of the population of the world suffers from hearing loss. On the other hand, the segment of medical mobility aids and ambulatory devices is the second biggest segment and is predicted to exhibit expeditious growth in the forecast horizon.A new Transparency Market Research report states that the global elderly and disabled assistive devices market was valued at US$12.3 bn in 2012 and is predicted to reach US$19.6 bn by 2019. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.90% between 2013 and 2019. The title of the report is Elderly and Disabled Assistive Devices Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019.Request For Discount On This Report :On the basis of geography, the market is segmented into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). Amongst these, in 2012, North America held the biggest share in the elderly and disabled assistive devices market. On the other hand, Asia Pacific is expected to experience the highest growth rate during the forecast horizon and is predicted to rise at a 6.0% CAGR. This is due to the rise in the disabled and elderly population, increasing disposable incomes, and rise in government funding.According to the report, the prominent players dominant in the market include William Demant Holding A/S, Sonova Holding AG, Sunrise Medical LLC, Invacare Corporation, Ai Squared, and GN ReSound Group, among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
KACO new energy to supply 2.5 megawatts of inverter capacity to Hungary.

The 50 kVA string inverter blueplanet 50.0 TL3 INT.

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Neckarsulm, 26. October 2016  The order has been placed with the German photovoltaic specialist by Hungarian EPC and distributor Szalontai. The two companies signed the agreement for 50 inverters of type blueplanet 50.0 TL3 INT at the beginning of October. The units are already waiting to be shipped: the solar power systems they are designated for are planned to be finished by the end of January 2017.Szalontais order book includes projects with an overall power of 2.5 megawatts, to be completed between November 2016 and January 2017. The schedule is tight, so logistics must run smoothly and installation works must be efficient. On the basis of past business dealings, Szalontai considered that KACO new energy GmbH had the necessary prerequisites in place, and so made an agreement with the Neckarsulm manufacturer to supply 50 inverters of type blueplanet 50.0 TL3 INT. It is the single largest order from Eastern Europe during the current year.This wall-mounted inverter has an integrated string collector and DC overvoltage protection in the XL variant ordered, which saves working time during installation. The units can also be configured remotely, provided the solar system is fully connected to the Ethernet  saving the effort of individually adjusting the inverters in the system. The decision was also influenced by the fast delivery time."When an experienced company such as Szalontai places orders with us, this confirms that we have created the right mix of product properties, quality 'made in Germany' and reasonable prices," says Krzysztof Zamozny, Sales Manager Eastern Europe at KACO new energy. The working relationship with KACO new energy began as far back as 2007. The partnership has developed continuously over this time, and Szalontai is now a certified partner of KACO new energy, both selling inverters and providing services.Where others go to Lake Balaton to swim and sunbathe, brothers Balint and Gabor Szalontai decided early on that they would use the sun for another purpose: back in 2004, even before the solar boom in Europe, they founded the photovoltaic company here that shares their name. As an EPC service provider and trading company with a full range of PV equipment, Szalontai is now a fixed variable in the Hungarian solar sector, with more than 60 partners in trade and installation.About KACO new energy:KACO new energy is amongst the worlds largest manufacturers of solar inverters. With offices in 16 countries, the company offers inverters for every array size from the smallest homes to the largest solar farms of hundreds of Megawatts. KACO new energy is based in Neckarsulm, near Stuttgart, Germany and the production facilities there, in the Americas and Asia have supplied around eight Gigawatts of inverters since 1999. The company was the first inverter manufacturer to achieve fully carbon-neutral production and is rapidly heading towards power self-sufficiency. KACO new energy also supplies energy storage systems and battery inverters, as well as inverters for PV-Diesel hybrid systems and combined heat and power plants. In 2014, KACO new energy celebrated the centenary of the original company which was one of the first suppliers of inverters in the late 1930s. Read more atContact:KACO new energy GmbHKornelia LauserHead of Global MarketingCarl-Zeiss-Str. 174172 NeckarsulmGermany+49 7132 3818-0+49 7132 3818-703pr(at)kaco-newenergy.de
Global Social Networking Market to grow at a CAGR of around 18% during Forecast 2016-2020

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Albany, NY, Nov 02: Research analyst predicts the global social networking market to grow at a CAGR of around 18% during the forecast period. Social media advertising has gained popularity over the past decade, mainly due to the active participation of social media users. Social media advertising offers a solid platform for advertisers to exhibit their brands/products, especially during global events, which are actively followed across the world.One of the reasons for the growth of advertisement spending on social media is the fact that social media acts as a platform that helps in directing search keywords toward the companys website, leading to increased website traffic and brand popularity/visibility. Besides, social media allows brands to interact with people by offering an effective platform for communication, thereby leading to higher conversion rate and improved brand loyalty.Segmentation by device and analysis of the social networking market- Social network advertisement spending on desktop computers- Social network advertisement spending on mobile devicesGet a Sample Research PDF with TOC:Although desktop computers accounted for around 51% of the total social media advertisement spending during 2015, the market is expected to shift significantly toward advertisement spending on mobile devices during the forecast period. This is mainly due to the growing usage of smartphones and tablets. Mobile devices help in effectively targeting potential audience as most personal and professional interactions take place in these devices. Social media apps designed for mobile devices regularly track these interactions and further increase the relevance of advertisements.Geographical segmentation and analysis of the social networking market- Americas- APAC- EMEAThe market in the Americas is mature as North America accounts for around 93% of the market share in the region. It has a social media penetration of around 58%, which is the highest globally. Though this existing high penetration makes it difficult to attract new users toward social media, it offers brands a broad base of target audience, resulting in greater chances of monetizing their advertisement efforts.Competitive landscape and key vendors -The global social networking market is dominated by a few global vendors. These vendors are constantly trying to innovate and update their platforms/solutions to keep up with the latest trends and developments in the market. Mergers and acquisitions are common in the market as major vendors like Facebook, Twitter and Google try to acquire new entrants in the market in which they see significant potential.The leading vendors in the market are -- Facebook- Google Plus- LinkedIn- Sina Weibo- Twitter- YouTubeThe other prominent vendors in the market include Instagram, iQIYI, Pinterest, Qzone, Renren, and Tumblr.Enquiry at:Key questions answered in this report:-- What will the market size and the growth rate be in 2020?- What are the key factors driving the global social networking market?- What are the Key Market trends?impacting the growth of the global social networking 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 vendors in the global social networking market?- Trending factors influencing the market shares of the Americas, APAC, and EMEA?- What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the global social networking market?ResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:
Global Energy Recovery Devices Market: In-Depth Market Research Report 2015 - 2021

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Energy conservation is increasingly becoming an important issue in water purification. Engineers are looking for new technologies to cut down on operating costs without increasing maintenance and operation requirements. Energy consumption has always been one of the largest operating costs in membrane water treatment plants. Energy savings can be achieved through the incorporation of energy recovery devices.Request for Sample Report:Energy recovery devices for are majorly used for brackish water and seawater reverse osmosis facility leading to energy saving. These devices transfer some of the residual pressure from the system concentrate to boost another flow stream. There are new innovative applications of energy recovery devices on membrane softening systems and brackish water.Additional benefits are obtained by using energy recovery devices such as improving hydraulic balance, increasing permeate quality, and potentially extending the life of the membranes. There are many types of energy recovery devices. Some of the major commercially used energy recovery devices include reverse turbine, Pelton wheel, pressure exchanger, work exchanger, and electric motor drive.The global energy recovery devices market is mainly driven by the rising demand of energy recovery devices in seawater reverse osmosis desalination as well as brackish water reverse osmosis desalination facility. Increasing applications and technological advancements will provide great opportunities for the growth of energy recovery device. Above mentioned factors are expected to drive the growth of the Energy recovery devices market for the forecast period (2015-2025).Global Energy recovery devices market is segmented by product type, application, and by region.The global Energy recovery devices market is estimated to witness a considerable growth for the forecast period (2015 to 2025). North America and European region are the leading market for Energy recovery devices. According to FMIs forecast, the Energy recovery devices market in Asia-Pacific is expected to demonstrate the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. FMI forecasts the Asia-Pacific region to be the fastest growing region for Energy recovery devices market for the forecast period due to increasing demand for Energy recovery devices for seawater reverse osmosis in this region.Key players in the global Energy recovery devices market focus on innovations and technological advancements, in order to outperform competitors. Companies in this market are focusing on finding newer applications and newer technologies for Energy recovery devices, to expand their reach and grow their market share. The market for energy recovery devices is competitive as there is an increasing demand for fresh water and this market is constantly expanding.Request for Table of content:Some of the major players of the global Energy recovery devices market are Energy Recovery Inc., RWL Water, Marsi Water, Dynalon Engineering Sdn Bhd, Flowserve Corporation, Fluid Equipment Development Company (FEDCO), and others.About Us:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact Us:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Global Industrial Explosives Market: Quantitative Market analysis, Current and Future Trends to 2015 to 2021

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Industrial explosives are blasting explosives with significant hazards, which are majorly used in construction, quarrying and mining industries. To enter into the industry, manufacturers require an explosives license to sell as well as sore industrial explosives or in some cases, they are exempted by the Explosives Act and Regulations. Various types of explosives and their accessories are manufactured in the industry such as safety fuse, detonating fuse, detonators, gun powder, nitro compound, ANFO (Ammonium nitrate  Fuel Oil) based explosives, cartridge explosives, bulk explosives and nitrate mixtures. Asia Pacific dominated the global industrial explosives market in terms of production with more than 30 key players involved in industrial explosives industry. Some of them include Indian Oil Corporation, Hubei Kailong Chemical Group Co., and Solar Industries India Limited among others. Europe accounts for the second largest manufacturer for industrial explosives, followed by North America, particularly United States and Canada.Request for Sample Report:The global industry for industrial explosives has been witnessing significant growth due to growth of its end user industries such as mining and construction. Emerging economies such as India serves as a huge opportunity for the industrial explosives industry and its accessories. The industry in India has noticed a major shift from complete dependence on imports over the past few decades to increased production and exportable surplus currently. The industry for industrial explosives comprises the activities such as selling and producing the explosives in bulk, catridge, gun powder, and ANFO based explosives of the nitrate mixture, nitro compound including boosters and PETN as well as explosives accessories such as safety fuse, detonating fuse and detonators. The mining industry accounts for the largest market share in overall industrial explosives market with coal mining dominating the mining industry for explosives, due to increasing demand for coal. This growth can be mainly attributed to the increasing demand for coal, cement and electricity in the country thus driving the market. The global market is largely driven by bulk explosives. In addition, accessories such as detonators are also leading the market due to its strong governmental policies and regulations coupled with growing usage in initiating an explosive charge. The industry for these explosives remains concentrated with various companies such as Solar Industries India Limited being one of the prominent players on account of the companys thriving record of project execution as well as a strong brand name in the field of industrial explosives.Rising construction activities as well significant growth of the mining industry is expected to boost the demand for various materials such as coal, electricity and cement. This factor is expected to drive the demand for industrial explosives which are to be used in the mining and construction activities. However, price variations in explosives are expected to slow down the growth of the market. Increasing focus towards product innovation and technological advancements as well as focus on market expansion in developing and emerging regions is expected to provide new opportunities for the industrial explosives market.Request for Table of content:AEL Mining Services Ltd., Enaex, EPC Groupe, Gulf Oil Corporation Limited, Guizhou Panjiang Chemical Plant, Hubei Kailong Chemical Group Co., Ltd, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, and Solar Industries India Limited are some of the major players present in the industrial explosives industry.About Us:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact Us:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Global Face Color Cosmetics Market:Key Growth Factor, Industry Analysis 2015 - 2021

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Cosmetics are generally a mixture of complex chemicals, but the trend is now moving towards more natural and herbal make-up products that suit majority of consumers.Request for Sample Report:Face color cosmetics are used for enhancing the look of face by smoothening the skin texture and modulating the color of skin. It can be used by both men and women, however the key consumers of face color cosmetics products are women aged between 15 to 54 years.The global face color cosmetics market is expected to grow substantially with a considerable single digit CAGR from 2015 to 2021. There is a significant increase in the usage of face color cosmetics products by all age-group and segments. Earlier it was believed to be used by influential people and premium segment; however it has become largely main stream in todays world with mass production and affordable prices.The key drivers of this market include women in workforce, growing fashion and film industry growth in retail segment and changing lifestyle worldwide. Good looks are associated with confidence and popularity and thus these factors serve as underlying motives of higher usage of make-up by women. Some of the restraining factors could be the stringent government regulations on the ingredients being used in the products and the labeling of products.The face color cosmetic market can be segmented into four major types as blusher, foundation, face powder and concealers. A detailed description of different product lines and its demand under the above four categories has been given in this report. The market can also be segmented on the basis of geographies as Europe, Asia Pacific, Rest of the World (MENA and Latin America) and North America.Request for Table of content:Some of the key companies in the face color cosmetics market globally are LOreals, MAC cosmetics, CoverGirl, Flori Roberts, Shiseido Company Limited., Sephora and Revlon.About Us:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact Us:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Cigar Market: Opportunities and Forecasts, 2015 - 2021

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Cigars are firmly-rolled cylindrical bundle of fermented and dried tobacco which is ignited and smoked by drawing in the mouth. Cigar tobacco is mostly grown in Latin America, Philippines, Eastern United States, Spain and Italy. Cigar is considered to be a status symbol by many and is more prevalent in European countries within premium segment.Request for Sample Report:The Cigars market across the globe is expected to show a single digit increase in CAGR growth by the year 2019. There is a significant increase in the Cigar market due to the usage of Cigar in multiple occasions such as social parties, birthday parties, colleges and among corporate.The key drivers of this market include the addition of smokers to inhale and cigars are considered superior than cigarettes due to lower levels of nicotine. Rising middle class, culture shift and affluent life style are among other driving forces in cigar consumption. Restraining factors could be plethora of government regulations and ban on tobacco production and consumption in several countries. In addition growing health concerns and aging of population act as another major restrains to consumption of Cigar. Major distribution channels are supermarkets, speciality stores and departmental stores.The Cigar market can be segmented into three major types on the basis of composition as wrappers, fillers and binders. It can also be segmented on the basis of shape and size as Parejo, Figurado, Pyramid, Culebras, Tuscanian and Little Cigars. In this report we have segmented the market geographically into North America, APAC, Europe and RoW regions.Request for Table of content:Some of the key players in the Cigar market are Finck Cigar Company, ITC Limited, Altadis, General Cigar Company Inc., Partagas cigars, Perdomo cigars, Oliva cigars, Rodrigo cigars, Paul Stulac cigars, and Rocky Patel cigars.About Us:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact Us:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Global Liquid Waterborne Printing Inks Market to grow at a CAGR of around 5% during Forecast 2015-2019

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Albany, NY, Nov 02: market research analyst predicts the global liquid waterborne printing inks to grow at a CAGR of around 5% during the forecast period. The stringent regulations regarding high-VOC inks have been driving the growth of this market. For instance, in North America and Western Europe, the regulations imposed by the governments concerning the limited use of these high-VOC containing inks have encouraged the rapid adoption of liquid waterborne printing inks with negligible VOC content.The advances being made in the water-based printing process is contributing to the market growth positively. For instance, the Flint Group introduced the Premo Film SXS printing ink that can be used in the flexographic printing process on non-absorbent oriented polypropylene and polyethylene substrates for packaging applications.Competitive landscape and key vendors -The global liquid waterborne printing inks market is fragmented and has several regional as well as global players. The market is highly competitive and is witnessing price wars among vendors. The report predicts the market to experience a rise in consolidations during the forecast period.The top four vendors in the market are -- Flint Group- Sakata- Sun Chemical- Tokyo InkGet a Sample Research PDF with TOC:Other prominent vendors in the market include Altana, Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals, Environmental Inks and Coatings, Huber Group, INX International Ink, Micro Inks, Royal Dutch Printing Ink Factories Van Son, Ruco Druckfarben, Sanchez, T&K Toka, Tokyo Printing Ink, and Wikoff Color.Segmentation by end users and analysis of the liquid waterborne printing inks market- Packaging- Publishing- PromotionThe packaging industry was the dominant segment during 2014, and its market consumption is expected to reach 400 kilotons by the end of 2019. The growth of this sector is due to the increase in the use of these inks for flexible packaging purposes in the food industry globally.Segmentation by printing process and analysis of the liquid waterborne printing inks market- Flexography- GravureThe flexography process accounted for 82% of the consumption share during 2014 and is expected to grow at a rate of 5% during the forecast period. The major end-uses of flexographic printing process includes printing on corrugated board cartons, flexible packaging, bags and sacks, labels, shrink sleeves, folding cartons, newspapers, and envelopes among others.Segmentation by substrate and analysis of the liquid waterborne printing inks market- Films- Paper and paperboardThe paper and paperboard substrate segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. Liquid waterborne printing inks are extensively used in the printing industry on paper and paperboard substrates through the flexographic printing process, as a result of these substrates' absorbent nature.Enquiry at:Key questions answered in this report:-- What will the market size and the growth rate be in 2019?- What are the key factors driving the liquid waterborne printing inks market?- What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the liquid waterborne printing inks 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 vendors in the liquid waterborne printing inks market?- Trending factors influencing the market shares of the Americas, APAC, and EMEA?- What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the liquid waterborne printing inks market?ResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:
Global Medical Tourism Market to Reach US$32.5 bn in 2019, Availability of Cost-effective Treatments in Emerging Nations Encourages Medical Tourism

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Medical tourism is defined as the travel of patients from their home country to different destinations for the purpose of treatment that may also incorporate an extended holiday. Rise in healthcare costs in developed countries coupled with the availability of high quality medical services at lower prices in developing nations has primarily surged the expansion of the medical tourism industry. Moreover, rise in elderly population along with growing number of uninsured population has further triggered the market growth. Patients are travelling abroad not only for cosmetic surgeries with a quick recovery, but also for sophisticated cardiovascular surgeries. Many countries plan to leverage medical tourism as a strategy to boost their healthcare services and tourism industry. By encouraging its presence in the medical tourism market, a country can stimulate its economic growth and create employment opportunities. Consequently, the medical tourism industry is rapidly expanding and is anticipated to have a significant growth in the near future.Medical tourism is defined as traveling from one location to another with a purpose to gain medical assistance. Generally, people from developing nations travel to developed countries for medical treatments that are unavailable in their own countries due to poor medical and healthcare infrastructure. However, in recent years, people residing in developed economies have also begun travelling to lesser developed countries in order to gain cost-efficient medical assistance.For Any Queries Get Solutions With A PDF Sample :According to this study, the falling cost of medical procedures in the Philippines, India, Singapore, Thailand, Mexico, Malaysia, Brazil, Turkey, Taiwan, South Korea, Poland, Costa Rica, and Dubai is encouraging people to travel to these countries for their treatment and, in turn, is propelling the global medical tourism market significantly.In addition, the widening range of medical treatments available in these nations, coupled with technical advancements in the field of medical and healthcare, is likely to boost this market greatly during the forecast period, states the market report.In this study, the global medical tourism market is analyzed on the basis of its regional spread. India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, Taiwan, and South Korea are the major medical tourism markets across the world.Thailand has emerged as the most popular destination for cosmetic surgeries among the medical tourists from Western Europe. In 2012, this country had welcomed around 2.5 million foreign patients, accounting for approximately 45% of the overall number of foreign medical tourists arrived in Asia. However, Malaysia is likely to dominate the global medical tourism market in the coming years.Almost 0.7 million patients were treated in this nation in 2012. Analysts expect around 2 mn patients to gain medical assistance in Malaysia by the end of the forecast period, notes the research report.The report further states that India and Singapore are the most preferred destinations in case of complex medical procedures. India has attracted a large number of patients due to its increasing popularity in the field of cardiac treatments. Costa Rica, Dubai, Poland, and the Philippines have been identified as the prospective countries for medical tourism in this market study.A market study on the global tourism market, recently published by Transparency Market Research (TMR) estimates this market to rise at an exceptional CAGR of 17.90% over the period from 2013 to 2019 and reach a value US$32.5 bn by the end of the forecast period.The research report, titled Medical Tourism Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019, states that the worldwide medical tourism market attained a value of US$10.5 bn in 2012.Samitivej Sukhumvit, Raffles Medical Group, Fortis Healthcare Ltd., Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd., Bangkok Hospital Medical Center, Asian Heart Institute, Bumrungrad International Hospital, KPJ Healthcare Berhad, Min-Sheng General Hospital, and Prince Court Medical Center are some of the major organizations operating in the global medical tourism market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Polyacrylamide Market Size, Share, Analysis, Report and Forecast to 2022

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Polyacrylamide market is estimated at $4.5 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $8.1 billion by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2015 to 2022. Rising environmental issues for waste water handling, increase in demand for coagulants and flocculants and growing shale gas production are the factors driving the market growth in the upcoming years. Some of the polyamides may cause health hazards which led the Government of some countries to impose strict regulations regarding their use, which is a restraining factor for the growth of polyacrylamide market. Improvement of bio-based acrylamide at reasonable prices is a key opportunity for the companies in market.Water treatment segment dominated the market, accounting for more than 25% of the overall revenue in 2015. Instant demand for portable water in emerging economies including India is expected to augment industry expansion. Asia Pacific accounted more than 65% of the global market share, making it the largest market in 2015, and will witness significant growth owing to water treatment, oil & gas production, and mining primarily in China, India and Japan. Increasing population with developments in the infrastructure has resulted in an increasing demand for water, which will fuel growth of the market. Increasing release of impure water from different industries to which polymers are used for the treatment of water is expected to boost demand for polyacrylamide over the projected period.Some of the key players in the market are SNF Group, BASF SE, Zhejiang Xinyong Biochemical Co. Ltd., PetroChina Company Limited, The Dow Chemical Company, Anhui Jucheng Fine Chemicals Co. Ltd, ZL Petrochemicals Co. Ltd., Beijing Heng- Chemical Group Co., Ltd., Ashland Inc., Shandong Shuiheng Chemical Co., Ltd., Yixing Bluwat Chemicals Co. Ltd., Feixiang Group of Companies, Xitao Polymer Co. Ltd., Kemira, Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC, Jiangsu Feixiang Chemical Co. Ltd. and Shadong Polymer Biochemicals Co. Ltd.Applications Covered: Oil and Gas Water Treatment Papermaking Other Applicationso Biomedicalo Miningo ChemicalsProducts Covered: Anionic Polyacrylamide Non-ionic Polyacrylamide Cationic Polyacrylamide Other Producto Copolymerso HomopolymersRegions Covered: North Americao USo Canadao Mexico Europeo Germanyo Franceo Italyo UKo Spaino Rest of Europe Asia Pacifico Japano Chinao Indiao Australiao New Zealando Rest of Asia Pacific Rest of the Worldo Middle Easto Brazilo Argentinao South Africao EgyptWhat our report offers:- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsWe offer wide spectrum of research and consulting services with in-depth knowledge of different industries. We are known for customized research services, consulting services and Full Time Equivalent (FTE) services in the research world. We explore the market trends and draw our insights with valid assessments and analytical views. We use advanced techniques and tools among the quantitative and qualitative methodologies to identify the market trends. Our research reports and publications are routed to help our clients to design their business models and enhance their business growth in the competitive market scenario. We have a strong team with hand-picked consultants including project managers, implementers, industry experts, researchers, research evaluators and analysts with years of experience in delivering the complex projects.STRATISTICS MRC 17049 King James Way, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877, USA
E-Learning a Very Worthwhile Investment Avenue for Players in Medical Education Market

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The global medical education market has a handful of players such as Apollo Hospitals, TACT Academy for Clinical Training, Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (Zimmer Institute), Olympus Corporation, Gundersen Health System, GE Healthcare, and Medical Training College. Transparency Market Research identifies Apollo Hospitals as the leading contributor to the growth of the overall market owing to its extensive course portfolio, strong market penetration in countries in Asia Pacific, and vast scope for practical hospital experience. Geographical expansion in several developing countries has been Apollo Hospitals leading growth strategy, in addition to the acquisition of smaller local players, finds the lead author of the TMR study.In July 2016, Apollo Hospitals Group signed MoUs with Kenyatta National Hospital and Airtel Kenya to not just focus on capacity building in the Kenyan healthcare sector but to also conduct educational lectures and training programs in the country. In the same month, the company signed an agreement with Hainan Ecological Smart City Group in China to develop a highly integrated modern healthcare service facility in the Hainan province, which is likely to lend nursing, medical, and paramedical colleges in the island city tremendous support.Advantages of Online Training over Traditional Modes of Education a Driving FactorThe demand for medical education is primarily driven by the growing preference for online education. Online education is a highly lucrative investment avenue, a TMR analyst observes. The exposure to modern technologies around the world and the increasing penetration of the internet has greatly fueled the preference of students for online education. Moreover, online training presents several advantages over traditional modes of education, including variation in training and educational programs, lower cost, comfortable and flexible learning programs, and opportunities for improved technical skills.Download PDF Brochure of Research Insights -In line with this growing trend, TMR predicts that the emergence of e-learning markets in several developing countries will be a major opportunity for players in the medical education market.High Tuition Fee a Major RoadblockThe cost of higher education, especially in developed countries, continues to pose a key challenge for low-income students. Medical education is one of the most expensive fields and the tuition fee for classroom courses as well as on-campus training is extremely high. This acts as a major barrier for the medical education market, the author of the study says.In addition to this, the declining preference for distance education in medicine and paramedical training is likely to restrict the growth of the medical education market to an extent.Steady Growth in Store for Medical Education MarketExpanding at a 4.3% CAGR over the course of the forecast period, the global medical education market is poised to rise from a value of US$25.9 bn in 2015 to US$38.4 bn by 2024. By mode of education, the medical education market is led by on-campus training. Changing student preferences will restrict the demand for distance training by 2024, TMR predicts. However, online training is fast emerging as a lucrative mode of medical education and this segment is likely to register the highest CAGR of 7.29% from 2016 to 2024.Inquire for Report Customization -By type of training, the demand for cardiothoracic training has surpassed the rest, while training in radiology presents the highest scope for growth. By geography, North America led the overall medical education market with Asia Pacific as the most rapidly expanding regional segment through the forecast period.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. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.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, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Fiber Cement Panels Market Size, Industry Analysis Report & Forecast To 2021

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Global Fiber Cement Panels Market Professional Survey Report 2016 Order This Report by calling BigMarketResearch.com at +1-971-202-1575.Notes:Production, means the output of Fiber Cement PanelsRevenue, means the sales value of Fiber Cement PanelsThis report studies Fiber Cement Panels in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2011 to 2015, and forecast to 2021.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringRieder Smart Elements GmbHCopalVitrabondEquitoneDownload Sample Copy of This Report @By Application, the market can be split intoRomaniaEuropeCzech RepublicSlovakiaCroatiaBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaTable of Contents1 Industry Overview of Fiber Cement Panels2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Fiber Cement Panels3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Fiber Cement Panels4 Global Fiber Cement Panels Overall Market Overview5 Fiber Cement Panels Regional Market Analysis6 Global 2011-2016E Fiber Cement Panels Segment Market Analysis (by Type)7 Global 2011-2016E Fiber Cement Panels Segment Market Analysis (by Application)8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Fiber Cement Panels9 Development Trend of Analysis of Fiber Cement Panels Market10 Fiber Cement Panels Marketing Type Analysis11 Consumers Analysis of Fiber Cement PanelsGet a copy of this Global Fiber Cement Panels Market research report (Single User License):About Company: Big Market Research uniqueness lies in its highly ethical reports at economical rates because we value your relationship and growth more than money. Your growth is our aim.Our research services ranges into different domains and penetrates in different verticals so that we can carter to diverse needs of various organization. Not wrong to quote that this is the hotspot for research needs of yours.Contact us:5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesDirect :+ 1-503-894-6022Toll Free : + 1-800-910-6452Email: help@bigmarketresearch.comWeb:
Cyber Security In India  To Breach Or Not To Breach!

India suffered its largest data breach last month that was exposed to public only on October 19th when State Bank of India (SBI) blocked 0.6 million debit cards. Later, the news broke that about 3.2 million debit cards across major banks that include ICICI, HDFC, AXIS and YES bank had been potentially breached by hackers.The breach had occurred at the ATM machines serviced by the Hitachi Payment Services. As per media sources the breach happened because the respective ATM machines were infected by a malware. Who did this? Nobody knows as of now! But there are many who have reported unauthorized transactions from their accounts that have been traced to foreign countries.A forensic investigation of the breach is underway and the details will be known only when the report is issued. Whether we (public) will come to know of the details of the breach will depend on the magnanimity of the government and the banks. This is because there is no breach disclosure law in India that mandates the banks to wilfully disclose information concerning all breaches, although the day is not far when such legislation will be enacted as it has become a norm in most cyber aware countries.However, one learning that we need to take from this breach that neither government nor banks would share is that India would continue to be targeted by the hackers and the attacks are only going to increase and become more sophisticated in future. This is because the rise of digital economy is not serendipitous but rather an anticipated outcome of human advancement in science and technology.A particular aspect of this change is the increasing number of cashless transactions that are taking place in Indian payment eco-system. People now like to purchase things from e-commerce websites, like to pay their bills online, carry debit/credit cards instead of cash; and as the dependency on technology advances, the cyber crime will also advance; become more frequent, complex and sophisticated.There is little doubt that the life of an average consumer has become easy owing to the cashless services but whats ignored by the banks and the consumers themselves is the negative fallout of a cashless economy. The financial institutions invest less on security of their assets and information than they spend getting more business to achieve the annual targets.Similarly, the average consumer is hardly aware of the number of ways he/she can be scammed or robbed of his/her sensitive financial data, which in turn is used for stealing his/her identity or making fraudulent transactions. Even the banking staff is mostly unaware of the basic security threats and risk mitigation strategies they need to follow.The primary reason behind such a state of security infrastructure of Indian financial system is the lack of cyber awareness and information sharing. The private sector is nowhere close to where it should be in cybersecurity because except by a very small number of banks, no information sharing is being done among the public and private sectors.At the same time, the threat landscape is continuing to evolve with recent DDoS attacks on western networks, and spear phishing campaigns weaponized to deliver credential stealing malware, destructive malware and ransomware. Although Indian companies have not experienced it closely, in the past decade or so, the damage caused by cyber attacks has grown from brand reputations and account takeovers to brining down critical infrastructure to its knees.As India marches on the path of development, it will face new challenges related to securing its infrastructure. The ask is simple  in such a high-risk environment, security teams need to be proactive.It can be done by investing in information sharing and joining networks like Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC) to share threat and vulnerability information with peer banks, conduct contingency planning exercises, and enhance collaboration among other banks and with other critical sectors, like telecommunication, power, and transportation, who financial sector depends on to run its operations.Finally, situational awareness is the factor that is indispensable to resilience of the banking and payment eco-system. There is a growing consensus on making cyber situational awareness a sine qua non force for combating cybercrime.In simple words it means empowering bank employees with events in cyberspace so that they can identify and detect the signs of cybercrime in real time and take effective steps to prevent, respond and contain it. Unless, these loose ends are fixed, the adversaries would continue to have a field day in breaching banks and stealing sensitive information.From the latest cyber security trends and innovations to new malware, vulnerabilities and threat intelligence, we bring you the most up-to date and relevant cyber updates and news alerts.- Cyware- 623 Eagle Rock Ave, 346, West Orange, NJ 07052- contact@cyware.com; support@cyware.com- marketing@cyware.com
United States Quantitative and Qualitative Filter Industry 2016 Market Grades, Refining Applications & Top Filter papers

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The United States market for Quantitative and Qualitative Filter has also been evaluated on the basis of the manufacturing chain of the products produced in this market, their pricing, and the revenue generated by them. Analysts have performed multiple analyses to identify the volume of production as well as the efficiency of the market for Quantitative and Qualitative Filter across the world, considering the performance of its regional Quantitative and Qualitative Filter segments. The demand and supply statistics for Quantitative and Qualitative Filter in United States terms have also been discussed in this market report.The dynamics of production and the application chain and various rules and regulations prevalent in the United States Quantitative and Qualitative Filter market have been discussed at length in this research study.This report studies sales (consumption) of Quantitative and Qualitative Filter in United States market, focuses on the top players, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player, coveringAhlstromGESartoriusThomas ScientificThermo Fisher Scientific.Carolina Biological SupplyEISCOMicroclarVisit here To Get a PDF of Sample Report Copy @Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players in United States Quantitative and Qualitative Filter industry with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats more, the Quantitative and Qualitative Filterindustry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.Lastly, the research report utilizes various analytical tools including investment return analysis, feasibility analysis, and SWOT analysis on major participants to identify the market hierarchy prevailing in the worldwide Quantitative and Qualitative Filter market.This research study is aimed at providing a complete and unbiased picture of the United States Quantitative and Qualitative Filter market and assisting companies, consultants, and stakeholders operating in this market in making rewarding strategies for expansion of their businesses.Explore Complete Report along with TOC @Table of ContentsChapter One Quantitative and Qualitative Filter Industry Overview1.1 Quantitative and Qualitative Filter Definition1.1.1 Quantitative and Qualitative Filter Product Pictures & Product Specifications1.2 Quantitative and Qualitative Filter Classification & ApplicationChapter Two Quantitative and Qualitative Filter Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis2.1 Quantitative and Qualitative Filter Raw Material & Equipments Supplier and Price Analysis2.2 Quantitative and Qualitative Filter Labor & Other Cost Analysis2.3 Quantitative and Qualitative Filter Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis2.4 Quantitative and Qualitative Filter Manufacturing Process AnalysisChapter Three Quantitative and Qualitative Filter Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis3.1 2016 United States Key Manufacturers Quantitative and Qualitative Filter Capacity and Commercial Production Date3.2 2016 United States Key Manufacturers Quantitative and Qualitative Filter Manufacturing Plants Distribution3.3 2016 United States Key Manufacturers Quantitative and Qualitative Filter R&D Status and Technology Sources3.4 2016 United States Key Manufacturers Quantitative and Qualitative Filter Raw Materials Sources AnalysisBrowse Trending Research Reports @QYresearchreports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations.QYResearchReports1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Semiconductor Photolithography Equipment Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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There has been an increasing application of semiconductor photolithography equipment across the globe. Widespread use of semiconductor photolithography equipments for technological advancement of smart phones, tablets and computers has augmented the demand during the last couple of years. The semiconductor photolithography equipment market can be categorized on the basis of two segments; product category and geography. The product category segment of the semiconductor photolithography equipment includes advanced packaging, MEMS (Microelectromechanical systems) devices, and LED (Light Emitting Diode) devices. The amplified demand for high-definition, mid-sized, and small-sized LED panels, used in manufacturing of ultra-high definition (UHD) TVs, is expected to encourage market growth during the forecast period. In addition, emergence of advanced consumer products is expected to fuel the growth of the market in the coming years. The growing trends of miniaturization of semiconductor components and the increasing number of fabless semiconductor companies are also expected to fuel the demand for photolithography equipment during the forecast period.With the growth of electronic device industry, the demand for semiconductor ICs (Integrated Circuit) for different applications, such as consumer electronic devices, communication devices, memory devices, and sensor devices, increases which in turn helps to drive the market for photolithography equipment. The increase in demand for semiconductor devices, especially ICs used in computers, storage, and memory devices, is expected to impel the growth of the semiconductor photolithography equipment market. Moreover, an oversupply of semiconductor ICs in 2015 and 2016 is expected to reduce the capital spending of semiconductor device manufacturers in 2016, which is anticipated to reduce the overall demand for lithography systems including photolithography equipments in the coming years.PDF Sample For Full Details with Technological breakthroughs is @However, in spite of various advantages offered by semiconductor photolithography equipment, there are some restraining factors that inhibit the growth of the market. The major hindering factor behind the growth of this market is uncertain economic condition across different region.Geographically, the semiconductor photolithography equipment market can be categorized into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. As per recent trends it has been observed that various semiconductor photolithography equipment manufacturing companies are constantly engaged in research and development activities in order to develop and design their production of semiconductor photolithography equipment. The market for semiconductor photolithography equipment in Asia Pacific has witnessed rapid growth in the last few years and this trend is likely to be witnessed across various industries in the North America, Europe, and Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Latin America regions as well. In Asia Pacific, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan are the key contributing countries for the growth of the market. The presence of a several prominent semiconductor foundries, such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), Semiconductor Manufacturing International and United Microelectronics is propelling the demand for photolithography equipment in the region. The presence of dominant players in the mobile devices and consumer electronics market, such as Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic and Toshiba in the region is supporting the demand for semiconductor devices in Asia Pacific. The market in the North Americas is expected to grow moderately and maintain its market share in the global space till 2024, while market in Europe and Middle East and Africa (MEA) is growing at a comparatively lower rate due to the presence of low number of semiconductor device manufacturers in this region.Some of the key players operating in the semiconductor photolithography equipment market are Applied Materials, SUSS Microtec, ASML, and Tokyo Electron, Nikon, Canon, NuFlare Technology, JEOL, Ultratech andVistec Semiconductor Systems among others. The top four players in the semiconductor photolithography equipment market accounts for a significant market share in different product category in 2016.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Dyes & Organic Pigments Industry 2016 Market Research Report

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2016 Global Dyes & Organic Pigments Industry Report is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions of the Dyes & Organic Pigments industry, focusing on the main regions North America Europe AsiaAnd the main countries United States Germany Japan China.Check complete report @The report firstly introduced the Dyes & Organic Pigments basics: definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain overview; industry policies and plans; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures and so on. Then it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, capacity utilization, supply, demand and industry growth rate etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.Avail more information from Sample Brochure of report @The report includes six parts, dealing with:1. Basic information;2. The Asia Dyes & Organic Pigments industry;3. 3The North American Dyes & Organic Pigments industry;4. The European Dyes & Organic Pigments industry;5. Market entry and investment feasibility;6. The report conclusion.Order a copy of Global Dyes & Organic Pigments Industry 2016 Market Research Report @About us:MarketIntelReports (MIR) aim to empower our clients to successfully manage and outperform in their business decisions, we do this by providing Premium Market Intelligence, Strategic Insights and Databases from a range of Global Publishers.A group of industry veterans who are well experienced in reputed international consulting firms after identifying the sourcing needs of MNCs for market intelligence, have together started this business savior MarketIntelReports.MIR intends to be a one-stop shop with an intuitive design, exhaustive database, expert assistance, secure cart checkout and data privacy integrated. It curates the list of reports, publishers and studies to ensure that the database is constantly updated to dynamically meet the targeted, specific needs of our clients.MarketIntelReports currently has more than 10,000 plus titles and 35+ publishers on our platform and growing consistently to fill the Global Intelligence Demand  Supply Gap. We cover more than 15 industry verticals being: Automotive, Electronics, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Chemicals, Building & Construction, Agriculture, Food & Beverages, Banking & Finance, Media and Government, Public Sector StudiesContact us:Sales ManagerMayur S.2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400,Wilmington,Delaware,19808United Statessales@marketintelreports.comTelephone: 1-302-261-5343
Freewallet users will soon be able to buy zCash with credit cards

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TALLIN, Nov, 2, 2016 - Freewallet.org, known for its Ethereum, Monero and the other mobile wallets, has released three new apps and expanded their family of wallets to 11 products. The release of zCash wallet is particularly auspicious as it took place on the same day the network was launched. Later this month Freewallet users will be able to buy zCash with credit cards.While Bitcoins slowly passing away, Freewallets announced the release of zCash, Ardor and NXT wallets. New apps are aimed to expand Freewallets presence on altcoins market, which capitalization has hit 2.5 billion since the beginning of 2016.Freewallets market development strategy was always focused on new coins. While bitcoin market has such giants as Coinbase or Xapo, altcoins are still poor in customer-oriented services.Our special analyst evaluates each new coin potential and select most promising ones that might be interesting to our customers in the long term. Freewallet team is excited about zCash launch and convinced of its success., says Alvin.Wallets are important parts in the blockchains infrastructure. Freewallet services enhance the coins capitalization growth. The good example is the services recent partnership with DECENT. With the help of Freewallet the network has received over 4 million dollars for their blockchain launch.Freewallet representatives believe the turning moment has come and encourage crypto-users to get a close look at the newborn currencies and try to predict next leaders.I dont like the word altcoins. Its outdated and misleading. Using this term is like telling that USD is the only currency and Euro is an alt-currency. I see the beauty of cryptocurrencies in diversity. There are no altcoins and heterocoins. There are cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin is not that different from FantomCoin. There are small countries and big countries. Small towns and megapolises. The same story is crypto-world. Every coin has its beauty, says Alvin.The upcoming cooperation between Freewallet and Indacoin.com is supposed to simplify altcoins market entry process. Users will be enabled to buy any coins with any bank cards directly in the app. Today the features that were mostly available for Bitcoin are ready to be delivered to all cryptocurrencies.About FreewalletFreewallet is a team of developers, which aim is to solve the "last-mile" problem for cryptocurrencies by creating mobile-first cryptocurrency wallets. Starting from January 2016 the team has developed and successfully released a number of cryptocurrency wallets, namely FantomCoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Lisk, DECENT, Steem and Monero Wallet.Freewallet's apps represent easy to use mobile wallets that allow potential users to familiarize themselves with popular cryptocurrencies without delving into specific technical features and complex settings.Most of Freewallet products has reached #1 position on GooglePlay.Tech Castle OUNarva mnt 5, 10117 TallinnEstoniainfo@freewallet.org
SPOOKY, SCARY SPOOKY, SCARY  Neighborhoods in Orchard Park are more than ready for Halloween. In the top photo, at a house at the corner of Orchard Hill Drive and Briar Hill...

Bremer finds seven residential lots storing items on town property Thanks to a new property-line shot by the Engineering Department, Building Inspector Steve Bremer was able to identify seven residential lots near Highmark Stadium that were placing all sorts of...

Highway Department receiving number of calls on dying ash trees Highway Superintendent Andrew Slotman warned in the spring that the ash tree population in Orchard Park would soon dwindle to zero due to the presence of the emerald ash borer....
NEW YORK -- Chipmaker Broadcom is buying Brocade Communications in a deal valued at approximately $5.5 billion.

Brocade shareholders will receive $12.75 per share, a 13 percent premium to the Tuesday closing prices of the computer networking company.

The deal also includes $400 million in debt.

Broadcom Ltd. plans to sell Brocade's IP Networking business, which includes wireless and campus networking, data center switching and routing and software networking solutions. Brocade CEO Lloyd Carney said the company will work with Broadcom to try to find a buyer for the IP Networking business.

The deal, targeted to close in the second half of Broadcom's fiscal 2017, is not conditioned on the sale of the IP Networking business. It still needs approval from shareholders of Brocade Communications Systems Inc.

The deal comes after Broadcom backed out of plans to reopen the former Hynix computer chip factory in Eugene, Oregon. The company had planned on a $400 million retrofit that would have created 229 jobs at the facility, as well as 700 short-term construction jobs.

-- The Associated Press
portland bottling company,

The Portland Bottling Company was founded by Andrew D. Hrestu in 1924 and has sat at its current location, at Northeast 14th and Sandy, since 1941.

(The Oregonian)

The Portland Bottling Co. has been sold to Limnes Bottling Acquisition Co. for an undisclosed amount.

The sale, announced Tuesday, keeps the historic company in Oregon and transfers ownership to Edward Maletis and his family. Maletis is the former president of Portland-based Columbia Distributing, one of the largest beverage distributors in the U.S.

The family's other Oregon-based holdings include Oregon Fruit Products and HealthCo Information Systems.

Portland Bottling was founded by Andrew D. Hrestu in 1924 and has sat at its current location, at Northeast 14th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard, since 1941. According to a news release, all 90 employees will stay with the company.

The company produces non-alcoholic drinks like juice and soda and packs them in aluminum cans. According to its website, the company initially bottled 7UP and RC Cola. Now, it works with brands like Monster, Rockstar, Izze and Dutch Bros., and it produced more than 10 million cases of beverages last year.

But the company has also seen its share of scandal. In 2014, the city sought nearly $450,000 worth of fines and sewer charges, accusing the company of illegally discharging more than 18 million gallons of industrial and extra-strength wastewater.

Earlier that same year, it bankrolled a ballot measure that would have taken control of Portland's water from the Water Bureau. The measure failed.

Terry Michaelson, former chief executive of Craft Brew Alliance, will serve as chief executive of the company, and Tom Keenan will remain president.

The sale follows the death of majority shareholder Harry Merlo, former head of Louisiana-Pacific.

-- Anna Marum

amarum@oregonian.com

503-294-5911

@annamarum
A proposed 30,000-cow dairy near Boardman has Morrow County's official approval but not its support. The county has no legal way to stop what would be the state's second-largest dairy, and its three commissioners are deeply worried that it will sap already-limited groundwater from local farmers, and exacerbate water and air quality problems.

Lost Valley Ranch, if approved, would replace an iconic poplar tree farm along Interstate 84 near Boardman. It would operate within four miles of two dairies and a confined livestock feeding operation, and would be a heavy water user in an area where water use is already restricted. It could either be a boon to the local economy or signal a transition in Oregon's family farm economy.

The dairy fits with state land-use laws, so Morrow County officials have no choice but to approve it. At that point, it's then up to the state to determine whether its wastewater management plan is acceptable. But that raises a crucial question for a coalition composed of local and federal government agencies, small farm advocates and environmental organizations: Are Oregon's rules for mega-dairies and livestock feedlots too loose?

"We've been warning for some time that Oregon's rules are too weak, and we're in danger of being a big factory farm state," said Ivan Maluski, policy director of Friends of Family Farms.

Lost Valley Ranch -- currently known as Willow Creek Dairy -- would be the second-largest dairy in the state. The 7,288 acres would allow the farm to raise younger cows and grow their feed. General Manager Travis Love said that Lost Valley Ranch would take over the water rights of the tree farm and its mill facilities and wouldn't discharge wastewater into any water sources.

"We are not taking any extra water out of the ground that wouldn't already be in use," Love said.

Even if that claim bears out, opponents worry that Lost Valley Ranch is a sign of things to come.

"Oregon is already home to one of the largest dairies in the country, if not the world, and now proposes to allow another dairy, which will produce as much waste as a fairly large city, to locate nearby," Tarah Heinzen, an attorney for Food and Water Watch, said in a 16-page statement submitted to the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Department of Environmental Quality.

The Columbia River Gorge is a hub for recreation and tourism, as well as major agricultural industry. That could be altered if big agriculture companies with out-of-state owners, such as Lost Valley Ranch and the nearby Threemile Canyon Farms, continue to move in.

"Agricultural production is the lifeblood of Morrow County, and it cannot be harmed," the members of the Morrow County Court -- the county's rulemaking body -- said in a letter to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. "The County Court respectfully asks that the ODA, through issuance of this permit, not harm water reserves, increase groundwater contamination, or negatively impact agricultural production by issuing this permit."

Air emissions not considered

What happens to the Boardman Tree Farm?

The windblown poplars lining Interstate 84 will take years to be fully cleared. They are harvested on a 12-year cycle.

AgriNorthwest, a company from the Tri-Cities region, will use the land along the highway for irrigated crops, such as potatoes.

Lost Valley Ranch would clear 7,288 acres for its dairy, feed crops farm and other facilities. The operation would be located on the southern boundary of the tree farm, near Finley Buttes.

Cows emit huge amounts of ammonia, a gas that is creating haze over the Gorge. Lynn Burditt, who submitted comments on the proposal on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service, said that the agency wants Lost Valley to have to disclose emission rates for harmful gases such as ammonia and nitrogen, which are causing acidification of gorge ecosystems.

"We are concerned that the proposed facility may reverse the improvements in visibility already underway," wrote Burditt, the agency's manager for the Columbia River Gorge area.

Dairies and livestock feedlots are also huge sources of methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

But the dairy is not subject to an air quality permit. It has only to obtain permits for its wastewater management and show how operations there will affect surface and groundwater. The Oregon departments of agriculture and environmental quality issue a joint permit, if the applicant meets all the criteria.

Many of the concerns from opposing groups extend much further than those two factors. Wym Matthews, who manages the agriculture department's concentrated animal feeding operation program, said that those issues are referred to other agencies.

"They will be looking at the comments in light of what's the state of regulation on those other things," Matthews said.

In 2008, a state-appointed task force produced several recommendations to reduce air pollution from dairies. It was designed to help the Department of Environmental Quality comply with the federal Clean Air Act. The task force published a report that laid out a seven-year plan that would ease dairies into reducing emissions.

The report went nowhere.

At an Oct. 20 concentrated animal feeding operation advisory committee meeting, Oregon State University dairy specialist Troy Downing said that state officials were waiting on federal guidelines that never happened.

"It really is more of a matter of, it's not clear what the problem is and which way to go. If we knew what to do to improve air quality and bring industry along, we should be talking about that," Downing said. "We certainly have more technology and better science than we did a decade ago. I think we're sitting in a good position to address this problem, but I don't think we ignored it."

But Friends of Family Farmers and environmental groups that were part of the process in 2007 and 2008 are frustrated that another mega-dairy could move in before rules are in place.

"There's this whole area around air that's not even being addressed right now and needs to be," Maluski said. "There's reason to believe we're going to see a big spike in these operations in the coming years. These companies are taking notice that Oregon has really weak rules around these operations."

How big are we talking?

The vast majority of Oregon's dairy farms are small operations, according to the last

.

But there are some dairies have 700 or more cows, which puts them into the same category as Lost Valley Ranch under Oregon's definition of "large concentrated animal feeding operations."

Oregon's dairy farm breakdown

One to nine cows: 425 dairies

10 to 19 cows: 18 dairies

20 to 49 cows: 30 dairies

50 to 99 cows: 51 dairies

100 to 199 cows: 77 dairies

200 to 499 cows: 25 dairies

500 to 999 cows: 25 dairies

1,000 to 2,499 cows: 20 dairies

2,500 cows or more: 5

By comparison:

Lost Valley Ranch: 30,000 cows (if approved)

Threemile Canyon Farms: 70,000 cows

Where waste goes

Threemile Canyon Farms, a 70,000-animal dairy on 93,000 acres -- about 15 square miles -- is just over 30 minutes away from the proposed Lost Valley Ranch. It was there in 2002 that Lost Valley Ranch owner Greg te Velde got his start leasing from his family. Threemile Canyon Farms is partially owned by California dairy giant A.J. Bos, who is related to te Velde through marriage.

In January, te Velde bought 7,288 acres of the Boardman Tree Farm from GreenWood Resources for $65 million. Love, the general manager, said moving the dairy would allow the dairy to increase its payroll from 60 employees to as many as 150 and could pump $25 million to the local economy.

The extra land would allow te Velde to raise young cows and grow the crops that will feed them, which Love said is an environmental boon. The new dairy also would include infrastructure for a methane digester, which converts the organic matter in manure into methane, which in turn is used to produce energy. Love estimates it would produce about 2 megawatts of electricty, enough to power 2,000 homes, for the operation. There is no timeline of when that would be installed.

"Lost Valley Ranch will utilize best management practices and the best available technology to minimize the environmental impact," Love said.

Te Velde's permit application says the dairy is estimated to produce more than 13 million cubic feet of manure per year and more than 10 million of wastewater. The application details how the manure would be dealt with, but written comments from a coalition of environmental groups take issue with the sheer volume of waste.

"While there is no appropriate site for such a large CAFO [concentrated animal feeding operation] and the enormous quantities of waste it will produce, the risks of siting this facility near other mega-dairies and in a groundwater management area are simply too high to even warrant consideration."

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation have also spoken out against the proposed dairy. They contend the nearby reservation would suffer from direct air quality impacts, and from indirect effects on fishing and water treaty rights the tribe is federally entitled to.

Environmental groups also contend that te Velde should have done more outreach to the large Latino community around Boardman, which is more than 60 percent Hispanic, according to the latest U.S. Census data, and Morrow County is 36 percent.

"Our objective is to ensure everyone who is impacted by this project has a voice and is heard, and that DEQ and ODA recognize factory farms are huge sources of air and water pollution," said Columbia Riverkeeper attorney Lauren Goldberg.

-- Molly Harbarger

mharbarger@oregonian.com

503-294-5923

@MollyHarbarger
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Do you have a photo of one of Michigan's hidden gems? It could land you a prize as Pure Michigan is asking residents and visitors from across the nation to share their favorite hidden gems from around the state for the 5th Annual Pure Michigan Moments Photo Contest.

This year, two winning photos will be selected from the eligible entries received.

The first will be selected by a panel of judges from Travel Michigan and McCann Detroit, Travel Michigan's agency of record, to be featured in the 2018 Pure Michigan Calendar.

The second winning photo will be selected by public vote to be featured across Pure Michigan social media channels.

Both winning photographers will receive a prize package from the Pure Michigan store and three runners up, based on public vote, will receive a $25 gift card to the Pure Michigan Store.

"Michigan is full of unique and inspiring destinations, some well-known and some waiting to be discovered," said Dave Lorenz, Vice President of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. "This is an opportunity for our fans, residents and visitors to highlight the places around the state they go to escape the every day, encounter adventure and immerse themselves in Pure Michigan."

All contest photos will be displayed at michigan.org/photocontest

The submission period for the Pure Michigan Photo Contest will run through Nov. 13. Photos may be submitted directly to michigan.org/photocontest, or through Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #PureMichigan and #PMContest2016. Submissions must identify the location in Michigan and the description of the hidden gem featured in the photo and cannot have been submitted in previous photo contest. Additionally, Twitter and Instagram accounts must be public in order to submit photos through social channels.

Once the submission period has closed, the public will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite photos during a voting period that runs from Nov. 14 to Nov. 23.

People may vote for multiple entries; however only one vote per person will be allowed per entry, per day during the voting period.

In 2015, more than 8,900 photos were submitted during the annual photo contest with more than 113,000 votes cast  more than twice the participation levels in 2014. Last year's contest yielded four winning photographs, representing each season. Destinations in winning photos included Benton Harbor (Spring), Detroit's Belle Isle (Summer), Tahquamenon Falls State Park (Fall) and Eagle Harbor Lighthouse (Winter).
To the editor:

I would like to comment on two items I have read in your paper recently. The first was in Sally Lamotts response on Oct. 19 to my letter published Oct. 12. I am amazed she did not know that everything is on the internet. However, that is no excuse for not knowing about Hillarys unethical practices for the last 30 years. All of the information has been covered by local, national and/or international newspapers, news magazines, and TV and radio stations. Yes, the leftist sources downplayed her illegal and immoral actions, but the information was readily available if one really wanted to know the truth.

The second is the apology demand of the Republican Party by the Chakrabortys on Oct. 24. If they are economic experts why dont they recognize that our children are being suffocated by the huge debt created by the Clinton-Obama team? The rise in debt during their term is equal to the debt of all other administrations combined since the founding of our great country. Yet Hillary said she will continue Obamas policies if elected. Why dont the Chakrabortys acknowledge that our economic recession recovery is the worst in our history? Do they confuse political fantasy with economics when they teach our children?

The Hillary Clinton record is there for everyone to see:

1. Hillary hides the truth (examples - Benghazi, Whitewater)

2. Hillary is dishonest (examples - Pay to Play, Clinton Foundation)

3. Hillary has low morals (example - partial birth abortion)

4. I-lillary uses poor judgment (example - using private email account easily hacked by Russians)

5. Hillary is delusional (example - Vast Right Wing Conspiracy)

6. Hillary is elitist (example - Most Trump supporters are Deplorable)

OK, let us consider the alternative in the coming election. Donald Trump has made public statements that I would not make, I do not deny that. But he has a point with almost all of them. He recently stated that Hillary hates Catholics. I do not believe that as stated, but it is obvious that she goes for cheap votes and is willing to take away the Catholic Churchs right to follow its conscience on abortion and birth control insurance. Most churches are rightfully repugnant to abortion and we are thankful the Catholic Church has taken the lead on this issue in the past. I support all of Trumps primary issues:

 Seal our borders

 Adjust business taxes so companies are not forced by competition to move out of the U.S.

 Promote American businesses.

 Recognize that we are an exceptional country. Clinton and Obama deny that despite the obvious.

 Rebuild a strong military.

 Nominate strong, sensible judges. Avoid Ginsburgs with only political standing, such as aborting babies.

 Negotiate business contracts that are favorable for the U.S. instead of the give away we have right now.

Negotiate political contracts that are favorable for the U.S. instead of the giveaways we have right now.

 Correctly identify our enemies. The world terror organizations are not radical Methodists or Presbyterians. They are radical Muslims. Why cant Hillary and Obama acknowledge that well known fact?

There is no sensible alternative to Donald Trump, so please vote for him. Under any condition do not vote for Hillary Clinton, she would be a disaster for our wonderful country.

CHUCK POWELL

Midland
To the editor:

My name is Jazmine Early, from Sterling Heights. I am an immigrant who is blessed to be an American citizen by marriage. I am addressing you to express my complete support for Gary Glenn for re-election as state representative in the Bay and Midland counties.

I met Mr. Glenn back in June 2014. Through this time, I have seen him working hard in favor of his constituents, not just in the area he represents, but in the state at large. Despite some health issues, he keeps fighting the good fight. He is an encouragement to many who may be experiencing similar trials as himself. It is an honor for me to be able to say that I know him and that he is a man people can trust because he delivers what he promises. If I was living in the Bay and Midland area, my family would certainly be voting for him.

His pledge to the citizens is a mark of who he is, a faithful man with sound character, and he has the willingness to do what is best for the residents.

I want to encourage the residents in the Bay and Midland area to re-elect Mr. Glenn for the 98th State House seat. They are blessed to have a faithful servant,

Through the years living in Michigan and as a Hispanic, I heartily love the freedoms that this country has given me. I value immensely Mr. Glenn as man of integrity, putting God first, and through his faith, he is doing a great job protecting those freedoms in our government.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

JAZMINE M. EARLY

Sterling Heights
To the editor:

I am writing in response to the Daily News endorsement of Hillary Clinton published on 10/16/16 as well as your view and struggles with the Trump candidacy.

First, I must say I was very disappointed to learn that MDN published this piece and neglected to mention the many atrocities Hillary Clinton has committed in comparison to your references made against Trump. Im not sure where you got your information, but I have to say it seems to be more biased than it does factual.

As far as your comments regarding the video from 11 years ago and statements that Trump has made racist comments and demonstrated a pattern of such abuse and sexism toward women over the course of his career and campaign, I have to make something very clear. I do not support this behavior in any way, shape or form and I sincerely appreciate the stand you have taken for women in this regard; however, Ive watched many videos and read countless articles to the contrary of these statements.

I am deeply troubled by the fact that nothing was mentioned or taken into consideration about the four Benghazi Americans who were left to die and nothing was done to help save their lives. These mens blood is on Hillarys hands. Our community has always strongly supported our veterans and I am extremely proud of what the Midland community has done to show honor and respect to our soldiers in uniform past, present and fallen.

Also, the fact that Hillary fully supports abortion, as well as partial birth abortion, in my view is nothing more than cold-blooded murder. It has been proven that women who have abortions suffer psychological, physical and emotional consequences which are actually extremely harmful to womens health and emotional well-being. Please tell me, how is it that the womans right to choose abortion trumps the rights of the unborn? Lets remember what President Reagan said, Ive noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born. Hillary has repeatedly said she supports abortion and is a fierce advocate of Planned Parenthood. I have taken great pride in the Midland community for its pro-family, pro-children stance and all the wonderful programs United Way provides for children and families, of which I have been a recipient as a single mom of four children.

Your statement is correct about the Supreme Court justices who will be appointed by our next president. We all know who Hillary will appoint and will work to eliminate even more of Americans freedoms as she has made it very clear they will lean toward liberal philosophy just as you stated. Trump has been very clear he will appoint justices who will be conservative, pro-life and constitutional, much like Justice Antonin Scalia, who fearlessly fought to defend the Constitution. It is evident which direction America will go depending on who is elected as our next president.

Why was it not mentioned that many Democrats and Republicans actually support Donald Trump, as well as many prominent, conservative Christian evangelical leaders and many organizations such as the NRA, American military leaders, the police force, and the list goes on?

Hillary has seriously jeopardized our nations security in many ways. This is outrageous and nothing short of dangerously reckless. She has shown ineptness in handling classified emails and has had ongoing problems with severe memory loss (she cant recall on a regular basis), she failed to send help to Americans facing impending death in Benghazi, and helped to set the world on fire. She again compromised our national security by disclosing to the world in the last debate what our nuclear response time is. Hillary Clinton is a clear and present danger to whatever stability we still have here at home and globally as well. This woman has no business being in the White House or even running for office, for that matter.

Here is the difference between Trump and Clinton  Trump has publicly apologized whereas Clinton has done nothing but lie, cheat, deceive and deny her actions, or better yet, cant remember. Just ask Trey Gowdy.

The Daily News claims to be a conservative newspaper yet it publicly endorsed a candidate who represents the exact opposite. You cant compromise your conservative values and principles just because you might not like the candidate running to represent the conservative platform. I agree Trump might have a brash personality and not be as polished of a speaker as Clinton is, but one thing is for sure  he loves his country, he is fearless in fighting the liberal leftists agenda, and he is against those global elitists who want to take away Americas nationalism at the expense of the American people while stuffing dirty money into their pockets and bank accounts.

So I ask, how is it that the Daily News is willing to sabotage this communitys conservative values and principles by supporting someone who is as far left as you can get? I respectfully challenge the newspaper to rethink its position. There are many people who are fed up  I am one of those people. I know where I stand and I know where many others in this great community stand, as well as across the nation. We are for a fearless leader who will clean out the White House, work to protect the American people against ISIS, strengthen our military, strengthen the American economy, defend and protect our Constitution by appointing conservative justices, protect the unborn and who will work to make America great again. No doubt about it. The choice is crystal clear.

DEBORAH S. MOORE

Precinct Delegate
To the editor:

Ive never had much love for politicians. They get elected by convincing people they support individual rights. However, once in office most decide to use the power of the government to protect and promote special interests. They abandon our rights as individuals.
Today, November 17, is the American Hiking Societys Take a Hike Day. It is a day to find a trail near you and get outside to explore natur...
Several Joint Public Epidemiological Action Center for Health members met with University of the Ryukyus professors and Okinawa Prefectural Government representatives at U.S. Naval Hospital Department of Preventive Medicine, Camp Foster, Japan, Oct. 13, 2016.

Fourteen different military units across Okinawa make up the JPEACH team helping to combat preventative diseases such as Malaria and Japanese Encephalitis virus

The University of the Ryukyus and the OPG are spearheading projects aimed at preventing JEV and Malaria with added support from the JPEACH  the combined team achieves their goals of strengthening domestic and international medical research networks. The Japanese central government started this initiative in 2015.

Pooling the Air Force and Navy data with the University of the Ryukyus and OPG will provide a more complete picture of mosquito-borne disease hazards for the island, Air Force Col. John Cotton, 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander said. This will benefit all Status of Forces Agreement members, as well as all Okinawans, because we will have a better understanding of the distribution of mosquito species that typically carry diseases.

According to a University of the Ryukyus fact sheet, the project is geared toward finding vaccines to combat diseases and also finding mosquito nests to study how they live and adapt.

We are working on the detection of diseases they could carry. Cotton said. The Air Force and the Navy preventive medicine teams on Okinawa welcome the opportunity to collaborate with local academic professionals and the OPG to help detect and prevent the spread of communicable diseases on the island, and we are hopeful this will lead to other areas of mutual cooperation and a long-term relationship based on friendship and collegiality.

Cotton added through these missions the ability to detect the presence of diseases like Malaria, JEV and Dengue fever earlier will be enhanced, allowing more time to warn the public and institute preventive measures.

One way the JPEACH team hopes to accomplish this is to find areas of collaboration with respect to vector-borne diseases (infections transmitted by the bite of infected arthropod species, such as mosquitoes, ticks, triatomine bugs, sandflies, and blackflies).

Specifically, the University of the Ryukyus is looking for results of mosquito trapping on the various bases and camps on the island, said Cotton. They would like information on the species we trap, what diseases - if any - we find, and the locations of where we trapped them. This information will be put in a map to create a hazard map for the island.

He added the university is performing research into the detection of leptospirosis (an infectious bacterial disease occurring in rodents, dogs and other mammals, which can be transmitted to humans) on the island.

We are assisting the university by performing environmental sampling on bases and camps on the island so they can create a more complete hazard map for leptospirosis, said Cotton. This could lead to us being able to better predict where and when its high-risk during the year.

He continued by explaining how collaboration between the teams increases the amount of data available and covers a larger geographical area. Thus, the understanding of where the different disease-carrying mosquitoes reside will be increased leading to more accurate prediction methods.

Sharing information increases communication  potentially creating a better working relationship to makes both sides aware of threats as they emerge, Navy Cmdr. Michael P. Shusko, U.S. Navy Hospital Okinawa director of public health said. This can give both sides a better understanding of how they all work to accomplish the same goal.

Cotton added, Ultimately, we are all focused on the same goal. The protection of all those who live on Okinawa.
BLOOMINGTON  A Bloomington man was found not guilty by reason of insanity Tuesday in the stabbings of two people during an August 2015 incident in downtown Bloomington.

Jason Hopkins sat at a table in the courtroom but did not participate in the hearing in which the state and his lawyer agreed that he was too severely mentally ill to grasp the criminal nature of his actions on Aug. 19, 2015.

Hopkins was charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery. Authorities said he stabbed two men and injured a third during a series of unprovoked attacks.

Hopkins, 36, was returned Tuesday to a state mental hospital where he has been receiving treatment since he was found mentally unfit to stand trial.

McLean County Public Defender Carla Barnes said after the hearing that the insanity finding was appropriate.

Jason is one who is clearly in need of mental health treatment and Im glad hes going to receive it. If his mental health issues had been addressed prior to that awful day we wouldnt be here, said Barnes.

In the months before the stabbings, Hopkins had been living alone in an apartment on West Washington Street. Neighbors said he talked to himself and appeared disoriented.

His mother's arrest on arson charges in February 2015 in connection with a fire in her apartment in the same building took away the intermittent supervision Hopkins had been receiving. His mother remains in a mental health facility where she was placed after a doctor said she did not understand her actions.

McLean County State's Attorney Jason Chambers said that in cases where sanity is an issue, the state must rely on a psychiatrist's opinion to determine a defendant's mental state at the time an offense was committed.

"In this case, the facts supported the opinion provided to the court," said Chambers.

The facts indicated that Hopkins did not understand the criminality of his conduct when he stabbed a Pantagraph employee working outside the business in the 300 block of West Jefferson Street and a German tourist on the street a block away. A third man was knocked down as he worked outside the McLean County Museum of History.

Disorderly conduct charges that accused Hopkins of spitting on Judge Scott Drazewski during a 2015 hearing were dismissed Tuesday by another judge assigned to hear that case.

Hopkins has a long history of mental illness.

In 2005 Hopkins was sentenced to five years in prison after he set a fire in his apartment in a transitional living complex operated by the McLean County Center for Human Services in Bloomington. Despite an evaluation that found him mentally fit, witnesses testified at Hopkins' sentencing that his conduct was directly linked to his schizophrenia.

The repeated trips Hopkins made through the criminal justice system before his most recent arrest is a cycle McLean County officials are working to end.

In the past four years the McLean County Board has worked with local agencies to identify and improve gaps in services. A $45 million expansion to the McLean County jail will include a specialized unit to provide mental health treatment.
CHICAGO  Former McLean County Board Chairman Matt Sorensen pleaded guilty Wednesday to a single count of wire fraud during a 20-minute hearing in U.S. District Court for the Northern District in Chicago.

Federal prosecutor Sunil R. Harjani read portions of a 16-page plea agreement in which Sorensen admitted to conspiring with co-defendant Navdeep Arora to defraud McKinsey & Co., a Chicago consulting firm, of almost $500,000 in unearned consulting fees.

Sorensen was indicted in August 2015 on five counts of wire fraud related to his work as an internal consultant for State Farm.

According to charges, Sorensen schemed with Arora, a consultant with McKinsey & Co., to submit false claims to the Bloomington-based insurance firm.

The plea agreement makes Sorensen and Arora equally responsible for restitution of $490,975 to McKinsey.

Sorensen stood at the bench with his lawyer Stuart Chanen as U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Guzman explained the plea deal. Sorensens wife, Lisa, sat at the defense table.

When the judge asked Sorensen if he had done what was outlined in the indictment, the former County Board chairman responded, Yes, I did.

Sorensen declined to talk to reporters after the hearing.

The federal government disclosed its advisory sentencing guidelines of 21 to 27 months in prison for Sorensen as part of the plea agreement. The wire fraud count carries a possible term of 20 years.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 2.

To support its initial recommendation of less than two years in prison, the state pointed to Sorensens clean criminal record and the fact that Sorensen has clearly demonstrated a recognition and affirmative acceptance of personal responsibility for his criminal conduct.

Arora faces eight counts of wire fraud accusing him of taking more than $890,000 through false invoices. That amount includes the $490,975 allegedly taken by Sorensen and additional money Arora allegedly spent on extensive travel that he claimed as business expenses.

The alleged fraud reportedly took place between 2003 and 2012. Sorensens employment with State Farm ended more than three years ago and McKinseys contract with the firm ended in 2012, State Farm said after the indictments were unsealed in January.

Sorensen, a Republican, represented District 2 from 1994 to 2016 and was chairman from 2007 until his resignation shortly after the indictments were made public.

In March, Sorensen earned enough votes to win the GOP nomination for the board seat he no longer held, but he was replaced by Scott Murphy, who is running unopposed for the seat in Tuesday's election.
The fear of helplessness from age or disability is something that no one wants to experience.

Theft, mental abuse, physical abuse and neglect are far too common among the disabled, people who are too old or too young to protect themselves, or who are terrified to turn in their abusers.

A court case last week involving a man left on the floor for days is just one example. McLean County has had cases of financial exploitation, neglect, confinement, "willful deprivation," and physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

The cases involve men and women of many races, ages and economic backgrounds.

It's common. Too common, actually. The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, using 2009 statistics from the Illinois Department on Aging, indicated that between 530 and 728 elderly people were abused or neglected in McLean County.

In Central Illinois between 2000 and 2009, elder abuse rates remained fairly steady (500 to 600 victims for every 100,000 people) but the rates grew statewide, in northern and southern Illinois and in Cook County. The highest rates for that time period were in southern Illinois, where between 600 and 800 victims were reported each year.

In the department's annual report from 2008, the agency reported a total of 10,583 cases statewide. Of those, the report said, three-fourths of the abusers were family members and usually were female. By the agency's 2015 report, abuse reports had grown to 14,858, including 2,723 reports involved disabled adults.

In the McLean County case adjudicated last week, a woman was convicted of criminal neglect of her elderly brother-in-law by leaving him on the floor for days after a fall. First responders found him in insanitary conditions; authorities became involved after the hospital called adult protective services to report the matter.

The sister-in-law, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to four years in prison. Assistant State's Attorney Mary Koll said the term "sends a strong message that neglect of our senior citizens will not be tolerated in McLean County. Unfortunately, many of these cases do not come to the attention of law enforcement as the victims are unable to make a report or otherwise seek help themselves."

Abuse of any sort should not be tolerated. When victims cannot protect themselves, or are unable turn in their abusers, the rest of us have an innate responsibility to step in.

Anyone can report suspected abuse and can do so anonymously. To report abuse, financial exploitation or neglect of an older person or a disabled person aged 18-59, call 866-800-1409. For people who live in nursing facilities, call 800-252-4343. For people who live in supportive living facilities, call 800-226-0768.
Verso Plans to Temporarily Idle 200,000 Tons of Annual Production Capacity at Androscoggin Mill Nov. 1, 2016 - Verso Corporation today announced plans to temporarily idle the No. 3 paper machine at its Androscoggin Mill in Jay, Maine, reducing annual coated paper production capacity by approximately 200,000 tons. Verso intends to implement this capacity reduction beginning in the first quarter of 2017. The mill also will idle a digester and recovery boiler that support the No. 3 paper machine. In a press release, the company noted, Most products currently produced on the No. 3 paper machine will be transitioned to other machines in Verso's highly flexible manufacturing system with no expected disruption to customer orders. Michael A. Weinhold, Senior Vice President for Sales, Marketing and Product Development for Verso, explained, "It's critical to Verso's long-term success that we balance the supply of our products with our customers' demand for them, and we currently have more coated paper capacity in our mill system than we can fill. "Verso made the decision to temporarily idle the No. 3 paper machine and transition the machine's production to lower-cost machines in our manufacturing system to help us stay ahead of the curve and move the entire company toward sustained profitability. At the same time, we are positioning the mill for future success by optimizing equipment, enhancing process efficiency and expanding production for the growing specialty papers market." The idling of the No. 3 paper machine will result in the layoff of about 190 employees at the Androscoggin Mill. Verso anticipates that if the machine is not restarted, the capacity reduction will result in the elimination of those jobs. "Challenging market conditions have made these types of actions far too frequent in recent years, and they are never easy," Weinhold said. "They are especially difficult for the employees and their families who are directly affected. Verso is committed to treating all of our impacted employees with fairness, dignity and respect and to communicating openly and honestly with each individual about how this decision will affect him or her. Our Human Resources team will begin meeting with our affected employees immediately. "We're in business to help make our customers successful, and Verso remains steadfastly committed to those who currently purchase coated paper products made on the No. 3 paper machine at the Androscoggin Mill," Weinhold said. "Our sales team will begin contacting customers immediately to determine how to make this transition as seamless as possible." Verso will continue to evaluate market conditions to determine if and when the No. 3 paper machine at the Androscoggin Mill will be restarted. The Androscoggin Mill began operation in 1965 and has the capacity to produce about 450,000 tons per year of coated and uncoated freesheet, coated groundwood, and specialty papers. The mill employs about 575 people. Verso is a leading North American producer of printing and specialty papers and pulp. To learn more, please visit versoco.com SOURCE: Verso Corp.
A professor at a South Carolina university is earning praises on social media. Dr. Josie Ryan, who teaches math at the Lander University, has been accommodating of a student who became a new mother when the teacher allowed her to bring her baby to class.

A photo of the professor, where she's carrying newborn baby Isaiah while teaching the class, is going viral. Her student and Isaiah's mom, Sarah Thompson, shared the image on Facebook. She wanted the world to know about the goodness her professor has shown her.

Sarah Thompson revealed that when Dr. Josie Ryan found out she was giving birth in August, she has encouraged her to bring the baby to class. This way, she wouldn't have to drop out and delay her studies. Dr. Josie Ryan was also kind enough to let Sarah Thompson know where the breastfeeding sites are in the school.

"It's so reassuring to know there are professors out there like this," Sarah Thompson wrote on Facebook. "Not only is she an amazing person, she's also one of the best math professors I've ever had," the new mom added.

Isaiah is now two months old and has been a constant presence in Dr. Josie Ryan's class, CBS News reports. The professor, as well as Sarah Thompson's classmates, has literally watched the baby grow before her eyes.

Sarah Thompson's partner, Chris, is also studying and has been working part-time to support their growing family. Though Isaiah's parents can also count on extended family to look after the baby from time to time, Sarah said that having Dr. Josie Ryan is making a big difference in their young family, according to ATTN.

As many young women in the same boat as Sarah Thompson, who are doing their best to finish school while struggling with child care, the student can only hope that there are more professors like Dr. Josie Ryan. Learn more about this story in this video below and share this post to spread the word about the kind professor!
A 12-year-old girl, who has cerebral palsy, made her appearance at the Supreme Court in Washington to fight for her right. Ehlena Fry, her parents and her service dog, Wonder, a Golden Retriever and Poodle mix, are the petitioners in a disability rights case that they have lodged against her school in Napoleon, Michigan.

The civil case originaly stemmed from a Michigan court, according to the Supreme Court records. Ehlena Fry's parents, Stacy and Brent Fry, sued the school district for disallowing their daughter to have Wonder assisting her in school.

The Fry family acquired Wonder when Ehlena was only 5-years-old to specifically assist her in some tasks. The pediatrician that prescribed the service dog said that that it would help Ehlena become more independent as she grows older and despite dealing with cerebral palsy.

The school district, however, said that having the service dog was not necessary because the child has a school aide assisting her in between classes. The school also disallowed Wonder because the dog could be a distraction and might trigger allergies with the other kids.

According to Miami Herald, Ehlena Fry's parents homeschooled their daughter due to the prohibition and then later moved Ehlena to a different school where Wonder was permitted to be with her. They insisted on keeping the dog because a school aide would defeat the purpose of making Ehlena independent.

Citing emotional damage, however, the Fry family sued Ehlena's former school, which was dismissed. That is, until the family appealed their case to the Supreme Court and the justices first deliberated on it on Monday, Oct. 30.

"The injury my client experienced is not a denial of education, but, for example, the humiliation that she experienced," Ehlena Fry's lawyer Samuel Bagenstos said, per Huffington Post. The young girl is confident that they would win the case against the school district.
The best upcoming phones for 2017 are most awaited especially by customers planning to buy a new one of upgrade. Some of the models are HTC 11, LG G6, OnePlus 4 and more.

According to Expert Reviews, 2017 is a good year for an upgrade with all the phones that are coming that are considered better versions of its predecessors, learning valuable lessons from 2016. The phones to be excited about are listed.

Samsung Galaxy S8 is due to be released in March or April of 2017. Samsung Galaxy S8 is believed to be the best of its kinds for having rear fingerprint sensor elevating the level of security of the device. The Samsung Galaxy S8 is reported to be coming in 4K making it especially interesting for VR.

HTC 11 is also reported to be released same as Samsung Galaxy 8 in either March or April 2017. The HTC 11 will be a better version of the already impressive HTC 10. As HTC follows a 12-month cycle before releasing new models, it is highly likely that HTC 11 will be out in April 2017. This is also a safe estimation for Samsung Galaxy S8 as well.

LG G6 will be released in April 2017. Three front runners namely Samsung Galaxy S8, HTC 11 and LG GC are reported to be released in April making it a promising month for mobile phones. LG G6 is considered to be modular in approach.

Jump to June 2017, another phone to watch out for is OnePlus 4. The China-made phone, OnePlus 4 is advanced in terms of specs, some even rivaling that of Samsung Galaxy S8 but come with a cheaper price tag. OnePlus 4 is perfect for customers who want the best but is not too keen on shelling out considerable cash.

As added by PC Advisor, the iPhone 8 is also one of the most awaited phones to be released on 2017. The iPhone 8 is the 10th anniversary representation of iPhone so it is expected to be the best Apple will come up with. iPhone 8 should be released in time for the iPhone anniversary.
When one hears the phrase "feel good medicine," one would expect that it has nothing to do with heroin. However, it is a different case with a Washington couple who are facing a number of charges due to allegedly injecting heroin into their three little children, The Washington Post reported.

The Washington couple was identified as 24-year-old Ashlee Hutt and 25-year-old Mac Leroy McIver. They were charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance to a person under 18, assault of a child in the second degree and criminal mistreatment in the second degree. The affidavit was said to be filed in September in Pierce County Superior Court. It is unclear why the case was made public only now.

Hutt appeared in court on Monday for her arraignment. She remains in jail on a $100,000 bond. McIver was arraigned in September and has the same amount of bond with Hutt. The couple both pleaded not guilty.

Pierce County Sheriff's Department spokesman, Detective Ed Troyer, said in a statement that the kids lived in deplorable conditions and the living situation was not good even without the issue of heroin. He added, "We unfortunately find kids living in deplorable conditions all too often, but we don't see parents intentionally putting drugs into kids."

The three kids ages two, four and six, who have not been named and whose genders were not revealed, were placed into protective custody. The children were removed from the home in November 2015 and as per the probable cause affidavit, multiple individuals were living at the residence and everyone was using heroin.

The two-year-old child tested positive on heroin. They also found bruises on the toddler's body that reportedly came from drug injections. The six-year-old told social workers that McIver choked him and his siblings and gave them the "feel good medicine," Time reported. The medicine was described by the child as white powder mixed with water. The parents then used a needle to inject the feel good medicine into the siblings. The six-year-old continued to reveal that he and his sisters fell asleep after being injected with the "feel good medicine."

Hutt and McIver admitted that they are heroin users. However, they said that the babysitter was responsible for injecting heroin into the three children.
A 17-year-old boy was ordered by a judge to undergo psychological examination. He's in the custody of police officials after being charged over allegedly killing his parents.

The teenager was identified as Andrew Balcer. He was charged with two counts of murder. Balcer's parents, Antonio and Alice, were found dead in a home in Winthrop. An emergency call at around 1:45 a.m. led the authorities to the bodies of Antonio and Alice.

The emergency call came from a neighbor after a woman coming from the home of the Balcers said that someone had a gun and she feared for her life, Press Herald reported. Balcer was arrested hours after the bodies of his parents were found. He remains at the Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland.

The defense attorney of Balcer, Walter McKee, did not object the request of the judge for a diagnostic psychological evaluation. The psychological evaluation was requested after prosecutor Assistant Attorney General Megan Elam requested for Balcer to be tried as an adult in court.

The detailed statements about the accusations were also ordered by Judge Eric Walker to be sealed from public viewing. No other details about how Antonio or Alice, both 47 years old, were killed, The Washington Post reported. Walker explained that the committed act by Balcer could be classified as a class A, B, or C crime, which are all felonies. He would be ordering a review of the case at a later date.

Walker also said that Balcer remains in detention to ensure the presence of the juvenile at the future hearing. Also, since there is no parent or a guardian willing and able to supervise and care for the juvenile, the detention will be providing physical care over Balcer.

The detention also serves the purpose of preventing the juvenile from hurting witnesses and other people. Balcer is set to have an initial appearance by Nov. 17 at 1 p.m.
A former teen horror blogger appeared in a new interview behind bars and she said that she is happier and freer now that she is jailed. She pleaded guilty to killing her mother and stepfather, whom she claimed abused her.

The teenager, Ashlee Martinson, now 19, said during her interview with "Crime Watch" that she is happy now because she is getting help. The interview of Martinson aired on Tuesday.

Martinson stabbed her mother to death and fatally shot her stepfather in March of 2015. She was sentenced to 23 years behind bars and 17 more years for extended supervision, New York Daily News reported.

The stepfather of Martinson, identified as Thomas Ayers, reportedly physically, mentally, and verbally abused her for years. This was said to be the reason behind Martinson committing homicide.

Martinson continued to say in the interview that people call her a monster but if people met Ayers, they would know who he was and what he really was. If they knew what Ayers' attitudes were, Martinson said that people will be able to say that Ayers is the monster and not her, People reported.

Martinson wrote entries on her blog before the killings commenced. She said that the excerpts from her writings had nothing to do with the killings. Martinson claimed that the day that she killed her mother and stepfather, she blacked out. She noted that the moment she saw her stepfather, she reacted suddenly by raising the gun and pulling the trigger.

The former horror blogger added that she did not realize that she killed Ayers because everything happened so fast. She also reportedly had the feeling of worry over her and her young sisters getting killed by Ayers if she did not do anything. In the interview, Martinson said that she can now say that she and her sisters are safe every time she wakes up.
A teenager is allegedly responsible of killing a pizza driver. But the lawyer defending the teen said that the murder was stupid and his client is not guilty. The teenager was charged as an adult in the case.

Gwinnett County police officers responded to the parking lot of the Wesley Herrington Apartments. They found the pizza driver, identified as 28-year-old Shane Varnadore, without a pulse and was in the fetal position. Varnadore was shot once in the chest leading to his death. The car, his money and his cellphone were found later. A Papa John's pizza carrier, which was empty, was also found in the area plus a two-liter bottle of soda and a shell casing.

After officials found the victim and the aforementioned items, the teenager, identified as 14-year-old Reginald Lofton, was seen walking into his nearby apartment and were carrying pizzas. The defense attorney of the teenager, Leanne Chancey, said in a statement, "He may be guilty of being stupid. But he's not guilty of participating in this armed robbery" that led to the death of Varnadore.

The killing took place on March 1. Lofton was charged as an adult. The charges he faced were murder, felony murder, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. It is believed that Lofton and another man, 21-year-old Jermaine Young, lured Varnadore. They both lived with the sister of Lofton at the apartment complex where the shooting took place, AJC.com reported.

It remains unclear who of the two pulled the trigger, said Assistant District Attorney Sabrina Nizam. Although it is unknown who pulled the trigger, Nizam said that it does not matter because both were involved in the robbery. As per Georgia law, they are both responsible equally.

Accordingly, the weapon used to kill Varnadore was shown in the photo uploaded on the Facebook accounts of Young and Lofton. The uploading was made hours before the killing. The gun used to kill Varnadore was said to be placed in a pancake mix, People reported. The sister of Lonton claims that her brother was cool as a cucumber when he walked into the apartment with the stolen pizzas.
A Colorado landfill in the northern area of the state is now being searched as the remains of a thirteen-month-old baby is believed to have been buried there. A man has been charged with the toddler's death.

The suspect is said to be from Cheyenne and the baby is said to be from Wyoming and was identified as Silas Anthony Ojeda. Authorities are searching for the baby's remains at the landfill located near Ault, Colorado because the suspect allegedly said that he disposed the body of Ojeda in a trash container.

Deputies and officers from Laramie County Sheriff's Office, Wyoming National Guard and more agencies are participating in the search for the 13-month-old's remains, Capt. Linda Gesell of the Laramie County Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Tuesday. It is expected that the search for the baby's remains will take some weeks.

At least 30 people from the Laramie County Sheriff's Office will be deployed every day to help in the search efforts. Searchers will be focusing on an area of 25 yards wide and 100 yards long with trash that is possibly 15-feet deep.

Gesell added that they have one percent chance of finding the remains of the baby but they are going to do what they can and will re-evaluate after a number of weeks. Experts who have done similar searches stated the one percent chance of success that Gesell aforementioned, Fox News reported.

The man alleged of killing the toddler was identified as 23-year-old Logan Hunter Rogers. He was charged with involuntary manslaughter and child endangering with a controlled substance in the death of Ojeda. A November 9 hearing was set by a judge to decide whether Rogers will stand trial, New Jersey Herald reported.

The suspect is said to be the boyfriend of the mother of Ojeda. Initially, Rogers said that he gave the boy to another man to take him fishing. Later, he said that motorcycle club members took him. It is alleged that Rogers took Ojeda to a house where people were smoking methamphetamine. Rogers then admitted that Ojeda died after falling at the family home after he hit his head. He then disposed the body of the boy in a trash container at a local community college.

Searchers will be removing trash with a loader and a backhoe then examine the trash.
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Last month Patently Apple posted a report titled "Apple the only Major PC Company to have Negative Shipments in the U.S. and Worldwide for Q3." The thinking was that once Apple updated their PC line-up sales would rebound and Apple's standing in the PC market would once again rise. The problem is that Apple only updated their MacBook Pro with updates to Mac desktops being delayed to sometime in the first half of 2017 when Intel finally releases their 7th generation Core processors. Secondly, the MacBook Pro is more expensive than expected and for countries outside the US, such as Canada and the UK, the MacBook Pro is out of reach for most because of the strong U.S. dollar. Macworld noted today in their review of the MacBook Pro that two things stood out. "The Touch Bar looks lovely and, ouch, the price tag is steep." Yesterday Acer unveiled their new notebook line-up and basically thanked Apple for their steep price that would help them in the market over the holidays.

In Q3 IDC's report showed Apple in fourth spot for Q3 2016 while Gartner's report showed Apple in fifth spot with Acer a hair under Apple in sixth spot. Acer said that Apple's high MacBook Pro pricing opened the door for them to return to the the fifth spot for Q4 worldwide.

It was reported today in Taiwan that "A senior executive at Taiwanese PC maker Acer on Tuesday suggested Apple's pricing strategy for its latest notebooks could benefit the industry's 'Wintel' camp. With the spread of smartphones eating into their sales, PC brands could use the boost."

Dave Lin, president of Acer's Taiwan operations, told reporters during a launch event for his company's own new notebook in Taipei that "Apple's new MacBook Pro is way too expensive -- it's really not affordable for ordinary users."

Acer claims its new Swift 7 notebook, priced at US$1,360, is the world's thinnest laptop in the 13-inch-screen segment. "We aim to overtake Apple and return to be a top-five PC brand [by shipments] next year," Lin confidently said.

Of course by shipment stats alone, that could very well occur, but in terms of profits, Apple will probably crush most PC vendors as always.

In fact, Vincent Chen, head of regional research at Yuanta Investment Consulting, supports this view wholeheartedly by stating that "Apple is trying to focus on the high-end PC and smartphone market. Apple's MacBook Pro is synonymous with Hermes or Chanel in the PC market," Chen said. "Apple no longer wants to compete with any of the low-to-mid priced PCs in the market."

Chen added that "Apple's main strategy has shifted to generate more income from services rather than selling more hardware products."

Jessica Hsu, an analyst at Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute, echoed Chen's view and suggested Apple is not as fixated on market share as other PC makers.

Finally some market analysts are starting to see the value in making money instead of playing the volume game that the likes of IDC and Gartner love to play up as to what makes a leader in any given product category.

Yet with that said, the general opinion thus far on the net is that the MacBook Pro may be worth the price, but customers, especially outside of the U.S, may find it realistically out of reach for this year.





And one more thing: Beyond the price issue, it must be said that there's a lot of anger in the Pro Mac Community. This morning MacRumors posted a report titled "Professional Mac Users' Complaints List Grows After 'Disappointing' Apple Event."

The MacRumors report notes that "Over the weekend evidence mounted of a backlash within sections of the online Mac community in response to Apple's latest announcements. In a blog post on his site titled "New MacBook Pros and the State of the Mac", developer Michael Tsai collated and linked to the most commonly aired grievances. The post has since become a common point of reference in the blogosphere for negative sentiment toward Apple following last week's event." For more on this, read the full report here.

About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.
The founder and chairman of Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known as Foxconn, is without a doubt, one of the most energetic entrepreneurs in China today. His company is the number one Apple supplier but is also the supplier to a host of technology companies such as HP, Dell, Xiaomi, Sony, Microsoft and others. They have a huge engineering division that files hundreds of patents under both Foxconn and Hon Hai every year. We've even covered a few for a game controller and a hybrid notebook. Hon Hai is one of the leaders in industrial robots. Earlier this year Foxconn acquired Japan's Sharp and is pushing them hard to enter Apple's Supply Chain for iPhone OLED displays in the future. More amazingly we recently learned that Foxconn and ARM will be creating a join chip design center in Shenzhen where Apple is building their new R&D Center. Then on Monday we learned that Apple gave Foxconn the green light to test wireless charging modules for future iPhones. We hardly digested that news and today we learn that Foxconn and Sharp are now diving into the Augmented Reality business.





According to a new report this afternoon we learn that earlier today the Foxconn Technology Group unveiled an augmented reality advertising project using high-resolution 4K TVs made by its Japanese subsidiary Sharp Corporation.

During a presentation at Taipei's main rail station, a major location for the new advertising project, Foxconn Executive Vice President Lu Fang-ming gave an augmented reality presentation in which his image was merged in real time with graphics.

"Foxconn has been trying to integrate software and hardware services over the past few years," Lu said. "Sharp is a leading industrial display provider in Japan...and we will use the best display technology available [for the AR advertising business]."

Lu did not say how much sales he expected the new augmented reality project would bring, but he said he hoped it could break even before the end of 2017.

Foxconn has invested another 50 million New Taiwan dollars (US$1.58 million) to set up a new company, LinkOOH, to develop the augmented reality advertising business in Taiwan. Lu said that LinkOOH now will use Sharp's high-resolution TVs for its various advertising deals.

In August Patently Apple posted a patent report demonstrating that Apple is continuing to work on a next generation of displays designed specifically to enhance Augmented Reality. Last month we posted another report titled "While Apple's CEO Talks Up Augmented Reality, TSMC Points to Specialty Chips for AR coming to Market in 2019." So Apple and their suppliers are gearing up for the coming AR market in terms of displays and specialty chips that may come into play with Apple in the coming years. These are developments that we'll continue to track over time to help us all understand the bigger picture in AR that is beginning to take shape.



On a last note, it should be noted that Foxconn's Chairman Terry Gou is also a well-connected man in China. During Tim Cook's latest trip to China, Gou accompanied Cook when meeting Chairman Xu Shaoshi of China's National Development and Reform Commission and other senior Shenzhen officials to work out the details about their new R&D center.

About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.
With this post, I continue the virtual tour of Catholic churches and sites of Lima, Peru. This city is rich in history and beauty. I hope these posts bring a greater awareness of the religious sites Lima has available to pilgrims and tourists.

Lima may be considered the city of saints. Three canonized saints lived at the same time in 16th century Lima: Saint Rose, Saint Martin of Porres and Saint Toribius of Mogrovejo. The least known of the three is Saint Toribius (Santo Toribio), the second Archbishop of Lima who dedicated his life to the evangelization of the people of the new world. A distinguished professor of canon law at the University of Salamanca, Spain, he was named Archbishop of Lima by Pope Gregory XIII when he was not even a priest! He arrived to Lima in 1581 soon after his ordination, and traveled extensively throughout the Viceroyalty of Peru teaching and preaching. He actively implemented the reforms of the Council of Trent, and catechisms he distributed in the most remote areas of Peru are still found today in these churches. Santo Toribio is now the declared patron of Latin American bishops. He is buried at the Cathedral of Lima along with the other archbishops of the city.

Other saints have graced Lima such as the Franciscan Saint Francisco Solano and the Dominican Saint Juan Macias, but both of them like Santo Toribio, were born in Spain. The most beloved saints of Lima are the two who were born soon after the founding of they city.

Saint Rose of Lima, born Isabel Flores de Oliva in 1586, was the daughter of a Spanish colonist who held a high office in the colonial government. Many wrongfully believe that Saint Rose was a religious sister. She dedicated her life to prayer and penance, as well as the service of others while remaining at home as a laywoman. There is a story I heard as a child that Saint Rose asked her brother to take her to the convent, but on the way there, they stopped to pray at a church. When Saint Rose attempted to rise from the kneeler where she had been praying, she was unable to do so until she promised to God that she would return home.

Canonized in 1671, she was the first recognized saint from the new world. She was declared patroness of the Americas and the Philippines (remember that the Philippines was also a Spanish colony). Her closeness to the Dominican Order and love for Saint Catherine of Siena, prompted her to request that after death, she wanted to be buried close to her friends at the Convent of the Dominicans located just a few blocks from her house. Today, her remains rest under the altar of a beautiful chapel of the convent.

The second Peruvian-born saint was born in 1579. Unlike Saint Rose who came from an influential and well established family, Saint Martin was the illegitimate child of a Spaniard and a freed slave from Panama. Abandoned by his father, he grew up in poverty. He entered the same Dominican Convent where Saint Rose is buried at a young age, and became a lay brother. He was in charge of cleaning and eventually the infirmary. It is believed that Saint Martin would walk to the house of Saint Rose where she would sit at the door taking care of the poor and sick. They became good friends since they both longed to serve Christ by taking care of the neediest.

Saint Martin is usually depicted with a broom since cleaning was his primary duty at the convent. He is also shown with a dog, cat, and mouse at his feet eating from the same plate, symbolizing his ability to bring people together. He is also buried at the Dominican Convent, along the same cloister as Saint Rose. These two holy people who were friends during their lifetimes, now rest in peace near each other. A visit to the Dominican Convent downtown Lima is certainly worth a visit. Not only are these two saints buried here, but the convent is beautiful and well maintained.

Statues of Saint Rose and Saint Martin are never absent in parishes of Lima. Celebrations on their feast days fill the city, especially the many parishes dedicated to them. I will soon share pictures and stories about their birth places. The house of Saint Rose is now a sanctuary while the house of Saint Martin is a home where the needy are fed, clothed and are provided medical care.

Saint Rose, pray for us.

Saint Marin, pray for us.

Saint Toribius, pray for us.
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Iranian Parliament Approves Three New Rohani Cabinet Ministers

11/02/16

Source: RFE/RL

Iranian lawmakers on November 1 approved three new ministers, signaling support for changes in the cabinet of President Hassan Rohani seven months before a presidential election.





Fakhroddin Ahmadi Danesh Ashtiani, Reza Salehi Amiri & Massoud Soltanifar

(source: Roozan daily)





State media reported that Reza Salehi Amiri, Saeed Soltanifar, and Fakhredin Ahmadi Danesh-Ashtiani won votes of confidence to take over the ministries of Islamic guidance and culture, sport and youth affairs, and education.



Their predecessors resigned after Rohani criticized them for inefficiency and succumbing to pressures from outside the government.





Reza Salehi Amiri, Massoud Soltanifar, and Fakhroddin Ahmadi Danesh Ashtiani

(Photo by IRNA)





Rohani allies won big gains in parliamentary elections in February, short of an outright majority but comfortable enough to pass his legislative plans.



Rohani is expected to stand for reelection next year but may face a challenge from conservative rivals who believe Iran has conceded too much in a deal with world powers to limit its nuclear program, while failing to benefit as promised from a lifting of international sanctions.





Based on reporting by AP and Reuters

Copyright (c) 2016 RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
Iran's oil sales to Europe top 700,000 bpd

11/02/16

Source: Press TV

Iran exported more than 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil to Europe in October, but Asia remained the country's main customer, a senior official says.

"Iran's crude oil exports averaged 2.44 million barrels per day in October," director general for international affairs of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Mohsen Qamsari said in Tehran on Wednesday.



Asian clients took in 1.74 million bpd of Iranian oil last month, while more than 700,000 bpd were exported to Europe during the period, he added.



Iran's oil sales to Europe have been steadily rising in recent months, helping the country claw back its traditional markets in the continent.



France's Total, Spain's Cepsa and Greece's Hellenic Petroleum became the first European companies to book Iranian crude for their refineries this year after the lifting of sanctions.



The country has found new customers in Europe, with Hungary's MOL saying last month that it had commissioned a cargo of 140,000 tonnes of Iranian heavy crude oil for the first time.



Last month also marked British oil company BP clinching its first oil deal with NIOC since last year's landmark nuclear accord for purchase of condensate.



Bosnian officials discussed imports of Iranian crude and oil and petrochemical products as chairman of Bosnia and Herzegovina's inter-ethnic presidency Bakir Izetbegovic visited Tehran.



In Asia, more Japanese companies which had halted oil purchases from Iran under Western sanctions said they were seeking to resume imports.



Marubeni, Sumitomo, Itochu and Kanematsu are some of the Japanese firms which are looking to take Iranian crude, giving a fresh boost to Iran's successful campaign to return to the market.
Tabriz hosting Iran-Germany symposium on archaeometry

11/02/16

Source: Tehran Times

The first Irano-German International Symposium on Archaeometry opened in the Iranian city of Tabriz on November 1, turning the spotlight on the involvement of physical and biological sciences with archaeology and the history of arts.





Irano-German International Symposium on Archaeometry





Experts, academics, and university students from both nations exchange views and present articles on archaeological dating methods and conservation knowledge as well as man and his environment during the four-day event which is being held at the Tabriz Islamic Arts University.



The event is organized under the auspices of German Archaeological Institute in close collaboration with Iran's Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Organization.



It also embraces discussions in regard to artifact studies, mathematical methods, and remote sensing techniques.



Conference papers and proceedings will be indexed in the Civilica database and Iranian Consortium of National Content (ICNC) as well.



Tabriz, the capital of East Azarbaijan Province, boasts a rich collection of prehistorical and ancient sites as well as natural beauties.



Last year, the World Crafts Council picked Tabriz as world city of carpets.
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Law enforcement agencies across the globe staged a crackdown on so-called darknet web sites last week, targeting marchants and thousands of customers who were looking to obtain illegal drugs and goods.

From Oct.22 to the 28th, the agencies took action against merchants and customers that used these sites for illicit items, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement on Monday.

Unlike other websites, these underground marketplaces reside within the darknet  a sort of parallel internet accessible to visitors via anonymizing software like Tor. While the software has legitimate uses, such as safeguarding communications in authoritarian countries, it has been adopted for more illicit means.

Last weeks crackdown was global in scale. In addition to the U.S., Europol and law enforcement agencies from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the U.K. participated in the operation.

In the U.S., the FBI said it made contact with 150 individuals suspected of buying illicit items from darknet marketplaces. Some of these individuals confessed to ordering a range of illegal drugs and controlled substances online, including heroin, cocaine, morphine, and ketamine, the FBI said.

Its unclear how U.S. federal investigators found out about the suspects activities. But a video posted online shows agents searching for the illegal goods by opening packages at a Los Angeles mail facility. Among the items seized were live turtles sent from Las Vegas, a counterfeit bong made in China, and fake Ray-Ban sunglasses.

In other countries such as Sweden, local police there said they had identified over 3,000 suspected buyers of drugs sold over the darknet. Police were able to identify the suspects because six of the largest Swedish merchants on the darknet had been arrested in the past year.

Police in Netherlands also said they took some criminal justice actions as part of last weeks operation. Authorities there have even published a website, naming which vendors are still active on the darknet, and which have already been arrested.

Some of those merchants go by usernames that appear on AlphaBay Market, a major underground website known to sell drugs, stolen credit cards and counterfeit items. AlphaBay continues to operate as of Tuesday.

New Zealand police have also said they contacted over 160 people in the country suspected of buying drugs from the websites. The crackdown has so far resulted in six arrests and 66 formal warnings.
Anticipating that California voters will approve recreational use of marijuana in next weeks election, San Jacinto leaders are taking steps to regulate pot use in the city.

But the City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 1, delayed a vote to update an ordinance to help monitor the personal, medical and commercial marijuana use in the city in the event Prop. 64 passes.

The hang up came over the amount of land that can be used for outdoor cultivation. The proposal stated growers must have a minimum 10-acre lot and no more than 100 acres could be used throughout the city. Now, the city will see what state regulations say before coming to a decision.

The council did vote for a temporary ban of all marijuana uses until the updated ordinance can take full effect, which could stretch to February.

The proposed updates are to help the city get out in front of issues that will come about if a state proposition to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for anyone 21 or older passes.

Under the proposal, municipalities will still have many controls over how marijuana is used, grown and sold in their cities.

What Proposition 64 does that is very beneficial to cities is it preserves local control, deputy city attorney Mike Maurer said.

City Councilman John Gagnepain said the city needs to enact as much authority as allowed.

We need to use those powers to the fullest to control what we can control in our city, he said.

Medical marijuana has been legal in the state since 1996, but municipalities have been able to ban such uses. San Jacinto has never allowed any marijuana-related uses or businesses.

Under San Jacintos proposed ordinance, the citys existing ban will essentially remain in place, but be modified to align with the state law. Dispensaries and other pot businesses will continue to be illegal.

The state law would allow up to six plants per residence. But those who wish to cultivate marijuana in San Jacinto will need to get a permit and be subject to certain regulatory standards.

A separate permit will be required for commercial outdoor marijuana cultivation.

Mayor Andrew Kotyuk broached the idea of permits for indoor cultivation businesses, such as bio-tech firms that would grow medical marijuana, but he was shot down by his colleagues.

Youre opening up a whole new area of cultivation, Scott Miller said. My concern is were getting too broad. I do not want to see a full open door. I really dont want to broaden this to indoor cultivation on a commercial level.

Besides the statewide measure, San Jacinto voters are being asked next week to vote on a measure that would levy fees on marijuana businesses, including of up to $50 per square foot of cultivation area.

The tax would help offset extra law enforcement costs or mitigate other issues brought about by legalized marijuana.

Were going to get slammed by the impact of these issues, Miller said.

While all the council members have said they are against legalized marijuana, Alonso Ledezma is the most vocal critic.

Im 120 percent against this, he said. Its not about the money its going to generate. This city has survived 125 years without this tax and Im pretty sure were going to survive 125 more.
Capt. Martha Esteban, a Riverside native and commander of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, shined at the Armys recent Camp As Sayliyah Shadow Run, a 10-mile race for deployed soldiers in Qatar.

She took 1st place in the female age group ages 18 to 29 with a time of 1 hour and 22 minutes, according to a news release from the Army. It says this was the second time Estaban competed in the race, the first being in 2009.

Have your own military accomplishment to share? Send items for possible inclusion in the column to community@pressenterprise.com.

Contact the writer: community@pressenterprise.com
The Amgen Tour of California will return to what it knows best in Southern California in 2017.

The seven-day bicycle event will have four races throughout Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. There will be finishes in Santa Clarita, Mount Baldy, Big Bear and Pasadena. The first stage is scheduled for May 14 in Sacramento. The seventh stage will finish in Pasadena on May 20.

Two years ago, Slovakian Peter Sagan won the tour with a dramatic Rose Bowl finish, defeating Frances Julian Alaphilippe by three seconds. Sagan is scheduled to return to the event, his seventh consecutive Tour of California. He has won a record 15 stage races.

Racing in the Amgen Tour of California is always one of my top priorities every year, he said. While spectacular to watch from a scenic standpoint, the route is consistently tough and challenging and one that brings out the best in all of the riders.

Three of the four Southern California stages are very familiar to the peleton.

Stage 4 will be from Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita, a route organizers used two years ago. It will include a climb up Balcom Canyon and a sprint into Santa Clarita.

The Queen Stage returns to Mount Baldy in the fifth stage. Riders will start in Ontario, ride the Glendora Ridge Route and finish at the ski lifts, which features agonizing steep switchbacks. The peleton will stay at altitude on Day 6 with the first high-altitude time trial in Big Bear City.

Two years ago, a last-season snow storm forced tour organizers to move the stage off Big Bear and create a last-second time trial stage in Santa Clarita.

The final stage will finish in Pasadena, likely at the Rose Bowl, although no official route has yet been finalized.

But it will have a different start; atop Mountain High in Wrightwood. The peleton rode from Santa Clarita to Mountain High three years ago. This time, they will be going the opposite direction. But they will have to cross Angeles Crest Highway to get into Pasadena.

The first stage will be a circuit course in Sacramento. The second stage is from Modesto to San Jose and then from Pismo Beach to Morro Bay, the first time the tour has finished in the Central Coast city.

The women will have a four-stage race, all in Northern California. It will finish May 14 in Sacramento. There will be finishes in Santa Clarita, Mount Baldy, Big Bear and Pasadena. The first stage is scheduled for May 14 in Sacramento. The seventh stage will finish in Pasadena on May 20.

Two years ago, Slovakian Peter Sagan won the tour with a dramatic Rose Bowl finish, defeating Frances Julian Alaphilippe by three seconds. Sagan is scheduled to return to the event, his seventh consecutive Tour of California. He has won a record 15 stage races.

Racing in the Amgen Tour of California is always one of my top priorities every year, he said. While spectacular to watch from a scenic standpoint, the route is consistently tough and challenging and one that brings out the best in all of the riders.

Three of the four Southern California stages are very familiar to the peleton.

Stage 4 will be from Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita, a route organizers used two years ago. It will include a climb up Balcom Canyon and a sprint into Santa Clarita.

The Queen Stage returns to Mount Baldy in the fifth stage. Riders will start in Ontario, ride the Glendora Ridge Route and finish at the ski lifts, which features agonizing steep switchbacks. The peleton will stay at altitude on Day 6 with the first high-altitude time trial in Big Bear City.

Two years ago, a last-season snow storm forced tour organizers to move the stage off Big Bear and create a last-second time trial stage in Santa Clarita.

The final stage will finish in Pasadena, likely at the Rose Bowl, although no official route has yet been finalized.

But it will have a different start; atop Mountain High in Wrightwood. The peleton rode from Santa Clarita to Mountain High three years ago. This time, they will be going the opposite direction. But they will have to cross Angeles Crest Highway to get into Pasadena.

The first stage will be a circuit course in Sacramento. The second stage is from Modesto to San Jose and then from Pismo Beach to Morro Bay, the first time the tour has finished in the Central Coast city.

The women will have a four-stage race, all in Northern California. It will finish May 14 in Sacramento.
One emotion Cassie Nguyen didnt experience when she was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 16 was fear.

Just four days after she got the news from doctors, Nguyen underwent surgery to remove 99 percent of the tumor. The remaining 1 percent was treated with radiation and chemotherapy, she said.

I was never afraid, Nguyen said. I just thought it was something I had to go through. It never brought me down.

That positivity and strength helped her get through having to relearn to speak, swallow, walk and talk again. It aided her when she returned to King High School in Riverside as a senior determined to graduate on time.

I was bald and in a wheelchair when I came back, and when I graduated, I walked and had hair, she said. And I graduated in the top 10 percent of my class.

GIVING BACK

Eleven years after her diagnosis, Nguyen, a graduate student at UC Riverside, is thriving, serves as a volunteer advocate for the American Cancer Society and has started a film camp program for children with cancer and their families.

The camp, in its second year at UC Riverside, fulfills a desire Nguyen has to be a part of outreach programs, she said. She hopes to spread her program to other universities and hospitals, so once she graduates it can continue, she added.

On a recent weekend, children, parents and volunteers crafted story boards, created sets and filmed stop motion animation films at the Spotlight on Hope film camp at UC Riverside. The action included an exploding space station, a monster crushed by a giant boulder and a dinosaur-eating snake.

John Martinez came from Bellflower with his wife Lea and sons Zen, Raiden and Stryder, 10-year-old triplets. Raiden was diagnosed with leukemia in May 2012 and is in remission. Martinez said he likes that Cassie does outreach to families.

I appreciate that she gives a kids with illness and their siblings a chance to do something fun, he said. The fact that the brothers can join in is very important. I like that.

This is the second year the family has participated. His son Stryder said he enjoyed the filmmaking process.

I learned that if you take the time actually to write the story before you do it, it comes out better, he said.

MAKING AN IMPACT

Riverside resident Luis Sanchez, 9, loves animated movies and Star Wars.

I want to make films when I grow up, he said.

Luis, who is in remission after being diagnosed with leukemia three and a half years ago, attended the camp with his 6-year-old brother Giovanni and his mom Miriam Castell de Oro, who also brought 3-month-old brother Freddy.

Castell de Oro said that Luis is autistic, so participating in the camp is huge.

He can be around people, she said. I tell him he has to at least try it. I teach him that nothing can be perfect.

Beckie Moore Flati, communications manager for the American Cancer Society, said programs like Nguyens are important.

People forget that cancer in children or anyone is not just about treating the disease, she said. You have to treat the whole person psychosocially. Cassie is a young woman working to make an impact, and I couldnt be more proud of her.
For years, it has been clear that one damaging legacy of the Obama administration is its record on cybersecurity. Damaging leaks, hacks and simple carelessness have afflicted everyone from the National Security Agency to the General Services Administration to the Central Intelligence Agency.

Now, it is the FBIs turn for embarrassment. Its late discovery (via former Rep. Anthony Weiner) of hundreds of thousands of emails that could be pertinent to its criminal investigation of Hillary Clinton has fueled greater confusion and disrespect for those tasked with the core functions of government.

Still, the real humiliation belongs to Clinton herself. Though her supporters yet again dismiss the latest ordeal as the product of a partisan witch hunt, its increasingly clear that Clintons improprieties and misjudgments will cloud her administration if she is elected president  and hobble her less fanatical political supporters if she is not.

Clinton defenders are right that FBI director James Comey has been opaque and hard to follow in his decision-making process. It is reported that the bureau was and is sharply divided over the Clinton investigation. Comey has not been able to get the FBI into ship shape.

Nevertheless, it is not Comey who is running for president but Clinton, who, along with former President Bill Clinton, has been a failure at putting her house in order.

Hillary Clintons fans, who see any rigorous challenge to her conduct as a recipe for Trumpocalypse, are hellbent on pretending that flaw in her leadership is anything but fatal.

Surely Americans could be forgiven hoping that, over time, Clintonworld had cleaned up its act. Hillary is widely considered to be more disciplined, focused and well-rehearsed than her husband, and she has had many years to prepare the way for a drama-free White House run.

Instead, at a moment when she could have been building an insuperable lead over Donald Trump, Clinton has put herself back on defense.

Of course, given the infighting and incompetence at the FBI  unfortunately playing to federal type  theres reason to believe Clintons lead against Trump will extend right through to election day. Officials are now under so much fire from Democrats that pressure will be immense not to torpedo Clinton at the finish line with some smoking gun lifted from Weiners trove.

A victory under such circumstances would be nothing for Clinton, Democrats or Americans to get excited about. It is hard to think of a leading Democrat who is less credible on issues of cybersecurity  at a time when those issues are now at the forefront of national security as a whole.

For a candidate who wants to toughen up against the Russians who seem dedicated to meddling in our domestic affairs online, Clinton would enter the White House from a position of unique personal weakness as a leader.
Voters who want to take an Election Day photo with their marked ballots may be out of luck. A federal judge in San Francisco refused Wednesday, Nov. 2 to block a state law that bans ballot selfies.

U.S. District Judge William Alsup said allowing the images so close to Election Day would create confusion among voters and poll workers. A law legalizing ballot selfies doesnt take effect until Jan. 1.

The American Civil Liberties Union sued Monday, seeking a court injunction preventing enforcement of the ballot-selfie ban in the current election. The group said the law violates voters free-speech rights by preventing them from expressing their political views.

Michael Risher, a senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Northern California, said he wasnt immediately sure whether he would appeal the ruling.

In a news release, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla said: We need to embrace the use of technology as a way to encourage civic participation. Thats why I supported a new law that is paving the way for ballot selfies to be permitted under state law.

This new law will go into effect on January 1, 2017. In the meantime, voters can still take a selfie with their I Voted sticker, he said, adding that voters can still use their smartphones to look at their sample ballots or notes theyve made about candidates and ballot measures.

Signs at an early voting location at the Galleria at Tyler mall in Riverside last weekend barred the use of cell phones in voting booths.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
UPDATE (Friday, Nov. 18): Indio High School tuberculosis test results within expected levels

A student at Indio High School has tested positive for tuberculosis, Riverside County public health officials said Wednesday, Nov. 2.

Letters will be sent to about 165 students and parents whose children may have been exposed to the illness.

Anyone who does not receive a letter is not considered at risk, Riverside County Health Department officials said in a news release.

The infected student is being treated at home and wont be sent back to school until a medical clearance is issued, the release said. The student wasnt identified for privacy reasons.

Tuberculosis, also called TB, is spread through the air when an infected person coughs speaks or sings, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Though the risk for infection is relatively low, the Health Department recommends those who receive the letter get screened with a TB skin test.

A clinic will be set up for the test later this month at Indio High School, the release said.

The illness usually attacks the lungs but can sometimes go for the kidney, spine and brain, according to the CDC.

Symptoms can include a bad cough that lasts three or more weeks, chest pain, coughing up blood, weight loss, chills and a fever.

TB is not spread by kissing, shaking hands, sharing food or beverages or by sharing bed linens or toilet seats, according to the CDC.
Nearly a week after they were spotted in Riversides Fairmount Park, wild pigs are still causing havoc in the city.

Homicide detectives and coroners officials were summoned mid-day Tuesday after someone spotted body parts floating in the parks Lake Evans. Authorities determined they were pig intestines.

Its not known how the pig was killed, but the culprit was most likely a coyote, Officer Ryan Railsback wrote in a news release.

A pack of feral pigs has lived along the Santa Ana River for decades. They usually stay in the river bottom but occasionally go foraging in residential areas or parks and cause damage. Some were caught on video tearing up turf at Fairmount Park on Oct. 26.

RELATED: Pack of feral pigs tear up turf at Riverside park

In a report two days later, an LA television station indicated that state and county officials wanted people to start hunting the pigs in Riverside  which is illegal.

Unfortunate circumstances involving a headline left people thinking that we encourage hunting, said Riverside County Animal Services spokesman John Welsh.

Eager hunters have offered en mass to help out.

Pig hunters far and wide called us wanting to assist, Welsh wrote in an email.

California Fish and Wildlife spokesman Andrew Hughan said Wednesday morning that he had taken 94 calls so far.

But hunting the porkers  or any other animals  is prohibited within city limits. Anyone who uses a weapon for a prohibited use such as hunting could face a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail, the Riverside police news release said.

The wild boars sometimes come out of the river bottom after heavy rains, police said. They tend to come out only at night, and to keep to themselves.

Anyone who sees them is advised to leave them alone. If they become aggressive toward people or pets, people can contact Riverside County Animal Services at 951-358-7387 or Riverside police at 951-354-2007.

And anyone who spots remains that cannot be identified should call the same numbers, police said.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9567, amillerbernd@scng.com or @annieanyway
Protesters on opposite sides yelled at each other as guests approached the auditorium doors guarded by Secret Service agents wearing dark suits and sunglasses.

Shouts of Do you want a racist for president? competed with calls to Build That Wall!

Inside, there were cheers, boos, hissing and even chants of Lock Her Up!

Welcome to Campaign 2016, Temecula Middle School style.

The school hosted a mock presidential debate Tuesday, Nov. 1, featuring eighth-graders playing Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Gary Johnson and Jill Stein. Debate performances also are set for Wednesday, Nov. 2 and Thursday, Nov. 3.

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The debates  complete with wigs and dark-colored coats  are part of the schools social studies curriculum, which includes lessons on the Constitution and the electoral college.

The presidential campaign has evoked strong reactions from students who support Trump and Clinton, leading to spirited discussions in campuses across the Inland region.

Ill release my tax returns when you release your emails, Sean Farrow, who played Trump, told Annie Durant, who played Clinton, during the debate.

Durant, 13, said the race has sparked her interest in politics. She said she would vote for Clinton because she likes her experience and agrees with her on most issues  except her support of Common Core academic standards.

Farrow, 13, mimicked Trumps facial expressions during the debate and called his opponent a liar when she questioned whether he was fit to run the country. He said he would vote for Trump because he would make the country safer and the economy stronger.

I will make America great again, he said to thunderous applause, repeating Trumps campaign slogan in his closing statement.

Robert Eilek, who is in his 38th year teaching in the Temecula Valley Unified School District, has never seen so much interest in a race for the White House. He teaches social studies at Temecula Middle School and his students organized the debates.

Many students auditioned for the roles of the four presidential candidates. The best prepared were selected and wrote their own questions and researched and practiced delivering their answers.

Students also participated in mock voter registration drives during lunch three days in October. Eilek has four voting booths he plans to set up outside his classroom on Election Day so students can cast mock ballots.

The intensity this time around is whats driven this whole thing, Eilek said.

Some of the anger at Trump and Clinton campaign rallies has appeared on campus, he said.

Students campaign posters put up around campus were torn down. Eileks attempt to keep the applause to a minimum went unheeded during Tuesdays debate.

Thats genuine, sincere emotion being expressed, he said.

Edwin Rumsey, who teaches eighth grade U.S. History at Sierra Middle School in Riverside, has seen a similar level of passion.

Students are intrigued by the race between Clinton, who is vying to become the first female president, and Trump, a billionaire businessman who has never held public office, he said.

Its just so scandalous, said Rumsey, who has taught at the school 17 years. Its so compelling.

He said Trump has touched a nerve on both sides.

Rumsey said he tries to remain objective and wont answer when students ask him his choice for president.

I say, Whats important is Who would you vote for if you could? he said.

After the last debate, he showed a recap of various TV news sources, including Fox News, CNN and MSNBC, urging students to act mature and refrain from booing and hissing.

I tell my students to look at this election as if they are reporters, he said. Just report what youre seeing. Dont give your opinion.

He tap danced when one student mentioned Trumps sexual misconduct allegations in a discussion after the final debate.

I was like, Oh yes, that was something that was brought up, said Rumsey. I wanted to get past that because I didnt feel it wasnt appropriate for their age.

Some teachers say they are leery about a backlash from parents and school administrators if they bring up the sexual assault issue.

Youre always worried about parental reaction, said Eilek, who doesnt tell his Temecula Middle School students for whom hes voting or his political party. Its a touchy and uncomfortable topic. Some parents would be fine with it. Others would have a problem.

He believes the subject is more suitable for discussion in a high school class.

Eilek said he keeps his opinions to himself because he doesnt want to be accused of indoctrinating students.

Ill keep it balanced, he said. If I criticize one candidate, Ill criticize the other.

Julie Driskell, a seventh-grade social studies teacher at North Mountain Middle School in San Jacinto, encouraged her students to watch and discuss the debates at home with their parents.

Afterward, they watched kid-friendly TV news clips in class. About 350 students participated in a campus mock election after researching the history of the Republican and Democratic parties.

She attributed the increased interest in this years election to social media, which she said has changed the way young people look at politics.

Mostly, I want the kids to become educated about their civic duties and responsibilities and encourage future involvement and voting, Driskell said. I want students to think for themselves and do their research.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9292 orstwall@scng.comTwitter: @pe_swall
Its going to be a stressful time for about 1,500 desert tortoises, a species listed as threatened with extinction.

They will be scooped up from their long-established home ranges in the Mojave Desert northwest of Landers and flown by helicopter miles away from live ammunition military training exercises.

Most are expected to survive the move.

Such was the conclusion of a new 250-page environmental analysis commissioned by the U.S. Marine Corps concerning the militarys plan to move the iconic desert reptiles to safety.

The animals are being relocated from an 88,000-acre portion of the Johnson Valley that was added to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms in 2013.

The timing of the operation depended on the completion of biological opinion by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about whether the move would jeopardize the species. The earliest time to move the animals would be the spring of next year, according to the Marines.

The tortoises would experience stress during the move and during the time it takes for them to established a new home range, the report said. But the risk of death is small, unquantifiable, (and) not statistically significant.

Risk would reduced by releasing the animals during cooler times of year and day, and ensuring that release sites have suitable habitat, including adequate shrub cover, the report said.

It also said that the release areas have adequate food and other resources for both the newcomers and the tortoises already living there. The population increase in these areas, in fact, would be beneficial because the animals would spend less energy finding mates.



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The Marines had hoped to clear the Johnson Valley expansion area of tortoises last spring and use the valley for live ammunition training exercises. But that was put on hold after an environmental group filed a legal notice, saying the environmental reviews were inadequate.

The Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity specifically sought more analysis about how the move affected tortoises and other wildlife living in the release areas under the jurisdiction of the federal Bureau of Land Management.

Lisa Belenky, an attorney for the Center, said in an email that her group doesnt agree with the conclusion of the new analysis that few tortoises would die, saying the new report relies on anecdotal evidence about desert tortoise mortality.

She said the center believes the move would significantly impact tortoises in the western Mojave Desert at a time when their population recovery is needed for the species to survive climate change.

The release of tortoises may attract hungry coyotes and other tortoise predators, increase competition for foods and other resources, and separate established social groups, Belenky said.

The Combat Center is working hard to ensure successful translocation of desert tortoises, the Marines said in an email statement. Part of that effort includes careful selection of recipient sites for the tortoises.

These sites were chosen for low incidence of predation, and farther distances from homes, where more coyotes live because they are attracted to human trash, according to the statement.

The relocation plan stems from a vote by Congress in late 2013 to add the Johnson Valley area to the Air Ground Combat Center, which made much of the valley off limits to offroaders.

Earlier this year, Marine Corps officials said the additional space in Johnson Valley is needed for large-scale, live-ammunition operations involving three battalions operating in extreme, summertime desert heat to simulate real-world warfare conditions

The analysis is available online at http://ladtt.com/documents.aspx and is subject to public comments until Nov. 14. Comments may be mailed t29Palms SEIS Project Team, c/o Cardno Government Services, 3888 State Street, Suite 201, Santa Barbara.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9471 or ddanelski@scng.com
President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghanaian business empire, Groupe Nduom Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, has officially opened the Worawora Rice Mill Factory which will produce Edwumawura perfumed rice.



It is expected that some 5,000 farmers and other workers will be employed with about 20,000 people benefitting directly and indirectly.



A colourful ceremony attended by District Agricultural Officers, chiefs and farmers was held yesterday at the premises of the Mill in Worawora in the Volta region.



In an address, Dr. Nduom noted that it was a great day for Worawora and Ghana adding that the operations of the Mill will make the town more popular in Ghana.



He added that his conglomerate [from media to financial services to industry] is known in the region and that key managers hail from there making GN part of the region.



The people of Volta region are hardworking people and are experts in their respective fields. They will make this Mill work, he said.



He lamented that Ghana spends $1.2 billion on rice importation.



Imagine the jobs and development we are giving to America, Vietnam and Thailand.



 Our example should encourage other investors to emulate our example and in 4 to 5 years, all the $1.2 billion will stay in Ghana for roads, hospitals, schools and in the pockets of farmers.



Dr. Nduom urged the workers to take their work seriously and announced that farmers will be readily paid for their produce with life insurance packages.



He encouraged other people to invest in the sector.



Managing Director at Ghana Growth Fund Company (GGFC,) the investing arm of GN, Kwame Asomaning, in a welcome address explained that GN now owns a major stake in the factory and therefore has plans of expanding to other parts of the sub-region.



He indicated that the factory will provide employment and support for local farmers in the Volta and Northern regions.









Mr. Asomaning urged Ghanaians to buy the Edwumawura Rice since after harvest will be ready on the market in a fortnight time for consumption rather than the sometimes 10-year-old imported rice.



Ghana has 580,000 acres of land that can produce 1.7 million tonnes of rice to feed the entire country so why import? We borrowed $940 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) yet send $1.2 billion outside for rice importation. This is not sound economics, he lamented.



Owner of Afariwa Farms and former Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) president, Nana Owusu Afari, in an address said that the day marks the beginning of wealth creation for rice farmers in the area adding that Ghana has all the resources to create wealth hence if the people are self-sufficient, there will be little or no need for state interventions.



The entrepreneur and chief disclosed that the new investors will also build the capacity of the rice farmers.



A representative of the farmers, Seth Kwame Darko, pledged that they will feed the Mill with quality rice following trainings given them by the Ministry of Agriculture and some foreign development partners.



He highlighted undeveloped lands and lack of machinery as some of the challenges they face.



Dr. Nduom will break ground for the construction of another mill at Assin Bereku in the Central region on Thursday, November 3, 2016.

Source: Chris Joe Quaicoe/ email: [email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Generations and distributors of electricity face a difficult task of supplying sufficient power in the next two weeks as lean gas used by thermal power plants in the Aboadze enclave to fire thermal plants has dropped from 90 Million Standard Cubic Feet of Gas per day (mmscfd) to 50mmscfd.



To avoid shortage in supply, generators using dual fired plants would have to resort to the use of crude oil which would make cost of generation high.



A statement issued by Alfred Ogbamey, Corporate Communications Manager of Ghana Gasm, said Tullow Ghana Limited, operators of the Floating Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) Kwame Nkrumah, yesterday informed Ghana National Gas Company of critical turret remediation works required upstream.



Consequently, Tullow has revised downward, available natural gas supply from the present 90 Million Standard Cubic Feet of Gas per day to 50 Million Standard Cubic Feet of Gas per day, the statement said.



It said the revised nomination will last between November 1 and 21, 2016.



Ghana Gas has informed the Volta River Authority (VRA) the main downstream off-taker and other partners of reduction in the availability of lean gas and associated gas products within the period as a result of challenges on the Jubilee Field.



Mooring works



The Finder gathered that Tullow was carrying out some mooring works as part of process to fix the turret.



The Communications Unit of Tullow was contacted for explanation on what exactly is going on.



However, as at press time yesterday the Communications Unit of Tullow did not provide the feedback promised.



FPSO to be fully fixed mid 2018



Kosmos Energy Limiteds second quarter financial and operating results stated that installation of a deepwater Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) buoy FPSO Kwame Nkrumah as the final phase of repair work in the first half of 2018 is expected to restore full offloading functionality.



This will remove the need for the DP shuttle and storage tankers, which has increased associated operating costs.



Market inquiries are currently ongoing to estimate the cost and schedule for the fabrication and installation of this buoy.



Kosmos and its partners have established that the preferred long-term solution is to convert the FPSO to a permanently spread moored facility, with off-take through a new deepwater CALM buoy.



The first phase of this work would involve the installation of a stern anchoring system to replace the three heading control tugs currently in the field, which is expected to be complete by the end of 2016.



The partners then plan a second phase of work to remove the load of the turret and risers from the bearing to allow the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah to be rotated to its optimal spread moor heading in the first half of 2017.



These first two phases of work are expected to cost up to $150 million gross, and it is estimated that the Jubilee FPSO would need to be shut down for 8-12 weeks during the first half of 2017.



Upon completion of the spread mooring work programme, production is expected to return to the levels achieved before the turret bearing issue occurred.



During the second quarter, gross sales volumes from the Jubilee field averaged approximately 45,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd).



Production during the quarter was impacted by downtime associated with the turret bearing issue identified on the Jubilee FPSO in February 2016.



This issue required the implementation of new operating procedures, including the use of tug boats for heading control and a dynamically positioned (DP) shuttle tanker and a storage vessel for offloading.



These new operating procedures necessitated the FPSO being shut down for an extended period in April, with production resuming in early May.



Once the new operating procedures were in place, field production gradually increased and, in June, it averaged around 90,000 bpd gross.



These procedures are continuing to work effectively, and for the second half of 2016, production is anticipated to average approximately 85,000 bopd.



FPSO Kwame Nkrumah perennial challenges.



Various challenges have hindered the delivery of a potential 120 million standard cubic feet of gas a day from the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah to the processing plant at Atuabo.



Since gas production commenced, Tullow Ghana has undertaken several unplanned shutdowns of the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah as a result of faulty compressor.



Regular supply of gas from the Jubilee fields has been hindered by the continuous failing of the field operator, compressor at the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah.



The compressor used by the oil company works in a similar fashion as pumps. It increases the pressure on a fluid and can transport the fluid through a pipe.







Source: The Finder









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On the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the Media Foundation for West Africa and other 35 civil society organisations in West Africa have petitioned the ECOWAS through the ECOWAS Chairperson, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia. The petition is over The Gambias continued refusal to comply with judgments of the ECOWAS Court on rights violations against three journalists.



The petitioners, which include the MFWAs national partners from all ECOWAS member states, cited three cases - Chief Ebrimah Manneh v. The Gambia (2008), Musa Saidykhan v The Gambia (2010), and Deyda Hydara Jr. and Others v. The Gambia (2014) in which the ECOWAS Court found The Gambia culpable and ordered the government to pay compensations to the victims and their families.



We regret the fact that The Gambian government has repeatedly failed to comply with any of these binding Court judgments in violation of Article 15 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty, as well as its specific obligation to respect journalists rights and safety under Article 66 of the same treaty, said Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the MFWA.



The petitioners commended the resolute and proactive manner in which the ECOWAS Court delivered the judgments in favour of the victims and to protect human rights. It however cautioned that the seeming lack of political will to enforce the judgments could undermine the authority of the Court and the credibility of ECOWAS to defend the rights of community citizens.



The petitioners bemoaned what they describe as the gross and systematic human rights violations, including killings, enforced disappearances, tortures, arbitrary arrests and detentions in the Gambia and the absolute impunity with which they have been perpetrated.



They therefore urged the ECOWAS to invoke the sanctions provisions of Article 77 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty to suspend the Gambia from the organisation, just as it did to other member states such as Sierra Leone in 1997; Guinea in 2009; Niger in 2000; Togo (2009) Cote dIvoire (2010), Guinea-Bissau (2012), and Mali (2012) when these countries violated their Treaty obligations as ECOWAS Member States.



As you know, progress and development cannot occur in the absence of accountability for human rights abuses. Furthermore, justice is a fundamental element in the promotion of peace, stability, and security. Socio-political and economic growth in West Africa thus necessitates a strong regional judicial mechanism to punish violators and provide remedies and reparations to victims, the petition stated.



November is marked worldwide as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists to highlight the devastating impact that the lack of accountability for crimes against journalists has on society as a whole.







Source: MFWA









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Pressure is mounting on the head of the Electoral Commission to resign over what critics say is the needless humiliation the EC has suffered in court under Mrs Charlotte Osei.



Hours after the former Attorney General Martin Amidu began a crusade for the resignation of Mrs Osei, a senior law lecturer with the University of Ghana told Joy News demands for her resignation are justified.



Dr Opoku Adusei is convinced Mrs Osei is leading her team of commissioners astray and any call for her resignation is not only acceptable but justified.



The Electoral Commission has suffered a number of defeats in court barely a year after the EC boss was appointed into office.



Notable amongst the defeats are the voters register case involving the NHIS card registrants, the release of collation sheets to political parties, as well as the recent defeat suffered in the Nduom disqualification case.



Critics say the EC may suffer several other humiliations in court from other disqualified persons if it does not take steps to reconcile with the flagbearers and allow them to correct the mistakes they made on their forms.



Amidus Outburst



Former Attorney General Martin Amidu is one of the critics of the EC boss who, in a no holds barred opinion piece, punched the EC boss, describing her as incompetent and arrogant.



As a matter of fact, her arbitrary and unlawful disqualification of 13 aspiring presidential candidates and her arrogant attitude towards those distinguished citizens and their political parties or supporters do not conduce to her image as an impartial arbiter of elections. And the decision in ex-parte Papa Kwesi Nduom exposes her high handiness, incompetence, and inexperience as a public officer. It also does no credit to whatever agenda the appointing authority which is also contesting this presidential election had in mind in patronising her to the important and critical office of impartiality as Electoral Commissioner under the Constitution.



It is amazing that the commissioner failed or refused to realize that her impunity in not complying with the Constitution and the law in disqualifying the aspiring candidates disclosed more about her failure as the head of the Electoral Commission than the ignorance or lack of attention on the part of the aspirants in filling the complex nomination forms designed by her office for the presidential elections, he said.



He was blunt in his call for her to resign.



Reacting to that call, a law lecturer with the University of Ghana, Dr Opoku Osei, said it is a germane call to have Mrs Charlotte Osei resign.



He said for a commissioner to misread that important aspect of the law, disqualify these aspirants, only to be told, at least in Nduoms case, that she should allow the aspirant to correct whatever anomaly he has on his forms is not good enough for the EC.



He said if the EC was minded, it would have taken steps to meet with the disqualified aspirants shortly after the Nduom case, in a conciliatory attempt to resolve the impasse but the lawyers are still contesting the matter in court.



He said for the EC boss to lead an institution into legal suits and lose nine of them in a spate of one year is not good enough a report about the EC boss.



If she is leading them [commissioners] astray, then the grounds for the call of her removal are credible, he added.

Source: myjoyonline









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Vice President kwesi Amissah Arthur has assured the chiefs and people of Tinbung and Zangbalung towns in the Kumbungu traditional area that government would continue to provide infrastructural development for the area.



Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur believes his boss President John Mahama, has excelled in office and deserves a second term to cap his success.



He made the statement when he called on the two separate chiefs in Tinbung and Zangbalung towns in Kumbungu, to interact, share ideas and also introduce the NDC Parliamentary candidate for the Kunbungu Constituency Hon Ras Mubarak to them as a candidate of substance.



He said Mahama has always had the wellbeing of Ghanaians at heart and will work tirelessly to keep transforming lives under the Better Ghana Agenda.



In President John Mahama, we have a leader who is working in the interest of our generation and future generations, the Vice President said.







Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur also revealed to the chiefs that he has visited their respective palaces to seek their blessings as he enters their area to campaign.



Vice President Amissah-Arthur said the peaceful and accommodating nature of President Mahama has made the NDC more united than ever before.



He said it is in the same manner that he has been able to keep Ghana united, stable and peaceful. These traits according to the vice president are key for the development of Ghana.



He said development is a systematic process and government has to ensure that every part of the country gets part of the national cake.



On his part Chief Alhassan Issahaku Amadu, Chief of Zangbalung, praised Mahama for the numerous infrastructural developments in his area. He stated that he knows what the NDC has done for the area and his people would repay them back by voting for the NDC.

Source: Maxwell Okamafo Addo/ email: [email protected]









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Ghanas Electoral Commission has endorsed Saminis new Single Mama Ghana. The song which featured his record label mate Kofi Kinaata, was produced by in-house producer Brainy Beats.



Speaking to the media at a brief ceremony to premiere the song and video at the +233 Bar and Grill in Accra, the High Grade Family boss said;  The EC has heard the song, theyve endorsed it so we are going to do several road trips to educate the youth on the need for a peaceful elections .



"Today, the greatest threat to our peace lies in our partisan differences, a growing level of in tolerance, a strange spirit of divisiveness seeking to destroy our very peaceful, moral fabric in music, politics, governance, homes when they come with money, goodies, charm, promises to threaten our peace, when they come, tell them Samini says  we want peace. he added.



Samini, supported by Kofi Kinaata, is expected to take this campaign to the streets with the climax at the Saminifest Concert 2016 which comes off on the 3rd of December .

Source: enewsgh.com









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A new study by a bunch of real good academics and music nerds is going to clock just how much our musical exports are worth, according to Sounds Australia.

Its the first time weve ever really looked at how much our tunerag expats are worth, and the folks over at the Australia Council for the Arts, Australia Research Council, and APRA ACMOS with help from University of Newcastle and Monash University are hoping it will let the local industry to have a bit more power when it comes to exporting creative types.

Aurora Bonnaroealis (Stole this photo from @juliaordog. Think my captions better tho) A photo posted by Tame Impala (@tame__impala) on Jun 12, 2016 at 9:28am PDT

Research began earlier this year at a collection of events and festivals, where the team have been getting a feel for how well Australian musos are doing with international audiences.

The research team hope that in three years time, well have a good idea of how much the rest of the world likes our music, and the Australia Council and APRA can let the policy makers over in Government that our music industry isnt here to fuck spiders. (So maybe we should be putting some friggin money into it.)

Dean Ormston over at APRA says that the results should point out just how bloody grouse our creative exports are.

With the right investment, Australia could set its sights on becoming a net music exporter. This research will seek to provide evidence of the far-reaching economic and cultural benefits generated by Australian music export.

Flume is obv killing it.

The team are now trying to get an idea of how the music scene is going in our backyards. Theyre encouraging people that help out with the production and distribution of Australian music to take a mo to fill out the online survey, and giving them the chance of scoring some very tidy treats for their time.

Source: Sound Australia.

Image: Andrew Benge/Getty.
WARNING: This article discusses sexual violence.



Emily Doe, the survivor of ex-Stanford student Brock Turners sexual assault in 2015, has penned an essay for Glamour after being named one of the magazines Women of the Year. (Others include Simone Biles, Gwen Stefani, Ashley Graham and for some fucking reason, Bono. Lets not go there.)

Its the first time shes spoken publicly since her insanely powerful victim impact letter went viral, although she remains anonymous (if its not obvious, Emily Doe is a pseudonym).

After the trial I was relieved thinking the hardest part was over, and all that was left was the sentencing, she wrote. I was excited to finally be given a chance to read my statement and declare, I am here. I am not that floppy thing you found behind the garbage, speaking melted words. I am here, I can stand upright, I can speak clearly, Ive been listening and am painfully aware of all the hurt youve been trying to justify.

She writes that while reading her statement in court she yelled about half of it, but after learning of Turners paltry six-month sentence (he was released after three), she was struck silent.

Immediately I felt embarrassed for trying, for being led to believe I had any influence. The violation of my body and my being added up to a few months out of his summer. The judge would release him back to his life, back to the 40 people who had written him letters from Ohio. I began to panic; I thought, this cant be the best case scenario. If this case was meant to set the bar, the bar had been set on the floor.

She had no idea how far her statement would reach after giving permission to BuzzFeed to publish it, thinking it had maxed out at about 20,000 views. It hadnt, of course.

I started getting e-mails forwarded to me from Botswana to Ireland to India, she wrote. I received watercolour paintings of lighthouses and bicycle earrings. A woman who plucked a picture of her young daughter from the inside of her cubicle wrote, This is who youre saving. When I received an e-mail that Joe Biden had written me a letter I was sitting in my pyjamas eating some cantaloupe. You are a warrior. I looked around my room, who is he talking to. You have a steel spine, I touched my spine. I printed his letter out and ran around the house flapping it in the air.

While the majority of the response was overwhelmingly positive  even leading to California closing the loophole that allowed Turner to receive such a lenient sentence  Emily reveals that she had a few trolls.

At one point, pictures of her leaked, and one troglodyte commented: Shes not pretty enough to have been raped.







In response I say, damn I wish the world could see me, she writes. I wish you could see my big, beautiful head and huge eyes.

She ends her essay with a powerful message to survivors of sexual assault and rape everywhere:

So now to the one who said, I hope my daughter never ends up like her, I am learning to say, I hope you end up like me, meaning, I hope you end up like me strong. I hope you end up like me proud of who Im becoming. I hope you dont end up, I hope you keep going. And I hope you grow up knowing that the world will no longer stand for this. Victims are not victims, not some fragile, sorrowful aftermath. Victims are survivors, and survivors are going to be doing a hell of a lot more than surviving.

You can read it in full here.

Photo:

If you or someone who know has experienced sexual assault or violence, you can access 24/7 counselling by calling 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
By now, youre probably at least peripherally aware of Nomadic Thinkers, the Brisbane startup / gym exclusively for men that is being mocked ruthlessly by just about every outlet in Australia. It generated a predictable amount of ridicule because, well, the idea of a safe space for men in the tech industry is laughable, on account of how the entire tech industry is a safe space for men.

Given that the nerdosphere is currently jammed right up with blokes, what would possess people to think they needed to make a man-exclusive hub for people to lift weights and work on building their Uber but for bacon app? Well, according to their website their motivations are pretty altruistic:

The primary objective of Nomadic Thinkers is to offer a holistic preventative intervention framework to address men related issues associated with physical and mental health. This will be achieved by providing a community and space for men to develop in three key areas,

1. health and fitness, 2. business and financial independence, 3. a positive worldview with increased emotional intelligence. These in turn will build resiliency and support factors that contribute to the prevention of suicide, depression, domestic violence and family abandonment.

So far, so good, if a bit vague. In theory it sounds a bit like one of those mens sheds  the collaborative workspaces where men can go to work on projects and potentially build up healthy relationships with the men around them  except Nomadic Thinkers probably has a Nintendo 64 in the break room or something.

They responded to the backlash in a statement today, essentially reiterating their position that they are trying to address mens issues with mental health:

Unfortunately, it has come across that we trivialise the significance of domestic violence and depression. We would like to express our apologies as this is not the case. Our intention is and has always been to highlight the seriousness and social costs of these issues, and take an immersive and proactive approach towards action.

Again, seems like a pretty good thing, but digging into their white paper about the social impact of the startup is where shit begins to get weird; while they describe mens issues with mental health, suicide and domestic violence as a result of how masculinity discourages intimate communication:

Importantly a major supporting factor for the environment based nature of the social impact framework is that men are less likely to engage in help-seeking behaviours around emotional problems. Moreover, It is argued that social norms of traditional masculinity make help-seeking harder because of the inhibition of emotional expressiveness influencing symptom perception of depression.

They, for some reason, blame this on society demonising masculinity:

The study concludes that, unless addressed, the effects of negative discourse on the selfidentity and self-esteem of men, and especially boys growing up, are potentially devastating and that the longer-term and wider social implications will also be costly. Nomadic Thinkers aims to provide education around a positive view of masculinity.

Theres a whooole bunch of pseudo-scientific nonsense in there, in addition to some weird cult-esque diagrams:

This sounds eerily familiar to the MRA-y, anti-feministy bullshit about how society doesnt let anyone be a real man anymore because people hate men etc etc  and it turns, thats because this is exactly those same people.

While their website was pretty ambiguous, their blog was 100% not. Unsurprisingly, they switched it to private after the backlash (supposedly for copyright reasons), but luckily Google cache has been our friend and saved these beautiful posts for all the world to see.

In a lovely post entitled WHY THERE IS STILL HOPE FOR MEN IN THE WEST, they dig into the dangers of finding a quality mate:

That being said the risk of finding a quality mate is high. With increasing divorce rates and laws such as no-fault divorce and Disneys absolute destruction of what Love and real relationships are with an obsession with infatuation.

Putting aside the fact that describing a partner as a mate makes you sound like a villainous Star Trek alien, I dont think Ariel is to blame for your relationship issues pal.

They then go into how you can avoid those dangers:

Another way of looking at this is taking a proactive role in leadership in your relationship setting ground rules at the beginning is vital. But how do you get to that point? If you are well versed with ROK and other manosphere blogs the best way you can do this is by increasing your sexual marketplace value SMV, do this via increasing your traits as a provider and protector and increase your desirability making it easier to find a quality woman.

If youre not intimately familiar with the MRA world, ROK is Return Of Kings: the mens rights website run by fedora king Roosh V, who you might remember from his article arguing that rape should be legalised. If youve not come across the terms sexual marketplace value and manosphere before: yes, these people are that gross.

But wait, theres more! Heres an incredible gem that says that feminism is a wonderful thing, before proceeding to say that everything about it is bad:

Further more, not only have we lost our roles but it is becoming common place for men to be persecuted for expressing their masculinity. PRETEXT: Feminism is a wonderful thing, equality is great and necessary, men and women are absolutely equal opposites (the need to pretext is evidence of the following). Alas, as is so common in human nature, feminism has gone past its desired point and is polarizing to the extreme other end. We have become a culture that praises androgyny, glorifies gender role removal and tolerates all beliefs and choices except from traditional (conservative I guess) views. To deny that men and women are different, that they think and behave differently.. and enjoy different things, is absurd  this has somehow become the social norm however.

Its difficult to believe that someone would dare shit talk androgyny, in this, the year that Bowie died. They then go on to blame the destruction on the family unit on Everybody Loves Raymond (Im paraphrasing):

With the media pushing images of passive men, the clumsy dad, the goofy and dim-witted boyfriend, the incompetent boss, men are being seduced into a placated and listless expression of themselves. Is this so bad? Yes, absolutely! This is the reason we have an unprecedented rate of marriage breakdowns.. show me a woman who respects a guy that gets walked all over?

Ultimately their argument is that for men to be happy and healthy, women need to stay at home and look after the kids while the men go out and fuck bears and wolves to death:

We believe in a practical approach to masculinity and manhood. We believe that conservative gender roles (though they have been chastised) have endless historical evidence of unarguable success, we also believe that these roles can be brought to the modern culture without removing the good work (true) feminism has done (we are not enemies guys!). Our philosophy of masculinity is this: Men are physical and practical creatures. We require camaraderie and social time with other men (without female chaperones). We need to provide for ourselves, then our families and the our communities (in that order as we mature further), this give us purpose. We need to protect, this gives us self-esteem and fulfills our biological needs.

OK, maybe this blog is just old and not really that related to the startup  except it turns out these were written by the two directors (Matt Paul and Samuel Monaghan) expressly to advertise Nomadic Thinkers, and both posts that Im quoting from were written less than a month ago. Stellar stuff.

I guess the lesson here is that if something on the surface sounds like it is extremely some MRA bullshit, theres a very good chance it might turn out to be some MRA bullshit.

The high rates of depression and suicide among men are very serious issues, and it is crucial that we address them, but this is not the way. Speaking for myself as someone living with bipolar disorder, the key to solving these sorts of things isnt getting together to wrestle in a mancave, its creating a culture where men dont feel like they have to put up a facade.

Reinforcing this idea that men can only talk to other men in the context of lifting weights doesnt help fight any stigma, it just lessens the chance that men will feel comfortable expressing how they feel or what theyre going through with the people they are close to, regardless of gender.

PS Nomadic Thinkers is a shit name.

If youre struggling, support is never far away, you can give Beyond Blue a call on their 24/7 hotline at 1300 22 4636.

Photo: Nomadic Thinkers.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrives Wednesday for an official visit to Kyrgyzstan and the 15th prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

BISHKEK - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived Wednesday for an official visit to Kyrgyzstan and the 15th prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Li is expected to hold talks with his Kyrgyz counterpart, Sooronbay Jeenbekov, and meet Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev to exchange views on bilateral ties and cooperation in economic, security, cultural and other areas.

The talks, said Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Huilai at a press briefing in Beijing on Monday, will also cover the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and aspires to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient routes.

The two countries will issue a joint communique and sign a string of deals in such areas as economy and trade, production capacity, transportation, agriculture and intellectual property protection.

At the SCO meeting, the Chinese premier will propose concrete initiatives to further deepen SCO cooperation in areas like finance, trade, science and innovation, added Li, the assistant minister.

The SCO members are expected to announce 38 measures designed to boost cooperation in areas such as transport, science and technology, infrastructure construction and environmental protection.

Established in 2001, the SCO is a regional political, economic and security organization that groups China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as full members.

India and Pakistan signed the SCO's Memorandum of Obligations in June, kick-starting the process of their accession into the group, which also has a number of observers and dialogue partners.

Kyrgyzstan is the first leg of Li's ongoing eight-day four-country tour, which will also take him to Kazakhstan, Latvia and Russia.
Stuff like this is a beautiful reminder that, despite what Dutton and Hanson might have to say, Australia is at its heart a multicultural country, and it fucking rules for that reason.

A bunch of Sydney motorists got to experience the actual dream today after a servo gave away free fuel at lunchtime, because the owners wanted to celebrate the election of Michel Aoun as president of Lebanon.

Lebanons last head of state, Michel Suleiman, stepped down in 2014 and the country had been president-free until Aoun was elected yesterday.

The servo, on the corner of Punchbowl Road and Dudley Street, had a queue as far as the eye could see as crafty consumers through their shitty 4c-discount-shopper-dockets in the bin and went where the free petrol was.

What a beautiful country.

Source and photo: Channel 7.
We like to laugh at a mates handlebar stache as much as the next person, but Movember is about much more than impressive facial hair: its intention is to spotlight mens health issues, from depression to cancer.

To help kick off this years campaign, the Movember Foundation laid out 191 pairs of shoes on Sydneys Bondi Beach at dawn yesterday, as a gut-wrenching symbol of the number of Australian men who died by their own hand in the past month alone.

Its purpose? To remind all Aussies that we cannot bury its head in the sand when it comes to mens health and awareness.

While the state of mens health has come a long way since Movember started in 2003, theres still so much work to be done, said Adam Garone, the foundations co-founder. We wont stop until men are living healthier, happier and longer lives.

If you think seeing that many shoes lined up is confronting, consider the stats: suicide is the leading cause of death for Australian men aged between 15 and 44, with an average of six men taking their own life every day.

On the cancer-front, more than 3,300 Aussie men will die from prostate cancer this year alone.

Bloke readers: get in on the Movember effort HERE, and put down your razor to help stop men dying far too young.

Everyone else: sponsor your mates efforts or make a direct donation to the cause, with all money raised going towards potentially-life saving research.

Photo: Supplied.
I enjoy Lindsay Lohan because she absolutely eschews the normal kind of celebrity meltdown and does something truly wondrous, special and original. This is something to be cherished.

Case in point: she suddenly has a cool new quasi-European accent. For a normal person, an accent develops over years of living, conversing and cohabitating with certain people in a geographical region through a series of complex linguistic processes, but for LiLo she has a new accent because she decided she was going to have a new accent.

Speaking to media about opening her new club in Greece, where her Irish/French/Spanish/who fuckin knows creole was on full display:

#LindsayLohan has a new speaking accent/mannerism  and it is the most odd and fascinating thing!! Watch HERE! https://t.co/jOGRRXg2lG pic.twitter.com/9beQWIspSQ  Perez (@ThePerezHilton) November 1, 2016

Wh-what is that? Shes clearly aware that it is an accent unknown to any known culture on the face of the Earth:

@DailyMailUK what should I call my new accent? Im thinking #LILOHAN  Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) November 1, 2016

Speaking to Daily Mail, Lohan says that her new accent is a mixture of most of the languages I can understand or am trying to learn, which I dont think is really how accents or languages actually work  but yknow, power to you. If youre gonna run a club in Greece, you need some kind of linguistic melange to tantalise the kind of maniacs who go to nightclubs in Greece.

The response has been great:

secret footage of Lindsay Lohans new language teacher leaving her house #lindsaylohan #lilohan pic.twitter.com/9JHf3g7Zpn  Beth Williams (@pylon_92) November 2, 2016

As a taxpayer, I feel the need for the FBI to focus on more important issues such as Lindsay Lohans new accent #LILOHAN  Fox Deatry (@foxdeatry) November 2, 2016

how many times have YOU watched the lindsay lohan accent video, thats what Id like to know  rosemary donahue (@rosadona) November 2, 2016

Lilo talking in a faux-Middle Eastern accent about solving the refugee crisis with her nightclub is 2016 in a nutshell.  Paul Schrodt (@paulschrodt) November 2, 2016

Thank you, LiLo. Thank you for the memories.

Source: Perez.

Photo: Getty Images.
Do you love Harry Potter? Do you love yoga?

Chances are you answered yes to both of those questions, cause you clicked on this article.

Good news, muggle-borns, cause a woman by the name of Isabel Beltran over in the US has created wait for it

HARRY POTTER YOGA.

A photo posted by C1 Revolution (@c1revolution) on Oct 31, 2016 at 4:48pm PDT

Beltran, a model and yoga teacher from Austin, Texas, took celebrated the weekends Halloweeny festivities with a special Potter-themed class held in a Butterbeer brewery. The class centred around the Dealthy Hallows, with Beltran reading passages from the book during her class. Heck, punters even brandished wands.

A photo posted by Isabel Beltran (@isabelb12om) on Oct 30, 2016 at 11:11am PDT

A photo posted by Isabel Beltran (@isabelb12om) on Nov 1, 2016 at 1:00pm PDT

Speaking to Mashable, Beltrans sis Ximena Larkin described how she came to create the spooky fitness concept.

Were Mexican and celebrate the Day of The Dead. Its not morbid, but rather a celebration of life (of others as well as our own), Larkin said.

Im the bigger Harry Potter fan between the two of us and the series (especially the last book) is something that changed my perspective on death. It felt very natural to combine the three to make it timely.

The next class will take place later this month in Austin, and while most of us Aussies will have to politely decline any invitations to due geographical issues, we will be there in spirit. (Beltran, pls come to Straya.)

america gets all the cool things



Source: Mashable.

Photo: Isabel Beltran / Instagram.
Donald Trump and Gov. Mike Pence campaign in King of Prussia

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump, and vice presidential running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, hold a private campaign event in King of Prussia, Pa., Tuesday, November 1, 2016. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

(Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.)

The most prominent newspaper of the Ku Klux Klan is supporting Donald Trump for president.

Under the headline, "Make America Great Again," the front page of the Crusader is a plea for Trump's presidency.

"While Trump wants to make America great again, we have to ask ourselves, 'What made America great in the first place?'" Pastor Thomas Robb said in the editorial. "The short answer to that is simple. America was great not because of what our forefathers did -- but because of who our forefathers were.

"America was founded as a White Christian Republic. And as a White Christian Republic it became great."

Trump's campaign quickly denounced the editorial.

"Mr. Trump and the campaign denounces hate in any form," the campaign said in a statement Tuesday evening. "This publication is repulsive and their views do not represent the tens of millions of Americans who are uniting behind our campaign."

In addition to the editorial supporting Trump, the most recent issue of the Crusader includes a white supremacist symbol on the front page, stories about Jewish links to terrorism and black-on-white crime.

The publication is a 12-page quarterly newspaper with the tagline, "The Political Voice of White Christian America!"

Robb told The Washington Post that his editorial in the Crusader wasn't an official endorsement, but it showed his enthusiastic support for the Republican candidate.

"Overall, we do like his nationalist views and his words about shutting down the border to illegal aliens," Robb told the Post. "It's not an endorsement because, like anybody, there's things you disagree with. But he kind of reflects what's happening throughout the world. There seems to be a surge of nationalism worldwide as nationals reclaim their borders."
Starbucks brews up big expansion plans Updated: 2016-11-02 07:30 By XU JUNQIAN in Shanghai(China Daily)

Employees serve customers at a Starbucks store in Fuzhou, Fujian province. ZHENG SHUAI/For China Daily

CEO believes the company's business in China will someday exceed that in US

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has made no bones about his ambition in Chinato have one new Starbucks every day in China for the next five years.

What Schultz is also candid about, as a businessman, is how his ambition is going to be realizedthrough employees, or in the language of Starbucks, "partners".

"Starbucks, unlike most traditional consumer brands, has not built the company by traditional advertising. The brand has been defined by experience, and that experience is defined by our peoplepartners wearing green aprons," Schultz told China Daily, during his latest trip to Shanghai in late October.

Starbucks enjoys great success in Chinamore than 2,400 stores in over 110 cities throughout the past 17 years and supported by over 34,000 employees. The coffee scene of China, the world's potentially largest consumer market for the beverage, has also been radically changed.

Back in 1999 when the company first entered the Chinese mainland market, there was barely any competitor and few consumers could tell the difference between a latte and a mocha. Now, like many other industries, China is not only a fast rising consumer of the beverage, but also increasingly catching up with the trends and happenings. Specialty coffee is the most recent case.

Howard Schultz, Starbucks CEO Provided to China Daily

"What we believe, as a company, is that China will one day probably surpass the size and scale of our business in the US," said Schultz.

Consultancy firm Euromonitor estimated that Starbucks had a 73.3 percent market share in China in 2015, compared to McCafe's (run by McDonald's) 9.3 percent and Costa Coffee's 9 percent.

"Any company that sells coffee can be a competitor. Not with any arrogance, but we have always tried to focus on ourselves and things we can control. And if we do that well, we will take care of the competition," said Schultz.

When asked if he thinks the Chinese coffee market would be any different if it were not Starbucks which entered the country back in 1999, he paused and said he doesn't think any other company would have been able to solidify the position that Starbucks has, "because I think we have done it in the right way".

Schultz said he believes that the key growth driver for Starbucks in China will still be traditional stores, despite the market's keen interest in new premium retail spacesthe Starbucks Reserve and Starbucks Roastery.
trumpclinton.jpg

Editor's note: PennLive will spend this week detailing the presidential candidates' positions on issues affecting voters' lives, such as equal rights, Obamacare, national security, jobs, taxes, climate change, gun laws and more.

Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump have such different views of climate change it's as though they live on two different planets.

Clinton's Earth is warming and climate change is real.

On Trump's Earth, climate change is "a hoax."

Trump's position

While Trump hasn't issued a formal position on climate change, he has repeatedly said he would end any efforts to address the issue, including canceling the Paris Agreement.

He has tweeted multiple times that climate change is "a hoax."

Scientists say the Earth is warming, and the situation is getting worse.

From May 2015 to August 2016, 16 months in a row set records globally for heat, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The world is on pace to break the record for hottest year, a record already broken in 2010, 2014 and 2015. It is about 1.8 degrees warmer than a century ago.

But it's more than temperatures. Scientists have connected man-made climate change to deadly heat waves, droughts and flood-inducing downpours. Studies say climate change is raising sea levels, melting ice and killing coral. It's also making people sicker with asthma and allergies.

Trump calls attempts to remedy global warming "just a very, very expensive form of tax."

The Republican nominee also said he opposes "economically damaging environmental regulations" backed by "political activists with extreme agendas."

He has called for more oil and gas drilling and said he would strike a new deal for the Keystone Pipeline.

Trump wants to cut funding to the Environmental Protection Agency, but says he supports clean air and water.

Clinton's position

Clinton believes climate change is a real threat to American security and supports heavier regulations on the energy industry.

She proposes to spend $60 billion to switch from dirty fossil fuels to cleaner energy. She promises to deliver on President Barack Obama's pledge that by 2025, the U.S. will be emitting 30 percent less heat-trapping gases than in 2005.

Clinton also opposes the Keystone Pipeline and expanded drilling in Alaska.

During a debate in March, she called for more regulations on fracking.

"By the time we get through all of my conditions, I do not think there will be many places in America where fracking will continue to take place," she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Hillary Clinton in 2015

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe with Hillary Clinton in 2015.

(Melina Mara / Washington Post)

In eight days, we should finally know which party will control the Senate for the new president's term.

Oh, wait just kidding. That battle could conceivably drag on for another year.

If Hillary Clinton and Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., were to win the White House, it's more likely than not that Democrats would win control of the Senate, too. But there's a good chance that if that happened, they could hold a slim one-seat majority. And pretty much immediately after that, they'd have to defend Kaine's open Senate seat, since his departure to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. would set off a cascade of political dominoes in Virginia that could give Republicans another chance to take back control of the Senate.

Both sides would have to act quick, since the battle for this Virginia Senate seat - and possibly the Senate - will take place over two expensive, high-profile races in two years.

Because this could all matter a lot in a few months, let's run down how the political dominoes to replace Kaine could fall, in three steps:

1. 2016: The governor chooses who replaces him

Sometime after Election Day, Gov. Terry McAuliffe, D, will appoint someone to fill Kaine's seat. Because McAuliffe is a Democrat, he's going to appoint a Democrat (a fact that likely did not go unnoticed by Team Clinton when she picked Kaine). McAuliffe could go one of three routes:

Appoint someone who promises not to run for office after the term ends in 2018, and put off this whole fight until then. But that means the Democratic candidate would lose the advantage of incumbency. So McAuliffe also could:

Appoint someone who could make history, like the first black senator from Virginia since the 19th century. One of the favorites is Rep. Bobby Scott, D, of the Richmond area. When McAuliffe walked into a labor conference in the summer, he was met with chants of "Bobby!" But Scott isn't necessarily the best fundraiser, nor the most dynamic choice. So McAuliffe also could:

Appoint a star fundraiser or more well-known figure. The options here are many (including the state's other two Democratic members of Congress, Arlington-area Don Beyer and Gerald Connolly, as well as Attorney General Mark Herring).

2. 2017: Virginia voters get to choose

Either way, McAuliffe is going to appoint a Democrat. Which brings us to the next step in our process: A November 2017 special election, where Virginia voters would get to say who should replace Kaine. This is where things could get rough and tumble between Republicans and Democrats in Washington.

The Virginia Senate special election will be the only U.S. Senate race in 2017, and it could draw a lot of outside attention, especially if the national election seven days from now gives Democrats a slim, one-seat majority over Republicans. (It's a distinct possibility: If Kaine is vice president, he'll serve as the Senate president. So Democrats would need net four seats to take back control of the Senate. They have a real chance in five to seven.)

The Virginia Democrat McAuliffe appoints will have the advantage of incumbency. But the dynamics of this special election could favor Republicans. And there are plenty of talented, well-connected Republicans who will jump at the chance for a rare opening in the U.S. Senate.

Among them is Rep. Barbara Comstock, R. Assuming she wins reelection to her Loudon area congressional seat, she would probably love to avoid having to run a competitive race every two years. Portnoy reports Carly Fiorina's name is in the mix, too. And what about Ed Gillespie, the GOP strategist who almost unseated Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., in 2014? He's running for governor, but there's no reason he couldn't switch over to this race.

If the fate of the Senate is at hand, there will be plenty of outside groups motivated and willing to help a Republican retake the Senate just a year after they lost it. (Virginia is like the Wild West of campaign finance and has no limits on political contributions.)

Plus, off-year elections tend to bring out more Republican voters (older, whiter, less transient).

So, no matter who McAuliffe appoints, it's likely game-set-match for the winner of the November 2017 Virginia Senate seat.

3. 2018: Virginia voters get to choose (again)

Whoever wins the special election in November 2017 is going to have to turn right back around and do it all over again.

The election for the seat's full, six-year term is in November 2018, which in election years is basically the next day. That means that in the middle of campaigning and raising tens of millions of dollars (again), this person is going to have to find time to actually do something in the slow-moving Senate to take back home and show for it.

Winning two big, statewide elections in two years is a hurdle that has felled many a politician. As The Post's Portnoy notes, the last person to successfully do it was Harry Byrd Sr. (also a Virginian).

Here, the dynamics also slightly favor Republicans: The 2018 Senate map is the reverse of the 2016 one. Republicans are expected to be defending just eight seats, while Democrats will have at least 23 to worry about.

Whoever wants Kaine's old seat is going to have to work hard for it. It's entirely possible if Democrats win the Senate Nov. 8, they will have to spend the next two years defending their Senate majority.

So, which party will have control of the Senate for most of the next president's term? It's an answer we could have to wait more than a year for. Yay, politics.
NORRISTOWN - Can 13 women who have accused Bill Cosby of drugging and molesting them testify in the case of another accuser?

That's what Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele says and hopes the court will back him.

But the entertainer's attorneys are firing back, saying memories from decades ago can get foggy, and an attempt to bring in other accusers shows just how weak the prosecution's case is.

Before Cosby goes to trial for the 2004 allegations that he drugged and sexually assaulted former Temple University employee Andrea Constand, prosecutors and Cosby's attorneys must hash out some pending motions and legal arguments.

On Tuesday morning, defense attorney Brian McMonagle argued that Cosby's deposition testimony in the civil case Constand brought against him should be kept out of his upcoming criminal trial.

Argument in the coming days will tread through numerous other motions, including the prosecution's desire to have the 13 other accusers tell jurors their tales in an effort to build a case of prior bad acts.

Read more about some of those accusers

Pennsylvania law allows testimony about similar uncharged acts to show someone committed crimes in a distinctive, nearly identical, pattern.

But in a filing just before Tuesday's hearing, the defense argued this is a ploy to bolster a weak case.

Prosecutors know the case against Cosby is "based on the conflicting, changing and ultimately unbelievable allegations of Andrea Constand," which attorneys Brian McMonagle and Angela Agrusa wrote in the filing are insufficient to convict Cosby now, just as they were back in 2005.

That was when former District Attorney Bruce Castor chose not to prosecute the case and, the defense says, made a binding promise not to file charges so Cosby could freely testify in Constand's civil case.

Steele, however, ran against Castor for the office of Montgomery County District Attorney with a platform railing against Castor for not prosecuting Cosby, McMonagle wrote, adding Steele is now left in the same position with Cosby's case as Castor was.

Or worse.

"Witnesses have died and evidence has disappeared forever since the 2005 investigation," McMonagle wrote.

And time has not been a friend to the prosecution, either, as some of the incidents alleged by the 13 other accusers date back to the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, he said.

But should the court permit their testimony, McMonagle is asking for competency hearings, noting diminishing memories and widespread media coverage of the case.

While much of Tuesday morning's arguments involved the defense's motion for the suppression of Cosby's testimony under deposition, most of the afternoon was spent with the sides working to come to an agreement on some of the facts in the 12-year timeline in the case, which will be the basis of argument on Wednesday.

Prior to Tuesday's hearing, Cosby entered the courthouse, escorted by his cadre of security guards. The 79-year-old, whom some reports have indicated is blind, wore a dark suit and clutched the sleeve of one guard.

He carried a cane, but he stood tall and shared some smiles and laughs with his attorneys, who waited for him at the defense table.

The courtroom - packed during prior hearings - was about half full of reporters and some members of the public. Among them was Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred, who said she represents some, but not all, of the 13 "prior-bad-act" witnesses.

Following the hearing, Allred said if any of the 13 are permitted to testify that they were drugged and assaulted by Cosby, and that this is a pattern for him, then that information could show a jury that Cosby did not make a mistake that they had given consent.

"If there is a pattern of drugging or providing alcohol or both to women, and if a defendant knows they are incapacitated as a result of drugging or alcohol or both, then a defendant would know they could not and did not consent to sexual activity," she said of the accusers.

Argument will resume Wednesday at 9 a.m.
NORRISTOWN -- It's still unknown if 13 other accusers will testify against Bill Cosby in his Montgomery County case, but the sides laid out some preliminary argument that they will take up again next month.

And some of that argument got quite heated on Wednesday.

In a spat of red-faced finger pointing, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele and Cosby's lead attorney Brian McMonagle fired shots across the bench.

Steele, who went through great lengths to redact the names of the 13 accusers in a court filing, railed against the defense for turning around and including those names in their own public filing.

"It's another attempt to intimidate witnesses," Steele said, raising his normally even-tempered voice. "Some of these people have not been in the press - they've been identified for the first time by them and it's wrong."

But McMonagle, who is asking the court to hold competency hearings for these 13 accusers, launched a volley back at Steele.

"It used to be where you came into the courthouse, you had a presumption of innocence. The pendulum has swung," McMonagle said. "The pendulum has swung to a point where the government can suggest they're going to present these 13 witnesses in a court of law and take issue with our identification of them."

He went on to point out that 10 of the 13 witnesses are represented by Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred, suggesting that something more might be at play.

But Allred, who attended the hearing, later noted, "I guess the defense is very concerned about what they may say."

Steele wants to bring the 13 accusers in to testify at trial in the case of Cosby, who is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004.

And when the next hearing dates come around in December, more argument on the 13 accusers is expected, as McMonagle pushes to hold competency hearings - likely in chambers.

These hearings are essential because, with time, memories get hazy, McMonagle said. He added that many of the accusations go back decades and some of the statements from these accusers are vague with an inability to cite years or locations where they say the incidents occurred.

But Steele said these are defense intimidation tactics.

And Steele furthered his argument that bringing at least some of the 13 in to testify is an essential part of his case to show that Cosby's actions were a pattern.

Cosby established trust with Constand and the other victims, Steele said. He would often befriend their families and take on a mentor relationship with them.

Coupled with his public persona, Steele said Cosby was able to get the victims alone and engage in, "the serial nature of the defendant's decades-long pattern of sexual assault."

The victims share similar stories of being drugged and sexually assaulted by Cosby, the prosecution is arguing.

Montgomery County Judge Steven T. O'Neill will likely take more argument on the subject of the 13 accusers December 13, and will have rulings soon on earlier arguments regarding the defense's motion to dismiss the case based on the amount of time it took to file charges and a motion to keep Cosby's deposition testimony out of trial.

The latest trial date for Cosby is set for June, but O'Neill said it may be earlier if everything gets resolved before then.
NORRISTOWN - The passage of time.

In Bill Cosby's case, the once beloved, family-friendly entertainer has become a fallen hero with 60 women accusing him of drugging and sexually assaulting them.

The top prosecutors in the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office have changed.

And a key witness to the former district attorney's promise to not charge Cosby - whose testimony the defense says could have kept this case from moving forward at all -- has died.

Though the aggravated indecent assault charges filed against Cosby fell within the statute of limitations, his defense team argued in Montgomery County Court on Wednesday that too much time has passed for prosecutors to level their charges against him.

And for Cosby - whom they say is now blind and unable to identify witnesses and key pieces of evidence -- to mount a proper defense.

Cosby is accused of sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. He is set for trial in June, but several days of pre-trial hearings have been set to work out numerous pending motions and arguments.

And one of those arguments on Wednesday was related to the passage of time.

A decade ago, former District Attorney Bruce Castor did not charge Cosby after the incident over a lack of credible evidence, defense attorney Angela Agrusa argued, adding the case was closed in 2005, and with the promise from Castor that he would not prosecute, Cosby testified in a civil lawsuit filed by his accuser.

That promise held for a decade, but all of that changed with a new district attorney.

Cosby became a pawn in an election when current District Attorney Kevin Steele ran against Castor and won on a platform that Castor was not tough enough on sexual predators - specifically pointing out in campaign ads that Castor never charged Cosby, she argued.

"He's saying to everybody, 'I'm going to get this guy, I'm going to get this guy,'" Agrusa told the court. Steele won, and now, "He has promises to deliver."

Cosby was charged in December, and though the charges fall within the statute of limitations, Agrusa says the amount of time that has passed violates Cosby's right to due process and a fair trial, and the case should be dismissed.

A change in prosecutors, under case law, is not a valid reason for such a delay, she argued.

"While the government did noting, it gained a tremendous strategic advantage against Mr. Cosby because of the passage of time and the loss of essential pieces of evidence," she said.

Time has taken other tolls.

The only witness, besides Castor, to the promise barring prosecution against Cosby has died.

That was Cosby's former lawyer, Walter Phillips, who represented him in 2005.

Additionally, Agrusa said the prosecution wants to bring 13 other accusers to testify against Cosby to show a pattern of drugging and molesting women over the course of decades. But it's because of those decades, Agrusa argued, that their memories would be faulty.

The same holds true with Cosby, who is 79 and, due to his blindness, is incapable of seeing witnesses, photos and documents to help in his defense.

"He is not a pawn. He is not a meme," Agrusa said. "He is a human being and his rights have been trampled."

Cosby's testimony under deposition, where he acknowledged some of the sexual encounters, but said they were consensual, was the subject of argument on Tuesday as the defense worked to prevent evidence from that testimony from going to a jury.

It's not clear yet how Judge Steven T. O'Neill will rule on it.

Argument will resume in the afternoon.
McDevitt

Arts to the Core Charter School is seeking to establish an arts-centric charter school in the former Bishop McDevitt High School property on Market Street.

(Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.)

An organization that is seeking to establish a charter school at the sight of a former Catholic school in Harrisburg on Tuesday filed its application with the Harrisburg School Board.

Arts to the Core Charter School is seeking to establish an arts-centric charter school in the former Bishop McDevitt High School property on Market Street.

The plan, which includes a sales agreement between the charter group and the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg - requires the approval of the Harrisburg City School Board. The school is being billed as an arts-centric, kindergarten through eighth grade charter school that would deliver core academic subjects through the arts, and provide "extensive remedial, special and English language learning to those students requiring these interventions."

The school plan, if approved, would be slated to open in September 2017.

In a press release, Richard Caplan, president of Arts to the Core, said:

"The A+ Schools model has proven extraordinarily effective, in many educational institutions, both public and private, in the south and west of the United States, in overcoming the detrimental impacts of poverty, crime and violence upon the readiness of many inner city students to learn. It also caters admirably to the diverse learning styles of children, many of whom flounder, when exposed only to traditional lecture and textbook teaching, by providing parallel learning pathways. Finally, A+ education captures the attention of those students who would otherwise be easily distracted or turned off entirely."

The Arts to the Core Charter School would feature small class sizes of 20 students or less. The program would accept all students who apply, regardless of their level of artistic aptitude, special needs or financial situation. Students who live within city limits would be bussed to and from school.

"Our primary goal is to provide the highest quality, individualized learning option for students within the Harrisburg metropolitan area," said Bob Marquet, vice president of Arts to the Core. "However, we also intend to serve as a positive community resource and to provide compelling evidence, through academic success of our students, that the arts belong within Pennsylvania's required core curriculum."

The Harrisburg City School Board has 75 days to hold a public hearing on the merits of the application and to vote on it. Arts to the Core would also have an appeals option, should the board deny the application.

The York City School Board last year denied the charter school organization an application for an arts-focused charter school in York. District administrators objected to what they said was a lack of information in the application, such as instructional plans and financial plans. Representatives of the proposed school countered that details requested could not be determined until after a charter was obtained. The board ultimately voted 7-0 to deny the application.

McDevitt, the first high school in the Harrisburg Diocese, closed in 2012.
gavel.jpg

A state appeals court has rejected John Askew's latest appeal of his convictions for the murders of an elderly brother and sister in Lancaster.

A convicted killer whose victims, an elderly brother and sister, were tied up and left to starve to death in their Lancaster home received a succinct answer when a state Superior Court panel rejected his latest appeal on Wednesday.

Too late, the judges said.

The denial marked at least the third failed attempt by John Arthur Askew to escape the two consecutive life sentences he is serving for the September 1979 robbery murders of 87-year-old Mary Swarr and her 81-year-old brother Horace.

Police said Askew, a Maryland resident who is now 79, was one of four men who entered the siblings' West Walnut Street home, tied them up, blindfolded and gagged them and robbed them. A week later, the Swarrs, still bound, were found dead from starvation and dehydration.

A Lancaster County jury convicted Askew of second-degree murder and robbery during a trial in 1989.

The Superior Court denied Askew's latest appeal in an opinion by Senior Judge William H. Platt. He found that Askew had missed the deadline for filing the challenge by 20 years.
A 15-year-old Lebanon boy who was shot in the leg was released from the hospital Wednesday, police said.



Meanwhile, the 19-year-old man accused of pulling the trigger is behind bars.



Police said James Coward of Lebanon was committed to the county prison in lieu of $50,000 bail on charges of aggravated and simple assault, reckless endangerment and receiving stolen property.



Investigators said the teen was shot in the upper left thigh just after 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. They said they determined the incident occurred in the 300 block of East Weidman Street. Coward and the boy were in a room of the residence when the gun went off while Coward was holding it, police said.



A gun recovered during the probe was determined to have been stolen, they said, and a small amount of drugs was found in the home.






The cause of a Dickinson College student's death Sunday is still undetermined, Carlisle police say.

Lauren Lau, of the class of 2019, was discovered deceased by a roommate in a dorm room around 10:45 p.m. Sunday, said Sgt. Daniel Freedman of Carlisle police.

There is no indication of foul play, he said, but the cause of death has not yet been determined. An autopsy was performed today, but results of toxicology tests are not yet in, said Charles Hall, Cumberland County coroner. Lau is from California, police said.

Dickinson College issued this statement:

"The Dickinson community is grieving the loss of Lauren Lau, a sophomore from California who died Sunday night. Our heartfelt thoughts are with her family and all who knew Lauren.



"Lauren was an active and involved member of our campus. Faculty, staff and students came together last night to remember Lauren, share fond stories about her and support one another during this difficult time. Students have been encouraged to seek support and counseling from a variety of resources on campus.



"The coroner is determining the cause of Lauren's death.

The college campus gathered Monday evening to support each other and honor Lauren's memory, and faculty and mentors were available to meet with students.

UPDATE: The gathering in memory of Lauren Lau was Monday evening.
Zhouheiya fast food chain to list in HK Updated: 2016-11-02 07:36 By LUO WEITENG in Hong Kong(China Daily)

Two employees weigh products at a Zhouheiya store at a railway station in Wuchang, Hubei province. CHINA NEWS SERVICE

Despite lower valuation there, companies seek to avoid long IPO queue in the mainland

The initial public offering of Zhouheiya, a Hubei province-based fast food chain known for its spicy-braised duck neck and other ready-to-eat snacks, opened for subscription in Hong Kong on Tuesday, looking to raise up to HK$3.3 billion ($425.7 million).

The braised food producer and retailer, scheduled to make its trading debut on Nov 11, will sell 424 million shares at an indicative range between HK$5.8 and HK$7.8 apiece.

Founded in 2002 in Wuhan, Hubei province, Zhouheiya beefed up its business footprint in 38 cities across 12 mainland provinces with 715 self-operated retail stores.

Executive Director Hao Lixiao told a news conference in Hong Kong on Monday that the company is always looking to expand into the Hong Kong and Macao markets. However, he didn't reveal a detailed timeline, adding that the firm still deals with the local licenses, not to mention that product research and the buildup of sales networks also takes time.

Zhouheiya's Hong Kong IPO highlighted an industrywide trend of mainland duck-food manufacturers floating public shares. Competitors like Jiangxi Huangshanghuang Group listed in Shenzhen back in 2012, while Hunan Juewei has been stuck for more than two years in the Chinese mainland's clogged pipeline of IPOs.

"Such a trend indicates that growth of mainland duck-food chains has somewhat run into a bottleneck which pushes them to raise capital via public listings as a growth booster," said Zhu Danpeng, a researcher at the China Brand Research Institute.

With rival Hunan Juewei being trapped in a big logjam of mainland IPO filings, Zhouheiya's decision to join in a cluster of mainland food companies floating in Hong Kong appears to be a time-saving move.

Pedestrians walk past a store of Zhouheiya Food in Wuhan city, Central China's Hubei province, August 24 2014.[Photo/IC]

The IPO logjam that has long beset mainland catering companies accessing mainland capital markets was spotlighted when high- and mid-end restaurant chain Xiao Nan Guo Restaurants Holdings, and hotpot chain Xiabu Xiabu turned to Hong Kong to list in 2014.

Choosing Hong Kong as a listing destination helps companies jump the long IPO queue in the Chinese mainland, but low valuation in the Asia's financial hub remains a sure thing. In particular, Hong Kong investors still view food stocks listed there as generally expensive options, which may explain why some believe shares of Zhouheiya are priced a bit too high, said Hannah Li, a Hong Kong-based strategist with UOB Kay Hian.
voter training

Rogette Harris, Peter Marks and Howard Parker of the Dauphin County Democratic Committee demonstrate the space that should be given to a voter entering a polling place.

(David Wenner, PennLive)

The woman seated in a downstairs room of a Harrisburg area public library on Tuesday night acknowledged a sense of foreboding about next week's presidential election.

It results from things including a local pastor who she said stressed the right to carry a gun, even into a polling place, during Sunday service.

"I think that's what we're going to see. We're talking about the right to bear arms," she said, referring to the divisive and volatile issues she fears will set the tone on Nov. 8.

Tuesday night's gathering was held by the Dauphin County Democratic Committee to go over election laws and reaffirm to party members that the law doesn't permit anyone to harass or interfere with them at their local polling place.

Committee officials acknowledged that Pennsylvania's open carry law allows people to carry a gun into a polling place, although not if the polling place is located at a school.

But they also stressed voters have a right to be free of any sort of intimidation at a polling place, such as someone blocking their path or trying to engage them in a discussion after they've said they're not interested, and they should notify the election judge at their polling place of any violations.

Committee member Howard Parker said sessions such as the one on Tuesday night have been held regularly in recent years, and it wasn't because Democrat officials are expecting trouble on Tuesday.

Still, he said the need takes on a new "intensity" in a year when Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump has, without evidence, warned of widespread election fraud, and exhorted supporters to act as "poll watchers" on election day.

Poll watchers are allowed under Pennsylvania law to do things including challenging registrations of voters.

in that it allows watchers to follow voters to the registration table and to challenge their eligibility to vote if they believe the voter isn't registered or is otherwise violating election law. Pennsylvania is unusual in that the burden of proof is on the voter, not the poll watcher. Observers say that could become a factor in a close election with Pennsylvania possibly being the deciding state.

Still, Parker and others told the gathering of about 20 people that they should not hesitate to notify the on-site election judge if they feel they are being intimated or interfered with.

"The operative word in poll watchers is watch. And you watch with your eyes and not with your mouth," Parker said.

Parker also stressed that, in the event someone's eligibility is successfully challenged, they still have the right to fill out a provisional ballot allowing them to cast a vote that becomes official when their registration is verified on a later day.

Rogette Harris, the chairman of the Dauphin County Democratic Committee, said she's not expecting trouble on election day, although the recent furor over fraud and allegations of voter suppression efforts are "troubling."

Still, Parker told the gathering "The last thing you want to do is have a confrontation outside the polls with the other side. That's not going to help anyone."

He said if voters show up at their polling spot and see people squabbling, they might turn around and not bother to vote.


After three years of legal battling, a federal judge Wednesday dismissed a civil rights lawsuit by former California University President Angelo Armenti Jr., who claimed he was wrongly fired and defamed.



U.S. Middle District Judge John E. Jones III found Armenti had not made the case that his 2012 firing was in retaliation for his outspoken criticisms of policies of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which oversees the 14 state-owned universities.





A federal judge has dismissed a civil rights lawsuit by fired California University President Angelo Armenti Jr.

Nor did Armenti convince Jones that his claim that he had been slandered by system officials had been fleshed out enough to merit taking it to a jury.



Armenti contended in his suit that he was the victim of a conspiracy involving PSSHE officials to trash his reputation and oust him from the job he held for two decades. He contended his firing was punishment for criticizing PSSHE policies that he believed were pushing the privatization of public colleges and punishing students financially.



Initially, Armenti sued the entire PSSHE board of governors, but when Jones issued his dismissal order only four defendants remained - former state Education Secretary Ron Tomalis, former PSSHE Chancellor John Cavanaugh, PSSHE Board Chairman Guido Pichini, the board's former vice chairwoman, Marie Conley, and board member Ronald Henry.



Armenti's defamation claim centered on an audit that was done in response to allegations of misuse of the university's funds. Armenti argued in his suit that PSSHE officials should have, but never did, give him a hearing to rebut those allegations.



As Jones noted in his dismissal decision, the report of the auditors did not accuse Armenti of any illegal activity.



The judge observed as well that Armenti was fired by a unanimous vote of the PSSHE board of governors. There would have been enough votes to support the termination even if the defendants in Armenti's suit had not cast their ballots, Jones noted in rejecting his argument that his firing was the result of a conspiracy.






West Shore School District and its teachers have reached a tentative agreement on a six-year contract, they announced Wednesday.

The tentative deal came after a "lengthy bargaining meeting" Monday night, said a statement from both sides.

The school board will vote Nov. 10 on the agreement, and teachers will meet Nov. 10 to review it and will vote Nov. 14. Terms of the agreeement were not made public.

Teachers previously gave strike authorization Sept. 16, but both sides returned to the bargaining table Oct. 7.

"We believe we've negotiated a reasonable contract that was a fair compromise between the education association and the school district," said Kevin Downs, a middle-school science teacher and president of West Shore Education Association, which represents the district's 576 teachers.

"We hope that we can now move forward, so that we can continue providing the best education for West Shore's students," Downs said.

Ronald Candioto, West Shore School board president, said he believes that the tentative agreement is "good for all parties, including district residents, and will help to establish a foundation for long-term financial stability."

The two sides have been negotiating for two-and-a-half years. Teachers have been working under the terms of a contract that expired in 2014.

In September, Downs said teachers objected to a proposed change in pay schedule and lower starting salary.

The school board previously said at the association's request, it submitted a "best and final offer" to the union's bargaining team on July 8.

The union responded with a counter-proposal six weeks later, which the school board said "deviated significantly from the district's 'best and final offer." The two proposals differed so much, the board said it was left with no place to continue discussions.

Teachers held a rally Sept. 8, protesting the school board's decision to make some information on the contract proposal public.

The education association represents teachers, counselors, home and school visitors, librarians and psychologists.

Across Pennsylvania there are likely a "handful" of school districts that are in the midst of bargaining and where local members have authorized their bargaining team to strike, said Lauri Lebo, PSEA spokeswoman.
Donald Trump,Mike Pence

Republican running mates: presidential candidate Donald Trump and vice presidential candidate Mike Pence, share a flight in September.

(Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

By Nate Curlen

As I drive throughout south central Pennsylvania, it is both amazing and appalling to me the amount of signs that I see in support of Donald Trump.

I cannot fathom how so many people in this area could actually believe that Donald Trump would be a good choice as commander in chief and our nation's top leader.

My belief is that many of them truly don't believe this. They are more willing to vote for party than principles.

The thing that really bothers me is that I believe many of these people know that Trump would be a disastrous choice for this country, but they want to stir things up as they feed in to his dramatic and disgusting antics.

Trump cannot even control himself during a debate or on social media.

How do we expect him to act in a situation room or dealing with other world leaders? And the fact that he is not a politician does not make matters any better--it makes things worse. Trump is a reality star, not a world leader.

Personally, the comments that Trump has made concerning women were not near as disturbing to me as the comments he has made about our nation's heroes; our fallen veterans and the brave men and women that put their lives out there for our county, only to return with scars that may never be healed.

The comments are also not as revolting as Trump's ideas about immigration.

The United States has always been a welcome beacon to the citizens of the world. We are a nation that was founded on religious freedom; that is, the freedom to practice or not to practice any religion we choose.

We are compassionate, hardworking, brave, and most of all, we take care of each other. The world saw a great victory in 1989 with the fall of the Berlin wall.

Building a wall on our nation's border would be an eerie setback and a kick in the face to the progress that was made less than 30 years ago.

It would also make the United States appear unwilling to coexist with the rest of the world. After all, let's not forget that we are a nation of immigrants.

Trump also has ideas to ban everyone of a specific religion from entering the country. This should be a sobering thought for any thinking and feeling human being, as a reminder of what happened less than 80 years ago during the Holocaust.

Also during this time, many human beings suffering in internment camps, tortured in ways that are unimaginable.

These were innocent men, women, and children. 62% of these people were American citizens. We cannot have a leader that would potentially have the ideals and power to take us down these grief- stricken paths again.

Until the time I was about 30, I was a staunch Republican. I was brought up in a very conservative family. I thought Democrats were evil. I despised Barrack Obama.

Until I began to realize that it wasn't all about me.

I finally saw the light, and understood that there were all kinds of people in this country in all different types of situations, and compared to most of them, my family and I had it relatively easy.

I started to understand that even though I may not specifically practice something or need something, the right should still be available to those who do- in a democracy and in a free society.

I am proud to say that nobody in my mostly Republican family will be voting for Trump in this election.

They cannot support this man, for the reasons listed above and so many more. I am proud of them for thinking with their own minds, and being brave enough to do what they feel in their heart is right. You don't have to vote for Hillary Clinton.

There are other options. I am not telling you who to vote for. I am not telling you to change parties.

I am urging each and every one of you to do the research and search your heart before casting your vote for a dangerous fascist, who will divide our nation and destroy our relationships with much of the rest of the world.

I cannot view a vote for Trump as anything less than un-American.

When the curtain falls, you will have to look your children and grandchildren in the eye and tell them the truth about the choice you made.

Nate Curlen writes from Carlisle.
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(Shutterstock)

By Ryan Riley

The increase in graduation rate calls for an increase in the standard of education for students.

With graduation a handful of months away, high school seniors are preparing themselves for their turn to walk in a cap and gown to receive their diploma.

What has been an issue for many high schoolers in the past can now be a light at the end of the tunnel to know that the nationwide high school graduate rate has hit a new record of 83.2 percent, which is four points greater than the 2010-2011 school year.

This is the highest the graduation rate has ever been in the country, and marks a huge achievement for educators, state facilitators and the students themselves.

Schools should take a great deal of pride in the fact that the graduation rates have increased, as this shows promise for continued improvement. However, our jobs are not done yet.

The national math and reading test scores for college entrance exams, such as the SAT and ACT, are currently in decline.

Graduating students who took the SAT at least once during the month of January of this year scored an average total of 1484, out of a maximum score of 2400. This included three points dropped in critical reading, four points in math, and five points in the writing section of the test.

Not to mention, minority groups and people living in poverty are not seeing the gains across the board as compared to their other more affluent peers, due to unforeseen challenges and barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential.

While the students are graduating and increasing the national rate, there are numerous disparities within the standard of education that children are receiving.

The decline of college entrance exam scores is just one of the telltale signs that schools still have a great amount of work ahead of themselves to prepare their students for success in the post-graduate life.

It is one thing to simply have kids graduate on time and another to fully equip students with the best education to become well adjusted for college and the real world.

The good news is there are solutions to these problems. For example, schools can start implementing individualized programs that focus on providing resources to aide personal issues and bridging the gap between obstacles and success.

Schools can stress the importance of career readiness by connecting students with local community volunteers who can give positive and helpful insights to the demands and challenges of post-graduate life.

The numbers show graduation rates have improved, but it's time to look at the individuals who make up the numbers and continue our commitment to those children's future and success.

Ryan Riley is president and state director of Communities In Schools of Pennsylvania, which works to keep students in school and to encourage them not to drop out.
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By Ann Van Dyke

During the last 24 of the 33 years I worked for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, I often worked with communities where organized hate groups were recruiting and holding public rallies.

Ann Van Dyke (Submitted Photo)

I worked with 23 communities across the state and also did training in four other states with the U.S. Department of Justice on preventing as well as responding to hate group activity.

Through those experiences and through working with defectors who left the hate movement and began working on the side of civil rights enforcement (see www.lifeafterhate.org), here's what we learned about the goals that hate groups have for their public rallies:

Hate groups seek to draw the largest possible crowd of protesters. Protesters' presence draws more media. If protestors are loud enough to drown out the hate group speakers, then that provides the hate group with the legal basis to sue the state and/or the city for failing to protect their First Amendment rights.

Hate groups are very adept at inciting violence by protestors without taking part in violence. In all the rallies I worked, more protestors were arrested than hate group members.

They also seek to enflame existing tensions, particularly between the community and police. There will be several police departments present and they will have no choice but to stop any conduct that interferes with the First Amendment rights of the group that has a permit to rally on the Capitol steps. The hate group cannot be "chased out of town".

I've worked with many African-American officers who have had to arrest protestors, and that makes what is already a horrible day even worse. They have no choice but to keep the peace and that often means escorting the hate group in and out of town.

The more protesters a hate group gets, the more likely they are to come back to that town. We've seen it over and over. If no protestors show up, their rally is a bust.

So we have learned to advise communities that if they are opposed to what the hate group stands for, refuse to be in their presence and go to the other side of town to affirm equality and non-violence with more voices and more energy than the hate that is being spoken.

This is the guidance given by the Southern Poverty Law Center in their publication: "Ten Ways to Fight Hate - A Community Response Guide."

You'll find the same advice coming from the Anti-Defamation League, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Service.

All of them have decades of experience working with communities facing exactly what we are facing this Saturday.

The Speak Up for Unity event, which is being held on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.seeks to do just that.

It is purposefully being held at the same time and at a different location - Harrisburg High School (2451 Market St, Harrisburg, Pa. 17103) to draw people away from the hate group rally and create a space where we can come together as a community.

The event will feature food as well as speakers and performers that affirm equality and non-violence. We are not ignoring the hate group's presence, but we are sending a clear message that love is stronger than hate.

It may seem more exciting to protest at the hate rally, particularly to young people, but this is exactly what the hate group wants.

We must set an example for our youth that the most effective way to respond may not be the most exciting at that moment - but that equality and non-violence are always more powerful than fear or hate.

Please consider joining us at the Speak Up for Unity event, and bring your family, friends and neighbors. Follow the "Speak Up For Unity!" event on Facebook and share using the hashtag #speakupforunity.

We all have a choice on Saturday.

Speaking up for unity does not mean ignoring hate - it means refusing to give the hate group what it wants. We hope you will join us.

Ann Van Dyke is chair of the Rapid Response Team of the Community Responders Network. She writes from Harrisburg. Readers may email her at info@speakupforunity.org.
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By Eric Annino

Next week many of us will take to the polls, hold our noses, and vote. We'll ask ourselves, as we reluctantly pull the lever, "How did we get here?"

Eric Annino (submitted photo)

If we've learned anything in 2016, it's that primaries matter. The drawn-out primary season, threat of a contested convention, and the current lesser-of-two-evils situation show as much.

Yet according to Pew, only 28.5 percent of estimated eligible voters cast ballots in this year's Republican and Democratic presidential primaries. That's concerning. What's even more concerning is that it was actually one of the best turnouts in primary history.

An overlooked and under-discussed nuance to these abysmal civic engagement statistics is party affiliation.

Not only are people not voting in the primaries, many of them are disqualifying themselves by registering third party or unaffiliated.

If more voters registered Republican or Democrat, and made themselves eligible to vote in either of the two primaries, then America might have better, or at least more-representative, options come Nov. 8.

These days, it's hip to remain unaffiliated.

NPR, citing Pew, has remarked how unaffiliated voters are "changing politics," with around 39 percent of voters identifying as Independent, 32 percent Democrat, and 23 percent Republican; whereas in 2004 the divide was a nearly even, three-way split.

Gallup's most recent poll has those numbers at 40, 32, and 27 percent, respectively. Younger generations in particular seem unwilling to make a party choice when registering to vote.

Or if they do, maybe they choose a cool-sounding third party like Green, Socialist, or Peace and Freedom. That's all well and good until you realize that, unless you live in one of the twenty-odd states with open presidential primaries, your lack of party affiliation precludes you from casting a vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary.

In a two-party system, that's a problem.

Perhaps the only thing these unaffiliated voters are changing is the number of votes unsuitable presidential candidates need to win a Republican or Democratic nomination.

So what do voters stand to lose by registering Republican or Democrat? For one, they lose the ability to play the political agnostic at dinner parties. Conversations are simply easier with an out like "I'm registered Independent" or "I have no party affiliation." Then there's the fact that each party, Republican and Democrat, has its stigma.

In Hawthornian terms, the voter's lurking fear is of the capital letter that will manifest itself at precisely the wrong social moment. It's safer to remain unaffiliated, psychologically and socially.

But is saving face more important than genuinely having a say in the direction of our country?

In reality, if every voter registered with one of the two major American parties, they would suffer little negative effect. Each could still vote for whomever they wish in November, with the added benefit of contributing to the nomination decisions for the two parties that are most likely to win the White House. Perhaps there would also be a bit of explaining at the next social gathering--small price.

If we want to avoid a repeat of 2016's two-headed monster, the best and simplest first step is to acknowledge America's two-party system and pick a side when registering--and then maybe vote third party.

Eric Annino is a free-lance writer from Media, Delaware Co., Pa. His previous work has appeared in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Forbes and Digitalist magazine.
When the Legislature left Harrisburg last week, it left more than $140 million worth of gambling revenue that municipalities use to balance their budgets in limbo.

But one casino vowed Wednesday to keep the spigot open after Jan. 27. That's the deadline set by the state Supreme Court for lawmakers to fix the current method used to calculate "host payments" before funding to local government runs dry.

"These were friends of ours since the inception, when we got the casino license," said Eric Schippers, a spokesman for Penn National Gaming, the parent company of Hollywood Casino. "Many of them were cheerleaders and supporters. We could not leave them out there to dry."

Penn National signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday with Dauphin County ensuring that the casino's local funding continues through at least June 2017. The casino pledged to continue paying as much as $6.5 million even if the Legislature fails to fix the invalidated funding formula or the court declines to extend the Jan. 27 deadline.

If the problem should persist past June, Schippers said the company plans to continue making the payments.

In the last fiscal year, the casino paid $13 million to Dauphin County and a combined $1.2 million to East Hanover Township in Dauphin and Lebanon counties. Dauphin County divvies its share of the funding among the other municipalities, awarding grants for building projects, public safety and social welfare programs such as an anti-heroin and opioid abuse project via Penn State Harrisburg.

The agreement comes at a time when gambling expansion is the subject of many new proposals at the Capitol and would likely inspire goodwill with local officials. Penn National officials, however, said they were more concerned with holding up their end of the deal than playing politics.

"We have always enjoyed a very strong relationship with our county and our host communities," Schippers said. "From the very beginning, this was a commitment we made to be a good corporate citizen."

Dauphin County Commissioner Jeff Haste said the agreement is a testament to that good working relationship.

"They had always made it a goal to be a good corporate citizen in our community," he said. "Just because a technicality removed that obligation, they still felt a moral obligation."

Losing Penn National's $13 million would have interrupted multi-year construction projects and forced municipalities to choose between cuts or tax increases, Haste said.

Susquehanna Township, for example, is in the midst of an expansion to its public safety garage that would allow firefighters to stay overnight during a long shift.

Township Commissioner Frank Lynch said the project was five years in the making and finally broke ground two months ago with the help of a grant funded through casino dollars.

"I thought there'd be a fix," he said, of the court decision, "but I was concerned with missing a cycle--i.e. a year--depending on how soon the Legislature could fix it."

Without the grant funding, Lynch said the township would have been forced to seek out a bond or a bank loan to finish the work. Being able to count on the casino funding averts those scenarios.

"This takes the pressure off us from the need to raise taxes for things we absolutely have to have for public safety," he said.

Of course, not every municipality that relies on casino funding through the invalidated local share provision is so lucky.

Dauphin County's agreement with Penn Nation is the first of its kind to be publicly announced. Meanwhile, communities like Bensalem, which hosts Parx Casino, and Chester, home to Harrah's Philadelphia, are facing down the prospect of losing more than one-fifth of their annual budget next year.

William Cmorey, Bensalem's director of administration, said the Bucks County township gets about $11 million of its $48 million budget from the local share.

"If there's not a correction by the Legislature . . . we're going to have to look for ways to offset that revenue," he said. "There's only two options: You reduce expenditures or increase revenues."

Given how large a portion of the township's funding is at risk, Cmorey said raising taxes is not an option. According to Census data, the township's per capita income is $30,466.

"That would be devastating," he said. "We'd have to figure out how to cut. There could be a myriad of options, it's just we haven't taken a hard look at this point."

Cmorey said the township's mayor has had discussions with its local lawmaker and with casino officials about keeping the funding flowing. So far, no concrete solutions have been proposed.

On the question of whether it's wise for the municipality to rely so heavily on gambling revenue, Cmorey said it's something he's concerned about. In the short-term, however, the township is simply working to figure out how to respond to the current problem.

Nationwide, the rapid expansion of gambling by states who themselves are looking to balance their budgets means any individual casino will likely see its share of the market shrink over time. When Pennsylvania entered the market in the early 2000s, for example, Atlantic City's gambling industry eroded to the point that many casinos have shuttered in recent years.

Rick Schuettler, executive director of the Pennsylvania Municipal League, said it's hard to fault towns for using casino money to balance their budgets--as opposed to, for example, investing it in a capital fund separate from general operating costs.

Many municipalities, Schuettler said, have seen their tax bases erode in recent decades at the same time that fixed personnel, pension and health care costs have continued to grow.

"You don't have a lot of options on revenue," he said. "You may not have wanted to rely on it but you may not have had a choice."

The uncertainty around the local share has played havoc with some municipalities that are counting on that money in their 2017 budgets, Schuettler said.

"A lot of folks are already in the budget process and, right now, they're hoping and relying on the General Assembly to come up with a fix," he said.

Last week, the Senate approved a plan to keep local share payments flowing but the House amended the bill amid concerns that it, too, would be struck down for violating a constitutional prohibition against unequal tax rates.

Senate leadership said last week they did not plan to take up any bills with amendments--which would include the amended House bill. A Senate majority spokeswoman said Wednesday that there was nothing new to report on the issue.

In Dauphin County, at least, Penn National will continue its payments until the local share predicament is resolved.

"If at any point the Legislature comes in [and] we have a long-term solution, we'd stop our payments and begin payments under the new legislation," Schippers said. "We're hoping it will be a seamless transition."

Haste said Dauphin County's agreement with Penn National could be a model for other communities.

"It's somewhat a precedent-setting first for the commonwealth," he said. "Hopefully, those local governments and the ownership of their casinos have a good working relationship like we do."
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Depending on how you look at it, a mailer sent to 400,000 Pennsylvanians is either harmlessly encouraging or a bit intimidating to people who are considering voting next Tuesday.

(File)

Depending on how you look at it, a mailer sent to 400,000 Pennsylvanians is either harmlessly encouraging or a bit intimidating to people who are considering voting next Tuesday.

The mailer was sent by the Voter Participation Center, a nonprofit organization that's mission is to increase civic engagement in unmarried women, people of color, and millennials. The tone of the "Voter Report Card" mailer is worrying some voters who see it as intimidating and threatening.

A copy of the mailer received by one Dauphin County resident tells the recipient that who they vote for is private -- but whether or not you vote is public record.

Here's a scan of the mailer sent to a Dauphin County resident from the Voter Participation Center. The resident's name and street address has been blurred out by PennLive.

"We're sending this mailing to you and your neighbors to share who does and does not vote in an effort to promote election participation," the mailer states.

The mailer has the name of the person it was sent to, and whether they voted in each election from the 2012 General Election through the 2016 Primary Election.

Below, it has the voting record of two other residents on their street. The names and addresses are blacked out on the mailer.

"We will be reviewing these records after the election to determine whether or not you joined your neighbors in voting," the mailing states.

"We may call you to ask about your voting experience and will update this chart for the next election. If you do not vote this year, while we will be disappointed, we'll be interested to hear why not."

Voter Participation Center President Page Gardner said in an email that they use voter report cards to "encourage citizens to vote" and to "ensure that our democracy is truly representative."

"U.S. citizens should have the ability to easily vote, and we should applaud efforts that help get more Americans on our voter rolls," she said in an email.

The national nonpartisan organization has been criticized for their tactics across the United States. Most recently, residents in Charlotte, N.C. did not like the tone of the "Voter Participation Center."

Bethany Salzarulo, director of Elections and Voter Registration for Cumberland County, said voters have called about mailers from the Voter Participation Center.

"We can't stop these places from mailing things out," she said. "Unfortunately, it does cause confusion. We recommend the voters call us directly because we have the most accurate information about their record."

Salzarulo said voters have gotten mailers that said they were not registered to vote or that they haven't voted, even though they were registered and had voted. Voters who received those mailers thought the tone was hostile.

"They've caused quite a few headaches for us," she said.

Salzarulo said she had not yet seen the "Voting Report Card" mailer. When she was made aware of it, Salzarulo said the tone of the mailer was more aggressive than encouraging.

"That's a new one. I haven't heard of that one," Salzarulo sad. "My guess is that we'll probably get calls about it if people are getting those in the mail."
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The Lancaster County race is between Republican incumbent Rep. Brett Miller (left) and Democrat Nick Selch (right).

(File/Candidate website)

Controlling state spending, pension reform, government transparency and economic development are among the multitude of issues the candidates in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives 41st District race are running on.

The Lancaster County race is between Republican incumbent Rep. Brett Miller and Democrat Nick Selch. When asked about the driving issues of the race, each candidate brought up three issues.

Aside from pension and education reform, the issues varied significantly.

Miller said one of his main objectives is getting the state budget and government spending under control. The state government, he said, should have to live within its means, like everyone else.

Miller said he supports a number of recommendations that would reduce government spending that have been developed by the Taxpayer Caucus. The recommendations include identifying greater efficiencies and reducing costs when feasible.

Miller said he also supports prevailing wage reform and reducing unfunded mandates from the state.

Selch, a former teacher, said one of the most important issues to address is education funding. Over the years, the state has reduced how much money it will put toward funding public education.

As a result, the state has placed more of the burden of paying for education on local jurisdictions. Aside from the state providing more money, Selch said property tax reform is needed to sufficiently fund education throughout Pennsylvania.

"You have 500 school districts with 500 property tax rates. Some of them have incredible rates and some of them don't, for whatever reasons," Selch said. "That's got to get equalized."

Miller, a former school guidance counselor, said he wants to reduce the state education system's reliance on testing as a sole criteria of a student's performance.

"There is an overreliance on testing than is necessary or helpful," he said.

Miller said he also supports reforming the state pension system. The current state pension situation has driven up property taxes to unsustainable levels for taxpayers, he said.

Selch said he would fight against any plans to move state employees from a defined benefit plan to a 401-K pension system. The 401-K pension system, he said, is one of the worst sytems out there.

The state is currently trying to figure out how to pay for Pennsylvania's $50 billion in unfunded pensions for state workers. Selch said the state needs to make funding public employee pensions a priority and not move the money to other things.

"The constant rhetoric says we don't need pension reform," Selch said. "It says we just bite the bullet, take care of the business that needs to be taken care of and worry about how we're going to get good employees and good teachers for lower pay. That's where we are now."

Miller said another one of his objectives is economic development. In order for businesses to flourish in Pennsylvania, Miller said the government must stop over regulating them.

"Getting government out of the way, in terms of regulations is something we need to do because our job creators are the ones fueling our economic production in the state," Miller said. "And when they can't produce jobs, that affects every level of government in terms of income and natural revenue growth."

Growing the economy also means reforming the state's tax structure. Companies are not looking to locate their businesses in Pennsylvania, Miller said, because of the unfavorable tax environment.

Miller said he wants to make the state's tax structure more inviting to corporations.

Selch said he also wants to bring a level of transparency to the office he feels is missing. There is a lot of important work that is done in committee meetings and caucuses. Selch said he wants citizens to hear about those discussions.

"As a citizen, I feel we are not getting a service from our legislators because what they're doing is behind the scenes," he said. "We should have a lot more transparency."
Turkish and Chinese companies sign 36 deals Updated: 2016-11-02 10:23 (Xinhua)

ISTANBUL - Turkish and Chinese companies on Tuesday held business talks here and signed 36 deals worth nearly $300 million.

The agreements cover Turkey's featured products like marble, chrome ore, soybean oil, flaxseed oil, clean wool, hazelnut, pistachio nut and cotton linter.

China is currently Turkey's second largest trading partner. A business delegation sent by China's Ministry of Commerce is in Turkey for talks about advancing bilateral economic and trade exchanges, boosting practical cooperation between Chinese and Turkish businesses and promoting bilateral trade in a balanced way.

Addressing the business talks in Istanbul, the Chinese speakers referred to the fact that China's imports stood at $1.68 trillion in 2015, making it the second largest importer in the world for seven years in a row.

While China is set to continue its proactive importing policy and expand market opening to the world, the country will optimize continually the sources of its imports as well in the process, offering better opportunities for Turkey and others, as Beijing has been actively advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, the Chinese speakers said.

The Turkish side lauded the visit by the Chinese delegation, calling it a practical measure to boost bilateral trade.
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This is information being shared by Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, one of the few organizations trying to educate voters about a statewide referendum regarding judges' retirement age that will appear on Tuesday's ballot.

* This post was updated to include the wording of the referendum as it appeared on the spring primary ballot and to add a reference to the findings of a Franklin & Marshall Poll on the referendum that will appear on Tuesday's ballot.

Voters going to the polls on Election Day will be faced with more than a decision about who they want to lead the nation for the next four years. They also have to decide how old is too old to be an elected judge in Pennsylvania.

Is it the year they turn 70, the current mandatory retirement age for judges that has been in place since 1968, or is it the year they turn 75, the proposed new mandatory retirement age?

If it seems like this question has been asked before, you're right.

This proposed change to the state constitution appeared on the spring ballot. But through an act of the Legislature and overcoming a subsequent legal fight, those results didn't count and the question has been reworded. This time, it's all systems go.

So when voters go to cast their ballot on Tuesday, they will encounter this question:

"Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to require that justices of the Supreme Court, judges, and magisterial district judges be retired on the last day of the calendar year in which they attain the age of 75 years?"

(In the spring, it was worded this way: Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to require that justices of the Supreme Court, judges and justices of the peace (known as magisterial district judges) be retired on the last day of the calendar year in which they attain the age of 75 years, instead of the current requirement that they be retired on the last day of the calendar year in which they attain the age of 70?)

If voters ratify this proposed amendment with majority support, it means 192 of the 1,026 state, county and municipal judges - including Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Saylor - who turn 70 over the next five years will be able to serve on the bench longer.

Questions about the question

Some critics argue the referendum's wording is deceiving because it fails to include the fact that the current mandatory age for judges is the year they turn 70 and that many voters might not be aware of that existing age cap.

Franklin & Marshall College's director of the Center for Opinion Research Berwood Yost opined that the wording does appear to be confusing based on the results of a September poll his center conducted.

Voters were randomly asked the question as it appeared on the spring ballot, some were asked how it will appear on the November ballot, and some a "common language" version of the question he created.

The results showed each variation of the question generated a different response. Nearly two in three (64%) voters indicated they would vote "yes" to the question as it will appear on Tuesday's ballot; less than half (45%) said they would vote "yes" to the question as it appeared on the primary ballot; and fewer than two in five (39%) say they will vote "yes" when asked the common language alternative.

G. Terry Madonna said that is one of several reasons he said he thinks putting this proposed constitutional change on Tuesday's ballot is ill-timed.

Along with the lack of a widespread voter education effort about the referendum, this election is likely to draw out many voters who are voting for the first time or the first time in a long time who will walk into the voting booth not knowing why they are being asked this question.

He suggested next year would have been the better time to ask them, when judicial races will be the only statewide race on the ballot and not be overshadowed by the highly contentious presidential contest and state's most expensive U.S. Senate race.

"Doesn't it make more sense to have it on the ballot then?" Madonna said.

Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts is one of the few organizations in the state that has tried to inform voters about the substantive issues that this ballot question raises by sending out the pros and cons to media outlets across the state and putting information on its website.

The group's president and CEO Maida Milone said her organization has not taken a position on the referendum. As for its wording, she agrees with those who say it could have been written more clearly.

"I think the context is not there to help voters understand precisely what they are being asked to decide," she said. "But I think our role at Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts is just to help people understand and give them information to help make a decision."

Heart of the question

Rep. Kate Harper, R-Montgomery County, who sponsored the legislation proposing this constitutional change, said the plain language explanation of the question should be posted at polling places to give people the context to make a decision.

She is tired of all the wrangling over the referendum's wording that has distracted attention away from debating the issue of raising the retirement age for judge. She blames that on politicians who want more turnover on the bench so they can hand out judgeships as political favors.

"That has nothing to do with the real issue, which is should we keep older, more experienced judges on the bench a little longer so the judicial system can take advantage of their advanced legal experience and advanced human experience," she said.

Other arguments for raising the retirement age that she shared that were offered at a legislative hearing on this issue include the fact that federal judgeships are lifetime appointments and have no mandatory retirement age.

What's more, the state's current judicial retirement age was set in 1968 when people didn't live as long as they do now, and brain research shows people tend to become more compassionate in their older years, making for more compassionate judging. That is something she said people should keep in mind given that family court issues consume the bulk of the court's attention.

On that latter point, Richard Long, executive director of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, said he has difficulty understanding that reasoning.

"I don't know what difference there is to get between age 68 and 74 in the area of experience and compassion," he said. "If you are talking about a 30-year-old judge, if there were any, versus a 65-year-old judge, I'd say that could be a stronger or compelling argument even if you presume that generalization to be accurate."

Nevertheless, Long said his organization's members have not taken a position on the referendum. Neither has the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, which represents plaintiff lawyers.

But the Pennsylvania Bar Association has. Its Board of Governors and House of Delegates support it for many of the same reasons Harper offered.

In addition, the bar association's President William Pugh V pointed out in an opinion piece he wrote about how the nation dispensed with laws that put a cap on age discrimination in 1986, "yet in Pennsylvania, we stereotype judges by making them retire at 70." Beyond that, he pointed out that the court has many senior judges who can serve until age 78 sitting on the bench, which "shows the illogical nature of such stereotyping."

Who decides

Despite the arguments favoring a higher retirement age, Madonna reiterated his concern about the timing of this referendum being all wrong given the anti-government campaign rhetoric of the person at the top of the Republican ticket.

"You are going to have a lot of [Donald] Trump people, the angry populace, who are going to vote against it because they are going to vote against anything that gives something to government," Madonna said.

Harper acknowledges that there is that segment out there, but she also knows that the senior citizen groups she has spoken to about the referendum support the change. And they are the most faithful when it comes to voting, usually.

However, even she worries that voters' disgust with the negativity in the presidential race may cause some of them to stay home on Election Day. Or, they will show up with casting only one vote in mind.

"I'm afraid people will vote for Trump or Hillary and forget everything else," she said.
Rebarchak v Helm.jpg

Susquehanna Township Commissioner Jody Rebarchak, a Democrat, (left) is looking to unseat State Rep. Sue Helm, a Republican, in the Nov. 8 election. Helm has successfully fought off challengers in the last four elections.

(Submitted)

In the battle for the 104th House District seat, both candidates agree that legislative reform, property tax reform, and funding for education are top priorities for residents.

But how each candidate would approach those issues and what they consider additional top issues for residents in the district varies widely. The district covers parts of Dauphin and Lebanon counties. The candidates will face off on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Sue Helm, a Republican, is running to keep the seat she's held for 10 years. She said she always has worked to protect taxpayers' "hard-earned money" and uphold Republican principles.

Democratic challenger Jody Rebarchak, meanwhile, aims to knock off the incumbent through detailed plans and ideas. The Susquehanna Township Commissioner has pledged to listen to resident's concerns and focus on pushing legislation that impacts them, not lobbyists.

Rebarchak listed legislative reform as the top issue facing the district, while Helm considered it number five. Rebarchak explained several proposals to support her position, while Helm talked generally about protecting taxpayer money.

"We need to end gerrymandering," Rebarchak said. "As it's now written, districts are supposed to be contiguous and compact."

But they aren't she said. Districts can stretch from the northern border of the state diagonally to the southern border. The 104th District itself has been gerrymandered, Rebarchak said, after Helm nearly lost an election. Legislators redrew the district to pull two municipalities out of Lebanon County and snag two wards from Swatara Township, splitting up that municipality.

That's why Rebarchak believes districts should be set by an independent commission of residents wholly disconnected from political parties.

"The system is in place to protect incumbents," she said. "We have legislators picking their voters instead of voters picking their legislators."

As another measure of legislative reform, Rebarchak said she would refuse to take a pension, pay raise or per diem if elected even though she would work as a full-time legislator.

Rebarchak said legislators should tackle the reform of their own pensions before trying to take benefits away from others who earn pensions. She noted that Helm currently has a pension after her decade in the House that will generate $24,000 a year in retirement. The amount for Helm will continue to grow the longer she serves, Rebarchak said, providing an incentive for her and other legislators to cling to seats as long as they can.

But Helm counters that she contributes to her pension plan and that legislators who decline pensions get 6.5 percent more in monthly pay.

Helm said she has voted for pension reform bills that would have adversely impacted her pension, but they didn't pass.

"I've worked since I was 17 years old," she said. "I paid school taxes for many years and I don't have children. I've put a lot of oney into the system. I may be getting some back out but it's not like I haven't contributed over the years."

Helm added that she has declined other legislative perks. She said she was among the first Republicans to refuse a legislative vehicle when she took office.

"Some of ones who had been there a while were not too happy with me," Helm said. "Now, none of them have car."

Helm said she drives nice, safe cars to safely ferry around staff members. But she's proud to have paid for them herself.

"I do have a clear conscience," she said. "I definitely don't try to waste taxpayer money. I pass budgets that protect their hard-earned money."

Helm believes improving the local economy and generating jobs for residents is the top issue facing the district. She said pension reform that would apply to new state hires would reduce the state's burden and require less property taxes. That would leave more money in residents' pockets. She didn't cite any other specific proposals to spur economic development or create jobs.

Here's how each candidate listed what they believe to be the top issues facing the 104th:

Rebarchak:

1) Legislative reform

2) Fair property tax reform and fair funding for school districts. Lowering the amount of state money paid to virtual charter schools to reflect their lack of brick-and-mortar costs could free up money for public schools.

3) State budget, need an on-time balanced budget and not through sin taxes. She supports a severance tax on natural gas drilling.

4) Raise state minimum wage to $10.15. As it stands, many low-wage workers end up needing state support, so the low minimum wage acts as a sort of "corporate welfare."

5) Criminal justice and drug treatment reform. Programs for drug addiction and mental health treatment-- often the root causes of crime-- can cost $5,000 annually per person as opposed to $92,000 annually for incarceration.

Helm:

1) Economy and job creation

2) Fighting against the opioid crisis, educating residents about the dangers

3) Property tax reform. She said her party's leadership has pledged to concentrate on reducing or eliminating property taxes next session.

4) Improving funding for education. She favors extending tax credits to businesses that contribute to a scholarship organization, or educational improvement organization through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC.)

5) Legislative reform

Voters in the 104th face two "very different choices," Helm said.

Helm said she brings a history of putting taxpayers first, cutting expenses and keeping an open door for constituents. She said her legislative experience has earned her a seat on the highly-prized appropriations committee.

But Rebarchak said voters in the 104th District don't think their voices are being heard. A vote for Rebarchak would change that, she said.

"Sue Helm is part of the problem," Rebarchak said. "The things she works on is for realtors and developers. The people in the district want to see a representative work for us."

Helm defended the legislation that she has introduced and said that most legislation stems from a request from someone.

"I think I've done quite a bit for my area," she said, citing her help to stop the construction of a shooting range in Susquehanna Township and her support of a new formula to finance higher education.

Rebarchak also criticized Helm for her support of the Republican Presidential Nominee, Donald Trump.

"That demonstrates bad judgment," Rebarchak said.

Helm said she plans to vote for Trump, but isn't telling anyone else for whom they should vote.

"My vote is my decision," she said. "I'm a Republican and stand by my Republican values."

UPDATE: This story was updated to clarify that Helm doesn't actively sell homes as a relator although she still owns her company.
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Women's Resource Center adapts to meet rising domestic abuse concerns

With many victims unable to reach out during the pandemic, the Women's Resource Center had to find new ways to connect.
Vietnamese province wants rail route linking with China Updated: 2016-11-02 13:40 (Xinhua)

HANOI, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Vietnamese province of Lang Son has proposed the Vietnamese government instruct the Transport Ministry and other relevant ministries and sectors to quickly construct a rail route linking with China, local media reported on Wednesday.

Under the future project, a high-speed rail route will run between the Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi and Lang Son's Dong Dang town, and be linked with China's railways to facilitate cargo transport, daily newspaper Tuoi Tre (Youth) reported.

According to the authorities of the northern border province, the current Hanoi-Dong Dang rail route allows trains to travel at an average speed of only 50 km/h, too slow compared with the speed of trains in China's border localities.

The authorities proposed the project be implemented in the 2016-2020 period.

The Vietnamese government has recently tasked the Transport Ministry to complete a feasibility study of a project on building a high-speed rail route linking the northern region with the southern region, so that the Prime Minister can approve it next year.
China's Evergrande in talks to buy British housebuilder Cala: Source Updated: 2016-11-02 14:20 (Agencies)

View of a logo of Evergrande Group on a high-rise office building in Shenzhen city, South China's Guangdong province, August 20, 2016. [Photo/IC]

China Evergrande Group, China's second-largest property developer, is in "early stage" talks to buy Cala Homes, a person familiar with the upmarket British housebuilder told Reuters.

Edinburgh, Scotland-based Cala Homes, which is owned by insurer Legal & General and real estate managers Patron Capital, was being advised on the offer by investment bank Lazard, its long-term advisor, the person said.

Sky News, which first reported on the approach, said Evergrande's offer could be worth close to 700 million ($857 million) pounds.

Cala, which builds large, high-end homes across affluent areas of Britain such as around the M25 motorway which circles London, in the Midlands and Scotland, reported revenue of 587.1 million pounds for the year ended June 30, 15 percent higher than a year earlier. Net bank debt stood at 123.9 million pounds at end-June.

In its results statement in October, Cala said it had a contracted land bank with gross development value of 4.7 billion pounds as of end-June and that enquiry levels and reservation rates had risen in the 13 weeks after the EU vote on June 23.

"From time to time we may find ourselves the subject of speculation but from our perspective it is very much business as usual," a Cala spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

Legal & General, Patron Capital and Evergrande declined to comment.

The approach comes as recent mortgage data and statements from housebuilders have indicated that the UK housing market is recovering somewhat from a sharp downturn in activity that followed Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

The Brexit-induced pound slide has fueled foreign demand to invest in the sector, especially from Chinese buyers keen to diversify away from a slowing home market.

China Vanke confirmed in September that it had bought a London office property.

For Evergrande, one of the most indebted companies in the industry, the purchase of Cala would mean access to the UK housing market as developers benefit from a chronic supply shortage. Britain launched a 5 billion-pound homebuilding stimulus package last month.

Evergrande has been aggressively investing in other companies as it looks to lift some of the pressure of having amassed some $57 billion in debt, almost six times its market value, on land acquisitions and corporate mergers.
This piece, titled, The New Plague, depicts life in Philadelphia in the age of COVID. Artist and educator Raphael Tiberino began painting at the age of four and has been in the spotlight as a professional creative for over 25 years.
Wide-body jet to be built by China, Russia in Shanghai Updated: 2016-11-03 06:56 By ZHU WENQIAN in Zhuhai(China Daily)

The model of a wide-body commercial jet to be built by China and Russia was unveiled at the Zhuhai air show on Wednesday. It will compete with Boeing and Airbus. Yin Liqin / For China Daily

A wide-body commercial jet being developed by China and Russia is expected to be delivered in 10 years, as early as three years after its first test flight, according to a timetable announced by domestic plane manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corp of China.

COMAC, which based its prediction on past research and manufacturing experience, issued a statement on Wednesday saying that the company and Russia's United Aircraft Corp have set up a Shanghai-based joint venture to develop the jumbo jet. The company is expected to start operating by year's end.

The project signals the two countries' ambitions to compete in the wide-body market, dominated by United States aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co and Europe's Airbus Group. Research and development for the new jet will be conducted in Moscow, with assembly in Shanghai.

"It is hoped the development of wide-body aircraft will drive the growth of many related aircraft manufacturing sectors like building engines. China will be able to learn and apply the experiences of Russia, enhancing the manufacturing level of the nation's aviation industry," said Li Xiaojin, a professor at the Civil Aviation University of China in Tianjin.

"China is about to start manufacturing wide-body aircraft, which have high standards in terms of aircraft engine technologies and aircraft materials," he said. "China and Russia still face some difficulties in making competitive wide-body jets given their current manufacturing levels."

Witnessed by President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, COMAC and UAC signed a pact in June to co-develop a wide-body jet.

The 280-seat wide-body jet would have a range of 12,000 kilometers. It would be an economical and efficient jet incorporating heavy use of composite materials, according to COMAC and UAC. They also plan to develop longer and shorter series of wide-body jets to complement the basic version.

"The direct costs of our wide-body jet will be 10 percent lower than those of peer aircraft. That's among our research and development goals," said Guo Bozhi, director of wide-body project at COMAC.

The company targets the global market and will boost competitiveness in a fragmented market, Guo added.
Crisis an opportunity for ROK's economic recovery Updated: 2016-11-02 07:35 By Jin Meihua(China Daily)

The Republic of Korea has been taking heavy economic blows following the dramatic collapse of its largest shipping company, Hanjin Shipping Co, and Samsung Electronics Co's decision to stop the production, sales and replacement of its fire-prone Galaxy Note 7 smartphones.

Hanjin, the world's seventh-largest container shipper, had a debt of more than $5.9 billion when it filed for bankruptcy protection at the end of August. Shares of Samsung, which accounts for nearly 17 percent of the country's GDP, plunged after it stopped the sales of Note 7, which cut $17 billion from its market value. And recent strikes at Hyundai Motor Co, the country's largest automaker, might deal another blow to the already struggling ROK economy.

On Oct 13, the ROK's central bank revised down next year's growth forecast from 2.9 percent to 2.8 percent. Its unemployment rate rose year-on-year to 3.6 percent in September because of a slowdown in manufacturing and export. Factory output in August, too, fell 2.4 percent from July, the fastest decline in 19 months.

The crisis haunting the ROK's leading enterprises, however, did not break out overnight. It was evident in the economic growth trajectory of the country, which has been struggling to pick up speed since 2012.

Exports, which make up more than half of the country's GDP, reportedly fell 5.9 percent year-on-year to $40.9 billion in September. The slow economic recovery in the West and China's slowing growth have prompted some ROK enterprises to put extra efforts into maintaining their global presence, but Samsung went a little too far and has learned a lesson in quality control.

The hurdles also include a government-led restructuring of enterprises and an anti-corruption law that some argue will hurt retailers and food producers. While seeking new economic drivers amid global economic woes, Seoul has taken measures to regroup enterprises at home to avoid more financial shocks. Getting rid of heavily indebted enterprises, which accounted for over 10 percent of the country's enterprises in 2014, is a step that has to be taken.

Moreover, plutocrats like Lotte Group conglomerate, whose chairman Shin Dong-bin was questioned by prosecutors on suspicion of embezzlement and breach of trust, are under stricter restrictions, as the ROK government has doubled its efforts to fight corruption. Plutocrats' total wealth made up about 84 percent of the ROK's GDP in 2012; the figure was just over 48 percent in 2003.

Worse, top positions in these "too-big-to-fall" giants are hereditary, which could lead to corruption, rigged competition and excessive expansion. The power and longevity enjoyed by industrial tycoons have greatly marginalized small and medium-sized enterprises, triggering increasingly bitter complaints against the plutocratic economy. The ROK government has thus rightly taken steps to change the situation, even though the magnates have made sizable contributions to the country's growth.

The crisis, however, can be turned into an opportunity for future industrial upgrade that could put the country in a better position to deal with economic turbulence. To begin with, the crisis should serve as a wake-up call for the ROK that addressing domestic economic problems is more important than deploying the United States' Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system on the country's soil.

Also, deepening economic ties with Beijing is more than necessary for Seoul, especially because the ROK economy is highly linked with the Chinese market. So it is wrong for some ROK politicians to overstate China's slowing growth and underestimate the significance of the bilateral economic partnership.

The author is a researcher at the Northeast Asia Studies Institute at Jilin Academy of Social Sciences.
Party being forged to meet challenges Updated: 2016-11-02 07:35 By LIU ZHIFENG(China Daily)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the 6th plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing, Jan 12, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

As top leader of the ruling party of the world's largest and fast-growing developing country, what kind of political party Xi Jinping is resolved to forge and how does he plan to govern a party with a 95-year-old history and more than 88 million members that aims to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation?

The answers to such questions were offered by the just-concluded Sixth Plenum of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee four years after Xi became the Party general secretary. At the plenum, Xi made clear the ruling party will be forged to deal with various crises and challenges within and outside the Party and the nation, and to implement the Party leadership's decisions without reservations. He also said the ruling party will have a strong executive capability and revolutionary spirit.

Several political parties emerged in modern China to free the country and its people from foreign oppression and aggression, but all failed in their mission except the CPC. The CPC's success can largely be attributed to the extensive support and endorsement it gained from the Chinese people. Without any selfish interest, the CPC made unremitting efforts for the benefit of the Chinese nation and its people. It is this consistent revolutionary spirit that has won for the CPC the Chinese people's extensive approval and backing in modern times and given it the status of the ruling party.

Despite its past revolutionary victory, the CPC today faces a series of severe tests. For any political party, the biggest challenge after becoming the ruling party is how to prevent decadence. Such tempting factors as power, status, money and other material benefits usually start to erode the revolutionary spirit of a political party after it comes to power.

As Xi said on the 95th anniversary of the founding of the CPC on July 1, the biggest test for a ruling party is how to resist corruption. Since the CPC became China's ruling party in 1949, some of its members and cadres have violated the law and Party discipline and isolated themselves from the public. While making remarkable economic achievements since the adoption of reform and opening-up in 1978 and building socialist market economy in the country, the CPC has also faced serious problems such as the vanishing of its long-cherished revolutionary spirit.

For a ruling party, spiritual decadence is the same harmful as physical decadence. The greatest threat to its ruling status is the disappearance of its belief, lax discipline and the abuse of power by officials for selfish gains. A very important goal of the CPC is to lead the people to strive for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. If the CPC depended on an unyielding revolutionary spirit to found New China in 1949, then it still needs such a spirit on the "New Long March" it has embarked on to resist temptations and overcome difficulties.

Bad behaviors of some of its members in their political life and working style, if unchecked, will weaken the Party's power and governing capability, distance it from the public and eventually endanger its ruling party status. It is because of such concerns that Xi has launched an unprecedented campaign to combat corruption and the unhealthy tendencies within the Party since taking office as top Party leader. A series of very strong measures he has taken to fight decadent behaviors among Party members also reflects his determination to better inherit the revolutionary spirit for the ruling Party.

It is the effective measures pushed by Xi to promote better governance within the Party that have brought about positive changes in the CPC and won the public praise for being a governing party with resolute beliefs and good working-styles established during the revolutionary era.

The author is a researcher at the Beijing municipal Party school.
Red Arrows flying high for first China display Updated: 2016-11-01 18:14 By EARLE GALE(China Daily UK)

Britain's famed Royal Air Force aerobatic display team, the Red Arrows, will perform in China for the first time at the 11th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, between Tuesday and Sunday.

The team, which has amazed fans at air shows for decades with its tight formations and apparently death-defying stunts, is seen by many as the public face of the RAF.

The appearance above Zhuhai, in China's southerly Guangdong province, is at China's sole international aerospace trade expo, which has been held every second year since 1996.

The Red Arrows is on its Asia-Pacific and Middle East Tour 2016, its largest overseas deployment for a decade.

Wing Commander Martin Higgins, the officer leading the team, said: "Each member of the Red Arrows is excited by the prospect of the team visiting and performing in China for the first time. The visit showcases the strong links between the UK and China."

He said members, who fl y British-built Hawk fast-jets, were honoured to be invited.

The Red Arrows, one of the best international aerobatic display teams, has completed more than 4,800 performances since its formation in 1965.

The display in China takes the number of countries that have hosted the team to 57.

Dame Barbara Woodward, Britain's ambassador in China, said the Red Arrows "represent the best of British innovation" and "demonstrate the engineering excellence and skills that are hallmarks of both the Royal Air Force and British industry".

Pilots will visit schools and universities to encourage students to pursue studies and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths.

The team, which arrived in China on Oct 22, held a preview of its display in Zhuhai on Oct 27.
China-Japan ties growing but unstable: Premier Updated: 2016-11-02 16:20 By An Baijie(chinadaily.com.cn)

China-Japan ties are gaining momentum with increasing exchanges in all areas, yet "the basis remains unstable", Premier Li Keqaing said on Tuesday.

There is still lots of work to put the China-Japan relationship back on track, Li told Chinese and Japanese entrepreneurs and former senior officials, including Japan's former prime minister Yasuo Fukuda and China's former vice-premier Zeng Peiyan.

The businesspeople and former officials, from China, the world's second-largest economy, and Japan, the third-largest, were part of the second round of dialogue in Beijing following the first one held last November in Tokyo.

The Premier called for the sustainable improvement and development of bilateral ties along the spirit of "using the history as a mirror and facing the future".

Li spoke positively of the efforts made by businesspeople and former officials to push forward China-Japan communications and cooperation, saying such dialogue mechanisms were expected to decrease uncertainty factors of bilateral ties and strengthen the public will of improving ties.

The Japanese representatives said that Li has pointed the direction of improving and developing Japan-China ties, and both sides will make joint efforts to boost mutual understandings and cooperation.
City of Miami Officer Jorge Sanchez (Photo: Facebook)

A City of Miami Police motorcycle officer who was involved in a major crash Tuesday in southwest Miami-Dade has died, reports NBC Miami.

Miami Police identified the officer as 53-year-old Jorge Sanchez. He is a 23-year police veteran.

The crash, which happened at the intersection of Southwest 8th Street and 137th Avenue, had the road shut down for several hours and injured a dozen people.

At least six cars were involved in the crash, with one resting on its side. Debris was scattered across the intersection.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue told NBC 6 a total of 11 people were injured, some in critical condition. Those hurt were taken to Kendall Regional Medical Center and Baptist Hospital.

Police say Officer Sanchez was on his way to work at the Miami Police Department headquarters in Doral. Sanchez was heading eastbound on 8th Street waiting to turn left on 137th Avenue when he was rear-ended by an SUV, police said.

Sanchez's son, Eric, is also a City of Miami police officer.
Police are searching for Scott Michael Greene of Urbandale, IA. He has been identified as a suspect in the murders of two Des Moines-area officers.

A suspect in the murders of two Des Moines, IA-area police officers early Wednesday morning has been identified. The shootings are being called ambush-style attacks and police say there is a clear and present danger to police officers right now.

Police are seeking 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene of Urbandale. He is a white male, 511, 180 pounds, with brown hair, and green eyes. Police believe he is driving a blue 2011 Ford F-150 with Iowa license plate 780 YFR. The truck has a silver colored topper with a ladder rack, WHO TV reports.

According to Des Moines police the incident started at 1:06 a.m. Wednesday with a report of shots fired near 70th and Aurora. The first officer who arrived at that scene found an Urbandale police officer in his patrol vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound. Twenty minutes later a Des Moines police officer was found shot in his patrol vehicle at the intersection of Merle Hay Road and Sheridan Drive. Both officers have died from their wounds.

The names of the officers have not yet been released.
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Donald Trumps deputy campaign manager, the Clinton-obsessed Republican operative, David Bossie, told ABC News George Stephanopoulos this morning that theres an enthusiasm gap and that this bit of math Republicans do is Trumps path to victory on November 8.

This is how the conversation went, per CBS News Sopan Deb, as always highlighting the important bits:

Stephanopoulos was not about to let Bossie get away with the claim about Trumps tax returns, and hammered him on the issue:

"He's going to release [his tax return] when he is not under audit."  David Bossie, Trump Deputy Campaign Manager https://t.co/Y9xVg0rJIX  Good Morning America (@GMA) November 1, 2016

Bossie deflected like a pro. You can see why Trump hired him.

As a corollary to Bossies claims, Trump suddenly found himself interested in polls again this morning, tweeting,

Wow, now leading in @ABC /@washingtonpost Poll 46 to 45. Gone up 12 points in two weeks, mostly before the Crooked Hillary blow-up!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2016

The Trump campaign has always been about making much out of nothing; elections are not rigged if Trump gets his way, and neither are polls if Trump is leading. Otherwise, its all left-wing shenanigans.

However, even Newt Gingrich isnt buying the new poll:

Washington Post-ABC poll is an absurdity. Trump has not moved up 13 points in the last 8 days.he was NEVER 12 points behind. Ignore polls  Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) November 1, 2016

And what Trump fails to mention is that his lead disappears if Johnson and Stein are taken out of the mix: then Clinton leads by +1.

These latest claims are an absolute sham as Clinton leads overwhelmingly in early voting and Comeys email gambit seems to have failed to sway voters to Trumps camp.

Meanwhile, Trumps own legal problems are beginning to overwhelm the narrative, and if there is any evidence of a Clinton enthusiasm gap it exists only in Bossies own head.

David Bossie is living proof that Clintons vast right-wing conspiracy is real, and all the hating on Hillary isnt going to change the fact that it is Trump who is the crooked candidate, not Hillary Clinton.
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As a new poll shows 28% of early Republican Florida voters casting their vote for Clinton, Donald Trump is getting desperate.

The Republican nominee begged Clinton voters to change their vote in 6 states where its not too late to do so. Trump wrote Wednesday morning, So now that you can see Hillary was a big mistake, change your vote to MAKE AMERICAN GREAT AGAIN!

You can change your vote in six states. So, now that you see that Hillary was a big mistake, change your vote to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2016

Tuesday evening Trump made the case that due to the FBIs announcement about Clintons emails voters might have buyers remorse, A lot of things have happened over the last few days. This is a message for any Democratic voters who have already cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton and are having a bad case of buyers remorse  in other words you want to change your vote  Wisconsin is one of several states where you can change your early ballot if you think youve made a mistake.

While its true that people in some states can change their votes, its not true that this rule was changed because of Hillary Clintons emails and yes, thats a new Right wing thing apparently. Trump doesnt suggest the law was changed because of Clinton, but he seems to think people will be rushing to change their mind about Clinton because of the non-surprise October surprise! the Republican FBI Director delivered , which was perceived to have benefited the Trump ticket.

Days ago, Snopes debunked the notion that changing early votes is being allowed because of the FBIs bizarre announcement that they may or may not have more emails pertaining to Clinton.

Claim: After FBI Director Jim Comey announced that he was reviewing e-mails potentially linked to Hillary Clinton, several states announced that they were allowing people to change their early votes.

mixture WHATS TRUE: Some states allow early voters to change their votes before election day. WHATS FALSE: No states changed their election laws in order to allow people who voted early for Hillary Clinton to change their votes.

And to make this even better, that false information was based on a Fox News report that wasnt selling the false story about Clinton, but still got some of the information wrong. This is why the Right cant have nice things. The Left should be vigilant against allowing itself to become too insular, because epistemic closure leads to losing.

Trump conveniently ignores his own history of email dumping, exhaustive list of lawsuits, bragging about sexual assault, dissing minorities and a Gold Star family, and national security experts investigating his ties and his campaigns ties to Russia.

Only a desperate candidate runs on trying to get people to change their votes to him because someone found a Clinton aides emails when they dont even know what they say or if they are duplicates yet.

While this race is far from over, if all Americans get off their butts and go vote, Donald Trump faces an uphill battle to the White House.
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Nevada Senate candidate Joe Heck isnt committing to vote for Donald Trump, though he says he is qualified. Speaking to Las Vegas KSNV News3LV the Nevada Republican said,

Well, I can tell you Im not voting for Hillary Clinton. We still have six days before I walk into the booth. On November 8th, Ill have a decision.

He had previously withdrawn his support for Trump on October 8, but he seems to have a hard time letting go.

According to Heck,

I think he won our nomination through a very intensive primary process and caucus process, and the Republican voters decided that they wanted him as their nominee. So, I think if you meet the constitutional qualifications and youre selected by the Republican Party, then youre qualified to be President.

The logic is a little iffy, given that the Republican Party also selected Sarah Palin, but it provides a nice out for Heck, who can criticize Trump without criticizing him.

Whomever the next commander-in-chief is, theyre going to need to surround themselves with military leaders that will provide them with the expert advice that they need to keep the country safe and make sure our men and women in uniform have the tools and the resources they need to do the jobs we asked them to do. I think that Donald will do that. He certainly has a lot of military leaders that have signed on as his advisers.

This is another one of those standard Republican waffling deals we have seen so often where Trump is involved. The exemplar is, of course, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, but others have done it also. The 2005 Access Hollywood tape is responsible for much of this reaction. They cant deny Trump stepped way over the line but they cant abandon the GOP nominee.
Impresa Aerospace CEO Scott Smith (left) and Nelson Lindsay, director of global business development for the S.C. Department of Commerce, look over some of the equipment at the companys Goose Creek facility during Thursdays ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. High 81F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.
Dorchester County has put the 1 percent sales tax back on the ballot on Nov. 8 for a proposed 15-year continuation, and several parties have their own opinions on the benefits or detriments of the referendum. Read moreDorchester Countys 1% sales tax back on the ballot as critics, supporters weigh its impact
Deanna Pan is an enterprise reporter for The Post and Courier, where she writes about education and other issues. She grew up in the suburbs of Cincinnati and graduated with a degree in English from Ohio State University in 2012.
Electric vehicles arent a panacea. They dont reduce traffic congestion or the need to spend billions of dollars repairing and expanding our highways, the way mass transit, ride sharing and more walkable and bicycleable communities can. To the contrary, they make it more difficult to pay for the necessary upgrades, because despite some modest steps, politicians here and elsewhere have been unwilling to change our tax laws to ensure that vehicles using little or no gasoline pay their fair share for those improvements. Read moreEditorial: SC electric vehicle expansion helps state in multiple ways
MINNEAPOLIS  The first person to call 911 as a man stabbed several people at a central Minnesota mall in September urged a dispatcher to send police and an ambulance, saying: "There's blood everywhere."

Transcripts of about 100 calls to police during the Sept. 17 attack in St. Cloud were released Tuesday. They show a mix of confusion and fear among mall patrons and workers, as some said the attacker was dressed like a police officer. Some of the callers told of injured victims, or reported that someone was shooting at the mall. Some callers said they were hiding in bathrooms or dressing rooms.

"You might wanna get in here as fast as you can. The guy is running through stabbing people," one caller said.

Authorities have said Dahir Ahmed Adan, 20, was wearing a security guard uniform and armed with two steak knives when he went to the mall and stabbed 10 people, injuring them. Authorities said he asked some victims if they were Muslim. The attack ended when an off-duty officer shot and killed Adan.

The FBI has said that Adan's behavior and actions suggested he had been radicalized and that the attack was premeditated. Shortly after the attacks, an Islamic State-run news agency claimed Adan was a "soldier of the Islamic State" who had heeded the group's calls for attacks in countries that are part of a U.S.-led anti-IS coalition.

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Authorities have said Adan had demonstrated a growing interest in religion, but they have released no evidence linking him to extremist groups. FBI spokesman Kyle Loven said Tuesday that the investigation is ongoing.

According to the transcripts, the first caller to 911 described a chaotic scene in which one person was bleeding while six people ran inside, screaming for someone to call for help. Thirty seconds later, another caller said a woman ran into her store with a neck wound and "she's bleeding all over my store."

As calls came in within seconds of each other, dispatchers asked for a description of the attacker and kept trying to pinpoint his location as he moved through the mall. Because Adan was dressed as a security guard, some callers asked how they would know when help arrived.

One caller asked: "Mam, are the cops with the gun walking around, are those good cops?"

The dispatcher replied: "Y'know, I honestly can't tell you right now, we have our officers there, but the suspect is not apprehended."

Dispatchers also asked one caller to apply pressure to a woman's wound before paramedics arrived, and told those who were hiding to stay put.

"You stay in the locked room until my officers tell you that it's ok to leave. ... you're safe right there and we'll get people to you as soon as we can, okay?" one dispatcher said.

More than an hour after that first call to police, a dispatcher was finally able to tell a caller that the suspect was "down." That caller had phoned police seeking answers because the caller's daughter was at the mall.

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"There are several victims so um she's gonna need a lot of hugs," the dispatcher said.
Money from outside groups is pouring into legislative races with spending on three southeast Minnesota contests topping half a million dollars.

The race attracting the most spending from outside groups so far in our region is the battle between longtime Republican Rep. Greg Davids and his DFL rival Thomas Trehus. As of Oct. 24, at least $596,088 has flowed into the district, according to reports filed this week with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. And nearly three quarters of that money has been spent on attack ads.

Groups backing Democrats are hoping for a repeat of 2006, when Davids was defeated by DFLer Ken Tschumper. The Preston Republican won back that seat two years later. Davids said groups are wasting their money trying to defeat him. The chairman of the powerful House Taxes Committee said voters in Fillmore and Houston counties are sick of all the negative mailers attacking him.

"They are so over the top that people realize it," Davids said. "I put my trust in the voters. Do they want to throw away 24 years of seniority or do they want someone that can get things done?"

'They are oversaturated'

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Trehus said he is overwhelmed by the amount of money that has been pumped into the district. Campaign reports show that more than $270,000 has been spent attacking him  more than any other legislative candidate in southeast Minnesota. At first, Trehus said he was worried about the nasty mailers showing up in voters' mailboxes. But his view has changed as voters have become fed up with all the ads.

"After a while, people just tune it out because it's so much. They are oversaturated," he said.

Outside spending in two other southeast Minnesota races have already topped the half-million-dollar mark. More than $558,000 has been spent in the race between Red Wing DFLer Lisa Bayley and Red Wing Republican Barb Haley. Outside groups have also funneled more than $554,000 into the race between DFL Sen. Matt Schmit and Republican Mike Goggin, both of Red Wing.

Control issues

So why so much spending on these legislative races? Hamline University political science professor David Schultz said the answer comes down to control of the Legislature. Statewide, only about 25 of the 201 legislative races are considered competitive. Democrats need a net gain of seven seats to win control of the Minnesota House.

Meanwhile, Republicans need to pick up six seats to reclaim the gavel in the Minnesota Senate. Schultz said in those districts, spending by outside groups dwarfs the amount of money candidates are putting into their own races.

"You have a small number of seats that are truly competitive, and that's where the money is and that's where the candidates have truly lost control of their own races," Schultz said.

Bradley-Sauke

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Another race attracting big bucks from outside groups is the House District 25B seat. Former Republican Rep. Fran Bradley and DFLer Duane Sauke are vying to replace retiring Rochester DFL Rep. Kim Norton. Campaign reports show outside groups have forked out more $332,000 in the race so far. Of that money, 73 percent has been spent in support of Sauke or attacking Bradley.

At times, the ads have gotten nasty. One mailer from the Minnesota DFL Party features an image of a mirror with part of Bradley's face it in that says, "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the greediest of them all?"

Bradley said he expected some outside money to be spent on the race, but not to this level. While the negative ads are being paid for by outside groups he cannot control, Bradley said he has done what he can to let people who have contact with these groups know he does not support these tactics. He said he is disappointed Sauke has not done more to discourage these types of attack ads.

"I don't know how you expect civility and preach civility in the legislative process if you don't have civility in the campaign process," Bradley said.

Cuts both ways

There have been negative ads against Sauke, too. They include a mailer with an unflattering picture of Sauke that says, "Daune Sauke wants to put party bosses ahead of us." Sauke said the reality is that candidates have no control over what these outside groups and the nasty mailers they send out. The Rochester Democrat said he is frustrated because he has personally run a positive campaign. But ultimately, the spending by his campaign is only one-tenth of the total being spent in the district on ads.

Nonetheless, Sauke said he has made clear to his campaign committee he is not interested in running a negative campaign, telling them, "We will not do those things  even if we lose. I don't care what the pathway is, that is not going to happen."

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The family of a former Austin woman accidentally shot and killed during a police demonstration in Punta Gorda, Fla., has agreed to a $2 million settlement.

Mary Knowlton, 73, originally from Austin and a former Prior Lake resident, died after she was shot Aug. 9 during a "shoot or don't shoot" demonstration at the Public Safety Building in Punta Gorda. The exercise, carried out in front of Gary Knowlton, her husband of 55 years, was designed to re-create a lethal force scenario involving police.

The investigation into the shooting determined that live rounds mistakenly were mixed in with blanks. Part of the proposed settlement calls for Knowlton's family to receive $2,060,234, according to the Punta Gorda city council agenda. City officials will decide today whether to approve the settlement.

"The settlement speaks for itself," said Howard Kunik, Punta Gorda city manager in an emailed statement. "We respect the Knowlton family for their willingness to work with us and reach this agreement."

Payment from Punta Gorda will come from two sources  $2 million in insurance and $60,234 from the city's damage recovery fund.

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Officer Lee Coel, who fired the shot that killed Knowlton, remains on paid administrative leave while the state of Florida decides whether he committed any "criminal negligence" in the incident. It was reported the city then will do its own internal investigation once the state has made its determination.

Punta Gorda recently paid $70,000 to a man whose lawsuit alleged Coel and his K-9 used excessive force during a traffic stop in another case.

The Knowltons moved to Punta Gorda from Prior Lake, where they lived since 1973. Knowlton originally was from Austin and graduated from Austin High School. She then attended St. Olaf College, the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Knowlton was a librarian at Parkview Elementary School in Rosemount from 1988 to 2003, and then a substitute librarian at other schools in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan district through 2013, when she retired, according to other news reports.

"We feel it is the right thing to do," Kunik said of the settlement. "In addition, we continue to respect the process the FDLE and state attorney are going through."
RED WING  In a hail of gunfire, law enforcement officers clear a path to those wounded in an attack at Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing on Saturday. Fortunately, these bullets are made of paint, and the victims are volunteers wearing orange bands on their arms.

Welcome to 3ECHO Active Assailant training, where 22 police, fire and EMS organizations from around southeastern Minnesota learn how to work together for improved response capabilities in the event of a hostile, violent situation.

"We're preparing how to deal with any event that is an act of hostility," said Mike Dobesh, assistant fire chief with Richfield Fire Department and one of the 3ECHO trainers.

For years, he said, the model for training in active shooter drills was for police simply to take down the "shooter." However, 3ECHO  enter, evaluate, evacuate  takes the job further, integrating fire and EMS personnel to help get victims clear of the action more quickly.

"The big focus is on life safety," said Red Wing Police Chief Roger Pohlman. "Getting EMS and fire in there to take care of the wounded is critical."

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A good example, one trainer explained to a classroom of EMS, fire and police personnel, is the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colo., in 2012. The first police officer on the scene immediately called for EMS to come to the theater's front door to help evacuate the wounded. But a second officer, concerned the shooter was still active, told EMS to stage some distance from the theater building.

In the end, the lack of a coordinated effort likely cost lives, he said.

Dobesh said the training is meant to teach law enforcement to work with fire and EMS. While only the police should enter a "hot zone," he said, once police have made contact with an assailant, that hot zone can be downgraded to a "warm zone," and that is when a pathway can be made to start evacuating the wounded.

"This is about how to get responders to savable lives," he said.

The second benefit of working together more closely, he said, is law enforcement can communicate along the way, giving rescue personnel an idea of what they will be facing as they follow on the police's heels into a hostile situation.

The 3ECHO training began Friday night with classroom lectures. By Saturday morning, it turned into "crawl, walk, run," said Red Wing Police Capt. Tony Grosso. Members of the 11 police and 11 fire or EMS units walked through their exercises at increasingly fast speeds to learn how the tactics and communication eventually would work at full speed.

In addition to the 22 professional units, volunteers from around the region represented victims to be apprehended and suspects to be taken down. In addition to a smoke-filled bomb room complete with "body parts" and "bomb components," there were active shooter situations and rescue scenarios all intertwined to present a serious training environment.

One drill saw police moving down a hallway to neutralize a suspect in a room. Out in the hallway, "victims" cried out in pain. Moments after the scene was secure, fire and EMS personnel entered the hallway to start evacuating the wounded.

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"Every minute, every second counts when you're bleeding out," Pohlman said. The training during the weekend is not an end, he said, but a beginning to make sure police, fire and EMS keep communicating in case the unthinkable happens. "You just can't take things for granted in your community. It's better to be safe than sorry."

It is training Grosso is glad to receive.

"I hope we never need it," he said.
MINNEAPOLIS  Sheriff's deputies from three Minnesota counties have left the front lines of the Dakota Access pipeline protest in North Dakota and are back in Minnesota, where hundreds of people last week objected to their involvement in helping to clear out demonstrators.

The sheriffs from Hennepin, Anoka and Washington counties said Tuesday that their deputies have fulfilled their duties under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a national system for sharing personnel during a state of emergency.

The sheriffs held their news conference a day after some Democratic leaders criticized them for sending help.

"We did the right thing here," said Washington County Sheriff William Hutton. "When it comes to public safety, we received a call for help, and we responded to it."

Hundreds of people have been protesting in southern North Dakota for months, supporting the Standing Rock Sioux tribe's opposition to the $3.8 billion pipeline from North Dakota to Illinois. Officers from several states have been helping North Dakota authorities with the response.

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Some, including Democratic Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, think Minnesota officers should not have helped North Dakota. At a meeting with Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek on Monday, several DFL legislators questioned the process of deputies disrupting "a peaceful protest in a neighboring state," Rep. Karen Clark, DFL-Minneapolis, said in a statement.

Stanek said Tuesday: "Our involvement in North Dakota was operational, not political ... public safety should never be partisan."

Rob Keller, the spokesman for the Morton County Sheriff's Office in North Dakota, said the Minnesota officers fulfilled their duty under the agreement and were sent home.

Deputies from the Dane County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin also helped at the protest for about a week and returned in mid-October. Sheriff Dave Mahoney said at the time that his office would not rotate new deputies to the protest as he planned after talking to community members who felt Dane County should not be involved. Mahoney told the Wisconsin State Journal that a reduced reimbursement of costs also played a part in his decision.

Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota and Indiana were also listed among states that have sent help. A spokesman for the Wyoming Highway Patrol told the AP that six troopers are still deployed in North Dakota. They were sent on Oct. 22 and are scheduled to return next week.

The Lincoln Star Journal reported that 11 Nebraska State Patrol troopers also remained in North Dakota.

N.D. officials borrow $4 more to police pipeline
Before anyone gets excited, I should say that my answer to that question is No. However, there are some intriguing signs of life for Donald Trump.

As I noted yesterday, both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have begun running television advertising in Minnesota, so presumably their own polling shows the race as reasonably close. An interesting data point came this morning from the Minnesota Secretary of States office: over 77,000 students from 280 high schools across the state cast mock ballots in the presidential election. And guess what? Donald Trump won, by 35% to 33%, with third party candidates and write-ins drawing quite a few votes.

The accompanying spread sheet shows data by school. If you assume that high school kids tend to vote the way they hear their parents talking at home, the results are fascinating. Trump absolutely slaughters Clinton in Greater Minnesotanot just the northern part of the state, but generally outside the Twin Cities metro area. To cite just one of many examples, Trump carried New Prague High School, in southern Minnesota, over Clinton by 374-151.

On the other hand, Clinton clobbers Trump in the public schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul, e.g. Southwest High School in Minneapolis, where Clinton squashed Trump 1,203 to 36. Along with the public schools, elite private schools voted overwhelmingly for Clinton, while non-elite private religious schools went even more overwhelmingly for Trump. Clinton dominates the inner tier suburbs, while the outer suburbs are variable, but trending toward Trump, while the exurbs went for Trump (e.g., Forest Lake HS, 426-200).

None of this is a surprise, except for the fact that when you net out the candidates expected strengths and weaknesses, Trump comes out slightly aheadat least at the high school level. Of course, not all high schools participated, and some students votes are perhaps a rebellion against their parents views rather than a reflection of them. We will know in a week whether the high school vote was significant or not. In the meantime, watch for both Trump and Clinton to increase their Minnesota ad buys.
Hillary Clinton has relentlessly attacked the Supreme Courts decision in Citizens United. That decision is more permissive than leftists would like when it comes to political speech activities by nonprofit committees. Even so, it remains illegal for campaigns to directly coordinate with these nonprofit committees, known as super PACs, to advocate for the election or defeat of specific candidates.

This restriction didnt suit the Clinton campaign. WikiLeaks documents show that it plotted to use election law loopholes to skirt limitations on coordination with independent big-money committees. At the same time, it planned to sue Republicans if they attempted to circumvent the same laws in similar ways.

Jim Stinson of PoliZette has the details. He cites a May 2015 memo written by Marc Elias that Clinton campaign manager Robbie Mook shared with the campaign.

According to Stinson, the memo explained that the Clinton campaign committee would be pushing the legal envelope by directly coordinating with Correct the Record, a super PAC founded by liberal activist and Clinton ally David Brock.

Correct the Record gets around the election rules by not paying for broadcast advertisements, phone banks, mass mailings, or canvassing programs. As Elias noted, FEC rules only specifically bar coordination tied to public communications. Coordinating on items that would not ultimately be included in paid media would allow the campaign to skirt the law.

Nor was this all. Elias identified another loophole that would allow the campaign to coordinate some activities with Priorities USA, the Democratic Partys largest super PAC. He argued that this would be permissible if the campaign worked with the group 120 days before a primary election.

Elias warned, however, that these tactics would test the limits of election law. He wrote:

While we believe that such a program is legally permissible, it would be breaking new ground  more so than what CTR [Correct the Record, Brocks outfit] is doing. As evidenced by the press scrutiny of CTRs announcement, the media reaction to such a program could be toxic.

The final portion of the Elias memo discussed bedeviling the Republican Party and Jeb Bush  then thought to be the likely GOP nominee  with complaints to the Federal Election Commission. Elias recognized that the Clinton campaign couldnt attack Republicans for coordination with committees that mirrored what the Clintonistas were doing. He explained:

If we proceed with this effort, we will take steps to ensure that any suit pursued on our side is on a topic that cannot easily be applied to any conduct on our side.

The key word here is easily. The idea was to sue the Republicans for conduct tactics similar to, but arguably distinguishable from, what the Dems were doing to circumvent the law.

Hillary Clinton isnt interested in clean elections or keeping big money out of the electoral process. She and her crowd just want to use election laws to game the system.

This isnt news. But the latest WikiLeaks documents confirm the rampant hypocrisy of the Clinton machine on this subject.
This mornings election briefing offers the following items to process:

 The ABC/Washington Post tracking poll has the race dead even today, at 46-46, but includes the finding that Donald Trump is now deemed more trustworthy than Hillary Clinton. Heh. (And the idiosyncratic LA Times poll has Trump up nearly six points today.)

 One of the questions confronting the pollsters and election modelers was whether Hillary could match Obama in achieving the same high turnout of millennials and minority voters. The New York Times sends out a panic flare this morning that the answer may be No:

Black Turnout Falls in Early Voting, Boding Ill for Hillary Clinton African-Americans are failing to vote at the robust levels they did four years ago in several states that could help decide the presidential election, creating a vexing problem for Hillary Clinton as she clings to a deteriorating lead over Donald J. Trump with Election Day just a week away. As tens of millions of Americans cast ballots in what will be the largest-ever mobilization of early voters in a presidential election, the numbers have started to point toward a slump that many Democrats feared might materialize without the nations first black president on the ticket.

And RealClearPolitics reports:

Leslie Wimes, the president of the Democratic African-American womens caucus, joins MSNBCs Hallie Jackson to discuss the Clinton campaign being in panic mode about low voter enthusiasm in the black community. We love President Obama, she said. That doesnt transfer to Hillary Clinton by osmosis. Its over now as far as the African-American community is concerned. She had time back then to get into the community and get people out to vote. Now, you know, the numbers are the numbers. Theres nothing she can do now. She added: What I said before is she didnt have the luxury of being Barack Obama. We are not as enthusiastic about seeing the first woman president as we were about seeing the first African-American.

 The old Chicago slogan vote early and often seems to be coming true this cycle. With a potentially close result in prospect, will irregularities in early-voting become the Florida 2000 scenario of this election? Some states allow early voters to change their mind and re-cast their vote. You can change your early vote in Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York, Connecticut, Louisiana, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. How does this process work? I have no idea, but its likely that most people who change their vote now are moving away from Hillary. I can easily imagine confusion over which ballots are the right ballots, and lots of legal challenges over the result. Another reason to curtail the promiscuous use of early voting. Make election-day great again!

 Medical marijuana is now legal for medical or recreational use in 25 states, and several more may legalize it by ballot initiative next week. But Im wondering if a lot of people havent jumped the gun with one of the crazier Evan McMullin scenarios, which requires a huge cloud of purple haze to believe.

It goes like this: McMullin wins Utah, and deprives both Hillary and Trump of 270 electoral votes, thus throwing the race to the House of Representatives, where Republicans are likely to hold the advantage. But the Constitution restricts the choice of the House to the top three finishers in the electoral collage vote. What if, the scenario runs, McMullin instructs his Utah electors to cast their votes for Mitt Romney or Paul Ryan instead? Voila! President Romney or President Ryan!

Much as I would prefer Romney or Ryan to Trump, I can think of no step that would wreck the Republican Party faster than House Republicans ignoring a vote result that put Trump within one state of winning the race, and picking someone who didnt run. But then, a studied distance from reality seems to be a qualification for office in Washington these days. . .
The Democrats are worried, and justifiably so, that African-American voters arent supporting Hillary Clinton and other Dems to same extent that they backed Barack Obama. Actually, the Democrats are frantic about this.

Thus, Benjamin Barber, a top Democratic donor has been caught on camera attacking non-compliant African-Americans during a fundraiser. The video comes via Project Veritas Action.

Barber had this to say:

Have you heard of the Sonderkommandos? Jewish guards who helped murder Jews in the camps. So there were even Jews that were helping the Nazis murder Jews! So blacks who are helping the other side are seriously f**ked in the head. Theyre only helping the enemy who will destroy them. Maybe they think if I help them well get along okay; somehow Ill save my race by working with the murderers.

Or maybe they think that, given how the African-American community fares under Democratic rule, the Democrats are a bit like prison guards (though certainly not Nazis).

We are indebted both to Project Veritas Action and to Mr. Barber for this glimpse into the mind of the Democratic left. The public can decide who is f**ked in the head.


Dealers in Nigeria have returned several unsold Galaxy Note 7 phones and had their money refunded. However, the buyers of the sold phones have refused to return them to the dealers for onward return to Samsung.

Although the Galaxy Note 7 phones had not been officially released in Nigeria before the recall, some dealers and customers had already purchased the phone from other countries.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Samsung Electronics West Africa had made provision for dealers to safely package and return the phones to the company due to fault it admitted.

Vincent Anago, a dealer in phones and accessories at Banex plaza, said dealers across the country have been asked to return the Galaxy Note 7 phones which they have in stock.

We have returned the ones we have and have been refunded but we still havent had many of our customers return the ones we sold them.

Uche Okoro, a phone dealer, said that quite a number of the phones had been returned to the company but many Nigerians failed to oblige with the request.

We have been asked to return these phones because of the malfunction which is hazardous but it seems Nigerians are not worried about the situation.

Some of us were able to get these phones and introduce them to the Nigerian market on time and despite the high cost they sold well.

We have had a few reported incidences of the phone batteries heating up and leading to a fire and we expected that more people will be convinced of the danger the phone poses.

We are still pleading with Nigerians to return these phones for an exchange or refund and to take advantage of the opportunity now because the phones wont be accepted after Samsung stops requesting for them.

Samsung had first called for the return and halting of sales of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 products in September due to the number of battery explosions that were reported by consumers.

(NAN)
The Secretary-General of the Jamaatu Nasril Islam, Abubakar Khalid, has stepped down as interim Imam of Sultan Bello Mosque, following the intervention of Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, in the leadership dispute rocking the mosque.

Mr. Khalid, in a text message to a PREMIUM TIMES correspondent early Wednesday in Kaduna, explained the reason he took the decision.

After a deep thought on the Imamship of Sultan Bello Mosque imbroglio, for the sake of Allahu SWT, and for safeguarding the image of Islam, unity of the Ummah, and for the sake of peace, security, love and brotherhood, I have today stepped down as the Imam of the Sultan Bello Mosque after so being appointed, Mr. Khalid said.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how Mr. El-Rufai held a meeting with Mr. Khalid and another Islamic cleric, Ahmed Gumi, on Tuesday over the crisis.

A Kaduna Government House source had said the meeting was convened to reconcile the leaders of the two factions contesting the leadership (Imam) of the mosque.

While Mr. Khalid was appointed imam by the JNI, headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, Mr. Gumi, an influential cleric, insisted on the democratisation of the selection of a new imam after he sacked the former one.

The meeting with the governor, which was also attended by the Emir of Zazzau, Shehu Idris, came after PREMIUM TIMES published interviews with the two Imams appointed by the contending factions.

However, when Mr. Gumi was contacted on Wednesday over Mr. Khalids stepping down, he said he was not aware of the development.

Step down? No I am not aware of it.

Whether he (Khalid) steps down or not, government is going to issue a press release on what transpired at the meeting. That is why we are waiting to hear from the government first then we will give our comment.

But conclusion that can bring peace has been reached, said Mr. Gumi, who had accused the police of supporting Mr. Khalid by using teargas to chase worshippers out of the mosque.

After meeting with stakeholders over the mosque leadership tussle, Governor El-Rufai said the state government would not tolerate any threat to law and order.

The governors spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the governors intervention was purely for security reasons.

After hearing the parties in the leadership tussle, the governor said: I heard your submissions, but our interest as a government is to ensure security and contain threats to peace. We will not tolerate break down of law and order, and we will not fold our arms and allow people to resort to self-help.

I took the oath to be fair and just and to protect all citizens of Kaduna State irrespective of their religions, including those that dont believe in the existence of God.

We will not interfere with your affairs, but we will also not allow the security of lives and properties to be compromised. As a responsible government, we will act and nip in the bud all threats. This is our plea to you: you should sheathe your swords and resolve the tussle amicably for peace and stability.

The governor proposed a solution to the dispute, which was unanimously accepted by all the parties, according to the statement.

He proposed that the Deputy Imam (Naibi) be allowed to continue deputizing in acting capacity while the management committee, in collaboration with the Emir of Zazzau, Jamaatu Nasril Islam, Dr Ahmad Gumis side and all the stakeholders set up a committee towards the appointment of a substantive Imam.

In line with the governors proposal, the meeting agreed to set up an 11-member committee to pick a substantive imam, including a government representative who would serve as its secretary. Other members of the committee would represent the JNI, Zazzau Emirate and other stakeholders in the crisis.

The committee was given two weeks to complete the task.

Tuesdays meeting was attended by the Emir of Zazzau, Shehu Idris, Mr. Khalid, Mr. Gumi and the management committee of the Sultan Bello Mosque.

Others at the meeting were the Kaduna State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Director of Kaduna State Command of the State Security Service, representatives of 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force Training Command, Kaduna, Commissioner of Police Kaduna State, and other security agencies.
The total volume of shares traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, in the month of October dipped by 53.84 per cent, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Statistics obtained from the Exchange in Lagos on Wednesday showed that investors during the period traded 3.67 billion shares worth N32.02 billion transacted in 55,397 deals.

The statistics was lower than 7.95 billion shares valued at N47.39 billion achieved in 65,193 deals in September.

A further breakdown of the statistics indicated that the Financial Service Sector recorded the highest volume of activities, trading 2.59 billion shares worth N12.26 billion transacted in 22,698 deals.

Premium Board Sector came second with a total of 455.26 million shares valued at N4.53 billion achieved in 9,081 deals.

Conglomerates industry trailed with 244.46 million shares worth N434.95 million transacted in 2,326 deals, while Consumer Goods Sector sold 147.59 million shares valued at N7.62 billion in 9,735 deals.

NAN reports that the market capitalisation during the review period dropped by N384 billion or 3.95 per cent to close at N9.349 trillion, against N9.733 trillion achieved in September.

Also, the NSE All-Share Index lost 1,115.31 points or 3.94 per cent to close at 27,220.09 from 28,335.40 recorded in September due to profit taking.

NAN reports that Forte Oil emerged as the worst performing stock during the period under review in percentage terms, dropping by 27.67 per cent or N45.90 to close at N120 per share against the month opening price of N165.90.

NAHCO trailed with a loss of 25.72 per cent or 0.89k to close at N2.57 per share against N3.46 it closed for the month of September.

Ashaka Cement lost 24.65 per cent or N4.01 to close at N12.26 against N16.27 achieved in September, while Glaxosmithkline lost 23.88 per cent or N4.68 to close at N14.92 compared with N19.60 in the preceeding period.

Conversely, Caverton emerged the best performing stock in percentage terms, appreciating by 44.74 per cent to close at N1.10 per share compared with 76k it opened for the month.

Total garnered 16.95 per cent to close at N345 against N295 per share it opened trading for the month of September.

Okomu Oil increased by 13.29 per cent to close at N43.05 compared with N38 in September and Air Space rose by 10 per cent to close at N2.20 against N2 achieved in the previous month.

Some stakeholders attributed dismal performance of the market to unimpressive third results released by most quoted companies due to challenging economic environment.

Garba Kurfi, the Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Ltd., said that disappointing third quarter earnings affected the volume and value of shares during the period.

Mr. Kurfi said that the results declared by the companies were a true reflection of the economy, noting that Nestles inability to declare interim dividend is a reflection of the market downturn.

He stated that the market would likely maintain the negative trend in November because of loss of confidence.

Ambrose Omordion, the Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Ltd., described the month of October as a disappointment despite its being an earning season.

The market performance for October was a disappointment to many investors being an earning season month expected to turn the market around, Omordion said.

He explained that the poor corporate earnings, weak economic fundamentals and lack of concrete economic plan to pull the nation out of recession contributed to the market lull.

Mr. Omordion said that these challenges had led to fear and dwindling confidence of investors in the market which affected demand for equities.

He, however, expressed optimism that fund managers and some investors were expected to reposition their portfolios for year-end activities on the strength of some positive third quarter earnings.

(NAN)
The Senate has threatened to boycott plenary unless the Independent National Electoral Commission conducts rerun elections in Rivers and Anambra states to fill their vacant seats in the National Assembly before December 10.

The Senates resolution asking INEC to conduct the rerun polls not later than December 10 was reached on Wednesday, following a motion by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

Following nullifications of the 2015 National Assembly and State Assembly elections in Rivers State by the court, INEC conducted rerun polls on March 19.

But the exercise was widely violence-marred, forcing the electoral body to call off the polls.

Days after, the commission in statement by its spokesperson, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, hinted at conditions for organization of fresh elections, saying only guaranteed security for its personnel and voters could make it conduct the exercise again.

While the Commission is committed to conducting free, fair, and credible elections, it hereby reiterates its resolve not to return to Rivers State (or anywhere else where there was a breakdown of law and order in the course of conducting elections) until there is a conducive atmosphere for the conduct of credible elections, INEC said on March 25.

Ever since, seven months on, INEC has not returned to Rivers for the rerun polls.

In the Senate, Rivers State does not have representatives.

Also, the Anambra Central senatorial rerun, that was initially slated for March 5, was indefinitely postponed by INEC days to the poll, following a High Court ruling ordering inclusion of the Peoples Democratic Party.

INEC had barred PDP from the election because its guideline says no new candidate would be allowed in rerun polls. PDPs candidate in the first poll, Uche Ekwunife, decamped to All Progressives Congress just after the Court of Appeal nullified her election.

It could be any of us in the case of Rivers; imagine a state like mine ravaged by insurgency without a representation, said the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, in his contribution to the motion.

Assuming the Senate was taking PIB deliberation today, Mr. Ndume lamented, it would be without a single senator from Rivers  Nigerias oil hub.

Matthew Urhoghide (PDP-Edo) said, there is no other way we can input inhumane treatment than what INEC is doing in Rivers.

After the motion was passed, Senate President Bukola Saraki said INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, was duty-bound to justify his words during his screening before the Senate.

Meanwhile, Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi) added an additional prayer to the motion, asking President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a new minister from Kogi State.

Since James Ochonu died in an auto accident in March, Mr. Buhari has not nominated a new person from Kogi State to replace the late junior Labour Minister in the Federal Executive Council.
The long awaited Petroleum Industry Bill, seeking unbundling of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation into two entities, made progress at the Senate after it scaled second reading.

The bill sponsored by Tayo Alasoadura (APC-Ondo) seeks splitting of the NNPC into Nigerian Petroleum Assets Management and the National Oil Company.

The PIB was first introduced in 2008 but it was not passed by the 6th and 7th assemblies, Mr. Alasoadura noted in his lead debate.

Even during the current 8th Assembly, in April, deliberation on the bill was stalled, thereby delaying its consideration till Wednesday.

Mr. Alasoadura explained that the bill was to provide transparency and accountability in the management of Nigerias petroleum resources.

The bill establishes a framework for the creation of commercially oriented and profit driven entities that ensure value addition and internationalization of the countrys petroleum industry, added Mr. Alasoadura.

The NOC, as proposed in the bill, will be an integrated oil and gas company operating as a fully commercial entity and will run like a private company.

It also provides for the establishment of a single petroleum regulatory commission which will focus mainly on regulating the industry.

The poor performance of the NNPC is a major concern. The commercialisation of the corporation and its splitting into two entities is for more efficiency and to enhance performance.

Senators, including Bernabas Gemade (APC  Benue) and James Manager (PDP  Delta) spoke in support of the bill before Senate resolved via voice vote to pass the bill for second reading.

Mr. Saraki then referred it to the committees on petroleum (upstream and downstream) for further legislate action.
A day after President Muhammadu Buhari met with leaders of the Niger Delta to resolve the crisis in the region, a major oil pipeline was sabotaged.

No group has, however, claimed responsibility for the explosion at the oil field operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, in Delta State.

The attack breached a crude export line that was commissioned on Monday, PREMIUM TIMES learnt. An official said the explosion occurred at the line that transfers stored crude oil to vessels for onward export.

The Joint Military Task Force, JTF, deployed to the Niger Delta confirmed the Wednesday explosion.

Olaolu Daudu, spokesman of the JTF, code-named Operation Delta Safe said investigations had commenced.

He said troops deployed to the area heard an explosion at the Bantan Flow Station run by NPDC, a subsidiary of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

Troops of Operation Delta Safe located at Sector 1, in Delta while on routine patrol heard an explosive sound caused by suspected economic saboteurs at Bantan Flow Station around Ekweregbene, Bantan general area.

The incident is however, being investigated and details will be made available as events unfold.

Also, troops of Forward Operation Base, deployed at Bonny in Rivers, while on anti  crude oil theft/ illegal bunkering patrol, discovered two illegal refinery sites along Ogbunku Creek, he said.

He further said the troops recovered three 40 horse power outboard engines and three pumping machines.

Wednesdays explosion may further affect Nigerias dwindling foreign earnings which have been blamed for the countrys current recession. Sabotage of oil and gas facilities led to an almost 50 per cent reduction of Nigerias crude exports and also worsened the electricity situation as gas powered plants could not receive gas.

Wednesdays explosion also comes barely 24 hours after the Niger Delta stakeholders met with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

At the meeting, the Niger Delta leaders presented a 16-point demand to Mr. Buhari. The demands include rapid development of the region and inclusion of people from the region in ownership of oil blocs.

The leaders at the meeting included traditional rulers, governors, ministers and top politicians from the oil producing region.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday suspended indefinitely its hearing into motions brought by the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The appeal court said its decision followed a petition filed by one of the parties in the matter on Monday.

A panel of three judges led by Jumai Sankey said that its integrity was compromised by a petition filed against it by Biyi Poroye, a member of the PDP faction led by former Borno State governor, Ali Sheriff.

Ms. Sankey said the petition was forwarded to the President of the Court of Appeal, Zainab Bulkachuwa. She said the petitioner alleged that the court, under her leadership, was prone to being compromised for financial gains.

Subsequently, the three judges on the panel withdrew their participation in the case, pending the determination of the petition by the judicial body responsible for the investigating such matters, the National Judicial Council, NJC.

Ms. Sankey said a copy of the petition was also sent to the NJC.

She said her panel would return the case files to the President of the Appeal Court.

The court was scheduled to decide on the validity or otherwise of previous judgements from lower courts on the crisis within the PDP.

A faction of the party led by former Kaduna State governor, Ahmed Makarfi, and another by former Borno State governor, Ali Sheriff, have for months battled in court over the leadership of the PDP.

As part of that battle, the faction led by Mr. Makarfi had approached the appeal court to seek nullification of previous decisions by a Federal High Court presided over by Okon Abang which has affected that factions candidate for the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State.

Mr. Abang had on October14 given an order in furtherance of his June 29 decision where he had asked the Independent National Electoral commission, INEC, to recognise the faction led by Mr. Sheriff.

In his October 14 ruling, Mr. Abang nullified the listing by INEC of the candidate of Mr. Makarfis faction, Eyitayo Jegede, for the Ondo State governorship election.

The judge said the decision was premised on his June 29 judgement where his court declared as null and void the proceedings of the PDP convention which appointed a caretaker committee with Mr. Makarfi as chairman.

Shortly after that decision, the Makarfi caretaker committee approached the appellate court to demand a stay of execution of Mr. Abangs October 14 decision.

At that time, Mr. Jegede had been recognised by INEC as the partys flag bearer and the supporters of the Makarfi-led faction said the status quo should be maintained, pending the determination of their appeal at the appellate court.

Mr. Jegede also approached Mr. Abangs court, according to the rules of the Federal High Court, to seek his permission to appeal the October 14 judgement. That appeal was denied by Mr. Abang on October 27.

During his ruling on Mr. Jegedes application, Mr. Abang reiterated his decision that Mr. Ibrahim remains the authentic candidate for the PDP in the coming election of Ondo State.

In deference to the October 27 decision of the Federal High Court, INEC withdrew its recognition of Mr. Jegede and had him replaced by Mr. Ibrahim.

Consequently Mr. Jegede and other members of the party from Mr. Makarfis faction made further appeals to the Appeal Court demanding that it strikes out the June 29 ruling by the Federal High Court as well as that of October 14.

Those appeals were what the appellate court was scheduled to determine on Tuesday.

INEC had said Mr. Ibrahim would remain the candidate of the party in Ondo until a ruling by the appeal court.
Emeka Ejide, publisher of Market Voices newspaper, Awka has called on the Federal Government to give bailout to print media to save it from extinction.

The publisher, who made the call while speaking with journalists in Awka on Wednesday, said this would reduce the rate at which papers fizzle out of existence.

He said that many of the print media houses could no longer pay salaries of their workers due to the prevailing economic recession in the country, adding that organisations had played significant roles in the match to Nigerias independence.

Since Nigeria attained independence, the print journalism sub sector has suffered heavy harassment and intimidation from the hands of those that benefited from the struggles it helped to achieve, he said.

The publisher added that many journalists could no longer meet the expectations of shaping the society and setting agenda due to harassment and harsh environment.

Because of the hazardous operational environment, particularly during the military regimes and emergence of capitalist owners, newspapers lost their mission of giving voice to the voiceless and became propaganda machines.

It is unfortunate that due to this lack of focus, journalists are now next to beggars because the capitalists refused or cannot pay their salaries, he said.

Mr. Ejide said his newspaper, an open market based publication, was conceived to connect the government and people with the goings on in various markets.

The publisher said that Nigerian market had been under-reported in spite its crucial role in the economy.

He, however, expressed hope that buyers and sellers would become more aware as the paper hoped to inform them on events in Onitsha, Lagos, Kano, Aba, Ibadan and markets across the country.

We recognised that the people in our markets have been contributing their quota towards the building and development of the Nation.

The Market Voices hopes to put this issues in front burner and help shape our market structure. We believe that by grace of God, we shall not go the way of others, he said.

(NAN)
An Abuja-based Islamic Cleric, Yunus Suleiman, on Wednesday urged the Federal Ministry of Education to include Islamic Calendar in schools curriculum, to enhance the knowledge of the Islamic months.

Mr. Suleiman, who is also the Deputy Ameer (leader), Abuja Chapter of El-BIRRU Muslim Association of Nigeria (EMAN) , made the call at an extraordinary prayer session and Hijra Calendar presentation in Abuja.

He advised Muslims to take cognisance of some important days and months in the Hijra calendar, saying we use it to do our worship and we use the solar-based calendar to do our Monday life.

So, there is wisdom in the two because the two are mentioned in the holy Quran.

The cleric describe hijrah as a very significant period in the history of Islam because it marked a milestone in the life of the Prophet Mohammad.

We, therefore, call on the Federal Ministry of Education to include Islamic Calendar in schools curriculum for citizens (both Muslims and non-Muslims) to know about it.

Because we are all interacting in Nigeria; whether or not you are Muslims, our interactions affect one another and it is good to let non-Muslims know about its sensitivity.

The reason why government had to come in is that we have seen cases where the West African Examination Council (WAEC) is fixed during Ramadan fast or promotion interview were conducted in the civil service during the period of Hajj.

The implication of that is that you are trying to prevent some Muslims from performing things that are obligatory on them or for them doing it with hardship, Mr. Suleiman said.

The cleric explained that when non-Muslims are well informed about the Islamic calendar, it would help them to plan and take cognisance whenever they want to take decision on issues that affect Muslims.

That is why the awareness has to be created by the government and we hope that with the help of the media and other stakeholders, our request will be granted,  he said.

The deputy leader said that the aim of the extraordinary prayer session was to seek for spiritual solutions to numerous problems confronting the nation such as unemployment and lack of good marital partners.

We organise special prayer sessions from time to time because as you can see, many people have problems that can only be addressed through spiritual means.

 We also pray for our nation in general; we pray for good governance, prosperity, among others because these are the things that keep the human spirit alive.

In a remark, Hadiza Mamman, member, El-BIRRU Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (EMAN) pledged the determination of the association to reduce poverty among Muslim women through skills acquisition training programmes.

(NAN)
The House of Representatives on Wednesday ordered the Nigerian Customs Service to reinstate a dismissed official and pay him all his salaries and allowances to date.

The decision followed months of investigation by the Committee on Public Petitions which tabled its findings before the whole House on Wednesday afternoon.

The dismissed official, S.C. Adiele, was said to have been illegally dismissed by the NCS.

The committee chairman, Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, said members of the committee investigated and concluded that it was a wrongful dismissal.

Mr. Nkem-Abonta said the committee found no clear or tangible evidence why he was prematurely retired.

The House, therefore, adopted the recommendations of the committee to reinstate Mr. Adiele and pay him all his salary arrears and entitlements from the date of his purported retirement.

But the NCS said it was not legally bound to obey the conclusion of the House.

Wale Adeniyi, NSC spokesman, said Mr. Adiele should have taken his matter to the court of law.

He was dismissed and he should have proceeded to the courts where matters are heard, Mr. Adeniyi said. Why did he go to the House of Reps? Is it lawmakers that will order his reinstatement?
Professor Chukwuka Okonjo, Obi of Ogwashiukwu and NLC Trustee, on October 29 received the highest civil national award from the Government of Ghana.

The award was conferred on him by President John Dramani Mahama in recognition of his stellar and distinguished contributions to the countrys education system.

Mr. Okonjo, father of the two-time former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria, is a renowned mathematician and economist who worked for a long time in Ghana as a United Nations staff and later as a consultant to the Ghanaian Government.

He joined the United Nations System in 1974 as an official based in New York with his duty station at Accra, Ghana as the Director of the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS) at the University of Ghana, Lego, Accra. He worked as a Professor of Economics at the University from 1974 to 1985 at a time the country was going through severe economic and political difficulties.

During that time, Mr. Okonjo installed the first African population information network popularly known as the Population Information and Documentation System for Africa (POSA) valued at $350,000.

He also created a 12 months Master of Arts (M.A) programs, 18 months Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) and 36 months Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degrees in Population Studies at the University. Over 437 post graduate students successfully completed their studies under his leadership.

Professor Chukwuka Okonjo later left the United Nations in 1985 and worked as the Education Adviser to Ghanas Minister of Education and Culture where he was instrumental in conceptualizing and implementing several reforms in the structure and organization of the minister.

Some of the reforms include reducing the length of pre-tertiary education from 17 to 12 years, increasing secondary school admission from 26,000 to 260,000 and growing primary school enrolment at a rate of 12 per cent per annum (twice the rate approved by the World Bank for Ghana).

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Mr. Okonjo was accorded the National Service Award in June 1982 for the support he gave to the National Service Scheme of the Ghanaian Government.

Other renowned persons who also received the honours include Globacom Chairman, Mike Adenuga, Jr. and John Newman.
Suspended lawmaker, Abdulmumin Jibrin, on Wednesday distributed cash and material gifts as part of an empowerment scheme to mark the 100 days of budget padding scandal.

Mr. Jibrin, who is currently serving a year suspension slammed on him by the House of Representatives, returned to his constituency in Kano on Wednesday, where he gave out items such as motorcycles and generators.

Other items distributed by Mr. Jibrin included sewing machines, grinding machines as well as scholarship package for about 1,000 pupils.

A statement from Mr. Jibrins media office said no fewer than 5,000 constituents benefitted from the scheme, which he hopes would help mitigate the effect of the economic recession on their households.

I have done many empowerment programmes before I ventured into politics, I continued when I was elected and I sustain the tempo despite my suspension.

This is a clear testimony that we hold our people dear to our heart irrespective of politics, the statement quoted Mr. Jibrin as saying.

Mr. Jibrin said he will not renege on his promise to remain a vocal voice against sharp practices in the Nigerian parliament.

The whistleblower was suspended for a year without pay on September 21 after being found guilty of ethics violations.

The suspension was the climax of months-long political and media battle he drove against Speaker Yakubu Dogara and other principal officers of the House.
The Paris Agreement to address climate change, adopted by world leaders in December 2015 at the Climate Conference in Paris (COP21), will officially enter into force on Friday.

According to a statement that was issued on Wednesday by the UN, the agreement would be reached before the opening of COP22 in Morocco, between November 7 and 18.

The entry into force of the Paris Agreement will mark the beginning of a new chapter for humankind and demonstrates that countries are serious about addressing climate change, the statement said.

It quoted the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon as saying: To commemorate this historic day for people and the planet, I have invited representatives of civil society groups to a conversation with me at the UN headquarters.

This meeting will provide civil society groups with the opportunity to share with me how their organisations will contribute to the objectives of the Paris Agreement, as well as their visions and concerns.

The strong international support for the Paris Agreement entering into force is a testament to the urgency for action, he said.

Mr. Ban said that it would reflect the consensus of governments that robust global cooperation, grounded in national action, is essential to meet the climate challenge. Now we must move from words to deeds and put Paris Agreement into action.

We need all hands on deck and every part of society must be mobilised to reduce emissions and help communities adapt to inevitable climate impacts.

The Agreement provides that it shall enter into force 30 days after 55 countries, representing 55 per cent of global emissions, have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance or accession with me, he said.

According to the statement, so far, 73 countries and the EU have joined the Agreement, exceeding the 55 per cent threshold for emissions.

Mr. Ban said that the requirements for entry into force were satisfied on October 6.

When Austria, Bolivia, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Malta, Nepal, Portugal and Slovakia, as well as the European Union, deposited their instruments of ratification with me.

These countries were the latest to join the Agreement, following New Zealand, India, and the 31 countries which joined on Sept. 21 during the General Assembly at a special event, he said.

In early September, the worlds two largest emitters, China and the U.S., joined the Paris Agreement, providing the impetus for other countries to quickly complete their domestic ratification or approval processes.

Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said: the entry into force bodes well for the urgent accelerated implementation of climate action.

It is now needed to realise a better, more secure world and to support also the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals, she said.

(PANA/NAN)
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has challenged the Nigerian government to take the rejection of the $30 billon (N9.61 trillion) loan request by the Senate as a challenge to review the recovery of the nations looted wealth.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr. Falana said the decision of the Senate to turn down the borrowing plan should spur investigation into the criminal diversion of billions of dollars from the Federation Account.

The Senate on Tuesday rejected Mr. Buharis request to borrow $29.9 billion as part of its external borrowing plan for 2016 to 2018, asking for all relevant documents to be submitted.

A few months ago, I had urged the Minister of Finance to embark on an aggressive recovery policy, said Mr. Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Apart from acknowledging the letter and assuring me that the letter was receiving attention no measure has been put in place to recover the looted wealth of the nation.

In frustration I was compelled to submit a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to recover the fund and prosecute the indicted individuals and corporate organisations.

Mr. Falana said his petition led to a former Central Bank governor demanding an apology for saying that he gave out a loan of $7 billion to 14 banks sometime in 2006.

Since he admitted that the money was a deposit and not a loan I rejected his demand for apology, he said.

More so that the $7 billion and the bailout of $4 billion given to the same banks in 2008 have not been refunded.

Curiously, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria has not demanded the repayment of the said sum of $11 billion from the banks.

The Senates rejection came despite the support of Nigerias Debt Management Office for an approval of the loan to help address the huge infrastructure deficit across the country.

But Mr. Falana insisted that if efforts were intensified to recover the billions of dollars looted or diverted from the Federation Account, the government would not need to plunge the nation into another toxic debt.

I have also just confirmed that one of telecommunication companies operating in the country recently engaged in money laundering and successfully but illegally transferred the sum of over $25 billion out of Nigeria, Mr. Falana said.

Since the Money Laundering Act, 2011, as amended, requires that the entire proceeds of the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government, it is hoped that the highly placed public individuals involved in the criminal enterprise will not compromise the interests of the nation this time around.
A coalition of civil society groups on Wednesday staged a peaceful rally in Ikeja, Lagos, in condemnation of the recent arrest of judges across Nigeria.

The Lagos protest occurs two days after a similar one in Abuja.

The Lagos rally organized under the banner of Civil Society Coalition for Good Governance also had in attendance groups like Activist for Good Governance, Women Progressive in Action, Human Rights Defenders Group and the Concerned Forum.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, a lawyer, Adeola Samuel, condemned the manner the judges were arrested.

It is highly condemnable, the way the executive arm of government has unleashed men of the Department of State Service on judges in the middle of the night. who now break into the homes to conduct illegal searches and make arrests without following due process and allowing the rule of law take it course, he said.

The seven senior judges were arrested on October 7 after officials of the State Security Service, SSS, raided their homes.

Accused of corruption, they are yet to be charged to court. However, the two Supreme Court judges among the seven have already stepped down pending the conclusion of investigation.

Mr. Adeola in his address to the media noted the coalitions support in governments fight against corruption but advised that due process be followed else the country is plunged into a dictatorship.

He alleged that the manner of arrest was a ploy to arm-twist the judiciary.

He said due process should be followed when judges are accused of corruption.


Scores of protesting Shiite members were dispersed by security operatives at the National Secretariat, Abuja, on Wednesday.

The protesters, members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, gathered at the federal secretariat, Abuja, to demand the release of their spiritual leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who was arrested by the Nigerian government last year.

The Shiite leader has been in detention without trial since over 300 of his followers were killed by soldiers, in December, who accused them of plotting to kill the army chief. The Shiites deny the charge.

On Wednesday, the protesters were heard chanting free our leader free El-Zakzaky.

However, not long after the protesters gathered at the secretariat, security operatives fired tear gas to disperse them.

Muttaqa Kumasi, a member of the group, said they were at the secretariat to demand Mr. El-Zakzakys release.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday commenced investigation into alleged violations of Fiscal Responsibility Act by the Bureau for Public Enterprises.

The House mandated its committee on privatisation and commercialisation as well as that of public accounts to inter-face with the BPE over the allegations and report back within a month. 

Tajudeen Abbas, a Kaduna lawmaker who moved the motion on Wednesday, said the BPE had questions to answer in the alleged breach of fiscal laws.

Mr. Abbas said the allegations include failure to provide audited accounts for the financial year 2012-2015 and non-remittance of its operating surplus of N81.8 million in 2007 in contravention of the law which mandates annual filings.

The action of the Bureau violated Section 22(1) and (2) of the Public Enterprises (Privatization and Commercialization) Act,1999 which compels the Bureau to keep proper accounts and cause them to be audited by auditors appointed from the list and in accordance with the guidelines supplied by the Auditor-General of the Federation, he said.

Mr. Abbas said a preliminary investigation of the BPE uncovered a lack of probity, transparency and accountability and therefore violated section 48(1) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 which imposes obligation on the Federal Government to ensure full and timely disclosure and wide publication of all transactions and decisions involving public revenues and expenditures and their implication for the finance of the federation.

The objectives for the establishment of the National Council on Privatization (NCP) and BPE to restructure, through commercialization and privatization, moribund and underperforming public utilities to benefit present and future generations of Nigerians could not be realized since the BPE has not kept regular financial records of its operations and can therefore not be trusted with overseeing the huge financial operations of commercialization and privatization of public enterprises.

The grievous breach of the law for many years by an essential government institution like the BPE has exposed the failure of the Auditor-General of the Federation to live up to his constitutional duties of auditing public accounts to ensure accountability, transparency and fiscal responsibility, he added.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday failed to discuss matters bordering on suspicious bank deposits detected after Nigerias adoption of the Bank Verification Number.

Lawmakers were expected to discuss billions of naira left unclaimed in Nigerian banks because their owners had failed to register a BVN or link to existing ones where appropriate.

But the House deferred the motion after its initiator Abubakar Amuda-Kannike failed to turn up at plenary.

In a prepared motion written by Amuda-Kannike, the House said some anti-corruption agencies recently uncovered billions in trapped funds due to the introduction of BVN.

In his submission, Mr. Amuda-Kannike prayed the House to compel the Central Bank of Nigeria to work with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to investigate the suspicious funds.

But Mr. Amuda-Kannikes absence stalled the deliberation and the potential consideration of his motion.

No new date was scheduled for a revisit.

Mr. Amuda-Kannike could not be reached for comments.

The BVN was introduced to the Nigerian banking system in 2014 as a way of checking terrorism financing and duplicitous ownership of bank accounts for fraud.
The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, said President Muhammadu Buhari would soon meet leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to address the problems in the party.

Mr. Okorocha, who is also the Chairman of Progressive Governors, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the House of Representatives.

He told journalists that he was in the House to discuss issues that affected the county and the party, and on how to unite party members and move the nation forward.

He said that members of the party were the foot soldiers that worked hard to actualise change, adding that change was, therefore, dear to them.

Mr. Okorocha assured that the APC would not fail and would remain the ruling party.

He, however, said that that the partys victory at the general elections had not been well managed, but stated that the gulf among angry members would be bridged.

The governor said that he had dialogued with the National Working Committee of the party, members in the Senate and House of Representatives and was certain that there would be light at the end of the tunnel.

He assured of the emergence of a brand new APC, which would support the president and governors to move the nation forward.

He denied that his visit was connected to the $30 billion loan request by the president, adding that if the relationship between the executive and legislature was cordial, all other things will fall into place.

(NAN)
The president of the Court of Appeal, Zainab Bulkachuwa, on Wednesday raised a new panel to hear all the appeals emanating from the leadership crisis in the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The PDP was plunged into a fresh crisis after the Independent National Electoral Commission accepted Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the party in the upcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

The decision effectively replaced Eyitayo Jegede as the partys candidate.

INECs decision followed the ruling of Okon Abang of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, which endorsed the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the party.

Mr. Ibrahim belongs to Sheriff-led faction of the party.

The decision was immediately challenged by the faction led by Ahmed Makarfi, whose candidate is Mr. Jegede.

The losing faction appealed the decision of Mr. Abang and the matter was slated for hearing at the Court of Appeal on Tuesday.

But the proceeding stalled after members of the panel recused themselves from the matter following allegations of bribery against them.

A petitioner, Biyi Poroye, accused the head of the panel, Jummai Sankey, of taking a N350 million bribe from Governor Segun Mimiko, who belongs to Mr. Makarfis faction.

In a letter with reference number PCA/Abuja/VII/2016, Justice Bulkachuwa named Justice Ibrahim Saulawa as chairman of the new panel.

The panel also has Justices Ignatius Agube and Godwin Mbaba as members.

A statement by the courts spokesperson, Saadatu Musa, said the panel will handle appeals by the PDP and Benson Akingboye and two others.

The panel will also handle appeals by Diri Adony, INEC and two others, Mr. Poroye and 10 others and the appeal by Clement Faboyede.

You are hereby empanelled to sit and determine the above appeals in Abuja Division expeditiously. Fixation of dates to be worked out with the presiding Justice of the Abuja Division, Mrs. Musa quoted Mrs. Bulkachuwa as saying in the letter.
A delegation of the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday visited the partys members detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The team, led by Mr. Makarfi, visited former ministers, Femi Fani-Kayode, Bala Mohammed, Musiliu Obanikoro and former presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati.

The detainees are accused of corruption, and each has been held for at least a week.

The PDP delegation also had the National Secretary, Ben Obi, National Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye, and the National Organising Secretary, Abdul Ningi.

They arrived the EFCC headquarters in Abuja at about 2:30p.m., a source at the commission said.

One source said the delegation encouraged all four detainees and expressed solidarity with them.

They assured all of them that the PDP family was solidly behind them and urged them to keep their heads held up high and remain strong.

The delegation also expressed happiness that the detainees were in high spirits.

Our sources said the four detainees expressed their gratitude to the delegation for the visit.
The trial of former Zamfara State governor, Ahmed Yerima, for alleged diversion of N1 billion was stalled on Wednesday flowing a request by the defence to study documents relating to the matter.

Mr. Yerima is facing a 19-count charge for alleged diversion of N1 billion, meant for the repair of a collapsed dam in the state and for compensation of the victims affected by the collapse.

He was arraigned at the Zamfara state High Court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences commission, ICPC.

A statement from the commissions spokesperson, Rashidat Okoduwa, said Mr. Yerimas lead counsel, Mahmud Magaji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told the court at the opening of session on Wednesday that he would need time to study documents brought forth by the prosecution.

The commission had on Wednesday presented its first witness against the defendant.

The request by Mr. Yerima was not objected by the prosecution.

The case was, therefore, adjourned till November 29 for continuation of trial.
The Bakassi Strike Force, a militant group in the Niger Delta, on Tuesday expressed a desire to lay down arms if the concerns of Bakassi returnees are addressed under a scheme midwife by international mediators.

A leader of BSF, Simply Benjamin, aka Humble Lion G1 in a telephone interview on Tuesday, said that the grievances of the group had nothing to do with vandalism of national asset.

He said it was regrettable that military authorities had killed several innocent people under the guise of fighting members of the militant group.

He urged the federal government to withdraw the military from his community as they were in the struggle for self-determination and posed no threat to national security.

Mr. Benjamin, who spoke from his camp in the creeks of Southern Cross River, said that unlike other militant groups, they had no record of destroying oil installations and were not involved in molesting innocent citizens.

He said that despite offering to work with the government to address the concerns of the Bakassi returnees, the military had been on his trail.

He said that his group had been agitating against the poor implementation of the Green Tree Agreement after Nigeria ceded Bakassi to Cameroon, which left Nigerian in the peninsular without proper resettlement.

Our grievance against the federal government has to do with the way Nigeria ceded our ancestral land to Cameroon without recourse to the feelings and rights of the people to self-determination.

Under the Green Tree agreement, there were steps to be taken to ensure that the fundamental rights of the returnees were protected but the government has not fulfilled its obligations under the agreement.

We have not resorted to destroying national asset(s) like other Niger Delta militants because it does not make sense, if we destroy assets that yield revenue, how will the federal government get money to fund the projects we yearn for? Mr. Benjamin said.

Meanwhile, the Joint Military Force deployed to the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe, said that it has degraded the capacity of the group and has ntensified operations to flush out members of the group.

The military said it raided several camps and shrines used by the militants and discovered over 25 decomposing human skulls and killed no fewer than 15 suspected members of the armed group in cross fire.

Olaolu Daudu, spokesman of the Joint Force, had in a statement said that troops raided the BSF camp on October 29.

Troops of Sector 4 deployed at Efut Esighi in Southern Cross River State during anti-militancy operation raided Efut Esighi forest and killed a notorious militant popularly known as Okon Iyo while he was trying to escape.

Similarly, troops discovered the dead body of one of the Bakassi Strike Force militant who was earlier engaged in Efut Esighi but escaped with gun injuries.

His body was seen in a bush close to the main road in Effionsa, Bakassi Local Government Area. Meanwhile, troops also raided the compound of a suspected member of Bakassi Strike Force; Mr Otobong Sunday Essien, at Road 27 Resettlement Center Bakassi.

A Motor Bike was recovered from his compound. In addition, troops intercepted a Passat wagon car owned by a suspected Bakassi Strike Force militant known as G1. He is the sentry Commander of the group, Mr. Daudu said.

He said that troops deployed at Ikang border while on patrol at Ikot Offing Ambai in Akpabuyo LGA in Cross River discovered militants shrine and also apprehended the Chief Priest of the group.
An Egor Magistrates Court, Benin, on Wednesday granted bail in the sum of N250,000 each to two accused persons for alleged rape of an 18-year-old girl.

The two accused persons, Kelvin Ogiede, 24, and Bamidele Ighele, 25, are facing a two-count charge bordering on rape.

The magistrate, Igho Braimoh, admitted them to bail after they pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Mrs. Braimoh ordered the accused persons to produce a surety each in like sum.

She said that the surety must be a civil servant on grade level 15 and above, and adjourned the case till December 7 for hearing.

Prosecutor Osayomwanbor Omoruyi had told the court that the accused persons committed the offence on October 23 at Ighoshodin Secondary School Area of Benin.

Mr. Omoruyi said that the accused persons conspired among themselves and unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the victim without her consent.

The offences contravened sections 516 and 358 of the Criminal Code.

(NAN)
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested Ibanga Akpabio, cousin to the former Akwa Ibom Governor, Godswill Akpabio, for his involvement in a N10 million oil scam.

He was arrested on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Mr. Akpabios arrest was occasioned by an allegation that he collected N10 million from a potential investor in petroleum products.

Specifically, Mr. Akpabio reportedly approached the investor to invest the money as an equity in the purchase of petroleum products directly from a floating station belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

He allegedly assured the investor that he had secured all necessary approvals for the running of the business.

Mr. Akpabio allegedly collected the money through a Diamond Bank account operated by Fastej Enterprises and neither kept faith with the business arrangements with the investor nor returned his money to him.

He is currently undergoing interrogation at the Port Harcourt Zonal office of the EFCC.
A former lecturer at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has painted a sordid picture of official corruption in the university.

Inih Ebong, an associate professor of theatre arts, says he has documents to prove that top management of the school, including a former vice chancellor, and several lecturers in the school were neck deep in corruption, but shielded from investigations and sanctions.

Mr. Ebong narrated to PREMIUM TIMES how a vice chancellor of the university once tried to force him to bend the rule to allow a student write examination in the theatre arts department, even when the student hadnt registered for one full session for his courses. Besides, he said, the student hadnt paid school fees, and had not been attending lectures.

Mr. Ebong said the student went away immediately he stopped him from entering the examination hall, and then hurriedly came back with a hand-written appeal letter, with an endorsement on it from a deputy vice chancellor.

HOD, Theatre Arts, please oblige. Our protocol officer brought this, and I have discussed the matter with the vice chancellor. the letter reportedly stated.

The incident happened in 2000 when Mr. Ebong was the head of the department.

That almost got me mad, said Mr. Ebong, who was well-known within the campus for his anti-corruption posture.

As the culprit was his student, Mr. Ebong apparently knew his academic history, and had noted him for truancy. Besides, the student admitted in his appeal letter that he wasnt able to register for the session, or attain lectures, Mr. Ebong claimed.

I said over my dead body, you are not going to write the examination until the rules that govern examinations have been changed.

Godfrey Essien, Uniuyos Director of Information, confirmed to this newspaper that the schools regulations forbid students from writing examinations if they didnt register for their courses at the beginning of the session.

After the incident, Mr. Ebong did a check on the students academic record and discovered that he still had about 54 outstanding credit hours in failed courses, which means he would have required extra two years to possibly finish his studies and graduate from the department.

I dont know (what happened thereafter). When they sent me out, they may have graduated him, he said of the case.

Mr. Ebong, who was trained at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the Michigan State University, U.S, and the University of Birmingham, U.K, said corruption in Uniuyo was very rampant and unlimited, and that he had to personally intervene in some cases where students were being exploited.

Take for instance, when candidates are looking for admission and people stay out there collecting money from them.

I have had to leave my office and went to NASU Secretariat inside the campus with a girl they collected money from and promised her admission in theatre arts. When I said show me the man who collected the money, they pointed at the man. I said bring that money now, otherwise I take you up. I said give it to the girl. I had done things like that.

His daughter, who was then an undergraduate student in the school, was also a victim of lecturers exploitation.

From the very first day she entered (the school) they gave three assignments and five books, call it celebrated handout that she must buy; every student must buy and read, otherwise you cant submit (your assignment).

And they had a coded way  when you pay to buy this, they give you a number. When you want to submit the assignment you must quote that number.

Mr. Ebong, being out of work, having been booted out of the school for being a thorn in the flesh of the authorities, was able to buy just one of the five books. When the daughter completed her assignments and the lecturers were unwilling to accept them, he approached the head of that department.

You know what the man told me? That I shouldnt have come by myself, I should have sent my daughter to come and see him.

I looked at him again and said I beg your pardon, I cant come and see you and talk about my daughter?

After much dribbling, I said give me these books  these so-called books  they have terminated my appointment, but Ill look for money and pay you so that she can do these assignments and submit. The man committed himself in writing. I have all those things in the house. In the end, my daughter was frustrated; they did not collect her assignments.

But Mr. Ebong didnt give up. He took an unusual approach to fight back for his daughters rights to education. He collected the three assignments from her and personally submitted them, with a covering letter to the university authorities.

The school didnt investigate the complaint, he said, and at the end his daughter abandoned Uniuyo, and with the advantage of her dual citizenship, she left Nigeria for the U.K where she made a first class in medical biochemistry and acquired a Ph.D before the age of 30. Besides her, another three of Mr. Ebongs children were frustrated out of Uniuyo, the former lecturer claimed.

Mr. Ebong, more than a decade after, is still in court, challenging the termination of his appointment. He is also pressing on with a 14-year-old libel suit against the university for publishing a disclaimer on him.

He said that people were unwilling to engage him in any other job because of the disclaimer, but that even without money he was not ready to give up the fight until he obtains justice against his former employer.

The last salary I collected was in July 2001. So, if I have not died, if I have not broken down since then, I dont think Im going to break down until justice has been done, he said.
Residents of Ekole Creek in Bayelsa on Wednesday reported a massive oil leak from an oil field operated by Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC, in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ekole Creek is around Agbura and Otuokpoti communities in Ogbia and Yenagoa local government areas respectively.

They said the spill resulting from the leak destroyed farmlands and aquatic lives in the communities.

The residents said that crude oil deposits from the spillage measured about five centimetre thick on the surface of the water.

The incident caused some of the residents to troop out to scoop the flowing crude oil.

A resident of Otuokpoti community, Cecilia Osain, said the spillage had negatively affected fishing activities in the river.

According to her, those who went fishing came back with no catch as the crude oil has scared the fish, crayfish and shrimps away into the high sea beyond the reach of artisanal fishermen.

Ms. Osain, who also scooped the crude, said bathing in the river is no longer safe for residents as those who did complained of itching all over their bodies.

She said that the community relied on the creek for drinking water and for domestic use.

Meanwhile, the people of Otuokpoti community have appealed to the government of Bayelsa to provide relief materials to ameliorate the plight of the people.

In a letter signed by their paramount ruler, Cousin Wongo, and Chairman, Community Development Committee, Simpson Isikpi, the community noted that the spillage polluted the entire river.

According to the letter, the incident has negatively affected the economic life of the people as the river serves as a major source of income to members of the community.

We cannot drink water, we cannot bathe in the river, our aquatic life such as fish and animals are dying.

We appeal to the relevant authorities to come to our aid, the letter read in part.

They also appealed for the immediate cleanup of the river to enable the people resume their fishing activities.

Speaking in the same vein, the spokesperson of the youth wing of the Ogbia Brotherhood, Lamawal Wilfred, called on operators of affected pipeline to send experts to ascertain the cause of the leak.

He urged NAOC to prevent further pollution of the river which serves as their major source of water.

When a NAN Correspondent visited the community, residents were seen scooping crude into containers, while the whole air was polluted by the gas from crude oil.

Officials of NAOC declined comments when contacted for comments.

Filippo Cotalinni, Media Relations Manager at Eni, parent company of NAOC has yet to respond to a request for comments on the incident.

(NAN)
The Minister for Power, Works, and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has appealed for patience as the ongoing rehabilitation along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway continues to bite hard on commuters.

During a phone call in response to a text message from a commuter worried about the traffic gridlock around the Arepo area of the expressway caused by the road repairs, Mr. Fashola said he had also sat in traffic for hours when he was a state governor.

PREMIUM TIMES could not ascertain the date Mr. Fashola made the phone call to the commuter.

I understand your concern, Mr. Fashola, who served as the governor of Lagos State between 2007 and 2015, was heard saying.

Excuse me, there was a time we closed the Third Mainland Bridge for almost three months. I sat in traffic as governor every day for three hours. There is nothing we can do. Unless you say we should stop the work. It is for your own benefit. We cant close the road, so we have to work. I understand what you are going through, I have been through it.

Construction giant, Julius Berger, had begun repairs and extension work at the Long Bridge end of the expressway about five months ago, demarcating the road into two and causing heavy vehicular traffic for commuters.

Mr. Fashola said he was hopeful the works would be finished by December.

That bridge can collapse, he said.

It hasnt been maintained in almost 50 years. All the bearings under the bridge should be changed every five years but they havent done it for 50 years. Now I am there, I say this is the opportunity, lets finish it, do it once and for all. This is going to cause a lot of pain, I understand that, but if you want to see some pleasure and prosperity, you must be ready to bear some pain too.

I wish I could close the road and do it quicker but I cant. The contractors too, I speak to them almost every day. All these text messages you send to me, I send it to them. And I dont want to be a nuisance because they have explained and explained to me.

Transcript of the phone conversation:

Man: Hello, Good afternoon.

Fashola: Good afternoon. My name is Fashola. You sent me a text.

Man: Sorry, which Fashola is this?

Fashola: My name is Tunde Fashola. You sent me a text.

Man: Ah! Yes, sir. It was in respect to the Arepo road, the long bridge.

Fashola: I have explained to you that we know what the problem is and we are doing what we can given the challenges that we face. So I would like to know from you if there is something else we can do that you know that we are not doing.

Man: Now, going to Lagos, the road has been divided into two and its causing heavy traffic. So I expect that by now that Berger should have cleared the road to make it passable to make it four-lane instead of the two-lane that we have. So once we have a breakdown on that two-lane, then the backlog of traffic will cause enormous traffic. Today, I spent two hours from Arepo to get to my office, and every day one begins to give excuse for

Fashola: Are you aware the reason why they have diverted the roads?

Man: Im aware, but they are not doing anything on that bridge again.

Fashola: Thats what you think, okay?

Man: But thats what I can see.

Fashola: That doesnt mean that no work is going (on) there. They cant close a road and demarcate a road, once they move to a project site they demarcate the project area. Some of the work is being done off-site. They cant open it and close it, construction doesnt work like that. That is the problem.

Man: But I think the security people  the police, the FRSC  should help. Its mad for us to spend hours in traffic, you have meetings you couldnt meet your meetings just because they are repairing a portion of the road. That is just my own concern.

Fashola: I understand your concern. Excuse me, there was a time we closed the Third Mainland bridge for almost three months. I sat in traffic as governor everyday for three hours. There is nothing we can do. Unless you say we should stop the work. It is for your own benefit. We cant close the road, so we have to work. I understand what you are going through, I have been through it.

Man: Today, for example, you see those danfo taking one-way and nobody can do anything about it.

Fashola: Excuse me. Thats not the fault of Julius Berger. Thats our own fault. If everybody is patient

Man: That is what Im saying. The FRSC can help in ensuring such doesnt happen

Fashola: We put FRSC there.

Man: Sir, whats the timeline that we are expecting that that road will be fully opened?

Fashola: We are hopeful that we will finish by December. That bridge can collapse. It hasnt been maintained in almost 50 years. All the bearings under the bridge should be changed every five years but they havent done it for 50 years. Now I am there, I say this is the opportunity, lets finish it, do it once and for all. This is going to cause a lot of pain, I understand that, but if you want to see some pleasure and prosperity, you must be ready to bear some pain too.

I wish I could close the road and do it quicker but I cant. The contractors too, I speak to them almost every day. All these text messages you send to me, I send it to them. And I dont want to be a nuisance because they have explained and explained to me.

Man: I was just frustrated this morning.

Fashola: Dont be frustrated. Try to understand it. Its an inconvenience. I dont like it either. If the road collapses Look, listen , you have to adjust your schedule. I adjusted my schedule as governor. I used to sit on that road from Western Avenue all the way to Alausa every day. We just have to be patient.

Man: Can they do some palliative repair on the other area, which they have done the other side where they sell cows, we used to pass the place the other side, the both ways if they can do some work there so that people can also

Fashola: If you see a problem where we can intervene text it to me.
Ogun State workers on Wednesday night suspended their two weeks old strike, after a prolonged meeting between the union leadership and the state government.

The meeting was, however, silent on the sack and suspension of labour leaders by the state government.

The meeting, which lasted for nine hours, took place at Governors Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ayuba Wabba, led the workers while Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, led the government team.

The governor was accompanied by his Deputy, Yetunde Onanuga; Head of Service, Sola Adeyemi; Secretary to State Government, Adeoluwa Taiwo; and Commissioner for Finance, Wale Osinowo.

The labour leader was accompanied by the President of the Trade Union Congress, TUC; and the head of the Joint Negotiating Council, JNC.

At the end of the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU was signed between both parties.

The signatories to the MOU from Labour include Biodun Olakanmi, Chairman Ogun JNC; Akeem Ambali, Chairman Ogun NLC; and Bunmi Fajobi, Chairman Ogun TUC. Government representatives who signed the MoU were Sola Adeyemi, Head of Service; and M. T. Dosunmu, Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Establishment and Training;

The 8-point communique agreed that the state should pay all deductions with the November 2016 salary, and release further salary deductions every 90 days. Also, as soon as the states revenue improves, outstanding deductions shall be paid on or before May 2017.

Other agreements include:

*Immediate offset of one year arrears of check off dues, outstanding gratuities to be offset with N200 million every other month effective from November 2016, a joint committee for both government and labour should be set up to look at issues of contributory pension scheme and submit the report to the government within 90 days.

*2015 promotion result to be released immediately, a joint committee on both government and labour should be set up to look into the issues of officers that have completed loan payments and whose money are still being deducted.

*Also officers that have completed loan repayment should be allowed to exit from the cooperative societies. Towards promoting industrial harmony, there should be instituted a quarterly meeting between the government and labour.

*Consequent upon the above, the two sides agreed that the ongoing strike action should be suspended and no worker will be victimized on account of the strike action.

Although the meeting was silent on the fate of the sacked 16 labour leaders including Mr. Ambali and the other 19 suspended staff, Governor Amosun indicated it would soon be resolved.

It is a family issue and will soon be resolved, the governor said when asked of the fate of the dismissed staff.
Most Distinguished

Leaders of Churches and Religious Communities

in the State of Israel

Participants of the

Interreligious debate

in the Centre for Dialogue and Prayer in Oswiecim

Eminencies and Excellencies!

Honourable Members of the Clergy!

Ladies and Gentlemen!

I was delighted to receive the news about the visit of such highly esteemed guests. Let me welcome You, honorable visitors on Polish soil, and in accordance with the tradition which is common to a number of religious denominations, I convey to You the wishes of peace. As it is peace - pax, irini, shalom, salam  which constitutes the basic precondition for the true development, in the sphere of spirituality and in other areas of life as well.

On 27 October 1986, in Assisi, in his historical address concluding the interreligious celebration of the World Day of Prayer for Peace, the Polish Pope, saint John Paul II remarked among others: The Challenge of peace, as it is presently posed to every human conscience, is the problem of a reasonable quality of life for all, the problem of survival for humanity, the problem of life and death. In the face of such a problem, two things seem to have supreme importance and both of them are common to us all. The first is the inner imperative of the moral conscience () the imperative to overcome selfishness, greed and the spirit of vengeance. The second common thing is the conviction that peace goes much beyond human efforts, particularly in the present plight of the world, and therefore that its source and realization is to be sought in that Reality beyond all of us.

These words resound particularly powerfully here, in the shadow of the German death camp KL Auschwitz. They acquire a special meaning for everyone who got to know the most recent history of my Homeland, for the one who has been to Poland and who has visited places connected with one of the biggest tragedies of the contemporary history which unfolded here more than 70 years ago. For Shoah and other German crimes against humanity were committed mainly here  in the land which for many centuries had been famous for its religious tolerance, on which catholic, orthodox and evangelical churches neighboured on each other. Just like Jewish synagogues, Karaite kenesas

and Tatar mosques. It happened within the borders of our Republic of Friends, in a country where representatives of a vast number of nations could freely cultivate their languages and traditions.

In a country where the Jewish diaspora established one of its largest communities in history and to which it referred as Polin (which means you will rest here). In a country which had freedom of conscience enshrined in its most prominent legislative acts for hundreds of years. Surely that was the reason why it was precisely here that back in the 1940s, on the occupied territory of the Republic of Poland, Nazi Germany embarked upon methodical extermination of Jews.

It was here that death factories were set up which killed also Poles and other Slavs, the Roma and the Sinti, representatives of those nationalities and social groups who were denied all any rights by the Nazis, including the right to live. It was here that thousands of Poles were executed, who, just like the Ulma Family, were saving their Jewish co-citizens from extermination. It was here, on this soil, that the German invaders trampled not only on the legacy of the European Christianity, but also on the most fundamental, ethical values common for the entire humanity.

I consider our today`s meeting in the Centre for Dialogue and Prayer in Oswiecim a momentous and symbolic act of resistance against the immensity of evil done here, and against all ideologies which try to justify that evil. Still, I believe that the slogan of the debate, which refers to maintaining historical remembrance, should take our thoughts beyond the terror of World War II. During your several-days-long stay in Poland Your Excellencies had an opportunity to get acquainted with a longer history of the Polish-Jewish community, going all the way back to the 10th century, as well as its contemporariness, its reviving social and cultural life.

Poland, who this year proudly celebrates its 1050th anniversary of baptism and inclusion into the mainstream of Christian civilization, has always respected and liked and will continue to respect and like all those who are supportive of the ideas which constitute a moral foundation of our country, predominantly such as: the Polish ethos of freedom and solidarity, respect for the inherent rights and dignity of every man and the universal norms of the Decalogue.

Your Excellencies, please accept wishes of a fruitful and inspiring debate. May the impressions from your stay in Poland be unforgettable.

Best Regards,

President of the Republic of Poland

Andrzej Duda
The Atlantic City Metropolitan Businesses and Citizens Association honored one of the cornerstones of the citys business community Tuesday, presenting the Dougherty family with its Community Spirit Award at its 26th annual awards gala.

The Doughertys own Docks Oyster House, the Knife and Fork Inn and Harrys Oyster Bar.

Frank Dougherty said the family has always tried to do everything they could to support Atlantic City, and they rely on the MBCA.

Its the organizations like the MBCA and the Chamber of Commerce that put this community spirit together, and I think Atlantic City is really well known for its community spirit. he said.

The event attracted hundreds from the citys business community to the Palladium Ballroom at Caesars.

Gary Hill, executive director of the MBCA, said the organization chose the Doughertys for their deep commitment to the city.

This is a business salute, he said. Theyve been great members of the community.

Mayor Don Guardian, less than two hours after receiving news that the state had rejected the citys plan to fix its finances, still found the sense of humor to crack a joke as he introduced the associations new board, which was sworn in Tuesday.

Its good to take a break in the war to join you today, he said, referencing his comments Monday as the citys battle against the state as its Revolutionary War.
NORTH WILDWOOD  The Great NorEaster is taking a pounding these days.

Moreys Piers, the owners of one of the Wildwoods signature attractions, have brought in a crew to tear apart much of the 2,100-foot-long roller coaster piece by piece. But the workers are only doing that to rebuild the coaster in time for next summer in a $5 million project.

The job involves a 250 ton-capacity crane that dwarfs basically everything else around it. An official with Thackray Crane Rental, the Philadelphia-based company that owns the crane, said it can stretch up to 290 feet high. That makes it far taller than the 156-foot-high Giant Wheel on Moreys nearby Mariners Pier, which normally dominates the Boardwalk skyline.

Its not a quiet job, either. The crew comes from Vekoma, the Dutch company that made and installed the Great NorEaster in 1995. And to take that metal monster apart piece by piece, the workers have spent the past few weeks using everything from power tools to sledgehammers to cutting torches to their own hands.

And on an otherwise hushed November morning on the Boardwalk, there are times when you can hear the job going on from blocks away.

Tom Ostrander, Moreys safety director, said the purpose of the project is pretty simple:

Were trying to create a smoother ride, he said early Wednesday morning as the sun rose over Surfside Pier, the home of the Great NorEaster.

The job also involves updating the 21-year-old coaster, he said, adding that sections of track and frame waiting to be added to the ride are laid out now on the beach around Surfside Pier. Pieces that have been taken off and arent going back are in a staging area around the old Hunts Pier, now owned by the Morey family.

Any project on this scale naturally draws curiosity, and Cappy Capacchione and his crew of morning bike-riding buddies have been watching the job since it started last month.

You should have seen what it took them just to get that crane into position, said Cappacchione, who figures he rides past the pier every morning and passes regularly in his job as operations director for the Wildwoods Boardwalk Special Improvement District.

Watching that machine work is just spectacular, he said.

Sean McDermott has been an occasional spectator in his job, too, as a carpenter for the city of North Wildwood. But he also spent 15 years as a carpenter on Moreys Piers, and he remembers working on the footings for the Great NorEaster back when it was being built. He said even the little pieces of the coaster arent so little.

Some of the bolts were 4 feet long and 2 inches in diameter, he said Wednesday on the Boardwalk outside the pier.

Members of the work crew didnt want to talk about the project, but they reportedly speak in varying combinations of Dutch, German, Polish and English. Theyre also regulars for breakfast at the Key West Cafe in Wildwood, where co-owner Jackie Mikulski said theyve been a hit with lots of the other customers for the past few weeks.
A serial cheater at Atlantic City casino games is not getting out of prison anytime soon.

A state appellate court Tuesday rejected Derek Betheas appeal of a 17-year sentence he received for swindling and cheating at craps tables at Borgata Casino Hotel & Spa, Resorts Casino Hotel and the former Revel in August 2013.

Atlantic City man arrested for burglary on Boardwalk ATLANTIC CITY  A burglary suspect was arrested Wednesday after a police officer saw him dis

In each instance, defendant waited for the craps dealer to become distracted and then placed his bet after the winning number was called, the court said in its ruling.

Bethea, 60, also was convicted in 2001 and 2005 for similar crimes.

He was out of prison for about a month before trying to cheat at Borgata on Aug. 15, 2013, when he placed a $1,100 bet at a craps table after the winning number came out, the court said. After an argument with the dealer, he collected his money but was charged the next day.

Two weeks later, Bethea tried a similar scam and placed a $505 bet at Resorts. He was charged again. The next day, he tried the scam with a $240 bet at the former Revel casino.

Among his appeals that the court rejected Tuesday was that the trial court should not have allowed evidence from his 2005 conviction. He also argued the 17-year sentence was excessive.

But the appellate court said Betheas history demonstrated evidence of intent, knowledge and absence of mistake.

Bethea represented himself at trial with assistance of stand-by counsel from the public defenders office.

In sentencing, the court also noted defendants five contempt charges during his trial, ignoring the courts directions, and obstructing proceedings to the extent that jurors had to be removed on four occasions to maintain order, according to the appellate courts decision.

He is eligible for parole in February 2021.
MILLVILLE  Seventy-five years later, those who fought in World War II and other conflicts will gather at the site of the nations first defense airfield to pay tribute to all veterans.

The Millville Army Air Field Museum will hold its 15th annual Veterans Appreciation Day at the museum Saturday near the Millville Executive Airport. This years event not only pays tribute to the veterans but also to the history of an airfield, where 10,000 servicemen trained, many in the P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft.

The event includes a dedication of a stone marker honoring the airfields 75th anniversary. That stone, delivered to the museum Monday, will be placed near the airfields original flagpole, which is still in use, said Lisa Jester, the museums executive director. The airfields 1941 commemorative monument and one marking its 50th anniversary eventually will be moved to that site, she said.

The museum is proud to salute Americas veterans of all wars at our unique commemorative ceremony at Millville Airport, said Robert Trivellini, the museums vice president and educational coordinator. This year, we are especially honored to recognize the important history of  Americas first defense airport.

Charles Osborne, a P-47 pilot who trained at the airfield in 1944, will be the guest speaker Saturday. The Laurel Springs, Camden County, resident flew 26 combat missions in Europe.

This is a very special presentation for all of our veterans and guests, Trivellini said.

Osbornes oral presentation is part of a continuing effort by the museum to record and film the experiences of veterans who served in all American conflicts. The museum has done about 115 such interviews, many of which are on file at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

Much of the interview work is done by Millville High School students.

Some of those students, with Rowan University history professor Chanelle Rose, who is working with the student interviewers, will be at Saturdays event to discuss the program.

That program got a significant bump through a $10,000 grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, Trivellini said. The money is paying for professional editing of the veterans interviews, he said.

It is much easier than doing it in the classroom, he said.

Some interviews last about an hour, Trivellini said. Plans include installing kiosks with iPads placed throughout the museum, he said. Visitors may watch excerpts from those interviews and other informational material on the iPads as they roam the museum, he said.

Students on Saturday will wear uniforms and perform songs and dances of the World War II-period, said Joan Legg, the museums student program coordinator. They will give readings at the commemoration ceremony and take oral histories, she said.

We are always excited to have students from the Millville public schools and the Cumberland Civil Air Patrol help entertain the troops, she said. Many of the student participants return each year to carry on the tradition of re-enacting life at Americas first defense airport.
From the rhetoric, Gov. Christie has long indicated his desire for Atlantic City to fail. Despite many observers examining this plan and recognizing the important milestone, the state takeover was inevitable because it was the governors will.

Brigid Harrison

Professor of political science and law at Montclair State University

There is no doubt that Chris Christie was involved in the decision. Its too big an issue for him to sit on the sideline. But it also appears that DCA has a clear and rational case for arguing for a state takeover. My guess on what happens next is A.C. starts complaining and then we head to court.

Matthew Hale

Associate professor of political science and public affairs at Seton Hall University(tncms-asset)a2864552-a075-11e6-a340-00163ec2aa77(/tncms-asset)

Taxpayers better now beware. State takeovers of school districts have been disastrous. The administration needs to immediately detail whether a takeover would cost taxpayer money and how much. It must also detail whether it will push a property-tax hike upon Atlantic City residents that the citys plan showed was unnecessary.

Vincent Prieto

Assembly speaker

Todays announcement means that a state takeover is still in the cards. That would be a profoundly undemocratic scheme, one that puts corporate interests over people and uses the citys financial crisis to seize control over its most valuable asset: the municipal water system.

If a takeover goes through, the citys water system would most likely be handed over to a private corporation with ties to Governor Christie and Senate president Steve Sweeney. The city would lose jobs, and residents would pay more for an essential public service.

Lena Smith

Food & Water Watch organizer

For businesses and development to continue to grow in Atlantic City  which we all want, for jobs, for economic development, for residential development  we need to be united. And this is not a time for the state to be fighting or separate from Atlantic City.

Gary Hill

Executive director of the Metropolitan Business and Citizens Association

They think they have a better plan, but nobody knows what that is. I cant wait to hear what it is.

Frank Formica

Atlantic County freeholder director

Its a shame after 30 years of failed local leadership, five years of failed state oversight, two summits and spending over $2 million in taxpayers money for expert reports, the states answer is to reject the only plan prepared in 30 years and simply hand over the keys of the city to outside special interests with no plan of its own, no transparency and no leadership.

Chris Brown

Assemblyman R-Atlantic

No plan can be perfect, as Atlantic City and our region are facing unprecedented fiscal challenges, and despite the outcome, we must now focus on the mission at hand  rebuilding Atlantic City to be financially stable long term.

Vince Mazzeo

Assemblyman D-Atlantic

If the city and state can get together, that would be great. Second, everyone agrees that we have to control city costs and we have to live within our means. The next step, if we get that stability and predictability of a plan  and the sooner it gets implemented the better  that lets us continue  the process of diversifying the marketplace and attracting new investment.

Joe Kelly

President of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber

The ACEA is concerned that the vaguely written referendum questions would allow the state to have full authority over the consequences in Atlantic City.

Marcia Genova

Atlantic City Education Association president(tncms-asset)3da14276-9d33-11e6-b661-00163ec2aa77(/tncms-asset)

Commissioner Richmans decision is disappointing for Atlantic City residents and taxpayers, but it reflects the failure of City leadership on this issue. ... The City needs to recognize the reality that some painful decisions need to be made, get back to the table with DCA and come up with a real plan. We all share the same goal of doing everything we can to avoid a state takeover.

Jim Whelan

State Senator, D-Atlantic
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account.
The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection has been dishonest in its efforts to allow the use of steel leghold traps to catch animals even though theyre banned under state law. Last week a state Appellate Court added another layer of dishonesty in this scheme to thwart the will of N.J. residents as a favor to a small number of animal trappers.

Traps with metal jaws that snap shut on an animals leg were banned in 1984, and a prior Republican administration declared the ban unambiguous, absolute and not avoidable by technical modifications. The traps can break the bones of animals, which sometimes chew off their legs to escape or just suffer for days waiting for a trapper to return.

At the request of trappers  who number 1,200 in the state and make an average of $480 a year selling the fur of animals they kill  the DEP decided to push a view that the leghold trap ban is ambiguous and avoidable by technical modifications. The big modification: Instead of springing when an animal steps on it, the trap snaps when an animal sticks a paw in to get at a piece of bait.

To make the trap seem more acceptable, the DEP marketed this reach-in leghold trap as a foothold trap. That is simply dishonest. To start with, the leg is the entire limb of the animal, so its still a leghold trap. And steel jaws wont hold an animal unless theyre clamped behind the joint of the foot, so calling it a foothold trap is intentionally misleading.

To its credit, the Superior Court Appellate Division calls the modified traps what they are: leghold traps. And it acknowledges the vigorous opposition received during the public -comment period, with 899 citizens opposing the DEP proposal and those in support apparently too few to mention.

But then the court makes a preposterous assertion about the meaning of the word jaws to find a way to side with the DEP against the people of the state.

In their decision, the judges start by saying theres no need to worry about the intent of the Legislatures ban on steel-jaw leghold traps because the statutes language is clear and unambiguous. Then it decides that the modified steel traps do not operate as jaws, having only one part that moves.

This astonishing definition of jaws rejects the origin of the word and would mean that the jaws of every animal  including those of judges  arent actually jaws because only the bottom half of the jaw moves to hold, crush or chew something.

This ridiculous attempt to ignore the ban on steel-jaw leghold traps is being made simply for the convenience of a small number of people making money off of the publics natural resources. Trappers for three decades have continued to kill and skin animals by catching them in live traps, which enclose the whole animal painlessly. Being bigger, they are less convenient to transport.

The return of steel-jaw leghold traps will result again in much other wildlife, some possibly protected, being caught in the traps. And while the DEP boasts that dogs wont get grabbed by the modified traps, cats will.

A resolution to stop the DEPs return of leghold traps already has passed the state Assembly. The Senate should pass it and the governor should sign it soon to reassert the publics desire that New Jersey be free of these cruel traps.
AP bias against Trump obvious

The Oct. 20 Associated Press article on the final debate is an example that proves Donald Trump is right that the media is biased against him. The tone of this piece was pro-Hillary Clinton. A couple of examples:

The two women who wrote the article declared that Trump misrepresented Clintons immigration policy when he said that she is for open borders. It is documented in her speech to Brazilian bankers that her dream is open borders. Was she lying then, or now?

In the last paragraph, the AP writers completely white washed what leaked emails have suggested was a quid-pro-quo deal requested by the State Department to have the FBI change an email (from Clintons private server) from classified to not classified.

But the bigger picture begs the question: Why are these so-called journalists injecting their own opinions? This was not an op-ed piece. It was a coverage story that requires unbiased reporting.

I believe that this blatant spin, which has permeated media coverage, is a very substantial factor in the high viewership of the debates. People want to see and hear for themselves because they have lost trust in the media.

Kathleen F. Pendlebury

Cape May Court House

WikiLeaks partisan, not credible

Julian Assange hates the United States. His rumor machine, WikiLeaks, spews mountains of reportedly hacked email communications. These communications are largely unsubstantiated.

The unsubstantiated material of late mostly concerns Hillary Clinton and the Democrats. Are we to believe the master of the Twitterverse, Donald Trump, and members of his organization have never communicated via email? Hard to imagine. Havent seen anything purportedly written by them, except Trumps Twitter rants.

So on the face of it, Assanges organization, based in Russia, is selectively targeting Clinton.

These hacked emails were private communications among individuals. They were not set out as public declarations. They are stolen property. There is no editorial oversight as to their integrity and authenticity. What kind of reporting utilizes stolen, possibly distorted information as factual? Assanges site should be called Wacky-leaks.

Jim McManus

Ocean City

Uneven standards for politicians

While Jackie was away, Jack would play. The Secret Service sneaked women into the White House for John F. Kennedys naked frolics in the White House pool. Rumors were rampant regarding his dangerous liaisons with a certain blond movie star. Bill Clinton was accused of numerous sexual assaults, finally being impeached for lying about having sex with a 22-year-old intern. And it was all wink, wink, nod, nod, nudge, nudge with the media and the adoring public.

People and pundits asked, what did it matter what was done in private if the man was doing a good job as president?

Now theres an audiotape of Donald Trump talking trash, and the media is all over it. Suddenly words have made him unfit to be president. But Hillary Clintons corrupt dealings, lying, enabling her predator husband, quid pro quo shenanigans while working for us are ignored.

Just like Hillary is getting an amazing pass from the Justice Department and the FBI, those past presidents got a pass from the liberal media.

Double standards? Media bias? Democratic corruption?

I am no Trump supporter, but this is truly dangerous to democracy. God help us all.

Gloria J. Moyer

Egg Harbor Township

Thinks the worst of Trump

I believe there is a higher being than man; for me its God.

I dont think Donald Trump really believes that. When Trump was on that bus with Billy Bush and said those words about women, kissing and groping them, those words came out of his own mouth, and he got off the bus. If people didnt hear him and see him get off the bus, Trump would have denied them.

Trump was 59 years old at the time, not a young boy. He probably has been doing things like this for 70 years. I think there are a lot more women he does these things to when nobody else is around. Their word against his, hes a star.

Hes being brought down by a woman, Hillary Clinton, for the whole world to see.

The world is seeing just what kind of man he is.

Juanita Hooper

Atlantic City
For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME.

Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire.

Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III.





to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever.





Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation.





View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union.

Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history.

Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words.




KERALA, India, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Arjuna establishes new food ingredient division

Arjuna Natural Extracts Ltd. launches X-tend, its natural preservatives range that keeps food fresh and increases shelf life. X-tend addresses three major food trends: natural, clean label and food safety. Arjuna opened a new food technology division at the company's Cochin R&D facilities in the south of India's Kerala State to serve food and beverage companies in addition to its established nutraceuticals clients. The company will launch the new line at Gulfood Manufacturing, Dubai, stand #S-B3.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435237 )



The new line consists of distinctive formulations of proprietary blends of essential oils and oleoresins. Arjuna's R&D team identified a unique selection of botanical extracts possessing antimicrobial activity and comprehensively tested them in multiple food and beverage applications. The sensory profiles indicated no change in taste or mouthfeel.

"Consumers' growing demand for food free from preservatives directly influence food manufacturers' and retailers' decisions in developing and marketing new products," says Benny Antony, PhD, Joint Managing Director for Arjuna. "Millennials, especially, are actively seeking safe foods without artificial ingredients. New product developers can help ensure success by focusing on clean labels. Consumers want natural, healthy products and our mission is to make it happen, and at the same time to guarantee food safety."

Arjuna's R&D team developed a range of natural preservatives that do not change the organoleptic properties of food and beverage products such as bread, yoghurt, cheese sausage, humus, mayonnaise and vegetable oils, fruit juices, and fruit pulp. The company's ingredient scientists combine herbal extracts used in traditional medicine with methods of fermentation for bacteriocins, in concert with advanced technologies, such as microencapsulation and emulsification.

"Consumers are not aware that a lot of fruit-based drinks are susceptible to oxidation and microbial degradation," explains Antony. "Drinking fresh fruit and vegetable drinks, or enjoying healthful and nutritious snacks like hummus spread that are refrigerated without preservatives could be dangerous to health. These products are highly sensitive to oxidation and contamination. Many such products currently on the market rely on synthetic preservatives to protect them."

Arjuna's natural antimicrobial system is made from a combination of natural antifungal and antibacterial components isolated from spices, herbs and bacteriocins. They are targeted specifically to address the spoilage issue in fresh foods and beverages, and improve shelf life naturally. Spices and herbs that are recognized as having proven antimicrobial properties are currently in demand in the food industry. Research has shown that combining select natural antimicrobials can have a synergistic effect, making them more effective than single components.

Visit us at Gulfood Manufacturing, Dubai, booth #S-B3 and Hi Europe, Frankfurt, booth #C29

For further information, please contact:

Company contact

Arjuna Natural Extracts Ltd.

Benny Antony, PhD

Joint Managing Director

Email: benny@arjunanatural.com

Website: http://www.arjunanatural.com

Website: http://www.bcm95.com



Press Contact

NutriPR

Liat Simha

Tel: +972-9-9742893

E-mail: liat@nutripr.com

Website: http://www.nutripr.com

Twitter: @LiatSimha



SOURCE Arjuna Natural Extracts Ltd.
CARDIFF, Wales, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The Director-General of the BBC, Tony Hall, officially opened the enhanced creative industries campus of the University of South Wales on November 1.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435425 )



(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435426 )



(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435427 )



After meeting students, staff, and creative economy leaders, Lord Hall of Birkenhead unveiled the plaque at the USW Cardiff Campus, in the heart of Cardiff's growing creative industries zone between Pinewood, the Roath Lock drama village, and the new BBC Wales HQ in the city centre.

Lord Hall announced the creation of new Fellowships at USW for senior BBC leaders, who will lecture at the University and host USW students at BBC headquarters across the UK.

Speaking in an evening ceremony after receiving an Honorary Doctorate of the University, Tony Hall said: "Our BBC Fellows at USW will be drawn from many different areas of specialism - in journalism, leadership, radio, TV and digital media - and they will all represent the brightest and best of the BBC. Over time, I hope they will provide students here with a real insight into a complex media world and how our biggest broadcasters are adapting at a time of unprecedented flux and change."

The development is home to USW's Faculty of Creative Industries, replicating industry workplaces across the creative sector to provide students with professional dance studios, broadcast film and TV studios, photography studios, drama theatre spaces, animation renderfarm, and music recording studios.

Jane McCloskey, USW's Dean of the Faculty of Creative Industries, said: "Our aim is for our USW Cardiff Campus to grow as a powerhouse for growth and creativity.

"We're providing a pipeline of creative talent. We do this through teaching by professionals who work in their industries. We do it through placements with our partners in the creative economy, from film studios to animation start-ups, and we do it in the most innovative professional simulation facilities. We're opening the doors to industry professionals to work with the next generation of emerging talent."

Professor Julie Lydon, USW Vice-Chancellor, said: "The campus and these Fellowships reflect USW's focus on the workplace. That vocational emphasis on careers is something that's in our DNA, and we're proud of it.

"Whether our graduates are winning Oscars for their documentaries, growing start-up businesses, publishing books, recording albums - and we're proud that they do all of those things - they're adding both to our economy and to the society around us."

NOTES:

Image Captions 01 - BBC Director-General Tony Hall receives an Honorary Doctorate from the University of South Wales 02 - BBC Director-General Tony Hall talks to drama students at the University of South Wales 03 - BBC Director-General Tony Hall with Vice-Chancellor Julie Lydon and students from the University of South Wales

For more information, interviews or multimedia content, please contact the USW Corporate Communications team on 01443 483362 or email press@southwales.ac.uk

University of South Wales : With more than 30,000 students the University of South Wales (USW) is a major player in UK higher education. USW students voted the university as one of the top 10 UK universities at the WhatUni? Student Choice Awards 2016.

One of the top ten campus universities in the UK by student number, it attracts a cosmopolitan mix of students from over 120 countries and all backgrounds. Within the United Kingdom, USW is unique in the breadth of its role, encompassing a modern university and two subsidiaries in Wales's national conservatoire, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and The College Merthyr Tydfil.

With campuses in Cardiff, Pontypridd and Newport, the University is renowned for its partnerships with major employers, from British Airways to the National Health Service. Its relationship with employers as a leading university for careers is reflected in the high employment rate of its graduates, with 94% of students in employment or further study within six months of graduating.

USW is a powerhouse in applied research used to shape major decisions. As a major public policy think-tank, it offers independent advice to government, industry and employers across the UK on health, education, economic growth, social policy, and governance.

SOURCE University of South Wales
BRUSSELS, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Both Companies pool Their Expertise to Provide Service Continuity for Mobile Data and Voice Services

BICS, a global wholesale carrier for voice, mobile data and capacity services, today announced the launch of its on-demand connectivity solution for African telecom operators, in partnership with Eutelsat, a world-leading satellite operator. Using BICS' RouteFlex, the joint solution allows mobile operators and service providers to raise the bar of network availability and manage surges in bandwidth needs in challenging environments.

Robust back-up capacity is vital in countries where geographic and environmental conditions can jeopardise quality data and voice services. Being able to ensure the provision of high-quality services distinguishes operators from the competition. With RouteFlex, BICS has put business continuity at the heart of its offering to telcos with a system that automatically detects anomalies and reroutes critical traffic through the best available path.

The new solution offered by BICS and Eutelsat will enable telecom operators to offer their end users access to consistent, cost-effective and high-quality services at all times, even in the event of a terrestrial network outage. It achieves this by combining C-band capacity on the EUTELSAT 8 West B satellite with the BICS' teleport in La Ciotat, France, its IP transit global network and an automated on-demand solution for IP traffic. The resulting service comes in three product variations: open community, closed community and occasional use.

"Through this new agreement with BICS, the pan-African footprint of our EUTELSAT 8 West B satellite will step in to provide business continuity for telecom operators and service providers in challenging environments," said Michel Azibert, Eutelsat Chief Commercial and Development Officer. "Together we are committed to ensuring end-user satisfaction, and this cost-effective, unique on-demand solution will automatically secure customer traffic to protect their services and reputation for Quality of Service."

"BICS is dedicated to supporting customers across the African continent, particularly the 30% of countries that are landlocked and often depend on poor terrestrial connectivity", said Johan Wouters, VP Capacity Business Unit, Operations and Customer Services at BICS. "In countries with limited access to submarine cables, which are often prone to damage or incidents, RouteFlex can also change the way operators use satellite to back up their services."

Ends

About Eutelsat Communications



Established in 1977, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading and most experienced operators of satellite communications. The company provides capacity on 38 satellites to clients that include broadcasters and broadcasting associations, pay-TV operators, video, data and Internet service providers, enterprises and government agencies. Eutelsat's satellites provide ubiquitous coverage of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, enabling video, data, broadband and government communications to be established irrespective of a user's location. Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat represents a workforce of 1,000 men and women from 37 countries who are experts in their fields and work with clients to deliver the highest quality of service.

For more about Eutelsat please visit www.eutelsat.com

Press Vanessa O'Connor Tel: + 33 1 53 98 37 91 voconnor@eutelsat.com Marie-Sophie Ecuer Tel: + 33 1 53 98 37 91 mecuer@eutelsat.com Investors and analysts Joanna Darlington Tel. : +33 1 53 98 35 30 jdarlington@eutelsat.com Cedric Pugni Tel. : +33 1 53 98 35 30 cpugni@eutelsat.com

About BICS

BICS is recognized in the wholesale communications market as a top global voice carrier and the leading provider of mobile data services. We aim at bridging the telecom world with the new unconventional communication providers worldwide.

Our innovative suite of solutions for Voice, Messaging, Data & Connectivity, Business Intelligence & Analytics, Fraud & Security, Roaming, MVNE and Asset Monetization, are designed to bring value to our customers' businesses.

BICS is headquartered in Brussels with regional offices in Bern, Dubai, Madrid, New York, San Francisco and Singapore. We also have a satellite office in Beijing and local representation in Accra, Cape Town, Miami, Montevideo, Quito, Nairobi and Toronto.

For more information visit www.bics.com

SOURCE BICS
MONTREAL, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Boralex Inc. ("Boralex" or the "Corporation") confirms it will be exercising its option (the "Option") to acquire a 25% economic interest in the 230MW Niagara Region wind farm in which Enercon Canada Inc. ("Enercon") is the majority owner. The signature of the Option was previously announced by the Corporation on June 8, 2015.

The closing and pricing of the project financing was announced today by Enercon and based on the final terms contained therein, Boralex has determined that all conditions related to the Option have been met. Boralex and Enercon have agreed that the exercise of the Option would take place on or before December 31, 2016, subject to the parties successfully negotiating and entering into definitive agreements and fulfilling the closing conditions to be contained therein.

About Boralex

Boralex develops, builds and operates renewable energy power facilities in Canada, France and the United States. A leader in the Canadian market and France's largest independent producer of onshore wind power, the Corporation is recognized for its solid experience in optimizing its asset base in four power generation types - wind, hydroelectric, thermal and solar. Boralex ensures sustained growth by leveraging the expertise and diversification developed over the past 25 years. Boralex's shares and convertible debentures are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols BLX and BLX.DB.A, respectively. More information is available at http://www.boralex.com or http://www.sedar.com.

Caution regarding forward-looking statements

Some of the statements contained in this press release, including those regarding future results and performance, are forward-looking statements based on current expectations, within the meaning of securities legislation. Boralex would like to point out that, by their very nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties such that its results or the measures it adopts could differ materially from those indicated by or underlying these statements, or could have an impact on the degree of realization of a particular projection. The main factors that could lead to a material difference between the Corporation's actual results and the projections or expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the general impact of economic conditions, currency fluctuations, volatility in the selling price of energy, the Corporation's financing capacity, negative changes in general market conditions and regulations affecting the industry, raw material price increases and availability, as well as other factors discussed in the Corporation's filings with the various securities commissions.

Unless otherwise specified by the Corporation, the forward-looking statements do not take into account the possible impact on its activities, transactions, non-recurring items or other exceptional items announced or occurring after the statements are made.

There can be no assurance as to the materialization of the results, performance or achievements as expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Unless required to do so under applicable securities legislation, Boralex management does not assume any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or other changes.

Media, Julie Cusson, Director, Public Affairs and Communications, Boralex Inc., 514-985-1353, julie.cusson@boralex.com; Investors, Marc Jasmin, Director, Investor Relations, Boralex Inc., 514-284-9868, marc.jasmin@boralex.com

SOURCE Boralex Inc.
HARARE, Zimbabwe, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Circ MedTech Ltd., manufacturer of PrePex[TM] - the world's only non-surgical male circumcision device - donated three Mobile Clinics to the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care with the aim to support the scale-up of Male Circumcision programs, as part of Zimbabwe's HIV Prevention strategy.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/434953 )



The donation came after the PrePex device was recognized by the Tech Awards as being a technology that benefits humanity and the company was awarded a US$50,000 prize.

At the handover ceremony, Mr. Eddy Horowitz, CEO, Circ MedTech said: "A mobile clinic is a sustainable and cost-effective tool that enables the healthcare system to reach men in remote areas - quickly and efficiently. As a token of our appreciation to the Zimbabwe national effort and to the growing partnership between Circ MedTech and the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health, we have decided to contribute three caravans that will serve as Mobile Clinics, offering PrePex and other HIV prevention services to populations in the rural areas of Zimbabwe."

Holding the PrePex device in his hand, Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. David Parirenyatwa said: "I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Circ MedTech team for this invaluable donation to the National Circumcision program through these three state-of-the-art caravans. Let's continue to strive for excellence in all the activities we are doing so that, by 2030, we can all reflect and be proud that we made a difference in our time and turned the tide of the HIV epidemic in this country."

Zimbabwe launched its national Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision program using PrePex (known in Zimbabwe as "The Ring") in January 2015, targeting 1.3 Million circumcisions; since the 2009 start of its efforts, over 732,472 men have been circumcised.

As an effective tool to reduce the incidence of HIV, UNAIDS has set a goal of reaching 27 Million male circumcisions, in 14 African priority countries, by 2021. The Campaign is backed by the US Government (PEPFAR), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and global NGOs.

About Circ MedTech

Circ MedTech is a global social enterprise, offering innovative, affordable and scalable public healthcare solutions. The company developed the unique PrePex[TM] device to facilitate safe, simple, scalable, cost-effective non-surgical male circumcision as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention plan.

SOURCE Circ MedTech Ltd
MARIJAMPOLE, Lithuania, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Two world renowned companies - Lithuanian packaging lines producer Fasa and a Swiss butter and margarine processing lines producer Egli AG - have joined forces. This newly joint conglomerate will result in expanded operating geography, customer base, and will help to provide processing and packaging equipment from one stop source and to improve instant customer service worldwide.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161028/433859LOGO )



"Switzerland is a symbol of high quality products and processes, and thanks to this cooperation, quality control of Fasa equipment will meet even higher standards. Egli AG has proved to have strong values and leadership in the market, and now we have an opportunity to join it with strong positions of Fasa and to reach new markets, new clients or new segments. Fasa gives huge importance to research and development, and this collaboration will only increase our presence in a very competitive market," says Karolis Samusis, CEO of Fasa.

Rudenz Egli, CEO of Egli AG adds: "By constantly keeping in contact with our distributors we realized the importance of a full range of products, therefore our cooperation was long waited and beneficial for both companies letting us benefit from larger sales. We will be adding extra value to our everyday work and our promise for partners. From now on, all Fasa and Egli AG production will be branded with a new logo announcing the collaboration".

It is believed that coordination of two experienced producers from one place achieves synergy in sales as both companies face increased demand. Moreover, exchanging of good practices and know-how will improve internal processes and marketing strategies. The main advantage is a possible diversification of risks and markets of both companies in Lithuania and Switzerland. Therefore new clients will benefit by receiving full and personalized solutions from one source, whether they need to produce butter in bulk packages or make retail margarine packs.

Since 1888 EGLI AG has been one of the leading companies in the development, manufacture and maintenance of butter, spread and margarine technology for industrial enterprises and research centres. It is independent and family owned business employing 50 professionals.

Company Fasa was founded in 1959 and is manufacturing packaging equipment for dairy industry - for butter, margarine and other food products. Production is exported to more than 50 different countries. Currently there are 150 employees in the company. Annual turnover in 2015 was 5M.

Marius Gorochovskis, +(370)-699-23042, marius@adverum.lt

SOURCE Egli AG and Fasa
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Fractal Analytics (http://www.fractalanalytics.com), one of the largest pure play providers of analytics, today announced significant expansion and a new corporate structure as it moves forward in its quest to power every human decision in the enterprise.

As part of this structure, Fractal will be organized into four distinct entities:

Fractal Analytics , its core business of providing analytics to Fortune 500 companies

, its core business of providing analytics to Fortune 500 companies Customer Genomics & TrialRun - Fractal's AI based customer learning and systematic experimentation platforms

- Fractal's AI based customer learning and systematic experimentation platforms Cuddle.ai - Fractal's newly launched insights delivery AI assistant

- Fractal's newly launched insights delivery AI assistant Qure.ai - Fractal's new AI business in healthcare imaging and genomics

Pranay Agrawal, Co-founder and Chief Client Officer, will replace Srikanth Velamakanni as the CEO of Fractal Analytics. Pranay stated that his priorities will be to build Fractal's presence in US and Europe and develop capabilities to stay ahead of rapidly evolving client needs. "Our vision is to power every human decision in the enterprise through analytics, AI and technology. This structure will help us focus sharply on our clients and help them end to end," said Pranay.

Srikanth Velamakanni, in his new role as the Group Chief Executive & Executive Vice-Chairman, will be responsible for all four entities, inorganic growth and the long-term future of the business.

"AI and deep learning will transform the way companies make strategic, tactical and operational decisions. We are gearing up by taking our AI based products independently to market and expanding our executive leadership team," said Srikanth. "I am particularly excited about Pranay's new role as CEO and I believe his leadership will be critical to our success in shaping the industry and serving our clients," Srikanth added.

About Fractal Analytics

Fractal Analytics is a strategic analytics partner to the most admired Fortune 500 companies globally and helps them power every human decision in the enterprise by bringing analytics and AI to the decision.

Fractal Analytics has more than 1000 people across 12 global locations, including the United States, UK and India and has been named a 'Cool Vendor in Analytics' and a 'Vendor to watch' by Gartner. Fractal is privately held and has investors including Khazanah, who invested $100 million in 2016 and TA Associates, who invested $25 million in 2013.

SOURCE Fractal Analytics
Despite Fears of Credit Card Numbers, Company Emails and Customer Lists Being Exposed, 72 Percent of Mobile Users Automatically Connect to Available WiFi Connections & 76 Percent Connect to Company Networks

ATLANTA and LONDON, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As the holiday shopping season kicks into full gear around the world, industry analysts predict low prices, discounts and promotions will entice shoppers to buy the latest tech gadgets and electronics, including smartphones and tablets. As the "Holiday Shopping: When Smartphone Upgrades Go Wrong in a BYOD Workplace" research study released by Blancco Technology Group (LON: BLTG) reveals, 68 percent of mobile users plan to purchase a new smartphone during the holiday shopping season. But this proclivity to buy new smartphones and insecure mobile data practices will come with a steep data privacy price  both for smartphone owners and their employers.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151006/274522LOGO

When asked to rank the types of data mobile users are worried about having lost/stolen after reselling/trading in their devices this holiday season, financial details, social security/national insurance numbers, credit card numbers, company emails and customer lists were among the most common types of personal and corporate data. Despite these admitted fears, 72 percent of the surveyed mobile users admitted to automatically connecting to any WiFi connection available on their devices and 76 percent connect to their company's networks from their smartphones.

"Our study's findings illustrate just how dangerous it can be if personal and corporate data are not properly erased when mobile users ditch their old smartphones for new ones this holiday season," said Richard Stiennon, Chief Strategy Officer of Blancco Technology Group. "This is especially true for organizations that allow BYOD (bring your own device) within the workplace, as it could leave confidential and oftentimes compromising information at risk of being leaked."

Key findings from the study include:

Promotional incentives and discounts sway holiday shoppers to ditch old phones. The survey's respondents cited credit ($300+) for switching to a new carrier/device manufacturer and deep discounts on new phone models as the top-most influencing factors.

The survey's respondents cited credit ($300+) for switching to a new carrier/device manufacturer and deep discounts on new phone models as the top-most influencing factors. Data privacy fears don't halt holiday shoppers' plans to trade in and resell old phones. 32 percent of mobile users would trade in their old phones to their mobile carriers/network operators and device manufacturers. Another 23 percent would sell their old phones either to ecommerce sites, such as Amazon, eBay, Gazelle and Craigslist, or to brick-and-mortar retailers.

32 percent of mobile users would trade in their old phones to their mobile carriers/network operators and device manufacturers. Another 23 percent would sell their old phones either to ecommerce sites, such as Amazon, eBay, Gazelle and Craigslist, or to brick-and-mortar retailers. Customer records, patent filings and system login credentials top the list of corporate data loss fears. The respondents reported being most fearful these types of corporate data will be lost or stolen after reselling or trading in their old devices this holiday season.

The respondents reported being most fearful these types of corporate data will be lost or stolen after reselling or trading in their old devices this holiday season. Keeping mobile data safe is thorny issue for users and employers. Over half (56 percent) of the surveyed mobile users reported storing both personal and corporate information on their smartphones. However, 42 percent of mobile users said their company does not have visibility into which types and quantities of corporate data are stored on their smartphones.

Stiennon concluded, "Our study's findings don't have to be a data privacy death sentence for mobile users and their employers. Instead, it's a golden opportunity for employers to become collaborative partners and allies with their BYOD-inclined employees. Rather than limit employees' mobile device usage and data storing habits, organizations will be better served if they help them understand the different security threats that exist, how those threats can be amplified in certain scenarios and how specific ways of using their mobile devices can benefit both employees and the organizations that employ them."

Survey Methodology

We surveyed over 1,000 mobile device owners in the United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Germany, India, Japan and China to determine the likelihood of upgrading to new smartphones during the holiday season and identify the data security risks that could occur when trading in/reselling their old smartphones. The survey was fielded in September 2016 and targeted mobile users, aged 18-54 years of age, who own at least one smartphone.

About Blancco Technology Group

Blancco Technology Group is a leading, global provider of mobile device diagnostics and secure data erasure solutions. We help our clients' customers test, diagnose, repair and repurpose IT devices with the most proven and certified software. Our clientele consists of equipment manufacturers, mobile network operators, retailers, financial institutions, healthcare providers and government organizations worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alpharetta, GA, United States, with a distributed workforce and customer base across the globe.

Blancco, a division of Blancco Technology Group, is the global de facto standard in certified data erasure. We provide thousands of organizations with an absolute line of defense against costly security breaches, as well as verification of regulatory compliance through a 100% tamper-proof audit trail.

SmartChk, a division of Blancco Technology Group, is a global innovator in mobile asset diagnostics and business intelligence. We partner with our customers to improve their customers' experience by providing seamless solutions to test, diagnose and repair mobile assets. SmartChk provides world-class support, pre and post implementation, allowing our customers to derive measurable business results.

Media Contacts:

SHIFT Communications for Blancco Technology Group (US)

David Heffernan, Account Manager

T: (617) 779-1839

E: blancco@shiftcomm.com

SAY Communications for Blancco Technology Group (Europe)

Robert Hickling, Senior Account Manager

T: 44 (0) 20 8971 6427

E: blancco@saycomms.co.uk

The Hoffman Agency for Blancco Technology Group (APAC)

Miyuki Washino, Senior Consultant

T: 81 3 5159 5750

E: blanccoapac@hoffman.com

Blancco Technology Group

Ragini Bhalla, Senior Director of Global Communications

E: ragini.bhalla@blanccotechgroup.com

Related Links

http://www.blanccotechnologygroup.com



SOURCE Blancco Technology Group
Flexible endoscopes are used in minimally invasive treatment procedures in combination with therapeutic devices. Such procedures are gaining worldwide interest and adoption for substantial clinical and financial benefits contributing to early recovery, reduced procedural complexities and costs.

"PENTAX Medical is commited to strengthening our endoscopic therapy portfolio to support better patient care. The HemoStat WideCupTM is a highly innovative hemostasis device designed to greatly simplify the control of bleeding," said Gerald W. Bottero, Global President, PENTAX Medical. 'We are confident the HemoStat WideCupTM sets a new standard for precise, efficient and safer endoscopic therapy, and will further support global growth of early screening and treatment of gastric cancer. We are commited to propagate and further develop this procedure."

HemoStat WideCupTM's benefit and features include:

Easy Control of Bleeding by

Wide cup  for easy grasp of bleeding point (Opening width - existing version: 4.0mm, HemoStat WideCup TM : 5.8mm)

: 5.8mm) Less handling power  for easy operation (30-40% reduction of handling power than existing version)

About PENTAX Medical

PENTAX Medical is a division of HOYA Group. Its mission is to improve the standard of patient care and quality of healthcare delivery by providing the best endoscopic products and services with a focus on QUALITY, CLINICALLY RELEVANT INNOVATION, and SIMPLICITY. Through leading edge R&D and manufacturing, PENTAX Medical provides endoscopic imaging devices and solutions to the global medical community. Headquartered in Japan, PENTAX Medical has a worldwide focus and presence with R&D, regional sales, service, and in-country facilities around the globe. For more information, please visit: www.pentaxmedical.com.

SOURCE HOYA Corporation PENTAX Medical
SAN FRANCISCO, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The global monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) market was valued at USD 85.4 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach a value of USD 138.6 billion by 2024. Increasing R&D pertaining to the development of therapeutic mAbs coupled with supportive government initiatives is expected to drive the monoclonal antibodies market growth over the forecast period.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150105/723757 )



Increasing demand for personalized medicine is a vital factor responsible for the increasing development of therapeutic antibodies to provide targeted therapies as every individual responds in a different manner to a particular treatment. Moreover, related benefits of using mAbs for therapeutic purposes, including fewer adverse effects, homogeneity, specificity, and large-scale production, are contributing toward significant market growth.

In addition, the government initiatives to enable cost-effective production of mAbs is anticipated to propel the emergence of this sector over the forecast period. For instance, the biomanufacturing initiative byNational Institute of Standards and Technology in the U.S. provides scientifically sound regulatory guidelines to ensure effective and safe manufacturing of protein therapeutics and to support biopharmaceutical manufacturers in offering low-cost and high-quality protein drugs across the globe.

Browse full research report with TOC on "Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) Market Analysis By Source (Chimeric, Murine, Humanized, Human), By Type of Production, By Indication (Cancer, Autoimmune, Inflammatory, Infectious, Microbial, Viral Diseases), By End-use (Hospitals, Research, Academic Institutes, Clinics, Diagnostic Laboratories) And Segment Forecasts, 2013 - 2024" at: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/monoclonal-antibodies-market

Further Key Findings from the Study Suggest:

Human-based mAbs segment is predicted to grow at a lucrative CAGR in the coming years due to their associated benefits and numerous R&D activities conducted for further development of human mAbs. Large number of mAbs of human origin are in phase III clinical trial for cancer treatment

In vitro production of mAbs is anticipated to show the fastest growth owing to its wide-scale adoption by biologics manufacturers due to its greater efficiency in cost and time

The research institute segment is anticipated to exhibit profitable growth due to increasing R&D efforts in the biotech industry as monoclonal antibodies have emerged as a major class of therapeutics for several human diseases, particularly immunological infectious diseases and cancer

The Asia pacific region has significant growth potential due to rising government initiatives in this region supporting the use of mAbs for research and treatment purposes coupled with the surge in sponsored R&D projects for the development of cost-effective therapeutic mAbs.

pacific region has significant growth potential due to rising government initiatives in this region supporting the use of mAbs for research and treatment purposes coupled with the surge in sponsored R&D projects for the development of cost-effective therapeutic mAbs. For instance, government-led fund providers, such as National Natural Science Foundation and National Basic Research Program of China , offer financial support to enterprises and universities to conduct mAb research and development.

, offer financial support to enterprises and universities to conduct mAb research and development. The key players serving the monoclonal antibodies market arePfizer, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Novartis AG, Merck & Co., Inc, Amgen, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Mylan N.V., Daiichi Sankyo Company, Ltd., Bayer AG, Bristol Myers Squibb Co.,Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., Biogen Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Sanofi Genzyme, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., and Novo Nordisk A/S.

The introduction of advanced methods for mAb production further encourages the pharmaceutical companies to build their own product pipeline. According to a study published by NCBI at the end of 2013, approximately 816 companies were involved in therapeutic protein research.

Browse related reports by Grand View Research:

Glycobiology Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/glycobiology-market

DNA Diagnostics Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/dna-diagnostics-market

Expression Vectors Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/expression-vectors-market

Human Embryonic Stem Cell Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/human-embryonic-stem-cell-market

Grand View Research has segmented the monoclonal antibodies market by source type, production, indication, end-use, and region:

Global Monoclonal Antibodies Source Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2013 - 2024) Murine Chimeric Humanized Human

Global Monoclonal Antibodies Production Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2013 - 2024) In Vivo In Vitro

Global Monoclonal Antibodies Indication Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2013 - 2024) Cancer Autoimmune Diseases Inflammatory Diseases Infectious Diseases Microbial Diseases Others

Global Monoclonal Antibodies End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2013 - 2024) Hospitals Research Institutes Others

Monoclonal antibodies Market Regional Outlook (Market Revenue in USD Billion, 2013 - 2024) North America U.S. Canada Europe UK Germany Asia Pacific Japan China India Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East and Africa South Africa



Access research Insight - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/research-insights/monoclonal-antibodies-market-insights-adoption-diagnostic-applications-drive-growth

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.

Read Our Blogs - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/blogs/healthcare

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com



Web: http://www.grandviewresearch.com

SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
LONDON, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Nearly 60% expect increased compliance costs and red tape because of Brexit



Over half of banks are establishing Brexit steering committees to assess response



Synechron has previously estimated that it would cost an average of 50,000 per employee to relocate staff from London to another European financial centre

Synechron Inc., a global financial services consulting and technology services provider, has today released findings from its research into short- and long-term impacts of Brexit, conducted in partnership with The TABB Group. One of the major findings of the research conducted in September was that 72% of British bankers said they believed London would still be the financial centre of Europe in five years' time.

This might suggest that despite the current drop in the value of the pound and the pain that some companies are experiencing, many believe the implications won't be as significant in the long-term. However, with the British Bankers Association saying recently that large and small banks are considering their options outside of the UK, it is clear that some are not willing to wait and see what deal the UK government agrees with the European Union.

Tim Cuddeford, Managing Director at Synechron Business Consulting said: "Banks are no longer waiting for the Government to trigger Article 50 and have begun setting up Steering Committees to plan for life outside the European Union, with some already considering relocating staff to other cities around Europe. Whilst Brexit poses an unforeseen challenge for financial institutions, the prospect of rising compliance and huge relocation costs appear inevitable. Despite this uncertainty, we've found that the majority of British bankers believe that London will remain the financial centre of Europe, painting a very hopeful picture of the future."

Given this uncertainty, the research also found that 55% of British banks have set up 'Brexit Steering Committees' to prepare for life outside the EU. A popular topic for these committees is likely to be relocation from the UK to another European financial centre, which Synechron has calculated to cost an average of 50,000 per employee.

Synechron's research also found 56% of senior British capital markets executives believe that compliance costs will increase following Britain's decision to leave the European Union (EU), with not one executive expecting regulatory costs to decrease. This contrasts a popular view that 'Brexit' would reduce red-tape for financial institutions.

While 78% of executives believe that Brexit will have a negative impact on UK financial markets, perhaps more interestingly, the survey showed that 82% also believe the EU will be negatively affected. This could, in part, be because 51% of executives believe that Britain is in a position to negotiate a bespoke trading relationship with the EU that is tailored to the interests of the UK.

Joost Loves, Managing Director, Synechron Business Consulting based out of Amsterdam said: "While the U.K. focuses on the impact of Brexit on London, undoubtedly, Brexit will also have a rippling impact on continental Europe as well. Businesses are evaluating their global footprint in other key markets like Frankfurt, Amsterdam, France and others, and the workforce composition in these cities are likely to change. Whether London pursues the Norway option or the Swiss model will be a nod to what regime the financial center views as a better model. And, perhaps most importantly, the rift between the U.K. and continental Europe is likely to widen."

While that new relationship with the EU remains to be shaped, the survey indicates mixed views on how to proceed. 19% of respondents believe that the UK should pursue the 'Norway option' and negotiate to remain part of the European Economic Area, whilst 18% believe the UK should follow the 'Swiss model' and negotiate bilateral treaties.

Key findings:

72% of British bankers believe London will still be the financial centre of Europe in five years' time

will still be the financial centre of in five years' time 55% of British banks have set up 'Brexit Steering Committees' to prepare for life outside the European Union

56% of senior British capital markets executives believe that compliance costs will increase following Britain's decision to leave the European Union

decision to leave the European Union 78% of executives agree that Brexit will have a negative impact on UK financial markets

82% also believe the European Union will be negatively affected by Brexit

51% of executives believe that Britain is in position to negotiate a bespoke trading relationship with the European Union that is tailored to the interests of the UK

is in position to negotiate a bespoke trading relationship with the European Union that is tailored to the interests of the UK 19% of respondents believe that the UK should pursue the ' Norway option' while 18% believe the UK should follow the 'Swiss model'

Synechron conducted a survey of 80 financial services executives working in capital markets in banks based in the UK.

About Synechron

Synechron is a global consulting and technology organization providing innovative solutions to the financial services industry through its three main business focus areas: digital, business consulting, and technology. Based in New York, the company has 16 offices around the globe, with over 6,000 employees producing over $400M in annual revenue. For more information on the company please visit the website or our LinkedIn community.

For further information, please contact:



Synechron

Diana Kearns-Manolatos

Synechron, Inc.

Diana.Kearns@synechron.com

m: +1-347-721-8223



UK

Dan Williams

Rostrum

+44(0)203-727-3740

dan.williams@rostrumpr.com



US

Vested

Hod Klein

Vested

+1-917-765-8720

Hod@fullyvested.com

SOURCE Synechron Inc.
LONDON, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Forecasts by End-User (Aerospace & Defence, Automotive, Infrastructure, Oil & Gas, Power Generation, Others) by Technique (Condition Monitoring, Integrity Examination, Surface Examination, Volumetric Examination, Others) by Testing Method (Eddy-Current, Liquid Penetrant, Magnetic Particle, Ultrasonic, Radiography, Visual Inspection, Others)

Visiongain's new in-depth 275 page report reveals that spending within the Non-Destructive Testing market will reach $6,809.2m in 2016.

Are you involved in the NDT market or related industries? If so, then you must read this report

It's vital that you keep your knowledge up to date. This report can help reveal business prospects.

Market scope: Non-Destructive Testing has multiple applications in a variety of industries. Visiongain has assessed not only these industries (Oil & Gas, Power Generation, Aerospace & Defence, Automotive, Infrastructure, as well as Others), but also the market by Testing Method and by Testing Technique. The report also provides national market sizes for BRICS and G7 countries, as well as a general forecast for the rest of the world. In addition, this report profiles 10 leading companies.

The Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Market 2016-2026 report responds to your need for definitive market data:

 Where are the NDT market opportunities?

- 310 tables, charts, and graphs reveal market data, allowing you to target your strategy more effectively

 When will the NDT market grow?

- Global, regional and NDT submarket forecasts and analysis from 2016-2026 illustrate the market's progression

To see a report overview please email Sara Peerun on sara.peerun@visiongainglobal.com

 Which NDT End-User, Method, and Type submarkets will flourish from 2016-2026?

End-user forecasts at the global and national market level

- Oil & Gas Industry

- Power Generation

- Aerospace & Defence

- Automotive

- Infrastructure

- Others

Testing Method forecasts at the global and national market level

- Visual Inspection

- Magnetic Particle Testing

- Liquid Penetrant Testing

- Ultrasonic Testing

- Radiography Testing

- Eddy-Current Testing

- Others

Testing Technique

- Surface Examination Technique

- Volumetric Examination Technique

- Condition Monitoring Technique

- Integrity Examination Technique

- Others

 Where are the regional NDT market opportunities from 2016-2026?

- Brazil

- Canada

- China

- France

- Germany

- India

- Italy

- Japan

- Russia

- South Africa

- UK

- US

Country forecasts are further segmented with forecasts by end-user and testing method.

 What are the factors influencing NDT market dynamics?

- Need to verify quality of infrastructure

- Continued development of advanced technology

- Economic growth

- Complexity of projects requires advanced techniques

 Who are the leading 10 NDT companies?

- Ashtead Technology, Inc.

- Bosello High Technology S.R.L.

- Fujifilm Holding Corporation

- GE Measurement & Control

- Intertek Group PLC

- MISTRAS Group, Inc.

- Nikon Metrology, Inc.

- Olympus Corporation

- SGS SA

- Sonatest Ltd.

 Who should read this report?

- Anyone within the NDT value chain, including

- Raw material suppliers

- Component suppliers

- Manufacturing companies

- Automotive companies

- Defence companies

- Aerospace companies

- Energy companies

- CEO's

- COO's

- CIO's

- Business development managers

- Marketing managers

- Suppliers

- Technologists

- Investors

- Banks

- Government agencies

- Contractors

Get our report today Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Market 2016-2026: Forecasts by End-User (Aerospace & Defence, Automotive, Infrastructure, Oil & Gas, Power Generation, Others) by Technique (Condition Monitoring, Integrity Examination, Surface Examination, Volumetric Examination, Others) by Testing Method (Eddy-Current, Liquid Penetrant, Magnetic Particle, Ultrasonic, Radiography, Visual Inspection, Others). Avoid missing out - order our report now.

To see a report overview please email Sara Peerun on sara.peerun@visiongainglobal.com

To request a report overview of this report please emails Sara Peerun at sara.peerun@visiongainglobal.com or call Tel: +44 (0) 20 7336 6100

Or click on https://www.visiongain.com/Report/1748/Non-Destructive-Testing-(NDT)-Market-2016-2026

Companies and Organisations Mentioned in this Report

Altran North America

Applus RTD

Blue Ocean Monitoring

BP

Candela

Carrefour

Citgo

Conklin Intracom

ConocoPhillips

Forenta

Government of Mozambique

Intertek Finance Plc

Intertek Holding Limited

Intertek Technical Services Inc.

Intertek Testing Services Shenzhen Ltd

Intertek USA Inc.

iPEK

Kraft Foods

Lakeshore Learning Materials

Le Brigand NDT

Matrolab Group Ltd

Meyeroil

MT group

NACHER Corporation

Neptune Oceanographic Limited(

Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT Oil)

Professional Service Industries, Inc. (PSI)

RCG Moody International Limited

Rockwood Service Corporation

Sabic

SGS Argentina

SGS Australia

SGS Belgium

SGS Canada

SGS Chile

SGS do Brazil

SGS India

SGS Japan

SGS Kenya

SGS Malawi

SGS S.A.

Silverwing

South Oil Company (SOC)

Southern Company

Southern Nuclear

Suzhou Safety-Tech

Teck Coal

Testing Holding USA Inc.

TCM division of Team Inc

Unilever

To see a report overview please email Sara Peerun on sara.peerun@visiongainglobal.com

SOURCE Visiongain Ltd
AMSTERDAM, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The oil price decline has created headwinds for the Russian economy. However, the risk of doing business in Russia - as determined not only by economic but also by political and structural factors - has not changed substantially and there is therefore no evidence that the oil price decline had a significant impact on Russian country risk.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150513/743985 )



This is the conclusion reached by Atradius' study "Oil price hardly matters for Russian country risk", recently published by Atradius. The recently published study examines the correlation between the oil price and Russia's score on Euromoney Country Risk (ECR). Country risk grasps the probability that changes in the business environment of a country adversely impact operations or payment for imports, resulting in a financial loss. For the purposes of the study, Atradius has collected and analysed Euromoney data over the period 2011Q1-2016Q1.

As expected, the outcome of the correlation analysis found a significant positive relationship between the oil price and the economic aspects of the country risk measure. However, no such significant relationship was found for the political and structural aspects of the country risk. This means that the oil price decline is only of limited relevance for the Russian country risk, as the stability of the country's political institutions has mitigated the negative impact of the oil price decline on the economy of Russia. As a consequence, the Russian business environment has remained fairly stable, and the risk of doing business in the country has not been significantly affected.

Andreas Tesch, Chief Market Officer of Atradius N.V. comments, "While the low oil price has impacted the Russian economy its impact on country risk has not been significant and there remain good opportunities for businesses offering the right products and services to export to Russia. Higher insolvencies, and lingering trade sanctions however, amplify the importance of protecting your receivables with credit insurance or other forms of security."

The complete study "Oil price hardly matters for Russian country risk" can be downloaded free of charge from the atradius.com website.

About Atradius

Atradius provides trade credit insurance, surety and collections services worldwide through a strategic presence in 50 countries. Atradius has access to credit information on 200 million companies worldwide. Its credit insurance, bonding and collections products help protect companies throughout the world from payment risks associated with selling products and services on trade credit. Atradius forms part of Grupo Catalana Occidente (GCO.MC), one of the leading insurers in Spain and worldwide in credit insurance.

SOURCE Atradius N.V.
DUBLIN, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "The Future of Pakistan Oil Markets, Investments, Projects and Companies to 2025- Exploration, Oil Production, Oil and Product Pipelines, Storage, Refineries and Supply Demand" report to their offering.

The report identifies key trends and drivers of Pakistan oil markets and provides the SWOT profile of the country. Further, the country is benchmarked with peer markets to compare its position in regional markets. In addition, impact of competing assets in other countries is also evaluated.

Effect of current market dynamics including price fluctuations, CAPEX declines and others on Pakistan oil markets-

The impact of recent developments including OPEC decision to cut production at Algiers, US shale oil production decline, Pakistan government policy changes and CAPEX reductions on companies across Pakistan oil value chain are analysed in detail. The research provides detailed analysis of all major risks and opportunities faced by oil and gas companies in Pakistan.

The research work identifies the key moves being taken by government, companies and investors to cop up with global changes and minimize the risks in current market conditions. Further, the research also identifies the strategies being taken by oil and gas players to ensure growth and beat competition in the long run.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Tables & Figures

2 Executive Summary

3 Pakistan Oil Market Factsheet

4 Investment and Business Expansion Opportunities in Pakistan Oil Markets

5 Pakistan Oil Market Outlook and Forecasts

6 Competitive Landscape in Pakistan Oil Markets, 2016

7 Pakistan Upstream Oil Market Analysis

8 Pakistan Refinery Market Analysis

9 Pakistan oil storage market analysis

10 Pakistan Pipeline Market Analysis

11 Competitor Operations and Business Profiles

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/49k2bq/the_future_of

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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Related Links

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SOURCE Research and Markets
ATHENS, November 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

At today's meeting, Piraeus Bank's Board of Directors elected Messrs George Handjinicolaou, Solomon Berahas and Enrico Tommaso Cucchiani as new non executive members of the BoD to replace members previously resigned. The Board then proceeded to unanimously approve the appointment of Mr George Handjinicolaou as its new Chairman. Mr Handjinicolaou starts his role immediately.

Mr Handjinicolaou is a highly experienced international business leader in the financial services sector. His career spans 33 years, the vast majority of which was spent at global financial institutions based in London and New York and the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) in London.

Mr Handjinicolaou was most recently Deputy CEO of ISDA, where he was a member of the Board of Directors. He previously held senior management positions in the derivatives and fixed income markets at several global financial institutions including Dresdner Kleinwort Benson, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and UBS in London and New York. Mr Handjinicolaou started his career at the World Bank in Washington, DC. Mr Handjinicolaou also has leadership experience in Greece from his roles as CEO of TBANK and as Vice Chairman of the Greek Capital Market Commission.

Mr Handjinicolaou's extensive international leadership experience, deep understanding of global capital markets combined with experience in restructuring within the Greek banking sector will be of significant value to Piraeus Bank's Board of Directors.

Mr. Handjinicolaou received his PhD in Finance from the graduate school of business at New York University, where he also earned his MBA. He holds a BS degree from the Law School at the University of Athens in Athens, Greece.

Piraeus Bank's appointment of Mr Handjinicolaou marks another major step in the strengthening of the Bank's Board of Directors and its corporate governance, which builds on significant progress made during 2016. During the course of this year the Board has added international leadership experience and technical expertise, in particular in restructurings and problem loan reduction, combining this with deep local market experience.

Mr Handjinicolaou's appointment is the seventh new non-executive appointment to Piraeus Bank's Board of Directors in 2016:

Mr Solomon Berahas (Non-Executive Board Member) Senior risk adviser with 33 years' experience. CEO of Teiresias S.A.

(Non-Executive Board Member) Mr Arne Berggren (Chairman of the Nominations and Remuneration Committees) Bank restructuring specialist with over 25 years' experience in 20 countries. Former IMF Senior Adviser and head of restructurings at Swedbank

Mr Alexander Blades (Non-Executive Board Member) Partner at Paulson & Co Inc. the New York headquartered asset manager and Piraeus Bank's largest private shareholder

(Non-Executive Board Member) Mr Enrico Cucchiani (Non Executive Board Member) Former CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy's largest bank

(Non Executive Board Member) Mr Karel DeBoeck (Chairman of the Risk Committee) Former CEO of Belgian banks Dexia and Fortis

(Chairman of the Risk Committee) Mr David Hexter (Chairman of the Audit Committee) Bank and corporate restructuring specialist, former Head of Financial Institutions at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

(Chairman of the Audit Committee)

Mr Arne Berggren, Independent Non-Executive Member of Piraeus Bank's Board of Directors and Chairman of the Nominations Committee, said:

"On behalf of the Board of Directors I would like to congratulate Mr Handjinicolaou and to welcome him to Piraeus Bank. George's extensive international leadership experience, deep expertise in global financial markets combined with his understanding of the Greek market will be invaluable to the success of Piraeus' restructuring plan. This is another major milestone for Piraeus Bank to build a strong Board with the combined experience to tackle the Banks challenges effectively and to ensure that the Bank is well positioned to meet the highest standards of corporate governance."

Mr George Handjinicolaou, newly appointed Chairman of Piraeus Bank, commented:

"I am excited by the opportunity to use the experience and expertise that I have accumulated during my career to contribute to the turnaround of Piraeus Bank. Greece is currently at a critical juncture, and it is an honour to lead Greece's largest bank. Also, having benefited from Greece's public education system, this role provides me with an opportunity to give back to my country.

Piraeus Bank has responded effectively to an extremely challenging operating environment and I believe that there are significant opportunities for the Bank to build upon our trusted and valued customer brand, to support economic recovery in Greece and to deliver value for our shareholders over the medium term. I look forward to being part of Piraeus Bank's success, alongside a strengthened Board, a reinvigorated executive team and all of our loyal and committed employees."

Nick Tesseyman, EBRD Managing Director, Financial Institutions, said:

"We are pleased that Piraeus Bank now has a strong board with several new members, including the Chairman, who bring international experience and a new outlook to help steer Greece's largest bank on its road to recovery. High standards of corporate governance are important and we are confident that the newly composed board will ensure that this is adhered to. This is all the more important as we are seeing encouraging signs indicating that the Greek economy is starting to grow again. In this moment it is crucial to have a well-functioning banking sector with the ability to support the real economy on a sustainable basis. With the recent developments we are confident that Piraeus Bank will be well placed to perform this task."

SOURCE Piraeus Bank
DIEMEN, Netherlands and WESTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Randstad Holding nv (AMS: RAND), a leading human resources services provider, announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: MWW) for approximately USD $429 million (enterprise value). Monster, a global leader in connecting jobs and people, will continue operating as a separate and independent entity under the Monster name.

As a result of the acquisition, Monster's common stock ceased trading prior to market open today, November 1, 2016, on the New York Stock Exchange and is no longer listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Advisors

Wells Fargo Securities served as exclusive financial advisor to Randstad and Jones Day served as legal counsel. Evercore Group L.L.C. served as exclusive financial advisor to Monster and Dechert LLP served as legal counsel.

About Randstad

Randstad specializes in solutions in the field of flexible work and human resources services. Their services range from regular temporary staffing and permanent placements to Inhouse Services, Professionals, Search & Selection, outplacement, and HR Solutions. Randstad Group is one of the leading HR services providers in the world, with top-three positions in Argentina, Belgium & Luxembourg, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Greece, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the United States, as well as major positions in Australia and Japan. In 2015, Randstad had approximately 29,750 corporate employees and around 4,473 branches and Inhouse locations in 39 countries around the world. Randstad generated revenue of 19.2 billion in 2015. Randstad was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands. Randstad Holding nv is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam, where options for stocks in Randstad are also traded. For more information, see www.randstad.com.

About Monster Worldwide

Monster Worldwide, Inc. is a global leader in connecting people to jobs, wherever they are. For more than 20 years, Monster has helped people improve their lives with better jobs, and employers find the best talent. Today, the company offers services in more than 40 countries, providing some of the broadest, most sophisticated job seeking, career management, recruitment and talent management capabilities. Monster continues its pioneering work of transforming the recruiting industry with advanced technology using intelligent digital, social and mobile solutions, including our flagship website Monster.com and a vast array of products and services. For more information visit www.monster.com/about.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements included in this press release contain forward-looking statements, which are generally statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "plans," "will," "outlook" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans, estimates, assumptions and projections, speak only as of the date they are made. Randstad and Monster undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or future events, except as otherwise required by law. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of either company, including the following: (a) the risk that the transaction disrupts current plans and operations; (b) difficulties or unanticipated expenses in connection with integrating Monster into Randstad; (c) the risk that the acquisition does not perform as planned; and (d) potential difficulties in employee retention following the closing of the transaction. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of the impact of a number of factors, many of which are discussed in more detail in the public reports of each company filed or to be filed with the SEC or the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.

Related Links

http://www.randstad.com



SOURCE Randstad Holding nv
LONDON, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

A NEWS STYLE PROGRAME DEVOTED TO EXPLORING THE FUTURE OF THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

In a unique communications partnership, the World Petroleum Council (WPC) and ITN Productions have launched a news and current affairs-style programme.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141030/713382-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435465 )

'Journey of the Drop' looks at the state of play in the oil and gas industry today as well as the innovative solutions that will create a bright future for operations and their stakeholders. These range from developments in oil field technologies on oil fields to the social licence to operate. The programme uses animation to explain the origins and manifold uses of oil, and features a special report from the WPC Workshop in Belgrade, looking at the role of oil and gas in the future energy mix.

'Journey of the Drop' premiered on 26th October at the WPC Future Leaders Forum in Rio de Janeiro. Presented by UK national newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky, the programme features key industry interviews and news-style reports, along with sponsored editorial profiles of some of the leading organisations in the sector.

The industry is regularly faced with geological and geo-political challenges, as well as pricing and business volatility. WPC wants to ensure that, across the globe, all stakeholders involved in oil and gas across the value chain are working together to find innovative solutions to these issues. As a high-tech industry it strives to attract the next generation of leaders and equip them with the skills to build a sustainable future for all. During his interview with Natasha Kaplinsky included in the programme, Dr Pierce Riemer, Director General of the WPC, explains how the oil and gas industry is providing new and different opportunities across the globe in the 21st Century.

A total of 12 sponsored news-style reports feature in 'Journey of the Drop', championing innovation and forward-thinking sustainable solutions:

Aberdeen City Region - Leading from the front

- Leading from the front Bank of America Merrill Lynch - The growth of Green Bonds

- The growth of Green Bonds Javelin Global Commodities - Global energy needs

- Global energy needs GlassPoint Solar - Can solar projects operate within oilfields?

- Can solar projects operate within oilfields? Limpet Technology - Maintaining off-shore structures

- Maintaining off-shore structures Oil Spill Response Limited - Being prepared

- Being prepared Petroleum Development Oman - Commitment to safety

- Commitment to safety Royal Dutch Shell - Solutions to social impact of air pollution

- Solutions to social impact of air pollution Royal Dutch Shell - Alternatives to high carbon fuel

- Alternatives to high carbon fuel RPS Energy - Support for diverse energy portfolios

- Support for diverse energy portfolios Semplastics - Repurposing coal in an environmentally-friendly way

- Repurposing coal in an environmentally-friendly way Sproule - Support for national petroleum sectors

Dr Pierce Riemer, Director General, World Petroleum Council, said: "This ongoing project with ITN is an excellent way to demonstrate to the world the commitment of the industry to providing a sustainable energy future for all."

Simon Shelley, Head of Industry News, ITN Productions, said "'ITN Productions has thoroughly enjoyed partnering with the WPC, to examine the way in which we meet the global demand for energy, and explore the complex issues across oil and gas. We hope that the key organisations and people dedicated to shaping the future for oil and gas will use this to engage with, as we continue to bring the positive and progressive stories from the sector to life."

'Journey of the Drop' is now available at the World Petroleum Council's YouTube site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hm9cMNJuq4&list=PLssZcXSTZsEv0qKBhT-8hzcnyrGyRZRH9 and will then follow on their website: http://www.world-petroleum.org

Notes to editors:

About the World Petroleum Council

The World Petroleum Council was established in 1933 and provides a forum for discussion of the issues facing the oil and gas industry worldwide. It is a non-advocacy, non-political organisation, dedicated to the application of scientific advances in the oil and gas industries, technology transfer and the sustainable use of the world's petroleum resources for the benefit of all. The WPC is registered as a charity in the UK. Its 70 member countries represent 96% of the world's oil and gas production and consumption.

The triennial World Petroleum Congress is the oil and gas industry's largest and most prestigious international event. Known as "the Olympics of the oil and gas sector", the 22nd World Petroleum Congress will be held in Istanbul, Turkey from 9-13 July 2017. http://www.22wpc.com

For more information visit: http://www.world-petroleum.org or contact:

Ulrike von Lonski

Director of Communications

Tel: +44-20-7637-4995

E-mail: ulrike@world-petroleum.org

About ITN Productions

ITN Productions is ITN's bespoke production hub producing creative and commercially valuable content for the business, commercial, broadcast and digital sectors. Industry News forms part of this offering and is a communications tool for leading industry bodies and national associations produced in a broadcast news programme format, including interviews, news items and sponsored editorial profiles.

For more information visit: http://www.itnproductions.co.uk

Press contact:

Frances Mullan, Head of Marketing, ITN productions, +44-20-7430-4653 frances.mullan@itn.co.uk

SOURCE ITN Productions
Vanguard to Exhibit and Speak at GSE UK November 1  November 2, 2016

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanguard Integrity Professionals, Inc., cybersecurity experts for networks, distributed systems and enterprises, is proud to sponsor, exhibit and speak at GSE UK 2016 in Whittlebury, United Kingdom November 1 - 2, 2016. Additionally, Vanguard will be presenting on topics addressing the latest cybersecurity and compliance issues. Vanguard will highlight its security solutions demonstrating how they play a vital role protecting any enterprise, cloud or IBM z/OS security server environment.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151202/292653LOGO

GSE UK 2016 brings together thought leaders, experts and professionals at all levels of cyber security as well as the next generation of cyber defenders. The GSE UK Conference is an annual event organized by the GSE Conference Committee. The conference includes several keynote and plenary sessions and a large number of subject streams, each of which covers a specific area of interest targeting cybersecurity.

Security experts from Vanguard are speaking at GSE UK 2016. Vanguard executives will discuss the latest security and compliance topics, trends and techniques in multiple sessions over two days. We invite you to attend these informative security and compliance sessions.

Please make plans to attend one of our sessions and visit our booth at the GSE UK 2016 exhibit hall.

Vanguard Speaking Sessions:

Is your z/OS secure? What we have found in years of Security Assessments!

Speaker: Brian Marshall, Vanguard  Vice President of Research and Development

Multifactor Authentication is becoming a requirement for large organizations!

Speaker: Brian Marshall, Vanguard  Vice President of Research and Development

About Vanguard Integrity Professionals

Vanguard Integrity Professionals provides enterprise security software and services that solve complex security and regulatory compliance challenges for financial, insurance, healthcare, education, transportation and government agencies around the world. Vanguard provides automated solutions for Audit and Compliance, Operational Security, and Intrusion Management. The world's largest Financial, Insurance, Government Agencies and Retailers entrust their security to Vanguard Integrity Professionals. Vanguard is committed to protecting and securing the Cloud, z/OS Security Server and Enterprise environments. Vanguard proudly provides 24/7/365 live customer support from the United States of America.

IBM and z/OS are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

SOURCE Vanguard Integrity Professionals, Inc.
TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The $250 million venture by The Bascom Group, LLC and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. ("Venture") has acquired Springs at Continental Ranch Apartments, a 196-unit luxury community located in Tucson, Arizona. ACORE Capital provided debt financing, which was arranged by Brian Eisendrath, Brandon Smith, and Annie Rice of CBRE. Art Wadlund & Clint Wadlund of Berkadia represented the buyer and seller on this transaction. The onsite property management will be overseen by Arizona based Morrison, Ekre & Bart Management Services (MEB).

Springs at Continental Springs at Continental

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/435103

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/435104

Built in 1999, Springs at Continental Ranch consists of 19 two-story buildings with two resort-style swimming pools and a relaxing spa. Other amenities include a state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center, controlled access gated entry, common area Wi-Fi, barbecue grills, theatre room, and private garages. Springs at Continental Ranch is positioned in an excellent northwest Tucson location, just west of Interstate 10.

Mark Brotherton, Portfolio Manager of Bascom affiliate Bascom Arizona Ventures, comments, "Springs at Continental Ranch provided us with an exceptional opportunity to acquire another 'A' quality multifamily property in a highly desirable location, well below replacement cost, with significant upside with our value-add program. Springs at Continental Ranch is our 15th acquisition since August 2012 in the state of Arizona, and our second in Northwest Tucson in the last 30 days. We are very excited about our newest acquisition and look forward to commencing our value-add program as soon as possible."

Bill Wright, Asset Manager of Bascom affiliate Bascom Arizona Ventures, adds, "Bascom will recapitalize the property with exterior and interior renovations which will equip Springs at Continental Ranch with one of the best amenity packages in the submarket. We look forward to creating value for our new residents."

"As a smaller market, Tucson is sometimes overlooked, but the jobs-to-permits ratio is amongst the highest in the nation with more than three jobs created for every housing unit built. We believe Tucson is poised for meaningful rent gains as a result of strong, high-quality job growth coupled with a limited new supply pipeline," said Mark Jacobs, Managing Director at Oaktree.

About Bascom: The Bascom Group, LLC is a private equity firm specializing in value-added multifamily, commercial, non-performing loans, and real estate related investments and operating companies. Bascom sources value-added and distressed properties including many through foreclosure, bankruptcy, or short sales and repositions them by adding extensive capital improvements, increasing revenue, and reducing expenses by realizing operational efficiencies through implementation of institutional-quality property management. Bascom, founded by principals Jerry Fink, David Kim, and Derek Chen, is one of the most active and seasoned buyers and operators of apartment communities in the U.S. Bascom has completed over $12 billion in multifamily and commercial value-added transactions since 1996 including more than 299 multifamily properties containing over 79,000 units. Bascom has ranked among the top 50 multifamily owners in the U.S. Bascom's subsidiaries and joint ventures include the Southern California Industrial Fund, Rushmore Properties, Bascom Portfolio Advisors, Shubin Nadal Associates, Spirit Bascom Ventures, REDA Bascom Ventures, MHF RM Holdings, Bascom Northwest Ventures, Bascom Arizona Ventures, Harbor Associates, Village Partner Ventures, and the Realm Group. Bascom's subsidiaries also include Premier Business Centers, the largest privately held executive suite company in the U.S. For additional information, please visit www.bascomgroup.com.

About Oaktree: Oaktree is a leader among global investment managers specializing in alternative investments, with $100 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2016. The firm emphasizes an opportunistic, value-oriented and risk-controlled approach to investments in distressed debt, corporate debt (including high yield debt and senior loans), control investing, convertible securities, real estate and listed equities. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the firm has over 900 employees and offices in 18 cities worldwide. For additional information, please visit Oaktree's website at http://www.oaktreecapital.com/.

For more information, please contact Mark Brotherton at [email protected], or Bill Wright at [email protected].

Tel: 480.315.1200

SOURCE The Bascom Group

Related Links

http://www.bascomgroup.com


TROY, Mich., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Altair will host its 9th European Altair Technology Conference from June 26 - 28, 2017 at the Congressforum Frankenthal in the Rhine/Neckar area, Germany. Spanning the entire spectrum of Altair offerings, from the application of simulation and optimization technologies, to partner solutions as well as high-performance and cloud computing, the three-day event will be packed with valuable information from technical experts and thought leaders, offering innovative content and product development techniques.

This year for the first time, extending the scope beyond Altair customers, the conference will include a day, dedicated especially to those interested in simulation, design, and HPC solutions and the development of innovative products via a Simulation-driven Innovation approach.

"I'm very much looking forward to our 9th E-ATC next year in June in Germany," said Dr. Detlef Schneider, Senior Vice President EMEA, Altair. "Last year more than 650 engineers and simulation experts joined us in Paris, showing tremendous interest, not only in our tools but also in our methods and product development philosophy. The 2017 agenda will reflect how Simulation-driven Innovation is leveraging simulation, optimization, high performance computing and cloud technologies to design disruptive future products. These topics will meet the needs of all kinds of product creators and will cover all types of industries - from architecture to industrial design, automotive and aerospace to general machinery and manufacturing."

Divided in solution focused parallel sessions, day one will target an audience with a general design and engineering background in order to familiarize them with Altair's solutions. The program will offer high level insights into product development methods, simulation solutions and will provide general information on the use of simulation in various industries. In addition, day one will also host a session for academic users.

Day two will be dedicated to keynote presentations from all industries, delivering inspiring insights into Simulation-driven Innovation techniques from high level Altair customers, the Altair executive team and industry thought leaders. This day is a must for executives, engineers and product creators looking for insights from leading industries. The third and last day of the conference will provide in-depth technical presentations given by experienced users of the Altair solutions, in parallel sessions.

Presenting at the European ATC will provide a unique opportunity to reach out to a large engineering audience and discuss innovative work with one's peers. Customers interested in speaking at the conference are invited to submit their abstracts to the organizational team via www.altairatc.com/europe or an email to [email protected].

A technical showcase, presenting software and service solutions of Altair and its partners will complement the event. Exhibition details and sponsoring options will be published at a later point in time at: www.altairatc.com/europe.

For more information on the European ATC, please visit www.altairatc.com/europe.

About Altair

Founded in 1985, Altair is focused on the development and application of simulation technology to synthesize and optimize designs, processes and decisions for improved business performance. Privately held with more than 2,600 employees, Altair is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, USA with more than 45 offices throughout 20 countries, and serves more than 5,000 corporate clients across broad industry segments. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com.

Media Contacts

Altair Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Evelyn Gebhardt

+49-6421-9684351

[email protected]

Altair Corporate/ Americas

Biba A. Bedi

+1-757-224-0548 x 406

[email protected]

SOURCE Altair

Related Links

http://www.altair.com


AIR SHOW CHINA, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Air China has selected the V2500 engine to power 18 firm Airbus A320ceo family aircraft. The V2500 engine is offered through IAE International Aero Engines AG, a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders comprise Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX); Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International GmbH; Japanese Aero Engines Corporation; and MTU Aero Engines GmbH.

"We appreciate the trust Air China places in our products and people," said Rick Deurloo, senior vice president, Commercial Engine Sales, Marketing & Customer Support, Pratt & Whitney. "We look forward to supporting Air China's V2500 powered A320ceo family aircraft."

Founded in 1988, Air China is China's only national flag carrier and a member of the world's largest airline network, Star Alliance.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries. To learn more about UTC, visit its website at www.utc.com, or follow the company on Twitter: @UTC.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in levels of demand in the aerospace industry, in levels of air travel, and in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production support, performance and realization of the anticipated benefits of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corp.'s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Sara Banda Grace Xie Pratt & Whitney Pratt & Whitney China 860-565-4031 office 86 - 21- 6036 0602 office 860-202-8644 mobile 86 - 15801772527 mobile [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Pratt & Whitney

Related Links

http://www.utc.com


Nguyen, who is also a member of the California Employment Lawyers Association, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, and Vietnamese American Bar Association of Southern California, considers it an honor to be a part of the NAPABA. "The NAPABA is dedicated to achieving equal opportunities for Asian Americans, a matter that I deal with on a regular basis as an employment law attorney in California," Nguyen says. "I'm proud to be a member of an organization that has fought tirelessly to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment towards the Asian American community."

"The agenda for this year's convention is packed with opportunities to learn how to promote justice and opportunity for Asian Americans," Nguyen continues. "I look forward to using the skills I learn at the convention to protect the civil rights of my Asian American clients."

Located in Santa Monica, Shegerian & Associates is a law firm specializing in protecting the rights of employees who have been wronged by their employers. Richly experienced in labor and employment law and possessing an unparalleled success record as litigators, Shegerian & Associates is passionately dedicated to serving the needs of its clients. For more information about the firm, visit www.ShegerianLaw.com.

Located in Los Angeles County, Shegerian & Associates is a law firm specializing in employment law and personal injury litigation. Shegerian & Associates is dedicated to serving the needs of its clients, and has won over 73 jury trials, including over 31 seven and eight figure verdicts. For more information, visit www.ShegerianLaw.com or www.GotFired.com

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161031/434293

SOURCE Shegerian & Associates, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.ShegerianLaw.com


AIR SHOW CHINA, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. has selected the V2500 engine to power 10 firm Airbus A321ceo aircraft. The V2500 engine is offered through IAE International Aero Engines AG, a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders comprise Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX); Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International GmbH; Japanese Aero Engines Corporation; and MTU Aero Engines GmbH.

"Bank of Communications Financial Leasing is committed to becoming the most influential financial leasing brand in China. We are glad to choose V2500 engines to provide our clients with highly dependable and efficient solutions," said Li Ru, Senior Vice President, Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.

"We look forward to supporting Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. and its V2500 powered A321ceo aircraft," said Rick Deurloo, senior vice president, Commercial Engine Sales, Marketing & Customer Support, Pratt & Whitney. "We appreciate the trust they have placed in us with their order."

Founded in 2007, Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (Bocomm Leasing) is one of the first five financial leasing enterprises that established with the approval from China Banking Regulatory Commission, and also the subsidiary wholly-owned by Bank of Communications. Aviation leasing is the key sector of Bocomm Leasing. It currently manages about 280 aircraft and is the second largest among Chinese leasing companies.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries. To learn more about UTC, visit its website at www.utc.com, or follow the company on Twitter: @UTC.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in levels of demand in the aerospace industry, in levels of air travel, and in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production support, performance and realization of the anticipated benefits of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corp.'s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Sara Banda Grace Xie Pratt & Whitney Pratt & Whitney China 860-565-4031 office 86 - 21- 6036 0602 office 860-202-8644 mobile 86 - 15801772527 mobile [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Pratt & Whitney

Related Links

http://www.utc.com


SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- BASF Automotive Refinish kept the focus bright and bold as it unveiled a new line of colors and announced its official 2017 "Color of the Year" at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas this week.

The R-M Onyx HD and Diamont Zyrilliant Color Series is a collection of 108 colors that provide custom car builders and restoration shops with the ability to deliver bright, extreme and one-of-a-kind, uncommon shades. These formulas are easily customizable and feature a range of colors, developed without using special pigments or effect components.

The series offers 36 custom shades, as well as 12 ground colors and 60 high-chroma colors that can be combined and applied using a tri-coat process to create the maximum effect. These eye catching shades react to direct light to deliver incredible shimmer and sparkle with color changing effects.

"Our new Zyrilliant Color Series provides customers with an easy-to-use collection that delivers truly unique and eye-catching results," said Dan Bihlmeyer, BASF North America Marketing Head, Automotive Refinish. "Whether you're looking for a bright, bold or exotic look, the series inspires people to experiment and create unique custom formulations."

BASF also announced its first-ever "Color of the Year" at the SEMA show. The color, Reflexion Nebula, was unveiled on a custom 2009 Nissan Skyline GT-R.

The 2017 "Color of the Year" transitions from blue to gray depending on the viewer's vantage point. The inspiration was based on current color trends and highlights BASF's competency as a leader in color design, coatings and chemistry for the automotive industry.

"Our design team predicts a stronger presence of blue shades that offer versatility and broad appeal in the automotive space," said Paul Czornij, Head of Design for BASF's Color Excellence Group. "This is apparent in Reflexion Nebula, with its dynamic and scintillating look that is both playful and sophisticated."

To see all BASF is featuring at SEMA visit basfrefinish.com/SEMA2016

About BASF Automotive Refinish

BASF's Automotive Refinish business manufactures and markets coatings for the collision repair, commercial fleet and automotive specialty markets. Its paint products are supported by technical training programs, advanced color information systems, business management and planning tools. For more information visit http://www.basfrefinish.com

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has nearly 17,500 employees in North America, and had sales of $17.4 billion in 2015. For more information about BASF's North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 112,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of more than 70 billion in 2015. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information at www.basf.com.

SOURCE BASF

Related Links

http://www.basf.us


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After meeting students, staff, and creative economy leaders, Lord Hall of Birkenhead unveiled the plaque at the USW Cardiff Campus, in the heart of Cardiff's growing creative industries zone between Pinewood, the Roath Lock drama village, and the new BBC Wales HQ in the city centre.

Lord Hall announced the creation of new Fellowships at USW for senior BBC leaders, who will lecture at the University and host USW students at BBC headquarters across the UK.

Speaking in an evening ceremony after receiving an Honorary Doctorate of the University, Tony Hall said: "Our BBC Fellows at USW will be drawn from many different areas of specialism - in journalism, leadership, radio, TV and digital media - and they will all represent the brightest and best of the BBC. Over time, I hope they will provide students here with a real insight into a complex media world and how our biggest broadcasters are adapting at a time of unprecedented flux and change."

The development is home to USW's Faculty of Creative Industries, replicating industry workplaces across the creative sector to provide students with professional dance studios, broadcast film and TV studios, photography studios, drama theatre spaces, animation renderfarm, and music recording studios.

Jane McCloskey, USW's Dean of the Faculty of Creative Industries, said: "Our aim is for our USW Cardiff Campus to grow as a powerhouse for growth and creativity.

"We're providing a pipeline of creative talent. We do this through teaching by professionals who work in their industries. We do it through placements with our partners in the creative economy, from film studios to animation start-ups, and we do it in the most innovative professional simulation facilities. We're opening the doors to industry professionals to work with the next generation of emerging talent."

Professor Julie Lydon, USW Vice-Chancellor, said: "The campus and these Fellowships reflect USW's focus on the workplace. That vocational emphasis on careers is something that's in our DNA, and we're proud of it.

"Whether our graduates are winning Oscars for their documentaries, growing start-up businesses, publishing books, recording albums - and we're proud that they do all of those things - they're adding both to our economy and to the society around us."

NOTES:

Image Captions 01 - BBC Director-General Tony Hall receives an Honorary Doctorate from the University of South Wales 02 - BBC Director-General Tony Hall talks to drama students at the University of South Wales 03 - BBC Director-General Tony Hall with Vice-Chancellor Julie Lydon and students from the University of South Wales

For more information, interviews or multimedia content, please contact the USW Corporate Communications team on 01443 483362 or email [email protected]

University of South Wales : With more than 30,000 students the University of South Wales (USW) is a major player in UK higher education. USW students voted the university as one of the top 10 UK universities at the WhatUni? Student Choice Awards 2016.

One of the top ten campus universities in the UK by student number, it attracts a cosmopolitan mix of students from over 120 countries and all backgrounds. Within the United Kingdom, USW is unique in the breadth of its role, encompassing a modern university and two subsidiaries in Wales's national conservatoire, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and The College Merthyr Tydfil.

With campuses in Cardiff, Pontypridd and Newport, the University is renowned for its partnerships with major employers, from British Airways to the National Health Service. Its relationship with employers as a leading university for careers is reflected in the high employment rate of its graduates, with 94% of students in employment or further study within six months of graduating.

USW is a powerhouse in applied research used to shape major decisions. As a major public policy think-tank, it offers independent advice to government, industry and employers across the UK on health, education, economic growth, social policy, and governance.

SOURCE University of South Wales
NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Benenson Strategy Group (BSG), the leading strategic research consultancy, took home the top prize in the audience segmentation category for its work with the AA (the Automobile Association) at the Data Storytelling Awards ceremony, a Marketing Week event.

The Data Storytelling Awards spotlight and celebrate the strategies, people and brands that are setting the standard in data. BSG's winning entry, The Watershed Moment: Segmenting for Transformation, was based on the segmentation work conducted by the firm's UK office. The groundbreaking project helped the AA, UK's largest motoring organization, understand the new consumer landscape and deeply connect with its members, now and for the long term.

The award-winning segmentation is fueling a major strategic and commercial shift for the AA, and is the driving force behind a new brand campaign worth 7m. BSG's research and strategy enabled the AA to re-focus into segments that are profitable and sustainable, and identify where the brand and its products have a unique ability to address unmet consumer needs. Moreover, the segmentation helped the AA achieve a more personalized CRM and new membership rewards structure, optimize their media planning efforts, and craft a clear roadmap for advertising creative.

The UK BSG team employed the firm's Values-Based Segmentation approach to clarify the consumer landscape by combining underlying emotional values with big & behavioral data. Instead of just relying on behaviors, stated needs or demographics, BSG focused on unlocking what drives consumer opinion and choice. By uncovering the Hidden Architecture of OpinionSM, BSG was able to segment more effectively, prioritize the segments, and develop & test the most effective messaging within those segments across beliefs, benefits and proof points.

"We are extremely grateful to be acknowledged for this important work," said Joel Benenson, Founding Partner and CEO of BSG. "In the AA we have a passionate partner who trusts our team to help them by employing what is clearly a different approach to segmentation. The results represent the type of far-reaching, impactful change we strive for, and we look forward to our continued partnership and more successes with the AA."

This year's Data Storytelling Conference highlighted how some of the UK's biggest brands are innovating in data capture, extraction and storytelling to boost the most important marketing metric: ROI. The award ceremony featured 15 categories, each reflecting excellence in the use of data. The judging panel was comprised of the most influential minds in data and insight from top UK brands, and winners were chosen from a shortlist of overall entries.

About Benenson Strategy Group

Benenson Strategy Group (BSG) is a strategic research consultancy that marries language expertise with innovative research to frame choices that help clients win in the most challenging competitive situations. Advising global corporations, political leaders and institutions in dynamic, competitive scenarios, Benenson Strategy Group has earned a reputation for expertise in the rhythm and nuances of language and words, and the underlying dynamics of consumer and political choices. Founded in 2000, BSG's headquarters are in New York. The firm also has offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, London, Philadelphia and Denver. For more information, please visit www.bsgco.com

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435474LOGO

CONTACT: Adam Rossow, (303) 395-2647, [email protected]

SOURCE Benenson Strategy Group

Related Links

http://bsgco.com


"BJ's is offering its Members more than $20,000 in savings on hundreds of great offers during the Black Friday Savings Event," said Lee Delaney, executive vice president, chief growth officer, BJ's Wholesale Club. "We'll also offer hot doorbuster deals in-club, available only on Black Friday."

From Nov. 18 to Nov. 28, Members can shop the Black Friday Savings Event in-club or online at BJs.com/blackfriday for access to all of the hottest deals from BJ's. Black Friday doorbusters will be available in-club only on Black Friday.

BJ's Members can earn more awards on their Black Friday shopping by joining the My BJ's Perks Program. The Double Perks promotion (BJs.com/doubleperks) starts on Nov.18 and earns My BJ's Perks Members up to 10 percent back on purchases in select categories including television, jewelry and watches, toys and more. BJ's Perks Plus and BJ's Perks Elite card members will earn double by using their My BJ's Perks Mastercard. The promotion is valid through Nov. 28, 2016. Visit BJs.com/doubleperks to learn more.

Doorbusters - available in-club only starting on Black Friday, while supplies last.

Sharp 50" 1080p LED TV, $249.99 . Save $250 with in-club clipless coupon. My BJ's Perks Members earn double on TV purchases, including doorbusters.

Save with in-club clipless coupon. ProScan 39" 720p LED TV, $139.99 . Save $110 with in-club clipless coupon. My BJ's Perks Members earn double on TV purchases, including doorbusters.

Save with in-club clipless coupon.

Black Friday Savings Event  available in-club and online at BJs.com from Nov. 18  Nov. 28.

Samsung 65" 4K UHD Smart LED TV, $899.99 . Save $500 with in-club clipless coupon or BJs.com instant savings.

Save with in-club clipless coupon or BJs.com instant savings. Nutri Ninja Pro with 18 oz. and 24 oz. cups, $49.99 . Save $30 with in-club clipless coupon or BJs.com instant savings. My BJ's Perks Members earn double on appliance purchases.

Save with in-club clipless coupon or BJs.com instant savings. Skull Candy Grind Wireless Headphones, $49.99 . Save $30 with in-club clipless coupon or BJs.com instant savings.

Save with in-club clipless coupon or BJs.com instant savings. GoPro HERO4 Essential Camera Bundle, $199.99 . Save $50 with in-club clipless coupon or BJs.com instant savings.

Save with in-club clipless coupon or BJs.com instant savings. Therapedic Comfort Cloud Luxury Queen Mattress Set with Gel Memory Foam, $299.99 . Save $400 with in-club coupon. My BJ's Perks Members earn double on furniture and home furnishings.

Save with in-club coupon.

BJ's Wholesale Club Holiday Hours:

BJ's will be closed on Thanksgiving Day for the 10th year in a row, enabling Team Members to enjoy the holiday with their families. For the first time ever, BJ's will extend its club hours the week leading up to Thanksgiving giving Members more time to get everything they need for the holiday.

Nov. 18  Nov. 23 : Clubs will open at 8 a.m. with normal closing hours.

 : Clubs will open at with normal closing hours. Thanksgiving Day , Nov. 24 : Closed.

, : Closed. Black Friday, Nov. 25 : Clubs will open at 7 a.m. with normal closing hours.

: Clubs will open at with normal closing hours. Dec. 11  Dec. 24 : Visit BJs.com/locations for local club holiday hours.

Visit BJs.com/blackfriday starting Nov. 7 to view all Black Friday Savings Event deals. Customers not currently enrolled in Membership can sign up for a free 90-day trial at the Membership desk to take advantage of the hot deals BJ's is offering this holiday season.

BJ's Members can save even more when they shop the club first and fill up their gas tank at a BJ's Gas location on the same day. From Nov. 1, 2016  Jan. 1, 2017, Members will receive 5 cents off per gallon when filling their tank at a BJ's Gas location after shopping at a BJ's Wholesale Club location.

BJ's Wholesale Club will continue to offer Members convenient shopping options during the holiday season including in-club shopping, BJs.com and its recently launched Pick Up & Pay service.

About BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc.

Headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, BJ's is the leading operator of membership warehouse clubs in the Eastern United States. The company currently operates 214 clubs and 130 BJ's Gas locations in 15 states.

BJ's provides a one-stop shopping destination filled with top-quality, leading brands, including its exclusive Wellsley Farms and Berkley Jensen brands, along with USDA Choice meats, premium produce and delicious organics, many in supermarket sizes. BJ's is also the only major membership warehouse club to accept all manufacturers' coupons and, for greater convenience, offers the most payment options.

Visit www.BJs.com, and for exclusive content find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

BJ's is wholly owned by affiliates of Leonard Green & Partners, CVC Capital Partners and its management team.

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SOURCE BJ's Wholesale Club

Related Links

http://www.bjs.com


LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Albridge, an affiliate of Pershing LLC, a BNY Mellon company, today unveiled its strategy to introduce enhanced solutions designed to help broker-dealers, financial advisors and RIAs adapt to an accelerated rate of industry evolution. These advancements address key industry trends highlighted at the 2016 Albridge Forum, its annual gathering of financial services professionals from the broker-dealer and RIA communities as well as financial technology solution providers.

"At this year's Forum, broker-dealers, financial advisors and RIAs recognized the urgent need to adapt to today's unprecedented rate of industry change," said Marc Butler, chief operating officer at Albridge. "We had numerous discussions with clients about how to best adapt to the technological, regulatory and competitive forces reshaping the industry. Our upcoming solutions will help clients meet these challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities in this new environment."

Albridge has structured its upcoming solutions to address two major trends driving the accelerated rate of industry change:

1. Investors are demanding more holistic service from their advisors; Albridge is helping clients meet this demand with a redesigned and more powerful reporting platform and increased integration with third-party applications

Millennials now outnumber Baby Boomers,i and will account for over 50% of the global workforce by 2020.ii Increasingly, these and other investors expect advisors to provide holistic financial planning and to act in their best interest at all times. Additionally, digital tools that enable investor control over basic decisions have caused investors to demand higher-value services from advisors. This demographic shift underscores the urgency for firms to adapt and modernize their offerings to match investors' expectations.

To meet the greater demands facing advisors, firms now need technology that seamlessly integrates advisor solutions, providing firms with interoperability, insights and automation. Albridge is developing the following proprietary solutions to address advisors' needs for more intelligent and integrated technology:

Fully redesigned Albridge Wealth Reporting, with greater integration with NetXInvestor:

The entire Albridge Wealth Reporting user interface will be redesigned to enhance its overall look and feel, improve ease of use and enable clients to utilize the platform more efficiently and effectively. Users of NetXInvestor will have access to consolidated holdings and performance values for both Pershing and non-Pershing accounts, powered by Albridge Wealth Reporting. A beta version of the redesigned platform will be available to an initial set of clients in late November, and the remainder of clients in the early part of 2017.

Applink enhancements and additional third-party tech provider integrations:

Albridge is rolling out more extensive integration with leading third-party technology providers as well as expanding its focus on supporting investor portals with performance returns. These integrations enable clients to maximize the use of investor account data and help create a more integrated, efficient advisor technology ecosystem.

2. Increasingly stringent regulatory requirements and compliance standards are challenging firms' business models; Albridge is developing solutions to make compliance processes more efficient and effective.

Compliance burdens have increased steadily for all firms, leading to an increase in compliance costs and operational issues industrywide. The implementation of new Department of Labor (DOL) requirements is expected to accelerate this trend, challenging many firms' business models.

To help clients meet immediate compliance challenges and position themselves for long-term success, Albridge is preparing the following enhancements:

An upgraded Albridge Sales Practices Monitoring solution:

Albridge is enhancing its Sales Practice Monitoring solution to enable a more efficient review of transactions and accounts to help compliance teams better align with emerging regulatory obligations.

A new Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS) reporting solution:

Albridge and Eagle Investment Systems are developing a GIPS composite reporting solution. The solution will combine performance data from Albridge with Eagle's GIPS composite management and reporting capabilities to enable Albridge clients to present performance information based on GIPS standards.

"We are excited to offer our clients numerous advancements and innovations that enable them to further differentiate their value proposition," said Jennifer Feinerman, director of sales and relationship management at Albridge. "We are focused on helping our clients achieve success by providing them with an array of services spanning the investor journey, and by building visionary solutions that position our clients for success in tomorrow's competitive landscape."

To learn more about these enhancements, please visit albridge.com.

About BNY Mellon's Albridge

Albridge, an affiliate of Pershing LLC, is a leading provider of enterprise data management solutions that deliver a single view of an investor's broad range of assets. Our proprietary technology consolidates and reconciles client account and transaction data from hundreds of data sources representing banking, brokerage, insurance, retirement, managed accounts and more. Albridge processes this cleansed data and uses it to power a variety of downstream technology solutions, including performance reporting, sales practice monitoring, data warehousing, business intelligence, imaging and workflow. Albridge provides the foundation for financial organizations to leverage a single source of information to power a number of mission critical technology applications. Additional information is available at albridge.com.

About BNY Mellon's Pershing

Pershing and its affiliates provide global financial business solutions to advisors, asset managers, broker-dealers, family offices, registered investment advisor firms and wealth managers. A financial services firm located in 23 offices worldwide, Pershing provides business-to-business solutions to clients representing 6 million active investor accounts on the U.S. platform. Pershing affiliates are members of every major U.S. securities exchange, and its international affiliates are members of the Deutsche Borse, Australian Stock Exchange, Irish Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange. Pershing LLC (member FINRA/NYSE/SIPC) is a BNY Mellon company. Additional information is available on pershing.com, or follow us on Twitter @Pershing.

About BNY Mellon

BNY Mellon is a global investments company dedicated to helping its clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment lifecycle. Whether providing financial services for institutions, corporations or individual investors, BNY Mellon delivers informed investment management and investment services in 35 countries and more than 100 markets. As of September 30, 2016, BNY Mellon had $30.5 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration, and $1.72 trillion in assets under management. BNY Mellon can act as a single point of contact for clients looking to create, trade, hold, manage, service, distribute or restructure investments. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). Additional information is available on www.bnymellon.com. Follow us on Twitter @BNYMellon or visit our newsroom at www.bnymellon.com/newsroom for the latest company news.

i U.S. Census Bureau Press Release "Millennials Outnumber Baby Boomers and Are Far More Diverse, Census Bureau Reports," http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-113.html

ii PwC White Paper, "Millennials at work; Reshaping the Workplace" https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/managing-tomorrows-people/future-of-work/assets/reshaping-the-workplace.pdf

Contact:

Paul Patella

+1 201 413 3609

[email protected]

SOURCE BNY Mellon

Related Links

http://www.bnymellon.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bulova is pleased to announce a three-year partnership with The Latin Recording Academy, which includes sponsorship of the 17th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards.

Bulova, has throughout their 141 years of history, celebrated the importance of music. From the first-ever brand national radio commercial to the launch of the first clock radio, Bulova rejoices its musical legacy, with this The Latin Recording Academy collaboration.

"We are very proud to partner with The Latin Recording Academy as Bulova already has strong ties with the Hispanic market and this partnership reinforces our relationship with consumers of Latin and Hispanic heritage," said Jeffrey Cohen, President of Bulova.

"The legacy and history behind Bulova is a true reflection of the honor bestowed to our nominees and winners," said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. "This partnership carefully reflects the current multi-cultural environment that has become part of the United States and will spotlight the artistry and craftsmanship of both brands with integrity while enjoying true timeless musical moments."

The partnership includes activations and events leading up to and following the Latin GRAMMY Awards, such as Bulova honoring this year's Best New Artist nominees with a Latin GRAMMY inspired Bulova timepiece.

Following this inaugural year, a collection of Latin GRAMMY inspired watches will be launched in 2017.

Bulova has also collaborated with both The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Museum.

About Bulova

Founded in 1875, Bulova remains one of the world's most recognized brands, with a distinguished portfolio that includes Bulova, Caravelle New York, Wittnauer watches, as well as licensed Harley-Davidson Timepieces by Bulova watches, Frank Lloyd Wright Collection watches and clocks, and Bulova Clocks. Bulova is headquartered in New York City, with eight International offices and distribution in 65 markets. Still at the forefront of the timekeeping industry, Bulova is committed to advancing the art of watchmaking with extraordinary design, exclusive high-performance technology and enduring quality that upholds a tradition of excellence and meets the needs of global consumers today. For more information, visit www.bulova.com.

About The Latin Recording Academy

The Latin Recording Academy is an international, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and other creative and technical recording professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers. In addition to producing the Latin GRAMMY Awards to honor excellence in the recorded arts and sciences, The Latin Recording Academy provides educational and outreach programs for the Latin music community either directly or through its Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. For more information about The Latin Recording Academy, please visit LatinGRAMMY.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow us at: Twitter, Facebook , Instagram, Vine, Periscope, YouTube, Pinterest, Google+ and Tumblr.

Press Contacts

Bulova - The Promotion Factory, Kaitlin Derkach

[email protected] or (212) 217.9065

The Latin Recording Academy  Teresa Romo

[email protected] or 310.392.3777

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161028/433886LOGO

SOURCE Bulova

Related Links

http://www.bulova.com


FREEHOLD, N.J., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A specialist in search-engine marketing has been reaching out to New Jersey business groups this fall with presentations and workshops geared to helping them understand how to attract traffic to their websites. Jeremy Skillings, President and CEO of You Can Be Found in Freehold, NJ, works with businesses that want to be "found" on the net.

Most recently Skillings spoke to members of the Suburban Chamber of Commerce which serves the business communities of Summit, Berkeley Heights, and New Providence. He spoke about improving online visibility with Google. Prior to that, he addressed the Neighborhood Networking Group in Berkeley Heights under the general topic "Things You Can Do with Your Website" to draw more traffic there. These speaking engagements came on the heels of workshops he conducted on search engine optimization (SEO) in Monmouth County.

"I think it is important to speak to business groups, because I feel I can make it easier for businesses to understand how search engine marketing (SEM) works," Skillings explained. "I also want them to know that I can step in to do the difficult things like link building that they can't do themselves."

Link building, for example, is essentially about establishing and then fostering inbound links to a website. Skillings points out that a business website can be something of a magnet to potential customers with SEO tools like keyword research, expert analysis of the competition and even social media consulting. The goal is a custom designed plan that fits the client's budget.

His own business website uses the symbolism of the needle in a haystack to simulate the typical business website trying to get found on the vast internet. Google will get you inside the haystack, Skilling reports, but you'll need the right tools and someone who knows how to use them to uncover the needle and make it more visible.

"My clients' interests are my interests and what I do every day is move my clients to better positions in the search engines," says Skillings, who is a Google Certified Partner, which, according to Google "means that you've demonstrated AdWords skill and expertise, met AdWords spend requirements, delivered agency and client revenue growth, and sustained and grown your client base."

Skillings was Global Reporting Manager at Mercer, an international consulting firm, when he launched his SEO business in 2006 at the age of 31. He is a past speaker and regular attendee of the SMX Advanced Expo in Seattle, the biggest and best national search marketing conference for professionals in that field.

SOURCE You Can Be Found

Related Links

http://youcanbefound.com


BOSTON, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Later today, the Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will join Muslim community leaders at a "Choose Love Over Hate" event organized in response to a Stoughton, Mass. Synagogue's decision to host three Islamophobes and anti-Muslim hate group leaders.

Video: CAIR-MA Asks Synagogue to Cancel Event Featuring Islamophobes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-ra2ITfyjw

WHAT: 'Choose Love Over Hate' Event at Synagogue Hosting Islamophobes

WHEN: Wednesday, November 2, beginning at 7:15 p.m.

WHERE: Outside Ahavath Torah Congregation (1179 Central St., Stoughton, MA 02072)

CONTACT: CAIR-MA Executive Director Dr. John Robbins, [email protected], 617-862-9159

At that event, the Muslim community members will give out hugs and free donuts in an effort to show the true face of their faith.

Today's event will be held outside a scheduled panel discussion at the Ahavath Torah Synagogue featuring Islamophobes Frank Gaffney, Jerry Boykin and Tom Trento, all of whom the Southern Poverty Law Center has identified as anti-Muslim extremists or hate group leaders.

SPLC: Active Hate Groups in the United States

http://tinyurl.com/z64zrfj

Frank Gaffney:

http://tinyurl.com/j6788l8

Jerry Boykin:

http://tinyurl.com/JBoykin

Tom Trento:

http://tinyurl.com/zx5g8nl

"The Quran tells Muslims to 'repel evil by that which is better,' and here we're planning to do exactly that," said Dr. John Robbins, CAIR-MA's executive director. "It's deplorable for leaders of recognized anti-Muslim hate groups, who are identified as such by the Southern Poverty Law Center alongside neo-Nazis and white supremacist organizations, to be given a platform anywhere in our state, but especially at a place of worship. We want to show those who would hear negative messages about Islam at the event the truth: that their Muslim neighbors are purveyors of peace within their communities."

Robbins noted that a coalition of almost 100 interfaith leaders, including some of the most prominent religious leaders in the Boston-area Christian and Jewish communities, released an open statement expressing deep concerns about the event.

SEE: Faith leaders sound alarm about critics of Islam appearing at Stoughton synagogue - The Boston Globe

http://tinyurl.com/hmkpv8w

Statement of Interfaith Solidarity Against Islamophobia in Massachusetts

http://tinyurl.com/hb8x7d3

Information about the speakers' Islamophobic views is also available at CAIR's Islamophobia Monitor website.

SEE: CAIR Islamophobia Monitor

http://www.islamophobia.org/

Gaffney is a notorious anti-Muslim conspiracy theorist who has claimed that "most of the Muslim-American groups of any prominence in America are now known to be, as a matter of fact, hostile to the United States and its Constitution.

He is a key promoter of the bizarre conspiracy theory that Muslims in public service are infiltrating the government on behalf of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Gaffney has questioned "whether Mr. Obama is a natural born citizen of the United States," claimed the Missile Defense Agency logo is part of a "worrying pattern of official U.S. submission to Islam," claimed an aide to Hillary Clinton was a secret Muslim Brotherhood operative, was a key witness for the plaintiffs in a controversial lawsuit seeking to block construction of a Tennessee mosque, promoted the debunked claim that Dearborn, Mich., is a "ghetto enclave in which it's Muslim-only," and hosted "white supremacist" Jared Taylor on his "Secure Freedom" radio program.

Gaffney's staff attorney, David Yerushalmi, has advocated outlawing the practice of Islam in America and is the key promoter of anti-Islam bills in state legislatures nationwide, including one being voted on today by the Idaho legislature.

When leading GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump proposed a ban on all Muslims entering the United States, he quoted from a sham survey commissioned by Gaffney's organization.

Retired Lieutenant General William G. "Jerry" Boykin, has stated that "[Islam] should not be protected under the First Amendment," that there should be "no mosques in America" and that there can be no interfaith dialogue or cooperation between Muslims and Christians.

CAIR Islamophobia Monitor: William Boykin

http://tinyurl.com/jc668fp

In 2012, CAIR welcomed Boykin's withdrawal from a prayer breakfast at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point following a controversy over his bigoted views.

Boykin has argued that "We need to realize that Islam itself is not just a religion - it is a totalitarian way of life. ... It should not be protected under the First Amendment, particularly given that those following the dictates of the Quran are under an obligation to destroy our Constitution and replace it with Sharia law."

At a 2013 event marking the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, Tom Trento spewed Islamophobic rhetoric in the presence of law enforcement authorities, public officials and schoolchildren.

He told the audience: "I'm not talking about radical Islam or moderate Islam. I'm talking about all Islam. Their goal is to get every single one of us to convert to Islam. And they won't stop until we do."

SEE: Florida 9/11 Memorial Turns Into Anti-Islam Hate Fest (Herald Tribune)

http://tinyurl.com/zpdlp8d

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group is asking Muslim community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://tinyurl.com/pdjlp8q

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

La mision de CAIR es mejorar la comprension del Islam, fomentar el dialogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprension mutua.

Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational

Subscribe to CAIR's Email List

http://tinyurl.com/cairsubscribe

Subscribe to CAIR's Twitter Feed

http://twitter.com/cairnational

Subscribe to CAIR's YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/cairtv

CONTACT: CAIR-MA Executive Director Dr. John Robbins, [email protected], 617-862-9159

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

Related Links

http://www.cair.com


WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator of a deadly attack on a Saudi Arabian student in Wisconsin.

CAIR said University of Wisconsin-Stout student Hussain Saeed Alnahdi, 24, died one day after being assaulted on a street in downtown Menomonie, Wis. The attacker, described as a white male about 6 feet tall, assaulted Alnahdi early Sunday morning near a pizza restaurant. Alnahdi was found unconscious and bleeding from his mouth and nose. He was hospitalized and later died from his injuries.

CAIR: Saudi Student at UW-Stout Dies After Assault (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/11/01/saudi-student-assaulted-wisconsin-dies-his-injuries/93101338/

CAIR's Minnesota chapter (CAIR-MN) and its national civil rights department are both monitoring the case. The Washington-based Muslim civil rights organization is also calling on the FBI to enter the case. CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein is meeting today with students and staff at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Video: CAIR to Monitor Probe Into Beating Death of Saudi Student in Wisconsin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUZXKNSuzeU

"The FBI should add its resources to the investigation of this disturbing attack as a show of support for the American Muslim community," said Hussein.

"We are offering this reward to help police apprehend the perpetrator and to determine the motive for this senseless crime," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "The deadly attack on a Muslim student comes at a time of a rising number of anti-Muslim incidents nationwide, which raises concerns about a possible bias motive."

He urged anyone with information about the case to contact relevant law enforcement authorities.

Awad cited a number of recent incidents targeting individual American Muslims, Muslim students and Islamic institutions nationwide. He attributed the rising number of anti-Muslim incidents in large part to Islamophobic rhetoric in the presidential election campaign, particularly the rhetoric used by GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.

SEE: US Muslims Cringe at How Presidential Nominees Portray Them

http://www.aberdeennews.com/wire/elections/us-muslims-cringe-at-how-presidential-nominees-portray-them/article_7e986d83-fe9b-5338-b134-f6f75c1919d9.html

Feds Zero in on Rise in Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes in Minnesota, Nationally

http://www.startribune.com/feds-zero-in-on-rise-in-anti-muslim-hate-crimes-in-minnesota-nationally/399231181/

Awad noted that three men allegedly harassed and beat a Somali Muslim man recently at a San Diego restaurant. The man was hit with brass knuckles and a chair. That attack is being investigated as a hate crime.

SEE: 3 Arrested in Attack on Muslim Man at San Diego Restaurant

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/3-Arrested-in-Attack-on-Muslim-Man-at-San-Diego-Restaurant-399359591.html

CAIR recently called for state and federal probes of plots to attack American mosques and attacks targeting individual American Muslims.

SEE: MPAC, CAIR Call on DOJ to Investigate Plot Against Mosque as Federal Hate Crime

http://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/13860-mpac-cair-call-on-doj-to-investigate-plot-against-mosque-as-federal-hate-crime.html

CAIR-LA Welcomes the Arrest of a Man Planning an Attack on L.A. Mosque

http://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/13854-cair-la-welcomes-the-arrest-of-a-man-planning-an-attack-on-l-a-mosque.html

CAIR Calls for Hate Crime Probe of 'Terrorist' Graffiti Targeting Virginia Muslim Students

http://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/13863-cair-calls-for-hate-crime-probe-of-terrorist-graffiti-targeting-virginia-muslim-students.html

CAIR Seeks Protection for U.S. Islamic Institutions After 'Militia' Plan to Attack Kansas Mosque

http://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/13826-cair-seeks-protection-for-u-s-islamic-institutions-after-militia-plan-to-attack-kansas-mosque.html

Joplin Mosque Received Possible Bomb Threat

http://www.joplinglobe.com/news/local_news/joplin-mosque-received-possible-bomb-threat/article_4142ab84-ec18-5873-804a-ba3eb6cef187.html

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group is asking Muslim community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/civil-rights/report-an-incident/view/form.html

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

La mision de CAIR es mejorar la comprension del Islam, fomentar el dialogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprension mutua.

Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational

Subscribe to CAIR's Email List

http://tinyurl.com/cairsubscribe

Subscribe to CAIR's Twitter Feed

http://twitter.com/cairnational

Subscribe to CAIR's YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/cairtv

CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein, 612-406-0070, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

Related Links

http://www.cair.com


NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Captain D's, the leading fast casual seafood restaurant, announced today the opening of its newest corporate owned restaurant in Easley, South Carolina. Located at 5806 Calhoun Memorial Highway, this new location marks the brand's 30th in the state and emphasizes Captain D's accelerated franchise and corporate development plans for South Carolina. The Easley restaurant will celebrate its grand opening on November 2, starting with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., attended by Mayor Larry Bagwell and local dignitaries, as well as members of the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce.

Captain D's

Over the past year, Captain D's has continued to establish South Carolina as a prime market for development, with openings across the state in cities including Spartanburg and Boiling Springs. Most recently, the company announced a new franchised location in Hartsville that opened last month. Showcasing the brand's remodeled beach design, the new Easley restaurant is 2,800 square feet, includes a drive-through and will employ 20-25 people.

"This year has been one of tremendous growth for Captain D's, as we continue to propel the brand forward with aggressive expansion in South Carolina," said Michael Arrowsmith, chief development officer for Captain D's. "The success our existing franchised and corporate restaurants are experiencing in the market has emphasized the incredible potential we have in South Carolina, which is why the company is investing in corporate development. We're confident this momentum will continue as we head into 2017, and are eager to further grow the Captain D's brand in South Carolina."

The opening in Easley comes on the heels of the outstanding success Captain D's has experienced in 2016, closing out the third quarter of the year with its 20th consecutive quarter of positive growth, generating a 2.8 percent system-wide same store sales increase. Additionally, Captain D's is on track for its fourth successive year of achieving record high system-wide AUV and its sixth consecutive year of same store sales increases.

Coupled with its ongoing menu innovation, Captain D's credits its new restaurant beach design with contributing to the brand's compounding success. To date, 50 percent of all restaurants have been reimaged to the brands new vibrant, coastal design, with another 50 locations to be remodeled by the end of this year. With these efforts, Captain D's has remained true to what it does best  serving high-quality seafood with warm hospitality at an affordable price in a welcoming atmosphere.

With 515 restaurants in 21 states, Captain D's is the fast-casual seafood leader and number one seafood franchise in America ranked by average unit volume. The company is currently seeking single- and multi-unit operators to join in the brand's rapid expansion. For more information about franchise opportunities, visit http://www.captaindsfranchising.com or call 800-550-4877.

ABOUT CAPTAIN D'S

Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Captain D's has 515 restaurants in 21 states, plus military bases around the world. Captain D's is the nation's leading fast casual seafood restaurant and was named the #1 seafood chain in the QSR 50, ranked by AUV. Founded in 1969, Captain D's has been offering its customers high-quality seafood at reasonable prices in a welcoming atmosphere for more than 46 years. Captain D's serves a wide variety of seafood that includes freshly prepared entrees and the company's signature hand-battered fish, which is cooked to order. The restaurants also offer premium-quality, grilled items such as shrimp, and surf and turf, as well as hushpuppies, desserts and freshly brewed, Southern-style sweet tea, a Captain D's favorite. For more information, please visit www.captainds.com.

Contact:

Andie Biederman

Fish Consulting

954-893-9150

[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435277

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160202/328742LOGO

SOURCE Captain D's

Related Links

http://www.captainds.com


NEW YORK and OXFORD, Miss., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CardFlight, a mobile point of sale (POS) technology provider and Security Card Services (SCS), a bank-focused merchant services provider based in the southeast, today announced their partnership to offer CardFlight's SwipeSimple solution to SCS merchants, enabling them to accept EMV chip card payments on the go.

SwipeSimple is a turnkey mobile payment acceptance platform that includes an EMV-enabled mobile chip card reader, a mobile application for iOS and Android, and a back office reporting portal for business owners to take payments and manage their business. As a part of the agreement SCS will be offering a white label version of SwipeSimple to their ISOs and merchants nationwide, branded as Mobile Pocket.

"CardFlight offers the latest mobile POS technology and security, and that is important to us", said Joan Kuykendall, SVP Product and Customer Experience at SCS. "Having an easy to use, EMV-enabled mobile point-of-sale solution is very critical to our merchants."

"We are excited to partner with SCS and to enable their merchants to grow their business by accepting EMV payments from anywhere", said Derek Webster, Founder & CEO at CardFlight.

CardFlight was one of first mobile payments providers to deploy EMV solutions in the United States, receiving their first approvals prior to the October 1, 2015 Liability Shift. They recently announced in their EMV Migration Tracker that 73% of their merchants are enabled to accept EMV chip card payments, more than 2.5 times the national average.

About CardFlight

CardFlight is a software-as-a-service company offering mobile payments technology and point of sale solutions to enterprises. We offer a Software Development Kit for developers to integrate payments acceptance in their existing app and SwipeSimple, a turnkey mobile solution for Independent Sales Organizations and Merchant Service Providers to offer to their merchants. Our technology platform is EMV chip card enabled with encrypted card readers, and a PCI Level 1 compliant payment gateway supporting all major U.S. processors. As industry leaders, we take pride in building the latest mobile payments technology and establishing partnerships to enable more companies to accept mobile payments. We have partnered with 15 of the top 60 merchant acquirers in the U.S and are currently working across a variety of verticals with companies like Artsy, Flywheel, Indochino, and Peloton, making mobile point-of-sale easy for our clients and their users. For more info, visit us at www.cardflight.com.

About Security Card Services

Security Card Services, LLC was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Oxford, Mississippi. SCS is focused on providing merchant services through Community and Regional Banks throughout the country. SCS currently supports more than 2500 bank locations across the country, processing nearly $5.5 billion in volume. As a provider of merchant services to Banks across the United States, Security Card Services understands that excellent customer service is vital to the success of a Merchant Services program. For more information, please visit www.securitycardservices.com.

SOURCE CardFlight

Related Links

http://www.cardflight.com


DALLAS, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Catapult Health, a national preventive healthcare practice that brings technology-enabled checkups to worksites across the country, announced the completion of a $10M Series B financing which includes a significant investment by a new partner, UCHealth. Catapult Health's existing investors also participated in the round, including founders Deborah and David Michel, Chief Technology Officer, Jeffrey O. Smith, Ph.D., and Series A investor Health Enterprise Partners. The company will use the funds to accelerate its rapid national customer growth and expand its team of board certified nurse practitioners who conduct Catapult's onsite health evaluations.

UCHealth is a nationally-recognized nonprofit system of seven hospitals and more than 100 clinics based in Colorado. Catapult will work closely with UCHealth to launch the company's service within the system's delivery network in 2017. "UCHealth's community wellness strategy is focused on working with employers and payers to keep people healthy in addition to caring for them when they have health concerns," said Bill Neff, UCHealth chief medical officer. "Catapult's concentration on preventive medicine and checkups delivered at worksites allows employers to reduce employee health risks and more effectively manage chronic disease."

Catapult has recently proven the effectiveness of its workplace checkup model. A four-year cohort analysis of annual checkup results from over 6,000 Catapult patients in 54 employer groups documented remarkable longitudinal results including a 66% drop in uncontrolled hypertension, a 22% drop in metabolic syndrome, and a 57% improvement in blood pressure medication use. David Michel, Catapult's founder and CEO remarked, "Catapult is best-in-the-world at delivering technology-enabled preventive checkups at the worksite. Our nurse practitioners who meet privately with employees via Catapult's videoconferencing platform are transforming lives for the better. This exciting new strategic partnership with UCHealth fits perfectly with our mission of empowering individuals to improve their health."

About Catapult Health

Catapult Health (www.CatapultHealth.com) is a national preventive healthcare practice that brings Preventive Checkups to the worksite at about half the cost of what most practices charge for in-office checkups. Each checkup includes lab-accurate diagnostic blood work, a full medical history, a tailored Personal Health Report and a private video consultation with a board certified Catapult Health Nurse Practitioner  all at the workplace and in just 30 minutes.

About UCHealth

UCHealth (www.uchealth.org) is a Front Range health system that delivers the highest quality patient care with the highest quality patient experience. UCHealth combines Memorial Hospital, Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center of the Rockies, Colorado Health Medical Group and University of Colorado Hospital into an organization dedicated to health and providing unmatched patient care in the Rocky Mountain West. Separately, these institutions can continue providing superior care to patients and service to the communities they serve. Together, they push the boundaries of medicine, attracting more research funding, hosting more clinical trials and improving health through innovation.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/434835LOGO

SOURCE Catapult Health

Related Links

http://www.uchealth.org


AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Catapult, a leading IT consulting firm, today announced the work it has been doing with Microsoft that supports the recent release of a Power BI solution template for System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM). The Power BI dashboard integration with SCCM provides robust and detailed analytics on client and server health, software updates, malware protection, and software inventory.

Through Power BI, the SCCM template offers a scalable solution, and is accessible in only minutes, rather than hours. Key data is collected incrementally on a daily basis for analysis of critical trends occurring, allowing users to quickly respond as needs change. Data is rendered through insightful and compelling Power BI dashboards and reports, with the ability to generate data mashups against data already collected.

"Catapult's System Center and Power BI teams worked directly with Microsoft to evaluate and enhance the Power BI solution template," said Cameron Fuller, Microsoft MVP and Launch Solutions Director at Catapult. "As a longtime Microsoft partner, we are pleased to offer technical knowledge that will ultimately better serve customers using System Center Configuration Manager."

Users interested in the Power BI solution template may engage with Catapult to arrange a proof of concept in their environment or may install the solution template themselves. To find out more, interested users may visit the Power BI solution template page or may reach out directly to Catapult.

ABOUT CATAPULT

Catapult is a consulting firm that uses technology to solve complex business challenges, delivering exceptional value to our clients based on their priorities and timeframes. Recognized as the 2016 Microsoft Partner of the Year (U.S.), Catapult specializes in digital transformation and cloud-based technologies. We work on behalf of our clients to imagine, build, and sustain IT-enabled business solutions that people love to use. Catapult works with customers around the U.S. and has offices in Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio, Tampa and Washington, D.C.

Press Contact:

Jessica Cowan

Marketing Communications Manager

Catapult Systems

512-605-3903

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151202/292819LOGO

SOURCE Catapult

Related Links

http://www.catapultsystems.com


BALTIMORE, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Catholic Charities of Baltimore announced today that the agency has received six grants for programs that provide access to mental health services, employment training and placement assistance, violence prevention and access to food for residents of West Baltimore. Two other grants were awarded to partner organizations and will also provide funding for Catholic Charities' programs in West Baltimore.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/434969LOGO

Catholic Charities of Baltimore received the following six grants:

$50,000 from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield to Villa Maria Community Resources to support the growth of trauma-informed behavioral health services for the children at the Safe Kids Zone, located at Penn North, through the establishment of a Therapeutic After-School program;

from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield to Villa Maria Community Resources to support the growth of trauma-informed behavioral health services for the children at the Safe Kids Zone, located at Penn North, through the establishment of a Therapeutic After-School program; $35,920 from Behavioral Health System Baltimore to Baltimore Child and Adolescent Response System (BCARS), to provide mental health and substance use disorder services at the Youth Opportunities Center in West Baltimore ;

from Behavioral Health System Baltimore to Baltimore Child and Adolescent Response System (BCARS), to provide mental health and substance use disorder services at the Youth Opportunities Center in ; $65,000 from the Marion I. and Henry J. Knott Foundation to St. Edward's Workforce Development Center, which provides job readiness training and placement assistance to residents of Baltimore City ;

from the Marion I. and Henry J. Knott Foundation to St. Edward's Workforce Development Center, which provides job readiness training and placement assistance to residents of ; $30,000 from the Maryland Emergency Food Program (MEFP) for food programs at five parishes in West Baltimore : St. Peter Claver, St. Gregory the Great, St. Edward, St. Cecilia and the Church of the Immaculate Conception ( Baltimore );

from the Emergency Food Program (MEFP) for food programs at five parishes in : St. Peter Claver, St. Gregory the Great, St. Edward, St. Cecilia and the Church of the Immaculate Conception ( ); $40,000 from the Walmart Foundation to provide case management services to the residents of West Baltimore served at St. Edward's Workforce Development Center and other food pantry locations, and;

from the Walmart Foundation to provide case management services to the residents of served at St. Edward's Workforce Development Center and other food pantry locations, and; $20,000 from the T. Rowe Price Foundation for the St. Edward's Workforce Development Center to provide job readiness training and job placement assistance to young adults in West Baltimore .

Catholic Charities of Baltimore will receive additional funding through grants awarded to two partner organizations:

Catholic Charities is part of a recent SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) grant awarded to Behavioral Health System Baltimore that also includes a partnership with Penn North. The award will allow Catholic Charities to provide trauma-informed therapy services to young people in West Baltimore . The total grant is for $400,000 per year for five years, of which Catholic Charities is expected to receive $75,000 per year over the same timeframe.

. The total grant is for per year for five years, of which Catholic Charities is expected to receive per year over the same timeframe. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Office of Justice Programs, an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice) awarded a grant to the University of Maryland Promise Heights that will go towards violence prevention in the Druid Heights and Sandtown- Winchester communities in West Baltimore . A portion of the grant will provide an additional Violence Interrupter to Catholic Charities' Safe Streets program in the Sandtown- Winchester neighborhood; the new position will focus specifically on youth attending local middle and high schools. The entire grant is for just under $1,000,000 over three years; Catholic Charities is expected to receive $48,000 per year.

"We are extremely grateful for these generous grants that will allow Catholic Charities to improve the lives of our neighbors in West Baltimore through increased access to healthy food, expanded mental health services and resources to help prevent and interrupt violence in our communities," said Bill McCarthy, executive director of Catholic Charities of Baltimore. "The organizations that awarded the grants and our partners in the community are committed to ending poverty and violence and increasing opportunities for all residents of our city."

About Catholic Charities of Baltimore

Catholic Charities of Baltimore is Maryland's largest private provider of human services, offering assistance to children and families, people living in poverty, individuals with intellectual disabilities, immigrants and seniors without regard to religion, race or other circumstances. Inspired by the Gospel mandates to love, serve and teach, the more than 80 programs of Catholic Charities improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of Marylanders each year. Catholic Charities continues a legacy of charity and compassion that began with the establishment of the Catholic Church in Baltimore in 1789. For more information, please visit www.catholiccharities-md.org.

Catholic Charities has experts available to discuss a wide variety of topics, including poverty, homelessness, mental health, intellectual disabilities, immigration and issues related to aging.

Contact: Bob Keenan

[email protected]

(443) 263-1929 or (202) 320-3632

SOURCE Catholic Charities of Baltimore
COSTA MESA, Calif., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (OTC: CETY) announced today that it has secured $420,000 in common stock venture financing at $.04 per share to capitalize on the international market expansion of CETY subsidiary Clean Energy HRS LLC's Clean Cycle ORC heat recovery steam generator. The investment was made by Cybernaut Zfounder Ventures LLC's Cyberfuture One LP fund.

The investment in CETY will support the international market expansion of the Clean Cycle products, including pursuant to CETY's memorandum of understanding entered into in October 2016 with Mr. Bairui Tu, principal of China-based BR Energy. The MOU lays the foundation for a China-based joint venture to manufacture and commercialize the Clean Cycle products in the People's Republic of China, the development of a commercial-scale manufacturing production facility in China to manufacture the products, and the planned distribution and sales of the Clean Cycle products in China.

In addition to support for the pursuit of the joint venture in China, the proceeds will be used in support of CETY's marketing and sales of its products world-wide and to continue broadening and enhancing CETY's overall HRS solution portfolio. "This latest investment in CETY reflects a high level of confidence by Cyberfuture One LP in CETY's ability to execute and in the market opportunity for its Clean Cycle products," said Meddy Sahebi, Executive Chairman of CETY.

Kam Mahdi, CEO of CETY stated, "We are excited to complete this platform investment managed by leading technology investor Cybernaut Zfounder Ventures LLC. We believe this investment will lay the foundation for our continued market and product expansion, both inside and outside of the important China market, as well as further institutional and commercial partner investment in the Company. We are confident that this validation by a key venture capital investor partner will help establish CETY as a significant participant in the portfolio of commercial, industrial, and utility customers seeking market-leading efficient economic sustainable energy solutions. We at CETY are proud to team with Cybernaut Zfounder Ventures LLC and we look forward to working with Mr. Tu and his team in furtherance of the recently completed MOU to lead the next generation of sustainable distributed energy solutions in China."

About Clean Energy Technologies, Inc.

Clean Energy Technologies, Inc., designs, builds and markets clean energy products focused on energy efficiency and environmentally sustainable technologies. The Company's principal product is the Clean CycleTM generator utilized as the core of ORC and non-ORC heat recovery steam generation systems. The Clean CycleTM and related heat recovery steam generation (HRSG) products and services are offered through CETY's Clean Energy HRS subsidiary  also known as Heat Recovery Solutions (www.heatrecoverysolutions.com). The Clean Cycle HRSG system captures waste heat from a variety of sources and turns it into electricity that users can use or export to an energy grid. CETY's proven, cutting-edge technology allows commercial and industrial heat generators to boost their overall energy efficiency with no additional fuel, no additional pollutants, and virtually no maintenance. CETY's engineering and manufacturing resources support the Heat Recovery Solutions business, as well supporting other clean tech and emerging growth companies with their electronics manufacturing needs. Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, CETY's common stock is currently traded on the OTC Market under the symbol CETY. For more information regarding CETY, please visit www.cetyinc.com.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements (under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipate" or similar expressions; as well as, including whether the Company will be able effectively to commercialize its Clean Cycle products, whether the Company will be able to complete its contemplated China joint venture transaction or the success of that joint venture transaction, if completed, whether the Company will be able to obtain additional needed financing to sustain its business, whether the Company will be able to develop or acquire other energy-efficiency and other clean technologies or companies, whether the Company will be able to implement energy-efficient or environmentally sustainable products worldwide, or further develop products, financing options, and other creative implementations to allow the Company to align its products with its customers' needs for cost-effective, energy solutions, and whether its recent heat recovery solutions asset acquisition or future acquisitions and their integration will be beneficial to the Company or its stockholders. Because such statements include risks, uncertainties and contingencies, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include, but are not limited to, the following: uncertainties relating to financing for the Company's current operational needs; uncertainties relating to technology performance; uncertainties relating to market acceptance and adoption of the Company's products and competitive products; uncertainties and liabilities relating to the acquisition of business assets, technologies or companies; uncertainties relating to changes in general economic and market conditions, including prevailing energy prices; and other risk factors as outlined in the Company's periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, description of anyone's past success, either financial or strategic, is no guarantee of future success. Forward-looking statements in this document speak only as of the date on which such statements were made, and we undertake no obligation to update any such statements that may become untrue because of subsequent events.

Press Contact:

Kam Mahdi, CEO

949-273-4990 x814

[email protected]

or

John Bennett, CFO

949-273-4990 x807

[email protected]

SOURCE Clean Energy Technologies, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.cetyinc.com


CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CollegeVine, the fast-growing EdTech startup specializing in high school mentoring for college applications, has closed a $3.1 million Series A funding round led by Morningside Technology Ventures ("Morningside") with participation by New York-based University Ventures.

Morningside is a private equity and venture capital firm. Gerald Chan, its co-founder, has joined CollegeVine's Board of Directors. University Ventures is a specialty venture capital fund that exclusively focuses on promising ideas in the higher education space.

The announcement was made today by Jon Carson, the CEO of CollegeVine.

CollegeVine was started by two Harvard University students and one University of Chicago student working out of the Harvard iLab. The company uses a near peer model of matching talented college students with high schoolers to help them with the college application process. CollegeVine's services quickly earned a reputation for its outstanding college admissions results. Two years ago, the company employed 20 college students as consultants; today it employs almost 300.

"There is a huge unmet need for high school students to get proper guidance and mentoring in their planning for college and their application for admission. The fast growth of CollegeVine's business validates that its services are exactly what high school students are looking for. Optimizing the college application process is beneficial both to the applicants and to the universities," said Chan.

"With the backing of Morningside and support from University Ventures, we are now positioned to grow the company to meet consumer demand. We plan to use the Series A investment to build out our technology platform and product suite, grow the team, and accelerate our growth," said Carson. "We are pleased to have Gerald join our Board as he has been a valued partner and mentor over several ventures. I am honored, to be working with him on another new and exciting EdTech venture."

Morningside was the primary backer of FamilyEducation Network where Carson was both the founder and CEO. FamilyEducation Network became the largest K-12 online network when it was acquired by Pearson Plc for $175 million in 2000.

CollegeVine has recently strengthened its management team with the addition of former Zipcar executive Doug Williams as chief technical advisor and Harvard Business School professor Deepak Malhotra as a member of the board of directors.

About CollegeVine

CollegeVine, founded as Admissions Hero in 2013, is a leading provider of one-on-one mentorship, college applications guidance, college essay assistance, tutoring, and test prep. The company features an expansive network of near-peer advisors at the nation's top universitiestheir experience representing more than 20 different majors, substantial extracurricular activities and far-ranging success. For more information, visit www.collegevine.com.

About Morningside Technology Ventures

Morningside Technology Ventures was founded in 1986, by the Chan family of Hong Kong, to make private equity and venture capital investments. The group is managed by investment professionals who are entrepreneurial, have deep industry knowledge and are effective in the local environment in which they operate. In addition to its investment activities, Morningside Technology Ventures is strongly committed to social responsibility.

About University Ventures

University Ventures (UV) is a leading investment firm focused exclusively on the global higher education sector. The fund is led by principals with decades of collective experience as entrepreneurs, investors and leaders in higher education. With the greatest respect for the values, quality and traditions of academic institutions, UV is playing a formative and constructive role in the private sector's increasing involvement in the future of higher education. Our carefully selected investor base comprises a broad spectrum of stakeholders in higher education across the US, Europe and Asia.

Press Contact:

Jeff Pryor, Priority PR

818-661-6368 x4 / [email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160815/398281LOGO

SOURCE CollegeVine

Related Links

https://www.collegevine.com


RetailData, LLC provides pricing intelligence services to Fortune 500 retailers across the country, leveraging their well-established collection methodology and robust data and analytics tools. "We are focused on innovation in order to continue to raise the value we deliver to our clients," said RetailData CEO Christopher Ferguson. "We were excited by the opportunity to partner with CapTech to leverage the new talent that they are bringing right out of university. Our hope was to gain out of the box insights and new approaches to complement our current strategies."

CapTech's College Bootcamp program is designed to simulate a full lifecycle of a client engagement, coupled with intensive hands-on learning and candid feedback from leadership. The program has a great track record: 88% of CapTech's college hires are still employed after 3 years, compared to the national average of 69%.1 This is the first year a real client engagement has been paired with the program.

"We were very pleased with the ability of CapTech's bootcamp to generate a proposal for a completely different approach to how we do business. These college hires were able to produce seasoned, consultant-level analysis that provided options and industry insights that were very fresh," said RetailData CFO Tamir Sherif.

Traditionally, college hires in the consulting industry find themselves in roles where they do not engage with clients for a few years. "I didn't expect to be working on a client project right out of the gate," said a recent graduate from Davidson University. "It raised the stakes and gave us a real sense of accomplishment at the end. It gives you a solid foundation of the company as well as a primer in new technologies from experts in the field."

CapTech's bootcamp mirrors a recent article by Harvard Business Review, which noted that Millennials are interested in a steady stream of feedback as well as continuous learning opportunities in order to develop new skills and knowledge.2 One of this year's college hires from the Data & Analytics program at the University of Virginia said, "The experience trains you to be flexible, to adapt to a client's needs, to learn quickly, and to be confident in yourself. It really bridged the gap between college and my first job in a short period of time."

"Since the inception of the company, consultant training and development has been a key part of our strategy to ensure our talent stays ahead of the technology trends and has a compelling career path," says CapTech Chief Talent Officer Joanna Bergeron. "In addition to continuing to innovate in this space within our organization, we have leveraged this expertise to help our clients evolve their talent strategies."

About CapTech: CapTech is an IT management consulting firm that bridges the gap between business and technology. CapTech delivers transformation, customer engagement, data & analytics, and custom IT solutions for private companies, public companies, and government agencies. The company's collaborative approach helps organizations grow their business, engage with customers and turn data into powerful insights. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, CapTech has locations in Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus (Ohio), Denver, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. Metro.

About RetailData, LLC: For more than 25 years RetailData has been the service industry leader for all things related to omni-channel pricing intelligence; from data collection to validation and matching to superior analytics. With a dedicated team of more than 2,300 data collection employees, RetailData is uniquely positioned to collect data within any retail environment (bricks and mortar or online) across the US, Canada and Mexico. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, RetailData is a wholly owned subsidiary of Markel Ventures. For more information, visit www.RetailDatallc.com or call us at 804.678-7500.

Contact: Emily Krause

CapTech | 804-615-3712

[email protected]

Contact: Lee Kallman

RetailData, LLC | 804-678-7298

[email protected]

1 http://www.workplacegroup.com/backwards-is-forwards-missing-the-true-roi-of-college-recruitment/

2 https://hbr.org/2016/02/motivating-millennials-takes-more-than-flexible-work-policies&cm_sp=Article-_-Links-_-End%20of%20Page%20Recirculation

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SOURCE CapTech

Related Links

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"The Second Amendment guarantees our right, as U.S. citizens, to keep and bear arms, yet it's under a constant barrage of attacks," Marty Daniel writes in his open letter. "Many incumbents and challengers believe this important amendment is outdated and should be ripped from the Constitution." He wraps up the letter by imploring voters to ask themselves one important question: "If our fundamental right to keep and bear arms, as defined by the authors of the U.S. Constitution, were to disappear tomorrow, will you be able to say you did your part to stop it?"

Icon Charlie Daniels also makes a strong case for the Second Amendment in the four-and-a-half-minute video in which he stars. "It's very simple what the Second Amendment says," he explains. "We have a right to keep and bear arms. Doesn't say anything about what caliber we can have; doesn't say anything about how many we can have." Daniels sums up the importance of voting in favor of Second Amendment rights with the following statement: "If we elect people who want to take our second amendment rights away from us, we're at their mercy."

This year's election has proved to be one of the most contentious in U.S. history, with candidates from both parties achieving record "unfavorable" ratings. But despite widespread divisiveness and voter apathy, it promises to be one of the most significant as well, given the very different directions candidatespresidential candidates, in particularwould like to see the country head. To read Marty Daniel's open letter in its entirety, visit:

https://danieldefense.com/wire/constitution-country-music-and-a-call-to-action-by-marty-daniel/

To view the Daniel Defense Presents Charlie Daniels video, go to: https://youtu.be/zdm0xLyKGJs

About Daniel Defense

Located in Black Creek, Georgia, Daniel Defense is a leading manufacturer of premium firearms, rail systems, and accessories.

For more information, visit www.danieldefense.com.

Video - http://youtu.be/zdm0xLyKGJs

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SOURCE Daniel Defense

Related Links

https://www.danieldefense.com


GLEN BURNIE, Md., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/-- CSSi LifeSciences, a trusted partner from discovery to commercialization for drugs and medical devices, is excited to announce the establishment and launch of its fully integrated Medical Device CRO. CSSi LifeSciences Medical Device CRO aims to positively impact the timeline of regulatory clearance and increase profitability for medical device companies, in order to successfully launch its innovative research discoveries and product concepts into the market.

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CSSi LifeSciences supports small and large companies in avoiding the "large CRO shuffle" by providing highly specialized regulatory and clinical expertise in medical devices, while also offering unparalleled and cost-efficient services from start to finish. The company's goal is to accelerate product development by providing insight-driven guidance that saves time and cost.

"The pathway to commercialization for a new medical device can be ambiguous and complex due to ever-changing regulations and requirements. To help companies overcome this barrier, we developed our unique Medical Device CRO," said Jim Sergi, President and Partner, CSSi LifeSciences. "We take pride in being an industry leader, as well as creating a new breed of CRO, one that focuses specifically on the medical device industry. We believe taking this approach in today's new world of healthcare is intelligent, critically honest, and backed by a history of verifiable results, including over two hundred and fifty successful 510(k) applications."

In an effort to meet the growing demands of the medical device market, CSSi LifeSciences's team of medical device experts serve as a liaison for device manufacturers from inception to commercialization, leveraging deep subject matter expertise and regulatory experiences to effectively move new products to market with speed, accuracy, and the quality necessary to ensure safety, compliance, and health authority approval.

"Collectively, our medical device team has over 100 years of development and commercialization experience, coupled with global regulatory knowledge that goes beyond published guidance documents and initiatives," said Sergi. "Our team possesses the necessary skills and resources to make our clients' medical device efforts an end-user success."

CSSi LifeSciences supports all phases of medical device development, from design engineering and testing to clinical studies and reimbursement. The company offers a broad suite of comprehensive and scalable services, including regulatory filings to US and foreign Notified Bodies; clinical study planning, monitoring, and reporting; FDA and EMA Agent for Foreign Registration; medical device testing and Design History Files; Quality Management Systems (21 CFR 820 and ISO 13485); health authority interactions; and, regulatory and scientific communication.

To learn more about CSSi LifeSciences Medical Device CRO, please visit www.cssilifesciences.com/cro.html, email [email protected], or call (415) 317-4903.

About CSSi LifeSciences:

CSSi LifeSciences provides fully integrated, specialized regulatory and clinical services to support the entire product lifecycle, from discovery to commercialization, for pharmaceutical and medical device companies. With global expertise, CSSi LifeSciences has been a key partner in the development of more than 500 drugs, biologics, medical devices, and in-vitro diagnostics. The company's headquarters is located in Baltimore, MD, with additional offices in San Francisco, CA; London, UK; and Hyderabad, IND. For more information, visit www.cssilifesciences.com, email [email protected], or call (415) 317-4903.

Media Contacts:

Courtney Gaddi

Public Relations & Marketing Coordinator

CSSi

(443) 308-5831

[email protected]

SOURCE CSSi LifeSciences

Related Links

http://www.cssilifesciences.com


"At CVS Health, we are proud to earn accreditations from URAC in these three categories, which emphasize our commitment to providing high quality pharmacy benefit management support including coordinated patient care and outstanding customer service to our millions of members," said Jonathan Roberts, President of CVS Caremark. "These services are especially important for our members with complex, chronic conditions who may struggle with their medication regimens and disease management."

CVS Caremark works with employers, health insurance companies, the government and other health benefit program sponsors to design and administer prescription coverage plans. This includes formulary management, discounted drug purchase arrangements and clinical services and drug therapy management. In addition, CVS Caremark's Pharmacy Advisor program call center offers personalized care to members with chronic conditions through a combination of targeted live outbound calls and inbound call access. Members have the opportunity to have a discussion with a clinical pharmacist about topics that include the rationale behind prescribing the medication and potential issues that may affect adherence, such as side effects.

"URAC accreditation shows that CVS Health is a pharmacy benefit management organization able to adhere to standards that cover important aspects of care such as claims processing, developing proper drug formulary and consumer access," said URAC President and CEO Kylanne Green. "Quality policies and procedures are paramount as the price and complexity of medications rise. CVS Health chose to demonstrate their performance through URAC's independent accreditation of their services."



The URAC accreditation process demonstrates a commitment to quality services and serves as a framework to improve business processes through benchmarking organizations against nationally recognized standards. URAC's Health Call Center Accreditation ensures that registered pharmacists or other validly licensed individuals perform the clinical aspects of health education services in a manner that is timely, confidential, and includes medically appropriate care and treatment advice. In addition, URAC's Pharmacy Benefit Management Accreditation sets standards for pharmacy distribution channels, customer service and drug use management. The Drug Therapy Management Accreditation standards also assess a range of professional activities, including formulating medication treatment plans, monitoring efficacy and safety of medication therapy and enhancing medication adherence through patient education.

About URAC

Founded in 1990, URAC is the independent leader in promoting healthcare quality through accreditation, certification and measurement. URAC is a nonprofit organization developing evidence-based measures and standards through inclusive engagement with a range of stakeholders committed to improving the quality of healthcare. Our portfolio of accreditation and certification programs span the healthcare industry, addressing healthcare management, healthcare operations, health plans, pharmacies, telehealth providers, physician practices, and more. URAC accreditation is a symbol of excellence for organizations to showcase their validated commitment to quality and accountability.



About CVS Health

CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,600 retail pharmacies, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 80 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at www.cvshealth.com.

Media Contact:

Christina Beckerman

CVS Health

(401) 770-8868

[email protected]

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SOURCE CVS Health

Related Links

http://www.cvshealth.com


PUNE, India, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Research Future published a half cooked research report on Data Encryption Market. The Global Data Encryption Market is majorly driven by factors such as high security proliferating and technological advancement.

Market Highlights

Data Encryption market is seeing tremendous opportunities in the coming future and is forecasted to grow at USD ~4 billion by year 2022 with CAGR of ~18%. With the help of trending cloud technology companies can store their bundle of data and can access from anywhere but the risk of theft always exist. Data Encryption is a method which allows the user to encode the data into a code or language which only can be accessed if a person or organization has the unlocking code. This makes the data more secure and helps to minimize the misuse.

Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 30 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 "Global Data Encryption Research Report -Forecast to 2022"

Access Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/global-data-encryption-market-research-report-forecast-2022

The prominent players in the market are- IBM Corporation (U.S.), Microsoft Corporation, (U.S.), Symantec Corporation (U.S.), HP (U.S.), Intel Security (U.S.), Oracle Corporation (U.S.), Netapp Inc. (U.S.), Gemalto (Netherlands), Vormetric Inc. (U.S.), FireEye, Inc. (U.S.) among others.

Request a Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample-request/global-data-encryption-market-research-report-forecast-2022

Market Research Analysis:

Market Research Future analysis shows that Global Database Encryption market is to grow exponentially during the forecast period. Growing security threats and increasing data size which are confidential in nature are some of the key drivers. Currently, North America is dominating the market due to the high cyber-attacks in comparison with other countries. Presence of global players in this U.S. is also giving technology advantage to North America. Asia-Pacific has emerged as fastest growing market due to the presence of strong manufacturing sector in China and Japan and strong service industry in India.

The Early Diners are Offered Free Customization - Up to 20% on this Report.

Make an enquiry before buying this Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/global-data-encryption-market-research-report-forecast-2022

Browse Related Report

Global Multi Cloud Management Market, by Deployment (Private, Public, Hybrid), by Application (BFSI, Healthcare, Retail, Telecommunication, Life-Science), by Services (Managed services, Task migration, Cloud automation) - Forecast 2022

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/multi-cloud-management-market-research-report-global-forecast-to-2022

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 deployment, end users, applications 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.

Contact:

Ruwin Mendez,

Market Research Future

Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers

Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar,

Pune - 411028

Maharashtra, India

1-646-845-9349

Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE Market Research Future

Related Links

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Shares Issued and Outstanding: 49,602,714

TSXV: DMI

OTCQX: DMIFF

KELOWNA, BC, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Diamcor Mining Inc. (TSX-V.DMI / OTCQX-DMIFF), (the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the acquisition of operational equipment associated with the closing of the oversubscribed $5.8M private placement previously announced on August 31, 2016. The acquisition of additional operating equipment at the Company's Krone-Endora at Venetia Project (the "Project") is aimed at supporting increased processing volumes, incorporating the processing of large material up to 45.0mm, establishing a dedicated large diamond recovery circuit, and increasing the capacity of the Project's final diamond recovery facilities. Work on the various updates/expansions commenced during the previous quarter is targeted for completion prior to the end of the current quarter.

Water Infrastructure Update

The Company previously announced the completion of two of the four additional planned boreholes/pipelines associated with the granting of the Project's Water Use License. All infrastructure has been completed as envisioned, increasing the total number of boreholes and pipelines established at the Project from three to seven. The additional infrastructure and water resources are designed to support the current needs of the Project and, while no further requirements in this area are envisioned for the near-term, the Company will continue to evaluate additional sources of water to support potential growth requirements in the future.

In-Field Dry Screening Plant Update

The Project's in-field dry-screening plant is an important element in the Project's success and has been extensively tested, refined, and developed to achieve the Company's target of reducing the material recovered from the quarry by as much as 60% (prior to its transport to the main treatment plant) through removal of fine materials under 1.0mm in size. Recent efforts in developing this facility largely focused on the processing of material in the +1.0mm to -15.0mm size fractions, with material in the +15.0mm to -45.0mm size fractions being stockpiled pending the final decisions on a dedicated large material crushing circuit. The installation of the finalized crushing circuit at the Project is aimed at enhancing processing/recoveries by liberating any diamonds held in the larger calcretized material previously stockpiled, while providing the potential to recover large diamonds above 15.0mm in a dedicated large diamond recovery circuit being installed at the Project's main treatment plant. Upon completion, all material up to 45.0mm will be processed concurrently moving forward, and approximately 550,000 tons of large material previously stockpiled will also be processed over the coming quarters. In conjunction with the efforts underway on the installation of the finalized crushing circuit, additional dust suppression systems are being installed at the dry-screening plant. The finalization of the crushing circuit is expected to be the first of the current upgrades/expansions to be completed and operational prior to the end of November.

Main Treatment Plant

Expansions underway at the Project's main treatment plant are designed to support planned increases in processing volumes, the processing of material up to 45.0mm, the establishment of a dedicated large diamond recovery circuit, and the expansion of the Project's final recovery systems. The efforts include the expansion/increase in the size of the Project's Dense Media Separation (DMS) unit to support added processing volumes, the installation of four new x-ray diamond recovery units, and the expansion of the Project's final recovery and sorting facilities. Additional items aimed at further enhancing water consumption efficiencies and the recoveries of waste water for the long-term are also being completed as part of the process. Many of the upgrade components are being fabricated off-site in a modular fashion to minimize the impact on current operations during installation. Once installation is complete, these upgrades are collectively designed to enable the Company to test and evaluate potential initial processing volume increases of up to 100% and to facilitate additional expanded trial-mining exercises aimed at allowing the Company to arrive at initial production decisions for the Project in the near term. The procurement of equipment began in the previous quarter and installation remains on-track for completion prior to the end of the current quarter.

Final Recovery Expansion

As part of the expansions/upgrades underway, the Company elected to also expand and further automate the Project's final recovery facilities. As previously mentioned, four additional x-ray diamond recovery units are being supplied by Flow Electronics (Pty) Ltd, with three units being earmarked for use on small and mid-size fractions of material, with the fourth being allocated to the dedicated large diamond recovery circuit being installed. In conjunction with the delivery of the modules housing these additional x-ray recovery units, other modules aimed at upgrading, automating, and expanding the sorting facilities at the Project will also be installed. The Company expects items associated with the dedicated larger diamond recovery circuit to be completed prior to the end of November, with other associated items on-track for completion prior to the end of the current quarter.

About Diamcor Mining Inc.

Diamcor Mining Inc. is a fully reporting publicly traded junior diamond mining company which is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol V.DMI, and on the OTC QX International under the symbol DMIFF. The Company has a well-established operational and production history in South Africa and extensive prior experience supplying rough diamonds to the world market.

About the Tiffany & Co. Alliance

The Company has established a long-term strategic alliance and first right of refusal with Tiffany & Co. Canada, a subsidiary of world famous New York based Tiffany & Co., to purchase up to 100% of the future production of rough diamonds from the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project at then current prices to be determined by the parties on an ongoing basis. In conjunction with this first right of refusal, Tiffany & Co. Canada also provided the Company with financing to advance the Project. Tiffany & Co. is a publicly traded company which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TIF. For additional information on Tiffany & Co., please visit their website at www.tiffany.com.

About Krone-Endora at Venetia

In February 2011, Diamcor acquired the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project from De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, consisting of the prospecting rights over the farms Krone 104 and Endora 66, which represent a combined surface area of approximately 5,888 hectares directly adjacent to De Beers' flagship Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. On September 11, 2014, the Company announced that the South African Department of Mineral Resources had granted a Mining Right for the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project encompassing 657.71 hectares of the Project's total area of 5,888 hectares. The Company has also submitted an application for a mining right over the remaining areas of the Project. The deposits which occur on the properties of Krone and Endora have been identified as a higher-grade "Alluvial" basal deposit which is covered by a lower-grade upper "Eluvial" deposit. The deposits are proposed to be the result of the direct-shift (in respect to the "Eluvial" deposit) and erosion (in respect to the "Alluvial" deposit) of material from the higher grounds of the adjacent Venetia Kimberlite areas. The deposits on Krone-Endora occur in two layers with an average total depth of less than 15.0 metres from surface to bedrock, allowing for a very low-cost mining operation to be employed with the potential for near-term diamond production from a known high-quality source. Krone-Endora also benefits from the significant development of infrastructure and services already in place due to its location directly adjacent to the Venetia Mine.

Qualified Person Statement:

Mr. James P. Hawkins (B.Sc., P.Geo.), is Manager of Exploration & Special Projects for Diamcor Mining Inc., and the Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 responsible for overseeing the execution of Diamcor's exploration programmes and a Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta ("APEGA"). Mr. Hawkins has reviewed this press release and approved of its contents.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Mr. Dean H. Taylor

President & CEO

Diamcor Mining Inc.

[email protected]

Tel (250) 864-3326

www.diamcormining.com

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements represent our best current judgement, they are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict and which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Further, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

WE SEEK SAFE HARBOUR

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Diamcor Mining Inc.

Related Links

http://www.diamcormining.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Shiva Ayyadurai is pleased to have reached a settlement, subject to bankruptcy court approval, to resolve his lawsuit against Gawker Media and related claims in Gawker Media's bankruptcy proceeding. Certain of the settlement terms are incorporated within Gawker Media's latest proposed plan of liquidation, filed today, and include a proposed settlement payment to Dr. Ayyadurai and removal of the article at issue. More details will be forthcoming. Dr. Ayyadurai stated: "History will reflect that this settlement is a victory for truth."

Dr. Ayyadurai is represented by attorneys Charles Harder of Harder Mirell & Abrams LLP in Los Angeles, California and Timothy Cornell of Cornell Dolan, PC in Boston, Massachusetts.

SOURCE Harder Mirell & Abrams LLP
Heather Rivard, vice president, Distribution Operations, is named senior vice president, Distribution Operations. Rivard, who has been with DTE since 1993, has served in several positions across the company and, since joining Distribution Operations in 2015, has played a key role in a multi-year investment strategy to improve reliability performance while reducing costs for customers. Throughout Rivard's tenure, the company has improved reliability of nearly 450 circuits and has continued this program in 2016. Rivard will continue to lead a multi-year effort to drive overall reliability performance and cost reduction, with plans to upgrade more than one third (1,300) of the company's total circuits (3,300) over the next four to five years.

Marco Bruzzano, vice president, Corporate Strategy, has been named vice president, Distribution Operations. Bruzzano joined DTE in 2008 after working broadly across the energy industry for nearly two decades, including roles with McKinsey and Booz Allen Hamilton advising global energy companies. In his new role, Bruzzano will focus on the company's multi-year effort to improve overall reliability, while reducing costs and keeping energy affordable for customers.

Frank Warren, vice president, Fossil Generation, is named senior vice president, Fossil Generation, the DTE business unit responsible for all of DTE's coal-fired power generation. Warren, who joined DTE in 2001, has been instrumental in planning for the generational portfolio transformation to address aging coal plant infrastructure, and the desire for clean energy sources. Warren will continue work on the more than decade-long transformation of the system.

Matthew Paul, executive director, Generation Optimization and Fuel Supply, is named to vice president, Plant Operations for the company's fossil generation business. In this role, Paul will be responsible for reshaping the aging fossil generation fleet into cleaner, renewable sources of energy, including natural gas generation. Paul's accomplishments in his previous role  including the re-alignment of resources within generation optimization to create efficiencies  will be critical in the company's generation shift over the next decade.

"As our business embarks upon the most significant change in more than 50 years, we need to ensure we have leaders who have the vision and ability to move the company into the future," said Jerry Norcia, president and chief operating officer, DTE Energy. "These leadership appointments allow us to focus on the future, resulting in cleaner, more affordable sources of energy for our customers  something they've asked for, and we're committed to delivering."

About DTE Energy

DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan. The DTE Energy portfolio includes non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, and energy marketing and trading. As one of Michigan's leading corporate citizens, DTE Energy is a force for growth and prosperity in the 450 Michigan communities it serves in a variety of ways, including philanthropy, volunteerism and economic progress. Information about DTE Energy is available at dteenergy.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.

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SOURCE DTE Energy

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy today announced five executive appointments focused on strengthening the company's regulatory and economic development initiatives.

Clark Gillespy  currently Duke Energy's South Carolina state president  will become senior vice president of economic development, a new position, leading an enterprise-wide economic development team that will seek to identify and attract new and expanding industries to Duke Energy's service areas. Gillespy, 54, will also lead the company's efforts to identify and promote wider adoption of new and emerging grid-enabled technologies, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Alex Glenn  currently Duke Energy's Florida state president  will become senior vice president of state and federal regulatory legal support, partnering with the company's corporate and regulatory strategy team and state presidents to advance rate and regulatory initiatives, and update regulatory models. Glenn, 51, also will provide legal advice on state and federal regulatory matters.

Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe  currently senior vice president of state and federal regulatory legal support  will succeed Gillespy as South Carolina state president. Ghartey-Tagoe, 53, will be responsible for the financial performance of South Carolina and manage state and local regulatory and government relations, and community affairs. He will work closely with Glenn's team and the corporate and regulatory strategy team to advance rate and regulatory initiatives in South Carolina.

Harry Sideris  currently senior vice president of environmental health and safety  will succeed Glenn as Florida state president. Sideris, 46, will be responsible for the financial performance of Florida and manage state and local regulatory and government relations, and community affairs. He will also work with Glenn's team and the corporate and regulatory strategy team to advance rate and regulatory initiatives in Florida.

Paul Draovitch  currently senior vice president for fossil-hydro operations  will succeed Sideris as senior vice president of environmental health and safety. Draovitch, 55, will be responsible for developing and advancing policies, programs and strategies to ensure Duke Energy's compliance with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations.

"These changes bolster ongoing efforts to better serve our customers and communities, and strengthen our focus on economic development," said Lynn Good Duke Energy chairman, president and CEO. "As we continue our progress, these changes will also broaden the depth and business perspective of our leadership team."

The appointments will have varying effective dates between now and year-end.

Executive photos are available here: https://www.duke-energy.com/our-company/executive-photos

About Duke Energy

Duke Energy, one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States, supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 7.4 million customers in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 24 million people. The company also distributes natural gas to more than 1.5 million customers in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Its commercial and international businesses operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing renewable energy portfolio.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.

The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online destination for stories about remarkable people, innovations, and community and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into the past and insights into the future of energy.

Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Line (24-hour): 800.559.3853

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SOURCE Duke Energy

Related Links

http://www.duke-energy.com


Edison Investment Research is delighted to announce it has agreed with the Singapore Exchange (SGX) to be the international research provider of a non-rated globally distributed research product for the newly launched SGX StockFacts Research Program. SGX StockFacts aims to enhance equity research coverage and strengthen the role of research for SGX-listed stocks and the wider investment community. All companies listed on SGX's Mainboard and Catalist are invited to participate in the programme, an introduction to the research providers will shortly be facilitated by SGX.

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Stock exchanges are increasingly recognising that the lack of research on listed stocks is not in companies' best interests. They also recognise that trading volumes are increasingly generated not just by the institutional investment community, but also by the private wealth and retail investor communities, which lack access to reliable data and high-quality research. As a result, exchanges are allocating larger budgets to the provision of research as they compete with each other to become attractive listing venues.

Analysis from research firms like Edison is an important and globally recognised way to promote the proper pricing of listed companies. High-quality equity research helps examine the information released by issuers and assists in establishing a context for businesses within their local and global investor marketplace. With over 80 analysts organised by sector expertise, Edison researches over 400 companies worldwide, making it one of the world's largest investment research firms. Its research is sent out via its extensive distribution platform and affiliated networks, making its research available on professional and internet information platforms worldwide.

Neil Shah, director of research at Edison Investment Research said: "With regulatory changes from Europe having a global impact on the traditional sell-side's ability to cover a large number of stocks economically, we expect a significant change in the landscape around the provision of research. Exchanges have a key role to play in facilitating equity research. Over the last four years, we have gotten to know the SGX well and we like its innovative approach in launching StockFacts, a tool that makes discovery of stocks easier. The StockFacts Research Program looks to build on the StockFacts portal and provide further information for investors to better understand the stocks they are screening. Edison will provide a non-rated product that looks to put SGX stocks into an international context for investors."

SGX StockFacts was initially launched in 2014 as collaboration between SGX and S&P Capital IQ. It allows investors to filter stocks with up to 20 screening criteria.

Notes to Editors

About Edison

Edison is an investment research and advisory firm, operating under the Edison Investment Research and Edison Advisers brands, with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East and AsiaPac. The heart of Edison is our world-renowned equity research platform and deep multi-sector expertise. Our research is widely read by international investors, advisers and stakeholders. Edison Advisers leverages our core research platform to provide differentiated services including investor relations and strategic consulting.

For more information: http://www.edisoninvestmentresearch.co.uk. Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Contact details: Learn more at http://www.edisongroup.com and connect with Edison on:



LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/edison-investment-research

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Edison_Inv_Res

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/edisonitv

Google+: https://plus.google.com/105425025202328783163/posts



Contact Edison Investment Research:

Neil Shah, +44(0)20-3077-5700

Fraser Thorne, +44(0)20-3077-5700

Will Manuel, +44(0)20-3077-5700

Morgan Rossiter:

James Rossiter/Tania Wild, +44(0)203-195-3240



SOURCE Edison Investment Research
NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Leo Denault plans to provide a presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 8, during the 51st Edison Electric Institute Financial Conference in Phoenix, AZ. The presentation is expected to start at approximately 11:15 a.m. MT. A live webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of Entergy's corporate website at www.entergy.com. A replay of the webcast will be available and archived on the website for approximately 30 days. Presentation slides for the webcast will be posted on the Investor Relations section of Entergy's corporate website at www.entergy.com before market open on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Management also will be meeting with investors during the conference from Nov. 6 through Nov. 8. Meeting materials will be posted on the Investor Relations section of Entergy's corporate website at www.entergy.com after market close on Friday, Nov. 4. The webcast, presentation slides and meeting materials will also be available on the Entergy Investor Relations mobile web app at enter.gy/ir.

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including nearly 10,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.8 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of approximately $11.5 billion and more than 13,000 employees.

Additional investor information can be accessed online at Entergy.com/investor_relations

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SOURCE Entergy Corporation

Related Links

http://www.entergy.com


MIAMI, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- TAP Portugal, a leading European carrier serving 76 destinations in 29 countries, is partnering with EveryMundo, provider of performance marketing products and services for airlines that drive direct channel growth anywhere, to use the company's airTRFX digital performance infrastructure solution to enhance TAP's online visibility and direct channel growth.

The deployment of EveryMundo's flagship technology, airTRFX, will enable TAP to easily create and maintain unique, high-performance, dynamic landing pages for every destination and route they fly, in every language and every country. TAP will have the ability to productize the airline's entire inventory in the same way as Kayak, Expedia, or Amazon: a page for every product to support the carrier's cross-channel marketing efforts.

With online travel bookings expected to grow to more than $162 billion in 2016, and with 50% of those bookings made via online travel agencies (OTAs), the time is now for airlines to invest in and implement stronger performance marketing solutions and services. According to EveryMundo, airline brand equity does not translate into digital power.

EveryMundo's leading Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution, the only platform of its kind built specifically for airlines, provides the necessary performance online infrastructure - without the need for additional IT resources - to improve conversion in the direct channel. The deployment will enable TAP to:

Create a digital infrastructure across the airline's entire route network  centralizing its offerings and developing cross-channel visibility/management

Empower the airline's marketing team to focus on targeted strategies to acquire qualified traffic and engage website visitors  ultimately converting more traffic into revenue

Integrate the solution seamlessly into TAP's existing website and infrastructure, without the need for additional technology investment or specialized IT support

Through this deployment, TAP will achieve greater online visibility, stronger and more agile marketing performance, reduced IT investment and incremental revenue growth - capturing the maximum number of travelers no matter what their language or desired destination.

"We are thrilled to be working with a partner that has such extensive experience in search engine optimization for the airline industry," said Tiago Phillimore, Head Digital & Innovation at TAP. "Not only does EveryMundo's airTRFX product offer the perfect solution to our challenges in the direct channel, but the company also has a wide range of consulting and support services to help us as we grow. We appreciate the cooperation with EveryMundo and their dedicated support during the implementation phase, and look forward to working with them as we enhance our online and e-commerce strategy during the upcoming years."

For more information about EveryMundo and TAP or to interview company executives, please contact Sara Leiter at [email protected] or Vanessa Horwell at [email protected].

About EveryMundo

Founded in 2006, EveryMundo provides the travel industry's most advanced solutions for optimizing the direct online booking channel. The Company's flagship technology airTRFX provides airlines with the sophisticated online infrastructure needed to effectively compete with online travel agencies (OTAs): a page for every destination, route or travel product, in every language and every country, on any device. Leveraging these tools and strategies, numerous global clients speaking more than 25 different languages to customers in over 60 countries have achieved improved direct channel conversions, revenue and customer acquisition. Visit everymundo.com.

About TAP Portugal

TAP is Portugal's leading airline, and member of Star Alliance, the global airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach, since 2005. In operation since 1945, TAP celebrated 70 years on March 14, 2015, and has completed its privatization process in 2015, with the Atlantic Gateway Group now as new private shareholders of its share capital. TAP hub in Lisbon is a key European gateway at the crossroads of Africa, North, Central and South America, where TAP stands out as the international leading carrier in operation to Brazil. The company's network currently comprises 76 destinations in 29 countries worldwide. TAP currently operates about 2,500 weekly flights in average on a modern fleet of 63 Airbus aircraft and 17 aircraft operating in PGA colors, TAP regional carrier, adding up to a 80 aircraft fleet in the whole. Within the vast restructure program currently going across the company as the outcome of its privatization process, TAP has already announced its Network restructure, its medium and long haul fleet renewal program as of 2017 and the retrofit of the fleet currently in operation as well as the launch of the new branded product TAP Express, which will soon replace PGA and operate a new fleet of 8 ATR 72 and 9 Embraer 190. In the pursuit of its customer focused policy, TAP continuously strives to deliver safe, reliable and upgraded products & services, tailored to meet customers' expectations. Retaining the Portuguese character of the Company's brand and quality service as the basic concept has been the main driver of TAP strategy in most recent years. Recognized and awarded as the Europe's Leading Airline to Africa as well as Europe's Leading Airline to South America by the World Travel Awards in 2016, 2015 and 2014, the company was also awarded as the WTA World's Leading Airline to Africa in 2011 and 2012 and the WTA World's Leading Airline to South America in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, while the company's In-flight magazine UP also received the WTA award as Europe's Leading In-flight Magazine in 2015 and 2016. Voted Best Airline in Europe in 2011, 2012, 2013 and again in 2015 by the Global Traveler, USA, the company was also honored by UNESCO and by the International Union of Geological Sciences with the IYPE "Planet Earth Award 2010", in the category of "Most Innovative Sustainable Product". TAP was also voted Best Airline by Conde Nast Traveller Magazine in 2010 and Best Portuguese Tourism Company by the specialized magazine Marketeer, in 2011.

For further information, please go to www.flytap.com.

SOURCE EveryMundo
PETACH TIKVA, Israel, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

ECI, a global provider of ELASTIC Network solutions, for service providers, critical infrastructures, and data centers operators, announced today that is has been selected as a finalist in this year's Fierce Innovation Awards: Telecom Edition, a carrier-reviewed awards program from the publisher of FierceWireless, FierceTelecom and FierceCable. ECI was recognized as a finalist in the category of Core Networking.

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ECI was selected as a finalist for its innovative, industry leading product, the Apollo 9900 series of high capacity, multi-layer switching platforms specifically suited for Core Networks.

Finalists' applications were reviewed by an exclusive panel of executives from major telecommunications companies including Verizon, TeliaSonera, Comcast, Sprint, and T-Mobile. Full profiles of the judges can be found at https://www.fierceinnovationawards.com/telecom/2016#our_judges.

All applications were evaluated based on the following criteria: effectiveness, ease of use/ ROI, true innovation and end-user impact.

"We are excited to be recognized by Fierce Innovation Awards' distinguished panel of judges. The 9900 series of OTN core switches was developed with the understanding that service providers are both looking for the best combination of resilient technology, small footprint and low power consumption, as well as platforms with an inherent evolutionary path into the new world of SDN/NFV enabled networks," said Jimmy Mizrachi, EVP Global Portfolio at ECI.

Mr. Mizrachi continued, "As traffic from the network edge continues to grow - thanks to cloud services, video streaming, and 4G/5G mobile technologies - the pressure on the core network is multiplied. Service providers want to ensure that the core networking investments they make today will continue to serve them for many years. In this fluctuating business environment, the core network must be treated as a strategic asset."

ECI believes that core networking deployments must address four key business challenges:

FAST FLEXIBLE PROVISIONING - Creating bandwidth connections flexibly to respond rapidly to new service requests and changing traffic patterns. MAXIMIZING CAPACITY - Extracting maximum bandwidth from the infrastructure, particularly in the face of impending physical constraints like the Shannon Limit. PACKET FRIENDLINESS - Supporting optimized transport for packet services, which constitute the source for most traffic growth, while continuing to support existing services. REVENUE GENERATION - Offering innovative new bandwidth services and features that add to revenue streams.

ECI's Apollo 9900 series does all this and more in the densest, most energy efficient, hybrid OTN/Packet switch on the market today.

To learn more about ECI's Optical Solutions, please visit: https://www.ecitele.com/media/1680/apollo-opt990-white-paper_web.pdf.

About FierceMarkets

FierceMarkets, a division of Questex, LLC, is a leader in B2B e-media, providing information and marketing services in the telecommunications, life sciences, healthcare, IT, energy, government, finance, and retail industries through its portfolio of email newsletters, websites, webinars and live events. Every business day, FierceMarkets' wide array of digital publications reaches more than 2 million executives in more than 100 countries.

Current publications include: Telecom: FierceWireless; FierceCable; FierceDeveloper; FierceOnlineVideo; FierceTelecom; FierceWirelessTech; FierceWireless:Europe /TelecomsEMEA, FierceInstaller; an Telecom Asia; Healthcare: FierceEMR; FierceHealthcare; FierceHealthFinance; FierceHealthIT; FierceHealthPayer; FierceHealthPayerAntiFraud; FierceMobileHealthcare; FiercePracticeManagement and Hospital Impact; Life Sciences: FierceBiotech; FierceBiotechIT; FierceBiotech Research; FierceCRO; FierceDiagnostics, FierceDrugDelivery; FierceMedicalDevices; FiercePharma; FiercePharmaAsia; FiercePharmaMarketing; FiercePharmaManufacturing; FierceVaccines and FierceAnimalHealth Enterprise IT: FierceBigData; FierceCIO; FierceContentManagement; FierceDevOps; FierceEnterpriseCommunications; FierceITSecurity and FierceMobileIT; Finance: FierceCFO; and FierceFinanceIT; Government: FierceGovernment; FierceGovernmentIT; FierceHomelandSecurity; FierceMobileGovernment; FierceCities and FierceGovHealthIT Marketing & Retail: FierceCMO; FierceTechExec.

About ECI

ECI is a global provider of ELASTIC network solutions to CSPs, critical infrastructures as well as data center operators. Along with its long-standing, industry-proven packet-optical transport, ECI offers a variety of SDN/NFV applications, end-to-end network management, a comprehensive cyber security solution, and a range of professional services. ECI's ELASTIC solutions ensure open, future-proof, and secure communications. With ECI, customers have the luxury of choosing a network that can be tailor-made to their needs today as well as seamlessly and cost effectively upgraded to meet future requirements. For more information, visit us at http://www.ecitele.com.

Press contact:

Marjie Hadad

Press Contact

MH Communications

On behalf of ECI

+972-54-536-5220

[email protected]



SOURCE ECI
During Q3 2016, there were 75 announced M&A transactions involving the acquisition of North American food and beverage targets, up 9% compared to Q3 2015. Large CPG corporations continue to acquire smaller players in order to capture innovation and high growth for themselves. Strong M&A activity in sectors such as alcoholic beverages and desserts signals a continued trend towards consolidation across the industry.

We encourage you to download the full report from our website. Topics covered in this issue include:

Food and beverage market intelligence

Current food and beverage public market valuations and operational metrics

Historical food and beverage public market valuation trends

Recent food and beverage merger & acquisition transactions

For more information on Lincoln International's Global Food & Beverage Group, including transaction experience and to download other industry publications, please visit our website at https://www.lincolninternational.com/industries/consumer/.

About Lincoln International

Lincoln International specializes in merger and acquisition advisory services, debt advisory services, private capital raising and restructuring advice on mid-market transactions. Lincoln International also provides fairness opinions, valuations and joint ventures and partnering advisory services on a wide range of transaction sizes. With seventeen offices in the Americas, Asia and Europe, Lincoln International has strong local knowledge and contacts in key global economies. The firm provides clients with senior-level attention, in-depth industry expertise and integrated resources. By being focused and independent, Lincoln International serves its clients without conflicts of interest.

More information about Lincoln International can be obtained at www.lincolninternational.com

Media Contact: Ashley Luse

+1 (312) 506-1998

[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161028/433903-INFO

SOURCE Lincoln International LLC

Related Links

http://www.lincolninternational.com


WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The work of Forest City Washington, one of the D.C. region's most prominent owners, managers and developers of commercial and residential real estate, will be recognized during the D.C. Chamber of Commerce's 2016 Awards and Gala on November 4 at the Marriot Marquis. Deborah Ratner Salzberg, President of Forest City Washington, will accept the Chamber's Economic Impact Award during the annual black-tie event that celebrates achievement, innovation and success in the greater D.C. metropolitan area.

"Forest City has been part of the greater D.C. community for more than 20 years, and it has been our privilege to be part of projects that not only create great places to live, work and shop, but also contribute meaningfully to our region's economy," said Ratner. "On behalf of our entire D.C. team, as well as the more than 2,000 Forest City associates around the country, we are honored by this recognition."

One of Forest City's best-known and most-active D.C. projects is The Yards, located between the Nationals Ballpark and the Washington Navy Yard, and home to more than a dozen restaurants, multiple residential communities and the award-winning Yards Park on the Anacostia River. The 48-acre development was built through a collaboration between the D.C. government, the U.S. General Services Administration and Forest City Washington. It is the largest public-private partnership in the nation's capital with a present-value D.C. revenue impact of more than $1.0 billion.

At completion, the 6-million-square-foot development is expected to include 3,400 residential units, 1.8 million square feet of office space and 400,000 square feet of retail, restaurants and services. Collectively among all the residential apartment buildings, Forest City will add over 700 new units to DC's affordable housing stock. The project also includes a 50-slip Yards Marina, a 16-screen Showplace Icon Theater, as well as a soon-to-be announced full-service hotel.

According to research by the D.C.-based advisory firm of Bolan Smart Associates, the Yards development is expected to result in job creation equating to approximately $1 billion in annual D.C.-based payroll, including an estimated 10,500 full time permanent jobs and approximately 1,000 full-time construction jobs. Upon completion, the Yards is projected to result in direct tax proceeds of $88 million per year for the District (in current 2016 dollars), translating into a present-value D.C. revenue impact of more than $1.0 billion. Also, The Yards development is providing more than $100 million in infrastructure and public-space benefits in the form of parks, streets and public realm.

Notably, as it continues to build out The Yards, Forest City is exceeding its goals of achieving 35 percent Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) contract participation and 51 percent First-Source hiring of D.C. residents. As part of its commitment to social inclusion, Forest City Washington also created two initiatives: a mentor/protege program connecting CBE companies with established firms to grow their roles on future projects; and a workforce intermediary program that assists Yards' retailers to augment their goal of employing D.C. residents. In the case of grocer Harris Teeter, 300 local residents were hired and local employee retention exceeded the goal of 70 percent for more than 6 months after hire.

In addition to The Yards, Forest City's D.C. regional presence includes Ballston Quarter (formerly Ballston Common Mall) in Arlington, and apartment communities in Arlington, Silver Spring and North Bethesda, as well as Waterfront Station, the mixed-use redevelopment of the former Waterside Mall, in the District.

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SOURCE Forest City Washington
DALLAS, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held, middle-market businesses, is pleased to announce that Tom Farrell, Executive Vice President with the firm, will be honored at the 2016 M&A Advisor Award banquet on November 9 by receiving the organization's highest honor, its Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Farrell will also be inducted into the M&A Advisor's M&A Hall of Fame.

Mr. Farrell has been the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Generational Equity since joining the firm in 2005. He leads the business owner engagement and assessment process for Generational Equity's innovative M&A service. During Mr. Farrell's tenure, the firm has been consistently recognized as a leading lower middle-market M&A advisory firm, winning several industry awards and ranked #1 since 2009 for Small Cap completed transactions up to $25 million. The client acquisition team under Tom's leadership has helped the firm close over 500 transactions.

"We are honored to present Mr. Farrell with The M&A Advisor Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the mergers and acquisitions industry," stated David Fergusson, President and Co-CEO of The M&A Advisor." Tom has been a valued friend and ally to thousands of firms for their advancement and he enjoys the respect and appreciation of M&A professionals across the world for his tireless work."

Terry Johnson, Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer with Generational Equity, stated, "I have worked closely with Tom for a number of years and I am thrilled that he is being recognized for his exemplary years and years of service. He is an exceptional leader, and man."

During his career, Mr. Farrell led his own firm serving private companies in their strategic development and participated in several M&A transactions for both public and private companies. Before joining Generational Equity, he held senior executive positions with worldwide responsibility for strategic development and executive education at Eastman Kodak Company and Smith Barney/Citigroup.

Ryan Binkley, President and CEO of the Generational Group adds, "Tom has been a tremendous asset to our firm and has helped our organization achieve some remarkable results over the years. It is wonderful that the M&A Advisor is recognizing his significant contributions to not only our company, but the entire M&A industry."

About The M&A Advisor

The M&A Advisor was founded in 1998 to offer insights and intelligence on mergers and acquisitions through the industry's leading publication. Today, the firm is recognized as the world's premier "think tank" and leadership organization for M&A, restructuring and financing professionals, providing a range of integrated services including: M&A Advisor Forums and Summits; M&A Advisor Market Intelligence; M&A.TV.; M&A Advisor Live; M&A Advisor Awards; and M&A Advisor Connects. For additional information about The M&A Advisor's leadership services visit www.maadvisor.com.

About Generational Equity

Generational Equity, part of the Generational Group headquartered in Dallas with over 200 professionals located throughout North America, helps business owners release the wealth of their business by providing merger, acquisition and strategic growth advisory services. Their four-step approach features M&A education, financial analysis and reporting, sales documentation and deal-making. The M&A Advisor recently recognized the team as Valuation Firm of the Year. For more, visit www.generational.com and the Generational Equity press room.

For more information:

Carl Doerksen

972-232-1125

[email protected]

SOURCE Generational Equity

Related Links

http://www.genequityco.com


"Pretzelmaker knows our customers are hungry for flavor trends and with toasted nut gaining popularity, our Almond Crunch Pretzel is perfect for the holiday season," said Lisa Cheatham, Director of Marketing, Pretzelmaker. "The Almond Crunch Pretzel tastes like fall and winter  its pure comfort and warmth. Visit us today and 'Go Nuts'."

Pretzelmaker is known for fresh delicious pretzels and product innovation. With stores across the U.S., the brand has thousands of loyal fans and is the original creator of the Pretzel Dog, Pretzel Bites and Mozzarella Stuffed Bites. The Pretzelmaker rewards app can be downloaded on Google Play and the AppStore  it's the place to go to earn rewards, find stores and receive exclusive coupons and offers.

For more information and store locations, visit our website www.pretzelmaker.com or join us on social media: follow @pretzelmaker on Twitter; add @pretzelmakerpics on Instagram; follow "Pretzelmaker" on Snapchat; or become a fan of the brand on Facebook www.facebook.com/pretzelmaker. Followers of Pretzelmaker's social media channels will have the opportunity to win a voucher for a free Almond Crunch Pretzel by using the hashtag #toastedalmond when promoted by Almond Crunch Pretzel posts.

About Pretzelmaker - www.pretzelmaker.com

Since 1991, Pretzelmaker has specialized in serving fresh baked, hand-rolled soft pretzel products, dipping sauces and beverages. Long recognized as an innovator in their industry, the brand is credited with inventing the popular Pretzel Dog, Mini Pretzel Dogs, and the portable Pretzel Bites. Following integration in 2010, the Pretzelmaker brand now also includes Pretzel Time. Pretzelmaker is currently the second largest soft pretzel concept in the United States and is also rapidly expanding worldwide with locations in Canada, Guam, Saudi Arabia and Mexico.

About Global Franchise Group, LLC  www.globalfranchise.com

Global Franchise Group, LLC is a strategic brand management company with a mission of championing franchise brands and the people who build them. The company owns a portfolio of franchise brands that includes five primary quick service restaurant (QSR) franchise concepts: Great American Cookies, Hot Dog on a Stick, Marble Slab Creamery, MaggieMoo's Ice Cream & Treatery, and Pretzelmaker. The brands are managed by GFG Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Global Franchise Group, LLC. Global Franchise Group, LLC is a portfolio company of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, an independent investment firm, with approximately $7 billion of capital under management and substantial franchise management experience.

Media Contact:

Kathleen Shaffer

(470) 388-6170

[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161031/434173

SOURCE Pretzelmaker

Related Links

http://www.pretzelmaker.com


Henderson Hospital, the newest acute care hospital within The Valley Health System, installed Indigo-Clean light fixtures in their operating rooms and recovering spaces, helping to proactively kill harmful bacteria before it enters the body.

"We are excited to be at the forefront of hospitals across the U.S. by providing this new, proven technology as another tool to help keep our patients safe," said Sam Kaufman, CEO and Managing Director of Henderson Hospital. "Maintaining a safe, clean environment for our patients is our number one priority. Indigo-Clean safely, automatically, and continuously disinfects the environment, which means there is no need for room downtime when it's in use." He further added, "Because the Indigo-Clean system is automated, it doesn't require a person to operate it which also reduces risk of human error. These concerns are particularly important in our Operating Rooms which are in constant use throughout the day."

Indigo-Clean, a patented, continuous environmental disinfection technology, is not UV light. It uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to generate visible white light that also contains a narrow spectrum of indigo colored light. The indigo color uses a wavelength of 405 nanometers (nm), which automatically and continuously disinfects the environment. Indigo-Clean features two modes of disinfection: White Disinfection Mode provides ambient lighting and continuous environmental disinfection while the room is occupied; When the room is not in use, the control system automatically selects Indigo-Disinfection Mode to provide maximum disinfection power.

Unlike other systems that require the room to be taken out of service and/or activated by a trained operator, Indigo-Clean is automatic which minimizes human error and room downtime. Partnering Indigo-Clean's continuous environmental disinfection technology with current cleaning protocols leave the room cleaner and safer for the patients and staff.

"As an innovator in healthcare lighting and a leader in LED lighting, we are excited to bring healthcare providers, like Henderson Hospital, this effective, revolutionary environmental disinfection tool to bolster current cleaning methods, providing a safer environment for their patients," said Cliff Yahnke, Ph.D., Kenall's Director of Clinical Affairs for Indigo-Clean. "We applaud Henderson Hospital for being an early adopter and look forward to seeing Indigo-Clean's presence in other hospitals as healthcare providers continue to realize its benefits."

The Valley Health System plans to install the Indigo-Clean light fixtures in additional facilities in the Las Vegas area over the next few months.

About Henderson Hospital

Henderson Hospital, opening in Fall 2016, will offer emergency, surgical, cardiovascular, and women's health care, including maternity. For more information, visit www.hendersonhospital.com

About Kenall, manufacturer of Indigo-Clean

Indigo-Clean is an affiliate of Kenall Manufacturing, which has earned a reputation for lighting challenging applications. Since its inception in 1963, Kenall has been known for superior quality, exceptional value, and durable solutions, and it is proud to provide sealed lighting for containment or clean spaces, security lighting for detention facilities, and specialized healthcare and transportation applications. Kenall products are designed and manufactured in the USA and meet the guidelines established under the Buy American Act and the North American Free Trade Agreement. For additional information on Indigo-Clean, visit our website at www.indigo-clean.com or contact us directly at 262-891-9200.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/435014

SOURCE Indigo-Clean

Related Links

http://www.hendersonhospital.com


NOVATO, Calif., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Wagster Treats, part of Homeward Bound of Marin's innovative employment training program, today announced that its "life-changing" dog treats will be offered at more than 60 Pet Food Express stores in California.

Pet Food Express is the first major retailer to sell the treats, which are baked on-site by students and graduates of the culinary job-training program. All proceeds from Wagster Treats sales will support shelter and job-training programs at Homeward Bound of Marin, which provides shelter for more than 1,300 homeless individuals and families.

"We are thrilled to partner with a major retailer like Pet Food Express and especially grateful to Michael Levy, a founder of Pet Food Express who is a Marin resident, for his support," said Mary Kay Sweeney, executive director at Homeward Bound of Marin. "Pet Food Express is a socially-minded company with deep roots in Marin County and they have been extremely supportive of our business."

Wagster Treats are baked in small batches in the state-licensed training kitchen in Novato, Calif. Not only are they healthy for dogs, they are also good for the community by employing Fresh Starts Culinary Academy graduates in all aspects of the business.

Wagster Treats are vegan, healthy and natural dog biscuits made from human-grade ingredients with three chef-inspired recipes that are free of wheat, soy and corn. They have just six ingredients each in three flavors: Peanut Butter & Molasses, Apple & Toasted Almond, and Banana & Toasted Coconut.

Wagster Treats made its debut in spring 2016 with sales at local farmers' markets. The treats continue to be available at farmers' markets in Marin County, independent grocers, and pet suppliers. Just in time for the holidays, Wagster Treats will be available at all 60 California Pet Food Express stores.

To learn how Wagster is changing lives, watch the video at WagsterTreats.com or contact us for information on how to visit the facility at 415-382-3363 x306.

About Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound of Marin is the primary provider of shelter and residential services for homeless families and individuals in Marin County, Calif., serving approximately 1,300 people per year. Founded in 1974, the organization has evolved to operate 15 inter-related residential programs ranging from emergency shelter to long-term supportive housing. Services include counseling, job training and workshops in "life skills" like budgeting and credit repair. Residents have built a record of success facing an array of personal and economic challenges: in 2015-16, 84% of families served and 62% of adults completing our programs moved to stable housing.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435526LOGO

SOURCE Homeward Bound of Marin
Founder Denise Kowal explains, "It's a paradigm shift in the way we experience fine art. It brings transparency to how a creative idea, in an artist's mind, becomes a reality in the physical world, humanizing the artwork, its creators, and viewers."

Expanding a 500-year Italian tradition as a 2D religious artform, the festival is a contemporary social phenomenon, hosting almost all the world-renown pavement artists such as Kurt Wenner, Edgar Mueller, Leon Keer, and Julie Kirk-Purcell.

Wenner invented the 3D illusion pavement art form in the 1980's, and after a 15- year hiatus doing primarily corporate work, Kowal drew him back to festivals. Muller premiered illuminating paints into his 3D illusion in 2010 and Leon Keer premiered augmented reality in 2011. Kirk-Purcell, one of the first 3D pavement artists, led a team securing a world-record at the 2014 festival.

Cuboliquido, from Italy, remarks, "Many of us are 'famous' thanks to the Chalk Festival. It was and is a kickoff to make more viral and popular both this kind of art and many artists, too. It changed the way to make a festival that had never been seen before." It is the first international pavement art festival in the USA.

It is among the world's most "intelligent" travel destinations, according to the NYTimes blog, In Transit, and voted the best event in Sarasota County 5 years in a row. The Chalk Festival is managed by a small 501c3 nonprofit that is 100% volunteer with only three board members. It receives over 1,000 artist applications yearly and raises funding for roughly 250 out-of-town artists yearly, while welcoming anyone to participate.

Kowal remarks, "Even though these paintings will not last, we hope the heartfelt message, LOVE & PEACE, will form lasting memories that those who attend will help us spread worldwide."

Media Contact:

Denise Kowal

[email protected]

1-941-374-4790

www.chalkfestival.org

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SOURCE Sarasota Chalk Festival

Related Links

http://www.chalkfestival.org


SINGAPORE and PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- InterOil Corporation (NYSE: IOC; POMSoX:IOC) has been advised by Total E&P PNG Limited, operator of Petroleum Retention License 15 in the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea, that it has begun drilling the Antelope-7 appraisal well.

The well is designed to provide structural control and reservoir definition on the field's western flank. It has a proposed total depth of around 2,300 meters (7,545 feet) true vertical depth below rotary table and is located about 1.45 km west-south-west of Antelope-5.

InterOil holds a 36.5375% interest in the well. Total E&P PNG Limited has a 40.1275% interest, Oil Search has 22.8350%, and the remaining 0.5000% is held by minority parties.

About InterOil

InterOil Corporation is an independent oil and gas business with a sole focus on Papua New Guinea. InterOil's assets include one of Asia's largest undeveloped gas fields, Elk-Antelope, in the Gulf Province, and exploration licenses covering about 16,000sqkm. Its main offices are in Singapore and Port Moresby. InterOil is listed on the New York and Port Moresby stock exchanges.

Investor Contacts

Singapore United States

David Wu Senior Vice President Investor Relations Cynthia Black Investor Relations North America

T: +65 6507 0222 E: [email protected] T: +1 212 653 9778 E: [email protected]



Media Contacts

United States James Golden / Aaron Palash Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher T: +1 212 355 4449 E: [email protected]

Forward Looking Statements

This media release includes "forward-looking statements" as defined in United States federal and Canadian securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that InterOil expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our current beliefs as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to the company. No assurances can be given however, that these events will occur. Actual results could differ, and the difference may be material and adverse to the company and its shareholders. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the company, which may cause our actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include the risk factors discussed in the company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and on SEDAR, including but not limited to those in the company's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2015 on Form 40-F and its Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2015. In particular, there is no established market for natural gas or gas condensate in Papua New Guinea and no guarantee that gas or gas condensate will ultimately be able to be extracted and sold commercially. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the fact that this press release remains available does not constitute a representation by InterOil that InterOIl believes these forward-looking statements continue to be true as of any subsequent date. Actual results may vary materially from the expected results expressed in forward looking statements. InterOil 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 expressly required by applicable securities laws. InterOil's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in the company's Form 40-F, available from the company at www.interoil.com or from the SEC at www.sec.gov and its Annual Information Form available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE InterOil Corporation

Related Links

http://www.interoil.com


Bridgeable, a leading global service design firm, marries deep expertise in human behavior with service design know-how to help organizations create experiences for today's omni-channel, on-demand consumer.

TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the last decade, the customer experience has evolved. Today, consumers demand support across multiple channels simultaneously  making it more complex than ever to create exceptional experiences. Service design experts like Bridgeable are helping organizations meet and exceed their customers' expectations.

Like industrial design for products and user experience for websites, service design aims to create end-to-end customer experiences that span channels seamlessly. Bridgeable is at the forefront of the service design industry thanks to its unparalleled combination of IP, talent, industry experience and an untraditional approach that integrates clients and consumers into the design process.

"Bridgeable is a different kind of service and experience design firm. Many firms design for customer needs, but fail to adequately consider organizational realities; others focus on strategy, but lose sight of customer behavior in the real world," said Chris Ferguson, CEO Bridgeable. "Our team uniquely bridges these contrasting orientations: it co-designs solutions with a company's executives, employees and its customers at the same time, often bringing them into one room. By building a stronger bridge between strategy and reality, we're changing the way organizations approach customer experience transformation."

"And we're really proud to have played a role in the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada's most recent initiative, the Community Hypertension Prevention Initiative  just unveiled on October 28, 2016  that is designed to help older adults make small, simple modifications to live a healthier lifestyle," continued Ferguson.

THE DESIGN APPROACH: CO-DESIGN IS THE DIFFERENTIATOR

Bridgeable's approach, which leverages the process of co-design, produces experiences that delight customers across channels and work within complex organizational realities. To make the co-design process work, Bridgeable:

Brings several groups into the co-design process, specifically executives, frontline employees and the customers themselves. Leverages insight from its own team members, such as experts in behavioral economics, biomedical communications, user experience design, data visualization, environmental design, and more.

Bridgeable's co-design process helps brands achieve a holistic, multi-touchpoint customer experience that meets consumer's needs at every layer  from the user-interface of a website to the way questions are answered within a retail location or call center, to the communications that support the service offering.

UNIQUE OFFERINGS: THREE LAYERS OF IMPACT

Bridgeable focuses its work around three key design layers:

Service Design  Taking a holistic view of how experiences are delivered across an organization. Tools used include: Service Blueprinting, Strategic Foresight and Horizon Planning, Customer Centered Transformation, and Governance and Capacity Building. Experiences  Designing an experience for customers that generates greater value by ensuring multiple touchpoints are working in harmony over time. Tools include: Behavioural Journey Mapping, Implementation Roadmapping, Omni-Channel Prototyping, and KPI Dashboards. Touchpoints  Creating the touchpoints for service users including website and app design, communication planning and training. Tools include: User Experience Design, Communications & Visualization, Front-line Interactions, Physical Environment Design.

THE PROOF: BRIDGEABLE CUSTOMER CASE STUDIES

Bridgeable helped Canadian telecom company TELUS create a seamless end-to-end experience for its customers to renew and upgrade their cell phones  making the process intrinsically simple  no hurdles, no difficult choices, just a smooth, intuitive process to quickly and easily get the right products. Each online renewal transaction delivered up to $70 of OPEX savings compared to other channel interactions. With 18 million customers and a 300% improvement in online renewals, this improved customer experience is delivering significant ROI. In conjunction with MaRS Innovation, an incubator turning great science into viable new products, Bridgeable developed a new app combining the data people are tracking on their mobile devices with the rich data collected by doctors. The result was the mobile tool BabyBundle. Designed collectively by mothers, doctors and healthcare innovators, BabyBundle gives mothers greater access and control over their children's health information and enables them to feel more confident when making choices regarding their children's health and well-being. The tool is also a successful example of the future of e-health records. When global biotech giant Genentech was losing exclusivity on Boniva, the drug created to treat or prevent osteoporosis, they worked with Bridgeable to help increase patients taking their medication, with a significantly reduced budget. The team uncovered insights with patients and physicians about their experience and identified previously untapped opportunity areas. The firm then redesigned a new drug adherence program that was credible with physicians, and fit into the daily realities of patients. The brand increased sales by 8% with a budget that had been reduced by over 30%. As part of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada's Community Hypertension Prevention Initiative, Bridgeable collaborated with Heart & Stroke to refine a program that helps older adults live healthier lives. Using a human-centered design approach, the Bridgeable team uncovered the needs of older adults and developed clear ways to tailor a health program to make change easy. The result was the validation and refinement of critical core concepts of the program, and the development of intake and awareness materials for a program designed to help older adults make small, easy changes to eat healthy and be physically active.

ABOUT BRIDGEABLE

Bridgeable is a leading service design company dedicated to transforming customer experiences so they provide greater value to both a company and its customers. Its solutions are rooted in a deep understanding of people's behaviors and an intimate knowledge of the specific industries in which its clients operate. By delivering exceptional service design, Bridgeable helps organizations deliver holistic experiences for customers, ensuring that multiple touchpoints work in harmony over time. Bridgeable has worked with Fortune 500 companies and innovative start-ups including TELUS, Genentech, Mt. Sinai Hospital, RBC, MaRS, Therachoice, Rise Asset Development and Rotman Institute of Philosophy.

SOURCE Bridgeable
DALLAS, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- James Dondero, co-founder and president of Dallas-based asset management firm Highland Capital Management, L.P., has been appointed to the Executive Board of the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Cox School of Business. Dondero's new board position expands Highland's already strong commitment to SMU, which includes the endowment of the Highland Capital Management Tower Scholars, a program that recognizes and encourages academic and professional pursuits in public policy, as well as ongoing support of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

"The Cox School at SMU contributes to the vibrant business community here in Dallas of which Highland is among the many beneficiaries," said Dondero. "I am honored to assist with the numerous growth and excellence initiatives currently underway."

The SMU Cox Executive Board consists of about 100 appointed members, most of whom are non-academics, who advise on the strategy of the business school. The Executive Board meets three times a yearin the fall, winter and spring.

In addition to his leadership at Highland, Dondero is Chairman of NexBank, NexPoint Residential Trust, Cornerstone Healthcare, and CCS Medical. He also serves as a board member of Jernigan Capital and MGM Studios.

About Highland Capital Management, L.P.

Highland Capital Management, L.P. is an SEC-registered investment adviser, which together with its affiliates has approximately $16 billion of assets under management. Founded in 1993 by James Dondero and Mark Okada, Highland is one of the largest and most experienced global alternative credit managers. Highland specializes in credit strategies, including credit hedge funds, long-only funds and separate accounts, distressed and special-situation private equity, and collateralized loan obligations (CLOs). Highland also offers alternative investments, including emerging markets, long/short equities, and natural resources. Highland's diversified client base includes public pension plans, foundations, endowments, corporations, financial institutions, fund of funds, governments, and high net-worth individuals. Highland is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and maintains offices in New York, Sao Paolo, Singapore, and Seoul. For more information visit highlandcapital.com.

About SMU Cox School of Business

The Cox School of Business (cox.smu.edu) was originally established in Dallas in 1920 on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and was named in honor of benefactor Edwin L. Cox in 1978. SMU Cox offers a full range of highly ranked undergraduate and graduate business education programs, academic centers of excellence and an active alumni network with chapters globally.

CONTACT:

Lucy Bannon | [email protected] | +1 972 419 6272

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SOURCE Highland Capital Management

Related Links

http://www.highlandcapital.com


LONDON, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Japan Medical Imaging Information Systems Market Outlook to 2022



Summary



GlobalData's new report, "Japan Medical Imaging Information Systems Market Outlook to 2022", provides key market data on the Japan Medical Imaging Information Systems market. The report provides value, in millions of US dollars within market segments - Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), Radiology Information System (RIS) and Cardiology Information Systems.



The report also provides company shares and distribution shares data for the market category, and global corporate-level profiles of the key market participants. Based on the availability of data for the particular category and country, information related to pipeline products, news and deals is available in the report.



The data in the report is derived from dynamic market forecast models. GlobalData uses epidemiology and capital equipment-based models to estimate and forecast the market size. The objective is to provide information that represents the most up-to-date data of the industry possible.



The epidemiology-based forecasting model makes use of epidemiology data gathered from research publications and primary interviews with physicians to establish the target patient population and treatment flow patterns for individual diseases and therapies. Using prevalence and incidence data and diagnosed and treated population, the epidemiology-based forecasting model arrives at the final numbers.



Capital equipment-based forecasting models are done based on the installed base, replacements and new sales of a specific device/equipment in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers. Data for average number of units per facility is used to arrive at the installed base of the capital equipment. Sales for a particular year are arrived at by calculating the replacement units and new units (additional and first-time purchases).



Extensive interviews are conducted with key opinion leaders (KOLs), physicians and industry experts to validate the market size, company share and distribution share data and analysis.



Scope



- Market size for Medical Imaging Information Systems market segments - Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), Radiology Information System (RIS) and Cardiology Information Systems.

- Annualized market revenues (USD million) for each of the market categories. Data is provided from 2008 to 2015 and forecast to 2022.

- 2015 company shares and distribution shares data for Medical Imaging Information Systems market.

- Global corporate-level profiles of key companies operating within the Japan Medical Imaging Information Systems market.

- Key players covered include Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, GE Healthcare Limited, Carestream Health, Inc., Philips Healthcare and Others.



Reasons to Buy



- Develop business strategies by identifying the key market segments poised for strong growth in the future.

- Develop market-entry and market expansion strategies.

- Design competition strategies by identifying who-stands-where in the market.

- Develop investment strategies by identifying the key market segments expected to register strong growth in the near future.

- What are the key distribution channels and what's the most preferred mode of product distribution - Identify, understand and capitalize.

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4263234/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

http://www.reportbuyer.com


"Rene's commitment, professionalism, and technical acumen make him an ideal leader to serve our energy property clients," said Brad Villers, Executive Vice President and Specialty Group Practice Leader for Lockton in Houston. "He will be in good company, joining an accomplished and highly experienced group of specialists. This enhances our ability to continue bringing leading edge solutions to our clients and positions us for sustained growth as global energy markets recover."

Van Winden joins Lockton after more than a decade with insurance broker Aon, most recently as Senior Vice President in the onshore energy team in Houston. He has also worked with Aon and Willis in London and with Aon in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He holds a master's degree from Erasmus University in Rotterdam and a degree from Ecole de Management in Lyon, France. He earned the "Power Broker" award from Risk & Insurance magazine in 2015 and 2016.

"On behalf of our Texas and Lockton Global Energy teams, we are delighted to welcome Rene," said Tim Kelly, leader of Lockton's Texas property-casualty operations. "His global experience and time working in the London and European markets offer a perfect alignment with our clients' needs, particularly in dealing with the complexities of multinational insurance programs."

Van Winden is based in Lockton's Houston office at 5847 San Felipe Street, Suite 320, Houston TX 77057. The phone number is 713-458-5200.

About Lockton

More than 6,000 professionals at Lockton provide 50,000 clients around the world with risk management, insurance, employee benefits consulting, and retirement services that improve their businesses. From its founding in 1966 in Kansas City, Missouri, Lockton has attracted entrepreneurial professionals who have driven its growth to become the largest privately held, independent insurance broker in the world and 9th largest overall. For eight consecutive years, Business Insurance magazine has recognized Lockton as a "Best Place to Work in Insurance." To see the latest insights from Lockton's experts, check Lockton Market Update.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435339

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SOURCE Lockton

Related Links

http://www.lockton.com


Mike Sorge has assumed the role of Strategic Broker Leader in Lockton's Risk Management Practice in Houston. Sorge has 25 years of combined underwriting and broking experience with an emphasis on large, complex casualty placements for both energy and non-energy accounts. He provides clients with comprehensive advice and risk finance solutions, leveraging large deductibles, self-insured retentions, captives, rent-a-captives, and risk retention groups. He has extensive experience in both complex collateral strategies and complicated umbrella/excess liability insurance programs. In this new role, he will continue to work closely with clients to structure and manage these highly specialized placements. He has been with Lockton for 14 years and previously was a Regional Underwriting Manager at CNA Risk Management. Sorge received his bachelor's degree and MBA from Appalachian State University.

Bobby Bierley will take on new responsibilities as a Strategic Broker Leader in Lockton's Energy and Marine Practice. He has more than 16 years of energy and marine insurance broking experience, with more than 8 years at Lockton. He served most recently as Team Leader of Lockton's Multinational Energy and Marine Practice. In addition, Bierley has experience as an Account Executive for a variety of large, complex, downstream, midstream and upstream energy and marine clients. Bierley's experience includes all aspects of the design, marketing, structuring and placement of global complex energy, casualty, property, marine and construction insurance programs. He will continue to focus on collaborating with energy and marine clients to place and provide ongoing support for complex insurance programs. Bierley received his bachelor's degree from Samford University and his MBA in risk management and finance from the University of Georgia.

"We are pleased to have Mike and Bobby take on these new roles where they can have an even greater influence on technical risk management solutions for our most complex clients," said Tim Kelly, leader of Lockton's property-casualty operations in Texas. "Our clients will continue to benefit from their expertise and their work will support the growth of our business."

Sorge and Bierley are based in Lockton's Houston office at 5847 San Felipe Street, Suite 320, Houston TX 77057. The phone number is 713-458-5200.

About Lockton

More than 6,000 professionals at Lockton provide 50,000 clients around the world with risk management, insurance, employee benefits consulting, and retirement services that improve their businesses. From its founding in 1966 in Kansas City, Missouri, Lockton has attracted entrepreneurial professionals who have driven its growth to become the largest privately held, independent insurance broker in the world and 9th largest overall. For eight consecutive years, Business Insurance magazine has recognized Lockton as a "Best Place to Work in Insurance." To see the latest insights from Lockton's experts, check Lockton Market Update.

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SOURCE Lockton

Related Links

http://www.lockton.com


Webcast and Presentation Slides Access

A live webcast can be accessed at the time of the presentation at https://lyb.com/investorevents, where copies of the slides related to the webcast will also be available for download. A replay of the presentation will be available on the company's website within 24 hours following the webcast.
NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Madison Realty Capital (MRC), an institutionally-backed real estate investment firm focused on real estate equity and debt investments in the middle markets, provided a $15.0 million loan for acquisition of a 12-story, 337,900 square foot office building at 440 Hamilton Avenue in White Plains, NY. The sponsor is acquiring the property from AT&T, the original builder and a current tenant, and is considering options for the 1964-vintage property, including the possibility of conversion to residential use. Josh Zegen, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of MRC, made the announcement.

440 Hamilton Avenue currently consists of a Class B office property situated on a 3.27-acre site. The property is substantially vacant, providing the sponsor with different potential redevelopment options. Conversion to multifamily residential is a possible exit, as well as renovation and leaseup of the property as modern office product. The location provides a short commute to and from Manhattan, and ready access to all that White Plains and other areas of Westchester County have to offer. White Plains has recently attracted significant institutional real estate investment due to its high demographics and central location.

"We're excited to support the sponsor's plans for repositioning this asset," Zegen said. "We are in the deal at an attractive basis of just over $40 per square foot, and at the same time were able to provide certainty of execution to facilitate this time-sensitive closing and help the sponsor lay the groundwork for its business plan. White Plains is an exciting market and we believe that well-located new product should be positioned to do well here."

About Madison Realty Capital (MRC)

MRC is a New York-based real estate investment firm that pursues real estate equity and debt investments in the middle market. Founded in 2004, MRC has invested in approximately $5.2 billion of transactions in the multifamily, retail, office, industrial and hotel sectors.

Media inquiries, contact

Great Ink Communications: (212) 741-2977

Tom Nolan  [email protected]

Eric Waters  [email protected]

SOURCE Madison Realty Capital
LYON, France, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mapi Research Trust expands their North American presence to support increased demand for information on Clinical Outcome Assessments (COAs). The expanding application and use of Clinical Outcome Assessments (COAs) both in Clinical Research and Clinical Care has increased the level of support that the Mapi Research Trust provides to researchers and health care providers. To support the life science industry, physicians and Health Care Organizations, the Mapi Research Trust is expanding our staff in North America.

"The expansion of United States staff in our growing Boston, MA, location strengthens Mapi Research Trust's mission of giving a voice to the patient across the spectrum of health care from clinical research to therapeutic care globally," Commented Katrin Conway, Managing Director of the Mapi Research Trust.

Mapi founded the Not-for-Profit Mapi Research Trust in 2004 to support the adoption of Patient Outcomes in health research; since then, Mapi Research Trust has been dedicated to improving the uptake and application of patient outcomes and Quality Of Life measures by promoting collaborative initiatives among researchers, pharmaceutical companies and international organizations with the objective of incorporating the patient's voice into the development process of new treatments.

"From the start we believed that patients must be the heart of Health Research and Healthcare. That the lives of patients can be improved through the application of Clinical Outcomes Assessments (COAs) both in Health Research and Clinical Care," Commented Bernard Jambon, Mapi Research Trust Chairman, "The addition of Outcome Measures into Clinical Care as measures of patient value is a natural evolution for health systems that seek to improve patients' health and quality of life."

The Mapi Research Trust continues to invest in their core expertise:

(1) Management and distribution of information related to Clinical Outcomes Assessments which are used in any scientific context where Healthcare practitioners and researchers endeavor to improve patients' lives. We answer over 7000 requests for COA information a year, are the official distributors of almost 300 COAs and provide access to specifically developed databases;

a. Proqolid, the largest curated repository of validated Outcomes Assessments

b. Prolables, the largest research database identifying drug product labeling claims approved by the EMA and FDA

c. Proinsight, the consolidated repository of guidance documentation needed for the application of Clinical Outcomes Assessments (COAs) in Clinical Research.

(2) We facilitate the collaboration with similar minded individuals and organizations through appropriate communication and education. The web-based monthly publication of the PRO Newsletter enables individuals and organizations to stay informed of a constant changing COA landscape.

(3) We drive initiatives to improve global health and patients' quality of life. The ERIQA and PRO Harmonization groups coordinated by MRT, brought together researchers, industry and health authorities to establish HRQOL as a credible criterion of evaluation in clinical trials in the US and Europe. The work of the 2 groups was instrumental in bringing about the FDA's PRO guidance issued in 2006 and providing a channel for the patients voice at the FDA and its European counterpart.

With its expansion in the US, Mapi Research Trust will allow still more individuals and organizations to benefit from free and subsidized Patient Centered Outcomes resources. The global Mapi Research Trust will be able to support more than the current 7,000 independent and academic research programs a year across some 130 countries.

About Mapi Research Trust:

The Mapi Research Trust is a Non-Profit arm of Mapi Group and works in collaboration with Academic Researchers, Life-Science Companies and Regulatory bodies. It is the largest curator of Clinical Outcomes Assessments (COA) and their translations, the largest single COA licensing provider and the most trusted name in distribution of COA instruments exclusively representing nearly 300 questionnaires.

Mapi Group has over 40 years of experience supporting Life-Science companies in utilizing Patient Reported Outcomes measures, Health Research Language Services, Value communications and Commercialization support, Strategic Regulatory Services, and gathering Real-World Evidence on Pharmaceuticals, Biologicals, and Medical devices. Mapi Group is the premier provider of Health Research and Commercialization services to Life-Science companies enabling Market Authorization, Market Access and Market Adoption of novel therapeutics. Visit http://www.mapigroup.com for more information.

Press contact: [email protected]

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SOURCE Mapi Research Trust

Related Links

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SAN DIEGO, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Measure B will be good for taxpayers. That's the finding of a report prepared by taxpayer advocate Scott Barnett.

According to the report, the Lilac Hills Ranch project includes:

A legally binding commitment to build a much-needed K-8 school.

A commitment to make all necessary community road and infrastructure upgrades to the tune of $16 million dollars , $2 million more than the County of San Diego estimated is needed.

, more than the County of estimated is needed. $2 million net in new tax revenues for county taxpayers annually.

net in new tax revenues for county taxpayers annually. A commitment to fund a Water Recycling Plant so the project will use less water than is currently consumed on the site.

As it relates to the turnkey K-8 school. Lou Riddle, the Bonsall School Board President said, "Measure B will have a great positive impact in our community, it will give the children of the community a continuous learning path."

As Measure B relates to San Diego County taxpayers, Scott Barnett, President of the San Diego Taxpayers Advocate said of Measure B, "Measure B is a good deal for County taxpayers. In addition to paying $16 million to improve area roads, the developer is required to pay for a K-8 school to serve the project and nearby residents. On top of that, it will generate nearly $2 million in new tax revenue each year to support services for all of us."

In addition to Barnett, area housing and economic experts like Alan Nevin and Gary London have also urged support of Measure B, saying it's a win for the region that desperately needs to focus on solving our housing crisis.

For more information on Measure B, click on https://yesforbetter.org/

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SOURCE Yes for Better

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GAITHERSBURG, Md., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Vtesse, Inc., a company committed to developing drugs that will benefit patients with extremely rare, life-threatening diseases, announced today that the MHRA, an executive agency of the Department of Health in the United Kingdom that is responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices are acceptably safe, has granted a Promising Innovative Medicine ("PIM") designation for VTS-270, Vtesse's investigational drug for children with Niemann-Pick Type C1 disease ("NPC").

"It is extremely gratifying to the NPC community, to the team at Vtesse, and to all of the individuals, organizations, and institutions who are tirelessly working on the development of VTS-270 that it has been recognized by the MHRA as a scientific innovation that may improve the lives of people living with NPC," said Ben Machielse, Drs., President and Chief Executive Officer of Vtesse, Inc. "It takes considerable collaboration and dedication to advance the clinical study and regulatory processes for drug development in the rare disease space. Above all, we thank all the parents who have supported the development of VTS-270."

"This UK PIM designation, coupled with the U.S. FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation granted earlier this year, demonstrates the strength of the preliminary clinical data of NPC treatment with VTS-270," added Kevin Johnson, PhD, MBA, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs at Vtesse. "Both designations afford us enhanced regulatory opportunities, which we will rely on as we complete our rigorous Phase 2b/3 clinical trial and seek regulatory approvals to bring this drug to market as quickly as possible."

A PIM Designation is an early indication that a medicinal product is a promising candidate for the Early Access to Medicines Scheme ("EAMS"), in the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of life-threatening or seriously debilitating conditions with unmet need. The EAMS is a UK program run by the MHRA that aims to give patients with life-threatening conditions access to specified pre-license medicines when there is a clear medical need.

"The PIM designation, which is based on Phase 1/2 clinical trial data from patients with NPC, is an important achievement for Vtesse, VTS-270 and the Niemann-Pick community," said Paul Gissen, PhD, MRCPCH, Great Ormond Street Hospital, who is an investigator in Vtesse's Phase 2b/3 clinical trial of VTS-270. "The MHRA's PIM designation is based on three criteria: a life-threatening or seriously debilitating condition with a high unmet medical need, a medicinal product that is likely to offer major advantages over current treatment used in the UK, and a reasonable expectation of a positive benefit-risk balance for patients. We look forward to continuing study with VTS-270, and  as a clinical investigator  I'm pleased that the MHRA has granted this designation."

Results from the VTS-270 treated group in the intrapatient Phase 1/2 dose escalation study that, after 12 months and 18 months of monthly dosing, disease progression as measured by the NPC Neurological Severity Score (NSS) was reduced as compared to a matched natural history study control group. Changes in hearing, which were anticipated as an adverse event, and transient ataxia and transient fatigue were observed in the study.

Vtesse's ongoing Phase 2b/3 clinical trial of VTS-270 is enrolling patients in the United Kingdom at Birmingham Children's Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital. The trial is also ongoing at sites in the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Turkey and Australia. For more information, including the current list of participating study sites, visit www.theNPCstudy.com.

About NPC

NPC is a progressive, irreversible, chronically debilitating  and ultimately lethal  genetic disease. It is caused by a defect in lipid transportation within the cell, which leads to excessive accumulation of lipids in the brain, liver and spleen. The NIH's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) conducted the preclinical research and initiated the drug development phase for VTS-270 in close collaboration with parents and patient support groups. Vtesse is leading the late-stage drug development process.

About Vtesse

Vtesse, Inc. is a rare disease company dedicated to developing drugs for patients suffering from diseases that are underserved. Vtesse is working collaboratively with the NIH, other leading academic centers, parents, and patient advocacy groups, to advance a pivotal clinical study of VTS-270 (a well-characterized mixture of HPCD with a specific compositional fingerprint that distinguishes it from other HPCD mixtures) to treat NPC, and to conduct pre-clinical discovery and development of other novel drugs for NPC and other lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs). The company is led by a highly experienced management team that has been involved in the development of more than 20 approved drugs. An experienced consortium of investors, including Alexandria Venture Investments, Bay City Capital LLC, Lundbeckfond Ventures, New Enterprise Associates, and Pfizer Venture Investments, has committed initial funding adequate to bring VTS-270 through a pivotal clinical trial. Vtesse is based in Gaithersburg, Maryland and is the first spin-out company from Cydan Development, Inc. For more information, visit www.vtessepharma.com.

SOURCE Vtesse, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.vtessepharma.com


SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercer Advisors Inc. ("Mercer Advisors"), a national Registered Investment Advisor firm based in Santa Barbara, has acquired Pegasus Advisors, LLC ("Pegasus Advisors"), an RIA firm managing $50 million in client assets, located in Dallas, Texas.

According to Christopher Currin, CFP, President of Pegasus Advisors, "Mercer Advisors shares our vision of how to operate a fee-only practice by providing independent, objective advice without any product sales agenda. Our affiliation with Mercer Advisors will allow us to deliver a broader range of specialized offerings, including turnkey asset management, in-house estate planning, executive benefits consulting, family office services, and trust administration. We're now more capable and client-focused than ever before."

"We are excited to have Chris and his Team on board for the opening of our new Dallas office," adds Mercer Advisors CEO David Barton. "An advisory team with deep local roots and extensive knowledge of the DFW market will gain the added strength and stability of a national powerhouse with 30 years' experience. Together, we're ideally positioned to offer our North Texas clients a compelling value of single-source, comprehensive wealth management services  everything from financial planning to asset protection and tax management to multi-generational legacy and estate planning and trust administration."

Anthony Salewski, a Board member of Mercer Advisors and Managing Director of Genstar Capital, which acquired Mercer in 2015, said, "We have been working with Dave Barton since our acquisition to build Mercer both organically and through acquisitions. Earlier this year, we successfully completed the company's merger with Kanaly Trust. We are very pleased with the company's progress and we are on track towards building a leading national wealth manager."

About Mercer Advisors

Established in 1985, Mercer Advisors Inc. is a total wealth management firm that provides comprehensive, fee-only investment management, financial planning, family office services, retirement benefits and distribution planning, estate planning, and tax management services to affluent individuals. Mercer Advisors is the parent company of Mercer Global Advisors, one of the largest Registered Investment Advisors and financial planning firms in the U.S. with over $9 billion in assets under management and more than 6,000 clients. Headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, Mercer Advisors is privately held, has over 190 employees, and operates nationally through 21 branch offices across the country. For more information, visit www.merceradvisors.com.

Data as of September 30, 2016. Includes AUM and personnel statistics from Kanaly Trust, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mercer Advisors.

Contact: Mercer Advisors

David H. Barton, Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

805.565.2584

SOURCE Mercer Advisors Inc.

Related Links

https://www.merceradvisors.com


WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mesothelioma Compensation Center is the most quoted source in the nation when it comes to the best possible financial compensation for a power or energy worker who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The center is launching a new initiative to ensure these types of workers with confirmed mesothelioma don't get shortchanged out of what could be hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial compensation or more because they hired an inexperienced or unskilled law firm.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/434748

Power/Energy Worker Asbestos Warning Sign

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/434749

As the center would like to explain anytime to a power worker or energy worker with mesothelioma or their family members at 866-714-6466, "If you blindly hire a law firm to advance a mesothelioma compensation claim without first researching the firm's references and qualifications, there is an extremely good chance you get shortchanged out of hundreds of thousands of dollars or more." http://MesotheliomaCompensationCenter.Com

The Mesothelioma Compensation Center says, "Power and/or energy workers with mesothelioma should get the very best possible financial compensation. Without high-quality legal representation, a diagnosed person with mesothelioma will probably never come close to the amount of mesothelioma compensation they should have received. We are talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation you will never get if you are a power or energy worker with this rare cancer."

"Before you hire a lawyer or law firm to assist with a mesothelioma compensation claim, please call us first at 866-714-6466 for instant and direct access to the nation's most skilled mesothelioma attorneys. You need to hire the nation's most experienced mesothelioma attorneys in order to not get financially shortchanged on mesothelioma compensation." http://MesotheliomaCompensationCenter.Com

The Mesothelioma Compensation Center specializes in assisting the following types of people with mesothelioma:

Power Plant/Power House Workers

Oil Refinery Workers

Public Utility Workers

Nuclear Power Plant Workers

US Navy Veterans

Electrical Workers

Plumbers

Boiler Technicians

Hydro-Electric Workers

Shipyard Workers

The Mesothelioma Compensation Center specializes in assisting US Navy Veterans, power plant workers, shipyard workers, oil refinery workers, public utility workers, hydro-electric workers, chemical plant workers, nuclear power plant workers, manufacturing workers, plumbers, electricians, and welders who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. In most instances these people were exposed to asbestos during the1950's, 1960's, 1970's, or 1980's.

US Navy Veterans account for a significant portion of all diagnosed victims of mesothelioma each year. According to the US Centers for Disease Control the average age for a diagnosed victim of mesothelioma is 72 years old. Each year between 2500, and 3000 US citizens will be diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is attributable to exposure to asbestos.

According to the CDC the states indicated with the highest incidence of mesothelioma include Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Louisiana, Washington, and Oregon. However, a former power or energy worker mesothelioma could live in any state including California, New York, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Kansas, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, or Alaska.

The Mesothelioma Compensation Center says, "If you call us at 866-714-6466, we will see to it that you have on the spot access to the nation's most skilled, and experienced mesothelioma attorneys, because these incredibly skilled legal experts consistently get the best financial compensation results for their clients on a nationwide basis-why settle for less?" http://MesotheliomaCompensationCenter.Com

For more information about mesothelioma please refer to the National Institutes of Health's web site related to this rare form of cancer: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mesothelioma.html

Media Contact:

Thomas Martin

[email protected]

866-714-6466

SOURCE Mesothelioma Compensation Center

Related Links

http://MesotheliomaCompensationCenter.Com


NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mica is primarily used as insulator, pigment extender, and filler in electronics, paints & coatings, construction, cosmetics, and other (rubber, plastics, etc.) industries. It is light, relatively soft, and flexible kind of product with dielectric, hydrophilic, insulating, and elastic properties. It occurs in different forms and grades.

The report estimates and forecasts the mica market on the global, regional, and country levels. The study provides forecast between 2016 and 2024 based on volume (tons) and revenue (US$ Mn) with 2015 as the base year. The report comprises an exhaustive value chain analysis for each of the product segments. It provides a comprehensive view of the market. Value chain analysis also offers detailed information about value addition at each stage. The study includes drivers and restraints for the mica market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. The study also provides key market indicators affecting the growth of the market. The report analyzes opportunities in the mica market on the global and regional level. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources. Furthermore, the report analyzes substitute analysis of mica and global average price trend analysis.



The report includes Porter's Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the mica market. The report comprises a qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-users and countries have been analyzed based on attractiveness for each region. Growth rate, market size, raw material availability, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market. The report comprises price trend analysis for mica between 2016 and 2024.

The study provides a comprehensive view of the mica market by dividing it into end-user and geography segments. The mica market has been segmented into paints & coatings, electronics, construction, cosmetics, and others based on end-user. End-user segments have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends.



Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for mica in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Additionally, the report comprises country-level analysis in terms of volume and revenue for end-user segments. Key countries such as the U.S., Germany, France, the U.K., Spain, Italy, India, China, South Africa, Mexico, and Brazil have been included in the study. Market segmentation includes demand for individual end-users in all the regions and countries.



The report covers detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include Asheville-Schoonmaker Mica Company, The Premier Mica Company, Santa Fe Gold Corporation and Gunpatroy Pvt. Ltd. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable).



Secondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to company websites, financial reports, annual reports, investor presentations, broker reports, and SEC filings. Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report.



In-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players' product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and strengthening secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis team's expertise and market understanding.

The global mica market has been segmented as follows:



Mica Market - Form Analysis



Natural

Synthetic

Mica Market - Grade Analysis



Ground Mica

Sheet Mica

Built-up Mica





Mica Market - End-user Analysis



Paints & Coatings

Electronics

Construction

Cosmetics

Others (Rubber, Plastics, etc.)



Mica Market - Regional Analysis



North America

U.S.

Canada

Europe

Germany

France

U.K.

Italy

Spain

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

India

Japan

ASEAN

Rest of Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa

GCC

Egypt

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America



Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04268688-summary/view-report.html



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



http://www.reportlinker.com





__________________________

Contact Clare: [email protected]

US: (339)-368-6001

Intl: +1 339-368-6001

SOURCE Reportlinker

Related Links

http://www.reportlinker.com


WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District (MVT CID) announces its FY 2017 Board of Directors and recognizes the contributions of departing Chairman, Reverend Dr. Joseph Evans of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, as well as Board Members Steve Boyle, May Chan and Gerry Widdicombe.

Incoming MVT CID Chairman, Berk Shervin, President of The Wilkes Company, noted that Dr. Evans was a treasured contributor to the Mount Vernon Triangle Community in every way, saying, "Dr. Evans led the MVT CID during periods of monumental change, always with a steady, calm hand. He was instrumental in helping to define what the Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood has become today  a vibrant, welcoming community with an authentic sense of place. We will miss him tremendously and wish him great success in his new position as Dean of the Morehouse School of Religion at Morehouse College in Atlanta." Mr. Shervin continued, "We also want to especially thank Steve Boyle of EDENS; resident Board Member May Chan of the K at City Vista Condominium; and Gerry Widdicombe of DowntownDC BID, each of whom have made countless, meaningful investments of time, energy and wisdom over many years on the Board."

MVT CID President & CEO, Kenyattah Robinson, said, "The MVT CID is an extraordinary neighborhood due to the contributions of our exceptional Board leaders. Beginning in 2004, Dr. Evans, Steve, May and Gerry contributed thousands of hours to the stewardship of the MVT CID as the Triangle neighborhood sustained significant growth. More than 4,000 households, 60 restaurants and retailers, and 6 corporate, legal and association organizations have chosen Mount Vernon Triangle for their headquarters and as their place to live, conduct business and entertain. Our Board has always remained acutely mindful of the historical importance and authentic neighborhood atmosphere that has defined the Triangle community for more than 100 years while it has been continuously engaged in community programming, helping to attract small, locally-owned businesses and keeping our streets clean and safe."

The FY 2017 Officers1, Executive Committee Members2 and Board Members3 are:





Chairman: Berk Shervin, The Wilkes Company(1,2,3)

Vice Chairman: Ivory Toldson, 555 Massachusetts Avenue(1,2,3)

Treasurer: Jimmy Dodson, Paradigm Companies(1,2,3)

Secretary: Tarra Kohli, Madrigal Lofts Condominium Assn.(1,2,3)

Executive Committee: Yvonne Williams, Bible Way Church of Washington, DC, Inc.(2,3)

Executive Committee: Greg Carbone*, EDENS(2,3)

Executive Committee: Mark Wood, Association of American Medical Colleges(2,3)

Executive Committee: Todd Dengel, Impark(2,3)

Board Member: Abby Elbaum, Ogden CAP Properties, LLC(3)

Board Member: Nicolas Franzetti, ASB Real Estate Investments(3)

Board Member: Hakan Ilhan, Restaurateur(3)

Board Member: Michelle Martin, Kids in the Triangle (KITT)(3)

Board Member: Pete Otteni, Boston Properties(3)

Board Member: Stephan Rodiger, Redbrick LMD(3)

Board Member: Matthew Shannon, Champion Awards(3)

Board Member: Dr. James Terrell, Second Baptist Church(3)

About The Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District

The Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District is a private, nonprofit organization established to enhance the overall quality of life for all members of the community including residents, visitors, business owners, and property owners in the Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood in Downtown DC. The Mount Vernon Triangle is considered to be one of Washington DC's best examples of a mixed-use community, a vibrant neighborhood in the heart of the Cityboth geographically and culturally. Its boundaries include 17 blocks within the East End of downtown Washington, D.C., bordered by Seventh Street to the west, Massachusetts Avenue to the south, New York Avenue to the north and New Jersey Avenue to the east. The Mount Vernon Triangle is a welcoming, authentic, and centered neighborhood that mirrors the City's unique mix of historic and modern buildings, longtime and new residents, and diverse cultures, restaurants, and urban experiences. For more information, we invite you to explore our website at www.mvtcid.org or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MountVernonTriangleCID, Twitter @MVTCID, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mvtcid/ and Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/.

*Affirmed by the MVT CID Board in September 2016 to serve the remaining year

of Steve Boyle's three-year term.

Media Contact: Karen Widmayer

KW Communications LLC

[email protected]

301.661.1448

SOURCE The Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District

Related Links

http://www.mountvernontriangle.org/


(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435263LOGO )



(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435264 )



NashTech has been chosen as one of the "most remarkable companies in 2016 in Vietnam" and selected by the research Committee according to a set of strict criteria and international standards.

Paul Smith, Chairman, NashTech commented: "We owe our growth to many things, but the most important is the creative freedom of our people. From our heritage of deep skills in software development and business process outsourcing our talented professionals have successfully evolved and grown our offering to include digital advisory services, cloud computing and analytics."

"We expect to significantly increase our export of services from Vietnam bringing valuable new jobs to the ICT and consulting industry and bringing new skill sets and experience to the workforce. NashTech exports ICT services to the to the UK, USA, Australia, Japan, Europe and Korea, through its global offices."

NashTech has been operating in Vietnam since 2000, delivering software and business process outsourcing services to companies globally through its workforce of over 2,000 professional engineers and process specialists.

About NashTech

NashTech is a global IT outsourcing provider specialising in Application Development, Cloud Services, Digital Platform Development, Analytics and System Integration. With over 2,000 employees globally, NashTech has been providing bespoke software and business process services solutions to leading businesses, governments and institutions from their Vietnam centres since 2000.

Visit http://www.nashtechglobal.com

About Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA)

VINASA is a national association, operating on a non-governmental and not-for-profit basis since 2002. VINASA's Annual Trade Promotion Program introduces and promotes the capabilities and market of Vietnam's IT industry, and provides accurate, comprehensive and up to date information on the 50 leading companies' competitiveness, brand reputation, products, markets, development potential and their need to seek new customers and business partners in the 3 forefront areas of Vietnam's IT industry:

BPO, ITO and KPO Software, IT Solutions and Services Digital Content, Applications and Solutions for Mobile

Contact

Victoria Cowell

Marketing Manager

Tel: +44-(0)-207-333-1441

Email: [email protected]



Paul Smith

Executive Chairman

Tel: +44-(0)-207-333-8778

Email: [email protected]



SOURCE NashTech
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cancer screening is one of the country's greatest public health achievements, yet insurance coverage of screening for five different types of cancer varies by health care plan, according to a new review by the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Along with the review, the Foundation released a new digital tool that allows anyone to easily compare their plan's coverage of screening tests for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers with other health insurance plans available in their state.

The Foundation published its findings in "Cancer Screening: A Review of Guidelines and Insurance Coverage," available in an e-book published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers. The e-book summarizes current screening options and provides an overview of screening guidelines issued by the American Cancer Society, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). It also compares screening coverage by the nation's 30 largest health insurers.

Some of the trends identified in the comparison of insurance coverage are as follows:

While all 30 plans cover 2D mammography, only 13 plans cover 3D mammography for breast cancer screening.

Virtually every plan covers low-dose CT for lung cancer screening; Pap tests alone or in combination with HPV tests for cervical cancer screening; and fecal occult blood test (FOBT), stool-based DNA testing, colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy for colorectal cancer screening.

All but two plans cover prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests for prostate cancer screening, even though the USPSTF does not recommend this test for men at average risk.

"People need to be aware that their health plans may not cover every screening test available for all the types of cancers that we can detect early, even if those tests are recommended by their physicians," said Carolyn R. Aldige, President and Founder of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. "When patients lack access to cancer screening tests, their lives are at risk and we collectively fail to deliver on one of the country's greatest public health achievements."

The cancer screening coverage tool, designed to help consumers understand their insurance coverage for cancer screenings, was built using data generated by Policy Reporter. Insurance companies are required to cover screenings recommended by the USPSTF, but may choose to cover additional screening tests as well.

A closer look at the data for breast cancer shows an alarming number of plans without a policy:

Screening Test # Plans Covering # Plans Not Covering # Plans Without

Policy Mammography (2D) 132 0 274 Breast Tomosynthesis

(3D) 47 45 313

This situation is not unique to breast cancer screening, and underscores an inconsistency that extends to screening guidelines issued by the American Cancer Society, NCCN and the USPSTF. The coverage tool features a pocket guide on these organizations' recommendations, which patients should discuss with their health care providers.

"While your insurance company may pay for a test even if it does not have a specific policy, this information suggests that patients should talk to their insurance companies about coverage and demand a change if these critical screening tests are not being covered," Aldige said.

Effective cancer screening can lead to early detection of these potentially deadly diseasesbut the variation between guidelines allows insurance companies to adopt cancer screening policies that may adversely affect patients' access to preventive services," said Bernard Levin, MD, Co-chair of the Prevent Cancer Foundation Scientific Review Panel.

In addition to the paper on cancer screening guidelines and insurance coverage, the e-book contains a selection of previously-published studies which examine the impact of cancer screening on patient outcomes.

The coverage tool and e-book are available at preventcancer.org/insurancecoverage.

About The Prevent Cancer Foundation

The Prevent Cancer Foundation is one of the nation's leading voluntary health organizations and the only U.S. nonprofit focused solely on cancer prevention and early detection. Founded in 1985, it has catapulted cancer prevention to prominence and fulfills its mission through research, education, outreach and advocacy across the country.

For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.

Contact: Lisa Berry

703-519-2107;

[email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435405LOGO

SOURCE The Prevent Cancer Foundation

Related Links

http://www.preventcancer.org


AUSTIN, Texas, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Microsoft's new Surface Studio will transform any desk into a full design studio experience with its gorgeous touchscreen monitor that can morph into a large-screen drafting tablet. With no physical security included and a premium price tag attached, it will certainly be one of the most targeted devices for theft. Just as they did with Apple's premium offering, the Mac Pro, Compulocks has stepped up to design a two-tier Surface Studio Lock option.

The tier one-security solution is a Premium Surface Studio Locking Enclosure perfect for any installation of the device including Design Studios, Art Schools, Museums and Media Companies. The Secured Swivel Plate Mount provides total protection for the hardware component without obstructing the monitor arms and features a rotation feature so that the screen can easily swing around. Notably, it incorporates complete cable management for all peripheral cables.

This high security solution enhances the user experience by adding a smooth rotation to the powerhouse design computer. The dual cylinder lock provides the ultimate level of security possible to discourage any tampering of the system or device. For increased theft protection, bolt down the base plate to the work-surface or connect a cable lock to the Surface Studio Enclosure.

All locking solutions produced by Compulocks are of the highest quality and must pass the company's multiple quality assurance tests prior to being put on the market. They must be strong in resistance yet still complement the stunning design of the device while being ergonomically suitable for the business and home professionals who will be relying on it.

"We saw it as our responsibility to provide the best hardware security for the Surface Studio", says Compulocks CTO Alexander Gad. "Compulocks Surface locks has a reputation for being the security standard of nationally renowned Art Schools who provide their design students with Surface devices, so we are thrilled to keep up the title and offer solutions to secure the Surface Studio."

The Surface Studio Enclosure will be available online mid December, and Compulocks will introduce the second tier option, a Surface Studio Cable Lock Kit, in early 2017.

Contact -

Meira B. Levison

Online Marketing and PR Manager

+1-512-333-2006

SOURCE Maclocks
COLUMBUS, Ga., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly half (49 percent) of working mothers surveyed do not have enough money to cover their health insurance deductible if they needed to do so today, according to a new survey from Aflac, the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite in the United States, and Working Mother magazine. Working mothers are often the lead decision-makers in their families when it comes to health care, yet the increasing popularity of high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) combined with stagnant wages is making it difficult for many to maintain their lifestyle when faced with a medical event.

Approximately half of debt collections on consumer credit reports and bankruptcies in the United States are attributed to medical debt,1 making it essential to have funds available for unforeseen medical costs. However, the survey found that 62 percent of working mothers who responded have never set aside money to save for their health insurance deductible, with 56 percent noting the reason they haven't set aside money is because they do not have extra cash on hand to save for anything.

The Aflac + Working Mother Survey was conducted in September 2016 by AYTM Research on behalf of Aflac and Working Mother magazine. Those surveyed included 1,000 U.S. adult women who work full time, have at least one child under age 18 living at home and have major medical/health insurance.

Family funds vs. family fun

Health care costs not only impact financial health, but can also take away from money set aside for family activities and savings. More than half (54 percent) of working mothers surveyed have had to divert funds away from something else in order to pay medical expenses. Of those:

56 percent diverted funds away from family vacations;

49 percent from family activities such as date nights, sporting events, concerts or movies;

23 percent from children's holiday or birthday gifts; and

21 percent from children's college funds.

This could be a result of the rise in families with HDHPs. Forty-three percent of respondents said they were enrolled in a health plan with a deductible of $1,000 or more. The higher the deductible, the harder it can be to pay it.

"This new data shows clearly the financial stress that working families are under as health insurance deductibles rise," says Jennifer Owens, editorial director at Working Mother Media. "We all know we should be saving for our retirement and our kids' college funds, but the need to cover a health insurance deductible is a real concern for us, too, especially since the need to tap in to our benefits can come as a surprise."

Utilizing available resources is key

Many employers understand the growing responsibility placed on their employees, especially mothers, and are offering resources to help mitigate financial risk when it comes to health care costs. The working mothers surveyed highlighted the following resources their employers provide to help them make better health care decisions:

Voluntary insurance (45 percent);

Employer funding of health savings account (HSA) to help meet insurance deductibles (35 percent); and

One-on-one meetings with a benefits consultant during open enrollment (33 percent).

Not surprising, voluntary insurance is at the top of the list. Voluntary insurance policies supplement major medical insurance to offer extended protection and peace of mind. The Aflac + Working Mother Survey showed that dental (78 percent), life (69 percent) and vision (64 percent) insurance are the most popular voluntary benefits among working mothers, but for those struggling to save for their deductible, it is important to also consider investing in additional voluntary products that assist in paying larger medical bills. For example, critical illness, accident and short-term disability insurance can help provide needed financial assistance if an unexpected injury or illness leaves a mother unable to work or with accumulating medical bills.

"As some of the hardest working people in the world, working mothers deserve to have stress-free time with their families without having to worry if they are protected from an unforeseen financial burden," said Brenda Mullins, vice president of Human Resources and chief people officer at Aflac. "By investing in voluntary insurance coverage, they can leave their worry behind knowing they are prepared for out-of-pocket costs should an unexpected illness or injury occur."

To learn more about the Aflac + Working Mother Survey, visit aflac.com/workingmother or follow @aflac and @_workingmother_ on Twitter.

About the Aflac + Working Mother Survey

The Aflac + Working Mother Survey was conducted via online panel in the United States between Sept. 22-27, 2016, among 1,000 women age 18+ who work full time, have at least one child under age 18 living at home and have major medical/health insurance. Sample error for 1,000 respondents is approximately 3.1 percent at 95 percent confidence. Sample was balanced for household income and geography. A full methodology is available. The survey was conducted by AYTM Research on behalf of Aflac and Working Mother magazine.

About Working Mother Media

Working Mother Media (WMM), a division of Bonnier Corporation (bonnier.com), publishes Working Mother magazine and its companion website, workingmother.com. The Working Mother Research Institute (workingmother.com/wmri), the National Association for Female Executives (nafe.com) and Diversity Best Practices (diversitybestpractices.com) are also units within WMM. WMM's mission is to serve as a champion of culture change. Working Mother magazine is the only national magazine for career-committed mothers. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

About Aflac

When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For six decades, Aflac insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite. Through its trailblazing One Day PaySM initiative, Aflac U.S. can receive, process, approve and disburse payment for eligible claims in one business day. In Japan, Aflac is the leading provider of medical and cancer insurance and insures 1 in 4 households. Aflac insurance products help provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For 10 consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2016, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the 18th consecutive year and included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the 15th time, ranking the company No. 1 in innovation for the insurance, life and health category for the second consecutive year. In 2015, Aflac's contact centers were recognized by J.D. Power by providing "An Outstanding Customer Service Experience" for the Live Phone Channel. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac and One Day PaySM, visit aflac.com or espanol.aflac.com.

1 Kaiser Family Foundation, Key Facts about the Uninsured Population," accessed on Oct. 18, 2016 - http://kff.org/uninsured/fact-sheet/key-facts-about-the-uninsured-population/#footnote-198942-37

Aflac herein means American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100423/CL92305LOGO

Aflac media contact  Kristen Fraser, 706.243.5543 or [email protected]

Aflac analyst and investor contact  Robin Y. Wilkey, 706.596.3264 or 800.235.2667; FAX: 706.324.6330, or [email protected]

Working Mother media contact  Andrea Kaplan, [email protected], 917-836-2741

SOURCE Aflac

Related Links

http://www.aflac.com


With these tenants of historical fact in mind, the non-partisan American Mustache Institute (AMI) -- broadly considered the bravest organization in the history of mankind behind only the U.S. military and the post-Jim Henson Muppets -- along with Wahl Grooming ( www.wahlgrooming.com ) -- the preeminent producer of crumb-catching pruning products -- today issued five vital tips of a multi-disciplinary education-focused public service partnership called the November Facial Hair Survival Guide. The effort focuses on mandating effective and proper facial hair growth during November to ensure for effective, efficient, long-lasting attractiveness.

"For many weaker Americans, November is a time of extreme experimentation while they work to determine their ability to accept a lifestyle of facial hair," said Dr. Adam Paul Causgrove, chief executive of the American Mustache Institute. "We have a responsibility to assist those embarking on their journey to a better tomorrow, and along with Wahl we will achieve this mandate with swift militancy."

Led by Dr. Causgrove and AMI's Thermo Nuclear Mustachery Division in partnership with Wahl, the November Facial Hair Survival Guide will provide some 833 steps -- released throughout the month -- sharing insights and best practices for experiencing a sexually dynamic Mustached American lifestyle or simply one of broader facial hair. The effort, Dr. Causgrove hopes, will ease the burden and pave the road toward a more effective, efficient, and prosperous life.

"We're ushering in a pilgrimage," he noted. "The journey to a fully-embraced Mustached American lifestyle begins with putting down the razor on day one, and we are here to hold your naturally calloused and possibly quivering hand through what may be a challenging first month."

Five of the initial tips include:

TIP #69 - Don't forget to 'stache match: Your mustache is just one part of the equation as it relates to your personal style. First, your 'stache style must fit your face - and both AMI and Wahl offer a variety of options. But wardrobe matters too. Think smoking jackets, Speedos, Hawaiian shirts, flannel shirts, Dickie's, Hulkamania tees and tank-tops that are three sizes too small.

Don't forget to 'stache match: Your mustache is just one part of the equation as it relates to your personal style. First, your 'stache style must fit your face - and both AMI and Wahl offer a variety of options. But wardrobe matters too. Think smoking jackets, Speedos, Hawaiian shirts, flannel shirts, Dickie's, Hulkamania tees and tank-tops that are three sizes too small. TIP #340 - Never give up, ever: Some claim they don't grow mustaches because they can't cultivate "a good mustache." But never forget what it says in mystical texts - "There is no such thing as a bad mustache. Only bad people who do not own, nor operate, mustaches." Translation: Stop shaving and experience the joy of the follically endowed.

Some claim they don't grow mustaches because they can't cultivate "a good mustache." But never forget what it says in mystical texts - "There is no such thing as a bad mustache. Only bad people who do not own, nor operate, mustaches." Translation: Stop shaving and experience the joy of the follically endowed. TIP #455 - Leash the beast: A mustache is like a wild animal and must be tamed accordingly. How so? By deftly maneuvering an appropriate trimming instrument to keep it in proper form.

A mustache is like a wild animal and must be tamed accordingly. How so? By deftly maneuvering an appropriate trimming instrument to keep it in proper form. TIP #21 - Give it the rock-star treatment: Just like nurturing the health of children through fruits, vegetables, vitamins, milk and more - you must nurture the beast that is your new mouth rug. Feed it bacon, beer, steak, more bacon, ham, and low-grade Kentucky bourbon whiskey.

Just like nurturing the health of children through fruits, vegetables, vitamins, milk and more - you must nurture the beast that is your new mouth rug. Feed it bacon, beer, steak, more bacon, ham, and low-grade bourbon whiskey. TIP #833 - The party's over when you say it is: While men trim, shaving is for the weak. So once November ends, you must fight the urging of the clean-shaven aristocracy to remove said facial fur. After all, as it says in the Dead Sea Scrolls, "Each time a mustache is shaved; an angel in heaven dies and falls to earth." And no one - no one - wants to see an angel hurt.

To find the hottest havens for guys with scruff check out Wahl's annual list of the Most Facial Hair Friendly Cities in America: https://grooming.wahl.com/community/hair-topia-top-10-cities-guys-facial-hair.

Let your facial hair do the talking

As the Official Sponsor of Facial Hair, Wahl encourages guys to sport their scruff all year long, but for those guys who are getting growing for a cause this November Wahl challenges them to use their beards and mustaches to raise awareness for a cause that affects one in seven American men  prostate cancer. For the third year, Wahl has joined forces with ZERO  The End of Prostate Cancer to support their seasonal Grow & Give campaign to recruit guys who beard up in November to use their whiskers to spread the word and raise money to end prostate cancer, the second largest cause of deaths in men. As a sponsor, Wahl is sweetening the pot by donating facial hair trimmers to the top fundraisers.

"By growing facial hair men can not only support Grow & Give, but their beards and mustaches can spark important conversations, making them walking, talking billboards for the cause," said Steven Yde, division vice president for Wahl. "While they are growing we strongly encourage guys to fully embrace the facial hair lifestyle and pick up a Wahl trimmer to maintain their style after November as well."

Participants in Grow & Give can start cultivating their facial hair any day in November and continue all month long. Wahl's website, wahlgrooming.com, offers more than 40 facial hair styles to inspire guys and provides how-to tips to achieve the look and maintain it after the month is over. To get involved, visit Grow & Give at http://support.zerocancer.org/site/PageNavigator/GrowAndGive.

For more information about the November Facial Hair Survival Guide, visit Wahl on Facebook or Twitter or AMI on Facebook or Twitter throughout the month of November.

ABOUT AMI

The American Mustache Institute, www.AmericanMustacheInstitute.org, the bravest organization in the history of mankind behind only the U.S. Military and the post-Jim Henson Muppets is the world's only facial hair advocacy and research organization with more than 800 global chapters. The organization battles negative stereotypes and discrimination against the Mustached American community and is committed to recapturing the 1970s-era glory years of Mustached American culture when there existed a climate of acceptance, understanding, and flavor saving for people of Mustached American heritage.

ABOUT WAHL  "The Official Sponsor of Facial Hair"

A quarter-century ago, Wahl recognized the desire for well-kept facial hair and created the world's first battery-operated facial hair trimmer. Since then, the company has developed a complete line of trimmers for specific facial hair styles as well as ear/nose, body grooming and multi-purpose use. This legacy of superior trimming innovation, which includes developing the first trimmer to harness the power of lithium ion, is why Wahl is now the "Official Sponsor of Facial Hair." For more information about Wahl trimmers, visit www.wahlgrooming.com.

ZERO  The End of Prostate Cancer is the leading national nonprofit organization with the mission to end prostate cancer. ZERO advances research, encourages action, and provides education and support to men and their families through our patient-centric programs. ZERO's premier activities include the ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk, America's largest men's health event series. We are a 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization recognized with four out of four stars by Charity Navigator in 2014 and 2015, accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and 94 cents of every dollar donated goes to research and programs. For more information visit, www.zerocancer.org/.

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SOURCE Wahl

Related Links

https://grooming.wahl.com


Tweet this: Calif. mayors join forces with @Learn4Life to bring classroom on wheels to #students w/limited access in rural cities #Diploma

Students will benefit from Learn4Life's free high school diploma program that offers flexibility, one-on-one attention and personalized lessons. Students can meet with supervising teachers to review their personalized lessons, get help with assignments and complete tests. Students have the option to complete their assignments at home or at the MLC with the help of a free tutor and internet access.

Since its launch at the end of 2015, more than 40 students have enrolled in the MLC, with 11 of its inaugural students recently graduating.

"The Mobile Learning Center is essential for many of the students in our community because transportation is one of the biggest challenges to them receiving a quality education," said San Joaquin Mayor Julia Hernandez.

San Joaquin Mayor Pro Tem Amarpreet Dhaliwal added, "I've seen firsthand how the youth in our community are benefiting from this mobile classroom and I'm very supportive of it."

In a population of 4,000, fewer than 21 percent of San Joaquin residents have a high school diploma. One-third of students in the U.S. do not have access to the internet at home.1 In San Joaquin, that number climbs even higher. Due to limited access to jobs and education, many students drop out of school to work in the farm fields to help support their families.

The average Learn4Life student enrolls between 17 and 18 years of age, but with only enough credits to be considered a freshman. In the city of San Joaquin, the average 17-year-old reads at a fourth-grade reading level. Most Learn4Life students have washed out of traditional high school because of the many obstacles they commonly deal with, such as teen pregnancy, homelessness, the absence of parents and/or the need to work.

"Beyond overcoming the lack of geographic access, many of the students in our town need a different type of education that gives them flexibility and one-on-one support," said City of Selma Mayor Pro Tem Jim Avalos. "This option allows them to balance their adult responsibilities of working or childcare while earning a high school diploma."

Learn4Life's mission is to reengage dropouts. It does this by offering a high school diploma program modeled upon a university education. This model allows any student in any phase of life to have an opportunity to earn a high school diploma. Learn4Life operates under California's Alternative Schools Accountability Model program (ASAM) along with more than 1,000 other district, county and juvenile programs designed to offer credit recovery to the most disadvantaged students in the state.

Learn4Life plans to add a second traveling classroom later this year to address geographically displaced students throughout the Central Valley.

Tweet this: .@Learn4Life plans to add a 2nd traveling classroom this year to address geographically displaced #students throughout Central Calif. #Diploma

About Learn4Life

Founded in 2001, Learn4Life is a nonprofit program that partners with workforce innovation partners to offer a free high school diploma program and job skills training primarily for at-risk students. Through its workforce innovation partnerships, it makes sure students are prepared for a future beyond high school through professional development courses. Visit www.learnfourlife.com for more information.

1 http://www.allgov.com/news/controversies/lack-of-internet-access-puts-low-income-and-rural-school-children-at-disadvantage-160223?news=858355

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SOURCE Learn4Life

Related Links

http://www.learnfourlife.com


ORANGE, Calif., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Orange County family law firm of Razai & Nefulda is pleased to announce that it has recently released an infographic explaining the divorce process in Orange County. The attorneys of the firm hope that the infographic will help members of the community better understand the process of divorce and make informed decisions regarding pursuing a dissolution.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/434771-INFO

Divorce can be an extremely complicated process, and attorneys who practice in family law spend years honing their skills, both in relation to advising clients and representing them in court. According to attorneys at the firm, many clients often come into their first consultation without any idea of how the divorce process works, making the role of the lawyer part educator, part advocate. Recognizing this fact, the firm determined that producing an infographic could help the public understand the process better, potentially leading to more fruitful attorney-client interaction.

Infographics are a particularly effective way of conveying information regarding processes, as their graphical nature allows the reader to follow along on a visual "path." In order to ensure that the information they provided was well-organized and easy to understand for non-lawyers and potential clients, the firm worked with digital marketing agency Point Click Productions, which specializes in working with law firms.

Razai & Nefulda, APC is a California law firm that practices exclusively in the area of family law. They regularly handle a wide variety of matters related to divorce and domestic relations, including annulments, child custody, domestic violence, child support, LGBT representation, domestic partnerships, spousal support, division of property, and uncontested dissolutions. The firm's Orange County office can be reached by calling 714-663-9900.

Contact:

Shakeb A. Razai, Esq.

765 The City Drive South #140

Orange, California 92868

Telephone: 714-663-9900

srazai(at)socaldisso(dot)com

Related Links:

http://www.orangecountyfamilylawattorneys.com/

SOURCE Razai & Nefulda

Related Links

http://www.orangecountyfamilylawattorneys.com


NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2016 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo (PSP), one of the most professional and top-notch pool exhibitions in the world, is taking place at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA. PHNIX (www.phnix-e.com), the leading manufacturer of swimming pool heat pumps in China, is unveiling its series of new Vertical Inverter Pool Heat Pumps at PSP.

According to PHNIX pool products sales director David Xu, who is leading the team that is attening PSP, the exhibited vertical inverter pool units are the latest developed energy-efficient swimming pool heat pumps. He stressed that PHNIX attaches high importance to the North American market, a key market for the company, and greatly values the PSP Expo. This is the second time that PHNIX has attend the expo. With the US's traditional manufacturing industry returning back home, the strength of locally-manufactured pool products is extremely powerful. Given this market situation, PHNIX is willing to invest more new resources and further strengthen its strategic cooperation with North American business partners.

PHNIX's New Vertical Inverter Pool Heat Pump

Over the years PHNIX has continually focused on the research and development of new technology in the swimming pool heat pump sector, including its vertical inverter pool heat pump, which has been specially-designed in line with North American local market preferences.

PHNIX's inverter technology allows swimming pool heat pumps to reach an extraordinarily high coefficient of performance (COP) compared with others on the market. Its heating time is also much shorter and therefore saves time and energy. Unlike a normal inverter pool heater, the PHNIX inverter has a high-end controller with a 5-inch color touch screen on which the temperature and power consumption curve are always clearly displayed.

The smart control system is another prominent feature of PHNIX's vertical inverter pool heat pump, as it enables users to control the heat pump at home or anywhere else via their mobile phone. Furthermore, through the network, the service team or the end users can monitor the state of a unit or control a unit by transmitting data to the server with any web-connected device.

About PSP Expo

The 2016 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo features over 525 manufacturers and suppliers offering products and services to outdoor living professionals including retailers, service/maintenance companies, and builders.

The PSP Expo is a business-to-business event, attracting more qualified attendees than any other pool/spa/outdoor living event. 65% of attendees surveyed after the 2015 event reported excess of US$1,000,000 in annual sales.

"At the forefront of the PSP Expo is a top-notch educational program with proven strategies for increasing your company's profitability and productivity. See what others are doing in the industry and take away the latest trends, case studies, best practices, and technologies that will help you generate leads and improve your bottom line," PSP officials voiced.

About PHNIX

PHNIX, the leading manufacturer of heat pumps in China, is an international enterprise that specializes in the R&D and production of heat pump products and energy-saving solutions. Nearly 50% of PHNIX products are exported to Europe, The United States and other overseas markets. Headquartered in Guangzhou, China, PHNIX has been named a China High-quality Brand and Guangzhou High-tech Enterprise. For more information about PHNIX and its products, please visit www.phnix-e.com.

SOURCE Guangdong PHNIX Eco-Energy Solution Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.phnix-e.com


ATLANTA, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- After a hard-fought, almost 5-year battle in federal court in Atlanta, Georgia and in California state court, we are pleased to announce a settlement program that will resolve a significant number of claims against Wright Medical. Wright Medical has agreed to settle approximately 1,300 claims of certain Wright Medical metal-on-metal hip implant patient-claimants whose hips were revised at least 150 days and no more than eight years post-implant. There are approximately 2,300 pending claims involving Wright Medical's Conserve, Lineage, and Dynasty metal-on-metal hips. Plaintiffs' Leadership Counsel's retained financial analysts have been evaluating Wright Medical's ability to settle these cases for years. Based on that analysis, we believe that Wright Medical was not in a position to and therefore could not agree to settle the remaining claims involving revisions occurring after eight years or other cases that it deemed not qualified at this time. During the negotiations with Wright Medical, it was made clear that claims for revised Wright metal-on-metal hips that are not included in this settlement will be part of subsequent settlement programs.

The Wright Conserve Multi-District Litigation (MDL) was consolidated in February 2012 in federal court in the Northern District of Georgia before the Hon. William S. Duffey, Jr., United States District Judge. Additionally, a Judicial Council Coordination Proceeding (JCCP) petition was approved in May 2012 before the Hon. Jane Johnson, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, consolidating California state-court cases involving Wright Medical hip replacement and revision matters, including Wright Medical's Conserve, Lineage, and Dynasty hip implants. The Hon. Diane M. Welsh (Ret.), led the extended settlement negotiations and tirelessly worked with the parties for several years to help facilitate the settlement.

Wright Medical's hip and knee division (OrthoRecon) was sold in January 2014, and the successor corporation has a defense that it did not inherit the liability. Our financial analysts' review further indicated that Wright Medical's ability to fund this settlement depended largely on insurance coverage and a bond issue used, in part, to raise money for this settlement. Wright Medical has been engaged in litigation in Memphis with most of its insurance carriers and recently finalized an agreement with 3 of the carriers. It remains in litigation or coverage disputes with its remaining carriers. In light of our analysis of Wright Medical's financial condition, this is a timely and meaningful settlement, offering $170,000 to claimants who had the monoblock Conserve Cup, the device with the most frequent failures, and $120,000 to those who had the metal-liner Dynasty and Lineage devices. An additional, but capped, limited fund is also available for claimants who suffered discrete and defined claims of extraordinary injury. More importantly, the settlement program calls for pre-qualification, without registration, coupled with a very simple administrative process for claimants not pursing extraordinary injury claims that will lead to expeditious payments expected to be largely complete by summer 2017. Counsel for eligible claimants will be notified of their pre-qualification by February 3, 2017.

Plaintiffs' Leadership Counsel consists of Michael L. McGlamry of Pope McGlamry, P.C. in Atlanta, Georgia, [email protected] / 404-523-7706; Raymond P. Boucher of Boucher LLP in Woodland Hills, California, [email protected] / 818-340-5400; Helen Zukin of Kiesel Law in Beverly Hills, California; Peter Burg of Burg Simpson in Englewood, Colorado; Christopher Yuhl of Yuhl Carr, LLP in Marina del Rey, California; Sean Jez of Fleming Nolen & Jez, L.L.P. in Houston, Texas; and Ellen Relkin of Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. in New York, New York.

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SOURCE Pope McGlamry

Related Links

http://www.popemcglamry.com


PITTSBURGH, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard released the following statement today commending a group of 12 senators, led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), who appealed to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). The letter calls for the rejection of the bid by Zhongwang USA, a Chinese-controlled company, to purchase Aleris, a U.S. aluminum producer.

"We laud Sen. Wyden for spearheading this effort to convince the Obama Administration to reject the proposed bid by a Chinese-controlled company to buy Aleris Corporation. The bipartisan letter will help ensure that the transaction be closely reviewed and rejected.

"Aluminum is a critical material used throughout aerospace, automotive, electrical transmission and other sectors. Aleris and its highly skilled work force has been a leader in developing cutting-edge applications for aluminum. Its ballistic-resistant products are used in a number of military applications. China has targeted the sector for development and domination, and the proposed acquisition by Zhongwang is part of that overall strategy.

"Several weeks ago, press reports highlighted Zhongwang's extensive attempts to circumvent and evade U.S. trade laws for Chinese-produced aluminum. The Department of Homeland Security has now launched an investigation into the parent company of the firm seeking to acquire Aleris. China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd.'s network of activities is designed to undermine its competitors. The transaction must be rejected on both national and economic security grounds.

"China's leaders have pushed its major state-owned and private companies to invest overseas, acquire technologies and manufacturing know-how, and expand their market share. The country continues to build up massive overcapacity in the aluminum sector and decimate U.S. production. This transaction is part of a broader economic plan.

"It's time for America to stand up and fight for our jobs and our future."

The letter that was initiated by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and signed by 12 senators: Wyden, Schumer (D-NY), Casey (D-PA), Manchin (D-WV), Gillibrand (D-NY), Donnelly (D-IN), Portman (R-OH), Stabenow (D-MI), Merkley (D-OR), Klobuchar (D-MN), Baldwin (D-WI) and Franken (D-MN). The full text can be found here.

A copy of the earlier letter from President Gerard to Secretary Lew, who presides over CFIUS, is available here.

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries, including metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, mining and the service and public sectors. For more information: http://www.usw.org/.

CONTACT: Wayne Ranick (412) 562-2444

[email protected]

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SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

Related Links

http://www.usw.org


ALTOONA, Pa., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sheetz, Inc. announces the opening of a brand new store in Bradford, PA. This store will be the second location in McKean County PA and the 256th in the state of Pennsylvania. The store is scheduled to open to the public on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 2 Bolivar Drive, in Bradford PA.

The grand opening celebration will begin at 10:45 a.m. with our signature ribbon-cutting ceremony, where locals along with Sheetz family member Ryan Sheetz will bear witness to the last time the doors will be unlocked as the store will remain open 24/7 year round. During this festive celebration Sheetz will be offering samplings from their extensive menu, free self-serve Sheetz coffee for a limited time, and prize giveaways while supplies last.

The new store will offer award winning MTO menu items from unique touchpoint terminals, inside seating, and a drive-thru for on-the-go convenience. This location will also provide over thirty full and part-time job opportunities.

In true philanthropic spirit, Sheetz will be donating $2500 dollars to Special Olympics PA during the grand opening event. As a proud supporter of Special Olympics for over 20 years, Sheetz extends its support through monetary and in-kind contributions, as well as, event volunteerism.

About Sheetz

Established in 1952 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Sheetz, Inc. is one of America's fastest growing family-owned and operated convenience restaurant chains, with more than $7 billion in annual revenue and more than 17,500 employees. The company operates 539 locations throughout Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and West Virginia. Sheetz provides an award-winning menu of MTO subs, sandwiches and salads, which are ordered through unique touch-screen order point terminals. Additionally, Sheetz offers a full line of specialty coffee drinks and smoothies that are hand-made by fully trained baristas. Sheetz currently ranks on the Best Places to Work list in North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia, and has been on the list in Pennsylvania for fourteen consecutive years. Most recently, Sheetz was ranked #87 on the Fortune Magazine Top 100 Best Companies to Work For list. Additionally, Sheetz is recognized as a top place to work for Millennials and Women. All Sheetz convenience restaurants are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information, visit www.sheetz.com.

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SOURCE Sheetz, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.sheetz.com


CLEVELAND, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Silica sand demand in North America is forecast to expand 5.1 percent per year through 2020 to 82.8 million metric tons. This will represent a somewhat slower pace than that recorded during the 2010-2015 period. Low oil and gas prices into the near term will depress the number of new wells drilled through 2020, limiting opportunities for frac sand suppliers. Nevertheless, increasing intensity of use per well will fuel robust growth in silica sand consumption, making it the fastest growing market in North America into the long term.These and other trends are presented in World Industrial Silica Sand, a new study from The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industry research firm.

The study is available here

http://www.freedoniagroup.com/industry-study/3469/world-industrial-silica-sand.htm

Demand for industrial sand in building product applications will also record healthy advances through 2020, fueled by a rebound in bituminous roofing demand as the US construction industry continues to recover from the effects of the Great Recession. According to analyst Zoe Biller, "Gains in the chemicals and flat glass markets will both increase at a steady pace."

Less robust increases will be recorded in the container glass market, dampened by glass' declining share of the packaging market, as well as by the widespread use of recycled glass (cullet) in glass container manufacture. The worst performance is expected in other, smaller applications. This will be due to the declining use of sand as a blasting abrasive because of the health concerns associated with worker exposure to silica dust.

In 2015, silica sand production in North America accounted for 28 percent of world output, making it the second largest regional supplier after the Asia/Pacific region. Most trade is intraregional, with silica sand moving from the US to Canada and Mexico.

Related studies:

#3449 World Flat Glass (August 2016)

http://www.freedoniagroup.com/industry-study/3449/world-flat-glass.htm

#3407 World Specialty Silicas (April 2016)

http://www.freedoniagroup.com/industry-study/3407/world-specialty-silicas.htm

About The Freedonia Group  The Freedonia Group, a division of MarketResearch.com, is a leading international industrial research company publishing more than 100 studies annually. Since 1985 we have provided research to customers ranging in size from global conglomerates to one-person consulting firms. More than 90% of the industrial companies in the Fortune 500 use Freedonia Group research to help with their strategic planning. Each study includes product and market analyses and forecasts, in-depth discussions of important industry trends, market share information and profiles of the leading industry players. Reports can be purchased at www.freedoniagroup.com and are also available on www.marketresearch.com and www.profound.com.

Press Contact:

Corinne Gangloff

+1 440.684.9600

[email protected]

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SOURCE The Freedonia Group

Related Links

http://www.freedoniagroup.com


FRISCO, Texas, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hedge funds and REITs are beginning to slow the pace of their single-family rental home investments, pushing real estate investors to find buyers among smaller private equity companies, according to Bruce McNeilage, founder and CEO of Kinloch Partners. McNeilage made his remarks as part of a panel discussion at the Five Star Single-Family Rental Conference in Frisco, Texas, today.

"The days of the big hedge funds and REITs swooping in and buying up large chunks of single-family rental homes is coming to an end," McNeilage said. "Investors seeking to liquidate their portfolios are going to have to look for a second tier of smaller private equity companies to fill the void. They are out there, but most investors will have to work a little harder to form strategic partnerships."

McNeilage also noted that escalating prices in most markets are further distancing Millenials from their first purchase. Nationally, housing prices jumped 5.2 percent in the year ending September 30.

"With potential mortgage rate hikes on the horizon, Millennial first-time buyers are in a virtual mine field, feeling the pressure to take that first step, but wary of where they come down," McNeilage said. "On the other side of the equation, sellers who want to claim equity gains or improve their position may find it easy to liquidate existing properties, but much more difficult to find the next property into which to move their investment."

McNeilage offered sound advice to both Millenials and investors here today groups to help in meeting their real estate needs, based on data on housing sales ending September 30, the most recent quarter. With some current home prices still below 2006 values  in some markets significantly so  he predicted that both Millennials and investors should be able to find value-priced homes that will appreciate and provide good medium- to long-term equity.

Strong Markets for Both Buyers

McNeilage recommended three markets that are among the ten best in which to buy or own rental properties. He hailed Dallas as being very strong with a median sale price of just $129,700, but having appreciation of 10 percent in 2016. He also called out Atlanta, which had a median home price of $180,000 and 9.1 percent appreciation year-over-year (and still 17.6 percent below 2006 values), and Nashville, with a $158,000 median price and 7.3 percent appreciation, but with a caveat that the current Cap Rate to investors may compress but there will still be very strong appreciation.

Motor City Curb Appeal

Based on a median sale price of $147,000 and year-over-year appreciation of 12.5 percent, McNeilage said metro Detroit remains an interesting play (sale prices are still 40.3 percent below 2006 levels). He recommended capitalizing on lower-priced houses built in the 1950s and 1960s in the outlying suburbs, but staying away from the urban core.

Sunshine State Suggestions

While many have come to believe that Florida, with a plethora of retirees and the draw of warm weather and sunny beaches is a "can't-lose" formula for success, McNeilage suggests trimming back in the Fort Lauderdale and Miami areas. Despite a year-over-year appreciation rate of 10 percent, average prices are among the state's highest at $210,000. A better bet for the Sunshine State, he said, was to look at Tampa Bay and Jacksonville, situated on opposite coasts, which have median sales prices and appreciation of $140,000/9.0 percent and $165,000/7.8 percent, respectively.

About Kinloch Partners, LLC

Kinloch Partners, LLC is a real estate investment company formed in 2011 by childhood friends Bruce W. McNeilage and Christopher P. Zachary, who met on the playground at Kinloch Elementary School in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, in the mid-1970s. The company specializes in providing a path to home ownership for new homeowners through new construction, home renovation or investment in financially distressed real estate properties.

SOURCE Kinloch Partners, LLC
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Skillz, the worldwide leader in mobile eSports, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted the company two new patents: U.S. Patent 8,882,576 and U.S. Patent 9,349,246. Skillz has exclusive rights to both patented technologies.

U.S. Patent 8,882,576 covers the mathematical algorithm that enables Skillz to evaluate how much of the outcome of a given game depends on skill vs. chance. This is a key component of qualifying a game as a sport and ensures fair competition, which is a fundamental building block in the intellectual property of Skillz.

Skillz worked with Peter Winkler, William Morrill Professor of Mathematics and Computer Sciences at Dartmouth College, to develop the algorithm. Winkler said, "Historically, people have used intuition to determine to what extent the outcome of a game is determined by skill vs. chance, but it's harder to do that with online games. There was no reason that probability theory couldn't be channeled to create an easy-to-use mechanism to determine this consistently, but no one had tried. It was an exciting project to work on and I'm gratified that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has recognized it."

Before Skillz, the primary option game developers had was to hire a lawyer to give them an opinion on their game. As part of bringing eSports to everyone, Skillz created a mathematical model that would provide a free and consistent outcome for developers of all sizes.

U.S. Patent 9,349,246 covers the integrations portal, which allows developers to implement the Skillz Tournament Management System entirely through self service.

"One of the key components of the Skillz business model is making our tournament technology available to everyone in a completely free, self-service way," said Andrew Paradise, CEO and founder of Skillz. "We built the integrations portal to give developers total control over their games and tournaments. It's essentially the setup and control panel for the Tournament Management System."

By creating this portal, Skillz gives developers access to technology that would cost a prohibitive amount of money and time to develop on their own. Making a mobile game into an eSport gives players a reason to invest time and effort to improve their skills, leading to better retention and average revenue per daily active user (ARPDAU) for developers.

Skillz was previously awarded two other patents related to eSports and skill-based games, making the company a leader in terms of intellectual property around mobile gaming and eSports.

For more information on Skillz-enabled games and implementing mobile eSports competitions, visit www.skillz.com or email [email protected].

About Skillz

Skillz is the worldwide leader in mobile eSports, having hosted more than 70 million tournaments for players in over 180 countries. Skillz allows game developers to seamlessly integrate eSports competitions into any mobile game, making eSports accessible to the world's 2.1 billion mobile gamers. As the eSports provider for over 1,600 game studios, Skillz accounted for more than 20% of all eSports prizes awarded in 2015. Founded in 2012, Skillz has offices in San Francisco and Boston and has raised over $28 million in funding from investors including the owners of the New England Patriots, Milwaukee Bucks and New York Mets. To learn more, visit www.skillz.com.

Press Contact

Roxie Bostwick

PR Manager

Skillz Inc.

[email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161005/415845LOGO

SOURCE Skillz

Related Links

http://www.skillz.com


LOS ANGELES, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Smart & Final, a value-oriented food and everyday staples retailer for household and business customers, will celebrate 145 years as a provider to the communities it serves with a sweepstakes to award a 2016 Smart Car to one lucky winner. To show its appreciation in every neighborhood Smart & Final resides, a $145 SmartCash Gift Card  will also be awarded to a winner at each of the 248 stores in the western United States.

During the sweepstakes, from November 2 through December 6, 2016, customers who spend $50 on groceries at Smart & Final stores will receive a code to be able to enter online to be eligible for one of the prizes.

"The sweepstakes is another way of saying thank you to our customers and the communities we have served for 145 years," said Dave Hirz, Smart & Final President & CEO. "It honors the long history of our company, which first opened its doors in Los Angeles as the Hellman-Hass Grocery Company in 1871. We're proud of our heritage and growth in this region, with Smart & Final and Smart & Final Extra! stores today extending through California, Arizona and Nevada."

The Smart & Final brand came into existence when the Santa Ana Wholesale Grocery Company, formed in 1912, was acquired in 1915 by Jim Smart and Hildane Final, who changed the name to Smart & Final Wholesale Grocery Company. The two innovators were the first to introduce the "cash-and-carry" warehouse concept for shopping.

Following a number of mergers and acquisitions over several decades for both companies, Smart & Final Wholesale Grocery Company acquired Hass-Baruch & Co. in 1953, forming the Smart & Final Iris Co., of which today's brand is a direct descendant. Through this evolution, it has remained committed to adapting to the changing needs of the neighborhoods it serves, most notably through its 2008 introduction of Smart & Final Extra! stores. Uniquely positioned to offer time- and money-savings for both household and business customers, Smart & Final Extra! stores include expanded fresh and frozen products, organic and natural products, bulk foods, oven-roasted chicken and many other items sold in convenient sizes. In addition, all Smart & Final stores continue to offer 50% more club-size items than a traditional club store, with no membership fee required.

"Through the many decades of incredible growth, Smart & Final has remained dedicated to providing for our friends and neighbors, and we do this by serving both household and business customers with quality products at low prices," said Hirz. "We like to think that one of our great founders, Jim Smart, would be pleased to hear there is a modern car bearing his name, and that we are giving one away on the occasion of our 145th anniversary," he said.

Today, Smart & Final is a public company with shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

Sweepstakes Kickoff Event

A Smart & Final's "Flavors of Fall" sweepstakes kickoff event will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2016, at the Smart & Final Extra! store in Burbank. Shoppers can see the Smart Car and sample seasonal foods, craft beers and wine, and also get cooking tips from experts on party planning and fall recipes. The event will run from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 3838 W. Verdugo Ave., Burbank CA.

Official Sweepstakes Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where prohibited. Open only to legal residents of residents of Arizona, California and Nevada, 18 years or older at time of entry. Entries must be received by 11:59PM (ET) on 12/06/16. Click here for Entry Details . Click here for Official Rules, including specifics on free alternate method of entry and prize details. Prize illustrated is not representative of the make or model or color of the car to be awarded. Sponsor: Smart & Final Stores LLC. This sweepstakes is in no way sponsored by, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Smart Car.

About Smart & Final

Smart & Final Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SFS), is a value-oriented food and everyday staples retailer, headquartered in Commerce (near Los Angeles), California. The Company offers quality products in a variety of sizes, saving household, nonprofit and business customers time and money. As of October 9, 2016, the Company operated 304 grocery and foodservice stores under the "Smart & Final," "Smart & Final Extra!" and "Cash & Carry Smart Foodservice" banners in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, and Idaho, with an additional 15 stores in Northwestern Mexico operated through a joint venture. In business for 145 years, the Company remains committed to giving back to local communities through employee volunteer opportunities and Company donations to local nonprofits.

Media Contact:

Karena Bibbins

Burson-Marsteller for Smart & Final

(310) 309-6663

[email protected]

SOURCE Smart & Final Stores, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.smartandfinal.com/


MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2015, Americans donated a record $373 billion to charitable organizations, with 71 percent contributed by individual donors. These findings demonstrate the strength of American giving  and this holiday giving season is predicted to persevere. Christopher & Banks, a women's specialty retailer, today announced the start of their annual St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign, which supports the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The campaign is founded in the generosity of the retailer's customers with donations accepted across Christopher & Banks' more than 500 stores, starting Nov. 2.

"We are simply in awe over the charitable giving and passion we see each year from our customers and associates," said LuAnn Via, Christopher & Banks President and CEO. "By coming together, especially during the holiday season, we are able to make a profound impact on the children and families at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Last year, we saw unprecedented giving in our communities and we hope this season builds on that momentum."

Christopher & Banks was named the 2016 St. Jude Thanks and Giving Partner of the Year by ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In 2015, Christopher & Banks raised more than $2.2 million for the children of St. Jude and over the last three years the retailer has donated more than $3.3 million to the hospital.

Making Merry Holiday Event

On Saturday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m.  4 p.m., all Christopher & Banks locations will host the annual Making Merry event. During the event, customers will have the opportunity to make a donation and help ensure no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food while they receive care at the hospital. Customers that make a $5 donation will receive a coupon book, offering $25 in savings at Christopher & Banks. With a $10 donation, customers will receive a holiday sweater ornament exclusively designed by a St. Jude patient, plus the Christopher & Banks savings coupon book. C&B will support St. Jude all holiday season.

Customers can extend their merriment in-store by enjoying refreshments, snapping a picture in the #MakingMerry photo frame and signing the #MakingMerry banner that will be sent to patients at St. Jude to wish them a happy holiday.

For more information, visit www.christopherandbanks.com or the retailer's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

About Christopher & Banks

Christopher & Banks is a Minneapolis-based specialty retailer of women's clothing. Its mission is to provide our customers with style, value and service that help her look fabulous and feel amazing, every day and for life's special moments. Christopher & Banks sells missy, petite and women's sized clothing in more than 500 stores nationwide and online at christopherandbanks.com.

SOURCE Christopher & Banks

Related Links

http://www.christopherandbanks.com


Immaculate Conception-St. Cecilia's Parish Conference, under the auspices of St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, assists families in the community in need of food. More than 765 volunteer members at 38 parish-based St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore's Conferences, part of the larger National St. Vincent de Paul Society Network, provide a network of support for people suffering from the effects of poverty in communities throughout the Baltimore Archdiocese. Conference members provide food, utility and rent assistance, and other items of necessity to help neighbors in need through difficult times.

One in four children in Baltimore is at risk of hunger and one in eight Maryland households face a constant hunger battle. Among them are Baltimore residents who live in "food deserts" or neighborhoods whose residents lack access to affordable and healthy foods due to the lack of supermarkets with fresh foods, access to transportation, and low household income. The challenges of hunger extend beyond those unable to afford food to include those whose only food options are ones that lack nutrition.

"We look forward to providing hundreds of families with a Thanksgiving meal this giving season," said St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore President & CEO John Schiavone. "BJ's is a wonderful community partner to both St. Vincent de Paul and our parish conferences."

Through charitable giving, community relations programs, product donations and grants from BJ's Charitable Foundation, BJ's Wholesale Club supports and enhances programs that provide vital services within each community. They focus primarily on children and families with the goal of creating a positive, long-lasting impact.

"Giving back to our community is important to us," said Anna D'Addario, General Manager of BJ's Wholesale Club in Canton, MD. "BJ's is happy to partner with St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore to provide turkeys and fresh foods to local families in need."

For media and photo opportunities, please contact Christine Runion at 410-662-0500 ext. 226.

For over 150 years, St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore has been a leading provider of community services to people suffering from the effects of hunger, homelessness, and poverty in Baltimore, Maryland. We are proud to be a United Way Impact Partner and to be recognized by Maryland Nonprofits with the Seal of Excellence for maintaining the highest standards of ethics and accountabilities in nonprofit governance, management, and operations.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435419

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151210/295152LOGO

SOURCE BJ's Wholesale Club

Related Links

http://www.bjs.com


Sandwiches are a natural solution for post-holiday noshing, but all those exceptional entrees practically beg for one last chance to shine. Put a fresh, wholesome twist on this year's sandwiches by ditching the traditional condiments and dressing up your bread with a new kind of spread. New hummus-based Sabra Spreads  available in Garlic Herb, Honey Mustard and Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper  have 75 percent less fat than the leading spread, mayonnaise, and pair perfectly with sandwiches and wraps of all kinds.

Make an upgrade with these stepped-up takes on the traditional turkey sandwich and more, and find additional mouthwatering inspiration at Sabra.com.

Turkey Sandwich with Cranberry and Hummus Servings: 1



2 slices sourdough bread

Sabra Spreads Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper

Bibb or Boston lettuce

purple onion, thinly sliced

leftover turkey, sliced about 1/4-inch thick

cranberry sauce

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

Cover one slice of bread with spread then layer lettuce, purple onion, turkey, cranberry sauce, another layer of lettuce, salt and pepper. Add another squeeze of spread and second piece of bread.

Garlic Tarragon Roasted Beet Sandwiches Recipe courtesy of Stephanie McKercher of The Grateful Grazer Servings: 2



Roasted beets: 3 beets (about 1 1/2 cups), peeled and sliced in thin rounds 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste Garlic Tarragon Spread: 1/4 cup Sabra Spreads Garlic Herb 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste Sandwiches: 2 whole grain rolls 1/2 apple, sliced in thin rounds 1/2 cup micro greens 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

Heat oven to 425 F and prepare baking sheet. In mixing bowl, combine beets, sesame oil and tarragon then spread on baking sheet. Roast until beets are tender and browned in areas, about 25-30 minutes.

While beets are roasting, use same mixing bowl to prepare spread. Stir together spread, tarragon, salt and pepper. Cover bowl and store in refrigerator until beets are ready.

Remove beets from oven and allow to cool slightly before assembling sandwiches. Slice rolls in half and spread garlic tarragon spread on inside of each roll. Top bottom half of roll with beets, apple slices, micro greens and red onion, then top with remaining half of bun.

Chicken and Waffles Sandwich Recipe courtesy of Chelsea LeBlanc of Chelsea's Choices Servings: 4



1 tablespoon egg whites 2 teaspoons Sabra Spreads Garlic & Herb 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary, plus additional for garnish 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 4 boneless, skinless chicken tenders 4 frozen waffles 1/2 cup fresh spinach 4 tablespoons Sabra Spreads Honey Mustard 1/2 cup maple syrup

Heat oven to 425 F and line baking sheet with aluminum foil.

In medium bowl, whisk together egg whites and garlic and herb spread.

On plate, gently mix together panko bread crumbs, 1 teaspoon rosemary, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.

Dip chicken into egg white mixture then into bread crumb mixture.

Place on baking sheet and bake 15-20 minutes, or until internal temperature is 165 F, flipping chicken at halfway mark.

In toaster oven, toast waffles until warm and crisp. Cut into fourths and top with spinach and 1/2 tablespoon honey mustard spread.

Cut chicken tenders in half and place atop waffles. Top with another waffle quarter.

Garnish with rosemary and serve with maple syrup.

Grilled Portobello Mushroom and Arugula Sandwich Recipe courtesy of Chelsey of C it Nutritionally Servings: 2



Mushrooms: 4 portobello mushroom caps, stems removed 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1/2 tablespoon olive oil

freshly ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika Sandwich: 1 baguette (12 inches), cut into two pieces and halved lengthwise 2 tablespoons Sabra Spreads Garlic & Herb 1 roasted bell pepper 1 cup arugula

Gently clean portobello mushroom caps with cloth just prior to preparation.

In medium to large bowl, combine balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and whisk together with fork. Add mushroom caps to bowl and soak until mushrooms are saturated with marinade.

Remove mushroom caps from bowl and place on plate. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and smoked paprika.

Gently coat grill, grill pan or large skillet with olive oil or nonstick spray and heat over medium heat.

Sear mushrooms for about 2 minutes on each side, until cooked through and mushroom caps darken in color. Set cooked mushrooms aside.

To assemble sandwich: coat bottom piece of baguette with spread. Add roasted bell pepper, arugula and cooked mushrooms.

In clean skillet over medium heat, sear assembled sandwich about 3 minutes on each side until bread is heated through.

Turkey, Prosciutto and Hummus Sandwich Servings: 1



2 slices whole-wheat bread, toasted

Sabra Spreads Garlic Herb

tender arugula

leftover turkey, sliced about 1/4-inch thick 1 ounce thinly sliced prosciutto

Cover bottom slice of bread with spread then layer arugula, turkey and prosciutto to build club-style sandwich. Add another squeeze of spread and top piece of bread.

Michael French

[email protected]

1-888-824-3337

editors.familyfeatures.com

About Family Features Editorial Syndicate

Established in 1974, Family Features is a leading provider of free food and lifestyle content for print and online publications. Our articles, photos, videos and web content solutions save you time, money and help create advertising opportunities. Registration is fast and free  with absolutely no obligation. Visit editors.familyfeatures.com for more information.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435265

SOURCE Family Features Editorial Syndicate

Related Links

http://www.familyfeatures.com


CHICAGO, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Stout Risius Ross, Inc. (Stout), a global advisory firm, is pleased to announce a new Legal Management Consulting service to assist corporate legal departments in optimizing their practices. Stout welcomes to the firm Jim Mitchell and Stacie Neeter, who will lead the new line of business as Managing Directors.

Mr. Mitchell and Ms. Neeter bring to Stout more than 25 and 15 years' experience, respectively, including long tenures at Arthur Andersen and Huron Consulting Group. The vast majority of their careers have been spent working inside legal departments, helping lawyers and their teams be as effective as possible resolving matters, as well as addressing business challenges impacting department operations.

Increased cost pressures on corporate counsel have accelerated the need for closer management of litigation processes and operations. In addition to cost sensitivity, the risk associated with effectively managing data is as important as ever. Legal technology enhancements are also helping departments do more through automation and reporting. Mr. Mitchell and Ms. Neeter assist companies with initiatives in these areas that stress results and endure change, serving both as advisors and as experienced, scalable hands-on resources.

"Jim and Stacie come to us through the group of Arthur Andersen and Huron Consulting Group professionals that joined us in January of this year," says John Bone, Managing Director in Stout's Dispute Advisory & Forensic Services Group. "This is yet another example of leveraging existing relationships to grow the firm with people who have a proven track record and a strong cultural fit with our core values."

"The ability to assist corporate counsel, their business, IT departments, and outside counsel in solving legal and business problems, while working with the professionals at Stout, creates a perfect platform for us. I look forward to rounding out Stout's C-suite services and further integrating our complementary experience, while providing clients increased value through all Stout's capabilities," says Mr. Mitchell.

"I am excited to be part of the Stout culture, where the commitment to putting clients first and being surrounded by talented professionals is paramount," says Ms. Neeter. "The Stout platform allows us to continue building on the success we have had with our clients and be even more creative in the way we help them manage the most important elements of a legal department  risk, cost and data management."

Representative Stout legal management consulting services include operational policy and process assessment, organizational structure design, spend analysis and reduction, technology evaluation and implementation, and discovery strategy and implementation, both at a program and individual case level.

About Stout

Stout Risius Ross, Inc. is a premier global advisory firm specializing in Investment Banking, Valuation Advisory, Dispute Consulting, and Management Consulting. We serve a range of clients from Fortune 500 corporations to privately held companies in numerous industries around the world. Our clients and their advisors rely on our premier expertise, deep industry knowledge, and unparalleled responsiveness on complex financial matters. For more information, visit SRR.com, follow us on Twitter @StoutRisiusRoss, and/or connect with us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Stout Risius Ross

Related Links

http://www.srr.com


While you'll surely dedicate plenty of attention to the holiday feast, don't forget about serving up breakfast for the guests who arrive early or stay past the festivities. A rich, nutty pancake topped with juicy grapes serves up a joyful way to start the day. Then, for the big event, put a unique twist on traditional favorites with this stunning Golden Beet and Grape Salad and Grape and Wild Rice Stuffing.

Find more ideas to take your holiday menu to new heights at grapesfromcalifornia.com.

Grape and Wild Rice Stuffing

Servings: 4

1 can (14.5 ounces) vegetable broth

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup brown rice

1/2 cup wild rice

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped apple

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1 teaspoon minced fresh sage

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 cups California seedless red grapes

salt, to taste

Heat oven to 350 F.

Bring broth and water to boil; add brown and wild rice.

Reduce heat, cover and simmer 45-55 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

Saute onion, celery and apple in butter; add sage and pepper. Add prepared rice and grapes; mix well. Adjust seasoning with salt, if necessary.

Place in 1-quart covered baking dish and bake 20 minutes, or until thoroughly heated.

Serving suggestion: Serve with roasted poultry or meats.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 188 calories; 6.7 g protein; 19 g carbohydrates; 4 g fat; 15% calories from fat; 1 mg cholesterol; 495 mg sodium; 2.5 g fiber.

Golden Beet and Grape Salad

Servings: 8

1/2 pound yellow beets (approximately 3 medium beets), peeled

2 cups halved red California grapes

3 tablespoons orange juice

2 tablespoons minced shallots

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon

1 teaspoon honey

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 head purple endive or butter lettuce, leaves rinsed, dried and separated, divided

In food processor fitted with shredding blade or by hand, grate beets. Combine shredded beets with grapes.

In small bowl, mix orange juice, shallots, oil, lemon juice, tarragon and honey. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Pour dressing over beet and grape mixture; mix well. Line eight serving plates with endive or lettuce leaves, divide salad among them and serve.

Nutritional information per serving: 73 calories; 2 g protein; 14 g carbohydrates; 2 g fat (25% calories from fat); 0.3 g saturated fat (4% calories from saturated fat); 183 mg sodium; 3 g fiber.

Peanut Grape Pancakes

Servings: 4

2 cups complete pancake mix

5 tablespoons peanut butter powder

3 cups halved green or red California grapes

1/4 cup chopped peanuts, unsalted

3/4 cup warm maple syrup

Prepare pancake mix according to package instructions; gently stir in peanut butter powder.

Heat griddle or large skillet and brush lightly with vegetable oil. Cook pancakes, 1/4 cup at a time, until browned. Serve sprinkled with grapes, peanuts and maple syrup.

Note: A complete pancake mix has everything in it but water, which is added to form batter.

Nutritional information per serving: 545 calories; 13 g protein; 114 g carbohydrates; 8 g fat (13% calories from fat); 1 g saturated fat (1.5% calories from saturated fat); 8 mg cholesterol; 766 mg sodium; 5 g fiber.

Edible Accents for Sweet Seasonal Decor

The beautifully vibrant colors of grapes, which can be found in red, green and black varieties, add visual interest to recipes, but also make a delightful edible garnish or centerpiece. Grapes' easy, natural beauty lends grace to your home's holiday decor, while providing your loved ones with a healthy snack option between meals and events.

Grapes make for lovely centerpieces when placed artfully in bowls, on platters or draped from a cake plate.

For an indulgent and attractive treat, dip grape clusters in liquid gelatin then roll in sugar, spices and finely chopped nuts to make a "frosted" finger food.

Use grapes  fresh or "frosted"  as a garnish to decorate cookie plates, cakes, puddings, mousses and more.

If you're the guest this time around, gift your hostess with a pretty basket tied with ribbon and filled with multi-colored grape clusters wrapped in tissue.

Michael French

[email protected]

1-888-824-3337

editors.familyfeatures.com

About Family Features Editorial Syndicate

Established in 1974, Family Features is a leading provider of free food and lifestyle content for print and online publications. Our articles, photos, videos and web content solutions save you time, money and help create advertising opportunities. Registration is fast and free  with absolutely no obligation. Visit editors.familyfeatures.com for more information.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/434724

SOURCE Family Features Editorial Syndicate

Related Links

http://www.familyfeatures.com


In a unique communications partnership, the World Petroleum Council (WPC) and ITN Productions have launched a news and current affairs-style programme.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141030/713382-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435465 )

'Journey of the Drop' looks at the state of play in the oil and gas industry today as well as the innovative solutions that will create a bright future for operations and their stakeholders. These range from developments in oil field technologies on oil fields to the social licence to operate. The programme uses animation to explain the origins and manifold uses of oil, and features a special report from the WPC Workshop in Belgrade, looking at the role of oil and gas in the future energy mix.

'Journey of the Drop' premiered on 26th October at the WPC Future Leaders Forum in Rio de Janeiro. Presented by UK national newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky, the programme features key industry interviews and news-style reports, along with sponsored editorial profiles of some of the leading organisations in the sector.

The industry is regularly faced with geological and geo-political challenges, as well as pricing and business volatility. WPC wants to ensure that, across the globe, all stakeholders involved in oil and gas across the value chain are working together to find innovative solutions to these issues. As a high-tech industry it strives to attract the next generation of leaders and equip them with the skills to build a sustainable future for all. During his interview with Natasha Kaplinsky included in the programme, Dr Pierce Riemer, Director General of the WPC, explains how the oil and gas industry is providing new and different opportunities across the globe in the 21st Century.

A total of 12 sponsored news-style reports feature in 'Journey of the Drop', championing innovation and forward-thinking sustainable solutions:

Aberdeen City Region - Leading from the front

- Leading from the front Bank of America Merrill Lynch - The growth of Green Bonds

- The growth of Green Bonds Javelin Global Commodities - Global energy needs

- Global energy needs GlassPoint Solar - Can solar projects operate within oilfields?

- Can solar projects operate within oilfields? Limpet Technology - Maintaining off-shore structures

- Maintaining off-shore structures Oil Spill Response Limited - Being prepared

- Being prepared Petroleum Development Oman - Commitment to safety

- Commitment to safety Royal Dutch Shell - Solutions to social impact of air pollution

- Solutions to social impact of air pollution Royal Dutch Shell - Alternatives to high carbon fuel

- Alternatives to high carbon fuel RPS Energy - Support for diverse energy portfolios

- Support for diverse energy portfolios Semplastics - Repurposing coal in an environmentally-friendly way

- Repurposing coal in an environmentally-friendly way Sproule - Support for national petroleum sectors

Dr Pierce Riemer, Director General, World Petroleum Council, said: "This ongoing project with ITN is an excellent way to demonstrate to the world the commitment of the industry to providing a sustainable energy future for all."

Simon Shelley, Head of Industry News, ITN Productions, said "'ITN Productions has thoroughly enjoyed partnering with the WPC, to examine the way in which we meet the global demand for energy, and explore the complex issues across oil and gas. We hope that the key organisations and people dedicated to shaping the future for oil and gas will use this to engage with, as we continue to bring the positive and progressive stories from the sector to life."

'Journey of the Drop' is now available at the World Petroleum Council's YouTube site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hm9cMNJuq4&list=PLssZcXSTZsEv0qKBhT-8hzcnyrGyRZRH9 and will then follow on their website: http://www.world-petroleum.org

Notes to editors:

About the World Petroleum Council

The World Petroleum Council was established in 1933 and provides a forum for discussion of the issues facing the oil and gas industry worldwide. It is a non-advocacy, non-political organisation, dedicated to the application of scientific advances in the oil and gas industries, technology transfer and the sustainable use of the world's petroleum resources for the benefit of all. The WPC is registered as a charity in the UK. Its 70 member countries represent 96% of the world's oil and gas production and consumption.

The triennial World Petroleum Congress is the oil and gas industry's largest and most prestigious international event. Known as "the Olympics of the oil and gas sector", the 22nd World Petroleum Congress will be held in Istanbul, Turkey from 9-13 July 2017. http://www.22wpc.com

For more information visit: http://www.world-petroleum.org or contact:

Ulrike von Lonski

Director of Communications

Tel: +44-20-7637-4995

E-mail: [email protected]

About ITN Productions

ITN Productions is ITN's bespoke production hub producing creative and commercially valuable content for the business, commercial, broadcast and digital sectors. Industry News forms part of this offering and is a communications tool for leading industry bodies and national associations produced in a broadcast news programme format, including interviews, news items and sponsored editorial profiles.

For more information visit: http://www.itnproductions.co.uk

Press contact:

Frances Mullan, Head of Marketing, ITN productions, +44-20-7430-4653 [email protected]

SOURCE ITN Productions
DALLAS and FT. WORTH, Texas, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Team host Pete Thomson today announced that Timeshare Exit Team is joining The Consumer Team as a sponsor. Timeshare Exit Team is a company that helps consumers get out of timeshare agreements. Commenting on the on-air partnership, Thomson said, "We have been aware of Timeshare Exit Team for some time. I'm very impressed with their track record of helping consumers successfully get out of timeshare deals. We are excited to have them on The Consumer Team." In addition to their presence on Consumer Team in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Thomson's endorsement of Timeshare Exit Team will also air in TSN News programming throughout Texas on the Texas State Networks. Thomson added, "We applaud Timeshare Exit Team for their commitment to educating consumers throughout the Lone Star State. As a result of this campaign partnership, thousands of consumers in Texas will get relief from timeshare deals that are no longer the right fit for their lifestyle."

According to Thomson, the burden of some timeshare agreements is a significant consumer issue. He said, "Based on our research we know that consumers can feel trapped in timeshares. Oftentimes they don't even use the timeshare. Also, the maintenance fees can become a big issue. With further research we found that Timeshare Exit Team is 'best practices' for helping consumers get out of a timeshare safely and permanently."

Thomson said leadership from Timeshare Exit Team will be joining The Consumer Team as regular contributors. Thomson added, "Our interviews with Timeshare Exit Team leadership will be very educational and will help consumers understand what the options are regarding timeshare agreements." Thomson commended Timeshare Exit Team for their transparency and customer focus. He said, "I love the fact that consumers can get a free consultation from Timeshare Exit Team. Without spending a dime, you can find out what your options are. This is an outstanding service."

The Consumer Team with Pete Thomson is one of the most listened to consumer advocacy programs in the country. The Consumer Team is broadcast Saturdays, 6-8 PM on CBS Radio's 1080 KRLD in Dallas/Ft. Worth.

CONTACT: Scott Loughran, Marketing Director

Cell: (425) 719-6470

Office: (425) 415-1200

[email protected]

SOURCE Timeshare Exit Team
HOUSTON, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- TreadWright Tires today announced the expansion of its original Claw Series of tires. The all-terrain/mud terrain tires will now be available in new 235/85/16 and 235/80/17 sizes along with the original range of sizes available with from the Claw Series. The Claw series combines TreadWright's signature green manufacturing process with enhanced tread design to conquer road, dirt, mud, and snow. Rugged, reliable, and made entirely in the USA, the new size additions to the Claw series make great fits for popular Toyota Tacoma and Tundra Models. Prices start from only $124.99 per tire.

Claw Expansion

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/434870

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/434871LOGO

Performance and Reliability on Any Terrain

The Claw features an aggressive tread design that can handle even the most challenging 4x4 off-road terrain, but with design features that truly make it an any-terrain tire. The Claw tread pattern has enhanced traction features for the most extreme mud, gravel, and snow driving conditions, delivering the maximum performance and reliability out of each tire.

This new expansion to the Claw range also features a new design on the outer sidewall of tire itself for a more rugged design appeal, for tires that get the job done and look good doing it. Its narrow lug design gives the Claw more surface area on the highway, preventing excessive road noise when traveling on paved roads and highways.

Customers have repeatedly turned to the Claw series for its performance and reliability on all types of roads and terrain. Many have demanded an expansion of the sizes offered so that they too could take advantage of the all that the Claw tires have to offer. TreadWright prides itself on listening to its customers and retail partners; responding to popular demand, this new expansion will allow more customers to find the right size Claw for their vehicle.

TreadWright tires are backed by a 2-year workmanship warranty against manufacturing defects. A 24-month optional Road Hazard Warranty Certificate is also available on all new TreadWright Tires purchases, covering unforeseen road conditions like potholes, nails, debris, or impact with foreign objects that can lead to premature tire failure.

Greener Tires, Better Value, American Made

All TreadWright tires are produced in the United States at its manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas. TreadWright manufacturing process uses the highest quality commercial grade truck rubber, leading to higher mileage and better wear characteristics.

As the leading manufacturer of ecofriendly tires for light trucks and SUVs, TreadWright uses 70% recycled content and premium brand tire casings for all their tires. Each TreadWright tire requires 6 gallons of oil to produce, compared to the 18 gallons required to produce most other tires.

Not only are TreadWright Tires great for the environment, they also cost 40% less than competing brand name tires. Using a proven European manufacturing process called remolding, TreadWright Tires are produced by applying full-grade truck rubber to tire casings, using the same mold cure process as traditional branded/OE tire manufacturers. That's why TreadWright tires get 20% more mileage compared to imports. With a better value and more miles, TreadWright Tires are the smart choice for your vehicle.

"The Claw Series has been one of our most popular line of tires," said Anthony Showen, Chief Executive Officer of TreadWright Inc. "Combining an aggressive tread design capable of handling any terrain, with smart design features that increases drivability of paved roads, the Claw is a true multi-use tire. The new sizes mean that more customers and more trucks can take advantage of our best-selling Claw series."

Availability

The TreadWright Claw tires are available now on their website https://www.treadwright.com/collections/everything

Prices start at only $124.99. Easy financing options are available to fit the budget of any customer.

About TreadWright Tires

TreadWright Tires is a Houston-based light truck and SUV tire manufacturer. Its line of MT/AT tires cover 80% of the replacement market, offering reliable, affordable, and environmentally-friendly tires. With 40 years of remanufacturing experience, TreadWright delivers a wide range of LT/SUV tires with 70% recycled material and 40% reduction in cost. All TreadWright tires are made 100% in the USA. For more information, and to learn more about becoming an authorized distributor or purchasing direct, visit www.treadwright.com.

Media Contact: Len Fernandes, 1-888-317-4687, [email protected]

SOURCE TreadWright Tires

Related Links

https://www.treadwright.com


PITTSBURGH, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that International President Leo W. Gerard will join Jim Rooney and retired Pittsburgh players Franco Harris, Mel Blount, Edmund Nelson and Craig Bingham for a series of events in Southwestern Pennsylvania on Friday and Saturday to get out the vote (GOTV) in support of Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine. Pittsburgh music icon Donnie Iris will also be a part of the events.

The first "Steel Blitz" bus tour event begins at noon on Friday, Nov. 4, in Beaver, Pa. "Steel Blitz" will then join another major GOTV rally scheduled for 4 p.m. at USW International Headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh. The tour will continue on Saturday, Nov. 5, with rallies at 9 a.m. in West Mifflin and at 11:30 a.m. in Washington, Pa.

ATTN ASSIGNMENT/EDITORS: Photo Opportunities, Interviews

WHO: USW International President Leo W. Gerard; Rep. Mike Doyle; Mayor Peduto; Jim Rooney; retired Pittsburgh players Franco Harris, Mel Blount, Edmund Nelson and Craig Bingham; union members and retirees

WHAT: Bus tour, rallies and GOTV actions to support Clinton/Kaine

WHEN/WHERE:

Friday, Nov. 4, 2016:

BEAVER, PA - Noon  Irvine Park (adjacent to Beaver County Courthouse)

PITTSBURGH, PA  4 p.m.  USW International Headquarters  60 Blvd. of the Allies

Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016:

WEST MIFFLIN, PA  9 a.m.  USW Local 2227  1301 Phillip Murray Rd.

WASHINGTON, PA  11:30 a.m.  USW Local 7139  1505 Jefferson Ave.

More information, contact: USW Political Director Tim Waters - 412-999-3587

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080131/DC12982LOGO

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

Related Links

http://www.usw.org


WIESBADEN, Germany, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanderbilt, a global leader providing state-of-the-art security systems, today announced the completion of its purchase of Access Control Technology (ACT) Ltd. The integration of ACT's product line into Vanderbilt's core offering brings significant depth to the company's access control and video surveillance technologies while also delivering a new cloud-based solution to the portfolio.

The ACT brand will remain through the well-known products being added to the Vanderbilt portfolio, such as ACTpro, ACTenterprise and ACT365. Vanderbilt will capitalize on ACT's market share in Ireland and the UK in addition to introducing the products to North American customers and partners.

ACT's ACT365 is an integrated, cloud-based access control and video management software solution that enhances Vanderbilt's product line. The software-as-a-service model brings a recurring revenue model to Vanderbilt and its channel partners. ACT365 provides stakeholders with the ability to manage system administration and management from anywhere, at any time and on any device.

"The ACT business is a strategic fit with the Vanderbilt brand, capitalizing on its strong, profitable business in the UK and Ireland," said Joe Grillo, CEO, Vanderbilt. "The addition of an integrated access control and video platform is a logical step in the direction of growing our business on an international scale in the areas of access control, video and intrusion. Hosted, cloud-based systems are gaining in popularity in the security arena, becoming the logical way forward in future-proofing a facility's security posture."

Vanderbilt's integration of its July 2015 acquisition of the Siemens Security Products line of business, considerably expanded the company's presence in the highly fragmented security and access control market.

Financial details of the transaction were not released.

Additional Information

Acquisition Announcement

About ACT

Vanderbilt Global

About ACT

Founded in 1995, ACT designs and manufactures enterprise-level and cloud-based access control and video management solutions. Combining reliability and quality with engineering expertise and innovation, the ACT hardware and software delivers top class functionality that is user-friendly, effective and well developed in line with market demands. For more information, visit www.accesscontroltechnology.com.

About Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt, a subsidiary of ACRE LLC, is a global leader in creating state-of-the-art security systems. Vanderbilt's innovative approach to security technology  from design and manufacturing, through to distribution  makes environments safe, secure and easy to maintain. Vanderbilt's products range from single-user systems to highly customized applications that fit the unique requirements of leading multi-national corporations. Our product lines include access control, intrusion and video. For more information, visit www.vanderbiltindustries.com.

Media Contact

Vanderbilt

Kim M. Loy

Director of Marketing

[email protected]



Jenna Hardie

505-948-3972

[email protected]

SOURCE Vanderbilt

Related Links

http://vanderbiltindustries.com


SANTIAGO, Chile, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- White Mountain Titanium Corporation ("White Mountain" or the "Company") (OTCQB: WMTM) announced today implementation of cost-cutting measures and adjustments to its strategic plans. In light of the challenges facing the Company under the current market scenario, the board has taken action to reduce operating expenses and to refine the strategy for moving the Company forward in a way that is designed to maximize shareholder value while maintaining momentum toward the development of the Cerro Blanco Project. Board and Management actions can be separated into the following areas:

1. Strategic Growth Plan:

The Board and Management have composed a plan to focus on near term revenue generation opportunities that will increase the economic viability of the Company in general on the shortest possible timeline. As a priority, Management will focus the Company's efforts on the development of the desalination plant and maintaining the environmental permits for the Cerro Blanco Project. Management and the Chile team are working to establish off-take agreements with credit-worthy clients for industrial grade water produced by the plant while defining budgetary and timing estimates with Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) and Operating partners.

NEXO Capital Partners and the Company are collaborating closely to develop the Cerro Blanco seawater desalination plant. NEXO is leading the project development and business development efforts leveraging its industry expertise, operating team and technology partners. Management believes NEXO's efforts are adding significantly to WMTM team efforts while increasing the potential commercial viability of the project. If economically viable water off-take agreements can be solidified, NEXO expects to reach first financial close on the desalination plant during Q1 2017 with construction possibly commencing in Q4 2017.

The Company is actively seeking strategic partnerships in development of the desalination plant and further opportunities to exploit the mining deposit, including co-development, royalty sales, and resource expansion.

Conditioned upon securing additional funding, the Board and Management are currently reviewing the options for a limited drilling plan at the Cerro Blanco deposit focused on increasing the proven resource grade with the goal of increasing the attractiveness of the deposit to potential strategic partners.

2. Budgetary Adjustments:

The Board has acted to right size Corporate overhead while maintaining key staff in the USA and Chile to move the mining project forward, thereby optimizing the Company's resources for the development of the highest value opportunities within the Cerro Blanco Project. As a part of this endeavor the Board voted to officially close the China office while assuring communication channels will be open for Chinese shareholders, thus saving the Company approximately $400,000 to $500,000 per year. The Board also voted to reduce the headcount at the Chile office, thereby reducing redundancies and unproductive expenditures by approximately $40,000 to $50,000 per month. As per Chilean Law, the Company paid duly owed severance payments to the terminated Chile office employees on October 31, 2016. Total severance payments amounted to approximately two months of Chile office overhead at the previous staffing level. The Board is also in the process of reducing US corporate expenditures.

Through these budgetary adjustments, it is Management's and the Board's goal to reduce the Company's burn rate such that the Company can more easily weather the downturn in commodities pricing until such a time as the markets return.

"White Mountain has a unique opportunity to leverage its environmental permit to allow the Company to generate revenue through its desalination plant prior to commencing mining operations," said Andrew Sloop, Chairman and Interim CEO for WMTM and a managing member of NEXO. "We also believe that by reducing overhead costs we can significantly extend current funds to allow us to negotiate a suitable arrangement to start this process."

White Mountain Titanium appreciates the support it has received throughout its development. The Board believes the steps outlined above will assist in leading the Company on a sustainable course, provide transparency, and create value for shareholders.

About White Mountain Titanium Corporation

The Company holds mining concessions on the Cerro Blanco property located approximately 39 kilometers west of the City of Vallenar in the Atacama, or Region III, geographic region of northern Chile. In May 2015, the Company received full environmental approval for its Cerro Blanco project.

Forward-Looking Statements

OTC Markets has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, funding, obtaining water off-take agreements, implementation of strategic plans, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and, therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. See the Company's periodic and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the Commission's website at www.sec.gov.

Contact:



White Mountain Titanium Corporation

Andrew Sloop, CEO

(801) 948-0662



SOURCE White Mountain Titanium Corporation
TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- XL Catlin has appointed Rajiv Joshi as Construction Manager for Canada. Based in Toronto, Mr. Joshi will lead the development and growth of XL Catlin's Construction business in Canada.

Commenting on the appointment, Ed Totten, Senior Vice President - Profit Center Head, Excess Casualty Construction, said: "Rajiv is an experienced leader and an excellent addition to our Construction team. He brings a wealth of experience in the insurance and constructions industries which will further strengthen our capabilities to develop and execute our local and international growth strategies."

Mr. Joshi joins XL Catlin with 15 years of experience in insurance and construction. He most recently served as Vice President of Construction for Zurich in Canada. Previously he has lead RSA's Construction team in Ontario. Rajiv holds various international professional designations including Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP) and Canadian Risk Management (CRM) from Canada, Associate, Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII) from the UK and Fellow, Insurance Institute of India (FIII). He is also an instructor at the Insurance Institute of Canada.

Nick Greggains, Chief Executive Officer for Canada, added: "The dynamic nature of the Construction sector in Canada calls for thoughtful and innovative risk management solutions. Rajiv's experience and deep understanding of the sector strengthens XL Catlin's growing team of Construction Leaders who partner with clients to meet their strategic needs across Canada and North America."

XL Catlin's Construction and Design team offers a variety of specialized coverages for Architects, Contractors, Engineers and Surveyors, including tailored Excess Umbrella coverage for construction firms who may also have a global exposure.

About XL Catlin's Insurance Operations

XL Catlin insurance companies offer property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty insurance products globally. Businesses that are moving the world forward choose XL Catlin as their partner. To learn more, visit xlcatlin.com.



About XL Catlin

XL Catlin is the global brand used by XL Group Ltd (NYSE: XL) insurance and reinsurance companies which provide property, casualty, professional and specialty products to industrial, commercial and professional firms, insurance companies and other enterprises throughout the world. Clients look to XL Catlin for answers to their most complex risks and to help move their world forward. To learn more, visit xlcatlin.com.



SOURCE XL Catlin

Related Links

http://xlcatlin.com


Joseph Kabila was meant to step down as president in 2016 but refused, prompting demonstrations met with bloody crackdowns (AFP Photo/EDUARDO SOTERAS)

United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Angola said Wednesday that a date must be set for presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo that will allow a smooth handover of power from President Joseph Kabila.

Angola and France will be leading a Security Council visit to the DR Congo next week to meet with Kabila, opposition leaders and civil society in a bid to ease tensions over the holding of the vote.

"I want the elections to be set, to be done orderly and then let someone else continue to run the country," Angola's Ambassador Ismael Gaspar Martins told reporters.

"I think that is doable," said the ambassador.

Angola is an influential player in the DR Congo and a key backer of the Kinshasa government dating back to the two wars of the 1990s and early 2000s when Luanda provided crucial military support.

The 15 council envoys will visit Kinshasa, Goma and Beni from November 10 to 14 for meetings that the French ambassador said were an "important exercise in preventative diplomacy."

They will also travel to Luanda to meet with President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

There have been growing fears that the DR Congo, one of Africa's biggest and resource-rich countries, could descend into chaos after some 49 people were killed in anti-Kabila demonstrations in September.

Last month, a political deal was reached between Kabila's party, its allies and some smaller opposition groups to delay the presidential election -- due to have been held this year -- until April 2018.

But the main opposition Rassemblement (Gathering) coalition rejected it, branding it a ploy by Kabila to stay in power beyond the end of his term.

The Catholic Church, which has a strong voice in the country, has criticized the deal and called for more dialogue.

- A 'good' date for elections -

The Angolan envoy said the council can demand that a date be set for the vote but he stressed that this must be a "good date... so that we do not have elections and then confusion."

Story continues

Kabila, who has been in power since 2001, "should end his term and let someone else be elected, but he cannot sit aside and let the country in a vacuum do elections and stay stable," added the ambassador.

"We want the Congolese to agree on something which is orderly, which guarantees stability in the country and we in the region should be able to support whatever is selected by the Congolese," he said.

The UN envoy for the Great Lakes region, Said Djinnit, told the council on Wednesday that the government must reach out to the opposition that rejected the political deal to try to build an "inclusive process."

During its visit, the council will talk to all sides to "ensure that they fully realize the responsibility that they have in preserving peace in the country," said French Ambassador Francois Delattre.

Congolese politicians must show they are willing to compromise to prepare the elections as soon as possible, he added.

US Ambassador Samantha Power has said elections should be held in 2017.

The DR Congo has been ruled by Kabila since his father Laurent was assassinated in 2001.

Kabila was elected in 2006 to his first five-year term under a constitution that sets a two-term limit for presidents.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Chennai, Oct 31 : The makers of Suriya-starrer Tamil actioner "S3", the third part in the "Singam" franchise, have reportedly shot a high-octane action sequence in the city's airport, a source said.

"The chase sequence was recently shot in Chennai airport. The team had hired seven aircraft for this particular scene which features Suriya and Thakur Anoop Singh," a source from the film's unit told IANS, adding that the makers splurged for shooting this particular scene.

Directed by Hari, the film is gearing up for release on December 10, and it also stars Anushka Shetty and Shruti Haasan in the lead.

The project marks the debut of Thakur Anoop Singh, who plays the antagonist.

The source also confirmed that the film's teaser will be unveiled on November 7.

Produced by Studio Green, the film has music by Harris Jayaraj.
Taipei, Oct 31 : It is far much cheaper for Delhiites to fly out of Jaipur to Singapore by Scoot than taking a direct flight to the Lion City, says a top official of Scoot Airlines.

In the global operations of the Singapore-headquartered Scoot Airlines, India is the third-highest market after China and Australia following the merger of short-haul airline Tiger Air and and medium-to-long-haul Scoot.

"One of the trends we notice is that people from Delhi fly out to Singapore from Jaipur, as it works economical than taking a direct flight out of the Indian capital," Bharath Mahadevan, Country Head-India of Scoot Airlines, told IANS in an interview.

According to him, the lowest fare between Delhi-Singapore will be around Rs 25,000 on any carrier. The fare between Jaipur-Singapore ranges between Rs 12,000 and Rs 14,000.

He said lots of people do drive down to Jaipur from Delhi and even if they take a flight to Jaipur from Delhi, the cost would work out cheaper.

Scoot is a low-cost, medium-to-long-haul carrier owned and managed by Budget Aviation Holdings (BAH) under the Singapore Airlines Group (SIA). The company also operates low-cost short-haul Tiger Air.

Scoot operates between Singapore and Sydney, Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo, Osaka, Tianjin, Shenyang, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Seoul, Kaohsiung, Hangzhou, Jeddah, Chennai, Amritsar, Jaipur, Sapporo and Dalian across nine countries.

Scoot has also announced that it will be launching Singapore-Athens four-times-a-week service from June 20, 2017.

"The merger of Tiger Air-Scoot at the corporate level has been completed. We are in the process of merging the brand. In order to have a single Scoot brand in India, it would take some time as the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) has to be obtained," Mahadevan said.

Currently, Scoot connects Singapore with Chennai, Amritsar and Jaipur in India.

"Our load factor between Chennai-Singapore is 90 per cent, while this month (October) it was 80 per cent as less people travel during this festival season."

"In Amritsar, we started with 80 per cent load factor and it is around 60 per cent. Similarly, the load factor on Jaipur-Singapore route is around 60 per cent," Mahadevan said.

According to him, Scoot with its bigger Boeing 787 Dreamliner replaced Tiger Air flights out of Chennai, giving the economies of scale.

However, there is no move to bring in bigger aircraft under Tiger Air brand now as the airline operates on smaller routes.

"Our market share in the Chennai-Singapore sector will be around 25 per cent. In Chennai, we are trying for early departure, say around 11.30 p.m. for Singapore from the current 1.20 a.m.," Mahadevan said.

The Chennai-Singapore sector is profitable for Scoot Airlines from day one, whereas Amritsar and Jaipur sectors are expected to turn profitable in around nine months' time, he added.

"The market to fly to Singapore out of South India is large and there is lot of demand. The cargo capacity has increased with Scoot coming into picture in India with its bigger aircraft," he said.

According to Mahadevan, the revenue from food and beverages is around five per cent, as the two of the Scoot flights out of India are in the night.

"Scoot and Tiger Airways combine fly 50 flights in India. The Singapore Airlines group operates 15 destinations in the country, the largest that foreign carrier is operating in India. The group is second only to Air India to operate a large number of international flights out of India," he said.

Scoot currently has 12 Dreamliners in the fleet and eight more are on order.

Looking ahead, he said: "The airline is looking at organic growth -- increasing the frequency in the sectors currently served by it -- and also targeting tier-2 Indian cities."

(Venkatachari Jagannathan was in Taipei at the invitation of Scoot Airlines and Taiwan Tourism Board. He can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)
Jammu, Oct 31 : An Indian soldier was killed in firing by the Pakistan Army across the de facto border in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, officials said.

The firing occurred in Rajouri on the Line of Control (LoC) that divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

This is the latest violation by the Pakistan Army of the ceasefire pact the two countries signed in 2003 to maintain peace at borders and the LoC, a police spokesman said.

India-Pakistan border skirmishes intensified after Pakistani militants attacked a military base in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri, killing 19 Indian soldiers on September 18.

Earlier on Monday, Pakistan Rangers resorted to shelling and firing on the International Border (IB) in R.S.Pura, Suchetgarh and Hira Nagar sectors of Jammu division.

"Pakistan troops fired mortars and used automatic weapons to target civilian and Border Security Force (BSF) facilities in R.S.Pura, Suchetgarh and Hira Nagar sectors," another police officer said.

Pakistan shelling was retaliated by the BSF.

Residents of border villages close to the IB celebrated a subdued Diwali, away from home. Pakistan troops have been indiscriminately targeting their homes, cattle and crops.

Authorities have set up temporary accommodations -- in educational institutions, rural development department buildings and community halls -- for hundreds of border residents in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts.

India shares 230 km of International Border and 740 km of LoC with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.
New Delhi, Oct 31 : As a group of ex-servicemen are once again set to resume their relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, Major General Satbir Singh (retd), who has been spearheading demands for the OROP scheme, said they will support candidates who are ex-servicemen in the upcoming elections for voice in the legislatures.

The protest is being resumed out of "anguish" against the government, and it is more about the respect that the armed forces should get rather than the money, he said.

Singh also said he has "dissociated" himself from the Fauji Janata Party, which has been founded with the aim of fielding ex-servicemen candidates in the upcoming polls in Punjab and Uttarakhand, but added he will support every such candidate.

"We are hurt and anguished. On 14th March 2016, we met the Defence Minister (Manohar Parrikar). He had personally assured us that he will take care of the anomalies, but he said I cannot listen to your demands as long as you hold a pistol at my head," Singh told IANS in an interview.

"But now, it has been six months and we have not heard a word about correcting the anomalies" he poinnted out.

Parrikar, however, claimed on Monday that nearly 21 lakh ex-sefrvicemen were benefiting from the OROP scheme.

"Almost 20.69 lakh ex-servicemen are benefitting. So, this government has kept its promise and actually given the money. All others merely talked for the last 43 years. It is not a demand that was made last year, or even during the last general elections," Parrikar told reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Goa's first multi-level parking facility in Panaji.

The relay hunger strikes at Jantar Mantar were called off on April 29, 2016.

"We are thankful to the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) for giving the OROP, but this is not real OROP," he said.

He alleged that at the first meeting they had with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who was also the defence minister at the time, they were told not all poll promises are made to be kept.

"When we met the finance minister and reminded his of prime minister's poll promise, he said - Oh General, when we campaign at election time, do you think all assurance that is given is met," Singh quoted Jaitley as saying.

He rues that their protest was not paid attention to by the political leaders.

"They took notice of the Jat agitation and the Kashmir agitation, but not us because we protest in a disciplined way," he said.

This time, the ex-servicemen plan to scale-up the protest, which includes a march around Connaught Place, a stone's throw from the protest site at Jantar Mantar, and also a march to Parliament.

One of the major anomalies that the protesting ex-servicemen have objected to is the revision of pension every five years. The demand is to revise it every year.

"What has been implemented is not OROP but one-time increase in pensions. If the anomalies are not removed, senior defence Personnel will start drawing less pension than their juniors, a system unacceptable constitutionally, fairly and justifiably," he said.

The ex-servicemen first started the relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on June 15, 2015. On August 17, 2015, two veterans started indefinite fast, and they were joined in by more ex-soldiers in the following days.

The government meanwhile announced the scheme on September 5, 2015, which took 2013 as the base year to calculate pensions and date of implementation was 1st July, 2014. The period for review was kept at five years.

On September 6, 2015, the indefinite hunger strike ended, but protests continued along with relay hunger strikes. A one-man judicial committee was also formed under Chairmanship of Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, retired Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. The report was submitted its Defence Ministry on Wednesday.

Finally on April 29, 2016, the protests at Jantar Mantar were called off after 320 days.

It will now be resumed on Tuesday.

"India has been disrespecting its soldiers. Whether it is OROP, 7th Pay Commission, or rank equilisation. It is unfortunate that soldiers have to be on roads demanding their rights," he said.

"Government has tampered with OROP definition... It is hurting the dignity of a soldier. We are not fighting for money, we are fighting for respect," he added.

Asked about the plans for the poll-bound states after the formation of the Fauji Janata Party by the United Front of Indian Ex-Servicemen (Jantar Mantar), of which Singh is the Chairman, he said he has distanced himself from the party.

"Somebody has registered a Fauji Janata Party, I have dissociated with it, but I will support all faujis (soldiers) who stand for elections so that they become our voice," he said.

"We will tell the people in the poll bound states to watch out who they are voting for. Whether the candidates will fulfill their promises of not," he said.A

Singh added that they are not targeting any single political party.
Shimla, Oct 31 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was admitted to the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMCH) here after he suffered chest infection and ran fever, but his condition is stable now, a doctor said on Monday.

"All tests are normal. He has been kept in hospital just for observation and will be discharged in a day or two," the doctor added.

The Chief Minister was suffering from viral fever and hospitalised at the IGMCH early Sunday, Senior Medical Superintendent Ramesh Chand told IANS.

The Chief Minister complained of congestion and was facing breathing problem, Chand said.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who was here to attend a function to mark the birth anniversary of India's first Home Minister Vallabhbhai Patel, Governor Acharya Devvrat and Cabinet Ministers Vidya Stokes, Thakur Singh Bharmouri and Dhani Ram Shandil visited the hospital on Monday to enquire about Virbhadra Singh's health.

The Chief Minister has been unwell since his last week's tour of remote Dodra Kawar in Shimla district. He was complaining of infection in throat due to heavy dust, said an official.
Patna, Nov 1 : RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Tuesday demanded a high-level impartial probe into the killing of eight undertrial SIMI activists in an alleged "encounter" with police in Bhopal.

"There should be a high-level impartial probe into the killing of the eight activists of SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India)" on Monday, Lalu Prasad told the media here.

Lalu Prasad said only a high-level probe would clear the suspense over whether it was a real or fake "encounter" that followed the escape of the men from the Bhopal Central Jail.

"Going by several reports, it appears that killings by the police raised several unanswered questions," he said.

Lalu Prasad also attacked the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for failing to control the situation along the border with Pakistan.

"Every day either a soldier or civilians have been killed but the Modi government has failed to control it," he said.
New Delhi, Nov 1 : The CPI-M on Tuesday demanded a judicial probe into the killing of the eight SIMI activists in Bhopal, saying there were "serious doubts" about the veracity of the "encounter" with police.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist said in a statement that the eight men who were killed after escaping from the Bhopal Central Jail on Monday were undertrials whose guilt had not been established.

"How the accused could have escaped from a high security prison also raises serious questions," it said.

"The (Madhya Pradesh) government owes a full explanation how this occurred.

"The claim by the Madhya Pradesh Police that the accused were shot dead after they were attacked by these men who were armed is contradicted by the state Home Minister Bhupendra Singh.

"That these men could secure arms while being unable to get a vehicle to make good their escape sounds implausible," the CPI-M said.

"Video clips that have surfaced of the incident show policemen shooting at one of the 'escapees' as he lies on the ground. Another shows them waving at policemen, presumably indicating that they want to surrender.

"All these raise serious doubts about the veracity of the police claims."

In the light of these concerns, the CPI-M demanded a judicial commission headed by a sitting judge be constituted to conduct a thorough investigation into the entire episode.

"The Chief Minister (Shivraj Singh Chouhan) has announced that an enquiry would be conducted by the NIA. Such an enquiry would neither be credible nor acceptable," it said.
London, Nov 2 : Actress Keira Knightley feels she is lucky to be able to work as a young mother as she is able to afford child care for her daughter Edie.

"I've become unbelievably aware of that and how lucky I've been to be able to afford really good child care, because otherwise it would be at least four years out of my career," Knightley told Harper's Bazaar magazine.

The actress added: "I wouldn't be able to get back to where I'd been if I'd taken four years out. I think that's the same for most women. And I think that's really hard."

The 31-year-old bemoaned the cost of child care in Britain, saying it stops the average woman from going back to work.

She said: "One of the things that is so shocking in this country is that child care is unbelievably expensive. It should be, it's an amazing thing if you are good at it. It's incredibly difficult, it should be well paid."

The "Pride & Prejudice" star added: "But there is no option for a woman to go back to work unless she's being paid really, really well and can afford full-time care before (her child can) get into nursery."

She also criticised the British government's recommendation that men should have two weeks paternity leave.
Canberra, Nov 2 : The missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 descended rapidly before crashing and finally plunging into the Indian Ocean on March 8, 2014 with 239 people on board, Australian officials announced on Wednesday.

In a new report, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), which leads the search in the Indian Ocean,said that the plane was not in a configuration for landing when it crashed, Efe news reported.

The study was based on satellite data, analysis of the various debris found, including a flaperon wing part, and analysis on where the various aircraft parts were found.

According to the ATSB's report, the additional satellite data from the aircraft "was consistent with it being in a high and increasing rate of descent" prior to crashing.

It also reported that the additional analysis of wing flap debris showed that the aircraft was not configured for a landing.

The findings support the official investigation which said that the plane would have descended after running out of fuel.

According to this research, MH370 disappeared 40 minutes after taking off from Kuala Lumpur bound for Beijing after someone shut off the aircraft's communication systems and had been in control of the plane.

"(It) means the aircraft wasn't configured for a landing or a ditching - you can draw your own conclusions as to whether that means someone was in control," the bureau's director of Flight 370 search operations Peter Foley said.

The report added that MH370 crashed somewhere in the "seventh arc", the Indian Ocean region where the search operation is currently carried out, which was determined from signals generated by the aircraft, data from satellites and a ground station in Perth, in western Australia.

"This report contains important new information on what we believe happened at the end of MH370's flight," said Australia's Transport Minister Darren Chester at the start of a three-day meeting in Canberra where the experts will assess the information related to the disappearance of MH370 and plan the final stages of the search.

Australia leads the search operation which also includes Malaysia and China. The operation is looking for the wreckage in an area of 120,000 sq.km in a remote area of the Indian Ocean, of which 10,000 sq.km are still left to be searched.

It is estimated that the operation will take until January 2017 to complete.

So far, pieces of plane debris were found on Reunion Island beaches, Mozambique, Mauritius, South Africa and the French island of Rodrigues, places that match with the pattern of currents in the Indian Ocean and where the search is carried out now.

The publication of the report and the start of the expert meeting coincided with the decision of Malaysia Airlines to yield all the information available on MH370 to Australian families of passengers on that flight who litigate to obtain compensation.

The documents include the most recent medical certificates of pilots and cabin crew, operations manual for the plane, procedures for carrying dangerous goods and procedures for loss of radio contact.
United Nations, Nov 2 : Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has fired the Kenyan general heading the South Sudan UN peacekeeping force, who was in overall command of the Indian and other troops serving in the nation wracked by civil war.

Ban's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, who announced the dismissal of Lt. Gen. Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki on Monday, cited a lack of leadership when the UN offices, refugee camps and other facilities in South Sudanese capital Juba came under attack during the clashes between that country's rival armies in July.

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) had 2,277 Indian peacekeepers serving under Ondieki's overall command.

Dujarric said that a "deeply distressed" Ban ordered Ondieki's dismissal after receiving the report of an inquiry into the incidents which claimed at least 73 lives when UN facilities came under attack during the fighting between rival South Sudanese forces.

A summary of the report that was released did not say anything specifically about Indian peacekeepers.

But blaming Ondieki, who took charge only in June for the problems in July, it said that the UN peacekeeping "force did not operate under a unified command, resulting in multiple and sometimes conflicting orders to the four troop contingents from China, Ethiopia, Nepal and India, and ultimately underusing the more than 1,800 infantry troops at UN House" in Juba.

The report said that in two instances the Chinese battalion "abandoned some of its defensive positions" at a refugee camp, while the Nepalese police unit did not act properly to stop looting by some refugees inside the UN House and to control crowds.

While the UN peacekeeping operations have been criticised for not acting swiftly and decisively when they or the people they are mandated to protect come under attack, the real failure is that of the Security Council, which has not come up with proper guidelines or consulted the troop contributing countries.

Increasingly the peacekeepers are deployed by the Council in the middle of active conflicts without clear mandates on the extent and method of using of force, frustrating both the troops and the countries that contribute them.

Except for China, the five permanent members of the Council do not contribute troops in substantial numbers to the UN operations and are thus shielded from the outcomes of their decisions.

The report acknowledged that UNMISS faced extremely challenging circumstances and was under crossfire from rival groups.

The clashing forces in South Sudan are the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) loyal to President Salva Kiir and the SPLA in Opposition that backs Vice President Riek Machar.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in)
Baghdad, Nov 2 : Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been hiding in the group's besieged stronghold of Mosul, encircled by the Iraqi army and allied militias, a senior Kurdish commander told the Independent daily.

In an interview published on Wednesday, Fuad Hussein, the chief of staff of Iraqi Kurdistan's head Massoud Barzani said that though he has been lying low for the past eight or nine months, Baghdadi is most likely still alive and in the city.

"Baghdadi is there and, if he is killed, it will mean the collapse of the whole IS system," Hussein said, pointing to the vulnerability of Islamic State's command structure, which has no suitable replacement for Baghdadi.

According to Hussein, the IS leader has had to completely rely on other militant commanders in Mosul and the nearby city of Tal Afar, a largely Turkmen-populated city in the Nineveh Province.

While Hussein believes that Baghdadi's demise will speed efforts to retake the country, his presence in the IS capital in Iraq may result in the jihadists resorting to desperate tactics to protect their kingpin.

"It is obvious that they will lose, but not how long this will take to happen," he said, adding that the timeline of the battle for Mosul will be determined by several variables.

On Tuesday, soldiers from Iraq's elite Counter Terrorism Service seized control of the state television station in the Gogjali neighbourhood, making it the first major building in the city to be recaptured from IS.
Washington, Nov 2 : NASA has sought information from the scientific community and industry on small lunar payloads that could fly aboard commercial spacecraft to the moon as early as 2017.

"The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) is seeking information on the availability of small payloads that could be delivered to the Moon as early as the 2017-2020 timeframe using US commercial lunar cargo transportation service providers," NASA wrote on its Request for Information on Tuesday.

It stated that multiple US companies are developing robotic lunar landing capabilities and have expressed plans to provide commercial cargo delivery services to the Moon in the near future.

"Information on lunar payloads that could be launched as early as 2017 would be valuable to NASA as it works to understand the potential role of the Moon in future exploration activities," it stated.

Responses are sought broadly from US industry, universities and non-profit organisations, NASA Centers (including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory), and other US government agencies, and these will be used by NASA for planning and acquisition strategy development.
Hyderabad, Nov 2 : The Andhra Pradesh Police told the Hyderabad High Court on Wednesday that police had to file in self-defence which resulted in the death of 24 Maoists on Andhra-Odisha border area last week.

In a counter filed in the court, police clarified that it did not violate any law in the exchange of fire that occurred in Malkangiri district of Odisha on October 24.

The High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad for States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana was hearing a PIL by Civil Liberties Committee, seeking registration of murder cases against policemen involved in what it called "fake encounter".

Visakhapatnam Rural Superintendent of Police Rahul Dev Sharma, through the counter, gave a detailed account of the circumstances which led to exchange of fire with Maoists under the limits of Chitrakonda police station in Malkangiri district.

The official said anti-Maoist force Greyhounds along with Odisha Police launched joint combing operations in the forests spreading from Andhra's Visakhapatnam district to Malkangiri following information that Maoists were holding a meeting.

The SP said police asked Maoists to surrender but the latter opened fire killing one Greyhounds constable Mohammed Abubakr and injuring another constable Sateesh. The Maoists were killed when police opened fire in self-defence.

The court was also informed that bodies of 13 Maoists were handed over to their families while 11 bodies were preserved as their relatives have not come forward to claim them.

Police said the petitioner was twisting the facts relating to the case.

The bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice A. Shankar Narayana adjourned the hearing to November 8 after the petitioner's counsel sought time to respond to the counter filed by police.
Patna, Nov 2 : After RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday demanded a high-level impartial probe into the killing of eight SIMI undertrials in an alleged gunfight with police in Madhya Pradesh.

"A probe is a must into the killing of the SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) activists as several questions have been raised," Nitish Kumar told the media here.

He said the Madhya Pradesh government should order the probe by an independent agency.

"There are many unanswered questions regarding the gun battle and some videos have also surfaced that question the encounter. The state government should explain it," Nitish Kumar said.

Earlier, former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad said only a high-level probe would clear the suspense over whether it was a real or fake gun battle with police that followed the alleged escape of the eight men from the Bhopal Central Jail.

"Going by several reports, it appears that the killings by the police raised several unanswered questions," he said.
Shimla, Nov 2 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was discharged on Wednesday after three days of hospitalisation due to chest infection and viral fever, a doctor said.

Official sources said Singh would not attend public engagements for at least five days.

The Chief Minister, who was hospitalised at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMCH) on October 31, has almost recovered, Senior Medical Superintendent Ramesh Chand told IANS.

He informed that Singh had complained of congestion and was facing breathing problems.

"All his tests are normal. For the last two days he was kept in the hospital just for observation," he added.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who was here to attend a function to mark the birth anniversary of India's first Home Minister Vallabhbhai Patel, along with Governor Acharya Devvrat and his Cabinet colleagues had visited the hospital.
Mumbai, Nov 2 : Professional networking website LinkedIn on Wednesday announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Human Resources Development Ministry to create more job opportunities for students across the country.

As part of the agreement, LinkedIn's recently launched "Placements" product will be adopted by all Indian colleges affiliated with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Placements provides a level playing field for all students, regardless of their location or college and allows them to take an online assessment test, which gives them direct access to thousands of openings in 35 top corporates in the country.

"Our objective with Placements is to help India's best talent get access to job opportunities, regardless of their location. With this partnership, we are excited to see our vision quickly become a reality," said Akshay Kothari, Country Manager and Head of Product, LinkedIn India, in a statement.

Placements was piloted in November 2015 and then LinkedIn opened the product in September 2016 to students at all colleges and universities in India.

In less than eight weeks from the launch, over two lakh students registered for the product and there were over 1.2 million job applications.
Panaji, Nov 2 : The Goa government will accord top priority to education, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said on Wednesday, claiming that upcoming NIT and IIT projects in the state were examples of his government's commitment to the sector.

"Goa tops the list among literate states in the country. It also houses some of the reputed professional colleges in India. The upcoming NIT and IIT projects in South Goa will enable best of educational facilities to its citizens. Hence, the state government will never compromise in investing in education," Parsekar said.

He was speaking at a function organised to mark the release of grants to various colleges under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shikshan Abhiyan (RUSA) at the Goa secretariat.

Both the National Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Technology have set up temporary campuses in the state over the last few years, while permanent campuses are being set up for the two institutions.

"Our educational policy is one of the best in the country. If this money is utilised for infrastructure and in providing better learning aids, it will surely illuminate future generations," the Chief Minister said.

"The government will accord top priority to education," Parsekar said.
Mumbai, Nov 2 : The experts who worked on colour gradation of the Ajay Devgn-starrer "Shivaay" say that it was a great challenge to maintain radiant skin tone of the characters while they were falling from Casa Grande (CG) mountain in the film.

Media services company Prime Focus delivered Digital Intermediate (DI) services for the film, which has been directed and co-produced by Ajay.

"The film itself is visually stunning and Aseem Bajaj's brilliant camera work has helped create an immersive, surreal experience that instantly draws viewers into the story. The challenge was to maintain a radiant skin tone for the characters as they are falling off a CG mountain," Ashirwad Hadkar, colourist at Prime Focus, said in a statement.

Hadkar also shared that "different areas of the skin were required" to be "enhanced and then matched with the cold and saturated environment".

Talking about how colour grading helped correct some of the shots in the film, director of photography Aseem Bajaj shared that there was a sequence in the film which was shot in Bulgaria, which "didn't turn out as per our expectations".

"There was a brothel sequence we shot in Bulgaria which didn't turn out as per our expectations. The intensity of the neon lights did not match the foreground lighting, making the frame look bleak and flat. During the grade, Ajay and I briefed Ashirwad about how we wanted everything in the environment to pop up with the neon look," Hadkar said.

"To achieve this look, we initially isolated the highlights and by careful modulation of exposure, contrast and shadows we eventually arrived at the desired effect," he added.

"Shivaay", which released on October 28, is a story of a mountaineer who has to overcome severe challenges to protect his daughter.
Bhopal, Nov 2 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed security arrangements at the Central Jail here on Wednesday following the escape of eight undertrial SIMI activists.

Chouhan reached the jail around 11 in the morning for an inspection. He directed the jail officials to strengthen the security as well as devise methods to make it foolproof.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Chief Secretary B P Singh, Police Director General Rishi Kumar Shukla and Police Director General (Jail) Sanjay Chaudhary.

On October 30, eight members of SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) escaped from Bhopal Central Jail after slitting the throat of guard Ramashankar Yadav.

Eight hours after their escape, all the eight activists were killed a few kilometres from the city in a shootout with the police.
St. Denis (Reunion Island), Nov 2 : French airline Air Austral on Tuesday launched a direct Reunion Island-Chennai service and announced a collaboration with Air India to provide connecting flights for some major cities of India.

Earlier, the company had its services from Reunion to Bangkok via Chennai.

The announcement was made by the officials of Air Austral at a gala event in the presence of Miss India-World Priyadarshini Chatterjee and actor-director Rahul Vohra.

Many politicians of Reunion Island, the Indian diaspora and officials of the Reunion Tourism Board were present on the occasion.

India's Consul General Sanjeev Kumar Bhati, who was also present at the inaugural function, lauded the efforts of Air Austral.

"Let's hope the number of Indian tourists increase. Unlike Mauritius, we have not seen many Indian tourists to the Island. But once Miss India returns to her country and has good words for the Island, I hope in near future we would be able to surpass Mauritius in terms of Indian tourists here," Bhati said.

On the occasion, the company also introduced a low-cost winter schedule of its flights between Reunion Island and Chennai, and from Chennai to Reunion Island.

"The company, in collaboration with Air India, will soon arrange for its passengers, the connecting flights from Chennai to other Indian states," an Air Austral official said.

Not many in India would have heard about Saint-Denis de la Reunion, the administrative capital of Reunion Island, and its strong cultural links with India, he added.

There are 2.50 lakh Indians in Reunion, which is an overseas French region, of which 1.25 lakh are Tamils and the rest Gujaratis.

Before 2012, one had to travel to Mauritius to reach Reunion, which is located close to Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. In February 2012, Air Austral introduced a direct service to Reunion on the Bangkok-Chennai sector.
Kochi, Nov 2 : Around 10 journalists who had come to report the trial of the rape-murder of a Dalit law student in April at the Ernakulam district court on Wednesday were asked to leave the court room - as the tiff between lawyers and the media in Kerala continues.

The development came a day after the print media in Kerala in an open letter to the Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur published in their respective newspapers pointed out that the action of a section of the lawyers had affected relations between the judiciary and the media in the state.

One of the journalists who was turned out of Ernakulam district court, said: "A group of us, comprising three women journalists and seven male journalists, were in the court. At about 2.30 p.m. a group of lawyers asked us to vacate the courtroom saying 'you have no business to be here'. Soon a court official came to us and told us that there should be no problem here. We said that if the judge asks us to leave, we will, but the lawyers told us that the judge has no role in these matters. Then we decided to leave the court room."

Since July 19, there has been a virtual ban on the media by the lawyers in several courts in the state, including the high court.

Every attempt to bury the difference between the two sections, including at the highest level by judges from the Supreme Court and Kerala High Court besides intervention by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has failed to break the deadlock.

Representatives of media owners and journalists brought the subject to the attention of President Pranab Mukherjee last month.
New Delhi, Nov 2 : The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DIR) on Wednesday claimed to have busted India's biggest drug racket and recovered 23,500 kg of mandrax tablets (methaqualone) with an estimated value of Rs 4,700 crore in the international market. A Bollywood producer has been arrested in this connection, an official said.

"It is India's biggest drug racket busted by the DRI. I think it should also be the world's biggest, as the seizure is around 23,500 kg. Its international value is estimated between Rs 4,500-Rs 4,700 crore," DRI Director General Jayant Misra told IANS.

Misra said: "DRI's Mumbai zonal unit got the tip-off. It was further developed with the help of the Border Security Force. A warehouse in Rajasthan's Udaipur city housing the drugs was busted on October 28.

"In this connection, DRI arrested Bollywood producer Subhash Dudani from Mumbai on October 29," he added.

Officers of the DRI, an apex counter-smuggling agency of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), estimate the total number of mandrax tablets to be about two crore.

Officers investigating the case found that the major raw material for mandrax was acetic anhydride, which was manufactured by the syndicate at Shreenath Industries in Rajsamand district in Rajasthan.

Apart from acetic anhydride, the other raw materials for mandrax are anthranilic acid, orthotoloudiene, and caustic soda, the DRI DG said.

He said anthranilic acid was imported from Indonesia through Kandla Port in Kutch district of Gujarat by misdeclaring it as maleic anhydride while caustic soda was procured locally.

The officer further said "methaqualone is a depressant, overdose of which can lead to coma and death".

"It is used as a recreational drug in Africa and Asia. It is commonly known as mandrax, m-pills, buttons, or smarties and is usually smoked mixed with cannabis," he said.

The officer said the DRI had neutralised 10 other factories across several states in the recent past manufacturing various types of synthetic drugs like mephedrone, ketamine, alprazolam and precursor chemicals like ephedrine.

In the last five years, the DRI has seized more than 540 kg of heroin and 7,400 kg of ephedrine along with other narcotics and psychotropic substances, said the officer, adding that the agency has been in active liaison with international enforcement agencies for combating the menace of drug abuse.
New Delhi, Nov 2 : The Railway Ministry on Wednesday appointed Padma Bhushan Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder of Sulabh International, as brand ambassador for its 'Swachh Rail Mission'.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said Pathak had boosted the cleanliness campaign of the Indian Railways by accepting the invitation to work with the ministry on the cleanliness initiatives.

"Efforts of Sulabh International are well known in the field of improving sanitation and upgradation of environment. The Railways can do wonders if people become aware of cleanliness and sanitation matters," Prabhu said.

Rajen Gohain, Minister of State for Railways, said Pathak had spread awareness among the people on cleanliness issues in the last four decades since the setting up of Sulabh International in 1970.
New Delhi, Nov 2 : The ex-servicemen protesting at the Jantar Mantar here over the 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP) issue on Wednesday expressed sorrow over the suicide by retired Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal, but clarified that he was not a part of their agitation.

"The incident is very sad. He belonged to the ex-servicemen fraternity; we are with the family. But suicide is a crime in the Army," Major General Satbir Singh (retired) said.

The defence force veterans also observed a minute's silence as a mark of respect to the deceased soldier.

Major General Satbir Singh said: "He was not our representative. He did not come here, nor was he a part of any of our negotiation teams."

The army veteran also slammed political parties for politicising the issue.

"The issue should not be politicised. Why should they stop (Congress Vice-President) Rahul Gandhi from meeting the family. Did Sushma Swaraj (External Affairs Minister) not meet Hemraj's family in Mathura," Singh said while referring to Lance Naik Hemraj, who was beheaded by Pakistani soldiers in 2013.

Swaraj had met the family of the soldier at his village in Uttar Pradesh at that time.

Major General Satbir Singh slammed Manohar Parrikar as the "weakest Defence Minister".

"I can say that he is the weakest Defence Minister we ever had. He is a good person, but a total failure. He has given us an OROP full of anomalies," he said.

The United Front of Indian Ex-Servicemen on Tuesday resumed their relay hunger strike at the Jantar Mantar here in support of their demand for the removal of anomalies in the OROP scheme implemented by the Centre.

On Wednesday, 11 former soldiers and the wives of veterans sat on a daylong hunger strike.
New Delhi, Nov 2 : A day after a soldier committed suicide over One Rank-One Pension (OROP) issue, veterans protesting at Jantar Mantar for removal of anomalies in the scheme say the major point of contention is annual revision of pensions.

The ex-servicemen point to four main anomalies in the scheme as announced by the government.

The major sticking point is the time period for revision of pensions. While the government's version of OROP provides for revision every five years, veterans have demanded annual rationalisation of pensions.

If annual revisions do not happen, "it is one rank-five pension", Brigadier J.S. Sandhu (retired) told IANS.

The second major demand is fixing pensions at top of the scale against the current fixation of mean average.

In the current shape, the OROP scheme has a mechanism to fix pensions by calculating the average of highest and lowest pensions for a rank, with protection to those with higher pension.

"Annual revision and fixing pensions at top of the scale are the major issues," Brigadier Sandhu added.

Third demand is to implement the scheme w.e.f April 1, 2014, and not July 1, 2014, as provided for in the government version.

The government has said it has taken July 1 as the date of implementation as it came to power in May 2014.

The fourth demand is fixing 2013-14 financial year as the base year for implementation of the scheme and not on the basis of calendar year, as suggested by the government.

Wednesday was the second day of relay hunger strike by the United Front of Indian Ex-Servicemen at Jantar Mantar.

The ex-servicemen first started the relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on June 15, 2015. On August 17, 2015, two veterans started indefinite fast and they were subsequently joined by more ex-soldiers.

The government, in the meantime, announced the scheme on September 5, 2015, which treated 2013 as the base year to calculate pensions, and date of implementation was July 1, 2014. The period for review was kept at five years.

On September 6, 2015, the indefinite hunger strike ended, but protests continued along with the relay hunger strikes. A one-man judicial committee was also formed under the Chairmanship of Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, retired Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, to look ino the issue.

The committee finally submitted its report to the Defence Ministry on October 26, 2016.

Although on April 29, 2016, the relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar was called off after 320 days, it resumed on Tuesday and on Wednesday, 11 veterans and wives of former soldiers sat on hunger strike.
New Delhi, Nov 2 : Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal, the army veteran who committed suicide on Tuesday, wanted to make the supreme sacrifice for the nation and for his fellow soldiers, his suicide note said. He had come to Delhi with three other former soldiers to approach Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar over the OROP pension for retired soldiers.

Defence Ministry sources said Grewal, who consumed poison on Tuesday, did not have an appointment to meet the Defence Minister.

According to his friend, Jagdish Rai, a 70-year old retired Havildar, Grewal had gone to the Defence Ministry on Tuesday with a memorandum, which he wanted to submit to Parrikar. However, he was not allowed to do so. This made him depressed, after which he allegedly consumed poison.

In his suicide note, written with pencil on the corner of a memorandum that Grewal had prepared to submit to Parrikar, he said he was making the sacrifice for the soldiers and the nation.

"Main mere desh ke liye, meri matrubhumi ke liye, evam mere desh ke veer jawano ke liye apney prano ko nyochhavar kar raha hun (For my country, my motherland, and the brave soldiers of my country, I am sacrificing my life)," the note said.

Rai, who took Grewal to hospital, said that initially a group of four army veterans, including Grewal, had come to Delhi from Bhiwani to submit a memorandum to Parrikar.

Grewal, headman of Bamla village of Bhiwani district, was leading the group.

Rai, resident of Loharu village in Bhiwani, told IANS that Grewal had called a meeting with 30 ex-armymen on Saturday at Nehru Park in Bhiwani to approach Parrikar on implementation of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) recommendations.

Grewal and the other three retired army men left Bhiwani Junction on Tuesday morning and reached Delhi Cantonment Railway station. Grewal had told 30 other veterans, from different districts of Haryana, to meet them at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday afternoon.

"We took a bus to Akbar Road and reached a park in South Avenue. We were waiting for the other associates to protest at Jantar Mantar," Rai said.

"Grewal told us he was going to hand over the memorandum to the Defence Minister, and left," he said.

"When he returned after an hour, he was in a depressed mood. He told us to call all the associates at Jantar Mantar to organise a protest on OROP anomalies," he said.

"We were proceeding towards Jantar Mantar, when Grewal said he was feeling dizzy. He also collapsed twice. We gave him water, but his health kept deteriorating. We were unaware that he had consumed poison.

"We called the police to take him to hospital. But he was declared brought dead on arrival," Rai said.

The former soldier added that Grewal had become "emotional" after his failed bid to meet Parrikar, but he never gave a hint that he was going to commit suicide. He had apparently consumed the poison near India Gate.

"He was a true fighter, but he was very emotional too. He did not tell us that he was going to commit suicide. His final words to us were, 'I have approached everywhere for OROP, Sixth and Seventh Pay Commission recommendations, but all was in vain. Now protest is the only way left'," Rai recalled.

Another associate of Grewal, 60-year-old Maturam, a retired Naik of Indian Army, told IANS that Grewal was a Subedar in the Defence Security Corps (DSC) and also served during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

Maturam said Grewal visited him on Friday and asked him to join the protest.

"He also took my signature on the memorandum," Maturam told IANS.

During his 30 years, 9 months and 26 days service in the army, Grewal was posted in different parts of the country, including Kerala, Mumbai, Arunachal Pradesh, Gurgaon, Hyderabad and also in Bodh Gaya Camp in Bihar, Maturam said.

Havildar Ranbir Singh (retired), who was at the United Front of Indian Ex-Servicemen (Jantar Mantar) protest here on Tuesday, told IANS that he knew Grewal and he always said that "a sacrifice was needed".

"He used to say that someone will have to make a sacrifice," Singh told IANS.

(Sanjeev Pal can be reached at sanjeev.p@ians.in)
Mumbai, Nov 2 : The Ministry of Environment's Central Zoo Authority has demanded an explanation on the death of a female Homboldt Penguin, named Dory, at the Mumbai Zoo on October 23.

The CZA Member-Secretary D.N. Singh has sought a reply from Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta on the issue and related points raised in a representation made by the Humane Society International (India).

The HSI has raised doubts whether the Coex Aquarium, Seoul, in South Korea is registered with the the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as a captive breeding centre for Humboldt Penguins and if the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation had secured all the requisite import certification.

The HSI also raised doubts on the suitability and appropriateness for housing and care of the Humboldt Penguins at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, or Mumbai Zoo, under the norms prescribed by the CITES.

Since the death of the female flightless bird occurred due to Septicemia while in quarantine, pointing to poor standards of care at the Mumbai Zoo, the CZA has asked the BMC to provide a detailed report on the autopsy carried out on the dead penguin by this weekend.

The HSI has also pointed out norms of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) for keeping Humboldt Penguins in captivity and said that in view of the above, it would be inhumane and irresponsible to keep the remaining seven birds at Mumbai Zoo.

A major political row had erupted in Maharashtra after the death of the female bird, with most parties questioning the wisdom of keeping the endangered species in the harsh tropical climate of Mumbai.

The penguins, flown in from Seoul on July 26, are undergoing an acclimatisation spell in a specially-designed air-conditioned enclosure before going on public display later this month.

After the death of Dory, all major political parties have demanded that the remaining seven Humboldt Penguins be returned as they can survive only in cold regions and the warm Mumbai climate does not suit them.

Commenting on the pet project of Yuva Sena Chief Aditya Thackeray, son of Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray, the Congress and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena said the penguins were brought here for someone's "childish stubbornness" and the mute bird died.

Since the past 10 days after the death of Dory, the BMC has not indicated any change of stance on the remaining seven Humboldt Penguins.
Washington, Nov 2 : A Hindu group in the US has branded the closest aide of US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Huma Abedin, as "pro-terrorist" and questioned her "Pakistani and Saudi background" in a new TV ad targeting Hindu-American voters.

The 30-second TV spot, by The Republican Hindu Coalition, begins by attacking Clinton and goes on to target Abedin, the New York Post online reported on Wednesday.

"Hillary, sympathetic towards Pakistan. Gave billions of dollars in aid and military equipment used against India," the ad says.

"Huma Abedin is of Pakistani origin and will become Chief of Staff if she wins," the ad states. However, there is no indication that Abedin would serve as Chief of Staff in a Clinton administration.

Additionally, the Republican Hindu Coalition is sending 60,000 direct mail pieces to Hindu-American voters in Florida, North Carolina and Ohio that state: "Chief of Staff in Clinton White House will be Huma Abedin, of Pakistani and Saudi background."

Republican Hindu Coalition founder Shalabh 'Shalli' Kumar said Hindu-Americans will be "key" to winning the White House. He claims he's spent $4 million to help elect Clinton's rival Donald Trump, and said he's open to spending a "couple million" more.

"Huma in general is as pro-terrorist as you could be A she's got a really dark background. I can't even fathom. I don't understand why Hillary will associate herself with Huma," the New York Post quoted Kumar as saying in an interview, referring to Abedin's parents' background.

However, according to several biographies of Hillary Clinton and articles on her entourage, the father of Abedin, who was born in Michigan but lived in Saudi Arabia where her family moved when she was two years old till she came back to US for college, was of Indian descent, while her mother was Pakistani.

Abedin has come under scrutiny after the FBI notified Congress last Friday that it had uncovered additional evidence in the Hillary Clinton e-mail scandal. That evidence was found on a shared laptop she apparently used with her estranged husband, former Representative Anthony Weiner.
Vijayawada, Nov 2 : All arterial and sub-arterial roads in upcoming Andhra Pradesh capital Amaravati will be ready by the end of next year, officials informed Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday.

The 270-km-long arterial and sub-arterial 270-km roads will be completed at an estimate cost of Rs 3,600 crore.

In addition to this, 130-km collector roads will also be laid out, the officials said.

Naidu, who held a review meeting with officials, asked them not to compromise on quality and ensure that there is no water logging on roads.

"Economic activity should start immediately," the Chief Minister told them.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), he said that development should not be confined just to the capital area and that services should be decentralised.

Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) Commissioner Sreedhar informed Naidu that they are holding meetings with mangers of star hotels, representatives of schools and colleges and are in the process of indentifying land for them.

"A total of 39 hotels like Taj, ITC, Novotel have come forward and we are holding a meeting with hospital groups on Nov 11," informed the CRDA Commissioner.

The officials explained the advantages of common utility duct and showed different models in use in China, Europe and Singapore.

The officials informed the Chief Minister that they are in the process of indentifying areas for establishing iconic parks.

Naidu also asked the officials to build a world-class stadium to conduct National Games by 2018.

He also spoke on the development of Legal City and said that the city should be a one-stop place for all legal services.
New Delhi, Nov 2 : Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday blamed the Narendra Modi government for what he said was "detention" of the kin of an ex-serviceman who committed suicide and said "it is not the way to govern the country".

Gandhi, who was released from the Tilak Marg police station after his detaintion twice during the day, said he wanted to meet the bereaved family of Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal (retired) to share their pain but was not allowed to do so.

"It was the most difficult day for the family (of the Army veteran) but they were detained by the police for the entire day. I tried to meet the family but all four gates of the (Ram Manohar Lohia) hospital were closed," he said.

"The government must apologise to the family for its action (of detaining them). This is not the way. And this is not the way to govern India," the Congress leader said.

Gandhi said the detained family members were manhandled and beaten by police before they were whisked away to a police station.

"I said to police: If you arrest me I don't have any problem, but why detain the family members of the ex-soldier?" Gandhi said.

Delhi Police reports to the Home Ministry.

Grewal, 70, formerly of Rajputana Rifles, allegedly took poison at a park here on Tuesday evening over the demand for the immediate implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme.
New Delhi, Nov 2 : Former soldier Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal, who committed suicide on Tuesday was entitled to OROP but his pension was delayed due to some problem in calculation by his bank, defence ministry sources said on Wednesday.

Sources from the ministry said Grewal served the Territorial Army for six years and 11 months after which he was serving in the Defence Security Corps and was entitled to OROP.

The delay in receiving the revised pension was due to problems in calculation by the State Bank of India bank branch in Haryana's Bhiwani district, said sources, adding that the matter was being looked into.A

"Like his other colleagues, he should have approached the ex-serviceman welfare cell. His case could have been resolved amicably like hundreds of others even if he had directly approached the ministry," said an official.

Sources also said that as per the register, he did not seek any appointment with the defence minister.

Parrikar was out of Delhi on Wednesday, as he was on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

"His (Grewal) letters dated October 31 and his suicide on November 1 raises several questions. It also demands serious investigation about who was with him when he took the extreme step, who provided the poison and if anybody may have taken advantage of his troubled mind to provoke him to take the extreme step," said an official who did not want to be named.

Parrikar on Wednesday condoled the death and said he has sought information on it.

"Saddened by the death of Subdr. Ram Kishan Grewal. I express my heartfelt condolences. I have asked for officials to provide me details," Parrikar tweeted.

The minister also posted a fact sheet on OROP figures by September 2016, which said so far Rs 5,507.47 crore have been disbursed under OROP.

It said there were 20,63,763 beneficiaries before July 2014, and 1,50,313 cases are pending verification and authentication of beneficiaries.

In the first installment, Rs 3,886.88 crore had been disbursed to 19,12,520 pensioners, while 11,33,100 have received Rs 1,604.59 crore in the second round.

An official added that the Defence Minister himself has solved around 500 cases of complaints which were sent to him directly through email or other means.

"These include cases of veterans of 1950-60s also. He continues to receive a least 10-15 emails which are forwarded to the right agency as soon as possible," said the official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

"Most complaints relate to problems with banks in calculations. A large number of pensioners live in remote corners of the country where banks are still coming to grips with the new calculations. Defence Ministry has now arranged for special officers in such branches to ease out the task.

"Furthermore, banks have also been directed to release the OROP of those pensioners whose papers are not totally in place. Their confirmation would be done in due time, it has been instructed," the official added.
Nouakchott, Nov 3 : Al Qaeda's North African branch has launched its own magazine with a focus on Jihad, especially in Muslim countries of the region, reported the Mauritanian news site 'al-Akhbar'.

The magazine is called 'Al-Hoda' and has a Twitter account with a photo of one of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb's historic leaders, Abdelmalek Ould Sidi, who appears on the cover of the first issue.

The November issue features articles on Burma, on the "great battle" for control of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo and on the east Libyan city of Benghazi's besieged Islamist-held district of Ganfouda, al-Akhbar reports.

AQIM originated as the Algerian terror formation the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) which in 2003 pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda and in 2007 changed its name.
Chengdu J-20

Two Chengdu J-20 stealth fighters headlined China's Airshow China in Zhuhai on Tuesday, flying for just a few minutes, Reuters reports.

But Justin Bronk, a research fellow specializing in combat airpower at the Royal United Services Institute, said the display left many questions unanswered.

On paper, the J-20 represents a "big leap forward in terms of the capabilities of the PLA (People's Liberation Army) have on scene," Bronk said.

Compared with the US's fifth-generation fighter jets, the F-22 and the F-35, the J-20 has "longer range, more internal fuel capacity, and larger internal weapons capability," Bronk said.

This combination of factors presents a real risk to US forces in the Pacific. Long-range, capable strike fighters like the J-20 put the US AWACS, or airborne warning and control system, as well as "refueling tankers, and forward bases at risk much more than current types if flying in relatively large numbers" should any kind of kinetic conflict flare up in the Pacific, Bronk said.

David Goldfein, the chief of staff for the US Air Force, told Breaking Defense he was not overly troubled by the new Chinese jet.

"When I hear about F-35 versus J-20, it's almost an irrelevant comparison," Goldfein said in August.

Indeed, nothing indicates that the Chinese have built in the type of hyper connectivity and sensor fusions that make the US's fifth-generation fighters so groundbreaking. Of the F-35 in particular, Bronk said: "Pilots are not spending a huge amount of time managing inputs  the machine does it for him. It produces one unified picture, which he can then interrogate as required."

F-35 cockpit

This gives F-35 pilots a situational awareness the Chinese most likely leverage in combat.

Story continues

But what exactly goes on under the hood of the J-20 remains a mystery. What is known is that the Chinese have managed to steal a considerable amount of info from US defense aviation projects.

"We don't know how much F-35 technology the Chinese have managed to steal," Bronk said, adding that while it was "impossible to say for sure" what the J-20 is capable of, common sense dictates that the "the sensor fusion and network integration is significantly behind what the US has managed with the F-35 and F-22.

"This is purely based on the fact that sensor fusion has taken the most effort, time, and money," he continued.

But one-on-one combat scenarios or feature-for-feature comparisons don't capture the real threat of the J-20.

Long-range stealth fighters, if fielded in large numbers along with older Chinese aircraft, surface-to-air missile batteries, radar outposts, missiles, and electronic-warfare units, present another wrinkle in an already complicated and fraught operating envelope for US and allied forces in the Pacific.

But is it real?

Chengdu J-20

Whether the Chinese will actually be able to field this plane by 2018, as Beijing has projected, remains the real question.

Bronk pointed out that it took a decade between US developers building a flying model of the F-22 and getting real, capable F-22s in the air. Even if the Chinese have accelerated the process through espionage, Bronk says, "We know how much money and time it takes to make a lethal and effective fighter like the F-22," and it's "very unlikely that China is that far along."

Additionally, the J-20s in Zhuhai flew for only about one minute. They didn't do low passes. They didn't open up the weapons bay. They didn't do much except fly around a single time.

F-35 and F-22

"We learned very little," Greg Waldron, the Asia managing editor of FlightGlobal, told Reuters. "We learned it is very loud. But we can't tell what type of engine it has, or very much about the mobility."

Bronk speculates that the models on display at Airshow China were not much more than showpieces: "It's possible that the aircraft that were shown are still instrumented production aircraft," or planes with "loads of sensors to monitor performance" instead of in a combat-ready formation.

Bronk points out that the aircraft most likely flew with underpowered engines and not the engines that would fly on the final version. "Engine performance is a key function of any aircraft," he said, adding, "China and Russia continue to lag behind because of the really top-end manufacturing processes you need" to create and tune high-quality aircraft engines.

So while China's new "impressive low-observable heavy strike" fighters could change the balance of power in the Pacific, whether they can field the planes in significantly large numbers at any time in the near future remains an open question.

Watch footage of the J-20's flight below:

NOW WATCH: China flexes its military might by unveiling a new stealth fighter jet





More From Business Insider


According to HELPERS, a leading immigration and business services company in Hungary, recent changes to the Hungarian Investment Immigration Program have made it more attractive than ever.

For many years, the Hungarian Investment Immigration Program has been one of the most attractive in Europe, and as HELPERS explains, recent changes have improved it even further.

What Is The Hungarian Investment Immigration Program?

The basic idea behind the Hungarian Investment Immigration Program is that an investor can invest 300,000 Euros in a government-licensed investment fund in Hungary. After submitting the investment and the relevant paperwork, the investor and his or her family can apply for residency in Hungary, and receive permanent resident permits within thirty days.

Recent Updates

In July 2016, Hungary announced significant updates to the program that make it even more attractive. One of the biggest changes is the expansion in allowed family members. Previously, investors could get residency only for themselves, their spouses, and their dependent children. Now, investors can also get residency for their adult children and for their parents who are over 60 years of age.

Another significant update involves the waiting period to switch from temporary to permanent residency. Previously, investors and their families had to wait at least six months from the issue date of the temporary residence permits to apply for permanent residency. Now, investors dont need a temporary permit. Instead, they will get their permanent residency permit in just 30 days.

Finally, the latest update fixes a frustrating bug in the previous law. Investment immigrants have never been subject to a minimum stay requirement in Hungary prior to applying for permanent residency. However, the application used to ask for a Hungarian residence address. Therefore, even those who did not spend much time in Hungary were required to secure long-term accommodations. Thankfully, this query has now been removed.

To learn more about the Hungarian Investment Immigration Program, visit:

https://helpers.hu/services/immigration/investment-program/

About HELPERS

Since 2004, HELPERS has proudly provided business and immigration services to clients relocating to Hungary from all over the world. With a flexible, customized approach and intricate knowledge of all of the issues surrounding immigration to Hungary, we will help our clients through all stages of the process. For more information, or to start your journey toward Hungarian residency, prospective Hungarian residents are invited to visit https://helpers.hu/ or call +36-1-317-8570 or email at info(at)helpers(dot)hu today.
Sales post Brexit vs July - September 2015 "The profile of the buyers at the property shows in Britain has changed. 62% of the buyers at the September 2016 shows said they wanted to buy within the next 6 months against 45% in 2015" explains Joanna Leggett, Marketing Director.

Leggett Immobilier, the estate agents chosen by one out of ten British buyers in France, has released their sales figures.

The number of properties sold to British clients, between July and October 2016 is equal to last years figures during the same period of time:



July 2015 Vs. July 2016: -2.2%*

August 2015 Vs. August 2016: -0.7%*

September 2015 Vs. September 2016: +2.9%*

In September, Leggett Immobilier was at the French Property Show in London and at the A Place In the Sun show in Birmingham. Our head of marketing, Joanna Leggett, noticed that the profile of the visitors has changed. They no longer come to be convinced to cross the Channel; they have already made their mind up. 62% of the buyers at the September 2016 shows said they wanted to buy within the next 6 months. In September 2015, only 45% had the same intent.

Leggett Immobilier received over 14,384 enquiries from the UK over the last three months. Despite Brexit, British buyers remain very active on the French market.

--- END ----

*Source: Leggett Immobilier sale figures

Note to editors:

Leggett Immobilier, the French Estate Agency, was created in the Dordogne nearly 20 years ago and is the first stop for British buyers looking for property in France. With over 500 agents in the whole of the country, teams of experts at the head office and a strong presence at the main property shows in the UK, Leggett Immobilier is the leading agency specialised in the needs of British buyers in France.

for further information and case studies, please contact: Alicia Mitchell: alicia(at)leggett.fr +33 (0) 763 124 644
Taxamo has created this product following huge market demand for service which takes the burden of VAT compliance away for businesses, said Taxamo CEO John McCarthy.

Assure is the service that digital businesses have craved since tax authorities across the globe started to alter rules and target eCommerce for VAT and GST purposes.

This new, secure product can take on all global VAT and sales tax liabilities and remove every regulatory obstacle for digital businesses. All without the business having to change its payment provider.

For digital businesses this means:



No registration with tax authorities for VAT obligations

No foreign VAT advice

No foreign VAT agents

No creation of VAT returns

No filing of VAT returns

No management of complex multi-currency VAT liabilities

No settlement of VAT to multiple tax authorities

No management of foreign VAT audits

On launch Taxamo Assure is supporting Stripe, with support for more PSPs to follow. The Taxamo Assure service launches with support for the EU region and New Zealand. Taxamos stated goal for Taxamo Assure is to support every country that taxes foreign digital sales, ensuring peace of mind for customers.

Stress-free global sales

Its time for digital businesses to completely remove global digital VAT & GST liabilities from their product roadmaps and begin to trade stress-free.

Using Taxamos peerless expertise in global digital VAT compliance, and extensive background in payments, Taxamo have created Assure to be the foundation for this trading environment.

Taxamo has created this product following huge market demand for a service which takes the burden of VAT compliance away for businesses, said Taxamo CEO John McCarthy.

With large numbers of countries around the world bringing in consumer place of supply rules for VAT on digital services such an offer will be the most cost-effective, and secure, way for digital businesses to sell legally worldwide.

McCarthy added: What this means is that the seller can concentrate on what they are good at: creating and selling digital services. The Taxamo Assure service will take care of the rest: so digital businesses can rest assured.

"One simple integration allows digital businesses to pass their global VAT liabilities to Taxamo. We give digital businesses the certainty they need to remain VAT-compliant in the ever-changing world of global digital taxation".

How will Taxamo Assure work?

Taxamo Assure will act as an interface for supported countries. For VAT purposes the digital business will be deemed to sell the products to Taxamo Assure, which will then simultaneously sell to the end customer. This will be recognised with back-to-back invoices.

Taxamo Assure will also make it simple to be tax-compliant across the globe by:

Providing a fully-functional payment form that will handle the integration between Taxamo and Stripe (support for additional PSPs will follow)

Determining the tax treatment of every transaction using the customers location based on multiple pieces of evidence collected from the Assure checkout form

Calculating the tax based on the location

Providing fully-compliant invoicing to ensure the liability is properly assigned

Storing the data for compliance and audit purposes

Providing Taxamos full tax reporting for any country/region where the business has the VAT or GST liability

About Taxamo

Taxamos international digital tax solutions enable digital service businesses to comply with new worldwide consumer place of supply rules for VAT/GST.

Taxamo's simple integrations meet the requirements of international digital tax laws on tax calculation, reporting, and invoicing. Taxamo also offer businesses a simple, cost-effective, and reliable way to stay compliant.

Taxamo launched with an EU VAT solution in January 2015 and has since expanded to support US digital tax (sales & use), Japanese consumption tax (JCT), South African VAT, Norways VAT system, Switzerland VAT, Canadian domestic sales tax, South Korean VAT, and the recently-extended New Zealand GST on digital services. Further regions will be introduced as they roll out worldwide.

Existing Taxamo customers include BBC Worldwide, BitTorrent, Penguin Random House, and Time Inc., among many others. In addition, Taxamo has announced a number of strategic partnerships including Braintree Payments and WooCommerce.

Contact us:

Visit our website: http://www.taxamo.com/assure

UK: +44 333 4050 030

US: +1 415 9065 165

Ireland: +353 1 4866320
In a previously funded project, a student designs a 3D object at Helensview Alternative High School in Portland, OR. ..the funded grants have the potential to transform learners and the process of learning itself!

Connecting students to the real world increases the relevance of activities in school. That is the focus of many educational enrichment projects the McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation (MDEF) is recognizing this year. Whether its using music and craft to connect learners with their past in a more tangible way, or giving them the resources to concentrate on their future, the MDEF is supporting educators who help students connect to learning by exploration of the real world. Theyve also invested in projects utilizing the emerging technologies of virtual and augmented reality that will help connect students to faraway places and help provide a more complete understanding of their environment.

Not only will these projects broaden students views of the world while connecting them to a sense of place, the funded grants have the potential to transform learners and the process of learning itself! said Sarah J. McCarthey, President of the Foundation which awarded over $160,000 in grants and scholarships for the 2016-17 academic year.

While the projects take a variety of forms, connection is a clear theme.

Making a real-world connection to history, the Cigar Box Guitar Odyssey is an exciting project designed to take fourth-grade gifted students on a cultural journey. Discovery and self-directed learning will keep students engaged as they research the Delta origin of the Blues, learn principles of acoustics, apply physics of sound, and utilize math process skills. All of these efforts will be integrated to support students in creating their own functional piece of folk art: a cigar box guitar. As they make their instruments, children will research the history behind their creation and of the origin of the Blues genre --the foundation of American music that originated in their home state of Mississippi.

While history is important, its just as vital to connect students to their future. The aims of the Ronan Student Nursing Partnership (RSNP) are simple and precise. The partnership includes Ronan High School, St. Luke Community Hospital and the Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, MT. In this community nursing students are usually obligated to fundraise in order to participate in a Certified Nursing Assistant program taking away valuable time to study. By allocating funds to cover the cost of entry, the RSNP frees up student time to devote to pursue life-saving skills.

The 3D Augmented Reality Sandbox project is breaking new ground in the classroom. This project will support the creation of an augmented reality 3D sandbox to support inquiry-based learning of earth science concepts through hands-on investigation, prediction, and simulations. This technology takes an abstract concept that was taught with wall maps and still images to make science learning more active and engaging.

The educators putting together the project A New Vision: Using Google Cardboard to Promote Experiential Learning are shedding the constraints of the physical reality and immersing themselves in virtual, experiential learning. Unfortunately, experiential learning is often limited by time, money, and support, especially for children who live in an urban environment where resources can be scarce. It can be difficult and expensive to bring students on field trips; and they are limited to the immediate vicinity of the school. Through Google Cardboard and virtual reality, the expense and difficulty of field trips are overcome and students are able to experience new places from their classroom.

In 2016-17, the Foundation has funded four new Academic Enrichment Grants at schools serving minority and economically disadvantaged students; three Teacher Development grants with similar demographics; and three student teacher scholarships. Recipients include:

Academic Enrichment Grant Recipients



Merijke Coenraad, A New Vision: Using Google Cardboard to Promote Experiential Learning  Brighton, MA

Victoria Rudolph, Cigar Box Guitar Odyssey  Gautier, MS

Ron Fritz, 3D Augmented Reality Sandbox  Athens, PA

Chris Briske, Ronan Student Nursing Partnership  Ronan, MT

Teacher Development Grant Recipients



Cindy Seckel, Full STEAM Ahead  Sumter, NC

Lisa Cartwright, Math and Maritime Place-Based Learning  M2PBL Port Townsend, WA

Erica Koudelka, Collaborative Dialogues and Interventions  Understanding Middle-Grades Student Disengagement Forest Park, IL

Student Teaching Scholarship Recipients



Joneshia Cransford, Stephen F. Austin State University

Yesenia Campos, University of California, Santa Cruz

Anthony Garcia, University of California, Santa Cruz

The mission of McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation (mccartheydressman.org) is to serve as a catalyst in maximizing the skills and creativity of educators at the K-12 levels and in cultivating pioneering approaches to teaching that result in dynamic student learning. The Foundation sponsors proposals that enhance student learning and educational quality, paying particular attention to those that best serve under-funded schools. The application deadline is April 15 of each year for proposals with significant potential to enrich the educational experiences for youth.
Gladiator Lacrosse at DICK'S Sporting Goods We are excited to be part of the growth of lacrosse and to be able to offer even more of our customers a line of superior quality products which players can trust

Gladiator Lacrosse is proud to announce that DICKS Sporting Goods will be carrying the entire line of Gladiator products online and initially in select stores across the country in time for the 2016 holiday season. Gladiator Lacrosse excels at engineering premium lacrosse practice equipment designed to improve a players game. The high-caliber Casey Powell Signature Collection will also be available at DICKS Sporting Goods selected retail stores as well as offered online.

For Gladiator Lacrosse, making its practice equipment more readily available to lacrosse athletes is one of the goals of partnering with DICKS Sporting Goods. We are excited to be part of the growth of lacrosse and to be able to offer even more of our customers a line of superior quality products which players can trust, said Rachel Zietz, CEO and Founder of Gladiator Lacrosse. I understand the need to have quality lacrosse gear easily accessible to athletes with the convenience of picking up the equipment and practicing that same day; which is why Im delighted to be able to offer our products on shelves at DICKS.

Currently, Gladiator Lacrosses product line consists of practice goals, rebounders, training targets, replacement nets and accessories. The Gladiator Lacrosse Goals and Rebounders are official game size and made with all-weather, polyester netting and durable all-steel frames that assemble in minutes. The Casey Powell Signature Collection is a superior product line of practice equipment designed to break training barriers for its first-of-its-kind professional-grade materials and elegant design features. but the Signature Collection also includes exclusive training guides designed by Casey Powell himself, revealing his never before shared practice methods.

Lacrosse is currently the fastest growing sport in America, and over the past decade, the trend is even stronger with participation more than doubling over that timeframe. This expansion is another step in Gladiator Lacrosses strategic growth endeavors, especially in the lacrosse market and serves to further solidify its stellar second quarter performance. Offering superior lacrosse equipment at DICKS Sporting Goods locations will now allow lacrosse players to have the in-store personal experience of purchasing the best quality lacrosse equipment available without the need to search the internet for worthy lacrosse products.

About Gladiator Lacrosse: Gladiator Lacrosse was founded in 2013 by then-12-year-old entrepreneur and lacrosse player, Rachel Zietz. In addition to being recognized by Floridas Governor Rick Scott in his 2016 State of the State address, Gladiator and its founder have been featured in many publications, including Forbes, The New York Times, TIME Inc., Entrepreneur Magazine, Fortune Magazine, South Florida Business Journal, Upstart Business Journals (Upstart 100 for 2016) and Inc.com. Rachel has also been a featured speaker for numerous professional and youth organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerces Corporate Citizenship Conference, Young Presidents Organization (YPO), Ciscos Girls Power Tech Global Conference, Extraordinary Women Leading Change Conference, as well as multiple Chambers of Commerce, schools and universities nationwide. She is also a board member of the Casey Powell World Lacrosse Foundation. Gladiator will continue to produce products with an uncompromising attention to detail in an effort to improve players games.
The Help Holly Help Grant Challenges have assisted by raising $49,135 in the month of October.

On Sunday, October 22, Covenant Enabling Residences of Illinois (CER) hosted their Fall Gala. At their last gala event, Covenant Enabling Residences of Illinois raised only $14,000 total. Holly Geraci decided to pitch in and Help Holly Help (http://www.HelpHollyHelp.com) extended a one night Gala Grant Challenge.

Unlike Help Holly Helps typical challenges, Covenant Enabling Residences of Illinois had only one night to raise up to $10,000 as part of the matching challenge. The guests at the Gala didnt disappoint.

This year, without matching contributions, Gala attendees raised over $26,000. With Peter Francis Geraci and Holly Geracis Matching Grant, CER will be gaining at least $36,000. But the donations didnt stop or start at the Fall Gala.

Shortly after Help Holly Help linked CER on their website, and indicated they would match money pledged dollar for dollar, notice of donations started to come in through the Help Holly Help Website (http://www.helphollyhelp.com). Even after the Challenge ended, and it was clear the challenge was successful, donations continued.

Help Holly Help thinks, "This specific challenge helped greatly. With the State of Illinois still in a budget crisis, organizations like Covenant Enabling Residences of Illinois need all the help they can get. Because Illinois failed to create a fair budget and submit on time payments, Covenant Enabling Residences of Illinois started the year $100,000 behind; and this money goes directly towards servicing individuals with developmental disabilities. The money contributed at the Gala Event, and matched by Mrs. Geraci, has helped put a large dent in CERs yearly budget deficit."

It is thrilling to see a community come together to help those in need. That is what communities are all about. We are happy to HELP and congratulations to everyone who did the same, said attorney Peter Francis Geraci.

Julie Smith, the administrator at Covenant Enabling Residences of Illinois said, Covenant Enabling Residences of Illinois reached its goal in one special evening where friends and families gathered for the Fall Harvest Gala on October 23, 2016, surpassing our goal of $10,000 so that the generous foundation Help Holly Help will match our funds. We are so thankful for everyones thoughtful gifts. The funds are going directly to the residents to help us continue to provide quality services to adults with developmental disabilities.

The Help Holly Help Grant Challenges have assisted by raising $49,135 in the month of October.
On the 1-2nd Dec at the Omni Galleria, over 500 Project Leads at Petrochemical Companies such as; BASF, Sasol, NOVA Chem, INEOS, Sasol, TOTAL, Westlake, Dupont Lyondellbasell, ExxonMobil, INVISTA, Kuraray North America & Yuhuang Chemical, + many more  will gather to discuss how to optimize the fast-growing Plastic Resin and Bulk Liquid petrochemical supply chains.

Organizers promise this year's conference will be bigger and better than any before, featuring a brand new multi-track agenda which allows delegates to join focused sessions based on their focus in either Plastic Resins or Bulk Liquid. Additionally, on opening night, delegates will be treated to a networking drinks reception at the Omni Galleria, which will gather the movers and shakers of North Americas petrochemical supply chain market for a party to remember.

Although in its early years, this firmly established conference is well attended by Producers, Transportation Companies (rail, 3PLs, shipping, trucking), Ports and vendors alike, and organizations who attended in previous years have spoken very highly of the format, speakers and topics covered, with Brent Railey, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company saying The conference is a great opportunity to hear from and meet the key players in the resin export sector: Producers, Warehousing, Packagers, and Trucking companies.

Building on the success of previous years, the event's organizers aim to focus on topics and issues that are critical to this constantly-changing industry, and to bring together the most innovative and forward thinking petrochemical producers & transportation companies who can contribute to new thinking on driving efficiency, reliability and transparency across the petrochemical supply chain.

Mel Pinks, Commercial Director at Odfjell promises the conference will be a A valuable conference for all functions of the US Gulf reliant petrochemical industry, detailing forward capacity projections and the associated constraints.

Petrochemical Supply Chain & Export Logistics 2016 is where the North American petrochemical construction industry comes to do business. For more information, please contact: Emily McMahon at emily(at)petchem-update(dot)com

Visit the website for more information of the event here: http://www.petchem-update.com/petrochemical-supplychain/
Chalk art plays to people's imaginations. It creates possibilities without expectations." - Cory von Wallentein, CEO, Adored

Local businesses have long struggled to put their limited marketing dollars toward the efforts that will yield the highest returns. Turns out the most powerful marketing they can create may be an unexpected one: chalk art on a chalkboard. Consumers who viewed chalk art were 46% more willing to visit a cafe, restaurant or bar than if they had seen a print advertisement and 10% more willing to visit than if they had seen a photo of that establishments food. The findings are the result of a new survey commissioned by Adored, Inc., of 1,000 consumers from across the United States.

While chalk art significantly increased the willingness of consumers to enter a local business, it also had an impact on the consumers perception of authenticity. Those surveyed were shown either a print, photo or chalk art advertisement containing the same product and messaging for a cafe, restaurant or bar, and were then asked whether that ad increased the authenticity of that business. Only 56% of those who saw the print advertisement and 67% of those who viewed the photo thought that business was authentic. However, 74% of those who viewed the chalk art believed in the authenticity of the establishment.

These are critical findings for a businesss bottom line because authenticity has an impact on sales. Sixty-three percent of customers are more likely to buy from an authentic brand, according to Bonfire Marketing. Additionally, consumers are much more likely to become brand ambassadors for companies they deem authentic.

Great chalk art represents passion, said Alexandra Horton, owner of Cafe la Reine in Manchester, New Hampshire. If a business is willing to invest that kind of creativity and commitment to their advertising, then I know that is going to translate over to their atmosphere, experience and food.

While its no surprise that chalk art is more impactful than print content, it is interesting that it rated higher than even Instagram-filtered photographs. There is no denying the popularity of photos. In 2015 alone, it is estimated that one trillion photos were taken. Yet, photos and advertising food have always had a complicated relationship.

A beautifully-staged photo creates an unrealistic expectation of what a customer is actually going to receive, said Cory von Wallenstein, CEO of Adored, the company that commissioned the survey. Consumers have been trained to not trust that type of photo. This can impact a businesss authenticity. Additionally, if you see a photo of food you have a visceral reaction based on whether or not you are hungry. Potentially alienating 50% of your audience isnt the best marketing strategy. Chalk art plays to peoples imaginations. It creates possibilities without expectations.

The holy grail of marketing is influencing customer behavior and chalk art has the ability to do just that. After viewing the print, photo and chalk advertisements of ten local businesses, those surveyed were asked Do you want to go there now? Once again, chalk art prevailed, with 56% agreeing they wanted to go there now, while only 38% of those who viewed the print ad and 51% of those who saw the photo felt the same way.

Chalk art has the power to reach all people, said chalk artist Gianna Masella. And a well-designed chalkboard is a piece of art first and an advertisement second. In a world that is becoming increasingly corporate and homogenized, chalk art represents something unique and something local. It is what people are looking for, so Im not surprised it is resonating.

While chalkboard art increased positive attitudes toward businesses, it also drastically reduced negative attitudes. For example, 21% of those who viewed a photo disagreed that they would want to go to that business while 9% disagreed that it was authentic. The numbers were even higher for print content in which 29% disagreed that they would go there and 14% disagreed that it was authentic. Of those who viewed chalk art content,16% disagreed that they would visit the establishment while 5% disagreed that it was authentic, marking a significant improvement in reducing negative attitudes over both photo and print content.

It's great to see a study prove the power of great chalk art. I know our customers love it, and the study proves it, said Mike Greenberg from SubCulture in Denver, Colorado.

Read the entire report here.
As our patient population grows, APSHO provides an essential voice to ensure our places on the front lines of patient care.

The Advanced Practitioner Society for Hematology and Oncology (APSHO) today announced that Anne Courtney, ACNP-BC, AOCNP, and Kate Jeffers, PharmD, BCOP, have been elected to serve on APSHOs Board of Directors. They begin their terms on November 4, 2016, at the APSHO Annual Meeting that takes place in conjunction with the JADPRO Live at APSHO conference in National Harbor, MD.

As APSHO continues to grow, it is essential that we expand our leadership to reflect the skills and expertise of advanced practitioners in oncology, said Pamela Hallquist Viale, RN, MS, CNS, ANP, APSHO President. Ms. Courtney and Dr. Jeffers both exemplify their commitment to providing interprofessional care for people with cancer through the collaborative practice model.

Im honored to have the opportunity to give back to the oncology community while serving on the APSHO Board, stated Ms. Courtney.

As our patient population grows, APSHO provides an essential voice to ensure our places on the front lines of patient care, emphasized Dr. Jeffers.

APSHO was founded only two short years ago with significant and steady growth in membership  today there are more than 1,200 NP, PA, and PharmD APSHO members.

Anne Courtney, ACNP-BC, AOCNP, is a nurse practitioner at Texas Oncology-Round Rock with more than nine years of inpatient and outpatient nursing experience in both academic and nonacademic settings and with a focus on medical oncology and oncology thoracic surgery. She has led efforts championing the role of the AP by initiating NP quality measures and standards within the Division of Thoracic Surgery at UCLA.

Kate Jeffers, PharmD, BCOP, is an Ambulatory Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and PGY1 Residency Program Director at UCHealth  Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO. She provides direct patient care and education to patients at all stages of their disease. A longtime supporter of APSHO, Jeffers has been published in the official journal of APSHO, the Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology (JADPRO), and has been a speaker at past JADPRO Live at APSHO conferences.

About APSHO

The Advanced Practitioner Society for Hematology and Oncology (APSHO) is a society for advanced practitioners  nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants, pharmacists, and other oncology health-care professionals. The mission of APSHO is to actualize oncology patient care that is high quality, cost effective, and delivered through collaborative practice models by optimizing the role of the advanced practitioner as an integral member of the care team.

About JADPRO

The Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology (JADPRO) is the official journal of APSHO and is the only medical journal written by and for advanced practitioners. JADPRO is a peer-reviewed journal indexed in PubMed.

About JADPRO Live at APSHO

JADPRO Live at APSHO is a medical conference inspired by the Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology. This years meeting will take place from November 36, 2016 at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Maryland.

About Harborside Press

Harborside Press is a medical media company based in Huntington, New York. It is the publisher of the Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology (JADPRO), The ASCO Post, JNCCN  Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and the Journal of Oncology Practice. Harborside Press provides the management services for APSHO and is the organizer of the JADPRO Live at APSHO conference.

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VisualSP Inline SharePoint Help Now companies that wish to upgrade to SharePoint 2016 can get their users to adopt the latest version quickly.

Today VisualSP announced its release of the Help System for SharePoint 2016, adding to the company's stable of on-demand training and performance support products. The addition of the SharePoint 2016 help solution comes at a busy time for the company. It has just released an important update to its Help System line, and it is nearing the public beta release for its VisualSP Training for Office 365 solution.

"We are excited to be helping users learn and master Microsoft's latest SharePoint release," explained VisualSP CEO and founder Asif Rehmani. "Our team worked very hard to put this solution together, so we could launch this year. Now companies that wish to upgrade to SharePoint 2016 can get their users to adopt the latest version quickly."

The Help for SharePoint 2016 version adds a Help ribbon tab to the following contexts:



Libraries, including document libraries, wiki page library, and publishing pages library

Lists, including announcements list, calendar list, and contacts list

Settings, including library settings, list settings, and site settings

Multimedia training artifacts include videos, quick reference screenshots, and step-by-step PDFs. Studies have shown that micro-training modules, such as those contained in the system, have a significant impact on training retention, task mastery, and user adoption.

VisualSP customers who are covered under the Software Assurance or Premium Support plans can receive the new version at no cost. For more information about the Help System for SharePoint 2016, visit the company's website at http://www.visualsp.com.

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VisualSP has been a leader in Elearning/performance support integrations with SharePoint since 2004. Once a leader in SharePoint training videos, VisualSP introduced its on-demand, inline Help System for SharePoint to assist end users in developing mastery over common SharePoint tasks. The company is led by Microsoft MVP and MCT Asif Rehmani. To learn more, visit http://www.visualsp.com.
Ten community projects are finalists in Grinnell Mutuals Working Together Making It Better grant initiative. Now they need your votes!

The public is invited to vote for project finalists on the companys Facebook page. With help from its Facebook fans, Grinnell Mutual will distribute $3,500 in grants to three nonprofit organizations.

People living and working in rural areas know what it takes to make a community a better place, said Director of Advertising and Community Relations Barb Baker. Each vote on Grinnell Mutuals Facebook page will help decide which projects will receive one of the three grants.

Working Together Making It Better recognizes the efforts of people across rural communities who are working to enhance their town facilities and landmarks, support their neighbors, and educate their children. These grants are Grinnell Mutuals way of celebrating community collaboration and recognizing innovative community projects.

Working Together Making It Better finalists:

1. The Winterset Dog Park Project in Winterset, Iowa, wants to build fencing for a community off-leash dog park, a multi-phase project nearing completion. The park will serve Wintersets 1,290 registered dogs, the local 4-H clubs dog project, and animal care groups.

2. The Friends of Mallard, Iowa, want to build a digital sign to alert Mallard residents to local events and news.

3. Coonskin Cap Brigade in Bellefontaine, Ohio, wants to launch a summer youth program to teach area children outdoor and wilderness skills. The program will also focus on wildlife conservation. The grant would pay for new archery equipment and materials.

4. Tinker Tots Preschool in Bedford, Iowa, wants to replace leaky, unsafe windows in the towns only child-care center.

5. Tails to Trails in Waupaca, Wis., wants to create wheelchair accessible paths in a multi-use dog park. The park will provide safe hiking areas, agility training, bird watching, and environmental studies for everyone in the community.

6. Go! Streets Go in Bismarck, N.D., wants to encourage physical and community activities by intermittent, temporary street closures. Closed streets provide a fun and safe environment for people to be active and to learn just how easy it can be to get around their community without a car.

7. West Central Initiative in Barnesville, Minn., want to purchase a side-by-side utility vehicle to be used at special events and for off-road rescues that cannot accommodate a full-size ambulance.

8. Dickinson State University's Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program in Dickinson, N.D., wants to promote a Texting and Driving campaign to educate people about the dangers of distracted driving. The campaign was formed in honor of the late Janae Moore, who was killed in 2014 while texting and driving.

9. New Market Museum in New Market, Iowa, wants to restore a restroom in a historic school building being repurposed as a museum and community center.

10. Amp Up the Amp in Mount Carmel, Ill., wants to build an outdoor stage for community concerts and events.

Voting is now open. To vote, visit Grinnell Mutuals Facebook page. Voting ends Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m. CT. The three finalists with the most votes will receive $2,000, $1,000, and $500, respectively, and the winners will be announced on Nov. 16. Vote for your favorite now!

For more information or photos:

Dan McCue

Digital Marketing Strategist

Grinnell Mutual

(641) 269-8289

dmccue(at)gmrc(dot)com
Seattle Police Department COO Brian Maxey Seattle becomes the first city to make off-duty cops available through an online marketplace.

As Seattle experiences unprecedented growth, the Seattle Police Department fields an exploding number of inquiries seeking off-duty police resources. CopsForHire was selected as an off-duty solution by Seattle PD after months of vetting by its leadership.

CopsForHire is an online marketplace that allows individuals and businesses to hire off-duty cops to secure their private events or properties. The self-service website streamlines the process of connecting departments, cops available to work off-duty and customers looking for increased security from law enforcement.

We sought a solution that would enhance accountability and transparency around secondary employment, allowing the department greater visibility into the process. remarked Brian Maxey, Chief Operating Officer with the Seattle Police Department. CopsForHire simplifies the entire process for everyone  the department, the officers, and employers  while providing better information around when, where, and how much work our commissioned officers are doing off-duty.

Seattle PD is once again leading, commented Rob McDermott, CopsForHire CEO. We could not be more excited over bringing this breakthrough to law enforcement, and knowing it is starting right here in Seattle. They were the first in the nation to use bike patrols in 1987, and now the first to bring automation to off-duty management.

Similar to using eBay or Uber, CopsForHire is a self-service marketplace. Customers simply login and request a cop. Once approved by the department, the job is posted and cops automatically receive notification of available jobs. Once jobs are accepted and completed, time cards and payments are automated. All parties enjoy access to full reporting of their off-duty activities.

Seattle area businesses interested in hiring off-duty Seattle cops can now visit https://www.copsforhire.com/ to get started.

About CopsForHire

CopsForHire is the first and only online marketplace for hiring off-duty, commissioned law officers. The company was the creation of 18-year law enforcement veteran Andrew Finley and co-founded by Seattle-area entrepreneur, David Bluhm. CopsForHire worked with several Washington State agencies for nearly 2 years to fully understand and serve the specific needs of off-duty management before launching in 2016. The CopsForHire.com online site is free to both departments and cops while providing departments with total management control over their off duty work. The company is headquartered in Olympia, WA.

Visit http://www.copsforhire.com.

Company Contact:

Rob McDermott, CEO: 206-954-2929

press(at)copsforhire(dot)com
"Costco is renowned for its commitment to passing along cost savings to its members, Blake Hall said. ID.me is grateful for the opportunity to work with Costco in order to provide military families with exceptional value."

ID.me, a leading digital identity provider for federal agencies and large consumer brands, is expanding its partnership with Costco Wholesale Corporation to offer a military discount to new Costco members. This program will allow active duty military members, veterans, reservists and their families to receive exclusive coupons when they join the membership warehouse club.

Blake Hall, the CEO and co-founder of ID.me, is a former Army Ranger who merited a Bronze Star with Valor for his military service during the Iraq War. He said that the partnership with Costco is a chance for both brands to give back to the military community.

"Costco is renowned for its commitment to passing along cost savings to its members, Hall said. ID.me is grateful for the opportunity to work with Costco in order to provide military families with exceptional value."

Costco members who verify their military status through Troop ID will receive three free products valued at more than $50 when they join Costco as new members. To take advantage of this offer, verified users must purchase a Costco Membership Activation Certificate online and bring it to their local Costco.

Costcos 87 million members enjoy multiple tiers of membership. A Gold Star or Business Membership is $55 a year. An Executive Membership is an additional $55 upgrade fee a year. The military membership offer allows ID.me users to purchase two Membership Activation Certificates that can be used to purchase one Executive Membership.

Signing up for ID.me is free for all users.

ID.me previously partnered with Costco to provide discounts to police officers, firefighters, and EMTs through First Responder ID. The success of this program spurred Costco to explore extending a similar offer to the military.

About ID.me

ID.me is an American digital identity company that makes it more convenient for individuals and organizations to interact in a trusted manner. ID.me is one of four Single Sign On providers that meet the federal governments most rigorous requirements for online identity proofing and authentication. The ID.me Identity Gateway offers a single integration point for organizations to easily consume best-in-class solutions from many different identity and authentication vendors.

About Costco Wholesale Corporation

Based in Issaquah, Washington, Costco Wholesale Corporation currently operates 715 warehouses worldwide, including 501 in the United States. Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Korea and Taiwan.
One Simple Decision Includes Interactive Quizzes to Reinforce the Consequences of Drugged Driving Its as close to real life as you can get without putting someone in harms way, said Todd Emanuel, Mayo Clinic Emergency Services.

Virtual Driver Interactive (VDI), the leading provider of simulation-based driver training solutions for commercial and education applications, announced their newest release of One Simple Decision, a consequence-based distracted and impaired driving deterrent program, focusing on the use of over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, and illegal drugs and their effects on driving.

With at least 20 states considering marijuana legalization this year, there are serious concerns about the increased potential for drug-impaired driving. When you combine teens inexperienced driving with the use of drugs that effect cognitive and motor abilities, the results can be tragic. In fact, in May 2016, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reported that the percentage of drivers involved in fatal crashes who recently used marijuana more than doubled in Washington after the state legalized the drug.

Driving simulators equipped with the One Simple Decision program emphasize the consequences associated with drugged driving and how they affect driver safety by impairing vehicle control and judgment. Through the combination of driving simulation, interactive quizzes, intense interactions and first-person consequences videos with real officers, judges and doctors, drivers are immersed in a gut wrenching personal experience that results from One Simple Decision they chose to make when driving. The simulation experience was created with the direct participation of law enforcement, judicial and trauma personnel highlighting the risks of driving impaired by alcohol, fatigue orlegal/illegal drugs. The program not only scores driving infractions but also focuses on the actual legal, physical and psychological costs associated with impaired driving.

The resulting outcome of One Simple Decisions unique first-hand experience provides a powerful reference for future decision making, ultimately modifying future driving behaviors. In fact, survey results to date prove that One Simple Decision is effective in changing the behavior of teens: Seventy-one (71%) percent stated that the consequences of driving impaired were worse or much worse than they originally thought.

Its as close to real life as you can get without putting someone in harms way, said Todd Emanuel, Mayo Clinic Emergency Services.

Industry-leading hospitals, insurance agencies, law enforcement, non profits, schools and more are already using One Simple Decision: Childrens Hospital of Pittsburg, Illinois State Police, Mayo Clinic, AAA, Florida Department of Highway Safety, New Jersey Manufacturers, US Air Force, US Army, Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, and more.

Drugged driving is on the rise and will inevitably increase with marijuana legalization, said Bob Davis, CEO and founder of VDI. Our rapidly growing customer base shows there is a real need for solutions in preventing further injuries due to drug impaired driving and we are proud that VDI is helping provide that answer.

Click to watch a demo. Additional One Simple Decision customer success stories can be found by visiting the companys website at http://www.driverinteractive.com.

About Virtual Driver Interactive, Inc.

Virtual Driver Interactive (VDI) is well known in the simulation industry for its vision of innovative simulation-based training. From training experienced corporate fleets to new teen drivers, VDI delivers effective training. By offering a wide range of system hardware options, VDIs customers can expect highly portable, affordable and effective solutions. VDI program titles include Virtual HD (Virtual Hazard Detection), the premier product in VDIs voice integrated training portfolio designed specifically for corporate fleet programs; One Simple Decision, a deterrent to distracted or impaired driving; Virtual DE (Virtual Driving Essentials), a driver training and assessment program teaching drivers critical skills essential to safe driving; and Boating Skills VT (Boating Skills Virtual Trainer), industrys leading simulation-based boating safety program. VDI is a privately-held company headquartered in El Dorado Hills, California. For more information about VDIs innovative interactive simulation driver training solutions, please visit http://www.driverinteractive.com.
The State Bar of California Committee of Bar Examiners and the Board of Trustees of Monterey College of Law have approved the opening of Kern County College of Law as an accredited branch of Monterey College of Law. The new Bakersfield, California law school is scheduled to open in Summer 2017.

We are delighted to extend our family of non-profit, accredited law school locations to serve the communities of Kern County, announced Mitchel Winick, President and Dean of Monterey College of Law. Kern County represents one of the largest regions in California that does not have local access to an accredited law school program. With a regional population of almost a million people and an economy fueled by the energy, agriculture, and ranching industries, we see this as an important opportunity to respond to the education needs of a large underserved population. As a part-time, evening program, our law school provides traditional and non-traditional students the opportunity to pursue a valuable legal education."

Over the past several months, we have been meeting with local lawyers, judges, community leaders, and higher education representatives to discuss whether the community thinks that an accredited non-profit law school will be successful, said Fred Herro, Chair of the MCL Board of Trustees. The response was positive across the board.

Unlike many for-profit schools, our program focus is on providing community education, not corporate profit, said Winick. We think that this distinction makes a real difference in the quality of education that we provide and our interest in building a long-term relationship with the community.

Monterey College of Law was founded more than 44 years ago by a group of local lawyers and judges who wanted to bring legal education to the California Central Coast. Similar to the current situation in Kern County, there was not an option for attending an accredited law school program without moving out of the area. MCL was the answer, utilizing local lawyers and judges to teach evening courses so that students would not have to give up their day jobs in order to attend law school. The law school continues to use the same model to this very day.

In 2015, the school expanded by opening San Luis Obispo College of Law as an accredited branch of MCL under new accreditation rules approved by the State Bar of California. San Luis Obispo represents a region with an extraordinary higher education community centered around the 20,000 students at Cal Poly, and yet had no local accredited law school program, said Winick. Opening in Summer 2015, the program quickly grew beyond its initial downtown location and recently took over the former University of LaVerne campus located in the growing business district surrounding the San Luis Obispo airport.

We anticipate a similar positive response in Kern County. As we met with local higher education leaders, we discovered that CSU Bakersfield and Bakersfield College both have very strong pre-law programs. By working collaboratively with these schools, we expect to develop strong local feeder-programs for students who wish to complete a legal graduate education program without having to move out of the region, said Winick.

Our school is also unique because under California law, as a state-accredited law school, applicants are not required to have a bachelors degree. This means that high-achieving students from CSU Bakersfield and Bakersfield College who have successfully completed their A.A., or at least 60-units of undergraduate studies, are eligible to apply, said Dean of Admissions Wendy LaRiviere. It is also important to know that because we are an accredited law school, our students are not required to take and pass the First Year Law Student Exam, otherwise known as the Baby Bar. This is an important distinction between accredited and unaccredited law schools, because students who fail the Baby Bar after the first year of law school are dismissed and are ineligible to re-enroll in any other law school for at least two years, cautioned LaRiviere.

We also believe strongly that the quality of a law school program should be measured by the experience and reputation of its administration and faculty, said Winick. We are pleased and excited that C.M. 'Bud' Starr has agreed to serve as our founding Campus Dean for the KCCL campus. Mr. Starr recently retired after 29 years as Deputy District Attorney in Kern County and also has over eight years of previous experience as a law professor. We have already identified a number of highly qualified lawyers and judges who are interested in serving on the KCCL faculty, many of whom have previous teaching experience, said Winick.

Ultimately, the success of a law school is measured by its reputation for student success on the incredibly challenging California Bar Exam, said Dean of Student Success Elizabeth Xyr. With 44 years of history behind us, our law school is well-known for its unique emphasis on bar exam preparation. Our bar prep program is integrated into the curriculum and included in the cost of tuition, a benefit offered by very few law schools."

Although courses will not start until Summer 2017, Kern County College of Law will begin accepting applications November 1, 2016. For more information, contact Dean of Admissions Wendy LaRiviere at wlariviere(at)montereylaw(dot)edu or 831-582-4000 ext. 1012.
Courtesy of Hubble America's first direct-to-consumer contact lens brand, dedicated to making it affordable and convenient to purchase high-quality contact lenses for a fair price

Hubble launched today as America's first direct-to-consumer contact lens brand, dedicated to making it affordable and convenient to purchase high-quality contact lenses for a fair price. Hubble accomplishes this by cutting out markups from intermediaries to sell its own brand of lenses directly to consumers. This means that lenses generally cost less than half the price of competitors.

Through a subscription, Hubble is able to offer consumers affordable, high-quality, FDA approved contact lenses with minimal hassle and maximum convenience. The subscription service means that wearers will never run out of contacts againa more convenient, healthier approach to avoid over-wearing.

As a further indicator that the business model is resonating, Hubble has raised $7.2M in funding from investors including Founders Fund's early stage investment vehicle, FF Angel; Greycroft Partners; Wildcat Capital Management (the family office of TPG Capital Founder, David Bonderman); Two River; Uber Early Architect and Founding CTO, Oscar Salazar; and Brian Levy, the former Chief Medical Officer of Bausch and Lomb.

In mid-2015, Ben Cogan, now Co-founder and Co-CEO of Hubble, was down to his last few pairs of contact lenses. He realized he faced a dilemma: either pay a fortune for more lenses or over-wear his remaining lenses in order to save money. He knew the latter wasnt a safe or healthy option for his eyes, so he began thinking about a solution to his problem. I knew there had to be a better, more efficient way to get lenses, and I knew I wasnt facing this problem on my own, said Cogan.

His curiosity and research uncovered the reality that four manufacturers control 95% of the contact lens industry, and with the absence of competition, they had been effective at keeping prices very high. There are more than 40 million contact lens wearers in the United States and retailers are selling lenses to them at a 15-100x mark-up from manufacturing costs. Because of this steep pricing structure, many contact lens wearers are forced to overspend or over-wear their lenses.

When we looked at the market and discovered that there were no direct-to-consumer prescription services for contact lenses in the U.S, a light bulb went off, said Cogan. Much of the profit in this industry comes from intermediary markups, and not only is that hurting consumers pockets, ultimately, its really unhealthy for their eyes too. When people are forced to pay exorbitant markups on a product intended to benefit their vision, many of them actually end up sacrificing their eye health by over-wearing expensive lenses so that they dont have to regularly purchase more.

As a former Senior Customer Insights Associate at Harrys (the direct-to-consumer, subscription-based razor brand), Cogan understood the direct-to-consumer model and knew that in order to get the customer base Hubble required, they needed an affordable product and the convenience that comes along with a subscription service. As he began to develop the concept for Hubble, he quickly realized that he couldnt do it on his own, so he turned to his friend and future Co-founder and Co-CEO of Hubble, Jesse Horwitz.

We did several months of diligence work and found an FDA-approved manufacturer where we could get private label lenses. With this new partner, we knew that we could make the trip from manufacturer to consumer much shorter and much more affordable, noted Horwitz.

Horwitz (who at the time, was on the investment team for Columbia Universitys endowment, specialized in fundraising, business development and regulatory guidelines) loved the concept for Hubble. After determining that there was a strong consumer demand for a new brand of lenses, he and Cogan began looking for investors who could help bring their vision to life.

We presented our findings and plans for Hubble to a respected group of investors and landed on a fantastic group who have brought invaluable expertise in both the e-commerce and healthcare spaces, said Horwitz.

Hubbles contact lenses are available now at http://www.hubblecontacts.com for $264/year for an annual subscription, or $30/month for a monthly subscription. Every new customer gets their first two weeks of lenses free ($3 S/H), and can cancel anytime, including during the free period.

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Press Contact

David Shulman

LaForce

Dshulman(at)laforce(dot)nyc

(646) 374-0842
Coral Capital Solutions The company has an impressive business model...that underscores the confidence we have in Coral Capital Solutions ability to meet increased demand and capture new business opportunities.

Coral Capital Solutions, an innovative provider of financing solutions for North American medium sized enterprises, today announced it has secured a $25 million senior credit facility from Wells Fargo Capital Finance, a leader in asset-based lending. The line of credit accelerates Coral Capital Solutions ability to grow as a product focused financing company, and advances its ability to extend funding to its expanding client base.

With banks under regulatory pressure to carefully select their clients, Coral Capital Solutions has added Wells Fargos line of credit, enabling the company to extend its factoring facilities to middle market companies across the United States and Canada. Coral Capital factoring transactions range from $500,000 to $10 million and support businesses at critical times of growth by financing their purchase orders and accounts receivables, providing predictable cash flow so management can focus on business expansion, development and order fulfillment. In addition, Coral Capital assists business owners and senior management teams through turnaround transitions, helping to revitalize their business with consistent working capital at times when it is needed the most.

We are very pleased to support Coral Capital Solutions continued business growth with the extension of this line of credit, said Andrea Petro, Executive Vice President and Division Manager of the Lender Finance Division of Wells Fargo Capital Finance. The company has an impressive business model, dedicated executive team and a longtime successful track record that underscores the confidence we have in Coral Capital Solutions ability to meet increased demand and capture new business opportunities.

As Coral Capital continues to grow and attract larger clients, especially in the telecommunications and digital publishing markets, we were looking for a trusted partner that understood our business model and would help us amplify our lending capabilities, said Einat Steklov, President of Coral Capital Solutions. The Lender Finance Division team at Wells Fargo demonstrated a clear understanding of our business and worked with us to design a flexible program that allows us to capitalize on opportunities. We expect to have a long lasting relationship with Wells Fargo as we continue to accelerate our business and support our diverse and broad client base.

About Coral Capital Solutions

Coral Capital Solutions provides financing solutions to middle market companies in a wide variety of industries throughout the U.S. and Canada including technology, telecom, food & beverage, new media, manufacturing and other business service companies. It is a leading source of innovative factoring, asset based lending, purchase order and trade finance products. Coral Capital is well capitalized, and has the ability to consummate transactions quickly from commitment to funding.

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Honor Flight at Miami International Airport. These brave men and women were truly the greatest generation. They fought for the many freedoms we enjoy today and deserve events like the Honor Flight that salute their service.

Miami International Airport, in partnership with Honor Flight South Florida and Eastern Air Lines, hosted its third Honor Flight for 78 World War II veterans on Saturday, October 29. The Honor Flight event culminated with a homecoming at MIA, where more than 1,500 South Floridians gathered to take part in a receiving line that included local residents of all ages, local elected officials and members of the U.S. military, numerous honor guards, airport employees and passengers.

It was an honor for the County family to thank our local veterans for all that they did for the cause of freedom, said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. Americas greatest generation earned every bit of that title through their selfless, heroic actions at home and abroad.

Many of these veterans never received a homecoming like this, said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose Pepe Diaz and Chairman of the Miami-Dade Military Affairs Board. As a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, Im proud to support MIA, Honor Flight South Florida and Eastern Air Lines to provide these deserving heroes with such a memorable experience.

Among the dignitaries in attendance to honor the veterans were: U.S. Senator Marco Rubio; Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart; Congressman Carlos Curbelo; Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez; Miami-Dade County Commissioner Esteban Bovo, Jr.; Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose Pepe Diaz; Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa; Miami-Dade County Military Advisory Board Director Gustavo Cruz; Lieutenant General Joseph P. DiSalvo, Military Deputy Commander, U.S. Southern Command; Sergeant Major William B. Zaiser, Command Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. Southern Command; Brigadier General Kevin M. Iiams, Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South; Sergeant Major Thomas G. Eggerling, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South; Marine Corps Brigadier General Paul J. Rock, Jr., Director of Strategy, Policy, and Plans Directorate, U.S. Southern Command; and Chief Master Sergeant Donald Bailey, U.S. Air Force.

After departing MIA Saturday morning on Eastern Air Lines flight #1941 (named for the year that the U.S. entered World War II), the 78 living legends received tours of the World War II memorial and other military sites in the nations capital. On the return trip aboard flight #1945 (the last year of the war), more than 2,000 personalized thank-you letters collected at MIA from airlines, federal agencies and other airport tenants, as well as from local school children and civic organizations, were distributed to the veterans during a traditional mail call for deployed soldiers. The Miami-Dade Aviation Department spearheaded the letter-writing campaign and gained support from dozens of airport and community partners.

Were extremely honored to host a second Honor Flight at MIA this year, said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. Gonzalez. These brave men and women were truly the greatest generation. They fought for the many freedoms we enjoy today and deserve events like the Honor Flight that salute their service.
Borrowed & Blue's Mobile App Borrowed & Blue publishes more wedding content than anyone else online.

Borrowed & Blue, the wedding vendor marketplace, has announced that is has raised a $7 million Series A led by Boulder-based Foundry Group. This brings the total raised by the Company to $10.1 million.

The Company says it will use the funds to build out its product and marketing teams, expand to the rest of the United States, and launch the worlds first transactional marketplace for the wedding industry.

Every year, 2.2 million couples get married in the United States. The average couple spends $24,000 on day-of wedding vendors, making weddings a $53 billion market.

Yet there has been scant new innovation in the industry as a few large players have dominated the wedding landscape with pay-to-play vendor listing directories for years. Other wedding-related sites have focused less on helping couples choose their vendors, and more on offering tangential services (e.g. WedPics, which helps guests share wedding photos with each other, and Joy, a new Y Combinator startup focused on helping couples manage their guest lists and related communications).

Enter Borrowed & Blue, which calls itself The Smarter Way to Wed. Much like a 'Houzz for weddings', B&B is focused on helping couples discover vendors through their work. Every photo on the site is tagged with the relevant vendors whose work is featured, and links to more detailed information about that vendor. The Company publishes more wedding content than anyone else online, adding 350 new weddings a week to its platform. B&B says its audience size has doubled in just the last four months, is servicing millions of visitors a year, and already has 18,000 vendors actively using the service. The Company has an iOS app available in the App Store.

But perhaps even more interesting, Borrowed & Blue's Co-founder & CEO Adam Healey says the firm is currently hard at work on launching the 'first transactional marketplace for the wedding industry,' so couples will be able to book their venue, photographer, planner, and all their other day-of wedding vendors on the platform.

Adam Healey and his wife Christin launched the business in 2011, after going through the frustrating experience of discovering and vetting qualified vendors for their own wedding. Adam is a seasoned entrepreneur who brings extensive travel industry expertise to the wedding industry. He sold his previous business, hotelicopter - a hotel meta-search engine - to Roomkey, a company owned by the six largest hotel chains in the world.

"It's absolutely crazy there's no place today to discover and book wedding vendors online. A typical wedding is comprised of 15 to 25 transactions, that collectively will be the largest investment most couples have made in their lives up until that point. We're focused on helping everyone have the beautiful wedding of their dreams, and creating an efficient marketplace where couples can discover and book their wedding vendors. We like to think of our vision as providing couples with the ultimate operating system for their wedding."

Borrowed & Blue is based in Charlottesville, Virginia and also has offices in Boulder, Colorado. Foundry Group partner Jason Mendelson will be joining the Company's Board of Directors. Foxhaven Asset Management, Accomplice VC, Galvanize Ventures, and Service Provider Capital also participated in the round.

About Borrowed & Blue

Borrowed & Blue is a wedding vendor marketplace focused on helping couples imagine, plan and book the wedding of their dreams. The Company helps connect couples with wedding vendors across the United States, and is based in Charlottesville, Virginia, with additional offices in Boulder, Colorado.

About Foundry Group

Foundry Group is a venture capital firm focused on making investments in early-stage information technology, Internet and software startups. Our passion is working alongside entrepreneurs to give birth to new technologies and to build those technologies into industry-leading companies. Were centrally located in Boulder, CO, but we invest in companies across North America.
Sharon Osen Sharon brings significant expertise in Marketing, Brand Strategy and Innovation which deepens and expands our capabilities in this area. Sharons extensive experience and her focus on pragmatic action and results will add significant value to our clients

Im thrilled to be joining the Jackson Hole Group, because it occupies a distinctive place in the market with a set of Partners who bring a hands-on approach, along with a powerful combination of C Suite operating experience and advisory expertise, says Osen. The JHG team has the skills, service offerings and an efficient and pragmatic mindset that are highly valued by senior executives and client teams.

Osen brings more than 25 years experience in Marketing and Branding across 18 diverse business sectors, as well as expertise in Beauty, Retail and Consumer Goods. She has helped businesses from start-ups to mid-size and Fortune 100 companies craft a compelling brand vision, devise a road map for growth, elevate customer experience, define multi-channel strategies, and develop integrated marketing plans. The brands that she has served include LOreal, Estee Lauder, Colgate Palmolive, American Eagle Outfitters, Regent Hotels & Cruises, IBM, JP Morgan Chase, Motorola, McDonalds, Tommy Bahama, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, JC Penney and more.

Before joining the Jackson Hole Group, Sharon served in a variety of senior leadership roles in Marketing and Consulting. Most recently, Sharon was CMO of the health, wellness and beauty lifestyle brand Perricone MD, where she helped propel US and International revenue, as well as elevate the brands image and presence. Previously she served as SVP Global Marketing at La Prairie where she led the brand to double digit growth. Sharon also previously founded and led Luxury Brand Forum, a boutique consultancy dedicated to clients serving the affluent consumer, after honing her consulting skills at Interbrand, Siegel & Gale, and Desgrippes Gobe.

Were very excited to have Sharon join us as one of our Partners, says Jim Wiggett, CEO of the Jackson Hole Group. Sharon brings significant expertise in Marketing, Brand Strategy and Innovation which deepens and expands our capabilities in this area. Sharons extensive experience and her focus on pragmatic action and results will add significant value to our clients.

For further information, contact Sharon at sosen(at)jacksonholegroup(dot)com and visit us at http://www.jacksonholegroup.com.
Elder law attorney Anthony J. Enea, managing partner at Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP Our firm is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards, both in our practice of the law and in the treatment toward our clients and peers.

The law firm of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP has received a Tier 1 ranking for Elder Law in the New York metropolitan region by U.S. News  Best Lawyers Best Law Firms 2017. This marks the seventh consecutive year that the firm has been recognized for its professional excellence. Achieving a top tier ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.

Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, with offices in White Plains and Somers, N.Y., concentrates its practice on elder law planning, asset protection planning, wills, trusts & estates, Medicaid applications (home care and nursing home), guardianships, nursing home negligence, special needs planning, estate litigation, as well as real estate, corporate and commercial law. The firm has also attained Martindale-Hubbells highest rating, AV Preeminent, for superior ethical standards and legal ability.

The 2017 Best Law Firm rankings feature law firms that have demonstrated consistently impressive performance ratings by clients and peers. The process addresses expertise, responsiveness, in-depth understanding of business, integrity, cost-effectiveness, civility, and positive referrals. Presented in tiers, the rankings showcase more than 12,000 law firms in 120 practice areas. Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano is among an elite group receiving Tier 1 status in their metro region.

We feel privileged to be ranked as superior among the nations leading firms and will continue to honor that ranking as we move into another year, said managing partner Anthony J. Enea. Our firm is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards, both in our practice of the law and in the treatment toward our clients and peers.

The Best Law Firm distinction follows Anthony J. Enea and partner Sara E. Meyers recent Super Lawyers accolade, which was presented by the Thomson Reuters publication of the same name. Mr. Enea was also named Best Lawyers 2017 Trusts & Estates Lawyer of the Year in White Plains and was recently honored with the Dr. Joseph A. Cimino Community Service Award at the Dominican Sisters Family Health Services Hope Gala 2016.

Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP is located at 245 Main Street in White Plains, N.Y. with additional offices in Somers, N.Y. Elder law attorney Anthony J. Enea can be reached at 914-948-1500 or a(dot)enea(at)esslawfirm(dot)com. For the latest news, visit Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano online at http://www.esslawfirm.com.

About Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP

Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP is an AV preeminent rated elder law firm with offices in White Plains and Somers, N.Y. The practice concentrates on Elder Law; Medicaid Planning; Nursing Home and Home Care Applications; Wills, Trusts and Estates; Guardianships; Estate Litigation; Supplemental Needs Trusts; and Special Needs Planning. Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP serves Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, the Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island and Queens and is committed to providing the highest quality legal services to seniors, the disabled and their families. Visit the firm online at http://www.esslawfirm.com and http://www.westchesterseniors.com.

About Best Law Firms

The U.S. News  Best Lawyers Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. To be eligible for a ranking, a law firm must have at least one lawyer listed in 20th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America list for that particular location and specialty.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is a multiplatform publisher of news and analysis, which includes the digitalonly U.S. News Weekly magazine, http://www.usnews.com and http://www.rankingsandreviews.com. Focusing on Health, Personal Finance, Education, Travel, Cars and Public Service/Opinion, U.S. News has earned a reputation as the leading provider of service news and information that improves the quality of life of its readers. U.S. News & World Reports signature franchise includes its News You Can Use brand of journalism and its annual "Best" series of consumer Web guides and publications that include rankings of colleges, graduate schools, hospitals, mutual funds, health plans and more.
We believe that the best & fastest way to improve the wellbeing of billions of people is to make it easier for organizations to collaborate with the entrepreneurs passionately working on transforming health. - Steven Krein, CEO, StartUp Health

StartUp Health, which is organizing and supporting a global army of Health Transformers, announced today that it has signed a three year collaboration with Janssen Research & Development, LLC., to connect its senior leaders more directly to digital health entrepreneurs, innovators and disruptors.

The collaboration will enable a more efficient connection to StartUp Healths highly curated and rapidly growing community of digital health startups and global army of over 350 Health Transformers spanning 5 continents, 16 countries and 60+ cities. StartUp Health will also provide Janssens leaders with ongoing insights on emerging technologies, business models and overarching trends in digital health as well as creating multiple pathways to help them more effectively collaborate with digital health entrepreneurs, innovators and disruptors.

Steven Krein, co-founder and CEO of StartUp Health said, Its an honor to partner with Janssen, one of the worlds most important health companies. We believe that the best and fastest way to improve the wellbeing of billions of people is to make it easier for organizations like Janssen to collaborate with the entrepreneurs passionately working on transforming health around the world. This program is an exciting opportunity to make that happen.

About StartUp Health

In 2011, StartUp Health introduced a new model for transforming health by organizing and supporting a global army of entrepreneurs called Health TransformersTM. StartUp Health is investing in 10 health moonshots with the long-term goal of improving the health and wellbeing of everyone in the world. With the worlds largest digital health portfolio (more than 170 companies spanning 5 continents, 16 countries and 60+ cities), StartUp Healths long-term platform for entrepreneurs includes the StartUp Health Academy, StartUp Health Network, StartUp Health Media and StartUp Health Ventures. StartUp Health was founded by Steven Krein and Unity Stoakes and is chaired by former Time Warner CEO, Jerry Levin. StartUp Healths notable strategic partners and investors include AARP, Aurora Health Care, California Health Care Foundation, Childrens Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, UCHealth, Steve Case, Mark Cuban, Esther Dyson, Brad Feld, Genentech, GE Ventures, Janssen Research & Development, LLC., Kaiser Permanente Ventures, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and SeventySix Capital. Learn more at http://www.startuphealth.com.
Jeffrey Davis, Sheffield Pharmaceuticals President and CEO Growing Sheffields export market is a key part of our growth strategy. Our ability to attract export buyers from China is a testament to our teams focus on quality, innovation and efficiency.

Sheffield Pharmaceuticals announces that it has entered the Chinese health and beauty market by introducing the companys signature Dr. Sheffields brand toothpaste for distribution in that country. Working with Chinese distributor, Ningbo Rswell Trading Company Limited, Sheffield manufactured and packaged its signature toothpaste brand for Chinese consumers, who are increasingly looking for high-quality personal care product. Sheffield Pharmaceuticals was the first company ever to produce toothpaste in a tube.

According to a survey conducted by Research International, the American products that Chinese consumers want most are high-quality personal care toiletries, and many Chinese consumers are frustrated by counterfeit products. Consequently, Ningbo Rswell Trading Company Limited sought a USA-made quality toothpaste product to distribute in China, and the Dr. Sheffield name represents the innovation and US quality the distributor was looking for.

Growing Sheffields export market is a key part of our growth strategy, said Jeffrey Davis, Sheffield Pharmaceuticals President and CEO. Chinese consumers are placing high value on the quality, efficacy and safety of health and personal care products in China, and they trust US-manufactured products. Our ability to attract export buyers from China is a testament to our teams focus on quality, innovation and efficiency.

Last month, Sheffield Pharmaceuticals was recognized for its manufacturing innovations by the Connecticut Technology Council (CTC) and Marcum LLP, and was named to the Marcum Tech Top 40 (TT40) list of fastest growing technology companies in Connecticut.

About Sheffield Pharmaceuticals

Sheffield Pharmaceuticals is one of the nation's fastest growing manufacturers of over-the-counter (OTC) products to retailers and drug store chains. Sheffield produces over 100 different formulas, ranging from prescription and OTC health care products to cosmetics, and distributes to over 70,000 stores globally. From product development, to packaging design, to the final manufacture, Sheffield has the knowledge and expertise to take a product from concept to market smoothly and efficiently.

For contract manufacturing customers and joint ventures, Sheffields value-add can include more than manufacturing. Sheffield can provide a suite of services, including sales and marketing plans, formula refinement in our R&D facilities, product development from concept to execution, fulfillment and logistics, chemicals procurement, and regulatory expertise. The company is dedicated to providing the highest quality service and products to our customers in strict accordance with all FDA (cGMP) regulations and procedures. Sheffield employs 175 in New London, CT.
Tiara Yachts website developed by Bayshore Solutions, shown on desktop and mobile device screens. Bayshore Solutions helped us create this online expression of our companys dedication to uncompromising excellence and building the best yachting experience  from the very first interaction with our Brand.

Full Service Digital Agency, Bayshore Solutions, announces the launch of brand flagship website for custom yacht manufacturer, Tiara Yachts, to streamline the user experience and conveniently connect target customers to their online objectives.

After a successful and award-winning website design in 2012, Tiara Yachts re-engaged digital partner, Bayshore Solutions, to develop a new website to align with customer trends and current standards of website experience excellence. A major goal of the new website is to elegantly represent the brand and efficiently connect potential customers to their desired information and functionality.

Bayshore Solutions developed the new Tiara Yachts website to visually showcase their various styles, inspire taking the next steps towards ownership, and connecting separate visitor segments to their specific next step in a clean, easy path. The website was built from a Tablet-First point of view to align with target customer online behaviors and demographics.

Enticing custom imagery and feature functionality including seamless integration to the branded merchandise e-commerce store, easy social sharing, sticky navigation, visual menus, and one-click access to dealer location information, drive the tailored visitor experience of quality and convenience expected of the Tiara brand.

Ease of access and website updates for administrators is facilitated through the omni-device capabilities of the integrated content management system. The directed path of the new website supports the business objective to attract and channel inquiries to dealers, thus more intentionally driving sales.

We are pleased with the new Tiara Yachts website, and its customer-centric presentation, said David Glenn, Tiara Yachts Marketing Director, Bayshore Solutions helped us create this online expression of our companys dedication to uncompromising excellence and building the best yachting experience  from the very first interaction with our Brand.

The team at Bayshore Solutions is excited to partner again with Tiara Yachts to build their showroom to the world, stated Kevin Hourigan, President and CEO of Bayshore Solutions. Thorough consideration of the yachting industry, brand principles, and business goals went into the development of this website experience, commensurate with the quality brand of Tiara Yachts.

Read more about the Tiara Yachts Website launch at: http://www.bayshoresolutions.com/ideas/bayshore-projects/tiara-yachts/

ABOUT TIARA YACHTS:

Since 1955, Luxury yacht manufacturer, Tiara Yachts, is committed to building the best yachting experience for customers by Designing, engineering, and manufacturing every Tiara to precise standards and specifications, using the highest quality advancements available, giving our customers exactly what their hearts desire without fail. The company has earned the National Marine Manufacturers Associations (NMMA) highest achievement for Customer Satisfaction Index, and founder, Leon Slikkers, was inducted to the NMMA Hall of Fame for demonstrating consistent delivery of superior yachting quality and customer experience.

ABOUT BAYSHORE SOLUTIONS:

Full-service digital marketing agency, Bayshore Solutions, offers award-winning capabilities for custom web design, website development, e-commerce, and digital advertising. Founded in 1996, the website design and digital marketing company delivers custom web applications and marketing services to over 2,200 clients in 54 countries. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida the firm has offices in Denver, Colorado and Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Bayshore Solutions integrates technology and marketing services to ensure measurable results for customers.
Metabolic Code

Metabolic Code today announced a new partnership with True Health Diagnostics that will help clinicians improve healthcare outcomes and empower patients to improve the quality of their health.

Metabolic Code is a cloud-based personalized health platform. Under the new partnership, the platform will be expanded beyond its current labs to use data from patient samples processed by True Health Diagnostics as well as patient lifestyle questionnaires and personal biometrics to help determine an individuals greatest areas of metabolic risk. Patients will then receive a personalized healthcare plan from their physician that includes customized recommendations for lifestyle adjustments, supplements and other treatments to address specific metabolic abnormalities.

Partnerships with laboratories like True Health Diagnostics help Metabolic Code realize the full potential of its products, said Metabolic Code founder and chairman James LaValle. The future of healthcare is in the nexus between lifestyle medicine, technology and personalized care. The demand for actionable information based on diagnostics and the health of individual patients is greater than anyone could imagine.

True Health believes in improving clinical care and patient health through a more personalized approach, said True Health CEO Chris Grottenthaler. Metabolic Code shares this vision and we are proud to work with them to better serve our customers and help patients more broadly benefit from our diagnostic insights.

About Metabolic Code

Metabolic Code evaluates where a patients chemistry is today, and predicts their potential future health risks. Healthcare providers receive a MC Health Assessment and Vitality Report highlighting their patients uncovered metabolic imbalances and disruptors before they turn into chronic conditions and accelerate aging, coupled with a personalized plan to optimize their health and vitality. Metabolic Code empowers healthcare providers to Make More, Work Smart, and Deliver Better Health Outcomes. More information can be found at http://www.metaboliccode.com

About True Health Diagnostics

True Health Diagnostics is a health services company, providing advanced clinical services and diagnostic information to help people live longer, healthier lives. The company specializes in earlier-stage prevention and diagnosis of chronic disease, including cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer, genetic disorders and a range of metabolic conditions. True Health is a trusted partner of medical professionals because we help them make accurate and necessary diagnoses that can improve patient care. True Health is headquartered in Frisco, Texas, with operations across the country. More information can be found at http://www.truehealthdiag.com.

Media Contact:

For Metabolic Code:

Maxine Savage

Senior Vice President

561-972-9547

http://www.metaboliccode.com

For True Health Diagnostics:

Lon Wagner

Vice President, Communications

(540) 556-2994
AGNITY Global, Inc. (AGNITY), a leading global communication application solutions provider, today announced the successful implementation of its Advanced Routing applications, fully integrated with Dialogic PowerMedia XMS media server for a communications service provider (CSP) in North America.

AGNITYs advanced routing applications are developed on its industry-leading Communication Application Server (CAS). AGNITY CAS is a scalable, virtualized, carrier-grade, multi-service software platform built ground up utilizing SIP servlet container architecture. It offers necessary tools, building blocks, and open APIs that enable service providers to develop and introduce new services with faster time-to-market.

Dialogics PowerMedia XMS is a highly scalable, software-only media server that enables standards-based, real-time multimedia communications solutions for IMS, MRF, Enterprise, and WebRTC applications on premise or in the cloud. Built on 15-plus years of software media processing experience, PowerMedia XMS is trusted by world-class service providers and large enterprises to power millions of rich media sessions.

AGNITY and Dialogic have delivered combined solutions, AGNITY CAS and Dialogic XMS, to many global CSP networks including Japan, Mexico and Central America. In this particular North American deployment, the combined solution architecture has been demonstrated to meet customers high scalability requirements. As network traffic increases the deployment configuration scales by adding new CAS clusters and additional media server units to the existing configuration in a flexible non-service affecting manner.

"As service providers implement advanced services and expand their SIP networks, the role of scalable media services becomes increasingly important, said Jim Machi, Senior VP Product Management and Marketing at Dialogic Were pleased to have our PowerMedia XMS Media Server selected by AGNITY to play an important role in their CAS platform and be part of their continued success

We feel very proud and excited as one of the largest communications service providers is capitalizing on our innovative Service Delivery Platform, explained Sanjeev Chawla, CEO at AGNITY Global, Inc. Our unique multi-network design not only handles the routing traffic from both IMS and SS7 networks but also guarantees unparalleled reliability in processing multi-million transactions per day needed by tier-1 CSPs. We are also extremely delighted with the role of Dialogic in the implementation of this project.

About AGNITY Global, Inc.

AGNITY Global is a leading global provider of intelligent business communication applications and infrastructure to organizations in the telecommunications and healthcare industry verticals. It is headquartered in the Silicon Valley, with Development and Support Operations in Richardson (Texas), and Noida (India). The Communications business of AGNITY Global is branded as AGNITY Communications and powers the networks of global Tier 1 service providers. The Healthcare business of AGNITY Global is branded as AGNITY Healthcare and offers a comprehensive mobile contextual communication and collaboration solutions for Healthcare service providers.

AGNITY Global Contact:

Media Relations Team

media_relations(at)agnity(dot)com

(510) 270-5412

http://www.agnity.com

About Dialogic

Dialogic is a leading cloud-optimized solutions provider for real-time communications media, applications, and infrastructure to service providers, enterprises, and developers around the globe. Based in Parsippany, NJ with offices worldwide, Dialogic helps 48 of the worlds top 50 mobile operators, and nearly 3,000 application developers build and deploy on agile networks. Learn more about how Dialogic is enabling agility by following us on Twitter @Dialogic, and visiting http://www.dialogic.com and the Dialogic Blog for the latest industry news, trends and advice.

Dialogic and PowerMedia are registered trademarks of Dialogic Corporation or an affiliate or subsidiary thereof (Dialogic). Other trademarks mentioned and/or marked herein belong to their respective owners.

Dialogic Contact:

Chika Kim

Marketing Coordinator

+1 973 967 6294

Chika.kim(at)dialogic(dot)com
Zink Kitchen + Bar Thanksgiving Buffet Menu

DoubleTree by Hilton Denver Tech Center welcomes everyone to spend Thanksgiving week in Denver this year. The hotel is offering great room rates the entire week, perfect for family flying in with nowhere to sleep. Locals can reserve a newly renovated room for family members flying in throughout Thanksgiving week, without breaking the bank. For families looking to escape the dishes at home, Zink Kitchen + Bar is offering a delicious Thanksgiving buffet, perfect for the whole family. The buffet is available from 11 am to 5 pm; adults are $37.95, children 7 to 15 are $16.95 and kids 6 and under are free.

Zinks Thanksgiving Buffet will feature fantastic free-range, slow-roasted turkey breast with thyme country gravy, honey-citrus glazed ham with cranberry-orange chutney, mamas home-style brioche stuffing, southern creamy three-cheese baked mac & cheese, whipped, loaded mashed potatoes, house-made pumpkin pie, and many more family favorites. Doing the dishes will be left to the restaurant and everyone can enjoy spending quality time together while enjoying great food.

Guests are encouraged to stay through the weekend and are welcome to ride the light rail downtown for the big game on Sunday. The Denver Broncos face the Kansas City Chiefs in a rivalry game sure to end Thanksgiving week with a bang.

For more information or to book your room, please visit http://www.doubletreedenvertech.com. To make your reservation to Zink Kitchen + Bars Thanksgiving buffet, please visit http://www.zinkdtc.com or call (303) 253-3517.

DoubleTree by Hilton Denver Tech Center recently completed a full renovation this spring. With the hotels complete transformation, the atrium, guest rooms, hospitality suites, lobby, meeting rooms, junior suite, presidential suite and Zink Restaurant + bar all received major upgrades and enhancements. This award winning hotel provides guests with everything necessary for a quality stay. Hotel amenities include a fitness center, fully equipped business center, 20,000 square feet of meeting space, an indoor and outdoor pool, as well as, complimentary wireless Internet.

Zink Kitchen + Bar, located inside the DoubleTree by Hilton Denver Tech Center, offers diners an inviting ambiance, great specials and a seasonally changing menu. This award-winning restaurant serves only the best that Colorado cuisine has to offer.

Zink Kitchen + Bar and DoubleTree by Hilton Denver Tech Center are proudly managed by Stonebridge Companies in Denver, Colo.

Founded in 1991 by Navin C. Dimond, Stonebridge Companies is a privately owned, innovative hotel owner, operator and developer headquartered near Denver. Its diverse listing of properties includes select-service, extended-stay, mid-scale and full-service hotels in markets throughout the U.S. For detailed information, visit http://www.sbcos.com.
Working together we will be able to better protect its business against workers with a criminal background, create a safer workplace, and help keep the Class I Railroads safer and more secure. -Brian Hullinger, eVerifile President

eVerifile, the leader in workforce safety and contractor screening for the Class I Railroad Industry, announced today that Railinc has joined the eRailSafe U.S. program. The eRailSafe contractor screening program is the recognized standard for providing safety and security solutions to the U.S. and Canadian Class I Railroad Industry. Railinc, a leader in the Railroad industry for rail data, IT and information technology services, will use the eRailSafe program to provide a safer workplace for employees and increase security for freight rail industry systems and databases.

As the largest single-source of real-time, accurate interline rail data for the North American railroad system, Railinc turned to the eRailSafe program to increase data security and visibility into its workforce. By joining the eRailSafe program, Railinc is able to utilize and participate in the rail industrys standard for safety and security.

Working within freight rail industry security standards keeps us in-line with our customers and their ongoing business needs, says Allen West, Railinc CEO and president. eRailSafe puts in place additional security measures that help us further protect our workplace for all employees and the freight rail industrys data and systems.

The importance of maintaining safety and security standards for our clients is greater than ever and we are pleased to have Raillinc part of the eRailsafe program, says Brian Hullinger, eVerifile President. Working together we will be able to better protect its business against workers with a criminal background, create a safer workplace, and help keep the Class I Railroads safer and more secure.

eRailSafe was created as a Class I Railroad industry-wide security and safety initiative to process criminal background screening, safety awareness training and badge credentialing for railroad contractors The program helps safeguard businesses, like Railinc, against theft, high turnover rates and damage to company reputation.

For further information about eVerifiles eRailSafe program, visit http://www.eRailSafe.com.

About eVerifile

Founded in 1999, eVerifile specializes in helping companies mitigate supplier and workforce risk through cloud-based solutions, including contractor screening, employment screening and business process outsourcing support. Through its innovative software as a service platform and business process outsourcing services, eVerifile helps companies protect their brand, their employees and their customers. eVerifile founded and administers the eRailSafe compliance program, which serves as the Class I Railroad industry standard for contractor screening to protect U.S. and Canadian railroad property. eVerifile is a member of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) and compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Learn more at http://eVerifile.com.

About Railinc

Railinc is the industry's largest and most accurate source for real-time interline rail data, supporting business processes and providing business intelligence to help railroads and rail equipment owners increase productivity, achieve operational efficiencies, and keep assets moving. Railinc applications and services are embedded in critical operations and financial systems throughout the industry to support railroads, equipment owners, and rail industry suppliers along every link of the supply chain. Learn more at https://www.railinc.com.

eVerifile Contact

Jennifer Brown

p: (517)712-0319

e: Jennifer.Brown(at)everifile(dot)com

Railinc Media Contact

Chris Richter

Communications Manager

Railinc Corp.

p: (919) 651-5059

e: chris.richter(at)railinc(dot)com
Our new Dreampad line uses the same proven sleep technology that led many of the parents of kids, who benefited from the original Dreampad, to ask us to create an adult version

Featuring patented Intrasound Technology that delivers music through gentle vibration, the Dreampad has taken off in popularity on Kickstarter. Just three weeks into its crowdfunding campaign, Dreampad has raised more than $160k (and counting) with its proven sleep technology thats now available for the first time in a mainstream product for people of all ages.

The technology was originally released four years ago as a clinical pediatric product to help children with high levels of anxiety become more relaxed and sleep better. The new Dreampad has been completely redesigned for the general sleep market and Kickstarter backers will be the first to enjoy the deep sleep benefits of this revolutionary product.

Were very grateful for the support weve received from people around the world who definitely have one thing in common  they all want a better nights sleep, said Randall Redfield, creator of the Dreampad and Co-founder & CEO of Integrated Listening Systems. Our new Dreampad line utilizes the same proven sleep technology that led many of the parents of kids, who benefited from the original Dreampad, to ask us to create an adult version.

The comfortable luxury pillow comes in four sizes and is controlled by an App which provides the music for Dreampad. As music plays, the sound is converted into gentle vibrations that travel directly to the inner ear  triggering a persons nervous system to relax, and calming the mind and body.

Its very different from hearing music played through speakers or headphones because it doesnt travel through the airwaves. Instead it moves internally through your body. Only the user with their head on the pillow can hear the music so it does not disturb anyone else.

To order the Dreampad , available at special, discounted prices until Nov.10th at 10am-EDT, visit: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/682754329/dreampad-pillow-reduce-stress-improve-sleep-guaran

About Integrated Listening Systems (ILS)

Founded in Denver, Colorado in 2008, Integrated Listening Systems' mission is to develop products to help individuals of all ages elevate their quality of life by improving brain function and emotional resilience through music, movement, technology and education. For more information, visit http://www.integratedlistening.com.
The Affordable Care Act is facing a huge test.

Tuesday marks the start of open enrollment for the 2017 plan year of the ACA's public exchanges. That's the part of the law, better known as Obamacare, that is designed to give people access to health insurance if they can't access it through their employers or the government.

After news of rising premiums, the withdrawal of several insurance companies, and the US campaign season, we'll finally get a chance to see how healthy the public exchanges  the most talked-about part of the law  really are.

After all the negative headlines, it appears that this open-enrollment period is especially important for the future of one of President Barack Obama's signature achievements.

How we got here

The ACA doesn't exclusively pertain to the exchanges. There are other elements of the law that affect all Americans, such as a child's ability to stay on his or her parent's insurance until they're 26 years old and the removal of lifetime limits on insurance payouts.

For better or for worse, the sustainability of the exchanges is probably the most often used benchmark for people judging its success or failure, despite the fact that only roughly 5% of Americans get their insurance through the exchanges.

The problems with the Obamacare exchanges are now well documented. Fewer healthy people have signed up for the plans, and that has caused the pool of people in the exchanges to be older, sicker, and more expensive to cover. That's led to losses for many insurers.

Some of the biggest and most high profile of these insurers  such as Aetna and UnitedHealthcare and startup Oscar  have pulled back their offerings in these markets. And the exchanges have become political fodder for everyone from Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to presidential nominee Donald Trump. Even former President Bill Clinton has talked about flaws in the marketplace, though he later clarified he supports the ACA.



The law's supporters say these are growing pains.



"This is one of the most complex social programs in the country's history," Kevin Counihan, the CEO of the Marketplace at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said in an interview with Business Insider. Counihan oversees the exchanges. "We only have three years of operation. Big programs like Social Security and Medicare also had problems in their first three years."

Story continues

Counihan said that many insurance companies are not used to these types of markets, which are more like "Medicaid-plus" than the employer-based market so a "learning curve" isn't surprising.

Make or break year

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is responsible for administering the law, projects that 13.8 million Americans will sign up or continue to get coverage through the exchanges in 2017, up from 12.7 million last year.

The 2017 enrollment also features massive jump in the average premium cost from last year  the HHS projects it to be 25% for the baseline silver-level plan for the country. These jumps are even more severe in certain states, with Arizona leading the way with a 116% increase over the average premium in 2016.

obamacare premium increases

According to Cynthia Cox, associate director for the Program for the Study of Health Reform and Private Insurance at the nonpartisan research group Kaiser Family Foundation, these price increases and market shifts have been coming for some time.

"The premium increases were something we were expecting," Cox told Business Insider. "They're a bit higher than we thought they would be, but insurers have been signaling for months that this year they needed to dramatically increase premiums to make up for losses on the exchanges."

Counihan said that these increases came about in part because many insurers did not have experience with the type of coverage needed for Obamacare, so they underpriced their plans to attract patients without properly rating the costs.

Additionally, the jump now brings premiums roughly in line with the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office's original 2010 projection for premiums on the exchanges for 2017.

This year is also more important because this is the first time the exchanges will be without their "training wheels." Insurers previously had three different ways provided by the government to mitigate losses from the exchanges: reinsurance, risk corridors, and risk adjustment. Now that is being shaved down to only the risk-adjustment program.

Additionally, 2017 will be the first year that the full penalty for not having insurance will go into effect, but the fee will not show up on tax bills until after the open-enrollment period.

Counihan downplayed the idea that this is a pivotal year for the exchanges, saying that it is a "retooling year." Additionally, Counihan said the HHS and CMS has plans to make sure it meets its targets and grows the exchanges, including outreach targeted at young people who would help stabilize the risk pools.

"We have a lot of data and good outreach plans for this year to get all kinds of people to sign up," said Counihan. "I mean, we know what we're doing  we're not just throwing darts and hoping it hits."

The real figure of success, Cox said, will be if the exchanges can sustain the number they have now.

"If we start to see sign-ups decrease, that would raise a lot of questions about the long-term sustainability of the exchanges," Cox said. "If people are deciding to leave the exchanges, that could lead to more insurer exits and be a real problem."

That may be a low bar to clear, but given the negativity surrounding the exchanges for much of the past six months, perhaps no bad news is good news.

The future is uncertain

The real proof of the success or failure of the law likely won't come from the sign-up numbers alone, according to Cox. Instead, the real tell will be the proposals for 2018 premiums that the health-insurance companies have to submit to individual state regulators in the spring of 2017.

"That's really when we'll know whether this was just a one-year change or something larger and longer-lasting," Cox added. "If premiums rise significantly again and you start to see more providers leaving the exchanges, that will raise a lot of long-term questions."

As Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini put it in an interview with Bloomberg, this could lead to a constant chase of healthy people opting out of the exchanges because of high costs, which in turn leads to higher premiums to cover the ever-sicker pool in the exchanges.

"So what happens is the population gets sicker and sicker and sicker and sicker, the rates get higher to try and catch it  it's a fruitless chase, and ultimately you end up with a very bad pool of risk," said Bertolini.

So with a very bad pool of risk, more insurers dump their exchange business until it becomes unsustainable.

Given these issues, most people agree that the law could use some tweaks. Even Obama said that the law was like a new phone that rolls out with "a few bugs" and needs to be updated to stabilize it.

There have been several proposals, mostly split on ideological lines. Mostly conservative detractors of the law have suggested repealing the ACA altogether, while on the other end of the spectrum observers have used the shortcomings to call for a nationalized health system. In the middle, there proposals include adjusting a rule that only allows insurers to charge older people three times what they charge young people, strengthening the tax on people without insurance, and more variety instead of sticking with the four-tiered system in place now.

According to Cox, pretty much any of these adjustments would help fix the issues the Obamacare exchanges are facing.

"Any or all of these changes could have the effect of stabilizing the marketplace," Cold told us. "Also, they don't have to be done in isolation  any number of them could be used in combination to address the challenges facing the market."

The problem is that all these changes can be enacted only if Congress passes a law amending the ACA.

"The HHS and CMS are really limited in what they can do now to address these issues," said Cox.

In the end, however, most of the changes come down to a political vote and given the current make-up of Washington, it is unlikely anything comes to fruition. Counihan even called it a "less than helpful political environment."

Cox agreed that much of the law's long-term survival has little to do with its impact on healthcare, but rather the political appetite for the law.

Regardless of possible changes, Counihan said that the law has earned a permanent place in the health care system of America (though he is admittedly biased).

Cox, on the other hand, said that the ACA and its exchanges have certainly made an impact, but whether or not they survive remains to be seen.

"It depends on politics and market stability," said Cox. "It's equally, if not more, important how Americans perceive the law, and right now they're pretty split."

Based on Kaiser's polling, 45% of Americans have a favorable view of the ACA and 45% have an unfavorable view.

Open enrollment closes January 31.

NOW WATCH: KRUGMAN: Obamacare was done 'on the cheap' and now it is struggling





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Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP

Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP earned national recognition for its Commercial Litigation, Banking and Finance Litigation, Real Estate Litigation and Trademark Law practices in the 2017 Best Law Firms rankings released online by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers.

The firm also attained numerous metropolitan area Tier 1 rankings. Results reflect a high level of respect for a firms abilities, professionalism and integrity as indicated by its peers and clients, according to U.S. News. The 2017 Best Law Firms will be featured in two publications distributed in December and January.

Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie is ranked by U.S. News as a top tier law firm in the following areas:

National Tier 1



Metropolitan Tier 1

Albuquerque



Construction Law

Litigation  Real Estate

Colorado



Arbitration

Banking and Finance Law

Commercial Litigation

Criminal Defense: White Collar

Financial Services Regulation Law

First Amendment Law

Gaming Law

Insurance Law

Litigation  Banking and Finance

Litigation  First Amendment

Litigation  Real Estate

Litigation  Securities

Litigation  Trusts and Estates

Mediation

Non-Profit/Charities Law

Tax Law

Trusts and Estates Law

Las Vegas



Commercial Litigation

Gaming Law

Information Technology Law

Labor Law  Management

Litigation  Labor and Employment

Los Angeles



Trademark Law

Phoenix



Administrative/Regulatory Law

Appellate Practice

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Commercial Litigation

Communications Law

Construction Law

Copyright Law

Energy Law

Gaming Law

Insurance Law

Litigation  Antitrust

Litigation  Bankruptcy

Litigation  Construction

Litigation  Intellectual Property

Litigation  Real Estate

Litigation  Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)

Litigation  Securities

Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions  Defendants

Municipal Law

Personal Injury Litigation  Plaintiffs

Product Liability Litigation  Defendants

Real Estate Law

Trademark Law

Reno



Commercial Litigation

Gaming Law

Tucson



Banking and Finance Law

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Commercial Litigation

Litigation  Intellectual Property

Litigation  Land Use and Zoning

Litigation  Real Estate

Real Estate Law

Eligibility for a Best Law Firm ranking requires a law firm to have at least one lawyer listed in the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for that particular location and specialty. Best Lawyers selected 83 Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie attorneys for inclusion in its 2017 edition, with 11 of the firms attorneys honored as Lawyer of the Year in their respective metropolitan and practice areas.

The U.S. News Best Law Firms rankings are produced by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers. Rankings are based on an evaluation process that includes collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys and review of additional information provided by law firms.

For more information on the U.S. News Best Law Firms rankings click here.

About Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP

Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP is an Am Law 200 commercial law firm for handling complex matters in litigation, intellectual property, business transactions, gaming, government relations and other practice areas. Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie offices are located in Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Irvine, Phoenix, Reno, Silicon Valley and Tucson.
Velocity Resource Group, a recruitment solutions provider that leverages a global workforce, is pleased to announce the official opening of its new corporate office in Tampa, FL, on Nov. 1, 2016.

The Tampa office will serve as Velocitys new headquarters with the transition of corporate functions over the next two years. The company will maintain its Asian headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, with satellite offices in Aurora, IL and Milwaukee, WI. Relocation to 501 E. Kennedy Blvd. in Downtown Tampa is a part of the recruiting companys national expansion plan and search for a friendlier business climate.

In September, Florida Governor Rick Scott announced Velocitys plans to relocate corporate headquarters to Tampa. Governor Scott said, I am proud to announce Velocity Resource Group has chosen to relocate their global headquarters to Florida from Illinois and create 50 new jobs for Tampa families. Our low tax, business-friendly environment is why Florida is clearly the best choice for growing companies like Velocity to succeed, and we will keep working to attract even more job creators to our state. I welcome Velocity Resource Group to the Sunshine State.

John Fortino, Co-founder and Senior Managing Partner of Velocity Resource Group, said, After visiting many times to meet with clients here, we fell in love with Tampa and the surrounding areas. Weve been looking to expand and realized Tampa was the perfect place to better serve our clients nationally, while also keeping pace with the rate of growth we need.

According to Fortino, a complete corporate transition will take place over the next two years, but new and existing clients may now contact Velocity through both Aurora and Tampa offices.

While our goal is always to find better ways to serve our existing clients, our move to Tampa allows us to extend our services to any and all companies seeking an unparalleled strategic advantage in recruiting efficiency, said Fortino. Our new office is in the heart of a thriving city with a rapidly growing, diverse economy. With an office located in Downtown Tampa, we have the opportunity to leverage all of the assets the Tampa area offers to sustain our growth.

For career opportunities with Velocity Resource Group in the Tampa Bay area, please contact Alicia Buchanan at 866-891-0888.

Founded in 2001 by John Fortino and David Simpson, Velocity Resource Group is a recruitment solution provider that leverages our global workforce to deliver world-class Recruitment Efficiency Solutions for long-term client success. Our disciplined process for candidate sourcing, pre-screening and recruiting efficiency is an unparalleled strategic advantage to companies looking for qualified candidates and a strong recruiting process. For additional information, please contact Velocity Resource Group (info(at)velocityresourcegroup(dot)com).
Lazydays, The RV Authority and worlds largest RV dealership, has appointed Linda Stephens to a new leadership role as Vice President and General Manager of Retail Accessories, Rental & Consumer Services. Stephens will oversee the companys growth division, which encompasses the retail operations of Lazydays RV Accessories & More and the recently expanded Lazydays RV Rentals business.

Linda has played a vital role in many important business initiatives during her 12 years with the company, said Bill Murnane, Chairman and CEO of Lazydays. Retail accessories and RV rentals are key growth initiatives for Lazydays and I am confident that Lindas finance and operations expertise will drive successful results.

Stephens joined Lazydays in 2004 as Director of Corporate Reporting and Investor Relations, and was previously with a public CPA firm. She was promoted to Controller in 2007, and most recently served as Vice President of Finance and Operations.

In her new role, Stephens will manage the operations of Lazydays RV Accessories & More, an omni-channel retailer with an e-commerce site (assortment of more than 40,000 items) and stores in Tampa, Florida; Tucson, Arizona; and Loveland, Aurora and Longmont, Colorado. The Tampa accessories store is Floridas largest and includes the first and only Travel Center (Thousand Trails & Encore RV Resorts).

Stephens will also oversee Lazydays newest business initiative, RV rentals. Lazydays began offering rentals following its acquisition of RV America, which featured a RV rental program at its Aurora and Loveland dealerships. This year, Lazydays rolled out RV rentals at its flagship Tampa location and will continue to expand its fleet of the top models and floorplans.

We have built a great team and I am excited to take on the challenge of leading this new business, which is strategically important to Lazydays future growth, said Stephens. A key area of focus will be to seek out new opportunities to build on our achievements as we continue to deliver the industrys most comprehensive range of high-quality RV products and services.

ABOUT LAZYDAYS

Lazydays, founded in 1976, is the worlds largest RV dealership. Based on 126 acres outside Tampa, FL since 1996, Lazydays also has dealerships located in Tucson, AZ as well as three dealerships located in Loveland, Aurora and Longmont, CO.

Lazydays has the largest selection of RV brands in the nation featuring more than 2,500 new and pre-owned RVs, over 300 service bays and two on-site campgrounds with over 700 RV campsites. Lazydays RV Accessories & More offers more than 40,000 accessories online for your shopping convenience. Shop us online or visit one of our store locations in Florida, Arizona and Colorado. Lazydays also has RV Rental fleets in Colorado and Florida.

Lazydays has built its reputation on providing an outstanding customer experience with exceptional service and product expertise, and as a place to rest and recharge with other RVers. More than a half-million RVers and their families visit Lazydays every year, making it their home away from home. Lazydays has been recognized as a Top 50 RV Dealer by RV Business and as one of Tampa Bays Top Work Places. The Lazydays Employee Foundation, supported by payroll contributions from more than 65% of Lazydays employees, has contributed more than $1.5 million dollars to make many historic changes for at-risk children in the Tampa Bay and Tucson communities.

For most people, Lazydays isn't just the beginning of their journey; it's very much a part of their ride. To learn more, visit http://www.lazydays.com.
Dayton has been an incredibly supportive community and were excited to expand here, said Dr. Eric Schertel, president of MedVet. The additional space will allow for future growth of jobs and services. We expect to move

MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets, a leader in veterinary specialty healthcare, broke ground this week for expansion of the Dayton, Ohio hospital. Construction of a 19,000 square foot state-of-the-art veterinary hospital at their existing site at 2714 Springboro West, Moraine, OH is now underway. The companys commitment of $3.6 million will change many existing part-time jobs to full-time positions and add 15 new full-time jobs and expand current veterinary services to the Dayton area.

Dayton has been an incredibly supportive community and were excited to expand here, said Dr. Eric Schertel, president of MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets. The additional space will allow for future growth of jobs and services. We expect to move into the new hospital at the end of April 2017.

MedVet, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, expanded its central Ohio presence to Dayton in 2012 in response to a growing demand for veterinary emergency and referral services in that region. They have outgrown their current 7,200 square foot facility. MedVet hospitals work very much like a human hospital.

We offer state-of-the-art emergency and specialty care to cats and dogs in partnership with referring general practices. The emergency room is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to serve clients and patients as an extension of the family veterinarians practice when their family veterinarian is not available, says Schertel.

In addition to emergency services, MedVet Dayton offers specialty services in anesthesia and pain management, cardiology, dermatology, internal medicine, oncology, ophthalmology, radiology, and surgery.

About MedVet:

MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets, with headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, is a widely recognized and growing group of emergency and specialty referral veterinary hospitals for companion animals. MedVet, whose mission is leading specialty healthcare for pets, is employee owned and veterinary led. MedVet provides specialty referral services for in-depth patient care, as well as emergency services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. More than 100,000 dogs and cats are treated annually at MedVets expanding network of medical centers across the country. MedVet hospitals were named the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Accredited Referral Practice of the Year in 2014 and 2016, the only group of practices to receive this award twice. For more information on MedVets network of medical centers, visit http://www.medvetforpets.com.

About MedVet Dayton:

MedVet Dayton is conveniently located less than a mile off of I-75. MedVet Daytons board-certified specialists provide exceptional healthcare for pets supported by emergency services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

MedVet Dayton

2714 Springboro West

Moraine, OH 45439

(937) 293-2714 Main

(937) 293-2787 Fax

Dayton Facebook

Media Inquiries:

For photos, tours and/or interviews, please contact Heidi Hill at MedVet Dayton at (937) 293-2714 Main, (937) 293-2787 Fax or Heidi(dot)Hill(at)medvetforpets(dot)com.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Adam Walker-CEO of Summit Container and Alejandra Y. Castillo, MBDA National Director Summit Container is honored to be recognized as Manufacturing Firm of the Year by the U.S Department of Commerce and the MBDA.

Summit Container Corporation (Summit), an award-winning manufacturer and designer of protective packaging, contract packaging, packaging supplies and fulfillment solutions, headquartered in Monument, CO, has been named the National Manufacturing Company of the Year by the U.S. Department of Commerces MBDA.

The awards announcing the U.S. Department of Commerce winners were recently held in Chicago at the 2016 National Minority Supplier Development Council National Convention and Minority Enterprise Development Week. Summit Container was recognized by the MBDA along other organizations, businesses, and individuals who have demonstrated leadership, commitment and excellence in advancing the minority business community.

Were honored to recognize this dynamic group who dedicated themselves and their resources to ensuring the advancement of the minority business community, said Alejandra Y. Castillo, MBDA National Director. Their contributions are essential to creating an ecosystem that supports, develops and elevates U.S. minority business enterprises now and in the future.

Summit Container is honored to be recognized as Manufacturing Firm of the Year by the U.S Department of Commerce and the MBDA. This is yet another milestone in pursuit of our goal to be the most admired company in our industry by relentlessly focusing on protecting our customers brands, said Adam Walker, CEO of Summit Container. We strongly support the advocacy and outreach of the MBDA and appreciate this prestigious award.

About Summit Container Corporation

Founded in 1984, Summit Container Corporation, an award-winning design and manufacturing company, specializes in Protective Packaging, Secondary Contract Packaging and Packaging Supplies. With a vision, to be the most admired global supply chain solutions partner, Summit Container provides its customers with the highest quality and the most innovative products. The company is ISO 9001:2008 certified to Design and Manufacture Custom Protective and ESD Corrugated Packaging. Summit is a member of the Forestry Stewardship Council and a Corporate Plus Member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council.
Dr. Kriston Kent Dr. Kent will play an integral part in advancing our national reputation as a center for injectables excellence, aesthetic research and innovative technologies.

Holcomb  Kreithen Plastic Surgery and MedSpa, PLLC (HKPS), one of the leading plastic surgery practices in Florida, is pleased to welcome Kriston J. Kent, M.D., a board-certified facial plastic surgeon and facial rejuvenation expert to its expanding practice.

Recently welcoming a third grandchild in the Tampa area, Dr. Kent and his wife have relocated from Naples to Tampa, Florida where he will offer cosmetic consultations as well as injectable treatments to HKPS clients at our Newsom Eye Swann avenue location.

The practice founders, J. David Holcomb, M.D. and Joshua Kreithen, M.D., are confident that Dr. Kent will help further accommodate their growth in Tampa and beyond. Dr. J. David Holcomb said, We are very pleased to have a physician of Kriston Kents noted reputation and skill joining our team. He will play an integral part in advancing our national reputation as a center for injectables excellence, aesthetic research and innovative technologies that help our clients look and feel their best.

Dr. Kent said, I have a lifelong passion for health and beauty. I look forward to joining the elite team of aesthetic physicians of HKPS, and to expanding my facial aesthetic enhancement experience to the Tampa Bay area. I truly aspire to help every patient live a more beautiful, healthy, and vigorous life.

About Dr. Kent

Dr. Kent began his solo practice in Naples in 1990, and was the first board-certified facial plastic surgeon in that city. Over the next 22 years, Dr. Kent owned and operated Naples Facial Plastic Surgery and helped raise his children. During this time, Dr. Kent also served as the president of the Collier County Medical Society, vice president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, board member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He also authored and published multiple medical papers, and gave dozens of lectures nationally and internationally to his facial plastic surgery colleagues.

Dr. Kent served on the Florida Board of Medicine from 2000 to 2004 and was elected as chairman of the Board. Dr. Kent is co-author of Your Complete Guide to Facial Cosmetic Surgery, which was released in 2004. He is also featured as one of fifty top cosmetic surgeons in the United States in The Beauty Makers. He was voted by his peers from 2007 to present as a Best Doctor, and also won the Naples Daily News Choice Champion award for Best Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

In addition to his extremely busy Facial Plastic Surgery practice, Dr Kent also has an associate clinical position in Facial Plastic Surgery at the University of Florida School of Medicine and he has spoken frequently at state and national Facial Plastic Surgery meetings for over 25 years. In 2010, he decided to obtain a Masters in Public Health in Lifestyle Medicine from the prestigious Loma Linda University. In 2012, he also completed a rotation at the Institute of Lifestyle Medicine at Harvard and at the Center for Lifestyle Medicine in St. Helena, California. Dr. Kent also was a founder in a medical liability risk retention group, Physicians Indemnity in 2006.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kent at Holcomb  Kreithen Plastic Surgery and MedSpa in Tampa, please call 813-609-4000.

About Holcomb  Kreithen Plastic Surgery and MedSpa

With their main office located in beautiful downtown Sarasota, and services also available at locations in Lakewood Ranch and Tampa, Holcomb  Kreithen Plastic Surgery and H|K MedSpa offers a comprehensive range of aesthetic surgical and non-surgical treatments that enhance the lives of men and women. The founding physicians of the practice include J. David Holcomb, M.D. (Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Laser Surgeon) and Joshua Kreithen, M.D. (Breast and Body Contouring Specialist). The AAAASF-accredited facility includes a private outpatient ambulatory surgical center.

Holcomb  Kreithen Plastic Surgery is renowned for its expertise in facial plastic surgery, plastic surgery of the breasts and body and cosmetic laser surgery. Additional core areas of focus within H|K MedSpa include non- and minimally-invasive body contouring, facial aesthetics, medical hair restoration, laser skin rejuvenation and medical skin care. With its comprehensive range of services and dedicated staff the practice has developed a reputation as one of the most advanced centers in Florida. Receipt of the Allergan Black Diamond Award is an objective benchmark for the practice success, ranking it among the top 1% of practices in the entire country providing Botox Cosmetic, Juvederm (including Voluma) injectable gel, Latisse, Natrelle breast implants and SkinMedica skin care.

The Holcomb  Kreithen Plastic Surgery and MedSpa staff is comprised of an extraordinary group of professionals whose primary goal is to safely empower individuals to reach their full potential. They are committed to always treating patients and each other with kindness, compassion and dignity. For more information, visit http://www.sarasota-med.com

Contact

customercare(at)sarasota-med.com
Cybereason, developers of the worlds only military-grade, real-time detection and response platform, today announced the opening of its newest office in London, UK, which will drive support for existing customers and partners in Europe, while enabling the company to rapidly grow revenues and market presence. The company also named Simon Sharp, vice president of EMEA.

Simon Sharp is a seasoned technology executive who brings more than two decades of sales and management experience to Cybereason. Prior to joining Cybereason, Sharp was vice president of sales at Pindrop Security, where he designed and led the company's go to market efforts in EMEA. He was responsible for growth in the market of more than 500 percent. Prior to Pindrop, Sharp served in a variety of sales leadership roles at RSA - The Security Division of EMC. At RSA, revenues grew 20 percent year over year during his tenure. He previously held sales roles with Entrust and established multiple US cyber security start ups in the EMEA market. Sharp graduated in Accounting and Business Information Systems  University of Portsmouth Business School.

I am thrilled that Simon has joined Cybereason. He will be building out our entire sales team, managing local sales, sales engineering and support. The demand for our award-winning detection and response platform is driving growth across the world. The EMEA traction Cybereason already has in place is a strong indication of future growth. Simply, Cybereason is the only endpoint vendor that can tell organizations that they are under attack immediately and then help them stop it in real time, said Jeff Lebowitz, executive vice president of global sales and business development, Cybereason.

The Cybereason platform is a sales executives dream because its value proposition is so powerful, said Sharp. It enables our customers to know, with certainty, if they are under attack and if so, how to best contain it. We empower our customers to do their jobs with clarity and confidence, hence our phenomenal growth. EMEA is the next natural progression for us and I am delighted to spearhead our efforts here.

After raising $89 million in 2015, Cybereason has spent 2016 expanding its team, customer base and global presence. In April 2016, Cybereason launched Cybereason Japan, a joint venture between Cybereason and Softbank, that already has delivered Cybereasons military grade, real time threat detection to dozens of Japanese companies. In October, Cybereason announced a partnership with Blue Turtle, a leading South African security solutions provider, which in a matter of weeks has resulted in two new customers. Cybereasons London office will not only give the company a presence in one of the worlds largest financial markets, it will serve as a springboard into the rest of Europe, continuing the path of its rapid growth.

Cybereason has a proven track record of protecting Fortune 1000 enterprises globally. The company has received many awards and accolades since its founding. Most recently, Cybereason topped a Gartner list of endpoint detection and response vendors. Juniper Research named Cybereason one of the Top Three Disruptive Innovators to watch in 2016. SC Magazine named Cybereason the 2016 Rookie Security Company of the Year. Also, CEO Lior Div was a 2016 EY Entrepreneur of the Year New England Finalist. In addition, Infosecurity Products Guide named Div 2016 CEO of the Year and Computer Reseller News recognized Cybereason for having one of the 16 hottest products launched at Black Hat 2016. And Dark Reading named the company one of the 20 Cyber Security Startups to Watch in 2016.

About Cybereason:

Founded by members of the Israeli intelligence agencys elite cybersecurity Unit 8200, the Cybereason platform mirrors the founders expertise in managing some of worlds most complex hacking operations. The Cybereason Detection and Response Platform leverages big data, behavioral analytics and machine learning to uncover, in real time, complex cyberattacks designed to evade traditional defenses. It automates the investigation process, connects isolated malicious events and visually presents a full malicious operation. The platform is available as an on-premise solution or a cloud-based service. Cybereason is privately held and headquartered in Boston with offices in London, Tel Aviv and Tokyo.

For more information, please visit:

Website: http://www.cybereason.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Cybereason

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Cybereason

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/cybereason

Media Contact:

Bill Keeler

Director, Public Relations

Cybereason

bill.keeler(at)cybereason(dot)com

(508) 414-7755 (cell)
To date, our survey has captured information from more than 225 transactions closed in 2016 with enterprise values of $75 million or less.

The construction, consumer and retail, and healthcare industries were the most active in closing deals valued at $75 million or less in the third quarter of 2016, according to a new survey released by CMF Associates, private equitys preferred operating partner for finance and financial leadership.

Construction and consumer and retail deals each accounted for 17.9% of all deals closed, followed by healthcare at 14.3% and manufacturing at 10.7%. The survey also found that more than 82% of M&A firm respondents focusing in the lower middle market closed at least one deal in the third quarter.

The findings are the result of a new survey series launched in the first quarter of 2016 by CMF. Known as the Down Low Report, the survey provides quarterly updates on M&A activities and trends in the extreme lower middle market, or deals with an enterprise value of $75 million or less. CMF has a network of more than 3,000 contacts at 1,200 middle market M&A firms, and quarterly survey results will be based on responses to a brief questionnaire sent to these contacts.

To date, our survey has captured information from more than 225 transactions closed in 2016 with enterprise values of $75 million or less, said Dan Mahoney, Director, CMF. We continue to find these results extremely relevant for our network of capital providers -- PE funds, family offices and high-net-worth individuals -- as well as our senior lending and sell-side advisor communities.

Results by Industry Segment

While more than 82% of respondents reported closing at least one transaction in the third quarter of 2016, more than 14% reported closing three or more. The top trending industries closing transactions include:

1. Construction/Engineering  17.9%

2. Consumer/Retail, Food  17.9%

3. Healthcare  14.3%

4. Manufacturing  10.7%

5. Food & Beverage 7.1%

6. Software/Technology  7.1%

7. Apparel  3.6%

8. Business Services  3.6%

9. Distribution/Wholesale  3.6%

Top-Line Revenue, EBITDA and Multiples



From a top-line revenue standpoint, 48.3% of respondents said they completed transactions in the $5-10 million range, 17.2% in the $11-20 million range, 10.3% in the $21-30 million range, 10.3% in $31-40 million range, 3.4% in the $41-50 million range and 10.3% reported closing deals above $50 million.



In terms of EBITDA, nearly 66% of respondents reported closing deals for companies generating $3 million in EBITDA or less, while 10.3% reported closing deals for companies generating between $3.1 and $5 million. The balance of the respondents reported deals with EBITDA of $5.1 to $7 million (13.8%) and over $7.1 million (10.3%).



Purchase price multiples saw a peak of 24.1 % of closed transactions in the 3.1-4.0 x EBITDA, while 58.6 % of all respondents reported multiples between 3.1-6.0 x EBITDA. Approximately 21% of deals reported closed in the 5.1-6.0 x EBITDA range, 10.3% closed in the 6.1-7.0 x EBITDA range, and 24.1% of reported deals closed at a multiple of 7.1 or higher.

But in special situations, there are always exceptions. Bill Peck of Ascendiant Capital Markets, cites an example:

The seller was a wholesale distributor of electronic automation products for which the OEM would approve only 2 buyers, both of whom knew the other would be negotiating to buy the business. The highly competitive auction between 2 strategic buyers resulted in an EBITDA multiple of 9 in an industry where 5 to 6 is the norm.

Strategic Buyers Most Active

Buyer types were heavily weighted toward strategic buyers at 48.3% while new private equity platforms accounted for 24.1% (up from previous quarter result of 14.6%). Private equity-backed strategic (add-on) deals came in at 6.9%. High-net-worth investors and family offices accounted for over 20% of reported closed deals, slightly down from previous quarter (22%).

For the third quarter, more than 53% of closed deals reported no senior debt issued at close. This would be consistent with strategic acquirers that pay for smaller acquisitions from existing cash or corporate lines of credit.



Geographically, the transactions were concentrated in the Northeast (34.5%), Midwest (24.1%), West Coast (24.1%), with the Southeast accounting for 10.3% and Mid-Atlantic 6.9%.

Anecdotally, we are hearing more private equity funds are willing to pay up for higher quality platform assets and dollar cost averages lower through smaller bolt-on acquisitions, said Dan Mahoney. That appears consistent in our findings in the third quarter and throughout 2016.

Survey Timing and Methodology



At the conclusion of the third quarter 2016, a brief questionnaire focusing on deal closing activity during the quarter was sent to CMFs network of 3,000 contacts at more than 1,200 sell-side investment banks and business brokers operating in the lower middle market (enterprise value of $75 million or less). The survey was open for approximately two weeks.



About CMF Associates

CMF Associates, LLC, private equitys preferred operating partner for finance and financial leadership, delivers transaction- and transition-focused financial, operational, and human capital solutions to private equity-backed portfolio companies. Headquartered in Philadelphia and with offices in Chicago, New York, and Vancouver, CMFs offering includes interim CFO, COO, and controllership services; M&A advisory including pre-transaction due diligence, carve out services and post-transaction integration; full-time executive search; and deal sourcing. To learn more, visit http://www.cmfassociates.com.

# # #

Contact:

Dan Mahoney

Director

CMF Associates

dmahoney(at)cmfassociates(dot)com

(215) 531-7493
The Breckenridge Grand Vacations Executives (pictured here) will be welcoming Blake Davis to their team in November of 2016. "Mike and I are eternally grateful for the commitment that everyone has made to BGV. We are very lucky to have these leaders in our company, stated BGV CEO, Mike Dudick.

More than 30 years ago, BGV was founded by brothers Mike and Rob Millisor, with help from business partner and friend, Mike Dudick. The companys incredible success has impacted not only the timeshare industry, but the local community as well. BGVs success is measured by the positive impact the company has on: owners and guests, employees and the community.

In October of 2015, BGV experienced a terrible loss with the sudden passing of Rob Millisor, while he was on a humanitarian trip in Nepal. Over the past year, BGV realized changes would need to be made to keep the company strong and moving in the right direction. Some of these changes are being implemented currently via responsibility shifts and additions at the Executive level.

BGVs Co-Owner and Developer Mike Dudick has returned to Summit County full-time with his family and has taken on the role of BGVs Chief Executive Officer. He is also serving his second term on the Breckenridge Town Council.

BGV Co-Owner and Developer Mike Millisor will remain involved with BGVs daily decisions, but is living nearly full-time with his family in Maui. As the founder of the company and an integral part of the BGV Executive Team, Mikes guidance and support will continue, albeit remotely.

Dave Stroeve has been promoted to BGVs President of Sales, continuing to oversee all aspects of the companys timeshare sales. Dave has successfully led the BGV Sales Team for nearly 20 years and his dedication and commitment have contributed to the overall growth and success of BGV.

Nick Doran, who recently celebrated his tenth anniversary as BGVs Chief Financial Officer, will be expanding his responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer. In this new position, Nick will work in concert with the entire Executive Team, and will be responsible for all day-to-day operations of the company.

BGV is thrilled to welcome Blake Davis as the new Chief Financial Officer, effective in November of 2016. Blake leaves his position of President at FirstBank of Summit County, where BGV has worked closely with him throughout the years. Blake brings 23 years of commercial banking experience to BGV. He has been an active member of the Summit County community for over two decades and serves as a board member with the Summit Foundation.

BGV will undoubtedly continue to excel under the steadfast leadership of the rest of the Executive Team: Ginny Vietti, Kimberly Tramontana, Mike Hayes and Brian Binge. As BGV grows, the entire company remains committed to serving the BGV family, our local community and to delivering Always Grand Vacations to our owners and guests.

About Breckenridge Grand Vacations

Created in 1984, Breckenridge Grand Vacations (BGV) was built by brothers Mike and Rob Millisor and friend Mike Dudick upon the belief that the success of their company would be determined by the positive impact it had on their owners and guests, employees and the community. The developers of the company also embraced the concept that BGV would be the best in sales if they were first and foremost the best in customer service. The company has embraced the Net Promoter methodology company-wide and consistently beats industry averages with its high scores. BGV now creates Grand vacations for over 23,000 owners and employs over 500 staff members. Sadly, Rob Millisor passed away in October, 2015 while on a humanitarian visit to Nepal. His example and service to the needs of others remains a strong focus with BGVs leadership and staff. He is greatly missed and his legacy of success and giving continues.

###
It is our desire to create a one-stop-shop for schools looking for Parent Portal technology to increase or improve communication with the families they serve.

Transfinder has approved an additional four school transportation companies to be included in its Marketplace of top-tier Parent Portal vendors that integrate with Transfinder technology.

Parent Portal solutions are those products that provide parents and guardians with reliable information surrounding their students bus routes and bus stops as well as real-time information about arrival times.

Transfinders Marketplace  found at http://www.transfindermarketplace.com  is a clearinghouse of best-in-class vendors that complement or integrate with Transfinders cutting edge technology. The Marketplace features products and companies in a number of categories, including camera technology, GPS and now Parent Portals.

The four products and the companies to be added to the Marketplace in the Parent Portal category are:



Here Comes the Bus by Synovia Solutions, LLC.

MyBusVue by Zonar

SafeStop by SafeStop, Inc.

Treker by Treker

Also under development is Transfinders Stopfinder that will also be included in the Marketplace in the Parent Portal category.

We are happy to have these four well-respected and highly regarded companies included in the Marketplace, said Antonio Civitella, Transfinders President and CEO. It is our desire to create a one-stop-shop for schools looking for Parent Portal technology to increase or improve communication with the families they serve. We believe these Marketplace products by SafeStop, Synovia, Treker and Zonar are the best of the best.

Company representatives each expressed appreciation for being included in Transfinders Marketplace.

Heres what representatives of Transfinders new Marketplace partners had to say:

From SafeStop:

SafeStop is in the business of giving parents peace of mind. Our secure app makes it easy for parents and administrators to know where their students bus is located and when it will arrive at their bus stop. Being a part of their marketplace is a great opportunity to highlight how well our services complement one another for the K-12 transportation market, said Patrick Gallagher, Director of Sales at SafeStop.

From Synovia:

Synovias Here Comes the Bus app gives parents the location of their childs bus and sends alerts when the bus is near or has been substituted, and when their child boards and exits the bus. Customizable messaging allows districts to notify parents of delays or bus-related events. We are excited that our long-time partner Transfinder is including this technology among top-tier parent portal products listed in their Marketplace, Jon King, Synovia President and CEO.

From Treker:

Treker is pleased to join Transfinders Marketplace of trusted vendors providing parent portal technology. We are looking forward to strengthening the Treker-Transfinder relationship as we make school buses even safer for students across the country, said Don Wolfson. Executive Vice President of Business Development at Treker.

From Zonar:

Transfinder is the first company that we are integrating with our school bus tracking app MyBusVue. Transfinder has been a valuable partner and we are happy to be among Transfinders best-in-class vendors, said H. Kevin Mest, Senior Vice President of Passenger Services at Zonar.

If you are interested in recommending a company or category to be included in the Marketplace, please contact Joey Benincasa, Transfinder Strategic Partner Manager, at (800) 373-3609 ext. 8304 or email marketplace(at)transfinder(dot)com. To learn more about the Marketplace, please visit: http://www.transfindermarketplace.com.

About Transfinder

Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York, Transfinder is a national leader in intelligent transportation systems, providing transportation management systems and services to school districts, municipalities and adult care facilities. Transfinder, an Inc. magazine fastest-growing company for the past ten straight years, has offices in Austin, Texas, and Shanghai, China. The software company develops and supports routing and scheduling solutions for optimal transportation logistics.
Ball Janik LLP has again been ranked in the U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers Best Law Firms list. According to U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, firms included in the 2017 Best Law Firms list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.

Ball Janik LLP ranked nationally as follows:

National Tier 2

Land Use & Zoning Law

Litigation - Real Estate

Ball Janik LLPs Portland and Orlando offices ranked as follows:

Portland, Oregon Metropolitan Tier 1

Land Use & Zoning Law

Litigation - Construction

Litigation - Land Use & Zoning

Litigation - Real Estate

Real Estate Law

Orlando, Florida Metropolitan Tier 2

Litigation - Real Estate

Portland, Oregon Metropolitan Tier 2

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Litigation - Bankruptcy

Portland, Oregon Metropolitan Tier 3

Litigation - Securities

About Best Law Firms

The U.S. News  Best Lawyers Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. To be eligible for a ranking, a law firm must have at least one lawyer listed in the 22nd Edition of The Best Lawyers in America list for that particular location and specialty.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is a digital news and information company that empowers people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. Focusing on Education, Health, Personal Finance, Travel, Cars and News & Opinion, USNews.com provides consumer advice, rankings, news and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. More than 37 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

About Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected attorney ranking service in the world. For more than 30 years, Best Lawyers has assisted those in need of legal services to identify the attorneys best qualified to represent them in distant jurisdictions or unfamiliar specialties. Best Lawyers lists are published in leading local, regional and national publications across the globe. The Best Lawyers in America list recognizes the very best lawyers in each practice area and metropolitan region in the country.

About Ball Janik LLP

Ball Janik LLP is a Pacific Northwest law firm headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with an office in Orlando, Florida. For over thirty years, Ball Janik LLP has been providing outstanding legal services in the areas of bankruptcy and creditor rights, commercial litigation, construction and design, construction litigation, employment, real estate and land use, insurance recovery for policyholders, and securities litigation.

Ball Janik LLP represents large and small businesses; state, municipal and local governments; associations; schools and universities; and individuals. Ball Janik LLP provides clients an aggressive, skilled, team approach to solve problems and achieve results. Ball Janik LLP has been recognized by Chambers USA, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, and Corporate International. Ball Janik LLPs success and integrity have repeatedly made it one of Oregons Most Admired Professional Firms, according to the Portland Business Journals survey results of CEOs throughout the region.
Precise, Inc. was recognized in three categories in The Legal Intelligencer's 2016 "Best of" survey. The consistent recognition in these three areas of litigation support highlights the diversified suite of solutions we offer attorneys throughout the case lifecycle.

Precise, Inc., a trusted litigation technology firm, is pleased to announce that it has been selected as a top-level service provider in The Legal Intelligencer's annual "Best of" survey for the seventh consecutive year. The results were announced in the publication's "Best of 2016" issue, published on October 31st in Philadelphia.

Each year, readers of The Legal Intelligencer, the oldest law journal in the United States, cast their votes for the best providers of products and services to the Pennsylvania legal community. Precise has been selected as a favorite provider in one or more categories since 2010. This is the second year the company has been honored with awards in three categories, taking first place in both eDiscovery Services and Medical Illustrations and Exhibits. The firm was also chosen as a "best of" provider in the Trial Technology category again this year.

The consistent recognition in these three areas of litigation support highlights the diversified suite of solutions we offer attorneys throughout the case lifecycle, says Sean Dennin, CEO of Precise, Inc. "In order to be successful as a 'one-stop-shop' for our clients, serious depth and expertise in each area of service is essential. These survey results confirm that the legal community understands and values what Precise brings to the table and were honored by that.

Attorneys looking for a reputable team of experienced individuals to provide phase-specific or multifaceted litigation technology strategy turn to Precise, Inc. The company offers advisory, eDiscovery and trial solutions to law firms of all sizes across the country. To learn more about how Precise can help with your next matter, visit precise-law.com.

About Precise

Since 2000, Precise, Inc. has provided a comprehensive suite of collaborative litigation support services to help law firms and corporate legal teams manage litigation in a defensible, cost-efficient manner. Precises solutions include workflow process design, forensic data collection, ESI processing capabilities, intuitive document review, and professional trial consultation complete with custom graphics and animation, video production services, and sophisticated courtroom presentations. To learn more about how Precise can help your firm level the technology playing field, please visit precise-law.com or call 866-277-3247.
Coordinating logos developed for Partner in Progress organizations. When asked what was most limiting for local business growth, the top-cited issue among those surveyed was overwhelmingly Community Brand/Impression.

Ottumwas economic development partners are excited to announce the unveiling of their new logo and tagline. Let Us Surprise You! is the overriding theme, and coordinating logos have been developed for Partner in Progress organizations to tie in a new look with the tagline. Additionally, the Greater Ottumwa Convention and Visitors Bureau will launch a new, enhanced website utilizing the Let Us Surprise You! theme, along with upgraded features for the site, which will continue provide services and marketing support to the local tourism industry.

The idea for a comprehensive branding exercise first came about in the fall of 2015, when informal discussions amongst community members and leaders became increasingly frequent; everyone agreed there was a need to create a strategy. The idea then gained more momentum after the Ottumwa F.I.R.S.T. Community Survey findings were released in February 2016. When asked what was most limiting for local business growth, the top-cited issue among those surveyed was overwhelmingly Community Brand/Impression.

Community stakeholders gathered to develop a plan of action. Representatives from Main Street Ottumwa, Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce, Ottumwa Economic Development Corporation, Greater Ottumwa Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), the City of Ottumwa, and the Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation were all financial contributors to the Spotted Zebra Branding Workshop held on February 26, 2016 with PUSH Branding + Design from Des Moines. The all-day workshop was attended by approximately 19 people, representing a variety of ages and backgrounds. 20% of the cost for the workshop was covered by funds received through a Travel Iowa grant, an application which had been made by CVB.

Discussion covered a wide range of topics, including types of businesses desired to attract to Ottumwa, as well as what makes the ideal resident of the community - even so precise as to what type of music they would listen to and where they would shop. The group learned of the importance in promoting a clear, concise message about Ottumwa, and how vital it is to maintain and cultivate the communitys brand in the future.

Numerous conversations were held, and the group took part in many exercises throughout the day, all aimed at the end goal of identifying Ottumwas IT factor. In other words, what distinguishes us in the marketplace. During this process, we were reminded that although we might be fully aware of the fact that our groups are different entities with distinct missions, the public sees us as one, and it is important to have a cohesive message and look, says CVB Director Abby Kisling.

Following the workshop, PUSH took all information gathered and began the task of designing logos and tagline options to present to the group. On April 14, 2016 representatives from the creative firm returned to Ottumwa for a meeting with the stakeholders, during which eight logo and 30 tagline concepts were presented. Hill Productions & Media Group, Inc., an integrated marketing firm with offices in Bloomfield, IA and Nashville, TN, have since been working closely as consultants in brand deployment.

The final logo, approved by Main Street Ottumwa, Greater Ottumwa CVB, Ottumwa Economic Development Corporation, and the Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce, is set to be unveiled to the public on November 1, 2016. The logo variations will subsequently be rolled out on each groups respective websites, social media pages, signage, and collateral materials such as stationery, brochures, and flyers.
Double Down For Veterans Campaign to benefit Semper Fi Fund Bob and Renee Parsons have taken their incredible generosity to a whole new level with the Double Down for Veterans campaign in supporting those who have sacrificed so much on our behalf, said Semper Fi Fund Pres. & Exec. Dir. Karen Guenther

For the fifth year in a row, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation and GoDaddy are joining the Semper Fi Fund in its mission to raise funds to assist wounded, critically ill and injured post-9/11 service members and their families. Through December 31, 2016, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will match all donations, up to $10 million, as part of the Double Down for Veterans campaign.

The work being done by Semper Fi Fund is providing ongoing, critical support for our countrys veterans, said American entrepreneur and philanthropist, Bob Parsons. We have a duty to do whatever we can to give back to the men and women who have sacrificed so much in their service to our great nation.

Parsons is a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has matched donations to Semper Fi Fund since 2012, and the $10 million match would bring The Foundations cumulative total to more than $31 million in donations to The Fund.

Bob and Renee Parsons have taken their incredible generosity to a whole new level with the Double Down for Veterans campaign, said Semper Fi Fund President, Executive Director and Founder Karen Guenther. Their work goes far beyond helping us serve those who have served us allthey are doubling the impact of every single donor who joins us in supporting those who have sacrificed so much on our behalf.

The Semper Fi Fund provides urgently needed resources and lifetime support for wounded, critically ill and injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families by providing financial aid, arranging transportation for hospital visits and offering assistance every day to provide for the needs of military families. To date, The Fund has provided more than $133 million in assistance to 17,000 service members, to ensure they have the resources needed during recovery and transition back to their communities.

Supporting the men and women who have made such incredible personal sacrifices to serve our country is something Bob and I are very passionate about, said businesswoman and philanthropist Renee Parsons. Every donation to Semper Fi Fund has the power to make the lives of our wounded veterans and their families a little easier, and we hope many others will join us in the Double Down for Veterans campaign.

GoDaddy is all in with the campaign, leading the way with a $50,000 donation. Bob Parsons, who has long been recognized for his philanthropic and entrepreneurial leadership, is the GoDaddy founder who instilled charitable giving as a priority at the company. This year, as part of a separate initiative, GoDaddy also pledged to hire a minimum of 500 veterans, or spouses, over the next five years.

We respect and support veterans, and their families, for their dedication and sacrifice, said GoDaddy Chief Operating Officer Scott Wagner, who is also executive sponsor for the companys internal veterans employee resource group. We appreciate military service members, past and present, who are mission-focused, service-minded and committedall qualities we value in our GoDaddy culture. With this years Double Down campaign, every Semper Fi Fund donation, up to $10 million, is matched dollar-for-dollar, which we hope inspires more people to give.

Donations to the Double Down for Veterans campaign can be made at semperfifund.org/match. Follow the progress of the campaign and learn more about those befitting from the work of the organization on Semper Fis social channels: Facebook.com/semperfifund and twitter.com/semperfifund.

About the Semper Fi Fund

The Semper Fi Fund provides urgently needed resources and lifetime support for wounded, critically ill and injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Case managers from the Semper Fi Fund work one-on-one with service members and veterans in order to understand and support their individual needs right now and throughout their lifetime. We keep our overhead low so our impact on the lives of service members and veterans is greater. The Semper Fi Fund has been awarded the highest ratings from charity watchdog groups for six consecutive years: A+ from Charity Watch, one of only two veteran nonprofits to receive this rating, and Four Stars from Charity Navigator.

About The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation inspires hope by providing critical funding at critical times to communities striving to make a difference. The Foundation primarily focuses on issues in the greater Phoenix area. The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation believes every person is entitled to an education, good nutrition, medical care, a stress-free, happy environment and the hope that they too, will share in the American Dream. The Foundation provides funding to nonprofit organizations that are successfully addressing these essential needs. The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is also committed to the children of Haiti, helping to grow and improve schools, medical services and overall well-being for communities in rural Haiti. tbrpf.org.

About GoDaddy

GoDaddy powers the worlds largest cloud platform dedicated to small, independent ventures. With more than 14 million customers worldwide and more than 63 million domain names under management, GoDaddy is the place people come to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers and manage their work. Our mission is to give our customers the tools, insights and the people to transform their ideas and personal initiative into success. To learn more about the company, visit http://www.GoDaddy.com.

About GoDaddy Cares

GoDaddy believes that its responsibility as a corporate citizen is to make a difference in the communities in which it operates. As part of that philosophy GoDaddy contributes to nonprofit organizations that focus on causes which are meaningful to our business, our customers, our employees and our community. Since 2002 GoDaddy has donated more than 15 million dollars to a variety of charitable organizations. GoDaddy understands that giving back to the community is not just accomplished with money and resources but also with talent and time. Visit GoDaddyCares.com to discover how you can join us to make a difference.

# # #

Media Contact: Beth Bourgeois | beth.bourgeois@semperfifund.org | 719-216-3206
PVNG GL Account Inquiry Screen Aptechs PVNG accounting system is a game changer in the world of hotel accounting. Built from the ground up for the web, weve taken Aptechs 45+ years of hotel accounting knowledge and put it on the most current technology platform. Past News Releases RSS Three Hotel Companies Select Aptech...

Top Hotel Management Company...

Glacier House Hotels Installs...

Aptech Computer Systems announced it signed agreements with 8 hotel companies with a total of 175+ properties in the past six months. Six companies integrated and centralized multi-brand data collection and analysis with Aptechs Execuvue business intelligence hotel software. Other operators installed Profitvue enterprise back office and Targetvue budgeting and forecasting for faster response to market and business fluctuations. Aptechs PVNG browser-based back office system is in use by several companies and will be released in the coming months. Aptech is the leading provider of hotel software for business intelligence, budgeting, and enterprise financial accounting. Click here for more on Aptechs products and services.

Execuvue delivers robust multi-brand analysis for ownership reporting

Pinnacle Hotel Management will implement Execuvue Business Intelligence for its 26 Hilton, Marriott and independent properties. Execuvue will deliver more robust performance reporting across our portfolio that many of our owners require for their business accounting, said Felicia Matula, Pinnacle CFO.

Angielyn Cruz, director of finance for The William Vale, is pleased to report, We installed Profitvue to manage pre-opening accounting and use it now for all property financial processes. The system is specifically designed for hospitality companies, and Aptech customized our chart of accounts for The William Vales unique operations. Aptech also interfaced The William Vales purchasing and property management systems with Profitvue hotel software to simplify accounting processes.

The most important thing at Aptech is our clients success, said Kim Sieminski, Aptech sales manager. Our entire team welcomes our new clients to the Aptech family. We recognize that our success comes from their success and we are proud to be a part of it.

Execuvue is Aptechs IBM Cognos-based enterprise hospitality business intelligence application that enables faster goal achievement for large and small hotel companies. Targetvue is Aptechs hospitality-driven budgeting and forecasting solution. Aptech joined forces with PROPHIX to develop a totally new budgeting and forecasting application fully-integrated with its Profitvue accounting and Execuvue business intelligence systems. Targetvue eliminates the need to correct and recombine multiple spreadsheets for consolidating and reporting. Profitvue is a widely used thin-client, Internet-enabled enterprise back office solution that easily handles single or multi-property and multi-company accounting. It incorporates accounts payable, general ledger, statistics and financials. All of Aptechs hotel software solutions are available as an ASP service or on a licensed basis.

Aptechs PVNG accounting system is a game changer in the world of hotel accounting. Built from the ground up for the web, weve taken Aptechs 45+ years of hotel accounting knowledge and put it on the most current technology platform. The user experience is simple and clean and has the features and functions that hoteliers expect from Aptech. We are very excited about this application, said Sieminski.

About Aptech Computer Systems, Inc.

Aptech Computer Systems, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only provider of a fully integrated enterprise accounting, business intelligence and planning ecosystem to the hospitality industry. All of its clients are companies like yours, which own or manage hotels. Its solutions help customers at both the corporate and property levels understand their financial and operational data for faster goal achievement.

The company is renowned for introducing business intelligence into the hotel industry, and offers a solid resource of hospitality professionals. Aptech is an IBM Software Value Plus partner and Premier Solution Provider.

Incorporated in 1970, Aptechs state-of-the-art back office, true business intelligence and enterprise planning solutions are 100% hotel specific. Solutions include Profitvue, Execuvue, Webvue and Targetvue. Clients comprise over 3,500 properties - including large chains, multiple-property management companies and single-site hotels. Execuvue and Profitvue are registered to Aptech Computer Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are owned by their respective holders. For more information please visit http://www.aptech-inc.com.
OMTimes Magazine Featured Cover I had always been a Medium since I was a kid, connecting to Spirit, talking to Spirit, but no part of me thought I was supposed to be doing that as a career.

Colby, Psychic Rebel is a straight-shooting, trailblazing professional Psychic Medium. Colby recently graced the cover of the largest conscious-living magazine in the nation, OMTimes Magazine.

In this intriguing article, Colby is interviewed by metaphysical pioneer and founder of Best American Psychics, Shay Parker, and discusses her transformation from manager to medium. Psychic gifts are difficult for some to apprehend, leaving many to wonder how does an ordinary person, such as a tax manager, become a world-renowned Psychic Medium. Colby shares her story crossing over from a corporate day-job to her spiritual lifes work. She also offers helpful tips to readers who may have intuitive/psychic abilities, and would like to delve further into expanding their gifts to a professional level. Read the full article here.

As a certified master spiritual teacher, Colby has a passion for delivering messages from Spirit. While Colby has helped thousands of clients with direction and clarity through psychic, medium, and group readings, she also felt a calling to share her experience as a tax manager to provide other entrepreneurs with the fundamentals essential to building their own successful spiritual practice. As a result, Colby wrote and published Leap of Faith: How to Build Your Spiritual Business, an all-inclusive guidebook which covers the proven strategies necessary in creating a thriving spiritual business. Purchase the book at Amazon  click here.

In an effort to reach as many people as possible, Colby is frequently a featured expert guest on national and international radio programs. In November, Colby has 3 such interviews scheduled. The first is debuting November 3, 2016 at 4:30pm PST on Evolving Soul. Tune in here.

On November 8, 2016, Colby guest-stars on Shay Parkers Best of the Best, Lets Get Metaphysical with Mary OMaley, a world-class Hypnotist. Tune in here.

On November 21, 2016, Colby is the featured guest on Discover Your Talent  Do What You Love. Tune in here.

To learn more about Colby, Psychic Rebel, visit her website: http://www.psychicrebel.com

About Colby, Psychic Rebel -

Colby is an international Psychic Medium, a teacher, and a best-selling author. A session with Colby may just feel a bit like talking to a friend. Shes an internationally recognized Psychic Medium, Master Spiritual Teacher, Radio Host, Author & Public Speaker.
Johanna Whetmore is nominated as finalist in the Emerging Leader Awards by SIIA. I am inspired every day by teachers who by nature, are creative problem solvers.

Johanna Wetmore has been named a finalist in the Emerging Leader Awards by the Software Industry and Information Association (SIIA). Ms. Wetmore and co-founder Chris Robert, founded EvoText, which is a full-service educational software development company that builds e-learning applications. The company has grown ten-fold since being founded in 2012. Click to Tweet.

I am honored and humbled to be a finalist in the Emerging Leader Awards, said Ms. Wetmore. I am inspired every day by teachers who by nature, are creative problem solvers. My goal with EvoText is to continue to build teaching solutions so that teachers spend less time managing the details and process of teaching and spend more time actually interacting with and helping students learn.

Ms. Wetmores experience as a classroom teacher gives her insightful perspective on building technology resources that solve real-world educational problems. One of her creations, Ogment, is used to select, organize, and easily compile internet resources into lessons and that can be aligned to curriculum maps and standards. Districts can develop curriculum using digital resources and information they find on the internet by grabbing only what is neededwithout the cluttering ads and extraneous information that tends to be on webpages. Other materials, activities, and multimedia content created by teachers or curriculum teams can also be integrated with the clipped web content. Assessment capabilities are also included in Ogment.

See Ogment in action at: youtu.be/fFa7dr-Zbxo

Ogment has won numerous awards in the last year. It was named the most innovative supplemental education resource in the 2016 REVERE Awards hosted by the Association of American Publishers. Ogment won three BESSIE and three EDDIE Awards in 2016, an SIIA CODiE Award in 2016 for the best cross-curricular solution, and was also given a 2016 Award of Excellence by Tech & Learning magazine.

Winners for the Emerging Leader Award will be announced November 15 during the Business Information & Media Summit in Ft. Lauderdale, Flor.

About Ogment

Ogment is a curriculum creation and management program that connects the dots from curriculum mapping and content gathering through course and lesson planning. It simplifies and facilitates the curriculum creation, management and delivery process. With Ogment, teachers in K12 plan and build lessons from web content, map courses, create assessments, and monitor progress. Ogment "edu-neers" are educators, engineers and designers who have been at the forefront of educational technology for the past two decades. Ogment is a subsidiary of EvoText, LLC headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. To learn more, visit GetOgment.com.

About EvoText

EvoText is an educational software development house that develops custom eLearning solutions. EvoTexts experts have developed several of the most well-known, award-winning eLearning products for basal and supplemental publishers, schools and teachers. EvoText is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. To learn more, visit EvoText.com.

Tweet: @EvoText founder Johanna Wetmore named finalist Emerging Leader by #SIIA. #edtech #entrepreneur https://www.getogment.com

Tags: Ogment, EvoText, SIIA, curriculum, education, teaching, lessons, lesson planning, K12, teacher, curriculum alignment, entrepreneur, curriculum development

Summary: EvoText founder, Johanna Wetmore, has been named finalist in the Emerging Leader Awards by SIIA. EvoText builds e-learning applications including Ogment for curriculum creation.
COHH children on the steps of the almost-completed new school. Photo provided by COHH.

Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP will receive the Hope Award for its long-standing pro bono and financial support of The Center of Hope (Haiti), Inc. (COHH) in the building of an orphanage and school complex in Hinche, Haiti. COHH will present the award to the firms Chief Executive Officer Brian L. Duffy at its 11th Annual Gala in New York City on Nov. 2. Also, the first of COHHs four planned school buildings was dedicated to the firm in Haiti on Oct. 22.

We are proud to be involved with this outstanding organization and are honored to receive this award, Duffy said. Greenberg Traurigs support of Center of Hope (Haiti) is an excellent example of the firms commitment to pro bono work and to improving the lives of children everywhere.

Since 2004, a team of Greenberg Traurig attorneys, led by New York Shareholder Daniel J. Ansell, Chair of the firms Real Estate Operations Department, has assisted COHH with legal issues related to the creation and operation of the orphanage and, now, its elementary school.

Greenberg Traurig has been our partner for over 12 years, said James L. Lipscomb, COHH Advisory Board Chair. The firms legal and financial support and Dans wise leadership over this time has been a significant contributor to our success including our ability to bring our school project from a dream to a reality.

Center of Hope (Haiti) reminds us all how important it is to continue to give back to others, particularly during these challenging times, Ansell said. The volunteer work Greenberg Traurig has done shows that our efforts can have a significant positive impact  namely by giving countless children the opportunity to attend school and learn.

COHH is a not-for-profit corporation formed for the purpose of developing and operating an orphanage in Hinche, Haiti. When completed, the orphanage complex, currently under construction, will consist of an orphanage for up to 100 children, an elementary school for up to 200 children, a vocational school, and a medical clinic. COHH, through a volunteer board of directors and officers, coordinates resources, including volunteer services and contributions, in support of the orphanage.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Greenberg Traurig, LLP is an international, multi-practice law firm with approximately 2,000 attorneys serving clients from 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm is No. 1 on the 2015 Law360 Most Charitable Firms list, second largest in the U.S. on the 2016 Law360 400, Top 20 on the 2015 Am Law Global 100, and among the 2015 BTI Brand Elite. More information at: http://www.gtlaw.com.
Law Office of Alex Solomiany, P.A. The offices are very spacious and the building is easily accessible with ample parking space for our clients. Past News Releases RSS

Attorney Alex Solomiany, founder of the Law Office of Alex Solomiany, P.A., recently announced the firm has a new address, 999 Brickell Avenue PH 1102, Miami, FL. The offices are very spacious and the building is easily accessible with ample parking space for our clients, said Solomiany.

From its Miami headquarters, the Law Office of Alex Solomiany, which focuses on immigration and nationality law, serves clients before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, and throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, including Florida, New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, Puerto Rico, Nevada, Arizona and California.

Mr. Solomiany, who is fluent in English, Spanish and Hebrew, practices in all areas of immigration law. This includes defending noncitizens in removal/deportation proceedings, representing noncitizens in immigration custody, defending noncitizens against criminal charges that could affect their immigration status, helping lawful permanent residents (green card holders) apply for naturalization and citizenship, obtaining permanent residence (green cards) under family-based and employment-based preference categories, religious worker visas, employment visas, and more.

Many people who wish to immigrate to the United States become frustrated with the legal process, which often seems to be more focused on creating obstacles than on helping them reach their lawful goal, said Solomiany. However, we put the focus on our clients goal, whether that is to obtain permanent residence, to live permanently in the U.S., to obtain a nonimmigrant visa to allow you to enter or remain in the U.S., to maintain your current status, to avoid deportation or to become a citizen of the U.S.

About Alex Solomiany, Law Office of Alex Solomiany, P.A.

Alex Solomiany is board certified in immigration and nationality law by the Supreme Court of the State of Florida. He presently serves as the Chair of the Florida Bar Immigration and Nationality Law Board Certification Committee. Mr. Solomiany has appeared before every immigration law judge in Miami and Orlando, FL. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. For more information, please call (305) 373-1105, or visit http://www.immigrationlawmiami.com.

About the NALA

The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361.
"Increasingly global connectivity in the work environment calls for us to provide our students with an opportunity to hone their communication skills so that misunderstandings and conflicts on the job decrease," - Laura Brener, director.

Linfield College is excited to announce their new online certificate in Communication and Diversity. This certification aims to teach students effective professional communication skills within a variety of cultural contexts.

Offering online courses for over ten years, Linfield College provides convenient, practical courses that students in all fields can utilize. The Communication and Diversity Certificate provides a foundation in personal discourse with an experiential learning opportunity to build their skillset with an internship or community service. Students may also select an elective outside of communication arts that correlates to their individual career path or interests such as Business, Education, or Health Care.

Linfield's faculty and staff believe this certificate will offer one of the most important and effective tools for all students. "Increasingly global connectivity in the work environment calls for us to provide our students with an opportunity to hone their communication skills so that misunderstandings and conflicts on the job decrease," said Laura Brener, director of Online and Continuing Education.

Linfield's goal is to have a communications program that will benefit almost anyone who is working within diverse populations. Students can advance their careers by developing the proper skills in communicating with individuals from varied backgrounds. Our Online and Continuing Education department provides a learning environment that allows students to succeed, with technical support available at all times as well as online tutoring and academic advising. Prospective students can also apply for financial aid in addition to loans and grants.

For more information on the program, visit the website at http://www.linfield.edu/dce. Interested students can also call directly at (503) 883-2213, or visit the Linfield College Online and Continuing Education campus at 900 SE Baker St. in McMinnville, Oregon 97128-6808.

Located in the Pacific Northwest, Linfield College is a private, undergraduate institution with an emphasis on teaching and diversity. Linfield College provides its students with numerous online programs and certifications that allow working adults to continue their academic studies and further their careers from anywhere around the globe.
Stephen Greenhouse, M.D. We feel that providing fertility care closer to home will reduce the time demands and stress that is associated with fertility treatment.

Shady Grove Fertility is proud to announce the opening of two new satellite locations in Northern Virginia. As the largest fertility center in the state, Shady Grove Fertility offers convenient access with now five full-service locations (Annandale, VA; Arlington, VA; Fair Oaks, VA; Leesburg, VA; Woodbridge, VA), three satellite locations, and nine physicians throughout Northern Virginia.

The increasing demand for convenient access to world-class fertility care throughout Northern Virginia is what prompted the opening of Shady Grove Fertilitys new full-service Arlington, VA office and two new satellite locations in Haymarket and Dulles-Aldie. With this expansion, Shady Grove Fertility is able to provide more accessibility to patients and offer an array of fertility services to people in this region.

Board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, Naveed Khan, M.D., will provide a full range of state-of-the art diagnostic and treatment options at the Dulles-Aldie, VA office located at the Stone Springs Hospital Center. We expanded our services to our patients in southern Loudoun County where we are seeing a population boom and a demand to make access to fertility care more convenient.

In the Haymarket, VA office, located at the Novant Medical Center, board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, Stephen Greenhouse, M.D., will also provide a full range of state-of-the art diagnostic and treatment options to patients. We are looking forward to establishing a closer relationship with the Haymarket community. We feel that providing fertility care closer to home will reduce the time demands and stress that is associated with fertility treatment, commented Dr. Greenhouse.

This mission at Shady Grove Fertility is to provide access to affordable yet specialized and personalized fertility care. With new easily accessible locations, Shady Grove Fertility is bringing highly specialized fertility care to the Northern Virginia community. With Shady Grove Fertilitys unique financial programs such as its Shared Risk 100% Refund Guarantee and Shared Help Programs, they aim to make treatment affordable and accessible to all.

Patients may now schedule an appointment for the Haymarket and Dulles-Aldie, VA locations or any of the other locations throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or Washington, D.C., by calling the Shady Grove Fertility New Patient Center at 888-761-1967.

About Shady Grove Fertility

Shady Grove Fertility is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence offering patients individualized care, innovative financial options, and pregnancy rates among the highest of all national centers. 2016 commemorates 25 years of Shady Grove Fertility providing medical and service excellence to patients from all 50 states and 35 countries around the world, and celebrates over 40,000 babies bornmore than any other center in the nation. Today, 34 reproductive endocrinologists, supported by a highly specialized team of 600 urologists, Ph.D. scientists, geneticists, and staff care for patients in 18 full-service offices and five satellite sites throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Shady Grove Fertility physicians actively train residents and reproductive endocrinology fellows and invest in continuous clinical research and education to advance the field of reproductive medicine through numerous academic appointments and partnerships such as Georgetown Medical School, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the University of Maryland, and the National Institutes of Health. More than 1,700 physicians refer their patients to Shady Grove Fertility each year. For more information, call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.
... more and more individuals and companies are finding it necessary to market themselves through a personal or company website. But setting up a legally-compliant website is often trickier than it sounds. Past News Releases RSS Financial Poise Announces...

Financial Poise Announces...

Financial Poise Announces...

In today's economic environment, intellectual property (IP) rights have become increasingly important assets for both individual and corporate entities. More and more, both are recognizing the economic importance of IP rights--whether those rights consist of a single patent--or whether they consist of an entire portfolio also including trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

This information-packed Financial Poise webinar series focuses on the intricacies of IP rights as they relate to the specific areas of brand protection, IP transactions, internet marketing, and other IP issues that are critical when representing innovators and inventors. Join some of the leading attorneys in the World, as they discussin plain English for the non-expertsome specific IP challenges that individuals, businesses, and those who represent them are likely to face.

The third episode of the series, Setting Up a Website, airs on November 18th at 11am CST (Register Here) and features Moderator William C. Spence of SpencePC. He is joined by Darren Spielman of Kain Spielman, Steve Starzyk of Financial Poise and Dave Freedman, journalist and author.

As e-commerce continues to become increasingly important, more and more individuals and companies are finding it necessary to market themselves through a personal or company website. But setting up a legally-compliant website is often trickier than it sounds. This webinar discusses some of the legal issues that individuals and companies need to know to avoid potential liability when establishing a website. It also discusses laws that can be used to effectively protect website content.

As with all Financial Poise webinars, each episode in the series is designed to be viewed independently of the other episodes, and listeners will enhance their knowledge of this area whether they attend one, some, or all of the programs. Previous episodes of this IP 201 2016 series include Choosing & Protecting Your Brand and Buying & Selling IP. These episodes are available on-demand through West LegalEdCenter.

ABOUT FINANCIAL POISE:

Financial Poise (http://www.financialpoise.com ) provides unbiased news, continuing education, and intelligence to private business owners, executives, investors, and their trusted advisors. For more information contact Emily Goldin at egoldin(at)financialpoise(dot)com or 312-469-0135.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
Im waiting for Mario Batali at the bar at Otto Enoteca e Pizzeriathe more family friendly and casual of his restaurants. The bartender, Dennis, a bearded man with a shaved head and reading glasses, is accommodating without being effusive as he serves me a caffe macchiato. Its two p.m. on a Monday; the restaurant is quiet and the wait staff is busy cleaning in preparation for the dinner rush.

Batali arrives wearing salmon cargo shorts, an orange-and-white striped button-down shirt, and his trademark orange crocs.

So, what are we doing today? he says. His steely gray eyes are unblinking. Not just a chef, not just a restaurateur, not just a cookbook author, or the jovial Molto Mario, or co-host of The Chew, Batali is a man who runs a culinary empire. And his schedule is packed.

This is my home office, right here, he says. And my home kitchen until we became empty nesters since my sons went off to collegethey would come down here and have cinnamon sugar pizzas. And they would order take-out from here with their high school buddies. Batali warms when talking about his sons.

The Batali name has become ubiquitous with Italian cooking. He has had 10 cookbooks publishedmostly Italian, with one on Spanish food. Batalis Big American Cookbook (Grand Central Life & Style, Oct.) is his third on American cuisine, if you count his Mario Tailgates NASCAR Style cookbook.

Why would Bataliresponsible in part for reintroducing Italian cuisine to Americawant to deviate from what he knows best?

Ive always been excited about American food, he says. And I grew up in Washington State. Ive been just as excited to eat in Iowa, say, as I have in Umbria, provided there is an authenticity to the food. And especially when what youre eating is not something you can get just anywhere. For example, when you get an Iowa loose meat sandwich, the way the cheese melts when you do it right is not gastronomically mind-blowing but its so deliciousand speaks to me as something that is so Americana. And thats how I feel about the recipes in Big American Cookbook.

Some of the entries are recipes from Batalis family such as a tourtiere that his French Canadian grandfather would make around Christmastime. Its the cookie spices [cinnamon, allspice, and clove] and the savory meat that makes it so right, he says about the traditional Quebecois pork pie.

But most of the recipes in the book were collected while he was travelingwhether on vacation or on book tours.

I would always ask the bookstore owner where the teacher or the average person would go to eat at least once a month, and go there. I would look in the Elks Club and the Rotary Club for cookbooks or recipes, and I wouldnt Mario-ize them but I might add some chopped jalapenos. I write down recipes wherever I go, he says.

For this book Id send 1000 pages of recipes to [co-author] Jim Webster in my handwritten script and hell type them, and then well figure out what theyre doing. Before we even test one well sit down, talk about them, and see how they work.

Jim Webster is the co-author he met in 2008, when Webster, then a copyeditor for the St. Petersburg Times, won Mario Batali's Ultimate Grilling Challenge, which was associated with the publication of Batalis Italian Grill cookbook. I feel like I won it on the name more than anything else, Webster tells me over the phone. Pig-wrapped, pig-stuffed pig.

Webster and his wife would eventually join Batali to help at events for the Mario Batali Foundationa hunger and literacy program. Batali then invited Webster, now a copyeditor at the Washington Post, to work on his 2014 cookbook AmericaFarm to Table: Simple, Delicious Recipes Celebrating Local Farmers.

For research on Big American Cookbook, Webster would go to libraries, thrift stores, and community bookstores and look for those spiral-bound cookbooks. I used those for research even more than the Internet.

In the books introduction Batali writes, What fascinates me most about the regional recipes in these United States is the powerful ethnicity unique to the various parts of the country.

As a student at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., Batali came across all kinds of ethnic food in New Jersey, including the tomato pie in Trenton. The tomato pie is a dish from the U.S. that may not exist in Italy. Its an idea that immigrants brought over from Italy, and made better here.

Wherever he would go, Batali says, people would point out the local specialties, such as the runza in Nebraskaa hand pie brought over by Eastern Europeans in the mid 1800s, and made of basic dough and stuffed with beef and onion and sometimes cabbage. When I heard about it, I thought what the hell is this and how can I have it?!

Batali orders a plate of bruschetta, topped with a creamy puree of fava beans and potatoes and hint of mint and chili pepper. He has a sharp eye for everything; when my sleeve comes a little too close to the food, he quietly says, Look out there. He explains that My Italian cookbooks were more or less based on restaurant cooking. They were unapologetically prep heavy and chop specific. This one is more for the home cookstuff thats easier to shop for. You can find almost any of these ingredients in any store.

In writing this book he recalled the Silver Palate cookbook. I remember picking up that book and looking at the recipes when I was younger and thinking, I can kill that.

And for nearly the last 20 years, Batali has been writing his own cookbooks.

Writing cookbooks is a real relaxing time. And I do most of my writing on planes, Batali says. Writing is an absolutely different part of my day. I enjoy the process. To write those recipes down and analyze my process, makes me a better cook. In the same way that when Im driving down the highway, I add up the numbers of every license plate I see. My mind runs that way. So when I put together a recipe I automatically thinktwo tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, three cloves of garlic, put those in a pan, saute, add three cups of corn, saute until light golden brown.

But these days, hes no longer regularly in his kitchens. I ask what he misses about it.

Well, I no longer have to clean up, he says with a laugh. But its the sweatiness that I miss, he adds after a pause. Because youre kind of humping in there. No matter how much you dislike the person you are standing next to, you put that aside during the dinner rush because you need each other. And at the end of the night you sit down and have Chinese soup container full of cold beer. Its that feeling you have when you come up against and vanquish Goliath. You can feel giddily satisfied about your performance.
Hilary Knight, the storied illustrator of Kay Thompsons Eloise and its sequels, celebrated his 90th birthday on November 1, along with new book deals with two Macmillan imprints. Michael Flamini, executive editor of St. Martins Press, has bought world English rights to Hilary Knight: Drawn from Life, an illustrated memoir scheduled for spring 2018. Simultaneously, Jon Yaged, president of Macmillan Childrens Publishing Group, has acquired world English rights to Olive & Oliver: The Formative Years, a graphic novel about eccentric twins separated at birth. Written by Knights twin nieces, Kitty and Lily Knight, and illustrated by their uncle, this 2019 Roaring Brook title will be edited by senior v-p and publishing director Simon Boughton. Brenda Bowen of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates brokered both deals.

Hilary Knights memoir, which is aimed at adult readers, will trace his life from childhood through his years as an artist living in Manhattan and bringing Eloise to life, to the present day. The autobiography will be illustrated with photographs and new and existing art by Knight, including pieces he created for the theater and never-before-published images.

The book, Knight explained, has been long in the making. Ive been working on this for years, in fact, he said. It is a real history of my own life, of course, but its also the story of my parents, who were both highly accomplished artists. From my early years I was surrounded by art and artists  thats all I saw  and I began drawing when I was very young. I remember thinking that creating art was the only thing that people did for a living!

]His memoirs title, Hilary Knight: Drawn from Life, has double appeal for Knight. When we were trying to come up with a title, Id originally called it A Family Tree, thinking of all the things in my life connecting, but that didnt really work, he said. So I came up with the brilliant idea, Drawn from Life, and I checked the title on Amazon. The first thing that popped up was Ernest Shepards autobiography  and I was delighted! He was a tremendous influence on my own work, and on Eloise. So that became my title, too  with a great big bow to Ernest.

Knight, who makes his graphic novel debut with Olive & Oliver, noted that the Candide-esque story might look like a childrens book, but its not. Its written for adults by my brothers daughters, who are now grown women. They are identical twins, but they could not be more different. The novel is going to be based on reality  with some fantasy thrown in.

Bowen, who has been Knights agent for six years and was previously his editor and publisher at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, believes that each of his new projects have found an ideal home at Macmillan. Hilarys initial idea was to do a scrapbook of his life, she recalled. He worked on a dummy, but felt that he couldnt quite get the vision right. But when we brought it to Michael, he immediately saw all that the book could be, and was very excited at the idea of working with Hilary. He came up with just the right way to make the book artistically beautiful while delivering autobiographical material.

And, Bowen adds, given the niche that Roaring Brook has carved in the graphic-novel market, Olive & Oliver was a perfect fit for that imprint, despite its billing as an adult book. Jon and Simon recognized right away that this graphic novel is very much Roaring Brooks bailiwick, she said. Its a full-color graphic novel, which is the kind of book the imprint produces so beautifully.

Steadfastly belying his 90 years, Knight continues to stage art exhibits in addition to creating new books. In February 2017, an exhibit of his book illustration, with a focus on the delightfully demanding Eloise, will open at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Mass., and will then move to the New-York Historical Society in Manhattan in October. Also next fall, the New York Public Library's Lincoln Center branch will host an exhibit of Knights work, concentrating on his theatrical art.

Hilary is going full steam ahead  hes unstoppable, said Bowen. I think his art just gets better and better  even more refined and accomplished. Hes astonishing, really. Clearly, Knight continues to be energized by his art, and by the exhibits showcasing it. Im thrilled about these exhibits  I really am, he said. In fact, they help keep me going!
Donald Trump used a tax avoidance strategy so "legally dubious" that his own lawyers advised him the IRS would consider the move improper, according to The New York Times, which cites newly obtained documents from the 1990s. Congress banned the practice in 2004.

The FBI has been conducting a preliminary inquiry into the foreign business connections of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, law enforcement and intelligence sources told NBC News. Manafort said he's unaware of any investigation.

FBI Director James Comey argued privately not to name Russia as meddling in the U.S. election because the voting was so close, an ex-bureau official told CNBC. Hillary Clinton aides accused Comey of a "double standard" in revealing a renew interest in candidate's emails.

Clinton's 6-point national lead over Trump remains virtually unchanged since last week, even after FBI email bombshell, according to NBC News|SurveyMonkey weekly election tracking poll from the weekend, which included questions about Friday's move by Comey.

China has rejected a plan by Trump to back out of a global climate change pact, saying a wise political leader should make policy in line with global trends, a rare comment on a foreign election. (Reuters)

Yum Brands (YUM), which owns Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut, is spinning off its China business today. Yum China Holdings (YUMC) is set to start trading on the NYSE this morning. The CEOs of Yum and Yum China join CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" after the opening bell.

Sony (SNE) reported a nearly 86 percent drop in quarterly profit compared with a year earlier. The bottom line was impacted by a stronger yen, costs from the sale of its battery business, and softness in key areas like games and semiconductors. (CNBC)

Wells Fargo (WFC) has agreed to pay $50 million to settle a case involving home appraisal feels for homeowners who had defaulted on their mortgages. A court must still approve the settlement. (CNBC)

Story continues

Valeant (VRX) shares in the premarket were recovering some of Monday's 12 percent loss. The stock was hit by a Bloomberg report that ex-CEO Michael Pearson and ex-CFO Howard Schiller were subjects of a U.S. criminal investigation.

Viacom (VIAB) named Bob Bakish as its new acting chief executive officer , replacing the current acting CEO Tom Dooley. Bakish has been the CEO of Viacom's International Media Networks unit. (Reuters)

BlackBerry (BBRY) has agreed to work directly with Ford (F) to expand the carmaker's use of its QNX secure operating system. It's BlackBerry's first direct deal with a major automaker, though it does sell its car technology to auto suppliers. (Reuters)

A union representing about 4,700 transit workers in Philadelphia went on strike early this morning, after failing to reach a contract agreement. City officials fear the strike could carry over to Election Day. (USA Today)

Travelers who haven't purchased Thanksgiving airline tickets yet better not wait. Fares jump by about $4 per day, on average, approaching the holiday, and late last week, a new airfare hike got underway. (USA Today)





Major hedge funds had a mixed October. CNBC has learned that Dan Loeb's Third Point was down 0.7 percent last month, while David Einhorn's Greenlight Capital was up 1.2 percent in October. Both were up about 6 percent for the year. Bill Ackman's Pershing Square was down 3 percent through Oct. 25, and off more than 21 percent for the year.

The October ISM manufacturing index is the biggest economic report of the day, out at the 10 a.m. ET. At the same time, the government releases its construction spending report for September.

October U.S. vehicle sales roll in throughout the day, with one exception: due to a fire at its headquarters, Ford (F) won't release its numbers today, but hopes to do so later this week.



In addition to this morning's earnings reports, Electronic Arts (EA), Papa John's (PZZA), US Steel (X), Texas Roadhouse (TXRH), Western Union (WU) and Zillow (ZG) issue quarterly results after the bell this afternoon.



Tesla (TSLA) will hold a webcast at 5 p.m. ET today regarding its planned acquisition of SolarCity (SCTY).







BP (BP) reported net profit for the third quarter of $1.62 billion, trouncing the consensus expectation of $686 million, but still only delivering around half of last year's result for the period.

Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A) issued better-than-expected earnings for its third quarter, but gave a cautious outlook, as the oil giant continues to struggle in an environment of low oil prices.



Anadarko Petroleum (APC) lost 89 cents per share, wider than the 57-cent loss forecast by analysts. Revenue was also below estimates, on the continuing weakness in energy prices.



L Brands (LB) said October comparable store sales are expected to be up 1 percent. The apparel maker also said third quarter earnings would come in at the low end of estimates.



Tenet Healthcare (THC) reported quarterly profit of 16 cents per share, missing estimates by 3 cents and lowered its full-year revenue and profit forecasts. Quarterly revenue did beat expectations.



It's been 108 years since the Chicago Cubs were able to call themselves World Series champions. If they wish to end their epic drought, they'll have to win the next two games in Cleveland against the Indians, starting with Game 6 tonight. (USA Today)







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For several years Penguin Random House has been hosting ticketed fan retreats and open houses for readers. Going well beyond the traditional author signing, these events offer readers photo ops with authors and time around a like-minded group of super fans. The latest of these include an upcoming fan retreat with Lee Child on November 11 in Durham, N.C. and PRH's December 15 Open House in New York City. The latter proved so popular that, when the 625 tickets were put on sale, at $85 each, they sold out in five minutes.

What's the appeal? Something distinct from a typical book signing. "As we become a more author-centric company, this is a great way for us to interact with our fans and give them something unique," said Theresa Zoro, senior v-p and director of publicity and communications, who spearheaded the program six years ago.

For example, for the Lee Child event, which is being held in partnership with North Carolina Comicon, a $30 ticket gets you a copy of Child's latest, Night School, and a seat at his reading. For $60, fans also get to attend a private Jack Reacher-themed after party. There's also a bit of good will thrown in: since the event takes place on Veteran's Day, for every ticket sold, the USO of North Carolina will also donate a Lee Child book to a service member overseas.

Zoro said PRH chose North Carolina, in part, since it's the home of Fort Bragg and Child is an author who's "very supportive of the military." She also feels that this event, unlike previous ones, has the chance to draw a mix of male and female attendees. Previous fan retreats  for writers such as Diana Gabaldon (In Seattle), Emily Giffin (in Charleston), Jodi Picoult (in Boston) and Janet Evanovich (in Kissimmee, Florida)  have skewed heavily female.

Meanwhile, PRH's December open house is going to be the company's biggest yet. In addition to the giveaways, there will be an onsite bookstore and a full day of programming with numerous bestselling authors, including Trevor Noah, George Saunders, Alice Hoffman, John Meecham, Fannie Flagg, Allison Pataki, Laura McHugh, Sana Krasikov, Lindsey Lee Johnson, as well as Picoult and Gabaldon.

Since PRH started the open houses, the publisher has increased the number from one a year, to three, and moved them from the company's headquarters to Hunter College.

One distinct feature of the open house is the creation of a book club around a forthcoming title. For December, 100 people signed up to read Hannah Tintis The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley, which publishes in March. The early readers gives PRH an opportunity to hear what resonates and, if appropriate, to tweak their marketing and outreach.

As a veteran publisher, Zoro said that running the special events for Random House has been some of the most impactful and rewarding work of her career, not the least of which because it gives her an opportunity to get closer to her own staff. I have a team here of 35 people and I dont get to see all of them on a day-to-day basis in New York, she said. Zoro. To get to know my colleagues, as well as readers, outside of the office and the New York bubble is really important. There are passionate readers all over the country, and outside of the obvious places like New York, Chicago and San Francisco. Its important to see, and be reminded, of that.
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The union announced late Tuesday that more than 70 percent of its more than 27,000 members voted to accept the tentative agreement between the union and the school district.

Union President Karen Lewis noted it took nearly two years to reach a contract with the school district.

The four-year proposal negotiated last month averted a strike that would have affected about 390,000 students. It includes cost-of-living increases in the third and fourth years. It doesn't require current teachers to pay more toward their pensions  a change Chicago Public Schools was seeking and the union rejected.

The agreement also addresses class sizes for younger grades by assigning an assistant to any class with more than 32 students.
GENESEO  A wall plaque focused on faith, family, friends and freedom best describes her life, said Judy DeBoever, a Henry County election judge for more than 40 years.

Ms. DeBoever said she first was asked to be an election judge in 1973 for her home precinct, Geneseo 6. Since then, she's been at the judges table for every elections except one, in March 2008, when she was receiving a chemotherapy treatment.

She had been diagnosed with breast cancer four months earlier and received chemotherapy and radiation treatments into midsummer 2008. Even with the treatments, she made sure in March 2008 that she voted.

In December 2015, Mrs. DeBoever learned she now has on-the-bone cancer. She said she has chemotherapy and calcium shots, and she admits she does get tired. But she said she was "very positive and determined to keep busy. And she'll be an election judge again on Nov. 8.

"Patriotism means a lot to me because my husband, Bob, was drafted into the Marine Corps one month after we were married in 1965, she said. After boot training, he was sent to Vietnam for 13 months. I am so proud of what he does today with the VFW firing squad and color guard. They are at many funerals and march in several parades every year.

The couple has been involved with the Geneseo Aisle of Flags since it was founded in 1981 by the VFW Auxiliary.

"On Veterans Day this year, we will have 755 veterans casket flags flying in Geneseo City Park, weather permitting, Mrs. DeBoever said.

The family also has been active with veterans' Honor Flights to Washington, D.C. Mr. DeBoever was on the most recent one, his wife said, with their daughter, Jodi Martin, as his guardian.

"In 2010, I had the privilege of being a guardian for Pastor Virgil Juliot from our church (First Lutheran Church in Geneseo," said Mrs. DeBoever. "It is truly a trip of a lifetime that you will never forget. All veterans deserve this trip to see the memorials in Washington, D.C., because they fought for our freedom.

"And we can all serve our country by voting in every election.

Mrs. DeBoever said her daughters were 2 and 5 when she first was an election judge. "Bob was so good to watch our girls, because I would leave at 5 a.m. and get home after 9 p.m., a long day for all election judges, she said.

I have worked with some of the very nicest ladies and, of course, we always bring lots of food for the day," she said. "And when voters came to vote, they knew we had goodies, and we always share with them.

"Through the years it has been such fun to get to know so many people," she said. "Many still come to vote; others have moved or are deceased. Now we have some of their children coming to vote.

She said she considers being an election judge an honor, noting all judges are trained by the Henry County Clerk. When the polls close at 7 p.m. Nov. 8, the election judges will make the number of ballots matches the machine's count.

"One judge from the Republican Party and one from the Democratic Party take everything to the court house in Cambridge," she said. "I go home tired, but feeling so good about having done my patriotic duty that day.
The elite special forces entered the Gogjali district Tuesday, touching off an exodus by hundreds of residents, many herding sheep, cows and goats as they fled to the east.

But still more have been told by the troops to stay in their homes as the battle is changing to one of urban combat with the extremists who hold Iraq's second-largest city. Those civilians who remain have essentially become trapped on the front lines.

As a convoy of armored Iraqi vehicles twisted through narrow dirt roads, a handful of families waved. Some children shouted and smiled at the passing troops, but other residents peeked cautiously from behind garden gates. In the center of the district, a crowd lined up to collect boxes of aid.

One resident at the aid distribution site said the mood in the neighborhood was more tense than exuberant.

"We don't feel entirely safe, maybe 50 percent," he said, explaining the edges of the district were still getting shelled heavily by the Islamic State group.

The resident, who asked not to be identified because he still has relatives in Mosul, said he had tried to flee, but Iraqi security forces told him he had to stay in Gogjali.

"Everyone here is trapped in this situation. They're afraid," he said.

On Thursday, an explosives-laden vehicle sped out of an IS-controlled area toward the special forces positioned in Gogjali, Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil said. The troops fired a rocket that blew up the car, killing the attacker.

Fadil also said the militants were using explosives-laden drones, deploying two since the previous night, both of which had been destroyed.

In addition to consolidating territory, rooting out any IS fighters who may have stayed behind and checking for planted explosives left by the militants, the Iraqi troops have to handle those civilians who are fleeing IS-held territory deeper inside Mosul. More than 5,000 people have been evacuated to nearby camps since Wednesday from Gogjali and nearby areas, said Lt. Gen. Talib Shaghati, commander of the Joint Military Operation command.

About 22,000 people have been displaced from Mosul, with about half settled in camps and the rest in host communities, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. The U.N. and its humanitarian partners have distributed food, water and medicine to more than 25,000 displaced people and vulnerable residents in Iraq's newly retaken towns, he said.

Many residents who ventured onto Gogjali's streets were still dressed as if living under IS rule: women wore the niqab  a black veil covering their face  and men had full beards. One Iraqi soldier in the convoy held up a cellphone and recorded video of the unshaven men  his first glimpse in more than two years of life inside Mosul.

Among Mosul's residents, there is a deep distrust of Iraqi security forces, a feeling that contributed to the growth in power of the Islamic State group even before it fell to the militants in the summer of 2014.

Under former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, many residents viewed policemen and soldiers who patrolled the streets and manned checkpoints as an occupying force.

A group of top Iraqi soldiers gathered on a rooftop overlooking the Gogjali neighborhood Wednesday and detailed the progress of the offensive that began Oct. 17.

"All of those sections to the west have been cleared," said Maj. Salam al-Obeidi, pointing across a row of houses and referring to satellite imagery on his tablet computer. The low thuds of IS mortar fire could be heard in the distance along the front.

In the fields below, families holding homemade white flags approached on foot.

"Why are you leaving? We are here to protect you," said special forces Gen. Sami al-Aridi.

"It's better for them to stay," he told reporters. "The weather is getting cold and they have small children with them, and we don't have any food to give."

Two of his deputies said the real reason they were told to keep families in place was to screen them for potential IS fighters hiding among civilians, as well as to gather intelligence that could help the Mosul operation. The officers spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the press.

Adding to the uncertainty among the population were rumors and hearsay.

Hussein Abd al-Aetar said he packed up his family and set out on foot after a rumor spread in his neighborhood that the army was telling families to evacuate.

"They said if we don't leave, they'll come at night to force us out," he said.

A woman in the crowd said she was trying to flee because she feared the airstrikes and street fighting were getting closer while her food supply was almost all gone.

How Iraqi forces handle the humanitarian and security situation in Gogjali amid their offensive will be the first major test of the government's ability to deal with the civilians still inside Mosul.

Mosul and surrounding villages are home to about 1 million people, and aid groups have warned of a potential humanitarian catastrophe. In past operations to recapture cities from IS, urban areas have been emptied of their inhabitants, but in Mosul, the military is urging civilians to stay in their homes and avoid a massive displacement.

Al-Aridi, the special forces general, told the crowd: "Move to another home, any that you find is empty, but don't go far. We'll advance the front line in the coming days."

But just a few yards (meters) from the homes that troops insisted were safe, other soldiers had gathered around two dead Islamic State fighters.

"They tried to attack us late last night," said Sgt. Maj. Ali Abbas, also with the special forces. "They had weapons and we tried to arrest them, but they resisted, so we shot them."
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The contract to supply the RER NG (New Generation) fleet has an estimated value of around 3.7bn. The first trains are due to enter service in 2022 on RER Line D, where they will replace Z 2N double-deck EMUs dating from the 1980s.

CAF France general manager Mr Francis Nakache told Agence France Presse on November 2 that the company had received a letter from French National Railways (SNCF) advising that it would not be required to submit a final offer because of a negative assessment of its capability to produce the trains in line with the requirements of the tender.

SNCF is managing the procurement on behalf of Ile-de-France transport authority Stif, which is funding the order.

A winning bidder is due to be announced early next year.
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Three months after its split from al Qaeda, which in reality is simply a feint, Jabhat Fateh al Sham (JFS), formerly known as Jabhat al Nusra, may pose a more significant long-term threat to the West than the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

While the West targets ISIS, JFS is quietly laying the groundwork for al Qaeda's resurgence by hunkering down, rebuilding, and repositioning itself along several fronts. This should come as no surprise  al Qaeda and its affiliates are nothing if not resilient.

With approximately 10,000 fighters, JFS is now both the largest al Qaeda franchise and by many accounts, the most lethal, eclipsing the capabilities of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). As a failed state on the periphery of Europe, Syria is the ideal staging ground for al Qaeda to rejuvenate its global campaign of terrorism through JFS.

Jabhat Fateh al Sham is now both the largest al Qaeda franchise and by many accounts, the most lethal.

Veteran al Qaeda leaders like Saif al-Adl are thought to be among the current leadership directing JFS strategy in Syria. A critical centerpiece of this strategy is seeking consent of locals and working to garner political legitimacy in Sunni-dominated parts of northwest Syria, where JFS has established an enclave.

This approach stands out in stark juxtaposition to ISIS's ultra-violent, scorched-earth campaign. JFS has benefited from the combined Western and Russian campaign against ISIS, as it has allowed the al Qaeda splinter to survive and thrive.

Moreover, by publicly disassociating itself from al Qaeda, JFS has attempted to maintain a lower profile with respect to its adversaries, namely the Russian-backed regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the U.S.-led coalition. The rebranding failed to convince the U.S. government, but as prominent terrorism scholars have pointed out, Washington was never the intended audience.

A major line of effort within al Qaeda's broader campaign has been establishing close ties with locals in the areas where it now operates. For the past several years, al Qaeda has been shifting fighters and resources into Syria and slowly accruing popular support among locals. JFS is focused on political and military targets and has worked to build localized bases of influence and embed its fighters into established zones of territorial control.

The change in nomenclature from Nusra to JFS serves several specific purposes. One potential outcome is that countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar may feel more at ease arming or aiding the militants now that they have publicly distanced themselves, even if in name only, from al Qaeda. Qatar, in particular, has been urging such a move for months.

Another objective of the rebranding is to present JFS as a more inclusive organization, open to working with, instead of against, the myriad Syrian rebel groups aligned against the Assad regime. Compared to ISIS, JFS has been far more selective in recruiting new members, especially among the thousands of foreign fighters that have flocked to Syria since the civil war erupted five years ago. By merging with parts of the local opposition, JFS can present itself as the most representative and legitimate alternative among active jihadist groups.

Like its parent organization al Qaeda, Jabhat Fateh al Sham is playing the long game.

Like its parent organization al Qaeda, JFS is playing the long game. Its new name allows it to portray itself as a vanguard of the Syrian people rather than an al Qaeda puppet.

Another motive of the name change is to integrate JFS within the current patchwork rebel coalition of anti-Assad fighters. If JFS successfully embeds itself within the opposition, there are serious consequences in both the short and long term. More immediately, this could prolong the conflict. In the long run, this symbiosis could lead to political legitimacy, enabling the militants to emulate the staying power that Hezbollah has demonstrated in neighboring Lebanon.

Compared to the more technologically adept and media-savvy ISIS, al Qaeda, and by extension JFS, is a more conservative and old-school jihadi outfit. There is little doubt that ISIS poses a significant threat to regional stability in the Middle East and has already demonstrated both a willingness and capability to strike the West. But in the grander scheme, ISIS has been compared to an infection that can be treated and contained, while al Qaeda and its affiliates are likened to a cancer that defies treatment and continues to spread.

The West should be doing everything possible to ensure that JFS and its ideological sympathizers are unsuccessful in their attempt to entrench themselves in Syria the way Hezbollah did in Lebanon. This likely means taking aggressive measures to separate or isolate jihadists from the more moderate elements within Syria's rebel opposition.

Regardless of whether Assad stays or goes, this should be an overarching goal of Western countries working to resolve the Syrian crisis.

Colin P. Clarke is a political scientist at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation.

This commentary originally appeared on The Cipher Brief on November 2, 2016. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
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Zhejiang Radio and Television Group (ZJTV) has installed signal processing, monitoring and distribution technology from Imagine Communications to play out three Best One shopping channels.





In order to achieve accurate frame synchronisation and conversion, the Chinese TV network has added a Platinum VX digital video router and the Selenio 6800+ core processing and distribution platform, as well as Selenio X100 Series infrastructure to its existing Imagine Communications installation.Imagine Communications is well known to us, and to the wider broadcast community in China, for its high quality, reliable baseband video infrastructure products, said Song Yang, director of engineering at ZJTV. We knew that the technology would do what we needed to get the three Best One channels on air, and we received excellent support from Imagine Communications, as we always do.Joe Khodeir (pictured), senior vice president Asia Pacific, Imagine Communications said the company was pleased to work with ZJTV again.The reason that ZJTV, and many other major broadcasters in China, turn to us for their core infrastructure is because we have a strong presence in China that provides responsive support for our market-leading products, and we understand their particular requirements, as well as clearly demonstrate that we deliver against them time and time again, added Khodeir.Local systems integrator Century Sage Scientific implemented the new playout technology. The deal follows another recent Asian contract win by Imagine Communications in Myanmar
Trial of alleged organizer of 2002 Moscow theater hostage crisis adjourned

MOSCOW, November 2 (RAPSI) - The Moscow District Military Court has postponed a case against Khasan Zakayev, an alleged mastermind of the hostage taking at the Dubrovka theater in southeast Moscow in 2002 that left 130 dead, until November 22, RIA Novosti reported on Wedneday.

The hearing was adjourned in order to respect the rights of victims. There about 900 injured persons in the case living in different regions; not all of them have been summoned, according to a judge.

The Moscow District Military Court began hearing the case on Wednesday. Only about 55 victims attended the court. A prosecutor said that 68 victims have not been notified.

Investigators claim that Zakayev was a member of a criminal gang headed by Chechen separatist leader Shamil Basayev and assisted in organizing the terrorist attack and taking of hostages at the theater. In 2002, he allegedly organized transportation of weapon and homemade explosive devices to Moscow for terrorists.

A group of terrorists led by Movsar Barayev took hostage the audience and participants of the Nord-Ost musical on October 23, 2002.

40 attackers were killed. Zakayev is the only one who was arrested, victims lawyer Igor Trunov said earlier.

The majority of hostages were released in an operation planned by Russian security services.

Shamil Basayev who was reportedly killed in 2006 and Gerikhan Dudayev who is still at large are among the organizers of the attack, according to investigators.




POLICIES FOR THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION. PART 7: IMMIGRATION

This is the seventh in a series on the major policy ideas  from Left and Right  that should guide the next presidential administration's agenda. (For the opposing view, see F.H. Buckley, "What If Americans Mattered?")





Our immigration system is broken, and it is paramount that the next administration prioritize its repair. Fixing immigration requires pragmatic changes in three main areas: 1) integrating North American labor markets; 2) prioritizing high-skilled workers and elite foreign graduates; and 3) strengthening opportunities for humanitarian immigration. Implementing these changes will require the next administration to transcend partisan politicking and organize a determined, bipartisan coalition dedicated to innovative policy change.

Successful immigration reform must take the unique circumstances of the United States seriously. Recognizing the importance of the economically and culturally symbiotic relationship between the United States and Mexico rules out an immigration policy like Canadas, which mainly brings in high-skilled immigrants. This is not to say that our economy and culture wouldnt benefit greatly from making high-skilled immigration much easier. It would. And theres a lot we ought to do to make that happen, but it should not be our first and most pressing immigration policy priority.

Integrating North American labor markets

The 11 million undocumented people in the United States underscore that a restrictionist approach to immigration policy  walls, detention, drones  simply hasnt worked. Like it or not, American labor markets depend on Mexican workers. The prospects of higher wages on the American side of the border draws workers with practically magnetic force. Border guards, fences, dogs, oppressive heat, dehydration, and even the possibility of death dont keep our Mexican neighbors from seeking opportunity on American soil. In fact, increasing the costs of border crossing make it more likely that undocumented economic migrants, once here, will settle in rather than return home to their friends and family.

Over the past 10 years, theres been a marked decline in the rate of the American workforce participating in low-skilled jobs. These often physically demanding positions in factories, construction, and agriculture are filled, in part, by temporary workers  agricultural workers (H-2As) and seasonal, nonagricultural workers (H-2Bs). Each year, the United States admits approximately 115,000 agricultural and seasonal workers, usually for less than 12 months, with renewals available for a maximum stay of three years. Because the number of available visas does not meet the demand, undocumented workers  primarily from Mexico  constitute more than half of the 2.5 million workforce.

Both pools of workers  undocumented and documented  are shrinking, and competition is artificially driving up wages. Even with higher wages, better working conditions, and overtime pay, farmers report that Americans still dont want these temporary jobs, as they often lack benefits and paid vacation time.

Increasing the number of guest-worker visas allows owners to recruit the workers their businesses need. More importantly, lifting restrictions on renewals allows seasonal workers to return home without the fear that theyll be barred from re-entry. Individuals that are filling seasonal worker jobs can easily be tracked through an entry/exit program, ensuring that employees and employers alike are protected by our labor laws.

To be sure, there are challenges to removing the barriers to low-skilled worker migration. However, if temporary workers have no way to cycle in and out of the country legally, millions of additional undocumented immigrants will come and stay  especially if we militarize the border even further  forcing us to revisit the acrimonious debate over amnesty in another 20 years.

We need to move to a fresh, reality-oriented immigration policy that regulates traffic over the southern border in a way that will meet the needs of the American economy while putting to an end  once and for all  to the mass illegal immigration that creates toxic political conflict.

Prioritizing high-skilled workers and foreign graduates

By reorienting the emphasis of our immigration system away from family-based immigration, we can prioritize high-skilled workers and help retain bright foreign students to sustain American competitiveness in an increasingly globalized economy.

Our need to import more foreign talent is spotlighted in Americas growing shortage of skilled manufacturing workers, healthcare providers, and professionals in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Businesses led by foreign talent creates jobs for Americans and brings in revenue that propels our economy. Forty-two spots on the Forbes 400 list are occupied by U.S. billionaires from 21 foreign countries, who have a combined net worth of $250 billion. All but two of these entrepreneurs made their fortunes in the United States. Without these entrepreneurs, America cant lay claim to successes such as Tesla, PayPal, eBay, Yahoo, Nordstrom, or Panda Express.

Rather than simply increasing the number of H-1B visas (there were 236,000 applications in 2016 for 65,000 available visas), reform needs to omit spouses and children of visa recipients from the statutory cap calculation to free visas never meant for derivatives, and lawmakers need to upgrade the international entrepreneur parole program to a startup visa program.

An integral part of reform is putting an end to fraudulent hiring schemes and outsourcing and ensuring that we capitalize on the top students that Americas universities and colleges attract from around the globe. Entrepreneurs-in-residence programs offer foreign graduates the ability to teach at their school part-time, and spend the rest of their time building their business. In less than two years, the 30 foreign entrepreneurs who received visas through EIR programs in the U.S. created over 200 jobs and raised $120 million in investments.

Without changing the parameters of educational visas to prefer entrepreneurial students and allow for dual intent, we handicap our ability to capitalize on the innovative students that generate jobs and money in the U.S.

Modernizing humanitarian immigration

Americas authority as a global leader requires taking the lead in humanitarian efforts to provide refuge to those fleeing persecution, violence, and war. However, the United States has done far too little to help refugees from the Syrian civil war; we must do more to provide a safe haven for those in need.

A private refugee sponsorship pilot program can serve as a mechanism to translate private-sector support for refugees into increased refugee resettlement numbers. Not only would private sponsorship increase total refugee admissions, it will create a robust, pro-refugee constituency that can push Congress to implement reforms benefiting refugees. Furthermore, it will help forge close relationships between Americans and refugees that ease their integration into American society, reflecting our traditions of openness, compassion, and philanthropy.

Foundations of reform

Extensive policy reforms are meaningless without the linchpins of reform: procedural and administrative improvements  including more due process rights for vulnerable immigrants  that improve the badly backlogged, overburdened, and tired system.

For instance, to alleviate overburdened immigration judges we could: standardize the use of translators; institutionalize fact-finding interviews prior to trial; automate the transfer of relevant federal documentation; and afford counsel to specific, vulnerable populations of immigrants.

More than any other issue, immigration policy reflects the growth and increasing diversification of America. We are at a point in our history where we have a unique opportunity to change our immigration laws to mirror emerging family, employment, and global dynamics  and to make America a safer, more prosperous, and more welcoming nation for all. It is essential that the new administration recognize this opportunity and, finally, implement the long-overlooked policies that would make successful immigration policy reform a reality.

Kristie De Pena is Immigration Policy Counsel at the Niskanen Center.

Author's Recommended Reading:

Hiroshi Motomura, Immigration Outside the Law (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014).

Alex Nowrasteh, American Conservatives Should Adopt Libertarian Immigration Policy, The Federalist, (June 7, 2016).

Peter Schrag, Not Fit for Our Society (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2011).

Robin Shulman, While Other Countries Turn Syrian Refugees Away, Canadians Are Taking Them Home, The Washington Post, (May 5, 2016).

Will Wilkinson, How Godless Capitalism Made America Multicultural, Vox, (September 21, 2016).

(Read the response by F.H. Buckley.)
Even as Russias cyber-attacks have received the bulk of recent attention, the Kremlin regime has ramped up other espionage activities.

In May, Frederico Carvalhao Gil, a senior member of Portugals Security Intelligence Service, was arrested for espionage. Accused of passing secrets to Russia, he was reportedly caught handing over materials pertaining to NATO defense systems, the communication infrastructure between member countries and military bases.

The United States and our NATO allies are in the crosshairs. Last year, NATO limited the size of non-member state delegations at its headquarters in Brussels. That decision affected only Russia and was driven by a desire to cut down on Russian intelligence officers operating inside NATO headquarters. Before the limit was imposed, Russia had two or three times as many delegates as any other non-NATO nation, and most of them were thought to be engaged in gathering intelligence.

U.S. allies in Europe face constant espionage from Russia. Estonias Internal Security Service last year reported that the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Main Directorate of Military Intelligence of the General Staff and the Foreign Intelligence Service are all still active against Estonia. Some of the activities are brazen. In 2014, the FSB kidnapped an Estonian Internal Security Service officer named Eston Kohver from inside Estonia and convicted him in a show trial before exchanging him a year later for an FSB spy arrested in 2012.

Lithuanias intelligence agency warned in its 2015 annual report that Russia is working to infiltrate its armed forces and those of other NATO member states. The Czech Republics Security Information Service confirmed that Russia's is the most active foreign intelligence service operating inside the country. In the past few years, Russian spies have been caught in allied nations including Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, and Poland.

Non-NATO allies have also been targeted. Swedish military facilities have been closely watched by Russian agents, and Swedish military personnel have been approached regularly by Russian intelligence agents. Swedens intelligence agency, Saepo, estimates that one-third of Russias diplomats in Stockholm are spies.

In the United States, the FBI busted a Russian spy ring operating in New York City just last year. The ring reportedly sought to recruit U.S. citizens as spies and stole economic intelligence. In 2010, Russias espionage activities briefly came to the forefront of the American publics attention when the FBI broke up a 10-person Russian spy ring. Then FBI Assistant Director for Counterintelligence C. Frank Figliuzzi described the busted agents as Russias "cream of the crop."

In addition to espionage activities on U.S. soil, American diplomats abroad are regularly surveilled and harassed by Russian agents. An FSB guard beat up an American diplomat outside the U.S. embassy in Moscow this June.

NATO officials have also been targeted for harassment and threats. In one recent incident, a NATO officer at a Swedish restaurant was threatened by Russian agents who showed him pictures of his family while demanding information on alliance military exercises.

Putins aggressive use of espionage and intimidation of American diplomats abroad is merely one weapon in his push to compete against the West. Russias regime utilizes every available facet of power to advance its naked self-interest and undermine the United States, our allies, and the NATO alliance.

With the end of the Cold War the United States diverted intelligence resources away from Russia and greatly scaled back many of the area studies programs that helped analysts develop expertise on Russia. This trend only accelerated after the 9/11 attacks.

Today, Russian intelligence services are heavily focused on the United States, while Washington dedicates a far smaller percentage of its intelligence budget and assets on Russia. U.S. intelligence has been described by a senior American intelligence official as playing catch-up big time with Russia.

The next president must approach relations with Russia from a position of strength, seeing the regime clearly and implementing a comprehensive strategy for dealing with Russian aggression at home and abroad. The United States must work to counter Russian espionage and enact consequences for Russian harassment and aggression against U.S. diplomats overseas.

Espionage has once again emerged as an important tool in Russias geopolitical arsenal; its past time for the U.S. and our allies to recognize its importance as well.
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After bouncing back and forth between No. 20 and No. 21 for the past four years, the University of Georgia has broken back into the teens on the U.S. News & World Report's Best Public Universities list. UGA ranked No. 18 on the 2017 Best Public Universities list this year.
In this image released by AMC, Jeffrey Dean Morgan portrays Negan in a scene from the Season 7 premiere of "The Walking Dead." The gory episode of the popular AMC drama was seen by just over 17 million viewers on Sunday night, the Nielsen company said. (Gene Page/AMC via AP)

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BATESVILLE, Ark. (AP)  Many viewers of AMC's "The Walking Dead" took the shocking deaths of two fan favorites in the latest season premiere as personally as a death in the family. One Arkansas newspaper took it a step further.

This week, the Batesville Guard newspaper published an obituary for  spoiler alert the popular character of Glenn Rhee, who was brutally killed in the newest episode of the zombie apocalypse drama.

With a headline of "RIP, Glenn," the obituary says the character's "commitment to moral principles in a world-gone-mad breathed hope and promise into those around him." The obit seeks justice for Rhee's death in lieu of flowers.

The newspaper says the obituary was written by Frank Vaughn, a soldier currently stationed in Puerto Rico who writes occasional columns for the paper.
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By Nathan Solis of the Redding Record Searchlight

As Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump calls into question the voting process in the United States, concerns over voter fraud have begun to build up.

Shasta County Clerk Cathy Darling Allen said having a presidential candidate question her work is frustrating.

"It's a difficult conversation to have, when you have to explain the work we do  we take it very seriously," Allen said. "We understand what we do is the foundation of our democracy."

She invites anyone with questions about the process to stop by the Clerk's Office and ask.

"Some people have legitimate questions when they come in," Allen said. "Others have already made up their mind. We listen and offer whatever help we can provide."

Potential voter fraud comes in various types. Concerns raised in the presidential campaign include ballot stuffing, illegal immigrants or others not properly registered to vote casting ballots, as well as laws in some states and counties that critics say try to suppress the votes of minorities. Others worry about direct voter intimidation at the polls by citizen monitors or other groups pushing a cause or candidate.

Political Science Professor Diana Dwyre said while citizens can monitor polling, they can't ask who people voted for or report that to others.

"These things are being called into question for different reasons from different perspectives," said political science professor Diana Dwyre at CSU Chico. "But on the other hand if people don't trust the system they will not want to use the system or they might try to disturb the process."

That's what's happening for some Hmong Siskiyou County residents, who have sued the county over alleged voter discrimination and intimidation in June and now say they're too afraid of retaliation to vote in the November election.

The attorney representing those voters filed a preliminary injunction on their behalf earlier this week so that the county would stop doing the alleged discriminating that some of the plaintiffs say has shattered their hope for a new life in America.

The county has maintained that it did nothing wrong when Elections Clerk Colleen Setzer flagged those voters' applications as "suspicious" because the properties associated with them didn't have physical addresses, leading other county officials and California Secretary of State investigators to look into her concerns.

Because of the alleged snafu in June, American Civil Liberties Union officials have said they're keeping a close eye on the county so that those voters won't be deterred this month.

But that's not enough for many of the plaintiffs, who said in court documents they fear county officials will retaliate against them if they vote because of allegedly aggressive recent visits from deputies.

"I am not going to vote because I do not feel like there is any justice," plaintiff Joua Yeng Vang wrote in court documents.

Another plaintiff, Andy Ahn, said he won't vote because he's afraid of getting arrested and he now feels "cynical about America."

Shasta County Republican Committee chair Margaret Dominici said she is not concerned about voter intimidation locally. Poll monitoring has been going on for years, and Dominici said it's part of the tradition of reminding people to vote if their community does not see them at the polls.

"We have such a spirited City Council race in Redding," Dominici said. "I think people will be interested in talking about the local issues."

Democrats of Shasta County Chairman Frank Treadway shares the same optimism about the local election process.

"I am hopeful," Treadway said. "I've lived in Shasta County when it was liberal and now in my later life when it is red. I am not pessimistic. I know our leaders will work things out."

The Shasta County Clerk's Office has received 22,514 mail-in ballots as of Nov. 1. The Clerk's Office sent more than 70,000 mail-in ballots this election year  up 34 percent from the 2008 presidential election. Allen said if anyone still needs to turn in a mail-in ballot, it's best to drop them off at the boxes at the clerk's office on the Market Street Promenade in Redding, Anderson City Hall or Shasta Lake senior center. There's a possibility they won't get to the Clerk's Office in time if you mail them  they have to travel to Sacramento and back. You can also drop them off on Election Day at your polling place.

Allen said 101,943 residents in Shasta County have registered to vote.

And a friendly reminder: it's illegal to campaign near polling places  and that includes wearing clothing or hats with campaign slogans or candidate names.

Record Searchlight reporter Alayna Shulman contributed to this story.
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Firefighters were called to a Redding restaurant after receiving reports of a fire at the Chicken Shack on Churn Creek Road.

However, reports of a blaze at the eatery on Churn Creek Road were unfounded, according to emergency dispatchers.

A car crash into a power pole may be to blame for a power outage in the area. The power is out at the Chicken Shack, Rite Aid and another business on Churn Creek Road.
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By Damon Arthur of the Redding Record Searchlight

A mountain lion shot Monday east of Redding had been struck by a vehicle, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The animal had been seen in the area by nearby residents for more than a week before it was shot Monday morning, said Pete Figura, a fish and wildlife biologist in the Redding office.

Department officials were notified Oct. 23 that a cougar was seen acting disoriented on Highway 299 between Ingot and Round Mountain, about 20 miles east of Redding. A game warden was sent to the area but couldn't find the animal, Figura said.

The person who called in said it appeared the cougar had been shot in the head, he said.

But a week later, this past Sunday, someone again reported seeing the lion in the same vicinity of Highway 299, and the animal was still acting disoriented, he said.

A game warden again went to the area, but couldn't find the cougar, Figura said.

Then Monday morning a motorist reported striking the cougar on Highway 299. After being struck by a vehicle the animal was still alive but seriously injured, so the motorist shot the animal and killed it, he said.

A warden went to the area to pick up the carcass. A necropsy will be conducted on the cougar, which also appeared thin and malnourished, Figura said.

Because mountain lions are a protected by state law, Fish and Wildlife officials said they do not recommend shooting one without first contacting the department.

In the most recent case, the motorist was not cited for shooting the cougar, but DFW Lt. Chris Stoots said people put themselves at risk  legally and physically  by shooting a cougar, even if it has been injured.

"That's definitely not a recommendation in the situation you just described," Stoots said.

People should call 911 and let law enforcement determine whether an animal needs to be killed for humane reasons, he said.

Figura said that it is also illegal to shoot other animals, such as deer, that are wounded after being hit by a vehicle. However, if a motorist calls 911 a driver can be put in touch with law enforcement and may in some cases get clearance to kill the animal for humane reasons.

Without contacting law enforcement first, though, there could be a dispute about whether the animal needed to be dispatched, Stoots said.

Also, if a game warden happened along during or after a wounded animal is shot without reporting it first, the shooting may look suspicious to law enforcement, Stoots said.

A wounded cougar, if it is still mobile, could be dangerous to the shooter or others nearby, he said. People also need to take into consideration whether it is safe or legal to fire a gun in the area where the animal is, he said.
Record Searchlight file photo Ronald Price Jared, who sits in a Shasta County courtroom during one of his prior court appearances, took a plea bargain Tuesday that calls for a six-year, four-month prison sentence.

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By Jim Schultz of the Redding Record Searchlight

A 47-year-old Redding man charged with rape and other crimes stemming from allegedly abusive relationships he had with two women took a plea bargain Tuesday in Shasta County Superior Court.

Ronald Price Jared pleaded no contest to three counts of corporal injury to a spouse, making criminal threats and stalking, according to electronic court records.

The rape count was dismissed.

Jared, set to be sentenced on Nov. 16, faces six years, four months in prison under his plea deal. He would reportedly be eligible for parole after serving 50 percent of his prison sentence.

Jared, who has a lengthy Shasta County criminal history that includes misdemeanor domestic violence battery, was ordered in April to stand trial on a series of felonies and misdemeanors.

He had been scheduled to begin standing trial earlier this month on multiple charges, but a motion to continue his trial was recently granted as plea bargain talks continued.

During Jared's lengthy preliminary hearing in April, his two alleged victims described in detail the abuse they said they had to endure from him.

One of the women testified that Jared hit and punched her in the abdomen and continued to physically assault her by striking her on the side of her head before he allegedly raped her.

One of those women, who said she was choked twice by Jared, said she was always afraid of him when he was angry, which was often.

"To me, it's terrifying," she testified. "I was just always concerned when he was in a bad mood."

Jared was rearrested in late February after he pleaded not guilty on Feb. 3 to corporal injury and resisting arrest charges and was released from jail on $50,000 bail on Feb. 8.

But he failed to appear Feb. 19 in Superior Court where he was to be arraigned on the rape count and seven other felonies filed that same day.

Redding police, who enlisted the aid of the community to try to find him, arrested Jared on Feb. 26 after he was found living in a vehicle near Shasta View Drive and Tarmac Road.

According to a Redding police report, Jared was investigated in the rape of a woman in January at a Redding motel. That police report alleged that Jared and the woman began arguing over money and his recent relationships with other women and that the argument escalated to a physical assault and an alleged rape.

The woman, who also testified at Jared's preliminary hearing, said although she did not say no to the sex, she said she was afraid of him and was "willing to do what I needed to do to get home."

As investigators gathered information about that case, officers learned of the second woman who said Jared had allegedly assaulted, threatened and had been harassing and stalking her, police have said.
U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa in Washington, D.C.

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By Bartholomew Sullivan USA TODAY

WASHINGTON  Three members of the House Natural Resources Committee and Oregon Congressman Greg Walden wrote to President Obama Tuesday to suggest his naming the proposed Sierra Nevada National Monument and expanding the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument would be utterly irresponsible at a time of drought and wildfire.

Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop joined California U.S. Reps. Tom McClintock, R-Roseville; Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale and Walden in asking Obama not to name or expand the monuments and instead focus on removing dead and dying trees, drastically reducing the threat of fire and working vigorously to protect existing water supplies and moving forward on new multi-purpose water storage projects.

The proposed Sierra Nevada National Monument would protect more than 500,000 acres from the southern boundary of Yosemite National Park to the San Joaquin River Gorge, including lands inhabited by giant sequoias.

The Oakland-based Trust for Conservation Innovation supports the monument, saying it would spur economic growth for some small towns while preventing logging and mining.

"Decades of commercial logging and clear-cutting in these extraordinarily bio-diverse and beautiful areas created vulnerable forests, and more of the same treatment wont save them from drought or wildfire," the trust's monument project director Deanna Lynn Wulff said by email Tuesday. "A National Monument designation is the most responsible and forward-looking thing to do. It will be a great legacy and a win for the economy and the environment."

The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, established in 2000, already protects 86,744 acres in southern Oregons Cascade and Siskiyou mountains.

Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have proposed expanding the existing monument by 65,000 acres. The proposed expansion has drawn opposition in a region where federal land use issues led to the armed standoff and eventual acquittal last week of the occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and where there is an ongoing fight to prevent the Owyhee Canyonlands being made a national preserve.

The members of Congress pointed to opposition to the Sierra Nevada monument by water districts serving a million acres of irrigated agriculture. They said it would restrict land use while interfering with forest and fire management activities in the Sierra.

The Oregon expansion includes land at high risk of catastrophic wildfire and includes Oregon and California Railroad lands where federal law allows permanent forest production as a source of local county revenue, the congressmen noted. The Solicitor General of the Interior Department has said the president doesnt have the authority under the Antiquities Act to declare a monument on those acres, they pointed out.
There's a lot happening in Chicago at the moment. Perhaps that's an understatement, because this week feels utterly otherworldlyand it's only Wednesday. Amid World Series madness and early-voter predictions comes the Michelin Guide Chicago 2017, honoring the top tier of the city's expansive dining scene.

Newcomers to the prestigious list include Roister, Smyth, GreenRiver and Band of Bohemia with one star each and Oriole with an impressive two stars after opening earlier this year. Two additional noteworthy tweaks: Tru was upgraded to two stars, and Moto was dropped from the list after shuttering in February.

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Here's a quick look at the entire list (* indicates a first-timer):

Three stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey

Grace

Alinea

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Two stars: Excellent cuisine, worth a detour

42 Grams

Acadia

* Oriole

Sixteen

Tru

One star: A very good restaurant in its category

* Band of Bohemia

Blackbird

Boka

Dusek's Board & Beer

El Ideas

Elizabeth

Everest

Goosefoot

* GreenRiver

Longman & Eagle

Naha

North Pond

Parachute

* Roister

Schwa

Sepia

* Smyth

Spiaggia

Topolobampo

@morgancolsen | mcolsen@redeyechicago.com
A fall wine tasting benefitting Center for Conflict Resolution, a cookbook launch at Sprinkles Cupcakes and more things to do in Chicago on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

EAT

Now Open

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Roti Modern Mediterranean

80 E. Lake St. 312-625-1158

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The fast-casual chain has added a location in The Loop, serving whole wheat pita, laffa wraps, salads and rice bowls made with proteins including falafel, steak and salmon and toppings such as hummus, feta cheese and sumac onions. 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

DRINK

'Beer Chicago: The Refreshing History'

Harold Washington Library

400 S. State St. 312-493-0479

Explore the exhibit about the city's most famous beer companies with women's craft beer appreciation group Barley's Angels, then take the train to Monk's Pub to discuss it over beer and appetizers. 6:15 p.m. $24. Tickets: brownpapertickets.com

Fall Wine Tasting

Grant Thornton

171 N. Clark St. 312-922-6464 ext. 21

Experts discuss various varietals and characteristics of wine as you sample more than 25 types at this benefit for the Center for Conflict Resolution. 5:30-7:30 p.m. $20. Tickets: ccrchicago.org

DO

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

'The Sprinkles Baking Book' Launch (Free!)

Sprinkles Cupcakes

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50 E. Walton St. 312-573-1600

The bakery chain's founder Candace Nelson takes photos with customers and signs copies of the cookbook, which includes over 50 cupcake recipes and instructions for how to turn them into full cakes. 4-6 p.m. Free.

The Moth GrandSlam

The Moth GrandSlam

Athenaeum Theatre

2936 N. Southport Ave. 773-935-6875

Vocalo's Jill Hopkins hosts the storytelling show where 10 competitors share their take on the theme "out on a limb." 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. $27. Tickets: athenaeumtheatre.org

HAPPY HOUR OF THE DAY
Successors work hard, and many of them succeed and stay for many years.

'But when they don't it is best to be civil and part ways than seek confrontation which might prove acrimonious and futile.'

Sangeeta Tanwar on the spat between Ratan Tata and Cyrus Mistry.

Family patriarchs coming back from retirement as pilots is nothing new.

Michael Dell, Steve Jobs, Howard Shultz and, closer home N R Narayana Murthy, have all come back when the companies they had left were going through troubled times.

In some instances, leaders have been more successful in their second stint than their first.

So when the board of Tata Sons, the holding company of the $103 billion group, removed chairman Cyrus Mistry and put Ratan Tata back at the helm, albeit temporarily, last week, it wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary.

But the similarities end right there. The way things unravelled over the next few days, the allegations and counter allegations emanating from the group and its erstwhile chairman have taken most observers by surprise.

Indeed, the incident has critical lessons for India Inc on how clashes can be avoided between promoters and their families on the one hand and the chief executives on the other.

The first step to avoid clashes, say experts, is to cast the rules and boundaries in concrete.

While departing executives often feel that they are being helpful by staying involved, their successors struggle to manage them while trying to honour their past.

The key question is: When is it permissible for the promoter or shareholder to be involved and when not?

"Generally, the rule is expressed as the separation of ownership and control -- that is, the owners own the business, but the executives control and guide it," says Morgen Witzel, a UK-based management historian and author of Tata: The Evolution of a Corporate Brand.

The owners or promoters should only step in if their investment is threatened, he adds.

There are different ways of interpreting that rule, of course, and some activist investors will insist on having a greater say in strategy on the grounds that the choice of strategy affects their investment.

At the same time, Witzel argues, to prevent promoters' excessive and undue interference, the CEO needs to articulate a clear vision of where the company needs to go and communicate this clearly to the promoter, along with the benefits he or she can expect to receive.

This has been done brilliantly by Paul Polman at Unilever, setting out a different strategic direction for the group and bringing his shareholders along with him.

Further, in case of family-owned or established businesses there is also the challenge of managing legacy issues. Often, when a legendary promoter vacates the seat to a professional CEO, the legacy can sometimes linger on and be overwhelming.

This also appears to be true in the Tata story where Mistry succeeded Ratan Tata, who was at the helm for 21 years and was known for leading the group's growth and expansion spree not only in India but also overseas.

So, how best can a professional possibly deal with such issues?

Clear and direct communication is the key here.

"If a free hand to the CEO comes with certain lakshman rekhas, be upfront about them. If these are breached, demand a course correction through a direct conversation. Nothing can be more damaging than backroom manoeuvring and creation of alternative power centres in such situations," says Ramesh Vaidyanathan, managing partner, Advaya Legal.

Estelle J Toomey, assistant professor and consultant at the S P Jain School of Global Management, agrees. 'Legacy effects' could include direct and indirect influence or even control over everything from the overall vision of the company and associated strategic goals to shaping internal and external policies and operational practices.

"Therefore, expectations of families truly relinquishing power need to be realistic based on clear roles and scope for decision-making established through both relationships and a solid legal framework," explains Toomey.

That said, the new leader needs space to manoeuvre and needs to also earn trust.

"The initial trust that board members place in a CEO during the hiring processes will deepen with continued interaction over time," says Brian Moriarty, director of the Institute for Business and Society at the University of Virginia's Darden Business School.

Directors should allow the CEO to do the job of managing the company, give him the leeway to shape the role in his own image and recognise there will be some differences of style and approach from the predecessor.

"Part of the board's role is to provide continuity for the company, so there needs to be some balance here," adds Moriarty.

At the same time, a CEO should respect the role of the board and welcome their service, insight and expertise.

"Trust emerges from being united in purpose and working together toward the same goal," he adds.

"Therefore, in order to move forward, a leader needs to be both genuine and strategic with investing time and effort to continuously nurture support from a broad base of stakeholders, as well as with specific members of the power elite within the enterprise and within the extended family structure," says Toomey.

"Otherwise, it may be just a matter of time before one loses sight of the potential impact of these factors, often becoming over-reliant on elements of business success to serve as a buffer to them or to offset perceptions of failure, cautions Toomey.

Taking specifically of the Tata group, Kavil Ramachandran, executive director, Thomas Schmidheiny Centre for Family Enterprise, Indian School of Business, says, "The key question is whether the company and the management had enough of scenario-building exercises before taking key decisions or setting the agenda for the group after Mistry took charge."

For example, as a leader, instead of focusing on a few key ideas and decisions at the top level, Mistry could have constituted different committees of the board to recommend plans.

This would have ensured that "the changes driven by him would not appear to be his decision or agenda alone."

"And that's the job of a leader -- taking everybody along. The board is the ultimate -- so taking everybody along matters. But equally there is no evidence that as a leader Mistry did not do this," says Ramachandran.

Evidently, succession is tricky.

Successors work hard, and many of them succeed and stay for many years. "But when they don't it is best to be civil and part ways than seek confrontation which might prove acrimonious and futile," says an executive with a firm that is among the handful to make a smooth transition.
'Huma Abedin must follow through in the footsteps of her illustrious mentor Hillary Clinton to carry the movement forward to empower American women,' says Kaleem Kawaja.

IMAGE: Huma Abedin with Hillary Clinton at the second Democratic presidential candidates debate in Des Moines, Iowa, November 14, 2015. Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters

Since Hillary Clinton began her Presidential campaign last year, her top aide Huma Abedin's name is often mentioned in the US and international media.

As vice-chair of Hillary's campaign organisation, Abedin has interviewed and recommended senior staffers, including campaign manager Robby Mook, for appointment.

As news about the Federal Bureau Investigation's move to investigate emails Huma had sent Hillary Clinton from her husband Anthony Weiner's laptop hit the headlines on October 28, Abedin's name, photographs and personal information have been broadcast continously by the American television networks.

Donald Trump, Hillary's Republican opponent in the Presidential race, has asked Clinton to fire Abedin.

Hillary and her campaign have not said a word about Abedin and instead blame FBI Director James Comey for sensationalising a matter that the FBI declared had been settled last July.

Everyone wants to know who Huma Abedin is.

Huma is an Indian-American Muslim.

She is the daughter of Syed Zainul Abedin, a distinguished professor of English who died in 1993, three years before his daughter Huma began to work at the Clinton White House.

Dr Zainul Abedin, a graduate of Aligarh Muslim University and the University of Pennsylvania, migrated to the United States in the early 1960s.

Saleha Mahmood Abedin, Huma's mother, is a professor of sociology at a university in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Huma Abedin graduated from George Washington University, Washington DC, when Bill Clinton was President and Hillary was First Lady. She joined the White House as an intern on Hillary's staff when she was about 19.

When Hillary moved to New York in 2000 and ran for the US Senate, Huma worked on her Senate campaign. Soon a trusted staffer in Senator Clinton's office in Washington, DC, she also worked for Hillary as deputy chief of staff when Clinton was appointed secretary of state in the Obama administration.

The US media has dubbed Huma Hillary's 'Body Woman,' as she is constantly with Clinton. So much so, according to Politico, Professor Saleha Abedin, Huma's mother, told the then secretary of state on a visit to Saudi Arabia that she was jealous of Clinton because her daughter had spent more time with her than she has done with her mom.

Clinton, Politico added, once said that she had a daughter, but if she had another daughter, it would be Huma.

Abedin is the gatekeeper for anyone who wants to meet Hillary Clinton, the go-to-person for Hillary campaign staffers when they want to know the candidate's mind on issues and personalities.

Her unique status in the Clinton camp has brought her -- like people and issues associated with the Clintons -- inevitable harsh attention.

When extreme Republican politicians like then US Congresswoman Michele Bachmann of Minnesota attacked Abedin four years ago, calling her a radical Muslim with connections to radical Arab Muslims, Republican leaders including Senator John McCain defended Huma against those charges.

Through her almost 20 year association with Clinton, Huma, who turned 40 on July 28, has moved skillfully and quickly through the minefield of Washington politics and earned praise from senior Democratic party politicians.

In her extraordinarily fortunate career Huma Abedin has also run into bad luck. Via her 2010 marriage to former US Congressman Anthony Weiner of New York.

Weiner was forced to resign his seat in the US House of Representatives after a sexting scandal erupted. His campaign to become New York's mayor later also came apart when another sexting scandal surfaced. After a third sexting scandal emerged this year -- one unsavoury image Weiner sent a young woman had his young son in the frame -- Abedin announced she was separating from her husband.

The smoke and rumours about the current email controversy created by FBI Director Comey, an erstwhile member of the Republican party (he says he is now an independent), will clear in a few days before the November 8 presidential election.

Hopefully, we will see Donald Trump's unfounded attacks on Huma and Hillary's emails blunted. And God willing next week, Hillary will win the election to become President. That is the day many all over the world are waiting for.

All this heat and dust has prepared Huma Abedin well to run and win elected office. With her name recognition the right thing for Huma would be to run for a Congresswoman's position from New York in a couple of years, carrying Hillary Clinton's torch of justice and equal rights for women and immigrants in America.

While several women have become heads of State and government in the UK, Germany, Italy, Norway, Australia and other countries, the opposition to a woman becoming President in the US is very strong and visible.

It is not Hillary Clinton alone -- despite her lifelong record of political action at the national level and having held prominent positions of responsibility in the government -- who has faced opposition, other women too have confronted identical opposition when they have run for high political office.

Nancy Pelosi, the senior Democratic party leader and former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, has faced many bitter attacks from right wing Republican politicians. In 1984, when then US Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro ran as Walter Mondale's running mate against Ronald Reagan and George H W Bush, she was lampooned, condemned and insulted.

It is a hard glass ceiling for women in the United States that they must break through. Huma Abedin must follow through in the footsteps of her illustrious mentor Hillary Clinton to carry the movement forward to empower American women.

Kaleem Kawaja, who works at NASA, is Executive Director, Association of Indian Muslims of America.
Indian-American Aakash Dalal faces 30 years in jail after being found guilty by a New Jersey jury on charges of vandalising and firebombing North Jersey synagogues five years ago.

George Joseph reports.

IMAGE: Aakash Dalal, dressed in a prison jumpsuit, is seen in the New Jersey courthouse in this photograph taken two years ago. Photograph: Paresh Gandhi

In a verdict that has shocked the Indian-American community, Aakash Dalal was on Tuesday found guilty by a 12-member jury in New Jersey, United States, on 17 charges of vandalising and firebombing North Jersey synagogues five years ago.

Dalal, now 24, faces 30 years to life in jail when Judge Joseph V Isabella in Bergen County Superior Court sentences him on December 21.

His accomplice, Anthony Graziano, was earlier found guilty of 19 counts, including terrorism and awaits sentencing.

Aakash, the only child of Adarsh Dalal and his wife Harsha, did not show any emotion at the verdict. His parents too sat expressionless.

"We did not expect such a verdict for a prank committed by two teens. Aakash was far away when Graziano threw the Mololtov cocktail at a synagogue. Yet he was convicted of terrorism based on instant messages and chats. It is really sad," Hiren Gandhi, a spokesperson for the family noted.

IMAGE: Adarsh Dalal and his wife Harsha did not show any emotion at the verdict. Photograph: Paresh Gandhi

Legal experts say the judge has to follow the jury decision and sentencing guidelines, and cannot exercise much discretion.

But Defence Attorney Brian Neary told the judge he plans to file motions for acquittal against the weight of the evidence and another for a new trial.

He told the northjersey.com that the family was very disappointed with the jury's verdict.

They plan to appeal based on whether the terrorism statute that was passed after 9/11 World Trade Centre attacks was properly used in this case. The statute itself might be unconstitutional, Neary said. These crimes do not put an entire population at the same level of fear as 9/11.

Dalal was charged with 20 counts, including terrorism, bias intimidation, aggravated arson, conspiracy to commit arson and hindering. He was acquitted on two charges of hindering his apprehension by destroying computer data or messages and conspiracy to commit arson at a synagogue.

After the verdict, the judge revoked his $3 million bail on the request of Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Kearney, as he cannot be out for a long time anyway.

The original charges alleged that Dalal and Graziano spray painted anti-Semitic graffiti on temples in Maywood and Hackensack, and attempted to burn down others in Paramus and in Rutherford, where a rabbi and his family awoke to flames spread by Molotov cocktails.

But Dalal's attorneys pointed out that he has not committed any crime and at best he could be a witness in the firebombing case, as he was far away when it happened. They also noted that the correspondence between the two were mainly fantasy. Dalal, physically a small guy, could not withstand the pressure of the interrogation by police officers, yet he clearly said he did not hate Jews and had Jewish friends, they noted.

IMAGE: This photograph taken two years ago showing the Indian-American community holding a protest rally in Trenton, the capital of New Jersey in 2014, against the delay in sending Aakash Dalal's case for trial. Photograph: Paresh Gandhi

The prosecution portrayed him as the mastermind of terrorist attacks on Jewish synagogues. They termed Graziano as only a foot soldier obeying Dalal's commands.

They showed email or instant messages to prove the claim. The instant messages between the two showed hatred for Jews, Dalal persuading Graziano to attack the synagogues and how to make Molotov cocktails.

In one message, Dalal told Graziano: 'I do not trust you until you kill a Jew,' and in another he declares that he will be fuhrer (German title most associated with Adolf Hitler) one day.

The jury declared Dalal guilty of two counts criminal mischief with bias intimidation at the synagogues in Maywood and Hackensack for spray painting swastikas, 'Jews Did 9/11', and other anti-Semitic graffiti.

He was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit arson, attempted arson, bias intimidation, possession of a weapon and possession of a destructive device for a failed arson attempt at the Jewish Community Center in Paramus, though he was not present at the scene. The terrorism charge is based on this incident which carries a sentence of 30 years to life in prison.

The Indian community attended the court proceedings in large numbers during the five-week trial.

Dalal still faces another case for plotting from jail to kill assistant prosecutor Martin Delaney who was investigating the firebombing of synagogues.
Through the yatra the UP CM would try to send the message that he is in the driver's seat, notwithstanding all the hue and cry within the party.

IMAGE: Akhilesh Yadav's ride for the election campaign is modified Mercedes bus. Photograph: Nand Kumar/PTI Photo

Utter confusion prevailed in ruling Samajwadi Party camp over presence of party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and his brother Shivpal when Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav embarks on his highly-publicised 'Rath Yatra' on Thursday.

Seen as a showdown or show of strength just two days ahead of another gala event to mark SP's silver jubilee, all eyes are on party patriarch Mulayam and Shivpal, the state unit chief, as their presence or absence would reflect as to how far SP was united before Uttar Pradesh assembly polls early next year.

When Shivpal was specifically asked whether he would be present at the rath yatra flagging off event, he ducked the question adding to the suspense.

"I am engaged in preparations for silver jubilee celebrations. If there is yatra on November 3, there is silver jubilee show on November 5," he said, leaving everyone guessing about his participation.

There was no categorical word either on reports that Mulayam will flag off the 'Vikas Sey Vijay Tak Yatra' (From development to victory).

To a question, Shivpal said, "Party workers should read history of socialism. There is importance of discipline in the party. You have seen that on October 24 those who were not invited, also came to the party meet."

In the light of the statement, Mulayam's presence at the 'rath yatra' will be keenly observed.

"It depends on to what extent Akhilesh is able to convince his father Mulayam to attend the yatra," an SP leader said.

Expelled SP MLC Sunil Yadav Sajan, who is close to Akhilesh, said that all arrangements have been made.

IMAGE: Large posters have been put up for the yatra. Photograph: Sandeep Pal

"The yatra will be flagged off by 'Netaji' (Mulayam) and senior party leaders including party state president Shivpal Yadav will also remain present," he said.

Sajan, who is also incharge of first leg of the yatra, said at every second kilometre, the CM will be welcomed and he will also address gatherings at various locations. During the yatra, dozens of roadside meetings and a few rallies would be held at different places.

A cavalcade of over 5,000 SUVs and trucks will seek to send a message to the party leadership that 43-year-old Akhilesh is the "most acceptable" face of SP.

The over 60-km yatra route from Lucknow to Unnao is dotted with hoardings, banners and colourful arches to welcome the chief minister.

A hoarding put up by a youth leader close to Shivpal says "Shivpal kahey dil se, Akhilesh ka abhishek phir se" (Shivpal says from his heart to make Akhilesh CM again), while some others only highlight Akhilesh's achievements.

"The hoardings put up by the leaders show the state of confusion in the party. It's visible on roads. We wish this confusion to end with the start of this yatra," a senior SP leader said.

The yatra comes at a time when Mulayam is seeking to cobble together a 'mahagathbandhan' and has sent out invitations to all "secular and like-minded" leaders of various parties like the Rashtriya Lok Dal, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Janata Dal-United.

Last week, Mulayam and Shivpal had met JD-U leader K C Tyagi and RLD chief Ajit Singh to invite them to the anniversary bash in Lucknow.

Shivpal had said Lohiaites and followers of Charan Singh should join hands to beat the Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh.

Congress' poll strategist Prashant Kishor on Tuesday held a two-hour meeting with Mulayam, who is trying to cobble together an alliance of like-minded parties.

Addressing a meeting at SP office, Shivpal on Wednesday said, "After Bihar, the party had planned a 'gathbandhan' in Odisha also but some people in our party did a conspiracy...I can tolerate my insult but not of 'Netaji' (Mulayam)".

IMAGE: Shivpal Yadav inspects the preparation for SP's silver jubilee event. Photograph: Shivpal Singh Yadav/Facebook.

Shivpal said that former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, Ajit Singh and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav will attend the silver jubilee show.

He cautioned those workers "who want to break the party" but did not take any name.

The Samajwadi Party, which was initially part of Bihar's grand alliance, had walked out of it after it was offered only a handful of seats to contest the assembly elections there.

The grand alliance of the JD-U, the RJD and the Congress had, however, scripted a glorious electoral victory, defeating the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

Shivpal said the party organisation in bigger than the government.

"I have given place in the organisation to workers who struggled for the party and were sidelined in the government," he said, an apparent snipe at Akhilesh.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked ally Shiv Sena to stop attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cautioning that it will only boomerang on it.

However, he asserted that their alliance is intact and the government will complete its full term, despite frequent taunts and digs from Sena.

"Speaking about Modiji will only put the Shiv Sena in bad light and people do not like it at all. As far as I am concerned I am ready to face and give them a proper reply. So I do not care.

"Governance and politics are two different things. The Sena should refrain from criticising the Prime Minister, but I am ok with their criticism," Fadnavis told PTI in an interview.

Fadnavis (46), who heads the first BJP-led government in Maharasshtra which has sailed into its third year, also dwelt on other current issues like the campaign by the Maratha community for reservation, the Vidarbha issue and the controversy regarding his intervention in defusing the stand-off over Karan Johar's film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

In a veiled dig at the previous Congress-NCP regimes, he said the "established leadership" in the state are trying to use peoples' anger that has now spilled on to the streets in the form of silent protests by Marathas to carry out their agenda against him either directly or by "proxy" means.

Fadnavis, however, rejected the apprehension voiced by observers that the Maratha morcha and reaction to it from the OBC and Dalit outfits, could cause caste tensions in the state.

He noted that the Maratha community had only raised its demands without seeking to upset the benefits of other social segments and the same is the case of OBCs and Dalits.

He said the government has already stated its commitment to meet the genuine demands of the Maratha community. The fee waiver scheme announced recently is an initiative that will benefit a large number of students from the community.

Expressing confidence that the BJP and Sena will complete the full term of the government, he said, "We are two different parties and there is bound to be some friction owing to different ideologies in matters of policy implementations and style of governing.

"But I can claim that we have been able to run the government successfully where all major policy decisions have been undertaken by a unanimous vote," he said.

Dismissing the suggestion that the morcha launched by the Maratha community is directed towards his government, Fadnavis said their anger springs from the "historical injustice" suffered by them under successive regimes, which made nearly 80 per cent people remain in agony.

"One segment of the Maratha community comprises 20-25 per cent people who have been ruling the state, have been ministers, MLAs, have been controlling the cooperative sector, controlling private educational institutions and are absolutely wealthy and well to do. Then there is 75-80 per cent people who have been left out," he said.

"This is the agony of these left outs and it is not just against governments but against these 20-25 per cent people as well. Established leadership was not allowed to take centre stage (in the protests)," he said.

"Among the established leadership, there are people who have been trying to target me using this platform but fortunately the organizers of these protests have not allowed them till date to do this. These people are also trying to put in front some proxy organizations since they are not allowed to direct this anger against the government. But I am sure they will not be allowed to do that as well," Fadnavis said.

On the controversy surrounding the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, the chief minister said that in hindsight, the issue could have been handled in a better way, but at that time, he did what he felt was right.

"If Raj (MNS chief Raj Thackeray) wouldn't have created that controversy, things were settled. In that case, everybody would have said the CM did a wonderful job. Without any problem the issue got solved.

"Since Raj asked for Rs five crore, it was over hyped by national media. I think today one can say the issue could have been handled in a better way due to the controversy it generated. I did what I felt right at that time," Fadnavis said.

On the demand for a separate Vidarbha state, an issue over which not only the Congress-NCP opposition but also Shiv Sena had often targeted him since he hailed from the region and also as his party's preference for smaller states, Fadnavis said his government's agenda is to ensure balanced development of Maharashtra.

"The statehood issue is a matter in the domain of the Centre. I have made it amply clear whenever the issue was raised. For me, what is important is balanced development of entire Maharashtra, including Vidarbha and Marathwada," he said.

Photograph: EknathKhadse/Twitter
The President of the United States and the First Lady hosted their annual Halloween party on Monday. And when he saw a trick or treater dressed up as Prince, he broke out in song.

The 2-year-old boy, named Cruz, was trick-or-treating at the White House on Monday with his sister, Brooklyn, when the US president world took notice of the young Prince look-a-like waiting to receive his Halloween candy.

Obama then started to sing Princes popular Purple Rain as he handed Cruz his candy.

And man, check out the pipes on the US president.
Amid the controversy over the encounter killing of eight alleged SIMI terrorists by Madhya Pradesh Police, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan took a dig at opposition parties and a section of intelligentsia saying human rights are only for terrorists while the lives of soldiers dont matter.

For Afzal, Yakub, Ishrat, Burhan, Batla (House encounter) theyll cry foul and chatter. Human rights are for terrorists only, lives of soldiers dont matter, Harsh Vardhan, minister for science and technology, tweeted.

He was apparently referring to a certain section of media and intelligentsia.

Following the encounter killing of alleged SIMI terrorists on Monday, several political parties demanded a probe into the matter.

Vardhan also posted a collage comprising media reports on the executions of Parliament attacks convict Afzal Guru, 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memom, and killings of Ishrat Jahan and Burhan Wani.

Meanwhile, as the clamour for a judicial probe into the encounter killing, Madhya Pradeshs Home Minister Bhupendra Singh said there was no need for any investigation, while states police chief Rishi Kumar Shukla maintained the Crime Investigation Department will go into the incident.

Eight undertrial terror suspects of the outlawed SIMI had been shot dead by police in an alleged encounter within hours of their escape from high-security Bhopal central jail after killing a constable. Videos shot purportedly at the scene of the encounter appeared to question its authenticity, prompting demands by opposition parties for a judicial inquiry.

It is mandated by the law that the states CID will investigate the encounters for a free and fair probe, Director General of Police Rishi Kumar Shukla said, adding there was nothing new in it.

CID is going to do its duty according to the law and inform the (competent) court, he said.

State Home Minister Singh, however, struck a different note. There is no need for any investigation into the encounter, he told reporters in Anuppur district earlier in the day.

Bhopal Police Range Inspector General Yogesh Choudhary has already briefed the media about details of the encounter yesterday, he said.

He (IG) has briefed on how the encounter took place. So there is no need for any inquiry, Singh said.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), he said, will only look into the jail break incident -- the plan, from where the accused got help, from inside and outside, their links in the country and their network. NIA will not inquire into the encounter, he said.
Keep them coming.

Last year, Canadians older than 65 outnumbered those under 15 for the first time. Although its graying demographics arent as nightmarish as in other big Western countries, the implications for Canadas economy are worrying.

To cushion the impact of an aging population, Canada is opening its doorsand will keep them opento skilled immigrants and refugees. Some 300,000 immigrants will be allowed to settle permanently in Canada next yearthe most since 1913. This will become a permanent annual target in a bid to boost economic growth, according to immigration minister John McCallum. I do believe it is true that more immigrants for Canada would be a good policy for demographic reasons, he said.

The governments economic growth council had recommended increasing immigration to 450,000 permanent residents per year. That number is a conceivable number for some date in the future, but certainly not for 2017, McCallum explained.

Immigrants comprise around 22% of Canadas population, already the highest by far in the G7.

Whats particularly noteworthy about Canadas plan is that it explicitly calls for more economic migrants, the skilled workers and other job seekers who have been demonized in Europe, blamed for depressing wages and taking jobs from locals. In 2017, Canada will admit 172,500 migrants purely for economic reasons, an increase from 160,600 this year. At the same time, the number of refugees admitted will fall to 40,000, from 55,800 the year before.

The Canadian government met its pledge to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees between November 2015 and February 2016, and announced plans to double its intake of Syrian refugees, to 50,000, by the end of the year (the government has resettled 33,239 as of November 2016). By comparison, the US resettled just 10,000 Syrian refugees over the same time, while the UK and Australia have resettled 2,800 and 2,000 refugees, respectively.

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For the first time in 30 years, an Indian-American monthly publication has endorsed a United States presidential candidate as it asked its readers to vote for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

India Currents, a monthly publication from Bay Area, said in an editorial on Tuesday that it endorsed Clinton as it felt intense outrage after the resurfacing of an old video of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

For the first time in thirty years, we are endorsing a presidential nominee -- Hillary Clinton to be the next president, said in a joint editorial written by the magazines editor Nirupama Vaidhyananthan and publisher Vandana Kumar.

Founded in 1987, the monthly is also being published from Washington, DC for the past few years.

According to the editorial, the news magazine decided to endorse a presidential candidate after a 15-year-old video of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump resurfaced in which he is seen making lewd remarks about women.

The right to vote is both a duty and a privilege, and is especially so in this election which I am dubbing the ism election. Racism and sexism have been in full display, the editorial said.

Even Mr and Mrs India would have heard about the video this election cycle -- the one where Trump bragged about making unwanted sexual advances, it said.

Before the video surfaced, India Currents had planned the November cover to feature photos of both candidates  Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, with a headline Vote!.

After seeing the video, the intense outrage we felt prompted an editorial decision to carry only Hillary Clintons image on the cover, the editorial said.
India on Wednesday summoned Pakistan deputy high commissioner in New Delhi and conveyed its "grave concern" as well as strong protest at the recent escalation in incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan on border which have resulted in several fatalities on Indian side.

Joint Secretary (incharge of Pakistan) in the External Affairs Ministry Gopal Baglay, who summoned deputy high commissioner Syed Haider Shah, also registered India's strong protest on the mutilation of the body of an Indian soldier by a terrorist who escaped across the Line of Control after committing the heinous crime, the MEA said.

"Deputy high commissioner of Pakistan Syed Haider Shah was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs today.

"He was conveyed the government's grave concern and strong protest at the recent escalation in the incidents of ceasefire violations by the Pakistan side at the Line of Control and International Border, which have

resulted into several fatalities and casualties on the Indian side among civilians and security forces personnel," the ministry said.

Shah was conveyed government's expectation that Pakistan will not take any step inimical to peace along the LoC and IB and to the security of India.

The summoning comes amidst heightened tension between the two countries which have accused each other of violating ceasefire on the border.

On Tuesday, the Indian deputy high commissioner in Islamabad had protested to Pakistan over the unprovoked firing by Pakistani troops on the border to give cover to infiltrators when he was was summoned by the foreign office in Islamabad for the fourth time in just over a week over alleged "unprovoked ceasefire violations" by Indian security forces.
Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been trapped by Iraqi Army, which entered the terrorist group's stronghold of Mosul for the first time in more than two years for a final assault, a report has claimed.

The battle for Mosul, where the self-declared caliph of IS is believed to be hiding, is likely to end in a decisive defeat for the terrorist group, the Independent reported.

Fuad Hussein, chief of staff to Kurdish President Massoud Barzani, told the daily that his government had information from multiple sources that "Baghdadi is there and, if he is killed, it will mean the collapse of the whole [IS] system."

Baghdadi has kept himself concealed for the last eight or nine months according to Hussein, who added that the caliph had become very dependent on IS commanders from Mosul and Tal Afar, a city just to the west of Mosul.

Other senior and better known figures in IS, particularly those from Syria and other countries, have been killed since their initial triumphs in the summer of 2014 when they took over much of northern Iraq and eastern Syria.

The presence of Baghdadi in Mosul may complicate and prolong the battle for Mosul as his surviving adherents fight to the death to defend him.

If he is killed, IS would have to choose a new caliph in the middle of a battle, but no successor would have the authority and prestige of Baghdadi, the leader who surprised the world by establishing the caliphate after capturing Mosul in June 2014.

Hussein said "it is obvious that they will lose, but not how long this will take to happen."

He said Kurdish Peshmerga forces had been impressed by the extraordinary number of tunnels that Isis had dug in order to provide hiding places in the villages around Mosul.

On Tuesday, Iraqi Special Forces advanced into Mosul, which once had a population of two million, seizing the state television on the east bank of the Tigris River that divides the city in half.

Hussein said the speed of the fall of Mosul would depend on many factors especially whether or not IS "is going to destroy the five bridges over the river."

Iraqi troops entered Gogjali, a district inside Mosul's city limits, and later the borders of the more built-up Karama district, according to Major General Sami al-Aridi of the Iraqi special forces.

"Daesh (IS) is fighting back and have set up concrete blast walls to block off the Karama neighbourhood and [stop] our troops' advance," General Aridi said.

The anti-IS offensive is dependent on US-led air strikes and the presence of US special forces.

Image: Kurdish peshmerga fighters battle with Islamic State at Abu Jarboa village near Mosul, Iraq. Photgraph: Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters
The Border Security Force on Wednesday said Pakistan's border guarding force was deliberately targeting civilian areas and its Army directly supporting the troops in the shelling on these areas and Indian posts along the International Border.

Addressing a press conference, Inspector General of BSF D K Upadhyay said Pakistan Army is giving full support to Pakistan Rangers, which have violated ceasefire "countless" times in recent past.

"Pakistani forces are firing heavy mortars deliberately towards Indian civilian areas. BSF never fires towards any Pakistani civilian area. We fire only towards military bunkers from where Pakistani forces fire. We have inflicted heavy damage on 14 Pakistani bunkers," he said.

However, he ruled out use of artillery by Pakistan troops in shelling on Indian areas.

"There is no proof of artillery being used by the Pakistani forces", the Border Security Force IG said.

Upadhyay said Pakistan has violated the "human rights and international norms," by targeting civilian areas.

The BSF has foiled 5 infiltration bids along IB in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district since October 20-21 night.

"Since the forced infiltration was foiled on the intervening night of October 20 and 21, five infiltration bids have been foiled and a total of 14 infiltration bids were foiled this year... out of them, three bids have been made close to Diwali night", he said.

But Pakistan is continuously making efforts to help the terrorists to enter into Indian side, the IG said adding "BSF is fully prepared to give a befitting reply to any such attempt".

Upadhyay said if there was any civilian casualty in the Pakistani side, it was because the civilian population live very close to the military bunkers that might have resulted in "collateral" damage.

He also showed images of BSF's firing which targeted only military bunkers in Pakistan.

In an escalation on the tension along border, eight people, including two children and four women, were killed and 22 injured on Tuesday as Pakistani troops targeted civilian areas in Jammu region inviting strong retaliation by Indian forces who killed two Pakistani soldiers and destroyed their 14 posts.

In view of increased shelling and firing by Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered closure of all the 400 schools along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control.

With cross-border firing escalating, Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation at a meeting in Delhi which was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar,

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag and other top officials.

Tension along the IB and LoC escalated since the surgical strikes by army targeting terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on September 29.

Image: BSF Inspector General D K Upadhyay addressing a media interaction at BSF's Paloura Camp in Jammu on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar on Wednesday arrived in Uri during his two-day visit to Kashmir where army officials briefed him about the situation along the Line of Control.

This was Parrikar's first visit after the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes on terrorist camps across the Line of Control in retaliation to fidayeen attack on Brigade headquarter at Uri in which 19 soldiers were killed and about 20 others were injured on September 18. Four Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists were also killed in the encounter.

Indian Army chief General Dalbir Singh and other senior army commanders accompanied the defence minister during his visit to the LoC and the Brigade headquarters in Uri garrison town. Army officials briefed him on the situation along the Line of Control arising due to the ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

He also reviewed the preparedness of the troops who are defending the country's borders under extremely difficult weather and terrain.

The defence minister will on Thursday join senior army officers and other ranks in paying tribute to the country's first Param Vir Chakra recipient, Major Somnath on his 69th death anniversary near Srinagar Airport in Budgam district, the official said.

Major Somnath, the first recipient of India's highest military honour, was awarded the medal posthumously for his bravery in the Kashmir operations in November 1947. He laid down his life while evicting Pakistani raiders from Srinagar Airport during the war with Pakistan in 1947-48 in Kashmir. He belonged to the 4th Kumaon Regiment.

Parrikar's visit comes at a time when India has been responding in equal measure to heavy shelling by Pakistan forces.



Images: Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar interacts with army soldiers at the Uri Brigade camp, which was attacked by terrorists last month. Photographs: Umar Ganie
Rahul Gandhi and top Congress leaders were on Wednesday detained twice as a high-voltage political drama unfolded in New Delhi following the alleged suicide by a former soldier over One Rank One Pension, prompting the party vice president to demand an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

IMAGE: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi along with party leaders being carried in a police bus from Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo

"The least this government can do is to apologise to the family of the deceased soldier for making them suffer," said an angry Gandhi after being finally released at night amid strong protests by party leaders.

At a joint press conference at the AICC headquarters, former Defence Minister A K Antony warned that "things will be difficult" if the government did not implement the OROP in toto immediately and remove the pay commission anomalies.

Holding the Modi government responsible for the suicide of Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal, 70, a resident of Bhiwani district in Haryana, Antony and party chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala demanded that prime minister apologise to the nation and the armed forces for "misleading them" that OROP has been implemented.

"The present government is responsible for this suicide. Modi government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister, is talking for last one year that they have implemented OROP fully, but have not yet done so. They have diluted the OROP as implemented by the United Progressive Alliance.

"The government must implement OROP in toto at the earliest and remove all pay commission anomalies otherwise things will be difficult," Antony said, adding had everything been implemented fully this tragedy would not have happened.

He added, "If is government has any kind of loyalty left for armed forces, my humble request to the prime minister is please apologise to the nation and the families of soldiers for misleading them that OROP has been implemented. Such action has been unheart of in the history of India."

IMAGE: Rahul Gandhi talks to media at Tilak Marg Police Station where he was detained in New Delhi. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo

Rahul Gandhi after his release said, "The minimum that government should do is to apologise to the family of the deceased ex-serviceman."

The family has made a sacrifice and what has happened to them (their detention) is wrong, he added.

The Congress immediately latched on to the issue after reports of the suicide came in the morning with party leaders taking to the streets. Rahul Gandhi went to RML Hospital to meet the bereaved family and express his condolences, but was taken into custody and kept at Mandir Marg police station. He was again detained at the Tilak Marg police station and released late at night.

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia also met similar fate.

Striking a defiant note, the Congress declared that Rahul Gandhi will agitate for the cause of soldiers no matter how many times he has to go to jail.

"Rahul Gandhi is unfazed and no matter how many times he has to go to jail, he will continue to agitate for the cause of soldiers," said Surjewala.

Rahul Gandhi later tweeted, "A tough day for the Army veterans family, yet they have been made to suffer. Government should at least apologize to the family."

The Congress vice president said that he just went to the hospital to share their grief and tell them that he was with them.

"I went alone. When I reached there, all gates were shut. When I told the police that the family wants to meet me and allow them to come out. I saw the family was made to shift somewhere and detained later.

IMAGE: Gandhi talks to the media outside RML Hospital after he was not allowed to enter the hospital to meet Grewal's family. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI Photo

"Unfortunately, the family whose most difficult day it was, goverment detained them all day. They were detained and so was I. I told the police as to what mistake they had committed. The family has made a sacrifice and what has happened with them is wrong," Gandhi said.

Antony said Congress is not politicising the OROP issue and it was BJP instead which did so before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

"The government said they would remove anomalies in OROP and they even set up a Commission. But, the report is yet to be tabled," he said.

"The Modi government has been telling for past one year that they have implemented OROP. In reality, most of the ex-servicemen are still awaiting OROP," Antony, a former Defence Minister said.

Surjewala said BJP always praised the heroism of the brave soldiers and it was a matter of shame for the country that they had to struggle for getting the OROP.

He also targeted Union Minister V K Singh for talking about the "mental state" of the deceased soldier, saying he insulted the armed forces.

The Congress held two press conferences during the day as protests raged on in Lutyens' Delhi.
As many as six officials in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday returned home amidst growing tension between the two countries after a Pakistani mission staffer was caught in an espionage ring and expelled.

Though there was no official confirmation on the number of diplomats leaving India, according to Pakistan High Commission sources there were six mission officials who have left or were in the process of leaving.

"The decision has been taken after it became impossible for the officials to work in this vitiated atmosphere. The Indian government is threatening and blackmailing our diplomats. So in this condition, it is impossible for us to stay in this country and work," the sources alleged.

According to the sources, those who have left include commercial counsellor Syed Furrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal.

The Pakistani action comes days after India declared Pakistani official Mehmood Akhtar persona non-grata for espionage activities, triggering a tit for tat action from Islamabad, which also expelled an Indian High Commission official there.

Earlier, media reports emerging from Islamabad said Pakistan may ask at least two officials of the Indian High Commission to leave the country for their alleged involvement in subversive activities.

Akhtar, who worked in the visa section of the Pakistan High Commission and had diplomatic immunity, was procuring critical details including those about deployment of BSF personnel along the Indo-Pak border from two other accomplices who were arrested in Delhi.

Akhtar and two others -- identified as Subhash Jangir and Maulana Ramzan-- were picked up from Delhi Zoo last week. Akhtar was released after around three hours of interrogation as he enjoyed diplomatic immunity.

A fourth person Shoaib, who is a Jodhpur-based passport and visa agent, was detained by Rajasthan police later.
The government has received flak for allegedly shielding the corrupt ministers and slow pace of investigation in irrigation scam, reports Sanjay Jog.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who entered his third year in office on Tuesday, faces the daunting task of fulfilling some key election promises, including making the state toll tax free, abolition of the local body tax, quotas for the Maratha and Dhangar (shepherd) communities, establishment of a Contract Labour Commission and putting over 400 irrigation project on the fast track.

The quota issue came into the limelight after marches by Marathas, who make up 32 per cent of the states population, to protest against the rape and killing of a minor in Kopardi village of Ahmednagar district. Later, the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes also organised marches to demand continuation of the Atrocity Act.

Fadnavis has iterated the governments commitment to providing a quota to the Marathas without disturbing the quotas of other communities but his government will have to cross several legal hurdles.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and its alliance partner the Shiv Sena face a tough test in elections to 212 municipalities and nagar panchayats this month. The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party will make every attempt to target the ruling alliance on farm distress, deteriorating law and order and burgeoning malnutrition deaths.

The government has also received flak for allegedly shielding corrupt ministers, slow investigations into an irrigation scam, a circular listing acts of sedition, and a draft of the Maharashtra Protection of Internal Security Act that brings a gathering of 100 or more people under police scrutiny.

To its credit, the government has partially abolished the local body tax, making it applicable only to traders with an annual turnover of over Rs 50 crore. But the government has to make a provision of Rs 6,500 crore annually to compensate the civic bodies for the revenue lost.

HITS AND MISSES Thumbs up >> Launch of Right to Services Act, bringing 150 services under its purview >> Implementing the Jalyukta Shivar water conservation in 10,000 villages >> Transport infrastructure projects of over Rs 1 lakh crore in Greater Mumbai >> Steps to cut red tape for approvals >> Delegation of powers to field enforcement agencies for permitting change of zones and grant of additional floor space index in most cases >> Standardising of development control regulations for building permits across all municipalities >> Approvals for building permits given online in Mumbai, Thane and some other cities. Process on to extend to other cities >> CCTV in Greater Mumbai to increase security vigil >> Improvement in availability of electricity with capacity addition, reduced losses and purchase from exchanges Thumbs down >> Procedure to set up industrial units still daunting >> Maharashtra ranked 10th in World Banks latest Ease of Doing Business Index, two places lower than when this government took charge >> Big-ticket investments announced earlier, including establishment of LCD manufacturing unit by Twinstar Industries worth Rs 68,000 crore and Foxconns $5 billion investment for manufacturing, are still to happen >> Law & order still a major problem >> Slow pace investigation into irrigation scam >> Setting up of Contract Labour Commission and implementation of labour reforms >> Key policy initiatives to boost housing stock remain on paper and a housing regulator to end malpractices in the construction sector yet to happen >> Total abolition of local body tax and making Maharashtra toll tax free >> Reservation to Maratha and Dhangar communities

Image: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been running a tight ship when it comes to governance. He involves junior ministers in the decision-making process and holds a meeting of the Council of Ministers every last Saturday of the month, but theres a group of ministers that the prime minister reaches out to more often.

This correspondent spoke extensively to senior Union ministers and members of Parliament from almost all parties to draw up a list of people who play an important role in shaping Prime Minister Modis governance.

Arun Jaitley: The finance minister is a constant the prime minister has paid heed to since assuming office in May 2014. Considered the tallest among the ministers, Jaitley is the first who Prime Minister Modi reaches out to before considering any solution to the problems confronting him.

Manoj Sinha: The telecom minister has been Bharatiya Janata Party's face of the Bhumihar community, which also has a fairly large presence in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Now with elections in the state on the horizon, the prime minister has been seeking inputs from Sinha more often.

Dr Mahesh Sharma: Modi likes the tourism minister for the straight-forward way he talks about issues related to the BJP organisation (a task also performed by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan). He and Sinha have been advising the prime minister on the forthcoming UP elections.

Nitin Gadkari: Modi resorts to Nitin Gadkari, especially using his proximity to the RSS leadership to serve as a bridge between Nagpur and the PMO. Whenever the RSS tries hard to breathe down his neck, it is Gadkari that Modi relies on to send a tough message to the RSS leadership, trusting him to effectively communicate his thoughts in the right spirit.

Rajnath Singh: PM Modi turns to the home minister when he needs political feedback.

Manohar Parikkar: In the days since the surgical strikes across the Line of Control, the prime minister has been turning to the defence minister for briefings on the situation along the border with Pakistan.

Venkaiah Naidu: PM modi has entrusted the urban development minister with the task of having back-channel talks with the Opposition on contentious issues. Of late, Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar too has been entrusted with the responsibility.

Sushma Swaraj: PM Modi has very high personal regard and respect fore the suggestions given by the external affairs minister.

Power Minister Piyush Goyal and Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman: Modi likes the duo for their fair and focused suggestions. Sitharaman is also considered effective in articulating the government's basic developmental policy issues with industry and business houses.
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday questioned the state government's logic behind celebrating the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, observing he wasn't a freedom fighter but a monarch who fought to safeguard his interests.

"What is the logic behind celebrating Tipu Jayanti? Tipu was not a freedom fighter, but a monarch who fought the opponents to safeguard his interests," Chief Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee, presiding over the division bench, observed.

Justice R B Budhihal is the other member of the bench.

The observation was made by the Chief Justice during a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation filed by South Kodagu-based K P Manjunatha, challenging government's move to celebrate Tipu Jayanti.

Justice Mukherjee also questioned the logic behind celebrating Tipu Jayanti amid fears of communal tension escalating in Kodagu district and other parts of the state.

He observed that last year's celebrations had resulted in a law-and-order situation after protesters resorted to violence.

However, public counsel M R Naik defended the celebrations, saying Tipu was a great warrior who fought against the British.

Countering the submissions, Sajan Poovaiah, counsel for the petitioner, said Tipu was a tyrant ruler who killed people belonging to many communities, including Kodavas, Konkanis and Christians.

The hearing will resume on Thursday.

The Congress government's decision to observe the birth anniversary of the 18th century ruler of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom has stirred a major controversy, with opinion sharply divided among intellectuals, academia and different communities and organisations.

Tipu Jayanti, slated to be celebrated across the state on November 10, is being observed since last year following a government decision, which had triggered a major row and caused violence in Kodagu district last November.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh had stated recently it opposed the celebration and would stage protests against it as the ruler of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom was a "religious bigot and a violent sultan".

The BJP has also expressed its strong opposition to 'Tipu Jayanti'.
The United States has asked its citizens in India to keep high level of vigilance citing reports indicating that terror outfit Islamic State desires to attack targets in India.

An advisory issued by the American Embassy warned its citizens of an increased threat in places frequented by Westerners in the country.

Recent Indian media reports indicate Islamic States desire to attack targets in India. The US Embassy warns of an increased threat to places in India frequented by Westerners, such as religious sites, markets, and festival venues.

All US citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as detailed in the State Departments Worldwide Caution of September 9, 2016, the advisory said.

An earlier advisory, under Worldwide Caution section on the US state departments travel website, says that India continues to experience terrorist and insurgent activities which may affect US citizens directly or indirectly.

Anti-Western terrorist groups active in India include Islamist extremist groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihad-i-Islami, Harakat ul-Mujahidin, Indian Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e Tayyiba.

Past attacks have targeted public places, including some frequented by Westerners, such as luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas, mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas, the worldwide advisory, last updated in September, says.
Who is undermining the rule of law in our country? Democrats say it is FBI Director James Comey, but theyre wrong. It is President Obama who has repeatedly and inappropriately stepped on Department of Justice investigations and his Attorneys General who have allowed it to happen.

When Obama declared on 60 Minutes more than a year ago that Hillarys use of a personal server didnt pose a national security problem, he sent a message to his AG. When the president publicly declared that David Petraeus mishandling of classified information didnt have a negative impact on our national security even as FBI agents were trying to draw their own conclusions, or when he stated that there was not a smidgeon of corruption in the IRSs targeting of Tea Party organizations, Obama signaled to Justice how those inquiries should turn out.

Related: New DOJ Leaks Appear to Benefit the Trump Campaign

Comeys sin is not that his announcement about the renewed inquiry into Clintons emails might tilt the election; it is that he turns out to be that rarity in Washington [who] doesnt care about politics, as Obama described his nominee in 2013.

That is indeed rare, and especially in the Department of Justice. As they review the stalled effort to investigate the Clinton Foundation and slip-shod investigation into Clintons possible mishandling of classified information, the grants of immunity, the lack of Grand Jury involvement and destruction of evidence, Americans wonder: is there a separate standard for the Clintons?

They will not be reassured by discovering that the investigation into the private server will be spearheaded by assistant attorney General Peter J. Kadzik who recently wrote ranking members of Congress assuring them the renewed probe would be speedy. Kadzik is a close pal of John Podesta, Hillary Clintons campaign chief. They were law school classmates, and Kadzik represented Podesta during the Monica Lewinsky investigation. In 2008, Podesta recommended Kadzik for a job with the Obama transition team, calling him a fantastic lawyer who kept me out of jail. This year, Kadzik asked Podestas help in finding his son a job with the Clinton campaign.

Story continues

Is it any wonder Americans are losing faith in our Department of Justice?

Related: Is Trump Pulling Ahead? Heres What the Polls Are Really Saying

Voters might remember that in 2012, for the first time in our countrys history, a sitting cabinet official was held in contempt of Congress. That official was Attorney General Attorney General Eric Holder, who was cited for lying to legislators about Operation Fast & Furious. Holding the AG in criminal contempt was one of the few bipartisan acts of the House of Representatives in recent years; the vote against Holder was 255-67, with 17 democrats so incensed at Holders illegal behavior that they voted for censure in spite of intense lobbying from the White House.

It is beyond ironic that Holder, who resigned two days after a judge declined to prosecute him for refusing to comply with a Congressional subpoena, has dared to criticize Comeys recent action as incorrect in a Washington Post op-ed. Holder hilariously claims that he established the proper way to conduct investigations during an election season. It was of course in the lead-up to Obamas reelection bid that Holder lied and refused to turn over documents about the botched gun-dealing operation, which cost a U.S. border patrol agent his life and which could have dented the presidents standing.

Holders approach, in other words, was to squash an investigation that might tar the White House. Actually, maybe he did set the standard; the current attorney general, Loretta Lynch, seems to have adopted the practice as her own.

Related: Why a Growing Number of Republicans Are Criticizing the FBIs Comey

The Wall Street Journal reported Lynch or her subordinates in the Department of Justice tried to dissuade Director Comey from alerting Congress that the FBI was extending the email probe because of newly discovered records. Even more reprehensible, for some time DOJ officials have discouraged agents from investigating the Clinton Foundation. Numerous apparent instances of pay-to-play activities involving then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have surfaced, in which payments were made by interested parties to the Foundation and to Bill Clinton personally in exchange for favors from State. These are serious charges; voters should know if the woman who wants to be president traded access for cash.

Lynch of course also infamously met with Bill Clinton in an off-the-radar rendezvous on her plane, only days before Mrs. Clinton was to be interviewed by the FBI about the use of her server. Did Bill say anything to Lynch to influence her direction of the case? Were promises made or threats delivered? We will never knowunless some of the emails on Anthony Weiners computer reveal those conversations.

Obamas October 2015 comment on 60 Minutes that Clintons email use was not a situation in which Americas national security was endangered ignited a firestorm within the FBI. Agents conducting the investigation were incensed that the president had just publicly rendered judgment on the case.

Related: Heres How Much Obamacare Premiums Are Rising in All 50 States

Obama may have had good reason to intervene. As the New York Times reported at the time, investigators have been scrutinizing everyone who came in contact with Hillary Clintons server and trying to determine whether anyone sent or received classified information, whether that information was compromised and whether any of this amounted to a crime.

What we now know is that President Obama was among those emailing to the Clinton server, and that he lied about it. He told an interviewer that he found out about Clintons email arrangement when everyone else did  from press accounts. That was not true. From WikiLeaks we know that Jennifer Palmieri, the Clinton campaigns communications director, sent an email the first week of March 2015 in which she says, Suggest Phillippe talk to Josh [Earnest] or Eric. They know POTUS and HRC emailed. Noting that White House spokesman Josh Earnest has been asked about that, Palmieri appears concerned that they get their story straight, saying Standard practice is not to confirm anything about his email

Obama sent emails to Hillarys Clinton.org address under a pseudonym; it is impossible that our tech-savvy president didnt know what he was doing.

What we dont know, because the content of those emails was redacted, is whether or not Obama sent classified information to Clinton via this unsecured channel. If the FBI finds Hillary guilty of mishandling such data, maybe the president is vulnerable to the same charges. No wonder he belittles the investigation.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
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This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
Oil prices likely to dip, but that may not last long, analyst says

Although OPEC is pumping record amounts of crude oil, an expected new dip in prices may not last long, energy analyst Matt Smith told CNBC on Wednesday.

The director of commodity research at ClipperData predicted a price drop following Tuesday's American Petroleum Institute report that indicated a build in inventory.

That build is likely to be mirrored in more comprehensive data coming Wednesday from the Energy Information Administration.

But Smith said other factors could spark market volatility.



With Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Libya and Nigeria all "pumping, pumping, pumping," Smith told " Squawk Box " that the market is under stress and "still out of wack."





He said stability in lower crude prices hinges on the OPEC meeting on Nov. 30, where a change of tone may spur a boost in prices.



"We are likely to get some sort of positive rhetoric out of the group. Saudi is trying to push for some sort of agreement, and should we get that, we should see a bit of a bump in prices," Smith said.

He said expectations for an OPEC agreement are so low that the pressure is on Saudi energy officials to spur some decision-making.

Still, Smith said there's still an oversupply, and that keep prices in the $40 to $50 range for the time being.

West Texas Intermediate crude (New York Mercantile Exchange: @CL.1) was down 64 cents, or 1.37 percent, on Wednesday morning, trading at $46.03. Brent crude (NYSE Arca: BNO) was down 58 cents, or 1.20 percent, at $47.56.





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Los Angeles, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/02/2016 --Medical advertising agency Bryant Brown Healthcare has won the Corporate Vision 2016 Marketing, PR & Communications Award as "Best Healthcare Agency in California."



CV (Corporate Vision) Magazine created the Marketing, PR & Communications Awards to honor agencies "committed to telling their and their clients' stories to the world in the most imaginative and effective ways possible. The awards are designed to shine a light on those who maintain relationships, convey fresh ideas, and encourage businesses to bloom."



Based entirely on merit, the awards spotlight organizations that are making a significant impact in their industry.



"Thank you for this honor," states Sam Bryant, a founding partner of Bryant Brown Healthcare. "We appreciate the recognition from CV Magazine and the opportunity to serve our clients worldwide from our base in California."



The agency provides strategic planning, branding, copywriting, design, programming, production, and media services to pharmaceutical companies, medical technology manufacturers, hospitals, and advocacy organizations.



Also in CV Magazine's Marketing, PR & Communications category, Bryant Brown and its client the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation won honors for the "Best Multimedia Substance Abuse Campaign." Together, agency and client created the award-winning "It Takes Guts to Come Here" campaign that combines digital, print, broadcast, and outdoor promotions.



About Bryant Brown Healthcare

Bryant Brown Healthcare, the home of "nice people, mean creative," is an award-winning medical advertising agency. For more than 17 years, Bryant Brown has developed communications targeting consumer and professional audiences in all mediaweb, broadcast, and print"everywhere in healthcare." Bryant Brown serves clients including health systems and hospitals, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, medical device manufacturers, health information technology firms, and advocacy organizations.



For more information, visit http://www.bryantbrown.com or contact Bob Brown at 310-406-2460, extension 101, or bob@bryantbrown.com.
Huntsville, AL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/02/2016 --Transcend, an award-winning leadership development company, has become the first company in Alabama to become a Certified B Corporation. Called "the highest standard for socially responsible businesses" by Inc. magazine, B Corp certification recognizes companies who voluntarily meet standards of transparency, accountability and social impact. Transcend joins a growing community of more than 1,900 Certified B Corporations globally, including Warby Parker, Etsy, Ben & Jerry's and Patagonia, and is the first company in the state to meet the rigorous standards that measure a company's impact on its employees, suppliers, community and the environment.



"We're proud to become a Certified B Corporation. It validates our commitment to grow 'Fearless Leaders' as we impact our employees, our clients and our community," said Transcend CEO and Founder Laura Huckabee-Jennings. "B Corporations are all about using business for good. They are important because they inspire all businesses to compete not only to be the best in the world, but to be the best for the world. That's a perfect fit with our core values and the big picture view that drives our company."



In addition to recognizing existing efforts, B Corp Certification also provides companies with a community of like-minded business owners to continually progress and innovate. "Our vision is to improve both businesses and the lives of the people who work there," said Huckabee-Jennings. "Better leadership builds stronger communities and we want to be a catalyst for community in the workplace."



Transcend was named 2016 Business/Professional Services Business of the Year by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and Huckabee-Jennings is the recipient of the Women's Business Center of North Alabama's WBC Entrepreneur of the Year award. The company was also named a Fastest Growing Partner by Wiley, a powerful force in the workplace learning industry.



About B Corporations

Certified B Corporations are leaders of a global movement of people using business as a force for good. They meet the highest standards of overall social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability and aspire to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. There are more than 1,900 Certified B Corporations in 130 industries and 50 countries with one unifying goal: to redefine success in business.



About Transcend

The Transcend team has been serving executives, senior-level teams and promising entrepreneurial organizations since 2002. The company works with self-aware leaders to identify the barriers to growth and overcome them by building strategies, teams and cultures that drive growth. Transcend delivers practical solutions for better leadership to build a stronger local and global community.
Atlanta, GA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/02/2016 --In No More, Dr. Thomas Masters, a Vietnam veteran, tackles some of America's toughest and most controversial issues. A Conservative and devout Christian, Dr. Masters, like many Americans, felt disillusioned by the current issues plaguing America. Dissatisfied with government, politicians, and the state of the nation, Dr. Masters felt he could make a valuable contribution by creating a novel that directly addressed many of these conflicts.



"I have been a conservative Christian all my life," explains Dr. Masters. "I have witnessed the progressive departure from a Christian nation to something I do not recognize today. I do not have a desire to run for public office, but I thought this book would be the next best thing. Hopefully, someone in the public realm will take some of the suggestions noted in the book and act on them."



About No More

In the book, No More, a conservative president delivers a presidential speech to the American public each day during his first one hundred days in office. Guided strictly by the Bible and the United States Constitution, the president provides answers to many of America's most probing questions. The content covered within the novel could not come at a more pertinent time, as the 2016 presidential election approaches in November.



"The presidential race this year in 2016 is extremely pivotal in the course of our nation," shares Dr. Masters. "The past eight years have seen a dictatorial presidency and a runaway judiciary. The election in 2016 is as significant to the future of our nation as was the election in 1860. This book addresses many of our nation's problems, and offers concrete solutions to those concerns. Many solutions may seem drastic, but I think most will see the rationale behind them."



No More is available on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Kobo, Apple iBooks, and wh2107.org.
Morgan County Election Board reviews financial records

The Morgan County Election Board met Friday to review the campaign finance reports of local candidates running for office.
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nra convention guns american flag

Sturm, Ruger & Co. on Tuesday reported third-quarter earnings and said there was "stronger-than-normal" demand for guns this summer, which was likely boosted by election campaigning.

The gunmaker said net sales rose 34% year-on-year to $161.4 million, and it earned $1.03 in adjusted earnings per share.

These results come one week before a presidential election in which gun control is one of the most contentious issues. Hillary Clinton wants to reinstate the assault-weapons ban following recent mass shootings with them. Donald Trump opposes a ban; he wants to fix gun legislation and focus on mental healthcare.

During the second-quarter earnings call in August, Sturm Ruger CEO Michael Fifer called on "our customers and all freedom-loving Americans to take action in support of the Second Amendment," especially leading up to the election.

The company said it would donate $2 to the National Rifle Association for every gun it sells, and would match all donations to the NRA up to $5 million until the election on November 8. The NRA has endorsed Trump for president.

Sturm Ruger shares gained after previous episodes of gun violence prompted politicians to call for stricter gun-control laws. Investors believed that people would buy more guns if they feared that purchasing in the future would be harder.

Earlier on Tuesday, FBI data showed that firearm background checks rose in October to 2.3 million, up from 2 million a year ago. Background checks reflect buyer interest, not sales.

NOW WATCH: Guns only fire if countless mechanisms work together in the blink of an eye





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Nearly 50 civil society organizations called for the Cambodian government to join some other Southeast Asian nations and ban or severely restrict exports of sand to Singapore after it was revealed that nearly $750 million worth of the building material has disappeared from the country.

U.N. data shows that Cambodia exported $752 million in sand to Singapore over the past eight years, but Phnom Penh only reported that about $5 million worth of sand was exported to the island nation that is the worlds top destination for the material.

We note the decisions of the governments of Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia to ban or restrict sand exports to Singapore due to environmental concerns, and we urge your excellency to consider instituting a similar ban or restriction in Cambodia, in the interests of Cambodias long-term sustainable development, wrote the 47 groups in an Oct. 31 letter to Minister of Mines and Energy Suy Sem.

The vast discrepancy between the official numbers and numbers gleaned from U.N. reports is troubling as sand mining can have severe environmental impact and costs Cambodias treasury millions.

San Chey, executive director of the Affiliated Network of Social Accountability, who signed the letter, said corruption could have been the key factor in the unrecorded sand exports.

We wanted the ministry to be informed of the impact of the sand exports and how it badly impacts the communities, San Chey told RFAs Khmer Service. The ministry needs to find out about this.

Ministry of Mines spokesman Meng Saktheara admitted that corruption could be a factor, saying the sand could have been smuggled out of Cambodia or sand dredgers from other countries could be using Cambodia to camouflage their own activities.

This matter is being treated very carefully and as a priority because it involves national budget, he said.

The Ministry has no role in it

In its official response, however, the ministry attempted to deflect criticism, blaming the use of different reporting regimes by different countries for the differences.

The ministry admits that it still faces some challenges in managing the sand export businesses, it said in a statement. The discrepancies in sand export data could be the result of the different reporting regimes of each country.

The ministry also emphasized its limited role in the oversight of the businesses involved in the sand trade.

Regarding the sand sale business deals, the ministry has no role in it, it said in the statement. Such deals involve only the companies which are licensed to operate the sand export businesses and the buyers. We are looking into this and will take concrete measures if irregularities are found in the sand export business operations.

Son Chhay, a senior lawmaker with the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), told RFA that the assemblys Anti-Corruption Commission planned to question Suy Sem about the discrepancies soon.

A Hun Sen Family Affair?

In its report Hostile Takeover: The Corporate Empire of Cambodias Ruling Family, the investigative non-governmental organization Global Witness found links between Prime Minister Hun Sens family or their associates and a sand dredging license for a four-kilometer stretch of the Mekong River.

The Cambodian environmental organization Mother Nature Cambodia has accused the government of using the power of the stateto provide a veneer of legality to the mining.

The government claims that Koh Kong [provinces] coastal estuaries naturally carry 'too much sand', and as such need dredging and deepening so that they can be more navigable, and also to reduce riverbank erosion and floods in the area, the organization writes on its website. In short, it paints the mining as beneficial to the local fishing communities.

Reality though, is much different from that, the organization added. Fish stocks have been depleted across the estuaries where the mining is taking place, pollution from the mining barges is close to unbearable to those living nearby, riverbank collapse is endemic, and the only ones that benefit from the alleged benefits of deepening of the estuaries are the large barges that travel upstream to pick up the sand and transport it onto Singapore.

A worldwide problem

Driven by the growing demand for sand, either for concrete for construction, or in Singapores case for expanding its territory, the demand for sand has been outstripping the supply.

According to information in the World Atlas, the United States is the biggest exporter of sand, with Cambodia coming in at number seven. The Observatory of Economic Complexity reports that 97 percent of Cambodias sand goes to Singapore.

The worlds sand mining industry is estimated to be a $70 billion a year industry with illegal trade in the material worth even more, according to a 2016 report in The Sydney Morning Herald.

A 2015 report in Wired detailed the emergence of so-called sand mafias that use bribery, intimidation and killings to control the illegal sand trade.

Thanks in a large part to the worlds sand, Singapore is 22 percent larger than it was in the 1950s, according to the Sydney Herald report. The newspaper said the island is pushing ahead with plans to import titanic amounts of sand to artificially expand its territory by 6,200 hectares by 2030.

Singapore is getting larger, but the sand mining that aids its growth often wreaks havoc on rivers, deltas, and marine ecosystems in Cambodia and elsewhere.

In 2013 Hun Sen imposed a ban on dredging along the Mekong and Ton Le Sap, and in 2015 the Cambodian government put a hold on new applications for licenses to conduct sand-dredging operations in the country's rivers and lakes in order to study the environmental and social impact, but it is unclear if those moves had any effect, as sand mining appears to be continuing.

At the time of the 2015 announcement, Suy Sem said that there were 142 sand dredging companies operating in Cambodia, but only 37 of them had licenses.

In a 2016 report, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) found the Cambodian government had continued to supply licenses to sand miners despite the bans.

In April the government decided to auction four two-year sand dredging licenses along the Mekong River, under the auspices of restoring navigation of the waterway.

Four other licenses were designated green zone areas, where there is no risk of riverbank collapse while nearly 70 new sand dredging licenses were issued without holding public auctions or requiring the companies to make publicly available environmental impact assessment results.

In all, CCHR found there were 84 companies holding licenses to dredge sand as of May 2016, despite the governments bans.

Reported for RFA's Khmer Service by Heng Sun. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Brooks Boliek.
Chinese authorities have secretly detained a graduate of a U.S. university who supported human rights and pro-democracy campaigns after he told friends he would wear a T-shirt merging the name of President Xi Jinping with Hitler's.



Ethnic Korean Quan Ping, whose name is also spelled in its Korean form, Kwon Pyong, is being held by police in his hometown of Yanji city in the northeastern province of Jilin, and has been incommunicado for more than a month, RFA has learned.



Kwon Pyong's detention came after he posted a selfie outside a government building while wearing a T-shirt with banned keywords linked to President Xi, including the word "Xitler." He also told a friend he planned to walk around wearing it on Oct. 1, the anniversary of the founding of communist-ruled China.



A vociferous next-generation rights activist and graduate of Iowa State University, Kwon, now 28, traveled to take part in the 2014 Occupy movement for fully democratic elections in Hong Kong.



He was also active on Twitter, which is blocked in China, and used social media to publicly criticize the "tyranny" of the Communist Party and express solidarity with causes like Free Tibet and the commemoration of those who died in the crackdown on the 1989 democracy movement on Tiananmen Square.



Kwon was last heard of on Sept. 30 after tweeting that he planned to take to the streets openly wearing the T-shirt, his U.S.-based friend Gu Yi told RFA.



"He had been contacting me every day since Sept. 8 to report that he was safe, because he realized he was being followed," Gu said.



'Called in for a chat'



"Previously, we didn't think he would get into big trouble, although he had been called in for a chat with state security police after he sent postcards to detained human rights lawyers," Gu said.



"But then he told me on Sept. 30 that he planned to walk around in that T-shirt. I told him not to do it, but he insisted," Gu said. "We didn't think he would run into trouble because he had worn that kind of T-shirt before."



"But that same day, I got a text message from him that said 'ran into trouble.'"



Repeated calls to Kwon's mother's cell phone rang unanswered on Monday.



An officer who answered the phone at the Yanji municipal police department's criminal investigations department confirmed that Kwon is currently in police custody.



"That's right," the officer said. "We are handling the case according to the law. Don't call again."



U.S.-based author and activist Rose Tang said Kwon, who went by the Twitter handle @BraveJohnny, showed an unusual dedication with his activism, which is less and less common among young people in today's China.



"The Chinese Communist Party is suppressing young people like Kwon Pyong," she said. "In fact, it's very rare to find glowing embers of resistance like him during such dark times."



"The Communist Party is doing everything it can to obliterate them."



Overseas support



However, Kwon's detention has sparked a rare show of online resistance among Chinese students studying overseas, some of whom have been tweeting selfies including the words "Free Kwon Pyong."



The U.S.-based Independent Federation of Chinese Students and Scholars (IFCSS), issued a statement condemning Kwon's detention.



"This is a shameful display of state terrorism ... and blatant repression of freedom of speech, as well as a serious violation of [his] rights by the authorities," it said.



"Kwon Pyong has the strong social conscience and sense of justice of youth," the IFCSS said.



"He continued to commemorate the June 4 massacre in the media and repeatedly expressed his support for arrested lawyers in the form of postcards and was prepared to protest against Xi Jinping's erroneous policies."



In doing so, Kwon was simply exercising his constitutional right to free expression, the group said, adding that "he showed the patriotism and courage of a Chinese citizen."



"We urge the Chinese authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally," the pro-democracy group said.



'Certain risks'



IFCSS member Chen Chuangchuang said Kwon also knew the risks he was running with such open activism within China's borders.



"He knew there would be certain risks involved," Chen said. "He even predicted it online before it happened."



"He took to the streets wearing a T-shirt that was highly critical of Xi Jinping's policies and of the Communist Party," he said. "Two days later, he was incommunicado."



Fellow activist Zhang Shuren said he is "very angry" about Kwon's detention.



"He is a young person, and to detain him just for wearing a T-shirt ... shows that they are going after anyone young ... who hasn't been brainwashed by them," Zhang said.



"They are terrified that more and more young people are going to realize the truth about the Communist Party, and start threatening or opposing its rule: that's why they are cracking down so hard on them," he said.



Reported by Ng Yik-tung and Sing Man for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Guo Yasa for the Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.




Wang Yicui lays in a hospital bed after officials beat her for trying to register as an independent candidate in a forthcoming election for local legislators in Neijing, southwestern China's Sichuan province, Nov. 2, 2016.

Authorities in the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan have beaten up a woman who tried to register as an independent candidate in forthcoming elections to her local legislature, she told RFA from hospital on Wednesday.

Wang Yicui was beaten up by officials in Sichuans Neijiang city government for allegedly "obstructing the electoral process," she said in an interview from the Neijiang No. 3 People's Hospital, where she is recovering following multiple soft-tissue injuries.

Wang said she had planned to stand as an independent representative for the People's Congress in her hometown of Fengming, which is part of Neijiang.

"Yesterday I went to Neijiang city government to find about participating in the district People's Congress election," Wang said. "[They] didn't want me to run and they were verbally abusive."

Wang said the beating came as she tried to stop an official from snatching away her cellphone after she started taking photographs of the officials concerned.

"He starting beating me up, until I wound up on the ground," Wang said. "I called the police, and they came, but they didn't do anything except get me to sit in the police car, and then an ambulance came."

She said police had refused to ask her attacker to pay her medical expenses for which she has no money to pay.

Representing ordinary people

Wang said she wanted to represent the interests of ordinary Chinese who lack a voice in government institutions.

"I wanted to take part in the election so I would have the chance to speak out, because the people put forward by the government don't speak for ordinary people," she said.

"I wanted to speak for ordinary people, and also actually do something to help them," she said.

A police officer visited Wang in hospital on Wednesday to take a statement from her, but have taken no further action.

"I have soft-tissue injuries all over, and the hospital has given me a bill for all the tests, but I haven't got any money," she said.

Sichuan-based rights activist Huang Qi, who runs the Tianwang rights website, said similar incidents have occurred throughout the province, as ordinary citizens seek registration as independent candidates, only to run into fierce opposition from the authorities.

"Once again, we see that Chinese officials are very hostile to elections, they fear them, and they will stop at nothing to ensure that they aren't genuine elections," Huang said.

"This is not an isolated incident," he said, citing the harassment of would-be independent candidate Jiang Chengfen in Hanyuan county.

He called on the government to enforce current laws allowing candidates who garner 10 nominations from local residents to enter local polls.

"People should be free to exercise their constitutional rights and elect genuine representatives to the People's Congresses," Huang said.

The attack on Wang came as 58 would-be candidates in the central province of Hubei issued a declaration saying that local elections should be used to put the people back into democracy.

"If the people are in charge of the country, then voting is the source of our power," the declaration, signed by former People's Congress deputy Yao Lifa and 57 local election hopefuls, it said.

""We call on officials with strong political and moral integrity to come forward and accept [independent] candidates nominated by voters," it said.

A right and responsibility

Independent candidate Wu Lijuan said that taking part in elections should be the right and responsibility of every citizen.

"People want to elect their own candidates; people who can speak for them," Wu said. "They have no use for government-selected candidates who only serve the elite."

China's electoral guidelines state that candidates may put themselves forward if they receive recommendations from at least 10 local voters in direct elections to district and township level People's Congresses.

But powerful vested interests mean that the majority of local "elections" are a fait accompli, while independent candidates are frequently targeted for persecution, harassment, and detention.

In September, authorities in the central province of Hunan detained four people who campaigned for the election of an independent candidate to the local People's Congress.

Guan Guilin, Yu Cheng, Zhang Shixiang, and Hu Shuangqing were taken away by state security police after they accompanied Guan to register as a candidate in forthcoming elections for the Qidong county People's Congress, Hunan rights activist Ou Biaofeng told RFA.

Overall, there are five levels of hierarchy in the People's Congress system, with the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing at the top.

Every three to five years, China "elects" more than two million lawmakers at the county and township levels across the country to local-level People's Congresses in more than 2,000 counties and 30,000 townships.

But state media have previously warned that there is "no such thing" as a candidate independent of the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

Apart from a token group of "democratic parties" that never oppose or criticize the ruling party, opposition political parties are banned in China, and those who set them up are frequently handed lengthy jail terms.



Reported by Qiao Long and Yang Fan for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.
Renata Lok-Dessallien (C), the U.N.s resident and humanitarian coordinator and the United Nations Development Programmes resident representative in Myanmar, visits a village in Maungdaw township, western Myanmar's Rakhine state, Nov. 2, 2016.

A United Nations representative, foreign diplomats, and parliamentarians from Southeast Asian countries visited Myanmars volatile Maungdaw township on Wednesday to discuss the unstable situation there in the aftermath of deadly border guard attacks and subsequent violence last month.

Meanwhile, members of parliament from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Wednesday urged the Myanmar government to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation of reported human rights abuses connected to the Maungdaw attacks in Rakhine state. They also called on the military to let aid workers and independent reporters enter affected areas.

Renata Lok-Dessallien, the U.N.s resident and humanitarian coordinator and the United Nations Development Programmes resident representative in Myanmar, and ambassadors from the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, India, Egypt, Indonesia, China, and Turkey visited Kyikanpyin border guard police headquarters, one of the three stations that was attacked.

They also visited 10 villages in Maungdaw and talked with villagers before heading by military helicopter to nearby Rathedaung township, site of another border patrol outpost that was attacked, to meet villagers.

As Daw [honorific] Aung San Suu Kyi is working on the issue by following international human rights standards and our country moves toward a democratic system, we will work on this problem according to democratic standards, said Nyi Pu, Rakhines chief minister.

I want the international community to coordinate with the Myanmar government with good will, he said.

Myanmar government officials have blamed a Rohingya Muslim group that received training and funding from Islamists outside the country for the Oct. 9 attacks and subsequent violence which has killed more than 30 people and forced up to 15,000 people from Rohingya and ethnic Rakhine communities to flee their homes.

Security forces that later locked down the area to forcibly search Muslim villages for the attackers and stolen weapons have been accused of arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, arson, and rape. They also cut off access to aid workers and journalists.

Myanmars six-month-old government under de facto national leader Aung San Suu Kyi, however, has denied accusations of human rights abuses.

Demand for credible investigation

The ASEAN lawmakers said in a statement that they are concerned that a lack of government oversight of the security forces in the area means that systems are not in place to protect the rights of citizens.

The reports coming out of Myanmars Rakhine state are alarming and demand a credible investigation, said Charles Santiago, chairman of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) and a member of Malaysias parliament. At the same time, all authorities must take urgent action to prevent further violations and fulfill their responsibility to protect the rights of all civilians.

State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, has meanwhile taken heat from the international community and rights groups over reports of alleged human rights abuses.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who is on an official visit to Japan, did not speak publicly about the situation in Rakhine during a press conference on Wednesday with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but reportedly told him that she wants to resolve it in accordance with the rule of law, according to Reuters.

The Japanese leader pledged U.S. $7.4 billion to support the countrys peace and development efforts over the next five years, the report said.

Some 140,000 Rohingya Muslims were displaced after communal violence erupted four years ago between them and Rakhine Buddhists, leaving more than 200 dead and tens of thousands homeless. The Rohingya, who bore the brunt of the attacks, were later forced to live in refugee camps.

About 120,000 Rohingya currently remain in the camps, while thousands of others have fled persecution in the Buddhist-dominated country on rickety boats to other Southeast Asian countries in recent years.

The Myanmar government considers the Rohingya to be illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh and denies them basic rights, freedom of movement, and access to social services and education.

Reported by Min Thein Aung for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Global stock markets and the U.S. dollar took a dive on signs the U.S. presidential election is becoming an increasingly tight race between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump.

World investors for weeks have been betting that Clinton would win comfortably as polls consistently showed her several points ahead of Trump. But those polls have narrowed significantly since last week's announcement that the FBI is looking into more e-mails that could be connected to its investigation of Clinton's e-mail practices. One poll on November 1 showed Trump pulling ahead of Clinton for the first time in months.

The uncertainty about the outcome of the November 8 election sent stocks plunging on Wall Street on November 1, driving Standard & Poor's 500 index to a four-month low as major U.S. stock indexes across the board lost at least 1 percent of their value.

The anxiety spilled over in end-of-day trading in Europe and the open of trading in Asia on November 2, with Frankfurt's main index losing 1.3 percent, Paris's stock benchmark falling 0.9 percent, and Japan's Nikkei index dropping 1.1 percent.

The U.S. dollar plunged to a three-week low against the euro and lost nearly 1 percent against other major currencies while investors worried about a period of political tumult in the United States stashed their funds into gold and other safe havens.

"The markets have built in a Hillary victory, and a Trump victory is going to roil the markets," Paul Nolte, portfolio manager at Kingsview Asset Management, told Reuters. "And that's why we're seeing the market sell off here, because some of the poll numbers have tightened up over the last week."

An ABC News/Washington Post tracking poll on November 1 found Trump edging ahead of Clinton by one point for the first time since May, but most other polls showed Clinton still ahead, though by a reduced amount.

An average of all nationwide polls calculated by Realclearpolitics.com showed Clinton remained in the lead by 2.2 percentage points early on November 2.

But in critical battleground states like Ohio and Florida Trump has overtaken Clinton by substantial margins, polls show.

An index of volatility in Wall Street stocks, which is considered a measure of market fears, briefly climbed above 20 for the first time since Britain voted in June to pull out of the European Union -- another period of global market tumult.

"Trump appears to be the 'Black Swan' candidate, while Clinton is the expected winner based on current polls," said Michael A. Gayed, a U.S. money manager, who is one of many who say global markets have been expecting a "status quo" election with Clinton winning and carrying on most of President Barack Obama's established policies.

"If the market has indeed priced in a Clinton presidency, it stands to reason that a period of significant volatility and readjustment could occur" in global markets if Trump pulls off an upset and wins, Gayed said.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP


U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign manager has called on the FBI to disclose what it learned in an inquiry into ties between Russia and Republican candidate Donald Trump.

In an interview on CNN, Robby Mook questioned why FBI Director James Comey, who last week upset the presidential race by disclosing his agency is investigating a new batch of e-mails that may relate to Clinton's use of a private e-mail server, has not released any information about the agency's inquiry into possible Russia-Trump ties.

Reuters is reporting that the FBI opened a preliminary inquiry several months ago into allegations that Trump or his associates might have had questionable dealings with Russian people or businesses, but found no evidence to warrant opening a full investigation.

The agency has not publicly discussed the probe.

Reuters said the FBI reviewed whether Trump or his associates might have violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or engaged in contacts or commerce with people in Russia who are subject to U.S. or European sanctions over Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

"If you're in the business of releasing information about investigations on presidential candidates, release everything you have on Donald Trump. Release the information on his connections to the Russians," Mook told CNN.

Based on reporting by CNN and Reuters
Mohammad Nayeb-Zehi was among the hundreds of worshippers who gathered on September 30 at the Great Mosalla, a religious site in Iran's southeastern city of Zahedan, for Friday Prayers.

Just hours later, the 16-year-old's family learned he was dead.

Nayeb-Zehi was among the scores of people gunned down by security forces in a brutal crackdown following anti-government protests in Zahedan, the provincial capital of Sistan-Baluchistan Province, which is home to the country's Baluch minority.

"He was a simple laborer and not political," Nayeb-Zehi's brother, Ahmad, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda in a telephone interview from Zahedan, adding that his sibling had been shot in the heart. "We're in pain, and we cannot accept it."

The crackdown in Zahedan came amid weeks-long nationwide protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who died on September 16, days after she was detained by Iran's morality police.

In Sistan-Baluchistan, public anger at the authorities escalated amid reports that a 15-year-old Baluch girl had been raped by a police official in the province's southern port city of Chabahar.

The violence erupted soon after protesters gathered outside a police station near the central mosque in Zahedan. Members of the crowd chanted anti-government slogans, and some threw rocks. Security forces responded with deadly force by firing on the crowd from the station, according to witnesses.

Security forces also raided the central mosque and the nearby Great Mosalla and opened fire on worshippers using live ammunition, rights groups said, adding that many were shot in the head, heart, neck, or torso, revealing a clear intent to kill or seriously wound.

At least 94 people were killed and 350 wounded on that day, referred to as "Bloody Friday," according to the U.S.-based Iran Human Rights Documentation Center. At least 13 minors were among those killed, including Nayeb-Zehi.

The victims were overwhelmingly Baluch -- a mostly Sunni ethnic group that has long faced disproportionate discrimination at the hands of the Iranian authorities.

"He was martyred inside the Mosalla while holding his prayer mat," said Ahmad Nayeb-Zehi.

Nayeb-Zehi's family first visited Zahedan's Khatam al-Anbia hospital, hoping he was among the wounded. They later found his body in a seminary at the Great Mosalla.

"We entered a room there and saw about 10 bodies," said Ahmad Nayeb-Zehi. "[Mohammad] was among them."

He said the authorities prevented the family from filming the scene. "I told them this has to be documented, it has to be published by international media," he said, adding that footage later emerged on social media showing the gruesome scene at the seminary.

The family refused to send Nayeb-Zehi's body to the morgue. Instead, his body lay in the living room for around 24 hours before he was buried.

"We said he was martyred and there was no need for an autopsy," said Ahmad Nayeb-Zehi.

The authorities accused Jaish al-Adl, a Sunni militant group, of attacking the police station. The group is recognized as a terrorist organization by both Iran and the United States and has previously claimed deadly attacks in Sistan-Baluchistan targeting Iranian security forces.

But local and independent sources have rejected the authorities' claims.

The authorities have also reported a much lower number of fatalities, announcing that only 19 people, including several members of the security forces, were killed.

Ahmad Nayeb-Zehi said the authorities were "rubbing salt into the wounds of the people" by claiming "terrorists" were involved.

He said he witnessed a military helicopter shooting at civilians near the Great Mosalla. "I haven't even seen such scenes in Hollywood movies," he said. "A helicopter was shooting at people. A lady was shot in front of my eyes."

RFE/RL could not verify his account. But activists have accused security forces of shooting at protestors from helicopters.

"I don't know what the intention of this crime was," he said. "Our only demand from the establishment is for the murderers of our [family members] to be punished."

The killings have led to widespread anger in Sistan-Baluchistan, one of Iran's poorest provinces.

Anti-establishment protests have been reported in Zahedan since the crackdown, including on October 14 and October 21, when protesters took to the streets after Friday Prayers and chanted "Death to the dictator."

During his Friday Prayers sermon on October 21, influential Sunni cleric Molavi Abdolhamid Ismaeelzahi said senior officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were "responsible" for the September 30 killings.

"We are surprised by the silence of the high-ranking officials," he said in his sermon, which was posted on his website.

"Scores were killed here without any reason. I don't have the exact number. Some have reported 90, some say less, some say more," Ismaeelzahi added.

He also said people will not be satisfied until "those who killed the people" are brought to justice.

The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center said the events of September 30 amounted to "a massacre of protesters by security forces."

"The government's total denial of responsibility for the massacring of citizens by its security apparatus is consistent with similar past denials and is evidence that internal calls for investigation of such crimes are insufficient," said the rights group, which documents human rights violations in Iran.
A Kazakh court has sentenced a man to death on terrorism charges.

The court in Kazakhstan's largest city of Almaty found Ruslan Kulekbaev, 26, guilty of murder, attempted murder, and terrorism on November 2.

Five other defendants were sentenced to prison terms of between three and 10 1/2 years.

Kulekbaev was arrested in July after he opened fire at the offices of the Almaty police department and National Security Committee, killing six people, including a retired police officer, a border-guard officer, and four police officers.

Three more police officers wounded in the attacks later died in the hospital.

Authorities have said Kulekbaev had been exposed to radical Islam during previous stints in prison for armed robbery and other crimes.

President Nursultan Nazarbaev introduced a moratorium on capital punishment in 2003 and the death penalty was officially abolished in 2007, but the country's constitution makes an exception in cases of terrorist acts.
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A Kazakh court has sentenced a man to death for the killing of nine police officers in an attack described as a "terrorist act." A judge in Almaty read out the sentence, after 26-year-old Ruslan Kulekbaev pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, and terrorism. (RFE/RL's Kazakh Service)
Microsoft has warned of a vulnerability in its popular Windows software that is being exploited by a Russian hacking group suspected of attacking U.S. political institutions this year.

The software maker said in an advisory on its website on November 1 that there have been a small number of attacks using "spear phishing" e-mails from a hacking group called Strontium, also known as Fancy Bear or APT 28.

Microsoft's disclosure of the new attacks linked to Russia came after Washington accused Moscow of launching an unprecedented hacking campaign this year aimed at disrupting and discrediting the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

The U.S. government last month formally blamed the Russian government for the election-season hacks of Democratic Party e-mails and their subsequent disclosure on WikiLeaks and other websites. Russia has denied those accusations.

Microsoft said a patch to protect Windows users against the newly discovered threat will be released on November 8 -- election day.

A U.S. intelligence expert on Russian cyberactivity told Reuters that Fancy Bear primarily works for the GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency, which U.S. intelligence officials have concluded was responsible for hacks of Democratic Party databases and e-mails this year.

In spear phishing, an attacker sends targeted messages, typically via e-mail, that exploit known information to trick victims into clicking on malicious links or opening tainted attachments.

Microsoft said the attacks exploited a vulnerability in Adobe's Flash software and one in the Windows operating system.

Adobe released a patch for that vulnerability on October 31, when security researchers with Google went public with details on the attack.

Microsoft chided rival Google for going public with details of the vulnerabilities before it had time to prepare a patch to fix them.

Google said it disclosed the flaw following its standing policy of going public seven days after discovering "critical vulnerabilities" that are being actively exploited by hackers.

"This vulnerability is particularly serious because we know it is being actively exploited," Neel Mehta and Billy Leonard of the Google threat analysis group said in an online post.

Google said it told Microsoft and Adobe about the vulnerabilities on October 21 and an update to Flash addressing the weakness was released five days later.

Microsoft said people using the Edge browser on fully updated Windows 10 operating systems should be protected from the attack.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP


Moldovan presidential candidate Maia Sandu has suggested her opponent, Igor Dodon, made treasonous comments in saying that Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula is now effectively part of Russia, two years after being annexed by Moscow.

In an interview with RFE/RL, Sandu downplayed some observers' portrayals of the upcoming run-off between her and Dodon, who has advocated closer ties with Moscow, as a geopolitical struggle.

But she said Dodon's remarks that Crimea is effectively now a part of Russia were dangerous for Moldova, where a pro-Russia breakaway movement has controlled a sliver of territory for nearly 25 years.

"My opinion is unambiguous. Crimea is part of Ukraine, occupied by the Russian Federation in violation of international legal norms," she said in the interview this week.

Sandu finished second in the October 30 election, the first direct presidential vote in 20 years for citizens of the poor former Soviet republic. With nearly 99 percent of votes counted, Dodon had garnered 48.2 percent of ballots, with Sandu netting 38.4 percent.

The results have set up a showdown between the two in a November 13 runoff.

The contest is widely seen as pitting those who support closer integration with the European Union against those who want to expand relations with Russia. Sandu favors the former, while Dodon has said Moldova must rebuild trade and economic ties with Moscow.

The country has been mired in political turmoil since a massive banking theft that resulted in the disappearance of up to $1 billion came to light last year.

In a November 1 interview, Dodon, who has previously said he wants to throw out an Association Agreement with the EU, stressed that he wanted a "strategic partnership and good relations" with Russia.

He has also hinted at joining the Eurasian Economic Union, a Moscow-led trade bloc comprising several other former Soviet republics.

"We need the Russian market and we need to solve the problems of hundreds of thousands of [Moldovan labor] migrants who are in the Russian Federation," he told RFE/RL.

The 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia sent shudders through former Soviet republics that fear Moscow's willingness to use force to redraw boundaries. In Moldova, Russian troops have been stationed in the territory called Transdniester since a brief war in 1992 that pit Russian-speaking separatists against Moldovan government forces.

'Geopolitical Campaign'

Dodon said in the interview that Crimea is now a de facto part of Russia, even though the annexation has been recognized only by a handful of countries and rejected as illegitimate by more than 100 members of the United Nations.

He added there would be "many risks" for Moldova to recognize the annexation given Transdniester's status, and he said granting special status to the region was one solution.

Sandu rejected Dodon's position.

"To confirm that Crimea is part of Russia is a form of high treason, especially given the conditions that we find ourselves, the Republic of Moldova, in where there is an occupied region that is controlled by a separatist regime," she told RFE/RL.

Sandu also argued that Moldovan voters are more concerned about corruption and a lack of economic opportunity than about geopolitical issues.

"I know that my opponent is trying to turn this into a geopolitical vote, because he has nothing to offer the voters except for fear," she said.

"I don't agree with this geopolitical campaign. For me, this campaign is between those who are fighting corruption and those who epitomize it. We need a strong state that is capable of defending us from both internal threats and external ones," she added.

"As long as we have a corrupt government, there is no one to defend us and no one to represent our interests," Sandu said. "Now, for us, corruption is the biggest threat."

Based on reporting by Valentina Ursu of RFE/RL's Moldovan Service and written by RFE/RL correspondent Mike Eckel in Washington.


Mukhtar Mai was gang-raped and paraded naked in public 14 years ago, but on November 1 she was the star of a fashion show in Karachi.

Mai said she hopes that her example inspires other victims of sexual violence to find the courage to go on with their lives.

"I want to be the voice of those women who face circumstances similar to what I did," said Mai, now 44, wearing a light green embroidered bridal shirt and silver, silk pajama pants, designed by Rozina Munib, with a scarf covering her hair.

"I ask my sisters to not lose hope in the face of injustice, as we will get justice one day for sure," she said.

Rather than commit suicide like some other Pakistani women, Mai went public and fought all the way to the country's Supreme Court to see her attackers jailed.

Fourteen men -- the alleged rapists and the tribal council members -- were put on trial, and six were handed the death sentence. But all of them were eventually released on appeal.

Nevertheless, Mai went on to become an advocate for women's rights and founded a women's shelter and girl's school in her hometown of Meerwala.

Based on reporting by AP and Times of India
The Chechen Interior Ministry and the Federal Security Service (FSB) directorate for Chechnya have posted rewards of up to 5 million rubles (approximately $80,000) for information leading to the capture of two North Caucasus militant leaders, neither of whom has shown any sign of life for at least a year.

The two men are Chechen Aslan Byutukayev, 42, and Rustam Aselderov, 35, a Dargin.

Byutukayev (aka Emir Khamzat) emerged as second in command to self-styled "Caucasus Emirate" head Doku Umarov in late 2010 and by his own admission mentored the young Ingush who perpetrated the suicide bombing at Moscow's Domodedovo airport in January 2011 in which 37 people were killed and a further 180 injured. Chechen fighters who participated in the December 2014 attack on Grozny were quoted as saying Byutukayev masterminded that attack.

In June 2015, Byutukayev was reported to have pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group.

Aselderov (nom de guerre Abu-Mukhammad al-Kadari) was born in Kalmykia but grew up in Daghestan in Karamakhi, a village notorious as a hotbed of militant Islam. He reportedly joined the insurgency after being tried and acquitted in 2007 on a charge of illegal possession of weapons. Umarov named him in August 2012 as head of the insurgency wing in Daghestan.

Two years later, in December 2014, Aselderov retracted his oath of allegiance to Umarov's successor as Caucasus Emirate head, the Avar theologian Aliaskhab Kebekov, and became one of the first North Caucasus insurgency commanders to swear loyalty to IS. In the summer of 2015, it was reported that Baghdadi had named Aselderov to head the IS wing in the Caucasus.

Others Sought

The more modest sum of 3 million rubles was offered by the Chechen Interior Ministry and FSB for the capture of any one of seven other fighters, four of them Chechens, two from Daghestan, and one Ingush.

The best-known is veteran Chechen fighter Makhran Saidov (aka Emir Yakub), one of three mid-level commanders who led the attacks in late August 2010 on Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov's home village of Khosi-Yurt. At that time, Kadyrov offered a reward of $10 million for the death or capture of the organizers of that attack.

The other three Chechens, about whom little is known, are Usam Yakubov, Sharip Soldayev, and Valid Motsayev. Yakubov, together with Saidov, was among 12 Chechen fighters who Kadyrov said in July had taken refuge in Turkey and whose extradition he demanded.

Also on that list was veteran Chechen commander Aslambek Vadalov, the mastermind behind the August 2010 attack on Khosi-Yurt and the suicide attack two months later on the Chechen parliament. The fact that Vadalov does not figure among the eight fighters for whom the most recent rewards are offered suggests that he may indeed be in Turkey. Alternatively, RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service suggests that he may have been killed, but his death has not been formally announced either by his comrades in arms or by the Russian security services.

The Daghestanis are Ibragim Amirov, identified as a relative of Kebekov, and a suspect in the killing in August of Ubaydula Magomedov, a judge in Daghestan's southwestern Shamil district; and Gadzhi Mirzayev; the Ingush is Bekkhan Soltukayev, a suspect in the shooting three years ago of Republic of Ingushetia Security Council Secretary Akhmed Kotiyev.

Less Money, Wider Scope

Two points with regard to the announcement of the rewards are worthy of note. The first is that the sums offered are paltry in comparison with analogous incentives offered a decade ago. In the wake of the Beslan hostage-taking in September 2004, the Russian government offered $10 million for the death or capture of then-Chechen resistance leader Aslan Maskhadov and renegade field commander Shamil Basayev. (Basayev planned but did not participate in that operation, and later said he never believed for one moment that Russian President Vladimir Putin would sacrifice the lives of so many innocent civilians, many of them children, rather than agree to the Chechens' demand for the withdrawal of Russian forces from Chechnya.)

The second is the fact that the Chechen "force" agencies are offering incentives for the capture of fighters based outside Chechnya, some of whom are not ethnic Chechens. That disregard for formal administrative boundaries reflects Kadyrov's unofficial status as ruler over the entire North Caucasus.

In early April, RIA Novosti quoted Kadyrov as saying as there were no militants left in Chechnya. The Russian daily Kommersant on October 28 similarly quoted an unnamed security official as saying that "there are practically no well-known field commanders left in Chechnya," as some have been killed (including Vadalov?) and others are on the run.

Kadyrov also claimed that the eight fighters killed in a shoot-out with security forces on October 8 in Gudermes district east of Grozny had entered Chechnya from Daghestan. (Only one of the eight has been identified; to judge by his name, Ali Demilkhanov, he was a Chechen.)

That raises the question whether Byutukayev and his men are currently operating out of Daghestan, given that the Chechen authorities have in recent years brought under their control swaths of the southern mountains where the resistance maintained a network of bases from 2000-12.

Republic of Daghestan Deputy Prime Minister Ramazan Dzhafarov told TASS last month that there were only a few scattered groups of fighters in Daghestan, totaling no more than 30-40 men, without a common commander. This suggests that Byutukayev and his fighters are based in the northwestern district of Khasavyurt that borders on Chechnya, while Aselderov maintains a base much further south. Most shoot-outs in recent month between militants and security forces have taken place in and around the Caspian town of Derbent and in the Tabasaran, Magerramkent, and Suleyman Stalsky districts to the south, close to the border with Azerbaijan.
A Pakistani court has rejected the bail plea of an Afghan woman immortalized on the cover of National Geographic magazine.

Sharbat Gula, whose green eyes made her famous as a child refugee, was arrested in the northwestern city of Peshawar on October 26 for allegedly living on fraudulent identity papers.

Gula has denied the charges.

Prosecutor Mohsin Dawar said a court in Peshawar dismissed on November 2 a bail plea from Gula, citing lack of evidence to prove Pakistani citizenship.

Gula's lawyers had told the court that her four children depend on her and that she is suffering from hepatitis C.

Meanwhile, the Afghan ambassador to Islamabad, Omar Zakhirwal, called on Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to intervene for Gulas release.

Gulas arrest has already hurt feelings of all Afghans, and todays ruling was a further disregard to those feelings " Zakhirwal said in a statement.

Pakistan has recently cracked down on nonregistered Afghan refugees living in the country.

The country hosts around 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees, according to the United Nations.

Gula, who is now in her 40s, gained international fame in 1984 after a photograph of her taken by war photographer Steve McCurry was published on the cover of National Geographic.

With reporting by AP, Dawn, and Geo TV
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Security was tight in Islamabad ahead of a planned "celebration" rally by Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan's PTI party. Khan had originally called for supporters to "shut down" the capital to protest alleged corruption by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. (RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal)
The death toll from a fire at a facility where large sea vessels are dismantled in southern Pakistan has risen to 17.

Officials said the explosion of a gas cylinder caused a huge fire on a disused oil tanker at the Gadani ship-breaking yard on November 1 while about 100 workers were dismantling the ship.

Officials said more than 50 workers were being treated for burns.

At least 30 workers at the facility are reportedly still missing.

The Gadani ship-breaking yard, which stretches along 10 kilometers of Pakistans coast, is located about 60 kilometers northwest of Karachi.

It is the third-largest ship-breaking facility in the world and employs more than 6,000 people.

Based on reporting by Dawn and dpa
On October 7, Yahoo TV re-posted RFE/RL Russian Service video of a protest against Vladimir Putin on his birthday.

Newsweek mentions RFE/RL reporting in an article on Pakistan's launch of nuclear-capable missiles.

Novinite (Romania) cited RFE/RL reporting on the killing of prominent Bulgarian journalist Victoria Marinova.

On October 6, Interfax Ukraine cited former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk's interview with RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service during his visit to Berlin.

On October 5, AP and Times Of Central Asia cite RFE/RL reporting on Kazakhstan's denial of asylum to an ex-Chinese camp worker

Council of Europe posted a media freedom alert on Ukrainian government efforts to access the cellphone data of RFE/RL investigative journalist Natalia Sedletska.
Russian paratroopers have launched joint exercises with Serbian military units at the same time as NATO is holding exercises in neighboring Montenegro.

The competing training sessions come amid growing suspicions about Russia's intentions in the Balkans, where Moscow opposes Montenegrin membership in NATO and Serbia remains one of the Kremlin's staunchest allies.

Serbian Defense Ministry spokesman Jovan Krivokapic said the drills with Russia, which started on November 2 and are called Slavic Brotherhood, were aimed at improving joint responses for counterterrorism operations.

Several dozen Belarusian troops are also involved in the maneuvers.

A day earlier, teams from 32 NATO members and partner countries began drilling responses to natural disasters and a simulated chemical weapons attack in neighboring Montenegro.

"These exercises...show how strong is the Euro-Atlantic relationship, how it exists as something that connects people, strengthens their solidarity and commitment, and this relationship is based on these values," said John Manza, NATO deputy assistant secretary-general for operations.

Earlier this year, NATO formally invited Montenegro to join the alliance, prompting an angry response from Russia.

Last week, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic abruptly resigned after suggesting that Russia was involved in an alleged coup attempt and accusing the opposition of collaborating with the Kremlin.


Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered a 10-hour truce on November 4 in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"A decision was made to introduce a 'humanitarian pause' in Aleppo on November 4 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time to "prevent senseless casualties," the chief of Russia's General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, said in a statement on November 2.

The decision was approved by Syrian authorities, Gerasimov said.

He added that civilians and combatants will be able to leave rebel-held eastern Aleppo through eight corridors.

Rebels launched a major assault last week to break the siege of the area.

On November 1, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Russia had not used warplanes in the area for 16 days, following criticism over a Russian-backed Syrian government assault.

But Shoigu also accused the U.S.-led coalition of failing to rein in hard-line rebels, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the pause in Russian air strikes would not continue "if the terrorists continue to fire on neighborhoods and humanitarian aid routes, launch attacks, and continue to hide behind a [human] shield."

Based on reporting by AFP, TASS, Reuters, and Interfax
The long-serving head of Russia's Constitutional Court has warned of an "increasing danger of lawlessness" and called for the development of a "postsecular" legal framework that would, among other things, recognize the "natural biological differences" of men and women.

Addressing the 20th World Russian People's Council, Constitutional Court Chairman Valery Zorkin said on November 2 that the current international situation "brings to memory the words of St. Paul the Apostle, who are the dawn of our era warned that the secret of lawlessness was already in action."

The World Russian People's Council was established by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1993 and is formally headed by the Russian patriarch.

Lawlessness, Zorkin argued, has been increasing in international relations because the 1945 Yalta agreements under which the Soviet Union, the United States, and Great Britain agreed to a postwar division of spheres of influence have been called into question.

Zorkin sharply criticized unspecified Western laws that "declare untraditional models of behavior of sexual and gender minorities as being within the law, trying to equate men and women while ignoring their natural biological differences."

He also attacked "state authorities and governments" that "invade...quite happy families."

The position has raised eyebrows since Article 19 of the Russian Constitution guarantees equal rights and freedoms to all citizens regardless of sex, race, nationality, language, religious convictions, among other characteristics.

"Men and women shall enjoy equal rights and freedoms and have equal opportunities to exercise them," Article 19 concludes.

Zorkin sparked controversy in May when he compared statements by U.S. President Barack Obama about American "exceptionalism" to Nazi German propaganda.

"Any objective, educated person can see in Obama's statements an almost verbatim quoting of the leading politicians and propagandists of Germany's Third Reich, including Adolf Hitler," Zorkin said without offering any examples.

In 2014, Zorkin published a long essay in the Russian government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta in which he described serfdom as the "staple" that held Russian society together.

The 1861 abolition of serfdom by Tsar Alexander II, Zorkin said, exacerbated "social tensions" between the tsar and the peasantry by eliminating the "main shock absorber" between them: the nobility.

The business daily Vedomosti noted at the time that it was "strange" to hear a defense of serfdom from the head of the Constitutional Court, "which, in theory, should defend the supremacy of the law and equality before the law."

Zorkin graduated with a Soviet law degree in 1964 and became a professor, lecturing on Soviet (atheist) law at the academy of the U.S.S.R. Interior Ministry. Ironically, he specialized in the teachings of 19th-century Russian political philosopher Boris Chicherin, who regarded Alexander II's reforms as "the best monument of Russian legislation."

Zorkin headed the Constitutional Court from 1991 until 1993, when he was forced to step aside during a violent dispute between then-President Boris Yeltsin and the elected Russian parliament. He was reinstated as a judge on the court in 1994 and named chairman again in 2003.
The trial of the director of Moscow's Ukrainian Literature Library kicked off in the Russian capital on November 2.

Natalya Sharina pleaded not guilty to charges of extremism and embezzlement.

Sharina was detained last October and charged with inciting extremism and ethnic hatred because her library's collection allegedly included books by Ukrainian ultranationalist and author Dmytro Korchynskiy, whose works are banned in Russia.

She was placed under house arrest.

In April, investigators charged Sharina with misallocating library funds, allegedly because she used library funds to pay for her legal defense in another extremism case against her that was dismissed in 2013.

Her lawyer said the authorities had "trumped up" new charges after realizing their initial case against his client was too weak.

Sharina has rejected all the allegations against her, saying they are politically motivated.


A Russian health official in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg has retracted her earlier statement that the HIV infection rate there has reached epidemic levels.

Tatyana Savinova, the first deputy chief of Yekaterinburg's health-care department, said on November 2 that she used the word "epidemic" in her earlier statement to express how medical personnel view the situation, adding that a HIV epidemic has not been officially announced in the city.

Savinova said earlier that 1.8 percent of the city's population was infected with the virus that causes AIDS.

Experts have said that the real figure might be higher as not all HIV-affected people seek help from medical institutions.

With 1.4 million inhabitants, Yekaterinburg is Russias fourth-largest city after Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Novosibirsk.

With reporting by ura.ru and TASS


A Belgrade court has ordered the release of the head of police in Kosovo's northern Mitrovica region after detaining him in Serbia for more than one month.

Nehat Thaqi was arrested by Serbian police on September 29 at the Konculj border crossing near Mitrovica based on an international arrest warrant issued by a court in the Serbian city of Nis.

Thaqi had been suspected by Serbian officials of involvement in "terrorism" but was released on November 1 when prosecutors dropped all charges against him.

The arrest of Thaqi, 40, had increased tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, which was a Serbian province before declaring independence in 2008.

The Kosovar Foreign Ministry on October 31 issued a warning to its citizens about transiting through Serbia after another Kosovar Albanian was arrested on October 28.

"This arrest [on October 28] is unacceptable and endangers many processes achieved during the dialogue for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Serbia refuses to acknowledge Kosovo's independence despite 112 countries around the world recognizing it as an independent state.

With reporting by AFP


ON MY MIND

On yesterday's Daily Vertical, I argued that next year's centennial of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution presents a dilemma for Vladimir Putin's regime -- which loves the Soviet Union, but hates revolutions. But at the same time, the anniversary -- which the history-obsessed Kremlin cannot ignore -- also presents an opportunity. Recent data points suggest the Kremlin is laying the groundwork to hijack and redefine the 1917 narrative. The first hint of this came back in January, when Putin publicly critiqued Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin. More recently, the Security Council stepped up efforts to prevent "falsification" of the history of 1917.

Putin's open fondness for White Russians -- most notably the nationalist philosopher Ivan Ilyin -- the sworn enemies of Lenin's Bolsheviks, gives a hint at where the Kremlin may be going with this. The Kremlin has been busy over the years repatriating the remains of White Russian emigres like Ilyin and General Anton Denikin. And there are rumors, still unconfirmed, that the descendants of White emigres could be invited to attend next year's anniversary.

This suggests that the Kremlin may be seeking to use the centenary to take the "revolution" out of 1917 and turn it into a reconciliation of red and white -- and a celebration of the Great Leader, Putin.

IN THE NEWS

Microsoft has warned of a vulnerability in its popular Windows software that is being exploited by a Russian hacking group suspected of attacking U.S. political institutions this year.

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign manager has called on the FBI to disclose what it learned in an inquiry into ties between Russia and Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Russia will never give up the disputed Kurile Islands to Japan and no talks are under way for a possible handover, the head of Russia's upper chamber of parliament said.

Igor Dodon, the pro-Moscow candidate who came in first place in the first round of Moldova's presidential election, says he will seek to maintain good relations with both Brussels and Moscow if elected.

Vladimir Putin has called on lawmakers to immediately develop federal legislation defining the "Russian nation."

And Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has declined to elaborate on what Putin had in mind.

Russia's official government newspaper, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, has apologized to Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Jankovic for a false report it published about Slovenia's position on the status of Crimea, the Ukrainian region that was seized and illegally annexed by Russia in 2014.

Ildar Dadin, a jailed Russian opposition activist, has accused a prison warden of overseeing the systematic torture of inmates and of threatening to kill him, allegations made in a desperate letter to his wife that he asked her to publish to save his life.

The number of Ukrainians who support their country becoming a member of NATO has increased while their feelings toward Russia are "cold," according to a new opinion poll.

Ukrainian lawmakers have rejected a bill that would have at least doubled their own salaries amid media reports about wealth and incomes of government officials and members of parliament.

WHAT I'M READING

Putin's War On Western Democracies

In a piece in The Daily Beast, Christopher Dickey and Erin Zalesky unpack Putins campaign to subvert Western democracies.

"If one is to understand the Russian game in the West, its important to understand the way Putin tells his people theyve been gamed by the West, feeding their fury and resentments," Dickey and Zalesky write.

And in Foreign Affairs, David Cadier of the Center for Transatlantic Relations at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies zeroes in on how Russia is trying to influence France's 2017 presidential election.

"The pro-Russian stances of Frances fringe parties do not really come as a surprise: populists in the United States and Europe, from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump to British politician Nigel Farage or Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, have voiced their admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin," Cadier writes.

"The evolution of France's main conservative party, the Republicans, which is currently leading the presidential race, is more puzzling, however. Some of its key leaders, including former President Nicolas Sarkozy, who in the late 2000s were seen as Atlanticists, now appear more sympathetic to Moscows positions than they were before."

Putin's Russian Nation

In his column for Slon.ru, prominent opposition journalist Oleg Kashin gives his take on Putin's call for a law defining the "Russian nation."

"A nation created by a law, of course, will never come into being," Kashin writes. "Instead, it will be a political organization, albeit one including 100 percent of the population."

And The Other Russian Nation

In an interview with the Spektr news agency, Anton Shekhovtsov, a visiting fellow at the Institute for Human Studies in Vienna and a fellow at the London-based Legatum Institute, argued for the establishment of an "alternative Russian world" that "shares European values."

The History Of Russia (According To The Kremlin)

Meduza has a humorous piece outlining the history of Russia by stringing together the statements of top Kremlin officials.

Pipeline Politics

Agnia Grigas, author of the forthcoming book The New Politics Of Natural Gas, has a commentary in Reuters arguing that "Putin is losing his grip on Russia's pipeline politics."

"The transformation of the worlds natural gas markets is weakening Moscows economic toolkit. And that will make Putin's pipeline politics -- his use of natural resources for foreign policy purposes -- obsolete," Grigas writes.

Ukrainian Journalism And Its Discontents

Matthew Luxmoore has a lengthy piece in Foreign Affairs looking at Hromadske Television as an example of the difficulties in changing journalism in Ukraine post-Maidan landscape.

"Hromadske is now under growing pressure from the public and the government to choose between its loyalty to the nation and its journalistic ideals," Luxmoore writes.
U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch told RFE/RL in an interview on November 2 that Washington is working to ensure that Russia's occupation of Crimea does not become more deeply entrenched. She also voiced support for Ukrainian reform efforts. (RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service)
Washington has welcomed Ukrainian officials' public declarations of their wealth as a step toward increasing citizens' confidence in elected officials.

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch told RFE/RL in an interview on November 2 that the asset declaration system is "an important first step" toward increasing transparency in government.

She added that the declarations are necessary in order for Ukrainians to "have confidence that their public officials don't have conflicts of interest and that their wealth is acquired in a legitimate manner."

She added that the asset declarations are now being looked at by journalists and anticorruption agencies in Ukraine and that scrutiny is an important second step to the process.

Officials had until October 30 to upload details of their assets and income in 2015 to a publicly searchable database, part of an International Monetary Fund-backed drive to boost transparency and modernize Ukraine's recession-hit economy.

The online declarations of wealth online have exposed a vast difference between the fortunes of politicians and those they represent.

Some senior officials declared millions of dollars in cash. Others said they owned fleets of luxury cars, expensive Swiss watches, diamond jewels, and large tracts of land.


One journalist is being killed every five days as a result of their work, UNESCO reported on November 2.

Of the 827 journalists killed in the last 10 years, 115 were killed last year, making 2015 the second-deadliest year of the decade for journalists, the report said.

Syria and Iraq, where the Islamic State executed several journalists in highly publicized beheadings after establishing its so-called caliphate there in 2014, were by far the most dangerous places for journalists to work, accounting for 24 deaths in 2014 and 23 in 2015.

But Ukraine and Afghanistan were also killing fields for journalists in 2014, with seven losing their lives in Ukraine and five in Afghanistan. In Pakistan, four journalists were killed in both 2014 and 2015.

UNESCO, the United Nations' cultural arm, said less than one in 10 of all deaths have been solved, while "numerous other violations endured by journalists, which included kidnappings, arbitrary detention, torture, intimidation, and harassment" were not chronicled in the report.

Most of the victims were local journalists, including freelancers who work independently and often without adequate protections, UNESCO said, calling such contract workers "the most vulnerable group in the media sector."

With reporting by dpa
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David A. Gallagher has been honored by Virginia Commonwealth University for his volunteer services.

Gallagher, CEO of Richmond-based Dominion Payroll Services, last week received the Edward H. Peeples Jr. Award for Social Justice, an award given to an alumnus for leadership in humanitarian contributions in combating inequality and social injustice.

Gallagher and his wife, Grace, established the Cameron K. Gallagher Memorial Foundation in honor of their daughter, who died from an undiagnosed heart condition shortly after finishing her first half-marathon in March 2014.

Cameron, 16, had taken up running as a form of therapy for depression but also as a platform to combat the stigma about mental illness among teens. She had been treated for depression and anxiety at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children at VCU for two years.

Her parents gave $50,000 to support a new VTCC Childrens Mental Health Resource Center facility, which is scheduled to open in 2017.

The Gallaghers foundation sponsors SpeakUp5K runs throughout the country to raise awareness about mental health issues and to encourage conversations between adolescents and their families.
FINEST KIND CLINIC AND FISHMARKET.... Discussing medicine, culture, and the joys of cooking Pansit.
A Henrico County Jail inmate said Tuesday that she questions the account of a former law client of Joe Morrissey who was released from jail last week after accusing the mayoral candidate of sexual misconduct.

The woman told the Richmond-Times Dispatch that Kanika Morris, who is seven months pregnant, said last month that she would do whatever it takes to get home so her baby would not be born in jail.

Also Tuesday, Henrico Sheriff Mike Wade provided a copy of a memorandum written by a deputy in his office who spoke to Morris the day she pleaded guilty and the day after. It describes an encounter at the courthouse with Morris the day after her guilty plea and her concerns about her representation and Morrisseys request that she send him a picture of her genitals.

The version of events Morris shared several weeks ago with the deputy are consistent with her more recent accounts and with text messages she provided to The Times-Dispatch.

Wade said he forwarded the deputys memo to the Virginia State Bar, a branch agency of the Virginia Supreme Court responsible for the investigation and discipline of lawyers.

Last week, a judge took the unusual step of releasing Morris from jail and allowing her to withdraw her guilty plea for failing to return a rental car.

Morrissey has not denied that he sent explicit text messages to Morris while his law firm was representing her this year and while he was engaged to his now wife, who was then pregnant with their second child. In one of the messages provided by Morris to The Times-Dispatch, he instructed the woman about how he wanted her to groom her pubic hair prior to their meeting.

But Morrissey denies Morris allegations that he exposed himself to her in his law office, saying the meeting in question took place in the presence of another lawyer employed by him, Catherine Mullins, who backs his account.

Morrissey also denies Morris allegations that she was pressured into taking a plea agreement after she refused Morrisseys advances.

In a letter Tuesday sent by Morrisseys attorney, Arnold Henderson, to Henrico Commonwealths Attorney Shannon Taylor, Henderson cites new information received by his office that he claims clearly shows that Ms. Morris lied about being coerced by some combination of financial, legal and sexual pressure.

In order to prevent a potential manipulation of public opinion prior to the election, I ask to be allowed to present my evidence under oath and in accordance with my obligations as Mr. Morrisseys attorney, so that the public will know the truth before Election Day.

Asked to comment on the letter Tuesday evening, Taylor would only say, We are continually working on this matter.

***

The jail inmate spoke with The Times-Dispatch on Tuesday in a recorded interview on the condition her name not be published. She said that Morris told her that the deal that she got was a good deal, she had a good lawyer.

She never mentioned to me that it was Joe Morrissey, said the inmate. She said Morris told her she felt the 90 days was a good sentence because she could have been given a much longer one.

When (Kanika) was ready to go, that was last week, either Tuesday or Wednesday, Im like, Kanika, how you getting out so quick? She was like, I sit back and contemplated some s*** to be home, basically. The inmate said she interpreted that to mean Morris was going to lie.

The inmate said that when she learned through the media what Morris was alleging, she called Morrissey. She said that he has never represented her personally, but that Morrissey had had dealings with her father.

Betty Layne DesPortes, one of Morris lawyers, disputed the inmates story. She said Morris could not have known she was going to be released until the day she was released, last Thursday, Oct. 27.

Steve Benjamin, another of Morris lawyers, said, The issues arising from Mr. Morrisseys representation of a client and the meaning of his text messages will be determined by the proper authorities and the Virginia State Bar, not by press release.

In a news release Tuesday, Morrissey said he intends to hold a news conference today at the jail.

***

Meanwhile, Henrico sheriffs deputy Special Montague said her two encounters with Morris after Morris pleaded guilty gave her enough pause that she spoke about it to her superiors and wrote a memo.

Montagues account of her conversations with Morris are consistent with Morris contention that she was expecting Morrissey to represent her in court Oct. 12, not the associate who showed up and who represented her when she pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 90 days and given until Oct. 15 to report to jail.

Montague said she recalled seeing Morris soon after she pleaded guilty.

She was upset, she was crying and when I was trying to explain to her about reporting to jail and her fines and costs, she wasnt letting me talk, she was cutting me off, she just was upset and kind of getting smart, Montague said.

The next day, Oct. 13, Montague was picking up paperwork from the clerks offices when she saw Morris again, Montague said.

She flagged me down on the steps in the courthouse and she said she wanted to apologize to me how she behaved in court, she said. She stated that she wasnt herself and she said she had went through a lot with her attorney.

She said she didnt really know the (lawyer) that was in court. She says she only saw him one other time and then she proceeded to saying something to the effect of she went through a lot with her attorney and . . . something about he wanted her to send him some types of pictures, Montague said.

Montague said she felt what Morris was saying needed to be brought to the attention of her superiors. I cut her off, said Montague, who also said she told her supervisor and then wrote a memo that she took to her captain. I dont know what they did with it after that, she said.

Edward L. Davis, bar counsel for the Virginia State Bar, said Tuesday, Because of rules of confidentiality, I am not able to confirm or deny whether the bar is conducting an investigation of this matter.
A 20-pound bulletproof vest and an oversized check were among the props that made an appearance at Tuesday nights Ashland Town Council meeting.

The Ashland Police Foundation presented the town with a ceremonial check for $8,000 to fund more than 20 heavy-duty body vests.

The foundations president, Rhett Townsend, said the idea to invest in the vests came from a local business owner dismayed at police-involved shootings nationwide.

Its been a tough year and a half now for law enforcement across the country, Townsend said before passing around one of the vests for council members to handle.

Three businesses  Commonwealth Boat Brokers, RRS Foodservice and an anonymous venture  donated a combined $5,000, Townsend said. The Ashland Police Foundation put up $3,000. Townsend said police officers in Hanover already had been issued the vests.

Ashland police officers typically wear lighter vests that weigh 5 to 7 pounds. The new, harder jackets will comprise 20 pounds of steel. Chief of Police Doug Goodman said the harder vests will be worn only when officers are heading into high-risk situations.

I hope these things gather dust, Goodman said, adding that they have a military appearance.

Before Goodman could sit down, Robert Barnette, representing the Hanover chapter of the NAACP, presented the police chief with an award recognizing his departments handling of the closure of the Apple Garden Inn, formerly an embattled budget motel that many low-income people used as housing.

Barnette touted the leadership Goodman showed in the massive undertaking that is still underway.

One of the things that Chief Goodman and his organization did with regard to helping persons in the motel situation move from that location to nice sustainable housing  a lot of people were affected, but it took leadership ... to lead that effort, Barnette said.

For his part, Goodman said he couldnt do his job very well without his regular consultations with Barnette.

Goodman followed his own moment in the spotlight by putting it on others, handing several police officers awards recognizing their service. Goodman also honored Bill Gatewood for his more than three decades of service with the Ashland Police Department.
Richmond City Councilman Jon Baliles said Wednesday that hes dropping his mayoral bid, citing concerns that his continued presence in the crowded race would only aid front-runner Joe Morrissey.

While there are other candidates who can ably fill the mayors job duties, there is one who simply cannot, Baliles said of Morrissey in a statement. That is the controversial and divisive candidate who has received national and international negative attention. Regrettably, that candidates selfishness and stunts only grow with the approach of Election Day.

I can no longer risk splitting votes with other candidates if it means electing someone who so plainly cares only about himself. If there ever was a time we need collaborative people in City Hall to address our citys problems, now is that time.

Baliles, who did not return phone calls seeking comment, fared comparatively well in early polling but struggled to gain citywide traction as the race entered its final months.

A poll conducted last month put Baliles in fourth place, with 6 percent of the vote, behind Morrissey, former Venture Richmond Director Jack Berry and former Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney.

He seemed to find his niche in the race as the alternative candidate of choice, with his most vocal support coming from those active in the citys arts and culture scene. He capitalized on his opposition to a controversial baseball stadium proposal and pitched himself as a do-it-all candidate with experience in all branches of city government.

Baliles did not endorse any of his competitors in his statement but did encourage other candidates in what is now a six-person field to drop out as well.

There will still be at least two major alternatives to Joe Morrissey that would split the opposition vote, he said. The only realistic way our city can ensure that we are moving forward on the morning of November 9 is for other candidates to withdraw and consolidate.

Not doing so could result in the outcome so many people fear.

Political scientist Bob Holsworth said Stoney appears best positioned to pick up more of Baliles supporters.

I think (Stoney and Baliles) speak to a younger demographic, he said. Jonathan got his start as a blogger and kind of represents a new generation of Richmonders, and those are the kind of voters Stoney is trying to appeal to.

That said, Berry could see a boost from Baliles supporters in the West End district he represents on the City Council who might be more inclined to lean toward Berry, Holsworth said.

Both Berrys and Stoneys campaigns issued statements Wednesday praising Baliles.

We are at a pivotal point in the election with voters making their final decision about who they are going to vote for, Berry said. Jons decision to withdraw from the race Im sure was very difficult and shows immense character, leadership and strength. He is to be commended for putting the city first.

Stoney called it an honor to run against Baliles. He served the citizens of the 1st District and our entire city well, he said. Jon elevated the debate in this race.

Asked for comment about Baliles parting criticisms, a spokesman for Morrissey cited a private conversation in which he said Baliles praised Morrissey.
Neither Richmond mayoral candidate Joe Morrissey nor the jailhouse witnesses he said would back him up appeared at a news conference Wednesday that Morrissey said would debunk allegations of sexual misconduct made by his former law client.

Instead, Morrisseys lawyer, Arnold Henderson, stood in front of the Henrico County Jail and offered a brief summary of the testimony he said he had gathered from two women who were incarcerated with Morrissey accuser Kanika Morris.

Henderson then refused to take any questions from reporters and walked away.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch interviewed one of the women Tuesday. The inmate, who spoke on the condition that she not be named, said that she questions Morris story because Morris told her she would do anything to get out of jail.

The other woman Henderson referenced refused to speak to a Times-Dispatch reporter Tuesday, saying through her daughter that she was told not to talk to anyone.

An investigator from the Henrico Sheriffs Office also spoke briefly but only to confirm that the two women referenced by Henderson had shared a day room with Morris in the jail at the same time.

Morris accused Morrissey of exposing himself to her in his law office and sending her inappropriate text messages, a record of which she provided to The Times-Dispatch.

She said that when she refused Morrisseys advances, he handed her case to an associate in his office who pressured her to plead guilty for failing to return a rental car, which resulted in a 90-day jail sentence.

Morrissey acknowledges he sent the text messages but denies exposing himself or having anything to do with arranging her plea bargain.

Last week, a Henrico judge took the unusual step of releasing Morris from jail and allowing her to withdraw her guilty plea.
GRTC Transit, in search of a permanent transfer plaza and hub in and around the central business district for two decades, has made an unsolicited offer of $1.4 million for nine city-owned parcels at West Grace and North Adams streets that together encompass about two-thirds of an acre.

David Green, GRTCs chief executive officer, made the offer in a letter to the city dated Oct. 21, according to a memo sent last week to Mayor Dwight C. Jones and City Council members by Selena Cuffee-Glenn, the citys chief administrative officer.

The intent of the letter is to start the process of assembling the following properties for the expressed use of an estimated five-story transit hub that will provide up to 12 bus bays for GRTCs fixed-route bus system and a parking structure of no more than 350 parking spaces, Cuffee-Glenn wrote.

The nine properties, currently used as parking lots, are near Richmond police headquarters, Quirk Hotel and the 100 block of West Broad Street and are assessed at $1,026,000. They are 120, 118, 114 and 100 W. Grace St., as well as 210, 212, 214, 216 and 218 N. Adams St.

The Department of Economic and Community Development will provide a recommendation on the offer to Cuffee-Glenns office at a future date, she wrote.

Councilman Charles Samuels, whose 2nd District includes the proposed site, said it was too early for him to take a position on the offer.

Id still like to hear what the neighborhood and the adjoining property owners have to say, he said.

GRTCs buses currently use a temporary transfer plaza at North Ninth and East Leigh streets that lacks restrooms, a shelter, security and ticket vending machines.

According to a page attached to Greens letter that includes feedback from riders, the plaza smells like urine with cigarette butts all over and needs a supervisor on duty at location at all times or security.

Carrie Rose Pace, a GRTC spokeswoman, said there are no current cost estimates for the new transit hub. Pace said GRTC does not anticipate a need for any traffic or street grid changes, but it is unknown at this time.

During the past 20 years, GRTC, jointly owned by Richmond and Chesterfield County, has explored about 18 sites, from Main Street Station to a parking lot across from the Dominion Arts Center on East Grace Street, for a transit center, which is needed to deliver more timely service, better scheduling and customer comfort, and reduced congestion and idling times, GRTC says.

Plans to build the center in the Main Street Station train shed were scrapped amid vocal community opposition. GRTC shifted efforts that were ultimately unsuccessful to sites such as Sixth and Grace streets, Third and Main streets, Third and Cary streets, Second and Cary streets, and Sixth and Cary streets.

In 2012, GRTC estimated the cost for the center at about $27 million.

But given the fact that GRTC is in the final stages of a systemwide route update, the nonprofit Partnership for Smarter Growth said the transfer center is very likely no longer needed, especially since the Pulse, the new Broad Street-based bus rapid transit system, is expected to come online next year. The nonprofit advocates on issues related to transit, housing and pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, among others, in the Richmond region.

The proposed reconfiguration of the transit network through options under evaluation in the Richmond Transit Network Plan would integrate bus lines with the Pulse BRT and allow for transfers at a number of points, wrote Stewart Schwartz, chairman of the groups policy committee, in an email. We hope the city administration and council will thoroughly review whether a transfer center should be a priority for GRTC and whether this is a good use of limited funds.
Students in a sixth-grade math class at Elkhardt-Thompson Middle School in Richmond were working on a lesson Wednesday morning when the nations top education official walked into their classroom with an entourage in tow.

The kids barely noticed. Thats because, according to one observer, they were so immersed in their lesson.

Whether thats exactly correct or not, the students in Donavon Tucker and Dana Lockharts classroom were soon joined by them at stations where they worked solving equations.

But the kids werent the ones who were being observed Wednesday.

U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. visited the school to get a firsthand look at Virginia Commonwealth Universitys Richmond Teacher Residency program.

Tucker is a mentor in the program and Lockhart is in the midst of her residency.

From the time I became secretary earlier this year, Ive tried to focus our work at the department on lifting up the teaching profession, said King, who started his career as a social studies teacher.

I think we have to make sure to celebrate the work teachers do every day. Weve got to (implement) strong, clinically rich teacher preparation, which is what were here today to discuss. And we have to make sure teachers have support early in their careers and opportunities to grow throughout their professional careers.

The program is designed specifically to teach teachers how to succeed in some of the toughest urban school environments.

The graduate program allows resident teachers to spend a year working alongside Richmond teachers, acting as mentors, while working toward their degrees. The idea is to get teachers ready to deal with the realities of working in a classroom at schools that have the unique challenges that come with teaching in urban areas.

The program is a partnership between the university and Richmond schools. Teachers in the program commit to stay in the school district for three years after they graduate.

Since 2011, 77 teachers have gone through the residency program and 65 mentors have been trained to work with the teachers, according to VCU. Those teachers have worked with about 8,000 students at 24 schools.

After visiting the sixth-grade math class, King met with about a dozen teachers and administrators to talk about the program and its benefits.

There was almost universal agreement that the Teacher Residency program allows those working toward becoming teachers to enter the classroom better prepared for the realities and challenges that come with the job.

Participating in the program, they said, helped them forge relationships, hone their crafts and be better equipped to deal with complexities that come with teaching.

For me personally, I had (to learn) how to balance everything. When you work in a high-need school its not just about learning how to teach correctly, said Richmond teacher Lemmy Okonta.

Learning lesson plans and all that stuff is essential, of course. But you have to deal with the other aspects of building rapport with those students and understand that these kids dont have a support system and you are their support system.

LaTonya Waller, the principal at Boushall Middle School, told King that she has four mentors and four residents working in her school.

She said the program is a way to bring best practices into schools and for teachers, not just residents, to learn from one another.

Arguing for creating more programs like VCUs, Waller told the secretary that the occupation of teaching has gotten a bad reputation. She pointed to other professions where students serve residencies to get real world experience before being sent out on their own.

Other professions have residency models, she said. If you want quality like in these professions, then why not say the teaching profession deserves that same model?

One advantage of the program, School Board members Kristen Larson and Jeff M. Bourne said, is that it brings teachers into city classrooms who are dedicated and committed to stay.

This, they say, helps to deal with persistent issues like high turnover and too many vacancies.

I think that its no secret that this is truly one of those things thats really working in Richmond to get qualified teachers into the classroom, Bourne said.

One of the things that strikes me as so important about this program is that as youve heard  they want to be here in Richmond. They want to teach the type of student we have. And to really make the type of difference in those students lives, youve got to really want to be here.

After meeting with teachers, King said hell use the information he gathered Wednesday when he speaks to Congress about investing and strengthening teacher preparation programs.

Hell also use the residency program as an example as the administration pushes for President Barack Obamas $1 billion Best Job in the World grant competition.

The education department says the competition will support a nationwide effort to dramatically transform the job of working in a high-needs school in order to better attract and retain talented, committed and accomplished teachers.

That investment, you can see the rationale for it by the great work thats happening here, King said.
Virginias public universities will likely have to budget for a 7.5 percent decrease in state funding in the next fiscal year, according to a Tuesday letter sent from the governors office to public university presidents and chancellors.

The letter from Gov. Terry McAuliffe's Chief of Staff Paul Reagan  obtained by The Roanoke Times through the Virginia Freedom of Information Act  instructs universities to begin preparing for a reduction in state funding, which mostly pays for personnel and general functions of a university.

The cuts will come from the general fund's appropriation, but will be adjusted so financial aid from the state will not be impacted. The exact figure of how much money will be cut at each school will be determined by the state Department of Planning and Budget.

Tech's total budget is $1.5 billion, Radford's is $206 million.

State funds represent a sizable, but shrinking, fraction of university budgets. Much of Tech and Radfords budgets are paid for through tuition, fees and grants.

The move comes after the state experienced an approximately $1.5 billion budget shortfall this year.

Executive branch agencies were instructed to prepare savings plans equal to 7.5 percent, of their expected funds from the state, according to the letter. Many of those agencies experienced cuts this year. Despite the shortfall this year, state appropriations at public universities had been protected.

McAuliffe doesnt want the decrease in state support to represent a hike in student cost, according to the letter.

Tuition and fee increases beyond what was already being proposed in an institutions six-year plan should not be considered as a mechanism to offset these reductions, the letter said.

Radford University President Brian Hemphill addressed the shortfall with the university community in an email sent to faculty, staff and students Tuesday. He wrote that university officials will soon begin meeting with leadership teams of various business units across campus to meet the governors guidelines.

This budgetary development will not deter our strategic focus on excellence, nor will it deter our vision to transform Radford into an innovative, premier university within the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond, with a focus on teaching, research and service, Hemphill wrote.
A man stabs a woman to death in a crowded store. Dozens of people see him do it. For good measure, he then confesses on tape. Should he be tried for murder, or should society skip the trial and just lock him up?

Most people would agree he should be tried despite his overwhelmingly obvious guilt. A nation of laws ought to abide by them. Besides, skipping the trial in this case would set a dangerous precedent. People might want to skip the trial in the next murder  where guilt isnt quite so clear-cut.

Heres another scenario: A woman stabs herself to death in a crowded store. Dozens of people see her do it, but nobody tries to stop her. Someone then writes to a federal employee, asking if the failure to stop a suicide qualifies as murder. He says yes, even though the law is silent on the matter. Should the witnesses be charged with murder based merely on his say-so?

These are abstract hypotheticals, but they have a real-world parallel in the case of Gavin Grimm  a transgender student in Gloucester, Va. Last week the Supreme Court agreed to hear his case.

Theres a long backstory, but the upshot is that the Gloucester school system doesnt want to let Grimm, who is anatomically female but who identifies as a male, use the boys restroom. Grimm has sued, claiming the policy violates federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in public schools.

That question is hard enough to answer as it is, because Title IX does not spell out how to treat transgender students; when it was written, the concept had yet to appear. In Grimms case, the question has been muddled further because the Department of Education has essentially rewritten the law by fiat. The departments view that transgender students must be treated according to their gender identity, rather than their biological sex, was first voiced in a letter.

Last January James Ferg-Cadima, an acting deputy assistant secretary for policy in the Office of Civil Rights, sent a three-page letter in reply to a query from Emily Prince, a regulatory lawyer and transgender activist. In his letter, Ferg-Cadima said schools generally must treat transgender students consistent with their gender identity. The department subsequently reiterated the position in a Dear Colleague letter issued jointly with the Justice Department.

So to get back to the hypotheticals: On matters of regulatory interpretation, the courts generally defer to the executive agencies, under doctrines known as Chevron and Auer. This can cause  and has caused  immense problems. As an amicus brief filed by the Cato Institute in the Grimm case points out, gratuitous judicial deference to agency interpretation undermines bedrock principles of the rule of law.

First, the law should give clear and fair warning  that is, people should be able to figure out in advance if they are breaking it or not. But if an agency can change regulations simply by writing a letter to a private individual, then the only people who know what the law actually says are the bureaucrats in charge of enforcing it. The law thus becomes subject to their arbitrary whim.

Second, letting agencies rewrite the law at whim undermines the separation of powers. Those who write the laws are not supposed to enforce them, too. That is why we have three branches: Legislators create laws, agencies apply them, and courts settle disputes about them. If an agency can rewrite the law at will simply by issuing a letter, then agencies can both write the regulations they are charged with enforcing and later declare just what the ambiguous words of those regulations say, with little-to-no oversight by the courts.

In making these points, Cato stresses that it does not support Gloucesters policies on transgender students  or for that matter Grimms request that the courts strike the policy down. Its concern has to do with the scope of executive power. There are supposed to be checks and balances. Procedures ought to be followed.

In this instance, the right way to craft rules about transgender students is to draft a proposal and submit it through the normal rule-making process  which includes public notice, comment, and so forth.

An even better way to go about it would be congressional legislation amending the 1972 law so that law-makers, rather than law-appliers, craft the new rules.

Its worth noting that the ACLU  which represents Grimm  takes a similar posture regarding the bedrock question of how to accommodate transgender students. The ACLU says that question may ultimately warrant this Courts attention, but this is the wrong case at the wrong time. Consistent with its usual practices, the Court should allow the issue to continue percolating in the lower courts until a more appropriate vehicle arrives. For now, it just wants the court to defer to the Education Department and let Grimm use the boys bathroom.

If and when Congress or the courts do get to the bedrock question, they should rule in favor of the Gavin Grimms of the world. Transgender individuals present no threat to anyone, and their accommodation can be managed with simple measures such as enclosed bathroom and changing stalls that protect both their privacy and the privacy of others. A few modest measures like those would hardly obliterate every distinction between the sexes.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
James Ormond (Jimmy) Butler, 59, of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Monday, October 31, 2016. He was born in Roanoke on December 19, 1956.Jimmy spent many years traveling the world for both work and pleasure, but Roanoke always remained his home. He graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1974. Jimmy then went on to graduate from the College of William and Mary as a member of Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in 1978 and a JD from The University of Virginia in 1982.After three halfhearted years practicing law, Jimmy abandoned that forever. He traveled to South America and Mexico for a year, where he learned to speak Spanish fluently. After that he began his new career in a major, international financial institution where he worked over 20 years.Jimmy's work took him across the world. Throughout his career, he lived and worked in Mexico City, New York, London (multiple times), Madrid, Kiev, and Moscow with more brief assignments in several other countries. He especially loved working in Moscow in the 1990s where he learned to speak basic Russian.Jimmy inherited a lifelong passion for politics from his father, M. Caldwell Butler, who took him along to the State Capitol in Richmond when he was a child, and later to the halls of the United States Congress. He also inherited a lifelong passion for music from his mother, June Nolde Butler, who filled their home with music from the family piano.In the last decade Jimmy seriously took up painting and most enjoyed summer long workshops at the Slade School in London. He showed a particular talent for Plein Air painting, and spent many days capturing outdoor scenes on his travels abroad. Jimmy was an avid biker who explored the outskirts of European cities and meandered the wonderful Roanoke greenway paths.Jimmy loved and enjoyed each one of his nieces and nephews and they returned that love. His devotion to family was especially felt with the assistance he gave to his parents in their declining years. This devotion was also clearly evident and felt by other family members throughout his life. In particular, he proved an invaluable source of help to his brother, Manley, in both business and personal life, once flying to Puerto Rico to assist with Spanish translation when Manley was hospitalized there.Jimmy is survived by three brothers, Manley Caldwell Butler Jr. of Roanoke, Henry Nolde Butler and his wife, Paige, of Huntly, Va., and Marshall Whitfield Butler and his wife, Cheri, of Nashville, Tenn.; six nieces and nephews, Manley Caldwell Butler III, Catherine Gray Butler, Sarah Butler Donovan, Lieutenant Junior Grade Andrew G. Butler, Henry A. "Hank" Butler, and Stephanie Butler Watson.A Memorial Service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2016, at St. John's Episcopal Church with The Rev. Eric C. Long and The Rev. Whitney Burton officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.In lieu of flowers, Jimmy would like to ask that donations be made to The American Cancer Society and to the Roanoke City Rescue Mission. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oakeys.com.
Global demand for natural diamond jewellery grows in H1  De Beers Global demand for natural diamond jewellery in the first half of 2022 grew by an estimated high single-digit figure compared with the first half of 2021, according to a report released by De Beers. It said in its Diamond Insight Report 2022 that growth...

Scientists determine the composition of rock fragments in the Popigai crater in Yakutia Scientists of the V.S.Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have clarified the chemical composition of rocks of the Popigai crater in Yakutia - the largest deposit of impact diamonds (lonsdailites)...

Christies Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction on 8 November Christies Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction on 8 November 2022 presents the very best in outstanding gemstones, alongside historic and modern jewels, led by The Fortune Pink (estimate: CHF25,000,000-35,000,000), an exceptional fancy vivid pink...

SUNLIGHT opens flagship in the legendary place of Old Arbat Jewelry chain No. 1 SUNLIGHT revives jewelry traditions by opening the doors of its flagship store in Old Arbat on the site of the elite boutique "Gems", known for having a separate entrance and a secret VIP room for the "Soviet nobility"...
Firestone Diamonds has generated a profit after tax of $13.6 million for the year ended 30 June 2016 compared with a loss of $10.4 million, a year earlier.

It said the main contributing factor was a tax credit of $22.6 million in the current year which resulted from recognising the benefit of tax losses brought forward from previous years.

The loss before tax therefore presents a more appropriate comparison of the financial performance of the group for the year, where the loss reduced by $1.4 million to $9.0 million [compared with the prior year loss of $10.4 million], said Firestone.

The group had no revenue from the sale of diamonds as it was still developing its Liqhobong mine in Lesotho.

It said the project construction was now close to completion.

Our aim is to ensure that the project completes during Q4 2016 within the original $185.4 million budget and at the year end, the group was well on track to achieve this, having reached 85 percent completion at the end of June 2016, said Firestone.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




The group calling itself the Brilliant Women will hold its second meeting in Bogota to analyze the role of women in the jewelry industry.

The movement led by Ali Pastorini, Senior Vice President of the World Jewelry Hub (WJH), is composed of jewelers entrepreneurs and women who want to enter the world of jewelry, mostly from Latin America and with the presence of members of Turkey, Russia, Italy, Romania and Israel.

Our first meeting was to show women they are not alone and that we are to be your voice and tell the world about the importance of women in the leadership of an industry in which most consumers are women. Pastorini said.

According Pastorini, the aim of the meeting in Colombia was to show the world what women can provide for themselves in the industry. It was also an opportunity to discuss issues currently affecting their own businesses, the importance of strategic communication and knowledge of markets and consumers, among others.

Pastorini, who led this meeting, was be accompanied by the vice president of the Diamond Exchange Panama, Judy Meana. Both are the first women to hold leadership positions in the history of diamond bourses worldwide.



Alex Shishlo, Editor of the Rough&Polished European Bureau in Brussels




The UAE Kimberley Process Chair (KP Chair), Ahmed Bin Sulayem, visited the Republic of Armenia and held talks with Serzh Sargsyan, President of Armenia. He also delivered the key note address at the The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) Annual Congress on October 26, says a press note.

For decades Armenias precious metals sectors have been renowned for their high quality and prestige, and as one of the earliest members of the KP, the country has played a key role in strengthening the global initiative over the years, said Bin Sulayem. I was privileged to meet President Sargsyan and discuss with him Armenias evolving diamond industry, as well as how it can continue to play a deeper role within the KP. Over the past year, we have worked to engage numerous KP participants because we strongly believe that there is more that can be done to increase the vitality of this initiative, so that it can deliver greater value to everyone involved.

Bin Sulayems keynote address at the CIBJO Annual Congress in Yerevan was delivered to leading individuals, organisations and companies in the jewellery, gemstones and precious metals sectors. He spoke about the importance of Armenia in the diamond industry and the important role it plays in supporting the KPs vital mandate.



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished




Andrew Bone, RJC Executive Director, has travelled extensively over the last two months visiting the jewellery industries in India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Armenia, according to a press note by RJC.

He also attended and presented at the World Diamond Councils AGM in New York. Andrews first stop was in Hong Kong where he built on the relationships already underway and further solidified ties in this vibrant market.

RJCs Country Head, Kinjal Shah, set up various key meetings for Andrew in India including with the GJEPC, Bharat Diamond Bourse and valued members of the RJC. India membership continues to grow and RJC is encouraged by the uptake of the Code of Practice across the trading, polishing and manufacturing sectors, says Bone.

At the annual LBMA conference in Singapore, Andrew was joined by Wilfried Hoerner, RJC Chairman. He noted that this is the first time RJC was represented at this key conference. It was a pleasure to further strengthen RJCs profile within these vital sectors.

Bone also presented an overview of RJCs accomplishments and was joined on the CIBJO Congress opening panel with prominent members of the industry.



Theodor Lisovoy, Rough&Polished, Moscow




AAR

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) awarded the 2016 Professional Environmental Excellence Award, described as the highest honor for environmental professionals in the railroad industry, to Russ McDaniel of Norfolk Southern (NS) today.

The award was presented during the Railroad Environmental Conference at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The AAR says the annual award recognizes an individual who has exhibited exceptional performance in environmental awareness and responsibility.

Railroads and environmental preservation go hand-in-hand and we proudly honor those who exhibit a commitment to environmental stewardship, said Edward R. Hamberger, AAR president and CEO. Russ and railroad employees like him bring a range of environmental expertise, making them an integral part of the industrys successful environmental program in countless ways.

McDaniel entered the rail industry more than 20 years ago, and representatives say he has made significant contributions to environmental awareness both at NS and throughout the industry.

During his time at NS, McDaniel has held several engineering positions in the environmental department, eventually taking on his current position as the Director of Environmental Engineering, Remediation and Compliance. He manages remediation of impacted sites, compliance with air and water permits and management of storm water protection and spill preparedness plans, among other areas, as well.

McDaniel and his team also took on a $10 million, multi-year project to remediate a site that was home to a rail car manufacturing facility for nearly 100 years. The team worked with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to restore 79 acres of the site for industrial use.

McDaniel was one of eight railroad industry members nominated for the 2016 Professional Environmental Excellence Award.

The other nominees are as follows:
Canadian stocks were flat Tuesday, as stronger gold and care stocks offset weakness across most other sectors.

Markets on both sides of the border are beginning to price in the prospect of an upset in favor of Donald Trump in next week's U.S. presidential election.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was down 8.95 points, or 0.06 percent, to 14,778.32.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (VRX.TO) jumped 30 percent after the Wall Street Journal said that the beleaguered drug maker is in talks to sell its Salix for around $10 billion.

However, U.S. prosecutors are focusing on Valeant's former CEO and CFO as they build a fraud case against the company that could yield charges within weeks, Bloomberg reported citing people familiar with the matter.

Blackberry (BB.TO) was flat after it signed a deal with Ford to expand automaker's use of QNX auto .

Bombardier (BBD-B.TO) edged up 3.3 percent. The company revealed that Industrial Bank Financial Leasing is the customer that ordered 10 CRJ900 aircraft.

WestJet Airlines (WJA.TO) added 4.4 percent. The company reported third quarter EPS of C$0.97, compared to C$0.82 last year.

In economic news, the Canadian expanded 0.2 percent in August, in line with expectations, official data showed.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
Google is giving out $50 in Play Store credit to Pixel buyers, who are yet to get the phone due to shipping delays.

The company is having trouble meeting demand for the Pixel phone. The company has sold out the new smartphone's many versions at the Google Store since launch. However, customers who have ordered shortly after the launch are still waiting past their expected shipping date to get the phone.

The company promises the credit once the phone arrives.

Reddit users reportedly got an email, which said, "It's going to take a little longer for you to receive your package than we expected....We're going to send you a $50 Google Play credit via email soon after your package is delivered."

It was on October 4 that Google unveiled its two newest flagship phones the Pixel and the Pixel XL at an event in San Francisco, California. Pre-orders for the Pixel phones started with prices starting at $649 for the Pixel and $769 for the Pixel XL.

The Pixel and Pixel XL are Google's first phones with full control of the development process, even though the devices are being manufactured by HTC. The devices will come with 'phone by Google' branding. The previous Google flagship phones were under the Nexus brands.

Google Pixel features a 5-inch full HD display while Pixel XL has a 5.5-inch Quad HD screen. The smartphones will be available in black and silver colors. Both the devices are built using aerospace-grade aluminum unibody.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
German luxury fashion brand Hugo Boss AG (HUGSF.PK) reported that its third-quarter net income attributable to equity holders of the parent company decreased 9 percent year-over-year to 80.6 million euros from 88.5 million euros. Earnings per share were 1.17 euros, down from 1.28 euros in the prior-year quarter.

The company noted that its performance in the past few months has been marked by a continuously challenging market environment. Industry trends deteriorated further in Europe in particular.

Operating result, or EBIT, declined 17 percent to 109.5 million euros from 132.6 million euros in the year-ago period. EBITDA before special items was 144.5 million euros, compared to 168.1 million euros in the same period last year.

Sales for the quarter decreased 6 percent to 703.0 million euros from 744.1 million euros last year, due to negative currency effects.

The Group's currency-adjusted sales decreased by 3 percent in the quarter. However, currency-adjusted sales in the Group's own retail , including outlets and online stores, rose by 2 percent.

Looking ahead, the company's managing board reconfirmed its outlook for currency-adjusted sales to either remain stable or decline by up to 3 percent in the full year. The company also continues to expect full-year operating profit, or EBITDA before special items, to decline between 17 percent and 23 percent.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Twenty-First Century Fox (FOX) reported first quarter EPS of $0.51 after the close Wednesday, up from $0.38 in the previous year. Street expectations were for EPS of $0.44.

The company also announced that Tim Carry, its Executive Vice President of Distribution is stepping down from his position effective November 11th. The stock is now down 0.89 on 1.3 million shares.

Twenty-First Century Fox gradually declined until around 1:15PM Wednesday and ended the day with a loss of 0.44 at $25.75 on above average volume. The stock dipped to a 1-week low.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Millennial Moms Review: 2022 Acura MDX is pretty close to the perfect family car

I dont know if perfect is attainable, especially considering weve got the world of options when it comes to modern vehicles. Were spoiled and, as such, we have very specific needs and wants. Driving-wise, the 2022 Acura MDX is one of my favourite ...
By SA Commercial Prop News

Suspended police commissioner Bheki Cele could on Monday not explain the coincidence that both buildings identified for police accommodation in Durban and Pretoria were owned by one man.



Bheki Cele cannot explain the coincidence that both buildings identified for police accommodation in Durban and Pretoria are owned by one man.

Suspended police commissioner Bheki Cele could on Monday not explain the coincidence that both buildings identified for police accommodation in Durban and Pretoria were owned by one man.

"I can't explain the coincidence... the visits (by some SAPS officials) had taken place without me knowing," Cele told the inquiry, sitting in Pretoria, into his conduct.

He was asked about the coincidence that property mogul Roux Shabangu owned both the Sanlam Middestad and Transnet buildings in Pretoria and Durban respectively.

When asked about the person who had to be held accountable when it came to compliance with tender processes, Cele said: "That would be me."

He also agreed with the inquiry's chairman Jake Moloi that it appeared as though Shabangu knew in advance about the police's accommodation needs, and that someone was keeping him informed.

Cele said he did not know the motive behind his former deputy and police procurement head Hamilton Hlela's testimony that "a person:" would call him to discuss new office space for police headquarters in Pretoria. According to Hlela, the only person who called after that was Shabangu.

Cele's re-examination began on Monday morning with his attorney Vincent Maleka attempting to defend his job, following two Public Protector reports into the controversial lease deals worth R1.6 billion.

Cele previously insisted he relied on "experts" such as Hlela to advise him before signing any documents. This was after admitting he sometimes did not scrutinise documents presented to him and Hlela. He said he lost trust in Hlela due to his questionable work ethic.

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found the building leases had been concluded in an unlawful and improper way. Shabangu was challenging the matter in court.

Madonsela, whose report was being used as evidence at the hearing, was instrumental in President Jacob Zuma appointing the board of inquiry late last year.

The board, chaired by retired Free State judge Jake Moloi, was investigating whether Cele acted dishonestly and corruptly when he authorised the lease deals with Shabangu.

Last week, board members had to try more than once to elicit clear answers from Cele, accusing him of being evasive in answering questions.

"It leaves a terrible impression on this board," Moloi said on Thursday.

Cele's defence team made it clear he would deny any wrongdoing outright.
By SA Commercial Prop News

Seen at the meeting, Sapoa CEO Neil Gopal with Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town Patricia de Lille and Sapoa President Nomzamo Radebe.



Commercial property industry representative body, the SA Property Owners Association (Sapoa) met with Cape Town Mayor, Patricia de Lille to strengthen partnership and improve relations, the owners said on Friday last week.

The meeting which aimed to strengthen dialogues and collaboration between the commercial property sector and government, was attended by Sapoa board members including President Nomzamo Radebe, CEO Neil Gopal, and representatives from the City of Cape Town among other key government and property stakeholders.

This is Executive Mayor Patricia de Lilles first engagement with Sapoa since her re-election as Mayor of the City of Cape Town for a second term.

During her welcoming address, Radebe highlighted the importance of such events to an industry body such as Sapoa.

A key issue for us as Sapoa and business is the issue of intergovernmental relations. We acknowledge that mutually beneficial partnerships and a joint working relationship with government is at times fraught with challenges that could be avoided through better understanding. The reality is that we are inseparable and we have to work together, she said.

She further pointed out that as the urban conversation advances between SAPOA, the property industry at large and government, South African cities would begin to progress and evolve to compete on a global scale.

Cities and how they are governed and managed must be at the heart of the national economic jobs and growth debate if we are to have any hope of reaching in employment target. The ongoing concerns from both the private and public sector surrounding challenges that we both face requires that both parties become more actively involved with each other. We need to engage in meaningful dialogue and work together to improve business and the infrastructure in South Africa.

Executive Mayor Patricia de Lille expressed the City's commitment to becoming an Opportunity City that ensures an environment that is conducive to doing business at a global level. Her vision for the city is quite clearcut.

Firstly, we are pitching Cape Town to become the digital city of Africa, and we are well on our way. We are the only city in Africa with an open data portal. Secondly, we want to pitch Cape Town to become the ideas centre of Africa. As a city, we are leading on innovation. Cape Town was elected World Design Capital in 2014, and that was the catalyst for looking at design and innovation. In the past three years, in all our city departments, weve overlaid all our planning processes with design-led thinking.

But the thing closest to her heart is poverty and inequality. After 20 years of our new democracy, our people have been very patient. We need to double our efforts, so that more and more people can taste the fruits of our democracy. We need to change the lives of the most vulnerable out there. she concluded.

One of SAPOA's priority roles is ensuring that government departments and representatives remain in constant conversation with the property sector and that the industry's needs are addressed at a legislative level, thus the Meet the Mayor initiative will continue in other cities and remain a highlight in SAPOA's diary.
A first-of-its-kind journey along India and Pakistan border

What binds the two most talked about nations - India and Pakistan together? What makes the
Search and Rescue Looking for Missing Mushroom Picker

The man has reportedly been missing since Monday morning.







(LEBANON, Ore.) - Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley reports receiving a call today and 9:50 a.m., of a missing mushroom picker in the area of Rocky Top near Green Peter Reservoir.

The missing mushroom picker, 58-year old Oliver Keith Mercer from Lebanon, has been missing since yesterday at 9:00 am.

Linn County Search and Rescue immediately sent a hasty team to the area to beginning searching.

Many people pick mushrooms in Oregon forests. A permit is not required to harvest, possess, or transport less than one gallon in Oregon.

More information on the status of the search will be released as it becomes available.

_________________________________________


Date: Oct 4, 2016 7:05 PM

Subject: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

To:

Cc:



Federal Bureau of InvestigationFederal Bureau of Investigation

From FBI Headquarters Washington DC 20535-0001

Address: 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20535-0001

Greeting From FBI Headquarters Washington DC,



Good Day,



Thanks for your quick respond, actual I was confuse when I heard the report

with her fake paper and I was asking myself how could you be stupid of

signing

such paper in her name without letting us know first?



Base on your $8Million, CUSTOM CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (CCC) was require to

obtain from Benin Custom Authority the fund' s country origin to submit to US

Customs Authority at JFK Int' l Airport before the US Customs can authorized the

release of your consignment box. Obviously understand that without the Benin

CUSTOM CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (CCC) your delivering will remain static and

unreleased.



As a matter of fat you are requested to send $33.00 which is half of the fee to

Benin Custom Authority OR you send the whole $100.00 within UNITED STATES OF

AMERICA for the CUSTOM CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (CCC) to be issue out so that the

Diplomat can deliver your within 24 Hours of delivering.



As for the Mrs. Jane Fredrick' s claimed, I personal toke my time to wrote you

about what she claims in other to find out exactly what is going on since I

knew that this is financial matter that everyone needs to be careful else the

fund will be handle over to wrong person. But don' t worry we would get her

arrested because she has committed a financial crime that will entitle her to

life Imprisonment for forging fake documents and attempting to break US Finance

Laws; while your fund will be save and will directly get to you in person. To

hesitate this matter you should try to send $33 TODAY or first thing TOMORROW

Morning to enable the CUSTOM release your $8Millions to you and for the box to

be completely deliver to your home address OK.



HERE IS THE INFORMATION AND PLEASE ONLY MONEY GRAM OR WESTERN UNION IS ALLOW

IN BENIN REP IN THIS PAYMENT.



Receiver Name: Frank Obi

City Location: Cotonou

Country: Benin Republic

Text Question: How Long?

Text Answer: Now

Amount: $33

Sender ' s Name

MTCN



DESCRIPTION OF YOUR TRUNK TO BE DELIVERED.

Type:. . . CONSIGNMENT TRUNK BOX

Size:. . . / 2:1 CM.

Weight:. .20.6KG.

Colour:. . .BROWN BOX

Registration NO: #98952457

Serial #1256784315

Pin numbera* * *

HERE IS THE PICTURE OF YOUR TRUNK CONSIGNMENT BOX:

We are looking forward for your positive respond because your $8Million is

guaranteed immediately after the fee as far as I' m concerned in this matter.



FBI DIRECTOR,

MR. JAMES B. COMEY JR

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20577

From: " MR. JAMES B. COMEY JR" < KKK.@adagio.ocn.ne.jp Date: Oct 4, 2016 7:05 PMSubject: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONTo:Cc:Federal Bureau of InvestigationFederal Bureau of InvestigationFrom FBI Headquarters Washington DC 20535-0001Address: 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20535-0001Greeting From FBI Headquarters Washington DC,Good Day,Thanks for your quick respond, actual I was confuse when I heard the reportwith her fake paper and I was asking myself how could you be stupid ofsigningsuch paper in her name without letting us know first?Base on your $8Million, CUSTOM CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (CCC) was require toobtain from Benin Custom Authority the fund' s country origin to submit to USCustoms Authority at JFK Int' l Airport before the US Customs can authorized therelease of your consignment box. Obviously understand that without the BeninCUSTOM CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (CCC) your delivering will remain static andunreleased.As a matter of fat you are requested to send $33.00 which is half of the fee toBenin Custom Authority OR you send the whole $100.00 within UNITED STATES OFAMERICA for the CUSTOM CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (CCC) to be issue out so that theDiplomat can deliver your within 24 Hours of delivering.As for the Mrs. Jane Fredrick' s claimed, I personal toke my time to wrote youabout what she claims in other to find out exactly what is going on since Iknew that this is financial matter that everyone needs to be careful else thefund will be handle over to wrong person. But don' t worry we would get herarrested because she has committed a financial crime that will entitle her tolife Imprisonment for forging fake documents and attempting to break US FinanceLaws; while your fund will be save and will directly get to you in person. Tohesitate this matter you should try to send $33 TODAY or first thing TOMORROWMorning to enable the CUSTOM release your $8Millions to you and for the box tobe completely deliver to your home address OK.HERE IS THE INFORMATION AND PLEASE ONLY MONEY GRAM OR WESTERN UNION IS ALLOWIN BENIN REP IN THIS PAYMENT.Receiver Name: Frank ObiCity Location: CotonouCountry: Benin RepublicText Question: How Long?Text Answer: NowAmount: $33Sender ' s NameMTCNDESCRIPTION OF YOUR TRUNK TO BE DELIVERED.Type:. . . CONSIGNMENT TRUNK BOXSize:. . . / 2:1 CM.Weight:. .20.6KG.Colour:. . .BROWN BOXRegistration NO: #98952457Serial #1256784315Pin numbera* * *HERE IS THE PICTURE OF YOUR TRUNK CONSIGNMENT BOX:We are looking forward for your positive respond because your $8Million isguaranteed immediately after the fee as far as I' m concerned in this matter.FBI DIRECTOR,MR. JAMES B. COMEY JRFEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICEWASHINGTON, D.C. 20577 De: FBI FBI <frankgrassie@gmail.com>

Enviado: quarta-feira, 12 de outubro de 2016 11:23

Assunto: FROM FBI FBI MR.JAMES B.COMEY (DG) FBI FBI quarta-feira, 12 de outubro de 2016 11:23FROM FBI FBI MR.JAMES B.COMEY (DG) Federal Bureau of Investigation Departamento de Justica dos Estados Unidos

FBI New York 26 Federal Plaza 23 Floor New. Iorque 10278-0004

carta oficial do FBI New York



E-mail ID: internationaldebtfnd6@gmail.com



muito urgente



Esta e a notificar a voce que eu retomou o trabalho de escritorio de 24 horas de volta

e recebi actualizacao a partir Nacoes Unidas Embaixador Mathew e ele disse

-me havera um amanha Voo Internacional por 4h e o Sr.

Hilary Kalu vai agir como seu diplomata e entregar o pacote para voce

que tera apenas 6 horas para obter o pacote entregue. A actual

taxa foi de US $ 300, mas foi reduzido para US $ 145 esta manha para garantir que voce

recebeu seu pacote amanha.



Nota: O pacote que voce recebera conter cartao ATM que

contem $ 20 milhoes de dolares, Master Card credito que contem $ 200.000 e

um vale cheque proprio verificada $ 7.5 milhoes de dolares com o exigido

documento de seguranca que foi feita em seu nome como o unico proprietario e

tambem incluem o pino de seguranca que ira utilizar para transaccionar com os dois

cartoes de credito.



o fundo e a partir dos fundos de compensacao / resgate da ONU para os cidadaos da ONU

membro paises e cidadaos da Commonwealth Unidas para a pobreza

alivio durante esta crise economica e recessao. A soma de US $ 7 bilhoes

foi compartilhado entre 215 empresas e individuos. Voce foi premiado com o

Fundo de Investimento para acalmar a crise economica e para ser rentavel

e ajudar os outros em necessidade, como medida para facilitar o presente economica

dificuldades.



A soma de US $ 145 e necessario para habilitar o Sr. UWA EGO desde a origem do

seu fundo de obter um selo pacote diplomatico com tag ou entao os

costumes Aeroporto Internacional nao lhe permitira embarcar no voo

com o pacote e este selo do pacote diplomatico com tag sera

feita em seu nome como o proprietario do pacote.



nao ha muito tempo e a taxa precisa ser paga hoje para permitir que

ele voo esta noite placa e vai demorar 6 horas para obter o pacote

entregue a voce. Enviar a taxa de taxa de US $ 145 e obter o seu pacote

entregue no prazo de 6 horas e esta sera a unica taxa e ultima taxa

exigido de voce para essa transacao.



SO DIRIGIR O $ 145 a origem de seu fundo, conforme listado abaixo VIA

WESTERN UNION OU GRAMA DO DINHEIRO.



RECEBER NOME .......... UWA EGO

PAIS ........... BENIN REPUBLICA

CIDADE ................ COTONOU

texto da pergunta :. ....... DEUS COM

RESPOSTA: ......... US

VALOR: ...... $ 145,00

MTCN ................... .........

Nome do remetente ................

SENDER TELEFONE NO ...............

endereco do remetente ... ............



estou on-line esperando sua resposta com o pagamento de US $ 145 para que voce

vai ter o seu fundo de sucesso amanha do diplomata Sr. Hilary

Kalu.Pease voce tem que chama-lo ou texto dele neste numero: + 1478-238-1002



meu cartao de ID de trabalho esta ligado ve-lo e localizar para enviar a necessaria

taxa agora. e-mail me somente em: internationaldebtfnd6@gmail.com



MR.JAMES B.COMEY (DG)

Bureau Federal de Investigacoes UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON, DC 20535

From: fbi9@fbiwarning.ga

Reply-to: woodforesttimhicks@gmail.com

To: fbi9@fbiwarning.ga

Sent: 10/13/2016 6:09:45 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Subj: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

JAMES B. COMEY, JR

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FBI.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI.WASHINGTON D.C.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION SEEKING TO WIRETAP INTERNET.



ATTENTION: BENEFICIARY,



The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in conjunction with other relevant Investigation Agencies here in the State have been informed through our Global intelligence monitoring network that you have an on-going transaction with the Bank in African as regard to your over-due contract payment which was fully endorsed in your favour. It might interest you to know that we have taken time in screening through this project as stipulated on our protocol of operation and have finally confirmed that your contract payment is 100% genuine and hitch free from all facet and of which you have the lawful right to claim without any further delay. We will further advise that you go ahead and deal with the wood forest national accordingly as we will be monitoring all their correspondence with you.



In addition, also be informed that we recently had a meeting with the Executive director of Wood Forest National Bank, along with some of the top officials of the ministry regarding your case and they made us to understand that your file has been held in abase depending on when you personally apply for the claim. They also told us that the only problem they are facing right now is that some unscrupulous element are using this project as an avenue to scam innocent people off their hard earned money by impersonating.We were also made to understand that a lady with name of Mrs. Joan C. Bailey from CANADA has already contacted them and also presented to them all the necessary documentations evidencing your claim purported to have been signed personally by you prior to the release of your contract fund valued at about US$8,000,000.00 (Eight million united states dollars).



More so, we were advised to warn our dear citizens who must have been informed of their contract payment from Bank of African, to be very careful prior to the on-going internet irregularities, so that they would not fall victim of ugly circumstances. In case they are already dealing with anybody or office from the Bank of African are strictly advised to STOP further communication with them in their best interest and thereby contact the real Wood Forest National Bank via the below information:



NAME: MR. Timothy Hicks

OFFICE ADDRESS: Wood Forest National Bank Ohio

Central Business District,

Cadastral Zone,OHIO

Email: woodforesttimhicks@gmail.com



NOTE: In your best interest, you should ignore any message that does not come from the above email address and phone number for security reasons. Meanwhile, you are hereby advised to contact the Accountant in charge of your fund.via above details immediately and request for instant attention to your payment files as directed herein, so as to enable you receive your contract fund accordingly.



To enable them attend to your payment files, you are required to reconfirm and authenticate your personal data/particulars as listed below for onward processing and release of you fund as we will not be held liable for any wrong payment.



FULL NAMES: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

CITY: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

STATE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

ZIP: _ _ _ _ _ _ _

COUNTRY_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

SEX: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

AGE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

TELEPHONE NUMBER: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _



Ensure you follow all due process as required by Account office in order to hasten up the whole procedures of your fund transfer to your designated account. Bear in mind,that the WOOD FOREST NATIONAL BANK equally has an operational operandi (payment protocol) in line with international banking policy. So, you should adhere to avoid any delay which maybe detriment your fund transfer.



Once again, we hereby advise you to contact them via the above email address and make sure you forward to them all the necessary information which they may require from you prior to the release of your fund to you. All modalities have already been worked out and we will be monitoring all your dealings with the WFNB's DIRECTOR in respect to your fund transfer. Thus, you have nothing to worry about as far as we the FBI is concerned.



Henceforth, you should always update us as to enable us be on track with you and the Wood Forest National Bank. Finally, we want you to contact them immediately via the above email address so as to enable them attend to your case accordingly without any further delay as time is already running out. Should you need more information(s) in regard to this notification, feel free to get back to us on this email address so that we can put you through and as well guide you during and after your successful actualization of this project.



Thank you very much for your anticipated co-operation in advance as we earnestly await your urgent response regards to this matter.



Best Regards,

James B. Comey, Jr

Federal Bureau of Investigation

J. Edgar Hoover Building.

935 Pennsylvania Avenue,

NW Washington, D.C.













2016-10-14 14:15 GMT-04:00 FBI AGENT MR.GARRY WALKER farmaciaiannis@alice.it >

Fraud Department Agent Garry Walker and JAMES B. COMEY

IIIAnti-Terrorist and Monetary Crimes Division Fbi Headquarters In

Washington, D.C. Federal Bureau Of Investigation.

FBI-Washington Field Office 601 Street, NW Washington, DC 20535

Website: www.fbi.gov



Attention: Dear,



Am writing to make you understand that this is FBI AGENT MR.GARRY WALKER

representing the office of the FBI Director and our fraud department in which i

head has been informed about your refusal to comply with the directives from

the FBI and we are going ahead with the arrest by today and tomorrow.



We monitored your contact with this co-men through our global tracking device

that detect all the incoming and outgoing e-mails and tele phone calls globally

from all the countries of the world, We have your e-mail address under our

monitoring device set-up any more e-mails to the fraudsters from you will be

automatically detected.



Our concern in this issue is for your name to be cleared from the scammers list

which has already been submitted to all the crimes agencies in Benin, Germany,

Canada ,London and United States Of America, We make sure that the laws are

followed to the core and this is why the Benin Government which its citizen

carried out the

fraudulent activities with your information' s which you sent to them have to

compensate you with the amount as regards the FBI Laws of Sub-Section 05/16 Of

the United Nations Anti-crimes laws.



We have in our file your details which you sent to them and we have checked and

found out that you are a honest and hard working person and by this regards we

decided to persuade the Benin Government to compensate you for the evil deeds

that was carried out with your name.



The German man knows that you are the person because he was duped with your

identity and this fraudulent activities was carried out by the same people who

you have been forwarding your information' s/details to all this while with the

pretense of dealing with the right offices in Africa and other countries of the

world.



You will have to get the CLEARANCE FORM from the office of the High Court of

Justice in Benin Republic at the sum of $125.00 Usd. This certificate will

enable you to get access to the compensation funds of $18.5Million Usd which

was offered to you by the Benin Republic Government and don' t forget that you

need to get the document within 3days from now as you already know the deadline

given to you to secure

the document.



If not for the fact that we checked your data before acting towards this

directives given to us, you would have been arrested by now and jailed because

of your association with criminals in the internet and don' t forget our

warnings to you.



You will have to forward your bank account details to us where you want this

$18.5Million Usd to be transferred into as soon as you secure the CLEARANCE

FORM.



The German business man who was duped with your identity has reported this case

to the world court and it will involve the Government of both countries which

are Germany and Yours and that is the reason why you must get this document

immediately so as to avoid anybody calling your name as being among the

fraudsters.



With the Certificate, you are free from any form of crimes as your data shows

that you are a honest and respectable person in the society, You will have to

send the fees to the High Court of Justice over there in Benin Republic within

3days from now so that our local agent can be able to apply our modalities with

the High Court of

Justice to issue the CLEARANCE FORM to you.



Send the fees of $125.00 through Western Union Money Transfer with the name of

the account officer in High Court of Justice.



WESTERN UNION OR MONEY GRAM



Receivers Name:MICHAEL UBANAGU

Country: Benin Republic

Text Question: Urgent

Text Answer: Today

Amount: $125.00 Usd.



As soon as you send the fees, you will have to get back to us with the

following details which are Senders Name and Address, MTCN Number, Text

Question and Answer Used and the amount Sent.



Then,when all this requirements are in place, the Certificate will be issued to

you and then the compensation funds of $18.5Million Usd will be transferred

into your bank account immediately.



To avoid the wrath of the law on you and your entire family, we have been

pleased to allow you secure the document from the High Court of Justice Benin

Republic so that your name will be cleared off the fraudulent list in Benin

Republic and we also argued with the Benin Republic Government about your

compensations and that was the reason why you were compensated with the sum of

$128,500,000.00 Usd.



Thanks as I wait for your response



Respectively

FBI AGENT MR.GARRY WALKER

FBI SPECIAL INVESTIGATION AGENT



FBI Director

JAMES B. COMEY 2016-10-14 14:15 GMT-04:00 FBI AGENT MR.GARRY WALKER HON .JAMES COMEY amtoniolo@alice.it >

Date: Tue, Oct 18, 2016 at 11:08 AM

Subject: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI)

To:





FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI)

FBI SIGNED AGAINST YOU



DEAR OWNER





YOU FAILED TO COMPLY WITH OUR DIRECTIVES AND THAT WAS THE REASON WHY WE DIDN' T

HEAR FROM YOU ON THE 18th OF OCT AS OUR DIRECTOR HAS ALREADY BEEN NOTIFIED

ABOUT YOU GET THE PROCESS COMPLETED YESTERDAY AND RIGHT NOW THE WARRANT OF

ARREST HAS BEEN SIGNED AGAINST YOU AND IT WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN THE NEXT 7

HOURS AS STRICTLY SIGNED BY THE FBI DIRECTOR.



WE HAVE INVESTIGATED AND FOUND OUT THAT YOU DIDN' T HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN THE

FRAUDULENT DEAL WAS COMMITTED WITH YOUR INFORMATION' S/IDENTITY AND RIGHT NOW IF

YOUR ID IS PLACED ON OUR WEBSITE AS A WANTED PERSON, I BELIEVE YOU KNOW THAT IT

WILL BE A SHAME TO YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY BECAUSE AFTER THEN IT WILL BE

ANNOUNCE IN ALL THE LOCAL CHANNELS THAT YOU ARE WANTED BY THE FBI.



AS A GOOD CHRISTIAN AND A HONEST MAN, I DECIDED TO SEE HOW I COULD BE OF TO

HELP YOU BECAUSE I WOULD NOT BE HAPPY TO SEE YOU END UP IN JAIL AND ALL YOUR

PROPERTIES CONFISCATED ALL BECAUSE YOUR INFORMATION' S WAS USED TO CARRY OUT A

FRAUDULENT TRANSACTIONS, I CALLED THE EFCC AND THEY DIRECTED ME TO A PRIVATE

ATTORNEY WHO COULD HELP YOU GET THE PROCESS DONE AND HE STATED THAT HE WILL

ENDORSE, SIGN AND STAMP THE DOCUMENT AT THE SUM OF $55.00USD ONLY AND I BELIEVE

THIS PROCESS IS CHEAPER FOR YOU.



YOU NEED TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WITHIN TODAY AND TOMORROW TO GET THIS

PROCESS DONE BECAUSE OUR DIRECTOR HAS CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT THE WARRANT OF

ARREST HAS BEEN SIGNED AGAINST YOU AND ONCE IT HAS BEEN APPROVED, THEN THE

ARREST WILL BE CARRIED OUT, AND FROM OUR INVESTIGATIONS WE LEARN THAT YOU WERE

THE PERSON THAT FORWARDED YOUR ID TO ONE IMPOSTOR/FRAUDSTERS CALLED DR PETER

MOORE LAST TWO MONTHS WHEN HE HAD A DEAL WITH YOU ABOUT THE TRANSFER OF SOME

ILLEGAL FUNDS INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT WHICH IS VALUED AT THE SUM OF

$5,000,000.00 USD.



I PLEADED ON YOUR BEHALF SO THAT THIS AGENCY COULD GIVE YOU THE

18/10/2016 BEING NEXT TOMORROW SO THAT YOU COULD GET THIS PROCESS DONE BECAUSE

I LEARN THAT YOU WERE SENT SEVERAL E-MAIL WITHOUT GETTING A RESPONSE FROM YOU,

PLEASE BEAR IT IN MIND THAT THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN BE ABLE TO HELP YOU

AT THIS MOMENT OR YOU WOULD HAVE TO FACE THE LAW AND ITS CONSEQUENCES WITH IT

HAS BEFALL ON YOU.



YOU WOULD MAKE THE PAYMENT THROUGH MONEY GRAM OR WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER

WITH THE BELOW DETAILS.



RECEIVER NAME JERRY BEN

COUNTRY IS / BENIN REPUBLIC

CITY ADDRESS IS /COTONOU

QUESTION FAST

ANSWER NOW

.MTCN. . . . . . .

AMOUNT= = =$55.00 USD

SENDERS NAME= = =



SEND THE PAYMENT DETAILS TO ME WHICH ARE SENDERS NAME AND ADDRESS, MTCN NUMBER,

TEXT QUESTION AND ANSWER USED AND THE AMOUNT SENT.



MAKE SURE THAT YOU DIDN' T HESITATE MAKING THE PAYMENT DOWN TO THE AGENCY BY

TODAY BEING THE 18th SO THAT THEY COULD HAVE THE CERTIFICATE ENDORSED, SIGNED

AND STAMPED IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT ANY FURTHER DELAY.



AFTER ALL THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT, THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO PROCEED TO

THE BANK FOR THE TRANSFER OF YOUR COMPENSATION FUNDS WHICH IS VALUED AT THE SUM

OF $9,000,000.00 USD WHICH WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO YOU ALL THIS

WHILE.



NOTE/ ALL THE CRIMES AGENCIES HAS BEEN CONTACTED

ON THIS REGARDS AND WE WOULD USE YOUR ADDRESS WHICH IS STATED WITH US AND YOUR

ID TO TRACE YOU IF YOU DISREGARD THIS INSTRUCTIONS.



THANKS FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION.

THANKS AS I WAIT FOR YOUR RESPONSE

RESPECTIVELY

HON .JAMES COMEY

FBI SPECIAL AGENT

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI)

From:Date: Tue, Oct 18, 2016 at 11:08 AMSubject: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI)To:FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI)FBI SIGNED AGAINST YOUDEAR OWNERYOU FAILED TO COMPLY WITH OUR DIRECTIVES AND THAT WAS THE REASON WHY WE DIDN' THEAR FROM YOU ON THE 18th OF OCT AS OUR DIRECTOR HAS ALREADY BEEN NOTIFIEDABOUT YOU GET THE PROCESS COMPLETED YESTERDAY AND RIGHT NOW THE WARRANT OFARREST HAS BEEN SIGNED AGAINST YOU AND IT WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN THE NEXT 7HOURS AS STRICTLY SIGNED BY THE FBI DIRECTOR.WE HAVE INVESTIGATED AND FOUND OUT THAT YOU DIDN' T HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN THEFRAUDULENT DEAL WAS COMMITTED WITH YOUR INFORMATION' S/IDENTITY AND RIGHT NOW IFYOUR ID IS PLACED ON OUR WEBSITE AS A WANTED PERSON, I BELIEVE YOU KNOW THAT ITWILL BE A SHAME TO YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY BECAUSE AFTER THEN IT WILL BEANNOUNCE IN ALL THE LOCAL CHANNELS THAT YOU ARE WANTED BY THE FBI.AS A GOOD CHRISTIAN AND A HONEST MAN, I DECIDED TO SEE HOW I COULD BE OF TOHELP YOU BECAUSE I WOULD NOT BE HAPPY TO SEE YOU END UP IN JAIL AND ALL YOURPROPERTIES CONFISCATED ALL BECAUSE YOUR INFORMATION' S WAS USED TO CARRY OUT AFRAUDULENT TRANSACTIONS, I CALLED THE EFCC AND THEY DIRECTED ME TO A PRIVATEATTORNEY WHO COULD HELP YOU GET THE PROCESS DONE AND HE STATED THAT HE WILLENDORSE, SIGN AND STAMP THE DOCUMENT AT THE SUM OF $55.00USD ONLY AND I BELIEVETHIS PROCESS IS CHEAPER FOR YOU.YOU NEED TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WITHIN TODAY AND TOMORROW TO GET THISPROCESS DONE BECAUSE OUR DIRECTOR HAS CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT THE WARRANT OFARREST HAS BEEN SIGNED AGAINST YOU AND ONCE IT HAS BEEN APPROVED, THEN THEARREST WILL BE CARRIED OUT, AND FROM OUR INVESTIGATIONS WE LEARN THAT YOU WERETHE PERSON THAT FORWARDED YOUR ID TO ONE IMPOSTOR/FRAUDSTERS CALLED DR PETERMOORE LAST TWO MONTHS WHEN HE HAD A DEAL WITH YOU ABOUT THE TRANSFER OF SOMEILLEGAL FUNDS INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT WHICH IS VALUED AT THE SUM OF$5,000,000.00 USD.I PLEADED ON YOUR BEHALF SO THAT THIS AGENCY COULD GIVE YOU THE18/10/2016 BEING NEXT TOMORROW SO THAT YOU COULD GET THIS PROCESS DONE BECAUSEI LEARN THAT YOU WERE SENT SEVERAL E-MAIL WITHOUT GETTING A RESPONSE FROM YOU,PLEASE BEAR IT IN MIND THAT THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN BE ABLE TO HELP YOUAT THIS MOMENT OR YOU WOULD HAVE TO FACE THE LAW AND ITS CONSEQUENCES WITH ITHAS BEFALL ON YOU.YOU WOULD MAKE THE PAYMENT THROUGH MONEY GRAM OR WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFERWITH THE BELOW DETAILS.RECEIVER NAME JERRY BENCOUNTRY IS / BENIN REPUBLICCITY ADDRESS IS /COTONOUQUESTION FASTANSWER NOW.MTCN. . . . . . .AMOUNT= = =$55.00 USDSENDERS NAME= = =SEND THE PAYMENT DETAILS TO ME WHICH ARE SENDERS NAME AND ADDRESS, MTCN NUMBER,TEXT QUESTION AND ANSWER USED AND THE AMOUNT SENT.MAKE SURE THAT YOU DIDN' T HESITATE MAKING THE PAYMENT DOWN TO THE AGENCY BYTODAY BEING THE 18th SO THAT THEY COULD HAVE THE CERTIFICATE ENDORSED, SIGNEDAND STAMPED IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT ANY FURTHER DELAY.AFTER ALL THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT, THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO PROCEED TOTHE BANK FOR THE TRANSFER OF YOUR COMPENSATION FUNDS WHICH IS VALUED AT THE SUMOF $9,000,000.00 USD WHICH WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO YOU ALL THISWHILE.NOTE/ ALL THE CRIMES AGENCIES HAS BEEN CONTACTEDON THIS REGARDS AND WE WOULD USE YOUR ADDRESS WHICH IS STATED WITH US AND YOURID TO TRACE YOU IF YOU DISREGARD THIS INSTRUCTIONS.THANKS FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION.THANKS AS I WAIT FOR YOUR RESPONSERESPECTIVELY



On Thursday, October 20, 2016 12:29 PM, (FBI) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION < 201info09customer@gmail.com > wrote:





FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.

FBI Headquarters in Washington , D.C.

J.Edgar Hoover Building , 935 Pennsylvania Avenue,

NW Washington , D.C. 20535-0001 USA

www.fbi.gov

Phone Number: +1 585-682-2866



Attention Dear, I need your reply



This e-mail has been issued to you in order to officially inform you that we have information from the IMF of Benin Republic that you have the sum of $19.5Million USD from the Compensation Committee and we have completed investigation over the news and it is real and legal funds from the $19.5Million USD from the Compensation Committee and sum of $9 Million Us Dollar is in ATM CARD and sum of $10.5 Million Us Dollars is in cash and the total is $19.5 Million Us Dollars waiting for your in the IMF OFFICE IN Benin Republic .



Hon. Dr. Johnson Andy Of IMF said that they have informed you about this before but you thought they are were joking and ignore the message and you didn't even bother to contact us we the FBI why ?.



Again Hon. Dr. Johnson Andy made us to understand that you have time limit to contact them and claim your funds or they will not release it to you again and again that you should contact them with payment of $109 for the IMF and Embassy Authority stamp that will cover the delivery of your ATM CARD and your Cash in the sealed box , so the total amount for everything is $109 and we have tried our possible best to indicate that this $109 should be deducted from your prize but we found out that the funds have already been sealed and signed and cannot be accessed by anyone apart from you the owner unless after the given gave to you to get this finalize or they will keep the funds in the Government's account, so therefore you will be required to pay the required fee's to the IMF in-charge of this your transaction In order to proceed with this transaction, you will be required to contact the IMF in-charge via e-mail and phone below.



Kindly look below to find appropriate contact information:



Hon. Dr. Johnson Andy

E-mail : fedreal.ministry_o@yahoo.com

Telephone : +229-98716144



Here is the payment information .



RECEIVER: NEAL MICK

COUNTRY: BENIN REPUBLIC

CITY: COTONOU

TEST QUESTION: TODAY

ANSWER: YES

AMOUNT: $109 ONLY



You required to e-mail him with the following information:



FULL NAME.

ADDRESS.

CITY.

STATE.

ZIP CODE.

DIRECT CONTACT NUMBER.

OCCUPATION.



Faithfully Yours,



For And On Behalf Of

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Mr.James B. Comey, Jr.

E-mail: officefile973@gmail.com

Phone Number: +1 585-682-2866

Executive Director

hjrubio@speedy.com.ar >

ANTI-TERRORIST AND MONITORY CRIMES DIVISION

FBI HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

FBI WEB SITE http://www.fbi.gov/

J. EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING

935 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535-0001

EMAIL (fbi.headoffice@rbcmail.ru )



FUND BENEFICIARY,



We received your email, this is not a child play, we are ready to

take you to any length if you failed to proof the legitimate of the

fund you are about to receive. As a Federal Commission we are here to

protect your interest and the interest of all the United State

citizens as well as this great Nation. You have been investigated as

the beneficiary of the said funds that is why you are in touch with

the FBI for a solid proof before the funds will be release to you.The

said funds is now in U.S Bank in your name which has been placed on

hold under the custody of the FBI for further verification and proof

before releasing the fund to you. You do not have this document in

your files, if you did the fund would not have been hold. We did not

believe this at first, but when we saw the transfer we had no

option than to contact you.



We have gone through your Identification record and also the

informations received from you, we have verified a lot of things about

you. It has come to the attention of our Money Trafficking

investigation department, that you have some funds valued at U.S $10.5

Million to your name, The said payment is awaiting adjudication and

crediting to Edward Powell. With full concern of The F.B.I and the

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) wish to remind you of the consequences

of remitting such huge sums of money without complying fully with the

provisions of the Financial and Allied Matters Decree 5 as amended in

sub-section C (6) of 2003, which stipulates that any monitory

transaction been done in the United States Of America, must have

proper records, which duly guarantees and covers the transaction as

legitimate and legally acquired and not criminally or terrorist

associated funds. This is due to ongoing terrorist activities/economic

crimes on and against the United States of America citizens.



Note that with the information' s we have here, the fund in your name

here was release from Federal Republic Of Benin. To this regard you

are to contact the EFCC BENIN where the fund was release from so that

they will issue you the required document because they are the only

people that can issue you the document. Nobody else have the right or

privilege to issue you this document unless the EFCC BENIN.



You are under an observational /Investigation in connection with money

laundering. If your funds comes from a legitimate and legal source,

the proper guidelines for you to recover the right of transaction is

for you to provide the official monitory transaction release document

so that your funds will be legally processed and recorded and

accounted for and then finally released to you.



FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (ANTI-TERRORIST AND MONEY LAUNDERING

DEPARTMENT) IS HERE to wipe out terrorism, and will stop at no length

in doing our duty for the American people.



You have 48 hours to produce legal proof of the below frozen wired

transaction number Edward Powell AZQV9007 owned by Edward Powell do

not have any rights to receive these funds if the documented legal

wire information is not complete.



For your own good and benefit, you are advice not to send your money

to anybody accept the below person that will get the document for you.

It have come to our notice that you have been dealing with scammers

regarding the present transaction in your name, with the power imposed

on us as a high Federal Commission, you are hereby warn and

instruction to terminate your involvement with any people or

individual contacting you regarding this present transaction.The said

funds is now in our custody in your name as the beneficiary, your

dealings should be channel to this office alone, if we find out you

are still communicating with Imposters you will be charge for advance

fraud communication by the Federal Law.



The very heart of FBI operations lies in our investigations- which

serve, as our mission states, ' to protect and defend the United States

against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats and to enforce the

criminal laws of the United States.' So follow our instructions

properly to avoid any action before you. Attached a copy of my Office

ID for your mutual view and understanding so that you will know

exactly whom you are dealing with.



We currently have jurisdiction over violations of more than 200

categories of federal law. So you can see that we can track you down

through Investigative programs. We have your address and the evidence

and status of your wired funds, so we can arrest you anytime anywhere.



You dont have the required document on your possesion, these document

are only to be issue to you from the paying country BENIN, to this

regards you are advice to contact the EFCC BENIN to obtain the

document from them to enable the immediate release of the funds in

your name.



We have done our verification on your FBI Identification Record with

our Social Security Number, the only document left is the required

Diplomatic Immunity Seal Of Transfer(DIST) Which should be issue to

you from the paying country of the said funds, you are to contact the

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIME COMMISSION (EFCC) Benin republic to

obtain the above required document.



Furthermore, be advice that according to the United State Law together

with the FBI rules and regulations, you are to obtain the document

from the EFCC BENIN where the fund was transfer from. Also Note that

you are to take care of the Document to be issued to you right away,

because due to the content of the document and how important and

secured the document is, You are to take care of the document by

sending to the EFCC BENIN the sum of $98.00 Dollars only for the

issuing of the document right away and your $10 million will be

release to you That is the only way the EFCC BENIN will issue you the

document, because they are going to issue you the Authentic and

Original copy of the document for the relasement of your fund.



PAYMENT INFORMATION THROUGH MONEY GRAM ONLY.



Receivers Name: ANDY MBAH

Country: Benin Republic

City. . . Cotonou

Code: 00229

Test Question:In God

Answer :We trust

Amount: $98.00USD Only

Senders Name. . . . .

MTCN Numbers. . . . . .



You are here by advice to Contact them through the email address above

and send the fee to them. Note that you are to do this immediately if

you really want your fund to be credited to your personal account and

also if you don' t want any action to be fall before you. We have

already informed the EFCC BENIN about the present situation, so go

ahead and contact them immediately. Your fund is now on our custody

and will not be release to you unless the required document is

confirmed, After that the fund will be release to you immediately

without any delay.



NOTE: We have asked for the above documents to make available the most

complete and up-to date records possible for no criminal justice

purposes.



WARNING: failure to produce the above requirement in the next 48

hours, legal action will be taken immediately by arresting and

detaining you, justificated and if found guilty, you will be jailed.

As terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering is a serious

problem in our community today. The F.B.I will not stop at any length

in tracking down and prosecuting any criminal who indulge in this

criminal act. FORWARD THE DOCUMENT TO US VIA EMAIL ATTACHEMENT AS SOON

AS YOU OBTAIN IT.

Regards

James B. Comey

TELEPHONE + 646 439 3219 2016-10-21 3:02 GMT-04:00 James B. Comey

On Monday, October 24, 2016 6:39 AM, Director-Sir James B. Comey Jr < 1957brianwilliams@gmail.com > wrote:





Fraud Department Director-Sir James B. Comey Jr Anti-Terrorist and Monetary

Crimes Division Fbi Headquarters In Washington, D.C. Federal Bureau Of

Investigation.

FBI-Washington Field Office 601 Street, NW Washington, DC 20535





Attention: Beneficiary,



Am writing to make you understand that this is AGENT GARRY WALKER

representing the office of the FBI Director in fraud department

in which I head has been informed about your refusal to comply with

the directives from the FBI and we are going ahead with the arrest by

today and tomorrow.



We monitored your contact with these con men through our global

tracking device that detects all the incoming and outgoing e-mails and

telephone calls globally from all the countries of the world. We have

your e-mail address under our monitoring device set-up any more

e-mails to the fraudsters from you will be automatically detected.



Our concern in this issue is for your name to be cleared from the

scammers list which has already been submitted to all the crimes

agencies in Benin, Nigeria Germany and United States of America. We

make sure that the laws are followed to the core and this is why the

Benin Republic Government which its citizen carried out the fraudulent

activities with your information' s which you sent to them have to

compensate you with the amount as regards the FBI Laws of Sub-Section

12/13 Of the United States Anti-crimes laws.



We have in our file your details which you sent to them and we have

checked and found out that you are a honest and hard working person

and by this regards we decided to persuade the Benin Republic Government to

compensate you for the evil deeds that was carried out with your name.



The German man knows that you are a the person because he was duped

with your identity and this fraudulent activities was carried out by

the same people who you have been forwarding your

information ' s/details to all this while with the pretense of dealing

with the right offices in Africa and other countries of the world.



You will have to get the CLEARANCE FORM from the office of the High

Court of Justice in Benin Republic at the sum of $335 USD (United States

Dollars Only) This certificate will enable you to get access to the

compensation funds of $10.5M) Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States

Dollars which was offered to you by the

Benin Republic Government and don' t forget that you need to get the document

within 2 days from now as you already know the deadline given to you

to secure the document.



If not for the fact that we checked your data before acting towards

this directives given to us, you would have been arrested by now and

jailed because of your association with criminals in the internet and

don ' t forget our warnings to you.



You will have to forward your bank account details to us where you

want the $10.5M) Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States

Dollars to be transferred into as soon as you secure

the CLEARANCE FORM.



The German business man who was duped with your identity has reported

this case to the world court and it will involve the Government of

both countries which are Germany and USA and that is the reason why

you must get this document immediately so as to avoid anybody calling

your name as being among the fraudsters.



With the Certificate, you are free from any form of crimes as your

data shows that you are an honest and respectable person in the

society. You will have to send the fees to the High Court of Justice

over there in Benin Republic within 2days from now so that our local

agent can be able to apply our modalities with the High Court of

Justice to issue the CLEARANCE FORM to you.



Send the fees of $335 USD through money gram with the name of the

account officer in High Court of Justice.



Receivers Name: TEDDY NWA

Country: Benin Republic

City: Porto Novo

Text Question: God Is

Text Answer: Able

Amount: $335 USD.



As soon as you send the fees, you will have to get back to us with the

following details which are Senders Name and Address, MTCN Number,

Text Question and Answer Used and the amount Sent.



As soon as all this requirements are in place, the Certificate will be

issued to you and then the compensation funds of $10.5M) Ten Million

Five Hundred Thousand United States

Dollars will transferred into your bank account.



To avoid the riot of the law on you and your entire family, we have

been pleased to allow you secure the document from the High Court of

Justice so that your name could be cleared off the fraudulent list and

we also argued with the Benin Republic Government about your compensations

and that was the reason why you were compensated with the sum of

$10.5M) Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States

Dollars.



Just click reply to reply back to us immediately Ok,



Yours sincerely

Director-Sir James B. Comey Jr

Department of US Federal Bureau of Investigation













razalenuri@gmail.com >

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.

J. Edgar Hoover Building, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue,

NW Washington, D.C. 20535-0001 USA.



FBI.gov is an official site of the U.S. Federal Government,

U.S. Department of Justice.







Dear Beneficiary,





This is the Federal Bureau Of Investigation (FBI) using this medium to inform you that there is no more time left to waste because you have been given Since January till this moment and you have failed to secure the required Wire Transfer Documents from Office of the Presidency as stated earlier and you must adhere to this directives to avoid you blaming yourself at last when we must have arrested and jailed you and all your properties confiscated.



You failed to comply with our directives to secure the Wire Transfer Document from Office of the Presidency and that was the reason why we didn' t hear from you on the 3rd of July as promised and our Executive Director Mr. James B. Comey, Jr has already been notified about this situation report and to get the process completed you have to secure the Wire Transfer Documents from Office of the Presidency immediately with the help of Mr.UBA LARRY or the warrant of arrest which has been signed against you will be carried out in the next 72hours as strictly signed by the FBI Executive Director Mr. James B. Comey, Jr.



As a good Christian and a honest man, I have decided to see how I could be of help to you because I would not be happy to see you end up in jail and all your properties confiscated, I called Mr.UBA LARRY of the Office of the Presidency who will help you secure the Wire Transfer Documents and he stated that he will assist you as soon as you send to him the sum of US$400.00 Only and I believe this process is cheaper for you.



You need to do everything possible within today and tomorrow to send the US$400.00 to Mr.UBA LARRY who will help you secure the Wire Transfer Documents in your name because our Executive Director Mr. James B. Comey, Jr has called to inform me that the warrant of arrest has been signed against you and once it has been approved, then the arrest will be carried out and from our investigations we learnt that you were the person that forwarded your identity to one impostor/fraudsters in Benin Republic when he had a deal with you about the transfer of some illegal funds into your Bank Account which is valued at the sum of US$10,500,000.00.



I pleaded with the FBI Executive Director Mr. James B. Comey, Jr on your behalf so that this agency could give you 72 hours so that you can secure the Wire Transfer Documents with the help of Mr. UBA LARRY as soon as you send the sum of US$400.00 to him as this is the only way that I can be able to help you at this moment or you would have to face the law and its consequences once it has befall you.



Make sure that you don' t hesitate in making the payment of US$400.00 to the name stated above so that Mr.UBA LARRY will help you secure the Wire Transfer Documents in your name and then after all this process has been carried out we would have to proceed to the paying Bank for the transfer of your compensation funds which is valued at the sum of US$10,500,000.00 which was suppose to have been transferred to you all this while.



Here is the information to send the $400.00 Via Money Gram:

Receiver Name. LARRY UBA

Country. BENIN REPUBLIC

City. .COTONOU

Text Question. God

Text Answer. Is Good

REF_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _



Note: all the crime agencies have been contacted on this regards and we shall trace and arrest you if you disregard this instructions. You have been given 72 hours to make the payment so that Mr.UBA LARRY will help you secure the Wire Transfer Documents and if you fail, you will be arrested and tried in the court for Terrorism, Money Laundering and Drug Trafficking Charges, so be warned not to try any thing funny because you are been watched.



Thanks for your co-operation.



Yours Faithfully.



For the FBI Office

Mr. James B. Comey, Jr

Associate Deputy Director 2016-10-28 13:32 GMT-04:00 FBI Office If you received a similar letter, please ignore it. Do not answer it. If you do, you will end up on more of the mailing lists used by the criminals behind this fraud. Read more....
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Truckers talk about impact of fuel prices on stop in Salina

For about a week now, the average national and state gas prices have gone down, but not before truckers paid higher prices this summer.
A unique celebration brought families together at Sinamoga during the weekend.

The occasion was the decision by a brother and a sister to have their weddings on the same day.

Joyce and Junior Resture, who are half Samoans half Tuvaluans, tied the knot with their partners in front of their families and friends.

Joyce is the eldest of five and Junior is the second to the eldest of Loota and Maua Resture.

Joyce, 21, is a student at the University of the South Pacific. She works part time at the Taufua Beach Fales. Her husband is Tafiti Taumaloto, the son of Litia and Taumaloto, of Lalomanu.

Junior Resture, also 21, married Poitava Tealu, the daughter of Siata and Tealu Honolulu, of Tuvalu.

Rev. Uta Muaulu of the C.C.C.S. Fasitoo-uta encouraged the newlyweded couples to let God be the centre of their families.

Today you have promised each in front of your families, friends and especially God that you will love each other no matter the circumstances, he said.

This is a whole new chapter of your lives and you will face challenges and problems but let me remind you that those problems you can conquer them all when you let God be the centre of your relationship.

Remember your vows that you made to each other today.

May the Lord bless your new family as you start on this new journey of being husbands and wives.

The ceremony was followed by a big feast fitting for the double celebration.
Sina Tavita, from the village of Faleula, knows how hard it is to survive with little money. On some tough days, she has to budget as little as $6 tala for her children and elderly parents.

The 24-year-old stays at home to take care of her children and elderly parents.

Without a steady source of income, she says life is a real struggle.

The one thing I know for sure is that here in Samoa, there is no poverty when it comes to food, but when it comes to making money, thats where theres a problem, Sina told the Village Voice.

Yes we have an abundance of food growing here in Samoa but that doesnt mean life is easy for everyone. The way I see it, the days are getting harder and harder to get by.

Things are already very expensive and when the Prime Minister announces the increase in price for anything, the level of worry I feel goes through the roof.

Sina explained that not everyone in Samoa is in the same boat, which means that not everyone has a steady paying job.

Not everyone is employed in Samoa; personally, no one in my family has a job, she said. So when we hear an announcement of an increase in price then I get worried and angry because we dont have enough money to cover some of the basic needs.

I live with my little family and my elderly parents here at home. Yes we can grow food but we need money to cover other things in life but how can we make money when no one in our family is working?

Thats why I say that Samoa has no poverty when it comes to food but there is poverty because majority of Samoa dont have the opportunity to make a lot of money to deal with expensive costs.

These days, when I hold $100 it feels like its only $2 because everything is so expensive.

Sinas everyday worry is how she will take care of her family with the little she makes from her roadside market stall.

Thats the only thing that worries me a lot, she said.

Everything is getting more and more expensive which means items are becoming more and more unaffordable for my little family.

I was working before at the Red Cross but as my parents got older I decided it was best that I stay home and take care of them. My father has gotten very old and he needs me around the house and in the cookhouse.

Thats why I am unemployed right now.

Sina works hard every day to take care of her family but not much can be done when she sometimes has to go through the day with only $6 in hand.

Since we dont have much money, I would have to spend about 50cents to a dollar to get something nice for him to eat, she said.

Sometimes I would buy a packet of biscuits for $2.50 and that lasts us the entire day. I sell crops in front of the house to make a bit of money and I would make about $15 a day.

On bad days I would make about $6 for our family to survive on. We use that money to feed the children, the elders, things for tea, sugar and things for the babies like diapers and milk.

Thats how life is for my little family.
Samoa will soon find out if a woman claiming to be carrying the marks of Jesus Christs suffering is genuine.

Toaipuapua Opapo Patrick, the Samoan woman claiming to have stigmata, is in Rome where her suffering have been examined by officials of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi, who accompanied Toa to Rome a few weeks ago, said Toas claims are now the subject of an assessment by the Vatican.

Around Easter this year, Toa had claimed to be experiencing the passion of the Christ and was carrying the marks of Jesus Christs suffering.

Her claims have been put through the process at the Vatican, Laauli told the Samoa Observer.

The church has its own jurisdiction in terms of investigating these matters. It doesnt happen to one country it is happening around the world but its the first case for the Pacific.

At the moment, the case has been referred to experts in the Vatican.

In the meantime, Laauli said Toa, her husband, Patrick and her father, Rev. Opapo Oeti have settled into an apartment in Rome.

The Minister also said the ancient Hebrew writings done by Toa and translations from Jewish in New Zealand and the Malua Theological College have also been handed over to the Vatican.

The Vatican are looking into it to see what is the message, he said.

I believe there are more messages coming in December (from Toa).

According to Laauli, his duty was to accompany Toa as a government official to assist the young woman to Rome.

It coincided with a meeting I attended for F.A.O in Rome, he said.

I believe that the church does not rush into making a decision in things like this. It took the church 65 years to complete its investigation into Saint Faustina to confirm messages from our Christ.

Before Toa left for Rome, she said she has been told to go to Rome because more messages are waiting for her there.

Toa said she had already written 41 messages in the Hebrew language, which she has taken with her to Rome.

During a recent interview with the Savali Newspaper, Prime Minister Tuilaepa supported Toas trip.

I have been asked to help with the translation of the writings in Hebrew, done during the revelation to Ms Toaipuapuaga. One such occurrence happened in front of my own eyes, he said.

As leader of the country it is logical that people in need should seek the help of their leader.

This same stigmata happened to St Paul as seen in Paul's Epistle to the Galatians, Chapter 6:17. This supernatural event has happened in Samoa.

"Not in New Zealand, Australia or any other Christian Pacific Island.

To me it is a special divine blessing for Samoa and we Samoan Christians should thank the Lord for His choice of Ms Toaipuapuaga for His mission and a thumbs up for the Pastor of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa for his daughter and for the first ever C.C.C.S .stigmata that I know of to have happened to a member of the Protestant faith.
Age is only a number.

Ask 45-year-old Fuimaono Vaiao Eteuatiand he will tell you that if you dream big and are prepared to put in the hard work, success will follow.

Yesterday, Fuimaonos dream of becoming a lawyer was realised when he was admitted to the bar during a moving ceremony in the Supreme Court.

Fuimaono was joined by two other new lawyers, Natasha Schuster and David Junior Fong, in taking their oath to serve before the Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiavaasue Falefatu Sapolu.

Lawyer Shane Wulf presented Fuimaono and Mr. Fong while Leota Raymond Schuster presented Ms. Schuster to the bar.Tafailagi Peniamina appeared on behalf of the Samoa Law Society.

Chief Justice Patu congratulated the new lawyers and reminded them that to become a truly accomplished lawyer, they must work hard, persevere and be of good character.

All three lawyers studied at the University of the South Pacific, using online technology.

For the husband and father of six children, Fuimaonowas a proud man yesterday.

I have tried for so many years but here I am, Ive finally made it, he said, reflecting on his journey of studying law online.

Fuimaonos mother, Erolini Eteuati, shared her sons excitement.

He is our eldest son and we thankGod for his blessings, she said.

I am also very happy that I have done my part and played my role as a mother in his life.

Ms. Schuster, who works as a Lecturer at the National University of Samoa, echoed Fuimaonos excitement.

She studied part time, taking law at the University of the South Pacific at Alafua.

For now, Ms. Schuster said she would continue as a Lecturer, praying to see where God will take her from here.

As for Mr. Fong, he said he was extremely grateful. He recalled the struggles with assignments but all that is now a thing of the past.

Mr. Fong is already working for the Office of the Attorney General.

Everything was online.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Samoa Water Authority, TupuolaAfa Lesa, has raised some serious questions about the threat posed by the Wastewater Treatment Plant (W.W.T.P) located at Sogi.

The former Cabinet Minister is concerned, saying he believes the Plant is just about full and when that happens, it will become an environmental disaster not just for nearby residents but also the governments plans to the area.

He referred to the Apia Waterfront project saying this will have an enormous impact on such a plan.

We talk about water a lot but we forget about the waste water, Tupuola said.

I dont know who the smart engineer was who suggested to build the plant in Sogi for waste water. My concern is that if it explodes, it will affect the many plans for the Apia township; especially the Waterfront development project.

Tupuola made the comments during a session on Enhancing Collaboration for Resilient and Sustainable water Resources Management.

The Forum is part of the National Environment Week being commemorated throughout the country this week.

As the Chairman of S.W.A, Tupuola requested a separate facility for waste water to be built away from the town area. He suggested with plans for the Vaiusu Wharf being put in place, somewhere in Vaiusu might be an alternative.

Our request to the Prime Minister is for funds to build it.

Speaking about the drinking water situation in Samoa, Tupuola said there are about 24,000 families on metered water and more than half of that number have not paid their water bills.

People complain that its too expensive, he said. But they have to pay their bills.

Prime Minister, TuilaepaSaileleMalielegaoiwas among the participants at the Forum on Tuesday.

He said aspecial Committee worked with the engineer who designed the Waster Water Plant at Sogi.

Like any other big project, Tuilaepa said there are always problems.

With Waste Water, he said one of the problemswas finding the experts, especially specialised water engineers.

We have this matter that is always brought up about the difficulty in finding engineers to draw sketches, said Tuilaepa.

The government has already given its order if we do not have any local engineers we can hire from overseas. We cannot wait for our children who are studying to finish until we can start work on projects that is crucial to the development of the country.

Cabinet can approve the hiring of overseas engineer you just have to inform us.

Tuilaepa used an example of the Maliolio river and a proposed bridge at the area in Savaii.

He explained that cabinet has approved the construction of the bridge 8 months ago yet the engineer had just finished drawing the sketch last week.

You need to look at the capacity of people and if we need to hire people from overseas then we have to recruit them.
A 44-year-old Samoan woman, Rosita Afele, has conquered the worlds tallest mountain after 14 days of living on the edge.

The Melbourne-based daughter of Fuimaono Savili Afele and Tima Afele from Lefagaoalii Savaii, Falealili and Lotofaga Safata, is absolutely elated about conquering Mount Everest, in Nepal, a peak often referred to as a death zone.

She completed the challenge on 25 October 2016.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Ms. Afele, said its a moment in her life she would always remember. The realisation of a dream started 12 months ago with an idea.

Id like to think I am a free spirited person; I love adventures and travelling has always been a dream, she said.

But trekking up Mt. Everest never crossed her mind.

It never entered my mind in a million years, until a year ago. This was a massive undertaking and it was mainly driven by the soul. And after talking to a work colleague last year who had just returned from Everest doing the same trek, it sparked something in me and I knew then that this is it. This is what I needed to do.

I used to have this motto in my school days which is the view is always better from the top though at the time, I didnt mean it literally.

To prepare her for the trip, it took a year of training.

This little trip to the death zone has kept me away from those leisurely weekend catch-ups, she said.

As I continued to say no its nothing to do with your much entertaining companies, or the food, the caffeine, most definitely not the vinobut more the long walks and hikes that has been talking up most of my weekends.

A once in a lifetime experience especially for a fob like me as another one was alluding to that shes never known or heard of a Samoan whose done this kind of thing so either Im the first fool or perhaps am just a different breed.

Ms. Afele said the journey from an idea to the realization of it has changed her life.

The impact of this kind of experience is tremendous, she said. Its mind blowing and it feeds the soul. It takes everything and gives it back tenfold.

To be honest, Im still reflecting upon it. And I am sure I will continue to do so. It is an experience of a lifetime. Im just grateful God has seen it fit to have blessed me with such an undertaking.

I know we Samoans dont do this kind of thing. We dont dream of trekking or climbing mountains. We are not encouraged to have individual dreams and goals. We are more about goals for the good of the extended family and community.

I dont think we are as adventurous as others.

Ms. Afele admitted that when she sent a message to her friends and families about her plan, they were all surprised.

So at first, my Samoan friends and family were kind of shocked but those who know me understood, as Ive always been a weird kind of fob.

Ms. Afele left Melbourne and travelled via Kuala Lumpur on the 16 of October.

During the time she was trekking, she had been updating her journey through a blog she created. She faced a lot of challenges during the 14 days she was trekking but altitude and the coldness were the most challenging parts of her trek.

Altitude is the main one, she said. As you ascend over 3,000 meters your body struggles as the oxygen drops from then on. And you feel it. So day 2 was the toughest as thats when I hit over the 3km mark height and it was a steep climb for seven hours continuously.

As it got steeper my body was also adjusting to the altitude. And hours into Namche, I had some altitude sickness. Altitude sickness at its worse has killed people.

You feel your body is heavy, your legs lead and your whole inside is tightening up and you struggle to breathe. I literally collapsed and I was so sleepy. I had no ounce of energy left when I got into the Lodge.

And as you get closer to the Gorkshep and Base Camp over 4K the temperature drops to freezing points. Its always a minus temperature.

Too bloody freezing for a fob. Your water bottle gets frozen overnight. I slept in woolen socks, a beanie, gloves and two pairs of thermal pants and three layers of fleece tops plus thick down jacket.

So getting into a sleeping bag was a nightmare. And on top of that, I had two blankets on top of sleeping bags.

And then you start out at 7am and its usually freezing cold. There were few times where I hiked in my light down jacket all dayI couldnt warm up. Some people get airlifted off the mountain due to altitude sickness.

I saw a few people turning back as they couldnt make the last crossing to the Base Camp. That was difficult.

However, she said that the whole experience was the most challenging and rewarding experience she has ever had.

Ive encountered many challenges in my life, and been fortunate with some achievements  but perhaps in the process have learnt very little, she said.

But this has been the most profound and humbling experience of my life.

Its been an honor and a privilege to see and be part of an ancient city, be amongst some of the poorest people weathered by nature but incredibly every day simply trotting up and down in altitude of over 5k meters, in freezing temperature carrying their livelihoods on their backs, endowed with such endurance and perseverance in the execution of their daily lives.

My every agonizing turn and painstaking step was met with breathtaking views stretching as far as the eye can see, and being in constant awe of the magnitude of creation  seeing the highest peaks in the world always in the shadows above the clouds was nothing short of enlightening.

It took Nature to bring me back down to Earth it took EVERYTHING I had  my inflated ego, pride, self confidence in my physical, mental abilities, and in my conviction . Leaving me cold, vulnerable and guilty of the intrusion, but reminding me of what matters is each breath in the moment.

In my quest for healing Ive learnt that this process is an unfolding journey and harboring such loss in its depth can be strengthening for the soul.

Unfortunately, Ms. Afele wasnt able to take a Samoan flag with her during her trek.

However, she had a Samoan cap with the Samoan flag on it which she had left behind as remembrance of her trip to Everest Base Camp.

Ive left my Samoan cap (I was really sad I couldnt get a flag) at the last teahouse on the trail. There were heaps of flags from all over the world except ours. So my Samoan cap is behind the counter area.

Finally, Ms. Afele wanted to thank all her families and friends for their support and prayers during her trip.

Ms. Afele said that she felt the presence of both of her parents during her whole trip.

Id like to say that having lost both of my parents I felt them during this whole journey. They were a driving force behind all my achievements.

And to my families and friends, Faafetaitatalo ma tapuai!

If you want to know more about her journey, heres the link to her blog- https://rositatravels.wordpress.com
A 31-year-old father Tavita Tanielu has been jailed for three years for manslaughter.

Tanielu was emotional in Court when Justice Vui Clarence Nelson handed down his decision yesterday.

The defendant had begged the Court for mercy, asking for another chance because of his children and his family.

However, Justice Vui told him he is not the only person to have appeared in Court, citing such grounds. There have been many other people before him.

But there is a possibility for you to get an early parole, said Justice Vui.

According to the police summary of facts, the incident occurred at the Fugalei Market on the 13th September 2014 between 7 and 8pm.

The defendants wife operates a stall at the market but the deceased was also selling empty sacks to farmers selling their crops.

The deceased is a 62-year-old father and on the night of the incident he was intoxicated and he was walking around the market. When he arrived in-front of the defendants wifes stall, he opened his lavalava. The defendants wife told him to go somewhere else but instead of leaving he started to swear at her while the Mr. Tanielus daughter was also present.

The deceased left the scene and continued to the other side where he met the defendant and sold him five empty sacks for $10.

After the sacks were sold to the defendant, a woman at the market told him about what the man had done to his wife.

Tanielu then followed the deceased and asked him to take back his sacks and return his money. An argument ensued where Tanielu got angry and slapped the old mans face.

He fell and hit his head on a concrete floor at the market.

The deceased was unconscious and Tanielu was concerned he got a bucket of water and poured it on the deceased.

But his efforts were in vain.

Tanielu and his friend took the deceased to the hospital for treatment. Four days later, he died from serious head injuries.

In delivering sentencing yesterday, Tanielu was told that the maximum penalty for manslaughter is life imprisonment.

However, Justice Vui said for this matter he considered the circumstances especially with the deceased actions and his attempts to revive and assist him after he slapped him; he took only five years as a starting point.

Six months was also deducted for his good character and clean record.

Another six months were deducted due the traditional apology was carried out.

The family of the deceased man also asked for this matter to be withdrawn.

And for his guilty plea twelve months were deducted which leaves a balance of three years.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  A man surrendered to police Wednesday after Brazilian television broadcast a security video that allegedly shows him brutally beating a woman at a bar.

Police in Sao Paulo state said 24-year-old Kelvin Luiz Assis Soares turned himself in several days after the attack. In the video, he appears to punch his 18-year-old girlfriend, Judy Souza, several times and repeatedly bang his knees into her face.

It is the latest case of domestic abuse in a country where violence against women is prevalent and where similar disturbing cases are reported every day or so in the news. Last month, Brazilians were angered when a 30-year-old woman was stabbed to death by a former lover inside a church and when a 34-year-old woman was gang raped by drug dealers.

The man who surrendered Wednesday had been accused of violent crimes in the past but was never formally charged, authorities said.

The victim told The Associated Press that after the Oct. 25 attack she broke up with Soares, filed a police report and left the town of Alvaro de Carvalho in fear after receiving threatening calls from him. They have a 3-year-old daughter together.

"He was mad that I wanted him to go to jail when he loved me," Souza said.

She said Soares had often pushed or slapped her, but the incident at the bar was the first time she was beaten so violently. "He was accusing me of flirting with other men. He got jealous."

Earlier this week, police inspector Darlene Rocha Costa said she would recommend that prosecutors file assault and battery charges against Soares.

A study commissioned by the federal government last year found that 147,691 women in Brazil had to seek medical help for domestic or sexual violence in 2014.

Luciana Andrade, a researcher in women's studies at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, said that these cases are gaining more and more visibility, but that authorities must do better in enforcing laws against such abuse.

"What needs to be done immediately is to train officers, prosecutors and judges to better respond and punish cases of domestic violence," Andrade said.

Last year, Congress passed legislation to sharply increase the punishment for violent crimes against women.
A proposal that would have outlawed short-term vacation rentals in most of San Diegos single-family neighborhoods was rejected Tuesday by the City Council following a nearly seven-hour hearing that drew hundreds of individuals representing both sides of what has long been a contentious and much debated issue.

While the council did direct its city staff to return in the next four months with a comprehensive ordinance that would regulate short-term rentals like those offered via online platforms such as Airbnb and HomeAway, there remain deep divisions on the council and among the public as to what should and should not be allowed.

Under consideration was a proposal by Council President Sherri Lightner to make what seemed like a couple of modest wording changes in the city municipal code but which would have effectively banned short-term rentals in most single-family neighborhoods.

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The proposal, which needed five votes to pass, would have reclassified visitors and tourists as transients if they rented a home for less than 30 days. The rationale behind the change was to remove ambiguity from a city code that Lighnter believes already prohibits what she says is a commercial lodging use in a residential zone.

San Diegos municipal code, which has not kept pace with the rapid rise of the sharing economy, currently has no provisions defining short-term rentals, although there are regulations that govern bed-and-breakfast inns, along with board-and-lodging establishments.

Her proposal failed 7-2, with herself and Councilwoman Lorie Zapf, who represents many of the citys beach communities, dissenting.

Looking defeated, Lightner, who will retire from the council next month, apologized to those in the audience who had sought the ban.

Im really sorry, she said.

The effect of the council action was to return the city to where it was more than a year ago when Zapfs Smart Growth and Land Use Committee first tackled the regulation of short-term rentals. City leaders were never able to reach a consensus, and a proposal never made it to the full council.

Councilman Todd Gloria sought to remedy that with a motion passing on a 7-2 vote that called for new regulations governing both the short-term rental of entire homes as well as home sharing, where homeowners rent out a room or two to visitors. Gloria said it was something he had sought more than a year ago. Lightner and Zapf voted no.

This is a usurpation of the process and is extremely disturbing, Gloria said of Lightners effort to amend the municipal code. Unfortunately, the council has not had an opportunity to consider a thoughtful, well-crafted ordinance that takes into consideration the difference between home sharing, home swapping, whole house rentals and room rentals where the owner remains on site. I would hope that instead of a blanket ban there would be reasonable regulations to clarify the rules and provide the necessary code enforcement and maintain the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

Part of Glorias motion was to ask the mayors office for a proposed budget on what it would take to significantly step up code enforcement of noise and nuisance violations that many homeowners say have plagued their neighborhoods for years as vacation rentals have proliferated.

Residents say their efforts to get the citys code enforcement personnel and police to address such violations have largely been fruitless.

Like many people have said, we find ourselves living next to a mini-hotel, woken up by vacationers early in the morning who tell us to get lost, said Ronan Gray, a Pacific Beach homeowner and president of Save San Diego Neighborhoods, which has a membership of 2,000. What about our rights, what about our peace and quiet? Were told there are just a few bad apples. In the last 24 months, weve had 33 incidents at this place, my children have been woken up in the middle of night the day before exams.

While supporters of Lightners proposal argued, as the councilwoman has, that short-term rentals are already clearly illegal in single-family residential zones, City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said the current code is too vague and would need to be amended if the city wants to clarify that such rentals are prohibited.

In response to a question from Lightner as to whether the city could immediately start enforcing the current municipal code to go after what she believes are illegal short-term rentals of single-family homes, Robert Vacchi, head of the Development Services department, told her there are currently no regulations to prevent such rentals in those residential zones.

Councilman Chris Cate, who just a day earlier had offered up a draft ordinance designed to regulate short-term rentals and home sharing while still allowing them in residential neighborhoods, told the council that he believes Lightners proposal would effectively prohibit vacation rentals and sharing in 86 percent of the city.

Councilwoman Zapf, who has long pushed for stricter regulation of Airbnb-type rentals in established single-family neighborhoods like Pacific Beach, sought to reassure the public that the Lightner proposal was not an effort to curtail home sharing, which many hosts say helps pay their mortgages and supplement their incomes.

No one wants to take away your livelihood, she said. Id be happy to propose amendments to home sharing as a separate action so youd have some stability and certainty moving forward. But renting a whole home can in no way be construed as a sharing economy. Investors are buying homes for the sole purpose of a commercial enterprise.

Opponents to short-term rentals expressed disappointment that Lightners proposal was not adopted, saying nothing would change, at least in the short term.

This is 100 percent about shutting down these mini-hotels, said Alison Patton, 51, of La Jolla. Were not getting cooperation from the majority of the City Council, were not getting cooperation from the city attorney.

San Francisco-based Airbnb, which helped rally short-term rental hosts to come to Tuesdays meeting, was buoyed by the council vote. It has fought similar battles in cities across the country seeking to impose tougher regulations on such rentals.

We are pleased that common sense prevailed today, the company said in a statement following the meeting. Our community remains committed to working with the council on reasonable, simple home-sharing rules that allow San Diegans to share their homes and earn supplemental income, support neighborhood businesses and increase additional revenue for the city.

Whatever the council ends up coming up with in the months ahead, it will likely require sign-off by the California Coastal Commission, which has objected to restricting short-term rentals because it believes they fulfill a need for affordable lodging along the coast.

lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com; (619) 293-2251; Twitter: @loriweisberg
One year and nine days after a massive natural gas leak that led to the displacement of thousands of residents of the Porter Ranch neighborhood in Los Angeles County, the utility company operating the Aliso Canyon storage facility wants to start re-injecting some 29 wells at the site.

Over the last year we have made extensive physical upgrades and deployed advanced technologies to enhance safety at Aliso Canyon, Bret Lane, president and chief operating officer at Southern California Gas said in a statement.

The 114 wells at the Aliso Canyon facility have been going through a series of safety tests and 29 have been approved by the states Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR).

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But before SoCalGas can resume injections, it has to get approval from DOGGR and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). On Tuesday, SoCalGas announced it had requested regulatory OKs from the two agencies.

How soon can re-injections begin? SoCalGas officials referred that question to the regulatory agencies.

Saying safety is our top priority, DOGGR supervisor Ken Harris said in a statement his agency will thoroughly review all the information and data, conduct independent site inspections, seek public feedback and the opinion of outside experts before making any determination.

The Aliso Canyon leak occurred on Oct. 23, 2015, and took nearly four months to plug. It is believed to be the largest leak of methane  a potent greenhouse gas  in U.S. history. Estimates say the leak spewed the equivalent of 84,200 metric tons of methane.

It sickened many of the residents of the neighboring Porter Ranch development and forced about 8,000 families to relocate.

SoCalGas, a subsidiary of San Diego-based Sempra Energy, said it has replaced the inner tubing with new pipe at every storage well and has installed around-the-clock pressure monitoring at a 24-hour operations center.

An infrared fence-line methane detection system has also been put in place.

As we move forward, we remain committed to a continuous improvement process, said Lane.

A member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Brad Sherman, D-California, lives in the Porter Ranch community. Sherman said Tuesday that re-injections should proceed only the under the strongest possible safety measures.

Aliso Canyon is not ready to resume normal operations, Sherman said in a statement. Starting operations cautiously is the best way to balance safety with reliability.

Energy officials across the state have warned of potential power outages due to Aliso Canyons curtailment and Gov. Jerry Brown issued an emergency proclamation in January amid worries of insufficient natural gas supplies.

Aliso Canyon has the largest daily deliverability  the amount of gas that can be withdrawn from a storage facility each day  of all the storage facilities west of the Rockies, estimated at 1.9 billion cubic feet per day.

In August, Sempra executives raised the cost figures for the leak to $717 million. The company said it has about $1 billion in insurance coverage and has begun to collect about $34 million off insurance policies.

Sempra officials are scheduled to announce the companys third-quarter financial results on Wednesday.

rob.nikolewski@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1251 Twitter: @robnikolewski
Seniorly, an online marketplace for senior housing, is expanding to San Diego on Wednesday with the aim of making the process of finding and reserving a stay as easy as booking a vacation rental on Airbnb.

Unlike the hotel alternative, however, the startup, which is based in San Francisco, is working directly with more than 50 local facilities that specialize in senior care and also offer short-term options. On Seniorly, each community showcases itself through an online profile, which typically includes a video tour, user reviews, and detailed information on daily or monthly rates. Prices listed are said to be the same as, or cheaper than, standard community fees.

The idea, said CEO Arthur Bretschneider, is to help the people who care for seniors more conveniently track down reliable information, and modernize the still-manual process of checking a venues availability, particularly for folks with short-term needs.

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Senior housing is a highly fragmented industry, meaning there are tons and tons of options out there, Bretschneider, 31, said. For families who are searching, its really hard to find whats out there.

Bretschneider, who grew up working in his familys senior homes, describes the current crop of online tools as inadequate, and says some are even misleading, as other websites will request personal information and then share that data, without permission, with a multitude of communities. To counter the information-overload problem, Seniorly is meant to be a single destination where caregivers can get a comprehensive, side-by-side view of several facilities at the same time.

Where the 2-year-old startup seeks to stand out from online aggregators is by exposing more consumers to the many respite, or short-term, care options available in their neighborhoods, which can be booked at a moments notice through the site.

Its a difficult topic for caregivers to ask for help, said Ana Gonzalez Seda, who heads community outreach for San Diegos Alzheimers Association. There needs to be more awareness on this topic. Caregivers often dont want to give up time with their loved ones, or they feel bad or guilty if they want to take a break.

But breaks are important, she said, championing the efforts of Seniorly to make the option more visible to families with temporary needs. The organizations are currently in talks around a formal partnership, and in the interim, the local Alzheimers association plans to notify its members of the new web service via their email newsletter.

Josh Buller, president of Cornerstone Senior Living, is also bullish on the potential of Seniorly to positively impact the lives of local families. Cornerstones Plaza Village Senior Living facility in National City will be a part of the marketplace at launch, and Buller fully expects Seniorly to not only shake up the online search process but also create competition in the industry.

The industry is not talking about short-term care, he said. But its something families need to realize is a great option  for people to get additional care before they go back home (from a skilled nursing center).

Seniorly, which is backed by $1.2 million in financing, makes money by charging facilities fees to participate in the marketplace. For instance, if a person books a short-term stay on Seniorly, then the startup collects a percentage of the total fare.

Since its launch in San Francisco in January of last year, Seniorly has expanded to Sacramento and Los Angeles. The company says that hundreds of people are now using the service every month to book senior care.

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jennifer.vangrove@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1840 Twitter: @jbruin
A veteran will speak Nov. 7 at the Escondido Library about how the USS Midway evacuated thousands in Operation Frequent Wind during the Fall of Saigon in 1975. Thousands of South Vietnamese fled for their lives to the U.S. fleet offshore as the Peoples Army of Vietnam surrounded Saigon. The USS Midway received more than 3,000 refugees. The free presentation in honor of Veterans Day, led by a veteran from the USS Midway Museums Speakers Bureau, is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 in the librarys Turrentine Room, 239 S. Kalmia St. Visit library.escondido.org.

A meditation workshop, called Defeating Stress, geared to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder is set for Nov. 5. The workshop, led by Melissa Wise, a certified iRest Yoga Nidra teacher, is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the librarys Mathes Center. Register at library.escondido.org/register.
Most Americans associate rye bread with a ham and Swiss sandwich or the classic Jewish deli favorite, a corned beef Reuben.

But to San Diego-based baker and cookbook author Stanley Ginsberg, rye bread is so much more  its a cultural touchstone. For decades, rye has been one of Americas best-kept and undeservedly obscure culinary secrets its also a piece of our collective history.

Ginsberg gives that ancient grain its due in his new book, The Rye Baker: Classic Breads from Europe and America, which hell discuss Sunday in an appearance for the 22nd Annual San Diego Jewish Book Fair.

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The book fair, the countys largest, wraps up that day with a focus on several other underrated staples of the Jewish kitchen as well, beets and gefilte fish.

The author events will be held at Leichtag Commons, 441, Saxony Road, Encinitas. The line-up:

10 a.m., cooking demo with Stanley Ginsberg;

11 a.m., cooking demo with Molly Yet (Molly on the Range: Recipes and Stories from an Unlikely Life on a Farm);

12 p.m., lunch with Jeffrey Yoskowitz and Liz Alpern (The Gefilte Manifesto: New Recipes for Old World Jewish Foods).

Tickets: $11 and $22; (858) 362-1348 or sdjbf.org

Twitter: @sdeditgirl

michele.parente@sduniontribune.com
La Jolla Playhouse may be the birthplace of the Broadway-bound musical Come From Away, but the remote town of Gander, Newfoundland, is in many ways the shows spiritual home.

And this past week, the musical about a real-life moment when tragedy met with compassion received a welcome for the ages in the tiny Canadian community.

Come From Away tells the story of how the people of Gander opened their homes and their hearts (not to mention their refrigerators) to tens of thousands of unexpected visitors on Sept. 11, 2001, after the terror attacks diverted 38 jetliners to the town.

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On the last weekend of October, the cast and crew of the show (which debuted at the Playhouse in 2015 and has one more pre-Broadway engagement in Toronto) journeyed to Gander for a series of commemorations and events centering on Come From Away  including a traditional screeching in ceremony that involves drinking rum and kissing a cod. (That Newfoundland ritual is actually memorialized in the musical.)

The marquee event was a series of two concert stagings of the entire show that the musicals team presented to a total of about 5,000 residents in the towns ice rink.

It was a fitting venue, because back on 9/11 the rink had been used as a kind of giant walk-in refrigerator for storing the massive amounts of food needed for the unscheduled visitors.

For the actors and other artists  almost all of whom began their journey with the show in San Diego  the reception they earned there was food for the soul.

It was one of the most overwhelming and emotional experiences of my lifetime, said Playhouse artistic chief Christopher Ashley, the shows director. It was just incredible  just the waves of emotion coming off the audience was unlike anything Ive experienced.

Assistant director Jessica Bird said that the cast, band and tech crew gave their heart and souls for the people of Newfoundland and felt a huge responsibility in telling the story to the people who inspired it. And the Newfoundlanders were overwhelming in their response, with enthusiastic screams, tears, and laughter as they remembered this moment in time 15 years ago and were proud of their people and country.

The best compliment we kept hearing from people is how authentically Newfoundland was portrayed in the musical, and how proud they were to be represented in Come From Away.

Bird added: We are not the same people as we were before we went to Gander.

San Diegans will get a chance to experience a bit of what the Newfoundlanders did when the Playhouse brings the Come From Away team to town for a one-night concert.

That event will take place Feb. 4  two weeks before the musicals first Broadway preview. Details (including the venue) are still being worked out.

Twitter: @jimhebert

jim.hebert@sduniontribune.com
Bryan Cranston says he would definitely move to Canada if Donald Trump were elected president. And he doesnt sound like hes entirely joking.

The actor, who has endorsed Hillary Clinton, was set up for that response by a host on The Bestseller Experiment podcast who asked whether, if Trump became president, might Cranston fancy an extended vacation to Vancouver?

It wouldnt be a vacation, the Oscar nominee said in the podcast posted Sunday. Id be an expatriate. Absolutely. I would definitely move. Its not real to me that that would happen. I hope to God it wont.

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Celebrity endorsements: Whos voting for whom? 

Without hearing Cranstons tone of voice, and depending on a persons politics, that comment can be taken both tragically and comically  which are both facets of the candidates personality, the actor observed.

Hes such a tragic, Shakespearean character, and hes comedic as well because of the tragedy of this mans soul, the delusions that he has, the supreme narcissism, he said. But a beautiful character. Amazing character.

OK, so, that would suggest Cranston isnt entirely joking about moving north. He predicted that books, movies and plays would be made about Trump, because of the anomaly he presented in this election cycle.

And were that to happen, he might not be the actor for the job.

I do have a judgment of him, and its virtually impossible to play someone you have a judgment on because then youre slanted. ... I need to come at it from a place of neutrality, so that I can build a character and justify what I say, what I do, at all times.

Its hard for me to imagine trying to justify what this man has said and done, Cranston continued. So I dont know if its actually possible for me to play the character. It would be a challenge.

Take a listen starting around the 22-minute mark of the podcast and decide for yourself whether Cranston is serious about making a break for Canada, should there be a President Trump.

Follow Christie DZurilla on Twitter @theCDZ.

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Los Angeles County coroners officials Tuesday identified a man who stabbed a woman outside of a courthouse in Chatsworth before being fatally shot by a sheriffs deputy.

Jose Armando Cueva, 55, was shot once in the upper body and was taken to a local hospital where he later died, coroners officials said.

The stabbing and deputy-involved shooting occurred about 12:05 p.m. Monday in the 9400 block of Penfield Avenue, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

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The department said Cueva and the woman, who was not identified, were arguing inside a car as they were pulling into the parking lot of the courthouse when Cueva allegedly began stabbing her.

The victim was able to exit the vehicle and run toward the courthouse entrance doors, the sheriffs statement said, adding that Cueva chased after her.

The suspect grabbed the victim and continued to stab her with a large knife, the statement said. A deputy and a security officer confronted the suspect and ordered him to drop the weapon. The suspect did not comply and a deputy-involved shooting occurred.

Paramedics transported both Cueva and the woman to local hospitals. The woman is expected to survive.

ruben.vives@latimes.com

For more Southern California news, follow @latvives on Twitter.

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Good morning. It is Wednesday, Nov. 2. Yummy, yummy, yummy  these might be the best burgers in San Francisco and Oakland. Heres what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Will Orange turn blue?

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For the first time since the Depression, Orange County could go blue in the presidential election. Though the tilt to the left may have been inevitable, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump appears to be speeding up the process by turning off college-educated white women and wealthy suburbanites. They expect a certain style from their presidential nominee, a certain intellect and a kind of measure in serious discussion of policy, said Stu Rothenberg, a veteran nonpartisan political analyst. Los Angeles Times

Restricting development

Will Santa Monica voters adopt a restrictive slow-growth measure on next weeks ballot? Measure LV would require voter approval of most developments taller than 32 to 36 feet. Something like this would be so onerous. It would be extremely difficult to provide more affordable housing, even for housing for the middle class or millennials who cant afford single-family homes, said Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, associate dean of UCLAs Luskin School of Public Affairs. Los Angeles Times

Pay up

Some cities beg developers to build projects. But not Beverly Hills. The Chinese firm Wanda Group agreed to increase its fees to the city by more than a half-billion dollars over 30 years to win approval of a luxury condo-hotel project near the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards. Los Angeles Times

L.A. AT LARGE

Back to work: Southern California Gas Co. wants to start injecting gas back into Aliso Canyon. State environmental regulators have yet to give their OK. We will thoroughly review all the information and data, conduct independent site inspections, seek public feedback and the opinion of outside experts before making any determination, the Department of Conservation said in a statement. Los Angeles Times

Allegations of harassment: Comedian Heather McDonald is calling out University of California regent Norman J. Pattiz for his inappropriate comments toward women. For his part, Pattiz apologized for a remark he made to McDonald about her breasts. I can assure you that you can teach an old dog new tricks, he said. Los Angeles Times

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Campaign update: Columnist Steve Lopez went to Pismo Beach to check on the reelection of Councilman Erik Howell, who is also a member of the Coastal Commission. Mystery ensued. Los Angeles Times

Strategist hired: Former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa hired San Francisco consultant (and former Gavin Newsom confidant) Eric Jaye as he ponders a 2018 gubernatorial campaign. Politico

Say cheese: The ACLU of Northern California is fighting for voters who want to snap a selfie with their ballot. The practice is illegal, though a law taking effect on Jan. 1 will change that. The secretary of state encourages voters who feel the need to publicize the completion of their civic duty to take a picture with the I Voted sticker. Los Angeles Times

Transit funds: L.A. City Councilman (and Metro board member) Paul Krekorian makes the case for Measure M in this op-ed. This is a defining moment for the San Fernando Valley. Measure M presents the best opportunity weve had in our lifetime to build the type of effective, affordable and connected transit system that the Valley needs and deserves, he writes. Daily News

Nice work: Meet the BART janitor who made $270,000 in pay and benefits last year. Mercury News

CRIME AND COURTS

Policing the police: The L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to create a nine-member civilian panel to oversee the Sheriffs Department. The commissions work will focus on policy rather than disciplinary issues. One supervisor rejected criticism that the panel will lack independence because while the commission answers to the supervisors, the supervisors have certain leverage  such as control over the Sheriffs budget. Los Angeles Times

Speaking up: The woman who was raped by former Stanford student Brock Turner was named a Woman of the Year by Glamour magazine. In a new essay, the woman, whose identity has not been revealed, describes what happened after Turner was sentenced to six months in jail. Glamour

On fire: It was one of the most controversial buildings in Los Angeles. Did an arsonist burn it down? And if so why? LA Weekly

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Conservation efforts: Californians did a better job of saving water in September. I am glad to see the slide stop, and even reverse a bit overall, especially as we move into traditionally lower water-use months when we would expect [savings] percentages to drop significantly, said state Water Resources Control Board Chairwoman Felicia Marcus. Los Angeles Times

Lessons learned: What Australia can teach California about the drought. New York Times

Getting hot in here: Daytime temperatures will climb into the 80s today in Southern California. And the Santa Ana winds are about to start blowing. The San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys can expect winds of 15 to 25 mph. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Young musicians: Gustavo Dudamels Youth Orchestra Los Angeles went to Oakland this week. There was the undeniable thrill Sunday of seeing accomplished young musicians who began with cardboard violins and the like a decade ago having become a genuine orchestra with its own distinctive look, style and sound, writes music critic Mark Swed. Los Angeles Times

Down the slide: How a marble and a video can show off the Millennium Towers tilt. SFGate

Eureka! The midnight bath that led to this Marilyn Monroe-inspired parody. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

San Diego will be mostly sunny with a high of 73 degrees. Los Angeles will be 79 and sunny. Riverside will have a high of 80 degrees and a breeze. San Francisco will be 71 and mostly sunny. Sacramento will begin the day with fog before reaching a high of 68 degrees.

AND FINALLY

Todays California Memory comes from Gisele Rainer:

When I was in the 4th grade at Havens Elementary in Piedmont, we were studying the Gold Rush. Mom invited my best friends to come with us one Saturday to Angels Camp to pan for gold and see the Jumping Frog Contest. We almost peed our pants when each of us found a big chunk of craggy gold in our pan. Only years later did my aunt explain that the week before our outing, Mom had had all her gold fillings replaced with porcelain ones.

If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Alice Walton or Shelby Grad.
Ask a chef what he or she cooks at home and more often than not, the reply will be nothing. After a grueling 14 hours or more at the restaurant, standing in front of a stove at home isnt appealing.

For James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur Nancy Silverton, it took a break in Italy about 15 years ago, when she rented an apartment on the Umbria-Tuscany border, for her to get back into the kitchen. Today, Silverton, long known for opening La Brea Bakery and Campanile with then husband, Mark Peele, owns a home in Umbria and has since reclaimed her home cooking mojo, both in Italy and in Los Angeles, where she was raised and still lives.

What Silverton calls a perfect storm that blew me back into the kitchen was the bounty she found in Italys local ingredients to cook food she loved for visiting family and friends. That has now translated into her new book, Mozza at Home (Knopf, $35).

Mozza book signing

Nancy Silverton and her San Diego co-author, Carolynn Carreno, will be featured at a Good Earth/Great Chefs book signing event.

When: Sunday, Nov. 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Where: Chino Farm, 6123 Calzada del Bosque in Rancho Santa Fe

Details: For this free event, a crew of chefs from Silvertons restaurants and artisan cheese makers from family-owned Di Stefano Cheese will prepare seasonal dishes from the book using Chino Farm produce. In addition, Box Canyon band will perform bluegrass music.

Copies of Mozza At Home will be available for purchase; the authors will only sign books purchased at the event.

Info: https://www.goodearthgreatchefs.com

Lest you think that the menus and truly accessible recipes in the book are from Osteria Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza, Chi Spacca or Mozza2Go, the restaurants she co-owns with Mario Battali and Joseph Bastianach, they arent. Mozza is a recognizable name, so the publisher wanted it on the cover, she explained. A food writer said this should actually be called Nancy at Home. This book represents how I cook at home versus how we cook at the restaurants.

When I entertain at home in L.A. and even more in Italy because I have much more time, I never have a formal sit-down dinner where courses are put out and individually plated. The food is served family style at room temperature, so Im not fighting to get it on the table while its still hot.

Because her guests come and go as they please, Silverton said, the food is meant to last. So she stays away from anything fragile. As an example, she explained that she wont make arugula salad, which when dressed has a life of about five minutes. Instead, shell fill a bowl with greens  even arugula  and place bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, bowls of lemon and sea salt, a hunk of cheese and a grater, and then let her guests dress their own salad. Everything is sturdy, meant to last, and is as good at room temperature as out of the oven.

Not surprisingly, Silverton is no fan of potlucks. She wants to make sure that the dishes she serves all work well together  a potentially fatal potluck flaw. So, the books structure reflects this attitude. I pick the protein, the star, and the rest is sort of the supporting cast. So, in almost every chapter youll find grilled lamb or eggs or oven-roasted grouper, followed by several recipes that complement that main dish. Of course, she said, with gorgeous produce, you could easily forget about the proteins and just make meals of the side dishes.

At home, Silvertons favorite spread is focused around hamburgers. I do it time after time. I have a great outdoor grill thats a fireplace built into the house and a focal point. Unless youre not a meat eater, hamburgers are at the top of peoples list. And you can lay out so many accompaniments that people have fun comparing what theyve made.

So, in Mozza at Homes burger spread, Silverton includes Spicy Tarragon Mustard, Potato Chips With Atomic Horseradish Cream, Iceberg Wedge Salad With Gorgonzola Dressing, Sliced Heirloom Tomatoes With Sweet Onion Dressing and Spicy Cucumber Pickles.

Silverton, who when shes not traveling can be found in the cold kitchen behind Osteria Mozzas mozzarella bar, is a big fan of writing a prep list the morning of the day shes entertaining or the day before and certainly shopping before then. Nothing is more satisfying than crossing items off the prep list, she said.

The other thing she emphasizes home cooks should do is pick and choose dishes based on the kitchen setup. If you dont have burners that work, dont make a dish that requires sauting. Streamline to the constraints of your kitchen. She advises planning the menu wisely, diversifying between the oven and burners to avoid chaos  especially for Thanksgiving. Silvertons also big on making dishes like pesto ahead of time. And, while she doesnt like potlucks, shes all about grabbing friends to help.

Silverton especially loves a good buffet. All the work is done by the time the guests show up, she said. The vibe of a buffet is so much less intimidating. And theres more sharing. The buffet is like the office water cooler. People talk while theyre getting their food so you learn the most while standing around.

Golden is a San Diego freelance food writer and blogger.

Roasted Carrot and Wheat Berry Salad With Dill

I call for wheat berries here, but you could use any chewy grain, such as farro, barley, rye berries, freekeh or spelt. Use long, slender carrots, such as those you find at farmers markets or those sold with the tops on at supermarkets. I spoon half of the grains onto the bottom of the platter and toss the other half with the carrots. It looks prettier this way, and I like the idea of people digging in for more.

Serves 6 to 8

2 tablespoons kosher salt

cup wheat berries (or farro, barley, rye berries, freekeh, or spelt), soaked overnight and drained

3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 pounds slender carrots (3 to 4 bunches; weighed with tops)

10 to 12 medium or large garlic cloves, peeled

10 fresh thyme sprigs

cup fresh dill sprigs, chopped, plus a few sprigs for garnish

Finishing-quality extra-virgin olive oil

Maldon sea salt (or another flaky sea salt such as fleur de sel)

Bring 1 quart water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the kosher salt and the wheat berries and return the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the wheat berries are al dente, 30 to 50 minutes. (Cooking time varies greatly, depending on the freshness of the grains.) Drain the wheat berries in a colander and transfer them to a small bowl. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons of the olive oil and toss gently to coat the grains. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

Adjust the oven racks so none is near the oven floor; youll be putting the baking sheet directly on the oven floor. If you are using an electric oven or another oven where you cant put anything on the floor, adjust the oven racks so that one is closest to the floor and put a pizza stone on it, if you have one. Preheat the oven to 500F.

Scrub the carrots and cut off the greens, leaving the last 34 inch of the stems attached. Cut the carrots in half lengthwise (quarter them if youre using larger carrots) and put them in a large bowl. Drizzle the carrots with the remaining 3 tablespoons oil, sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon kosher salt, and toss to coat them. Lay the carrots, cut side down, on a baking sheet. Toss the garlic and thyme in the bowl you tossed the carrots in and coat them with the oil left in the bowl. Scatter the garlic cloves and thyme sprigs around the carrots, taking care that the garlic has as little contact with the tray as possible so it doesnt burn. Put the baking sheet on the floor of the oven or the lowest rack and roast the carrots and garlic until the carrots are fork-tender but not mushy, 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the baking sheet and rotating it front to back halfway through the cooking time so the carrots and garlic brown evenly. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and set it aside to cool to room temperature. (When cooking vegetables on the oven floor, a lot of steam is produced from the water released as a result of the vegetables cooking so quickly, so be careful of the steam that will arise when you open the oven door.)

Remove and discard the thyme sprigs and transfer the carrots and garlic to a large bowl. Add the chopped dill and toss gently to distribute it evenly. Add half of the wheat berries and toss again gently to distribute them.

Sicilian Swordfish Spiedini

Spiedini means skewers in Italian. The first place in Italy that I saw spiedini was Sicily, where you see assembled spiedini of meat and fish varieties for people to buy to cook at home. This recipe is based on those we serve at Chi Spacca, but we use amberjack, a steaklike fish similar to swordfish. Because amberjack can prove elusive to the home cook, we adapted this recipe to work with swordfish or ahi tuna.

Serves 6 to 8

For the marinade

2 cups packed fresh Italian parsley leaves

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

10 large garlic cloves, peeled

teaspoon red chile flakes

For the spiedini

1 pounds zucchini

48 to 60 fresh bay leaves

3 pounds (1 -inch-thick) skinless swordfish or ahi tuna steaks (or amberjack), cut into 1- to 2-inch cubes

4 lemons

Oil for brushing the lemons

2 teaspoons kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Finishing-quality extra-virgin olive oil

Maldon sea salt (or another flaky sea salt such as fleur de sel)

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves (from about 2 tablespoons packed whole leaves)

To make the marinade, combine the parsley, olive oil, garlic and red chile flakes in the bowl of a mini food processor fitted with a metal blade or in the jar of a blender and pure. Set aside.

To prepare the spiedini, cut the stems and tips off each zucchini and slice 1/8 inch thick lengthwise on a mandoline.

Organize the zucchini slices, bay leaves, fish cubes and skewers (see headnote) on a flat work surface to create an assembly line. Building one skewer at a time, put a bay leaf on a skewer, pushing the leaf toward the bottom of the skewer. Stack two zucchini slices, roll them like a fruit roll-up, and spear them on the skewer, pushing the rolled zucchini slices to meet the bay leaf. Add another bay leaf, then a cube of fish. Build two more layers, adding another bay leaf, doubled zucchini-slice roll, bay leaf, a second cube of fish, bay leaf, zucchini roll, bay leaf, third cube of fish, bay leaf, zucchini roll, and finishing with a bay leaf. Assemble all of the skewers in the same way.

Divide the spiedini between two large sealable plastic bags, taking care not to puncture the bags with the skewers, or put them in a large nonreactive baking dish. Pour the marinade into the bags, dividing it evenly, or over the skewers in the dish. Turn the spiedini to coat the fish on all sides and gently massage the marinade into the fish with your hands. If you are marinating the fish in bags, put the bags in a baking dish to catch any marinade that might leak out of them. Set the fish aside to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours. Bring the spiedini to room temperature before grilling.

Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal or gas grill. Alternatively, preheat a square or rectangular grill pan over high heat. Cooking method and times will be the same as for grilling.

Cut the lemons in half through the middle and cut 1/2 inch off the pointed ends so each lemon half has two flat surfaces. Brush both cut ends of the lemon halves with the olive oil.

Remove the spiedini from the marinade. Sprinkle with the kosher salt and a light coat of pepper; discard the marinade. Put the spiedini on the grill or in the grill pan and cook for 14 to 16 minutes for swordfish, about 12 minutes for tuna, turning the skewers halfway through the cooking time to cook both sides evenly, until the fish is cooked through. It will be firm to the touch and no longer stick to the grill. (The most surefire way to test for doneness is to remove one cube of fish from a skewer and tear it open; its done when it is opaque throughout.) Remove the skewers from the grill as the fish is done.

While the spiedini are grilling, place the lemon halves on the grill or in the grill pan with the fish with the larger, middle side of the lemons facing down, for about 2 minutes, until the lemons are golden brown. Turn the lemon halves and cook the smaller sides for about 30 seconds just to warm them through.

To serve, lay the spiedini facing in one direction on a large rectangular square cutting board or platter. Drizzle the spiedini with finishing-quality olive oil and sprinkle them with sea salt and the parsley. Nestle the lemon halves, middle cut sides up, around the spiedini on the platter and serve  no serving utensil necessary.

Devils Food Rings With Spiced White Mountain Frosting

Every baker  or even just the occasional birthday cake maker  needs one classic chocolate cake recipe that he or she cant live without. For me, this devils food cake is that recipe. Its everything I want a chocolate cake to be: moist, light, and so chocolaty its almost black. You will need two full-size doughnut pans to make these. You could get away with using only one mold; it just means youll have to bake the rings in more batches. Making the frosting requires a candy thermometer to cook the sugar to the accurate temperature.

Serves 12 to 24; makes 48 little cakes

For the cake rings

Nonstick cooking spray

1/3 cup quality cocoa powder (preferably Valrhona or another quality brand; not Dutch process cocoa powder)

1 1/3 cups granulated sugar

1 1/3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 teaspoons baking soda

cup well-shaken buttermilk

cup plus 2 tablespoons canola oil (or another neutral-flavored oil)

1 extra-large egg

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

cup confectioners sugar for dusting

For the frosting

2 extra-large egg whites

teaspoon ground cinnamon

teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

cup light corn syrup

cup granulated sugar

1 vanilla bean (or 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract)

To make the cake rings, adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray the doughnut mold pans liberally with nonstick cooking spray.

Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl and place a medium bowl in the ice bath. Mix the cocoa powder with 3/4 cup water in a small saucepan and bring the water to a boil over high heat, whisking constantly, until smooth. Pour the cocoa syrup into the smaller bowl and let it chill completely in the ice bath.

Meanwhile, combine the granulated sugar, flour and baking soda in a large bowl.

Once it is chilled, remove the bowl with the cocoa syrup from the ice bath and add the buttermilk, canola oil, egg and vanilla and whisk to combine the ingredients. Add to the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix with a whisk or rubber spatula until the flour is no longer visible.

Ladle 2 tablespoons of batter into each mold and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cake pulls away from the sides of the mold, rotating the pan from front to back halfway through the baking time. Remove the pan from the oven and set it aside for about 15 minutes. Flip the cake rings out of the molds onto a baking sheet so the side that was facing down is facing up. Bake the remaining batch the same way, spraying the molds before filling them between batches. You can bake the cake rings up to several hours in advance of serving them. Just before serving them, pour the confectioners sugar into a fine-mesh strainer and lightly dust the cake rings with the sugar.

To make the frosting, put the egg whites, cinnamon and nutmeg in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and set aside.

Fasten a candy thermometer to the side of a small saucepan and add the corn syrup, 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons water.

Using a small sharp knife, split the vanilla bean lengthwise. Use the back of the knife to scrape out the pulp and seeds and add the scrapings and the bean to the saucepan. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat. Boil without stirring until the granulated sugar dissolves and the mixture registers 240 degrees (soft ball stage) on the thermometer, about 5 minutes; dip a pastry brush in water and brush down the sides of the pan to clean off the sugar crystals that will form there as the sugar boils. Turn off the heat and remove and discard the vanilla bean.

About 2 minutes after the sugar mixture starts boiling, or when you begin to see bursting bubbles on the surface, begin whipping the egg whites and spices on low speed until they are frothy. Increase the speed to medium and continue to beat until soft peaks form. Increase the speed to high, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, and gradually beat until stiff, glossy peaks form. When the sugar syrup has reached 240 degrees F, pour it down the side of the bowl in a very thin, steady stream, beating at high speed until the meringue is shiny and stiff, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the vanilla, if you are using it, and reduce the speed to medium and beat until the outside of the bowl is cool to the touch. The meringue will be very smooth and stand in very stiff peaks.

To serve, use a rubber spatula to scoop the frosting into a medium serving bowl, using the spatula to create natural-looking peaks and swirls in the frosting, like a snow-covered mountain. Stack the cakes two or three high on a cake stand and serve with the frosting on the side and a large spoon for people to serve themselves.

Recipes excerpted with permission from Mozza at Home by Nancy Silverton (Knopf).
A Superior Court judge on Wednesday denied a request to reduce bail for a Navy man accused of driving drunk and plunging off the San Diego-Coronado Bridge last month, killing four people.

Richard Anthony Sepolio, 24, remains held in county jail in lieu of $2 million bail. He faces four counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI charges, stemming from the Oct. 15 incident in Chicano Park.

Sepolio is a Navy aviation technician stationed at North Island in Coronado.

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At the Wednesday morning bail review hearing, San Diego Superior Court Judge Frederick Maguire also denied a defense lawyers request to place the defendant in the care of the military because of his medical issues.

Attorney Paul Pfingst said he wanted his client transferred to the Navy base so that he could receive the surgical attention he needs and is not getting in jail.

Sepolio, who appeared in court wearing a neck brace, has fractured vertebrae, ribs and a broken hand, Pfingst said.

The defendant is accused of losing control of his pickup while transitioning from northbound Interstate 5 onto the bridge about 3:45 p.m. on Oct. 15.

The truck crashed through a barrier wall next to traffic lanes and landed in the park, which was packed with about 3,000 people.

Cruz Contreras, 52, and his wife, Annamarie Contreras, 50, of Chandler, Ariz., were killed, as were Andre Banks, 49, and his wife, Francine Jimenez, 46, of Hacienda Heights.

Sepolio and three other people were hospitalized with major injuries, according to the District Attorneys Office. Five other people were treated for lesser injuries.

Deputy District Attorney Cally Bright said at Sepolios arraignment that he had a 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level half an hour after the crash. That is the legal limit for drivers in California.

The prosecutor said Sepolio and a friend had taken an Uber ride to a restaurant that day, where they had a bottle of wine and cocktails. After they returned to the friends apartment, she urged Sepolio not to drive home to Coronado because hed been drinking.

Pfingst said Wednesday that his client was given a breath test shortly after the incident that showed his blood-alcohol content measured 0.05 percent, and a second test a minute later that measured 0.06 percent.

An hour later, a blood test showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.08 percent.

Pfingst stressed that the earliest test  the one that happened nearest to the time of the crash  showed Sepolio was not under the influence at the time he was driving the pickup.

No evidence shows that his driving was anything other than him trying to avoid another driver on the bridge, the attorney said in an interview after the hearing.

Sepolio has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He faces up to 23 years and eight months in prison if convicted.

dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @danalittlefield
San Diego Community College District is recognizing veterans this month with a barbecue, readings of original work, a food drive and other events.

The districts Continuing Education branch opened a new resource center for veterans Tuesday at its Educational Cultural Complex in Mountain View, and San Diego City Colleges Veterans Service Center is sponsoring a food drive to support student veterans throughout the month.

Non-perishable food can be dropped off at room L-106 at City College, 131 Park Blvd. Students also can drop by a Peer Educator table in the quad between the Arts & Humanities and Business & Technology buildings from Nov. 1-10 to make a paracord survival bracelet or write a letter of gratitude to active military.

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On Thursday at City College, veterans enrolled at the school will read their first-person accounts of returning home from active duty. Incoming: Veteran Writers on Returning Home is sponsored by the schools English Department and will be held from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. in room M-162 at City College, 1313 Park Blvd.

On Nov. 8, Mesa College will hold a barbecue and open house at its Veterans Resource Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by a career resources event for veterans from 2 to 3 p.m.

City College will hold a Boots to Suits career workshop for veterans at 1 p.m. Nov. 9 in room M-101. Also that day, veterans at Mesa College will participate in a panel discussion called Stories from Our Past from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in room 211-A of Mesa College, 7250 Mesa College Drive. From 4 to 5 p.m. that day, veterans can learn about transfer options at Mesas Veterans Resource Center.

The City College Cosmetology Department will provide free haircuts to student veterans from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 10 in room V-112 of the Career Technology Center, 16th and C streets downtown.

Mesa Colleges Transfer Center will hold a Transfer Drop-Ins for Veterans event from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Transfer Center.

Schools are off for Veterans Day on Nov. 11, so ceremonies marking the holiday will be held Nov. 10

City College will hold its ceremony 10:30 a.m. Nov. 10 at Curran Plaza on campus, and Miramar College has scheduled its ceremony for 12:30 p.m. in the Student Services Building.

City Colleges Counseling Department will hold a program to help student veterans with academic planning at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 17 in room M-201A.

gary.warth@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @GaryWarthUT

760-529-4939
Nora Phillips stood five miles from the United States border in a hilltop neighborhood of cinderblock homes and low swooping electrical lines.

Inside the migrant shelter, hundreds of Mexicans, Central Americans and Haitians crowded, desperate for a way to cross into the U.S.  legally.

Merci pour votre patience, Phillips, 35, said, thanking the French-speaking Haitians for their patience.

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Phillips, of East Los Angeles, was one of 45 immigration attorneys who had converged to hear their pleas.

Some had been deported before. Others were hoping to ask for asylum at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Some had tales that many would find sympathetic; a few had back stories that would make others cringe.

Phillips had persuaded the other attorneys  some from as far away as New York  into volunteering in early October for a two-day legal clinic in Tijuana.

At a minimum, in a democracy, you deserve to know what your rights are, said Phillips, who guzzled down orange DayQuil as she fought a cold. Her 5-year-old daughter tagged along for the clinic. My job as an attorney is to take a case at face value and assess whether you qualify for anything under the law that currently exists.

The work Phillips and the other attorneys undertook was far from new. But it happens at a time when, more than any time in recent memory, the issue of mass migration  whether by immigrants from Mexico and Central America or refugees from Syria and other parts of the world  is generating intense global anxiety and setting the tenor for a presidential election.

Attorney Nora Phillips brought together attorneys and advocates to counsel immigrants at a clinic in Tijuana. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times )

I dont want to rip families apart, Hillary Clinton said during the last presidential debate, reiterating a promise to pass comprehensive immigration reform to give legal status to millions in the country.

Donald Trump, who has espoused building a giant wall at the border with Mexico, claims Clinton wants open borders and accuses those in the country illegally of cutting in line.

People are in line waiting to become a citizen, he said, and others should wait their turn and apply to get into the U.S. legally. Its unfair someone can run in across the border and become a citizen.

The people gathered at the shelter in Tijuana said they wanted to come to the U.S. legally. But unlike petitioners who are educated professionals who work for companies in places like Silicon Valley, these were freighted with the baggage that comes from being poor and dispossessed.

In the shelters courtyard, one of the volunteer attorneys, Troy Elder, spoke in Creole to half a dozen Haitian men sitting in a circle around him.

After the devastating earthquake in 2010, thousands of Haitians journeyed to a then-booming Brazil, seeking refuge. But after that countrys economy was hit by recession, many of the Haitians migrated to the Mexico-U.S. border, drawn by a U.S. policy of not deporting Haitians at that time.

Immigrants seeking a way into the United States wait to speak to attorneys at a two-day clinic at a shelter in Tijuana. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times )

In September, the Obama administration reversed that policy and announced that deportations of Haitians would resume because conditions in their homeland had improved.

But Elder told the men that there was a chance that the destruction caused by Hurricane Matthew would prompt the U.S. to put the brakes  at least for a while  on deportations.

Maybe the policy will reverse in the next few days. Just wait, he told them, correctly predicting a delay in the deportation policy.

Those arguing for stricter immigration limits claim the efforts of people like Phillips enable unwanted immigration, while overwhelming courtrooms with dubious asylum claims.

The sheer volume of such claims is being used to tie up the courts, which works to the advantage of those trying to game the system, said Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the immigration restriction group Federation for American Immigration Reform.

Attorney Nora Phillips, center, is hugged by attorney Tania Vargas as Jorge Gutierrez looks on during an immigration clinic in Tijuana. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times )

Though unusual among those at the shelter, the case of Jose de Jesus Duarte Gonzalez  a Mexican man who has been deported on multiple occasions, including about a month ago  would be especially polarizing at a most polarizing time.

Duarte said he was desperate to get back to the U.S. to reunite with his 8-year-old son, Christian, who has Down syndrome. Duartes wife had just died of a heart attack at their Phoenix home, he said, so the boy was left without parents.

But Duarte had served prison time for domestic violence before his most recent expulsion. He blamed himself for that, as well as for a DUI charge.

I regret everything I did, he said. But my son shouldnt suffer because of it.

Juan Carlos Pallares, an immigration attorney from Long Beach, referred Duarte to two attorneys in Arizona  but he did not send him off with much hope. Because of his dubious history, Duartes chances of being allowed to legally return to the U.S. were slim.

Children wait while their parents consult with attorneys and advocates at an immigration clinic in Tijuana. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times )

Without referring to Duarte, Phillips said there were some people she could not advocate for. And even if she did, she said, they would have virtually no chance of qualifying to reenter the U.S.

I think that there are some individuals who have done really awful things and should not be in the U.S.  I believe they are a danger, she said. If you are my client, I will advocate like hell for you but there are some cases where Im not going to be able to advocate.

Then there are other people who simply dont have strong enough cases.

A lot of times the advice is you really dont qualify for anything. You dont have any relief, Phillips said, adding that a condition of the legal clinics is that the person be low income.

The attorneys help those deemed good candidates for relief to obtain pro bono representation and prepare them to give themselves up at the San Diego Port of Entry.

Attorney Troy Elder, speaking Creole, talks to a group of Haitian men seeking to enter the United States. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times )

Through a Spanish-language interpreter, volunteer and Laguna Niguel resident Iris Anderson told Jhanny Rolando Seoanes Chavez that if she were to pass a credible fear interview with immigration officials, she would probably have to remain in a detention facility for months.

Seoanes is a transgender woman who fled Honduras after her father kicked her in the face and dislocated her jaw when she came out to him as a teenager. Initially she sought refuge in Guatemala, but she was often beaten and discriminated against because of her gender identity.

Seoanes made her way to Mexico after someone told her that she would be more accepted there. Instead, she said, she was raped by military officials in Oaxaca. When she reported the crime, she said officials didnt take her seriously and blamed her for provoking the rape.

Anderson and the interpreter told Seoanes to brace for the scrutiny.

Just focus on your fear and whats happened to you  that youve been raped and beaten and threatened with death, Anderson told her.

The United States is the only place where I think I will be fine being myself and not be persecuted, hurt or discriminated against, Seoanes said. Ill no longer live in fear.

Outside, Alejandra, a 25-year-old from Veracruz, tried to corral her 6-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son in the shelters courtyard as her boyfriend held their napping 1-year-old son.

Alejandra didnt want to give her last name because she said her life was in danger. She said her family was on the run from her former boyfriend who had beaten her so badly hed dislocated her collarbone.

Hes crazy, and he has private detectives looking for me, she said. Ive tried to get help in my state but he just pays off officials and nothing happens to him.

One of the volunteers had filled out an intake form with all of Alejandras information. Theyd made a copy and written on it in all-capital letters for her to recite, I want a credible fear interview, highlighting it in yellow marker.

The woman plopped down a manila folder with dozens of documents.

I have all my proof here  police reports about how hes beaten me, she said.

But she was torn on whether to make the move. One of the volunteers had told her there was a good chance shed end up in detention and her two older children  both U.S. citizens would probably be taken away from her and placed with a family member in the U.S. or possibly in the foster care system.

Alejandra lingered for hours in the courtyard waiting for an attorney who had promised to help guide her further  possibly even taking her to the port of entry herself.

It was getting late and her two older children were cranky. They hadnt napped all day, Alejandra explained.

Phillips assured her in Spanish: Well get to you soon. I promise.

cindy.carcamo@latimes.com

Follow Cindy Carcamo on Twitter @thecindycarcamo
This year, one of the most consequential new laws passed by the California Legislature aims to be one of the worlds most ambitious efforts to combat climate change. A likely incoming member of the Legislature couldnt disagree more with that decision.

Randy Voepel, who will almost certainly be the next state assemblyman from northeastern San Diego, believes that climate change is good.

Our enemies are on the equator, Voepel told a reporter nine years ago, adding that a warmer climate would make it worse for them.

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Voepel still feels the same way. Most of the Muslim nations are in the hot areas of the world, Voepel said in an interview with The Times last week.

Voepel, the Republican mayor of the San Diego suburb of Santee, is preparing to replace termed-out Republican Brian Jones in the state Assembly later this year. Voepels opponent abandoned his campaign in April  too late to remove his name from the primary ballot  and has endorsed Voepel.

In the 71st Assembly District, which covers northeastern San Diego County and a small portion of Riverside, Republicans outnumber Democrats by nearly 15 percentage points. Voepel, a 66-year-old who is planning to retire from his insurance brokerage company after the November election, described himself as pretty right-wing.

But some of Voepels opinions and actions go further than the partys typical positions in California.

In his 16 years as Santee mayor, Voepel has had a series of notable statements and stunts:

He refused to give his autograph in response to an email request from someone claiming to be a Chinese national: I respectfully decline to cooperate in any way with what I consider to be an enemy of the United States, Voepel replied, describing the Chinese communist regime as an evil police state. Voepel signed his response, Best Capitalist Regards, Randy Voepel Mayor, The freedom and human rights City of Santee.

Chi-Coms are Chi-Coms, Voepel said in last weeks interview, referring to communists in China.



When the American Lung Assn. gave Santee a failing grade for allowing people to smoke in city parks, Voepel showed up to a City Council meeting wearing all black and a tie decorated with a lit cigar.

I say, F for Freedom, Voepel said last week. If youre stupid enough to smoke cigarettes, you should be able to do it.

In a television interview two years ago, Voepel blamed homeless residents for stripping copper out of a Santee park. I served two tours in Vietnam. And Im getting attacked here by the Viet Cong, stealing my copper, and I dont like it, Voepel said, waving a copper bar at the camera.

The analogy between a San Diego suburbs homeless population and a Vietnamese guerrilla force that fought the United States 40 years ago remains apt, Voepel said last week: They attacked in the dark of night.

Even before Voepels onetime opponent, local jeweler Leo Hamel, left the race, Voepel was the favorite to succeed Jones. Voepel has raised almost $300,000 and has been endorsed by Jones, the state GOP, Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes of Yucca Valley and 14 other sitting Republican lawmakers. Voepel topped the June primary with 60.2% of the vote.

Jones, who first met Voepel more than 15 years ago and served with him on the Santee City Council, believes Voepel will be a great legislator. Voepel, Jones said, has helped turn once-sleepy Santee into a draw for residents from all over eastern San Diego for its restaurants and other attractions. Jones, however, doesnt agree with what he called Voepels outlandish comments about climate change, homeless people and others.

Sometimes I just shake my head and move on and let Randy be Randy, Jones said. I dont think hes purposely trying to insult people. I think he thinks some of those things are ridiculous and he responds to those things with ridiculous statements.

Jones said lobbyists and others around the Capitol have already asked about Voepels antics. But he tells them that once people get used to Voepels personality, he should be able to govern well.

Voepel said he talks and acts like he does because of his service in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He said he grew up poor white trash in the backwoods of Missouri, and his time in the military improved him, he said.

Voepel said he served on the U.S.S. Buchanan during the 1972 Easter Offensive when the warship fought under sustained enemy fire. He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and stayed in the military for nine years before he felt ready to reenter civilian life, he said.

If you talk to veterans, combat veterans, we suffer for the rest of our lives, Voepel said. I use humor and hubris to make up for it. I feel a duty to remind people for all veterans that veterans are different. They will never be like you.

In Sacramento, Voepel said he hopes to serve on the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs. The first bill he plans to introduce will aim to improve state hiring preferences for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Voepel has another goal for his first years in the Legislature: Taking out Democrats.

Voepels plan, he told a gathering of a San Diego County chapter of the conservative California Republican Assembly interest group last year, is to start by determining which Democrats are weak.

What Im going to do, a year and a half into the term, if you elect me and endorse me, Im going to nail and identify the weakest Democrat seat in California, and then we will marshal every Republican insurgent to get rid of that Democrat, Voepel said, according to a recording of the meeting posted by an anonymously run anti-Voepel website.

This success, Voepel told the group, will lead to newfound prowess.

When I walk up the hall to talk to a Democrat after Ive killed one of their seats, how much respect do you think Im going to get? Voepel said. A whole lot. Its going to be Mr. Voepel. 

For their part, Assembly Democrats are not amused by Voepel.

Randy Voepel is exactly what is wrong with the direction of the Republican Party leaders, Steve Barkan, senior strategist for Assembly Democrats, said in a written statement. Hes another fringe, out-of-the-mainstream BULLY in a position of power, taking the GOP to the edge of his flat Earth.

Once he arrives in Sacramento, Voepel expects to be busy scheming against his enemies in the Legislature.

When they go to bed at night, Im up still plotting and planning, he said in the California Republican Assembly speech. My wife, Susan, will tell you, I sleep four hours a night. That makes me a dangerous man in the world. I got all those other hours to do stuff.

liam.dillon@latimes.com

Follow me at @dillonliam on Twitter

ALSO

Randy Voepel tops 71st Assembly race

Anonymous website attacks Voepel in his Assembly run

Santees mayor says he is done being a Republican
A man with severe facial injuries was found lying in the road by a Broadway bus bench in downtown San Diego early Wednesday, police said.

Officers werent sure if he was the victim of a crime or an accident.

He could have fallen off the bus bench, or been assaulted, San Diego police Officer Tony Martinez said.

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Police got a 911 call around 1:30 a.m. about an injured person in the road. Officers found the man, who appeared to be in his 60s, face-down in the street near a pair of bus benches at Eighth Avenue, Martinez said.

The mans face was bleeding and he was unconscious. He was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, Martinez said.

Officers cordoned off Broadway between Eighth and Ninth avenues and investigated for nearly five hours. They found no evidence of a crime, Martinez said.

Police detained a man who was near the victim when they got there, but released him later, Martinez said.

He said homicide investigators were not called in, as is often done when a person suffers life-threatening injuries under suspicious circumstances.
A man accused of brutally sexually assaulting two women in August was arrested Thursday in Arizona, San Diego police said.

A Crime Stoppers tip led members of the Arizona Wanted Violent Offender Task Force to a residential area of Tolleson, Arizona where they took Jeremiah Williams into custody about 2 p.m. He was booked into Maricopa County Jail on outstanding warrants related to the sexual assaults, and will be sent to San Diego to face charges.

Williams, now 25, is suspected of following a young woman to her University City apartment, forcing her inside and sexually assaulted her on August 13. The next night, he is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a Motel 6 in Grantville.

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The first victim, in her 20s, was dropped off at the Venetian Apartments on Nobel Drive near Regents Road about 10:30 p.m. after attending a beach barbecue, San Diego police Lt. Paul Phillips said.

She started walking home through a well-lit parking garage when she noticed a man was following her. She thought she could escape into her apartment, but as she was unlocking her door the man knocked her to the ground.

Her attacker pulled out a gun and demanded she give him money. After she did so, he forced her inside while choking her and sexually assaulted her. The victim was hospitalized with injuries that included face fractures.

The next night, police were called about a disturbance at the Motel 6 on Alvarado Canyon Road about 10:45 p.m. Officers detained a man nearby, later identified as Williams. Investigators found a bloody mess in one of the motels rooms, but they couldnt locate a victim.

Williams, who was carrying a firearm, was cited for the weapon and released.

Three days later, a woman went to a hospital and said shed been sexually at the Grantville motel. Soon after, officers identified Williams as a suspect in both sexual assaults.

Phillips said law enforcement agencies in several states assisted in the suspects arrest.

Twitter: @LAWinkley

(619) 293-1546

lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com
In 2008, then-Councilman Kevin Faulconer helped secure the passage of Proposition C by telling San Diego voters they were saving Mission Bay Park with a yes vote by requiring that only 25 percent of the lease revenues generated over $20 million in Mission Bay Park could be spent outside the park.

After decades of San Diego officials diverting money from the park to other projects, Faulconer worked with then-Councilwoman Donna Frye and Bob Ottilie, a former chairman of the Mission Bay Park Committee, to get two-thirds of San Diego voters to support the measure over concerns from park activists who said the proposal and its list of priority projects were drafted too quickly with too little public input.

Now as mayor, Faulconer is urging voters to approve Measure J so 35 percent of the Mission Bay Park lease revenues could be spent outside the park on regional parks such as Balboa Park, Mission Trails and others.

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And Frye and Ottilie are upset that the measure was  wait for it  drafted too quickly with too little public input.

The measure was announced with fanfare by the mayor on June 30 and put on the ballot by a vote of the San Diego City Council just 11 days later.

Proposition C is set to expire in 2039. Measure J would push the expiration date to 2069. If approved by a simple majority of voters, it would allow the city to use 10 percent more of the lease revenue from SeaWorld, hotels, campgrounds, a recreation vehicle park and other uses to fund projects outside the park. Faulconer stresses that this will allow the city to borrow more money against these projected revenues for a number of projects, but this editorial board has reservations, similar to what it expressed in 2008, about tying up city revenues for the next 53 years.

Also, that two of the three main proponents of the 2008 measure cant accept its extension tells this editorial board that the mayor missed an opportunity to work with Frye and Ottilie to ensure this 2016 ballot-measure campaign would be as successful as their 2008 campaign. Instead, the chorus of critics seems to be growing as Election Day approaches, with the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, the local chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and the Pacific Beach Town Council now also opposed.

If the current measure doesnt expire until 2039, it seems theres no reason to rush this change through city government and little harm in ensuring that some of the people who care most passionately about Mission Bay Park dont feel left out. Faulconer is in office for four more years, and six of the nine members of the City Council who agreed to put it on the ballot will be in office for at least the next two years. Theres time to reconsider this.

San Diego has experienced too many budget emergencies over the years to lock up this kind of funding for so many decades, especially without the people closest to the issue feeling the proposal has been fully vetted.

We recommend a no vote on Measure J.

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

Facebook: UTOpinion
Under a provision that voters wrote into the California Constitution in 1950, some public agencies are not allowed to spend money on units of subsidized housing for low-income residents without specific authorization of voters. The rule applies to the city of San Diego, its Housing Authority and its Housing Commission. Measure M would allow the city to increase by 38,680 the number of authorized units in particular categories from the present 10,500 limit.

The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board has long been critical of affordable housing programs in California for being akin to a lottery. They benefit some families while promoting the illusion that politicians are gaining on the Golden States housing crisis. Local housing officials are certainly well-meaning and have a constructive intent, but their programs have not kept housing affordable.

However, this week Union-Tribune columnist Dan McSwain made a persuasive case that affordable housing programs could play a strong role in addressing another crisis in San Diego: homelessness. Utahs use of the Housing First approach  in which the chronically homeless are given subsidized housing without having to change their behavior  appears to have worked extremely well and to have saved money, McSwain reported. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found the approach was effective in helping mentally ill homeless Canadians achieve housing stability. The National Association to End Homelessness issued a fact sheet in April that also concluded such programs are effective and save money.

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Yet according to Housing Commission records, less than 8 percent of the affordable housing units built from 2005 to 2015 were reserved for the homeless. If that percentage were significantly increased, it could make a big difference. Goaded by federal policies, City Hall seems to be moving in this direction. It shouldnt take such goading.

There is no immediate need for Measure M. San Diego is still about 3,250 units from the current cap of 10,500. But we endorse it nonetheless in the hopes that it provides a tool the city can use to reduce homelessness.

Just dont let anyone tell you that Measure M will help with Californias housing crisis. It wont.
I really do appreciate your endorsement of Hillary Clinton for president (Why Hillary Clinton is the safe choice for president, Sept. 30).

However, Im extremely disappointed in your endorsement of Darrell Issa. Although Im not in his district, Ive been very concerned about what I consider his total waste of thousands of hours and millions of taxpayer dollars doing investigations mostly into members of the current administration. During all of that, he has not turned up nor prosecuted one single indictment on anything.

Letters and commentary policy

The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy.

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E-mail letters@sduniontribune.com

Mail: Andrew Kleske, Reader Outreach Editor San Diego Union-Tribune P.O. Box 120191 San Diego, CA 92112-0191.

You can also leave a comment below

In a recent KPBS interview, when asked about this, his answer was, Im sorry we didnt do more investigations.

Col. Doug Applegate really deserves to oust this long-term congressman, who is a total embarrassment to San Diego County.

Jim Price

San Diego

* * *

Thank you for endorsing Congressman Issa. I was upset by the article by Michael Smolens (Barack Obama: Darrell Issas new best friend? Oct. 23).

I am a decorated, disabled World War II vet. Omaha Beach to the Battle of the Bulge and many hospitals after and got a medical discharge from a New York hospital where they gave me a uniform and $50. I was happy to get out, but 30 years later I got to wandering if I had earned any medals to show my children so I wrote the Defense Department, but could not overcome the bureaucracy. So I decided to write my congressman, who I had never met. Two weeks later I got a box with all my medals and proof that I had earned them.

I have been a friend of Darrell Issa ever since and have followed his career and have not written him because I like the way he votes. We need more like him.

George Pichel

Oceanside

Trumps accusers made very brave decisions

Doug Stuart (Readers weigh in on the latest election news, Oct. 29) does not believe the women who have come forward accusing Donald Trump of sexual assault, as he thinks that if the assaults really had happened, the women would have sued him at the time for his money.

On the contrary, most women dont want to be dragged through the mud in a trial that reminds them of the torrid details. They are fearful for their careers and that they wont be believed if the perpetrator is famous and well-liked.

The womens stories have been corroborated by people they told about the incidents at the time, a common journalistic practice. And now they are threatened with lawsuits by a wealthy, vengeful Trump, which is typical of him when his power is threatened.

These brave women are coming forward now in spite of all this to stop a lying sexual predator from becoming president of our wonderful country.

Sylvia Ollinger

Mira Mesa

Opposing views on the latest email kerfuffle

How disingenuous of Hillary Clinton to demand that the FBI release newly discovered emails possibly relevant to the investigation of her mishandling classified information.

Certainly if the FBI did release these, it could be accused of mishandling classified information. This is something it certainly couldnt do to prevent the further compromise of sensitive information.

Secretary Clinton suggests that classified information in her emails was not marked as required. Certainly the act of her or her affiliates entering this information onto an unclassified email system was an intentional violation of government regulations. Surely this charade calls into question Clintons ability to effectively serve as commander in chief.

Unfortunately, Donald Trump acquits himself no better. Oh to have a re-do on the nomination process, for surely the one weve completed has left us with no viable choices.

Bill Calderwood

North Clairemont

* * *

All ado about nothing, to paraphrase Shakespeare.

There are 1,000 emails on that laptop. It seems that they needed a court order to read them. That means nobody read those emails so why all the fuss about them? The FBI director should have gotten the court order and used the 200 agents who did the original investigation to read those emails, identify any suspicious ones and determine whether there is anything there that warrants further action.

This could be done in a few days. He should have done this before notifying Congress.

The letter caused havoc in the election and stock market without foundation or facts. Even before this fiasco, Director James Comey showed he was a partisan when he exonerated Clinton but criticized her carelessness. The role of the FBI is to investigate crimes, not to voice opinions on character.

Director Comey showed irresponsible behavior that is not acceptable from a man in his position. He should be removed from office.

Fred Parker

San Diego

Glad some talk sense on plastic bag issue

Thank you for the commentary by Matthew Harper (Plastic bag ban brings higher costs, Oct. 27) exposing the idiocy surrounding the banning of plastic shopping bags.

Its nice to see there are still some politicians who can make their decisions based upon facts. Its a pity we dont have many like that in San Diego.

Amir Tafla

Tierrasanta

Breen hit the right note on clawback cartoon

Regarding Adding insult to injury (Oct. 27): Steve Breens best effort. Thanks for your coverage on this most outrageous situation. If the information out so far is accurate, the Pentagon must make this right. No excuses.

Mary Ellett

El Cajon

Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook.
If Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Gary Johnson or Jill Stein dont get your vote for president of the United States, then who does? Welcome to the year of the write-in candidate.

One of the biggest names in the 2016 election to cast a vote for a write-in candidate, in a show of protest, is Ohio Gov. John Kasich. He wrote in 2008 Republican presidential candidate and Arizona Sen. John McCain.

https://twitter.com/FoxNews/status/793453371000705024

Kasichs symbolic vote for McCain, which some people are calling a wasted vote, shouldnt come as a surprise because he said in early October that Trump had lost his vote following the release of a tape in which the Republican presidential nominee bragged about sexually assaulting women.

And Kasich is not alone in casting a write-in vote. The presidential election has gotten so ugly and negative that many people seem to be voting for someone whose name is not on the ballot.

Among Republican voters, many people who are discontented with Trump are turning to either a previous presidential candidate such as Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) or a lesser known independent candidate such as Evan McMullin. Other Republican votes are going to George H.W. Bush or Ronald Reagan.

https://twitter.com/n_yang/status/789487942431494145

https://twitter.com/RogerPine2/status/792411476577267715

https://twitter.com/GAPolicyWonk/status/793508524760395776

https://twitter.com/adam_ford15/status/775823115788099585

https://twitter.com/DefyGravitty/status/791451090910842880

Among Democratic voters, many people who are not big fans of Clinton say they will write in Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

https://twitter.com/NotBadHuhh/status/793527164301959168

https://twitter.com/alienjenkins04/status/789625025859035136

https://twitter.com/HigginbothamAt/status/791390083182108672

In California, votes for write-in candidates count only when the names have been certified by the state and only a short list of names including McMullin and Sanders made it in the list, according to the Los Angeles Times. Voters must write-in the name of the presidential candidate and their vice presidential running mate,

Other write-in candidates qualified to receive votes in California include Laurence Kotlikoff for president and Edward Leamer for vice president, Mike Maturen for president and Juan Munoz for vice president, McMullin for president and Nathan Johnson for vice president, Sanders for president and Tulsi Gabbard for vice president, and Jerry White for president and Niles Niemuth for vice president.

At least you have options.

If you cast a vote for a write-in candidate, who will it be? Share your answers with us on Twitter at @SDUTideas or on Facebook.

Email: luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @RunGomez
Incumbent Congressman Scott Peters and his challenger, Denise Gitsham, debated a wide variety of issues in Rancho Bernardo, a face-off that several times drew responses from the audience.

The Oct. 27 debate for the 52nd Congressional District candidates was organized by the Rancho Bernardo Community Council and held in the Rancho Bernardo Library. The district includes Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch and Poway.

Both candidates said they would look for various ways to keep social security and Medicare solvent for future generations, with Republican Gitsham saying the programs payouts should be adjusted to reflect Americans longer life expectancy and Democrat Peters saying he would not take anything off the table when searching for a solution.

Regarding ways to address the countrys increasing debt, Peters said he wants a system where  with agreement of only 50 Congressional members  Congress and the president are forced to make decisions on lowering it instead of just talking about the situation.

Both sides bear responsibility for what is happening now, Gitsham said, adding she advocates for zero-based budgeting. Thats what we need in Washington, not just rhetoric. We have to force the legislators to categorize whats most important to them.

I agree with Denise ... we need a bipartisan approach; we need more of that, not less, Peters said on the first of several topics where the opponents found common ground during the hour-long debate.

But that sentiment did not last long, since by the next question about global trade they ardently disagreed on their ways to address free trade, intellectual property and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Gitsham criticized Peters vote that supported the Obama administrations fast-track authority to negotiate the TPP.

It was one of the most difficult votes taken, Peters said. Im proud of my vote ... to lower tariffs and sell American goods to other markets.

Gitsham said one should not vote for something supporting free trade for the sake of free trade and those who support Peters are giving up the opportunity to improve such deals, especially regarding intellectual property.

They also clashed on ways to improve the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), with Peters saying it just needs improvements, while Gitsham saying the free market is the way to drive down costs.

Gitsham also claimed that Peters knew two years ago that thousands of California National Guard members would have to pay back improperly paid bonuses and he, along with other Congressional members, did nothing to fix the problem. You knew what the consequences were and did nothing, she said.

Peters denied the accusation, saying he and fellow local Congressmembers Duncan D. Hunter, Susan Davis and Darrell Issa were all surprised when the situation recently became public through the media. Congress gets blamed for a lot, he said. We will fix this and all will get their money back.

Among other subjects they addressed were North Korea and its nuclear weapons threat to the U.S. and U.S. allies, global warming, abortion and immigration.

They did agree on how to win a long-term battle with fundamentalists extremists, with Peters saying one of the keys is keeping good relations with our Muslim community, but he added a dig at how Gitshams Republican Party presidential candidate, Donald Trump is fomenting attitudes in the opposite direction.

I cant agree more, hes absolutely right Gitsham said about Peters call for encouraging good relations with Muslims. She followed up by criticizing President Obama, saying he did not follow through when lines were crossed regarding human rights violations and told Peters he was focusing on who her presidential choice would be to take attention off your terrible record in Congress.

Gitsham refused to state her choice for president even after Peters tried to get her to state her choice several times and said he is voting for Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton.

When asked about gun control, Gitsham said she wants to enforce the laws that currently exist to the fullest extent and closing loopholes instead of adding more laws. She criticized a recent protest Peters participated in on the House floor when Democrats tried to get a vote on gun control. Peters said he wants to close background check loopholes and to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists. They did find common ground by saying if someone is on the no-fly list that person should also not be able to buy a gun.

Email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com
The city and Palomar College have signed off on a settlement agreement over the colleges future Rancho Bernardo campus.

Obviously its not perfect, but under state law we could not get everything we wanted, said City Councilman Mark Kersey when speaking to Rancho Bernardans on Oct. 27 prior to the Rancho Bernardo Community Councils meeting and the congressional debate it sponsored.

On June 14, Palomar Colleges governing board approved a project it has dubbed the South Education Center. The approval included certification of an environmental impact report for the future center located at 11111 Rancho Bernardo Road, with its driveway just across from Matinal Road and the Westwood neighborhood.

On July 15, the city filed a petition in San Diego Superior Court, challenging the projects approval and EIRs validity. Among the reliefs it sought was a court order setting aside the project approval and EIR certification under the California Environmental Quality Act.

The settlement  signed off by all parties late last week  includes several obligations that the district has agreed to in order to lessen potential negative impact on the nearby Westwood homes.

Among residents concerns  voiced since the college bought the 27-acre property in 2010 for $38.3 million  are that cash-strapped students will park in front of their homes and walk to the campus across the street to avoid a parking fee. Seeing how nearby Westwood streets have been filled with Waterbridge condo vehicles parked bumper-to-bumper for a decade, those living along Matinal Road and adjacent streets said they feared a similar situation caused by the college students.

Per the settlement, the district will not charge a parking fee during the first two semesters the college is open for classes. Plans call for it to open for the spring 2018 semester, eventually serving 2,000 full-time equivalent students.

The district will also include among its on-campus parking  thus far a 574-space parking garage and 218-space surface parking lot  eight electric vehicle charging stations and eight carpool/vanpool spaces in convenient locations to encourage their use.

It will also implement city-acceptable signal modifications at the intersection of Rancho Bernardo Road and Via del Campo plus install signage, in consultation with the city and CalTrans, to direct visitors and students to the campus and identify the location of on-campus parking.

The district is to develop and implement an ongoing good neighbor outreach program designed to educate students on the availability of on-campus parking and financial subsidies for purchasing parking passes. It is also to encourage students to park on-campus for their ease, convenience and safety, plus reinforce student respect and courteous behavior toward the Westwood neighborhood.

During the second semester of free parking, the district is to routinely monitor if students are parking in Westwood and continue monitoring once the parking fee is implemented to see if unacceptable parking congestion is occurring due to student vehicles.

Before monitoring begins, the district will hold a noticed public hearing to seek public comment, among other things. The goal of the monitoring activities, public hearings and Good Neighbor Outreach (program) shall be to foster open communication and positive relations between the District, the Project, its students and the local community, according to the agreement.

If a negative impact is found, the city can proceed with steps required to establish a residential permit parking district and Palomar will have to pay for the associated city costs, up to $10,000.

Kersey said if the city proceeds with conducting studies to establish a parking district  which some residents said they would like  resident comments will be sought. He called district formation an extreme step since it would require residents and their guests to have decals indicating they are allowed to park on the impacted streets.

He said the city will want antidotal accounts from residents if anything happens in their neighborhood, adding photos would be welcomed when a resident asked if thats what the city would want as proof.

Kersey said the process would not take as long to resolve as the still-ongoing Waterbridge situation has taken, saying as soon as we see negative impacts, within a year or two (there will be a solution).

Email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com
Cayo Rosario: Build ON Your Island, NOT Over the Citizen of Belizes Waters

Note: Work continues to be done by the local Hol Chan Marine reserve as well as local and international groups to stop this project at Cayo Rosario. They have been shut down for illegally dredging more than once. Please make sure to do ALL research before investing.

There is a small island on the gorgeous, practically untouched leeward side of Ambergris Caye. A few acre caye that has long been a well known rookery for all types of native and migrating birds  from cormorants to gorgeous bright pink roseate spoonbills. It has always been locally knowns as one of the Bird Cayes and was thought, for years, to be protected land or Crown Reserve.

This caye is Cayo Rosario  just behind Ambergris Caye on the leeward side. One of the cayes part of the chain of spectacular pink sandbars, one of the cayes crucial to the flyfishing guides and flyfishermen that spend millions on Ambergris Caye each year.

Watch this one minute long video showing how special this island ismangroves and fresh water inside for the nesting birds.

Just last week, a development plan was announced for this caye.

Sure they are only draftsbut 90 over the water structures in a marine reserve?

My goal in this post?

To show you how Cayo Rosario is an environmental gem, how it quite suspiciously switched from public lands to private hands, how the proposed development plan within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is absolutely OUTRAGEOUS and how the developers of this plan have a track record that we need to consider before the GOB allows them to develop anything in this country.

Map below: Cayo Rosario is Zone IV in the finalized expansion of Hol Chan Marine Reserve  Blackadore Caye is Zone V.

Stick with me. Ill try to use bullet points as much as possible just to simplify.

Cayo Rosario IS an Environmental Gem & Should Be Public Land

In 1969 the Belize Audubon society was opened and in this Audubon document from that year, the Florida Audubon vows to give assistance to Cayo Rosario in the preservation of bird species, such as the Roseate Spoonbill and towards setting aside of Cayo Rosario and

Cayos Pajaros for a breeding reserve for Roseate Spoonbills, Reddish Egrets and White Ibis.

Since the inception of Belize as a country, environmentally minded Belizeans have been trying to ensure that Rosario Cayo stayed in the governments hands as Crown Reserve. Green Reef, along with the Audubon Society, worked to have two cayes near Rosario, La Salones and Little Guana Caye, protected and petitioned for two more.

At the bottom of this post (Document One)  you can see the open letter written by Green Reefs president imploring the incoming government to buy back the bird islands after it was found out that they moved to private hands.

How did that switch from public to private happen?

Cayo Rosario Went From Public Land to Private Land in an Underhanded Way

Here is an article by Belize newspaper The Amandala, from 2010, about how the land changed hands (in early 2008)  from the Government of Belize to Canadian developer David Mitchell. It was given as compensation when Mr. Mitchell was sold a small island behind Caye Caulker  an island that was already in private hands.

A situation very similar to the one that recently caused Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega to step down.

It is alleged that David Mitchell paid $50,000 for a small caye off of Caye Caulker and in return was given large parcels of land on Ambergris Caye  and two small islands  one, Cayo Rosario.

Here is the article from 2010:

David Mitchell is a name very familiar to those on Ambergris Caye. He has been the developer behind the following projects:

Grand Belizean estates (the large piece of land on the leeward side of the island, well known for Secret Beach)

Costa Del Sol  the large piece of land/project that can be seen across the lagoon from San Pedro town. An area that was home to development, an Indian restaurant for a short period of time and huge plans for a deep water marina and golf course. Now all you can see are the remnants of partially constructed condos.

Sugar Caye  a property VERY controversially near the sewage treatment pond where mangroves were razed to make way for a public subdivision. 421 lots that were created to add much needed land to a growing population. (Another article Channel 7 Belize News) Now this land seems split  most vacant and the rest being used to construct the largest resort on the island.

At the inception of Sugar Caye, many environmentally friendly measures were promised in the face of protest  especially since the project was green lighted with no Environmental Impact Assessment.

Sugar Caye is described as what will be the largest mangrove planting and creation of new mangrove habitat in all of Belize in 2011.

Another example, you can find the developers touting the Riley method of seawall construction  named after Bob Riley of Mangrove.org.

Bob Riley later stated (on this AmbergrisCaye.com link) that he had not been consulted on the design of this seawall. In fact, they do not endorse the construction of seawalls at all

Who are The Cayo Rosario LLC Developers?

The is one thing that all these projects have in common is the lead salesperson, John Turley.

John Turley and his partner have now obtained Cayo Rosario from David Mitchell  though Mr Turley says that he has no knowledge of the circumstances under which Mitchell obtained the land.

Cayo Rosario LLC has two partners  ones you can find on this public SEC filing: Daniel Kalenov and John Turley. The two are also partners in Global Diversified Partners. Here is a Colorado cease and desist order that lists them as managing partners.

Watch the cartoon on the site home page  In 2 Minutes we explain why investing with us can help protect your financial future to see an brief summary of their methodology. I would argue that pulling your retirement savings out of stocks and bonds and re-investing your IRA or 401(k) in Belize real estate isnt the greatest idea unless you are YOUNG and can take on enormous risk.

Daniel Kalenovs bio is quite extensive  it states Hes raised millions of dollars for numerous real estate projects, including a top vacation rental firm in California, multiple town home developments in the Midwest, and the largest resort in Belize.

With another look at SEC filings, Mr Kalenov is a partner in a Colorado development project with a Robert Letson. Robert Letson (Button) was arrested in June 2016 for theft of $100,000,000USD.

There is no evidence to link that crime to Belize or to Kalenov  but it certainly suggests a poor choice of business partners.

Additionally, when I asked Mr. Kalenov about the plan for development at Rosario Caye, his direct email reply was: Unlike other projects in the area, this is not a resort consisting of massive overwater estates catering exclusively to the Hollywood elite. Our vision is to build modest bungalows over the water, a few bungalows/residential homes on land. The resort will be priced so as to be accessible to people of multiple socio-economic backgrounds, thus sharing the beauty of Belize with people looking for an experience which does not yet exist within her borders. 

Alternately, when I met with John Turley, his partner, less than 24 hours later, he told me that these over the water bungalows would be run by a 5-star resort and units would be $800 to $1000US a night.

This, to me, sounds a little bit like the Sugar Caye bait and switch  from affordable subdivision for the people to the islands largest resort.

For updates on all of these project highlighted above, please see the website for the Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development.

Lastly, we dont want to give the developer of Cayo Rosario a chance to propose 90 overwater structures in the first draft and then in a premeditated conciliatory gesture come back to the public with a new plan where they scale back to the size that they originally intended all along.

Thats not how the EIA process should work.

Cayo Rosario LLC Using the Blackadore Caye Precedent is Wrong  DEAD WRONG

Last week, a public meeting was announced, a pre-Environmental Impact Assessment meeting to discuss the plans for this development. Days later, it was changed to an a invitee only Stake Holder meeting and then 2 days later, postponed.

The reason for cancellation was the Blackadore EIA finalization and the need to review it before going forward.

To compare this project to Blackadore Caye and Restorative Islands plan is like comparing apples to oranges.

In short, Blackadore Caye (the island made famous in Belize for the partial ownership by Leonardo Di Caprio) announced a STATE OF THE ART environmentally revolutionary self contained project for the 110 acre island. The goal is ZERO waste. It will be a very high end resort/community but one that stands to put Belize at the forefront of green construction. Because of Leonardo DiCaprio, eyes around the world will be on the project.

Despite the GOBs okay on over-the-water structures (they proposed 3-4 acres of over-the-water buildings), the Blackadore team listened to the public and decided not to do OTW structures (For sale or rent) in the marine reserve.

Kudos to the Blackadore team.

Cayo Rosario is a totally different animal.

First and foremost in land size  Blackadore is 110 acres, Rosario is 10 acres (surveyed). Secondly, Blackadore is a sandbar with one mangrove tree and lots of scrubby grass and crabs. The team there wants to reintroduce the native flora back to the island.

Cayo Rosario is a densely packed mangrove island FILLED with nesting birds. There were some pretty horrifying reports by local fisherman and birders that when this island was initially privatized that thugs (my word) were sent to the island to hit nests out of trees and that dead baby chicks were on the ground.

You can take a look at the Department of the Environments Finalized Guidelines for Overwater Structures  there are quite a few that the Rosario proposed project appears to violate but let me name just a few.

14.5 To discourage proposals aimed at compensating for land shortage, all proponents will be required to leave as land reserve/open space, an area of land equivalent to or bigger than the area of the foot print of the overwater structures

14.7 To lesser the visual impact on the natural landscape, a maximum of 20% of the total length of sea frontage would be permitted for overwater structures

14.13 In order to maintain the exclusivity, and hence the uniqueness and strength of the niche market being targeted, the number of overwater structures allowed for any individual project will be kept at a minimum and properly managed by the Department of the Environment.

And some that must be kept in mind:

3.8 The overwater structure shall be limited to one story level.

14.2 No overwater structures will be allowed to be built over any section of the Belize Barrier Reefwill be severly restricted with the Marine protected areas

I could easily go on and on.

Lastly, the drafted plan for Cayo Rosario shows a pipeline under the water for electricity and sewage  a pipeline through a marine reserve that is 2.5 kms long.

Sewage running under the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Here is the map  just north of Secret Beach to Cayo Rosario.



So now they will not only be sinking countless pilings into a marine reserve and well used flyfishing flat but they will be running a submarine pipe route through the area as well.

What We Can Do About It

Show support in a non-partisan way  part of the negative feedback from the SAY NO TO OIL EXPLORATION protest was that it was driven by naysaying expats and by politically minded Belizean against the current regime. Its important that arguments against this project and against oil exploration and drilling be neither Red or Blue. But what you feel is right and wrong. Speak to your local government. As our island gets more and more crowded, each resident, each visitor is a key stakeholder.

For tour guides and boat captains, the people whose livelihoods depend on areas and reserves like this. Please keep an eye out for changes. Survey lines and markers, dredging or building. All projects need a permit  report any suspicious activity to the ACCSD and/or the Hol Chan Marine reserve office.

When EIA or pre-EIA meeting is announced, I encourage everyone to attend.

Lastly, I want to add an extremely intelligent and heartfelt open letter that was written in 2008 by Mito Paz, the President of Green Reef. It was a letter written to whichever political party was elected in the upcoming election. 8 years later it is as relevant today as it was then.

Note that the first request is for the government to buy back the Bird Cayes  for the fishing and because they are important breeding area of the roseate spoonbill and the largest known nesting colony of reddish egrets in Belize and possibly the entire Caribbean.

Subject: Is Tourism Doomed on This Island?

One last thing from me: Please put any comments/questions in the comment section of this post for all to see.
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Odessa, DE -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/02/2016 -- AutoAwards currently has 3.5 million members enrolled in dealer loyalty programs throughout the United States and Canada. Members earn loyalty points that can be redeemed at more than 350 participating dealerships, and the Keep it Local program allows them to also go to thousands of hand selected local merchants to receive exclusive discounts and savings on a daily basis.



"Dealerships are acting like a local Chamber of Commerce," says Chandler Greene, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, "connecting their members to local brick-and-mortar merchants such as restaurants, florists, dry cleaners and more. This is a powerful way for dealerships to make a meaningful impact in their community and provide value for the customers."



Dealerships who offer AutoAwards dealer loyalty programs to customers are empowered to hand select local merchants to become part of this interconnected network. It costs the merchants nothing to participate and, in response, they offer special deals for consumers who have an automotive loyalty program keycard from the participating dealership  and gain their business.



"This is an opportunity," adds Greene, "for dealerships to become the heartbeat of their local economy. It also provides creative opportunities for dealerships to sponsor food drives, host local events and otherwise make a significant difference in their communities. The Keep it Local program truly is unique in its co-branding and its impact on participating communities."



If you are a local merchant who is interested in participating, contact AutoAwards today to be connected with the appropriate dealerships in your area. Dealerships who are interested in becoming the Grand Central Station of their area should also contact AutoAwards to find out more about the automotive loyalty program that drives this local economic momentum.



About AutoAwards

Since our founding in 1991, AutoAwards by NuCar Consulting has been widely recognized as the industry-leader in automotive loyalty marketing, earning longstanding relationships with many of the industry's most successful dealer groups and OEMs.



AutoAwards has always recognized the need for top notch, highly creative, effective loyalty strategies in large and small businesses alike. For this reason, our automotive loyalty marketing expertise is engineered to meet the individual needs and goals of any business - regardless of its size. Contact us online to talk about dealer loyalty or call 302-696-6000.



Contact -

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Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/02/2016 -- An automotive natural gas vehicle uses compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an alternative to the diesel or petrol. A natural gas is widely used in lift trucks, buses, light and heavy duty trucks, motorcycles, cars, vans and locomotives.



A natural gas provides an economical and environmental friendly option over diesel or petrol. Currently, the penetration of automotive natural gas vehicle is less globally, but due to its operational advantages, in future the penetration is expected to increase globally.



Automotive Natural Gas Vehicle Market: Drivers and Challenges



Around the world, the governments have issued stringent regulations regarding the emissions and fuel efficiency. The global fossil fuel price has seen an increasing trend over the past 5-10 years. Due to these reasons, there is a growing demand for cheap and environmental friendly fuel alternative. Original equipment manufacturers of vehicles are promoting their products by showcasing the fuel efficiency and emission free features. This factor is fueling the demand for automotive natural gas vehicle market.



Request for sample report: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-530



High upfront purchase cost, low awareness in many countries are some of the factors which are inhibiting the growth of automotive natural gas vehicle market.



Automotive Natural Gas Vehicle Market: Overview



Currently, the automotive natural gas vehicle market is still in the nascent state, thought the market experienced growth in sales in last 3-4 years.



The global automotive natural gas vehicle market by volume is expected to expand at a CAGR of around 5-7% during the forecast period (2015-2025), due to stringent government emission regulations and growing demand for fuel efficient vehicles.



Automotive Natural Gas Vehicle Market: Segmentation



The global automotive natural gas vehicle market can be segmented by fuel type, by vehicle type and by regions



Based on Fuel Type, the global automotive natural gas vehicle market is segmented as:



Compressed Natural Gas

Liquefied Natural Gas



Based on Vehicle Type, the global automotive natural gas vehicle market is segmented as:



Passenger

Commercial



Automotive Natural Gas Vehicle Market: Region-wise Outlook



The global automotive natural gas vehicle market is expected to register a single-digit CAGR for the forecast period. Depending on geographic regions, global automotive energy recovery market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.In terms of market revenue, Asia Pacific automotive energy recovery market is projected to register a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Stable economic growth, growing automotive production, stringent government emission norms, changing consumer preferences, are some of the factors which are fueling the growth of automotive natural gas vehicle market in Asia Pacific. The significant demand for natural gas is from commercial vehicle segment in Asia Pacific. India, China and Iran are forecast to register a significant growth in the Asia Pacific automotive natural gas vehicle market, as these countries have significant network of gas infrastructure and CNG fueling network.



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In Europe, countries like Russia and Ukraine have a high demand for natural gas in trucks and buses. The Europe automotive natural gas vehicle market revenue is currently dominated by commercial vehicles. The government policies, subsidies, increasing fossil fuel prices, stringent environmental regulations are fueling the demand for automotive natural gas vehicle in Western and Eastern Europe.



In North America and Latin America, compressed natural gas is seeing the high demand. Currently, U.S.A. is dominating the North America automotive natural gas market by value, on the other hand, Columbia is dominating the Latin America automotive natural gas market by value.



Automotive Natural Gas Vehicle Market: Key Players



Some of the key market participants in global natural gas vehicle market are Ford Motor Company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, General Motors, Honda Motor Company, Volkswagen, Hyundai Motor Group, etc.
Cherry Hill, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/02/2016 -- Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling, a Cherry Hill, NJ-based company that offers heating repairs in Gloucester County, and many surrounding areas in New Jersey and Philadelphia, is pleased to announce that they are offering free energy assessments throughout fall 2016. The reason this is possible is because the company has once again been awarded with a multi-year contract for the Direct Install Program offered through New Jersey's Clean Energy Program (NJCEP).



Direct Install is a turnkey energy efficiency solution designed specifically for existing small to medium-sized facilities. Through this program, Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling's trained and certified contractors can aid government and business entities in completing the agreement/application. Furthermore, they can also perform a free energy assessment that will allow them to identify which equipment needs replacing, and then replace the equipment if necessary.



The biggest benefit of this program is that it pays up to 70% of retrofit costs on the following: lighting, motors, natural gas equipment, refrigeration, valuable frequency drives, and HVAC. Anyone who is interested in learning more about this great program, or would like to schedule a free energy assessment, can email Dicoordinator@hutchbiz.com, or dial 888-777-4501.



Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling would also like to remind homeowners that they are continuing to offer their "Outsmart the Winter" campaign. Any homeowner who chooses to take advantage of this great special will receive a professional heater check-up for just $55.55. This is a 10-point heater inspection and is the best way for any homeowner to better guarantee that a home is prepared for winter, and to help ensure that the homeowner and his or her loved ones are not "left out in the cold."



To learn more about this heating repair company that serves Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, Philadelphia, and many other areas, please visit their website, http://www.hutchbiz.com/, or give them a call today.



About Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling

Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling is a family-run business dedicated to providing total home solutions to their South Jersey and Delaware Valley neighbors. Based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, they have been in business for over six and a half decades. Hutchinson is a full-service company offering heating, cooling, and plumbing products and services. Additionally, Hutchinson is accredited by the Department of Energy, ranked first in the nation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for exceptional performance and won the EPA Century Award. Hutchinson has also gained an A+ accreditation rating from BBB.



For more information about Hutchinson visit http://www.hutchbiz.com/.
Seattle, WA -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/02/2016 -- The IoRT services market is expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period. Factors such as increasing adoption of connected devices across organizations and evolution of high-speed networking technologies have encouraged organizations in every industry sector to adopt IoRT solutions. However, for the integration of new solutions into the company's existing infrastructure, companies would need managed and professional services to adopt IoRT solutions.



Browse 69 market data Tables and 61 Figures spread through 187 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Internet of Robotic Things Market - Global Forecast to 2022"



Download PDF Brochure @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=85094927



The market for device management platform was the largest in IoRT platform market in 2015 and is expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period. Organizations while using IoRT devices require platforms to manage information and applications. The major reason for growth for device management platform is because of growing requirements for access and control over IoRT devices across industries.



Smart robot component market held the largest size in 2015



Developing products related to the Internet of Robotic Things requires significant interaction and assembly of various components such as sensors, actuators, power systems, control systems, and many other electrical and electronic devices. In the IoRT market, customized and application-specific products requires many classified components. Sensors form a huge and significant sub-section of IoRT; this is because sensing ability is the most essential characteristic of any smart robot or machine. Among all other components, sensors have applications in the medical, sports, personal protective equipment, geo-protection, and military & aerospace sectors. The market for sensors is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.



Services market expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period



The main difference between traditional robots and Internet of Robotic Things is that these new generation robots are smart and connected. Connectivity between robots and data management systems or other robots or to cloud is provided by different service providers. Service is expected to grow at the highest rate as it includes the full support for deployment and integration, support and maintenance and consulting services which is essential for erecting and running the plant.



Software is a crucial part of this technology to be integrated with the robots to support the programming for hardware and performing other connectivity operations.



North America accounted for the largest share of the Internet of Robotic Things market in 2015



North America held the largest share of the Internet of Robotic Things market in 2015 owing to the stable and mature economy. North America comprises the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Currently, the U.S. is dominating the IoRT market in North America. Canada, with a relatively stable economy, is expected to increase the adoption of smart robots in the coming years.



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The key players in this market include ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), KUKA AG (Germany), iRobot Corp. (U.S.), Amazon.com, Inc. (U.S.), Google, Inc. (U.S.), FANUC, Corp. (Japan).



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Saturns rings are billions of years younger than we thought, say Cornell University researchers analyzing an almost forgotten set of data, collected 10 years ago by NASAs Cassini mission.

Despite decades observing Saturns rings, their age remains unknown.

Following 10 years of Cassini orbiting and observing the planet, scientific thinking suggested an ancient origin, billions of years ago.

However, efforts to pin down a more definite age have stalled as researchers struggled to determine the rings exact composition.

Whilst we know they are predominantly composed of water ice particles, up to several meters in size, we also know these particles are continually polluted by bombarding micrometeoroids  rocky material from the outer Solar Systems Kuiper belt  and its the proportion of these two ingredient that has proved elusive.

The ice is opaque to many wavelengths of light and therefore able to hide unknown amounts of additional rocky material.

The exact proportion is key because its accumulation should have happened in a predictable way, so combining it with estimates of the average micrometeoroid flux would give a good estimate of age.

This is why a new paper, published in the journal Icarus, from Cornell Universitys Zhimeng Zhang could prove a breakthrough.

In it, Zhang navigates a set of complex data collected early in the Cassini mission by instruments intended to analyze the surface of Saturns moon Titan.

The Cassini Titan Radar Mapper operates at just the right wavelength in the microwave end of the electromagnetic spectrum to pierce the ice, measuring the entire ring composition, rather just that of the surface layers.

Zhang analyzed data from Saturns C ring, which is the most polluted due to its relative low mass, making it easier to acquire a higher proportion of non-icy material.

This makes the C ring ideal for investigating ring contamination and piecing together age and history, says Zhang.

However, there was a reason the data has been be left unanalyzed for so long.

This wasnt low hanging fruit, says Professor Alexander Hayes, Zhangs supervisor at Cornell.

It was reams of difficult to analyze data that sat there for a decade. If ZZ hadnt come along who knows how long this would have gone untouched.

After several months of unpicking data, Zhang showed that most regions in the C ring contained 1-2% rocky silicates. Combining this with estimates of the micrometeoroid flux gives a C ring age of somewhere between 15 and 100 million years, billions of years younger than expected.

None of the current origin scenarios predict the rings are likely younger than 3.8 billion years old, says Zhang. This will force a rethinking of ring origin models.

Its a very nice paper, agrees Professor Sascha Kempf, from the University of Colorado, a proponent of an ancient age for the rings who wasnt involved in the study.

I find her findings about the age of the C ring quite persuasive.

However, the data held another surprise. The analysis revealed a significant hump of rock in the middle where silicate composition increased to between 6-11%.

According to Zhangs models, this suggests the background micrometeoroid flux was boosted by the recent addition of a 20-km diameter rocky body, likely a Centaur from a family of mini-planets located between Jupiter and Neptune.

In her model, the centaur slowly broke up as it passed through the rings a few times, a scenario that Ryuki Hyodo, an expert on Centaurs from Kobe University, who also wasnt involved in this paper, believes is plausible.

I have shown recently that Centaurs can be destroyed during these extreme close encounters with Saturn, says Hyodo. However, the detailed process of the deposition in the ring is still unclear. We will need direct simulations.

The centaur model sits less well with Kempf, who suggests the silicates are more likely to be from a core of a disrupted moon that was pushed inward by the spreading of the much larger, more massive ring.

A more definite answer should come from a new period of Cassini radar surveying next year when the craft will be closer to the rings than it ever has before.

To aid the collection and analysis of the new data, Zhangs paper not only made the case for these new observations but also provides a model for how to take these tricky measurements.

The paper is like a textbook, says Hayes. It describes how to calibrate and analyze the data to test and expand up ZZs theories during these closer passes.

In the meantime, Zhang hopes to soon publish her own support for the new C ring age after applying her methodology and equations to Saturns larger A and B rings, and finding a broad agreement in age.

It is both a nervous and exciting feeling that what we have proposed may be further proved correct in the near future, says Zhang.

And the proximal orbit observations next year will provide us with many more insights on the rings.

_____

Z. Zhang et al. 2017. Cassini microwave observations provide clues to the origin of Saturns C ring. Icarus 281: 297-321; doi: 10.1016/j.icarus.2016.07.020
[MANILA] Communities in rural areas of Africa and Asia where the risk of rabies remains high are now the main targets of a global initiative aiming to eliminate the disease caused by bites from infected dogs.



The Paris-based Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control, is pursuing a goal of eliminating dog-mediated rabies by 2030.



There is no cure for rabies once symptoms develop, and bite victims invariably die a slow, painful death unless post-bite treatment is promptly administered. Organisation for Animal Health

At the center of this initiative is a rabies vaccine bank that marshals donated funds for the production or procurement of high-quality vaccines and their distribution to countries where the incidence of rabies remains high. Donors include Australia, France, Germany and the European Union.

Although rabies is preventable by vaccination and responsible animal ownership, half of the worlds population remains at risk of the deadly disease. Every year, around 59,000 deaths worldwide are caused by rabies. Children in rural populations are particularly vulnerable, according to the OIE.



There is no cure for rabies once symptoms develop, and bite victims invariably die a slow, painful death unless post-bite treatment is promptly administered, adds the OIE.e

The OIE-led rabies vaccine bank has been at the forefront of rabies control since its establishment in 2012, when deaths from rabies totalled 70,000 a year. More than 15 million doses of rabies vaccines have been delivered to 23 countries, OIE communication head Catherine Bertrand-Ferrandis tells SciDev.Net.



This year, the OIE donated 50,000 doses of rabies vaccines to Namibia, 100,000 doses to Haiti and 5,000 doses to Mali. Countries and international organisations such as the WHO have also been able to purchase vaccines from the rabies vaccine bank for delivery to Chad (10,000 doses), the Philippines (4,800,000 doses) and Tanzania (220,000 doses).



The rabies vaccine bank, says OIE finance director Alain Dehove, provides member countries with high-quality vaccines in a timely manner, at a pre-established low, fixed price to support their national rabies elimination strategies.



Dehove says a countrys vaccine procurement can be scaled up to meet new needs. In the Philippines, for example, the OIE and the WHO were able to adapt to country needs by providing an increasing number of vaccines over a three-year period, reaching more than 10 million doses.

The OIE vaccine bank also serves as a catalyst in designing and implementing national dog vaccination campaigns.Because vaccines are delivered safely and rapidly, the beneficiary country can focus on other essential aspects of its national strategy such as managing stray dog populations, and increasing access to treatment for humans, according to OIE director-general Monique Eloit.This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets South-East Asia & Pacific desk
During her pregnancy, fitness guru Chontel Duncan made headlines due to her six-pack abs. She maintained a toned body and lean muscles throughout the pregnancy. However, the same reason led to serious labor complications.

According to News.com.au, ripping baby Jeremiah from Duncan's tummy was a struggle, for her six-pack abs locked him in. Her strong core made it hard for doctors to deliver her baby. While she hoped to give birth naturally, the doctors recommended surgery. Wanting the best for her baby, the 27-year-old immediately signed the forms and gave birth to her son in March via C-section.

The surgeon needed to cut Duncan further and take her baby out using forceps. For that, there was likewise a need to cut her tummy on the right side. The fitness guru had her baby after 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, Mail Online reported that Duncan healed normally although she had a large scar. She said she would love to have three more children and she will aim for vaginal birth for each of them.

"So to all the women out there wearing a cesarean scar, I am VERY proud of what mine means & for the beautiful gift I received through mine. They are memories of the day we all became mummies, " Duncan said as she took to social media to share her experience on labor complications due to her six-pack abs and surviving them. Her post has earned around 12,000 times, and numerous mothers praised the fitness guru for opening up. One woman also narrated her C-section experience as she wrote positive words for Duncan.

After the doctors gave her the go signal, Duncan immediately got back into her intense exercise regime. She proudly shares it with her 572,000 followers.

Duncan is the founder of HIIT Australia. She was likewise once a Miss Universe contestant. Seven months after giving birth and surviving labor complications, she decided to open up about her experience despite having attracted criticism in the past due to her barely there bump.
The world's largest telescope used as one of the observatories is supposed to be built in Hawaii. Now, the indigenous people opposed this idea, because the location where the telescope should be built is believed to be sacred. The scientists now are facing a challenge of how to build this and even has the option to eventually relocate.

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is a 1.4 billion dollar project with high hopes for the scientists to study the early universe and to associate the Earth into the atmosphere of exoplanets. However, the current location in Hawaii has been opposed by the indigenous group as they consider the place to be sacred. Giving the respect to the people, the TMT board considers a site in the Canary Islands in Spain as a potential alternative, according to Next Big Future.

The Thirty Meter Telescope is one of a raft of big observatories together with the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) and space-based James Webb telescope, built to serve astronomy into the 2020s and in the far future, according to BBC news.

However, opposing groups of the construction of observatories atop Mauna Kea have existed for decades. Majority Native Hawaiians, the Mauna Kea is considered the most sacred mountain of all the mountains found on the island. It has a certain connection to their religious divinity. The development of the mountain considered being a blasphemy for the religious groups. Not only that, other groups that are against the project stands for the environmental and conservation side.

Meanwhile, given the fact that the indigenous groups in Hawaii will never allow the TMT to be built on their sacred land, the board explores all possible locations. Chairman of the TMT international observatory board, Henry Yang said that "The TMT International Observatory (TIO) Board of Governors has explored a number of alternative sites for TMT. Every site we considered would enable TMT's core science programs."

Henry Yang added, "After careful deliberation, the board of governors has identified Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos (ORM) on La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain, as the primary alternative to Hawaii."
American aerospace manufacturer SpaceX has reportedly proposed to fuel its rockets with people aboard. The move has been deemed as a safety risk by a team of space industry experts that advises American space agency NASA. The team's concern heightened in the wake of SpaceX rocket Falcon 9's explosion on September 1 when it was being fueled. The cause of the unmanned rocket's blast accident is still being investigated.

"This is a hazardous operation," said Thomas Stafford, a former NASA astronaut and Chairman of the Space Station Advisory Committee. "Everybody there, and particularly the people who had experience over the years, said nobody is ever near the pad when they fuel a booster." The rockets that carry astronauts to space are usually fuelled before the passengers get to the launch pad. Incidentally, the team that advices NASA comprises of eight members, including veterans of NASA's Apollo, Gemini and space shuttle programs.

As per reports, SpaceX needs the approval of NASA for its proposed launch system before the procedure can be put into action. The company which is owned and run by Elon Musk has said that it has spent 18 months analyzing possible dangers and how to handle them, and is developing its human launch operations with cooperation from NASA. Moreover, as per the statements made by the company, it is going to re-evaluate the rocket fueling system and launch processes on the basis of the accident's investigation results.

On its part, the American space agency is going to continue its evaluation of SpaceX's plan for fueling the Falcon 9 for the purpose of commercial crew launches. The evaluation will also be based on the outcome of Falcon 9's explosion investigation. Incidentally, SpaceX is expected to fly passenger spaceships in 2018, and the vehicles will supposedly include an emergency escape system capsule that will fly away from a failed rocket before or during launch.
FLORENCE, S.C.  A Tuesday morning panel dissected the health insurance marketplace  and current market forces  as part of the Think Forward series presented by Clarke & Company Benefits.

With topics ranging from Affordable Care Act regulations, competition among insurers, and opposing political forces at play, the hour long discussion featured Norman Clarke posing questions to David Gwin, vice president of sales for BlueChoice, a subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Lisa Hollingsworth, the group and individual regional marketing director for Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina.

Employee benefits broker Clarke & Companys Norman Clarke emceed the event, noting that the Affordable Care Act is front and center in the current political climate. He asked Gwin and Hollingsworth how it has differed between the group and individual markets, and she said a positive effect for both group and individual markets is the guarantee that everyone has access to insurance. From her perspective, some of the rules and regulations didnt lend itself to everyone participating, she said. Another drawback, she said, is the long lead time in setting plans, which means what is put in place at the beginning of a calendar year doesnt take effect until the following year.

Theres not a lot of opportunity to course correct, she said, which can lend itself to a lot of volatility in rates.

Within the group market, she identified two segments  those with 2 to 50 employees have prices and products set in stone, whereas those ranging from 50 to 100 have a little more flexibility in plans and product design. She also touched on grandfather groups, or those that were operating before March 23, 2010, and how those plans are essentially "if you like it, you can keep it." Grandmother groups, she said, are older plans but are interim and will end next year. The third bucket, she said, are the metallic plans offered under the Affordable Care Act, referring to platinum, gold, silver, or bronze plans, in descending value tied to how much the insurance company pays. Platinum plans, for instance, might see the insurance company pay 90 percent and the person pays 10 percent. Bronze would be a 60-40 split.

Gwin said from an insurance companys perspective, he noted when he was coming up, his parents could keep him on their plan until age 23 as long as he didnt flunk out of college. There was also no pre-existing condition, so regardless of condition, one was covered from day one. Today regardless of educational or marriage status, people up to 26 can stay on their parents plan, he said. A list of preventive care was also covered at 100 percent.

I think you can get people that will argue on both sides of that, he said.

From an employers perspective, the affordability clause of the Affordable Care Act  being unable to charge more than 9.66 percent of an employees salary for coverage  and the definition of full-time employee were probably the two biggest effects, he said.

I dont know anybody that considers 30 hours full time, he said.

Clarke asked about the relative health of the large group market today as opposed to before implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Were seeing a lot of groups that never offered coverage before offer coverage, he said, and in looking at census and demographic data, theres two totally different populations between the people eligible for coverage and the people who actually take the coverage. Its really the same thing we see in the individual market, where older and less healthy people might take it but younger people dont.

Attending the panel was Daniel Claas, an assistant vice president of group and individual underwriting for Blue Cross Blue Shield, who noted that changes in the group marketplace have been brought about not by the type of business  or its health or level of risk  but have been based upon regulations, which has complicated the landscape. Gwin said that from his end, its become more complicated for carriers and for Clarke and his group as brokers, they go through the same thing.

Benefits have changed, laws have changed and we spend now an inordinate amount of time sitting down, going through the different iterations, he said.

Clarke said that after all of that, and with your head spinning, he has a very simple explanation.

Its called job security, he said, to laughter. The basis of that is  were dealing and youre dealing in a very complicated market.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Duke Energy customers in South Carolina are likely to see an increase in their power bills at the start of 2017.

Officials said Tuesday evening at a public meeting held by the South Carolina Public Service Commission that rate increases will be just over 10 percent, phased in over a two-year period.

In practical terms, a customer with a monthly bill of about $100 each month would see an increase of about $7.75 each month in 2017. In the second year the bill would increase by less than $4 per month. In other words, just over $10 more per month by 2018 for customers in that fee range.

Duke Energy spokesman Ryan Mosier said this is the first rate-increase request by the company in over 28 years.

A lot has changed in the last few years, he said. There are more regulations that we have to be a part of. We have to improve our infrastructure for 21st-century service to our customers. That takes costs and those costs have been accruing.

Duke Energy filed the application the application for an increase on July 1 this year, originally seeking to raise the companys revenue by about $79 million.

A settlement agreement reached between Duke Energy, the Office of Regulatory Staff, the S.C. Energy Users Committee, Nucor Steel of South Carolina and Charter Communications brought that number down to about $56.2 million.

Rate increases by class over a two-year period would include 8.5 percent for the small general service class, 10.4 percent for the medium general service class and 10.3 percent for the large general service class.

Duke Energy requested the rate increases be effective on Jan. 1. The Public Service Commission said it will reach a decision by Dec. 30.
The Morning News recently sent out a questionnaire to the candidates running for the Florence School District One Board of Trustees. Here are the answers from Barry Townsend, who is running for a second term as representative for District 1; he is running unopposed.
FLORENCE, S.C.  When Florence-Darlington Technical College employee Lakischi Livingston was asked to accompany her boss to a conference in Charleston, she didnt know what to expect.

My supervisor told me that she needed to go to the (South Carolina Association for Higher Continuing Education) conference and she was trying to get me to go with her, Livingston said. I was like, Why are we going to Charleston? I thought we were going shopping. I wondered why I was always nominated to go places.

What Livingston didnt know what that she had actually been nominated for the Outstanding Continuing Education Support Staff Award, for her work as evening administrative specialist for continuing education.

I didnt know anything about the nomination; I did not expect any of this, to be honest, Livingston said. We get there, its at Trident Tech, and were sitting at the table and Im reading my bio in the program. Well, just to be nominated was an honor. They called my name as the winner, and I remember I had a cup to my mouth and I (almost choked).

The South Carolina Association for Higher Continuing Education is a statewide professional organization made up of the continuing education staff members who serve at the states 16 technical colleges. Livingston was picked from a group of three finalists for the award.

Livingston has worked at Florence-Darlington Tech for 12 years, after having graduated from there with an associates degree in public safety and gone on to work at Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

I was a part of the layoffs in 2004, Livingston said. I put in for a position at Blue Cross in Medicare, and I applied at Tech, too. I decided that whichever one called me first, thats the position I would take. Tech called me first. While I was a student here, this office was in the 100 building. That building is where I was a work-study, but I didnt know what continuing education was, not until I was actually in the position. Now, I know just a little bit, enough to be dangerous.

Though the award was unexpected, Livingston said, it was a welcome one.

My mother passed away in May, so it is just me, sister and my two nieces, Livingston said. When I told my sister, she was like, Wow!' She had gotten an award from Belk, also. I said that this must be the year for awards. It was finally good news during a stressful and hard year for the both of us. There was a cash award, too, and that will come in handy. Like any other job, you have your good days and you have your bad days, but I try to make every day as positive as I can.
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The blast occurred in the fuel tank of the oil tanker, which was moored in Gaddani, 45km northwest of the port city of Karachi, Reuters reported. It was still unclear the name and owner of the ship.

Theres an unclear number of workers said to be trapped in the burning ship, Basheer Mehmoodani, president of the shipbreaking workers union, was quoted saying. It is feared that the death toll may rise further.

Firefighters, the air force and navy were on site to put out the raging blaze, it was reported.

Workers at shipbreaking yards, particularly those in Pakistan and Bangladesh, often work in hazardous and poor conditions without basic protective gear.
A resolution emerging from the recent International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting has given a faint ray of hope to the vaquita, the world's smallest porpoise and an animal on the brink of extinction.

Vaquitas, the estimated 59 that remain, live in the Gulf of California. Since first being listed as critically endangered in 1996, the animal's numbers have dropped precipitously, from a count of 567 in 1997.

The drop is due largely to illegal fishing of the critically endangered totoaba, a fish whose swim bladders are supposed in China to have medicinal value, creating a lucrative black market for the organs. Fishermen employ gill nets - thin lines that are hard for fish to see - to catch the totoaba, but the netting also ensnares vaquitas as bycatch.

RELATED: Mexico Using Drones to Protect Vaquita Porpoise

The resolution, submitted by 21 countries, including the United States, urges Mexico to toughen its enforcement of illegal fishing and to make permanent a ban on gill nets throughout the vaquita's range.

In 2015, Mexico instituted a two-year ban on gill nets, which expires in May 2017, and increased the vaquita's protected area, but the measures have not proved effective enough.

"Only a permanent, complete, and effective gill net ban in all fisheries operating in the Upper Gulf of California will prevent the imminent extinction of the vaquita," the resolution stated.

WATCH VIDEO: Should We Close The Ocean To Save Fish?
Commercially viable electric vehicles (EVs) have been on America's roads for more than a decade now. But for the average car buyer, they're still a hard sell. The driving range is limited, the recharging situation is confusing and the price is rarely right. Consider that the least expensive Tesla option at this point starts at around $70,000.

That may all change in a hurry, though, with the long-anticipated release of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, expected to hit dealerships later this year. The first early assessments are popping up in major industry publications, and they're the kind of reviews the word "rave" was invented for.

"With the arrival of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, the electric car reaches a major milestone," reads the enthusiastic review over at Car and Driver, which provides some historical industry perspective: "Electric cars appear to have laid down permanent roots in the automotive landscape with the first long-range, affordable EV from an established, mainstream automaker."

The price tag is the first thing buyers are likely to linger on. The Bolt starts at $37,495, but with federal tax credits and other incentive programs, the overall cost can drop well below $30,000.

The Bolt also goes a ways toward smoothing the big speed bump with all-electric, plug-in vehicles - range. The EPA estimated range rating for the Bolt EV is 238 miles, which is more than analysts expected and plenty high enough to satisfy the average city and suburb driver. With a number like that, drivers don't have to worry about being stranded on their commute.

RELATED: Tesla Plans to Close the Solar-Electric Car Loop

The expanded range rockets Chevy past the competition. Most small electrics hover at or below the 100-mile range. Tesla's Model S delivers a range between 208 miles and 315 miles, but it costs more than twice as much as a Bolt. The less expensive Tesla Model 3 is expected to have competitive numbers in cost and range, but it's not due until late next year.

"Having a range of over 200 miles is a game changer, and it broadens the appeal of the Bolt," Jake Fisher, director of auto testing with Consumer Reports, told Seeker. "Up until now, you either had a very short-range electric car or you had a Tesla. Now Tesla has the range, but not at an affordable price."

All of this gives Chevy an advantage in attracting first-time buyers looking for a more manageable entry price - for the next year or so, at least. The Bolt is seen within the automotive industry as a key test of whether EV technology can go mainstream. "So, yes, old-school Detroit beat Silicon Valley to the punch with an affordable long-range EV," reads the verdict at Consumer Reports.

Early indications suggest General Motors in ramping up for healthy business. The manufacturer that makes the Bolt's batteries, South Korean company LG Chem, recently announced it expects the automaker to sell more than 30,000 Bolts next year. By comparison, Tesla sold about 50,000 vehicles in 2015. Dealerships are taking pre-orders and full-scale production is reportedly underway at the Orion assembly plant in Michigan.

RELATED: Eagerly Awaited: 4 Electric Cars for 2017

The principle downside to the Chevy Bolt, according to the emerging critical consensus, concerns longer trips. Chevrolet can't currently match Tesla's national network of supercharger stations - the EV equivalent of the good old gas station. Bolt buyers can opt for direct-current fast-charging capability via a Combined Charging System (CCS) port, but Car and Driver reports that as of September 2016, there are about 1,061 CCS fast-charging connectors in the United States, versus 2,010 Tesla Supercharger hookups.

Still, the expanded range, low price and remarkably warm welcome for the Bolt suggests we may be finally turning the corner on electric cars.

"This could really change things in terms of how people look at electric cars," Fisher said. "Instead of looking at them as either these expensive science projects, or these [short-range] city cars, this is a car that can really be very functional and practical."

WATCH VIDEO: Will Your Hydrogen Car Explode
The world's most endangered alligator has a few new members to add to its small ranks.

According to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) eggs discovered in the Dongtan Wetland Parkwetlands of Shanghai have hatched, with three babies visibly healthy and photographed out swimming.

WCS estimates that only 150 of the alligators remain in the wild in China, so to conservationists news of the new additions is exceedingly welcome, bolstering efforts to reintroduce the animal that have been undertaken by the group and other aligned organizations.

"This shows that even the most endangered wildlife can recover if given a chance," said Aili Kang, WCS executive director for Asia programs.

RELATED: Hunters Kill 15-Foot, 800-Pound Alligator

The Chinese alligator is one of only two living alligator species. Its counterpart, the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), is faring much better. Hunting and loss of habitat once rendered it endangered, but since its removal from that list in 1987 the American reptile has thrived and is plentiful in number in the southeastern United States.
Mass hysteria, also known as mass sociogenic illness, is likely responsible for several cases of people falling ill around the world, including incidents last week in a Vietnamese factory and on a British Airways flight forced to make an emergency landing.

According to Vietnamese newspaper "VN Express," 66 female workers at a garment factory in Vietnam's Quang Nam province mysteriously got sick last week: Twenty three workers fainted on Thursday, followed by another 43 the following day. Workers complained that an unexplained odor made them tired and caused difficulty breathing. The workers were briefly hospitalized, but no environmental toxin or underlying cause for the illness could be found -- all were soon released. Though initially attributed to excessive heat, Pham Ngoc Hoa Binh, director of a hospital that treated many of the workers attributed the symptoms to a "case of hysteria."

Earlier that week on Oct. 25 hundreds of passengers were diverted to Vancouver International Airport after a British Airways flight from San Francisco to London made an emergency landing when a mysterious illness sickened some of the flight crew. British Airways issued a statement that 25 crew members were hospitalized as a precaution, though it's not clear how many of them actually became sick or reported symptoms. Another report merely said that "several crew members reported feeling unwell."

The element of social suggestion - or what psychologists call "priming" - is evident in this exchange, as reported by CBC News: "passenger Stefan Orberg wondered if there was something in the air; 'The [flight] attendants asked me, did you feel anything in your eyes? I thought, well, maybe I had.'"

This is common in mass hysteria cases, where the idea that some unseen, unknown - and therefore potentially toxic -environmental contaminant is present is spread from person to person. Because the signs are subtle, even those who do not experience anything out of the ordinary might agree that, yes, now that someone mentions it, maybe they do smell something odd, or are in fact feeling a bit lightheaded. This can cause panic - especially if they are in a place that offers no escape such as an airplane - which then escalates the person's symptoms and helps spread the hysteria.

RELATED: Mystery Illness Closes 57 Schools in Bangladesh

If there were indeed some unknown airborne toxin in the British Airways cabin the air conditioning system would quickly spread it passengers throughout the whole plane. There's no reason why only a handful of crew members would be affected - unless the symptoms were self-generated or psychosomatic.

As both of these cases suggest, mass hysteria outbreaks often occur among co-workers, who may begin exhibiting the symptoms through contagion. Mass hysteria is often misunderstood as being an illness that sufferers are making up. In fact the symptoms are verifiable and not imaginary. The issue is instead what is causing the symptoms - whether some external environmental contaminant or instead a form of suggestion-driven social contagion.

Humans are social animals and we often take our cues from other people, both consciously and unconsciously. People can unconsciously mimic the actions and reactions of their peers - that's one reason yawns are contagious. If one or more people start to faint or feel sick in their presence it can create a domino effect, spreading to others.

Symptoms of mass hysteria are typically both minor - shortness of breath, fainting, nausea, and fatigue - and short-lived, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Because there is no physical irritant to treat or remove from the patient, there is no real treatment other than attention from doctors, parents, teachers or other authorities.

Mass hysteria is more common that often recognized, and leaves no lasting harm. In both these cases all those affected have fully recovered, and the only lingering problems are complaints from angry British Airways passengers whose plans were disrupted by the incident.

WATCH: How Do Things Hide in Plain Sight?
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A Medieval well that was once believed to wash away sins, while healing eye and skin diseases has been recovered in England. Legend has it that the well was also cursed and records indicate a strange death occurred there.

St. Anne's Well was found on the lands of a private farm on the border between the townships of Rainhill and Sutton St Helens, near Liverpool, UK.

According to Historic England Heritage, which commissioned the excavation, "the well had become completely filled with earth due to ploughing."

"When we first got to the well we found that there was very little indication of it on the surface, but after excavation it was found to be in reasonable condition," Jamie Quartermaine, an archaeologist who supervised the dig, told Discovery News.

The well was built of local sandstone blocks and consisted of a shallow square basin with two steps leading down into the bottom.

"The fabric of the well is consistent with a Medieval date," Quartermaine said.

The archaeologist noted that St. Anne is quite commonly associated with holy wells.

"This well was probably a late Medieval foundation as the cult of St. Anne did not become widespread in England until after the end of the 14th century," Quartermaine said.

RELATED: Dark Side of Medieval Convent Life Revealed

The dating is important. Alexandra Walsham, professor of modern history at Cambridge's Trinity College, told Seeker that "a Medieval past for many healing wells was assumed or even invented by later antiquaries, especially in the 19th century."

After descending the steps, pilgrims submerged themselves in the pool, which was about 4 feet deep. Water seeped in from below the floor, while a stone conduit, now lost, took water from the overflow of the well, which measures 6.5 feet by 6.5 feet.

According to Historic England Heritage, local legend suggests St. Anne's Well was associated with a nearby priory of about 12 monks, which was lost during Henry VIII's draconian dissolution of the monasteries.

The legend said the priory held an extensive estate from which the monks had an income. The story goes that St. Anne had bathed in the well, which was reputed to have healing powers for eye and skin afflictions.

"The well attracted numbers of pilgrims, necessitating the building of a small three-roomed structure around the well and the custodianship of two of the monks," Quartermaine said.

RELATED: 300-Year-Old 'Magic' Shoe Found in U.K. College Wall

According to local folklore, a dispute rose in the 16th century about boundaries and access to the well between the prior, Father Delwaney, and Hugh Darcy, the estate manager of the neighboring landowner.

One day, when the two stood nearby the well, Darcy predicted the prior would not be in position for much longer. Two days later the king's commissioners arrived and took possession of the priory and the well.

Father Delwaney promptly understood Darcy's role in the action as he was clearly known to the commissioners.

"With teeth tightly clenched, and his face white with suppressed passion," the prior hissed out his curse, according to a 1877 report on local legends in the St. Helens Leader.

Darcy would be dead within a year and a day, Delwaney predicted. He then collapsed and died himself.

A series of disgraces fell on Darcy: three months after the curse, his only son died of a mysterious illness. He suffered financial losses and "plunged recklessly into dissipation," according to the St. Helens Leader.

One night, after heavy drinking at a tavern, he disappeared.

"The search began. Nothing was seen until they came to the well, in which Darcy was found lying dead, his head crushed in," the St. Helens Leader reported.

Despite the grim legend, the well continued to be revered even after the dissolution, and people immersed themselves in the waters until the 19th century.

To protect the structure from damage by farm machinery, new wooden edging will be installed.

"We have worked with the farmers to ensure this important holy well survives long in to the future," Tamsin Cooke, a Historic England Heritage at Risk representative, said.
Screening for blood diseases like Malaria is typically done in a lab by a pathologist. But for many people in developing countries, going to a doctor for a blood test is nearly impossible.

A project team at the University of California, Berkeley, with support from the Blum Center, is building a solution to this problem. Matt Bakalar, a Bioengineering PhD student on the team, spoke with Seeker's Laura Ling about their invention called the Cellscope. The Cellscope converts a cell phone camera into a handheld microscope, which can detect parasites in the blood in just 30 seconds. This means patients can be quickly diagnosed on site and given treatment right away.

Watch the video above to see how this tiny device is saving lives in places like Cameroon and other developing nations all over the world.

Thanks to our partner, the Blum Center for Developing Economies at the University of California, Berkeley, an innovation and research hub that is tackling issues in global poverty.
Our civilization's seemingly insatiable hunger for more and more energy has driven us to burn massive amounts of fossil fuels, whose emissions are driving us toward catastrophic climate change. But here's an even more disturbing fact. We waste much of the energy that's produced from those fuels, in the form of excess heat. Power plants, for example, typically lose 65 percent of the energy they produce.

But imagine if we could capture that lost energy and use it, through thermoelectric devices that convert heat into electricity by exploiting the flow of electrons from a warmer spot to a cooler one.

A 7-year-old company called Alphabet Energy is working toward accomplishing just that, according to the publication Berkeley Engineer. Alphabet, which was founded by UC Berkeley alumnus Matt Scullin and Peidong Yang, a professor and faculty scientist at Berkeley Lab, is producing what the publication hails as "the most efficient thermoelectric devices ever made for waste-heat recovery."

As a Alphabet Energy's website explains, the company's devices use silicon or tetrahedrite, both low-cost, highly-efficient thermoelectric materials.

RELATED: Five Technologies for Harvesting Energy from Tiny Motions

The goal is to harness combustion exhaust from sources ranging from cars and trucks to power plants.

"Waste heat is everywhere," Scullin said. "It is an absolutely huge opportunity."

Scullin has calculated that a mind-blowing 208,000 terawatt-hours are lost as heat worldwide each year. (A terawatt is equal to 1 trillion watts.) If we could recover even 5 percent of that loss, at a rate of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, the savings would be worth about $1 trillion annually.

The industry group Heat Is Power has calculated that using waste-heat recovery at U.S. power plants could produce enough electricity to power 11.4 million homes.

Alphabet Energy has also developed a way to use heat from excess natural gas flared at North Dakota's Bakken shale play to generate electricity. Here's a YouTube video explaining how that device works.

WATCH: Which Countries Produce The Most Clean Energy?
Press Release

November 2, 2016 Recto: US snub must prod PH to tap local arms industry The thwarted sale of assault rifles to the Philippine National Police (PNP) should prompt the government to jumpstart a program to locally manufacture arms and military equipment, Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto said today. "It is a wake-up call for us to stop totally relying on foreign suppliers," Recto said, referring to the decision of the U.S. State Department to halt the sale of about 26,000 assault rifles after an American senator announced he would oppose it on concerns of state-sanctioned human rights abuses. "This is another kind of pivot we need. To tap our domestic industries for the equipment needs of our policemen and soldiers," Recto said. "Hindi naman pwede na mula helmet hanggang boots imported. If some of the things can be made locally and the products are of the same price and quality as the ones bought abroad, then let us manufacture them here," Recto said. Recto cited the existence of a vibrant local firearms industry which has been exporting its products for many decades now. "What is Made in Marikina is as good as what is Made in America," Recto said, referring to one local gun manufacturing complex in Marikina. "There are many of them, from boat builders to vehicle manufacturers, who can step up to the plate once there are firm orders from the government," Recto said. He said the country's car manufacturing industry can supply military and police vehicles, "foreclosing the need to buy them abroad." Recto said President Duterte's home province of Cebu can even build coastal patrol ships. "If we're buying boats either for coastal, river, environmental or fisheries patrol, then let our local shipyards make them. The weaponry can come from abroad pero siguro yung barko pwede na dito," he said. "If other nations find our ships exceptional, then we should too." Though many equipment, like planes, can only be bought abroad, Recto said those which can be built here should be given preference. "If some components of the imported ones can be manufactured here, then we must require it." Recto explained that by buying local, government will be creating local jobs and giving the manufacturing sector a much-needed boost. "The Filipino tax pesos must help Filipino firms." "Buy local, create jobs. This should be the new mantra of the DND, DOTr and other government agencies for their procurement programs," the senator added. "What we can manufacture here, we don't have to import from abroad. One good example are the car plates. A small piece of tin we sourced from the Netherlands when we are already building megaton ships," he said. Government, he said, is a huge supplies and equipment shopper. This year it will be buying P74 billion worth of supplies and materials, from "common-use" office items to vehicles. To the extent allowed by law, Recto said government must prefer local products or those with high local content. But in choosing local, "price points should not be the sole consideration," he said. "We should not be buying a lemon just because it is wrapped in a Philippine flag. Quality should not be sacrificed." Recto recalled a provision in previous national budgets--which has been scrapped in the General Appropriations Act for 2016-- which mandated government purchases of Philippine-made products. "This provision should make a comeback in the 2017 budget," Recto said.
Earth is truly moving under Elmwood residents feet as land is being prepared for a new housing development in the southwest corner of town.

The area has been annexed, platted and we are moving dirt, said Ryan Anderson, owner of Rutalkin Construction, co-developer of project with Lou Allgayer.

Dubbed Trail Ridge due to its proximity to the MoPac Trail, the development will establish 12 residential homes on lots ranging in size from one-third an acre to one-half acre in its first phase. In the second phase, another seven homes will be added. Houses in the development will be in the $250,000 and higher price range.

Already, four people have expressed interest in purchasing homes in the development. Thats good, because we just started moving dirt last week, Anderson said.

B.J. Burrows of Nebraska Realty is handling the sale of the properties. We had four new homes built in Elmwood in the past year. We see a lot of upgrading. People are selling their older houses, Burrows said. The school system has been a big draw to the community and the location of Elmwood is great between the two biggest cities in Nebraska. We are 20 miles from Lincoln and 20 miles from Gretna and the Omaha metro area.

Serving also as the builder of the development, Anderson said he hopes to finish paving the roads for the development in the spring. We can start on water and sewer lines during the winter, he said.

Trail Ridge is just one of the upgrades Elmwood is involved in, according to Elmwood Village Board Trustee Mike Krass.

Through Southeast Nebraska Development District, we broke the town into four sections. That way we can concentrate on section by section, Krass said. We are really trying to get the Main Street cleaned up.

Krass said he hopes the housing development will encourage people to move to Elmwood and to start new businesses.

We dont have a grocery store and we dont have many businesses, Krass said.

Still, Elmwood is growing. When I started this real estate business here, it was a shot in the dark. Then, it was an eye opener, Burrows said.

Now, he is starting to see the growth in town and need for new housing. There are no homes for sale right now in Elmwood. That speaks volumes. Im getting a ton of inquiries every week. There is already an interest, Burrows said.

Weve had people moving to other nearby towns because there arent any homes to buy here, Krass added. Other towns had lots available and we lost them.

The development is a win-win for all. Its possibly adding $5 million of valuation, which should lower the tax burden. Were gaining streets and upgraded utility work, Krass said. The town doesnt pay for any of that. The developer pays for it. Were getting infrastructure and that gets turned over to the town without any taxpayer dollars.

It should really benefit everybody, Burrows added.

Krass said the Lower Platte South Natural Resource District is helping with draining issues facing the town. Krass also recognized all the village board members for supporting the housing project. "The board has been great,." he said.

The development is partially funded with Tax Increment Financing. The TIF funding will help fix Elmwoods water problems, Anderson said.

A new restaurant, Quonset Bar and Grill, opened last Saturday in town, and the Museum of Shadows opened on Main Street in October.

These are just two examples. There are opportunities for growth here, Burrows said.
Schools in Finland are adopting the FUSE Studio program because it promotes well-learning and reflects the goals of the countrys new core curriculum, Finnish educators said during a recent panel discussion at Northwestern Universitys School of Education and Social Policy.

Though Finnish schools are considered among the best in the world, teachers are facing new literacy challenges related to digitalization and 21st century skills, said Kristiina Kumpulainen, a professor of education at the University of Helsinki.

FUSE is what everyday practices in schools should look like, Kumpulainen said. Its an inspiration to us. And an exploration for us.

Developed at Northwestern and now operating in schools worldwide, from Schaumburg to Helsinki, FUSE includes a library of more than two dozen maker-like challenges that are designed to spark an interest in learning for middle and high school students.

In FUSE, teachers are facilitators and kids work alone or form their own groups. The goal isnt primarily to teach STEAM content but to help children develop creativity, collaboration, adaptive problem solving skills and persistence when things dont go as planned.

Choice is a fundamental idea that runs through FUSE, said FUSE Director Reed Stevens, professor of learning sciences at Northwesterns School of Education and Social Policy.

They choose when to stop, start, finish, work alone or with others. Adults provide constructive formative assessment, so students can revise or improve their work. To move on, the students document that theyve completed a level; then they can advance.

The student-centered, hands-on FUSE philosophy dovetails with Finlands new core curriculum, which emphasizes the joy of learning and the pupils active role, according to the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.

FUSE resonates very, very strongly with what we believe is the future of education, said Kumpulainen, director of the Center for Playful Learning at the University of Helsinki and a teacher educator.

In addition to academic learning, Finland emphasizes the value of play, which in turn, promotes well-being, Kumpulainen said.

Learning supports well-being and well-being supports learning, she said. This is a very important element in Finland at the moment. Our education is designed to promote lifelong learning.

Kumpulainen was part of a group of visiting Finnish educators which included Pasi Silander, who oversees 130 schools as the digitalization lead for the City of Helsinkis education department, two principals of top-performing schools in Helsinki that are currently using FUSE and two education researchers.

The team visited schools in Schaumburg and Chicago to see FUSE classes in action and spent time on Northwesterns Evanston campus working with the FUSE research and design teams.

During the panel, Silander stressed that an educational revolution is needed in Finland and FUSE will be part of the change.

I see FUSE as a wonderful tool to change our education practices, Silander said. It concretizes everything we have been hoping for: student-centered learning, the role of teacher as facilitator, collaboration and student-driven. Its not just learning math, history or English. You have to learn and know things in a holistic way.

Arabia School Principal Mari Suokas-Laaksonen said she was intrigued by FUSE from the moment she saw the website.

We are very interested in design thinking and learning, said Suokas-Laaksonen, whose public school has been cited as one of the best in the world.

My staff is doing excellent work in many areas, but as a school we need to be better at digitalization in a 21st-century world," she said. "When I saw FUSE, I thought, this is exactly what my school needs.

View the video of the panel discussion.
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San Francisco police arrested a dozen people Monday who were protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline at Citibank headquarters in the city, officials said.

Demonstrators filled the street outside the building at 1 Sansome St. and filed into the lobby just before 9 a.m. carrying signs that read, Water is Life and Citi Dont Fund Dakota Access.

Twelve protestors were arrested in the lobby on suspicion of trespassing after three orders for dispersal were ignored, said Officer Carlos Manfredi, a police spokesman.

They were expected to be cited and released, Manfredi said.

The protestors locked themselves to one another to prevent access to the elevators in the building, said Laurel Sutherlin, a 39-year-old San Francisco resident who joined the protest.

The level of inconvenience of having to go to a different entrance when going to work is awfully small when compared to people putting their lives on the line to stop [the Dakota Access] from happening, Sutherlin said.

The protest, organized by Diablo Rising Tide, demanded that Citibank halt financing of the $3.8 billion crude oil pipeline project that is expected to span 1,168 miles.

Today was really about pulling the veil back and exposing [Citibanks] association with this bigger controversy, Sutherlin said. Citibank still has the opportunity to pull out.

The Standing Rock Sioux and environmental groups say the pipeline project threatens historic and sacred sites and drinking water from the Missouri River.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Ongoing protests in North Dakota took a turn Thursday when police stepped in and arrested about 140 people.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
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In a year in which U.S. policy toward Syrian refugees has become a presidential campaign issue, Ahmad Rafah is making the case that a previous generation of immigrants who fled war on the other side of the world has a part to play in U.S. politics.

Rafahs parents fled Afghanistan during the war with the Soviet Union and were living in a refugee camp when he was born. Twenty-seven years later, Rafah is running for a seat on Santa Claras City Council in Tuesdays election. Hes believed to be the first Afghan American to campaign for public office in the United States, said Waheed Momand, board president of the Afghan Coalition in Fremont.

The former aide to Rep. Mike Honda, D-San Jose, acknowledges theres attention being focused on him that wouldnt ordinarily come to a candidate for local office in a South Bay suburb. Interest is especially high among the Bay Areas large Afghan American expatriate population.

Someday, hopefully someone with the name of Ahmad is going to feel comfortable and is not going to think its a big deal to run for office, Rafah said.

There are 30,000 to 40,000 Afghan Americans in the Bay Area, most of them living in Fremont, Hayward and Concord, said Farid Senzai, president of Center for Global Policy in Washington, D.C. Like all immigrants, theyre usually focused on finding a job, a good home, and learning to navigate a country foreign to them. Politics, even voting, ends up taking a backseat, Senzai said.

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

The immigrant struggle was the reality for Rafahs family through their journey as refugees and after they arrived in the U.S.

His mother was pregnant when the family fled Afghanistan in 1988, and one month after they arrived at a camp in Austria, Rafah was born. For two years, the family lived in barracks-like quarters at the camp that afforded no privacy. Finally, in 1990, their application for political asylum in the U.S. was granted, and the family settled in San Diego.

Rafahs father, Hazrat Rafah, earned a medical degree from India, but had difficulty finding a job here because his medical credentials werent valid in the U.S.

We had no money, no family, no house, he said. We were lucky that there was welfare. Life was hard. We were very poor.

Hazrat Rafah wasnt able to practice as a physician until his son was in college at California State University Bakersfield. Until then, the father worked at flea markets and community stores to support his family.

Its a story that resonates with many immigrants. That helps to explain why, more than a quarter century after this wave of Afghan Americans began arriving in the U.S., Ahmad Rafahs candidacy is a first.

It isnt just Afghan Americans. Theres scant political participation among the children of immigrants of many largely Muslim nations, said Athar Siddiqee, president of the South Bay Islamic Association.

We didnt have our parents as role models, as political activists and people who were involved in civic engagement, Siddiqee said. I applaud Ahmad for being one of the first. I think youll see a lot more of that from the upcoming generation.

There are few Afghan Americans in Santa Clara, but Rafahs candidacy is pulling in support from first- and second-generation Afghans around the Bay Area. Momand, the Afghan Coalition board president, has held several fundraisers for Rafah and organized events designed to get Afghan Americans to register to vote.

I told Ahmad Rafah that youre a big experiment for us to see how we can encourage our community to register to vote and go vote, Momand said.

As of Thursday, Rafah had raised $40,068 for his City Council campaign. All his donations have come from individuals, many of them from outside Santa Clara. Rafah says the majority are Afghan Americans and other Muslims.

Ahmad has been working with the community over time, and so theres a lot of interest from the Muslim community in his race, said Zahra Billoo, the executive director for the Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. It is a big deal.

For Rafah, running for City Council isnt just about affordable housing, dealing with traffic congestion and encouraging his fellow Afghan Americans to vote. He wants to represent Muslim Americans at a time when he says Islamophobia is rampant  stoked by mass killings in San Bernardino and Orlando and GOP presidential nominee Donald Trumps warnings about the dangers of letting refugees fleeing the Syrian civil war into the U.S.

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This is worse than post-9/11, Rafah said. This came out of left field.

Rafah is seeking to unseat Councilwoman Teresa ONeil, who was elected to her first term in 2012. ONeil said shes known Rafah for a few years through his work for Honda and encouraged him to become more involved in politics. She even attended one of his campaign events early in the race, unaware that he would be vying for her seat, she added.

I think hes a very bright young man, ONeil said. I still think Im a better candidate for the council at this time. My depth and experience and knowledge of the community serves the community of Santa Clara better at this time.

Win or lose, Rafah hopes his campaign inspires other Afghan Americans to give back to the country that provided them with a home.

We were just given room here, so I feel more of a duty because I was chosen out of millions of other refugees, Rafah said. I feel like I need to serve this country because theyve given us so much.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
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Like you, we are inundated by political mailers these days. But one caught our eye the other day from state Senate President pro tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, titled Keep Our Kids Safe From Guns! Thats not surprising coming from de Leon, who led the fight to push through several tough new gun control measures this year.

But it was a bit surprising to see de Leons smiling face over the words Yes on Prop 63. the ballot measure fronted by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. In July, de Leon said Prop 63 was irrelevant.
Serving as Cass Countys new Veterans Service Officer (VSO), Brian Coffman is following in his fathers footsteps.

My dad was a Veterans Service Officer in Jefferson County, Ohio, Coffman said. Before his passing, I was able to witness his impact on the community and I wanted to make an impact on our community. Being a VSO is an honor to do.

One of the requirements of the job is serving in the military. After graduating from Edison Local High School in Richmond, Ohio, Coffman enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1990.

His AF assignments took him to Kokomo, Ind., Strategic Air Command in Indiana, Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Hickam, Hawaii, and Germany.

I was a communications specialist in the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War, which ended in 1992. I did the nuclear alerts there, Coffman said.

In 1992, he was transferred to Offutt where he flew on the National Emergency Airborne Command Post where he stayed until receiving his assignment in 2000 to Hawaii.

In Hawaii, I flew in the Commander Pacific Air Forces as a communications specialist, he said. In 2005, I returned to Offutt where I resumed flying on the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) as a communications specialist.

As a NAOC communications specialist, Coffman managed 40 employees. We talked on the radio, sent messages and were involved in cryptographics, he said.

In 2010, his assignment took him to Germany where he flew in NATO AWACS. I was a communication specialist on board. I was the superintendent of training. I was always in aircrew. I take pride in that I flew my whole career, Coffman said.

While in Europe, he and his wife enjoyed traveling during the four years he was stationed there.

In 2014, they returned to Nebraska and Coffman pursued a degree in project management. I fulfilled one of the goals on my bucket list, he said.

For the next two years, he drove trucks for Westover Rock and Sand in Weeping Water. When the VSO position for Cass County became available, Coffman decided to apply.

This position happened at the right time. I think Ive always wanted to do it, he said.

Now, Coffman concentrates on helping local veterans and their dependents.

Sadly, its usually at a time of need, he said. We help them with everything from burial benefits and homestead exemptions to medical disability. Sometimes we just provide an ear to listen. Compassion and a love for our veterans are vital to this position. We read laws and interpret them for our veterans. We determine if their disabilities are military related. If they are turned down, we appeal the decisions, sometimes all the way to D.C. Were a doctor, psychiatrist and administrative person rolled into one.

Although hes managed flight assignment, job currency and training for more than 350 active and reserve duty aircrew and more during his time in the military, Coffman finds his job as VSO important and challenging.

Every day is different and every veteran is different, he said.

Coffman knows the importance of serving and honoring those who serve. He said although he works for Cass County, being a VSO is also a way to maintain a connection to the military, which those who serve often miss when they retire from it. It fulfills a void. It allows you to continue that military brotherhood and sisterhood. Its very rewarding, he said.
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Highway 140, one of the main roads leading to Yosemite National Park, remained closed Tuesday after several huge boulders plummeted onto the road Monday afternoon, officials said.

The boulders were blocking both lanes of Highway 140 near the thoroughfares El Portal Road extension and close to the parks Arch Rock Entrance.
The clock is ticking for Oakland to recraft its marijuana laws, but officials are nowhere closer to resolving a policy dispute that has become a form of political gamesmanship in City Hall.

And on Tuesday, the city added another roadblock for pot entrepreneurs who are desperate to get permits.

The council was scheduled to vote on several proposals to amend the permitting system it passed in May, including a controversial plan to require every cannabis business to hand over 25 percent of its profits and at least one seat on its board of directors to the city in exchange for a permit to operate. Sponsored by council members Desley Brooks, Noel Gallo and Larry Reid, it would require the city to donate a third of the revenue to three community job-training programs run by politically connected people.

Brooks had originally called for the vote to take place one week before a contentious election. But she changed her mind Tuesday and asked that it be postponed to Nov. 14.

She also requested that the citys Department of Race and Equity conduct a thorough analysis of all of the proposals, and of a set of laws the council passed in May that several council members have since tried to amend. That analysis will probably take more than two weeks, Councilman Dan Kalb pointed out at the meeting Tuesday.

In an interview later, Kalb noted that the Department of Race and Equity has only one staff member: its director, Darlene Flynn.

If youre asking a one-person department to analyze everything, that could take months, Kalb said. And the longer we wait to fix our ordinances, the more likely we are to lose business and tax money.

Industry insiders share that concern. State law requires that every pot business have a city permit and a license from the state by 2018.

Jason Overman, a former aide to Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan who now does consulting work for marijuana businesses, said the specter of a long delay is more troubling than the 25 percent ownership proposal.

The thing thats sending shock waves is the incredible instability and insecurity being caused by the uncertainty and delays in the citys process, he told The Chronicle.

The centerpiece of the May laws is a program that sets aside half the citys pot permits for people who were either jailed on marijuana convictions in Oakland within the past 10 years, or who have lived for at least two years in a designated East Oakland neighborhood that saw high marijuana arrests in 2013.

Brooks, who created the program, said it will help right the perceived wrongs of the U.S. war on drugs, which critics say disproportionately harmed African Americans and Latinos. Half of the equity neighborhoods are in her district, and the other half are in the district represented by her ally Reid.

Although the program passed unanimously, it quickly drew criticism from lawyers and cannabis insiders who say the narrow permitting criteria would choke off business.

Several council members have since expressed regret for their votes. Three of them  Kalb, Annie Campbell Washington and Abel Guillen  wrote a memo in September urging city administrators to start the process over. They called for a new permit program that would grant loans and other assistance to low-income African Americans and Latinos, without reserving half the citys permits for a small group of people.

The amendments introduced in May 2016, and ultimately adopted by the council, were brokered at the last moment without community outreach, the council members wrote in their Sept. 27 memo.

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But some Oakland residents championed the ideals behind the equity permit program.

I want to make sure we grandfather in the blacks and browns who spent time in jail over the green, said Paul Cobb, publisher of the weekly African American newspaper, the Oakland Post.

His wife, Gay Plair Cobb, runs the Oakland Private Industry Council, which stands to receive 11 percent of the citys cannabis profits if Brooks, Gallo and Reids proposal passes.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com
A veteran Oakland police sergeant who was removed from a homicide investigation and later placed on leave after questioning the alibi of a fellow officer formally demanded to get his job back on Tuesday and accused city and police leaders of embarrassing me to the fullest.

Im tired of being made out to be the bad guy, Sgt. James (Mike) Gantt said, shortly after he filed a complaint against Mayor Libby Schaaf and the top brass of the Oakland Police Department.

Gantt, sitting beside his lawyer in a downtown Oakland law office, said he was removed from a homicide investigation in 2014 when he questioned the alibi of Officer Brendan OBrien following the apparent suicide of OBriens wife.

OBrien later took his own life, sparking a separate investigation that led to a sprawling sexual-misconduct scandal involving a teenager and embroiling law enforcement officers throughout the Bay Area.

Im kind of torn here, because I love my job, Gantt said. But Im tired of being the scapegoat. Ive been sitting at home for six months, bored to death.

Gantt, who headed some of the citys biggest murder cases, complained he had been targeted by his superiors because he crossed the thin blue line when he questioned the account OBrien gave following the death of his wife, Irma Huerta Lopez.

OBrien told Gantt, a 27-year veteran of the Oakland Police Department, he was out buying cigarettes when his wife shot herself to death on the night of June 16, 2014.

His story didnt jive, said Gantt, explaining there were inconsistencies with the physical evidence and with OBriens alibi.

Gantt said he still believes OBrien killed his wife. OBrien himself committed suicide last year after he was linked to the notorious case involving the teenage daughter of a police dispatcher who was sexually exploited by law enforcement officers, including several Oakland police officers.

In April, Gantt was placed on administrative leave in connection with a domestic dispute between him and his wife. Two months later, Gantt again came under fire in connection with having a friend transcribe recordings of jailhouse conversations. But a few days later, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley ruled that no criminal conduct occurred and no cases were jeopardized by Gantts action.

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A spokeswoman for Schaaf said the city does not comment on pending litigation.

Before explaining his complaint to reporters at the office of his attorney, Gantt gingerly removed from a bag and placed on a conference table a dozen plaques, commendations and trophies for his police work which, he said, were not the only ones he had.

This is all I could fit in the bag, he said.

Attorney Dan Siegel said the complaint was the first step in seeking monetary damages from the city. He said the city was stooping to new lows to try and hide the truth.

Its not the first time Gantt has fought to get his job back. In 2004, he was terminated by the department after an internal affairs investigation found he compromised a criminal rape case by showing his friend, the suspect in the case, a copy of the crime report. His termination was overturned in arbitration.

Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com
A decades-old California law that keeps people in jail if they cant afford bail after their arrest came under renewed attack Tuesday from San Franciscos city attorney, who said the city wouldnt defend the law in court, and a Bay Area legislator, who promised a bill to repeal it.

The law creates a two-tiered system: one for those with money and another for those without. It doesnt make anybody safer, City Attorney Dennis Herrera said at a news conference as his office informed a federal judge that the city would not fight a civil rights groups lawsuit challenging the cash bail system.

The group, Equal Justice Under Law, filed separate suits in San Francisco and Sacramento arguing that the state law, as applied in those counties, discriminated against the poor. The law requires all counties to set bail in varying amounts depending on the seriousness of the crime.

Defendants who cant afford bail, or the 10 percent fee charged by bail bond companies, remain behind bars at least until they are formally charged and arraigned, usually 48 hours after arrest. At that point, a judge sets conditions for pretrial release based on the risk to public safety or the chance they might flee.

Those conditions often include bail, in an amount the judge considers adequate to ensure the defendants appearance in court. But the lawsuits currently challenge only the earlier, automatic requirement of bail after someone is arrested and jailed. Opponents had sought to overturn the entire bail system, but federal courts said the judges who set bail after arraignment were legally immune.

Bail bond companies say the cash bail system promotes public safety by giving defendants an incentive to show up in court. The civil rights group and other opponents say individual assessment of the potential risk a defendant poses, and supervision to make sure the defendant returns to court, is both fairer and more protective of the public than requiring people to pay for their release.

Last week, Californias chief justice, Tani Cantil-Sakauye, criticized the bail system and named a task force to study possible changes through the courts. On Tuesday, Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda, said he would introduce legislation to end this unjust aspect of our criminal justice system.

The bail system in California discriminates against poor people simply for being poor, Bonta said in a statement. Those who cant afford bail can lose their job, their car, or their home, he said, adding the system also disproportionately hurts communities of color.

The lead plaintiff in the San Francisco case, Riana Buffin, 19, was arrested in October 2015 on suspicion of grand theft. Unable to raise bail of $30,000, she sat in jail for two days until prosecutors dropped the case. Still, she wound up losing her job at the Oakland airport.

Sheriff Vicki Hennessy, Herreras client, said she disagrees with the pre-arraignment bail law but will continue to enforce it, in the amounts set by San Francisco judges, until the courts say otherwise.

A system that allows one person access to immediate freedom through the payment of cash, while another person with the same criminal history and charges who lacks financial resources remains behind bars, seems unfair to me, Hennessy said in a statement.

Mayor Ed Lee also criticized the bail system in a statement and said he, Hennessy and other local criminal justice leaders are looking for solutions that can strike the right balance, addressing these inequalities without compromising public safety.

But a lawyer for bail bond companies accused the city attorney and sheriff of violating their oaths of office by failing to support the law.

While the sheriff said she will enforce the law, Harmeet Dhillon, attorney for the California Bail Agents Association, accused Hennessy and Herrera of refusing to do their duty to defend Californias lawfully enacted statutes.

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Whether a law is fair or unfair is really not for Dennis Herrera, or Vicki Hennessy, or really for a federal judge to say, but is a question for the Legislature, Dhillon said. She also noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld laws that treat poor and rich people differently.

U.S. District Judge Troy Nunley of Sacramento cited the Supreme Courts precedent in dismissing a claim last month in a separate lawsuit that the bail system violated equal protection of the laws, although he allowed other claims in the suit to continue.

The Obama administration, on the other hand, argued in an Alabama case in March that setting bail without regard to a defendants ability to pay violated equal protection and was also bad public policy.

Attorney General Kamala Harris office has defended the state law in Nunleys court in Sacramento and could intervene in the San Francisco case, where Hennessy, represented by Herrera, has been the sole defendant. A spokeswoman said Harris office was reviewing the issue.

Attorney Phil Telfeyan of Equal Justice Under Law, which has challenged bail systems in California and six other states, said the action by Herrera and Hennessy should strengthen his case.

We applaud the sheriff and the city attorney for taking such a strong position, Telfeyan said. If someones not a risk to the community, theres no reason they should have to come up with an arbitrary amount to gain their freedom.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com

Twitter: @egelko
Courtesy of Al Murray

The states Fair Political Practices Commission is suing a Berkeley City Council candidate, saying he has failed to file a mandatory disclosure to show who is funding his campaign.

Al Murray, a city disability commissioner who is vying to replace left-leaning City Councilman Maxwell Anderson, failed to submit his first pre-election statement by the Sept. 29 deadline, the lawsuit says. After repeated attempts to get Murray to cooperate, the state commission turned to the Alameda County Superior Court on Tuesday.
Protesters at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in Cannon Ball, N.D., rallying against the Dakota Access oil pipeline have been calling for reinforcements since summertime. As of this week, about 800 people had come.

But in the course of just a few days, more than 1.5 million people marked themselves present at the pipeline protest using Facebook  even though they werent actually there.

It was, many believed, a way to throw law enforcement off the scent of protesters, who have hunkered down in opposition to the 1,170-mile pipeline amid mass arrests and escalating clashes with police.

In reality, the online gestures had little impact on law enforcement or the way they were treating  or tracking  protesters at the site. They may have had an unintended consequence, however: spreading awareness of the protest to people who may not have been following the events in North Dakota.

It starts a conversation with your friends about what this is about and why you posted it, which is good, but we need people to take further action  whether thats asking (an elected official) to prevent the pipeline, or calling on your state to refuse to send militarized law enforcement to Standing Rock, said Sue Evans, spokeswoman for the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.

Law enforcement agencies may well be using surveillance technologies to track the movements, and determine the identities, of people protesting the $3.7 billion project meant to carry oil from the Bakken oil patch across four states to a hub in Illinois.

Protesters and civil rights groups believe they are, though they doubt those tactics are as simple as monitoring Facebook check-ins.

A recent report by the American Civil Liberties Union revealed that law enforcement agencies across the country use location tracking and social media data to identify activists.

Last month, the ACLU of North Dakota filed several public records requests asking the Morton County Sheriffs Department and North Dakota Highway Patrol for information regarding their policing practices and surveillance tactics.

Though the highway patrol has not responded, the sheriff's department refused to disclose any information to the civil rights group, citing an ongoing criminal investigation.

Cecily Fong, the spokeswoman for the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, has told local reporters that her department used Facebook to comb through photos to determine whether demonstrators were armed.

Protesters have reported phones turning on on their own, phone calls cutting out and live video streams being interrupted as evidence that theyre being spied on, said Jennifer Cook, the policy director for the ACLU of North Dakota.

In most versions of the viral post, which began circulating over the weekend, supporters said law enforcement officers are using Facebook to monitor demonstrations and track individuals at the protesters base camp.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Morton County Sheriffs Department, said they are not relying on Facebooks check-in system to track protesters.

The sheriffs department said on its own Facebook page that the latest rumor about its use of the social media site to track protesters is absolutely false.

Last week, video of violent clashes between lines of police and protesters circulated online, showing demonstrators running from officers as 142 people were arrested. Most of them were charged with rioting and criminal trespassing.

It was the largest mass detention of demonstrators in months. By some estimates, about 300 people have been arrested since the protests began over the summer. Tensions have intensified in recent weeks as the pipelines construction moves closer to a river crossing that activists view as a critical water source that they fear will be compromised by the oil main, which many Native American tribes have said treads on sacred land.

As the videos and stories circulated, people sympathetic to the cause of the Standing Rock protesters began to wonder what they could do to help.

In the viral post, which implored Facebook users to publicly tag themselves at the Standing Rock protest site or nearby areas, some felt they had found their answer.

The merits of this kind of viral activism  often referred to as slacktivism or hashtag activism  have been debated.

Critics believe that it can hurt more concrete actions, like protests or volunteerism, and discourage people from donating money or time to causes by allowing social media users to feel as if they had already done their part by posting a status or tweeting a link.

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Proponents argue that when a social cause takes off online, it reaches huge numbers of people and may have a bigger impact in the end.

Standing Rock officials said theyre grateful for the show of solidarity, and the awareness it may bring. But there are more effective ways for people to get involved.

Call the governor of North Dakota and the North Dakota congressional delegation and tell them to halt construction at least until the environmental review process is complete. Call on President Obama, Evans said.

Marissa Lang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mlang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Marissa_Jae

How you can help Dakota pipeline protesters

- The Standing Rock Sioux tribe has asked supporters to call the White House and sign their petition to President Barack Obama to permanently stop construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline.

- Call your local legislators.

- Donate money to the protesters' legal aid fund.

- Donate winter clothes and supplies to protesters camped out at the North Dakota reservation.

- The tribe has asked for reinforcements trained in nonviolent protest to join them in their stand against the Dakota Access pipeline project in Cannon Ball, N.D.
Attorneys for the sexually exploited teenager at the center of a Bay Area police scandal were so concerned about her safety when she returned from Florida that they hid her in a safe house and had her wear a bullet-resistant vest.

I had never seen or heard of anything like it, said one source close to the case involving the 19-year-old woman, who went by the pseudonym Celeste Guap when she was a self-described sex worker. Her attorneys have asked that she now be identified only by her first name, Jasmine.

The attorneys took Jasmine to a safe house north of the Bay Area after she returned to California in September, said our source, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the legal sensitivity of the case. She had been undergoing substance-abuse treatment in Florida.

Jasmine is at the center of criminal investigations into police officers who allegedly had sex with her, in some cases when she was a minor, or knew what was going on and said nothing. Jasmine told The Chronicle that she had sex with as many as 29 current or former officers from several agencies. Prosecutors have filed charges against seven of them.

While at the safe house, Jasmine wore a bullet-resistant vest at her attorneys urging, our source tells us.

Her attorneys declined to confirm or deny the extraordinary measures. We took whatever steps were necessary to protect her safety and health, said Charles Bonner, who along with fellow attorney Pamela Price helped Jasmine file a multimillion-dollar legal claim against police departments in Richmond, Oakland and other cities whose officers allegedly were involved with her.

Price, who has since left the case, referred questions to Bonner and Jasmines new lead attorney, civil rights lawyer John Burris.

The safe-house security was apparently too much for the young woman. She eventually left and returned to her family in the Bay Area.

Burris said hes in the process of evaluating the headline-grabbing case.

Our client was a victim, he said. She certainly was taken advantage of by officers who were getting sex in return for protection.

Hatch hatchet: The federal law that has moved front and center in FBI Director James Comeys publicizing of the renewed investigation into Hillary Clintons emails is also coming into play in the Bay Area, in a very unusual way  it just cost one officeholder her re-election bid.

The law is the Hatch Act, and one provision bars federal officials from trying to swing an election  a provision that some Democrats think Comey violated with his Clinton-gate pronouncement.

In Pacifica, the law has snagged two-term City Councilwoman Mary Ann Nihart. A clinical director with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs, she was forced to scratch her re-election bid  not over anything she did, but because one of her rivals was endorsed by the Democratic Party.

No actions of mine did anything to cause this, other than a fluke in the law, Nihart said Tuesday.

The fluke stemmed from a Hatch Act provision barring federal employees from engaging in partisan politics. In Niharts case, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel ruled that the San Mateo County Democratic Central Committees endorsement of one of her three election rivals, Deirdre Martin, had turned a nonpartisan City Council race into a partisan battle  making Nihart ineligible as a federal employee to participate under the law.

Nihart was given two choices: quit her job or drop out of the election. She dropped out.

I feel so bad, she said.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Nihart pleaded with the local Democratic committee to undo its endorsement of Martin, but the Dems declined.

Councilmember Niharts employment burden could never be a basis for silencing the voice of the Democratic Party, said Jeffrey Adair, the county partys chairman.

Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, says shell look into changing the Hatch Act to allow federal employees to participate in nonpartisan elections even if a political party endorses another candidate. The Hatch Act should never result in a different entity other than the state of California effectively determining that a race is partisan, Speier said in a statement.

There may yet be hope for Nihart. Her name will still appear on Tuesdays ballot for the two spots on the council. If she wins, she would have to give up her seat  leaving it to the councils four remaining members to pick a replacement.

Because the Hatch Act applies only to campaigning, Nihart could be eligible to be appointed to the vacant seat.

Thats entirely up to the council, Nihart said. But as a federal employee, I have to stop campaigning, and I cant do any lobbying for that seat.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross
Vote early and vote often.

 John Van Buren

This is a tough year for democracy. My Republican friends long for the good old days of the Bush era. My Democratic friends are already longing for the good old days of the Obama era.

All of us wanted an elevated discussion of immigration and medical care, but what we got was Access Hollywood and WikiLeaks.

Election stress disorder is a thing. Ive gotten mail from readers telling me that theyre fighting with their spouses, and theyre ashamed to have their children watch the debates and listen to adults yelling about bad hombres and nasty women. The American Psychological Association revealed a survey stating that 1 in 4 American workers were stressed out by political discussions.

There is only one cure for election stress disorder: the vote.

My fathers mother, Grandma Sadie, was the only Irish woman on a German block in Glendale, N.Y. So of course she worked for the Democratic Party, and her neighborhood had the highest turnout in Queens County for Roosevelt, and then Truman. Grandma Sadie said, Everyone votes in Glendale. Then she looked knowingly across Myrtle Avenue to the Cypress Hills Cemetery and repeated, Everyone.

Now Im not recommending that, but I will tell you that Grandma Sadie taught us that voting was our responsibility. She took it seriously because when she was born, women were not allowed to vote. Her parents were born in Ireland, where Catholics had been denied the vote for years by British property laws and gerrymandering. Grandma Sadie died soon after John Fitzgerald Kennedy became the first Catholic elected to the American presidency, but she left us with this one value.

There is only one cure: the vote.

Growing up in South Ozone Park, voting was a religious experience. Literally, as the polling place was in St. Anthony Church. Nurse Vivian and Pop took me into the booth, and I watched them pull the levers that make this society work.

When I met Brian in 1985, he had just voted for a president whom I would never have chosen. But we fell in love anyway and moved to San Francisco, and election day became our date night. We opened the voter pamphlet as soon as we got it, and researched and argued over each and every proposition.

The San Francisco Department of Elections, in its infinite bureaucratic inefficiency, keeps sending me a mail-in ballot. Ive walked down to City Hall more than a dozen times to tell them that I am not an absentee voter. I am a presentee voter, and on that Tuesday in November, my husband and I walk hand-in-hand to the polling precinct. We take our sons with us because we want them to see that this is how we make our voice heard. Some years we cancel each others vote out, but we still walk out together.

Representative government is a terrible responsibility, because each of us is, in part, responsible for the result.

I belong to a political club, but I wont discuss that in this column. I wont tell you whom to choose, but I am telling you to vote. Get out there and make decisions about America. If you dont like the top of the ticket, then go down ballot, as there has to be someone worthy in all this, one of the longest ballots in California history. The paradox is that only by actually showing up do you start to care about the results.

Zane and Aidan have sat in the living room as we watched each of the debates, and theyve come to their own conclusions, some of which were non sequiturs: Daddy, if Pence is from the red states, then why is he wearing a blue tie, and if Tim Kaine is from the blue states, then why is he wearing a red one? Some were insightful: Daddy, you would blow the roof if I ever spoke to a woman that way.

If our leaders cannot be inspirational, then democracy requires that we be the ones to motivate. Take my friend SASB (known to the long-term readership as Stephanie Boone). Im not sure that she likes either of the candidates, but shes taking her daughter to Nevada to campaign because that state could swing either way, and she wants her daughter to know, that even when you are lukewarm about a candidate, you stay engaged.

What values do we teach our children? Vote, even when you dont want to. Vote because we want our sons to be proud of us, even when were not proud of our candidates.

Vote.

Kevin Fisher-Paulsons column appears Wednesdays in Datebook. Email: datebook@sfchronicle.com
Southeast Community Colleges (SCC) Plattsmouth Learning Center officially unlocked its doors to the public Oct. 26 with a late afternoon ribbon cutting and open house.

Plattsmouth Mayor Paul Lambert welcomed an estimated 150 guests to the center, located at 537 Main St., and thanked them for attending this momentous occasion for Plattsmouth and Cass County.

The community college is critical in workforce training and development, Lambert said. With this new facility in Plattsmouth, we have a far greater opportunity to keep the young students of today and tomorrow in Plattsmouth and Cass County.

Lambert thanked SCC President Dr. Paul Illich and SCCs Board of Directors for opening the center in downtown Plattsmouth.

We cannot help but believe this space will be one of the colleges most attractive and unique spaces, Lambert said.

Lambert also thanked the building owners, Russ and Kim Kathol, for their investment in renovating the building and working with the city to obtain downtown revitalization funds.

This building has been vacant a long time, but with the completion of construction for SCC and the coffee shop, we have a wonderful addition to the historic district that is so important to the economy and vitality of Plattsmouth, he said.

Chairman of the SCC Board Dr. Dale Kruse was also in attendance. Kruse is an alumnus of Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca High School and served as superintendent of Beatrice Public Schools and Gibbon Public Schools.

He also commented on the new center.

Were pleased and excited. This is a beautiful facility, Kruse said.

Kruse introduced Illich to the guests. He said the board hired Illich in July 2014 after longtime president, Jack Huck, retired.

Before his hire, Illich served for 17 years as vice president for research, planning and information technology at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas.

Illich said when he first arrived in Nebraska he worked at becoming familiar with SCCs 15-county service area.

(Plattsmouth City Administrator) Erv Portis introduced himself, Illich said.

Illich said he had planned to give an elaborate talk about SCC. Portis, however, looked at him and said, We just want to know what you are going to do for Plattsmouth.

Thats the kind of interest and energy weve found in Plattsmouth, Illich said.

Once on board, Illich learned SCC only had a physical presence in three of the 15 counties in its service area with campuses in Lincoln, Milford and Beatrice.

We decided upon six sites to ensure students were within 35 miles of a center or campus, Illich explained.

Illich said SCC wanted to address the lack of qualified workers in the tech trades and give people access to training.

In addition, SCC also wants to provide life-long learning and is offering 20 non-credit courses this fall.

He encouraged people to tour the Plattsmouth Learning Center and note the distance learning equipment enabling students to take classes offered at the other centers and campuses without traveling.

We are so proud and excited to be here, he said.
John Storey

Martin Yan, star of the long-running television show Yan Can Cook, doesnt just want to make the city of Chengdu, China, the subject of his next series. He has embarked on an ambitious program to introduce the Bay Area to the culinary (and political) capital of the Sichuan province in China.

I thought I had a good grip on Sichuan cooking the first time I visited Chengdu, Yan writes in an email. Wrong! There were so many subtle, fine details that I did not know. Authentic Sichuan cooking is as complex and multilayered as they come.
It had been 18 months of anticipation, and 18 months of worry, since that day when they were making Midnight Special together and writer-director Jeff Nichols approached actor Joel Edgerton about starring in Loving. He would play Richard Loving, one half of the Virginia couple who fought all the way to the Supreme Court in the 1960s to have interracial marriage declared legal.

Moved by Richards story, the Australian actor had never wanted a project to go forward as much as this one, but until the cameras rolled, there was always the possibility that something could go wrong. He could lose the part, or the movie could fall apart.

But finally, cast and crew were in Virginia, shooting in Center Point and Bowling Green, where the story unfolded. And Edgerton was looking across Richard and Mildred Lovings gravestones at his Mildred, Irish actor Ruth Negga, as they paid their respects to the people they were portraying, and thinking about Neggas and his roles.

Shes already got this woman deeply under her skin. Ruth felt so determined to be part of this story, felt so lucky to be there, Edgerton, 42, recalls in conversation at the Toronto International Film Festival where Loving screened.

I remember feeding off that moment, because I already thought Id clicked into, I know what to do here, and when I saw that, I realized, Theres more reverence here, and its more potent a thing that were doing. I knew that I had to go and meet her on that level.

Lovings path to the screen began with Nancy Buirskis award-winning documentary The Loving Story. Actor Colin Firth was so moved by it that he turned producer, tapping writer-director Nichols to transform into a drama the tale of a humble country couple who took on a history-changing battle.

Nichols, an Arkansas native, had never made a movie that didnt spring from his own ideas, but he had long been interested in the civil rights struggle. His own father had grown up poor in Altheimer, Ark., in the segregated Jim Crow era, and Nichols remembered his dad talking about how, despite the laws, the entire community depended on one another.

What that always spoke to me about was the complexity of relationships, Nichols, 37, says. I think when we think about segregation, we only think about segregation. We dont think about the intimacy of these two communities always interacting, which is really what the South is about.

They are complex, dark, tragic and sometimes beautiful relationships. What Richard and Mildred offered up was a complexity that we just dont often talk about, in films.

But while Loving offers a portrait of Virginia and Washington, D.C., where the Lovings and their children were banished after the state convicted the couple of miscegenation, it also portrays a marriage. Taciturn, stoic Richard takes his strength from his more ebullient wife, their love displayed in looks and small, intimate gestures.

I think those little gestures are indicative of not only the love they have for one another, but also the respect and the kindness, says Negga, 34. And they really like one another. Its very apparent in Nancys documentary. They really love being in each others company. That was very important for me and Joel and Jeff to make sure we translated that onto the screen.

Marriage is not about I love you, it is about all the moments in between, adds Nichols. Its about commitment in times when its not easy to say I love you. And its also just about the day in, day out.

Both Richard and Mildred Loving have died, as have two of their three children. Only daughter Peggy remains, but Nichols and both actors are aware that, in a way, their story isnt over. Marriage equality is still an issue in the world. Edgerton points out that in Australia, gays and lesbians still cant marry. Richard and Mildred and the enduring relationship portrayed in the movie are a potent reminder of the stakes.

This movie reaches out with sort of a vicious grip, says Edgerton. Its a gentle movie, but it has a real viselike grip.  Love will find a way. Change will find a way.

Its like tentacles of love, this film, adds Negga. Its reminding people that where this started, they were the genesis of this, really.

Pam Grady is a San Francisco freelance writer. Twitter: @cinepam

Loving (PG-13) opens Friday, Nov. 11, at Bay Area theaters.

To watch a trailer: www.focusfeatures.com/loving
The Energy Departments Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) has been hard at work for the past 40 years helping many low-income American families, living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, attain the goal of an energy-efficient, safe and comfortable home. The program is available for households who either own or rent their home. An emphasis of service is placed on households with seniors (over age 60), persons with disabilities, and those with children (under age 6). August 14, 2016 officially marked the 40th anniversary of this program, which has retrofitted more than 7 million homes across the country. WAP is considered the nations oldest and largest whole-house energy efficiency program. According to information supplied by energy.gov. WAP services every political subdivision in the country through a network of 59 grantees: 50 states, the District of Columbia, five U.S. territories, and three select Native American tribes. Professionally trained crews use computerized energy audits and advanced diagnostic equipment to identify energy-saving strategies in single-family, multi-family, and mobile homes. Cost-effective weatherization measures and those essential for health and safety are performed. Typical measures include: installing insulation; reducing air infiltration; performing tune-ups and repairs to heating and cooling systems; improving water heater efficiency; and replacing incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent bulbs. The average home experiences an average of 18.7% reduction in energy costs.
I grew up in the same generation as Hillary Clinton, and during the past many months Ive often heard friends my age and older ask, Whats wrong with Hillary? I like her: Shes intelligent, articulate, kind, she shares my values, and knows how to get things done in Washington. Whats not to like? I ask the same question myself, and reflect on how the times in which we came of age formed who she is in ways that perhaps younger women and men dont understand.

I was born in 1950. As girls, we were taught that women became loyal wives, good homemakers, devoted mothers, and maybe had a part-time job (if these first three priorities allowed and our spouse agreed). The world was run by men.

In junior high school, we girls all had to take homemaking class, where we learned to make an apron. Our role models were movie stars, who were unbelievably blessed with beauty (more important than talent), and the first ladies, who had made very good matches by marrying someone who became president.

About 2 percent of those serving in Congress were women, and they were generally seen as unfeminine. Misogyny wasnt in anyones vocabulary. The term glass ceiling didnt exist yet, though we all knew it was there  pay inequality was a given.

By my junior year in high school, I was realizing that I needed my life to be about more than making aprons. My imagination was captured by the folk music I was hearing  from Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan  that described terrible social injustices and different ways of living. I couldnt wait to leave our boring Southern California life, and I was accepted at UC Berkeley, the center of a blossoming alternative culture. Though I went to attend school, I actually got my degree on the streets in social protest, first helping to build and defend Peoples Park (we took over derelict land owned by the university and turned it into a park, setting off months of confrontation involving thousands of protesters), and then as part of huge protests against the Vietnam War that closed the campus for an entire term.

During the years between 1968 and 1970, we were tear-gassed, pepper-sprayed, clubbed, arrested and even shot while attending rallies. The National Guard was stationed on my street corner for weeks. I attended dozens of meetings, some public and others secret because it was illegal for more than four people to gather, but I became disillusioned with our leaders. They were all young men with over-inflated egos who were playing out their own power trips, while their girlfriends typed flyers and brought food. I saw that our revolution wasnt going to succeed unless there was an evolution of consciousness.

Access to birth control was limited and abortions were illegal, but because being an unwed mother put us in poverty and in exile from possibilities, I knew women who used coat hangers and poisons to abort, and we helped gather money among our friends for their scary illegal abortions. In 1973 with Roe vs. Wade, abortion became legal. Women who have lived with access to birth control and abortion may take reproductive freedom for granted, but those of us who lived before that know it is a precious and precarious right in need of vigilant protection.

This era was the start of the upending of male dominance, and most men didnt take it very well  feminist was a derogatory term. Womens new model then became to beat men at their game by acting like them, only foxier and better. For those of us who followed that route, our public personas of reserve and control and our personal lives of intuition, vulnerability, humor and caring became at odds, as the latter were seen as signs of weakness in the mans world. Does this sound like Hillary Clinton?

I have great respect for the fact that when Clinton heard the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. speak when she was in her early 20s, she was so inspired that she decided to devote her life to public service. This was her inner person knowing what her outer person was meant to do. She worked for and with politicians she admired (marrying one who became president), and honed her skills at a time when powerful women were called nasty bitches (sound familiar?), learning to work with and outwit the men in power to forward her agenda of helping the powerless.

We can each look at her record and priorities and decide where she succeeded or didnt. I dont idealize her. Most of her priorities for our country are my priorities, though shes more hawkish than I would like, and more beholden to big banks than I feel is wise.

Its clear to me, though, that she represents and has fought for every woman who lived through back-room life-threatening abortions, every woman who has been held back by income inequality, or been judged by her appearance rather than her intelligence, or couldnt afford child care or health care for her children while trying to graduate from college.

Clinton may not be the role model that our younger generations want for their children now, but without her and other strong, gutsy, private, ambitious, smart women of our generation blazing this trail, our younger women wouldnt have the opportunities they take for granted.

To be able to tell our daughters that they, too, can be president is something I and my peers couldnt even imagine when we were younger. Hallelujah that this intelligent, compassionate, fierce woman wants to be our president. I think she will do the best job anyone could in this toxic political climate.

Sakina von Briesen is a retired nonprofit administrator and teaches Japanese tea ceremony in Santa Fe, N.M.
Astounding to many, a jury in Portland, Ore., on Thursday found the gun-toting occupiers of public facilities at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge not guilty as charged.

And with a commentary that I find every bit as astonishing, newscasts ranging from blogs to NPR report that the jurys outcome signals a triumph for right-wing rural malcontents to wrest public land from government agencies now charged with administering it across the West.

Nonsense.

While the illegal occupation has raised concerns for the security of other federal land, employees and visitors throughout the Western states, the jurys decision recognized only that the federal prosecutors narrow case  the wildlife refuges invaders had deliberately prevented federal employees from doing their jobs  was not convincing to that particular jury. It had nothing to do with the legitimacy of armed men to illegally occupy government facilities. Further, it had nothing to do with claims that the federal government should not own and take care of wildlife refuges, national forests, national parks or Bureau of Land Management acreage.

But the fact that the Ammon Bundy crowd got off for reasons that might be explained entirely as federal prosecutors blowing their case has little real value to a band of vigilantes seeking to trash an extensive body of law regarding stewardship of public land.

Does the verdict or its bizarre aftermath of commentary lend credence to the occupiers thoroughly debunked claim that the Constitution bars federal ownership of property? No. The Supreme Court has ruled repeatedly on this topic since the nation was founded. Does it mean that the Bundys can evade paying grazing fees, unlike all the other ranchers who elect to run their cattle on federal land? No. Does this gang going free now mean that anybody anywhere can pull a gun on government officials and not suffer consequences? I dont think so.

Gun-bearing militants with disdain for federal law might feel buoyed by the Bundys getting off. So would faceless multinational corporations that want to drill and strip-mine without restraint on the land belonging to us all. But most Americans, I venture to say, are outraged that the Malheur trespassers walked into a public facility and took it over. Whats the difference between their occupation and what would be clearly be termed domestic terrorism if they had commandeered a public library because they didnt think the government should be providing books?

News commentaries shine a spotlight on the privatizing goals of those who would take public land away from the American public that owns it. But the most important story here is that the motives of these people to take what is not theirs are unfounded and terroristic. Because of what they have done, its easier to see that their methods have no place in a civil society.

The take-home message here is that public land belongs to the public, and that the federal stewards of this property must be better prepared to guard it, and that all of us who own this vast and valuable estate need to reject outrageous claims by those who want our land all for themselves.
As I write this, more than 27 million Americans already have voted in the Nov. 8 election. California voters can submit their ballots 30 days before election day. Minnesotans can vote 46 days out  starting Sept. 23, i.e., before the first of the three general election presidential debates. Many early voters cast their ballots before recent revelations about Donald Trumps treatment of women and Hillary Clintons wayward emails, so there have to be voters who regret their choice.

If Democrats and Republicans had known their actions in the primary election would produce the worst top-two nominees imaginable, then this general election might not be so ugly. Ive talked to people who voted early just to get the whole dirty business over with.

Over the weekend, Fox News ran stories about the options available to those who want a vote do-over.

Im not in favor of do-overs, Loyola Law School Professor Jessica Levinson responded when I asked for her take. I dont get to go back to change my law school exam. According to a spokesman for the California secretary of state, there are no ballot do-overs in california.

Me, Id be on board for a vote do-over  but only if it is nationwide and includes the primary vote.

The very fact that people are asking about vote do-overs raises the question: Are some states giving citizens too much time to vote?

Tammy Frisby, whos in charge of the Hoover Institutions Golden State Poll, noted that this presidential race has seen more than its fair share of October surprises. More campaign surprises lead to more voter remorse.

A bigger issue than presidential-pick remorse are down-ballot contests. While most early voters probably have a clear idea of whom they want in the Oval Office, they may be less informed about local elections. California has 17 ballot measures this year. Frisby believes average people  those who dont get paid to follow politics and policy  only start paying attention in the last month before an election.

The most recent Hoover poll shows that 37 percent of California voters arent sure how theyll vote in the U.S. Senate race, where the two candidates are Democrats (Kamala Harris, the state attorney general, and Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Santa Ana). Clearly voters havent focused on that race.

Asked how theyll vote on Proposition 61, which controls prescription drug prices the state pays, more Californians were not sure (25 percent) than said they would vote no (24 percent). Those examples, Frisby noted, show that when people vote before they are focused on a race, they probably are not making the most educated choice possible.

Cleveland State University law Professor Candice Hoke explained that early voting exists to accommodate military personnel and their families, as well as residents who have to juggle voting with work, health issues, religious calendars and travel. A longer voting window is more convenient for voters and registrars, who want to process a maximum number of ballots and reduce the risk of a technology glitch hitting all voters at a particular place and time.

That said, Hoke agreed when I told her I thought 46-day and 30-day windows probably last too long. She suggested a window that lasts two weeks, or maybe 12 days but includes two weekends and all seven weekdays. She added, That type of calendar would cover for every religion and work schedule.

Even before the election, many citizens feel voter remorse. I predict that in 2017, theyll also regret votes on ballot measures. Smart states dont encourage residents to vote before a campaign is over.

Debra J. Saunders is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: dsaunders@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DebraJSaunders
DAMASCUS, Syria  The guns were silent atop Mount Qasioun, and lights on its slopes twinkled over Damascus as President Bashar Assad welcomed visitors to his French-Ottoman palace below. It was possible to imagine, for a moment, that there was no war in Syria.

The blasts that until recently echoed day and night from the mountaintop, shelling rebel-held suburbs, have subsided lately, and Assad, radiating confidence, was on a mission to convince the Western public that their governments had made a mistake in backing his opponents.

He promised his guests, half a dozen American and British journalists and policy analysts, that a new era of openness, transparency and dialogue was dawning in Syria, a message that was part of a concerted public-relations push from his top advisers and officials.

Then he rejected any personal responsibility for the war ravaging his country, placing all the blame on the United States and on Islamic militants, and none on his government or its security forces.

Assad ruled out political changes until government forces win the war, and declared that he expected to be president at least until his third seven-year term ends in 2021. And he asserted that the state of the social fabric in Syria  a country where half the population has been driven from their homes, hundreds of thousands have been killed, tens of thousands more imprisoned and city centers reduced to rubble  was much better than before the war.

Asked about a list of detainees whose families have heard nothing of them for years, he asked for proof that they were in prison.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Do you have documents? he asked. Did they see them in prison?

Assad said he is fighting to preserve state institutions. Good or bad, he said, criticizing Western intervention that helped topple the government of Libya in 2011. Its not your mission to change it.
Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah, is a name too desolate to resist for photographer Beth Moon, who likes to lug her gear out into the dark places beyond human reach.

Once she has found isolation, Moon sets up her tripod and makes a 30-second exposure in the dead of night, to freeze the interplay between trees and stars. But never the moon. Moon only works on moonless nights.

To make these photographs you must have the right degree of atmospheric clarity, she says. So the more remote the better.

It is a long and lonely pursuit, and the results are in Diamond Nights at Corden Potts Gallery in San Francisco.

The show follows a body of work called Ancient Trees: Portraits of Time, which involved Moon going around the world and shooting the oldest growth trees in black-and-white film. Even working in daylight, Moon made the images dark and moody and surreal.

For the sequel, Moon has advanced to digital, which allows her to capture enough light in the exposure to work under the stars, and in color.

What you are looking at is different than what you see with the unaided eye, she says. You are seeing an accumulation of light, which makes the colors dynamic and intense.

The eight images at Corden Potts were taken in eight different countries on four continents. They are enlarged to 32 by 48 inches, so you can count the stars and see the grain in the wood.

Moon, who splits her time between Novato and New York City, will be at a reception Thursday, Nov. 3, to sign copies of the accompanying monograph Ancient Skies, Ancient Trees.

Moon is shy, but with goading she might be willing describe the experience of standing knee-high in mud on a soggy overnight in Croft Castle, England, or in the salt flats of Botswana, with the entire Milky Way stretched from one end of the horizon to the other.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Instagram: @sfchronicle_art

Diamond Nights: Artists reception at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3. Through Dec. 3. Corden Potts, 49 Geary St., S.F. (415) 781-0110. www.cordenpottsgallery.com
Activists criticized the selection process for the next San Francisco police chief, which they said could give Interim Chief Toney Chaplin an unfair advantage, during a Tuesday night Police Commission meeting.

About a dozen residents present at the meeting at City Hall told commissioners they were against Chaplin being selected, arguing that only an outsider could bring necessary reform to the department.

Earlier Tuesday, a city supervisor introduced a symbolic resolution that could disqualify Chaplin from the position.

Under a non-binding resolution backed by Supervisor Norman Yee, the San Francisco Police Chief would be required to live in the city.

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The Chronicle reported in August that Chaplin lives with his family in the East Bay and would be the first chief in recent memory not to reside in San Francisco.

The first half of the Police Commission meeting was open to the public, but the subsequent session on the chief selection process was made private, angering the attendees who made comments against Chaplin and asked for transparency.

The group, mainly members of San Franciscans for Police Accountability, accused commissioners of purposely hiding more qualified applicants from the public.

Referring to the Police Officers Association, Bob Gorringe, co-founder of the activist group, said, Chaplin is a bad choice for many reasons. First of all, he was endorsed by the POA ... an institution that is losing political clout because of its intransigence.

Gorringe claimed to know the identities of at least four finalists. He said the applicants were three men and a woman, all African American, and came from Los Angeles, Seattle, Georgia and Texas. Commissioners declined to comment on the identities of the finalists.

Chaplin has publicly said he wants the permanent chief position.

The city received 60 applications for the chiefs position, the Police Commission said, including 11 from current or former members of the San Francisco force. Deputy chiefs Mikail Ali and Garret Tom have also stated publicly that they planned to apply.

Chaplin was appointed acting chief in May after Greg Suhr resigned following an officers killing of 29-year-old Jessica Williams, an unarmed car-theft suspect. Williams death had marked the third fatal officer-involved shooting in six months.

Chaplins credentials had previously come under fire when he had declined to say where he earned his bachelors degree. School officials at Colorado State Universitys online Global Campus confirmed in September that Chaplin had received a degree from the institution, ending speculation over his education.

Chronicle staff writer Vivian Ho contributed to this report.

Jenna Lyons and Michael Bodley are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com, mbodley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno @michael_bodley
How much could you make spending all your days cleaning BART stations? Wiping up the dirt, the grime, the pee, the vomit, the mysterious sludge?

One BART janitor raked in some $271,000 in pay and benefits last year, records indicate.

Liang Zhao Zhang just might be one the world's best paid janitors in a field that according to salary.com has a median pay of $27,000 nationwide.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, where salaries and the cost of living are notably higher, you'd expect this position to pay more, and Zhang, whose official title is system service worker, had a base pay of $57,945.87 in 2015, according to a report from the Las Vegas-based nonprofit Transparent California.

By working overtime, he made an extra $162,050.06, and BART spokesperson Alicia Trost confirmed that his total pay with benefits in 2015 came out to $276,121.07.

To make this impressive salary, Zhang worked more than 4,000 hours in 2015. In comparison, the typical employee clocking 40 hour weeks and taking two weeks of vacation might work around 2,000 hours in a year.

Trost provided an exact breakdown of Zhang's hours.

For regular hours he did:

1420.73 regular hours

24 hours of protected sick leave

192 of vacation hours

48 hours of holiday hours

3.27 of administrative leave For overtime he did:

63 hours of "holiday work"

1821.53 hours of time and a half (1.5 for regular day off 1).

601 hours of double time (2 for regular day off 2)

"This employee signs up for every overtime slot that becomes available," Trost shared. "He is likely working almost every day of the year cleaning our stations. He is signing up for time that is also available to others  if he doesn't take the hours, someone else will. The sign-ups are based on seniority."

To figure out how much Zhang is making an hour isn't simple, Trost said, "because you get time-and-a-half on your first regularly scheduled day off and then double time for your second regularly scheduled day off."

What's more, employees receive double-time for working a holiday and extra pay if 50 percent or more if your shift is during 'swing shift' or 'graveyard shift.'"

Basic math reveals that he's making roughly $56 an hour before taxes and when you pull out benefits from his salary.

The official job description for Zhang's position includes everything from scrubbing and waxing floors to polishing elevators and sweeping station sidewalks.

Trost said station cleanliness is a priority for BART and if the system service workers didn't put in overtime, "stations would be more dirty and the overall BART experience would be impacted."

VIDEO: Watch BART crews clean gunk under an escalator at the Powell Street Station.

Earlier this year, SFGATE reported on a review of the 2015 annual incomes of BART's workers and revealed that "some employees  particularly those involved with construction and repairs  are making almost triple their salary in overtime pay."

A police officer with a base pay of $96,000 grossed an additional $170,000 in overtime money, for example, while an elevator and escalator worker making $77,100 earned an extra $140,000.

Trost explained it's less expensive to offer existing employees overtime than to hire new workers.

"Overtime allows you to distribute the resources in larger amounts when needed but scale back when appropriate," she said. "Our budget is balanced because we use the savings from vacant positions to help pay the cost of the overtime."

Attempts to connect with Zhang were unsuccessful.
Thrill-seekers looking to escape from Alcatraz without cold water and possible shark bites now have a proxy to sate their curiosity.

The San Francisco Dungeon in Fisherman's Wharf just opened "Escape Alcatraz," a $2 million ride that features a two-story drop into "the frigid waters of San Francisco Bay" (only simulated, of course). Escape Alcatraz bills itself as North America's only underground drop ride; the tower drops riders down below sea-level.
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Flywheel Taxi, a San Francisco cab company, is suing ride-hailing company Uber for predatory pricing practices, claiming that Uber uses its billions of dollars of venture capital to undercut rivals on rides in an effort to force all competitors from the market and establish a complete monopoly.

The San Francisco taxi industry has lost 65 percent of its riders and 30 percent of its drivers since mid-2012, when Uber began its low-cost UberX service, the suit said.

Once all competitors have been forced from the market, Uber, unfettered by competition, will be free to charge exorbitant prices for all ride-hail transportation in San Francisco, Flywheel Taxi said.

The federal lawsuit also alleges that Uber has misled the public about its availability, pricing and safety; lied to drivers about their earnings potential; discriminated against passengers on the basis of disability, race and gender; and illegally raised fares during peak hours. Uber has faced similar allegations for years and has settled some prominent cases .

This lawsuit is about holding Uber responsible for their unlawful practices, said Flywheel Taxi CEO Hansu Kim. It is not about stifling competition or technological innovations. We want all on-demand taxi services to be treated fairly under the law, and competing on an even playing field. The public is served when there are choices in services.

Uber said that consumers enjoy plenty of choice among transportation options.

We compete with lots of way s to get around, especially car ownership, Uber said. Our goal is to provide a credible alternative to the private car. Our technology lets us make our network more efficient over time, and innovations like UberPool (shared-ride service) are further lowering prices, making ride sharing more available to more people.

Law professor Mark Lemley, director of the Stanford Program in Law, Science and Technology, said Flywheel will have an uphill battle making its case.

Courts, including the Supreme Court, have deliberately made it extremely hard to prove predatory pricing, he said. The complaint that a competitor charges too little money is usually not evidence of a secret conspiracy to drive everyone out of the market and then raise prices; its usually (made by) someone who is failing to compete in the market and is upset about it.

Another impediment to the case is that theres plenty of competition for rides, he said.

The theory that if Uber just drives (taxis) out of business it will suddenly triple prices and everyone will be stuck with them ignores the existence of Lyft and other competitors, Lemley said. It also ignores that if Uber did that, people would just shift to another source of rides.

Flywheel Taxi, formerly DeSoto Cab, San Franciscos oldest taxi company, was renamed in 2015 in a co-marketing agreement with Flywheel, an unrelated Redwood City software company that makes a ride-hailing app for taxicabs. Flywheel Taxis 265 bright-red cabs are a familiar fixture on San Francisco streets.

Taxi companies have seen their business plummet since the advent of Uber and Lyft. They frequently charge that the smartphone-hailed rides, which are regulated on the state level, have looser regulations than street-hailed taxis, which are regulated by cities.

In a separate case filed last year and still pending, Flywheel Taxi sued to challenge the California Public Utilities Commissions regulation of Uber and Lyft, saying that its rules are far less strict than those for traditional taxi companies.

Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid
Jennifer Mitzelfelt is thinking inside the box.

For an outside event.

An event designed to draw awareness to the needs of homeless people and raise funds for local agencies assisting those in need.

On Friday, more than 40 area middle and high school students plan to participate in Box City 2.0. The event will take place from 9 that night until 7 a.m. Saturday in John C. Fremont City Park, Eighth and Broad streets.

The First United Methodist Church youth group is hosting the fundraiser during which students will spend the night, sleeping in boxes. Youth from First Lutheran Church plan to participate as do other teens who dont have a youth group affiliation.

Other youth groups wanting to join the effort may register that night.

Well have a registration table open at 6:30 p.m. in the park, said Mitzelfelt, director of Christian education at the Methodist church.

Each participant needs to bring his or her own cardboard box and a sleeping bag to the park. Cost is $3 per person and all proceeds will go to the Fremont Area United Way and Care Corps Family Services in Fremont.

Shawn Shanahan, United Way executive director, will speak at the event, which also will include worship and game opportunities for participants. A prayer vigil will start at 11:45 p.m., after which students will go into their boxes for the night. There will be a quiet time from midnight to 6 a.m.

This is the first time that Methodist church youth have had a Box City in Fremont.

The idea came after local youth attended a similar event hosted last spring by First United Methodist Church in Omaha. That church has the event each year and collected funds for youth emergency services.

Our youth loved the event and decided to bring it here, so that is where the 2.0 comes into play, Mitzelfelt said. Its not the same as what theyre doing. Its our version.

Mitzelfelt said the local Methodist youth group has done all the planning for the event.

She and the group had to get approval from Fremonts parks board to have the event at the downtown park. The Fremont City Council also had to vote to suspend for one night the city ordinance that doesnt allow people in the park after 11 p.m.

No one other than Box City participants will be allowed in the park after that time.

Mitzelfelt and youth group members were excited about getting approval to have the event at the park.

The kids knew we could have chosen a church that has a bigger lawn than we do, but we wanted to be somewhere visible  somewhere people would drive by and see  because sometimes homelessness tends to be forgotten about, she said. And especially going into the cold time of the year, the youth want to remind Fremont residents that this is a very real problem.

Mitzelfelt said the youth group chose to have the event on Nov. 4, because it is World Community Day on the Methodist church calendar. They want to bring residents together as a community to address the issue of homelessness.

The goal for this first year is to have 40 students participate.

I think we will be over that (number), Mitzelfelt said.

If the event is successful, the youth group hopes to have it each year in the fall.

For more information, contact Mitzelfelt at the church at 402-721-0817.
Bill Hutchinson / The Chronicle

Two men were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries Tuesday after being stabbed in separate attacks in San Francisco that occurred about two hours apart, police said.

The first stabbing unfolded in broad daylight on the 1000 block of Gilman Avenue near the Bret Harte Elementary School and Gilman Playground in the Bayview neighborhood, said Officer Giselle Talkoff, a spokeswoman for the San Francisco Police Department.
Police on Wednesday identified the 26-year-old San Francisco man shot dead in a Fairfield residence last week.

Jonathan Cottonham Jr. was shot inside an apartment on the 500 block of Alaska Avenue on Friday, according to the Fairfield Police Department.

Officers responding to 911 calls about shots fired found Cottonham suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside the residence. Paramedics took him to a nearby hospital, where he died, police said.

Authorities would not release more details on the case.

Anyone with information about the shooting can call the Fairfield Police Department at (707) 428-7600.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
Pacifica PD / /

A man suspected of trying to drag a girl off a Pacifica sidewalk and into his car on Halloween was arrested after detectives identified him and tracked him down within 24 hours, police said.

Mark Anthony Soliman, 41, of Pacifica was booked into San Mateo Countys Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City on suspicion of kidnapping a child under 14 and annoying or molesting a child.
On Aug. 1, 1966, the nation was stunned when Charles Whitman, an architectural engineering student who was a Marine-trained sniper, began randomly shooting people from the observation deck of the 27-story clock tower on the University of Texas campus in Austin.

He eventually killed 16 people  including his wife and mother before entering the tower  and wounded about 30 others before he was killed by police. The incident introduced the nation to the concept of mass shootings, which sadly have become all too common.

Keith Maitlands powerful and emotional documentary Tower  easily one of the best films of the year  takes a novel approach for a nonfiction film:aAnimation. Specifically, he mixes rotoscope animation with archival footage and news reports to re-create the chilling 90 minutes of terror from the perspective of victims, witnesses and first responders.

Using animation allows Maitland to bring a personal element to the story. Whitman is never shown in the documentary  indeed, Im not even sure his name was mentioned  because this film is a tribute to the people he terrorized.

Among them were a young paperboy, a local radio reporter, students, a businessman who jumped in to help, and the policeman who eventually killed the shooter.

Most affecting is the story of Claire Wilson, an 18-year-old student who was five months pregnant. She was walking with her boyfriend, Thomas Eckman, and they were among the first victims. Eckman was killed instantly, Wilsons child died in her womb. But Wilson survived  shot in the abdomen, bleeding, and lying on a hot sidewalk on a 100-degree day. For the whole agonizing hour and a half she waited for help, but with Whitman shooting everyone he saw who ventured out into the open, no one could get to her.

How the incident affected Wilson later in her life is at once both inspiring and heartbreaking. In fact, all of the survivors  even the ones who werent shot  carry the emotional wounds of that terrible day 50 years ago. Maitland has given them a long-overdue voice in this outstanding film.

G. Allen Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ajohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BRfilmsAllen

Tower

Documentary. Directed by Keith Maitland. (Not rated. 96 minutes.)

To see a trailer: https://youtu.be/GTzNkfgM1vE
BALTIMORE  A school bus, blocks away from its first stop Tuesday morning, rear-ended a car, then ricocheted off a roadside pillar into an oncoming commuter bus in a crash that killed at least six people and injured 10, authorities said.

The school bus driver was killed, along with at least five people on the Maryland Transit Administration bus, Baltimore Police spokesman T.J. Smith said.

It literally looks like a bomb exploded in the bus. Its catastrophic damage, Smith said.

The only other occupant of the school bus, an aide, was taken to a hospital, as were the car driver and eight people from the commuter bus, Smith told a news conference.

He said one survivor was in critical condition, one was in serious condition and eight had injuries that were not considered serious.

The National Transportation Safety Board sent a team to investigate, spokesman Keith Holloway said.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis characterized riders on the No. 10 MTA bus as workers traveling on a route from Dundalk, a largely blue-collar community southeast of Baltimore, toward Catonsville, a western suburb.

Theyre on their way to make a living, theyre on their way to the job and theyre on their way to support their families, Davis said, Our hearts and prayers go out to them, to their families, to their co-workers as well.

The school bus first hit a silver Ford Mustang, crushing its rear and forcing its nose into the pavement. Then it hit a pillar at a cemetery entrance hundreds of feet down the street. Veering across the center line, the yellow school bus slammed into the front driver side of the MTA bus, ending about 100 yards from the pillar.

The school bus raked the side of the commuter bus, ending with its front end buried toward the back of the MTA vehicle.

The wreck peeled back metal and exposed a tangle of metal and human limbs, according to a passing motorist who stopped to help, Michael Feldman. He told WJZ-TV that the MTA driver appeared to be in very bad shape; authorities have not said if that driver survived.

Smith noted a lack of skid marks at the crash scene on Frederick Avenue near Loudon Park Cemetery, leading to what he called a working theory that the school bus driver had suffered a medical emergency.

Some of the survivors suffered facial bone injuries and spinal injuries, said Dr. Deborah Stein at the University of University of Maryland Medical Centers shock trauma unit in Baltimore.

Smith characterized it as an accident investigation, not a crime-scene investigation, despite the presence of homicide detectives.

Smith said they were called because they are accustomed to conducting death investigations.
WASHINGTON  Only days before the presidential election, the FBI released an archive of documents from a long-closed investigation into Bill Clintons 2001 presidential pardon of a fugitive financier, prompting questions from Hillary Clintons presidential campaign about its timing.

The release comes amid the bureaus controversially timed review of emails from a Hillary Clinton aide.

The 129 pages of heavily censored material about Bill Clintons presidential pardon of Marc Rich were published Monday on the FBIs Freedom of Information Act Web page and noted by one of the bureaus Twitter accounts Tuesday. Earlier in October, the FBI unit published historical files as far back as 1966 about Donald Trumps father, Fred Trump.

The Clinton campaign questioned the bureaus decision to make the file public so close to Tuesdays election.

Absent a (Freedom of Information Act) deadline, this is odd, Clinton campaign spokesman Brian Fallon tweeted. Will FBI be posting docs on Trumps housing discrimination in 70s? Fallons reference was to news accounts of a 1973 federal housing discrimination lawsuit, later settled, against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

In response to questions Tuesday from the Associated Press, the FBI said that the Marc Rich documents became available for release and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBIs public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures. The bureau said that under law, documents requested three or more times are made public shortly after they are processed. That processing, the bureau said, is on a first in, first out basis.

The newly released FBI documents are from a 2001 federal investigation into Bill Clintons pardon at the end of his administration of Rich, who was indicted in 1983 and evaded prosecution in Switzerland. Rich died in 2013.

The files briefly cited the Clinton Foundation in connection with a large donation in support of Clintons presidential library. The FBI documents cited public records showing that an unidentified person donated to the William J. Clinton Foundation, a foundation that supports the Clinton presidential library.

Richs ex-wife, Denise Rich, pledged a $450,000 donation to the Clinton Foundations project to develop and build the presidential facility. The new FBI archive does not name Denise Rich, but FBI agents sought to talk to her as part of the probe into her former husbands pardon.
The Hooper American Legion Auxiliary will be conducting its fifth annual Christmas Revisited sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Hooper American Legion Post, 115 N. Main St.

Items are sold for a contribution to the American Legion Auxiliary. Proceeds will benefit veteran programs, including veteran-related scholarships, support for the four veterans homes and two medical centers in Nebraska, and the local American Legion Post.

A large selection of new, used and collectible items will be featured. Christmas as well as other holiday and miscellaneous decorator items will be available.

Saturday events in Hooper also will include the 42nd annual Chain of Friends Craft Boutique and the Senior Center Garage Sale.
President Obama, in his first remarks on the standoff over an oil pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota, called on both sides to show restraint, and revealed that the Army Corps of Engineers is considering an alternative route for the project.

In an interview with NowThis News, Obama said: We are monitoring this closely. I think as a general rule, my view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans.

I think that right now the Army Corps is examining whether there are ways to reroute this pipeline.

Protesters have been gathering since April outside Cannon Ball, N.D., a town in the south-central part of the state near the South Dakota border, to rally against the pipeline.

Energy Transfer Partners, which has been working to finish construction on the 1,170-mile, $3.7 billion pipeline, contends it would be a safer way to transport oil from North Dakota to Illinois. But American Indian tribes say it threatens the local water supply, sacred land and tribal burial ground.

David Archambault II, the chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, said in a statement Wednesday that the tribe applauded Obamas commitment to protect our sacred lands, our water and the water of 17 million others.

But he said work on the pipeline should be stopped while the Army Corps examines the issue.

The nation and the world are watching, Archambault said. The injustices done to Native people in North Dakota and throughout the country must be addressed.

The number of protesters has grown to several hundred, many drawn from across the country. Last week, the standoff boiled over as officers in riot gear tried to force crowds from protest camps near Cannon Ball. In the months-long unrest, more than 400 people have been arrested, some accused of engaging in riots and conspiracy to endanger by fire and explosion.

On Wednesday, officers in riot gear clashed again with protesters near the pipeline, hitting dozens with pepper spray as they waded through waist-deep water in an attempt to reach property owned by the pipelines developer.

Volunteer medics treated some of the protesters for hypothermia during the confrontation.

The Army Corps of Engineers is expected to review a crucial stretch of the proposed path for the pipeline, through Army Corps land and under the Missouri River.

Asked to comment on law enforcement tactics, including the use of rubber bullets, Obama said: It is a challenging situation. I think that my general rule when I talk to governors and state and local officials, whenever they are dealing with protests  including, for example during the Black Lives Matter protests  there is an obligation for protesters to be peaceful, and there is an obligation for authorities to show restraint.

I want to make sure that as everybody is exercising their constitutional rights to be heard that both sides are refraining from situations that might result in people being hurt, he added.

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said on Twitter on Wednesday that he was grateful Obama was listening to the protesters and that the pipeline work should stop until the Army Corps review was completed.
WASHINGTON  Donald Trump blames Mexico and China for stealing millions of jobs from the United States.

He might want to bash the robots instead.

Despite the Republican presidential nominees charge that we dont make anything anymore, manufacturing is still flourishing in America. Problem is, factories dont need as many people as they used to because machines now do so much of the work.

America has lost more than 7 million factory jobs since manufacturing employment peaked in 1979. Yet American factory production more than doubled over the same span to $1.91 trillion last year, according to the Commerce Department. . Thats a notch below the record set on the eve of the recession in 2007. And it makes U.S. manufacturers No. 2 in the world behind China.

Trump and other critics are right that trade has claimed some American factory jobs, especially after China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001 and gained easier access to the U.S. market. And industries that have relied heavily on labor  like textile and furniture manufacturing  have lost jobs and production to low-wage foreign competition. U.S. textile production, for instance, is down 46 percent since 2000.

But research shows that the automation of U.S. factories is a much bigger factor than foreign trade in the loss of factory jobs. A study at Ball State Universitys Center for Business and Economic Research last year found that trade accounted for just 13 percent of Americas lost factory jobs. The vast majority of the lost jobs  88 percent  were taken by robots and other homegrown factors that reduce factories need for human labor.
On Halloween, William "Billy" Morris took his 3-year-old son, August, on an afternoon jet ski ride along the Alafia River.

Its red-brown water snakes for 25 miles through Florida's Hillsborough County and eventually dumps into Tampa Bay. In it and the surrounding state park live wildlife native to swampy Florida - birds, bass, alligators.

For hours, the father and son were gone.

But as time passed, Morris' wife Tina began to worry, local authorities said. Using FaceTime, she called her husband's cellphone, where her rings were met by a welcome voice.

Not her husband's - but August.

And the toddler was crying.

Earlier in the day, Morris, 38, had called his wife to say they had banked the jet ski on an island in the middle of the Alafia and would be home soon, reported the Tampa Bay Times.

But somehow, between then and the FaceTime call, the father had disappeared, leaving the crying toddler stranded on the island, alone.

A passerby spotted the boy and stayed with him until deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrived. When they searched the area, authorities found the jet ski beached on the island's south side and a adult life jacket draped across the water craft. Inside was Morris' wallet.

But they couldn't find Morris.

Authorities searched that night and resumed Tuesday morning, dispatching aviation, marine and dive units to scour the area. Private boaters even joined.

Meanwhile, Morris' family waited.

"I just don't understand the whole scenario," Morris' mother, Cindy, told the Tampa Bay Times. "It's not like him to leave everything."

Morris was a trucker that hauled goods for Amazon, his mother told the Times, which meant the man was often on-call. He always kept his phone nearby.

Of her grandson, "Augie," who turns 4 in January, Cindy Morris told the Times: "He's a smart little cookie."

For several hours Tuesday morning, authorities searched for Morris. At 11:30 a.m., in a tangle of mangroves along the river's south shore, they finally found a body.

The Sheriff's Office has tentatively identified the man as Morris, but the county medical examiner's office will make an official determination and rule on cause of death. As of Tuesday afternoon, authorities did not suspect foul play.

"Unfortunately, it wasn't the outcome we desired," Hillsborough Sheriff's Col. Chad Chronister told the Times, "but at this point at least the family can get some closure about what we believe is a tragic accident."
The next meeting of the Fremont Area Association of Retired School Personnel will be Wednesday at United Methodist Church, 815 N. Broad St. A lunch will be served at noon for $7.

The program will be presented by Suzanne Smith from The Bridge. Members are asked to bring cereal for donating to Low Income Ministry. Wrapped candy also is needed for the bags to be given to veterans at Christmas.
Voters will have many options at the polls Tuesday. Taking a selfie of their ballot wont be one of them.

The American Civil Liberties Union argued in federal court Wednesday that a 125-year-old California law banning voters from showing their marked ballots to anyone else violates freedom of expression. Voters, lawyers for the ACLU said, should be free to take pictures of their ballots and use them to persuade their friends.

A federal judge in San Francisco wasnt impressed.

The law had a legitimate purpose when it was enacted, U.S. District Judge William Alsup said, because some employers in the past had taken voters to the polls, ordered them to display their ballots afterward and fired anyone who defied the company line. But even if current enforcement of the photo-sharing ban crosses constitutional boundaries, he said, suspending it less than a week before the election would be a recipe for confusion.

No one is at fault more than the ACLU for bringing this lawsuit at the last minute and trying to jam this down their throat, Alsup said.

Ballot-box selfies will be allowed at future elections, because the Legislature has repealed the law, effective Jan. 1. ACLU attorney Michael Risher said his organization had waited until Monday to go to court because it had been negotiating with Secretary of State Alex Padilla and had hoped to avoid a lawsuit.

Padilla, the states top elections official, had supported repeal of the 19th-century law and said he would abide by a court order to suspend it.

But he has advised local registrars offices that the law against sharing the contents of ballots prohibits photography in voting booths next week, although news organizations can take pictures of candidates casting their ballots.

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A court-ordered change would have required retraining for workers at Californias 14,101 polling places on a massive scale, Deputy Attorney General Emmanuelle Soichet, Padillas lawyer, told Alsup.

But Risher noted that similar laws in other states have been struck down by a majority of the federal courts that have considered them.

In a state where more than half the voters cast absentee ballots, Risher said, the law allows them to photograph their ballots, but makes it a crime to share the photos with others by posting them online. At least for those voters, he said, immediately lifting the ban on photo-sharing would cause no polling-place disruption or any other harmful effects.

Alsup countered that any judicial intervention at this point would raise too many questions  what about the voter who mounts a cell phone on a stick for a better shot, which might also show the next voting booth? Or the voter who recorded a ballot on video, with vocal accompaniment, while someone in the next booth was trying to concentrate?

Risher said such intrusions are already illegal. But the judge said potential problems should not be figured out on the fly in a two-minute drill in the last few days of the election cycle.

The ACLU hasnt decided whether to seek an emergency order from a federal appeals court, Risher said afterward. Padilla issued a statement noting that Californians can still take their smartphones to the polls to access their sample ballots or do last-minute research on ballot issues.

In the meantime, he said, voters can still take a selfie with their I Voted sticker.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
Former San Francisco 49ers tight end Bruce Miller pleaded not guilty Wednesday to seven felony charges stemming from a violent drunken rampage at a hotel in Fishermans Wharf in September that injured a 70-year-old man and his adult son.

The Niners released Miller the day of the Sept. 5, early-morning fracas, in which prosecutors allege the 29-year-old defendant attacked an adult family at the Marriott Hotel at 1250 Columbus Ave.

Felony charges Miller faces include assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, inflicting injury on an elder likely to cause great bodily injury, battery with serious bodily injury, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury and two counts of criminal threats.

Prosecutors added a misdemeanor count of battery along with several elder abuse enhancements.

Miller appeared in San Francisco Superior Court Wednesday morning for an arraignment on the charges. He pleaded not guilty and left the court without speaking to reporters.

The attack at the hotel appeared to be the culmination of a night of drinking that unraveled into depravity, authorities said.

Earlier in the evening of Sept. 4, Miller was tossed out of longtime San Francisco restaurant Tommys Joynt on Van Ness Avenue after he got into an altercation with a customer about a sandwich.

Its not clear what happened in the following hours, but around 2:45 a.m. the next morning, Miller showed up at the Marriott, trying to get into a room that was not his, police said.

The occupants in the room, a 70-year-old man and his 66-year-old wife, told the 250-pound man they didnt know him, officials said.

Thats when the couples adult son in a room next door came out to tell Miller he had the wrong room, police said.

But rather than leave, Miller charged and tackled the son, prompting the father to join the melee in his sons defense, police said.

Miller began assaulting the 70-year-old man, punching him and beating him with his cane, before he retreated to a motel across the street, police said. Paramedics took the father and son to a hospital while police arrested Miller.

Security video showed a bloody Miller staggering down a hallway at the motel before police arrived.

He remains out of jail on $178,000 bail. His next court date is set for Nov. 22.

In March 2015, Miller was arrested for allegedly shoving his ex-fiancee and smashing her cell phone behind a Santa Clara bagel shop.
Two men charged with kicking to death a 67-year-old disabled homeless man as he slept on a street in San Franciscos Financial District pleaded not guilty Monday to the brutal crime that was caught on surveillance video.

Joseph Stull and David Peters, both 21, were arraigned in San Francisco Superior Court on charges of murder, robbery, elder abuse and assault with great bodily injury in the killing of Tai Lam in November 2014.

The defendants, who wore their jail-issued orange sweatshirts and pants, only said yes when answering Judge Edward Torpoco about whether they understood their rights during the brief arraignment.

Stull, who has dirty-blond hair buzzed into a short Mohawk, stood stoically next to his public defender, Carmen Aguirre, during the brief appearance.

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Peters  a tall and skinny man with black hair, faint mustache and goatee  joined his co-defendant along with his attorney, Leila Vaez-Iravani, who stood in for his court-appointed attorney, V. Roy Lefcourt.

The attorneys would not comment on the case.

Lam  who was 5-foot-5, weighed less than 100 pounds and was disabled by polio  was beaten to death in the middle of the night as he slept on Sutter Street in the Financial District.

At the time of the killing, now-interim San Francisco Police Chief Toney Chaplin, who was head of the homicide division, called the crime the most brutal killing hed seen during his 25 years with the department.

Three men were captured on surveillance video smoking cigarettes and chatting with a security guard close to the Crocker Galleria near where Lam slept. The group then descended on Lam, attacking him twice, the footage showed.

The first onslaught came at 11 that night. In the video, the assailants are seen kicking the helpless man as he cowered on the ground.

The killers then walked away only to return a short time later to deliver another round of violent blows to the defenseless victim.

Police said Lam likely suffered for an unknown amount of time before he eventually died while huddled in a buildings alcove. Authorities found his body the next morning just 5 feet from the crutches he used to get around.

After nearly two years of dead ends, investigators got a break in the case when Stull was picked up in Washington on a stolen car charge. His DNA matched evidence found at the scene of the San Francisco killing, officials said.

Police later identified Peters as one of the three assailants and arrested him at a home in Stockton on Friday. There, police said they found undisclosed evidence linking him to the crime.

Authorities did not offer a possible motive for the slaying, but investigators said both men admitted to details about the attack and said it was random. A third suspect has not been arrested.

Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com twitter: @EvanSernoffsky
ZHUHAI, China  Chinas J-20 stealth fighter made its public debut at an air show on Tuesday, in the latest sign of the growing sophistication of the countrys military technology.

The fifth-generation warplane, which outwardly resembles the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor in service with the U.S. military, performed a series of maneuvers under overcast skies at Airshow China in the southern city of Zhuhai.

The long-range J-20, armed with air-to-air missiles, performed its first test flight in 2011 and has been the object of feverish attention by the nations aviation buffs.

At least six prototypes have been produced, according to an annual report on the Chinese military issued by the Pentagon this year.

The Pentagon says a second Chinese stealth fighter under development, the FC-31, is intended for export as a competitor to the U.S. F-35. The FC-31 first flew in 2012 and debuted at Zhuhai in 2014. China is the only country apart from the U.S. to have two concurrent stealth aircraft development programs.

While the planes stealth capabilities remain a secret, the Pentagon said that China views the technology as key to its transformation from a predominantly territorial air force to one capable of conducting both offensive and defensive operations.

Air force leaders believe stealth aircraft provide an offensive operational advantage that denies an adversary the time to mobilize and to conduct defensive operations, said the report, which estimated the two Chinese planes could enter service as early as 2018 and would significantly improve Chinas existing fleet of fourth-generation aircraft ... to support regional air superiority and strike operations.

Among other recently developed Chinese aircraft appearing at the weeklong air show is the Y-20 large transport aircraft, with a maximum takeoff weight of around 200 tons. The plane is being introduced into the Peoples Liberation Army to carry out aerial command-and-control operations and parachute drops.

Also Tuesday, China and Malaysia said their navies will cooperate more in the politically sensitive South China Sea in an agreement signed during a visit by Malaysias leader, Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is seeking stronger ties with Beijing as he tries to offset a financial scandal at home.
MOSUL, Iraq  Iraqi special forces mopping up in territory seized in eastern Mosul killed eight Islamic State militants Wednesday as residents fled to safety from nearby areas and men shaved the beards they were forced to grow while the extremists were in control.

In the easternmost district of Gogjali, shops were boarded up, with some reduced to burned-out shells. Families stood in their doorways, some holding white flags, while children flashed the V for victory sign to the passing troops. A few women ululated in celebration as columns of vehicles passed.

Consolidating the gains in the area lays the groundwork for the troops next stage of the operation: entering Mosuls more urban central neighborhoods, a densely built-up zone likely to contain booby traps and roadside bombs.

That could mean house-to-house combat and might take weeks, if not months, with the city center about 6 miles away.

The areas deputy emir was sprawled on a central street, shot and killed by soldiers when he tried to approach them in an explosives-laden vest. Residents watched as the body, clad in a military uniform, was dragged away past an Abrams tank.

A man the troops identified as the deputys superior was arrested and taken away in a military vehicle. He wore Afghan-style clothing popular among jihadists and a red kaffiyeh.

Six other militants were killed in a tunnel in the neighborhood, said Lt. Col. Muhanad al-Timimi of the Iraqi special forces.

For Hassan Hussein, a 22-year-old father of two, the day marked a fresh start.

Today I feel like a new man, especially after shaving for the first time in two years, he said. My face feels cold!

The Islamic State enforces a strict code on public dress and appearance in territory it controls, with men required to have long beards, and women ordered to wear a niqab  a face covering and full-body veil over their clothes, under threat of lashings and fines.

Hundreds of civilians cleared out of the adjacent neighborhood of al-Samah, some carrying white flags. The women still wore the niqab, although many had removed their face veils and one took off the full-body covering entirely. The men retained their long beards.

Special forces went house to house in Gogjali throughout the day, while sappers searched the road for any explosives left behind by the jihadists. Only sporadic gunfire and artillery could be heard.

Gen. Abdul-Ghani al-Asadi, commander of the counterterrorism forces, said a curfew had been imposed in the neighborhood.

We fear that Daesh militants could attack, he said, using the Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

Mosul is the last major Islamic State stronghold in Iraq, and driving the militant group from the city would be a major blow to the survival of its self-declared caliphate that stretches into Syria. Islamic State seized Mosul and other territory in 2014, routing the much larger Iraqi military, which had been neglected and demoralized by corruption.
MOSCOW  Russia said on Wednesday that it would extend a moratorium on air strikes in the Syrian city of Aleppo until Friday to give embattled antigovernment rebels a chance to leave the city and to avoid senseless victims of continued fighting.

Under terms of the cease-fire ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, insurgents would be allowed to retreat with their own arms through two corridors between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time on Friday. Six separate corridors were to be established for the evacuation of civilians and those needing medical attention.
BALTIYSK, Russia  Russia held civil defense drills involving 40 million people this month, the largest since the collapse of the Soviet Union. State media broadcast instantly recognizable Soviet imagery, showing school children trying on gas masks, and urge viewers to find the nearest bomb shelter before its too late.

But while these reports fuel Western fears of a new Cold War, ordinary Russians dont seem too worried.

Even in Kaliningrad, a heavily militarized Russian outpost surrounded by NATO members Lithuania and Poland, people see the messages as mere posturing.

The harbor of Baltiysk, home of Russias Baltic Fleet, is downright sleepy. On a recent morning, fisherman lounged by the pier as sailors put a fresh coat of paint on a missile ship across the bay.

Its laughable because no one here is planning to attack anyone, said Olga Zyukina, feeding swans with her 16-month-old son. I think our president is smart and he has no need to give such orders.

NATO held a high-profile summit in nearby Poland in July, and the Western alliances troops are building up positions in Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as tensions with Russia escalate. The United States is sending 1,000 troops to Poland next year, and its concerns about an unwanted confrontation with Russia have played heavily into President Obamas reluctance to engage militarily in Syrias civil war.

In an interview published Tuesday with the Guardian newspaper, the chief of British spy agency MI5 said Russia is an increasing danger to the West.

It is using its whole range of state organs and powers to push its foreign policy abroad in increasingly aggressive ways  involving propaganda, espionage, subversion and cyberattacks, Andrew Parker said, adding: It is MI5s job to get in the way of that.

Russia, for its part, held a flurry of Baltic Fleet exercises this year, with marines practicing landings, ships firing surface-to-air missiles, fighter jets dropping bombs and troops capturing saboteur divers. Last month, Moscow sent nuclear-capable Iskander missile units to Kaliningrad. With an estimated range of 300 miles, the missiles could reach the Baltic states, most of Poland and southern Sweden.

Moscow has also upped the bellicose talk. Russian state television presents the NATO exercises as testament to aggressive intentions of the West. News bulletins are filled with rapturous reports about missile testing, and Moscow officials proudly announce that the citys bomb shelters are ready to accommodate all 12 million residents.

To be sure, some Russians are fearful of another Cold War  27 percent, according to a nationwide poll by the independent Levada Center last month.

But mostly, Kaliningrad residents say their lives go on much as usual.

You dont feel it here. Its all on television, said Yuri Velikotsky, a retired naval captain who is now an amber craftsman.
SEOUL  South Korean police detained a man who rammed a large excavator into a gate Tuesday near the office where prosecutors questioned a woman at the center of a scandal that threatens the countrys president. The woman had earlier said she deserves death and the detained man said he came here to help her die.

The attack with heavy construction equipment on a government building is part of a frenzy of emotion in South Korea over the woman, Choi Soon-sil, whom prosecutors have detained as they examine whether she used her close ties to President Park Geun-hye to pull government strings from the shadows and amass an illicit fortune.

Prosecutors are expected to quickly seek an arrest warrant for Choi, who was swarmed Monday by hundreds of journalists and protesters as she tried to enter the prosecution office.

Choi, a cult leaders daughter with a decades-long connection to Park, was nearly knocked off her feet several times as the crowd closed in on her. Protesters screamed for her arrest and Parks resignation; one angry person reportedly tried to enter the building with a bucket full of animal feces; and Choi, 60, lost her Prada shoe in the scrum.

Social media is now awash with images of the discarded black footwear and the word, Soonderella, a combination of parts of Chois name and the girl from the fairy tale who leaves behind a glass slipper at a ball.

Please, forgive me, Choi said Monday inside the Seoul prosecutors building. I committed a sin that deserves death.

The man accused of running his big yellow excavator into the prosecution office near where Choi had been investigated later told officials that since Choi Soon-sil said she committed a sin that deserves death, I came here to help her die. The man detained was identified as a 45-year-old with the surname Jeong.

It wasnt known if Choi was at the Seoul office at the time of the ramming, which injured a security guard and damaged the gate and other facilities.

Last week, amid intense speculation, Park acknowledged Choi had edited some of her speeches and provided public relations help. Widespread reports have said Choi had a larger role in government affairs despite having no official ties to the administration.

Prosecutors are trying to determine the scope of access Choi had and whether she was given sensitive presidential documents.

Other reports have contained allegations she misused money from nonprofit organizations after pressuring businesses to donate to them.
A police officer pulls over a woman for speeding and notices the smell of marijuana coming from a portable vaporizer. A man smokes pot in his car, sitting in a movie theater parking lot.

She got a warning. He went to jail.

Two years after Santa Fe passed an ordinance declaring small amounts of marijuana "the lowest law enforcement priority," it's still unclear when someone caught with pot should get slapped with a $25 ticket or a state charge that carries heavier penalties.

In August, SFR published a cover story showing that city police officers largely ignore the policy, not only charging locals for minor marijuana possession in state court, but also repeatedly sending offenders to jail. Our findings dove deeper into earlier reports from the Albuquerque Journal and The Santa Fe New Mexican that city officers prefer to issue tougher penalties for pot users.

That's why we scratched our heads when Councilor Joseph Maestas acted surprised about the news.

Maestas asked the city manager about the issue during a City Council meeting on Oct. 26, noting he heard "rumors" that officers don't cite offenders with the low-consequence tickets that have been available since May 2015.

The city already has administrative procedures for how it handles municipal citations when they're filed in court. But Maestas said that's not enough. He wants to develop "guidance" for when it's appropriate to issue a city or state ticket.

"I think there should be some emphasis, some desire, by our officers to enforce our city ordinance," he said to the city manager during the public meeting. "As someone who supported that change in the law, I don't think it's enough to give our officers the complete option to enforce the city or state law."

Santa Fe Police Chief Patrick Gallagher says the ordinance put officers in a "difficult position," repeating a claim he made to SFR in August that the department needs to undergo a culture change. "I cannot make a blanket order for them to do the civil citations," he says. "What I can do is list circumstances in which it may be appropriate to issue a civil citation."

Maestas tells SFR he decided to push the topic now because he wanted to give police leadership time to acclimate. Gallagher took over the department after his embattled predecessor, Eric Garcia, resigned in July 2015. "Chief Gallagher has been there long enough to put his signature on how he wants the department to run," Maestas says.

Maestas tells SFR he followed up with Gallagher shortly after the council meeting and decided the department needs to develop better methods for tracking marijuana offenses. "I am trying to validate these rumors with more recent hard data," he says. "According to the chief, it is difficult to extract that data."

We took the challenge. Again. Just this year alone, city police have issued nearly 60 state citations to people carrying less than an ounce of marijuana. Each of those offenders faced up to 15 days in jail and fines ranging between $100 and $1,000, depending on how many times they've been caught with pot.

More than half of the cases included additional state charges for possessing pot paraphernalia, like pipes and grinders, which would carry the same $25 penalty as possession under the city ordinance. In one case, a homeless man got a paraphernalia charge for a tin container holding two joints. Two of the cases were strictly for marijuana-associated paraphernalia.

During the same period, officers issued four municipal citations for the same offense, according to police spokesman Greg Gurule.

SFR's count of 59 marijuana charges this year comes from two sources. From January through August, we relied on city police reports obtained through requests under New Mexico's public records law. Cases from September and October came from a query of the state's Administrative Office of the Courts database. We did not count charges concurrent with other state offense, a scenario in which police say they'll defer to the state law so as not to split cases between two courts. We did, however, count 15 cases where a person cited under the state marijuana statute also received a municipal ticket for infractions like speeding or a broken taillight.

Some city officers issue more citations under the state law than others. Anthony Sweeney this year wrote 10 state tickets for marijuana possession, more than any of his colleagues. But this isn't a practice confined to one or two cops. Twenty-seven different city officers cited people for marijuana possession under New Mexico's drug statute in 2016.

The department also provided records of 25 cases from this year in which police confiscated marijuana, but did not issue any citation for the drug. People carrying marijuana in some cases skirted charges for cooperating with officers. Officers in other cases found pot while responding to more serious calls, like unattended deaths or mental health crises.

Yet Maestas is not wrong about gaps in the data. Police provided state uniform incident reports in most instances. Those documents provide a wealth of data, including the race and ethnicity of offenders. For other cases, the department only sent supplemental reports or police narratives, which give bare-bones information, like dates, locations and the names of officers.

Before City Council passed the decriminalization ordinance on a 5-4 vote in August 2014, councilors raised concerns that giving officers the choice between penalties could lead to charges of law enforcement bias or discrimination. While a vast majority of the police contact that resulted in citations occurred in the city's south and west regions, incomplete demographic data means there's not enough information for conclusions on the racial makeup of Santa Feans charged with state marijuana offenses.

City police union president Troy Baker says officers don't need any more guidance on how to do their jobs. "Politicians need to keep their noses out of the enforcement side," he tells SFR.

The union's pick for district attorney in the upcoming election, Republican Yvonne Chicoine, declined to comment on Maestas' statement or whether she supports the ordinance. "This district attorney's duty is to enforce state law. When cases are filed in the magistrate court, that's on the basis of state law," she tells SFR.

Her Democratic opponent, Marco Serna, says he hopes officers will adhere to the ordinance. He adds that he would plead down to a fine any low-level marijuana cases filed in state court.



Santa Fe Reporter
News, October 26: Setting the Date

Consider the Facts

The idea that the primary location for saving the Mexican gray wolf should be in Mexico ignores one of many facts.

Years ago I thought I heard an owl in the middle of the afternoon. Turned out it was a dove, which I had never heard or seen in Los Alamos before 2003. They are common here now. The fact I referred to above is, climate change is real and as the environment warms and changes, all species will tend to move to higher elevations and/or further north than their "historic ranges." Southern New Mexico and Arizona are part of the Mexican wolves' historic range, but we need to consider that they are not going to stay south of I-40. They will try to migrate to the northern parts of those states and Colorado as well.

That's just one reason why I support the three-region plan for Mexican Wolf recovery.

Donald Jones

Los Alamos



Cover, October 19: The Advocate and the Hardliner

Get Er Out

It seems [Yvonne] Chicoine conveniently "mis-remembers" the Jennifer Stephenson case, which she took to trial in 2011. ... Chicoine DID NOT reduce the charges. ... Chicoine, with her "tough on crime" [attitude], would have Stephenson, who lost custody of her children in this unfortunate "witch hunt," sitting in prison for 18 years. That is her consistent pattern, "throw 'em in jail," with no consideration for justice. What a heartless woman.

[She] seems mostly wrong-headed, with over charging and convictions overturned on appeal. She is very "creative" in avoiding the complete story, but fact-checking shows up the truth.

Chicoine seems not only wrong-headed, seemingly intent on convictions, not justice, she is untruthful about the cases and her involvement.

Let's send her into retirement with her poor record and false memories.

Chris Michels

SFReporter.com







SFR will correct factual errors online and in print. Please let us know if we make a mistake, editor@sfreporter.com or 988-7530.



Mail letters to PO Box 2306, Santa Fe, NM 87504, deliver to 132 E Marcy St., or email them to editor@sfreporter.com. Letters (no more than 200 words) should refer to specic articles in the Reporter. Letters will be edited for space and clarity.



Santa Fe Reporter
Andrea Isabel Vargas and Patti Leveys two-woman show, Resurrecting Isis, grabbed my attention based on the title alone. The word as it refers to the ancient Egyptian goddess, a word recently defamed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), no longer yields the top results in a Google search, and articles about the terrorist organization still come up even when the search terms are specific the deity. The careless use of the term obfuscates a keystone figure in Middle Eastern history, a global icon of feminine power, and furthers bad connotations with the region.

Remember that "al-Qaeda," which translates to "basis," and "Taliban," a plural form of "student;" the names of multinational terrorist organizations are also common, everyday words in Arabic. I've considered similar semantic issues within the English language, but believe it's a different story when these terms are politicized as targets and triggers for potential danger; yet another form of control over a culture, language, and history. Perhaps this is a result of an underlying xenophobia, subconscious Islamophobia, and anti-Muslim prejudice? Perhaps it's mere coincidence. Regardless, we are faced with cultural erasure via ignorance.



Courtesy Artist (Courtesy Artist)

That is where Resurrecting Isis lays its concept. The show, comprised of two bodies of work in multiple mediums, generates a conversation between two artists on an issue that is both American and global, female and male, historical and contemporary. Levey explicitly examines the concepts through selections from her series, smartly called Taking Liberty, which features the artist adorned in a burqa-American flag hybrid with various props. Levey cradles weapons, anatomical illustrations and an infant; she also exposes her nude body, not as a means of religious offense, she claims, but "to question the liberties we have as Western women, and to show that beneath the garments we are all human."

Controversy is not something new to Levey. Observers have met previous exhibitions of Taking Liberty with challenging inquiry, cultural outrage and fear. While some may find the imagery offensively provocative, the work is a sincere, personal investigation. The images are reminiscent of those of Iranian artist Shirin Neshat, though quite different in their interpretation due to the nationality of the artist. Levey calls attention to privilege by acknowledging her own identity, allowing room for introspection for anyone who views it, and encouraging Americans to think of ourselves as global citizens connected and responsible for actions abroad.

Privilege, after all, is the freedom to exist in denial about the world around you and your relation to it. Selections from Taking Liberty take on a new life with interjections from Vargas, whose vibrant, luscious visual works contrast Levey's black-and-white renderings.

Vargas contributes two-dimensional works that are primarily pastel on paper, as well as a captivating silk installation entitled The 14th Element. Her abstractions exquisitely convey violence and sensuality, and it is easy to get lost in the crimson streaks and soothing teals that suggest human form while obliterating ita dance of freedom and oppression. The hanging silk tapestries complement the exhibit as a textural extension while representing 13 countries violently impacted by ISIS, creating a tie to the goddess' mythology of recovering 13 body parts of her dismembered husband, Osiris, in order to resurrect him and conceive a son.

If one were to read the exhibit from left to right, Vargas figuratively reconnects the Isis story at its end, alluding to Osiris as a male form rebirthed and thus reminding us of the male counterpart in this gender-charged show. Vargas' vision of Isis and her prowess as a political analogy present a confrontational but inclusive statement on liberation, female divinity, and human travesty. "In this way, the propagation of peace is not through violence, but through rememberingand power is most present in the womb itself," she says.

Translation further muddies these concepts. ISIL, or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, is the term the Obama administration officially uses. "The Levant" is a much more geographically accurate term, although also problematic for some due to its Western colonial connotations. Perhaps most appropriate would be "Daesh," an acronym for the Arabic equivalent of ISIL, representing "l-Dawla al-Islamiya al-Iraq al-Sham."

The terms describing and identifying threats from the Middle East are a complex subject. Since the September 11th attacks, many national news outlets have published articles clarifying the difference between the Taliban and Al-Qaeda groups. Either the two were used interchangeably often enough to merit the articles, or the terms too often generalized any Islamist actions or beliefs that might be anti-Western. One would like to think that the American public has become more educated and sensitive concerning this, but with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump recently stating that President Obama uses the term ISIL instead of ISIS for no other reason than to "bother people," I remain skeptical.

Furthermore, "Isis" is the Greek interpretation of the Egyptian goddess' name with the Egyptian origin most likely being "Aset."

Find the thought-provoking and visually stimulating showexhibit at Art.i.fact's small but noteworthy gallery space, Art.i.factory, located within the store. Twenty percent of the closing reception's proceeds benefit for Creativity For Peace (creativityforpeace.com), an organization that prepares young Israeli and Palestinian women to be peacemakers in their communities and across borders.



Ressurecting Isis Closing Reception

4-7 pm Saturday Nov. 5. Free.

Art.i.fact,

930 Baca St.,

982-5000





Santa Fe Reporter
Lydia Lunch's transgressive vision, which expresses brutal truths that most would rather ignore, started in the late '70s No Wave scene in New York. It has filled over three decades' worth of documented personal-political hysteria in the form of song, writing, performance, photography and installation. Lunch brings her newest multimedia experience, Dust and Shadows, to the Meow Wolf performance space (7 pm Sunday Nov. 6. $15).

Your Dust in the Shadows tour incorporates many visual elements, featuring footage of abandoned spaces in the Soria province of Spain, which you explored with Elise Passavant. When I read accounts of countercultural movements, they usually talk about finding solidarity amongst each other, a band of outsiders. Did you find in your travels, either through Spain or elsewhere, that same kind of solidarity, but with place?

I left America when Bush stole the second election. I'm moving to Mars in a few weeks I guess, I'm not sure. Shouldn't we all? I first saw Spain in 1984 and I knew I'd live there eventually, mainly because of the duplicity and juxtaposition between its wretched history and its amazing presenthow the spirit of the people through 400 years of the Crusades, the Inquisitions, the Civil War, their spirit was not battered down. In America we don't even have a history because we either forget it immediately or invent it on the spot, but in Spain they actually have a media law written into the Constitution to not talk about the Civil War.

Belchite, which is where some of the footage was shot, was a civil war town where a country bombed its own people for the first time. It remains as one of the biggest monuments in Europe that they haven't torn down or repaired, a testament to man's brutal insanity against the individual and against human life. I made a pilgrimage there twice a year. Belchite just made sense to revisit as it dissolves over time; photographing, documenting and using it in some of my war rants. Which I can't stop doing either. They won't stop having wars so I won't stop fucking speaking about them.

I became a political spoken word artist under Reagan and I can't not speak about the wars that never end. It doesn't matter where it is, it's the same war. War is a contagion, a viral infection. Most of it based around the viral pathogen that is "my god is bigger than your god" or greedthe god of all American kleptocratic society. I lived in Spain and I didn't learn Catalan, which is almost as hard as Russian. It reflected the sense of being an outsider to me. I'm even outside of the outsider community, no matter how deep in that community I am. We're all ultimately alone in the end, and the more comfortable you are with being alone with yourself the more comfortable you are with other peopleor, the more you can't fucking stand it.

Currently, I'm a nomad. But I lived in Barcelona for the longest amount of time I'd lived anywhere8 years. Place does matter; my addiction has been moving every 2 to 4 years. Sometimes it's for the architecture; Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Barcelona. Sometimes it's to collaborate. Or, sometimes, I knew nobody there. So, place matters a lot to me because when you're in a country as old as Spain, you look into any window and you know all of life, death, murder, love and violence has gone on in there and now how do you decode all that? And that's part of what I'm doing in Dust and Shadowsdecoding the history of our insanity.

How have you evaded being put into a box or commercialized throughout your career?

It seems like countercultures fall into this trap and lose their potency. Is the art world only interested in certain movements in retrospect once the coast has cleared? We'll just look at some examples that you can compare me to, in a sense. Sonic Youth were highly influential, but didn't sell a lot of records. They became as big as they did because they basically made the same record for 20 years. It's kind of the same with Nick Cave, he has his ballads or his rock stuff. People knew what they were getting. I've always been a musical schizophrenic.

It's just the nature of who I am as an artist, more akin to Dadaists, Surrealists, or Viennese Actionists, where the concept comes first, then I find the collaborators. I had to develop something like Dust and Shadows because I perform so much in Europe and got tired of doing translations, backing vocals, turning a quarter of the text into a foreign language ... People just want to see a show unadulterated, so to make it easier to get into the Lydian womb, I created this video backdrop with psycho-ambient music and I'm channeling the words a lot of the time.

I also just have different concepts going on simultaneously. For example, for four years I've been doing Retrovirus, which is a retrospective of my work because a lot of people didn't hear it the first time. I mean, I love when Jesus Lizard reforms because they were amazing, or Butthole Surfers. If people didn't get it the first time there's no reason why people shouldn't give it another go. Retrovirus, however, is slightly different. It's not just one album or project, it's 35 years of very diverse musical projects hemmed together by intensity, my obsessive nature, and by the musicians I'm working with now; Weasel Walter, Bob Bert, Tim Dahl.

How do you feel about the current censorship rash from young academia based on political correctness, trigger warnings and safe spaces?

To me, "I'll shoot you if you don't get out of my fucking house"that's a trigger warning. Safe spaces? They're called institutions of higher learning, not this infantilization from the mass collective of these tempered, spoiled millennials whose attention span is less than that of a gnat. How did we develop a nation of such pampered little pussies, especially when we are the mass-murderers of the planet? If this were a rebellion against the vulgarity of America, I'd have more respect, but if it's just whining from those who don't want their emotions hurt, or call "you touched my ass five years ago" a criminal assault, then it's an insult to people who've really been traumatized. They better toughen up, they live in America. And with technology like smart phones, everyone's experience is being whittled down to the size of half a postcard.

Yeah, I see on my Facebook feed atrocities locally and abroad alongside ads for VR technology with pictures of kids wearing these massive headsets that look like they're out of an old cyberpunk film. It's just more distraction and escapism.

It's a numbing and dumbing down of people.  As for the internet, it's called "the web" for a reason. They've succeeded at turning a nation of young people into a nation of fucking zombies who don't know how to talk to each other. As for my Facebook pages, I'm not on them, other people run them. They're like a billboard. I don't comment, or want to read comments. Write a fucking essay. You want to be a friend of mine? Look me in the eye, motherfucker. You're not my friend just because you think you're my friend. And I'm very friendlytrust me.

*Editor's note: You may have noticed this week's 3 Questions is pretty damn long. Y'see, writer JC Gonzo's interview with Lydia Lunch wound up being too large to print, but given her contributions to our cultural landscape, we've chosen to run the interview in its entirety here on the site. Enjoy!

Santa Fe Reporter
Presidential Ad Campaign Spending Increases in Final Week

With her lead slipping in New Mexico, Michael Coleman reports that Hillary Clinton is

in the final week of the campaign.

Donald Trumps also

in the Land of Enchantment. The Republicans team spent $196,814 on ad time with local TV stations between now and Tuesday.

Outright Lies

Senate leader Michael Sanchez says

and attack ads produced by Advance New Mexico Now that claims he went to the islands at taxpayer expense are outright lies.

Founded in 2014 and linked to Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, Advance New Mexico Now has developed a reputation for making demonstrably false claims against candidates it opposes.

Independent Voters Boost Registration Numbers

The Associated Press did some digging and reports that there are

in New Mexico this year than in the last presidential election year, and a lot of the new registrations arent declaring any party affiliation.

Independent and small-party registration accounted for most of the increase, reinforcing a gradual shift away from major party registration. New Mexico's total population grew by just 1.3 percent between 2010 and 2015.



Democrats still dominate most of the state at 47 percent of registrations. Republicans follow with 31 percent, Independents with 19 percent and minor parties have 4 percent.

Santa Fe Councilor Seeks Marijuana Citation Data

SFRs Stephen Hsieh reports that City of Santa Fe police continue to charge some residents caught with small amounts of pot under state laws that carry heavier penalties. That has city councilor Joseph Maestas asking questions and

.

Just this year alone, city police have issued nearly 60 state citations to people carrying less than an ounce of marijuana. Each of those offenders faced up to 15 days in jail and fines ranging between $100 and $1,000, depending on how many times theyve been caught with pot.



More than half of the cases included additional state charges for possessing pot paraphernalia, like pipes and grinders, which would carry the same $25 penalty as possession under the city ordinance. In one case, a homeless man got a paraphernalia charge for a tin container holding two joints. Two of the cases were strictly for marijuana-associated paraphernalia.



During the same period, officers issued four municipal citations for the same offense, according to police spokesman Greg Gurule.

British Newspaper Looks at Los Alamos Millionaires

The Guardian

s Claire Provost has an interesting story about how

even as toxic waste threatens its residents and neighbouring Espanola struggles with poverty.

Chef Ruiz Wins Big on Chopped

Santa Fe Chef Fernando Ruiz of Santacafe competed on the Food Networks cooking competition show Chopped, which aired last night. He beat the competition and

.

Ruiz says he grew up selling drugs and went to jail when he was younger before finding his calling as a chef. He faced four other chefs during the competition.

Eat Your Way Through Town

Speaking of lauded chefs, SFRs cover story, with a nod to the 2016-2017 Restaurant Guide (which comes out today),

working for local restaurants to make things perfect for diners.

Cubs Still Alive

The World Series is headed to Game 7 and the Cleveland Indians, which had a 3 to 1 series lead, have to regroup quickly after

, on Tuesday.

Santa Fe Reporter
Cavalier Corp said 2017 earnings may fall as much as 52 percent as the carpet maker incurs one-time costs to consolidate its manufacturing operations.

Normalised profit is expected to be $3 million to $5 million in the year ending June 30, 2017, from $6.3 million a year earlier, the Auckland-based company said in a statement.

In April, Cavalier said it would consolidate its woollen yarn spinning operations in Napier and Whanganui to a single hub in Napier, and scale back its semi-worsted yarn spinning operation in Whanganui. It would also relocate its felted yarn operation from Christchurch to Whanganui and close the Christchurch plant as part of the plan to slash costs and lift profitability.

"Aligning yarn spinning capacity with demand releases considerable upside in future years," chief executive Paul Alston said today. "However, consolidating three manufacturing operations is a massive undertaking, with temporary operating inefficiencies and disruptions arising during the transition to the new model and as a result, the company is incurring additional one-off costs. We expect to complete this phase before the end of 2016."

Cavalier shares tumbled 10 percent to 70 cents, capping a 75 percent surge in the past 12 months.

The company had said in April that it expected a "return to acceptable levels of profitability" in the 2017 financial year.

"Key initiatives underway include a significant marketing programme and the consolidation of wool spinning, two vital elements of our long-term strategy," Alston said. "We are pleased to report we are on track with both initiatives which are set to significantly improve profits in the future".

Carpet sales are ahead of this time, although the high kiwi dollar against the Australian dollar "remains a concern" given the extent of Cavalier's sales across the Tasman, the company said.

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Scales Corp has agreed to buy Hawke's Bay apple grower, packer and marketer Longview Group Holdings for $20.5 million, adding capacity to sell fruit into the fast-growing Asian market.

The Christchurch-based company's Mr Apple subsidiary will buy 100 percent of the Longview shares and 22 hectares surrounding a coolstore and packhouse, expanding Scales' total planted apple orchard by 85 ha, with a further 30 ha of bare land for development, it said in a statement. The deal will immediately lift earnings per share 4 percent in the 2017 financial year. Scales has previously forecast 2016 net profit to be between $29.6 million, or 21.1 cents per share, and $34.6 million, or 24.8 cents.

"Our strategy is to become the preferred supplier of apples within the Asian region," managing director Andy Borland said. "Longview's focus on near markets makes it a highly compelling addition to our existing operations."

New Zealand's biggest apple exporter doubled its annual profit in 2015, selling higher value products to key markets in Asia and the Middle East, beating the forecast in its 2014 prospectus. That's not expected to be repeated this year with a more ordinary harvest tipped for the current year, an absence of insurance proceeds from a hailstorm last year and some provisioning for reduced use of its coldstore network.

Longview sold 62 percent of the 530,000 tray carton equivalents it manages to Asia, and was recognised by the China Fruit Marketing Association as one of the top 10 fruit brands imported into the world's most populous nation in 2016.

The majority of the Longview orchards are leased under long-term arrangements, and the Hawke's Bay company also operates a 10-year old packhouse and coolstore, with an extension to the coolstore added last year.

"The packhouse provides us with increased post-harvest capacity which we expect to fully utilise by 2020 through the ongoing maturity of redeveloped Mr Apple and Longview orchards," Borland said. "In addition, the Longview post-harvest infrastructure is close to existing Mr Apple operations and is expected to yield a number of operational efficiencies and improvements, including opportunities for improved packhouse specialisation and other revenue and cost synergies."

Scales said the acquisition was "a critical addition" to meeting its goal of becoming Asia's supplier of choice by lifting its apple crop, giving it access to post-harvest infrastructure due to its own nearing full capacity, and providing a strong brand in the region.

The deal will be funded through cash and debt, and is expected to lift Scales' debt position at the end of the year to $30 million-to-$35 million. As at June 30, Scales held $6.8 million in cash and equivalents, and $59 million of debt.

Longview has 14 shareholders, the biggest of which is the founding Caccioppoli family's Caccioppoli Orchards with 21 percent. The Caccioppoli family's packing business was merged with a Hawke's Bay growers collective in 2005 when the original packhouse burned down. The Caccioppoli family also sold the 22 ha of orchards to Scales.

The deal is scheduled to be completed on Nov. 7.

Scales shares last traded at $3.10, and have gained 29 percent so far this year.

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The auditor-general has cleared Foreign Minister Murray McCully of corruption over the $11.5 million Saudi Arabia Food Security Partnership but found "significant shortcomings" in the paper put to Cabinet to support the deal.

"I share many New Zealanders' concerns about the arrangements," auditor-general Lyn Provost said in her report, released this afternoon. "The contract's benefits to New Zealand were unclear in the cabinet paper, the business case and its subsequent implementation."

The partnership was established as a consequence of New Zealand's decision to ban the export of live sheep in 2003, a ban that has since been extended. In the decade prior to this, Sheikh Hmood Al Ali Al Khalaf had invested in farms and agriculture here through his business, the Al Khalaf group, in order to meet the demand for sheep in Saudi Arabia, particularly during the Haj festival.

New Zealand negotiated a free trade agreement with the Gulf States between 2007 and 2009, with the final text agreed late in 2009. The auditor-general's report makes clear that early in 2010 diplomatic relations between Wellington and Saudi Arabia were strained, with a trade minister told that NZ's position on the export of live sheep was an obstacle to the signing of the free trade agreement. Sheikh Hmood also felt a "deep sense of injustice," Provost said.

In 2010, officials started looking at options on how to deal with this, and in 2012 McCully and officials discussed a food security partnership with the Al Khalaf group. In these negotiations, Al Khalaf indicated it was looking for compensation in the region of $24 million.

The outcome of the negotiations was a contract for services under which the government would buy $4 million of services from the Al Khalaf group and a further $6 million of goods and services from NZ companies to gift to the Al Khalaf group that would be installed and demonstrated at the Um Alerrad Farm in Saudi. These proposals were put to Cabinet in February 2013.

The auditor-general said Cabinet was told it needed to settle a dispute with both the Saudi Arabian government as well as a Saudi investor, that the Al Khalaf group had been given legal advice that it could seek damages of $20 million-to-$30 million from the government and that the Gulf Cooperation Council had asserted this was the only obstacle to signing the free trade deal.

Cabinet members were also told NZ exports to the region could double to $3 billion in the next five years if a free trade deal was signed.

Provost said there were "significant shortcomings" in the Cabinet paper and she was "concerned at the lack of robust analysis and the quality of information that was provided to Cabinet on this matter."

"I was surprised that it was decided to use a contract with a private individual's business interests to resolve a diplomatic issue between governments ... the contract for services was a convenient mechanism by which the allocated $10 million, later $11.5 million, was put towards achieving those unstated objectives," Provost said.

In 2014, shortly after 900 ewes arrived at the Um Alerrad Farm, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise was told that about 75 percent of lambs born at the farm had died. These losses were caused by vaccination timing, housing conditions, handling and weather events.

McCully welcomed the report.

"The government was faced with a situation that carried diplomatic, economic and legal risk," he said in a statement. "It required a creative solution that demonstrated good faith and a willingness to move forward to the Saudi party."

ACT leader David Seymour said the report detailed "wasteful deal-making" that could have been avoided if "it wasn't for the on-again-off-again regulatory uncertainty over live sheep exports."

So far $8.5 million of the $11.5 million assigned to the partnership has been spent. The free trade agreement reached in 2009 remains unsigned, seven years later, although McCully indicated progress had been reached in September this year.

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New Zealand's third-placed mobile operator, Two Degrees Mobile, is to become listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange as part of a wider deal that sees its Canadian owners sell their 62.9 percent interest in the company into a new entity.

The transaction is being funded mainly by a recently listed Canadian cash-box, Alignvest Acquisition Corp (AQX), which raised US$202 million in an initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange in June last year and has been seeking an investment opportunity ever since.

It has settled on taking a 51 percent stake in the new entity, which will combine with Trilogy International Partners, the private equity firm that owns almost two-thirds of 2degrees in New Zealand and 71.5 percent of Neuva Tel, a Bolivian mobile operator. Other 2degrees shareholders, including a Maori investment vehicle, Hautaki Trust with around 7 percent, will have an option to participate in the deal as well. Some 30 percent of 2degrees sits with a European shareholder, Tesbrit.

Trilogy's principals, chairman John Stanton and chief executive Brad Horwitz, have a track record of establishing successful wireless operators in the US prior to the New Zealand and Bolivian forays, and AQX said in its statement released to the Canadian market today the Trilogy management team would run the new entity.

As well as continuing to develop those two businesses, Trilogy "believe that there are a number of potentially attractive, synergistic acquisitions available".

The transaction produces an enterprise value for the combined majority shareholdings in the 2degrees and Nueva Tel of US$875 million, representing multiple of 7.3 times against forecast earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of US$120 million, which AQX/Trilogy regards as "a significant discount to its peers". New Zealand's 2degrees declared ebitda earnings of NZ$78.5 million in the year to Dec. 31, on 43 percent revenue growth at $569 million for the year, although the company continued to report a net loss on a statutory earnings basis, at $33.1 million.

Proceeds will be applied to de-leveraging the balance sheet of the company, which will be known as Trilogy International, "and position it for continued growth organically and through acquisition".

That may include, for example, redemption of bonds issued to 2degrees by Trilogy, which would free up the 2degrees balance sheet to pursue growth.

The announcement ends speculation earlier this year that 2degrees was pursuing a possible dual-listing on the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges.

To fund the deal, AQX says it has secured an additional US$61 million, with the transaction conditional on a minimum cash requirement of US$135 million, of which transaction fees of US$6.1 million have already been committed, with completion due in the first quarter of 2017.

Trilogy's existing management team are rolling up all their equity interest in the businesses into the transaction, tipping in an extra US$5 million of their own equity, and will own about 20 percent of the company.

Trilogy saw growth in the New Zealand business coming from continued market share and post-paid subscriber growth, expanded bundled solutions "to target the previously under-served business segment", and cross-selling fixed line solutions to the existing mobile subscriber base.

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Punakaiki Fund, which makes long-term investments in high-growth New Zealand companies, has launched fundraising offers at $19 per share in New Zealand and Australia with no set amount being targeted.

The New Zealand offer due to open on Nov. 9 is a public one open to anyone through a product disclosure statement (PDS) while the Australian one opens today and is to wholesale investors only.

Both offers close at the end of the month and are on the same terms apart from the New Zealand one having a minimum investment of $1,900 compared to a minimum $57,000 in Australia. Its the first time the fund has attempted to raise money across the Tasman.

The fund has rapidly grown from $1.5 million invested in four companies in 2014, to total assets of $20.3 million (including cash) today and investments in 18 businesses, said chairman Mike Bennetts in the PDS.

Based on the last few months performance, these companies had annualised revenues of over $69 million and are achieving year on year revenue growth rates of over 50 percent when weighted by the funds ownership interest in each.

New capital will go towards additional funding for existing investments, new investments, and to cover fund operating costs including management fees which amounted to $644,000 this financial year.

We believe that New Zealand is faced with a large funding gap for investment into high-quality, high-growth companies, said Bennetts.

Thats why the fund hasnt set a maximum as fund manager Lance Wiggs said it could reasonably invest up to $50 million just in its existing portfolio which highlights "one of New Zealands systemic issues.

The last time the fund tried a public offer was in 2013 when it made media headlines by failing to raise the $20 million it sought, or even the $5 million minimum. It tried again under a private offer in April 2014, targeting qualified investors who had participated in the public offer and raised its first $1.5 million from just over 50 investors at $10 per share. It then invested in its first four companies, Mindscape (now Raygun), Influx, Timely, and Vibe Communications.

It has since raised a total of $13.4 million through three subsequent wholesale share offers, three options series, a retail crowd-funding offer, and the issue of new fund shares to settle an investment in Vend.

Wiggs said hes confident a public offer will go better this time around because of the funds high-quality investments while the Australian offer is a bit of a punt to see how much interest there is. It doesnt signal an intention to start investing in Australian companies though, he said.

Our expertise is in the New Zealand market and managing a portfolio of companies here. We want to build on that.

Theres currently no easy out clause for the funds 492 investors though Wiggs said the small number who have wanted to sell to date have been able to do so through a share matching service it offers.

Bennetts said among the boards top priorities are a path to a stock exchange listing in the next two to three years. Shareholders are mandated to vote on a potential listing, most likely on the NZX or ASX, in two years though Wiggs said it could happen sooner if the funds assets hit $100 million.

Punakaiki pays no dividends and is unlikely to in the near future. Most of its revenue comes from a change in the recorded fair value of its investments in portfolio companies which is decided by the board.

Material risks outlined in the PDS include one or more of the portfolio companies performing poorly or failing which would lower the net asset value per share. Under the boards valuation exercise for the offer, the values of five out of the 18 companies were written down since their last investment. Of those four, representing 13 percent of the portfolio by value, were due to underperformance and one due to a company accepting external investment at a lower price than expected.

The fund has a target of holding less than a fifth of the value of its assets in companies that need to raise additional capital before reaching a positive cash flow position. Currently a third of the portfolio are profitable, 11 percent break even, and 58 percent unprofitable.

The main cost is the management fee paid to the fund manager, LWCM, run by Wiggs and Chris Humphreys. LWCM has a 10-year management agreement with the fund that falls due in 2024 and receives a management fee equivalent to 2 percent of the funds annual accounting net asset value.

An additional performance fee calculated at 20 percent of the increase in the funds market value, excluding new capital raises, is triggered by certain events such as a sharemarket listing, a big distribution back to shareholders, or if the management agreement is ended. The fee is currently calculated at just under $1.4 million.

Wiggs owns 6 percent of the fund.

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Geekologie has shut down.

Thank you to everybody.

Now go be happy.
HIAWATHA  Its premature to talk about whether Iowa should reinstate the death penalty for people convicted of killing law enforcement officers, Gov. Terry Branstad said Wednesday.

The governor also cautioned that the death penalty is not a panacea for attacks on law enforcement.

Branstad, who has supported the limited use of the death penalty, which Iowa abolished in 1965, didnt rule out the introduction of a death penalty bill when the Legislature convenes in January.

However, in the wake of the deaths of Des Moines Police Sgt. Anthony Beminio and Urbandale Officer Justin Martin, Branstad said now is the time to show our solidarity and strong support for those people who risk their lives every day to protect the safety of our citizens.

The two were fatally shot Wednesday while sitting in their patrol cars in what police called unprovoked ambushes.

Several attempts to reinstate the death penalty have been made over the years. Typically, legislation is offered after a crime that attracts widespread public attention.

The 2012 abductions and deaths of cousins Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook-Morrissey, then 8 and 10, of Black Hawk County prompted a death penalty debate at the Statehouse.

The most recent legislation, offered in 2015, would have permitted executions in cases where a minor was kidnapped, raped and murdered.

Sponsor Sen. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull said a criminal has nothing to lose by committing murder to cover up kidnap and rape. Under Iowa law, punishment for first-degree murder as well as the most serious cases of rape and murder can be life imprisonment.

Majority Democrats, however, declined to debate the bill, Senate File 239. A new proposal likely would meet the same fate, according to Sen. Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, vice chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Attempts to change that law have met with bipartisan opposition over at least the last 20 years, and I expect that bipartisan opposition to continue into the future, he said Wednesday.

Today we should all be focused on the law enforcement officers involved and their families, Hogg said. Out of this tragedy, I hope we can unite as a state to prevent further violence and move away from hatred.

Branstad sounded a similar tone, saying at this time the focus should be on the officers and their families. There will be time in the future to weigh what legislative response is called for.

I think we have to look at this from the perspective of what is the most effective thing we can do to protect the safety of our citizens, he said.

Its also important to remember that the death penalty is not something that happens immediately, so this is not a panacea to stop attacks on law enforcement, Branstad said.
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BELMOND  A police officer with North Iowa ties who was shot and killed on duty in Des Moines was the epitome of what a law enforcement officer should be, a former boss said.

Sgt. Anthony Tony Beminio, of the Des Moines Police Department, was shot about 1:30 a.m. in his police car during what authorities called an ambush-style attack.

He was struck while assisting with the investigation into the shooting of Urbandale Police Officer Justin Martin, who had been shot and killed in similar fashion 20 minutes earlier about two miles away.

Beminio is the son of Trish and Frank Beminio, a Belmond councilman and the citys former police chief, city officials confirmed Wednesday.

Mayor Al Mattison said the city of Belmond is heartbroken at Beminios death.

Were just grieving as a community for one of our people, he said. This is a nationwide tragedy.

Former Des Moines Police Chief Judy Bradshaw said Beminio was a reliable, caring officer who had a special ability to relate to people.

During his career, Beminio served stints as a school resource officer at multiple schools in Des Moines, including at Orchard Place. Staff members at the residential school for at-risk youth, which also is a psychiatric medical institute for children, were particularly effusive in their praise of the work Beminio did with their students, Bradshaw said.

(He) related really, really well to youth and he just had a way with them, said Bradshaw, now director of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. He could communicate and relate to people that he really had nothing in common with, but he would find that common ground with them.

After graduating from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in April 2002, Beminio went to work for the Indianola Police Department. He joined the Des Moines department in 2005.

Clear Lake Police Capt. Mike Colby, an academy classmate of Beminios, said the officer was a well-liked, positive person. He later crossed paths with Beminio during joint investigations involving Des Moines police and officers in Clive, where Colby worked, and knew the officer socially.

Tony was outgoing. Everybody liked him. Always happy, Colby said. In the academy, you never heard him complain about anything.

On the job in Des Moines, Beminio was a gentle giant known for his professionalism and compassion, Bradshaw said.

He was reliable. He was solid. He made great decisions, said Bradshaw, chief from 2007-14. Everything youd want to see in an officer.

Law enforcement ran in the family. Beminios father was a member of the Belmond Police Department for 17 years.

Frank Beminio served the last eight years as chief, retiring in March 2014. A message left by a Globe Gazette reporter on his cell phone was not returned by Wednesday evening.

Beminio has three children  two sons and a daughter  attending Belmond-Klemme Schools.

Belmond-Klemme Superintendent Abe Maske said local ministers and a crisis team from Area Education Agency 267 provided counseling to staff and students on Wednesday.

They will continue to provide support in the coming days.

Police say the man suspected of killing Beminio and Martin, Scott Michael Greene, flagged down a conservation officer Wednesday morning in rural Dallas County, west of Des Moines, and turned himself in.
MASON CITY  Congressional candidate Kim Weaver says America has become an indebted society that needs to be fixed and she has some ideas on how to fix it.

Weaver, a Democrat from Sheldon, is challenging U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron, in the 4th District race. She spoke Wednesday morning to 10 supporters at the Village Court restaurant.

Among her proposals to help curb individual debt is to extend Medicare benefits to cover assisted living and nursing home care.

Her compassion for the elderly is more than a political issue; it has been her career.

Weaver was born in Des Moines and started her career as a care provider with Village Northwest in Sheldon, an organization that works with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In 1996 she became a Medicaid case manager with the Department of Human Services where she worked for 10 years.

In 2007 she began working for the office of the state long-term care ombudsman as an advocate for seniors in nursing homes, assisted living programs and residential care facilities. She oversees a territory that includes 15 counties and 124 care providers in Northwest Iowa.

Other issues she touched on Wednesday were support for medical marijuana  but not recreational  and expanding AmeriCorps and similar programs to provide stipends for student loans if graduates work at least four hours a week in the program.

Weaver did not criticize King or compare her views on issues with his. She did say she was disappointed he declined to take part in a debate with her.
CHARLES CITY | A Charles City man who police say had pornographic images of children on his cell phone was sentenced Monday to up to two years in prison.

Jeffrey Kirk, 53, was charged on May 31 with seven counts of misdemeanor sexual exploitation of a minor.

He pleaded guilty to one of those counts in September. The other six counts are to be dismissed.

After his prison sentence is completed, Kirk will be under the supervision of the Department of Corrections for 10 years. He also will be required to register as a sex offender.

A $625 fine was suspended.

Kirk was accused of having seven photos or videos of child pornography on his cell phone, according to Floyd County District Court documents.

Investigators say Kirk had downloaded the material from the Internet.

-- Mary Pieper
FOREST CITY  A Forest City man is accused of masquerading as someone else to get a job, register to vote, obtain a hunting license and secure other benefits and services for two years.

Wendell Hunter, 55, was charged with felony identity theft, felony possession of a firearm by a felon and misdemeanor counts of false use of a birth certificate and false application for a license or identity card.

Police believe Hunter stole and the identity of a Florida man, Daniel Hughes, and began posed as Hughes from June 9, 2014, until Oct. 20, according to court documents.

During that time, police accuse Hunter of using the stolen identity to earn $73,845.83 at 3M Corp., obtain utilities, register to vote, get insurance benefits, establish bank accounts and credit cards and to recieve a hunting and fishing license.

They say he also bought a home while pretending to be Daniel Hughes.

A Globe Gazette reporters call to a phone number listed in court records as belonging to Hunter, who signed his court papers in the case as Daniel Hughes, went unanswered Tuesday afternoon.

There was no voicemail message.

A spokeswoman for 3M, where Hunter allegedly worked while pretending to be Hughes, also could not immediately be reached by telephone late Tuesday afternoon.

Investigators claim Hunter used a falsified birth certificate and Pennsylvania voter ID form to get a non-driver ID card from the Iowa Department of Transportation in 2014.

He waived his preliminary hearing and was released on bond Friday. His next court date has not been set.
BENGALURU: As the Diwali diyas (lamps) glow nationwide, Antehri paid respect to the martyred army jawan Mandeep Singhs act of valor. Mandeep was recently killed in a terrorist attack at the Machil sector of Jammu and Kashmirs Kupwara district. As the body arrived at Antehri, covered with the Tricolor, the jawan was honored with a state funeral. Mourning the jawans death, during the festive season, people of the village decided to light diyas in each household in his memory.

Mandeeps father, Phool Singh lit the funeral pyre while the jawans wife Prerna saluted her husbands pyre. Residents of the village chanted slogans like Pakistan murdabad and Shaheed Mandeep amar rahe. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner Sumedha Kataria, and the army officials were also present at the funeral. As a financial assistance for the martyrs family, the Chief Minister assured a sum of Rs 50 lakh.

Strongly opposing the terrorists heinous act, Mandeeps family members are expecting strict action to be taken against Pakistan. The family has also made an appeal to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the matter.

Antheri, popularly known as the village of soldiers, has produced several young men who are currently serving the Indian Army. The funeral was held in a part of agricultural land owned by Mandeeps family. This Diwali, Mandeep was planning come back to the village and shift to his new house constructed right next to the agricultural land.

Prerna, Mandeeps wife, who is also a head constable in the Haryana Police Department, stated that the family was unaware of the fact that Mandeep was posted near the Line of Control.

The martyrs brother, Sandeep Singh says, We are very proud of his work. The last drop of his blood went to the service of the country.

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BENGALURU: In just a matter of days after the announcement of the UDAN scheme by the NDA government at the center to boost regional connectivity, Karnataka government has come up with this idea to join hands with the Kempegowda International Airport to boost tourism in the state.

Karnatakas tourism minister Priyank Kharge has reiterated the state governments stance to forge a formal deal with the KIA, which is bound to benefit both the state and the airport. The two will sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the matter shortly.

We will promote the KIA at all the national and international tourism events that Karnataka participates in. In return, the KIA takes forward Karnatakas tourism brand, gives us space at the airport and works with us to push up the tourist footfalls here, Priyank said, as reported by ET.

With Karnataka reeling under drought situation for the third year running, Congress is trying its best to generate revenue and protect its pro poor image ahead of the elections in 2018.

Tourism creates an alternate livelihood for the rural poor and the farmers. If tourist footfalls increase, the poor man who has come from the village to the city also finds a means to earn revenue, Priyank explained, as told to ET.

Australia is the prime destination for the Congress government and steps are being taken on lines of the Udan Scheme to lure prospective travelers and tourists alike.

The government is trying to showcase Dasara as the main festival as it draws a large number of tourists from all across the globe. The tourism department is also planning to set up kiosks and shops at the airport to lure tourists by portraying Bengaluru and Karnataka as the prime tourist destination.

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BENGALURU: Whereas Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Pallonji Mistry ousting was a complete blow out of the water for many of us, he describes the board proceedings as invalid and warns that the giant conglomerate may face $18 billion in writedowns for 5 unprofitable businesses he inherited, reports ET.

However, a day before the Tata Group board meeting took place the dean from Harvard business school, Nitin Nohria met Cyrus Mistry and conveyed a message on behalf of Ratan Tata about what might come for discussion in the meeting.

Even earlier, the business world has seen similar incidents in the face of controversies where the top leaders had to step down or made to do so. Follow through the article to read about more of such leaders who made headlines:

Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen

CEO of the worlds biggest carmaker by salesVolkswagen Martin Winterkorn resigned after the company admitted that it deceived and misled U.S. regulators about its diesel cars pollution output capacity. During his eight years of tenure, Winterkorn oversaw almost doubled sales in Volkswagens and an almost tripled in terms of profit made.

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BENGALURU: Rishi Jaitly, Twitters India head who popularised the micro-blogging website among government departments for responding to citizen queries, has quit the company.



Jaitly was the vice-president for Asia-Pacific, which includes India & Middle East, North Africa, for Twitter. He made the announcement on Twitter on Tuesday.



A Twitter India spokesperson confirmed the development, saying Jaitly will remain with the company till November-end and return to the US.



He said a personal/civic calling takes me to Chicago, I'll spend significant time in India/Asia, drawing on my past to further tech's promise. The former Google executive added he intended to devote himself to building bridges in service of my mission.



Jaitly came to Twitter in 2012 from Knight Foundation where he headed the investment arm in media and technology firms which was aimed at helping these use new technology tools for engaging with citizens.



Today, after four years of user/business momentum in India and the region, Im sharing my intention to move on to new opportunities, same mission, Jaitly tweeted.

He expressed he would continue to  harness tech/medias scale to connect users/citizens to their voice/agency/leadership in places they care about, When contacted, a Twitter India spokesperson said: "We thank Rishi Jaitly for his contributions, entrepreneurship and leadership over the past four years at Twitter. He was our first person on the ground to bring Twitter into the high-growth Indian market. There will be a smooth transition as his last day is in late November after which he will move back to the US."



Jaitlys exit comes at a time when Twitter is facing a crisis globally  revenue growth falling for consecutive eight quarters. It is also looking at suitors who could potentially save the company.

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MASON CITY  As the 2016 election season draws to a close, Newman Catholic high-schoolers exercised their right to vote in a statewide mock election.

Organized by the Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, the Youth Presidential Straw Poll is meant to mimic the election process for the presidential race, U.S. Senate and congressional races.

Across over 300 schools, more than 57,000 students cast ballots in the presidential race alone on Tuesday.

The results were decisive.

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump won the state with 26,221 votes (45.9 percent) to 20,333 cast (35.6 percent) for Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson received 4,191 votes (7.3 percent). Six other presidential candidates received 3.8 percent or less each.

Students at more than 300 schools statewide  including Algona, Charles City, Clear Lake Middle School, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura, North Butler, Northwood-Kensett, Riceville, RRMR, and St. Ansgar Middle School registered to take part.

Among eligible voters in Iowa, Trump holds a slim edge over Clinton  44 percent to 42.3 percent  according to a Real Clear Politics poll averaging results from the Des Moines Register, Quinnipiac and and Loras between Sept. 20 and Oct. 26.

The program is an extension of the same poll the Secretary of States office held shortly before the Caucuses in February as part of its Election 101 curriculum  meant to encourage civic participation and illuminate issues important to future voters.

For some Newman students, the lack of issues in the spotlight and dizzying amount of information in the media landscape has made the choice for president somewhat difficult and frustrating.

Especially for those students that arent 18 yet, they would rather not pay attention ... to whats going on, said social studies teacher Lindsay Nuehring.

Part of her government class involves prepping seniors for the ballot by helping them decide on the party of their choice, while considering other factors like family, economic status and religious beliefs, she said.

Then, choosing a candidate they believe is able to be an effective leader.

These 17-year olds are thinking, This is too much, she said. The 18-year-olds are thinking, This is my first time to vote?

I feel kind of bad for them in a way ... that they are thrown into this election where so many people are so pro- or anti- one candidate, Nuehring said.

They hear a lot from outside sources  parents, media. So, its good that they are getting involved, but they cant sort all of that out, she said. We are trying to help them.

Newman Catholic final results showed Trump beat Clinton 48.9 percent to 27.1 percent. Independent candidate Evan McMullin received 10.8 percent.

In the U.S. Senate race, Republican candidate U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley beat Democratic nominee Patty Judge  58.1 percent to 30.2 percent.

In the 4th Congressional District race, U.S. Rep. Steve King beat Democratic challenger Kim Weaver among Newman students  68.2 percent to 31.8 percent.

There are a lot of governments that dont have democracies, Nuehring said. People go and they are able to have their voices heard, which is a blessing and a curse at the same time.

We are privileged to have this right, she said, but with that right comes huge responsibility of not just checking somebodys name.
WASHINGTON: The Trump Organisation has a secret server registered to Trump Tower that has been covertly communicating with a Russian bank, a media report said, in the latest allegation of questionable links between Donald Trumpand Russia just a week ahead of the presidential polls.



A report in the Slate said a server registered to the Trump Organisation was found to have been in contact with the Alfa Bank, the largest private commercial bank in Russia.



Activity on the server indicated "a sustained relationship between a server registered to the Trump Organisation and two servers registered to an entity called Alfa Bank", it said.



Trump was "secretly communicating" with this Russian bank, claimed the report, which was denied by his Campaign.



Slate said it spoke to one scientist, referred to as 'Tea Leaves' for anonymity, and two of his collaborators.



It alleged that the server was set up to communicate privately with the bank. The server was shut down after a reporter asked about it.



Hillary Clinton, Trump's Democratic presidential rival, in a tweet demanded that "it's time for Trump to answer questions about his ties to Russia".



The Trump campaign said "the only covert server is the one Hillary Clinton recklessly established in her basement while serving as Secretary of State, compromising our national security."



"To be clear, The Trump Organisation is not sending or receiving any communications from this email server. The Trump Organisation has no communication or relationship with this entity or any Russian entity," it said.



Hillary for America Senior Policy Adviser Jake Sullivan said: "This could be the most direct link yet between Donald Trump and Moscow. Computer scientists have apparently uncovered a covert server linking the Trump Organisation to a Russian-based bank.



"This secret hotline may be the key to unlocking the mystery of Trump's ties to Russia. It certainly seems the Trump Organisation felt it had something to hide, given that it apparently took steps to conceal the link when it was discovered by journalists."



"This line of communication may help explain Trump's bizarre adoration of (Russian President) Vladimir Putin and endorsement of so many pro-Kremlin positions throughout this campaign," he alleged.



"It raises even more troubling questions in light of Russia's masterminding of hacking efforts that are clearly intended to hurt Hillary Clinton's campaign. We can only assume that federal authorities will now explore this direct connection between Trump and Russia as part of their existing probe into Russia's meddling in our elections," Sullivan said.



Meanwhile, Mother Jones news magazine quoted a report sent to FBI according to which Russia was "cultivating" Trump.



"Russian regime has been cultivating, supporting and assisting Trump for at least 5 years. Aim, endorsed by Putin, has been to encourage splits and divisions in western alliance," the report said, adding that assistance allegedly included receiving information from the Kremlin on Democratic and other political rivals.

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Source: PTI
WASHINGTON: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is leading her Republican rival Donald Trump by 3.1 percentage points in the average of polls.

According to RealClearPolitics, which keeps track of all major polls, Trump is trailing Clinton by 3.1 percentage in average of polls. However, in the Bing average of national polls, Clinton is leading by five points.

Clinton has 82 pct chances of winning elections, as per Bing political predictions.

Polls have been tightening after last week's decision of the FBI to reopen its investigation into the alleged email scandal.

Two of the three polls, carried out after the FBI announced its decision on October 28 to reopen its probe into her alleged email scandal, showed Clinton leading Trump by three percentage points, while in another (IBD/TIPP), she is leading the real-estate mogul by just one percentage points.

As per IBD/TIPP, considered to be the most accurate poll, Clinton has support of 45 pct of the likely voters as against Trump's 44 pct.

Politico/Morning Consult said Trump (39 pct) is trailing Clinton (42 pct) by three percentage points, while as per Rasmussen the Republican nominee (42 pct) is behind the former Secretary of State (39 pct) by same difference.

Meanwhile in the battle ground State of New Hampshire, Trump is leading Clinton by two points.

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WASHINGTON: Republican nominee Donald Trump for the first time gained a slim lead over Democratic contender Hillary Clinton, the latest poll in the US elections showed on Tuesday, with less than a week for polling day.

The latest ABC News/Washington Post tracking poll, produced for ABC by Langer Research Associates, showed that 46 per cent of likely voters support Trump, with 45 per cent for Clinton.

While vote preferences have held essentially steady, the latest poll marks the ebbing away of the strong enthusiasm that the former Secretary of State enjoyed.

Trump enjoys a 0.7 percentage point lead over Clinton.

In the share of voters who are very enthusiastic about their choice, Trump now leads Clinton by 8 points. But, compared to past elections it is low for both of them -- 53 per cent for Trump, 45 per cent for Clinton.

Strong enthusiasm for Clinton has lost 7 points since the start of tracking. According to ABC online, this is possibly an after-effect of the renewed controversy over her use of a private email server while secretary of state.

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Source: IANS
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Firefighters are battling a large brush fire in Midland Beach on Tuesday evening.

A "heavy fire" was reported at a vacant home at 100 Graham Blvd., with an extension to an area of brush, the FDNY said on Twitter.

SI 2-ALARM 100 GRAHAM BLVD, VACANT PRIVATE DWELLING HEAVY FIRE WITH EXTENSION TO BRUSH,  FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) November 1, 2016

Emergency personnel responded to the two-alarm fire at Graham and Patterson Avenue, according to an alert from New York City, which warned of potential traffic delays in the area as a result.

One resident phoned the Advance to report heavy smoke in the area.

Helicopters are hovering over the area.

The city Health Department advised residents to avoid exposure to the smoke by heading indoors and closing their windows.

People with heart or breathing conditions, such as asthma, should seek immediate medical attention if their condition worsens, or if they experience shortness of breath or chest pains, the city said.

Further information will be posted as it becomes available.
Screen Shot 2016-11-01 at 8.27.12 PM.png

Several city agencies launched a new website Thursday that is designed to warn residents of potential terror strikes and other possible emergencies. (Courtesy: City)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Several city agencies launched a new website Thursday that is designed to inform residents of potential terrorist attacks and other emergencies.

The New York City Emergency Management Department, in partnership with NYPD, FDNY, the NYC Health Department, and the MTA launched the new website PlanNowNYC.

The agencies hope the new site will engage New Yorkers about possible emergency scenarios and inform residents about how to make a plan, according to a media release.

"We want New Yorkers to be aware of the potential incidents that could happen, and to do what they can to be ready for all types of emergencies," NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito said.

"PlanNowNYC has practical content for New Yorkers so that they learn appropriate actions to care for themselves and their families and neighbors in any unexpected emergency."

The website is designed to keep New Yorkers up to date on anything from an active shooter to a chemical incident.

"Education and preparedness are critical for handling any emergency - for first responders and for those we protect," Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro.

"Just as we urge everyone to have a fire escape plan for their home, it is vital for New Yorkers to be prepared for any number of emergencies that can take place without warning."

John Tidona, chief of the Port Richmond Community Emergency Response Team, urged residents to explore the website to become more familiar with it.

"The PlanNowNYC website is a valuable resource that helps provide awareness to the relevant issues we are dealing with as a community," he said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A shocking wave of armed robberies on Staten Island continued Wednesday morning, as a deli employee was stuck-up at gunpoint in Westerleigh, according to police.

The robbery was reported at Silvestro's Deli & Grocery at 286 Watchogue Road, an NYPD spokesman said.

Police are searching for the suspect described as an adult male wearing a black jacket who is believed to be armed with a gun, the police spokesman said.

The robber was a white man with red hair who stood about 6 feet tall. The suspect wore a mask and gloves, according to the worker who was robbed at Silvestro's..

The entrance to the deli is cordoned off with caution tape on Wednesday morning. Police are on the scene.

Emergency radio transmissions indicated that the robbery happened around 6 a.m.

This incident adds to the list of numerous other robberies that have been reported on Staten Island the past few weeks.

On Tuesday night, the NYPD released surveillance images of two individuals sought for questioning in connection with 10 incidents.

The NYPD is investigating a spree that spans Staten Island and New Jersey, NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said during a press conference Tuesday.

On Monday, police arrested Victor Abraham, 19. He and two accomplices allegedly tried to steal a 16-year-old's wallet at around 9 p.m. in front of Denino's at 524 Port Richmond Ave. on Oct. 27, police said.

Further information about Wednesday's incident will be posted as it becomes available.

For more videos related to the wave of robberies on Staten Island, check out our YouTube playlist below:
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- An owner at a deli in Westerleigh recounted a harrowing ordeal where he was threatened with a gun, handcuffed and bruised by a robber who had the nerve to call him a terrorist.

Abdul-Haq Ghaleb said he feared for his life when he heard a click as the robber held a gun to the back of his neck while forcing him to open a safe at Silvestro's Deli & Grocery at 286 Watchogue Road at the corner of Livermore Avenue.

The robbery occurred around 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday as Ghaleb was opening the store, located in what is considered one of the safest areas on the North Shore.

The suspect made off with about $17,500 in funds, most unrelated to the deli, Ghaleb said.

Ghaleb said the robber pushed him to an office in the back of the deli and ordered him to open the safe. When Ghaleb said he didn't have a safe, the suspect stuck him with the gun.

"He told me, 'Open the safe f-----g Arab terrorist," Ghaleb quoted the robber as saying.

Ghaleb said he complied with the robber because "he wanted to shoot me."

"I had to open, the gun was at my neck," Ghaleb said. "I was scared when he clicked it."

The robber slammed Ghaleb's head down on a table in the office, causing a bruise to the man's forehead.

After forcing him into the bathroom, the suspect handcuffed Ghaleb and told him not to leave.

"I was scared he would shoot me down there," Ghaleb said."Thank God, he left."

Ghaleb said he was in the bathroom for a half hour before he was rescued by the first customer.

"I was screaming, 'I need help, I need help," he said.

Ghaleb's son said that two suspects were involved in the heist, but the victim said he only saw one robber.

"I don't care about the money, I'm still alive," Ghaleb said.

Ghaleb was deeply distressed that anyone would falsely accuse him of being a terrorist. He has lived in the United States for about 30 years, paid taxes and his children were born in this country.

Ghaleb described the suspect as white male with red hair who stood about 6 feet tall and was wearing gloves and a mask.

The robber left with about $16,000 from the safe and about $1,500 from the cash register and MetroCard funds. The money in the safe was separate from the deli business, Ghaleb said.

This incident adds to the list of numerous other robberies that have been reported on Staten Island the past few weeks.

On Tuesday night, the NYPD released surveillance images of two individuals sought for questioning in connection with 10 incidents.

The NYPD is investigating a spree that spans Staten Island and New Jersey, NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said during a press conference Tuesday.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- "Doo-Doo."

Before he took his final breath, Barry Lovelace identified his killer with those two words to his cousin, a prosecutor told a jury Wednesday during her closing argument at a murder trial.

Lovelace, 17, identified his friend, Mark "Doo-Doo" Ortiz as his assailant when his cousin, Jasmine Sanders, asked the dying teen who had shot him in the West Brighton apartment where they were all hanging out early on the morning of Feb. 16, 2015, said Assistant District Attorney Lisa Davis at Ortiz's murder trial in state Supreme Court, St. George.

"It was an intentional, cold-blooded murder," Davis said, as Ortiz, 21, watched from the defense table. "It was an act of cowardice, an act of revenge ... made even more senseless by the fact that (Lovelace) was killed by a friend."

Davis said Ortiz, of Castleton Corners, gunned down Lovelace because he believed the victim had shot and wounded his best friend's mother five months earlier.

"The defendant played judge, jury and executioner," she said.

In his summation, defense lawyer Mario F. Gallucci contended there is no physical evidence, such as DNA, fingerprints or a recovered murder weapon linking Ortiz to the crime.

"All they have is supposition, speculation and lies from a bunch of miscreants," he said, noting the witness who pointed the finger at Ortiz has a criminal history and Lovelace's girlfriend signed a cooperation agreement to aid her own criminal case.

"There's no Doo-Doo did it and he died," Gallucci scoffed. "That's a movie."

In fact, Gallucci contended the prosecution's key witness, a gang member who identified Ortiz as the shooter, was actually the killer himself.

"He didn't get along with Barry," said Gallucci. "He only hung out with Barry (that night) because of Mark."

Davis said Ortiz, Lovelace, Sanders, the gang member, Lovelace's girlfriend and a few others were hanging out in the girlfriend's apartment smoking marijuana and listening to music. Most of them were drinking, too, she said.

At some point during the night, Lovelace gave a gun to one of the men at the apartment for protection as he walked home, Davis said. The gang member accompanied him and took the gun from the other man when they reached his home, said the prosecutor.

The gang member returned and said he gave the gun to either Lovelace or Ortiz, but couldn't remember who, said Davis, who is prosecuting the case along with Assistant District Attorney Victoria Levin.

The gun was passed around and Ortiz put it in his hoodie, Davis said.

Around 1:45 a.m., Sanders went to the bathroom, and Lovelace's girlfriend got on the phone.

The gang member went toward the door to leave, when he saw Ortiz remove the gun from his hoodie, said Davis. The witness initially thought the defendant was returning the gun, but then saw Ortiz shoot Lovelace, said Davis.

The witness then ran out and took a cab to a friend's house in the Bronx, she said.

The witness testified Ortiz had previously told him he would get back at Lovelace for shooting his pal's mom, said Davis.

Meanwhile, Sanders said she heard three booms while in the bathroom, came out and saw Lovelace on the floor. When she asked who shot him, he replied, "Doo-Doo," said Davis.

Gallucci maintained the medical examiner's testimony belied the shooting account.

The lawyer said the medical examiner found no evidence of a close-range shooting, which this would have been had Ortiz gunned down Lovelace, as alleged.

Witnesses testified the defendant and victim were sitting next to each other on a couch, he said.

The gang member "lied," said Gallucci, who contended that witness had shot Lovelace, an Elm Park resident, from the doorway.

"What a load of crap this is," he said. "You are left with useless information to convict Mark Ortiz. This is complete doubt, forget reasonable doubt."

Ortiz, 21, is charged with second-degree murder and two counts of criminal weapon possession. A second-degree murder conviction carries a maximum penalty of 25 years to life in prison.

In June, Ortiz rejected a plea offer calling for a sentence of 18 years to life in exchange for a guilty plea.

After the shooting, Oritz was believed to have initially fled to either the Bronx or Pennsylvania. For a time, he headed former District Attorney Daniel Donovan's "Most Wanted" list.

Cops ultimately tracked Ortiz to a New Brighton home on March 26 of last year and arrested him, prosecutors said, according to Advance reports.
AX056_274C_9.JPG

In 2015, Angela Samamrco and her son, Andrew, spoke to the Advance in their home about their husband, father and Hurricane Sandy victim Andrew P. Sammarco, 61, as well as life after the superstorm. Mrs. Sammarco, 61, died Oct. 31, 2016, four years and two days after Sandy struck. (Staten Island Advance)

Angela Sammarco was a dedicated nurse, professor and author

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Angela Sammarco, who survived Hurricane Sandy only to watch her husband succumb to the storm's surge, has died.

Mrs. Sammarco, her family by her side, died at home Monday, ironically, four years and two-days to the date her life was upended by Sandy.

The lifelong South Beach native, devoted nurse and professor, who enjoyed traveling and family festivities, was 61 years old.

Aware Hurricane Sandy's storm surge was rapidly approaching their Mills Avenue house that night, Oct. 29, 2012, Mrs. Sammarco and her husband, Andrew, a retired accountant, hurried into their basement to fetch their laptop computers from a home office and escape.

Their plan to evacuate was foiled when water quickly filled their South Beach basement, splitting the couple up and trapping Mr. Sammarco behind a door that prevented him from exiting. Mrs. Sammarco, who was on the other side of the door and near the stairway out, could only watch helplessly before being pulled from the basement by firefighters.

Three years after Hurricane Sandy, in 2015, Mrs. Sammarco told an Advance reporter how she struggled to remain resilient and carry on. "You just have to remain positive," she said.

"She was a strong, brave and resilient woman," said her son Andrew.

"From her illness to the loss of our father, she overcame challenges and was determined to provide a loving and stable home for us. Her motto was, 'I am a survivor, not a victim', " added her daughter, Christine McIntyre.

NURSE, SCHOLAR & AUTHOR

The former Angela Tursi, a 1972 graduate of St. Joseph Hill Academy, Arrochar, earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Marquette University in Wisconsin. She furthered her education, receiving a master of science degree in nursing from Hunter College, and a doctorate degree from Adelphi University, Long Island.

Mrs. Sammarco began her career as a registered nurse in Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, and went on to become a nursing assistant supervisor for Beth Israel Medical Center, Manhattan.

She also taught at the Sisters of Charity School of Nursing, part of the former St. Vincent's Medical Center, now Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton. She was also an associate professor of nursing at the College of Staten Island.

A member of Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society for nursing, Mrs. Sammarco also served on the nursing advisory committee of the American Cancer Society.

Named a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, Mrs. Sammarco was recognized earlier this year for her published textbook, "Women's Health Issues Across the Life Cycle: A Quality of Life Perspective," which explores a variety of health issues and concerns for women and a holistic approach to care.

She also published numerous studies in oncology and nursing, as well as being featured in many textbooks and study guides relating to surgical nursing. She was the keynote speaker at many nursing conferences and continuing education programs throughout the country.

At home, Mrs. Sammarco enjoyed reading and was rarely seen without a novel in hand, her family said. She also enjoyed a wide variety of music, from operas to the British rock band "The Who." She and her children recently saw the group at several venues, including the Prudential Center in Newark.

Mrs. Sammarco enjoyed traveling to many international destinations, including Japan, Thailand, Rome, Paris, London and Lourdes. She resided in China from 1988 to 1990 when her husband's company required him to manage an oil exploration project in the South China Sea.

The holidays were very special to the Sammarco family, her children recalled. Together, they baked struffoli and other Christmas cookies, as well as passed-down family favorites, including rice balls, fried zucchini and veal spiedini.

Their "family productions" also included Fourth of July BBQs, where "mountains of burgers" and dips in the pool were enjoyed by everyone, they recalled.

In addition to her son and daughter, Mrs. Sammarco is survived by two brothers, Dr. William Tursi, and Michael Tursi, and her companion, Eric Schwab.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Azzara Funeral Home, South Beach. The funeral will be Saturday, with a 10 a.m. mass in Holy Rosary R.C. Church, South Beach. Entombment will be in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police are asking for the public's help identifying several individuals sought for questioning in connection to a series of robberies that have occurred on Staten Island in recent weeks.

Unidentified individuals have taken part in 10 incidents across the borough, and NYPD Chief of Department Robery Boyce said Tuesday that the investigation now spans two boroughs.

"They consist of purse-snatches, knifepoint, and robberies," Boyce said during a crime briefing at police headquarters. "We don't believe it's derived from any kind of narcotic need or addiction right now. These are young fellows. We have one ID. We're looking to arrest the other two."

The incidents, according to the NYPD's Deputy Commissioner of Public Information, are listed below:

Incident #1 (121 pct): Two individuals approached the 33-year-old male victim near Herberton Avenue and Albion Place on Oct. 9 at approximately 7:30 p.m. They displayed a handgun and stole the victim's wallet.

Incident #2 (121 pct): One individual approached the 39-year-old victim near Castleton and Port Richmond Avenues, displayed a knife and demanded money on Oct. 11 at approximately 10:40 p.m. The victim complied and gave him $40 in cash. The individual fled westbound on Castleton Avenue.

Incident #3 (121 pct): An individual knocked down a 41-year-old female in front of 124 Port Richmond Ave., and proceeded to go through her pockets and removed her purse on Oct.12 at approximately 5 a.m.

Incident #4 (120 pct): Two individuals approached a 54-year-old female in front of 976 Castleton Ave. on Oct. 12 at approximately 5:20 a.m. They displayed a knife and removed her purse. Among the items inside her wallet were her cell phone, a debit card and $10 in cash.

Incident #5 (121 pct): A red vehicle pulled up next to a 51-year-old female on Oct. 12 at approximately 7:40 a.m. near Port Richmond Avenue and New Street. An individual exited the passenger's side, took her bag from her hand and jumped back into the vehicle. The vehicle fled the location in an unknown direction. Among the items inside her purse were approximately $400 in cash.

Incident #6 (121 pct): A black Jeep pulled up next to a 31-year-old male on Oct. 13 at approximately 5:55 a.m. An individual exited the passenger's side, displayed a handgun and demanded the victim's property. The victim complied and gave the individual his wallet. The individual got back inside the vehicle and the vehicle fled northbound on Port Richmond Avenue. Among the items inside the victim's wallet were $200 in cash and an MTA Metrocard.

Incident #7 (120 pct): Three individuals entered 1212 Victory Boulevard (Victory Superette and Bagels) on Oct. 15 at approximately 3:55 a.m. One of the three individuals displayed a handgun and demanded money to the 38-year-old employee. The individual with the gun and a second individual removed approximately $5,000 in cash from the register. The third individual acted as a lookout.

Incident #8 (122 pct): Two individuals entered Diddle Dee Bagel and Deli at 1334 Richmond Rd. on Oct. 16 at approximately 5:50 a.m. They displayed handguns to the 25-year-old male employee and removed approximately $2,000 in cash.

Incident #9 (122 pct): An individual entered Diddle Dee on Oct. 25 at approximately 10:55 p.m. He proceeded to approached the 26-year-old male employee, simulated a handgun and removed approximately $2,000 in cash.

Incident #10 (122 Pct): Two individuals approached the 60-year-old male employee at Deli and Grocery at 44 New Dorp Plaza on Oct. 26 at approximately 10:45 p.m. One displayed a handgun and removed approximately $2,000 in cash.

Police could not provide a further information on the number of individuals they were searching for, or if the individuals were working together.

The individuals are described as black males, 18 to 25 years old. Last seen wearing dark colored clothing.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, Mason City. Military honors will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A truck fire on the Brooklyn-bound Staten Island Expressway, near Bradley Avenue, caused "extensive delays" for motorists heading to work Wednesday morning.

Here is the latest:

9:21 a.m.: Delays of just 10 minutes are being reported on the expressway now.





9:03 a.m.: The official word from the FDNY: The fire was brought under control at 7:16 a.m., a little over an hour after it was initially reported. There were no injuries reported in connection with the blaze.

Lengthy residual delays continue to be reported.

8:27 a.m.: All lanes have been re-opened, although the shoulder remains blocked due to the incident.

Residual delays -- still more than 40 minutes -- are being reported.

Delays on the following MTA buses are being reported: S44/94, S54, S57, S59, S62/92, S61/91, S89, X17A and X19 as a result.

8:02 a.m.: The right lane continues to be blocked with delays now stretching back into New Jersey over the Goethals Bridge.

Here is video of the FDNY response from earlier this morning:

7:37 a.m.: The right lane of traffic remains blocked on the SIE, with delays being estimated at 45 minutes.





7:28 a.m.: A disabled vehicle on the Staten Island-bound Goethals Bridge is causing delays as well.

The Goethals Bridge to NY is experiencing a delay of 15 minutes due to an incident on the Staten Island Expy. [31]  Goethals Bridge (@PANYNJ_GB) November 2, 2016



7:15 a.m.: The call for a truck fire came in at 6:10 a.m., according to an FDNY spokesman. Firefighters remain on the scene and the fire has not yet been placed under control.

Three lanes remain blocked.

6:45 a.m.: The fire appears to be out, but three lanes of traffic on the expressway are still blocked.

Traffic in those lanes are being diverted off the Bradley Avenue exit and onto South Gannon Avenue.

Delays are currently estimated at 30 minutes heading toward Brooklyn.





6:22 a.m.: Notify NYC is warning of "extensive delays" on the Staten Island Expressway eastbound.

A tractor-trailer fire has been reported on the Brooklyn-bound Staten Island Expressway near Bradley Avenue, according to emergency radio transmissions.

Traffic is backed up to the entrance from the West Shore Expressway with two lanes blocked, according to Total Traffic NYC.

The fire was reported at 6 a.m.

"Due to FDNY activity, expect extensive traffic delays on the Brooklyn-bound Staten Island Expressway at Bradley Avenue in Staten Island," according to Notify NYC. "Consider alternate routes and allow for additional travel time."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Maybe he had a lot of calls to make.

A Mariners Harbor man swiped five iPhones from a store in his community Monday night, prosecutors allege.

Anthony Lotito, 30, of the 200 block of South Avenue, snatched the merchandise from behind the counter at Noor Discount, 3240 Richmond Terrace, around 10 p.m., according to police and a criminal complaint.

The phones were valued at more than $1,100, police said.

Lotito didn't get far, however.

Cops busted him about 30 minutes later on South Avenue and Continental Place, near his home, said police.

Officers recovered the phones, which were in the defendant's possession, the complaint said.

Lotito was charged with felony counts of grand larceny and stolen-property possession, prosecutors said.

He's also accused of misdemeanor counts of petit larceny and stolen-property possession.

He was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Criminal Court.

At the time of his arrest, Lotito was free on $1,000 bail in a pending case in which he was accused on Oct. 8 of aggravated unlicensed vehicle operation, online state court records show.
Page Content

Prime Minister William Marlin sent a letter to the Prefete Deleguee of St. Barths and Saint Martin Mme. Anne Laubies, making a clear call for the following to be done post haste.





The removal of all barricades impeding access to Dutch controlled territory as agreed upon by the French authorities, i.e. the status quo. And if this is not done, Sint Maarten retains the right to have these unlawful barricades removed, the Prime Minister concluded.





He further called for the ceasing of any further unilateral judicial acts in the area of Oyster Pond by French authorities.





On Wednesday, October 26th French law enforcement authorities performed a unilateral raid at Captain Olivers Marina in Oyster Pond. Over the past few years the border at Oyster Pond has been a contentious issue and discussions on the matter have been taken up in the past three quadripartite meetings convened between the Governments of The French Republic, The Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sint Maarten, and Saint-Martin.





During these meetings it was agreed upon that the status quo would remain in place until the border dispute was resolved, i.e. restaurant and the marina continue to operate under Sint Maarten Laws and Regulations. Given this unique situation, if any action from law enforcement agencies would be needed in Oyster Pond, this should be done in good cooperation between both parties. This was confirmed in the first Quadripartite meeting of January 2014 as well as subsequent meetings between all parties.





The status quo is based on the fact that parcels of water rights as well as economic licenses were issued to Captain Olivers by Dutch authorities. Neither of these acts were ever contested by the French authorities until very recently.





Furthermore, Captain Olivers is a registered and compliant tax payer to the Government of Sint Maarten. The French have taken Captain Olivers hostage in ongoing discussions surrounding the border and in recent events have arrested and interrogated the proprietor and barricaded the docks, rendering the business inoperable.





As Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, I strongly condemn the actions of the French authorities and deem these actions by the French Republic as an aggressive and illegal act that not only undermines Sint Maartens judicial authority but is also a clear violation of the territorial sovereignty of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Marlin further wrote.





It is clear from these actions that the French authorities hold no regard for agreements made between us and have gone against what could be considered good neighborly conduct.





These activities do not reflect the spirit of cooperation as envisioned by the Treaty of Concordia and casts a dismal shadow over the upcoming St. Martins Day Celebrations.





The letter was copied to the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Food Evolution, a documentary by Academy Award-nominated director Scott Hamilton Kennedy 87, will have its world premiere at DOC NYC on November 12 at SVA Theatre in New York City.

Narrated by acclaimed science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson, Food Evolution is set amid a brutally polarized debate marked by fear, distrust and confusion: the controversy surrounding GMOs and food. Traveling from Hawaiian papaya groves to banana farms in Uganda to the cornfields of Iowa, the 92-minute documentary wrestles with the emotions and the evidence driving one of the most heated arguments of our time.

Enlisting experts and icons of the struggle such as Mark Lynas, Alison Van Eenennaam, Jeffrey Smith, Andrew Kimbrell, Vandana Shiva, Robert Fraley, Marion Nestle and Bill Nye, as well as farmers and scientists from around the world, this documentary separates the hype from the science to unravel the debate around food.



From left to right: Scott Hamilton Kennedy '87, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Trace Sheehan
Travis Lee Rasing

LIME SPRINGS  Travis Lee Rasing, age 34, of Lime Springs, formerly of New Hampton, Iowa, died Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, 2016, at Holy Family Parish, New Hampton, with interment in St. Marys Cemetery, New Hampton.

Friends may greet the family 3-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, at the Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton.

Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Online condolences for Travis family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com, 641-394-4334.
HANLONTOWN  A man suspected of shooting two police officer in the Des Moines area early Wednesday was arrested six years ago in North Iowa.

Authorities say Scott Michael Greene, 46, killed Sgt. Anthony Tony Beminio, of the Des Moines Police Department, and Urbandale Officer Justin Martin early Wednesday.

The shootings were described as ambush-style while the officers were in their patrol vehicles.

Beminio is the son of a Belmond city councilman.

Slain Des Moines officer with Belmond ties was caring, compassionate, professional BELMOND  A police officer with North Iowa ties who was shot and killed on duty in Des Moine

According to court records, Greene was arrested just before noon on Feb. 14, 2010, for suspicion of drunken driving on Interstate 35.

He was driving a black pickup pulled over by Trooper Mindy Coe, who is now a sergeant, near mile marker 201 on the freeways northbound lanes.

Thats about two miles south of the exit for Highway 9 near the Worth-Cerro Gordo county line.

Greene, who gave an Urbandale address, was charged with misdemeanor operating while intoxicatedfirst offense.

He retained a Des Moines attorney.

The charge was later dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

In 2014, Greene was charged in the Des Moines area with misdemeanor first-degree harassment and interference with official acts on two separate occasions, according to court records.

The Des Moines Register says he threatened a man in the parking lot of an apartment complex, calling him a racial slur and telling him, I will kill you, (expletive) kill you.

Greene pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree harassment in the Des Moines-area case, according to court records, and was sentenced to one year probation.

He was also charged with misdemeanor interference with official acts the same month after resisting a pat-down by officers at an Urbandale home. Greene pleaded guilty to that charge.
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MASON CITY  A sculpture of a shy moose is this years winner of the annual River City Sculptures on Parade Peoples Choice competition.

Announcement of the winner, entitled Ralph Moose, was made at the City Council meeting Tuesday night. It is the work of Martha Pettigrew of Kearney, Nebraska, and is on display in front of Moorman Clothiers, its sponsor.

As per agreement between the city, River City Sculptures and the sculptor, the city will purchase the work for $15,000 and keep it on permanent display. The listed sales price is $19,000.

Robin Anderson, chairwoman of River City Sculptures, said 342 people voted this year, including visitors from 15 states. She said all 30 sculptures in the competition received votes with the winner receiving two more than the second-place finisher, Mayflower/Puddle Jumper.

It just goes to show that art truly is in the eye of the beholder, she said.

The most popular sculptures, in addition to the winner, were:

Mayflower/Puddle Jumper by Susan Geissler of Youngstown, New York. It depicts two kids in raincoats and is on display at the Mason City Community Theatre, sponsored by Joyce Hanes. They are listed for sale at $9,500 and $10,400, or $19,900 for the pair.

Mothers Cherished Moments by Ben Hammond of American Fork, Utah. This piece depicts a mother and her children and is at the corner of North Federal Avenue and Third Street Northwest, sponsored by Good Shepherd Inc. The sale price is $25,000.

Blue Heron by Heather Wall of Powell River, British Columbia. This sculpture is at First Street Northwest and Federal Avenue and is priced at $15,000. It is sponsored by Central Park Dentistry.

Many of the sculptures are available for sale or lease. Those not purchased or leased will be taken down in April 2017 and replaced by a new exhibit that will open in May.

River City Sculptures on Parade is a non-profit group with a vision to bring a significant public art to Mason City.

Those seeking more information about the program are encouraged to call River City Sculptures on Parade at 641-423-5724.
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
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Professor Saul Cunningham, a prominent ecologist, has been appointed as the new director of the Fenner School of Environment and Society in the Australian National University's College of Medicine, Biology and Environment.

Announcing the appointment on Wednesday, ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt said Professor Cunningham had an outstanding record of research and leadership in the environmental area.

Professor Saul Cunningham has beem appointed as the new Director of the Fenner School of Environment and Society in the ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment. Credit:Jeffrey Chan JCC

"As an international expert in biodiversity, and in the impact of humans on the natural environment, Saul is ideally placed to lead the Fenner School, with its focus on multidisciplinary approaches to important environmental issues," Professor Schmidt said.

Formerly a principal research scientist with CSIRO Land and Water, Professor Cunningham's research focuses on how biodiversity might best be maintained in landscapes that are modified by humans.
A new antenna that may one day help humans communicate from Mars to Earth will be officially unveiled near Canberra on Thursday.

Deep Space Station 36 - the latest antenna to be built at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex - first started operating on October 1.

Station Director Ed Kruzins and Network Director Al Bhanji with Deep Space Station 36, the new antenna set to be officially opened on Thursday. Credit:Rohan Thomson

The 34-metre beam waveguide antenna will play an important role in NASA's Journey to Mars by allowing for science, tracking and command data to be sent back and forth from Earth.

It is also tipped to support missions to Jupiter's moon, Europa, and a move towards human travel beyond Earth's orbit in the next decade.
The two young men accused of committing violent robberies on the campuses of the Australian National University and the University of Canberra targeted people of Asian descent, a court has heard.

Darren Hubert Scott, 19, allegedly committed four aggravated robberies over six days from October 22. He faces a further charge of obtaining property by deception.

The teens accused of committing violent robberies on the campus' of the ANU seemed to target people of Asian descent. Credit:Andrew Meares

"The behaviour strikes me as bizarre, absolutely bizarre," magistrate Peter Morrison said before refusing the man bail on Thursday.

The court heard Scott had no criminal history, and Colonel Morrison said his motivation appeared to be unknown. There was no suggestion of drug or alcohol abuse.
Is Australia's richest female CEO, Fone Zone founder Maxine Horne, getting a bit too rich for the likes of her business partner, Telstra?

That is what the sharemarket appears to be saying.

Shares of Fone Zone's parent company, Vita Group, have plunged this week after a leak of confidential negotiations about the "remuneration construct" between Telstra and Fone Zone.

The relationship, which involves running 100 Telstra retail shops, has been so lucrative for Vita that its share price had risen 500 per cent in just two years.
Add-on travel insurance offered by Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar can cost up to 150 per cent more than standalone policies offered by providers and even the airlines themselves.

In a review of 30-day worldwide travel insurance policies sold as part of a flight booking process on all three airlines, consumer group Choice found a family of four would save between $445 and $871 by purchasing a standalone policy instead of that offered by an airline.

The review argued that airline add-on insurance policies commonly calculated the price based on every traveller, including children, leading to higher premiums.

"The airlines are being very sneaky by charging adult prices for kids who can be insured for next to nothing if you purchase standalone policies directly through an insurer," said Choice head of media Tom Godfrey.
A Singaporean investor is in due diligence on an 11-level Charter Hall office in Melbourne as other investors prepare to swoop on the Sydney home of the Australian Securities Exchange.

Almost $1.5 billion of premium office assets will be in play in Sydney and Melbourne as the year draws to a close.

ANZ's Gothic building at the corner of Queen and Collins streets, Melbourne. Credit:Viki Lascaris

Malaysian fund Kumpulan Wang Persaraan Diperbadankan is on the brink of offering the Securities Exchange at 20 Bridge Street to investors.

The 14-storey building, managed by the Investa Office platform, was bought by Kumpulan in 2011 for $185 million and is 100 per cent leased.
Australia has a lot to gain from ramping up its migration intake but the current flow of new arrivals into Sydney and Melbourne will not be sustainable unless policies change, a report says.

Annual permanent migration could be doubled over the next 40 years and deliver "significant per capita economic benefit", research by lobby group the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) shows.

But this can only occur if services and infrastructure in major cities is improved to cater for population growth. The report said 30 per cent of new arrivals to Australia now settle in Sydney and 24 per cent in Melbourne.

"It is questionable as to whether the current settlement patterns of migrants, predominantly into Sydney and Melbourne, can continue indefinitely with these figures," it said. "It is not possible under current planning and governance arrangements."
What if we were on the cusp of one of the biggest ever advances in productivity and we didn't recognise it?

That's how it must have been for Alexander Fleming with the discovery of penicillin, for university technicians with the development of the internet, and for Bill Clinton, who with the stroke of a pen in the year 2000, made highly accurate military global positioning satellites available for everyone to use for free.

Peter Harris believes we are on the cusp of another transformation about as big  one only made possible by the development of the internet and all the things that surround it.

It's the exploitation of data. On one estimate we are now generating as much digital data every two days (five exabytes) as we generated in an entire year at the start of the 2000s.
I've also never regretted one of my votes. The vote I was most proud of was for Hillary in the 2008 Democratic primary. She didn't make it, but I was very proud to vote for her. And this year, I got to vote for her again: I cast an early ballot for Hillary Clinton for president.

I cast my first vote in 1940 for Franklin D. Roosevelt, and I have voted in every primary and presidential election since. (Contrary to the notion that women of my generation followed their husbands' lead and voted as the men did, I always voted the way I wanted, and so did the women I knew.)

It would be another two years before women could vote in US elections. But when they could, my mother registered and took me to the polls to watch her cast her ballot.

Estelle Schultz with her ballot. (Courtesy of Roberta Benor) Credit:Washington Post

In terms of the issues that matter to me in this election, I like the policies that Clinton has been promoting about the middle class, and about education, which I think is the most important. I have a doctorate in educational leadership and spent 40 years in the Compton Unified School District in California. Eventually, I was the assistant superintendent of the district. I worked mostly with men, but I was held in high esteem because I was quiet and fair, and I knew my business. I understood what a quality education should be, and I pushed it to the hilt.

I don't know if it made a difference to the female students to see me, a woman, in leadership, but I know my students appreciated me. (Marv Fleming, a four-time Super Bowl champion, was my student when I was an English teacher. He came back every year to visit me.) I tried to train all the people under me to be leaders, and they were. When I went back for a reunion, I was greeted by three people when I walked in, all former students and a mixture of men and women. One was a mayor, one was a state official, and one was a college professor.

I never thought much about a woman being president, or about any women who might have been good presidents. There were no role models for that. When Hillary Clinton was in the White House as first lady, I never imagined her running for president. But I also never thought much about whether we would have a black president before I voted for Barack Obama in 2008. I was astonished when he was elected. He also happens to be the best president we've had in my lifetime. He has such a dynamic personality, in his own quiet way.

When it came time to decide for whom to vote this year, I didn't like Bernie Sanders or anyone on the Republican side. (I have no comment on Donald Trump.) I was centred on Hillary. I feel she's qualified. What she's done for the past 30 years or more is make her mark on the world. She's well-known and well-loved all over the world. And she has tremendous and powerful experience.
After a decade of stable numbers, Australia's mental health community is at a loss to explain why the number of suicides has increased by more than 20 per cent over the past two years.

The increase from about 2500 suicides a year for 10 years to more than 3000 in 2015 is confounding. And it's heartbreaking. The numbers don't lie  we are losing our fight to keep people alive.

We've never been richer. We've never lived longer. We've never experienced such an extended period of economic growth, but at the same time we've never been more stressed, lacked more personal time or been more burdened by debt.

We live in a period of enlightenment towards mental illness. We talk about it openly, honestly and often. Real and famous people talk publicly about their mental illness. Time and time again we learn how they live a contributing life with a mental illness. They tell us their story of diagnosis and recovery.
It's hard to remember nowadays, but it wasn't so long ago that the expectation of government was that those in it would y'know, govern.

Sure, recent history would suggest that winning government means failing to legislate anything while angrily complaining that one's inertia is all the fault of the opposition, or the senate, or the previous government, or anyone other than the people actually tasked with running the country.

The latest ideological proposal from the government  let's ban all asylum seekers from ever entering Australia, even if they become citizens of other countries  is the latest piece of mean-spirited garbage based on the questionable notions that the best way to stop people smugglers is to torment those desperate enough to use their services, and that the only effective method of saving lives at sea is to ruin them on land.

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has written a scathing comment piece about how the new legislation is a betrayal of Malcolm Turnbull's supposed principles. The response has already begun with the government pointing out the deaths that occurred in the wake of the Rudd government's changes to the Pacific Solution and the increase in refugee boat arrivals. And both, let's be clear, are correct.
ABC chairman Jim Spigelman has lashed out at the Turnbull government, accusing it of posing a "fundamental challenge to the independence of the ABC" by attempting to influence the broadcaster's staffing policies.

The government is furious with the ABC over a new three-year pay deal with its employees that includes 2 per cent annual pay rises, a $500 sign on bonus, two weeks' extra paid parental leave and a new provision for domestic violence leave.

The government believes the deal is too generous given the state of the federal budget and the ABC's complaints about funding cuts over recent years.

Employment Minister Michaelia Cash wrote to the ABC in September to say it was "required to comply" with the government's tough workplace bargaining policy which disallows such benefits.
The government will delay presenting key industrial relations bills to the Senate until it thinks it has the numbers, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed on Thursday.

In the wake of challenges to the eligibility of One Nation senator Rod Culleton and former Family First crossbencher Bob Day, the government's legislative program looks to be in limbo, with bills to re-establish the Australian Building and Construction Commission and creating a registered organisations commission at risk of not being passed before Parliament rises in December.

Hours after manager of government business in the Senate Mitch Fifield avoided saying if the legislation would be debated by the Senate, Mr Turnbull confirmed the government would hold off until it believed it had a majority in support.

He rejected the suggestions the Senate was in "chaos".
Why is everyone talking about Senate eligibility today?

Family First's Bob Day initially announced his resignation from the Senate on October 17. Due to parliamentary regulations he faced expulsion if he was bankrupted as a result of the collapse of his home building empire. Day later delayed this resignation, saying he would stay in the Parliament and vote with the government on its pending industrial relations changes and for a same-sex marriage plebiscite.

On Tuesday, Day said he would now resign immediately, and shortly afterwards the government announced it would ask the High Court to examine whether Day's re-election to the Senate in July is in breach of section 44 of the constitution. This time the claim that Day had an "indirect pecuniary interest", in relation to his Adelaide electorate office.

On Wednesday the government confirmed it would seek to have One Nation senator Rod Culleton's eligibility referred to the High Court, after former business associates said he was invalidly elected.
This 2016 election process to conclude with a new president of either Donald J. Trump or Hillary R. Clinton exemplifies the awfulness of earlier mafia tactics used primarily out of Chicago when Mr. Hoover and his FBI officers "cleaned out the swamp" earlier in our history.

After Mr. Obama became president eight years ago, his first two or so years of leadership, many Democrats spewed out the hatred and blame on all the faults of America, then blamed the "deplorable" Republicans. Since that time, we have been blessed with Obamacare, millions of illegal residents from Mexico, the Mideast and elsewhere. Now, along with would-be-American citizens who "maybe" can vote in this election can receive cash and free medical benefits. Over 47 percent of Americans are freely insured and covered with their expenses by forced giving via hard-working Americans.

We know Ms. Clinton and her State Department staff have destroyed thousands of classified documents through personal use (13) of "private servers." Allegedly, Huma Abedin, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, has gone missing and has over 650,000 e-mails on her and Anthony's private computer(s). Let's see, wasn't Huma also an intern during Mr. Clinton's tenure as president? Wasn't she also an editor in her previous homeland, writing on Sharia Law and other articles for the Brotherhood?

I strongly urge that Director Corney, Attorney General Lynch, and President Obama recuse Ms. Clinton from continuing her run for office. Here are my reasons: destroying national security, selling out our country by using her office to build a treasure chest for her and Bill's "foundation," for her extreme lying and for being "OK" with over 60 million abortions in America.

I have voted for Donald J. Trump for president.

Ronald Bronson, Mason City
Tony Abbott has flown to Port Moresby where he will meet Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and a group of Australian Federal Police officers deployed to the Pacific nation during his time as prime minister.

Mr Abbott  whose presence outside cabinet as a high-profile and increasingly vocal backbencher has become a potentially dangerous point of friction inside the Turnbull government  also delivered a speech to a fundraising dinner for Anglicare PNG during his 48-hour visit.

Mr Abbott told Fairfax Media he would reflect on the Abbott government's foreign and security policy achievements as they relate to PNG in his speech, but rejected any suggestion he is running a "parallel prime ministership" by sitting down with the leader of Australia's nearest neighbour.

As Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull has not yet visited PNG, host to Australia's asylum seeker detention centre on Manus Island. He has met Mr O'Neill at the Pacific Islands Forum.
It was a press conference dreams are made of.

A day after it was revealed Bob Day could be turfed out of the Senate, the government announced it would challenge in the High Court the election of One Nation senator Rod Culleton. Legal advice suggests he may not have been eligible to stand at the July 2 poll because of a larceny conviction flowing from the theft of a $7.50 tow truck key.

In damage control, the senator soon popped out for a chat with the media in Perth.

What followed had viewers scratching their heads:
Bob Day's fitness to stand at the last election will be decided by the High Court. It could take weeks.

This will determine whether his ultra-conservative Family First party gets to nominate a replacement, or if one will be found through a re-count.

In the meantime, the Senate will be one vote down. Or two if, another senator, One Nation's Rod Culleton, withdraws while his own eligibility is litigated. That means Labor only needs two independents to defeat legislation - if it has the Greens on side.

Coincidentally, the embattled Day resigned this very week on the unrelated yet equally rare grounds that the insolvency of his home-building empire would extend to him personally, rendering him ineligible to sit.
Time to up stumps for me.

What happened? Not much - at least, not compared to yesterday. The Prime Minister wants us to know everything is under control and there is no chaos in the Senate or anywhere else. The opposition says the government couldn't organise a chook raffle in a pub. It's a war of perception as much as anything else.

Whoever is right, next week is sure to be a showstopper.

Until we meet then, you can follow me on Facebook.

See you on Monday.
Now that her baby has arrived safely, Nicole McDonald is sure that everything would have been fine if she were delivered at Moree Hospital.

But it didn't feel that way when her waters broke eight weeks and four days before her baby was due, knowing that she had a high risk of haemorrhage, when the baby was in the wrong position and her doctor could not for life nor money arrange her a bed at a major hospital.

"Dr Woollard was trying to do the best he could to get me out in a rush to help my little girl in an environment where it would be better and we would be safe," Ms McDonald said.

"I knew she was way too early. I was really concerned about my little girl."
The point-to-point cameras on Athllon Drive. Credit:Jeffrey Chan That number has likely grown with the point-to-point camera network, now in place at 25 sites across the state. The cameras are now used for light vehicles in all mainland states and the ACT, though the Western Australian government only brought the cameras in for a trial late last month and legislation is yet to be passed for motorists to be issued fines. Successive state governments have resisted calls to turn the cameras onto cars, including support for a limited introduction from the then-Roads and Traffic Authority and the NSW parliament's own Stay Safe Committee, which in 2013 recommended the government consider bringing NSW into line with other states. The NSW government's most recent annual audit of speed camera programs continues to find that more evidence is required to assess the value of the point-to-point cameras.

It did, however, note the cameras have made truck drivers more compliant with road rules, a finding the state government noted was consistent with academic research and the experience in other states. A spokesman for one leading Australian supplier of speed cameras, GATSO, confirmed that its cameras come equipped with technology to scan the speeds of all road vehicles. The cameras cost between $75,000 and $200,000 to install. Fines on trucks bring in about $600,000 in revenue for the state government each year. What the evidence tells us Point-to-point speed cameras have been shown to reduce fatal crashes by as much as half, despite not being used for cars in NSW, safety experts say.

NSW has installed 25 point-to-point cameras, which measure motorists' average speed across a distance rather than taking a single snapshot, but remains the only state to use the technology to catch trucks speeding and not cars. That is despite safety experts saying evidence from other states and countries shows the technology is highly effective at reducing dangerous driving because drivers are monitored for longer and reduce their speed accordingly. "The research that has been done suggests that point to point may well be the most effective way of getting people to manage their speed," said Professor Ann Williamson, the director of the Transport and Road Safety Centre at the University of NSW. "The research is very much in favour". The effect of the cameras on motorists' behaviour has been studied by academics in England and Europe for more than 15 years. Evaluations in the UK have found dramatic reductions in crashes resulting in death or serious injury to motorists ranging from 35 to 80 per cent when comparing accident statistics for three years prior to the cameras' installation to three years later.

Professor Williamson said point-to-point systems were not as well researched as other speed cameras but she recently reviewed global evidence and found they reduced all crashes by up to 30 per cent on the stretches of road for which they are installed. Other international reviews have reached similar conclusions. Monash University Accident Research Centre Professor Max Cameron says international evidence shows even higher reductions for fatal crashes, which can drop, he says, by up to 50 per cent.

Australian evidence is less developed. But one Victorian study found the number of drivers speeding on the Hume Highway fell to about 1.5 per cent after the cameras were brought in. South Australian police praised the cameras' effect on driver behaviour just a month after they were installed in 2014 on two highway links to Victoria.

"We have seen dramatic improvements in driving behaviour," a spokesman for SA Police said of the statistics. The cameras have not been without controversy. Faults in camera software led to a two-year suspension of their use in Victoria, until they were reinstated in 2012. The introduction of the cameras in NSW also led to some drivers trying to evade detection by veering onto the wrong side of the road. The tactic did not work. Loading Professor Williamson said surveys show the cameras are less likely to irritate motorists, because they take an average speed and are less likely to be caught for a one-off encroachment on posted limits.
Two people have been charged with foreign incursion offences following counter-terrorism raids in Sydney on Thursday morning.

The NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team executed search warrants at several properties as part of an ongoing investigation into foreign incursion offences.

One of the accused, Mehmet Biber, 24, has been charged with going to fight for terrorism groups in Syria.

He was arrested during a roadside vehicle stop in Birrong on Thursday morning and charged with one count of incursions into foreign states.
Energex is blaming the Brisbane Racing Club for overloading their system and sparking a power outage which ruined Melbourne Cup festivities for punters at Eagle Farm.

The club's cup function had no power for 90 minutes, forcing guests who remained to watch the big race on their phones.

Queensland Energy Minister Mark Bailey said the club hadn't informed Energex prior to their event.

"What we saw was a whole range of temporary load added in there, from refrigeration and air conditioning, so a lot greater load, which tripped the system," he said on Wednesday.
A Queensland Islamic bookstore owner has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail for sending money overseas to his brother fighting against the Assad regime in Syria.

Omar Succarieh, 33, last month pleaded guilty to four foreign incursion charges after the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions dropped more serious terror-related offences against him.

Omar Succarieh, pictured after his arrest in September 2014. Credit:Seven News

The Australian-born Succarieh, who has been in custody since he was arrested in a series of counter-terrorism raids in September 2014, was sentenced in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday.

He was given a non-parole period of three years, meaning he will be eligible for release in late 2017.
The imagination of some of the world's leading scientists will again run free in Brisbane as the World Science Festival Brisbane 2017 program is announced.

The festival kicked off in Brisbane this year, the first time the four-day event has left its home in New York since its inception in 2008.

More than 100,000 attended the week-long science festival this year.

The streets of Brisbane were flooded with more than 100,000 people eager to soak up everything the festival had to offer and next year's program looks set to raise the bar. The return of favourites such as Street Science! will feature alongside new theatrical performances, workshops, and debates on cutting-edge science and discoveries that are shaping our futures.

Festival co-founder Brian Greene, who was welcomed to Queensland by having a spider named after him, will return with Gravitational Waves: A New Era of Astronomy Begins to discuss, with Nobel Laureate Professor Brian Schmidt and creator of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration Professor Barry Barish, how a ripple in the fabric of space on September 14, 2015 can be used to explore the universe.
Loren Eiseley in his book, "The Immense Journey," wrote: "The secret of life ... I am middle-aged now but in autumn I always seek for it again, hopefully. On some day when the leaves are red, or fallen, and the kids are gone, I put on my hat and an old jacket, and I start my search ..."

His search is like ours -- the search for the truth of all things. For me, the truth is:

That despite all the scientists' backflips with microscopes and telescopes, God still is the explanation for the existence of the universe.

That Jesus appeared among us for all people, no matter their circumstances, not just for the self-righteous Pharisees.

That Pilot Knob near Forest City is one of the most beautiful places on Earth in the autumn and we need not go to New England.

That the powers that be should have given us a better choice between Trump and Clinton. (Vote Johnson.)

That President Kennedy was murdered in Dallas by a great conspiracy, and the country has been living with the ramifications of it ever since: war after war.

That to prosper one works and does not depend on government bailouts.

W.P. Kinsella, responsible for Iowa's Field of Dreams, also wrote a story eneitlted "If Wishes Were Horses." In it he stated there were two ways to find the truth: A. Find it out for yourself. B. There is no B.

That the past is as much a gift as the present and the future. We have struggled and learned and transformed into better people.

And the Cubs really can win the World Series this year -- for all of us underdogs.

Steven Russell, Clear Lake
"I didn't get a lot of responses," she says, "and the ones that I did said 'no, you really can't work here Maya, you're 10.' So then I told my parents I'm going to build a lab in the basement."

In Decoding Genius, a new podcast that launched October 27, Burhanpurkar speaks of the trials and tribulations of being born a genius. When the Canadian was 10 years old, she emailed dozens of professors asking to use their labs to work on an idea for a new "intelligent" antibiotic that kills specific bacteria.

When Maya Burhanpurkar was 10, she devised a new "smart" antibiotic. Two years later, she joined the hunt for a cure to Alzheimer's disease, and then filmed a documentary on climate change. And this year, at the age of 17, she's got even bigger plans to change the world.

Episode 2 of Decoding Genius, a podcast series by General Eelectric that asks what is a genius and how you become one, is available now for download from decodinggenius.com.au or via iTunes

She did indeed build her own microbiology lab, and is now contributing to world-leading physics and medicine.

The new six-part podcast series talks to geniuses like Maya Burhanpurkar, and their support network, discovering what makes a genius and challenging perceptions of what the word means. It looks at designing genius babies, at the complex issues of living with genius, and whether a genius can be bred, a theory espoused by one of the world's greatest inventors, Thomas Edison, who said: "Genius is 1 per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration."

Decoding Genius is hosted by Australian mathematician Lily Serna, best known for her work on Letters & Numbers, and focuses on six young geniuses who are changing the world in their respective fields. Interviewees include just-nominated Australian of the Year candidate Jordan Nguyen, who is creating mind-controlled wheelchairs; Ivan Zelich, who at 17 is being touted as the next rock star of mathematics thanks to the creation of a new theorem which allows people to calculate problems faster than a computer; and Kelcie Miller-Anderson, a 20-year-old aiming to save the environment through the 100 per cent natural remediation of polluted areas.

Serna also speak to experts around the world who help her to unlock the secrets of genius, such as world renowned expert, and Emeritus Professor of Gifted Education at the University of New South Wales, Miraca Gross, who has led a study on the top 0.03 per cent of Australian gifted children. "To be a genius, you have to have learned a different way of looking at things," she says. "You have to have the potential to look at things in a different way."
Victorian's electricity bills are likely to be 4 to 8 per cent higher due the closure of the Hazelwood power station, with some of that increase likely to have already happened.

An analysis for the Andrews government based on Environment Department assumptions found the average annual hike could be up to $86 next financial year, or $1.65 a week.

Wholesale electricity prices are soaring.

A separate estimate based on the futures market for electricity contracts traded on the stock exchange - usually considered the best guide - suggests an average rise of $44.

Some of that has already being factored in after a jump in prices earlier this year, which was based on the expectation that the ageing coal plant will close completely by April 1, as reported by Fairfax Media.
Melbourne Express: Thursday, November 3, 2016

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Legal changes driven by public outcry over cases such as the murder of Jill Meagher have driven an almost 70 per cent increase in Victoria's prison population in the past decade, despite only a small increase in the crime rate.

New research, released by the Sentencing Advisory Council overnight, suggests the state's booming prison population is largely being driven by community fears about violent criminals being let out on bail.

There will be no young inmates at the Grevillea unit at Barwon Prison from today. Credit:Angela Wylie

In 2013, the Victorian government began introducing sweeping changes to parole and bail laws after the murder of Jill Meagher by Adrian Bayley, who was on parole at the time.

Sentencing Advisory Council chairman Arie Freiberg said courts were increasingly "risk adverse" about releasing people on bail, which was driving up the number of prisoners remanded in jail.
Karajarri Senior Ranger Jess Bangu collects samples for a biodiversity survey near Bidyadanga community in the Kimberley. Credit:Stories from the Scenic Route "Now we're almost half-half with the men. It's not just the ranger program that's been growing, but our women and our communities too." Back at the office in Bidyadanga, Indigenous Protected Area co-ordinator Sam Bayley is planning the ranger's schedule for this week. Sam pads each task with plenty of time. He's aware of the difficulties in managing such vast and ferocious country, and he knows that life up here is not ruled by the inexorable calendar. Tourist Shane admires a bough shed built by the Karajarri rangers at Saddle Hill near Broome. Credit:Stories from the Scenic Route For 170 million hectares of Aboriginal freehold land in Australia, there are only 777 full-time equivalent ranger positions, or only one 'full-time' ranger per 2,000 square-kilometres.

PEW Charitable Trust spokesperson Patrick O'Leary said more must be done to secure viable futures for Indigenous Australians living on their traditional country. Karajarri rangers proudly display their work near Bidyadanga community in the Kimberley. Credit:Stories from the Scenic Route "The ranger program is one of the most outstanding programs that has ever worked at the grassroots level right across Australia. These models are world leading models and create a working partnership between indigenous peoples, government and other agencies to deliver better environmental management at the scale that we need it," Mr O'Leary says. "This is something that wins for the environment, and for people. We need to grow the program to the scale that the land needs, and create more jobs where they're needed most in Australia." Sheen Kitty sets out across the mud flats at Mud Creek, near Broome, in search of a traditional fishing net. Credit:Stories from the Scenic Route

The federally funded program is regarded as one of the most successful Aboriginal-employment related policies, and while the current government will fund the program until 2020, commitment beyond that remains unclear. The Coalition was the only significant political party not to make any federal election commitment to continue or increase the funding of rangers, while a Labor government would double the number of available ranger positions. The ranger's responsibilities go beyond keeping their country healthy. Aboriginal people share an overriding concern that when senior members of the community pass away, knowledge is lost, and the rangers work to preserve their culture for future generations. Jess has been digitising the Karajarri dictionary, recording the five different dialects spoken by her people. On the biodiversity surveys she has been leading, the rangers record important ecological knowledge pertaining to their culture. Jess' work has paved the way for younger rangers, like Sheen Kitty. Sheen left his home when he was 18 to pursue a plumbing apprenticeship in Melbourne. He struggled to adjust to life in a foreign city, and quit midway through to return home, unsure of his future.

Now, through the ranger program, Sheen is able to learn new skills without having to sever what is important to him. "Being able to stay on Country and work, that's a big bonus," he says. "This is my home, and I've been making my family proud with all the good work I've been doing. They grew me up, and now I get the chance to give something back and show my people the right way." "That's worth more than all the money in the world to me." Rangers like Sheen are role models in their community, and they work with low-attendance students from the local school on cultural learning programs.

Indigenous Protected Area co-ordinator Sam Bayley says these mentorships have been highly effective in re-engaging students at school, but progress has been limited by available resources. "For these kids, it's important they're formally schooled in the education system, but they also need to learn skills that are relevant to who they are and where they come from," Mr Bayley says. "A lot of the kids see the rangers taking pride in their work and realise becoming a ranger is a really desirable option. But without a formal program in place, we don't have the resources to be consistent in making a difference for these kids." A 'Learning on Country Program' has been already been implemented in schools around Arnhem Land, with proven practical outcomes. An independent report commissioned by the Prime Minister's Office found the program had been demonstrably successful in improving attendance rates, engaging the wider community in schooling, and providing young people with a pathway from education to employment.
Kurdish soldiers during an attack to recapture the village of Tiskharab, near Mosul. Credit:Getty Images A military statement said security forces advanced to the edge of Hammam al-Alil, a thermal water resort, after an elite unit breached the eastern limits of Mosul. Mosul still has a population of 1.5 million people, much more than any of the other cities captured by IS two years ago in Iraq and neighbouring Syria. Displaced people who fled Islamic State-held territory sit outside a mosque guarded by Iraqi soldiers in Shuwayrah, south of Mosul. Credit:AP The United Nations cited reports on Tuesday that IS is attempting to displace Hammam al-Alil's estimated population of 25,000 for use as human shields and protection against air and artillery strikes.

"We have grave concerns for the safety of these and the tens of thousands of other civilians who have reportedly been forcibly relocated by Islamic State in the past two weeks," UN human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said. Iraqi army soldiers guard the last government-controlled checkpoint south of Mosul. Credit:AP The town, 15 kilometres south of Mosul, had a pre-war population of 65,000, a local official said. Aid organisations, local officials and Mosul residents have cited reports that IS has executed dozens of people in Hammam al-Alil and barracks nearby on suspicion of planning rebellions in and around Mosul to aid the advancing troops. World Vision workers distributing cooking oil, food and clean water in the northern Iraq village of Seje. Seje is a Christian and Yazidi village  both groups have been victims of IS over the past two years.

Abdul Rahman al-Waggaa, a member of the Nineveh provincial council, said last week that most of the victims were former police and army members. The men were shot dead, he said, quoting the testimony of remaining residents of the villages and people displaced from the area. Security forces advancing north on the western bank of the Tigris River recaptured five villages on Wednesday, the closest of them just five kilometres from Hammam al-Alil, according to military statements. Just across the river from those forces lie the ruins of the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud, which the Iraqi government says was bulldozed last year as part of IS's campaign to destroy symbols which the Sunni Muslim zealots consider idolatrous. Army troops heading north on that side of the Tigris have yet to reach the area. Fears of humanitarian crisis The United Nations has said the Mosul offensive could trigger a humanitarian crisis and a possible refugee exodus if the civilians inside in Mosul seek to escape, with up to one million people fleeing in a worst-case scenario.

The International Organisation for Migration said nearly 21,000 people have been displaced since the start of the campaign, excluding thousands of villagers taken into Mosul by retreating jihadists who used them as human shields. World Vision said its working along other aid groups to deal with the worsening humanitarian situation. Food distribution centres and safe places for children are being set up to house those fleeing the battles. Elite Counter Terrorism Service troops were the first to breach Mosul's official boundary this week. They said on Tuesday they were in control of the state television station. A CTS commander, Abdul Ghani al-Assadi, told reporters in Bartella, a village east of Mosul, that the unit will pause its advance on the eastern front because of some rainfall early on Wednesday. "God willing the next stage will begin within hours. This depends on the weather," he said.

A resident of Mosul's eastern Karama district, still under Islamic State control, said four people had been killed in artillery fire and air strikes, and said he saw two partially destroyed houses. "There's a compulsory curfew in our area. The women and children are frightened and the men can't do anything. We can't even help the wounded," he said by telephone. "One person was wounded by shrapnel in his house and he bled to death. No one could save him. We can't retrieve the bodies. Anyone who leaves his house risks his life." However residents said the city was quieter than on Tuesday. Assadi said a curfew had been imposed on the recaptured eastern suburb of Kokjali to protect residents from mortar bombs fired by the insurgents.

Kurdish peshmerga fighters are also deployed on the eastern and northern fronts, and Iranian-backed Iraqi Shiite militias are attacking Islamic State west of Mosul. Tribal militias Some Sunni Muslim volunteers opposed to IS also want to join the battle. Amnesty International said fighters from one group, the Sabawi tribal militia, tortured and humiliated men and boys in villages south-east of Mosul who were suspected of having ties to IS. "There is strong evidence that Sabawi tribal militia members have committed crimes under international law by torturing and otherwise ill-treating residents ... in revenge for crimes committed by IS," Amnesty's Lynn Maalouf said. In one incident, seven men and boys were placed in poultry cages in the middle of a public roundabout. They were brought out one by one, forced to say they were donkeys, and were beaten, Amnesty said.

There have been no reports of abuses by pro-Iranian militias, but their involvement is causing alarm in Turkey, which has had troops deployed north of the city since last year to train and support some of the Sunni Arab volunteers. The Turkish army has begun deploying tanks and other armoured vehicles to the town of Silopi near the Iraqi border. Turkey says it has a responsibility to protect ethnic Turkmen and Sunni Arabs in the area around Mosul. Loading Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said after a cabinet session in Baghdad on Tuesday that tensions with Turkey have eased in the last week but that Iraq would respond to any "violation" of its territory.
Jackson: A black church in Mississippi was burned and spray-painted with "Vote Trump" on Tuesday night, with the FBI said to be investigating the incident, which comes one week before the US presidential election.

No one was injured in the blaze at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville, and the cause of the fire has not been determined, Greenville Fire Chief Ruben Brown snr said in a telephone interview.

He said the church had been heavily damaged by the fire.

Black churches in the South have long been a base of support for the Democratic Party, and the attack coincides with the Ku Klux Klan's endorsement of Donald Trump.
Washington: President Barack Obama has sharply criticised FBI director James Comey's decision to alert Congress about the discovery of new emails related to Hillary Clinton, implying that it violated investigative norms and promoted innuendo.

"We don't operate on incomplete information," Mr Obama said in an interview with CNN's Now This, broadcast on Wednesday. "We don't operate on leaks. We operate based on concrete decisions that are made.

"When this was investigated thoroughly the last time, the conclusion of the FBI, the conclusion of the Justice Department, the conclusion of repeated congressional investigations was that she (Clinton) had made some mistakes but that there wasn't anything there that was prosecutable."

Declaring that he had "made a very deliberate effort to make sure that I don't look like I'm meddling in what are supposed to be independent processes," Mr Obama nonetheless expressed confidence in Mrs Clinton and her integrity.
Members of the Ku Klux Klan after a white pride rally in Georgia in April. Credit:AP The Trump campaign responded with criticism of the article. "Mr Trump and the campaign denounces hate in any form. This publication is repulsive and their views do not represent the tens of millions of Americans who are uniting behind our campaign," the campaign said in a statement on Tuesday evening. Former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke registers to run for the US Senate, saying "the climate of this country has moved in my direction". Credit:AP Reached by phone, Robb told The Washington Post that, while the paper wasn't officially endorsing Trump, the article signalled the publication's enthusiastic support for his candidacy.

"Overall, we do like his nationalist views and his words about shutting down the border to illegal aliens. It's not an endorsement because, like anybody, there's things you disagree with," Robb said. "But he kind of reflects what's happening throughout the world. There seems to be a surge of nationalism worldwide as nationals reclaim their borders." The 12-page-long, quarterly newspaper calls itself "The Political Voice of White Christian America!" and has a well-known white supremacist symbol on its front page. The latest edition includes articles about Jewish links to terrorism, black-on-white crime and a man who claims to be former president Bill Clinton's illegitimate child. An article near the end of the paper writes that Trump's candidacy is "moving the dialogue forward".

The publication's website states that its "number one goal" is to "stop white genocide". Since the earliest days of his presidential bid, Trump has attracted the support of prominent white nationalists across the country, setting off fears that a dormant fringe faction of the Republican base - one steeped in xenophobic and white supremacist rhetoric - would be folded back into mainstream politics. In the early months, white nationalists said they were reluctant to publicly throw their support behind the controversial billionaire for fear of harming his strengthening campaign. But the group said that, as Trump became more emboldened, they did too. In January, Jared Taylor - editor of the white supremacist magazine American Renaissance - lent his voice to a robo-call recording urging registered voters in Iowa to back Trump.

Those potential voters, Taylor told The Washington Post, are part of a silent majority who are tired of being asked to celebrate diversity but are afraid of being labelled bigots. A month later, Trump was embraced by former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke, which led to a controversial exchange between CNN's Jake Tapper and the Republican candidate. Asked by Tapper to "unequivocally condemn" Duke, Trump pleaded ignorance. "Just so you understand, I don't know anything about David Duke, OK?" Trump said. Tapper pressed him several more times to disavow Duke and the KKK, but Trump again declined. "I don't know anything about what you're even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists," he said.

"So I don't know. I don't know - did he endorse me, or what's going on? Because I know nothing about David Duke; I know nothing about white supremacists." That month, Rachel Pendergraft - the national organiser for the Knights Party, a standard-bearer for the Ku Klux Klan - told the Post that Trump's campaign offered the organisation a new outreach tool for recruiting new members and expanding their formerly dwindling ranks. Pendergraft told the Post that Trump provided separatists with an easy way to start a conversation about issues that are important to the dying white supremacist movement. "One of the things that our organisation really stresses with our membership is we want them to educate themselves on issues, but we also want them to be able to learn how to open up a conversation with other people," Pendergraft said. Using Trump as a conversation piece has been discussed on a private, members-only website and in "e-news, stuff that goes out to members".

In addition to opening "a door to conversation", Trump's surging candidacy has electrified some members of the movement, she said. "They like the overall momentum of his rallies and his campaign," Pendergraft said. "They like that he's not willing to back down. He says what he believes and he stands on that." In August, the American Nazi Party's chairman Rocky Suhayda agreed, declaring on his radio show that Trump offered "real opportunity" to build the white nationalist movement. More recently, Trump's rallies have been marred by a series of racially charged incidents. Last week, a black Trump supporter was booted from a North Carolina rally after he was mistaken for being a protester. Trump's security detail escorted the man out of the rally as the audience cheered.

"You can get him out," Trump said, making a sideways motion with his thumb. "Get him out." The person in question turned out to be C.J. Cary, a North Carolina resident, who claims to be a long-time Trump supporter. Cary, in a phone interview on Saturday with The Washington Post, said he had gone to the rally because he wanted to hand-deliver a note to the Republican presidential nominee. He made his way to about six to to 10 metres from the stage and was shouting "Donald!" while waving his note around to try to catch his attention. "Everyone else is waving Trump signs, and I'm waving this white letter," Cary, 63, said. He said that, coupled with the fact that he was wearing sunglasses during an evening rally to deal with his sensitivity to light, may have been what set people off.

Cary said a security official noticed he appeared to be a supporter but said he should not have disrupted the rally. "He asked me, 'What happened? You have on a GOP badge,' " Cary said. "I said, 'I'm yelling at Donald, and he thinks I'm a protester.' " Days later, Trump's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway forcefully disavowed a supporter as "deplorable" for chanting "Jew-S-A!" at a weekend rally in Phoenix, the latest incident of anti-Semitic rhetoric used by some of Trump's backers. "[The man's] conduct is completely unacceptable and does not reflect our campaign or our candidate. Wow," Conway said during an interview on CNN's State of the Union.

"That man's conduct was deplorable. And had I been there, I would have asked security to remove him immediately." The incident was captured on video; it showed a man confronting reporters at the rally with shouts and a three-fingered hand gesture that resembled hate symbols flagged by the Anti-Defamation League. "You're going down! You're the enemy!" the man yelled. Loading As the rest of the crowd broke into a chant of "USA! USA!" the man repeatedly chanted, "Jew-S-A! Jew-S-A!"
Police in Iowa have captured a man suspected of killing two police officers on Wednesday morning as they sat in their patrol cars in what authorities called separate and unprovoked attacks.

Scott Michael Greene, 46, was taken into custody after police named him as their suspect in the ambushes, a police spokeswoman in Urbandale, Iowa said.

Two officers were found shot dead in their cars in separate incidents about 20 minutes apart, the Des Moines Police Department said.

The officers' names have not been released as the families have not yet been notified.
I suppose that I should be used to the whatever-it-takes-to-win tactics of some politicians. But during the current campaign, I can't believe there are so many twisted facts regarding the voting record, especially on gun rights, of my wife, state Sen. Mary Jo Wilhelm.

I am a gun owner and I have been for years. I have hunted for many years. After, we were married, Mary Jo bought me a gun at Christmas and over our 33 years of marriage she has surprised me by purchasing additional guns as gifts over the years. So does it make sense that she would take away the guns that she paid good money for?

In the final days of this campaign, please ignore the untruths of her opponent funded by out-of-state special interests trying to buy this election. Mary Jo is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, and she is happily married to a proud gun owner and hunter.

Mike Wilhelm, Cresco
PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister William Marlin sent a letter to the Prefete Deleguee of St. Barths and Saint Martin Mme. Anne Laubies, making a clear call for the following to be done post haste.

The removal of all barricades impeding access to the Dutch-controlled territory as agreed upon by the French authorities, i.e. the status quo. And if this is not done, Sint Maarten retains the right to have these unlawful barricades removed, the Prime Minister concluded.

He further called for the ceasing of any further unilateral judicial acts in the area of Oyster Pond by French authorities.

On Wednesday, October 26th French law enforcement authorities performed a unilateral raid at Captain Olivers Marina in Oyster Pond. Over the past few years, the border at Oyster Pond has been a contentious issue and discussions on the matter have been taken up in the past three quadripartite meetings convened between the Governments of The French Republic, The Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sint Maarten, and Saint-Martin.

During these meetings it was agreed upon that the status quo would remain in place until the border dispute was resolved, i.e. restaurant and the marina continue to operate under Sint Maarten Laws and Regulations. Given this unique situation, if any action from law enforcement agencies would be needed in Oyster Pond, this should be done in good cooperation between both parties. This was confirmed in the first Quadripartite meeting of January 2014 as well as subsequent meetings between all parties.

The status quo is based on the fact that parcels of water rights, as well as economic licenses, were issued to Captain Olivers by Dutch authorities. Neither of these acts was ever contested by the French authorities until very recently. Furthermore, Captain Olivers is a registered and compliant tax payer to the Government of Sint Maarten. The French have taken Captain Olivers hostage in ongoing discussions surrounding the border and in recent events have arrested and interrogated the proprietor and barricaded the docks, rendering the business inoperable.

As Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, I strongly condemn the actions of the French authorities and deem these actions by the French Republic as an aggressive and illegal act that not only undermines Sint Maartens judicial authority but is also a clear violation of the territorial sovereignty of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Marlin further wrote. It is clear from these actions that the French authorities hold no regard for agreements made between us and have gone against what could be considered good neighborly conduct.

These activities do not reflect the spirit of cooperation as envisioned by the Treaty of Concordia and cast a dismal shadow over the upcoming St Martins Day Celebrations.

The letter was copied to the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs.
CAY BAY - Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs visited the Leonard Connor School Tuesday morning to ascertain how the school was coping with the challenges faced with the noxious gasses which have been negatively affecting the students and staff of the school. The Minister also wanted to make sure that all persons involved knew and understood that the challenges with air pollution negatively affecting the students and staff has the attention of the Ministry Education Culture Youth and Sports.

The Inspectorate ECYS, VSA, and VROMI, as well as the Fire Department, are actively seeking solutions to alleviate the symptoms being experienced at the school. Measurements of the levels of gasses in and around the school and the surrounding Cay Bay areas have been made over the past 6 days at varying times during the day. The group of Inspectors and the Fire Department met againTuesday and recommendations will be sent in writing to the relevant Ministers as well as NV GEBE and other stakeholders.

Minister of Education, in the meeting with teachers, reassured them that all would be done to alleviate the symptoms of the students and staff at the school.

Several actions being undertaken by the Ministry were discussed:

1. Cleaning of the school will take place to remove the fine dust  started Tuesday to be finalized Wednesday

2. The electrical upgrade will take place - necessary to carry the load of the new units

3. Air condition units will be installed - 0 emissions were measured in classroom currently equipped with air condition units

4. Further investigations as to the make-up of gasses in our environment will be done by professionals

5. Masks to filter the air will be made available to all  quotations requested, information from VSA as to right type needed for gases was sought

6. Recommendations have already been made to NV GEBE and will be followed up by the relevant authorities

Earlier, the Teachers initiated a sit-in, and submitted a list of requirements to the Minister to be able to return to work. The requirements fell in line with the plans already in place by the Ministry, and Minister Jacobs in a letter to teachers reassured them that the immediate actions would be taken, and had in fact those actions started around midday on Tuesday.

The school will be closed on Wednesday in order for the thorough cleaning of the fine dust from the premises to be be completed as well as to allow the Ministry the time to purchase the masks which can be worn by the school staff and students should the air quality deteriorate while other solutions are being worked out.

A meeting is scheduled to be held with parents and teachers on Wednesday evening at 7 pm at the school to inform parents and teachers at the school about the way forward. The various Inspectors will be present to clarify any questions. Representatives of NV GEBE have also been invited. School is expected to resume on Thursday God spare life.

Minister Silveria Jacobs further reiterated in correspondence to teachers that "We are doing everything possible to ensure the safety and health of all students and staff and will keep you updated as to when the electrical upgrades and installation of air conditioning will take place. The Ministry is taking every step necessary to get this done in the shortest possible time."

The Minister requests the management, teachers, staff and parents' cooperation in finding viable solutions while ensuring the continued education of the students entrusted to our care in a safe environment.
PHILIPSBURG:---Prime Minister William Marlin insisted on Wednesday during the weekly council of ministers press briefing that the French authorities made an illegal arrest on the Dutch side when they arrested the owner of Captain Olivers on the marina he claimed she was busy repairing. Marlin said the owner of the marina was arrested on the Dutch side where the marina is located and she was taken to the French Gendarmes, according to Marlin is that the woman who has since been released was arrested because she was conducting repairs on the marina and not meeting the French environmental laws. He made clear that when the owner of Captain Olivers wanted to construct the marina he approached the Dutch government and was granted water rights, while the late owner also obtained a business license from the Dutch side and has been paying their taxes ever since then. Marlin said since the arrest the French authorities placed barricades at the entrance of the marina which is also on the Dutch side and he has called on the Prefette to have the barricades removed. Marlin said he wrote a letter to the Prefect which he also sent to the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs since the countries, Kingdom and State has an agreement which is not being respected by the French. Marlin said over the years the French did not complain about the marina but over the past few years, they have been trying to take over the marina while using the treaty of Concordia yet they are not respecting the agreement that was signed.

He said that he recently obtained a document from the French Cadaster office which clearly shows that the water rights belong to the Dutch side.

Asked by SMN News if the French authorities ever indicated to the Dutch side their concerns over the lack of control at that marina since it does not have an immigration office or customs there to control what and who enters St. Maarten. Marlin said that point was never brought up by the French but he indicated to the current Minister of Justice that some type of control has to take place at Captain Olivers. Asked if he knew that there is a hotel on the French part at Captain Olivers and the woman who claims to be the owner of Captain Olivers even ventured on French land to install tanks conduct construction without obtaining the relevant permits, Marlin said that is not his jurisdiction and if that happens its none of his business. Asked if he ever check with the department of VROMI who conducted tests in the water at Captain Olivers marina and if he is aware of the pollution there, that too Marlin said he did not have that and its not a bad idea to look into that, however, he maintains that the arrest on the Dutch side was illegal and the barricades placed there are also illegal. Marlin said that the French have been trying to get a piece of the action but at the quadripartite meeting he signed an agreement. He said they have to discuss the land demarcation. He said during those meetings both authorities have agreed to maintain the status quo until the negotiations are completed. Marlin said the owner who was arrested was asked to visit the gendarmerie in French Quarter and the person refused to do so since she was arrested on the Dutch side and taken to the French side and as such she will not cooperate with the French. Marlin said it is regretful that this kind of things is happening which is disturbing the peaceful coexistence between the French and Dutch over the years. Marlin further explained that the French committed a serious offense and he hopes that the Kingdom and the State will take this matter seriously.
PHILIPSBURG:---- Emil Lee, Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labor and representatives from the Ministry recently attended the 11th Annual Caribbean conference on National Health Financing Initiatives which took place in Bonaire. In addition to representatives of the Ministry of VSA, representatives from SZV and the SMMC were also present.

As Sint Maarten embarks on plans for National Health Insurance, the Ministry attended the conference as an important part of the research process. Minister Lee mentioned Many other countries have launched National Health Insurance schemes. We believe that much can be learned from the successes, failures, and challenges that others in the Caribbean have learned. If we structure NHI properly, we can help many of our citizens while also improving the quality of life of our people. If we structure NHI badly, this can result in a poorly functioning health care system that is a huge financial burden to the government and the country. In addition to the challenges surrounding the design of the health care system based on the solidarity principle, Sint Maartens small population size makes the design of a sustainable model even more challenging.

The Conference was well attended by over 100 attendees from all over the Caribbean and beyond. Participants and presenters comprised of representatives from various countries across the region as well as Kingdom Partners including Health Facility operators, health educators, Government employees, insurance companies, professors, doctors, and policymakers. Together they shared experiences and knowledge as it pertained to the financing of health services, national health insurance plans, and sustainable health insurance schemes.

With the theme Health Financing: Strategic Management, Spending Wisely the conference focused on providing information on efficiency and increasing the value for money. Minister Lee stated,  While the cost of health care continues to rise, Governments budgets are constantly being cut around the world. Therefore, existing money needs to be spent wisely in order to continue to be able to provide quality health care services. The Caribbean in particular is facing similar challenges such as changing demographics (growing elderly population as a percentage of the population), underperforming economies, issues with unemployment, growing national debts and ever increasing costs of healthcare.

As one of the tangible outcomes of the conference, the delegation has initiated agreements with Professor Wynand van der Ven, the former Programme Director of the Master Health Economics, Policy and Law course at Erasmus University Rotterdam, who is one of the founding fathers of the European Risk Adjustment Network. He is proposed to assist with commenting on the NHI draft legislation but also function as a facilitator for the stakeholder consultations and implementation strategies. He has a vast wealth of information and will help improve how National Health Insurance is rolled out in Sint Maarten. Minister Lee commented, We consider ourselves lucky to have been able to engage Dr. van der Ven, as many of the health policy makers attending the conference were his former students. He is well-respected expert on health care financing, who understands the local challenges we face in the Caribbean. We are delighted and look forward to having the Professor assist us with the process of designing a National Health Insurance Program that fits the needs of the country.
While the vast majority of murderous attacks on media workers remain unpunished, UNESCO welcomes an increase in the number of Member States showing the stronger will to monitor and report on these crimes.This encouraging sign comes as UNESCO and its partners prepare to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on 2 November. It emerges from the Report by the Director-General of UNESCO on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity, which will be presented to UNESCOs Intergovernmental Council of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) on 17 November.

The report has been published every two years since 2008 on the mandate of the IPDC.

At the same time, the Report notes that fewer than one in ten cases of killed journalists are resolved by the judiciary, according to the information received from those Member States that have responded to the Director-Generals requests for data about judicial follow-up.

In this years Report, 40 out of 62 countries where journalists have been killed in connection with their work have responded to the Director-Generals request. In 2014, date of the previous report, only 16 out of the 59 countries concerned had provided information.

Since 2006, the Director-General has cumulatively received information from 59 Member States on 402 killings out of the 827 in the last decade. However, only 63 of these 402 cases have been reported as resolved, representing 16% of the cases for which information was received and only 8% of all killings registered by UNESCO.

Since 92% of the incidents where violence was used to muzzle free expression and deprive the public of its right to receive information went unpunished, criminals are emboldened to feel that they can get away with murder, literally.

UNESCO has been calling on the Member States to spare no effort in prosecuting those responsible for the killing of media workers for many years. Continued improvement in countries reporting on judicial actions taken against those involved in the murder of journalists, as observed in 2015, shows increased responsiveness to the attention by UNESCO and the UN as a whole to the
Information Builders Analytics Helps Florida Atlantic University Become the States Top-Performing Public University

NEW YORK, NY  (Marketwired)  11/02/16  Information Builders, a leader in (BI) and analytics, data integrity, and integration solutions, today announced that Florida Atlantic University (FAU) used the BI and analytics platform to meet the states performance-based funding (PBF) objectives. As a result of FAUs journey to define new metrics, develop dashboards, and implement , the Florida Board of Governors (BOG), which oversees the State University System, ranked FAU as the top-performing public university in the state of Florida.(1)

: .@InfoBldrs WebFOCUS #analytics platform helps @FloridaAtlantic rank top-performing public university in the state

FAU, a four-year college in southeast Florida that serves more than 30,000 students, relies on both public funding and tuition to support its mission. Recently, the State of Florida adopted performance-based funding, which meant the traditional enrollment metrics that colleges had been tracking for years were replaced by outcome metrics such as graduation rate, employment, and student success in the classroom. Like many public higher education institutions, FAU had to find ways to improve and document student outcomes and measures.

To tackle this issue, FAU used Information Builders WebFOCUS to automate the complex compliance reporting scenarios that are necessary for performance-based funding, as well as to operationalize its PBF strategy.

Information Builders supplied sophisticated analytic technology to drive our predictive models, said Mehran Basiratmand, chief technology officer at Florida Atlantic University. Our BI and analytics system enables instructors, advisors, faculty, and other staff members to identify at-risk students while there is still time to get them on the right track to meet personal and institutional goals. WebFOCUS has been extremely instrumental generating reports that document critical metrics, such as student progress towards graduation.

Information Builders analytic technology provides information to faculty and staff about the status of each student, helping the university to promote students more effectively and meet their scholastic and career goals. Hundreds of staff members access a WebFOCUS portal to analyze data from the universitys financial management system and student information systems, staying abreast of crucial business and financial trends and enabling them to plan accordingly.

To be successful at performance-based funding, with its complex rules and formulas, institutions need flexible analytic tools, not rigid packaged solutions, said Gerald Cohen, president and CEO of Information Builders. WebFOCUS is well suited for this kind of application for a number of reasons, including its ability to embed business rules into reports, dashboards, and InfoApps. We are honored to play a role in FAUs success.

To learn more about the benefits realized by implementing BI to support its PBF, join us for our webcast, .

Florida Atlantic University is a public university located in Boca Raton, Florida, with five satellite campuses located in the Florida cities of Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, and in Fort Pierce at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution. FAU belongs to the 12-campus State University System of Florida and serves South Florida, which has a population of more than five million people. The university offers more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs within its 10 colleges in addition to a professional degree from the College of Medicine. Programs of study cover arts and humanities, the sciences, medicine, nursing, accounting, business, education, public administration, social work, architecture, engineering, and computer science.

Information Builders provides solutions for business intelligence (BI), analytics, data integration, and data quality that help drive performance improvements, innovation, and value. Through one set of powerful products, we enable organizations to serve everyone  analysts, non-technical users, even partners, customers, and citizens  with better data and analytics. Our dedication to customer success is unmatched with thousands of organizations relying on us as their trusted partner. Founded in 1975, Information Builders is headquartered in New York, NY, with global offices, and remains one of the largest independent, privately held companies in the industry. Visit us at , follow us on Twitter at , like us on , and visit our page.

(1) FAU Rockets to Top of BOG Performance Funding Model, Florida Atlantic University, March 2016.

Kathleen Moran

Information Builders

(917) 339-6313

Kate Finigan

LEWIS

(781) 761-4500
Marketing Automation to Fundamentally Change Real Estate Marketing

Posted by Publisher Software

ORLANDO, FL  (Marketwired)  11/02/16  National Association of REALTORS Convention  Real estate brokerages of all sizes can now access sophisticated marketing automation services that will help them drive growth, enhance their brand image, and increase recruiting success. Today, , a leader in marketing automation for real estate, announced a re-architecture of its Listing Automation services, allowing brokerages that work with listing syndicators to add advanced automation for the first time.

Until now, marketing automation services for marketing property listings have been largely limited to only the biggest brands in real estate, says Bill Yaman, President and Chief Revenue Officer of Imprev. By integrating with listing syndicators, more brokerages than ever can get immediate access to Listing Automation services to drive their expansion, deliver brand image consistency, and attract successful agents.

Casey Patterson, Marketing Director at Bellator Real Estate in Daphne, Alabama, notes, In the past, advanced automation providers required a custom feed for automation  something that many brokerages just cant provide. That changed with Imprevs recent integration into ListHub, the nations leading listing syndicator. ListHub is the nations leading platform for listing management, serving more than 60,000 brokerage firms.

Bellator, one of the largest independent brokerages in southern Alabama with more than 165 agents, was using another service that offered similar features. However, Patterson says it was not as advanced as Imprev, nor did it deliver the modern look and feel of Imprev. We really needed an upgrade from our old system, she says. Imprev has given us better service, better tools, and a fresher look. Agents have commented on how much easier the tool is to use and it requires a lot less training. When it comes to recruiting, brokers need a service like this to differentiate themselves from the competition.

Through the new ListHub integration, Imprev Listing Automation automatically creates a complete, customized set of print, digital and social media marketing materials for each active listing and emails it to the listing agent. The system automatically updates marketing materials whenever there is a change so that marketing materials are never out of synch with the listing.

Yaman at Imprev points out that marketing automation for real estate is one of the industrys hottest trends. Until now, Listing Automation has been largely untouchable for the very firms that understand that a strong, consistent brand is vital to their growth and success, he says. Now with Imprevs new Listing Automation services, the nations next generation of brokerages will be able to reinforce their brand across every customer impression.

Listing Automation also fundamentally changes the recruiting conversation because agents are struggling with technology fatigue, Yaman says. Forward-thinking market leaders recognize that top agents want additional services that are automated  not more tech tools agents rarely use. Listing Automation delivers on that vision.

Patterson shares that making the switch to Imprev Listing Automation was surprisingly smooth and agent adoption was immediate. The onboarding process was great, Patterson says. Its always a little tough to get agents excited about new technology and be ready to jump into it, so we did a lot to promote it beforehand, including a training session with all of our admins to make sure they were ready to guide agents that needed extra help. When it went live, it went really well and we were surprised at the number of agents using it right away.

Imprevs landmark 2015 Thought Leader study on for real estate showed that nearly one in three (29%) real estate brokerage and franchise leaders planned to implement Marketing Automation in 2016. Explaining the momentum behind the trend, nearly three-quarters (74%) of top real estate executives ranked Marketing Automation as valuable to extremely valuable for recruiting new agents. But the number one reason they had not implemented Marketing Automation was Budgetary constraints  a limitation that Imprevs new integration now effectively addresses.

Imprev, Inc. is real estates leading provider of automated marketing services. Built for brokers and designed for agents, Imprev products enable agents to effortlessly market their listings and themselves by providing custom digital, print, and social media marketing  in one consolidated platform. Imprev powers white-labeled Marketing Centers and Listing Automation Services for many of the largest brands in real estate. Established in 2000, Imprev is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. Discover more at .

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Kevin Hawkins, for Imprev, Inc.

206-866-1220
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MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 01, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vital Images, Inc. (Vital), a Minneapolis-based enterprise medical imaging and informatics company, has entered into an agreement to acquire Karos Health (Karos), an innovative global healthcare informatics company.



The acquisition will allow Vital and Karos to offer customers and OEM partners a robust imaging and informatics solution-set. The combined technologies provide a customer-centric, modular platform that allows hospital systems to solve a broad set of enterprise imaging challenges without requiring large-scale, disruptive PACS replacement of existing systems. The combined organizations will build on Karos vast experience in enabling healthcare interoperability, while Vital will continue its market leadership in advanced visualization, diagnostic viewing and image-processing algorithms to support personalized medicine.

Karos Healths solution-set enables collaboration between healthcare providers and patient engagement, while providing secure access to complete the patients health record  anytime, anywhere, says Jim Litterer, president and CEO of Vital Images. Karos technology allows Vital to provide one modular solution, giving CIOs globally the ability to adapt and grow their service delivery without disrupting existing investments.

The non-disruptive approach championed by both Vital and Karos enables hospital systems to optimize diagnostic imaging workflows and deliver enterprise-wide imaging information to the EMR, helping to improve both patient and business outcomes.

Rick Stroobosscher, CEO of Karos Health, adds From a marketplace perspective, this transaction will deliver a comprehensive solution to help hospital systems confidently navigate the global move towards personalized medicine, population health and the requirements of value-based care.

Statement from Jim Litterer, president and CEO of Vital

https://youtu.be/HFH2VTZ1Sag

Statement from Paul Markham, VP Marketing at Vital

https://youtu.be/X4Jd9usoU-8

About Karos Health

Karos Health is focused on elevating the quality of patient care by enabling the sharing and storing of clinical information. Karos Rialto platform empowers healthcare enterprises to enable cross-community access to information, facilitating collaboration between healthcare providers and patients. Karos EasyViz is a breakthrough product for image display, delivering diagnostic quality imaging information when and where needed. Rialto and EasyViz are based on open standards that ensure safe and secure handling of patient health information and is backed by a team with decades of experience in healthcare interoperability. For more information about Karos, visit www.karoshealth.com.

About Vital Images, Inc.

Vital Images, Inc., a Toshiba Medical Systems Group company, is a leading provider of diagnostic imaging and enterprise informatics solutions to help healthcare organizations deliver exceptional care while optimizing resources across multi-facility organizations. The company's solutions are scalable to meet the unique needs of hospitals and imaging centers and are accessible throughout the enterprise anytime, anywhere. For more information, visit www.vitalimages.com or join the conversation on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
FLORENCE, S.C., Nov. 01, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfields Helping Hungry Homes campaign partnered with IGA and KJs Market this morning to provide more than 25,000 pounds of protein to the Harvest Hope Food Bank. This considerable donation is part of Smithfields 300th Helping Hungry Homes milestone donation tour, during which the company will donate nearly one million servings to eight food banks across the country through the end of the year.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/26ad1c3e-9f29-469b-9e00-73f39c0f8f61



Representatives from Smithfield, IGA, and KJs Market presented the donation, equivalent to 100,000 servings, to the Harvest Hope Food Bank during an event at which speakers discussed the importance of donations like this in the Florence area, which was recently devastated by a major hurricane, and where 18 percent of people do not know from where their next meal will come.

Throughout November and December, Smithfield will travel from coast-to-coast to food banks in Florence, S.C., Charleston, S.C., Sacramento, Calif., Hampton, Va., Virginia Beach, Va., Bentonville, Ark., Baltimore, Md. and Tampa, Fla. Smithfield will continue its long history of partnering with local retailers with a history of philanthropy to make these donations and raise awareness of hunger in these areas.

Harvest Hope Food Bank is thrilled to receive this generous donation from Smithfield, said Denise Holland, CEO of Harvest Hope Food Bank. With so many in the community still struggling to recover from Hurricane Matthew, both the Pee Dee area and Harvest Hope are in great need of assistance to help feed the hungry. Smithfields donation will help us as we continue to build upon the more than half million meals weve distributed since the hurricanes landfall.

We truly appreciate Smithfield for partnering with us to give back to the community through this generous donation, said Bill Harrell, W. Lee Flowers and Company meat department director. Whenever a disaster strikes the areas where we live and serve, we try to give aid and relief to all those in need. We strive to help people rebuild and restore their lives to normal in as many ways as possible, whether it be through donations of food, money or time.

Smithfield is proud to partner with IGA and KJs Market during our 300th milestone tour to present this donation to the Harvest Hope Food Bank, said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. After the recent hurricane that devastated the area, we started working immediately to provide donations to the food banks that are feeding so many of the families who lost their homes and dont know from where their next meal will come. We encourage others to get involved and volunteer time, money, or food to help provide recovery assistance.

As part of its ongoing Helping Hungry Homes program, Smithfield has committed to continue its fight against hunger by making more than 40 large-scale protein donations across the United States in 2016. Throughout the year, the company is donating more than six million servings of protein to food banks nationwide to help families and individuals suffering from hunger. To date, the program has provided more than 43 million servings of protein to food banks across America.

About Smithfield

A leading provider of high-quality pork products, Smithfield was founded in 1936 in Smithfield, Virginia, establishing the town as the Ham Capital of the World. From hand-trimmed bacon and slow-smoked holiday hams to marinated tenderloins, Smithfield brings artistry, authenticity and a commitment to heritage, flavor, and handcrafted excellence to everything it produces. With a vast product portfolio including smoked meats, hams, bacon, sausage, ribs, and a wide variety of fresh pork cuts, the company services retail, foodservice, and deli channels across the United States and 30 countries abroad. All of Smithfields products meet the highest quality and safety standards in the industry. To learn more about how Flavor Hails from Smithfield, please visit www.Smithfield.com, www.Twitter.com/SmithfieldBrand, and www.Facebook.com/CookingWithSmithfield. Smithfield is a brand of Smithfield Foods.

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan's Famous, Farmland, Armour, John Morrell, Cook's, Kretschmar, Gwaltney, Curly's, Margherita, Carando, Healthy Ones, Krakus, Morliny, and Berlinki. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

About IGA and KJs Market (W. Lee Flowers):

W. Lee Flowers and Company was founded in 1922 and is based in Scranton, SC. As an IGA Licensed Distribution Center, W. Lee Flowers and Company operates or supplies 80 IGA and independent supermarkets in the Carolinas and Georgia. It ranks as one of the largest South Carolina-headquartered grocery retailers and is the only retailer based in Florence County.

About Harvest Hope Food Bank

Harvest Hope Food Bank was founded in 1981 as the result of a shared vision of business leaders and the faith community who set out to provide for the hungry in Columbia. Harvest Hope distributed over 28 million pounds of food last year and feeds approximately 38,000 people a week. Their main offices are located in Columbia, but the organization also has satellite locations in Greenville and Florence.
The idea for the trail was added during planning to stabilize the north bank of the Red Run, including restoration in eroded spots, particularly on the north side, where it had gotten to within 10 feet of the landfill on which Freedom Hill was built, officials said.
Photo caption: Given their brutality, a Hellfire missle death may be the best outcome for Islamic State fighters, writes Phil GurskiCredit: Creative Commons

By Phil Gurski,

Special to The Post

Historically, amnesties have been offered to former combatants in an attempt to stop the violence and allow a country the chance to rebuild itself.

A really good example where an amnesty seemed to work would be in South Africa where it was part of that nation's Truth and Reconciliation Commission post-Apartheid. On the other hand, amnesty for fighters was rejected in the recent Colombian referendum on ending the half century war with the FARC.

Amnesties can be hard to sell. Conflicts where hundreds or thousands of people have been killed by insurgencies or guerrilla movements or terrorists can result in acrimony and long memories where populations are unwilling to let those responsible for the violence get off lightly. This is what appears to have happened in the narrow defeat of the Colombian referendum.

A question that is being asked by some is whether we should consider offering an amnesty to returning foreign fighters with Islamic State. One such proposal was published recently by David Wells (full disclosure: Wells is an acquaintance and, like me, a former intelligence analyst). He wrote that by offering a "plea bargain" to those who are coming home disillusioned, security intelligence and law enforcement agencies could focus their limited resources on those who pose a real threat to their homelands upon return.

Brutality and inhumanity

Wells does offer a few cautionary statements about the difficulties of carrying out such an amnesty and I want to build on those (NB: more in my forthcoming book Western Foreign Fighters: the threat to homeland and international security).

To my mind, the single greatest obstacle to social acceptance of any form of amnesty for those who joined IS is the sheer brutality and inhumanity of the group's actions. Whether we are talking about beheadings, immolations, throwing people off roofs, raping girls or selling women into slavery, the depravity so rampant among IS members puts them in a special level of hell.

No one will want to see these animals get any break on the punishment they so richly deserve.

Compounding this problem is determining who did what in theatre. Aside from the really stupid ones who posted videos online boasting of their lust for violence and those even more stupid to return home  assuming they have not been Hellfired into oblivion (the best case scenario really)  we will probably not be able to determine who the worst actors are.

Gathering evidence

States will want to prosecute those guilty of war crimes, but unless we have posted videos as evidence, this will be very difficult. Gathering such evidence in a conflict zone like Syria is unquestionably a challenge and it is not as if we can rely on Syrian authorities for help (besides, given recent cases of Syrian-Canadian "collaboration" in several alleged torture incidents, Syrian assistance would be politically impossible even if it were offered).

Furthermore, what do we do with the confessions/denials of some returnees? While it is probable that there are legitimate instances of those who are disgusted with what they saw and may not have actually contributed to the horror, how do we make that determination? Whom do we believe?

In the end, the fact that these individuals have left Canada (or many other countries) to join IS (or other groups) is a criminal offence and it is in the interest of the state to pursue legal action where the evidence is available. Each case will have to be judged on its merits and there may be ones where an amnesty  or the decision not to take to trial  can be considered.

"Forgiving" populations

We do have one instance of this already in Canada when the Crown chose not to charge three young women from the Toronto area after they unsuccessfully tried to travel to Syria to join IS (they were interdicted in Egypt thanks to excellent police work on this end).

We also have to bear in mind that some of these ex-combatants will still pose a threat to our societies. We have already seen attacks carried out by returnees and we will see more. It is not unreasonable to predict that over the next five years or so our security intelligence and law enforcement agencies will be very busy trying to stop future attacks by returning terrorists.

I suppose that amnesties are feasible where there are at least some people on both sides of the conflict who can see the perspective and justification of violence from the other's point of view. And, yet, it is impossible to imagine a scenario where anyone views the actions of IS this way.

There are also significant differences in the nature of conflict where amnesties appear to have had a positive effect  say South Africa  versus ones where the "forgiving" population has not been beset by direct warfare in their own backyards. If you are not from Syria or Iraq, you have not witnessed the daily carnage caused by IS and are thus less willing to take a chance to end it by offering amnesty.

I fear that anyone who proposes forgiving returning terrorists will have a very tough job ahead of them. And, I am not sure that this is a good idea in the first place.

Phil Gurski worked for more than three decades in Canadian intelligence, including 15 at Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), and is the author of the Threat from Within and the forthcoming Western Foreign Fighters (Rowan and Littlefield). He blogs at http://www.borealisthreatandrisk.com/blog/

This piece was originally appeared in New Canadian Media (newcanadianmedia.ca).

See http://rebuild.newcanadianmedia.ca/item/38927-do-returning-is-fighters-deserve-an-amnesty
St. Joe County floats new site for Portage Manor group home

The county plans to sell Clay Township Park to the township for a nominal fee, rather than continue to lease it.
AIM: MARL

TSXV: MRA







2 November 2016 Granite House, La Grande Rue,

St. Martin, Guernsey ,GY1 3RS

Channel Islands





Mariana Update on the Highly Prospective Gold Projects Recently Acquired in Cote d'Ivoire

GUERNSEY, UK, Nov. 2, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mariana Resources Ltd ("Mariana" or the "Company"), the AIM ("MARL") and TSXV ("MRA") listed exploration and development company with projects in Turkey, Cote d'Ivoire and South America, is pleased to provide the following update on the Bondoukou gold projects following the acquisition of Awale Resources SARL ("Awale"; see News Release dated October 7, 2016). Awale is a private exploration company focused on high grade gold projects in Cote d'Ivoire (Figure 1), a country which hosts some of the most prospective yet underexplored Birimian greenstone belts in West Africa. World-class orogenic gold deposits hosted within the Birimian include Anglogold Ashanti's Obuasi mine in Ghana, Resolute Mining's Syama mine in Burkina Faso, and Iamgold/Anglogold Ashanti's Sadiola mine in Mali (Figures 1 & 2).

Mariana is an active precious metals exploration company with a diversified portfolio of assets at various stages on the project development curve. The Company is continually looking to leverage its experience and ability in generating exciting projects in jurisdictions that offer both scale and a high degree of prospectivity. Cote d'Ivoire is a jurisdiction that hosts some 35% of West Africa's known greenstone belts yet remains largely underexplored in comparison to neighbouring Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Mali (Figure 3). The acquisition of Awale has given Mariana a foothold into the country with 3 granted exploration licences at Bondoukou (totalling 1,191.5 square kilometres; Figure 4) and a further 4 licences in the application stage. In addition, the Company will retain Awale's experienced in-country team, which will provide a strong platform on which to build a successful regional gold exploration and development company.

Inital Project Focus

Mariana's initial focus will be on the three granted Bondoukou concessions (Bondoukou Est, Bondoukou Nord Est, and Bondoukou Nord; Table 1 and Figure 4), all of which are located near the the town of Bondoukou and close to the Ghanaian border. The Bondoukou concessions lie along the southwestern extension of the Birimian Bole-Nangodi greenstone belt, which is known to host a number of high grade gold deposits in adjacent Ghana. Artisinal miners are currently extracting high grade, vein-style gold mineralisation from within the saprolite profile and colluvium at various locations within all three concessions (although particularly in Bondoukou Est and Nord Est).

Links to Figures: http://media.wix.com/ugd/24ee23_03d2669ce92f488389c15c4d8c8c8ca2.pdf

Prior to Mariana's acquisition of Awale (an 80% interest), Awale's exploration team had been undertaking reconnaissance exploration over the three granted claim blocks. Work completed during this initial phase of mapping and sampling resulted in the identification of three priority prospect areas within the Bondoukou Est and Bondoukou Nord Est Permits, the details of which are given below.

Priority Target Areas

Bahile-Fako-Elisabeth Mineralised Trend (Bondoukou Est) (Figures 5 & 6)

The Bahile-Fako-Elisabeth target areas lie within a 15 km-long, WNW-ESE striking corridor of artisanal gold workings which are located on, or close to, the contact between a granitic intrusive complex and Biriminan volcano-sedimentary rocks. Individual workings are typically spaced between 50m and 300m apart and are focused on the extraction of gold from both saprolite and colluvium, although some workings in the Elisabeth prospect have reached "hard rock" where pyrite-silica-sericite alteration is evident. The primary target type is gold-bearing quartz-pyrite veins, with miners in deeper saprolite and "hard rock" pits at both Fako and Elisabeth suggesting that the mineralised veins are either stacked or sheeted. Given the highly-developed artisanal gold mining activities in the Bahile-Fako-Elisabeth trend, this area is currently considered to be one of our highest priority target areas.

Ngouan-Djoumani Prospect (Bondoukou Est)



The Ngouan-Djoumani prospect contains three large areas of artisanal mine workings, with the individual workings focused on structures oriented 090 to 120N. The Djoumani workings have a larger colluvial footprint of approximately 1km2. The Ngouan workings are typically around 50 metres deep and waste dumps in the area show pyrite-silica-sericite wall rock alteration within a stockwork vein system. The perseverance of the miners here in the hard rock and the pyrite alteration system makes this prospect of particular interest, as the extraction method for the gold is through gravity sluicing.



Yanti Prospect (Bondoukou Nord Est)

The Yanti prospect consists of a set of three, north-south striking workings contained within an overall northwest trend (and therefore potentially representing en-echelon vein sets). Each of the workings containing a single quartz vein approximately 0.5m wide and dipping at about 50 degrees to the west. The Yanti prospect is located at the southeastern end of the Bolgatanga Belt, which continues through Ghana into southeastern Burkina Faso. Country rock in the Yanti area consists dominantly of well foliated quartz rich wackes and sandstones, whilst in and around the workings there are finer grained sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Sheared felsic rock with 'quartz eyes' are also evident.

Visible gold within panned miner's concentrates have been reported at all three prospects. Other artisanal workings continue to be located during the ongoing reconnaissance work.

Systematic Geochemical Sampling

A first-pass "screening" of the extensive Bondoukou claim blocks is currently being undertaken through cost-effective regional silt, soil, and rock chip sampling programs. The primary objective of these geochemical programs is to identify those areas with the highest potential for the discovery of new / blind gold deposits. Work completed to date includes:

Regional Silt Sampling

A total of 374 regional silt samples have been collected on the basis of each sample covering a drainage catchment area of approximately 5km2. An initial batch of 151 samples, essentially covering broader 10km2 catchment areas, has been sent for analysis (with the remaining infill samples to be submitted for those areas in which significant gold anomalies are detected). All samples will be analysed for gold and trace elements at Intertek Perth using both a static and agitated BLEG method with ultra-low detection limits (0.01 ppb).

Regional Mapping and Rock Chip Sampling



1,601 outcrop/subcrop mapping/sampling sites have so far been visited on the three Bondoukou claims, and 525 rock chip samples have been selected for both gold analysis by fire assay and multi-element analysis. These results will be compiled and incorporated into an updated regional geological map over the three Bondoukou claims.



Orientation Soil Surveys



Initial soil orientation surveys have also commenced, with 182 samples having been collected to date over the Bahile and Elisabeth prospects. First observations indicate that the depth of transported cover in the Elisabeth - Fako area is too deep for conventional soil sampling and auger drilling will be required. While the Bahile area is within a residual soil terrain and differing mesh size fractions will be analysed to determine the most practical sampling method for this regolith type.



Results are currently pending for all geochemical samples.

Rock chip and grab sampling has historically also been undertaken by Awale in the vicinity of known surface workings at Bondoukou Est and Bondoukou Nord Est. A total of twenty-one rock chip samples have returned gold assays exceeding 5 g/t; ten samples have returned between 5. 4 g/t Au and 9.9 g/t Au, six samples between 10.7 g/t Au and 16.7 g/t Au, and a further five samples between 23.3 g/t Au and 36.7 g/t Au. In most cases, gold mineralization is associated with weathered quartz-pyrite vein assemblages derived from mineralised fault / shear zones.

Work program going forward

The main objective of the Q4, 2016 and H1, 2017 field exploration programs at Bondoukou will be to define and prioritize targets for RC drill testing during H2, 2017. These drill targets will be defined through a combination of cost effective geological mapping, infill soil sampling, auger drilling, and geophysics as appropriate. The Company will keep the market updated with results from these field programs as they come to hand.

Table 1 : Mariana/Awale Cote d'Ivoire Permits (Around Bondoukou)

Permit Application Date Grant Date Decree No Area (Km) Permit No. Bondoukou Est 19/12/2012 07/01/2015 2015-01 400 PR 377 Bondoukou Nord Est 19/12/2012 18/09/2015 2015-638 398 PR 611 Bondoukou Nord 19/12/2012 09/12/2015 393.5 La Volta 30/07/2015 400 Asuefry 19/12/2012 393

**ENDS**

Qualified Person

The technical and scientific information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved for release by Eric Roth, the Company's qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Roth is the Company's Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director and holds a Ph.D. in Economic Geology from the University of Western Australia, is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), and is a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG). Mr. Roth has 25 years of experience in international minerals exploration and mining project evaluation.

For further information please visit website at www.marianaresources.com or contact the following.

Glen Parsons (CEO) Mariana Resources Ltd +61 2 9437 4588 Eric Roth (COO) Mariana Resources Ltd +56 9 8818 1243 Karen Davies (IR) Mariana Resources Ltd (Canada) +1 604 314 6270 Rob Adamson RFC Ambrian Limited (Nomad) +61 2 9250 0041 Will Souter RFC Ambrian Limited (Nomad) +61 2 9250 0050 In U.K. Oliver Stansfield Brandon Hill Capital (UK Broker) +44 20 3463 5061 Jonathan Evans Brandon Hill Capital (UK Broker) +44 20 3463 5016 Camilla Horsfall Blytheweigh (Financial PR) +44 20 7138 3224 Megan Ray Blytheweigh (Financial PR) +44 20 7138 3203

About Mariana Resources Mariana Resources Ltd is an AIM (MARL) and TSXV (MRA) quoted exploration and development company with an extensive portfolio of gold, silver and copper projects in South America and Turkey.

Mariana's most advanced asset is the Hot Maden gold-copper project in north east Turkey, which is a joint venture with its Turkish JV partner Lidya (30% Mariana and 70% Lidya) and rapidly advancing to development. An updated mineral resource estimate (detailed table below) of 3.43 Moz gold Equivalent (Indicated Category) and 0.09 Moz gold Equivalent (Inferred Category) (100% basis) in the main resource zone as well as a maiden 351,000 Moz gold Equivalent (Inferred Category) (100% basis) in the new southern discovery zone was reported for Hot Maden on July 25, 2015. Elsewhere in Turkey, Mariana holds a 100% interest in the Ergama gold-copper project.

In southern Argentina, the Company's core gold-silver projects are Las Calandrias (100%), Sierra Blanca (100%), Los Cisnes (100%), Bozal (100%). These projects are part of a 160,000+ Ha land package in the Deseado Massif epithermal gold-silver district in mining-friendly Santa Cruz Province.

In Suriname, Mariana has a direct holding of 10.2% of the Nassau Gold project. The Nassau Gold Project is a 28,000 Ha exploration concession located approximately 125 km south east of the capital Paramaribo and immediately adjacent to Newmont Mining's 4.2Moz gold Merian project.

In Peru and Chile, Mariana is focusing on acquiring new opportunities which complement its current portfolio.

Hot Maden Mineral Resource Estimate - Main Gold-Copper Zone (2 g/t AuEq Cut-off) Indicated Mineral Resource Domain Tonnes Au Cu Zn AuEq Au Cu AuEq t g/t % % g/t* Ounces Tonnes Ounces** Main Zone LG 463,000 1.1 1.1 0.3 2.4 17,000 5,000 36,000 Main Zone HG 4,501,000 3.9 1.9 0.2 6.3 570,000 87,000 908,000 Main Zone UHG 2,086,000 32.7 3.5 0.1 36.9 2,195,000 73,000 2,476,000 Mixed Gold-Zinc 17,000 7.5 3.1 3.6 11.2 4,000 1,000 6,000 Peripheral Lodes 60,000 2.1 0.4 0.4 2.5 4,000 5,000 Total 7,127,000 12.2 2.3 0.2 15.0 2,790,000 166,000 3,431,000 Inferred Mineral Resource Domain Tonnes Au Cu Zn AuEq Au Cu AuEq t g/t % % g/t* Ounces Tonnes Ounces** Main Zone LG 395,000 1.7 0.9 0.03 2.8 21,000 4,000 35,000 Main Zone HG 31,000 3.9 1.6 0.1 5.8 4,000 6,000 Main Zone UHG 6,000 39.1 2.1 0.01 41.6 7,000 8,000 Mixed Gold-Zinc 4,000 1.7 0.4 2.4 2.2 Peripheral Lodes 282,000 3.2 0.9 0.1 4.3 29,000 2,000 38,000 Total 718,000 2.7 0.9 0.1 3.8 62,000 7,000 88,000



Hot Maden - Southern Gold-Copper Zone (2 g/t AuEq Cut-off) Inferred Mineral Resource Domain Tonnes Au Cu Zn AuEq Au Cu AuEq t g/t % % g/t* Ounces Tonnes Ounces** South Zone LG 396,000 2.8 0.7 0.0 3.6 35,000 3,000 46,000 South Zone HG 583,000 5.3 0.7 0.0 6.1 98,000 4,000 114,000 Main Zone UHG 224,000 22.2 1.0 0.0 23.4 160,000 2,000 169,000 Mixed Gold-Zinc 44,000 9.0 1.0 3.2 10.2 13,000 15,000 Peripheral Lodes 104,000 1.9 0.3 0.0 2.2 6,000 7,000 Total 1,352,000 7.2 0.7 0.1 8.1 313,000 10,000 351,000

*Au Equivalence (AuEq) calculated using a 100 day moving average of $US1,215/ounce for Au and $US2.13/pound for Cu as of May 29, 2016. No adjustment has been made for metallurgical recovery or net smelter return as these remain uncertain at this time. Based on grades and contained metal for Au and Cu, it is assumed that both commodities have reasonable potential to be economically extractable.

*-The formula used for Au equivalent grade is: AuEq g/t = Au + [(Cu % x 22.0462 x 2.13)/(1215/31.1035)] and assumes 100 % metallurgical recovery. **-Au equivalent ounces are calculated by mulitplying Mineral Resource tonnage by Au equivalent grade and converting for ounces. The formula used for Au equivalent ounces is: AuEq Oz = [Tonnage x AuEq grade (g/t)]/31.1035

Safe Harbour

This press release contains certain statements which may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as at the date of this press release and include, without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, the realization, cost, timing and extent of mineral resource estimates, estimated future exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, and requirements for additional capital. The words "plans", "expects", "budget", "scheduled", "estimate", "forecasts", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "may", "will", or similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: the effects of general economic conditions; the price of gold, silver and copper; misjudgements in the course of preparing forward-looking statements; risks associated with international operations; the need for additional financing; risks inherent in exploration results; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters; currency and commodity price fluctuations; title matters; environmental liability claims; unanticipated operational risks; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or in the completion of development or construction activities; political risk; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's annual financial statements for the most recently completed financial year which is available on the Company's website at www.marianaresources.com . Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions and have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
NEW YORK, LONDON AND HONG KONG, Nov. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hazeltree, the leading provider of integrated buy-side treasury management solutions, today expanded its management team by hiring industry veteran Sal Ventura as head of client relationship management. Mr. Ventura brings to Hazeltree more than 25 years of experience in prime brokerage, product development, operations, and client service. As a client service executive, he oversaw the servicing and support of a range of buy-side clients, including hedge fund managers, asset managers, insurance companies and pension funds.



As regulations continue to impact our industry, we continue to see increased focus on treasury and counterparty management, said Sameer Shalaby, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hazeltree. Sals industry experience provides him a unique perspective to manage our client relationships as we respond to global market demands.

Mr. Ventura will be primarily focused on managing client relationships to ensure senior-level sponsorship and connectivity between clients and Hazeltree, prioritizing client requests once they are fully implemented with Hazeltree, and maximizing the value of Hazeltrees solutions to clients on a continuous basis.

Mr. Ventura most recently was Managing Director and Global Head of Client Service for JP Morgans Custody and Fund Services business. Prior to that, Ventura was the Global Head of Citigroups Investment Banking and Private Banking Operations & Middle Office where he successfully transformed their operations strategy while facing dramatic regulatory change and profitability challenges. Before joining Citi, Ventura spent 10 years in prime brokerage at Credit Suisse and Lehman Brothers serving hedge fund managers as the Global Head of Prime Broker Client Services responsible for client onboarding and consulting in addition to the day over day client service, business and product development functions.

From supporting fund managers for many years, I am fully aware of the significant challenges they face daily, ranging from increased regulations, tough performance, fee pressures, and increased investor demands, said Sal Ventura, head of client relationship management at Hazeltree. I joined Hazeltree because it was clear we could make a difference and I am committed to working with our clients to understand their specific needs and harnessing the power of Hazeltree to address them head on.

Mr. Ventura started his professional career with Price Waterhouse in their Financial Services Industry Practice unit auditing banks, broker dealers, investment companies and alternative managers. Ventura is a CPA and a graduate of Binghamton University holding a B.S. in Accounting.

About Hazeltree

Hazeltree is the leading Treasury Management solution provider, serving hedge funds, asset managers, fund administrators, insurance companies and pension funds with powerful, proactive performance enhancement and risk mitigation capabilities that generate operational alpha, reduce a range of risks and streamline operations. Hazeltrees integrated treasury management solution includes comprehensive cash management, securities financing, collateral management, counterparty management and margin management capabilities. Hazeltree is headquartered in New York with offices in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.hazeltree.com.
Reference is made to the press release of 25 October 2016, summons to bondholders' meeting.

The bondholders' meeting has now been held and please see enclosed notice form bondholders' meeting.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
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TROY, Mich., Nov. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Albert Taylor Nelson, Jr. has been named as a 2016 Michigan Super Lawyer in the area of Business & Corporate Law.

Mr. Nelson is Of Counsel to the firm and specializes in litigation and workers compensation. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Nelson taught Social Studies at the nationally renowned Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan.

Over the years, Mr. Nelson has been active in the community, involving himself with numerous civic and professional organizations. He is a former Board Member of the College of Workers Compensation Lawyers, a national organization established to honor distinguished workers compensation attorneys. Further, he is a former board member of the American Red Cross Southeastern Michigan Blood Services, serving as Secretary and on the Executive Committee. Mr. Nelson also was appointed, and reappointed to the State Board of Ethics by Governor Rick Snyder. The seven-member board serves as an advisory and investigatory committee which determines the ethical conduct of classified state employees and public officers in the executive branch of the Michigan state government.

Mr. Nelson received both his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Detroit, and his Law degree from Wayne State University.

Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C. ranks as the 12th largest law firm in Michigan. Founded over 40 years ago and located in Troy, Michigan, Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C. is a full service law firm with 66 attorneys. GMH has been recognized as a Top Tier Law Firm in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. Additional recognitions include Crains Detroit Business Cool Place to Work and Detroit Free Press Top Workplaces 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
A view Saturn and its iconic rings, taken by NASA's Cassini spacecraft. The rings may be pieces of torn-apart dwarf planets, a new study suggests.

The rings of Saturn, Neptune and Uranus are composed of pieces of Pluto-like dwarf planets that strayed too close to the giant worlds long ago, a new study suggests.

Astronomers think that thousands of Pluto-size bodies once dwelled in the Kuiper Belt  the ring of frigid objects beyond Neptune's orbit  shortly after the solar system formed. But things changed about 4 billion years ago, the idea goes: At that time, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune migrated a bit, stirring up both the Kuiper Belt and the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

The resulting gravitational jostles sent many objects in these two realms careening toward the inner solar system, causing an era of increased cosmic impacts known as the Late Heavy Bombardment. [Photos: The Rings and Moons of Saturn]

In the new study, a team of researchers led by Ryuki Hyodo, of Kobe University in Japan, calculated that a fair number of scattered Kuiper Belt objects probably zoomed past the giant planets during this period. In fact, the group found, multiple Pluto-size bodies probably came close enough to Saturn, Uranus and Neptune to get torn apart by the planets' powerful gravitational tugs.

Furthermore, computer simulations performed by the group suggest that, in some cases, up to 10 percent of a shattered dwarf's mass was captured into orbit around the planet that destroyed it. In addition, these captured fragments have probably slammed into each other repeatedly over the eons, creating the tiny pieces that make up the rings of Saturn, Uranus and Neptune today, study team members said.

The dotted lines show the distance at which giant planets gravity is strong enough to tear apart incoming objects (a). Some of the resulting fragments are captured into orbits around the planet (b). Repeated collisions between the fragments cause the captured fragments to break down, their orbit becomes gradually more circular, and the current rings are formed (c). (Image credit: Hyodo, Charnoz, Ohtsuki, Genda 2016, Icarus)

Saturn's rings are about 95 percent water ice, while those of Uranus and Neptune are darker and appear to be composed of rockier material. And the dwarf-planet theory can explain this difference, researchers said.

Uranus and Neptune are considerably denser than Saturn, and can therefore exert a more powerful gravitational pull on passing objects. (Bodies flying close enough to Saturn to feel a comparable tug would actually impact the planet's atmosphere, researchers said.) So Uranus and Neptune probably snagged the rocky cores of more dwarf planets, whereas Saturn just stripped off such objects' icy outer layers, the researchers said.

"These findings illustrate that the rings of giant planets are natural byproducts of the formation process of the planets in our solar system," representatives of Kobe University wrote in a news release about the new research, which was published last month in the journal Icarus.

"This implies that giant planets discovered around other stars likely have rings formed by a similar process," they added. "Discovery of a ring system around an exoplanet has been recently reported, and further discoveries of rings and satellites around exoplanets will advance our understanding of their origin."

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
The ring of darkness in the galaxy cluster Cl 0024+17 indicates the presence of dark matter.

The search for elusive dark matter may have just gotten a big boost.

Scientists have calculated the predicted mass of the axion, a hypothetical particle that some astronomers think may be the main constituent of dark matter. The new finding should greatly aid the hunt for axions, and could therefore help solve the longstanding dark-matter mystery, study team members said.

"The results we are presenting will probably lead to a race to discover these particles," study co-author Zoltan Fodor, of Eotvos University in Budapest, Hungary, said in a statement. [Gallery: Dark Matter Throughout the Universe]

Dark matter apparently neither absorbs nor emits light, which explains its name. Though astronomers can't observe dark matter directly, they strongly suspect that the stuff exists based on its gravitational effects. For example, there is not nearly enough "normal" matter within galaxies to explain their rapid rotation, astronomers say.

Indeed, normal matter  the stuff that makes up stars, planets and everything else we can see and touch  is but a minor component of the universe: Astronomers think dark matter outweighs normal matter by a factor of 6 to 1. (And dark energy, the puzzling force behind the universe's accelerating expansion, makes up an even bigger portion of the universe's mass-and-energy budget. Together, dark energy and dark matter make up about 96 percent of the cosmos.)

But scientists don't know what dark matter is. Some researchers suspect it's made up of relatively few heavy particles, whereas others favor a hypothesis involving huge numbers of very light particles, known as axions.

Scientists have been searching for heavy dark-matter candidates using particle accelerators and sensitive underground detectors, but so far they've come up empty. Finding direct evidence of axions is likely an even taller order  but it is theoretically possible, study team members said.

"However, to find this kind of evidence, it would be extremely helpful to know what kind of mass we are looking for," co-author Andreas Ringwald, a theoretical physicist at the German Electron Synchrotron (which is commonly known by its German acronym, DESY) in Hamburg, said in the same statement. "Otherwise, the search could take decades, because one would have to scan far too large a range."

The new study, which was published online today (Nov. 2) in the journal Nature (opens in new tab), should help in this regard. The research team, led by Szabolcs Borsanyi of the University of Wuppertal in Germany, used a supercomputer to calculate the likely mass of the axion. The scientists found that, if axions are indeed the primary component of dark matter, they likely have a mass between 50 and 1,500 microelectronvolts  meaning they're up to 10 billion times lighter than electrons.

This would mean that every cubic centimeter in the universe contains, on average, about 10 million axions, researchers said. But dark matter is clumped, not evenly distributed; Earth's region of the Milky Way would have about 1 billion axions per cubic centimeter.

If the new mass prediction is accurate, scientists should be able to figure out whether axions actually exist within the next few years, study team members said.

Axions are also predicted by an extension of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the theory describing the strong nuclear force, one of the four fundamental forces of nature (along with gravitation, electromagnetism and the weak nuclear force).

The strong force is time-symmetric, meaning it wouldn't change if time for some reason began flowing backward instead of forward.

"However, the equations of QCD might contain a symmetry-violating term that could theoretically take any value. And nature has chosen to set this term to zero," Maria Paolo Lombardo, of the National Institute for Nuclear Physics in Rome, wrote in an accompanying "News and Views" piece in the same issue of Nature.

"Why is this?" Lombardo added. "The leading explanation is that the term is not zero, but is cancelled out by the presence of a 'neutralizing' particle called the axion, which has yet to be discovered."

So the detection of the axion would solve a quantum-physics puzzle as well as a cosmological one. Stay tuned!

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
The near-Earth asteroid 2016 VA (central dot), as viewed by the Virtual Telescope Project on Nov. 1, 2016.

A small asteroid buzzed Earth last night (Nov. 1), just hours after astronomers first spotted the space rock.

The asteroid 2016 VA zoomed within about 48,000 miles (77,000 kilometers) of the planet at 8:32 p.m. EDT (0032 GMT on Nov. 2), according to researchers with the Minor Planet Center (MPC) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. To put that into perspective, the moon orbits Earth at an average distance of 239,000 miles (385,000 km).

The space rock, which is thought to be 23 to 72 feet (7 to 22 meters) wide, was traveling about 48,000 mph (77,000 km/h) relative to Earth during the close encounter, MPC scientists said.

2016 VA was discovered just yesterday, by astronomers with the Mt. Lemmon Survey in Arizona. Surprise asteroid encounters like last night's flyby aren't uncommon; millions of space rocks are thought to orbit the sun in Earth's neighborhood, and scientists have discovered just 15,000 of them.

Indeed, a previously unknown object famously slammed into Earth's atmosphere above the Russian city of Chelyabinsk in February 2013. This rock exploded in the air, generating a shock wave that shattered thousands of windows in the city below; more than 1,200 people were wounded by shards of flying glass.

The Chelyabinsk object was probably about 66 feet (20 m) wide, scientists have said. (Asteroids have to be much bigger to cause damage on a global scale; researchers think impacting space rocks must be at least 0.6 miles, or 1 km, wide to threaten human civilization.)

Observations of 2016 VA indicate that the asteroid orbits the sun every 10.5 months, on a path that's much more elliptical than Earth's. 2016 VA gets as close to the sun as 0.43 astronomical units (AU), and as far away as 1.4 AU. (One AU is the average distance from Earth to the sun  about 93 million miles, or 150 million km.)

You can learn more about 2016 VA at the MPC site here: http://minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?object_id=2016 VA

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
LYNNFIELD, Mass., Nov. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Power Group Corporation (OTCQB:APGI), announced today that its subsidiary, American Power Group, Inc. (APG), has added the following two key management positions to strengthen the companys dual fuel air quality enhancement initiatives and support opening new dual fuel sales channels in California.

Dan Goodwin Vice President of Technical Marketing and Government Affairs: Mr. Goodwin will be responsible for establishing and directing APGs corporate efforts to expand recognition and acceptance by federal, state, regional and local air quality regulatory bodies of the significant and immediate emission reduction benefits of APGs dual fuel solution. There are numerous federal, state, regional, local, and corporate supported air quality grants and sustainability initiatives available which APG as well as our customers could take advantage of with formal recognition and acceptance by each respective governing body. California in particular, is under extreme regulatory pressure to show dramatic improvements in emission reduction, particularly in the area of NOx reduction by 2023, or potentially face significant reductions in federal funding.

Mr. Goodwin earned his Bachelor of Science with Merit in Systems Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy followed by a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Norwich University. His professional career is highlighted by twenty-one years of active service in the United States Marine Corps as an F/A -18 Hornet pilot, and as an F-15C exchange pilot with the US Air Force. He served as the Executive Officer/Chief of Staff at the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, CA as his final active-duty position. Following his time in the Marine Corps, Mr. Goodwin has held Engineering, Business Development, and Government Affairs management positions in alternative fuel and microwave electronics companies.

Kevin Campbell -Vehicular Business Development Director: Mr. Campbell will be responsible for directing APGs vehicular sales and marketing initiatives in the South Central and Southwestern portions of the United States including key natural gas regions of Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and California. Mr. Campbell will work with our existing authorized dealers/installers and natural gas provider partners and will be responsible for expanding our partnerships throughout his region.

Mr. Campbell has had a progressive career in the service and sales of truck engines and parts. He has been a pioneer in the development of dual fuel markets and the sale of low emission automotive components. Mr. Campbells education concentration is from Rio Hondo College where he was also an Advisory Board Member for their Advanced Transportation Department. He has also held Advisory Board Member positions at Long Beach City College  Alternative Fuel Training Department; University of California Riverside Bourns College of Engineering- Center of Environmental Research and Technology, and the Universal Technical Institute.

Lyle Jensen, American Power Group Corporations Chief Executive Officer stated, We look forward to adding Dans and Kevins leadership and alternative fuel experience to the APG team. Both live in California and are well-versed in Californias air quality challenges and the fact that APGs dual fuel has the ability to play an important role in the reduction of diesel related criteria pollutants (NOx and Particulate Matter) in California. Our recent dual fuel emission test results from the Center for Alternative Fuel Engines and Emissions at West Virginia University on SCR emission technology has shown greater than a 50% reduction in NOx emissions compared to the federal standard. These NOx levels would qualify APGs dual fuel solution for CARBs future Optional Low NOx consideration.

Mr. Jensen added, With our recently announced California ARB EO Certifications for Cummins ISX and Detroit Diesel 15L engines in addition to our 13L Volvo California ARB EO Certification, APG is bringing one of the only alternative clean fuel technologies to the Class 8 high-horsepower (13L to 15L) market segment that retains the required power and torque of a diesel engine. No dedicated natural gas technology or electric-hybrid engine technology is available to pull the heavy loads through the challenging topography of California.

About American Power Group Corporation

American Power Groups subsidiary, American Power Group, Inc. provides cost effective products and services that promote the economic and environmental benefits of our alternative fuel and emission reduction technologies. Our patented Turbocharged Natural Gas Dual Fuel Conversion Technology is a unique non-invasive software driven solution that converts existing vehicular and stationary diesel engines to run concurrently on diesel and various forms of natural gas including compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, conditioned well-head/ditch gas or bio-methane gas with the flexibility to return to 100% diesel fuel operation to avoid any natural gas range anxiety. Depending on the fuel source and operating profile, our EPA and CARB approved dual fuel conversions seamlessly displace 45% - 65% of diesel fuel with cleaner burning natural gas resulting in measurable reductions in nitrous oxides (NOx) and other diesel-related emissions. Through our Trident Associated Gas Capture and Recovery Technology, we provide oil and gas producers a flare capture service solution for associated gases produced at their remote and stranded well sites. These producers are under tightening regulatory pressure to capture and liquefy the flared gases at their remote and stranded well sites or face significant oil output reductions. With our proprietary Flare to Fuel process technology we can convert these captured gases into natural gas liquids (NGL) which can be sold as heating fluids, emulsifiers, or be further processed by refiners. Given pending federal methane capture regulations, we anticipate our next generation NGL processing systems will have the capability to convert the residual flared methane into pipeline quality natural gas that can be sold for a variety of dedicated and dual fuel vehicular, stationary, industrial and household uses. See additional information at: www.americanpowergroupinc.com
REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Nov. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tempo, a B2B software venture that is transforming the way teams and businesses work in Atlassian JIRA, today announced that it continues its corporate giving efforts and contributions to Pledge 1% and Room to Read.



Tempo has a long-standing corporate culture of community service and philanthropic leadership, including sponsorship of local networking events for high school and university students to introduce them to career opportunities in technologies, and support of an annual women in technology initiative based locally in Iceland.

Like many of our peers, Tempo is experiencing rapid growth, said Agust Einarsson, CEO, Tempo. With that growth comes a responsibility to help those in our industry and the communities we serve. As one of the largest, award-winning, and top-selling developers in the Atlassian Ecosystem to offer solutions that extend JIRA to help software, service desk and business teams work smarter, we have at our core a focus on collaboration. Building solutions that help teams plan, budget, and track projects extends naturally to our corporate desire of helping others  whether customers or individuals living in the communities we serve.

Tempo is celebrating its one year anniversary committed to Pledge 1%, which began in 2015 (see release:Tempo Joins the Pledge 1% Movement, Makes Commitment to Integrated Philanthropy). Founded by Atlassian, Rally, and Salesforce, Pledge 1%, is a corporate philanthropy movement dedicated to making the community a key stakeholder in every business. It empowers companies to donate 1% of product, equity, profit or employee time to improve communities around the world.

We are proud to work with partners like Tempo that prioritize the community as a key stakeholder in their business, said Jonathan Srikanthan, foundation manager at Atlassian. More than 60 Atlassian partners have now joined the Pledge 1% movement, and together as an ecosystem we are making a tremendous positive impact on the world.

For more than six years, Tempo has partnered with Room to Read. This nonprofit, founded by former Microsoft executive John Wood, seeks to improve literacy and gender equality in the developing world. Tempo donates all proceeds of its $10 annual starter licenses (for 10 users) to Room to Read. These funds are in turned applied wherever they are needed most, ensuring that all the students and communities that Tempo has committed to are supported and can thrive.

Tempos more than $75,000 in donations to Room to Read to date has help provide more than 1,800 children with one year of education. In the first two quarters of 2016, Tempo donated nearly $12,000, which according to Room to Read will provide the equivalent of support to over 220 students in their Literacy Program for one year.

As a result of Tempos donations to Room to Read, a local storyteller and artist in Nepal was commissioned to write and illustrate a childrens book for local libraries and schools. The book was dedicated to the Tempo team in recognition of its charitable giving.

About Pledge 1%

Pledge 1% is an effort spearheaded by Atlassian, Rally, Salesforce and Tides to accelerate their shared vision around integrating philanthropy into businesses around the world. Pledge 1% encourages and challenges individuals and companies to pledge 1% of equity, product, and employee time for their communities, because pledging a small portion of future success can have a huge impact on tomorrow. Pledge 1% offers companies turnkey tools and best practices, making it accessible for any company to incorporate philanthropy into their business model. To learn more or to take the pledge, please visit www.pledge1percent.org.

About Room to Read

Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children, Room to Reads innovative model focuses on deep, systemic transformation within schools in low-income countries during two time periods which are most critical in a childs schooling: early primary school for literacy acquisition and secondary school for girls education. We work in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and ensure girls can complete secondary school with the skills necessary to negotiate key life decisions. Room to Read has benefited 10 million children across 18,000 communities in Asia and Africa and aims to reach 15 million children by 2020. Learn more at https://www.roomtoread.org.

About Tempo

Tempo is a leading provider of sophisticated software solutions for Atlassian JIRA. Tempos add-ons boost the productivity of technical and non-technical teams, offering seamless integration, flexibility, and real-time visibility into work efforts for better team alignment and decision-making. More than 8,700 customers in over 115 countries, ranging from SMBs to enterprises including Amazon, BMW, LinkedIn, PayPal, Hulu, and Disney trust Tempo to collaborate, plan, budget, track and work smarter. To learn more about Tempo, visit http://tempo.io/.
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Herzog: Yes, and already in our first meeting in 2001, the idea that you can see today emerged: to use the Kaispeicher (a former warehouse) as a pedestal and place something on top of it that, in contrast to the archaic solidity of the storehouse, had a very different, expressive form.

SPIEGEL: Several of your previous projects have triggered debates, but none as big as the one surrounding the Elbphilharmonie. What was at stake for you?

Herzog: It was a dangerous situation for us, and we had to confront it. But it made us stronger.

SPIEGEL: How so?

Herzog: When the project began, we were not a small office anymore, thank God. We had had to work with lawyers, economists and various other experts before -- even with entire committees. But the Elbphilharmonie was on a different scale, and it became clearer to us than ever that architects must be able to justify and take responsibility for each step -- at any time. Everything needs to be constantly laid out on the table. In that early phase, my partner Pierre de Meuron made an extraordinary contribution to the realization and current success of the project. This approach forces you to adopt a kind of candor that isn't necessarily required of the others who are involved. But that's not all.

SPIEGEL: What else?

Herzog: You must first learn as an architect to ruthlessly question yourself: Is this really the right way? Do we have to do it like that? Can we do it like that? You need to be radically honest, otherwise you've lost. I'm deliberately not saying that for moralistic reasons, but because architecture, as we understand it, forces us into this nakedness.

SPIEGEL: That sounds almost mystical, but the disputes focused on concrete sums of money. A parliamentary investigative committee came to the conclusion that the key mistakes were made by the developers, the City of Hamburg, that the project's tender came too early and was too vague. Do you feel like a victim of these circumstances?

Herzog: We never feel like victims. That would really be misplaced.

SPIEGEL: But you and Pierre de Meuron were often turned into the bogeymen. Many said that even renowned architects like you can't plan or do math.

Herzog: Of course it is unpleasant when you are blamed for things over which you only have minimal influence. Fundamentally, though, I think it's a difficult challenge for a democratic government to take on the role of developer for a project of this size.

SPIEGEL: Why?

Herzog: A city is not made to be a developer. When I build a private house, the client takes responsibility because he wants to be able to climb into the bathtub in his house at the time specified. He is directly affected. In a case like the Elbphilharmonie, much of the responsibility for construction is delegated -- and it then depends on how well everything is structured and managed, how one is connected with the others involved. Developers coming from the political world, we as planners and then the construction company -- we had never before experienced this level of complexity. And it wasn't up to us to establish these structures.

SPIEGEL: The idea was born in 2001 and initial sketches were released in 2003. When construction began in 2007, the city's share of the construction costs for the concert hall was pegged at 114 million euros. In the end, though, it ballooned to almost 800 million euros. If everything had gone according to plan, what would the Elbphilharmonie have cost? Would it really have been just 114 million?

Herzog: I think it was surely absurd to assume the initial low sum when building a concert hall of this size. But if I were to name a concrete number, it would again be too high or too low or would be misinterpreted. Much more important, I think, is the question as to what the city will get from it in the future. It could be that the building will have such a significant influence on the city that suddenly everything will be seen in a different light and be put in perspective. That, of course, is our great hope.

SPIEGEL: You have changed entire cities with your buildings. That happened in London, for example, with your construction of the Tate Modern. It enhanced the status of a city that was already seen as an art metropolis. Will Hamburg change too? And what might such a change look like?

Herzog: That is a key point. Hamburg is a European city, which means it is a city with a scale defined by four-, five- and six-story buildings, by church towers that protrude above, by squares and parks and then you have the wonderful Alster. It is an unbelievably beautiful city that is clearly definable. HafenCity, where the Elbphilharmonie is located, opens a whole new chapter for the city because from an urban spatial perspective, it turns in a completely different direction -- away from the Alster and toward the mouth of the Elbe, essentially toward the sea. A completely new space opens up.

SPIEGEL: What does that mean?

Herzog: At the location where it stands, the Elbphilharmonie doesn't seem monumental even though it is a large building. It is located in this other spatial context. It is the starting point for Hamburg's development into a different city.

SPIEGEL: What kind of city?

Herzog: Germany has several large cities of global importance, such as Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. All of these cities have their own imprint and their own qualities, an impression that has only strengthened in the last several decades. Surely, this building will allow Hamburg to become a greater player in this competition.

SPIEGEL: How will that manifest itself? Classical music of the kind that will be on offer in the Elbphilharmonie tends to attract fewer people than modern art.

Herzog: Hamburg isn't like London, with its myriad tourists. But it is still clear that Hamburg can expect to receive more visitors than it has thus far and it will receive more attention in the world of music. Of course a concert hall is made for a much more limited group than a museum. In a museum -- particularly in London -- you sometimes don't even have to pay admission, you can just go in and out as you like. That's why we adopted this element from the Tate Modern: Visitors can go into the Elbphilharmonie even without a concert ticket. You can take an escalator up to a public level and can hang out right in the heart of the building. We think it is great when cultural buildings are available to all and not just for those who understand Beethoven or who want to gaze at Picassos.

SPIEGEL: Does it bother you that the surrounding city quarter, the entire HafenCity, is less sophisticated, less intimate than your Elbphilharmonie?

Herzog: Cities are always day-to-day. There are cultural buildings, there are important business campuses, and in between there is the normal city. And there are, of course, better and worse quarters. Unfortunately, I have to say that the older quarters are normally the most beautiful. Quarters that have developed over time have more charm and class.

SPIEGEL: The same holds true for Hamburg?

Herzog: Of course, but it's a global phenomenon. It is important that beacons are continually established in this mush, in these newly developed areas.

SPIEGEL: The completion of the Elbphilharmonie is happening at a moment when many are demanding a more modest style of architecture, one that fills a social purpose. Hostels for refugees, for example. Does your building, with its imposing, radiant aura, still fit into this present?

Herzog: It is clear that the building would not be commissioned today, and for precisely that reason. Political and economic conditions have changed -- the broad societal weather patterns are different.

SPIEGEL: What does that mean for the reception of your concert hall?

Herzog: I think it is totally okay that other, more socially oriented questions are taking center stage today. But this project is still a contribution to the city, because it is an expression of its spirit. Just like churches used to stand for something and just like skyscrapers represent an economic boom, this concert hall also expresses something. This city is about culture, about the urban bourgeoisie. In a city like Hamburg, each quarter represents different societal conditions: there is the late-19th century pompousness or Protestant simplicity. And now there is a new benchmark. But there isn't a right or wrong.

SPIEGEL: No?

Herzog: No, not even in aesthetic questions. I, for example, have hardly any aesthetic or stylistic preferences. So-called good taste is often nothing more than the result of a limited view of the world. Today, it has become much more difficult for everybody to accept the validity of differing opinions, mentalities and tastes -- diversity, in other words. Instead, we have exclusion, people who stay among themselves. The result of that are exclusionary cities, gated cities.

SPIEGEL: In many cities, your buildings have led to a rapid rise in property prices in their immediate surroundings. The same could happen in Paris, where you are planning to build one of the city's tallest buildings. That could also happen in Berlin, where you are responsible for the master plan for the development of the area around Tacheles (the famous former art center that emerged in eastern Berlin after the fall of the Wall that closed several years ago). And that will happen in Hamburg. You are the engine of rapid gentrification.

Herzog: Are you certain? We are talking here about a socio-economic problem that our architecture merely makes particularly evident. As architects, we cannot solve this problem, but we must be aware of it because we are involved in these urban transformational processes. An investor or a city invests a great deal of effort, lands a big-name architect and he then designs a great building. For a functioning society, however, it is also important that other forces can unfold, those that make space available for communal or alternative living. Only in that way can a city be successful. And even the so-called upscale districts profit. A radical example is the Tate in London. You can't find any residential areas in the neighborhood anymore where normal people live. There are residential towers where wealthy people have their second or third residences and are therefore unoccupied for most of the time. Pure investments.

SPIEGEL: There have allegedly been complaints from neighbors because museum-goers can look into their living rooms. Newspapers around the world have reported on it.

Herzog: The residential towers were built there because the Tate Modern transformed the quarter into a hip district. Now, a few people who moved into a completely transparent glass tower are complaining that people can see inside from the museum. That is completely absurd! In the postwar era, we had an unbelievable phase of balance in many European cities, where the middle classes and those who earned less could take part in society, in culture too and apartments and other services. To sustain that, we need a pragmatic democracy free of ideology. But where can you find such a thing?

SPIEGEL: Many of your fellow architects seem to have adopted an extreme mannerist style. The newly built Louis Vuitton Foundation museum designed by Frank Gehry in Paris looks like a hyper-expressive cartoon cloud. The new station at Ground Zero in New York was designed by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and is a cathedral-esque, oversized steel skeleton. What do you think of such disproportionate forms?

Herzog: We don't see architecture as excess. There are places where it doesn't matter if a building is taller than the one next to it. Dubai defined itself that way and other cities are now doing so as well. This rapid proliferation of skyscrapers, though, hasn't had a positive influence on cities like London. It brought growth, but not a new character.

SPIEGEL: You have erected buildings in many places, but have lived almost your whole life in a single city: Basel. Your partner, Pierre de Meuron, is an old friend from school.

Herzog: A nomadic lifestyle wouldn't have worked and we also don't need it for our architecture, which always has a grounded, archaic element to it.

SPIEGEL: Is that why your buildings look different from those designed by other architects?

Herzog: We don't want to make that judgment ourselves. If it makes sense to do so, we also create extravagant forms and spaces, but these structures also still have a significant degree of normality. The Tate Modern is a former power plant and for its extension -- the Switch House -- we opened up the subterranean tanks and integrated them into the museum as exhibition spaces. The heavy beams and the twisting walls were already there, so they seem much more natural than they would have if we had conjured them up with a computer. The same is true of the Elbphilharmonie. The futuristic glass structure is much more powerful, of course, because the old brick pedestal beneath provides a foundation. It's better than if it were just sitting on the street.

SPIEGEL: Mr. Herzog, we thank you for this interview.
From the outset the 2016 Borderway Agri-Expo event was also set to be a celebration of every side of agriculture, as befits a milestone event, which has, over the years, gone from strength to strength.

Representatives of all the major British Livestock Sheep and Cattle Breeds were in attendance, with their leading industry spokesmen and women, and livestock representing the best of their breeds.

In the Exhibition Hall and Show Rings, the competition to become one of Borderway Agri-Expos annual Champions was hotly contested amongst a record entry from over 800 exhibitors and over 900 head of livestock. As David Pritchard, Harrison & Hetheringtons Director of Operations, said:

 We are delighted that from its inception ten years ago, this event just continues to grow. Our livestock entries are not only drawn from the best in the British Isles, they are amongst the best in the world.

At the top of the winners list, it was a day for the ladies as both Supreme and Reserve champions were heifers.

The Overall Borderway Agri-Expo 2016 Champion was J-Lo, a Limousin X heifer from Gareth Corrie, Johnny Neal and Charles Bever, who together make up JCB Commercials based at Newtownards, Co Down, N.Ireland. Reserve Champion was 17 month old heifer Honey- Dime, a Charolais X Limousin, owned by Wilson Peters of Cuilt Farm House, Monzie, Perthshire bred by Carwood of Elgin.

J-Lo, out of a pedigree Limousin sire and a Limousin X British Blue dam, was a December 2014-born heifer, bought by the group. She was commercial champion at the Highland Show, and runner up Interbreed Commercial Champion at the Balmoral Show. Speaking afterwards, joint owner Gareth Corrie said:

This is almost unbelievable, and we are all over the moon to be heading back to Ireland tonight with such an accolade.

On being asked about his final choice, Judge, Jimmy Mulholland, said:

This was a very, very close competition and very difficult to choose, or differentiate. Basically, J-Lo never put a foot wrong all day that is why she is the much deserved Champion of the 2016 Borderway Agri- Expo. The Charolais is also a fantastic show animal, again very stylish and correct. The standard of livestock today has been second to none, all classes have been absolutely tremendous and the heifers have been quite exceptional, throughout. Judging has been a very, very hard job.

The young handlers in the cattle classes again drew great interest with the girls winning both the steer and heifer sections. 20 year old Georgina Laws from Leyburn lifted the steer handlers title and 17 year old Amy Wilson from Penrith secured the heifer handlers award.

In the National Calf Shows:

Beef Shorthorn Champion was John Elliot of Roxburgh Mains, Kelso with the heifer Elliot Echo 338. The reserve ticket was won by Thomson, Roddick & Laurie, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire with the young bull Shawhill Kenco.

Aberdeen Angus Champion was Donald Rankins Weeton Princess Chartreuse, of Kilmaluag House of Duntulm, Isle of Skye. Morpheus Rosebud, from Owen Tunney, Cuddington, Northwich, Cheshire, was reserve champion.

Hereford Overall Champion was Fardre 1 Ms Gwen, a heifer from J H Morgan, from Abergelly, with Reserve position going to Romany 1 Lucy-12, a heifer from JRB Wilson and Sons, of Cowbog Farm Kelso.

British Blue Overall Champion was Dylan Townends heifer Clifftown Lucky Star, from Quarry Farm Broughton, Nr Malton, N Yorks, with Reserve, Ian McGarvas young bull Abington Lionel from Abington, Biggar, Lanarkshire.

Simmental Champion Overall Champion was Denizes Hamish 16 a young bull shown by MA Barlow, Preston, Lancashire. Standing in reserve position was another young bull Storersmith Ghost Rider 15 from Mr & Mrs R & L Storer Smith, Uttoxeter, Staffs.

Baby Beef Champion was Queen Bee from Bowen and Bowen, a six month old Limousin cross heifer, and reserve champion, Ashley Bothwells Cheeky Charlie, a Charolais cross.
The shop clinched both the supreme and reserve supreme pie titles with its first prize-winning large and small pork pies - then repeated the feat in the sausage section with its speciality sausage and thick pork sausage class winners.

Bolster Moor Farm Shop, based at Harden Road Farm and run by Simon Haigh and his second cousin, Andrew Whitwam, has a real pedigree in the annual showcase, having won the supreme sausage category last year and the supreme pork pie title in both 2012 and 2013.

Bolster Moors supreme champion speciality sausage was made to a pork, chilli and cheddar recipe developed in-house. Judges awarded it a maximum 60 out of 60 marks and described it as the perfect sausage.

One of them, Glossop Q Guild butcher John Mettrick, a former president of the National Federation of Meat & Food Traders, enthused:

I have never tasted a speciality sausage as good as this one.

The shops reserve supreme champion thick pork sausage now qualifies for the 2017 national Champions of Champions sausage-making competition.

This years annual Confederation of Yorkshire Butchers Councils highlight, staged at the Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford, on Sunday, October 30, was open to all UK independent retail butchers, farm shops and bakers who make products on their own premises. It attracted close on 250 entries.
Silkeborg, 2016-11-02 14:14 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today Jyske Bank received the following announcement about a major shareholder:

Announcement about a change in a major shareholder's shareholding, cf. S.29 of the Danish Securities Trading, etc. Act

According to S.29 of the Danish Securities Trading, etc. Act, it is announced that on 2 November 2016 BRFholding A/S, business registration number (CVR) 13409730, Otto Mnsteds Gade 5, 1571 Copenhagen V, sold 950,400 shares of DKK 10, corresponding to 1% of the share capital of Jyske Bank A/S.

Following the sale, BRFholding A/S now holds 22,809,600 shares in Jyske Bank A/S of DKK 10, corresponding to 24% of the total share capital. As the shares are subject to voting-right restrictions, the sale does not affect the number of BRFholding A/S' voting rights. BRFFonden, business registration number (CVR) 60720428, Otto Mnsteds Gade 5, 1571 Copenhagen V, owns 100% of the share capital and the voting rights in BRFholding A/S.

This announcement about a major shareholder was also submitted to the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority."

Yours sincerely,

Jyske Bank

Please direct any questions relating to this announcement to Trine Lysholt Nrgaard, Director of Investor Relations, tel. +45 89 89 64 29.
The days top call of 5,800gns fell to a November, 2014, tri-coloured bitch, Llangwm Jen, from North Wales sheep farmer and dog trainer Sion Jones, who runs Cefn Eithin Sheep Dogs in Corwen.

Jan is by Norwegian breeder LK Flatens Billy, out of fellow Welsh breeder and leading triallist, Aled Owens Llangwm Chili. She is the best dog I have ever had, said Mr Jones, who was achieving his highest sale price ever.

Jan returned to Wales with a regular buyer at the venue, well-known handler and Welsh triallist Nigel Watkins, of Panthowell, Llanoldewsant, Llangadog, who said he would retain the dog as a promising trials prospect.

Brian White and Aoife Smith, a young Irish couple from Naul in North County Dublin, who sold five fully broken dogs for over 16,000gns in total at Skiptons May dog sale, returned with another two dogs and two bitches, and did extremely well again when netting a combined 15,120gns for their first-rate foursome .

First up at 5,700gns was the two-year-old tri-coloured dog Braehead Sid, by another renowned Sid, bred by Northern Ireland trialling legend, County Donegals James McGee, of Glencregg Sheepdogs in Creggan, Ballybofey.

Sid was also the father of Cap, who was sold at Skipton in May by County Donegals Padraig Doherty, of Ardagh Sheepdogs, for 14,100 guineas, a new world record price for a working sheep dog at an official sale.

The latest Sid, whose dam is Killiebrae Laddie, bred in Cumbria by Derek Scrimgeour, found a new home with an East Anglian-based working shepherd.

Soon after, Mr White made his second appearance on the trials field with Jill, a two-year-old red and white bitch bred in County Mayo. She is by Michael Hynes Knockmaa Jack, out of Meg, from farmer and 2016 Irish team member, Michael Hastings.

Jill found a new home on the west coast of Norway when sold for 4,500gns to sheep farmer, trainer and part-time wool handler, John Gerhard Haakull. She will be put to work on his small flock of Scottish Blackface sheep at Haugesund, between Bergen and Stavanger.

Next up was the 22-month-old tri-coloured bitch, Fly, by Aled Owens 2015 International champion, Cap, out of Welsh breeder Peter Blains Floss. Fly, who gave birth to eight pups in her first litter, joined a buyer from the Midlands at 2,700gns.

The fourth and youngest dog from the couple, who farm pedigree Simmental cattle and Texel-cross and Suffolk-cross ewes, again had impeccable breeding. The 14-month-old black and white Monty is by Irish team member and 2016 International finalist James McCloskeys Sweep, out of JH Herdmans Fly, whose own sire was Aled Owens former World Sheep Dog Trials champion, Roy. Their final entry made 2,200gns when finding a new home just across the border in Lancashire with Briercliffes Richard Westall.

Ireland was in the limelight again when James McClusky, of Carndonagh on the Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal, achieved 5,000gns with his November, 2013, black and white dog, Kinloch Kai, by Kevin Evans Jimmy, out of Angie Driscolls Kinloch Penny.

Kai is already proven on the trials field and since completing his nurseries in 2015 and 2016 has amassed 65 open points, rattling up five open wins and numerous other placings for Mr McCluskey, who competed in the 2016 Supreme and finished runner-up for the second time in this years Irish National. The dog, which achieved the vendors highest ever price at Skipton, was purchased anonymously on behalf of a North American buyer.

Welsh triallist Kevin Evans, of Penclyn Farm, Modrydd, Brecon, Powys, who regularly sells well at Skipton, was on the mark again when achieving 4,300gns with his December, 2013, bitch, Pen-y-Borough Fell (Nell), by Katy Croppers Zac, out of North Craven-based Shaun Richards Meg.

Nell fell to County Antrims Kieran McFadden, buying on behalf of fellow Country Antrim sheep farmer Seamus OKeane, of Carnlough, and will be put to work on his 2,000-strong Blue Faced Leicester and Mule flocks.

A second 4,300gns dog was the very last of the 100 broken dogs entered to take to the trials field. Bill, a two-year-old black and white dog from Irelands Robert McKee, of Kilkeel, County Down, is extremely well bred, being by former One Man and His Dog champion, John Maggins Irish team dog Mozz, out of H McKees Meg, herself a product of Tom Lawrensons Spot.

The buyer was Bob Wilden, a sheep farmer from Bramford, near Ipswich in Suffolk, and Bill will be put to work on his flock of pure-bred Lleyns.

Two dogs sold at 4,200gns. First up was the four-year-old tri-coloured bitch, Fly, from Irish breeder Colm Doherty, of Quigleys Point in County Donegal. The dog has already performed with great distinction on the trials field, including finishing fifth in the North of Ireland nursery final and also with two open wins to her credit.

Fly is fully Irish-bred by Mr Dohertys own multiple trials winner, Dan, a half brother to James McGees Becca, out of Padraig Dohertys Queen. The buyer was well-known Beltex sheep breeder Andrew John Wood, of Whittingham, Preston. He said: Its a cracking dog  I am well suited. I told it to sit and it was still there an hour later!

The second 4,200gns dog, another Welsh entry, was the March, 2014, black and white bitch, Pentwyncock Bonnie, from Brecons Sophie Holt, who has been handling dogs for ten years and who represented the Welsh team for the first time in this years International.

Bred in South Wales by Mike Hall (by his Tom out of Cass), Bonnie  she also claimed the highest price ever achieved by Sophie - has been used as a work dog on Welsh Hill Cheviots and will continue to prove her worth with her new owner, Scottish shepherd K Donald, of Dalrymple in Ayrshire.

Nigel Watkins, who described Skipton as the best sale there is to come for dogs - there is nothing like it, also went to 3,800gns to secure another well-bred almost fully broken ten-month-old black and white dog, Spot, on behalf of a customer in Wales. He was sold by another Irishman, J Hamilton, of Glenarm in County Antrim, and is by B McAllisters Spot, out of A McKeegans Meg.

Also selling well at 3,600gns was Skye, a three-year-old tri-coloured bitch from Colin Wilson, of Grange-over-Sands on Morecambe Bay. By AD Scrimgeours Mirk, out of ST Birketts Jess, Sky returned to Lancashire with N Brown, of Caton, Lancaster.
Michael Cummo / Hearst Connecticut Media

STAMFORD  A New York woman was arrested early Tuesday morning for throwing a wine bottle through a TV at a downtown hotel, police said.

The manager of the Sheraton Hotel on East Main Street noticed a drunken woman in the hallway and three people inside the room who also appeared intoxicated, Sgt. Robert Shawinsky said.
English Danish

FirstFarms A/S has today entered a conditional agreement about purchase of Dan-Farm Holding A/S. Dan-Farm Holding A/S owns 80 percent of the Hungarian company Dan-Farm Hungary Kft. The remaining 20 percent are owned by the I fund.

Dan-Farm Hungary Kft. has today 2,200 sows, and a yearly sale of approx. 70,000 piglets and approx. 5,000 slaughter pigs.

A due diligence process will be initiated, before the agreement becomes final.

The production in Dan-Farm Hungary Kft. is within driving distances, which can create significant synergies in proportion to FirstFarms A/S' production in Slovakia and in West Romania in regards to production and sale.

With this agreement, FirstFarms A/S gets pig production into the portfolio, and it is assessed to secure a larger risk spread and better earnings. At the same time, there is potential for expansion of the production in the future, both with further slaughter pigs and sows.

The purchase price is agreed to DKK 11 million for 100 percent of the shares in Dan-Farm Holding A/S. The purchase price is paid with issuance of new shares in FirstFarms A/S. The share price is fixed at 46.15 corresponding to fair value.

In connection with the purchase, FirstFarms A/S holds a direct placement towards the shareholders in Dan-Farm Holding A/S, who subscribe convertible bonds for DKK 13.2 million. The proceeds will be used to repay loans from the shareholders in Dan-Farm Holding A/S. In connection with issuance of new convertible bonds, the conversion price is fixed at 46.15 in accordance to the authorisation and the terms for the convertible bonds, which is attached to this company announcement. The bonds are not included in the prospectus rules and are not traded on a regulated market.

The purchase of Dan-Farm Holding A/S is expected to influence FirstFarms A/S' result positively by DKK 5 million before tax from 2017 and no significant influence in 2016.

FirstFarms A/S' negotiations with AP Pension regarding land and buildings in Romania are still in progress in a positive dialogue, and it is expected that the final agreement can be ready before the end of the year.

Best regards,

FirstFarms A/S
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Temporary Emergency Committee of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service ("TEC") will meet Nov. 15 in open session at Postal Service headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC. The public is welcome to observe the meeting beginning at 10 a.m. EST in the Ben Franklin Room on the 11th floor. The TEC is expected to discuss the following items:



1. Call to order and remarks of the Chairman of the Board

2. Remarks of the Postmaster General and CEO

3. Approval of previous minutes

4. Committee Reports

5. FY2016 10K and Financial Statements

6. FY2017 IFP and Financing Resolution

7. FY2018 Appropriations Request

8. Quarterly Service Performance Report

9. Approval of Annual Report and Comprehensive Statement

10. Draft Agenda for the teleconference tentatively scheduled for Dec. 1

11. Appointment of the Chairman of the TEC

12. Adjourn

Open session meetings of the TEC of the Board of Governors are available on live audio webcasts at http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/bog/welcome.htm. Three hours after the conclusion of the open session meeting, a recorded audio file will be available for listening. In compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the audio webcast will be open-captioned.



Financial Briefing

Following the TEC's open meeting on Nov. 15, Postmaster General & CEO Megan J. Brennan and Chief Financial Officer Joe Corbett will host a telephone/web conference call to discuss the financial results in more detail. The call will begin at 1 p.m. EST and is open to the news media and all other interested parties.



How to Participate:

Important Notice: To ensure your computer is set up to join the event, click on the link www.webex.com/lp/jointest/



US/Canada Attendee Dial-in: (855) 293-5496

Conference ID: 8695123



Attendee Direct URL:

https://usps.webex.com/usps/onstage/g.php?MTID=e82366e535f1f244da103139ceaa7ffd8



If you cannot join using the direct link above, please use the alternate logins below:

Alternate URL: https://usps.webex.com

Event Number: 990 313 930



The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.



Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm. A complete list of the holiday shipping deadlines and information can be found at about.usps.com/holidaynews.



For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf. Follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/usps), Instagram (instagram.com/uspostalservice), Pinterest (pinterest.com/uspsstamps), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/usps), subscribe to our channel on YouTube (youtube.com/usps), like us on Facebook (facebook.com/usps) and view our Postal Posts blog (uspsblog.com).



For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.
A ir travel to and from France is back to the level it was before the Paris terror attacks last November, easyJet boss Carolyn McCall said today.

But turbulence caused by Brexit is a cause of concern to the airline. McCall said in an interview with French daily newspaper Les Echos that easyJet is making plans for a hard Brexit.

We cannot wait until 2019, when exiting the EU will take effect. Its why weve been working for around a year on an alternative in case freedom of movement was no longer assured, she added.

The cost to shareholders is hard to measure, but will be manageable, McCall said.

The cost, which will not be significant to a company of easyJets scale, depends on the type of deal and the number of planes that will be based in the country in question.

EasyJet is bringing two Airbus A320 aircraft into service, taking its France-based fleet to 30.

The second-biggest operator in the country after Air France KLM said business is back to normal.

The Paris and Nice attacks sent demand sharply lower at first, but when you stimulate that demand by cutting prices, which is what we have done, that [demand] recovers quickly, McCall said.

EasyJet, often seen as a likely buyer for airlines in distress, is rumoured to have considered bids for rivals.

McCall added that, while the airline industry still suffers from overcapacity and the airline would seize good acquisition opportunities should they present themselves, its focus remains organic growth.
N exts relentless success since the start of the Noughties has inversely reflected M&Ss decline like a changing-room mirror.

Even in latter years, when both their ranges have felt dowdy and slow compared with Zara, Primark and H&M, Lord Wolfsons crew have kept buoyant thanks to a reputation for low prices and okay quality. The same cant be said for poor old Markss fashions.

So, when Next admits its suffering, you have to be seriously worried for M&S, whose sales typically lag its rivals by 2% to 3%.

Not only has Wolfson today lowered his sales projections  albeit only slightly  but hes also admitted Nexts once-miraculous Directory online business has juddered to an absolute halt.

His explanation for both the poor High Street and Directory performances is the same: odd weather, and people spending their hard-earned on stuff other than clothes.

Restaurants, apps, music, going out  all have a bigger tug on shoppers wallets these days. And thats before the likely Brexit slowdown bites.

M&S is moved by identical forces, yet does not have Wolfsons super-keen abilities to keep costs lean.

Note how, despite sales projections slipping, Nexts profit forecasts remained intact today.

Looking ahead to Brexit, Next is sticking to its guidance that it will pass on price rises of 5% on its Spring-Summer ranges because of the pounds devaluation.

Again, M&S can only be facing the same pressures, yet in its case, new boss Steve Rowe is committed to pushing through lower prices in his stores. The resulting squeeze on M&S profits has to be a worry.

If youre brave enough to invest in either in these tough times, Next has to be your pick.

Sober truth on beer

Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin, never a man to walk past a soapbox, is at it again.

This time, the Brexiteer is slagging off hectoring and bullying Continental leaders for suggesting there should be a price for Britain to leave the European Union.

Martin, who temporarily barred Heineken beers from all his pubs over a price fight in Ireland, would clearly never dream of such posturing.

In his latest assault, he threatens to stop buying from continental suppliers, and even raises the prospect of a consumer boycott of French wine, German beer and those weird Swedish ciders.

In my book, a mass shift to British booze would be a wonderful thing.

Our home-grown microbreweries and old-school majors such as Fullers and Greene King make far better stuff than the tasteless junk from Continental megabrewers.

For once, Martin and I are supping at the same bar.
T he bears were licking their lips today as online takeaway company Just Eat revealed that order growth was still slowing.

The FTSE 250 business said order growth slowed in the UK to 28% from 50% a year ago  good news for the short-sellers which are betting against the company.

Almost 5% of Just Eats shares are out on loan to hedge funds including Marshall Wace and Citadel which are hoping to cash in on a share price decline  wagers worth close to 200 million.

The shares were off 15p, or 2.7%, at 546p. Some traders suggested this was because investors were taking profits after last weeks share-price surge but others blamed slowing order growth.

The fall came despite the company nudging up its full-year underlying profit guidance to between 109 million and 111 million and revenue forecast to 371 million as it fared well despite warmer-than-usual weather.

With less than a week to go until the US election, investors were in no mood to take risks and the FTSE 100 slid 27.63 points to 6889.51.

CMC Markets analyst Jasper Lawler said: Election concerns have washed across from the Atlantic, sending European shares lower.

EasyJet, the FTSE 100s second-worst performer this year, improved 28.5p, or 3%, to 969p as HSBC decided it has taken enough of a battering and upgraded the airline from Reduce to Buy.

Dublin-based packaging group Smurfit Kappa  up 73p, or 4.2%, to 1833p  was another to avoid the sell-off after beating analysts forecasts in its third-quarter results.

Clipper Logistics shares were 5p higher at 323p after the delivery firm confirmed a deal to roll out its click-and-collect joint venture with John Lewis to other High Street retailers.

Shares in Sirius Minerals, one of the years best-performing stocks, slumped 4.08p, or 11%, to 32.92p after it unveiled a huge funding deal to build its potash mine for fertiliser on the North York Moors National Park.

Stage one of its financing includes a discounted placing and open offer for 330 million to 400 million and an underwritten bond offer to raise between 326 million and 367 million, after a 245 million royalty deal with Australian billionaire Gina Rineharts Hancock Prospecting last week.

Finally, a rising share price is not normally seen as a bad thing, but that is one of the reasons profits this year at Caledonia Mining, off 10.5p at 122p, will be below analyst forecasts.

The Zimbabwe gold miner said the surge this year had caused share-based expenses to soar.
R olls-Royce chief executive Warren East turned the ignition key on his management overhaul today by appointing a new face to run its 2 billion engine unit in Germany.

Andreas Schell, vice-president of US-based airplane-parts supplier UTC Aerospace, will replace Ulrich Dohle as head of Power Systems, Rolls-Royces second-largest division after aerospace. Dohle, 63, is retiring.

Schell will join in January and be based in Germany. He inherits a division with an order book worth 1.9 billion and a strong industrial history.

Power Systems owns MTU, which originally made engines for Zeppelin aircrafts and now powers Royal Navy combat ships.

The appointment is the latest move in Easts turnaround since he took charge 16 months ago.

He has already hired former HS2 boss Simon Kirby to be chief operating officer, and Stephen Daintith, finance head at Daily Mail and General Trust.

In January, East unveiled plans to simplify the businesss structure by shrinking the number of divisions. Power Systems originally came within the Land & Sea division which has now been abolished.

A tumbling order book and fraud probe by UK authorities had taken the gleam off the British engineering giant but East has gone some way to restoring its fortunes, with shares up 25% since the year started.

A BBC investigation this week claimed Rolls was involved in corruption to land contracts.
C ommodities trader Trailstone has stepped into the shoes of Dan Wagners bust tech firm Powa Technologies by snapping up some of its space in the Salesforce Tower, the Standard understands.

Industry sources say the company  set up by former top brass at Deutsche Bank when the German bank pulled out of commodity dealing  is taking one of the two floors left vacant by the collapse of Powa.

Trailstone, which already occupied a smaller floor in the skyscraper, is understood to be paying 90 per square foot to rent the 12,600 square foot 35th floor. The deal leaves only the 34th floor available at 110 Bishopsgate, also known as Heron Tower.

The building was developed by property giant Gerald Ronsons Heron International but initially struggled to attract tenants as the City floundered in the aftermath of the financial crash.

Wagners Powa was one of the tenants who originally complained in a row over a bid to formally rename the building the Salesforce Tower two years ago after the US giant took space.

The City Corporations planning and transportation committee compromised, officially designating it 110 Bishopsgate but recognising that the informal Salesforce Tower moniker was already in use.
T im Martin, the Brexiteer chairman of JD Wetherspoon, on Wednesday issued a stern warning that a bullying approach by EU politicians could see his pub chain switch suppliers.

Martin, who donated 200,000 to the Leave campaign, raised the prospect that his firm would buy less from European brewers if it is unable to agree on tariff-free transactions.

He laid into German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.

He said they are putting European businesses at risk with their attitude that the UK must pay a price for voting to leave the EU in the June referendum.

Martin told the Evening Standard: It is being depicted that UK companies and consumers will be in trouble if tariffs are imposed.

But the opposite is the case, because we can switch to more UK suppliers and drinks makers in countries where we can arrange free trade deals, including in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

The pub giant saw a 3.5% rise in sales at pubs open for more than a year in the 13 weeks to October 23, helped by Britains Indian summer.

The figure fell to 2.3% for the last five weeks of the period.

JD Wetherspoon added that it expects to be hit by higher costs in wages, business rates and repairs, with the level of investment in existing pubs rising from 34 million last year to 60 million.

The company also said that its plans for this year include opening 15 more establishments.

Shares dropped 38p to 850p.
Review at a glance









W hen Im Classical Music Commissar, Ill impose a moratorium on Shakespeare-related music: in this Shakespeare 400 year, weve had quite enough bardolatry. Yet Shakespeare pieces keep coming. The latest is Brett Deans From Melodious Lay (A Hamlet Diffraction), premiered last night by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Joshua Weilerstein.

There were moments of humour  words repeated like a stuck record, cooking foil shaken by the violinists  but they only added to the feeling of unease created by Deans dense orchestral undergrowth. The texts are from Hamlet, but shuffled and fragmented so that narrative sense is shattered. Allison Bell and Allan Clayton sang with sovereign clarity. Next summer, Clayton takes the title role in Glyndebournes premiere of Deans opera Hamlet; this was an enticing trailer.

The Renaissance composer Carlo Gesualdo is better known for murder than for music. American composer Joseph Hallmans Gesualdo suite ricordi decompositi (decomposed memories), here receiving its UK premiere, hinted at dark deeds without needing to be specific. Its euphonious, occasionally Renaissance-like shards of melody drifted in and out of focus, while the orchestral players whispered mutterings never quite coalesced into verbal meaning. Without suggesting great individuality, the suite successfully created an atmosphere of sombre foreboding.

Weilerstein closed with Rachmaninovs Symphonic Dances, a performance that was bracing and sometimes brash. Rachmaninovs use of saxophone and piano gave the piece a touch of big  very big  band swagger, while its wide-screen panoramas offered the occasional hint of Hollywood.

Arts picks of the week: 31st October - 6th November 1 /10 Arts picks of the week: 31st October - 6th November War Poems; the dead returning lightly to dance Poems on the Underground give you lovely things to read when youre on your smelly commute. Now they are holding an evening of First World War poetry set to music at the London Museum of Transport. University of Sussex professor Dr Evelyn Ficarra has included the words of Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, and European and Russian poets, and the music will be performed by the Apollo Chamber Orchestra.



November 2, London Transport Museum; ltmuseum.co.uk King Lear One of the biggest casting coups of the year has been to get Glenda Jackson back on stage to take on the role of King Lear at the Old Vic. She stood down as an MP at the last election, and now is sure to offer a Lear that will go down in legend. With Jane Horrocks, Celia Imrie, Rhys Ifans and Harry Melling also in the cast, shes in great company.



October 25 - December 3, Old Vic Theatre; oldvictheatre.com V&A Revolution weekender The V&A is hosting a bit of a knees-up this weekend to celebrate their exhibition You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966-70. From Friday to Sunday, it will be all about peace and love, with a stage adaptation of John Lennons first book, as well as the culmination of a project where 12 young people were mentored by Skepta.



November 4-6, V&A Museum; vam.ac.uk Imperial War Museum's Real to Reel Movie Nights If youve loved the Imperial War Museums Real to Reel, a celebration of war films throughout history, their film nights will be a dream evening for you. This week you can watch some of the best war films after hours in the museums beautiful atrium. Showing from Wednesday, you can catch Atonement, Casablanca and Full Metal Jacket.



November 2-4, Imperial War Museum; iwm.org.uk London Stories: Made By Migrants Londons a busy place, but did you ever stop to wonder about the journeys of the people who ended up here? Battersea Arts Centres new storytelling festival gives audiences a chance to explore the building and hear true stories from migrants themselves.



November 4 - 26, Battersea Arts Centre; bac.org.uk London Musical Theatre Orchestra Freddie Tapner is only 26 and hes already founded the London Musical Theatre Orchestra - nice work. He brings full orchestral scores to theatre loving audiences, opening up the artform to the ears you dont often find in concert halls. This Sunday, the orchestra will perform Rodgers and Hammersteins State Fair, which is the first time the fully orchestrated score will have been performed in London.



November 6, Cadogan Hall; lmto.org Holy Smoke Not really up for standing in a field with loud bangs and the smell of burning this weekend? Theres a show at the Southbank Centre called Holy Smoke, which promises to offer a vivid landscape of image and colour, and even includes a shamanic practitioner as part of its creative team.



November 4-5, Southbank Centre; southbankcentre.co.uk Hair by Sam McKnight Youll be running straight to the salon shouting Sam McKnight! after you go to this exhibition at Somerset House. Celebrating the legendary hairstylist who has looked after the lock of Princess Diana and Madonna, its a reminder that he helped create some of the most iconic images in popular culture.



November 2 - March 12, Somerset House; somerset.org.uk Trainspotting This immersive production of the classic Irvine Welsh novel promises to no-holds-barred. Will one of the cast find themselves stuck in the depths of a toilet bowl? Either way, its a classic, and it can now be seen at The Vaults, a great setting for the this cult 90s hit.



November 3 - January 15, The Vaults; thevaults.london Steve Reich turns 80 Steve Reich, minimalist auteur, is turning 80 this weekend, and the Barbican are throwing some celebrations. Some of Reichs landmark works will be performed in concert, and there will be a discussion about the impact his sound has made. Some of the events are already sold out but theres still a chance to nab tickets.



November 5-6, Barbican Centre; barbican.org.uk

Visit standard.co.uk/arts for the latest news and reviews from Londons arts scene.

Follow Going Out on Facebook and Twitter @ESGoingOut
J immy Page came face to face with one of his early artistic inspirations when he welcomed one of 19th-century English paintings most famous portraits home.

The Led Zeppelin guitarist  and avid art collector  was at Leighton House Museum in Kensington when Flaming June was installed for a show dedicated to its creator Frederic, Lord Leighton.

The aristocratic artist painted the work, and four others, at what was then his home before submitting them for the 1895 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition shortly before his death in 1896.

Flaming June, which shows an unknown woman sleeping, was bought by a gallery in Puerto Rico after failing to sell at auction in the Sixties. At the time, Victorian art was deeply unfashionable. The other four paintings have been borrowed from private collectors and galleries around the world to be reunited for the first time since they were created.

Arts picks of the week: 31st October - 6th November 1 /10 Arts picks of the week: 31st October - 6th November War Poems; the dead returning lightly to dance Poems on the Underground give you lovely things to read when youre on your smelly commute. Now they are holding an evening of First World War poetry set to music at the London Museum of Transport. University of Sussex professor Dr Evelyn Ficarra has included the words of Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, and European and Russian poets, and the music will be performed by the Apollo Chamber Orchestra.



November 2, London Transport Museum; ltmuseum.co.uk King Lear One of the biggest casting coups of the year has been to get Glenda Jackson back on stage to take on the role of King Lear at the Old Vic. She stood down as an MP at the last election, and now is sure to offer a Lear that will go down in legend. With Jane Horrocks, Celia Imrie, Rhys Ifans and Harry Melling also in the cast, shes in great company.



October 25 - December 3, Old Vic Theatre; oldvictheatre.com V&A Revolution weekender The V&A is hosting a bit of a knees-up this weekend to celebrate their exhibition You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966-70. From Friday to Sunday, it will be all about peace and love, with a stage adaptation of John Lennons first book, as well as the culmination of a project where 12 young people were mentored by Skepta.



November 4-6, V&A Museum; vam.ac.uk Imperial War Museum's Real to Reel Movie Nights If youve loved the Imperial War Museums Real to Reel, a celebration of war films throughout history, their film nights will be a dream evening for you. This week you can watch some of the best war films after hours in the museums beautiful atrium. Showing from Wednesday, you can catch Atonement, Casablanca and Full Metal Jacket.



November 2-4, Imperial War Museum; iwm.org.uk London Stories: Made By Migrants Londons a busy place, but did you ever stop to wonder about the journeys of the people who ended up here? Battersea Arts Centres new storytelling festival gives audiences a chance to explore the building and hear true stories from migrants themselves.



November 4 - 26, Battersea Arts Centre; bac.org.uk London Musical Theatre Orchestra Freddie Tapner is only 26 and hes already founded the London Musical Theatre Orchestra - nice work. He brings full orchestral scores to theatre loving audiences, opening up the artform to the ears you dont often find in concert halls. This Sunday, the orchestra will perform Rodgers and Hammersteins State Fair, which is the first time the fully orchestrated score will have been performed in London.



November 6, Cadogan Hall; lmto.org Holy Smoke Not really up for standing in a field with loud bangs and the smell of burning this weekend? Theres a show at the Southbank Centre called Holy Smoke, which promises to offer a vivid landscape of image and colour, and even includes a shamanic practitioner as part of its creative team.



November 4-5, Southbank Centre; southbankcentre.co.uk Hair by Sam McKnight Youll be running straight to the salon shouting Sam McKnight! after you go to this exhibition at Somerset House. Celebrating the legendary hairstylist who has looked after the lock of Princess Diana and Madonna, its a reminder that he helped create some of the most iconic images in popular culture.



November 2 - March 12, Somerset House; somerset.org.uk Trainspotting This immersive production of the classic Irvine Welsh novel promises to no-holds-barred. Will one of the cast find themselves stuck in the depths of a toilet bowl? Either way, its a classic, and it can now be seen at The Vaults, a great setting for the this cult 90s hit.



November 3 - January 15, The Vaults; thevaults.london Steve Reich turns 80 Steve Reich, minimalist auteur, is turning 80 this weekend, and the Barbican are throwing some celebrations. Some of Reichs landmark works will be performed in concert, and there will be a discussion about the impact his sound has made. Some of the events are already sold out but theres still a chance to nab tickets.



November 5-6, Barbican Centre; barbican.org.uk

Page, 72, said: To be able to see it close up and really appreciate what it is and see it in Leighton House, where it was painted, well its quite a day.

I connected with Pre-Raphaelite art in my early teens when I realised that there was a movement and a brotherhood. I was at art college for a period of time ... but oil painting, things that I wanted to do, were avoided so I admired the techniques of the Pre-Raphaelites from afar.

Flaming June: The Making Of An Icon, opens on Friday and runs until April 2.

Visit standard.co.uk/arts for the latest news and reviews from Londons arts scene.

Follow Going Out on Facebook and Twitter @ESGoingOut
T he act of sending an email is second nature. In a hyper-synced world we are far too busy agonising over the content of our messages to spend time on the mundane, such as which account were using or even the device were sending it from. But its these seemingly innocuous mechanisms that can lead to disaster.

For Hillary Clintons aide Huma Abedin, the disaster in question is potentially catastrophic. Using the family laptop for work may have cost her friend and boss a clear run at the presidency and handed Donald Trump the keys to the White House, not to mention the nuclear codes.

Federal investigators looking into Abedins estranged husbands emails to an underage girl found messages from Clinton that they must now also examine. Abedin didnt realise that the laptop used by her husband, the pertinently named Anthony Weiner, was synced up to her work emails. As Abedin has learned, no matter how much you love someone, some things are not for sharing.

Open accounts are riven with potential pitfalls. Take Woman A. She recently received a text from Airbnb telling her Sabine in Copenhagen was delighted to accept her request to book a room for a romantic break. This was news to Woman A, who was planning to spend that weekend painting her kitchen in Haringey while her partner was on a business trip. He had been so preoccupied with lying to her about his extra-curricular shagging that he didnt log out of their shared Airbnb account.

Even if you are doing something innocent its easy to reveal more than you intend. One south Londoner had been passing tedious commutes with her Kindle, deeply engrossed in a novel about a steamy affair. Then she received an upset call from her boyfriend. He had opened his app and been alerted to numerous new highlighted passages, all about the tragedy of being trapped in a loveless relationship. No matter how many times she told him shed only wanted to remember how elegant the writers syntax was he still smarted. Dont link accounts with your parents for the same reasons.

Hillary Clinton v Donald Trump: US Presidential Election 1 /93 Hillary Clinton v Donald Trump: US Presidential Election Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump votes at PS 59 in New York Carlo Allegri/Reuters U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton fills out her ballot at the Douglas Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua, New York Brian Snyder/Reuters Topless protestors cause commotion at the site where Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is scheduled to work at PS 59 located at 233 East 56th Street in Manhattan NY Daily News via Getty Images Republician presidential nominee Donald Trump arrives at a polling station in New York to cast his ballot in the presidential election Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton arrives to vote in the U.S. presidential election at Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua, New York Mike Segar/Reuters A voter looks at a sample ballot as he waits in line at a polling location in Kansas City, Missouri. Whitney Curtis/Getty Images Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton cookies are on sale at the Oakmont Bakery in Oakmont, Pennsylvania Jeff Swensen/Getty Images Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and her husband former President Bill Clinton, leave their polling place in Chappaqua Seth Wenig/AP lay Smith is the first voter to cast the ballot in the US presidential election, in the small village of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire Herb Swanson/EPA Poll workers look on as US President Barack Obama gestures towards the press as he votes early at the Cook County Office Building in Chicago, Illinois Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at the University of New Hampshire in Durham Elise Amendola/AP Donald Trump takes a break from speaking to compare his face to a mask during a rally at the Sarasota Fairgrounds in Sarasota, Florida Loren Elliott/The Tampa Bay Times via AP Lady Gaga speaks during a campaign rally for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in Raleigh Gerry Broome/AP Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and husband, former President Bill Clinton take the stage during a campaign rally in Raleigh Gerry Broome/AP Madonna sings a song as she campaigns for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during a surprise performance at Washington Square Park in New York Matt Rourke/AP Musician Bruce Springsteen performs at an election eve rally for Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Spencer Platt/Getty Images Supporters hold signs and a copy of the Bible during a rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Manchester Charles Krupa/AP Republican vice presidential candidate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, speaks to a campaign rally before the arrival of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Manchester Bill Sikes/AP Jon Bon Jovi and Lady Gaga perform during a campaign rally for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in Raleigh Gerry Broome/AP Musician Jon Bon Jovi performs at an election eve rally for Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on November in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Spencer Platt/Getty Images Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton boards her plane at Philadelphia International Airport Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Part of a Nov. 6, 2016, letter from FBI director James Comey to Congress is photographed in Washington. Comey tells Congress that a review of new Hillary Clinton emails has "not changed our conclusions" from earlier this year that she should not face charges Jon Elswick/AP Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump cheer during a campaign rally in Leesburg Evan Vucci/AP Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump attends a campaign rally in Detroit, Michigan Carlo Allegri/Reuters NBA basketball player Lebron James introduces U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during a campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio Carlo Allegri/Reuters A member of the audience holds a sign during a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Sterling Heights, , Michigan Paul Sancya/AP President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign rally for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in Kissimmee. Florida John Raoux/AP Secret Service agents rush Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump off the stage during a campaign rally in Reno John Locher/AP Hillary Clinton smiles holding a mask onboard her campaign plane on Halloween Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images Supporters of Donald Trump pose with a Hillary Clinton character during a campaign rally at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas John Gurzinski/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump holds a rainbow flag given to him by supporter Max Nowak during a campaign rally at the Bank of Colorado Arena on the campus of University of Northern Colorado Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign event at The Manor Complex in Wilton Manors, Florida Getty Images A Donald Trump supporter's pet bulldog is decked out in campaign stickers Jason Connoll/ AFP/Getty Images Hillary Clinton joins Jennifer Lopez at a campaign concert in Miami, Florida Brian Snyder/Reuters A Donald Trump mural covering a building in Miami, Florida Rhona WiseAFP/Getty Images Hillary Clinton, accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama, greet supporters during a campaign rally in Winston-Salem Chuck Burton/AP A crowd gathers to watch as Donald Trump's vandalised star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is cleaned up Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images Hillary Clinton delivers birthday cake to reporters on her campaign plane Justin Sullivan/Getty Images A Donald Trump look-a-like walks with bikini-clad women in Times Square. The stunt was organized by artist Alison Jackson Drew Angerer/Getty Images Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump hugs a the American flag as he arrives to speak to a campaign rally in Tampa Evan Vucci/AP Katy Perry speaks at a rally in support of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in Las Vegas AP Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton waves to a member of the audience as she 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 Mike Blake/Reuters NFL fans wear Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton masks during a game between the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals Norm Hall/Getty Images Donald Trump holds a child onstage during a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Hillary Clinton (Kate McKinnon) and Donald Trump (Alec Baldwin) take on the 'Town Hall Debate Cold Open' on SNL Saturday Night Live Hillary Clinton chats to Ellen DeGeneres during a commercial break during the filming of the Ellen Show Brenan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images A Donald Trump themed fortune telling machine stands on the street in Columbus Circle in New YorK Lucas Jackson/Reuters Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump kisses a "Women for Trump" placard during a rally at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump during the town hall debate at Washington University Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Kevin Lake of Jefferson, Iowa, wears a wall outfit in honour of Donald Trump's pledge to build a wall along the Mexico border Scott Morgan/Reuters Donald Trump holds two-year-old Hunter Tirpak, who is dressed as Trump, during a rally at Mohegan Sun Arena Christopher Dolan/The Citizensi Voice via AP Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump during the town hall debate at Washington University Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images Ken Bone found himself going viral after his attention-grabbing question during the town hall debate at Washington University Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Donald Trump's daughters-in-law Lara Trump and Vanessa Trump and daughter Tiffany Trump Scott Olson/Getty Images Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump leave the stage after the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images Melania (L) and Ivanka (C) Trump sit next to Republican vice presidential nominee Governor Mike Pence ahead of the first debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton Joe Raedle/Pool/Reuters Hillary Clinton shakes hands with husband and former U.S. President Bill Clinton after the first Presidential Debate Joe Raedle/Getty Images Donald Trump with wife Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr.'s wife Vanessa Trump, Eric Trumps wife Lara Yunaska, and Eric Trump Paul J. Richards/AFP US actresses Lena Dunham and America Ferrera speak at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia Peter Foley/EPA Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live Saturday Night Live Hillary Clinton attempts to open a pickle jar on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Andy Holmes/ABC Donald Trump greets supporters at a rally at Ladd-Peebles Stadium Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images Denis Leary and James Corden on The Late Late Show CBS Donald Trump reacts to the cries of three-month-old Kellen Campbell, of Denver, right, while holding six-month-old Evelyn Keane, of Castel Rock, Colorado Joe Mahoney/Getty Images Bill Clintonon on the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Mike Segar/Reuters Alicia Keys performs at he Democratic National Convention Shawn Thew/EPA Meryl Streep at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center Alex Wong/Getty Images Donald Trump hugs his daughter Ivanka Trump at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Sarah Palin endorses Donald Trump's run for the Republican presidential nomination Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images Donald Trump during a campaign stop on the campus of the University of Central Florida Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Being share-aware extends to naming accounts. This is a high-risk area. Man A still blushes when he remembers the time he generously let his flatmate catch up with Stranger Things on his Netflix account, forgetting that his girlfriend had changed his account name to DJ Furry Babykins. That was two months ago  and the furry DJ says he has yet to recover his dignity.

The same goes for email addresses. You might appear to be a trustworthy, intelligent team member who is ripe for promotion but if your boss receives an email from your jokey personal account gossip_queen69@aol.com it could jeopardise all your hard work.

Woman X recently scored an own goal. She sent her partner a screenshot of the holiday cabin she wanted them to rent over Christmas, forgetting that shed also been Googling how to make sex less boring and left the tab open. No one came out of it well.

This is why pro Mumsnetters advocate private browsing. YANBU (you are not being unreasonable, for the uninitiated to Mumsnetese) for protecting your darling husband from what youve been crowdsourcing opinion on. Users also baulk at the idea of opening up their computers to the family.

Technology means theres little room for lies. Its no good promising your life partner that youre holding out so that you can watch the latest instalment of Narcos together if she then opens the laptop to find the last three episodes in the helpful Recently Watched section.

Ideally you wont have anything to hide  but if thats unrealistic its time to put your computer on lockdown.

Follow Susannah Butter on Twitter: @susannahbutter
NEW YORK, Nov. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nicholas Lange, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, has been selected to join the Education Board at the American Health Council. He will be sharing his knowledge and expertise in the areas of Biostatistics, Brain Imaging, and Autism Research.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dab56ef2-6a2d-4d19-a802-b4e01dfd3ab3

Dr. Langes continuing contributions to science over more than 30 years have been in the development and application of novel methodology for longitudinal and clustered data to investigate typical and atypical human and non-human brain development in psychotic disorders, spatial patterns of brain cells, and brain-behavior associations in autism.

Dr. Nicholas Lange, also a Biostatistician at McLean Hospital, has led and continues to lead multi-disciplinary teams of biostatisticians and other scientists that have made, and will continue to make, significant gains in the basic, translational, and clinical science of the developing human brain. McLean Hospital is the largest psychiatric affiliate of Harvard Medical School and a leader in scientific medical research and medical education.

Inspired by his early work with both children and adults with autism, Dr. Lange redirected his research program in the psychotic disorders to conduct various research studies of people on the autism spectrum. It is his continuing desire to foster high-quality biostatistical thinking, methods, and practice to further our understanding of the diagnosis, treatment, course, and outcome in autism and other mental disorders, with the overarching goal of improving the lives of individuals with mental illnesses and changing policy to increase funding from local, state, national, and international governments, institutions, private foundations, and private donations.

Dr. Lange regularly conducts multisite studies of brain development and concomitant psychophysical correlates in autism and searches for clinically relevant candidate intermediate phenotypes of the disorder. He has conducted a clinical trial of two early intervention programs in autism and an incipient clinical trial of ECT treatment for the elderly with major cognitive deficits and extreme anxiety.

Dr. Lange credits his success to his vision, persistence, hard work, and mentors who have taught and helped inspire him to reach his personal and professional goals. He is honored to have contributed to scientific knowledge regarding biology-based identification of those individuals who have been diagnosed with autism. Dr. Lange has been published in many theoretical and applied statistics and medical journals, opinion pieces (as in Nature on Imaging Autism), and a variety of editorials.

His goals over the next five years include making major discoveries in brain-mind-behavior associations and causes in autism that significantly increase clinical utility and effectiveness for the individual with autism.

Dr. Langes many awards and honors include the Robert B. Reed Prize for Outstanding Scholarship, Harvard Biostatistics; Invited Article of the Year, Journal of the American Statistical Association; Invited Paper, Royal Statistical Society in (London), the first article on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) published in the statistical literature; and Certificate of Service and Appreciation, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He was appointed to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Scientific Advisory Panel to evaluate the sites chosen for their nationwide early autism research network. Dr. Lange has also been included in the Marquis Whos Who in Science and Engineering and the Marquis Whos Who in America.

He is a member of the International Society for Autism Research. He also works with Autism Speaks and the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Lange received his MS in Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1981 and his PhD in Biostatistics from the Harvard University School of Public Health in 1986.

Dr. Nicholas Langes greatest personal achievement has been raising his children Sarah and Nick. He finds great joy in spending time with them and his four adorable granddaughters - Ella, Adeline, Isabel, and Meghan  and his amiguita Margarita. In his free time, Dr. Lange enjoys playing classical and rock guitar, traveling, learning more Spanish, philosophy and the philosophy of statistics, and early practice of Eastern Christianity.
I ts April 1950 and the worlds top car industry professionals, journalists and sales people have gathered at the New York Motor Show to experience the very latest offerings from the major carmakers. It was a particularly important moment for Aston Martin Lagonda, recently acquired by David Brown, who would give his name to the now legendary DB series of grand tourers.

The scarcity of steel in the UK meant Aston was obliged to sell into foreign markets, but the firm need not have been worried, the DB2 was a success in both America and the UK, although the limitations of hand-crafting the car in its small factory meant only 411 cars were produced. Since then, the DB series has spawned some of the most memorable cars ever built, including the Silver Birch Aston Martin DB5 used in the James Bond franchise. Its a lot to live up to for any car designer tasked with developing the latest iteration in this iconic series.

Aston Martins current Director of Design was yet to be born when the first DB5s took to the streets of Britain in 1963. Marek Reichman arrived into a family of petrolheads in 1966, where the automotive interests of his brother and father inevitably influenced his future career direction.

I didnt really have a choice but to go into this industry, Marek tells me, we were always talking about cars at home. We would go on holidays where, as this was a time when you didnt have seatbelts, I would stand up on the transmission tunnel while my brother egged my dad on to go faster and faster. You just would not do that nowadays, but that petrol injection was there from a very early age.

Image: Aston Martin Lagonda Limited

Marek would later earn an Honours degree in Industrial Design before studying Vehicle Design at the Royal College of Art in London. His career in the auto-industry has featured wide-ranging portfolios at some of the biggest carmakers. Starting at Rover Cars in 1991, Marek went on to work as Senior Designer at BMW Designworks in California, and as Director of Design for Product, Interior Design Strategy and Process at Ford Motors. Hes had a hand in the 2003 Range Rover, the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Lincoln MKX.

10 classic Aston Martins from motoring history 1 /13 10 classic Aston Martins from motoring history Aston Martin Ulster Produced between 1934 and 1935, the Ulster is an exceptionally rare car, named after Northern Irelands Ulster TT race. One of the Ulsters sold at Bonhams for 3 million last year, smashing estimates of between 1.6 and 2.2 million. Dave_7 Aston Martin DB5 The Silver Birch DB5 shot to fame in 1964 with the Bond film, Goldfinger, and has remained one of the best-known cars in the world. They cost just over 4,000 new in the 1960s, but are now amongst some of the most prized classics going, with one selling in London this year for 2.4 million. Alexandre Prevot/Wikimedia Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide David Brown bought Aston Martin with Lagonda in 1947 and launched the Lagonda Rapide in 1961. Brown (hence DB), envisaged a car that would be the most mechanically advanced car available, able to cruise effortlessly to a top speed of 130mph. It is believed that 44 of the original 57 Lagondas survive to this day. Chris Phutully Aston Martin DB7 The DB7 is the highest production Aston Martin ever built, with 7,000 produced between 1994 and 2004. Today, you might find some surprisingly inexpensive second-hand versions of this car on the trade websites so if you dont mind the huge maintenance bills, there are few listed at the time of writing for 20-30,000. Kfp1921 Aston Martin Atom You wont see many of these cars around, mostly because there is only one of them and it lives in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The lone Atom was built as a 2-litre prototype car by Aston Martin in 1939. Andrew Bone Aston Martin Coal Scuttle The very first Aston Martin ever made, the Coal Scuttle was named after its resemblance to fireplace coal buckets. Sadly no longer in existence, it was the only car Aston produced between 1915 and 1920, due to the interruption of WWI.



Despite its unassuming name, the Coal Scuttle secured Gold in the 1919 London-Edinburgh run and had a successful appearance at Aston's first track event, the Junior Car Club May Meeting at Brooklands. Aston Martin Heritage Trust Aston Martin 2-Litre 2/4-Seater Sports Fitted with a body produced by Abbey Coachworks in Willesden, London, 50 of these 2-Litre cars were made during the 1930s. Most of 2-Litres survive to this day, in near-original condition. Lars-Goran Lindgren Aston Martin DBR4 A redevelopment of the DB3S, the DBR4 was built for the track and made its Formula One debut in Holland in 1959. The DBR4 was not a very successful race car and only finished five competitive races. Lothar Spurzem Aston Martin V12 Vantage S With a top speed of more than 200mph, and a price tag of more than 130,000, the V12 Vantage S is the fastest production Aston Martin ever to leave the factory floor. The One-77 is a little quicker, but was confined to a limited production run of only 77 models, each costing 1.2 million.



The company says it aimed to bring cutting-edge racing technology to the road in the V12 Vantage. The engine generates 565bhp and sits within the lightest chassis yet produced by Aston Martin. Ilikewaffles11 Aston Martin DBR1 Having being designed to fulfill Aston Martin owner David Browns dream of winning the 24-hour Le Mans race, the DBR1 achieved the feat in 1959. The Le Mans winning model, the DBR1/2, is thought to be the most expensive British sports car in the world. It spectacularly crashed in 2015 during a race at Castle Combe, having previously been listed with a guide price of around 20 million. Brian Snelson

He joined Aston Martin in 2005, an important time in the companys long history. Established in a Chelsea mews house in 1913, the firm is very conscious of the transition into its second century. The DB11 is the foundation for our second century. We had that in the back of our minds when we started to develop this model. Weve got our foundation, and were now pushing forward from that.

The connection with Astons lineage is evident throughout design of the DB11 but is perhaps most obvious in the cars distinctive and imposing grill, the widest the carmaker has ever made. Its incredibly wide, its very dominant, says Marek, it creates the impression that the whole front face of the car is floating, hence the air intake below the grill. Its very much about giving a floating impression and how you read it versus the road surface.

Despite these references to Astons of old, the new DB11 is not an exercise in nostalgia. The new car is a showcase for the technologies the company hopes to use in future vehicles. When I asked Marek what he was most proud of in the DB11, it was the patented aeroblade technology that he singled out as an elegant engineering solution to what started out as a design conundrum.

The DB4, and DB5 are very simple under-stated forms that have timeless appeal, he says. To get back to having that very simple centre-line section is almost impossible in todays world of car design and engineering because of the requirements of aerodynamics. If you look at a DB4, its not great for aerodynamics because it has a very soft tail, and what you need is a hard cut off for the air to create the turbulence behind the car, not on top of the car or directly on the car, as that causes the back end to have more lift. So it was a case of finding a solution that would give us this beautiful centre-line section, without a horrendous deploying spoiler, or without the spoiler being part of the body form, which was there on the DB9.

Aston Martin DB11 1 /5 Aston Martin DB11 The 5.2 litre engine delivers 600bhp and a maximum speed of 200mph. The DB11s interior is lavish and sumptuous, all elegant curves and crafted, patinated quality. Yes, the DB9 could handle. But make no mistake, the DB11 is a quantum leap forward. It never feels hurried, even when youre putting all else in their place with its 3.9-second 0-62 time.

In the case of the aeroblade, the innovation was initiated by the design department itself. But does he ever find theres a conflict between design and engineering? Its less of a challenge in compromise and more about agreeing where we are going to spend the time and therefore where we are going to put money and resources. The whole company understands who we are and what we do. We talk openly about the love of beautiful, thats beautiful in terms of engineering, the way the cars are manufactured, the fact were an independent company. Ive had fewer conflicts about wheel and tire size, and wheel to body, and material choice, than I would anywhere else. What I am leaning to is that the company understands the love we have for beautiful objects and the engineering supports that as well. When you open the hood, the layout of the engine, the body architecture even without the panels, its a beautiful form and shape.

Image: Aston Martin Lagonda Limited

The technology may have moved on but there is one important area that the DB11 has in common with the DB2, and all the intervening DBs. While todays Aston Martin factory in Warwickshire is capable of producing considerably more than the 411 car run afforded to the DB2, the DB11 is also a handcrafted car. It takes around 200 man hours to build a single DB11, or around 17 complete cars a day, according to Marek.

Having attracted widespread acclaim following its launch at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, the first DB11s are now making their way onto out streets so it wont be long before you can marvel at this extraordinary car in person. In the meantime, check out our reviews of the DB11, as well as the twin test, where the new grand tourer goes up against the Bentley GT Continental.

Follow Ashley Coates on Twitter @Ashley_Coates
A boy has been arrested by police investigating the sexual assaults of two six-year-old girls during a trip to Legoland.

The juvenile was questioned by officers after the girls were touched inappropriately in the Castaway Camp playground in the Pirate Shores area of the Windsor theme park on August 11.

The boy has been released on bail until December 2 pending further police inquiries.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "A boy has been arrested in connection with the sexual assault of two girls at Legoland Windsor Resort.

"The offence happened at Castaway Camp in Pirate Shores between about 12.15pm and 12.30pm on Thursday August 11 this year.

"The offender touched the victims, two six-year-old girls, inappropriately.

"This morning, police officers from Thames Valley Police arrested a boy in connection with the offence. He has been released on police bail until December 2.

"This is remains a live investigation and we continue to appeal for the public's help."

Anyone with information about the offences is asked to call police on 101 and quote reference number 705.
T he deputy leader of far-right group Britain First hurled abuse at a Muslim woman for wearing a hijab while brandishing a white cross in front of her four young children, a court has heard.

Jayda Fransen, 30, allegedly launched a tirade of abuse at Sumayyah Sharpe during a Britain First "patrol" of Bury Park, in Luton, at around 1pm on January 23.

Fransen, who lives near South Norwood in south London, is accused of telling Ms Sumayyah that Muslim men force women to cover up to avoid them being raped "because they cannot control their urges", Luton and Bedfordshire Magistrates' Court heard.

Ms Sharpe was shopping with her children when she noticed members of the far-right group handing out Britain First newspapers to passers-by.

Deputy leader: Jayda Fransen, from Britain First, arrives at Luton Magistrates' Court / PA

The front page read "World War Three has begun - Islam against the world", prosecutor Kirsty Allman told the court.

Ms Sharpe said she refused the newspaper, telling the group it represented "everything against me and what I believe in".

She said it was at this point that Fransen crossed the road and confronted her. The incident was captured by on camera by members of Britain First.

"She came across, shouting at me, saying 'Why are you covered?' and she said that quite a few times. I told her it was my choice that I cover," Ms Sharpe told the court.

"I then turned to the camera and I said 'Film me, I'm British, I'm a British Muslim. It's my choice to wear this clothing and it's my right'."

She added: "I called her a slapper, I admit, and I told her to p*** off because I was so angry at that point that she had done that in front of my children."

In court: Jayda Fransen is charged with religiously aggravated assault / PA

In video footage shot by members of Britain First and shown to the court, Fransen could be heard shouting: "Your men say you have to cover yourself to avoid you being raped".

She added: "You are being hidden because your men cannot control their urges."

Ms Allman, prosecuting, said Fransen also told Ms Sharpe: "That's why they are coming to my country and raping women."

Ms Sharpe said she later had to explain to her children what rape was, and that her four-year-old son was now scared to leave the house in case they ran into the group again.

Fransen was elected deputy leader of Britain First in the autumn of 2014.

She denies one charge of religiously aggravated assault, one count of failure to surrender to police bail and one count of wearing a political uniform.

The trial continues.
A pensioner told police he felt hypnotised and "began stabbing and stabbing as he allegedly attacked four women in a Sainsburys car park, a court heard today.

Ethem Orhon, 67, told officers he launched the random attacks outside the supermarket in Hampton, west London, because he was out of control and felt humiliated by police who had arrested him the previous day for possession of a knife.

Orhon, of Deacons Walk, Hampton, is on trial at Kingston Crown Court after pleading not guilty to two counts of attempted murder and two of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm outside the Sainsburys on May 20.

A jury heard excerpts from Orhon's police interviews in which the retired odd-job man told officers he felt as though he had been "hypnotised".

Attack: The women were knifed in or near a Sainsbury's car park, the court heard / Stefan Rousseau/PA

After being charged with having a bladed article and released on bail, Orhon said he felt like he was remote-controlled" and went home to grab another knife before heading to Sainsburys  the most crowded place I know.

During his police and medical interviews, Orhon had said: "I became a different person. There was one thought in my mind - which was go home, grab the spare knife and assault people ... I feel I had to do it and finish the job. I had to obey the order."

He also said: "I came from that (police) station to home with strange feelings ... I felt very, very bad."

An officer guarding a police cordon outside the Sainsbury's in Hampton / Stefan Rousseau/PA

Orhon added: "These were innocent people. They have done nothing to me. No conversation. I was out of control of myself. I was just stabbing and stabbing."

Orhon said it was only later that he realised what had happened.

The four women - Suzanna Brand, 53, Janet Morsy, 63, Jean Sullivan, 68, and Charandasi Chandiramani, 71 - suffered "appalling injuries" in or near the supermarket's car park, prosecutor Jonathan Polnay has told the court.

The bravery of two Hampton Grammar School pupils, who distracted Orhon warned innocent passers-by and called 999, probably prevented more bloodshed.

Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Philip Joseph told the court that Orhon is suffering from paranoid psychosis, which may put a person out of touch with reality.

Dr Joseph described Orhon's isolated lifestyle.

The defendant, who is originally from Turkey, was briefly married and has no children, he plays chess a lot, is always by himself, dropped out of an architecture course and spends a lot of time in the library.

Orhon also told Dr Joseph he has no friends, does not want anything, does not have a GP, does not get depressed or angry. He has also had stints of homelessness, during which he shoplifted.

Starting to give evidence, Orhon said he had felt humiliated after being strip-searched by the police when they arrested him the day before the stabbings.

He told the court: "I was completely naked. I was treated like an animal. I did not deserve that treatment."

His defence lawyer, Jeffrey Lamb, said Orhon has appeared at a magistrates' court 12 times - six times for shoplifting, plus occasions for obtaining property by deception, battery and using disorderly behaviour, and three times for failing to surrender to bail.

He also came into contact with the police for possession of an offensive weapon.

The trial continues.
T hese are the faces of 10 men wanted by police after violence erupted at Notting Hill Carnival.

The disorder took place between 20:00 and 21:30 hours on Ladbroke Grove on August 29.

Police have released images of the men they want to speak to, calling on members of the public to come forward if they recognise any of the suspects.

Officers made over 400 arrests and medics treated more than 600 people during this year's festival weekend.

There were a series of stabbings at the carnival, with 32 people rushed to hospital.

Three teenage boys and a 20-year-old were stabbed during the "family day" of the carnival, aimed at entertaining younger festival-goers, as one 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of GBH.

More than 60 knives were seized by police, with another 47 arrests for possession of an offensive weapon.

The London Ambulance Service said its staff had treated 221 people.

Two million people are thought to have flocked to the wealthy neighbourhood in West London, with residents boardering up their homes to protect themselves from crime.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact the Public Order Investigations Team on 020 8246 0076. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting the image reference.
T wo and a half hours up the M1 from London, a social experiment is under way that could have far-reaching consequences for the way we waste food in our homes.

It is taking place in Swadlincote, a former coal-mining town of 35,000 people in Derbyshire, which beat competition from 188 other towns and local authorities to become the test bed of a 1 million trial by Sainsburys.

The aim: to cut food waste in the home by 50 per cent in one year.

At the start of the experiment in January, the food waste of 643 randomly selected households was weighed by the charity Wrap.

Since then the town has been subject to a plethora of food saving tips and devices, with a further 56 families selected to try out innovative gadgets.

Families have been given gadgets to help them prevent and monitor food waste / Robert Rathbone

Wrap will return this coming January to weigh their waste again. The results will be made public and the scheme will be rolled out to London and the rest of the country, as part of Sainsburys 10 million Waste Less Save More drive over the next four years.

Five tips to save food at home: Fridge temperature: must be 5C or less to keep food fresh. Apples: keep in the fridge in their packaging to last two weeks longer. Food nearing its use-by date: can be frozen and used later. Bananas: store separately as they give off gases that make other fruit ripen prematurely. Soft fruit and veg: remove from the fridge as they give off ethanol which pre-ripens other fruit and veg.

Mother of two Lisa Edwards, 31, has been given a Bosch fridge camera and a Winnow System smart app, which is used by some chefs to quantify food waste in restaurants. It is being trialled in the home for the first time.

The camera is linked to an app so that when I am shopping, I can actually look inside my fridge to make sure I am not buying stuff Ive already got, she said.

The Winnow System is a set of scales linked to a tablet that allows me to weigh food we throw out and assigns it a monetary value through a smart meter.

"It makes you super-conscious of everything you waste.

The Edwards family is also being encouraged to make weekly meal plans and freeze foods nearing their use-by date  such as mushrooms and spinach  to approach the holy grail of the zero food waste kitchen.

Reduce waste: People are encouraged to help themselves to other's excess food / Robert Rathbone

Has it worked? We have cut our weekly grocery bill from 70 to 55, saving us 15 a week, said Lisa.

We took the kids to Alton Towers. It felt like a free trip.

Schools are also taking part. Eureka primary, where a third of pupils are on free school meals, runs a breakfast club because many of their 141 pupils are otherwise too lethargic to learn as they havent eaten at home.

Our Food for London campaign What is it? This 1.3 million-plus initiative seeks to redistribute surplus food to tackle hunger. What are we doing? 1. Backing the scale-up of The Felix Project  our flagship charity  which picks up surplus produce from food suppliers and delivers it to a range of charities that provide meals for those in need. 2. Awarding grants to groups through an open grants programme. Who can apply for grants? If you are a charity, community group or social enterprise tackling food waste and/or using fresh food to address hunger, you can apply for a grant of up to 20,000. Apply by November 11 to The London Community Foundation at: londoncf.org.uk/grants/food-for-london.aspx Who are our backers? We have raised more than 1 million for Felix from Citi, Sainsburys, Lush founders Mark and Mo Constantine, Uber, the Dispossessed Fund, Evening Standard readers and the Felix Byam Shaw Foundation, which has pledged to match money raised for The Felix Project with up to 750,000. The 320,000 grants programme is funded by Citi, D&D London and the Dispossessed Fund. How you can help The Felix Project is looking for more food suppliers, especially supermarkets, food wholesalers and catering companies  plus volunteer drivers able to make a commitment of one morning/afternoon/evening a week. Please email Daisy@TheFelixProject.org

Headteacher Jacqui Johnson said: We are happy to be one of seven guinea pigs on the scheme because we are operating at the coalface of food poverty and want our pupils to understand the value of food, both nutritional and monetary.

Ms Johnson appointed 12 children to lead the schools Food Waste Action Team, which set about auditing how much food was thrown out from school breakfasts and lunches  a hefty 50kg a week.

The next step was to educate the children. We had an assembly followed by a store tour of Sainsburys to find out what they did with their waste.

"We then delivered a series of lessons in the classroom and got them to keep a food waste diary for a week.

The result? We have reduced food waste by 37 per cent so far, she said.

We found the biggest waste came not from the kitchen but from what children leave on their plate, so we tailored our portions and we set about educating them about food they are less familiar with, such as grapes, which they dont typically get at home.

"The kids get it and have begun to educate their parents.

Heather, 10, part of the Food Waste Action Team, added: My mum was going to throw away half a cucumber and I said, Stop! Even if fruit and veg go out of date you can use them to do cakes and stuff, like banana bread.

Molly, 10, added: We use fruit about to go out of date to make smoothies. I taught my mum and now we do it at home.

Helping hand: One of the Felix Project's vans arrives at London charity St Mungo's. / Matt Writtle

A Sainsburys in-store stand is offering customers free low-tech devices such as tube squeezers, bread seal clips, spaghetti measurers, fridge thermometers and meal-planning fridge magnets.

The retailer has helped create a community fridge where people on the breadline can help themselves to fresh surplus food for free, and installed in-store drop-boxes for people to share surplus food, via an app called Olio.

Has the waste-cutting message percolated through to the wider population of Swadlincote?

Frank McArdle, chief executive of South Derbyshire district council, said: I dont think there is anybody who doesnt know about it.

"They have gone door to door, advertised it in the local cinema, in the local press. Its everywhere.

However, Sainsburys chief executive Mike Coupe is keen to temper expectations. I dont think we are going to get anything near the ambitious 50 per cent savings we targeted, he admitted.

As to what sort of saving is expected, or what percentage would be regarded a success, he would not be drawn.

Paul Crewe, head of sustainability at Sainsburys, said: Nobodys attempted something like this before. We will be entirely transparent with what works and what doesnt.

"It could be that one year is too short, but well learn critical lessons and pass on what succeeds as we roll it out over the next four years.

Our aim is to create a Mexican wave of food waste reduction spreading across the country. And to one day be able to say, It started in Swadlincote.
A gay asset manager who claims he was sacked by a top City hedge fund after an unrelenting campaign of homophobic abuse is suing his former bosses for more than 1 million.

Paul Newton, 43, says he was subjected to limp-wristed hand gestures, jibes about his long hair, and he was regularly called camp and effeminate while working for Balyasny Europe Asset Management.

He claims his colleagues at the multimillion pound hedge fund, which has offices in King Street, St James, treated him like a curiosity, joking about the size of his genitals, spreading rumours that he was having sex with the office cleaner, and referring to him openly as a very camp gay man.

Mr Newton said he would sometimes shut himself in his office and cry because of the level of abuse, and claims one colleague told him normal people would find it odd to see a gay man driving an Aston Martin.

The experienced asset manager was fired on June 28 this year. Mr Newton says no reason was given at the time but six weeks later the firm blamed poor performance and losses he suffered in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum vote.

Yet, he claims, other straight, male managers who lost more kept their jobs.

But he is now suing his former employers for unfair dismissal, arguing his sacking was actually the culmination of a campaign of homophobic abuse that started almost as soon as he joined the hedge fund in March 2014.

The firm is fighting the claims, saying they are without merit, and insists it is well known in the industry for having a collaborative, collegial culture.

Mr Newton claims he was passed over for his own office, despite joining the business with extensive experience as a portfolio manager with top hedge funds, and was given a substantially smaller investment portfolio than his junior colleagues.

In a writ lodged with the Central London employment tribunal, the qualified Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor claims he was subjected to unrelenting abuse based on his sexual orientation by his colleagues, within an environment suffused with homophobia.

He says he was forced to work in an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for individuals with his sexual orientation, and argues the culmination of more than two years of hostility was his sacking, without warning and with just two weeks severance pay.

Mr Newton also set out how he was constantly told that he looked like a woman and asked whether he dyed his hair.

He said colleagues often accused him of being camp and talked openly about his sex life.

His colleagues had the unmistakeable assumption that he was extremely promiscuous and wanted to have sex with most men he met, the writ continued.

He was forever having to struggle against the prevalent homophobia within the office, when in fact all he ever wanted was to carry on with his job.

He felt like a curiosity on exhibit due to his sexual orientation.

Mr Newton also claims that he overheard one colleague saying to a stockbroker that he liked a bit of Northern rough, before mocking his supposed effeminate mannerism with limp-wristed gestures.

He is seeking an admission by the hedge fund that he was harassed and discriminated against, an acceptance that he was unlawfully dismissed, and damages for the effects of his alleged treatment.

Mr Newton, represented by barrister Lawrence Jones, says in the writ that he has been diagnosed as suffering from anxiety and depression since his dismissal, and is now unable to relax, occasionally faints, and has a total loss of interest in sex.

Balyasny Asset Management, which has offices in United States, London and Hong Kong, said in a statement it is committed, by policy and ethical commitment, to a workforce free from harassment.

We take seriously any allegations of a hostile work environment and believe these allegations are without merit.

We look forward to operating through the legal process and bringing the truth to light in this matter.

We regret that Paul has chosen to litigate. It is particularly sad as Balyasny is known industry wide for its collaborative, collegial culture.

We believe the case has no merit and will resist the claim vigorously.

The hedge fund is due to respond formally to Mr Newtons writ in the next few weeks, and the case has been listed for a week-long hearing starting on March 15 next year.
T he High Court is to rule on a row between neighbours in a case that could set a legal precedent for basement developments.

A judge will decide this month whether Camden council was right to allow illustrator James Ireland to extend his 1.2 million Victorian cottage in Kentish Town without planning permission.

Mr Ireland has been given the go-ahead to add a basement bedroom and en suite bathroom under permitted development rules.

These are normally used to save homeowners from the time and expense of a full planning application for small ground-floor extensions, but Camden also lets some basement developments benefit from this loophole.

Mr Irelands next-door neighbour, Michael Eatherley, will challenge the councils decision at the High Court on November 22-23 by claiming the excavation constitutes an engineering operation, meaning it cannot be done under permitted development.

Councillors had refused Mr Irelands original application in 2014.

Mr Eatherley, backed by 32 residents, said: It is only a little basement but the principle is quite important. If we win it could set a precedent that is useful to everyone in London.
T he Brexit process could be too complicated for British politicians to manage and could overwhelm Parliament for years, experts have warned.

A paper by King's College London academics argues the complexity of leaving the EU could prove beyond the capabilities of politicians, civil servants and British courts.

The alarming report was put together by The UK in a Changing Europe, an academic group commissioned by the Political Studies Association.

Its director, Professor Anand Menon, claimed Brexit will "test the UKs constitutional settlement, legal framework, political process and bureaucratic capacities to their limits  and possibly beyond".

"In voting to leave the EU, the British people have unleashed a process potentially as complex as it is unpredictable," he said.

The report argues that, even after the "hideously technical" negotiations over Article 50, which is set to be triggered next March to kick off the Brexit process, the British establishment has a mountain to climb.

Boris Johnson: Pro-EU article written before he backed Brexit

Prof Menon said: "Article 50 negotiations will be tricky and hideously technical but that is the easy bit.

"When it comes to the crafting of a future relationship, almost everything is up in the air.

Parliament will be swamped with the fallout from the Government's so-called "Great Repeal Bill", it argues, and huge amounts of time will be spent identifying EU laws before deciding whether to keep them.

Nicola Sturgeon: 'Hard Brexit' could mean another Scottish referendum

And the report claims the whole fabric of the British constitution could be put under great strain, with the potential to undermine relationships with Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Civil servants, in particular, will be challenged, it is claimed. The focus on Brexit could distract from domestic issues and could possess a lack of "sufficient knowledge" about policies.

Professor Menon also criticised "pathetic" pro-Leave campaigners who have tried to play down the immensity of the challenge in the face of so-called "Remoaners".

"An irritating aspect of the current debate is the tendency of Brexiters to accuse those who warn of difficulties of talking Britain down," he said.

"Its a good line but a pathetic argument. Since when was rational debate a bad thing?

"Forewarned, surely, is forearmed and this report will help identify potential stumbling blocks ahead.

Young Brits head for the Aussie lifestyle post-Brexit

The report comes as the the Confederation of British Industry warned the UK economy could slow sharply next year, slashing its growth forecast from two per cent to 1.3 per cent.

It is calling on Chancellor Philip Hammond to deliver on an "ambitious domestic agenda" in next month's Autumn Statement to help boost business confidence.
T he Government suffered a humiliating High Court defeat over Londons toxic air today when a judge ruled that its plans to cut deadly pollution levels in the capital are not good enough.

In a victory for environmental campaigners, Mr Justice Garnham ruled that ministers fell into error with their purported timetable to meet lawful standards of air quality by 2025.

The verdict was a triumph for green law firm ClientEarth, which challenged what it called a continuing failure to tackle the national air pollution crisis.

A spokesman for Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom accepted the ruling and said she would consider how to respond.

During PMQs Theresa May said: "We recognise that there is more for the government to do. We have been doing a lot in this area and we have been putting extra money into action that will relieve he issues around air quality, and we recognise that Defra now has to look at the judgment made by the court and we have to look again at the proposals."

The Governments latest defeat follows a ruling won by ClientEarth in the Supreme Court last April.

The court declared that immediate action was needed to address levels of nitrogen dioxide, which academics believe causes 10,000 premature deaths in the capital each year.

The justices set a deadline for the Government to produce new plans to comply with European Union laws.

But ClientEarth said the subsequent Air Quality Plan was woefully inadequate and therefore unlawful.

A packed courtroom in London heard that the judge agreed.

He said the Environment Secretary fell into error in fixing on a projected compliance date of 2020 (and 2025 for London).

He also concluded that the Environment Secretary fell into error by adopting too optimistic a model for future emissions.

After the ruling, a Defra spokeswoman said: Whilst our huge investment in green transport initiatives and plans to introduce Clean Air Zones around the country will help tackle this problem, we accept the courts judgment.

We will now carefully consider this ruling, and our next steps, in detail.

Lawyer Alan Andrews, of ClientEarth, said: The judge has ordered them to provide an updated, improved air quality plan.

Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: The judgment shows yet again that we need further and faster action in improving air quality.

We are ready to work constructively with government, together finding ways of reducing pollution to protect the nations lung health.

Each year in the UK, around 40,000 early deaths are attributable to exposure to outdoor air pollution. Its a public health crisis. Thats why we urgently need a new clean air act that restricts the most polluting vehicles from our urban areas.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan, the Scottish and Welsh First Ministers and the Transport Secretary were all interested parties in the case.

ClientEarth chief executive James Thornton said: I am pleased that the judge agrees with us that the Government could and should be doing more to deal with air pollution.

Limits for nitrogen dioxide were introduced by EU law in 1999. They were originally meant to be achieved by 2010.

Todays ruling could have implications for Heathrows expansion plans, as it could strengthen legal challenges to a third runway on air quality grounds.
EUROCASTLE INVESTMENT LIMITED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

International Administration Group (Guernsey) Limited

Company Administrator

Attn: Mark Woodall

Tel: +44 1481 723450

Eurocastle Announces Completion of the Italfondiario Acquisition by doBank, New Italian Investments and Release of Third Quarter 2016 Financial Results on 10 November 2016

Guernsey, 2 November 2016 - Eurocastle Investment Limited (Euronext Amsterdam: ECT) today announces that doBank has successfully completed the acquisition of Italfondiario S.p.A. ("Italfondiario"), the second largest independent non-performing loan servicer in Italy. Together, doBank and Italfondiario will represent the largest independent banking group (the "Group") in Italy, specializing in the credit management and collection of performing and non-performing loans with over 83 billion gross book value ("GBV") of loans under management, and over 4,000 employees and external consultants across 24 offices in Italy. The creation of the Group is a major milestone in doBank's expansion in the Italian market which significantly strengthens its position as a leading partner to the Italian banking system.

In addition, Eurocastle announces that it has acquired a 25% shared interest in two portfolios of non-performing loans with a combined GBV of approximately 70 million. Portfolio #1 consists of 7 borrowers and is approximately 91% secured by first lien mortgages and 9% unsecured. Portfolio #2 consists of loans to 153 borrowers, of which 80% are secured by first lien mortgages with the balance secured by junior liens (~7%) or unsecured (~13%). Affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC have invested alongside Eurocastle by acquiring the remaining interest in the portfolios. Italfondiario will be the servicer of the loans.

Eurocastle will release its financial results for the third quarter ended 30 September 2016 on Thursday, 10 November 2016 before the market opens. In addition, management will host an earnings conference call at 2:00 P.M. London time (9:00 A.M. New York time) later that day. All interested parties are welcome to participate on the live call. You can access the conference call by dialing first +1-800-215-5243 (from within the U.S.) or +1-330-863-8154 (from outside of the U.S.) ten minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call; please reference "Eurocastle Third Quarter 2016 Earnings Call" or conference ID number "3334554".

A webcast of the conference call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis at www.eurocastleinv.com. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download the necessary software required to listen to the internet broadcast. A replay of the webcast will be available for three months following the call.

For those who are not available to listen to the live call, a replay will be available until 11:59 P.M. New York time on Saturday, 10 December 2016 by dialing +1-855-859-2056 (from within the U.S.) or +1-404-537-3406 (from outside of the U.S.); please reference access code "3334554".

About Eurocastle

Eurocastle Investment Limited is a publicly traded closed-ended investment company that focuses on investing in performing and non-performing loans and other real estate related assets primarily in Italy. The Company is Euro denominated and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam under the symbol "ECT". Eurocastle is managed by an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC, a leading global investment manager. For more information regarding Eurocastle Investment Limited and to be added to our email distribution list, please visit www.eurocastleinv.com.
J ust three pharmacies among up to 750 facing closure in London could be saved under a government lifeline scheme, it was claimed today.

Thousands of pharmacies across the country are at risk after ministers decided last month to cut 12 per cent from the payments they receive from the NHS from December.

This will be cut by a further 7.4 per cent from April under the scheme to target NHS cash and cut funding in areas with clusters of pharmacies.

The Government has launched a pharmacy access scheme, which seeks to mitigate the impact of the cuts, but the National Pharmacy Association said only three London pharmacies qualified for help despite being in areas with higher health needs. However, research by the House of Commons library concluded that 15 threatened pharmacies in London qualified. It found that 13 of 73 London constituencies qualified for the lifeline scheme, with the biggest losses likely to be in the Cities of London and Westminster (21 pharmacies), Holborn and St Pancras (11) and East Ham (nine).

Between 470 and 750 pharmacies in London could face closure and MPs are today set to warn that this will lengthen the queues to see GPs.

Jonathan Ashworth, Labours shadow health secretary, who called the debate, said: These cuts will be totally devastating for pharmacies and the people who rely on them.

Health minister David Mowat said the Government aimed to create a modern pharmacy sector that is fit for the 21st century.
T here is a severe shortage of foster families needed to cope with the number of children coming to the UK from the Jungle camp in Calais, a shadow minister said today.

Hundreds of youngsters have arrived in the UK from France so far this autumn after the camp was cleared and demolished. Yet homes for the new arrivals will not be possible without a huge recruitment drive for foster- carers, the Government has admitted, and Labour is concerned plans for the children will flounder.

Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said there is already a national shortage of foster families and despite an advertisement campaign it is a constant struggle to find more.

She added: I am worried that the Government will not succeed in getting even more to look after especially vulnerable refugee children.

The Government say they will have a strategy in place in six months time to cope with the number of children needing state-funded foster placements.

Local authorities are understood to be bracing themselves for even more demand on services when some of the children coming to the UK under the Dublin regulations are unable to live with family members because their accommodation is unsuitable.

Calais 'Jungle' exodus: Charity boss likens refugee treatment to Nazi persecution

Children and Families Minister Edward Timpson said: We recognise that the number of unaccompanied and refugee children arriving in the UK has risen over the last few years, including through the transfer of hundreds of children from Calais. Some of these children can be amongst the most vulnerable in society. That is why we are, today, committing to publishing a strategy, by May 1, 2017, which will set out further detail on how these children should be safeguarded and their welfare promoted.

Plans include increasing the number of foster placements across the country and providing more supported lodgings so young people can live together.

But Ms Rayner said the strategy has arrived far too late to deal with children who have most recently arrived from Calais. She claimed: The Government appear to have been caught by surprise by the refugee crisis and are only now coming forward with a strategy which is itself already too late and which wont be implemented for at least six months.

Young refugee reunited with his brother after months in Calais Jungle

I am really worried that these refugee children, who have already experienced worse than most adults will ever see, are simply not going to get the care, support and proper funding they will need.

Barnardos chief executive Javed Khan welcomed the Governments commitment to finding foster homes for unaccompanied children but said funding and training were vital.

France began its own effort to find homes for unaccompanied minors from the Jungle with three busloads of boys, mainly teenagers, being taken to processing centres throughout the country.@KateProctorES
T heresa May had both sides of the Commons in hysterics today after mistakenly congratulating Jeremy Corbyn on the birth of his granddaughter.

Prime Ministers Questions got off to a strange start when Mrs May made the awkward gaffe, having been misinformed seconds earlier.

The Prime Minister began her address by looking at her Labour rival and saying: First of all can I congratulate the Right Honourable Gentleman on the birth of his granddaughter.

The comment was immediately met with howls of laughter from around the room, as Mr Corbyns expression made it clear she had been made the butt of a joke.

Mrs May herself doubled over in fits of laughter before composing herself enough to admit: I guess that is why you never trust a former Chief Whip.

She was reportedly referring to Sir Patrick McLoughlin, the Conservative MP who was promoted to Chief Whip by David Cameron in 2005, who was seen whispering in her ear moments earlier.
U kip's woes increased today as its biggest donor admitted the party could be facing oblivion.

Tycoon Arron Banks scornfully dismissed all three of the contenders fighting for the leadership, saying they were pressing a ludicrous aim of shifting to the political centre-ground.

He said front-runner Paul Nuttall lacked the steel needed to mount a massive clear-out of troublemakers and said acting leader Nigel Farage might need to be recalled.

I think Nigel was probably the dominant politician of the last 20 or 30 years, he said. Losing him has caused the pressure cooker to explode.

I think were struggling at the moment. Theres no point in denying it.

Asked if Ukip was finished, Mr Banks admitted: It could be. Its at a crossroads. I think at the moment we have to wait and see if it stabilises itself and elects a credible leader.

John Rees Evans apologises for homosexual animal comments

I think its whether Nigel stays engaged with it or not. There has to be a clear-out of certain people in the party who have caused a lot of trouble.

Ex-leader Mr Farage is now interim chief after Diane James left following 18 days in the job. The favourite to succeed her, Steven Woolfe, then quit the party after an altercation with fellow Ukip MEP Mike Hookem.

A London hustings last night heard that fighting Islamist extremism should be the priority for the next leader.

Former deputy leader Mr Nuttall told the meeting: We need to tackle radical Islam. We need to say no to Sharia courts in our towns and cities and no to any Saudi funding of mosques in our country. Rival Suzanne Evans also said radical Islam should be targeted.

Ukip's Steven Woolfe offers 'hand of friendship' to MEP after clash

London Assembly member Peter Whittle, a third candidate for leader, said the party must defend British values and British institutions by fighting the advance of Sharia law and enforcing the legal ban on female genital mutilation.

Ms Evans presented herself as the candidate able to reach out beyond Ukips traditional support and attract ethnic minorities and Labour voters. She said it is time for the party to fight multiculturalism as strongly as it previ- ously fought uncontrolled migration.

One thing I feel very strongly about is radical Islam, she added. Weve fought the EU and immigration. This is, I think, the next big battle. I want to fight this from a feminist perspective, as I think the way women are treated by Sharia law and FGM is staggering.

Following speculation that victory over Brexit has left Ukip a spent force, Mr Nuttall said its way forward was to replace Labour as the party of the patriotic working class. He added: We take away a party that dislikes our flag, refuses to sing our anthem and says nice things about the IRA.

Mr Whittle told the audience of about 200 he would like to see every school in the UK fly the Union flag and put a picture of the Queen on the wall.
J eremy Corbyn's neighbour gave him a new Marks & Spencer suit for winning the Labour leadership election.

Mr Corbyn arrived at the Pride of Britain Awards on Monday night in unusually smart attire.

He revealed the dark M&S suit was a gift from a neighbour in his Islington constituency following his election victory over Owen Smith after defeating attempts by party MPs to oust him as leader.

The MP has repeatedly been pulled up on his apparent scruffy appearance throughout his leadership reign.

Smart appearance: Jeremy Corbyn attended the ceremony in a new suit / Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Former Prime Minister David Cameron famously told him at Prime Ministers Questions: I think I know what my mother would say, I think she'd look across the despatch box and say "put on a proper suit, do up your tie and sing the national anthem."

Prince of Wales, Theresa May and Cliff Richard attend Pride of Britain Awards

Mr Corbyn attended the awards ceremony alone and was pictured sat next to Professor Stephen Hawking.

Mr Hawkings daughter Lucy said the pair got on well and were having a good old chat about something.

Jeremy Corbyn: One year as Labour leader

Professor Hawking received the lifetime achievement award which was presented by Prime Minister Theresa May at the ceremony.

He said when accepting the honour: 'Thank you Prime Minister for those very kind words.

I deal with tough mathematical questions every day but please don't ask me to help with Brexit.
T his is the tragic last selfie of a hero father who drowned trying to rescue a swimmer in difficulties off Camber Sands in the summer.

Mohit Dupar, 36, took the photograph with his 18-year-old son Ankush moments before they swam out in a vain bid to help teenager Gustavo Silva Da Cruz when he was swept out to sea off the beach.

Mr Silva Da Cruz, 19, died at the scene and Mr Dupar, from Hayes, west London, was rushed to hospital but died four days later.

His son also got into difficulties and woke from a coma in St Thomas Hospital in London three weeks later to be told of his fathers death.

It came a month before five young friends from London drowned at the same beach.

News of Mr Dupars death only emerged at an inquest yesterday in which coroner Alan Craze said he was examining what safety measures could be introduced at the site.

Mr Dupars son today paid tribute to his father, whose organs were donated, saving three lives.

Ankush said: I want everyone to know what a hero my father was, he was an amazing man.

He would do anything for people and he died risking his life for someone he didnt know. I feel so incredibly proud of what he did.

He added: Not only did he die trying to save someone but he saved three lives by donating his organs. I was told a girl aged 10 or 12 took his heart and another two people took his lungs and kidneys.

That he saved the lives of three other people is special. I would like him to be honoured for what he did but nothing has happened yet.

Brazilian-born Mr Silva Da Cruz got out of his depth in the fast-rising tide about 50 metres from shore on July 24 and was heard shouting to a friend: I cant swim.

Mr Dupar, who ran a construction business, called somebody needs my help, they are drowning to Ankush before racing into the waves.

The pair had been relaxing at the beach on a family outing and took selfies in the water minutes earlier.

Ankush followed his father in to help but the pair soon got into difficulties themselves and had to be pulled from the water by emergency services. The pair were taken to hospital where Mr Dupar died four days later having suffered brain damage and cardiac arrest.

Ankush said: All I remember was being in the water trying to get to them. Next I woke up I was in hospital. When I was told my father was dead I was heartbroken.

Ankush joined calls for lifeguards on the popular beach, which can attract up to 30,000 visitors a day in summer. One month after the death of his father and Mr Da Cruz, five friends from south-east London, including two brothers, died there when caught in a rip tide.

Ankush, who hopes to start a plumbing course at Uxbridge College in January, said: Why was it that me and my father had to try to try to save Gustavo?

If there were lifeguards they could have saved him and my father would still be alive, the other men would likely not have died. I feel lucky because I lived when so many others died. No more people should die.

A verdict into the deaths of Mr Dupar and Mr Da Cruz was deferred at the inquest in East Sussex yesterday.
M onarch Airlines has cancelled all flights and holidays to Sharm el-Sheikh for the foreseeable future as security fears continue.

Holidaymakers will see their already-booked holidays cancelled as the airline dashes hopes the popular tourist route would be back up and running by this winter season.

No airlines have flown direct from the UK to the Egyptian resort since the suspected terrorist bombing of a Russian flight in October last year.

All flights were suspended due to worries over security with British Airways cancelling flights indefinitely while EasyJet and Thomson Airways are awaiting updated travel advice from the government.

Easyjet and Thomson Airways are awaiting updated travel advice from the government before reinstating the route. / AFP/Getty Images

It was hoped flights could be resumed after a ten month suspension, but the government has not given any indication of when their advice might change.

Red Sea resort Sharm el-Sheikh was a popular and important destination for the UKs travel industry, with hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers visiting each year.

Monarch has cancelled all Sharm bookings for winter 2016/17 and has "no plans" to include the destination in its summer 2017 programme.

It will "re-assess flying there as a new route" if the airport is reopened to UK flights.

Monarch customers with existing flight and holiday bookings can re-book to an alternative destination free of charge or obtain a full refund.

Andrew Swaffield, chief executive of the company, said: "Much hard work has been done by the UK and Egyptian governments, along with the travel industry, to improve safety measures at Sharm el-Sheikh airport and it is very disappointing that it remains closed.

"If and when the airport does reopen then we will assess whether we start flights and holidays again."
A soldier has died during a shooting exercise at an RAF base, police say.

Officers from Police Scotland were called to the air weapons range at RAF Tain near Inverness, Scotland, at around 5.55pm yesterday to an incident involving a number of service members.

Police and paramedics found one person had been fatally injured at the scene.

The victim, whose next of kin have been informed, was a member of the Army, it was confirmed.

A Police Scotland spokesman said there were no other fatalities but did not reveal how many soldiers had been injured.

He added: "Police Scotland is leading the investigation to establish the full circumstances of this incident and is working closely with the armed forces.

"This was a contained incident and there was no threat to the public."

A cordon was set up around the base on the Dornoch Firth, in Easter Ross, while authorities dealt with the incident.

The training facility is used by the RAF and the Army. It has a rifle range, a small arms range as well as bombing ranges.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We will release more information as and when it becomes available. It would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this point."

The Tain range is used by tri-service, US Air Force and other Nato air forces for bombing and strafing practice.

It has 18 separate targets suitable for a variety of weapons and different delivery methods.

Typhoons and Tornados from RAF Lossiemouth are the main air users of the range.

The incident comes a little more than two months after a soldier was shot dead during a live-firing exercise at the Otterburn Training Area in Northumberland.

Private Conor McPherson, 24, a member of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, sustained a serious head wound on August 22.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.
T he Queen and the royal family will lead the nation in remembering the fallen next week ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

Next Thursday the Duke of Edinburgh, a life member of the Royal British Legion who served in the Second World War, will visit the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey with Prince Harry, who served on the frontline in Afghanistan.

On the same day the Duke of Cambridge will visit Willesden New Cemetery to see the work of Living Memory, a Commonwealth War Graves Commission initiative. As president of Fields in Trust he will also visit Kensington Memorial Park to officially mark its dedication to the Centenary Fields programme.

The next day, Harry will attend the Armistice Day service at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire.

The Queen and other members of the royal family will attend the annual Royal Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday.

On Remembrance Sunday the Queen and members of the royal family will lay wreaths at the Cenotaph. Prince Charles will take the salute at the march past of veteran and civilian organisations on Horse Guards Parade.
A 63-year-old man has been accused of murdering and chopping up his friend in a row over his accordion skills.

The man was charged with murder after allegedly beating his 66-year-old victim with a crowbar before striking him with a sledgehammer, Russian police say.

He is then believed to have hacked-up the body and hidden parts in suitcases and rubbish bags which were later discovered by refuge collectors, The Moscow Times reported.

The attack took place in a village near Cheboksary, 350 miles east of Moscow.

Police told reporters that the men had been drinking together before the alleged murder.

Following the row the suspect is believed to have taken valerian, a herbal sleep aid, before falling asleep.

He then is said to have fled to a nearby village before being tracked down by police and arrested.
English Danish

November 2, 2016; Copenhagen, Denmark;

Interim Report for First Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

Highlights

Net Sales of DARZALEX  (daratumumab) by Janssen for the first nine months of 2016 were USD 372 million, resulting in royalty income of USD 45 million (DKK 298 million)

Announced U.S. and European regulatory submissions for daratumumab in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, triggering USD 25 million in milestone payments

Daratumumab received second Breakthrough Therapy Designation from U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Announced FDA approval of Arzerra  (ofatumumab) in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide for relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Entered commercial license agreement with Gilead Sciences for DuoBody  Technology

2016 financial guidance improved

Throughout the third quarter we continued to see excellent progress in our DARZALEX program with Janssen. Regulatory applications to expand the label for daratumumab to include relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma were submitted in the U.S. and Europe, triggering USD 25 million in milestone payments. Daratumumab also received its second Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA. We continued to see progress with Arzerra too, with another CLL indication approved in the U.S., and we made progress with our DuoBody technology, with a new commercial agreement with Gilead Sciences, said Jan van de Winkel, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.

Financial Performance First Nine Months of 2016

Revenue was DKK 889 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to DKK 558 million in the first nine months of 2015. The increase of DKK 331 million, or 59%, was mainly driven by higher royalty and milestone revenue under our daratumumab collaboration with Janssen.

Operating expenses were DKK 544 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to DKK 380 million in the first nine months of 2015. The increase of DKK 164 million, or 43%, was due to the additional investment in our pipeline of products, including the advancement of tisotumab vedotin, HuMax  -AXL-ADC, HexaBody  -DR5/DR5, DuoBody-CD3xCD20, and our other pre-clinical programs.

Operating income was DKK 345 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to DKK 355 million in the first nine months of 2015. The decrease of DKK 10 million, or 3%, was driven by the one-time reversal of the ofatumumab funding liability of DKK 176 million in 2015, combined with increased operating expenses in 2016, which were partly offset by higher revenue in 2016.

On September 30, 2016, Genmab had a cash position of DKK 3,942 million compared to DKK 3,493 million at December 31, 2015. This represented a net increase of DKK 449 million, which was driven primarily by income from operations and the proceeds from the exercise of warrants of DKK 184 million, partially offset by the purchase of treasury shares for DKK 118 million.

Business Progress Third Quarter

Daratumumab

August: Regulatory submission in Europe for daratumumab (DARZALEX) in patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy. In addition, a regulatory application was submitted in the U.S. for the use of daratumumab in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, or bortezomib and dexamethasone, for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who received at least one prior therapy. The submissions triggered milestone payments of USD 10 million, and USD 15 million, respectively, to Genmab.

July: The FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for DARZALEX injection in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, or bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.

Ofatumumab

August: The FDA approved ofatumumab (Arzerra) in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC) for the treatment of patients with relapsed CLL.

DuoBody

August: Entered an agreement to grant Gilead Sciences, Inc. an exclusive license and an option on a second exclusive license, to use the DuoBody technology platform to create and develop bispecific antibody candidates for a therapeutic program targeting HIV. Under the terms of the agreement, Genmab received an upfront payment of USD 5 million from Gilead Sciences.

Subsequent Event

October: The FDA granted Priority Review for the use of daratumumab in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, or bortezomib and dexamethasone, for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy. The FDA assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target date of February 17, 2017 to take a decision on daratumumab in this indication. In addition, the FDA granted a Standard Review period for the use of daratumumab in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies, including a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and an immunomodulatory agent. The PDUFA date for the combination of daratumumab with pomalidomide/dexamethasone is June 17, 2017.

Outlook

Genmab is improving its 2016 financial guidance published on August 9, 2016 due to increased royalty and milestone income related to the sales of DARZALEX resulting in increased operating income and cash position.

MDKK Revised Guidance Previous Guidance Revenue 1,200  1,250 975  1,025 Operating expenses (800)  (850) (800)  (850) Operating income 375  425 150  200 Cash position at end of year* 3,650  3,750 3,550  3,650 *Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities

Conference Call

Genmab will hold a conference call in English to discuss the results for the first nine months of 2016 today, Wednesday, November 2, at 6.00 pm CET, 5.00 pm GMT or 1.00 pm EDT. The dial in numbers are:

+1 212 444 0895 (US participants) and ask for the Genmab conference call

+44 20 3427 0503 (international participants) and ask for the Genmab conference call

A live and archived webcast of the call and relevant slides will be available at www.genmab.com.

Contact:

Rachel Curtis Gravesen, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications

T: +45 33 44 77 20; M: +45 25 12 62 60; E: r.gravesen@genmab.com

The interim report contains forward looking statements. The words believe, expect, anticipate, intend and plan and similar expressions identify forward looking statements. Actual results or performance may differ materially from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such statements. The important factors that could cause our actual results or performance to differ materially include, among others, risks associated with product discovery and development, uncertainties related to the outcome and conduct of clinical trials including unforeseen safety issues, uncertainties related to product manufacturing, the lack of market acceptance of our products, our inability to manage growth, the competitive environment in relation to our business area and markets, our inability to attract and retain suitably qualified personnel, the unenforceability or lack of protection of our patents and proprietary rights, our relationships with affiliated entities, changes and developments in technology which may render our products obsolete, and other factors. For a further discussion of these risks, please refer to the section Risk Management in Genmabs annual report, which is available on www.genmab.com and the Significant Risks and Uncertainties section in the interim report. Genmab does not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward looking statements in the interim report nor to confirm such statements in relation to actual results, unless required by law.

Genmab A/S and its subsidiaries own the following trademarks: Genmab; the Y-shaped Genmab logo; Genmab in combination with the Y-shaped Genmab logo; the DuoBody logo; the HexaBody logo; HuMax; HuMax-CD20; DuoBody; HexaBody and UniBody. Arzerra is a trademark of Novartis AG or its affiliates. DARZALEX is a trademark of Janssen Biotech, Inc.

Download the full Interim Report for the first nine months of 2016 on attachment or at www.genmab.com.



CVR no. 2102 3884

Genmab A/S

Bredgade 34E

1260 Copenhagen K

Denmark
T his is the terrifying moment a shark swims directly underneath surfers at a popular Australian beach.

The footage shows the shark lurking below the surface at Byron Bay in New South Wales as surfers paddle around just metres away.

One man is then seen moving onto a wave right on top of the circling shark, to the horror of onlookers.

He begins to stand up on his board but suddenly spots the creature waiting beneath him and tries to steer to the side.

Close encounter: the shark can be seen circling just below the surfer / Broshars Adventures

He successfully veers away from the shark and watches on as it sidles off towards other surfers.

A shocked American holidaymaker filmed the ordeal after spotting the shark creep up on a group of about 20 unwitting surfers.

Derik Brosher, from Iowa, told the Northern Star: We were looking down at all the surfers having a good time, and we saw this shark.

It just slowly moves in towards the surfers and you can kind of hear some people in the background say, 'We should warn them'.

There are a few guys trying to whistle down but it was a little windy so you couldn't really hear us from that far up.

It starts to turn back and as it turns back a surfer catches a wave right over it.

The footage ends before the shark leaves but nobody was harmed.

Byron Bay is one of Australias most prolific shark attack hot spots, with 18 incidents and three fatalities between it and nearby Ballina since 1990.
A man has been arrested in connection with the shooting of two male police officers in an "ambush-style" attack in the US.

Scott Michael Greene, 46, was taken into custody without incident Wednesday morning in Dallas County, just west of Des Moines, Iowa police said.

Two officers were 'ambushed' while sitting in their patrol cars in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Sgt. Paul Parizek of Des Moines Police Department told reporters.

The police said the first shooting took place in Urbandale near Des Moines just after 1am local time.

Attack: Police at the scene of a shooting in Des Moines

A second police officer was then found shot just two miles away about 20 minutes later, according to reports.

The officers have been named as officer Justin Martin of Urbandale Police Department and Sgt. Anthony Tony Beminio of Des Moines police, according to local media.

Both officers have died.

Police described the shootings as ambush-style attacks," adding that the officers were shot while sitting in their police cars doing nothing wrong.

Attack: Police investigate the scene of an attack on a police officer in Urbandale, Iowa / AP

Sgt. Paul Parizek said: "In all appearances it looks just like that, that these officers were ambushed. It doesn't look like there was any interaction between these cowards and the officers they shot in their cars."

The names of the police officers are not being released until their families have been notified.

Briefing: Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek briefs news reporters in Des Moines, Iowa / AP

Schools in Urbandale have been closed due to the proximity of the shooting.
H illary Clinton launched a tirade against Donald Trump protesters after a heckler called her husband a rapist during a campaign rally.

The White House frontrunner, under pressure over the FBIs re-opened probe into her private email server, broke from her stump speech in the key battleground state of Florida to confront a heckler who waved a neon green sign and shouted, Bill Clinton is a rapist!

Pointing a finger at the protester in Fort Lauderdale last night, the Democrat railed: I am sick and tired of the negative, dark, divisive, dangerous vision and the anger of people who support Donald Trump.

It is time for us to say no, we are not going backwards, were going forward into a brighter future, she added.

It was Mrs Clintons third rally of the day as she battled to protect her core support with America moving into the final stretch of the presidential election campaign before polling day on Tuesday.

Hillary Clinton v Donald Trump: US Presidential Election 1 /93 Hillary Clinton v Donald Trump: US Presidential Election Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump votes at PS 59 in New York Carlo Allegri/Reuters U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton fills out her ballot at the Douglas Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua, New York Brian Snyder/Reuters Topless protestors cause commotion at the site where Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is scheduled to work at PS 59 located at 233 East 56th Street in Manhattan NY Daily News via Getty Images Republician presidential nominee Donald Trump arrives at a polling station in New York to cast his ballot in the presidential election Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton arrives to vote in the U.S. presidential election at Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua, New York Mike Segar/Reuters A voter looks at a sample ballot as he waits in line at a polling location in Kansas City, Missouri. Whitney Curtis/Getty Images Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton cookies are on sale at the Oakmont Bakery in Oakmont, Pennsylvania Jeff Swensen/Getty Images Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and her husband former President Bill Clinton, leave their polling place in Chappaqua Seth Wenig/AP lay Smith is the first voter to cast the ballot in the US presidential election, in the small village of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire Herb Swanson/EPA Poll workers look on as US President Barack Obama gestures towards the press as he votes early at the Cook County Office Building in Chicago, Illinois Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at the University of New Hampshire in Durham Elise Amendola/AP Donald Trump takes a break from speaking to compare his face to a mask during a rally at the Sarasota Fairgrounds in Sarasota, Florida Loren Elliott/The Tampa Bay Times via AP Lady Gaga speaks during a campaign rally for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in Raleigh Gerry Broome/AP Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and husband, former President Bill Clinton take the stage during a campaign rally in Raleigh Gerry Broome/AP Madonna sings a song as she campaigns for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during a surprise performance at Washington Square Park in New York Matt Rourke/AP Musician Bruce Springsteen performs at an election eve rally for Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Spencer Platt/Getty Images Supporters hold signs and a copy of the Bible during a rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Manchester Charles Krupa/AP Republican vice presidential candidate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, speaks to a campaign rally before the arrival of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Manchester Bill Sikes/AP Jon Bon Jovi and Lady Gaga perform during a campaign rally for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in Raleigh Gerry Broome/AP Musician Jon Bon Jovi performs at an election eve rally for Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on November in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Spencer Platt/Getty Images Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton boards her plane at Philadelphia International Airport Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Part of a Nov. 6, 2016, letter from FBI director James Comey to Congress is photographed in Washington. Comey tells Congress that a review of new Hillary Clinton emails has "not changed our conclusions" from earlier this year that she should not face charges Jon Elswick/AP Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump cheer during a campaign rally in Leesburg Evan Vucci/AP Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump attends a campaign rally in Detroit, Michigan Carlo Allegri/Reuters NBA basketball player Lebron James introduces U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during a campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio Carlo Allegri/Reuters A member of the audience holds a sign during a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Sterling Heights, , Michigan Paul Sancya/AP President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign rally for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in Kissimmee. Florida John Raoux/AP Secret Service agents rush Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump off the stage during a campaign rally in Reno John Locher/AP Hillary Clinton smiles holding a mask onboard her campaign plane on Halloween Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images Supporters of Donald Trump pose with a Hillary Clinton character during a campaign rally at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas John Gurzinski/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump holds a rainbow flag given to him by supporter Max Nowak during a campaign rally at the Bank of Colorado Arena on the campus of University of Northern Colorado Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign event at The Manor Complex in Wilton Manors, Florida Getty Images A Donald Trump supporter's pet bulldog is decked out in campaign stickers Jason Connoll/ AFP/Getty Images Hillary Clinton joins Jennifer Lopez at a campaign concert in Miami, Florida Brian Snyder/Reuters A Donald Trump mural covering a building in Miami, Florida Rhona WiseAFP/Getty Images Hillary Clinton, accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama, greet supporters during a campaign rally in Winston-Salem Chuck Burton/AP A crowd gathers to watch as Donald Trump's vandalised star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is cleaned up Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images Hillary Clinton delivers birthday cake to reporters on her campaign plane Justin Sullivan/Getty Images A Donald Trump look-a-like walks with bikini-clad women in Times Square. The stunt was organized by artist Alison Jackson Drew Angerer/Getty Images Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump hugs a the American flag as he arrives to speak to a campaign rally in Tampa Evan Vucci/AP Katy Perry speaks at a rally in support of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in Las Vegas AP Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton waves to a member of the audience as she 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 Mike Blake/Reuters NFL fans wear Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton masks during a game between the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals Norm Hall/Getty Images Donald Trump holds a child onstage during a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Hillary Clinton (Kate McKinnon) and Donald Trump (Alec Baldwin) take on the 'Town Hall Debate Cold Open' on SNL Saturday Night Live Hillary Clinton chats to Ellen DeGeneres during a commercial break during the filming of the Ellen Show Brenan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images A Donald Trump themed fortune telling machine stands on the street in Columbus Circle in New YorK Lucas Jackson/Reuters Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump kisses a "Women for Trump" placard during a rally at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump during the town hall debate at Washington University Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Kevin Lake of Jefferson, Iowa, wears a wall outfit in honour of Donald Trump's pledge to build a wall along the Mexico border Scott Morgan/Reuters Donald Trump holds two-year-old Hunter Tirpak, who is dressed as Trump, during a rally at Mohegan Sun Arena Christopher Dolan/The Citizensi Voice via AP Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump during the town hall debate at Washington University Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images Ken Bone found himself going viral after his attention-grabbing question during the town hall debate at Washington University Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Donald Trump's daughters-in-law Lara Trump and Vanessa Trump and daughter Tiffany Trump Scott Olson/Getty Images Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump leave the stage after the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images Melania (L) and Ivanka (C) Trump sit next to Republican vice presidential nominee Governor Mike Pence ahead of the first debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton Joe Raedle/Pool/Reuters Hillary Clinton shakes hands with husband and former U.S. President Bill Clinton after the first Presidential Debate Joe Raedle/Getty Images Donald Trump with wife Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr.'s wife Vanessa Trump, Eric Trumps wife Lara Yunaska, and Eric Trump Paul J. Richards/AFP US actresses Lena Dunham and America Ferrera speak at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia Peter Foley/EPA Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live Saturday Night Live Hillary Clinton attempts to open a pickle jar on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Andy Holmes/ABC Donald Trump greets supporters at a rally at Ladd-Peebles Stadium Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images Denis Leary and James Corden on The Late Late Show CBS Donald Trump reacts to the cries of three-month-old Kellen Campbell, of Denver, right, while holding six-month-old Evelyn Keane, of Castel Rock, Colorado Joe Mahoney/Getty Images Bill Clintonon on the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Mike Segar/Reuters Alicia Keys performs at he Democratic National Convention Shawn Thew/EPA Meryl Streep at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center Alex Wong/Getty Images Donald Trump hugs his daughter Ivanka Trump at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Sarah Palin endorses Donald Trump's run for the Republican presidential nomination Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images Donald Trump during a campaign stop on the campus of the University of Central Florida Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Her lead in opinion polls has diminished since FBI Director James Comey last week revealed it was looking into thousands of emails found on the laptop of Anthony Wiener, the disgraced former Congressman under investigation for allegedly sexting a teenager who is the estranged husband of Mrs Clintons top aide, Huma Abedin.

US election: Trump and Clinton on attack in final week

The former First Lady has been careful to steer as far away as possible from any questions about her husbands infidelities.

Yesterday she largely stuck to well tried themes such as Mr Trumps behaviour towards women, his wealth and his wild conspiracy theories.

He took everything our great country offer and scooped it up with both hands, Mrs Clinton told a noisy crowd in Sanford, Florida.

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And then he has the nerve to call our military a disaster, to insult POWs, when he hasnt paid a penny to support the people who put on the uniform of the United States of America, she added.

I think the American people deserve to know whether he paid any penalty for skirting the law, and how much hes actually worth, and who he does business with. Im particularly interested in the Russian business deals that he has.

Mrs Clinton renewed her attacks on her Republican rival, calling him a bully who she said has mistreated women. He has spent a lot of time demeaning, degrading, insulting and assaulting women, she said.

Donald Trump: I will accept election result... if I win

Mr Trump spent most of the day campaigning in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan, a state that has not backed a Republican presidential candidate since 1984.

He reiterated his description of the investigation into his opponents use of private emails while she was US Secretary of State as the biggest scandal since Watergate.
H undreds of youngsters were bused out of the Jungle camp in Calais today as the port town was set to be free of migrants for the first time this century.

Most of the shantytown was razed to the ground last week, but 1,500 children were left behind. Today 30 buses were being used to take them to 60 resettlement centres around France, meaning the Jungle will be empty.

The first vehicle had 43 minors on board, said an official involved in the evacuation, which started at 8.30am. He said the bus was going to Carcassonne, in the south-west of the country, and another left 10 minutes later to go to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, on the Mediterranean coast.

The youngsters were not able to choose their destination, but once at the resettlement centre they can claim asylum, or ask to be taken to another EU country. There have been claims that some are not children at all, but adults posing as youngsters so as to be treated more leniently.

Last night, fighting broke out between rival gangs on the site. Riot police were called to a brawl near a Christian place of worship that was left intact during the demolition.

Calais has been a major hub for migrants, meaning the final clearance marks a historic day. The French authorities have pledged a zero-tolerance approach to those who try to return.

Many of the 5,000 people officially evacuated from the Jungle have been taken to the reception centres around France, but thousands more have headed off alone. A number have headed to Paris, where 3,000 mainly young migrant men are sleeping rough.
A distraught mother told of her desperate battle to save the lives of her two young daughters who drowned in a swimming pool at their family home.

Renise Young described how she leapt into the water in a bid to rescue Patricia, 3, and four-year-old Taya, in Queensland, Australia, on Tuesday.

The girls five-year-old brother Aige had raised the alarm after finding his sisters face-down in the pool, according to reports.

Ms Young and her husband Troy told how they tried to revive the children but they were pronounced dead at the scene, in Logan City.

Distraught mother: Renise Young, pictured with one of her five children, paid tribute to her 'princesses' / 7 News

The mother-of-five said: They were helpless, it was devastating.

"They were my princesses.

She added: They were always coming up to mummy and daddy and were giving us flowers telling us they loved us every day.

I miss them so much, I miss them running around.

Tragic death: The two girls drowned in a swimming pool at the family's home in Queensland / 7 News

Ms Young told local media that the girls wandered out of the familys home and into the backyard.

It is believed they opened a gate leading to the pool before they slipped and fell in.

An investigation into the incident is underway.
A large pig was apprehended by police after causing chaos on a New Zealand motorway.

The animal was spotted by rush hour motorists wandering around on the Northwestern Motorway near Auckland, causing serious tailbacks.

It is believed to have fallen out of a truck, suffering injuries in the process.

Two members of the public reportedly cornered the brown pig and managed to restrain it before police arrived and detained it.

Tracey Moore, of the Animal Management department at Auckland Council, said the pig was taken to a nearby animal shelter after about 40 minutes.

"The pig has a few scrapes, and is a bit frightened. It is now sitting in the paddock at the shelter, and we have given it water and an orange to eat," she said.

"We have not yet had any contact from a potential owner, who may not even be aware the pig is missing."
A female motorist who recklessly drove a damaged car through a quiet Californian neighbourhood was shot and killed by police officers.

Michelle Shirley, 39, collided with one police car and then reportedly rammed another after officers attempted to pull her over for erratic driving.

Police initially said the woman, from San Diego, was suspected of being drunk behind the wheel.

It was thought she could have endangered pupils walking home from school at around the time she was driving through Torrance, a city 20 miles south of Los Angeles.

Reports claim she was driving a bashed-in grey sedan, with air bags deployed and music blaring. Officers said they spotted "reckless and dangerous driving".

Police attempted to make her stop, but after a brief pause she accelerated in reverse and hit into two police cars.

At 2.36pm an officer fired a gun at her, with recordings from the scene suggesting some 15 shots were fired in total.

Life-saving measures were carried out before Ms Shirley was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead just after 3pm.

One police officer suffered moderate injuries according to reports, but has since been treated and released from hospital.

The Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office has now launched a review of the incident.
T he pollsters call this area the Ground Zero of American politics. Motorists know it as Interstate 4, the highway that cuts through suburban central Florida.

Lets just say its the most contested piece of real estate in this campaign. If Donald Trump wins big here on Tuesday, he will be victorious in Florida and a significant step closer to the greatest shock in American presidential politics since ... well, actually the biggest in the history of the republic.

When you want to gauge the mood in this part of Florida, there is only one destination. The Villages is the largest retirement community in America; 120,000 elderly residents living in a gated city.

Slightly shockingly  I rather expected these gentle elderly folk to be in the centre of the political spectrum, worrying about their grandchildrens future and the cost of medication  this is Trump territory.

Virtually everyone we spoke to supported Donald Trump and had a disturbingly personal dislike of Hillary Clinton.

Hillary Clinton v Donald Trump: US Presidential Election 1 /93 Hillary Clinton v Donald Trump: US Presidential Election Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump votes at PS 59 in New York Carlo Allegri/Reuters U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton fills out her ballot at the Douglas Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua, New York Brian Snyder/Reuters Topless protestors cause commotion at the site where Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is scheduled to work at PS 59 located at 233 East 56th Street in Manhattan NY Daily News via Getty Images Republician presidential nominee Donald Trump arrives at a polling station in New York to cast his ballot in the presidential election Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton arrives to vote in the U.S. presidential election at Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua, New York Mike Segar/Reuters A voter looks at a sample ballot as he waits in line at a polling location in Kansas City, Missouri. Whitney Curtis/Getty Images Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton cookies are on sale at the Oakmont Bakery in Oakmont, Pennsylvania Jeff Swensen/Getty Images Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and her husband former President Bill Clinton, leave their polling place in Chappaqua Seth Wenig/AP lay Smith is the first voter to cast the ballot in the US presidential election, in the small village of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire Herb Swanson/EPA Poll workers look on as US President Barack Obama gestures towards the press as he votes early at the Cook County Office Building in Chicago, Illinois Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at the University of New Hampshire in Durham Elise Amendola/AP Donald Trump takes a break from speaking to compare his face to a mask during a rally at the Sarasota Fairgrounds in Sarasota, Florida Loren Elliott/The Tampa Bay Times via AP Lady Gaga speaks during a campaign rally for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in Raleigh Gerry Broome/AP Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and husband, former President Bill Clinton take the stage during a campaign rally in Raleigh Gerry Broome/AP Madonna sings a song as she campaigns for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during a surprise performance at Washington Square Park in New York Matt Rourke/AP Musician Bruce Springsteen performs at an election eve rally for Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Spencer Platt/Getty Images Supporters hold signs and a copy of the Bible during a rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Manchester Charles Krupa/AP Republican vice presidential candidate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, speaks to a campaign rally before the arrival of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Manchester Bill Sikes/AP Jon Bon Jovi and Lady Gaga perform during a campaign rally for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in Raleigh Gerry Broome/AP Musician Jon Bon Jovi performs at an election eve rally for Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on November in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Spencer Platt/Getty Images Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton boards her plane at Philadelphia International Airport Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Part of a Nov. 6, 2016, letter from FBI director James Comey to Congress is photographed in Washington. Comey tells Congress that a review of new Hillary Clinton emails has "not changed our conclusions" from earlier this year that she should not face charges Jon Elswick/AP Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump cheer during a campaign rally in Leesburg Evan Vucci/AP Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump attends a campaign rally in Detroit, Michigan Carlo Allegri/Reuters NBA basketball player Lebron James introduces U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during a campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio Carlo Allegri/Reuters A member of the audience holds a sign during a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Sterling Heights, , Michigan Paul Sancya/AP President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign rally for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in Kissimmee. Florida John Raoux/AP Secret Service agents rush Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump off the stage during a campaign rally in Reno John Locher/AP Hillary Clinton smiles holding a mask onboard her campaign plane on Halloween Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images Supporters of Donald Trump pose with a Hillary Clinton character during a campaign rally at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas John Gurzinski/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump holds a rainbow flag given to him by supporter Max Nowak during a campaign rally at the Bank of Colorado Arena on the campus of University of Northern Colorado Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign event at The Manor Complex in Wilton Manors, Florida Getty Images A Donald Trump supporter's pet bulldog is decked out in campaign stickers Jason Connoll/ AFP/Getty Images Hillary Clinton joins Jennifer Lopez at a campaign concert in Miami, Florida Brian Snyder/Reuters A Donald Trump mural covering a building in Miami, Florida Rhona WiseAFP/Getty Images Hillary Clinton, accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama, greet supporters during a campaign rally in Winston-Salem Chuck Burton/AP A crowd gathers to watch as Donald Trump's vandalised star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is cleaned up Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images Hillary Clinton delivers birthday cake to reporters on her campaign plane Justin Sullivan/Getty Images A Donald Trump look-a-like walks with bikini-clad women in Times Square. The stunt was organized by artist Alison Jackson Drew Angerer/Getty Images Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump hugs a the American flag as he arrives to speak to a campaign rally in Tampa Evan Vucci/AP Katy Perry speaks at a rally in support of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in Las Vegas AP Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton waves to a member of the audience as she 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 Mike Blake/Reuters NFL fans wear Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton masks during a game between the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals Norm Hall/Getty Images Donald Trump holds a child onstage during a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Hillary Clinton (Kate McKinnon) and Donald Trump (Alec Baldwin) take on the 'Town Hall Debate Cold Open' on SNL Saturday Night Live Hillary Clinton chats to Ellen DeGeneres during a commercial break during the filming of the Ellen Show Brenan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images A Donald Trump themed fortune telling machine stands on the street in Columbus Circle in New YorK Lucas Jackson/Reuters Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump kisses a "Women for Trump" placard during a rally at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump during the town hall debate at Washington University Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Kevin Lake of Jefferson, Iowa, wears a wall outfit in honour of Donald Trump's pledge to build a wall along the Mexico border Scott Morgan/Reuters Donald Trump holds two-year-old Hunter Tirpak, who is dressed as Trump, during a rally at Mohegan Sun Arena Christopher Dolan/The Citizensi Voice via AP Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump during the town hall debate at Washington University Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images Ken Bone found himself going viral after his attention-grabbing question during the town hall debate at Washington University Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Donald Trump's daughters-in-law Lara Trump and Vanessa Trump and daughter Tiffany Trump Scott Olson/Getty Images Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump leave the stage after the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images Melania (L) and Ivanka (C) Trump sit next to Republican vice presidential nominee Governor Mike Pence ahead of the first debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton Joe Raedle/Pool/Reuters Hillary Clinton shakes hands with husband and former U.S. President Bill Clinton after the first Presidential Debate Joe Raedle/Getty Images Donald Trump with wife Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr.'s wife Vanessa Trump, Eric Trumps wife Lara Yunaska, and Eric Trump Paul J. Richards/AFP US actresses Lena Dunham and America Ferrera speak at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia Peter Foley/EPA Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live Saturday Night Live Hillary Clinton attempts to open a pickle jar on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Andy Holmes/ABC Donald Trump greets supporters at a rally at Ladd-Peebles Stadium Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images Denis Leary and James Corden on The Late Late Show CBS Donald Trump reacts to the cries of three-month-old Kellen Campbell, of Denver, right, while holding six-month-old Evelyn Keane, of Castel Rock, Colorado Joe Mahoney/Getty Images Bill Clintonon on the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Mike Segar/Reuters Alicia Keys performs at he Democratic National Convention Shawn Thew/EPA Meryl Streep at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center Alex Wong/Getty Images Donald Trump hugs his daughter Ivanka Trump at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Sarah Palin endorses Donald Trump's run for the Republican presidential nomination Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images Donald Trump during a campaign stop on the campus of the University of Central Florida Joe Raedle/Getty Images

One woman said of the sexual assault allegations: Donald only talks about it; Bill Clinton does it. Once again, millions of politically alienated voters are giving Trump the benefit of the doubt.

Inside the campaign of Mrs Clinton, there is a gnawing anxiety. Like many people outside of America, Democrats are surprised its even close. They see Mr Trump as a sociopath and they believed that the multiple women who have alleged sexual assault would destroy him as a viable candidate.

US election: Trump and Clinton on attack in final week

In a sign of some desperation, the Clinton campaign is now deploying the biggest gun of them all. President Obama is in North Carolina today trying to recreate the winning coalition he first compiled eight years ago. But can he turn the tide? In a few days well find out. Whatever happens, the political drama is only just beginning. A wearily victorious Hillary Clinton would face paralysis by investigation. Republicans would launch endless probes and congressional inquiries.

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Tens of millions of Trump supporters will never deviate from their view that she should be in prison, not the White House.

And if Donald Trump wins next week, America is going to face a political earthquake that will send tremors around the world.

We will then have to entirely reassess our view of America, its values and its place in the world.

Robert Moore is the Washington correspondent for ITV News.
NEW YORK, Nov. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ABM (NYSE:ABM), a leading provider of facility solutions, announced key contracts awarded in concert with its 2020 Visions focus on the education market, including multiple custodial service contracts awarded by K-12 school districts. One of the key recent awards was with Northwest Independent School District (NISD) in Fort Worth, TX.

View this infographic on ABMs full range of solutions.

Since changing custodial vendors, I have been very impressed with ABMs commitment to serving the Northwest Independent School District, said Tim McClure, NISDs District Architect & Planner. ABM is committed to bringing in managerial experts from across the United States to serve alongside their onboarding staff for the most important time of year for us ... the first week of school.

Northwest Independent School District (NISD) attracts more than 1,400 new students each year. NISD spans 234 square miles and serves 14 communities in parts of three counties. The district operates three high schools, an accelerated high school, five middle schools, 17 elementary schools, a special programs center and a community-based youth residential program. As of August 2016, NISD educates students across 27 campuses.

At Northwests request, ABM took on additional summer deep cleans for the districts facilities during the transition from the previous contractor, while already delivering deep cleaning for three schools on a timeframe compressed by construction work. Their commitment to cleanliness, combined with their impressive response time, is providing a significant foundation to the start of this relationship, said McClure.

Committed to meeting the unique challenges of learning environments also contributed to recent wins for ABM in Arizona and Tennessee. Paradise Valley Unified School District in Phoenix was suffering from custodial staffing challenges due to financial concerns. ABM was able to contract with Paradise Valley under the 1Government Procurement Alliance Program and now provides a strong staff for their 14 elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools, and three district support buildings. 1GPA is a national non-profit governmental purchasing cooperative which allows public agencies like k-12 schools to take advantage of existing contracts to purchase the goods and services they need from local and national vendors. ABM is a national 1GPA vendor.

Bradley County Schools in Tennessee has also contracted with ABM on a new four-year contract in which ABM manages services across 11 schools.

"As schools face increasingly uncertain funding and growing costs, ABM is proud to diligently provide stable, cost-efficient support for educators and learning environments, said David Carpenter, President of ABMs Education group.



Click here to learn more about ABMs expertise in servicing educational clients across the country.



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ABM (NYSE:ABM) is a leading provider of facility solutions with revenues of approximately $4.9 billion and over 100,000 employees in 300+ offices across the globe. ABM's comprehensive capabilities include electrical & lighting, energy solutions, facilities engineering, HVAC & mechanical, janitorial, landscape & turf, mission critical solutions and parking, provided through stand-alone or integrated solutions. ABM provides custom facility solutions in urban, suburban and rural areas to properties of all sizes  from schools and commercial buildings to hospitals, data centers, manufacturing plants and airports. ABM Industries Incorporated, which operates through its subsidiaries, was founded in 1909. For more information, visit www.abm.com.
M igrants armed with bats and clubs clashed during a mass brawl in Paris hours after authorities cleared an illegal camp.

Men brandishing makeshift weapons and attacked one another during running street battles near Stalingrad subway station on Monday night.

The cause of the fight remains unknown but comes in the wake of an influx of thousands of migrants in Paris following the destruction of the Calais Jungle camp.

Riot police were forced to push migrants back into an emergency cordon which sparked retaliations as tensions boiled over on the streets of the French capital earlier that day.

Street battles: Migrants armed with makeshift weapons clashed in Stalingrad / Rex

Tensions: It came hours after tents were cleared as part of a police operation / Rex

The flashpoint came hours after police cleared away some tents belonging to Afghan migrants along a canal amid Government efforts to tackle the refugee crisis.

Shikhali Mirzai, a young man who said he arrived in Paris from Afghanistan five days ago, said he did not understand why the police are destroying their tents.

Violence: The battles took place on the streets on Monday / Rex

He said: "Where are these people going to sleep? It's very cold. It's very cold. This isn't a life, it's an animal's life."

While charity worker Houssam El Assimi, of local aid group La Chappelle Debout, held a sign reading "No to police raids against migrants".

Mondays operation is believed to be the 27th in the city in which police sort people based on whether they have papers and the right to seek asylum.

Authorities say they have cleared out more than 19,000 migrants from Paris since June last year.

Meanwhile in Calais, authorities are finishing up the dismantling of the "Jungle" which has come to epitomise Europe's migrant crisis.

Additional reporting by Associated Press
A woman seen on CCTV with a London banker shortly before he was found dead is the prime suspect in his murder, it has emerged.

James Starkey, 36, entered his flat in South Africa with a mystery woman on the evening he was murdered, police told the Times.

Mr Starkey, from Woolwich, is believed to have been strangled to death after being tied up and tortured with boiling water on the evening of October 7.

Police have said that there were no signs of a forced-entry into the apartment leaving them to believe Mr Starkey let his murderer enter his room.

His body was found the next day by a colleague who had asked to be let into the suite when Mr Starkey failed to turn up to work.

Sources close to the investigation said boiling water was a commonly-used method in South Africa of extracting information from a target.

The source said the police were aware of the suspects identity but didnt want to reveal anything at this stage.

Mr Starkey had recently proposed to his girlfriend who had visited him in South Africa only weeks before his death.

Originally from Australia Mr Starkey lived in London.

He was meant to stay in South Africa for three months on a project for the financial services firm Catalyst.
A woman who thought she won nearly $43 million on the slots at a New York casino was offered a steak dinner when bosses told her the machine was faulty.

Katrina Bookman posed for an excited selfie next to the machine she gambled on after winnings of $42,949,672 flashed on her screen at Resorts World Casino in Queens in August.

But her hopes were crushed the next day when casino staff told her the machine had malfunctioned, meaning she had not won the amount, which would have been a record slots jackpot in US history.

Instead bosses offered her a free steak dinner. The machine was taken out of service and has since been fixed.

Ms Bookman, a mother-of-four, was left distraught by the error as she returned to the casino expecting to cash in on her winnings.

She told WABC: I said, 'So what did I win? He said, 'You didn't win nothing.'

All I could think about was my family.

The New York State Gaming Commission said law stipulates they can only award Ms Bookman her actual winnings of $2.25.

Resorts World spokesman Dan Bank told CNN: "Upon being notified of the situation, casino personnel were able to determine that the figure displayed on the penny slot was the result of an obvious malfunction -- a fact later confirmed by the New York State Gaming Commission.

"After explaining the circumstances to Ms Bookman, we offered to pay her the correct amount that was shown on the printed ticket. Machine malfunctions are rare, and we would like to extend our apologies to Ms Bookman for any inconvenience this may have caused."

Ms Bookman is contesting the casinos response and has hired a lawyer to claim the casino should pay the maximum amount allowed by the Sphinx slot machine - $6,500.

She said: I should win the max. And I feel like I should treat him (the casino employee) to a steak dinner.
T he advent season is almost upon us, so heres a rundown of our favourite chocolate countdowns to get you in the spirit.

Charbonnel et Walker Upstanding Advent Calendar

If its the wow factor youre after, then Charbonnel et Walker has you covered. Inspired by a theatrical stage set, the Upstanding calendar features 25 individual drawers that are each filled with a decadent chocolate surprise. There are plenty of flavours and fillings to delight all tastes  think fondant creams, rich dark truffles and succulent fudge. The paper characters and props provide an extra special touch.

55, Charbonel et Walker, Buy it now

Prestat The Rocking Horse Advent Calendar

Prestats vintage-inspired Rocking Horse calendar is a treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Adorned with a colourful rocking horse design, it opens to reveal 24 treat-filled windows as well as a lovely Christmas tale  perfect for getting the kids settled down at night. The milk and dark chocolate truffles are flavoured with caramel and sea salt.

22.50, Prestat, Buy it now

Pierre Marcolini Journey to the Moon Advent Calendar

For a countdown thats out of this world, look no further than Pierre Marcolinis Journey to the Moon Christmas collection. Decorated with vibrantly hued half-moons, the Maisons advent calendar is a delight to look at. Behind each door is a bite-sized luxury treat  from pralines and fondants to a caramel animal.

Available from November 9

49, Pierre Marcolini, Visit site



Hotel Chocolat Grand Advent Calendar

Tis the season to indulge, so why not do it properly with Hotel Chocolats generously filled countdown  which makes a great gift on its own for your favourite chocolate fiend. Shaped like a book, its bigger than most chocolate calendars and offers all kinds of choccy treats in large and little sizes  think cocoa gin, crackers filled with pralines and macadamia chocolate snowballs.

68, Hotel Chocolat, Buy it now

Godiva Advent Calendar

A selection of Godivas exquisite Belgian chocolates is nestled behind the 25 doors of this delightful countdown. Expect tempting surprises such as hazelnut pralines, dark ganaches and milk chocolate caramels in all kinds of intricate shapes. Its festive design features classic-inspired illustrations that grownups and children alike will appreciate.

28, John Lewis, Buy it now

Fortnum's Chocolate Selection Advent Calendar

Filled with booze-infused truffles, this beautifully-illustrated calendar is just the ticket for grownup chocoholics. The luxury department store has taken inspiration from its Piccadilly confectionery counter for its colourful design, which is complete with festive symbols. Look forward to a delightful offering of treats in popular flavours like Pink Marc de Champagne, Gin & Lime and Passion Fruit.

35, Fortnum and Mason, Buy it now

Lindt Adorable Bear Advent Calendar

Lindts Adorable Bear calendar is a must for fans of the brands dreamy Belgian chocolate. Open the door to a different foiled treat everyday including the much-loved bears and bunnies. Along with a variety of bite-sized chocolates, theres also a full-sized adorable bear to look forward to  making this a lovely countdown for all ages.

13.99, Selfridges, Buy it now

Chococo Chocolate Advent Selection Box

Looking for something a little different from the norm? Topped with a stylish lid bedecked with advent numbers, this handy selection box is packed with 25 fresh sweets by Dorset chocolatiers, Chococo. The chocolates look almost too good to eat and come in unique and seasonal flavours like Passionfruit Caramel, Mince Pie and the award-winning Mulled Wine. Each made-to-order calendar is delivered at the end of November.

21.95, Chococo, Buy it now

PAUL Chocolate Advent Calendar

Big fan of PAULs? Make the most of the Christmas countdown with this calendar of tasty milk, dark and white chocolates from Londons popular French bakery. The treats come in festive shapes including Santas, Christmas trees and penguins. An illustration of a Parisian family getting ready for the big day adds to the charm.

Available from October 31

14.95, PAUL, Visit site

VERDICT:
L ondon commuters got a surprise when they spotted Emma Watson dashing through underground stations to hide copies of her favourite book.

Onlookers noticed the actress at St Johns Wood station on Tuesday afternoon as she got involved in the Books on the Underground campaign.

The 26-year-old filmed herself dropping copies of Maya Angelous Mom & Me & Mom along the escalator rail at the Bakerloo Line station.

I've been hiding copies of Mom & Me & Mom for Books on the Underground on the tube today! See if you can find one tomorrow! #OurSharedShelf, she wrote on Facebook.

Emma Watson/Facebook

Predictably, some Londoners were rather excited about the A-list sighting, with one person writing on Twitter:

I JUST SAW EMMA WATSON ON THE TUBE. I REPEAT: HERMIONE GRANGER ON THE TUBE.

Another person posted: Emma Watson was on the tube line I take today hiding books for people to find and the fact that I could have seen her just makes my life.

The A-lister was also spotted at Oxford Circus, where many people reportedly didnt clock the star.

Emma Watson was at Oxford Circus tube station hiding Maya Angelou's book #MomAndMeAndMom and people were oblivious of her.... #IWantThatBook, wrote one person.

Speaking about the campaign, Cordelia Oxley, Director of Books on the Underground said:

Books on the Underground is simple - we share copies of all sorts of different books around the London tube network.

"Started initially by my friend Hollie, we've now been running for 4 years. I manage a group of amazing Book Fairies, who help to distribute books into every corner of London.

The campaign with Emma Watson is perfect as it promotes her feminist book club Our Shared Shelf, and also reminds people to look around for a hidden book when they're on the tube!

We are lucky to have built up great relationships with authors, publishers and promoters and our calendar is full of exciting new adventures.

It was Emma's idea to be a Book Fairy for the day, and I think she did an amazing job. Hollie left London last year and is now running Books on the Subway in New York!

Watson has been very outspoken about the US election in recent weeks, urging women in America to vote.

She wrote on Twitter: In 2014, I tweeted Desmond Tutu's quote: 'Men and boys, we show our manhood by how we treat our women'. The American men I know and love know this.

"They know the way a man treats a woman can't be overlooked or brushed aside.
L indsay Lohan adopted a rather strange new accent in her most recent interview, leaving fans more than a little confused.

The American star, who hails from New York, seemed to have lost her native accent as she spoke to reporters on the red carpet in Athens this week.

Discussing her new nightclub opening with Dennis Papageorgiou and their rumoured romance, she said: Dennis, my friend, and that's all he is, my friend and business partner.

When I went through hardships with my ex, I found really, a good family in Istanbul from Greece.

But viewers were more concerned with how she was talking rather than what she was saying.

One person wrote on Twitter: Lindsay Lohan's new accent is pretty Greek! I think I sound like this when ordering frappes, to blend in.

Another wrote: Omg what the f*** is up with Lindsay Lohan's new accent? Literally like that time Madonna became British.

I am living for Lindsay Lohan's new accent, wrote someone else on the site.

Speaking out to explain her new-adopted accent, Lohan told MailOnline that it was a mixture of all the languages she knew.

It's a mixture of most of the languages I can understand or am trying to learn, she said.

And for those wondering at home, the pop culture icon is well on her way to knowing six languages fluently.

She added: I've been learning different languages since I was a child. I'm fluent in English and French can understand Russian and am learning Turkish, Italian and Arabic.


M ichael Fassbender has ruled himself out of playing James Bond as he thinks the franchise needs a shake-up.

The Oscar-nominated actor, who was supposedly in the running to step into Daniel Craigs shoes, has now confirmed that he will not be taking on the role.

When asked if he would be keen to play 007 in an interview with GQ, Fassbender simply said: To be honest, no.

I just love Bond. Doesn't everyone? I grew up with him, he said. As an acting role, I think Daniel has done such a cracking job in this age group... I think the franchise needs something new.

Stepping down? Daniel Craig is not expected to play James Bond again (PA)

The Steve Jobs star went on to suggest that the next film should focus on a younger Bond, with Jack OConnell as a possible contender.

What about we start the film back in Sandhurst, Army training rather than on a yacht, or he's in the Middle East on an op and gets thrown in the brig for insubordination? He's going to get court-martialled... I have thought about it a lot, he said.

It's always a fun conversation to have. But Bond should be someone in their early 20s.

Who could be the next 007 James Bond? - In pictures 1 /22 Who could be the next 007 James Bond? - In pictures Idris Elba BBC Rege-Jean Page Dave Benet Jamie Dornan BBC/Stan/HBO Max & ZDF/Ian Routledge Tom Hardy 20th Century Fox James Norton Rex Luke Evans Agent Publicity Henry Cavill PA Lashana Lynch MGM Tom Hiddleston BBC Sam Heughan PA Jack Lowden Dave Benett Aidan Turner Mammoth Screen Chris Hemsworth AP Henry Golding AP Jamie Bell AP Richard Madden BBC Cillian Murphy BBC

I always thought Bond should be British, but let's get an American in or maybe someone like Jack O'Connell would be good?

He added: "Or even better, how about Jane Bond? A woman. One thing is for sure, it won't be anyone on the bookies' lists. It never is.

Although Craig is yet to officially step down from the franchise, producers are reportedly on the hunt for his replacement.

Among those rumoured to be in the running for the role are James Norton, Idris Elba, Aidan Turner and Tom Hiddleston.
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PRESS RELEASE

Ongoing Regulated Information

Cegedim signs a heads of agreement to acquire Futuramedia Group

This deal strengthens the digital offerings of Cegedim's RNP subsidiary, the French pharmacy signage specialist.

Boulogne-Billancourt, November 2, 2016

Cegedim, an innovative technology and services company, has signed a heads of agreement to acquire Futuramedia Group. Cegedim already has a presence in pharmacy communication activities via its subsidiary, RNP, and the acquisition will bolster that activity by adding Futuramedia, the French leader in digital signage in pharmacies.

"We are incredibly pleased with this sale, which is a major step forward in the development of Futuramedia. The company has grown from a pioneer into a leader in the French market for digital communications in pharmacy chains, and joining forces with Cegedim's RNP teams will accelerate Futuramedia's commercial and technological development towards the goal of offering pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies increasingly effective solutions," said Guy Taieb, Futuramedia Group founder and chairman.

Once the deal is completed, Cegedim will be able to offer Futuramedia products and services to all of the Group's pharmaceutical and cosmetics company clients and partner pharmacies. This will benefit pharmaceutical companies' advertising efforts, as the Group's media sales teams will have a larger network of digital screens inside pharmacies.

"We are delighted to be incorporating Futuramedia and its teams into the Cegedim Group. The addition will boost our rapidly growing digital activities," asserted Cegedim's Deputy Managing Director Pierre Marucchi.

Last year, Futuramedia Group generated revenues of around 5.4 million. The company will have a beneficial impact on Cegedim Group margins and will begin contributing to the Group's consolidation scope from December 1, 2016. Cegedim remains in compliance with all of its bank loan covenants.

Futuramedia and its shareholders were advised in the deal by the Ohana & Co investment bank and by the law firm of Cover Avocats. Cegedim was advised by the law firm of Ashurst.

Financial calendar

November 29, 2016, after market closing



December 14, 2016, at 1:30pm Q3 2016 earnings



7th Investor Day

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This press release is available:



on our website In French: http://www.cegedim.fr/finance



In English: http://www.cegedim.com/finance



on Cegedim IR, the Group's financial communications app To download the app, visit http://www.cegedim.fr/finance/profil/Pages/CegedimIR.aspx.
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TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greystone Healthcare Management announces its appointment as the new management company for Gainesville Health Care Center, located at 4842 SW Archer Rd., Gainesville, Fla. 32608.



The 180-bed facility that opened in June of 2016 offers short- and long-term care services, as well as specialized memory care services for 50 residents.

This procurement is a natural extension of Greystones health network, allowing us to further develop our home health and private duty services to the many patients and their family members who rely on premier quality care, said Connie Bessler, chief executive officer, Greystone Healthcare Management.

We have assembled an outstanding team of well-versed Greystone Health Network employees to ensure a seamless transition of management. This team will be assisting, teaching and training the employees at Gainesville Health Care Center according to Greystones signature processes and systems.

With this facility added to our network, Greystone Healthcare Management will serve 574 total residents and employ 950 healthcare professionals in the Gainesville area. Greystone also manages Terrace Health and Rehabilitation Center, Park Meadows Health and Rehabilitation Center and home health services, based in Gainesville.

About Greystone Healthcare Management Corp.

Greystone Healthcare Management Corp., headquartered in Tampa, Fla., manages a healthcare network comprised of skilled nursing and assisted living communities, outpatient rehabilitation and home health services, private duty services and hospice care. With locations across Florida and Ohio, Greystone is committed to providing only the highest quality customer service and patient care.

Website: www.greystonehealth.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreystoneHealth

Twitter: https://twitter.com/greystonehcm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/544439

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GreystoneHCM

Flikr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/greystonehcm/collections/
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Annexus, a leading designer of fixed indexed annuities and indexed universal life insurance, announced the formation of Annexus Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on making early-stage investments in InsureTech, FinTech and software startups. Annexus Ventures delivers a wealth of financial industry expertise, mature business networks and capital support to accelerate promising technology companies.



Annexus Ventures seeks partnerships with next generation InsureTech and FinTech business leaders, said Don Dady, Board Director of Annexus Ventures. Our approach is to focus on business solutions and technologies that will significantly impact and improve the future of the Financial Services industry.

Our leadership team understands that commitment to our technology partners goes beyond the initial capital infusion and first phases of expansion, said Ron Shurts, Board Director at Annexus Ventures. We tap into the invaluable relationships we have cultivated with carriers, investment banks, broker dealers, financial institutions and advisors to help our investment partners grow and gain adoption.

Annexus Ventures is actively developing partnerships with leading technology startups and intends to make strategic announcements in the coming weeks. Annexus Ventures is a closed funding entity. For more information, visit www.annexusventures.com.
NEW YORK, Nov. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) (Genco or the Company) today reported its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.



The following financial review discusses the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015.

Third Quarter 2016 and Year-to-Date Highlights

Recorded a net loss attributable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited of $27.5 million for the third quarter of 2016 Basic and diluted loss per share of $3.80

Extended and amended the commitment and waiver letter for the $400.0 million facility through November 15, 2016 Provides further amortization relief for 2019 and 2020 Includes improved collateral maintenance covenants for 2020 Designed to refinance all of our existing credit facilities with the exception of the $98 Million Credit Facility and the 2014 Term Loan Facilities

Entered into agreements with the Companys three largest shareholders and other investors for the purchase of an aggregate of $125 million of Series A Preferred Stock at a price of $4.85 per share On October 4, 2016 entered into agreements with the three largest shareholders of the Company for the firm purchase commitment of $86.4 million and a backstop commitment for $38.6 million On October 27, 2016 entered into an agreement with a number of investors including our three largest shareholders for a firm purchase of $38.6 million

Sold two Handysize vessels, the Genco Sugar and the Genco Pioneer for $5.1 million

Entered into an agreement to sell the Genco Leader for $3.47 million

Effected a one-for-ten reverse stock split of Gencos common stock as of July 7, 2016.

Financial Review: 2016 Third Quarter

The Company recorded a net loss attributable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited for the third quarter of 2016 of $27.5 million, or $3.80 basic and diluted net loss per share. Comparatively, for the three months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded a net loss attributable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited of $66.6 million, or $9.54 basic and diluted net loss per share. Basic and diluted net loss per share for both periods has been adjusted for the one-for-ten reverse stock split of Gencos common stock effected on July 7, 2016.

John C. Wobensmith, President, commented, Genco has taken important steps to strengthen its balance sheet and enhance its long-term prospects in the third quarter. The proposed $400 million facility provides us with a more favorable amortization schedule through 2020, a reduction in the minimum liquidity requirements and significant relief under the collateral maintenance covenants which is expected to provide the company with increased financial flexibility upon closing. The commitment for the proposed $400 million credit facility highlights the Companys industry leadership and is expected to better position the Company to capitalize on our leading drybulk platform during a potential market recovery. We thank our lenders for their strong and ongoing support.

The Companys revenues decreased to $38.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $50.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease was primarily due to lower spot market rates achieved by the majority of the vessels in our fleet during the third quarter of 2016 versus the same period last year.

The average daily time charter equivalent, or TCE, rates obtained by the Companys fleet was $5,779 per day for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to $7,009 for the three months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease in TCE was primarily due to lower spot rates achieved by the majority of the vessels in our fleet during the third quarter of 2016 versus the third quarter of 2015. During the third quarter of 2016, the Baltic Dry Index continued to increase from all-time lows registered earlier in the year. Freight rates during the quarter were primarily supported by heightened demand for iron ore cargoes due to augmented Chinese steel production and increased coal shipments to China as the country reduced domestic coal output. With regard to supply, net fleet growth in the year-to-date remained relatively low in historical terms, however vessel demolition activity eased during the third quarter as compared to the first half of the year.

Total operating expenses were $59.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $85.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. Vessel operating expenses declined to $28.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $31.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. This was primarily due to lower expenses related to maintenance, crewing and insurance as well as the timing of purchases of stores and spares. General, administrative and technical management expenses were $10.2 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $27.0 million for the third quarter of 2015, primarily due to a decrease in compensation and merger related expenses partially offset by costs related to financing or refinancing activities. Included in general, administrative and technical management expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and the three months ended September 30, 2015, are non-cash compensation expenses of $3.6 million and $11.8 million, respectively, arising from awards under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2014 Management Incentive Plan, or MIP. Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased to $18.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $20.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to the revaluation of ten of our vessels to their estimated net realizable value during the first half of 2016.

Daily vessel operating expenses, or DVOE, decreased to $4,483 per vessel per day for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $4,997 per vessel per day for the same quarter of 2015 predominantly due to lower expenses related to maintenance, crewing and insurance as well as the timing of purchases of stores and spares. We believe daily vessel operating expenses are best measured for comparative purposes over a 12month period in order to take into account all of the expenses that each vessel in our fleet will incur over a full year of operation. Based on estimates provided by our technical managers and managements views, our DVOE budget for 2016 is $4,820 per vessel per day on a weighted average basis for the entire year.

Apostolos Zafolias, Chief Financial Officer, commented, The proposed $400 million credit facility includes improved financial covenants such as the elimination of collateral maintenance tests through the first half of 2018, and a reduction of the minimum liquidity requirement. It also provides a more favorable repayment schedule with no significant amortization payments until 2019.

Financial Review: Nine Months 2016

The Company recorded a net loss attributable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited of $192.7 million or $26.65 basic and diluted net loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. This compares to a net loss attributable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited of $145.4 million or $22.86 basic and diluted net loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Basic and diluted net loss per share for both periods has been adjusted for the one-for-ten reverse stock split of Gencos common stock effected on July 7, 2016. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, includes non-cash vessel impairment charges of $69.3 million and $35.4 million, respectively. Revenues decreased to $91.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $119.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 due to lower spot market rates achieved by the majority of our vessels. TCE rates obtained by the Company decreased to $4,341 per day for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $5,696 per day for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, due to lower rates achieved by the majority of the vessels in our fleet. Total operating expenses, excluding non-cash vessel impairment charges totaling $69.3 million relating to the revaluation of ten vessels to their estimated net realizable value, were $190.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. This compares to total operating expenses, excluding a non-cash vessel impairment charge of $35.4 million relating to the sale of the Baltic Tiger and the Baltic Lion in April 2015, of $238.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Daily vessel operating expenses per vessel were $4,523 versus $4,841 in the comparative periods due to lower expenses related maintenance as well as crewing and insurance.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow

Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $45.9 million and $39.4 million, respectively. Included in the net loss attributable to Genco during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 are $72.0 million and $67.9 million of non-cash impairment charges, respectively. Also included in the net loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $14.5 million and $36.7 million, respectively, of non-cash amortization of non-vested stock compensation due to the vesting of restricted shares and warrants primarily issued under the MIP. Additionally, the fluctuation in accounts payable and accrued expenses decreased by $13.7 million due to the timing of payments. The above changes in operating activities were partially offset by a $4.3 million increase in the fluctuation in prepaid expenses and other current assets. Additionally, there was an $8.3 million decrease in deferred drydocking costs incurred because there were fewer vessels that completed drydocking during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period during 2015.

Net cash provided by investing activities was $5.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $26.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The fluctuation is primarily due to a $45.7 million decrease in the purchase of vessels, including deposits. The decrease is primarily due to the completion of the purchase of the Baltic Wasp on January 2, 2015 and the Baltic Scorpion on August 6, 2015. Additionally, there was an increase of $3.2 million of proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale (AFS) securities, as well as $1.9 million of proceeds from the sale of the Genco Marine which was scrapped during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. These fluctuations were partially offset by a $19.6 million decrease in deposits of restricted cash, representing the amount of restricted cash that was held in an escrow account as of December 31, 2014 for the purchase of the Baltic Wasp, which was released to the shipyard upon the vessel delivery on January 2, 2015.

Net cash used in financing activities was $40.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $26.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 consisted primarily of the following: $15.2 million repayment of debt under the $253 Million Term Loan Facility, $9.0 million repayment of debt under the $148 Million Credit Facility, $5.8 million repayment of debt under the $100 Million Term Loan Facility, $4.9 million repayment of debt under the 2015 Revolving Credit Facility, $2.1 million repayment of debt under $44 Million Term Loan Facility, $2.1 million repayment of debt under the 2014 Term Loan Facilities, $1.1 million repayment of debt under the $22 Million Term Loan Facility, and $0.1 million cash settlement paid to non-accredited 5.00% Convertible Senior Note holders. Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 consisted primarily of $131.5 million of proceeds from the $148 Million Credit Facility and $35.0 million of proceeds from 2015 Revolving Credit Facility partially offset by the following: $102.3 million repayment of debt under the 2010 Credit Facility, $16.9 million repayment of debt under the $253 Million Term Loan Facility, $5.8 million repayment of debt under the $100 Million Term Loan Facility, $4.9 million repayment of debt under the $148 Million Term Loan Facility, $2.1 million repayment of debt under the $44 Million Term Loan Facility, $1.1 million repayment of debt under the $22 Million Term Loan Facility, $1.4 million repayment of debt under the 2014 Term Loan Facilities, $0.7 million cash settlement paid to non-accredited 5.00% Convertible Senior Note holders, and $4.5 million payment of deferred financing costs.

Capital Expenditures

We make capital expenditures from time to time in connection with vessel acquisitions. As of November 2, 2016, our fleet consists of 13 Capesize, eight Panamax, four Ultramax, 21 Supramax, five Handymax and 16 Handysize vessels with an aggregate capacity of approximately 5,053,000 dwt.

In addition to acquisitions that we may undertake in future periods, we will incur additional capital expenditures due to special surveys and drydockings for our fleet. Two of our vessels were drydocked during the third quarter of 2016. We currently expect three of our vessels to be drydocked during the remainder of 2016.

We estimate our capital expenditures related to drydocking for our fleet through 2017 to be:

Q4 2016 2017 Estimated Costs (1) $3.2 million $15.6 million Estimated Offhire Days (2) 100 385

(1) Estimates are based on our budgeted cost of drydocking our vessels in China. Actual costs will vary based on various factors, including where the drydockings are actually performed. We expect to fund these costs with cash from operations. These costs do not include drydock expense items that are reflected in vessel operating expenses or potential costs associated with the installation of ballast water treatment systems. The estimated costs shown in the table above include $1.5 million and $4.8 million of estimated costs associated with vessels that could potentially be sold or scrapped as per the terms of the $400 Million Credit Facility during Q4 2016 and 2017, respectively.

(2) Actual length will vary based on the condition of the vessel, yard schedules and other factors. The estimated offhire days shown in the table above include 60 days and 125 days associated with vessels that could potentially be sold or scrapped as per the terms of the $400 Million Credit Facility in Q4 2016 and 2017, respectively.

One vessel began drydocking during June and completed drydocking during the third quarter. Two other vessels began drydocking during the third quarter, of which one vessel competed drydocking in September and the other completed drydocking during Q4 2016. The planned offhire days recorded for these vessels during the third quarter of 2016 amounted to 32.0 days. Capitalized costs associated with drydocking incurred during the third quarter of 2016 were approximately $0.9 million.

Credit Facility Waivers/New Facility

As previously announced, the Company entered into agreements for waivers of the collateral maintenance covenants under its $253 Million Term Loan Facility, its $100 Million Credit Facility, and its $148 Million Credit Facility, which were extended by the commitment letter for the Companys $400 Million Credit Facility, as amended. The $400 Million Credit Facility is intended to address the Companys liquidity and covenant compliance issues and to refinance the Companys $100 Million Term Loan Facility, $253 Million Term Loan Facility, $148 Million Credit Facility, $22 Million Term Loan Facility, $44 Million Term Loan Facility, and 2015 Revolving Credit Facility (the Prior Facilities). Under the amended commitment letter, collateral maintenance waivers have been implemented or extended for the Prior Facilities through November 15, 2016. Our credit facilities contain minimum cash covenants measured on a company-wide basis and on the basis of the number of vessels pledged by obligors under each such credit facility. The amended commitment letter also provides waivers of the Companys minimum cash covenants under the Prior Facilities that are applicable on a company-wide basis, so long as cash and cash equivalents of the Company are at least $25 million, and of the Companys maximum leverage ratio through November 15, 2016. Additionally, we have obtained collateral maintenance waivers under the 2014 Term Loan Facilities through November 15, 2016. Moreover, under the amended commitment letter, from August 31, 2016 through November 15, 2016, the amount of cash we would need to maintain under our minimum cash covenants applicable only to obligors in each facility to be refinanced under the Amended Commitment Letter would be reduced by up to $0.25 million per vessel, subject to an overall maximum cash withdrawal of $10.0 million to pay expenses and additional conditions.

As also previously announced, the Company entered into a commitment letter for certain amendments to its $98 Million Facility. This commitment letter provides for certain covenant relief through November 15, 2016. For such period, compliance with the company-wide minimum cash covenant has been waived so long as cash and cash equivalents of the Company are at least $25 million; compliance with the maximum leverage ratio has been waived; and the ratio required to be maintained under the Companys collateral maintenance covenant will be 120% rather than 140%.

The foregoing waivers, amendments, and the $400 Million Credit Facility are subject to conditions that the Company must fulfill, including the completion of an equity financing by November 15, 2016.

Financial Statement Presentation

As previously announced, we completed our merger with Baltic Trading on July 17, 2015. Prior to the completion of the Genco and Baltic Trading merger, Genco consolidated Baltic Trading and the Baltic Trading common shares that Genco acquired in the merger were recognized as a noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements of Genco. Under U.S. GAAP, changes in a parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in the parent losing control of the subsidiary are considered equity transactions (i.e. transactions with owners in their capacity as owners) with any difference between the amount by which the noncontrolling interest is adjusted and the fair value of the consideration paid attributed to the equity of the parent. Accordingly, upon completion of the merger, any difference between the fair value of the Genco common shares issued in exchange for Baltic Trading common shares was reflected as an adjustment to the equity in Genco. No gain or loss was reorganized in Gencos consolidated statement of comprehensive income upon completion of the transaction.

Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data

The following table summarizes Genco Shipping & Trading Limiteds selected consolidated financial and other data for the periods indicated below.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) (unaudited) (unaudited) INCOME STATEMENT DATA: Revenues: Voyage revenues $ 37,871 $ 49,167 $ 89,461 $ 116,548 Service revenues 1,016 828 2,240 2,457 Total revenues 38,887 49,995 91,701 119,005 Operating expenses: Voyage expenses 2,262 6,638 9,232 14,775 Vessel operating expenses 28,460 31,544 86,125 90,143 General, administrative and management fees 10,153 26,983 36,861 73,798 Depreciation and amortization 18,127 20,124 58,152 58,933 Other operating income - - (182 ) - Impairment of vessel assets - - 69,278 35,396 Loss on sale of vessels - - 77 1,210 Total operating expenses 59,002 85,289 259,543 274,255 Operating loss (20,115 ) (35,294 ) (167,842 ) (155,250 ) Other (expense) income: Impairment of investment - (32,536 ) (2,696 ) (32,536 ) Other income (expense) 125 (653 ) (49 ) (707 ) Interest income 49 22 143 71 Interest expense (7,073 ) (4,876 ) (21,199 ) (13,887 ) Other expense (6,899 ) (38,043 ) (23,801 ) (47,059 ) Loss before reorganization items, net (27,014 ) (73,337 ) (191,643 ) (202,309 ) Reorganization items, net (83 ) (174 ) (243 ) (1,006 ) Loss before income taxes (27,097 ) (73,511 ) (191,886 ) (203,315 ) Income tax expense (417 ) (292 ) (766 ) (1,553 ) Net loss (27,514 ) (73,803 ) (192,652 ) (204,868 ) Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest - (7,178 ) - (59,471 ) Net loss attributable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited $ (27,514 ) $ (66,625 ) $ (192,652 ) $ (145,397 ) Net loss per share - basic $ (3.80 ) $ (9.54 ) $ (26.65 ) $ (22.86 ) Net loss per share - diluted $ (3.80 ) $ (9.54 ) $ (26.65 ) $ (22.86 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic 7,245,268 6,982,434 7,228,660 6,361,518 Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted 7,245,268 6,982,434 7,228,660 6,361,518 September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 BALANCE SHEET DATA: (unaudited) Cash (including restricted cash) $ 59,843 $ 140,889 Current assets 87,818 172,529 Total assets 1,493,456 1,714,663 Current liabilities (excluding current portion of long-term debt) 23,176 28,525 Current portion of long-term debt (net of $7.8 million and $9.4 million of unamortized 540,455 579,023 debt issuance costs at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively) Long-term debt - - Shareholders' equity 928,137 1,105,966 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 (unaudited) Net cash used in operating activities $ (45,907 ) $ (39,393 ) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 5,119 (26,397 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (40,258 ) 26,854 Three Months Ended

September 30, 2016 Three Months Ended

September 30, 2015 Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2016 Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands) EBITDA Reconciliation: (unaudited) (unaudited) Net Loss attributable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited $ (27,514 ) $ (66,625 ) $ (192,652 ) $ (145,397 ) + Net interest expense 7,024 4,854 21,056 13,816 + Income tax expense 417 292 766 1,553 + Depreciation and amortization 18,127 20,124 58,152 58,933 EBITDA(1) $ (1,946 ) $ (41,355 ) $ (112,678 ) $ (71,095 ) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015 GENCO CONSOLIDATED FLEET DATA: (unaudited) (unaudited) Total number of vessels at end of period 69 69 69 69 Average number of vessels (2) 69.0 68.6 69.5 68.2 Total ownership days for fleet (3) 6,348 6,312 19,044 18,619 Total available days for fleet (4) 6,161 6,068 18,482 17,866 Total operating days for fleet (5) 6,123 6,000 18,293 17,629 Fleet utilization (6) 99.4 % 98.9 % 99.0 % 98.7 % AVERAGE DAILY RESULTS: Time charter equivalent (7) $ 5,779 $ 7,009 $ 4,341 $ 5,696 Daily vessel operating expenses per vessel (8) 4,483 4,997 4,523 4,841

1) EBITDA represents net income (loss) plus net interest expense, taxes, and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is included because it is used by management and certain investors as a measure of operating performance. EBITDA is used by analysts in the shipping industry as a common performance measure to compare results across peers. Our management uses EBITDA as a performance measure in consolidating internal financial statements and it is presented for review at our board meetings. For these reasons, we believe that EBITDA is a useful measure to present to our investors. EBITDA is not an item recognized by U.S. GAAP (i.e. non-GAAP measure) and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other indicator of a company's operating performance required by U.S. GAAP. EBITDA is not a source of liquidity or cash flows as shown in our consolidated statement of cash flows. The definition of EBITDA used here may not be comparable to that used by other companies. Pursuant to the amendments entered into on April 30, 2015 for our $100 Million Term Loan Facility and our $253 Million Term Loan Facility, the definition of Consolidated EBITDA used in the financial covenants has been eliminated.

2) Average number of vessels is the number of vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.

3) We define ownership days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during a period.

4) We define available days as the number of our ownership days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys and the aggregate amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels between time charters. Companies in the shipping industry generally use available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.

5) We define operating days as the number of our available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to unforeseen circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.

6) We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our operating days during a period by the number of our available days during the period. The shipping industry uses fleet utilization to measure a company's efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the number of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons other than scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades, special surveys or vessel positioning.

7) We define TCE rates as our net voyage revenue (voyage revenues less voyage expenses (including voyage expenses to Parent)) divided by the number of our available days during the period, which is consistent with industry standards. TCE rate is a common shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charterhire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per-day amounts while charterhire rates for vessels on time charters generally are expressed in such amounts.

8) We define daily vessel operating expenses to include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance expenses relating to repairs and maintenance (excluding drydocking), the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses. Daily vessel operating expenses are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant period.

Genco Shipping & Trading Limiteds Fleet

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited transports iron ore, coal, grain, steel products and other drybulk cargoes along worldwide shipping routes. As of November 2, 2016, Genco Shipping & Trading Limiteds fleet consists of 13 Capesize, eight Panamax, four Ultramax, 21 Supramax, five Handymax and 16 Handysize vessels with an aggregate capacity of approximately 5,053,000 dwt.

Our current fleet contains 16 groups of sister ships, which are vessels of virtually identical sizes and specifications. We believe that maintaining a fleet that includes sister ships reduces costs by creating economies of scale in the maintenance, supply and crewing of our vessels. As of November 2, 2016, the average age of our current fleet was 9.6 years.

The following table reflects the employment of Gencos fleet as of November 2, 2016:

Vessel Year

Built Charterer Charter

Expiration(1) Cash Daily

Rate(2) Capesize Vessels Genco Augustus 2007 Swissmarine Services S.A. February 2017 $ 7,800 Genco Tiberius 2007 Cargill International S.A. December 2016 98% of BCI Genco London 2007 Swissmarine Services S.A. December 2016 $3,250 with 50% profit sharing Genco Titus 2007 Swissmarine Services S.A. December 2016 $ 8,000 Genco Constantine 2008 Swissmarine Services S.A. February 2017 $ 7,800 Genco Hadrian 2008 Swissmarine Services S.A. December 2016 98.5% of BCI Genco Commodus 2009 Swissmarine Asia Pte. Ltd. March 2017 $3,250 with 50% profit sharing Genco Maximus 2009 Swissmarine Services S.A. February 2017 $3,250 with 50% profit sharing Genco Claudius 2010 Swissmarine Services S.A. December 2016 99% of BCI Genco Tiger 2011 Swissmarine Services S.A. December 2016 103% of BCI Baltic Lion 2012 Swissmarine Services S.A. December 2016 $3,250 with 50% profit sharing Baltic Bear 2010 Swissmarine Services S.A. February 2017 $ 7,000 Baltic Wolf 2010 Swissmarine Services S.A. December 2016 $3,250 with 50% profit sharing Panamax Vessels Genco Beauty 1999 Navig8 Inc. October 2016 94.75% of BPI(3) Genco Knight 1999 Swissmarine Services S.A. January 2017 95% of BPI Genco Leader 1999 Transgrain Shipping B.V. Rotterdam October 2016 $7,250(4) Genco Vigour 1999 Swissmarine Services S.A. December 2016 95% of BPI Genco Acheron 1999 Windrose SPS Shipping & Trading S.A. December 2016 $7,500(5) Genco Surprise 1998 Ssangyong Shipping Co., Ltd. November 2016 $6,500(6) Genco Raptor 2007 M2M Panamax Pool Ltd. February 2017 100% of BPI Genco Thunder 2007 Swissmarine Services S.A. May 2017 100% of BPI Ultramax Vessels Baltic Hornet 2014 Swissmarine Asia Pte. Ltd. February 2017 115.5% of BSI Baltic Wasp 2015 Pioneer Navigation Ltd. January 2017 $3,250 with 50% profit sharing Baltic Scorpion 2015 Swissmarine Asia Pte. Ltd. November 2016 115.5% of BSI Baltic Mantis 2015 Pioneer Navigation Ltd. December 2016 115% of BSI Supramax Vessels Genco Predator 2005 ED&F Man Shipping Ltd. December 2016 98.5% of BSI Genco Warrior 2005 Centurion Bulk Pte. Ltd., Singapore April 2017 98.5% of BSI Genco Hunter 2007 Pioneer Navigation Ltd. June 2017 104% of BSI Genco Cavalier 2007 Chun An Chartering Co., Ltd. November 2016 $5,850(7) Genco Lorraine 2009 Cargill Ocean Transportation (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. November 2016 $6,300(8) Genco Loire 2009 Bulkhandling Handymax A/S February 2017 Spot Pool(9) Genco Aquitaine 2009 Bulkhandling Handymax A/S January 2017 Spot Pool(9) Genco Ardennes 2009 Clipper Sapphire Pool May 2017 Spot Pool(10) Genco Auvergne 2009 Pioneer Navigation Ltd. December 2016 100% of BSI Genco Bourgogne 2010 Clipper Sapphire Pool May 2017 Spot Pool(10) Genco Brittany 2010 Clipper Sapphire Pool May 2017 Spot Pool(10) Genco Languedoc 2010 Clipper Sapphire Pool May 2017 Spot Pool(10) Genco Normandy 2007 Tongli Samoa Shipping Co., Ltd. November 2016 $5,550(11) Genco Picardy 2005 Centurion Bulk Pte. Ltd., Singapore December 2016 98.5% of BSI Genco Provence 2004 Pioneer Navigation Ltd. December 2016 100% of BSI Genco Pyrenees 2010 Clipper Sapphire Pool May 2017 Spot Pool(10) Genco Rhone 2011 Pioneer Navigation Ltd. December 2016 100% of BSI Baltic Leopard 2009 Bulkhandling Handymax A/S February 2017 Spot Pool(9) Baltic Panther 2009 Bulkhandling Handymax A/S February 2017 Spot Pool(9) Baltic Jaguar 2009 Centurion Bulk Pte. Ltd. January 2017 $6,300(12) Baltic Cougar 2009 Bulkhandling Handymax A/S February 2017 Spot Pool(9) Handymax Vessels Genco Success 1997 TST NV, Nevis February 2017 87.5% of BSI Genco Carrier 1998 Elim Spring Marine (Hong Kong), Ltd. November 2016 $5,500(13) Genco Prosperity 1997 TST NV, Nevis March 2017 87.5% of BSI Genco Wisdom 1997 ED&F Man Shipping Ltd. December 2016 88.5% of BSI Genco Muse 2001 Engelhart Commodities Trading Partners November 2016 $7,500(14) Handysize Vessels Genco Progress 1999 Clipper Logger Pool May 2017 Spot Pool(15) Genco Explorer 1999 Clipper Logger Pool May 2017 Spot Pool(15) Genco Reliance 1999 Clipper Logger Pool January 2017 Spot Pool(15) Baltic Hare 2009 Clipper Logger Pool May 2017 Spot Pool(15) Baltic Fox 2010 Clipper Logger Pool May 2017 Spot Pool(15) Genco Charger 2005 Clipper Logger Pool May 2017 Spot Pool(15) Genco Challenger 2003 Clipper Logger Pool May 2017 Spot Pool(15) Genco Champion 2006 Clipper Logger Pool May 2017 Spot Pool(15) Baltic Wind 2009 Trammo Bulk Carriers February 2017 103% of BHSI Baltic Cove 2010 Clipper Bulk Shipping Ltd. July 2017 $5,750(16) Baltic Breeze 2010 Trammo Bulk Carriers January 2017 103% of BHSI Genco Ocean 2010 MUR Shipping B.V. December 2016 $7,000(17) Genco Bay 2010 Noble Chartering Ltd., Hong Kong November 2016 $5,475(18) Genco Avra 2011 Ultrabulk S.A. April 2017 104% of BHSI Genco Mare 2011 Pioneer Navigation Ltd. July 2017 103.5% of BHSI Genco Spirit 2011 MUR Shipping B.V. November 2016 $5,500(19)

(1) The charter expiration dates presented represent the earliest dates that our charters may be terminated in the ordinary course. Under the terms of each contract, the charterer is entitled to extend the time charter from two to four months in order to complete the vessel's final voyage plus any time the vessel has been off-hire.

(2) Time charter rates presented are the gross daily charterhire rates before third-party brokerage commission generally ranging from 1.25% to 6.25%. In a time charter, the charterer is responsible for voyage expenses such as bunkers, port expenses, agents fees and canal dues.

(3) The vessel redelivered to Genco on October 28, 2016 and is currently awaiting next employment.

(4) The vessel redelivered to Genco from charterers. We have entered into an agreement to sell the vessel during Q4 2016.

(5) We have reached an agreement with Windrose SPS Shipping & Trading S.A. on a time charter for approximately 55 days at a rate of $7,500 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on October 15, 2016 after repositioning. A ballast bonus was awarded after the repositioning period. The vessel redelivered to Genco on September 8, 2016.

(6) We have reached an agreement with Ssangyong Shipping Co., Ltd. on a time charter for approximately 15 days at a rate of $6,500 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 6.25% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on October 21, 2016.

(7) We have reached an agreement with Chun An Chartering Co., Ltd. on a time charter for approximately 30 days at a rate of $5,850 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on September 13, 2016 after repositioning. The vessel redelivered to Genco on September 10, 2016.

(8) We have reached an agreement with Cargill Ocean Transportation (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. on a time charter for approximately 15 days at a rate of $6,300 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on October 20, 2016 after repositioning. The vessel redelivered to Genco on October 17, 2016.

(9) We have reached an agreement to enter these vessels into the Bulkhandling Handymax A/S Pool, a vessel pool trading in the spot market of which Torvald Klaveness acts as the pool manager. Genco can withdraw a vessel with three months notice.

(10) We have reached an agreement to enter these vessels into the Clipper Sapphire Pool, a vessel pool trading in the spot market of which Clipper Group acts as the pool manager. Genco can withdraw a vessel with a minimum notice of six months.

(11) We have reached an agreement with Tongli Samoa Shipping Co., Ltd. on a time charter for approximately 15 days at a rate of $5,550 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on October 24, 2016 after repositioning. The vessel redelivered to Genco on October 18, 2016.

(12) We have agreed to an extension with Centurion Bulk Pte. Ltd. on a time charter for 2.5 to 5.5 months at a rate of $6,300 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The extension began on October 22, 2016.

(13) We have reached an agreement with Elim Spring Marine (Hong Kong), Ltd. on a time charter for approximately 18 days at a rate of $5,500 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on October 30, 2016.

(14) We have reached an agreement with Engelhart Commodities Trading Partners on a time charter for approximately 45 days at a rate of $7,500 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on October 12, 2016 after repositioning. The vessel redelivered to Genco on September 30, 2016.

(15) We have reached an agreement to enter these vessels into the Clipper Logger Pool, a vessel pool trading in the spot market of which Clipper Group acts as the pool manager. Genco can withdraw the vessels with a minimum notice of six months.

(16) We have agreed to an extension with Clipper Bulk Shipping Ltd. on a time charter for 11.5 to 14.5 months at a rate of $5,750 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The extension began on August 5, 2016.

(17) We have reached an agreement with MUR Shipping B.V. on a time charter for approximately 40 days at a rate of $7,000 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on October 24, 2016 after repositioning. The vessel redelivered to Genco on October 19, 2016.

(18) We have reached an agreement with Noble Chartering Ltd., Hong Kong on a time charter for approximately 20 days at a rate of $5,475 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on November 2, 2016 after repositioning. The vessel redelivered to Genco on October 26, 2016.

(19) We have reached an agreement with MUR Shipping B.V. on a time charter for approximately 30 days at a rate of $5,500 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on October 3, 2016.

About Genco Shipping & Trading Limited

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited transports iron ore, coal, grain, steel products and other drybulk cargoes along worldwide shipping routes. As of November 2, 2016, Genco Shipping & Trading Limiteds fleet consists of 13 Capesize, eight Panamax, four Ultramax, 21 Supramax, five Handymax and 16 Handysize vessels with an aggregate capacity of approximately 5,053,000 dwt.

Conference Call Announcement

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited will hold a conference call on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its 2016 third quarter financial results. The conference call and a presentation will be simultaneously webcast and will be available on the Companys website, www.GencoShipping.com. To access the conference call, dial (888) 632-3384 or (785) 424-1675 and enter passcode 1253233. A replay of the conference call can also be accessed for two weeks by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820 and entering the passcode 1253233. The Company intends to place additional materials related to the earnings announcement, including a slide presentation, on its website prior to the conference call.

Website Information

We intend to use our website, www.GencoShipping.com, as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Such disclosures will be included in our websites Investor Relations section. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations portion of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, and webcasts. To subscribe to our e-mail alert service, please click the Receive E-mail Alerts link in the Investor Relations section of our website and submit your email address. The information contained in, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into or a part of this document or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC, and any references to our website are intended to be inactive textual references only.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. The Series A Preferred Stock referenced in this press release has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements use words such as anticipate, budget, estimate, expect, project, intend, plan, believe, and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of potential future events, circumstances or future operating or financial performance. These forward looking statements are based on managements current expectations and observations. Included among the factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements contained in this report are the following: (i) further declines or sustained weakness in demand in the drybulk shipping industry; (ii) continuation of weakness in drybulk shipping rates; (iii) changes in the supply of or demand for drybulk products, generally or in particular regions; (iv) changes in the supply of drybulk carriers including newbuilding of vessels or lower than anticipated scrapping of older vessels; (v) changes in rules and regulations applicable to the cargo industry, including, without limitation, legislation adopted by international organizations or by individual countries and actions taken by regulatory authorities; (vi) increases in costs and expenses including but not limited to: crew wages, insurance, provisions, lube, oil, bunkers, repairs, maintenance and general, administrative, and management fee expenses; (vii) whether our insurance arrangements are adequate; (viii) changes in general domestic and international political conditions; (ix) acts of war, terrorism, or piracy; (x) changes in the condition of the Companys vessels or applicable maintenance or regulatory standards (which may affect, among other things, our anticipated drydocking or maintenance and repair costs) and unanticipated drydock expenditures; (xi) the Companys acquisition or disposition of vessels; (xii) the amount of offhire time needed to complete repairs on vessels and the timing and amount of any reimbursement by our insurance carriers for insurance claims, including offhire days; (xiii) the completion of definitive documentation with respect to charters; (xiv) charterers compliance with the terms of their charters in the current market environment; (xv) the ability to realize the expected benefits of the our merger with Baltic Trading to the degree, in the amounts or in the timeframe anticipated; (xvi) the extent to which our operating results continue to be affected by weakness in market conditions and charter rates; (xvii) our ability to continue as a going concern, (xviii) our ability to maintain contracts that are critical to our operation, to obtain and maintain acceptable terms with our vendors, customers and service providers and to retain key executives, managers and employees; (xix) our ability to implement measures to resolve our liquidity and covenant compliance issues; (xx) our ability to fulfill conditions under the commitment letters for our credit facilities, including without limitation completion of definitive documentation and an equity financing; and other factors listed from time to time in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and its subsequent reports on Form 8-K. Our ability to pay dividends in any period will depend upon various factors, including the limitations under any credit agreements to which we may be a party, applicable provisions of Marshall Islands law and the final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our financial performance. The timing and amount of dividends, if any, could also be affected by factors affecting cash flows, results of operations, required capital expenditures, or reserves. As a result, the amount of dividends actually paid may vary. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GCP Applied Technologies Inc. (NYSE:GCP) has announced the retirement of Dr. Marye Anne Fox from its Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2017.



Dr. Fox joined the Board of W.R. Grace & Co. in 1996. She transitioned to the Board of GCP Applied Technologies in conjunction with its separation from Grace to form an independent company in February 2016.

GCP Board Chairman Ronald C. Cambre noted that we have been very fortunate to work with Dr. Fox at Grace and then GCP Applied Technologies over a period of twenty years. He went on to add that our companies have benefited significantly from her leadership and insights built on her wonderful breadth of experiences in science, higher-education, and business.

Gregory E. Poling, GCPs President and Chief Executive Officer, thanked Dr. Fox for her long-standing commitment to Grace and GCP and the advice and counsel she provided the boards of both companies due to her extensive research and technology expertise in the education and private sectors. Poling added that I also want to thank Dr. Fox specifically for her recent work in Chairing GCPs Corporate Responsibility Committee, and to acknowledge her many contributions towards establishing our new company.

Dr. Fox served as Chancellor of the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at that institution from 2004 until her retirement in 2012. She currently serves as Chancellor Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biotechnology at UCSD. She was previously Chancellor of North Carolina State University and Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry. She has served as the Co-Chair of the National Academy of Sciences' Government-University- Industry Research Roundtable and she served on President Bush's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Dr. Fox has also served as the Vice Chair of the National Science Board, and as a director of Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, Red Hat, Inc. and Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

About GCP Applied Technologies

GCP Applied Technologies is a leading global provider of products and technology solutions for customers in the specialty construction chemicals, specialty building materials, and packaging sealants and coating industries. Our products help improve the performance of our customers products, increase productivity in their application or manufacturing processes, and meet the increasing regulatory requirements impacting their industry. GCP has approximately 3,000 employees on six continents, and serves customers in more than 110 countries. More information is available at www.gcpat.com.




LINCOLN  The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking information on vandalism at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area.

The Martin Bay RV dump station was damaged beyond repair sometime between the night of Oct. 15 and Oct. 16. There are no suspects at this time.

A vehicle had illegally driven off-road up the bank at the back of Martin Bay over the top of the dump station's septic tanks. The vehicle got stuck, and then caused the damage while trying to get unstuck.

The dump station cannot be repaired because of its age and Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality regulations. It will be replaced with a system that meets current standards and regulations. The required design and construction of the replacement could take a year or more to complete.

Anyone with any information about the incident should contact Conservation Officer Scott Eveland at 308-289-0017. For more information, contact Park Superintendent Colby Johnson at 308-289-6955.

2016 Great Park Pursuit winners announced

Dozens of teams won prizes in the 2016 Great Park Pursuit, hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Recreation and Park Association.

The following teams won the challenges top prizes:

 $1,500 outdoor recreation package grand prize: Road Trip Adventures, Papillion

 $750 outdoor recreation package: Conklin Bushwhackers, Juniata

 $500 outdoor recreation package: Recycled Fish Stewards, Ralston

 Two-night cabin stay and 2017 NEBRASKAland calendar: Foot Stompers, Seward

 Two-night cabin stay: Van Clan, Omaha

Other prizes included an iPad, NEBRASKAland magazine subscriptions and gift cards.

The Great Park Pursuit promotes active lifestyles by encouraging participants to visit up to 20 GPP sites located across Nebraska between May and September. Players follow clues leading them to a GPP post, where they use a pencil to make an impression of the post to prove they were there. The more impressions mailed in, the better the chances of winning a prize in the drawing.

A full list of winners can be found at negpp.org.

Day of fun, educational activities planned for Nov. 5 at Ponca SP

Enjoy an autumn day of fun and education for all ages Nov. 5 at Ponca State (SP).

Take an introductory archery course from 9-11 a.m. using the parks equipment. Participants must be at least 5 years of age. At 1 p.m., Critter Corner will introduce guests to wildlife found along the Missouri River. An outdoor cooking class at 3 p.m. will allow participants to cook treats in a Dutch oven over a campfire.

A park permit is required of each vehicle entering the park. Fees apply to some activities.

For more information, call the park at 402-755-2284, and visit Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov to view more detail on Poncas events.
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CHARLESTON, S.C., Nov. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfields Helping Hungry Homes campaign partnered with Publix this morning to provide more than 60,000 pounds of protein to the Lowcountry Food Bank. This considerable donation is part of Smithfields 300th Helping Hungry Homes milestone donation tour, during which the company will donate nearly one million servings to eight food banks across the country through the end of the year.



Representatives from Smithfield and Publix presented the donation, equivalent to 240,000 servings of protein, to the Lowcountry Food Bank during an event at which speakers discussed the importance of donations like this in the Charleston area, which was recently devastated by a major hurricane, and where one in four children struggle with food insecurity.

Throughout November and December, Smithfield will travel from coast-to-coast to food banks in Florence, S.C., Charleston, S.C., Sacramento, Calif., Hampton, Va., Virginia Beach, Va., Bentonville, Ark., Baltimore, Md., and Tampa, Fla. Smithfield will continue its long history of partnering with local retailers with a history of philanthropy to make these donations and raise awareness of hunger in these areas.

We are extremely grateful to Smithfield for their generous donation, said Pat Walker, CEO and president of the Lowcountry Food Bank. With this donation, the Lowcountry Food Bank will be able to reach thousands of our neighbors in need. We are fortunate to have Smithfield and Publix as partners in our fight against hunger.

Publix has a long history of community involvement and support of our local food banks, said Kim Reynolds, media and community relations manager for Publix Super Markets. We are grateful to partner with Smithfield to bring their Helping Hungry Homes program, and this tremendous donation, to individuals and families in need in our community. We are also very appreciative of LowCountry Food Bank for collaborating with us on this program and many others and for the great work they do every single day.

Smithfield is proud to partner with Publix during our 300th milestone tour to present this donation to the Lowcountry Food Bank, said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. After the recent hurricane that devastated the area, we knew we had to quickly mobilize to help the food banks nourish many of these families who lost their homes and dont know from where their next meal will come. We encourage others to get involved and volunteer time, money or food to help provide recovery assistance.

As part of its ongoing Helping Hungry Homes program, Smithfield has committed to continue its fight against hunger by making more than 40 large-scale protein donations across the United States in 2016. Throughout the year, the company is donating more than six million servings of protein to food banks nationwide to help families and individuals suffering from hunger. To date, the program has provided more than 43 million servings of protein to food banks across America.

About Smithfield

A leading provider of high-quality pork products, Smithfield was founded in 1936 in Smithfield, Virginia, establishing the town as the Ham Capital of the World. From hand-trimmed bacon and slow-smoked holiday hams to marinated tenderloins, Smithfield brings artistry, authenticity and a commitment to heritage, flavor, and handcrafted excellence to everything it produces. With a vast product portfolio including smoked meats, hams, bacon, sausage, ribs, and a wide variety of fresh pork cuts, the company services retail, foodservice, and deli channels across the United States and 30 countries abroad. All of Smithfields products meet the highest quality and safety standards in the industry. To learn more about how Flavor Hails from Smithfield, please visit www.Smithfield.com, www.Twitter.com/SmithfieldBrand, and www.Facebook.com/CookingWithSmithfield. Smithfield is a brand of Smithfield Foods.

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan's Famous, Farmland, Armour, John Morrell, Cook's, Kretschmar, Gwaltney, Curly's, Margherita, Carando, Healthy Ones, Krakus, Morliny, and Berlinki. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

About Publix

Publix is privately owned and operated by its 186,000 employees, with 2015 sales of $32.4 billion. Currently Publix has 1,129 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina. The company has been named one of Fortunes 100 Best Companies to Work for in America for 19 consecutive years. In addition, Publixs dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the companys website, corporate.publix.com.

About Lowcountry Food Bank

The Lowcountry Food Bank serves the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina and distributes more than 25 million pounds of food a year. The Lowcountry Food Bank is a clearinghouse for donated food products that are distributed to a network of more than 300 member agencies including soup kitchens, homeless shelters and emergency food pantries. The Lowcountry Food Bank is a member of Feeding America and is committed to educating the public about the problems of and solutions to domestic hunger as well as advocating on the behalf of the hungry in our community.
By MARK EVANS mevans@stegenherald.com Bloomsdale will probably host a major fireworks display. The pyrotechnics will not take place until 2024, however. During the Oct. 12 board of aldermen meeting, Kevin Wehner and city officials again discussed the possibility of a July 4 fireworks display at the youth soccer fields on land leased by the city
Under a final and binding sentence, the Bucharest Court of Appeal on Tuesday sentenced Syrian Omar Hayssam to 24 years and four months in prison for economic improprieties under a court case called "Manhattan," built by the Directorate for Organised Crime and Terror Investigation (DIICOT).

In the same case, Hayssam's brother Mohamad Omar was sentenced to 22 years in prison, while Hayssam's brother-in-law was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, immediately servable, in a merit trial.

Viorel Vasile Mafteuca was handed a two-year-in-prison sentence, while the prosecution of Doina Farladanschi ended because of a statute of limitations.

Hayssam, along with his brother Mohamad Omar, his brother-in-law Mihai Nasture and two business partners - Viorel Vasile Mafteuca and Doina Farladanschi - had been sent to court on October 2012 by DIICOT prosecutors.

According to DIICOT, the five set up a criminal ring to act premeditatedly and in a planned manner to stop repayment of loans and to switch the assets of Bucovina Mineral Water SA and Rio Soft Drinks to the ownership of other companies making up the Manhattan group of companies.

The prosecutors claim that Hayssam and his accomplices took out bank loans on behalf of the two companies - the Rio soft drink factory of Timisoara and the Bucovina mineral water and soft drinks bottling factory of Vatra Dornei - to be used by real or bogus companies of the Manhattan group of companies.

They put the damage from financial improprieties at 78.4 million lei; the damage from tax evasion at 4,171,261.86 US dollars from tax evasion; the damage from money laundering at 17.3 million lei, and the total damage at 20 million euros.

Romanian courts have so far handed Hayssam sentences in four cases: 20 years in prison for the kidnapping of Romanian journalists in Iraq; 16 years in prison in the "Volvo Truck" case; three years in jail in the "Foresta Nehoiu" case as well as two years in prison for illegal entry.

He managed to flee Romania in 2006, but he was captured and brought back to Romania in 2013.

agerpres.
My preference is US b-schools followed by Canada. However, I am willing to look at other countries too as well as India.

GMAT Score

610 (q43, v31)

Bachelors Degree %

Third Year - 67.42., Second Year - 65.66, First Year - 57. I did my Bachelor's in Management Studies (BMS) from University of Mumbai. It's a 3 years degree and hence I have 15 years of education.

12th % (Science)

53.67

10th %

82.13

Work Experience (in months)

67 months till now. Most of the work experience has been in real estate in sales & leasing of commercial office spaces. I have worked with some of the top real estate developers in Mumbai.

LinkedIn Profile



Career Goals



Short Term Goals

Hence, I would like to get into a school which has a strong General management as well as a strong Marketing course so that I can explore other options during my MBA. I would also like to be in a location where there are multiple opportunities across industries (not necessarily a big city though).

Long Term Goals

Why an MBA and why now?

I would like to be in a country where the work visa policies are generous and the quality of life is good.

Extra-Curricular & Achievements:

My questions are:

"The fool didn't know it was impossible, so he did it." Signature Read More

Hello Veritas Prep experts,Please help me in evaluating my profile.I am from Mumbai, India. I am 29 years old and looking to apply for MBA in Round 2 of b-schools.Below are my academic and work ex details:(Retaking on 14th Nov. However, I am prepared to go ahead with 610 even if my score doesnt improve)- Post MBA, I would like to get a job in the Marketing field preferably in a brand management role. I would definitely like to work in the same country where I get my MBA from at least for 5 years so that I get international experience as well as recover my cost.Now, I am aware that getting into brand management roles is difficult for international students.- I would like to continue growing in the marketing vertical of a prestigious global brand. Mostly, would like to come back to India after a few years, so the b-school brand should have a good reputation in India also.1) The primary reason for doing an MBA would be to switch from Sales to Marketing.2) To get international exposure3) Grow exponentially in terms of scope of career opportunities as well as my pay scale.If I switch my job now, I know I will get a pay scale hike but the role will remain more or less the same. Also, all my life, I have been in Mumbai. I feel my learning and experiences have been completely one dimensional.1) One of the core team members of the college festival and was later on appointed as the chairman of the festival.2) Participated in the inter-school badminton tournament.3) Participated in various social service programs during school4) Learning Latin dance5) Volunteered at an event at ADAPT (The Spastic Society of India) and a rally organized by India Against Corruption6) Scored highest marks in college in one of the subjects in the 4th semester.7) Received a scholarship from a fortune 500 company for meritorious performance in 10th.1) Which schools can I target? Please suggest a few as per my preferences mentioned above. I would prefer schools which dont have a really large schools size and have a case study based pedagogy (Please keep in mind that I have 15 years of total education as opposed to 16 years)2) What would be the maximum number of schools that I can apply to in R2 (considering most R2 deadlines are around 1st or the 2nd week of Jan) without affecting the quality of my application? I aim to apply to at least 4 to 5 schools.3) Is there any possibility to get scholarship?Thank you.Regards,Sameer DigheP.S. - I have also posted the same question here profile-evaluation-request-gmat-610-indian-non-it-applicant-228240.html#p1757256 _________________
Construction is to begin in the spring on a $28 million Hyatt Place hotel and conference center next to the new Hofbrauhaus beer hall and brewery in Belleville.

The six-story Hyatt Place will be the first new Belleville hotel in 55 years, officials said Wednesday in announcing the project.

Oak Tree Management Services will operate the 130-room hotel, its restaurant and 40,000-square-foot conference center. The site is on Illinois Route 15 across from the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.

The 70-room hotel at the shrine will remain open and under shrine management until the Hyatt Place opens about 18 months after construction begins. Developers said the current hotel would then close and be redone for a yet-to-be determined purpose.

Construction of the $12 million, 1,000-seat Hofbrauhaus restaurant and brewery, initially scheduled to open this year, will not be completed until January, officials said. Installation and testing of brewing equipment imported from Germany will happen in January and February. An opening date will be set when satisfactory beer production is established, officials said. The project, called Hofbrauhaus St. Louis-Belleville, is a franchise of Las Vegas-based Hofbrau America, which is majority owned by Hofbrauhaus in Munich.

Chane Keller, vice president of Oak Tree Management, said in a statement the Hyatt Place and the Hofbrauhaus restaurant were significant milestones for Belleville. The conference center will have a ballroom able to hold 1,500 people, he added.

The combination of these facilities will draw business and leisure travelers from throughout the Midwest, Keller said.

Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert said in a statement the hotel, its restaurant and conference center could produce as many as 150 jobs.

Belleville has worked toward this day for a long time, he said.

ICON Commercial Lending has invested in a partnership with Oak Tree Management to own the hotel, conference center and restaurant and has guaranteed up to $30 million for construction, Randall Farr, ICONs managing director, said in a statement.

In September, the Belleville City Council approved raising the citys hotel and motel tax to 8 percent from 5 percent. The city will share some of the additional revenue with developers of the projects on Route 15.
Anthem Inc., the nations No. 2 health insurer, said Wednesday that it may curtail its participation in the government-run health exchanges in 2018, saying its decision will hinge on whether it loses money on Obamacare plans next year.

A decision to withdraw would be a blow to Missouri and 13 other states where Anthem sells Blue Cross Blue Shield plans on HealthCare.gov.

Competitors Aetna Inc. and UnitedHealth Group Inc. already have largely pulled out of the on-exchange individual market, leaving just a handful of major insurers offering plans for next year.

In the St. Louis area, only Anthem and Cigna Corp. have plans available on HealthCare.gov. Online enrollment for 2017 began on Tuesday.

The market for individual health insurance created under President Barack Obamas signature Affordable Care Act drew fewer than half the enrollees expected  12.7 million enrolled at the beginning of 2016  and those who enrolled were sicker and had higher medical costs than foreseen.

This has led to losses at Anthem and its rivals, some of which plan to stop selling these plans in 2017.

Anthem said it needed to see profits next year and new regulations to stabilize the market before it commits to a 2018 strategy.

We are going to be very surgical in looking at both regions and states for 2018 participation, Chief Executive Joseph Swedish said in a conference call to discuss the companys third-quarter earnings.

Regulatory adjustments Anthem wants include changes in the risk payments it gets for its sickest customers, more-flexible plans and a change in the health insurance tax due to come online in 2018.

News that Anthem may withdraw from the exchanges sparked concern Wednesday from health care policy experts.

Thats certainly a problem, said Tim Greaney, health law and antitrust expert at St. Louis University. I just dont know what the back-up options are for the government.

Anthem currently sells exchange plans in 84 Missouri counties plus the city of St. Louis, according to a Post-Dispatch analysis. Anthem is the sole carrier selling exchange plans in 73 counties, so if Anthem were to leave any of those counties, consumers would be left with no insurance carrier.

Im not surprised, Bill Hill, a local health insurance broker, said of the Anthem news.

Hill said the costs and limited networks had made exchange plans unpopular with his clients.

In general, Cigna covers BJC HealthCare and its doctors and facilities. Anthem covers SSM Health doctors and facilities but not BJC.

Sabrina Corlette, research professor and lawyer at Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown Universitys Health Policy Institute, said it was not time to hit the panic button.

She said it was difficult to tease out what was posturing.

I dont want to suggest they (the insurers) havent struggled in a number of places, but a lot of them got really big price increases approved for 2017, Corlette said, which will help cover costs.

But she also said they were facing multiple conflicts with the federal government and needed to maximize their negotiating position.

Aetna said Wednesday that it was committed to fighting the U.S. governments lawsuit to block its acquisition of Cigna because of concern about reduced competition and higher prices for consumers.

Aetna and Humana Inc. are facing, and contesting, similar litigation.

Insurers also are insisting that the federal government make good on financial protections they thought would be available to them if they enrolled a sicker-than-expected population.

Anthem is not the Blue Cross Blue Shield provider in Illinois.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Updated at 7 a.m. Wednesday

Even before China's domestically made C919 single-aisle jet takes flight, the nation already has its sights set on producing a much larger aircraft within a decade.

Executives of state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China Ltd. unveiled plans Wednesday to make a twin-aisle jet that can fly as far as 7,456 miles -- roughly the distance between Beijing and New York. The company, known as Comac, is forming a joint venture with Russia's United Aircraft Corp. to research on and manufacture the aircraft.

The announcement at a biennial airshow in southern Zhuhai city marks the first time China has given details of the widebody aircraft since the planned Russian partnership was flagged two years ago and comes amid delays to the maiden flight of the C919. The new plane would be able to seat 280 people, posing a direct challenge to jetliners from Boeing and Airbus Group such as their current B-777, B-787, A-330 and A-350 models.

Comac is targeting the maiden flight of the new aircraft to take place about seven years from now, and the first delivery three years after that. An assembly line will be set up in Shanghai, with an eye to exporting the plane to other markets in the future, said Guo Bozhi, an assistant president at Comac who's in charge of the widebody-jet project.

"Developing an aircraft is an arduous journey and we have to overcome a lot of technical difficulties," Guo said at a briefing. But the timeframe "is a definite target," he said.

He declined to provide financial figures on the joint venture and development of the twin-engine plane.

Comac said Tuesday that China Eastern Airlines Corp. will be the first carrier to take delivery of the locally made C919, a day after Wu Guanghui, Comac's chief designer, said the narrowbody jet's test flight would take place later this year or in early 2017. The plane's maiden flight has been pushed back at least twice since 2014.

_______________

Our earlier story, also from Bloomberg, posted on Monday.

China has a dream of challenging the duopoly of Airbus Group and Boeing in the global market for airplanes. That ambition is slowly taking shape in a hangar in Shanghai.

The state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China Ltd., locally known as COMAC, is building the 168-seat, single-aisle aircraft C919, betting the model would help the planemaker break into the big league. It's banking on expertise gained from its smaller 90-seat jet, the ARJ21, which has won commercial orders worth at least $2 billion, mostly from local companies.

Despite delays to the C919 program  the first test flight has been postponed at least twice since 2014  COMAC's message to the world: Watch this space. The builder says it has already got commitments from 21 customers for 517 planes. At the Zhuhai Air Show this week, COMAC is set to showcase the aircraft with a mock-up and could announce more interest from prospective buyers.

The passenger jet project is part of an ambitious plan by President Xi Jinping to transform China from a maker of sneakers, apparels and toys into one that can compete with the likes of Airbus and Boeing. Getting the C919 from the design board to the skies is crucial for Xi, who has identified aerospace among sectors that could help accelerate modernization of the economy to resemble Japan and Germany.

"Domestic airplane manufacturing is a good case of the country's ambition to secure a foothold at the very top of the global value chain," said Liu Yuanchun, executive dean of the National Academy of Development and Strategy at Renmin University of China in Beijing. "There's still some serious groundwork to do to eventually realize its ambition of mastering sophisticated design and manufacturing processes."

Aerospace ranks third after information technology and robotics on the priority list of Xi's master plan "Made in China 2025" unveiled last year. For aviation manufacturing, Beijing has set its eyes on developing widebody passenger jets, heavy helicopters and various types of engines, in cooperation with global partners.

The Zhuhai Air Show, set to start Tuesday, will also feature the newly formed Aero Engine Corp. of China, which has plans to build engines for aircraft. A representative for Airbus declined to comment, while Boeing didn't respond to an e-mail seeking comments.

COMAC kicked off research and development on the C919 in 2008 as soon as the establishment of the company. The mission was to realize the dream of building and flying a large commercial aircraft  hailed as the "flower" and "pearl" of modern manufacturing and embodiment of the nation's technological standing.

The aircraft maker counts as many as 16 global corporations as suppliers, including General Electric Co. and Honeywell International Inc., and has set up at least 16 joint ventures for avionics, flight control, power, fuel and landing gear. COMAC estimates the market potential for the plane at as much as 650 billion yuan ($96 billion).

The C919 is in good shape for the test flight and the developer sees no reason for another delay, a representative for COMAC said, without providing a date. Since the work has just started, it's too early to talk about competing with the majors as they are in a different league, he said. The test flight could happen later this year or early 2017, COMAC's chief designer Wu Guanghui said separately in Zhuhai.

Though the goal may be decades away, the planemaker may already have a playbook to count on. The Advanced Regional Jet ARJ21, which took 13 years to design, build and bring to market, has been flying since June. With a maximum range of about 1,380 miles and powered by GE engines, the jet competes with those of Bombardier Inc. and Embraer SA. China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Ltd., a Hong Kong-listed company, was the latest customer, agreeing to purchase 60 ARJ21s in a July deal worth about $2.3 billion at list prices.

China may eventually pull it off with the C919, but the aircraft may be initially confined only to the domestic market and to some interest from a few developing countries, said Shukor Yusof, a founder of aviation consulting firm Endau Analytics in Malaysia. Safety concerns may deter the world's top airlines from opting for the jet, he said.

"After a few upgrades, it should be able to show the world that it's a serious aircraft," Shukor said. "In order to achieve the comfort level for airlines, especially first-tier airlines, it could take more than two decades."

For the C919, once ready and safe, China could prove to be a captive market. The nation, set to surpass the U.S. to become the world's largest aviation market by passengers by 2024, will have 1.3 billion travelers by 2035, according to the International Air Transport Association. The country may need 6,810 new aircraft valued at $1.03 trillion in the next two decades to meet rising demand for air travel, Boeing estimated in September.

"At some point, China cannot simply rely on imports from Boeing and Airbus for its aircraft demand," Renmin University's Liu said. "Making its own plane elevates China's status and is a key component of propelling China's economic growth in the future."
A St. Louis commission recommended approving $19.4 million in subsidies sought by the developers of a planned rehab of the former Federal-Mogul site in Midtown, but some members were skeptical of allowing the project to tap additional tax abatement.

The St. Louis Tax Increment Financing Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend $19.4 million in TIF assistance for the first phase of the Lawrence Groups City Foundry project, sending the measure to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen for final approval.

The TIF is one piece of a package of state, federal and local public incentives that make up about 56 percent of the projects total $134.2 million first phase. The developer has $51 million in financing for the project, and the TIF would cover about 14.5 percent of the projects initial costs, in line with the citys policy of covering less than 15 percent of project costs with TIF.

The projects first phase, which is planned to open in late 2018, is focused on the renovation of the Federal-Mogul site, unused since 2007. That building will be turned into a large food hall with bays for individual, non-chain restaurants and 20,000 square feet of common seating space.

Almost the food truck culture is what were trying to create here, Lawrence Group CEO Steve Smith told the commission.

In the northeast corner of the redevelopment footprint, the Byco Building would be turned into a 30,000-square-foot single tenant retail space. Some 78,000 square feet of office space would also be added to the old foundry building, and another 30,000 square feet would be added to the Byco building. A 500-car parking structure is planned, as is a Great Rivers Greenway trail through the site and a new pedestrian walkway over Highway 40 (Interstate 64) at Spring Avenue.

Future phases could include a 24-story apartment building and more office buildings. The amount of TIF incentives for those areas would be approved separately.

The Lawrence Group and city staff and consultants said that much of the public assistance will initially be covering the substantial infrastructure costs to update utilities and roads, estimated at $37.8 million in the first phase. Future phases of the City Foundry development could receive less assistance because the infrastructure improvements planned now would also serve those areas of the site and allow development there.

Other developers have tried and failed to return the highly visible, vacant industrial site between Highway 40 and Forest Park Avenue to use, and Otis Williams, head of the St. Louis Development Corp. called it one the most blighted areas in the city.

Several members of the public, however, questioned the amount of incentives being offered to the developer and the effect that uncollected new tax revenue has on the budgets of the city and St. Louis Public Schools.

At what point do we say weve put enough public subsidies in to projects in the central corridor? asked Molly Metzger, a professor of social work at Washington University.

While commissioners were in favor of the TIF assistance, they took the unusual step of passing a resolution 3-2 recommending the Board of Aldermen not approve the Lawrence Groups tax abatement request, which would be approved separately.

The Lawrence Group is requesting 10 years of full property tax abatement on site improvements and 15 years of 50-percent abatement. That agreement, which is not yet finalized, will likely be negotiated with a development corporation affiliated with St. Louis University. SLU is seeking development powers from the city to negotiate incentives with developers, including the Lawrence Group, near the planned $500 million new St. Louis University Hospital planned by SSM Health.

The motion to recommend against tax abatement was made by David Jackson Jr., who is a commission representative for the St. Louis Board of Education. Its just something the school district cant support for this project, he said of the property tax abatement.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.  West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is urging federal and state officials to reject a reported $465 million settlement with drug maker Mylan over Medicaid reimbursements for the company's the emergency allergy injection EpiPen.

In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Morrisey calls the settlement "woefully deficient" and "a sweetheart deal" for the drug company.

The letter was copied to West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Karen Bowling.

Mylan's settlement with the Justice Department follows news that EpiPen was incorrectly classified as a generic product under the Medicaid program.

However, the federal government says it's a branded drug requiring a far higher company rebate.

Morrisey, who has been investigating Mylan, says it may actually owe Medicaid $700 million.

Mylan operates a manufacturing plant in Morgantown.
Why should Americans care a whit about the British monarchy? We fought a war to free ourselves, and 240 years later, we certainly dont want our own royals. But we still want our British TV, and British TV has a lot of kings and queens.

PBS built its prime-time slate on U.K. imports, and Downton Abbey remains its biggest hit since Upstairs/Downstairs, with Poldark a current favorite. Early next year, Masterpiece will bring us Victoria, starring Jenna Coleman (Dr. Who) as the princess who was awakened in 1837, at age 18, and told she was queen.

Victoria is still months off, but Netflix, public TVs deep-pocketed competitor, beats PBS to the royal punch with The Crown, arriving Friday and rumored to have cost a stunning $130 million for 10 episodes.

This is the story of another young queen, Elizabeth II, played with a perfect balance of vulnerability and steel by Claire Foy (Anne Boleyn in Wolf Hall).

We meet Elizabeth at 21, the day before her 1947 marriage to Philip (Matt Smith), her third cousin and a British-educated member of the defunct royal family of Greece.

Nobody in the family supported the match, her grandmother (the great Eileen Atkins) whispers, but Elizabeth was firm. She had, the story goes, loved Philip since she was 13.

History foreshadows what will follow, sooner rather than later. Her father, King George VI (Jared Harris of Mad Men) is ill; that blood he coughed up in the first scene cant be a good sign for such a heavy smoker. (This is the king from The Kings Speech, and youll recognize his stutter.)

When Elizabeth, a young mother of toddlers Charles and Anne, suddenly becomes queen, everything changes instantly. (Her own mother curtsies to her!)

Fortunately, or not, she has Prime Minister Winston Churchill (John Lithgow), newly returned to office, to advise and counsel and butt heads with her.

Everything changes for Philip, too. With no hope of returning to his naval career, and after learning that he now has to bow to his wife, he chafes at the role despite the many titles bestowed on him.

The Crown is as beautifully filmed as could be, with scenes in Malta and Kenya as well as Balmoral in Scotland. The costuming is meticulous, as is the choreography of everything from dressing to mealtime to a train trip. Deliberate pacing (naysayers might say slow) allows time to appreciate all this.

The 10 episodes of Season 1 of The Crown (six seasons are planned) will take viewers through 1956, four years after Elizabeths coronation.

Peter Morgan, who created the series and wrote every episode, previously wrote the 2006 movie The Queen (with Helen Mirren as Elizabeth in the aftermath of Princess Dianas 1997 death) and the 2013 play The Audience (about meetings between Elizabeth, again Mirren, and her ministers).

This young Elizabeth, as opposed to those mature ones, fascinated Morgan because of the huge responsibility dumped on her so unexpectedly.

She has assumed, quite reasonably, that she has a long time before her father will die, Morgan said when Netflix introduced the series to TV critics this summer. The Windsors have a tradition of living a long time. (Elizabeth herself is now 90, but George died at just 56.)

The story of the crown landing on her head way sooner than she ever imagined is the essential narrative of the first season, Morgan said. Especially, the series examines the terrible impact becoming queen at such a young age had on her and on all her relationships  with her husband, with her sister, with her mother.

Thats why he started the story with Elizabeths marriage rather than her coronation, Morgan says.

What takes us all the way through this is not just her reign, but this remarkable marriage, he says. This is a couple for whom divorce was simply not an option.

Divorce also figures into the story of Elizabeths vivacious younger sister, Margaret (Vanessa Kirby), whose romance with a married, then divorced, aide to her father filled magazine pages in the 1950s. Margaret wasnt allowed to marry Peter Townsend (Ben Miles) even after his divorce.

We all imagine its a fairy tale, Morgan says of life as a royal. Its anything but.

What The Crown  Four stars out of four  When Streaming Friday  Where Netflix  More info netflix.com/thecrown
No shortage exists of stories that say St. Louis is a dangerous city.

But when it comes to being on the safe side, check out the Safewise Reports list of the 20 safest cities in Missouri.

The rankings from Safewise, a home security company, are based on the 2014 FBI crime data.

Overall, eight of the cities are in the STL metropolitan area  six in St. Louis County and two in St. Charles County.

The highest-ranking city among those is Cottleville, which was No. 2 statewide. (Bonne Terre was No. 1.)

Others STL burghs in the top 20 were Ballwin (3), Glendale (6), Ellisville (10), Town and Country (13), Webster Groves (14), Shrewsbury (16) and O'Fallon (20).
Allegiance to God, not party

The Christian, without compromise, affirms that he or she happens to be an American voting in Gods kingdom.

Gods kingdom is not found in any nation. There are no Democrats, Republicans, Green Party, Libertarians, or independents in that kingdom. And there is no president to elect. Jesus is Lord.

Our voting cant be swayed by liberal or conservative leanings. Rather, we vote according to the values of the kingdom that holds our ultimate allegiance. Those values are justice, compassion, mercy, and humility. To go against those values for the sake of a party or the promise of personal prosperity is hypocritical.

Ironically, many of the political ads we see advocate voting for a candidate or issue based on how we will benefit. For the Christian, though, the standard is how others will benefit. Its about appropriate sacrifice, if need be, for the greater good. Sacrifice is not a bad word.

The end is not near, regardless

The Christian believes the future is in Gods hands, not the electorate.

People are fanning the flames of what will happen if the wrong candidates take office. Its as if some impending doom is on the horizon. The exact texture of that end of the world scenario depends on which side youre on, of course. Some will rejoice, while others may set the GPS for Canada. Regardless, people have raised the stakes on Nov. 8 to a near-apocalyptic level.

Relax.

The world will continue spinning, and the sun will continue running its course. God has navigated the waters of human affairs for eons and will not be overly impressed next week. God is about pushing the agenda of a different kingdom. The march of that kingdom will not be deterred. For the Christian, that is whats ultimately important.

The most essential thing the Christian can do is to be about the work given us, and to do that before, during, and after Election Day. Jesus outlined those duties in Matthew 25, where he blesses those who feed the hungry, welcome the stranger and visit the imprisoned.

Work together

The Christian remains clean in the midst of the mud-slinging.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Chuck Raasch wrote a column last month in which he astutely observed that after past contentious presidential elections, the loser would pledge to work with the winner in uniting the country and moving ahead. He quotes what Stephen Douglas told Abraham Lincoln after Douglas lost: Partisan feeling must yield to patriotism. Im with you, Mr. President, and God bless you.

In an election year thats been filled with insults and threats, is it possible for there to be this type of post-election unity? When candidates cant shake hands before a presidential debate, can there be hope that theyll embrace after the last vote is counted? Can there be respectful dialogue between Republicans and Democrats for the years ahead?

I dont know. But I do know that for the Christian, there must be a sincere shaking of the hands, not the head.

We are a nation founded on some values that overlap with our faith: liberty, equality, and human rights. Living out those values in concrete ways is what is ultimately important, not who won or lost.

Weeks is senior pastor of Manchester United Methodist Church. He is a regular Faith Perspectives contributor to STLtoday.com/religion.
Jean Millners mother, Iris Oventrop, cooked both at home and at Bellefontaine Tavern, her Bellefontaine Neighbors restaurant that opened in the 1970s. She never let me help her in the kitchen because she feared I would mess something up, Millner says, but after school, I washed dishes and learned by watching her cook. I also inherited her cooking gene.

Food, and cooking, informed her life in other ways. In 1976, she met Rick Millner when they both worked at a Burger Chef. The two married in 1979. We realized we would never make our living in food service, she says. Both left the restaurant work for the business world.

Jean Millner continued to hone her cooking skills, teach cooking classes and work part-time as a personal chef and as a chefs assistant in addition to her corporate job. In 2014, she connected the dots  business, cooking, nonprofit management and teaching and became food service director for the Crown Center for Senior Living and its nonprofit cafe, the Circle @ Crown.

In addition to watching your mother cook, how did you develop your cooking skills? Long before Food Network, I would read cookbooks like novels, looking for underlying themes or philosophies of the chefs. I took classes at Kitchen Conservatory from my late cousin, Marla Scissors, and ended up working there first as a kitchen assistant to chefs like Lou Rook, Clara Moore, Chris Lee and the French chef Jean-Pierre Auge. I now teach a latke class, an annual panini class and a very popular date night Valentines class at Kitchen Conservatory.

What made you decide to return to the food industry? After 23 years at a corporate job, I wanted to give back to the community. A friendly conversation with my rabbi led to a job in financial development at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, a nonprofit agency. When the plans for a nonprofit cafe at Crown Center were shaping up, Cyndee Levy  director at the Center for Jewish Learning and an excellent cook  told me about it.

How does the Circle @ Crown cafe operate? The concept came out of Mathers More Than a Cafe spots, which are located in Chicago storefronts, to provide a place for coffee and classes for seniors. Circle @ Crown is open to Crown Center residents and to the community. We serve food and provide a space for companionship in an inviting setting. We say Come for the coffee, stay for the classes, like Better Balance exercise, book club meetings, to play mah-jongg or just sip a cup of Kaldis coffee and we serve reasonable priced meals.

Jean, your lentil soup recipe meets exacting standards and still tastes great. What are your secrets? I started in 2014 with a cooking philosophy that our food is healthy, wholesome, made from scratch and delicious. We taste-tested all our recipes. Because people eat with their eyes first, we garnish and plate our food attractively.

Note: The Circle @ Crown kitchen is certified Kosher (Pareve) by Vaad Hoeir of St. Louis and employs a full-time kosher supervisor. The kitchen staff is certified as well.

Story was edited to reflect correct name of restaurant in first paragraph.

Jean Millner

Age  56

Family  Husband, Richard (deceased); son, Brian, daughter-in-law, Stessie Millner and granddaughters, Everly, 3, and Rowan, 7 months; daughter, Lauren, and son-in-law, Josh Rudolph

Occupation  Food service director at Crown Center for Senior Living

Neighborhood  Chesterfield
STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo.  The skeletal remains found in eastern Missouris Ste. Genevieve County are probably those of a woman married to a prominent Missouri lobbyist, authorities said Wednesday.

Lynn Messer, wife of lobbyist Kerry Messer, disappeared from the familys farm in July 2014, triggering a massive search and embroiling the state capital in speculation.

Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff Gary Stolzer said a body found on the family farm Tuesday evening was likely her. The remains were spotted by the Messers son, who was scouting for deer Tuesday evening.

They will at least be able to lay her to rest, Stolzer said. Thats part of closure.

But the sheriff said other answers might never come.

Everybody wants to know what happened, he said. We may never know.

The investigation has been turned over to the FBI. Stolzer said there were no signs of foul play at this point, but he stressed that his own involvement in the investigation was minimal.

A pathologist will study the remains in a process that could take weeks. The sheriff did not rule out that a suspect could later be named. Anything is possible, he said.

Lynn Messer was 52 when she was reported missing from a 250-acre family farm near Bloomsdale.

The announcement that a body was found on the property has some neighbors wondering how it was previously overlooked.

William Smith, 62, owns a home nearby. He said helicopters searching for Lynn Messer flew so low to the ground that they scared his horses.

If they had focused on their property instead of everybody elses they probably would have found her two years ago, Smith said.

But the sheriff said finding a body was harder than it seems, particularly in a wooded area such as the one in which the remains were found Tuesday. He said the spot was thick with trees on a hillside that adjoined an open field.

Did you ever go into a heavily wooded area with foliage and low-hanging branches? he asked. Its like a needle in a haystack.

Aarron Messer, Lynn and Kerry Messers son, said he had been in touch with authorities Tuesday night about the discovery, but he would not comment further on particular details. Abram Messer, their other son, would not comment.

He said he was too busy to talk with a reporter when contacted Wednesday about noon.

Later Wednesday, he appeared to have posted on Facebook that a skull and other bones had been found near the back border of the farm about a mile from the couples house.

There were a couple of other items which cause us to believe these most likely are Lynns remains, was written on a Facebook page entitled Find Lynn Messer maintained by Kerry Messer.

I have been told the remains do in fact have artificial hips (as well as eye glasses)  but it will take several days, weeks, or even up to a couple of months to confirm this is absolutely Lynn. With what I have been told, it would appear almost certainly to be her, but absolute confirmation must be established as we hold our breaths, said the post.

The post said the area where the remains were found Tuesday had been searched early on after Lynns disappearance.

The post also thanked supporters and asked, please be in prayer for our family, which has been torn apart by all the stress and circumstances surrounding this past 28 months ordeal. I have no idea what will transpire moving forward from today.

In the past year, the missing person case has caused a rift within the Messer family, with Kerry Messers sons expressing doubts about aspects of their fathers accounting of events.

Abram and Aarron Messer said their father initially denied to authorities that Lynn Messer had been suffering from depression, and then later changed his story. They questioned his request to authorities to keep the contents of a note their mother appeared to have left behind from both of his sons. And they said their father had begun a relationship with a woman shortly after their mother disappeared.

One neighbor now hopes that Tuesdays discovery will settle the matter.

Hopefully they found her so they can get some closure, said Preston Williams, 48, who lives nearby. You hear so much hearsay, there is a lot of talk around everywhere.
ST. LOUIS  A teenager who was the subject of a blog post by St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson criticizing judges for being too lenient on defendants charged with gun crimes was acquitted by a jury Tuesday.

Armond Calvin, 18, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest in February. He was brought back to court for violating the terms of his bail, and sent home with an ankle bracelet to await trial.

On May 22, Dotson said, Calvin was riding in a car involved in a fatal accident. Two stolen assault rifles and a .45-caliber pistol with a defaced serial number were found in the car. Calvin was charged with possession of the defaced weapon.

Do you know what the bond is for our suspect for having a defaced firearm while awaiting trial for possession of a gun and resisting arrest? $2,500. SERIOUSLY, Dotson wrote in his blog. Thank judge Calea Stovall-Reid. Sarcasm intended.

Court records indicate Calvins bail for the initial case, for possessing a gun and resisting arrest, was set to $30,000 after he violated court terms.

His attorney, Robert Taaffe, believes Calvin spent six months in jail because judges were too intimidated by Dotsons blog to lower his bail before trial. Calvin could not afford the $2,500 cash-only bail.

When you see the police chief and whatever politicians talk of judges and bonds, the courts are sensitive to that issue and theyre going to respond, said Robert Taaffe. Sometimes justice is done and not done as a result of political pressure put on the judiciary.

Dotson said it is complete speculation on Taaffes part to say what a judge may or may not have done based on his blog post.

Judges set the bonds, not police officers, Dotson said.

Taaffe said Tuesday that his client had asked permission to attend the funeral of his cousin on the day of the accident, so authorities knew where he was. He got into a car with a relatives boyfriend whom he did not know too well. The car flipped during the accident, and the police said they found Calvin on the roof of the car with the defaced firearm in his lap, Taaffe said.

The jury wasnt buying that, Taaffe said.

The trial took two days and the jury deliberated for about two hours Tuesday before the acquittal, Taaffe said.
BRENTWOOD  Employees at Missouri College, a for-profit school in Brentwood, were given notice at a meeting Tuesday that the school would be closing immediately.

Multiple employees confirmed the closure to the Post-Dispatch.

The announcement comes a few weeks after one of the largest national for-profit chains, ITT Technical Institute, closed its campuses, including two in the St. Louis area.

The school was acquired last year by Weston Educational Inc., which is also listed by the Better Business Bureau as Heritage College.

Heritage College had 10 other campuses. All of the other locations, including Kansas City, closed Tuesday.

One Missouri College employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said workers were told to expect details Tuesday night via email. Students were also told they would be notified via email Tuesday.

Molly Taylor, who is going to school to become a dental hygienist, learned about the closure from her peers.

Taylor estimates she spent about $10,000 at Missouri College since starting in September. She said she paid $2,000 out-of-pocket, and the rest she paid through student loans. Part of tuition covers the cost of textbooks, which Taylor said students in her program didnt receive until a few weeks after classes began.

Im not really sure what to do next, she said. I have a 1-year-old and Im not working. Im distraught.

During the last payday, employees received a paper check instead of the usual direct deposit, which one employee called a red flag. They were supposed to be paid last Friday, and were told to instead expect another check Tuesday.

A lot of people were upset, but the majority were upset because, the reputation of proprietary schools notwithstanding, we put out some really good students, the now-former employee said.

In a note posted on the office building of Heritages Kansas City campus said the school does not have the cash to continue to operate.

Numerous factors contributed to the circumstances including declining student population and continued, decreased demand for the services of for-profit schools, the note stated.
JEFFERSON CITY  A Missouri senator who won the right to opt out family birth-control coverage through the state health insurance program has enrolled his family in a plan that meets his religious beliefs.

But, the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan is not yet offering similar contraceptive-free coverage to the other 96,000 people it covers, according to insurance agency officials.

Rather, they say they are awaiting further court action in the case involving state Sen. Paul Wieland, R-Imperial.

In July, U.S. District Judge Jean C. Hamilton sided with Wieland after he sued the government over a requirement in the federal Affordable Care Act that forced them to pay for coverage of birth control.

Last week, they enrolled in a special plan tailored to their beliefs as Catholics that opposes the general use of contraception products and considers some of them to be abortion-inducing. The couple are the parents of three daughters.

This is a relief to finally be able to participate in a health care plan that doesnt violate our religious liberties, Weiland said in a statement.

We are pleased that religious liberty has prevailed, added Tim Belz, legal counsel for the Thomas More Society, which led the case on Weilands behalf.

The case began in 2013 when, as a member of the House, Wieland argued that the contraceptive benefit required under Obamacare, violated his religious beliefs.

The Affordable Care Act requires most employers with more than 50 full-time workers to provide insurance coverage that includes access to contraception. The Wielands cited the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993.

They also pointed to the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in 2014 in the Hobby Lobby case, which said businesses privately owned by people opposed to contraception on religious grounds dont have to provide it.

In an email, Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan spokeswoman Mia Platz said the offering of a non-contraceptive plan shows a few dollars reduction in the total price of the insurance, depending on the type of plan and coverage level.

MCHCP does not offer other types of insurance coverage designed to meet varying religious beliefs, Platz added.
WASHINGTON  Rep. Ann Wagner, a Republican who last month withdrew her endorsement of Donald Trump for president, said Wednesday that she would vote for Trump and urged other Missourians to do the same.

Her communications director said that that did not mean she was re-endorsing Trump, the controversial GOP nominee for president.

Appearing on conservative talk radio host Jamie Allmans show, Wagner said she wanted to clear up confusion about where she stood. Her staff said she was not available for further comment.

You are voting for Donald Trump, said Allman, who said Wagner approached him Tuesday to come on his show and to clear up that thing with the tape and to make something very, very clear.

I have always been voting for Donald Trump, and I will do that next Tuesday, and I encourage everyone listening to vote for Trump as well, Wagner said of the Republican nominee.

You know, Jamie, and I dont know why there has been some, perhaps some confusion here, but since last May, after Donald Trump released his list of Supreme Court justices I made it clear that I am voting for Donald Trump. I want an entire ticket sweep up and down. I would never be voting for Hillary Clinton. We need to stop this criminal enterprise and it is the only way, only way we are going to have a corruption-free White House.

On Oct. 8, after a 2005 tape of Trump talking about how he thought fame allowed him to sexually assault women became public, Wagner issued a statement to the Post-Dispatch withdrawing her endorsement and calling for Trumps running mate to take over.

I have committed my short time in Congress to fighting for the most vulnerable in our society. As a strong and vocal advocate for victims of sex trafficking and assault, I must be true to those survivors and myself and condemn the predatory and reprehensible comments of Donald Trump, Wagner, R-Ballwin, said then. I withdraw my endorsement and call for Governor Pence to take the lead so we can defeat Hillary Clinton.

On Wednesday, Meghan Burris, her communications director, said that Wagner wont defend his statements and she isnt going to be listed as an endorser, but she does intend to vote for Donald Trump.

She pretty clearly laid out her explanation for that with Jamie and we have nothing to add, she said.

Wagner is taking the same position that Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, has taken, one that some Republicans have criticized.

Referring to Chaffetzs odd approach that he is voting for Donald Trump but not endorsing him, Allman asked Wagner, That is not something you are talking about either, correct?

I am talking about this, Wagner responded to Allman, whom she called my friend. Everyone knows that I am a straight shooter, Jamie, and you and I have talked about this. And certainly some of the things that Mr. Trump has said are horrible, indefensible, but  but  the stakes are just too high in this country. Keeping this (Clinton) criminal enterprise out of the White House is absolutely paramount.

Wagner faces Democratic State Rep. Bill Otto on Tuesday. She told Allman that her campaign and volunteers had made more than 200,000 phone calls to make sure we elect Republicans up and down the ticket, including Donald Trump.

Wagners un-endorsement of Trump last month was noticed nationally, and had drawn fire from former Missouri Republican Party Chair Ed Martin, who has sometimes feuded with the Wagner camp. Martin this week posted a tweet showing a picture of a Trump for President sign above a Wagner for Congress sign that had been defaced with a red circle and slash of disapproval across it.

Before Wagners comments on Allmans show, Martin told the Post-Dispatch that Wagners October Trump dump could hurt her among opponents of abortion if she decided to challenge Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., in 2018.

Wagners chief of staff, Christian Morgan, responded that Wagners pro-life credentials were unassailable  but he did not mention that Wagner intended to vote for Trump.

After Wagners appearance with Allman, Martin said Wednesday: I am glad she is now for Trump.

Missouri Democrats pointed out that last week Wagner told Missouri Public Radio that her position on Trump hadnt changed and that Missourians werent focused on the presidential race.

Missouri Democratic Party Chair Roy Temple issued this statement: Wow. Congresswoman Wagner must really think Trump supporters are stupid.

Since last year, Wagner, a Jeb Bush supporter in the Republican primaries, has not often embraced Trump the way she did Wednesday with Allman, endorsement or not.

In July of 2015, she told the Post-Dispatch that her campaign was donating $1,000 to a local Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, the same amount Trump had given her, after Trump said disparaging things about Vietnam War veteran and POW Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

In early May of this year, Wagner said she could not support Trump based on his slurs and attacks. Later that month, she told the Post-Dispatch that she was encouraged by a list of judges that Trump said he considered worthy of Supreme Court appointment, and emphasized that she could never vote for Clinton.
KIRKWOOD  Not everyone is home when Mark Milton comes knocking. But when doors creak open, the Republican for state representative is ready with a honed pitch.

On a recent morning, Lee Peterson, 60, an accountant, heard it. He lives in a tidy neighborhood not far from downtown Kirkwood. As it turned out, Peterson and Milton agree on many issues: lower taxes, less government waste, fewer regulations.

You got my vote, Peterson told Milton.

But what does the Peterson family think of Deb Lavender, the Democratic incumbent?

We vote for her every time, he told a reporter. Shes good.

Peterson didnt realize Milton and Lavender were running against each other, for the 90th District seat in the Missouri House of Representatives. Its a common challenge for candidates such as Milton, 31, a lawyer whos running his first general election race: boosting his own brand as the incumbents signs blanket neighborhoods.

Because of the way districts are drawn, many seats in the Missouri House are seen as relatively safe for either a Republican or a Democrat in the Nov. 8 general election. Republicans currently hold 115 seats in the 163-member House, a super-majority.

But a handful of St. Louis area House races are deemed competitive, and candidates there are hitting doors and burning cash. The area races involving the most money are in the 70th, 90th and 94th, 112th and 113th districts.

70th District

Democrat Byron DeLear faces Mark Matthiesen, a Republican, in a district that stretches north from the St. Louis Mills Mall and south to Chesterfield, taking in parts of St. Charles as well.

They are running to replace Democratic Rep. Bill Otto, who is leaving the seat to challenge Republican Rep. Ann Wagner in the 2nd Congressional District.

As of Monday, DeLear reported raising $226,699, while Matthiesen has reported raising $96,555. Otto won the seat narrowly in 2012 and 2014, and Republicans appear to not have given up on it.

The Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee chipped in $20,500 to Matthiesons campaign on Oct. 21. That check raises eyebrows because of the districts largest environmental concern: the radioactive waste at the West Lake landfill and an underground fire at the nearby Bridgeton landfill. And Republic Services, which owns the Bridgeton Landfill, donated $25,000 to the House Republican Campaign Committee on July 23. In light of those ties, DeLear questioned Matthiesens loyalties. Matthiesen fired back: No amount of money could ever be paid to any organization that would deter my determination to protect my son, my family and my community.

Both candidates say their immediate priority is lobbying the U.S. Congress to transfer authority of the situation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to the Army Corps of Engineers.

On other issues, DeLear said hell prioritize equal pay for women, boosting education funding and ensuring veterans get proper health care. Matthiesen said improving Missouris business climate, encouraging vocational training for students and stopping federal encroachment are at the top of his list.

90th District

Lavender has reported raising $248,404, while Milton has reported raising $165,612.

The two contenders generally toe their party lines on wedge issues such as guns and abortion.

Milton said he wishes the Legislature would focus more time on economic development in St. Louis. I want to see us return to being a top-flight metropolitan area, he said.

Lavenders slogan is that shes a fiscal conservative with the heart of a progressive.

I have voted more conservatively on the spending of Missouri taxpayer dollars than most of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, Lavender, 60, said.

After running for the seat four times  and finally winning in 2014  Lavender doesnt have trouble getting recognized in the 90th. But in the GOP-dominated Legislature, its a different story.

In April, Lavender says, she took bold action to torpedo legislation that wouldve allowed concealed carry on college campuses. She tacked on an amendment to that legislation allowing the public to carry guns in the Capitol. Members thought she would withdraw her amendment, but Lavender kept railing against the underlying bill. The speaker told her her time was up, and the amendment stuck.

By sticking with the provision, Lavender later said, she was betting the bill went too far even for GOP leadership. A week later, the measure was withdrawn.

Sometimes taking bold action makes you look like you might be stupid, she said.

Milton doesnt buy it. If shes trying to say that she did that on purpose, I find that pretty comical, he said.

94th District

In the south St. Louis Countys 94th, incumbent Republican state Rep. Cloria Brown has reported raising $160,132. Challenger Vicki Lorenz Englund, a Democrat, has reported raising $211,900.

Englund and Brown are facing off for the fifth time, and both have held the seat. Englund has won in higher-turnout presidential years. Brown has taken the seat during midterm elections.

Apparently, the two still can tolerate each other.

I think were both probably tired of the back and forth, Englund said.

The 94th district takes in Green Park and unincorporated parts of south St. Louis County. Its suburban, and the definition of a swing seat.

The two have had to walk a tightrope on tricky issues.

Englund is anti-abortion, but she opposes GOP attempts to restrict the legal practice, saying the state should increase access to contraception and emphasize comprehensive sex education.

Brown said in April she was undecided on Senate Joint Resolution 39, a proposal that wouldve granted constitutional protections to shopkeepers and clergy who declined to participate in same-sex weddings. That legislation died before making it to the House floor.

I dont go too far to the right, and I dont go too far to the left, Brown said.

Brown supports right-to-work legislation; Englund opposes it. Those bills ban union dues or membership as a condition of employment. Proponents say right-to-work laws spur investment, while opponents say the laws lessen union bargaining power, and by extension, wages.

112th District

Lawyer Bob Butler, 52, a Democrat, is running to unseat state Republican Rep. Rob Vescovo, 39, in the 112th district in northern Jefferson County after losing to him in 2014. Vescovo reported raising $450,477 for his campaign; Butler raised $123,664 for his.

Vescovo was one of six lawmakers in 2015 to file a lawsuit against Nixon attempting to block taxpayer funding of a new riverfront stadium.

On right-to-work, Vescovo supports it; Butler, a Democrat, opposes it. Butler sued Vescovo in August, attempting to strip his name from the ballot over alleged taxes owed from businesses associated with the state representative.

Circuit Judge Kelly Parker ruled in September that Vescovo could stay on the ballot. He was trying use this to smear my name and gain an advantage in the election, Vescovo said.

Regardless of the ruling, Butler said the businesses documented run-ins with the Missouri Department of Revenue should raise questions.

Among Butlers priorities are raising the minimum wage and shortening Department of Veterans Affairs wait times. Vescovo says he wants to cut red tape and opposes new taxes.

113th District

Democrat Karen Settlemoir-Berg faces GOP Rep. Dan Shaul in the 113th, which includes Imperial, Kimmswick and parts of Arnold. Settlemoir-Berg reported raising $158,211, while Shaul reported raising $205,840.

Right-to-work also has become an issue in their campaign. In 2015, Shaul voted against the legislation, although it passed. Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, vetoed the bill, and Shaul flipped his position and voted to override the veto during the veto session. But proponents still couldnt come up with the 109 votes needed, and the veto stood.

Now, Shaul now supports right-to-work and has received $75,000 from Joplin donor David Humphreys, who backs the idea. Unions have gone all-in for Settlemoir-Bergs campaign.

But Shaul doesnt want to make this a one-issue race. He points to his experience on the Windsor School Board and support of prescription drug monitoring legislation to fight opioid addiction.

Shaul said hes also working for economic development in general. Ive only heard one side talk about more family-sustainable jobs, and that was the side in favor of right to work, Shaul said in an interview. Settlemoir-Berg, a union representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655, said Shauls stance shows his loyalties lie with Humphreys, not working families.

As labor unions shrink, so does our middle class, she said.

Settlemoir-Berg also said her priorities are finding funding for infrastructure and education.
This years coral bleaching event that destroyed vast tracts of valuable coral reefs, due to El Nino and climate change, was the most widespread in recorded history. Many now ask how much more warming in combination with overfishing, pollution and other human pressures the worlds coral reefs can endure?

The current state of knowledge is, for the first time ever, synthesised at a global level in a new article published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment by centre researchers Albert Norstrom, Magnus Nystrom, Jean-Baptiste Jouffray, Carl Folke, Per Olsson and Fredrik Moberg. The study was a collaboration with colleagues from UK, USA and Australia.

Safe operating spaces

Ensuring that reefs and the many benefits they provide to human societies endure will require that fishing, water quality, and climate change stay within acceptable levels or safe operating spaces, says lead author Albert Norstrom.

Defining these safe levels is challenging because coral reefs in different parts of the world will respond differently to human pressures. There is also a lack of data and studies on how much reef organisms will be able to adapt to change.
SMW '16: 'Always Be Hacking' Says Viacom, Engineer the Future

"Always be trying something new," said Jeff Tapper, senior vice president of engineering for Viacom, delivering the second day keynote address at Streaming Media West 2016. "When you stop asking why or how or will it work, you stop growing as an engineer."

Tapper delivered an eye-opening talk on how media brands can succeed by creating a company-wide engineering culture. One key lesson was to "always be hacking," thinking out-of-the-box and reevaluating decisions such as build vs. buy.

Viacom doesn't just live the hacking ethos in-house, but sponsors student hackathons in New York City, as well, encouraging young coders to create new things. Question everything and see if you can do it better, Tapper said.

For Tapper, creating an engineering culture in-house means creating a UNIX culture, and following a decades-old UNIX philosophy that says programs should do one thing, do it well, and work well together.

Historically, OTT apps have been treated as marketing for brands. Bringing an engineering culture to that requires attracting top young talent, which Tapper said is a challenge for Viacom. Recent grads want to work for top online properties. "As a media company, it's very difficult for us to recruit top talent," he said.

Besides always be hacking, Tapper offered several other tenets for creating a company-wide engineering culture. Build cloud-native applications, he said. That doesn't mean porting existing apps to the cloud, but building cloud-native. Doing so pushes network operations to the cloud provider. "If we can leverage the cloud, we don't have to worry about managing our own hardware."

Adopt 12-factor app development. While this might be common knowledge for engineers, others can learn about it at 12factor.net. Lessons from 12-factor development include having one codebase, as well as keeping clean processes for building, releasing, and running applications. Also, think about disposability of processes: "Each one of your micro-services needs to be able to start up very, very quickly and be able to be torn down very, very quickly."

A/B testing is critical for implementing new ideas. A/B testing starts with an hypothesis and gives teams a method to test it. Roll out the change to one percent of the users and see if analytics prove or disprove the idea. "This can work for everything," Tapper said.

Create a test-driven environment by writing tests before creating any code. This ensures that the code is testable. When they skip this step, developers create code that isn't inherently testable.

Brands within an organization should share codebases, Tapper encouraged. In that way, everyone contributes to the greater good while building trust between teams. Rather that saying, "Your code is broken, you should fix it," teams should say, "Our code is broken, we should go fix it."

Tapper also pressed for continuous integration, where all tests run on every commit. That way, if a test fails the organization can reject the commit. It lets companies identify bugs sooner, when they're easier to fix.

Creating an engineering culture means engineering success and creating the future, Tapper said. "We need to always be looking at what's next."

Get ready, experiment, and get ahead of the curve.

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Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE: CCL)(NYSE: CUK) announced plans to expand its Fathom brand's Dominican Republic social impact experiences to its other cruise line brands sailing to its Amber Cove port of call.

Beginning in November, guests sailing regularly on the six additional Carnival Corporation brands to Amber Cove will be able to purchase a social impact excursion  a new participatory and immersive travel category pioneered by Fathom that takes people into the heart of a destination to explore local communities and discover its people in unconventional ways. Guests can purchase a social impact excursion just as they do today with traditional shore excursions.

"The feedback from our travelers and our local Dominican partners who have participated in Fathom's social impact experiences in the Dominican Republic has been overwhelmingly positive and mutually beneficial," said Tara Russell, president of Fathom and global impact lead for Carnival Corporation. "Our travelers repeatedly tell us the activities and alongsided interaction with the local Dominican people is very fulfilling, rekindling their hope and passion and inspiring a whole new perspective on life."

Russell added: "Additionally, the social impact experiences create enduring positive impact in the lives of children, families and communities, significantly affecting bright futures. It is exciting to now offer thousands of guests who sail with our family of brands to Amber Cove the opportunity to be part of Fathom's social impact experience and broader story."

Since Fathom began its every-other-week voyages in May 2016 to Amber Cove  located on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic -- its guests have been able to produce and install 730 water filters for local families, construct concrete floors for hundreds of people in 40 homes, plant nearly 16,000 seedlings and plants, and have provided approximately 17,500 hours of English conversational language skills training to adult and youth students.

Seven of the 10 Carnival Corporation brands make calls on Amber Cove -- AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Fathom, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises UK. By offering Fathom experiences to guests sailing on its other brands, the company expects to provide this unique, personally enriching experience to a much wider and growing number of guests with each additional sailing. In turn, this has the potential of significantly expanding the number of traveler impact days per month and broader collective impact story in the Dominican Republic.

To expand the Fathom social impact experience, the company will provide the following new excursions:

Hands-On Chocolate Experience at a Women's Cooperative: Travelers will engage in an immersive cultural experience and make an impact in the Puerto Plata community during a unique, hands-on visit to a chocolate cooperative founded by enterprising local women. Travelers will visit the small community of Altamira where they will discover Chocal, a tiny organic-chocolate factory run by a group of local women committed to earning an income while remaining close to their families. Travelers will have the opportunity to work alongside these women to participate in the chocolate production process from bean to bar, a truly rewarding experience.

Travelers will engage in an immersive cultural experience and make an impact in the Puerto Plata community during a unique, hands-on visit to a chocolate cooperative founded by enterprising local women. Travelers will visit the small community of Altamira where they will discover Chocal, a tiny organic-chocolate factory run by a group of local women committed to earning an income while remaining close to their families. Travelers will have the opportunity to work alongside these women to participate in the chocolate production process from bean to bar, a truly rewarding experience. Volunteer Experience at Recycled Paper & Crafts Entrepreneurship: For a rewarding experience that makes an impact on local communities, travelers may embark on an engaging and immersive cultural experience visiting artisans at a recycling micro-business. In the little village of El Javillar, travelers will find the RePapel co-op, a Recycled Paper & Crafts initiative that has taught local women to repurpose natural, recycled paper into treasures. Travelers will work side by side with these friendly women, discovering all aspects of the program, including creating new products for sale. At the end of their experience, travelers may purchase keepsake products to take home as mementos of their day.

Fathom is also currently exploring additional opportunities globally and with sister brands to bring the Fathom onboard and onshore engaging, purposeful experiences to a broader audience of travelers. New and additional opportunities for travelers to engage in the Fathom experience will be shared in coming months.

Featuring a two-berth port and a 25-acre landside development nestled in a picturesque cove, Amber Cove provides cruise guests from Carnival Corporation's brands with a convenient gateway to one of the newest Caribbean destinations -- the Puerto Plata region on the island's north coast. Referred to as the "Amber Coast," the region is known for the friendliness of its people, its history and culture, and the beauty of its beaches, mountains, forests, waterfalls and rivers.

The port also re-opened in November 2015 the spectacular Puerto Plata region to regular cruise ship visits for the first time in nearly 30 years, adding a new and exotic destination to the Caribbean, the world's most popular region for cruising.

In total, there are more than 40 excursion options currently being offered to guests sailing to Amber Cove with the company's brands. This includes traditional recreational and sight-seeing cruise excursions, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing or simply a relaxing day at the beach.
Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE: TDY) announced that Teledyne Instruments, Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire assets of IN USA, Inc. (IN USA). IN USA, headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, manufactures a range of ozone generators, ozone analyzers and other gas monitoring instruments utilizing ultraviolet and infrared based technologies. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The closing of the transaction, which is subject to customary conditions, is anticipated to occur later this month.

Founded in 1988, IN USAs gas sensors and monitors are designed for use across several industrial process applications in the semiconductor, water treatment, food & beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Teledyne intends to relocate and consolidate manufacturing into the new, owned facility of Teledyne Advanced Pollution Instrumentation in San Diego, California.

Teledyne Advance Pollution Instrumentation became part of Teledyne in 2001 and was our very first acquisition, said Robert Mehrabian, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Teledyne. Since then, Teledyne API has grown to be one of our strongest performing companies and is a leader in air quality monitoring instrumentation. IN USA will add complementary products, sales channels and applications expertise to our existing industrial ozone instrumentation.
Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) affirmed Occidental Petroleum Corporation's (NYSE: OXY) A3 senior unsecured rating, its P-2 short term rating and its stable outlook. The rating affirmation follows Occidental's October 31 announcement that it had acquired leasehold acreage in the Permian Basin in a cash transaction for approximately $2.0 billion. Balance sheet cash was initially used to fund the acquisition, a use of cash which will be replenished with the proceeds of the notes offering.

"Occidental has maintained one of the healthiest balance sheets within its North American independent E&P peer group, and has pre-funded upcoming debt maturities with successive debt issues in 2015 and 2016; however, its credit metrics will be stressed by the additional debt issuance following its recently announced acreage acquisitions," commented Andrew Brooks, Moody's Vice President. "Moreover, while the extent of its cash balances are impressive, these balances are likely to be eroded under the combined pressure of Occidental's sizable cash dividend, capital spending - even at its reduced levels, its investment in working capital and acquisition funding."

Affirmations:

..Issuer: Occidental Petroleum Corporation

.... Commercial Paper, Affirmed P-2

.... Issuer Rating, Affirmed A3

....Senior Unsec. Shelf, Affirmed (P)A3

....Senior Unsecured Medium-Term Note Program, Affirmed (P)A3

....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debentures, Affirmed A3

Outlook Actions:

..Issuer: Occidental Petroleum Corporation

....Outlook, Remains Stable

Affirmations:

..Issuer: Maryland Industrial Development Financ. Auth.

....Senior Unsecured Revenue Bonds, Affirmed A3

....Senior Unsecured Revenue Bonds, Affirmed VMIG 2

..Issuer: Maury (County of) TN, Indust. Devel. Board

....Senior Unsecured Revenue Bonds, Affirmed A3

RATINGS RATIONALE

Occidental Petroleum's A3 senior unsecured rating is supported by its substantial scale and diversification, its long-lived US oil and gas assets predominantly located in the Permian Basin and what has historically been its modest financial leverage, offset by weakness in cash flow brought about by the low prices of crude oil and US natural gas, and further exacerbated by its high cash dividend payout. Substantially sized, unlevered non-E&P EBITDA generated through its chemicals and midstream operations, however, augments Occidental's aggregate earnings and cash flow. Because of its relatively limited exposure to high decline rate unconventional resource production, Occidental can adjust downward the capital spending required to maintain its asset base while generating modest production growth. Occidental ended 2016's third quarter with a $3.2 billion cash balance, helping enable the company to maintain its high dividend payout, while cash from operations largely covers capital spending. The size of and Occidental's commitment to its annual dividend pressures retained cash flow, without which would be significantly higher. Notwithstanding healthy cash balances, minimal debt reduction is anticipated.

Occidental evidenced excellent liquidity at September 30, with a $3.2 billion cash balance and an undrawn $2.0 billion revolving credit facility, which has an August 2019 scheduled maturity date. The revolver does not contain a MAC clause nor ratings triggers, and the company is well within its financial covenants. The revolving credit facility fully backs Occidental's $2.0 billion commercial paper program, which had no amounts outstanding at September 30. While weak oil and natural gas prices have reduced 2016 cash flow, Occidental has substantially managed down its capital spending program, from 2015's $5.6 billion to a projected $3.0 billion in 2016. Furthering its liquidity was the receipt in full of a $900 million reimbursement from the government of Ecuador, which settled a long-standing contract expropriation arbitration ruling. Additionally, we expect Occidental to receive modest proceeds from non-core asset sales. Occidental repaid a $700 million debt maturity in February 2016 and June's $750 million maturity, largely pre-funded by its June 2015 $1.5 billion notes offering. April's $2.75 billion notes offering funded the early redemption in May of Occidental's $1.25 billion notes scheduled to mature in February 2017, resulting in Occidental's total debt levels remaining essentially unchanged. Occidental currently pays a $2.3 billion annual cash dividend, funded over the course of 2016 to date through free cash flow and balance sheet cash. Balance sheet cash was initially used to fund the $2.0 billion Permian acreage acquisition, a use of cash which will be replenished with the proceeds of the notes offering.

Occidental's stable outlook reflects its substantial scale and diversification, the high quality of its asset portfolio and its healthy balance sheet, notwithstanding leverage metrics which have retreated from mid-year strength as a consequence of incremental debt issuance. Occidental's ratings could be downgraded should debt to average daily production increase to and remain above $15,000 per barrel of oil equivalent (Boe) or should retained cash flow (RCF) to debt remain below 30%. Occidental's ratings could be upgraded should RCF to debt return to levels exceeding 70% and its leveraged full-cycle ratio is sustained above 1.5x.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual) announced today that its headquarters has been awarded LEED Gold using the LEED for Existing Buildings rating system. The building previously achieved LEED Silver in recognition of the company's ongoing progress with its sustainability efforts.

"Since the 1970s MassMutual has been diligently working on lessening our environmental impact and increasing our sustainability. Achieving LEED Gold is another example of how MassMutual keeps its gaze firmly on the future, working toward a better world for our policyowners, community, company and employees," said Sean Anderson, head of Real Estate and Facilities for MassMutual. "MassMutual's environmental stewardship is highly complementary of our overall mission to help people secure their future and protect the ones they love."

The LEED Gold rating is the second highest of four levels bestowed for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) certification, which was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to encourage and facilitate the development of more sustainable buildings. LEED is the world's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

MassMutual keeps constant tabs on its environmental stewardship through a performance score platform that measures performance and progress and is continuously updated. The digital platform educates and engages building users and operators while monitoring energy, water, waste, transportation use and employee satisfaction with the environment of MassMutual's 1295 State St. headquarters. The digital performance platform, located in the Springfield headquarters' lobby, continuously displays the environmental monitoring data in real time, reporting the performance of the building as well as the impact on the community and environment.

LEED Gold was awarded to MassMutual for its ongoing efforts to improve its sustainable practices. Since being awarded LEED Silver in 2011, MassMutual has undertaken several green initiatives, including:

Incorporating the performance score platform to continuously report the latest data on the company's sustainability practices;

Adding electric vehicle charging units, which now number 64, as more employees and visitors arrive in battery-powered vehicles;

Installing 1,700 photovoltaic and thermal solar panels, which supply 50 percent of the building's hot water and 3 percent of its power;

Updating the data center with more energy-efficient hardware, saving 2.8 million kilowatt hours (k-Wh) per year;

Installed high-efficiency lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the headquarters building, saving 450,000 k-Wh annually.

Reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 5,500 metric ton lifetime Greenhouse Gas (GHG) equivalencies;

Reducing water usage with 500 high efficiency water fixtures inside the building and rainwater capturing systems for irrigation needs, saving five million gallons of water annually; and

Improving waste handling by recycling more than 300 tons of paper and cardboard annually.

MassMutual achieved its initial LEED certification for reductions in its use of energy, lighting and water, as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. Through the use of LEED and the performance score, buildings like MassMutual's headquarters are becoming more resource efficient, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to a healthier environment for building residents, employees and the community.

About MassMutual

MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. MassMutual offers a wide range of financial products and services, including life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, annuities, retirement plans and other employee benefits. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com.

CONTACT:Paula Tremblay413-744-0885[email protected]

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/massmutual-awarded-leed-gold-for-excellence-in-environmental-stewardship-300355900.html

SOURCE MassMutual
MARTINSRIED / MUNICH, Germany, Nov. 2, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX; OTC: MPSYY) and LEO Pharma today announced that they have entered into a strategic alliance for the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of skin diseases. The objective of the alliance is to identify novel, antibody-based therapeutics for unmet medical needs that will be valuable additions to both companies' pipelines.

Collaborating on multiple targets selected by LEO Pharma, the two companies will work together to identify, validate and develop novel therapeutic antibodies. MorphoSys will apply its proprietary Ylanthia technology to generate fully human antibody candidates against the selected targets and will conduct all development activities up to the start of clinical testing. LEO Pharma will be responsible for clinical development and commercialization of resulting drugs in all indications outside of cancer. In skin cancer indications, MorphoSys will have options to co-develop and, in Europe, co-promote the respective antibody drugs. In addition, MorphoSys will have certain options to develop and commercialize programs arising from the collaboration in other cancer indications.

MorphoSys will receive R&D funding as well as success-based development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, plus royalties on net sales of drugs commercialized by LEO Pharma. Assuming all development, regulatory and sales objectives are reached, milestone payments would sum up to EUR 111.5 million per antibody program.

"We are excited to join forces with LEO Pharma in a strategic alliance to develop novel, antibody-based drugs," said Dr. Simon Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of MorphoSys. "Combining our antibody expertise with LEO Pharma's deep understanding of dermatology creates an ideal route to products in an area of severe unmet medical need. This alliance is another important step in the execution of our strategy of leveraging our capabilities to build a pipeline of innovative therapeutic antibodies."

"We see exciting potential to develop new treatments for people with skin diseases through our strategic alliance with MorphoSys," said Gitte Aabo, CEO & President of LEO Pharma. "By joining forces to discover and develop new therapeutic antibodies, we aim to address a high unmet medical need among people with skin diseases. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to expanding our treatment offering and strengthening our position in biologics within dermatology."

About MorphoSys: MorphoSys developed HuCAL, the most successful antibody library technology in the pharmaceutical industry. By successfully applying this and other patented technologies, MorphoSys has become a leader in the field of therapeutic antibodies, one of the fastest-growing drug classes in human healthcare. Together with its pharmaceutical partners, MorphoSys has built a therapeutic pipeline of more than 100 human antibody drug candidates for the treatment of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease, to name just a few. With its ongoing commitment to new antibody technology and drug development, MorphoSys is focused on making the healthcare products of tomorrow. MorphoSys is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol MOR. For regular updates about MorphoSys, visit http://www.morphosys.com.

HuCAL, HuCAL GOLD, HuCAL PLATINUM, CysDisplay, RapMAT, arYla, Ylanthia, 100 billion high potentials, Slonomics, Lanthio Pharma and LanthioPep are registered trademarks of the MorphoSys Group.

About LEO Pharma LEO Pharma helps people achieve healthy skin. By offering care solutions to patients in more than 100 countries globally, LEO Pharma supports people in managing their skin conditions. Founded in 1908 and owned by the LEO Foundation, the healthcare company has devoted decades of research and development to delivering products and solutions to people with skin conditions. LEO Pharma is headquartered in Denmark and employs around 5,000 people worldwide.

For more information, visit www.leo-pharma.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/leopharmaglobal Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/leohealthyskin Visit us at LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/leo-pharma

This communication contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the MorphoSys group of companies. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the judgment of MorphoSys as of the date of this release and involve risks and uncertainties. Should actual conditions differ from the Company's assumptions, actual results and actions may differ from those anticipated. MorphoSys does not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements as far as the wording of the relevant press release is concerned.

For more information, please contact: MorphoSys AG Dr. Claudia Gutjahr-Loser Head of Corporate Communications & IR

Jochen Orlowski Associate Director Corporate Communications & IR

Alexandra Goller Senior Manager Corporate Communications & IR

Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-404 [email protected]

LEO Pharma Eva Juul Langlands Media Relations Manager

Tel: +45 4188 3094 [email protected]

Media Release (PDF) http://hugin.info/130295/R/2052910/768373.pdf

Source: MorphoSys AG
FLORENCE, S.C., Nov. 01, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfields Helping Hungry Homes campaign partnered with IGA and KJs Market this morning to provide more than 25,000 pounds of protein to the Harvest Hope Food Bank. This considerable donation is part of Smithfields 300th Helping Hungry Homes milestone donation tour, during which the company will donate nearly one million servings to eight food banks across the country through the end of the year. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/26ad1c3e-9f29-469b-9e00-73f39c0f8f61

Representatives from IGA /KJs Markets and Harvest Hope Food Bank mark the Florence community which will receive Smithfields Helping Hungry Homes donation of 100,000 servings.

Representatives from Smithfield, IGA, and KJs Market presented the donation, equivalent to 100,000 servings, to the Harvest Hope Food Bank during an event at which speakers discussed the importance of donations like this in the Florence area, which was recently devastated by a major hurricane, and where 18 percent of people do not know from where their next meal will come.

Throughout November and December, Smithfield will travel from coast-to-coast to food banks in Florence, S.C., Charleston, S.C., Sacramento, Calif., Hampton, Va., Virginia Beach, Va., Bentonville, Ark., Baltimore, Md. and Tampa, Fla. Smithfield will continue its long history of partnering with local retailers with a history of philanthropy to make these donations and raise awareness of hunger in these areas.

Harvest Hope Food Bank is thrilled to receive this generous donation from Smithfield, said Denise Holland, CEO of Harvest Hope Food Bank. With so many in the community still struggling to recover from Hurricane Matthew, both the Pee Dee area and Harvest Hope are in great need of assistance to help feed the hungry. Smithfields donation will help us as we continue to build upon the more than half million meals weve distributed since the hurricanes landfall.

We truly appreciate Smithfield for partnering with us to give back to the community through this generous donation, said Bill Harrell, W. Lee Flowers and Company meat department director. Whenever a disaster strikes the areas where we live and serve, we try to give aid and relief to all those in need. We strive to help people rebuild and restore their lives to normal in as many ways as possible, whether it be through donations of food, money or time.

Smithfield is proud to partner with IGA and KJs Market during our 300th milestone tour to present this donation to the Harvest Hope Food Bank, said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. After the recent hurricane that devastated the area, we started working immediately to provide donations to the food banks that are feeding so many of the families who lost their homes and dont know from where their next meal will come. We encourage others to get involved and volunteer time, money, or food to help provide recovery assistance.

As part of its ongoing Helping Hungry Homes program, Smithfield has committed to continue its fight against hunger by making more than 40 large-scale protein donations across the United States in 2016. Throughout the year, the company is donating more than six million servings of protein to food banks nationwide to help families and individuals suffering from hunger. To date, the program has provided more than 43 million servings of protein to food banks across America.

About SmithfieldA leading provider of high-quality pork products, Smithfield was founded in 1936 in Smithfield, Virginia, establishing the town as the Ham Capital of the World. From hand-trimmed bacon and slow-smoked holiday hams to marinated tenderloins, Smithfield brings artistry, authenticity and a commitment to heritage, flavor, and handcrafted excellence to everything it produces. With a vast product portfolio including smoked meats, hams, bacon, sausage, ribs, and a wide variety of fresh pork cuts, the company services retail, foodservice, and deli channels across the United States and 30 countries abroad. All of Smithfields products meet the highest quality and safety standards in the industry. To learn more about how Flavor Hails from Smithfield, please visit www.Smithfield.com, www.Twitter.com/SmithfieldBrand, and www.Facebook.com/CookingWithSmithfield. Smithfield is a brand of Smithfield Foods.

About Smithfield FoodsSmithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan's Famous, Farmland, Armour, John Morrell, Cook's, Kretschmar, Gwaltney, Curly's, Margherita, Carando, Healthy Ones, Krakus, Morliny, and Berlinki. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

About IGA and KJs Market (W. Lee Flowers):W. Lee Flowers and Company was founded in 1922 and is based in Scranton, SC. As an IGA Licensed Distribution Center, W. Lee Flowers and Company operates or supplies 80 IGA and independent supermarkets in the Carolinas and Georgia. It ranks as one of the largest South Carolina-headquartered grocery retailers and is the only retailer based in Florence County.

About Harvest Hope Food Bank Harvest Hope Food Bank was founded in 1981 as the result of a shared vision of business leaders and the faith community who set out to provide for the hungry in Columbia. Harvest Hope distributed over 28 million pounds of food last year and feeds approximately 38,000 people a week. Their main offices are located in Columbia, but the organization also has satellite locations in Greenville and Florence.

Media Contacts: Hunter PR for Smithfield Elisabeth Garcia (212) 679-6600 [email protected] W. Lee Flowers Wil Thomy (843) 389-2731 [email protected] Harvest Hope Food Bank Jamie Peebles (803) 466-2250 [email protected]

Source: Smithfield Foods
SINGAPORE, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- UnaBiz has been awarded the Facilities Based Operator (FBO) license to rollout Sigfox's Internet of Things (IoT) network in Singapore by the Info-communications and Media Development Authority (IMDA) of Singapore.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435302LOGO

As a Sigfox network operator, UnaBiz is committed to delivering a nation-wide IoT network that is a cost-effective and energy-efficient connectivity solution supporting the government's Smart Nation initiative.

"Singapore is a 'showcase' nation for bringing the Internet of Things into the mainstream," said Roswell Wolff, President of Sigfox Asia Pacific. "We are delighted to work with our partners UnaBiz and Engie to make things come alive with the Sigfox network in Singapore and across the globe. The power of objects to bring value to the many Smart Nation initiatives can now be realised by the commercial availability of the UnaBiz operated Sigfox network service, launched earlier this year."

Henri Bong, CEO of UnaBiz, said, "This is a very important milestone for UnaBiz. With the newly created FBO license, UnaBiz will accelerate the deployment of Sigfox network in Singapore, and anticipate an exponential growth of demand to connect millions of devices over a simple, low cost, low power and long-range network on our Internet of Things ecosystem.

Internet of Things will have a profound impact on the way everyday people live, work, play and learn. Together with our partners, UnaBiz is committed to deliver more innovative IoT solutions to solve real-life problems, and improve the lives of everyday people."

About SIGFOX

Sigfox provides global, simple, cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions to power the Internet of Things (IoT). Today, its worldwide network and broad ecosystem of partners are already enabling companies to accelerate digital transformation, develop new services and value. Sigfox's vision is to "Make Things Come Alive", by giving a voice to the physical world we live in  allowing billions of objects to play a role in economic development, optimization of industrial processes and safeguarding of species of our planet, amongst the exciting opportunities in today's new digital era. Currently present in 24 countries, and on track to reach over 60 by 2018, the Sigfox global network today covers 1.35 million square kilometers with a population of 358 million people. Millions of connected objects are already registered on the network. Founded in 2010 by entrepreneurs Ludovic Le Moan and Christophe Fourtet, the French company is headquartered in Labege near Toulouse, France's "IoT Valley". Sigfox also has offices worldwide in Paris, Madrid, Munich, Boston, San Francisco, Dubai and Singapore. For more information, visit www.sigfox.com and follow us on Twitter at @SIGFOX.

About UnaBiz

UnaBiz Network Pte Ltd (UnaBiz) is the exclusive operator of the SIGFOX network in Singapore. As the SIGFOX Network Operator (SNO), Unabiz plans to deploy a nation-wide IoT network in Singapore to enable low power, long range, cost-effective and simple-to-use connectivity for compatible devices. The network will be open and public, giving qualified IoT channels, service providers, SME and large enterprises and government agencies, equal access in order to promote a vibrant and competitive market place. For more information, see and follow us on http://www.unabiz.com/ and Twitter @UnaBizIoT.

Press Contact:

Jonathan TanVP Sales and Business Development, UnaBiz [email protected] + 65 9626 8648

Jennifer Divall[email protected]

Related Files

UnaBiz 2016 Final- Unabiz awarded infrastructure license in Singapore.pdf

Related Links

UnaBiz Website

Sigfox Website

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unabiz-receives-facilities-based-operator-fbo-license-for-global-internet-of-things-iot-network-in-singapore-300356154.html

SOURCE UnaBiz
TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The winners of the MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2016 have been announced on 31 October. The MIDORI Prize is a biennial international prize organized by the AEON Environmental Foundation and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity to honour individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity at global, regional or local levels.

The winners of the 2016 MIDORI Prize are:

Dr. Alfonso Aguirre-MunozExecutive Director of Grupo de Ecologia y Conservacion de Islas, A.C. (Mexico)

Dr. Yury DarmanDirector of WWF-Russia Amur Branch (Russia)

Dr. Vandana ShivaFounder and Director of Navdanya (India)

Each of the prize winners is awarded a commemorative gift and plaque and a monetary prize of 100,000 US dollars to support their work. They will be honoured at an Award Ceremony to be held on 2 December 2016 in Cancun, Mexico, in conjunction with the high-level segment of the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The prize winners will also deliver public lectures at a Winners Forum that will be held on 7 December 2016 at the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan.

The conservation of the worlds biodiversity and the prevention of climate change are two of the greatest challenges of our time, said Mr. Takuya Okada, Chairman of the AEON Environmental Foundation. We hope that the MIDORI Prize will contribute to meeting this global challenge through mainstreaming biodiversity and promoting further actions to safeguard biodiversity.

For the fourth time, the MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity has been awarded to three individuals who have contributed in outstanding ways to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the fair and equitable sharing of its benefits, said Mr. Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity. I sincerely congratulate the 2016 winners for their numerous achievements and commend them for providing such positive inspiration.

More information is available at http://www.midoripress-aeon.net/index.html

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161101005083/en/

AEON Environmental Foundation

[email protected]

Source: AEON Environmental Foundation
By Aaron Maasho

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn swore in a group of technocrats and new finance and foreign ministers on Tuesday in a reshuffle meant to respond to grievances behind six months of violent protests.

The reshuffle swapped out half of his 30-member cabinet and brought in technocrats to take over important portfolios including trade, health, water and electricity, farming and the environment.

The cabinet is one of Ethiopia's most ethnically diverse and includes nine newcomers from the Oromiya region, the center of protests over land grabs and political rights in which hundreds have died and foreign-owned businesses have been destroyed.

After declaring a six-month nationwide state of emergency on Oct. 9, the government said it had to broaden democracy in a country with not a single opposition deputy in its 547-member parliament.

In a speech ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, Hailemariam told lawmakers that naming a new cabinet "on the basis of competence" was at the heart of his reforms.

"An effort was made to select candidates that were best suited to deliver results. It is part of measures to address maladministration," he said.

Hailemariam, 51, promoted former state minister of finance Abraham Tekeste to finance minister to take over from Abdulaziz Mohammed, whose stint lasted just over a year.

The finance ministry is in charge of implementing a five-year development plan unveiled last year that targets annual economic growth rates of around 11 percent, and boosting manufacturing output by up to 24 percent a year for that period.

Workineh Gebeyehu, a former transport minister, was appointed foreign minister to replace Tedros Adhanom, who is campaigning to lead the World Health Organization (WHO).

Ethiopian and foreign rights groups say at least 500 people have been killed in violence triggered by protests in the Oromiya region.

Demonstrations were initially sparked by a development scheme for the capital that opponents said would lead to land seizures in Oromiya, which surrounds Addis Ababa.

That plan was subsequently shelved, but protests then broadened to include demands for more political rights and unrest has spread to other areas, including parts of the northern Amhara province.

Watchdogs often criticize the government of stifling dissent. Last month, Ethiopia's ceremonial president called for amendments to the election law to allow "alternative voices" to be heard.

(Editing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
ALMATY (Reuters) - A Kazakh man was sentenced to death on Wednesday for killing 10 people, mostly policemen, in a July shooting spree, to avenge what he called the suffering of Muslims at the hands of police.

Authorities at the time described Ruslan Kulekbayev's attack on a police station and security office in Kazakhstan's financial capital Almaty as an Islamist assault.

The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to the shooting, and admitted killing a woman working as a prostitute the night before, saying he saw her occupation as sinful.

His state-appointed lawyer told local news website Vlast.kz he would not appeal - though the Central Asian nation has had a moratorium on executions since 2003, meaning death sentences are usually commuted to life imprisonment.

A month before Kulekbayev's attacks, two dozen men attacked two firearms stores and a National Guard facility in the city of Aktobe, killing seven people.

The oil-rich former Soviet republic is officially secular, though most of its population is Muslim.

More conservative Salafist forms of the religion have become increasingly popular since the country became independent in 1991. Authorities say hundreds of Kazakhs have also joined Islamic State in recent years.

(Reporting by Olzhas Auyezov)
Johann Schneider-Ammann President of Switzerland listens to a presentation during a visit at the Campus Biotech in Geneva, Switzerland, October 17, 2016. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

BERLIN/ZURICH (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday that European Union talks with Switzerland on the free movement of people should not be linked in any way to the negotiations with Britain over its exit from the EU.

Her comments after talks with visiting Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann put the neighbors on the same page in seeking a tailor-made solution for Switzerland as it seeks to curb immigration from the EU, a hot button topic in Britain too.

Any concessions the EU grants non-member Switzerland will be closely watched for clues of what Britain might expect as it prepares to renegotiate its ties with the bloc following its June 23 referendum vote to leave.

"If I tried to put myself in the shoes of a Swiss citizen, I wouldn't be pleased if it was suddenly cast in a new light because of another decision in another country," Merkel told a joint news conference in Berlin.

"That's why we should conduct these talks with Switzerland as if the Great Britain issue never existed. I can only say that the German position hasn't changed with Great Britain's decision. These are two completely different issues."

Schneider-Ammann said he hoped a deal on free movement could emerge this year.

The president had staked out a hard line before the meeting, insisting in a radio interview that the free movement dossier could not be linked to a broader treaty that Brussels wants to conclude with Bern. He said Switzerland would not be pressured into sacrificing its sovereignty.

The EU wants to replace around 120 sector-specific bilateral treaties with a new "framework agreement" that would make the Swiss automatically adopt many new EU laws.

Merkel said a comprehensive accord was needed at least in the medium term.

Switzerland must implement next year the result of a 2014 referendum in which voters demanded quotas on EU workers.

Such limits would violate bilateral treaties that give the Swiss enhanced access to the EU single market, their largest trading partner, in return for citizens' freedom of movement.

Last month, the lower house of parliament passed a plan that includes hiring preferences but no quotas for workers already in Switzerland. The upper house is likely to take a similar line.

If so, Schneider-Ammann said the upshot "could be that we are compatible with the EU's freedom of movement rules already".

Some European diplomats say any plan to regulate immigration must win the EU's blessing, especially given its potential effect on Britain's talks on EU ties.

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke and Caroline Copley in Berlin and by Angelika Gruber and John Miller in Zurich; Editing by Gareth Jones)
There are currently four main approach vectors for the assault on Mosul. The ISF, led by four brigades of the Iraqi ninth and first divisions, including the 34th armored, have advanced up Highway 80 and reached al-Hamdaniya, roughly 20 miles south of Mosul. Meanwhile, Iraqi CTS and special operations forces, along with peshmerga fighters, have advanced along three axes. The first axis is to the east of Mosul along Highway 2, where forces have reached Bartella, about 10 miles from Mosul. The second is northeast of Mosul, where forces have reached Bashiqa. The third is directly north of the city, where forces are advancing from both Tall Kayf and from Nuran, seizing villages previously controlled by IS along the way.



There are two additional approaches shown on the map above. At least three Iraqi brigades and an unknown number of Iraqi Federal Police forces have advanced to Shura. An unknown number of Popular Mobilization Forces units have also advanced along a parallel line up Highway 1, the only highway leading to Mosuls west bank. It is unlikely, however, that the Shiite militias or the ISF will continue to approach the city from Highway 1; this approach is dangerous because the highway is met by mountainous terrain before reaching the city, making the approach more difficult than approaches from the east and north. The militias and Iraqi forces are more likely stationed there to protect the flank of the main attack; it is unlikely that they will march on the city.



To date, neither the Iraqi Security Forces nor the peshmerga have reached the city of Mosul proper. However, coalition forces have encountered IS resistance at a number of locations, including Bashiqa, Bartella, Tall Kayf, al-Hamdaniya and Shura, all of which are roughly 10 to 25 miles from the city and are located in relatively sparsely populated areas. Additionally, the coalition has left the west open to tempt IS to retreat from the city rather than fight.



The coalition forces strategy will not include a siege; rather, they will attempt to break IS will and, failing that, to win a battle of attrition. Either of these options would result in horrific levels of civilian casualties in addition to high casualty rates for the attacking force. Based on current deployments, it appears as if the coalition is opting for the latter strategy, a battle of attrition via attacks from the north and east. It seems as though the coalition aims to drive IS across Mosuls bridges, to the west bank of the Tigris River. From there, the task of cleaning out IS resistance will become even more difficult because of the potential for a bottleneck at the bridges, and because of the potential for IS to destroy the bridges. Even so, the Iraqi-U.S. coalition does have a significant advantage in terms of numbers of fighters, materiel and air support, and IS cannot hope to win the battle on strength of arms.

The coalition has two major weaknesses. The first is that the coalitions many disparate parts must continue to play well together. (This includes the various actors that are present but not part of the coalition.) However, there is no guarantee this is possible. Both the Kurds and the Shiite militias have previously shown that they will make opportunistic attacks to secure territory if such a possibility is presented, and they will have ample such opportunities in the battle on Mosul. Additionally, the Turks do not want an Iranian puppet to be in control of Mosul  a city Turkey ruled during the Ottoman Empire  and can claim that their Turkmen brethren require their assistance as well. The Turks thus far have not put enough resources in the field to make a consequential military move, but their presence and political aggressiveness exacerbates already simmering sectarian tensions.



The coalitions second weakness is that it will be increasingly difficult to maintain the ISFs morale and composure while leading the attack on Islamic State positions in the city. The Islamic State has had two years to prepare for this attack, and IS will not simply drop its weapons and run when the coalition arrives. Furthermore, the Islamic State must have sympathizers in order to govern such a large city, so many locals are likely to view the invading ISF with a great deal of suspicion. There will be pictures of locals celebrating in the streets at the coalitions arrival, but there will also be pictures of civilians dying and reports of massive population displacement. Such images and reports will undoubtedly chip away at ISF morale. At the same time, there will be no morale-boosting images of those waiting for the first opportunity to rebel against the Iraqi invaders once they inevitably leave the city.



The Islamic States weaknesses are much simpler. IS is outgunned and outmanned. Moreover, opposing forces control all of the major highways and roads into and out of Mosul, so all resupplying has to be undertaken through the desert and is therefore susceptible to U.S. airstrikes. Despite these weaknesses, the IS territory in Mosul is extremely defensible, and IS has proved that its skilled fighting force should not be underestimated. IS fighters are willing to die for their cause, and most of the fighters in Mosul may very well become martyrs, but they wouldnt engage in this fight if they didnt think they had a chance of winning. For IS to win the battle, it will need to erode the advance of coalition forces to such an extent that the coalition abandons the approach or devolves into infighting. Considering the complexity of the situation and the coalitions internal tensions, this is within the realm of possibility.

We do not think IS is going to shrink from this fight; we are also skeptical of reports that say IS has only a few thousand fighters in Mosul and is completely overmatched. Evaluations of IS fighting strength have continually underestimated the groups abilities. Furthermore, if IS was going to retreat, it would have done so before the coalition forces were arrayed against it and while it could still expect to move through the desert outside Mosul without being the certain target of U.S. air strikes. IS has decided to make a stand here, which means one of two things. IS may think it can fend off the U.S.-backed coalition for long enough to undermine its will to fight. Alternately, IS might think it can inflict such a high cost in the coming battle that all regional actors will pause in attempting a similar feat in Raqqa, IS main headquarters, and its stronghold in Deir el-Zour. This reluctance will become all the more pointed as the humanitarian scope of an urban battle in Mosul becomes clear.



Conclusion



A hodgepodge coalition of rivals, former enemies and uneasy allies is marching on the IS stronghold of Mosul. These forces have not yet reached the city, and the battle will not begin in earnest until they do. What lies ahead is a long, difficult and bloody affair. The U.S.-backed ISF and its partners have an overwhelming advantage in terms of fighters and resources, but victory will come at a very high price, one the Islamic State may be able to profit from more than the technical victors. In the meantime, historical rivalries and sectarian divisions  which led to the vacuum that created IS rise in the first place  will continue to shape and undermine the fight against IS even once the battle for Mosul has ended.
By Nikolaj Skydsgaard

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - The bodies of a Syrian woman and her two daughters, aged 7 and 9, have been found in a freezer in a town in Denmark and the woman's husband and father of the children was being sought, Danish police said on Tuesday.

The discovery was made on Sunday night in Aabenraa in southern Denmark. The family came to Denmark in summer 2015 and obtained refugee status, police said.

A court on Monday pronounced the Syrian father, Hamid Farid Mohammed, "imprisoned in absentia," meaning he should be detained immediately.

Police said 33-year-old Mohammed fled Denmark on Friday into Germany and then flew to Turkey. Danish police said they were cooperating with the Turkish police to find him.

(Editing by Richard Balmforth)
By Nate Raymond

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jury selection got underway in New York on Wednesday in the trial of two nephews of Venezuela's first lady who are facing U.S. charges that they attempted a multimillion-dollar drug deal for a large amount of cash to help their family stay in power.

Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas and Efrain Antonio Campo Flores, nephews of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in Manhattan federal court wearing grey and blue sweaters, respectively, as jury selection began.

For much of Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty questioned potential jurors about their backgrounds and interests, as well their knowledge of Venezuelan politics.

After several rounds of eliminating candidates from the pool of 95 people, those under consideration included a nurse, an architect and a New York City call center employee.

The final jury will consist of 12 jurors plus four alternates. Jury selection will resume on Thursday.

Flores de Freitas, 31, and Campo Flores, 30, were arrested in Haiti in November 2015 in a case that has been an embarrassment for Maduro amid a political and economic crisis in Venezuela.

The case came amid several U.S. probes that have linked drug trafficking to individuals tied to the government in Venezuela, which the U.S. State Department says is a preferred route for moving drugs from South America onward to other areas.

Prosecutors accuse the nephews of trying to monetize their political connections and to use one of Venezuela's airports to send hundreds of kilograms of cocaine to Honduras for trans-shipment to the United States.

Prosecutors say their goal in part was to obtain cash to counteract money they believed the United States was supplying to the opposition before Venezuela's December 2015 National Assembly elections.

Maduro's Socialist Party lost its parliamentary majority after the vote.

Prosecutors are expected to call as witnesses two U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration informants who posed as Mexican drug cartel members and met in Caracas with the nephews in Caracas, recording their meetings in the process.

At trial, lawyers for the nephews are expected to call into question the DEA informants' credibility. Both informants have admitted to lying to the DEA to secretly traffic drugs themselves.

The nephews' lawyers had also sought to block the admission of recordings that prosecutors said showed the defendants had political motives for their drug deal.

Crotty rejected that motion on Wednesday, calling the recordings "probative of the defendants' motive to carry out the scheme."

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Tom Brown)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of November 2016

RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

c/o Ryanair Ltd Corporate Head Office

Dublin Airport

County Dublin Ireland

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual

reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F.....

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information

contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the

Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange

Act of 1934.

Yes ...... No ..X..

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant

in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________

RYANAIR TO OPEN NEW FRANKFURT AM MAIN BASE (NO. 85)

FIRST LOW FARES AIRLINE BASE IN GERMANY'S BIGGEST AIRPORT

Ryanair, Europe's No 1 airline, today (2 Nov) announced it will open a base at Frankfurt am Main (No. 85), from March 2017, with 2 based aircraft (an investment of $200m) and 4 new routes to Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Palma. Ryanair's lower fares and "Always Getting Better" customer experience programme will deliver over 400,000 customers p.a. at Frankfurt Airport as follows:

 2 based aircraft ($200m)

 4 new routes: Alicante (daily), Faro (daily), Malaga (daily) and Palma (daily)

 28 weekly flights

 400,000 customers p.a.

Ryanair becomes the first low fares airline to open a base at Frankfurt am Main, which is Germany's biggest airport and the main home of Lufthansa. Ryanair will be working closely with Frankfurt am Main to open new routes and deliver low fare traffic growth as part of Ryanair's continuing rapid growth in the German market.

In Frankfurt, Ryanair's Chief Commercial Officer, David O'Brien said:

"We are pleased to launch a new base at Frankfurt am Main airport from the end of March, our 9 th German base and 85 th in Europe, with 4 new routes to Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Palma, which will deliver 400,000 customers p.a. at Frankfurt am Main Airport, as we add another primary airport to our German network. Our two based aircraft represent an investment of $200m, which further underlines our commitment to growing traffic, tourism and jobs in the Hessen region. We look forward to working closely with Fraport to deliver industry leading efficiencies and further growth at Germany's biggest airport."

Fraport Chief Executive Officer, Dr Stefan Schulte said:

"We are pleased to have Ryanair, Europe's leading low-cost airline, in our programme at Frankfurt soon. Beginning in the summer schedule 2017, we will be offering passengers in our region another attractive travel option - using the modern Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Thus, we are responding to the strong and growing demand in our region for this aviation segment. Ryanair's decision to come to FRA underscores the increasing importance of Frankfurt for low-cost traffic. We wish Ryanair "Always Happy Landings" here at Frankfurt.

FRANKFURT AM MAIN SUMMER 2017 SCHEDULE

Alicante 1 x daily Faro 1 x daily Malaga 1 x daily Palma 1 x daily

ENDS

For further information

please contact: Robin Kiely Tim Howe Schroder Ryanair Ltd Ryanair Ltd Tel: +353-1-9451949 Tel: +353-1-9451717 [email protected] [email protected]

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC

Date: 02 November, 2016
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Les doy cordialmente la bienvenida a este Blog informativo con articulos, analisis y comentarios de publicaciones especializadas y especialmente seleccionadas, principalmente sobre temas economicos, financieros y politicos de actualidad, que esperamos y deseamos, sean de su maximo interes, utilidad y conveniencia.

Pensamos que solo comprendiendo cabalmente el presente, es que podemos proyectarnos acertadamente hacia el futuro.

Las convicciones son mas peligrosos enemigos de la verdad que las mentiras.

There are decades when nothing happens and there are weeks when decades happen.

You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.

No soy alguien que sabe, sino alguien que busca.

Only Gold is money. Everything else is debt.

Las grandes almas tienen voluntades; las debiles tan solo deseos.

Quien no lo ha dado todo no ha dado nada.

History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.

If you know the other and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.
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"We're all feeling pretty cocky," a beaming Le Coucou staffer told me last night, a fitting sentiment for a restaurant whose mascot is a strutting chicken. Earlier that day, the restaurant learned it had been awarded three stars by the Times's Pete Wells, a notable distinction for a new restaurant (only two other NYC eateries in their infancy have been awarded thusly this year). Luckily, I'd managed to obtain a reservation some three weeks prior, unwittingly choosing the night the restaurant was apt to be at its most festive. "We had champagne before service," the staffer confided.

Le Coucou opened this summer under the direction of chef Daniel Rose, a Chicago-born chef who had the fortitude and daring to open a French restaurant, Spring, in Paris. Now he's on the border of Chinatown on Lafayette Street, doing "old-guard French," as Wells puts it, partnering with prolific restaurateur Stephen Starr on a restaurant that toes the line between stately and modern. Be guarded with your gesticulating, lest you upend the tall candle on your table.

Some might translate Rose's vision as stuffy Frenchthe tall white chef's hats donned by the kitchen staff both confirm and disprove this notionand in many ways that's not an incorrect assumption. The French menu is rife with preparations like terrines and remoulades, sweetbreads and foie gras. The prices alone are indication enough that well-to-do septuagenarians are like to be the restaurant's bread and butter, so to speak, though last night's crowd was a thorough mix of David Yurman, puffy Polo vests, and artfully tousled ringlets.

A photo posted by @nellcasey on Nov 1, 2016 at 7:15pm PDT

Rose's food feels nostalgic even if you weren't weaned on duck and rabbit; there's a yearning for a time when French food was the most lofty culinary goal, sitting atop the food chain of gourmet cuisines. As Wells notes, the kitchen uses a prodigious amount of butter, apparent in the foamy and luxurious sauce americaine accompanying the Quenelle de Brochet ($29), a Lyonnaise dish of creamed pike, whipped with eggs and poached 'til it resembles a firm cloud.

The Crepinette de Volaille ($25) were another showstopper of the meal, the rustic chicken and foie gras sausage arriving with a cap of roasted pluot and an extra shaving of raw foie. As previously noted, diners with an aversion to offal will be at a disadvantage, as multiple dishes on the menu are fortified with foie, while others employ tongue, pancreas and even a veal's head as the star. Even the complimentary bread comes with both butter and spiced pork fat. Unsurprisingly, a meal here can lead to heavy eyes, depending on what you order.

But last night, there was no room for sleeping amidst the restaurant's justified glee, and judging by how difficult it was to score a reservation before the Times weighed in, there's no doubt the party will continue for the foreseeable future. But it will be rare to recapture last night's level of jubilation, especially after the marching band interrupted service for a Bruno Mars rendition.

When your new restaurant gets 3 stars from @pete_wells... A video posted by @nellcasey on Nov 2, 2016 at 9:26am PDT

"I did ask for a marching band," Rose laughed as the uniformed crew filed in. On this night and most nights, what Chef wants, Chef gets.

138 Lafayette Street, (212) 271-4252; lecoucou.com
Tuesday night saw the New Zealand China Friendship Society hold its Youth Awards evening, including a speech competition for students.

Tauranga Intermediates Olivia Simmonds took out first place, with a speech on her experience visiting China.

Earlier in the year, Olivia was among seven Tauranga Intermediate students who accompanied the mayor on a trip to China, to mark the 30th anniversary of Tauranga and Yantai being sister cities.

She says her speech focused on aspects of the trip she found interesting.

I had a paragraph on my host family, and I talked about differences in food and the way their schools run, she says.

Audience members voted for the best speech, with Olivia awarded first, followed by Hannah Richardson (Aquinas) and Dominique Williams (Oropi).

Everyone came up to me afterward and said it was a great speech, she says, clearly thrilled with the win.

The speech competition was followed by awards for poster design, with Oropi School taking first place, Pillans Point claiming second, and Brookfield coming third.

Bethlehem College students Jaime Harrison, Brooke Maddison, Phillip Cho and Hannah Campbell also received recognition at the dinner for sharing their China experience with the community over the past six months.

The NZCFS Youth Awards evening took place at the Tauranga Club, and included Asia New Zealand Executive Director Simon Draper as a guest speaker.

Tauranga Branch of the NZCFS

The branch was formed in 1971 and has a membership of about 60 people, most of whom have visited China in the past as tourists, technical officials, trade advisors, or English language teachers, or are people interested in visiting and/or working in China in the future.

For more information visit the New Zealand China Friendship Society Tauranga branchs website at: nzchinasociety.org.nz/tauranga-branch/


The number of Bay of Plenty people receiving the Sole Parent Support benefit has fallen by 11 per cent in the year to September, says Social Development Minister Anne Tolley.

According to a new Ministry of Social Development report, the number of people on Sole Parent Support has also fallen by more than 15,000 since before welfare reforms were introduced.

Total benefit numbers have fallen by 3292 in the year to September 2016 to 283,875, and have risen by 3698 in the last quarter, as is normal this time of year due to seasonal work.

Anne says Sole Parent numbers have also continued their strong downward trend, with a fall of 5.2 per cent in the year to September 2016, taking the total number of people receiving Sole Parent Support to 64,372.

Sole parents have consistently shown a willingness to find and stay in work and we are seeing them respond well to intensive, work-focused case management. This has led to more than 48,000 fewer children in benefit dependent homes in the last four years.

We know that children who grow up in benefit dependent homes are less likely to gain NCEA Level 2, more likely to be the subject of a care and protection notification and more likely to end up on a benefit themselves.

Anne says supporting parents into employment or study can help turn this around, and sets a strong example for the children in those homes that study and where work is the norm and highly valued.

We must do everything we can to continue this momentum and always look for new ways to better support clients into work and study, so they and their families can thrive.

To view the latest benefit data visit the Ministry of Social Developments website
A Whangamata farmer is in Tauranga Hospital with suspected back injuries after falling two metres from a milking shed.

The Tauranga-based Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Whangamata overnight after the 64-year-old farmer had fallen and landed awkwardly on his back.

Pilot and base manager Liam Brettkelly says the helicopter medic provided pain relief and stabilisation prior to flying the man to Tauranga Hospital.

The helicopter was used because of the nature of the mans injuries and the distance to hospital.
The staff member who accidentally released New Zealand Nurses Organisation members personal details believed they were replying to an email sent by the unions chief executive.

An email containing thousands of members first and last name plus their email addresses was sent in response to a phishing email received by the NZNO from a fake Yahoo account at about 12pm on Tuesday.

Phishing emails deceive recipients into believing theyre replying to legitimate requests and can look believable as they often appear to have been sent by a person or organisation known to the recipient.

The NZNO is the largest trade union for nurses in New Zealand and represents more than 46,000 nurses, midwives, students, kaimahi hauora, health care workers and allied health professionals.

In a statement published to the NZNO website on Wednesday, chief executive Memo Musa confirms the phishing email was designed to look as if it had been sent from his office.

The letter sent to members [on Tuesday] about email addresses being sent out is correct and authentic. Member email addresses have been given in error to an unknown person, the statement reads.

This data breach occurred as a result of a response to a phishing email. Phishing emails are emails that deceive recipients into believing that they are responding to a legitimate request, in this case from the chief executive.

Since the breach, the NZNO has spoken to the countrys 20 district health board chief executives, plus met with polices cyber departments, the Ministry of Health and the Department of Internal Affairs which has requested Yahoo shut the fake email address down.

The union is also working with the Privacy Commissioner to help support members and to mitigate problems.

Communications and media advisor Karen Coltman confirms no other personal information was released during Tuesdays privacy breach.

She says the union has received feedback from members who understood the situation and how it has come about, but there are some who dont quite understand whats happened and they dont know if theyve been scammed.

For us its about being clear that nothing actually happened other than we released a database that shouldnt have been released.

Its very unfortunate.

Karen reiterates the breach was down to human error and phishing email scams can happen to organisations both big and small at any given time.

Were carrying out an investigation into the incident, clearly we want this to never happen again. So well be educating staff and members about phishing and other email scams.

Karen says the NZNO will be providing up-to-date advice to its members via its website which can be found at: www.nzno.org.nz
The killers of Taupo toddler Moko Rangitoheriri are appealing to the Court of Appeal to reduce their 17-year jail terms.

David Haewera and Tania Shailer were found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced in June, in a verdict widely criticised at the time.

Tania Shailer should be jailed for up to 12 years for killing Taupo toddler Moko Rangitoheriri, her lawyer has told the Court of Appeal.

Ron Mansfield says there should be a greater discount for her mental illness that had led to the offending.

Three year-old Moko was the victim of several months of sustained abuse while in the care of the couple, culminating in his death on August 10, 2015.

An autopsy ruled it was difficult to determine the exact cause of death due to the number of injuries Moko received.

Mokos injuries included facial and neck contusions and abrasions; human bite marks on the left cheek, right cheek and arms; lacerations to his chin, neck, ears and lip; haemorrhages to both eyes; and multiple abrasions and contusions over the skin of his chest and abdomen.

Mokos mother Nicola Dally-Paki said at the time she should have picked up on the signs, including a haunting conversation with Shailer in which the latter is reported to have said, Your f***ing son smashed a window, Im so mad right now.

Nicola spoke to her son the following day, noting he was quiet and withdrawn.

Months later, he was dead.

Initially charged with murder, Haewera and Shailer pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter, which secured a conviction but left many in the public dissatisfied with the outcome.

Protest marches were organised, including in Tauranga.
Zinszer cropped.JPG

Glen Zinszer, founder of Brazzlebox, in 2014

(Provided by Brazzlebox)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The founder of a Syracuse tech company promised it would be Facebook for the business world.

Glen Zinszer told investors four years ago his company, Brazzlebox, would be worth $100 million in its first year, according to a document he gave them.

Zinszer boasted that Brazzlebox's website would reach a million users in nine months, even faster than Facebook did, the document said. He billed it as a new social network aimed at small businesses nationwide.

Two years after Brazzlebox's launch, the company's board of shareholders has removed Zinszer as president.

At least three of the 40 investors, a vendor and a former landlord are suing Zinszer over claims that he cheated them out of their money.

"We're sorting through what was done with the money," said Frank Patyi, a lawyer for the shareholders and Brazzlebox.

Zinszer had been running the company by himself, Patyi said. He wouldn't say why Zinszer was ousted.

"His removal speaks for itself," said Patyi, who would not comment further.

Starting in 2012, Zinszer pitched Brazzlebox as a website where small business owners could help each other -- from how to attract new customers to advice on which vendors to avoid.

He said in March that Brazzlebox had launched its newest platform nationally.

"We have done something revolutionary," Zinszer said then. The company used Syracuse-area business owners to promote the site in a video ad:

Zinszer told Syracuse.com in June that the accusations of defrauding investors were false. He could not be reached for comment this week.

Dan and Jennifer Messina of Syracuse said Zinszer swindled them out of $10,000 with false promises. He told them he would give them shares of stock in Brazzlebox and that they'd get a 100 percent return on their investment, they said.

Jennifer and Dan Messina, who say Glen Zinszer defrauded them out of their $10,000 investment in Brazzlebox.

Two others who invested with Zinszer or lent him money for his company have also sued. Dr. Louis Bonavita and Dr. John Martin each claim Zinszer hasn't repaid $80,000 loans that were due a year ago. With interest added in, they say Zinszer owes them $675,000 each, according to their lawsuits.

"He told us, 'You give us $10,000, we'll double your return,'" Dan Messina said of their meeting with Zinszer in May 2012. "He was hot for the money."

Zinszer told them they'd get the 100 percent return on their investment - a total of $20,000 - once he secured a second wave of investors, the Messinas said.

But four years after investing, the Messinas said they've still not received the stock certificates, any return on the investment, or the money they invested.

Zinszer's former partner said he was also wronged. Joe Ablan said he spent 18 months helping Zinszer get Brazzelbox started, only to have Zinszer remove him in 2013.

The entrance to Brazzlebox's offices in Franklin Square in June, shortly before it moved out.

"I invested a lot of time and effort into this project, then I got booted out of it at the end," Ablan said. He said he received no compensation for his work.

Ablan said he recruited three or four investors, including the Messinas. Zinszer recruited another five or six, Ablan said.

The Messinas became suspicious within a couple weeks of investing. They had a certified public accountant review a document in which Zinszer estimated Brazzlebox would have a market value of between $75 million and $100 million in its first year and hit a million users quicker than Facebook did.

The CPA was skeptical of those claims, the Messinas said.

They asked Zinszer for their money back within a couple weeks after giving it to him. He told them he'd give it back, they said.

He's made that promise in text messages and emails repeatedly over the past four years, but the Messinas have seen nothing, they said.

Zinszer's also being sued by a vendor, Orbtec Consulting of New York City. Zinszer hired Orbtec in 2014 to redesign Brazzlebox's website. Orbtec's owner, Erick Gaston, said Zinszer owes Orbtec about $60,000. Zinszer bounced a $30,000 check to Orbtec, Gaston said.

Gaston said he had to pay his staff out of his own pocket because Zinszer stiffed him.

Gaston said he realized early on that Zinszer was not digitally savvy.

"If you don't know digital, there's no way you can do that," he said, referring to Zinszer's plan to build a business networking platform. "I took a real bruising from this guy."

The Messinas said they asked Ablan and Zinszer repeatedly for a list of investors and the names of the people on his board of directors. They never responded, the Messinas said.

The couple was also promised monthly updates on the company, but haven't received a single one in four years, they said.

After two years of Zinszer's broken promises and unreturned phone calls, Jennifer Messina found Brazzlebox's address and paid a visit in June of 2014, she said. It made her even more suspicious, she said.

"I walked in, it was a big open space with no receptionist," she said. "No phone. Nothing. No sign of life at all. Two closed doors. I'm like, all right. There's nothing. Nobody's answering the door."

Ablan said he was surprised to see a 2014 Syracuse.com story in which Zinszer claimed he'd secured $1.3 million in investments.

"I don't know where he got that," Ablan said.

A New York City computer programming company threatened to take Brazzlebox's website away from Zinszer after he fell behind on payments on the $500,000 he owed, Ablan said.

Brazzlebox occupied an office at 500 Plum St. in Franklin Square until five months ago. A Syracuse.com reporter visited there in June to find the door open but no one there. Inside, packed-up boxes lined the halls. A new tenant was there, ready to move in because Brazzlebox was moving out.

The company's former landlord sued Zinszer and Brazzlebox last month, claiming he'd failed to pay the $4,000 monthly rent in the first four months of the year.

Zinszer told Syracuse.com in June that he was not evicted from the office space, which he split with another tenant. Zinszer said he chose to move out because the landlord was going to lease the entire space to one tenant.

Brazzlebox is doing well, he said then. He has not responded to more recent requests for an interview.

A year ago, the company hosted the "Brazzlebox Business Summit" at the OnCenter. The event featured Daymond John of ABC's show "Shark Tank" and Juli Boeheim of the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation.

"We have a legitimate company, a company that's up and running," Zinszer said four months ago. "It's doing extremely well. It's an investment company. People have invested in it. Share certificates were issued. We do owe some vendors money, but everybody will be paid in full."

He said he planned to repay the Messinas, but that investors in startup companies should realize they might not see any return on their money for years.

"We're not revenue positive yet," Zinszer said. "Facebook didn't make money for many years. Twitter took seven. We're a social network, so it takes a while to wrap that up."

He told the Messinas in a July 2014 text message that they'd be getting their money back.

"Yes - you would get the full $10,000 back," he wrote in response to their text message. "I will get the group started on this. We have to free up the funds from the account which requires board approval. Usually within a week that can happen and once I get it set I can mail the check or you can come get it."

Three weeks later, after three text messages from the Messinas, Zinszer wrote: "There should be no problems... I will get ahold of you as soon as it is available! Almost there - thank you for being patient."

That was two years ago. The Messinas said they never heard from him again.

Contact John O'Brien anytime | email | Twitter | 315-470-2187
Syracuse, N.Y.  The VIP Structures architectural, engineering and construction company has agreed to buy the former Post-Standard building on historic Clinton Square and plans to redevelop it with offices and two or three new floors containing residential units.

"We have an exciting vision for this Syracuse landmark," said David Nutting, chairman and CEO of VIP Structures, a 41-year-old company headquartered a block away. "We plan to create vibrant commercial and residential space on the Clinton Square side of the building."

Nutting said VIP will move its 100 employees from One Webster's Landing to the newspaper's former headquarters within the next two years.

VIP Structures has agreed to purchase the former Post-Standard building on Clinton Square in Syracuse and redevelop with office and residential space.

VIP will occupy 30,000 square feet of the first floor on the south side of the building and lease about 50,000 square feet of the second floor to office tenants, he said.

The company plans to build two or three floors onto the south side of the building. Nutting said they will contain 20 to 30 residential units  either condominiums or apartments, depending on the results of a market study VIP plans to conduct  with balconies looking out onto historic Clinton Square.

VIP is in the early stages of designing the additional floors and will need approvals from the city. Nutting said it will be a challenge to build two new floors on top of the early-1970's building and make them complement the original portion.

He said the building's basement will be used for parking for residential tenants and possibly some office tenants. The sale also includes parking lots in the rear of the property and nearby on the east side of North Salina Street.

Advance Central Services Syracuse, which prints and produces The Post-Standard for its affiliate Syracuse Media Group, will lease back the production and press space on the north side of the building to continue printing The Post-Standard every day. The newspaper has been printed at the building, located at the northwest corner of North Salina and West Genesee streets, since 1972.

"This is exciting for downtown Syracuse," said ACS Syracuse General Manager Paul Thomas. "VIP is a great partner for us. They have deep local roots and the right vision for downtown Syracuse."

The sale is expected to close in the first half of 2017. The price has not been disclosed.

Syracuse Media Group is a digital media and marketing agency that provides content for The Post-Standard, syracuse.com and NYup.com and develops and executes marketing campaigns for businesses. SMG's staff of 170 people moved in June 2013 from One Clinton Square to Merchants Commons at 220 S. Warren St., where it invested about $4 million in building and office renovations.



The media company announced in October 2014 that it was marketing its Clinton Square building for sale or lease because much of the building's office space was no longer needed.



Various forms of The Post-Standard have been based in downtown Syracuse since 1829.

"Our Warren Street hub was built for a digitally focused company," said Tim Kennedy. president of Syracuse Media Group. "Our business has changed many times over its 187 years of operation in Syracuse and will continue to do so. At every step, we remain committed to downtown Syracuse."

VIP Structures is an architectural, engineering, construction and development firm. Its local projects have included the Syracuse University Visual and Performing Arts Warehouse and the Redhouse Arts Center and Subcat Studios original project construction in Armory Square, renovation of the historic University Club building on East Fayette Street as the new home of the Central New York Philanthropy Center, and the redevelopment of four underused historic buildings in downtown's Pike Block into retail, residential and office space.

Nutting, the company's majority owner, said he became interested in the newspaper's former headquarters because he will be able to fit the company's entire staff on one floor, with room to accommodate its anticipated growth to up to 150 employees over the next five years. Currently, VIP's staff is spread over five floors of One Webster's Landing.

"Bringing One Clinton Square to life for the community is a way for us to continue the work we did in the Pike Block, and bring that momentum to another part of the city," said Nutting. "As the downtown population increases every year, we're excited to see businesses follow that trend, truly transforming downtown into a live-work-play community."

There is another reason Nutting needed to find a new home for his company. Its current home will be demolished if the state decides to build a new, wider, elevated Interstate 81 through the city. The building would remain if the state elects to replace the current elevated highway with a surface-level boulevard.

Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148


Wegmans Food Markets is the fourth best place to work in the nation, according to a new ranking from Fortune.

The rankings are based on worker surveys. Google landed at No. 1.

And among large retail companies, so did Wegmans, the Democrat & Chronicle reported.

"It's amazing to work in an environment where we all share the same values and the same goals of taking care of each other, and our customers," Wegmans President Colleen Wegman said. "Thank you all for your continued commitment to living these values every day. This recognition reminds us once again that we continue to make a positive difference, together."

The news comes as Wegmans is expanding into North Carolina, with new stores going into Raleigh and Chapel Hill.

Wegmans has 92 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. The family-owned company is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016.

Wegmans has been named one of the '100 Best Companies to Work For' by Fortune Magazine for 19 consecutive years, according to a Wegmans news release.
This journal serves a community of small businesses worldwide. Here John Wiley Spiers addresses topics on business start-up and expansion and reports relevant daily headlines.John Wiley Spiers is a small business international trader, author of HOW SMALL BUSINESS TRADES WORLDWIDE , and lecturer at various colleges.



For those interested in becoming members of this community, contact John at john@johnspiers.com.
Oswego County Arrests.jpg

David F. Collins, (from left to right) Cheryl A. Lynch and Joanne M. McKinney were charged for selling alcoholic beverages to a minor, according to state police.

(Provided photos)

OSWEGO COUNTY, N.Y. -- Three convenience store clerks in Oswego County were charged recently for selling alcohol to a minor, according to New York State Police.

State police conducted an underage drinking initiative throughout Oswego County on Oct. 29. Police checked 11 establishments in the towns of Granby, Schroeppel, Palermo and Volney, and the village of Phoenix. The initiative resulted in three arrests at three different convenience stores.



David F. Collins, 58, of Fulton, was arrested for selling alcohol to a person under 21, and prohibited sale of an alcoholic beverage, for selling alcohol to the state police's undercover operative while working at All In One Pit Stop, at 430 Rathburn Road, in Granby.

Cheryl A. Lynch, 52, from 631 County Route 54, Pennellville, was arrested for selling alcohol to a person under 21, and prohibited sale of an alcoholic beverage, for selling alcohol to the undercover operative while working at C&J Grocery & Deli, at 370 County Route 54, in Schroeppel.

Joanne M. McKinney, 65, of Fulton, was arrested for selling alcohol to a person under 21, and prohibited sale of an alcoholic beverage, for selling alcohol to the undercover operative while working at Joe's Corner Market, at 3864 State Route 3, in Palermo.



All suspects were issued appearance tickets to appear in court at a later date.



The following establishments were checked and found to be compliant:

Byrne Dairy, 226 County Route 57, Phoenix

Nice N Easy, 485 Main Street, Phoenix

Fastrac, 343 State Route 264, Phoenix

Red's Palermo Market, 4086 State Route 3, Fulton

Kwik Fill, 2718 State Route 3, Fulton

Valero, 2640 State Route 3, Fulton

Discount Liquors, 1900 State Route 3, Fulton

Granby Pit Stop, 433 County Route 3, Fulton
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Three people riding on a public Centro bus were stabbed after getting into an argument with another passenger, the Syracuse Police Department announced today.

Police said they responded to a stabbing report at approximately 9:15 p.m. Tuesday at the 1500 block of James Street in Syracuse's North Side, just west of Eastwood.

Officers found three people with stab wounds: a 17-year-old girl with an injury to her right shoulder, a 31-year-old man with face and back injuries, and a 54-year-old man with an injury to his hand.

The injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, police said.

Police believe an argument among the three and another individual sparked the attack. Those injured described the weapon as a kitchen-style knife, police said.

The suspect was last seen getting off the bus and walking away on foot, and no arrests have yet been made, police said.

Central New York Regional Transportation Authority officials had no comment on the incident, citing the ongoing police investigation. However, they are cooperating with police, said Steve Koegel, the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority's vice president of communications and business planning.

The Syracuse Police are asking anyone with information to call (315) 442-5222.

Reporter Kira Maddox covers crime and safety for Syracuse.com. She can be reached anytime: Email | Facebook | Twitter
A federal judge has dropped a $13 million federal lawsuit filed by a man shot by a Helena police officer.

Brian John Temple sued the city of Helena and a now-retired police officer, alleging negligence and violations of his rights. Temple's attorneys were asking to take the case to trial to receive payment for damages.

In 2011, then-officer Peter Callahan shot Temple in the chest outside of the state probation and parole office on North Rodney Street after reportedly believing he would be run over. Temple, a probationer who had run from the office to avoid questioning about a local coin theft, claimed in his suit that he was trying to avoid hitting Callahan with his truck as he fled from the officer.

Temple drove himself to St. Peter's Hospital for initial treatment for his gunshot wound. The hospital later lost a blood sample from Callahan, according to the original suit, which included St. Peter's as a defendant. In June, the hospital was dismissed from the case.

Temple was charged with assault on a peace officer and other crimes. But that assault charge was dropped after a district judge agreed with Temple that evidence, including the truck's windshield, was mishandled.

An order filed Oct. 20 in Helena federal court dismissed the case, filed in 2015, after granting Callahan's motion for summary judgement.
From: Marylin Freya < marilyn_freya@hotmail.com >

Sent: Tue, Sep 13, 2016 11:41 am

Subject: I would be glad to hear from you soon





Hello my dear How are you today ? I will like to be kind and honest with you, i am a woman that have seen life, i have been in the social circle for many years, although it does not matter one's age, color or achievement, what matters in our life is your kindness to humanity.



Dear, i believe that is the most important thing in life, I had been hardworking all my life, i must think of something better, to enjoy my life and probably have a family, maybe relocate and start investing in other things, Anyway i will like to tell you more about me, My name is Miss Marylin Freya, am from France , i was born in France, And i left France at Age of 12 Years to England, which to the glory of God Am working as an Senior Auditor/banker in Islamic Bank of Britain Plc United Kingdom, it is very painful i lost my only daughter at age of 4 years,



I was married but my e x-husband got married to another woman, which caused our divorce, but is ok that is life for you, since he accused me of been so busy due to my bank work activities as accounting /auditing, that i was not having time for him and our kid before she passed away, but he refused to understand that i was pursing a goal, i told him that soon i will resign and we will have enough time for each other but he was impatient, although it is now over between us.



I am happy alone because I have everything i need, This is why I think of relocating to another country to get into investment and maybe own a small company which i can be able to manage on my own, Please would you tell me more about yourself too ? I like to know more about you for me to know if we can achieve this goal together, your marital status and your country of origin

I would be glad to hear from you soon

Yours faithful,

Marylin.





From: marylin freya < marilynfreya@hotmail.com >

Sent: Wed, Sep 14, 2016 11:33 am

Subject: Hello, my dear, I would be glad to hear from you soon



Hello my dear

How are you today ? I will like to be kind and honest with you, i am a woman that have seen life, i have been in the social circle for many years, although it does not matter on age, color or achievement, what matters in our life is your kindness to humanity.



Dear, i believe that is the most important thing in life, I had been hardworking all my life, i must think of something better, to enjoy my life and probably have a family, maybe relocate and start investing in other things, Anyway i will like to tell you more about me, my name is Miss Marylin Freya, am from France , i was born in France, and i left France at age of 12 years to England, which to the glory of God Am working as an Senior Auditor/banker in Islamic Bank of Britain Plc United Kingdom, it is very painful i lost my only daughter at age of 4 years,



I was married but my ex-husband got married to another woman, which caused our divorce, but is ok that is life for you, since he accused me of been so busy due to my bank work activities as accounting/auditing, that i was not having time for him and our kid before she passed away, but he refused to understand that i was pursing a goal, i told him that soon i will resign and we will have enough time for each other but he was impatient, although it is now over between us.



I am happy alone because I have everything i need, this is why I think of relocating to another country to get into investment and maybe own a small company which i can be able to manage on my own, Please would you tell me more about yourself too ? I like to know more about you for me to know if we can achieve this goal together, your marital status and your country of origin.

I would be glad to hear from you soon

Yours faithful,

Marylin.











From: Marylin Freya < marilyn_freya@hotmail.com >

Sent: Fri, Sep 16, 2016 9:42 am

Subject: Please contact this bank immediately







Hello dear,

How are you doing together with your family, I hope all is well. Here is my phone number +447989010764

NOTE do not call me, you can send me SMS, Because Bank set security to monitor every member of the Bank due our banking rule and regulation.



Kindly make sure that this information will be between you and me until we actualized the success of this transaction, What i want you to do now is to apply for the release of the fund into your account, Make sure you keep this a top secret of this transaction because i don't want any staff of the bank to know that i am responsible for this transaction This is where i lay the future survival hope of our future, and its was the reason I tried to explain for your best understanding. You should not change your name and nationality in this transaction because you are going to apply as the business partner to the deceased customer Note, if you send this letter to the bank, the bank will not delay to contact you, but you should not respond back to the bank until i direct you on what to do. This is to avoid mistake from your part , See the official letter below, send it to the bank through the bank email address of the bank as follows. .



Bank Details

Islamic Bank of Britain Plc United Kingdom

Managing Director, Sultan Ahmed Choudhury

Address PO Box 12461 Birmingham B16 6AQ United Kingdom

Phone +441214567840

Bank Email- - - al-rayan- islamic_bankplc@financier.com <al-rayan-islamic_bankplc@financier.com>



Immediately this fund is transferred into your account, then i will obtain visa to your country for the disbursement of the fund according to my proposal ratio, Immediately you apply update me that you have sent the letter to the bank.



My best regards to you and your family,

Your faithfully

Marylin COPY AND SEND THIS BELOW MASSAGE TO BANK



To The Manager Islamic Bank of Britain Plc, United Kingdom

Managing Director, Sultan Ahmed Choudhury

Address PO Box 12461 Birmingham B16 6AQ United Kingdom

Phone +441214567840

Bank Email- - - - - - al-rayan- islamic_bankplc@financier.com





APPLICATION FOR REQUEST OF CLAIM



Sir / Madam,



I am . . . . . . . . . . . the business partner to Late Mr Mahmoud Adama, who was assassinated on January 13, 2008 when gunmen shot him while still inside the capital Libya, Tripoli. After his funeral celebration, i discovered that he have an unclaimed and balance account of Fourteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars To The Manager Islamic Bank of Britain Plc, United KingdomManaging Director, Sultan Ahmed ChoudhuryAddress PO Box 12461 Birmingham B16 6AQ United KingdomPhone +441214567840Bank Email- - - - - -APPLICATION FOR REQUEST OF CLAIMSir / Madam,I am . . . . . . . . . . . the business partner to Late Mr Mahmoud Adama, who was assassinated on January 13, 2008 when gunmen shot him while still inside the capital Libya, Tripoli. After his funeral celebration, i discovered that he have an unclaimed and balance account of Fourteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars $14.5 Million deposited in your bank when he was alive. I hereby wish to bring to your notice that i am eager to apply for the funds claim as his business partner to enable your bank release and transfer his balance account of $ 14.5 Million into my nominated bank account. Upon your urgent response to this effect, I will send you my bank account information for the transfer of the above mentioned sum of money. So i expect that your bank management will pay an urgent attention to my request and communicate to me further with the related forms and documents necessary to claim the above mentioned sum without delay.



I apologize for late application for this claim as i have been arranging other things left since his sudden death occurred.



Yours sincerely

. . . . . . . . . . .







From: marylin freya < marylin_freya@hotmail.com >

Sent: Wed, Sep 21, 2016 11:22 am

Subject: I will be glad to hear from you soon



Hello my Dear , h ow are you today ? i will like to be kind and honest with you, i am a woman that have seen life, i have been in the social circle for many years, although it does not matter one's age, color or achievement, what matters in our life is your kindness to humanity.



Dear, i believe that is the most important thing in life, I had been hardworking all my life, i must think of something better, to enjoy my life and probably have a family ,maybe relocate and start investing in other things. Anyway i will like to tell you more about me : My name is Miss Marylin Freya, am from France, i was born in France, and i left France at age of 12 years to England, which to the glory of God. I'm working as an Senior Audit/banker in Islamic Bank of Britain Plc United Kingdom, is very painful i lost my only daughter at age of 4 years, i was married but my ex husband got married to another woman, which caused our divorce, but is ok that is life for you, since he accused me of been so busy due to my bank work activities as accounting/auditing, that i was not having time for him and our kids before she passed away, but he refused to understand that i was pursing a goal, i told him that soon i will resign and we will have enough time for each other but he was impatient, although is over between us, I am happy alone because I have everything i need, This is why I think of relocating to another country to get into investment and maybe own a small company which i can be able to manage on my own. Please would you tell me more about yourself too ? I like to know more about you for me to know if we can achieve this goal together, your marital status and your country of origin.

I will be glad to hear from you soon

Yours faithful Marylin.



From: Marylin Freya < marylinfreya@aol.co.uk >

Sent: Wed, Sep 21, 2016 12:39 am

Subject: I will be glad to hear from you soon Hello my Dear , h ow are you today ? i will like to be kind and honest with you, i am a woman that have seen life, i have been in the social circle for many years, although it does not matter one's age, color or achievement, what matters in our life is your kindness to humanity



Dear, i believe that is the most important thing in life, I had been hardworking all my life, i must think of something better, to enjoy my life and probably have a family ,maybe relocate and start investing in other things. Anyway i will like to tell you more about me : My name is Miss Marylin Freya, am from France, i was born in France, and i left France at age of 12 years to England, which to the glory of God. I'm working as an Senior Audit/banker in Islamic Bank of Britain Plc United Kingdom, is very painful i lost my only daughter at age of 4 years,



i was married but my ex husband got married to another woman, which caused our divorce, but is ok that is life for you, since he accused me of been so busy due to my bank work activities as accounting/auditing, that i was not having time for him and our kids before she passed away, but he refused to understand that i was pursing a goal, i told him that soon i will resign and we will have enough time for each other but he was impatient, although is over between us, I am happy alone because I have everything i need, This is why I think of relocating to another country to get into investment and maybe own a small company which i can be able to manage on my own. Please would you tell me more about yourself too ? I like to know more about you for me to know if we can achieve this goal together, your marital status and your country of origin.

I will be glad to hear from you soon

Yours faithful Marylin.





From: Marylin Freya < marylinfreya@aol.co.uk >

Sent: Thu, Sep 22, 2016 4:09 pm

Subject: The fund will be shared at the ratio of 58% for me, 40% for you





MY DEAR,

i must thank you once again for your humble reply to my mail. I really appreciate it so much and i am very happy to read from you, well from your response i'm convinced that the future has a special place for us, if only we could trust each other and also be honest and faithful to each other as well .



Like i told you earlier, i was looking forward to accomplish a particular mission, which my ''ex'' husband was unlucky to achieve with me, I think with the little you have told me about you, it would be very wise to disclose this secret to you and also tell you my aim and plan. Because it would be of mutual benefit to us and maybe you could be the right person to utilize the opportunity with me, because i believe our knowing each other is the way God have destined it.

Remember i told you i am an Auditor of my bank and also the Chief of the International Relation Foreign Remittance Unit. Prior to my position here at my bank, i have the opportunity to loot out some amount of money of a deceased customer, whose autopsy result showed that he died as a result of gun shorts by unknown gunmen. As i was her personal accountant officer, before he died and from the account opening records, he did not indicate anybody as his beneficiary next of kin. Since 2008 to date, nobody has come forward as his beneficiary next of kin to administer the fund. The amount in question is the total sum of $:14.500,000. (Fourteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand USD).



I can provide all the required legal papers from the British Court to present you as the legal beneficiary to these funds if you would accept to partner with me in this deal. A lot of abandoned money lay around in this bank as a result of abandoned bank accounts, stock holdings, unclaimed life insurance pay-outs and forgotten pension benefits. I will definitely give you comprehensive details on how we would achieve this legally, without going against the laws of the country.

Once you reply to me indicating your interest to work with me. I have worked with the bank for several years and have taken time to study the British inheritance claims procedures. I would appreciate it if you would treat this issue with every bit of confidentiality and maturity, putting my integrity foremost, because i wouldn't need any mistakes or regrets. I assure you that you will never regret it if you would take the bold step to partner with me in this deal. It would be wise if we make every effort not to loose this golden opportunity. This happens in every bank around the world, even in your own country, but people outside the banking industry do not know this.



The fund will be shared at the ratio of 58% for me, 40% for you and 2% will be set aside to cover any expenses and tax in your bank, We will use the fund there in your country to build companies and for investment which both of us would manage, Please this is an honest request for you and i.

I only plead for you to make this transaction a top secret because we do not have to trust anybody unless you and i alone.



Please treat this business proposal with utmost confidentiality and send me the following Information(s) for further application for this transfer if you are interested :



1. Full Name,

2. Address

2. Identification copy

3.Nationality



Thanks and best regards

Yours faithful Marylin





From: marylin freya < marylin_freya@hotmail.com >

Sent: Sat, Sep 24, 2016 2:28 pm

Subject: Hello, my dear, I will be glad to hear from you soon



Hello my dear,

How are you today ? I will like to be kind and honest with you, i am a woman that have seen life, i have been in the social circle for many years, although it does not matter on age, color or achievement, what matters in our life is your kindness to humanity.



Dear, i believe that is the most important thing in life, I had been hardworking all my life, i must think of something better, to enjoy my life and probably have a family, maybe relocate and start investing in other things, Anyway i will like to tell you more about me, My name is Miss Marylin Freya, am from France , i was born in France, a nd i left France at a ge of 12 y ears to England, which to the glory of God, i am working as an Senior Auditor/banker in Islamic Bank of Britain Plc United Kingdom, it is very painful i lost my only daughter at age of 4 years. I was married but my Ex-husband got married to another woman, which caused our divorce, but is ok that is life for you, since he accused me of been so busy due to my bank work activities as accounting/auditing, that i was not having time for him and our kid before she passed away, but he refused to understand that i was pursing a goal, i told him that soon i will resign and we will have enough time for each other but he was impatient, although it is now over between us.



I am happy alone because I have everything i need, This is why I think of relocating to another country to get into investment and maybe own a small company which i can be able to manage on my own. Please would you tell me more about yourself too ? I like to know more about you for me to know if we can achieve this goal together, your marital status and your country of origin.

I will be glad to hear from you soon

Yours faithfully ,

Marylin. .





From: Marylin Freya < marilyn_freya@hotmail.com >

Sent: Fri, Sep 30, 2016 2:32 pm

Subject: Please try to fill the forms and send them to



Hello my dear,

How are you doing and how about your health and work ? I am really worried as in why you have not yet filled the forms and send them to the bank since you got the reply from the bank. Please my dear, if you really want us to do this transaction, just try to fill the forms and send them to the bank as soon as possible OK. al-rayan-islamic_bankplc@financier.com



Or if you are not willing to help me anymore just let me know so that i will not be bordering you OK. Or if you are not willing to help me anymore just let me know so that i will not be bordering you OK.

Have a very nice day.

Yours sincerely,

Marylin. .





From: Marylin Freya < marylinfreya@aol.co.uk >

Sent: Fri, Sep 30, 2016 6:37 pm

Subject: This is the bank contact





Hello Dear



How are you doing together with your family, I hope all is well ? here is my phone number +447968899670

NOTE do not call me, you can SMS me, Because Bank set security to monitor every member of the Bank due to our banking rule and regulation



Kindly make sure that this information will be between you and me until we actualized the success of this transaction, What i want you to do now is to apply for the release of the fund into your account, Make sure you keep a top secret of this transaction because i don't want any staff of the bank to know that i am responsible for this transaction This is where i lay the future survival hope of our future, and its was the reason I tried to explain for your best understanding



You should not change your name and nationality in this transaction because you are going to apply as the business partner to the deceased customer Note, if you send this letter to the bank, the bank will not delay to contact you, but you should not respond back to the bank until i direct you on what to do



This is to avoid mistake from your part , See the official letter below, send it through to the bank through the bank email address of the bank as follows.



Bank Details

Islamic Bank of Britain Plc United Kingdom

Managing Director, Sultan Ahmed Choudhury

Address PO Box 12461 Birmingham B16 6AQ United Kingdom

Phone +441214567840

islamicbankofbritain@uymail.com



Immediately this fund is transferred into your account, then i will obtain visa to your country for the disbursement of the fund according to my proposal ratio, Immediately you apply update me that you have sent the letter to the bank.



My best regard to you and your family,

Your faithfully

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

COPY AND SEND THIS BELOW MASSAGE TO THE BANK



To The Manager Islamic Bank of Britain Plc United Kingdom

Managing Director, Sultan Ahmed Choudhury

Address PO Box 12461 Birmingham B16 6AQ United Kingdom

Phone +441214567840

Bank Email. . . . . . . . . islamicbankofbritain@uymail.com



APPLICATION FOR REQUEST OF CLAIM



Sir / Madam,



I am . . . . . . the business partner to Late Mr Mahmoud Adama, who was assassinated on February 06, 2008 when Gun men shot him while still inside the capital Libya, Tripoli



After his funeral celebration, i discovered that he have an unclaimed and balance account Fourteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars. ($14.5 Million) deposited in your bank when he was alive.



I hereby wish to bring to your notice that i am eager to apply for the funds claim as his business partner to enable your bank release and transfer his balance account of ($ 14.5 Million) into my nominated bank account, Upon your urgent response to this effect, I will send you my bank account information for the transfer of the above mentioned sum



So i expect that your bank management will pay an urgent attention to my request and communicate to me further with the related forms and documents necessary to claim this above mentioned sum without delay.



I apologize for late application for this claim as i have been arranging other things left since his sudden death occurred.







If you received a similar letter, please ignore it. Do not answer it. If you do, you will end up on more of the mailing lists used by the criminals behind this fraud. Read more....
Lachlan Duncan Browne could not wait to be a part of this world, arriving via unplanned c-section on August 11, 2016.

It took his parents over 24 hours to finalize a name for their little miracle due to his unconventional entrance. His forename, Lachlan, is of Scottish origin, roughly translating to lord of the lakes. He earned his middle name, Duncan, a Gaelic word for warrior, by overcoming the odds of survival and battling his way into this world.

He surprised his mother and father, with an early birth  entering Earth side two months premature  and labored through its consequences. Befuddling doctors, our Lord of the Lakes brain and liver thwarted him the opportunity too many of us take for granted: A fair shot at life.

He entered Heaven during the early hours of October 21, 2016, leaving behind his mother and father, Ashley and Jason Browne, sister, Harlow, 1, and brother, Fischer, 5. Lachlan is mourned by his grandparents Terry and Sue Browne and Jay and Carol Anderson of Helena; his aunts and uncles Alex (Shannon) Browne of Missoula, Kirsten Anderson (Peter Hutchinson) of Bellingham, Washington, Erik Anderson (Lizzy Duffy of Portland, Oregon) of Helena, Carlyn Anderson of Helena; and cousins Dempsi and Will Browne of Missoula.

Lachlans 70 days of life were profound, deeply touching all who had the pleasure of caring for him.Though small, Lachlans star shone bright. His curling smile and eager eyes showed a young boy rife with potential. His expressions outsized his body, radiating love to those who loved him. The first time he was tenderly embraced by his family helped to stabilize his vital signs and incredibly low blood pressure, and a deep connection was forged. Each passing glance felt as though he was learning a new part of the world, understanding how to live and return love to his family. The day before he passed, Lachlan took the opportunity to open his eyes and calmly gaze at those that held him. Given all of the stress his tiny body endured for such a long time, it was amazing to see him alert, content and peaceful. We believe he intended these delicate moments to be his final goodbyes, loving fiercely until the end.

Lachlan weighed 3 lbs., 1 oz. at birth. One breath at a time, day by day, he fought for a chance to join his siblings at home. Lachlan spent two months at Missoulas Community Medical Center, where he persevered and, against all odds, grew. He received intensive and passionate care from the medical professionals in the NICU. Lachlans parents, in their own way, grew too, cheering on their warrior son who dared to live.

An MRI uncovered Lachlans brain was damaged prior to his birth, when he suffered from tremendous loss of amniotic fluid suggesting Cerebral Palsy could be in his future. His liver remained a mystery that countless tests could not solve.

On October 2, 2016, Lachlan and his mother were life-flighted to Seattle Childrens Hospital for more intense treatment of his ever-failing liver.

Specialists at Seattle Childrens studied Lachlan and anxiously awaited results from a high-risk liver biopsy. Lachlan remained patient although uncomfortable from a tremendous amount of abdominal swelling caused by his liver dysfunction. NICU nurses once again came to his rescue with remedies and snuggles to care for him.

Shockingly and spontaneously, Lachlans body gave way in the middle of the night when he experienced a massive pulmonary hemorrhage. Lachlan passed, quickly and painlessly, from this Earthly world to one of freedom, grace and unending love.

The family hopes and prays answers may come from Lachlans valiant fight for life, a warriors true sacrifice for others. We ask that you endeavor to honor Lachlans spirit when taking communion with nature, adventuring into the mountains and dipping in alpine lakes.

Even the smallest drop of water creates ripples across a lake. Lachlan Duncan Browne filled the lakes of our hearts.

A Celebration of Lachlans life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 5, 2016, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., Helena, MT. If you wish to honor Lachlan please consider making a memorial donation to: Ronald McDonald House of Western Montana, 3003 Fort Missoula Rd., Missoula, MT 59804 or to the Browne Family, who will be starting a Foundation to further medical research around infant liver failure.
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MISSOULA -- Two dozen good-paying scientific research jobs almost left western Montana for Maryland last year  but they ended up here in Missoula thanks to an innovative partnership with the University of Montana.

GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, a giant pharmaceutical company with an office in Hamilton, announced in February 2015 that it was consolidating its research and development operations to Maryland.

Employees were faced with the choice of retiring, applying for new jobs on the East Coast, or figuring out a different option. None of them wanted to uproot their families and leave. So, they reached out to UM and chose to stay here, and the result is the formation of a new biotechnology company in Missoula called Inimmune Corp. that currently employs 22 workers in high-wage jobs, with plans to hire three more by year's end.

The University of Montana played a crucial role in allowing them to stay because it could provide the necessary laboratory space and infrastructure capable of supporting a large multidisciplinary research program.

There was also a big dangling carrot: The scientists from the Bitterroot already had more than $20 million in scientific equipment and research contracts from the National Institutes of Health that they could transfer to UM. It was a win-win situation.

Through the public/private partnership, UM hired 15 employees from the GSK-Hamilton research team, including five new faculty members. The company is now housed at the Montana Technology Enterprise Center on East Broadway, with plans to expand to the main campus next spring. Now, the company is expanding and one of its immuno-oncology drugs is scheduled to go to clinical trials soon.

On Tuesday, officials from Inimmune met with Gov. Steve Bullock and UM President Royce Engstrom for a tour of the facility and a discussion about how the states economy is affected by connections between UM researchers and entrepreneurs.

Jay Evans, the president and CEO of Inimmune, said it took a year of discussions and negotiations to put the agreements in place for UM to hire the researchers.

In association with this transition to the university, were also proposing a new Center for Translational Medicine at the University of Montana, he said. He would direct the center, which would prepare students for careers in the biotech fields. He said many UM faculty members have expressed support for the project. Inimmune also provides opportunities for students looking at careers in biotechnology to gain real-world experience.

Innimune focuses on developing new medicines and treatments  using innate immune receptor activation or inhibition  for conditions like allergies, upper respiratory tract infections, skin diseases and cancer. The company also provides fee-based contract services to academic partners and private pharmaceutical industry companies for drug formulation, analytical chemistry, immunology and chemical synthesis.

Evans didnt know how much combined payroll that the company doles out every year, but he said good-paying jobs were saved from moving to Maryland.

"They have to be good-paying jobs for us to be able to attract and retain the kind of talent we need," he explained.

Evans also said that the immunotherapy sector is growing and the company is positioned to expand into that space by focusing on diseases with a high unmet medical need.

Overall, this is the kind of work that we endeavor to do here at the University of Montana, Engstrom said. To play a bigger role in the economic development of our community and of our state and to play a bigger role in the kind of research that improves the quality of life for people here in Montana and indeed worldwide.

Scott Whittenburg, vice president for research and creative scholarship at UM, said the partnership brought a lot of cutting-edge technology to the school and will broaden participation from other researchers on campus.

Universities have a key role to play in the development of new technology and bringing it to the marketplace, he said.

Last year, UM secured a record $87 million in external research funding and looks likely to surpass that mark.

Bullock expressed his support for the partnership during a tour with Evans and Engstrom.

As Montanas economy grows and diversifies, getting research breakthroughs to market quickly propels new innovations, new businesses and more technical, high-paying jobs for Montana, he said.
The Yes Campaign has requested this article be published anonymously, due to the remaining stigma around mental illness, and that the author did not want to tout that they got a First.

I have no doubts about the good intentions of the students campaigning to abolish the Class Lists. These students care deeply about student welfare and, like all campaigners, face a relatively thankless task.

But where I think they have overstepped the mark, though, is in attributing to Class Lists a totemic significance that way overstates their actual impact. Get rid of class lists  they say  and Cambridge will become a more welcoming place to candidates. Get rid of class lists  and we are removing a major source of mental health problems in this University.

The trouble is that neither of these claims stack up. The real life impact of class lists is far more nuanced and a significant number of students have had experiences that directly combat these claims. I can speak to this, as a member of a minority that, year on year, faces a dramatic attainment gap and a low percentage of firsts. I should feel outraged that the Class Lists lay bare this attainment gap, right? Wrong. When I got a first last year, it was my proudest moment  and validated my right to the Cambridge experience. Theres no better slap in the face of history than getting your name up on a board that never wanted you there in the first place. There are very few moments in Cambridge that Ive felt like Ive been accepted  but seeing my name on the class list ranks as one of the few.

Likewise, the link between Class Lists and mental health problems has been wildly overstated. It says a lot about Cambridge that the past 12 months for me  a slow lapse train wreck into severe depression, withdrawal and self-harm that I thought Id gotten over in my teen years  are not atypical in any sense of the word. Cambridge is, without a doubt the problem. When I left this summer, I recovered, almost instantaneously. But a piece of paper with my name on it was never the problem. I, and others, can testify to the real issues: chronic underfunding of counsellors, poorly-trained tutors and the inescapable stuffiness of the bubble. The Class List, on the other hand, was always a relief. I dont want to tell other people my grades  and thanks to the class list, Ive almost never had to do this outside of a job interview. I dont want people feeling like they have to ask. I was always grateful that grades were something we could push off to the side, to Senate House. No, Id rather have the choice to put my name up on a piece of paper that people can choose to look at, and, if they so desire, pass on a kind word to me.

I recognize that my positive experience of Class Lists is not universal. This underscores, though, precisely the point that campaigners for the Yes side are trying to make. Your experience of class lists is not my experience of class lists. For this reason, we need choice. The claim that having to choose whether or not to publish our grades is a source of stress, is irrelevant. I think that students are capable of knowing what is good for them.
Google on Monday posted to the Internet a previously unpublicized flaw that could pose a security threat to users of the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Google notified both Microsoft and Adobe of zero day vulnerabilities in their software on Oct. 21, wrote Neel Mehta and Billy Leonard, members of Googles Threat Analysis Group, in an online post.

Google has a policy of making critical vulnerabilities public seven days after it informs a software maker about them. Adobe was able to fix its vulnerability within seven days; Microsoft was not.

This [Windows] vulnerability is particularly serious because we know it is being actively exploited, wrote Mehta and Leonard.

However, Googles Chrome browser prevents exploitation of the vulnerability when running in Windows 10, they added.

Flaw Not Critical

Microsoft challenged Googles analysis of the Windows flaw in a statement provided to TechNewsWorld by spokesperson Charlotte Heesacker.

We disagree with Googles characterization of a local elevation of privilege as critical and particularly serious, since the attack scenario they describe is fully mitigated by the deployment of the Adobe Flash update released last week, Microsoft said.

After cracking a system, hackers typically try to elevate their privileges in it to obtain access to increasingly sensitive data.

Additionally, our analysis indicates that this specific attack was never effective against the Windows 10 Anniversary Update due to security enhancements previously implemented, Microsoft noted.

The Windows vulnerability Googles team discovered is a local privilege escalation in the Windows kernel that can be used as a security sandbox escape triggered by a win32k.sys call, according to Mehta and Leonard.

The sandbox in Googles Chrome browser blocks win32k.sys calls using the Win32k lockdown mitigation on Windows 10, which prevents exploitation of the sandbox escape vulnerability, they explained in their post.

Short Deadline

Although Google contrasted Adobes quick action in patching its zero day vulnerability with Microsofts inaction, the comparison may be less than fair.

The time to patch code in Adobe Reader or Flash versus something that integrates into an operating system is considerably different, said Brian Martin, director of vulnerability intelligence at Risk Based Security.

What takes time is not so much changing the code as testing it after its changed, he explained.

If Microsoft patches code in one version of Windows, it will likely affect several other versions, Martin told TechNewsWorld.

Then they have platform issues  32-bit and 64-bit  and then the different versions  home, professional, server, whatever, he pointed out.

The amount of time it takes to patch it is one thing, he said. The amount of time to go through the full QA cycle is another. Seven days is generally considered unrealistic for an operating system.

To Disclose or Not

The short deadline was necessary because it saw the vulnerability being exploited by hackers, Googles team maintained. That logic, though can be a two-edged sword.

To me, this doesnt ultimately help achieve everyones goal, which should be keeping consumers and their data safe, said Udi Yavo, CTO of enSilo.

By disclosing a vulnerability early, without allowing time for a patch, Google opened up the small pool of people who found the vulnerability and knew how to exploit it, to all, he told TechNewsWorld.

However, keeping the vulnerability under wraps at all is questionable, suggested Jim McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias Research.

Considering how closely the hacker community communicates, seven days may have been too much time, he told TechNewsWorld.

Google was being a friendly corporate citizen by letting Microsoft know about the vulnerability, but in my mind it would have been more appropriate to make it public knowledge once you see it in the wild, McGregor said.

A vulnerability can spread though the hacker community in milliseconds, he remarked. By not making the vulnerability public, the only people who dont know about it are the people who should know about it.
The status of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange grew a bit murky on Tuesday after the group accused the U.S. State Department of pressuring Ecuadorian officials to block him from posting additional emails linked to presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

The Ecuadorian foreign ministry on Tuesday acknowledged placing temporary restrictions on Assanges access, saying in a statement that it did not wish to interfere in a foreign election. It also said that it was acting on its own and not in response to any outside pressures.

Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012 to shield himself from two outstanding sex assault charges stemming from a 2010 trip he made to Sweden. He has continued to lead the WikiLeaks organization from there.

WikiLeaks earlier on Tuesday had accused U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry of pressuring his counterparts in Ecuador to crack down on the email leaks during a round of peace negotiations to end the decades-old conflict between Marxist FARC rebels and the Columbian military.

Kerry held private meetings with Ecuador during a sideline period in negotiations with Columbia that began on Sept. 26, WikiLeaks claimed.

The John Kerry private meeting with Ecuador was made on the sidelines of the negotiations which took place pricipally on Sep 26 in Colombia.

 WikiLeaks (@WikiLeaks) October 18, 2016

Assange lost his Internet connection at the Embassy at 5 p.m. on Saturday GMT, shortly after the group published Clintons Goldman Sachs speech, WikiLeaks said in an earlier tweet.

We can confirm Ecuador cut off Assange's internet access Saturday, 5pm GMT, shortly after publication of Clinton's Goldman Sachs speechs.

 WikiLeaks (@WikiLeaks) October 17, 2016

Code Blue

WikiLeaks initially claimed that a state party intentionally severed Assanges Internet link and that it had activated the appropriate contingency plans.

WikiLeaks also released three tweets called pre-commitment 1: John Kerry, pre-commitment 2: Ecuador and pre-commitment 3: UK FCO. Each tweet included what appeared to be alpha-numeric cryptokeys, more than 60 characters long.

The tweets set off a frenzy of speculation, including rumors that Assange had died. However, that rumor was quickly shot down.

Assange had warned for several months that he would release information that was damaging to Clinton before the November presidential election.

Method and Madness

The method and motivation of the various actors in this most recent drama left Troy Hunt, a Microsoft regional director and MVP, at a loss as to exactly what happened this weekend.

Seems a bit weird to me  Ecuador has granted him asylum, he told the E-Commerce Times. Why pull his Internet? And how was the U.S. able to do it when hes holed up in a building in London? Or was it political pressure rather than technical means used by the U.S.?

Kerry had nothing to do with Assanges loss of Internet access, according to State Department spokesperson John Kirby.

While our concerns about WikiLeaks are longstanding, any suggestion that Secretary Kerry or the State Department were involved in shutting down WikiLeaks is false, he said. Reports that Secretary Kerry had conversations with Ecuadorian officials about this are simply untrue. Period.

US Will Strike Back

Assange made headlines earlier this year when WikiLeaks was connected to suspected Russian hacks of emails belonging to Hillary Clinton and her associates, as well as network intrusions of several Democratic Party organizations.

The leaked emails are part of the Russian governments targeted campaign to undermine the confidence in the U.S. presidential election and possibly influence the outcome, according to U.S. government officials and cybersecurity experts.

The Obama administration earlier this month officially accused the Russian government of orchestrating the cyberattacks and promised to deliver a proportional response.

Officials at Ecuadors U.S. embassy referred us to the countrys Foreign Ministry, which did not respond to our request to comment on this story.

WikiLeaks recently released a new batch of emails belonging to longtime Clinton associate John Podesta, who is the current chairman of the Clinton presidential campaign and was chief of staff under President Bill Clinton and counselor to President Barack Obama.
Buckle up, augmented reality fans! Google's first Tango phone, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, is ready to take you on a ride.

Initially supposed to launch during the summer, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro was delayed until the fall and it's now finally ready to hit the scene.

The AR-touting smartphone is finally on sale and shipping starting on Nov. 1, just as Lenovo promised.

Augmented reality may not have gained so much ground so fast if it weren't for the immensely popular Pokemon GO AR game, which set the world on fire and proved to be a record-breaking hit. The Pokemon GO craze may have died down, but AR is still raising interest and the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro has great potential.

With Pokemon GO giving a taste of AR technology to hundreds of millions of smartphone owners, the Phab 2 Pro now comes as the very first fully-equipped AR smartphone. In terms of AR, think of Pokemon GO as the appetizer and the Phab 2 Pro as the main course.

"The Phab 2 Pro is the world's first smartphone to include Tango  a new technology from Google that enables augmented reality (AR) gaming and utilities," Lenovo explains. "All you have to do is look through the Phab 2 Pro, and you'll see objects and information overlaid onto the real world."

This opens up a myriad of potential applications for both fun and practical purposes. For instance, users can check out how new furniture would fit into their home or how remodeling would turn out, all thanks to augmented reality.

AR gaming, meanwhile, will allow the Phab 2 Pro to turn your world into an entertaining virtual playground.

Aside from augmented reality and Google Tango technology, however, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro doesn't exactly pack groundbreaking specifications. Its impressive 6.4-inch QHD 2.5D display and large 4,050 mAh battery are among its strong suits, but otherwise the handset packs a midrange Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of native storage space and a 13-megapixel main camera.

In other words, while the hardware specs are decent and should deliver a good performance, no standout specs break the mold.

On the other hand, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro doesn't aim to impress with its hardware specs, but with its augmented reality experience which makes it unique, at least for now. No other full-fledged AR smartphone is currently available, so the Phab 2 Pro definitely stands out from the crowd.

Roughly 35 Tango apps are currently available to maximize the potential of the Phab 2 Pro, including apps from Autodesk and Lowe's that prove how useful 3D mapping can be.

The Lenovo Phab 2 Pro is now available for purchase at $499.99.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A drug developed to improve the sexual desire of premenopausal women has met the main goal of two late stage clinical trials, its developer Palatin Technologies Inc. revealed on Tuesday, Nov. 1

The experimental drug called bremelanotide, which is aimed at women who are distressed by lack of libido was compared with placebo in 24-week studies that involved over 1,200 women.

Results showed the drug was linked with significant improvements on scales that measure levels of desires and distress. Participants of the study were women suffering from hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).

Also known as inhibited sexual desire, HSDD is the most common form of female sexual dysfunction. It is marked by lack or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity to the extent it causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulties.

Study investigator Sheryl Kingsberg, from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Ohio, said that the distress component of the condition reflects the profound negative impact of HSDD that can influence a woman's self image, relationships and even her quality of life outside of the bedroom.

In phase 3 trials, significant reduction in distress was observed in women who used bremelanotide.

"In Phase 3 trials bremelanotide was used as needed by premenopausal women with HSDD, with a single dose self-administered in anticipation of sexual activity," said Palatin Chief Medical Officer Johna Lucas.

"The Phase 3 studies demonstrated that bremelanotide provided a meaningful benefit for those patients who responded to the drug candidate. We look forward to the opportunity to provide a new and differentiated treatment option to the many women suffering from HSDD."

The most common side effect of the drug was nausea albeit it was generally mild and the drug was well tolerated and had no newly identified safety issues.

Palatin's drug is comparable to a female Viagra. It is to be taken as needed before a sexual activity instead of being taken every day. The drug, however, is not a pill. It needs to be subcutaneously administered using an autoinjector.

Palatin is expected to seek U.S. approval from regulators for use of bremelanotide in the second half of 2017.

If the drug gets approved, it will compete with the controversial Addyi, a drug that women need to take daily for their low libido problems. The drug hit the market despite concerns over its side effects such as fainting when it is taken with alcohol and other medicines.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
You can still extend the Halloween spirit or get in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them party by channeling some Harry Potter vibe with the ability to cast spells using your Android phone.

And how exactly are you going to do that?

Simple. You can enlist the help of Google Voice to throw some magic about with your phone serving as your wand. To do this, you should first trigger the voice-activated assistant with the Google spell known to all, "OK, Google."

Thereafter, you can say, "Lumos!" and you will get your flashlight open. Declaring "Nox!" will promptly turn the light off. Unfortunately, executing the "Silencio" spell will not shut anybody up as was the case in the Harry Potter universe. It merely mutes your phone's alert and notifications.

The small dash of magic in Android-powered devices has been introduced in partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures to promote the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film. It is already available, and there is no need to download any update. Users can try being a wizard this November, when the film finally opens in theaters.

Aside from the spells, Google will also let you use Maps' Street View to around the 1926 New York, the period when the Fantastic Beasts storyline happened.

"Fans can visit MACUSA (Magical Congress of the USA); Steen National Bank, where Newt first meets Jacob Kowalski; the underground speakeasy The Blind Pig; and the magical apartment of Tina and Queenie Goldstein, two of the film's key characters," Google explained.

Daydream View VR owners will also be able to dive into this magical business upon its release next week with VR wizarding content. One could, for instance, poke inside Newt Scamander's case, which houses a tremendous array of treasures and tools to cast spells and hunt for monsters. Here, instead of the phone, you can use the VR controller as a real wand that can spew magic in virtual space. Google said you could even help Newt find monsters before they harm the city.

Google also promised to release Fantastic Beasts offerings the entire month of November. These include the Fantastic Beasts sticker pack for Google Allo. Even YouTube will be treated to the same magical extravaganza with popular creators publishing contents inspired by the wizarding world and Newt's extraordinary adventure.

If you want to follow Newt's footsteps and hunt for monsters on your own, you can start by using Google Search. Google assures you that fantastic beasts search entries will surely snag a few magical results.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
To say that the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 is popular in China would be an understatement. According to reports, the device, the latest smartphone of the company, sold out a mere 50 seconds from the launch of its first flash sale.

Mi Note 2 As Galaxy Note 7 Replacement

The launch of the Mi Note 2 could not have come at a better time, as customers are still looking for a replacement to the discontinued Samsung Galaxy Note 7. Xiaomi is offering the smartphone as a worthy alternative to the Galaxy Note 7, with a similar dual-curved design and powerful specs.

The first flash sale of the Mi Note 2, which took place on Nov. 1 in China, saw all units being offered by Xiaomi sold in just 50 seconds, officially breaking the record previously held by the Mi 5.

Xiaomi Flash Sale

It should be noted, however, that the trend of selling out smartphones in such a short amount of time has been how Xiaomi handles its sales. Xiaomi creates an initial supply that is lower than the expected demand for the smartphone, causing the first batch to sell out quickly as there are fewer units of the device to start with than the number of customers looking to make the purchase.

At first, this might seem like bad practice, as companies would want to sell as many units of new products as they could from the start. However, with how Xiaomi is conducting its sales, the company is able to keep shipping and inventory costs low while maintaining the high demand for the devices, as seen in the case of the Mi Note 2.

It is unknown whether the Mi Note 2 will be coming to the United States and when Xiaomi will do so, if it is being planned. Customers could place their orders through Chinese importers though, if they could not wait for an official announcement. The next flash sale for the smartphone will be on Nov. 8.

With the Mi Note carrying a price tag of only about $413 for the 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage version and about $487 for the 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage version, it has been described as an attractive option that offers similar features and specs to the Galaxy Note 7. The low price also increases its appeal over other choices such as the Google Pixel XL.

The Mi Mix, meanwhile, is set to go on its first flash sale on Nov. 4. Will the edge-to-edge bezel-less display of the smartphone allow it to sell out even faster than the Mi Note 2?

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Samsung Galaxy S8 May Come With A Bezel-Less Display | TechTree.com

We all know that Samsung is trying its hard luck to once again impress its customers who lost their loyalty to the company due to the in-famous Galaxy Note 7. But, how far the company is planning to go with its upcoming Galaxy S8 to put the fire set by Galaxy Note 7 off - this is something we still do not know.

Reports and rumours have been surfacing over the past few weeks hinting about the upcoming Galaxy S8 and the most recent of them is that the Samsungs flagship smartphone is expected to sport an OLED display and interestingly, may come without any bezel at all. If at all any bezel is found, it is believed to be very little.

According to a recent post on Gadgets 360, The Investor seems to have reported that the upcoming Samsung flagship smartphone may come with a full edge-to-edge OLED display with 90 per cent screen-to-body ratio.

This clearly shows that the smartphones front portion is mostly made up of an OLED display and just 10 per cent will be most likely a metal body. Interestingly, it is also being said that the upcoming Apple iPhone 8 will also be coming with an OLED display panel!

Speaking about other rumours regarding the upcoming Galaxy S8 by Samsung, we may see a dual-curved edged screen, optical fingerprint sensor without any home button, and a 6 GB of RAM coupled with a Exynos 8895 processor. The smartphone may also come with a 16 MP and 8 MP dual rear camera setup.

[Master Image via Fone Arena]

TAGS: Samsung
The upkeep of voting equipment doesnt usually figure into a candidates campaign rhetoric. But when Nellie Gorbea ran for secretary of state in Rhode Island in 2014, she pledged to make her states elections fair, fast and accurate. That meant replacing machines purchased in the late 1990s that were breaking down from age and years of use.We had equipment that was literally falling apart at polling locations, Gorbea says. People would try to put their ballot in the ballot tabulator and it would stop working. In the presidential primaries this spring, a failed tabulator at one location caused a 45-minute delay before officials could wheel in another one.This month on Election Day, however, voters in Rhode Island wont encounter obsolete equipment, because Gorbea did what few election officials have been able to do in recent years: She convinced her legislature to pay for new voting technology. With a $9.3 million contract, she leased 590 up-to-date tabulators and scanners, and secured an eight-year maintenance agreement with the vendor.The entire voting experience in Rhode Island has improved since Gorbeas election: Electronic poll books allow staff to check voters in faster, and wireless modems help precincts report results on election night.Unfortunately, Rhode Island is the exception when it comes to modernizing election equipment. Across the country, voting machines are reaching the end of their expected lifespan. Despite warnings of an impending crisis from federal officials and independent election experts, it has been years since the last significant update to the nations election infrastructure. Congress took action on the problem in 2002 by passing the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), but has done nothing to follow up since then. Meanwhile, the machines HAVA paid for a decade and a half ago are starting to fall apart.States and localities have always been responsible for election management in America, but most are now finding it difficult to replace their equipment without an infusion of federal money. This has troubling long-term implications. Elections increasingly reflect inequality in public resources, with wealthier counties and townships buying state-of-the-art voting tablets, scanners and high-speed printers, while places with less money are squeaking by on unreliable machines built a generation ago.The current state of voting equipment has its roots in the Bush-Gore presidential election of 2000, which cast a national spotlight on 30-year-old punch-card devices and lever machines that hadnt kept up with advancements in computer technology. The Bush-Gore fiasco was directly responsible two years later for HAVA, which distributed about $3 billion to more than 8,000 local jurisdictions. The new federal money resulted in the widespread deployment of new laptop computers, scanners and printers. But the law did not address future costs associated with ongoing maintenance or the purchase of next-generation technology when it was needed.The HAVA-era machines have a life expectancy of anywhere from 10 to 20 years; more than 40 states are now using voting machines at least a decade old, according to a report from the Brennan Center for Justice. These machines predictably crash or fail, resulting in long lines and sometimes in lost votes. Breakdowns usually involve individual parts, such as batteries, memory cards and motherboards, rather than the entire machine.Two years ago, voters in Virginia Beach, Va., ran into a problem with 26 touch-screen voting machines. Voters would select one candidate and watch the screen register their selection for somebody else. An investigation found that the glue holding the touch screen in place had degraded, causing it to slip and miscount votes.Most of the time, officials identify defective equipment during tests leading up to the election. Even so, repairing machines comes with its own challenges. Vendors have stopped making some components, forcing some jurisdictions to scour eBay and secondhand computer stores for used parts. In Hamilton County, Ohio, the director of elections has prepared for equipment failure by stockpiling outdated hardware, such as computers that still run on Windows XP. Georgia has hired a contractor to custom-design new machines that operate on Windows 2000.As the computer cards or scanners are breaking down, theyre being replaced piecemeal, says Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill. Its possible in the short term to keep plugging the leaks and not worry about a sudden, widespread collapse of voting technology. However, its a looming problem, Merrill says. We absolutely need to be planning ahead.The long-term solution obviously isnt spare parts -- its new machines. But as Rhode Islands experience illustrates, replacing election infrastructure can cost millions of dollars, and most jurisdictions dont know where to find that much funding. By the Brennan Centers estimates, the initial national cost of replacing outdated equipment over the next few years could exceed $1 billion.No one in Congress has proposed that the federal government foot the bill for such an extensive overhaul of election technology. U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia has introduced a bill that would go part of the way toward addressing the problem. His legislation would distribute to states up to $125 million in leftover funds from HAVA to replace equipment that has been in use for at least eight years. In most cases, states would then disburse the money to counties and townships. But the bill lacks bipartisan support, hasnt received a hearing and will likely die in committee at the end of this year.In the absence of federal financial assistance, some jurisdictions have gotten creative. In Connecticut, Merrill convinced the state bond commission to issue $6.7 million in bonds for electronic poll books, software for quicker reporting of election results, and new machines for voters with impaired vision and other disabilities. The legislature has helped with smaller budget requests. Still, Merrill says, it would be difficult to find the money necessary for a statewide upgrade of all equipment.Another case in point: Arkansas. Last year, Secretary of State Mark Martin convinced the legislature there to invest up to $30 million in new voting machines. But during budget negotiations, lawmakers did not set aside money for the appropriation. Weve made it clear that we think it is a priority, but not everything gets funded every year, explains Chris Powell, a spokesman for Martin. Its the course of legislative business. In lieu of state funds, the Secretary of States office has used some savings to replace technology in 11 of the states 75 counties, with plans to pay for more machines as money becomes available.Some local officials are modernizing their election infrastructure by finding ways of reducing the cost. Five years ago, when Denver looked for a new voting system, Elections Director Amber McReynolds wasnt satisfied with existing options on the market. Denver wanted commercial off-the-shelf parts that could be integrated with proprietary voting software. Working with a vendor, McReynolds and her team were able to develop a new system that uses commercial scanners, printers and touch-screen tablets. Whereas a full-scale voting machine can cost $4,000 per unit, commercial tablets are available for about one-tenth of the price. And commercial products are more familiar and more intuitive to most voters. People are on their smartphones and theyre using tablets in their everyday lives, she says. When they saw the tablets, it probably took away some of their anxiety and made it easier to use. In general, vendors have been slow to offer proprietary systems that use some commercial parts, but now that such a hybrid exists, election experts expect it to spread to other parts of the country.Denver is unusual in that it didnt have to ask for outside money. The elections division had savings set aside for the upgrade. This was partly because the Colorado General Assembly decided in 2013 to allow residents to vote by mail, an option that used to be available only for people who couldnt visit a polling location on election day. Now voters receive ballots in the mail that they can send back or drop off at a voting center. In Denver, elections staff count mail ballots at a central location, reducing some of the time and manpower necessary to tally votes.Denver first used the new equipment in a municipal election last year. Its smooth rollout convinced the state to pilot the same technology in other counties, and then mandate its adoption across Colorado. This month, nearly 20 counties -- or one-third of the states local election jurisdictions -- will use the commercial tablets, scanners and printers pioneered in Denver. In the next two years, they will appear in the rest of the state.President Obama acknowledged the long wait times voters were encountering at some polling locations, adding, We have to fix that. Two years later, a presidential study group on election administration reported back about the impending crisis in voting technology, along with recommendations on how to avoid such a crisis in the future. Since that 2014 report, some things have gotten better.One noticeable effect of the report is the revival of the Election Assistance Commission. When Congress passed HAVA in 2002, it created the commission as an independent agency with bipartisan leadership that would test and certify new election equipment. But by 2014, the commission had become a victim of partisan gridlock, which prevented it from vetting and approving new products by vendors. Without the commission, vendors had less incentive to develop new equipment, essentially putting any advancement in American election technology on pause.Even the mere existence of the Election Assistance Commission had became the subject of congressional debate, with one Republican member introducing a bill to eliminate the agency altogether. While Democrats put forward nominees for the vacant positions, Republicans did not, and the commission lacked a quorum to conduct official business for four years. It wasnt until December 2014 that the Senate finally confirmed three nominees -- enough for a quorum.The reconstituted Election Assistance Commission has been doing everything short of granting large sums of money for new technology. Last year, it published a short guide for state and local officials on ways to extend the lifespan of their voting equipment. The tips covered everything from proper storage in a climate-controlled room to the stress-testing of power sources that are usually the first components to fail. The commission also has created an online repository of requests for proposal from state and local election jurisdictions, allowing officials to learn from one another and borrow best practices.In the absence of congressional action, the commission has provided the next best thing: a central information source to facilitate conversations among election officials. In addition to Denvers recent experiment with commercial components, the city and county of Los Angeles and Travis County, Texas, are designing new election systems that could include interchangeable commercial parts and open source software that could be shared with other public agencies. All three localities have sought to design systems that would be less expensive, easier to maintain and more intuitive for voters. Its a recipe that appeals to officials in other parts of the country as well.The question for governments going forward is whether, despite the innovations being tried in places such as Colorado and Rhode Island, the lack of federal support will worsen the divide in the quality and capacity of election systems across the country. Will less wealthy places be able to adopt the systems that Denver and Los Angeles develop?Some counties are using special purpose sales taxes to raise money for ongoing election infrastructure costs, says Merle King, executive director of the Center for Election Systems in Kennesaw, Ga. But thats an option only where local residents are willing to tax themselves for election capital costs. In rural counties and other places with low median incomes, continued fundraising wont be feasible. Ultimately, well go back to what existed prior to HAVA, King says. Wealthy counties will have the best systems and the best trained employees using them, and the poorer counties will have to do the best with what they have.Even the places that can afford upgrades on their own are in favor of a national solution. We had to do it ourselves because our back was against the wall, says Gorbea. She thinks that Congress ought to be investing in the maintenance and modernization of equipment across the country. Voting machines are democracys infrastructure, she says. Updating our election systems should be a federally supported ongoing activity.
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Hack Allows Dual SIM And MicroSD Support

When Samsung had launched its new flagship, Galaxy S7 Edge couple of months ago, Android fans around the world complained that the company did not provide a separate slot for SIM as well as MicroSD card in the dual-SIM enabled Galaxy S7 Edge smartphone. In order to avail a separate SIM card slot or MicroSD, buyers of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge dual-SIM smartphone can either choose additional storage through microSD card and a single SIM card or dual SIMs and no additional storage.

However, REWA Technology has found a way to evade this restriction. In an instructional video posted on YouTube, REWA Technology demonstrated that Dual SIM and SD Card can work on the Samsung device at the same time.

Listed below are the steps that demonstrate the hack. To carry out the hack successfully, ensure that you follow each step carefully and dont miss out anything while doing so.

Before you begin, keep all the tools ready for the hack:

Do remember that the modifications are risk and you might destroy your SIM card and your microSD in the process. There is also a chance you might damage your new smartphone. SO BEWARE!

Here are the step-by-step guidelines on how to make the SD card and Dual SIM work simultaneously on the Galaxy S7 edge:

Put in a SIM card and a Micro SD card.

Insert the SIM card tray into the phone and power on. You will notice a SIM card and an 8GB SD card.

Power off and remove the SIM card tray.

File down the raised edge of Micro SD card. Ensure that you dont damage the circuit inside the chip.

Clean the Micro SD card with N-hexane.

Scrap a layer off the Micro SD card until the words on the back side are invisible.

Blow the SIM card with hot air gun.

Separate the chip from SIM card with tweezers.

Clean off the glue on SIM chip with N-hexane.

File down the raised part on the back of the chip. (Do not damage the circuit inside the chip. SIM card thickness is about 0.37mm. Take note of the right location of SIM chip)

Put in the SD card and make a sigh on Micro SD card where should SIM chip should be located.

Smear a layer of 502 blue on marked SD card.

Adhere SIM chip to Micro SD card (Mind the direction of SIM chip. The thickness of new unibody Micro SD card with SIM chip is about 1.26mm.)

Install the new unibody Micro SD card and insert it carefully and slowly into the phone.

Power on the phone and check.

The triple cards would have got successfully installed: Two SIM cards and an 8GB SD card. As we mentioned earlier, DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!

https://youtu.be/a_lQdg8yAwM

Source:REWA Technology
Teenager arrested for sharing exploit that disrupted the 911 emergency call system

An 18-year-old teen from Arizona was arrested by the local police following a major disruption of 911 emergency systems caused due to one of his iOS exploits that made random blank calls to the emergency number.

The teenager, Meetkumar Hiteshbhai Desai who discovered an iOS vulnerability stands indicted of sharing a link to a Javascript exploit that forced iPhones to repeatedly dial 911, according to a press release published by Maricopa County Sherrifs Office on Thursday. According to authorities, Desai shared the critical iOS exploit on Twitter with over 12,000 followers, out of which more than 1,849 clicked on that link, activating over 100 hangup calls to the 911 dispatch center in Surprise, Arizona, within a matter of minutes.

The Maricopa Sherrifs Office says that the volume of the calls allegedly put the responders and authorities in immediate danger of losing service to their switches. The police have disclosed that the hack affected services in the Phoenix metro area, parts of California and Texas.

The authorities identified Desai as the possible suspect behind the attack against the 911 service and took him into custody late last Wednesday. Desai was arrested on three counts of computer tampering, two of which incorporate class 2 felonies, as the 911 system is considered critical infrastructure. However, he told the Sherrifs office that he accidentally published a link to an exploit that caused iOS devices to dial 911 and hang up continually.

A press release from the Maricopa Countys Sheriffs Office said: The Surprise Police Department received the over (100) hang up 911 phone calls within a matter of minutes due to this cyber-attack and were in immediate danger of losing service to their switches. The Peoria Police Department and the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office also received a large volume of these repeated 911 hang up calls and had the potential danger of losing service throughout Maricopa County.

Sheriffs Detectives were able to identify Meet as the suspect behind the 911 disruption and was taken into custody and transported him to the Major Crimes Division for questioning late last night. Meet explained to Sheriffs detectives that he was interested in programs, bugs, and viruses which he could manipulate and change to later inform Apple about how to fix their bug issues for further iOS updates. He claimed that Apple would pay for information about bugs and viruses and provide that particular programmer with credit for the discovery.

Desai revealed that he had been provided with the details of the bug by an online friend. He reportedly developed two versions of the said malicious JavaScript codeone which made the phone calls and another that opened popups and executed other annoying commands on a phone that accessed it. Desai said that he had intended to share the less-malicious version of the exploit as a kind of prank, but accidentally shared the 911-dialing version instead. The malicious code was published through a Twitter account and a YouTube channel, which were traced back to Meet Desai, and it was hosted on an URL called The real hackspot, which was also linked to Meets website.

On further interrogation, Desai also admitted, in the Maricopa Sherrifs words, that he developed these malicious bugs and viruses to be recognized in the hacker and programming community as someone who was very skilled. He also claimed that he wanted to report bugs to Apple and get paid.

Source: IB Times
Teen Pleads Guilty For Running The Titanium DDoS Stresser Programme

A 19-year-old who ran Titanium Stresser, a cyberattack-for-hire service that police say was tapped by international users to launch 1.7 million attacks over two years has pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales in London  better known as the Old Bailey.

Adam Mudd from Kings Langley, a town north of London in the United Kingdom, pleaded guilty for doing unauthorised acts with intent to impair the operation of a computer, a charge of making, supplying or offering to supply the Titanium Stresser programme, and concealing criminal property.

Mudd is believed to have developed the Titanium Stresser when he was 15, and that he used the service himself 594 times against 181 individual IP addresses, employing the username themuddfamily between September 2013 and March 2015, the month Mudd was arrested and the service shut down.

The investigators were able to find out that the service had been used for 1.8 million DDoS attacks, as Mudd had preserved detailed logs of all attacks. His platform had become one of the most popular services, even offering free 60-second DDoS attacks.

Before Mudd turned 18 years old, he earned more than 300,000 ($365,000) from renting his DDoS tool to other hackers to undertake their own DDoS attacks, according to Englands Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, a police special task force.

Titanium Stresser is a computer program created by the defendant, and it is not an unimpressive piece of software in terms of design, prosecutor Jonathan Polnay told the court.

It carried out DDoS attacks and it takes down computer networks and websites. The defendant charged for use of it, to others all around the world  these offenses truly had a global reach  would pay money to use this program.

Polnay said there were 1.7 million attacks, taking down websites and computers around the world, no doubt causing considerable damage and loss to others.

At this stage, it is unclear how much jail time Mudd may be facing. The judge who accepted the guilty plea did note that a spell in a youth offenders institution will be considered when the sentence hearing takes place in December.

Mudds attorney, Ben Cooper, told the court that his client has been diagnosed as autistic, and is currently undergoing psychological evaluation. He lives with his parents and works as a hotel porter.

Adam Mudds case is a regrettable one, because this young man clearly has a lot of skill, but he has been utilizing that talent for personal gain at the expense of others, Detective Inspector Martin Peters, head of the Eastern Region Special Operations Units cybercrime team, which arrested Mudd, said in a statement issued after the suspect pleaded guilty.

We want to make clear it is not our wish to unnecessarily criminalize young people, but want to harness those skills before they accelerate into crime, Peters added.
In the early hours of Tuesday, four attacks with explosives occurred in the city of Guayaquil and two attacks in the city of Esmeraldas. | Read More
DEER LODGE  A former Deer Lodge city clerk received a six-year deferred sentence Tuesday in district court for tampering with public records, a felony.

The court ordered Donna Seaton to pay $9,500 in restitution and $85 in court fees; a $250 fine was suspended to give her more opportunity to repay restitution. During the deferred sentence she must abide by 24 conditions that include getting a mental health evaluation at her expense.

Judge Ray Dayton told Seaton that she had taken advantage of the city of Deer Lodge by modifying time sheets (changing the documents to increase her hours and pay herself overtime to which she was not entitled), a practice that went on for several years.

On June 7 Seaton entered a nolo contendere plea -- meaning she neither admitted nor denied the charges, but in the eyes of the court is the same as a guilty plea.

Susan Carroll, the adult probation and parole officer who completed the pre-sentence investigation, said Seaton had no previous criminal history and there was no known underlying reason for the offense such as drug or alcohol abuse.

Seaton does have student loans and medical bills, but Carroll was concerned about where Seatons money was going and recommended the mental health evaluation because she had previously been prescribed medication for depression but had no counseling.

Although the plea agreement by the attorneys suggested a three-year deferred sentence, Carroll recommended the six-year term and the mental health evaluation saying it will give Seaton a greater opportunity to repay the $9,500 the city lost.
Starting back in I Samuel God was Israel's king. But the Jews rejected Him and wanted an earthly king. So God gave them what they wanted, with caution.

Israel's thousands of years of existence, one king followed another. Godly kings, Israel rejoiced, but with godless ones they suffered. Today Israel is surrounded by enemies; the greatest, Iran.

Our king with his court sent Iran approximately $200 billion, adding to Israel's woes.

Our nation has a long way to go compared to Israel, so get ready. In the beginning one of our kings started slavery, causing a bloody civil war. The next king prayed and ended both. Later a couple of kings at a cost of thousands of lives saved millions on all sides, ending two world wars. Then a couple more kings led us into Vietnam, a war costing our 50,000 lives and a million lives on the other side.

Another king with a personal grudge made war with Iraq, causing death and destruction that continues.

Our present king with his court turned their back on God and all His decrees, dividing our nation.

Now to the next king. One could be king trying to protect himself, being accused of past problems all being outside of the political arena affecting no one nationally.

The other could be king. She's trying to cover her proven political problems that has affected everyone nationally, her problem of sharing with the other latest kings, decision-wise. This letter might come before or after the election.

Either way our future hope depends on a godly king, a leader of faith, hope and charity and forgiveness. The lack of that, there is nothing to offer. If we lack that, the difference is the same.

Ford Lewis, Decatur
Narcotics agents with the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office enforced their own code of justice, running amok in a deep culture of abuse without fear of discipline from a chain of command that tolerated and even encouraged violence, according to testimony Tuesday in the trial of Sheriff Louis Ackal.

When asked how his narcotics team viewed the residents of the neighborhoods they worked, former agent Jason Comeaux summed it up succinctly: "They were animals, and they needed to be treated like animals."

A jury began hearing evidence this week to determine if that culture of lawless law enforcement stretched all the way up to Ackal, who faces civil rights charges in an investigation of abuse and cover-ups going back to his first days in office eight years ago.

Jurors on Tuesday began hearing from some of the many deputies who have pleaded guilty in the case, all taking the witness stand to testify against their former boss.

They talked of abuse and excessive force as a routine part of the job.

Comeaux, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to beating inmates and then lying about it, said he couldn't even recall how many people he had roughed up unnecessarily.

When asked if he had ever filled out any of the use-of-force paperwork officers are required to file when an arrestee is injured, he said he wouldn't have even known where to find the forms.

"They didn't care about what we did as long as we kept the streets quiet," Comeaux said.

He said the narcotics unit, which he described as Ackal's "baby" and "golden child," was routinely called upon by the sheriff to "clear the streets" when Ackal believed there was a potential for unrest after a shooting or other major crime.

Comeaux said agents would roam neighborhoods and rough up anyone who was not inside their home, throwing them against vehicle hoods or down on the ground.

"They knew if they got out there, they were going to get stopped and get dealt with," Comeaux said. "He told us he didn't want anyone on the streets."

The intent, Comeaux said, was "to let them know it was our streets."

Suspects who didn't cooperate were treated harshly, receiving an extra knee or punches to the side, said former narcotics agent Byron Lassalle, who also pleaded guilty in the case.

"When people ran, we punished them for running," he said.

Comeaux said crossing the line was standard practice from his earliest days at the Sheriff's Office, and his recollections were thick with racial epithets.

He recalled a supervisor motioning to a stain on the floor next to a suspect being interrogated and telling the man, "You see that stain there? That's from the last n***** I shot."

He said Ackal himself once told him a story about shooting three drug suspects some 30 years ago when the sheriff worked for State Police.

Comeaux said Ackal told him he was cleared of wrongdoing because the bullets in the bodies didn't match his gun and then went on to say how told his supervisor, "I wouldn't shoot them with my own gun."

No other witnesses or documents have confirmed that incident, and U.S. District Judge Donald Walter did not let jurors hear the story, which Comeaux recited while the jury was out of the room, a test run of sorts to see if the judge would allow the story as evidence.

Comeaux told of another instance where drunken off-duty narcotics agents were given only light punishment for beating up two young black men for no reason.

"They went  what I was later told  n***** knockin'," Comeaux said.

Comeaux said Ackal was upset when he learned of the incident, but not because the deputies were out of line.

"He was mad because they got caught and there was a report written on it," Comeaux said.

Prosecutors said Ackal later had that report deleted.

Comeaux said the lesson was clear.

"It was OK to beat on whoever you wanted," he said.

Comeaux's fellow agent Lassalle said the incident with the drunken off-duty officers, which was an often-told story around the department, left him with the same impression.

"It taught me that I didn't have to follow the rules, that is was OK to step out of line because I wouldn't get in trouble for it," Lassalle said.

Comeaux's testimony also bolstered one of the prosecution's key arguments: that Ackal not only directed or gave tacit approval of abuse but was sometimes physically present while underlings carried out his orders.

Comeaux said that during an April 2011 contraband sweep at the jail, Ackal stood by as he and two other deputies beat an inmate in the jail's chapel, a location chosen because it did not have surveillance cameras.

He said Ackal singled out an inmate and told deputies, "I'm the f****** sheriff, and I want him taken care of."

Comeaux said he and the other deputies took the inmate to the chapel, where Comeaux admitted hitting the man 20 or 30 times while the other deputies struck the inmate with batons.

"He (Ackal) was the boss and he ordered it and he came in with us," Comeaux said.

When the inmate filed a lawsuit over the abuse, Comeaux said, a Sheriff's Office attorney told him he needed to "fix" his story, and Comeaux later lied in a deposition, saying the man was injured in a fight with another inmate.

Comeaux said he later told Ackal about the cover-up, and the sheriff responded, "F*** that n*****. He got in a fight."

Ackal's attorney, John McLindon, has portrayed the case against Ackal as "paycheck prosecution," built on the testimony of deputies trying to win lighter sentences for themselves by implicating Ackal to please prosecutors looking to take down a sheriff.

McLindon has not denied abuses at the hands of deputies but argues Ackal played no role, though his wishes might have been misinterpreted by deputies trying to please a man the defense attorney described as a rough, no-nonsense cop.

Testimony in the trial, which is expected to last week, is scheduled to continue Wednesday in Shreveport, where the case was moved because the judge feared intense media coverage in the Lafayette area might have made it difficult to find an impartial jury.
Not even a federally declared disaster can keep Southern Louisiana voters from exercising their democratic duty, with Baton Rouge-area early voting sites in some of the hardest-hit parishes seeing record obliterating turnouts.

East Baton Rouge Parish voters breezed by the 2012 early voting tally with time to spare. When President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney squared off that year, 34,330 residents cast their ballots early. This year, 36,117 people voted early as of Monday, without counting the 6,000 to 7,000 people expected to visit the polls Tuesday, the final day of early voting, or the 4,000-plus ballots still arriving by mail, according to registrar Steve Raborn.

Flood-wracked Livingston Parish may actually double the number of early voters since the last presidential race, and approximately 15 percent of the Ascension electorate had already voted as of Tuesday afternoon, as people still stood in lines at the parish courthouses.

Livingston officials have "been swamped" by all the voters, said parish registrar Jared Andrews. He opened a new early polling site at Juban Crossing this year that will also serve as the election day precinct for many Denham Springs voters whose regular locations flooded.

Voters have been lined up at 8:30 a.m. most days when early voting starts, Andrews said. In the last few presidential races, about two-thirds of Louisiana voters have come out to the polls, but Andrews has predicted that up to 75 percent may turn out this year in his parish, based mostly on the interest in the contest between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

And while the presidential race is the marquee match-up, local races from the East Baton Rouge mayor-president to the open battle to fill U.S. Sen. David Vitter's seat are also draws, Raborn said. Congressional races, state amendments, tax decisions and other matters are also on ballots.

Our Views: Our positions on ballot proposals Baton Rouge area voters will face six constitutional amendments and two local tax proposals.

East Baton Rouge has changed a number of election-day polling places, though early voting has been mostly untouched. One site on Coursey Boulevard was moved down the street from the Court Plaza building to the nearby firehouse, but the change was not flood-related.

As in years past, the state archives building on Essen Lane has drawn the largest crowds -- approximately 15,000 as of Tuesday afternoon, Raborn said. Another 10,000 or so voted at the Coursey site, 6,000 at the Baker Office of Motor Vehicles and 5,000 in City Hall.

"It's definitely heavy everywhere. ... It surpassed every day of early voting in previous elections," Raborn said.

Ascension Parish Clerk of Court Bridget Hanna said that about 11,500 people had appeared in person for early voting by 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, just a few hours before the deadline.

With about 76,500 registered voters in Ascension, the early vote tally means about 15 percent of the electorate in the parish already cast ballots before the election on Nov. 8.

Trouble viewing video? Click here.

Hanna said early voting has been very heavy and could be the most all-time in the parish, depending on what happens in the final hours Tuesday evening.

"It could be record-setting. They still got a bunch of people in line," she said.

By 5:30 p.m., the line to early vote at the parish registrar of voters office in the parish Courthouse Annex in Gonzales snaked along walls up and down hallways around the office.

Andrews, the Livingston registrar, said officials have not yet collected demographic information on early voters. However, in the last presidential election Louisiana early voters were more likely to be white, women and Democrats over other races, men and Republicans.
Comedian and political commentator John Oliver mocked Bodi White, who is running for Baton Rouge mayor-president, in a recent episode of his late-night talk show "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" on HBO.

A segment on Oliver's October 30 show was dedicated to school segregation and the nationwide struggles to integrate schools. Oliver argued too many school districts fail to recognize the importance of integrated schools because they see segregation as a historical event instead of a current problem.

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(NOTE: White appears at the 10:00 mark on the video.)

Oliver featured a clip of White that was used in a 2014 PBS "Frontline" documentary called "Separate and Unequal," which covered the movement to create the city of St. George, as well as a separate school system in the southeastern part of the parish, which critics argued would hurt public schools and leave behind mostly poor and black children.

"Do you think that you have to bus children all over, bus them a long distance, so you can say you sit in a seat next to someone diverse, different from yourself?" White said in the PBS documentary clip that Oliver used. "The Justice Department achieved their goal, who can say we're not desegregated? We have an African-American president, we have an African-American mayor here in Baton Rouge, with majority white in the parish. We have been through all that."

PBS special on St. George effort puts spotlight on EBR The much anticipated PBS Frontline special on the city of St. George incorporation effort 

Oliver took aim at that point of view.

"And there it is," Oliver says. "The idea that because President Obama was elected, systemic racism is pretty much solved. Which is absolutely absurd because racism is not one of those things that just disappears on its own in due time."

Asked to respond to the clip on the HBO show, White disagreed with the way it was used.

John Oliver misconstrued my statement in that segment," he said in a statement. "We have taken steps in the right direction regarding the issue of race, but we still have a lot of work to do. We need to sit down and have these conversations, especially following the summer we have had in Baton Rouge.

"My record speaks for itself when it comes to education," White went on to say. "I have fought for all students, white and minority, to have options when it comes to education. Whether the choices are charter schools, private schools or public schools, a child should never be trapped in a failing school. Every child deserves an equal opportunity at a quality education, regardless of their race or zip code.

White continued to identify himself as the pro-education candidate running for East Baton Rouge Parish mayor-president, as he has advocated for school choice and charter schools. He has taken heat on education and St. George issues on the campaign trail.

Though White was visible during the campaign to create the city of St. George, he has recently said he only supported the creation of the separate school system because parents were unhappy with their failing schools. He also has said he would oppose the push to create St. George should it return, but that he is confident he can satisfy those who were pushing for the separate city once he is running Baton Rouge.

Other candidates Sharon Weston Broome, John Delgado and Darryl Gissel have all questioned White's track record on St. George. They have also tried to poke holes in White's emphasis on education during the campaign, saying mayor-presidents exercise limited jurisdiction over the school system.
Only one of the three candidates angling for the District 8 seat on the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council said he would support an effort 
A pair of shootings Wednesday morning eight blocks and nine hours apart left an 18-year-old high school student dead, sent another man to the 
Hundreds attack Hindu homes, temples in Bangladesh

NEW DELHI (AP)  Hundreds of Muslims in eastern Bangladesh angry about a social media post launched a wave of attacks against Hindu temples and homes in a rare convulsion of communal violence in the region, Bangladeshi police said Monday.

Police arrested 15 people suspected of taking part in the violence, which erupted over a social media post depicting the Hindu god Shiva over a picture of the Kaaba, the large cube-shaped building in Mecca that is considered one of the holiest places in Islam.

As news of the post spread through neighborhoods in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, hundreds of people rampaged for two hours Sunday through Hindu communities east of Dhaka, the capital, said senior regional police officer Abdul Karim.

Police said 100 homes and five Hindu temples were looted. Some rioters apprehended a 27-year-old man they suspected of posting the offensive picture, but police have yet to determine if he posted it.

"We are working on it," Karim said.

Police reinforcements and members of Bangladesh's paramilitary border guard have been deployed in the area, around 150 kilometers (94 miles) east of Dhaka.

Such cases of vandalism and civic unrest between religious communities in Bangladesh are considered uncommon, though the country is struggling to stem a wave of violence by radical Islamist militants targeting religious minorities and atheists.
A draft of changes in key public school policies has prompted just the kind of debate hoped for, state Superintendent of Education John White said Wednesday.

White said the proposal, which was unveiled on Sept. 28, was "meant for people to poke holes in. And I think it has done that."

The fifth-year state superintendent made his comments to the Superintendents' Advisory Council.

The council includes 23 local superintendents, and it makes recommendations to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The top issue in education circles is how to revamp public school rules to comply with a 2015 federal law called the Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA.

White has recommended changes in how school letter grades are calculated, fewer tests and more assistance for struggling students.

The aim is to have the new rules in place for the 2017-18 school year.

The plan has sparked statewide public hearings in recent months, including gatherings between state officials and about 200 groups and 1,000 individuals.

"We are just going to continue to do a lot of meetings until the conversation is exhausted," White told local superintendents. "These issues are very, very wide ranging."

White has proposed that the annual growth of student achievement, regardless of final scores, account for 25 percent of school letter grades.

How to revamp Louisiana public school letters grades a bubbling controversy Controversy began brewing Monday on how far the state should go to revamp the way long-debat

Annual improvements account for 7 percent of the grade now, and the policy only applies to struggling students. Under the state's plan, student achievement gains would apply to all students.

The Louisiana Accountability Commission, which also advises BESE, began reviewing ways to measure academic growth during a meeting Tuesday. However, a growing topic of conversation is how the roughly $750 million per year in federal aid linked to the plan will be used, and how much discretion local educators will have.

Under the federal law, local officials have to submit plans yearly on how they plan to spend the aid on academic strategies.

The state can submit its plan in March or July under the current federal timetable.

But what it should look like is being reviewed by more than the state Department of Education.

A 15-member panel named by Gov. John Bel Edwards, who differs with White on key public school topics, is set to hold its second meeting Friday and will come up with its own recommendations in December.

White noted that the governor has 30 days to comment on any state plan. "The Legislature, I think, will at least want to hold a hearing on this," he added.

The state's draft plan would limit end-of-year state testing to no more than one week per student, and never exceed 2 percent of instructional minutes per year.

It also calls for new steps to aid struggling students, including screening tests in early grades to check for dyslexia and disabilities.

Special education advocates are set to discuss the topic on Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

Officials of private schools are scheduled to do the same on Monday at 10 a.m.
Voters in Louisiana know they can vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican Donald Trump in this year's presidential race.

Some may even be familiar with the much lesser known Libertarian Gary Johnson or Green Party candidate Jill Stein or even independent Evan McMullin, who has become a conservative darling among those who oppose Trump.

But do you know Princess Khadijah M. Jacob-Fambro? (She appears on Louisiana ballots as "Princess Jacob" under the "Loyal Trustworthy Compassion" label.)

What about Laurence Kotlikoff, who appears under the "It's Our Children" label, or Jerry White, who is running under the "Socialism Equality Anti-War" banner?

In all, 13 candidates appear on the presidential ballot in Louisiana this year, but it's unlikely that most voters know much about any of them beyond the major party tickets.

Can't see the video? Click here.

A new poll that was released by Southern Media & Opinion Research last week found that Trump has a strong lead in Louisiana  50 percent to Clinton's 35 percent, with McMullin pulling 5 percent, "other" at 2 percent and undecided at 8 percent.

But the poll also found that a majority of Louisiana voters are underwhelmed by the two major party candidates: 60 percent of the voters surveyed had an unfavorable opinion of Clinton, while 53 percent had an unfavorable opinion of Trump.

State law mandates how presidential ballots are arranged  alphabetical, by party  so Trump supporters will have to not only skip over Democrat Clinton, but also the Green and Libertarian party candidates before they find the Republican listed. After Trump, voters still unsure can pick from a long list of obscure independents.

To get on the Louisiana presidential ballot as an independent, candidates need only pay $500 and submit the appropriate paperwork, either in person or by mail.

The state also allows for a petition process to avoid the fee, but the Secretary of State's office confirmed that all of the independents on the ballot went the $500 route.

Already, more than 437,539 early ballots have been cast  shattering early voting tallies for the 2012 and 2008 presidential election cycles. Experts predict the state will remain on track for record or near-record turnout this year when all ballots are counted.

But who are these other candidates and why did they fork over $500 apiece to give Louisiana voters a chance to support their long-shot candidacies?

 Princess Jacob is a San Francisco woman social-media driven campaign. According to her campaign website, her platform is focused on abolishing Child Protective Services (including foster care); legalizing marijuana; instituting reparations for descendants of slaves; and ending police brutality. "It's going to take a woman to clean up the White House," is her official slogan. She (and many others on this list) did not respond to attempts to contact her via her website.

Her campaign is also notable because she included in her Federal Elections Commission filing document a note to famous rapper and New Orleans native Dwayne "Lil' Wayne" Carter, asking him to marry her.

 Laurence Kotlikoff is an economics professor at Boston University. Kotlikoff's website details 20 points that he says should make him a serious contender for president, including that he's not a politician and doesn't carry the baggage that may be associated with the major-party candidates. His economic background, he says on his website, gives him important insight into the nation's economy and his election "would break the two-party system monopoly on political power and change american politics forever."

 Darrell Castle is Tennessee native who backs the U.S.'s withdrawal from the United Nations and an end to the Federal Reserve. Running under the Constitution Party, he was the party's vice presidential nominee in 2008.

 Tom Hoefling, of Iowa, is running under a conservative, heavily anti-abortion rights, anti-gay marriage and pro-Israel platform.

"Just as 'good fences make for good neighbors,' good government is mainly about knowing where the legitimate boundaries are, and having the courage to defend those borders forcefully," he writes on his website.

 Gloria La Riva is a community activist from California who supports socialism. "A socialist system would make the highest priority eliminating institutionalized racism, bigotry and inequalities. Police brutality and mass incarceration would be ended. Citizenship would automatically be granted to all people living in the United States," La Riva's campaign website reads.

 Jerry White, of New York, is also an advocate of socialism. "A workers state must be based on new forms and structures of participatory democracy  arising in the course of revolutionary mass struggles and representative of the working class majority of the population," he writes.

 Alyson Kennedy, who is running under the Socialist Workers Party label, is an Indianapolis native who has worked as a labor union organizer across the country.

 Chris Keniston, a Texas resident, is an Air Force Veteran who previously served as Louisiana State Chair of the Veterans Party of America.

His platform highlights areas of border security, national security and non-interference in global affairs.

"For too long, the United States has been viewed around the world as a bully nation," his website reads. "It is a disservice to our citizens and our global identity."

 Jill Stein, a doctor, is a Green Party candidate who was also the party's nominee in 2012 and ran for governor of Massachusetts in 2010 and 2002. She has drawn some support from former supporters of Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders.

Her platform focuses on efforts to address climate change, advance labor unions, establish universal health care and push for tuition-free higher education.

 Gary Johnson, former governor of New Mexico who is now running under the Libertarian banner, he was also the Libertarian Party nominee in 2012.

A former CEO of a medical marijuana company, Johnson's campaigning on issues that include instituting term limits; overhauling the nation's tax code to eliminate federal income taxes; and legalizing pot.

 Evan McMullin is a Utah native that has won the backing of Conservative radio talk show host Glenn Beck; columnist and Louisiana-native Erick Erickson; and Weekly Standard founder Bill Kristol, among others.

A Mormon by faith, McMullin is seen as a potential spoiler in the normally GOP stronghold Utah, his home state, this year. His campaign has focused on calling for support from Republicans who don't want to back Trump.
An eclectic field of six candidates is seeking to fill the Metro Council seat being vacated by John Delgado.

Only one, Barbara Freiberg, who serves on the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, holds elected office.

The five other candidates are running for office for the first time. They include an attorney, a truancy officer, a retired state worker, a traffic planner and a facility supervisor for an oil company.

Attorney Sal Christina, is spending the most money by far on the race, according to campaign finance reports.

District 12 includes Southdowns, Kenilworth, Valley Park, Concord Estates and Mayfair, among other neighborhoods. Delgado is giving up the seat after one term to run for mayor-president and is one of 12 people in that race.

Three Republicans, one Democrat and two independents are vying to replace him. The district, which has about 26,000 registered voters, is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, but has nearly 7,000 independent voters. Despite this relatively parity in registration, Republicans have long held this seat.

Of the six candidates, three are black and three are white, an unusual number of black candidates given that whites make up almost 71 percent of District 12 voters.

Freiberg spent 28 years as a teacher, mostly at Lee and University high schools, before spending 10 years as K-12 education administrator for the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. A Republican, Freiberg is in her second term as representative for District 7 on the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and currently serves as the board's president.

East Baton Rouge Parish School Board president joins race for Metro Council The president of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on Tuesday launched a campaign to 

Her school board district represents much of the same area of south Baton Rouge as District 12. She has reported raising $45,400 so far, almost all of it outside contributions. She is getting support from a group associated with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and Baton Rouge businessman Lane Grigsby, among others.

Christina is an attorney and a board member for the Southside Civic Association. A New Orleans native, he first came to Baton Rouge for school in the early 1990s and moved here permanently in 2006. He was recently endorsed by East Baton Rouge Parishs chapter of the Republican Party. Christina has reported raising almost $53,600 so far, $38,000 of which is in the form of loans to himself.

The other Republican in the race, Corey Smith, is a truancy officer at an alternative school who previously worked as a legislative assistant for years on the Metro Council for then Councilwoman C. Denise Marcelle. A Bastrop native, Smith moved to Baton Rouge in 2008 for school. He has reported raising $9,125 so far, $7,500 of that loans to himself.

The lone Democratic contender, Rose Ree Carey, ran for the District 12 seat in 2012 and came 206 votes short of making the runoff. Retired from the Louisiana Department of Corrections Credit Union, Carey has raised just $1,100 for her second try, but she says she started walking neighborhoods much earlier this go-around.

Delgado, Banks-Daniel win seats on EBR Metro Council in Dists. 12, 2 John Delgado has won a seat on East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council District 12, ousting in

The final two candidates in the race, Scott Cornelius and Shane Zanders, are running without party affiliation.

Cornelius, a traffic planner with the CATS bus system, said he briefly registered as a Democrat this spring to try to prevent Hillary Clinton from being that partys presidential nominee. He has reported raising $2,370 for his campaign.

Zanders was a Republican for years before this current presidential election when he changed to No Party because the major parties have presented us with the worst two candidates in my lifetime. He has not reported any fundraising so far.

Anti-St. George group meets tonight A grassroots group that opposes the ongoing effort to create a new city in East Baton Rouge 

The six candidates have similarities. They all hope to improve car traffic while encouraging more alternative transport, including public transit and bike and walking paths, though some want to revamp CATS. They all oppose the creation of the city of St. George  Cornelius was an active volunteer for the anti-St. George group, Better Together  though they have different ideas about how to deal with St. George supporters. They all support finding ways to expand the early childhood educations programs, including Head Start, that they city-parish oversees.

They have their differences. Christina has tried to contrast himself with Freiberg. He says hes not a career politician  Freiberg notes she only ran for office after retiring from a career in education. Christina also said hes against the longstanding practice of elected leaders voting to roll forward millages after property taxes are reassessed, something Freiberg has done on the School Board; he said instead, if elected, he would call on the Metro Council to pay for a vote of the people, just as they do when they want to levy new taxes or renew old ones.

Cornelius, who says hes bisexual, plans if elected to propose a non-discrimination ordinance similar to the Fairness Ordinance, which failed in 2014 by an 8-4 margin.

Each of the candidates offered different reasons theyre running.

Freiberg said she wants school representatives to sit on more boards and commissions, including the Planning Commission. We need to get out of our education silos and work together, she said.

Christina said too often the city-parish fails to speak with civic associations like his before taking action: In District 12, it doesnt appear that the neighbors input has been taken in consideration.

Smith said he during his time in city-parish government he grew frustrated that people were elected who have no idea what the job entails.

Carey has a simple reason for running: I want to make a difference. From the time I was a child, Ive always served people.

Cornelius said working for the bus system he would see coworkers come up with good ideas that ran aground because of politics: I wanted to be the politics.

Zanders said that hes running because too often municipal public policy is written based on emotion not on science. He said he grew interested in police reform, a subject hes currently writing a dissertation on, after a relative was accosted by the police.

Having more community policing was mentioned by every candidate except Zanders. The candidates in favor of the approach argue that Baton Rouge police officers should do more to connect with the residents of the neighborhoods they patrol as a way of overcoming distrust evident in the street protests this summer after the July 5 Alton Sterling shooting. They also say that police need better equipment and training.

Freibergs crime reduction approach is part of a larger effort to restore community pride, eliminate blight and remove litter. She likens it to the broken windows approach to policing that New York City popularized in the 1990s, that Baton Rouge needs more pride of place.

Community policing is coming up a lot this election than in 2012, Carey said. She sees more civic involvement as the answer.

We need to come together and have community meetings, she said. Not just this is my community and this is your community there but help each other and stick with each other.

Christina voiced similar sentiments.

I want to get more community input from the people so each side can understand what the other side is going through, he said.

Cornelius points to the parish Sheriffs Offices community policing effort in the Gardere area as a good model, particularly having consistency in which deputies patrol the area. He also supports merging city police and the Sheriffs Office.

The savings can be reinvested in raising salaries, he said.

Smith, who has family members in law enforcement, said officers need more training post-academy to keep them abreast of the latest in policing.

When you dont (have that training), you tend to have results like Alton Sterling, Smith said.

Zanders disagrees with hiring more police officers, something Freiberg supports, and instead calls for shrinking the force and using the savings to increase pay and raise entrance standards. He also said community policing wont work because high-crime minority communities will reject police because of their treatment in the past. More is needed, he said.

We have to have an apology, and then we can start to build a relationship and trust, Zanders said.
As six U.S. Senate candidates debated inside, a raucous debate raged outside at Dillard University.

State Treasurer John Kennedy, U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, U.S. Rep. John Fleming, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, attorney Caroline Fayard and white supremacist David Duke. Scroll below for a recap.

Duke's inclusion in the debate caused controversy, with many protesters demonstrating at the debate at Georges Auditorium.

University police used pepperspray as protesters attempted to gain entry to the building.

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DECATUR  Being a school nurse is more than just handing out ice packs and Band-Aids.

We're an advocate for the child and family in the school system, said Angie Wetzel, coordinator of health services for the Decatur School District. We make sure they have all the immunizations, and if they don't, we help them do that, or if they can't get them for medical or religious reasons, we make sure the get the right forms and information so the student can remain in school.

"Our job is to keep children healthy in school.

In Decatur, 11 full-time nurse and one part-time nurse serve 9,000 students, Wetzel said. Nurses are assigned according to building needs, with one nurse at MacArthur High School full time, serving 1,000 students, and other nurses assigned to more than one building.

To be a school nurse requires as bachelor's degree in nursing, plus additional classes toward a professional educator's license with an emphasis in school nursing. So few schools offer the courses, and nurses have such a wide variety of opportunities available, that school nurses are in short supply, Wetzel said.

The National Education Association and the National Association of School Nurses estimate that in Illinois, there is one school nurse per 2,893 students.

And the school nurse is different from the licensed practical nurses who work for the Macon-Piatt Special Education District to care for medically fragile students, said Kathy Horath, executive director.

I employ LPNs who also have an associate's degree to function as teaching assistants and one-on-one nurses for students with serious health needs, Horath said.

At Harris School, where most of the medically fragile students are enrolled, there is also a regular school nurse because emergencies sometimes arise that are beyond the authority of an LPN, she said.

One of the LPNs is a roving nurse who fills in when an assigned nurse is sick, and sometimes a nurse's student is too ill to attend school and that nurse can then be assigned to a different student temporarily, so all the students have a nurse who need one.

Christy Worrell said she has always wanted to be a school nurse because her mother was one. She works at South Shores, Dennis and Oak Grove schools.

"I love my job, but I wish we could have a nurse at each building," she said.

Students under her care include children with organ transplants, chronic conditions such as diabetes or cancer, children with feeding tubes or tracheotomies, allergies that could be life-threatening, plus the usual scrapes and accidents that happen at school.

Worrell, therefore, makes it her business to know as much as possible about every child. With three buildings, that means a lot of extra time reading files and talking to parents.

"One year, I had a child who had a bite on the arm, and I kept looking at it, and it started spreading," she said. "I called the parents and they took (the child) to the hospital, and they ended up flying (the child) to St. Louis. It was a bacterial infection that was eating away at the flesh. You have to be able to recognize signs and symptoms of diseases and be aware.

"I love being a school nurse. It's all I ever wanted to be, and I don't ever plan on retiring."
A Canberra man who pleaded guilty to performing sexual acts with a girl while he was her manager at a fast food restaurant has avoided jail time.

Rhett Dickerson, 26, faced one charge of sexual intercourse with a minor, an offence the court heard happened in the restaurant's disabled toilet.

He was 25 at the time, and the girl 15.

Justice John Burns accepted that the man was "feeling bad" about his employment situation, and that the girl's attention had made him feel better.

But he rejected claims the man could not control his urges.
I went to see Othello the other night, a play I haven't seen since high school. As I watched Shakespeare's plot unfold, I was forcibly struck by how the Moor's tragedy is a perfect metaphor for where Western democracies like Australia, Britain and the US now find themselves.

In the play, Othello's servant Iago drips doubt and suspicion into his master's ear about the behaviour of the Moor's new white wife Desdemona. Iago takes Othello's insecurities and stokes them until the Moor becomes convinced that his wife has played him false.

For at least two decades a phalanx of Iagos have been dripping poison into the ears of voters. They have done it via conspiracy theories, the venomous hatred of shock jocks, pundits and commentary masquerading as news. Breitbart, Fox News, men's rights activists, even climate change deniers have sowed suspicion and doubt in the face of facts, science and even just plain old courtesy and common sense.

There have not just been Iagos on the Right, however. Post-modernism helped undermine the idea of objective truth. Apocalyptic journalists on the left like John Pilger and even Michael Moore have played their part. Julian Assange and Wikileaks have also stoked the fires of hatred and distrust, as have weak and vacillating "progressive" political parties who appear embarrassingly willing to forsake principle for expediency. Those who reject western medicine, including anti-vaxxers have added to the general atmosphere of distrust.
Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte keeps making waves for the United States in the South China Sea. Just how perilous these are remains to be seen. Late last week the anti-American firebrand threatened to evict all US military forces from the Philippines within two years, saying he would "revise or abrogate" existing agreements if required.

Then, at the weekend, reports emerged that Duterte had won a major concession from Beijing in the South China Sea. China's coastguard forces on guard at Scarborough Shoal suddenly lifted a four-year blockade, allowing Filipino fishermen to return to the reef's plentiful waters without being harassed.

It smacked of a Chinese pay-off for Duterte's relentless mauling of the United States and its 65-year alliance with the Philippines. In just over 100 days in office, Duterte has derided President Obama as a "son of a whore", declared a historic "separation" from America and cryptically realigned himself with China's "ideological flow".

While he's stopped short of a wholesale pivot to China, Duterte has repeatedly stated his plans to chart an "independent foreign policy" and to kick American troops out of Mindanao and other Filipino footholds.
M L Stedman's best-seller from 2012 starts with the arrival on an island off Western Australia of a small boat in which there is a dead man and a live baby. Isabel, wife of the lighthouse keeper, hears the baby's cries as she is watering a rosemary bush, planted on the grave of her recently stillborn child.

It's 1926 and her husband Tom has taken this job, 100 miles off the coast on Janus Rock, after the horrors of the Western Front. Tom and Isabel speak like Australians of the period in the book  calling each other "love", for instance  but that has gone in the move to the big screen.

Isabel (Alicia Vikander) and Tom Sherbourne (Michael Fassbender) take on a job running a remote lighthouse.

This was Stedman's first novel, written mostly in London. She is Australian but practised law in the UK for a number of years before starting to write. Nine international publishers went after the book, perhaps sensing the riches to be had from a film deal. DreamWorks took up the film rights by November of 2012. Stephen Spielberg liked Colorado-born Derek Cianfrance as director after seeing his Blue Valentine in 2010. Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander signed on in 2014, followed by Rachel Weisz.

It's easy to understand that they could not find any Australian actors for the principal roles. It's not like we have produced any international stars in the past 20 years. And shooting in New Zealand is understandable: the plot calls for a lot of stormy weather. Some of it was done in Tasmania. And there are some familiar faces in support roles: Jack Thompson as a salty old dog who captains the supply boat to the island, Bryan Brown as a rich resident of the nearest mainland town, and Garry McDonald as Isabel's father.

So far as I can tell there is no Australian money involved. It's listed as a UK/NZ/US co-production so the producers could cast and shoot freely, but the result feels less home-grown than the book, especially in the flavour of dialogue. It's not like we're not used to this in Australia: Robert Mitchum in The Sundowners (1960), Meryl Streep in Evil Angels (1988), a hundred others. We didn't have stars of the status of Cate, Geoffrey, Naomi, Nicole, Hugh, Russell, Guy or the brothers Hemsworth in those days. All must have been busy.
NSW, home to Australia's largest economy, will set a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and allocate $500 million over five years to help spur the transition to renewable energy.

The aspirational target comes as new analysis of Australia's emissions point to national pollution far overshooting the 2030 goals committed to by the Turnbull government at last year's climate summit in France. The Paris agreement comes into force globally on Friday.

By releasing a goal for NSW to be carbon neutral by mid-century, the state is falling into line with states such as South Australia but also federal Labor's target.

A draft NSW strategic plan will be open to public feedback ahead of formalising policies by mid-2017. Potential spending includes $200 million from the Climate Change Fund to accelerate the take-up of emerging energy technologies such as renewables and batteries.
As reported by WisPolitics.com, the Joint Finance Committee approved redirecting more than $21 million in bonding to offset rising costs for Milwaukee and Racine counties as they build new facilities for young offenders. Meanwhile, one committee member warned inflation will likely raise the 
Just when, in this year of Trump, we might have imagined we had witnessed the dizziest heights of sanctimonious humbug, along comes Kevin Rudd.

You may have read his full-page Wednesday rave in Fairfax publications, including The Age, in which he poured piles of steaming newsprint on the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, for having proposed that no asylum seeker or refugee will ever re-enter Australia if they first entered by boat.

Whatever your view of this confronting policy might be, the last person who might criticise it from a standpoint anywhere north of scandalous hypocrisy would be Kevin Rudd.

Even Rudd appears to know it.
I had my first internet boyfriend when I was 12. We met on Neopets, where we would swap rainbow paint brushes and write filthy messages about what we wanted to do to each other. I was a sheltered kid who had never been kissed, but these were my earliest memories of being reciprocally sexual with another person, separated though we were by oceans and wires. I learned how to be comfortable talking about my body, my sexuality and the things I liked and didn't like, all of which proved useful when I got older and began to explore these things in "real life".

Fast forward to 23, I was moving cities and left my long-term boyfriend back home. We conducted our relationship across state borders for a year, and sending each other intimate photos and messages helped us feel close and connected, despite the distance.

We know abstinence is the wrong approach for physical sex education. The same goes for digital interactions. Credit:Stocksy

Though these two scenarios seem radically different on the surface, being that one was with a boy I knew only online and the other was with a serious partner, they both allowed me to control and express my sexuality autonomously.

Growing up in the age of the internet, I've never dated without mobile or digital technology, and online interactions have informed and shaped my sexual understanding as much as the physical has. So it makes complete sense to me that sex education in schools should now incorporate safe digital practices - and that doesn't mean abstinence.
The ABC has brushed aside the Turnbull government's attacks on the broadcaster's new staff deal and pushed ahead with the legal process surrounding its enterprise agreement.

As the new agreement with the corporation's staff was lodged with the Fair Work Commission on Wednesday, the ABC launched a sharp and public counter-attack against its government critics.

ABC chairman Jim Spigelman says workplace unions were opposed to the ABC deal going to a vote. Credit:Peter Braig

In a letter published on the ABC's website, the broadcaster's chairman, Jim Spigelman, said the Public Service Commission's attack on the ABC's new workplace deal was out of line.

Mr Spigelman said Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd's public statements on the corporation's enterprise agreement were wrong.
The owners of 205 properties given the wrong information could have the planned F6 motorway in southern Sydney and other roads constructed over or near their homes or businesses, including one that will need to be compulsorily acquired for a tunnel.

After trawling through data since last Thursday when the bungle was first discovered, bureaucrats have confirmed that 309 people received incorrect information when they asked whether properties they were looking to buy could be impacted by roads.

Up until the review of the data, the government did not know exactly how many properties from the 309 enquiries could be impacted by projects such as the proposed F6, which would extend from St Peters in the inner west to the Sutherland Shire.

The major administrative error has exposed the NSW government to homeowners pursuing it for multimillion-dollar damages claims.
Think outside the square.

That's the message Caroline O'Hare is bringing to every police officer in NSW in the fight against terrorism.

Counter-terrorism expert, Detective Chief Inspector Caroline O'Hare, has been nominated for Police Officer of the Year. Credit:Nic Walker

The police officer of 35 years, who has spent half her career in counter-terrorism, has spearheaded a new, mandatory training program equipping frontline officers to look for signs of radicalisation while attending routine jobs.

It may be spotting something unusual when arresting a drug dealer. It may be asking extra questions at a domestic violence call. By July, all 16,000 police officers will have received the I-Rad training as the threat of terrorism continues to grow.
The Brisbane City Council is investigating the controversial redevelopment of the Teneriffe engine room into a restaurant, following claims court-approved plans had not been adhered to.

The Planning and Environment Court-approved plans, seen by Fairfax Media, came after a lengthy appeals process and had the kitchen exhaust located at the service area at the Macquarie Street side of the building.

Teneriffe engine room neighbour Ken Hoy is angry at its conversion into a restaurant. Credit:Lisa Maree Williams

Work on the building was well-advanced and, instead, a large exhaust chimney has been installed on the building's northern aspect.

That addition had dramatically changed the engine room's roofline.
A girl who alleged she was gang-raped at school was considered promiscuous, discouraged from pressing charges and was offered no medical or psychological support, her parents have told the abuse royal commission.

Shalom Christian College in Townsville is under the spotlight at the commission in Sydney over its handling of the March 2006 incident in which a 14-year-old, known as CLF, was sexually assaulted on school grounds by four males.

Shalom Christian College is under the spotlight at the child sex abuse Royal Commission in Sydney. Credit:Louie Douvis

Two of the males were ex-students of the school but were still allowed to board there and one of them was a repeat sexual offender, the commission heard.

The four males responsible were acquitted of rape and convicted of the lesser charge of indecent treatment of a child under 16, however the convictions were not recorded.
Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has described being "misled" over the ongoing Queensland Rail driver shortage debacle.

Speaking to media on Wednesday, Mr Hinchliffe said things could have been different if he had all the information available to him that was "clearly available to many people in QR for many months".

"If I had that information available to me, if I had been briefed, if I had not been misled in the nature of briefs that I had received and tabled in the Parliament yesterday, I believe absolutely things could have been very different," Mr Hinchliffe said.

Following the escalation in his rhetoric, Mr Hinchliffe said it would be a question for former Rio Tinto boss Philip Strachan's review in whether he was misled deliberately.
Child abuse detectives are investigating allegations of historical sexual assaults that occurred in regional Victoria in the 1960s, and are calling on anyone who may have information to come forward.

Detectives from the Wangaratta Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team are examining allegations boys between the ages of 12 and 14 were sexually assaulted at Myrtleford and Inglewood high schools about 50 years ago.

Police believe the victims were aged between 12 and 14 when the alleged assaults occurred. Credit:Scott Barbour

Police are concerned there may also be victims who attended scouts in the Myrtleford area during the same period.

Victoria Police is encouraging anyone who may be a victim of sexual assault to come forward to make a report.
Police arrested a 37-year-old man at the property, and believe both men are known to each other.

Neighbours say they are in shock. Credit:Lachlan Bence

Emergency services were called to a property in Langstaffe Drive, Wendouree, just after 1.30am on Wednesday.

Neighbours say they are "totally shocked" at the death.

"They were very quiet people; we never heard anything," said neighbour Bill Barendsen.

"I was really shocked to see [the police] at that house. They're really nice people. My children came there for trick-or-treat.

"I was just talking the other day about living in Queensland and how lucky we are to be in Ballarat, but it's heading towards that way as well. It's terrible.

"I've been here eight years, had no trouble before; minor things like every neighbourhood, but everyone gets along quite well."
The shooting death of a farmer and murder charges against another are certainly not worth an argument over some bad decisions related to weed control. But that is exactly what happened last week, two days after federal EPA officers with badges and search warrants looked for evidence of improper herbicide use around the Missouri Bootheel.

While a heated argument between two neighboring farmers does not warrant a gun being fired, it is evidence of the tremendous stress in agriculture. Federal officials who ordered the machine shed raid certainly exacerbated that stress on the Missouri-Arkansas border, and they figuratively have blood on their hands as well.

All of it was the result of the improper use of older formulations of dicamba herbicide, a very good broadleaf weed control when properly used. The improper use, which is in violation of herbicide labels that are considered federal documents, became a ticking time bomb earlier this year. Seed companies sold to farmers soybean seed which was tolerant of low volatility formulations of dicamba, but the EPA has not approved those new formulations that will allow dicamba to be used in warmer weather during the growing season. Conventional dicamba is quite volatile in warm temperatures, and spray drift problems can result.

EPA agents investigated farmers in Missouri, Tennessee, and Arkansas for using the older volatile formulas on their soybeans, after neighbors complained that herbicide drift had damaged their crops in adjacent fields. Mike Wallace of Monette, Ark., was one of many who lodged complaints about their burned soybeans showing symptoms of dicamba spray.

In that region, farmers are looking for anything they can use to battle waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, two weeds that are becoming uncontrollable because they are resistant to herbicides. Except dicamba.

And with low commodity prices following several years of declining net farm income, highly leveraged farmers face the loss of their operation unless high crop yields can trump low crop prices.

The exact cause of the dispute between Wallace and 26-year-old Allan Jones of Arbyrd, Mo., may not be known. However, Mississippi County Sheriff Dale Cook confirmed to KAIT television that Thursday's deadly shooting near Leachville, Ark., was due to an argument over the spraying of dicamba.

While Wallace lodged a complaint with Arkansas agriculture officials about his soybeans being damaged, it is not known if one of the EPA search warrants was served on Jones, or even if he was being investigated for improper use of dicamba.

The incident in the Missouri Bootheel could have happened in any area of the Cornbelt where levels of stress are high and seed companies gave farmers an opportunity to solve some of their problems before the EPA said it was ready to agree.

It is unknown what the EPA will decide to do about the pending dicamba formulation that is designed to match the seed and help control many already resistant weeds. It is needed. Farmers are now ordering soybeans for 2017, and the EPA still has not announced whether it will allow the low volatility formulations of dicamba-tolerant seed beans on the market.

But while farmers across the Cornbelt realize how their stress can result in tragedy, there is an imminent need to quickly return to sense and civility. There is also a need for seed companies to realize they were too quick to put a new product on the market, knowing some farmers would use the old formulations. Mea culpas need to come from boardrooms.

And there is certainly a need for administrative resolutions of weed control violations that do not involve badges and federal search warrants. While it is not right to use an herbicide illegally and damage a neighbors crop, the investigation tactics can be blamed as well.
A retired Melbourne high school teacher had hundreds of disturbing child abuse videos on his computer when police raided his home after he'd booked a flight to Thailand with the intention of sexually abusing boys.

Bryan Douglas Cole, 72, on Wednesday pleaded guilty to child pornography charges and one count of preparing to engage in sexual intercourse with a child outside Australia.

The court heard that Cole had booked a trip to Thailand on the day before his arrest. Credit:Bloomberg

Police raided Cole's CBD unit on March 16, a day after he booked a flight to Thailand where he had made plans to sexually abuse young boys, prosecutor Krista Breckweg told the Victorian County Court.

Investigators found 698 files on his electronic devices, including 308 videos, many of which authorities have described as some of the most disturbing and depraved material in existence.
A new day, a flurry of new school announcements to ease the chronic overcrowding plaguing Victorian classrooms.

The Andrews government continued its road show of school announcements on Wednesday, unveiling plans for a new Preston high school and a $15 million education precinct for Footscray.

The Education Minister and Deputy Pemier James Merlino announces that the old Preston Girls School will re-open as a High School. Credit:Penny Stephens

It comes as the state grapples with an explosion in enrolments, with an extra 90,000 students expected to squeeze into Victorian schools in the next five years.

Education Minister James Merlino said the former Preston Girls' Secondary School would reopen as a co-ed high school that could eventually accommodate up to 1000 students.
A sexual predator who once held a 16-year-old girl captive in a disused mineshaft has been jailed for another 16 years for the rapes of two other teenagers in the 1980s.

Anthony James Pitt has spent the past 18 years in prison for repeatedly raping the teenager in a Ballarat mineshaft over 19 hours, and must now serve at least 13 more years in custody for raping two girls almost 30 years ago.

Rapist Anthony Pitt in custody in 1999.

Pitt was in August found guilty of the rapes of a 15-year-old girl in Mildura in February 1987 and a 17-year-old in Frankston in March 1988.

Both victims were snatched off busy roads, dragged into bushes, threatened, punched and raped.
A Jewish Labor MP has slammed an imminent appearance in his electorate by World Vision boss Tim Costello amid allegations the aid group's director in Gaza has siphoned millions of dollars to the militant group Hamas.

But Mr Costello confirmed he would still be speaking at Hadassah Australia's annual oration at Glen Eira Town Hall on Wednesday night, labelling the furore over his appearance a "storm in a teacup".

Labor MP for Melbourne Ports Michael Danby in Parliament. Credit:Andrew Meares

He told Fairfax Media he had agreed to speak at the Caulfield event at the request of the Jewish humanitarian organisation earlier this year, and that he would not be backing out, despite the campaign waged by Michael Danby, the federal member for Melbourne Ports

"I accepted this oration back in February," Mr Costello said.
Maybe Premier Colin Barnett wasn't in a hakuna matata mood when I asked him to "growl" like a lion for a photo at the site of the Liberal government's planned safari park.

Although when he looked for a giant rock to stand on in the Avon Valley, I foolishly thought he was about to recreate the iconic scene from the Lion King when Rafiki holds up baby Simba for the whole kingdom to see. (I don't think Environment Minister Albert Jacob was keen to be Simba)

There is a lot to like about the idea of lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinoceros and other animals happily bouncing around 700 hectares of land in Lower Chittering.

Mr Barnett said later in a release - which sounded it came from the mouth of that "exquisitely miserable" Romantic poet John Keats - the site was "truly spectacular".
St John of God Hospital in Mount Lawley was evacuated on Tuesday night after a fire broke out in an airconditioning unit.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services was notified at 6.50pm and had contained the fire by 7.40pm, with 11 fire crews sent to assist.

"All patients were removed from the hospital due to the smoke," a DFES spokeswoman said.

An investigation is ongoing and the damage bill as yet unknown.
It may be the race that stops a nation but one pesky snake in the Perth Hills apparently had other ideas.

The dugite decided to slither its way into a Lesmurdie backyard on Tuesday afternoon, leading WAtoday to uncover quite possibly Perth's most dedicated snake catcher, Lisa Harrap.

Ms Harrap, like many Australians on Melbourne Cup day, was enjoying a luncheon with work colleagues when she got the call that a snake had been found in a couple's backyard.

Rather than pass on the job, she made a quick exit from The Cavern in Kalamunda to rescue the reptile  snake-print dress, fascinator and all - but ditched her high heels for an equally fashionable pair of gumboots.
A traffic controller has been rushed to hospital after being crushed by a bobcat in Caversham on Wednesday morning.

The female, believed to be in her 50s, was rushed by St John Ambulance to Royal Perth Hospital with life-threatening injuries around 10am.

Nine News Perth reporter Jane Grljusich told Radio 6PR the woman suffered serious crush injuries when the bobcat reversed into her.

"A witness told me a fellow worker reversed the bobcat into her, they heard the driver crying out in shock," she said.
The details of the conversation were revealed in court documents filed in Martin County, Florida, and obtained by the Palm Beach Post.

A sergeant who heard the teen asked what he had eaten.

"Help me. I ate something bad," Austin Harrouff said as he was being taken into custody.

Harrouff is accused of killing a Florida couple this year, and biting the face of one of the victims. His case has garnered national attention in the US.

The documents also note that, while Harrouff was at a hospital after the attack, a detective saw him "spit out what appeared to him to be human flesh".

The detective also saw the college student with human hair in his mouth, according to the affidavit.

Harrouff, 19, who is being held in the Martin County jail, is accused of the brutal killings of John Stevens, 59, and Michelle Mishcon, 53, at the couple's South Florida home on August 15.

Authorities say that, during that fatal encounter, Harrouff tried to bite the face off one of the victims.
SPRINGFIELD  When it comes to pro-pot policies, Gov. Bruce Rauner is earning a passing grade, if not one that would be proudly displayed on the refrigerator.

In its first-ever gubernatorial scorecard, the National Organization for the Reform Marijuana Laws, or NORML, gave Rauner a B-minus, putting him ahead of his fellow Republican governors in neighboring Wisconsin, Indiana and Iowa and on par with Democrat Jay Nixon of Missouri and Republican Matt Bevin of Kentucky.

Only two governors, Oregons Kate Brown and Vermonts Peter Shumlin, both Democrats, received an A. The highest grade was only awarded to governors who have publicly supported legalization for recreational use.

NORML graded Rauner favorably based on his signing of two pieces of pro-marijuana legislation: a law decriminalizing possession of small amounts of the drug and another extending the states medical marijuana pilot program until 2020. Rauner signed both bills this summer after vetoing previous versions last year.

The governors office declined to comment on the grade.

Dan Linn, executive director of the Illinois chapter of NORML, said that while the state organization wasnt consulted in producing the scorecard, we see those pieces of legislation as steps in the right direction.

Like the national organization, the Illinois chapter of NORML continues to advocate for the legalization of marijuana for recreational use by adults.

Given Rauners emphasis on improving the states business climate and reducing regulations, it would make sense for him to support legalizing marijuana, said Linn, who also serves as general manager of Champaign medical marijuana dispensary Phoenix Botanical.

Doing so would create jobs, attract investment and bring in additional revenue for the state, he said, adding, It seems to be solving a lot of problem that the governor has been working toward since he was elected.

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, and opponents of legalization raise concerns about the possible social costs.

Voters in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington state and Washington, D.C., have already approved legalization referendums, and the issue will be on the ballot Tuesday in Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada.

So far, no state legislature has approved recreational use of marijuana outside of a ballot initiative, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Thats what would have to happen in Illinois, where voters have virtually no ability to legislate at the ballot box.

State Rep. Ken Dunkin, D-Chicago, sponsored a legalization measure last year, but it went nowhere. With Dunkin wrapping up his tenure following a defeat in the March Democratic primary, NORML is looking for a new sponsor, Linn said.

State Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, sponsored the bill that created Illinois medical marijuana program, which was set to expire at the end of next year, and the extension that Rauner signed this summer.

Lang said hes not backing legalization for recreational use at this time.

It may be in the future of Illinois that we legalize the sale of cannabis, but that is not on my radar screen at the moment, Lang said. I want to make sure the medical program works the way I anticipated, that it includes as many of our sickest people as possible.

While he said Rauner deserves credit for agreeing to extend the medical marijuana program, Lang also noted that the administration has routinely ignored an advisory boards evidence-based recommendations for expanding the program to cover additional conditions.

As part of the compromise with the Rauner administration, the board was reconstituted and will no longer make recommendations that have to be approved or denied by the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. The director will make those decisions in consultation with department staff.
Miami: In an increasingly uncertain election there is one political fact all sides still agree upon. Donald Trump cannot win the White House unless he wins Florida and its 29 electoral votes.

Further, to win Florida he cannot rely on simply increasing the turnout among working class white voters in the state's north, he must win significant support among the Latino populations in its south.

Republicans once had a natural advantage to this end in Florida  the Cuban emigre population around Miami has traditionally veered to the right. This population is made up of refugees of Fidel Castro's communist regime  and their children  who have mistrusted the Democratic Party since President John F Kennedy abandoned the Bay of Pigs invasion.

Many members of the crowd at a Trump rally in Miami on Wednesday held "Cubans for Trump" or "Latinos for Trump" signs.
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
Monday 05 September, 2016 Reliable information reaching Biafra writers desk has it that the life of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indi...
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Its Still Not Too Late To Get Into Energy Stocks

If you are wondering if it's too late to get into energy stocks the best answer is no. Energy prices are down from their peak and there is a potential slowdown in demand on the way but, for now, the underlying fundamentals are highly in favor of higher share prices.

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Hetq has periodically written about the noxious exhausts spewed over the northern Armenian town of Alaverdi by the smelter operated by the Armenian Copper Programme.

Yesterday morning was no exception. The town was engulfed in smelter exhaust.

When Alaverdi Aarhus Center Coordinator Anush Evoyan asked Armenian Copper Programme (ACP) Director Lusineh Mejlumyan about the incident, Mejlumyan claimed that the smog resulted from high cloud cover.

The ACP is a division of Vallex Group, a family of companies big into mining and a major taxpayer in Armenia and Artsakh. The chairman of Vallex Group is Valeri Mejlumyan.

In October 2012, Armenias Ministry of Nature Protection signed off on allowable exhaust amounts. Now, the company has petitioned Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan to extend those amounts for another five years

Alaverdi residents are unaware that exhaust from the smelters chimney havent been monitored for the past three years.

Aram Gabrielyan, Armenias coordinator for U.N. Regional Convention on Climate Change, says that the ministry has permitted ACP to discharge greater amounts of dangerous exhausts than normal.

Gabrielyan says the company has been given a green light to discharge whatever it wants into the atmosphere, paying a pittance in fines.

In ACPs September 5, 2016 letter to Prime Minister Karapetyan, Lusineh Mejlumyan claims that the company isnt making a profit, due to the fall in international metal prices, and is only kept operating to provide jobs to area residents.

Thus, Mejlumyan argues, it cannot afford to pay greater fines for non-permissible exhaust amounts. The company director says it would have to shut down the smelter in Alaverdi, throwing many in the economically depressed region out of work.

The ministry contacted Aram Gabrielyan for his view on the matter. Gabrielyan advised the ministry to reject the companys request for a five-year extension, suggesting that experts review whether the fines being paid by ACP correspond to the discharged exhausts.

Gabrielyan also suggested that smelter workers and Alaverdi residents publicly discuss ACP operations.

In her letter to Prime Minister Karapetyan, Mejlumyan said that negotiations were underway with Chinese companies and that a Memo of Understanding has been drafted to construct a new copper smelter.

Mejlumyan wrote that a Chinese delegation plans to visit the site this month for studies.

Photos: Larisa Paremuzyan
Synchrony Financial, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer financial services company in the United States. It provides credit products, such as credit cards, commercial credit products, and consumer installment loans. The company also offers private label credit cards, dual cards, co-brand and general purpose credit cards, short- and long-term installment loans, and consumer banking products; and deposit products, including certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, money market accounts, and savings accounts to retail and commercial customers, as well as accepts deposits through third-party securities brokerage firms. In addition, it provides debt cancellation products to its credit card customers through online, mobile, and direct mail; healthcare payments and financing solutions under the CareCredit, Pets Best, and Walgreens brands; payments and financing solutions in the apparel, specialty retail, outdoor, music, and luxury industries; and point-of-sale consumer financing for audiology products and dental services. The company offers its credit products through programs established with a group of national and regional retailers, local merchants, manufacturers, buying groups, industry associations, and healthcare service providers; and deposit products through various channels, such as digital and print. It serves digital, health and wellness, retail, home, auto, powersports, jewelry, pets, and other industries. Synchrony Financial was founded in 1932 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.
Willem-Alexander and Maxima in Canberra (Photo: Mick Tsikas  Pool/Getty Images)

The Dutch state visit to Australia continued in Canberra on Wednesday, where King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima had tea at Parliament House and visited Australias war memorial.

Photo: Lukas Coch  Pool/Getty Images

Maxima went full orange for the daytime engagements, in both dress and jewels. Above, you can see that she wore earrings set with yellow and orange gemstones. Id wager that these are part of her collection of citrine jewels.

Photo: Lukas Coch  Pool/Getty Images

She also wore her large bracelet set with various shades of citrines

Photo: Lukas Coch  Pool/Getty Images

and an enormous cocktail ring, also set with various shades of orange gemstones. Very appropriate for the wife of the head of the House of Orange!
President Obama rebuked on Wednesday FBI Director James Comeys decision to announce a new review of thousands of emails that mayor may notbe relevant to the FBIs investigation of Hillary Clintons private server.

It was the first time that Obama has weighed in on a roiling controversy over whether Comey should have disclosed the inquiry just days before the presidential election. And it immediately raised the question of whether the president still has confidence in the FBI director, who holds a ten-year term.

Were you yourself upset with the timing at all? Obama was asked in an interview with NowThis News, referring to Comeys decision to notify Congress last Friday of the new email probe.

Stressing that he wanted to avoid the appearance of himself becoming involved in the political process, Obama said, There is a norm that when we are investigating, we dont operate on innuendo. We dont operate on incomplete information. We dont operate on leaks.

Obama didnt mention Comey by name, but the question he answered was clearly about the FBI directors decision, which he has said he made independently.

Current and former officials from both parties have criticized Comeys decision to notify Congress of the new inquiry, and Attorney General Loretta Lynch and other senior Justice Department officials opposed it, saying Comey was going against longstanding policy that law enforcement officials should take actions that might influence an election.

In addition to the timing, Comey has been lambasted for not giving Congress, and by extension the public, a fuller picture of what the emails may or may not say. In part thats been difficult because until last Sunday, the FBI didnt have a warrant to review the content of the emails. So when Comey alerted Congress two days earlier, he wasnt privy to all the facts of the case, something he acknowledged. He wasnt even clear whether the emails in question were duplicates of ones previous reviewed by the FBI.

But Obamas remarks appeared immediately more significant given how unusual it is for a sitting president to question the decisions of an FBI director. Obama has weighed in on the Clinton email saga before, but never in a manner that suggested he thought Comeywhom Obama appointedhad made a mistake or broken with long-standing policies that are meant to insulate the FBI from allegations of political favoritism or bias.

Comeys letter, sent to Republican and Democratic committee leaders, said the emails were discovered in connection with an unrelated case. He didnt say it at the time, but officials later confirmed the emails were discovered during an investigation of disgraced former congressman Anthony Weiner, who allegedly exchanged sextually explicit messages with a 15-year old girl. Weiners wife, Huma Abedin, is a close aide to Clinton. When investigators were searching through a laptop shared by the now-estranged couple, they came upon emails that they thought might be pertinent, as Comey put it, to the Clinton investigation.

Comey had previously told lawmakers that the Clinton investigation was essentially wrapped up. But he had promised to alert them to any changes or new developments.

In the interview, Obama repeated Comeys earlier findings that Clinton and her aides had erred in using a private email server for official business, but that they hadnt committed a chargeable crime.

When this was investigated thoroughly the last time, the conclusion of the FBI, the conclusion of the Justice Department, the conclusion of repeated congressional investigations, was that she had made some mistakes, but that there wasnt athing there that was prosecutable.
Chinas first stealth fighter made its official, public debut at the annual Zhuhai air show in southeast China Tuesday, bringing the plane one step closer to frontline service with the Chinese air forceand a step closer to presenting Americas own stealth warplanes their first high-tech opponent.

But theres no reason for the Pentagon to panic. The U.S. military is still way, way ahead when it comes to radar-evading warplanes.

Two twin-engine, twin-tail J-20s flew a brief, minute-long display in the smoggy gray sky over Guangdong province, showing off their superb low-speed maneuverability in front of a crowd of thousands of Chinese citizens plus hundreds of foreign reporters and aerospace professionals.

With their gray camouflage paint jobs, the J-20s at Zhuhai were clearly combat-ready, production examples of the single-seat, supersonic fighteras opposed to the 10 prototype test jets that have hogged the media spotlight since the very first J-20 made its unofficial debut in grainy photos leaked by the Chinese government in late December 2010.

The J-20s appearance in Guangdong was no surprisean air show schedule listing the jets aerobatic routine leaked in early October. All the same, the jets performance underscored just how close the J-20 is to being war-ready. Very close.

Shortly after the J-20 flew for the first time in January 2011, then-U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates insisted the Chinese fighter wouldnt be operational before 2020. A year later in 2012, David Helvey, then the deputy secretary of defense for East Asia and Asia Pacific Security Affairs, told reporters the J-20 could be war-ready by 2018.

The Zhuhai demonstration up-ended those expectations. Andreas Rupprecht, an aviation expert and the author of several books about Chinese warplanes, wrote that he now expects the first J-20 squadron to be ready for combat with a dozen planes or so around the years end or early 2017much earlier than expected.

Of course, by then the United States will have as many as three different kinds of stealth fighters in service, depending on how you count them. Officially, the Pentagon possesses just two types of radar-evading fightersthe twin-engine F-22 and the single-engine F-35.

Back in March, Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, the U.S. Air Force officer overseeing the F-35 program, admitted that the three models of the F-35, one each for the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, are only 20 percent identical. In other words, theyre practically three different warplanes.

The Air Force announced the F-22 to be combat-ready in late 2005. The Marines followed with their vertically-landing B version of the F-35, declaring the first squadron operational in July 2015. A little over a year later in August 2016, the Air Force said its own F-35A model was ready for war. The Navy expects its aircraft carrier-compatible F-35C to be operational in 2018.

And while the Chinese might have a dozen or so J-20s on hand when the plane is finally war-ready, the Americans already possess more than 180 F-22s and about 200 F-35s. F-22 production has ended, but the Pentagon wants to buy another 1,500 F-35s over the next 20 years.

Whats more, the U.S. Air Force operates 20 B-2 stealth bombers and is currently developing the new B-21 stealth bomber to complement it. The Air Force and Navy are also beginning to draw up plans for two new warplane types to eventually follow the F-35.

For its own part, China has been tinkering with a stealth fighter called the FC-31 thats apparently cheaper and less capable than the J-20 isand would be strictly for export, as Beijing reportedly does not want to sell the J-20 abroad.

There have also been rumors that China is working on a bigger J-20 model for bombing missions, plus a separate, vertical-landing fighter similar to the F-35B.

Chinas wide-ranging efforts to build a stealthy air arm puts it firmly in second place after the United States when it comes to stealth technology. Third-place Russia is struggling to get its new twin-engine T-50 fighter to workand to afford it. Japan has just begun experimenting with a prototype plane that could evolve into a front-line, radar-evading fighting sometime in the 2020s.

The truth is, developing and building stealth fighters is hard, as anyone following the F-35s many travails knows. In that context, Chinas rapid progress with the J-20 is all the more impressive.

By the same token, its important not to underestimate the challenges Beijings plane-designers must still overcome to ensure the J-20 can do more than simply buzz around at an air show. For one, its likely that the J-20s at Zhuhai were still fitted with Russian-made AL-31 engines, rather than the WS-15 engines that Chinese engineers custom-designed for the J-20, but have since run into developmental problems.

With Russian engines, the first J-20 squadron could be limited in its capabilities, according to Rupprecht. Indeed, while Beijing might declare the J-20 to be officially combat-ready as early as this year, its possible the first squadron will mostly explore operational tactics and procedures, in Rupprechts estimation.

In that case, older fighters would have to handle front-line patrols over the dangerous China Seasat least for a few more years.
Its not enough for Donald Trump to just lose this election. He must get crushed. Why? Simple, we need to send a message to Trumpas well as to the rest of our nationthat his sexism, bigotry, and racism have no place in America. And perhaps more importantly this would send a powerful message to Trumps white supremacist and anti-Semitic fans that we will not sit by as Trump mainstreams their hate.

Those are the stakes. Yet stunningly a Washington Post poll released Tuesday finds that enthusiasm among Hillary Clinton supporters is dropping given FBI directors James Comeys irresponsibly timed letter about emails found on Huma Abedins computer.

Trump and the hate mongers of his base want you to lose enthusiasm. They hope good people sit home and let hate triumph. We cant allow that.

Lets be blunt: Trump has served up the most vile, despicable garbage we have seen from a major party presidential nominee ever. And thats not just my view but also people who have been active in politics for decades, such as Ralph Nader and Barney Frank, who shared that exact sentiment while guests on my SiriusXM radio show.

Theres no moral equivalence between what Clinton has doneor even allegedly doneregarding emails and Trumps hate-filled fear mongering. Just on Sunday Trump claimed that Clinton would allow 650 million immigrants to pour into our country. That is an absolute lie as noted by the nonpartisan Politifact. But the idea of keeping America a white majority country is red meat for Trumps xenophobic base.

In that same speech Trump went on to fear-monger about Muslimssomething he has been doing since his lie last fall that thousands of Muslims cheered in New Jersey on 9/11. This time he claimed that allowing even one Syrian refugee in the country would mean generations of terrorism that soon will be spreading to your schools and communities.

This type of rhetoric is nothing new for Trump. In fact literally day one of his campaign he began spewing hate when he lied that Mexico was sending rapists. Later he went on to mock a disabled reporter, claim that American-born Judge Gonzalo Curiel should be disqualified from presiding over the fraud lawsuit against Trump because hes a Mexican, and defended his white supporters beating up a Black Lives Matter protester. He has claimed Islam hates us, bragged about sexually assaulting women (in the Access Hollywood tape), and made sexist remarks about Megyn Kelly and Carly Fiorina.

And despicably, just 10 days ago he claimed that the 11 women who courageously came forward to report that Trump sexually assaulted them were liars, telling a cheering crowd: Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign.

Forget politics for a moment. Trumps attack on these women will no doubt make other women who are sexually assaulted less likely to come forward. Why? Well, if a major political candidate like Trump can call victims of sexual assault liars to the cheers of thousands of Americans, this sends a message to women across the nation that they may be subject to the same type of abuse.

Imagine a President Trump having the mantle of the presidency and demonizing minorities, stoking hate against Muslims, and shaming women. And if you are going to tell me he will change as president, youre being an apologist for his hate.

However, the most alarming aspect of this election is that Trump has emboldened the scum of our nation. Im talking specifically the white supremacist and their ilk openly supporting Trump. These people have crawled out from the shadows thanks to Trump. On Tuesday the KKKs official paper dedicated its front page to express proud support for Trump noting he best represents the white Christian Republic they envision to make America great again.

On Monday one prominent white supremacist launched robocalls trying to help Trump in the battleground state of Utah by claiming conservative third party candidate Evan McMullin is gay. And in September other leaders of the white nationalist movement held a press conference in Washington, D.C., only blocks from the White House, where they expressed their support for Trump and their vision for making America a white homeland that will be free of Jews

These Jew-hating white supremacists have launched a wave of anti-Semitic attacks on social media. The Daily Beasts Jay Michaelson recently wrote about the Anti-Defamation Leagues report documenting the chilling rise in anti-Semitic tweets that the league connects to Trumps candidacy.

In fact, CNNs Jake Tapper noted Sunday while interviewing Trumps campaign manager Kellyanne Conway that a Trump supporter at a campaign event was yelling at the media Jew-S-A. Tapper explained that anti-Semites and racists feel a comfort level with the Trump campaign yet Trump has alarmingly only responded with a pro forma I disavow.

Tapper is 100 percent correct. Trump has shown no hesitation calling people like Senator Elizabeth Warren a racist and a fraud but has never used such harsh language to describe the anti-Semites and white supremacists supporting him. Indeed, when Trump was given a chance in May on CNN to point blank denounce the anti-Semitic attacks by his supporters on Jewish journalists who had criticized Trump, he responded I have no message. Clearly Trump is sending them a message to stay on the Trump train.

Despite what some want you to believe, in the race between Trump and Clinton, Hillary is not the lesser of two evils. Theres only one evil in this race and his name is Donald Trump. And we must unite to crush him come Election Day. Anything else will make Trump and his deplorables believe that their hateful views have a place in mainstream America. And we cannot let that happen.
$2 Million Collected by Syrian Armenian Relief Fund

Raffi Kendirjian, Vice Chairperson of the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF), arrived in Yerevan from Los Angeles several days ago. Hetq spoke with him about the plight of Syrian-Armenians and the Funds activities.

SARF, founded four years ago, provides financial assistance to Syrian-Armenians who are victims of the civil war raging in Syria. Donations are solicited through the Armenian community in Western United States, and the network of churches, political parties and charity organizations, which operate in the region.

Mr. Kendirjian says that more than US$2 million has been collected and sent to SyriaShdab, a NGO established by Armenian churches and charitable organizations in Syria that operates out of Aleppo. This organization then dispenses the money as deemed necessary by local bodies.

Where has the $2 million gone?

Mr. Kendirjian says that the money is spent in four sectors. Some of the donations goes to assisting the four or five Armenian schools still operating in Aleppo. Before the war, the number of Armenian schools was around ten. He says that there are currently 2,000-3,000 students attending Armenian schools in Aleppo. The assistance pays tuition and teacher salaries. Mr. Kendirjian is quick to point out that the numbers of schools and students are approximations; no precise data is available given daily fluctuations.

Money also goes to medically treat those injured due to the fighting. Mr. Kendirjian says that the number of Armenian doctors in Aleppo has dropped. If families cannot pay funeral expenses for relatives killed in the war, the fund will pay.

Donations are also spent on essential housing repairs and nutritional needs.

When asked about funding the relocation of Armenians from Syria, Mr. Kendirjian says that this issue isnt included in the SARF purview, but given the constant developments on the ground in Aleppo, a policy change is possible.

While Armenians currently living in Syria have been the primary recipient of assistance, SARF has also teamed with Armenian Redwood Project and OXFAM to provide housing rental subsidy to Syrian-Armenian refugees who have fled to Armenia. Mr. Kendirjian says that for one year now they have been paying 50% of the rent for those who have relocated to Armenia. He said he couldnt remember the exact number of those receiving such assistance.

There are ten million Armenians throughout the world. Wherever Armenians face a crisis, we have come to their aid as Armenians. And I am not talking about the Armenians of Los Angeles, or the Persian-Armenians, Lebanese-Armenians or Canadian-Armenians. These are our sisters and brothers. Our assistance must increase substantially, Mr. Kendirjian says, adding that they cannot go and fight in Aleppo or send containers of food. The only assistance they can offer is money.

More than 20,000 Syrian-Armenians have moved to Armenia

Hetq sent questions to Armenias Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. The following answers were submitted by Firdus Zakaryan, the ministrys chief of staff.

What steps has the ministry taken to relocate Aleppo Armenians to Armenia or other countries?

From the outset of the civil war in Syria, the government of Armenia adopted a position to assist Syrian-Armenians, both in Armenia and in Syria. The ministry is in daily contact with the Armenian Embassy in Damascus, the Armenian Consulate in Aleppo, and Armenian community authorities in Syria to be apprised of the needs of our compatriots and to take measures when necessary. The relocation of Armenians from Syria isnt being implemented on a mass scale given that security cannot be guaranteed.

Over the past few years, more than 20,000 Syrian-Armenians have arrived in Armenia. The ministry daily, in cooperation with state bodies, international agencies, the UNHCR, individual benefactors and charitable organizations, deals with their educational, social, medical and housing issues.

In 2016, prior to September 30, 428 Armenians from Syria arrived in Armenia. 68 arrived in October.

Have you received any requests from Armenians in Syria who want to move to Armenia? If so, how many and what is their status?

Until recently, Armenians in Syria would file requests with the Armenian Consulate in Aleppo for entry permits to Armenia, and not with the ministry. After the September 30 shelling of Aleppo, the ministry received official requests from two families who wish to relocate to Armenia. Their requests are being processed. The ministry received the requests via Armenias embassy in Damascus and consulate in Aleppo.

How many Aleppo Armenians have arrived in Armenia since 2015? How many have filed assistance requests with the ministry?

Since January 2015 to date, some 1,250 Syrian-Armenians have arrived in Armenia. The relocation is coordinated by community organizations in Syria, by the Armenian embassy and consulate there, by the ministry, individual benefactors and charitable groups. There are several organization in the diaspora actively working on the issue.

What data do you have as to the number of Armenians left in Aleppo?

Per the leadership of the Armenian community and the consulate, there are 12,000-15,000 Armenians in the city.

How many of the Syrian-Armenians that have moved to Armenia has the ministry found work for?

During 2012-2015, 3,500 Syrian-Armenians filed petitions for employment with the ministry. In cooperation with the State Employment Service and 200 organization in Armenia, 2,500 were given jobs. The Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development National Center has also organized training for 500 Syrian-Armenians regarding local tax and customs regulations.

Do you know how many Syrian-Armenians have left Armenia for other countries?

Precise data is hard to come by. Some leave Armenia, and others return. Recently, the tendency of Syrian-Armenians to move to Sweden and Canada from Armenia has subsided.

Top photo: Aleppo shelling (AFP/Getty Images)
To be fair to Donald Trump, maybe he really is worried his kid might take a cue from Hillary Clinton and obfuscate should he ever be challenged about receiving classified materials via an unsecure personal server.

You know, I have a son named Barron, and I wanna tell you: She is a terrible example for my son and for the children in this country, Trump told supporters at a rally in Warren, Michigan, on Monday. That, I can tell you.

To be fair to Barron Trump and the children in this country, they should be cautioned that however good or bad an example Hillary Clinton might be, the elder Trump is immeasurably worse.

Some say that Donald Trump is himself a child.

But that is unfair to children.

Many children do not know exactly what sexual assault constitutes, but even the ones who thought Trump was talking about grabbing somebodys kitty cat would know that is not something to brag about.

Most children also know that no boy is so special he can just do whatever he wants to a girl.

Most children further know to keep your hands to yourself and to treat others with respect, as were the playground rules at the Kew-Forrest School that little Donald Trump attended.

Most children intuitively know that their mommies are beautiful and that women should not have to be a particular shape or weight; one grammar school girl asked the other day, Where does it say you have to be a broomstick with two balloons?

Most children would recognize something creepy in a daddy speaking of his daughter in sexual terms or in a geezer looking at a 10-year-old and saying he might be dating her in 10 more years.

Most children also know not to label an entire ethnic group as bad, as Trump did when he suggested that Mohawk Indians bring crime and violence to a community and when he branded Mexicans criminals and rapists and when he called for all Muslims to be banned from the country because they might be terrorists.

Most children would also know not to scoff at the grieving parents of a fallen solider, as Trump did with the mother and father of Capt. Humayun Khan.

Most children would also be able to grasp the hypocrisy of doing so when you yourself ducked military service, as Trump did during the Vietnam War.

Most children also know that you should not say one thing and do another, as has Trump in boasting about how much he has done for veterans while devoting years to vanquishing disabled veterans who were exercising a legal right to peddle on the street outside his elegant tower.

Most children also know that you should keep a promise (pinkie swear!), as Trump failed to do when he got the right to build his tower higher by pledging to make the lobby a public space, only to remove a bench meant for tired pedestrians and install a kiosk selling Trump attire and knickknacks made in China and Lesotho and Mexico, but not the USA.

Most children also know that a 58-story building is 58 stories high, even if Trump says that his 58-story tower is 68 stories.

Most children would also know not to lie, lie, lie whenever they do not like the truth, as Trump perpetually does.

Most children would also know not to say that anyone who disagrees with them is dishonesteven when they themselves are the liars, as Trump does by reflex.

Most children also know that when you end up doing something you know is wrong, the thing to do is apologize, as Trump only does under great duress and after attacking has failed.

Most children know that two wrongs do not make a right, where Trump feels that any number of wrongs make a right if he is the one doing them, just as many rights can make a wrong (a disaster) if they are done by a foe.

Most children would also know not to try to make themselves look good by falsely saying they gave somebody something, as Trump has done about his charitable giving, even when it came to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11, including thousands of kids who lost a mommy or a daddy or both.

Most children definitely know not to mock people with disabilities, as Trump did with a reporter, or to make fun of people when they fall ill, as he did with Clinton after she nearly fainted on 9/11 this year.

Most children definitely know not to call people names, as Trump did with Lyin Ted and others and continues to do with Crooked Hillary.

Most children also know it is wrong to urge others to punch people who disagree with you, as Trump has done at his rallies on occasion.

Most children also know you are supposed to do your homework and any Boy Scout knows the motto Be Prepared, but Trump just winged it in all the debates and mocked Clintons preparation.

A child is liable to wonder what kind of a daddy is hugely wealthy and takes $7 from charitable funds to pay his sons initiation fee for the Boy Scouts, as The Washington Post suggests Trump may have done in 1989 when he dipped into the Trump Foundation.

The Boy Scouts also have a law saying a Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.

But the major reason why Trumps two older sons and his older daughter turned out relatively well despite their fathers example was not the Scouts. It was more likely because he did not raise them.

The older kids were reared by their mother Ivanka, along with her parentsMilos and Maria Zelnicekwith the help of two remarkable Irish nannies, Dorothy Curry and Bridget Carroll of County Kerry.

The older Trump progeny have described the nannies as a vital nurturing force and stabilizing influence in their lives. The nannies were no doubt particularly important while their father was off planting stories in the New York Post about himself and his mistress, Marla Maples.

Many believe Donald was responsible for the headline supposedly quoting Maples as saying he was THE BEST SEX I EVER HAD. Donald Trump Jr. was 12 at the time.

And you didnt even know what that means, Donald Jr. told New York magazine years later.

In the same way, children may not have understood exactly what Trump was talking about on the Access Hollywood tape that surfaced last month. The lucky ones were those who had the equivalent of a Dorothy or a Bridget or simply a good mom or dad to offer a much better example of how to be.

One has to think that the example Donald Trump makes was taking hold as he mentioned Hilary Clinton during a rally at a Virginia school in August. A boy shouted, Take the bitch down!

The boy proved to be 10, the very age of Trumps youngest son.

The Virginia boys mother told reporters children will be children and I think he has a right to speak what he wants to. She said he had learned such language at Democratic schools.

A good Irish nanny would have told the Virginia boy that this was not a way to speak about anybody. The nanny might have also pointed out a sign that hung in this particular school directly behind the boy and facing Trump.

Trustworthy, Respectful, United, Excellent, it read, echoing the Scout law.

The billionaire who may have pulled a $7 scam when enrolling his oldest son in the Scouts and routinely violates the Scout law in just about every way save maybe the clean part was this week worrying aloud that Hillary Clinton would set a bad example for his youngest boy.

You can be sure that Hillary Clinton would not rouse Barron Trump or any other 10-year-old to shout the equivalent of Take the bitch down! at the mention of her opponent.

But, to be fair to Donald Trump, Clintons example could lead a kid to begin his career as she did, with some do-gooder thing like getting health care for disadvantaged kids rather than proceeding right to getting really rich.
In your new book, EveryDay Cook, you mention that you like to keep some of your barware in the freezer. It depends upon what Im making. That is certainly true for things like Martinis. Im big on keeping as much cold as I possibly can. So I keep gin in the freezer, I keep my vodka in the freezer. I dont like diluted. I like my drinks strong, I like them cold, so I tend to keep everything in the freezer. They make a pretty great Martini at Dukes, in London, and thats what they do. They keep everything frozen, except for, I guess, bitters.

And you like your Martini with a bitter edge, right? I do. Im an amaro kind of fanatic. If I can, I am always going to take a cocktail a little bit towards the bitter edge of things. Its not that I dont like sweet. I really have a thing for bitterness. I was lucky enough to spend a semester of college in a small town in Italy and discovered this whole world of flavors. I remember my first taste of Cynar, my first Campari Soda. I thought, God, this is what Ive been missing from my palate. So Ive always been a huge fan. I included a couple of those in my spirit list in the book. The one thing I left out of there that I still feel bad about is Fernet-Branca, which I would drink from the time I get up in the morning to the time I go to bed at night. I like things that taste medicinal. I was the kid that didnt mind taking his medicine because I thought it tasted pretty groovy. I guess Im still doing that.

Ive heard you have a nice collection of whiskey. I have an old card catalogue where I keep my bottles. The oldest thing Ive got is a bottle of Overholt from a lot that was sold at Christies. Its a 1908 bottling. But I havent opened it yet. The 1908 will just kind of keep sitting there for a while. I got a bottle of Family Reserve Pappy, which is a 20-year, but most of what I drink is not that old. Im not that snooty about it. Id rather drink it and have fun than fuss over it.

How many whiskies do you keep on hand? Whiskey in general or just bourbon?

Both. Well, that changes everything. If were going to say whiskey, now we got to talk about rye and now we also got to talk about Japanese whisky and then we got to talk about Scotch. I dont know. Sixty or 70 bottles of each, I guess. I drink mostly rye these days. I dont drink as much Scotch as I used to. Im kind of off of it. Im more onto the stronger ryes right now. But I have also been drinking quite a bit of the Nikka Coffey Grain whiskey from Japan, which I enjoy immensely. And my rye these days is the seven-year Redemption Barrel Proof, which is 61.3 [percent alcohol by volume], or something like that. Im definitely on a rye kick. Ill drink your bourbon all day long, but Ill take rye when I can get it.

How do you drink your rye? Neat? In cocktails? In a glass. My favorite cocktail of all time is a Boulevardier and so I like rye in that. But my really good sipping rye, Im just putting in a glass. I dont want it cold. I dont want a rock. I just want it in a glass.

Do you have your sights set on any specific ryes as you travel the country? Thats a good question. I will buy that bottle of Redemption whenever I see it because I dont see it that often. And I will buy Lock Stock & Barrel whenever I see it because its not always around either, especially if I can find it under a hundred dollars a freaking bottle because that stuff has gotten pretty gosh darn expensive. But thats about it. I used to be very hoard-y about any Willett bottlings and I do really like the straight bourbon out of Willett. Thats the 100-, 107-proof bottlings, which have gotten really, really hard to find. So Ill buy that whenever I see it. Thats for sure. But nothing else really. Theres just so much great liquor to drink that I dont get too fixated over. Im not going to fetishize any whiskey. And Im not going to fuss over it. Im not going to chase it. Theres another good one waiting. And most of the really great spirits Ive discovered, Ive discovered because I wasnt fixating on a particular brand or bottling.

Do you collect any liquor-related antiques? I love collecting old books about cocktails. Mostly because they say so much about cultural norms and cultural attitudes toward drinking. I really do like cocktail books from the Mad Men period because everybody was supposed to stay looped most of the day. And there was a lot less emphasis on the flavor and complexity of cocktails and a lot more emphasis on getting drunk and getting laid, which seems to have been just the way everybody rolled back then.

I really enjoyed your series from a few years ago that had you drive across the country on a motorcycle. Off camera, were you hunting for treasures in antique stores? Im a sucker for that stuff. I cant stay out of them. No matter where I am when I travel, Im cruising junk shops and bookstores for old stuff. The nice thing is you can travel with a book without worrying about breaking it. Barware is another thing altogether. Ive walked away from just gorgeous barware that I knew I was going to break. As Im standing here looking at my shelves, I realize I do 90 percent of my cocktail mixing in Pyrex lab glass. It looks more laboratory than bar. Ive got a couple of pretty cut pieces, but most of it is beakers and flasks. Its resilient. You can heat in it. And if you break it, you can replace it.

Do you keep a liquor cabinet on set while youre filming your different shows? No. Its called a flask. I have a flask. Im very much somewhere between the Churchill and the Hemingway school. I can have a little drink when I work and I got no issues with that. Im not going to get loaded, but I dont mind having a little something in my water, if you know what I mean.

Bourbon or rye in a Manhattan? I prefer rye in my Manhattan. I find the spice cuts against that bit of sweetness a little better for me. I will almost always default to rye. But if Im having, say, an Old Fashioned, I go with bourbon because I think it brings out the bitters. I tend to use orange bitters in my Old Fashioneds. I prefer bourbon for that.

Giada De Laurentiis told me you taught her about whiskey. Is that true? The reason that I taught Giada about whiskey is that she drinks tequila. And she drinks really good tequila usually, with just barely a squeeze of fresh orange juice. I cant do that midday. I can hold my liquor. I can drink a little bit of whiskey off and on all day long. You start me on tequila and shit gets crazy. You know what Im saying?

Alton Browns new book, EveryDay Cook: This Time, Its Personal, was just published. His stage show, Alton Brown Live: Eat Your Science, is currently touring America.

Find the Drinking Rules of other famous tipplers

Interview has been condensed and edited.
Say youre a Donald Trump voter and, with just six more rotations around the sun until Election Day, you want to contribute your hard-earned money to a political action committee working on behalf of your candidate.

Trump Victory/Make America Great Again sounds good, since you want both of those things, but then Make America Great sounds all right, too, and slightly more to the point. And then theres Official Lets Make America Great Again Campaign Corporation, which has official right there in its name, lest you had any doubts.

Youd probably never suspect that these similarly titled organizations do precious little to support the Republican presidential nominee, or that they may feel legally entitled to rip you off, as PACs fall within a gray area of campaign-finance regulations.

The so-called scam PAC predates Trumps candidacy, but they have accumulated with fervor in his orbit over the last 16 months. As the candidate himself finds ways to profit from his political movement, buying his own books at retail cost and frequenting his own businesses with campaign funds, an inordinate number of his fans have apparently decided to get in on the action. Where theres a huckster politician promising to do right by the working man, it seems, more hucksters will follow.

A review of the Federal Election Commission filings of several PACs that claim to work on behalf of The Donald revealed that they appear to do almost nothing at all.

Scammers go wherever they think they can make money, one veteran campaign-finance lawyer who asked to remain anonymous told The Daily Beast. So there are folks who are out there saying, Well, Trumps got this following of not very bright folks, so, what the heck, well make some money.

Trumpvictory.org is the digital home of the Oxnard, California-based Trump Victory/Make America Great Again PAC, organized in March by its treasurer, Glen Rogers, who did not immediately respond to an interview request.

We are a group of volunteers from all walks of life who are looking for real change in leadership that we believe Donald Trump can deliver, the website reads. We donate our time, expertise, and money to spread the word about Donald Trump through online marketing campaigns, direct mail, and organized events.

Who exactly we is, its not clear, because there are no organization members listed. A Discuss button under the Get Involved tab directs to a pro-Trump Reddit page, and Events directs you to the official campaign schedule.

The Donate Now button sure works, though, providing you the option to give $50, $100, $250, $500, or an amount of your choosing, One Time, Weekly, Every 2 Weeks, Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually.

The donation rules and agreement then make a vague promise: Your contribution will be used in connection with a federal election.

Trump Victory/Make America Great Again has raised just north of $150,000 since its inception, most of it in small donations, from a truck driver, a farmer, a painter, a doctor, an architect, several homemakers, and 18 retired people.

And heres how the PAC spent that money in October, the final stretch of the campaign: $3,000 to Nestor Garcia of Coral Gables, Florida, for Professional Fees; $14,200 to New Horizon Consulting LLC, a company filed on July 6 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, about which there is no other public information, also for Professional Fees; $929 to Qgiv, the service through which the PAC accepts online donations; and $215 to Upwork for Computer and Internet Expenses.

The only effort to Make America Great Again? One hundred and three dollars to Google for Advertising and Promotions.

Scam PACs took off with the rise of the Tea Party movement in 2009, but regulatory oversights have prevented their eradication. The FEC only addresses fraudulent solicitations from campaigns or political parties, claiming it doesnt have the jurisdiction to go after people who purport to be neither. And the Federal Trade Commission, which handles consumer protection, says it doesnt have the jurisdiction to go after political malfeasance.

In 2012, Allen West, the former congressman and Tea Party star, was reportedly plagued by scam PACs, at least eight of them, which sought to use his name to fleece his fans. Sarah Palin, too, was used to trick conservatives into doling out their money and information to shady entities. Erick Erickson, the conservative radio host, in 2015 called scam PACs a blight on the GOP. He wrote, This is becoming a serious issue. One of the dangers of the conversation is deciding what is and is not a Scam PAC, but I would say the starting point is thisif youre raising money in someones name without their consent and then not spending the money to help that person, Id think that would qualify.

A May report by Politico found that, of the more than two dozen unauthorized groups that had by that point formed to back Trumps candidacy, only six had actually spent money to help him. That same month, Roger Stone, Trumps volatile longtime aide, called Great America PAC, of which former Ronald Reagan campaign manager Ed Rollins is chairman, a scam. Just last week, the group mistakenly published the credit-card information of its donors online.

People out there who are getting involved in this election, its a very emotional election, and they could easily get sucked into giving money to these PACs, the campaign-finance expert said. Its a very scary thing for consumers.

What really has to happen is the Justice Department has to go after some of these scammers on plain old ordinary wire and mail fraud, the expert said. If they bust one of them for doing that, then the other ones will go, OK, the jig is up.

Make America Great, another PAC, became an official entity in October 2015. The treasurer, Roy Jensen, who did not immediately respond to an email sent to the address listed, filed the paperwork from Lancaster, California. The group has no website and has never filed any reports with the FEC. The FEC has sent Jensen four notices about his failure to file, evidently to no avail.

And Official Lets Make America Great Again Campaign Corporation, filed with the FEC from Lake Mary, Florida, in August 2016, never filed its necessary paperwork. The treasurer is listed as Jennifer Spalding, but the contact is listed as Michael Todd, someone with an email address connected to a website that advertises time shares in the Bahamas, Las Vegas, and Mexico. A message left on the answering machine connected to the phone number on the paperwork was not immediately returned.

Theres a very large number of super PACs that have registered that seem to be offering themselves as using [Trumps] name, or some variation of his name, or the Make America Great Again slogan, the campaign-finance expert said. I think Trumps got the record for this cycle in terms of the number.

Of course, the greatest trick pulled on Trump supporters may be by the candidate himself, whos spent millions of grassroots dollars patronizing his own companies, for private-plane airfare, rent, food, and hotel stays, throughout his campaign. The promise to make America rich again, it seems, starts at the topand extends to anyone with the chutzpah to file some FEC paperwork.
Like the waistline of a pair of skinny jeans after a weekend of dismay-drinking, the presidential race is tightening. For women who dont want to have kids in the near future, this means a few things. First, to prevent electoral catastrophe, theyve got to vote as hard as they can on November 8 (or earlier!). And the very next thing they should do after voting is runnot walk to their local gynecologists office and get an IUD. Dont worry about scaring the doctor; this is urgent!

Getting an IUD nowright nowis a simple move that can at least get a lady who isnt ready to be a mother through the next legislative term as unpregnant as possible. After all, access to low-cost birth control isnt guaranteed. No matter what happens after the new batch of elected officials are sworn in, the only guarantee is that the way things are now is going to change.

Donald Trump hasnt proposed the government outlaw IUDs. The GOP presidential nominee probably doesnt know what they are, and Mike Pence comes across as the kind of guy who is so mortified by the female anatomy that he casts his eyes shamefully downward as he passes the Walgreen's tampon aisle. But what Donald Trump has promised to doand what Mike Pence has actually done during his tenure as governor of Indianais to make birth control a lot more difficult for women to access.

Intrauterine Devices are highly effective when appropriatemore effective than nearly every form of birth control, and completely reversible. Like everything, they sometimes cause unpleasant side effects, but, then again, so does spending three days every month freaking out about a possible unplanned pregnancy, or being pregnant. The best feature of IUDs, though, is how long they last. Once its been inserted by an OB-GYN and depending on the model, the device lasts three, five, or nine years. Thats a legislative term, or a presidential term plus one year, or a two-term presidency plus one year. Women can keep their uteruses as vacant as Antonin Scalias Supreme Court seat with one of these things!

Before the Department of Health and Human Services declared that birth control counts as preventative care under the Affordable Care Act, the primary barrier between American women and IUDs was up-front cost; they run between $500 and $900. But if Hillary Clinton loses on November 8, and if along with her loss goes the Senate and House, the repeal of Obamacare is all but inevitable come January. And the repeal conservatives have promised will likely mean the free IUD benefit vanishes, and accessible birth control goes back to being either a daily responsibility that doesnt work as well or a serious surgical intervention that cant be reversed.

Even a female Trump voter would be remiss to forego Obamacares IUD benefit; to not take advantage of it would be to fail to exploit loopholes in the law. Would kind of Trump follower would one be if they werent using the system to their own advantage in every possible way?

Beyond Obamacares repeal, access to low-cost birth control has never been stable. At the state level, right-wing legislators have taken steps to make it more difficult for women who need contraception to access it without encountering financial and logistical hurdles, an ironic stance for a person who fancies himself a fiscal conservative. And defunding Planned Parenthood, on the wish list of the GOP for years, would be more likely than ever under a Trump-Pence administration. (In fact, Governor Mike Pence was the first to attempt to defund Planned Parenthood.) That means women who would have trouble paying for birth control out-of-pocket will have fewer options. A Trump-Pence administration will surely Make Birth Control A Huge Pain In The Ass Again.

Women who have quelled their fears of undersized conservative hands grabbing at their reproductive health options by banking on long-promised male birth control have another thing coming, too. A recent study that found a type of injectable male birth control 96 percent effective was recently discontinued because researchers decided that the potential risks to men using it were greater than the potential benefits they could gain, writes Julie Beck at The Atlantic. Beck goes on to note serious side effects that women experience while on the pillcramping, moodiness, weight gainand laments the unfairness of what women must deal with on a daily basis. But then again, men cant get pregnant, and biology is unfair.

So on Election Day, ladies who wish to remain not-pregnant for a few years, do your patriotic duty and cast your ballot. And once youve done that, hedge your bets.

Were not saying that Donald Trump is going to beat Hillary Clinton on November 8. But its not an impossibility. And better safe than sorry.
On Tuesday night at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, Don Katz, founder and CEO of Audible, Inc., talked about his relationship with the author Ralph Ellison by way of introducing Jazz in the Key of Ellison, a musical and spoken word tribute to the author of Invisible Man that included performances by Wynton Marsalis, Catherine Russell, Talib Kweli, Angelique Kidjo, and numerous other musicians and actors.

During the winter of 1971 I was a freshman at NYU, and I read two books that changed me.

The first was Faulkners The Sound and the Furya book I read in a single afternoon-to-dawn sitting.

The second was Invisible Man, an astonishingly artful and complex work of literature written by a man I heard was actually teaching a course at NYU the next semester.

Over the next three years, after Ralph Ellison allowed me into a small seminar focused on the American vernacular, and a year after that, when he took me on as a tutee every Wednesday afternoon until I graduated, one of the greatest of all American writers taught me how to read.

Ralph also helped me gain the courage and occasional insight to write, and I went on to make a living as a writer for 20 years after that. Ralph encouraged me and spoke up for me publicly until he died in 1994.

I learned from Ralph Ellison that Americans worked to create an identity from a synthesis of divergent cultures. We created a distinctive way of talking and telling stories, which led to the distinctive voice in the way we wrote.

We built American vernacular buildings and invented American techniques and technologies. We spawned singularly American musical art forms  jazz and the blues.

I understood from Ralph that the American experience derived from the process of a nation constantly making and remaking itself, a place that needed to create its own myths and art and even its own sounds because we had to.

I think it is fitting that we are celebrating Ralph Ellison in Audibles hometown of Newark, a city essential to the history of jazz and to the African-American cultural, historical, and political experience.

While Ralph Ellison taught me that Americans needed to create our own archetypes and myths, he also conveyed that in a nation creating itself without kings, a new order was created based on the color of peoples skin.

It is also fitting that we are here to celebrate Ralph and jazz. On those long afternoons when he taught me, he would talk about Duke and Louis as if they were in the room, and he would help me understand what he called an outlaw art that was tethered directly to the sounds of African-American stories and prayer and protest.

Because of Ralph I always heard the sound of what I read and what I wrote. Well-composed words sound like music to me, and after being a writer for 20 years, this led directly to an idea that became Audible.com and our 20-years of applying new technologies to the celebration and elevation of the unbridled power of the well-spoken word.

If you come to our headquarters down the street, where nearly a thousand Audible employees work, you will see dozens of conference rooms named for illustrious people who came from or made an impact on Newark. Theres the Philip Roth room. Stephen Crane, Allen Ginsburg, Shaquille ONeal, Wayne Shorter, and Gloria Gaynor all have rooms as do the citys illustrious inventors and Newarks Alma Flagg, who in 1964 became the citys first African-American principal of an integrated school.

There is museum-like copy on the doors about each person for whom these rooms are named.

A few feet from my cube is the Ralph Ellison room, and I want to read what I wrote about Ralph for the glass wall I see every day: Ralph Ellisons understanding of the power of the oral tradition and his ability to hear the music in well-wrought arrangements of spoken words informed the vision and mission of Audible from the beginning. Ellison was the teacher and mentor of Audibles founder. According to Ellison, the way the early American vernacular embraced storytelling around campfires, the braggadocio of our salesmanship, and the sound of our lamenting in the fields became the distinctive voice that defined American novels and our singularly conscious and conscientious culture, a culture that created itself out of whatever it found useful. Ellison loved the melodies in language and he told stories in a voice that sounded like a coal car coming out of a mine. He loved enormous cigars, jazz, and ideas. In many ways Audible exists to honor his legacy.

Dont let anyone ever tell you that great teachers cant direct the course and meaning of a life.

The audiobook for Invisible Man, performed by Joe Morton, will be free on Audible until Dec. 31 at audible.com/Ellison.

Founder and CEO of Audible, Inc. Don Katz was for many years a journalist and the author of five books, including Home Fires: An Intimate Portrait of One Middle-Class Family in Postwar America.
I met Kwame Phipps five years ago, at the end of his junior year in high school, through a Harlem-based youth development organization to help him apply to college. He was always neatly dressed and attentive to his grooming. So I am not surprised he would become a founder of the Well Dressed Movement at Syracuse University to promote better dress habits among his peers.

One reason I volunteered to mentor students like Kwame is that media portrayals of young black men have burdened them with numerous disquieting stereotypes. Like many stereotypes people affix to particular groups, they are highly simplistic and often neglect larger societal issues that produce and perpetuate misperceptions. Such perceptions prove harmful to nearly all black men. Young men like Phipps are often overlooked in such generalizations, so he and his friends have taken conscious steps to dispel negative myths.

Phipps, a 2016 Syracuse graduate, and his roommates, Joshua Collins and Elijah Biggins, started the Well Dressed Movement as a direct effort to counter some misperceptions. In 2014, their sophomore year, each had dressed up one day, but Phipps said, It was random. I had an internship, Josh had a job interview, and Eli had a class presentation. Unaware each had dressed up, we left our apartment at different times and met later at the library for a social. Everyone saw us and asked why we were dressed up. We pretended it was intentional and said it was Well Dressed Wednesday. From there, they decided to make a Wednesday tradition of dressing up and enlisted their friends to join them.

They began the Well Dressed Movement in the wake of high profile killings of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, and college campuses were rife with discussion about race. Syracuse was no different. Phipps said there was extensive racist dialogue in online articles in the school newspaper, The Daily Orange, and on Yik Yak, a location-based social media platform popular on college campuses.

My friends and I are from inner city Philadelphia, Paterson (New Jersey), and New York City, and they felt the sting of such commentary. Dressing up was a constructive response to address perceptions others might have about them. They took inspiration from earlier black pioneers who tackled social justice issues. The groups motto, When you look good, you feel good, facilitated engagement with their peers. Their movement took hold and spread to other campuses, including Binghamton, Cornell, Howard, and Pace universities and Utica College, which validated their efforts.

Looking good takes money, however. As budget-conscious millennials, they shopped at H&M, Zara, local thrift stores, and they tracked sale items at Macys. It was worth the effort. Phipps said dressing up without a specific purpose elicited positive responses from those with whom he interacted, and it instilled a professional mindset in him.

Dressing up on campus prepped me for interviews, he said. I already had the pieces, so I didnt have to think about it too much. Because I had already experimented with different combinations, I can put on an outfit and be confident beforehand.

Practice paid off: While still in school, he had internships and summer jobs at places like the Ford Foundation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington.

Phipps described his style as trendy with my own personal touch. A wardrobe necessity for him is a navy blue suit, because you can dress it up or dress it down. Its a suit you can match with other pants or jackets. He added, You can use it for going out, a job interview, to go to dinner. Its a good essential to start with.

Detailing with colors and accessories is his personal touch. I like to incorporate hints of gold, if possible. When it comes to ties, Phipps said, I mainly choose neckties, because when youre dressing up, you have more options. A bow tie is more extravagant and youre making a statement with one. And not a lot of bow ties go with certain shirt combinations. A final item for him, the pocket square, which adds a nice touch to your outfit. You can find a set on Amazon or eBay for $10. When hes dressed casually, however, Phipps prefers jeans, Adidas, and Nikes. I also like classic T-shirts and bomber jackets, he added.

Whom does Phipps admire for their fashion sense? Lebron James and Omari Hardwick because they mix suit jacket and tie combinations with shirts that mesh well. He also cites Sean Combs, as he was one of the first hip-hop artists to wear suits, especially his signature look, the white tux and black bow tie.

All of the original members of the Well Dressed Movement graduated or are on track to graduate on timenoteworthy considering the stark disparity in college completion rates of underrepresented men of color. One of his former roommates is a sales assistant at Fox Sports; the other is working on his masters in information management and technology at Syracuse. Phipps works as an assistant managing clerk at an New York City law firm and plans to attend law school in the future. As well, he demonstrated the learning he acquired from Syracuses prestigious Maxwell School of policy, when he submitted a letter to the editor on the city of Syracuses housing policy. Its safe to say these young men achieved their groups mission.

Finally, Phipps offered some fashion advice to other young men of color: When it comes to dressing yourself up, you should own your fashion and take pride in it. You never know who you might run into. Also, attention to detailing in your clothing will have everyone noticing.

Kwame wears a Flex Tailored suit, cotton shirt, silk tie, wool coat, leather belt, leather lace up dress shoes all by Tommy Hilfiger, available at Tommy.Com. Styled by Wendell Brown. Special thanks to East End Bar & Grill, NY, NY.
Its certainly no pun that The Crown, the new Netflix drama series chronicling the early reign of Queen Elizabeth II, is getting the royal treatment.

According to reports which the shows lavishly produced episodes seem to corroborate, the new series cost a record $130 million, making it the most expensive television production ever. The regal price tag earned The Crown a fair share of attention ahead of its debut this Friday on the streaming service, but when asked about the experience of shooting such a costly production, the series cast was positively British about the whole thing.

The truth is, we dont see that stuff, says Matt Smith, the former Doctor Who taking on another British icon, Prince Philip, when the now 95-year-old Duke of Edinburgh was a newlywed on the arm of the young queen.

Across the table from him at a hotel overlooking Central Park in Manhattan, that queen, played by Wolf Hall alum Claire Foy, nods in agreement, explaining that when youre on a TV set, your world is very small.

But the most candid response to The Crowns eye-popping budget comes from John Lithgow, who plays Winston Churchill.

We were in drafty, old, rundown, superannuated stately homes outside of London, where they had taken over the interior in order to made it look extraordinary lavish, he says in his characteristically august cadence. But when we trudged through the muddy fields to our homely little trailers, this huge cast of actorsknights and dames of the empirewe were all in these tiny, little, drafty, cold, wet, damp cubicles. Laughing: It didnt feel like a first-class production then.

Still, its hard to scoff at the importance of expense in a television production in which the recreation of Queen Elizabeths wedding dress worn by Foy in the first episode cost roughly $35,000. To pay for the actual dress worn when the then princess married in 1947, by comparison, Elizabeth saved ration coupons to pay for the material, in solidarity with the other brides of the austere time.

Watch in awe as well when, in Episode 2, Foy and Smith travel to Africa, where Elizabeth and Philip were on a goodwill tour during the final months of the life of her father, King George VI (played by Jared Harris), and mingle with elephantsa sight that on its own nearly puts the lifesize replica of Buckingham Palace or the shows 7,000 costumes to shame.

There was the royal wedding shoot at Ely Cathedral, where Lithgow was so in awe he insisted on a tourists jaunt to the top of the tower and Smith looked at Foy in costume in surreal disbelief: Oh my god, youre the queen! And there was the day of shooting in Winchester at the Great Hall where the Knights of the Round Table met 800 years prior.

Its a grandiosity that befits a certain aspect of The Crowns mission. As director Stephen Daldry has said, the series is a story about an entire nation, revealing its history to show how it got to where it is today.

But in line with writer Peter Morgans previous scripts about the life of Queen Elizabeth II, which include the film The Queen and Broadway play The Audience, the show is also at its core a character study, cracking open the palace doors to reveal the struggles and concerns of the people beneath all of the pomp and circumstance.

That tension is enumerated in a letter that Elizabeth reads from the Queen Mother, Mary (Eileen Atkins), after learning that shes about to ascend the throne at such a young age.

I have seen three great monarchies brought down through the failure to separate personal indulgences from duty, the letter reads. You must not allow yourself to make similar mistakes. Then, gravely: The crown must win. Must always win.

Theres an undeniable thrill in watching the rise of one of the most visible female figures in modern history at a time when, just days after The Crown debuts on Netflix, the United States could be electing its first female presidentfor all the intrinsic Britishness of the series, this is actually an American production, after all.

But as Elizabeth approaches her 91st birthday, as the world continues its front-page obsession with any news about the royals, and as the family still strengthens its armored facade, the series is also a tantalizing reminder of the human sacrifices made in such situations.

No one knows what goes on behind closed doors in any relationship, in any marriage, in any situation, Foy says. Its nice to think that they can just switch off and can deal with it because they live in a palace. But thats too easy. They cant. I think we all need to have, every once in a while, a chance to see people on a human level and see that things are painful for everyone.

Take for example, the toll it took on Philip, a proud and accomplished Navy man, to be cast aside as his wife took on the duties of her position. Literally, he was required to walk two steps behind her, the woman who was supposed to be his partner in life.

I will not kneel before my wife! Philip snaps at one point. What kind of marriage is this? What kind of family?

Smith acknowledges that it was very emasculating for Philip to go through that, but both he and Foy point to the strength of the love between the two as their entry point into understanding the characters on a human level.

When we get off airplanes and out of cars and theres loads of the extras playing the public and photographers, you go, Why are they looking at me? And you realize, Oh, because Im playing the queen, Foy says. So with her, I think my way of getting into it was her love of her husband, and realizing that Philip was the only one she ever wanted and dreamed about, and he was the center of her universe, in a way.

The scope of the series extends outside of the royal family to Elizabeths dealings with Winston Churchill, illustrating the complicated relationship between the crown and the government. Despite having assiduously researched the parttraveling to Churchills wartime bunker, the Churchill Museum, and Chartwell, his country homeLithgow, like his cast mates, had a hurdle to clear before feeling at home as the legendary figure.

In his case, though, it was the fact that he was American.

I think it was a bigger issue for me than any of my English colleagues, he concedes, revealing his anxiety about taking on arguably the most famous Englishman of the 20th century. I kept thinking, Wait a minute, why arent they using Michael Gambon or Timothy Spall or Albert Finney? Laughing, he continues: Well, theyve already played the part

Though Churchill is in his seventies at the time Lithgow plays him, he drew from the prime ministers younger years as the neglected son of a politician and a courtesan, who didnt do well in the military, to paint a more complex portrait of a gruff icon. To me that so informed him as an old man, he says. This contradictory nature: a very courageous man, but a deeply insecure man.

So for Lithgow and his co-stars, the series resonance is completely independent of the headline-making budget: a more rounded understanding of people for whom we already have preconceived opinions.

Ive just become much more affectionate for them, Smith says. Asked whats it like, after having filmed the first season of The Crown, to see Elizabeth and Philip together now, Foy confesses, I could cry!

Its like seeing your grandparents be married for that amount of time, she says. Its the most beautiful thing. And knowing how they get on and how much they make each other laugh, its extraordinary.

In a broader sense, too, maybe the series will cause us to reevaluate the pedestal we place all public figures and celebrities on, not to mention the humanity we tend to strip from those people as the price for hoisting them onto that platformroyal family or otherwise.

Its like we theyre immune to feelings, somehow, because theyve put themselves out there, Smith says. The ironic thing is that, in their day, [Elizabeth and Philip] were more celebrated and famous than the Kardashians. Tens of thousands of people showed up to see these guys catch a train or get off a plane. They were global superstars.

Foy eagerly jumps in: Because they were good people! They were a family. It wasnt necessarily because they brought their bum out.

Smith smirks, ready to deliver his rather unprincely conclusion: Handsome bottom as it is.
Louis C.K. left the political comedy to Jon Stewart at Tuesday nights Stand Up for Heroes benefit in New York City. But earlier in the day, when he stopped by one of Conan OBriens shows at the Apollo Theater, he did not hesitate to share his opinions about this insane presidential election.

Im going to vote for Hillary, C.K. said at the risk of splitting his audience in half. And its not a lukewarm, lesser of two evils type of choice for him. I think shes great, he said. I think shes super smart and I would take her over anybody. Hes less excited about having the first woman in the White House than he is about having the first mother to lead the country.

A mother, shes got it, she just does it, she feeds you and teaches you, she protects you, she takes care of shit, C.K. explained. Weve had 240 years of fathers. Father after father. Bald fathers, fat fathers, every kind of father. And fathers are OK, Im a father. A great father can give a kid 40 percent of his needs, tops.

Any mother, just a shit mother, just a not-even-trying mother? he added. Two-hundred percent.

C.K. started to say he has nothing against anyone who would vote for Donald Trump, but he stopped himself, saying hes not sure the country can take four years of a guy who is incapable of being criticized.

Whats more important about a president than that you can shit all over them? Thats what presidents are for, he said. This guy, every time hes criticized, everything stops and he makes everybody pay. Thats not how it works.

Back in March, before Trump had locked up the Republican nomination, C.K. wrote a scathing letter to his email subscribers that equated the candidate with Adolf Hitler.

Please stop it with voting for Trump. It was funny for a little while. But the guy is Hitler, C.K. wrote. And by that I mean that we are being Germany in the 30s. Do you think they saw the shit coming? Hitler was just some hilarious and refreshing dude with a weird comb-over who would say anything at all.

Instead of someone as thin-skinned as Trump, C.K. told OBrien that America needs someone who can take abuse. And no one has taken more abuse than Hillary Clinton. To any liberals watching who arent sure if they are going to vote for the Democratic nominee, he said, Youre a piece of shit.

I dont want somebody who is likable or cool anymore, C.K. added. We need somebody who is two-faced, conniving, crazy! In other words, A tough bitch mother who nobody likes.

In the end, he summed up the choice for voters in 2016 better than anyone else has managed to so far: I think if you vote for Hillary youre a grownup, if you vote for Trump youre a sucker, and if you dont vote for anybody youre an asshole.

UPDATE, Nov. 2, 2:00 p.m. ET: Hillary Clinton got the message and had just one correction for Louis C.K.
One piece of debris from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has delivered the most significant picture so far of the last minutes of the flight, confirming that no human hand was in control of the Boeing 777 as it plunged into the Indian Ocean.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau, ATSB, has spent many weeks analyzing a wing flap from the airplane, the largest piece of wreckage so far recovered. They have now ruled out that the flap was deployed by a command from the cockpit: It remained locked in place as it is during the cruise phase of a flight.

This was a decisive clue because the wing flaps can only be operatedfor takeoff or landingby direct pilot action. A flaperon, another piece of debris and the first to be discovered, in July 2015, on the island of Reunion in the western Indian Ocean, operates continually throughout a flight as part of the airplanes automatic pilot systemand could not, therefore, indicate whether or not there was any involvement of pilots in its deployment.

The evidence provided by the wing flapfound on Pemba Island off the coast of Tanzaniais the only tangible indication so far that the Zombie Flight theory remains highly probable: that, for whatever reason, the 777 flew for its final hours at normal cruise height and speed on automatic pilotuntil the engines ran out of fuel and it entered a death spiral, carrying 239 passengers and crew to their deaths.

New details given by the ATSB indicate that the jet hit the water at high speed, 284 mph, in a final descent of 25,000 feet a minutethat is more than twice the rate of the closest precursor of this scenario, the crash of Air France Flight 447 into the South Atlantic in 2009. The violence of the impact at this speed (calculated in revised computer simulations of the flights last seconds) means that the airplane shattered into many pieces.

As the ATSB delivered the latest update on their investigation, two search vessels have resumed working through the area where the remains of the airplane are believed to be, at great depths. Simultaneously, a three-day meeting is being held in Australia to consider whether the search area should be extended to the north of the present site.

Darren Chester, the Australian transport minister, said the experts would review all the available data and analysis associated with the search to date and develop guidance for any future search operations.

However, The Daily Beast can reveal that the two ships now in the search area have a priority: to return to more than 30 previously searched sites. These are spread across the entire 120,000-square kilometer search area where sonar contacts were made but not at the time followed-up.

After these contacts were recently reviewed, they were classified as having the potential to be manmade. This does not mean the Australians believe they could be clues to where the airplanes debris field may be, but that they have to be definitely ruled out before the search is complete.

Some experts have been critical of the performance of the Dong Hai Jui, the search vessel provided last year by the Chinese. The vessel had been operating for only a few days before it lost a towfisha sonar scanning device towed by a long cable. By the time the towfish was recovered, the winter weather in the southern Indian Ocean was too severe for the vessel to continue searching.

The Dong Hai Jui is now back working at the northern end of the search area, together with the other search vessel, the Fugro Equator. The Equator is deploying an autonomous underwater vehicle, AUV, which is like a submarine and is the only equipment that can closely follow the contours of the most challenging underwater terrain, terrain that is fearsome in its aspect with hundreds of volcanoes spouting mud.

The Daily Beast can also reveal the Australians felt they needed more data to ensure that they could reliably recognize the characteristics of a crash debris field at great depth if the searchers came upon it. Over the last few months, they have requested and received data from two previously successful underwater searches, Air France Flight 447 in the Atlantic Ocean and the recent crash of EgyptAir Flight 804 in the Mediterranean Sea.

In both these cases, the debris fields consisted of one area where the heaviest parts of the airplane, the engines and landing gear, rested and a wider spread of smaller pieces scattered over the ocean floor. The best hope of locating the wreckage of Flight 370 would be to spot the sonar signature of the engines, each a large mass, and the landing gear.
Since launching Full Frontal nearly nine months ago, Samantha Bee has hosted 28 installments of her game-changing late-night show. One way or another, Donald Trump has appeared in every single episode. With less than a week to go until Election Day, she is desperately hoping thats about to change.

Like most Hillary Clinton supporters, Bee is a lot less confident about the outcome of the election now than she was just five days earlier, before FBI Director James Comey decided to throw one more October surprise into the mix. Thinking about the unspeakable scenario that, according to Nate Silver, currently has more than a one-in-four chance of happening on Election Day makes Bee feel like she could burst into tears. I have a lot of agita, she tells me. I think that we all do. I feel like were all going to have great, national PTSD once this is all done.

When I meet Bee backstage at her Hells Kitchen studio on Halloween night, she has just finished taping a show so jam-packed with material that what was arguably the most compelling segmenta meticulously-researched conspiracy theory argument that #TrumpCantReaddidnt even end up on television. Instead, the show decided to stream it for fans on Facebook Live an hour before showtime. Even her charmingly hilarious taped interview with President Obama was relegated to the shows third and final segment of the night.

Still in her TV makeup, Bee is eager to head straight from the studio back home to the Upper West Side in time to trick-or-treat with her three children. She may be one of Americas most vital comedic voices as we enter this final stretch of the most misogynistic presidential campaign in our history, but Halloween night with her kids remains fairly high on her list of priorities for the day.

Looking at the long week between now and what, with any luck, will be a definitive result on Nov. 8, Bee says shes more concerned with what happens after the election. Im not sure what the next day looks like, she says, an air of true concern in her voice. Im not sure what November 9th looks like.

But given that this campaign season has given her so much fertile material during her first year on TBS, wont she miss it at all?

Im so excited for it to be over, Bee says without hesitation. Im so excited to be able to talk about other things. Im so excited to not have to say the words Donald Trump, hopefully, for at least a little while. That would give me a great sense of peace. She pauses, thinking about what her show might look like without the presence of a man she has referred to as a brain-damaged baboon and a foul-mouthed tit judge.

Could you imagine a whole show without saying his name? she wonders. Its inconceivable. But it could happen. We may just be two shows away.

Just two weeks earlier, Bee was in Moscow filming a slew of segments that she will roll out on the show over the next couple of weeks, the first of which aired Monday. The type of field pieces that Bee did better than anyone else in Daily Show historyStephen Colbert was a close secondhave been relatively rare on Full Frontal. But the trip to Russia gave her the opportunity to delve back into that world. And a segment like her interview with masked Russian trolls paid by the Kremlin to disrupt the U.S. election could not be more timely.

In the piece that aired Monday, Bee managed to put the question of whether Russian actors are trying to swing the election toward Trump to bed, not by quoting intelligence briefings but by actually speaking to the people who are creating hundreds of fake Twitter accounts in order to spread lies about Hillary Clinton.

The White House has accused Russia of interfering in our election. Russia has said absolutely not, were not interfering, Bee says to one of the paid trolls. And yet here you are, in front of us, telling us that you are. The cathartic breakthrough comes when she asks him, Can you understand why some Americans would watch this segment and go, Fuck you. What the fuck is your deal? Why?

I think its a fascinating story, Bee tells me of Russias involvement in U.S. politics. I found it to be a very interesting experience, she adds, teasing a bunch more Russia stuff coming in the episode that will air the night before Election Day. If youre going to go that far, you kind of want to make a meal out of it. And I think we did. Theres a lot to talk about.

It was telling that Bee decided to focus on Russian trolls and the rise of the alt-right in her penultimate show before Election Day instead of the FBI story that has been dominating the mainstream medias campaign coverage since it broke on Friday.

It wasnt really much of a decision, Bee says when I ask why she chose not to go down that particular rabbit hole this week. We already had our game plan in place. I think to dig in on it would have felt like a distraction.

Asked if it was frustrating to see Hillary Clintons damn emails flood back into the news cycle once againfrom Anthony Weiners laptop, no lessso close to Election Day, Bee could only sigh and say, Sure. I mean, come on. It is exhausting.
Most Endearing

The marketing people who thought of this are geniuses. Who would have thought a humorous political ad could be just as effective (if not more than) as a fear mongering one?

Most likely to give you a 3rd degree Bern

Self-explanatory.

Most likely to make you shed a tear

Khizr Khan emotionally recalls the death of his son, Army Captain Humayun Khan, who was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq. Holding back tears he says, I want to ask Mr. Trump, would my son have a place in your America? The moment is as heartbreaking as it is powerful.

Most likely to seduce an NRA member

How does a Democrat win over a red-leaning state? By assembling an AR-15 blindfolded, duh.

Most WTF

In what looks like a parody mashup but actually is a political ad, Trump frantically tries to hitch his ride to the only ethnic group he thinks he still has a chance with, Indians. The idea might not be as half-baked as one would think. In recent months there has been a surge of support for Trump amongst Hindu nationalists who, in the wake of the Mumbai attacks, believe the presidential candidate is the only one who can fight terrorism. The best part of the ad comes at the end when Trump says, This time Trump government is what is possibly the worst Hindi accent known to man.

Most likely to make you vote

Regardless of which way you lean politically, both sides can agree that 2016 has been exhausting. On top of the everyday struggles of making a living and raising a family, this elections scandal after scandal coupled with near constant racism and misogyny has America struggling for some peace and quiet. If the thought of ecstatic relief once were past the mind-numbing noise of this election and the less divisive, more qualified candidate wins isnt enough to get you off the couch to vote, nothing else will.
Just how real is the relationship between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry?

After several years of false alarms and false starts, it appears Harry has finally found a woman to commit to, amid increasing evidence that the relationship with the Suits star is not just another Prince Harry fever dream of the tabloids.

Official and unofficial Harry sources have refused to confirm or deny anything at all to The Daily Beast, but the following scraps of social media and other evidence have been seized on by eagle-eyed and eager Harry fans around the world:

She wore his bracelet. Harry has always had a thing for ethnic bracelets, and Meghan, 35, posted a picture of herself at the U.K. retreat Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire last week, in which a blue beaded bracelet can be seen on her wrist. It looks exactly like a bracelet worn by the 32-year-old prince and its reported Harry picked it up on one of his trips to Africa.

The bracelet has become an article of faith after it appeared in two different insta-snaps, one taken at the Soho House and another while Meghan was photographing a pile of brainy books she was reading.

She posted a picture of bananas spooning.

This girl is a real tease. On Tuesday, Markle posted a romantic picture of two bananas spooning on Instagram after news of their relationship broke with the caption sleep tight. Most commentators found the image sweet, but one cynic opined, Pfft three weeks ago the press said he was dating Taylor Swift.

Well, you cant please everyone.

He canceled a flight to Canada. Admittedly, canceling a flight to the country your sweetheart lives in isnt often considered the most romantic of gestures, but there have been reports that Harry called off a secret trip he organized to visit Meghan there after news of their relationship was revealed.

A source has said Harry was booked on a 11:30 a.m. British Airways flight from Heathrow to Toronto Tuesday but was a no-show after news broke via reliable royal reporter Camilla Tominey.

If the report is true, then thats the last time Harry flies BA.

Meghan has a soft spot for gingers. According to Meghans embittered sister, who has wasted no time in trashing her half-sibling to the Sun as a shallow social climber who is narcissistic and selfish, Meghan, always preferred Harryshe has a soft spot for gingers.

She took a photo outside Buckingham Palace.

Clearly, this photo was taken after meeting up with Harry at his grannys London home.

She has met Prince Charles.

One of the most intriguing claims is that Meghan has met several senior royals, including Prince Charles. Once again, the claims have not been denied by sources. If Harry has introduced Meghan to Kate, William, and his dad, as reports claim, this really is significant.

She's a humanitarian.

Meghan may not be blond, like the typical Harry girl, but she is a committed humantarian. She is a passionate charity campaigner and a United Nations Womens Advocate, who, like Harry's mother Diana, clearly cares for those worse off than her.

This will be a crucial factor if the relationship goes to the next stage.
Hello. My name is Nemr. Its pronounced Nemrlike simmer, but hotter. It means tiger in Arabic.

I am writing to tell you my thoughts on the American presidential election thus far. If not for me, it would have passed you by without anyone so much as bringing it up.

As a stand-up comedian, I have done shows in English as an American wouldonly in front of crowds of thousands of Arabs all across the Middle East for the past decade, after having started the industry there from scratch.

My background is, shall we say, unique. I am an American citizen, but before that I was born in Beirut, Lebanon. Having lived equally both in the U.S. and the Middle East, Ive noticed that America is currently the most Arab it has ever been since the Phoenicians first set foot here thousands of years ago. And its alarming. (The Arab part, not the Phoenicians part.)

First, a little background on myself: I was born in 1983 and due to war, much like many of my fellow Lebanese, our family came to AmericaSan Diego, to be exact. I, at almost two years old, and my sister, a year younger, came to know nothing but the red, white, and blue.

I grew up here, fell in love with stand-up comedy, got lost in Bill Watterson and his ingenious cartoon creation Calvin and Hobbes (incidentally also a tiger), conceived the Umbrella-Hat for my entry into the Invent America competition (which I lost, prompting my parents to assure me it was due to us failing to influence the right people), and regularly got kicked out of class for doing what I would later make a living from while exclaiming, When I grow up, Im going to be a stand-up comic or a Ninja Turtle!

Just before my 11th birthday, our parents decided we should go back to Beirutyou know, where it was safe.

The Lebanese Civil War was over. And for my parents, it was much safer than America. Every week here we would receive sketches of suspects to look out for who were doing bad things to children. D.A.R.E was in the middle of its disastrous campaign to stop drug addiction, and every time we would have breakfast the milk carton would remind us of a missing child.

So off we went to Lebanon in the early 90s. I hated it at first, and then I came to love it. And its there Ive spent the rest of my years, an American who was also Lebanese, Lebanese also American, and then realized, rather than one or the other, I was simply a child of this world.

I went on to achieve that goal of becoming a comic (after failing in my attempt at Ninja Turtle) in an adventure of epic proportionsstarting in Beirut, the cultural epicenter of the Middle East, and spreading stand-up comedy over the next decade across the region, all under the slogan of No Politics, No Religion, One Love.

You see, I had experienced quite a bit since my return to Lebanon. I witnessed my first massacre when I was about 14, experienced several wars, lost friends and family when I shouldnt have, and many more interesting life experiences. So when I started stand-up comedy in the Middle East, one of the most divided places on Earth, I started it to bring people together, regardless of who or what they were. Unity through laughter. Tell someone something and they wont usually listen, but make them laugh and youve just won. Make them laugh with other people, and youve just reminded them they are not as far apart as they thought. They become one. There is a reason politicians seek out comedy shows to bolster their image.

Boy did it work. Whether it was as recent as my show in Beirut (a democratic country) months ago, bringing 5,000 people together in one night while ISIS was trying to break us, or as far back as the first stand-up comedy show ever in Saudi Arabia (a kingdom) without permission from the royalty that would have forced men and women to be segregated, and drawing in close to 3,000 people, it worked.

Then, two years ago I decided to come back to America to do here what I did there, unity through laughter, figuring it would not be very difficult after my experiences abroad.

Well, shit. Its like walking right back into the Middle East all over again.

In the Middle East today there is no one to look up to. From leadership to Saturday morning cartoons, there is no sense of doing what you must for the betterment of all, while upholding a code of conductlike Batman or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

When Donald Trump controversially confirmed his bid for the presidency, I knew he had a real shot at being the next president. I was in Los Angeles and everyone thought I was mad. Trump?! No way! But what nobody picked up on is we no longer live in an America where people look up to anyone; we look downat our phones, and our selfies, staring back at us.

In the Middle East we have no one to choose from; in America, weve chosen no one.

Combine that with the internet giving the reach of an Olympic opening ceremony television broadcast to potentially anyone, and suddenly people are looking at whoever gets the most likes, shares and comments for guidance. And thats why the rhetoric of divisiveness is so effective: its clickbait, and that metric of success has been brought into the real world where it does not belong.

When I did the aforementioned show in Saudi Arabia, we did it on foreign groundmeaning property belonging to a foreign country (Embassy, American school, etc.). But until we got there, we had to park, and walk, in Saudi Arabia.

I walked with about 1,000 people (the other 2,000 were late, typical of us Arabs) in silencewomen covered from head to toe, along with their male sponsors (as women arent allowed to venture alone or drive), and men sure to keep their distance. The second we touched foot on foreign ground it was a celebration. People embraced one another, stunningly beautiful women revealed themselves in breathtaking outfits underneath their abaya, and the show lasted for hours. People risked their lives to come together for a comedy show that became a show of defiance.

Do you know what that was? That was the American way. Doing things right and winning against all odds. Why have we stopped doing that here? Were using what America taught us to change the Middle East, while America is starting to be like the Middle East were trying to change.

In the Middle East power is kept in the hands of the powerful few by exploiting and keeping people divided. In America, this election is being orchestrated by ripping people apart. From deplorables to criminals, black or all lives matter, Muslim or Mexican, women or objects, you will be categorized and you will be vilified. And even then you still wont be sure who to vote for.

Even Muslims, who many expect would never vote for Donald Trump, dont know who to vote for. When a Muslim woman posed a question to the candidates during the second presidential debate, she was listed as undecided. And while that may seem confusing, my theory is its mainly because they are tired of their relatives visiting from overseas.

Im a Christian. Im shocked to see Americans discriminating on faith and race while in Lebanon were all getting along.

We used to point to America and say, Thats a country where no matter what the result, the leaders come together to pass power peacefully, because unity over all. One day, we will be like that too. Now I come to an America that has a significant portion of the population rejecting the electoral process?

Why is America the most Arab its ever been? Because, like the Middle East, we are only thinking short-term. Donald Trump is focused on winning, and Hillary on not letting him ruin the country by winning. Or the other way around. You choose. But what happens when all is said and done? Sometimes winning at all costs ends up costing a lot more than you were willing to spend. But for a country this much in debt, maybe it isnt that surprising that this has yet to settle in?

Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. I quote that, not because JFK said it, but because it was first written by Lebanese writer Khalil Gibran. I have lived in the hell of no nation, and I have dedicated my life to defining it again, because without a nation we are just people living in close proximity to one another.

Muslims, Christians, and Jews killed and displaced millions in Lebanon and the Middle East. Then the war ended, and the country wasand still isfull of Muslims, Christians, and Jews. And guess what? We all get stuck in the exact same traffic every morning, we all suffer from a struggling economy equally, we all hate the government that we elected, and that same government cant seem to elect a president (Lebanon is a parliamentary democracy, and until literally this week, we had no president). And before you say, Wait a second, no president? Google it and find out Lebanon is now the most stable place in the Middle East even though we havent had a president for some years and youll conclude: Why dont we try that! Realize we are on our path to becoming what America is: a nation.

And a nation found in indignation is no more than an infant without a mother.

NEMR will be performing November 3rd at New York Citys Gramercy Theatre as part of the New York Comedy Festival. You can purchase tickets here.
In Europe as well as the United States the political arena has shifted to the fringes. Measured, moderate stands on issues of national and international importance are zapped by high-voltage soundbites, obliterated by incendiary one-liners.

Anger is the coveted political currency of the momentanger fueled by fear of foreigners, by fears for the futureanger fueled by populist politicians at home and abroad. And even little Switzerland, the Continents hoary paradigm of democracy, has not been immune.

Until this year, in fact, it seemed all but certain that the right-wing populists of the SVP (the Schweizer Volkspartei) would push through a referendum calling for the expulsion of immigrants, even second or third generation Swiss born, if they were found guilty of a legal offense as minor as two parking tickets.

(Donald Trump has made essentially the same idea part of his 10-point immigration plan: Zero tolerance for criminal aliens, he proclaims. We will issue detainers for all illegal immigrants who are arrested for any crime whatsoever, and they will be placed into immediate removal proceedings.)

But in Switzerland, the SVP populists found themselves up against a new grass roots movement, Operation Libero, that seemed to come from nowhere. The SVP referendum lost badly, and all of a sudden all eyes turned to a political newcomer26-year-old driven, committed, and comely Flavia Kleiner, the movements co-president.

Liberalism was highjacked by radicals, she says, meaning the classic liberalism of John Stuart Mill. Operation Libero is all about a new vision and a new story.

In the months since the referendum, Kleiner has become the new face of what might be called progressive moderation. Under her leadership, previously unengaged Swiss voters have found their voices and are mobilized.

Like many young people elswhere in Europe and in the U.S., Kleiner watched in consternation as the tired old guard, the traditional politicians, were put on the defensive and pushed steadily in a corner by aggressive populists with their message of anger and fear.

But rather than surrender to easy cynicism and apathy, Kleiner and a few friends started a political movment based on principles that most people in the West once took for granted: a liberalism, in the classic sense, that means freedom, rights for the individual, democracy and the separation of powers.

A year ago, the SVP looked like it was unstoppable. In national elections it won a landslide by the standards of the countrys multiparty system, raking in almost 30 percent of the votes.

The atmosphere in Switzerland has been dominated by the populist SVP minority, says Kleiner, who believes that the 70 percent of Swiss who did not vote for them think quite differently. Operation Libero wanted to let that majority speak, Kleiner says. In 2014 the movement made its debut with the slogan calling for Switzerland to be, A land of opportunities, not an open air museum.

Then in February the new Swiss law calling for the expulsion of immigrants was coming up for approval by referendum. The question was framed by the SVP party as a vote for or against ousting criminal foreigners.

I thought Id lose to them, Kleiner told The Daily Beast. Because whatever you say in that context, you come across as a defender of criminal foreigners.

Issues on immigrants or foreigners has always been the SVPs core business, so Operation Libero had to reframe the subject.

We said; with this referendum the SVP is undermining the foundations of our democracy and the rule of law, our human rights and fundamental achievements.

It isnt just the populists who frame immigration as a problem. The left does, the liberals do, everyone does, said Kleiner. We wanted to develop another discourse. One that is progressive and looking ahead and saying that we are looking forward to the year 2050. Whereas everyone else is saying, It was better the way it was before and we should stick to what we know, etc.

The message seems to have worked. Operation Libero gained an unexpected and overwhelming win, defeating the referendum by 58.9 percent.

But its likely a positive outlook alone would not have been enough to bring Operation Libero such a stunning success. Kleiners charismatic leadership certainly helped. A lot of politicians talk about idealism, but Kleiner fairly exudes it at a time when many voters have lost faith in the motives of the political establishment. She is seen to lead, as one local newspaper put it, a rebellion of the decent.

Operation Libero treads outside the familiar corridors of political power and the lobbies of special interests, in part, by stying itself a movement rather than a party. It is, as one might expect, very active on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The movement believes it can exert more influence by remaining on the outside this way, and it aims to attract the decent in parliament, whether they are from the left or the right. Indeed, as Kleiner notes, The current president of Swiss parliament Christa Markwalder is a member.

Operation Liberos strength lies in two distinct demographics. One group is aged 20 to 40, educated, with a progressive world viewpeople who felt thay had no home in Swiss politics anymore. The second group is relatively elderly, members aged 60 to 80. For them, the movement renews hope in the values they fought for in the past.

Operation Libero has a well thought through strategy that cuts across the traditional party divides. Its interesting to see how much we agree with the SVP on some points. Kleiner says. On some of the fundamentals of democracy. But on individual freedom and constitutional rights we think very differently.

Operation Libero promotes progressive policies while carefully respecting tranditional Swiss values. It embraces patriotism and rejects populism at the same time.

But this is not only a battle of ideals, tactical thinking is an integral part of its approach.

The SVP uses a lot of easy, catchy one liners, says Kleiner. Populism needs that. Its like a drug, you know. The movement had to be pragmatic to reach the front page. To get there you need one picture and five words. You can make phrases catchier without losing substance. Make it easy to understand. You have to be smart in your political communication. The way you communicate is as important as the message.

And then, as Kleiner puts it, We have to be fearless.

People are intimidated by populist parties like the SVP and believe being a patriot means being a populist, she says. One sees that too often [patriotism] is left to the right wing populists, because they scream the loudest. They cause more problems than they solve.

Operation Libero is finding a way back to what it calls our liberal achievements.

The president of the SVP is like the bully in the schoolyard, always beating up the smaller kids. And then, when they need coalition partners they complain nobody wants to hold their hand during the school trip, says Kleiner.

The Swiss press calls her the nightmare of the populists, but she may turn out to be the hope of true Swiss liberalism.
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida  Hillary Clintons pathway to the White House rests in Charlie Crists sweaty hands.

The former Florida governor is running against incumbent Republican Rep. David Jolly in Floridas 13th Congressional District, which is dominated by Pinellas County, arguably the most important swing county in the most critical swing state in the nation.

The presidential race is extremely close in Florida, with the Real Clear Politics polling average giving Donald Trump an edge of just 0.8 percentage points. That means every twitch in tight areas could prove decisive, and nowhere in the state is the race tighter than Pinellas County.

The Republicans cannot win the White House without Florida, said Susan McGrath, chairwoman of the Pinellas County Democrats. Theres a lot of pressure on us to be able to perform, and you see that from the attention you receive from the national campaign.

The importance of the county to the presidential race is underscored by the revolving door of prominent national surrogates who show up in this tiny area bordering the Gulf of Mexico. Republican vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence spoke to a rally here Monday, followed immediately by Bill Clinton, who on Tuesday made his second visit to the county in a month.

Its very important to Hillary and to me that you give [Crist] a big vote, the former president said at a raucous community center in the district Tuesday evening, citing the his wifes need for a supportive Democratic contingent in the House to prevent obstruction from Republicans.

Just over a week after Halloween, voters in the county will find themselves in the midst of something of a freak showboth Jolly and Crist are, well, idiosyncratic candidates for the House of Representatives.

In the past six years, Crist has run for senator as a Republican and an independent, then for governor as a Democrat, and finally now for Congress. We always think its the last gasp for Charlie and it never is, sighed Nick DiCeglie, chairman of the Pinellas Republican Party. He simply cannot stay in one spot for very long.

Crist is also known for his trademark glowing white hair and overwhelming fear of sweatinga disagreement over an electric fan at Crists podium nearly upended a gubernatorial debate in 2014.

His opponent this time around, Jolly, is a politician with ties to Scientology, a religion created by an American science-fiction writer in the 1950s that has drawn criticism for opposing psychiatric medications and is accused of being a cult. Clearwater, which is in the district, is home to the spiritual headquarters of the religion.

Neither Jolly nor Crist were initially supposed to run in this district. Jolly was slated to run for Floridas U.S. Senate seat until Marco Rubio flip-flopped and decided that he would run for re-election. Crist declared that he wouldnt run for office in 2016, but later opted to throw his hat in the ring for the congressional race after redistricting gave the district a Democratic advantage.

Charlie Crist was not in this district before, and now his home falls in this district. It should be a seat that has a Democratic pickup, McGrath said. David Jolly is well-liked by Republicans, and Charlie Crist is well-known, and well-liked by Democrats, even if he hasn't always been one it should be Charlies to lose.

Despite an uncertain race, neither Jolly nor Crist have been especially eager for attention. Jollys campaign did not respond to a request for comment, and Crists campaign declined to make the candidate or a surrogate available to discuss the dynamics of the race.

Indeed, Crists campaign seems ready to rest on the efforts of the national Democratic campaign. When Bill Clinton appeared in the district Tuesday to encourage voters to vote for Crist and Hillary Clinton, the former governor delivered a short speech that leaned heavily on Hillarys slogans. Crist then left the stage with a ton of time to sparecreating a long gap in the program that left audience members twiddling their thumbs.

I know youre with her, arent you? If youre with her, lets let the world know, Crist said, in a speech that was no more than three minutes longconspicuously short for any politician. When she gets elected, we will be stronger together!

Both Hillary and Bill Clinton appeared in Florida on Tuesday, leaving the clear impression that their time in the state was to push women and minority voters to turn out for Floridas early voting process. Bill Clinton appeared in predominantly African-American area of Wildwood, in Pinellas County, to give a barnburner of a speech, riffing on infrastructure spending, student-debt refinancing, and the cost of a gigawatt hour of wind power in Ohio.

But he began his speech with a nod to African Americans in the audience, reflecting on the legacy of poll taxes and the denial of voting rights to black voters.

Im a 70-year-old white Southerner, Clinton said. I know what Make America Great Again means.

It was super, gushed Aretha Butler, a 68-year-old black veteran who served 28 years in the Army. What President Obama has done over the past eight years is make it great, not great again. With Hillary, we want to continue this roll were on Trump wants to put us back to when I was young, and you had to the black, white drinking fountains.

Pinellas County, where Bill Clinton spoke, serves as the anchor of the I-4 corridor, an east-west highway dense with undecided voters.

This whole I-4 corridor is the No. 1 media market in the state. This always decides statewide elections. Weve been preparing for this moment for the last two years, DiCeglie said.

North of the I-4 corridor, in Dade City, Hillary Clinton made an appeal to female and Hispanic voters. Hundreds braved the scorching afternoon sun to hear her speakand she was introduced by Alicia Machado, the former Miss Universe whom Trump once taunted as Miss Piggy.

Machado proved popular with the crowdNo way! cried a Clinton supporter, with glee, when she was called to the stageand interspersed Spanish repeatedly through her speech.

Hillary has been fighting for women, children, and Latinos, just average people like me and you, her entire life, Machado said. [Trump] thinks he can do whatever [he wants].

Together were going to say loudly and clearly, No, Trump! Hes not getting away with it.

For her part, Clinton hammered Trump for his treatment of women, his position on the deportation of undocumented immigrants, and his contention that a federal judge of Mexican heritage wasnt capable of being impartial.

Who acts like this? Ill tell you who: a bully, Clinton said. We need to work hard that our boys, just like our girls, have that sense of positive energy respecting women. In fact, all of us should respect each other, in our country.

Ultimately, though, Clinton wasnt in the state just to give another stump speech. More than 4 million Floridians have already cast their ballots in the presidential election, with Republicans gaining a narrow edge.

Someone asked me the other day, Why do you keep coming back to Florida? the former secretary of state said, in front of a large American flag, as a handful of Trump supporters down the road called for her to be locked up. Its a beautiful place, and Ive got lots of friends, but its really important in this election. Florida could decide who the next president is.
BAZWAYA, Iraq  The bullets zipped over the earthen barricade blocking the road to Mosul, prompting an instant response from the black-clad soldiers who had been milling around their Humvees at the edge of Bazwaya. Heavy machine-guns opened up in their turrets, and automatic fire crackled from the rooftopsanother supposedly secured village had turned hot in the blink of an eye.

Elite counterterrorism forces announced they had wrested control of the Bazwaya from ISIS on Monday, but some of the jihadi defenders had remained hidden in tunnels burrowed underneath the village, and emerged to spray fire on the Iraqi positions from a row of houses lining the main road.

The insurgents refusal to give up on Bazwaya reflects the importance of the place. Only two kilometers to the east of the city limits, the nondescript village is now the gateway to Mosul.

It is from here that the counterterrorism forces known as the Golden Division on Tuesday launched their attack on the industrial zone of Gogjali, the first breach of the citys defenses since the operation to expel ISIS from Mosul began two weeks ago.

The elite fighters took Gogjali that day, but paused Wednesday as poor weather grounded coalition air support.

Today we will not advance any further, and concentrate on clearing the buildings in Gogjali instead. The advance will continue in one or two days, 1st Lt. Mahmoud, who took part in the fighting, told The Daily Beast.

Wearing their trademark black combat fatigues and driving black armored cars, the soldiers of the U.S.-trained Golden Division have spearheaded the fightback against ISIS for the past two years, scoring notable victories against the jihadis in Ramadi, Hit, and Fallujah as they rolled back the self-proclaimed caliphate.

We started fighting Daesh [ISIS] in Beiji and we havent stopped since, said Ahmed Majid, one of the soldiers holding Bazwaya.

At Mosul, Iraqs second largest city, the Golden Division has been the tip of the spear once again.

Majids battalion, Iraq Special Operations Forces 3, swiftly took the small Christian town of Bartella, and from there beat a narrow corridor straight toward the metropolis where hundreds of thousands of people still live. It secured the village of Bazwaya on Monday, pushing into the industrial zone of Gogjali on the outskirts a day later.

By mid-afternoon on Tuesday, Gogjali was in the hands of ISOF 3, according to an officer who had returned from the zone.

The fighting had been intense. The Golden Division had sent in 23 Humvees and one Abrams tank to break into the city limits, according to Daher Mahmoud, a soldier who had taken part in the fighting. They had to repel two suicide truck bombs and were in constant danger of roadside bombs as they encountered up to 50 insurgents, said Mahmoud.

We are facing Daeshs strategy of launching suicide cars and planting bombs, the officer said. Unshaven, weighed down by ammunition clips for his M4 rifle, and with a knife tucked into his combat vest, he embodied the grit and swagger of the Golden Division.

Each of our men is worth a thousand soldiers, he said, batting away a question on how many men from his unit had entered Gogjali, before climbing into his Humvee to drive back into the industrial zone.

The soldiers fighting their way into Mosul on Tuesday did not have to wait long until they were confronted with the insurgents desperate defensive tactics.

ISIS had tried to stall the advance from Bazwaya as soon as the day broke, launching an explosives-packed pickup truck into Iraqi positions as the special forces lined up their Humvees for the attack. Hit by machine-gun fire and a rocket-propelled grenade, the driver detonated his deadly cargo, sending the truck flying through the air.

The soldiers later added the charred remains of the vehicle to the earthen roadblock piled up to protect against further attacks, and dumped the body of the driver next to it. When bullets crossed paths above the berm a few hours later, a leg stuck out from the shallow grave.

As the unexpected firefight raged in Bazwaya, it was accompanied by explosions from nearby Gogjali that echoed across the sandy plains, mixing in with the gunfire ringing out across the street. Occasionally, a mortar round landed close by, its impact hurling rock and tarmac at the troops.

The contest was decided when three Humvees were called back from Gogjali to Bazwaya to engage the jihadis at close quarters. Long bursts of machine-gun fire rang out as the armored vehicles drew up to the insurgents, and eventually the shooting stopped.

The surprise attack exposed the precarious situation of the counterterrorism units leading the way into Mosul. While the elite fighters are advancing with relative ease, the regular army and the Kurdish Peshmerga fighting next to them have struggled to keep up.

To reach Gogjali, the special forces raced ahead to beat a narrow corridor through enemy territory, inviting counterattacks on their flanks.

The Iraqi armys 9th Armored Division was slow to take the Christian town of Qaraqosh that lies south of the Golden Divisions front line base at Bartella. In the northwest, Peshmerga forces tasked with retaking the town of Bashiqa and pushing toward Mosul have yet to achieve their goal. In the south, across the Tigris, the Iraqi army is still further away from the city. With no immediate threat to its defense in the city there, ISIS might shift fighters to meet the Golden Division as it pushes in from Gogjali.

The men holding Bazwaya say they are unconcerned by the performance of their peers.

The 9th and the 16th Division have been with us from the beginning. They have a lot of experience, said Lt. Col. Alaa, a Golden Division intelligence officer, over a lunch of spinach stew with rice and bread.

The men keeping open the corridor to Gogjali have even more confidence in their comrades fighting further up front. As the Humvees that crushed the ambush roll in, a bulldozer emerges to remove the berm, depriving the soldiers of a barrier against attacks from the direction of Mosul.

As the bulldozer works swiftly to clear the way for the Humvees, its shovel unceremoniously tosses the wreckage of the suicide truck into a ditch next to the road. The mangled corpse of the driver comes tumbling after.
Since I only got to spend a day here, I wanted to maximize my time by exploring the center of town. Our guides provided by our cruise line, Royal Caribbean, dropped us in the center of town at Piazza Tasso, which is a great spot to find some delicious gelato (some of the best I had our entire trip) and explore shops, cafes and watch the comings and goings of Sorrento. The buildings and structures that surround the square are pastel-hued, making you feel like you've traveled back in time through an creamsicle haha. It's so charming.

And speaking of architecture, if you're looking for a few highlights, I recommend checking out the Sorrento Cathedral (built in the 11th Century), the Cloister of San Francesco and the Church of Carmine (the yellow painted church shown above).

If you follow the steep road and stairs that lead to the small harbor or Marina Grande, you'll find gorgeous views and brightly painted boats in this peaceful harbor. It's a great spot to grab lunch by the sea or sit and read a book if you have time.
Pope Francis said the Catholic Church will probably continue banning women from serving as priests forever, according to journalists who were traveling on a plane with him Tuesday.

According to the National Catholic Reporter, a Swedish journalist on the plane asked, "Is it realistic to think that there might be women priests also in the Catholic Church in the next few decades?"

When Francis said no, the journalist reportedly asked, "But really forever? Never?"

The pope reportedly replied, "If we read carefully the declaration made by St. John Paul II, it goes in that direction."

Francis was referring to the earlier pope's 1994 letter that noted that Jesus chose only men as his apostles. "The exclusion of women from the priesthood is in accordance with God's plan for his Church," John Paul II wrote in that letter.

Some advocates for the ordination of women saw a glimmer of hope in Francis' decision earlier this year to create a commission to study the role of female deacons in the church. Deacons are clergy in the Catholic church, who can perform many of the functions of priests, including officiating at weddings and baptisms and preaching at Mass. Women served as deacons in the early centuries of the church, but are currently banned from doing so.

Some saw the new commission, which Francis appointed seven men and six women to in August, as a harbinger of priesthood for women in the future.

Boston College theologian James Bretzke said when Francis created the committee, "If women can be ordained as deacons, then this is going to weaken - not destroy - but weaken significantly the argument that women absolutely are incapable of being ordained as priests. So this is opening more than a crack in the door."

This is not the first time Francis has stated his objection to the idea of women ever becoming priests.

The subject came up again Tuesday because Francis had traveled to Sweden to commemorate the 499th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation with leaders of the Lutheran church, which broke off from Catholicism when Martin Luther nailed his questions about the church to the door of a German church on Oct. 31, 1517. The leader of the Lutheran church in Sweden is Archbishop Antje Jackelen, the first woman to fill the role.
November 5, 1927 - October 25, 2016

Dr. Robert Henry Page, 88, of College Station, died October 25, 2016 at Hospice Brazos Valley Facility, Bryan, Texas from complications due to Alzheimer's Disease.

Bob was born November 5, 1927 in Philadelphia, PA to the late Ernest Fraser and Marguerite MacFarland Page. He graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia in 1945. A World War II veteran, he enlisted in the United States Army and was sent to Virginia Military Institute and then to Armed Forces Radio Services for duty in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Friday, November 4th at Memorial Funeral Chapel in College Station. A celebration of Bob's life is scheduled for 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 5th at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 1001 Woodcreek Dr, College Station, TX 77845. Interment will follow at College Station Cemetery.

He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio University in 1949 and MS/PhD from University of Illinois in 1955.

Bob held leadership positions with Esso Research and Engineering Company, as well as the University of Illinois and Stevens Institute of Technology. Bob was the head of the Department of Mechanical, Industrial, and Aerospace Engineering at Rutgers University for 15 years before becoming the Dean of Engineering at Texas A&M University and then held the James M. Forsyth Professor of Mechanical Engineering Endowed Chair until his retirement.

His research specialty was flow separation analysis and its application to practical problems, work for which he gained international recognition. He presented over 170 lectures and over 250 professional papers. He was noted for his research and teaching on non-isoenergetic supersonic base flow, thermodynamic second law solution of subsonic base flow, and impingement jet flows. Under his tutelage and guidance, his students have been honored for excellence in many areas of engineering. Bob thought his principle accomplishments to be the development of strong, successful engineering education programs.

In 1984, he was honored as the first non-German scientist to be appointed an Honorary Professor at Ruhr University in Bochum, Germany. He was elected to many scientific societies and was a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Society of Engineering Education, the American Institute of Aeronautics, the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, the American Astronautical Society, and fellow of the American Association for Advancement of Science. He was a leader on various national task forces and was a past president of the American Society for Engineering Education and past chair of the American Society of Engineering Education Academy of Fellows. He was awarded the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 50-year pin commemorating his 50 years of contributions to the advancement of the arts, science, and technology of aeronautics and astronautics at Texas A&M and the Johnson Space Center.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Lola Marie Griffin Page. They met on a blind date on May 10th 1947. They were married on November 12, 1948. During their nearly 68-year marriage they lived in Illinois, New Jersey and Texas. A member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in College Station, Bob served as an usher, greeter, lay reader and member of the council and finance committees. Bob also served on the board of Twin City Mission.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his sister, Margie Page Grim; and brother, Ernest Fraser Page, Jr.

He is survived by his children Linda Page (College Station, TX), Jim and Patty Page Peeples (Southern Pines, NC), Bill and Theresa Page (Kerrville, TX), Bob and Nancy Page Ritzi (Beavercreek, OH) and Marty and Cynthia Page (Southlake, TX); his grandchildren Jimmy and Victoria Peeples (Mesa, AZ); Richard and Emily Peeples Bauguss (Denver, NC) Kyle and Jordan Page (Ft. Collins, CO); Ryan and Callie Page (Denver, CO); Bobby Ritzi (Columbus, OH); Evan and Katharine Ritzi Cameron (Urbandale, IA); Bryant Page (Arlington, TX) and Connor Page (Southlake, TX); his three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, friends, family, and loved ones.

While Bob's professional achievements were many, he remained humble and will always be remembered for his enthusiasm for life, positive attitude, smile, and his love of family.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be directed to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 1001 Woodcreek Dr. College Station, Tx 77845 or Aggieland Humane Society, 5359 Leonard Road Bryan TX 77807 or a charity of one's choice.
Dinosaurs or allies?

As a result of 40 years of neoliberal propaganda against trade unions, many people in the green movement have internalised the image of trade unionists as 'dinosaurs', concerned only with their own self-interest, and uncaring about the environment.

The Lucas Plan shows that, at the height of their supposedly illegitimate power over national policy, the trade union movement was capable of inspiring initiatives, in which they understood that their own interests were the same as those of the environment. The more recent Million Climate Jobs plan, and the broader trade union initiative of Just Transition shows that most trade unionists want to be allies to the environmental movement.

Because of class differences and the way that capitalism sets up greens and trade unionists against each other, many people in the green movement adopt a position of moral superiority towards workers in harmful industries who are unwilling to give up their jobs.

It's much easier to take such positions if your own livelihood doesn't depend upon it. What is needed is government support for such industrial conversion plans, something that has been lacking in mainstream politics for a long time, but is now back on the political agenda.

But there is a deeper flaw in the thinking of much of the green movement: the conviction that saving the planet is simply a matter of getting rid of dirty old technologies and industries and replacing them with clean, new, green ones.

Of course, technological change is vital, but the technology-focused strategy which tries to ignore politics and social issues can become just as technocratic as the mainstream industries and policy-makers that have caused the problem.

Are we going to impose green technologies on people in the same way that corporations impose e.g. GM technology upon us? In extreme forms, this technofix mentality can lead to, e.g., support for nuclear power and climate engineering as 'solutions' to climate change.

In reality, everything is connected to everything else, including technology and society. So instead of top-down technocratic 'solutions', what the green movement needs to do more than anything else is to reach out to working class communities.

We need to overcome the jobs impasse by working with trade unionists for new local and national economies that give people a livelihood. And to do that, we need to be on their side, in their day-to-day struggles to make a living and feed their families. That means making political commitments that many greens feel scared of, but there is no shortcut.

After all, how are we going to save the world without having working class people, who are still the majority of the population, on our side? As the anti-fracking campaign has found, making connections with grassroots working class communities brings a depth and strength to a movement that other green campaigns can only envy.

Technology, workers, and climate change - a deeper lesson

The Lucas Plan also has a lesson for the green movement about technology, in fact it's a lesson that many on the Left have also forgotten.

Although the aspect of the Lucas Plan that is best remembered is arms conversion, the Plan was part of a broader struggle of trade unionists in the 1970s against the way in which industrial technology is designed to reduce the need for workers' skills, and eventually automate their jobs out of existence.

This inbuilt tendency of industrial capitalism has accelerated for the last 40 years, through the ongoing digitalisation of everything. Now there are predictions that digital technology will eliminate 50 percent of the jobs in the economy over the next 20 years, potentially creating incredible hardship and social upheaval.

Of course, despite its 'clean' image, digital technologies are heavy industrial technologies, consuming vast amounts of resources (and starting wars over them), creating huge waste and pollution, and using inconceivable amounts of energy.

The Lucas Aerospace workers' emphasis on human skills-based production rather than automation, and production for real social need, are in fact green as well as socialist ideas. If we want green technologies, the place to go is to skilled workers, rather than to companies that design technology for profit first.

The environmental crisis is, at root, a crisis in the whole system of industrial capitalism, and it requires us to go back to basics about how we produce things that people need, without destroying the environment. The Lucas workers' ideas represent both a social and a technological paradigm for how to go forward.

David King is a former biologist and coordinator of Luddites200, and co-organiser of Breaking the Frame.

The conference on the Lucas Plan 40th anniversary will be held at Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (138 Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 6DR) on November 26, 2016. Book tickets here.

It is organised and sponsored by: former members of the Lucas Aerospace Shop Stewards Combine, Breaking the Frame, PCS, UCU, Million Climate Jobs Campaign, Green Party, CND, Left Unity, Scientists for Global Responsibility, Campaign Against Arms Trade, Quaker Peace and Social Witness and Red Pepper.
The revolutions broadly depicted in this brilliant new exhibition, Records and Rebels 1966-1970, from London's V&A Museum include music, fashion, technology, communication, youth identity, black consciousness, women's rights and the environment, all linked by music. Much of it the music of protest, an integral part of the exhibition, and there was a lot to protest about. At the start of the 1960s there was the Vietnam War, homosexuality was illegal, racial discrimination was rife, there were no safeguards on toxic pollution, women couldn't get contraception unless they were married and abortion was illegal although, bizarrely, the psychedelic drug LSD wasn't. The time was ripe for revolution and by 1970 the impact had been seismic.

Music was so important to this era that the V&A's sound engineer, Carolyn Downing, worked closely with one of the exhibition's sponsors, Sennheiser, to create a beautifully balanced and relevant soundtrack. As exhibition visitors enjoy this through their individual headsets, it does mean that, in spite of the mass of people, they appear to pass through in apparent silence. Until you get to a big room where you can lounge on a bean bag on fake grass and watch extracts from the Woodstock music festival on huge screens; where Jimi Hendrix, Country Joe & The Fish, Janis Joplin, Joan Baez, Jefferson Airplane remind you so specifically of the spirit of protest that lay at the heart of the cultural revolution in the late 1960s.

Not least, this counter culture of the late 1960s was concerned with, and began raising the profile of, the environment, which was increasingly viewed as being under threat. Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring had been published in 1962, Paul Commoner's Science and Survival was published in 1966 and then, in January 1969, a 200,000 gallon oil leak from a Union Oil Company oilfield platform off the coast of California spread over 800 square miles, finally galvanising both local protest and national public opinion, particularly after the lack of concern for a few birds' - in reality around 4,000, not to mention the hundreds of sea mammals affected - expressed by the company's president.

"Call it conservation, the environment, ecological balance or what you will, it is a cause more permanent, more far-reaching than any other issue of the era - Vietnam and Black Power included," stated the New York Times at the time.

Following this outcry of protest, the liberal senator of Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson, proposed a national event focusing on environmental issues to be held in the following spring. Nelson suggested a completely peaceful teach-in' to reflect the sit-ins' and anti-war demonstrations that had been occurring and gaining publicity not just in the US but worldwide, and this environmental crusade gained momentum as 20 million Americans in schools, colleges and communities nationwide gathered to plant trees and participate in spring festivals, demanding environmental reform. Because of this, Earth Day, which is still an annual event but now worldwide, was born on April 22nd and also gathered political support from Democrats and Republicans alike. And never one to miss a political trick, following this direct evidence of public concern, President Richard Nixon pushed to establish the Environmental Protection Agency (https://www3.epa.gov) on December 2nd 1970.
Underground Food Collective opened Forequarter in 2012 at 708 1/4 E. Johnson St. The group's latest venture is a cafe planned for the former Salted Root/ Froth House space on the near west side.
Iowa county recorders: Veterans can access military records for free

The Iowa County Recorders Association and Des Moines County recorder remind veterans: Recording and requesting military records is free for veterans.
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AURORA  Area harvest is winding down after a near-perfect month of harvesting conditions during October, with area soybean harvest looking better than expected but corn not quite as good as anticipated.

Thats according to Ryan Sherwood, vice president of grain merchandising for the Aurora Co-op.

Sherwood said that area corn harvest is probably about 80 percent completed, with soybean harvest nearly 100 percent completed.

Unseasonably warm conditions persisted throughout the week ending Sunday, with temperatures averaging 9 degrees above normal, according to the USDAs National Agricultural Statistics Service. Precipitation was limited to a few counties in the northeast. Many producers finished soybean harvest and were focusing on corn.

Statewide, the USDA reported that corn harvested was 69 percent, near the 70 percent both last year and the five-year average.

Sorghum harvested was 81 percent, ahead of the 66 percent last year and the 70 percent average.

Soybeans harvested was 91 percent, slightly behind the 95 percent last year and the 96 percent average.

According to the National Weather Service in Hastings, October was warmer and drier than the 30-year average. For Grand Island, the average daily temperature, which is the combination of the daytime high and the nighttime low divided by two, was 56.7 degrees  4.5 degrees higher than the 30-year average. It was the 15th warmest October on record, tied with 1899, and the warmest October since 1963. Grand Islands October moisture was 0.12 of an inch  the 12th driest on record and the driest since 0.04 of an inch in October 1999.

For Hastings, it was the 14th warmest October on record and the warmest since 1971. Rainfall was 0.22 of an inch  the 16th driest October on record and the driest since 0.17 of an inch in 2010.

Sherwood said the corn crop was of good quality. He said there were a couple of hiccups here and there, but overall there werent any real issues.

While the quality is not necessarily bad, he said corn yields are lower than last year. In 2015, the USDA said, Hall Countys average corn yield was 200.3 bushels per acre.

Sherwood said soybean harvest has been great and for some farmers better than expected, and the quality and quantity have been fantastic.

Last year, the USDA said, the average soybean yield in Hall County was 66.3 bushels per acre.

But this year has been challenging weather-wise, according to the National Weather Service in Hastings.

From June to October, the weather service said both Hastings and Minden had the second driest five months on record, with Minden recording 5.36 inches and Hastings recording 6.76 inches. Kearney had 6.78 inches; Grand Island, 7.37 inches; Greeley, 7.6 inches; and St. Paul, 9.63 inches. The weather service said that the June-October period has an average rainfall of between 14-17 inches.

For the remainder of the week, the weather service reported that Grand Island may see a 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m. Wednesday, with a high near 64. Wednesday nights low will be around 38.

On Thursday, it will be sunny with a high near 68 and a low of about 41.

Friday will be sunny, with a high near 70 and a low of about 45.

Saturdays high will be near 69, with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m., and a low of about 47.

Sunday, theres a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 66. Theres a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Sunday night, with a low of about 46.

The USDA also reported that winter wheat conditions in Nebraska rated 1 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 54 percent good and 7 percent excellent. Winter wheat emerged was 95 percent, near the 96 percent last year and ahead of the 92 percent average.

Alfalfa fourth cutting was 92 percent.

Pasture and range conditions rated 5 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 50 percent good and 6 percent excellent.

Stock water supplies rated 1 percent very short, 11 percent short, 87 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 10 percent very short, 32 percent short, 56 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 8 percent very short, 29 percent short, 61 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.
AURORA  A 40-year-old Aurora man who corresponded with a female on a social media site was arrested on Tuesday by the Nebraska State Patrol and charged with first-degree sexual assault.

Ross Carstensen was taken into custody without incident, according to a press release from the State Patrol. Carstensen, who lives at 190 Donegal Road, was in the Hamilton County Jail as of late Tuesday.

State Patrol investigators responded to the victims report of a sexual assault on Oct. 20.

She provided investigators with information about a male who identified himself as Brandon, whom she met on a social media site, according to the press release. The victim indicated the two had been corresponding for a couple of weeks and that she had agreed to meet with him. The female was to drive to Aurora, where she would meet him at a park. He indicated he would be in a white car.

Upon her arrival at the designated location, the victim said, she found a man waiting in a white car, but she did not recognize him as Brandon. The man told her Brandon was at a house in Aurora and he was to drive her there. The victim rode with him to the house. She then went inside the home with the man.

Once inside, he informed her Brandon was not there. While in the home, the victim was sexually assaulted by the man, according to the State Patrol. After the assault, the man drove her back to her car. The victim then returned to her home, where she reported the sexual assault.

Using information provided by the female, investigators identified Carstensen as a suspect in the sexual assault. On Tuesday, a search warrant was served at his residence, where computers, other electronic devices and additional evidence were seized.

Carstensen, who was home at the time, was taken into custody.
Democrats saw a surge in new voters in Pennsylvania as midterms near
The ubiquitous political signs that dot the local landscape are an ever-increasing reminder that several area candidates would like your vote in the Nov. 8 general election.

Some of the signs stand alone, such as the red and white KATIE STUART for State Representative signs or the red, white and blue signs touting DWIGHT KAY for State Representative.

Others are clumped together by political party on front lawns, like so many dandelions.

Stuart, a Democrat, is challenging incumbent Dwight Kay in the race for state rep in the 112th Congressional District. Stuart, who announced her candidacy in February, lives in Edwardsville, Kay in Glen Carbon.

In the race for Madison County States Attorney, incumbent Democrat Tom Gibbons faces a challenge from Republican Ron Williams.

In the race for Madison County Board Chairman, incumbent Democrat Alan Dunstan faces opposition from County Treasurer Kurt Prenzler, a Republican.

Locally, there are three races for Madison County Board this time around.

Democrat Ann Gorman faces Republican challenger Bob Hulme in Edwardsvilles District 17. Hulme spent his career with the Illinois State Police. He says he is concerned with the high cost of government. Like some other Republican candidates, he alleges that the county has an excessive surplus and would like to see some of it returned to taxpayers.

Gorman has been on the County Board for six years. She serves on the countys Finance and Grants committees and chairs the Information Technologies Committee. She would like to see the county bring in new businesses and expand some of the enterprise zones that attract businesses to the area.

In Edwardsvilles District 18, Republican Fred Schulte is challenging incumbent Democrat Jack Minner. Schulte has owned Edwardsville Frozen Foods since 1980. He has also been the Edwardsville Township Clerk for the past 15 years.

I understand what it takes to make a business work and how to meet a payroll and how to work with employees and how to balance a budget, he said recently.

Minner could say the same. He is known locally as the man who operated Jacks 66 Service for nearly a half century. For the past 14 years he has chaired the Madison County Finance and Government Operations Committee. Weve never had a year without a balanced budget, were debt free, and the last two years we have managed to lower taxes, he has said.

Erica Conway Harriss and Ross Breckenridge are opposing each other in Glen Carbons County Board District 26. The seat opened when incumbent Brenda Roosevelt, a Democrat, decided not to run for re-election. Harriss, a Republican, is a small business owner and a local mom. She has experience in marketing and public relations and has said she is committed to helping lower taxes and promote fiscal responsibility.

Breckenridge, a Democrat, has been a trustee on the Glen Carbon Village board since 2009. Weve lowered Glen Carbons property taxes. Its the lowest in the history of Glen Carbon, he said recently.

Voters will also be voting on a District 7 referendum question. Proposition E would increase funding for local schools and ensure both our children and communitys future by raising the Education Fund tax rate, for the first time since 1977, according to information from the district.

The increase is necessary, the district says, because the state of Illinois has reduced its funding for District 7 by $7.3 million annually and District 7 cannot maintain its tradition of academic excellent at current funding levels.

The current tax rate is $4.22 and would increase to $4.77 if Proposition E passes. The district says its current rate is the second lowest of all the school districts in Madison County and would remain one of the lowest if the referendum passes.
Miguel D. Ellis, 31, was arrested by the Edwardsville Police Department Sunday, Oct. 30 at approximately 10:33 p.m. in the 1800 block of Lindenwood Ave.

Lt. Charles Kohlberg said after receiving a report of two suspicious suspects in the area, officers made their way on scene.

When officers arrived on scene, those males fled on foot. One of them was apprehended in the near vicinity. Its on ongoing investigation; a hand gun was recovered. That subject has been charged by the Madison County States Attorneys office with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, Kohlberg said.

The investigation is still ongoing and Kohlberg said, Well continue to follow up on other information that we have.

After being reviewed by the Madison County States Attorney, Ellis, of OFallon, has been charged with alleged unlawful possession of weapons by a felon. Ellis was also convicted of arson on February 14, 2013 in Mason County, Ill.

Bail is set at $70,000.

Kohlberg said the suspects may have been deemed suspicious given the time and place of the incident.

The time of night that it was, the location of where the individuals were located. I cant really speak for the caller as to what was going through their mind that they deemed it suspicious, but obviously the two were apparently engaging in some type of behavior to call or think that something normal wasnt going on, he said.

As the investigation continues, Kohlberg said the EPD advises anyone who notices suspicious activity to give the EPD a call.

In any area, if you ever observe behavior that appears suspicious, by all means give us a call so we can send officers out and make a determination. If its late at night and something appears to be going on that looks out of the normal and you think it is worth our attention, by all means give us a call, he said.

If you see any suspicious activity, contact the Edwardsville Police Department at 618-656-2131.
This story is the second of two about Scott Air Force Base's centennial.

Scott Air Force Base is celebrating its centennial in 2017, and there are several events planned throughout the year, including an air show featuring the Air Force Thunderbirds in June.

As part of the celebration, the base is highlighting several of the functions it performs. Recently, Col. Charles B. McDaniel, the Vice Commander of the 618 Air Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center), led a tour of the AOC (TACC) at Scott.

The 618th AOC plans, directs, and executes global air mobility missions with a fleet of more than 1,100 mobility aircraft in support of strategic airlift, air refueling, and aeromedical evacuation operations around the world.

Maj. Jena Pelletier and Master Sgt. Alex Berry spoke about the AOC (TACC).

We deliver the right things to the right place at the right time, Pelletier said. We average 500 flights a day. We support refueling, mobility support and aeromedical evacuation. Recently, she said, they delivered meals and water to Iraqis trapped by ISIL.

At Scott, the operations are supported in a huge aircraft control room. Most Air Force members and civilian employees have at least four computer screens on their desk, and there are large screens on the walls.

Several airplanes are used, McDaniel said, including the C5, which has the cargo capacity to hold six Greyhound busses, while still having room for passengers. The cargo area is longer than the Wright brothers first flight path, McDaniel said.

Because of the speed and efficiency of aeromedical evacuations, McDaniel said, the survival rate has gone from 76 percent in the first gulf war to 91 percent now. Its 98 percent if we can get them in the first hour after the injury, he said.

The center works 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The goal, Berry said, was to move people and cargo both quickly and efficiently. We ask, Is this the best use of the plane? Is this the best plane for the mission? They try to rideshare the planes, he said, and also consider what cargo or people need to be move. We dont want to use a small plane for small cargo.

The senior officer at the center has a direct line to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the White House Command Center, Berry said.

In addition to mission controllers and flight managers, the center has its own team to keep an eye on the weather and let the rest of the group know if there are severe conditions anywhere. There is also a strategy division to plan flights. The center employs several civilians, many as air traffic controllers. They help provide continuity as service members are re-assigned, Berry said.

Berry told the story of Sgt. Dan Powers. Powers was injured in the Middle East. It was 32 hours from his injury in the field to his surgery in the United State, Berry said. It was all organized from Scott. We found a crew and plane to send to him, sent a doctor to meet his plane at Bethesda Air Base, and we planned and executed two refuelings, one in Europe and one on the East Coast.

The center coordinated the moves of 4,530 patients in 2015. This has gone down in the past few years, Berry said.

This command is very vital to the Department of Defense, McDaniel said. We touch everything. Recently, they evacuated over 700 dependents from Guantanamo Bay in advance of Hurricane Matthew. Then we turned right around and took a contingency response to Haiti.

Most flights are not scheduled in advance. We set priorities and balance requirements from here, McDaniel said. Were watching the entire globe. If the president moves, we support it. When Shock and Awe started, we knew in advance so we could support it. It all happens here, he said. Theres never a dull moment.
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Linkedin Rumy Doo (The Korea Herald/Asia News Network)  Wed, November 2, 2016

When director David Kinsella first set foot in North Korea in 2014, what struck him most was not its expected desolation, the small army of government officials that met him at every turn, or how he was led to a hotel built exclusively for foreign visitors on an isolated island.

Rather, it was how obsessed with its image the hermit nation seemed -- how it strived to stage everything to perfection for the Irishman.

One of the first sites Kinsella was taken to was the giant mausoleum where the Great Leader Kim Il-sung lay, alongside valuable gifts he had received from totalitarian governments around the world.

Imagine, a museum just to show gifts, Kinsella told The Korea Herald in an interview Tuesday in Jung-gu, Seoul. Talk about a real inferiority complex.

The director was in Seoul to screen his documentary The Wall at the North Korean Human Rights International Film Festival, which ran from Oct. 21-23.

Kinsella, funded by the Norwegian Film Institute, was granted rare permission to film in North Korea and spent some two weeks in the reclusive country alone with a camera.

(Read also: By letting camera roll, film gives rare view of North Korea)

His original expectation of capturing the realities of the secretive state was thwarted the moment filming began. The subject of Kinsellas documentary, Young-hee, a young girl from a poor village with a dream of studying at a university in Pyongyang and becoming a poet, turned out to be an actress handpicked by North Koreas state-run film studio. The villagers and everyone else allowed in front of the camera, Kinsella discovered, were all extras. The towering buildings in Pyongyangs technology zone were all empty.

They had recruited over 1,000 extras in 15 days to create their utopia, Kinsella said. Even (Young-hees) walk was perfect, one foot directly in front of the other, he recalled. Theyre creating a world that is so unreal, hoping everyone will believe its real.

In one scene, which featured Young-hee attending a classical music concert, the orchestra stopped playing the minute Kinsellas camera was turned off.

After three minutes, they all stopped. The audience got up and walked away. All these telltale signs made me realize, this is all fake.

After each filming day, Kinsella was forced to hand over his footage to the censor department for inspection. He decided to film scenes with large blank spaces that he could later fill with computer animations, the un-fabricated reality he witnessed. The graphics work, done in Iceland, took over a year.

I saw how they were manipulating me, so I had to use their (own) rule to tell my stories -- I had to use art and technology to say what I couldnt.

(Read also: Red flags, not red carpet: Local film wins North Korean fest)

Kinsella was reminded strongly of his childhood in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which was wrought with a feud between Protestants and Catholics who regarded followers of the other religion as pure evil. He decided to incorporate scenes from his hometown into The Wall as well. What resulted was a film that is at once documentary, animation, fantasy and satire. It won Best Human Rights film award at the Galway International Film Festival in July.

Another affront Kinsell will never forget is the blatant racism he experienced in the North, he said.

All foreigners are looked down on as silly stupid people that (the North Koreans) want to use to their advantage, he said. Id never felt so discriminated against in my life.

During one shocking dinner, Kinsella says he was told not to lift his arms as the films lead actress fed him pieces of barbecue. At the hotel, he would be presented each morning with the most perfectly rolled omelet youve ever seen, and food that was cooked to imitate European cuisine.

And somewhat paradoxical to the countrys professed values of stoic communism, everybody was driven by money, he said. Everybody wants that golden watch on their wrist. Everybodys snitching on each other.

(Read also: North Korean children learn more about Kim Jong-un than English: Study)

But Kinsella believes that citizens of even the most democratic country can potentially become mindless slaves if they let others define their reality. North Korea just happens to be extreme. It happens everywhere, just in smarter ways.

The purpose of his films is to let people decide for themselves whats right and whats wrong, he said.

The director of socially provocative documentaries such as Killing Girls, which traces the history of abortion in Russia, and The Beautiful Tragedy, the dark tale of an anorexic ballet star, Kinsella hopes to continue telling complicated stories. His upcoming film will be a personal tale of romance, examining what shattered a past relationship.

And after some three weeks in Seoul, Korea, he says, it is the most fantastically complicated country he has ever seen. All these unwritten rules! All these extremes. Itll take me years to fully understand it.
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Linkedin Jessicha Valentina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2, 2016

Jakarta is home to a plethora of cuisines, which features both traditional and international delicacies. The Jakarta Post recently spotted two new food outlets opening in the southern part of the city. This month, Jakartans can also expect to enjoy a new Japan-based cheese tart shop.

If you are keen to know whats new in Jakartas dining scene, simply consult the list below.

(Read also: Mall canteens you should try in South Jakarta)

Attarine

A photo posted by Attarine (@attarinejakarta) on Oct 25, 2016 at 2:18am PDT

Attarine is the latest venture by Indonesian hospitality and lifestyle company PTT Family. Having opened mid-October, the eaterys menu is inspired by the historic route of the spice trade. Among its dishes, the two signature menus are lamb shoulder chops and cast-iron skillet shrimps. The former is cooked in a saffron braised onion and garlic, while the latter features ingredients like chilli, coriander and tamarind.

Where : Jl. Gunawarman No. 11A, South Jakarta

NamNam Noodle Bar

NamNam Noodle Bar's signature oxtail and meatball pho.(JP/Jessicha Valentina)

NamNam Noodle Bar is not exactly the new kid on the block. The Singapore-based Vietnamese restaurant opened its first outlet in Jakarta in January last year. It recently opened its fourth outlet in Senayan City shopping mall, South Jakarta, though. While the menu and concept are similar, this newly opened branch is the biggest among its sibling outlets as it can accommodate up to 110 customers.

Where : Senayan City, Lower Ground Floor, Jl. Asia Afrika Lot. 19, South Jakarta

Pablo cheese tart

A photo posted by Pablo Cheesetart Indonesia (@pablo_cheese_tart_indonesia) on Oct 28, 2016 at 1:39am PDT

Pablo is a Japanese cheese tart shop that creates freshly baked delights. Having opened outlets in Bangkok and Manila, the shop is set to open its first branch in Indonesia mid-November. Pablo Indonesias Facebook mentioned that the shop will carry the signature cheese tarts as well as its mini tarts. (kes)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2, 2016

Online marketplace Tokopedia has been sharing coding knowledge to its office boys for the last two months with positive results, says the company's COO, Leontinus Alpha Edison.

"Everyone can learn how to code," said Leon in a press release. "Our IT team has been intensively teaching code to our office boys and the result has been positive. Their enthusiasm is also very high."

The activity is part of Tokopedia's Nakama Learning Class program where each Nakama, the nickname for a company employee, is encouraged to share their knowledge before or after office hours to other Nakamas.

(Read also: Tokopedia, Telkomsel join forces)

"So far we have had classes on Japanese and Arabic languages, make-up, guitar, yoga, and most recently, coding," said Leon, adding that all employees were allowed to join the classes, including office boys.

In the first half of this year, Tokopedia was named the company with the best work culture by online jobseeker platform Jobplanet. The company currently attracts more than 50,000 applicants, while only able to recruit around 20 new employees each intake. (mra/kes)
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Linkedin Sebastian Partogi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, November 1 2016

Jump for life: One of the scenes from Butterfly Dream, a play that discusses the fundamental meaning of human life.

A Japanese brew of a Beckett-esque play captures the fleeting moments of transformational human connection in slow motion.

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Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam, Riau Islands  Wed, November 2, 2016

Eighteen people were killed in a boat accident off Tanjung Bembang, Nongsa district, Batam, on Wednesday morning, the Riau Islands Police have confirmed.

Citing data from Bhayangkara Hospital, the police stated that 11 of the 18 dead victims were female, including one child, while seven others were male.

Riau Islands Police chief Brig. Gen. Sambudi Gusdian said there was still confusion about the passengers on board the boat when it sank in Nongsa waters.

He said that based on information from survivors, the boat had been carrying 98 passengers and three crew.

Of the total, 39 people survived the accident while 18 others were found dead. The remaining 44 passengers remain missing, Sambudi told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

(Read also: BREAKING NEWS: Boat carrying 93 migrant workers capsizes in Batam, 21 die)

Haryanto, 51, a passenger from Bondowoso, East Java, said the boat had been carrying illegal Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia. Each passenger paid 1,300 ringgit (US$311) to a middleman to travel to Batam, he added.

Haryanto further said that the boat departed from a forested area in Selingi, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, at around 3 a.m. local time on Wednesday. After sailing for two hours amid heavy rain, he said, the boat capsized when it was struck by a large wave off Tanjung Bembang.

The Riau Islands Police also reported that they had arrested the boats owner, identified by the initial R, as she attempted to flee to Singapore following the incident. The police said they were still investigating the case, including the cause of the incident. (ebf)

Under investigation  Boat accident survivors provide their fingerprints in Batam for a police investigation into the incident. Eighteen people were killed while 39 survived when their boat sank in Tanjung Bembang waters on Wednesday morning. Another 44 people remain missing.(JP/Fadli)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2 2016

JAKARTA: The worlds leading millennial content provider, VICE, went live in Indonesia on Nov. 1, its first service in Southeast Asia.

VICE Indonesia will focus on emerging artists, culture and the untold stories that speak of Indonesias immense diversity and will publish in both Indonesian and English.

Indonesia is the perfect location for VICEs first office in Southeast Asia, said Mo Morris, managing director of VICE Indonesia, in a press release made available to The Jakarta Post recently.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2, 2016

Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama has stressed that he will comply with the law in relation to the polices ongoing defamation case.

It depends on the law, I think the most important thing for this country is law enforcement," said Ahok during his visit to the Kompas newspaper office in Palmerah, West Jakarta, on Wednesday.

He repeated his statement that he never had any intention of insulting the Quran. I am a politician. Why would I intentionally blaspheme the Quran, which I have also studied, said Ahok, adding that his foster mother and foster brother are also Muslims.

He also mentioned that Muslims made up 93 percent of his regency of origin, Belitung Timur, where he previously served as regent.

Ahok was reported by several Islamic organizations for speaking about Surah al Maidah, Verse 51 of the Quran, when visiting the Thousand Islands regency recently. A joint police and military force has been prepared in anticipation of a massive demonstration against the governor planned for Friday. The protestors are demanding that the police seriously investigate Ahok.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo has met with Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto and a number of religious leaders, including the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and the nations two largest Islamic organizations Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah in a bid to calm down the situation ahead of the rally. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2, 2016

Acting Jakarta governor Sumarsono has decided to halt the bidding process for 14 projects that have previously been approved by inactive Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama to be included in the citys 2017 budget (APBD), citing administrative reasons.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Sumarsono said the bidding process for the projects, worth Rp 4.43 trillion (US$339.3 million) in total, must be delayed as it was being carried out before the deliberation of the 2017 budget priorities (KUA-PPAS) with the City Council.

We put [the projects] on hold to respond to the City Councils request. Based on the regulation, the bidding can be conducted after the administration and the City Council have shared [initial] agreement in the form of the KUA-PPAS, he said.

Jakarta Goods and Services Procurement Agency head Blessmiyanda said the projects in question include, among others, the construction of low-cost apartments, hospitals and school renovations.

Ahok, who has left his post until February to run in the Jakarta gubernatorial election, has previously given his approval to accelerate the calls for tender for selected projects, using Presidential Regulation No. 4/2015 as a legal basis. According to the regulation, under certain conditions, some tenders can be carried out before the KUA-PPAS deliberation has taken place. (hwa)
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Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Denpasar, Bali  Wed, November 2, 2016

Bali Police are set to deploy 3,800 officers to secure the 85th Interpol General Assembly, which will be held in Nusa Dua, Bali, from Nov.7 to 10.

The police conducted on Wednesday a security operation codenamed Puri Agung VII 2016 to safeguard the annual assembly that will be attended by police chiefs from countries around the world. The operation will run for nine days, starting from Nov 4 through Nov 12.

Bali Police chief Sugeng Priyanto said the security operation would involve 1,898 personnel from the Bali Police, 1,516 subprecinct police members, in which 387 personnel deployed by the National Police headquarters would back up the security.

Military personnel and Balinese traditional members, or known as pecalang, will also be involved in the security operation," he said after a call for readiness ceremony at Puputan Margarana field in Renon, Denpasar.

(Read also: Jokowi set to open Interpol conference in Bali next month)

Sugeng said another security operation, codenamed Cipta Kondisi, had been launched by the police to prepare for the implementation of the Puri Agung operation.

We really hope that all Bali people support us. This event is very important not only for Bali but also our nation.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika said the success of the assembly would serve as an effective promotion tool for Bali. I hope we can show the world that we can maintain our security properly.

Around 2,000 participants from 190 countries are expected to attend the assembly, which will be held at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC). Among topics to be discussed in the assembly include terrorism, cybercrime and drug and people smuggling, which are all transnational crimes. (ebf)

On alert  Personnel from the Gegana bomb-disposal unit attend a call for readiness ceremony on Wednesday to prepare a security operation to safeguard the 85th Interpol General Assembly on Nov.7 to 10. (JP/Zul Trio Anggono)
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Linkedin Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2, 2016

As tourism slowly takes its place as a new engine of economic growth, the government is making aggressive plans to improve and promote new tourist destinations.

Morotai in Maluku, Labuan Bajo in West Nusa Tenggara and Tanjung Lesung in Banten are three names that may sound unfamiliar to the domestic and international community, but they are among the so-called 10 emerging tourist destinations that the government expects can be as famous as Bali.

The other seven destinations are Tanjung Kelayang in Belitung, Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi, Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru in East Java, the Thousand Islands in Jakarta, Borobudur in Central Java and Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara.

However, raising them to Balis level will take a lot of work, a fact acknowledged by the government, especially as it hopes to attract 20 million foreign tourists by 2019.

In its latest Indonesia Economic Quarterly report, the World Bank states that implementation of this plan will require efforts on multiple fronts and infrastructure will play a crucial role.

Indonesia currently ranks in the bottom half of countries on several infrastructure-related tourism competitiveness indicators, such as ground and port infrastructure, tourist service infrastructure, health and hygiene, information and communications technology (ICT) readiness and environmental sustainability.

The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry, one of the governments most strategic posts for infrastructure development, has stated that it will focus on infrastructure development for three destinations in the next two years, namely Lake Toba, Mandalika and Borobudur.

An integrated master plan for the development is also being formulated by the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry and Tourism Ministry.

I hope with the integrated master plan, there will be cooperation between ministries and regional governments for the development of the three destinations, Rido Matari Ichwan, the ministrys regional infrastructure development agency (BPIW) head, said recently.

The government has allocated Rp 1.6 trillion (US$122.74 million) in the state budget in 2016 and 2017 for various infrastructure projects in the three destinations, including road access, water system, drinking water, waste management and housing, among others.

Data from the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry reveals that the development plan for Lake Toba includes the construction of toll roads connecting Medan-Kualanamu-Tebing Tinggi and Tebing Tinggi-Siantar-Parapat, access road to the Sibisa airport in Parapat and 14.3 kilometers of piping in Simalungun, among others.

Development for Borobudur includes initiatives such as self-built housing development in Magelang, a toll road connecting Yogyakarta and Bawen, a regional drinking water system, and reconstruction and expansion of several roads.

Meanwhile, Mandalika will see several works carried out, such as the Sulin bridge improvement, road expansion and maintenance, and irrigation network construction in central Lombok.

Rido added that the ministry would also cooperate with the Transportation Ministry on the development of the airports in the new tourist destinations.

In addition to state budget funds, the government is also seeking other funding sources. It is looking to obtain a US$200 million to $500 million loan from the World Bank to fund the infrastructure development in the three destinations.

Discussions are taking place and the loan is expected to be ready for disbursement by July next year.

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya previously stated that the government would also launch a limited participation mutual fund (RDPT) by next year, through which it sought to garner Rp 10 trillion to develop all 10 destinations.

We will use the funds to build amenities. They will be channelled first to the four special economic zones [and tourism destinations], such as Tanjung Kelayang, Tanjung Lesung, Mandalika and Morotai, he said.

The World Bank says the government will also need to attract private investment to finance its goals.

Early indicators are promising, with total foreign and domestic direct investment in hotels and restaurants reaching nearly $1 billion in 2015, an increase of 45.5 percent compared to 2014, while the number of investment licenses approved in the hotel and restaurant sectors surged more than five times to 266 licenses in 2015 from 2014.

Licensing simplification is one important aspect that will help spur more investment, according to the World Bank. As a first step, it will be essential to establish an inventory of the number and type of business licenses needed [at the national and subnational level] to establish a tourism-related business, he added.
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Linkedin Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2 2016

As tourism slowly takes its place as a new engine of economic growth, the government is making aggressive plans to improve and promote new tourist destinations.



Morotai in Maluku, Labuan Bajo in West Nusa Tenggara and Tanjung Lesung in Banten are three names that may sound unfamiliar to the domestic and international community, but they are among the so-called 10 emerging tourist destinations that the government expects can be as famous as Bali.



The other seven destinations are Tanjung Kelayang in Belitung, Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi, Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru in East Java, the Thousand Islands in Jakarta, Borobudur in Central Java and Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara.



However, raising them to Balis level will take a lot of work, a fact acknowledged by the government, especially as it hopes to attract 20 million foreign tourists by 2019.



In its latest Indonesia Economic Quarterly report, the World Bank states that implementation of this plan will require efforts on multiple fronts and infrastructure will play a crucial role.



Indonesia currently ranks in the bottom half of countries on several infrastructure-related tourism competitiveness indicators, such as ground and port infrastructure, tourist service infrastructure, health and hygiene, information and communications technology (ICT) readiness and environmental sustainability.



The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry, one of the governments most strategic posts for infrastructure development, has stated that it will focus on infrastructure development for three destinations in the next two years, namely Lake Toba, Mandalika and Borobudur.



An integrated master plan for the development is also being formulated by the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry and Tourism Ministry.



I hope with the integrated master plan, there will be cooperation between ministries and regional governments for the development of the three destinations, Rido Matari Ichwan, the ministrys regional infrastructure development agency (BPIW) head, said recently.



The government has allocated Rp 1.6 trillion (US$122.74 million) in the state budget in 2016 and 2017 for various infrastructure projects in the three destinations, including road access, water system, drinking water, waste management and housing, among others.



Data from the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry reveals that the development plan for Lake Toba includes the construction of toll roads connecting Medan-Kualanamu-Tebing Tinggi and Tebing Tinggi-Siantar-Parapat, access road to the Sibisa airport in Parapat and 14.3 kilometers of piping in Simalungun, among others.



Development for Borobudur includes initiatives such as self-built housing development in Magelang, a toll road connecting Yogyakarta and Bawen, a regional drinking water system, and reconstruction and expansion of several roads.



Meanwhile, Mandalika will see several works carried out, such as the Sulin bridge improvement, road expansion and maintenance, and irrigation network construction in central Lombok.



Rido added that the ministry would also cooperate with the Transportation Ministry on the development of the airports in the new tourist destinations.



In addition to state budget funds, the government is also seeking other funding sources. It is looking to obtain a US$200 million to $500 million loan from the World Bank to fund the infrastructure development in the three destinations.



Discussions are taking place and the loan is expected to be ready for disbursement by July next year.



Tourism Minister Arief Yahya previously stated that the government would also launch a limited participation mutual fund (RDPT) by next year, through which it sought to garner Rp 10 trillion to develop all 10 destinations.



We will use the funds to build amenities. They will be channelled first to the four special economic zones [and tourism destinations], such as Tanjung Kelayang, Tanjung Lesung, Mandalika and Morotai, he said.



The World Bank says the government will also need to attract private investment to finance its goals.



Early indicators are promising, with total foreign and domestic direct investment in hotels and restaurants reaching nearly $1 billion in 2015, an increase of 45.5 percent compared to 2014, while the number of investment licenses approved in the hotel and restaurant sectors surged more than five times to 266 licenses in 2015 from 2014.



Licensing simplification is one important aspect that will help spur more investment, according to the World Bank. As a first step, it will be essential to establish an inventory of the number and type of business licenses needed [at the national and subnational level] to establish a tourism-related business, he added.

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Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam  Wed, November 2, 2016

A speedboat carrying 93 Indonesian migrant workers returning from Johor Bahru, Malaysia, capsized off Nongsa waters in Batam on Wednesday morning.

At least 38 passengers survived the accident that killed at least 21 others, while the remaining 34 passengers were missing, according to data from the health post at Tanjung Bemban in Batam.

One of the survivors, Haryanto, 51, told The Jakarta Post that the boat departed from Selingi, Johor Bahru, at 3 a.m. heading to Batam.

"After two hours of sailing, the boat was struck by strong waves and heavy downpour," he said.

A search and rescue team has been deployed to find more survivors in the accident.

Riau Islands Police chief Brig. Gen. Sambudi Gusdian said that police investigated those responsible for the accident, suspecting that the boat was reportedly overloaded and the trip was organized illegally. (dmr)
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Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Semarang, Central Java  Wed, November 2, 2016

The Indonesian Ulema Council's (MUI) Central Java chapter and the Central Java Police have called on all residents of the province to not participate in a massive rally planned for Nov. 4 by a number of Islamic organizations against inactive Jakarta governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama.

They made the appeal following a meeting between MUI Central Java chairman Ahmad Daroji and Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono in Semarang, on Tuesday. They discussed the upcoming rally in Jakarta, which will protest the religious defamation allegedly committed by Ahok.

The meeting resulted in a three-point agreement. First, MUI Central Java will continue to support a legal process being taken on the alleged defamation by Ahok, an incumbent candidate running in next years Jakarta gubernatorial election.

We have conveyed this aspiration in a written statement to the National Police chief [Gen. Tito Karnavian] via the Central Java Police chief, said Ahmad.

The second point was that both institutions agreed that any support of the ongoing legal process against Ahok should be expressed at the local level only.

Third, MUI and the Central Java Police are striving to prevent the religion-related tension in Jakarta from spreading to Central Java. Please entrust us, both MUI and law enforcers, to take a stance to resolve this problem, said Ahmad.

Condro said the police would take persuasive measures to respond to any mass rally held in Central Java. He said the provinces residents did not need to come to Jakarta to participate in the massive rally. Moreover, two of Indonesias biggest Muslim organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, had asked their members not to participate in the rally. (ebf)
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Linkedin Hans Nicholas Jong (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2 2016

The government has decided to ease the burden on the energy sector to lower carbon emissions and will put more pressure on the forestry sector to offset the change.

The policy highlights Indonesias reluctance to shift from dirty fossil fuels to clean renewable energy.

The country has pledged to slash its greenhouse gas output by 29 percent by 2030 compared to a business-as-usual scenario as part of a global effort to limit the rise in global temperatures to 2 degrees Celsius.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2 2016

JAKARTA: In an effort to reach out to low-income market segments, private life insurer Asuransi Allianz Life Indonesia launched on Tuesday a micro insurance product that allows customers to pay their premiums using electronic money via mobile phones.

With the newly launched Sekoci product, named after the Indonesian word for lifeboat, the firm said it was hoping to attract 5,000 new customers in the next six months.

To help customers manage their products more easily, the company is cooperating with telecommunications operator Indosat Ooredoo to allow product owners to pay premiums using Indosat Ooredoos Dompetku money transfer service via mobile phones. It is not easy for people to buy insurance without having something tangible. This is when we decided that we wanted to partner with Indosat, Allianz Life Indonesia country manager and CEO Joachim Wessling said, adding that the company was targeting people with a monthly income of around Rp 2 million (US$153.42).

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2, 2016

The former finance minister Agus Martowardojo, who currently serves as the Bank Indonesia governor, denied on Tuesday that he knew about alleged irregularities in the electronic identification card (e-KTP) procurement project.

After an eight-hour questioning session with Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators, Agus, who is a witness in the case, said that his responsibility regarding the multi-year project was only in approving the proposed budgetary arrangements. However, planning and supervision of the project was within the purview of the Home Ministry, he added.

"The ministry that proposed the budget was fully responsible [for the project] from its planning to execution," he said after Tuesday's questioning at the KPK headquarters in Jakarta.

(Read also: KPK questions ex-finance minister in e-KTP graft case)

Previously, former Democratic Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin, a key witness, claimed that Agus was involved the graft case. According to an audit carried out by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), the alleged irregularities in the project introduced in 2010 inflicted Rp 2 trillion (US$153.42 million) in financial losses on the state.

The KPK has named two suspects so far: the Home Ministrys former director general for population and civil registration Irman and former population administration information management director at the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration, Sugiharto.

Meanwhile, KPK spokesperson Yuyuk Andriati said the commission would have to question more witnesses before determining whether others could be declared suspects in the case. (fac/dmr)
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Linkedin Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2 2016

In another world: Elementary school students of SD Menteng 03 in Central Jakarta try out Google Cardboard viewers to experience a 360-degree virtual tour of the National Monument (Monas). The construction of the monument is one of the latest entries in the Wonders of Indonesia series in the Google Arts & Culture web and mobile application, which has been available on Android and iOS since last Thursday.

Internet giant Google has included more of Indonesia in its Google Arts & Culture web and mobile application, offering an innovative way to explore the countrys rich history and diverse cultures.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2, 2016

Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has claimed that the government received false intelligence in regard to the allegations that a political party is behind the planned demonstration on Friday against Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama.

If there is such intelligence analysis, I think it is dangerous. First, it is slander and secondly, it is an insult to the people because they are not paid [protesters], said Yudhoyono in a press conference at his house in Cikeas, Bogor, West Java, as reported by kompas.com.

Yudhoyono reportedly collected information about false intelligence from various organizations, including data from the National Police to the government, which he crosschecked to relevant parties.

I hope what I heard was wrong. Intelligence analysis, including from the police, said there was a party that funded and stirred a political party, which has an interest to stir the massive demonstration, he added.

On Tuesday, Yudhoyono met Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto and Vice President Jusuf Kalla. During the meeting, Yudhoyono reportedly clarified that he was not behind the massive demonstration organized by a number of Islamic organizations.

He called on the law enforcers to fairly and seriously investigate the alleged religious defamation against Ahok. He also expressed hope that the demonstration would take place peacefully. (bbn)
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Linkedin Julia Suryakusuma (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2 2016

Why do people sometimes love to show how ignorant and foolish they are?

Take the controversy about hotdogs in Malaysia. Yes, I am talking about those long, round objects commonly known as sausage, served in a sliced bun with your condiment of choice. They are made from ground meat, pink slime (low-grade meat trimmings, cartilage, sinew, etc., and a shot of bacteria-killing ammonia), spices and preservatives. Hmmm, appetizing ya? Not!

Hotdog sausages can be made of pork, but in Muslim countries obviously they are made of beef. Nevertheless, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department felt it necessary to change the name of hotdogs because dogs are considered unclean, and the name cannot be related to halal certification.

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Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam  Wed, November 2, 2016

The recent departure of lithium battery maker PT Sanyo Energy Batam (SEB) from Batam, Riau Islands, should become a wake-up call for the government to intensify efforts to improve the investment climate in the industrial region, businesses and workers suggested.

Batamindo Industrial Park general manager Mook Sooi Wah said SEBs decision to close down its business, which it claims was triggered by the rising labor cost, indicated that Indonesia should make some improvements to compete with other investment destinations.

"It is getting expensive [to do business in Indonesia] compared to other locations. Thats not only because of the labor cost but also other factors, like low productivity of workers, cost of port, Mook told The Jakarta Post.

SEB announced on Tuesday the closure of its production facility in Batam, citing high labor expenditures that led to soaring production costs. The firm, a local unit of Japanese electronics giant Sanyo, opened its production facility in Batam in 1992 and has until now invested US$2 million to support its operations.

Indonesian Metal Workers Federations (FSPMI) Batam chapter head Suprapto, however, disagreed that the labor cost had become the only factor for SEB to make the decision.

Investors are leaving Batam mainly because of complicated bureaucracy in the region, he said.

The minimum wage in Batam currently stands at Rp 2.9 million (US$222.4), slightly lower than that in the capital city of Jakarta, where it is Rp 3.1 million. The Batam regional administration has recently decided to increase the minimum wage by 8 percent in 2017. (hwa)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2 2016

Indonesia and Armenia agreed on Tuesday to strengthen their bilateral cooperation by signing three documents on education, visa exemption for diplomatic or service passport holders and mutual cooperation.

The agreements were signed during a meeting between Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi and her Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandyan, at the ministry.

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Linkedin Andi Hajramurni (The Jakarta Post) Makassar, South Sulawesi  Wed, November 2, 2016

Islamic organizations in Makassar, South Sulawesi, are set to hold a rally on Nov. 4 against religious defamation allegedly committed by inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama. A large-scale rally is also expected in Jakarta on the same day.

Participants of the rally initiated by the South Sulawesi chapter of the United Muslim Forums (FUIB) Petition 51 are scheduled to gather after Friday prayers. Departing from Al Markaz Al Islami Mosque in Makassar, they will march to the South Sulawesi governors office, which is around 3 kilometers away.

FUIB South Sulawesi secretary-general Hidayatullah said around 3,000 people had registered to participate and the number was expected to increase. We estimate the number of rally participants will reach up to 5,000 people, he said on Wednesday.

Members and supporters of the forum, which groups around 60 mass organizations, from other cities across South Sulawesi are reportedly ready to participate.

Hidayatullah said the FUIB had guaranteed that the rally would run smoothly and peacefully, without anarchy, as the forum had anticipated the possible infiltration of provocateurs. He said the FUIB had also coordinated with the South Sulawesi Police.

South Sulawesi Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Frans Barung Mangera said 2,232 personnel would be deployed to secure the rally.

The FUIB guarantees the rally will run peacefully and in an orderly manner. South Sulawesi Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Gatot Edi Pramono has said the police will guard it. But if a rally participant commits an anarchic act, we will not hesitate to take tough measures, said Barung.

Meanwhile, around 1,000 South Sulawesi residents will reportedly join the National Movement of Indonesian Ulema Council Edict Supporters (GNPF MUI), which will take part in the large-scale rally on Friday in Jakarta. (ebf)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Denpasar  Wed, November 2 2016

Ngurah Rai Immigration officers thwarted on Tuesday an attempt to smuggle six Bangladeshi nationals into Australia. The attempt was allegedly organized by a Bangladeshi man, Mohammad Kawsirprodan, who was arrested on Oct. 29, Ngurah Rai Immigration chief, Ari Budijanto said on Tuesday.

We arrested Kawsirprodan after we became suspicious about his behavior. When one of our officers asked him about several things, his answer was not clear. So we took him in for further questioning and found that he had a document with list of names and money on his person, he said.

The six Bangladeshis have allegedly been in Bali for a few weeks.

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Linkedin Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2 2016

President Joko Jokowi Widodo opened the sixth World Peace Forum (WPF) at the State Palace on Tuesday with a call for collective action to fight religious intolerance and extremism, which he said were the seeds of terrorism.

The forum, which will run from Nov. 1 to 4 at the Sahid Jaya Hotel in Jakarta, will be attended by around 200 participants, including government officials, academics, religious leaders and peace campaigners, from more than 50 countries.

The opening ceremony at the State Palace was attended by ambassadors from several nations taking part in the conference.

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Linkedin Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2 2016

President Joko Jokowi Widodo demanded on Tuesday that Muslim leaders maintain the countrys unity amid growing pressure to prosecute Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama for blasphemy.



Upon learning of moves from certain groups that have attempted to magnify the case and cause disharmony, Jokowi encouraged clerics not to make any statements to their followers that could increase tensions ahead of a planned Nov. 4 rally in Jakarta.



The rally, a follow-up to street protests in the capital and regions spearheaded by the firebrand Islam Defenders Front (FPI), will call for the imprisonment of the incumbent governor for already insulting the Quran.



We hope that clerics dare to take a firm stance that Islam and Indonesia are not two things that have to be disputed. Lets protect our Indonesia together. At this time, calm and peaceful messages are what followers are waiting for [from clerics], said Jokowi after a meeting with prominent Muslim clerics at the State Palace.



Jokowi hinted that a failure to prevent hard-liners using the rally to fuel rage among Muslims would taint the image of the country as a home to followers of diverse faiths.



Ahok, the frontrunner in the high-profile Jakarta gubernatorial election that has been perceived as a prelude to the 2019 general elections, inadvertently provoked Muslims when he cited a verse from the Quran during a gathering with residents in Thousand Islands, Jakarta.



The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) called his statement blasphemous and demanded that law enforcement officials proceed with a case against the governor.



Ahok has since apologized for the statement, but that has failed to stop groups from taking to the streets to demand his prosecution.



Political party elites that support two other tickets in the election  Agus Harimurti-Sylviana Murni and Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno  have expressed their intention to join the Friday rally, which has prompted concern from Jokowi.



The President recently met with Gerindra Party patron Prabowo Subianto and Muslim clerics in a move to quell the widening support for the protest.



Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto also met with former president and Democratic Party patron Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, whose son Agus is running in the election, to discuss security concerns surrounding the planned protest.



After the meeting with Jokowi, MUI chairman Maruf Amin said Islamic leaders had agreed to comply with Jokowis order to maintain national integrity.



For us, Indonesian unity is final and we will not tolerate anyone who wants to tear the nation apart,

he said.



But he contended that the alleged blasphemy from Ahok should be processed by the police, saying it was an obvious legal case that had caused public anxiety.



Muhammadiyah chairman Haedar Nashir said Jokowis commitment to proceeding with the case would discourage people from participating in the rally.



Wiranto said the National Police were working on the case and would later decide whether Ahoks statement constituted an act of blasphemy.



We hope that now all people will stay calm and we call on people who want to join the rally to follow existing regulations. We hope that after 6 p.m. the rally will conclude because the regulation says so, Wiranto said.



Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Said Aqil Siradj suspected that certain groups may try to use the rally to reap political gains.



We are worried [about that] because there is always the possibility of something happening. However, NU is committed to protecting the unity of the country and since its establishment NU has always defended the Constitution, he said.



Meanwhile, the Jakarta administration and officials from city-owned companies have held a meeting to discuss security measures ahead of the demonstration.



At the meeting, the authorities agreed to use all of the citys facilities to provide emergency aid during the demonstration, said Jakarta Financial and Asset Management Board (BPKAD) head Heru Budi Hartono.



This is a follow-up [meeting] after a request from the police chief. The administration has to back [them] up, said Heru, who led the meeting. All of our facilities will be deployed.



The facilities, he added, would include eight clean water trucks, 55 ambulances and dozens of fire trucks. They will be placed on standby in crucial areas, particularly at the National Monument and the House of Representatives, from Thursday.



The administration has also asked related parties, such as the Communications and Information Ministry, to operate CCTV along demonstration routes, he said.



City Hall alone is currently being guarded by 200 police officers from the East Java Police. The officers are occupying City Halls Blok G, with a meeting room providing temporary accommodation.

__________________________

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2, 2016

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conveyed on Wednesday its readiness to deepen an investigation into the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) alleged budget irregularities amid the rights bodys commitment to carry out internal reforms.

At a glance, we have seen some irregularities. However, we have to conduct deeper investigation before drawing any conclusion, KPK commissioner Basaria Pandjaitan told journalists after a meeting with Komnas HAM on Wednesday.

She referred to the result of a financial audit conducted by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) on the commissions 2015 financial report.

In the audit result reported in June, BPK stated that it had found questionable spending amounting to more than Rp 2 billion (US$153,421) in Komnas HAMs financial report. That amount includes Rp 1.02 billion of expenses without receipts, Rp 820.25 million of suspected embezzlement and Rp 330 million of fictitious spending on renting residences for officials.

As the result, BPK issued a disclaimer opinion, its worst level of financial evaluation, for the commissions financial report.

We come here to ask the KPK to help us reform our managerial system [...], Komnas HAM chairman Imdadun Rahmat said.

He said the commission submitted the finding to the KPK with hopes that it could investigate the alleged irregularities, which implicated one of its commissioners, Dianto Bachriadi.

Imdadun said that in a plenary meeting on Wednesday, Dianto had been dismissed from his post and had been ordered to file a resignation letter.

Basaria applauded Komnas HAMs internal reforms, saying what matters most is that Komnas HAM maintains its credibility in the eyes of the public. (fac/ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2, 2016

Indonesian Military Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo has said that the military is ready to deploy reserve soldiers to secure the simultaneous regional elections and the massive planned demonstration against Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama on Friday.

His statement to secure the elections and related events in 101 regions, including Jakarta, was made on Wednesday during a joint police-military parade at the National Monument (Monas).

The joint parade was held two days before the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and other Islamic organizations plan to hold a demonstration to push the police to investigate the governor due to allegations of religious defamation.

If needed, we are ready [to deploy the soldiers], said Gatot, adding that the number of soldiers to be deployed depended on the request from National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian.

Gatot said the soldiers had been spread to a number of places so that they would be ready for deployment at any time as needed.

Our soldiers are not centered in certain places, but we will spread them to certain areas. It is expected to provide the feeling of security to the people, he said as reported by tribunnews.com.

Organizers claimed that the demonstration will be attended by about 200,000 people from Jakarta and its surrounding cities.

The police said on Tuesday they would deploy around 20,000 security personnel during the Nov. 4 demonstration. (bbn)
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Linkedin Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2, 2016

Japan-based real estate giant Mitsubishi Estate has signed an agreement to support the Daswin Project, an office building development project worth US$260 million in Central Jakarta.

The company will collaborate with manufacturing company and property developer Gesit Group and diversified conglomerate Santini Group to develop the project, which is slated for completion in 2020.

The project is the first business opportunity for Mitsubishi Estate to develop an office building in Indonesia and Mitsubishi Estate fully intends to utilize the know-how of the Mitsubishi Group as a whole, Mitsubishi said in a statement on Tuesday.

Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei will be in charge of the architectural design, while Mitsubishi Jisho Property Management will advise the propertys management. Both companies are subsidiaries of Mitsubishi Estate.

The Daswin Project will be located on a 16,000 square meter (sqm) plot of land and will consist of a 46-storey grade A office building with retail and multifunction facilities on the lower floors, adding up to a total floor area of over 130,000 sqm.

To date, the company has run businesses in diverse fields related to real estate in Japan, including an office-building business centered around the Marunouchi district in central Tokyo, a retail property business, a residential business and a hotel business.

The companys area of operations also includes the US, the UK and extends to Asian countries such as China, Singapore and Indonesia.

Indonesia is proactively promoting economic growth among ASEAN nations. The economy is expanding at an annual rate of about 5 percent and further growth is expected going forward, the company stated.

Through this project, Mitsubishi Estate hopes to contribute to the countrys economy by combining the real estate development knowhow that it has accumulated around the world.

Meanwhile, according to the latest report by real estate services firm Cushman and Wakefield, office building occupancy rates in Jakartas central business district (CBD) are projected to decline further following the expansion of new supply over the next few quarters. Rental rates are also projected to remain under pressure.

In the third quarter, inquiries and leasing transaction activities remained active and several large leasing transactions were recorded, such as the 8,500 sqm office space at the Centennial Tower in Gatot Subroto and about 5,500 sqm at the AIA Central in Sudirman for company relocations.

The report also says that the rental rate in rupiah decreased further in the third quarter of 2016. By the end of September, the average CBD office gross rental stood at Rp 318,150 ($24.4) per sqm per month, decreasing by 1.3 percent quarter-on-quarter (qoq).

In US dollar terms, it stood at $24.31 per sqm per month, a slight increase of 0.9 percent qoq, mostly due to currency exchange rate factors.
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Wed, November 2 2016

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), which Indonesia chairs until next year, comprises 21 rich and poor nations from around the Indian Ocean. At last weeks meeting in Bali, the association completed the final draft of the IORA Concord with guidelines to better ensure members benefit from the blue economy generated from the ocean. As South Africa will chair the organization next year, The Jakarta Posts Fedina S. Sundaryani talked to the deputy director general of Asia and the Middle East at South Africas Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Anil Sooklal. Following are excerpts from the interview.

Question: What does IORA mean to South Africa?

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WEST SALEM  Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the Sept. 16 death of a West Salem woman.

Todd Kendhammer told authorities he was driving north on Hwy. M in the town of Hamilton between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. Sept. 16 when a pipe that fell from a passing truck impaled the passenger side of his windshield, striking his wife, Barbara Kendhammer, according to the La Crosse County Sheriffs Department.

Authorities found the couples damaged Toyota Camry on nearby Bergum Coulee Road, a dead-end road seven miles from the couples home at N6617 E. Scotch Coulee Road. Todd Kendhammer, who was not injured, had removed the pipe from the windshield and his wife was unresponsive, sheriffs Capt. John Zimmerman said Tuesday.

Barbara Kendhammer died the next day at Gundersen Health System. She was 46.

Authorities declined to discuss autopsy results.

The Wisconsin State Patrol Technical Reconstruction Unit, state Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation and sheriffs department on Friday returned to the crash site on Hwy. M just south of Bergum Coulee Road to recreate the crash as described by Kendhammer.

They let a 53-inch metal pipe weighing 10.5 pounds  an exact replica of the one recovered after the incident  roll off an incline constructed in the bed of a pickup truck driving at 40 mph and 50 mph. Multiple cameras recorded the fall of the pipe and where it struck the pavement.

A report from the reconstruction unit could take months.

Attorney Alexander Kammer, who is representing Barbara Kendhammers estate, said Todd Kendhammer is pursuing an uninsured motorist claim against the driver of the truck. Kendhammer also has retained a Madison defense attorney, Kammer said. That attorney did not return phone calls Tuesday.

Anyone who may have been near the scene of the crash is asked to call Zimmerman at 608-785-9856. Anonymous tips can also be made to La Crosse Area Crime Stoppers at 608-784-8477.
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Linkedin (Associated Press) Peshawar, Pakistan  Wed, November 2, 2016

A Pakistani prosecutor says a court has dismissed a bail plea from National Geographic's famed green-eyed 'Afghan Girl,' arrested a week ago over allegedly forged ID papers.

Sharbat Gulla has denied the charges, insisting she didn't fraudulently obtain Pakistani nationality.

Prosecutor Mohsin Dawar says the court dismissed the plea Wednesday, citing lack of evidence to prove Pakistani citizenship.

Gulla gained worldwide fame in 1984 as an Afghan refugee 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 Afghanistan in 2002.

She surfaced in Pakistan in 2014, but went into hiding when authorities accused her of buying a fake Pakistani identity card.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has promised to release Gulla on bail.

(Read also: Pakistan arrests National Geographic's famed 'Afghan girl')
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Linkedin Wahyoe Boediwardhana (The Jakarta Post) Surabaya  Wed, November 2, 2016

The management of state-owned port operator PT Pelindo III has pledged its commitment to cooperate with law enforcers regarding the latters investigation into alleged illegal levies that implicate one of the firms executives.

The government-sanctioned illegal levy task force on Tuesday arrested Pelindo III operations and business development director Rahmat Satria for his alleged role in illegal levies being charged at local ports.

We respect the polices ongoing investigation. If necessary, we will provide legal assistance for him [Rahmat] in line with the companys rules, Pelindo III spokesperson Edi Priyanto told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday evening.

Rahmat, a veteran in the port management business, was arrested at his office at Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, East Java, on Tuesday, at which time the police also confiscated Rp 600 million (US$45,900) in cash and a number of documents.

The police claim that the investigation is so far focusing on Rahmats role when he served as president director of PT Terminal Petikemas Surabaya (PKS), a Pelindo III subsidiary in charge of providing container loading and unloading services at Tanjung Perak, the countrys second largest port, from 2013 to 2014.

Echoing Pelindos Rahmat, PKS spokesperson Erika A Palupi also said that the company would respect the ongoing investigation process.

Pelindo III operates in several provinces, namely East Java, Central Java, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara. (hwa)
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Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam  Wed, November 2 2016

Lithium battery maker Sanyo Energy Batam (SEB) announced on Tuesday the closure of its production facility in Batam, Riau Islands, citing high labor expenditure that led to soaring production costs.



The closure of the production facility, located in the Batamindo Industrial Park, was followed by the dismissal of the companys 684 employees.



Batamindo Industrial Park general affairs manager Tjaw Hioeng said the firm had informed the parks management about the plan last week.



They officially notified [us] about the closure today [Tuesday]. Theyre currently cleaning up the facility, he said, adding that the company had cited rising labor costs in the region as its main reason for ceasing operations.



The monthly minimum wage in Batam currently stands at Rp 2.9 million (US$222.46), slightly lower than in Jakarta, where it is Rp 3.1 million. The Batam administration recently decided to increase the minimum wage by 8 percent in 2017.



SEB, a local unit of Japanese electronics giant Sanyo, opened its production facility in Batam in 1992 and had invested $2 million to support its operations.



It is among 25 Japanese foreign investors that have invested in Batamindo. Batamindo itself caters to 68 foreign investors.



Mook Sooi Wah, another general manager at Batamindo Industrial Park, said electronics manufacturing firms had narrow profit margins, making them sensitive to production cost increases.



That is what Sanyo told us, that they havent been making a profit for the past few years. One of the reasons is labor costs. We notice that today Batam is not a low-cost production location, he said.



Batam Manpower Agency head Rudi Syakyakirti said the layoffs had run smoothly, as the management and employee representatives had previously agreed on severance packages for the dismissed employees.



Of the companys 684 employees, only 110 were permanent workers, Rudi said.



Data from the agency shows that 59 companies have ceased their operations throughout this year. Some of the firms were foreign direct investments (FDI).



Unprofitable business has been cited as the reason behind the closure. They didnt specifically mention high labor costs, Rudi said.



The closures have reportedly led to between 5,000 to 8,000 people being laid off. The number of layoffs is not detailed because companies usually report to us after the process has been completed, unless there is turmoil in the process.



The foreign companies woes were reflected in the latest statistics provided by the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).



Riau Islands fell to 20th place in terms of realized FDI from January to September, from 11th place in the same period last year.



The amount of FDI in the first nine months stood at only $212.33 million with 482 projects, compared to $515.07 million with 426 projects a year ago.



Meanwhile, Febry and Maya, two of SEBs employees, told The Jakarta Post that they had been notified of the shutdown.



Im packing my stuff. I was contracted for six months and it expired this November. I dont know yet what I will do. Its difficult these days to find a job, said Febry, who hailed from Medan, North Sumatra.

-----------------

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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2, 2016

Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said the participation of his son, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, in the Jakarta gubernatorial election, was not a threat to national security.

Speaking in the press conference at his house in Cikeas, Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday, Yudhoyono, who is also the Democratic Party chairman, implied that he and his family had often been on the receiving end of political attacks since Agus announced that he would take part in the gubernatorial race.

Since Agus registered himself as a candidate for Jakarta governor, strong storms have attacked my family. In reality, it is Agus constitutional right [to run for governor]. I just ask for Gods protection, hoping that Agus is not considered a threat to national security, Yudhoyono said.

During the press conference, he also denied reports that he was behind the massive demonstration against Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama planned for Nov. 4, saying that the protest are a genuine expression of the peoples aspirations.

To assuage the situation, he demanded that the National Police proceed with taking legal action against Ahok. Ahok was reported by several Islamic organizations for speaking about Surah al Maidah, Verse 51 of the Quran when he visited the Thousand Islands regency recently.

Police have said that they are processing the organizations report that Ahok committed religious defamation

The ball is now in the hands of law enforcers, not in the road [rally] or with President Jokowi or any political parties, he said. (bbn)
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Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2, 2016

The governments ambitious 35,000 megawatt (MW) power plant construction program has suffered another setback, this time regarding the sluggish issuance of business feasibility guarantees by the Finance Ministry.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo expressed his annoyance over the setback during a limited Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, emphasizing that all parties needed to draw on all necessary resources so that the project meets the 2019 deadline.

I need to know what the exact obstacles are and I need them to be evaluated one by one so that we can understand the issues and resolve them in the field, he said.

President director of state electricity company PT PLN Sofyan Basir has blamed the problem on the Finance Ministry.

Sofyan said several projects developed by independent power producers (IPPs) required a business feasibility guarantee in order for them to obtain funding from overseas banks, particularly those involving Japanese companies.

The Finance Ministry is responsible for issuing the guarantee, which provides assurance that PLN has the financial capacity to purchase the power produced by IPPs.

Despite the setback, Sofyan said that he remained upbeat that the program could still be completed by the deadline.

A majority of programs developed by Chinese companies are already up and running because they dont need the guarantee, he said.

The construction of power plants with a total generating capacity of 25,000 MW was offered to the private sector, technically called IPPs, while the remaining 10,000 MW went to PLN, which almost holds a monopoly over the country's power business.

Sofyan claims that only 5,000 MW worth of IPP projects have reached financial closure, meaning that they are ready for construction. The financial closure of another 6,300 MW has been postponed until the business feasibility guarantees are issued with the expectation that the problem can be settled by the end of the year.

As of September, PLN data shows that only 232 MW of the total 35,000 MW is already in commercial operation.

Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said in August that only between 23,000 MW and 25,000 MW of the project would be reached by 2019. However, several officials have said it could be far lower than that.

Poor business processes and governance issues in PLN, assigned to spearhead the construction and partner with the private sector, have also been blamed for exacerbating the already-protracted problems afflicting those in the private sector wanting to participate in power plant construction.

The 35,000 MW project is basically a continuation of the 10,000 MW policy launched by then president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during his first presidential term in 2005, to keep reserve margins  the difference between capacity and peak demand  within the International Energy Agency's recommended level of 20 to 35 percent.

As the nation is at risk of a power crisis should the level decline to below 20 percent, Jokowi has taken the initiative to boost power capacity to accommodate higher economic growth.

Of the 35,000 MW, only 18,000 MW are actually new projects offered to private investors, according to PLN data, while the remaining 7,000 MW are a carryover from Yudhoyono's term, and 10,000 MW are PLN's share.

Aside from the 35,000 MW program, Jokowi has also instructed PLN to seriously develop power plants fueled by renewable energy.

"We should give priorities to geothermal, waste, hydro and micro hydro plants because we have the potential to do so," said Jokowi.

PLN has repeatedly expressed its reluctance to develop renewable energy, citing expensive investment and the lack of subsidies provided by the government.

The government has initiated the development of waste-to-energy plants in seven cities across the nation, with the West Java capital of Bandung set to lead by example.

Bandung mayor Ridwan Kamil said that the most pressing concern was the unattractive price of electricity purchased by PLN from these plants.

Investors said the price should be at least 17 US cents per kilowatt hour [kWh] for the plant to be feasible," he said.
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2, 2016

Customers of state-run lenders will soon enjoy simpler and lower-cost electronic transactions with the upcoming integration of the banks ATMs.

Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) director Sis Apik Wijayanto said the integration, which will start in December, would allow customers of four lenders under the State-Owned Banks Association (Himbara)  Bank Mandiri, BRI, Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), and Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN)  to withdraw cash from ATMs under the ATM Himbara Link brand free of charge.

"The interface of an ATM will change according to the card being used. If you use a Mandiri card, you will receive a receipt with a Mandiri logo on it, the same goes for BRI card users," he told reporters on Wednesday.

Earlier this year, the four banks signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with state-owned telecommunications firm Telkom for the establishment of the countrys first domestic payment principal company.

The company will facilitate electronic transaction switching between state-owned banks that currently dominate more than 50 percent of nationwide banking transactions, facilitating faster transactions among banks.

According to Himbaras calculations, a state-owned switching company will lead to savings in ATM investment and maintenance of Rp 6.8 trillion (US$520.2 million) per year.

Himbara members currently operate around 50,000 ATMs, but the initial stage of the integration will only include 10,000 of them.

"We have to carry out the integration step by step, as not all ATMs are made by the same vendor," Sis said. (hwa)
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Linkedin Deepti Hajela, Jeff Karoub and Noreen Nasir (Associated Press) New York, United States  Wed, November 2, 2016

Many Muslim Americans cringe at the way they have been portrayed by candidates during the presidential campaign  either as potential terrorists or as eyes and ears who can help the government's counterterrorism efforts.

Those descriptions, offered by Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, respectively, are troubling to Muslims who complain they are being pigeonholed and their concerns on other issues ignored.

"I think that there is some level of dismissiveness about Arab-Americans and American Muslims that allows candidates to talk about us, not really to us," said Omar Baddar, a political analyst and media producer based in Washington.

Chaumtoli Huq, a lawyer from the New York City suburb of Yonkers, agreed.

"We're not able to talk about issues that impact us as citizens  education, jobs, things that any other voter would care about," she said. "It's a really demoralizing way to be seen to be part of this country."

One of the campaign's more memorable moments for Muslim Americans unfolded at the Democratic National Convention in July, when a grieving Khizr Khan addressed delegates about his son, Humayun, an American soldier who was killed in Iraq. The GOP candidate soon pushed back against Khan's anti-Trump comments, setting up an almost unprecedented episode in which a presidential nominee criticized a military family that lost a loved one in a war zone.

Huq and others said Trump's campaign has clearly been the more negative one, starting with his call to ban foreign Muslims from entering the United States as an anti-terrorism measure.

In the second presidential debate in St. Louis, Trump answered a question about how to stop Islamophobia in America by saying American Muslims must report other Muslims who are engaging in dangerous behavior. He also repeated the false claim that neighbors of the San Bernardino, California, shooters saw bombs all over the floor in the shooters' home last year but did not report it.

That led to a widely retweeted comment from Brooklyn College professor Moustafa Bayoumi, who posted, "I'm a Muslim, and I would like to report a crazy man threatening a woman on a stage in Missouri." By the time the debate ended, his retort had been retweeted more than 32,000 times and "liked" more than 43,000 times.

Speaking to The Associated Press, Bayoumi said Muslim Americans "get exceptionalized to such a degree that their average Americanness disappears in the wind."

But Hillary Clinton did not escape censure from Muslim Americans, who said that the Democratic nominee's public remarks have primarily revolved around recognizing them for what they could do to support counterterrorism efforts.

At that second debate, in answering the same question as Trump, Clinton said: "We need American Muslims to be part of our eyes and ears on our front lines. I've worked with a lot of different Muslim groups around America. I've met with a lot of them, and I've heard how important it is for them to feel that they are wanted and included and part of our country, part of our homeland security, and that's what I want to see."

Nour Eidy, a freshman at the University of Michigan, grew up in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, which is heavily Arab and Muslim. She was troubled by the call to root out radicals, mainly because she has not come across any.

"I don't know anything about terrorism. I don't know their game plans, their strategies," she said. "We're just as victimized by them as anybody else."

Hussien Kazwini does not object to calls for Muslims to identify dangerous extremists. The college student in Toledo, Ohio, whose parents were born in Lebanon, said it's what every U.S. citizen should do.

"We, at the end of the day, are around more Muslims at a mosque or an event," Kazwini said. "Maybe we do have an ability to more easily see if someone is going over to the extreme side."

Frustration with the race is enough to make Ramah Kudaimi want to skip voting altogether.

"People are so shocked by what Trump is saying, that he's  and he's so openly racist  that they are giving Hillary Clinton a pass," the Washington, D.C., organizer said. "The Democrats, frankly, have not necessarily done what is needed to also earn my vote as a Muslim American."

In New York, Ahsia Badi said the campaign rhetoric had also affected how non-Muslims interact with Muslims. "This sort of dialogue ... is forcing people to sit there and see their friends who happen to be Muslim, to be their 'Muslim friends.'"

The 44-year-old health professional has two children, ages 10 and 8.

Because of the constant linkage between Muslims and terrorism issues, she said, "I'm worried about how my children see their own opportunities and what their role is" as Americans.

___

Karoub reported from Detroit and Nasir from Washington, D.C. Associated Press writer John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, contributed to this report.
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Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan, North Sumatra  Thu, November 3, 2016

First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo could not hide her amazement at the extravagant beauty of locally-manufactured handicrafts displayed in an exhibition at the North Sumatra Handicraft Council (Dekranasda) building in Medan.

They are really beautiful. I love them, she said when she visiting a booth displaying Indonesian traditional fabrics, called songket, from Deli Serdang, a regency in North Sumatra, on Wednesday.

Vice President Jusuf Kallas wife Hj Mufidah Jusuf Kalla and the wives of 25 Cabinet ministers accompanied the First Lady during her visit.

During the visit, Iriana took the opportunity to talk with tenun (traditional hand-woven textile) manufacturers. How long does it take to produce a piece of tenun? What happens if the thread is broken? she asked them.

The First Lady appeared amazed listening to the explanations of the artisans, who said it took a minimum of around two weeks to produce a piece of tenun.

Iriana took a selfie in front of a coconut-fiber portrait of President Jokowi and VP Kalla. Seemingly very impressed with the handicrafts on offer, she bought various items in the exhibition.

The First Ladys visit to Dekranasda North Sumatra was part of her activities in Medan City and Deli Serdang regency.

Earlier, Iriana visited the Miftahul Jannah early childhood education center (PAUD) in Tanjung Sari village, Batang Kuis district. She distributed writing books and headscarves to women and housewives during her visit. The activity was apparently spontaneous, as there was no such activity listed on her schedule. (ebf)
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Linkedin Louise Watt (Associated Press) Beijing  Wed, November 2, 2016

China and Malaysia said their navies will cooperate more in the politically sensitive South China Sea in an agreement signed Tuesday during a visit by Malaysia's leader, who is seeking stronger ties with Beijing as he tries to offset a financial scandal at home.

Prime Minister Najib Razak hopes to use his visit to Beijing this week to woo new investment and boost his image as he is shunned by Western leaders over the scandal, which has prompted a US government investigation, analysts say.

He was given a red carpet welcome Tuesday by his Chinese counterpart, Li Keqiang. After meeting at the Great Hall of the People, they oversaw the signing of agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation.

"We have not touched upon the details of our cooperation. Mostly we are focusing on naval cooperation," Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters afterward. As China and Malaysia are both South China Sea coastal nations, "we need to enhance our naval cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea and enhance our mutual trust," he said.

Beijing asserts that virtually all of the South China Sea is Chinese territory, but an international tribunal ruling in July invalidated those sweeping claims. China has ignored that ruling. Six other Asian governments also claim part of the South China Sea, and some observers see it as a potential flashpoint that could spark conflict one day.

Najib is the second leader of a nation with rival territorial claims in the South China Sea to visit Beijing in two weeks. The first, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, played down his country's dispute with China.

The international tribunal case was initiated by Duterte's predecessor, and Duterte has sought to cast himself as far more conciliatory, an approach that appears to have paid off. While Chinese coast guard ships continue to guard a tiny, uninhabited shoal that China effectively seized in 2012, Filipino fishermen have been allowed to fish there for the first time in four years.

Malaysia claims a swath of the South China Sea north of Borneo, along with islands and reefs, but has been relatively understated amid the feuding among fellow claimants China, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Last month, Najib said Malaysia will not compromise on its South China Sea claims, but wants them to be hashed out through dialogue and peaceful negotiations.

Liu said Najib agreed with the Chinese premier "to further advance the proper settlement of the South China Sea issue on a bilateral channel and through dialogue." Beijing always prefers negotiating disputes on a one-to-one basis with the countries concerned, so it can bring more pressure to bear.

Liu said the two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, trade, investment and law enforcement, and will work together to build an east coast railway link in Malaysia and an oil and gas pipeline in Sabah. All this cooperation "will bring our relations to a new high," Liu said.

Najib is to meet President Xi Jinping on Thursday.

Najib has been implicated in a US government investigation into massive fraud at a Malaysian investment fund he founded known by the initials 1MDB. The US Department of Justice said in a lawsuit seeking to seize assets in the US that at least US$3.5 billion was stolen from the fund and diverted through a web of shell companies and bank accounts in Singapore, Switzerland, Luxembourg and the United States.

Malaysia's attorney general has defended Najib, even as his popularity at home has plummeted in recent months.

James Chin, director of the Asia Institute at Australia's University of Tasmania, said Najib wants to attract more Chinese money to make up for a drop in foreign direct investment from Western countries spooked by the scandal. He said Najib also wants to show that "there are still powerful countries around the world that are still willing to give him the five-star or red carpet treatment."

"He's showing the Malaysian domestic audience that a new upcoming power like China is still willing to host him, because it is quite obvious that he can't get the same treatment in Western capitals anymore," Chin said.

While Najib has more riding on the visit, the Chinese government is also eager to increase its clout with Malaysia as it looks to develop its "One Belt, One Road" initiative. Under Xi's signature foreign economic expansion strategy, China aims to strengthen land and sea links and bilateral cooperation with the rest of Asia, Africa and Europe. One part of that is a planned high-speed railway from Singapore to the southwest of China which will pass through Malaysia.

"China for its part wants to be closer to Malaysia in economic and political terms because it's trying to draw Malaysia into its sphere of influence," Chin said.

Relatives of Chinese passengers on Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which went missing in 2014 en route to Beijing, are clamoring to meet with Najib during his visit. About 10 relatives went to the Foreign Ministry and later to the Malaysian Embassy on Tuesday.
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Linkedin Stephen Wright and Niniek Karmini (Associated Press) Jakarta  Wed, November 2, 2016

The Hong Kong trial of a British stock trader who murdered two Indonesian women and horrifically tortured one of them, recording the three-day ordeal on his phone, has barely registered in the victims' home country, let alone elicited shock or sympathy.

Poor and vulnerable, nobodies in a sophisticated and clinical metropolis far from their humble villages on the islands of Java and Sulawesi, they were brutalized by a member of the global 1 percent, a Cambridge University-educated 31-year-old who boasted that he spent his half-million-dollar salary on drugs and prostitutes.

The prosecution's evidence last week made headlines in international media: Three days of escalating torture for the first victim, Sumarti Ningsih, with repeated rape, the battering of her genitalia with fists, mutilation of her body with pliers and the slow cutting of her throat with a serrated knife. A juror wept as defendant Rurik Jutting's smartphone videos were played.

(Read also: HK court sees chilling video describing torture of 2 Indonesians)

"I've never seen anyone that scared," Jutting said of Ningsih in one of the videos. "She would voluntarily eat feces out of the toilet and then smile and thank me afterward. That's how scared she was. She would just do anything."

And in Indonesia, the reaction: Scarcely anything.

Social media didn't stir. There were no dramatic headlines or outraged editorials about the plight of the millions of vulnerable Indonesian women compelled by poverty to work abroad. Broadcasters did, on the other hand, devote hours of live coverage to the Indonesian trial of a privileged young woman accused of murdering her friend with cyanide-laced coffee, allegedly because she was angry about a tiff over boyfriends.

"We find no support from the government and media in our own country," said Ningsih's brother Suyit Khaliman. "We don't understand, maybe because she was a maid or whatever. No matter how she worked for her family, she deserves justice," he said.

In the two years since Ningsih was killed, no one from the government has been in touch with the family, Khaliman said. They heard the trial had started from reporters and some online news reports.

(Read also: UK banker pleads not guilty to murder 2 Indonesians in HK trial)

The family is also grappling with the future of Ningsih's son, now 7.

One day, Khaliman said, "The boy will know how his mother died, perhaps from the internet, and we are worried about that."

Closing arguments in Jutting's murder trial are expected by the end of this week. He has pleaded not guilty.

Ningsih, 23, and the second victim, 26-year-old Seneng Mujiasih, were among the legions of Indonesians working abroad, many of them undocumented, and vulnerable to exploitation.

The International Labour Organization estimated their numbers at 4.3 million in 2012. Migrant Care, an Indonesian advocacy group, says most are not educated beyond primary school and 85 percent are women. It says government commitments to bolster protections are still mainly only on paper.

Ningsih had worked in Hong Kong for several years and was on a visitor pass at the time of her murder. Jutting had paid her for sex on a previous occasion. Her family, who she was in regular contact with, believed her most recent job was working as a waitress.

Mujiasih had an employment pass to work as a maid but also worked at a bar where Jutting met her and offered her a large sum of money for sex. At his apartment, Jutting cut her throat during a struggle after she saw a rope gag he tried to hide under a cushion, according to the police summary of facts.

Mujiharjo, the 56-year-old father of Mujiasih, said daily life for the family was difficult, emotionally and financially, but they tried to accept what happened and move on. Money she sent every month had helped pay to build a new house for the family in South Sulawesi, he said.

Khaliman, Ningsih's 27-year-old brother, said the family was surprised to learn the source of the money she sent back to Indonesia.

But it is relatively common for earnings from the sex industry to keep families back home afloat, an unpalatable fact in Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim, socially conservative country of more than 250 million people.

Dina Damayanti, an Indonesian reporter living in Hong Kong who covered the trial for Suara, a newspaper aimed at the city's large Indonesian community, said she was disheartened by the lack of interest back home.

Distance was one factor, she said, and the attention given to the cyanide trial.

"I feel a little bit sad because this is a very important case for me," said Dina. "Indonesia is so complex. There are so many cases in my country."

Anis Hidayah, the executive director of Migrant Care, said the murders, which occurred within days of each other, made headlines in Indonesia two years ago.

But with many migrant worker deaths abroad from suicides, killings, accidents in dangerous workplaces and other causes, the case was quickly forgotten. The victims were also stigmatized because of their involvement in prostitution and were wrongly blamed as contributing to their own misfortune, said Anis.

"We should think of how migrant workers are the economic backbone of their families," said Anis. "Most of their families at home are very poor and their lives are very dependent on the sweat of migrant workers."

___

AP writers Kelvin Chan in Hong Kong and Ali Kotarumalos in Jakarta contributed.
JUNEAU  A 29-year-old Clyman man was found guilty Tuesday of delivering the heroin that killed Holly Nehls May 31.

Gabriel Joseph Brandl pleaded no contest to one count of first-degree reckless homicide/deliver drugs. He faces up to 40 years in prison and $100,000 in fines if convicted. He is currently being held on $5,000 cash bond.

According to the criminal complaint, Brandl helped 41-year-old Holly Joy Nehls inject the heroin that led to her death and then attempted to hide the body to avoid criminal charges.

Judge Brian Pfitzinger accepted Brandls plea and found him guilty. A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered and Brandl will be sentenced Jan. 20.

Also charged in the case are Terence Jannke, 49, Watertown, and Jason Twaite, 32, Watertown. Their cases remain open.

Jannke allegedly provided the heroin to Brandl that he injected into Nehls, which caused her death. Jannke is charged with first degree reckless homicide, maintaining a drug trafficking place as a party to a crime, second and subsequent offense and possession with intent to deliver heroin, second and subsequent offense. If convicted he faces up to 56 years in prison and $135,000 in fines.

Twaite is charged with maintaining a drug trafficking place as a party to a crime, repeater and possession of drug paraphernalia as a repeater. He faces up to three and a half years in prison and $10,500 in fines

On May 31, officers were called to Watertown Memorial Hospital to investigate the death of Nehls, whose body had been brought to the hospital earlier that day.

Officers learned that Brandl was the one who had brought Nehls body to the hospital at approximately 10:30 a.m. that morning. The complaint states that Brandl told officers Nehls had died of a heroin overdose. Hospital staff informed officers that Nehls was dead upon arrival.

Brandl was interviewed by officers and according to the complaint he identified Jannke as his primary drug dealer. Brandl told officers that he and Nehls had bought heroin from Jannke the previous afternoon. He said they went to Clyman Park at approximately 3:30 p.m. and Jannke arrived at 5:30 p.m. The complaint states that Brandl told police he and Nehls bought heroin, but he thought it looked like it had been mixed with something.

Brandl allegedly told officers he reluctantly helped Nehls inject the heroin and gave her half a dose. He said that about 10 minutes after the injection, Nehls was out of it.

Brandl said they stayed at the park for about 45 minutes before Nehls became unconscious. He allegedly told officers he threw water in her face and slapped her to try to rouse her, but eventually put her in the car where she was snoring and unresponsive. Brandl said he and Jannke drove around for awhile.

Brandl alleged that he told Jannke they should take Nehls to a hospital but that Jannke convinced him that she would snap out of it soon. Brandl claimed that Jannke drove them around for three hours before they returned to Jannkes residence to do more heroin, leaving Nehls in the car.

Brandl said he returned to the vehicle 20 minutes later and Nehls was still snoring. Brandl told officers he went to Walmart when he noticed that Nehls was no longer breathing. He told officers he tried to give her CPR, but she was already dead.

Brandl said he believed it was between midnight and 1 a.m. when Nehls died. He told officers he went back to Jannkes home and told him Nehls was dead. Jannke told Brandl not to mention his name since he had given them the heroin. Brandl allegedly told officers that Jannke took Nehls phone and deleted his contact information and text messages.

According to the complaint, Brandl told officers he went to Oak Hill Cemetery to think about what to do and decided to take Nehls to the hospital.

Brandl told officers he drove to the hospital but didnt have the courage to go in. He then went to Moravian Cemetery where he again contemplated what to do. Eventually Brandl drove back to Watertown Hospital and went inside to tell staff that Nehls body was in his car.

According to his timeline Brandl waited approximately 10 hours to take Nehls to the hospital after he believed her to be deceased.

A confidential informant told officers that they had previously bought heroin from Jannke in the town of Lebanon where he resided. A search warrant was executed at the residence on July 1. Officers learned the residence was inhabited by both Jannke and Twaite.

In Jannkes bedroom, officers located many hypodermic syringes, foil packaging, and writings identified as a drug ledger with recordings of names and dollar amounts next to the names. Syringes were also located in the common area of the home and in Twaites bedroom. Neither Twaite nor Jannke were home at the time of the search.

Officers located Twaite and Jannke in a vehicle owned by Twaite. Twaite was in possession of a kit containing items used to inject heroin including a rope, cotton ball, hypodermic syringe and a metal cap with residue. Three grams of heroin were also located in the glove box.

The informant told officers that Jannke and Twaite had left their residence on July 1 between 7 and 7:30 a.m. to acquire heroin in Illinois. The two allegedly traveled to Rockford, Illinois, where Jannke entered a residence and shortly thereafter returned with the bag of heroin that was located by law enforcement in the glove box.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Straits Times/Asia News Network) Singapore  Wed, November 2, 2016

Get ready to be spell-bound by Harry Potter exhibition Collecting Magic: From Stamps To Wands at the Singapore Philatelic Museum (SPM) from this Wednesday to June 2017.

The exhibition will feature a comprehensive collection of Harry Potter stamps from all over the world, including Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States.

It will also feature a selection of movie memorabilia and collectibles loaned from local collectors. The items include a collector's edition DVD disc set and a film-making book set.

There will also be photo opportunities with familiar Harry Potter movie backdrops such as the train journey to Hogwarts and a chance to "fly" on a broomstick like a skilled Quidditch player.

Children can play with the interactive multimedia exhibits designed by students from Nanyang Polytechnic's School of Interactive & Digital Media. You can wave a wand to see "magic" happen on a screen, watch portraits that "move", or uncover "spells"at the unique heat-sensitive stamp display.

(Read also: Six Indonesian artists to showcase works in Singapore gallery)

A photo posted by InCinemas.sg (@incinemassg) on Oct 31, 2016 at 4:02am PDT

Ms Tresnawati Prihadi, general manager of SPM, said: "Collecting Magic: From Stamps To Wands honors the tradition of collecting, particularly in the area of philately. Postage stamps, alongside community contributed collectibles, help make the Harry Potter experience more tangible and real for visitors."

The best-selling Harry Potter book series, with over 450 million copies sold to date, was released from 1997 to 2007. It spawned a series of feature films, role-playing games and even theme parks.

The opening of the play Harry Potter And The Cursed Child earlier this year in London and the impending worldwide release of the film Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them later this month has reignited Pottermania.

This article appeared on The Straits Times newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, November 2, 2016

Fiji Airways, under an agreement with Jetstar Asia, has allowed travelers to directly fly to Fiji from Indonesia and 21 other countries.

Renowned for its exquisite beaches and vibrant culture, there is much to uncover about this country. Here are some of them as compiled by the airline.

Cultural heritage

Fijian people are said to have migrated from Southeast Asia, which makes the nation an integration of Melanesians and Polynesians. Beyond the three official Fijian languages spokenFijian, Fiji Hindi, and Englishthere are approximately 10 other languages, including Pitcairn-Norfolk, Samoan, Tamil, Telufu and Tongan.

Unique customs

Eighty percent of the land in Fiji is occupied by indigenous people, hence the majority of the islands landscape is made up of village towns. Self-governed villages represented by a Ratu (village chief) or Turaga Ni Koro Koro (village head) still preserve unique customs such as not allowing anyone other than the village chief to not wear hats or sunglasses, and touching the top of someones head is deemed an insult.

(Read also: 5 most popular destinations in Indonesia for holidaymakers)

Leisure and cuisine

Located on the International Date Line, which is an imaginary line in the Pacific Ocean that splits consecutive calendar days. The island of Taveuni in Fiji has a marker that allows visitors to have one foot on today and the other on yesterday.

As for cuisine, Fijian meals typically comprise three elementsrelish, starch and a beverageand are smoke cooked with a traditional method known as lovo, which is an efficient way when cooking large quantities of food.

National flower

The 333 islands Fiji has are not limited to only seas and sandy beaches, but there are also waterfalls, lakes and volcanoes, for those eager to explore more of its natural sites. One of the islands jewels is the Tagimoucia, the national flower of Fiji that is considered a rare flower in the world. (mra/kes)
Read the digital edition 2020-09-25 E-Edition

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RACINE  A Racine man was charged Monday with reportedly stealing from a disabled resident of a group home.

Ratravion D. Wade, 29, of the 500 block of Three Mile Road, reportedly befriended the victim, who suffers from physical and mental disabilities, while he was an employee at a group home in the 1900 block of Neptune Avenue.

According to the criminal complaint:

The victim reportedly told police that in September, Wade asked the victim for $300 to repair his car or else he would get into an accident and his child would get injured. Wade allegedly told the victim that "(She) wouldn't want to be responsible for that, would she?"

Wade and his girlfriend took the victim to the bank to cash the check the victim gave Wade and allegedly told the victim to tear up the carbon copy "so nobody got in trouble."

Wade and his girlfriend also reportedly asked the victim for $40 for gas for the trip.

The victim later confronted Wade about reimbursement. Wade reportedly gave her a $100 bill, which the victim believes was from her lock box, which was missing $100.

The victim also said that she paid Wade to get dry cleaning, and that Wade took the money and never picked up the dry cleaning.

When confronted by police, Wade reportedly said he no longer worked at the group home and that the check was a gift.

Wade faces a felony count for theft. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 9 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave.

Wade remained in custody as of Monday at the Racine County Jail, online records showed.
Months after sales launched in Asia, Extell Development last week kicked off the domestic marketing push for One Manhattan Square. There will be 815 condominium apartments and loads of over-the-top amenities in the 80-story tower at 252 South St.

Last Thursday evening, Extell honcho Gary Barnett hosted a glitzy party on the Lower East Side. There was a dramatic 3D model of the monstrous building that will be looming over the Manhattan Bridge. There were performances by Hamiltons Anthony Ramos, musician Spencer Ludwig and even a One Manhattan Square rap from performance poet Rafael Casal (yes, really).

The sales office for the project is located at 220 South St., in the Manhattan Mini Storage building. A few listings have started to pop up on the project website. 1-bedroom units start at around $1.1 million. If you want to be on a high floor, it will cost you a few-hundred thousand more. 2-bedroom condos start at just over $2 million. A high-floor 3-bedroom will set you back $3.8 million.

About last night #OneManhattanSquare #model #OpeningGala #beautiful #tall #Extell A photo posted by Gnesha Shain Miller (@gneshashain) on Oct 28, 2016 at 5:07am PDT
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has filed a lawsuit against Marolda Properties, a local landlord accused of using a variety of illegal and unethical tactics to intimidate rent stabilized tenants. Marolda owns many buildings throughout the Lower East Side and Chinatown.

The prosecution is the result of an investigation undertaken into 2014 by the AG and the governors Tenant Protection Unit. The lawsuit, filed in state supreme court, accuses Marolda of pursuing legal action against tenants, falsely alleging that they werent actually living in their apartments. According to a press release:

The lawsuit also alleges that defendants refused to renew tenants legally-required leases, overcharged and failed to account for rent paid by tenants, did not conduct necessary and proper repairs and renovations, and engaged in other harassing, deceptive and retaliatory behavior. The suit seeks a court order prohibiting defendants from engaging in these kinds of practices in the future, directing them to pay damages and/or restitution to tenants who were harmed, disgorge all profits that resulted from their illegal practices, pay penalties for their illegal conduct, create comprehensive policies for employees to follow and engage a third-party administrator to monitor compliance with the law.

In addition to Marolda Properties, the lawsuit named several companies set up to run individual buildings. They include: Green Leaf Associates LLC, Forsyth Green LLC, Forsyth Blue LLC, 83-85 Baxter Street LLC, 7 Rivington Street LLC, 90 Elizabeth St. LLC, Ludlow 65 Realty LLC, 13-15 Essex Street LLC, 145 Ave. C. LLC and 100 Forsyth Associates LLC.

CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities and other local advocacy groups have helped residents mobilize against Marolda. In the past, lawsuits have been filed on behalf of individual tenants. Housing rights groups rallied in front of one of Maroldas buildings, 90 Elizabeth St., in August of 2014. Heres what CAAAV posted about todays developments on its Facebook page:

When working-class Asian and Latino immigrant tenants organize because they are tired of the harassment and white collar crime committed on them every day. Tenants are making the system hold landlords accountable for stealing their homes from gentrifying communities. We applaud Governor Cuomo, Tenant Protection Unit and the Attorney Generals office for doing what is necessary to preserve the critical rent-stabilized housing stock in Chinatown and the Lower East Side, where Marolda preyed on low-income immigrant tenants. Predatory landlords, be aware! WE ARE WATCHING! Tenants of multiple Marolda-owned buildings made this possible with the support of CAAAV, MFY Legal Services, Inc., University Settlement Society of New York Copper Square Committee and Asian Americans for Equality

Tenants with concerns about their landlords can call the AGs office at: call 800-771-7755. Rent regulated tenants should also call the Tenant Protection Unit at 718-739-6400 or email the office at: TPUinfo@nyshcr.org.

UPDATE 2:15 p.m. Heres a statement from State Sen. Daniel Squadron:

Too often, harassment tactics are used by bad actors against rent-regulated tenants. Its unacceptable when Marolda does it, and its unacceptable when Croman does it. Ive long worked with community members and colleagues to address patterns of harassment and deplorable conditions that are part of a coordinated strategy to drive people from their homes and destroy affordable housing. As we continue steps toward justice for these tenants, state action continues to be a critical component in sending one message loud and clear: tenant harassment is simply unacceptable anywhere in New York. Im proud to have worked with the TPU and AG to have exposed some of these concerns in my district, and will continue to work against these practices. Thank you to the Governor, TPU, AG, CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities, the Cooper Square Committee, MFY Legal Services, Asian Americans for Equality, University Settlement, and my colleagues.

UPDATE 4:30 p.m. City Council members Margaret Chin and Rosie Mendez are now out with a statement:
A 35-year-old man was injured Tuesday when he fell from a wind tower in Dodge County.

The Sheriff's Office said the incident happened at about 12:15 p.m. on West Line Road in the town of Lomira.

The unidentified man was wearing a safety harness which slowed the fall from the 50-foot-high tower.

The Sheriff's Office didn't say if the man was working on the wind tower or what company owned the tower.

The man was taken by medical helicopter to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah, his condition unknown.
Showstopper: The Improvised Musical originally arrived in the West End last year. It has now returned for a season of 10 performances at the Lyric Theatre.

It's running until 12th December and this is one show you do not want to miss.

The Showstoppers are a group of improvisers comprising of actors, musicians and technicians. The musical itself is, as you can imagine, totally different every night. You may have seen some improv comedy before, where a group will take suggestions from the audience and form a short scenario from it. This is an extreme take on that act.

The Showstoppers create an original musical based on suggestions from the audience. They then improvise a two and a half hour musical. Yes, two and a half hours! All the dances are made up on the spot, as are the songs. So not only are the actors improvising but the musicians are as well. Not to mention the fact the technicians have no idea what any of their lighting cues are going to be.

All the while this story has to actually make sense and keep the audience engaged.

To keep the actors on their toes they also ask the audience to tweet in suggestions in the interval, mainly to do with suggestions for a plot twist. After the interval a vote is taken as to which one they will continue on  meaning theres no time for planning in the 20-minute break.

Its hilarious and involving but the troop is just brimming with talent it truly is a performance where you cant believe your eyes. Even better, you can see this show more than once because each time is an entirely different musical, and therefore an entirely different experience.

Go while you still can.
On October 21st in Nairobi, Kenya, a new kind of beauty pageant was held. 'Beauty Beyond Skin' was created in celebration of those individuals not often considered 'beautiful' in this part of the world - all 20 of the contestants being born albino.

Across Kenya albinism is a stigmitised condition, with trade in albino body parts being a highly fashionable

trade

on the black market

due to the belief that they bring good luck to the negro owner. Last year more than 35 albinos were evacuated from the Kenya-Tanzania border

after a notable rise in ritual killings.

Beauty Beyond Skin was designed to celebrate albinism and to raise awareness of the persecution that is suffered by albinos across Africa. The event was advocated by Isaac Mwaura, Kenya's first and only albino MP, in a bid to change the way albinism is viewed in Kenya.

The celebration marked ten years of campaigning by the Albinism Society of Kenya. Mwaura spoke out: 'we can have the names 'beautiful', 'handsome' and 'albinism' in one society', while the chair of the society, Alex Munyere, impressed that more still needs to be done to dispel myths about albinism in order to improve the safety of those suffering with the condition.

On the day of the pageant, ten men and ten women competed for the title of Mr and Miss Albinism Kenya, modelling the latest fashions in front of roughly 1,000 people. Contestants dressed as army officers, waiters and police officers as part of a demonstration to reveal themselves as an integral part of modern society, a minority group who should be considered equal to any other. They also used the occasion to petition the government to better respect and recognise the medical nature of their condition.

In a place where to be born albino means to risk death daily, Kenya holds the world's first albino beauty pageant https://t.co/vYntwmas6o pic.twitter.com/pp1LzYKPXk  Bob Crowe (@bob_crowe) October 31, 2016





While it was a key part of the pageant, the event was not just about raising awareness for albinism. There was also, of course, a focus on fashion with some amazingly unique and creative designs being showcase with outfits crafted from unusual materials such as balloons, cotton wool, CDs and paper bags.

These Photos From Kenya's Albino Beauty Pageant Are The Cutest Things You'll See Today https://t.co/Mq7OsaCwPq pic.twitter.com/CwEJbl1DMe  ST. (@seyitaylor) October 26, 2016





The winners, Mr Albinism Jairus Ong'etta and Miss Albinism Loise Lihanda both touched on their experiences being albino in Kenya. Ong'etta said, in his spoken word performance, "It will always remain black boards need white chalk, white bible pages - black inscriptions. So white in Kenya doesn't just stand for peace, it means a people, a face."

Lihanda, after winning, said is now "confident. I hold my head high."

Young albino men and women have taken to the stage to fight against stigma and attacks in Kenya. Go #BeYou-ties! https://t.co/ni3Na5qdk9  The BeYou-ty Project (@BeYou_tyProject) October 24, 2016





Beauty pageant for people with albinism was held in Nairobi https://t.co/2YTK5FcnLa stunning pics by @ggkenya  Samantha Spooner (@Samooner) October 25, 2016





Kenya fights deadly stigma with albino beauty pageant https://t.co/N1UfXHI4mi pic.twitter.com/2zBYLkWVRi  New Vision UGANDA (@newvisionwire) October 23, 2016





This pageant represented a fantastic celebration of albinism in a country where people with the condition have been marginalised for so long. The beauty, fashion and confidence demonstrated demonstrating a major and notably public step towards acceptance and inclusivness.
The high-profile sexual assault case involving former Stanford swimmer Brock Turner has prompted a powerful essay from the woman involved, months after sentencing.

Turner was sentenced to just six months in jail because a longer sentence would have a severe impact on him, according to the judge.

Brock Turner registering as a sex offender (Jarod Thrush/AP)

During the case the victim, referred to as Emily Doe, read out an impact statement which went viral, being viewed 11 million times within four days. It began with the sentence: You dont know me, but youve been inside me, and thats why were here today.

Glamour Now she has written an essay published onas they honour her as a Woman of the Year. She talks about the case in detail and how she views herself now as a survivor.

She wrote about the support she had received since her statement went public: I started getting e-mails forwarded to me from Botswana to Ireland to India. I received watercolor paintings of lighthouses and bicycle earrings. A woman who plucked a picture of her young daughter from the inside of her cubicle wrote, This is who youre saving.

Joe Biden (Chuck Burton/AP)

When I received an e-mail that Joe Biden had written me a letter I was sitting in my pajamas eating some cantaloupe. You are a warrior. I looked around my room, who is he talking to. You have a steel spine, I touched my spine. I printed his letter out and ran around the house flapping it in the air.

But Doe also experienced trolling and photos of herself being leaked, compromising the anonymity usually afforded to sexual assault victims. One of them said: Shes not pretty enough to have been raped.

The essay ends with Doe speaking of the strength she has gained from the experience: So now to the one who said, I hope my daughter never ends up like her, I am learning to say, I hope you end up like me, meaning, I hope you end up like me strong. I hope you end up like me proud of who Im becoming. I hope you dont end up, I hope you keep going. And I hope you grow up knowing that the world will no longer stand for this.

Victims are not victims, not some fragile, sorrowful aftermath. Victims are survivors, and survivors are going to be doing a hell of a lot more than surviving.
Music can be a great alleviator for struggles with mental illness, but new research suggests working in the music industry can have a detrimental effect on mental health.

Help Musicians UK surveyed 2,211 musicians on their mental health, the largest study of its kind in the UK to date, with the findings suggesting that musicians may be up to three times more likely to suffer from depression than non-musicians  with 68.5% admitting struggles. ONS data suggests 19% of over-16s in the UK suffer from depression.

On top of that, a staggering 71.1% of people surveyed believe they have suffered from panic attacks or high levels of anxiety.

Can music make you sick? We reveal the survey results as part of our #MADforHMUK mental health campaign https://t.co/In5bdpqA4H  Help Musicians UK (@HelpMusiciansUK) November 1, 2016



The study included not just musicians but DJs, live crew and music management, with 66.2% of people who took part between the ages of 18-35.

MC and artist Context, real name Dr George Musgrave, collaborated with Sally Anne Gross, MusicTank and The University of Westminster on the study that showed while working on music production helped artists find solace, working within the music industry itself caused significant stress. The majority of people surveyed felt it was difficult to get help.

Work problems included anti-social working hours, the difficulty of sustaining a living and a lack of recognition, while for women, who were 43.9% of respondents, sexist comments, sexual harassment and balancing work and family also played a part.

55% feel there are gaps in the provision of services for musicians @UniWestminster #MADforHMUK pic.twitter.com/2SAseiTpVv  Help Musicians UK (@HelpMusiciansUK) November 1, 2016



This year alone Kid Cudi has checked into rehab with depression and Adele has opened up about post-natal depression, while Benga released his first music in three years after struggles with mental health.

Help Musicians is continuing with the next phase of the study, delving deeper into the meaning of the findings and possible causes, and hopes to open a mental health service for those in the music industry in 2017.
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A UW-Madison student who was charged last week with 11 counts of sexual assault involving five women had also followed another woman around campus and showed up randomly at her workplace and study sessions, the woman told police in a search warrant filed Wednesday.

In the search warrant, filed in Dane County Circuit Court, an affidavit written by investigators details incidents that were the basis of a 15-count criminal complaint filed last week against Cook. Eleven of those charges were sexual assault counts. The warrant also contains a portion of a statement from a woman who told police that Cook followed her around, which was not part of the complaint.

Cook, 20, of Edina, Minnesota, a junior studying business, has been suspended from school. Cooks lawyers have contended that most of the alleged sexual assaults stemmed from consensual sex.

The warrant sought permission to more thoroughly search a cellphone belonging to Cook that is currently in police possession. Cook, through a lawyer, had previously given police written permission to do a limited search of the phones contents. The warrant states that police are looking for evidence of sexual assault and stalking.

According to the search warrant, a woman told Madison police that in the spring, Cook exhibited creepy, unsettling, uncomfortable, stressful and harassing behavior toward her, in which he seemed to be everywhere on the UW-Madison campus, showing up randomly in places that she might be.

The woman told police, according to the search warrant, that Cook followed her to study sessions and to her job, and he would show up at her place of employment when she wasnt there and ask where she was.

She also told police that she believes Cook moved into his apartment at 501 N. Henry St. because it was a place of advantage into (her) apartment. The search warrant does not explain what that means, and Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain said Wednesday he could not elaborate.

DeSpain said he didnt know when the woman made her statement to police, but assumed that it was made during a flurry of reports to police that began to come in after Cook was initially arrested and charged in mid-October. He said few if any new reports have come in since last week.

UW-Madison police said last week that a woman reported to them in February that a man later identified as Cook had exhibited behavior toward her that made her uncomfortable, including staring and smiling at her at a campus library.

UW police spokesman Marc Lovicott said the woman confronted Cook and asked him to stop staring at her. Lovicott said Cook followed her out of the library, which prompted her to call police. Cook was not arrested or cited but was told that his behavior was inappropriate, Lovicott said.

On Wednesday, Lovicott said police have since received more information about the February report that could lead to charges.

Cook remains in the Dane County Jail on $200,000 bail. He is next scheduled to be in court on Nov. 28.
Home >Police Enforcement > Taxes and Tolls > US Senator Takes On Rental Car Toll Road Convenience Fees
The Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission on Wednesday was ordered to pay Madison Teachers Inc. more than $41,000 to cover fees the union paid to lawyers in an open records case related to a union recertification election last year.

In September, Dane County Circuit Judge Peter Anderson ruled that WERC improperly withheld data from the union about who had or had not voted during the annual recertification election, required now by a state law that stripped most collective bargaining rights from most public employees.

MTI sought the records under the state open records law during the 20-day voting period in November 2015 so that it could urge Madison School District employees who had not yet voted to do so. WERC denied two requests that MTI made for the data, arguing in court that it feared the possibility of coercion of voters by the union.

On Wednesday, Anderson ordered WERC to pay MTIs attorney fees in the amount of $41,462, along with costs of $301. Anderson denied a request by MTI for punitive damages of $1,000.
Two political newcomers are vying for the Assembly seat in District 47. Democrat Jimmy Anderson faces Adam Dahl, running as a Bernie Sanders Independent. There is no Republican candidate in the district, which includes Monona, McFarland and most of Fitchburg.

Jimmy Anderson

Party: Democratic

Age: 30

Address: 5807 Verde View Road, Fitchburg

Family: Wife Ashley Anderson

Job: Nonprofit director, Drive Clear

Education: BA, integrated studies, and JD from UW-Madison Law School

Elected experience: None

Other public service: None

Adam Dahl

Party: Bernie Sanders Independent

Age: 38

Address: 2784 Waubesa Ave., Madison

Family: Brother, sister, father, son

Job: Information technology consultant

Education: Madison Area Technical College Information Technology Diploma

Elected experience: None

Other public service: Volunteer, Meals on Wheels

Q&A

What is the top issue facing your district and how would you address it through the legislative process?

Anderson: What my district cares about most is education. Scott Walker and the Republican Legislature have decimated our schools and universities with deep funding cuts and have demeaned our educators. In the next budget, we must increase school funding so that we can support the next generation of leaders and innovators.

Dahl: Campaign finance reform is the most important issue because it affects all other issues. When millionaires buy elections the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. We must return to public financing that was in place before 2011 so you dont have to be rich to run for office.

What is an outside-the-box idea you would like the Legislature to pass next session?

Anderson: Too many of our college graduates are saddled with student loans. One solution could be a debt forgiveness program for people who work for a state agency, a public school, serve in the National Guard or participate in a public works program for at least five years.

Dahl: We must overturn the disastrous Supreme Court decision known as Citizens United that allows corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money on elections. When corporations buy elections its not democracy, its oligarchy. We can overturn this by the states calling for an Article V Convention to propose a Constitutional Amendment.

What would be your area of expertise as a lawmaker?

Anderson: Im interested in tax policy. I want to make sure that our tax code truly benefits the hard working people of Wisconsin. Republicans have offered minuscule tax cuts that have been negated by raising fees. What we need is a tax plan that encourages investment, innovation and real growth for the middle class.

Dahl: As a middle class person that has been involved in progressive issue campaigns for well over a decade, my area of expertise would be a deep and thorough understanding of issues that affect working families. I will always put working families first and never sell out to millionaires or corporations.

 Mark Sommerhauser
Here we go again. All those expats/experts with their sandcastle diploma are on it again. Yawn !...(Read More)
Fire breaks out at Phuket Town restaurant, second floor gutted

PHUKET: A fire which broke out at a restaurant in Phuket Town last night (Nov 1) left the entire second floor of the property gutted. However, there were no reports of fatalities or injuries and the estimated damage costs have yet to be confirmed.

Wednesday 2 November 2016, 01:41PM

The fire at the Moo Krob Khun Yai restaurant left the entire second floor gutted. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation received a call from a local resident at 7pm yesterday where it was reported that a fire had broken out at the Moo Krob Khun Yai restaurant on Wichitsongkram Rd. Five fire trucks from Phuket City Municipality were sent to the two storey commercial building to find the second floor ablaze with flames threatening to spread to neighbouring properties. Luckily, firefighters were able to extinguish the fire in 30 minutes, however, an official from Phuket City Municipality said that fire firefighters were unable to stop the fire spreading and that a neighbouring property had sustained minor damage as a result. However, he added that there were no deaths or injuries reported. The official said , We believe that the fire started as a result of a short circuit in the property. However we will wait for police to investigate the incident and determine the true cause of the fire and the estimated cost of damage.
The final Marquette Law School Poll before Election Day shows Democrat Hillary Clinton maintaining a comfortable 6-point lead over Republican Donald Trump in the Badger State.

The result shows the uphill climb for Trump as he tries to make Wisconsin a focal point in his strategy to reach 270 electoral votes. Recent revelations about the FBI continuing to look into emails possibly tied to Clinton helped Trumps standing but may not be enough to push him over the top.

The poll found 46 percent of likely voters prefer Clinton, 40 percent support Trump. The other 14 percent said they plan to vote for Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson, Green candidate Jill Stein, a different candidate, wouldnt vote or remain undecided.

The poll was conducted Oct. 26-31, a six-day period instead of the usual four-day period to obtain a larger sample size. It included 1,255 likely voters with a margin of error of 3.5 points.

[Marquette poll shows Russ Feingold, Ron Johnson in statistical tie]

The Marquette poll, started in early 2012, has had a reputation for closely predicting the outcome of statewide elections. The final Marquette poll before the 2012 election had President Barack Obama beating Republican Mitt Romney by 8 points and the actual result was the Democratic incumbent winning by 6.9 points.

The poll has consistently showed Clinton with a lead in the state, though it has fluctuated between 3 and 13 points. The poll in early October showed Clinton ahead by 7 points. However, it showed support for Trump dropping off in the 48 hours after an 11-year-old recording of him making predatory comments about women surfaced.

The latest poll was taken amid last Fridays news that the FBI is reviewing new emails that could provide additional information into Clintons use of a private email server while secretary of state.

The Trump campaign, as well as high-ranking Republicans in Wisconsin, have seized on the revelation as an 11th-hour reason for state Clinton supporters to switch their vote.

The poll found Democratic support for Clinton remained steady, whereas Republican and independent support for Trump increased over the weekend.

Overall results showed Trump leading among likely voters on the Friday the FBI news came out by 8 points, Clinton leading by 11 in polling conducted last Wednesday and Thursday and by 6 in polling conducted Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Concern about Clintons use of a private email system does not appear to have shifted much in the wake of the FBI news, poll director Charles Franklin said.

Within partisan identifiers, there is evidence that some undecided Republicans moved to support of Trump over the survey period and that independents shifted from a Clinton advantage to a Trump advantage, though all the shifts are inside the margin of error.

Trumps Wisconsin spokesman Matt Schuck said the campaign doesnt believe the poll fully measured the effects of the new developments in the FBI investigation.

Clinton campaign spokeswoman Gillian Drummond didnt respond to requests for comment on the poll results.

The results came a day after Trumps fifth campaign stop in Wisconsin, this one in Eau Claire. Clinton has not campaigned in Wisconsin since the April primary, though vice president Joe Biden is scheduled to appear in Madison on Friday.

Trump said last week internal numbers have shown recent positive gains for the billionaire real estate mogul in the state, though an average of publicly available polling shows him trailing by more than five points.

The partisan makeup of the Marquette poll included 48 percent Democrats, 42 percent Republicans and 8 percent independents, which is close to the historic average of 47-43-9, though more heavily Democratic than recent Marquette polls.

Poll details

Other findings in the presidential race:

Clinton leads among women 49-34 and among those with a college degree 48-37. Trump leads among men 46-42 and rural voters 49-37. They are tied among white voters and voters in the Milwaukee suburbs, a critical area where Romney held a double-digit lead in pre-election polling.

Clinton has the support of 89 percent of Democrats and Trump has the support of 81 percent of Republicans, reflecting a lack of enthusiasm among conservatives for the GOP nominee. Trump leads among independents 39-38.

The poll found 16 percent of respondents have already cast an early vote. Of those, 64 percent supported Clinton and 25 percent supported Trump.

A majority (53 percent) are bothered a lot by Trumps recorded comments about women and half are bothered by Clintons use of a private email server as secretary of state.

About four in 10 polled disliked Clintons comments that politicians need a public and private agenda and Trumps refusal to release his tax returns.

Wisconsin a Trump target

Though the state hasnt backed a Republican for president since 1984 and Clinton has had a consistent polling advantage while Trump has struggled to gain traction in the conservative Milwaukee suburbs, Trump is contesting the state. He plans to visit again before Election Day, according to his campaign, and his son, Eric Trump, plans to visit the northern part of the state on Thursday.

Trump can win tight races in Florida, Ohio and North Carolina and still fall short of the 270 votes needed to win a majority in the electoral college, according to political experts.

Trump has turned to the traditionally Democratic states of Wisconsin, Michigan and New Mexico to forge a new path to victory, according to reports and actions taken by the campaign.

On Tuesday, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, campaigned in Madison.

Chelsea Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders are visiting this week. Clinton also started advertising in Wisconsin over the weekend, three weeks after Trumps campaign began running ads here.
Phukets Kata Group moves on Chinese weddings, honeymooners

PHUKET: Kata Group Resort Thailand has set its sights on bringing more than 2,000 couples from China to wed in Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi in the next three years, Kata Group President Pramookpisit Achariyachai has revealed.

Chinesetourismcultureeconomics

By Suthicha Sirirat

Wednesday 2 November 2016, 09:50AM

Kata Group President Pramookpisit Achariyachai (centre, left) shakes hands with Zhang Sihua, President of Travel Wedding (Beijing) Co Ltd, after signing the MoU. Photo: Suthicha Sirirat

Mr Pramookpisit made the announcement after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zhang Sihua, President of Travel Wedding (Beijing) Co Ltd, at the Kata Beach Resort & Spa on Sunday (Oct 30) to launch a series of travel packages aimed at the Chinese wedding market.

Present to witness the signing were Anoma Vongyai, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office; Wang Huijuan, head of the Phuket Consular Office, which is attached to the Chinese Consulate in Songkhla; and Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Thawornwat Kongkaew.

Our goal is to host weddings for 2,000 couples within three years, Mr Pramookpisit said. Hopefully this will help increase wedding tourism in the future. Right now our target customer is the Chinese, which is our largest tourist group in Thailand and continues to grow.

The campaign will promote tourism to Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi by introducing Chinese tourists to a series of wedding and honeymoon products, such as honeymoons at the beach, he added. Hotels in Kata Group Resort include Kata Beach Resort and Spa, Beyond resort in Karon, Beyond Resort in Krabi and Phang Nga, and Beyond Resort at Khao Lak.

We will have 36 packages that cover weddings, honeymoons and pre-wedding and family photos. We will also consult with the company (Travel Wedding Co) for marketing plans to make our products widely known among Chinese and provide easy access for our products to them, Mr Pramookpisit explained.

The Chinese market is the biggest tourism market in the world and it continues to show rapid and consistent growth. The Kata Group is proud to be working together with Travel Wedding Co and we look forward to understanding our target customer better. We need insight into Chinese consumer behaviour so we can introduce the right products and service that satisfy them, he said.

Mr Zhang pointed out that China is home to about 1.3 billion people and each year about 10 million couples marry.

Our wedding industry is valued at about 1.5 billion yuan, or about 2.7% GDP. More than five million couples each year take part in wedding photoshoots or honeymoons outside of China, he said.

Phuket has the most beautiful beaches in Asia and the islands charm is well known by tourists around the world. It is the place where honeymooners want to be, he added.

Mr Zhang said that the Chinese travel wedding and honeymoon market was growing due to rising incomes in China.

Moreover, the development of basic infrastructure at tourism locations throughout the world and the fast growth the airline industry also help this industry. All these factors are contributing to changes to traditional weddings. Today people can choose a wedding, pre-wedding photography and honeymoon that suits their lifestyle, he said.

In particular, many young Chinese couples are fond of the idea of being married outside their home country, he added.

I think they not only learn the culture and heritage of that country, but also other aspects that differentiate from their own culture. Phuket has all this to offer culture, food and beautiful beaches so this campaign is great opportunity for Phuket to pursue, Mr Zhang said.

Phuket has a strong selling point to Chinese. I believe our collaboration  our vertical integration  will provide the best packages for these couples and strengthen relationships in the wedding industry and tourism in general, Mr Zhang concluded.
Rescue teams search for Russian man missing at Similan Islands

PHUKET: Marine Police and Royal Thai Navy rescue teams today are continuing their search for missing Russian national Alexey Stashkov, who disappeared from a yacht at the Similan Islands on Monday (Oct 31).

marinetourismRussianaccidents

By Yutthawat Lekmak

Wednesday 2 November 2016, 01:18PM

Yacht captain Vladimir Komogorov said he circled Koh Miang twice looking for his friend Alexey Stashkov, but failed to find him. Photo: Royal Thai Navy

Mr Stashkov arrived at the popular tourist islands on board the sailing yacht Revolution, skippered by fellow Russian national and friend Mikhail Komogorov*, explained V/Adm Surapol Kuptaphan, commander of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command.

Mr Komogorov said that he left Chalong Pier in Phuket and arrived at the Similian Islands and moored at Koh Miang (Island 4) on Monday, V/Adm Surapol told The Phuket News.

In his report to Navy search teams, Mr Komogorov said, We stopped the boat near Ko Miang or Ko Si. While I was sleeping, my friend went swimming in the sea, but after I woke up I could not see him.

I called out his name and shouted, Where are you? I drove the boat around the island twice looking for him, but I couldnt find him.

Naval officers have called in fishing vessels and tourist boats in the area to assist in the search, V/Adm Surapol said.

They are still searching, and will continue the search for now, he said.

*Initially the name was wrongly reported as Vladimir, updated on November 3.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's running mate on Tuesday sought to draw a sharp contrast between Clinton and her Republican opponent Donald Trump in inclusiveness, demeanor and treatment of others in a final push to secure votes in Wisconsin.

Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine told a crowd of hundreds at a UW-Madison student dining center one week before Election Day that Clinton was the only candidate promoting equality and empowering families and children.

"Why is Donald Trump cutting against equality?" Kaine said. "What other country says it's about one thing? Equality. It's about one thing. It's about equality and we gotta move toward it, not away from it."

In seeking to illustrate Trump as a candidate who has rejected inclusiveness and fair treatment of minorities, Kaine reminded the crowd of controversial statements Trump has made about women, people with disabilities, and minorities, including his criticism of Khizr and Ghazala Khan, parents of Humayun Khan, a Muslim soldier who died in combat in Iraq in 2004.

"Who goes after a Gold Star family like the Khans?" Kaine said. He also reminded the crowd of a comment Trump made during a debate with Clinton in which he called her a "nasty woman."

"Donald Trump is not a person who can look at a woman and see an equal," he said. "This is a fundamental choice about the values of the country."

In contrast, Kaine said, Clinton was a candidate who has experienced personal defeat and discrimination and forged ahead to meet her goals anyway, instead of throwing tantrums as he said Trump has done and would do as president.

Kaine referenced Clinton's unsuccessful push for universal health care as first lady in the early 1990s. After the defeat, Clinton pushed for the Children's Health Insurance Program in 1997, he said.

Kaine said Clinton has made her whole career about "empowering families and children."

"Donald Trump is a different kind of guy," said Kaine. "Donald Trump does have a passion: It's just Donald J. Trump. It's not family and kids. His passion is Donald J. Trump."

After the event, Kaine and Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Madison surprised patrons at The Old Fashioned on the Capitol Square. Kaine ordered Wisconsin's quintessential cocktail, a Brandy Old Fashioned, sweet, while Baldwin took a Spotted Cow beer.

Campaign homestretch

Kaine was deployed by the Clinton campaign in Wisconsin during the homestretch of a volatile presidential campaign featuring numerous controversial comments by Trump but roiled in recent days by revelations that the FBI would review new emails possibly connected to Clinton and her time as secretary of state under President Barack Obama.

The Virginia senator's Madison stop was his second in the state on Tuesday, after he visited Appleton's Lawrence University that afternoon.

There, and in Madison, he told voters that Wisconsin is critical for Democrats to win the White House.

"If we win Wisconsin, it is very, very difficult for the other side to win this race," said Kaine.

Kaine also said he has a record of winning, and being supported by strong women.

"Now I get to be a strong man supporting a strong woman," he said.

Polls have consistently shown Clinton leading Trump in Wisconsin, which has 10 electoral votes, though a new Marquette Law School Poll will be released Wednesday. She has not campaigned in the state since the primary and Kaine was making his first stop since August.

Kaine told the Madison crowd that Wisconsin voters will see others from the Clinton-Kaine campaign in the coming days, but he didn't offer specifics.

Kaine appeared with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Russ Feingold, who is in a tough race against Republican Sen. Ron Johnson.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Hamlin's Fraser, Herreid-Selby Area's Hettick lead top performers

The top Watertown area high school performers for the week of Oct. 24-29
The Madison City Council on Tuesday awarded $373,800 of your property tax dollars to an outside consultant to search for the elusive Higgs boson of racism in the Madison Police Department.

The study was prompted after a white police officer, in self-defense, shot and killed a violence-prone young black man who, high on psilocybin and prescription drugs, attacked the officer in a narrow stairway in March 2015.

Five points:

1) This study is angering voters. My open records request of email traffic to six City Council members when the study was first proposed showed sentiment running over 2 to 1 against. Over 3,000 citizens in select neighborhoods have paid $3 to $5 each for yard signs supporting the police.

2) It is demoralizing the men and women in blue. I know because many have told me personally.

3) The study is supposed to determine whether Madison Police Department policies and procedures reflect best practices nationally and are representative of and welcoming of community diversity. That study has already been conducted. The U.S. attorney generals Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission praised Madison police for leading-edge practices in its report Advancing Diversity in Law Enforcement, released in early October.

4) The city contract is supposed to mollify the Black Lives Matter movement. It wont. Young Gifted and Black issued this communique to its cadres this summer: Our status quo, business-as-usual governmental, economic, and criminal justice systems wont naturally fix themselves  we must radically change the entire system.

The consultants study is not going to radically change anything.

5) The very existence of this study sends an unmistakable message to a vulnerable population that Madison police are at fault and need fixing.

On Oct. 16, FBI Director James Comey warned: The narrative that policing is biased and violent and unfair ... produces this result: More dead young black men.

Black men are nine times more likely to be killed than white males. Nationwide, 900 more young black men were killed last year compared to the previous year, according to a study conducted by the Guardian U.S.

Its called the Ferguson effect. Fearing protests and legal second guessing, police refrain from the pro-active work needed to prevent crime.

Homicides nationwide so far this year are on a pace to increase 32 percent from 2014, according to NYUs Brennan Center for Justice  the largest increase in almost a half century.

Now police are the targets  and not just from radical agitators and nervous politicians fearful of the race card. Police fatalities are up 47 percent through Oct. 21, compared to the same period last year, according to the Manhattan Institute.

Is it mere happenstance that here in Madison, police were lured to Russett Road Oct. 6 by gun shots only to be targeted themselves? Two officers in Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday werent so lucky.

Mayor Paul Soglin should veto this study and use his bully pulpit to defend Madison police.
Madison collects about 18,000 tons of leaves each year, mostly during late October and early November when residents rake and pile them curbside for city pickup.

Keeping those leaves out of the street is the most important thing urban dwellers can do to protect Madisons lakes, new research shows.

The U.S. Geological Survey has been studying leaves and runoff in Madison, with initial findings suggesting fallen leaves (and to a lesser extent soil, lawn clippings and pet waste) accounted for 56 percent of the phosphorus pollution last year that washed into our lakes from urban areas.

The research also has determined that careful timing of leaf removal from curbs can reduce that pollution by as much as 80 percent.

Unfortunately, too many homeowners and renters still rake their leaves into the streets, in violation of city ordinance. Those leaves then wash down the street and clump at storm sewer grates when it rains. The water soaks the mass of leaves like a tea bag, leeching out the phosphorus, which runs into the lakes. The phosphorus then feeds weed and algae growth in the water, filling the shoreline with green muck each summer and closing beaches.

Most of the phosphorus pollution entering Madisons lakes comes from manure thats stored and spread on farms. But city residents and businesses still have a responsibility to control the runoff from their properties, too, which accounts for about 30 percent of the overall problem.

Farmers are doing more to stem the erosion of animal waste into our lakes. Similarly, city and suburban residents must try harder to stop leaves from getting into street gutters and grates.

William Selbig, a hydrologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, said Tuesday his team now plans to study how much varying municipal practices for picking up leaves in the fall reduces the amount of phosphorus thats released into the lakes. Theyll study the impact of using trucks, sweepers and large vacuum tubes to collect leaves from curbs.

But any collection system still will require help from the public so leaves dont wash away when it rains.

The best way to keep leaves out of the streets and our lakes is to mulch or compost them in your yard. Yet most residents want their leaves picked up from the curb. Thats fine  so long as the leaves are piled a few feet from the street so they stay put during a storm.

Another tip for Madison residents is to look at the citys website to learn when crews will be picking up leaves in their neighborhood. That way, the leaves dont sit for weeks on the curb, killing grass and potentially eroding away.

Tips for how to rake, collect and store your leaves in communities across Dane county, including Madison, can be found at www.cleanlakesalliance.org/leaves.

Please do your part to protect our lakes by keeping your leaves out of the street. Now is the most critical time for prevention.
Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Drizzle early. A mix of sun and clouds by afternoon. High around 60F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear skies. Low 43F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
"Vote Trump" is spray painted on the side of the fire damaged Hopewell M.B. Baptist Church in Greenville, Miss., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Fire Chief Ruben Brown tells The Associated Press that firefighters found flames and smoke pouring from the sanctuary of the church just after 9 p.m. Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Organisation: SolarNow

Duty Station: Kampala,

Uganda

Reports to: Engineering

Manager

About US:

SolarNow is a distribution and finance company that sells high quality

solar product and appliances to households and businesses in Uganda. The

company started in 2011 and has since opened 36 branches throughout Uganda,

employs around 250 people. Expansion into other countries is planned for 2016.

Job Summary: The Office Coordinator will support the Engineering Manager in managing and coordinating the

implementation of all SN office affairs at the headquarters and in the

branches.



Responsibilities: Key Duties andResponsibilities:



Develop

and implement SolarNow administrative systems



Organise

and manage both internal and external SolarNow office layouts



Manage

and monitor the utilization of all office supplies



Working

with Human Resource to organize company-wide headquarter meetings



Manage

and monitor the performance of the office attendants in line with SolarNow

objectives.



Maintain

a clean and enjoyable working environment



Manage

the filing systems in the engineering team



Perform

any other duty assigned by the Engineering manager.



Experience: Qualifications, Skills andExperience:



The applicants for the Solarnow Office Coordinator job placement should hold a Diploma or Bachelors degree in Business

Administration or Secretarial Studies



A minimum of two years relevant work experience

in office management and administration



Excellent oral and written communication skills



Capacity

to prioritize tasks and work under pressure



Keen

attention to detail



Ability

to work with minimal supervision



Computer

literacy skills



Flexibility

and adaptability to changing work loads



Highly

creative.



Good

problem solving and project management ability



Ability

to liaise well with others and delegate tasks



Excellent

organizational and time management skills



Fit

with Solar Now culture. Fitwith Solar Now culture.

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates are encouraged to send

their applications to the Human Resource Manager, SolarNow Uganda Services via

e-mail, recruitmentug@solarnow.eu, including their updated CVs (no other

documents).

Deadline: 4th November, 2016

For

more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com

or find us on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
Ratan Tata, interim chairman of India's Tata Sons conglomerate, will outline a revamped top management structure for the $100 billion group within days, a person close to the company told Reuters on Tuesday.

The new structure is being put in place after Tata Sons last week removed Cyrus Mistry as chairman, and disbanded his advisory Group Executive Council, triggering a very public spat between Tata and Mistry.

In a letter to employees on the day Mistry was ousted, Tata said "a new management structure is being put in place," with a selection committee formed to find a new chairman.

"The new management structure that (Ratan) Tata promised will soon be put in place, and it will speak a lot about the future of the group," the source said, asking not to be named as the matter is private.

Details on the structure and the personnel are being finalised, the person said.

A spokesman for Tata Sons said he was not aware of any such development, and declined to comment further.

Setting up the new management structure will be one of Tata's first steps since he returned as interim chairman, four years after stepping down and appointing Mistry in his place.

Mistry's advisory team included five people in key roles such as group heads of business development, strategy and public affairs. Two of those five - Mukund Rajan, Tata's brand custodian, and Harish Bhat, who oversaw Tata's retail ventures - are likely to be part of the new management structure, the source said.

The other three members of Mistry's advisory council have resigned.

Tata veteran Prasad Menon, who last served as chairman of Vistara, an airline venture with Singapore Airlines, has been brought in to help Tata put the new structure in place, the source said.

Earlier on Tuesday, CNBC-TV18 reported that S. Ramadorai stepped down as chairman of India's National Skills Development Council (NSDC) and National Skills Development Agency (NSDA) amid speculation of his return to Tata. Ramadorai is also chair of AirAsia India, another airline joint venture Tata has with Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd.

A source at the NSDA said Ramadorai tendered his resignation in September citing ill health. The source was not aware if that move was related to a possible return to Tata Sons.
Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has said that the Kerala government must atone by asking the Centre to enforce the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Malappuram district. The recent bomb blast in Malappuram was a dress rehearsal for Islamic State. Malappuram district is the original sin of the CPI(M). The district administration should be handed over to the Army, Swamy said to THE WEEK.

On November 1, a low-intensity bomb blast went off on civil station premises in Malappuram town in north Kerala. The police said that ammonium nitrate and pressure cooker were suspected to have been used for the blast. They recovered a paper box containing a notice, in the name of Base Movement, which warned about more attacks and about avenging the killing of Mohammad Akhlaq in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, for consuming beef. The National Investigation Agency would coordinate with the state police in the investigation.

Swamy said a secular, democratic government should take special measures to ensure the integrity of the Constitution and safety of the people. I urge Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh therefore to take a call on the situation in Malappuram, said Swamy.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said a special investigation team, headed by a deputy superintendent of police, would probe the blast. BJP legislator O. Rajagopal said the government was not viewing the matter with due seriousness. He walked out of the assembly on November 2 after he was not allowed an adjournment motion seeking discussion on the bomb blast.

Former minister and Muslim League leader M.K. Muneer said Swamy was talking rubbish. But there should be a clear line drawn between the moderates and the fundamentalists. We welcome any investigation into the bomb blasts. The guilty should not be spared, he said to THE WEEK.

Muneer said great people like Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan and E.M.S. Namboodiripad were born in Malappuram. Fascist forces want Malappuram to be another Kashmir. We will not allow that to happen, said Muneer.
Four years ago, when Ratan Tata decided to hang up his boots after an illustrious tenure as chairman of Tata Group, the salt-to-software conglomerate started a headhunt for his successor. Cyrus Mistry, a member of the Tata Sons board by virtue of his father Pallonji Mistry's 18.4 per cent stake, was part of the committee that was formed to find Tata's successor. During the selection process, however, Mistry impressed the other members of the committee so much so that they decided not to look any further.

Mistry had proved his mettle as managing director of his family firm Shapoorji Pallonji and Company, and had served as director of Tata Elxsi and Tata Power. His father's clout in Bombay House, the Tata Group headquarters, also helped in no small measure in his selection. Mistry was only the second chairmanafter Nowroji Saklatwala, who led the group from 1932 to 1938of the 144-year-old group to not bear the Tata surname.

Saklatwala had had the shortest term as Tata chairman, which was interrupted abruptly when he died of a heart attack in 1938. But on October 24, Mistry's term turned out to be shorter, when Tata Sons announced that its board had replaced him and given charge to Ratan Tata as interim chairman.

Few people had seen it coming. But within minutes theories started emerging, postulating the reasons for the sudden decision. Many of them attributed it to the lacklustre performance of some Tata Group companies, and some others to Mistry's handling of crucial issues like the dispute with NTT DoCoMo and Tata Steel's sick assets in Europe. Then there was talk on a clash of culture between the old guard and Mistry's methods.

It was in 2009 that NTT DoCoMo partnered with Tata to form Tata Teleservices. As many of its performance goals were not met, the Japanese partner decided to exit the alliance in 2014, and wanted the Tatas to either find a buyer for its 26 per cent stake or buy it out. Tata could not find a buyer and did not buy back the DoCoMo share. In January 2015, NTT DoCoMo filed an arbitration case. In June this year, the London Court of International Arbitration ordered Tata to pay $1.17 billion in damages to NTT DoCoMo. The case is currently being heard by the Delhi High Court and courts in the US and the UK. It is said that Ratan Tata was unhappy about how the issue was dragged to court.

It is no secret that many of the Tata Group companies are struggling. Only two of its big ten businesses have done well in the recent pastthe IT services giant Tata Consultancy Services and the carmaker Jaguar Land Rover, which it acquired from Ford in 2008. These two companies contributed more than 80 per cent of the group's total profit last year. In fact, TCS's fantastic run on the stock markets in the past decade has been the only reason behind Tata Group's stupendous growth in value during the period.

The lemon in the basket has been Tata Steel, once a flag-bearer of the group. Its $13.1 billion acquisition of the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus in 2007 was part of Ratan Tata's ambitious global push. It made the company one of the biggest steelmakers in the world, but it soon became a victim of circumstances, as commodity prices started falling by 2012. Corus was burning moneyaccording to some reports, as much as $1.3 million a day at one point. Tata was slow to react, and took years to figure out a way to stem the losses. In April this year, it sold the long products business in the UK to Greybull Capital for a token sum. And the company has been talking to the likes of ThyssenKrupp for a joint venture.

To be fair on him, Mistry inherited these losses. And he tried in his own way to fix it by getting out of it. But that was not the Tata way of doing business, and did not seem to have gone down well with the former chairman. Mistry, in fact, had made a number of asset sales during his tenure to bring down the debt burden. In 2014, Tata Power sold 30 per cent stake in its coal mine in Indonesia for Rs 3,100 crore. In April this year, Tata Chemicals sold its urea plant in Uttar Pradesh to a Norwegian company for Rs 2,600 crore. In May, Tata Communications sold the majority stake in a data centre it owned. In June, Tata sold Neotel, a telecom company it owned in South Africa, for Rs 3,000 crore.

There is an argument that rather than what Mistry sold, it was the one big purchase that he made sealed his fate. In June, he finalised Tata Power's acquisition of Welspun's solar farms for $1.4 billion. It was said to be without the approval of Ratan Tata and other key shareholder. And, that was not how business had been done at Bombay House.

It does not take much to figure out that Ratan Tata was not happy about what was going on and he wanted to change it. And the decision to remove Mistry was anything but sudden. In August, Tata Sons board inducted Ajay Piramal of Piramal Enterprises and Venu Srinivasan of TVS. It is said that Mistry, who chaired the board, was not aware of these appointments, which clearly showed the discontent between the chairman and the major shareholder, Tata Trusts.

Up in arms: A protest after the loss of 900 jobs at the local Tata Steel works in Scunthorpe, northern England. Ratan Tata is likely to revist the plan to disinvest the sick units | AFP

With about 66 per cent stake, Tata Trusts (Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the allied trusts, and Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust) control Tata Sons, the holding entity of the companies in the Tata empire. Ratan Tata is the chairman of the trusts.

Cyrus Mistry's father, Pallonji Mistry, owns 18.4 per cent. He inherited 12.4 per cent from his father, Shapoorji Pallonji, and the rest through rights issue. Shapoorji Pallonji bought the shares from the heirs of F.E. Dinshaw, who was a friend and financier of the Tatas and got the shares in lieu of the money the Tatas owed him. Tata group companies own 13 per cent, and Tata family members and others own the rest.

Tata Sons chairman and Tata Trusts chairman have almost always been the same person. There has been only one exception earlierfor a short period, J.R.D. Tata headed Tata Trusts when Ratan Tata was Tata Sons chairman. So Mistry had always been under the threat of Ratan Tata flexing his muscles.

But, what made Ratan Tata sack Mistry, his handpicked successor, in such an unceremonious way? A graceful exit option was offered to Mistry, said a person close to Tata. He was asked to step down, but he did not. It seems Mistry was keen on facing the board. The board had nine members, including Tata and Mistry. Six of them are said to have voted for removing Mistry and two abstained. (On October 25, a day later, Tata Sons inducted JLR CEO Ralf Speth and TCS's N. Chandrasekaran to its board.)

While the insiders had been contemplating their options for months, industry watchers were clueless about a possible leadership change. The decision came as a shock, said market expert Ambareesh Baliga. Now the battle lines will be clearly drawn. I don't think they (the Mistrys) will take it lying down.

Though there has been speculation on Mistry taking a legal recourse, Shapoorji Pallonji Group did not confirm it. While the circumstances are being studied, there is no basis to media speculation about litigation at this stage, said a statement from the group. But in a letter to the board written on October 25, Mistry criticised the decision to remove him, calling it unique in the annals of corporate history. He alleged he had not been given freedom to manage the conglomerate.

Interestingly, Mistry's attempts to micro-manage the companies in the group was one thing that the directors and Ratan Tata were not comfortable with. They wanted the chairman to be a grand visionary, rather than someone who nitpicks over tiny details. Many insiders, especially some members of Tata Trusts, were aghast at Mistry's bookkeeping ways and the eagerness to collect the last rupee.

The trusts were not in sync with the high-profile Group Executive Council that Mistry set up with the intention of centralising the group's management. Even the CEOs of many group companies were not happy with the GEC. Tata CEOs were used to running their companies independently under the guidance of Tata Sons, said a Tata executive who did not want to be identified. They did not take kindly to the interference. The GEC was disbanded after Mistry was removed. At least three members of the GEC are said to be on their way out.

Despite the criticism that he deviated from the 'Tata way' of doing things, many measures that Mistry took were essential for the financial well-being of the group. In the letter to the directors, he had warned that the group might face $18 billion in writedowns because of five unprofitable businesses. According to an analysis by Edelweiss Capital, Mistry's focus on sale of assets which either were not profitable or were creating little shareholder value was hailed by the shareholders.

Mohandas Pai, chairman of Manipal Global Education Services and Aarin Capital, was disappointed by the way Mistry was treated by the Tata Sons board. What has happened is wrong, as the legitimately appointed chairman of one of Indias largest industrial groups has been dethroned by other directors who succumbed to the pressure of a dominant shareholder, ignoring their fiduciary responsibility to 100 per cent of shareholders. If the dominant shareholder wanted a change in the leadership an extraordinary general meeting should have been called, he said.

Under Mistry, the net profit of TCS jumped about 75 per cent, and its stock price rose 60 per cent. The revenue of Tata Motors grew 46 per cent under him, and its profit was up 11.4 per cent. The company has had relative success in the passenger vehicles segment with the Tiago hatchback. But the company still has low capacity utilisation in this vertical, particularly at the Sanand unit. Nonetheless, Tata Motors has made a start with the Tiago finding favour with customers, said Amit Sharma, senior research analyst (automobiles) at IHS Markit.

The markets, unsurprisingly, reacted strongly to the change. A day after Mistry was ousted, shares of all listed Tata companies except Tata Teleservices fell. Indian Hotels, Tata's hospitality arm, was the worst hit with a 3.16 per cent decline. Its share value had doubled during Mistry's tenure, as market participants had reacted positively to his attempts to sell its loss-making properties.

That means it will be difficult for Tata to undo everything that Mistry had done. However, in his first meeting with the heads of group companies, Ratan Tata hinted that some of Mistry's decisions might be reviewed. We will evaluate and continue to undertake those that are required, he said.

It is speculated that Tata will reverse the decision on the proposed sale of Tata Steel's Port Talbot unit in the UK. In fact, the British media has already said Mistry's removal was good news for the 11,000 UK workers of Tata Steel. They have been facing uncertanity ever since Mistry initiated a plan to sell sick assets.

Also, the dispute with NTT DoCoMo is likely to be settled soon. It was Tata who had promised the Japanese firm to pay half the amount of its investment if it left the business making a loss. He was said to be upset with Mistry's tough stand in the dispute. There are also reports that Tata may get out of the telecom business.

A bigger challenge for Tata would be finding a successor. He has made it clear that he had assumed the role of interim chairman for stability and continuity. This will be for a short time, he said. A new permanent leadership will be in place. The failed experiment with Mistry has made the job all the more difficult. Names like Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo, former Vodafone Group CEO Arun Sarin and former Deutsche Bank head honcho Anshu Jain are doing rounds. The frontrunner, however, seems to be TCS's Chandrasekaran.

The interim chairman and the next chairman cannot forget the fact Tata Group's problems pre-dated Mistry's tenure. Mistry tried to fix them in earnest, though not necessarily the way Tata would have liked. The next chairman will face the same challenges, but will have the opportunity not to repeat Mistry's 'mistakes'.

WITH ABHINAV SINGH AND RACHNA TYAGI
Integrated into its 14-year model of service, Nefesh BNefesh announced its most comprehensive post-Aliyah programming to date to help new arrivals acclimate, integrate and thrive in Israel. Dedicated to making each Oleh, and every Aliyah, a success, a full program will provide Israels new citizens with tools that touch on all aspects of their new lives, broken down into four key areas; Life in Israel, Employment, Israel Exploration and Social Integration.

Having celebrated bringing its 50,000th immigrant to Israel this summer, Nefesh BNefesh has always upheld that arriving in Israel is only the beginning of the journey and sought to facilitate this process as best as possible. Through an array of workshops, webinars and events, an enhanced set of post-Aliyah programming will continue to support the Nefesh BNefesh mission of enabling Olim to flourish in the State of Israel.

We are delighted to further expand on our current range of post-Aliyah programming to continue giving our new Olim as much guidance and support with their Aliyah process as possible, something the organization has always been dedicated to, said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Founder and Executive Director of Nefesh BNefesh. We are not only proud to have brought over 50,000 Jews to Israel, but are devoted to providing each and every one of them with the tools needed to integrate into Israeli society, the workforce and continue having a significant influence on the successful development of the State of Israel.

In response to the growth of Oleh communities throughout the country, two new Aliyah centers will be inaugurated in Carmiel and Tel-Aviv, in addition to the organizations headquarters in Jerusalem, its Beersheva office and the NBN-FIDF Center for Lone Soldiers in Tel-Aviv. As such, Olim will have the opportunity to participate in hundreds of workshops, webinars and events at these five locations.

Covering a wide range of topics, such as navigating the health care system, higher education counseling and understanding taxes as a new Oleh, the Life in Israel programs will ensure a helping hand is given throughout the process, while Israel Exploration and Social Integration allow new arrivals to get to know Israel inside-out and connect with other Olim and Israelis alike.

In addition, Nefesh BNefesh has recently launched a dynamic online job board www.nbn.org.il/jobboard which assists Olim in search of employment in Israel.

Over 500 new positions were posted from over 200 different companies in its first month of operation. The job board connects employers in search of quality employees directly with qualified Olim. The dedicated Nefesh BNefesh employment team guides Olim through interview workshops, career boot camps and help with resumes for Olim in search of their first job or establishing careers in Israel. Workshops and seminars on how to join the Start-Up Nation and build a business will also be offered by dedicated and seasoned experts with networking opportunities for those looking to expand their professional network in Israel.

The 2017 enhanced program of post-Aliyah services will be integrated into the organizations current support for new immigrants who are able to meet with advisors about employment, higher education, post-Aliyah navigation and general guidance. Additionally, Nefesh BNefesh will also run monthly one-on-one meetings with experts in the fields of accounting, real estate, law and higher education.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The Israel Bar Association on Tuesday, 1 Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan announced the scores of the last bar exam, citing 70% of those who took the exam failed! The average test grade was 57.3%. The current reality represents a 24% increase in the amount of failures as compared to the last exam in May.

Hebrew University boasts the most number of students passing the latest bar exam (73%), followed by Tel Aviv University (65%), Bar Ilan University (59%), Haifa University (53%), Sapir (50%) and Michlalah LMinhal (36%). Shaar Mishpat and Ono College, which includes many chareidim and datil leumi students, 17% and 16% respectively.

Those taking the exam insist it was much harder than in the past and clearly, this was intentional to fail many in an effort to reduce the number of new lawyers.

2,481 people took the exam, including 1,422 taking it for the first time. Among those taking the exam for the first time, only 42% passed.

83% of all those who took the test graduated from a college as opposed to a university. The number of persons graduating college taking the exam for the first time and passed was 33% as opposed to over 70% among the first-time test-takers graduating from a university.

Among the 248 people taking the bar exam for the second time, 21% passed and passing rate among those taking it for the third time was a mere 4%.

The message from the Israel Bar is The results speak for themselves and strengthen the theory that there is a real advantage to attending a university over a college.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
A garage in the Arab village of Luban Agarbiye near Beit Aryeh was set ablaze by Arabs close to midnight on Tuesday, 1 Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan. The arson is attributed to a dispute between factions within the PA (Palestinian Authority).

Beit Aryeh Mayor Avi Naim received phone calls for distressed Arab villagers and he activated his fire and rescue personnel and they responded to the PA village. They succeeded in extinguishing the blaze and while damage was very significant, there were no injuries or loss of life.

Naim explained to the media there are many such incidents in which Jews come to the assistance of Arabs as when it comes to life-saving, no attention is paid victims being Jews or Arabs but to the sanctity of life.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
A female Arab terrorist armed with two knives was taken into custody on Tuesday morning 1 Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan near the Maaras HaMachpelah. Bchasdei Hashem she was detected and taken into custody before she could perpetrate the attack.

She was restrained and taken into custody without any resulting injuries.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Based on the High Court of Justice decision ordering the ousting of Jews from Amona, which the court determined was built on PA (Palestinian Authority) land, opposition leader MK Yitzchak Herzog feels that the residents of the community are violating the commandment prohibiting stealing.

Herzog addressed the Amona controversy in his opening remarks of the Knesset winter session which took place earlier this week. Herzog called on residents of Amona to leave immediately and return the land to its rightful owners. He said the court ruled on the matter back in December 2014 after determining the land did not belong to the communitys Jewish residents.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
An Israel Prison Authority parole board is going to convene in December to once again discuss the possibility of early parole for former President Moshe Katsav. In August 2016, the former presidents second early release request was denied.

The parole board is expected to convene in the beginning of the month to discuss the former presidents case for a third time. Opponents cite a number of reasons for objecting to his release, including the fact that to date, Mr. Katsav has been unwilling to admit to the crimes he was convicted of and therefore, he will not express remorse.

Many, including womens rights activists, feel there should be no option of early release for Katsav as a former president must be held to a higher standard and one convicted on such heinous assaults against women should be entitled to any measure of mercy.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
At least half a dozen states have high-profile elections for their state supreme courts this year, and partisan groups are spending hundreds of thousands of dollar to influence the races. A look at some of the more notable court elections this year:

___

IOWA

Three Iowa Supreme Court justices are facing voters for the first time since they joined their colleagues in unanimously ruling to legalize gay marriage seven years ago.

The ruling drew the ire of Christian conservatives, who spent $1 million to oust three of the courts members in 2010. Those justices are the only ones removed from the bench by voters since the adoption of a retention election system in 1962.

This time around, with gay marriage legalized nationally by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015, no aggressive campaign has targeted Chief Justice Mark Cady or Justices Daryl Hecht and Brent Appel. They need a simple majority to remain on the bench.

The three have refused to campaign for their jobs because they believe the court should be above politics.

___

KANSAS

No justice has been voted out of office since Kansas adopted retention elections for its state Supreme Court in 1960. This year could test that, with five justices facing yes-or-no questions about whether they should remain on the court.

Conservatives are trying to remove four: Justices Carol Beier and Dan Biles, who were appointed by former Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius; and Justice Marla Luckert and Chief Justice Lawton Nuss, who were appointed by former Gov. Bill Graves, a moderate Republican.

The fifth, Justice Caleb Stegall, is a 2014 appointee of conservative GOP Gov. Sam Brownback and has not been targeted.

The courts critics have objected to its rulings in capital punishment cases, including a decision overturning the death penalty for two brothers convicted of murdering four people in 2000 in Wichita. Independent advertising criticizing the justices has focused on that case, with a group called Kansans for Justice spending $276,000 on television ads, according to the nonprofit Center for Public Integrity.

But the court also has other important business before it, including an education-funding lawsuit filed in 2010 and a lawsuit challenging a 2015 ban on the most common second-trimester abortion procedure.

Another group, Kansans for Fair Courts, is spearheading the campaign to keep all five justices in office. It has support from four former governors from both parties and has run nearly $223,000 in television ads across the state since mid-October.

___

LOUISIANA

In Louisiana, justices of the seven-member Supreme Court are elected to 10-year terms. One incumbent is running unopposed, while two candidates are running for an open seat from southwestern Louisiana.

As of late last month, Marilyn Castle, a state district court judge in Lafayette, had raised more than $500,000 compared with more than $1 million raised by her opponent, James Genovese, a state appeals court judge. In addition, the race has drawn some $785,000 in outside TV spending, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School.

Both candidates are Republicans, but Castle is the favorite of the states business lobbyists and the oil and gas industry, which is concerned about expensive legacy lawsuits that seek money to repair environmental damage.

A group called the Center for Individual Freedom, which does not disclose its donors, has spent nearly $500,000 on Castles behalf. Its ads have accused Genovese of siding with sexual predators. Another group attacking Genovese, Citizens for Judicial Excellence, is backed by a prominent charter schools supporter. A lawsuit challenging public funding of charter schools is making its way through the courts.

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NORTH CAROLINA

Justices registered as Republicans hold a 4-3 edge on North Carolinas officially nonpartisan Supreme Court. That power balance would tip in the Democrats favor for the first time since 1998 if Superior Court Judge Mike Morgan succeeds in his bid to unseat two-term Republican Justice Bob Edmunds.

In the past two years, the courts Republican majority has upheld the use of taxpayer money for student scholarships at private schools, as well as the redrawing of congressional and legislative districts in a manner that federal appeals courts later struck down as racial gerrymandering.

The campaign has drawn heavy outside spending, including more than $905,000 from North Carolina Families First, a liberal group running ads critical of Edmunds. One ad says Edmunds supported his partys discrimination by writing the 2014 opinion upholding a district drawn to segregate African-American voters.

The business-friendly North Carolina Chamber is running a largely biographical TV ad supporting Edmunds. The group is bankrolled by a $1 million contribution from a legal reform arm of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

___

OHIO

In a race for an open high court seat, Cincinnati appeals court judge Pat DeWine, a Republican, has booked almost $644,000 in TV ads, according to an analysis by the Brennan Center. DeWines opponent, Warren Democratic appeals court judge Cynthia Rice, released her first TV ad Monday, but no spending figure was immediately available.

Democrats say DeWine will face a monumental conflict of interest if elected because his father is Attorney General Mike DeWine. DeWine says he has been assured through legal opinions that he would have to step aside only if his father personally argued a case.

In its annual ratings of judicial candidates, the Ohio State Bar Association rated Rice as highly recommended and DeWine as not recommended. The association does not explain its ratings.

In a second contested race, Democratic Judge John P. ODonnell, a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court judge, is running against Cincinnati appeals court judge Pat Fischer.

___

WASHINGTON

Chief Justice Barbara Madsen faces a challenge from Kittitas County Prosecutor Greg Zempel, and Justice Mary Yu is defending her seat against retired Gonzaga University law professor David DeWolf. But the most expensive matchup is between first-term Justice Charlie Wiggins and Dave Larson, a municipal court judge in the Seattle suburb of Federal Way.

Outside groups backed by billionaires have dumped $900,000 into the race on Larsons behalf in the final weeks of the campaign, swamping the $236,000 Wiggins has raised this year. Larson also has backing from the Republican Party.

Whats driving the money? Wiggins, who supported Democratic gubernatorial candidates in his prior career as an appellate lawyer, joined court majorities in striking down a state law that allowed public funding of charter schools and a voter-approved anti-tax measure. He also supported the decision to hold the state in contempt and fine it $100,000 per day for failing to pay enough for public schools.

Larson says such rulings have improperly imposed political pressure on the Legislature, making it more difficult to solve tough problems.

Even though Wiggins has a stronger rating from the state prosecutors association than Larson, the advertising against Wiggins has painted him as soft on crime, citing one ruling on police searches and mischaracterizing another about whether criminal defendants who post bond can have guns. A group that included retired state Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander and former Seattle U.S. Attorney John McKay called the ads improper and dishonest.

(AP)
With just a week to go, Donald Trump strove to blend a quieter, presidential tone with his usual tough rhetoric Tuesday, warning that a Hillary Clinton presidency would destroy American health care forever. Clinton pushed back with a scathing effort to remind swing state voters about her Republican opponents degrading comments about women.

The White House contenders clashed from afar  Clinton in battleground Florida and Trump in Pennsylvania  with the sprint to next Tuesdays finish well underway.

For Trump, the days appearance marked a sharp shift from his standard brash tone as he delivered carefully scripted remarks focused on health care. He cautioned that Clintons plan to strengthen Obamacare would lead to dire consequences, although he offered few specifics about his own plan.

If we dont repeal and replace Obamacare, we will destroy American health care forever, Trump charged.

He also promised, if elected, to call a special session of Congress to replace the law. Congress would already be in session when the next president takes office, however, raising the question of just what he meant.

Still, frustrated Republicans were encouraged that Trump was focusing on policy prescriptions  for one afternoon, at least  after a roller-coaster campaign marked by self-created controversy and political missteps.

Clinton worked to ensure battleground state voters would not forget Trumps most damaging moments six days before the election.

Clinton, as has been all but overlooked in recent months, would be the nations first female president. Trump has faced allegations of misconduct that complicated his struggle to win over women in both parties.

Both sides sparred over the recent revelation that FBI investigators were again probing Clintons email practices.

A lawyer for Clinton aide Huma Abedin said Tuesday that her client learned from media reports last Friday that a laptop belonging to her estranged husband, Anthony Weiner, might contain some of her emails. The attorney said Abedin has not been contacted by the FBI about the development but she would cooperate if asked.

The revelation put Democrats on the defensive, at least briefly, and hurt Clintons plans to promote a positive message over the campaigns final week.

Yet neither Republican nor Democratic operatives view the news as a game-changer in the race for Senate control. The balance of power in Congress could have profound consequences for the future of health care in America, among other policy debates.

Trump on Tuesday promised to replace the federal health care law with health care savings accounts, while allowing states to craft their own Medicaid programs to cover the poor.

The nonpartisan Center for Health and Economy determined this summer that Trumps proposal would make 18 million people uninsured, while also lowering premiums significantly for policies purchased directly by consumers. The nonpartisan Commonwealth Fund predicted that 20 million people would lose coverage under Trumps plan while Clintons would add coverage for 9 million.

Trump on Tuesday seized on projections of sharp health care cost increases as he campaigned in Pennsylvania, a state where some premiums are expected to rise by more than 40 percent. Trump was introduced by his running mate Mike Pence, who expanded Medicaid coverage as part of Obamas law as Indiana governor.

Pence called Obamacare a crushing weight on the American economy. Were going to pull it off the market so it stops burning up our wallets, he declared.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, who has been silent on Trumps candidacy in recent weeks, told Fox News that electing Clinton and a Democratic-controlled Congress would be the worst of all possible things.

For those of us who lived through the 1990s, its sort of a feeling like deja vu, Ryan said. This is what life with the Clintons looks like. Its always a scandal, then theres an investigation.

(AP)
Attorney General Loretta Lynch continues to have confidence in FBI Director James Comey despite his controversial decision to renew a probe related to Hillary Clintons use of a private e-mail system, an official said.

Comey and Lynch spoke briefly after a meeting in Washington on Monday, according to the official, who requested anonymity to discuss a private conversation. The FBI chief and the attorney general still have a good working relationship, the official said, even though they disagreed on his decision to disclose the probe so close to the Nov. 8 presidential election.

In their conversation, Lynch stressed the seriousness of resolving the matter, the official said. However, its not clear if there will be an update on the probe that could be provided to lawmakers and the public this week, according to the official, who added that no more announcements are currently planned.

After their meeting, the Justice Department sent a three-paragraph letter to lawmakers telling them only that it will work closely and as expeditiously as possible with the FBI on the new probe, without providing more specifics on the investigation. Top Senate Democrats responded in a statement late Monday that the letter was disappointing and inadequate.

A political firestorm erupted after Comey told congressional leaders in an Oct. 28 letter that the bureau discovered new emails that might be relevant to the agencys previously completed investigation into Clintons email use. That revelation placed the bureau and Lynch under pressure to provide additional details.

Comeys move has tested his relationship with Lynch. Comey informed lawmakers of the FBIs revived inquiry over the objections of Lynch and other top department officials, who strongly urged him to abide by department policy to not do anything significant in a major investigation so close to an election, if doing so could affect the results.

Comey said in a memo to the FBI staff that he felt compelled to inform lawmakers of the new development because he had earlier announced that the Clinton investigation was closed.

Both of the nations top law enforcement officers have been bruised by the email issue. Lynch was criticized in June after she met privately with Bill Clinton aboard her plane in Phoenix, days before she was due to receive Comeys recommendation in the original email investigation. Lynch described the meeting as a social conversation but acknowledged it cast a shadow over her role.

Comey was denounced by Republicans for his finding in July that no prosecutions were warranted even after he described the handling of classified emails by Clinton and her aides as extremely careless. Lynch accepted Comeys findings. Then Democrats have slammed Comey since Friday, when he declared that the inquiry was being revived without providing details or explaining why.

Comey said in a memo to the FBI staff that he had to notify lawmakers because he had previously told them the investigation was complete. Waiting until after the election could have brought accusations that the bureau tried to hide a significant investigative finding, said a U.S. law enforcement official who asked not to be identified. And because lawmakers are away from Washington until after the election there was no chance to provide a classified in-person briefing, the official said.

The latest crisis began during a separate probe, when investigators found a laptop containing e-mails from Clinton aide Huma Abedin. On Sunday they obtained a warrant to examine whether those messages are work-related and whether they contain classified information. Its possible the messages duplicate those already turned over by Clinton and her team or unearthed by the FBI during its earlier investigation.

The new emails were found weeks ago, raising questions about why Comey informed lawmakers only last week. It took time. however, for investigators to realize what they had and to determine what they needed to do next, the law enforcement official said. Comey said in his memo that was briefed on the findings on Oct. 27.

The revived email inquiry has given fresh ammunition to Clintons Republican presidential rival, Donald Trump. He said it was bigger than Watergate, while the Democratic nominee said shes confident the investigation wont change the bureaus decision in July to end its original probe.

Top Senate Democrats pressed this week for more answers.

Voters are going to the polls at this very moment, and it is incumbent on the FBI Director and Attorney General to provide Congress and the American people with clear, unambiguous answers about what the FBI knows and doesnt know about the emails in question, including how many are duplicate emails that have already been reviewed by the FBI, according to a joint statement from Sens. Dianne Feinstein of California and Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the top Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee, respectively.

Separately, Harry Reid, the Senates top Democrat, delivered an unusual rebuke to the FBI chief in a letter Sunday that said Comey may have broken a law against public officials using their position to influence electoral politics by revealing the review so close to the election.

Some Democrats also have accused Comey of having a double standard in disclosing the Clinton probe while not discussing other current or previous investigations that they say involve Republican nominee Donald Trumps campaign.

The FBI is now using a computer program to winnow down the number of Abedin e-mails that may be pertinent to the Clinton investigation and to determine if they are duplicates of what investigators have already seen. That process could conclude this week.

Still, its not yet possible to assess whether a complete review can be finished before Election Day. If investigators find new emails with potentially significant or classified material, it will take more time to analyze them, possibly including sending them to other agencies for vetting, said the law enforcement official, who asked for anonymity to discuss a pending investigation.

(c) 2016, Bloomberg  Chris Strohm
Teach NYS, a project of the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center, praised New York State officials for their announcement today that they will release a year of funding this week owed to non-public schools. The funding from monies the state withheld during the 2004-05 school year.

The funding, which comes from the Comprehensive Attendance Policy (CAP) program, is given to non-public schools for carrying out certain state-mandated actions. The CAP program has been historically under-funded.

This is yet another positive development in Albany that comes from our diligent advocacy, said Maury Litwack, Director of State Political Affairs for the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center. We are extremely grateful for our partners in government for addressing this issue. Teach NYS is the leading voice for Jewish education in New York State.

This weeks payment comes as part of the 2015 end-of-session agreement in which the state released $250 million in CAP arrears funding for non-public schools. Unlike other repayments from this legislation, this round of repayments requires schools to either verify their claims online or submit a request for verification by mail in order to receive their payment.

The 2015 agreement which was reached between Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie in June 2015 set aside $250 million over two years to repay schools for a period of underfunding of the CAP program in previous administrations. Teach NYS maintains a full-time lobbying team in Albany during the legislative session and has long advocated for increases to CAP and other state-mandated funding as well as this repayment.

This funding announcement is indicative of the tremendous leadership of our legislative partners said Jake Adler, Policy Director for Teach NYS. Thanks to Governor Cuomo, Leader Flanagan and Speaker Heastie, our schools are receiving funding that they have been owed for over a decade.

In addition to its fulltime advocacy team Teach NYS also employs a full staff of school resources specialists who are able to work with any day school or yeshiva to ensure they are receiving the correct funding from all levels of government.

(YWN Desk  NYC)
Authorities in Iowa have captured the suspected gunman in the ambush-style attacks early Wednesday morning that claimed the lives of two police officers who were sitting in their patrol cars.

Authorities identified the suspect as Scott Michael Greene, 46. He was considered armed and dangerous.

Greene was located on foot on a roadway at the time of his arrest and was alone when he was taken into custody.

Officers responded to a report of shots fired at 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot. Authorities from several agencies saturated the area after that shooting, and about 20 minutes later discovered that a Des Moines officer had been shot in a patrol car at an intersection. The shootings happened less than 2 miles apart and both took place along main streets that cut through residential areas.

(AP)
Playing with the wording of an agreement has permitted chareidi support RL for a toeiva community center for men and women in Yerushalayim. According to a Mynet report, a number of chareidi city councilmen this week have voted in favor of city funding for the Open House, which is operated to serve the toeiva community in the capital. This was accomplished by removing any reference to gays in the wording, replacing it with providing funding for a special needs population, now backed by chareidim.

Councilman Chanan Rubin of the Hisorarus party is quoted saying I was and was not surprised, adding that despite chareidi objections, the bottom line is they voted for the budget once the wording was changed to sanitize the intended recipient of the funding. Rubin admits he was surprised for usually, such an item would not pass even if the wording was amended to remove any direct reference as in this case.

Dr. Laura Warton, a councilwoman representing the Meretz party is also pleased, announcing the chareidi backing permitted passing the funding and now, her party does not have to turn to the Supreme Court for assistance.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The High Court of Justice has called on the Agudas Yisrael party to explains within two-and-a-half months why there are no women on the partys lineup.

For MK Yisrael Eichler, he questions why the justices of the nations High Court are not reelected on election day when the nation votes for Knesset. Eichler feels if the justices on the nations highest court wish to set regulations and limitations for parties running for Knesset, one must ask why citizens are not given the right to decide the limitations of the court. Why not bring in millions of voters to the process of selecting justices questions Eichler.

Eichler explains that the courts cannot prevent Arabs from organizing an Arab party and the same holds true for chareidim and any other sector. He adds that even if there was no Jewish state, the chareidim are permitted to have their party as it was in Poland, Lithuania, and other places. He cites that in the Middle East, there are leaders who try to dictate the makeup of lists for parliament.

Eichler stresses that any effort to disqualify the Moetzas Gedolei Torah from deciding on the party list is an affront to democracy and chareidi citizens alike. He stresses the chareidim have the right to live in Eretz Yisrael as Jews and no ruler can change this or compel an unwanted lifestyle upon the frum tzibur.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
President Barack Obama says Hillary Clinton made an honest mistake by using private email that is now being blown up into just some crazy thing.

Obama is offering his first public comments on revelations the FBI is looking into more emails. Obama said in an interview posted Wednesday with the online news outlet NowThis that hes trying to avoid looking like hes meddling in an independent process.

Obama said theres a norm with investigations that we dont operate on innuendo, we dont operate on incomplete information, we dont operate on leaks. He pointed out that the FBI previously determined Clintons mistakes werent prosecutable.

Obama says new voters hear all that noise and wonder whether they should be worried about Clintons behavior. But he says he has absolute confidence in her.

(AP)
Creamer is Schakowskys husband and the political consultant with Democracy Partners who appeared in a surreptitiously recorded undercover video in which he and associates from Americans United for Change seemed to take credit for planting agitators at Trump rallies. In the videos, Creamer also claims to work on behalf of the Democratic National Committee and the Hillary Clinton campaign.

Tuesday morning a Donald Trump supporter who lives in Rep. Jan Schakowskys Illinois Congressional district organized a rally outside of the Congresswomans Evanston office demanding investigations into Robert Creamer and others alleged to have incited violence at a Trump rally in Chicago in March .

Suzanne Monk attended the Trump rally which she claimed descended into a riot, and was motivated to act by her frustration at the seeming inaction of law enforcement. Initially, she began a petition on Change.org which garnered about 100 signatures. She knew of Schakowskys Republican opponent Joan McCarthy Lasondes call for investigations and said, I was inspired to see her stand up and use her voice. Eventually Monks petition came to the attention of Lasondes campaign and they helped her to coordinate Tuesdays demonstration. Monk and Joan Lasonde did not meet until the event.

Lasonde was on hand at the protest outside of Schakowskys Evanston Congressional office and made a speech attempting to link the Congresswoman to her husbands actions. While Monk criticized Creamer and his association with the Democratic Party, Lasonde directed her comments to her opponents alleged involvement:

This is about Schakowsky, not her husband. Schakowskys campaign is a client of Democracy Partners, the criminal operation at the center of the video evidence. Dont think Schakowsky doesnt know. On the same night as the Chicago Trump rally cancelled for violence, Schakowsky herself led a separate protest against a GOP dinner at the Palmer House. It was just as provocative and we are lucky violence didnt break out there, too.

A group of about four dozen protesters escorted by police then marched the two blocks to the Evanston post office chanting Hey, hey, ho, ho, what did Jan Schakowsky know? Evanston police officers on the scene reported no problems as the rally and marchers were generally peaceful and well-behaved.

The rest of Liscio's story is HERE.
A second New Jersey man has been convicted of terrorism charges after vandalizing and firebombing Jewish temples and a rabbis home.

Aakash Dalal, 24, of Lodi, was also convicted on Tuesday of attempted arson and bias intimidation in the 2012 attacks, The Record reports. Dalal faces up to life in prison at his December sentencing.

The attack in Rutherford ignited a fire in the bedroom of a rabbis residence. The rabbi, his wife, five children and his parents were sleeping at the time. No one was injured.

The case was the first to employ the states anti-terrorism law, which took effect a few months after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The law requires a finding that five or more people were terrorized by the crime or that the acts were carried out to promote terror.

Defense attorney Brian Neary said Dalal plans an appeal to challenge whether the terrorism law was properly used.

The statute itself might be unconstitutional, Neary said. These crimes dont put an entire population at the same level of fear as the World Trade Center attacks.

Dalals friend, Anthony Graziano, also awaits sentencing after being convicted of terrorism charges earlier this year.

The two men were charged with spray-painting anti-Semitic messages at temples in Maywood and Hackensack in December 2011. The incidents soon escalated, authorities said, with a failed attempt to start a fire at a temple in Paramus in January 2012. Authorities said Graziano also planned to firebomb a Jewish Community Center in Paramus a few days later, but aborted his plans when a police car drove by.

The rabbis home was firebombed four days later.

(AP)
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is pushing a tax increase on citizens who consume soft drinks. Using the well-worn "public health" argument, Democrat Preckwinkle argues that Blacks are are unable to make wise choices, which has resulted in larger waistlines and rising obesity among African-Americans.

Preckwinkle has proposed a penny-an-ounce sweetened beverage tax for consumers in Cook County. She said the plan could help Cook County and thousands of Blacks who struggled to stay healthy and in shape. However, in a phone interview with the Chicago Defender on Oct. 27, Preckwinkle admitted the real reason for the proposed beverage tax is to close a $173 million deficit in Cook Countys $4.4 billion budget for 2017.

I dont want to mislead you. This is a revenue-generating idea..., Preckwinkle said.

The tax, which would be aimed primarily at the poor, would generate $74,000,000 and increase the cost of pop by about 72 cents for a six pack of soda, and about 68 cents for a two-liter bottle. The tax would be applied to fountain drinks and beverages that include artificial sweeteners.

More HERE
Congresswoman Robin Kelly, an extreme progressive from Illinois, was one of four members of Congress to write Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg accusing his company of indulging in racist practices. Kelly, who promotes "multiculturalism" considers Facebook's multicultural marketing to be racist when it comes to housing advertisements the social media giant carries.

"We are writing to express our deep concerns with reports that Facebook's 'Ethnic Affinities' advertising customization feature allows for advertisers to exclude specific racial and ethnic groups when placing housing advertisements," Kelly wrote in the letter to Zuckerberg.

Kelly and her fellow politicians were reacting to a report by the left-wing ProPublica that claims Facebook's ad portal allowed advertisers to target specific groups and exclude users based on their "ethnic affinities," using data that the social network has collected on its users.

"Multicultural marketing is a common practice in the ad industry and helps brands reach audiences with more relevant advertising," Facebook said in a statement. "We've heard from groups and policy makers who are concerned about some of the ways our targeting tools could be used by advertisers. We are listening and working to better understand these concerns."

Kelly responded by claiming that companies like Facebook would be more sensitive if they hired more Blacks and Hispanics. She was strangely silent concerning all other ethnic groups. Some argue her muteness is, in fact, racism by omission.

More HERE
Property bounced back in September, as it becoming the third best-selling fund sector just months after spooked investors were locked in by fund management giants.

A rush of 117million worth of investors cash into property funds saw them come in behind mixed asset and money market in Investment Association figures.

Most of the large property funds felt compelled to suspend trading in the aftermath of the vote to leave the EU in June, as investors rushed to sell out. Property funds saw outflows of 1.4billion in June and 792million in July.

But it seems investor sentiment has become more positive since then. Columbia Threadneedle, Henderson and Standard Life Investments have all subsequently re-opened, while the M&G Property Portfolio will lift its trading suspension on November 4.

Turnaround: Property funds enjoyed a small inflow of 117million in September

On the flipside, usually popular UK equity funds fared less well, as 620million was pulled from them between August and September, as investors looked to dial down their risk profile.

The figures highlight a mixed period for investor sentiment.

In the year to the end of September, retail funds saw overall outflows of 1.6billion. However, between July and September, they saw positive inflows of 1.3billion.

But investors are still moving money out of shares and into bonds. Overall, equity funds suffered net retail outflows of 333 million, while fixed income funds saw a net inflow of 100million.

Alastair Wainwright, fund market specialist at the Investment Association, said: 'Caution was again evident in September as investors moved out of equity funds in favour of arguably less risky mixed asset and money market funds.'

He added: 'Despite global equity funds being popular in September with over 400 million worth of sales, equity funds overall once again experienced a net retail outflow. Equity funds overall have seen outflows every month in 2016 so far.'

Funds under management and net sales to retail investors Month Funds under management Net retail sales September 2015 882billion - 114million September 2016 1trillion 664million Figures: The Investment Association

Within equities, global funds were the best-selling in September with sales of 447million. In second place were North American equity funds which saw an inflow of 80million, while Asian equity funds experienced a modest inflow of 11million.

The 620million outflow suffered by UK equity funds was by far the largest, with European funds also losing 192million. Japanese equity funds saw a small outflow of 71million.

Time to diversify? The Global and Mixed Investment 40-85% sectors saw increased inflows as investors looked to spread their risk

Mixed-asset was the best-selling asset class overall, with net sales of 374million. Adrian Lowcock, investment director at Architas, says the uncertain economic environment means investors don't want to put all their eggs in one basket.

'In September there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding markets and little direction on where the best opportunities were. This is reflected in the Investment Association's figures showing investors looking for a more diversified approach through mixed asset and global equity funds.

'In times of uncertainty it is particularly useful for investors to be in funds where the managers are able to switch between asset classes and have the information and expertise at hand to make those decisions.'

The worst selling individual sector was UK All Companies, which suffered a net retail outflow of 632million.

The best-selling sector was Global, with sales of 393million. That was followed by Targeted Absolute Return and Short Term Money Markets, with inflows of 227million and 204million respectively.

In terms of distribution, UK fund platforms lost a small amount of their market share,which fell from 48.4 per cent to 46.1 per cent in the year to the end of September, to 6.8billion.
The following companies are subsidiares of Caterpillar: Advanced Tri-Gen Power Systems LLC, Anchor Coupling Inc., Asia Power Systems (Tianjin) Ltd., AsiaTrak (Tianjin) Ltd., Banco Caterpillar S.A., Berg Propulsion International Pte Ltd., Bucyrus, Bucyrus Australia Surface Pty. Ltd., Bucyrus Europe Holdings Ltd., Bucyrus Europe Limited, Bucyrus International (Chile) Limitada, Bucyrus International (Peru) S.A., Bucyrus Mining Australia Pty. Ltd., Bucyrus Mining China LLC, Bucyrus UK Limited, Cat Rental Kyushu LLC, Caterpillar (Africa) (Proprietary) Limited, Caterpillar (China) Financial Leasing Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (China) Machinery Components Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (HK) Limited, Caterpillar (Huainan) Machinery Service Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Langfang) Mining Equipment Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Luxembourg) Investment Co. S.a r.l., Caterpillar (NI) Limited, Caterpillar (Newberry) LLC, Caterpillar (Qingzhou) Ltd., Caterpillar (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Suzhou) Logistics Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Thailand) Limited, Caterpillar (U.K.) Limited, Caterpillar (Wujiang) Ltd., Caterpillar (Xuzhou) Ltd., Caterpillar (Zhengzhou) Ltd., Caterpillar Acquisition Holding Corp., Caterpillar Americas C.V., Caterpillar Americas Co., Caterpillar Americas Funding Inc., Caterpillar Americas Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Asia Limited, Caterpillar Asia Pacific L.P., Caterpillar Asia Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Asset Intelligence LLC, Caterpillar Belgium S.A., Caterpillar Brasil Comercio de Maquinas e Pecas Ltda., Caterpillar Brasil Ltda., Caterpillar Brazil LLC, Caterpillar Castings Kiel GmbH, Caterpillar Centro de Formacion S.L., Caterpillar China Limited, Caterpillar Commercial Australia Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar Commercial LLC, Caterpillar Commercial Northern Europe Limited, Caterpillar Commercial S.A., Caterpillar Commercial S.A.R.L., Caterpillar Commercial Services S.A.R.L., Caterpillar Communications LLC, Caterpillar Corporativo Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Cote DIvoire, Caterpillar Credito S.A. de C.V. SOFOM E.N.R., Caterpillar DC Pension Trust Limited, Caterpillar Digital Services & Solutions SARL, Caterpillar Distribution International LLC, Caterpillar Distribution Services Europe B.V.B.A., Caterpillar East Real Estate Holding Ltd., Caterpillar Emissions Solutions Inc., Caterpillar Energy Solutions Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH, Caterpillar Energy Solutions Inc., Caterpillar Energy Solutions S.A., Caterpillar Energy System Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Engine Systems Inc., Caterpillar Equipos Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Eurasia LLC, Caterpillar FS (QFC) LLC, Caterpillar Finance France S.A., Caterpillar Finance Kabushiki Kaisha, Caterpillar Financial Acquisition Funding LLC, Caterpillar Financial Aftermarket Solutions Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Australia Leasing Pty Limited, Caterpillar Financial Australia Limited, Caterpillar Financial Commercial Account Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Corporacion Financiera S.A. E.F.C., Caterpillar Financial Dealer Funding LLC, Caterpillar Financial Funding Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Caterpillar Financial Leasing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Financial New Zealand Limited, Caterpillar Financial Nordic Services AB, Caterpillar Financial Nova Scotia Corporation, Caterpillar Financial OOO, Caterpillar Financial Receivables Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Renting S.A., Caterpillar Financial SARL, Caterpillar Financial Services (Dubai) Limited, Caterpillar Financial Services (Ireland) plc, Caterpillar Financial Services (UK) Limited, Caterpillar Financial Services Argentina S.A., Caterpillar Financial Services Asia Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Financial Services Belgium S.P.R.L., Caterpillar Financial Services CR s.r.o., Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Services GmbH, Caterpillar Financial Services India Private Limited, Caterpillar Financial Services Leasing ULC, Caterpillar Financial Services Limited Les Services Financiers Caterpillar Limitee, Caterpillar Financial Services Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Caterpillar Financial Services Netherlands B.V., Caterpillar Financial Services Norway AS, Caterpillar Financial Services Philippines Inc., Caterpillar Financial Services Poland Sp. z o.o., Caterpillar Financial Services South Africa (Pty) Limited, Caterpillar Financial UK Acquisition Funding Partners, Caterpillar Financial Ukraine LLC, Caterpillar Fluid Systems S.r.l., Caterpillar Fomento Comercial Ltda., Caterpillar Forest Products Inc., Caterpillar France S.A.S., Caterpillar GB L.L.C., Caterpillar Global Investments S.a r.l., Caterpillar Global Mining America LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Equipamentos De Mineracao do Brasil Ltda., Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining Expanded Products Pty Ltd, Caterpillar Global Mining Germany Holdings GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining HMS GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining Holdings GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining Hong Kong AFC Manufacturing Holding Co. Limited, Caterpillar Global Mining Hong Kong Limited, Caterpillar Global Mining LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Mexico LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar Global Mining SARL, Caterpillar Global Mining U.S. Parts LLC, Caterpillar Global Services LLC, Caterpillar Group Services S.A., Caterpillar Holding (France) S.A.S., Caterpillar Holding Germany GmbH, Caterpillar Holdings Australia Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar Hungary Components Manufacturing Ltd., Caterpillar Hydraulics Italia S.r.l., Caterpillar IPX LLC, Caterpillar IRB LLC, Caterpillar Impact Products Limited, Caterpillar India Private Limited, Caterpillar Industrial Inc., Caterpillar Industrias Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Industries (Pty) Ltd, Caterpillar Insurance Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Insurance Company, Caterpillar Insurance Holdings Inc., Caterpillar Insurance Services Corporation, Caterpillar International Finance Designated Activity Company, Caterpillar International Finance Luxembourg Holding S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Finance Luxembourg S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Holding S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Luxembourg I S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Luxembourg II S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Product SARL, Caterpillar International Services Corporation, Caterpillar International Services del Peru S.A., Caterpillar Investment Limited, Caterpillar Investment One SARL, Caterpillar Investment Two SARL, Caterpillar Investments, Caterpillar Japan LLC, Caterpillar Latin America Services S.R.L., Caterpillar Latin America Services de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Latin America Services de Panama S. de R.L., Caterpillar Latin America Servicios de Chile Limitada, Caterpillar Latin America Support Services S. DE R.L., Caterpillar Leasing (Thailand) Limited, Caterpillar Leasing Chile S.A., Caterpillar Leasing GmbH (Leipzig), Caterpillar Leasing Operativo Limitada, Caterpillar Life Insurance Company, Caterpillar Logistics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Logistics (UK) Limited, Caterpillar Logistics Inc., Caterpillar Logistics ML Services France S.A.S., Caterpillar Logistics Services China Limited, Caterpillar Luxembourg Group S.ar.l., Caterpillar Luxembourg LLC, Caterpillar Luxembourg S.a r.l., Caterpillar Machinery Nantong Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Marine Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Marine Asset Intelligence, Caterpillar Marine Power UK Limited, Caterpillar Marine Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Maroc SARL, Caterpillar Materiels Routiers SAS, Caterpillar Mexico LLC, Caterpillar Mexico S.A. de C.V., Caterpillar Mining Canada ULC, Caterpillar Mining Chile Servicios Limitada, Caterpillar Motoren (Guangdong) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG, Caterpillar Motoren Henstedt-Ulzburg GmbH, Caterpillar Motoren Rostock GmbH, Caterpillar Motoren Verwaltungs-GmbH, Caterpillar Netherlands Holding B.V., Caterpillar North America C.V., Caterpillar Operator Training Ltd., Caterpillar Overseas Credit Corporation SARL, Caterpillar Overseas Investment Holding SARL, Caterpillar Overseas Limited, Caterpillar Overseas SARL, Caterpillar Panama Services S.A., Caterpillar Paving Products Inc., Caterpillar Paving Products Xuzhou Ltd., Caterpillar Pension Trust Limited, Caterpillar Poland Sp. z o.o., Caterpillar Power Generation Systems (Bangladesh) Limited, Caterpillar Power Generation Systems L.L.C., Caterpillar Power Systems Inc., Caterpillar Power Ventures International Ltd., Caterpillar Precision Seals Korea, Caterpillar Prodotti Stradali S.r.l., Caterpillar Product Services Corporation, Caterpillar Propulsion AB, Caterpillar Propulsion International Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Propulsion Italy S.R.L., Caterpillar Propulsion Namibia (Proprietary) Limited, Caterpillar Propulsion Production AB, Caterpillar Propulsion Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Propulsion Singapore Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar R&D Center (China) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Ramos Arizpe LLC, Caterpillar Ramos Arizpe S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Ramos Arizpe Servicios S.A. de C.V., Caterpillar Reman Powertrain Indiana LLC, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Drivetrain LLC, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Renting France S.A.S., Caterpillar Reynosa S.A. de C.V., Caterpillar SARL, Caterpillar Services Germany GmbH, Caterpillar Servicios Limitada, Caterpillar Servicios Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Servizi Italia Srl, Caterpillar Shrewsbury Limited, Caterpillar Skinningrove Limited, Caterpillar Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd., Caterpillar Special Services Belgium S.P.R.L., Caterpillar Switchgear Americas LLC, Caterpillar Switchgear Holding Inc., Caterpillar Tianjin Ltd., Caterpillar Torreon S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Tosno L.L.C., Caterpillar Transmissions France S.A.R.L., Caterpillar Tunneling Canada Holdings Ltd., Caterpillar Tunnelling Canada Corporation, Caterpillar Tunnelling Europe Limited, Caterpillar UK Employee Trust Limited, Caterpillar UK Engines Company Limited, Caterpillar UK Group Limited, Caterpillar UK Holdings Limited, Caterpillar Undercarriage (Xuzhou) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar Used Equipment Services Inc., Caterpillar Venture Capital Inc., Caterpillar Work Tools B.V., Caterpillar Work Tools Inc., Caterpillar World Trading Corporation, Caterpillar Xuzhou, Caterpillar of Australia Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar of Canada Corporation, Caterpillar of Delaware Inc., Centre de Distribution de Wallonie SPRL, CleanAir Systems, Downer Freight Rail, ECM Railway Evolution Romania s.r.l., ECM S.p.A., EDC European Excavator Design Center GmbH, EMC Holding Corp., EMD International Holdings Inc., ERA Information & Entertainment (BVI) Limited, ERA Mining Machinery Limited, Electro-Motive Diesel Limited, Electro-Motive Locomotive Technologies LLC, Electro-Motive Technical Consulting Co. (Beijing) Ltd., Energy Services International Limited, Equipos de Acuna S.A. de C.V., Eurenov S.A.S., F. G. Wilson (Proprietary) Limited, F. Perkins Limited, FG Wilson (Engineering) Limited, GB Holdco (China) Inc., GFCM Comercial Mexico S.A. de C.V. SOFOM E.N.R., GFCM Servicios S.A. de C.V., Gremada Industries - Assets, Hong Kong Siwei Holdings Limited, Inmobiliaria Conek S.A. de C.V., JCS Co., Kemper Valve & Fittings Corp., Leo Inc., Locomotive Demand Power Pty Ltd., Locomotoras Progress Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Lovat, M2M Data Corporation, MGE Equipamentos & Servicos Ferroviarios, MWM, MWM Austria GmbH, MWM Benelux B.V., MWM Energy Australia Pty Ltd, MWM France S.A.S, MWM Real Estate GmbH, MaK Americas Inc., MaK Americas Inc. (Canada), Magnum Power Products LLC, Marble, Maschinenbau Kiel GmbH, Mec-Track S.r.l., Metalmark Financial Services Limited, Motoren Steffens GmbH, Nippon Caterpillar LLC, P. T. Solar Services Indonesia, PT Caterpillar Finance Indonesia, PT. Bucyrus Indonesia, PT. Caterpillar Indonesia, PT. Caterpillar Indonesia Batam, PT. Caterpillar Remanufacturing Indonesia, Perkins Engines, Perkins Engines (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd, Perkins Engines Group Limited, Perkins Engines Inc., Perkins Group Limited, Perkins Holdings Limited LLC, Perkins India Private Limited, Perkins International Inc., Perkins Japan LLC, Perkins Limited, Perkins Machinery (Changshu) Co. Ltd., Perkins Motores do Brasil Ltda., Perkins Power Systems Technology (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Perkins Small Engines (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Perkins Small Engines LLC, Perkins Small Engines Limited, Perkins Technology Inc., Progress Metal Reclamation Company, Progress Rail Arabia Limited Company, Progress Rail Australia Pty Ltd, Progress Rail Canada Corporation, Progress Rail Equipamentos e Servicos Ferroviarios do Brasil Ltda., Progress Rail Equipment Leasing Corporation, Progress Rail Holdings Inc., Progress Rail Innovations Private Limited, Progress Rail Inspection & Information Systems GmbH, Progress Rail Inspection & Information Systems S.r.l., Progress Rail International Corp., Progress Rail Leasing Canada Corporation, Progress Rail Leasing Corporation, Progress Rail Leasing de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Progress Rail Locomotivas (do Brasil) Ltda., Progress Rail Locomotive Canada Co., Progress Rail Locomotive Chile SpA, Progress Rail Locomotive Inc., Progress Rail Maintenance de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Progress Rail Manufacturing Corporation, Progress Rail Raceland Corporation, Progress Rail Rocklin Corporation, Progress Rail SA Proprietary Limited, Progress Rail Services Corporation, Progress Rail Services Holdings Corp., Progress Rail Services LLC, Progress Rail Services UK Limited, Progress Rail Switching Services LLC, Progress Rail Transcanada Corporation, Progress Rail Welding Corporation, Progress Rail Wildwood LLC, Progress Rail de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pyroban Group, Pyroban Group, Pyrrha Investments B.V., Pyrrha Investments Limited, S&L Railroad LLC, SCM Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd., SPL Software Alliance LLC, Sabre Engines, Servicios de Turbinas Solar S. de R.L. de C.V., Shandong SEM Machinery Co. Ltd., Solar Turbines, Solar Turbines, Solar Turbines (Beijing) Trading Services Co. Ltd., Solar Turbines (Thailand) Ltd., Solar Turbines CIS Limited Liability Company, Solar Turbines Canada Ltd./Ltee., Solar Turbines Central Asia Limited Liability Partnership, Solar Turbines EAME s.r.o., Solar Turbines Egypt Limited Liability Company, Solar Turbines Europe S.A., Solar Turbines India Private Limited, Solar Turbines International Company, Solar Turbines Italy S.R.L., Solar Turbines Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Solar Turbines Middle East Limited, Solar Turbines New Zealand Limited, Solar Turbines Saudi Arabia Limited, Solar Turbines Services Company, Solar Turbines Services Nigeria Limited, Solar Turbines Services of Argentina S.R.L., Solar Turbines Switzerland Sagl, Solar Turbines Trinidad & Tobago Limited, Solar Turbines West-Africa SARL, Tangshan DBT Machinery Co. Ltd., Tecnologia Modificada S.A. de C.V., Towmotor Corporation, Traction & Mining Motor Repairs Pty Ltd, Turbinas Solar S.A. de C.V., Turbinas Solar de Colombia S.A., Turbinas Solar de Venezuela C.A., Turbo Tecnologia de Reparaciones S.A. de C.V., Turbomach, Turbomach Endustriyel Gaz Turbinleri Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited, Turbomach France SARL, Turbomach GmbH, Turbomach Netherlands B.V., Turbomach Pakistan (Private) Limited, Turbomach S.A. Unipersonal, Turbomach Sp. Z o.o., Turner Powertrain Systems Limited, UK Hose Assembly Limited, Underground Imaging Technologies Inc, United Industries LLC, VALA Inc., Vasky Energy Ltd., Wealdstone Engineering, Weir - Oil & Gas Division, West Virginia Auto Shredding Inc., Western Gear Machinery LLC, Wetland Sustainability Fund I LLC, Williams Technologies, Yard Club, Zhengzhou Siwei Mechanical and Electrical Equipment Sales Co. Ltd., and okyo Rental Ltd..

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I identified as #NeverTrump in the primaries, of course, because a party with so much provable governmental experience to choose from had no business nominating someone without such a clear record. And I felt that if the Republican Party nominated Donald Trump, throwing over so much talent in favor of an electoral outsider would do irrevocable damage to the Republican Party.

But then, they were the first to drop out, and we were left with many others who  in my opinion  were fine in various ways, but didnt compare. So the excitement left, but I didnt worry because the Republican Party would still nominate someone whod beat Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders in a landslide. Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Rick Perry  we had so much talent, so much experience, on that field.

When the 2016 primaries began, I was excited at the prospect of nominating Governor Bobby Jindal or Governor Scott Walker. I even imagined a dream ticket consisting of the two of them, the Republican Partys great reform governors who so successfully turned around their states.

But it happened anyway. The Republicans nominated Donald Trump, and the Democrats nominated Hillary Clinton. So we have a fresh decision to make. The choice is no longer between the real estate and television celebrity, and a field of governors and senators. The choice is now between the real estate and television celebrity, and a serially-corrupt, lifelong-socialist, pathological liar named Hillary Clinton.

Every Republican  and in fact, not just Republicans, but lots of independents, and even lots of Democrats too  have been NeverHillary for 25 years. Many have even been #NeverHillary for 40 years, since they first encountered her offensive anti-Americanism in the mid-1970s as a shifty young lawyer.

Candidate Donald Trump is right on many issues, and wrong on a few. Hillary Clinton is  amazingly  wrong on virtually every issue of consequence.

In reviewing both candidates public policies, as posted on their own campaign websites, it is truly stirring how solid Donald Trumps are, and how off-the-charts awful Hillary Clintons are. While were right to question how committed Donald Trump is on every line of his platform (he has no record, after all, other than a businessmans lifetime of donating to both sides) there can be no question about Hillary Clintons.

Clintons commitment to every line of her publicly-stated issue positions is proven by an eight-year voting record in the Senate and a forty-year career on the radical leftist fringe of the Democratic Party.

Just read through the On the Issues section of the Clinton-Kaine campaigns website, and you will be shocked at the offensively anti-American positions that she will force down our Americas throat if we make the unforgivable error of voting for her on November 8.

Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine will double down on the Obama record of tax hikes, regulatory expansion, and outrageous government spending. On healthcare, they deny the fatal flaw of nationalized healthcare, and are committed to even more enforcement and nationalization in Obamacare. They support massive targeted bailouts, spending stimuli, and the demonization of individuals and industries alike.

Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine have promised to finish what Obama started in destroying the coal industry, the oil industry, and the insurance industry. The fact that this is putting millions out of work, and will continue to put millions more out of work, doesnt bother them a bit; if you ever chose to work in or near coal, oil, or insurance, in their view, you deserve the unemployment and bankruptcy that will result from their witch-hunt.

Perhaps the most shocking commitment from the Clinton-Kaine campaign is on the area of the criminal justice system. True to Hillary Clintons early career as a corrupt defense attorney, they have promised to do everything possible from the executive branch to shift the balance of power from law enforcement to the criminal element. This may sound like an exaggeration, but just read their policy statements; they promise to end minimum sentencing guidelines and eliminate imprisonment altogether wherever they can they promise to federalize local police departments at the drop of a hat, and emasculate the police as much as possible they promise to give felons back the right to vote, and rob policemen of their rights to due process they promise to appoint federal judges and justices who share their radical positions. Clinton-Kaine make it clear on their public website: shockingly, theyre completely on the side of the criminals.

The Clinton-Kaine campaign is committed to the further destruction of the American culture, through the massive continued immigration effort thats been accelerating since the 1960s. Rather than using Americas traditional method of moderate immigration of desirable newcomers, at a rate that allows assimilation, the Clinton-Kaine campaign takes the Obama approach of paying for the literal importation of unvetted third-worlders, even of demographics rampant with disease, gang activity, and terrorism. This method turns the American melting pot on its head, and results in crime-ridden, poverty-entrenched, ethnic enclaves that vote reliably for the Democrats, create massive costs for our welfare budget and criminal justice systems, and further ensure class and cultural divisions across American society.

And yes, its all on purpose. This is the goal of the Clinton-Kaine campaign, because they simply dont believe in the traditional Judeo-Christian, limited government, liberty-centered America that our Founding Fathers intended for us.

We could spend months listing their policy flaws  from an intentionally weakened American military presence in the world to a diminished culture at home, from specific attacks on religion to more general softening of standards in education, from the destruction of small business to the empowerment of the regulators and the politically connected.

The Clinton-Kaine team is a clear and present danger to this nation and the world, and it must be stopped. Since their only real opposition (the only opposition with a chance) is the Republican ticket of Donald Trump and Governor Mike Pence, this means there is only one solution for any American patriot: to vote for Trump-Pence. Proudly and decisively, as this is the one and only true way to stop Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine.

The Counter-Arguments

Are there other options? Yes. But every other option falls apart upon analysis.

An Alternate Republican Nominee  Many Republicans, particularly of the NeverTrump camp, hoped, even after the primaries were over, that the Republican Party would deny Donald Trump the nomination and select a more traditional conservative with the record to prove his commitment. This was a valid hope (I shared it!) and the party certainly needs to revise our primary process for future elections, to close the primaries and correct the calendar.

But its over for this year. There is no alternate Republican nominee. With days to go, and millions having already voted, a write-in for some other Republican will just waste the pollworkers time on election night, and in most states, cant even be recorded. So this is not an option; its just a wasted vote.

A Third Party or Independent Candidate  Many good patriots dream of a year in which the two-party duopoly can be broken, and a third party will rise to the top, in support of the Constitution and honest politics. I share this dream. In the spring, when it looked, shockingly, like the nominees would indeed be Trump vs. Clinton, we hoped this would be the year for it. We watched throughout the summer to see if a Libertarian or Constitution Party nominee would catch fire and they did not.

For whatever reason  Darrel Castles lack of money, Gary Johnsons lack of charisma, Bill Welds lack of libertarian principles  none of them caught the fire they need to become a potential winner. All that these many candidates can do, especially independent candidate Evan McMullin, is to deny Donald Trump several states and swing the election to Hillary Clinton.

For this reason, a vote at the presidential level for any of these choices is worse than a wasted vote, its a reward for conscious spoilers.

A Dream Scenario  Many good patriots have a particularly creative dream this year: that they can engineer enough state victories for different third party candidates to ensure that neither Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump gets a majority of the Electoral College delegates, throwing the election into the House of Representatives. This is clever, but has two fatal flaws:

It could only work if we were sure of taking states from both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, but this will not happen. The only states in which Gary Johnson or Evan McMullin have the slightest chance of winning are states that would otherwise go Republican. This is not in question. All that a vote for these people can do in Utah, Colorado, or elsewhere is to split the anti-socialist vote, and thus deliver those states  and therefore the election - to Hillary Clinton.

Even if it did work  that is, even if it succeeded in sending the decision to the House of Representatives  either Trump or Clinton would still become the president. By law, the House must choose from the top three vote-getters in the Electoral College. Does anyone whose mind isnt riddled with pot or heroin truly believe that the House would dare to pass over the candidates who each won 47% of the vote and 49% of the EC delegates, in favor of the guy who won one state and just two to four percent of the popular vote? Politically, realistically, it could NEVER happen. In fact, its much more likely that the effort would cause Hillary Clinton to be selected, because of the makeup of the House and their general fear of political backlash.

The Hamilton Rule  Many good patriots cite an occasion, in the election of 1800, when the election went to the House, and Alexander Hamilton was asked to advise on the choice between John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Aaron Burr. Hamilton said If we must have an enemy at the head of government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible. This is a logical position for certain cases, but to apply it to the election of 2016 is nonsensical:

Hamilton chose Jefferson over Adams, because he considered them roughly equal threats, and he knew that Jeffersons likely errors were, if anything, less risky (in his view) than the likely errors of Adams, his own partys nominee. He knew that Jefferson was a fellow believer in limited government; Jeffersons problems were mostly that he believed in too many limits thats hardly the problem today. Hillary Clinton is no Thomas Jefferson! A better comparison would be to ask whether Hamilton would support Benedict Arnold, or Bloody Ban Tarleton, had one of them secured the opposition partys nomination. Jefferson was a fellow patriot, these others were proven to be true enemies of America... as we know Hillary Clinton to be today.

The Hamilton Rule is also dependent on the theory that we will have a fresh chance for a do-over in 2020. We will not. Among the firmest Clinton-Kaine promises is an array of changes to our immigration and legal system designed specifically to change election law and ensure that the Democrats never lose the presidency again. They will immediately naturalize some 20 million-plus aliens and give them the vote they will ban any and all state limits on felon voting so that criminals can vote they will continue to bring in more immigrants every year to continue to pad their voting numbers they will declare Voter ID requirements and all similar restrictions on vote fraud to be illegal. They will, in effect, legitimize and standardize Democrat vote fraud from coast to coast. If the Democrats are not defeated in 2016  at least, these Democrats  they may never again be defeated.

Forgive the overused pun, but NeverHillary trumps NeverTrump. Obviously.

Hillary Clinton is a proven danger to those around her, from her inescapable and constant criminality to her destructive positions on the issues. Donald Trump, while nowhere near as good or strong a candidate as the Republican party could have nominated this year, is undoubtedly better than Hillary Clinton. Its almost impossible to imagine anyone on the scene who wouldnt be.

Besides, there is another issue of critical importance that is always relevant, but especially so this year: the vice presidency.

Tim Kaine is a Hillary clone, and if she dies, resigns, or is impeached, he will take the helm, with all of her policies and none of her baggage. If he takes over in the first two years, hes sure to win reelection (remember LBJ in 1964) and if she survives past January 21, 2019, he could serve as much as ten years!

By contrast, Mike Pence is a terrific, solid platform Republican. In a dozen years in Washington, his ACU rating went from 100% to 99%. That just doesnt happen! Mike Pence is a solid, principled man, one of the very rare few in public office whom virtually all sides acknowledge to be an honest and ethical advocate of the Founding principles of our nation. It is widely expected that Donald Trump will be a delegator, and will give Mike Pence broad rein over policy and personnel and if Trump leaves office for any reason, good or bad, it couldnt possibly be left in better hands than Governor Pences.

25% of our presidents have come up from the Vice Presidency. The odds are probably greater than usual that this will be the case in the years to come, considering both Clintons and Trumps ages and situations.

And so it is without the slightest hesitation that I will happily vote for the team of Donald Trump and Mike Pence both because I believe it is a moral imperative to stop Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine, and because putting the great Mike Pence in the Executive Branch as second-in-command will be a true and permanent joy!

Copyright 2016 John F. Di Leo

John F. Di Leo is an actor, writer, and international trade expert based in Chicagoland. A former Vice Chairman of the Greater Chicagoland Young Americans for Freedom, a former County Chairman of the Milwaukee County Republican Party, and a lifelong Republican, his columns are frequently found in Illinois Review.

Permission is hereby granted to forward freely, provided it is uncut and the IR URL and byline are included.
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.
Delek US Holdings, Inc. engages in the integrated downstream energy business in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Refining, Logistics, and Retail. The Refining segment processes crude oil and other feedstock for the manufacture of various grades of gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, asphalt, and other petroleum-based products that are distributed through owned and third-party product terminal. It owns and operates four independent refineries located in Tyler, Texas; El Dorado, Arkansas; Big Spring, Texas; and Krotz Springs, Louisiana, as well as three biodiesel facilities in Crossett, Arkansas, Cleburne, Texas, and New Albany. The Logistics segment gathers, transports, and stores crude oil, intermediate, and refined products; and markets, distributes, transports, and stores refined products for third parties. It owns or leases capacity on approximately 400 miles of crude oil transportation pipelines, approximately 450 miles of refined product pipelines, an approximately 900-mile crude oil gathering system, and associated crude oil storage tanks with an aggregate of approximately 10.2 million barrels of active shell capacity; and owns and operates ten light product distribution terminals, as well as markets light products using third-party terminals. The Retail segment owns and leases 248 convenience store sites located primarily in West Texas and New Mexico. Its convenience stores offer various grades of gasoline and diesel under the DK or Alon brand; and food products and service, tobacco products, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, and general merchandise, as well as money orders to the public primarily under the 7-Eleven and DK or Alon brand names. It serves oil companies, independent refiners and marketers, jobbers, distributors, utility and transportation companies, the U.S. government, and independent retail fuel operators. Delek US Holdings, Inc. was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Brookfield Asset Management is an alternative asset manager and REIT/Real Estate Investment Manager firm focuses on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and venture capital and private equity assets. It manages a range of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. It typically makes investments in sizeable, premier assets across geographies and asset classes. It invests both its own capital as well as capital from other investors. Within private equity and venture capital, it focuses on acquisition, early ventures, control buyouts and financially distressed, buyouts and corporate carve-outs, recapitalizations, convertible, senior and mezzanine financings, operational and capital structure restructuring, strategic re-direction, turnaround, and under-performing midmarket companies. It invests in both public debt and equity markets. It invests in private equity sectors with focus on Business Services include infrastructure, healthcare, road fuel distribution and marketing, construction and real estate; Industrials include manufacturers of automotive batteries, graphite electrodes, returnable plastic packaging, and sanitation management and development; and Residential/ infrastructure services. It targets companies which likely possess underlying real assets, primarily in sectors such as industrial products, building materials, metals, mining, homebuilding, oil and gas, paper and packaging, manufacturing and forest product sectors. It invests globally with focus on North America including Brazil, the United States, Canada; Europe; and Australia; and Asia-Pacific. The firm considers equity investments in the range of $2 million to $500 million. It has a four-year investment period and a 10-year term with two one-year extensions. The firm prefers to take minority stake and majority stake. Brookfield Asset Management Inc. was founded in 1997 and based in Toronto, Canada with additional offices across Northern America; South America; Europe; Middle East and Asia.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes generic medicines, specialty medicines, and biopharmaceutical products in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers sterile products, hormones, high-potency drugs, and cytotoxic substances in various dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, injectables, inhalants, liquids, transdermal patches, ointments, and creams. It also develops, manufactures, and sells active pharmaceutical ingredients. In addition, it focuses on the central nervous system, pain, respiratory, and oncology areas. Its products in the central nervous system include Copaxone for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis; AJOVY for the preventive treatment of migraine; and AUSTEDO for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia and chorea associated with Huntington disease. The company's products in the respiratory market comprise ProAir, QVAR, ProAir Digihaler, AirDuo Digihaler, and ArmonAir Digihaler, BRALTUS, CINQAIR/CINQAERO, DuoResp Spiromax, and AirDuo RespiClick/ArmonAir RespiClick for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Its products in the oncology market include Bendeka, Treanda, Granix, Trisenox, Lonquex, and Tevagrastim/Ratiograstim. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has a collaboration MedinCell for the development and commercialization of multiple long-acting injectable products, a risperidone suspension for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. The company was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel.
ONEOK, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in gathering, processing, storage, and transportation of natural gas in the United States. It operates through Natural Gas Gathering and Processing, Natural Gas Liquids, and Natural Gas Pipelines segments. The company owns natural gas gathering pipelines and processing plants in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions. It also gathers, treats, fractionates, and transports natural gas liquids (NGL), as well as stores, markets, and distributes NGL products. The company owns NGL gathering and distribution pipelines in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado; terminal and storage facilities in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois; and NGL distribution and refined petroleum products pipelines in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, as well as owns and operates truck- and rail-loading, and -unloading facilities connected to NGL fractionation, storage, and pipeline assets. In addition, it operates regulated interstate and intrastate natural gas transmission pipelines and natural gas storage facilities. Further, the company owns and operates a parking garage in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma; and leases excess office space. It operates 17,500 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines; 1,500 miles of FERC-regulated interstate natural gas pipelines; 5,100 miles of state-regulated intrastate transmission pipeline; six NGL storage facilities; and eight NGL product terminals. It serves integrated and independent exploration and production companies; NGL and natural gas gathering and processing companies; crude oil and natural gas production companies; propane distributors; municipalities; ethanol producers; and petrochemical, refining, and NGL marketing companies, as well as natural gas distribution and electric generation companies, producers, processors, and marketing companies. The company was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Secretary of State John Kerry's Meeting on Libya

Washington, DC - Secretary Kerry met today with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni, Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed, French Director General for Political Affairs and Security Nicolas de Riviere, Saudi Ambassador Mohammed bin Nawaf Al-Saud and Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Martin Kobler to discuss ongoing efforts to support the Government of National Accord in Libya.

The ministers reaffirmed the continuing and strong international support of Prime Minister al-Sarraj and the GNA. They noted the important progress of the GNA and the forces aligned with it in combatting Da'esh in Sirte.

The ministers underscored their support for increasing the capacity of the GNA led by Prime Minister al-Sarraj to respond to the needs of the Libyan people. The ministers also called upon all Libyan economic institutions to work together in support of this effort. The ministers strongly endorsed the technical talks that would follow up on and implement this effort.

The ministers also emphasized the international community's commitment to providing the Government of National Accord technical, economic, humanitarian, security and counter-terrorism assistance. They also emphasized the importance of the GNA moving forward with its work to form a new cabinet proposal that represents all parts of Libya.
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products. The Proprietary Products segment offers stoppers and seals for injectable packaging systems; syringe and cartridge components, including custom solutions for the needs of injectable drug applications, as well as administration systems that enhance the safe delivery of drugs through advanced reconstitution, mixing, and transfer technologies; and films, coatings, washing, and vision inspection and sterilization processes and services to enhance the quality of packaging components. It also provides drug containment solutions, including Crystal Zenith, a cyclic olefin polymer in the form of vials, syringes, and cartridges; and self-injection devices, as well as a range of integrated solutions, including analytical lab services, pre-approval primary packaging support and engineering development, regulatory expertise, and after-sales technical support. This segment serves biologic, generic, and pharmaceutical drug companies. The Contract-Manufactured Products segment is involved in the design, manufacture, and automated assembly of devices used in surgical, diagnostic, ophthalmic, injectable, and other drug delivery systems, as well as consumer products. It serves pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and medical device companies. The company distributes its products through its sales force and distribution network, as well as contract sales agents and regional distributors. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. was incorporated in 1923 and is headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania.
VMware, Inc. provides software solutions in the areas of modern applications, cloud management and infrastructure, networking, security, and digital workspaces in the United States and internationally. It offers VMware multi-cloud solutions, including VMware vSphere, a data center infrastructure that provides the fundamental compute layer; vSAN and VxRail, which offers holistic data storage and protection options to applications running on vSphere; and vRealize Cloud Management solutions that manages hybrid and multi-cloud environments running in virtual machines and containers, as well as VMware Cloud Foundation, a cloud platform that combines its vSphere, vSAN, and NSX with vRealize Cloud Management into an integrated stack and delivers enterprise-ready cloud infrastructure for private and public clouds. The company also provides networking solutions, such as VMware NSX, NSX Distributed and Gateway Firewalls, NSX Network Detection and Response Engine, NSX Advanced Load Balancer, Tanzu Service Mesh, and VMware SASE; security solutions consisting of VMware Carbon Black Endpoint, Workload, and Container; and digital workspace solutions comprising Workspace ONE Unified Endpoint Management, Access, Intelligent Hub, and Horizon. In addition, it offers application modernization solutions, such as Tanzu Application and Operations Platform, Tanzu Application Service Platform, Tanzu Observability, Tanzu Community Edition, and Tanzu Labs; and cloud management solutions, including vRealize Cloud Management, vCloud Suite, and CloudHealth by VMware Suite. The company sells its products through distributors, resellers, system vendors, and systems integrators. VMware, Inc. has a strategic alliance with Amazon Web Services to build and deliver an integrated hybrid solution. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.
The Islamic State group is forcibly gathering people in and around Mosul for possible use as human shields against advancing Iraqi forces, residents said Wednesday, confirming UN fears.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces have since regained significant ground, and Mosul is the last Iraqi city still held by the jihadists.

Iraq launched a massive operation to retake Mosul from the extremists a little more than two weeks ago, and its forces have reached the eastern outskirts of the city.

The United Nations has cited reports of IS kidnapping thousands of people for use as human shields, and also of the jihadists executing nearly 300 people in the Mosul area since October 25.

One resident of east Mosul said the IS jihadists had "demanded that people, especially young people, gather in the area\s schools, and that they bring their identity papers with them".

But most people had "refused to obey those orders," Abu Yunes told AFP, adding they were fearful that IS wanted to use them as human shields.

Abu Mohammed, a west Mosul resident, said IS had "gathered a large number of people from areas south of Mosul and forced them to move to the city."

He said that IS aims to hide among the civilians when security forces enter the city and flee among them to escape.

"The majority of Daesh members are now deployed on the right bank, and they are apparently ready to fight, after they prepared car bombs and suicide bombers and snipers, as well as rigging streets and bridges" with explosives, Abu Mohammed said, using an Arabic acronym for IS.

Mosul is split by the Tigris River, with the eastern half of the city known as the left bank and the western as the right bank.

Abu Mohammed\s description of IS deployments squares with expectations the jihadists will put up the toughest fight in western Mosul, which is still not cut off from territory they hold farther west in Iraq and in Syria.

In Geneva on Tuesday, the United Nations said it had received reports of IS fighters forcing thousands of civilians into Mosul, possibly to be used as "human shields".

UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters there was "a pattern" of the jihadists surrounding their offices and bases in Mosul with civilians.

SOURCE: AFP
Looking for deals at annual Pittsburgh airport auction

More than 800 appeared and about 700 participated in annual event last month.
Claire Kowalick/Times Record News Capt. Paul Harris, chaplain at the 80th FTW at Sheppard, shows a military coin with praying hands and Bible verse Philippians 3:14. Harris has served at Sheppard for two years and will be moving with his family to Minot, N.D., in December.

SHARE Claire Kowalick/Times Record News Capt. Paul Harris, chaplain at the 80th FTW at Sheppard, is seen Friday by a static display at Sheppard. Harris has served at the base for two years and will be moving with his family to Minot, N.D., in December. Claire Kowalick/Times Record News Capt. Paul Harris, chaplain at the 80th FTW at Sheppard, talks with a pilot Friday at Sheppard. Harris has served at the base for two years and will be moving with his family to Minot, N.D., in December.

By Claire Kowalick of the Times Record News

When he received his "calling" in 2005, Air Force Capt. Paul Harris knew just what to do.

"I always said if I ever received a calling to the ministry, I didn't see myself pastoring a church. I saw myself where, for me, there was a greater need  in military service," he said.

Harris is the chaplain for the 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base. He had served previously for the 82nd mission support group, but said he really loves working with the pilots in the 80th. After two years at Sheppard, in December, Harris and his family will have a chillier station in Minot, North Dakota.

Military life is what Harris has always known, coming from two parents who also served in the Air Force. His father was a military chaplain who retired as a major and his mother retired as a master sergeant after working as a loadmaster. Harris' brother is also a chaplain.

Harris was born at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, where the family lived about one year. From there they moved to Omaha, Nebraska, Hawaii, Texas, and Arkansas.

"After seeing my dad and mom in the military, and even my dad as a chaplain and how he would interact with people in the military  I felt there was a greater need for me there. So when I received my calling into the military in 2005, the decision was made," he said.

He completed clinical pastoral work in Houston before being attached as a reservist at Little Rock, Ark. Harris attended seminary in Memphis, Tennessee, where he also met his wife, Eunitta.

"That's when life got better," he said with a smile.

The couple have two boys, Joshua, 9, and Gabriel, 7.

A military chaplain and a civilian pastor have similar roles in caring for and counseling others. But for a military chaplain, his congregation is everyone at their base.

"We're more focused on dealing with mission of the base, making sure everyone is able to fulfill the mission. We like to call that 'spiritual resiliency.' Regardless of faith, it encompasses everything  What do you rely on to get you through the day? For some it's the scriptures, others prayer, music, walks. What do you connect with to help you continue to fight, continue the mission?" Harris said.

While every day is different, Harris said his most important job is making sure the pilots for the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program are spiritually, as well as mentally and emotionally, ready to do their jobs.

"I make myself available to them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I have my cellphone posted on the board. I didn't do that anywhere else," Harris said.

He keeps a close watch on all of the airmen and pilots under his watch, like a father and his children.

Counseling of all kinds are available to the airmen. "Any kind of counseling  marital, relationship. Nothing is too big, too small. Nothing is too severe that we can't handle it," he said.

Another role Harris takes on is leadership advisement. As a global program, airmen from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds are stationed at Sheppard. Harris said a pilot may have a different faith background, has special needs, days off, or other restrictions. He can research the faith needs and advise leaders on how to meet those needs. "We want to make sure nobody gets offended and they can follow their religious guidelines," Harris said.

"The last thing Christ did was offend somebody. Because the moment you offend somebody, they are shut off to anything else you have to say," he said.

Harris said vice commander of the 80th FTW, Col. Paul Moga, gave him the best compliment of his career at the last ENJJPT graduation.

"He said I was truly the best chaplain he has ever seen. He said I have a way of connecting with airmen and pilots in a way he has never seen," Harris said.

With a calming smile, and not a hint of arrogance, Harris said every part of his success is a gift from God.

"I'm not bound by books, not anything written. I follow my heart, what God tells me to do. He knows what they need and when they need to receive it," he said.

Divining out what to say and when can be exponentially more difficult when dealing with a group of pilots "in the zone" and gearing up for a nerve-wracking flight.

A pilot may have a reddened face, or when leaving the Life Support area, one pilot is not walking as quickly as the others. These small tells let Harris know when something may not be right.

In those situations, the chaplain may not have much time to talk, but a word here or there can make a life-or-death difference.

Student pilots are expected to learn thick volumes of information and be able to handle stressful situations and make decisions in seconds. Harris said someone to talk to can make all the difference.

"At first I thought they didn't like me," he said, laughing. "But then I learned their minds are going a million different places. They have to get in the zone."

Dealing with a variety of religions, or no faith background at all, Harris finds a way to bridge the gap and help people find what works for them.

"I firmly believe God is not a God of religion, he's a God of relationship. If I'm dealing with someone of no faith background, they still understand the concept of relationship. You may not have the same faith background, but everyone understands what's in a positive relationship," he said.

Spending a day giving comfort to others can distract you from other important parts of life, Harris said.

"Never work so much that you forget about home. My wife helps keep me grounded. If I don't have her, things get topsy turvy," he said.

In the future, Harris said he would love for his kids to be pilots, doctors, firemen, or whatever they want to be, but if they choose the ministry they should make sure they are truly called.

"There are many who went but weren't sent, and you can see a big difference," he said.

Harris said he and wife especially loved the gospel worship service at Sheppard, and he will strive to serve when and where the Lord, and the Air Force, may send him.

One of his favorite Bible verses is Philippians 3:14: "I press toward the mark, toward the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

"I tell the airmen, 'As long as you are pressing toward that mark, you'll never fail,'" Harris said.
Drug awareness events coming to Wichita Falls

The Life Decisions Program is aiming to raise awareness of the deadly dangers of fentanyl.
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Billie Gorham, Burkburnett

If I were Hillary Clinton, I would not want to bring up Russia in my attacks against Donald Trump. The New York Times reported in April 23, 2015, that leaders of the Canadian mining industry, who have been major donors to the Clinton Foundation, financed and eventually sold off to the Russians a company that would become known as Uranium One.

The sale gave the Russians control of one-fifth of all uranium production capacity in the United States.

Since uranium is considered a strategic asset, with implications for national security, the deal had to be approved by a committee composed of representatives from a number of United States government agencies.

Among the agencies that signed off was the State Department, then headed by Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Even if she were not guilty of Benghazi, or selling uranium to Russia or selling information to foreign governments, or destroying compromising emails, she and Bill Clinton have the longest list ever of acquaintances who have jumped in front of cars and trains, were involved in plane crashes, helicopter crashes, beatings, stabbings, heart attacks, and impossible suicides.

Don't take my word for it. Go to any resource and check out the mysterious deaths that happened to more than 100 people involved with the Clintons. There cannot be that many coincidences.

Investigate for yourself. Then go make your vote count against one of the most dangerous people in the United States, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Waterford  Unionized workers walked off the job at noon Wednesday at the Momentive Performance Materials chemical plant after efforts to reach a new contract with the company failed.

The strike, which could involve as many as 700 employees at the plant that produces caulks and adhesives used in a number of industries, came after union workers rejected a contract deal that called for pay increases and a signing bonus, but also weakened health care and retiree benefits.
Friday-Sunday

All is not so wonderful in "Wonderful World." Richard Dresser's twisted comedy focuses on a pair of brothers and their significant others. When Patty, Barry's wife, feels slighted after misinterpreting a dinner invitation, she starts telling the others how she really feels about them. Suddenly, the family is forced to confront deep animosities, forbidden sexual attractions, old affairs and debilitating illness. How the family deals with these uncovered truths stretches and affirms the powerful bonds that hold families together. Albany Civic Theater's staging opens Friday. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. $18. Albany Civic Theater, 235 Second Ave., Albany. 462-1297; http://www.albanycivictheater.org

Saturday

The Debo Band has been around for a decade, yet the self-described Ethiopian pop band has just two albums. Maybe that's because the 11-piece, Boston-based band  which includes horns, electric and acoustic guitars, percussion and accordion  has been busy performing its eclectic mix of 1960s Ethiopian jazz and contemporary funk. It wasn't until 2012 when the band released its self-titled debut, which got Debo Band national attention. The second album, "Ere Gobez," released in May, won rave reviews from Pitchfork, which called it "a big, brave roar of an album."

8 p.m. Saturday. $5-$8, free for students and children. Arthur Zankel Music Center, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 580-5546; https://tang.skidmore.edu/calendar/488-debo-band

Friday-Sunday

"Brave New Dances" is a sneak peek at new dance theater works created by renowned local choreographer Maude Baum and other area choreographers. These innovative, experimental dances are works-in-progress, allowing the choreographers to try new things and take chances they wouldn't otherwise take. After the show, audience members and the choreographers will attend an informal reception to discuss the performances. The choreographers are Baum, Anna Pillot, Abby Todd, Oriana Carraveta and Carla Wasbes. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $5-$15. eba Theater, 315 Hudson Ave., Albany. 465-9916; https://goo.gl/6i6fme

Sunday

Bill Maher has nothing but contempt for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. On his HBO show, "Real Time," the comic and political commentator has taken pointed shots at Trump and poked fun at the billionaire at every opportunity. He'll rip Trump again on Facebook Wednesday night, when he streams his "#whinylittlebitch" performance live from Los Angeles' Largo nightclub. Look for Maher to speak plainly about Trump and the election when he comes to town Sunday  just two days before Election Day. 8 p.m. Sunday. $39.50-$95. Palace Theatre, 19 Clinton Ave., Albany. 465-3335; http://www.palacealbany.com

Saturday

Need a little voting practice before next Tuesday? Forget about the policymakers for one night and come mark your ballot for your favorite dance-makers. For the third year in a row, Nacre Dance Company presents "So You Think You Can Choreograph?" Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Spa Little Theater in Saratoga Springs. This time around, artistic director Beth Fecteau has chosen seven finalists  four from the Capital Region, one from Rochester, one from Brooklyn and one from Perth, Australia. Audience members get to vote for a local choreographer and one from outside the area, and the two winners will each create a new work for Nacre. The pieces will debut at the company's March performance, to be built around the theme "comedy in dance." Now that's way more fun than politics. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Spa Little Theater, Saratoga Springs. $20; students and seniors, $15. 817-3833 or http://www.nacredance.com
Actors and actresses are praised for their gaze-gripping action scenes, but typically there is a stuntman or woman behind the most action-packed scenes.

These brave souls are often looked over when the final product comes through, but we should all take a moment to acknowledge the physically and mentally challenging work they all do. After all, not everyone could jump off of a four story building to the ground or have a fight on a fly helicopter.
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Yet another rumor of Prince Harry's new boo are circulating on the internet Monday morning.

Reports from "multiple sources" say that the 32-year-old prince has started dating "Suits" actress Meghan Markle, 35.

A source of the Sunday Express told the publication, "He's happier than he's been for many years. It's too early to say if the relationship will lead to anything long-term, but who knows? At the moment they are just taking it a step at a time and seeing how things develop."

MORE PRINCE HARRY: Images show Prince Harry working to help elephants in Malawi

So it's not official, ladies. There's still hope for us all, yet.

But when we really look into it, the Los Angeles- native actress has been taking multiple trips out to London over the past four months. The 35-year-old posted multiple photos of her outings on Instagram with adorable hashtags like #spoiledrotten and #treatyourself.

The reports are saying that while Markle was filming "Suits" in Toronto, she met Prince Harry there as he was promoting the Invictus Games.

RELATED: Prince Harry 'grateful' for chance to return to Caribbean

People say that Markle was seen wearing bracelets similar to ones Prince Harry has worn in the past and speculations to whether they were a gift from the royal bachelor or not.
ALBANY  Eighteen people were arrested in a crackdown on underage drinking, the state Department of Motor Vehicles said Tuesday.

The arrests occurred Friday, with the DMV's Division of Field Investigation working with Albany police to check for underage sales at bars and liquor stores.
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King of Prussia, Pa.

With just a week to go and the race for the White House tightening, Hillary Clinton  with help from President Barack Obama  unleashed a fresh offensive Tuesday against Donald Trump and his vulgar comments about women. Trump strove to blend a quieter, presidential tone with his usual tough rhetoric, warning that a Clinton victory would "destroy American health care forever."

The White House contenders clashed from afar Clinton in battleground Florida and Trump in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin  with the sprint to next Tuesday's finish well under way.

"For my entire life, I've been a woman," Clinton, who would be the nation's first female president, declared in critical Florida. "And when I think about what we now know about Donald Trump and what he's been doing for 30 years, he sure has spent a lot of time demeaning, degrading, insulting and assaulting women."

Trump has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct in recent weeks, complicating his efforts to win over women in both parties. He has denied every accusation, but Obama said there was a pattern at work to which voters needed to pay heed.

"This is a lifetime of calling women pigs and dogs and slobs," Obama said at a rally in Ohio. "The part we're concerned about is if we start acting like this is normal."

For Trump, he spent the day relentlessly on message, eschewing wild tangents and political fights in favor of carefully scripted remarks focused on health care and attacks on his opponent. He cautioned that Clinton's plan to strengthen "Obamacare" would lead to dire consequences, although he offered few specifics about his own plan.

"If we don't repeal and replace Obamacare, we will destroy American health care forever," Trump charged in a speech outside Philadelphia.

He also promised, if elected, to call a special session of Congress to replace the law. However, Congress would already be in session when the next president takes office, raising the question of just what he meant.

Clinton worked to ensure voters would not forget Trump's most damaging moments six days before the election.

Alicia Machado, a former beauty queen who Trump previously described as "Miss Piggy," introduced the Democratic nominee before her appearance in central Florida.

"He was cruel," Machado said of Trump's criticism of her weight. "For years afterward I was sick, fighting back eating disorders."

Trump spent several days in late September assailing the winner of his 1996 Miss Universe pageant and encouraging his Twitter followers to view her "sex tape," although none exists. The Machado appearance was in line with Clinton's broader closing argument against Trump.

"He thinks belittling women makes him a bigger man," Clinton said. "He doesn't see us as full human beings."

Clinton also unveiled a television ad set to run in eight battleground states, including his remark caught in a 2005 video that he kissed women and grabbed their genitals without permission. Obama, amid his pitch to working-class voters in Ohio, tried to boil the choice down to a question of character, saying the Oval Office "amplifies who you are. It magnifies who you are. It shows who you are."

"If you disrespected women before you were elected, you will disrespect women once you're president," Obama said.

And speaking directly to men, Obama said "we have to get over the hump" of electing the first woman president.

"I just want to be honest with you because she's been out there for so long sometimes in this culture we always want to see the new shiny object," he said.

Trump, however, did not immediately take the bait. In Wisconsin, he urged early voters there who "are having a bad case of buyer's remorse" to change their ballots before Thursday's deadline. Four states  Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania  allow early vote switches but the practice is extremely rare, according to the Early Voting Information Center at Reed College.

Still, frustrated Republicans were encouraged that Trump was focusing on policy prescriptions  for one day, at least  after a roller-coaster campaign marked by self-created controversy and political missteps.

Meanwhile, both sides continued to spar over the recent revelation that FBI investigators are again probing Clinton's email practices.

A lawyer for Clinton aide Huma Abedin said Tuesday that her client learned from media reports last Friday that a laptop belonging to her estranged husband, Anthony Weiner, might contain some of her emails. The attorney said Abedin has not been contacted by the FBI about the development and she will cooperate if asked.

The revelation has put Democrats on the defensive, at least briefly, and hurt Clinton's plans to promote a positive message over the campaign's final week.

"The Trump campaign is on the offensive and we're expanding our map," Trump aide David Bossie said, suggesting the campaign now sees opportunities to compete in traditional Democratic states such as New Mexico and Michigan.

Yet few Republican or Democratic operatives view the email news as a game-changer in the race for Senate control. The balance of power in Congress could have profound consequences for the future of health care in America, among other policy debates.

Trump on Tuesday promised to replace the federal health care law with health care savings accounts, while allowing states to craft their own Medicaid programs to cover the poor.

The nonpartisan Center for Health and Economy determined this summer that Trump's proposal would lower premiums significantly for policies purchased directly by consumers but also make 18 million people uninsured. The nonpartisan Commonwealth Fund predicted that 20 million people would lose coverage under Trump's plan while Clinton's would add coverage for 9 million.

Trump on Tuesday seized on projections of sharp health care cost increases as he campaigned in Pennsylvania, a state where some premiums are expected to rise by more than 40 percent. He was introduced by his running mate Mike Pence, who expanded Medicaid coverage as part of Obama's law as Indiana governor.
Bazwaya, Iraq

Iraq's special forces fought their way into the outskirts of Mosul on Tuesday, taking its state television building despite resistance by Islamic State group fighters that is only likely to stiffen when combat reaches the inner city.

It was the first time Iraqi troops have set foot in the city, Iraq's second-largest, in more than two years. But the advance was the start of what is likely to be a grueling and slow operation for the forces as they fend off booby traps and ambushes in difficult, house-to-house fighting expected to take weeks, if not months.

Troops entered Gogjali, a neighborhood inside Mosul's city limits, and later the outskirts of the more built-up Karama district, according to Maj. Gen. Sami al-Aridi of the Iraqi special forces. As the sun went down, a sandstorm blew in, reducing visibility to only 100 yards and bringing the day's combat to an end.

"Daesh is fighting back and have set up concrete blast walls to block off the Karama neighborhood and our troops' advance," al-Aridi said, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group. Bombs have been laid along the road into the city, he told an Associated Press reporter accompanying the troops.

Later, al-Aridi said the troops had taken the state television building, the only one in the province, and that heavy fighting broke out when they tried to continue further into built-up areas. An official casualty report was not given, but officers mentioned one dead and one wounded.

Mosul is the last major IS stronghold in Iraq, the city from which it drove out a larger but demoralized Iraqi army in 2014 and declared a "caliphate" that stretched into Syria. Its loss would be a major defeat for the jihadis, but with the closest Iraqi troops still some six miles from the city center, much ground remains to be covered.

Tuesday's battle opened with Iraqi artillery, tank and machine gun fire on IS positions on the edge of Gogjali, with the extremists responding with guided anti-tank missiles and small arms in an attempt to block the advance. Airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition supporting the operation added to the fire hitting the district.

Col. John Dorrian, spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition, said that aerial observations of the battlefield showed that IS forces can no longer move in large numbers.

"If Daesh stand and fight, they're going to be killed. There's no question about that. If they run, they will either be captured or killed. They are not going to be allowed to escape," he said in a televised news conference with Iraqi forces in Qayara, south of Mosul.

"When we see them come together where there are significant numbers we will strike them and kill them."

Smoke could be seen rising Tuesday from buildings in Gogjali, where shells and bombs had landed. IS-lit fires also sent plumes of dark smoke into the sky, in an attempt to obscure the coalition air campaign's view of the city.

Inside the village of Bazwaya, three miles east of Mosul, white flags hung from buildings, put up a day earlier by residents eager to show they would not resist the Iraqi forces' advance. Some residents stood outside their homes, and children raised their hands with V-for-victory signs.

The families, estimated to number in the hundreds, will be evacuated from the village to a camp for displaced persons, said Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil of the Iraqi special forces.

As the fighting raged on Mosul's outskirts, several of the newly displaced from Bazwaya could be seen carrying white flags as they drove a herd of some 150 sheep toward the camp.
Second Helpings features condensed versions of the restaurant reviews that run in the Sunday Unwind section. On Sundays, Order Up  reviews of inexpensive eateries  runs every other week, alternating with Matters of Taste restaurant reviews. In Preview, we bring you tasty selections from both to help you plan.

Berben & Wolff's Vegan Delicatessen, 227 Lark St., Albany, 599-5306, www.facebook.com/berbenandwolffs Cuisine: Vegan sandwiches using Rock Hill or gluten-free bread, artisanal housemade seitan, tempeh, sauces and baked goods. Soft drinks and Death Wish coffee. Ambience: Casual little upstairs cafe. Price: $-$$ Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday.

More Information Cost control Price ratings for inexpensive eateries based on average of entree costs: $: $9.95 and less $$: $9.95-$15.95 $$$: $15.95 and higher See More Collapse

Chester's Smokehouse, 62 Vandenburgh Ave., Troy, 244-5329, www.chesterssmokehouse.com Cuisine: Authentic, old-world Polish cuisine based on smoked sausages, stuffed cabbage leaves, pierogies, and smoked meats from Chester's Smokehouse and Deli in Albany. Ambience: Counter service, no-frills, family-friendly dining in a former Pizza Hut that retains much of its original charm and is kept at a challengingly chilly temperature. Price: $-$$$ Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, closed Monday. (A buffet lunch will be offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday later this summer.)

The City Beer Hall, 42 Howard St., Albany, 449-2337, thecitybeerhall.com. Cuisine: Gastropub fare with house-made charcuterie and pickle boards, global-fusion entrees and shareable small plates. Ambience: American craft beer hall, gastropub and music venue in a historic downtown Albany building. Inclusive crowd, though event nights attract core demographics. Calendar online. Price: $-$$$. Hours: Lunch, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday; dinner, 5 to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday; late-night menu, 10 p.m. to midnight Monday to Saturday; brunch, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Fish at 30 Lake, 30 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, 539-3473, www.fishat30lake.com Cuisine: Fresh fish with East-West influences, excellent seafood and raw bar and recommended signature burger. Fun creative flourishes go beyond oft-repeated trends. The ricotta gnudi are not to be missed. Ambience: Casual, stylish, open-plan space. The high-energy bar and dining crowds raising room volume to a challenging level. Price: $$$. Hours: Bar: Open daily at 3 p.m. (bar menu available). Restaurant: 5 to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Grazin', 717 Warren St. Hudson, 822-9323, www.grazinburger.com Cuisine: Grass-fed burgers, artisanal sausages and Sunday brunch featuring Grazin' Angus Acres meats, eggs and home-style pancakes. Old-fashioned house-mixed sodas, selection of Chatham Brewing beers (tap and cans) and wines from Tousey Winery. Ambience: Classic casual, family-style American diner. Price: $-$$$. Hours: Noon to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, noon to 9:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m Sunday.

Healthy on Lark, 274 Lark St., Albany, 650-7755, www.healthyonlark.com Cuisine: Juices, smoothies, organic tea and coffee, vegan and vegetarian sandwiches, salads and wraps. Ambience: Tiny downstairs tearoom. Price: $ (10 percent discount for students and government staff. Grubhub online.) Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday. See website for scheduled Sunday poetry afternoons.

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen, 79 N. Pearl St., Albany, 426-8550, www.thehollowalbany.com Cuisine: Mix of burgers and bar standards, a strong vegetarian showing and a farm-fresh dining menu with creative sparks. Catering available. Ambience: Varies by time of day. Popular barroom with TVs, live music room and pool table. Outdoor patio and a small pleasant dining space in exposed brick and wood with tabletop fresh flowers. Price: $-$$$. Hours: 5 p.m. till late Monday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. till late Tuesday to Friday, closed Sunday. Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., happy hour 4 to 7 p.m., dinner from 5 p.m.

The Inn at Erlowest, 3178 Lake Shore Drive, Lake George, 668-5928, theinnaterlowest.com. Food: American cuisine driven by colorful plating, local proteins and seasonal farm produce. Classics given creative modernist touches. Weekly changing chef's menu sometimes misses key ingredients. Ambience: Aging classic, slightly stuffy formal dining rooms and casual patio with outdoor fireplace. Prices: $$$. Hours: Restaurant: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily. Bar menu: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily. Breakfast: 7 to 10:30 a.m. in summer, 8 to 10:30 a.m. in winter.

Lake Local, 550 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs, 886-1373, www.lakelocalsaratoga.com Cuisine: Freshly made burgers, fish sandwiches and salads with eclectic snack foods from Mexican street corn to curried chicken salad and flatbread pizza. This is pub fare from The Local with a heavier lakeside focus on fish. Full bar featuring cocktails and half dozen draft beers, some regional, surprisingly none local. Ambience: Seasonal, marina casual lakeside bar and restaurant with a beachy, contemporary style. Family friendly, bar-focused. Live music Tuesdays and weekends. Price: $-$$$. Hours 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Open seasonally from May to October-November.

Mr. Pio Pio, 160 Quail St., Albany, 463-2800, www.mrpiopio.com Cuisine: Traditional dishes of Ecuador and Colombia, heavy on meat options and characterized by fresh, bold, authentic preparations and flavors. No liquor license. Ambience: Small, casual, welcoming storefront with a handful of tables. Price: $-$$$ Hours: Opens daily at 11:30 a.m.; kitchen open until 9 p.m. Sunday, 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday; delivery orders stop about an hour earlier.

Morton's The Steakhouse, Saratoga Casino Hotel, 342 Jefferson St., Saratoga Springs, 682-5999, www.mortons.com and www.saratogacasino.com Cuisine: High-quality prime steak, chops and seafood anchor high-end steakhouse standards on an a-la-carte menu. Prices can add up. Ambience: Sharply sleek, formal dining room befitting high-rollers. Slightly incongruous with the casually attired clientele. Price: $$. Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Oaxaquena Triqui, 77 N. Lake Ave., Albany, 645-0080. Cuisine: Regional Oaxacan-Triqui cuisine of southern Mexico. Handmade sopes and tacos, slow-cooked meats, Oaxacan quesillo cheese, chipulines, tongue tacos and weekend specials from tripe to tamales, plus caramel-filled churros and breads. Ambience: Family-run corner store with a bright, clean, unassuming taqueria in the rear. Seats 18 people max. Price: $. Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Takeout available.

Oh Corn! Arepas and More, 1505 Route 9, Halfmoon, 579-0858, www.ohcornarepas.com Cuisine: Venezuelan white corn arepas and yellow corn cachapas with an impressive array of fillings from breakfast-themed to slow-simmered Venezualan pork in red wine and orange juice or beef slow simmered in sofrito sauce. Ambience: Incredibly friendly, casual family-owned Venezuelan cafe in strip mall space. Price: $-$$. Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The People's Pub, 36 Main St., Chatham, 392-2337, www.thepeoplespub.com Cuisine: Locally sourced and farm-focused with flavorful twists on pub standards (Bolognese, burger) and shareable plates (salads, charcuterie and cheese boards). Vegetarian and gluten-free options available. Ambience: Eclectic vintage bistro-pub environment with live jazz several nights a week. Price: $ to $$$. Hours: Bar hours: 4 to 11 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Kitchen hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Monday.

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Prairie Whale, 178 Main St., Great Barrington, Mass., 413-528-5050, www.facebook.com/prariewhale Cuisine: Elementally simple, wholly committed to seasonal local sourcing, could use a boost on some seasoning and flavors, and attention to meat doneness needs improvement. Portions are on the smaller side. Ambience: Ambience: Rustic village home, rambling with rooms and nooks, and festive outdoor space with games. Price: $$. Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Monday; brunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; closed Tuesday.

Savoy Taproom, 301 Lark St., Albany, 599-5140, savoyonlark.com. Cuisine: Simple mix of bar food and seasonal fare from burgers, steamers and wings to nicely executed salads and pasta dishes. Admirable variety of gluten-free or gluten-adjustable dishes. (Bar uses vegan aquafaba in place of egg whites for frothy cocktails.) Much-needed option for late-night eats. Ambience: Subterranean cocktail bar with an appealing cocktail list and high-tops for light early dining. The painfully quiet dining room benefits from the energy of a later evening crowd and live music sets. Lively, younger late night crowd. Price: $-$$$. Hours: 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily: bar menu, 3 to 5:30 p.m.; dinner, 5:30 to 10 p.m.; late-night menu, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Also, brunch starts at 9 a.m. Sunday

The Side Room at The Inn at Saratoga, 231 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 583-1890, www.theinnatsaratoga.com Cuisine: An wide-ranging mix of casual American fare (in small or shared plates) and fine-dining classics. Mixed execution with some standout dishes. The blended Side Room and Tavern menu includes shared cheese and charcuterie boards, a popular 8-ounce burger and a gentleman's tea. Ambience: Vintage Victorian with promising appeal, but The Side Room is often empty in contrast to the live music and regulars in the tavern. The front porch may pull in more of a crowd during track season. The back courtyard is limited to private events. Prices: $$. Hours: The Side Room: 5 to 9 p.m. daily. The Tavern: 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Sunhee's Farm and Kitchen, 95-97 Ferry St., Troy, 272-3413, www.sunhees.com Cuisine: Familiar Korean dishes that lend themselves to fast casual take out preparation including dumplings, noodles, bibimbap and bulgogi. Vegan and gluten-free options. Beer, wine and dessert bar coming soon. Ambience: Welcoming eatery and marketplace that blends traditional Korean and rural farm elements in a fast casual take-out setting. Price: $ Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday.

Sweet Beet Bistro, 93 Main St., Greenwich, 692-0200, sweetbeetbistro.com Cuisine: American fusion cuisine. Ambience:Casual, family-friendly bistro with an art-and-antique decor. Price: $$. Hours: Dinner, 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Lunch, noon to 3 p.m. Friday to Sunday. (Tuesday is 2-for-1 pasta night, Wednesday 2-for-1 wine night, Thursday local beer and burger night.)

Trinbago Caribbean Restaurant, 123 Madison Ave., Albany, 776-4418 Web: www.trinbagocaribbeanrestaurant.com Cuisine: Classic Trinbagonian cuisine with pan-island curries, stews and hand-held street snacks. The full chalkboard menu, including paratha roti (buss-up-shot), is available on Fridays and Saturdays. Sample the homemade sorrel drink. No liquor license.Ambiance: Welcoming, casual West Indies eatery for eat in or take out. Price: $-$$. Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Yono's, 25 Chapel St., Albany, 436-7747, yonos.com. Cuisine: Two-pronged menu: modern American cuisine with Indonesian flavors and traditional Indonesian dishes. Ambience: Cocooned, richly furnished interior hotel dining room with fireplace and live piano. Prices: $$$. Hours: 5:30 to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday, closed Sunday.
Tension in Roscrea surrounding a feud between local families would appear to be easing, according to the Gardai.

The Garda comments were made during a case at Nenagh Circuit Court in which 11 men pleaded to taking part in a violent affray in the town in 2013.

During the row, four Gardai had to try and keep the families apart. As one group was corralled the other group would advance in an attempt to fight. The entire incident lasted almost one hour before control was regained.

A small axe, a pick axe handle, a hurley, iron bars and a three-foot long piece of piping with a metal top were produced during the disturbance. At one stage, timber pieces and briquettes were thrown over the Gardai's heads.

Units of the Garda Emergency Response Unit from Nenagh, Thurles, Clonmel and Birr had to be called in to deal with the situation.

However, Sgt Mark Kelly told Judge Tom Teehan lastThursday that the Marshalls and Hutchinsons, along with extended members of each family had since engaged with the Traveller Mediation Project in the Midlands and peace is holding at the moment. The tension around the town continued for a long time, but it would appear to be getting better.

He was happy that people could now pass on the street without incident.

The tension had been palpable, he said, and what ever was there now was being caused by others.

All I want is peace in the town, said Sgt Kelly, who wants the older members of the families to talk to the wilder young ones.

He told Judge Teehan that, at one stage, the families were very friendly. They had gone to school together and had inter-married.

Judge Teehan said he was concerned that there were still tensions in the town.

He praised the Gardai for their skill in dealing with the feud and ordered that the families go back into mediation. This time, they must pay for the service themselves.

The case was adjourned to April 2017.

Full report: page 12
[November 02, 2016] Top 4 Trends Impacting the Global Biometrics Market in BFSI Sector Through 2020: Technavio

Technavio's latest report on the global biometrics market in BFSI sector provides an analysis on the most important trends expected to impact the market outlook from 2016-2020. Technavio defines an emerging trend as a factor that has the potential to significantly impact the market and contribute to its growth or decline. Biometrics is widely being implemented in mobile devices to control accessibility. The Touch ID in Apple (News - Alert) devices, which allows end-users to unlock their devices and make payments for their purchases on Apple digital media stores, uses fingerprint biometrics. Further, an individual's fingerprint data is neither stored on Apple servers nor on iCloud, but on the chip inside the device. This avoids instances of privacy intrusion and fortifies security. Mobile companies like Motorola and Samsung (News - Alert) have also incorporated biometric fingerprint sensors in their devices to manage the accessibility of applications and data. The global biometrics market in the BFSI sector is anticipated to witness impressive growth and will post a staggering CAGR of close to 20% over the forecast period. Amrita Choudhury, a lead analyst from Technavio, specializing in research on automatic identification systems sector, says, "With increase in instances of security breaches and transaction frauds, the need for highly secure identification and verification systems has increased manifold in the BFSI sector. Biometrics authentication is considered as an ideal solution to address the security issues in the BFSI sector because it relies on the unique physiological features of the individuals." Request a sample report: http://www.technavio.com/request-a-sample?report=53285 Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. The top four emerging trends driving the global biometrics market in BFSI sector according to Technavio ICT research analysts are: Adoption of vein recognition inATMs and POS terminals

Multimodal biometrics in BFSI sector

Proliferation of facial recognition in BFSI sector

Introduction of voice biometrics in BFSI sector



Adoption of vein recognition in ATMs and POS terminals Banks and financial institutions in the developing countries such as India, China, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa are ready to adopt vein recognition biometrics to verify the identity of their customers. Also, in the global BFSI sector, vein recognition is likely to find greater adoption in the next two years, specifically in m-banking as it is accurate and user-friendly. The major application areas of vein recognition biometrics in the BFSI sector includes door security, log-in management for PCs, ATMs, POS terminals, and banking transactions.

Multimodal biometrics in BFSI sector Multimodal biometrics uses a combination of two or more biometric technologies to identify and verify individuals. In many situations, one form of biometric identification does not yield accurate and exact match of the identity of an individual. The combination of biometrics like fingerprint and finger vein pattern or a combination of fingerprint, iris, and voice pattern, is more reliable, accurate, secure, and capable of avoiding spoofing attacks. This is likely to lead to higher adoption of this system in the BFSI sector in countries across the world. Proliferation of facial recognition in BFSI sector Facial recognition biometric technology is gaining traction in the BFSI sector to provide clients secure access to their bank accounts eliminating the need for a username and password. 3D facial recognition technology is further influenced by its increasing demand in ATMs, mobile payment at POS, and online banking services. "The use of 3D biometric facial recognition in the global BFSI sector is gaining popularity and is likely to be adopted in other areas of the business like loan approval, personalized assistance, as well as determination of blacklist customers," says Amrita. Introduction of voice biometrics in BFSI sector The usage of various internet networks for financial transactions have increased the vulnerability of financial accounts and user data. Further, customers are expected to remember numerous passwords, PINs, and card numbers to verify themselves and proceed to make secure transactions, which is rather inconvenient. Therefore, voice biometrics is being used in the financial sector that will provide secure access to bank accounts and will help end-users to carry out financial transactions by verifying their identity with their voice. For instance, in 2014, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank deployed FreeSpeech, a voice biometric solution from Nuance (News - Alert) Communications, for secure and easy authentication for customers through their unique voice pattern. It supports banking transactions through mobile devices and languages like Arabic, English, and Hindi. Browse Related Reports: Biometrics Market in North America 2016-2020

Global Biometric Sensors Market 2016-2020

Global Vein Recognition Biometrics Market in BFSI Sector 2015-2019 Do you need a report on a market in a specific geographical cluster or country but can't find what you're looking for? Don't worry, Technavio also takes client requests. Please contact [email protected] with your requirements and our analysts will be happy to create a customized report just for you. About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies. Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102006315/en/

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[November 02, 2016] YO! Sushi Rolls Out New Restaurant Technology with NCR

YO! Sushi, the UK's wildly popular international Japanese fast food restaurant brand, has completed the roll out of a new restaurant technology solution with NCR Corporation, a global leader in omni-channel solutions. YO! Sushi, which operates 91 restaurants including 71 in the UK, 6 in the US and 15 franchised across the world, sought to upgrade its existing system to achieve greater efficiency, business intelligence and operational control across the business. In partnering with NCR, YO! Sushi was confident in the reliability and scalability of NCR's best-in-class software, hardware and services including the NCR Aloha point-of-sale (POS) solution. In addition, YO! Sushi is using the NCR Insight and NCR Pulse (News - Alert) applications to support business intelligence and drive efficiency across the business by enabling the management team to see exactly what is going on across its portfolio in real time and via a smartphone app. As well as implementing NCR fixed POS solutions, YO! Sushi is also rolling out NCR Orderman handheld devices enabling mobile POS across stores where wifi connectivity is a challenge. NCR's omni-channel technology solutions help restaurants to simplify day-to-day operations, leverage business and customer intelligence to make informed decisions and improve the customer experience. "The insight tools that NCR are able to offer are a real game changer. It has never been possible to have such an array of data at your fingertips - and the fact that it's in real time means that you can know exactly what is going on," says YO! Sushi chief executive, Robin Rowland. "The UK's hospitality industry is seeing a seismic shift in consumer attitudes and this is having a significant impact on businesses, changing our servicing requirements. The likes of Deliveroo and UberEATS mean everyone expects you to be online and offering a seamless operation - working with NCR is a vital part in being able to be at the forefront of this transformation," adds Rowland.



"Fast growing restaurant brands, such as YO! Sushi, are focused on delivering an exceptional customer experience, increasing profitability and growing their businesses," adds Richard Goodall at NCR Hospitality. "Our technology platform can help restaurants improve speed of service, employee productivity and customer spend, resulting in higher profits, increased loyalty and satisfied, happy guests." YO! Sushi opened its first Japanese "kaiten", or conveyor belt-style, fast-casual sushi restaurant in London in 1997. Since then, YO! Sushi has grown from a London-only sushi brand to 91 locations worldwide, including locations in the United Kingdom, United States, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

About YO! Sushi Founded in 1997, YO! Sushi was the first to bring the concept of a Japanese "kaiten" sushi bar that delivered food via a conveyor belt to the UK. Customers lined-up around the block as YO! Sushi gave the capital a slice of urban Tokyo. The experience was fun and the food revolutionary. AA Gill (Sunday Times) described it as "the best sushi in London" and Fay Maschler (Evening Standard) commented, "I have seen the future and it is fun." To this day, YO! Sushi's dishes are freshly prepared in our restaurants daily. Although sushi is at the heart of the concept, there's a choice of over 80 Japanese inspired items, including delicious soups, rice or noodle-based dishes, salads, tempura and hot classics like Chicken Katsu Curry, Salmon Firecracker Rice and Yakisoba noodles. About NCR Corporation NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables more than 550 million transactions daily across retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology, and small business. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier. NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with over 30,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries. The company encourages investors to visit its web site which is updated regularly with financial and other important information about NCR. Web site: www.ncr.com Twitter (News - Alert): @NCRCorporation Facebook (News - Alert): www.facebook.com/ncrcorp LinkedIn (News - Alert): www.linkedin.com/company/ncr-corporation YouTube (News - Alert): www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005181/en/

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[November 01, 2016] Skanska USA Building and Smartvid.io forge national collaboration to implement machine learning for photo and video content

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 01, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smartvid.io, a cloud-based platform for analyzing photos and videos from industrial environments, announced a national collaboration with leading construction management firm Skanska USA Building.

Manage all photo and video content in one project-based interface



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at

//www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/90750be1-00c5-4a77-aae3-3749f461570f The business announcement, made at the Commercial UAV Expo, will also be discussed at the joint Skanska USA Building and Smartvid.io presentation, New Age "Reality Capture": Leveraging Machine Learning and BIM to Organize Field Data. The business relationship is made possible by the Skanska Innovation Grant Program, which has been designed to foster applications of new technology o unlock value for Skanska and its clients. The pilot program will support the use of the Smartvid.io platform at select Skanska project sites around the U.S. to test and deploy machine-learning software for organizing field data such as photography and videos.





According to Oliver Smith, VDC Director in Skanskas Innovative Construction Solutions group, Construction jobs provide many unique challenges on a daily basis. The implementation of drone technology and other data capturing technologies can provide enhanced solutions to the areas of safety, quality control, logistics and planning, visual communication, and security to name a few. Were excited to work with Smartvid.io to add valuable analysis to the ever increasing amounts of photo and video data were collecting via these methods.

After preliminary trials together, were excited to collaborate with Skanska to take the implementation of the Smartvid.io platform to the next phase with more project sites taking advantage of the tool, said Smartvid.io Founder & CEO, Josh Kanner. The areas of speech and image recognition have significant benefits in the AEC industry for everything from progress tracking, to safety, quality and even productivity analysis. In results from Skanska projects, weve already seen benefits from analytics of field photo and video data, whether from UAVs (drones) or the mobile devices of field personnel. Were just getting started and see great potential going forward. The collaboration between Skanska USA Building and Smartvid.io has also been profiled recently by Commercial UAV News, in the article Drones in Construction: Organizing Field Data and Enabling Machine Learning. About Smartvid.io

Smartvid.io, Inc. is a Boston-based software company focused on solving the management, collaboration, search and analysis challenges associated with industrial videos and photos. Its SmartTag Engine leverages machine learning to listen to (voice recognition) and watch (image recognition) what is seen in a video or photo and then automatically tag content according to defined terms. The platform saves significant time for teams, provides a better way to communicate with clients, tames the challenge of enterprise-wide media management, and provides a photo and/or video insurance policy which allows for easy retrieval of key imagery. Smartvid.ios founding team has worked together in various software companies for over 15 years, helping to change the way people work. Most recently, the team started Vela Systems which pioneered the use of mobile technology in the AEC industry (architecture, engineering and construction), growing to tens of thousands of deployments all over the world before being acquired by Autodesk. Visit us at www.smartvid.io. About Skanska USA

Skanska USA is one of the largest, most financially sound construction and development companies in the U.S., serving a broad range of clients including those in transportation, power, industrial, water/wastewater, healthcare, education, sports, data centers, government, aviation and commercial. Headquartered in New York with offices in 31 metro areas, we have more than 11,000 employees committed to being leaders in safety, project execution, sustainability, ethics and people development. In 2015, our work in building construction, civil and power/industrial construction, commercial development and infrastructure development (public-private partnerships) generated $7.1 billion in revenue. Global revenue of parent company Skanska AB, headquartered in Stockholm and listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, totaled $18.4 billion in 2015. Skanska shares are publicly traded in the U.S. on the OTC market under the symbol SKBSY through a Level I American Depository Receipt program. MEDIA CONTACT: Jeffrey Scholes (978) 884-9319 [email protected]

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SoCalBio Announces Lineup of Bioscience Companies to Present at 18th Annual Conference

The Southern California Biomedical Council (SoCalBio) today announced the list of companies that will present at its 18th Annual Conference, which will be held November 4 at the Hilton Long Beach Hotel.

The 30-plus companies include many of Southern California's most innovative biotech, medtech and digital health ventures. They focus on market segments ranging from regenerative medicine and bio-pharmaceuticals to molecular imaging, biosensors and personalized medicine.

"This year's SoCalBio Conference will showcase an extraordinary range of local companies and explore the most efficient pathways to bring their life-changing innovations to market," said SoCalBio President and CEO Ahmed Enany. "We will affirm how our region, anchored by Los Angeles and Orange (News - Alert) Counties, is helping shape the future of the bioscience industry."

In addition to company presentations, the full-day conference will include keynotes and panel discussions on issues such as capital/partnership formation, public policy, bioelectric medicine, and what it takes to build a smarter healthcare system. There will also be breakout sessions for angel, institutional and foreign investors.

Pre-registration is required to attend the conference. More information is available at http://socalbioinvest.com/register.

Following is the list of presenting companies. Each will share its business plan with attendees, including potential investors and partners. They were selected from a large pool of applicants by a SoCalBio advisory board made up of leading business professionals.

3iDx (Developing an instrument that provides clear identification of a specific microbe strain, including AMR strains, within an hour)

(Developing an instrument that provides clear identification of a specific microbe strain, including AMR strains, within an hour) ABL Denim (A Los Angeles company that makes functionally-enhanced yet stylish clothing for people with disabilities)

(A Los Angeles company that makes functionally-enhanced yet stylish clothing for people with disabilities) Advanced Prenatal Therapeutics, Inc. (An Irvine-based startup using targeted apheresis to treat preeclampsia)

(An Irvine-based startup using targeted apheresis to treat preeclampsia) Afecta Pharmaceuticals (An Irvine company using 2D/3D computer aided molecular screening to redesign existing drug molecules and "fit" them to target drug-able proteins, metabolic pathways, diseases, and/or clinical patient subsets)

(An Irvine company using 2D/3D computer aided molecular screening to redesign existing drug molecules and "fit" them to target drug-able proteins, metabolic pathways, diseases, and/or clinical patient subsets) Airware, Inc . (A Goleta company developing a non-invasive, optical monitoring device to sense interstitial glucose in the skin)

. (A Goleta company developing a non-invasive, optical monitoring device to sense interstitial glucose in the skin) AmberSand Biopharmaceuticals (Based in Westlake Village, AmberSand is developing a platform technology that enhances para-cellular transport by hosting drugs in a flexible micelle delivery vehicle and solubilizing the skin's lipid barrier with chemical penetration enhancers)

(Based in Westlake Village, AmberSand is developing a platform technology that enhances para-cellular transport by hosting drugs in a flexible micelle delivery vehicle and solubilizing the skin's lipid barrier with chemical penetration enhancers) Auritec Pharmaceuticals (A Pasadena Collaborative alumnus specializing in extended-release drug delivery systems)

(A Pasadena Collaborative alumnus specializing in extended-release drug delivery systems) BioVinc (A USC spinoff developing bone targeted therapeutics & diagnostics)

(A USC spinoff developing bone targeted therapeutics & diagnostics) Care3 (A Los Angeles-based firm developing a digital health platform for care coordination)

(A Los Angeles-based firm developing a digital health platform for care coordination) CureMatch (A San Diego-based digital health company developing a computational system for decision support in personalized cancer medicine)

(A San Diego-based digital health company developing a computational system for decision support in personalized cancer medicine) Cytolumina (A UCLA-spinoff -- now based in Agoura Hills -- that is developing a liquid biopsy platform by capturing circulating cancer cells)

(A UCLA-spinoff -- now based in Agoura Hills -- that is developing a liquid biopsy platform by capturing circulating cancer cells) Delta Brain Inc. (A Los Angeles machine learning firm developing applications in medicine)

(A Los Angeles machine learning firm developing applications in medicine) Deton Corp. (An early stage company incubated by the Pasadena Collaborative to develop a sample collection device for lower respiratory infections)

(An early stage company incubated by the Pasadena Collaborative to develop a sample collection device for lower respiratory infections) Episona (Based in Glendale, Episona is commercializing personalized diagnostics for male infertility using epigenetics)

(Based in Glendale, Episona is commercializing personalized diagnostics for male infertility using epigenetics) Eyes 4 Lives, Inc. (A Long Beach company seeking to minimize digital eye strain and the progression of nearsightedness by correcting improper electronic usage habits)

(A Long Beach company seeking to minimize digital eye strain and the progression of nearsightedness by correcting improper electronic usage habits) GNADX (Commercializing a novel iPad-controlled minicube PCR (News - Alert) machine)

(Commercializing a novel iPad-controlled minicube PCR (News - Alert) machine) Hillhurst Biopharmaceuticals (A Montrose-based biotech targeting debilitating inflammation)

(A Montrose-based biotech targeting debilitating inflammation) Kumba Health (A Beverly Hills-based digital health company developing a marketplace where providers and patients can connect)

(A Beverly Hills-based digital health company developing a marketplace where providers and patients can connect) Mastoscopia (A USC spinoff developing a novel multimodal ultrasound tomography for breast cancer detection)

(A USC spinoff developing a novel multimodal ultrasound tomography for breast cancer detection) Meditope Biosciences (A Pasadena-based City of Hope-spinoff developing antibody-drug conjugates for oncological applications)

(A Pasadena-based City of Hope-spinoff developing antibody-drug conjugates for oncological applications) NanoValent Pharmaceuticals (A Children's Hospital Los Angeles spinoff using a nanoparticle delivery system to target cancer)

(A Children's Hospital Los Angeles spinoff using a nanoparticle delivery system to target cancer) NeuroCore (An early-stage company developing a rapid outpatient platform for treating major depressions)

(An early-stage company developing a rapid outpatient platform for treating major depressions) NeuroRecovery Technologies (A UCLA spinoff developing devices for restoring movement in patients with paralysis)

(A UCLA spinoff developing devices for restoring movement in patients with paralysis) Onco Therapies (A Pasadena Collaborative firm developing a technology to remove FoxP3+ regulatory T cells and inhibit tumor growth)

(A Pasadena Collaborative firm developing a technology to remove FoxP3+ regulatory T cells and inhibit tumor growth) Oxeia Biopharmaceuticals (A San Diego company researching therapeutics for brain concussion)

(A San Diego company researching therapeutics for brain concussion) PersonalRN (A Hermosa Beach digital health company offering personal digital RN solutions by providing personalized information for patients and their families)

(A Hermosa Beach digital health company offering personal digital RN solutions by providing personalized information for patients and their families) PhenoTraits (A Hermosa Beach company developing analytics to predict drug non-adherence and identify at-risk populations)

(A Hermosa Beach company developing analytics to predict drug non-adherence and identify at-risk populations) Quantason (ALos Angeles-based company developing a dual-mode, hybrid ultrasound-based platform for breast screening and follow-up monitoring)

(ALos Angeles-based company developing a dual-mode, hybrid ultrasound-based platform for breast screening and follow-up monitoring) SilverGens (A Canoga Park company designing a virtual care platform called the eNURZ to increase adherence to long-term therapies in a home setting)

(A Canoga Park company designing a virtual care platform called the eNURZ to increase adherence to long-term therapies in a home setting) STORM (Based in San Diego, STORM is developing a collaborative informatics environment that enables community-based hospitals to apply precision medicine to personalized cancer care)

(Based in San Diego, STORM is developing a collaborative informatics environment that enables community-based hospitals to apply precision medicine to personalized cancer care) TreThera (A UCLA-spinoff developing a targeted metabolic pathway therapy that involves a rationally-designed combination of two or three drugs from the very start for cancer treatment)







Mr. Greenwood's presentation will be followed by a plenary session focused on innovations in bioelectric medicine - a field that has evolved into a new technological frontier where biology meets electronics to deliver therapies that are superior to pharmaceuticals in terms of efficacy, safety and cost.

This plenary session will be moderated by Barry Keenan, PhD, CTO of medical technology accelerator/investor CliniFlow Technologies, and will feature:

Roy Katso, PhD, representing GlaxoSmithKline(GSK) - the UK's biggest drug maker, which has made significant strides in bioelectric medicine since 2012.

Victor Pikov, PhD, representing Galvani Bioelectronics - a $700 million joint venture between GSK and Google formed to explore pioneering bioelectronics therapies.

Robert Greenberg, PhD, MD, Chairman of Second Sight (News - Alert) Medical Products (Sylmar) - developer of the first FDA approved bionic eye.

Jerry Schloffman, Head of Clinical Operations and Market Development at Valencia Technologies (Valencia) - a neuromodulation startup developing a device-based treatment for hypertension.

These panelists will explore how to bring bioelectric medicine to market faster, and what it takes to foster and grow LA's regional leadership in this emerging commercial field.

The luncheon plenary session will continue the theme of what it takes to accelerate innovation commercialization and build a smarter healthcare system. It will feature an introductory presentation by Sajjid Yacoob, MD, CIO of Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), and include brief presentations/discussion by Adrian Bot, MD, PhD, VP of Translation Medicine at Kite Pharma (Santa Monica); Sid Bhatia, M.S., M.B.A. Program Director, Cognitive Disease Mgmt Solutions IBM Watson Health (San Francisco); and Huzefa Neemuchwala, PhD, MBA, Sr. Director of Data & Informatics (News - Alert) Innovation at Medtronic Diabetes (Northridge). They will discuss how interaction among innovators, providers, payors and public policy makers impacts efforts to transform the US healthcare system and deliver the best possible care for each patient.

The SoCalBio Conference will conclude with breakout sessions where investors share their investment strategies and the technologies they find most promising. The list of investor groups represented includes Tech Coast Angeles, Maverick Investor Group, Keiretsu Forum (News - Alert) Southern California and Pasadena Angeles. A number of institutional investors will also participate, including California Technology Ventures, Frontline Bioventures, Fosan, Frontise Fund, Qi Jian Fund, NewCap Partners, Sangel Capital Corp, Jiangsu Crosslink Investment Co, Holdus Capital Group and Gaotejia Investment Group.

SoCalBio acknowledges the support of the following Conference sponsors:

Platinum sponsors:

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsor:

Bronze Sponsors:

Supporters:

About SoCalBio:

SoCalBio is a nonprofit, member-supported trade association that promotes bioscience research, development, manufacturing, job creation and overall economic growth in the Greater Los Angeles region. The Council's programs help local firms gain access to capital, potential partners and business support services. The annual SoCalBio Conference has grown to become the region's premiere showcase for emerging life-science companies and technologies. SoCalBio also promotes technology transfer and workforce training, while informing policy makers and the public at-large about the benefits of the region's life-science industry. More information about SoCalBio is available at www.socalbio.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161101006971/en/
[November 01, 2016] Fluendo Equips One Million Thin Clients With Legal Multimedia Software

BARCELONA, Spain, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The company has grown by 8% with respect to 2015

Fluendo is a one-stop source for Microsoft, MPEG, LA, Via Licensing, Dolby and Technicolor patent licenses

2015 saw the second highest number of patent infringement lawsuits in U.S. courts

Fluendo expands its range of multimedia solutions to markets such as In-Vehicle Infotainment and Broadcasting (HbbTV) In 2015, the Spanish multimedia company Fluendo S.A. equipped a total of 996,000 thin clients with its software solution for legally playing audio and video, called Fluendo Codec Pack. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161027/433427LOGO )

Currently, Fluendo's solution is present in 19.61% of the global production of thin clients and, between January and September, the company has invoiced $1.79 million - 8% more than the same period last ear.



Companies like HP, Dell, Igel and Unicon Software have adopted Fluendo's audio and video encoding solution given its excellent technology and legal protection against lawsuits related to intellectual property. In 2015, a total of 5,769 new lawsuits related to technological patents were filed in U.S. courts, the second highest figure ever and 15% more than the previous year. Large multinational IT companies were affected by lawsuits involving patents for audio and video compression on their platforms and are very likely facing financial penalties.

To solve this legal problem, Fluendo's encoding solution incorporates the patent license for the commercialization of the market's main multimedia consortia, such as MPEG LA, Via Licensing, Microsoft, Dolby y Technicolor. In addition to the commercialization of legal multimedia solutions, Fluendo offers consulting services that allow it to develop tailored multimedia applications based on the open source Gstreamer framework for the main platforms on the market: Linux, Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. Fluendo recently signed a collaboration agreement with MStar Semiconductor, a leading semiconductor company producing digital home and screen solutions, to develop a system compatible with HbbTV 2.0 specifications. "The collaboration with MStar positions us as a reference partner in the broadcasting sector, specifically in HbbTV 2.0, and demonstrates our expertise in solutions based on GStreamer to the market", points out Merce Delgado, CEO of Fluendo. Fluendo's commitment to multimedia innovation has led the company to expand its range of solutions and services to new segments of the market, such as In-Vehicle Infotainment and Internet of Things, and to develop a new business line based on video analysis solutions. About Fluendo S.A. Fluendo S.A. is a company founded in 2004, whose mission is to provide legal multimedia products and video analysis solutions based on the GStreamer framework. In addition to its product portfolio, Fluendo offers GStreamer consulting services to adapt its plugins to different hardware/software platforms, as well as to develop new multimedia solutions based on the specific needs of our clients. For more press information:

Newsline

Miguel Ramos

+34-9140126-96

+34-6093368-91

[email protected]



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[November 02, 2016] naked Hub Announces Expansion Financing

SHANGHAI, Nov. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- naked Hub, a Shanghai-based network of co-working spaces, announced the closure of its first tranche B round funding from a fund managed by Gaw Capital Partners today. naked Group -- a lifestyle and hospitality company -- stormed the co-working market 10 months ago with the naked Hub brand and 8 hubs in prime Shanghai neighborhoods in 2016: Xintiandi, Xuhui (Hunan Lu and Fuxing Lu), shopping area (Nanjing Lu), Financial District (Century Avenue), transportation hub (Hongqiao Hub), Jingan and Gubei. Gaw Capital Partners is a strategic investment company focusing on real estate markets worldwide. With this expansion funding, naked Hub will not only accelerate its regional expansion, but also enhance its property resources via Gaw Capital Partners. naked Hub aims to add 24-30 new locations (approximately 150,000 square meters and 30,000 members) across mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore and other key Southeast Asian cities. naked Hub, famous for its unique look and feel, has been recognised for its innovative and community-centric design, including: Best Workspace, Best Meet Up, Best Stair, Best Lighting (Uban 2016 Best China Office Award), The 11 Best Coworking Spaces in Asia (Forbes Magazine), Best Innovative Space (Shanghai Home Decor Design Week), Top 10 Design Spaces in Shanghai (Design Week) and Coolest Places to Work in Shanghai (Shanghai WOW). naked Hub is an offline and online platform for freelancers, startups, and SME professionals to collaborate, interact and do business with each other. Even MNCs who desire to keep their fingers on the pulse of the market are attracted to its flexible and communal workspaces. Providing its members -- "Hubbers" --with a collaborative workspace and a vibrant community, naked Hub is co-working redesigned for China and Asia.



Co-working is booming, growing 71% annually from 2007 to 2015 and projected to grow 68% annually from 2016 to 2018. Asia is only just realising the many advantages of co-working spaces compared to traditional offices. naked's confidence comes from its Chinese roots, with many years of experience building the top luxury resort and lifestyle brand in eastern China, and a loyal customer base that is 92% Chinese. The naked management team is led by proven China market veterans. "We are delighted to be part of the growing trend in the co-working office market especially with an operator with proven commitment and track record in China. The lifestyle and hospitality approach of naked Group is very similar to Gaw Capital's DNA, passion, responsibility and creativity. The potential synergies between the two groups will further enhance both of our positions as market leaders in the region," said Humbert Pang, Managing Principal Head of China for Gaw Capital Partners.

"The first time you enter a naked Hub is a memorable experience due to the community vibe and design of the Living Room. As our community network scales, our members are already seeing increased business from within the naked Hub community. We're excited to have this additional capital to deliver this service to a much larger number of members in various cities," said Jonathan Seliger, CEO of naked Hub. "Like a tech company, naked Hub moves fast and innovates in an agile way. I believe we already have the strongest in-house user experience and technology team of any co-working operator in Asia and our innovations in online-and-offline service experience for our members has only just begun," said Dominic Penaloza, CIO of naked Group. "Beginning with our home base, Shanghai, naked Hub will grow to become a top player in co-working across China and Asia. We now have enough fuel to add 24-30 more hubs in 2017. Very proud of the entire naked team," said Grant Horsfield, Founder of naked Group. About naked Hub naked Hub is work redesigned. Our innovative and beautiful workspaces are home to a diverse community of companies and individuals who interact, collaborate, and do business with one another. Offering unprecedented freedom, financial flexibility, and an invaluable online-to-offline community, naked Hub is a platform designed to help start-ups, SMEs and MNCs across all industries, to increase their success in business. For more information, visit http://www.nakedhub.cn About naked Group naked Group was established in 2007 and is focused on lifestyle and hospitality products. From unique eco-friendly resorts to immersive learning to creative workspaces, naked is rethinking how we connect with people, spaces and ourselves. naked has a big dream in a changing world to make life more fun, healthy and naked for all to enjoy. The company's foundation is in hospitality, first with naked Home -- a boutique mountain getaway in Moganshan, Zhejiang province -- and later award-winning naked Stables -- the first LEED Platinum certified resort in China. Garnering attention from international and domestic media and earning awards in its industry, naked Stables put Moganshan back on the map of China's must-go destinations. The resort business will expand to include new projects: naked Castle (Moganshan), naked Water (Taihu, Suzhou), naked Spring (Shaoxing), naked Creek (Chengdu), and more. Over the years, naked Group has launched other businesses -- naked Hub, naked Discovery, naked Things and naked Bite, encompassing co-working, immersive learning, unique branded products and healthy and tasty food. naked Group is a community devoted to inspiring people to live well, live light, live healthy and "live naked". For more information, visit http://www.livenaked.com About Gaw Capital Partners Gaw Capital Partners is a uniquely positioned private equity fund management company that focuses in real estate markets in greater China and other high barrier-to-entry markets globally. Specialising in adding strategic value to under-utilised real estate through redesign and repositioning, the firm's investments span the entire spectrum of real estate sectors, including residential development, offices, retail malls, hospitality and logistics warehouses. Gaw Capital Partners runs an integrated business model with its own in-house asset management operating platforms in retail, hospitality and property development. Gaw Capital Partners currently manages four real estate funds targeting the Greater China and Asia Pacific region. Additionally, the firm manages opportunistic funds in Vietnam and the US along with a hospitality fund targeting the Asia Pacific region. Gaw Capital also provides services for separate account direct investments in the global markets. Since its inception in 2005, Gaw Capital Partners has raised equity of USD6.3 billion and commands assets of USD12.7 billion under management as of the second quarter of 2016. For more details, please view: http://www.gawcapital.com Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20161101/0861611474-a

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[November 02, 2016] Wai Chi (1305.HK) Stepping Into High Potential Niche Lighting Business

HONG KONG, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the superior Chinese LED backlight and LED lighting products manufacturers and services providers, Wai Chi Holdings Company Limited ("Wai Chi Holdings" or the "Group", Stock Code: 1305) participated at two trade shows organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, namely "electronAsia" from October 13 to October 16 and "Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition)" ("Autumn Lighting Fair HK") from October 27 to October 30, displaying and introducing the Group's latest LED backlight and LED commercial lighting products and technology. This is the 19th year that Wai Chi Holdings has participated at "electronAsia" and its 9th presence at the Autumn Lighting Fair HK. During the exhibitions, the Group actively promoted its latest LED backlight and LED commercial lighting products and technology to its potential China and overseas customers, which helped further expand the Group's customer base and overseas footprints. The Group demonstrated 3 key commercial lighting products during the Autumn Lighting Fair HK, including High Mast, which can be applied in sizeable outdoor facilities including stadiums, outdoor billboards and piers; LED Ceiling Panels, which can be applied in commercial facilities including hospitals, car parks, corridors, offices and schools; and LED High Bay, which can be applied in large-scale warehouses, exhibition centres and any high ceiling areas.



This year the Group has been actively involved in developing niche lighting products. Amongst the products that were showcased at the Autumn Lighting Fair HK, the High Mast demonstrated its anti-salt corrosion function, which enables its use in environments with extreme temperatures. In addition, the LED celling panel "AQUA NARO" has successfully obtained IP65 waterproof ingression protection standards, which is amongst the few within the industry. Furthermore, the LED High Bay displayed its latest reflection feature, which enables it to further balance the light source, thus enhancing lighting efficiency. Further, the Group exhibited around 20-30 types of LED backlight displays that are applicable in automobiles, televisions, smart home panels and other industrial equipment.

The Chairman of the Group, Mr. Yiu Chi To, commented, "This year's Autumn Lighting Fair attracted and gathered a lot of industry elites in Hong Kong. As smart industrial lighting, as well as smart home living, has become the world's leading trend, during this exhibition Wai Chi Holdings displayed to the world its latest LED technology. We are delighted to announce that this year our developing commercial lighting series has led us to the niche LED lighting field. In the foreseeable future, Wai Chi Holdings will continue to devote efforts towards LED lighting technology research in order to make industrial contributions and bringing fruitful returns to our shareholders." About Wai Chi Holdings Company Limited Wai Chi Holdings Company Limited, listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since November 2014, is one of the Chinese superior LED backlight and LED lightings products manufacturers and service providers in China with over three decades of industry expertise and experience and is renowned for its strong and advanced R&D capability in the market. The Group currently owns well-equipped production facilities in Shenzhen, Huizhou and Yichang in the PRC which are capable of handling the requisite production procedures (including product design, mold production, mass production, quality control and maintenance) for LED backlight and LED lighting products. The four major categories of LED backlight business include smartphones, automobile on-board displays, television displays and other industrial equipment displays. The LED lighting business mainly includes commercial lighting and public lighting. The Group has adopted strict quality control systems to ensure LED product quality. The Group has been awarded various certifications, including ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 for our quality and environmental management systems. Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20161102/0861611489

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[November 02, 2016] Security Innovation Presenting on End-to-End Security Panel at TU Automotive Europe 2016

What: Security Innovation's Pete Samson, VP and General Manager will be joined by fellow industry thought-leaders from Argus Cyber Security, NXP Semiconductors and Strategy Analytics (News - Alert) in a panel discussion around End-to-End Security. Attendees will learn how to develop a strategy for holistic end- to-end security, designing security in from the outset to ensure robust practices and systems to guarantee protection to the driver; engage the supply chain; and build a flexible architecture that can adapt to handle unknown future threats, while ensuring that vulnerabilities are minimized. Additional information about the session can be found here: http://www.tu-auto.com/europe/conference-agenda.php#Samson. Who: Since 2002, Security Innovation has been a trusted partner to organizations that want to understand where their applications are vulnerable and rollout a secure and repeatable software development lifecycle (SDLC). Security Innovation helps organizations protect sensitive data in the most challenging environments - IoT, web applications, mobile devices and in the cloud. By leveraging secure coding and embedded systems design skills, our experts help secure automotive communication systems, in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), over-the-air (OTA) updates, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and any other electronic control unit (ECU).



Why: Pete Samson brings decades of Management, Marketing, and Sales expertise in the information technology industry. Samson is primarily responsible for setting the strategic direction of Security Innovation's solutions, for developing programs to meet security requirements, and for achieving the company's growth objectives. He has spent most of his professional career focused on helping companies perform better. Samson has held senior management positions at Global 1000 organizations in the US and Japan, managed P&L business units of hundreds of millions of dollars, spearheaded market and sales development, and built global teams. Who Should Attend: Automotive cybersecurity experts, including automakers, automotive software providers, security researchers and others in the automotive industry.

When: November 3, 2016 from 3:40 - 4:10pm Where:

TU Automotive Europe 2016

ICM - Internationales Congress Centre Munchen

Messegelande

81823 Munchen

Germany View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161101006503/en/

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[November 02, 2016] Industry, Academia and Government Join Hands to Explore the Intelligent World at Huawei Innovation Day Asia-Pacific

SYDNEY, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei today co-hosted the Huawei Innovation Day Asia-Pacific in cooperation with the Committee for Sydney and the Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN). The theme of the event was 'Brilliance of Exploration' and it attracted over 150 experts and researchers from many different industries, institutions, government agencies and representatives of the media. They discussed how to face up to the unknowns of the intelligent world, how to create an open ecosystem that includes industry, academia, government and research, and how to drive the development of the entire industry through innovations in technologies and ecosystems. Greg Hunt, Australia's Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, officially opened the Innovation Day and discussed the role of government in technological innovation. Mr. Hunt said that exploration and innovation were vital for the progress of society, "Innovation at this moment in our history is driving 60% of our national productivity, and is the fundamental driver of national productivity, which is the driver of jobs, growth, and opportunities." "ICT is the backbone, along with science, of the whole innovation space. For us as a government, we are involved in innovation and driving this forward as a means of helping the economy, helping individuals, and improving quality of life. Under the Innovation and Science Agenda, we bring young people into innovation and science through a program worth more than 100 million dollars," he added. At the Huawei Innovation Day Asia-Pacific, leaders from the ICT industry and researchers from leading universities shared their experience of joint exploration and innovation in various industries. Speakers included the CEO of the Committee for Sydney; the CIO of Asia Pacific and Japan for SAP; the CTO of Fujitsu Australia Limited; and the Chief Strategy Officer of Vodafone Australia. University speakers hailed from Stanford University, National University of Singapore, and University of Sydney. Li Jinge, President of Huawei Asia Pacific, said in his speech that future explorations in ICT would require inputs from all parties, because there are many unknowns in creating an intelligent society. Li said that Huawei's growth and success were a result of its spirit of dedication and customer centricity. Huawei's own explorations do not come out of nowhere, but are based on the company's insights into the fuure and its determination to create value for its customers.



Li said, "Huawei's determination in this area has never changed. Huawei promotes extensive collaboration between industry, academia, government, and research, which is the basis for creating a healthy and sustainable ICT ecosystem. Industry, academia, government, and research must explore innovation together to discover new pathways into the future." Ecosystem innovation is the only way for companies to create an intelligent world. Huawei aims to nourish the 'soil and energy' of the ICT ecosystem that will enable the intelligent world of the future. It will push the entire industry forward, and support ongoing social progress through strong, strategic alliances.

Building OpenLabs is part of Huawei's strategy for creating an ICT ecosystem. Huawei aims to leverage the power of OpenLabs to bring together leading global and regional business partners, develop solutions and innovation capacity for industries, expand the market, and share the benefits. Huawei's OpenLabs are located all around the world. At the Huawei Innovation Day Asia-Pacific, Huawei said that to date, it has launched six OpenLabs for enterprise business, located in Munich, Mexico City, Dubai, Singapore, Moscow and China, and has worked extensively with over 400 solution partners worldwide. In addition, Huawei also plans to establish an OpenLab in Bangkok, the second of such OpenLabs in the Asia Pacific region, in early 2017. Talents are the key to discovering a new world. How can we explore the uncertainties in the intelligent world of the future? Huawei's strategy is to blow open the top of its talent pyramid and exchange energy with the world. The company will unleash the potential of talents to translate technological innovation into tangible value for the industries it serves. Universities and research institutes are important partners in Huawei's open collaboration. They are sources of Huawei's basic technologies and an important pillar supporting its platform innovation. At the Huawei Innovation Day Asia-Pacific, Huawei unveiled the latest progress of the Huawei Innovation Research Program (HIRP), designed to drive partnerships with leading universities worldwide. To date, this program has supported over 1,200 innovation research projects at over 300 universities in more than 20 countries around the world. In the Asia Pacific region, it has built a presence in countries including Australia, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. In addition, this program has attracted two Nobel laureates, over 100 fellows of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), and thousands of experts from around the world. Furthermore, Huawei's global 'Seeds for the future' program offers a broader platform for university students, helping them increase their professional skills and broaden their global horizons. It aims to inspire more of them to explore and build an intelligent world. This program was officially included and funded by the Australia governments 'New Colombo Plan'. About Huawei Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Our aim is to enrich life and improve efficiency through a better connected world, acting as a responsible corporate citizen, innovative enabler for the information society, and collaborative contributor to the industry. Driven by customer-centric innovation and open partnerships, Huawei has established an end-to-end ICT solutions portfolio that gives customers competitive advantages in telecom and enterprise networks, devices and cloud computing. Huawei's 170,000 employees worldwide are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers. Our innovative ICT solutions, products and services are used in more than 170 countries and regions, serving over one-third of the world's population. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company fully owned by its employees. For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com or follow us on: http://www.linkedin.com/company/Huawei http://www.twitter.com/Huawei http://www.facebook.com/Huawei http://www.google.com/+Huawei http://www.youtube.com/Huawei

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[November 02, 2016] New Headquarters for Health & Wellness Partners Caps Decade of Success in Medical Communications

On November 1, global medical communications company Health & Wellness Partners (HWP) capped more than 10 years of industry success with a move to new headquarters in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. The 15,000-square-foot private building was extensively renovated and customized to meet the needs of the growing company and its clients, said HWP President Jani Hegarty. Hegarty noted, "This move embodies our philosophy of continually reassessing our services to ensure we're maximizing innovation, quality, and flexibility for our clients." HWP's Chief Operating Officer, Bonnie Welsch, added, "One expectation we have for the new headquarters is that it will enhance interactions among our team members, which will clearly enrich the work we do." The success of HW has enabled the company to become a philanthropic presence in the community throughout the past decade. Chief Information Officer, Audrey Pezzuti, commented that the new headquarters "will provide even greater opportunity for us to give back through both our professional services and our volunteer work."



The address of HWP's new headquarters is 98 Pleasant Avenue, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All of the company's other contact information remains the same. More information about the HWP is available at www.hwpnj.com. About Health & Wellness Partners

Founded in 2005 with a handful of employees, HWP now employs a staff of nearly 80. The company offers the life-science industry excellence in strategic consulting, tactical planning, enduring materials, live events, digital solutions, and outcomes/metrics. The new headquarters is owned by HWP II LLC. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005253/en/

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[November 02, 2016] SES Partners with IOM for Creation of Digital Emergency Manual

SES (News - Alert) (Euronext Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) announced today that it has been selected by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to create a digital emergency manual, in a project funded by the Luxembourg Government. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005653/en/ SES Partners with IOM for Creation of Digital Emergency Manual (Photo: Business Wire) IOM, which carries out humanitarian operations globally to address the most urgent needs of displaced populations, updated its emergency manual in 2016 to further support its crisis response operations. To ensure this information can be regularly updated and shared effectively with field staff, IOM has also created an electronic platform which can share information with all stakeholders in real-time. The new platform is due to be launched in November. SES was chosen to create the digital platform for the emergency manual due to its expertise in delivering similar emergency manual digital platforms for crisis response and humanitarian operations via its emergency.lu solution. Emergency.lu provides connectivity and applications for humanitarian interventions via dedicated SES satellite capacity and communication infrastructure. Its recent success with a similar project for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) helped IOM to select SES. "Partnering with SES for the creation of our digital emergency manual was an easy choice due to SES's experience in providing end-to-end solutions for disaster recovery and crisis response," said Vincent Houver, Head of the Preparedness and Response Division at IOM. "The manual will be accessible through a website or mobile application, in both an online and an offline mode, ensuring our staff has access to the latest information and guidance, wherever they are in the world." Gerhard Bethscheider, Managing Director of SES Techcom Services, said: "emergency.lu has a long history of providing support in times of crisis and we are pleased that our experience and expertise will now assist IOM in the creation of its digital emergency manual, increasing preparedness for those in the field." Follow us on: Twiter: https://twitter.com/SES_Satellites



Facebook (News - Alert): https://www.facebook.com/SES.YourSatelliteCompany YouTube (News - Alert): http://www.youtube.com/SESVideoChannel

About SES SES (Euronext Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) is the world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of more than 50 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide. SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the satellite industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements. SES holds a participation in O3b Networks, a next generation satellite network combining the reach of satellite with the speed of fibre. Further information available at: www.ses.com About emergency.lu emergency.lu is a public-private partnership between the Luxembourg government and three Luxembourg-based companies - SES Techcom Services, HITEC Luxembourg and Luxembourg Air Ambulance. The global, VSAT-based, multi-layer platform provides support to international efforts to cope with devastating events. It also enables a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) service, allowing users to receive calls from any place in the world and roam the emergency.lu deployment sites, as well as connecting users in the field with back-offices and headquarters. Further information available at: www.emergency.lu About SES Techcom Services: SES Techcom Services is a 100% owned affiliate of SES, the world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of over 50 geostationary satellites, providing integrated end-to-end satellite solutions and operational services tailored to customers' needs worldwide. Services offered by SES Techcom Services, which is ISO 9001 certified, include the design and delivery of ground infrastructure and operational services, VSAT networks, broadband connectivity and turnkey teleport solutions. It also develops innovative solutions for e-government, e-health and e-education, as well as applications for worldwide emergency satellite communications. About IOM Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners.IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people. Further information available at: www.iom.int http://www.gouvernement.lu/5533751/min-cooperation-action-humanitaire View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005653/en/

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[November 02, 2016] Accenture to Help Finnish Immigration Service Deliver Digital Transformation Program

Accenture (News - Alert) (NYSE:ACN) will help the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) deliver its Smart Digital Agency program, which is designed to enable the digital transformation of the agency's operations. The program will improve the overall customer experience and introduce innovative digital self-service options for citizens accessing services related to immigration, residency, refugee-related matters and Finnish nationality. Accenture will help Migri enhance its digital capabilities to manage user service requests and to ensure that customer-oriented design thinking remains at the heart of agency activities. Accenture will also help Migri reduce costs and review how the agency streamlines its internal processes, including how information is shared internally and externally with other agencies and state authorities. "The Finnish immigration service wants to be a pioneer in the delivery of digital public services and to be an example to public service agencies seeking to build their digital capabilities," said Vesa Hagstrom, Finnish Immigration Service Development Director. "Despite operating in a highly challenging environment, we continue to deliver year-on-year improvements in the productivity of the Finnish Immigration Service." The Smart Digital Agency program will also examine the role that emerging technologies such as analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics and intelligent processing services can play across agency operations. The technologies will be tested and piloted on a phased basis over the next few years (2016-2020). One goal of the program is to ensure that the agency continues to take a customer-first approach, by focusing efforts on service design and user journey mapping. To help meet this goal, the project team includes professionls with industry, technical and design expertise.



"New digital services will enable us to meet increased service user demands, a reflection of the changes we have seen across society whereby citizens now expect and demand digital engagement with their government agencies," Hagstrom said. "The Smart Digital Agency program is our roadmap for continued service transformation, involving organizational, process and workflow, and technological change to ensure that our employees have access to the best digital tools and technologies to enable them to deliver the highest possible level of service to our customer groups." Accenture already provides Migri with application development and maintenance services for its electronic case management system (UMA), the inter-authority system used for managing all immigration processes in Finland. UMA is used by the Finnish Immigration Service and other government departments including the Finnish police, the Finnish Border Guard and Finnish Missions Abroad.

"We are delighted to continue as Migri's delivery partner on this critical digital transformation project," said Marko Rauhala, who leads Accenture's Health & Public Service business in Finland. "Just as we help other clients around the world evaluate and deploy new technologies to enable process and workflow improvements, we will bring our local and global experience to enable Migri to achieve technology performance excellence through enhanced digital capabilities." Learn more about the co-operation of Accenture, Fjord's (News - Alert) and Migri on the Enter Finland portal and Accenture's Public Safety business globally. Accenture Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions - underpinned by the world's largest delivery network - Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With approximately 384,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com. The Finnish Immigration Service The Finnish Immigration Service is an expert, decision-making and service organization in matters related to migration, asylum, refugees and citizenship. It also implements Finland's migration policy. The Finnish Immigration Service provides information services in support of political decision-making and for national and international co-operation. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005312/en/

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[November 02, 2016] Globecast Launches New Euronews HD Channel at Eutelsat HOTBIRD Position

Regulatory News: Eutelsat (News - Alert) Communications (Paris:ETL): Globecast, the global solutions provider for media, announces it has been contracted by Euronews, the most-watched international news channel in Europe to bring its new HD channel to viewers across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The channel's world-first launch in HD on 1 November from Eutelsat's HOTBIRD video neighbourhood follows the announcement by Eutelsat and Globecast at IBC 2016 to drive HD growth at Eutelsat's most popular broadcast location. Euronews covers world news and broadcasts in SD, 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week in 13 languages: Arabic, English, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Ukrainian. Globecast has an ongoing relationship with the channel, distributing the SD variant. The new HD version of Euronews in English is encoded in MPEG-4 DVB S2 in a new HOTBIRD platform designed to host premium international news and information channels. Didier Mainard, Executive Vice President Sales, Marketing and Communication at Globecast, said: "Globecast and Eutelsat have teamed up in order to enrich the HOTBIRD orbital position, which is the number one in the world in terms of free-to-air channels with a wide DTH footprint including Europe, Middle East and North Africa. Globecast has been working very closely across both technical and commercial angles with Euronews for the past few months to bring the HD variant to viewers. We are very pleased that Euronews has extended its relationship with us." Francois Schmitt, Chief Operating Officer at Euronews: "We bring premium news content to viewers across the HOTBIRD footprint and we have very strong reach in the business sector. We recognise that the time is right for us to launch our HD offering. We are now able to bring premium news HD content to existing viewers, including premium hotels targeting business travellers an high-end tourists from all over the world, hospitality organisations, cable and IPTV (News - Alert) operators as well as home viewers."



Michel Azibert, Eutelsat's Chief Commercial Officer said: "We are delighted that the HOTBIRD platform is the first in the world to broadcast Euronews in HD and to see the rewards of our partnership with Globecast to propel the move to higher resolution particularly for free-to-air content." # # #

About Globecast

Part of the Orange (News - Alert) Group, Globecast provides agile and seamless content acquisition, management and distribution services globally. The company constantly innovates in an evolving IP-centric environment to provide reliable and secure customer solutions. Globecast has created the number one global hybrid fiber and satellite network for video contribution and distribution. This network enables multiplatform delivery including TV Everywhere OTT, Satellite, cable, Video on demand, CDN delivery as well as cloud-enabled media services. The company remains the trusted partner for coverage and international delivery of news, sports, and special events around the globe.

Customers enjoy a seamless global experience on the ground from 12 interconnected Globecast owned facilities, including Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Paris, Rome, and Johannesburg. www.globecast.com About Euronews

Euronews is the most-watched international news channel in Europe and is a full multimedia platform for viewers on the move. Euronews covers world news and broadcasts in 13 different languages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in Arabic, English, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Ukrainian. Since its launch in 1993, Euronews has been striving to supply factually-correct information in a non-superficial format. Far from political interests, Euronews is already the ultimate TV journalism laboratory. Every day, Euronews' team of over 400 journalists of 25 different nationalities work together reporting on relevant stories to serve our global audience, driven by a solid uncompromising journalism.

The concept has proven to be efficient; Euronews is the European leader in terms of audience figures in spite of the increasing competition.

www.Euronews.com About Eutelsat Communications

Established in 1977, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading and most experienced operators of communications satellites. The company provides capacity on 38 satellites to clients that include broadcasters and broadcasting associations, pay-TV operators, video, data and Internet service providers, enterprises and government agencies. Eutelsat's satellites provide ubiquitous coverage of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, enabling video, data, broadband and government communications to be established irrespective of a user's location. Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat represents a workforce of 1,000 men and women from 37 countries who are experts in their fields and work with clients to deliver the highest quality of service.

For more about Eutelsat please visit www.eutelsat.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005679/en/

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[November 02, 2016] Vocera Releases New Research Report Examining Physician and Nurse Burnout

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vocera Communications, Inc. (NYSE:VCRA), the leading healthcare communications company, today announced that its Experience Innovation Network, focused on research and designing the next standards in care, has released a new report, Human Experience at the Forefront: Elevating Resilience, Well-Being, and Joy in Healthcare. The research report examines how leaders at hospitals and health systems are addressing the challenges of care team burnout and compassion fatigue.

More than 150 executives from in-patient and out-patient organizations across the United States and Canada participated in the Experience Innovation Network study. Completing online surveys or participating in one-on-one qualitative interviews, respondents provided insight into how healthcare organizations are addressing burnout among care teams and building cultures that support resilience, well-being, and joy. The increase in burnout among physicians, nurses and other healthcare staff has reached a critical tipping point; and while many leaders agree that its a widespread issue that directly affects patient care, only a few visionaries are actually prioritizing the well-being of their teams as a top strategic priority, said Liz Boehm, research director at Vocera. More than 90 percent of research participants said improving staff well-being is critical to organizational success. In addition, a tired and stressed out workforce has cultural and clinical implications. Sixty four percent of survey respondents cited high staff turnover rates as the No. 1 symptom of clinician burnout followed by diminished relationships among care team members, and reduced quality of care and patient safety. Yet, more than 70 percent said their organizations are still doing a poor or extremely poor job of preventing burnout or supporting nurse and physician resilience. Though in the minority, the organizations that are doing well are those tha integrate physician, nurse and staff well-being into every strategic decision.



Competing projects and chasing industry scores make it challenging to focus on people, but its not impossible. Organizations must create a metric for humanity and find innovative ways to elevate physician, nurse and staff well-being, said Bridget Duffy, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Vocera. Its time to restore purpose and joy in healthcare through bold leadership, process improvement, and technologies that strengthen relationships. Investing in human capital to fuel a more resilient workforce is the only way to improve outcomes in a sustainable way. The full research report will be released at the Experience Innovation Networks 11th semi-annual CXO Roundtable, Nov. 2-4, 2016, in San Francisco. The Experience Innovation Network, part of Vocera, is an international group of industry thought leaders focused on putting the science behind the experience of care and discovering innovative processes and technologies that meet the Quadruple Aim of improving population health, elevating patient-centered care, and reducing costs while restoring joy to the practice of medicine. To dive deeper into the research findings, download the report via this link.

Many of the challenges identified in the report will be addressed at the CXO Roundtable, which will feature healthcare innovations fueling a resilient workforce. Keynote speakers include Christine Sinsky, MD, vice president of professional satisfaction at the American Medical Association; Eric Langshur, the co-founder of Life Cross Training and New York Times bestselling co-author of Start Here: Master the Lifelong Habit of Wellbeing; and James Doty, MD, director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford Medicine and author of Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart. In addition, Yotam Heineberg, PsyD, a Dignity Health research fellow at the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education will lead a panel discussion with three nurses from Dignity Health about how nurses can drive innovations to improve human connections. In addition, Martha Meg Gaines, JD, LLM, cancer survivor, patient advocate, and the director of the Center for Patient Partnerships will provide perspective on how clinician burnout and fatigue impacts patient and their families. About Vocera

Vocera Communications, Inc. offers the most robust clinical communications system in healthcare. Vocera delivers secure, integrated and intelligent communication solutions that enable care teams to collaborate more efficiently by delivering the right information, to the right person, on the right device, in the right location, at the right time. Vocera solutions provide hands-free voice communication, secure text messaging, patient engagement tools, and integrated clinical workflow with EHRs, nurse call systems and physiologic monitors. These solutions help improve operational efficiency, quality of care, safety and satisfaction across the continuum of care. In addition to technology solutions, Vocera drives thought leadership and new standards in care to elevate patient, family, nurse and physician experiences via the company's research collaborative, the Experience Innovation Network. Vocera is headquartered in San Jose, California, with offices in San Francisco, Tennessee, Canada, India, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.vocera.com and @VoceraComm on Twitter. The Vocera logo is a trademark of Vocera Communications, Inc. Vocera is a trademark of Vocera Communications, Inc. registered in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other trademarks appearing in this release are the property of their respective owners. MEDIA CONTACT: Tara Stultz Amendola Communications 440.225.9595 [email protected]

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[November 02, 2016] ENERCON Canada Inc. and an International Consortium of Banks Complete Financing of 230MW Niagara Region Wind Farm Project

MONTREAL, Nov. 2, 2016 /CNW/ - ENERCON Canada Inc. ("ENERCON") is pleased to announce the closing of a C$825.5 million non-recourse project financing for its 230 MW Niagara Region Wind Farm project located in the Ontario, Canada counties of Lincoln, West Lincoln, Wainfleet and Haldimand in the Niagara Peninsula. The wind farm, which comprises 77 ENERCON E-101 3MW wind turbines and has a 20-year feed-in tariff contract with the Independent Electricity System Operator of the Province of Ontario, was commissioned on October 30, 2016. In addition to bringing clean energy to the province, the wind farm has created 700 jobs during project construction and will create another 25 direct long-term jobs during operations. The wind farm is owned by ENERCON and Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation. Boralex Inc. will acquire 25% of ENERCON's interest in the project by December 31, 2016. The financing totals approximately C$825.5 million, consisting of: a construction loan of approximately C$789.5 million that will convert into an 18-year amortizing loan after the start of the commercial operation, and

that will convert into an 18-year amortizing loan after the start of the commercial operation, and a letter of credit facility of approximately C$39 million . A portion of approximately C$252.4 million of the financing will be covered by a guarantee offered to the lenders by the Federal Republic of Germany through its Export Credit Agency Euler-Hermes. MUFG acted as administrative agent, collateral agent and account bank. KfW IPEX-Bank acted as Hermes agent and technical bank. Landesbank Baden-urttemberg acted as insurance agent. The documentation banks are MUFG and KfW IPEX-Bank. The mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners are KfW IPEX-Bank, MUFG, CaixaBank, S.A., Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg, ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC and DZ Bank AG New York Branch.



Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP acted as legal counsel to the lenders. Fasken, Martineau DuMoulin LLP acted as legal counsel to ENERCON. Plan A Capital Inc. acted as financial advisor to ENERCON. About ENERCON in Canada:

Established in Germany over 30 years ago, ENERCON is an international leader in wind turbine design and sales. Known worldwide for its gearless generator technologies, high manufacturing standards, and comprehensive long-term service agreements, the company has become synonymous with reliability and performance. To date, ENERCON has installed more than 26,400 turbines worldwide, ranging from 500 kW to 7.5 MW, representing more than 43.1 GW of installed capacity. A major player in the Canadian market since its entry in 2001, ENERCON Canada Inc. has over 450 employees with offices located in Montreal, Toronto and Dartmouth, service stations coast-to-coast, a manufacturing site in Matane (QC) and a dedicated training and warehouse facility in Boucherville (QC). ENERCON Canada Inc. currently has over 2,100 MW installed throughout seven Canadian provinces and territories. For more information please visit www.enercon.de/en About Boralex Boralex develops, builds and operates renewable energy power facilities in Canada, France and the United States. A leader in the Canadian market and France's largest independent producer of onshore wind power, the Corporation is recognized for its solid experience in optimizing its asset base in four power generation types  wind, hydroelectric, thermal and solar. Boralex ensures sustained growth by leveraging the expertise and diversification developed over the past 25 years. Boralex's shares and convertible debentures are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols BLX and BLX.DB.A, respectively. For more information please visit www.boralex.com or www.sedar.com. About Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation: Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) manages the Six Nations' economic interests in a number of renewable energy projects and economic development opportunities, on and around the Six Nations territory. SNGRDC's current green energy portfolio is capable of producing over 900 MW of renewable energy through its direct or indirect involvement in 13 solar or wind projects. SNGRDC has over 100 employees working in the areas of Administration, Corporate Affairs, Business Development, Property Management, and Nation Enterprise. For more information please visit www.sndevcorp.ca SOURCE ENERCON Canada Inc.

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[November 02, 2016] Anaqua Taps IBM Cloud to Deliver Its New Intellectual Asset Management Software and Services Worldwide

Anaqua, Inc., a leading provider of intellectual property management and analytics software and services, today announced that it has selected IBM (News - Alert) Cloud as its preferred global cloud provider and, in doing so, will expand its global presence into Japan and the Netherlands via IBM Cloud data centers in Tokyo and Amsterdam. Nearly one million IP professionals in over 150 countries use Anaqua to manage more than one billion dollars in intellectual assets. The global company selected IBM Cloud to deliver more robust local support, faster response times, non-disruptive maintenance routines and compliance with local privacy and security standards. "With IBM Cloud, organizations like Anaqua can transform their businesses by extending their solutions to the cloud to create a secure hybrid, private or public cloud environment," said Bill Karpovich, general manager of the IBM Cloud Platform. "IBM offers a global footprint of Cloud Data Centers to bring companies closer to the places where their clients d business, creating faster application performance and local storage and compute options."



Anaqua's clients, which include leading innovative corporations and law firms, run distributed global intellectual property operations, which necessitate responsive local support and strict compliance with corporate security and legal standards in each region. IBM Cloud meets these strict standards, and with its global network of data centers, it provides companies with in-country infrastructure services to keep data local to client locations. "Our investment in the expansion of our global data center footprint reflects our continued commitment to be the clear leader in meeting our clients' intellectual asset management needs," said Jack Morgan, Anaqua's Senior Vice President of Client Services. "The IBM Cloud platform provides us with centralized provisioning, management, reliability and scalability across the globe to assure our clients have continuous access to secure, high-performing and reliable IP business services."

About Anaqua, Inc.

Anaqua helps corporations and law firms turn intellectual property into competitive advantage. Its software platform combines insight from big data analytics with critical tools, best practice workflows and services into one efficient, intelligent environment that helps IP practices work more efficiently and make better decisions faster. Many of the best-known brands and most innovative products were conceptualized, evaluated, protected and monetized through the ANAQUA platform. Founded in 2004 by IP leaders from The Coca-Cola Company, Ford Motor Company (News - Alert), Kimberly-Clark and British American Tobacco, Anaqua is a privately held company headquartered in Boston (U.S.) and has locations across Europe and Asia. For additional information, please visit http://www.anaqua.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005123/en/

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[November 02, 2016] Parallels Remote Application Server v15.5 Launches with Support for Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, and New iOS and Android Clients with Natural Touch Gestures and a Lock-n-Go Magnifying Glass

Parallels today launched Parallels Remote Application Server version 15.5 (www.parallels.com/ras), providing organizations of all sizes the easiest solution to securely deliver Windows desktops and applications to employees on any device. The latest version offers support for Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure to help streamline desktop and application delivery, support for Windows Server 2016, as well as an enhanced mobile experience within iOS and Android (News - Alert) clients supporting native touch gestures. Additionally, Parallels launched its upgraded Partner Program to provide its partners an all-inclusive service featuring complementary technical and sales training, certification and, enablement materials to simplify product distribution and drive new customer business conversations. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005645/en/ "New innovations in simplicity and personalization make Parallels Remote Application Server version 15.5 an easy and cost-effective solution for securely delivering virtual desktops and applications to any device," said Jack Zubarev, Parallels president. "With the growth of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), employees want the flexibility to securely access and complete their work from anywhere on their favorite devices - from PC and Mac to Chromebook, iPad, iPhone, Android tablets and phones, Windows Phone, Linux, Raspberry Pi and HTML5 web browsers. Parallels is committed to helping organizations and their employees be more productive in the simplest way possible." Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS) offers additional cloud ready deployment options for on premise, hybrid and public clouds, such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, giving IT administrators increased agility with better performance. Parallels RAS also features support for active-active architecture, allowing improved scalability, enhanced system resilience, high availability and improved end-user experience. In addition to built-in one-click printing already available in Parallels RAS HTML5 client, it now provides seamless auto-configured Parallels Client for a richer experience (including peripheral redirection, scanning, and local file access), plus better performance and customized manageability. New iOS and Android clients in Parallels RAS v15.5 empower IT administrators and end users to use familiar native touch gestures on their tablets and phones when they access virtual desktops and apps. Thanks to proprietary Applification technology first available in Parallels Access, both iOS and Android users experience a home screen that resembles their familiar mobile user interface with app shortcuts that open full-screen with a tap, instead of a miniature computer desktop that's not designed for touch. They also get new touch features, including a Lock-and-Go Magnifying Glass that dynamically changes its cursor and functionality to provide the right cursor to make resizing photos, dragging and dropping files, images or text a breeze. Watch short video demos the new Parallels RAS 15.5 mobile experience by clicking on these links for Android (http://bit.ly/BestAndroidExperience) and iOS (http://bit.ly/BestiOSExperience). Parallels RAS offers IT administrators ultimate flexibility in delivering applications through Microsoft Remote Desktop Services - including high availability, two-factor authentication, reporting, and Windows Client Session Management. Parallels RAS solutions includes all components to take advantage of RDS without the need to purchase or install third party solutions. Customer Testimonial Healthcare providers today use electronic health record (EHR) solutions via Parallels RAS through partners such as MDS Medical, a managed service provider (MSP) and cloud service provider (CSP (News - Alert)) that hosts its customers' EHR data and makes it securely accessible to them from anywhere through any device. "Parallels Remote Application Server is revolutionizing the way physicians and nurses deliver care by making it easy for them to use the popular Greenway Health Prime Suite (http://bit.ly/PrimeSuite) application from any device," said William Schroeder, CEO at MDS Medical. "Now, care providers and clinical staff can be 'on call' and have unlimited access to patient charts, including full functionality found in the electronic medical record. This enables providers to efficiently manage patient treatment, prescription requests, and ensures timely and accurate charge capture from anywhere via an internet connection, just as easily as if they were working from within the office." Parallels RAS has more than 5,000 customers worldwide. Additional customer testimonials from sectors including healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail, managed service providers, independent software vendors, and banking are provided at the end of this press release. New Parallels Partner Program Today, Parallels RAS also upgraded its Parallels Partner Program (www.parallels.com/partners), which features improved margins for the channel, new management resources and tools to help Parallels partners grow their businesses. In addition, it provides customers cost-effective and simplified IT and end-user experiences that empower their organizations to thrive. Details about the new Parallels Partner Program were announced separately today and can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/NewParallelsPartnerProgram.



Parallels RAS hardware and channel partners include: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Hewlett Packard Inc. (HPI (News - Alert)), Brocade, Nutanix, 10-Zig, iGel, SHI International, Data-Tech, and Insight. Parallels RAS v15.5 Key Features:

Improved Scalability and Versatile Optimization Active-active architecture support, allowing the capacity to be easily scaled for enhanced system resilience, high availability and better end-user experience.

Performance Optimizations for heavy workload scenarios across all Parallels RAS components: Publishing gateways, Web Portal, Client device manager, and Reporting Engine. Windows Server 2016 Ready New capabilities for delivering applications and server-based desktops with Windows Server 2016 support. New and Improved Parallels Client for iOS and Android New iOS and Android clients for Parallels RAS feature Applification technology, first used in Parallels Access, to enable desktop applications to be used with familiar touch gestures, as if they were native apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. See demo videos here for both Android (http://bit.ly/BestAndroidExperience) and iOS (http://bit.ly/BestiOSExperience). Parallels HTML5 Gateway (News - Alert) and Parallels HTML5 Client New policy for administrators to control end-user and end-point experience through Parallels Client (desktop) with enhanced features, or use of HTML5 client to launch applications and desktops.

In addition to the Web Portal, Parallels HTML5 Gateway offers a lightweight and powerful option for application publishing. Advanced Printing Options Adjustable printing and scanning compressions and increasing the number of virtual printers that can be created on a single server for enhanced stability and performance. Cloud Support Cloud support for on premise, hybrid and public clouds, such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, giving IT administrators increased agility with improved performance. Performance improvements to Parallels Client for iOS, Android, macOS and Linux Support for the latest RDP protocol capabilities including RemoteFX Progressive, as well as H.264 and ClearCodec for better client performance on non-Windows clients (iOS, Android, macOS and Linux). Microphone redirection support on mobile and Mac clients Microphone redirection is now supported on Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets to enable sound recording functionality in applications. Availability and Pricing Download a free 30-day trial of Parallels Remote Application Server v15.5, which includes 50 concurrent user licenses, at www.parallels.com/ras. Parallels RAS v15.5 is $99.99 per year for each concurrent user including all components, such as built-in load balancing. Parallels RAS v15.5 is available now, via online and approved resellers which can be found at www.parallels.com/products/ras/buy. About Parallels Parallels, a global leader in cross-platform solutions, makes it simple for customers to use and access the applications and files they need on any device or operating system. We help businesses and individuals to securely and productively use their favorite devices and preferred technology, whether it's Windows, Mac, iOS, AndroidTM, Chromebook or the Cloud. Our solutions enable seamless delivery of virtual desktops and applications to any device, running Windows on a Mac, Mac management with Microsoft SCCM, and remote access to PCs and Macs from any device. Parallels has offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Visit www.parallels.com/about for more information. EDITOR'S NOTE: Customer testimonials follow, after media contacts info below. Parallels and the Parallels logo are registered trademarks of Parallels International GmbH in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Parallels RAS Customer Testimonials: Godiva Chocolate, Tabor College, LUSH Cosmetics, Data-Tech and Kawaguchi-Shinkin Bank of Japan, which are among the more than 5,000 Parallels RAS customers worldwide, shared the following comments about their experiences: Healthcare Stanislaus County Behavioral Health (California)

"Parallels Remote Application Server has helped my organization publish our Electronic Health Record Application to our internal users and contractors." - Hector Ayala, Sr., Systems Engineer, Stanislaus County Behavioral Health Norwegian American Hospital (Illinois)

"Parallels RAS is easy to deploy and easy to manage. Our number one benefit is having the ability to provide access to selected applications based on user-group needs." - Mariusz Mazek, IT Manager at Norwegian American Hospital Education Tabor College (Kansas)

"With 4,500 students and 450 employees who mostly use Macs, we looked for a simplified IT management system to simply and reliably deploy Windows applications to Macs and iPads. Using Parallels Remote Application Server makes this so easy for our IT Admins and simple for students and staff to use their devices with applications they need, that it frees up a lot of time, so now our IT team can focus on other priorities and be more productive. Now, we publish Windows apps to PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, Android tablets and any device with an HTML5 web browser." - Raymond Van Den Berg, Head Systems Administrator at Tabor College. Enterprise South Liverpool Academy (United Kingdom)

"We have 1,100 students and 150 staff, and needed to provide virtual desktops and applications for them to use both at school and remotely. We chose Parallels Remote Application Server, so students can access applications like Microsoft Office or Adobe Suite (i.e. Photoshop) software they couldn't access at home because it is expensive. They may not have access to a computer, and thats why they use a tablet or a small cheap laptop. Additionally, now we can deliver remote desktops and apps via Microsoft Remote Desktop Services running Windows Server 2008 R2. Staff can now carry on working from home, via any device, as if they were at school to access student data, records, files, folders for their planning and work." - Chris Little, Trust Head of ICT, Enterprise South Liverpool Academy, Education Retail, Services & Logistics Godiva Chocolate (New York)

"Godiva has stores in more than 80 countries. We used to update applications on each machine manually which was time-consuming and cumbersome. Now, with Parallels Remote Application Server, we just do an update once and publish it to all users. It is an inexpensive solution that simplifies our IT Management and makes it easy for employees to use the applications and files they need from any device." - Thomas Cauwenberg, Godiva IT Service Delivery and Infrastructure Manager, Godiva LUSH Cosmetics (United Kingdom)

"Switching to Parallels Remote Application Server was simple, and significantly reduced our licensing costs. We were able to easily create a stable network environment that is easy to deploy and manage." - Dale Hobbs, Manager, Network and Security Systems, LUSH Cosmetics Dr. Martens (Airwair) (United Kingdom)

"Parallels Remote Application Server offers simple and secure access to core applications and infrastructure from remote locations. The ability to define access rights to specific applications at the user level is a great advantage." - Nigel Harris, European Network Manager, Dr. Martens (Airwair). Badcock Home Furniture & More (Alabama)

"High-quality cross-platform support is the #1 benefit of the switch from Citrix (News - Alert) to Parallels Remote Application Server. Now we are able to efficiently deliver desktops and applications to 1,000 users of Linux, Macintosh, and Windows devices across eight states with ease." - Todd Zacharias, Manager IT Network Systems, Badcock Home Furniture & More Brunel (The Netherlands)

"Our employees access virtual desktops, applications and files and care deeply about the computers and devices they use at work and home. Multi-device support and easy access for employees were the main reasons we chose Parallels Remote Application Server. Most importantly, its user-friendly portal and easy to install clients worked well with RADIUS two-factor authentications. Parallels RAS was simple to implement and had all of the functionality we needed out-of-the-box, unlike other solutions. It is a very good fit for our purposes." - Tom van Beest, Manager Infra Systems, Brunel Global IT Banking/Finance Kawaguchi-Shinkin Bank (Japan)

"As a financial institution, we are extremely sensitive to issues like data leaks from the perspective of protecting our customers' data. For those of us in the systems department responsible for the operational maintenance of the bank's systems, thin clients offer an attractive system configuration. We chose and implemented Parallels Remote Application Server to secure our data systems and deploy virtual Windows desktops and applications to about 400 Windows PCs, which significantly reduced operating costs of our systems department." - Yoshitaka Kokubun, manager, Systems Department, Centralized Business Division, Kawaguchi-Shinkin Bank Managed Service Providers Data-Tech (Florida)

"Cost savings and simplicity were the #1 benefits of the switch to Parallels RAS. Moreover, Parallels RAS offered better management of infrastructure with an intuitive and centralized dashboard." - Chris Lietz, President / CEO, Data-Tech Independent Software Vendors Orchestr8 (United Kingdom)

"Parallels Remote Application Server has been the most reliable component within the whole system. It has never failed to do its job. The main driving factor was the cost of licensing, with parallels Remote Application Server being considerably cheaper for concurrent users than Citrix." - Stuart Watton, Systems Manager, Orchestr8 Global Informatica (Italy)

"With Parallels RAS, we are able to instantly deliver six different versions of our software to more than 300 users from 30 customers. The customer experience has improved significantly, with quick access to applications anywhere, anytime." - Paolo Moleri, Marketing & Sales Director at Global Informatica View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005645/en/

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[November 02, 2016] Sangui BioTech: SastoMed Enters into Sales Agreements for Southeast Asia, Poland and Russia

SastoMed GmbH, to which Sangui BioTech GmbH has licensed the worldwide distribution rights for the wound spray Granulox, concluded a comprehensive licensing and sales agreement for eight Southeast Asian States with Zuellig Pharma, Singapure (www.zuelligpharma.com) one of the world's leading service providers of the pharmaceuticals. Zuellig Pharma is responsible for market launch and distribution of Granulox in the territories of Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. In addition to the complete processing and financing of admission in the individual territories, Zuellig Pharma has committed itself to the purchase of significant quantities of Granulox within the next five years. Furthermore, two high - performance distribution partners could be bound: Hexanova Sp.z.o.o. for Poland (www.hexanova.pl) and MDP Group for Russia (www.mdp-group.net). In both cases, minimum purchase commitments were also been agreed upon. "With these agreements, we have succeeded in pushing forward into new dimensions. Inside the newly acquired sales areas, more than half a billion people live. We have now reached an important milestone on our path to global expansion. In addition to the quantitative dimension, the qalitative contract value of the agreements was also increased. In the past five years, Granulox has proven in field that it keeps what it promises on paper. When granting new territories, we now benefit from the appreciation Granulox has now gained. For instance, Zuellig Pharma for Southeast Asia and the MDP Group for Russia, two veritable global players with a corresponding sales force and financial strength, could be obtained for Granulox. Both partners have committed themselves to realize the necessary regulatory approvals and subsequent market launch of Granulox in the respective territories. Guaranteed purchase commitments were agreed with both partners. The annual minimum purchase quantities fixed within the next five-year period up to 2021 are based on the time-staggered progress of the product launches expected by Zuellig Pharma and MDP Group. Starting with the approval of Granulox, followed by the starts of the marketing campaigns and Granulox's positive sales development, specific verifiable milestones were established together with our partners for the individual territories. The cumulative purchase commitments for quantities over the next five years are well in the middle six-digit range. On the one hand, this minimum order gives us further planning certainty and ensures that we achieve our ambitious goals. On the other hand, this fact underscores the strong confidence our partners have in the future success of the cooperation with SastoMed ", explains Michael Sander, CEO of Sastomed GmbH.



"We congratulate SastoMed on these breakthroughs. After the inclusion of Granulox in the Drug Tariff of the British NHS at the beginning of October 2016, SastoMed herewith has reached further trend-setting successes. Sangui as licensors for Granulox will definitively benefit from these success. In this regard, the year 2016 can be described as very successful ", says Thomas Striepe, President and CEO of Sangui BioTech International Inc. Sangui BioTech International, Inc. ("SGBI") is a holding company the shares of which are being traded on the OTCQB venture stage marketplace for early stage and developing U.S. and international companies (OTCQB: SGBI). Companies are current in their reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process. Sangui shares also trade on the OTC markets of Berlin and Hamburg-Hannover stock exchanges (symbol: SBH). Its purpose is to provide financing and access to the capital markets for the enterprises of the Sangui group. SanguiBioTech GmbH is a ninety percent subsidiary of Sangui BioTech International, Inc.

Some of the statements contained in this news release discuss future expectations, contain projections of results of operation or financial condition or state other "forward-looking" information. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. The forward-looking information is based on various factors and is derived using numerous assumptions. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ from projections include, among many others, the ability of the Company to raise sufficient capital to meet operating requirements. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. 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. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005775/en/

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[November 02, 2016] Tempo Continues Legacy of Corporate Philanthropy with Commitment to Room to Read and Celebrates its Anniversary with Pledge 1%

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Nov. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tempo, a B2B software venture that is transforming the way teams and businesses work in Atlassian JIRA, today announced that it continues its corporate giving efforts and contributions to Pledge 1% and Room to Read.

Tempo has a long-standing corporate culture of community service and philanthropic leadership, including sponsorship of local networking events for high school and university students to introduce them to career opportunities in technologies, and support of an annual women in technology initiative based locally in Iceland. Like many of our peers, Tempo is experiencing rapid growth, said Agust Einarsson, CEO, Tempo. With that growth comes a responsibility to help those in our industry and the communities we serve. As one of the largest, award-winning, and top-selling developers in the Atlassian Ecosystem to offer solutions that extend JIRA to help software, service desk and business teams work smarter, we have at our core a focus on collaboration. Building solutions that help teams plan, budget, and track projects extends naturally to our corporate desire of helping others  whether customers or individuals living in the communities we serve. Tempo is celebrating its one year anniversary committed to Pledge 1%, which began in 2015 (see release:Tempo Joins the Pledge 1% Movement, Makes Commitment to Integrated Philanthropy). Founded by Atlassian, Rally, and Salesforce, Pledge 1%, is a corporate philanthropy movement dedicated to making the community a key stakeholder in ever business. It empowers companies to donate 1% of product, equity, profit or employee time to improve communities around the world.



We are proud to work with partners like Tempo that prioritize the community as a key stakeholder in their business, said Jonathan Srikanthan, foundation manager at Atlassian. More than 60 Atlassian partners have now joined the Pledge 1% movement, and together as an ecosystem we are making a tremendous positive impact on the world. For more than six years, Tempo has partnered with Room to Read. This nonprofit, founded by former Microsoft executive John Wood, seeks to improve literacy and gender equality in the developing world. Tempo donates all proceeds of its $10 annual starter licenses (for 10 users) to Room to Read. These funds are in turned applied wherever they are needed most, ensuring that all the students and communities that Tempo has committed to are supported and can thrive.

Tempos more than $75,000 in donations to Room to Read to date has help provide more than 1,800 children with one year of education. In the first two quarters of 2016, Tempo donated nearly $12,000, which according to Room to Read will provide the equivalent of support to over 220 students in their Literacy Program for one year. As a result of Tempos donations to Room to Read, a local storyteller and artist in Nepal was commissioned to write and illustrate a childrens book for local libraries and schools. The book was dedicated to the Tempo team in recognition of its charitable giving. About Pledge 1%

Pledge 1% is an effort spearheaded by Atlassian, Rally, Salesforce and Tides to accelerate their shared vision around integrating philanthropy into businesses around the world. Pledge 1% encourages and challenges individuals and companies to pledge 1% of equity, product, and employee time for their communities, because pledging a small portion of future success can have a huge impact on tomorrow. Pledge 1% offers companies turnkey tools and best practices, making it accessible for any company to incorporate philanthropy into their business model. To learn more or to take the pledge, please visit www.pledge1percent.org. About Room to Read

Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children, Room to Reads innovative model focuses on deep, systemic transformation within schools in low-income countries during two time periods which are most critical in a childs schooling: early primary school for literacy acquisition and secondary school for girls education. We work in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and ensure girls can complete secondary school with the skills necessary to negotiate key life decisions. Room to Read has benefited 10 million children across 18,000 communities in Asia and Africa and aims to reach 15 million children by 2020. Learn more at https://www.roomtoread.org. About Tempo

Tempo is a leading provider of sophisticated software solutions for Atlassian JIRA. Tempos add-ons boost the productivity of technical and non-technical teams, offering seamless integration, flexibility, and real-time visibility into work efforts for better team alignment and decision-making. More than 8,700 customers in over 115 countries, ranging from SMBs to enterprises including Amazon, BMW, LinkedIn, PayPal, Hulu, and Disney trust Tempo to collaborate, plan, budget, track and work smarter. To learn more about Tempo, visit http://tempo.io/. Contact Jessie VanderVeen Tempo [email protected] +354 690 5192

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[November 02, 2016] 9th European Altair Technology Conference will take place in June 2017 in Germany

TROY, Mich., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Altair will host its 9th European Altair Technology Conference from June 26 - 28, 2017 at the Congressforum Frankenthal in the Rhine/Neckar area, Germany. Spanning the entire spectrum of Altair offerings, from the application of simulation and optimization technologies, to partner solutions as well as high-performance and cloud computing, the three-day event will be packed with valuable information from technical experts and thought leaders, offering innovative content and product development techniques. This year for the first time, extending the scope beyond Altair customers, the conference will include a day, dedicated especially to those interested in simulation, design, and HPC solutions and the development of innovative products via a Simulation-driven Innovation approach. "I'm very much looking forward to our 9th E-ATC next year in June in Germany," said Dr. Detlef Schneider, Senior Vice President EMEA, Altair. "Last year more than 650 engineers and simulation experts joined us in Paris, showing tremendous interest, not only in our tools but also in our methods and product development philosophy. The 2017 agenda will reflect how Simulation-driven Innovation is leveraging simulation, optimization, high performance computing and cloud technologies to design disruptive future products. These topics will meet the needs of all kinds of product creators and will cover all types of industries - from architecture to industrial desin, automotive and aerospace to general machinery and manufacturing."



Divided in solution focused parallel sessions, day one will target an audience with a general design and engineering background in order to familiarize them with Altair's solutions. The program will offer high level insights into product development methods, simulation solutions and will provide general information on the use of simulation in various industries. In addition, day one will also host a session for academic users. Day two will be dedicated to keynote presentations from all industries, delivering inspiring insights into Simulation-driven Innovation techniques from high level Altair customers, the Altair executive team and industry thought leaders. This day is a must for executives, engineers and product creators looking for insights from leading industries. The third and last day of the conference will provide in-depth technical presentations given by experienced users of the Altair solutions, in parallel sessions.

Presenting at the European ATC will provide a unique opportunity to reach out to a large engineering audience and discuss innovative work with one's peers. Customers interested in speaking at the conference are invited to submit their abstracts to the organizational team via www.altairatc.com/europe or an email to [email protected]. A technical showcase, presenting software and service solutions of Altair and its partners will complement the event. Exhibition details and sponsoring options will be published at a later point in time at: www.altairatc.com/europe. For more information on the European ATC, please visit www.altairatc.com/europe. About Altair

Founded in 1985, Altair is focused on the development and application of simulation technology to synthesize and optimize designs, processes and decisions for improved business performance. Privately held with more than 2,600 employees, Altair is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, USA with more than 45 offices throughout 20 countries, and serves more than 5,000 corporate clients across broad industry segments. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com. Media Contacts

Altair Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Evelyn Gebhardt

+49-6421-9684351

[email protected] Altair Corporate/ Americas

Biba A. Bedi

+1-757-224-0548 x 406

[email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/9th-european-altair-technology-conference-will-take-place-in-june-2017-in-germany-300355396.html SOURCE Altair

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[November 02, 2016] Introducing Yours: Make a 1000-year Copy of Your Photos and Videos

AMERICAN FORK, Utah, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Yours.co today announced the launch of a new service that makes a permanent physical copy of photos and videos stored in the cloud. The offering automates the secure backup of data stored on Instagram, Flickr, Google Photos, Dropbox, Facebook and Google Drive. Each month, Yours.co burns your data to an MDISC, an archive-grade optical media disc that boasts a 1000-year shelf life. Yours.co then sends the discs to either a home address or secure storage facility to ensure that data is and remains yours. The company further offers a $10,000 guarantee to vault subscribers that photos and videos Yours.co burns to discs will remain accessible to them throughout their lifetimes. The challenge many face is to find a reliable and long-term way to archive important personal data. Backing up photos and videos is not only time consuming and complex but is also limiting as data on flash or external hard drives have limited shelf-lives. And while cloud storage services are convenient and a great way to sync data across devices, most cloud companies do not take responsibility for data security and loss. The current paradigm is temporary as options for personal backup and data archiving are limited and offer no guarantees.







Physical backup and archive Challenges External hard drives Average shelf-life of 5-7 years, requiring additional investment to replace aging drives and to scale. Flash drives Average shelf-life of 3-5 years. Writable optical media Data is recorded on an organic layer that degrades over time. Shelf-life of 3-5 years. Cloud Easy and convenient but offers no guarantees when it comes to long-term availability of data.

"The typical consumer has literally thousands of pictures or videos stored on various electronic storage devices and cloud services. And yet, most don't understand the limitations of these storage media that make data loss a real possibility. The pictures of your wedding, last year's vacation or that video of your child's first steps are irreplaceable. Losing any of them would be tragic. Yet people lose photos and videos all the time  and don't know it," said Paul Brockbank, CEO, Yours.co. How Yours.co works Yours.co is an easy, secure and automated solution to create archive copies of your files located on various cloud services. Setting up a monthly service plan is simple. Customers can register by providing an email address. Users can then choose cloud accounts from which they wish to securely archive their photos and videos. During checkout, one can select either a monthly plan for $8 or an annual plan for $89. As part of the subscription, a user can choose to either to have discs sent directly to a home address or a secure storage vault. The modern vault carved into the mountain is so secure, it can even withstand a nuclear attack. The vault also offers automated stack and retrieve storage of your discs, so when a customer needs to access files, Yours.co simply retrieves the disc and sends it in the mail for a nominal fee. For an additional $60 per year, customers can have a copy sent both to a home address and the vault. From upload to delivery of the discs to the selected location, your data will remain completely secure and private. For vault customers, Yours.co is so confident in its technology that it's is even willing to offer a unique, $10,000 guarantee that the files it burns to MDISCS will remain accessible to you throughout your lifetime. "Yours.co solves a huge problem. If you want to make a permanent copy of your most important memories, it's incredibly hard to do yourself. We designed Yours to be easy to use and automaticsomething you can set up in just a matter of clicks." Justin Whittaker, executive vice president Product, Yours.co An archive that can last longer than 10 lifetimes Yours.co can boast longer archival capabilities than nearly any other product on the market thanks to its patented MDISC technology, the leading archive-grade optical media disc. Compared with other optical media where data is stored in an organic dye layer that degrades over time, MDISC's method is to etch data like your photos and videos into a rock-like layer that is immune to data rot. The beauty of an MDISC from Yours.co is that the discs are so robust, they'll still be around for generations to come. Also, an MDISC can be read in nearly any Blu-ray reader and can hold up to 100GB of photos and video on one disc. The technology is so reliable, it's used by The White House, NASA, and The Department of Defense. Anyone can start today to create a permanent archive of the photos and videos that matter most to them by registering at Yours.co. About Yours.co Yours.co is an online service that creates permanent physical copy of photos and videos stored on sites like Instagram, Flickr, Google Photos, Dropbox, Facebook and Google Drive. The automated monthly service securely backs up data to MDISCs, a patented archive-grade optical media disc that boasts up to 1000-year shelf life. Yours.co then sends the discs to a home address or secure storage facility to ensure that photos and videos are and remain yours. Launched in October 2016, Yours.co, formerly Millenniata, is headquartered on the Silicon Slopes in American Fork, Utah. Press Contact Sarah Whittaker

[email protected]

+1-801-830-3548 Video - https://youtu.be/3Tq1VTOaIog To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/introducing-yours-make-a-1000-year-copy-of-your-photos-and-videos-300355876.html SOURCE Yours.co

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[November 02, 2016] New Yorkers are Instant Messaging Their Doctors with Klara App

NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Klara Technologies, Inc., known as "Klara" is creating the largest communication network of doctors in the NYC-metro area. There are currently 300,000 New Yorkers messaging their doctors with Klara. Healthcare providers currently using Klara exceeds 10,000. "We see Klara as the largest instant messaging service for NYC-area healthcare matters. Klara keeps up with New Yorkers' traditionally fast-paced and innovative lifestyles," says Frederik Mueller, Director of Account Management at Klara. The Klara application is a cloud-based messaging application through which medical offices can communicate with patients and other medical professionals by sending images, text and files via secure platform. Providers can have a "group chat" among one another on a patient casesomething that has not been able to take place due to limitations on traditional telephone communication. With 60% of office phone calls going to voicemail, the ability to send instant messages and triage communication in healthcare has positive operational outcomes. Klara has saved offices on average 7 hours per day that would otherwise have been spent on administrative duties. "Having a patient populations that millennial based,I have found this tool a great way to interface and to retain patients. It's a dream come true not having to play phone tag with patients. And in terms of collections, Klara is a fantastic new way to allow patients to settle bills," Dr. Rita Linkner, Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai and Provider at Spring Street Dermatology.



More than half of patients surveyed recently would choose a primary care physician based on whether or not they offered a mobile app. Out of this total number, 70% of millennial patients would choose a provider with a mobile app over one without. Klara usage is growing rapidly, and is projected to take over 60% of NYC-metro area healthcare practices. Providers asking patients to "Klara" them is becoming popular terminology.

NYC-area professionals should act fast. Klara is currently offering its services which include unlimited access to the platform, support and staff training at a discounted rate to early-adopters for a limited time. About Klara

Klara was founded in 2013 with the vision to change the broken healthcare experience by directly connecting doctors and patients through technology. Klara's secure and HIPAA-compliant medical messaging platform allows providers and patients to centralize all their medical communication in one simple and secure app. Doctors and their teams can collaboratively communicate with their patients, adding external providers and other medical partners (such as pharmacies, labs and insurance companies) to the conversation to streamline patient care. Klara has been founded in 2013 by Simon Bolz und Dr. Simon Lorenz and is headquartered in New York. More information on www.klara.com. Press Contact

Alexis Sheehy

[email protected]

(001) 844-215-5272 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-yorkers-are-instant-messaging-their-doctors-with-klara-app-300355887.html SOURCE Klara

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[November 02, 2016] Catapult Partners with Microsoft on Power BI Solution Template for System Center Configuration Manager

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Catapult, a leading IT consulting firm, today announced the work it has been doing with Microsoft that supports the recent release of a Power BI solution template for System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM). The Power BI dashboard integration with SCCM provides robust and detailed analytics on client and server health, software updates, malware protection, and software inventory. Through Power BI, the SCCM template offers a scalable solution, and is accessible in only minutes, rather than hours. Key data is collected incrementally on a daily basis for analysis of critical trends occurring, allowing users to quickly respond as needs change. Data is rendered through insightful and compelling Power BI dashboards and reports, with the ability to generate data mashups against data already collected.



Catapult's System Center and Power BI teams worked directly with Microsoft to evaluate and enhance the Power BI solution template," said Cameron Fuller , Microsoft MVP and Launch Solutions Director at Catapult. "As a longtime Microsoft partner, we are pleased to offer technical knowledge that will ultimately better serve customers using System Center Configuration Manager." Users interested in the Power BI solution template may engage with Catapult to arrange a proof of concept in their environment or may install the solution template themselves. To find out more, interested users may visit the Power BI solution template page or may reach out to directly to Catapult.

ABOUT CATAPULT

Catapult is a consulting firm that uses technology to solve complex business challenges, delivering exceptional value to our clients based on their priorities and timeframes. Recognized as the 2016 Microsoft Partner of the Year (U.S.), Catapult specializes in digital transformation and cloud-based technologies. We work on behalf of our clients to imagine, build, and sustain IT-enabled business solutions that people love to use. Catapult works with customers around the U.S. and has offices in Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio, Tampa and Washington, D.C. Press Contact:

Jessica Cowan

Marketing Communications Manager

Catapult Systems

512-605-3903 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151202/292819LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/catapult-partners-with-microsoft-on-power-bi-solution-template-for-system-center-configuration-manager-300355893.html SOURCE Catapult

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[November 02, 2016] Largest Observational Study to Date of the St. Jude Medical AMPLATZER Amulet Left Atrial Appendage Occluder Demonstrates High Implant Success and Strong Safety Profile

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ), a global medical device company, today presented favorable results from the largest observational study to date of the company's AMPLATZER Amulet left atrial appendage (LAA) occluder. The data were presented in a Late Breaking Clinical Trial session at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) Conference in Washington, D.C. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005979/en/ The St. Jude Medical(TM) AMPLATZER(TM) Amulet (News - Alert)(TM) device is used to completely seal off the left atrial appendage (LAA) in patients diagnosed with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Sealing off the LAA in patients with AF may prevent the risk of blood clot formation and release, potentially reducing that risk. (Photo: St. Jude Medical) The prospective, multicenter, international AMPLATZER Amulet Observational Study of LAA occlusion (closure) enrolled 1,073 patients at 64 centers across 18 countries. Initial results from the study showed a 98.8 percent implant success rate adding to the clinical evidence that the AMPLATZER Amulet LAA Occluder is a safe alternative for prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). The AMPLATZER Amulet LAA Occluder is used to close the LAA (an appendage of the left atrium) in patients diagnosed with non-valvular AF. Atrial fibrillation occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (atria) contract rapidly and irregularly, which can disrupt efficient pumping of the blood out of the heart. Blood that pools in the atria can clot and, if the clot moves to an artery in the brain, stroke may occur. Studies have shown that AF can dramatically increase the risk of stroke for patients and for many patients, medication has historically been the option physicians turn to most often. "Patients with atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke are usually prescribed anticoagulant medication, but this treatment comes with some limitations. Patients might not tolerate the medication, plus here's a risk for major bleeding," said Dr. David Hildick-Smith from Sussex Cardiac Centre at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Brighton, United Kingdom and principal investigator of the AMPLATZER Amulet Observational Study. "By closing the LAA with the AMPLATZER Amulet device, physicians can seal off the LAA, with the objective of reducing the risk of stroke and eliminating the need for oral anticoagulants."



Other key findings of the Amulet Observational study include: Closure rate was 99 percent at one to three month follow-up visit (n=364). Closure was defined as absence of flow or flow of < 3 mm jet into the LAA. All echocardiography results were adjudicated by an independent core lab.

Acute device/procedure related major adverse events within seven days post procedure occurred in 2.7 percent (29) of 1,073 patients. "Initial data from this large-scale observational study continue to affirm the AMPLATZER Amulet LAA Occluder as an important treatment option to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with non-valvular AF," said Dr. Srijoy Mahapatra, medical director and vice president of medical affairs at St. Jude Medical. "The AMPLATZER Amulet Occluder has favorable closure rates when compared to other device reports in a similar patient group."

The AMPLATZER Amulet Left Atrial Appendage Occluder is CE Mark approved, but remains an investigational device in the United States. In September, St. Jude Medical announced the start of the AMPLATZER Amulet LAA Occluder IDE trial, evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the company's AMPLATZER Amulet occluder device. The trial will enroll patients at up to 100 sites in the United States and an additional 50 sites internationally. The shape and size of an LAA can vary greatly. The AMPLATZER Amulet LAA Occluder has a conformable disc and lobe designed for complete occlusion of the LAA and offers the broadest size range available. The device offers physicians options to help meet the anatomical demands of patients in need of LAA closure. About Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke During AF, chaotic electrical signals in the heart's upper chambers (atria) beat erratically and out of sync with the two lower chambers, resulting in poor blood flow. The LAA is a tube-shaped appendage connected to the left atrium of the heart that can potentially hold static blood during an episode of AF, increasing the likelihood of clot formation. Research shows that in AF patients, approximately 90 percent of all cardiac blood clots form in the LAA. If a clot forms in the LAA and is then released into the heart, it may enter blood circulation, travel to the brain, block a vessel and cause an ischemic stroke. The current standard of care to treat ischemic stroke in AF patients is blood-thinning medications, which comes with major, sometimes fatal, bleeding risks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 15 million strokes occur worldwide each year. In 2010, stroke cost the United States an estimated $53.9 billion in health care services, medications and missed days of work. About St. Jude Medical St. Jude Medical is a leading global medical device manufacturer and is dedicated to transforming the treatment of some of the world's most expensive epidemic diseases. The company does this by developing cost-effective medical technologies that save and improve lives of patients around the world. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., St. Jude Medical has five major areas of focus that include heart failure, atrial fibrillation, neuromodulation, traditional cardiac rhythm management, and cardiovascular. For more information, please visit sjm.com or follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @SJM_Media. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include the expectations, plans and prospects for the company, including potential clinical successes, reimbursement strategies, anticipated regulatory approvals and future product launches, and projected revenues, margins, earnings and market shares. The statements made by the company are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include market conditions and other factors beyond the company's control and the risk factors and other cautionary statements described in the company's filings with the SEC (News - Alert), including those described in the Risk Factors and Cautionary Statements sections of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2016. The company does not intend to update these statements and undertakes no duty to any person to provide any such update under any circumstance. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005979/en/

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[November 02, 2016] BNY Mellon's Albridge, an Affiliate of Pershing, Develops Integrated Technology Solutions to Help Clients Adapt to an Unprecedented Rate of Industry Change

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Albridge, an affiliate of Pershing LLC, a BNY Mellon company, today unveiled its strategy to introduce enhanced solutions designed to help broker-dealers, financial advisors and RIAs adapt to an accelerated rate of industry evolution. These advancements address key industry trends highlighted at the 2016 Albridge Forum, its annual gathering of financial services professionals from the broker-dealer and RIA communities as well as financial technology solution providers. "At this year's Forum, broker-dealers, financial advisors and RIAs recognized the urgent need to adapt to today's unprecedented rate of industry change," said Marc Butler, chief operating officer at Albridge. "We had numerous discussions with clients about how to best adapt to the technological, regulatory and competitive forces reshaping the industry. Our upcoming solutions will help clients meet these challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities in this new environment." Albridge has structured its upcoming solutions to address two major trends driving the accelerated rate of industry change: 1. Investors are demanding more holistic service from their advisors; Albridge is helping clients meet this demand with a redesigned and more powerful reporting platform and increased integration with third-party applications Millennials now outnumber Baby Boomers,i and will account for over 50% of the global workforce by 2020.ii Increasingly, these and other investors expect advisors to provide holistic financial planning and to act in their best interest at all times. Additionally, digital tools that enable investor control over basic decisions have caused investors to demand higher-value services from advisors. This demographic shift underscores the urgency for firms to adapt and modernize their offerings to match investors' expectations. To meet the greater demands facing advisors, firms now need technology that seamlessly integrates advisor solutions, providing firms with interoperability, insights and automation. Albridge is developing the following proprietary solutions to address advisors' needs for more intelligent and integrated technology: Fully redesigned Albridge Wealth Reporting, with greater integration with NetXInvestor:

The entire Albridge Wealth Reporting user interface will be redesigned to enhance its overall look and feel, improve ease of use and enable clients to utilize the platform more efficiently and effectively. Users of NetXInvestor will have access to consolidated holdings and performance values for both Pershing and non-Pershing accounts, powered by Albridge Wealth Reporting. A beta version of the redesigned platform will be available to an initial set of clients in late November, and the remainder of clients in the early part of 2017. Applink enhancements and additional third-party tech provider integrations:

Albridge is rolling out more extensive integration with leading third-party technology providers as well as expanding its focus on supporting investor portals with performance returns. These integrations enale clients to maximize the use of investor account data and help create a more integrated, efficient advisor technology ecosystem.



2. Increasingly stringent regulatory requirements and compliance standards are challenging firms' business models; Albridge is developing solutions to make compliance processes more efficient and effective. Compliance burdens have increased steadily for all firms, leading to an increase in compliance costs and operational issues industrywide. The implementation of new Department of Labor (DOL) requirements is expected to accelerate this trend, challenging many firms' business models.

To help clients meet immediate compliance challenges and position themselves for long-term success, Albridge is preparing the following enhancements: An upgraded Albridge Sales Practices Monitoring solution:

Albridge is enhancing its Sales Practice Monitoring solution to enable a more efficient review of transactions and accounts to help compliance teams better align with emerging regulatory obligations. A new Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS) reporting solution:

Albridge and Eagle Investment Systems are developing a GIPS composite reporting solution. The solution will combine performance data from Albridge with Eagle's GIPS composite management and reporting capabilities to enable Albridge clients to present performance information based on GIPS standards. "We are excited to offer our clients numerous advancements and innovations that enable them to further differentiate their value proposition," said Jennifer Feinerman, director of sales and relationship management at Albridge. "We are focused on helping our clients achieve success by providing them with an array of services spanning the investor journey, and by building visionary solutions that position our clients for success in tomorrow's competitive landscape." To learn more about these enhancements, please visit albridge.com. About BNY Mellon's Albridge

Albridge, an affiliate of Pershing LLC, is a leading provider of enterprise data management solutions that deliver a single view of an investor's broad range of assets. Our proprietary technology consolidates and reconciles client account and transaction data from hundreds of data sources representing banking, brokerage, insurance, retirement, managed accounts and more. Albridge processes this cleansed data and uses it to power a variety of downstream technology solutions, including performance reporting, sales practice monitoring, data warehousing, business intelligence, imaging and workflow. Albridge provides the foundation for financial organizations to leverage a single source of information to power a number of mission critical technology applications. Additional information is available at albridge.com. About BNY Mellon's Pershing

Pershing and its affiliates provide global financial business solutions to advisors, asset managers, broker-dealers, family offices, registered investment advisor firms and wealth managers. A financial services firm located in 23 offices worldwide, Pershing provides business-to-business solutions to clients representing 6 million active investor accounts on the U.S. platform. Pershing affiliates are members of every major U.S. securities exchange, and its international affiliates are members of the Deutsche Borse, Australian Stock Exchange, Irish Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange. Pershing LLC (member FINRA/NYSE/SIPC) is a BNY Mellon company. Additional information is available on pershing.com, or follow us on Twitter @Pershing. About BNY Mellon

BNY Mellon is a global investments company dedicated to helping its clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment lifecycle. Whether providing financial services for institutions, corporations or individual investors, BNY Mellon delivers informed investment management and investment services in 35 countries and more than 100 markets. As of September 30, 2016, BNY Mellon had $30.5 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration, and $1.72 trillion in assets under management. BNY Mellon can act as a single point of contact for clients looking to create, trade, hold, manage, service, distribute or restructure investments. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). Additional information is available on www.bnymellon.com. Follow us on Twitter @BNYMellon or visit our newsroom at www.bnymellon.com/newsroom for the latest company news. i U.S. Census Bureau Press Release "Millennials Outnumber Baby Boomers and Are Far More Diverse, Census Bureau Reports," http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-113.html ii PwC White Paper, "Millennials at work; Reshaping the Workplace" https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/managing-tomorrows-people/future-of-work/assets/reshaping-the-workplace.pdf Contact:

Paul Patella

+1 201 413 3609

[email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bny-mellons-albridge-an-affiliate-of-pershing-develops-integrated-technology-solutions-to-help-clients-adapt-to-an-unprecedented-rate-of-industry-change-300355903.html SOURCE BNY Mellon

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[November 02, 2016] EST Group to Exhibit at Gartner Identity and Access Management Summit

EST Group announced plans to exhibit at the Gartner (News - Alert) Identity & Access Management Summit in Las Vegas, November 29 through December 1, 2016. EST Group was added to Gartner's Guide for IAM Professional Services for North America this year as well. At Gartner Identity & Access Management Summit, you'll learn how to position IAM as a key partner in business innovation, and carve out the time and resources for IAM projects to make the value come alive. Hear the latest tactics and best practices across IAM fundamentals, and take a look ahead at analytics-driven automation and advances in consumer engagement platforms, so you can craft and implement an IAM vision and strategy for the digital age. EST Group has been recognized for significant growth this year. Inc. magazine announced that EST Group ranks as one of the fastest-growing private companies on its 35th annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy's most dynamic segment- its independent small businesses. The Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship at the Cox (News - Alert) School of Business announced that EST Groupwas selected as a winner of the 2016 Dallas 100 Awards. The award is presented to the fastest growing, most dynamic privately held companies in the Dallas Area. The Dallas 100TM celebrates the innovative spirit, determination and business savvy of area entrepreneurs. They also saluted the diversity, creativity and resolve it takes to create and sustain a successful business in today's competitive environment.



"We are excited to receive these honors and for the opportunities with Gartner. We look forward to continued growth," stated Tim Spires, EST Group founder and president. "I want to be sure to say thank you to everyone who helped make this happen - especially our outstanding employees. They make it happen!" Kelly Foster, EST Group founder and COO continued, "Our continuing goal is to ensure our clients, vendors and employees have the best experience they have ever had with a consulting company. We succeed when you succeed, and there is no greater privilege than to partner with you in your success." About EST Group

EST Group is an IT solutions company with a strong focus in providing data center solutions and services, as well as integration and identity and access management solutions and services to your organization's IT environment. Our goal is for our clients to achieve maximum efficiency and productivity. We have been providing these solutions since 2005. We strive to provide the best experience our clients, partners and employees have ever had with a consulting company. For more information on EST Group, visit www.est-grp.com. For more press information, contact Donna Hegdahl (972)717-3500 x222 or via e-mail at [email protected] View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005929/en/

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[November 02, 2016] Siemens Canada launches new brand claim: Ingenuity for life

Brand stands for engineering excellence, responsibility and creating value for society

Canadian campaign tells customer stories that are shaping country's future OAKVILLE, ON, Nov. 2, 2016 /CNW/ - Siemens Canada officially launched the company's new global brand claim Ingenuity for life today, reinforcing the company's commitment to engineering the future of Canada ahead of the country's 150th birthday next year. Ingenuity for life highlights how Siemens' vast engineering know-how and leading technology combine to create lasting value for customers, citizens and society  something Siemens has been doing in Canada for more than 100 years. "Ingenuity for life is about how technology connects Siemens to society. We understand Canada's current and future challenges and see them as opportunities to make life better for Canadians," said Siemens Canada CEO Robert Hardt. "Whether it is securing our energy future, building smarter cities or inspiring our future workforce, together with our customers we positively impact people's lives and that commitment to powerful innovation is the purpose that drives us." Ingenuity for life will be promoted via numerous channels including online, advertising and social media. Supporting the launch are various creative assets including a new corporate video and a partner success sory featuring New Brunswick utility NB Power. Additional customer stories will be published throughout 2017 and beyond.



"As a b-to-b company our strategy in Canada is to showcase what Ingenuity for life means through the eyes of our customers, telling the narrative of how we're helping them shape the future and next 150 years for Canada. Our claim enables us to express the impact that Siemens makes on what matters to society in concrete terms." said Ann Adair, Vice President Corporate Communications for Siemens Canada. Siemens in Germany, the US and the UK among others have also unveiled the brand in 2016 to coincide with the 200th birthday of founder Werner von Siemens and celebrating what Siemens has stood for since its beginnings: engineering expertise, genius, innovation and a sense of responsibility.

Fittingly, Ingenuity for life in Canada will be formally introduced at the opening reception for the 2016 Ontario Economic Summit, sponsored by Siemens. The theme of the 2016 conference is Building Prosperity by Strengthening the Innovation Ecosystem. For further information on Ingenuity for life in Canada, please see http://www.siemens.com/ca/en/home/company/topic-areas/ingenuity-for-life.html About Siemens Canada

For more than 100 years Siemens Canada has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality and reliability. Siemens technology in the fields of electrification, automation and digitalization helps make real what matters to Canadians. From the Atlantic to Pacific oceans, more than 4,800 employees in Canada work together to deliver solutions for sustainable energy, intelligent infrastructure, healthcare, and the future of manufacturing. One of the world's largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of gas and steam turbines for power generation, a major provider of power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions and automation, drive and software solutions for industry. The company is also a foremost provider of medical imaging equipment and a leader in laboratory diagnostics. Sales for Siemens Canada in fiscal 2015 (ended September 30), were $3.0 billion CAD. The company has 46 offices and 15 production facilities across Canada. Further information is available at http://www.siemens.ca SOURCE Siemens Canada Limited

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[November 02, 2016] Indio Raises $2 Million to Digitize Commercial Insurance Brokers

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Indio, a commercial insurance platform for brokers, today announced that it secured $2 million in seed financing. Venture capital firms NEA, Compound, Merus Capital and 500 Startups participated in the round, along with insurance carrier Hiscox. Indio will use the seed round to grow its user base and platform. Indio was founded by Paul Butler, Michael Furlong and Matthew Watson. The entrepreneurial team has extensive experience across traditional financial services and technology. Paul Butler was one of the founding engineers at Marin Software, Mike Furlong was a founder of Sliced Investing (Y-Combinator, Khosla Ventures), while Matthew Watson was a former trader at Citigroup. "We've seen a lot of startups approaching the space trying to replace the broker," said co-founder Mike Furlong. "We feel that the broker is a necessary part of the commercial insurance buying process. Indio takes a contrarian approach, empowering brokers with technology that streamlines their workflow." Brokers that utilize the Indio platform will gain access to a connected commercial insurance marketplace, centralized quoting and digital tools to interact with end clients seamlessly. "Some brokers spend almost 85% of their top-line revenue on SG&A," said co-founder Matt Watson. "Much of this cost is operational in nature andrelates to moving application data from the client to the carriers. We help brokers reduce this cost substantially."



Indio's approach of empowering traditional brokers has also resonated with industry leading insurer, Hiscox, who made a strategic investment in the platform. Kevin Kerridge of Hiscox noted that brokers are here to stay, stating, "They will just look a bit different, and be more digitally enabled. Indio has the opportunity to power this change."

A primary focus for Indio will be working with existing insurance companies. "The sophistication of insurance companies varies dramatically -- some are already launching public APIs while others operate largely in spreadsheets," remarked co-founder Paul Butler, who has broad expertise integrating with the legacy technology of utilities, energy companies and search engines. There is precedence for Indio's approach across other industries, particularly those that have layers of intermediary distribution channels. "You've seen the success of this model across other industries such as financial services and travel," said Rick Yang, Partner at NEA, who also noted, "Indio aims to be the centralized operating system for the commercial insurance transaction -- similar to what Sabre did for travel agencies, or what Schwab did for wealth managers". Industries with products distributed through high-level knowledge workers have been well suited to technological enablement as opposed to disintermediation. Josh Nussbaum of Compound echoed this sentiment in noting that, "It is our belief that in industries lacking commoditization like commercial insurance, the broker will remain an integral part of the buying process. Indio's workflow automation platform allows brokers to focus exclusively on being high quality advisors and less on operations." Currently, over 96% of commercial insurance is sold through traditional brokers. The goal of Indio is to power every single commercial insurance transaction that goes through this channel. About Indio Indio is a workflow management platform that brings traditional commercial insurance brokers into the digital age. Indio's platform automates the manual processes of retrieving quotes from different carriers and processing insurance applications from clients. Indio meaningfully reduces the operational overhead required to run a traditional insurance agency, allowing brokers to focus more on sales and relationship management. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/indio-raises-2-million-to-digitize-commercial-insurance-brokers-300355530.html SOURCE Indio

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[November 02, 2016] SciMedTV Launches Video Search Engine for Science, Engineering and Medical Professionals

NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SciMedTV announces today the official launch of the Science and Medicine Video Library at www.scimed.tv  a search engine for scientific and medical video that searches the full-transcripts of more than a quarter million videos created by over 300 of the world's leading universities, medical centers, government agencies and scientific institutions. Doctors, nurses, scientists, engineers, teachers and students around the world can now effortlessly search the online video collections of; the NIH, NASA, NSF, CERN, ACM Siggraph, IEEE, Fermi Lab, Institute for Advanced Study, American Physical Society, Nature, Science Magazine, Royal Society, Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford, University of California, Oxford, Cambridge, JAMA, NEJM, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medicine and hundreds of other universities, research centers, hospitals and publishers. The SciMedTV user interface offers a unique sharing feature. Viewers watch the video in a window while seeing the transcript scroll in synch alongside it. Users can choose any segmet of a video by selecting a portion of the transcript and posting that add-free segment of the video clip to social media or emailing it to a colleague or patient. Additionally, the search terms are highlighted in the transcript and the video can be navigated to any word in the video simply by clicking on it in the transcript.



The transcripts of all the videos in this collection were created by the video owners themselves or through YouTube's voice recognition software. SciMedTV was founded by Gary Welz with partners Audrey Berger, David Pierce and Mark Anzalone. This project was developed at the New Media Lab of the City University of New York Graduate Center, CUNY. Mr. Welz teaches mathematics at John Jay College and Borough of Manhattan Community College of CUNY as well as the Fashion Institute of Technology of the State University of New York, SUNY.

"SciMedTV is committed to developing video tools and portals for science and medical professionals," stated Welz. "With this new website, we enable researchers and medical practitioners to quickly and easily find the precise video segment that's most relevant to their immediate needs and share it with their colleagues, students and patients  especially in an emergency." This video index and website were created for SciMedTV by Microsearch www.microsearch.net. "SciMedTV - scientific and medical video for professionals in a hurry." For more information, visit www.scimed.tv or contact: [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scimedtv-launches-video-search-engine-for-science-engineering-and-medical-professionals-300355973.html SOURCE SciMedTV

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[November 02, 2016] Touchstorm Makes Two Significant C-Level Announcements

NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Touchstorm  the tech-enabled services company that builds video audiences for the world's largest brands  has promoted Ajoy Thomas to Chief Technology Officer, and hired sales and marketing expert Alan Verdun for the newly created role of Chief Growth Officer / CRO. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/434999 "I am thrilled that Alan has joined our team," said Touchstorm CEO Alison Provost. "He shares our values and our focus on innovation, and he has shown himself to be an extraordinary leader throughout his career and has an enviable track record to prove it," Provost added. "In addition, I couldn't be more proud that Ajoy has grown so exponentially with us, that when we began looking for a CTO, the best candidate came from within our own ranks." "I'm happy to join this fast moving, deeply inventive and entrepreneurial company," said Verdun, a 22-year vet of News America Marketing. "And I'm excited to translate my experiences in building brand awareness, increasing sales, and driving trial to not only Touchstorm services and our VideoAmigo SaaS platform, ut for our global clients, as well." Based in New York, Verdun joined Touchstorm in September.



In other C-level news, Thomas was promoted earlier this year to Chief Technology Officer for Touchstorm and VideoAmigo. This rise follows eight years of increasing leadership across the company starting first at sister shopper-marketing agency PowerPact before moving to Touchstorm. Thomas explains, "From the vantage point of my various roles over the years, I have been able to see where this company is headed and participate in that. Now in this new role, I'm able to balance my passion for building something with meaning and combine it with my process and system-architecture skills to set us on a very clear path." About Touchstorm  Touchstorm (www.touchstorm.com) is a tech-enabled services company that builds video audiences for the world's largest brands, like Clairol, COVERGIRL, Kenmore, Max Factor, Pantene, Venus, Vidal Sassoon, and more. To accomplish its vision of helping brands and audiences fall in love again, the company grows YouTube channels organically, building engaged audiences for brand channels. Touchstorm uses a suite of software technologies to build these brand audiences at scale, including VideoAmigo the Video Marketing Suite (www.videoamigo.com) powered by the Touchstorm Video Index (TVi). Headquartered in New York City, Touchstorm is independently owned and certified as a women's business enterprise by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation's largest third-party certifier of the businesses owned and operated by women in the U.S.

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/touchstorm-makes-two-significant-c-level-announcements-300355754.html SOURCE Touchstorm

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[November 02, 2016] Illinois Back Institute Research Finds New Treatment Effective for Chronic Low Back Pain, Sciatica

There is a path to pain free living for the estimated 1 in 4 Americans suffering chronic, non-specific low back pain according to new research on outcomes for Illinois Back Institute patients conducted by Gianni Maddalozzo, PhD and published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. "We have a scientific program that has been found to be very successful in eliminating the most severe back pain without drugs or surgery," said medical director and pain specialist Pratiksha Trivedi, MD. "We want people who have failed to find relief to know they don't have to live in pain any longer." The research, published online, shows people suffering chronic nonspecific low back pain can avoid surgery and addictive painkillers with the Illinois Back Institute's integrated protocol consisting of flexibility exercises, core stability training, funcional training, postural exercises and strengthening exercises. Notably, Illinois Back Institute's patients showed twice the improvement as the standard evidence-based treatment protocol - moving candidates for surgery to normal function within 3 months.



"In short, we go to the sources and causes of the pain," said Institute CEO Jeff Winterheimer, DC. "The core of the Illinois Back Institute treatment for sciatica, stenosis and other causes of persistent, debilitating back pain relies on our ability to unweight back and do exercises at the same time." Illinois Back Institute's integrated protocol includes an intensive schedule of therapy supported by a pain specialist and includes a range of tools including traction and Whole Body Vibration while avoiding drugs, surgery or injections.

"Solving for lower back pain requires a patient's time and effort, but remains accessible as we put all the providers under one roof," said Winterheimer. "We're seeing great outcomes, and it's important to remember that every patient is different. Illinois Back Institute is committed to customized therapies and education that create permanently pain free lifestyles." The Illinois Back Institute is a specialized clinical organization dedicated to managing back pain through innovative, non-surgical and natural treatment methods. The organization has clinic locations in the greater Chicago area and is a member of the American Pain Society and the International Society of Clinical Rehabilitation Specialists. Visit http://www.illinoisbackpain.com for details on the research and treatment. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102006311/en/

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[November 02, 2016] Zendesk to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences

Zendesk, Inc. (NYSE:ZEN) today announced its participation in two upcoming conferences. Adrian McDermott, President of Products, and Marc Cabi, Vice President of Strategy and Head of Investor Relations, will present at the RBC Capital Markets Technology, Internet, Media and Telecommunications Conference at the Westin Times Square in New York, New York on Wednesday, November 9, 2016. Zendesk's presentation is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., Eastern Time.

Tom Keiser, Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President of Technology Operations, and Marc Cabi, Vice President of Strategy and Head of Investor Relations, will present at the UBS Global Technology (News - Alert) Conference at the Ritz Carlton in San Francisc, California on Monday, November 14, 2016. Zendesk's presentation is scheduled for 4:15 p.m., Pacific Time.



About Zendesk:

Zendesk builds software for better customer relationships. It empowers organizations to improve customer engagement and better understand their customers. More than 87,000 paid customer accounts in over 150 countries and territories use Zendesk products. Based in San Francisco, Zendesk has operations in the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. Learn more at www.zendesk.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005445/en/

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[November 02, 2016]

Reynolds Service Expert to Speak at Fixed Ops Conference

DAYTON, Ohio, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Reynolds and Reynolds Company today announced that Rob Leary, national director of fixed operations sales, will speak at the Fixed Ops Conference and Expo, Nov. 14-16, at the South Point Las Vegas Hotel.

What: "Strengthening the Sales and Service Connection"

Why Attend: With vehicle sales beginning to plateau and retailers looking for ways to increase profit per customer throughput, the best dealerships are embracing new technology to build customer loyalty. In his presentation, Leary will:

Reveal statistics behind industry trends.

Offer simple steps to recognize areas for improvement.

Show how catering to the customer experience in the service department can bring profits for the sales team as well.

When & Where: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 3:45  4:30 p.m., in Room 1.







About the Speaker: Rob Leary is a national director of fixed operations sales at The Reynolds and Reynolds Company. With more than 25 years of automotive experience and a focus on Fixed Operations, Leary offers a passion and knowledge for helping transform the automotive retailing environment. He has held leadership positions at Reynolds in product management, marketing, and sales.

Additional Information: Reynolds and Reynolds will host booth #111 during the exposition. Stop by to learn more about Reynolds' parts and service tools in Reynolds Retail Management System, including Advanced Service, RFID for Service, and Service Price Guides.

About Reynolds

Reynolds and Reynolds is a leading provider of automobile dealership software, services, and forms to help dealerships deliver better business results and transform the customer experience. The company is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, with major operations in Houston and College Station, Texas, and Celina, Ohio.

(www.reyrey.com)

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/reynolds-service-expert-to-speak-at-fixed-ops-conference-300355989.html

SOURCE The Reynolds and Reynolds Company
[November 02, 2016] San Francisco Salt Company Carries Ireland's Second PDO-Accredited Product

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- San Francisco Salt Company has partnered with Oriel Sea Salt, which is now accredited under the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), the most prestigious EU food quality register. Oriel Sea Salt is the second product from Ireland to be recognized under the PDO and is used to craft San Francisco Salt Company's Whiskey Smoked Irish Sea Salt. The accreditation was received on August 31st 2016. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/435007

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/435009LOGO The PDO designates agricultural products or foodstuff that is exclusively determined by the geographical environment they are in. In order to receive the PDO certification, the product must be traditionally or entirely manufactured within the specific region. Preparing, processing, and producing a product in one region is rare and brings out unique properties in that product. "The accreditation of the Oriel Salt being used in our salts is special because it allows us to create a gourmet salt blend that is high in qualty and strong in taste," says Lee Williamson, President and CEO of San Francisco Salt Company. "We are the only gourmet salt company in the U.S. to carry the Whiskey Smoked Salt and it's exciting to see how much success we've had through the product."



The production of the Whiskey Smoked Salt begins with smoking 90-year-old Nicaraguan oak kegs, which hold Teeling's finest Irish whiskey during its last 10 years of aging. The smoking takes place just hours after the kegs are emptied. This process ensures retention of the rich whiskey and oak aromas, which are then subtly infused into Oriel Kiln-Dried Mineral Sea Salt. Oriel Sea Salt is known for its powerful taste that allows chefs to use less salt and achieve the same kick. San Francisco Salt Company's Whiskey Smoked Irish Sea Salt is available in bulk packages for restaurants, hotels, bars and other volume customers as well as three retail-sized package options: 4-ounce glass shaker bottles, 5-ounce stackable shakers, and 8-ounce glass chef's jars with wooden scoop. The line can be purchased online at www.sfsalt.com or by phone at 1(800)480-4540.

About San Francisco Salt Company

Launched in 2002, the San Francisco Salt Company was the founders' entrepreneurial dream and embodies his principals of quality, value, and customer service. They carefully select only the best quality salts from suppliers around the globe for their taste, texture, and appearance. For more information, please visit http://www.sfsalt.com/ or find the brand on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Media Contact:

Emily Hines

San Francisco Salt Company

510-477-9600

[email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/san-francisco-salt-company-carries-irelands-second-pdo-accredited-product-300355755.html SOURCE San Francisco Salt Company

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[November 02, 2016] Ann Arbor SPARK Announces 2016 and 2017 FastTrack Award Applications

Applications are now available for Ann Arbor SPARK's annual FastTrack Awards, presented to "gazelle" companies with impressive records of growth. Gazelles are companies that consistently achieved 20 percent annual growth. This year's FastTrack Awards for both 2016 and 2017 will be presented at the Ann Arbor SPARK Annual Meeting, which will be held on April 24, 2017, at the Eastern Michigan University Student Center in Ypsilanti, Mich. The FastTrack Awards are sponsored by Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Business Consultants. FastTrack awardees for 2016 are required to have revenue of at least $100,000 in 2012, with an annual growth of 20 percent for the following three years. Recipients of the 2017 FastTrack Award will have revenue of at least $100,000 in 2013, with an annual growth of 20 percent for the following three years. Companies will complete separate applications for the 2016 and 2017 FastTrack Awards. Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Business Consultants will verify all of the award applications. Both of the FastTrack Award applications are available on Ann Arbor SPARK's website and are due on January 31, 2017.



"The FastTrack Awards are a highly visible way that we recognize this region's most successful businesses," said Paul Krutko, president and CEO, Ann Arbor SPARK. "More than just honoring their impressive achievement, FastTrack awards celebrate the impact that these businesses have on our region's economy. Year over year, FastTrack Award winners are expanding, hiring, and continuing to consistently impact our economic growth and prosperity; our Annual Meeting is the right forum for this recognition." This is the first year FastTrack Awards will be presented at Ann Arbor SPARK's Annual Meeting. For several years, the FastTrack awards were presented at MLive "Deals of the Year" event, which the media organization announced it would no longer host.

About Ann Arbor SPARK Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is advancing the region by encouraging and supporting business acceleration, attraction and retention. The organization identifies and meets the needs of business at every stage, from start-ups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County, Livingston County, the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti SmartZone (LDFA), Washtenaw County etcs/Michigan Works!, the City of Ann Arbor, Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102006404/en/

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[November 02, 2016] FCEDA's Gordon: Inova-U.Va. agreement on personalized health center solidifies Fairfax County's standing as "world-class"

An agreement announced today between Inova Health System and the University of Virginia, set to make Fairfax County home to a major genomics and research institute and medical school, is a big step forward for the health of the economy and residents of the county and Washington region, says Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA). "This new relationship is yet another step toward Fairfax County becoming a center for medical innovation and our goal of diversifying the economic base of the county," said Gordon, who attended the annoucement of the partnership at the Inova (News - Alert) Center for Personalized Health in the Merrifield area of the county.



"This partnership is an important building block in the creation and development of institutions and facilities that will attract researchers, students and investment around the future of health and build an innovation-based economy," Gordon said. "It will help with the commercialization of discoveries and the translation of research into treatment that will revolutionize health care. It will be a magnet for businesses that will help commercialize the work and in the process will create jobs and fill office space as they develop this leg of the economy. "Like international airports and major employers, medical schools and research institutes make communities world-class."

Gordon added: "The FCEDA is pleased to see this kind of collaboration announced today, because this effort and many other partnerships between the business community, academia, research institutions and government will advance the Fairfax County economy and will also be crucial to improve the lives of people here and around the world." The $112 million deal solidifies Inova's efforts to become a pace-setter in genomics and cancer research. According to Inova, the agreement includes: A research partnership to develop the Global Genomics and Bioinformatics Research Institute located at the Inova Center for Personalized Health.

A cancer research partnership between the Inova Schar Cancer Institute and U.Va. Cancer Center, including efforts to achieve designation by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

A regional campus of the U.Va. School of Medicine at Inova, which would enable U.Va. medical students to complete their clerkship and post-clerkship education in Northern Virginia at Inova facilities.

U.Va. and Inova will explore the creation of a biomedical investment vehicle to advance discovery through to commercialization. Inova and Fairfax-based George Mason University, the largest public research university in Virginia, announced in December 2015 that they agreed to share facilities and resources dedicated to personalized medicine. This includes creation of research and development facilities and the Inova-Mason Proteomics Center, and establishment of the Personalized Medicine Public Policy and Ethics Institute. Time magazine called Fairfax County "one of the great economic success stories of our time." The award-winning Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA offers site location and business development assistance, and connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. In addition to its headquarters in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County's largest business district, the FCEDA maintains marketing offices in six important global business centers: Bangalore, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, Seoul and Tel Aviv. Follow the FCEDA on Twitter and LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102006504/en/

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[November 02, 2016] WGSN Launches WGSN Insight for Consumer and Market Intelligence with Futures Summit to Bring Content to Life

MELBOURNE, Australia, Nov. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- WGSN, the global trend authority, released WGSN Insight, a dedicated resource for trends across consumer insights, retail strategy, marketing and innovation. With the launch, WGSN has invested in a global editorial team who will focus exclusively on building content and expertise for the product. The content strategy was specifically designed to help customers bridge the gap between reacting to today's market and staying focused on future innovation. Reports will be published on everything from generational attitudes, consumer insights, retail strategy and marketing, to innovation, culture, technology, social media and regional specific analysis. The content will include bite-sized updates and thought starters, alongside in-depth white papers, videos and podcasts. "Clients from across industries tell us they struggle to keep up with the consumer," says Kevin Silk, Managing Director, WGSN. "With our heritage in fashion and lifestyle trends, global network of experts and proven methodology for forecasting, we are perfectly placed to help them navigate this challenge," he adds. "Our experts are o the ground around the world researching, interviewing and investigating to bring these reports to our clients. Whether you work in innovation, hospitality, beauty, advertising or design, WGSN Insight will make you more informed about the world tomorrow," says Carla Buzasi, Global Chief Content Officer.



To help bring WGSN Insight to life, WGSN will host their Futures summit in Sydney and Melbourne on 15 and 18 November respectively. For the first time, Carla will host both WGSN Futures summits in Australia. Lorna Hall, Head of WGSN Insight, will offer a commercial perspective on the latest retail and marketing strategies, while Andrew Grill, Global Managing Partner from IBM Social Consulting, will discuss the impact of major social influencers in Melbourne.

These keynotes will be followed by dedicated creative sessions where Greer Hughes, WGSN Mindset Senior Consultant and Yianni Giovanoglou, Trend Specialist Australia/New Zealand will present key trends for womenswear and menswear respectively. Attracting more than 1,000 attendees season after season, WGSN Futures allows industry members to connect with each other and WGSN members. Check out highlights from the last edition of WGSN Future Australia: https://youtu.be/kV2KLafSius "The WGSN team deliver a wealth of insight and information in a digestible format. More and more forward thinking leaders are using the event as an opportunity to come together as a team off-site. Collectively as a team they interpret the content on the day, generating tangible commercial ideation to take back to their business," says Lisa Ramsay, WGSN Regional Director- Asia Pacific. Limited tickets are still available. For registration details on WGSN Futures summit, visit: https://lp.wgsn.com/futures-australia-2016 About WGSN WGSN (www.wgsn.com) is the world's leading trend authority for creative thinkers in over 94 countries. Our services cover consumer insights, fashion and lifestyle forecasting, data analytics, crowd-sourced design validation and expert consulting. We help drive our customers to greater success. Together, we Create Tomorrow. WGSN is part of WGSN Limited, comprising of market-leading products including WGSN Instock, WGSN Lifestyle & Interiors, WGSN Styletrial and WGSN Mindset our bespoke consultancy services. WGSN is owned by Ascential plc, a leading international media company that informs and connects business professionals in 150 countries through market-leading Exhibitions and Festivals, and Information Services. www.ascential.com Contact:

Patricia Wong

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +61-3-9534-3900 Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20161102/8521607140

Logo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20161102/8521607140LOGO

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[November 02, 2016] Recognizing Champions of Innovation, Collaboration and Digital Transformation Across Canada's Public Sector

GTEC Announces 12 Medallists and Two Leadership Award Recipients During the Annual Distinction Awards Ceremony and Gala OTTAWA, Ontario, Nov. 2, 2016 /CNW/ -- GTEC, Canada's internationally recognized forum for enabling and celebrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) leadership, innovation and impact in Canada's public sector, announced 12 recipients of the coveted Distinction Award Medal and two Leadership Awards during its annual awards ceremony and gala on the eve of November 1, 2016. In the presence of nearly 500 distinguished guests, GTEC recognized these champions of innovation, collaboration and digital transformation across all levels of government. These accomplished leaders are taking action on key opportunities and challenges facing the public sector, from the refugee crisis to the sustainable health care, economic reform, security and climate change. The 2016 Distinction Award Medallists were recognized for leading strategic initiatives that address critical opportunities and challenges in the public sector, and add value to the business. Selected projects span citizenship and immigration, education, and public safety, and offer solutions that increase the productivity and impact of public service ICT management and service delivery. Following a rigorous criteria-driven evaluation of the 28 Honourees by leading public and private sector executives, the GTEC Judging Committee selected these 12 accomplished ICT change agents to receive a highly-prized Distinction Award Medal. A federal, provincial and municipal medallist was selected across each of the following award categories: Excellence in Public Service Delivery: External

Transforming the Business of Government: Internal

Excellence in IM/IT Operations

Excellence in Collaboration

Maximizing the Talent of our People The 2016 Distinction Awards also recognized the following federal and municipal recipients of the Leadership Award for outstanding service to Canadians: Nicolino Frate , Director of Official Languages Employment Equity and Diversity, Human Resources Branch, Canada Revenue Agency; and

, Director of Official Languages Employment Equity and Diversity, Human Resources Revenue Agency; and Alain Rochefort , Manager of IT Operations, Corporate Services, Information Technology Services, City of Ottawa "The GTEC Distinction Awards and Gala recognize and celebrate outstanding individuals and teams within Canada's public service that work incredibly hard to make a difference in our communities from coast to coast," said Michele Lajeunesse, Executive Director of GTEC. "Their accomplishments are nothing short of remarkable, particularly given the many obstacles they have overcome to achieve them. GTEC is truly proud to salute these ICT innovation champions, and support these important endeavours. This leadership is critical to fulfilling Canada's potential as a digital economy." In addition to the 12 medallists and leadership award winners, GTEC also recognized an additional 16 Honourees from federal, provincial and municipal government departments across the country. The 2016 Honourees join more than 580 public sector teams and individual leaders who, since 1992, have received this distinction for excellence in public service ICT management and delivery. The GTEC Distinction Awards recognize and celebrate ICT leadership, excellence and service delivery across municipal, provincial and federal governments. Please reference the following backgrounders for an overview of: 2016 GTEC Distinction Award Medallists: http://www.gtec.ca/ottawa/wp-content/uploads/GTEC_DistinctionAwards_Medalists_2016.pdf

http://www.gtec.ca/ottawa/wp-content/uploads/GTEC_DistinctionAwards_Medalists_2016.pdf 2016 GTEC Leadership Award Recipients: http://www.gtec.ca/distinction-awards/leadership-award-recipient/

http://www.gtec.ca/distinction-awards/leadership-award-recipient/ 2016 GTEC Distinction Award Honourees: http://www.gtec.ca/distinction-awards/honourees/ For additional information about the GTEC Distinction Awards Ceremony and Gala, please visit: www.gtec.ca/distinction-awards Backgrounder: Overview of the 2016 GTEC Distinction Medallists Category 1: Excellence in Public Service Delivery  EXTERNAL Group I: Travel Smart App Global Affairs Canada, E-Communications, Communications Products and Services Travel Smart App Global Affairs Canada, E-Communications, Communications Products and Services The Travel Smart App Project team worked collaboratively across branches to develop a mobile app from the ground up that exemplifies innovation in public service delivery. The app, which provides travel advice and information for Canadians travelling and living abroad, has been installed by more than 25,000 users, and has received positive ratings and feedback. Collaboration with key groups helped build a framework usable by others in the future. Canadians are now positioned to find the information they seek, to communicate with GAC in the event of crises abroad and, through their feedback and feature suggestions, will be actively engaged in steering future directions of the app. Group II: Provincial Awards Modernization of Approvals (MofA) Ontario Public Service (OPS), Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC), Land and Resources I+IT Cluster (LRC) Modernization of Approvals (MofA) transformed Ontario's environmental processes. It modernized a 30-year old, paper-based process into two automated services: A simple online registration tool for businesses with low-risk operations. This reduced processing time from months to minutes and saved businesses up to $20,000 per application.

per application. For complex environmental applications, an electronic workflow management system was created to streamline and manage approvals. This supports publication of approval records to increase public transparency. As a scalable and reusable solution, it has the potential to spport approval programs across Ontario. Industry associations have since praised this modernization to the Premier



Group III: Municipal Awards

Open City Initiative City of Edmonton, Open City & Innovation Branch, Financial & Corporate Services The Open City Initiative is a municipal perspective on the philosophy of open government demonstrated by the City of Edmonton as a way of aspiring to fulfill its role as a preeminent global city: innovative, inclusive and engaged. Administration saw pockets of innovation and creative thinking scattered across the organization and responded with a strategy to unify and further the open government movement. The project leverages emerging analytics capabilities to find innovative ways of solving business problems using open data. With more than a dozen community impacts over the past year alone, the City has a proven it has a culture of innovation, and has fostered relationships with regional partners, agencies, board and commissions, from which real savings are evolving.

Category 2: Transforming the Business of Government - INTERNAL

Group I: Federal Awards Federal Science Library Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada/ Fisheries and Oceans Canada/ Environment and Climate Change Canada/ Health Canada/National Research Council Canada / Natural Resources Canada/ Public Health Agency of Canada The Federal Science Library, a partnership of seven science-based organizations (AAFC, DFO, ECCC, HC, NRC, NRCan, PHAC), successfully transformed government library business through technology; enhancing access for GC knowledge workers to the global information resources that fuel scientific innovation, program and policy research. These partners collaborated to implement a single portal, cloud-based web service delivery platform enabled by state-of-the-art discovery tools and a single shared integrated library system to support streamlined business processes. The scalable system and collaborative virtual service delivery model will support progress towards a whole of government approach for library and information services that will effectively eliminating traditional physical, organizational and geographic barriers to information access by enabling digital, virtual access to resources and services. Group II: Provincial Awards

ITS - Transformation Government of Ontario, Treasury Board Secretariat, Infrastructure Technology Services The Infrastructure Technology Services Transformation Program (ITS-T) focused on evolving and maturing Ontario's IT infrastructure to increase efficiency and simplify service delivery, and generated more than $20M in annual savings. The aggressive three-year transformation plan required the ITS-T team to work across 27 ministries, nine I+IT clusters and with industry partners to ensure technical infrastructure improvements could be made with minimal client impact. The ITS-T Program fostered a new collaborative approach to working across government ministries and I+IT clusters to realize this significant modernization. Established to optimize resources and modernize technology for the future needs of citizens, since March 31, 2016, the ITS-T Program has, beyond its financial savings, built a foundation for the future and improved client collaboration and service. Group III: Municipal Awards

YorkInfo Partnership - Self Serve Data Depot the Regional Municipality of York, Data, Analytics and Visualization Services Branch, Corporate Services Data is at the heart of decision-making, so when it's accessible, trusted and shared, the impact can be significant. The Self-Serve Data Depot (SSDD) provides 24/7 access to more than 400 data sets to regional consultants and to the YorkInfo Partnership  whose members are also data contributors, making the data recognized as the best available. SSDD is easy and unique. It replaces a manual process that, instead of taking a week to order and deliver is now downloadable instantly as and when needed, saving time and effort and increasing confidence in consultants' analysis and reports. The Self-Serve Data Depot (SSDD) provides real-time, online access for staff, consultants and partners to trusted, up-to-date data. Category 3: Excellence in IM/IT Operations

Group I: Federal Awards Integrated Staffing System (ISS) Canada Revenue Agency, Information Technology Branch and Human Resources Branch / Shared Services Canada Annually, CRA human resource employees manually screen more than 60,000 applications, answer more than 600,000 phone queries, and create about 30,000 staffing letters. CRA launched the Integrated Staffing System (ISS), an end-to-end, web-based, fully automated solution to modernize the staffing process and ease the administrative burden. The first of its kind in the Government of Canada, the ISS represents a major cultural shift, streamlining HR technology and reducing time to staff. Through the ISS, applicants and employees can start or continue their careers with a more transparent, fair, efficient, productive and adaptive resourcing system. The new system has revolutionized the staffing and recruitment process by increasing consistency and reducing human error, while improving monitoring and reporting and branding for CRA. Group II: Provincial Awards

Streamline EBS Cloning Process Government of Ontario, Ontario Shared Services, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, Enterprise Financial Systems Branch, Enterprise Financial Services and Systems Division The Enterprise Financial Systems Branch completed an innovative project called the Streamline EBS Cloning Process designed to modernize and streamline a long-standing manual process related to the province's Integrated Financial Information System (IFIS). The team applied both Lean Six Sigma and Kaizen methodologies to define the opportunity and value proposition of reducing the time and effort and improving the quality of services to clients and for its IT service operation. The project has resulted in an 89 percent reduction in manual processes, a 61 percent improvement in delivery time and a 100 percent reduction in operator error. Demonstrating the benefits of streamlining and automating IFIS processes, this project leads the way for future initiatives to modernize and automate other operational processes. Category 4: Excellence in Collaboration

Group I: Federal Awards Knowledge Sharing Platform Canada Revenue Agency, Information Technology Branch & Legislative Policy and Regulatory Affairs Branch In support of the international tax agenda, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) developed a Knowledge Sharing Platform (KSP) to assist developing countries increase their knowledge and expertise in the administration of tax. The KSP is an online collaboration tool, hosted in the cloud, designed to promote the sharing of tax knowledge and expertise among tax administrations around the world, allowing broader access to training and learning opportunities, as well as instant support from tax experts. Embracing the ability to collaborate with experts in order to enhance service delivery for the benefit of their citizens and country, the program responds to a call by the G20 to support capacity building in tax and is intended to positively contribute to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Group II: Provincial Awards Collaborating to Modernize Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Government of Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH), Housing Programs Branch, Housing Division A small but dedicated team from the Information Management and Analytics unit of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) demonstrated the impact a collaborative, open and supportive approach can have on a project. Throughout the course of an project, the team worked diligently to engage more than 120 participants from groups across all levels of government and activate the Open Government community and help inform decision-making. The end result was the successful implementation of a modernized information system which realized more than 30 percent improvement in processing times and funded more than $385 million towards Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention programs in 2015-16. Most importantly, the team managed to transform how the Ministry delivers services while overcoming many obstacles to ensure client satisfaction. Category 5: Maximizing the Talent of our People

Group I: Federal Awards

Digifest Correctional Service Canada, Department of Finance, Department of Justice, Communications Community Office The Government of Canada had previously ascribed to a "digital first" approach to communications, reducing its reliance on paper-based products and embracing the ease and flexibility of electronic media to keep pace with the 21st Century. To help foster skills development within the community, Digifest sought to leverage the concepts of gamification within the broader move to digital by default, by creating a real-time team-based skills competition to develop core expertise and empower participants. Focused on the goal of helping communicators stay nimble when developing relevant and accurate content to be able to respond as conversations are happening online, the event reinforced the principle of "just-in time" communications and the need to streamline approvals, tolerate risk and drive online participation. Judge's Choice Award Group I: Federal Awards

Operation Syrian Refugee (OSR) Canada Border Services Agency | Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada | Canada Revenue Agency | Shared Services Canada A team of CBSA, SSC, CRA, and IRCC IT specialists is recognized in the Judges' Choice category for their critical contribution to ensure the success of Canada's historic commitment to accept 25,000 Syrian refugees. This integrated and multi-disciplinary team tirelessly collaborated to implement diverse and innovative technology and processes for Canadian and overseas operations in less than 30 days. OSR presented unique challenges, requiring close collaboration to rapidly establish and deploy enabling technology and processes, and to provide continuous availability to process thousands of refugees for a prolonged period without impacting Canada's commitment to strong security and identity validation. Innovative processes and technology enabled the business processes, allowing front-line staff to focus on mission delivery. About GTEC

GTEC is Canada's internationally recognized forum for enabling and celebrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) leadership, innovation and impact in Canada's public sector. Since 1993, GTEC has brought together more than 100,000 public and private sector innovators, leaders and enterprises to explore and drive leading-edge ICT initiatives, application and service delivery. Building on targeted webinars, summits, and roundtables that stimulate dialogue throughout the year, GTEC's annual flagship Conference and Exhibition attracts more than 4,000 participants, and delivers: Education and training opportunities that develop top ICT talent

A robust conference program with compelling keynote presentations and panels on current strategies, opportunities and trends

An extensive exhibition showcasing emerging technologies, innovations, and solutions that enhance productivity and performance

A wealth of collaboration, business development and networking opportunities

Distinction Awards that celebrate ICT excellence in Canada's public sector For additional information on GTEC, please visit: www.gtec.ca. About UBM Tech

UBM Tech engages technology professionals live and online through its world-class brands, including Black Hat, InformationWeek, Enterprise Connect, Game Developers Conference (GDC), Dark Reading, HDI, GTEC, Network Computing and Interop. We're dedicated to fostering real engagement by creating environments where the technology industry can make connections, share insights, and network effectively. UBM Tech is the only media company that delivers large-scale industry events, leading online brands and content marketing services serving the Enterprise IT, Information Security, Game Development, Enterprise Communications and Technical Services and Support communities. UBM Tech is a part of UBM (UBM.L), a global provider of media and information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion. For more information, go to http://tech.ubm.com. SOURCE GTEC

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Two candidates seeking NLCS Board District 2 seat

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Magic Leap 2 release date, price and all the new features

After the first Magic Leap glasses failed to take off, the company went back to the drawing board. Magic Leap 2 is the next attempt to make augmented reality happen. Heres what we know so far.
The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus arent mere consolation prizes to Apples pricier flagships. They pack a ton of good features, including blazing fast processors, solid cameras and wireless charging. And because of they're relatively low prices, they're still some of the best phones you can buy today.

Starting at $449 and $549, respectively, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are also considerably more affordable than the iPhone 11. Between the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, our top pick remains the Plus because of its larger screen, longer battery life and more versatile dual cameras. However, the iPhone 8 remains one of the best small phones on the market, and an excellent choice for one of the best used smartphones, given how it's gone down in price over the years.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus review: Design

Im torn about the look of the new iPhones. On the one hand, the new glass back looks elegant while being less slippery than my matte black iPhone 7 Plus. Apples new phones are also built stronger, with the company claiming that the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus boast the most durable glass ever on a smartphone. This is due in part to a deeper strengthening layer. (More on that in a moment.)

On the other hand, seeing bezels this large on a late-2017 phone above and below the display seems dated compared not just with the iPhone X but also the Galaxy S8 and other Android phones that are going the edge-to-edge route. My complaint isnt just about aesthetics; having smaller bezels makes it easier to use a phone with one hand and fit it in a front pocket.



I do like how the strong 7000 series aluminum band on the iPhone 8 is color matched with the pearlescent rear. On the gold iPhone 8 Plus I tested, the back looks like a true rose gold and less pink than previous model. I also tested the silver iPhone 8, whose back is a less exciting gray. The new iPhones are also available in Space Gray.

For us minimalists, theres no small type saying where this device was assembled or its model number beneath the word iPhone. Now, it just says iPhone.

Measuring 5.5 x 2.7 x 0.29 inches and weighing 5.2 ounces, the iPhone 8 is a bit heavier and a smidge thicker than the iPhone 7 (5.4 x 2.6 x 0.28 inches, 4.9 ounces), but I barely noticed the difference. Im guessing the extra girth comes from adding the wireless-charging capability and reinforced glass back. The iPhone 8 Plus (7.1 ounces, 0.3 inches thick) sees a similar small bump up versus the iPhone 7 Plus (6.6 ounces, 0.29 inches).

While the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus still lack a headphone jack, music lovers will appreciate that they sound better sans headphones, thanks to stereo speakers that are now 25 percent louder. When I streamed An Honest Mistake by The Bravery, I noticed deeper bass and more natural-sounding vocals on the iPhone 8 versus the iPhone 7 Plus.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus review: Durability

We tested the toughness of the iPhone 8 by dropping it on its face onto wood from a height of 4 feet and 6 feet; we then dropped it on its edge and face onto concrete from 4 feet; we then dropped it on its edge and face from 6 feet onto concrete.

The iPhone 8 survived drops from 4 and 6 feet onto wood without incurring any damage. A 4-foot drop on its edge onto concrete caused a minor crack and scratching along the bottom, which grew larger with a face drop from 4 feet onto concrete.

Apple's phone lasted all the way up to a 6-foot face drop onto concrete, when its screen stopped working. The result of this testing was that the iPhone 8 achieved an okay toughness score of 4.9 out of 10. To see the results of other smartphones, as well as our complete scoring methodology, check out our smartphone drop tests.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus review: Specs



iPhone 8 iPhone 8 Plus Price $699, $849 $799, $949 CPU A11 Bionic A11 Bionic Capacity 64, 256 GB 64, 256 GB Rear Camera 12-MP Dual 12-MP (f/1.8, f/2.8) Front Camera 7-MP FaceTime HD 7-MP FaceTime HD Unlocking Method Touch ID Touch ID Colors Space Gray, Silver, Gold Space Gray, Silver, Gold Screen Size (Resolution) 4.7-inches (1334 X 750) 5.5-inches (1920 X 1080) Size 5.5 x 2.7 x 0.29 inches 6.2 x 3.1 x 0.3 inches Weight 5.22 ounces 7.13 ounces

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus review: Performance

If ever there was an apt name for a processor, A11 Bionic is it. This chip absolutely smokes every Android phone on the planet. The A11 Bionic is a six-core CPU, with two performance cores that promise a 25 percent boost in performance over the A10, and four high-efficiency cores that promise up to a 70 percent improvement. Last but not least is an Apple-designed GPU thats supposed to be 30 percent faster.

On Geekbench 4, which measures overall performance, the iPhone 8 was in another league, turning in a multicore score of 10,170. The iPhone 8 Plus was a bit faster at 10,472. The Galaxy Note 8, complete with Qualcomms Snapdragon 835 chip and 6GB of RAM, scored 6,564. That means the iPhone 8 is a whopping 54 percent faster than the fastest Android flagship.



To put those numbers in perspective, the iPhone 8 also beats the 7th-generation Core i5 MacBook by a tad, which turned in 9,213 on Geekbench 4. The Dell XPS 13, our favorite Windows laptop, hit 7,159. For more on one these comparisons mean, see our in-depth article on the iPhone 8's performance.



There was an even bigger performance gap on 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited, which measures graphics performance. The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus notched 62,352 and 64,412, respectively, compared with 39,834 for the Note 8. So Apples handsets pack about 63 percent more graphics might.

What about real-world performance? We edited and exported the same 2-minute 4K video clip on the iPhone 8, Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S8 using the Adobe Premiere Clip app, and it wasnt even close. The iPhone 8 finished the task in 42 seconds, compared with more than 3 minutes for the Galaxy Note 8 and more than 4 minutes for the Galaxy S8+.

The iPhone 8 also opened larger apps faster than both its predecessor and the top Android phone right now. It took the handset 11 seconds to fully load the Injustice 2 game, compared with 14.53 seconds for the iPhone 7 Plus and 19 seconds for the Note 8.

For more results, including opening a large file, check out our in-depth iPhone 8 speed tests.



iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus review: Cameras

With a bigger and faster sensor, the 12-megapixel camera on the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus takes some of the best-looking photos Ive seen from a phone. In fact, some shots I took outshone the stellar Galaxy Note 8, which was previously rated our best camera phone. Now the iPhone 8 Plus is in the top spot, and you can check out our camera face-off with the Note 8 to see the results for yourself.



Take this photo of colorful flowers near Madison Square Park. The leaves edges on the iPhone 8 shot have a subtle orange toward the tip and more sharpness overall, while the Note 8s photo isnt as well defined and misses some of the gradation in hues.



In low light, the iPhone 8 and Note 8 were dead even regarding detail, but the iPhone 8 produced more natural-looking colors with this group of toys. Furby in particular has the right pink, and the Tygra figure in the iPhone 8 shot is less blurry.

The iPhone did a better job overall with this tricky image of the Flatiron Building, as the flower in the foreground is sharper and the blue sky and clouds look realistic. On the Note 8, the sky got blown out, but the building itself pops more because its brighter.



But the Note 8 fought back in another shot of a fountain; while the iPhone 8 offered more detail when zoomed in, Samsungs image made the leaves look brighter in the surrounding trees.

Just as with the iPhone 7 Plus, the iPhone 8 Plus offers a true 2x optical zoom via its second telephoto lens, but now you can have a lot more fun with portraits. Portrait Mode stil artfully blurs out the background with the so-called bokeh effect  and it looks a little more natural now  while a new Portrait Lighting feature (in beta) lets you adjust the lighting of your shots before and after you shoot with several effects.

I took some portrait photos of my colleague Caitlin, and I was very impressed with the subtle but powerful changes Portrait Lighting can make to a photo. When I switched from Natural to Studio light, Caitlins face became brighter without blowing out the shadows. The Contour setting introduced more contrast and shadows, which is kind of like adding makeup.



The Studio Light feature is the most ambitious effect, as it strips out the existing background and makes it totally black. And, if you want something even more dramatic, you can go for black and white with Stage Light Mono.

However, the Stage Light effect could be hit or miss; you need to get in pretty close to the persons face to get the best results, and long hair can look a bit unnatural when it gets cut off and put on black. In addition, I noticed that this effect took longer to process than the others. To be fair, Portrait Lighting is in beta and could improve via software updates.

The iPhone 8 Plus doesnt have all the fun. There are new Live Photo effects in iOS 11 that work with both new Apple handsets. Loop replays the action, while the even cooler Bounce plays the motion backward and forward, as seen in this jump by my colleague Kenneth.



The Note 8 still has one key advantage over the iPhone 8 Plus in that both of the dual lenses on Samsungs phone have optical image stabilization, which means better low-light performance when zooming and steadier footage when shooting video. The iPhone X will have OIS on both lenses.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus review: Video

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus both step up their video game, as they now record 4K resolution video at up to 60 frames per second (up from 30 fps before), and you can now capture slo-motion footage at a super-slow 240 fps without sacrificing sharpness, as its in 1080p. Other phones like the Note 8 and Galaxy S8 are stuck at 720p. The Sony Xperia XZ Premium shoots at a much slower 960 fps, but thats also at 720p.

To evaluate the 4K capabilities, I shot some footage at Bryant Park in New York City, and I could make out nearly every crook and cranny in a water fountain, including the angry stone faces spitting out the water. The iPhone 8 also had no problem rendering multiple birds as they flew by without distortion. I could even see the fine mist from the fountain as I panned to the right toward the sun.

Im a sucker for slow-mo dog footage, so I turned the iPhone 8 Plus on my golden retriever to see how it could handle him retrieving a tennis ball. The grass could look a little crisper, but it was still pretty cool to see his fur swaying and jowls bouncing as he ran toward me.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus review: Augmented reality

Thanks to iOS 11, you can enjoy augmented-reality apps using Apples ARKit technology on any phone running the software with an A9 or newer chip. So that means even the iPhone SE and older iPhone 6s can use a growing number of truly immersive apps that employ the cameras live view and overlay anything on top, from games and home furnishings to educational content.

But the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (as well as the upcoming iPhone X) have been especially optimized for AR via the A11 Bionic chip, calibrated cameras and a new gyroscope and accelerometer. I tried out a few apps and came away impressed, but I was also left wanting more, as theres not a ton of options  yet.

What is available shows off ARKits potential. The InsightHeart app, for example, displays the wireframe of a human in front of you along with his heart. You then you can learn about this very important organ by getting in really close and looking at it from multiple angles.

I can see a lot of people using the Ikea app to figure out how furniture looks in their abode before they buy. I replaced the desk in my home office with a white Micke desk and added a chaise from the Soderhamn collection. The iPhone 8 did a pretty good job scanning the room even without much light, though the furniture itself looked more like animations than the real thing.

The Thomas & Friends Minis app is something I wish I had when my kids were younger. You can build your own train tracks right on the table in front of you. I felt like a kid again when the train jumped in the air off one of the ramps and flipped right in front of me. You can even walk around the virtual track to take in different views. Its pretty amazing.

Other ARKit apps are on the way, including an MLB app that will show you a live view of whos on what base when youre at the game, along with key player stats. And Im really looking forward to Warhammer 40K Freeblade, a robot-fighting game. I spent a bit of time with The Machines, a real-time multiplayer strategy game, and I was impressed not just with the graphics but how the sound intensified as I got closer to the action.

What Id like to see is a dedicated section in the App Store for AR experiences, which Im guessing is on the horizon, given the overhaul of the App Store that iOS 11 has introduced.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus review: Displays

Given that the iPhone X boasts a beautiful 5.8-inch OLED display with 2436 x 1125 pixels, and the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus sport 5.8 and 6.2-inch quad OLED screens, theres no question that the LCDs on the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are a step behind. They just dont have the sharpness, wide viewing angles and perfect blacks the OLED competition has.

Nevertheless, Apple has made some improvements to the 5.5-inch, 1920 x 1080 screen on the iPhone 8 Plus and the almost-puny-by-modern-standards 4.7-inch, 1334 x 750 panel on the iPhone 8.

For starters, the True Tone feature has migrated from the iPad to the iPhone, which automatically adjusts the white balance on the display to match the ambient light. This can reduce eye strain. The two LCDs also benefit from a wide color gamut, as evidenced when I compared a photo of a lake; a gray house looked more white on the iPhone 7 Plus screen, and greens looked more lush on the iPhone 8 Plus.

On our lab tests, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus delivered a very good 119.6 percent and 122.5 percent of the color gamut. Thats great for an LCD, but trails OLED phones like the Note 8 (204 percent) and the Galaxy S8 (183 percent).

Apples phones do offer very accurate hues, though, as they turned in a Delta-E accuracy ratings of 0.89 and 0.25 (0 is perfect). Samsungs OLED handsets do well here, too, as the Galaxy S8 scored 0.28 and the Note 8 0.5.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus review: Battery life

Despite the serious speed boost, both the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus offer slightly longer endurance than their predecessors  noteworthy since Apple was only promising similar battery life to the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus with its new phones.

On the Toms Guide Battery Test, which involves continuous web surfing over 4G LTE (in this case T-Mobile), the iPhone 8 lasted 9 hours and 54 minutes, which is slightly above the 9:40 smartphone average. The Galaxy S8, by comparison, turned in a longer runtime of 10:39. Last years iPhone 7 hit 9:03.

The iPhone 8 Plus lasted an even better 11 hours and 16 minutes, which will put it on our list of longest-lasting phones and also puts it on a par with the Galaxy Note 8 (11:11). The Galaxy S8+ was in the same ballpark at 11:04, while the older iPhone 7 Plus lasted 10:35.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus review: Wireless charging

The good news is that the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 finally support wireless charging, and they should work with any charging pad that supports the Qi standard. When using Belkins $59 Boost Up pad, I found that the iPhone 8 Plus charged at about the same pace as when connected via Lightning cable.

In the case of this Belkin and the similarly priced Mophie Charging Base, both will support faster wireless charging at 7 watts once Apple rolls out an update later this year. Theyre currently outputting 5 watts, which is the same as the standard Lightning wired charger.

The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are capable of reaching 50 percent charge in just 30 minutes over a wired connection, but only if you invest in additional gear. Youll need to spring for a 29-watt USB-C power adapter ($49) and a USB-C to Lightning cable ($15 to $25). Thats pretty crappy given that phones like the Galaxy S8 come with a fast wired charging adapter and cable in the box.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus review: Software

In day-to-day use with the iPhone 8, Id say the biggest changes youll notice in iOS 11 will be the new Control Center, Live Photo effects in the camera and a more immersive App Store. Siri also has a more natural-sounding voice.

Control Center is now easier to use because it crams more controls into a smaller space. For instance, the wireless controls and music controls are now on the same screen. When you long-press on one of the controls, youll see additional options, such as Night Shift and True Tone for brightness. However, Im still waiting for Apple to make it easier to change Wi-Fi networks by long-pressing the Wi-Fi icon.

If you want to discover new apps, and youre tired of scrolling through top lists, the new App Store will be a breath of fresh air. You can see spotlight stories on specific apps, and theres a redesigned Games section that makes it easier to discover new titles in multiple genres.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus review: Verdict

The $699 iPhone 8 and $799 iPhone 8 Plus represent a leap forward in performance and camera quality, but I wish they came in packages that looked and felt more new. Thats why Im personally waiting for the $999 iPhone X, which also adds Face ID and a more colorful OLED screen. Still, both iPhones 8 have very good LCD screens, better sound than their prededessors, wireless charging and strong battery life  and for more accessible prices, to boot.

If youre into Android, Samsung doesnt make you choose between getting a cutting-edge design and spending close to a grand. The $750 Galaxy S8 and $850 S8+ deliver great cameras and edge-to-edge OLED screens for just a bit more than the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. However, neither Galaxy phone can touch the performance of the iPhone 8, and I expect them to trail Apple on the augmented-reality app front. Want dual cameras? Youll have to spend $930 and up for the Note 8, which approaches iPhone X territory.

Overall, my pick between the two new iPhones is the iPhone 8 Plus. It gives you a significantly bigger screen than the iPhone 8, longer battery life and more versatile dual cameras for just $100 more. The regular iPhone 8 is good, but 4.7 inches just doesnt cut it for me anymore.

Credit: Shaun Lucas/Tom's Guide


What do you call a security vulnerability that a phone acknowledges during setup? This isnt an ancient riddle; its a real concern that security experts have discovered in Googles newly released Pixel phone.

By activating the "OK Google" Trusted Voice feature to unlock the Pixel, consumers could be setting themselves up for a cyberattack. On the other hand, the vulnerability is mild, and the phone even warns you during setup, so consumers will have to use their own discretion on this one.

Steve Ragan wrote about the flaw at the Salted Hash security news blog, reminding users that the Trusted Voice flaw is not a new one. Heres how it works: the Pixel, like all Android phones, offers a lock screen. You can use a password, a PIN, a pattern or your voice to unlock your mobile device. Voice unlocks are not as widely available as the other three, but the Pixel is hardly the first phone to make use of it.

MORE: What to Do After a Data Breach

The problems here are twofold. First, unlocking the Pixel with your voice means that someone else can accomplish the same thing with a recording. While it would admittedly take a bit of social engineering to trick someone into saying "OK" and "Google," editing those two clips together into a short audio file would be trivial. A truly savvy user could even approximate a persons voice with digital trickery. Simply playing this recording in front of the Pixel would bypass a users voice lock.

Second  and this is arguably the more important risk  Trusted Voice comes enabled by default in the Pixel. Previous Android handsets that offered this functionality hid it away within the Settings and let users turn it on or off at their own discretion. This time around, Trusted Voice is a prominent part of the phones setup process. While users can indeed disable it during setup, Ragan theorizes that most, in their eagerness to simply get the phone up and running, wont read any caveats carefully and simply activate the feature.

The good news is that if you activated Trusted Voice on your Pixel and would rather disable it, the fix is incredibly simple. Simply access the Settings menu, select Voice and disable "OK Google" detection. Now, youll have to unlock your phone with a PIN or password; more cumbersome, perhaps, but also more secure.

Google even mentions during the setup process that Trusted Voice is "less secure" than other alternatives. You cant say the company didnt warn you (although you can say that it didnt warn you very well).

On the other hand, for this vulnerability to yield any real fruit for an attacker, a lot of disparate variables would have to fall into place. An attacker would have to know you personally, have physical access to your phone, record your voice with high-quality equipment and make you say two specific (admittedly somewhat common) words. As long as youre careful with your phone and have no dire enemies in your personal life, you can probably leave Trusted Voice on without any ill effect.
The UK revealed a plan to spend 1.9 billion pounds (roughly $2.3 billion USD) between 2016 and 2021 to bolster its cybersecurity.

This National Cyber Security Strategy is meant to help defend the UK from the growing threat of hacks, mass surveillance, and other digital mayhem. The strategy is supposed to be comprehensive: Its authors said that it "sets out proposed or recommended actions aimed at all sectors of the economy and society, from central government departments, to leaders across industry and the individual citizen." This isn't an empty gesture; it's a real plan.

Defending an entire country from cyber threats is a tall order. The NCSS outlined threats ranging from terrorists and state-sponsored actors to hacktivists and so-called "script kiddies" who use tools created by other people. Governments don't just have to worry about being attacked by other countries; they also have to worry that anyone who knows how to run basic software will be able to exploit any weaknesses in their system.

As the plan's authors explained:

Malicious cyber activity knows no international boundaries. State actors are experimenting with offensive cyber capabilities. Cyber criminals are broadening their efforts and expanding their strategic modus operandi to achieve higher value pay-outs from UK citizens, organisations and institutions. Terrorists, and their sympathisers, are conducting low-level attacks and aspire to carry out more significant acts.

That's why the UK plans to spend such a large amount of money--nearly 300 million pounds more than it spent between 2011 and 2016--to defend itself. Much of those funds will be used to establish a Cyber Security Research Institute and an Innovation Centre to invest in security companies. The funds will also be spent elsewhere to shore up the UK's ability to defend itself from and respond to cyber attacks.

The UK's National Cyber Security Strategy is comparable to the White House's Cybersecurity National Action Plan revealed in February. That plan is even broader than the UK's; the White House proposed a $19 billion investment in cybersecurity preparations for fiscal year of 2017. This is a 35% increase over the same period for 2016 and is almost 10x the amount the UK plans to invest in its own cyber defenses over the course of five years.

Here's how the White House described the goal of its plan:

Through these actions, additional new steps outlined below, and other policy efforts spread across the Federal Government, the Administration has charted a course to enhance our long-term security and reinforce American leadership in developing the technologies that power the digital world.

Yet those figures seem almost tame in the wake of large-scale hacks that took down many popular websites like Twitter, CNN, and Reddit in October. Those distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks were enabled by the Internet of Things--or the "Internet of Threats," as Eugene Kaspersky called it--and they could become increasingly common if manufacturers don't make their devices more difficult to crack and use as infected botnets.

This led Virginia Senator Mark Warner (D) to call on federal agencies to improve the security of IoT devices. In the meantime, countries are going to have to defend themselves from more of these attacks and other high-profile hacks, and so far the best solution they've found is to throw money at the problem. Whether it's 1.9 billion pounds over half a decade or $19 billion in a single year, the cost of keeping people safe just keeps on going up.


rapes continued in this area

QUESTIONS REMAIN

Bernard Jackson is serving 18 consecutive life sentences, 14 of which are life without parole because of his status as a persistent sexual offender. Those cases, involving home invasion and sexual assaults between July 1983 and February 1984, have now withstood legal appeals.





In May 2011, the Jackson County Prosecutors Office filed an additional 22 felony counts involving other home invasions and sexual assaults in 2009 and 2010. In those cases, as well as the 1983 and 1984 incidents, Jacksons victims were in the Waldo area of Kansas City . . .





A statement from the Jackson County Prosecutors Office said victim advocates discussed the possibility of dismissing the remaining felony cases. All of the victims were happy with the dismissals, the statement said, because they knew Jackson is assured to remain in prison and they will not have to endure a trial.

TRANSLATION . . . THE CHARGES IN THE RECENT WALDO RAPE CASE HAVE BEEN DROPPED!!!

Jackson County Prosecutor's Office: Knowing Jackson will spend life behind bars, prosecutors dismiss remaining felony charges

Clever headline here but the reality is thatafter the arrest albeit at a slower pace . . . And the charges keeping this guy behind bars are unrelated to the more recent crisis in Waldo. Like it or not,amid this effort to quell concerns.Checkit:Deets:##########You decide . . .Now that it is clear that the conviction of Bernard Jackson will keep him in prison for the rest of his life, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today that the remaining rape cases pending against Jackson will be dismissed.Jackson is serving 18 consecutive life sentences. Fourteen of those 18 are life without parole because of his status as a persistent sexual offender. Those cases, involving home invasion and sexual assaults between July 1983 and February 1984, have now withstood legal appeals.We are in agreement with the victims in these cases that justice has been served, knowing that Jackson will spend the rest of his life in prison, Baker said.In May 2011, the Jackson County Prosecutors Office filed an additional 22 felony counts involving other home invasions and sexual assaults in 2009 and 2010. In those cases, as well as the 1983 and 1984 incidents, Jacksons victims were in the Waldo area of Kansas City.All remaining victims in those cases have been contacted by the Jackson County Prosecutors Office. Victim advocates discussed the possibility of dismissing the remaining felony cases pending against Jackson. All of the victims were happy with the dismissals, the advocates reported, because they knew Jackson will remain in prison for life and they will not have to endure a trial.Jackson County prosecutors Ted Hunt and Tricia Lacey led the prosecution of Bernard Jackson on behalf of the state of Missouri.##############
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Kansas City Westport Good Times Continue After Liquor Code Crackdown

Germanhotness illuminates our search all the important Kansas City mainstream media links at the 5PM hour. Take a look:And this is theonce again . . .
LET'S CELEBRATE THE TOP COMMENTERS OF OUR BLOG COMMUNITY AND SOME OF THE MOST INSIGHTFUL PEOPLE IN ALL OF KANSAS CITY!!!

Lots of election news to cover for the morning but for now please forgive just a bit of TKC late night navel-gazing tribute to our blog community and another excuse to share our love ofTo wit . . .Just a quick shout out to the top ranking denizens of our blog community and the insights they share . . .-We can always count on this longtime friend of the blog to offer a keen perspective and class this place up just a bit.- A friend of the blog who is unafraid to disagree and often shares his unique perspective from JoCo.- A well respected local lawyer dude who always signs his comments and isn't afraid to bring a wealth of knowledge to our blog community.- Our most esteemed Conservative denizen often correcting us when we steer this bloggy tugboat too far left- A unabashed liberal from a far with more than a bit of dedication to all things Kansas City.- Consistently cracks me up. And provides the kind of perspective that is desperately needed by this community of news commenters.-One of the original blog commenters who has helped contribute to some sarcastic and informed commentary.Whilst we continue our war against spammers, we thought it best toas our blog community is garnering more influence over our political discourse than we've dreamed possible with help from a great many people dedicated to talking and reporting an alternative perspective from Kansas City.and hopefully have even morediscussion, debate, discourse and lots of good stuff for the morningupdate




Kansas City shooting doesn't stop for the work week.Morning news blast from Fox4:Developing . . .
Kansas City residents tell us that this should be an opportunity to ask Council Lady Justus questions concerning her thoughts for the future of the airport . . .Councilperson. Details below.. We have been told by Rotary this event is open to the public. Their only request is if you plan on attending, please let them know. The contact is :Mandy SheldonExecutive DirectorRotary Club 13P.O. Box 412457Kansas City, MO 64141#########You decide . . .
The fight for a $15 minimum wage has become a flashpoint in society. We recently told you about what would happen if this liberal dream became a reality (spoilers: it was complicated). But theres another side to this utopian wish. One that hasnt been an issue in the USA since 1938. What would happen if there was no minimum wage at all?

It sounds like a capitalists dream, and a socialists nightmare. Yet the truth is far more complex than either might like to think. Scrap the minimum wage, and all or any of the following good, bad, and indifferent things could potentially happen:

10. Lower Unemployment

Heres a quick question: what connects the European Union countries of Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Finland, Cyprus, Austria, and (prior to January 2015) Germany? The answer is that none of them have minimum wage laws. Yeah, even Sweden. Know what else connects them? On average, they have lower levels of unemployment than the rest of the EU.

This has been the case for as long as people have been collecting data on EU unemployment, but it became especially pronounced after the 2008 financial crisis. By 2012, the countries without minimum wage had unemployment levels that were on average up to a third lower than those with. Clearly, something was driving this trend.

Minimum wage laws represent a cost a business has to absorb. When such laws are strong, managers are less willing to hire. Conversely, if you scrap the minimum wage then employers are much more-willing to take a punt on someone with no experience, or a lack of skills, or no formal education, as it only costs them as much as theyre willing to pay. This can take an axe to unemployment figures, getting the economically unproductive into the workforce.

9. Rise of the Unions

The no-minimum-wage countries cited above are all, by-and-large, economic success stories with a decent standard of living. But theres another side to them, too, one that might be anathema to those who dislike socialism. Theyre also home to extremely robust, powerful workplace unions.

Non-minimum-wage developed countries allow their citizens a good standard of living by letting them use collective bargaining to secure a wage. Nearly every worker in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Italy, plus minimum wage-less non-EU states Norway and Iceland, is unionized. In effect, this means they have a minimum wage, negotiated for them by their union. The flexibility comes in allowing different industries to negotiate different rates, according to their circumstances and the type of people they employ.

In practice, this means that, to stop the abolishment of the minimum wage from affecting the living standards of low-earners, a strong culture of unions might have to rise up to keep unscrupulous employers in check. If people currently on the national minimum feared they were in danger of losing money, unionization would become near-inevitable. Not a free-market paradise at all, in other words.

8. More Starter Jobs for the Young

Youth unemployment currently stands at around 10% in the USA. In parts of the EU, such as Greece, it is as high as 50.3% (for the highest in the world, youd have to visit Bosnia, where it stands at nearly 60%). Evidently, young adults with nothing to do and no way to contribute to the economy are a significant global problem. But what would happen if you abolished the minimum wage? Theres a good argument that a lot of those kids might suddenly find themselves with jobs.

Teenagers and young adults who arent in education typically have few skills, need lots of training, and are prone to flakiness. This is a grand generalization, but thats how hiring people see it. So, when faced with the prospect of paying $7.25 per hour for someone who needs work and might have attitude issues, or paying $7.25 for a responsible adult who has been in the industry for a while, most employers choose the latter. Why wouldnt you, right?

But, in a world without a minimum wage, suddenly the calculations are different. For example, $2.00 an hour is a lot easier to write-off if things screw up, and the potential rewards (a hard-working, loyal employee) are worth far more to you. Suddenly, it makes sense to start hiring those kids, potentially leading to a yuge decrease in youth unemployment and giving kids opportunities they might not otherwise have.

7. A Sluggish Economy

Theres one immutable fact of life: Those with more money tend to spend that money. This means dollars pouring into the local economy, whizzing around and making everything from the local 7-11, to the diner on main street, to your gym teachers illicit marijuana business more profitable. Its good for business-owners. Its good for local government. One easy way to trigger this spending spree? Instigate a minimum wage.

In 2007, Congress authorized a mild increase in the minimum wage. The knock-on effect was increased consumer spending in 2008 and 2009, despite a massive recession walloping the American middle class right in the face. Those increases, in other words, helped shield the economy when it needed it most.

Governments know you need money in your bank account to keep the economy ticking over. Thats why very few developed economies are willing to axe both the minimum wage and trade unions together. If people feel squeezed, theyll stop spending. Abolish the minimum wage and many people will feel squeezed alright, potentially leading to a sluggish economy that benefits nobody. With warnings already rising of another recession just around the corner, now would be the worst possible time for that to happen in.

6. Delayed Automation

At some point in your lifetime, a robot is going to take your job. We dont care if youre a till jockey, a cab driver, a CEO, or an internet list-writer (aw, dang it); one day, AI is going to get so advanced itll be childs play for a machine to do whatever the heck it is you sweat your cajones off doing. And its going to happen sooner than you think.

Obviously, this poses a lot of problems for future governments and businesses, but thats for another article. Right now, were only interested in the next few years. And thats where the issue arises. Plenty of jobs already have been automated. Plenty more are on the way, or potentially could be if employers were willing to cough up the cash. The first that are gonna go? Minimum wage jobs.

At some point very, very soon, its gonna make a lot more financial sense for a company to use an automated system instead of a human. Not with all jobs. Some, such as cleaning, remain hard for a robot to do effectively. But plenty of others will be effected.

Although this robot revolution is probably inevitable, scrapping the minimum wage could delay it in the medium-term. If theres no set amount a workplace has to pay a worker, it takes longer for machine-employees to become cost-effective. This means the unskilled can remain in jobs for longer, and humanity gets an extra few years to prepare for our new mechanical overlords.

5. Difficult Negotiations

One of the big positives about eliminating the minimum wage is it allows employers to pay each employee what their labor is worth. However, this puts some workers at an unhappy disadvantage. Those who are young, shy, or inexperienced can easily be taken advantage of by unscrupulous employers looking to pay them far less than their work is worth.

The trouble with a sudden, total scrapping of the minimum wage is that everyone would be forced to negotiate their wage with their employer before starting. No problem if youve got a tradeable skill or confidence by the bucket load, but if youre one of those people who often gets taken advantage of well, lets just say youll be completely, utterly screwed.

Obviously, this is only a downside if you have any feelings of empathy towards the terminally meek (and if not, hey, congrats on finally managing to exorcise the last remnants of your soul). But even then, theres another side of this to consider: the employers. And youd better believe negotiating dozens of different wages for different employees is gonna be a gigantic pain in the gluteus maximus.

If the business is small enough, it can also bring unwanted uncertainty to budgets. After all, how can you plan for the future if you dont know whether your new employees gonna be receiving $2 per hour, $3, or $7.50?

4. No More Undercutting Wages

Globalization pissed a lot of people off. For all its undoubted benefits, it let big business undercut its employees wages by outsourcing to Latin America or Southeast Asia (or wherever). Theres a reason that calling up AT&T will get you through to some dude in the Czech Republic, or calling BT from Britain will get you put through to India. Its cheaper to hire someone in a smaller or less-developed economy to do the same work. And that means people in the companys home country lose those call center, manufacturing or clothes-making jobs.

In a world without the minimum wage, those jobs dont have to leave the country. True, Americans might well have to accept conditions and pay that they are unused to, but many might be willing to in order to just have some job. Theres a fairly convincing argument to be made that outsourcing and undercutting are almost entirely down to minimum wage laws. Abolish those laws and youll staunch the flow of jobs overseas, by making it cost-effective for a company to keep operating in its homeland. For those living in a depressed, post-manufacturing small town, it could completely change their lives.

3. Increased Inequality

Inequality is killing us. The best-selling economics book The Spirit Level effectively argued that increased inequality can lead to worse health and lower life expectancy for people all up and down the social scale, even the super-rich. As a result, governments across the world have pledged to tackle ingrained inequality. One way they could reverse all that progress? Abolishing the minimum wage.

We can infer this from the case of Britain. In 1998, the UK introduced its first minimum wage at 3.60 an hour (now at 7.20). According to The Economist, inequality subsequently shrank across the scale. In other words, it wasnt just the working class and working poor who got more-equal. The middle class found themselves closer to the upper-class, and those at the bottom of society also benefitted. The entire scale of inequality shrank, creating a society noticeably less-prone to the problems identified by the authors of The Spirit Level.

As a result, we can infer that things would travel in the opposite direction if the minimum wage disappeared overnight. Given that many already blame Americas crazy political polarization on its Hunger Games-style levels of inequality, this may not be a good thing.

2. Burdens Shifted from Employer to Government

Do you believe that it is the responsibility of governments or companies to help people out of poverty? Lets assume that its someones responsibility, if only to stop exciting Victorian things like rickets and slums from staging a comeback. If you believe it is up to government to shoulder the costs of the poorest in society, then abolishing the minimum wage might well be the best way to achieve this.

The answer lies in tax credits, currently a big part of the American and British welfare systems. Tax credits essentially pay for a big chunk of the working-poors taxes, leaving them a few thousand dollars a year better off. They also allow employers to pay their workers less, without affecting the workers quality of life. Instead, the burden is shouldered by the government. Not only are both the employee and employer better-off, evidence shows that tax credits generally get more into work  a win from the governments perspective.

If you removed the minimum wage while creating and sustaining a strong tax credits system, you could reap all the benefits of a world without minimum wage, without having to absorb the negatives. Ethically (if thats your thing), it also removes the thorny issue of government interfering with the rights of employers, something anathema to those on the right.

1. Absolutely Nothing Happens

After all those possible positives and negatives of a minimum wage-less world, were now about to tell you that it could all be horse manure. According to one analysis, completely scrapping the minimum wage could potentially have no discernible effect whatsoever.

This is related to the idea of wages being sticky. Basically, once wages are raised to a certain level, they rarely drop back down below that point again. It might be due to workplace pressure (no-one wanting to work for a company that mercilessly slashes wages), social pressure (the bad PR cutting wages might earn), or just employers and employees getting conditioned to that wage being the right one for that job. Whatever the cause, its a real phenomenon. And some believe this would apply to the minimum wage.

In a nutshell, then, the minimum wage might vanish tomorrow and employees at Walmart might still keep earning $7.25 per hour. Not a particularly dramatic result, true, but perhaps the only outcome likely to keep both sides of the debate happy.

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Archbishop Chrysostomos did criticise homosexuality saying: Shame on them. They have gone too far and hold pride parades."

Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus has said that his statements regarding homosexuality in schools were misinterpreted, Sigma TV reported on Wednesday.

In statements outside the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop said that he wants schools to be created that create upstanding citizens, and teach them from a young age to have Christ in their hearts.

SHAME ON THEM

However, Archbishop Chrysostomos did criticise homosexuality saying: Shame on them. They have gone too far and hold pride parades. Let them be happy with their pride parades. I am not interested in people like that.

He expressed the sentiment that he can do nothing with people who are not fighting to better themselves.

That is why we want to create schools, so we can mould upstanding citizens, he said.

The Archbishop did mention that the church does not hate homosexuals, but instead loves them.

He added, "There have always been homosexuals throughout history, though in the past they did not take pride in their sexuality in contrast to today."

LGBT COMMUNITY REACTS

In response to Archbishop Chrysostomos' latest statements, the LGBT rights group Accept-LGBT Cyprus has filed a complaint against the Archbishop with the Attorney Generals Office, the authority which deals with the promotion of hate due to sexual orientation or gender identity.

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Wikileaks revealed that Hillary Clintons campaign chief proposed two prominent Greek Americans who could convince Alexis Tsipras to accept the reforms proposed by Greeces creditors in July 2015

A new email released in Wikileaks shows that Hillary Clintons campaign chief proposed to a U.S. official the names of two prominent Greek Americans who could convince Alexis Tsipras to accept the reforms proposed by Greeces creditors in July 2015.

Specifically, the email was sent by Jeffrey Zients  Director of the National Economic Council and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy  to John Podesta, chief of the Hillary Clinton election campaign, as an answer to Podesta proposing two persons who could convince the Greek Prime Minister to accept the creditors proposed bailout program.

Podesta proposed to Zients Phil Angelides and Michael Dukakis as two prominent Greek Americans who could influence Tsipras in deciding to sign the bailout deal of July 2015.

Angelides was California State Treasurer and former Democratic nominee for Governor of California. Dukakis is former Governor of Massachusetts and former Democratic nominee for U.S. President.

Willingness to assist

The two men had communicated with Tsipras and expressed their willingness to assist any way they could and mobilized the Greek American community.

Read the email below as posted on Wikileaks:

From:jeffrey_d_zients@who.eop.gov To: john.podesta@gmail.com Date: 2015-07-08 08:54 Subject: Greece

John  hope youre well. Thanks for Greece suggestions. Spoke to Phil Angelides and Mike Dukakis reached out. Brief readouts below. Miss you here  look forward to catching up soon. JZ

Angelides is not close with Tsipras, but noted that Tsipras visited with him and other prominent Greek-Americans during a trip to the US when he was opposition leader, and theyve kept in touch intermittently since. He is talking with Jamie Galbraith, a college classmate who hes known for about 40 years, this evening about how they might help reinforce our Plan A messaging to Tsipras-namely, that while Tsipras has his political imperatives domestically so too does Merkel and he needs to come forward with a credible reform plan. Angelides said in the event of an exit, he wanted to be helpful and offered to help mobilize the Greek-American community to provide assistance.

Dukakis offered to mobilize Greek-American community for whatever purpose. Noted he doesnt know of anyone who has strong ties to Tsipras directly. I emphasized our focus now is on Plan A of getting a deal done, and for him to dig deep into networks and think of anyone who can help move Tsipras. In longer-run, he had idea of lending American expertise to help Greece overcome skepticism about ability to implement reforms (e.g. former IRS to help them collect taxes). We agreed to stay in touch.

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Ankara is to order 24 additional Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said in an interview with broadcaster A Haber

Ankara is to order 24 additional Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said in an interview with broadcaster A Haber on Tuesday.

The fighter jets are to replace Turkeys fleet of F-16 aircraft. The stealth fighters are expected to be ready in 2018. Reportedly, Ankara is planning to acquire a total 116 F-35 jets.

Turkeys armament move has caused unease in Athens in light of recent comments by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who challenges the sovereignty of Greek islands and disputes the Treaty of Lausanne.

In early September, during the Thessaloniki International Fair, Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos had stressed the need for Greece to update its fighter planes to answer to Turkeys modernization of its jet fighter fleet.

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Optimism for an agreement on the membeship of the new National Council for Radio and Television

A new meeting of the Presidents of Greek Parliament has been scheduled for the upcoming Monday in an effort to agree upon a National Council for Radio and Television (ESR). Given that the Democratic Alignment and River came to an agreement with the coalition government in the last meeting, there is optimism that a new ESR will be formed.

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Russia will not accept any reductions of Cyprus sovereignty, Moscows Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday during his visit to Greece

Russia will not accept any reductions of Cyprus sovereignty, Moscows Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday during his visit to Greece.

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He reiterated the position that Russia would not accept foreign interference in the Cyprus negotiations, and timeframes, Sigma TVs correspondent in Athens reported.

Undoubtedly, there needs to be an agreement from the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides themselves, Lavrov mentioned. He also noted Moscows support to the UN Security Council resolutions on sovereignty and the property issues.

RUSSIA OPPOSED TO TIMEFRAMES

After his meeting with Tsipras, Lavrov reaffirmed his stance on timeframes, and the position that Russia would not accept derogations from everything that has been agreed.

Tsipras, on his part, said that the Cyprus solution needs to be viable, and not include the presence of Turkish troops on the island.

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The two siblings are being treated at the Papanikolaou and Ippokratio hospitalis in Thessaloniki

A fire broke out in of the migrant and refugee center in Oreokastro, Thessaloniki early on Wednesday morning, injuring two Syrian children.

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"Telling interesting stories can boost the competitiveness of a tourist company," according to Dr Christina Bonarou, Department of Communication, Media and Culture of Panteion University

"Telling interesting stories can boost the competitiveness of a tourist company," according to Dr Christina Bonarou, Department of Communication, Media and Culture of Panteion University.

Speaking to "www.praktoreio-tourism.gr" on how storytelling can be a competitive advantage for a business, Bonarou noted: "If a story about a tourist company, a service or a destination is compelling, real and original, it will appeal to people and attract more customers."

In a research carried out on winemaking businesses in France, it was reported that these businesses could sell their products in higher prices as people were affected by stories related to them.

In order for companies to achieve that, they should first be aware of their target groups in order to adapt their storytelling and be efficient. "A good storytelling can appeal to all target groups," Bonarou underlined.

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Folegandros and Kardamili in Greece are among the top 25 secret villages in Europe, according to Travel + Leisure's following article:

"A few winters ago, my family and I checked into a restored 17th-century estate in the tiny town of Lower Monferrato, in Piedmont, Italy. Our bay window looked out onto rolling hills covered in grapevines and, far, far in the landscape, the snow-topped Alps. No cars passed the cypress-dotted landscape; each morning we sat down in total tranquility to a breakfast of fresh-baked bread, soft cheeses, and blood orange juice. The experience was one that many modern travelers are searching for: a few nights hidden away in a European village, experiencing the traditional culture and soul of a destination.

What is the allure of these small towns with their meandering streets, lunch-only cafes, and intimate shops? Perhaps it is the scaled-down size, the greater ease of catching a shopkeepers eye, the colorful flowers hanging in a window, says Travel + Leisure A-List travel agent Marjorie Shaw of Insiders Italy, a Rome-based agency. Writer David Farley agrees: In a time of creeping globalization, villages offer a look into the past as well as a clearer sense of the country or region, including its food.

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Further off the beaten path, in Arild, Sweden, the artist Lars Vilks built Nimis, a public art installation with a maze of 300-foot aboveground tunnels and a 45-foot-high climbing tower. The fishing village itself is just a two-hour drive and ferry ride from Copenhagen.

This type of experience can fulfill many expectations. According to writer Sylvie Bigar, who researched these secret places to come up with the best ones, A tiny town offers adventure, novelty, beauty, as well as a sense of history. Knowing that some of these gems have been there for so long and have not been discovered yet calms the spirit and brings a sense of peace.

A plugged-in agent can help to coordinate this type of getaway. Or just put the guidebook aside, head into the countryside, and explore on your own. The return on your investment? A rewarding and unique experience and, once you return home, priceless memories and bragging rights."

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A series of funding agreements signed between Greek domestic banks, the European Investment Bank and other international credit institutions will offer a cash injection to small- and medium-sized enterprises

A series of funding agreements signed between Greek domestic banks, the European Investment Bank and other international credit institutions recently will offer a cash injection to small- and medium-sized enterprises in the country, in a period when there is an absolute need for new capital.

National Bank signed a 300-million-euro funding agreement with European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and European Investment Fund, for the support of Greek enterprises. The agreement is based on the securitization of corporate liabilities made by National Bank two months ago, safeguarding a significantly lower cost for draining capital.

Jonathan Taylor, vice-president of European Investment Bank, and in charge of the bank's operations in Greece, said EIB was showing strong interest in medium-sized enterprises, the back bone of the Greek economy and the core of EIB's efforts in Greece. The transaction, he said, was the first step to help National Bank in its return to the markets.

National Bank's CEO, Leonidas Fragiadakis, said the agreement will allow the bank to offer new funding products to small- and medium-sized enterprises and medium capitalization enterprises with favorable terms. The program is expected to benefit around 300 enterprises, boosting employment with the creation of more than 200 job positions particularly for young people aged below 25 years old.

Eurobank also signed a funding agreement worth 230 milion euros with the European Investment Fund, improving Greek SMEs' access to funding. These agreements are supported by the European Strategic Investments Fund, a basic pylon of a Juncker Plan for Europe. The COSME program will channel 130 million euros to more than 1,000 SMEs in Greek over a period of three years. Eurobank, through an InnovFin program will channel funds to innovative SMEs for the next two years worth 100 million euros.

Pier Luigi Gilibert, European Investment Fund CEO, commenting on the agreement said it confirmed the fund's commitment to Greek entrepreneurs.

Source: ANA-MPA

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Saudi Arabias energy minister said that a multi-billion-dollar technology investment fund the kingdom is developing in partnership with Japans SoftBank showed its determination to diversify its economy, according to a report.



Speaking at KAPSARC Energy Dialogue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Khaled Al-Falih said that the proposed new fund is simply one indication of this determination and the bold steps being taken to reorient the economy of the worlds biggest oil exporter, reported The Peninsula.



Al-Falih told the forum that in the past the kingdom had not implemented diversification policies as efficiently as we should have.



SoftBank said it hoped to raise up to $100 billion for the fund designed to invest in promising technology firms.



Although Saudi Arabia wants to seize opportunities in a world that will be increasingly technology intensive, Falih said the kingdom would not reduce the contribution of its traditional pillars of oil and gas, petrochemicals and mining.



It will rather be enhancing the development of other industrial and economic sectors to rebalance and accelerate the growth of the overall economy," he said.
Dubai-based global real estate developer Limitless said work is progressing well at its Dh2-billion ($544 million) Halong Star development in Vietnam with infrastructure contracts due to be awarded over the next few days.

Limitless ambitious Halong Star project took centrestage at the inaugural Vietnam-Dubai Real Estate Investment Forum held in Dubai which was led by Pham Binh Dam, Vietnamese ambassador to the UAE.

The company cemented its commitment to the Southeast Asian country this week by sponsoring the forum.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mohammed Rashed Bin Dhabeah, the chief executive of Limitless, said: "We are proud to support this forum, which highlights the growing trade links between the UAE and Vietnam, and enables industry experts to exchange ideas and share their experiences on real estate, construction, design, finance and more."



"Vietnam offers huge opportunities for investment, especially for those involved in real estate and hospitality, who can benefit from the countrys rising tourism. Last year, six million people visited Vietnam  and the figure is growing. For this reason, Vietnam remains a key market for Limitless," he added.

Located at the Unesco World Heritage Site of Halong Bay on Vietnams north-east coat, Halong Star is a sustainable mixed-use development that will set new standards in creativity, meet the areas demand for hotels and residential accommodation, and create hundreds of new jobs.



The initial phase of the project will feature around 2,000 villas, townhouses and apartments, as well as extensive retail and leisure facilities and two hotels.



The project will be coming up in Quang Ninh province, which welcomes nearly three million overseas visitors each year.

Limitless said the project is progressing well with the construction of the main access road already under way. The earthworks began earlier this year.-TradeArabia News Service
Research-based Pharmaceutical Companies (RPC) in conjunction with the Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA), Sagia, the Ministry of Health (MOH), has inaugurated the BioPharma Academy initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.



The programme will train Saudi pharmacy students and recent graduates in the practical workings of the healthcare field, building a broad talent base prepared to meet the needs of the healthcare market.



The inauguration of the BioPharma Academy programme was attended by a number of government officials as well as general managers of RPC member companies. The US Embassy in Riyadh and the US Chamber of Commerce were also present at the event.



Prince Saud Bin Khalid Al-Faisal, acting governor of SAGIA , the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority said: Foreign investment in the Saudi pharmaceutical sector reflects recognition by international companies of the huge potential in the Saudi pharmaceutical market, especially in view of the young and rapidly growing population, as well as the Kingdoms strategic location as a hub for exports.



We are pleased that the Research-based Pharmaceutical Companies are training Saudi nationals and we welcome the BioPharma Academy as a major contributor to building capacities and developing the pharmaceutical sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.



Rami Fayed, chairman of the RPC and the general manager of AbbVie in Saudi Arabia said: The launch of the BioPharma Academy program is strongly aligned with the Saudi Vision 2030. It focuses on the health care sector as one of the main pillars in the national economy and emphasizes the importance of investing in training and developing Saudi youth. Today, the launch of the BioPharma Academy program aims to raise the bar of the pharmaceuticals sector, as well as support the governments continuous efforts to achieve the highest quality of healthcare in the Kingdom.



The BioPharma Academy program was launched to fulfil unmet market needs and to synchronize training programs among the RPC companies in order to ensure that students receive more than just academic training if they are seeking employment in the pharmaceutical sector, Fayed added.



The programme focuses on four pillars: Soft Skills Training; Internship Programs, Summer Training and Scholarship Programmes, all designed to educate the students on what they can expect and what they should know about the operations and needs of the pharmaceutical and healthcare fields.



The Soft Skills Programme focuses on the needs of the individual who seeks to enter the job market. Sponsored by the RPC companies themselves, students will be provided customized instruction on presentation, negotiation and communication skills as well as CV-writing and job interview skills and techniques.

The Internship Programme will provide pharmacy and business pre-grads with internships at a specified company where they will shadow specific positions and gain valuable hands-on experience. Students completing this program will receive a Certificate of Completion, which will prove valuable once they begin their job search.



Summer Training involves six weeks at an RPC company. The unified curriculum will concentrate on training in various therapeutic areas, field visits, soft skills workshops and shadowing different positions at an RPC member company. This valuable experience will be a requisite for graduation from pharmacy colleges.



Finally, the Scholarship Programme; where students who receive government-sponsored scholarships to study in foreign universities will be interviewed by an RPC member company prior to embarking on their studies. Select candidates will be guaranteed employment upon the successful completions of their studies abroad and their return to the Kingdom. This will guarantee that vital positions in the health care industry be filled with competent individuals.  TradeArabia News Service
Iran has finalised a cooperation agreement with China which will allow Chinese traders to use Iranian territory for exports to Europe, said a report.



The agreement, which was signed between customs officials of Iran and China, is part of an ambitious Chinese plan to revive the ancient Silk Road and bring it one step closer to reality, added the Iran Daily News report, citing Irna.



Based on the plan, Chinese goods will be shipped to Iran's southern ports and will be thence be transited to Europe overland.



The route that has been envisaged for the scheme will be much shorter than the ancient Silk Road, it said.



The preliminaries for the project were agreed on during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Tehran in January, added the report.


Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has signed a $200-million pipe supply contract with an Omani factory as part of its in-country value (ICV) strategy to retain more of the oil and gas industrys wealth in the sultanate.



The four-year deal will mean the Gulf International Pipe Industry (TMK-GIPI) mill based in the Sohar Industrial Estate will manufacture a variety of pipelines sized 6-24 inches in diameter for both PDO and other operators, said a statement from the company.



TMK-GIPI is the first manufacturer of high-pressure steel line pipes and casing pipes in Oman and its production plant is also the first in the region to make high pressure 24-inch electric resistance welded (ERW) steel pipes, it said.



As a result of the contract award, the company will expand its current production range and introduce a new manufacturing line for small pipeline categories to cater for high demand of such sizes from PDO and the rest of the oil and gas industry, it added.



The agreement marks the successful implementation of one of the business opportunities launched by PDO for Omani businesses at the major ICV Blueprint Strategy Summit in Muscat in December 2013. This laid down a framework for the development of a robust and sustainable local supply chain for the sector.



PDO managing director Raoul Restucci, said: "We are delighted to sign this contract with TMK-GIPI which will see an Omani factory manufacturing piping both for us and other operators. As well as boosting ICV, there is also a fantastic opportunity for this state-of-the-art plant to supply its products and services across the region.



"This deal makes concrete our commitment outlined at the ICV conference three years ago to do everything we could to leverage the collaborative efforts of the oil and gas sector to progressively and effectively develop a competitive Omani supply chain, he said.



"This is vital for the development of jobs, training and skills for nationals, increasing investment in the sultanate generally and ensuring the ongoing prosperity and diversification of its economy, he added.



Vladimir Shcherbatykh, CEO of TMK-GIPI, said: "We are honoured that this contract will build on our long-term partnership with PDO. We are committed to developing our investments in Oman and to support PDO to achieve its long-term goals.



"It is a great opportunity for our company to work more closely with PDO, which will allow us to reach our common goals in terms of the ICV programme and to work together for the betterment of Oman, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
A total of 11 contracts worth QR260.05 million ($71.42 million) were confirmed for different Ministry of Interior (MoI) departments at the Milipol Qatar, which is currently being held in Doha, Qatar.



The 11th edition of the biannual event will conclude later today (November 2) at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.



The contracts were revealed at a press conference attended by Brigadier Nasser bin Fahad Al Thani, president of Milipol Qatar Committee; Brigadier Ahmad Abdulla Al Jamal, director of Financial Affairs Department in the Ministry of the Interior and a member of the Milipol Committee; and Brigadier Saud Rashid Al Shafi, assistant director general of the general directorate of logistics and member of Milipol Qatar committee.



Airbus Defence and Space bagged a contract worth QR11.5 million ($3.16 million) for the maintenance, support and upgradation of the Tetra system, it said.



UKs De La Rue, a banknote manufacturer, security printing, and papermaking company, gained a contract worth QR22.25 million ($6.11 million) for supplying travel documents printers, it added.



The third contract was bagged by GET Group for the maintenance of residency printers and their consumables worth QR10 million ($2.75 million), while the fourth contract worth QR7.8 million ($2.14 million) was gained by Safran Identity & Security for the renovation of the finger printing system and expansion of finger printing database devices.



Brig Al Shafi announced the fifth contract for Abdullah Abdul Ghani & Bros Company for the supply of 120 different Toyota cars worth QR25.4 million ($6.98 million) and the sixth contract was awarded to Saleh Hamad Al Mana Company for the supply of 30 different Nissan cars worth QR6.7 million ($1.84 million), said a statement.



The seventh contract went to Gulf Business Machines (GBM) for the licenses for operating programmes and the development of the central systems of information systems of the MoI worth QR21.7 million ($5.96 million), while the Telco International gained the eighth contract worth QR7.8 million ($2.14 million) for the maintenance and data collection for traffic radar devices, it added.



The ninth, tenth and eleventh contracts were awarded to Al Tanmiyah for the maintenance and data collection for traffic radar devices for QR4.4 million ($1.21 million), Sail Labs Technology of Austria for comprehensive media monitoring systems worth QR2.5 million ($686,596) and Ares Beskitas of Turkey for the addition of equipment and weapons for boats worth QR140 million ($38.4 million) respectively, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
APM Terminals Bahrain, as part of its commitment to create sustainable future for the communities in which it operates, is contributing towards the education and training of the Bahraini youth in the field of maritime and logistics.



This initiative in collaboration with Bahrain Polytechnic, provides opportunities to support industrys growing demand for quality maritime workforce and encourage new generation to pursue careers in this dynamic industry, said a statement from APM Terminals Bahrain.



The maritime sector is one of the key pillars of economic development for Bahrain and due to its ever-evolving maritime landscape, has a significant employment demand for highly-skilled maritime workforce at all levels, it said.



APM Terminals Bahrain is committed towards enhancing maritime education through its partnership with Bahrain Polytechnic, in an endeavour to prepare potential future workforce to further the development of the sector, it added.



Through this joint initiative, 36 students enrolled with Bahrain Polytechnics maritime course, will undergo theoretical and practical knowledge sessions on maritime logistics conducted by APM Terminals Bahrain senior management for a better understanding of Bahrains shipping industry and Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) operations.



These lectures are delivered by the members of the senior management team of APM Terminals Bahrain who provide an up-to-date view of the relevant topics of study supported by their experience in the field. Some of these sessions will be executed on-site at Khalifa Bin Salman Port and the Bahrain Polytechnic campus and will include Port Development and Planning, Passenger and Freight movements, Vessel types, Port and Custom Authorities and much more.



Mark Hardiman, CEO and managing director of APM Terminals Bahrain, said: Education is one of the global strategic pillars for APM Terminals CSR initiatives, with trained workforce being an essential requirement of our maritime sector.



Through our educational collaborations, we are offering students a holistic view of the industry and its international guidelines while equipping them with technical knowledge that will better help prepare them for careers in this field, he said.



More importantly, it enables us to continue to attract and cultivate new talent, intensify employment possibilities and facilitate career paths for the Bahraini youth in maritime industry, he added.



Dr John Webb, dean of the faculty of business and logistics at Bahrain Polytechnic, said: This is a really exciting opportunity for our students to study first-hand the key aspects of maritime and logistics industry including port operations and supply chains.



Most importantly, they will also gain industry insights from the experienced staff of APM Terminals. With on-port lectures organised by APM Terminals Bahrain, this will be a real-time learning for our students, helping them become more aware of the industry and choose for themselves various career options and area of specialisation they would like to pursue in future.



Over the years, APM Terminals Bahrain have participated in several university fairs with lectures delivered by the companys management at the Royal University for Women. Moreover, the company also runs an internship programme, the Graduate Programme which since 2014 has hosted over 40 internships with full-term employments offered to best performing candidates.



As a global player operating 72 operating ports and terminal facilities and over 140 Inland Services operations spread over 69 countries, APM Terminals continues in its endeavour to support local institutions and governments in creating a well-educated workforce for the maritime industry, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
Islamic State's self-declared caliph Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi is believed to be still inside Mosul city even as the Iraqi Army has entered the city for the first time in over two years, a report said.



Fuad Hussein, chief of staff to Kurdish President Massoud Barzani, said in an interview with The Independent that his government had information from multiple sources that Baghdadi is there and, if he is killed, it will mean the collapse of the whole IS system.



The Mosul battle is likely to end in a decisive defeat for IS.



Baghdadi has kept himself concealed for the last eight or nine months according to Hussein, who added that he had become very dependent on IS commanders from Mosul and Tal Afar, a city just to the west of Mosul.

Many senior figures in IS, particularly those from Syria and other countries, have been killed since their initial triumphs in the summer of 2014 when they took over much of northern Iraq and eastern Syria.



Meanwhile, Iraqi special forces are holding their positions in Mosul a day after entering the city.



Amid poor visibility for the US-led aircraft and drones that have backed Iraqi forces in their assault on the countrys second largest city, special forces general Haider Fadhil told Associated Press no new advances within Mosul were planned for Wednesday.



Fighting continued on the southern approaches to the city, where Iraqi troops took four small villages.
Batelco Group, an international telecommunications group based in Bahrain, ended the first nine months of this year with a net profit of BD32.5 million ($86.2 million), a 21 per cent decline compared to the corresponding period in 2015.



The third quarter net profit was a decrease of 27 per cent over Q3 2015, the company said. Batelco has operations across 14 countries.



The net profits were impacted by increased finance costs due to borrowings in the groups operation in Jordan, one-off items recorded in 2015 and share of loss of the groups investments, said a company statement.



Despite competitive pressure, the group was able to maintain stable revenues and a robust EBITDA margin, it said.



For the nine-month period, the groups gross revenues were down marginally by 2 per cent year-on-year to BD273 million ($724.1 million) mainly due to competitive pressures in key markets. Gross revenues declined by 4 per cent in Q3 2016 compared to the same quarter in 2015 and 2 per cent since Q2 2016.



EBITDA for the period was BD105.2M ($279 million), a 2 per cent decline year over year. EBITDA decreased by 8 per cent in the third quarter of 2016 compared to Q3 2015 and 6 per cent since Q2 2016. Throughout the period, the group was able to continue its successful cost containment programmes resulting in a 3 per cent year-to-date reduction in expenditure compared to the same period last year. The group continues to sustain its robust EBITDA margin of 39 per cent, it said.



Results from operating activities for the period were BD52.8 million (US$140.1M), reflecting a 7 per cent decrease year-over-year and a 21 per cent decrease QoQ compared to Q3 2015. This decline is attributed to increased depreciation charges for higher capex as a result of significant network expansion throughout the group.



The groups balance sheet remains strong, it said, reporting net assets of BD548.1 million (US$1.453 billion) as of 30 September 2016 and a cash balance of BD163.9M ($434.7 million). This includes the impact of the interim dividend (10 fils per share) announced and paid during the quarter. Earnings per share for the period stood at 19.5 fils.



The Q3 financial results were announced following a meeting of the Board of Directors at Batelco Group Headquarters today (November 2).



The Board noted that the Groups efforts are focussed on transforming operations to achieve a competitive edge and long-term operational excellence. The communications world is shifting due to a thirst for more content and digital transformation and Batelco is paving the way to be positioned as a leading digital solutions and services provider, the company said.



Across the Group, the overall subscriber numbers were down by 6 per cent year on year, mainly as a result of decreases in Batelco Bahrain and Sabafon mobile subscribers due to market pressure. However Broadband subscriber numbers increased by 16 per cent YoY with particularly strong input from the home market of Bahrain, which has seen a 29 per cent year-on-year increase in subscribers. This growth is mainly attributable to the take up of fibre services which are now widely available across Bahrain, it said.



During the period, a number of overseas markets delivered positive results due to the rollout of new and enhanced solutions to exceed their customers expectations. Overall, Batelcos key overseas operations performed well and at the end of the nine month period with 59 per cent of revenues and 55 per cent of EBITDA attributable to operations outside of Bahrain. - TradeArabia News Service


Supplying reliable energy to the world while also addressing climate change is an important issue for Saudi Aramco, said the oil giant's president and CEO Amin H Nasser.



In his keynote address at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) Energy Dialogue Conference in Riyadh, Nasser said: The role of energy in global economic development is undeniable, but so is the environmental sustainability of the planet. For Saudi Aramco, addressing climate change is a critical objective.



Nasser added: Pragmatism demands that sufficient investments must continue to be made in oil and gas during the long transition. And at the same time strong emphasis needs to be placed on minimising the carbon footprint. The Kingdom is fully committed to the goal of clean energy, and climate change is a top priority.



Noting that theres a direct link between energy, economic prosperity and living standards, Nasser cited the per capita, per year energy consumption of India, China and the US, adding that in 25 years, global average of energy consumption per capita is expected to remain substantially unchanged from present levels. While the global population will increase, the efficient use of energy will help moderate emission levels.



Fortunately, under this scenario, CO2 emissions are projected to grow by less than 14 per cent, or roughly half of the rise in energy consumption.



Nasser outlined the key strategies Saudi Aramco is pursuing to minimise the carbon footprint of energy. Climate change is driving the transformation of the global energy system, but to be successful, theres a need for alternatives to be ready to reliably and economically meet growing world energy demand, he said.



Nasser cited the Global Methane Initiative, Mission Innovation and the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, or CSLF, as examples where Saudi Arabia is part of the global mission to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas.



Saudi Aramco is pursuing a comprehensive carbon management strategy: helping to support the kingdoms efforts in energy efficiency that is focused on all end-user sectors; expanding gas supplies; focusing on developing renewables; and boosting research and development of win-win technologies that could dispose of carbon while turning it into beneficial products.



Nasser said Saudi Aramco is pursuing partnerships in carbon management initiatives. Collaboration is an area of vital importance, and Saudi Aramco recognises the power of partnerships.



Saudi Aramco also plans to invest in renewables as the kingdom diversifies its energy mix, Nasser disclosed. In renewables, we plan to play a role in helping the Kingdom achieve its ambition to become a solar powerhouse, he said.



Nasser said that, as part of a leading industry response to climate change, Saudi Aramco has partnered with nine international oil companies to form the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, or OGCI, whose members represent 20 per cent of the worlds oil and gas production.



Nasser called on KAPSARC to make an important contribution on climate change knowledge and research and create greater value for the Kingdom through value-adding research and studies in a range of areas, from monetisation of the kingdoms resources, to studies on economy, energy, social issues and trade.



After his remarks, Nasser participated in a panel discussion with Daniel Yergin, vice chairman of IHS Markit, renowned historian and author of the award winning books The Prize and The Quest.



The two-day Energy Dialogue conference, held at KAPSARC's Conference Center, under the theme Energy Transition and Economic Transformation, was designed to help develop and shape energy economics and policy insights that will impact the well-being of societies.



The event offered an opportunity for high-level interaction on the challenges and new opportunities around the global energy landscape. KAPSARCs Energy Dialogue was attended by senior energy and economic policymakers, experts, researchers, and civil society from several countries. - TradeArabia News Service




Qatar Airways has announced a codeshare partnership with Air Botswana, offering Qatar Airways travellers enhanced access to three key destinations in the African country.



The partnership with flag carrier Air Botswana will provide Qatar Airways passengers with connections to the cities of Gaborone, Francistown and Maun via Qatar Airways South Africa gateway Johannesburg.



The Gulf airline operates double-daily flights between Johannesburg and its state-of-the-art hub, Hamad International Airport in Doha, with onward flights to more than 150 destinations worldwide.



The new code-share agreement allows business and leisure travellers fast and convenient access to the home of Botswanas rich mineral industry, abundant game reserves, and luxury safari lodges. Botswanas luxurious tourism experiences are complemented by Qatar Airways ultra-modern fleet of aircraft featuring the worlds best Business Class on services to South Africa.



Qatar Airways group chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: Our new code-share agreement with Air Botswana will offer even greater opportunities for passengers from across our global network, especially from key markets in Europe and Asia to easily connect with popular destinations in Botswana, to take advantage of exclusive leisure experiences.



Codeshare partnerships and airline alliances continue to play an important role for Qatar Airways. We are committed to serving the travel needs of the African market and the addition of Air Botswana flights to Qatar Airways route network is an important expansion of our network.



The Southern African region is an important market for Qatar Airways, with three destinations in South Africa including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, and on the east Maputo in Mozambique. Expansion in this region is a key focus for Qatar Airways, having launched services to the Namibian capital Windhoek on September 28, with Lusaka in Zambia to follow, and the resumption of services to the Seychelles in early 2017.



Air Botswanas acting general manager Agnes Khunwana said: We are delighted to join forces with a renowned global airline like Qatar Airways to launch code-share services to a number of Botswana cities. This partnership provides Qatar Airways passengers with easy and direct access to a number of key business and high-end leisure destinations across Botswana while providing easy access to Qatar Airways global network for the people of Gaborone, Francistown and Maun when booking directly with Qatar Airways. We look forward to working closely with Qatar Airways into the future.



Travellers connecting to Qatar Airways global network from Southern Africa will have access to more than 150 destinations and will continue to see Qatar Airways expand its global reach, with more than a dozen new destinations added in 2016 to explore. This year, the airline has launched routes to Adelaide (Australia), Atlanta (US), Birmingham (UK), Boston (US), Helsinki (Finland), Los Angeles (US), Marrakech (Morocco), Pisa (Italy), Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), Sydney (Australia), Windhoek (Namibia) and Yerevan (Armenia).



Over the next few months, the network will grow further with Krabi (Thailand) and Seychelles.



Qatar Airways, the national airline of Qatar, is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 19th year of operations, the airline operates a modern fleet of 191 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents. - TradeArabia News Service
Careem, the regions leading app based car booking service, has strengthened its position in Saudi Arabia by growing its presence in the majority of its cities.

Careem, which operated in just three cities in Saudi Arabia three years ago, has today grown to 22 cities in in the Kingdom, while simultaneously expanding its services to cover 21 other cities and 10 countries in the Middle East, North African and South Asia.

Within Saudi Arabia, the app-based service is now available in Abha, Ahad Rufaidah, Al-Hofuf, Al-Kharj, Al Mubarraz, Ar Rass, Buraydah, Dammam, Dhahran, Diriyah, Unaizah, Jeddah, Jizan, Jubail, Khamis Mushait, Khobar, Mecca, Medina, Qatif, Riyadh, Taif and Yanbu.

In an announced partnership with the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage, Careem envisages expansion to at least six more cities by the end of the year, making transportation choices more accessible to all customers by 2017.

Dr Abdulla Elyas, co-founder and managing director, Careem Saudi Arabia, said: Careems mission is to make peoples lives simpler by providing a variety of transportation solutions and that is exactly what weve focused on doing in KSA for the past two years. Weve built a strong brand and customer base since our launch because weve always kept the Saudi users best interests first, paying attention to their needs and those of our beloved captains.

In May, Careem became one of the first car hailing companies in Saudi Arabia to be awarded a license to operate by the Ministry of Transport. Careem signed an MoU with Bab Rizq Jameel, a Community Jameel initiative, to provide employment and training opportunities for Saudi citizens, primarily in the public and private limousine sector. The partnership is in line with Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 which aims for a prosperous economy by making the most of the Saudi peoples potential and adopting the culture of freelance work.  TradeArabia News service
Oman Air has welcomed its 500,000th member to Sindbad, the carrier's frequent flyer programme.



In a ceremony held recently, the Sindbad team welcomed the latest member, renowned first Omani actress Fakhria Khamis Al Ajami, at Oman Airs Head Office.



Al Ajami received a complimentary Gold Tier membership of Sindbad, which gives access to exclusive benefits such as extra baggage allowance, Business Class lounge access for the member and a guest, in-flight duty free discount, priority check in, bonus Sindbad miles and more.



Paul Gregorowitsch, chief executive officer, Oman Air said:

We are delighted to have reached 500,000 members. Celebrating this milestone is a great achievement for us and is a reflection of the airlines commitment to service to rewarding and forming genuine connections with our customers.



Named Sindbad after the legendary sailor who is thought to be from Oman, the frequent flyer programme is synonymous with travel, benefits, and excitement, and reflects the heritage and pioneering spirit of its namesake.



The programme has members throughout the airlines international network, who are able to progress through its three tiers  Gold, Silver and Blue. Every member enjoys access to a wide range of privileges and special offers.



The launch of Junior Sindbad Flyer earlier this year was another of Sindbads proudest milestones, enabling younger passengers to enjoy some of the privileges offered to Oman Airs most loyal and valued customers. The programme, which invites passengers between four and 12 years of age to participate in a campaign and collect a free flight, has been exceptionally well received and is making air travel even more exciting for young customers. Every Junior Sindbad Flyer receives their own Oman Air passport which is stamped and signed by the captain on every flight they take. Once they have collected 10 stamps and signatures, they are able to claim a free flight to any destination within the Oman Air network. - TradeArabia News Service


The La Calaca Festival is a participatory arts festival inspired by Dia de Los Muertos, or the "Day of the Dead", that brings the interactive arts to local businesses, art organizations, individuals and visitors from, not only within Mexico but all over.

This is a Meso-American holiday that is centered on the understanding that death is merely a part of life's cycle, and also a commemoration for the departed loved ones. The festival is held on the same day as Halloween or the Christian All Saints' Day through All Souls' Day.

The La Calaca Festival, fairly freshly founded in 2012, obviously isn't exactly full of years of history, but the desire to celebrate Mexico's cultural traditions is certainly worth a look for all travelers alike. The founders wanted to link the explosion of arts and creativity with the ancient traditions that are celebrated in San Miguel de Allende during Dia de los Muertos.

During the festival, different events take place at multiple venues all throughout the city. Daytime events immerse participants in cultural activities, such as live art installations, creative workshops and tours of dressed up cemeteries and traditional altars. The evenings are dominated by costumed processions, musical performances, and parties that last until sunrise.

In Mexico, families gather in local cemeteries to share music, food, and fun with their community, both living and departed. Highly detailed and beautiful altars are created, featuring marigolds, sugar skulls and the all the favorite food of the remembered departed. The celebration acknowledges that we still have a relationship with our ancestors and loved ones who have passed away.

While you're in San Miguel de Allende, the festivals' venue, take advantage of the time between La Calaca events to take a look around. There are historic chapels and churches such as the Santa Cruz del Chorro Chapel. Parroquia of San Miguel Archangel and Las Monjas, which take more than an entire day to visit, so space them out maximize your stay.

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The 20th century has made more difference than any other of the time eras in terms of the way people live. The forums and scale of modern architecture have transformed existing towns and cities and created new ones.

While local traditions of buildings and design did not entirely die out, and throughout the century, revivals of earlier styles continued, Modernism became the first truly international style, with broadly similar products originating in the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia.

As the name suggests, Art Nouveau, or "New Art", was seen as an entirely new style in both architecture and the decorative arts. Although it owed some inspiration to Celtic art and to the Gothic Revival return to naturalism, its whiplash curves and motifs were entirely original.

This style emerged fully formed in Brussels in 1892 with the flowing forms of the ironwork and mosaics of the Tassel house, designed by Victor Horta (1861 - 1947). It achieved its fullest expression in Paris following the Exposition Universelle of 1889, particular in the Metro stations and entrances by Hector Guimard (1867 - 1942) and in the architecture of Antonio Goudi (1852 - 1926) in Barcelona.

Different expressions of the Art Nouveau spirit were taking place in Austria and Scotland. In 1905, the Austrian architect and designer Josef Hoffman (1870 - 1956) designed the Palais Stoclet, a large branded house in Brussels. This generally shows precursors of Modernism.

The central idea of Modernism was that the beauty of designed objects, such as buildings and furniture, depended on the extent to which they functioned as well. Thus it was a moral and aesthetic imperative that the form of a building should reflect its' function and express its' construction.

Modern architectural art can now be found almost anywhere and in different forms and sizes. From simple gateways to monolithic structures and skyscrapers. These structures are often, if not always, made part of the "must-see" places in travelers' guide books and are definitely not just for the architecturally smitten, but for all world travelers to enjoy.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Monarch, a holiday jet, was obliged to turn back to its destination after a passenger set himself with a lighter fuel, according to Stuff.

Passengers of Monarch Airlines going to Birmingham, United Kingdom from Tenerife in the Canary Islands waited for hours as it turned back on October 27th, as reported by Stuff.co.nz.

A man doused his hands with lighter fluid, set himself on fire, and tried to ignite the lighter in a hostess' face, as one of the passengers stated on ITV News.

According to Stuff, "A passenger was setting fire to his own hands, so the stewardess asked the passenger for the lighter for the duration of the flight," another witness said.

Reports stated that the passenger was arrested at Tenerife South Airport and a second man was asked to leave the aircraft.

According to Daily Mail news, a Monarch spokesman said that, "Monarch can confirm that two passengers were offloaded on board Monarch flight ZB933 from Tenerife to Birmingham on 27 October 2016 due to disruptive behavior.

"The flight had departed for Birmingham but diverted back to Tenerife airport where a passenger was subsequently arrested upon arrival."

"'Monarch takes a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive behaviour on board all of our flights. The safety and security of our passengers, crew and aircraft is our absolute priority," the spokesman added.

The passengers were sent off to Portugal after the delay, where they are going to wait longer before going back to UK, as per Stuff.

"Due to crew operating hours expiring the flight is now positioning to Faro, Portugal where a new crew will be available for the return to Birmingham. Customers will be provided with refreshment vouchers upon arrival in Faro", Monarch spokesman further said.

Since 1968, Monarch is the longest surviving airline brands of the United Kingdom, as mentioned by the Stuff.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
While hotels are still the number one choice for travelers seeking comfortable and reasonably priced accommodations, AirBnB is rapidly increasing in popularity.

AirBnB is an app that lets people view and put up advertisements of properties which can be rented to customers who want an alternative option for places to stay in, other than the usual hotel and inn.

However, AirBnB is currently handling some allegations which are concerning the fact that there are various incidents of discrimination on the part of AirBnB hosts.

People who previously used the AirBnB app have filed complaints that they have not been allowed to stay at certain properties just because they were people of color, most especially - they were black.

As reported by Susan Edmunds of Stuff, "Now those who own property for rent on the site are being told they must sign up to a "community commitment" that starts on November 1. That means owners agree to treat everyone with respect, and without judgment or bias, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, age or sexual orientation."

Those who refuse to sign the "community commitment" will not be allowed to take any reservations.

Brian Chesky, the CEO of AirBnB wrote an email to the users of the app, addressing the matter: "Bias and discrimination have no place on Airbnb, and we have zero tolerance for them. Unfortunately, we have been slow to address these problems, and for this I am sorry. I take responsibility for any pain or frustration this has caused members of our community. We will not only make this right; we will work to set an example that other companies can follow."

According to Emma Hinchliffe of Mashable, aside from publicizing a 32-page report which summarized a brand new non-discrimination rule as well as the implementation of methods to get rid of racial prejudice on its platform, AirBnB will also make an anti-bias training accessible to its hosts.

The company is also hiring an entire team of engineers, designers, researchers and data scientists to concentrate on eradicating bias on the app.

The photos which are seen on the platform are seen by some as the root of discrimination and will be re-evaluated by this team.

However, upon release of these advantageous steps, people are still dissatisfied with the amount of progress AirBnB is making when it comes to the issue of completely removing unfair racial practices; insisting that these actions were simply insufficient.

In a statement, New York City Councilman Donovan Richards said, "Instead of taking concrete action to address discrimination, like moving to an anonymous profile system as other online marketplaces use or removing their requirement that users waive their right to take legal action when facing discrimination, Airbnb is playing the crisis communications game to hide from their responsibility. Their lack of action will continue to leave people of color unprotected against civil rights violations."



from ABCNews: Airbnb Outlines New Policies to Combat Racism Accusations

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
According to Robb Report, you can enjoy Cuba "in style". The country's infrastructure may take a lot of years to develop, but there are several ways to pull off a luxury five-star stay.

Here are some of the secret guides to have a luxury travel to Cuba:

Go private

Travelers can avoid long queue in the immigration lines and lost luggage catastrophes by flying private

Victor, a global private jet charter company, offers flights between Havana as well as other 19 U.S. cities.

Leave it to an expert

Tourist travel to Cuba is still prohibited under U.S. law, but there are various categories of authorized travel, as per Robb Report.

To navigate the complicated visa process and adventure tour experience on the island, a tour operator is imperative.

Cuba Educational Travel is recognized as the country's best, as they are able to connect its clients with the artists, musicians, diplomats, and other forces driving the new Cuba.

It's safe

Drugs and firearms has zero-perceptible level to date and has rare possibility of violent crimes.

However, the common and worst danger you'll face is the occasional tourist trap or pickpocket, as advised by the said report.

High-end accommodations do exist

Luxury hotels are few and far between in Cuba; with Americans entering the fray of tourists, it is more important than ever to book early.

In central Havana, Hotel Saratoga offers the most comfortable accommodations, including the Suite Habana with its claw-foot bathtub and wrap-around terrace overlooking El Capitolio.

Next year, the German brand Kempinski will open the country's newest international hotel with 200 rooms.

For now, more luxurious options include a limited number of private villas and superyachts, which can be arranged by Cuba Educational Travel.

Cash is king

CUC or CUP, Cuba's dual-currency system always end up in confusion, especially to tourists.

The use of credit cards and ATMs are not advisable in Cuba. Instead, tourist are more likely advised to bring cash.

Meawhile, the CUP, Cuba's moneda nacional, is used almost exclusively by locals and is commonly the only currency accepted at state-run markets and restaurants, as explained by Robb Report.

Prepare to unplug

Cuba is one of the least digitally connected countries in the world. In view of this, there is only a limited access to internets since there is just a handful of state-provided hot spots around Havana which offer slow and expensive connections, as per Report.

State-run hotels also provide Internet for their guests. To stay connected within the country, it is advisable to buy a local mobile phone.

Go beyond Havana

Like much of the Caribbean, Cuba is home to white sand and sparkly waters.

Tourist can take a day trip or a yacht excursion to the pristine beaches of Cayas Coco or Playa Ancon.

Travelers can book through a reliable travel and trusted companies such as Cuba Educational Travel or Ker & Downey (kerdowney.com), to cut through the red tape.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
"The Honeymoon" is the 21 feet long by 4 feet wide two-person rowboat owned by South African couple Riaan Manser and his wife, Atty. Vasti Geldenhuys. The two are avid kayakers and have gotten married recently, but their actual honeymoon vacation isn't so similar to what couples usually do.

They rowed 2,500 miles from Monterey Harbor in San Francisco all the way to Pearl Harbor on Oahu, Hawaii, and they finished this in just 39 days, breaking the previous record of 45 days, according to The South African.

In the past, the two have had other achievements. According to National Geographic, Riaan had become the first person to circumnavigate Iceland and Magagascar by rowing in a kayak, and the continent of Africa by bike, without assistance. In 2014, the pair also took a six-month journey rowing 7,000 miles traveling from New York City to Morocco. This feat made Vasti the first woman to have rowed from Africa to North America.

Despite their courage and strength, many dangers have faced the two during their adventure, with an instance where Riaan was swept away by the current, in an area thousands of miles from the nearest rescue team. On another occasion, Vasti's eye went temporarily blind, damaged by the ocean's strong glare.

In addition, the two have had arguments on board, Vasti even says, "we had a fight and didn't speak for two days." Difficult when you're stuck with just one person within a 1,000 mile radius.

Despite the difficulties, the pair decided to row to their Hawaii honeymoon vacation because of the achievement factor, something that they impress their children with one day. In addition, they want to celebrate the opportunity that has been given to them to undertake such a daring task.

Vasti even says that she cried after finishing the New York to Morocco trip, not because she was scared but because she was so happy to have experienced the whole thing with Riaan.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
The world's largest commercial aircraft, behemoth Airbus A380, has the capacity of 544 passengers with a distance of 15,200km, according to The Telegraph.

The largest Emirates plane will take a short travel from Doha to Dubai with a distance of 378 kilometers by next month.

According to the Telegraph, it's the shortest route A380 will be using as compared to anywhere in the world, for about less than an hour for a one-way travel. Feasibly, the plane can fly 40 times between the said two cities before refuelling.

The unveiling of this huge plane will be on December 1 featuring 429 economy seats, 76 business class and 14 first class. Emirates have been operating 85 A380s and a further 57 available on order. It is specifically more than any other carrier, as explained by the Telegraph.

While this will mark as a record for the "Superjumbo" A380, it is still 'no match' for the world's shortest international route. The latter goes to People's Viennaline's service which connect St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport, Switzerland to Friedrichshafen Airport, Germany.

These airports are just 13 miles away from each other with just about eight-minute travel time. The shortest international route will just be using a smaller aircraft, an Embraer 170 which has room for only 76, based on the Telegraph report.

Meanwhile, Traveller.com.au reported that the shortest A380 route will continue to provide the luxurious, comfortable and relaxing travel options as it was known for.

The A380 was described as a double-decker plane with flat-bed seats and first-class suits on the upper-deck while the lower deck can provide 429 economy passengers, the company said, as per Traveller.com.au.

Emirates will provide the daily service between Doha and Dubai, the company added.

According to Traveller report, the Airbus A380 has been looked over by the United Arab Emirates Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Over the weekend, 17,000 baby turtles were released, the first in the series of three releases in a protected area in northeastern Peru's Amazon River Basin.

According to www.stuff.co.nz, the government have released a huge number of endangered baby Taricaya turtles, in a bid to save the species.

The release is also a part of a conservation and educational effort by Peruvian authorities.

The yellow-spotted Amazon River turtles -- known by their local name, Taricaya -- are protected by Peruvian authorities and are considered a vulnerable species.

The yellow-spotted Amazon River turtle can also live up to 70 years, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Adult females can even weigh more than 6 pounds and measure 27 inches long.

Many local residents came out to watch and help release the turtles back into their natural habitat.

Edition.cnn.com says that authorities hope the program will help conserve the vulnerable species for many years to come. Volunteers and employees from Peru's National Service of Protected Natural Areas by the State (SERNANP) collected the turtle eggs throughout the month of August and cared for them in makeshift habitats during the 70 days they take to hatch. Once they hatch, they get released back into the basins.

Preserving the eggs and letting them hatch under the care of the local authorities helps a lot in making sure that the eggs would get to give life to thousands of baby turtles. Incidents had happened I the past wherein turtle eggs along their natural habitats would end up destructed even before it had hatched.

Sending these newly born baby turtles into their natural habitat would definitely a great help in making sure that their species would continue to increase in number. Local authorities should also take into constant monitoring the place where these babies are released, and make sure that the place is still clean and safe enough for these vulnerable species.

A total of 500,000 baby turtles will be released by mid-November, authorities say.

Authorities and volunteers started releasing the baby turtles on October 15 and will continue until November 15.



See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
TripAdvisor has now made it easy for Americans to book a trip to Cuba.

According to a recent report, the travel website can now help travelers plan a trip to the island nation. Brian Hoyt, TripAdvisor's brand's senior director of corporate communications told Travel + Leisure: "At TripAdvisor, we allow you to facilitate the travel booking in multiple ways."

This announcement means that Americans who would like to visit Cuba will be able to arrange things like hotels and some tourist attractions. "You can book your total [trip] through us," Hoyt explained.

In March this year, President Barack Obama made history by being the first American leader to visit the country post-Cold War in 88 years. Now that the sanctions have been loosened, Americans will now be able to travel to the country independently, but they must follow a few rules, as "tourist travel" is still prohibited.

The reasons include: family visits, "journalistic activity," humanitarian projects, religious and educational activities, "support of the Cuban people," professional research and meetings, "exportation, importation, or transmission or information materials." There's a total of 12 reasons, all of which are mentioned here.

One must be prepared to shell out some cash. A report estimated that previously, an educational visit by an American could reach between USD$2,000 and $3,500-this is because there's a need to have a fully booked itinerary through a tour company. More and more affordable options are surfacing, however-for instance, solo travelers can plan a trip where they meet Cuban citizens and immerse themselves in the culture by visiting community centers and schools.

"We are proud to be the first U.S. airline to serve Cuba, but our focus is on being the best airline serving Cuba," said Robin Hayes, president JetBlue president and CEO Robin Hayes in a press release.

"For the first time in decades, families separated by only a short stretch of water can easily and affordably visit a loved one, attend an important occasion or visit a special place - and the role we play speaks directly to our mission of inspiring humanity," Hayes added.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
There will always be highlights and low points for every trip. However, one seemingly insignificant part of a trip can create a lasting impression about a place: the airport. Considering this is both the first and last place you visit on a trip, it is capable of creating a strong impression. For your comfort, safety and security, we're giving you a list of some of the world's worst airports.

1. Caracas Simon Bolivar International Airport (Venezuela)

Despite being known as one of the best airports in all of America in its earlier years of operation, time and corruption have definitely brought this airport down. With constant travellers' comments about the airport's lack of modernization, amenities, equipment, security and hygiene, it's safe to say this is not an airport you'll want to spend more than a few hours in.

2. Port Harcourt International Airport (Nigeria)

Previously a winner of the title "Worst Airport in the World," Port Harcourt has made some decent changes in the past year. However, it's still considered to be one of the world's worst airports.

If you can imagine an place ith a hot, mosquito-filled tent instead of an arrival hall and a big disorganized pile of luggage instead of a conveyor belt, then you can imagine what it's like flying in and out of this "airport."

3. Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Vietnam)

While dirty bathrooms and poor Wi-Fi connection may not seem like complete disasters, the real weakness of this airport lies with the staff. A majority of travellers have reported similar complaints regarding poor staff performance and conduct.

SleepingInAirports, an online travel community dedicated to the reviewing of airports, stated that the customs services were the worst aspect of this airport. It was stated that customs officers ask for bribes in order to avail of faster processing times. Refusal of payment immediately meant unreasonable delays and paperwork issues.

4. Tashkent International Airport (Uzbekistan)

One thing you may never be able to avoid at an airport is having to stand in line. This, of course, would not be a problem as lines are means of discipline and order. However, these are things that Tashkent clearly doesn't have.

Due to the lack of crowd control and adequate security, travellers constantly report having been pushed and shoved for spots in line. Forget about reserving your place. At this airport, you'll have to be on the defensive side to simply get into the line.

5. Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (Saudi Arabia)

The winner of this year's title of "Worst Airport in the World" has gone to the out-of-control, practically chaotic airport of Jeddah King. With complete disregard of signs and warnings, revolting smells coming from all over, and irresponsible immigration officers, most travellers would definitely recommend against travelling through this airport.

However, if it's absolutely necessary for you to fly out through Jeddah King, be prepared for the worst. Travelers have reported being delayed for up to thirty hours due to airline mistakes and human error. In these cases, we highly recommend that you get out as soon as you can so you can spend your time anywhere else.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Starting in 2017, Fez Travel will be expanding their guaranteed departure small group tours to the Balkan countries.



(TRAVPR.COM) TURKEY - November 2nd, 2016 - Fez Travel is celebrating its 20th year of operation by increasing its number of destinations. For the last 20 years, the company has been providing guaranteed departure small group tours in Turkey and Greece and now it will be extending its operation networks to the Balkans including Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia & Bulgaria.

Fez Travels guiding principle when designing its small group tour programs is to provide travellers with a genuine experience rather than just a holiday. Fez Travel Managing Director Ekrem Usta explains: We want our guests to feel that they have had a genuine insight into the country & culture when they visit, and we achieve this by carefully selecting the places we visit, the properties we stay in and expert guides who know the routes like the back of their hand. We will deliver 3 different itineraries in the Balkans within same principle..

Fez Travel 2017 Balkans tour details :-

Balkan Escape (11 Days) from $1339USD $1071 USD pp (inc. EB Discount)

Experience scenic and cultural highlights of Balkans on this 11 day tour which includes amazing Macedonia, rippling mountains of Albania, a slice of Adriatic heaven  Montenegro & medieval architecture of Dubrovnik.

Balkan Gems (7 Days) from $1019USD $815 USD pp (inc. EB Discount)

Charming wooden Ottoman-style houses, rich greenery, stunning coastlines and more  see the best of the Balkans region as you visit Skopje, Ohrid, Tirana, Budva, Kotor & Dubrovnik.

Balkan Highlights (7 Days) from $855USD $684 USD pp (inc. EB Discount)

Step back in time within the high walls of Dubrovnik, see the famous Mostar Bridge, explore the baroque town of Central Europe  Novi Sad and more.

Early Booking Offers

Fez Travel is offering two special early booking incentives. Travellers booking and paying in full for the above tours by 31 January 2017 will save 20%.

Travellers who book and pay in full for any escorted small group tour between 1 February 2017 and 31March 2017, receive a 15% discount. These savings are also available for bookings made through travel agents.

For more information on the early bird specials check Fez Travels hot deals.

For more information on Fez Travels 2017 programs, visit the Fez Travel home page or email: sales@feztravel.com to speak to a destination expert. To order a copy of the 2017 brochure email: brochure@feztravel.com.

-ends-

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Lappeenranta, Finland to attract international travelers with ArrivalGuides



(TRAVPR.COM) SWEDEN - November 2nd, 2016 - Situated near the Russian border only couple of hours away from the Finish capital, Lappeenranta is a popular international university city and an entry point between east and west.

With the beautiful Lake Saimaa, Europes fourth largest lake, Lappeenranta is a bustling destination and a center of the lakeside tourism, offering visitors a remarkable display of nature, luxury spas, historical sights, cultural events, art exhibitions and an eclectic mix of recreation and leisure opportunities.

Suvi Ahola, Management & Marketing of goSaimma Ltd, stated, We are very excited to start co-operation with ArrivalGuides. It provides our region an amazing opportunity to be presented on this international platform and to promote the specialties we have to offer to a wide international audience. ArrivalGuides offers us a strong and versatile online visibility for our own created content and we hope that our message will engage more and more international tourists around the world.

Lappeenranta is only the newest tourist board to join the ArrivalGuides, informing potential guests of the variety that Lappeenranta has to offer. Through their new destination guide, travelers are exposed to the diversity of their tourism offers such as guided tours, lake cruises, family activities, where to dine, shop and sleep.

Magnus Aideborn, CEO of ArrivalGuides, said, We are very excited to have another Finish destination as part of our destination network. Now, like all of our destination members, they have harnessed the power of the most powerful digital marketing platform in the world. We look forward to a long lasting relationship with Lappeenranta.

About ArrivalGuides

ArrivalGuides is the worlds largest distributor of destination content, with over 340 distribution partners using our library of destination information, including photos and videos, to improve customer interaction, experience, loyalty and transactions with their brand. Our distribution network consists of major global, influential brands who are using ArrivalGuides destination content to drive their travel business across all platforms and digital communications including apps, booking confirmations, newsletters, Smart TV applications and touchscreens. ArrivalGuides head office is in Gothenburg, Sweden. For more information, please see arrivalguides.biz and arrivalguides.com.

About goSaimaa Ltd

goSaimaa Ltd is a corporation founded by the local cities, municipalities and travel companies. The key aim is to boost tourism in South Karelia by marketing the diverse product selection by the travel service producers. goSaimaa Ltd is responsible for organizing joint marketing of the South Karelia and updating goSaimaa.com internet portal.

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Coco Collection, the iconic Maldivian luxury hospitality brand, is pleased to announce the appointment of Antony Paton as the Group General Manager and Andrew Ashmore as the Head of Sales and Marketing.



(TRAVPR.COM) MALDIVES - November 2nd, 2016 - As Group General Manager, Antony Paton will oversee the operations of all three properties in the portfolio. With 40 years of experience, knowledge and background of the travel and hospitality industry, Patons recent role as General Manager of Galle Face Hotel in Sri Lanka saw him lead a $30m restoration and re-launch of the hotel in 2015. He has a deep understanding of the Maldives and the luxury market with the successful opening of Six Senses Laamu in 2011, and as the Managing Director of Operations at the Soneva resorts after that. His time with Soneva saw him lead the operations for Soneva Fushi, former Soneva Gili in the Maldives and Soneva Kiri in Thailand. With past experience of having served the royal family of Jordan, their majesties King Hussein and Queen Noor, Antony is well accustomed to anticipate the needs of individuals who lead high powered lifestyles.

With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Andrew Ashmore brings a wealth of experience in sales and marketing to his new role at Coco Collection. Most recently, he served as Chief Marketing Officer of Hashoo Hotels, Pakistans largest hotel chain. During Ashmores time there, he was overseeing all the marketing operations of the hotel group and was responsible in developing their vision and strategy in an environment that was challenging for tourism and hospitality. Prior to that, a prominent period of his career was with the renowned Hyatt group. With a Hyatt career that began in 1985, Ashmores last role was as Vice President of Global and Operational Sales for Hyatt hotels across EAME and India saw his strategic role in handling and managing over 350 key global sales accounts across the region from 2011 to 2013.

I am very pleased to extend a very warm welcome to both Antony Paton and Andrew Ashmore who joins the dynamic team at Coco Collection. Paton will be leading the teams to reinforce personalized service and to deliver a consistent brand experience to all guests of the properties within the collection. Together with the experienced team at the corporate office, Ashmore is devising a strategy to boost our sales and marketing efforts, and to strengthen Coco Collections image among the luxury market. With Paton and Ashmore at the helm of the teams, we are looking forward to a very successful year ahead! comments Shabeer Ahmed, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Sunland Hotels and Coco Collection.

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For years, "vampire power" (standby electrical power) was a big issue  with all those little wall warts, cellphone chargers and computer monitors sucking energy. Then it all went away. New regulations came into place that limited standby power to one watt, and then as of 2013, it was reduced to 0.5 watts. We all thought we had driven a stake through the heart of that vampire.

The New Vampire

However a different species of vampire has risen, and its not the little wall wart but the bigger stuff built into our appliances. It's not regulated in the same way and it can be much larger. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released a study in 2015 that looked at how many "always on" and "idle load" devices the average house had going at once  the digital displays, electronic consoles and Internet routers of the average household  and found that there were an average of 65 different devices sucking little bits of electricity. They dont take much, but they do it all day, and that segment totals 23 percent of our electricity consumption, costing between $165 and $440 per year per household, or $19 billion nationwide.

The Worst Offenders

That's a lot of juice. NRDC

Its in the oddest places too. The ground fault circuit interrupter safety outlet in your bathroom is sucking energy and costing you a buck a year. The electronic display that now appears on every appliance.

The worst offender is the cable TV set-top box (16-57 watts). In 2011, the NRDC reported that these boxes consumed more power than EnergyStar-rated refrigerators, which roughly ended up costing $3 billion a year in electricity costs. Soon after, companies made energy-efficient set-top boxes. Today instead of having a box for every TV in a home, households can now have one main box with smaller side units for other TVs.

"The best thing people can do is, if theyve got multiple DVRs, trade them in for the new upgraded system," Noah Horowitz, NRDC senior scientist, told The New York Times. "Youll cut the energy use from the equipment by about a half."

Set-top boxes aren't the only piece of technology you should worry about. In my house, the printer is sucking 2.5 and the Apple airport time capsule, 10 watts. Add my router and my smart bulb controller and it adds up fast, costing me about $39 per year.

The Trouble With Smart Homes

Vampires hiding in my closet. Lloyd Alter

Then there is our much-vaunted smart home and an entire set of new idle loads. My beloved Bluetooth Philips Hue light bulbs are extremely efficient, but they draw 1.5 watts in standby. They are consuming more energy in total while off than while on. Much of the energy savings I've gained by going LED are being eaten up by the connectivity. Multiply this by the dozens of new smart devices coming into our houses and it starts seeming pretty stupid. As the NRDC study notes, we have to start thinking about this and designing for it.

An increasing number of devices can now be connected to a home network, such as smart thermostats, appliances, plugs, and even light bulbs. This allows for smarter home energy management and has the potential to save energy, such as switching off devices automatically when no one is home. However, energy savings can be offset by high idle load if devices are poorly designed. Technology exists for connected devices to use very low power when in standby mode and connected, but they must be designed that way.

The vampire not only isnt dead, he has a whole new smart connected world to conquer. Look at the chart down below to identify what you can do about it.
Frank Lloyd Wright was born on this day 150 years ago, and in his long and tumultuous career build some of the most interesting buildings in America. He was in many ways a pioneer in sustainable design, experimenting with solar and earth-sheltered housing. He wanted to make housing affordable and available to all Americans with his Usonian houses, and was a promoter of prefabrication.

Lloyd Alter/ Frank Lloyd Wright collection/CC BY 2.0

He could also write, and was always good for a quote. I grew up surrounded by his influence; my mom was fascinated by him and bought every book he wrote; these are a few of hers that I now have. Some of his best lines:

He was no fan of cities, saying of Boston: "Clear out 800,000 people and preserve it as a museum piece." Of New York: "Prison towers and modern posters for soap and whiskey. Pittsburgh: Abandon it" and "I doubt if there is anything in the world uglier than a Midwestern city." In his 1958 book The Living City he wrote:

New York is the biggest mouth in the world. It appears to be prime example of the herd instinct, leading the universal urban conspiracy to beguile man from his birthright (the good ground), to hang him by his eyebrows from skyhooks above hard pavement, to crucify him, sell him, or be sold by him.

Modernists hated him; Philip Johnson called him " the greatest architect of the nineteenth century." Meanwhile, he hated Philip Johnson's famous Glass House, visiting it and complaining "Here I am, Philip, am I indoors or am I out? Do I take my hat off or keep it on?"

My favourite quote about bad architecture: "The physician can bury his mistakes, but the architect can only advise his clients to plant vines."

And finally:

Human beings can be beautiful. If they are not beautiful it is entirely their own fault. It is what they do to themselves that makes them ugly. The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes. If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life.

Quotes that are attributed to Frank Lloyd Wright but he probably never said:

"Centralization: If it keeps up, man will atrophy all his limbs but the push-button finger."

"There is nothing more uncommon than common sense."

Here is a roundup of some of our posts related to Frank Lloyd Wright.

Fallingwater: a contradiction in sustainable design

credit: Kelly Rossiter

Kelly Rossiter/CC BY 2.0

Edgar Kaufman Jr. said of Fallingwater:

Fallingwater is famous because the house in its setting embodies a powerful ideal -that people today can learn to live in harmony with nature. . .As technology uses more and more natural resources, as the worlds population grows even larger, harmony with nature is necessary for the very existence of mankind.

Spend the night in Frank Lloyd Wright's Duncan House

credit: Lloyd Alter/ Duncan House exterior

Lloyd Alter/ Duncan House exterior/CC BY 2.0

The Duncan House is no Fallingwater (and I am no photographer) but it is fascinating in its own way, and there is much that can be learned from it. It also is available both for touring and you can stay in it overnight, as we did before continuing to Fallingwater.

Frank Lloyd Wright Did Not Go Solar Posthumously; He Always Was

Rufus Knight 1938/Public Domain

I got cranky about an article in Grist by Chris Mims about solar panels being installed on Taliesin West.

I know I shouldn't get so hot and bothered about a headline on a quickie post. But it summarizes such a common attitude, that solar is something that you add on instead of baking in. That it is all about gizmo green instead of about good design. When in fact, Frank Lloyd Wright went solar long before Christopher Mims or I were born.

Every house should have roof overhangs, except when they shouldn't or can't

Lloyd Alter/ Not my house addition: Martin House has overhangs/CC BY 2.0

I referenced the Darwin Martin House in Buffalo in a discussion about eaves and their historic and structure-saving functions. The eave design can keep you cool too by providing shade for windows.

Will self-driving cars fuel urban sprawl?

Frank Lloyd Wright: Broadacre City/Public Domain I reference Frank Lloyd Wright's Broadacre City a lot when discussing self-driving cars; it was his idea of how one designs for the automobile, where density and distance become irrelevant. I continue to suspect that it will make a comeback.

Quote of the Day: Tim De Chant on how self-driving cars will affect cities

 Building Broadacre City model

After my initial burst of enthusiasm about autonomous cars, (see How the self-driving car might make our cities better and greener) I am beginning to think I got it wrong; I keep saying that young people are turning their backs on cars because they would rather look at their phone, but what if they can do both in a self-driving car? It's the ticket to Broadacre City.
Peruvian environmental authorities make a big statement with tiny turtles.

With so much dismal news regularly centered around the natural world, its heartening to hear happy things  so lets rejoice. The National Service of Protected Natural Areas by the State (SERNANP), a Peruvian government conservation group, is releasing half a million baby yellow-spotted Amazon River turtles in a series of three releases in a protected areas of northeastern Peru's Amazon River Basin. The first turtle free-for-all took place in October and the last will be mid-November.

Known locally by the name taricayas, the turtles are considered vulnerable  the conservation effort hopes to ensure their long-term survival.

The turtle eggs were initially collected by volunteers and employees from SERNANP during August and tended to in manmade habitats during the 70 days of incubation. Once hatched, the babies are set free  hopefully to live out their lives of seven decades or more.

Via Reuters
Humanity's innate love for nature is integrated into this design for a biologically attuned and meditative workspace in London.

Opinions about office design have evolved quite a bit over the decades: the soul-sucking cubicle is out, while open offices and lots of living greenery are in.

Inspired by the biophilic tenet that our love for nature is an innate characteristic, Korean firm Daewha Kang Design created these experimental additions to a twelfth floor of a high-rise office building in London, England.

Tom Donald for Aldworth James & Bond

With the aim of assessing the impact of biophilic design on the well-being and productivity of office workers, the project was designed in collaboration with British management company Mitie and Dr. Marcella Ucci of University College of London. It consists of two parts: an immersive "Living Lab" and two Regeneration Pods which offer compact, quiet spaces for meditation and relaxation. The idea is to create a space that speaks to the patterns, materials and lighting that's found in nature, says Kang:

Biophilia refers to human beings innate need for a connection with nature. Human physiology is wired to seek qualities of light, view, material and other factors common in the natural world. The Living Lab is fully immersive, with rich and intricate patternization, natural materials and interactive and dynamic lighting.

In the Living Lab, the designers have used digital fabrication techniques to create an unique environment that seems to envelop users in a visually energetic arrangement of bamboo slats, all in varying lengths and shades. The work table has lamps for each station, and planters in the middle. In addition, there are sensors that collect environmental data like temperature and humidity.

In a nod toward the importance of circadian lighting in regulating a healthy biological clock, the installation is connected to a time sensor that alters the lighting as work progresses throughout the day: cooler, bluer lighting in the morning, bright white in the afternoon and a warmer orange tint at the end of the day to help workers mentally wind down their day, while still offering a sweeping view to the outside.

The Regeneration Pods, on the other hand, are more insular in nature, and look like giant pinecones. The interior features upholstered seating that's suited for employees to take a pause, or for meditation. Users can activate an array of lighting choices and ambient sounds that facilitate a mindful, meditative atmosphere.

Tom Donald for Aldworth James & Bond

Tom Donald for Aldworth James & Bond

The project's impacts will be measured in daily surveys that will compare participants' time using the Living Lab and the Regeneration Pods for a period of four weeks, followed by another four weeks working on the same floor with similar environmental parameters, but without the use of the biophilic installations.

But even without such an experiment, it's probably safe to say that having such an aesthetically pleasing and biologically attuned workplace will no doubt make workers happier and better-adjusted. To see more, visit Daewha Kang Design.
Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 2

UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore has given the go-ahead to two ambitious projects of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation  smart parking and mechanised sweeping.

MC officials today gave a presentation on these projects, along with the general functioning of the MC, to Badnore at the UT Secretariat in Sector 9.

A senior MC official said the Administrator was impressed with these projects and gave his consent.

Under the smart parking management system, the MC has received bids from three companies. The MC is working on finalising a firm. It had recently floated e-tenders to turn all 25 paid parking lots in the city into smart facilities.

Under the smart parking system, all lots will be given to a single firm. There will be a central server of CCTVs and e-ticketing machines at the MC office from where the company staff and civic body officials will keep an eye on parking attendants. Besides, the parking staff will be dressed in proper uniform.

The MC House had recently approved mechanised sweeping for the city on the pattern of Mohali and had given its nod to the firm finalised by the civic body for the purpose. The project will be implemented in sectors, colonies and villages south of Dakshin Marg. The areas to be covered are Sectors 31 to 56, 61 and 63, Industrial Area, Phase II, Hallo Majra, Ram Darbar, Burail, Attawa, Badheri, Maloya, Kajheri and Dhanas, besides some other colonies. The project will be launched in the second week of November before the MC poll code comes into force on November 15.
Tribune News Service

Mohali, November 2

A constable was killed while two head constables were injured, one of them seriously, in an accident between a Punjab Police pilot SUV and a Punjab Roadways bus on a flyover at Kurali late last night.

The deceased has been identified as Gurdev Singh (45). He was driving the SUV (PB 65E 0898) at the time of the accident, which occurred around 11.15 pm. Head Constable Shinder Pal, who was sitting on the front seat alongside the driver, sustained serious head injuries and has been admitted to Max Hospital at Phase VI here. His condition is stated to be critical. The third victim, Head Constable Gurcharan Singh, received injuries on his face. His condition is stated to be stable while Head Constable Karamvir Singh escaped unhurt in the accident.

The victims were reportedly on VIP duty to escort HS Bains, Media Adviser to the Punjab Chief Minister, after receiving him in the area.

Inspector Amarbir Singh, SHO of the Kurali police station, said it was head-on collision. The bus also hit an Innova. However, its occupants escaped with minor injuries, said the SHO.

The front portion of the pilot SUV was badly damaged. Onlookers had to pull out the injured policemen from it, said the inspector.

The bus driver fled from the spot, leaving the vehicle behind.

A case has been registered against the bus driver under Section 304 A of the IPC.

After a postmortem, the constable's body was handed over to his kin.

Gurdev Singh is survived by his wife, a son (14) and a daughter (17).
Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 2

For quenching the thirst of the dehydrated Sukhna Lake, Punjab has offered to divert water. In an affidavit submitted before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Punjab has stated that water from an 18-foot-wide canal on the western side of the lake could be diverted.

Taking note of the offer, the High Court has asked the Chandigarh Administration to examine it before submitting a concrete proposal before the Bench.

The developments before a Division Bench of the High Court took place after a senior advocate appearing for one of the parties referred to the affidavit. Appearing before the Bench, senior advocate Rajiv Atma Ram submitted that the state of Punjab, in its affidavit, had stated that there was an 18-foot-wide canal at the western side of the lake and water from it could be diverted to Sukhna Lake.

It was further submitted that the water could be diverted through another canal, the cost of which would be borne by Punjab. Responding to the suggestion, the amicus curiae or the friend of the court, Tanu Bedi, pointed out that the proposal had already been incorporated in the suggestions received from the people and had already been taken on record.

Earlier during the proceedings, Rajiv Atma Ram told the Bench of Justice Ajay Kumar Mittal and Justice Ramendra Jain that a 24-inch pipeline from Mohali to Sukhna Lake had been laid for pumping rainwater around 15 years ago. It was still in existence.

Bedi has already also placed on record a comprehensive report on the basis of suggestions received by her and senior advocate Manmohan Lal Sarin from people on saving the lake. The Bench had, on a previous date of hearing, invited suggestions from residents. The people were asked to forward their views to Sarin and Bedi before being analysed and placed before the Bench.

The High Court had, nearly four years ago, suggested diverting the surplus water from the city to it. The Bench had asked the counsel for the Chandigarh Administration to explore the feasibility of diverting the surplus water in December and January to the lake.
Manohar Singh Gill

PARTITION in 1947 was the greatest subcontinental disaster, leading to migration and misery for the people of Punjab. Governor Glancey wrote to M.A Jinnah that he was doing everything to clear out the rural Sikhs from the rich canal colonies. Daily violence in Lahore pushed out Hindus and Sikhs from the urban areas. The March 1947 massacres in the Rawalpindi area encouraged the eastward movement of Hindus and Sikhs. Vast numbers of men, women and children were steadily pushed eastwards and westwards. The Sikhs left fertile lands and got a few sandy acres in the east. Still, they gave India the Green Revolution of 1967-68. The country's deficit areas were fed and freed of dependence on PL-480 grain from the US. People from Lahore and other cities settled in North India and prospered.

Master Tara Singh, from a Malhotra family, adopted the Sikh faith as a boy and became a passionate fighter for their lost cause. He came to Amritsar. Immediately after Independence, he jumped into the fight to get the Sikhs, an area where they too, could experience the glow of freedom. Prime Minister Jawharlal Nehru had used these words, before Independence, in giving this assurance. Living in near-poverty Master Tara Singh too fought for his cause. As a college student in Ludhiana, in 1953-57, I saw all the turmoil. Every now and then, Tara Singh was locked away in Dharamshala or Ooty. After an interval, Nehru would invite him to a breakfast of dahi-paranthas. Somehow, they would patch up and the temperature would come down. After a while, it would rise again. I lived through it all and joined the Punjab cadre of the IAS in 1958.

Potti Sreeramulu had fasted to death for Andhra and succeeded. Master Tara Singh also tried such a fast, in the Golden Temple. Strangely, the fast lengthened, but with little weight loss. Chief Minister Kairon's C.I.D. knew. The threat lost its bite. He did it twice in that period and lost the blind following of the Sikhs. Suddenly, a new unknown leader for the Sikhs was brought in from Buddha Jauhr. Master Tara Singh was turfed out. He died unregarded in the PGI, Chandigarh.

The Sikhs started a new parampara. We learnt a new designation of a new leader: Sant Fateh Singh. Of medium height, stocky, soft spoken, he pushed for a Punjabi state, with the focus on language. This was strongly opposed by the urban population. The Jalandhar Press encouraged them to record Hindi as their mother tongue, even in Amritsar, in the 1961 census. Punjab was in constant emotional turmoil, each group shouting for its own beliefs. Master Tara Singh was an urban Sikh but with Sant Fateh Singh power passed to the rural Sikhs, Jats. Dring that period, one saw morchas, satyagraha and jail bharo as new players jumped in constantly. One remembers Dr Kalicharan of Ludhiana. A little like Praveen Togadia in Gujarat, he took up the urban Hindi cause passionately and created ripples of excitement. We suddenly got a new player  Mahant Sewadas. Nobody knew where he came from. He suddenly began his dance in the Punjab turmoil and made it to the headlines and then he faded away. I wonder where he is. They all appeared on the stage of life, said their pieces and disappeared into the changing rooms.

In August 1965, I became the Deputy Commissioner of Ambala, which stretched from the Bhakra and the Sutlej to the Yamuna. I saw a Hindi agitation. Every evening, boys created chaos in the Ambala bazaars. Birbal Nath, the SP, head of the BSF later, and I, ran around to get them off the streets. In those days, we still followed the British code of management of turmoil. The present system of police firing at the slightest did not exist. We were trained, not to allow it. In the first week of September, the 1965 war with Pakistan started. Sant Fateh Singh withdrew his agitation. I witnessed the villages of Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Ferozepur supporting the Army, even sending food to the trenches. The Army's system had failed. The country was amazed at the fearlessness and sense of duty of the people of Punjab.

The Government of India appointed a Parliamentary Committee under Sardar Hukam Singh, the Speaker, on the Punjab issue. I was asked to give tea to Sant Fateh Singh's delegation, on way from Amritsar to Delhi. Punjab underwent a second partition. The new Radcliffes were ICS officers from Delhi. They divided, as directed from behind the curtain. The hill areas went to Himachal, and pure Punjabi-speaking areas, remained in the new Haryana. Chandigarh too, was taken away; so was the Bhakra Dam. Both had been built by Nehru to restore the spirit and the pride of the Punjabis, after 1947. The argument continued. Agitations were launched to no effect. In the new Punjab, I became the DC of Jalandhar. Sant Fateh Singh decided to burn himself on a given day, in agni-kunds, on top of the Akal Takht building. I remember Umranangal, a tall strapping Amritsar Jathedar and two, three others joining him, with the thought of future benefit. As the day came nearer, there was great excitement in Punjab and beyond. I sat on edge in Jalandhar, ready to face the aftermath. Who wants to die? In the nick of time, Sardar Hukam Singh was rushed from Delhi to Amritsar, to give flawed and meaningless assurances. These were promptly accepted to escape the fire. Young men in the Parikarma shouted protests, but to no avail. Sant Fateh Singh too lost his halo.

In 1967, a coalition government came under Justice Gurnam Singh. The giving up of fasts rankled with the Sikh masses. Suddenly, Jathedar Pheruman, 80 years old, in glowing health, a Congressman of Nehru's time, who had moved on, was on a fast unto death. The Gurnam Singh government put him in jail in Amritsar. Indira Gandhi, who knew him from the old days, tried every appeal. He refused. He said he had taken an oath, before the Guru Granth Sahib, and a Sikh does not back out. I was in Amritsar, in connection with the setting up of the Guru Nanak Dev University. The Deputy Commissioner, who was going to see Pheruman in jail, on the 20th day of his fast, took me along. Pheruman appeared in good health and I remember what he said. He said, I am not bothered about arguments on Chandigarh. I only want to prove that if a Sikh takes a sacred oath, he carries it out. So he did, dying a bitter death but not giving way in his last hallucinations. Earlier, only an Irish man had done it, and then Pottti Sreeramulu.

Over the years, the appetite for struggle faded. Chandigarh remains under a Delhi joint secretary. Will the Punjabis in the coming decades never have their capital? It's a situation unknown within India. Will the Bhakra and the Punjab waters never belong to the state? Of the 15.8 MAF, allotted to us by the Indus Treaty, only 3.5 MAF is to remain with us. The Supreme Court is about to pronounce on the river waters issue. All the current players on the Punjab stage, and I, all will pass on. What will happen in future decades, only people and blind history know.

The writer is a former Union Cabinet Minister.
Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, November 2

City Municipal Councillors supported by Congress party held a protest march and staged a dharna at the Mini Secretariat here today in support of Mayor Suresh Verma.

The councilors alleged that the Mayor had been falsely implicated in a criminal case by the BJP.

They also submitted a memorandum to SP Rajesh Duggal and SDM Vivek Chaudhary demanding a fair inquiry into the matter.

Congress councillors namely Sunil Verma, Sheela Devi, Brij Bhushan Dhingra, Baljeet Singh, husband of councillor Sukhvinder Kaur, and Subhash Bathla, husband of the senior deputy mayor gathered at Sky Lark, a Haryana tourism resort on NH-1 in the city. They carried out a protest march towards the Mini Secretariat and raised slogans against the BJP Government.

Rajender Punia, a Congress leader, said Suresh Verma was nominated Mayor with the support of the councillors but the BJP leaders did not tolerate it. Verma had been falsely implicated in a criminal case, he alleged.

Councillor Sunil Verma demanded a fair inquiry by a retired judge into the matter.

Saroj Verma, wife of Mayor Suresh Verma, alleged that the police was harassing them and the whereabouts of Suresh Verma were unknown.

Satpal Rana, former personal assistant (PA) of former Minister OP Jain, was attacked on the night of October 16 while returning from a programme. The police had booked Mayor Suresh Verma, his brother, nephew and few others in the case. Azaad Verma, the Mayors brother, along with four other accused, had been arrested earlier.

CJM Harshali Chaudhary had issued arrest warrants against the Mayor, his brother Dalbir Verma, and nephews Vikram, Vikas and Subhash Malik, on Tuesday.

A memorandum was submitted by the supporters of Suresh Verma. The matter is under investigation. A detailed report has been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner in the matter, said SP Rajesh Duggal.
Naveen S Garewal

Tribune News Service

Gurugram, November 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Haryanas mega golden jubilee celebrations without any gifts for the state that he calls his karam bhoomi.

It was perhaps a well-measured move not to announce anything big. His focus was rather on praising CM Manohar Lal Khattar and Haryanavis.

To let the inaugural function of the year-long celebrations pass without any significant announcement was apparently aimed at not offending Punjab, which celebrated 50 years of Punjabi Suba in Amritsar.

The BJP sent its president Amit Shah and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to Amritsar, lest the party offended Punjabis. Punjab is due for elections early next year. Any announcement in Haryana without a matching one in Punjab would have invited criticism that the SAD-BJP alliance cannot afford on the poll eve.

Haryanavis disappointed

There are no two opinions on Modi leaving Haryanavis disappointed. He praised the state for improving gender ratio, making many districts open defecation-free and resolving to end the use of kerosene before the fiscal-end. But Modi did not make any fresh announcement to help the state uphold its No 1 Haryana slogan.

On the contrary, Modis call for introspection on the ideals and hopes on which Haryana was carved out of United Punjab in 1966, hinted that somewhere the state has moved away from the dreams and aspirations of the people who fought for the birth of a Hindi-speaking agrarian state.

Repeated references by Modi, Khattar and Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki to the golden jubilee celebrations as an event above party lines suggested that all three were concerned at the chasm  social and political divide following the Jat agitation. The Haryana Ek, Haryanavi Ek slogan appears to be the fallout of this concern.

Praising Khattar for his efforts to improve gender ratio and doing away with kerosene was a message to those critical of Khattar.

His appreciation meant a directive to all Khattar detractors to fall in line and strengthen the Chief Minister, who despite lacking political experience was elected leader of the House.

Nothing for Gurugram

Earlier this week, Khattar had said that Modi would declare setting up of the Gurugram Development Authority (GDA), but Modi chose to avoid it. There has been a demand among politicians and bureaucrats to establish the GDA. People in Gurugram wanted to hear about governments efforts to boost trade and industry, and announce the GDA.

No roadmap on spending

The government has earmarked Rs 500 crore for the celebrations. But there is no plan as to how the money will be spent. All of Modis announcements were social and cultural in nature. The roadmap to protect trade, industry and business was missing; a disappointment for the people.

Contribution of three Lals forgotten: Bishnoi

Chandigarh: Congress leader Kuldeep Bishnoi on Wednesday alleged the BJP government in Haryana had insulted Bhajan Lal, Bansi Lal and Devi Lal by forgetting their contribution to the state during the golden jubilee celebrations. He alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar exhibited narrow thinking of their party by limiting their speeches to self-praise. Bhajan Lal, Bansi Lal and Devi Lal, state's first Chief Minister Bhagwat Dayal Sharma contributed to building Haryana what it is today. By not mentioning their names, the government has not only insulted them, but also exhibited its narrow outlook, Bishnoi said. TNS
Naveen S Garewal & Sumedha Sharma

tribune news service

Gurugram, November 1

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today praised Haryana for its endeavour to be the first to become kerosene-free by March 2017. Expressing satisfaction over the measures to bridge gender inequality, he said he had deliberately picked Haryana for his beti padao, beti bachao scheme and was satisfied with the outcome.

He was speaking at Haryanas golden jubilee celebrations. Hailing Haryanas daughters for making the country proud, he said female foeticide could not be allowed to exist in such a distinguished state. Let every citizen of Haryana pledge to protect the girl child, he said. He honoured Rio Paralympics silver medallist Deepa Malik on the occasion.

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Modi praised the state for making several districts open defecation-free. I hope the entire state becomes open defecation-free during the golden jubilee year, a feat other states would follow.

Paying tributes to Haryanavis, he said: Haryana is a relatively small state but has contributed in many areas. It is believed that Haryana has only farmers. But businessmen from the state too have had extraordinary success. The patriotic people of Haryana have given their lives for the nation by serving in the armed forces.

He announced the Deen Dayal Jan Awas Yojana that aims to provide housing to all by 2022. Under the scheme, small plots will be provided to residents of medium and low-potential towns.

The states year-long celebrations were kickstarted by the PM at Tau Devi Lal Stadium. Besides the housing scheme, he launched the Automation of Fair Price Shops scheme, which will benefit 29.30 lakh poor families, and the scheme to make Haryana kerosene-free.

Modi launded Haryana for connecting six lakh of the total 11.05 lakh BPL (below poverty line) families under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana and for making Ambala, Gurugram, Jhajjar, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Panchkula and Yamunanagar kerosene-free.

The PM felicitated the district authorities of Panchkula, Sirsa, Faridabad, Fatehabad, Gurugram, Yamunanagar and Panipat districts, declaring them open defecation-free. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki showered praise on the Haryanavis for their role in protecting the country's borders.
Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 2

Eyebrows are being raised over the unceremonious exit of a senior official of the Haryana Public Relations Department ahead of the golden jubilee celebrations.

Raj Singh Kadiyan, Deputy Director, was shunted out as head of the Film Section within a day of an official letter to his superiors, alleging undue pressure by the owner of an advertisement film-making company.

The departments action has led to resentment among officials, who allege that lakhs of rupees were being paid to chosen ad film agencies who provide substandard copy-paste work and their owners threaten the officials if objections are raised.

Some piqued officials, requesting anonymity, said the agency managed to get five advertisement films for the golden jubilee celebrations for Rs 30 lakh despite having failed to respect the deadline during the Happening Haryana Global Investors Summit (HHGIS) last year due to powerful connections.

While the films given to other agencies were submitted to the department in time and we started playing some from October 23, the films of this particular agency are yet to be supplied even after the golden jubilee event is over, said an official.

Officials alleged that when pressure was mounted on the agency to supply the films or its contract would be rescinded, its owner threatened them.

Earlier, the agency was given films worth Rs 45 lakh for highlighting importance of the Happening Haryana Global Investors Summit held in March. However, the agency submitted a pen drive containing the film only on March 7, when the summit was in progress. The money paid from the state exchequer went down the drain, alleged an official.

When contacted, Dheera Khandelwal, Additional Chief Secretary of the Information and Public Relations Department, said shifting of an official from one section to another was a routine process.

When her attention was drawn to Kadiyans letter, she said she was not aware of it since she was in Delhi.
Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 2

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who was admitted to the IGMC, Shimla, on Sunday night after he complained of acute cough and breathlessness, was discharged today afternoon after medical check-up by a team of doctors.

The Chief Minister has almost recovered but has been advised to take five days rest, said Senior Medical Superintendent, IGMC, Dr Ramesh Chand adding that no tests were conducted today as the report of tests conducted yesterday, which included including ultra sound, ECG, were normal.

Doctors said that the Chief Minister was fine and had normal breakfast and lunch. He was kept in the hospital yesterday just for observation.
Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Rangoor Camp (Ramgarh sector), November 2

There is no place and time for residents of Rangoor Camp border village to mourn the death of those killed in Pakistani shelling as they fear for their lives and dont want to get caught in the cross-fire if Pakistan starts shelling again.

Four people were killed and three were injured in the village when a shell from the Pakistani side landed on the house of Marha Ram (60). In all, eight people were killed and 23 injured in Pakistani shelling on the International Border and the Line of Control yesterday.

Ram, his daughter Anju Devi and children of his two other daughters Abhi and Rishav were killed when a shell exploded in his house. Three of his family members received splinter injuries.

Ram was cremated here this afternoon in a tense atmosphere with few people at the funeral. His daughter Anju Devi was cremated at her husbands village Chawni while the bodies of Abhi and Rishav were sent to Kairali in the Ramgarh sector and Salam-e-Chak village in the RS Pura sector, respectively. As soon as the pyre was lit, people rushed back to their homes on the instructions of security forces personnel, who said that Pakistan Rangers could attack the area noticing smoke coming out of the pyre.

The situation here is such that even family members of the deceased Marha Ram couldnt stay near the pyre for long. People fear that any time shells could land from Pakistani side, said Roop Chand (65), a retired inspector in the village, who after attending the funeral paid a visit to Rams House.

Blood stains, splinter marks on walls and broken windows spoke of the tragedy the family suffered yesterday. People in small groups were visiting the house today to mourn the deaths. The mourners, however, were not staying in the house for more than a couple of minutes, fearing more firing from across the border.

If we are alive, it is Gods mercy on us. The government and the administration have no role to play. We are living in extreme fear and any time we may fall to these shells, Chand said.
Srinagar, November 2

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today asked the army personnel posted along the Line of Control to remain alert and give a befitting response to any "misadventure" from the across the border.

Parrikar, who arrived here on a two-day visit, visited Uri frontier area in Baramulla district where militants last month had staged a deadly attack on an army base, killing 19 soldiers and injuring several others, an army official said.

The official said the Defence Minister, accompanied by Army Chief General Dalbir Singh, was briefed by the local commanders about the situation prevailing in the area.

The Minister also interacted with soldiers posted in forward areas.

"While complimenting their valour and fortitude, which Parrikar said was the entire nation's pride, he also impressed upon the soldiers to remain in a very high state of alert to give a befitting response to any misadventure from across," the official said.

Militants attacked an army base in Uri on September 18, killing 19 soldiers and injuring several others.

The attack led to army carrying out surgical strikes against militant positions in Pakistan occupied Kashmir on September 29.

Later, the Defence Minister and Army Chief were briefed at Badamibagh Cantonment here on the latest internal security situation and all the security measures initiated by the army and other security agencies along the Line of Control as well as the hinterland, the official said.

Parrikar is scheduled to pay homage to the country's first Param Vir Chakra, highest military honour, recipient Major Somnath Sharma on his 69th death anniversary tomorrow.

The Defence Minister will join senior army officers and other ranks in paying tribute to Major Somnath Sharma near the Srinagar Airport in Budgam district, the official said.

Major Sharma was awarded the medal posthumously for his bravery in the Kashmir operations in November 1947.

He down his life while evicting Pakistani raiders from Srinagar Airport during the war with Pakistan in 1947 48 in Kashmir.

He belonged to the 4th Kumaon Regiment.  PTI
Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 1

In stepped-up shelling by Pakistani troops along the International Border (IB), eight persons were killed and 23 injured today.

Six civilians died in Ramgarh sector of Samba district. Among them were two children and two women. In Tarkundi area of Rajouri district, two women were killed. The firing was so intense that it took three hours to evacuate the injured from their houses.

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Ravinder Kaur (19) of Jerdi village in Ramgarh sector was cooking when a shell exploded near her house, killing her on the spot. Rishav, Abdhi and Anju Devi (29) of Rangoor Camp village in Ramgarh sector were celebrating Bhai Dhooj when a shell exploded inside their house.

Marha Ram (60) of the same village was killed likewise. Three of his family members received splinter injuries.

Swarn Singh (32) of Govindgarh village reportedly died of shock during shelling. Sultan Begam (70) and her 28-year-old daughter-in-law Maqbool Begam, who were working in their fields, were killed in multiple explosions. Nine persons were injured in Ramgarh sector, four in Arnia, three in Nowshera and seven in Poonch sector.

With Pakistani Rangers and troops continuing to target civilian areas, two shells exploded near the Mendhar sub-district hospital and police station, triggering panic. Residents of Arnia town were forced to keep indoors because of heavy shelling.

The Pakistani army fired 120 mm and 82 mm mortars in Nowshera, Balakote and Mendhar sectors in Rajouri and Poonch. Border Security Force DIG Dharmendra Kumar Parekh said the Pakistani Rangers fired 82 mm mortars in Ramgarh and Arnia sectors at 6.30 am.

At 7.10 am, three mortar shells landed in Pindi village of Arnia and injured four civilians. In calibrated retaliation to unprovoked firing and shelling, the BSF targeted posts of Pakistani Ranger, damaging 14 of them, the DIG said.

At the Line of Control, the Pakistani army fired 120 mm and 82 mm shells and also used small arms. The Pakistani army resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation in Nowshera (from 5.30 am) and Balakote sectors (from 9 am) by using 120 mm and 82 mm mortars. The Indian Army gave a befitting reply and hit them where it hurts the most, said Lt Col Manish Mehta, PRO, Defence, said.

Meanwhile, as civilian killings mount, anger is brewing among border residents, who feel they have been made sitting ducks by not making elaborate arrangements for safety of their lives and that of their livestock. After the surgical strike, it was clear Pakistan would resort to firing on civilians but the state government failed to take any steps to provide security to us, said Arvind Kumar, a resident of Chanana village of Bishnah.

Choudhary Balwinder, a BJP supporter, regretted that the state leaders had left them at the mercy of Rangers. Killing of civilians has become routine in the border areas but state ministers have failed to convince the government to provide financial assistance. There has been no policy.

(Inputs from Vishal Jasrotia, Shyam Sood, Dinesh Manhotra and DK Sudan)
Jammu, November 2

The Border Security Force on Wednesday released a video showing destruction of forward posts of Pakistan Rangers even as Pakistan shelled Poonchs BG sector with mortars, small arms and automatic weapons, wounding two civilians.

Pakistani forces are firing heavy mortars deliberately towards Indian civilian areas, BSFs Inspector General DK Upadhyay said on Monday. The BSF fires only towards military bunkers from where Pak forces fire. We have inflicted heavy damage on 14 Pak bunkers.

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He also claimed Pakistan's army was providing military support to its paramiliary forces in the shelling.

Cross-border tensions between the two countries have escalated in the past few weeks in repeated violation of a 2003 ceasefire agreement. Eight civilians were killed on Tuesday in cross-border firing. Pakistan also claims six civilian deaths in Tuesdays firing.

Meanwhile, the BSF released a video showing destruction of forward posts of Pakistani Rangers. Briefing media, Upadhyay said the Indian retaliation was measured and accurate, and aimed at military targets, rather than Pakistan civil population.

"An accurate and coordinated assault by the BSF executed with complete precision, destroyed a number of Pakistani forward morchas and posts," he said.

"Source inputs report several casualties of Pakistani Rangers and serious damage to 14 posts and numerous bunkers. Always sensitive to human rights concerns, the BSF refrained from inflicting any civilian damages on the Pakistani side," he added..  Agencies/ TNS
Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Rangoor Camp, November 2

It is chaos everywhere in the forward areas as the administration has failed to instill confidence in the border dwellers facing the horrors of firing and shelling from across the border.

People are living in extreme fear with no surety of their safety but the administration appears nowhere in sight to alleviate their sufferings or to provide them with the basic amenities like bunkers.

When a shell exploded here on Tuesday on the house of Marha Ram, three members of his family were killed on the spot. Ram, who was among the four injured, died on way to the hospital hours after the incident.

Locals have claimed that it took the ambulance three hours to evacuate the injured. If the ambulance had arrived on time, we could have saved the life of Marha Ram and his daughter Anju Devi, who had come to her fathers house to celebrate Bhai Dooj festival. But for three hours, we were kept waiting, said Rams neighbour Yashpal (50), who along with other villagers was trying to calm down the family after the tragedy.

Anger is brewing up among border dwellers over the continuous shelling from the Pakistani side and the step-motherly attitude of the government towards them. The anger was visible when relatives of those killed in the shelling yesterday didnt allow mediapersons to enter the house and talk to the family.

We were promised five-marla plots at safer places and told that bunkers would be built in the village where people could seek shelter in at the time of shelling. But none of these promises has been kept. Neither the administration nor the leaders who came to seek votes at the time of elections and got elected came to our rescue, said Bihari Lal, an elderly villager. Everyone is coming to get political mileage out of this incident. Mediapersons are coming here to increase the TRPs. We dont want this, we want action, he added.

Another villager Krishan Chand said if they were alive, it was due to the mercy of God. The shelling has been happening since 1947 and we are still facing it. We are alive by the grace of God and our own survival methods which we have learnt over the years. The government has done nothing for us, Chand said.

Deflating the claims of the administration of setting up migrant relief camps, another villager Tarseem Lal alleged: There are no migrant camps for us. We havent had anyone from the administration asking us to leave the village and live in migrant camps.

Last year, the government had set up a migrant camp at Government High School in Kesu Manhasan near Rangoor Camp village but this time the school is locked.
New Delhi, November 2

A viable reparation formula for colonial exploitation by the British is difficult but a British Prime Minister bending on knees asking forgiveness on the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre will wash away in many ways the sense that there are wrongs that have not been acknowledged, feels Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.

The issue of reparation came into limelight after Tharoor spoke at Oxford on the proposition Britain Owes Reparations to Her Former Colonies last year and his speech went viral and was hailed by fans and critics alike. PM Narendra Modi had also congratulated him for having said the right things at the right place. And now he has come out with a book An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India, which discusses the variety of ways in which the British nearly destroyed India during the heyday of the Empire. You cannot quantify the wrongs done. What is far more important than financial reparation would be an apology.

People who are not responsible today for the wrongs done by their forbearers in the past era apologise nonetheless to people who are not the ones to whom wrong was done. But it is in a sense an entire society apologising to entire people, Tharoor, MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said in an interview.

Citing two examples of Willy Brandt, the German Social Democrat leader who was in no way related to the crimes of the Nazis, going on his knees at the Warsaw ghetto and apologising, and more recently Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologising for the Komagata Maru incident though Canada did not actually kill anybody, he says these offer a model in the Indian context too.

These two apologies offer a model for a future British Prime Minister on the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre to come to that site, bend his or her knees and beg forgiveness for all sins committed in the past.

That I think will wash away in many ways the sense that there are wrongs that have not been acknowledged, the former Minister of State for External Affairs said.

In the book, he also writes, David Camerons rather mealy-mouthed description of the massacre in 2013 as a deeply shameful event does not, in my view, constitute an apology. Nor does the ceremonial visit to the site in 1997 by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, who merely left their signatures in the visitors book, without even a redeeming comment.

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre had taken place in Amritsar on April 13, 1919. On hearing that a meeting of nearly 20,000 people was taking place, Brigadier General REH Dyer had ordered 50 riflemen to shoot at the crowd. More than 1,000 innocent Indians were killed and over 1,100 injured.  PTI
Prateek Chauhan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 2

Three people were killed and 10 were injured in a huge fire that broke out at a building in Delhis Shahdara on Wednesday.

The injured have been admitted to a local hospital. However, authorities said they could not give the exact number of casualties yet.

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Reports said that an e-rickshaw in a parking lot caught fire while it was being charged, causing the blaze. (With inputs from agencies)
Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 2

The India-Pakistan tit-for-tat diplomacy continued today with Pakistan recalling six of its officials posted with the Pakistan High Commission here.

In a parallel move, sources indicate India, too, will recall eight of its officials based in its High Commission in Islamabad. India also summoned the Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner here and conveyed grave concern at the recent escalation in the incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB).

The six officials, who returned home amid growing tension between the two countries, were named by arrested Pakistani spy Mehmood Akhtar as working for Pakistans spy agency Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). They include commercial counsellor Syed Furrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal. There was no official confirmation of the development.

Meanwhile, Pakistan media today reported that two Indian officials, Balbir Singh and Rajesh Agnihotri, may be declared persona non grata. Sources said there was no such indication as of now from Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The reports in Pakistan allege that Agnihotri was directly linked with RAW while Singh was working for Intelligence Bureau. Sources said Pakistan had revealed in public the identity of eight Indian officials who were risking their security.

Last week, the Delhi Police busted a spy ring being operated out of the Pakistan High Commission. Mehmood Akhtar, who was running the network, was asked to leave by India. Pakistan retaliated by declaring an Indian official posted in Islamabad as persona non grata.
Bhopal, November 2

The eight activists of the Student Islamic Movement of India who were shot dead recently had gunshots wounds on their heads and chests, their lawyer claimed on Wednesday citing autopsy reports.

"They were fired upon from the front and all of them sustained injuries in their head and chest, above the waist," lawyer Parvez Alam said, as he repeated it was a staged encounter.

He said a Supreme Court ruling said police should fire below the waist. He also claimed that other members of the outlawed organisation had also been assaulted and said he would ask a local court to have them undergo medical examination. He also claimed he feared for his life.

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"I am going to move the Bhopal Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court today seeking to conduct medical examination on 20-odd so-called SIMI members in jail," he said. "I have learnt that they have been brutally beaten," he alleged.

"Besides, I am going to meet MP Director General of Police and seek security for myself," Alam said. "As I am openly speaking against the encounter, now I fear for my life and family members after the cold-blooded murder of my clients."

The eight men killed a jail guard and escaped the high-security prison on Monday. They were found hours later in a thickly wooded area on the outskirts of the city and were shot dead.

The killing has raised questions, with opposition parties picking holes in the official version of the story. Some have claimed that the encounter was staged and have demanded a court-monitored investigation.

State government and police however have brushed aside the criticisms, which Madhya Pradeshs BJP government calls politically motivated.

Bhopal Inspector General of Police Yogesh Choudhary staved off his critics by saying that the SIMI men were killed in retaliatory firing. He claimed that the suspects had been accused of several serious offences and had also killed police constables in 2008 and 2011.

However, as questions over the so-called encounter refused to die down, Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Rishi Kumar Shukla announced police had instituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to inquire into the killings.  Agencies
New Delhi, November 2

In its biggest-ever drug seizure, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized a huge haul of banned narcotic substance worth over Rs 3,000 crore from a factory in Udaipur and also arrested Bollywood producer Subash Dudhani in this connection.

On October 28, DRI officials raided the premises of Udaipur-based Marudhar Drinks and detected a room filled with cartons of banned Mandrax tablets.

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The raid was conducted in collaboration with Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

The total number of tablets are estimated to be about 2 crore in numbers with a weight of about 23.5 metric tonnes.

The international market value of seized tablets is estimated to be over Rs 3,000 crore, CBEC chairperson Najib Shah said.

An anonymous source however put the cost of the contraband seized at Rs 10,000-15,000 crore in the international market, and also said raids were being conducted at Kaladwas in RIICO Industrial Area and godowns at Gudli in Udaipur district and at another godown at Dhoinda village in Rajsmand district.

This is the biggest ever drug seizure done by DRI, the investigative arm of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).

We have arrested the mastermind and efforts are underway to nab others involved with the drug syndicate, he said.

Shah said that Subhas Dudhani, who has produced Bollywood films, also had businesses and properties in Mumbai.

The information came to DRI Mumbai and then it was traced to Udaipur and with active assistance from Border Security Force (BSF), the mastermind was arrested.

The drug is commonly known as Mandrax, M-Pills, buttons or smarties and is usually smoked mixed with cannabis. It is used as a recreational drug in Africa and Asia.

The consignment was manufactured in Rajasthan and consigned for Mozambique or South Africa, he said.

In last 5 years, the DRI has seized more than 540 kgs of heroin and 7,409 kgs of ephedrine along with other narcotics and psychotropic substances.

In recent past, the DRI has also neutralised 10 other factories manufacturing synthetic drugs like Mephedrone, Ketamine, Alprazolam and Ephedrine, across several states. PTI/OC
New Delhi, November 2

The alleged suicide of an army veteran over the OROP issue today snowballed into a huge political showdown in the capital with Rahul Gandhi being detained twice by Delhi police amid high drama and the movement of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal restricted.

In a tweet, Kejriwal claimed that he has been detained.

Formally detained by the police. No idea where they are taking me.  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

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Several leaders of Congress and AAP, including Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, were also held by the police even as Rahul and Kejriwal tore into Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Rahul said the Delhi police action was symbolic of "undemocratic" mentality of the Modi government while Kejriwal accused the prime minister of being guilty of "deceit" and indulging in "lies" over the One Rank One Pension (OROP) issue.

Read: Beaten up, abused by cops, allege ex-servicemans kin

The Congress and AAP leaders also accused the Modi government of being responsible for the death of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, 70, a resident of Haryana's Bhiwani district who ended his life yesterday by consuming poison on the lawns of a government building in Janpath.

I urge the PM once again: soldiers should not have to struggle to claim what is their due.OROP must be implemented in a meaningful way!  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 2, 2016

Let us show our gratitude to our brave soldiers not only through our words but also through our actions.My letter to the Hon. Prime Minister pic.twitter.com/8J1pLCs54N  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) October 29, 2016

They alleged that the Delhi police were unleashed on them by resorting to unprecedented "hooliganism" in quelling their protests.

The Congress vice-president was detained at Mandir Marg and Parliament Street police stations while Kejriwal's movement was restricted when he went to meet the grieving family members of the deceased. Rahul was later taken to Tughlaq road police station.

Several Congress leaders, including Randeep Surjewala, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kumari Selja, were detained while police was seen dragging scores of AAP workers and many office bearers outside the Parliament Street Police station. Sisodia was kept at the police station for several hours.

Manish Sisodia detained? He had gone to meet family of deceased Ram Kishan ji. He is elected Dy CM. Whats wrong wid u Modiji? So insecure?  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

The Congress and AAP leaders called the police action an assault on democracy and fundamental rights while calling the treatment meted out to the grieving family as "utterly shameful" and "unprecedented. The BJP on its part accused the Congress and AAP of playing politics over the suicide.

Tearing into Prime Minister Modi, Kejriwal asserted that Grewal's "martyrdom will not go in vain" and emphasised on the need to take his struggle forward.

"The Prime Minister is lying to the entire country claiming that OROP has been implemented. If it was implemented then why Ram Kishan had to commit suicide? The extent of the deceit of the BJP government over the issue is unprecedented."

Kejriwal's convoy was blocked for around three hours when he went to meet family members of Grewal at the Lady Hardinge hospital. He expressed shock over police action, saying he has every right to meet the family in his capacity as Chief Minister.

"Why Delhi Chief Minister is being illegally stopped from meeting a grieving family? This is unprecedented. The PM should apologise for deceiving the soldiers over OROP."

Rahul was initially detained for around 70 minutes in the afternoon at the Mandir Marg police station and later in the evening was again taken into custody along with many other party leaders at the Parliament Street Police station.

Grewal, who was a familiar face of OROP agitation, left behind a suicide note, his son said.

Police said he along with three of his companions had come to the city apparently to submit a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP. However, Defence Ministry sources said as per records, no request for appointment with Parrikar was made.

Grewal allegedly consumed poison on the lawns behind a government building in Janpath, the central area of the capital.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said he was saddened over the death of Grewal.

"Saddened by the death of subedar Ram Kishen Grewal. I express my heartfelt condolences. I have asked officials to provide me with details," Parrikar said in a tweet.

Saddened by the death of Subdr. Ram Kishan Grewal. I express my heartfelt condolences. I have asked for officials to provide me details.  Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) November 2, 2016

Amid the protests by Opposition parties, Union Minister VK Singh triggered a controversy when he said the "mental state" of Grewal needs to be probed before drawing conclusions about his extreme action.

"He has committed suicide. No one knows the reason behind it. OROP is being shown as the reason. What his mental state was we do not know. Let it be probed first. OROP should be kept above politics," Singh told reporters, while reacting to alleged suicide by Grewal.

According to his friends, Grewal, who served in the Army and the Defence Security Corps for 30 years, had been upset over the issue for some time.

Ex-servicemen continue protest

A group of ex-servicemen led by Major General Satbir Singh (retd) has been protesting against the OROP scheme introduced by the government.

He is now an adviser to a new political party, Fauji Janta Party, which will fight the upcoming Punjab Assembly polls.

The alleged suicide came just days after a one-man judicial committee on OROP submitted its report to Parrikar.

The Centre, which has implemented the OROP, a demand which had been pending for decades, 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 Ministry is currently studying the report and sources had said it will take a decision soon.  Agencies
Amir Karim Tantray & Vikram Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 2

A day after eight civilians were killed in Pakistani shelling, there was a lull along the 198-km-long International Border today. But Pakistani troops continued to violate the ceasefire in Balakote and Mendhar sectors along the Line of Control (LoC), injuring two civilians  Muhammad Saleem and Muhammad Rafiq of Basooni village.

The Border Security Force today released a hand-held thermal image (HHTI) video showing the damage inflicted on a Pakistani Rangers post in a series of blasts. Briefing mediapersons, the Inspector General, Jammu Frontiers, DK Upadhyay, said while Pakistan was targeting Indias civilian population, the BSF is only resorting to very specific, accurate and measured hitting of military installations and bunkers on the other side.

To ensure human rights were not violated, our men are making precision targets only to destroy Pakistans military installations and bunkers without touching the civilian population, he said.

Claiming to have destroyed 14 border posts and pickets of Pakistani Rangers, Upadhayay said: It is difficult to accurately assess the number of casualties inflicted on the other side. Generally, three persons man a bunker and after our precision targets, we are sure that none came out alive from any one of these.

Rubbishing Pakistans claim of 80 civilians having been killed by the Indians, he said: Our targets were military installations and bunkers, but there is a possibility of collateral damage to civilians residing close to the military installations.

A Defence PRO in Delhi said there had been unprovoked ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Army in Bhimbher Gali sector of Rajouri district. They used automatic weapons and 82 mm mortar bombs. The Indian troops gave a befitting reply, he said, adding there had been no reports of shelling along the IB since last night.

About 37,000 people have been affected by border skirmishes since the Uri terror attack and the subsequent surgical strikes. As many as 300 schools  from Jammu to Kathua districts  have been closed. With fear and uncertainty looming large, few border residents headed back home today, despite the guns falling silent. Already, 70 per cent of the residents have moved to safer places.
Kathmandu, November 2

President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday arrived here on three-day state visit to Nepal, the first by an Indian Head of State in 18 years, to hold talks with the top leadership on ways to boost bilateral ties especially after the formation of a new government.

Mukherjee, who arrived at the Tribhuvan International Airport, was received by President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

He will hold talks with the political leadership here besides visiting historical temples of Pashupatinath tomorrow and Ram Janaki in Janakpur on November 4.

A formal meeting between the two Heads of State has been lined up at the official residence of Bhandari  Shital Niwas.

The Nepal government declared a national holiday today to welcome Mukherjee and stepped up security around the capital.

Bhandari will host a state banquet in Mukherjees honour.

Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda will also host a dinner in his honour.

India is giving particular focus on our ongoing development, connectivity and economic projects as well as number of projects under the lines of credit...India has committed USD one billion assistance to Nepal, Joint Secretary (North) Sudhakar Dalela had said ahead of the visit.

Nepal Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun and the Prime Minister will also call on Mukherjee  whose visit comes in the backdrop of Nepal, as SAARC chair, issued a strong statement condemning terror in all forms in the aftermath of the Uri terror attack.

The President is accompanied by Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, Members of Parliament Bhubaneswar Kalita, L Ganesan, Jagdambika Pal and R K Singh. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar is also accompanying the delegation.

The leaders will discuss the full range of issues covering bilateral, regional and international issues and I am sure regional cooperation issue will figure in the talks, Dalela had said.

On November 3, the President will offer prayers at Pashupatinath temple, a UNESCO heritage site. Later, he will be conferred with an honorary degree from Kathmandu University followed a civic reception in Kathmandu in his honour.

The President will also address a seminar of Niti Anusandhan Pratisthan Nepal and India Foundation.

On November 4, a civic reception has been scheduled in his honour at Janakpur, epicentre of protests by Madhesi community, where he will interact with local people. He will also meet leaders of Madhesi community, mostly of Indian- origin, besides offering prayers at the Janaki temple.

The President, who is the supreme commander of the armed forces, will also visit Pokhra on the same day where he will interact with ex-servicemen of Indian Army from Gurkha community. During the visit, the emphasis of the Indian side is to see the implementation of agreements which have already been entered in both sides.  PTI
Yash Goyal

Udaipur, November 2

In the biggest-ever drug haul, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 23.5 tonnes of Mandrax (methaqualone) worth Rs 3,000 crore in the international market during raids in Udaipur and Rajsamand district of Rajasthan since October 28.

Bollywood producer Subhash Dudani and his nephew Ravi Dudani, from whose pharmaceutical factory (Marudhar Drinks) in Udaipur the contraband was seized, have been arrested under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act.

Subhash, believed to be an international drug dealer, operated the business from Mumbai. He was arrested at the Mumbai airport while planning to flee to Dubai where he has large business interests. He owned a flat in Worli and was in Mumbai for Diwali.

He was reportedly brought to Udaipur for interrogation after being kept in detention at the BSF Cantonment in Kavita village, 12 km from Udaipur. Acting on a tip-off by the DRI, Mumbai, raids were conducted in Udaipur with the help of the BSF and the mastermind nabbed, said Najib Shah, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) chairperson, in New Delhi.

A source in the Narcotic Control Bureau said the seized contraband could have been sold for Rs 10,000-15,000 crore. The Rajasthan Police were kept away from the operation and no cop was allowed on the premises.

According to official sources, the major raw material for Mandrax, acetic anhydride, was manufactured by the syndicate at Shreenath Industries, Rajsamand. Other raw material, anthranillic acid, was imported from Indonesia by misdeclaring it as mallic anhydride, and ortho toludiene, phosphorous trichloride and caustic soda were procured locally.
New Delhi, November 2

As many as six officials in the Pakistani High Commission here on Wednesday returned home amidst growing tension between the two countries after a Pakistani Mission staffer was caught in an espionage ring and expelled.

Though there was no official confirmation on the number of diplomats leaving India, according to Pakistan High Commission sources there were six mission officials who have left or were in the process of leaving.

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The decision has been taken after it became impossible for the officials to work in this vitiated atmosphere.

Indian government is threatening and blackmailing our diplomats. So in this condition, it is impossible for us to stay in this country and work, the sources alleged.

According to the sources, those who have left include commercial counsellor Syed Furrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal.

The Pakistani action comes days after India declared Pakistani official Mehmood Akhtar persona non grata for espionage activities, triggering a tit-for-tat action from Islamabad, which also expelled an Indian High Commission official there.

Earlier, media reports emerging from Islamabad said Pakistan may ask at least two officials of the Indian High Commission to leave the country for their alleged involvement in subversive activities.  PTI
Kathmandu, November 2

President Pranab Mukherjee today said terrorism poses the most serious threat to the worlds peace and security and asked the international community to work together to eradicate the menace.

We will need to foster tolerance and understanding in all societies and eradicate the scourge of terrorism, said Mukherjee, who is here on a three-day visit the first by an Indian President in 18 years.

In his speech at the state banquet given in his honour by Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Mukherjee said the common challenges that we face in the 21st century will necessitate an environment of peace and security in our region and beyond. He said India remained committed to promoting regional and sub-regional cooperation.

Condemning terrorism, Nepalese Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat said, No matter what causes terrorism. Terrorism is terrorism. We condemn that and we will like to work together against it. No country should let its territory to act against any other country. It should be discouraged and those who process terrorism be eliminated.

Earlier, Mukherjee held talks with his Nepalese counterpart Bidhya Devi Bhandari to strengthen Indo-Nepal relations that had been strained over the issue of promulgation of the new Constitution. The promulgation of the Constitution last year had led to a strain in ties with Madhesis, who are largely of Indian-origin, leading a nearly six-month protest over better representation in Parliament.  PTI
Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 2

Hundreds of eligible candidates, who had opted for philosophy, psychology, education, defence studies, social work, community education and religion for their graduation, are being denied the opportunity to become social science teachers in the state.

Applicants in this category require at least two subjects in social sciences from those advertised by the government. The government, in the advertisement, gave only the options of history, political science, public administration, economics, geography, environmental studies and sociology to qualify for the post of teacher.

The advertisement missed at least seven subjects that have been approved by universities in the state as social science. Importantly, the listed subject of environment studies is not an optional subject in university education.

The affected applicants, who are eligible under NCTE (National Council for Teacher Education) rules, had cleared the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and also a special test conducted by the state government for final selection.

A candidate from Bathinda, requesting anonymity, said, The government has already issued joining letters to applicants from other streams. Candidates of social sciences are being forced to run to officers and ministers to plead for an unbiased relook into the recruitment. We have been assured of a speedy redressal by the quarters concerned, failing which we will be forced to knock on the doors of the court.

An official communication of Punjabi University, Patiala, has listed 13 subjects for admission to BEd courses in social sciences stream including history, geography, political science, sociology, economics, public administration, philosophy, sociology, education, defence studies, religion, social work and community education.

Prof Neeraj Sharma, Head of Department of Philosophy, Baring Union Christian College, Batala, said, Guru Nanak Dev University also recognises all the 13 streams.

Education Minister Daljit Cheema said, "Yes, there is a technical problem in determining the eligibility of the students with philosophy, psychology, education, defence studies, community work and religion as their second options. We are holding a meeting of all the Vice-Chancellors of the universities in the state shortly to sort out the matter."

Cheema said, Certain technical issues concerning the recruitment of teacher for social sciences are pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court as well. The next date of hearing is November 17. The matter will soon be sorted out."
Toronto, November 2

Kolkata-born former Scotiabank vice-chairman Sarabjit Singh Marwah (in pic) has become the first Sikh to be appointed to the Canadian Senate. Toronto-based Marwah, who retired from Scotiabank in 2014, was among six people from Ontario who were appointed to the Senate by PM Justin Trudeau.

Marwah did his schooling from St Xaviers School. He is an alumnus of Delhis St Stephens College and the Delhi School of Economics, and holds an MBA degree from the University of California  Los Angeles.

Marwah joined Scotiabank in Toronto as a financial analyst in 1978. Rising through the ranks, he went on to become the Chief Financial Officer in 1998. In 2005, he became vice-chairman and chief administrative officer. In 2008, he was re-designated.  IANS
Toronto, November 2

Kolkata-born former Scotiabank's vice chairman Sarabjit Singh Marwah has become the first Sikh to be appointed to the Canadian Senate.

Toronto-based Marwah, who retired from Scotiabank in 2014, was among six people from Ontario who were appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

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Trudeau lauded Marwah for his efforts for showcasing the "rich diversity of Sikh and South Asian art and culture".

Marwah is one of the founders of the Sikh Foundation of Canada that promotes culture and art among the diaspora community.

Marwah, who was born in Kolkata in 1952, did his his schooling from St Xavier's School. He is an alumnus of Delhi's St Stephen's College and the Delhi School of Economics, and holds an MBA degree from the University of California - Los Angeles, US.

Marwah joined Scotiabank in Toronto as a financial analyst in 1978. Rising through the ranks, he went on to become the chief financial officer (COO) in 1998. In 2002, he was made the bank's senior executive vice president and chief financial officer.

In 2005, he was elevated as the vice chairman and chief administrative officer. In 2008, he was re-designated.

Marwah has served on the boards of many famous Canadian institutions such as the Toronto Star daily, the Toronto International Film Festival, the CD Howe Institute, the Royal Ontario Museum, the United Way Campaign, and the Hospital for Sick Children.

Marwah joins two other Sikhs  Defence Minister Harjeet Sajjan and Science Minister Navdeep Bains  in the Canadian Parliament.

While Marwah will be the only Indian-origin member of the Senate (upper house), there are over 20 members of Indian origin in the House of Commons (lower house).  IANS
GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 1

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, reviving SADs Panthic agenda, today said it was unfortunate that the state was yet to get a capital of its own, was waging a legal battle over riverwater-sharing with Haryana and had been denied Punjabi-speaking areas.

Speaking at the semi-centennial celebrations of the Punjabi Suba in Amritsar, he said despite Punjabs contribution to the nation, the state was yet to get its own capital. On the legal tussle with Haryana, he said any court verdict against the states interests would not be acceptable and not a drop of water would be spared for areas outside Punjab.

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Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP president Amit Shah, who spoke before the CM, refrained from touching these issues. Badal, in his address, asked them to ensure that justice was done to Punjab.

It was during Pandit Nehrus era that Chandigarh was promised to be raised as the capital of Punjab. But it was never to be. Now the people are making sarcastic remarks for not getting these issues resolved through the intervention of the NDA government. Be it the transfer of Chandigarh or Punjabi-speaking areas, we urge you to spare a thought, the CM pleaded.

He pointed out that the Punjabis had contributed during peace  making the country self-sufficient in foodgrain  and during war. He spoke of the valour exhibited by Naik Karam Singh, Major Somnath Sharma and Air Commodore Baba Mehar Singh.

Jaitley said 1984 would be remembered as the year of destruction whereas the current era would be best remembered as one of reconstruction. Punjab pioneered the Green Revolution, defended the borders and ensured the security, safety and sovereignty of the country, he said.

On the surgical strikes by the Indian Army, he said: Our enemies must understand that now there is an altogether different kind of government in India, which will not be complacent on issues of security, dignity and sovereignty.

Shah said Guru Gobind Singhs 350th birth anniversary would be celebrated in every tehsil across the country.

Describing Punjab as the countrys heart, he paid tributes to the Punjabis spirit of sacrifice which, he said, was evident during the 1962, 1965, 1971 and Kargil wars. Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal vowed to continue to struggle for Punjab's rights. He said if the SAD-BJP alliance was voted to power again, the state, especially rural areas, would witness unparalleled development.

Prominent among those present were Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Speaker CS Atwal, ministers Bikram Singh Majithia, Daljeet Singh Cheema, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Sohan Singh Thandal and Anil Joshi, SGPC president Avtar Singh and DSGMC chief Manjit Singh GK.
GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 2

Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal has called a meeting of the SGPC on November 4, a day ahead of the Sikh bodys first general house. Five years after it was elected, the house meeting is scheduled to be held on November 5 at Teja Singh Samundri Hall, during which the new president, office-bearers and executive members would be nominated.

Confirming this, SAD secretary and spokesperson Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said: As the SAD tradition goes, the SAD president will invite suggestions from the elected members over the nomination of office-bearers and executive members on the basis of which the final decision will be taken.

This meeting is likely to be presided over by Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam at 12.15 pm. It would be for the first time that a non-Sikh official would convene the SGPC general house. As per the precedence, only a Sikh DC has to preside over the first meeting of the newly elected SGPC.

Varun Roojam, said: As per the Central Government notification, the SGPC has been asked to convey its 190 members about the November 5 house meeting.

A controversy had erupted during the tenure of Amritsars first non-Sikh DC Rajat Aggarwal in December 2011, when the 15 members of SGPC house were to be nominated as per the SC guidelines. The matter was resolved after Aggarwal was sent on leave and Tarn Taran DC Satwant Singh Johal was given the additional charge of Amritsar who then presided over the meeting.

Sources said a similar methodology would be adopted to avoid any controversy. Varun Roojam may be asked to proceed on leave and his charge may be given to a Sikh DC of a neighbouring district.

Those in the race for SGPC presidents post include incumbent chief Avtar Singh Makkar, former minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan and Kirpal Singh Badhungar.
Gagandeep Singh

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 2

Gurdev Kaur (60) of Littran village in Nakodar subdivision, who was honoured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ludhiana on October 18 for her contribution to the field of spinning khadi, is yet to get a certificate and a charkha gifted to her on the occasion.

She said: I met the officials concerned today, but returned home empty handed as they refused to help me.

Several other women from the area have already been given the charkha. Though I got the award of Rs 25,000, I am yet to get the certificate to show that I was honoured by the PM, she said.

When contacted, Charanjit Singh, manager, Khadi Bhandar, Nakodar, said they had not received any charkha or certificate for her yet.
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 2

Governor KK Paul has said the decisions of courts linked to forest and environment have big impact on masses.

Addressing the inaugural session of a sensitisation programme for members of higher judiciary on forests and environment issues organised by the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun, today, he reminded his tenure as Arunachal Pradesh Governor in the late nineties when he saw many saw mills getting closed in the aftermath of the Supreme Courts verdict linked to the Godavarman case.

The result of closure of saw mills was that there was a spurt in crime in the region as many had gone unemployed. It took nearly five to six years to normalise the situation, Paul pointed out referring to the level of impact on judiciary when it comes to environment and the people.

He even went to an extent of asserting that the ban on mining due to conservation in the forest areas had also fuelled left wing extremism in the country. Referred to the Askot sanctuary in Uttarkahand, the Governor said despite the region containing some precious metal, mining cannot take place there as it falls in the protected area. He said Uttarakhand had been home to environment conservation movements like Chipko and the people of the state understand the importance of environment conservation.

Paul said it was very important that tribals that had been evicted from the forests due to conservation were brought back into the economy. He said rights of tribals had been done away due to strict conservation laws. He said tribals and forest dwellers had distanced themselves from forests due to conservation laws and categorically held that this was the basic reason behind rising number of forest fire incidents in the country.

The Governor said keeping in view the ill-effects of climate change, it was important to focus on absorption of carbon dioxide that was on the increase in the atmosphere. He emphasised on the need of developing ways of increasing the process of photosynthesis so as to speedy carbon absorption.

Earlier, Indira Gandhi National Forest Academys Director Dr Shashi Kumar spoke at length on the details of the four day sensitisation course. He said the academy from time to time had organised such programmes not only for the members of judiciary but also members of Parliament. A total of 27 members of higher judiciary from across the country are taking part in the three-day course.
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 2

Congress general secretary Ambika Soni, who is also the in-charge of Uttarakhand affairs, has said no stone will be left unturned to have better coordination with party leaders and government in the state.

She said the Congress would ensure coordination with PDF leaders with an aim to come back to power in the next Assembly elections. She expressed her views before mediapersons before chairing a coordination meeting of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee here today.

When asked if the party was planning to replace the Pradesh Congress Committee chief, she said the party high command would take a decision on this. Rebel MLAs and activists are welcome to join the party again. Party activists have been told to pull up their socks before the Assembly elections slated to take place next year, she said.

She said a meeting would be held in presence of Chief Minister Harish Rawat, state Congress president Kishore Upadhyay, office-bearers and other senior leaders to resolve pending issues. She said activists were told to spread partys ideology.

According to Soni, special focus would be laid to find out reasons behind factionalism within the party and efforts would be made to resolve issues to strengthen the party before polls.

Meanwhile, she accused the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre of working towards dislodging the non-BJP governments in different states. The BJP has no moral right to go to people seeking votes as it has perpetrated an insult on them by unfairly dislodging a government which enjoyed the mandate of the people. The BJP had better find a convincing explanation for engineering defections in the Congress and imposing Presidents rule in the state before going ahead with any of its programme, she said when told about the BJPs proposed Parivartan yatra scheduled to begin on November 12 which is likely to be addressed by several central leaders of the party including Amit Shah.

On objections raised by a section of the Congress over many promises made in the partys 2012 poll manifesto still unfulffilled, she said the state government still had two-three months time at its disposal to fulfil the unfulfilled promises.

Soni, who is also Congress campaign committee chairperson for Punjab, said she had herself proposed to be relieved of one of the charges as both states are going to the polls together in 2017.

But only the party high command has to take a call on whether or not it will be okay to change the AICC in-charge for the party at this stage when Assembly elections are round the corner in both states, she added. (With inputs from PTI)
Ottawa, November 1

The Canadian government has announced that it will allow 300,000 immigrants into the country in 2017. This is the same number as in 2016 even though an expert panel has recommended to raise immigration levels.

John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, on Monday tabled the immigration proposal for 2017 in Parliament.

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The 2017 levels plan will put Canada in a strong position for the future and support our overall economic and social development as a country, McCallum said.

A government statement said the 2017 levels are a thoughtful, responsible approach that takes into consideration Canadas need for more immigrants while balancing our fiscal responsibilities. The announcement comes amid warnings from the Liberal Partys economic council of advisers that Canada needs to raise immigration levels by the tens of thousands in order to ensure better economic growth.

The council recommended that the government gradually increase immigration levels to 450,000 per year over the next five years, Xinhua news agency reported. The target number of immigrants from 2011 to 2015 was 260,000, but swelled to 300,000 this year because of what McCallum called the special circumstances of the Syrian refugee crisis. The 2017 target boosts entries for those in the economic class  skilled workers, business people and care-givers  to 172,500 from 160,600. In the family class, the number of sponsored spouses, partners, children, parents and grandparents will climb to 84,000 from 80,000.  IANS
London, November 2

Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been trapped by Iraqi Army, which entered the terrorist group's stronghold of Mosul for the first time in more than two years for a final assault, a report has claimed. The battle for Mosul, where the self-declared caliph of IS is believed to be hiding, is likely to end in a decisive defeat for the terrorist group, the Independent reported.

Fuad Hussein, chief of staff to Kurdish President Massoud Barzani, told the daily that his government had information from multiple sources that "Baghdadi is there and, if he is killed, it will mean the collapse of the whole [IS] system." Baghdadi has kept himself concealed for the last eight or nine months according to Hussein, who added that the caliph had become very dependent on IS commanders from Mosul and Tal Afar, a city just to the west of Mosul. The presence of Baghdadi in Mosul may complicate and prolong the battle for Mosul as his surviving adherents fight to the death to defend him.

If he is killed, IS would have to choose a new caliph in the middle of a battle, but no successor would have the authority and prestige of Baghdadi.  PTI
Peshawar, November 2

A Pakistani court on Wednesday denied bail to an Afghan woman who was immortalised on the cover of National Geographic magazine in the 1980s and arrested last week on fraud charges, days after the Interior Minister indicated she may soon be released on humanitarian grounds.

Sharbat Gula, who attained fame on the cover of an issue of the National Geographic magazine, has been in police custody since October 26 for allegedly having obtained fake identity papers to stay in Pakistan as a refugee.

The special court in Peshawar had reserved its verdict a day earlier and today rejected her bail application citing a lack of evidence to prove her Pakistani citizenship.

The green-eyed Gula was arrested from her Peshawar residence for alleged forgery of a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC).

During the bail hearing yesterday, Gulas lawyer had told the court that his client is the sole bread earner of her family and is suffering from Hepatitis C.

Earlier in the week, Gula was sent to prison on judicial remand by a local court. She faces up to 14 years in jail.

Her arrest highlighted the plight of millions of Afghan refugees staying in Pakistan.

For decades, Pakistan has provided safe haven for millions of Afghan refugees who fled their country after the Soviet invasion of 1979. It hosts more than 1 million registered Afghan refugees, according to United Nations Refugee Agency.

The agency also estimates a further one million unregistered refugees staying in the country.

Pakistans Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had on Sunday indicated that Gula may be released on humanitarian grounds. Khan had said Pakistans Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) should arrange bail for her as soon as possible.

Gulas haunting photo, taken in a refugee camp in Pakistan in 1984 by Steve McCurry, was one of Nat Geos most famous covers.

She surfaced in Pakistan in 2014, but had gone into hiding after authorities accused her of buying a fake Pakistani identity card.  PTI
Dubai: A prince of Saudi Arabia's ruling Al Saud family was given lashes in a prison in Jeddah as a court-ordered punishment, a Saudi newspaper reported on Wednesday, less than a month after the kingdom executed another prince for murder. The brief report in Okaz daily did not disclose the offence for which he was being punished but said the unidentified prince was also ordered to serve a prison sentence. The flogging was carried out by a policeman on Monday after medical checks to ensure the prince was healthy, the paper added. Reuters

Lanka sacks spy chief

Colombo: Sri Lanka on Wednesday sacked its spy chief amid suspicions that a notorious sword-wielding gang operating in the northern Jaffna peninsula was being backed by a section of the military, creating unrest in the Tamil-dominated area. The Defence Ministry announced the removal of head of military intelligence Suresh Sallay and replaced him with Brigadier Vijendra Gunatillake. The move came amid suspicion that the military was backing the terror group named Ava Group operating in the Jaffna peninsula. PTI

MH370 plunged rapidly: New report

Sydney: Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 was likely out of control when it plunged into the ocean with its wing flaps not prepared for landing, a new report said on Wednesday, casting doubt on theories a pilot was still in charge. The Boeing 777 disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014 carrying 239 passengers and crew. Analysis of the right outboard flap showed it was most likely in the retracted position, suggesting the plane was not configured for landing before it smashed into the ocean. AFP
While many trucking operations have reported lower third quarter profits during this earnings season, there were two exceptions on Wednesday.

XPO Swings Into The Black

E-commerce and LTL business helped XPO Logistics Inc. (NYSE: XPO) move from a loss of $93.1 million in the third quarter of 2015, or 94 cents per share, to a profit of $13.8 million, or 11 cents per share, in the most recent three-month period.

Revenue moved sharply higher by 57.2% to $3.7 billion, as operating income more than tripled to $168.8 million from $44.1 million.

"We achieved this strong performance in a mixed operating environment, said Bradley Jacobs, chairman and CEO. In North America, vigorous demand from e-commerce drove growth in our contract logistics and last mile operations, while brokerage and intermodal were generally soft.

He said the companys less-than-truckload business in North America had another outstanding quarter, with higher yield and lower overhead costs. This propelled a 40% increase in LTL operating income versus a year ago, pre-acquisition [of Con-way]. In Europe, where XPO is the market leader in e-fulfillment, we continued to win new business from major retailers based on our e-commerce expertise."

The company's transportation segment generated total revenue of $2.4 billion for the quarter, a 72.5% increase from the same period in 2015.

The year-over-year increase in revenue was primarily due to the acquisition of Con-way on Oct. 30, 2015, and to organic growth, partially offset by lower fuel-related revenue, according to the company, and was led by last mile, primarily driven by an increase in e-commerce business. While XPO has retained Con-ways LTL business, it sold off the truckload operations last week to Transforce in a more than $500 million deal.

Operating income for the transportation segment increased to $125.4 million, compared with operating income of $30.9 million a year ago.

XPOs logistics segment generated total revenue of $1.3 billion for the quarter, a 35.6% increase from the same period in 2015.

The year-over-year hike was attributed to the Con-way acquisition and to organic growth. In Europe, sales growth was largely driven by new contract starts with e-commerce and cold-chain customers, but was more than offset by the adverse impact of unfavorable foreign exchange rates, according to the company. In North America, growth was largely driven by e-commerce and technology contracts, while traditional retail was weaker.

Operating income for the logistics segment was $75.3 million, up from $36 million a year ago.

XPO also updated its financial targets:

Full-year 2016 free cash flow of at least $175 million, as compared with the prior target of at least $150 million

Full-year 2017 adjusted EBITDA target of at least $1.35 billion. This target reflects a 17% increase over targeted full-year 2016 adjusted EBITDA of $1.15 billion, after excluding the North American truckload operation for the full year.

Roadrunner Transportation Earnings Jump More Than 30%

Profit for the asset-light trucking and logistics services provider Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc. (NYSE: RRTS) increased by a healthy margin. It reported net income of $7.9 million, or 21 cents per share, compared to $5.8 million a year earlier, or 15 cents per share.

The Wisconsin-based fleet saw revenue increase to $532.2 million from $497.2 million for the same quarter in 2015. Operating income was $18.9 million, compared to $14.4 million for the prior year quarter. The gain in operating income included nearly $5 million from the sale of a non-core business and $2.1 million of downsizing costs.

This resulted in a 5-cent per share benefit for earnings, while another 8 cents per share in earnings is associated with the termination of certain independent contractor lease purchase guarantee programs.

A large portion of the revenue increase related to our ground expedite business, in which we receive a management fee versus transportation or brokerage margins," said Mark DiBlasi, CEO. Our remaining transportation businesses, when compared to the prior year, are experiencing continuing declines in freight rates and volumes across most end markets and lower fuel surcharge revenue, which declined by $7.4 million quarter-over-quarter.

He said excess capacity and lower margins continued to hurt the companys truckload business. Trends in its less-than-truckload segment remain mostly unchanged. He noted the company is feeling continued effects from weak freight demand in the general industrial markets Roadrunner serves and from lower fuel surcharge revenue.

Our global solutions segment had revenue declines of $10.9 million during the third quarter of 2016, primarily due to a decrease in domestic transportation management and lower international freight forwarding volumes and rates, partially offset by increases in warehousing and consolidation, DiBlasi said.

As a result, operating income of $7.1 million decreased $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015; however, it improved from the previous quarter when it totaled $6.7 million.

In an unusual move, Roadrunner pulled back on earlier guidance it offered for full year earnings, saying the company will not provide guidance until its clear that market conditions and uncertainties have stabilized.

You can read what kind of earnings other fleets have posted for the third quarter by following this link.
An unfortunate epidemic is upon this country, and the old adage caught between a rock and a hard place can well describe the problem of prescription drug abuse.

As dangerous as prescription (Rx) narcotics can be, statistics show they are needed. A lot of people are in pain from surgery or injury or have mental health issues that require medication therapy.

The rock is that these drugs are needed by thousands of people. The hard place is they are becoming a for-profit, street drug and killing people at an alarming rate.

Its really complicated, said Dr. David Good, a family physician in Wagoner. Its not like theres one answer for everybody. When someone has serious injuries or medical problems, it sometimes requires the use of narcotics to help them through a difficult time in their lives, to help them with the pain.

The problem with narcotics is that after you are on them for a little while, you develop a dependence on the medication, Good continued. Then you need it because of the medication (chemically) and you may still have the pain, so now you have two problems.

I dont think it is intentional by the doctors to get people hooked on the medication, its just sometimes how the body works. I do think people work the system and are dishonest with physicians, he added.

According to local pharmacist, Stephen Nicholas, D. Ph., owner of Rogers Drug Company, Inc. in Wagoner, he gets calls all the time of people pricing the prescriptions they are getting from doctors. If he says a number thats too high, theyll hang up and go to another pharmacy.

He said he has seen people get one prescription filled so that they can sell the narcotics and fund the filling of subsequent prescriptions.

Ill see people waiting in the parking lot in the mornings to get narcotics, Rogers said. Id say its a serious problem.

Doctors have to do their jobs, which is to sometimes prescribe narcotics, and then pharmacists have to do theirs, which is fill the prescriptions.

The DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) and the OBNDD (Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs), in this state, work closely with the medical boards to help stop this, Dr. Good said. Theyve really made a lot of big changes and introduced some new laws and protocols to help bring down some of these numbers and the accessibility of narcotics.

However, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the number of overdose deaths (accidental or intentional) has risen from just under 10,000 in 2001 to almost 25,000 in 2014.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) puts drug overdoses as the leading cause of death in the U.S. at 41,340 in 2011. Almost half of those are from prescription medications.

Second to that is traffic accidents at 33,692, with gun deaths at a close third with 32,351.

Oklahoma was ranked ninth in the nation in 2011 by the CDC for highest rate of deaths involving prescription narcotics. From 2007-2011, the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner reported 2,535 deaths were prescription drug related.

These numbers are too high, and really affecting younger generations, especially if these drugs are accessible enough for addiction to form. Oklahoma is one of the leading states in prescription medication sales per capita.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in 2010, 8.1% of Oklahomans ages 12 and older had reported using prescription narcotics without a prescription. That was almost double the national percentage (4.8%) in the same demographic.

As a community, state and nation, efforts are underway to band together and get a hand on this epidemic. Some Oklahoma groups are doing just that with local Rx Take-Back Events, in conjunction with the National Take Back Initiative.

When these drugs get into the wrong hands, there are obviously dangerous results. This is just one way to taper their accessibility on the streets.

One of these take-back events was held Saturday, October 22, in the Armstrong Bank parking lot in Wagoner.

The event was held in partnership between the Wagoner Police Department and the Cherokee Nation Regional Prevention Center, which is funded by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS).

Sponsoring the event were the Wagoner County Family Service Council and Neighbors Building Neighborhoods, an organization out of Muskogee that promotes positive change.

The result of the event was the removal of 13 lbs., 6.8 oz., or 1,380 pills, from the streets of Wagoner. Not all of these were narcotics, but they were all prescribed drugs, and a large amount of them were deemed as dangerous medications.

According to Coleman Cox, a Certified Prevention Specialist with the Cherokee Nation, there were 59 prescription narcotic overdose deaths in Wagoner County alone from 2010 to 2014.

We really have to bring awareness to the public, Cox said. Thats what events like this are for  to bring awareness of the dangers of these drugs getting into the wrong hands by not disposing of them properly. Then they get on the streets and get into the hands of our children.
The judge overseeing a former Tulsa police officers first-degree murder trial excused seven prospective jurors on Tuesday following their individual examinations with prosecutors and defense attorneys, but more than 50 still remain in the jury pool.

Opening arguments in the case against Shannon Kepler, 56, were projected to begin Wednesday before nearly 30 jurors were selected for voir dire, or questioning by the state and Keplers defense attorney, Richard OCarroll, based on their responses to a Monday questionnaire.

Instead, the remaining jurors will continue to be questioned Wednesday until the final 12, plus two alternates, are seated.

District Judge Sharon Holmes sent away a woman with ties to the local activist group We The People Oklahoma, as well as two people who did not fully disclose their criminal backgrounds in the questionnaire, a man who has an upcoming federal jury summons and a woman who expressed health concerns.

Holmes also excused two women who said they might struggle with hearing the facts of the case because the trial could possibly trigger emotions related to their being victims of serious crimes. One juror was dismissed Monday for medical reasons.

Holmes additionally overruled one motion each from OCarroll and Assistant District Attorney Kevin Gray to excuse jurors because of their responses in the questionnaire and their explanations for them.

The trial for Kepler is expected to extend into the week of Nov. 7. Kepler is charged in the Aug. 5, 2014, shooting death of 19-year-old Jeremey Lake, as well as two counts of shooting with intent to kill related to his daughter, Lisa Kepler, and Lakes teenage brother, Michael Hamilton. Lisa Kepler had been in a relationship with Lake that began the week he was shot.

Shannon Kepler retired from the Tulsa Police Department in late 2014 and has been free on $825,000 bond since Aug. 22 of that year.

Of the seven potential jurors removed on Tuesday, three are of African-American descent. Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler addressed the issue after one of them was excused over the states objection.

Im beginning to be concerned that were gonna have Batson (v. Kentucky) issues, he said, referencing a U.S. Supreme Court decision that bars the dismissal of jurors based on race. OCarroll disputed that claim, noting two of the jurors in question misrepresented their history with the court system. Holmes said the potential jurors were justifiably excused for cause but emphasized that requests for dismissal need to be based on race-neutral criteria.

Before beginning individualized questioning with 18 potential jurors, both sides questioned 10 people simultaneously based on their responses in the juror questionnaire that addressed their beliefs in the guilt or innocence of criminal defendants. Nine in the group said they believed defendants were at least mostly guilty of the accusations against them, while another said he believed most defendants are not guilty.

OCarroll, in identifying the jurors for follow-up, said their answer was not disqualifying as long as we can talk about it. He moved to excuse all nine jurors who reported they thought most were guilty, but Holmes denied the request.

Five of the jurors questioned Tuesday were asked about their prior knowledge of Keplers case after saying they saw reports on local TV stations or in the Tulsa World. Only one of those  the woman who has associations with We The People Oklahoma  was excused.
David Boren put his money where his mouth is.

The University of Oklahoma president personally contributed $167,000 to passage of State Question 779, a 1 percent state sales tax for education that he has energetically championed over the past year, according to state Ethics Commission reports filed this week.

Borens contribution, while substantial, was not nearly the largest to the pro-779 Oklahomas Future, Our Children Inc. Tulsan Stacy Schusterman gave a total of $1 million, and the national organization Stand for Children kicked in more than $1.3 million.

In all, Oklahomas Future reported almost $4.3 million in contributions, including $500,000 from the National Education Association, $250,000 from the Chickasaw Nation, $250,000 from the Tulsa Community Foundation, $100,000 from the Choctaw Nation and $100,000 from Rooney Holdings, the parent company of Manhattan Construction.

Almost $400,000 of the $4.3 million total was in the form of Stand for Children staff time.

Opponents of the sales tax, who have become more visible in recent weeks, did not register with the Ethics Commission until after the Oct. 1 deadline, which means they do not have to file financial reports until Jan. 31.

My contribution to the Yes 779 campaign is because of my passionate belief that we must stop shortchanging our children and young people in their educational opportunities, Boren said. I am very gratified that many others share that strong conviction.

Having watched Oklahoma politics for over 50 years, I believe this is the single most important issue to come to a vote of the people during that time. Oklahomas future is literally at stake.

Forces for and against SQ 779 and three other state questions are on track to raise and spend as much money if not more than all legislative candidates combined, according to the Ethics Commission reports.

Those reports showed more than $12 million in contributions to political action committees supporting or opposing state questions 777, 779, 780 and 792.

Of that, almost $8 million has been spent.

Through the end of October  one month later  all candidates combined had spent $9.3 million.

Total contributions for all candidates was not available.

Unlike candidates, state question committees do not have to file pre-election reports and have one month to file quarterly reports. Thus, reports filed by Monday nights deadline cover the period June 1-Sept. 30, and the next report is not due until nearly two months after the election.

Candidate reports filed by Monday night covered contributions and expenditures through Oct. 24, with immediate supplemental reports required through election day.

So-called independent expenditures  expenditures on behalf of candidates by someone else  must be reported as they occur.

Proponents of SQ 780, which would make changes to criminal statutes, reported almost $3.7 million in contributions, but most of that was in the form of donated staff time by the American Civil Liberties Union.

The measure is opposed by many of the states district attorneys, but no formal organization was formed until two weeks ago.

Both sides of SQ 777, which would restrict future regulation of agriculture, reported contributions in the neighborhood of $1 million.

Oklahoma Farmers Care, the primary proponent group, reported contributions of just over $1 million, including $400,000 from Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. and $166,000 from the Oklahoma Pork Council.

Other large contributions included $75,000 from Charlotte Lucas of Corydon, Indiana, and $15,000 each from the Livestock Marketing Association and its Oklahoma affiliate.

Less clear is the source of the oppositions money.

Oklahoma Food, Farm and Family, the largest of two opposition groups, reported contributions of more than $700,000, all of it through Oklahoma Rising, Inc., a nonprofit not required to disclose its donors.

A smaller opposition group, Oklahoma Stewardship Council, reported $247,000 in contributions, including $177,000 from the Humane Society of the United States.

Among area legislative races, the campaign reports of two stand out. The contending candidates in Senate Districts 37 and 39 all reported contributions in the vicinity of $200,000, with SD 39 Democrat John Waldron tops at $234,615.

Significant independent expenditures were reported by organizations ranging from the National Realtors Association to the Oklahoma Federation for Children, a school voucher advocate that spent about $14,000.

Its involvement, though, was small compared to that of two anti-voucher groups that reported combined expenditures of more than $165,000.
In this episode of Morning Edition, we are joined by Meteorologist at the M.E.T Service, Mr.
Another All Star Family Feud is set for mid November, this time pitting television hosts against TEN newsreaders.

Sounds like fun!

Next Monday its a battle between Bachelors and Bachelorettes.

Team captain and television icon Kerri-Anne Kennerley leads her fellow television hosts Tony Barber, Glenn Ridge and John Burgess playing for their charity Look Good Feel Better.

The Newsreaders, captained by Sandra Sully with her team of Ron Wilson, Natarsha Belling and Stephen Quartermain, are competing for their charities, the McGrath Foundation and the Unicorn Foundation.

Who will come out on top and just how will Grant keep four fellow game show hosts under control?

7:30pm Monday November 14 on TEN.
Hopeful fans were turned away at the door last night for a packed Please Like Me season preview at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.

Josh Thomas, Hannah Gadsby and producer Todd Abbott attended the sell-out screening of the first two episodes, ahead of next weeks season premiere.

It was only the second public outing for the new series, following a screening for ABC staff recently, with Thomas telling TV Tonight he was relieved audiences were laughing in all the right spots.

A Q&A for fans followed the screening.

Please Like Me returns 9:30pm Wednesday November 9 on ABC.
Separation of troops and equipment of the parties to the armed conflict in Donbas will contribute to ensuring security, which is a prerequisite for holding elections in Donbas.

US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch said this in an interview with Radio Liberty.

"Our position is clear: to hold elections, you should have security first. How else you can hold elections, if there is no security guarantees. As we have seen, the agreements on ceasefire, which are to be complied with in last two years, are not observed. The recent ceasefire agreements are also being violated. Therefore, it is important to have stable security," Yovanovitch said.

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Ukrainian lawmakers have ratified the Memorandum on mutual understanding and defense cooperation between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Some 236 Ukrainian MPs voted in favor of the relevant decision, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Dublian, the ratification of Memorandum will create legal basis for the Ukrainian-British cooperation in the sphere of defense, in particular personnel trainings; development of military and technical cooperation; participation in joint military exercises; procurement of military equipment, weapons and resources; trainings of intelligence specialists.

Oleksandr Dublian also reminded that the Memorandum was signed on the initiative of British side in Kyiv on March 17.

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Heorhiy Tuka, the deputy minister of Ukraine for the temporarily occupied territories and internally displaced persons, meets with representatives of the German's development bank KfW in Berlin on Wednesday.

He said this in an interview with an Ukrinform correspondent in Germany.

"I came to hold talks with KfW, to agree on a loan, to finalize the agreement with the Germans, which was earlier reached in Kyiv," Tuka said.

He noted that the parties would discuss allocation of EUR 55 million out of 500 million loan, which was promised by the German side a year and a half ago. These funds, according to the deputy minister, the German side is ready to "redirect" from the Regional Development Ministry programs to the programs of the Ministry, which he represents.

At the same, the official said that the funds would be used for the purpose announced earlier, namely the restoration of infrastructure in eastern Ukraine.

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The Ukrainian Foreign Ministrys Department of Consular Service held a meeting to discuss the issue of Roman Sushchenkos case, who was illegally detained in Moscow on espionage charges, according to a post on the departments Facebook page.

During the meeting, a range of measures, aimed at protecting our national so that he can return to Ukraine as soon as possible, was considered, reads the report.

Among participants in the meeting were Sushchenkos lawyer Mark Feygin, representatives of the Information Policy Ministry, Justice Ministry, Prosecutor Generals Office, Security Service, the parliaments special envoy for human rights, the governments special envoy for the European Court of Human Rights, as well as representatives of the Ukrainian National Information Agency Ukrinform.

As reported, Ukrinform correspondent in France Roman Sushchenko was arrested in Moscow on September 30, where he arrived on a private visit. He was accused of espionage, allegedly being a member of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. The Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate denied allegations of Russian Federal Security Service.

The Russian court ruled at its closed hearing on October 1 to arrest the journalist for two months  until November 30.

On October 7, the Russian Federation officially charged the Ukrainian journalist with spying. Sushchenko denies any guilt.

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The Human Rights Information Center and Centre for Civil Liberties have organized a special action in support of Ukrainian journalists Mykola Semena, Roman Sushchenko, Hanna Adnriyevska and Andriy Klymenko, against whom Russia has opened criminal cases under fabricated charges. The event has been held today near the Russian Embassy in Kyiv.

About 50 activists gathered near the embassy, among whom were representatives of human rights organizations and colleagues of Ukrinform Paris based correspondent Roman Sushchenko, who was detained in Moscow. The participants in the event showed a special performance to demonstrate how cases are fabricated in Russia against Ukrainian journalists, and in such a way they called for Russia to close criminal cases against their colleagues. The event was timed to the UN International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

In addition, Deputy Director General of Ukrinform National Information Agency Maryna Synhaivska during the event called on media representatives to assist in the release of Sushchenko and Semena, and to demand that Russia stop opening fabricated cases against colleagues-journalists.

During every conference it is necessary to ask Putin: When will you release illegally detrained Ukrainian journalists? she stressed.

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As they say, a persons true nature is revealed when they are pushed into a tight corner. Most of the times, more than bravery and strength, it is being able to stay clear headed and choose the right action despite everything that saves them. Conversely, sometimes it is the sheer force of will and determination that lets them survive the ordeal. The history has many such stories about people who were so remarkable that we could only marvel and be astonished at what they could achieve in deadly situations. And here are a few such badass facts about people that we collected that you probably havent come across yet.

1 Miyamoto Musashi, the 17th-century Japanese swordsman, twice arrived late to duels and defeated both opponents. For his next duel, he arrived early and ambushed the force that was assembling to ambush him.

After the war between Toyotomi and Tokugawa clans in 1600, Musashi, a 17-year-old teenager, disappeared from records until he began a series of duels against Yoshioka School when he reached 20 or 21. There, in 1604, he challenged the master of the school Yoshioka Seijuro for a single blow duel winning by striking the masters arm, which crippled him. Seijuro then passed the headship of the school to his brother Yoshioka Denshichiro who then challenged Musashi, but was defeated, leaving a 12-year-old Yoshioka Matashichiro as the head. The whole matter enraged the Yoshioka family who assembled archers, musketeers, and swordsmen and challenged Musashi to duel outside Kyoto. This time, Musashi broke his habit of being late and hid, and then assaulted the force and killed Matashichiro, thus he ended that branch of Yoshioka School. (source)



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2 Medal of Honor recipient, Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez fought for 6 hours straight and had 37 puncture wounds, exposed intestine, broken jaw, and eyes caked in blood. He was pronounced dead until he spat in the face of a doctor who was zipping him up in a body bag.

In 1965, Benavidez stepped on a land mine in South Vietnam and was evacuated to the United States where the doctors told him he would never be able to walk again. But, he then started propping himself up a wall and after several months of excruciating practice at walking, he started to walk. Even with continuing pain, he went back to Vietnam, where on May 2, 1968, after hearing radio for help from a 12-man Special Forces patrol was surrounded by a battalion of about a 1,000 men, Benavidez, armed with just a knife and a medical bag, jumped from the helicopter to help them. His daring fight saved at least 8 men, but he himself was thought to be dead until a friend recognized him and called for a doctor. The doctor thought he was dead too until Benavidez managed to spit in the doctors face when about to zip the body bag. (source)

3 Harald Hadrada, a Viking who fled from his native country, Norway, to Kievan Rus, went on to become an elite guardsman in Eastern Roman Empire and fought in Iraq. He then went back to Kievan Rus, married a princess, became the King of Norway and finally invaded England with his army.

When Harad was 15, he and his half-brother Olaf fought in the Battle of Stiklestad to reclaim the Norwegian throne which was lost to the Danish king, Cnut the Great, two years ago. However, they lost the war and were forced into exile for 15 years in Kievan Rus. During that time Harald became a mercenary and a military commander in Kievan Rus and of the Varangian Guard in the Byzantine Empire.

In 1042 he returned from Byzantine and started his campaign to reclaim Norwegian throne. He became an ally to Sweyn II of Denmark, the nephew of the king of Denmark, with whom he became the co-ruler of Norway and the sole ruler a year later after Sweyns death. Harald claimed the throne of Denmark untl 1064 and the English throne in 1066 unsuccessfully. His death in the Battle of Stamford Bridge for the English throne is considered the end of the Viking Age and he was thought to be the last great Viking or Viking king. (source)

4 When he was wounded, Thomas Baker ordered his squad to leave him propped against a tree, with a pistol and eight bullets. Later, American forces found the now-deceased Baker in the same spot, holding an empty pistol, with eight dead Japanese soldiers lying around him.

During the Second World War, between June 19 and July 7, 1944, Thomas Baker was cited to show exceptional bravery by voluntarily running with a bazooka within 100 yards of the enemy when his entire company was surrounded even though there was fire aimed at him. On July 7, Baker was seriously wounded when the perimeter he was part of was surrounded on three sides by as many as 3,000 to 5,000 Japanese soldiers. Instead of being carried to safety, he asked his comrades to be left sitting against a tree with a pistol with 8 rounds, where he was later found dead with 8 Japanese soldiers. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. (source)



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5 In 2001, 8-year-old Jessie Arbogast was attacked by a 7-foot-long bull shark that tore off his arm. When his uncle heard the commotion and grabbed the shark out of the ocean and onto shore when the shark still held the childs dismembered arm. Fortunately, surgeons later reattached the boys arm.

Jessie Arbogast was visiting the shore of Pensacola, Florida, with his uncle Vance Flosenzier in 2001 when the incident happened. The first thing Flosenzier did when he understood what was happening was to grapple the shark out of the ocean to wrestle and get his nephews arm back. Then, the surgeons were able to successfully reattach the boys dismembered arm. (source)

6 A French woman, Jeanne de Clisson, became a pirate in the 1300s for revenge after her husband was beheaded. She sold her lands and bought 3 ships, which were painted black. When she caught nobles while hunting French ships, she personally beheaded them with an axe.

The whole thing started when the French authorities with whom Olivier, Jeanne de Clissons husband, once fought defending Brittany from the English began to suspect his loyalty. He was then captured and tried for treason by the orders of King Philip VI, who took advice from Charles de Blois, a man who fought along with Olivier. He was beheaded at Les Halles and his head was sent to Nantes to be displayed on a pole outside the castle of Bouffay.

Enraged and bewildered over her husbands execution, Jeanne fought as a pirate for thirteen years killing and fighting against French on the seas, even after the death of King Philp VI. Her ruthlessness earned her the title The Lioness of Brittany. Later, Jeanne fell in love with an English nobleman, married him and settled down for a quiet life.(source)
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Delegates of the third Refugee Congress visit the US Capitol during a day of meetings with US lawmakers to advocate on behalf of refugees in the U.S. and worldwide.  UNHCR/Arielle Moncure

They came from around the world, survivors of conflict, violence and persecution, grateful for having been taken in by the United States and given a chance to live in dignity and free from deadly danger. And for three days in September, members of the Refugee Congress  one delegate from each US state  gathered in Washington, DC and engaged, on behalf of all vulnerable refugees resettled in the United States, in one of the most essential acts of American civic life: the voter sharing experience, insight and policy preference with the elected representative in Congress.

I know what its like to feel invisible, said Carmen Kcomt, the delegate from California who fled political persecution in Peru. It is an honor and a privilege to be voice for asylum-seekers around the country and around the world who are so often unheard.

The Refugee Congress is the only independent organization in the world exclusively comprising refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons that empowers individuals who found freedom and safety in the United States to use their voices for advocacy. The Refugee Congress delegates hail from 25 different countries including Iraq, South Sudan, Syria, Rwanda and Afghanistan.

Delegates of the third Refugee Congress gather in Washington, DC, to meet with US lawmakers and advocate on behalf of refugees in the U.S. and worldwide.  UNHCR/Arielle Moncure

Having been among the few refugees given the opportunity by the US government to reclaim their lives, they have now become professors, accountants, nurses, teachers, social workers, lawyers, and U.S. military veterans  leaders in their new communities who exemplify the resilience of refugees and work to give back to the country that welcomed them.

I got my house, I got my car, I got my job, but that didnt really make me feel like an American, said Som Nath Subedi, the Oregon delegate who fled ethnic cleansing in Bhutan. Then I started giving back to my community  thats the American dream for me.

This years Refugee Congress gathering in Washington, the third of its kind since the independent, non-profit group was established in 2011, was led by the delegates who serve on the Refugee Congress advisory board, the groups steering committee.

The first two days we met to finalize our advocacy platform and our joint letter to policymakers, said Clara Hart, the delegate from South Dakota and chair of the board. This year, we decided to prioritize improvements to the asylum system and support for the resettlement of the most vulnerable refugees regardless of race, religion, origin, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, she added.

Frank Sharry, executive director of the respected immigrant rights advocacy organization Americas Voice, and Ger Duany, the actor and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, led dynamic workshops to help the delegates share their stories effectively. Duany is himself a refugee who, after fleeing Sudan as a child, was resettled to the U.S. and has become a successful model, actor, and humanitarian. In 2014 he starred in the award-winning film The Good Lie, which depicts a story of the resettlement of Sudanese Lost Boys in the United States.

The 2016 Refugee Congress culminated on the third and final day as delegates took to Capitol Hill to participate in over 120 meetings with members of Congress and their staff, providing their vital perspective to decision-makers whose policies affect the lives of refugees overseas and here in the United States.

Many of us fled countries where speaking out puts you in danger, said Sam Phatey, the delegate from the state of Georgia. We are here because we love America, because we believe so strongly in democracy, in liberty and in freedom. We hope that the same compassion we received will continue to be shown to others fleeing persecution around the world.

After all, he added, embracing love and showing compassion  isnt that what makes America not just great but the greatest?"
The people here  the adults sitting quietly, children running about  occupy one of the waiting rooms of modern history.

They are Syrians in Egypt, asylum seekers who have fled conflict, who have lost family, homes, work. The room in the registration centre of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in Zamalek, Cairo, offers them a lifeline.

A hand raised, holding a yellow document. A man smiling. A small victory for him and his family. The paper he holds is a UNHCR document, valid for 18 months, which will allow them to get a residence permit. And allow his children to go to school.

The process is slow, because of the large number of asylum seekers  almost 118,000 Syrians out of a total of more than 190,000 from several dozen countries.

"It was very hot and the kids suffered... We spent two days without water."

Nahed is getting an iris scan, a necessary step to record her and her familys biometric data in order to receive the UNHCR document.

Hers is an all-too-common story of terror and loss. She and her three children come from Homs. Three years ago, in the maelstrom of war, her husband disappeared. She waited and despaired. Her husband, she knew, was dead.

She chose to escape and her route was mapped by smugglers across the desert. It was a brutal crossing.

It was very hot and the kids suffered, she said. One developed a very bad nose bleed. We spent two days without water. All the water we had was gone. The children suffered a lot.

Syrian refugees register with UNHCR in Egypt.

Upstairs at the registration centre is a UNHCR innovation  an infoline set up to help asylum seekers and refugees, often living far from the centre of Cairo. Eleven operators field diverse questions about financial assistance, food distribution, education, refugee status determination, and a variety of protection issues.

Many refugees hope for resettlement. UNHCR Egypt submits some 6,700 refugees for resettlement to third countries on a yearly basis. This offers a lasting solution for the most vulnerable refugees, as well as those who have specific protection concerns in Egypt.

Some asylum seekers decide they cannot wait. In Alexandria, at the Caritas centre which is supported by UNHCR, Fatma told of also turning to smugglers, but this time to cross the Mediterranean with her three children, after two years of economic difficulties and frustration as an asylum seeker.

The boat capsized and sank. Twenty people died, just some of the almost 4,000 who have drowned or gone missing making the crossing so far this year alone. Fatma was saved.

After six hours in the water we were rescued. Then I was taken into detention here for two months."

After six hours in the water we were rescued, she said. Then I was taken into detention here for two months, me and the children.

There is a happier coda to this traumatic story of drowning, rescue and detention. With the help of a small cash grant from Caritas and UNHCR, she set up a home-based cooking business, making take-away dishes with her childrens help. She earns roughly US$30 a week, enough to support the family.

As for the Mediterranean and a smugglers boat: I will never think of trying irregular ways again. I suffered, my children suffered and I will never do that again.

She still dreams of Europe and a better life for her children, but she will wait and cook and hope for legal resettlement.
Children in the Syrian Arab Republic risk their lives every day just to go to school. Since the conflict began in 2011, there have been more than 4,000 attacks on schools.



DAMASCUS, Syrian Arab Republic, 1 November 2016  In the Syrian Arab Republic, going to school for many children is fraught with danger. Every day, children and teachers risk their lives to reach a classroom, as schools continue to come under attack. Yet despite these risks, they persist in doing everything they can to get an education that is rightfully theirs. Their stories are ones of determination and resilience.

One such story comes from a rural area in the northern Syrian governorate of Idleb. Almost all of the children who study at this school have fled violence in northern rural Hama over a year ago, and sought refuge in caves and tents that are spread along this rural area.

Last year, some of the children living in rural Idleb had an opportunity to catch up on the education they have missed. Ahmad* and his wife, who were both teachers in Hama before they were displaced themselves, found a deserted cave which they cleaned up and turned into a school. We started with children who live nearby, then we expanded and now we have almost 120 students, he says.
Students know that alcohol college drinking is prohibited within the school premises. However, teenagers are very keen in passing authorities. Faculty members can't just look after them the whole time. Security personnel are also only assigned in their own area of jurisdiction.

It has become too disturbing for parents hearing news that some students are rushed to nearby hospitals after playing college drinking games with peers. It is so easy to say to just sit down with your kids to discuss things or problems so that they will not resort to college drinking, says Psychology Today.

However, today's family lifestyle is not anymore like before. Most American families have both parents working outside of their homes. The quality time spent at home deteriorates. Students who are guided do not have to seek for their parents' attention.

It's the couple's prerogative to prioritize work over child-rearing. When this is the case, they should let responsible people or an institution to impose discipline to the children on their behalf. There are many famous personalities who were orphaned but were successful.

In fact, two U.S. Presidents were orphaned but learned discipline through the orphanage. Herbert Hoover was orphaned at the age of 9, according to CNN and Andrew Jackson at the age of four. No college drinking ever recorded in their biographies.

Students who are fond of college drinking are prone to be exposed to substance abuse. They have the urge to drink because it can alleviate physical, mental and emotional pains - at least temporarily. So parents must address the root causes of this potential problem.

Parents must be observant in their children's behavior. If they are bored often, depressed or suffering from anxiety, a qualified psychologist is the best person to help. This should include children who suffer trauma from their parents' divorce or any other painful experiences like the death of a loved one.

Ginni Rometty shares her interesting insights as a mother. She continues to be the driver to transform IBM into a top model for the digital era. As an advocacy, she has spent largely on programs for data-analysis software and skill-enhancing cloud computing.

She also took part in IBM's Watson AI or artificial intelligence technology. This is to entice students to spend their idle time in learning new skills in technology.

You will be certain that your children will be away from the college drinking game if their minds are occupied by worthwhile technical hobbies, based on Forbes' feature on her.

Understanding and dedication to the younger ones' needs are crucial to prevent this habit-forming vise - college drinking that is. Denials can only make the situation worst. Getting involved with your children's lives now and knowing what interests them count. Do that when they still need you.
Tech. Global is haven to technological projects. It is hosted by the University of Arizona with its single-room office located in-between the International Student Services and Study Abroad Office.

This program houses six students who desire to explore the world through technology. It is a 100 percent engagement experience and is non-credit. These students work for at least 15 hours on a weekly basis and are paid for working on various projects that include maintaining online data maps to exploring virtual reality.

Data scientist Ash Black oversees the program. Black is backed up with more than 20 years of web development and IT expertise, the Daily Wildcat reports.

Student coders of Tech. Global do full stack development, which means that the six students does a portion of everything.

These students are special in that they are either study abroad students or international students. They also do coding, web design, programming, graphics, and interface.

The program aims that the students learn the skills while working at Tech. Global, and to use them abroad in building a virtual reality blog or building an app, to mention a few projects.

Students under the Tech. Global program are working on a potential project that has the capacity to affect the study abroad experience. Tech. Global aims to create a virtual study abroad program through virtual reality. This will allow students who are not capable of studying abroad to obtain that experience. These include students with mobility issues or with physical disabilities.

Tech. Global in partnership with the Africana Studies program, will travel to Paris over Thanksgiving, with equipment that will film their environment with 360-degree cameras that will go live stream. It is aimed that this footage can be raw material for virtual reality.

Worldwide connection is the primary target of Tech Global. Tech. Global partners with the University of Barcelona for developing new methods in understanding data. It also works with the University of Oklahoma in searching for ways to share virtual reality space.
Based on a survey ranking by College Choice, the Oakland University earned top seven as the safest among large universities and colleges. Only schools with more than 15,000 students can get ranked by this college resource website.

Safety and security is now one of the factors prospective college and university students consider when choosing their higher education destination. Out of the fifty large colleges and universities in America, Oakland University was able to get the top 7.

Mark Gordon, the Oakland University Police Chief, says that everyone has to stay diligent in order to be safe. He understand the risks and responsibilities of being a part of a huge campus. Gordon says that this rank supports the belief Oakland University has when it comes to the safety and security of their college student community.

In order to get ranked, College Choice used data from the United States Department of Education, as well as public information from the fifty colleges and universities. Their data can be gathered from their official website. Data from the United States News & World Report, plus the National Center for Education Statistics were also used in order to rank these schools.

Oakland University has an Office of Environmental Health And Safety team that oversees the security of the campus. The Office considers construction safety, environmental protection, fire safety and even occupational health. According to the official school statement, safety also includes the holistic approach to happiness and health. Not just the lack of crime in the community.

In order to be ranked, the schools must meet the following criteria:

1. General safety - This considers theft, arson, assault and other crimes for the past three years.

2. Anti Discrimination - This accounts the number of hate crimes in the last three years.

3. Women's Safety - This reflects Violence Against Women.

4. Party Culture - The number of alcohol and drug incidents in the campus is also considered.

5. Fire Safety - Was there any fire for the past three years?

Brigham Young University got the sixth place while Sam Houston State University got eighth, according to Oakland.
William Shakespeare, also called the Bard of Avon, is making his rounds in Philadelphia. Where schools are participating in the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival.

To celebrate this event, the WillPower Tour is making its rounds. Plus, with the help of Christopher Marlowe. Marlowe wrote the Henry VI trilogy with the help of University Pennsylvania scholars and engineers.

WillPower is all about William Shakespeare and putting out the awareness to schools in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania high schools and advanced middle-schools are participating. WillPower is also present in New Jersey, cites Philly. New Jersey's celebration of the event features workshops, plays and a dialogue between teachers who were experienced actors and beginner students.

The WillPower tour, according to Jill Arington, the PSF director of education, says that the tour is designed to combat Shakes-fear. The tour is going to meet students where they reside and where they study. She hopes to make the tour a tool that will hook students for good. According to Patrick Mulcahy, the PSF producing artistic director, they are bringing the Bard of Avon out from the high school book reading list to a whole different level.

WillPower is going to make stops at the Villa Maria Academy High School, the Willamstown High School, and the Quakertown Community Senior High School in New Jersey. This is the 17th year that the PSF is celebrating. The program started since 2000 and their records indicate that they have reached over 160,000 students. They aim to reach at least 14,000 students every year.

This year, they are featuring Hamlet as the focus performance. But whether it is Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing or other plays, WillPower displays a modern take.

English and literature teachers are thankful for the WillPower tour. It gives the students the chance to witness a live Shakespeare performance. One teacher even explains that some of his students have never ever seen a play.
For-profit college DeVry University has reached a settlement with the Education Department. This comes after the school was found to have deceived its students with is job placement claims.

U.S. News reported that DeVry University has agreed to withdraw its misleading claims about its graduate employment rates and income levels. The settlement comes as a result of a 2015 suit against the institution to prove that its claims on its ads, through print, radio, TV and online, can be backed by facts.

DeVry claimed that 90 percent of its graduates were able to land a job just within six months after they earned their degrees. The university also professed that its alumni earned 15 percent more than those who graduated from other colleges.

"The settlement doesn't limit access to federal funding," Ernest Gibble, a DeVry Education spokesman, wrote in an email to the publication. "It will have no impact on students' ability to access federal financial aid."

This is not the first time that the school has faced this issue. In January, the Federal Trade Commission also sued the university with the same allegations.

The Department of Education has released the settlement agreement with DeVry University. The school is expected to "immediately cease publishing" inaccurate claims to a student, prospective student, accrediting agency, state agency, the Secretary of Education or any member of the public.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the settlement agreement may have saved the company from succumbing to the same fate as two of its competitors, former for-profit institutions Corinthian Colleges Inc. and ITT Technical Institute. Both companies have been shut down.

DeVry University has also agreed to keep a minimum of $68 million in reserves for five years. The Department of Education expects the reserves, called a letter of credit, to be used to cover costs such as reimbursement of student loans. This amount is equivalent to 10 percent of the money that the company received last year through the federal student-aid program.
Harvard University and its employees have reached an agreement regarding their pay. This comes after dining hall workers went on a three-week strike.

BuzzFeed reported that workers were able to gain a "historic victory" last week. Their three-week strike culminated with the Ivy League university bowing to majority of their demands.

Brian Lang, president of the local union, said that the strike had "turned into a struggle for the soul of this institution." "It's a testament to when working-class people make a decision to draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough," he added.

Harvard University will pay a $3,000 stipend over the summer for workers who got laid off or whose hours were cut. This will put the dining hall workers over the $35,000 minimum salary that they demanded during their protests.

The school has also confirmed that it will cover the increased costs of health care plans for the workers. The salary will only apply to full-time workers, though.

Rosa Ines Rivera, a cook at Harvard University, revealed how dining hall workers were required to pay even more for their health care even though they already pay as much as $4,000 per year. The Ivy League university also previously wanted to increase their co-pays for every doctor visit from $15 to $25. Primary care, which was free, will now cost employees $100 for outpatient hospital care and some tests.

In another report by BuzzFeed, the strike was said to have left Harvard University scrambling to stock frozen food to feed students. Students, for their part, prepared for the strike by bringing their own food. They were also advised to "beg their parents for care packages."

According to The Daily Pennsylvanian, about 600 students joined the protest later on by walking out of class. This is in support of the striking Harvard University workers. More than 250 of them sat in front of the administration building where negotiations took place.

Kate Lapp, Harvard's executive Vice President, stated that "the university has sought a resolution that maintains superior compensation for our dining workers, acknowledging their role as integral members of the Harvard community."
Hunter College has reached an agreement with the Department of Education regarding its Title IX violations on sexual harassment and sexual violence. This comes after the City University of New York (CUNY) and Hunter College were accused of failing to promptly respond to complaints.

In an official statement, the Department of Education clarified that Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. It was noted that Hunter College is the largest college inside CUNY.

"By entering into this agreement, CUNY and Hunter College demonstrate a strong commitment to address and prevent sexual harassment and violence among students, staff and the CUNY community at large," Catherine E. Lhamon, assistant secretary for civil rights, said. "We look forward to working with CUNY and Hunter College to implement this agreement, including through ensuring a university-wide culture of prevention, support and safety."

An investigation was set up by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) after a student complained of sexual harassment by a professor. The student also claimed that the school retaliated against her.

The OCR investigated whether Hunter College did fail to respond promptly and equitably to complaints of sexual harassment and sexual violence. Moreover, it was also assessed whether the alleged negligence resulted to subjecting students to a sexually hostile environment.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the settlement requires Hunter College to provide training to staff and students in order to address sexual misconduct. The school would also need to re-examine all complaints of sexual harassment and assault that have been filed in the past three years.

"The procedures don't effectively advise individuals where to file complaints, do not ensure an equitable opportunity to present witnesses and evidence and do not provide sufficient information and time frames," Timothy C.J. Blanchard, director of the department's New York Office for Civil Rights, said. It was in a letter addressed to Hunter College president Jennifer Raab.

It was noted that the OCR also found flaws on how the college handled 12 other cases of sexual misconduct complaints between the years of 2011 and 2013. The school will now need to review complaints between 2013 and 2016.
A Liberal Studies professor from a New York University was suspended after sharing his thoughts on trigger warnings and safe spaces online. For the rest of the semester, Michael Rectenwald, 57, will be on paid leave.

The New York Post reported that the suspension came after Rectenwald went on a tirade against political correctness and student coddling. His colleagues criticized him for his "incivility." "They are actually pushing me out the door for having a different perspective," he told the publication.

On Sep. 12, the New York University professor created a secret Twitter account named the Deplorable NYU Prof. In the microblogging site, Rectenwald criticized campus trends like "safe spaces," "trigger warnings" as well as the policing of Halloween costumes.

He admitted that he decided that the account would be anonymous because he was afraid that "the PC Gestapo would ruin [him]." "I remember once on my Facebook I posted a story about a kid who changed his pronoun to 'His Majesty' because I thought it was funny," he added. "Then I got viciously attacked by 400 people. This whole milieu is nauseating. I grew tired of it, so I made the account."

Last month, he used his account to criticize "safe spaces." He also posted a photo of a flyer by NYU resident advisers, describing them as having "gone mad." Afterwards, he was being hunted by an army of "social justice warriors."

According to Breitbart, a 12-person faculty committee was created to deconstruct the professor's criticisms. "As long as he airs his views with so little appeal to evidence and civility, we must find him guilty of illogic and incivility in a community that predicates its work in great part on rational thought and the civil exchange of ideas," the committee wrote. "We seek to create a dynamic community that values full participation. Such efforts are not the 'destruction of academic integrity' Professor Rectenwald suggests, but rather what make possible our program's approach to global studies."
Meet a Roadrunner: Janet Eager Krueger 98 paints unique portraits of Texas culture

Janet Eager Krueger

(Nov. 2, 2016) -- Meet Janet Eager Krueger 98. Shes an artist who solidified her voice at UTSA.

Hailing from a family of artists, Krueger began pursuing painting at a young age. The San Antonio native vividly recalls growing up visiting the citys robust museums and being encouraged to pursue her creative passions.

Art was a large part of my life when I was growing up, she said. My mom was a watercolorist, and just in general there was always something artistic going on in our home.

Krueger earned her undergraduate degree in art history from The University of Texas in Austin in 1975, and shortly afterward moved to her husbands family ranch near Encinal, Texas. Though she found the rural beauty of the ranch inspiring, Krueger struggled to make a steady income as a painter. As her children began approaching their college years, she pondered pursuing a masters degree.

Having seen UTSA grow into a top-tier university, Krueger became intrigued by their graduate program in painting and ultimately enrolled in 1996.

I was very nervous, she said. I didnt know what going back to school as a non-traditional student would be like, and what the expectations would be of me. But once I got there, I loved every minute of it.

Krueger recollected her own experiences as a college student, and found herself enjoying the diverse student population as well as the engaging coursework.

I loved reading, writing and of course the production of artwork, she said. I had my own little cozy studio all to myself. I enjoyed it immensely, and I even miss it sometimes.

She also found the faculty inspiring and supportive, and has stayed in touch with many of them as well as her former classmates.

One of the things I most value from my time at UTSA is that it gave me a network, she said. Thats something I didnt have before. We live five miles from the nearest town, and its population is about 700. So being able to meet other artists and establish relationships has been invaluable.

Krueger graduated from UTSA in 1998. Her artwork is now in galleries across the nation and in several places in San Antonio, including the Hunt Gallery, the AT&T Center, USAA headquarters, Valero headquarters and, naturally, on the UTSA Main Campus. She recalls fondly UTSA President Ricardo Romo purchasing several of her pieces to be displayed at her alma mater.

Dr. Romo is to be commended for the art collection at UTSA, she said. Im flattered and honored to be a part of that collection, because there is some amazing work on display on that campus.

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Do you know a Roadrunner who is achieving great things? Email us at social@utsa.edu so that we may consider your suggestion for our next installment of Meet a Roadrunner.

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Holocaust Remembrance Week Nov. 7-11 at UW

Estelle Nadel

As part of the University of Wyoming Holocaust Remembrance Week Nov. 7-11, Holocaust survivor Estelle Nadel will speak Friday, Nov. 11, at 12:10 p.m. in the Wyoming Union Ballroom.

All events are free and open to the public, and are sponsored by the Associated Students of UW, UW recognized student organization Hillel and the Laramie Jewish Community Center Asimov Lecture Fund.

Emphasizing the importance for newer generations to learn about the Holocaust while some survivors are still alive, Nadel will share her story of struggle and survival as a child in hiding in Nazi-occupied Poland.

Nadel and her brothers were allowed passage to the United States and arrived in April 1947. She was adopted by a couple in Long Island and lived her high school years in the Los Angeles area.

Nadel didnt discuss her Holocaust experience until her daughter-in-law, a teacher, convinced her to tell her story to an eighth-grade class. Since then, she has presented her story to classrooms and communities across the country.

Before Nadels talk, a kosher lunch will be provided at 11:30 a.m. in the Wyoming Union Ballroom, followed by a moment of silence at noon.

Holocaust victims names will be read each day during Holocaust Remembrance Week from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the Wyoming Union breezeway near the Copy and Print Center. Those interested in reading names can sign up online at https://goo.gl/GTGGtf.

The process of dehumanization was fundamental to the Nazi destruction of European Jews during the Holocaust.

By reading aloud the names of victims during Holocaust Remembrance Week, we restore their humanity, honor their memory and recognize that the 6 million Jewish and 5 million other victims were individual men, women and children, according to organizers.

UW events coincide with Kristallnacht, also referred to as The Night of Broken Glass, a persecution against Jews throughout Nazi Germany and Austria Nov. 9-10, 1938.

During Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, UW Hillel and others will honor American veterans by observing the National Minute of Silence at noon.
New UW Scholarship Available for Veterans

The Students Supporting Veterans (SSV) scholarship committee at the University of Wyoming is accepting applications for the newly created Connor Montgomery Cloud Memorial Scholarship for Veterans. The application deadline is Friday, Nov. 11.

One-semester scholarships will be offered for the fall 2016 and spring 2017 semesters.

To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must be veterans or dependents of veterans. Applicants may be new or continuing students in any UW degree-granting program at any location where a UW degree program is offered. Scholarships are available to undergraduate and graduate students, and to full- and part-time students. Priority will be given to first-year UW veteran students.

Applicants must submit the scholarship application and documentation of veteran status by emailing ssv4uw@gmail.com. The application can be downloaded from the UW Veterans Services Center website at www.uwyo.edu/vetservices. In addition, applicants must have filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Scholarships will be awarded based on information included within the application; academic potential and success; class standing; financial need; and extenuating circumstances.

Funding for the Connor Montgomery Cloud Memorial Scholarship for Veterans comes from the COMBAT Color Fun Run 2016, which took place in Laramie last April.

The scholarship is named in memory of Connor Montgomery Cloud, son of Charles and Cynthia Cloud, Wyoming state auditor. Luke Cloud, Connors brother and a former SSV member at UW, helped create the scholarship and the COMBAT Color Fun Run in Laramie. The Cloud family consists of four generations of Marines, including Charles and Luke, a UW College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate. Other family members have served in the Army, Navy and Air Force.

For more information about the scholarship, email SSV at ssv4uw@gmail.com.

About Students Supporting Veterans

Students Supporting Veterans, a student veterans organization at UW, provides a supportive environment and resources for the support of veterans and patriotic students, as well as their families. The organization encourages individuals to become active and involved, and to take leadership positions in campus activities at UW. The group hosts social and philanthropic events open to students and community members who support the nations military.
Todays WyoCloud Launch Available on WyoCast

Members of the University of Wyoming community who are unable to attend todays launch of WyoCloud can participate via UWs WyoCast system.

The event, from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Wyoming Union East Ballroom, will be streamed on WyoCast at https://wyocast.uwyo.edu/WyoCast/Play/f22b3a4e6c344d71958863340b52bf9f1d.

The program directors, Jen Chavez and Megan Hanneman, will present the Executive Steering Committees vision for the WyoCloud system implementation project and its impact on UWs future. They will share the WyoCloud programs progress to date and upcoming plans, and they will be available to answer questions from the university community.

The university began the process of implementing WyoCloud in July, and the financial system is scheduled to go live in July 2017. WyoCloud is UWs new Oracle cloud-based systems for financial management, human capital management, grants management, budgeting and planning, supply chain management, and reporting and analytics.

For more information on the WyoCloud system implementation, visit www.uwyo.edu/wyocloud, where youll find details about the project, timeline and scope, the universitys implementation partners and other communications resources, including resources for communicating with the WyoCloud team.
UW Ann Simpson Artmobile to Host Exhibition at Niobrara County Library

Hank Laventhals Limage de Rose is among works included in the UW Artmobile exhibition Surrealism: Visions of the Mind that will be on view at the Niobrara County Library in Lusk Nov. 14-17. (UW Art Museum)

The University of Wyoming Art Museums Ann Simpson Artmobile will host the exhibition Surrealism: Visions of the Mind at the Niobrara County Library in Lusk Nov. 14-17.

The public may view the exhibition at the library during regular business hours.

K-12 students will attend deep-looking sessions throughout the week with Erica Ramsey, Artmobile educator. Public program offerings for adults will include a brown-bag program Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and a community night Wednesday, Nov. 16, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Surrealism: Visions of the Mind features the work of 15 different artists, representing the international significance of this 20th century artistic movement.

Niobrara County citizens are invited to come and see the Artmobile exhibition and investigate surrealism, an important art historical movement, Ramsey says.

The Ann Simpson Artmobile program is a free core outreach program for the UW Art Museum, traveling museum-quality original artwork statewide for the past 35 years. On average, the Artmobile travels two to three weeks out of every month to Wyoming communities that have little or no access to original art. The Artmobile reaches out to people of all ages, backgrounds and developmental abilities with special focus given to Wyomings K-12 schools and underserved populations including seniors, veterans and individuals with special needs.

For more information, call the Art Museum at (307) 766-6622, visit the website at www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum, or follow the museum on Facebook.

Through its Museum as Classroom approach, the UW Art Museum places art at the center of learning for all ages. Located in the Centennial Complex at 2111 Willett Drive in Laramie, the museum is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday hours are extended to 7 p.m. February through April and September through November. Admission is free.
Monday was a good day for fans of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Russell Westbrook was named Western Conference Player of the Week, and more importantly, Steven Adams and Victor Oladipo were tied down to new contracts.

OKC left it late to seal the deals for their core talent, with Monday being the deadline who any new contracts for players in the 2013 draft class.

The duo have both put pen-to-paper on four-year deals, with the 23-year-old center taking home $100 million before 2020.

Oladipo meanwhile took a lot lower than the max in order to stay with the Thunder, with his contract reportedly worth around $84 million.

But how does this affect the Thunder going into the future?

A settled core

Vic, Russ and Adams at the side's media day. | Mark D. Smith/USA TODAY Sports

Following the departure of Kevin Durant over the summer, just about every Oklahoma player has linked with some sort of move away. From Russell Westbrook to Mitch McGary, no one was spared.

Following the former's fresh contract in August, Sam Presti has done well to tie down OKC's other two guaranteed starters, meaning the core of the side is settled for the future.

With Westbrook boasting a contract with a player option in two years time, and the 27-year-old showing no lack of commitment to the franchise, there's no reason why the MVP favorite can't be part of the new trio for years to come.

Andre Roberson: outgoing?

Andre Roberson was originally drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves but was traded on draft night. | Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images

Despite reports of potential contract talks, the Thunder failed to reach an agreement with Andre Roberson before the deadline passed on Monday.

The 24-year-old may not ever be a game-winner with his points returns, but the versatile man has instrumental on defense during the Thunder's first three games this term.

Roberson could now become and unrestricted free agent next summer, giving him the opportunity to earn some serious cash elsewhere.

This speculation was further fuelled by OKC's addition of Jerami Grant from the Philadelphia 76ers last night.

No Okla-homecoming?

A dream no more for OKC fans? | Getty Images

Following KD's departure over the summer, trade rumors came in thick and fast surrounding his potential replacement in the three spot.

Paul George, Jimmy Butler, and even Rudy Gay were all discussed, but the most prominent name was an OKC native - Blake Griffin.

The 27-year-old grew up in Oklahoma and even played for the city's college, before being drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2009.

Griffin is a free agent next summer and if he was to leave LA, a homecoming would be the next best-tipped destination for the former All-Star.

However, with the majority of their cap space taken up by the new deals, it would take some serious shuffling around for a Griffin deal to even take place, let alone be a realistic aim.

A trade for Enes Kanter?

Enes Kanter (11) in action against the Charlotte Hornets back in January. | Mark D. Smith/USA TODAY Sports

Enes Kanter was subject to a plentiful amount of trade speculation over the summer, due to his sizable contract in comparison to his fairly limited playing time.

It's reported that the big man is earning around $17.5 million a year at the Thunder, despite the fact he only averaged 21.0 minutes per game last season.

With Serge Ibaka gone it's freed up potential for more minutes in the four spot for Kanter, a figure could rise even more following the departure of Ersan Ilyasova last night.

With Adams now firmly locked in as the Thunder's first choice center for years to come, the question once again persists as to whether OKC should cash their chips with Enes.

Kanter's valuable offense is something that the Thunder could still find valuable, but with him off the books, the opportunity once again arises to bring in a big-name face next summer.
The United States of America particularly its State Department stopped the planned sale of some 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippines' national police after Senator Ben Cardin said he would oppose it amid concerns about human rights violations, Senate aides told Reuters.

Aides said Cardin, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was reluctant for the United States to provide the weapons following criticism of president Rodrigo Duterte's deadly battle to rid the country of drugs.

News of the move was met with disappointment in Manila. Police spokesman Dionardo Carlos said the Philippines had yet to be notified about the sale being stopped.

The relationship between the United States and the Philippines, a long-time ally, has been complicated lately by Duterte's angry reaction to criticism from Washington.

More than 2,300 people have been killed in police operations or by suspected vigilantes in connection with the anti-narcotics campaign since Duterte took office on June 30.

The State Department informs Congress when international weapons sales are in the works. Aides said Foreign Relations committee staff informed State that Cardin would oppose the deal during the department's prenotification process for the sale of 26,000-27,000 assault rifles, stopping the deal.

Ronald dela Rosa, the Philippine national police chief and staunch supporter of the war on drugs, said he liked the American rifle, but suggested China as an alternative small-arms provider.

In October, Duterte told President Barack Obama to "go to hell" and said the United States had refused to sell some weapons to his country, but he did not care because Russia and China were willing suppliers.

According to some U.S. officials, Washington has been doing its best to ignore Duterte's rhetoric and not provide him with a pretext for more outbursts.

As a conclusion, an open break with the Philippines could create problems for the United States in a region where China's influence has grown.
The Deputy PM asked provincial authorities to work with the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Culture  Sport and Tourism and relevant agencies in planning infrastructure construction for tourism, while ensuring socio-economic development in concert with national defence.



Located 30 km from the mainland, Con Co island, which crosses the 17th parallel, is considered an outpost watch due to its location.



Covering on area of 2.3 square kilometres, it is one of the most magnificent islands of the central region with a diverse ecosystem.



Tourists to Con Co can visit the hall of tradition which houses items reflecting the history of Con Co island districts army and people over the past 55 years, pay tribute to Hill 37 Monument and visit Ben Nghe  Mom Ho beach.
Then-President Bill Clinton pardoned Marc Rich, once one of the FBI's most wanted fugitives on charges of tax evasion, on the last day of his presidency in January 2000 (AFP Photo/Bryan R. Smith)

The release of the heavily redacted 129-page report over the pardon of trader Marc Rich - an investigation that closed in 2005 without charges - triggered questions from Democrats already angered by the FBI's probe into hundreds of thousands of newly uncovered emails possibly linked to Hillary Clinton.

While the Rich documents were published online on Monday, they received little notice until they were posted on Tuesday on a Twitter account for the Federal Bureau of Investigation's division managing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests that had had no posts since a year ago, except for a small handful released simultaneously on Sunday.

"Absent a FOIA litigation deadline, this is odd," asked Hillary Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon.

"Will FBI be posting docs on Trump's housing discrimination in '70s?" he added, referring to Clinton's Republican rival Donald Trump, a billionaire real estate magnate.

The FBI said the documents were posted shortly after they were processed, as with FOIA materials requested three or more times.

"Per the standard procedure for FOIA, these materials became available for release and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBI's public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures," the statement said.

The FBI indicated that this was only a "preliminary" release that could therefore be followed by more.

Rich was indicted on federal charges of tax evasion in the United States. He was a fugitive from the Department of Justice - at a time one of the FBI's most wanted - living in exile in Switzerland at the time of his indictment. He died there in 2013.

In a controversial move, Bill Clinton pardoned him on his last day in office on January 20, 2001. The FBI opened its investigation into the pardon later that year.

Rich's ex-wife Denise Eisenberg Rich, whose name was redacted from the FBI files, "has been a major political donor to the Democratic Party, and these donations may have been intended to influence the fugitive's pardon," reads a bureau note requesting that a preliminary investigation be opened.

Some of the donations went to the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation, the predecessor to the Clinton Foundation, according to the document.

"It appears that the required pardon standards and procedures were not followed," reads the FBI document dated Feb 15, 2001.

The Rich case fell under the watch of current FBI Director James Comey, then a younger prosecutor.

The FBI document dump comes as Comey is under fire, from both Democrats and some Republicans, for effectively reopening in recent days the bureau's investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.
According to reports produced by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, e-commerce in Vietnam has generated $4 billion in revenue in 2015, a 37-per-cent increase from 2014. Consumers spent an average of $106 each time they shopped online, the report finds.

This figure is expected to grow in the upcoming years, as Vietnamese consumers are becoming more comfortable with online shopping. Tuyet Thanh, a 33-year-old office worker from Ho Chi Minh City, shared that her shopping experience has become more convenient thanks to e-commerce.

Whether its rainy or sunny outside, whether Im at home or at work, I can always surf the internet and purchase everything I need, be it goods, flight tickets or hotel rooms. The phrase anytime, anywhere applies perfectly here, said Thanh.

Other shoppers are happy to get access to international brands and browse for purchases at any time.

However, it should be noted that credit cards security is conducive to an enjoyable e-shopping experience. Shoppers note that financial security is an important issue as online scams and fraud are becoming a pandemic in Vietnam.

Im very picky when it comes to choosing credit cards for online shopping. The cards I use should be issued by credible banks which work in partnership with reliable merchants, said Thanh Huong, a 28-year-old media specialist.

She added that to further entice consumers, banks should introduce promotion programmes that appeal to their target segments and team up with brands of high-standard products and services providers.

One of the popular choices for Vietnamese consumers is Shinhan Banks E-card, which was launched in partnership with Visa. According to Shinhan, E-card users are entitled for a maximum cashback of VND300,000 per month and VND3,000,000 per year for all online purchases made during weekends.

E-Card also rewards customers with Shinhan points at a rate of 2 points for weekday online purchases and 1 point for offline purchases after every VND1,000 spent. Shinhan reward points are valid for 3 years and can be redeemed for cash.

Most importantly, consumers can enjoy special promotions at 200 Shinhan partners, including shopping websites and apps like Tiki, Zalora, Lazada, Uber, Grab, and Ciao Flora. Also, buy 1 get 1 free offers are available at CGV cinemas, Lotte cinemas, Hollys Coffee, and Vpresso Coffee, said a Shinhan representative.

The users of theShinhan E-card are also eligible for a 0 per cent interest instalment plan at Tiki, Lazada, Yes24, Vivavivu, Nguyen Kim, Piaggio, SAPA, Xuan Cau, and many more popular stores. From now till 31 December 2016, the first 888 new E-card customers will receive a shopping promotion code valued at VND300,000 at Lotte.vn.

In 2016, along with its E-card, Shinhan Bank has stepped up on their internet banking services, such as online bill payment, online smart saving services, and many more.

The bank is also strongly expanding its network nationwide. In this year only, it has opened 4 new branches in Hanoi, Vinh Phuc, and Ho Chi Minh City, bringing the number of Shinhan branches and transaction centres to 18 nationwide.
Rescue personnel from the Myanmar Fire Services Department refloat a ferry which sank in the Chindwin River, on October 19, 2016 AFP/-

A total of 73 people, including scores of teachers and university students, died when the boat capsized on the Chindwin River on its way to the central city of Monywa on Oct 15.

Dozens of bloated corpses were swept downriver from the scene of the disaster, some 70 kilometres north of the city, while others were found when workers dragged the hull to the surface.

Four people were arrested at the time but the captain and the boat's owner fled the scene.

The skipper, Zaw Myo Win, later turned himself in to Monywa authorities. He was charged with careless driving of a vessel and causing death by negligence, police said.

The crimes are punishable by more than 10 years in prison.

"We have now arrested him and charged him... and are investigating the case," said Tin Maung Myint, the head of police in Kani township where the boat sank.

The size of the death toll shocked Myanmar, where many rely on rickety old ferries for transport along a network of flood-prone river systems.

Last month President Htin Kyaw pledged a "systematic investigation" into the incident and to "take action against those who are responsible".

Thin Thin Aung, 62, who lost her baby granddaughter and her son-in-law, said she wanted to see the boat's owner -- who is still at large -- jailed for life.

"The boat owners... are rich and they can't control their greed. They knew how many people their boat can carry but they did not care," she told AFP.

"I want them to spend the rest of their life in jail."

Local MP Tun Tun Win said the region was now facing a shortage of teachers and health workers because so many died in the disaster.

"The boat sank because it was overloaded, against regulations, but there are still many boats running in this region that are breaking the rules," he said.
The event was attended by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on the sidelines of his three-day visit to Vietnam to cement strategic partnership between the two countries.

Addressing the ceremony, Steinmeier said that Deutsches Haus is a symbol for Vietnamese-German cooperation in the fields of economy, culture, and technology. The building, with the aim of enhancing cross-cultural exchange between Europe and the region in general and Vietnam in particular, is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

The 25-storey building consists of approximately 40,000 square metres GFA of prime office real estate and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2017. Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City has all modern state-of-the-art facilities and services one would expect from a centrally located premium grade office building. The building will be home to the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, making it the go-to destination for German companies and promoting German and Vietnamese relations.

Modern German technology coupled with a high degree of sustainability will provide innovative commercial office spaces of exceptional quality. The Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy in Germany has awarded Deutsches Haus in Ho Chi Minh City, as the only building on the globe, the distinction Energy Efficiency - Made in Germany."

In addition, Deutsches Haus in Ho Chi Minh City will set a new benchmark and standard in Vietnam for the wellness of tenants and their employees, creating value for different workspaces.

In the future, performance will be measured in the currency of collaboration, innovation, and presence, all enabled by technology. Employees will then see the built environment as an extension of their home and social lives, allowing them to work anytime and anywhere. Their wellbeing will be front and centre for both employers and employees, driving growth and loyalty, respectively,stated Elmar Dutt, Senior Director of Marketing and Communication.

The premium services featured by Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City will offer to tenants and their employees, like free high-speed Wi-Fi and power connectivity in common areas, common area seating, and public workspaces, a fitness centre with activity pool, dedicated car-driver lounge, mobile washing station for vehicles, and tenant engagement programmes.
Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann.- Photo EPA/VNA

In a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, the President said as a member of the EFTA, Switzerland expected the FTA would be a booster for trade between Viet Nam and Switzerland as well as other European countries.



According to him, the visit to Viet Nam on October 11 by Minister of State for Economic Affairs Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen Fleisch demonstrated Switzerlands interest in developing ties, particularly in commerce, with Viet Nam.



President Schneider-Ammann noted that bilateral economic ties remained modest at the moment, with Swiss investment in Viet Nam standing at nearly US$2 billion in 99 projects. At the same time, he underlined development aid as a key component of bilateral cooperation during the past years.



Since 1992, Switzerland has provided $470 million in development aid, mostly grants, to Viet Nam.



Development will continue to be an important part of the Viet Nam-Switzerland development cooperation strategy for the 2017-20 period, which was announced during Minister of State for Economic Affairs Ineichen Freischs visit.



Under the strategy, Switzerland committed to providing 90 million CHF ($92 million) of non-refundable ODA for Viet Nam to implement joint projects in the three main areas  supporting the promotion of institution and economic policies, assisting the building of a competitive and effective private economic sector, and backing the sustainable urban development and climate change response.



In the time ahead, Switzerland would continue to pay attention to further promoting economic co-operation with Viet Nam and deepening the relationship between the two countries on the foundation of the political ties built over nearly half a century, President Schneider-Ammann said.



He added that in the economic partnership with Viet Nam, Switzerland would focus on helping Viet Nam improve public finance management, the financial systems capacity and small- and medium-sized enterprises access to capital. Priority would also be given to raising environmental standards, promoting the effective use of natural resources, clean production and sustainable development of trade, and bettering urban planning and public services.
Rice, Thailand's staple dish and top agricultural export, is a politically delicate area and with the grain prices slumping the junta is desperate to head off potential flashpoints with farmers. (Photo: AFP/Madaree Tohlala)

Rice, Thailand's staple dish and top agricultural export, is a politically delicate area and with the grain prices slumping the government is desperate to head off potential flashpoints with farmers.

On Tuesday the cabinet signed off extra funds to help farmers suffering from the dip in rice prices, and to hold the grain back from the market for several months to avoid an oversupply glut.

The cabinet "agreed to aid rice farmers in harvesting and improving rice quality for hom mali (jasmine) rice for the crop year 2016/17 with 19.375 billion baht (around US$550 million)" it said in a statement.

Two million farmers will be eligible for a total subsidy of up to 13,000 baht (US$371) per tonne of Thailand's famed strain.

Prices have slumped to as low as around 6,000 baht per tonne for some farmers, depending on the quality of their harvest.

The cash injection comes just weeks after the military government ordered ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra to pay US$1 billion in compensation for a rice scheme under her government which it toppled in 2014.

The military says Yingluck's policy, which paid farmers above the market rate for the grain, was a corrupt and a craven effort to buy votes from poor rice farming areas.

She says it was a fair and long-overdue effort to funnel a share of state money to the poor and neglected north and northeast.

Yingluck faces a decade in jail if found guilty of criminal negligence linked to the policy.

The army vowed to abolish populist polices and curb a handout culture for the kingdom's large agriculture sector.

Prime Minister Prayut Cha-o-cha said he hoped farmers would be "satisfied" by the subsidy. "Please symphathise with government ... there are many problems to handle," he told reporters on Tuesday.

He also repeated remarks accusing unnamed politicians of colluding with mill owners to drive down rice prices and foment discontent.

The military government is "investigating the politicians that I told you about yesterday who are behind the plunging rice price," he said, without elaborating.

Thailand's economy has struggled despite a government pledge to boost growth with spending on infrastructure.

The death of Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Oct 13 has plunged the country into intense mourning and is expected to further chip away at growth.

Farmers were already feeling the pinch with commodity prices on the slide.

"We are making losses as the rice is cheap but fertiliser is expensive," Saad Pirompool, a 51-year-old rice farmer from Nakhon Pathom province, told AFP. "My family is trying not to spend money," he said.
Big stakes for US-Venezuela relations as drug trial of first nephews is about to get under way
Photo by CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Chicago Fire Department personnel transport a patient at the scene in the in the Lawndale neighborhood where a 19-year-old man was shot in the back and a 13-year-old boy was shot in the hip Monday in Chicago.


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Voters in the swing state of Colorado arent just going to the polls to pick a new president this November, theyll also decide if they want to abandon the Obama administration's signature health program, the so-called Obamacare, in favor of a single payer healthcare system. VOAs Katherine Gypson followed activists on both sides of this heated debate over a first-in-the-nation experiment. VOA Khmer's Choeung Pochin narrates.
With the death of Thailands beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej on October 13, the country has entered a new political era similar to what its neighbor, Cambodia, experienced four years earlier with the passing of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, a Southeast Asia analyst has said.



Chheang Vannarith, chairman of the advisory board of the Cambodian Institute for Strategic Studies (CISS) told Hello VOAs New Voices program last month that despite the admittedly different contexts, both royal leaders had played a crucial role in maintaining unity during troubled times in their respective countries.



This is a new turning point for Thailand, because seventy years is two to three generations of people who have known only one king. So this is a loss of the soul of a nation that is very hard to replace, he said. Cambodia has also faced the loss of its national father figure, King Norodom Sihanouk, four years ago. Their role, leadership, and public legitimacy are very important and difficult to replace.



During his 70-year reign, King Bhumibol lived through some 19 coups, even famously intervening in one coup in 1992 to seek a peaceful solution, which led to a new election being called.



King Sihanouk also acted as a unifying force in Cambodia, and is especially remembered for shepherding the country through its independence struggle from France in the 1950s, and through the tumultuous years of the Vietnam War and after the fall of the Khmer Rouge.





After the Kings position was restored in the 1990s, he also played a role as a mediator during disputed elections in 1998 and 2003.

But the delicate balance between neutrality and the political is important. King Sihanouks direct involvement in Cambodian politics and later involvement with the Khmer Rouge has tarnished his political legitimacy.



Similarly, King Bhumibols relationship with the Thai military is seen as controversial. Although neutral, the monarchy's moral authority is often co-opted by competing politicians and the military to attack opponents.



Chheang Vannarith says this balance is particularly important to the successors who are tasked with maintaining the role of the traditional institution for a younger generation growing up in democratizing societies.



For the monarchy to stay relevant, it needs to adapt to be compatible with democratization. The King has to stay absolutely neutral, Vannarith said in an email.



However, Princess Norodom Soma, a Cambodian-American columnist and author, said remaining neutral could damage the relevance of the monarchy in the long-term.



She said that the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party had limited the role off the monarchy, making the monarchy less popular to the Cambodian youth because they dont see the active roles and positive roles that the monarchy can play.





Vannarith said that the successors to King Bhumibol and King Sihanouk may never gain the towering status of their forebears, but rather than pure political maneuvering, the limitations placed on Cambodias monarchy were constitutional and institutional in nature.



The government law states that the King cannot have power, just limited power, and therefore cannot be a unifying figure during turbulent political times. If he does steps in, he will be criticized by the [Prime Minister] and government.



The King has a legal and moral authority to be the pillar of national reconciliation and unity. Political reconciliation between the two main political parties is critical ahead of the local election in 2017 and general election in 2018, he added.
The late prime minister Pen Sovann, who died on Saturday from illness aged 80, will be cremated on Sunday in Phnom Penh, according to opposition sources.



The announcement from the Cambodia National Rescue Party came despite a ban by the city authorities on the ceremony taking place at the capitals Botum Vatey Pagoda over what it said was political opportunism from the opposition.



Sovann, who was the countrys first prime minister following the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979, died at his home in Takeo province on Saturday after a long struggle with ill health and following a stroke last year.



Pol Ham, a CNRP lawmaker, along with other senior CNRP leaders, a procession of supporters and well-wishers on Saturday from Takeo to Phnom Penh, where Sovanns body will remain until the cremation.



Kem Sokha, CNRP vice president, offered thanks to Sovanns family for his service.



Yem Ponharith, CNRP spokesman, said he hoped that City Hall would reconsider the request, adding that the party intended to proceed with the funeral as planned regardless.



Meas Chan Yada, a City Hall spokesman, said they would not allow Botum Vatey Pagoda to be used for the ceremony because that site was reserved for the elite and not for ordinary parliamentarians.



So Chantha, a political scientist, said there were no such rules against cremations being held for any individuals at the pagoda, adding that a refusal to allow the ceremony to take place there would by discriminatory.



According to the law, parliamentarians are of high rank and important people in the government, so when the government said they cannot allow the opposition to arrange the funeral for an ordinary parliamentarian, they devalue parliament.
On Wednesday, as poor weather bogged down forces advancing on the Islamic State-held city of Mosul, an aid agency warned that civilians there are in great danger as the battle for the city intensifies.

"We are now bracing ourselves for the worst," said the Norwegian Refugee Council's Wolfgang Gressmann. "The lives of 1.2 million civilians are in grave danger, and the future of all of Iraq is now in the balance."

The group said thousands of civilians have fled the city, and many have been killed by snipers and explosives. Those still in the city are in need of food, water and medical supplies, and those shortages will intensify as the fighting makes it more difficult for supplies and other humanitarian aid to get through.

Iraqi special forces reached the outskirts of the city Tuesday, two weeks after the offensive to retake Iraq's second-largest city began, and more than two years after Mosul was captured by the Islamic State group.

This is a "very important milestone," but there remains "much more work to be done," according to Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis.

According to the Pentagon, U.S. forces accompanying Iraqi forces and the Kurdish peshmerga might be within just a couple of kilometers of Mosul front lines. Islamic State resistance to the forces have varied greatly in the surrounding villages, Davis said.

Davis said a maximum of 5,000 Islamic State fighters are still in Mosul.

An Iraqi general said troops captured a television station Tuesday before a sandstorm blew in and ended combat operations for the day.

On Wednesday, troops were holding their positions on the city's eastern border as high humidity and clouds limited visibility for drones and other aircraft.

Iraqi Brigadier General Haider Fadhil says no advances are planned for Wednesday due to the weather, the Associated Press reported.
The Pentagon says a senior al-Qaida external operations planner was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Syria.

A "long-serving facilitator and courier" for al-Qaida who had ties to Osama bin Laden and other senior leaders, Haydar Kirkan, was killed on October 17 in Idlib province, Captain Jeff Davis said at a news briefing in Washington.

Kirkan was "somebody we were targeting based upon his proven track record" and he was "actively engaged in planning external operations" with responsibilities in Syria, Turkey, and Europe, according to the Pentagon.

Davis went on to warn that al-Qaida has boosted its presence in Syria.

"Al-Qaida remains a trans-regional organization," he said. "They are capable of moving around."

VOA National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this report.
Americans are voting early in record numbers before the November 8 presidential election.

Less than one week before Election Day, more than 29 million people have cast early ballots, nearly twice as many as those who voted early during the same period four years ago, according to the United States Elections Project.

Despite heavy turnout among early voters, ballots cast so far by African-Americans have not matched 2012 levels, fueling concern among Democratic candidates such as Hillary Clinton who have historically received the broad support of this segment of the electorate.

Lower levels of early voting among African-Americans has prompted a warning from President Barack Obama, America's first black president. In a pre-taped radio interview that was broadcast Wednesday, Obama said on the "Tom Joyner Morning Show" that if his legacy is to be protected, African-American voters must vote in order to "pass the baton" to a like-minded successor.

IN PHOTOS: Early Voting in Full Swing across U.S.

Heavy early voting among the overall U.S. population could be due to a variety of factors, according to the Early Voting Information Center at Reed College in the northwestern city of Portland, Oregon.

The convenience of early voting, the intensity of the campaign, sharp contrasts between the presidential candidates and more focus on early voting mobilization may be contributing factors, the Early Voting Information Center's Paul Gronke wrote in a commentary.

"What is clear, however, is that early voting could be a key indicator of who is winning the horse race," Gronke added.

As Clinton and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump enter the final stretch, their campaigns are concentrating on key battleground states.

Obama campaigned Wednesday in North Carolina, where a federal appeals court blamed Republicans for an "almost surgical" attack on black voter turnout by approving several voter suppression measures, including a curtailment of early voting opportunities.

Early black voter turnout in North Carolina, where Clinton still enjoys a slight edge, has dropped 16 percent from 2012 levels, while white turnout has climbed 15 percent.

While turnout is lower among black voters, Democrats are hoping to offset it by winning significant support from two other key constituent groups: Latinos and college-educated women.

The Trump campaign is spending much of its energy on the must-win battleground state of Florida, where more than 44 percent of early ballots have been cast compared to 2012 levels, according to the Early Voting Information Center.

The center reports that the highest rate of early voter turnout has been in Louisiana, where early voting already has exceeded the total number of early ballots cast in 2012. Florida, Georgia and Tennessee also are showing very high turnout, with levels reaching at least 80 percent of the 2012 totals.

Of the 11 battleground states identified by Politico, the Early Voting Information Center reports that only New Hampshire and Pennsylvania have not experienced early voter turnout that exceeded more than half of the 2012 levels.
U.S. President Barack Obama weighed in Wednesday on the controversy over a planned oil pipeline in North Dakota, saying authorities will review alternative routes.

Native Americans and other protesters have tried to block construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, arguing that the route goes through sacred Native American grounds and poses a risk to the local water supply.

"We are monitoring this closely. I think as a general rule, my view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans," Obama said in an interview with NowThis news  his first public comment on the pipeline protests, which began months ago. "I think that right now the Army Corps is examining whether there are ways to reroute this pipeline."



Obama said he planned to let the protests play out" for the next couple of weeks, but called on both sides to be peaceful and show restraint.

Although protesters have set up camp at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation since April, tensions between them and the police have escalated in the past week.

A confrontation Wednesday between police and protesters across the Missouri River reportedly led officers to spray multiple rounds of mace at protesters and fire rubber bullets.

Protests last Saturday resulted in more than 100 arrests.

Protests had been intensifying since July, when a permit was obtained to route the pipeline beneath the Missouri River at Lake Oahe, less than 1 kilometer from the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation.
U.S. President Barack Obama says he believes the "republic is at risk" if Donald Trump wins next week's election.

Obama campaigned Wednesday for Democrat Hillary Clinton in Chapel Hill, North Carolina  a major battleground state that both candidates consider a must-win if he or she wants to take the White House. He continued on to Florida, where he will also campaign for Clinton.

Obama warned North Carolina voters against getting complacent and thinking their individual vote does not matter. Staying home on Election Day, he said, serves the best interests of those who want to suppress their voices.

WATCH: Obama Calls Trump 'Uniquely Unqualified'

The president reached out specifically to black voters, who he says are "not excited so much" because he is not on the ballot this year.

"I need everybody to understand that everything we've done is dependent on me being able to pass the baton to someone who believes in the same things I believe in," Obama said earlier on the Tom Joyner radio show.

The latest polls in North Carolina show Trump leading Clinton by a fraction of a point.

Trump said during a rally Wednesday in Pensacola, Florida, that Obama has to stop campaigning for "crooked Hillary" and get back into the Oval Office where he belongs, creating jobs and keeping watch on U.S. borders.

Trump said a Clinton presidency would create an "unprecedented and protracted constitutional crisis." He said her handling of emails while secretary of state would put her under investigation.

WATCH: Trump Talks of 'Crisis' of Clinton Win

"She has no one to blame but herself," Trump said to a cheering crowd in Miami. "She's the one who set up her email server."

FBI Director James Comey said last week he is reviving the email investigation after declaring in July that Clinton's handling of emails may have been "sloppy," but not criminal.

The FBI found emails it says may be germane to the Clinton case while investigating a separate case involving a former U.S. congressman.

Clinton predicted authorities will reach the same conclusion they did in July.

"There is no case here," she shouted during a campaign stop earlier this week.

WATCH: Clinton Asks Crowd to Imagine Trump as President

At a campaign stop late Wednesday in Nevada, Clinton told voters to stop and imagine Trump standing in front of the U.S. Capitol taking the oath of office, reminding them that he is someone who demeans women, mocks the disabled and insults minorities.

She said Trump has showed everyone the kind of person he is and the kind of president he would be.

Clinton said she will be "a president who seeks common ground while standing my ground. I will do my best to bring people together, not pull them apart."

The Democratic candidate is scheduled to speak Wednesday evening in Arizona  a western state that voted Republican in 15 of the last 16 presidential elections, but whose growing Hispanic population strongly opposes Trump's plans to restrict immigration and build a wall along the Mexican border.
China is opening up its agriculture industry to corporate farming, a move that could have wide economic and political implications. That decision may gradually phase out collective farming, which has long been one of the Communist Partys main political levers through a national network of provincial and county leaders.



China is hoping to entice foreign and private capital to invest in the tightly-controlled agricultural sector. State media also notes the policy aims to promote and standardize the transfer of the right to use farmland from rural residents to commercial entities.

The plan comes after authorities announced earlier this year that they want to relocate 100 million farmers, about 12 percent of the rural population, into smaller cities. The farmland they leave behind could be bundled together into larger tracts that would be farmed by companies using more modern methods.

Game changer



Under Chinese law, farmers collectively own rural land. Individual farmers are allowed to use the land under a contract system that has been in place since the 1970s. But that system has left vast tracts of Chinese farmland unattended in recent years because of a high level of labor migration to fast-growing cities. In some cases, local collectives also have been abused by corrupt local officials who colluded with developers.

The government is looking to change this system and use businesses to improve farm productivity. China is known for its inefficient use of water and fertilizers, which is a problem that could be addressed by new technologies.

This is going to be a game changer with wide implications both for the economy and the political system, Erlend Ek, agriculture research manager for consulting firm, China Policy, told VOA. New opportunities are opening up because Chinese authorities are seeking partnerships with foreign companies in the field of agriculture technology.



But the shift could mark a stark break with the past. During the era of Communist Party chairman Mao Zedong, the partys influence grew out of its efforts to equally distribute land rights by creating co-operatives or collectives of farmers. This strategy waned over the years as China moved toward large-scale industrialization and rapid urbanization.

State media says that there is popular support for switching to corporate farming. There have been a growing demand from rural residents for transferring farmland to others for management and production, the official Xinhua news agency said adding, The new policy will lead to the formation of mechanisms that will make the transfer more standardized, while land owners' rights will be better protected.



Chinese leaders have been discussing the need to attract business investments into agriculture for years, and have taken measures to lure in international agriculture companies in specialized zones.



But analysts say this is the first attempt to create a legal process that could affect farms across the entire country.



Jacob Kirkegaard, an economist with the Peterson Institute for International Economics said the governments aim is to persuade Chinese companies to invest in this new sector instead of merely pouring funds into real estate or investments abroad, which has been the general trend.



This is surely the beginning of the end of collective farming as a very labor intensive sector, Kirkegaard said.





Risks Ahead



There has been resistance among pro-Maoist sections of the Communist Party to handing over parcels of land to business groups.



Ek said, Many critics, including some senior Party members, worry about switching from their traditional rural power base."

He said the move is sensible because it can lead to the better use of the resources. But in political economy terms, there is a risk that commercializing agriculture will see a transfer of assets out of the countryside to enrich urban elites.



Kirkegaard said the move may lead to accelerated de-population of rural areas, as land plots are merged and investments in mechanization by new private investors are made. The effect of this reform may the opposite of what is intended, which is to keep people in the country-side instead of crowding the cities.



Cai Jiming, a professor of economics at Tsinghua University in Beijing said while the policy will allow private and foreign companies to rent or lease the land, they will not have ownership rights, which could discourage investments.



And as more and more farmers move into the city and relocate, the collective will be run by a small few, instead of letting those outside the cities and companies come in and fill that gap in ownership.



Xu Bin, a professor of economics and finance at CEIBS said the policy is in line with the direction of economic reforms, which is to gradually open certain restricted areas to the private sector, including foreign investments.
Cuba is failing to meet its self-imposed foreign investment targets two years after detente with the United States set off the greatest surge of business interest in the country since its 1959 socialist revolution, officials said Tuesday.

Foreign Commerce Minister Rodrigo Malmierca told foreign business people and diplomats at the country's annual trade fair that Cuba has approved 83 foreign investment projects worth more than $1.5 billion since the passage of a new foreign investment in March 2014. That puts the country at about a third of the annual flow required to meet its goal of attracting $2 billion a year in foreign investment.

Even that figure may be optimistic: The list of 83 projects includes many that are in very early stages or have yet to begin construction.



"We aren't advancing, I repeat, at the rhythm that we want,'' Malmierca said. "We need to keep working hard for deals to become reality without problems, without unnecessary delays.''

U.S. embargo blamed

He said Cuba was working to ease the flow of investments with new measures like allowing foreign businesses to invest in infrastructure projects and in the agricultural cooperatives that produce much of the country's food.



"Our government is willing to resolve the problems that still hinder the completion of these objectives,'' he said.



Cuba blames most of its economic problems on a U.S. embargo that limits international trade with the island despite new U.S. regulations designed by the Obama administration to ease what Cubans call "the blockade.'' International business people and increasingly Cuban officials themselves say the island's slow-moving and risk-averse bureaucracy is a major obstacle, with important documents often taking months to move from one official's desk to another.

French to update, operate airport

Investment from European companies appears to be picking up steam, with Cuba in August granting state-backed French firm Aeroports de Paris a concession to renovate and operate Havana's Jose Marti airport.



Formal trade between the U.S. and Cuba remains at a trickle despite a few marquee deals for big brands, including airlines starting commercial flights to Havana this month.



The mood was subdued among U.S. companies exhibiting Monday at the International Fair of Havana, the island's biggest general-interest trade exposition. As Cuba trumpeted new deals with Russia and Japan, U.S. corporate representatives staffing stands at a pavilion shared with Puerto Rico said they saw little immediate prospect for doing business with Cuba.

Tractor factory failed

Retired software entrepreneurs Saul Berenthal and Horace Clemmons made worldwide headlines by winning Obama administration permission to build the first U.S. factory in Cuba since 1959. Cuban officials lauded their plans to build small tractors in the Mariel free-trade zone west of Havana. But after more than a year of courtship, the Cuban government told Berenthal and Clemmons to drop their plan, without explanation, Berenthal said Monday.

A month and a half ago, their first tractors started rolling off their assembly line in the town of Fyffe, Alabama, population about 1,000.

"Producing the tractors in Mariel was not going to happen,'' Berenthal said.



He said the company is already selling tractors to customers in the U.S. and Australia and has had inquiries from Peru, Mexico and Ethiopia. He also still hopes to sell to Cuba.



Obama has enacted six rounds of regulations punching holes in the trade embargo, allowing imports and exports, sales to the socialist government and limited U.S. investment on the island. Cuba has allowed Airbnb, Starwood hotels and U.S. airlines including American and JetBlue to set up operations.

U.S. interest attracts others

Observers note that Cuba's small but growing private sector has been able to flourish and produce tens of thousands of new jobs despite the strictures of the embargo. Untold millions of dollars have flowed into Cuba over the last two years, funding thousands of new private bed-and-breakfasts and dozens of new restaurants in the capital as detente with the U.S. sets off a boom in tourism to the island.



Some see the stagnant state of official trade with the U.S. as a conscious decision by the Cuban government to limit commerce to a few high-profile bites of the apple while funneling most business toward European and Asian companies, in order to keep the U.S. business community hungry for more and pushing Congress to do away with the embargo.



"The Cuban government is using the interest by U.S. companies as bait to entice the interest of companies in other countries,'' said John Kavulich of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, a private group that produces mostly skeptical analyses of the prospects of U.S.-Cuba trade. "The Cuban government is saying, `Let's not give any more than absolutely necessary to U.S. companies,' so that the companies will continue to salivate toward illusory potential opportunities. There's far more inspiration and aspiration than reality.''
State media reported that 33 coal miners died in the explosion Monday at a coal mine in China's Chongqing region.

Two miners survived the blast at the privately-owned Jinshangou mine in Laisu township. Initially 13 bodies were recovered and rescuers worked to remove debris from the explosion in hopes of reaching additional survivors. But the bodies of the missing miners were located early Wednesday.

Authorities launched an investigation into the deadly explosion and safety officials said "those responsible must be strictly punished." Local officials also ordered the temporary shutdown of small coal mines in the region.

Earlier this year, Xinhua reported that China's National Energy Administration recorded 171 fatalities in 45 coal mine gas accidents in 2015.
With less than a week until Election Day and opinion polls showing a tight race, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are shifting their campaigns into high gear and visiting states crucial for a White House win.

Republican Trump was in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Tuesday night, urging Democratic voters who have already cast early-voting ballots for Clinton to take advantage of a state election law and change their decision.

He made the same appeal to voters in other states, who he says now have "buyer's remorse."

During a stop in Pennsylvania, another important battleground state, Trump told supporters that if he is elected, he will call a special session of Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. Trump has called the health-insurance program a disaster and promised to come up with his own plan.

WATCH: Trump Vows to Repeal Obamacare

FBI Director James Comey's announcement last week that his agents are reviewing newly discovered emails from Clintons time as secretary of state has given Trump new fodder with which to suggest his opponent lacks honesty and trustworthiness.

Comey declared nearly four months ago that the FBI had fully reviewed the Clinton emails and found no basis for charges against her.

Clinton, who has said Comey's announcement so close to the November 8 election was "outrageous," campaigned in Florida on Tuesday, where she said Trump's treatment of and comments about women were "demeaning, degrading and insulting."

WATCH: Clinton Talks about Trump and Taxes

Clinton said that while she spent the last 30 years as a lawyer, first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state, Trump was using his celebrity status as an excuse to assault women. She called him a bully.

President Barack Obama campaigned for Clinton in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday  another state where the polls are close.

He said a person's character does not change once an election is over. If Trump is elected, Obama predicted, he will continue to disrespect women and working people in the White House, just as he has during the campaign.

WATCH: Obama Says Trump Won't Change

The president said calling women "pigs," "dogs" and "slobs" is not normal behavior.

The latest polls of likely voters show the race between Clinton and Trump is too close to call with the two main third-party candidates, Libertarian Gary Johnson and the Green Party's Jill Stein, among the choices given to respondents.

On Wednesday, Clinton goes to Arizona. The state is traditionally Republican, but a growing Hispanic population there resents Trump's tough anti-immigration stance and his vow to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border.
In Ethiopia, millions of dollars in investment went up in smoke as protesters attacked foreign companies in the Oromia region. The violence prompted the declaration of a state of emergency last month. But one foreign company managed to stave off an attack with the help of community elders.

Since he came to Ethiopia 13 years ago, the owner of Maranque Plants, Marc Driessen, had never feared for the future of his company, located about 80 miles south of Addis Ababa.



But that changed on October 4. Driessen saw several neighboring companies in flames. The noise of the mob was growing louder and he knew his company, where he grows cuttings for export, was next.

We saw the protesters here in front of the gate, with sticks and knifes. And it was really frightening to see them come this way, he said.



Anti-government demonstrations started in the Oromia region a year ago, but it was only recently that protesters also turned against foreign-owned companies.



More than ten foreign companies have been attacked since September. Protesters say the government gives land to foreign investors without proper compensation for smallholder farmers who are forced to vacate their land.



Maranque Plants employs 1,200 people, mostly women. Buziye Mekonnen is one of the many harvesters there. Throughout the day, friends and family called her to warn protesters could attack.



Buziye and the other women were sent home. But Buziye was still scared, as her husband also works at Maranque Plants.



She said they were scared from the moment they heard another company was burned down. And what would they do, she asked, if this company was burned down because then there would be no other job opportunity for them.





Despite having one of Africas fastest growing economies over the past decade, unemployment in Ethiopia is high and over a quarter of the population is living below the poverty line.



As nearby farms were being burned and looted, Driessen got lucky. Community elders arrived at his gate on motorbikes. They spoke to the angry crowd.



Community elder Shumi Telila said he told the protesters they should not burn the place as their issue was about good administration and not with the company.





Telila said since then, the elders have stayed in touch with Driessen and community members to discuss issues.



Some in Ethiopia worry the unrest will stall the foreign direct investment that has fueled the nation's growth.



Production at Maranque Plants is now back to normal, but Driessen said he is still afraid the turmoil is not over.



We have talked with our clients about what we are going to do in the coming months and what we did is that the unique varieties that are produced by us are also now going to be produced in Uganda so that our clients can maintain their continuity in case of problems," said Driessen.





No foreign companies have been attacked since the government declared a 6-month state of emergency October 9. The government said this week that it released about 2,000 people detained over the violence.



Ethiopias government said it will do whatever it takes to restore confidence for foreign investors.



But rights groups and opposition leaders warn that addressing protesters grievances is the only way to stabilize the country in the long term.
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are not mincing words as tightening poll numbers force both candidates to wrestle for momentum as the election heads into the final stretch.

Democrat Clinton, speaking at a rally in Dade City, Florida attempted to shift the conversation back on to her Republican rival Trump after spending several days chiding the FBI for its decision to revisit its investigation into her emails.

She appeared hesitant to address Trump directly, but in bringing up some of his past comments, said Trump sure has spent a lot of time demeaning, degrading, insulting and assaulting women.

I would frankly rather be here talking about nearly anything else, but weve got to talk about something that, frankly, is painful. Because it matters. We cant just wish it away.

Clinton was introduced at the Tuesday night rally by former Miss Universe Alicia Machado, the woman who Trump once referred to as overweight and who has been engaged with a feud with Trump for longer than a month.

He told me that I looked ugly and I was massive, Machado said of Trump. For years afterwards I was sick  fighting back eating disorders.Clinton goes to Arizona Wednesday, a traditional Republican state but where a growing Hispanic population resents Trump's tough anti-immigration stance and his vow to build a wall along U.S.-Mexican border.

Trump has three rallies scheduled for Wednesday in Florida, one of the states seen as a must-win for Trump to achieve the 270 electoral votes it will take to win the presidency.

While Clinton continued to attack Trump on character and temperament issues, Trump instead focused his attention on the failures of President Obamas signature healthcare law, which will see premiums for some popular healthcare plans rise by more than 25 percent in 2017.

Hillary Clinton wants to expand Obamacare and make it even more expensive. She wants to put the government totally in charge of health care in America, Trump said during a Pennsylvania rally earlier in the day. If we dont repeal and replace Obamacare, we will destroy American health care forever. Its one of the single most important reasons why we must win on Nov. 8.

If elected, Trump said he would immediately call a special session of Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

It will be such an honor for me, for you and for everybody in this country, because Obamacare has to be replaced," he said. "We will do it and we will do it very, very quickly."

While Trump would technically have the authority to call a special session of Congress, it would likely be unnecessary, since Congress would already be in session on January 20, when the inauguration takes place.

The latest polls of likely voters show the race between Clinton and Trump is too close to call when the two main third-party candidates, Libertarian Gary Johnson and the Green Party's Jill Stein, are among the choices given to respondents.

Further FBI involvement

The FBI on Tuesday released additional documents from a 15-year-old closed investigation into Bill Clintons controversial presidential pardon of a prominent Democratic fundraiser.

The newly released documents come just a week before the presidential election, and days after the agency announced it would revisit its investigation into Hillary Clintons emails, a move that drew scorn from Democrats and praise from Republican nominee Donald Trump.

The newly released documents contain 129 pages of extensively redacted material regarding Clintons pardon of Marc Rich on his last day in office. Rich left America for Switzerland shortly after being indicted on federal tax charges and lived there in hiding for several years. Prior to his pardon, Rich was on the FBIs Most Wanted List and at the center of the largest tax evasion case in U.S. history.

The controversy surrounding the pardon comes from donations made by Richs ex-wife, Denise Rich, to Clintons presidential library for $450,000 and to Hillary Clintons Senate campaign for $100,000.

Clinton campaign spokesman Brian Fallon questioned the timing of the FBIs decision to publish the documents now, so close to the election.

"Absent a (Freedom of Information Act) deadline, this is odd," Fallon wrote on Twitter. "Will FBI be posting docs on Trumps' housing discrimination in '70s?"

The second portion of Fallons tweet was in reference to a 1973 federal housing lawsuit against Trump, in which he and his father Fred Trump were accused of discriminating against potential tenants based on their race. The case was settled out of court and Trump never admitted guilt.

The FBI, in a statement, said the documents became available for release and were automatically posted to the agencys online reading room in accordance with the law. If more than three people request documents from the FBI, the agency has a policy to make those documents available for viewing online.

Most of the pages in the Clinton documents were completely redacted and did not provide any new insight into the case.
France on Wednesday began busing an estimated 1,500 unaccompanied migrant youngsters from Calais to other parts of France, after days of bickering with Britain over who should take charge of them.

The first busload of children left Calais, where a tent camp for migrants had been dismantled, for the southern town of Carcassonne, more than 1,000 kilometers away. Most were teenagers from South Sudan and Afghanistan, who hugged social workers before departing. They had been housed in shipping containers for days.

The Carcassonne site is one of 60 temporary centers around the country where the children will stay while British and French officials assess their situation on a case-by-case basis. Some may end up in Britain, where they may have family. Others may stay in France.

The United Nations and charities have criticized both countries for putting political interests over those of the children.

Even with the youths' resettlement, said Isabelle Bruand, Calais regional coordinator for the Doctors of the World charity, nothing is resolved. She said authorities were just moving the children from one place to another in France, without any explanation and no proper planning.



But Save the Children humanitarian adviser Dorothy Sang welcomed the move.

"We're really encouraged to see that today these children are being taken out of the dangerous situation they were in, in the container camps, to a safer environment across France," Sang said. "But we will be watching over the next few weeks to make sure that this is really all done in the best interest of children."

The youngsters count among more than 6,000 migrants evacuated from the vast tent camp at the edge of Calais. All hoped to end up in Britain, just across the English Channel. The French government ended those dreams last week, dispatching thousands of adults to different parts of the country, where they will either be granted asylum or face expulsion.

Bulldozers finished demolishing the tent camp, known as "the Jungle," this week. But hundreds of the migrants have simply moved from Calais to the streets of Paris. Skeptics believe other tent camps will simply spring up elsewhere.
In Ghana, the electoral commission is now requiring journalists to pay a fee to be accredited to cover the presidential and parliamentary elections next month. Journalists are rejecting the requirement, which they say will reduce election transparency.

The electoral commission has not said how much the accreditation fee will be, but according to the statement released Monday, the fee will cover the printing and lamination of accreditation badges. Journalists have until next Monday to apply and make payment.

Kojo Yankson is a journalist at Joy FM radio. Let the media houses provide identification for their journalists and let the journalists go to work."

Yankson says small local outlets will be hit the hardest.

If they belong to a radio station that is not making a profit, that is not making enough money to pay for the correct number of their staff to participate in this exercise, then of course the loser is democracy, the loser is transparency, the loser are the people on whose behalf these journalists work. So yes, I definitely see that this will have a direct effect on the transparency of these elections. Hopefully not so much an effect that it will cause problems, but it will definitely put at a disadvantage large sections of the public, said Yankson.

Its an unusual practice in Ghana for journalists to pay money to report especially on a national exercise, although in September last year journalists in the Ashanti and Western regions paid 8 cedis, or about $2, before being allowed inside voting centers during district assembly elections.

Prince Minkah reports for Class FM. On various Whatsapp platforms that Im on, most of them suspect a move to somehow clip the wings of the media. The Ghana Journalists Association, for me, must as a matter of urgency ask for a review of this particular decision.

The electoral commission says it needs to cut down on the number of journalists covering the polls.

Funding is also an issue, said deputy head of communications at the commission, Yusif Ayuba.

You know it is not in the interest of the commission to charge fees to allow journalists to cover the elections. Previously what we have done was to source funding from our donor partners who normally take responsibility for paying for us to produce that particular accreditation cards [for] journalists. But in this years case, weve not had any donor paying for that fee, said Ayuba.

The president of the Ghana Journalists Association told VOA they are in discussions with the electoral commission about the fee.

The elections are just over a month away, on December 7.
Amnesty International says staff of its Moscow branch arrived at work Wednesday morning to find their office sealed with a notice from municipal authorities warning people not to enter.

The international rights group said the locks on the doors of its office in the Russian capital had been changed and that no explanation had been given.

"We do not know what prompted Moscow authorities to prevent our staff from accessing our offices  an unwelcome surprise for which we received no prior warning," Amnesty International Europe Director John Dalhuisen said in a statement. Given the current climate for civil society work in Russia, there are clearly any number of plausible explanations, but its too early to draw any conclusions."

Dalhuisen said he hoped there was "a simple administrative explanation for this setback to our work" and that the group had "fulfilled all our obligations as tenants. Amnesty International rents its Moscow office from the city authorities, whom the group says it has been unable to reach to resolve the situation.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he knew nothing about the closure of Amnesty International's Moscow office.

On Tuesday, Amnesty International called on Russian authorities to investigate allegations made by Ildar Dadin, a jailed anti-Kremlin protester, that he had been beaten and tortured in prison. The group demanded that Dadin be immediately and unconditionally released.

Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service said in a statement Wednesday that a "commission of independent doctors" had physically examined Dadin at the northwestern Russian prison where he is incarcerated and found no evidence he had been beaten or "signs of previous injuries," Russia's Tass state news agency reported.
Soldiers say the Iraqi Army is closing in on Mosul, fighting less than a kilometer away from city limits as it battles Islamic State militants in Iraq. But in cities and villages outside the frontlines, some locals say they fear, nowhere in the area is safe so long as militants control the provincial capital. VOAs Heather Murdock reports from Bartella, Iraq.
Iraqi forces on Wednesday progressed into the city limits of Mosul, entering the eastern neighborhood of Gogjali in their push to rid the Islamic State militants from Iraqs second-largest city.

As Iraqi forces advanced, U.S.-led coalition warplanes bombed IS positions in the neighborhood, preventing IS snipers and suicide bombers in cars from attacking. Kurdish peshmerga forces stayed on the outskirts providing reinforcement.

The retaking of Gogjali opened a route out for hundreds of civilians who were trapped in the city since the U.S.-backed offensive began last month.

But as forces move toward the center of the city, they are likely to engage in house-to-house fighting with IS fighters who vow to use thousands of civilians as human shields, commanders told VOA.
Ivory Coast voters have approved a new constitution, the electoral commission announced Tuesday. However, the opposition  which had called for a boycott  is contesting the 42 percent official turnout as inflated and, therefore, not legitimate.

After two days of tallying the votes, the electoral commissions official results show 93 percent of voters were in favor of the new constitution, which creates a post of deputy president, sets up a senate, and softens a controversial clause on nationality. The change also removes the age limit of 75 for presidential candidates.

The opposition contested the vote, saying the new constitution was a move by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara to reinforce the ruling party's grip on the institutions. An opposition coalition had called for a boycott of the election, making the turnout the key element for the legitimacy of the poll.

While the ballots were still being counted, some opposition leaders claimed the turnout was between 5 and 7 percent.

But official results in some areas show a higher participation rate than during last year's presidential elections, which prompted opposition leaders to assert the results were inflated.

"Everybody saw the electoral desert of October 30, said opposition member Bamba Morifere. Ivorians didn't go to the polls. Mr. Ouattara gave an order to inflate the participation rate. We will not recognize this number, and we're calling for the people to resist this imposture."

The electoral commission is to send the results to the Constitutional Court for review.
Media defenders in Afghanistan say at least 11 journalists have died and hundreds more forced to flee from fighting in the first 10 months of 2016, making it the deadliest year for the country.

The Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, a local media watchdog, says more than 60 journalists have been killed in the country in the past 16 years and authorities never investigated those deaths.

"The cycle of violence and impunity in Afghanistan has been a longstanding challenge, but has been particularly troubling for journalists over the course of the last year," says Pernille Dahler Kardel of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

She told a seminar Wednesday in Kabul that local watchdogs have reported to UNAMA that hundreds of Afghan male and female reporters have been forced to flee the conflict zone in the past year.

But Kardel asserted that conflict-related situations are not the only real threat to journalists, citing intimidation and harassment as other sources, particularly in cases in which journalists tried to tell corruption stories.

"Impunity emboldens perpetrators and feeds into a vicious cycle. Fear and self-censorship among the media are real issues that end up denying the public the right to information and diminishing confidence in the rule of law."

The UNAMA official praised the Afghan government for issuing new legislation and declaring its commitment to fight impunity for crimes against journalists.

But she echoed demands by local media monitors for addressing the culture of impunity through effective implementation of laws.

Kardel was speaking to mark the U.N. International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
Police in South Africa's capital fired rubber bullets Wednesday to disperse protesters who gathered near President Jacob Zuma's office, demanding that he resign.

Journalist Thuso Khumalo, reporting for VOA, says thousands of protesters from the left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters party smashed cars and building windows as they marched toward the Union Buildings, South Africa's seat of government.

The protests took place shortly before South Africa's anti-corruption watchdog released a report on alleged corruption in the Zuma administration.

A judge ordered the release of the report Wednesday after Zuma dropped a legal bid to keep it out of the public eye.

The report examines accusations that Zuma allowed the wealthy Gupta family to choose cabinet members to serve their business interests.

The author, former public protector Thuli Madonsela, calls for Zuma to appoint a commission of inquiry within 30 days to further study allegations of improper relationships and influence.

The report was originally due to be released last month before Zuma blocked it.

Zuma has faced corruption allegations before, and was fiercely criticized for using about $20 million in public funds for upgrades to his private rural home. He later apologized and agreed to repay a fraction of the money.

Journalist Thuso Khumalo contributed to this report from Pretoria.
Kenya says it will pull its peacekeepers from South Sudan, a day after the U.N. secretary-general fired the Kenyan general who is the force commander of the U.N. mission there.

An internal U.N. investigation blamed a lack of leadership on the part of key senior mission personnel for the chaotic and ineffective response to fighting that killed some 300 people in July in the South Sudanese capital, Juba.

On Tuesday, when those findings were released, the U.N. said it would immediately replace Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki of Kenya, the force commander of the U.N. mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS.

Ban Ki-moon appointed Ondieki in May and he took up his post in mid-June. The violence that erupted around Jubas presidential palace began on July 8.

In a statement Wednesday, Kenyas foreign ministry rejected the generals dismissal and the U.N.s offer to nominate a replacement. The ministry said they would immediately withdraw all Kenyan troops serving in the U.N. mission in South Sudan  of which there are about 1,000.

Kenya also said it will discontinue plans to contribute troops to a Regional Protection Force in South Sudan and will disengage from the peace process.

U.N. Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the U.N. has not yet received official notice from the Kenyan government, but said that their contribution to peacekeeping is valued."

The deputy force commander, who is Chinese, is currently serving as interim commander. China also came in for criticism in the investigation, for the actions of one of its commanders and a battalion that at least twice abandoned its position protecting civilians in Juba.
Kyrgyzstan's parliament approved plans on Wednesday to hold a Dec. 11 referendum on proposed reforms of the constitution that would strengthen the powers of the prime minister, parliament's press office said.

Opponents of the reforms, which have been criticized by international monitoring bodies, say they are ultimately aimed at extending the rule of President Almazbek Atambayev.

Atambayev, 60, is barred by the constitution from running for a second presidential term when his mandate ends next year and critics say the proposed reform would enable him to become a powerful prime minister.

Atambayev has denied having such plans.

The government resigned last week after Atambayev's Social Democratic party quit the ruling coalition because some partners refused to support the proposed changes to the constitution. It is now building a new coalition.

The amendments also include provisions granting more powers to the cabinet and to leaders of parliamentary factions.

In a joint comment, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe said last month that the proposed amendments to the constitution would have a negative impact on the balance of powers by strengthening the executive's powers at the expense of parliament and the judiciary.

Kyrgyzstan, an impoverished, mostly Muslim, nation of 6 million, has been volatile in recent years and was the scene of violent protests in 2005 and 2010 which toppled successive presidents.

If the confrontation between Atambayev and his opponents extends beyond a war of words and parliamentary maneuvering, it could destabilize the former Soviet republic which hosts a Russian military base.

During his rule which began in 2011, Atambayev has brought Kyrgyzstan closer into Moscow's political orbit, securing Russian financial assistance and investments.

However, the sharp decline in oil prices has prompted Moscow to halt some ambitious projects such as the construction of hydroelectric power plants in Kyrgyzstan worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Many Kyrgyz migrant laborers have also lost jobs in Russia, increasing social tension.
U.S. law enforcement authorities have launched a civil rights investigation after an African American church was burned and spray-painted with the words "Vote Trump" in the southern state of Mississippi.

The 111-year-old Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville, Mississippi, suffered heavy water and smoke damage in the fire late Tuesday.

"We consider it a hate crime... because of the political message which we believe was intended to interfere with worship and intimidate voters," Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons said Wednesday. "This act is a direct assault on people's right to freely worship."

The mayor said the FBI and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation are assisting the probe.

The city of about 33,000 near the Arkansas border is 78 percent African American, according to the most recent census. Surrounding Washington County is 71 percent black.

U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson, a Democrat whose district includes Greenville, said the fire and graffiti "harkens back to a much darker day in Mississippi.''



"The political message of the vandalism is obviously an attempt to sway public opinion regarding the upcoming election,'' he wrote in an emailed statement." I encourage all citizens not to be deterred by this cowardly act, and exercise your right to vote at the ballot box."

The church's pastor, Caroline Hudson, said the 200-member congregation will rebuild the church at the same site.

"The act that has happened has left our hearts broken but we are strong together," Hudson said.
Soldiers say the Iraqi army is closing in on Mosul, fighting less than a kilometer from the city limits as it battles Islamic State militants in Iraq.

But in cities and villages outside the front lines, some locals say they fear as long as militants control the provincial capital nowhere in the area is safe.

"We can't go back until Mosul is freed," said Bashir Salam Shama, who came back to his city to find his house destroyed on Wednesday. "We are Christians and it will not be safe."

Islamic State militants target all minorities, government workers, security forces and other groups. Families fleeing the group recently said they are threatening to kill anyone who tries to escape.

Soldiers say civilians are trapped in the battle zones, and they are fighting IS militants on the streets. The next phase of the struggle for Mosul is coming soon, it is expected to be long and dangerous for everyone involved, they said.

"IS techniques are suicide bombs and explosive cars," explained Lt. Col. Atheer Jasim of the Iraqi army in Bartella. "They are dangerous for everyone, but we want to liberate Mosul, and our soldiers are well trained."

As towns and villages surrounding Mosul are recaptured, a world of destruction is revealed. Shops and homes are in rubble, windows are shattered, and shell casings are scattered on the streets.

There is no running water or electricity in Bartella, but residents trickle in to see what has become of their homes.

"It has been two years since we have seen our homes and our city, and we are tired of being refugees," said Hasina Slyo Pitros, another resident who returned Wednesday to find her home devastated. "It is not just our house that was destroyed, it is the whole city."

Outside the battle zones, vehicles with white flags are appearing at refugee camps, carrying fleeing families. The International Organization for Migration says more than 20,000 people have been displaced since the offensive began more than two weeks ago, and as many as a million more are expected.

But many displaced families say if their suffering is necessary to destroy IS, they have no choice but to pay the price.

"There will be a lot of victims because there are a lot of civilians in there," said Ahmed, an 18-year-old student living at the Debaga camp in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. "But the Iraqi Army and the Peshmerga have the experience. They will do it."
Myanmars Rakhine State is no stranger to conflict or controversy.

In 2012, violence erupted between the Rakhine Buddhist majority and Rohingya Muslim minority. That conflict spread. The United Nations Human Rights Council counts 145,000 displaced individuals as a result.



Last month, tensions worsened after militants killed nine border police on October 9. Constitutionally, the military handles security matters and moved forces into the area. Thus far, at least five soldiers and 33 insurgents have been killed in clashes.

The latest events have renewed questions about the region's prospects for peace after so many years of tension.

While Aung San Suu Kyi serves as the nations de facto head of state in the newly created role of State Counselor after her National League for Democracy (NLD) party took power five months ago, the newly formed government does not appear to have done much to curb military abuses.



The U.S. State Department, activists, and rights groups also have raised concerns over reports of rape and murder in the Rakhine State, and they have renewed questions about the region's prospects for peace after so many years of tension.

Ma Nyo lives in Sittwe, located in the Rakhine State and is internally displaced. We do not know how long we are going to have to say here, she said, we want to go back to our homes, but if we do, then we will be attacked by Muslim terrorists.

Hunter Marston, an independent Myanmar analyst who previously worked at the U.S. embassy there notes that the violence that first erupted in 2012 has mostly subsided.



The Rohingya had been confined to refugee camps, so it was a very unpleasant status quo, said Marston. But the actual uptick in violence in the past month has been sort of a new flare-up and marked by a little different character.

This has made it difficult to discern who is really carrying out the recent acts of violence, and since there is such little information being released, Marston said its hard to vet whats really taking place.

Aung San Suu Kyi has a very difficult situation to deal with. Its pretty much lawless there at the time, but at the same time weve seen her form this advisory committee headed by former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. So this is a good move, but whether or not it has teeth or if it will have impact certainly remains to be seen, said Marston.

While Aung San Suu Kyi has not directly commented on the allegations of abuses of Rohingya, she has urged the military to show restraint and act within the law.

Several Unknowns

The lack of information isnt helping those in the camps, and has led to wild rumors.

Maung Maung, also an internally displaced resident in the Rakhine State said many people are fearful, and the rumors don't help. Ive heard that the police are attacking Rohingya, burning their houses and killing people and now they want to search us too. There is already a curfew in the camps, so I think the conflict will come here soon.

With the area under operational control of the military, humanitarian assistance has been temporarily suspended, although there are reports of some aid trickling in.

According to New York-based Human Rights Watch, recent satellite images its reviewed show at least three villages where residents have said that troops torched homes.

The government denies it burned down villages or committed any alleged human rights violations.

Phil Robertson, deputy director for Human Rights Watch in Asia, called upon the government to end its blanket denial of wrongdoing and blocking of aid agencies, and stop making excuses for keeping international monitors from the area.



Persistent problems

Marston said the gradual process of discrimination and [removal of] the Rohingyas political rights and citizenship rights actually dates back to the early days of independence, to 1948, from the British.



He describes a successive wave of military junta leaders actually stripped the Rohingya very gradually of political rights and slowly denied them the right to vote.

Marston called it upsetting that Aung San Suu Kyis party, the NLD, removed Muslim candidates from its roster. Myanmar does have a history of Rohingya in parliament and Muslim politicians participating, especially in Rakhine State. So its really sad to see how the NLD and the country as a whole has disenfranchised the Rohingya population from any political route reconciliation, said Marston.

Marston said ASEAN leaders have been pressing Myanmar to address the situation because of a large number of Rohingya attempting to cross borders and enter neighboring countries.

However, with Aung San Suu Kyi not using the word Rohingya and asking others to do the same, Marston stated it could take generations to heal the distrust and discrimination.
Police in the Midwestern city of Des Moines, Iowa, have a suspect in custody who may be responsible for the ambush-style killings of two police officers early Wednesday.

Des Moines police department spokesman Paul Parizek said the suspect is Scott Michael Greene, a 46-year-old white male.

Greene, who is currently being treated in a Des Moines hospital, is in custody but has not been arrested. He awaits questioning by the police before charges will be discussed, Parizek explained in a press conference.

"It doesn't look like there was any interaction between these officers and the coward who shot them as they sat in their cars," Parizek said.

Urbandale, Iowa, Police Chief Ross McCarty said between 15 and 30 shots may have been fired at the officer's vehicle.

Police did not explain how they identified Greene as a suspect, but McCarty said Greene was known to local police from multiple encounters, including being escorted from a sporting event for brandishing a confederate flag, and being charged with trespassing at the high school his daughter attends.

Both officers were sitting in their patrol cars when separate fatal attacks occurred about 3 kilometers apart. The first officer, 24-year-old Justin Martin, was shot in the Des Moines suburb of Urbandale shortly after midnight local time. The second officer, Sgt. Anthony Tony Beminio, with the force since 2005, was killed in Des Moines about 20 minutes later.

The police shootings come at a time of increased tension in police-community relations in the U.S., an issue Parizek addressed when speaking with reporters.

"We're very well aware of the society that we're living in right now and the time," Parizek said. "And that there are some not-so-positive views of law enforcement that a segment of our population holds."

WATCH: Lynch Talks about D.M. Shootings

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch also acknowledged the tension and timing of the killings in a statement Wednesday.

"I know that this is a time of particular tension and mistrust between law enforcement and many communities," she said. "But let me be clear: There is no message in murder."

Lynch denounced the "senseless" killings, saying the Department of Justice has offered assistance to local and state authorities.

Parizek said police in Des Moines will do what they can to keep themselves safe while continuing to respond to calls as usual.

Before Wednesday's shootings in Iowa, 50 police officers were killed on duty by gunfire in the U.S. this year, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page website. Two of the fatal shootings were accidental.
Pope Francis has ruled out womens ordination, saying that Roman Catholic Church ban on women becoming priests will never be changed.



Francis made the remark Tuesday aboard a plane on his way back to Rome from Sweden, responding to a Swedish female reporter who noted the head of Lutheran Church who welcomed him in Sweden was a woman.

"Concerning the ordination of women in the Catholic Church, St. Pope John Paul II had the last clear word on this and it stands, this stands, he said.



Reporter: Forever, forever? Never, never?.



Pope Francis: "If we read carefully the declaration by St. John Paul II, it is going in that direction."



Following a 1994 study, Pope John Paul ruled out female ordination in his apostolic letter "Priestly Ordination," declaring "the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church's faithful."

Women deacons



In August, Pope Francis created a special commission to examine the role of women deacons in the Catholic Church, although he did not suggest the church would permit women to become priests.

The pope appointed Archbishop Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, the secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as president of the 13-member commission. In addition to Ladaria, six women and six men from academic institutions around the world serve on the commission.

The Vatican did not set a date for the commission to begin work or a deadline for it to reach conclusions.



Francis accepted a proposal to create the official study commission during a closed-door meeting with some 900 superiors of women's religious orders, gathered in Rome for their triennial assembly in May.
An analysis of satellite data suggests no one was flying Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 when it plunged into the Indian Ocean in March 2014.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released the report Wednesday as experts gathered in Sydney to assess possible future searches for the plane, which vanished with 239 people aboard.

Satellite communications from the aircraft are consistent with the aircraft being in a "high and increasing rate of descent" before it disappeared, the report said. The Australian investigators believe the plane likely flew on autopilot for a time before running out of fuel and crashing into the ocean. The flight was en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing when it went missing.

While a few pieces from the plane washed up on shores around the Indian Ocean in the two and a half years since it disappeared, the crash site of the Boeing 777 has not been located.

One of those pieces  a wing flap found on a shore in Tanzania  seemed to confirm the theory that no one was at the controls of the plane in its final moments.

Investigators say the flap does not appear to have been deployed when it broke off the plane's wing. Had a pilot been trying to bring the plane in for a controlled ditching, the flaps would typically have been extended.

"You can draw your own conclusions as to whether that means someone was at the controls or not," ATSB search director Peter Foley said.

Crews continue to scour a 120,000-square kilometer search area, however, that effort is expected to be completed in early 2017. Unless there is new evidence indicating a specific location for the crash, officials say they will end the hunt for MH370.
The Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday that it would observe a 'humanitarian pause' on Friday to allow both rebels and civilians to leave the embattled city.

"A decision was made to introduce a 'humanitarian pause' in Aleppo on November 4 from 9:00 to 19:00," the chief of Russia's General Staff Valery Gerasimov said in a statement. He said the moratorium, which was also approved by Syrian officials, was intended to "avoid pointless casualties."

He also said rebels would be allowed to leave the city via two new corridors, one leading to the Turkish border and the other to the city of Idlib. The rebels will not be required to surrender their weapons.

Six other exits will be available to civilians who wish to evacuate.

Offer dismissed



Rebel groups in Aleppo have dismissed Russia's offer, accusing them of lying and calling it a media stunt for "public consumption." Similar humanitarian pauses have been organized by Moscow and Damascus before but have largely failed. The most recent was just in mid-October, when U.N. and Red Cross aid trucks sat at the Turkish border for weeks, awaiting confirmation that it was safe for them to pass.

The United Nations said about 250,000 civilians are in desperate need of supplies on Aleppo's eastern side and hundreds of others who urgently need of medical care also need to be evacuated.
South Korean president Park Geun-hye named replacements for the prime minister and two other top officials Wednesday. But opponents vowed to block the appointments, calling them an attempt to distract attention from an ongoing investigation into possible influence-peddling by a longtime friend of the president.

Park nominated Kim Byong-joon, a professor at Kookmin University, as the new prime minister. Her spokesman called Kim a "well-qualified person who could overcome various dilemmas [the country is] facing right now and lead a solid cabinet for the future of South Korea."

Park also nominated South Korea's Financial Services Commission chairman, Yim Jong-yong, to be the finance minister and deputy prime minister, and Park Seung-joo was named to head the Ministry of Public Safety and Security.

The appointments are seen an attempt to win favor with the conservative Park's opposition. Kim and Park Seung-joo both served in the administration of former president Roh Moo-hyun, a liberal.

But opposition parties quickly condemned the move, complaining the nominations were announced without consulting parliament, and calling the surprise appointments a diversion from the ongoing scandal.

"Park is attempting to overcome the crisis by implementing a reshuffle that only looks like a neutral Cabinet from the outside by tapping officials who served under a liberal administration," said Democratic Party leader Rep. Woo Sang-ho.

The Yonhap News Agency reported that opposition parties plan to boycott Kim's confirmation hearings, which would block him from assuming the prime minister's post.

Also Wednesday, Choi Soon-sil, the woman at the center of a scandal embroiling the South Korean president, returned to prosecutor's offices for a third day of questioning.

Although she has no government post, Choi is alleged to have exercised cult-like control over President Park, and to have exploited her personal relationship with the president to coerce large corporations to donate over $68 million, which she then embezzled.

Polls show Park's approval rating around 10 percent and thousands rallied in Seoul over the weekend demanding the president resign.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's decision Tuesday to fire the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) force commander is long overdue, say South Sudanese analyst.

Ban fired UNMISS Force Commander Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki of Kenya following a U.N. report released Tuesday that concluded its peacekeeping force in South Sudan failed to protect civilians and aid workers when fighting broke out in Juba in early July. Ban had appointed Ondieki in May and he took up his post in mid-June.

Political analyst Jacob Chol said UNMISS has weaknesses that hinder it from effectively carrying out its mandate. Chol said the international community must ensure that UNMISS undergoes critical reforms in the way it conducts peacekeeping operations in South Sudan.



This basically has to do with commanding, logistics, and troops, contributing countries, etc., so the report basically brought out what exactly has been the cry for the South Sudanese that there should be a strong United Nations Mission in South Sudan that should protect civilians at the critical time of the violence, Chol said.



He said the U.N. chief should have sacked junior commanders earlier in states like Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity, which witnessed massive violence against civilians in 2013. He said the incoming Regional Protection Force leadership should strive to understand the history that led to South Sudans conflict and its ethnic differences in order to play a meaningful role.



You need a leader who is very strong, a leader who understands the violence in South Sudan and violence in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially the great Horn of Africa." Chol said. "You need a leader who has troops together with him from his or her country. So that now when the critical time comes like what happened [on] 8th July, his own troops from his mother country will not be able to leave him when he commands."



Zachariah Diing Akol, a policy analyst at the Juba-based Sudd Institute, said the primary responsibility of protecting civilians lies with the government.





We know the relationship between the government and the U.N. has not been very good for some time," said Akol. "There is an issue of trust that the two sides have to overcome. If the U.N. tries to continue to behave as if it has the primary responsibility to provide protection in the country, that will not work.



Juba resident Magdoline Auma, 52, said she does not understand why the UNMISS force commander was removed. Auma believes if the U.N. peacekeepers had intervened, they would have clashed with government soldiers and that would have worsened the conflict.



If he were to react to fight back, it would have been even worse because if he would have to fight even those who are inside, they would have run away. But those who were running, looking for help inside, they were saved, Auma said.



Franco Riek Atem, a second year student of economics at the University of Juba, who says he lost family members during the July fighting, commends the U.N. Secretary-Generals decision to fire Lieutenant General Ondieki.



If it is their mandate, they should have to do it, because they have not come here. If they got something very dangerous, they run away. Like the one who has been removed, he failed to do his mandate, Atem said.



South Sudans Deputy Information Minister Akol Paul Kordit declined to be interviewed regarding the U.N. report, saying he could not comment on the U.N.s internal matters.
Swiss authorities have arrested four people on suspicion of inciting violence and crime after a raid on a mosque in the northern city of Winterthur, the Zurich chief prosecutor's office said on Wednesday.

According to local media, the An'Nur mosque is suspected of links to radical Islamism and several young men who used to frequent it have reportedly gone to join the Islamic State militant group in Syria and Iraq.

Prosecutors and police also searched the homes of three suspects on Wednesday morning, a statement from the prosecutor's office said, and criminal proceedings have been launched against all four people.

The raids followed reports to police that an Ethiopian imam called in a sermon last month for the murder of Muslims who refused to join communal prayers in the mosque, it said.

The imam was also said to have urged the congregation to denounce any Muslims who shunned the communal prayers, it added.

The imam and three persons whose homes were raided were arrested and brought in for questioning, it said without indicating what the three persons were suspected of doing.

Four other persons were found in the mosque who were suspected of violating Swiss immigration laws, it added.

The prosecutor's office said it would issue no further information for the moment and the mosque did not respond to requests for comment.
Turkish President Erdogan, Saudi Arabia's King Salman, and the Islamic State Terror Group are recent additions to the list of "Predators of Press Freedom" released by Reporters without Borders to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists Wednesday.

Reporters Without Borders listed 35 politicians, religious leaders, militias, and criminal organizations in a unique online gallery with "hunting permits" for each, detailing how and to what extent they "prey" on the media.

Some leaders, such as Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, are accused of "carefully orchestrated censorship and economic asphyxiation" of the press, while others, such as Islamic State and a number of African dictators, are outright accused of murdering journalists.

But beyond literal murders, the "kill tally" listed on each predator's profile also documents how many media outlets they have shut down. For example, the state of emergency declared in Turkey after the military coup in July gave President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the power to shut down more than 100 newspapers, magazines, TV channels, and radio stations, in addition to arresting more than 200 journalists.

China's Xi Jinping also makes the list, having been declared a predator since 2013. One hundred journalists and bloggers are currently jailed, making China "the world's biggest prison for media personnel", according to Reporters without Borders.

Though Reporters without Borders only tallies four journalists currently imprisoned in Russia, Vladimir Putin has also been on the list since 2000, and the report claims there is currently less freedom of expression in Russia than any time since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Burundi's Pierre Nkurunziza was only listed a predator in the past year, but has shut down all independent media and put over 100 journalists in exile since a coup attempt in May 2015.

Non-governmental groups such as al-Shabab in Somalia, which has murdered "several dozen" journalists, the Los Zetas criminal cartel in Mexico charged with the killings or disappearances of dozens of journalists, the Ansarullah Bangla Team a radical Islamist movement in Bangladesh that killed four bloggers in 2015 are listed.

As well as Pakistan's Intelligence Agencies that have murdered at least three journalists, Yemen's Houthi rebels who have held at least 13 media workers hostage in Sanaa, the Taliban that has killed seven journalists in 2016 in Afghanistan, and Islamic State, which has beheaded at least three journalists in Syria in addition to murdering dozens of journalists and media workers in Iraq and Syria.

These predators are the ones who most trample on media freedom and commit the worst atrocities against journalists without being held to account, RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said. The way to break the vicious cycle of impunity is to appoint a United Nations special representative for protecting journalists.

The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is recognized by the United Nations every November 2nd.

"I pay tribute to the courage of all media personnel who put their lives on the line for the sake of truth," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said in a statement. "And I call for immediate action to secure justice in cases where journalists were attacked, harassed or killed."
Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton are assailing each other as unfit for the U.S. presidency in the final days of their campaigns before next Tuesday's national election.

Trump claimed Wednesday Clinton's election would create an "unprecedented and protracted constitutional crisis" as he made a campaign stop in Florida, a state in the southeastern part of the country he concedes he can't lose and still capture the White House.

The blunt-spoken real estate mogul said Clinton would be under investigation as president for her handling of national security material on her emails during her four-year tenure as U.S. secretary of state.

"She has no one to blame but herself," Trump said to a cheering crowd in Miami, "She's the one who set up her email server."

Clinton, on a Tuesday swing through Florida, attacked Trump's treatment of women as her campaign released a new ad calling attention to his lewd comments about women on a 2005 tape in which he boasts that he could grope them with impunity because he was a celebrity.

"When I think about what we now know about Donald Trump and what he's been doing for 30 years, he sure has spent a lot of time demeaning, degrading, insulting and assaulting women," Clinton said.

She is headed Wednesday to the western state of Arizona, where a growing Hispanic population opposed to Trump's anti-immigration plans gives her a chance to capture a state that has voted for Republican presidential candidates in 15 of the last 16 quadrennial elections. She is also campaigning in nearby Nevada, another closely contested state.

Latest polls



National political surveys show Trump closing the gap on the lead Clinton has held for weeks. The latest Washington Post-ABC News tracking poll from the past several days showing the race deadlocked at 46 percent. Other polls show similar close results in key election states that will decide the outcome.

But polling analysts still give Clinton, looking to become the country's first female president, the edge in Electoral College projections. U.S. presidential elections are not decided by the national popular vote, but by the outcome in each of the country's 50 states and Washington, D.C. The most populous states carry the most weight in the Electoral College, with the winner needing 270 of the 538 electoral votes based on state-by-state voting results.

Florida is key to the election hopes of both candidates because it has has 29 electoral votes, the most in any of the battleground states where Clinton and Trump have been campaigning in recent days. Recent polls show Trump and Clinton in a statistical tie.

The last days of the campaign have been roiled by the announcement last week by Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey that agents are poring over thousands of emails found on the computer of the estranged husband of a key Clinton aide, Huma Abedin, to see whether they shed new light on Clinton's handling of classified national security documents on her private email server while she was the country's top diplomat from 2009 to 2013.

Comey's announcement has given Trump new momentum on the campaign trail, but it is not known whether Comey will say anything more about what the FBI has found in the emails found on the computer of Abedin's husband, disgraced former congressman Anthony Weiner, before Election Day. The new batch of emails surfaced as authorities investigated whether Weiner sent lewd texts to a 15-year-old girl.

Clinton predicted authorities will reach the same conclusion they did in the earlier investigation of emails. "There is no case here," she declared earlier this week.

President Barack Obama weighed in on the controversy, telling the online news outlet NowThis that Clinton made "an honest mistake" in using the private email server.

"I trust her, I know her and, you know, I wouldn't be supporting her if I didn't have absolute confidence in her integrity," Obama said.



While Trump's vice-presidential running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, is also stumping for the Republican ticket in battleground states, Clinton has deployed several high-profile surrogates.

Obama is campaigning for her in the mid-Atlantic state of North Carolina on Wednesday and Vice President Joe Biden is visiting Florida. Clinton's former key opponent in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, is staging rallies for her in the Midwestern states of Michigan and Wisconsin.
A new law in Ukraine forcing senior officials to declare their wealth has revealed the scale of riches held by those in power. Members of the Cabinet alone hold $7 million in cash. Other lawmakers declared luxury cars, expensive watches and artwork. Analysts say the revelations show how far Ukraine still has to go to eradicate corruption.



The 2014 uprising and subsequent ouster of then-president Viktor Yanukovich was meant to usher in a new generation of clean politics in Ukraine. But the scale of the wealth revealed to be held by current lawmakers and senior officials has left many of those who manned the barricades in Kievs Independence Square disillusioned  like Olexandra Ustinova of non-governmental organization the Anti-Corruption Action Center.

Basically, we had hundreds of people die on Maidan for the new people to be elected and to come to power," said Ustinova. "And basically looking now on the new declarations you realize that these people are not new. The majority of these people are still there to make money.



Ukraines prime minister, Volodymyr Groysman, declared that he kept $1.6 million in cash alone at his house.



Most Ukrainians knew their lawmakers were hugely wealthy  and some kind of amnesty could be agreed to, says Orysia Lutsevych of British policy group Chatham House.



I think this will be a benchmark in a way to make sure in the future some of these people dont declare again the massive increase in their wealth," said Lutsevych.



There are suspicions some lawmakers may have overstated their wealth to allow for future corrupt profits. Ukraines prosecution service must be strengthened to eradicate such corruption, argues Lutsevych.



One of the reasons these people were able to amass such wealth is that the judiciary was not working, and Ukraine has over 50 judges that are millionaires. And the system is like longs roots, its going everywhere, its not just one body of the government," said Lutsevych.



The European Union insisted on the declarations as a condition of financial assistance and potential visa-free travel to the EU.



The EU should not stop, because its maybe two or three steps that Ukraine made out of ten or twenty, in order to ensure the change of the system," said Lutsevych.



Ukraines anti-corruption agency will now attempt to verify the declarations  with over 100,000 forms to assess.
The U.S. is committed to assisting the Philippines with its law enforcement efforts, but also wants to make sure that Manila is committed to its human rights obligations, a State Department spokesman said Tuesday.

"Our assistance programs are designed to address human rights concerns by expanding Philippine capacity to conduct effective, lawful investigations, and professionalizing the criminal justice system so that it's more accountable, transparent, effective and just," said spokesman John Kirby.

Reuters news agency quotes congressional sources who say the State Department paused its planned sale of 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippines' national police after Senator Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat and the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, expressed opposition because of reported extrajudicial killings and human rights violations in the Philippines.

Kirby neither confirmed nor denied the status of the reported weapons sale.

While the department is "committed to working closely with members of Congress to deliver security assistance to allies," Kirby said, it is "restricted under federal regulations from commenting on the status of commercial export license approvals of proposed commercial defense sales."

Under direct commercial sales, the U.S. company sends a request to the State Department's Bureau of Political and Military Affairs after negotiating a proposed sale with a foreign government. The U.S. government, in consultation with Congress, needs to approve the sale before it can be completed.

The Philippine National Police said Manila has yet to be notified about the rifle sale being stopped. It also expressed readiness to look for another supplier of the same type of assault rifles.

Philippine police and vigilantes have killed at least 3,600 people for drug use and drug sales since President Rodrigo Duterte took office at the end of June.

Duterte's promise to aggressively target drug dealers and criminals has gained large support.
A group of parliamentarians from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Wednesday urged Myanmar to probe reports of human rights abuses in troubled Rakhine state, as top diplomats based in the country visited the area.

The U.S. State Department said the U.S. ambassador visited several villages in the northern part of the state as part of an international delegation and stressed the need for a thorough investigation into allegations of abuses and for aid workers to be allowed back into the area.

Troops have poured into northern Rakhine since militants believed to be Rohingya Muslims launched coordinated attacks on border posts on Oct. 9, killing nine police. The government says five soldiers and at least 33 alleged attackers have been killed in the military operation.

The territory has been cut off to aid workers and observers for more than three weeks. Residents and human rights advocates have said abuses by government forces have included summary executions, rape and setting fire to homes.

Government denies abuses

The government of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi has denied any abuses have been committed.

The Rohingya, most of whom live in apartheid-like conditions, are seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Some 125,000 remain displaced and face severe travel restrictions in squalid camps since fighting erupted in Rakhine between Buddhists and Muslims in 2012.

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) urged the Myanmar government to conduct a "thorough and impartial investigation into reports of abuses by security forces" against civilians in Rakhine.

It also called on the military to allow aid workers and journalists access to provide humanitarian help and to document developments.

The reports coming out of Myanmar's Rakhine State are

alarming and demand a credible investigation ... All authorities

must take urgent action to prevent further violations and fulfill

their responsibility to protect the rights of all civilians,

said APHR Chairperson Charles Santiago, a member of the

Malaysian parliament.

We remain deeply concerned, however, that as a result of

the lack of government oversight of security forces, effective

systems are not in place to protect civilians or support their

chance of seeing justice served."

U.S. ambassador visits villages

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby

said the U.S. ambassador to Myanmar, Scot Marciel, visited

several northern villages where the October 9 attacks took place

with a delegation that included the U.N. resident coordinator

and other chiefs of mission.

The visit was an initial step in what we hope will be a continued assessment of the situation in the area by the government and by the international community, Kirby said.

The ambassador took the opportunity to stress to government officials accompanying the delegation that a thorough investigation into allegations of abuse, protection of all residents, restoration of full humanitarian access are necessary," he told a regular news briefing.

The military operation has sharpened the tension between Suu Kyi's six-month-old civilian administration and the army, which ruled the country for decades and retains key powers, including control of ministries responsible for security.

The delegation that visited Rakhine state included ambassadors from China, Britain and the European Union as well as the United States.

Tour carefully managed

The tour was led by Nyi Pu, the Suu Kyi-appointed chief minister of Rakhine State.



In a sign that the mission was carefully managed by the authorities, state media was invited to film the visit but no international reporters were allowed to join.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) urged access for aid agencies to 10,000-15,000 people thought to have been displaced by the latest violence.

Essential, life-saving humanitarian activities have been suspended for more than three weeks now, and they need to be resumed as soon as possible, said UNOCHA official Pierre Peron.
President Vladimir Putin has urged Russia's parliament to develop and implement federal legislation on "the Russian nation" to clarify and further regulate ethnic relations in the country. While the proposal has not been fleshed out, it is receiving mixed reviews.

"What we really absolutely can and must work on  what we should think about and start practical work on  is a law on the Russian nation," Putin said at a meeting Monday of Russia's Council for Interethnic Relations in the southern Russian city of Astrakhan.

Asked for details about the proposed law, Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said it was an "idea" supported by the president and that he did not want to "go into details."

"Let's wait for the experts to work on this issue," Peskov added.

Despite the lack of details, Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar praised Putin's proposal. He told the Interfax news agency that it is "a symbol of a new stage of Russia's development," the country's transformation from one divided between ethnic groups to one based "on the principle of the civic nation, uniting all people in the country, regardless of their nationality, color or faith."

Kremlin critics, however, are less impressed.

"Putin's nation aspires to world importance; it fights in Syria, worries about the American elections and even, rumor has it, wants to stage something in Montenegro," wrote journalist and blogger Oleg Kashin.

"My nation has more modest tastes. ... My nation, one of many post-imperial nations in Eastern Europe, consists of millions of people who are often unsettled, unhappy, poor, with outdoor toilets and instant noodles in the saucepan. I believe it is immoral to involve this nation in all kinds of megalomaniacal projects while the primary right, the right to a human life, has not yet been implemented."

Xenophobia, racism and nationalism are on the rise across Europe, and Russia has seen particularly extreme manifestations of these trends. A "Russian March" held by nationalists in Moscow annually has increasingly featured xenophobic, racist and anti-LGBT rhetoric, including the slogan "Russia for Russians."

In 2013, 20 people were killed in Russian in racist and neo-Nazi attacks. Advertisements for apartment rentals often include such requirements for potential tenants as "must be of Slavic appearance," "only ethnic Russians are eligible to apply" or "whites only."
The World Health Organization's battle to eradicate Guinea worm is being hampered by conflict and infections in dogs but cases have fallen to just 17 so far in 2016, the doctor leading the fight told Reuters on Wednesday.

The debilitating parasite afflicted 3.5 million people 30 years ago, but is now endemic in only four countries: South Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia and Mali.

"Globally, we have never been so close to Guinea worm eradication as now," Dieudonne Sankara said. "It will be a colossal achievement."

Victory over the worm, which grows up to a meter long before emerging through the skin and which lays its eggs in water, has been repeatedly delayed. But Mali has had no cases this year, while South Sudan has had five, Ethiopia two and Chad 10.

Although the decline in the global number of cases has leveled off, one worm can cause 80 new cases after its incubation period of 10-14 months, so keeping cases low signals the battle is being won.

But the security situation in the endemic countries is a complicating factor, as health workers and volunteers often venture hundreds of kilometers into lawless areas, said Ashok Moloo, a WHO information officer.

Another challenge was the discovery that dogs  mainly around the Chari river in Chad, but also in the other countries  were picking up Guinea worm infections, too.

That required a new fight, to control the disease among the dog population. In 2015, more than 500 dogs in Chad, 13 in Ethiopia, and one each in Mali and South Sudan, were reported with emerging Guinea worms.

Moloo said WHO was optimistic that the dog problem had peaked, although the incubation period meant it was premature to be sure, and the new challenges were unexpected.

"People warned us a few years ago: 'You're moving fast, but you will see,'" Sankara said. "And now we are seeing."
A mountainous Palestinian community in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Al Jab'a differs in many ways from surrounding Israeli settlements but it shares one worry with its neighbors  a shortage of water.

In the last few decades, the West Bank has seen rainfall decrease and groundwater levels fall, with drought expected to become "more frequent [and] more intense," according to a 2012 United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) report.

Residents of Al Jab'a, who once had to walk for hours daily to fetch water, do have limited access to Israeli water supplies in their concrete homes due to a reservoir, pipeline and pump built in 2013 by an Italian non-governmental organization.

But the water provided is not enough, according to families in Al Jab'a, a village of about 150 houses 12 km (7 miles) southwest of Bethlehem. They also fear their system could be demolished, as it was not officially approved.

"Before, we had to walk many times a day to the nearby springs to fill our bottles and buckets," said Omar Musa, 18, who lives with his parents and five siblings near the reservoir in a house atop a hill. "I was happy when I knew I would have water at home."

He estimated that his family saves about six hours a day by not having to fetch water for themselves, their crops and their livestock.

Water restrictions

But numerous rural and Bedouin communities in the West Bank are not connected to a network run by Israel's national water company, Mekorot, which is responsible for supplying water to Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied territory.

In Al Jab'a, only 10 percent of homes were part of the Mekorot distribution system until the pipes and reservoir completed in 2013 extended the network to the remaining households. Water piped by Mekorot is pumped up the hill to be stored in the reservoir.

But this has not completely resolved the community's water problems. Residents say the Mekorot system supplies water only intermittently and at low pressure. When supplies flow, families must hurry to store as much as they can.

In addition, residents like Musa and his family fear the reservoir could be demolished by the Israeli authorities because, like many of their homes, the structure was built without an official permit.

Construction by Palestinians is forbidden in Area C, a designation covering about 60 percent of the West Bank, including Al Jab'a. Between 2010 and 2014, only 1.5 percent of requests for building permits in Area C were approved, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

An application for a permit for the Al Jab'a reservoir by GVC, the Italian development organization that built it in partnership with UNICEF, was turned down, GVC said.

According to Israeli authorities, issuing demolition orders for structures built without permission is a legitimate measure, a 2015 OCHA report notes.

Although only one-fifth of the 14,000 demolition orders issued in Area C since 1988 have been carried out, according to OCHA, the uncertainty leaves residents worried for the safety of their homes and their water supply.

After the 1967 war in which Israel acquired the West Bank, Israel imposed restrictions on well drilling and constructing distribution networks, which has left a quarter of Palestinians without piped water, according to a report by the Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs.

An assessment by UNICEF in 2015 showed that 400,000 Palestinians from 1.7 million living in the West Bank were in need of improved water, sanitation and hygiene services.

The U.N. Environment Program said in a report that Israel uses the majority of the water resources available in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israel, however, points out that it provides the Palestinians with double the 30 million cubic meters of water annually that was agreed to in the 1995 Oslo accords.

Bring back cisterns?

Gregor von Medeazza, chief of the water, sanitation and hygiene program at UNICEF in East Jerusalem, said water remains a persistent sore point between Israel and Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

"Water should be a source of collaboration and should bring people together," he said. "At the end of the day, they all share the same water resources."

Von Medeazza said that UNICEF is concerned about ensuring measures are in place to use water carefully and help communities adapt in the face of growing scarcity.

"It means having rational use of [the] water available and making sure there is no wasting of water," he said. With climate change bringing more variable rainfall, "it is also important to emphasize that there is a question of accessibility and human right to a minimum amount of water."

Apart from building reservoirs, Von Medeazza suggests rehabilitating around 300 ancient cisterns  underground storage tanks dating from Roman times that once collected water in the rainy season. These have the potential to be used today and would be a cost-effective measure, he said.

Around 80 such cisterns have been restored so far by a coalition of non-governmental organizations.

"The long-term vision is to increase the current access [to water] of people living in remote places," Von Medeazza said. "We have the technical solutions to extend services and connect communities. What we need is further support from all parties [Israelis and Palestinians] for this to happen."

For his part, Musa in Al Jab'a remains worried but resolute.

"We are really afraid of losing our reservoir," he said. But "we are not leaving our house nor our community."
This was the second time Zarghooda Hasan lost everything at both of her radio stations  Kaihan, for youth and Shaista, for women.



The first time was in 2015, when Taliban militants overran Kunduz city, the provincial capital of Kunduz province in northern Afghanistan. The Taliban looted most of her brand new equipment, worth $100,000 in personal investments and grants.





She restarted operations with borrowed equipment from other stations and a $10,000 grant from the United Nations Development Program. All of that is now gone as well.



Hasan did not know whether the Taliban or criminals taking advantage of the chaos looted her equipment last month. All she knew was that nothing but a power generator and a bit of furniture was left.



Before the Talibans almost 10-day assault on Kunduz city in early October, the city boasted 13 radio stations and four TV stations. Most of them were destroyed in the fighting and subsequent looting. Many employees escaped the city and did not know whether they would have a place to work when they returned.



They included Mosaa Forotan, a cameraman and editor at Roshan TV. He was at work when the Taliban entered the city. As the sound of gunfire and rockets came closer to his TV station, he decided to leave and took a transmitter with him. That was the only piece of equipment that survived.



Shahbaz Sabir, the provincial coordinator of the Afghanistan Journalists Safety Committee, had heard gunfire for most of the night of October 3. Rather than thinking of an escape route, he started planning for a safehouse for journalists. By the time the sun came up, it was clear that the Taliban had attacked the city from all sides. He set up camp in the Sar-e-Daura area of the city and eventually around 60 journalists joined him there.



The first thing they needed was a way to tell their families and colleagues that they were okay. So he arranged for pre-paid mobile phone cards for many of them. The next challenge was to provide safe accommodation and food for his colleagues.



As night approached, the National Directorate of Security, Afghanistans intelligence agency, came to his rescue and offered to provide them shelter at one of their posts.



Last year, the Taliban went house to house, looking for government employees and civil society members. No one knew what the Taliban would do if they came across a journalist given that they had become increasingly hostile towards local media. Journalists had been labeled puppets of infidels in the past.



Several weeks after the attack, the city has been cleared but the surrounding districts continue to have heavy Taliban presence. Hasan has restarted her stations with one transmitter she had stashed at home and another borrowed from someone.



Other TV and radio stations have done the same, but fears of yet another Taliban assault remain.
If you want to know who is going to win the U.S. presidential election, take a look at the campaign souvenirs people are buying.

While Americans complain about suffering from election overload, they are snapping up campaign buttons and T-shirts - and a store owner in Washington says sales are a pretty accurate indicator of who voters plan to elect November 8th to be their next president.

Just a few blocks from the real White House is White House Gifts. The souvenir store is teeming with customers, eager to see the end of this election season  but wanting something to remember it by.

Mariam Khan, a naturalized American citizen, originally from Zimbabwe, says there's been a great deal of curiosity and wonder overseas about the U.S. election. But shes tired of the dirty politics.

Its going on and on and on, all the name calling. I feel like its moved so far away from policies and into issues that dont really matter

And yet, there was Mariam buying T-shirts, bobble heads and fridge magnets.

Susan Levin says regardless of who wins, its already a historic election, and she wants coffee mugs and T-shirts as keepsakes.

Im getting things that are not going to be here after the election, said Levin.

Coffee mug/T-shirt poll

It will be over soon, but its been a profitable election season for store owner Jim Warlick who has been tracking sales of presidential campaign buttons for 35 years. For example, after the Republican and Democratic conventions in August, Warlick told us:

It was 62 [percent] Hillary, 38 Trump.

And then after the debates: It was 57 Hillary and 43 Trump. So its narrowed, yes it has.

Interestingly enough, the hottest sellers in the 2016 election season will not be on Tuesday's ballot. Warlick promoted a legacy souvenir line to take advantage of President Barack Obamas popularity... until his staff told him they were running out of Michelle Obama T-shirts.

Actually Michelle was more popular than the president, so we started doing a Michelle line, and so the two legacies of the president and the first lady are selling more than both Clinton and Trump, according to Warlick.

Warlick has correctly predicted the outcome of every presidential race since 1980  except in 2000 when Al Gore lost by a recount to George W. Bush. Based on souvenir sales and his gut instincts, Warlick decided to pull the trigger last week and placed a sizeable order for the 2017 inauguration. He broke with protocol and shared his prediction with Voice of America.

Ive been pretty well on target, and I watch the polls quite a bit daily and my merchandise daily, so I would say its going to be Clinton.

Either Warlick is making a costly mistake, or he has proof that people do vote with their pocketbooks.

Warlick, who loves what he does, says he cant wait for the inauguration, scheduled January 20th, when the 45th president is officially sworn in. After that, the 2020 election cant come soon enough.

Oh yes, yes! Christmas comes every four years for us!
Prensa Latina: Mr President, thank you very much for granting Prensa Latina this historic opportunity to communicate to the world your perspective on the situation in Syria given that, as you know, much information has been manipulated on the foreign aggression your country faces.

How do you assess the current military situation in Syria and what are the main challenges that the Syrian armed forces on the ground face in their struggle against the anti-governmental groups? If possible, we would like your opinion on the current situation on the combat fronts in Aleppo and Homs.

Bashar al-Assad:Obviously, the terrorists have received massive support from different corners of the world. There are more than 100 nationalities participating in the aggression against Syria, relying on the support of countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, that fund them and Turkey that undoubtedly offers them logistical support, as well as the approval and supervision of Western States led by the United States, France, the United Kingdon and other allies.

But since the Russians decided to combat terrorism in Syria, essentially the Al-Nusra Front, the Islamic State (Daesh) and other groups associated to these two extremist entities, the balance of powers has now shifted in our favour and against these groups.

The Syrian Arab Army has succeeded and continues to succeed in making advances in different parts of Syria and is determined to topple them.

The situation in Homs, since the terrorists abandoned it more than a year ago, has improved and is far more stable now. There are some districts in the city infiltrated by extremists where a reconciliation process is now underway. On the basis of this reconciliation process, terrorists have the possibility of laying down their arms and then returning to their normal lives, benefitting from the governmental amnesty. Alternatively they leave Homs for another part of Syria, which is exactly what happened more than a year ago in the centre of this city.

But the situation is different in Aleppo given than the Turks and their Saudi and Qatarian allies have lost many of their cards on the battle fields in Syria, so that Aleppo is its final card, especially for the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has tried his best with the Saudis to send there the largest possible number of terrorists that now totals around 5,000. This they did in the last two months, from Turkey to Aleppo in the hope of occupying this city, but they failed.

In actual fact, our army has succeeded in making advances in Aleppo and the surroundings areas, seeking to find terrorists, then to negotiate with them so as to return them to their normal life. Alternatively they will abandon this zone, or in some other way will be destroyed because they have no other option.

Prensa Latina: What are the priorities of the Syrian armies in their struggle against the terrorist groups? What role do the popular defense groups play in the theatre of operations?

Bashar al-Assad: The priority of the Arab Syrian Army is fighting Daesh [the Islamic Emirate], the al-Nusra Front and groups such as the Ahrar Al-Sham and Yeish al-Islam (the Islamic Army).

These four groups are directly linked to al-Qaeda, given that they share its ideology. They are Islamic extremists that want to eliminate everything that is contrary to their way of thinking and that is not aligned to them.

Regarding the groups of popular defense, at the beginning of the conflicts, the terrorists unleashed a non-conventional war against our army that is a conventional organization, such as any other army in the world.

As a consequence, the support that these groups of popular defense offered was of utmost importance to destroying the terrorists with non-conventional tactics. This has been a great help for the Syrian Arab Army given that the combatants of the popular defense fight in their own zones, cities and towns - places that they are very familiar with. I mean, they really dominate the roads, paths and geography of these zones and for this reason are a great help to the Syrian Arab Army. This is their mission.

Prensa Latina: How does the resistance of the Syrian people materialize against foreign aggression on the economic front? Which sectors in this sphere continue to function despite the war, the international sanctions and acts of sabotage?

Bashar al-Assad:In actual fact, the war against Syria is integral because it is not limited to the support offered to the terrorists but furthermore unleashed a containment policy against our country at the international level

The third factor is the economy. They give orders to extremists and mercenary agents to destroy the infrastructure that grew the Syrian economy and satisfied the daily needs of its citizens.

At the same time, they began to impose a direct embargo on the borders of our nation, making use of these irregular armed elements from abroad, harnessing the banking systems in the whole world.

Despite this, the Syrian people is determined to pursue a normal life, within the realms of what is possible. This situation has led to many businessmen, essentially medium and small industrials, abandoning the most unstable conflict zones and making their way to other areas where there is greater stability. There they establish their businesses at much-reduced levels, as a way of continuing to exist, to maintain economic activity and to continue to satisfy our citizens needs.

In this context, most sectors are still functioning. For example, the pharmaceutical industry is working at more than 60% of its manufacturing capacity and this is very important for our economy in the circumstances that we are going through.

I think that despite our current situation, we are not cutting back on the efforts to broaden once again our economic base, especially following the advances that the Syrian Arab Army is making in different zones of combat.

Prensa Latina: Mr President: let us speak a little about the international environment. What is your opinion on the role the UN is playing in the Syrian conflict and the attempts of Washington and its allies to impose their will on the Security Council and the Geneva Talks?

Bashar al-Assad:Talking about the role of the UN and the Security Council could be ambiguous and confusing given that in actual fact, the United Nations is an instrument that the United States can use to suit its needs.

Washington is able to impose on the [UN] its norms of double standards thereby preventing the organization acting according to the provisions of the UN Charter. They can use it just as they do with any other institution under US administration.

Were it not for the positions taken by Russia and China on certain causes, the UN would be a wholly US institution. But Russia and China have achieved a certain equilibrium in these institutions over the last 5 years, especially on the Syrian cause.

But if you wish to speak of the role of the UN through its mediators and its envoys, such as Mr Staffan De Mistura most recently and before him Koffi Anan, Lakdar Brahimi and others, we can say that these mediators are not independent.

These officials reflect the pressures that Western countries exercise, or, in some cases, the dialogue existing between the main powers, principally Russia and the United States. They are not stable and due to this, you cannot speak of the UN playing a role.

It is a reflection of this equilibrium. So, the UN is not playing a role in the Syrian Conflict. There is only US  Russian dialogue and we know that the Russians are not cutting back on their efforts and that they are working with all sincerity and honesty to topple the terrorists.

However, the US is manoeuvring to use the terrorists rather than to destroy them.

Prensa Latina: Mr President: How do you currently see the co-existence between Syrian ethnic and religious groups in relation to this foreign interference? How does this factor impact the current economic climate?

Bashar al-Assad:The most important matter with respect to this harmony between the different components of the Syrian social fabric, is that it is true and authentic. This is because it has been constructed throughout History and throughout the centuries. This means in this sort of conflict it is impossible to destroy this social fabric.

If you take a tour in the different zones under government control, you can see all the colours of the social fabric of Syrian society living together.

I can add that during the conflict, this harmony improved and was further strengthened. This is not just words - it is a reality that has different reasons. The conflict is a lesson and this diversity that characterizes a society can enrich the country or can be converted into a problem. There is no other outcome.

The people have learnt that we have to work very hard to retain this harmony given that the first argument that the terrorists and their allies in the region and in the West used in relation to the conflict in Syria was of a sectarian character.

They would like to divide the people so that they will fight among themselves with the aim of stoking the fire in Syria but they have failed. The Syrians learnt the lesson how to live in harmony and they were enjoying this harmony before the conflict exploded. Now we have to try to strengthen it.

And for this reason, without any exaggeration, I can say that where this issue is concerned, all is well.

We can also say that the situation is different in the areas under terrorist control. As you know, those that belong fundamentally to the extremist factions associated with al-Qaeda have not decreased their efforts to introduce their oscurantist ideology into the minds of the new generation, an ideology that asserts death, decapitation and all these horrendous practices. And that had success in some areas.

With the passage of time, it will be more difficult to deal with this new generation of youth, saturated with the doctrine and ideology of Wahabism and al-Qaeda. Here is based the only danger that our society will face in relation to the harmony and coexistence to which you have referred.

Prensa Latina: Mr President, let us return to the international scene. What is your opinion on the role that the US-led coalition plays in relation to the groups deployed in the North of Syria, especially the Kurds?

Bashar al-Assad:As you know, when the US administrations build relations with any group or society in a country, it is not for the benefit of that nation or its people but because it serves the US agenda.

Consequently, we have to ask ourselves: why are the Americans supporting someone in Syria? Clearly they are not doing it for the benefit of Syria, but because they have their own agenda. And this US agenda in all countries always aims at dividing.

They do not work to unite people, but to divide them. Sometimes they choose a sectarian group and at other times an ethnic group and lend its support against other ethnic groups or wedge a distance between it and other components of society. That is its agenda.

Therefore it is evident that all this US support has nothing to do with Daesh, nor with al-Nusra, nor even with the fight against terrorism as from the time the US intervened, Daesh has grown. It only started to shrink when Russia lent its support to the Syrian Army last September.

Prensa Latina: Mr President, what is your opinion of the attempted coup that recently took place in Turkey? How do you think it affects the current situation in this country, at the international level and also the conflict in Syria?

Bashar al-Assad:We have to see this coup as reflecting instability and disturbances within Turkey, especially at the social level. It is possible that the effect is political or any other type, but, certainly, when a country is destabilized, the principal causes are rooted in its own society.

This is independent of who governs Turkey and who is its president/ leader because this is an internal matter. We do not intervene nor will we commit the error of saying that Erdogan must step down from power or that he must stay. This is a Turkish issue and it is for the Turkish people to take a decision on this matter.

But the most important matter in this coup is that we have to see the measures and steps that Erdogan and his group adopted in recent days, when they began to attack the judicial system. They expelled from office more than 2,700 judges, more than 1,500 university professors and more than 15,000 employees in the education sector. What do the universities, the judges and the civil society have to do with the coup?

These measures reflect the evil intentions of Erdogan, his bad character and his real intentions with respect to what has happened. If the investigations are still underway, why take the decision to dismiss all these people?

Thus he has used the coup to execute his extremist agenda, a blueprint of the Muslim Brotherhoods, on Turkish soil. This is very dangerous for Turkey and for the neighboring countries, Syria included.

Prensa Latina: How do you assess your Governments relations with the opposition based in the country? What is the difference between these oppositional groups and those based abroad?

Bashar al-Assad:We have good relations with the opposition within Syria, based on national principles. Clearly they have their own political agendas and doctrines and we have our own agenda and doctrine. We can enter into dialogue with them directly or through the ballot boxes, which is another form of dialogue.

This is the situation in all countries. But we cannot compare this opposition with the opposition based outside Syria. This is because the concept of opposition signifies using pacific means and not supporting terrorists. This opposition is not formed outside the country and has a popular base among the Syrians that live here.

The popular bases cannot be directed from the chancelleries of the United Kingdom or France or through the Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United States intelligence services. This is not an opposition as they call themselves; we call them traitors because the true opposition, the one working for the Syrian people, is based in Syria and adopts its agenda from this people and functions in the interests of the homeland.

Prensa Latina: How do you assess the insistence of the United States and its allies that you have to abandon power and the media campaign that they unleash to smear the reputation of its Government on the international scene?

Bashar al-Assad:With respect to the proposition that I abandon power, they have been saying this for five years yet we have never given it any importance, nor even responded with any declaration whatsoever.

We have never given it importance. This is a Syrian matter and the Syrian people are the only ones with the power to determine who must stay and who must resign, who must stay in office and who must abandon it. The West is abundantly aware of our position on this matter.

Consequently, we are not very bothered with this issue. We dont even waste time thinking about what they say. I am here thanks to the support of the Syrian people. Were it not for this support, I would not be here. It is as simple as that.

With respect to sullying reputations or attempts to demonize certain Presidents, this is the USs modus operandi  at least it has been from the Second World War, since they replaced British colonialism in this region and possibly in the entire world.

From that time, the US administrations and the US politicians have never uttered a word of truth on any issue. They always lie. And with the passage of time, they have been converted into expert liars. This is part of their policy. Their attempt to demonize me is similar to their attempt to demonize President (Vladimir) Putin, in the last two years, and to demonize the Cuban leader Fidel Castro over the last five decades. That is how they operate.

So we must know that this is how the US acts and therefore we must pay no heed to what they say. The important thing is to maintain a good reputation in the eyes of our people. This is what we have to concern ourselves with.

Prensa Latina: Mr President, what is your opinion on Syrias relations with Latin America, especially its historical ties with Cuba?

Bashar al-Assad:Despite the enormous distance that separates Syria and Latin America, the level of knowledge that the people, not simply the politicians, in that region have, on this part of the world, never ceases to amaze us.

I think a number of factors account for this, one of which lies in the historical similarity and commonalities between Syria and Latin America.

For much time, Latin American countries suffered from direct occupation. Thereafter they suffered the action of US companies, coup detats and US interference. This is why, the people of this region know what it means for a country to be independent or not. They understand that the war in Syria hinges upon its independence.

But the most important thing in this part of the world is the role of Cuba, which has always been the launching pad of Independent Movements in Latin America. In this context, Fidel Castro is an icon.

As a result, at the political level and in terms of knowledge-base, we can say that there are strong similarities between Syria and Latin America, especially Cuba.

But I do not think that we are doing enough to improve other aspects of our relationship so that they are at the same level, basically in the sectors of education and the economy. This was my ambition before the crisis. I was in Latin America  Cuba, Venezuela, Argentina and Brazil to strengthen our relationship. Then the conflict broke out and and it mutated into a huge obstacle pre-empting any action on this matter.

Even so, I do not think that our relations have to be limited to their historical and political aspects. This is not sufficient. There are several sectors and the inhabitants of both regions have to get to know each other better. Distance could prove an obstacle but not necessarily so, since we have strong relationships with the rest of the world to the East as well as the West.

I mean, today, distance no longer presents an obstacle. I think that if we manage to overcome the crisis and this war, then we will have to work with greater force to revive different aspects of this relationship with Latin America, especially with Cuba.

Prensa Latina: Mr President what are your expectations, what do you think of the current electoral process in the United States, especially the presidential elections? How do you think the result may influence the war in Syria?

Bashar al-Assad:We renewed relations with the United States in 1974, 42 years ago. From that time we got to know various US leaders in different cases.

The lesson that we have learnt is that noone must put their money on a US president. This is the most important thing. Thus the problem is not the name. They have institutions and their own agenda and each president comes to execute this agenda in his own way. But, he must, absolutely, comply with this agenda.

Everyone has military agendas. The only difference lies in the method of execution. One deploys its army, as Bush did, and others send in their mercenaries and agencies as Obama did. But every president has to fulfil this agenda.

I do not think that in the United States, the head of the White House is allowed to fulfil his political convictions. He has to submit to institutions and to pressure groups. And these groups have not changed; nor have the plans of institutions changed. This means that the US will not have in the near future, a president that can bring about a serious and radicial change in US politics.

Prensa Latina: What message do you want to sent out through this interview with Prensa Latina to the governments and peoples of Latin America and the Carribean, as well as the people of the United States, especially on the importance of supporting Syrias struggle against terrorism?

Bashar al-Assad:Latin America is a good example and important for the whole world on how countries and governments have succeeded in recovering their independence. This region is the backyard of the United States, but Washington has used it to try out its maneouvres and to execute its own agenda.

The Latin American people have sacrificed a great deal to reach their independence and after recovering it, they transformed into countries on the path to development or even developed countries.

Thus independence is something very important and greatly cherished by all Latin Americans. We consider that they must preserve it, because the United States will not stop working to topple any independent government that represents the great majorities in each country in this region.

Cuba is very well aware of this and knows, more than any other country in the world, what I am talking about. You have suffered US manoeuvres more than any other country in Latin America and have successfully dealt with all these attempts for more than 50 years, only because your government represents the Cuban people.

This demonstrates that holding a tenacious grip on this independence is of vital importance, in my judgement, for Latin Americas future.

With respect to Syria, we can say that Syria is paying the price for its independence, because at no point in time have we acted against the United States, France or the United Kingdom.

We have always tried to develop good relations with the West. But the problem with these [countries] is that they do not accept that any country is independent, and I think that this is the position they took with Cuba as well.

You have never tried to damage or harm the people of the United States yet they do not accept you as an independent country. The same happens with the other countries in Latin America. This is why there have always been coups in these countries especially during the years 1960-70.

And this is why I think that preserving self-determination in a country cannot be achieved in isolation. If I want to be independent, then I have to support independence across the whole world, because if one acted alone, then I will be weak.

The support for Syria will principally be in international fora. There are many organizations, notably the United Nations, despite its incapacity. Clearly, the support of these entities can perform an active role in supporting Syria.

The natural [locus for support] is the UN Security Council and its position depends on its non-permanent members. The support of any other organization for Syria will also be important.

Prensa Latina: Mr President, we know that you are a very busy person and for this reason Prensa Latina highly values the time that you have granted us for this interview when your time is invaluable. We would wish to have this type of interview in the future with you. Thank you kindly.

Bashar al-Assad:You will be welcome at any time.
Thank you, President Obama. Italy will pursue with great determination its commitment for nuclear security: so wrote Prime Minister Renzi in a historic tweet. Six months later, at the United Nations, Renzi voted Yes to nuclear weapons. Towing the line to the USA, the Italian government sided against the Resolution approved by a large majority of the First Committee of the General Assembly, requesting that a United Nations Conference be called in 2017 to negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons leading towards their total elimination.

Thus the Italian government went back on what it had promised two years ago at the Vienna Convention, to the petitioning, anti-nuclear movements when it assured them that it was willing to work for nuclear disarmament by playing the role of a mediator patiently and with diplomacy. Thus into a void falls our appeal, We demand total nuclear disarmament, which pleads the government for a coherent pursuit of the commitment and fight for wiping out nuclear weapons, in a humanitarian and legal journey towards nuclear disarmament where Italy could play a more active role, possibly [even] a driving role.

The parliamentary motions of this same tenor also fall as a consequence. It is easy enough to use the generic calls to nuclear disarmament: we only need to reflect on the fact that the US President has established nuclear rearmament to the tune of 1,000 billion dollars yet he has been honoured with the Nobel Prize for Peace for his vision of a world free of nuclear weapons.

The specific way that Italy can contribute to the objective of nuclear disarmament, enunciated in the United Nations Resolution, is to free our country from US nuclear weapons. To achieve this, we need not appeal to the government, but [simply] to ask it to respect the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), signed and ratified by Italy, art 2 of which provides:

Each State that is militarily non-nuclear and which is a Party to this Treaty, undertakes not to receive from anyone else nuclear weapons or other explosive nuclear devices, nor to control such weapons and explosive devices, directly or indirectly.

We must ask Italy to stop violating the NPT and ask the United States to immediately remove all its nuclear weapons from our territory and not to install in it the new B61-12 bombs, a springboard for USA/Nato nuclear escalation against Russia, nor any other nuclear weapons. We must [also] ask that the training of Italian pilots, to use nuclear weapons under US command, be put to an end.

This is the aim of the campaign launched by the Committee No War, No Nato and other organizations. The campaign obtained its first significant result: on 26 October, at the Regional Council of Tuscany, a motion of the group Si Toscana a Sinistra was approved that commits the Group to ask the Government to respect the Non Proliferation Treaty for Nuclear Weapons and to ensure that the Untied States immediately removes any nuclear weapon from the Italian territory and desists from installing [on Italian soil] the new B61-12 bombs and other nuclear weapons. Through these and other initiatives, we can create a wide-reaching front that, with a strong mobilization, forces the government to respect the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Six months ago, requests were made in the pages of Il Manifesto whether, on the basis of the NPT, someone in Parliament might be ready to request for US nuclear weapons to be immediately removed from Italy. We are still awaiting a response.
Spooky! Photo: Marvel

Spoilers for Doctor Strange below.

A few days ago, superhero geeks received an October Surprise: The latest Marvel product, Doctor Strange, would feature two villains for the price of one! Wed long known that sensual Dane Mads Mikkelsen would be playing a rogue mage named Kaecilius, but director Scott Derrickson let slip that we could also look forward to an appearance from a cosmic gent named Dormammu, played, in a feat of dual casting, by Benedict Cumberbatch. But who is Dormammu? What do we know? Do we know things? Lets find out!

Whats his basic deal?

Hes a millennia-old, megalomaniacal, magic-adept tyrant from a realm called the Dark Dimension. He regularly tries to take over our own plane of existence and/or defeat Earths heroes. His head is constantly on fire, for some reason.

What can he do?

Miscellaneous magic stuff. There arent a whole lot of narrative restrictions  like a lot of comic-book villains he can kinda do whatever a writer or artist needs him to do for a given story. I mean, sheesh, look at the Marvel Wikia section on his powers and abilities! Energy blasts, super-healing, super-strength, teleportation, time travel, astral projection, etc. Honestly, that kind of nigh-unlimited power set makes him somewhat dull. After all, it means its improbable that hed ever get defeated in a fight. (To be fair, thats a pretty common metatextual problem among supervillains.) His head is usually depicted as being flame-engulfed, but a source told me that the characters creator, Steve Ditko, actually intended his visuals to suggest that Dormammus head was covered in gas.

What does he want?

Whatever a given story requires. As is true of most otherworldly types, hes often depicted as attempting to conquer humanity, but hes just generically evil, so you can toss him into most any sinister plot you want, just as long as its mostly magic-related. So, no efforts to become president of the United States. Dormammu lacks the kind of fascinatingly specific goal of, say, Thanos, who wants to woo the Marvel universes anthropomorphic manifestation of Death by killing people off. Hey, speaking of which 

Is he related to Thanos? In the movie, he looks a lot like Thanos.

No, but viewers of Doctor Strange could be forgiven for thinking thats the case! When we finally meet the movies Final Boss, hes got a big ol purple face with creepy eyes, and he hangs out in an outer-space-ish crib where pastel objects float around him. Yknow, like Thanos, the Marvel Cinematic Universes current megaBig Bad. However, the two villains are unrelated: Any similarities between the two are just a coincidence (or visual laziness, but who are we to judge?).

Is he a big deal in the Doctor Strange mythos?

Absolutely! Dormammu was the third major Doctor Strange villain to be introduced, way back in the 1960s (the first two being Nightmare and Baron Mordo). Hes stuck around ever since.

What were his real-life origins?

In 1963, writer-artist Steve Ditko had the idea for Doctor Strange and, in partnership with writer-editor Stan Lee, crafted the good doctors initial batch of stories. Dormammu was introduced in an early chapter, during which Strange finds himself in the Dark Dimension and learns of Dormammus dictatorial ways. Ditko eventually took over the plotting of Stranges stories and opted to have Dormammu be his arcs most powerful villain. Ditko left Marvel in a huff in 1966, putting the character in the hands of other masters.

How is his movie incarnation different from his comics one?

The main difference is one of omission: The movie doesnt get into Dormammus tyrannical rule of the Dark Dimension, which was one of his early defining traits in the comics. However, its entirely possible that thats still what he does when hes not trying to take over Earth, the same way that Steve Rogers apparently spends his time offscreen trying Thai food. We shall see. Movie Dormammus gassy head is also much bigger than usual.

What do the comics tell us about how he might be portrayed in future movies?

In that very first Ditko-Lee run, Dormammu executed his endgame by enlisting Stranges colleague turned foe Mordo. Given that Mordo is present in Doctor Strange (hes played by Chiwetel Ejiofor), its not unreasonable to suspect that he might link up with the Dread Dormammu in a future chapter of Stranges cinematic saga.

What was Dormammus dumbest comics moment?

In 200809, Marvel published an infamously bad mini-series crossover called Ultimatum, set in an alternate version of the Marvel universe. In Ultimatum, a bunch of supervillains teamed up and murdered many of the worlds heroes in unnecessarily gruesome ways. One such offing came when Dormammu squeezed Doctor Strange so hard that his head popped like a grape. No, seriously:

Euuugh Photo: Marvel Entertainment

Does he have the sassiest poses of any Marvel villain?

At least in his Ditko incarnation, absolutely. I mean, come on, look at the page below  is he gonna fight Doctor Strange, or challenge him to a voguing competition?
Van: olivia lewis < olivialewis222@hotmail.com >

Verzonden: maandag 11 juli 11:57 2016

Onderwerp: MY DEAR FRIEND,



MY DEAR FRIEND,



How are you today? I like to be open, i am a woman that have seen life, i have been in the social circle for many years, It really does not matter one's age,color or achievement, what matters in our life is nothing but Care and expression,



This is the most important thing in life, to me the most beautiful thing created by God, is never seen, only felt in the heart, I have been hardworking all my life, i must think of something better, to enjoy my life and probably have a family ,maybe relocate and start investing in other things, Anyway i like to tell you little about me, My name is Olivia Lewis, am from France , i was born in France, And i left France at Age of 12 Years, Am working as an Senior Audit/banker in Al Rayan Bank of Britain Plc United Kingdom, I lost my only daughter at age of 4 years,



i was married but my Ex Husband got married to another woman, which caused our divorce, but is ok, since he accused me of been so busy with my work and the bank and its accounting/auditing, that i was not having time for him, but he refused to understand that i was pursing a goal, i told him that soon i would resign and we will have enough time for each other but he was impatient, But is over between us, I am happy alone because I have everything i need, This is why I think of relocating to your country to get into investment and maybe own a small company which i can be able to manage Enough of myself, would you tell me more about yourself too???? I like to know you better, what you really do and your position in your work, your marital status and your country of origin

I love to hear from you soon

Olivia Lewis







From: Olivia lewis < olivialewis22@hotmail.com >

Sent: Sat, Sep 3, 2016 8:53 pm

Subject: I would like to know you better



MY DEAR FRIEND,

How are you today ? I like to be open, i am a woman that have seen life, i have been in the social circle for many years, It really does not matter on age, color or achievement, what matters in our life is nothing but care and expression. This is the most important thing in life, to me the most beautiful thing created by God, is never seen, only felt in the heart, I have been hardworking all my life, i must think of something better, to enjoy my life and probably have a family ,maybe relocate and start investing in other things. Anyway i like to tell you little about me, my name is Olivia Lewis, am from France , i was born in France, and i left France at age of 12 years, am working as an Senior Audit/banker in Al Rayan Bank of Britain Plc United Kingdom, I lost my only daughter at age of 4 years. i was married but my ex husband got married to another woman, which caused our divorce, but is ok, since he accused me of been so busy with my work and the bank and its accounting/auditing, that i was not having time for him, but he refused to understand that i was pursing a goal, i told him that soon i would resign and we will have enough time for each other but he was impatient, but is over between us, I am happy alone because I have everything i need. This is why I think of relocating to your country to get into investment and maybe own a small company which i can be able to manage. Enough of myself, would you tell me more about yourself too ? I wouldlike to know you better, what you really do and your position in your work, your marital status and your country of origin ?

I would liketo hear from you soon

Olivia Lewis





From: olivia lewis < olivialewis222@hotmail.com >

Sent: Tue, Sep 6, 2016 1:19 pm

Subject: I would like to know you better



How are you today? I like to be open, i am a woman that have seen life, i have been in the social circle for many years, It really does not matter one's age, color or achievement, what matters in our life is nothing but care and expression,



This is the most important thing in life, to me the most beautiful thing created by God, is never seen, only felt in the heart, I have been hardworking all my life, i must think of something better, to enjoy my life and probably have a family ,maybe relocate and start investing in other things, Anyway i like to tell you little about me, My name is Olivia Lewis, am from France , i was born in France, And i left France at Age of 12 Years, Am working as an Senior Audit/banker in Al Rayan Bank of Britain Plc United Kingdom, I lost my only daughter at age of 4 years,



i was married but my Ex Husband got married to another woman, which caused our divorce, but is ok, since he accused me of been so busy with my work and the bank and its accounting/auditing, that i was not having time for him, but he refused to understand that i was pursing a goal, i told him that soon i would resign and we will have enough time for each other but he was impatient, But is over between us, I am happy alone because I have everything i need, This is why I think of relocating to your country to get into investment and maybe own a small company which i can be able to manage. Enough of myself, would you tell me more about yourself too ? I would like to know you better, what you really do and your position in your work, your marital status and your country of origin ?

I would liketo hear from you soon

Olivia Lewis





From: Olivia lewis < olivialewis22@hotmail.com >

Sent: Wed, Sep 7, 2016 6:16 pm

Subject: The funds will be distributed 58% for me, 40% for you



My dear,

I have to thank you again for your answer tome. I really appreciate so much and I am very happy to read you. You see, with your answer, I am convinced that the future has a special place for us, if we could trust each other, work online and keep an open mind with another.



As I've said before, I was looking forward to accomplish a particular mission, my 'former' husband was so blind to see who did not have patience for me. I think with the little you have told me about you, it would be wise to disclose this secret to you and also tell you my purpose and a plan. Because that would be mutually beneficial to us and perhaps you might be the right person to use the occasion with me, because I believe that we know the other is for a reason.



Remember I told you that I am the chief auditor of my bank and also the head of the International Relations Foreign Remittance Unit. Before my position here in my bank, I have the opportunity to plunder on a sum of money from a deceased client, whose autopsy result revealed that he died as a result of a firearm by shorts unknown gunmen. I was his account officer before his death and account opening records, it did not indicate anyone as beneficiary kin. Since 2008 to date, no one has come forward as the beneficiary next of kin to administer the fund. The amount in question is the total sum of $14,500.000 (Fourteen million five hundred thousand USD).



I can provide all the necessary legal documents to the British Court to present you as the legal beneficiary of these funds if you agree to work with me in this matter. Lots of money was abandoned around the bank after bank abandoned accounts, stock holdings, unclaimed life insurance pay-outs and pension forgotten. I will certainly give you full details of how we achieve it legally, without going against the laws of the country. Once you reply stating your interest to work with me. I work with the bank for several years and have taken the time to study British heritage claims procedures. I would appreciate if you want to deal with this issue every bit of privacy and maturity, to my integrity above all, because I would not need any errors or regrets. I assure you that you will not regret it if you want to take the bold step to work with me in this matter. It would be wise if we make every effort not to lose this opportunity. This happens in all banks worldwide, even in your own country, but people outside the banking sector does not know this.



The funds will be distributed at the rate of 58% for me, 40% for you and 2% will be set aside to cover the fees and taxes in your bank, we will use the funds in your country to build businesses and to investment that both of them manage us, please is an honest request for you and i. please dear, make this transaction a top secret because we should not trust anyone unless you and me alone.



Please treat this business proposal with the utmost confidentiality and send me the following information(s) to another request for this transfer if you are interested.

1. Full name,

2. Address

3. Identification copy

4.Nationality

Thanks and best wishes

Olivia Lewis





From: Olivia lewis < olivialewis22@hotmail.com >

Sent: Fri, Sep 16, 2016 1:02 pm

Subject: See the official letter below and send it to this bank



My Dearest,

How are you doing together with your family ?I hope all is well. Here is my phone number +447937411436

Note :do not call me, you can SMS me, Because Bank set security to monitor every member of the bank, thanks for your understanding.



Kindly make sure that this information will be between you and me until we realized the success of this transaction, What i want you to do now is to apply for the release of the fund into your account, Make sure you keep a top secret of this transaction because i don't want any staff of the bank to know that i am responsible for this transaction This is where i lay the future survival hope of our future ,family and its was the reason I tried to explain for your best understanding. You should not change your name and nationality in this transaction because you are going to apply as the business partner to the deceased customer Note, if you send this letter to the bank, the bank will not delay to contact you, but you should not respond back to the bank until i direct you on what to do. This is to avoid mistake from your part.See the official letter below, send it through to the bank through the bank email address of the bank as follows. .



Bank details :

Al rayan Bank of Britain Plc United Kingdom

Telephone +441214567840

Address 1246 Birmingham B16 6AQ United Kingdom

alrayanbank@yahoo.com



Immediately this fund is transferred into your account, then i will obtain visa to your country for the disbursement of the fund according to my proposal ratio, Immediately you apply, send me sms to update me that you have sent the letter to the bank.



My best regards to you and your family,

Love from your Managing Director, Sultan Ahmed ChoudhuryTelephone +441214567840Address 1246 Birmingham B16 6AQ United Kingdom Olivia











From: olivia lewis < olivialewis222@hotmail.com >

Sent: Tue, Sep 20, 2016 10:04 am

Subject: I love to hear from you soon



How are you today? I like to be open, i am a woman that have seen life, i have been in the social circle for many years, It really does not matter one's age,color or achievement, what matters in our life is nothing but Care and expression,



This is the most important thing in life, to me the most beautiful thing created by God, is never seen, only felt in the heart, I have been hardworking all my life, i must think of something better, to enjoy my life and probably have a family ,maybe relocate and start investing in other things, Anyway i like to tell you little about me, My name is Olivia Lewis, am from France , i was born in France, And i left France at Age of 12 Years, Am working as an Senior Audit/banker in Al Rayan Bank of Britain Plc United Kingdom, I lost my only daughter at age of 4 years,



i was married but my Ex Husband got married to another woman, which caused our divorce, but is ok, since he accused me of been so busy with my work and the bank and its accounting/auditing, that i was not having time for him, but he refused to understand that i was pursing a goal, i told him that soon i would resign and we will have enough time for each other but he was impatient, But is over between us, I am happy alone because I have everything i need, This is why I think of relocating to your country to get into investment and maybe own a small company which i can be able to manage Enough of myself, would you tell me more about yourself too???? I like to know you better, what you really do and your position in your work, your marital status and your country of origin

I love to hear from you soon

Olivia Lewis



















From: olivia lewis < olivialewis222@hotmail.com >

Sent: Fri, Sep 23, 2016 4:23 pm

Subject: My dearest, send this letter to this bank



My dearest,



How are you doing together with your family, I hope all is well ? here is my phone number +447937411436

NOTE do not call me, you can SMS me, because bank set security to monitor every member of the bank, . . . . Thanks for your understanding



Kindly make sure that this information will be between you and me until we realized the success of this transaction, What i want you to do now is to apply for the release of the fund into your account, Make sure you keep a top secret of this transaction because i don't want any staff of the bank to know that i am responsible for this transaction This is where i lay the future survival hope of our future ,family and its was the reason I tried to explain for your best understanding



You should not change your name and nationality in this transaction because you are going to apply as the business partner to the deceased customer Note, if you send this letter to the bank, the bank will not delay to contact you, but you should not respond back to the bank until i direct you on what to do. This is to avoid mistake from your part, See the official letter below, send it through to the bank through the bank email address of the bank as follows. .



Al rayan Bank of Britain Plc United Kingdom Managing Director : Sultan Ahmed Choudhury

Telephone +441214567840

1246 Birmingham B16 6AQ United Kingdom

alrayanbank@yahoo.com



Immediately this fund is transferred into your account, then i will obtain visa to your country for the disbursement of the fund according to my proposal ratio, Immediately you apply, send me sms to update me that you have sent the letter to the bank.



My best regards to you and your family,

Love from your Immediately this fund is transferred into your account, then i will obtain visa to your country for the disbursement of the fund according to my proposal ratio, Immediately you apply, send me sms to update me that you have sent the letter to the bank.My best regards to you and your family,Love from your Olivia



From: Alrayan Bank < alrayanbank@yahoo.com >

Sent: Mon, Oct 10, 2016 11:12 am

Subject: AL RAYAN BANK PLC UK AL RAYAN BANK PLC UNITED KINGDOM alrayanbank@yahoo.com THE APPROVAL OF CERTIFICATES / DOCUMENTATION AL RAYAN BANK BRITAIN PAYMENT PRESERVATION ORDER ATTENTION,

Be notified that before the said approved fund would be transferred into your nominated bank account, You are required to send (1) AFFIDAVIT OF CLAIM AS THE LEGAL BENEFICIARY (2) POWER OF ATTORNEY (3) A NON-RESIDENT CERTIFICATE The above list documents must be Endorsed by Royal Courts of Justice (RCJ) Britain , as the release order of the said fund in your nominated bank account, your to provide those documents within 7days working days as our banking law stipulates (1) AFFIDAVIT OF CLAIM AS THE LEGAL BENEFICIARY

(2) POWER OF ATTORNEY (3) A NON-RESIDENT CERTIFICATE



You will swear an affidavit before the SUPREME COURT OF BRITAIN.That you are the authentic next of kin to the deceased, All formal procedures must be Satisfied, This will be signed by the Court Register Britain.



OPTIONAL : In alternative whereby you can not be able to come here and submit these certificate in person as our Financial Act 2003 demands, you have the lawful right as the successor to contact our Bank Financial Attorney to carry out the legal responsibilities on your behalf in the person of.

YOU ARE ADVICE TO CONTACT OUR ATTORNEY FOR POWER OF ATTORNEY AND AFFIDAVIT OF OATH / A NON-RESIDENT CERTIFICATE URGENT.

Barrister Adam Aldred law Chamber

The solicitor in Charge of Al rayan Bank of Britain United Kingdom

1 America Square, Crosswall, London EC3N 2SG, United Kingdom Name. . Adam Aldred

aldredlawschambers1@hotmail.com , adamaldred@instruction.com

Note that immediately those documents are submitted, the bank will not hesitate to effect the transfer of the approved sum into your nominated bank account, Note you are advised to act urgently before the mandates to enable us Finalize your transaction immediately.



From: Royalbankplc Bank < royalbankplcscot@aim.com >

Sent: Mon, Oct 10, 2016 12:40 pm

Subject: PROCEDURES OF THE BANK TRANSFER







FROM:

DESK OF MR. STEPHEN HESTER OF ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND.

Dear Sir.

Sequel to your outstanding fund transfer arrangement with our Bank, kindly be informed that we have been informed by Miss Olivia Lewis asking us to commence official transmission of the sum of US$ 6.300.110 .00 USD in your favor as an Appointed Trustee cum Mandate Beneficiary on her behalf. However, to enable us carry out this instruction, we urgently needed the following information viz:



1. Name of the Receiving Bank

2. Contact Address

3. Your Account No.

4. International Banking Access No. (IBAN)

5. Swift Code if available

6. Name of the Beneficiary 7.Phone Number 8. Occupation



However, we have also forwarded your Payment File Ref No. 284/AH-MM/RBC-1144 36300 42922 to our Legal Services Department for necessary Legal Reference and approvals.



And while waiting for you to us with the above requested information which shall be greatly needed by our Data Processing and International Payment Office/Telex Services Departments respectively for the processing of the fund transfer.

Ray Paulson

Principal manager

Credit Administration Department

RBS

From: olivia lewis < olivialewis222@hotmail.com >

Sent: Tue, Oct 11, 2016 7:16 am

Subject: Dear, send this to the lawyer



Hello dear, send this to the lawyer. . olivialewis222@hotmail.com

,,,,,,,,,,,

Attention, sir Adam Aldred.

I was directed by Al rayan bank of London for you to prepare these three documents stated :

(1) AFFIDAVIT OF CLAIM AS THE LEGAL BENEFICIARY

(2) POWER OF ATTORNEY (3) NON-RESIDENT CERTIFICATE



Barrister Adam Aldred Law Chamber

The solicitor in charge of Al rayan Bank of Britain United Kingdom

1 America Square, Crosswall, London EC3N 2SG, United Kingdom



Adam Aldred

adamaldred@instruction.com aldredlawschambers1@hotmail.com







From: gram money < gram.money@hotmail.com >

Sent: Tue, Oct 11, 2016 4:16 pm

Subject: Send $250 fees today to get transfer done





Attn. Dear I received your E-mail concern what you said, if you want to helpthe young lady Miss Olivia Lewis :olivialewis22@hotmail. com <olivialewis22@hotmail.com> and get transfer done, what you have to do is to try as much as you can and send the charges of $250 todayfor IRS clearance certificate to being obtain because that is the only problem she are having to claim her fund since okay. Thanks God bless you Dr. James





From: Adam Aldred < aldredlawschambers1@hotmail.com >

Sent: Wed, Oct 26, 2016 12:12 am

Subject: THIS IS THE COST OF THE DOCUMENTS



Barrister Adam ALdred Law Chambers Barrister Adam ALdred law Chambers

Address:1 America Square, Crosswall, London EC3N 2SG, United Kingdom aldredlawschambers1@hotmail.com ATTENTION

Greetings to you.



Your letter regarding to your legal Parturition of Affidavit of Claim and Power of Attorney / A Non-Resident Notarized Letter of Administration Certificate, where received, I Will do my best to render to you all necessary services you require from me to receive your fund. I have made an inquiry from Royal Courts of Justice on your behalf since you have requested my total assistance to help secure and legalized Affidavit of Claim and Power of Attorney / A Non-Resident Notarized Letter of Administration Certificate, from Royal Courts of Justice on your behalf which will enable your legal representation as a legitimate legal beneficiary, I have confirm with the Royal Courts of Justice to ascertain the cost of procuring the needed documents according to the rules and Commands of the law act and obligation guiding the members of the international bars Association.



SECTION 1

AFFIDAVIT OF CLAIM



(1) Registration of your Particulars. . 30 0 GBP

(2) Application Stamp Duty Fee. . . 150 GBP

(3) Processing Insurance. . . 75 GBP

(4) Processing Insurance of An Affidavit. . . 100 GBP (5)



SECTION 2

A NON-RESIDENT NOTARIZED LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION CERTIFICATE

A. REGISTRATION FEE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 GBP

B. STAMP DUTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 GBP

c. AN AFFIDAVIT OF JURISDICTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 GBP

D. CERTIFICATE OF LEGALITY CLEARANCE . . . . 20 0 GBP

E. ATTESTATION FEE BETWEEN YOU COURT. . . . . 20 0 GBP



You have to pay the total amount of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1500 GBP



These will accredit and ascertain your legal request to be carried out with immediate effect. Be informed that you will pay the 1500 GBP before i proceed with preparation of the documents, you must make this payment before i proceed which will enable me finalized the documents within a period of two days,



With this reference, you are advised to kindly make the required payment and send to us the payment slip.



NOTE THIS FEE WILL BE SENT TO LAW OFFICE VIA MONEY GRAM TRANSFER WITH MY ASSISTANT NAME AND ADDRESS



AMOUNT. . . 1500 GBP



MONEY GRAM TRANSFER

FIRST NAME,,,, JANE

LAST NAME,,,,,,,,, WAREMBA

ADDRESS,,,1 AMERICA SQUARE CROSS-WALL LONDON EC3N 2SG KINGDOM

COUNTRY,,,,UNITED KINGDOM

CITY,,,,,,,,,,,,,,LONDON



Your request will commence as soon as we receive the payment, Print the attached Power of Attorney Form, Sign the space over your name, Scan it, Attach with the payment slip, Send to me immediately so that i will proceed for affidavit of Oath / A non-Resident Notarized Letter of Administration Certificate as soon as possible,



Thanks and Yours in service

Barrister Adam Aldred

Law Chamber













From: olivia lewis < olivialewis222@hotmail.com >

Sent: Wed, Oct 26, 2016 4:15 pm

Subject: try your possible best and see what you can do.



my dear, good morning, how was your night ?i hope you enjoy it very well. i saw the mail you received from the lawyer, all ineed youto do now is to try your possible best and settle the lawyer so that the money will be transfer to your account immediately. i waiting to hear good news from you thanks







From: olivia lewis < olivialewis222@hotmail.com >

Sent: Fri, Nov 4, 2016 5:06 am

Subject: just send the money to the lawyer now if you have it at hand. .



just go ahead and send the money now to the lawyer to get documents from bankif you have itat hand now and you have to be fast about it and immediately yousend the money just let me know. thank you olivia If you received a similar letter, please ignore it. Do not answer it. If you do, you will end up on more of the mailing lists used by the criminals behind this fraud. Read more....
The city of Wacos dispute with an environmental consulting firm did not end with the Oct. 20 federal jury verdict and a finding that the company failed to live up to the terms of its contract.

While the city has filed a motion asking U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman to award it the $160,353.86 the jury determined it deserves, it also is asking Pitman to order Kleinfelder Central to pay the citys attorneys fees in the amount of $439,809.

The city also is seeking payment from Kleinfelder for $17,714 in other costs associated with the lawsuit the city says it incurred.

The federal court jury determined Kleinfelder breached its contract with the city to oversee the remediation of toxic soil from the old Southwest Chemical site at Interstate 35 and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

While the jury sided with the city, the panel awarded a fraction of the $1.1 million the city was seeking in damages.

Dallas attorney Mike Goldman, who represents Kleinfelder, said the company will object to the citys request for attorneys fees as being excessive and is considering asking the judge to set aside the jurys verdict.

Goldman said he has until Nov. 14 to file the motion.

Waco City Attorney Jennifer Richie said the city is entitled to seek attorneys fees, and it is up to the judge to decide if they should be awarded and how much the city should get.

The city believed Kleinfelder breached our contract, and the jury obviously agreed and awarded us some of what we asked for, Richie said.

The city claimed Kleinfelder failed to properly identify toxic soil from the site, adding $1.1 million to the remediation project.

The five-acre site housed a pesticide plant from 1950 to 1968 that contaminated the soil and groundwater beneath it. The city acquired the property in a tax foreclosure in 2006 and spent years cleaning it up at a cost of $2.8 million.

Kleinfelder won contracts in 2010 and 2012 to oversee remediation and ultimately received more than $1 million from the city.

In December 2012, the city hauled 28 truckloads of the contaminated soil to the Waco Regional Landfill. Ten days later, sampling of that soil by another firm found high levels of toxaphene, an insecticide popular for cotton fields in the 1960s.

The city ultimately was required by state officials to move most of the dirt to other landfills permitted for hazardous or Class I wastes, the Tribune-Herald previously reported. That cost the city an additional $1.1 million, according to trial testimony.

During the three-day trial, Goldman told jurors the city caused its own problems by failing to follow Kleinfelders advice to wait for soil tests to be returned. The city was more interested in saving money, he said.

Jerry Campbell, a Waco attorney who represents the city, told the jury Kleinfelder did not properly screen the soil, which resulted in the soil being dumped at the Waco Landfill and the additional expense to the city to remove it.
McKenna Lowrey swings her legs under her chair and fiddles with the pink spiral bracelet on her wrist. She pushes up her glasses and reaches for two pieces of multi-colored fabric. With her thumb and fingers, she moves the beads sewn inside the fabric.

A Fidget is something you play with to help you concentrate. I have one of those conditions, and I use this bracelet I found at a birthday party as my own kind of Fidget, the sixth-grader said, stretching her bracelet out and back.

The fabric squares, dubbed Fidgets, serve the same purpose as Lowreys bracelet and were part of a summer group project for her Girl Scout Troop 7073 that earned the group a Bronze Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve.

Thanks to the girls project, those Fidgets are filling a need for two to three hyperactive students in every class at China Spring Intermediate School, a campus that serves 675 students, Assistant Principal Kelly Levesque said. The girls will be honored at a ceremony for the award in a few weeks, though a date has not been set yet.

Focus tools

Projects to earn the award start with fourth- or fifth-graders exploring their communities to find a need. Last year, when troop member and fellow sixth-grader Randee Freeze attended a career day, she met a counselor who had smaller versions of the focus tools the girls are using in their project.

Inspired by what she saw, Freeze went home and attempted to make her first few Fidgets, originally called focus pockets, she said. She tested them out on a few students in her class, then brought the idea to her troop, she said.

It helped them, but I hadnt had it sewn very well. So they kept popping the beads out by accident, Freeze said.

The Fidgets help students diagnosed with attention-defict hyperactivity disorder to stay focused. People with hyperactivity seem to constantly move around by fidgeting, talking and tapping, including in settings like classrooms where it is not always appropriate, according to the National Institute of Mental Health website. The impulse is often considered a key behavior in diagnosing ADHD, the website states.

The girls spent 30 hours or more during Girl Scout meetings and whenever they had spare time making between 200 and 300 of the small squares. Most of the members didnt know how to sew beforehand, so perfecting the stitching and stuffing took some guidance from parents and trial and error, they said.

Teachers have since distributed them to students whenever they need them, Levesque said.

Something tactile

Our school has really gone to alternative seating in trying to meet the needs of all our students, Levesque said. Youll find in a lot our classrooms theres physio balls, yoga balls and wiggle stools, standing desks. And a lot of times under the desks, well have Velcro for the kids to play with  something tactile for them.

So when we see a kid who needs something to keep their hands busy, so their mouths stay quiet, we hand those (Fidgets) out to kids. Theres actually a company that makes Fidgets, and you can pay quite a bit of money for fancy things, when ideally its just something for their fingers and their hands to be able to settle. Theyve come up with a genius idea thats pretty cheap and easy to make.

Campus employees have spent the past few weeks teaching the importance of showing kindness to others and what its like to walk in someone elses shoes, and the Fidgets fit right into the lesson, Levesque said.

The troop, made up of about 13 students from China Spring ISD, Rapoport Academy and Bosqueville ISD, even inspired someone in Oklahoma to take the squares and distribute them to those with severe autism and Alzheimers disease, Freezes mother, Wanda Jean Freeze, said.

For them to see that, and to see this can extend not just locally, but that its gone abroad, is teaching them what their little impact can do to the world, not just to the community, Wanda Jean Freeze said.

Ultimately, the Fidgets have been the secret to Lowreys success in the classroom, she said. And though the girls arent making any more because theyve reached their goal, shes hoping the small squares continue to make a difference long after the fact, she said.

Its just one small step toward a lifetime of better grades, Lowrey said.
As 7-year-old Devin Holder leaned against the wall outside his mock polling location at Harmony Science Academy, he shrugged his shoulders and said voting in the presidential race was scary. After all, it was his first time.

I was all tingly inside, Holder said. Just like my mom, Im really for the same person: Hillary Clinton. She just felt like the right one.

If the schools result is any indicator, Texas may turn blue for this years presidential race.

Holder and 184 other first- through fourth-graders cast digital ballots in Harmony Science Academys library Tuesday. Democratic nominee Clinton led in votes with 141, followed by Republican nominee Donald Trump with 22 votes. Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson managed to earn 12 votes, and Green party candidate Jill Stein finished last with 10.

This was the first time Wacos Harmony campus participated in the mock election, which was hosted through everykidlearns.org/vote, said Blanca Centeno, a second-grade teacher and event coordinator. For the past three elections, the results have accurately predicted the outcome of the presidential race, the website states.

Its just about giving them that voice and having them understand we are very lucky to live in a democracy, Centeno said.

Centeno read about the Every Kid Votes program through an email about the schools social studies curriculum, she said. She and other teachers have spent the last week or so going over government responsibilities, reviewing the major candidates, learning about political party symbols, studying the requirements to become president and more.

Before they voted, Centeno gave her students a small review.

Class, class, what are the three requirements to become president? Centeno asked.

You have to be 80, one shouted as the others eagerly raised their hands.

Good try, but youre still cool, Centeno said with a laugh and her students following in unison.

The second-graders knew the other two, though. A candidate must be born in the United States and must have lived in the country for at least 14 years, they said. For Centeno, those little moments are a reminder of why teaching elementary students about the election is important, she said.

More than anything, I want them to know theyre all important, that we all have a voice and how its part of their responsibility if they want to make a difference, Centeno said.

The Every Kid Learns website updates its results every five minutes. With 693,487 popular votes cast by students across the U.S. Tuesday evening, Clinton led on the national level with more than 68 percent of the electoral vote and a 12 percent lead over Trump in the popular vote.

As third-grade science teacher Vanessa Maxwell kept her students in single file outside the library, she couldnt help but chuckle when one walked out and hollered, I dont know if I picked the right person.

Its going to be fun to watch this one, Maxwell said. If the other Harmony campuses got to do it, were excited to join them in the process. If its a good indicator, I will be excited to see what the results are.

More than 169,957 students in Texas had voted by Tuesday evening, and Clinton was leading by 55 percent to Trumps 30 percent, according to the website.

As she spoke, one of Maxwells students pointed to her and asked who she would vote for. She quickly reminded him that voting for a candidate is a personal, private choice. That is when 8-year-old Clarisa Razo decided to follow her teachers example, saying she wasnt going to share who she voted for because its secret.

While she didnt reveal a name, Razo did say what makes her candidate special.

Shes really, really nice to children, and I think she would be a good president, Razo said. My favorite part about today is that I dont have to wait until Im 18.

Maxwell hasnt voted yet herself, but watching her students go one by one into to the mock voting booth, she thinks they have a solid understanding of the voting process. Thats all she can ask for right now, she said.

As adults, we feel the same way. We hope we pick the right person, and all you can do is go in with what you have and make the best guess, Maxwell said. We talk about that because we tie it into science about making the best guess possible.
Its by now a common refrain among despondent Americans watching the substance-free, scandal-driven 2016 campaign: My God, I cant wait for this to end.

Well, I have bad news: Its not going to end. If Hillary Clinton wins, the cycle of scandals, lies, investigations and cover-ups will continue unabated for the next four years.

Until recently, Democrats were praising FBI Director James Comey as a great man and a wonderful and tough career public servant . . . with the highest standards of integrity after he recommended against prosecuting Clinton. Today, they have seamlessly transitioned to attacking him as a partisan hack for informing Congress that the FBI had uncovered emails potentially germane to their Clinton probe  on a computer they had seized in a separate investigation of disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner (for allegedly sexting with a 15-year-old girl  you cant make this stuff up).

The email scandal is not going away. House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes said this weekend: We will clearly investigate all of the information that we have as it relates to classified information being put on networks where Russians, Chinese, other bad actors could get ahold of the information. If classified information is found on any of the 650,000 emails on Weiners computer, it will give these congressional inquiries a whole new life  as well it should.

Then The Wall Street Journal reported this weekend that, according to sources, the Obama Justice Department limited efforts by FBI agents to investigate whether the Clinton State Department gave special access and favors to Clinton Foundation donors. Congress will certainly investigate whether there was improper interference in those FBI efforts. And there will almost certainly be investigations into ABC News revelations that State Department officials gave special treatment to Clinton Foundation donors after the Haiti quake, asking for them to be identified as FOBs (friends of Bill Clinton) or WJC VIPs (William Jefferson Clinton VIPs) while sending others to a government website.

Expect a battle royal with Congress if Clinton tries to elevate close aides such as Huma Abedin and others implicated in her email scandal to positions of public trust. In announcing that he would recommend against prosecution in July, Comey made a point of declaring that this is not to suggest that in similar circumstances, a person who engaged in this activity would face no consequences. To the contrary, those individuals are often subject to security or administrative sanctions.

Republicans will insist that such sanctions be imposed on anyone who mishandled classified information, received immunity or took the Fifth in the Clinton investigation  including denial of access to classified material. And they may also want to look into how Abedin failed to turn over husband Weiners laptop containing thousands of Clinton emails  after she swore under oath that she had handed over all the devices she possessed containing such emails.

Congress will almost certainly take a careful look into the leaked 12-page memo by Bill Clinton confidant Doug Band in which he details the squalid underside of what he calls Bill Clinton Inc. and the shady nexus between the Clinton Foundation; Bill Clintons private speech income; Bands consulting firm, Teneo; and the Hillary Clinton State Department.

In other words, the Clinton honeymoon is over before it even begins  and rightly so. It is simply inconceivable Clinton aides removed classified headers from emails and used BleachBit to erase emails after receiving a congressional subpoena to preserve them, and yet not a single person has been punished. The whole Clinton machine seems to have an immunity from consequences. That is unhealthy in a democracy.

The Clintons are like the Peanuts character Pigpen  wherever they go, it seems, their own private cloud of controversy and corruption follows. In the 1990s, it was Whitewater, the firing of White House travel aides, Madison S&L, cattle futures and bimbo eruptions. Today, it is the Clinton Foundation and her private email server. Once she takes office, Clinton and her team will almost certainly set in motion a new set of scandals.

If Clinton wins next week, expect four more years of scandal. Happy Halloween.

Marc A. Thiessen is a fellow with the American Enterprise Institute and former chief speechwriter to President George W. Bush.
Voting 101

I voted on Hewitt Drive on opening day of early voting. I voted straight ticket. Summary pages showed no check mark for president. All other boxes were checked. I checked the box for president and submitted.

Voter error? My IQ far exceeds the paltry U.S. average of 98 and is well above the Hong Kong average of 109, highest in the world. I know how to read directions.

Ernie Wilson, Hewitt

EDITORS NOTE: Right. In response to your letter, Local Elections Administrator Kathy Van Wolfe tells us what election workers are occasionally seeing at the polls is something called emphasis voting. Citizens vote straight-ticket and then also vote in a specific race, which the voting equipment  recognizing that someone is voting for the same candidate twice  then deselects from the straight-ticket list. Peter Lichtenheld, vice president for operations at Hart InterCivic Inc., the countys election vendor, tells us this habit may come from voters long accustomed to punch-card voting and their sometimes emphasizing a vote in fear they havent pushed the chad out. In any case, voters who want to vote straight-ticket and see discrepancies on their summary pages should contact a poll worker for help before casting their ballots. After youve cast a ballot, you cant vote again. Thats law. Van Wolfe and Lichtenheld tell us local equipment was meticulously tested prior to this election and continues to be scrutinized during voting. Finally, Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos, a Republican, refutes Donald Trumps claims of vote-flipping in Texas. In short  voter error remains the likely culprit in all this.

Checking her list

We dont need a president who:

 Is not a gentleman.

 Makes incorrect statements.

 Is a loud, rough-talking speaker.

 Belittles others.

 Brags about himself.

 Is loony about his wealth.

 Has not paid his taxes for many years.

 Interrupts others regularly.

 Makes false promises.

 Calls people names.

 Humiliates others with personal attacks.

 Has no integrity.

 Thinks he is famous when he is infamous.

 Breaks his word to tradesmen and small businesses.

 Has a bad temper.

 Is a woman-hater.

 Makes issues of others marital problems.

 Is a slanderer.

 Showed his brand of lewd behavior in 2005.

 Calls someone else a devil.

Deanie Chastain, Woodway

Hear her roar!

Do we really want a woman to be president of the United States? I am a woman. Women are born emotional beings. Do we really want a leader who functions by emotions? Think about this. We need a man (whether Democrat or Republican) to lead our nation. A man is born to be more powerful than a woman. Please consider this as you vote.

Linda Schreiber, Waco
WAHOO  Saunders County Sheriff Chief Deputy Steve Malina addressed the Saunders County Board of Supervisors this morning regarding the purchase of new record management system software.

In addition to a price increase in annual maintenance, the current company software will not support their system without an upgrade by 2018, Malina said.

Working with the countys Information Technology Specialist Josh Moyer, the sheriffs office shopped prices and reliable systems and suggested the board approve going forward with the purchase of Justice Data Solutions (JDS) software as the new record management system.

The JDS package approved will cost the county $34,000 with an annual maintenance fee of $3,400 a year.

The maintenance fee is half of what Sleuth, the current company, raised its maintenance fee to and the cost of the record management system is far less than the other prices quoted to the department  the most expensive topping out at $162,000.

Malina said the Cass County Sheriffs Department currently uses JDS and reported a good experience with an emphasis on customer service.

If there is a problem at 2 a.m. they will answer the phone, Malina said.

One problem with the Sleuth system came with licensing, Moyer said. With the JDS system, there is unlimited licensing.

The JDS system will also work with new FBI stipulations that all crime data be reported electronically, Malina said.

The system will report to the state and there are 11 other agencies in Nebraska that are currently utilizing JDS.

Wahoo and Ashland police departments will have the opportunity to connect to the system at a cheaper cost, he added.

In other business, the board approved an amendment to this years budget, establishing a Victims Assistance Program Fund.

The fund will be under the care and control of the Saunders County Sheriffs Department and aid victims in cases of domestic violence, sexual abuse and the like.

Money previously held in the CASA fund will be transferred to the Victims Assistance Program Fund.

After the dissolution of the CASA program and clearing the programs claims, there is close to $7,000 in the fund, said Saunders County Clerk Patti Lindgren.

The county does not contribute directly to the fund, but because the money goes through the county and is managed by county departments, it must be part of the budget, Lindgren said.
WAHOO  Voters will be heading to the polls next Tuesday to cast their picks.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 8.

Polling places will be the same as they were for the May Primary. Sites will be the Valparaiso Senior Center, Weston Legion Hall, Prague Parish Hall, Malmo Legion Hall, Ceresco Community Center, 4-H building on Saunders County Fairgrounds, First Presbyterian Church in Wahoo, Union Bank in Wahoo, Colon Fire Hall Community Building, Cedar Bluffs Auditorium, Mead Covenant Church, Pohocco Lutheran Church basement, Ashland Community Resource Center, American Lutheran Churcn in Ashland, Word of Hope Lutheran Church in Ashland and Yutan Veterans Country Club.

Saunders County Election Commissioner Patti Lindgren has reported heavy traffic in her office.

She said there has been an interesting shift in number of individuals changing party affiliation.

As of Oct. 27, there are 8,209 registered Republicans, 3,948 registered Democrats, 2,542 registered non-partisans and 111 registered Libertarians in the county.

In 2014, there were 7,817 registered Republicans, 4,172 registered Democrats, 2,377 registered non-partisans and 42 registered Libertarians.

Early voting ballots were able to be cast Oct. 10, and Lindgren reported brisk activity for those too.

Lindgrens office received 849 of the 1,338 early voter ballots they mailed out, as of Oct. 31.

This years early voter ballots should easily surpass the 2008 sum of 1,473, she said.

In preparation for Election Day, Lindgrens office held poll-worker trainings on Nov. 1 and 2.

With an average at five poll workers per polling place, the training will include everything from setup to takedown regarding the days events.

While they will be equipped to handle most issues at the polls, if voters have issues with their registration or address, poll workers will call the election office for instructions on how to proceed, Lindgren said.

Lindgren said that most polling places should see an increase in activity, compared to the most recent General Election in 2014 due to this being a presidential election.

In the General Election in 2014, not a presidential election, there was only 51 percent voter turnout.

In 2012, voter turnout for the General Election was at 72 percent, Lindgren said.

These numbers compare similarly to the 2010 General Election, not a presidential race, at only 50 percent, but 71 percent turnout in the 2008 presidential race.

Local results from the Nov. 8 election will be posted at www.wahoonewspape.com.
WAVERLY  The Waverly City Council last week took the first steps toward a big expansion in the community.

Council members approved the first readings of a pair of ordinances that would pave the way for a proposed expansion of the Tractor Supply Company Distribution Center, as well as for a proposed Tractor Supply retail store.

If all goes as planned, the 19,000-square-foot store would be built along Highway 6 on North 130th Street.

The plans also call for a 215,000-square-foot expansion of the distribution center, which currently takes up 420,000 square feet of space. That expansion would require the relocation of the semi trailer parking lot.

The company would purchase two parcels of land from Waverly Development Corp. between Highway 6 and Dovers Street for the expansion and store, a little more than 13 total acres.

In order for the retail store to be built, the city will need to change the propertys zoning from limited industrial to general commercial. The council approved that change upon first reading, as was a request that Dovers Street be vacated west of 130th Street.

Final approval of all related planning concerns is expected at the Nov. 8 city council meeting.

Tractor Supply plans to request tax increment financing (TIF) for the project, said Mayor Mike Werner. The city is currently renewing those applications, and public hearings are tentatively set for Nov. 21 and 22.

Total costs for the plan are currently unknown, as it has not been officially approved.

The potential project would be a testament to the companys partnership with the city.

The City of Waverly is very excited to have TSC expanding their Distribution Center and adding a retail store, Werner said in a written statement. It is a large financial investment that results in numerous job creations and expansion of the retail sales market. They have always demonstrated good corporate citizenship and will continue to be one of Waverlys crown jewels. TSCs presence in our city has always been something we are very proud of and help make Waverly one of Nebraskas fastest growing communities. We thank TSC for this opportunity and look forward in working with them to make their plan a reality.

City of Lincoln Economic Development Coordinator Mike Lang, who helped facilitate the construction of the distribution center, praised the project.

I think this is a grand opportunity for the City of Waverly, he said. They brought us a tremendous opportunity.

He also praised Tractor Supplys community involvement and philanthropy.

Youve got a very good community partner here thats willing to step up to the plate, he said.

Werner thanked Lang for his assistance.

It should be pointed out that he worked very hard back in 2004/2005 in ensuring TSC could find a home in Lancaster County, which turned out to be Waverly, he said. For this 2016 expansion, the East Beltway Corridor Protection came into play. Mike really helped define the process by gathering data from across multiple sources and put all into one repository. His experience and understanding of TIF will go a long ways in getting TSC expansion completed as well.

Rumblings of the project began shaking the city in September, when local officials attended a meeting coordinated by Tractor Supply. At that meeting, the company communicated that it was looking to expand its presence across the country. The Waverly project fell into that goal.

If all goes well, construction on the expansion and the store could begin as early as next spring, Werner said.

Tractor Supply, however, is taking a cautious approach.

Tractor Supply Company is considering an expansion of the Companys Distribution Center in Waverly to support its growth, the company said in a statement provided to The News. The Company is in the preliminary stages of conducting due diligence on the potential project and anticipates more information to be available in early 2017.

Theres still much work to be done before the project is officially given the go-ahead.

Numerous challenges still lie ahead of us but none are insurmountable, Werner said. Our city employees, professional consultants, and representatives remain committed to bringing about closure to this fantastic addition to the City of Waverly.
PRESS RELEASE  Dallas  (November 1, 2016)  The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) announced the launch of an ambitious Kickstarter Campaign during the month of November to help bring to life the production of their new CAF RISE ABOVE: WASP educational outreach program. The programs mission is to provide young people, specifically young women, a greater appreciation of their own potential, an awareness of the opportunities that surround them, and a mentorship pathway to accomplish their dreams. It is based on the history and legacy of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), our countrys first female military aviators.

Our goal is to raise $100,000 in 30 days, said Heather Penney, CAF National WASP Program Chair and one of our nations first female fighter pilots. Since the inception of CAF RISE ABOVE: WASP, weve found that there is a lot of grassroots support to honor these remarkable aviators, who are like the spiritual grandmothers to my generation of female pilots. The estimated budget for the entire program is $1.5 million; we believe that the Kickstarter campaign will give us the foundation needed to launch this creative program. It will also bring attention to our important mission to inspire and mentor youth, especially girls, to rise above any obstacles and find their own path to success.

Funds raised through the Kickstarter campaign will be used for the two main outreach vehicles of the program  the acquisition of an aircraft to honor the WASP and the production of a film that will educate audiences around the country about their inspirational history. The CAFs Rise Above program seeks to inspire audiences to find the greatness that exists within them to achieve success by sharing the lessons of the Greatest Generation and connecting young people to their stories.

The Kickstarter campaign will enable the CAF to acquire an AT-6 Texan aircraft that traces its lineage back to a WASP flight training program at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas during World War II. The historic aircraft will be a flying tribute to the WASP at aviation events, and piloted by members of the new CAF WASP Squadron.

The campaign will also help fund the production of a new dynamic film narrated by a three-time Academy Award nominated actress about the WASP that will be shown in easily transportable mobile theaters deployed around the country. The film will utilize cutting-edge technology that allows it to be viewed on a curved screen in an inflatable dome theater, providing an unparalleled immersive experience. Combining actual WASP interviews, high-quality historical footage, period-correct reenactment scenes, and captivating in-air footage of authentic military aircraft in flight. The film is poised to become the definitive body of work commemorating the achievements of the WASP.

CAF RISE ABOVE: WASP aims to provide young women with robust female role models shown in non-gender-typical careers as being successful and passionate. The WASP were overlooked for so many years and are finally being honored for their service and leadership. Their legacy goes beyond flying airplanes. It is an inspirational message about what can be achieved when we dont let others stand in the way of pursuing our dreams, said Debbie Travis-King, WASP Squadron leader and the first woman to pilot a B-29 since World War II. This fundraising campaign will allow us to bring our important program directly to youth and provide the mentorship that may very well springboard them to greater heights of personal success.

Learn more about the CAFs Kickstarter campaign HERE.

About the Commemorative Air Force

The Commemorative Air Force honors the men and women who built, maintained, and flew in these airplanes during World War II. The organization believes that is best accomplished by maintaining the airplanes in flying condition; taking the airplanes to the people allowing them to experience the sight and sound of the aircraft in flight.

Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force ranks as one of the largest private air forces in the world. The CAF is dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance. A non-profit educational association, the CAF has more than 12,000 members and a fleet of 165 airplanes distributed throughout the country to 76 CAF units for care and operation. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org.

About the CAF WASP Squadron

The Commemorative Air Force organization has several unit locations across the world. The CAF WASP squadrons mission is to honor the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II. The unit plans to tour the country with an AT-6 Texan telling the WASP story as part of the CAF RISE ABOVE: WASP national educational initiative.

About Heather Penney

Heather Penney was one of the first few female fighter pilots in America. She was commissioned as an officer and served two tours in Iraq. As the only woman in her fighter pilot training class and the only woman in her fighter squadron, Penney drew upon the legacy of the WASP to be reminded of her ability to succeed at any goal she set for herself. On Sept. 11, 2001, Penney, then serving with the Air National Guard, was called to intercept hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 before it struck a target in Washington, DC. Her weapon was only the un-armed F-16 fighter jet she was flying. She was prepared to sacrifice her life for her country. Subsequently Flight 93 crashed when the brave passengers attempted to take control of the aircraft and crashed it into a field.
Slater & Gordon is facing the wrath of shareholders after it decided to award some senior staff bonuses despite booking a $1 billion loss.

Major proxy advisory group ISS Governance, which provides advice to large institutional investors, is advising its clients to vote against Slater & Gordon's remuneration report at the company's annual meeting in Melbourne on Friday.

The Australian Shareholders Association, which represents retail shareholders, is also planning to vote against the pay packets of Slater & Gordon's top brass.

Slater & Gordon's decision to award bonuses came after a year when the company paid no dividend. It was also granted a hospital pass by its bankers following a $1 billion-plus writedown after its disastrous purchase of UK group Quindell's professional services business and the restating of its accounts. The company is also facing two class actions.
Malcolm Turnbull, in his 12 months in office, has now repudiated virtually everything he once stood for. He has done this because he has concluded that in order to hang onto his job, after his near-death experience in the July election, he must now appease the mad right of his party in every domain.

This is both bad policy and bad politics: on policy, the far right in Australia represent the worst of the xenophobic, nationalist and protectionist wave that we now see raging across Europe and America; while on politics, appeasement of political thugs like Abbott, Dutton, Abetz, Andrews and, depending on which way the wind is blowing, Morrison, only embolden the far right to demand more, not less.

This is what lies at the heart of Turnbull's latest proposal to introduce laws that would ban someone from ever entering Australia under any visa category if that person had previously sought to enter by boat. This measure is about the politics of symbols, designed to throw red meat at the right, including the Hansonite insurgency, and to grovel to the broad politics of xenophobia. Turnbull, once an intelligent, global citizen, knows better.

In 2008, my government abolished the Pacific Solution. We relied instead on Christmas Island. We pursued a policy of comprehensive regional co-operation under the Bali Process. We also abolished temporary protection visas.
Questions over the eligibility of a second crossbench senator have plunged the nation's upper house into chaos and forced the federal government to refer both cases to the High Court for adjudication.

Just a day after the government said it would test Bob Day's eligibility in the High Court, Attorney-General George Brandis revealed that a private case being brought against One Nation's rookie WA senator Rod Culleton had raised the question of whether he was capable of being elected.

That led to advice being sought from the outgoing Solicitor-General, Justin Gleeson, which supported Senator Culleton's eligibility being tested in the High Court.

The explosive developments have added extra uncertainty to the Turnbull government's numbers, putting the opposition within a pair of crossbench votes of being able to block crucial legislation for the remainder of the year.
Alright, we're closing the blog after another entirely sane (*cough*) day in federal politics.

Scroll down for a summary from Stephanie Peatling.

Good night!
4. For those who do not live near or cannot afford the services of an abortion clinic, some GPs are able to administer medication abortions until nine weeks' gestation. However, Children by Choice points out there is no publicly available list (if any) of how many GP clinics offer the service, or where they are based.

3. Homeless women, women who are experiencing family violence and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are further disadvantaged when it comes to abortion access. Current abortion laws most impact the state's neediest.

2. Two of those clinics, in Rockhampton and Townsville, will cease surgical terminations from February. The move comes after Dr Marie made massive financial losses in its attempt to support women who otherwise have no access to abortions.

5. While there are no standardised data collection around unplanned pregnancy and abortions in Australia, it is generally accepted that somewhere between 10,000 and 14,000 abortions take place each year in Queensland. Last year, just 295 terminations were performed in Queensland's public hospitals, according to Queensland Health. It is not known how many hospitals this figure is spread across, but experts including those at Children by Choice believe very few. The majority of abortions are carried out by private clinics.

6. The medical community remains divided over abortion. Children by Choice is aware of one non-Catholic public hospital that refused to take a patient who had been referred for an abortion by a GP after a sexual assault. "The GP was disgusted and confused and trying to support the patient," says Kate Marsh, of Children by Choice. "Good people are getting the run around, wasting time and resources and energy."

7. Like Greenslopes Private Hospital, Logan Hospital's department of obstetrics and gynaecology made a submission to Queensland's abortion law reform inquiry stating that its staff should be exempt from having to perform or refer terminations of pregnancy on religious, moral or ethical grounds. The only other public hospital in Logan's catchment area is the Mater, which is Catholic and openly anti-abortion, points out Children by Choice. Women who live in Brisbane's south may therefore be actively excluded from abortion access within the public health system. Queensland Health said that Logan Hospital performs abortions in accordance with the current legal framework.

8. Children by Choice - 70 per cent of which is funded by the Queensland government, "ironically", says Marsh - financially supports 300 women a year to access terminations. A small percentage of those have to travel interstate to do so. Because state laws around gestational limits vary, it is cheaper in some cases to travel to Sydney or Victoria than undergo the procedure in Queensland. Clinic terminations at 19 weeks can cost as much as $4000. Those at nine weeks are about $500, with the price rising steeply the later in pregnancy the abortion is performed.

9. Children by Choice is contacted by girls aged 12 to women in their 50s. Abortion can impact anybody and no contraception is 100 per cent effective. Australia has a relatively low uptake of the most effective long-acting reversible contraceptives compared to other countries and so has more unwanted pregnancies.
A colleague left a corporate career with ambitions to start a home-based consultancy. He gave up after a year and sought a company job in the city.

The consultancy had an OK start. Good enough, at least, to pay a small wage and justify perseverance. There were the bones of a good business. But my friend lacked the stomach to work by himself for long periods and missed the social interaction of corporate life.

There are huge opportunities for local councils to help. Credit:Getty Images

Fair enough. I've encountered many home-business owners who sometimes struggle with feelings of professional isolation.

They're not alone. As more people work from home in coming years, governments will need to consider how they can better support home-based business owners, professionally and personally. Growth in freelancing and small consultancies, as retrenched fifty-something corporate managers start ventures, will drive growth in home-based businesses.
Jakarta: Jihadists are urging violence at a massive rally planned in Jakarta on Friday by Islamic hardliners calling for the city's Chinese Christian governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, widely known as Ahok, to be jailed for insulting the Koran.

Former terrorist Nasir Abas, now a consultant to Indonesian police, showed a forum a photo of armed members of the Syrian-based jihadist group Jabhat Fatah al-Sham holding a sign that said: "Punish Ahok or our bullets will."

Members of the Syria-based jihadist group Jabhat Fatah al-Sham hold a sign that reads "Punish Ahok or our bullets will".

Mr Abas, once one of the most wanted jihadists in South-east Asia, warned there was a risk that both supporters of Islamic State and al-Qaeda's regional affiliate, Jemaah Islamiyah, would attend the November 4 demonstration.

"In Syria, those two groups are rivals," he said. "But in Indonesia they can be united because there is a common enemy. In their view, it is Ahok."
Pennsylvania: Donald Trump isn't terribly good at delivering speeches. He tends to bounce between a rote recitation of the words in the teleprompter and wild message detours into controversial territory that grab headlines and totally distract from the message he and his team are hoping to push on any given day.

Which is what makes his speech on Tuesday in Pennsylvania all the more remarkable. This was Trump at the best I have seen him in months - a disciplined and effective messenger giving a speech that, to my ear, was one of his best.

Start from the top. The whole event, which featured a rotating cast of doctors-and-nurses-turned-Republican members of Congress, was aimed at highlighting how the Affordable Care Act had failed to live up to the promises Democrats made about it. (Tuesday was the first day for open enrolment in the federal health insurance marketplace for 2017.) The run-up to his speech was flawlessly executed for Trump to use Obamacare as an example of how Hillary Clinton represents more of the same sort of policies that Democratic politicians have been pushing for years. And, unlike so many times over the past few months, Trump actually stuck to the script.

"Obamacare is a catastrophe," he said. "The president said if you like your plan you can keep your plan, if you like your doctor you can keep your doctor - which may go down as one of the great political lies of the century. Even the skeptical Democrats believed him and approved the legislation. ... No one ever read ... the 2700-page bill."
At the invitation of Mr. Dorel Fronea, Vice-President of the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) and Coordinator of Customs activity of Romania, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited Bucharest, Romania on 31 October and 1 November 2016. He had a meeting with Ms. Anca Dragu, Minister of Public Finance, and Mr. Dragos Doros, President of ANAF, to discuss the reorganization of Customs.

Secretary General Mikuriya explained the essential characteristics of Customs with its wide mission that includes trade facilitation and protection of society, in addition to revenue collection. He also touched upon Customs-specific operational practices and hence the need to preserve Customs identity within a revenue authority such as ANAF, as well as the requirement to allocate sufficient resources to Customs.

In the area of illicit trade in cigarettes, a major concern for Romania, he commended the efforts of Romanian Customs in strengthening cross-border cooperation with Customs administrations in its neighbouring countries, which is also one of the objectives of the WCO's Tobacco Programme. The Minister and the President welcomed Dr. Mikuriyas explanations and briefed him about their plans to enhance Customs control capacities, including combating cigarette smuggling, through reorganization measures such as establishing a shorter chain of command between Customs and its mobile units.

Secretary General Mikuriya had a separate meeting with the Romanian Customs management team to discuss organizational and human resource matters, including the topics of integrity and partnership with business. He also visited the air cargo unit to witness the performance of the canine programme in detecting drugs, cigarettes and currency, and was briefed on how a mobile team could contribute to Customs controls along the supply chain.

-------------------------------

Photo (from left to right):

(1) Mr. Dragos Doros, President of ANAF, Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, WCO Secretary General, Ms. Anca Dragu, Minister of Public Finance, and Mr. Dorel Fronea, Vice President of ANAF and Coordinator of Customs activity of Romania;

(2) Group photo with the Romanian Customs management team.
Vermilion Energy Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of petroleum and natural gas in North America, Europe, and Australia. The company owns 81% working interest in 636,714 net acres of developed land and 85% working interest in 301,026 net acres of undeveloped land in Canada; 130,715 net acres of land in the Powder River basin in the United States; 96% working interest in 248,873 net acres of developed land and 86% working interest in 134,160 net acres of undeveloped land in the Aquitaine and Paris Basins in France; 53% working interest in 901,791 net acres of land in the Netherlands; 54,625 net developed acres and 920,723 net undeveloped acres in Germany; 975,375 net acres land in Croatia; 946,666 net acres land in Hungary; and 48,954 net acres land in Slovakia. It also owns 20% interests in the offshore Corrib natural gas field located to the northwest coast of Ireland; and 100% working interest in the Wandoo offshore oil field and related production facilities that covers 59,553 acres located on Western Australia's northwest shelf. As of December 31, 2021, the company had 401 net producing conventional natural gas wells and 2,132 net producing light and medium crude oil wells in Canada; 167.6 net producing light and medium crude oil wells in the United States; 297.0 net producing light and medium crude oil wells and 3 net producing conventional natural gas wells in France; and 47 net producing natural gas wells in the Netherlands. Vermilion Energy Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.
This article was originally published on FEE.org. Read the original article.

A long line of eminent authors, beginning with Adam Ferguson, tried to grasp the characteristic feature that distinguishes the modern capitalistic society, the market economy, from the older systems of the arrangement of social cooperation. They distinguished between warlike nations and commercial nations, between societies of a militant structure and those of individual freedom, between the society based on status and that based on contract. The appreciation of each of the two "ideal types" was, of course, different with the various authors. But they all agreed in establishing the contrast between the two types of social cooperation as well as in the cognition that no third principle of the arrangement of social affairs is thinkable and feasible.1 One may disagree with some of the characteristics that they ascribed to each of the two types, but one must admit that the classification as such makes us comprehend essential facts of history as well as of contemporary social conflicts.

There are several reasons that prevent a full understanding of the significance of the distinction between these two types of society. There is in the first place the popular repugnance to assign to the inborn inequality of various individuals its due importance. There is furthermore the failure to realize the fundamental difference that exists between the meaning and the effects of private ownership of the means of production in the precapitalistic and in the capitalistic society. Finally, there is serious confusion brought about by the ambiguous employment of the term "economic power."

Inborn Inequality

The doctrine that ascribed all differences between individuals to postnatal influences is untenable. The fact that human beings are born unequal in regard to physical and mental capacities is not denied by any reasonable man, certainly also not by pediatrists. Some individuals surpass their fellow men in health and vigor, in brain power and aptitude for various performances, in energy and resolution. Some people are better fit for the pursuit of earthly affairs, some less. From this point of view we maywithout indulging in any judgment of valuedistinguish between superior and inferior men. Karl Marx referred to "the inequality of individual endowment and therefore productive capacity (Leistungsfahigkeit) as natural privileges" and was fully aware of the fact that men "would not be different individuals if they were not unequal."

In the precapitalistic ages the better endowed, the "superior" people, took advantage of their superiority by seizing power and enthralling the masses of weaker, i.e., "inferior" men. Victorious warriors appropriated to themselves all the land available for hunting and fishing, cattle raising and tilling. Nothing was left to the rest of the people than to serve the princes and their retinue. They were serfs and slaves, landless and penniless underlings.

Such was by and large the state of affairs in most parts of the world in the ages in which the "heroes"3 were supreme and "commercialism" was absent. But then, in a process that, although again and again frustrated by a renascence of the spirit of violence, went on for centuries and is still going on, the spirit of business, i.e., of peaceful cooperation under the principle of the division of labor, undermined the mentality of the "good old days." Capitalismthe market economyradically transformed the economic and political organization of mankind.

In the precapitalistic society the superior men knew no other method of utilizing their own superiority than to subdue the masses of inferior people. But under capitalism the more able and more gifted men can profit from their superiority only by serving to the best of their abilities the wishes and wants of the majority of less gifted men. In the market economy the consumers are supreme. They determine, by their buying or abstention from buying, what should be produced, by whom and how, of what quality and in what quantity. The entrepreneurs, capitalists, and landowners who fail to satisfy in the best possible and cheapest way the most urgent of the not yet satisfied wishes of the consumers are forced to go out of business and forfeit their preferred position. In business offices and in laboratories the keenest minds are busy fructifying the most complex achievements of scientific research for the production of ever better implements and gadgets for people who have no inkling of the scientific theories that make the fabrication of such things possible. The bigger an enterprise is, the more it is forced to adjust its production activities to the changing whims and fancies of the masses, its masters. The fundamental principle of capitalism is mass production to supply the masses. It is the patronage of the masses that makes enterprises grow into bigness. The common man is supreme in the market economy. He is the customer "who is always right."

In the political sphere representative government is the corollary of the supremacy of the consumers in the market. The officeholders depend on the voters in a way similar to that in which the entrepreneurs and investors depend on the consumers. The same historical process that substituted the capitalistic mode of production for precapitalistic methods substituted popular governmentdemocracyfor royal absolutism and other forms of government by the few. And wherever the market economy is superseded by socialism, autocracy makes a comeback. It does not matter whether the socialist or communist despotism is camouflaged by the use of aliases such as "dictatorship of the proletariat" or "peoples democracy" or "Fuhrer principle." It always amounts to a subjection of the many to the few.

It is hardly possible to misconstrue more improperly the state of affairs prevailing in the capitalistic society than by dubbing the capitalists and entrepreneurs a "ruling" class intent upon "exploiting" the masses of decent men. We do not have to raise the question how the men who under capitalism are businessmen would have tried to take advantage of their superior talents in any other thinkable organization of production activities. Under capitalism they are vying with one another in serving the masses of less gifted men. All their thoughts aim at perfecting the methods of supplying the consumers. Every year, every month, every week something unheard of before appears on the market and is very soon made accessible to the many. Precisely because they are producing for profit, the businessmen are producing for the use of the consumers.

Confusion Concerning Property

The second deficiency of the customary treatment of the problems of societys economic organization is the confusion produced by the indiscriminate employment of juridical concepts, first of all the concept of private property.

In the precapitalistic ages there prevailed by and large economic self-sufficiency, first of every household, laterwith the gradual progress toward commercialismof small regional units. The much greater part of all products did not reach the market. They were consumed without having been sold and bought. Under such conditions there was no essential difference between private ownership of producers goods and that of consumers goods. In each case property served the owner exclusively. To own something, whether a producers good or a consumers good, meant to have it for oneself alone and to deal with it for ones own satisfaction.

But it is different in the frame of a market economy. The owner of producers goods, the capitalist, can derive advantage from his ownership only by employing them for the best possible satisfaction of the wants of the consumers. In the market economy property in the means of production is acquired and preserved by serving the public and is lost if the public becomes dissatisfied with the way in which it is served.

Private property of the material factors of production is a public mandate, as it were, which is withdrawn as soon as the consumers think that other people would employ the capital goods more efficiently for their, viz., the consumers, benefit. By the instrumentality of the profit and loss system the capitalists are forced to deal with "their" property as if it were other peoples property entrusted to them under the obligation to utilize it for the best possible provision of the virtual beneficiaries, the consumers.

This real meaning of private ownership of the material factors of production under capitalism could be ignored and misinterpreted because all peopleeconomists, lawyers, and laymenhad been led astray by the fact that the legal concept of property as developed by the juridical practices and doctrines of precapitalistic ages has been retained unchanged or only slightly altered while its effective meaning has been radically transformed.4

In the feudal society the economic situation of every individual was determined by the share allotted to him by the powers that be. The poor man was poor because little land or no land at all had been given to him. He could with good reason thinkto say it openly would have been too dangerous: I am poor because other people have more than a fair share. But in the frame of a capitalistic society the accumulation of additional capital by those who succeeded in utilizing their funds for the best possible provision of the consumers enriches not only the owners but all of the people, on the one hand by raising the marginal productivity of labor and thereby wages, and on the other hand by increasing the quantity of goods produced and brought to the market. The peoples of the economically backward countries are poorer than the Americans because their countries lack a sufficient number of successful capitalists and entrepreneurs.

A tendency toward an improvement of the standard of living of the masses can prevail only when and where the accumulation of new capital outruns the increase in population figures.

The formation of capital is a process performed with the cooperation of the consumers: only those entrepreneurs can earn surpluses whose activities satisfy best the public. And the utilization of the once accumulated capital is directed by the anticipation of the most urgent of the not yet fully satisfied wishes of the consumers. Thus capital comes into existence and is employed according to the wishes of the consumers.

Two Kinds of Power

When in dealing with market phenomena we apply the term "power," we must be fully aware of the fact that we are employing it with a connotation that is entirely different from the traditional connotation attached to it in dealing with issues of government and affairs of state.

Governmental power is the faculty to beat into submission all those who would dare to disobey the orders issued by the authorities. Nobody would call government an entity that lacks this faculty. Every governmental action is backed by constables, prison guards, and executioners. However beneficial a governmental action may appear, it is ultimately made possible only by the governments power to compel its subjects to do what many of them would not do if they were not threatened by the police and the penal courts. A government supported hospital serves charitable purposes. But the taxes collected that enable the authorities to spend money for the upkeep of the hospital are not paid voluntarily. The citizens pay taxes because not to pay them would bring them into prison and physical resistance to the revenue agents to the gallows.

It is true that the majority of the people willy-nilly acquiesce in this state of affairs and, as David Hume put it, "resign their own sentiments and passions to those of their rulers." They proceed in this way because they think that in the long run they serve better their own interests by being loyal to their government than by overturning it. But this does not alter the fact that governmental power means the exclusive faculty to frustrate any disobedience by the recourse to violence. As human nature is, the institution of government is an indispensable means to make civilized life possible. The alternative is anarchy and the law of the stronger. But the fact remains that government is the power to imprison and to kill.

The concept of economic power as applied by the socialist authors means something entirely different. The fact to which it refers is the capacity to influence other peoples behavior by offering them something the acquisition of which they consider as more desirable than the avoidance of the sacrifice they have to make for it. In plain words: it means the invitation to enter into a bargain, an act of exchange. I will give you a if you give me b. There is no question of any compulsion nor of any threats. The buyer does not "rule" the seller and the seller does not "rule" the buyer.

Of course, in the market economy everybodys style of life is adjusted to the division of labor, and a return to self-sufficiency is out of the question. Everybodys bare survival would be jeopardized if suddenly he would be forced to experience the autarky of ages gone by. But in the regular course of market transactions there is no danger of such a relapse into the conditions of the primeval household economy. A faint image of the effects of any disturbance in the usual course of market exchanges is provided when labor union violence, benevolently tolerated or even openly encouraged and aided by the government, stops the activities of vital branches of business.

In the market economy every specialistand there are no other people than specialistsdepends on all other specialists. This mutuality is the characteristic feature of interpersonal relations under capitalism. The socialists ignore the fact of mutuality and speak of economic power. For example, as they see it, "the capacity to determine product" is one of the powers of the entrepreneur.5 One can hardly misconstrue more radically the essential features of the market economy. It is not business, but the consumers who ultimately determine what should be produced. It is a silly fable that nations go to war because there is a munitions industry and that people are getting drunk because the distillers have "economic power." If one calls economic power the capacity to chooseor, as the socialists prefer to say, to "determine"the product, one must establish the fact that this power is fully vested in the buyers and consumers.

"Modern civilization, nearly all civilization," said the great British economist, Edwin Cannan, "is based on the principle of making things pleasant for those who please the market and unpleasant for those who fail to do so." The market, that means the buyers; the consumers, that means all of the people. To the contrary, under planning or socialism the goals of production are determined by the supreme planning authority; the individual gets what the authority thinks he ought to get. All this empty talk about the economic power of business aims at obliterating this fundamental distinction between freedom and bondage.

The "Power" of the Employer

People refer to economic power also in describing the internal conditions prevailing within the various enterprises. The owner of a private firm or the president of a corporation, it is said, enjoys within his outfit absolute power. He is free to indulge in his whims and fancies. All employees depend on his arbitrariness. They must stoop and obey or else face dismissal and starvation.

Such observations, too, ascribe to the employer powers that are vested in the consumers. The requirement to outstrip its competitors by serving the public in the cheapest and best possible way enjoins upon every enterprise the necessity to employ the personnel best fitted for the performance of the various functions entrusted to them. The individual enterprise must try to outdo its competitors not only by the employment of the most suitable methods of production and the purchase of the best fitted materials, but also by hiring the right type of workers. It is true that the head of an enterprise has the faculty to give vent to his sympathies or antipathies. He is free to prefer an inferior man to a better man; he may fire a valuable assistant and in his place employ an incompetent and inefficient substitute. But all the faults he commits in this regard affect the profitability of his enterprise. He has to pay for them in full. It is the very supremacy of the market that penalizes such capricious behavior. The market forces the entrepreneurs to deal with every employee exclusively from the point of view of the services he renders to the satisfaction of the consumers.

What curbs in all market transactions the temptation of indulging in malice and venom is precisely the costs involved in such behavior. The consumer is free to boycott for some reasons, popularly called no economic or irrational, the purveyor who would in the best and cheapest way satisfy his wants. But then he has to bear the consequences; he will either be less perfectly served or he will have to pay a higher price. Civil government enforces its commandments by recourse to violence or the threat of violence. The market does not need any recourse to violence because neglect of its rationality penalizes itself.

The critics of capitalism fully acknowledge this fact in pointing out that for private enterprise nothing counts but the striving after profit. Profit can be made only by satisfying the consumers better or cheaper or better and cheaper than others do. The consumer has in his capacity as customer the right to be full of whim and fancies. The businessman qua producer has only one aim: to provide for the consumer. If one deplores the businessmans unfeeling preoccupation with profit-seeking, one has to realize two things. First, that this attitude is prescribed to the entrepreneur by the consumers who are not prepared to accept any excuse for poor service. Secondly, that it is precisely this neglect of "the human angle" that prevents arbitrariness and partiality from affecting the employer-employee nexus.

A Duty of the Elite

To establish these facts does not amount either to a commendation or to a condemnation of the market economy or its political corollary, government by the people (representative government, democracy). Science is neutral with regard to any judgments of value. It neither approves nor condemns; it just describes and analyzes what is.

Stressing the fact that under unhampered capitalism the consumers are supreme in determining the goals of production does not imply any opinion about the moral and intellectual capacities of these individuals. The individuals qua consumers as well as qua voters are mortal men liable to error and may very often choose what in the long run will harm them. Philosophers may be right in severely criticizing the conduct of their fellow citizens. But there is, in a free society, no other means to avoid the evils resulting from ones fellows bad judgment than to induce them to alter their ways of life voluntarily. Where there is freedom, this is the task incumbent upon the elite.

Men are unequal and the inherent inferiority of the many manifests itself also in the manner in which they enjoy the affluence capitalism bestows upon them. It would be a boon for mankind, say many authors, if the common man would spend less time and money for the satisfaction of vulgar appetites and more for higher and nobler gratifications. But should not the distinguished critics rather blame themselves than the masses? Why did they, whom fate and nature have blessed with moral and intellectual eminence, not better succeed in persuading the masses of inferior people to drop their vulgar tastes and habits? If something is wrong with the behavior of the many, the fault rests no more with the inferiority of the masses than with the inability or unwillingness of the elite to induce all other people to accept their own higher standards of value. The serious crisis of our civilization is caused not only by the shortcomings of the masses. It is no less the effect of a failure of the elite.

Foot Notes

1 See Ludwig von Mises, Human Action (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1949), pp. 196-199.

2 Critique of the Social-Democratic Program of Gotha (Letter to Bracke, May 5, 1875).

3 Werner Sombart, Handler and Helden (Heroes and Hucksters) (Munich, 1915).

4 It was the great Roman poet, Quintus Horatius Flaccus, who first alluded to this characteristic feature of property of producers goods in a market economy. See Mises, Socialism, new edition, p. 42 n.

5 Cf. for instance, A. A. Berle, Jr., Power without Property (New York: Harcourt, Brace, Inc.), 1959, p. 82.

6 Edwin Cannan, An Economists Protest (London: P.S. King & Son, Ltd., 1928), pp. VIf.

Ludwig von Mises (1881-1973) taught in Vienna and New York and served as a close adviser to the Foundation for Economic Education. He is considered the leading theorist of the Austrian School of the 20th century.

This article was originally published on FEE.org. Read the original article.
Fort Polk, LA (71446)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by increasing clouds with showers developing this afternoon. High near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Evening clouds will give way to clearing overnight. Low 54F. Winds light and variable.
Ballot proposal asks Kentucky voters whether there's a right to an abortion
By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 01, 2016 | 08:33 PM | MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY

A Kevil man was arrested Tuesday afternoon for allegedly stealing a motorcycle.The McCracken County Sheriff's Department says a deputy was on his way home from a training exercise around 4:30 pm when he saw a man acting suspiciously riding a blue motorcycle on Coleman Road. Further investigation showed the motorcycle had a cancelled registration plate.The deputy stopped the rider, 19-year-old Justin Cunningham of Kevil, and discovered he had an outstanding failure to appear warrant from Muhlenberg County. Deputies said Cunningham could not prove that he owned the motorcycle, and they were able to contact the owner, who told them he didn't realize it was missing from his home. The owner told deputies he did not give Cunningham permission to take his motorcycle.Cunningham reportedly admitted to taking the motorcycle during questioning. He was booked into the McCracken County Jail on the unrelated warrant, and felony theft of a motor vehicle charges.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Nov. 01, 2016 | WEST PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 01, 2016 | 02:09 PM | WEST PADUCAH, KY

Multiple fire agencies responded early Tuesday afternoon to a field fire in western McCracken County, and were on the scene into the evening.



The fire was reported in the 10000 block of Ogden Landing Road near Boldry School Road about 1:30 pm, and the area was blocked off to local traffic due to the large number of first responders at the scene. Bethel Church Road was recommended as a detour in and out of the Ragland area.



Some firefighters remained on the scene until just before 6 pm to make sure nothing re-ignited.



No cause has been given for the fire.



Recent dry conditions and a strong breeze Tuesday made the situation worse for firefighters.



Due to the recent dry conditions throughout McCracken County and Western Kentucky, a no burn order has been issued for all of McCracken County. McCracken County Judge Executive Bob Leeper said the ban will remain in effect until further notice.



Marshall County, Ballard County and Carlisle County also issued burn bans on Tuesday.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Nov. 02, 2016 | MURRAY, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 02, 2016 | 03:54 PM | MURRAY, KY

Murray State University has announced two finalists for the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs position.



The finalists include Dr. Mark Anderson, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at Kennesaw State University; and Dr. Robert Fischer, Jr., dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University.



Both candidates will visit the Murray campus next week to meet with Murray State University President Bob Davies, University deans and other leaders, faculty, staff and students. Each finalist will also participate in a public forum open to the entire University community. The finalists were selected by the search committee following a national search.



 Anderson has served as the dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at Kennesaw State University since July 2012. While at Kennesaw State he has initiated two new thesis-based graduate programs and a new Ph.D. degree program in Advanced Analytics and Data Science, led the College's strategic planning process and secured private support and grants totaling nearly $2.5 million.



He has previously held positions at the University of ColoradoDenver and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He earned his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his bachelor's degree in chemistry at Indiana University, Bloomington.



Anderson will be on the Murray State University campus on Wednesday, Nov. 9.



 Fischer has served as the dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University since 2012. While in this role, he has provided leadership for the College's experiential learning initiatives, reshaped the College's advisory board, stewarded the design and construction of the $147 million new science building and increased total private giving to the College by 67 percent.



He has held positions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Eastern Illinois University. He earned his Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of South Carolina, master's degree in environmental biology, physiological ecology from the State University College of Buffalo and his bachelor's degree in ecology from the State University College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York.



Fischer will be on the Murray State University campus on Monday, Nov. 7.
By The Associated Press

By The Associated Press Nov. 02, 2016 | 05:45 AM | LOUISVILLE, KY

The Kentucky Humanities Council has named longtime television host Bill Goodman its new executive director.

Goodman has served as host and managing editor of the public affairs series "Kentucky Tonight" on Kentucky Educational Television since 1996. He also has anchored the network's election night coverage and hosted the KET interview show "One to One with Bill Goodman."

The Kentucky Humanities Council, Inc. is a non-profit affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Goodman says he will work to "support the history, heritage and cultural environment in the Commonwealth" in his new job. He starts Jan. 1.

Goodman replaces former executive director Ben Chandler, who left the position on Aug. 31.
BJP and NR Congress will support AIADMK during the by-election to held in Puducherry on November 19.

By Akshaya Nath: BJP in association with NR Congress (a fraction that got separated from the Congress) will be supporting AIADMK during the November 19 by-poll that will be held at Nellithope Assembly segment, Puducherry.

Nellithope segment is going for elections on the same day as the by elections in Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK candidate will be Om Sakthi Sekar and the Congress candidate will be Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanaswamy.

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This will be the first time that BJP will be showing its support for the AIADMK. Political analysts see this as a change in tide taking into consideration the present scenario in Tamil Nadu.

"It is an interesting move. It has to be looked upon from the angle of the recent development in Tamil Nadu. Jayalilthaaa's hospitalization for the past forty days and more would have given some sort of a political hope for the saffron party who takes the decision. It means the saffron party is eyeing the AIADMK vote bank anticipating certain major development in the weeks and months in Tamil Nadu," said Political Analyst R Mani.

CPI-M PMK BOYCOTT BY-ELECTION



Meanwhile, local units of Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) have openly boycotted the by-election. In a meeting in Puducherry, CPI (M) Central Committee member K. Balakrishnan said there is no hope of the by-election being conducted in a democratic manner and the party hence decided not to put up a candidate or extend its support to any other party.

Many parties have also made accusations about the ADMK and Congress that these two parties have resorted to undemocratic ways of luring voters with money and gifts.

Also read:

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa completely well, will return home soon: AIADMK

HC moved for action against DMK, AIADMK candidates

--- ENDS ---
Buzz has it that Akhil Akkineni might tie the knot with Shriya Bhupal in Italy in 2017.

By India Today Web Desk: Nagarjuna's son Akhil Akkineni is all set to take his relationship with Shriya Bhupal to the next level. The Telugu actor will soon tie the knot with Bhupal. Buzz has it that the lovebirds might have a destination wedding in the summer of 2017.

ALSO READ: Akhil Akkineni to get engaged on December 9



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According to a report in Times of India, the couple might tie the knot in Italy.

A source close to the groom was quoted as telling the daily, "Italy is one destination that's on their minds as of now. A recce of sorts was done in Naples, but a fancy venue in Rome could also make the cut."

The report further suggests that Nagarjuna and his wife Amala wanted an intimate wedding ceremony for their son, but the bride's parents are keen to indulge and make it a big fat wedding.

"The wedding will be a grand one. Around 600-odd guests will be flying in to Italy from all around the world," added the source.

Akhil and Shriya have known each other for many years. The engagement is set to take place in December this year.



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A thief left an apology note for a K-State student after stealing a KitKat bar from his car.

K-State Freshman Hunter Jobbins says he left his car for just a few minutes on Sunday to take some things up to his dorm room but when he returned something was missing.

It wasn't his phone or even his wallet, instead it was a KitKat bar that Jobbins left in his cupholder.

"I saw that the KitKat was gone," said Jobbins.

The thief had taken the candy bar but also left something behind -- an apology note scribbled on a napkin.

The note read, "Saw Kit Kat in your cup holder. I love Kit Kats so I checked your door and it was unlocked. Did not take anything other than the Kit-Kat. I am sorry and hungry."

"I saw the note sitting in my seat and I picked it up and read it. At first I was a little upset that my KitKat was gone because, you know, it's a KitKat and I was looking forward to eating it," said Jobbins. "Then I read it again and I thought you know this is really funny."

Jobbins said he wasn't upset after reading the note and realizing the KitKat was the only thing missing from his car. Jobbins said he decided to share the note with his friends on twitter.

Shortly after sharing the note, the tweet went viral being shared and liked hundreds of thousands of times.

KitKat even responded to Jobbins promising to replace the stolen treat.

"It's just crazy how it all happened," said Jobbins.

Jobbins said that students have started calling him the "KitKat guy," around campus.

Jobbins said he doesn't have any idea who stole the candy and left the note, but had some sweet advice for anyone else that might leave snacks in their car.

"If you have candy in your car I would probably hide it or there's a chance that the KitKat thief might take it from you," said Jobbins.
A massive mobilisation drive is underway and a sizeable number of his supporters are expected to turn up to express their support for the beleaguered chief minister.

By Javed M. Ansari : The stage is set for Akhilesh Yadav's Vikas to Vijay Yatra commencing from the La Martiniere school grounds on Thursday.

A massive mobilisation drive is underway and a sizeable number of his supporters are expected to turn up to express their support for the beleaguered chief minister.

His supporters have pulled out all stops to ensure the yatra gets a roaring reception. A massive stage has been built on the school grounds from where party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav will flag off the rally.

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ALSO READ: Uttar Pradesh: CM Akhilesh's visit causes stampede in Saifai, several injured

Shivpal Yadav too is expected to be present on the occasion. However, it remains to be seen if it helps in hiding the deep divide in the party and between the chief minister and his uncle.

FROM LUCKNOW TO UNNAO



Akhilesh Yadav will start from the state capital, Lucknow, and reach Unnao, covering a distance of 70 km.

ALSO READ: Samajwadi Pari-War: Mulayam skips Diwali at Saifai for first time, son Akhilesh goes alone

A journey that should normally take just about an hour, however, could take the better part of the day given the number of supporters expected to turn up.

Almost all of Lucknow has been plastered with banners, hoardings and flags of the Samajwadi Party.

Huge cut-outs of the chief minister have been put near the roundabouts and major thoroughfares of the city and along the yatra route.

ALSO READ: Amar Singh breaks silence: No photo of Akhilesh's wedding where this dalal is not there

SHIVPAL MISSING FROM POSTERS



Most of the posters carry the CM and party supremo Mulayam's mugshot. Shivpal Yadav's photo is missing in the posters, an indication that all is still not well in the Samajwadi parivar.

Thursday's rally will be followed by a party convention on Saturday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Samajwadi Party, where Shivpal and Mulayam are expected to demonstrate their support base.

The chief minister too will attend the function. Both these functions have taken on huge political overtones, with rival sets of supporters demonstrating their strength.

ALSO READ: Akhilesh to run govt, Shivpal to run party: What to make of Mulayam Singh's 'All is well' mien

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A DISPLAY OF SUPPORT



Ostensibly the yatra is supposed to showcase Akhilesh Yadav-government's achievements but given the recent developments in his party and the kind of mobilisation initiated ahead of the yatra, it will be used to demonstrate his support.

Smarting under the attempts to undermine and hem him in, the CM and his supporters are hoping that the response to his yatra will not only project his huge popularity among the party cadres and the masses but also tilt the scales in Akhilesh's favour in his battle for supremacy within the party.

Akhilesh will be travelling in a souped-up bus that has been specially modified for him. It has a working office, a wi-fi connection, a hydraulic lift, a restroom and a seating area. Akhilesh is scheduled to make numerous impromptu pit-stops on the way to Unnao and is likely to address his supporters.

ALSO READ: Can Mulayam manage to keep Akhilesh, Shivpal united till poll ticket distribution?

ALSO READ: Shivpal Yadav expels UP forest minister Pawan Pandey, asks Akhilesh to sack him from party

ALSO WATCH









--- ENDS ---

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The miners were working underground at the privately-owned Jinshangou Coal Mine in Laisu Town in Chongqing Municipality's Yongchuan district, where an explosion took place on Monday.

Rescue work in progress at the explosion site of a coal mine in Chongqing. Photo: Reuters.

By Press Trust of India: All the 33 people trapped underground after an explosion rocked a coal mine in southwest China were today declared dead as bodies of the remaining 15 missing miners in the latest mine accident to hit the world's top coal producing nation were retrieved in the wee hours.

A total of 35 miners were working underground at the privately-owned Jinshangou Coal Mine in Laisu Town in Chongqing Municipality's Yongchuan district, when an explosion shook the mine around 11:30 am on Monday.

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2 ESCAPED UNHARMED



While two people escaped unharmed, the remaining 33 were trapped in the pit following which rescuers launched an all-out bid to search them.

Over 80 rescuers found the bodies in a pit at Jinshangou Coal Mine, Yongchuan District, at around 2 am (local time) and lifted them out of the shaft two hours later, state-run Xinhua news agency reported, quoting the local rescue headquarters.

Also read: At least 10 killed, 147 injured in northwestern China blast



An investigation into the cause of the accident is under way and is being supervised by the State Administration of Work Safety.

Local governmental workers are identifying the dead and are busy in conducting rescue operations.

The bodies of 18 miners were recovered yesterday.

WHAT PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION REVEALS



Preliminary investigations show the mine exceeded its mining boundaries, had insufficient and malfunctioning equipment, poor ventilation and disorderly management.

The designed capacity of the mine is 60,000 tonnes of coal every year, according to its license.

Chinas mining industry has long been among the world's deadliest with frequent mine accidents.

Also read: 15 killed, 18 missing in explosion at a coal mine in China



China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal.

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) A Bangladesh police team quizzed five members of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) terror group, arrested by NIA in 2014 Burdwan blast case, to find if any of them were involved in the conspiracy hatched to overthrow democratically elected Sheikh Hasina government in the neighbouring country.

Official sources said a team of Bangladesh police arrived here last month and questioned Moulana Yusuf, alleged to be the second-in-command of JMBs West Bengal unit and one of the main accused in the Burdwan blast, Jahidul Sheikh alias Zafar alias Jabirul, Mohammad Rafique, Shahidul alias Shamim and Abdul Kalam alias Kalim.

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The Bangladesh police and NIA have been cooperating on reciprocal basis on various issues including the role of banned JMB and flow of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) into India.

The Bangladesh team quizzed the five to know whether any of them were involved in the conspiracy hatched to overthrow a democratically elected Sheikh Hasina government there and ensure rule of Shariyat (Islamic law) in that country.

The five were arrested from Assam by Special Task Force of Kolkata Police in the last week of September for allegedly conspiring to carry out blasts in the country and also striking a deal with Bodo militants. Later, NIA took their custody.

Out of the five, Yusuf and Kalam had been charge-sheeted by the NIA in abstentia while the role of other three would be defined in a fresh charge sheet, to be filed in due course of time, sources in the anti-terror probe agency said.

On October 2, 2014, a blast had occurred in a house at Khagragarh in Burdwan district of West Bengal in which a man identified as Sakil Gazi died on the spot, while another man named Sovan Mandal died in hospital. Both of them were suspected of having terror links.

NIA later discovered that Mondal was Karim Sheikh and he had misled West Bengal police about his identity.

The agency later filed a charge sheet against 30 people in March last year. Some others were added in supplementary charge sheets in which the NIA alleged that the JMB members wanted to establish Sharia rule by overthrowing the democratically-elected government in Bangladesh.

JMBs activities in India primarily included recruitment, radicalisation and training of vulnerable youths in a systematic and organised manner and, in pursuance of the conspiracy, they had established organisational bases in certain districts of West Bengal like Nadia, Burdwan, Murshidabad and Birbhum as well as in Sahebganj district of Jharkhand, the NIA said. PTI SKL SMJ

--- ENDS ---
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 02/11/2016 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba Teachers Society is telling University of Manitoba education students not to cross picket lines or accept classroom practicums during the faculty strike.

The U of M Faculty Association began conciliation talks with the university Wednesday, a day after setting up picket lines outside the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses. Conciliation will continue Thursday, with neither side commenting on Wednesdays talks.

In urging education students not to cross the picket line, the teachers union said it expects deadlines, due dates and extensions will be part of the post-strike cleanup and restart of your program.

The union told students not to report to classroom practicums, which are scheduled to begin next week.

It is the societys position that without appropriate supervision by faculty advisers, teacher candidates are not functioning as student teachers, and therefore cannot perform the usual roles of teacher candidates, the union said in a statement. Students (teacher candidates) who choose to be in schools would be classroom volunteers. Any such volunteerism should be solely at the discretion of the student and they, of course, should not feel compelled to provide such voluntary service.

Students should not act in a manner that may undermine the UMFA strike committee protocols and advice, MTS said. Co-operating teachers and faculty advisers should follow suit. Students may be disrupted and even delayed in their program, but that is unfortunately the practical reality of the outcomes of a labour dispute.

Seven Oaks School Division superintendent Brian OLeary said teachers whod been expecting to share a classroom with an education student for six weeks leading into the winter break are just going to carry on.

But OLeary cautioned that while the U of M education students have a second practicum in the winter that could be extended, they will be at a disadvantage compared with job-hunting students from other universities.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS University of Manitoba Faculty Association members and supporters walk the picket line Tuesday morning at the Pembina Highway entrance to the campus.

It does put teacher candidates at a disadvantage, he said. The schools dont get to know them.

UMFA president Prof. Mark Hudson said Wednesday he is not aware of any other unions or professional organizations advising students on managing practicums during the strike.

UMFA members are telling their students the truth: that they dont have to cross the picket line if they dont want to. It is a constitutionally protected right, he said. UMFA is asking students who support us not to cross, and the university must and will accommodate that choice, even if the course is being offered by non-UMFA members.

U of M Students Union president Tanjit Nagra said she believes most nursing students are going ahead with their practicums.

We dont have a position on that, Manitoba Nurses Union communications director Wes Payne said, but wouldnt comment on whether MNU believes a practicum is valid training if the students supervising professor is on strike.

UMFA is analyzing the list of classes being held during the strike. Hudson said the overwhelming majority of the continuing classes are taught by sessionals who are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

UMFA said it would consider dropping its wage demands in a one-year deal if the university gives significant ground on workload and governance issues, including how tenure and promotions are determined.

At the legislature Wednesday, the Canadian Federation of Students annual National Student Day of Action took on added intensity with both the strike and the likelihood that the provincial government will lift the cap that holds tuition increases at the inflation rate.

CFS Manitoba representative Michael Barkman told a rally that Manitoba could soon have deregulated, unpredictable, massive tuition fee increases of as much as $2,500 a year.

Lets finally have universal education for all in this country, Barkman said to resounding cheers.

Hudson told the rally the student/professor relationship is essential, unlike the U of Ms brick-and-mortar priorities.

Were there basically fighting for the integrity of the University of Manitoba, he said.

Manitoba Finance Minister Cameron Friesen again refused to confirm that the government told the U of M specifically to extend the collective agreement one year with a wage freeze, as the university says it was instructed to do Oct. 6.

He wouldnt say whether the university is accurately representing the governments position.

The instructions we give in government are of a broad mandate, Friesen said Wednesday. We will not interfere. We will watch this unfold.

Both Friesen and Education Minister Ian Wishart refused to say whether they will keep tuition increases capped at inflation, or whether they will maintain the tuition rebate for graduates who stay in Manitoba.

Theres a lot of fear-mongering taking place out there today, Friesen said.

Nagra said many students havent been on campus since the strike began.

Normally, our University Centre is packed, she said. Theres a lot of confusion in the air.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 02/11/2016 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ONE of Winnipegs pre-eminent mens clothing stores is sporting a new look.

The Harry Rosen store in the CF Polo Park shopping centre has undergone a million-dollar-plus makeover over the last 41/2 months while still remaining open. Saturday, company CEO Larry Rosen will be flying into the city to help celebrate the official unveiling of the new-look store and to greet customers and guests.

Rosen said in an interview Tuesday the redesign and upgrade of the 8,000-square-foot outlet was part of a $100-million capital expenditure program the chain launched four or five years ago. The program has seen most of its 18 Canadian stores extensively upgraded and redesigned to give them a fresh, new look.

He said hes looking forward to this weekends visit because he has fond memories of going there when the store first opened in 1986.

Winnipeg has come a long way in 30 years. Weve seen a lot of change, but were proud of our affiliation with Winnipeg, and we felt it deserved a better store.

He said some retailers make the mistake of overlooking Winnipeg when expanding their footprint in Canada.

They open in Edmonton and Calgary, and they open in Toronto, Ottawa and Mississauga, and they skip Winnipeg. But weve always found that if you pay attention to the Winnipeg market, the Winnipeg market will pay attention to you, he said.

Customers will reward you with their loyalty, and weve built a great business there. And Im very, very proud that its 30 years old.

Rosen said the chains other stores saw a jump in sales after their upgrades were completed, and he expects the same thing to happen in Winnipeg. He said existing customers started shopping there more often and the stores started attracting younger customers who previously may have thought the store wasnt modern enough.

CF Polo Parks general manager, Deborah Green, said mall officials were pleased to see the Winnipeg store included in the companys redesign plans.

Store design changes so quickly. Its like home design, and you want to stay current. You want to stay refreshed, she said. So its always welcomed any time we see any retailer do a renovation. Especially a store like Harry Rosen. Theyve been one of our long-standing, unique-to-market tenancies.

She said the store opened when the mall added a second level in 1986. The last time it was renovated was about 10 years ago when it expanded into a small storefront space next door and opened a separate Hugo Boss shop. The new shop was connected to the main store but also had its own entrance onto the mall.

Under the reconfiguration, the two stores have been combined into one large area, with a big new entrance off the mall. The revamped space also features a larger shoe section, a designer sportswear section, a new dress furnishings area and a complete refresh of the tailored clothing and sportswear departments.

Rosen said a new Hugo Boss section will be opening in the new year within the new, expanded store.

murray.mcneill@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 02/11/2016 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  Canadas 338 MPs, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the entire cabinet are being forced to make retroactive payments to their pension plans after being hit by the same technical glitches in the new federal pay system that affected more than 80,000 federal civil servants this year.

A notice to MPs sent last week from House of Commons chief human resources officer Pierre Parent pointed out that the maligned Phoenix pay system is the reason proper pension-plan deductions were not made between May and September of this year. The average MP will have to repay about $640, and cabinet ministers owe about $250.

The actual amounts depend on an individual MPs specific pay situation, including tax deductions and payment amounts.

ADRIAN WYLD / THE CANADIA PRESS Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the entire cabinet and all MPs are being forced to make retroactive payments to their pension plans.

The overpayments are being corrected during three pay periods, which began last month and continue through December.

The Phoenix pay system was an off-the-shelf program purchased from IBM prior to the 2015 federal election by the Conservative government as a replacement for an aging system. It was implemented for the first departments last February, and then expanded in April, despite warnings that it wasnt ready from public-sector unions and employees working on the system.

The government tried to downplay the trouble, but in June, it admitted more than 80,000 people were experiencing problems. There are about 300,000 people employed by the federal government.

Many did not receive overtime pay or promised pay increases. Of greater concern, a few hundred were not paid at all for months on end. Particularly hard-hit were employees who were going on or returning from sick or parental leave, and employees in the governments student work program.

Officials at Public Services and Procurement Canada said for months the backlog of problems would all be solved by the end of October. However more than 22,000 workers are still not being paid properly or havent yet received back pay owing. At least 155 people have applied for compensation related to the costs they incurred for not being paid properly.

The pension glitch affecting MPs has been corrected for future pay periods.

MPs speaking on the condition of anonymity called the fact they have now been drawn into the problem embarrassing. One Liberal noted if the government had listened to the unions and slowed the implementation it could have blamed any issues on the Conservatives, who bought the system. Now, he said, its the Liberals who will suffer the brunt of the blame.

The system was supposed to save $70 million a year, and reduce the number of employees needed to handle pay files. The cost to fix the problem now exceeds $50 million, including at least another $6 million paid to IBM, and the hiring back of client services workers in the national capital region to help sort out the problems.

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca
As doubts are being raised over the encounter of 8 SIMI men in Bhopal, the post-mortem has revealed multiple wounds on their bodies.

By India Today Web Desk: The post-mortem conducted on the bodies of eight SIMI men, killed on Monday in an alleged encounter on the outskirts of Bhopal, has revealed multiple entry and exit wounds, most of them above their waists.

The clothes of the eight men, who were undertrials in the Bhopal Central Jail, have also been sent for the forensic test.

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The SIMI activists, accused in various cases of bombing and treason, had escaped from the high-security prison early on Monday morning after allegedly slitting the throat of a guard.

BODIES LAID TO REST

The bodies of seven of the eight men were laid to rest on Tuesday in different parts of Madhya Pradesh amid tight security.

Bodies of five deceased - Amjad Khan, Zakir Hussain, Mohammad Salik, Sheikh Mehboob and Aqueel Khilji - were buried in their home district Khandwa. Over 2,000 people took part in the funeral procession.

Another slain operative Mohammad Khalid, who hailed from Maharashtra, was laid to rest in Bhopal.

"Khalid was from Solapur, but his parents are no more and his brother, who was also a SIMI operative, is lodged in Bhopal Central Jail. Since nobody came to claim his body, he was laid to rest here by police," a police officer said.

Another deceased, Abdul Majid, was buried at his hometown at Mahidpur in Ujjain district. The body of Sheikh Mujeeb was taken to Ahmedabad by his family members.



OPPOSITION DEMANDS PROBE

A united opposition has sought an impartial probe into the death of eight undertrial SIMI activists in an alleged shootout with police after a Bhopal jailbreak even as the government strongly defended the deaths of the "dreaded terrorists".

Seeking a judicial probe into the police "encounter" deaths on Monday, the CPI-M, the BSP and the RJD raised doubts over the government's version about the prison escape and the subsequent killings of the SIMI activists.

The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had earlier called for a probe, suspecting that the "encounter" may have been staged to kill the accused.

--- ENDS ---
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 02/11/2016 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba justice officials have officially closed their high-profile criminal case against a Winnipeg police officer who died in a mysterious head-on crash last month.

Court records show that 24 provincial charges against Trent Milan have now been stayed  including breach of trust, attempting to obstruct justice, theft and possession of prohibited weapons including ammunition, three knives, bear spray, an eight ball and brass knuckles. They are for offences which allegedly occurred between 2010 and 2016.

An additional 12 federal drug charges remain before the courts but are expected to also be dropped on Nov. 10, which is when Milan was set to first appear on them. Court documents show they involve allegations Milan was in possession of cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, oxycodone and marijuana during a raid on his Oakbank-area home in September. The charges include allegations of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Const. Trent Milan, who, according to a Manitoba Justice source, had recently been told he would face six years in jail if he accepted a plea bargain, was killed in a crash on Garven Road in October.

Milans sudden death means the usual fact-finding exercise of a criminal prosecution wont occur, likely resulting in much of the details surrounding these charges never being made public.

Winnipeg police previously described Milans arrest as a dark chapter in their history. The 18-year veteran of the force was on administrative leave but still free in the community on promises to appear in court when his pickup truck slammed head on into the front of a gravel truck on Oct. 3.

In an interview following the deadly crash, the gravel truck driver told the Free Press he had no time to react as Milan appeared to deliberately veer into his path. He suffered minor physical injuries but extreme emotional trauma.

Why did he pick me? asked Rob Morgan.

RCMP have not publicly stated Milans death was a suicide.

Police say the investigation into Milan centered around evidence that had gone missing over a number of years, including the weapons found in his possession. One key item was a pricey necklace that belonged to a man whod been arrested and had it seized for processing. Milan was involved in the street crime unit during much of the time span covered by the charges.

The breach-of-trust charge alleged he was benefiting personally by his police-related duties, while another charge alleged Milan gave confidential police information to somebody outside the service to attempt to obstruct, pervert or defeat the course of justice.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 01/11/2016 (2191 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  Manitoba MP and Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr told the Free Press last week he had never participated in any pay-to-play political fundraisers and never would.

The comments came just before the Liberals publicly released a list of 89 fundraising events with government ministers in the past year, one of which  open only to members of the partys exclusive Laurier Club  Carr attended.

Laurier members are required to donate $1,500 a year to the Liberal party. The annual amount is $750 for members under the age of 35.

JEFF MCINTOSH / THE CANADIAN RPESS FILES Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr.

In a sit-down interview with the Free Press Oct. 27, Carr was asked directly if he had participated  or would  in any pay-to-play events.

His one-word answer to both questions: No.

Carrs spokesman would not make him available Tuesday to explain why he said no last week after attending an Aug. 29 Liberal appreciation night for Laurier Club members hosted by Edmonton law firm MacPherson, Leslie and Tyerman.

He directed questions to the Liberal party instead. Party spokesman Braeden Caley said in an email Carr was entirely correct to say he hadnt attended a pay-to-play fundraiser.

The term pay-to-play implies a connection to government business in party fundraising, and that has not been the case in any form whatsoever, Caley wrote. Like Members of Parliament from all federal political parties, Mr. Carr attends political fundraising events on behalf of his party  and he complies with all the rules in doing so.

Duff Conacher, co-founder of advocacy group Democracy Watch, said the idea that a cabinet minister isnt conducting any government business at these events is improbable. He said they provide exclusive access to cabinet ministers, something that isnt available to members of the general public.

Its cash for access, which is just a different way of saying pay-to-play,' said Conacher. The amount is more than most voters can afford which makes it undemocratic and unethical. You only get in if you can afford it.

He said the law says you cant provide access to people based on who they are, but that is clearly what happened in this case  admission to a government minister was limited to party supporters with deep pockets.

The government has been fighting accusations of unethical fundraising since last spring, after an event at a Toronto law office featuring Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, who defended her participation as an MP, not as the justice minister.

Tickets to the 89 events on the Liberals list ranged from $75 to as much as $1,525. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended more than a dozen. Thirty-one of the events were appreciation nights, such as the one Carr was at in Edmonton.

That Aug. 29 event is the only one Carr attended, according to the list. Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk, Manitobas other MP at the cabinet table, did not attend any.

Federal lobbying commissioner Karen Shepherd is looking into the pay-for-access fundraisers, telling a House of Commons committee last week the events potentially create real or apparent conflicts of interest.

If a minister is in a conflict of interest it could be a breach of the Lobbying Act, she said.

Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson said she is limited in what she can do, because Canadas ethics laws dont specifically prevent ministers from attending party-organized events.

After he took office, Trudeau set out new rules for accountability that state, Ministers and parliamentary secretaries must avoid conflict of interest, the appearance of conflict of interest and situations that have the potential to involve conflicts of interest.

Dawson said she has no authority to uphold those rules, which go beyond what is laid out in the Conflict of Interest Act.

The Conservatives have been going hard at the Liberals over the fundraisers. In question period Monday, B.C. MP Mark Strahl pointed out the law firm that hosted the Aug. 29 event specializes in the natural resources sector, Carrs portfolio. And less than a month after that event, the Edmonton firm announced a merger with Winnipegs Aikins MacAulay and Thorvaldson, which has several lawyers registered as lobbyists who have targeted Carrs department.

So once again, we have Liberal insiders hosting ministers at exclusive high-end fundraisers and then turning around and lobbying them, Strahl said. The minister should have never attended this cash-for-access fundraiser. Why did the minister completely ignore the prime ministers rules and put himself in this blatant conflict of interest?

Carr didnt respond. Instead it was House Leader Bardish Chagger, who said federal political fundraising rules are some of the strongest in the country.

When the rules are followed, no conflicts of interest can exist and we will continue to follow the rules, she said.

In the discussion about what kind of fundraisers he participates in, Carr said: We will have affordable events where we will ask people to come and have a meal, have a cup of coffee.

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

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This article was published 02/11/2016 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Tuesday afternoon seems like a typical one at the Hub, the University of Manitobas campus pub. Until you listen to the conversations.

Ear-catching snippets cut through the relentless din of Top 40 and the Halloween party post-mortems. Two young men are talking about tuition fees, worried higher wages for professors will mean higher fees for them. Another group is discussing how much professors make. A young man and woman discuss the role of unions over chicken fingers. She eventually leaves to go to class; hers is still on. He stays behind and orders another beer.

Outside, in the slate November grey, some of their professors are walking the picket line as part of a University of Manitoba Faculty Association strike that began just hours ago. Not all professors are part of UMFA, so some classes have been cancelled, and some have not. Walking around campus, one wouldnt necessarily know theres strike going on. The halls have backpack-clad students hurrying to class. Coffee shops have lines. Lounges are dotted with laptops. The free flu-shot clinic is taking place as scheduled. Theres a certain comfort to be found in the steady hum of routine.

John Woods / The Canadian Press A sign shows solidarity with the University of Manitoba Faculty Association members walking the picket line Tuesday.

At the Hub, which is run by the University of Manitoba Students Union, servers continually express surprise at how many people are here considering the situation. Theres about 40 during the lunch rush, but it stays half-full throughout the afternoon, populated mostly by hoodie-clad students engaging in some light day-drinking. Other than a young woman doing a little happy chair dance because of a cancelled lab, the mood isnt what youd call celebratory  but people dont seem especially stressed, either. But the students here seem listless and unmoored. Its hard to say whether its because of the strike or just regular November ennui. Either way, a lot of time is being killed  by scrolling through social media, by picking at grease-spotted baskets of fries.

A couple plays several rounds of pool, ostensibly because theres nowhere else to be.

Students are more on edge elsewhere. At a UMSU cafe down the hall from the Hub, a barista is telling a customer an animated story. Turns out its about the SUV that barrelled through the picket line early this morning. What the f, he responds.

The barista is also anxious about her classes. Shes worried if the strike lasts more than four weeks, the entire semester will be shot.

I already feel behind, she says. Im so mad.

You shouldnt be mad at the professors, you should be mad at the administration, the young man counters.

Im mad about the whole thing, she says, flatly. I just want to get to class.

Those kinds of exchanges are likely happening all over campus  about frustration and where exactly to direct it. Everyone is affected by a strike, directly or indirectly. Students whose classes are happening as scheduled are wrestling with crossing a picket line. Students who choose not to cross the picket line are still responsible for assignments. Students whose classes have been cancelled are dealing with uncertain futures. Everyone has an opinion, for or against.

Of course, students arent just talking about the strike Tuesday. One complains about a difficult co-worker who chronically calls in sick. Several talk about having to balance a large class load with a part-time job. Another laments having to work all weekend, every weekend. Seems everyone is affected by labour issues, too.

Back at the Hub, the bartender calls over to a server. So, I guess you can work anytime now until class is back?

The server nods with a half-smile and a shrug. I guess so.

She looks like shed rather be in class.

jen.zoratti@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @JenZoratti
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 01/11/2016 (2191 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A union that represents thousands of Manitoba health care workers is alarmed at the Pallister governments choice of consultant to carry out a review on health care sustainability and innovation.

Michelle Gawronsky, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union, said KPMG LLP has been hired by governments across Canada for advice on the privatization of services.

This is the firm that the PC government back in the 90s used to attempt to privatize home care in Manitoba, she said in an interview. So this is huge for us.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Michelle Gawronsky: So our concern is  is the government of Manitoba using them to justify cuts and privatization in health care?

Gawronsky said KPMG also advised Ontario on the privatization of liquor sales and of Hydro One. The same firm was used to help justify the contracting out of snow clearing in Ottawa, she said.

So our concern is  is the government of Manitoba using them to justify cuts and privatization in health care?

Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced the awarding of the contract in a news release on Tuesday.

The reality is the finances of the health-care system in Manitoba and many other provinces are not sustainable in their current state, he said. While there has been work done to find efficiencies in some areas, we need to look at the system as a whole and find ways to ensure that every tax dollar that is going into health is being used as effectively as possible. The status quo simply is not an option.

In an interview, Goertzen said the review will cost $750,000. He said KPMG was chosen following an open competition.

The review will identify opportunities to eliminate waste and inefficiency, and improve the effectiveness and responsiveness of the entire health sector including government, the regional health authorities and their facilities, Diagnostic Services of Manitoba, CancerCare Manitoba and the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, the minister said.

The review will assess whether services are being implemented at a reasonable cost, whether results are appropriate compared with the money invested and whether outcomes meet expectations.

An interim report is expected by the end of January, with a final report, containing recommendations, implementation plans, timelines and estimates of projected savings, coming by the end of March.

All provinces have gone through this process in different ways. I think that other provinces are more advanced than we are in not only looking for efficiencies  but also in aligning goals to ensure that the entire health care system is going in the same direction, Goertzen said.

NDP health critic Matt Wiebe said he, too, is concerned the Pallister government will use the review to justify the privatization of services.

We had a minister (Goertzen) who went to Saskatchewan and met (officials) specifically about private MRI clinics. So we know that this is something that is on their radar that they are considering, the Concordia MLA said.

Wiebe said the NDP is concerned the reviews terms of reference did not specifically rule out the implementation of user fees or ensuring public delivery of health care services. A clear definition of what constitutes a front line worker also wasnt provided, he said.

The Progressive Conservative government has promised not to cut front line workers. It has indicated it is willing to look at the privatization of certain services and notes this is already happening in Manitoba and across the country.

Meanwhile, Gawronsky said she was angered at the amount of money being spent on the review. She said the government would have been wiser to save the money and spend its time consulting with people who deliver services to patients.

How many home care people can be hired with $750,000? she asked.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 01/11/2016 (2191 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A union that represents workers at the University of Winnipeg and Brandon University is worried the Pallister government will interfere with negotiations underway with its members.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada represents 500 English language teachers, markers, teaching assistants and research assistants at U of W and about 150 markers, TAs and research assistants at BU.

Marianne Hladun, PSACs regional executive vice-president in Winnipeg, said so far she is unaware that the Progressive Conservative government has issued any directives to her members employers.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Marianne Hladun, PSAC's regional executive vice-president in Winnipeg, said it's "completely inappropriate" for the government to insert itself into negotiations between unions and educational institutions.

However, the union is worried the government will send a message  as it did to the University of Manitoba last month with respect to bargaining with professors  directing the universities to seek a one-year wage freeze.

Its absolutely a concern, Hladun said after making a brief presentation to a legislative committee conducting public hearings into Bill 7, which would require a secret ballot vote in all instances of union certification in Manitoba.

Negotiations are just getting underway between PSAC and Brandon U. At U of W, a good chunk of the unions membership  people who help international and local students improve their proficiency in English  are bargaining a second contract, while other members are negotiating a first collective agreement.

Hladun said its completely inappropriate for the government to insert itself into negotiations between unions and educational institutions. If that was the case the bargaining certificate should be in their name, she said.

At the evening hearings on Tuesday, several labour leaders and pro-labour supporters denounced Bill 7, saying its true aim was not the promotion of democracy in union organizing drives but an attempt to make it more difficult for unions to represent workers.

A smaller number of presenters backed the bill, including the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

The CFIBs Jonathan Alward said a survey conducted for his organization indicated more than 70 per cent of Manitobans support the aims of Bill 7. Currently, a secret ballot vote in organizing drives is unnecessary if more than 65 per cent of workers sign union cards.

Alward said he is aware of research that shows requiring secret ballot votes can make union organizing more difficult. But he says what this tells him is that where such votes arent required, some people join a union when they dont really want to.

Earlier in the day, Premier Brian Pallister met with Michelle Gawronsky, president of the 42,000-member Manitoba Government and General Employees Union.

Gawronsky had been seeking a sit-down meeting with the premier for six months. Her union will soon negotiate on behalf of workers at three Manitoba community colleges as well as 7,500 hospital and personal care home employees.

We did have a very good meeting. I can say he didnt rule out a wage freeze. But what I did get was the assurance that he does believe in fair bargaining and the bargaining process, and that bargaining will not be dictated before its even begun, Gawronsky said of her meeting with Pallister.

She also noted the premier assured her the Tory government had no intention of privatizing Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries or Manitoba Public Insurance.

The tension between the Pallister government and organized labour spilled into question period at the legislature on Tuesday.

Pallister brought up the fact the constituency office of Culture, Heritage and Sport Minister Rochelle Squires was vandalized on the weekend. The outside of the building was spray-painted. The vandals wrote, Attacking unions is attacking the working class.

Pallister said such vandalism is an attempt to harass and bully and intimidate. It is wrong.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 02/11/2016 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Concerned students, outraged at the high cost of tuition and growing debt levels they face trying to pay for school, will march to the legislature today at 12:30 p.m.

Students will gather at noon in front of the University of Winnipeg and proceed to the legislature to bring attention to issues surrounding post-secondary education such as accessibility, affordability and quality.

The event is being organized by the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Federation of Students.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Students gather outside the Manitoba legislature.

A program at the main legislative building will begin at 1 p.m. with an array of speakers including Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie, the CFS Local 8 Representative and the Manitoba & VP External of the University of Winnipeg Students Association; University of Manitoba Faculty Association president Mark Hudson, Saif Baloch, the International Students Commissioner from CFS Manitoba; president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour Kevin Rebeck and CFS Manitoba chairman Michael Barkman.

The event is one of several being held across the country and, by coincidence, is being held one day after the U of M professors and other members of the U of M Faculty Association went on strike.

Across Canada, students and the community are joining together to tell all levels of government that they cannot turn their backs on students any longer. We need government to do more to make post-secondary education more accessible and affordable for all those who wish to pursue it, Barkman said in a press release. We are putting student issues on the table for the future of Manitoba and our country.

In his statement, Barkman referred to recent speculation that the Manitoba government is considering raising tuition across Manitoba to keep pace with the national average.

He said post-secondary students in Manitoba are already being left behind by skyrocketing debt levels, increasing tuition and systemic barriers.

A jump to the national average would see Manitoban student tuitions increase $2,000-$2,500 more per year, he said in the statement. Unregulated tuition fee increases will slam the door of opportunity for many Manitobans. We need strong, stable public funding for post-secondary education in Manitoba.

Barkman said the benefits of a well-educated society benefits benefits all citizens because fewer people need to be dependent on the social welfare, the justice and the health care system.

Students are fighting for their ability to pursue education for the greater good of society, Barkman stated.

The Canadian Federation of Students  Manitoba represents approximately 45,000 students from the University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, Brandon University and lUniversite de Saint-Boniface.
Opinion

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This article was published 02/11/2016 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WASHINGTON, D.C.  While the generation born roughly between 1982 and 2004 has been grist for complaints from the baby boomers who raise them or employ them, political parties ignore millennials at their peril. Its the millennials who pushed voter-turnout rates up for the first time in years in the last Canadian federal election. And they are also a factor in this years U.S. presidential election.

Here in Washington, D.C., where politics is everyones bread and butter, John White is a professor of politics at the Catholic University of America and a presidential scholar. He says its the change in demographics that has made this election what it is  and that includes the growing voter base of millennials.

This cohort is not likely to attend church regularly, although they may be spiritual. They do not see themselves as citizens of the United States but instead as global citizens. They are a generation most likely to hold a passport and to use it to travel. They also want choices and dont like to be offered one size fits all when it comes to public policy. And, White says, polling suggests millennials are supporting Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

ANDREW HARNIK / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has strong support among millennial voters.

Other demographic shifts that are helping the Clinton campaign? Well, White says, they include women, particularly educated women. The so-called gender gap has become a gender canyon in this campaign, particularly given the allegations of sexual assault against Republican candidate Donald Trump. Single women, who are outpacing men in educational institutions  at least at the undergraduate level  are behind the overall changes in the nuclear family, waiting until later in their lives to marry and have children. They are now the majority in the U.S., and they are supporting Clinton.

Perhaps not surprisingly, race is also having an effect. In 2012, the population in the United States was 72 per cent white and 28 per cent non-white. In 2016, its now at 70 per cent white and 30 per cent non-white, but its also the rise of the Hispanic vote that is having an effect on Clintons bid. Between Oct. 1 and Oct. 31, 50,000 Hispanic people reached the age of 18 and became eligible to vote. Given Trumps polarizing rhetoric on immigration, and in particular on illegal workers coming in from Mexico, its not hard to appreciate why these voters are more likely to vote Democrat than Republican.

With Whites polling information in mind, I took a stroll into Georgetown, a hip, trendy neighbourhood popular with young people. On Halloween night, it was hard not to run into millennials ready to talk about the election. The streets were jam-packed with young people, parents with small children and the occasional over-costumed dog, and the unseasonably warm weather made talking easy. It was a night for celebration, so last names werent offered and seemed unnecessary. We became instant friends in the dark of the night.

Hands down, it is Clinton who is getting the vote. Not only are people supporting her, they said their friends are as well. Students Ross and Jake, both in their early 20s, said it is more about voting against Trump than voting for Clinton, although Jake did say he saw Clinton as a strong candidate, policy-wise. For Ross, who grew up watching Celebrity Apprentice, Trumps impulsiveness and inability to control his temper suggested behaviour unbecoming of a political leader.

Gabrielle, a young African-American woman who wants to own her own business someday, said all her friends are voting for Clinton. For her, Trumps lean toward privatizing prisons isnt good for black people in America. She also thinks its time for a woman in the White House.

Avi, who holds down two jobs and is originally from New Jersey, said her older family members are supporting Trump, but none of her friends are. Its Clinton all the way. Millie, a business student at George Washington University, said its Clinton for her, too. Trump scares her.

There are some lessons Canadian political parties can draw from this. One, dont underestimate important demographic shifts. Both the federal Conservatives and the NDP are in the process of finding new leaders. In the last election, the Stephen Harper team played into a politics of fear with stances on the niqab and citizenship. This allowed the Liberals to speak to those who have a global perspective and who shy away from overtly nationalistic rhetoric, who are more open to different ethnicities and cultures. These are the millennials.

Moreover, these same voters will not embrace any candidate who doesnt support LGBTTQ* rights or abortion rights or ignores climate change.

While some of the voting patterns in the most recent election may have been strategic  a vote for the Liberals, rather than the NDP, to ensure a Conservative loss  the Trudeau team made its choice palatable by appealing to women, racial minorities and young people.

There is a shift in politics  its being felt in places such as the United Kingdom with the success of Brexit, which was supported by older, rural voters but rejected largely by urban millennials. Trump speaks largely to the Republican base (but not their elites), and his message is one that has been rejected by young people and women who are open to difference and diversity. And in Canada, the Liberals fought their way back into power, again largely because they piqued the interest of younger voters tired of tax cuts and hungry for job creation.

A Trump loss Nov. 8 could be a cautionary tale for both the NDP and the Conservatives. Both parties would be wise to pay attention.

Shannon Sampert is the perspectives and politics editor with the Winnipeg Free Press. She is currently in the United States participating in the United States Department of State International Visitor Leadership program.

shannon.sampert@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @Paulysigh
Opinion

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This article was published 02/11/2016 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE recent pronouncements of impending debt disaster by the new chairman of Manitoba Hydro calls for comment. Not only were they politically motivated in a manner unprecedented for someone in that position, they were also both disingenuous and alarmist.

Almost everything in the report by the Boston Consulting Group Hydro board chairman Sanford Riley was reacting to was known at the time of the provincial election. Both Bipole III and the Keeyask dam were known to be too far along to be cancelled, and the Brian Pallister-led Progressive Conservative official Opposition at that time was aware of this.

The growth in Hydros debt was  and is  inevitable given these capital projects, which the Boston Consulting Group recognizes as being necessary, are being debt-financed in the normal manner. It also follows that a rise in the debt-equity ratio is inevitable. This has been planned for years and has been known to and accepted by bond-rating agencies for years. Hydros financial staff updates a 20-year financial forecast each and every year; this is made public through the Public Utilities Board, has been subject to much external evaluation and is reviewed annually by the bond-rating agencies. Yet Riley acts as if this is all news to him.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba Hydro Board Chairman Sanford Riley

The Boston Consulting Group report also accepts that going ahead with Keeyask is the best alternative and much superior to generating the power needed through gas turbines on financial, let alone environmental, grounds. Again, theres nothing new here, as this was the conclusion of the 2014 Needs For and Alternatives To process conducted by the Public Utilities Board.

Contrary to the capital expansion program being imprudent and reckless, it is absolutely necessary for the future growth and security of the province. It is similar to previous investments in Hydro, which have given the province among the lowest electricity rates in the country.

Riley is arguing that rate increases are now needed in excess of those planned and built into financial forecasts. His sole justification for this is that he and his new board feel a higher equity-to-debt ratio is needed sooner than planned. There is no magic number for the debt-equity ratio for a Crown corporation with a 100 per cent debt guarantee from the province. Hydro experienced single-digit equity-to-debt ratios between 1970 and 1995 without the sky falling in. The ratio will correct itself by the early 2030s on the basis of demand growth and the planned rate increases, without additional rate increases.

And this is after considerably larger payments by Hydro to the province in the form of increased water rentals, capital tax and debt guarantee fees that will follow completion of Keeyask. These payments, amounting to $262 million in 2014, will double to $516 million annually by the early 2030s, according to the Needs For and Alternatives To report. They are, to some degree, discretionary at the call of the government, and a portion could be used to prevent additional rate increases, or, as the report recommended, to mitigate the impact of currently planned rate increases on low-income earners.

Further rate increases would adversely affect low-income earners. They would also raise the nagging suspicion they might be a prelude to the privatization of Manitoba Hydro, notwithstanding government protestations to the contrary.

John Loxley is a professor of economics and former Manitoba Hydro board member.
Opinion

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This article was published 02/11/2016 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I couldnt believe my good fortune when I arrived at the psychology department of the University of Manitoba in 1968. I was one of six new professors. The department was just in the process of changing the format of its introductory psychology course.

At the time, students watched films on various psychological topics once a week in a large auditorium. If they had any questions about the material, they had the opportunity to discuss them later with a graduate assistant in a more reasonably-sized classroom.

In place of the films and the once-a-week meetings, there were now to be real classes, classes of a reasonable size with real teachers, and I was lucky enough to be one of them. We had so much fun in those days, the students and I. The setting provided an opportunity for a wide-ranging, free exchange of ideas. Classes often ran over time because, instead of leaving at the end of the period, students tended to want to congregate in the front of the classroom to continue the discussions that we had just been having.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Much has changed over the years for University of Manitoba students, faculty and administration.

Another interesting aspect of the university at that time was that, while it was increasing the number of teachers, it had few administrators. In 1968, there was a president, a vice-president and a dean of arts and science. In short, the university was investing its money in front-line troops, the people who were there to engage with students and get them interested in ideas and information about the workings of the world.

But all of that has changed  it has gone topsy-turvy, reverting back to the bad old days with a vengeance. Instead of hiring more teachers, the university has been systematically getting rid of them. In 1999, the university induced a number of senior, tenured professors to leave by providing them with a one-time retirement bonus. And when some of those professors were replaced, they were replaced by sessional appointments  teachers who were signed on for a couple of years at low salaries, with no benefits and no job security.

And the introductory psychology course? What has become of it?

While there are still a couple of introductory classes taught in the traditional manner, most of the 2,500 students must learn the material and take their exams on a website. And, while they do have access to twice-a-week tutorials with a graduate student, those sessions are, in fact, sparsely attended.

And heres the irony: while the university has been divesting itself of teachers, it has been hiring administrators. Its hard to keep up with the administrative growth, but at last glance I believe that in place of a president and vice-president there is now a president, three vice-presidents, and a bevy of vice-provosts. And the position of dean of arts and sciences is now two positionsa dean of arts and a dean of science  each with a concomitant number of associate deans.

And, apparently, to make sure that there will be enough Deanship candidates in the future, the administration, in the Collegial Governance section of a prestrike bargaining document, says it wants to increase the ease of hiring Deans from outside the university by providing the inducement of offering to hire new Deans spouses as well!

In case youre wondering, those administrators dont come cheaply. As an example, the salary of the president of the University of Manitoba is third among the presidents of the 13 comparably sized universities in Canada. This is in sharp contrast to the salaries of the universitys professors, who happen to rank at the bottom of the pack.

So it would seem that now is the time to start to right a listing ship, a ship top-heavy with administrators and their salaries. Its a time for the University of Manitoba to offer its professors salaries commensurate with those of comparable universities in Canada and its a time to hire more of them to fulfil the needs of its students who are seeking a first-class education provided by people  and not computer screens.

David Koulack is a writer and a former professor at the University of Manitoba.
In an editorial, written in party mouthpiece Saamana, Uddhav Thackeray called Bhopal jailbreak incident as a disgrace for the government where 8 SIMI terrorists were able to flee.

By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: Questioning the controversy over Bhopal jailbreak and encounter, Shiv Sena today targeted the BJP saying that the national security is "Ram bharose".

In an editorial, written in party mouthpiece Saamana, Editor and Party President Uddhav Thackeray called Bhopal jailbreak incident as a disgrace for the government where 8 SIMI terrorists were able to flee.

Also read:

Bhopal encounter: Post-mortem shows multiple wounds on SIMI men's bodies



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"By making statements like how can the police be so cruel, there seems to be a competition to boost the morale of terrorists. There is another side to the story as well. It was a disgrace for the government that 8 terrorists were able to flee from the jail. Prabhu Ramchandra's exile has not finished despite BJP's raj. National security is Ram bharose," the editorial read.

Also read:



From serial blasts to jihad: All you need to know about SIMI, 8 jailbreakers who were shot dead



"There is BJP government in MP. Shivraj has done a hat-trick there. So the blame of jailbreak cannot be put on Congress or Rahul Gandhi," read Saamana editorial.

Also read:

SIMI encounter: NHRC issues notice to Madhya Pradesh govt, demands answer in 6 weeks



Calling the jailbreak as a conspiracy, Shiv Sena said that the terrorists may have got external help. "The security and intelligence agencies failed to get this information." the editorial says.

The editorial further says "it's a repeat of the Ishrat Jahan case on the streets of Bhopal. If the encounter was real, thousand salutes to the policemen, and if it was fake, as claimed by leaders like Digvijaya Singh, then one must not forget that those who were killed were experts in bomb making."

Also read:



Bhopal SIMI jailbreak: 8 hours that shook the city



--- ENDS ---
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 02/11/2016 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Premier Brian Pallisters first thought about a labour contract for University of Manitoba professors was a one-year wage freeze.

He asked David Barnard, president of the university, and Mark Hudson, president of the faculty association, to extend the present collective agreement by a year with no salary increase. The premier reasoned he wanted to achieve a pause in compensation throughout the Manitoba public sector.

The governments second thought, later that day, was expressed by Finance Minister Cameron Friesen, who said the government was not going to comment on the universitys labour negotiations and that he wanted all public stakeholders to help the government fix the provinces finances and protect the services we all depend on. He said nothing about a wage freeze.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Minister of Finance Cameron Friesen

The Manitoba public was left to figure out for themselves whether the wage freeze was on or not. It was clear, however, the government was of at least two minds about what to do about the U of M collective bargaining.

As though in reply to Mr. Pallister and Mr. Friesen, the faculty association called its members out on strike Tuesday. While the government is unsure of its aims, the professors are quite clear they want a pay increase and other contract improvements.

The confusion and uncertainty in the governments reasoning may open a way forward for Manitobas universities, which have been labouring for many years under severe government-imposed restrictions on tuition fees. Cheap university tuition was an article of faith for the New Democratic governments of Gary Doer and Greg Selinger. Gary Filmons Progressive Conservative government before them was unwilling to challenge it. As a result, Manitoba universities have been unable to earn tuition revenue to the extent that is usual in Canada.

A years full-time tuition toward an arts degree at the University of Manitoba costs between $3,400 and $4,000, the way Statistics Canada counts such things. Other Manitoba universities are about the same. The corresponding fee is $6,000 in Thunder Bay, Hamilton and Ottawa, $5,600 in Saskatoon, $7,000 in Edmonton and $5,000 in Vancouver. Quebec universities are cheaper. Atlantic region universities charge $5,000 and up.

Manitoba tuition is kept low supposedly in the interest of helping low-income families send their children to university. But tuition is a minor barrier to university access, compared with a years expense for room and board, transportation or clothing. For the most part, people go to university if their parents went to university. The few people who are blocked by tuition fees can be helped with scholarships.

The damage done by the low-tuition policy is seen in the faculty strike: the university is prevented from paying the faculty adequately. The provincial government does not have the revenue it would need to increase the grants to universities so as to keep them in line with other Canadian universities. While Mr. Pallister and Mr. Friesen are no longer commenting on the universitys labour negotiations, they could give some private thought to the damage inflicted by years of NDP tuition freeze.

Mr. Friesens aims, he said, were to fix the provinces finances and to secure and protect the services we all depend on. He can secure and protect post-secondary education by letting the universities set a price for their services and leaving the professors and the universities free to negotiate their contracts.
Eric Nelson and Debi Niebuhr traveled with the Land Stewardship Project on a Witness for Peace delegation to Oaxaca in southern Mexico to witness the impacts of US policies on indigenous people. At the Oct. 27 Learning Club meeting, they shared stories with farmers, artisans, and displaced people. Here, they developed a greater understanding and empathy towards migration to the US and the social justice issues within Mexico and Central America.
Eight months after starting production, Gypsoil is slowing down their production.

Gypsoil, based out of Chicago, opened a gypsum pelletizing plant this spring in Winona with the hopes of filling a demand for in the area for fertilizer additives, but has so far been coming up short.

Steve Musser, director of the plant, confirmed Monday that nine employees were being laid off  about half of the full capacity of the plant  which he said he hoped would be a temporary move as the plant goes from 24-hour-a-day production to one shift for the winter.

An earlier story, based on a misunderstanding during an interview with Musser, incorrectly reported that all employees were being temporarily laid off.

Its been a very tough market, Musser said. Weve just been producing more than we can sell.

Musser said it was a downturn tied to the agricultural markets. He said the farmers were currently strapped for cash and not buying.

Fertilizers very cyclical, Musser said.

The plant cost over $5 million to put up near the citys docks.

The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation assisted with a business loan in 2015, which the Winona Port Authority and the state Department of Employment and Economic Development also partnered on.

While gypsum is common in materials such as drywall, it is less known for its fertilizer properties but has been increasing in use.

It can be a source of sulfur and calcium for corn, soybean, alfalfa, cotton and other crop growers.

The gypsum used at Gypsoil is the by-product of coal smoke stack scrubbers, which is collected a plants in Ohio and barged to Winona.
SENTENCED

 Dustin C. Crandell, 31, of Winona, pleaded no contest and was found guilty of possessing methamphetamine. Crandell was sentenced to 30 days in jail, two years of probation and $518 in court costs. Probation conditions included counseling, absolute sobriety and avoidance of bars and taverns. Charges of second-offense possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating while license revoked were read into the court record and dismissed.

 Eugene U. Dubord, 30, of Sparta, was sentenced to six months in jail after his probation was revoked on 2015 offenses of battery and disorderly conduct. He was credited for 81 days already served in jail.

CHARGED

 Tyler D. Linna, 22, of Arcadia, has a hearing Nov. h on misdemeanor charges accusing him of domestic abuse battery and disorderly conduct. Linna allegedly bruised a womans arm when he grabbed hold of her during a dispute inside his vehicle.

 Zachary K. Smith, 21, of Mondovi, has a hearing Nov. 9 on a theft charge accusing him of stealing a donation jar of coins from a counter at a Super America store in Mondovi. The jar contained $189, Mondovi police were told. A police report said Smith was caught on store security tape taking the money container. Smith claimed there was only $21 in the jar, police say.

 Nicholas A. Lintvedt, 34, of Alma, pleaded not guilty to charges of taking and driving a vehicle without consent, disorderly conduct, operating while license revoked, inattentive driving, operating left of centerline and bail jumping. A hearing was set for Nov. 9.

 Ruth A. Barhyte, 27, of Mondovi, has a hearing Nov. 9 on charges accusing her of battery and disorderly conduct. Barhyte allegedly assaulted a woman at a group home in Mondovi on July 15, according to Mondovi police reports. Barhyte pleaded not guilty to charges.

 Holly A. Ness, 53, (address unknown), had arrest warrant issued Oct. 27 for failure to appear in court as scheduled on a misdemeanor theft charge. Ness is accused of stealing prescription pain and anxiety medications from a vehicle in Alma on Sept. 20.

 Aleesha L. Deck, 29, of Independence, had a hearing adjourned to Nov. 9 on charges accusing her of possessing methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Deck also is accused of operating a motor vehicle without insurance.

 Derrick K. Williams, 36, of Cochrane, has jury trial March 1 on charges accusing him of third-offense operating with restricted controlled substance, possessing marijuana and driving with his license revoked.

 Brian K. MacPhetridge, 41, of La Crosse, had an arrest warrant issued Oct. 27 for failure to appear in court as scheduled on a felony charge of second-offense possession of marijuana.
Winona

Tuesday

6:10 a.m.  Joshua Michael Steichen, 31, Winona, was cited for leaving the scene of a property damage accident after he abandoned his vehicle after hitting a power pole near Prairie Island Road and Bierce Street.

1:40 p.m.  A 64-year-old Winona man was injured in a rear-end collision near Huff and Lake streets. No citations were issued.

8:50 p.m.  Jedidiah Thomas Steege, 19, Winona, was cited for speeding and careless driving after he struck a power pole non the 900 block of East Mark Street.

11:24 p.m.  A 15-year-old Winona boy was cited for obstructing the legal process with force by officers called to a domestic disturbance on the 650 block of West Fifth Street.
The Winona Senior High School Student Council invites all retired residents living in the Winona Area Public Schools district to the Student Council Turkey Dinner at Winona Senior High School from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

There is no cost for the meal, but donations are accepted. There are no take outs. Reservations are required. The reservation phone line will be open until Nov. 13.

To make reservations, dial 507-494-1507. This is an answering machine, so when prompted, callers will spell their last name and say their first name. Callers will then leave their phone number, but will not get a call back to confirm. Reservations should be made for individuals or couples only.

Any questions can be directed to WSHS Student Council adviser, Adrien Everest, at adrien.everest@winona.k12.mn.us or by calling 507-494-1579.
Its a great honor to serve the people of Fillmore, Houston, and Winona counties as a member of the Minnesota Senate. I hold this position in the highest regard and work extremely hard to get positive results for our district and the state of Minnesota. As I travel our district visiting with constituents, people share their disappointment with all of the negative campaign ads, especially this year with the chaos at the presidential level.

My opponent, Jon Pieper, has a reputation of negative campaigning, but, unfortunately, he has taken it to a new low this year. It began when Mr. Pieper admittedly distributed literature containing false information about my voting record, and now he and his allies continue to make misleading statements about votes I took in the Senate. However, most disturbing was a letter attacking my wife and family.

While my opponent goes negative, I will continue to stay positive and focused on the issues. Im proud of what Ive been able to help accomplish for our district and the state.

We worked with local law enforcement to make dangerous synthetic drugs illegal. We helped bridge the funding gap between metro and greater Minnesota schools by investing in Small Schools Revenue and Deferred Maintenance Revenue. We worked to increase funding for nursing homes and organizations that provide services to people with disabilities.

We passed an income tax exemption on military pensions and provided property tax relief for farmers by reforming the Green Acres program. We made higher education more affordable by passing reforms and making investments to benefit students. We added three genetic disorders to the newborn screening list with the Super Gav Act.

Additionally, I co-founded the bipartisan Purple Caucus to put party politics aside and do whats best for the state.

I was also involved with three important projects in our district that were the result of collaborative efforts among our local, state, and federal governments. These projects include the southeast Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston and two major bridges in Winona and Dresbach.

These accomplishments dont just happen; they come with hard work and the ability to work together. Ive put a strong emphasis on building relationships with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, which has helped us get positive results.

While Im proud of these accomplishments, there is still work to do. My priorities for the upcoming session include lowering health insurance costs (I voted no on MNsure, but Im committed to fixing it), continuing our work on a fair and equable funding model for schools in greater Minnesota, a long-term, bipartisan transportation plan, and a tax bill similar to the one that passed the Legislature with strong bipartisan support in 2016, but was vetoed by the governor.

This tax bill provided relief for middle-income families, college students, veterans, small businesses, and farmers, as well as funding for cities and counties. It also included an income tax reciprocity tax credit for Minnesotans who work in Wisconsin.

Finally, I will continue working to fully fund the Lanesboro Dam and the Education Village projects. Contrary to what my opponent has said, I authored and voted to fully fund these projects, both of which were included in the final bipartisan bonding bill. Unfortunately, the bill didnt make it to the governors desk because of a last minute amendment to fund light rail in the metro area.

I ask for your vote so we can continue working together to help make southeast Minnesota an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Five years ago, when first approached by a frac sand company to sell our mineral rights, the thought of running for Winona County commissioner couldnt have been further from my mind. We were among a group of people who were approached by smiling folks in expensive vehicles with empty promises. We were expected to just roll over, and they were quite surprised when we didnt. We have not had any regrets. Our land remains our heritage.

Before long, the city of St. Charles was talking about partnering with a company to build what would have been the largest frac sand processing facility in the nation just east of town. Had it been built, that plant would have provided the incentive for intensive frac sand mining throughout our area. In the end, Im convinced that the quality of life that we cherish in Winona County as well as farmland, trout streams, and habitat would have been destroyed.

Fortunately, I and other citizens in the St. Charles area successfully worked to stop that frac sand processing plant from being established. I found it curious that our current county commissioner, Steve Jacob, was unwilling to oppose the frac sand plant, either during his campaign for office or after he was elected. This reluctance to oppose the frac sand industry was puzzling, especially given the widespread consensus in the region that this industry would not be good for our community.

Later, I learned that Jacobs campaign had accepted financial support from a number of frac sand industry players, and I realized that there was a financial reason for his initial silence. He didnt stay silent for long, however, as he became a strong frac sand advocate during the permitting of the countys first frac sand mine, in his refusal to vote in favor of an Environmental Impact Statement for that project, and continued obstruction of a ban on industrial mining in the face of widespread support.

Yet, as I began watching more closely what was going on with the Winona County board, I saw other statements, votes, and actions of commissioner Jacob that troubled me. It seems that, on a regular basis, commissioner Jacob wants to starve county programs that genuinely help people.

Jacob has also on more than one occasion worked to kill county grant applications that would have brought money into the county and genuinely helped people. As a nurse for 35 years, I place a tremendous value on public health. Jacobs efforts to scuttle a public health grant earlier this spring were really what prompted me to decide that I was going to challenge him in the Nov. 8 election.

As it turns out, county finance records from the last 15 years show Commissioner Jacob billed the county for far more personal mileage expenses than any rural or city commissioner in recent memory, and maybe ever. That kind of hypocrisy is disturbing.

Our system of funding local government through the property tax system needs to be thoroughly reformed. And that is going to take the cooperation of county officials and our state representatives. Theres been minimal advocacy on Commissioner Jacobs part for the serious reform that needs to occur. Perhaps, his anti-government philosophy is not a good starting point for conversations with state leaders who might be open to much-needed change.

And if Jacob really was serious about the countys budget crisis, hed be taking the concerns about the county jail much more seriously. Our jail situation is very expensive. Outsourcing prisoners costs taxpayers a lot of money, and its hard on families. We need to put all options for the jail on the table  rebuild, remodel, contract, and/or diversion programs. We need to look at them all and come to a decision.

Theres also been justifiable criticism of commissioner Jacob regarding the countys roads.

When we neglect our roads, we are effectively billing our children. Road maintenance is a prime ingredient for our quality of life in Winona County. Theyre also a major county expenditure. Its a balance between making sure they are well-built, but that were also using common sense about not building an expensive super highway on roads that dont really need it. And Id like to work with our local legislators and the Minnesota Department of Transportation for some changes on that (state aid roads). That would help us stretch those dollars around.

Im running for this office because I care about our county. I care about the legacy that we leave. Winona County is a great place to live and we need to concentrate our efforts on sustainable growth; as we grow and change, I would want to be sure each new direction would benefit all of the people of the county and not just a select few.
As an educator, father and concerned citizen, I am excited to support Jon Pieper for state Senate.

Jon is a small-business owner and farmer, and he understands the challenges ordinary people face in Greater Minnesota. As our state senator, he will join state Rep. Gene Pelowski in the state Legislature as a strong advocate for local schools, affordable higher education, safe roads and bridges and local businesses. Like Rep. Pelowski and U.S. Congressman Tim Walz, Jon is committed to improving our regions economy so that young people can find good paying jobs in southeast Minnesota.

Jons opponent, incumbent state Sen. Jeremy Miller, showed a disappointing lack of leadership by voting against the first bonding bill that would have funded projects such as Winona States Education Village. As a college professor, I found this lack of support for education especially disappointing. By the time Miller voted for a bonding bill, it was in the last minutes of the session, when there was not enough time for both chambers to come to a compromise.

Millers party in St. Paul has shown an excessive unwillingness to compromise on the bonding bill and other matters, and a commitment to running down the clock in the bonding bill negotiations. It was very upsetting to see Miller side with his party and its cynical strategy rather than standing up for the people in his community.

I know Jon will be a true leader who will do whats right for the people of his district. Hell do a good job representing our interests in St. Paul. I encourage voters in Senate District 28 to join me in electing Jon Pieper as our next state senator.

Christopher Phan,

Winona
In the latest ceasefire violation from Pakistan, heavy shelling has been reported at the Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir. According to initial reports, several people have been injured in this unprovoked firing.

By India Today Web Desk: In the latest ceasefire violation from Pakistan, heavy shelling has been reported at the Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir. According to initial reports, several people have been injured in this unprovoked firing.

Heavy firing is under way at Mankote, Balakot, Rangroor areas as well.

Also read: Indian Army retaliates after civilian deaths: 2 Pakistani jawans killed, 14 posts hit



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Meanwhile, IG of BSF DK Upadhyaya has said India is giving a befitting reply to Pakistan. As many as 14 Pakistani posts have been devastated in retaliation by India.



CAN'T CONFIRM NUMBER OF CASUALTIES ON PAKISTANI SIDE: BSF IG



Upadhyaya said, "We targeted their posts. The number of casualties on their side is very high. We can't confirm the numbers."



We targeted their posts,the number of casualties on their side is very high, can't confirm numbers: DK Upadhyaya,BSF IG ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

He added that India's retaliation was accurate and measured which resulted in heavy damage to the Pakistani posts. Upadhyaya went on to say that unlike our neighbours, we never target civilians across the border.

Also read: Army brigadier, in charge of bombarding Pak in case of war, accused of corruption, harassment



--- ENDS ---
Just like the venue where it will be staged, the Baraboo Theatre Guilds production of Beauty and the Beast puts a new shine on a time-tested classic.

Like the Disney film of the same name, the musical is based on a classic French fairy tale. Featuring songs not included in the movie, Beauty and the Beast opens Thursday for a two-weekend run.

The audience will feel as if they are literally swept into this tale as old as time as they witness some of their favorite Disney characters take the stage, cast member Jed Strobel said, performing iconic songs and scenes as well as some songs that are unique to this stage show alone.

The production marks the Theatre Guilds return to the Al. Ringling Theatre, which a year ago was closed for restoration. The community theater troupe held its annual fall musical at the Baraboo Arts Banquet Hall. The cast is eager to perform at a historic playhouse thats good as new.

Everyone will enjoy the classic Disney tale come to life on a truly classic stage, said Strobel, who plays Gaston. We are not only excited about the show, but also the fact that we will be performing inside the restored Al. Ringling Theatre.

The story centers on Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But if the Beast does not learn his lesson in time, he and his household will be doomed for eternity.

The cast features more than 40 local performers, backed by a full pit orchestra. Baraboo is home to an almost freakish amount of extremely talented people, said Tom Bird, who plays the clock Cogsworth. When an army of these people band together to bring Disney magic to a stage as stunning as the Al. Ringing Theatre, its not something to miss.

The production crew has created a castle featuring a grand staircase and towering bookshelves, as well as costumes that turn actors into enchanted household objects.

The set is grand, the characters are of cartoonish proportions, and the iconic musical score is brought to life by an orchestra of top-tier musicians, Bird said.

The costumes are simply adorable, said Melisa Skwor, who plays the wardrobe Madame Bouche. Who wouldnt love dancing utensils, plates and napkins?

Cast members said audiences will delight in the familiar story and songs, as well as the stage versions new twists.

The orchestra is amazing and the cast is full of energy, Skwor said. Overall, its a fun and heart-warming show that all ages will enjoy.

No matter who you are, Bird said, you will walk out of the theater with a smile on your face and a fantastic song stuck in your head.
Saturday will mark the first Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce auction for Executive Director Bobbie Boettcher, but she said the event has been a staple of the organizations fundraising for years.

Its one of our primary fundraisers for the Chamber, she said. We promote our members and what they do.

Regardless of new leadership, there wont be a shortage of one-of-a-kind items up for live and silent auction at the annual event.

The items, which are donated by chamber businesses, have been piling up in the organizations conference room in advance of the weekends event. The Chamber is in the process of moving them to the Nordic Building on the corner of Third Avenue and Broadway where the auction will be held.

Boettcher said the Chamber will accept additional donations until Saturday.

Of all the items up for auction, Boettcher said her favorite is a wooden Bucky Badger sculpture donated by Craft Mall of Wisconsin Dells thats valued at $350. Chamber board Vice President Scott ODonnell, on the other hand, noted a stuffed squirrel  also donated by the craft mall that hes dubbed Chippy.

Other auction items include original paintings, antique dolls, baskets of treats, gift certificates and a wide range of services offered by local businesses.

No matter the trinket, antique or gift card, both Boettcher and ODonnell agreed theres something for everyone, and that its a great opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping.

Theres all kinds of useful stuff from A to Z, ODonnell said. You can shop for clever and unique items for the whole family.

ODonnell added that buyers will support the Chamber and local business with their bids.

Its a great way to get involved and find something unique, he said, and all of the proceeds benefit the Chamber and the community that it serves.

Throughout the day, people will be able to bid in person or over the phone. The auction will be broadcast on Retro TV43, Charter Channel 10, and WRPQ 740 AM and 99.7 FM.

Anyone interested in bidding on an item can receive a bidder number ahead of time by calling the Chamber office at 608-356-8333.

In exchange for support, the names of donor businesses are advertised during the auction and their products are shared with bidders. If a buyer bids over an items assessed value, they will receive a gift card or other services from sponsored businesses.

Boettcher said shes looking forward to introducing local businesses to the community during her first auction as head of the Chamber.

Were going to tell people who may not be familiar with our businesses what theyre all about, she said. Im excited to see it through and see how we do.
University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County faculty and staff gathered around the universitys Sifting and Winnowing plaque Tuesday to recognize colleagues who left the UW System due to what they view as an attack on the Wisconsin Idea.

The group of professors and other staff members took turns naming former UW-Baraboo educators who left the university in the wake of decreasing state support in the form of budget cuts, decreased tenure protection and shared governance and other policy changes.

Similar events were also held at other UW campuses, including UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Sheboygan and UW-Manitowoc.

Annette Kuhlmann, who has been a professor of sociology at UW-Baraboo for 22 years, expressed concern about the universitys recent departures.

This way of losing people either because theyre fired, or because its just too depressing to be here anymore because they dont see a future for themselves, is really a serious problem, she said.

Kuhlmann said state budget cuts are making it more difficult for universities to help disadvantaged students who cannot afford college.

Less and less state support means students have to pay larger and larger amounts for tuition and other fees, she said. It feels like the ground is being pulled out from under us.

UW Colleges AAUP Chapter President Marc Seals said Gov. Scott Walkers 2015-2017 state budget, which cut $250 million from the UW System, forced UW Colleges to regionalize its administration. The result put one executive officer in charge of multiple campuses, leaving them to work unsustainable hours, he said.

Seals said he hopes support for Wisconsins higher education programs will become a bipartisan issue, adding that additional cuts to the UW System moving forward could prove dire for UW-Baraboo.

Education shouldnt be a partisan issue, he said. This should be something we should all agree on because this is our communitys future.

Seals capped the commemoration by covering the universitys Winnowing and Sifting plaque  which articulates a long-held belief in the states commitment to higher education  with a black cloth.

The act was intended to symbolize what has been lost and what could become of the UW System should state support continue to dwindle.

While the commemoration painted a bleak picture of the current state of the UW System, Seals said hes confident the Wisconsin Idea will live on.

I wanted us to be careful about what we say were mourning, he said. The Wisconsin idea is not dead, at least not yet. Im hopeful that even if it were somehow killed in statute that it would rise again.
Frederic Bayer

Frederic A. Fred Bayer, 84, of Baraboo, passed away in his sleep the morning of Oct. 30, 2016, in the same house in which he was born, some 84 years plus earlier, on June 9, 1932. However, it would be an understatement to say that Fred did much and traveled many miles between these two events. What follows are just some of the highlights.

Fred enlisted in the United States Navy after attending Baraboo High School and served in the Korean-Pacific Theater of operations until 1955. He attained the rank of petty officer first class and was highly decorated during that time, earning nine medals. He remained in the U.S. Naval Reserves until honorably discharged in 1959. Fred was a member of the Baraboo chapter of the American Legion until his death, a period of more than 55 years.

Upon his return from the Pacific, the Sauk County Traffic Police hired Fred as a patrolman. He became an officer of the Sauk County Sheriffs Department after the Traffic Police merged with that agency, and he performed his duties for the Sheriffs Department and Traffic Police overall for nearly 18 years. During that period he achieved the rank of lieutenant and occupied the position of night supervisor of the Sheriffs Department soon after.

In 1972, the village of Lake Delton asked Fred to build a first-class police department. He accepted that challenge and served another 18 years as chief of police of Lake Delton, building the agency into a small but innovative, modern and advanced police department that was the envy of the state. During the final years of this stint, before his state retirement, he also served as co-director of Emergency and Disaster Relief Services for the state of Wisconsin. After his retirement, Fred was named chief of security at the Wisconsin Dells Greyhound Park, and occupied that position until the track went out of business six years later.

During these times and thereafter, Fred remained an avid and expert horseman, who could often be seen leading parades and maintaining crowd control with his famous and impressive white Barbary-Arabian horse, the Gray Ghost. In the late 50s, Fred and his best friend and co-worker, James Jantz, formed the Sauk County Mounted Sheriffs Posse, the only voluntary group of its kind east of the Mississippi. The Posse remained in operation for more than 20 years providing community education and service, law enforcement assistance, and emergency medical services for the citizens of Sauk County and the surrounding area. Fred was one of the first emergency medical technicians in Wisconsin, became an EMT instructor and also was one of the first in the area to achieve national certification. He ensured that all officers that worked for him at the Lake Delton Police Department also earned and maintained their EMT certifications so that they could truly serve the citizens of their community in any way they might have been needed.

Jantz, the best man at Freds wedding and soon to be Freds first sons godfather was slain in the line of duty by three Chicago men who had robbed the Ishnala Supper Club in 1961. Fred arrived on the scene as the shooting was occurring and returned fire as the men fled in a vehicle. Finding his friend dead and the Lake Delton marshal badly injured, Fred rushed the marshal to the hospital in his squad car, an action that saved the marshals life. Due to his tireless efforts during the ensuing three-day manhunt, which resulted in the capture of all three fugitives, as well as an apprehension of two dangerous criminals shortly thereafter, Fred Bayer won the inaugural James Jantz Memorial Award for outstanding Law Enforcement Service in 1962. At the time this was the highest award that could be bestowed on a law enforcement officer in Wisconsin. He also was a training officer in humane and non-lethal riot control techniques in the 1960s, assisted in riot control in Madison during the unrest there, and played a major role in thwarting a terrorist attack at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant south of Baraboo in 1966. He died as a fellow of the American Federation of Police, the National Association of Chiefs of Police, and a holder of the National Commission on Law Enforcement Standards Professional Certificate in Law Enforcement Science. He also served several terms as the president of the Sauk County Chiefs of Police Association.

Fred Bayer married his beloved wife Nancy in 1959, a union that ended in December 2015 when Nancy passed away from cancer. Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of his life was as a fine husband, father, and friend. Fred was also preceded in death by his father Alfred Pete Bayer; mother Mattie Bell Bayer; a brother, Harley; and three sisters, Edna and Gertrude Bayer and Harriet Tews.

He is survived by his sons, David (Annette) Bayer of Oshkosh and Eric of Wautoma; granddaughters, Ariana of Oshkosh, Louisa of Gary, Indiana; and two great-grandchildren, Charlie and LunaBella, also of Gary.

Visitation will be held 10 a.m. with funeral services at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, at St. Pauls Evangelical Lutheran Church, with Pastor Karen Hofstad officiating. Interment will be held at Rock Hill Cemetery immediately following the service and mourners are invited back to the church for a luncheon after the burial. Military rites will be held at Rock Hill Cemetery. Redlin Funeral Home is assisting the family.
As a taxpayer, Im glad my citys leaders dont target one another for crimes. But as a journalist, I wouldnt mind a little more excitement.

I cover Baraboo city government for the newspaper, and have found City Hall to be a well-run operation with employees that are dedicated and helpful. This is good news for citizens, but sometimes I selfishly wish city officials here were a little more like their counterparts in Watson, Minnesota.

Last week, that communitys former mayor pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary. Joseph Rongstad wasnt after valuables: He was after his neighbor and political rival, current Mayor Kyle Jones. This is the kind of incident that sells newspapers and wins reporters awards. And that, not sound and stable leadership, should be the goal of city government.

Rongstad was elected mayor in 2012 and was succeeded by Jones two years later. Court documents indicate Rongstad believes the city of Watson has a conspiracy going against him. Hey, you arent paranoid if everyone truly is out to get you.

Police were called to Jones home one March morning after he reported a break-in. Believing he was targeted for being the current mayor  uneasy lies the head that wears a crown  Jones named Rongstad as a suspect.

Jones reported that his family had returned home at 1 a.m. that morning and around 3:30 a.m., an intruder had pushed his daughters bedroom door open and said, Oops, sorry. Just because a man commits burglary doesnt mean he forgets his manners.

Jones wife reported hearing an intruder in the house around 7:30 that morning, and noticed desk drawers, electrical cords and other items strewn in the hallway. A computer case containing city documents and Jones computer had been moved from the home office.

Meanwhile, a lanyard with keys and a black shirt were found upstairs, neither of which belonged to the family. To whom did these foreign objects belong? To the perpetrator, of course, the man who  in an apparent effort to save money for the local taxpayer  parked across the street from the crime scene. He may be a burglar, but Rongstad isnt about to waste the time of officers working on the taxpayers dime.

Officers found him sleeping in a pickup across the street. After they woke Rongstad up, he told them he had been fixing his trucks to sell them and move to Brainerd, Minnesota. Oh sure, the old Leave me alone, Im moving to Brainerd defense.

When officers produced the lanyard and keys, Rongstad admitted they were his. A deputy started Rongstads red Ford with one of the keys and arrested him immediately. Apparently, the cop was a Chevy man.

During booking, authorities found on Rongstads person a Swiss Army knife with Kyle Jones written on it and a set of keys belonging to the mayor.

If you thought breaking into the mayors house, taking stuff, having a middle-of-the-night talk with his daughter and falling asleep near the crime scene was weird, hold on tight. Rongstad also faces charges stemming from a February incident when he allegedly fired a rifle through the sunroof of his truck, claiming he was trying to get away from the corpses that were after him.

Rongstad would hardly have been the first mayor who felt himself besieged by corpses. As anyone who has covered local government can tell you, public hearings most often are attended only by geezers who love nothing more than shaking their fists at elected officials.

As for the latest charges, Rongstad pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary in exchange for having more serious charges dropped. Hell be sentenced next month. Thats what a guy gets for engineering a political caper so hopeless it made the Watergate Hotel burglary look well-organized.

Oh, to be the city government reporter right now in Watson, Minnesota.

Writing about mayor-on-mayor crime isnt something I get to do in Baraboo, where the leaders are frustratingly well-adjusted. As a taxpayer, Im relieved. But as a journalist, I wouldnt mind the occasional botched burglary and sunroof shooting. Because remember, city government is all about me.
More than half a million voters have cast early absentee ballots in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission reported Tuesday that more than 518,600 people have cast ballots with a week to go before Election Day.

Locally, early voting has been heavier than in the past according to municipal clerks.

Beaver Dam Deputy City Clerk Linda Carney said 884 early votes have been cast. That total number includes both people walking into the clerks office and mail-in votes. She said that while she doesnt know the exact number of early votes cast four years ago this year is above and beyond 2012.

According to Mayville city clerk Sara Decker, 275 people have completed a walk-in ballot as of Tuesday afternoon. This number is down so far from the 2012 Presidential election when 400 people walked in. However, Decker said, It has been very busy this week. We had about 50 people walk in yesterday.

An additional 125 absentee ballots were mailed this year, which Decker said is comparable to the number of ballots mailed four years ago.

Horicon has had 264 early ballots cast and Randolph has had 102.

Early voting continues through the end of the day Friday. The election is Tuesday. Voters are reminded that they need to show an ID to vote.

Of those who have cast ballots statewide, about 30 percent have come from the Democratic counties of Milwaukee and Dane. In the 2012 election, about 26 percent of all ballots cast came from those counties.

About 16 percent of early votes have come from the conservative stronghold counties of Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee. Those suburban Milwaukee counties are imperative for Donald Trump and Republican Sen. Ron Johnson if they hope to carry the state.

In 2012 about 12 percent of all ballots cast came from those counties.
Vandalism  Tuesday at 8:21 a.m., a woman reported that people covered up and moved her Republican candidate signs in the 400 block of Carroll Street.

Disorderly conduct  Tuesday at 9:50 a.m., someone at Beaver Dam Middle School, 108 Fourth St., reported that a girl was out of control.

Disorderly conduct  Tuesday at 10:51 a.m., a man told police there was a domestic dispute about property with a woman in the 900 block of North Spring Street.

Disorderly conduct  Tuesday at 6:47 p.m., someone reported that two boys were pushing a girl near the North University Avenue and East Main Street intersection.

Hit and run  Tuesday at 8:20 p.m., someone reported that a vehicle struck a parked vehicle in the 100 block of Prospect Avenue.

Disorderly conduct  Tuesday at 10:11 p.m., in the 700 block of North Spring Street, someone reported that a man was doing burnouts in front of a store. The man threatened to drain transmission fluid and slash someones tires. The man was cited for obstruction and disorderly conduct with a motor vehicle.

Traffic  Tuesday at 10:49 p.m., a woman near Boston Store, 1645 N. Spring St., told police there was a car doing wheelies.
TOMAH  The VA Medical Center in Tomah and the Veterans Assistance Foundation have dueling versions of what led to the VAs 90-day termination notice of the lease for part of a building the foundation uses to house 40 to 50 homeless veterans.

The foundation, headquartered in downtown Tomah, pays the VA $17,000 a month to lease space in Building 407 as part of its mission to provide transitional housing and other services, said VAF president Chris Hanson.

Safety and other concerns that could endanger other veterans being treated on the centers sprawling campus prompted the termination notice on the sharing agreement, effective Jan. 13, 2007, VA spokesman Matthew Gowan said Thursday.

Acting Tomah VA Medical Center director Victoria Brahm said in a statement issued Thursday, The request is not to close the program but to move it off of the hospital campus.

The safety and well-being of our veterans is of the utmost concern, she said. Unfortunately, the Veterans Assistance Foundation has failed significantly in their responsibility to take care of the veterans in their care.

The VAFs lack of response to the multiple problems that have occurred in their program and their lack of effort to resolve long-term issues is unacceptable, Brahm added.

Issues included a refusal to provide 24/7 security, the absence of required clinical staff and inappropriate use of the VAF space, she said.

The medical center has halted referrals to the VAF until it deems the program safe, she said.

VA police responded to more than 30 incidents, ranging from suicide attempts to accidental overdoses to other criminal violations of varying degrees, Gowan said.

Death investigation

The Tomah Police Department is still investigating the death of a 54-year-old woman in the facility.

The police department received a request on Sept. 26 from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General to help in a death investigation that had begun the previous day, according to a statement from Tomah police chief Mark Nicholson.

Upon initial investigation, a cause of death could not be determined, Nicholson said. In an attempt to determine the cause of death, an autopsy was ordered and has been performed by the UW Hospital Pathology Department in Madison.

The autopsy results are pending the return of toxicology reports, according to the statement, which stated that the Monroe County Joint Investigative Task Force and the VAs inspector generals office are assisting in the investigation.

The fact that the VAF program is on federal property imposes restrictions, such as banning of alcohol, Gowan said. But some VAF residents had brought alcohol into their quarters, which also is forbidden because some VA patients are being treated for alcohol and drug addiction, he said.

Hanson, a U.S. Navy Reserve lieutenant and public affairs officer who is serving in Afghanistan, acknowledged during a phone interview that there have been a number of police calls.

Many residents in the VAF program are suffering from mental illness and substance abuse, he said.

The residents we have out there have the more difficult issues, Hanson said. Thats part of the nature of the program. We dont give up on anybody.

Hanson indicated a fraying relationship with the medical center, noting, Weve always been treated as a nuisance more than anything. The relationship has really chilled the last few months.

The whole thing is very disheartening, especially that the VA had not notified him, he said. Ive had no contact from the VA.

Gowan said the VAF had been notified repeatedly.

Hanson said if the VAF cant find another location and loses its grant funding, local veterans could be forced out of the Tomah area to find housing.

The termination action will not affect the VAFs project in downtown Tomah, which includes a resale shop, coffee house and housing for several veterans, he said.

Hanson also hinted at possible ulterior motives, saying, The VA has plans for that space. Theyve had plans for that space for a long time.

Even when the VAF program moves off the campus, the medical center will continue to provide clinical programs participants need, Gowan said.

Our staff are assessing each VAF residents individual situation to ensure that veterans are being offered needed programs and services, Brahm said. It is our hope that the VAF will work cooperatively with us to ensure our veterans can receive appropriate VA assistance and resources that will help in their transition.

The dispute has attracted the attention of members of Congress.

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, met with Brahm Thursday, issuing a statement later that he urged her to ensure that the affected veterans have access to housing and the care and treatment they need.

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., sent Brahm a letter asking for more information, adding, While it is important to allow for a thorough independent investigation into the recent death, the VA also must ensure that the veterans who currently rely on the VAF program are not adversely affected by this decision.

Veterans would not be shoved out into the cold, Gowan said, adding that the Tomah VA has requested 30 additional housing vouchers in case they are needed and clinical services also will continue.

Despite their conflict, VA and VAF representatives were working under the same roof Thursday during a Homeless Veterans Stand Down at Logistics Health Inc. in La Crosse.

Thats what you do to serve veterans, Gowan said.

The VAF, an independent nonprofit agency, operates with its own fundraising, as well as reimbursement from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for its transitional housing programs in Tomah and several other sites, as well as a variety of other services, including vocational training, PTSD referrals, case management and counseling for sobriety, life skills and anger management, among others.

The VAF has received millions in state and federal money since it was founded in 1994.

It was ranked as the 26th-worst charity in the nation, based on fundraising cost-expenditure ratio in a 2013 investigation by the national Center for Investigative Reporting and the Tampa Bay Times in Florida.

According to that report, the foundation raises about $2.5 million a year, with about half of that going toward temporary housing and job training programs for struggling veterans.

The VAF gets nearly half its revenue through a federal government grant. It paid for-profit solicitation companies $11 million during the previous decade, according to the investigation.

For at least the past 10 years, the foundation has signed contracts with telemarketers allowing the companies to keep 90 cents of every dollar raised, according to that report.
Days before the election, Wisconsins U.S. Senate race is a statistical toss-up, according to the final Marquette Law School Poll of the 2016 campaign.

The poll finds Democrat Russ Feingold with 45 percent support and Republican incumbent Sen. Ron Johnson at 44 percent  the narrowest margin between the candidates recorded by the poll during the campaign.

The results ensure both sides will pour all available resources into the final days of a race that could determine which party controls the U.S. Senate in 2017.

Its right on the knifes edge and could go either way, Marquette pollster Charles Franklin said after announcing the results.

[Final Marquette poll shows Hillary Clinton holding six-point lead in Wisconsin]Three percent of poll respondents supported the Libertarian candidate, Phil Anderson. The poll was conducted Oct. 26-31, interviewed 1,255 likely voters and has a margin of error of 3.5 points.

The previous Marquette poll, conducted Oct. 6-9, also had Feingold leading Johnson within the polls margin of error, 46 percent to 44 percent among likely voters.

Other public polls of the race in October have shown Feingold leading by between 2 and 12 points. One public poll, conducted by Loras College, has shown Johnson leading.

In a potentially troubling sign for Feingold, the new Marquette poll shows self-identified independent voters moving toward Johnson. Forty-six percent of independents favored Johnson compared to 40 percent who backed Feingold  a reversal from the previous poll in which independents preferred Feingold, 44-37.

Johnsons campaign hailed Wednesdays results as a sign it is gaining steam.

This race is a dead heat and the momentum is clearly with Ron Johnson, Johnson spokesman Brian Reisinger said in a statement.

[Track the latest Wisconsin polls for president, senate]Feingold campaign spokesman Michael Tyler said Feingold retains a clear advantage. Tyler added that corporate and billionaire-backed groups are dumping millions into Wisconsin with negative attacks in a last-ditch effort to keep (Johnson) in Washington to protect their interests.

Millions of dollars of ads sponsored by outside groups have poured into the race in recent days, most of it supporting Johnson. This week, millions in new advertising to aid Johnson was announced by Americans for Prosperity, backed by the billionaire Koch brothers, and Reform Wisconsin Fund, a super PAC funded by a group bankrolled almost entirely by Afton billionaire Diane Hendricks, co-founder of ABC Supply Co. in Beloit.

Moments after the Marquette poll release, Feingolds campaign launched a fundraising email to supporters with the poll results in the subject line.

Also Wednesday, the candidates rolled out a slate of TV ads as part of their closing pitch to voters.

Johnsons campaign debuted two ads: One featuring a seated Johnson speaking into the camera about what Americans share in common. The other ad blasts Feingold for his 34 years in elected office with very few accomplishments and a lot of broken promises.

Feingolds campaign released an upbeat spot in which Feingold talks about what he heard from Wisconsinites on his tours of the states 72 counties  while supporters file out of a campaign van, interjecting with criticisms of Johnsons record.

Feingold was campaigning Wednesday in Milwaukee with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

The candidates also were planning key stops for the campaigns last weekend.

Johnson  who campaigned in Eau Claire on Tuesday with GOP nominee Donald Trump  was set to embark on a bus tour with U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Janesville and Gov. Scott Walker.

Feingold was scheduled to appear with Vice President Joe Biden at an early voting event in Madison on Friday morning.

The track record of the Marquette poll is why its regarded by many political observers as the gold standard for polling in Wisconsin. In the states most recent U.S. Senate race in 2012, the final Marquette poll came within 1.5 percentage points of predicting the outcome, in which Democrat Tammy Baldwin beat Republican Tommy Thompson 51 percent to 46 percent.

The latest poll results suggest Johnson is beginning to separate himself from Trump  which some consider a requisite for Johnson to prevail.

After months of polling showed Johnson at or below the level of support for Trump in Wisconsin, the new poll finds Johnson running well ahead of his partys presidential nominee, who trails Democrat Hillary Clinton in the poll, 46 percent to 40 percent.
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By Rohit Kumar Singh: Perhaps it is going to be more convenient for the Chatth devotees in Patna to find the nearest ghat from their house where they can perform the Chatth puja this time around. The Patna administration today launched a mobile application named "Chatth Puja Patna" for the benefit of the devotees.

The mobile application is the brain child of Patna District Magistrate, Sanjay Agarwal and has been launched for the first time in the state to cater especially to devotees of Chatth puja. Through this mobile application the devotees apart from getting information about the nearest ghat from their house will also be provided information like where they can park their vehicle if they come to the ghat to perform puja. Also there is information regarding the walking distance between the parking area and the ghat.

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Lakhs of devotees who throng various ghats on the Ganga will also be provided information about those ghats which have been indentified as dangerous and where devotees are barred from performing puja. Information like the magistrates and medical officers deputed at ghats is also available on this mobile application.

The mobile application was launched by the Patna Commissioner, Anand Kishore in the state capital on Wednesday. Users can download this application from the Google Playstore and get all kinds of information related to Chatth festival.

The four day long festival begins on 4th November. Perhaps this is the only festival in the world where there is ritual of offering prayers to setting as well as rising sun. Devotees performing Chatth puja fast for 36 hours.

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The Columbia County Boards Planning and Zoning Committee has approved significantly extended hours for trap shooting at the Rio Conservation Club in the town of Wyocena, an accommodation to the burgeoning popularity of the sport among students at Rio and Pardeeville high schools.

In granting a conditional use permit to the club on Tuesday, the committee not only allowed for shooting as late as 10 p.m. on all five weekdays; it also allowed shooters to use different types of ammunition and firearms, in addition to the shotguns and lead shot typically used for shooting clay targets in the air.

Jay Walters, president of the Rio Conservation Club, said participation among Rio and Pardeeville students (boys and girls) in fall and spring trap shooting has increased from seven participants to 23 in the last year. With so many participants, he said, not all of them can shoot during the clubs previously limited weekday hours. The only weekday that the club has been open is Monday, and shooting had to stop at 9 p.m.

Supervisor Susanna Bradley of the town of Caledonia expressed concern about noise and other nuisances that might bother neighbors if shooting can happen every weekday until 10 p.m.

Also, she said, the extended hours might attract even more shooters.

If I lived there, I wouldnt like it, she said.

According to Planning and Zoning Director John Bluemke, the Rio Conservation Club at W5950 Gorman Road, which was founded in 1957, is surrounded mostly by agricultural land, though there are a few private residences near it.

Supervisor Kevin Kessler of the town of West Point said he, too, was concerned about the magnitude of increase in weekday hours, and said he thought allowing the club to be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. five days a week would be excessive.

I happen to live within hearing distance of a shooting range, said Kessler, who also noted that he is a gun owner and a shooter.

Walters said he doesnt think that the extended hours will mean that people will be firing guns continuously during all those hours.

Rather, he said, the added hours of operation would allow more flexibility, especially for students participating in trap shooting who may not be able to shoot on Monday nights.

Walters said after the meeting that whenever there is league or open shooting, someone from the club is always on the premises.

Town of Wyocena Chairman Doug Cole said the Town Board voted 2-0 in favor of granting the conditional use permit (which does not require additional authorization from the County Board). He noted, however, that he abstained from the vote because he has been a member of the Rio Conservation Club for more than 50 years.

In addition to shooting events, the club has also hosted activities such as hunting dog trials, he said. The club also contributes to local causes, including libraries and fire departments, he said.

The club has a history of zero complaints, to my knowledge, Cole said.

Walters said residents who live near the club were notified by certified mail about the clubs intention to seek a conditional use permit for extended hours, and no one expressed objections at the Town Board meeting at which the permit was discussed.

As is usually the case with Planning and Zoning Committee public hearings, no one spoke either in favor of or against the request for the permit.

Walters said there are no plans now to build new ranges in addition to the three existing trap ranges at the Rio Conservation Club.

However, he said, a new trap range could be added soon. There are no target-shooting ranges at the club.

Planning and Zoning Committee Chairman Fred Teitgen of the town of Dekorra asked whether a new range would be built in compliance with safety standards. Bluemke said there are county ordinances requiring that.

Before the committee voted unanimously to grant the conditional use permit, Kessler asked whether county officials would be able to cut back on the shooting hours if neighbors should complain in the future.

Supervisor Harlan Baumgartner of the town of Otsego said it should be up to the neighbors and the Town Board to decide if a cutback in hours is warranted.
A 26-year-old Wisconsin Rapids woman was arrested after she was found sleeping in a vehicle parked in a garage at a Reedsburg home.

Officers from the Reedsburg Police Department were dispatched at 6:04 a.m. Nov. 2 to a home in the 1300 block of Wellington Drive. A man at the residence told police he walked out to his garage where he discovered the woman in his vehicle, according to a news release from Police Chief Timothy Becker.

The woman, Dana M. Deverney, was charged with criminal trespass, resisting arrest and violation of probation, according to the report.

Deverney was transported to the Sauk County jail.

Alcohol was a factor in the incident, according to the report.
America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. Alexis de Tocqueville

Throughout history, numerous revolutions have taken place. In all cases except one those revolutions turned on themselves and devoured the very ideals and purpose of their occurring in the first place.

The Russian Revolution exploded because of a bloated society of the rich over the poor where serfs had no rights, no income to speak of, and struggled each day for their existence. The French Revolution turned on itself, guillotining the very leaders who helped initiate the revolution. The chaos led to the rising of Napoleon. Even the English Civil War, which led to the execution of Charles I, only created the dictatorial Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell. All revolutions have reached too far, losing their sight, losing their purpose of their manifestation born in a noble cause. All revolutions, that is, except the American Revolution.

When our revolution was over, King George III asked what George Washington would do now that the war had ended. Informed that he would simply return to his plantation at Mount Vernon, King George was dumbfounded saying, If he does, he is the greatest man to have ever lived. Washington fought and suffered for a cause he believed in, not for personal gain or power. He lived and practiced the virtue that is America.

When asked to serve a third term, Washington refused. He believed that if the ideals he held so dear were to really continue, to be what he had dedicated his life to, the holding of power, as president could never exist for more than eight years with one person. The transfer of power from one president to another must, and had to be respectful, and accepted despite an opposition faction.

A whole new set of emails have been found from Hillary Clinton on someone elses computer. As of this writing, nothing is known about them. It certainly does not help her. But despite all the chicanery of the Clintons, going back to Whitewater, not one, not a single charge has ever been filed against her. If this new batch of emails shows anything illegal, then prosecute her as any citizen. But until then? Representative Jason Chavez has been quoted as saying he has two years of investigations to continue with. Really? This is now a witch-hunt and not a judicial investigation.

Donald Trump has been found guilty of bringing in illegal Polish workers, found guilty of discriminating against African-Americans in renting apartments, has cheated small business owners over contract work, and 12 women are not all liars.

Sadly, Nov. 9 may be a more important day than Election Day, Nov. 8, because of the ranting of Trump. Trump has said that, The only way I can lose is if cheating goes on. Trump has regularly spoken about the election being rigged. Trumps comments about not necessarily accepting the election results now border on sedition. In short, the democratic process works only as long as he wins.

Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who make excuses. George Washington

How Americans react to the election results will tell if the spirit of the American Revolution still exists; or have we reverted to the status of a third world country, mock republics that talk democracy, but practice something much deeper and darker.

The Republican Party as a whole has not helped. Certainly, one of the greatest interests of the new president will be the replacement of Anthony Scalia on the Supreme Court. Assuming all to be equal, the next president will replace a second, and even a third judge.

John McCain has now gone so far as to state, I promise you that we will be united against any Supreme Court nominee that Hillary Clinton, if she were president, would put up.

Sen. Ted Cruz has incredulously stated that only having eight, instead of nine justices on the Supreme Court is not imperiling the ability of the court to do its job.

But that is completely false. With a four to four split, the decision of the Appellate Court is upheld. Emphasis on potential, the potential for one interpretation of the Constitution held on the west coast could be different than on the east coast. This defies the entire concept of checks and balances guaranteed under the Constitution; it impairs and mocks the concept of the ideal of the law of the land. It could allow the enforcement of certain laws to people based on their state, not on legality under the law. To have anything else erodes the very essence that is our country.

Trump wants to make America Great Again, but then suggests anarchy.

Guard against the imposture of pretended patriotism. George Washington
The building in Moulivakkam will be demolished today by the CMDA using implosive explosion technique.

By Pramod Madhav: As directed by the state government, the 11-storey building 'Belief' in Moulivakkam, Chennai will be demolished today.

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) will demolish the building where one of its twin towers 'Faith' collapsed on July 28, 2014. 61 people had died in the collapse after a spell of heavy rain. The second tower was declared unsafe immediately.

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The Supreme Court, in May this year, gave its permission for demolishing the building after going through a report submitted by a three-member expert committee.

Following the advisory of Kancheepuram collector, the standing tower was enlisted for demolishing as the foundation was not strong and could be a dangerous to the neighbourhood.

Also read: Crime on the rise in Chennai, cops request senior citizens to enroll in data list to maintain safety



The building will be demolished between 02:00pm - 04:00 pm today depending on weather conditions. Demolishers are using implosive explosion technique to bring down the building within 10 seconds.

Schools in the area have been closed for the day and people have been moved to safer zones. Electricity supply to the area has also been shut down since morning.

Also read: Chennai: 2 killed in Kannagi Nagar in gang war over selling marijuana

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Carter's, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, sources, and markets branded childrenswear under the Carter's, OshKosh, Skip Hop, Child of Mine, Just One You, Simple Joys, Carter's My First Love, little planet, and other brands in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International. Its Carter's products include babies and young children products, such as bodysuits, pants, dresses, knit sets, blankets, layette essentials, bibs, booties, sleep and play products, rompers, and jumpers; and OshKosh brand products comprise playclothes, such as denim apparel products with multiple wash treatments and coordinating garments, overalls, woven bottoms, knit tops, and bodysuits. The company also provides products for playtime, travel, mealtime, bathtime, and homegear, as well as kid's bags and diaper bags under the Skip Hop brand. In addition, it offers bedding, cribs, diaper bags, footwear, gift sets, hair accessories, jewelry, outerwear, paper goods, socks, shoes, swimwear, and toys. The company operates 18,800 wholesale locations, including department stores, national chain stores, and specialty stores. As of December 31, 2021, it operated 980 retail stores. The company also sells its products through its eCommerce websites, such as carters.com, oshkoshbgosh.com, oshkosh.com, and skiphop.com, as well as other international wholesale accounts and licensees. Carter's, Inc. was founded in 1865 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Hilltop Holdings Inc. provides business and consumer banking, and financial products and services. It operates through three segments: Banking, Broker-Dealer, and Mortgage Origination. The Banking segment offers savings, checking, interest-bearing checking, and money market accounts; certificates of deposit; lines and letters of credit, home improvement and equity loans, loans for purchasing and carrying securities, equipment loans and leases, agricultural and commercial real estate loans, and other loans; and commercial and industrial loans, and term and construction finance. This segment also provides treasury management, wealth management, asset management, check cards, safe deposit boxes, online banking, bill pay, trust, and overdraft services; and estate planning, management and administration, investment portfolio management, employee benefit accounts, and individual retirement accounts, as well as automated teller machines. The Broker-Dealer segment offers public finance services that assist public entities in originating, syndicating, and distributing securities of municipalities and political subdivisions; specialized advisory and investment banking services; advice and guidance to arbitrage rebate compliance, portfolio management, and local government investment pool administration; structured finance services, which include advisory services for derivatives and commodities; sells, trades in, and underwrites U.S. government and government agency bonds, corporate bonds, and municipal bonds, as well as mortgage-backed, asset-backed, and commercial mortgage-backed securities and structured products. This segment also provides asset and liability management advisory, clearing, retail, and securities lending services. The Mortgage Origination segment offers mortgage, jumbo, Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Affairs, and United States Department of Agriculture loans. Hilltop Holdings Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Amid the unsafe situation prevailing in Chennai for senior citizens, police have requested them to enroll in the data list to provide immediate assistance of any kind.

By Pramod Madhav: Following the string of murders in the city targeting senior citizens, police have reinstated the process of collecting data of senior citizens in the city.

CRIME AGAINST SENIOR CITIZEN RISING IN CHENNAI



On May 8, Dr Rohini Premkumari, a well-known oncologist and anti-tobacco campaigner was murdered at her home in Chennai's Egmore. Rohini was living with her aged mother and was beaten to death. The incident brought out concerns about helpless senior citizens living in Chennai and what steps should police take for their safety.

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ALSO READ | 60-year-old woman found strangled to death in Chennai



60-YEAR-OLD WOMAN STRANGLED TO DEATH



Recently, a 60-year-old woman, living alone at Chennai's Habibullah road was found dead at her home. Shanti's hands were tied and she was strangled to death. Police are yet to identify the culprits.

Amid the unsafe situation prevailing in the city for senior citizens, police have requested them to enroll in the data list to provide immediate assistance of any kind.

Of the calculated 6,500 senior citizens living alone in the city, 4,500 have provided data so far.

Helpline number 1253 has been dedicated to 'Senior Citizens Distress Call' and can be used to provide details. Presently, the number is getting close to 75 calls mostly requesting transportation or medical assistance.

Meanwhile, senior citizens in the city are still living with a gripping fear of uncertainty over their lives.



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Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, and markets biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, neuroscience, and covid-19 diseases. The company's products include Revlimid, an oral immunomodulatory drug for the treatment of multiple myeloma; Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; and Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis. It also provides Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia; Yervoy for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma; Abraxane, a protein-bound chemotherapy product; Reblozyl for the treatment of anemia in adult patients with beta thalassemia; and Empliciti for the treatment of multiple myeloma. In addition, the company offers Zeposia to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis; Breyanzi, a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma; Inrebic, an oral kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with myelofibrosis; and Onureg for the treatment of adult patients with AML. It sells products to wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies, retailers, hospitals, clinics, and government agencies. The company was formerly known as Bristol-Myers Company. The company was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Deckers Outdoor Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs, markets, and distributes footwear, apparel, and accessories for casual lifestyle use and high-performance activities. The company offers premium footwear, apparel, and accessories under the UGG brand name; sandals, shoes, and boots under the Teva brand name; and relaxed casual shoes and sandals under the Sanuk brand name. It also provides footwear and apparel for ultra-runners and athletes under the Hoka brand name; and fashion casual footwear using other plush materials under the Koolaburra brand. The company sells its products through department stores, domestic independent action sports and outdoor specialty footwear retailers, and larger national retail chains, as well as online retailers. It also sells its products directly to consumers through its retail stores and e-commerce websites, as well as distributes its products through distributors and retailers in the United States, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, Latin America, and internationally. As of March 31, 2022, it had 149 retail stores, including 75 concept stores and 74 outlet stores worldwide. The company was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Goleta, California.
OFG Bancorp, a financial holding company, provides a range of banking and financial services. It operates through three segments: Banking, Wealth Management, and Treasury. The company offers checking and savings accounts, as well as time deposit products; commercial, consumer, auto, and mortgage lending services; financial planning and insurance services; and corporate and individual trust, and retirement services. It also provides securities brokerage and investment advisory services, including various investment alternatives, such as tax-advantaged fixed income securities, mutual funds, stocks, and bonds to retail and institutional clients; and separately-managed accounts and mutual fund asset allocation programs. In addition, the company engages in the insurance agency and reinsurance businesses; administration and servicing of retirement plans; various treasury-related functions with an investment portfolio consisting of mortgage-backed securities, obligations of U.S. government sponsored agencies, and U.S. Treasury securities and money market instruments; and management and participation in public offerings and private placements of debt and equity securities. Further, it offers money management and investment banking services; and engages in the asset/liability management activities, such as purchases and sales of investment securities, interest rate risk management, derivatives, and borrowings. The company operates through a network of 50 branches in Puerto Rico and 2 branches in USVI. OFG Bancorp was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. operates as a specialty retailer and distributor of professional beauty supplies. The company operates through two segments, Sally Beauty Supply and Beauty Systems Group. The Sally Beauty Supply segment offers beauty products, including hair color and care products, skin and nail care products, styling tools, and other beauty products for retail customers, salons, and salon professionals. This segment also provides products under third-party brands, such as Wella, Clairol, OPI, Conair, and L'Oreal, as well as exclusive-label brand merchandise. The Beauty Systems Group segment offers professional beauty products, such as hair color and care products, skin and nail care products, styling tools, and other beauty items directly to salons and salon professionals through its professional-only stores, e-commerce platforms, and sales force, as well as through franchised stores under the Armstrong McCall store name. This segment also sells products under third-party brands, such as Paul Mitchell, Wella, Matrix, Schwarzkopf, Kenra, Goldwell, Joico, and Olaplex. As of September 30, 2021, the company operated 4,777 stores, including 134 franchised units in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany. It also distributes its products through full-service/exclusive distributors, open-line distributors, direct sales, and mega-salon stores. Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Denton, Texas.
Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through three segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure, Gas Utilities and Infrastructure, and Commercial Renewables. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest; and uses coal, hydroelectric, natural gas, oil, renewable generation, and nuclear fuel to generate electricity. It also engages in the wholesale of electricity to municipalities, electric cooperative utilities, and load-serving entities. This segment serves approximately 8.2 million customers in 6 states in the Southeast and Midwest regions of the United States covering a service territory of approximately 91,000 square miles; and owns approximately 50,259 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure segment distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and power generation natural gas customers; and owns, operates, and invests in pipeline transmission and natural gas storage facilities. It has approximately 1.6 million customers, including 1.1 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, as well as 550,000 customers in southwestern Ohio and northern Kentucky. The Commercial Renewables segment acquires, owns, develops, builds, and operates wind and solar renewable generation projects, including nonregulated renewable energy and energy storage services to utilities, electric cooperatives, municipalities, and corporate customers. It has 23 wind, 178 solar, and 2 battery storage facilities, as well as 71 fuel cell locations with a capacity of 3,554 MW across 22 states. The company was formerly known as Duke Energy Holding Corp. and changed its name to Duke Energy Corporation in April 2005. The company was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
By PTI: Hyderabad, Nov 2 (PTI) Climate change is the biggest challenge for humanity and all nations will have to adopt policies to face and address it, Norways ambassador to India, Nils Ragnar Kamsvag said here today.

"Not many have understood the seriousness of climate change. As a nation, Norway is a witness to extreme weathers but during last few years the extreme weathers have become more extreme. Areas that were once felt as a safe zone are no more a safe zone.

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"The drain systems which were designed to deal with limited rainfall are choking up because of increase in rainfall and the areas which were considered safe are getting submerged due to heavy rainfall," Kamsvag said.

He was delivering inaugural address at the two-day international conference on "Climate Change, Water, Agriculture and Food Security" at ICRISAT here.

The conference is organised by a consortium of institutes, including the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, and Water and Land Management Training and Research Institute (WALAMTARI).

The objective of the conference is to better understand and synthesise the biophysical, technological, institutional, social, economic and political drivers for future agricultural development and food security.

The conference has been planned across 15 themes and 70 papers.

On the occasion, Kamsvag called upon various nations to come forward and join hands and address the challenges properly.

He said Norway was contributing to the extent of USD 25 billion to countries which are limiting deforestation and trying to have programmes for forestation.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of the conference, Kamsvag said that he was hopeful of a "positive outcome" from the Conference of Parties (COP 22) and the forthcoming 12th session of COP 22 serving as the meeting of parties to Kyoto Protocol (CMP 12) which will be held in Marrakech in Morocco next week.

"A lot depends on US elections," he said, adding that he was hopeful of a positive outcome.

In his address, Central Water Commission (CWC) chairman G.S.Jha said climate change was an issue of concern.

"At Central Water Commission, we have taken up measurements and study of glacier lakes and are trying to analyse them. As per the finding, some lakes are shrinking while some are increasing in size," he said. (More) PTI CORR NSK AMS

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By PTI: Hyderabad, Nov 2 (PTI) Climate change is the biggest challenge for humanity and all nations will have to adopt policies to face and address it, Norways ambassador to India, Nils Ragnar Kamsvag said here today.

"Not many have understood the seriousness of climate change. As a nation, Norway is a witness to extreme weathers but during last few years the extreme weathers have become more extreme. Areas that were once felt as a safe zone are no more a safe zone.

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"The drain systems which were designed to deal with limited rainfall are choking up because of increase in rainfall and the areas which were considered safe are getting submerged due to heavy rainfall," Kamsvag said.

He was delivering inaugural address at the two-day international conference on "Climate Change, Water, Agriculture and Food Security" at ICRISAT here.

The conference is organised by a consortium of institutes, including the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, and Water and Land Management Training and Research Institute (WALAMTARI).

The objective of the conference is to better understand and synthesise the biophysical, technological, institutional, social, economic and political drivers for future agricultural development and food security.

The conference has been planned across 15 themes and 70 papers.

On the occasion, Kamsvag called upon various nations to come forward and join hands and address the challenges properly.

He said Norway was contributing to the extent of USD 25 billion to countries which are limiting deforestation and trying to have programmes for forestation.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of the conference, Kamsvag said that he was hopeful of a "positive outcome" from the Conference of Parties (COP 22) and the forthcoming 12th session of COP 22 serving as the meeting of parties to Kyoto Protocol (CMP 12) which will be held in Marrakech in Morocco next week.

"A lot depends on US elections," he said, adding that he was hopeful of a positive outcome.

In his address, Central Water Commission (CWC) chairman G.S.Jha said climate change was an issue of concern.

"At Central Water Commission, we have taken up measurements and study of glacier lakes and are trying to analyse them. As per the finding, some lakes are shrinking while some are increasing in size," he said. (More) PTI CORR NSK AMS SDM

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Study finds decrease in Medicare hospital readmissions a result of Affordable Care Act penalties

Highlight on healthcare: Molly Smith '16 worked with Economics Professor Jennifer Mellor to study the effects of a recent program administered under the Affordable Care Act, the Hospital Readmissions Reductions Program. Photo courtesy of the Schroeder Center for Health Policy Photo - of - Hide Caption

In some settings, an encore is applauded; when that encore occurs in the form of a repeat visit to the hospital, its not. The good news, as recently discovered in a new study by Jennifer Mellor, professor of economics and director of the Schroeder Center for Health Policy at William & Mary, and Molly Smith 16, is that repeat visits for Medicare patients in Virginia are on the decline.

Mellor, Smith and Michael Daly, a research associate with the Schroeder Center, recently examined the readmission rates of Medicare patients treated for certain conditions and found that those treated for acute myocardial infarctions, or heart attacks, are 2.5 to 2.8 percentage points less likely to return to the hospital within 30 days following treatment. The finding, they said, is likely the result of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP), which was implemented under the Affordable Care Act in 2012.

The HRRP was included in the Affordable Care Act as a way of incentivizing hospitals to reduce readmissions of Medicare patients, said Mellor. Readmissions are a problem because they suggest that something was perhaps missed during the initial hospital stay  either the quality of care wasnt up to snuff or the hospital discharged the patient too quickly. Theyre also costly, because Medicare pays a fixed sum each time a patient is admitted, regardless of the length of stay. Studies show that readmissions cost Medicare billions of dollars in one year alone.

Their study, which was published online in the journal Health Economics in July and will be in print soon, is the first to examine the effects of the HRRP in Virginia, and the first nationwide study to find robust data indicative of the programs effectiveness. Its also the first published research paper to come out of the Schroeder Centers seven-week summer research program in partnership with Eastern Virginia Medical School.

There are lots of opportunities to do undergraduate research at W&M, said Smith, who was among the first three students to participate in the summer research program in 2015. But, as a student interested in health policy, it was especially unique to work with researchers who are on the other side of the coin. We know about policy, numbers and data, but they have a more solid understanding of what goes on with patients and in hospitals, so they can offer a different way of looking at similar health issues.

Over the summer, Smith connected with Dr. Paul Chidester, vice president for medical affairs at Sentara Healthcare, who helped define comparison groups for the HRRP study and provided information on how a hospital might handle financial incentives.

He was helpful because he gave me insight into how the policy implementation would be impactful for him and his hospital versus a hospital in a different area that sees a different population of patients, Smith said.

Smith, Daly and Mellor began their research by examining a database that consists of approximately 850,000 hospital discharge records per year and whittling that down to include only those relevant to their analytic data. This included records of Medicare patients readmitted for three conditions (those subject to penalty by the HRRP, which include heart attacks, congestive heart failure and pneumonia) at hospitals considered at risk for the penalty. Hospitals are only penalized if their readmission rate exceeds the national average, so those with rates safely below the national average before the penalty went into effect were deemed not at risk. The team then pulled out additional records to use as comparison groups.

We used a triple difference design for our study, said Mellor. We looked at the differences in readmissions before and after the program went into effect, in the treatment of Medicare versus non-Medicare patients, and in hospitals who were at-risk for the penalty versus hospitals who were not at risk. This helped us pinpoint the impact of the policy more clearly.

After analyzing the data, the results revealed that the reduction in readmission rates is concentrated among Medicare patients treated for acute myocardial infarctions at hospitals at risk for the penalty. (These effects, Mellor notes, were not seen with other HRRP-affected conditions, possibly because treatment and recovery for those conditions are more complex.)

We didnt see readmission reductions for patients treated for different conditions not subject to the penalty. We didnt see it for the privately insured, and we didnt see it in hospitals who were safely below the penalty zone, said Mellor. So we can be reasonably confident that this is an effect thats driven by the policy. A 2.5 to 2.8 percentage point decline suggests that the hospitals were doing something to respond to this penalty.

What that is, however, remains a mystery. The team studied potential contributors to reduced readmissions  such as a longer stay or increased number of tests and procedures during the initial admission  and couldnt find any indication as to what occurred.

Our best guess is that it has something to do with how the hospitals are able to coordinate the patients care outside the hospital, said Mellor. Either that or theres something going on within the hospital that we cant observe on a discharge record, which may well be true because quality of care is very difficult to quantify.

Mellor said the publication of Smiths study is a testament to the impact the summer research program with EVMS can have on students and on research. In addition to exploring the effects of the HRRP further, Mellor is also pursuing publication on another students project developed this past summer on a different healthcare issue facing the Commonwealth.

As a center for health policy at a state institution, I think its really important that we start looking at problems at home first, she said. The discharge data we have is a great resource, and one that I think is underutilized in the Commonwealth.
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) Cosmo Films, a manufacturer of bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), today said that it has liquidated its Netherlands-based unit Cosmo Films (Netherlands).

"Cosmo Films (Netherlands) Cooperatief U.A (a wholly owned step down entity of CF Global Holding Mauritius Ltd) stands liquidated w.e.f October 28, 2016," the company informed BSE.

CF Global Holding Mauritius is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cosmo Films.

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It further added: "There is no impact on shareholding of Cosmo Films Ltd".

Shares of Cosmo Films were trading at Rs 416.15 on BSE, down 1.08 per cent from previous close. PTI KRH BAL

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The Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police has denied having "any copy of FIR in hand or any details about it", as claimed by Mistry in his email to Directors of Tata Sons.

By Virendrasingh Ghunawat: Allegations made by ousted Chairman of Tata Sons, Cyrus Mistry is now becoming a "mystery", specially in the case of Rs 22 crore fraudulent transactions in AirAsia.

The Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police has denied having "any copy of FIR in hand or any details about it", as claimed by Mistry in his email to Directors of Tata Sons.

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Even the spokesperson of Mumbai Police, Ashok Dudhe (after initial examination at local police stations in Zone 1) is completely "unaware" of any such FIR being filed by AirAsia or Tata Sons in last one or two years.

Last week, Mistry in his explosive email had exposed brief details about the Rs 22 crore fraud that took place in AirAsia. He stated, "A recent forensic investigation revealed fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crores involving non-existent parties in India and Singapore."

He continued saying, "It was only at the insistence of the independent directors, one of whom immediately submitted his resignation, that the board decided to belatedly file a first information report (FIR)."

Also read:

To state that I acted against 'Tata values' is mischievous: Cyrus Mistry



But Mistry did not share further details in any of his email to Tatas, such as - when and where this FIR was filed and by whom. Queries sent by Indiatoday.in to Mistry on his email id remained unanswered.

WHERE IS THE FIR COPY

Indiatoday.in spoke to Jay Kumar, DCP, EOW and Rajvardhan Sinha, former Chief of EOW (now IG of Police, Prisons) on FIR issue. Both denied saying, "They have no idea about such FIR in their tenure".

Ideally, all the financial offences get registered first at EOW doorsteps and later, taken over by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The spokesperson of Mumbai Police, Ashok Dudhe also said, "I have checked all the police stations that fall under Zone One (as Bombay House is located in that jurisdiction), but found nothing. I am sure if the FIR was filed as being claimed, some action would have been taken from Mumbai Police on it."

Also read:

Cyrus Mistry was given opportunity to resign, but he chose not to: Tatas



Despite several email queries by Indiatoday.in, the officials of AirAsia declined to give any specific details of the FIR. In an official statement, AirAsia said, "We cannot comment any further on this issue".

By rules, the FIR is a public document as defined under Section 7 of the Evidences Act. But now, the same document is getting treated like the 'most secret confidential paper'.

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Apurva Agarwal, partner, universal legal and the corporate lawyer said, "Despite knowing that the FIR is a public document, mostly, the corporate companies are not duty bound to share it with everyone. These companies follow the legal advice given by their lawyers, therefore, in order not to face any adverse impact from its rivals, the copy of FIR and its specific details are kept hidden as much as it can."

Also read:

No Cyrus mystery: All you need to know about sacked Tata chairman



However, in its statement on Monday, AirAsia said the airline and Tata Sons are looking into all allegations of impropriety and misappropriation very seriously.

The release said, "Some former personnel are being investigated for irregular personal expense claims and certain company charges, but as of now, it could not reveal details of the probe as it may be prejudicial to AirAsia (India) Limited or the personnel investigated.

Interestingly, Tata Sons are playing safe by passing the FIR ball towards AirAsia - who has been successful in dodging it from journalists.

Also read:



Mistry's removal was 'absolute necessary' for group's future success: Ratan Tata



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My wife and I absolutely love this site. We have spent hours reading your itineraries, especially your trips here downunder. We live in Sydney, with our 2 adult children. Our interest in waterfalls began 12 years ago, when we were fortunate enough to have a family holiday to the UK, Norway and Sweden, with our children. On this trip, we visited a couple of absolutely breathtaking waterfalls in Norway. Kjossfossen and Voringsfossen being the most memorable. I even wrote a review here on your site about our trip to Voringsfossen. Ever since this holiday, we have made it our goal, like you, to try and visit every waterfall we possibly can whilst travelling. Then, we discovered this site about 4 or 5 years ago, and it has been an invaluable source of reference for waterfalls in whatever area we are visiting. We have since visited, quite a few here in Australia, Fitzroy, Carrington and Belmore Falls being amongst the most memorable. I had a whirlwind tour 2 years ago of 3 countries, being Dubai, Holland and Lithuania, which unfortunately didnt give me enough time to see any waterfalls, as I was there for a conference, and visiting family, and only had 2 weeks off work here in Australia. I plan on returning to Europe in a few years, with my wife, and having plenty of time to do some waterfall hunting while there. Dubai and Holland have no waterfalls of course, but I did notice that Lithuania has a few which we would like to visit. Next week, we are off on a short holiday in Tasmania, and already have a few waterfalls on the agenda, thanks to information from your site regarding ease of access etc. We cant thank you and Julie enough for the hours of enjoyable reading, great pictures to whet our appetites, and for just generally helping us to enjoy our waterfall hunting that much more.

Yours sincerely

Russell and Jeanette Pritchard

Sydney Australia
On the 11th Anniversary of the September 11th Terror attacks that rocked the United States, Ansar al-Sharia Islamist militants attacked U.S. government personnel in Benghazi, Libya. The attack took place on September 11, 2012, and resulted in the deaths of four Americans, including the then US ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens. The aftermath of the attack was characterized by the controversy which drags on to date. The 2012 attacks on Americans in Benghazi, Libya are discussed below.

5. Background of U.S. Involvement, Civil War, and Growing Tension -

2011 marked the year of the Libyan Revolution as war broke out between forces in support of Muammar Gaddafi and forces in opposition to his government. The civil war came in the wake of other similar uprisings in North-African Arab states such as Egypt and Tunisia. The war was preceded by deadly protests in Benghazi which then fueled a full-blown civil war. In February 26, 2011, the United Nations voted to sanction Colonel Gaddafi, and President Obama of the U.S. announced that Gaddafi held office on questionable legitimacy. President Obama would later take matters further on March 3, 2011, by the direction the Department of Defense and the State Department to look into actions aimed at supporting the Libyan opposition. This directive was followed by testimony by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton before the House of Representatives endorsing the Libyan opposition. The then U.S. diplomat J. Christopher Stevens was subsequently appointed to liaise with the Libyan opposition. Over the next several months, the US and several European countries launched a series of airstrikes aimed at Gaddafis forces. On July 15, 2011, the U.S. formally recognized the Libyan National Transition Council and Gaddafi was eventually killed by rebels on October 20, 2011.

The civil war officially ended on October 23, 2011, after which Libya was briefly governed by the National Transitional Council before elections were held on July 7, 2012 to place a new government into power. Conflicts after the war in Libya emerged with several factions wanting control over Libya. The interim government, formed in eastern Libya, faced opposition from some autonomous militia groups who refused to disarm. A Gaddafi insurgency also emerged from groups loyal to the slain Colonel.

4. Ansar al-Sharia -

The Ansar al-Sharia (Supporters of Islamic Law) is a Jihadist group in support of Sharia Laws implementation across Libya. Founded in 2011, the group is comprised of the Ansar al-Sharia Derna and Ansar al-Sharia Brigade in Benghazi. The group was formed after the Libyan Revolution to do away with US and Western influence in the country. The Ansar al-Sharia is mainly concentrated in Benghazi and constitutes an unknown number of former militia rebels. The group was thrust into the international spotlight after its alleged role in the Benghazi American attacks. After facing a lot of backlashes both from Libya and abroad, the group has attempted at re-branding, including denouncing violence. The Ansar al-Sharia group has been involved in social services and charity work in the recent years, even as foreign and local intelligence allege it is involved with other extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda.

3. The Attacks -

On September 11, 2012, a video filmed in the US mocking Prophet Mohammad angered Muslims in numerous Islamic states, notably including Egypt. A group of Egyptian protesters in Cairo had breached a U.S. Embassys wall and tore down the American flag. On the same night, a group of protesters stormed the diplomatic compound of the U.S. in Libya after overwhelming the Libyan and American forces mandated with the provision of security. The U.S. ambassador, J. Christopher Stevens, and the Information Officer Sean Smith retreated to another building which was set on fire by the intruders. The two died due to smoke inhalation. A second attack in the nearby CIA annex building led to the deaths Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods after a heavy exchange of gunfire.

2. Outcomes and Aftermath -

After the assault, the U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stated that the government did not have prior intelligence regarding the assault, and that the military personnel stationed in Libya had been too far away from the scene to aid the Americans that were attacked. Most of the impact of the attack was felt in the U.S. political landscape. The Republicans demanded information from Presidents Obamas administration regarding the attack while pointing out discrepancies from the information provided.

The devastating attack ignited anti-militia demonstrations in Libya, in opposition to the continued operations of militias formed to oust Colonel Gaddafi. The demonstrators paid particular attention to Ansar al-Sharia, invading the groups facilities and giving the weapons found in the national army. The protests were followed by an ultimatum by the government of Libya to the militia, to either surrender to government control or disband. Security was subsequently heightened in U.S. embassies around the world, and a U.S. Marine FAST team of 50 members was deployed to Libya to facilitate security and stability.

1. Public Outrage, Investigations, Hearings, and Ongoing Controversy -

The attack was met with great local and international outcry. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice appeared on several talk shows after the attack and basing her assessments on a CIA report, suggested that the attack had been fueled by the anti-Muhammad video that had also inspired protests in Cairo. Republicans in Congress, however, raised a series of questions regarding the attacks. These questions led to five House Committees, the FBI, two Senate Committees, and the State Department alike investigating the matter. Intelligence officials, the Secretary of State, the Defense Secretary and officials from the diplomatic convoy to Libya were among the summoned during the investigations.

The State Department declared the Ansar al-Sharia militia a terrorist group, and the United States filed sealed charges against its founder, Ahmed Abu Khattalah, for his connections to the attack. Subsequent investigations pointed out to inadequate security in the U.S. diplomatic compound amidst criticisms from the Republicans. The Senate Committees reports disclosed systematic failures in the State Department and stated that the attack would have been prevented. An 800-page report was released by the House Republicans, which indicated that there were security lapses while insecurity in Libya and inadequate resources were the contributing factors in the months leading to the Benghazi attack. The attack, however, remains shrouded in controversy, as Republicans in Congress continue to use the attack as one of their greatest criticisms of the Obama administration. On August 8, 2016, two parents of the Benghazi attacks victims filed a lawsuit against the then Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton on the grounds of wrongful death and intentional infliction of emotional distress among others.
The Invasion of Kuwait began on August 2, 1990 when Baathist-controlled Iraq moved troops into the Emirate of Kuwait. Two days after the Iraqi occupation began, the Kuwait Armed Forces were defeated and Saddam Hussein, the President of Iraq at that time, declared Kuwait as the 19th Province of Iraq. The conflict lasted for seven months.

Iraq-Kuwait Relations Before the Invasion

Kuwait became an independent nation in 1961, a move that the Iraqi government did not support. The country claimed that Kuwait had been created by British imperialism and that it was indeed, an extension of Iraq. Since Kuwaits independence, Iraq had tried on several occasions to claim the nation as Iraqi territory. The Arab League prevented an invasion in 1961, however, in 1973, Iraq occupied an area along the border between the two countries. The government of Saudi Arabia opposed the invasion, and Iraqi forces were eventually withdrawn.

Between 1980 and 1988, Iraq was at war with Iran. For the first two years of the Iran-Iraq War, Kuwait was a neutral bystander. This was until fear that the Iranian Revolution would move within its borders forced the country to take sides. From 1982 until 1983, Kuwait provided financial support to Iraq despite violent retaliation from Iranian forces. In the end, the countrys financial contributions totaled around $14 billion. When Basra, a major port in Iraq, was destroyed, Kuwait provided access to ports as well.

At the end of the Iran-Iraq War, Iraq was unable to repay Kuwait and asked for loan forgiveness. The country claimed that the war had benefitted Kuwait as well. The government of Kuwait was unwilling to forgive the loan. Leaders from both countries met on several occasions during 1989, but never reached an agreement. Iraq-Kuwait relations became even more strained.

Allegations Leading Up To The Invasion

After the Iran-Iraq War had ended, the oil minister of Iraq suggested increasing oil prices as a means of paying off its war financing. Around the same time, Kuwait increased its oil production. With abundant oil supplies on the market, the price of oil from Iraq could not be increased. Consequently, the economy of Iraq continued to suffer. Iraq considered Kuwaits refusal to reduce its oil production as an act of aggression.

This accusation of aggression was followed by the allegation that Kuwait was drilling for oil in the Rumaila field in Iraq. Iraq insisted that Kuwait had developed advanced drilling technique, capable of slant-drilling. According to Iraqi officials, Kuwaits use of slant-drilling allowed the country to steal over $2.4 billion in oil. In 1989, Iraq demanded repayment for the lost oil. By July of 1990, Kuwait came to an agreement with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates agreed to a decrease in oil production to 1.5 million barrels daily.

The Invasion

Despite the agreement to reduce oil production, tensions between the countries remained high. Iraqi troops were already stationed along the border. At 2 a.m. on August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait. In just a matter of hours, government leaders of Kuwait sought refuge in Saudi Arabia, Iraq gained control of Kuwait City, and an Iraqi provisional government was established. This military move gave Iraq control of 20% of the global oil supply. Additionally, Iraq now had access to a larger area along the Persian Gulf.

During the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, its civilians formed an armed resistance movement. These individuals were detained, tortured, and killed. Some estimates suggest around 1,000 Kuwaiti civilians were killed. Around 400,000 Kuwaiti citizens, half the population, fled the country. They were joined by thousands of international foreign residents. The Indian government, for example, initiated a large-scale evacuation to remove over 170,000 Indian nationals via 488 flights over a 2-month period. The government of Iraq also led looting campaigns throughout Kuwait, stealing much of its wealth.

International Response

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) immediately opposed the invasion and ordered Iraq to withdraw its troops. Iraq ignored the demand. Four days later, on August 6, 1990, the UNSC enacted an international trade ban with Iraq. The Iraqi government remained unphased, and by August 9, US forces began deploying to the Persian Gulf. Saddam Hussein responded by increasing troops in Kuwait to 300,000.

The UNSC established a deadline for the troop withdrawal on November 29. The resolution approved using force against Iraq if it did not remove troops by January 15, 1991.

Operation Desert Storm

On January 16, 1991, an international coalition, led primarily by US forces, began launching fighter jets into Baghdad, Iraq. Over the following six weeks, forces from 32 countries continued the air strikes against Iraq. The Iraqi military was unable to defend itself. Hussein responded by launching some missiles into Israel and Saudi Arabia. An on the ground invasion began on February 24. In one day, the allied forces defeated the majority of Iraqi forces, held approximately 10,000 Iraqi troops as prisoners, and established a US air base within the country. Four days later, Iraq removed its presence in Kuwait, and then-US President George Bush declared a cease-fire.

The Aftermath

On March 15, the Emir of Kuwait returned to the country after spending the entire occupation in exile. The UNSC passed a resolution on April 3 in order bring a formal end to the conflict. The resolution removed some economic sanctions on the country but left the ban on oil sales, requiring Hussein to destroy the countrys weapons of mass destruction with UN observation. Hussein accepted the terms of the resolution on three days later, although he went on to violate its conditions in later years.

Many lives were lost during the Invasion of Kuwait and Operation Desert Storm. In total, 148 US troops, 100 allied troops, and approximately 25,000 Iraqi troops were killed. An additional 457 US troops and 75,000 Iraqi troops were injured. Experts estimate that 100,000 Iraqi civilians died during Operation Desert Storm. Those Kuwaitis who could not leave the country reportedly suffered human rights violations at the hands of Iraqi officials. The invasion continues to negatively affect the health of the population.

In December of 2002, Saddam Hussein officially apologized for the Invasion of Kuwait. Ali Abdullah Saleh, the leader of Yemen who had supported the invasion, also apologized in 2004. The US has maintained a military presence in Kuwait. Some believe this presence offers protection to the country while others believe it is an example of Western imperialism.
The new trailer of xXx: Return Of Xander Cage leaves us eagerly waiting for the film, which will release on January 20.

By India Today Web Desk: The buzz surrounding Deepika Padukone's Hollywood debut xXx: Return Of Xander Cage is super high. After a specially cut trailer for Dippy's Indian fans and her Diwali wish where she passes on some of her desi swagger to Vin Diesel, the makers have now released the new trailer of the action adventure.

WATCH: Deepika Padukone and Vin Diesel's Diwali wish is the cutest thing on the internet today

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The two-and-a-half minute trailer begins with Samuel Jackson's character advising Vin Diesel's, "Kick some ass, get the girl, try to look dope while you're doing it." Vin Diesel does look dope in the fast-paced trailer, but much of what we see of Deepika was already seen before.





Vin enlists the help of the "good, the extreme and the completely insane" to recover a device that controls every military satellite in the world. We are pretty excited to see a fierce Deepika combatting the baddies.

The film, apart from Vin and DP, has a pretty interesting ensemble that includes Nina Dobrev, Ruby Rose, Donnie Yen, Rory McCann, Tony Jaa, Toni Collette, and Deepika Padukone.

WATCH THE TRAILER:

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A young man wanted to make a point about racism in the United States, but his plan backfired when he was exposed for a liar by police. 20-year-old Khalil Cavil of Texas was working at the Saltgrass Steak House in Odessa when he claimed he was discriminated against because of his Muslim name. Cavil took
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) Commuting in DTCs Air-Conditioned buses will be costlier in Delhi NCR as fares were today revised by up to 10 per cent with immediate effect.

Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has raised the minimum fare of AC buses from Rs 10 to Rs 11 and the maximum from Rs 25 to 27 for those travelling in the city.

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Fares of DTCs Airport Express Bus Service have also been revised with minimum fare now being Rs 27 from earlier Rs 25, and the maximum to Rs 106 instead of Rs 100.

However, there has been no change in the fares of the non-AC buses of DTC.

The state bus agency has also revised fares for children by up to 10 per cent.

A senior official said the passengers travelling up to 5 km in Noida region will have to shell out Rs 11 as against Rs 10 and maximum fare will now be Rs 53 for travelling beyond 20 km.

"It is apprised that consequent upon the decision of the Government for payment of Services Tax on 40 per cent revenue earned by AC buses of DTC, it has been decided by the competent authority to charge new AC bus fare with immediate effect," DTC said.

The fare of Express Service, which mostly runs on Outer Ring Road, has been increased from Rs 30 to 32, while commuting up to 26 km and above in Gurgaon and Faridabad will cost passengers Rs 64 instead of Rs 60.

For Bahadurgarh in Haryana, new fare for commuting up to three km will be Rs 6 against Rs 5. PTI BUN KIS

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Outstanding Bravery of Heroic Wrexham Man Celebrated at Pride of Britain Awards

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Nov 2nd, 2016

A Wrexham man who risked his life to save a 73-year-old woman from a burning vehicle has been honoured with a Pride of Britain Award for his heroic achievements.

Will Edwards, 24 from Wrexham received the award for Outstanding Bravery after his courageous actions saved the life of Anne Wade, 73, in December 2015.

Anne, from Liverpool, became trapped in her vehicle when an electrical fault caused it to catch fire whilst she on the M60 near Barton Bridge in Greater Manchester.

The vehicle was fully ablaze when Will, who was a passenger in his girlfriend Alisons car at the time, stopped to try and rescue Anne.

Will smashed through the glass of the car door, cutting his arm and severing two tendons before dragging Anne from the wreckage.

He spent two days in hospital after the fire and had to take time off from his job at the Asda supermarket in Wrexham while he regained the use of the fingers on his right hand.

Last night millions of viewers saw Will accept the award, with the stars of this years Strictly Come Dancing taking to the stage to congratulate him for his brave actions.

The award was formally presented to Will by former Shadow Chancellor and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, Ed Balls, who said it was humbling to present Will with the award.

This years Outstanding Bravery Award is presented by the cast of @bbcstrictly #prideofbritain pic.twitter.com/ietiewxFkQ  Pride of Britain (@PrideOfBritain) November 1, 2016

In March 2016 Will and Anne reunited for the first time since the accident at his workplace, the Asda Supermarket in Wrexham.

*Pictured  Anne and Will when they reunited in March 2016
Six Pakistan High Commission officials today left India over the growing tensions between India and Pakistan.

By Press Trust of India: As many as six officials in the Pakistani High Commission here today returned home amidst growing tension between the two countries after a Pakistani Mission staffer was caught in an espionage ring and expelled.

Though there was no official confirmation on the number of diplomats leaving India, according to Pakistan High Commission sources there were six mission officials who have left or were in the process of leaving.

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"The decision has been taken after it became impossible for the officials to work in this vitiated atmosphere.

"Indian government is threatening and blackmailing our diplomats. So in this condition, it is impossible for us to stay in this country and work," the sources alleged.

According to the sources, those who have left include commercial counsellor Syed Furrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal.

The Pakistani action comes days after India declared Pakistani official Mehmood Akhtar persona non-grata for espionage activities, triggering a tit for tat action from Islamabad, which also expelled an Indian High Commission official there.

Earlier, media reports emerging from Islamabad said Pakistan may ask at least two officials of the Indian High Commission to leave the country for their alleged involvement in subversive activities.

Also read:

Pakistan spy ring explodes, expelled embassy staff takes 16 more names

Pakistan spy racket: 2 Indians arrested, embassy staff asked to leave India



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The Association appealed people from all school of thoughts to work for a middle path that will benefit the students in the best possible way.

By Ashraf Wani: Kashmir Private Schools Association (KPSA) today appealed to all sections of the society to keep their politics aside and find a middle ground for the benefit of lakhs of children.

In a statement the Association said that nobody including the Hurriet leaders are against education but unfortunately confrontation is still taking place on the same issue. The Association appealed people from all school of thoughts to work for a middle path that will benefit the students in the best possible way.

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SOCIETY MUST ENSURE SAFE GUARDING OF SCHOOLS

The Association appealed the entire society to come forward and ensure safeguarding of schools. "We have also asked our private staff to help in whatever way they can in these hard times. Even students and their parents have a role to play. This is the question of our future," said Gulam Nabi Var, President of Kashmir Private Schools Association.

EXAMS NOT IMPORTANT, JUST A FORMALITY

The Association said that everybody including government should forego their hard stance particularly about conduct of exams in November. The Association said that the student community is already under heavy stress and the pressure of examinations can even lead to suicidal tendencies among them. "Examinations are not important they are just a formality, studies and classrooms are important as it is here a student learns something. Examinations are there to check what a student has learnt in classes, when a student didn't learn anything what is the fun of having examinations," said Var. "This year we had less number of working days, syllabus is far from complete and there were no practical's. So on what basis government is going to conduct examinations?"



COULD GIVE BIRTH TO SUICIDAL TENDENCIES

The Association said that in the present circumstance the students would suffer a lot in the examinations and it will mar their careers. "Students didn't learn anything so they will exhibit poor performance. That will also result in students being unable to qualify competitive exams like NEET, JEE, CET etc," said Var. "In current situation where we saw dozens of school children getting killed, students are in no way ready for exams. The extreme stress will give birth to suicidal tendencies among them and in the longer run it will create behavioural problems among children."

Also Read: Worried over attack on schools, J-K Governor meets Home Minister Rajnath Singh



GIVE STUDENTS TIME TO PREPARE

The Association said that the examinations at this stage are against the principles of child development. The Association advocated conducting of examinations in February as it would enough time for every student to get prepared. "In 2014 floods too we lost seven months and still managed to save the session. So time is not the problem as we can cope with it. Govt needs to think on the larger benefit of students," said Var.

The Association asked the government to create a conducive atmosphere for schools to function. "All jailed students should be released, cases against them should be revoked and schools should be demilitarized. Then we can discuss and see which date is feasible for examinations," said Var. "Everybody has to be taken on board in a meaningful and democratic way.

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Also Read: 174 schools in J&K to shut down in the wake of ceasefire violation by Pakistan

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By PTI: Chennai, Nov 1 (PTI) The Madras High Court was today apprised by the Director General of Income Tax (Investigation) that wherever concealment of income is detected, exemption or approval granted to the charitable educational institutions concerned is withdrawn.

Recording the submission of the tax department in an affidavit, the HC closed a PIL petition.

The HC posed questions to the department on a PIL, seeking to consider revoking exemption granted under the Income Tax Act to charitable organisations if they were found violating rules and if fraudulent acts were committed.

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The high court, in its July 4, 2016 order, had said that the only aspect of concern was whether the benefit for charitable educational institutions should continue if income concealment was found or large amounts of cash was recovered during raids.

"In such a situation, the question arises whether there should be also cancellation/revocation of the Essentiality Certificate/ No Objection Certificate."

To this poser, the tax department in its counter affidavit had said"under Section 10 (23C) and registration granted under Section 12 AA (3) are withdrawn and appropriate proceedings have been launched against the offending parties of the Charitable Educational Institutions."

The departments counter affidavit today made it clear that after prima facie coming to the conclusion that there was concealment of income, the same is communicated to the approval granting authority.

Such an authority, after giving reasonable opportunity of showing cause to the aggrieved, is empowered to rescind the notification or withdraw the approval to charitable institutions in question, it said.

It may result in denial of exemption and consequent taxing of incomes at the hands of the institution at regular rates with consequential penal provisions, the department said, which the HC recorded. PTI COR VGN APR SMN TRK

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By PTI: Beijing, Nov 2 (PTI) Officials in China have seized foetus sex determination kits from the US among parcels mailed to Chinese consumers who placed orders on an e-commerce website.

Three packs of testing kits were seized by the Beijing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau last week, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted the bureau as saying in a press release.

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The testing kits can allegedly determine the sex of a foetus in the first five to 10 weeks of pregnancy through drops of urine, the document said, quoting the products user guide.

The test paper turns green for boys and orange for girls, it said.

The bureau said it will destroy the testing kits and demand the online shopping platform to stop such transactions.

Prenatal gender testing for non-medical reasons is banned in China, out of fears that predicting the sex of the foetus may lead to abortions and worsen the gender imbalance among newborns.

Individuals and organisations that perform medically unnecessary prenatal sex determination or sex-selective abortions are fined up to 30,000 yuan (USD 4,435) and their income from the illegal screenings and abortions, according to a revised regulation that took effect in May.

The regulation, jointly issued by the National Health and Family Planning Commission, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce and the China Food and Drug Administration, aims to tackle Chinas gender imbalance, a result of pre-birth sex determination and sex-selective abortions driven by cultural preference for sons.

The sex ratio at birth stood at 113.51 in 2015, much higher than the normal ratio of between 103 and 107, though it has decreased from 121.18 in 2004. PTI KJV KUN

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"Since this is the third baby girl, there is no reason to celebrate," the grandmother explained to the weeping mother. The four-day-old baby girl was sold for Rs 20,000.

By India Today Web Desk: A four-day-old baby girl was put on sale for Rs 20,000 because apparently third baby girl in the family is no reason to celebrate.

While the mother was cherishing the experience of motherhood, the grandmother of the infant had planned that the infant will be handed over to "buyers" for Rs 20,000.

Krishna, a hotel worker from Singareni Colony in Saidabad, and his wife Sujata, a daily wager, were selling their third daughter because of poverty.

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Also read: He thrashed her for being pregnant with girl child, married another woman, now she fights for justice



"Since this is the third baby girl, there is no reason to celebrate," the grandmother explained. However, a relative who was visiting the family saw the mother crying and told her that the birth of a baby girl is no reason to grieve.

Although, the aunt tried putting sense into the family by explaining that the birth of a girl is as much a reason to celebrate as is the birth of a boy but the decision was made.

Also read: Abandoned for being girls, two starving kids rescued by police from a dingy house in North-west Delhi



The grandmother apparently even asked the aunt if she would take care of the girl child because her family cannot.

Hyderabad Police was alerted and the deal was cancelled, reported NDTV. However, the police did not file a case instead are counselling the parents.

Also watch:

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On Sunday morning, October 30, Albert Dragstedt died suddenly at the age of 83. Albert was a long-time member of the Workers League, which he joined in the early 1970s, and a supporter of the Socialist Equality Party, its successor organization. He combined immense erudition with an unwavering dedication to Marxism.

Albert was educated in the classics and philosophy at Oberlin, the University of Chicago, and the University of California, Berkeley. As a student, Albert attended lectures by Leo Strauss and Theodor Adorno, a leading member of the Frankfurt School, whose politics he did not share. He later recounted how indignant he was when Strauss criticized Leon Trotsky at one lecture, since Albert already considered himself a Trotskyist at an early age.

Albert passionately defended the principles and traditions of Trotskyism as the genuine continuation of Marxism. He was part of a relatively small layer of academics won to Marxism and the working class movement during the era of the Civil Rights movement, the opposition to the war in Vietnam, and the break-up of the post-war boom.

A resident of the Bay Area, Albert taught for close to 40 years at St. Marys College in Moraga and lectured in the Great Books program at St. Johns College in New Mexico. With a profound knowledge of Greek, Latin, Italian, German, French and later Russian, Albert could lecture as easily on Aristotle or Plato as he could on Marxs Capital.

When it came to Marx, Albert dug deeply into the original German texts. When attending SEP or IYSSE classes, he would often be seen with a volume from the Werke, published in East Germany, or from MEGA2, the ongoing project to publish all the works of Marx and Engels.

When Albert first joined the Workers League, he was proud of publishing two pamphlets: The Forms of Value, the first English translation of the appendix of the first edition of Capital; and Capital, First Edition, which was an English translation of the first edition of chapter one of Marxs Capital. Both of these works were later republished with additional material in 1976 by New Park Publications in the book Value, Studies by Marx. He also co-authored a book with Cliff Slaughter in 1981: State, Power & Bureaucracy, A Marxist Critique of Sociological Theories (New Park), which included a critique of Max Webers views.

In his Introduction to Chapter One of Capital, Albert noted: Quite apart from the importance that this text has come to have in research, a translation which keeps closer to the philosophical muscles and tendons of the argument will prove useful. He illustrated this with the famous passage on fetishism, then added: We make no apology for declining to liquidate the granular, craggy, dialectical diction of Marx, especially since our translation is only intended to serve a more rigorous understanding of the second edition, rather than in any sense to replace it.

Albert sought a more rigorous understanding of whatever topic he addressed: Trotskys Theory of Permanent Revolution (which he considered one of the greatest theoretical achievements in the history of the Marxism); the ICFIs investigation into Trotskys assassination, collectively known as Security and the Fourth International; the rise of fascism in Germany, in which Stalins policies allowed Hitler to come to power and crush the workers movement in 1933; the restoration of capitalism in the Soviet Union and China; the wars of US imperialism, most recently in the Middle East. The lessons of all these experiences he felt should be brought into the working class as a crucial component of building a revolutionary leadership today.

As a supporter of the SEP, Albert hailed every gain made by the party. One of his last acts was to file official papers as an elector for the SEPs presidential campaign of Jerry White in California, helping the SEP gain write-in status in the state. He expressed the deep hope that the International Committee of the Fourth International would build broadly not only in the US, but internationally, to meet its historic tasks.

On a more personal note, Albert was a lover of classical music and, like his wife Naome, an accomplished musician. They were always welcoming hosts at gatherings in their Oakland home. Albert had a rich sense of humor, and was generous in spirit.

Albert had taught himself Russian so that he could read many works in the original. Just this summer, he was reading the Russian-language edition of Trotskys History of the Russian Revolution (which he praised as a masterpiece). He was also fascinated by Mikhail Bulgakovs novel, Master and Margarita (a major philosophical work that probes, among other themes, the damage done to literature by Stalinism in the Soviet Union).

Albert was unswerving in seeing the working class as the only social force capable of overthrowing world capitalism. He was optimistic about the future of socialism internationally. He will be missed.
With only six days remaining in the US election campaign, both of the major capitalist parties are preparing for a situation where the November 8 vote fails to resolve the bitter struggle over control of the White House. With polls showing a tightening contest following the unprecedented intervention of the FBI, whose announcement of a renewed probe of Clinton emails was calculated to damage the Clinton campaign, it is increasingly likely that the contest could be determined by the outcome in a single state, such as occurred in 2000 with Florida and in 2004 with Ohio.

Clintons lead had already begun to shrink prior to the FBI intervention, particularly after the government announced that Obamacare premiums would rise by an average of 25 percent in 2017.

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and her Republican opponent Donald Trump are mobilizing thousands of lawyers for deployment on Election Day to battleground states such as Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Ohio in anticipation of widespread efforts either to block voters from going to the polls or to disrupt the counting of the ballots they cast.

On Sunday, the state Democratic parties in Nevada, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Arizona filed preemptive lawsuits against the Trump campaign and state Republican parties charging a coordinated campaign of vigilante voter intimidation that violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871.

The suits targeted bogus exit polling and citizen journalist activities sponsored by Republican operatives, in violation of a 1982 court order that binds the Republican National Committee not to authorize or carry out ballot security campaigns aimed at voter suppression. The order forbids challenging individual voters either as they arrive at the polls or when they cast ballots, except as authorized by a federal judge.

Citing Trumps call for his supporters to invade polling stations in the city of Philadelphia, where the large African-American population is expected to vote for Clinton by huge margins, the Pennsylvania suit claimed that the conspiracy to harass and threaten voters on Election Day has already resulted in acts that threaten the voting rights of registered Pennsylvania voters.

In Newark, New Jersey, US District Court Judge John Vazquez issued an order Tuesday giving the Republican National Committee 24 hours to provide details of agreements with the Trump campaign on efforts to prevent alleged vote fraud at the polls on Election Day.

Trump has regularly denounced what he calls a rigged election, referring to get-out-the-vote drives in low-income, minority and student neighborhoods, and has declared that he would not necessarily concede the election result if he loses. In the last debate with Clinton, Trump said he would keep you in suspense on that question. The Trump campaign web site urges volunteers to sign up as election observers to help me stop Crooked Hillary Clinton from rigging this election.

The 2016 election is the first presidential campaign to be conducted after the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby v. Holder that struck down key enforcement provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act on the grounds that racial discrimination was no longer a significant factor in denying access to the polls.

This decision opened the door to Republican-controlled state governments enacting measures deliberately targeting African-Americans and other groups believed more likely to vote for Democratic candidates. A series of court decisions this year have blocked such efforts in North Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin and several other states.

As the final week of the campaign began, Trump and Clinton continued to trade allegations of criminal activity in the wake of the letter from FBI Director James Comey to eight congressional committees Friday announcing new investigative steps in the probe of Clintons use of a private email server while secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. This amounted to reviving an investigation that has been dormant since July, when Comey declared that there was no basis for bringing criminal charges against Clinton over mishandling classified information on her private server.

The letter was purportedly triggered by the FBIs acquisition of the laptop belonging to former Congressman Anthony Weiner, husband of longtime Clinton aide Huma Abedin. FBI agents found emails that appear to be pertinent to the Clinton probe, Comey said in his letter, although he acknowledged that since the emails had not been examined, there was no way of knowing whether they were significant.

Given this uncertainty, Comeys public declaration to Congress only 11 days before the election was an unprecedented political intervention by one of the principal agencies of the military-intelligence apparatus. Its only foreseeable consequenceand its purposewas to damage the Clinton campaign and bolster Trump, who had been trailing in most polls.

The brazenly political character of the FBI intervention was confirmed on Monday, when the agency released 129 pages of documents from its closed investigation into Bill Clintons controversial 2001 pardon of fugitive billionaire Marc Rich. Nearly half of the pages of documents are completely redacted and there is little new information, making the decision to release the material eight days before the presidential election even more dubious. The conclusion of the investigationthat there was insufficient evidence to warrant prosecutionwas omitted. Then on Tuesday, the FBI sent out a Twitter notice calling attention to the release of the documents.

The Trump campaign immediately seized on the Comey letter, with Trump himself drawing the most sweeping conclusions, declaring the email scandal to be worse than Watergate. In a speech in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Monday, he warned that if Clinton were to take office, her administration would be crippled from the outset. Nothing is going to get done, he said. Her election would mire our government and our country in a constitutional crisis that we cannot afford.

The Wall Street Journal, in an editorial Tuesday, drew the same conclusion, declaring, This is terrible for those institutions, for confidence in government, and for Mrs. Clintons ability to govern if she does win next Tuesdays election. These events mean she could enter the Oval Office under criminal investigationand Congress investigating these compromised investigations.

The Democratic Party has adopted the same tack towards Trump, denouncing his campaign as semi-criminal and characterizing a future Trump administration as illegitimate. Its chosen avenue for mudslinging and scandalmongering is the completely unsupported allegation that Trump is being backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Both the Clinton campaign and congressional Democrats have denounced Comey for making public the renewed inquiry into Clintons emails while keeping under wraps FBI inquiries into supposed ties between Trump and Russia.

CNBC reported Monday that Comey had initially opposed the release on October 7 of a finding by US intelligence agencies that the Russian government was responsible for a hacking attack on the email servers of the Democratic National Committee. The cable channel reported that the FBI chief had opposed the move on the grounds that it was too close to Election Day. Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook immediately contrasted this to Comeys decision to send the letter to Congress about Clintons emails on October 28, saying, It is impossible to view this as anything less than a blatant double standard.

A barrage of anti-Russia, anti-Trump propaganda has been unleashed by pro-Clinton media outlets, including the New York Times, Slate, NBC News and Mother Jones magazine, all suggesting that Trump had secret connections either to Alfa Bank in Moscow, Russian intelligence or Russian oligarchs through his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Not one of the reports cited named sources.
WikiLeaks latest release of Hillary Clinton campaign Chairman John Podestas emails reveals that Clinton was furnished with a question from Flint resident Lee Anne Walters a day before the debate held in the Michigan city that is still enduring the effects of its lead-in-water catastrophe. The location of the March 6 Democratic primary debate between Bernie Sanders and Clinton was selected to make the most political hay out of the Flint crisis.

The emails in question were from then-CNN consultant Donna Brazile, now acting chair of the Democratic National Committee. Brazile sent an email to Podesta, and Jennifer Palmieri, Clintons director of communications, with the subject line, One of the questions directed to HRC tomorrow is from a woman with a rash. The body of the message said, Her family has lead poison and she will ask what, if anything, will Hillary do as president to help the ppl of Flint.

After reports emerged in the media yesterday that Clinton had been fed her question in advance, Walters responded on her Facebook account: This is disgusting and appalling!!! This should be an automatic disqualification! You think she would have answered it better at the very least!

A March 12 email from Brazile brought to light that her practice of feeding questions in advance to Clinton was not a fluke. The subject line, Re: From time to time I get the questions in advance, headed a message in which she referred to questions submitted by Roland Martin, anchor for cable network TVOne, who co-hosted a March 13 Town Hall meeting in Columbus, Ohio featuring Clinton and Sanders.

One of the questions appeared almost verbatim in Braziles email to Podesta as it was asked the following day on the televised event. When Brazile was questioned by Megyn Kelly from Fox News about her email to the Clinton campaign, she stonewalled: As a Christian woman, I understand persecution, but I will not sit here and be persecuted. She said, Podestas emails were stolen, and accused Kelly of being like a thief that wants to bring into the night the things that you found in the gutter.

Ironically, Brazile actually owes her elevation from vice chair of the DNC to acting chairperson to a previous WikiLeaks release, which exposed the actions of DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz in favoring the Clinton campaign at the expense of challenger Bernie Sanders. Wasserman Schultz was forced to resign on the eve of the Democratic National Convention, and Brazile was promoted to take her place.

Brazile resigned from CNN on October 14, just two days after the release of the Podesta emails by WikiLeaks. CNN spokesperson Lauren Pratapas said that Brazile had suspended her work with CNN last summer after becoming the DNC chairwoman. Pratapas told the Wall Street Journal, CNN never gave Brazile access to any questions, prep material, attendee list, background information or meetings in advance of a town hall or debate. We are completely uncomfortable with what we have learned about her interactions with the Clinton campaign while she was a CNN contributor.

A measure of the cynical efforts of the Democratic Party operatives can be seen in a February 19 email to Podesta from campaign strategist Gina Glantz. It had the subject line From afar - it is not the message; it is the perception of passion.

Not surprisingly, what is more important to the politicians is not the content of their promiseswhich will be forgotten as soon as the election is over, but creating the illusion that they care: I believe the real issue is the perception of passionhers and her supporters. And it seems like that will just get worse after Nevada. The Bernie phenomenon comes largely from simplistic appeal of his message and from the size of his crowds. I see your work on undermining the formerall things to all people without consequences message.. . I thought the trip to Flint was brilliant. Getting ahead of him around caring can be repeated.

At the Flint debate itself, Walters asked both candidates, After my family, the city of Flint, and the children in DC were poisoned by lead, will you make a personal promise to me right now that, as president, in your first 100 days in office, you will make it a requirement that all public water systems must remove all lead service lines throughout the entire United States, and notification made to thethe citizens that have said service lines?

Clinton responded, We will commit to a priority to change the water systems and we will commit within five years to remove lead from everywhere, referring to all lead sources, including paint and dust.

The Huffington Post reported Walters reaction the day after the debate: I hated Clintons answer. To tell a Flint resident that well handle this in five years is no different than what the city was telling us and what the state was telling us.
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Sri Lanka are holding a public meeting in Jaffna on November 20 to discuss the imperialist war drive, the treacherous role of the Tamil nationalist parties and the socialist program needed to fight the danger of war.

The major imperialist powers, particularly the US, have responded to the most serious economic crisis since the Great Depression in the 1930s by each pursuing its own predatory strategic interests, driving mankind toward another disastrous world war, while unleashing austerity measures against workers and youth at home.

In aggressively pushing for its global domination, the US is preparing for war against Russia and China. As part of its moves to harness countries in South Asia against China, the US sponsored a regime-change operation in Sri Lanka via the presidential election in January last year. Mahinda Rajapakse, who had developed close ties with Beijing, was replaced a president by the pro-US Maithripala Sirisena. Since then, the Colombo government has increasingly collaborated with US moves in Asia.

The Tamil bourgeois parties, including the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), are openly supporting US imperialism and silently backing its aggressive wars in the Middle East and its provocations against China and Russia. They backed the ousting of Rajapakse and continue to support the current pro-US government. Top US officials visiting Sri Lanka routinely meet TNA leaders, who assure them of the TNAs support for Washington and plead for its backing in securing privileges for the Tamil elite in return.

With our sister parties of the International Committee of the Fourth International, we are fighting to build an anti-war movement of the working class in Asia and internationally on the basis of international socialism. As an essential part of this struggle, the SEP is fighting to unite Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim workers in Sri Lanka against the Colombo governments moves to tie the country into the US war drive in Asia. The political exposure of the various Tamil nationalist organisations is a critical part of that fight.

We call upon workers, youths, students, intellectuals and WSWS readers to attend our Jaffna meeting and participate in this important political discussion.

Venue: Canteen hall, Public Library, Jaffna

Date and Time: Sunday, November 20, 3.30 p.m.
Black Lives Matter spokesman DeRay Mckesson published an op-ed piece in the Washington Post last week headlined Why Im voting for Hillary Clinton.

Mckessons endorsement came several days after he and his Black Lives Matter colleague Brittany Packnett met privately with Clinton in Cleveland. Packnett endorsed Clinton following the meeting in an interview published in Elle. The two had previously met with Clinton a year prior.

Mckesson, in particular, has been promoted by the Democratic Party establishment and the media as the voice of African-American opposition to police violence and racism. He is a fairly frequent visitor to the Obama White House.

It is significant that Mckesson begins his article with a deferential reference to Shirley Chisholm, one of the early black politicians who secured a place within the political establishment. As a Democratic New York State legislator and then a member of the US House of Representatives from New York City from 1969 to 1983, Chisolm distinguished herself as a thoroughly conventional bourgeois politician. She was careful to distance herself from the more radical factions of the civil rights movement.

The next president will continue to shape the trajectory of justice and landscape of opportunity in this country, Mckesson writes. She will be responsible for how trillions of dollars in federal funding are spent, decide how to ensure both liberty and security in an increasingly interconnected world and determine the path forward on health care and Social Security.

Mckessons choice of words is telling, particularly the phrase ensure both liberty and security. This is one of those catch phrases used by capitalist politicians and think tanks to denote the violent and criminal policies pursued by American imperialism to defend the global interests of the US corporate elite. On this score, Mckessons choice for president has a long and unambiguous record: from supporting the invasion and occupation of Iraq to leading the drive for the US regime-change operations in Libya and Syriaillegal and criminal operations that killed many hundreds of thousands of people and destroyed entire countries.

Clinton has as well played a leading role in the anti-Chinese pivot to Asia and is running an election campaign based largely on the demonization of Russia. She calls for the establishment of a no-fly zone in Syria, having acknowledged in a 2013 speech to Goldman Sachs that such a move would result in heavy civilian casualties.

Mckesson notes in his article a few disagreements with Clinton, such as her support for capital punishment. Military aggression and war are not mentioned.

Nor is Clintons opposition to any government jobs program, her support for Obamas assault on health care under Obamacare, or her denunciations of Julian Assange, Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden.

One looks in vain in his piece for the words poverty, inequality, Wall Street or capitalism.

Clinton has the plan to move America forward, he writes, adding, There is much work that lies ahead, and Clinton is ready and prepared to do the hard work.

He praises Clintons $125 billion Economic Revitalization Initiative, describing it as akin to a new New Deal, structurally investing in youth employment, re-entry, small business growth and homeownership.

There is nothing progressive about this scheme. Like similar measures enacted by Obama and his Republican predecessors, it is based on the use of taxpayer money to provide tax incentives and other financial inducements for businesses to set up operations and hire workers at near-poverty wages. It is a continuation of the drive to turn the United States into a new low-wage center, where corporations can make fatter profits by insourcing jobs from overseas.

Mckesson and others in the leadership of Black Lives Matter are enthusiastic backers of the plan because it promises to provide black capitalists with a share of the spoils.

At one point he writes, Trump is placing a bet that America can be fooled into thinking its greatness lies behind itthat restricting immigration and the rights of religious minorities and ending social welfare programs are things to be celebrated, as they have been in the worst moments of our history.

There are three notable things about this passage. First, it ignores the fact that it was the Democratic Party under Bill Clinton, supported by First Lady Hillary, which acted to end welfare as we know it.

Second, it overlooks the fact that the Obama administration has overseen the biggest wave of deportations in US history. By the beginning of 2016, Obama had deported over 2.5 million people23 percent more than George W. Bush deported over the course of his entire eight-year term.

Third, like Obama and Clinton, Mckesson takes issue with Trumps claim that America is not great. Like most of his upper-middle class milieu, he is complacent, self-satisfied and indifferent to the plight of tens of millions of Americans who have suffered through layoffs, pay cuts, soaring housing prices, and the gutting of social programs, health care and pensions.

Mckesson, aged 31, is the district chief of human capital for the Baltimore city school district, where he makes $165,000 a year. This is about $50,000 more than what is required to be in the top 1 percent of Millennials. He lives in a world apart from the majority of Americansblack or white. He is upwardly mobile, and sees a Clinton administration as a springboard to bigger and better things to come.

Just this past Sunday, Adweek, an advertising industry newspaper, published an interview in which Mckesson bragged about his personal friendship with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. Jacks a friend. I love Twitter. We talk about the platform, and we get to bounce ideas off each other, he enthused. He also managed to get in a good word for Patagonia vests, noting that the firms CEO emailed me when I got arrested in Baton Rouge. He added, They have been great about repairing my vest every time it rips and they have to restuff the down.

Why has this crass and ignorant nobody been so heavily promoted? Why are his banal political opinions featured prominently by the Washington Post and similar publications?

There are two basic reasons. First, his insistence that race is the end-all and be-all of American life, and his characterization of American society as inherently and incorrigibly racist. Racial and sectarian politics have, from the earliest stirrings of American industrial workers in the 19th century, served as a political ideological weapon of the capitalist class to divide the working class.

In the current election cycle, the ruling elite was stunned by the support that emerged for the campaign of Bernie Sanders, not because it had concerns over Sanders own political allegiance, but because masses of workers and youth responded on a class basis to Sanders claim to be a socialist and his call for a political revolution against economic inequality and Wall Street domination. The promotion of Black Lives Matter and other purveyors of racial politics, as well as proponents of other forms of middle class identity politics, was seen as a much needed counterweight.

Racial and identity politics have, in fact, been at the center of the Clinton campaign and, to a great extent, bourgeois rule as a whole in the United States.

Second, the ruling class is very aware of the need to groom and promote a new generation of black Democratic leaders to keep the masses of African-American workers and youth in check. It knows that Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and company are spent forces.

Mckesson is eager and willing to fill the role. Careerism, self-promotion, the quest for a bigger share of the spoils of capitalismsuch are the class concerns that drive the mainly upper-middle class figures who dominate groups such as Black Lives Matter.

Which is why the Ford Foundation is investing $100 million in organizations linked to Mckesson and Black Lives Matter.
As more than 4,700 Philadelphia transit workers walked off their jobs on Tuesday morning, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) threatened court action if the walkout continues into Election Day, November 8.

The powerful strike shut down the citys buses, trolleys and subways, which provide about 900,000 rides a day. The walkout took place after the expiration of the old contract on October 31. Workers had previously voted overwhelmingly to strike and against any effort by the union and management to extend the old contract.

SEPTA is demanding draconian cutbacks on health and pension benefits of workers. The agency is demanding that employees pay $6,000 per year for health care instead of the current $552 per yearan increase of 11 times for the exact same benefits for workers and their families. This attack is in line with Obamas misnamed Affordable Care Act (ACA)or Obamacarewhich has been used to reduce benefits while shifting costs from employers onto the backs of working people.

The demand to roll back health care benefits has been a key issue in strikes by Verizon Communications workers, steel workers, the Minnesota nurses struggle and others. The ACA includes a Cadillac Tax provision that imposes a 40 percent excise tax on employers who provide supposedly overgenerous benefits. Although Congress agreed to delay its implementation until January 2020, big employers have shifted costs to stay below the tax threshold. For the first time, more than half of US workers have a deductible of more than $1,000 for a plan covering a single person.

The Philadelphia transit workers are demanding better pension benefits. They presently have a $50,000 cap, which means when transit workers pay reaches this amount SEPTA will not contribute anything more to their retirement, no matter how many more hours they work.

The pension obligation has been calculated as $1.2 billion, meaning it is 62 percent funded. The union negotiators have stated the money is there, and point out that the managers suffer no cap on their pensions. Pension cutbacks are another key issue affecting workers throughout the country. This was a key issue that provoked the New York City transit strike in December 2005.

Another key issue involves the schedules that force employees to work onerous midnight shifts, as well as not having enough time for proper rest or even to use the bathroom.

Despite the fact that the walkout is legal, the transit agency issued a statement stating, If we foresee an agreement will not come to pass, SEPTA intends to seek to enjoin the strike for November 8 to ensure that the strike does not prevent any voters from getting to the polls and exercising their right to vote. SEPTA is planning to obtain the injunction from the US District Court. The state of Pennsylvania, unlike some other states, does not have an early voting procedure and so nearly all ballots must be cast on Election Day.

Democratic Party Congressman Bob Brady has complained that if the strike continues on November 8, Its going to hurt. Itll hurt.

While concerned how the strike might affect the electoral prospects of the Democrats, these same politicians have nothing but contempt for the rights of workers who have labored for years under austerity measures imposed by the Democratic-controlled city administration.

In early October, the members of Transport Workers Union Local 234 voted to strike, if no settlement was reached, by November 1 and not to go to work without a new contract. They did this knowing the walkout could easily go on to Election Day.

Indeed, the workers have a long history of militancy, having walked out nine times previously in the last 50 years. In 1998, the strike lasted for 40 days.

The militancy of the transit workers underscores the fact that workers know the outcome of the electionsregardless of whether Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump winswill lead to no improvement for working people.

During a press conference, the TWU local president Willie Brown, who is leading the negotiations, made a craven apology for the strike. Im sorry, he said, Its the only tool we have available to us. He further explained he would feel comfortable with binding arbitration.

Binding arbitration has long been used as a weapon against workers because it removes the right to strike and leaves the fate of workers in the hands of a less than neutral arbitrator. This protocol exists in New York state law, which fines both the workers and the union for walkouts and provides for mandatory arbitration in the case of a declared impasse in the negotiations.

Philadelphias sister union, TWU Local 100 in New York City, has used the threat of binding arbitration to try to force its membership into voting for an inferior concessions-laden deal.

This struggle cannot be taken forward through the trade unions. TWU Local 234 as well as the national union have endorsed Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton, the preferred candidate of Wall Street and the military.

The city of Philadelphia, with a population of 1.5 million, is the fifth largest in the US. Like cities throughout the country, it is a center of explosive social tensions, fueled by economic inequity, rising rents and gentrification and decades of austerity and attacks on workers. While federal, state and local officials squander trillions on war, corporate tax cuts and debt servicing to criminal financial institutions, they claim there is no money for decent wages, pensions and health care benefits for workers.

To win this struggle transit workers must fight for the broadest mobilization of the working class throughout the city. Transit workers should elect rank-and-file strike committees, independent of the TWU and other unions. In opposition to efforts to pit workers against passengers, transit workers must spearhead the fight to unite all working people against the profit system and the two big-business parties.
Written and directed by Wojciech Smarzowski, based on Hatred by Stanis  aw Srokowski (2006)

Borderland civilians were murdered twiceonce with an axe, the second time through silence. And the second death was worse than the first. This quote by an eyewitness to the Volhynia massacre, Jan Zaleski, opens Wojciech Smarzowskis long awaited epic.

Smarzowskis Volhyniaits English-language title is Hatred, after the book on which it is baseddeals fictionally with a traumatic event in Polish-Ukrainian history. In 1943-45 an estimated 100,000 Polish civilians were brutally murdered in an operation carried out by the nationalist Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) on the eastern borderlands (Kresy) of Nazi-occupied Poland. The UPA was the armed wing of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, Stepan Bandera faction (OUNB).

Volhynia is the first feature film about the slaughter and the first historically accurate treatment of Kresy in Polish cinema. The massacre has been largely neglected both in Poland and internationally. Under the Polish Stalinist regime (1945-1989) the historical episode was considered taboo because of the so-called disputed territories located between eastern Poland and western Ukraine, part of the Soviet Union at the time.

Instead Polish audiences have been fed semi-historical film fables based on novels by Henryk Sienkiewicz (Nobel Prize for Quo Vadis), such as Colonel Wolodyjowski (1969) and With Fire and Sword (1999), depicting the 17th century colonization of the region in the manner of the American Western.

Scholarly studies on the UPA-OUN published after World War II reached only a limited audience, of survivors, historians and those specifically interested in the massacre. Smarzowskis Volhynia has already attracted close to 1 million moviegoers since its premiere October 7. The substantial number of viewers in Poland is an indication of great interest in these historical questions, as well as unease about the resurgence of the far right in Eastern Europe.

The film has stirred controversy following a ban on its showing in Ukraine. The Ukrainian media has accused the director of making a biased movie, based only on Polish historical sources, at a time when Ukraine is trying to defend itself from Russian aggression. The Ukrainian ambassador to Poland, Andriy Deszczyca, justified the censorship, arguing the film could cause unrest on the streets of Kiev. This is the face of the new, democratic Ukraine. The head of the Ukrainian Association in Poland, Piotr Tyma, asserted the movie would kill off Polish-Ukrainian reconciliation efforts.

Smarzowskis film appears at a time when tensions between the Polish and Ukrainian ruling elites are rising, with right-wing, nationalistic tendencies active in both countries. Ultra-right political groups have formed militias and those fascistic elements have been incorporated into the armed forces of both Ukraine and Poland.

Various war criminals and fascists, such as Bandera and Roman Shukhevych, have been declared heroes of Ukraine (2010). The OUN-UPA is being rehabilitated by the Ukrainian regime. Meanwhile the Polish state is doing the same in regard to the far-right cursed soldiers (members of anti-Communist resistance movements operating toward the end of the Second World War and beyond), notorious for committing crimes against non-Polish and pro-Soviet Polish citizens.

In 2015, the Ukrainian parliament officially declared the OUN-UPA activities in the war, which included initial collaboration with the Nazis, to be a legitimate struggle for Ukraines independence. Last July, Polands Sejm [lower house of parliament] passed a resolution officially terming the OUN-UPA atrocities against the Poles in Volhynia genocide. This resolution was then criticized by the Ukrainian government, which, in response, prepared a resolution condemning the ethnic cleansing of Ukrainians by the Polish state in the years 1919-1951. The production of a feature film with the Ukrainian version of events has already been announced.

Asked if the vivid reconstruction of the events would not reopen old wounds and inflame long-standing conflicts, Smarzowski replied: This film will not divide people. On the contrary, as I see it, this is a film that will bring Poles and Ukrainians together, and likewise the whole world in the fight against fascist ideology.

Smarzowskis film covers the period from the spring of 1939 to the summer of 1945. The high point of the mass murders occurred in the summer and fall of 1943 under the Nazi occupation of western Ukraine.

In February 1943 the OUN-B (Bandera faction) ordered the expulsion of all Poles from Volhynia to obtain an ethnically pure territory within a future free Ukrainian nation-state. Ethnic violence was encouraged with the help of posters and leaflets inciting Ukrainians to annihilate all Poles and Jews. The victims, including women, children and the elderly, were murdered in a barbaric fashion: raped, burned, crucified, decapitated or disemboweled with the use of sickles, axes, saws and pitchforks.

On April 6, 1944, the UPA high command ordered: Fight them [the Poles] mercilessly. No one is to be spared, even in the case of mixed marriages. It is estimated that as a result of the OUN-UPA operation, 1,500 out of the 2,500 villages inhabited by Poles in the Volhynia region ceased to exist.

Contrary to the claims of Ukrainian nationalists that the mass killings of Poles and others were the inevitable outcome of war, there is proof that the operation was carefully planned prior to World War II. The so-called Mykhaylo Kolodzinsky Treaty, written by one of the UPA ideologists, argued that the Ukrainian national uprising needed to be combined with massacres of Poles disguised as a spontaneous peasant uprising. Kolodzinsky wrote: We will be victorious only when we show such cruelty that the tenth generation of Poles will look at Ukraine with fear.

Before committing mass murder against the Poles, the OUN took part in the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, assisting in the killing of an estimated 247,000 Volhynian Jews (97 percent of all Jews in the region) in 1942. It also executed pro-Soviet Ukrainians and those Ukrainian peasants who warned or sheltered Poles, regarding them as traitors. In total, the UPA murdered an estimated 20,000 Ukrainians.

Volhynia shows some of these events through the eyes of a 17-year old peasant girl, Zosia Gowacka (Michalina ubacz), who falls for a Ukrainian boy, Petro (Wasyl Wasyyk), but is forced to marry a wealthy, much older Polish kulak, Maciej (Arkadiusz Jakubik).

In an opening scene (overlong and weakened by cliched romance), Zosias sister marries a Ukrainian. Subsequently, through the conversations among the wedding guests, the director builds up a living picture of Volhynian society, including the sharp tensions within its multicultural society. We learn about the harsh treatment of the Ukrainian minority at the hands of the Polish authorities.

Smarzowski depicts the growth of nationalist and fascistic sentiment within the Ukrainian petty bourgeoisie and intelligentsia in response to the Polish heavy-handedness. The film shows the ugly role played by the Orthodox Church in inflaming nationalism and anti-Semitism.

Smarzowski deserves credit for his objective treatment of the Red Army and the Soviet efforts to retake western Ukraine in 1939-1941, something quite courageous in present-day Poland. In his film, the Soviet troops are welcomed as liberators by sections of the rural community, especially by the oppressed Jews.

Smarzowski proves to be a master of storytelling, keeping the audience in suspense from beginning to end. The realistic storyline is skillfully constructed as a thriller. The bride, whose braids are chopped off with an axe as part of the initial wedding ceremony, is later forced to kneel down in the same position to lose her entire head.

The reception of the film in Poland has varied. Volhynia was welcomed by surviving witnesses of the massacre, who confirmed the accuracy of the film. The majority of reviewers praised Smarzowski, comparing him to the late Polish director Andrzej Wajda, and declaring Volhynia the most important Polish film since 1989.

The critics around the ruling right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS) gave the movie positive reviews, while cynically twisting its message to fit their nationalist aims. Contrary to the filmmakers intentions, the PiS drew a parallel between two totalitarian regimes, the Third Reich and the Soviet Union (the brown and the red elements devouring the land). They also treated the events in a purely psychological and religious manner, blaming human evil for the events in Volhynia, a region abandoned by God and cursed by the Devil (Gazeta Polska).

According to Smarzowski, concealing the truth about a crime is a sure-fire way to create more crimes. Exposing the true character of the executioners now declared heroes by Ukraines present-day government is important. Such a slap in the face to regimes that glorify nationalist violence and fascism is praiseworthy.

The exploitation of the events in Volhynia by the Polish government may include the attempt to blackmail the Ukrainian authorities and demand financial restitution for the crime, as well as the right to Polish Lvov.

On October 20, in an effort to prevent a conflict over the Volhynia issue, the Polish Sejm and Ukraines parliament adopted a reactionary, anticommunist, anti-Russian Declaration of Memory and Solidarity, blaming the USSR, along with Germany, for the outbreak of World War II.

Smarzowskis film cannot be held responsible for the manner in which it is being misused by far-right authorities in both Poland and Ukraine. His film deserves credit for its objective treatment of history and its courage to speak out against the rising wave of fascism in Eastern Europe.

The director recently rejected an award (including a prize of 100,000 zloty, or US$26,000) from the head of Polish television, Jacek Kurski, appointed by the PiS. Smarzowski explained that he did not want his work to be used for any political intrigue. I am a director and I dislike being directed, he noted.
By PTI: Parrikar to soldiers

Srinagar, Nov 2 (PTI) Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today asked the army personnel posted along the Line of Control to remain alert and give a befitting response to any "misadventure" from the across the border.

Parrikar, who arrived here on a two-day visit, visited Uri frontier area in Baramulla district where militants last month had staged a deadly attack on an army base, killing 19 soldiers and injuring several others, an army official said.

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The official said the Defence Minister, accompanied by Army Chief General Dalbir Singh, was briefed by the local commanders about the situation prevailing in the area.

The Minister also interacted with soldiers posted in forward areas.

"While complimenting their valour and fortitude, which Parrikar said was the entire nations pride, he also impressed upon the soldiers to remain in a very high state of alert to give a befitting response to any misadventure from across," the official said.

Militants attacked an army base in Uri on September 18, killing 19 soldiers and injuring several others.

The attack led to army carrying out surgical strikes against militant positions in Pakistan occupied Kashmir on September 29.

Later, the Defence Minister and Army Chief were briefed at Badamibagh Cantonment here on the latest internal security situation and all the security measures initiated by the army and other security agencies along the Line of Control as well as the hinterland, the official said.

Parrikar is scheduled to pay homage to the countrys first Param Vir Chakra, highest military honour, recipient Major Somnath Sharma on his 69th death anniversary tomorrow.

The Defence Minister will join senior army officers and other ranks in paying tribute to Major Somnath Sharma near the Srinagar Airport in Budgam district, the official said.

Major Sharma was awarded the medal posthumously for his bravery in the Kashmir operations in November 1947.

He down his life while evicting Pakistani raiders from Srinagar Airport during the war with Pakistan in 1947 48 in Kashmir.

He belonged to the 4th Kumaon Regiment. PTI MIJ RG

--- ENDS ---
The brutal 18-month ongoing Saudi war against Yemen was endorsed by the British parliament last Wednesday, with the vital backing of Labour Party MPs. The war, waged with the full backing of the United States, has resulted in the deaths of an estimated 10,200 Yemenis, the great majority of them civilians.

Last Wednesday, Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry put a feeble motion before Parliament, on behalf of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, calling only for a full independent UN-led investigation, into alleged violations of international humanitarian law in the conflict in Yemen. It concluded that the government should suspend its support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition forces in Yemen until it has been determined whether they have been responsible for any such violations.

The motion was defeated by 283 votes to 193. A majority of the ruling Conservatives voted against the motion, but its defeat was secured by 102 Labour MPs who either abstained or made themselves absent from the chamber. The motion was defeated by just 90 votes, meaning that if the 102 Labouritesalmost half of Labour's MPshad voted with Corbyn, the motion would have passed.

The vote gave a green light to Saudi Arabias indiscriminate bombardment of the civilian population of the Middle Easts poorest country, as they attempt to defeat Houthi rebels based in the north of the country. On Sunday, just days after Parliaments vote, an air strike in the Red Sea port city of Al Hudaydah killed over 60 people in two detention centres.

Peter Oborne, the associate editor of the right-wing Spectator magazine, wrote of the votes significance on the web site of the Middle East Eye. Corbyn prompted the debate, he wrote, as Britain has been complicit with mass murder as our Saudi allies have bombarded Yemen from the air, slaughtering thousands of innocent people as well as helping fuel a humanitarian calamity.

He described as disloyalty on an epic scale the failure of the Labour MPs to support a three-line whip on British policy towards the Yemen.

The Yemen vote demonstrates something that has been apparent ever since the vote on 18 March 2003 to support the invasion of Iraq: the party of war holds a majority in the Commons, Oborne concluded. The party of war comprises virtually all of the Conservative Party and the Blairite wing of Labour, he stated.

He went on to note that the pro-war vote included most of the leading personnel involved in the recent coup attempt seeking to remove Corbyn as Labour leader:

Some 172 supported the motion of no confidence [which began the June coup] in Corbyns leadership. By coincidence or not, exactly the same number of MPs have supported Britains calamitous overseas wars. Among the MPs who opposed Corbyns Yemen motion are Stephen Kinnock, Liz Kendall, Ann Clywd, Angela Eagle, Tristram Hunt, Margaret Hodge, John Spellar, Gloria de Piero, Fiona MacTaggart, Barry Sheerman, Luciana Berger, Lucy Powell and Mike Gapes. Another is Keith Vaz, who was born in Aden and makes a big deal of his Yemeni antecedents.

What does this reveal politically?

Corbyn stood for the position of party leader and won election twice on a slate of opposing austerity and war, with a massive popular vote among hundreds of thousands opposed to the partys warmongering under Tony Blair and his successors.

But Corbyns election has not changed Labours pro-war agenda one iota. Rather, in the year since his first election, he has done everything possible to placate the partys right wing. In his first shadow cabinet, he gave leading Blairites senior positions including making Hilary Benn his shadow foreign secretary. He then allowed a free vote in parliament on whether to back air strikes against Syria in December of last year. Some 66 Labour MPS backed the Conservative government, leading to British warplanes carrying out air strikes just hours later.

In his latest shadow cabinet, Corbyn named Nia Griffith as his new shadow defence minister after his previous appointment, Clive Lewis, a supposed left, used the party conference following Corbyns re-election on September 24 to declare that he would support the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons programme and a NATO-led war against Russia.

Griffith too wasted no time in declaring her support for Trident and in committing Labour to NATOs military confrontation with Russia. Just hours before the vote on Corbyns Yemen motion, she was asked by Sky News if she supported NATOs Article 5obliging Britain to militarily defend another NATO member if it is attackedand if she specifically supported military action against Russia. Griffith replied, We are one of the four battalions out there now in Eastern Europe and its important we make clear in the Labour Party we are seriously committed to NATO and the NATO preparations. ... It is very important that we make it clear to the Russians that we have that capability and we are prepared to use it.

Asked what she thought of Corbyn holding a different position, she said, One of Jeremys strengths is that does reach out to people and he does try to make sure he brings in a broad range of opinion.

What this means in practice is that Corbyn reaches out to MPs with blood on their hands and allows them complete freedom to carry on with their politically criminal actswhile his own appointees are equally free to solidarise themselves with the war drive of British imperialism. Griffith refused to support the Yemen motion.

Corbyns rank political cowardice was demonstrated again as he neutered his own motion on Yemen by abandoning his previous demand to suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia. In the first 12 months of Saudi Arabias bombing of Yemen, the UK made 3.3 billion in arms sales to Riyadh. Presenting the motion, Thornberry was keen to stress that Saudi Arabia will remain a valued strategic, security and economic ally.

It is striking that Oborne is more honest in his account of what happened than the Socialist Workers Party (SWP), perhaps the largest of Britains pseudo-left organisations. Oborne states that Corbyn bent over backwards to make sure that the Yemen vote was uncontroversial by dropping the demand for an end to arms sales. For the SWP, however, Corbyn only appears to have compromised with the right wing. The main issue from the Yemen vote, they declare, was that the rebellion showed most Labour MPs would still rather support British-backed wars in defence of British interests than support their own anti-war leader.

This mealy-mouthed apologia for Corbyn is nothing less than a defence of the political stranglehold of Labour over the working class. The SWPs overarching aim is to ensure that workers and youth are blinded to the fact that Labour can only continue its mission of supporting war and defending British imperialism because Corbyn refuses to mobilise his own supporters to drive the warmongers out of the party. And without such a struggle, all of Corbyns professed personal opinionshis supposed moral clarityand even the occasional protest by a section of Labour MPs at this or that example of imperialist banditry, changes absolutely nothing. The party of warwhether owing formal allegiance to Conservative Campaign Headquarters or to Labour Centralcarries the day.

The author also recommends:

Sixty killed in new US-Saudi war crime in Yemen

[31 October 2016]
To protest against the poor state of people under the reign of a British king in 16th century, few men conspired against the monarchy. Their plan was to blow up the parliament in protest.

By India Today Web Desk:

Guy Fawkes was an English soldier, a conspirator who attempted to carry out a plot to assassinate the king of England, and members of both the houses of the Parliament of England, with a huge explosion in 1605.

Photo: Twitter - @Medievalists

Guy Fawkes, also known as Guido Fawkes, was a member of a group of English Catholics who planned to blow up the the Parliament of England to protest the poor treatment of Catholics under the reign of King James I.

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Fawkes was born in April 1570 and was hanged on January 31, 1606, at the age of 35. He was captured on November 5, 1605, guarding the explosives set to explode the parliament.

GUNPOWDER PLOT

Under the reign of King James I, 16th century was known for its diminished sense of religious tolerance. King James I soon succeeded Queen Elizabeth I and the conditions of Catholics deteriorated immensely.

It were those years when many British Catholics protested and the Protestant denomination dominated Great Britain in 1603, when King James I assumed the role as the king.

Catholicism, once dominant, suffered denouncement and penalties in the decades preceding the ascension of King James I to the throne.

King James I was known for his keen interest in witchcraft, and extreme indulgence. Caring less about his kingdom and his people left a dent in his governance which further compelled people to protest against the state of affairs.

While many protested in their own ways, Guy Fawkes took revolt against this oppression to the extreme, giving the history books the Gunpowder Plot, often called the Gunpowder Treason Plot.

The Gunpowder Plot was a failed assassination attempt against King James I which was led by Robert Catesby, who was the leader of provincial English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot.

During the State Opening of England's Parliament on 5 November 1605, the group planned to blow up the British parliament.

His fellow plotters were John Wright, Thomas Wintour, Thomas Percy, Guy Fawkes, Robert Keyes, Thomas Bates, Robert Wintour, Christopher Wright, John Grant, Ambrose Rookwood, Sir Everard Digby and Francis Tresham.

Photo: Twitter - @CGPrimary

When it was time for the plan to go live, the plot got revealed to the authorities in an anonymous letter which was sent to one of the members of the Parliament, William Parker. He is, therefore, known for his role in the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot.

When the search operation started, Guy Fawkes was discovered guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder which was more than enough to bring down the House of Lords to rubble. He was soon arrested.

Upon the plot's discovery, many conspirators fled London and the leader Robert Catesby was shot dead.

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At the trial on January 27, 1605, Fawkes was convicted and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered.

Photo: Twitter - @visitparliament

The failure of the Gunpowder Plot was commemorated for many years with ringing church bells which has now evolved into the Bonfire Night.

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Documents show that the Florida college student accused of killing a couple and chewing on the dead man's face told deputies, "Help me, I ate something bad" and then admitted it was "humans."

The Palm Beach Post reports (http://pbpo.st/2ej9q8g ) that 19-year-old Austin Harrouff replied when deputies asked what he ate, he replied "humans."

The Post says court records obtained Monday show Harrouff begged deputies to kill him after they pulled him off John Stevens' body.

Harrouff is charged with second-degree murder in the Aug. 15 attack on Stevens, 59, and his 53-year-old wife, Michelle Mishcon, outside their Tequesta home. Prosecutors say they will ask a grand jury to indict him on first-degree murder charges. That would make him eligible for the death penalty.

Tests to determine whether Harrouff was on drugs are underway.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (The News Service of Florida) - A former Florida A&M University admissions officer has been arrested and charged with receiving money to alter the academic records of prospective students, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Wednesday.

Leman Junior Ulee, 46, turned himself in Tuesday. He had been placed on administrative leave in April and was terminated from the university in August, the FDLE said in a news release.

Authorities began investigating in March after receiving a request from Florida A&M. Ulee is alleged to have charged fees to alter records of prospective students who otherwise might not have been admitted to the university.

The FDLE news release said investigators believe students did not have knowledge of the scam and might have believed the additional fees were part of the admissions process.

Ulee was charged with two counts of bribery and one count of official misconduct, the news release said.

"We believe there are additional victims who may not realize they were scammed," FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said in a prepared statement. I encourage current and former FAMU students to contact FDLE if you believe you could be a victim."
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (The News Service of Florida) - A proposed ballot initiative that would automatically restore voting rights for non-violent felons could increase costs for state and local governments, though the amount is unclear, according to an analysis by state economists.

Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday sent the analysis, known as a financial impact statement, to the Florida Supreme Court as part of a process of justices reviewing the proposed constitutional amendment.

The economists, who meet as the Financial Impact Estimating Conference, said the proposal likely would lead to higher costs related to voter registration, though some costs would be reduced because fewer felons would go through a clemency process to get their civil rights restored.

"Taking all of the increased and reduced costs into consideration, it is probable that the amendment will result in increased costs to state and local governments due to the higher volume of felons registering to vote; however, the specific dollar amount cannot be determined," the analysis said.

"The (Financial Impact Estimating) Conference notes that the increased costs will be higher in the earlier years of implementation due to the amendment's retroactive application."

The proposal, which could go on the 2018 ballot, comes after years of debate about restoring the rights of felons.

A group spearheading the proposal, Floridians for a Fair Democracy, has submitted 71,001 petition signatures, which is enough to spur a Supreme Court review of the proposed ballot language and the financial analysis.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - During the month of November the Florida Department of Education is focusing on getting parents involved in their children's schooling.

Tuesday at DeSoto Trail Elementary School in Tallahassee, Florida's Commissioner of Education and Leon County's School Superintendent met with parents to emphasize the importance of family involvement in promoting student success.

The elementary school's principal, Michele Keltner said, "Students are more successful when their parents are supportive. They know what's happening at the school, they can support all the events that are happening here, they understand the curriculum, they know exactly where to kind of plug in and what's happening in the school in order for us to be successful."

Keltner said that DeSoto has been working to strengthen their parent involvement by engaging families on Twitter, Facebook, and through weekly newsletters.
LOWNDES COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Leading up to and on Halloween, deputies, detectives, and officers said that they kept a close eye on sex offenders to keep children and families safe throughout the spooky holiday.

The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office, with help from the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, has been visiting the homes of sex offenders for the past week in preparation for Halloween.

Detectives and officers also conducted searches for child pornography during their visits to sex offenders' homes.

The Sheriffs Office takes the verification and tracking of sex offenders very seriously. I am thankful for the help of the Department of Community Supervision officers who worked with our detectives and deputies to make this endeavor a success. This is a small effort on our part to assure the safety of our children and everyone in our community said Sheriff Prine.

Combined for the week leading up to Halloween and the night of festivities itself, deputies, detectives, and officers were able to verify, in-person the locations of 344 sex offenders, issued four warrants for those not living at their registered address, and one warrant issued for possession of child pornography.

They also arrested four for violating their probation by participating in Halloween and issued three more warrants for probation violators.

Visit the Sheriffs Office website here or visit Georgia Bureau of Investigation website here for additional information on the whereabouts of registered sex offenders in your community.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - According to the National Small Business Administration, only 66 percent of small businesses survive their first 2 years of operation.

That's why Tuesday night in the capital city, Tallahassee Community College and the Downtown Improvement Authority are joining forces, to help make the dreams of local entrepreneurs a little more feasible.

What's really unique about the program is that it provides start up businesses with a rent free location to operate out of right in the center of Tallahassee.

After three months of participating in business workshops in the Tallahassee downtown marketplace, the Achieving the Dream Business Program judges the participant' business plans and then selects a winner.

That winner then gets the chance to operate out of the TCC Capitol Center for 6 months free of charge.

The winner of this round of participants was Jasmine Jackson, and her business, Distress by Jazz.

Project organizers said that they're excited for these entrepreneurs to get the chance to house their business in such a great location.

"It's a great downtown, the fact that its continuing to grow and it certainly will with some of the other activities we have this year," said Kimberly Moore, TCC vice president for workforce development. "The fact that you have the capital, you have the city, Florida State right down the road, lots of great traffic moving around. To know that you'll have a business located there and the fact that we were able to spark that interest if you will...it's exciting."

Six startup business participated in this group and now organizers are preparing for the next set of business hopefuls.

The deadline to submit an application for the next Achieving the Dream Business Incubator is Nov. 15th. If you'd like to apply, contact TCC's Division of Workforce Development here.
The National Investigating Agency, which is investigating the Handwara encounter, revealed that terrorists had clear links to Pakistan. While one of the terrorists have been identified as a Lashkar terrorist, recoveries made from the slain terrorists also suggest Pakistani links.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has had a breakthrough in the Handwara encounter with a clear Pakistan-based Lashkar link emerging in the attack.

Sources in the investigation team told India Today that one of the three terrorists has been identified as Fadulla, a Lashkar terrorist based in Pakistan.

A handwritten diary in Urdu was recovered from the slain terrorist. Sources say the diary was discovered during a physical check of his body.

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The recoveries made after the encounter included three AK rifles, three Under Barrel Grenade Launchers, a number of magazines, significant rounds of bullets, four walkie-talkie radio sets, three GPS devices, three mobile phones, dry fruits and medicines, besides a map and a matrix sheet.

Also Read | 3 terrorists killed after Army camp attacked in J-K's Handwara, search operations continue

RECOVERIES SUGGEST TERRORISTS ARE FROM PAKISTAN

The medicines which have been recovered from all three terrorists has Pakistani markings.

While this helped to ascertain that all three terrorists were Pakistanis, the identification of these people is a shot in the arm for investigation.

The diary had a handwritten prayer and a few other inscriptions including his own name written on one of the pages. The maps and the matrix sheet, which they were using, are also being analysed.

While the radio sets and the GPS device are being examined by NTRO, the NIA is busy unearthing other evidences. Sources indicate that initially the NIA team which had gone to Handwara faced problems because of lack of access.

It is only two days later the team got full access to the encounter site and bodies. Since then the investigation has been on track. Sources in the NIA say there is ample evidence to link dreaded Lashkar-e-Toiba to both Uri and Handwara attacks.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN HANDWARA

Three fidayeens dressed in Army fatigues were killed in an encounter on October 6 as they opened fire outside the 30 Rashtriya Rifles camp at Langate.

The firing, which started at 5 am, continued for 10 to 15 minutes but the alert army troops quickly neutralised the terrorist.

The probe was then handed over to the NIA. The Langate incident came days after terrorists attacked a BSF and adjoining camps in Baramulla district where one BSF soldier was killed.

The attack also comes after the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes and destroyed seven terror launch pads across the LoC, in the last week of September. This after four terrorists had attacked the Army brigade headquarters at Uri, killing 20 soldiers leading to escalation of tension between the two countries.

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Also Read:

Exclusive: 15 Lashkar fidayeen may have infiltrated into Kashmir after surgical strikes



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Seattle Childrens hospital has recently treated nine children with a rare, polio-like illness. Two of those cases have been confirmed as being acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times)
You are the owner of this article.
Bollywood stars took to Twitter to wish Shah Rukh Khan on his 51st birthday. Here's what they said.

By India Today Web Desk: Shah Rukh Khan has given Bollywood some of its most romantic films in the last two decades. And as the king of romance turns 51, his friends and fans from Bollywood took to Twitter to pour wishes on his special day.

ALSO READ: 10 songs that prove Shah Rukh Khan is still the king of romance

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ALSO READ: Shah Rukh Khan rings in his 51st birthday in Alibaug



From close friend Farah Khan and Anil Kapoor to fans Sushant Singh Rajput and Bhumi Pednekar, many wished King Khan on his birthday.

Here's what B-Town stars said:



A million memories, a 1000 shared dreams n 100s of inside jokes!!friendships r made of these!happy birthday @iamsrk may the force b with u!! pic.twitter.com/YrF8AInPFy Farah Khan (@TheFarahKhan) November 2, 2016

Happy Birthday @iamsrk Sir! Wishing you love, happiness, limitless success and great health! Thanks for always being so gracious to us! :) VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) November 1, 2016

Wishing my friend, the King of all hearts @iamsrk a very happy happy birthday! Stay blessed ?? Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) November 2, 2016

Real Magic is when u can't understand the craft & u don't even want to,

U just want to look at it in Wonder..#HBDWorldsBiggestStar @iamsrk Sushant Singh Rajput (@itsSSR) November 2, 2016

God Bless you Shah Rukh. Keep smiling. It is infectious, spreads happiness. Lots of Love. @iamsrk Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) November 1, 2016

Happiest happy birthday to @iamsrk ?? shruti haasan (@shrutihaasan) November 1, 2016

Can listen to him talk for hours! A true inspiration! Happy birthday @iamsrk !! Love you ???? pic.twitter.com/sWqmlBDuQj Kriti Sanon (@kritisanon) November 2, 2016

Fuzzy photos, cherished memories! This is from my first trip to Mumbai. @IAmSRK continues to make moon-eyed fans of us. Happy birthday! ???? pic.twitter.com/joK40CnIqu Jacqueline Fernandez (@Asli_Jacqueline) November 2, 2016

Shah Rukh rang in his 51st birthday bash with close friends in Alibaug last night.

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Shawn Mitchell places his ballot in the drop box Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Yakima. Election workers in Yakima County have processed more than 11,000 ballots in the past two days. (MICHELLE IRACHETA/Yakima Herald-Republic)
Henry Beauchamp and his family moved to Yakima in the 1940s as they fled the rigid segregati
The Ohio hiker who went missing in Central Washington almost a year ago still weighs heavily on the minds of many in the outdoors community.
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This yoga class is what muggle dreams are made of.

By India Today Web Desk: It's no secret that yoga is a massive hit around the globe, but what if you got to practice it with magic wands? We're not kidding!

Harry Potter fans in Texas recently had a chance to experience the magical yoga session inspired from the famous, fantasy-fiction series.

Instead of hosting their regular yoga class, Pints & Poses, Circle Brewing Co. in Austin, filled this week's class with details from everyone's favourite wizarding world.

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Also read: The world is revelling in Harry Potter mania. Are you in on it?



According to Cosmopolitan, the yoga class was organised to celebrate Halloween and commemorate the death anniversaries of Harry Potter's parents, Lily and James.



Picture Courtesy: Instgram/isabelb12om

Isabel Belran, a certified yoga instructor, who conducted the class with her sister Ximena Larkin, believed it was the perfect time to honour the departed wizards in a "magical" way.

During the class, not only did every participant receive a wand but was also treated to Potter references that were incorporated into yoga poses. The participants were subsequently treated to a 'potion station' and other Hogwarts-inspired props.

Picture Courtesy: Instgram/circlebrew

But it doesn't end there.

The instructor even read a passage from Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows during the class. The participants--who were referred to as Dumbledore's Army--were also tried on a Sorting Hat!

Picture Courtesy: Instgram/isabelb12om

Who knew a yoga class could be so dreamy?



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Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Israel's response to terrorism during panel discussion held on October 27 at an event organized by the Valdai International Discussion Club. The event was labeled an exchange of ideas regarding strategy and foreign policy, and was attended by leadersformer and currentas well as by experts from 35 different countries, including the US.

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While defending his country's record of military action in comparison to that of the United States, Putin referenced Israel as a positive example of relentlessness in the face of terror attacks.

"Learn from Israel. it never lets go. They fight untill the end. That's why it exists at all There is no other option. We have to fight," Putin said, "If we let things slide, we will always lose."

Putin defended his administration's actions in the Middle Eastspecifically its interventions in Syriaby comparing them to actions taken by the US administrations of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

The Russian president emphasized the importance of adhering to UN decisions, which he said had been violated by the Americans on multiple occasions. "We must return to what is written in the UN charter," he urged before providing examples of US military interventions in foreign countries, which he said flew in the face of UN authority.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin. 'Learn from Israel. It never lets go.' (Photo: AFP)

"In the 1990s, they bombed Belgrade. In essence, this is flagrant aggression over a (sovereign) stateIraqdid the UN give permission (to invade)? Of course not. And before that was Afghanistan, in 2001," he said.

Advocating for his administration's policies in Syriaspecifically in the battle-stricken city of AleppoPutin said, "All we hear is 'Aleppo, Aleppo, Aleppo,' but what are you really asking? Do you want us to leave the terrorist cell there, orwhile minimizing all civilian deaths, doing all that we can to protect themeradicate this cell?"
By PTI: mainstream: Mizo Guv

Agra, Nov 2 (PTI) Mizoram Governor Lt Gen (retd) Nirbhay Sharma today pitched for promotion of Hindi in northeastern states, saying the language will strengthen the process of integration of the region with the national mainstream.

"Hindi language will strengthen the process of integration of the northeast region with the national mainstream," he said after releasing a Hindi-Mizo dictionary published by the Central Hindi Institute here.

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"The growing popularity of Hindi globally has facilitated socio-cultural connectivity. With improved relations with Bangladesh now, Mizoram is on its way to play more significant role in future," the Governor said.

Stressing that development of the state was vital for India as it bordered several countries including Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, Sharma said "post independence, there was just 50 kilometre of rail network in the state, but now better rail-road connectivity has led to efficient mobility and opening up more prospects for development of the entire region."

Director of the Central Hindi Institute, Nand Kishor Pandey said "work was going on to publish 40 dictionaries in different languages, of which 10 have already been published."

He said more students from non-Hindi speaking areas were joining various courses to learn Hindi, which was growing globallyand becoming a language of the market.

"Mizoram students were keen to learn Hindi and demanded that the state-run Hindi Training College in Aizawl be taken over by the central government to provide better teaching facilities," he added.

Students from northeast, Orissa, southern states and more than 35 countries were studying Hindi at the Central Hindi Institute here. PTI CORR SMJ

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The blood libels against Jews have typically focused on some far-fetched accusations that the Jews are to blame for whatever ills inflicted a community. More specifically, the claim was that Jews needed the blood of Christian children to bake matzot for the festival of Passover.

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Numerous cases of blood libels were recorded, and not all in Europe. As an extension of the phenomenon, false and incendiary charges against Jews were introduced by the church with political motivations (i.e., the Protocols of the Elders of Zion) and by the Nazi Germany propaganda machine which used the Big Lie technique to propagate charges against Jews which led to the murder of six million Jews in the Holocaust.

What is common to all these blood libels (figurative or symbolic) is that they are based on falsehood. The more far-fetched the falsehood, the more it was accepted by the mob that carried it out and the leadership that disseminated it. What links the Protocols and the Nazi ideology is the universal damage they inflicted.

In the 19th century, the blood libel was imported to the Middle East; in 1840 Damascus, Christian anti-Semitism was reinforced by local Muslim anti-Jewish sentiments. The Damascus Affair is important because the falsehoods on which it was based were widely accepted in the European continent which originated it in the first place. Since then, these falsehoods serve as the basis for TV series in Egypt and Syria, usually broadcast during Ramadan, that promote the notion that Jews kill small children to extract their blood for Passover and help engender an age-old stereotypical view of the Jew as evil and conniving.

The establishment of the State of Israel was met with fierce resistance by the surrounding Arab countries which in 1948 tried to obliterate the nascent county by war. That attempt failed, as did ensuing wars, particularly in 1967 and 1973. In addition to wars, the Arab countriesthrough the Arab Leaguedeclared an economic boycott against Israel (which continued the Arab boycott against the pre-1948 Jewish community in Palestine). The 1994 Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf ended its participation in the boycott, and since then the economic boycott no longer has a significant impact on Israel.

With the failure of military offensives against Israel and the failure of economic boycotts, a new form of a boycott re-emerged after the UN World Conference against Racism (Durban, South Africa 2001). The UN conference was hijacked by pro-Palestinian activists whoon the platform of the fight against racismpropagated an effort to Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) Israel.

Joining forces against the BDS is important not only for Israels sake but for the sake of democracies anywhere in the world (Photo: EPA)

In the same vein as the Big Lie technique, this campaign was based on falsehoods such as that accusing Israel of being an apartheid state and a colonialist entity that stole the land from the native inhabitants. In a sense, the anti-Semitic charges were now channeled into anti-Zionist charges and the individual persecuted Jew into Israel as a persecuted country. Thus far, the impact of the economic boycott and divestment is relatively small, yet the danger of the BDS movement is in spewing vicious lies and falsehoods about Israel in an attempt to erode Israels moral foundation.

In today's age of technology, we see more rapid use of social media and soft power by pro-Palestinian groups hijacking the narrative of peace, justice and human rights while in reality they yearn for Israel's destruction.

Moreover, we have now witnessed groupspredominately on the political leftadopting the Palestinian cause as their own under the guise of intersectionality, a term coined by legal scholar Kimberle Crenshaw in the 1980s to highlight the dual oppressions faced by black womensexism and racismand the feminist and anti-racism movements that failed to fully represent and advocate for them. Currently, it has become a slogan under which minority groups join to fight what critics see as unrelated battles, but what activists see as iterations of the same struggle for justice.

As it is clearly articulated by the Black-Palestinian solidarity statement, Palestinian liberation represents an inherent threat to Israeli settler colonialism and apartheid, an apparatus built and sustained on ethnic cleansing, land theft, and the denial of Palestinian humanity and sovereignty. While we acknowledge that the apartheid configuration in Israel/Palestine is unique from the United States (and South Africa), we continue to see connections between the situation of Palestinians and Black people.

Israels widespread use of detention and imprisonment against Palestinians evokes the mass incarceration of Black people in the US, including the political imprisonment of our own revolutionaries. Soldiers, police, and courts justify lethal force against us and our children who pose no imminent threat. And while the US and Israel would continue to oppress us without collaborating with each other, we have witnessed police and soldiers from the two countries train side-by-side.

All and all, the boycott has limited economic impact. As for the D in divestment, the long-term effect is not measurable as of yet but poses a risk of setting the exact state of mind that allowed the Damascus Affair to be accepted at face value in Europe. Indeed, when an interest group places demands to the Mayor of Atlanta to divest the police budget for other priorities, it is fairly clear which terminology inspired this demand. And that D for divestment is then followed by the B in boycott with the call to stop professional ties between US law enforcement agencies and the Israel Police.

BDS constitutes the modern version of the old blood libel. It is targeting Jews and Israel (even if some vocal Jews are helping this effort). It ignores any transgressions in the Arab and Muslim worlds and other locations where major atrocities take place, and it is focused on national character assassination that is aimed to set the ground for the annihilation of Israel. It is time that the marketplace of ideas forthrightly reject such discriminatory, racist and despicable ideas.

Finally, we can no longer ignore the problem, wish it away, or hide from it. The onslaught is vigorous, well-funded and deadly serious. Therefore, joining forces against the BDS is important not only for Israels sake but for the sake of democracies anywhere in the world. Legislators, elected officials and civic associations have recently demonstrated the power of public resilience in the face of BDS activities and this way paved the way for an effective strategy. More should join in this effort.
Violence erupted at the Kotel Wednesday morning when dozens of Reform and Conservative rabbis, both men and women, entered the holy site with Torah scrolls in protest against the failure to implement a government decision to allocate a special area for pluralistic and egalitarian prayer.

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Many people belonging to the Reform and Conservative denominations arrived in Israel to mark the occasion of the convening of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency. During their stay, they took the opportunity to march in protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who they say has retreated from original promises under pressure exerted by the Haredi parties propping up his government.

Israel Border Police watch as woman argues with orthodox Jews at the Kotel (Photo: Eli Mendelbaum)

The liberal protestors managed to bring 12 Torah scrolls into the area as the police looked on, failing to enforce the hitherto implemented ban on such actions imposed by the Kotels rabbi, Shmuel Rabinowitz. They also participated in a prayer service led by the Women of the Wall movement after the protest and then conducted a pluralistic Minyan (a communal service traditionally requiring ten Jewish men).

The liberal factions have long argued that their religious practices deserve respect and that the government needs to reach a solution which enables them to freely exercise and express their blend of Judaism at the holy site.

By contrast, the orthodox community regards women parading through the site bearing Torah scrollslet alone establishing a designated area for mixed prayeras a brazen affront to Jewish traditions.

Photo: Eli Mendelbaum

The director of the Reform movement in Israel, Rabbi Gilad Kariv said, The Western Wall will not be the same after this day. For the first time, women and men, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and secular Jews, are all standing up for their right to enter the Western Wall. Today we liberated the site from the ultra-Orthodox control, they will not dictate to the majority of the Jewish people how to pray.

Kariv called on the prime minister to implement the compromise decision previously taken to cater for the pluralistic Jewish communities. We are not prepared to surrender anymore to the shameful Israeli government and to small vocal minority, he declared. If the government doesnt implement the compromise then we, together with world Jewry, will return the Kotel to the hands of the entire nation.

Men and women carry the Torah scrolls

Anat Hoffman, director of Women of the Wall, praised the demonstration, claiming it marked an historic occasion. We have paved the way! We have made history! This is the ideal situation where women can also carry a Torah and and read from it whenever they desire, she stated.

Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovich had earlier called on the organizations to refrain from entering the womens section and to pray instead at Robinsons Arch, the non-segregated area located to the south of the main section of the Western Wall. He also called on the ultra-Orthodox public to not clash with them and not be dragged into the provocation.

Hundreds attend protest march in the Kotel

After the prayer was held, Rabinovich released a statement expressing his shock and pain, saying that Women of the Wall today hurt thousands of worshipers by

holding a demonstrative mixed-gender prayer inside the womens section.

Rabinovich said the activists also desecrated the Torah scrolls by passing them on from hand to hand like a common object and waved them like a protest banner.
In the past month, Sudanese media have reported that the country's government has issued arrest warrants for 3,300 citizens of the country who were returning from Israel, into which they had infiltrated in the past few years. The reason is that Israel is considered an enemy state by the Sudanese government.

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These warrants apparently allowed for the imprisonment of suspects, as well as their placement in house arrest or under other restrictions of movement. Sudan has reportedly done a thorough job compiling a list of people for whom they later issued the warrants.

Asylum seekers at the Israeli Saharonim detainment facility. (Archive photo: Haim Horenstein)

Social activist Mutasim Ali, who fled the Sudanese region of Darfur years ago and has recently been acknowledged by the State of Israel as a refugee, explained that these warrants are mostly "open." This means, Ali says, that the suspects could be jailed at any time, and those who are not currently jailed must report to a police station or government official once a week.

"So it's possible that not all 3,300 are in jail at the moment, the meaning of the warrant is that those people may be arrested or be under limitations of movement and this or that restriction," Ali says "In addition, it indicates these people being under surveillance by the government all the time."

The State of Israel has a policy of "willing departures," used to try and incentivize the tens of thousands of asylum-seekers in the country to leave of their own volition. As part of the initiative, those who agree to leave Israel's borders are given $3,000. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has criticized the policy, claiming it is a de-facto expulsion policy, since the only other option they are given is incarceration.
ATHENS - Russia's foreign minister on Wednesday said the next US administration would have to work with Moscow to solve world crises, and argued that the peace process in Syria had been "sabotaged" by other countries involved in talks.

Days before the US presidential election, Sergey Lavrov made the remarks on a visit to Greece, a NATO and European Union member that has maintained close ties with Russia.

"If you remember a few months ago (President Barack) Obama said just that: 'We are the ones who should lay down the rules.' It may have been arrogant but at least he was honest," Lavrov said.

"If this is the way our American partners think, it means we will have to go through a painful period of realization that no one can do anything on their own."
ISTANBUL - Turkey's deputy prime minister said on Wednesday a military build-up on the border with Iraq was a precaution, not a threat, and urged the government in Baghdad to lower tensions after it warned Turkey would pay for any incursion.

A convoy of Turkish tanks and other armoured vehicles are advancing towards the town of Silopi, near the Iraqi border, their deployment coinciding with an Iraqi operation to drive Islamic State from the northern city of Mosul.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi warned on Tuesday that Baghdad would respond to any violation of its territory.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told the broadcaster NTV: "I regard Abadi's words as overstepping the mark. Abadi must make statements lowering the tension ...

"We are obliged to take measures to guard against threats from across Turkey's border," he added. "It is more of a precaution than a threat."
The young settler who was arrested as part of the investigation into the attack on the Dawabsheh family is having difficulty obtaining copies of investigation material pertaining to him.

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During a hearing on the matter in the Jerusalem District Court, the lawyer representing the accused claimed that all investigation material had not been turned over to her. In response, a representative of the prosecution admitted that two documents have not been located and that all relevant officials have been contacted in an attempt to locate the missing material.

Ali Dawabsheh, who was killed in the attack; the aftermath in the Dawabsheh residence

Shin Bet and Police investigators arrested the settler as part of the investigation into the Duma attack, which claimed the lives of three members of the same Palestinian family, including an infant. Initially, the Shin Bet and Police officials prevented him from meeting with an attorney, but throughout the course of the investigation it became clear that the young man had nothing to do with the attack on Duma. However, he did confess to an attack on a Palestinian shepherd near the Shilo settlement in the West Bank.

Sinaya Harizi, who represents the accused on behalf of the legal aid organization Honenu, claims that many documents have simply vanished from the investigation. "Since the filing of the indictment almost a year ago, I have yet to receive all the investigation material," said Harizi. "Moreover, the prosecution will not turn over all transcripts of the investigation pertaining to my client. I ask you, how can an investigation that ultimately decides to issue an indictment against a person not be relevant for him during trial?"

In response, the prosecution commented, "The case is being held behind closed doors and therefore we cannot elaborate on details of the case. However, we note that the investigation materials were transferred to the defense in the usual manner with the exception of two documents that were not included in the file, as stated in court."

The legal aid organization Honenu, which is sponsoring the defense, commented by saying, "Some of the documents that 'vanished' shed light on the material Shin Bet investigators presented to the court, material which we know to be retroactively false, as the accused had nothing to do with what happened in Duma."
WASHINGTON -- An Iranian airline backed by the country's notorious Revolutionary Guard is flying commercial routes to more than a dozen European and Asian countries.

Mahan Air, Iran's second-largest airline, is sanctioned by the US for ferrying weapons and fighters to support Syria's government.

A US Treasury official tells The Associated Press that the US has been trying to get those 15 countries to cooperate with US efforts to block the airline's financial network, but has met with stiff resistance. The official was not authorized to discuss the issue publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not bring the bill to cancel the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) to a vote on Sunday as originally planned. This comes as Minister of Finance Moshe Kahlon is working against the attempt to cancel the IPBC.

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Kahlon is focusing his resistance on the expected high cost he believes canceling the IPBC while maintaining the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) will incur.

Kahlon and Netanyahu (Photo: Miriam Alster/Flash90)

Raising the bill to a government vote without prior agreement with Kahlon would have generated serious conflict between the two. The prime minister, who was until now emphatically for cancelling the IPBC, decided to withdraw the timetable and not bring the bill to a ministerial vote.

A joint statement by the Prime Minister's Office and the Office of the Minister of Finance said, "Given the determination of the Minister of Finance, Moshe Kahlon, that the public broadcasting budget not exceed the total planned budget expenditure, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister of Finance Kahlon have decided to set up joint committee comprised of officials from the Prime Minister's Office, the Treasury and the Ministry of Communication to examine the issue. The committee will present recommendations to the Prime Minister's Office and the Treasury after a three-week period.

Amit Lior rips up his son's release form (:   )

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A hearing on the matter was held by the Economic Affairs Committee, which was punctuated by a fiery speech by the Chairman of the Writers Guild, Amit Lior, in which he attacked the intention to close the IPBC and went on to declare his intention to begin a hunger strike.

Deputy Director of Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Shira Greenberg, said during the hearing that, "By closing the IPBC, there will be a cost of NIS 370 million every year."

The IPBC was set up following a reform meant to close the IBA and replace it with public broadcasting that was cost efficient, effective and not dependent on commercial revenue. After already establishing the IPBC and shortly before it was meant to supersede the IBA, Prime Minister Netanyahu decided to cancel the reform, which lead to conflict with the Minister of Finance, Moshe Kahlon.

Before the announcing the postponement, officials close to Kahlon said he was "Completely serious. This is no game. We will do everything to make sure this isn't brought to a vote. If Netanyahu brings this to a vote, we'll be on our way to early elections."
BAGHDAD -- The UN Security Council is expressing alarm at reports that ISIS extremists are removing civilians from their homes and relocating them to act as human shields in Mosul.

The council condemned the use of human shields and urged all parties to avoid harming civilians and civilian facilities.

Council members said in a statement Wednesday after their first briefing on the Iraqi military campaign to liberate Mosul from Islamic State control that they don't want to see IS fighters fleeing across the border to Syria.

The council statement, however, made no mention of support for the Iraqi military effort, which Iraq's UN Ambassador Mohamed Alhakim had sought. Senegal, which holds the council presidency this month, said that issue is still under discussion.

Council members did express "strong support" for the coordinated efforts of the United Nations and the Iraqi government to address the humanitarian crisis. They urged all countries to contribute to the underfunded UN appeal to help those displaced as the military operation continues.
A Judean military court found the murderer of Dafna Meir guilty on Wednesday, sentencing him to a life and ordering that compensation be paid to the amount of NIS 1.75 million.

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Meir was stabbed to death on January 17 2016 by a then 16-year-old from the Hebron area, who confessed to the murder.

Security forces capturing the terrorist at his home

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Natan Meir, Dafna's widower, reacted to the verdict. "It's hard to be happy and receive some solace. I was hoping that this person would not be granted an ounce of compassion to someone who committed such an act, and I feel that this happened here."

Dafna Meir (L) and the terrorist who murdered her

"There was a point when the murderer's father asked for compassion. I told the judges that compassion should be given to the injured party and not the one who caused harm and to the man asking for compassion for his son after he committed such an act, which shows that his education was lacking. I told the judges that if God forbid I was standing in his shoes, I would ask them to punish my sons in the most severe way possible."

The court stressed that the murderer carried out the attack with unusual cruelty, and that denying him his freedom for the rest of his life is a fitting punishment for him. It also recommended that any future parole committee refrain from releasing him.

The terrorist first noticed Meir while she painted the frame of the front door to her house in the West Bank settlement of Otniel. He then came up to her from behind and stabbed her in her head and stopped her from removing the knife, as her children watched the exchange. Afterward, he went home, watched television, changed his clothes and went to bed.

The Shin Bet, IDF and elite Duvdevan forces found the terrorist at his home two days after the attack. He admitted to the murder during interrogation, saying that prior to stabbing Meir, he watched Palestinian news, which portrayed Israel as "killing young Palestinians."
By PTI: From Aditi Khanna

London, Nov 2 (PTI) The 141st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was observed in the UK as hundreds of people of Indian-origin gathered here to pay tributes to the veteran leader and freedom fighter.

Indias acting High Commissioner to the UK, Dinesh Patnaik led yesterdays proceedings which will now be marked as National Unity Day in London annually.

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"Sardar Patel was known more for his role in unifying India post-Independence but his achievements before 1947 were equally great. He was among the great heroes of our freedom struggle and National Unity Day will now be celebrated every year in his memory," he said, addressing guests in the Gandhi Hall at the Indian High Commission in India House.

The event included the screening of a documentary on the life of Patel, tracing his humble origins in Gujarat before he went on to qualify as a barrister in England and then chose to sacrifice all to join Mahatma Gandhi in his struggle for Indian independence.

"Sardar Patel paved the way for modern India. He was considered the Iron Man of India and it is only right that his birth anniversary be celebrated as a mark of national unity and celebration of Indias diversity," said NRI businessman Rami Ranger.

The event came after union minister Ram Vilas Paswan led the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge at the high commission on Monday.

He had hailed Patel as the "architect of a unified India", who ensured that the dream of an "undivided India" could be achieved.

This is the first year when the birth anniversary of Patel has been marked by two special events at India House with floral tributes paid to a statue of the freedom fighter that was unveiled at the Indian mission back in 2002. PTI AK KUN

--- ENDS ---
Growth was driven almost entirely by a strong surge of 1.63% in the month of September, off the back of a slight decline in August. Annual performance of Australian houses was 3.31%, as opposed to 7.2% in the previous year, said Onthehouse Group market analyst Eliza Owen.

During the same quarter, the median non-revised unit value across Australia experienced 1.27% growth, with 1.17% growth in September alone. Overall, unit values across the country increased by 3.96%.

Owen suggests the aggregated housing market peaked two years ago, though it has since had a very slow decline relative to past growth cycles. Moreover, growth in dwelling markets was likely sustained by the four cash rate cuts implemented by the RBA since the peak of the most recent cycle.

Investors are increasingly seeking investments in regional NSW

Country homes in New South Wales had the highest value growth in the year up to September at 7.41% in capital gains. This figure was down on the previous years growth of 9.94%, suggesting that regional NSW is now following the downswing in the Sydney market.

Investment in the regional NSW market is expected to rise as those who were priced out of Sydney during the recent housing boom are seeking more affordable properties in outlying areas.

Those who are interested in purchasing property in regional areas of NSW should be advised that such areas provide higher rental yields for investors. Residex median rent estimates remained virtually unchanged in Australian houses and units. The strongest increase in rents was in ACT units, as well as Hobart and Tasmania houses, while resource market rents continued to decline.

Overall, the subdued growth in rents is likely due to an increase in investor activity, which in turn has potentially increased the stock of rental properties.
A boat carrying 96 people from Malaysia to Indonesia sank on Wednesday, killing at least 18, Indonesian police said.

By Reuters: A boat carrying 96 people from Malaysia to Indonesia sank on Wednesday, killing at least 18, Indonesian police said.

The boat, from Johor, sank off Indonesia's Batam island when it was hit by big waves, police said. The passengers were believed to be illegal workers returning to Indonesia.

At least 39 people were found alive.

"Search and rescue efforts continue to find the rest of the passengers," police spokesman Airlangga said.

--- ENDS ---

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IS Chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has reportedly been trapped by Iraqi Army in Mosul.

By Press Trust of India: Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been trapped by Iraqi Army, which entered the terrorist groups stronghold of Mosul for the first time in more than two years for a final assault, a report has claimed.

The battle for Mosul, where the self-declared caliph of IS is believed to be hiding, is likely to end in a decisive defeat for the terrorist group, the Independent reported.

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Fuad Hussein, chief of staff to Kurdish President Massoud Barzani, told the daily that his government had information from multiple sources that "Baghdadi is there and, if he is killed, it will mean the collapse of the whole [IS] system."

Baghdadi has kept himself concealed for the last eight or nine months according to Hussein, who added that the caliph had become very dependent on IS commanders from Mosul and Tal Afar, a city just to the west of Mosul.

Also read: Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, top 3 commanders poisoned?



Other senior and better known figures in IS, particularly those from Syria and other countries, have been killed since their initial triumphs in the summer of 2014 when they took over much of northern Iraq and eastern Syria.

BAGHDADI PRESENCE MAY COMPLICATE MISSION



The presence of Baghdadi in Mosul may complicate and prolong the battle for Mosul as his surviving adherents fight to the death to defend him.

If he is killed, IS would have to choose a new caliph in the middle of a battle, but no successor would have the authority and prestige of Baghdadi, the leader who surprised the world by establishing the caliphate after capturing Mosul in June 2014.

Hussein said "it is obvious that they will lose, but not how long this will take to happen."

Also read: ISIS leader Al-Baghdadi killed in US-led air strike



He said Kurdish Peshmerga forces had been impressed by the extraordinary number of tunnels that Isis had dug in order to provide hiding places in the villages around Mosul.

Yesterday, Iraqi Special Forces advanced into Mosul, which once had a population of two million, seizing the state television on the east bank of the Tigris River that divides the city in half.

FALL OF MOSUL DEPENDS ON SEVERAL FACTORS



Hussein said the speed of the fall of Mosul would depend on many factors especially whether or not IS "is going to destroy the five bridges over the river."

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Iraqi troops entered Gogjali, a district inside Mosuls city limits, and later the borders of the more built-up Karama district, according to Major General Sami al-Aridi of the Iraqi special forces.

Also read: Terrorist or a cat? 5 times ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was reported dead



"Daesh (IS) is fighting back and have set up concrete blast walls to block off the Karama neighbourhood and [stop] our troops advance," General Aridi said.

The anti-IS offensive is dependent on US-led air strikes and the presence of US special forces.

--- ENDS ---
The disaster ward of the Government Medical college have young and the old share beds side by side. They all have something in common: they are residents of border village India shares with Pakistan.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: 14 month-old Pari has become the face of the crossfire tragedy. She is being treated by doctors in a Government Medical Hospital. At a tender age, she has lost four of her near and dear one's. She is battling for her own life. Doctors says she will survive though her body has been damaged because of the shell that landed at her residence.

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As we walk into the disaster ward of the Government Medical college, there is a stench that emanates of spirit. The young and the old share beds side by side. They all have something in common: they are residents of border village India shares with Pakistan.

LAUNCHED OFFENSIVE AGAINST DEFENCELESS CIVILIANS

This in a sense exposes Pakistan in-front of the entire world. Not only are Pakistan Rangers targeting Army and BSF at LOC and the International Border, a desperate Pakistan is hitting out at civilians, injuring several children, women and the elderly. Even the innocent have not been spared by Pakistan.

Inspector General, BSF, Jammu DK Upadhaya told India Today "With its failure to deal with Indian Army and BSF at the LOC and Internationa Border respectively, a desperate Pakistan launched its offensive against innocent civilians. On Tuesday it targeted three locations of Ramgarh sector. 8 lost their lives 3 women and 2 children. 24 civilians, many of them children are being treated for grievous injuries."

Also Read: Attempt to broker peace at IB was stalled by Pakistan Rangers

VICTIMS RECOUNT THEIR HORRORS

9-year-old Sanjana suffers extensive fractures on both her legs as a result of shell splinter.She is from Suchetgarh, but was rushed to Jammu for treatment. Her cousin is being treated in the ICU. " I was outside the house...when the shell came, my mother and aunt got hurt, I have not gone to school but I want to go to school."

Her grandmother says " For heaven sake the firing must stop." Education has been another casualty of the animosity between the two countries. 178 schools have been shut at the borders till further notice. Kashmir is already paying a heavy price since the past 110 days.

A youth from Poonch says " The education of youth suffering...there must be steps taken for peace and normalcy."

On the fourth floor, Ghirdari lal of Nand Gaon in his early sixties watches over his 27 year old son Kapil Dev who suffered injuries in Pak shelling " My son was near the house, when he was struck by a shell. We were told by authorities to move out, but this is the peak harvest season. We were only fending for our livelihood. We would have moved out, but even before we could make up our mind, the Pakistan shell struck.

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Mahinder Singh from Rangroor speaks for his brother, a 47 year old man Ashok " My brother is fighting for his life..we fear going back to our village. But lets hope, the firing stops."

Also Read: 15 Pakistan Rangers killed in retaliatory firing by Indian forces

--- ENDS ---
District of Columbia: The FBI director`s making public a new trove of emails connected to Hillary Clinton on Friday departed from decisions in recent months to keep quiet two separate investigations, The New York Times reported on Tuesday.

James Comey has come under fierce criticism for his letter informing Congress about the bureau`s decision to effectively reopen an inquiry into the Democratic presidential candidate`s emails after a new trove of hundreds of thousands of emails were apparently found on a laptop taken from Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of Clinton`s close aide Huma Abedin, in a separate inquiry.

Those e-mails should be reviewed because they could be relevant to an earlier probe into Clinton`s use of a private server to send e-mails while she was secretary of state, Comey said in his letter.

His decision departed from longstanding policy not to publicize investigations that had the possibility of affecting major elections.

They included a probe last summer into Republican nominee Donald Trump`s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, and his secretive business dealings in Ukraine, and another investigation into Clinton`s relationships with donors to her family`s foundation, the Times reported.

Against that backdrop, Comey`s letter "has plunged the FBI and the Justice Department directly into the election, precisely what Justice officials were trying to avoid," the paper said.

FBI agents are currently racing to review the new batch of e-mails in search of potentially incriminating evidence in their high-pressure probe before the election on November 8.

However, it is increasingly unlikely the FBI will complete its e-mail review before Election Day, officials said, adding that they may offer updates before then.

The impact of the FBI`s bombshell discovery is already reverberating in the neck-and-neck race for the White House, with the latest poll on Tuesday showing Republican nominee Donald Trump edging ahead of Clinton for the first time since May.
Washington: A top aide to Hillary Clinton urged the FBI on Tuesday to disclose what it knows about any ties between Donald Trump and Russia, accusing the agency of unfairly publicizing its inquiry into Clinton's email practices while staying quiet about the Republican presidential candidate.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation opened a preliminary inquiry in recent months into allegations that Trump or his associates might have had questionable dealings with Russian people or businesses, but found no evidence to warrant opening a full investigation, according to sources familiar with the matter. The agency has not publicly discussed the probe.

A week before Election Day, the Clinton campaign was trying to contain damage from the announcement by FBI Director James Comey on Friday that his agency was looking into newly discovered emails that might relate to Clinton`s use of a private server while she was secretary of state.

Clinton has voiced confidence the FBI will not find anything problematic.

She campaigned on Tuesday in the battleground state of Florida, where she was joined in Dade City by former Miss Universe Alicia Machado, whom Trump had mocked for gaining weight. Chants of Lock her up! from dozens of Trump supporters gathered nearby could be faintly heard while Clinton spoke.

In Ft. Lauderdale, a young man who yelled, "She`s a liar" was escorted out of the rally. Several other protesters removed during the course of her speech.

"I am sick and tired of the negative, dark, divisive, dangerous vision and behavior from people who support Donald Trump," Clinton said as another protester was removed from the rally.

Trump and other Republicans have seized on Comey`s announcement, which did not indicate any wrongdoing by Clinton, to ratchet up criticism of the Democratic candidate. She leads in most opinion polls ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

Trump urged people on Tuesday who voted early for his Democratic rival to cancel their ballots and switch to him.

"This is a message for any Democratic voters who have already cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton and who are having a bad case of buyer`s remorse, in other words you want to change your vote," Trump told a Wisconsin rally.

So if you live here or in Michigan or Pennsylvania or Minnesota, you can change your vote to Donald Trump."

Several states, including those cited by Trump, have a process to allow voters who cast early ballots to change their votes, either by submitting new ballots or showing up at their polling place on Election Day.

Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook questioned why the FBI director had not released any information about the agency`s Russia inquiries.

"If you`re in the business of releasing information about investigations on presidential candidates, release everything you have on Donald Trump. Release the information on his connections to the Russians," Mook said on CNN.

The FBI inquiry reviewed allegations that Trump or his associates might have violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or engaged in contacts or commerce with people in Russia who are subject to U.S. or international financial sanctions.

The U.S. government has blamed Russia for cyber attacks on Democratic Party organizations. Democrats criticize Trump for taking what they say is a pro-Russia foreign policy stance.

Russia`s possible role in the campaign again came into focus when online magazine Slate said a group of computer scientists had been alarmed by records showing thousands of apparent connection attempts between an email server operated on behalf of the Trump Organization and computers inside a Russian company, Alfa Bank in Moscow.

Trump campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks said the server, which had been used to send out hotel marketing material, had been dormant for years.

Prominent U.S. cyber security company FireEye said it had been hired by Alfa Bank to investigate the records and had been granted access to the banks systems in Moscow to look for evidence of any relationship with Trumps company or any signs of hacking or infection. FireEye said so far it had found no emails being sent back and forth or any other link.

Opinion polls showed Clinton`s lead has narrowed slightly since early last week but it was too early to say whether the email controversy was hurting her.

Clinton led businessman Trump in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll of likely voters released on Monday, by 44 percent to 39 percent. Clinton, hoping to be the first woman elected president, strengthened her lead over Trump in polls after the release last month of a 2005 video in which the Republican bragged in vulgar terms about groping women.

But in a dramatic twist, Comey told Congress in a letter on Friday that the FBI was reviewing the newly discovered emails.

Comey had announced in July that the FBI had completed a probe into the email practices, concluding there were no grounds to bring any charges.

Clinton`s team has been pressing the FBI to provide details on the new trove of emails, which Comey said may or may not be significant in the case.

Little is publicly known yet about the emails, other than that they were found during an unrelated probe into former U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin.

Comey`s letter has provided Republicans with fresh fodder for attack in the waning days of the campaign. U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said on Tuesday that a Clinton presidency would bog down in "scandal baggage."

Congressional Republicans, who had been concerned Trump risked damaging their majorities in the House and Senate, were also encouraged by his recent statements on efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare. A campaign aide said if Trump wins, he would ask Congress to begin working on legislation to repeal the law before the Jan. 20 inauguration.
North Carolina: President Barack Obama pressed Democrats black and white to vote in droves for Hillary Clinton Wednesday, warning Donald Trump was a threat to hard-earned civil rights, the country and the world.

Painting the choice next Tuesday in the starkest terms yet, America`s first black president trashed Trump as "uniquely unqualified" to be president.

Clinton remains the firm favorite to become the 45th US president, but with six days until Election Day Democrats are leaving nothing to chance given Trump`s radical stances.

"The fate of the Republic rests on your shoulders," Obama told voters in Chapel Hill. "The fate of the world is teetering and you, North Carolina, are going to have to make sure that we push it in the right direction."

Decrying electoral apathy, Obama reminded voters that he had won North Carolina by the slightest of margins in 2008 and that just decades ago African Americans were cheated out of their right to vote in parts of the United States.

"I won North Carolina by two votes per precinct," he said "How can you say your vote doesn`t count?"

Around a quarter of North Carolina`s population is black.

"I am not on the ballot, but I tell you what. Fairness is on the ballot. Decency is on the ballot. Justice is on the ballot. Progress is on the ballot. Our democracy is on the ballot."
Visakhapatnam: Security forces were put on alert in many areas on the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border in view of a 24-hour shutdown called on Thursday in five states to protest against the killing of 30 Maoists last week.

Communist Party of India-Maoist has called for the shutdown in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra against what it calls `fake encounters`.

Police stepped up security in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vijayanagaram districts in north coastal Andhra Pradesh, bordering Odisha.

Police in Andhra and Odisha, including the elite anti-Maoist Greyhounds of Andhra, continued their combing operations on the Andhra-Odisha border.

Security personnel were seen checking vehicles in the region. The police also beefed up security in tribal areas of Visakhapatnam.

Police sources said all precautionary measures had been taken to foil any possible attacks by CPI-Maoist, which has threatened to take revenge for the killings.

People`s representatives have been advised to take all precautions. They were also asked to inform police before visiting interior areas.

Andhra Director General of Police N. Sambasiva Rao directed officials to beef up security.

Police in Telangana increased security in districts bordering Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra to prevent violence during the shutdown.

As many as 30 Maoists, including some top leaders, were killed in a series of alleged gun battles with police in Malkangiri district of Odisha near the Andhra-Odisha border.

Alleging that the police killed their cadres in a `covert` operation, CPI (Maoist) has called for the shutdown.

CPI (Maoist) central committee spokesman Pratap, in a statement last week, admitted that the killings were a huge setback but said the organisation will soon recover.
Kathmandu: President Pranab Mukherjee today arrived here on a three-day state visit to Nepal, the first by an Indian Head of State in 18 years, to hold talks with the top leadership on ways to boost bilateral ties especially after the formation of a new government.

Mukherjee, who arrived at the Tribhuvan International Airport, was received by President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

He will hold talks with the political leadership here besides visiting historical temples of Pashupatinath tomorrow and Ram Janaki in Janakpur on November 4.

A formal meeting between the two Heads of State has been lined up at the official residence of Bhandari - Shital Niwas.

The Nepal government declared a national holiday today to welcome Mukherjee and stepped up security around the capital.

Bhandari will host a state banquet in Mukherjee's honour.

Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' will also host a dinner in his honour.

"India is giving particular focus on our ongoing development, connectivity and economic projects as well as a number of projects under the lines of credit...India has committed USD one billion assistance to Nepal," Joint Secretary (North) Sudhakar Dalela had said ahead of the visit.

Nepal Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun and the Prime Minister will also call on Mukherjee - whose visit comes in the backdrop of Nepal, as SAARC chair, issued a strong statement condemning terror in all forms in the aftermath of the Uri terror attack.

The President is accompanied by Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, Members of Parliament Bhubaneswar Kalita, L Ganesan, Jagdambika Pal and R K Singh. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar is also accompanying the delegation.

The leaders "will discuss the full range of issues covering bilateral, regional and international issues and I am sure regional cooperation issue will figure in the talks," Dalela had said.

On November 3, the President will offer prayers at Pashupatinath temple, a UNESCO heritage site. Later, he will be conferred with an honorary degree from Kathmandu University followed a civic reception in Kathmandu in his honour.

The President will also address a seminar of Niti Anusandhan Pratisthan Nepal and India Foundation.

On November 4, a civic reception has been scheduled in his honour at Janakpur, epicentre of protests by Madhesi community, where he will interact with local people.

He will also meet leaders of Madhesi community, mostly of Indian- origin, besides offering prayers at the Janaki temple.

The President, who is the supreme commander of the armed forces, will also visit Pokhra on the same day where he will interact with ex-servicemen of Indian Army from Gurkha community.

During the visit, the emphasis of the Indian side is to see the implementation of agreements which have already been entered in both sides
As per police, the three JeM accused had bought iron pipes from old Delhi's Daryaganj area to strike terror in Delhi-NCR.

By Shivendra Srivastava: Three suspected members of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) operatives, arrested by Special Cell Delhi Police in May this year, had planned to use pipe bombs to spread terror in Delhi-NCR.

As per the Special Cell chargesheet filed in Delhi court last week, the three accused persons from JeM had bought iron pipes from old Delhi's Daryaganj area to implement their plan.

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Pipe bombs are made with explosives and sealed from both the ends to make high impact when exploded.

Also read: Delhi: Ex-serviceman commits suicide at Jantar Mantar over One Rank One Pension



MASOOD AZHAR CONNECTION



All the three operatives were in touch with JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar through Whatsapp and used to take instructions from him. As per the police, one of the accused Sajid was planning to go to Kashmir after his work was done in Delhi.

Three suspected members Sajid, Sameer and Aziz Ansari of terror outfit JeM were arrested in May for allegedly planning an attack in the national capital. While Sajid and Sameer hail from Delhi, Ansari is a resident of Deoband in Uttar Pradesh. All three had an ideological leaning towards the JeM.

Also read: Massive fire breaks out in a building at Shahdara in Delhi, 3 dead, 14 injured

--- ENDS ---
Patna: After RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday demanded a high-level impartial probe into the killing of eight SIMI undertrials in an alleged gunfight with police in Madhya Pradesh.

"A probe is a must into the killing of the SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) activists as several questions have been raised," Nitish Kumar told the media here.

He said the Madhya Pradesh government should order the probe by an independent agency.

"There are many unanswered questions regarding the gun battle and some videos have also surfaced that question the encounter. The state government should explain it," Nitish Kumar said.

Earlier, former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad said only a high-level probe would clear the suspense over whether it was a real or fake gun battle with police that followed the alleged escape of the eight men from the Bhopal Central Jail.

"Going by several reports, it appears that the killings by the police raised several unanswered questions," he said.
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday favoured an independent probe into the Bhopal jail break by SIMI activists and their subsequent killing by the police for "clarity" on what had happened.

"Some striking pictures have emerged on the event and hence there is a need for clarity on the event," Kumar told reporters here.

He said he knew his Madhya Pradesh counterpart Shivraj Singh Chouhan and expressed confidence that his government would explain "the entire event with clarity."

"All (8 SIMI inmates) fled together and joined later on and the video shot on encounter also creates doubt in the minds of people," he said and advised the MP government to go for an independent probe into the episode.

He said he was not in favour of a probe conducted by a central agency which was under control of the ruling party at the Centre and suggested one by an independent agency.

RJD President Lalu Prasad has also demanded a high-level probe into the incident.

"Why BJP is not getting the event probed?...BJP is known for 'dhong' (pretence) in the name of nationalism," the RJD chief said.
New Delhi: Raising questions of sexual perversity against a husband amounts to mental cruelty and justifies the grant of divorce, the Delhi High Court has said while upholding a lower court order dissolving a marriage.

The high court also dismissed the allegations of a woman that her husband was indulging in immoral act by compromising with the privacy of the bedroom with their eight-year-old daughter.

Dismissing the allegations, a bench of Justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Pratibha Rani said the wife had damaged the very basic fabric of marital bond beyond repair and maligned the "pious relationship" between a father and a daughter.

"It sounds paradoxical that wife was not letting the husband to have physical contact but the husband was blamed for keeping condoms accessible to their eight years old daughter and also for waking up the daughter in the midnight to witness their sexual activity.

"The allegations of sexual perversity against the husband amounted to mental cruelty, justifying a decree of divorce," the bench said in its judgement.

The court's verdict came on a petition by the woman who had approached the high court challenging a trial court order of July this year dissolving the marriage on a plea filed by her husband.

While upholding the trial court's decision, the high court observed that she had levelled "baseless and unsubstantiated" charges against her husband and "no spouse can swallow such filthy allegations and also continue with the marital tie."

"The pious relationship between a father and a daughter has been maligned by the wife to such an extent that the wife is guilty of treating the husband with the worst form of mental cruelty.

"The nature of allegations made against the husband which remained unsubstantiated, must have left an indelible mark on the mind of the husband," the bench said.

The couple had married in February 2005 and the marital discord between them started in 2005. They lived together till October 2012. In December 2012, the man filed a plea before the trial court seeking dissolution of marriage.

The trial court granted divorce on the ground that the husband was subjected to mental cruelty by her.

The high court, in its judgement, noted that the wife, "inspite of making serious allegations against the husband impacting his moral character with perverse sexuality, did not even try to prove such allegations while tendering her affidavit by way of examination-in-chief. This leads to the inference that such allegations were baseless".
New Delhi: The son of a retired soldier who committed suicide said on Wednesday that he and his family members were beaten by police before being taken to a police station.

Jaswant, elder son of Ram Kishan Grewal, who killed himself here on Tuesday evening, said the police beat him and thrashed his younger brother as well as brother-in-law.

Jaswant was detained along with his brother and relative at a police station in the heart of the city.

"We have been ill-treated. We were beaten and abused. We want justice," Jaswat said in a video message.

The grieving son said he had never heard of such conduct by the police towards soldiers' families.

Grewal, 70, committed suicide by consuming poison at a park here, reportedly to demand the implementation of One Rank One Pension scheme.

The police also detained Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi. The latter was allowed to go after some 70 minutes.
New Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, who was detained, released and again detained on Wednesday, lashed out at police officers inside a police station over the detention of the family members of an army veteran, who allegedly committed suicide over the One Rank One Pension (OROP) issue.

Rahul Gandhi, who was detained shortly after he met the family members of the army veteran, also attacked the NDA government, calling it shameful and symbolic of undemocratic mentality of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a video that was posted by news agency ANI, the Congress leader can be seen inside the police station lashing out at policemen for detaining him and the kin of the martyr.

Do you not feel ashamed? He is a son of an army veteran, he is his father and you are arresting them? a livid Rahul told policemen pointing towards the deceased soldier Ram Kishan Grewals son and father.

What is your name? You think the family of Indias martyr should be arrested? Do you not feel ashamed?, Rahul asked a senior police officer at Mandir Marg police station where he was taken following his detention after he was denied entry into RML Hospital to meet Grewals family.

A martyrs family is arrested. This is Modi jis India, he earlier told reporters outside RML Hospital.

How can you arrest the son and father of martyr? And if you have not arrested them, then why are you not letting them go, he said after his request for releasing Grewals family was turned down.

If you can arrest a veterans family, arrest me also, Gandhi said. How can you arrest a veterans kin?

At a later stage, Gandhi told the officer to at least let the veterans family go.

Gandhi also told the media: It is an undemocratic mentality. A new kind of India is being created. It is Modijis India.

Grewal killed himself at a park by consuming poison here on Tuesday, police said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and several Congress leaders were also detained by the police. The Joint Commissioner of Police, Deependra Pathak said the detentions were made to control the situation.

Watch the video here.
New Delhi: Retired Army veteran Ram Kishan Grewal's alleged suicide over Centre's delay in implementing the OROP scheme on Wednesday triggered a tug of bitter war of words between the country's two main political parties - BJP and the Congress  with the former defending the police action and the latter demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his death.

In an unprecedented move, Delhi Police detained Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi after they tried to meet the family members of the deceased army veteran who had taken the extreme step of ending his life over the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme to equalize pension for ex-military personnel.

Rahul Gandhi was detained twice during the day and let off at night.

Both Kejriwal and Gandhi were detained amid demonstrations in the heart of the capital after they tried to meet the grieving family of Ram Kishan Grewal, who ended his life on Tuesday evening here.

Delhi Deputy CM Sisodia was detained in the morning after he met the dead man's son at a hospital.

"I went to meet the family, not to stage a dharna. What's wrong with that? What kind of system is this, Modiji," Sisodia asked, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Grewal's son Jaswant said he, his younger brother and brother-in-law were beaten and taken to a police station when they tried to meet Rahul Gandhi. Demanding justice, he said he had never witnessed such police conduct vis-a-vis veterans' families.

As the tug of war played out, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Gandhi and Kejriwal of politicising the OROP scheme announced last year.

Retired soldiers have been alleging that the government has not addressed their concerns fully about disparity in pension payments.

They resumed a relay hunger strike on Tuesday for rectification of anomalies in the OROP, which, among other measures, is meant to ensure equal pension to retired soldiers who served with the same rank and for the same duration, regardless of the year of retirement.

Grewal, 70, formerly of Rajputana Rifles, allegedly took poison at a park here on Tuesday evening and died demanding the immediate implementation of the scheme.

Before dying, he telephoned his son Jaswant and told him that he was committing suicide as a "sacrifice" for the nation, his family told the media.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said he was "saddened by the death.''

'I express my heartfelt condolences. I have asked for officials to provide me details,' he said.

But Parrikar's ministerial colleague VK Singh, himself an ex-army chief, triggered a row by questioning the "mental state" of the dead soldier.

"He has committed suicide. No one knows the reason behind it. OROP is being shown as the reason. What his mental state was, we do not know. Let it be probed first. OROP should be above politics," the Minister of State for External Affairs was quoted as saying by national news channels.

By evening the soldier's suicide snowballed into a major political row with the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress lashing out at the government over the police crackdown.

Scores of AAP and Congress activists massed outside the Lady Hardinge Hospital, where Grewal's body was kept for an autopsy, and the two police stations where Sisodia and Gandhi were detained.

"The central government is intent on 'goondagirdi'," Kejriwal told the media. "I am the Chief Minister of Delhi. An ex-serviceman has committed suicide. Is it not my duty to meet his family," he asked.

Gandhi, who the veteran's family wanted to meet, was detained twice and released.

The Congress leader was first taken to the Mandir Marg Police Station where the dead soldier's son Jaswant too was detained along with some of his grieving family members.

"You have no shame? He is a son of an army veteran... you are arresting them," a livid Gandhi told a police officer.

Gandhi blamed Modi for the situation. "This is an undemocratic mentality. A new kind of India is being created. It is Modiji's India."

Kejriwal's detention triggered an angry reaction from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as well as his supporters in the capital.

"What's happening? Unprecedented. A CM is detained in his own state. He cannot move about freely. Unacceptable," Banerjee tweeted.

Kejriwal first denounced Modi after Sisodia's detention and then drove to the Lady Hardinge Hospital where the dead soldier's autopsy was conducted.

When he spoke to the soldier's family and tried to meet them at a police station in Connaught Place, his car was surrounded by police who announced the AAP leader had been detained.

Late on Wednesday, Kejriwal was driven to the RK Puram Police Station in south Delhi along with fellow minister Gopal Rai. The AAP said it would organize nationwide protests against the Modi government over OROP.

Amid protests and the criticism, Home Minister Rajnath Singh defended the police and said, "I don't have anything to say. Police will do what it has to for risk reduction."

Kejriwal was finally released after 6-hour long detention at the RK Puram Police Station.
New Delhi: Army veteran Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly killed himself on Tuesday evening in frustration over central government's delay in implementing the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, had called up his family members minutes before taking the extreme step.

''I am sitting near India Gate and I have consumed poison,'' Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal reportedly said this in what was his last call to his family before the ex-servicemen allegedly killed himself.

"The government is doing injustice to jawans and I cant tolerate this. I am a man of principle. I am sacrificing my life for the betterment my family, ex-soldiers and my nation, 70-year-old Grewal is heard said.

According to News18.com, Ram Kishan Grewal's son Kulwant Grewal had confirmed that the phone conversation took place between his father and brother.

In the audio clip, the veteran is also heard telling his son that he consumed two to three tablets five minutes before he made the phone call.

Grewal was reportedly drawing Rs 23,000 as pension as against Rs 28,000 he would be entitled to under the OROP scheme. He had written a letter to the Defence Ministry describing his plight but the government denied receiving any such letter.

Grewal, who hailed from Haryana's Bhiwani district, allegedly consumed poison in the lawns behind the Jawahar Bhavan, which houses the Ministry of External Affairs, yesterday.

Police said he along with three of his companions had come to the city apparently to submit a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP.
New Delhi: The son of an ex-serviceman, who had allegedly committed suicide over delay in implementation of the OROP scheme by the central government, said on Wednesday that he and his family members were manhandled and beaten by the Delhi Police before being taken to a police station.

Jaswant, elder son of Ram Kishan Grewal, who killed himself here on Tuesday evening, said the police beat him and thrashed his younger brother as well as their brother-in-law.

Jaswant was detained along with his brother and relative at a police station in the heart of the city.

"We have been ill-treated. We were beaten and abused. We want justice," Jaswat said in a video message.

The grieving son said he had never heard of such conduct by the police towards soldiers' families.

Grewal, 70, committed suicide by consuming poison at a park here, reportedly to demand the implementation of One Rank One Pension scheme.

The police also detained Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.

The latter was allowed to go after some 70 minutes.
Aboard the Papal Plane: Pope Francis said on Tuesday he believes the Roman Catholic Church`s ban on women becoming priests is forever and will never be changed, in some of his most definitive remarks on the issue.

He was speaking aboard a plane taking him back to Rome from Sweden, in the freewheeling news conference with reporters that has become a tradition of his return flights from trips abroad.

A Swedish female reporter noted that the head of the Lutheran Church who welcomed him in Sweden was a woman, and then asked if he thought the Catholic Church could allow women to be ordained as ministers in coming decades.

"St. Pope John Paul II had the last clear word on this and it stands, this stands," Francis said.

Francis was referring to a 1994 document by Pope John Paul that closed the door on a female priesthood. The Vatican says this teaching is an infallible part of Catholic tradition.

The reporter then pressed the pope, asking: "But forever, forever? Never, never?

Francis responded: "If we read carefully the declaration by St. John Paul II, it is going in that direction."

Francis has previously said that the door to women`s ordination is closed, but proponents of a female priesthood are hoping that a future pope might overturn the decision, particularly because of the shortage of priests around the world.

In reaction, The Women`s Ordination Conference (WOC), a group that promotes a female priesthood, said in a statement that "Patriarchy Will Not Have the Last Word".

WOC said it was "profoundly disappointed" by the pope`s comments, calling the document the pope referred to "outdated, fallible and painful".

The Catholic Church teaches that women cannot be ordained priests because Jesus willingly chose only men as his apostles. Those calling for women priests say he was only following the norms of his time.

"The Church cannot be afraid to examine customs when they no longer communicate or resonate with the Gospel. A Church that is not open to the gifts of half of its membership is unsustainable and out-of-touch with the needs of its people," WOC said.

In August, Francis set up a commission to study the role of women deacons in early Christianity, raising hopes among equality campaigners that women could one day have a greater say in the 1.2 billion-member Church.

Deacons, like priests, are ordained ministers and must be men. They cannot celebrate Mass, the Catholic Church`s central rite, but they are allowed to preach and teach in the name of the Church, and to baptise and conduct wake and funeral services.

The Church barred women from becoming deacons centuries ago.

Scholars debate the precise role of women deacons in the early Church. Some say they were ordained to minister only to other women, for instance in baptismal immersion rites. Others believe they were on a par with male deacons.
Panaji: In yet another shocking incident, a man in Goa has accused a sub-inspector of forcing him to strip and clicking his pictures while in custody of Vasco police in Goa.

The 21-year-old youth alleged that a sub-inspector clicked his photos in the buff and threatened to upload them on social media if he failed to return money to a family, he had borrowed from.

The man is accused of not returning Rs 9,000, which he had borrowed from the family members of his girlfriend in September this year.

He registered a complaint against the sub-inspector at a police station today.

In his complaint, the man has accused the sub-inspector of asking him to remove clothes and clicking his photos while he was in custody of Vasco police. Furthermore, he has also accused the cop of thrashing him badly in the custody.

"He clicked my nude photos on his mobile and told me that he will keep them saved, for any complaint is made against him, he will upload the photos on social media," the complainant stated.

The young man said that he was called to the police station on October 27 again after his former girlfriend's mother had lodged a case against him for not returning Rs. 9,000 which he had taken from them.

He also accused a woman police sub-inspector Nehanda Tavares of harassing him at the police station.

"She asked her juniors to get scissors and cut my hair," the man alleged in his complaint.

When contacted, both Bhagat and Tavares refuted the allegations against them.
Guarding the doors of the church that houses Jesus Christ's tomb are two Muslim families, who have been at it for centuries now. Here's their story.

Women pray atop the marble slap which was later removed from the tomb. Source: AP/ National Geographic

By India Today Web Desk: A few days ago, researchers lifted off a marble slab guarding what could be the most sensational tomb in the history: that of Jesus Christ. No one expects any remains to be found there, as Jesus, as per The Bible, had resurrected from the dead. Nonetheless, after hours of examination, researchers are quite convinced that the "limestone bed" there is where Jesus could have been buried.

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Read more: Jesus Christ's burial slab uncovered in Jerusalem

This tomb, which lies in the heart of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, has more than one interesting tale to tell. One of them could be the fact that its gates have been, for centuries, watched over by two Muslim men.

The Joudeh and the Nuseibeh families, both Jerusalem-Palestinian clans, have been the keepers of the keys to the Holy Sepulchre since the 12th century. One generation after another, men from both families have been responsible for unlocking the church's door to the devotees at the crack of dawn.

Presently, as IB Times reports, descendants Adeeb Joudeh and Wajeeh Nuseibeh are in-charge of the key - a 12-inch cast iron piece. Every morning, Adeeb brings Wajeeh the key, and the latter wakes the priests and overnight-staying pilgrims in the church. Again, at 7.30 every evening, they close the gates behind hundreds of devotees.

Source: Reuters



WHAT BROUGHT THE KEY TO THE HOLIEST SITE OF CHRISTIANITY TO THE NUSEIBEHS?

There are multiple versions of the story:

An IB Times' report quotes 63-year old Nuseibeh, according to whom the responsibility of the church's security came down to his family after 637 AD.

"After the Muslim conquest in 637, the Caliph Omar guaranteed the Archbishop Sophronius that the Christian places of worship would be protected and so entrusted the custodianship to the Nuseibehs, a family who originated in Medina and had had relations with the Prophet Muhammad," he said.

"It happened again in 1187, after Saladin ended the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. He chose our family again to look after the peace between the different Eastern and Western Christian confessions, which were at odds over control of the Sepulchre," he said.

Another story has it that the key came down to neutral keepers to cut out the fight among Christian denominations over the Holy Sepulchre.

The Holy Sepulchre is shared among multiple Christian churches: the Catholic, Greek Orthpodox, Armenian, Coptic, Syriac, and Ethiopian Orthodox. And time and again, members and monks of all the denominations have come down to brawls to claim their right over the church housing Christ's tomb.

Source: Reuters Source: Reuters

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WHEN DID THE JOUDEHS COME IN?

Reports have it that the Ottoman Turks brought the Joudehs into the picture in the 16th century, to ensure that there is a second family in charge of the key.

"Yes, we share the responsibility with the Joudehs, and sometimes we argue, as happens in a family," Nuseibeh said.

"This key has seen Saladin and every generation of my family since 1187," Joudeh told IB Times. "To me, it's an honor to be in charge of the holiest of Christian places."

There are test results that support the claim that Christ's body did indeed lay in the tomb beneath this church. There are millions of Christians who agree with this belief and bow in faith.

But what remains cent per cent true is that two Muslims families have been watching over the gates that could lead to Christ's tomb.



And there's a message in that.







--- ENDS ---
Dharamshala: Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shanta Kumar has called on the Centre to honour Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, with the country`s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.

Speaking at the release of his book `Himalaya Par Lal Chaya` at Tsuglagkhang, at the main Buddhist temple in Dharamsala Kumar said, "I strongly urge the Indian government to confer the prestigious Bharat Ratna Award on the Dalai Lama. It would be a great example of India`s faith on Tibet."

The 14th Dalai Lama also launched another book, `If Autumn Comes`, written by Kumar`s wife.

Kumar added that many countries have already awarded the leader for his promotion of peace, and India should not lag behind.

The Tibetan administration-in-exile is based in Dharamsala and over one lakh exiled Tibetans live there.

The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 after fleeing a Chinese crackdown in Lhasa.

Thousands of Tibetans have followed him to India, where they live in 50 settlements spread across the country.China has ruled remote and mountainous Tibet with an iron hand since the People`s Liberation Army marched into the region in 1950.

Critics accuse China of repressing Tibetans` religious aspirations, especially their veneration for the Dalai Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
New Delhi: An ex-serviceman has allegedly committed suicide over the delay in the implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme by the Modi government.

Ram Kishan Garehwal, who was protesting at Jantar Mantar, called his family on Tuesday night and informed them that he was committing suicide as the government has failed to fulfill their demands related to OROP. He is believed to have consumed some poisonous substance to commit suicide.

A native of Bhiwani in Haryana. Garehwal left behind a suicide note in which he expressed extreme displeasure over being denied benefits of 6th and 7th pay commissions.

The suicide note also mentions that the government, despite promises, has not been able to correct the discrepancy in pensions. People of the same rank are getting more pension than me, he wrote.

At least the government will wake up (after his suicide), he wrote.

The 70-year-old ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal committed suicide by consuming poison at a park in New Delhi area yesterday evening.

Police said he along with some other ex-servicemen was in the process of submitting a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP.

Garewhal was rushed to RML Hospital from Jantar Mantar but the doctors declared him brought dead.

The shocking suicide comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that he has "fulfilled the promise" he made to ex-servicemen on the issue that has been hanging fire for the last 40 years.

"The OROP was not about just Rs 200 or Rs 500 crore, but Rs 10,000 crore... After I became the PM, and decided that I had to do (implement) it, the entire government lost sleep over it... It was not possible for the government to pay in one go, so I requested the ex-servicemen to accept it in four installments."

"The money will reach them in four installments. Nearly, Rs 5,500 crore has been paid as the first installment," Modi said.

Modi also said that many people thought that if the scheme was not implemented, a section of "ex-servicemen would turn against the government".
Panaji: Former Haryana minister Gopal Kanda's Golden Globe Hotels Private Limited today gave an undertaking to the Goa bench of Bombay High Court that it would not operate its off shore casino till the next hearing even if it was granted a licence by the state government.

The matter came up before a vacation bench of Justice Mahesh Sonak today when the government advocate informed the court that no renewal licence has yet been issued to the off shore casino run by Golden Globe Hotels.

Social activist Aires Rodrigues had earlier petitioned the Goa bench against renewing licence to Golden Globe Hotels, as the state Cabinet has already resolved not to give any more licences or renewals.

After hearing the government advocate, the High Court adjourned the matter to November 15.

Rodrigues, in his petition, alleged that the move of the state government to renew and grant off shore casino licence to Kanda's company was illegal and high-handed.

The petitioner had drawn the High Court's attention to a Cabinet decision taken by the Goa government in 2013 not to renew the expired licences of casinos.

The HC had last week issued notices to Goa government and the hotel company owned by Kanda on the plea challenging the state government's decision to renew the licence to the firm which owns an off shore casino anchored near here in Mandovi river.
New Delhi: India on Wednesday summoned High Commissioner of Pakistan Syed Haider Shah to the Minister of External Affairs and registered a strong protest over brutal mutilation of the body of an Indian soldier by terrorists, who escaped the Line of Control (LoC) after committing the crime.

Shah was conveyed the grave concern of the Indian government and a strong protest was lodged against the recent increase in the incident of ceasefire violations by Pakistan side at LoC and the International Border (IB), resulting in several fatalities on the Indian side.

The development comes after Centre had assured that MEA will take cognizance of the 'heinous' crime and said that nothing could be more atrocious than this.

Earlier today, Pakistan pulled out four embassy officials posted at its High Commission in New Delhi after they were named in an espionage racket operating from its mission.

On October 28, in an encounter at Macchal sector in Jammu and Kashmir, an Indian soldier was killed and his body was mutilated by terrorists, who had infiltrated the Line of Control. The terrorists had apparently beheaded him before fleeing into the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The attack had taken place under the cover fire provided by Pakistan Army. One terrorists was also neutralised by the Indian Army in the gunfire.

The soldier was identified as Manjeet Singh of 17 Sikh Light infantry.

However, in a tit-for-tat action, the Pakistani establishment also expelled two Indian diplomats who were declared persona non-grata from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
Tirupati: Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Wednesday assailed Narendra Modi for denouncing the practice of 'triple talaq' among Muslims, saying instead of raising such issues, the prime minister should focus on his slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

'Triple talaq' was related to a particular religion and it should be left to that religion. The Centre should not take any decision on it without a consensus, he told reporters here.

The prime minister should remember his slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' and focus on it, the Congress general secretary said.

Singh, who earlier offered his prayers at the famous Lord Venkateswara temple here, also accused the Modi government of "politicising the army's surgical strikes" across the LoC.

He said even during the UPA regime, surgical strikes were carried out, but they were never "utilised for political mileage".

Slamming both the ruling TDP in Andhra Pradesh and the NDA government at the Centre, he alleged that they had "fooled" the people of the state on the issue of 'Special Category' status after the birth of Telangana.

Before the 2014 general election, the BJP had promised a 10-year 'Special Category' status to Andhra Pradesh if they won, but after coming to power, they only offered some incentives in the name of special package and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu too compromised on the matter, he charged.

Singh also questioned Naidu's decision to involve foreign agencies in building the new capital city of Amaravati.

Later, speaking to reporters at another place, the Congress leader said farmers were facing an "extremely bad" situation in Uttar Pradesh due to a mounting loan burden and the absence of a minimum support price for their produces.

Alleging "total misgovernance" by the Samajwadi Party government led by Akhilesh Yadav in that state, he claimed that people wanted a change in the upcoming Assembly polls.

Replying to a query on the Congress' prospects in the Uttar Pradesh polls due early next year, Singh said the party was "aiming to capture power".

"We are making an all-out effort in the campaign led by party vice-president Rahul Gandhi who is overseeing the entire election propaganda of the party. Like every political party, we are pinning our hopes on forming the government in Uttar Pradesh," he said.
New Delhi: Days after the capture of ISI officer Mehboob Akhtar and the subsequent ordering out of India of the ISI officer, the Delhi Police has reportedly claimed that besides the four Pakistan high commission officials, there are at least 10 others who are tasked with gathering and sourcing information from Indians.

Reports surfaced on Tuesday claimed that Akhtar has revealed that he was a part of bigger espionage ring operating from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

It's pertinent to mentioned that before he was ordered out of the country by the Ministry of External Affairs, Akhtar, in a videotaped statement to police, named four officials of the Pakistan mission  commercial counsellor Syed Farrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal  as being part of the alleged spy ring.

But that's not the entire truth of his revelation. Akhtar, a former soldier with the Pakistan army's Baloch regiment, has reportedly told police that there were Indians who worked in Pakistan's interests.

Reports further claimed that police are trying to extract information from the Indian agents arrested as part of the investigation into the espionage ring.

"He has named a lot of people, but we need to establish it (the truth) through call detail analysis and other tools," said a senior police officer was quoted as saying to TOI.

Akhtar, who could not be interrogated in custody thanks to diplomatic immunity, was sent back to Pakistan soon after he was detained in Delhi.

Meanwhile, reports in Pakistan media on yesterday claimed that Islamabad is considering pulling out the diplomats from its mission.

The Dawn quoted a source at the Pakistan foreign office saying, "This is under consideration. A final decision would be taken shortly."

The publication also carried an interview with Akhtar, and he was quoted as saying, "They took me to a police station after detaining me where I was forced to read out a written statement provided by them in which the names of the four officers were given, and was told to state that they belonged to Pakistan's intelligence services."

On Thursday, India declared Akhtar 'persona non-grata' after he was caught receiving secret information about Indian military deployments from two Indians who were arrested.

"Today morning Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned the Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit and informed him that India had intercepted an official of the Pakistan High Commission in the pursuit of espionage and that he was being declared persona non-grata," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

Swarup said Akhtar told the police that he had joined the Baloch Regiment of the Pakistan Army in 1997 and came on deputation to the Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) in 2013 and was posted in September 2013 to the Pakistan High Commission where he is presently working as Assistant to Farukh Habib, Counsellor (Trade).
New Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was stopped at the gates of a RML Hospital to prevent him from meeting the family of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Garehwal who allegedly committed suicide over the OROP issue.

Rahul Gandhi moved from one gate to another of the hospital only to be told that he will not be allowed inside the premises.

An exasperated Rahul said, What sort of country is being created (by Modi government)? For the first time in the history of India, we are not being allowed to meet the families of our soldiers.

On being asked about the situation, Rahul said, It's a mentality, it is a particular type of mentality, it is an undemocratic type of mentality.

Later, Rahul said that he had found a solution. I have found a solution, they (family members of ex-jawan) are coming out to meet me.

However, the family members have been, reportedly, stopped from meeting Rahul.

The Congress leader said, They have been arrested, the family members of a martyr have been arrested. He left the premises.

Earlier, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was detained by the police when he went to meet family members of Garehwal.
Jammu: BSF on Wednesday said Pakistan's border guarding force was deliberately targeting civilian areas and its Army directly supporting the troops in the shelling on these areas and Indian posts along the International Border.

Addressing a press conference, Inspector General of BSF D K Upadhyay said Pakistan Army is giving full support to Pakistan Rangers, which have violated ceasefire "countless" times in recent past.

"Pakistani forces are firing heavy mortars deliberately towards Indian civilian areas. BSF never fires towards any Pakistani civilian area. We fire only towards military bunkers from where Pakistani forces fire. We have inflicted heavy damage on 14 Pakistani bunkers," he said.

However, he ruled out use of artillery by Pakistan troops in shelling on Indian areas.

"There is no proof of artillery being used by the Pakistani forces", the Border Security Force IG said.

Upadhyay said Pakistan has violated the "human rights and international norms," by targeting civilian areas.

BSF has foiled 5 infiltration bids along IB in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district since October 20-21 night.

"Since the forced infiltration was foiled on the intervening night of October 20 and 21, five infiltration bids have been foiled and a total of 14 infiltration bids were foiled this year...Out of them, three bids have been made close to Diwali night", he said.

But Pakistan is continuously making efforts to help the terrorists to enter into Indian side, the IG said adding "BSF is fully prepared to give a befitting reply to any such attempt".

Upadhyay said if there was any civilian casualty in the Pakistani side, it was because the civilian population live very close to the military bunkers that might have resulted in "collateral" damage.

He also showed images of BSF's firing which targeted only military bunkers in Pakistan.

In an escalation on the tension along border, eight people, including two children and four women, were killed and 22 injured yesterday as Pakistani troops targeted civilian areas in Jammu region inviting strong retaliation by Indian forces who killed two Pakistani soldiers and destroyed their 14 posts.

In view of increased shelling and firing by Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered closure of all the 400 schools along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC).

With cross-border firing escalating, Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation at a meeting in Delhi which was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag and other top officials.

Tension along the IB and LoC escalated since the surgical strikes by army targeting terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on September 29.
New Delhi: Pakistan on Wednesday pulled out six officials posted at its embassy in New Delhi days after they were named in an espionage racket operating from its mission.

However, in a tit-for-tat action, the Pakistani establishment also expelled two Indian diplomats who were declared persona non-grata from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

According to reports, the two diplomats are  R Agnihotri and Balbir Singh.

The Pakistani establishment believes that the two are alleged RAW agents in the guise of diplomats posted with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

The matter was first reported by Pakistan Today, which said, "Two RAW agents in the guise of diplomats are running a terror unit in Pakistan".

They include Rajesh Kumar Agnihotri and Baleer Singh. They are working as Commercial Counsellor and Press Information Secretary respectively, the daily said.

"The two diplomats have been found to be involved in activities to destabilise Pakistan by facilitating and funding terrorism," the media outlet claimed citing highly placed sources .

The daily claimed that another Indian diplomatic official Surjeet Singh who was recently expelled by Pakistan was also part of the network.

Initially, there was no official confirmation on the number of diplomats leaving India, however, later Pakistan High Commission sources said that there were six mission officials who have either left or were in the process of leaving.

"The decision has been taken after it became impossible for the officials to work in this vitiated atmosphere. Indian government is threatening and blackmailing our diplomats. So in this condition, it is impossible for us to stay in this country and work," the PTI quoted sources as saying.

According to the sources, those who have left include commercial counsellor Syed Furrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal.

The Pakistani action comes days after India declared Pakistani official Mehmood Akhtar persona non-grata for espionage activities, triggering a tit-for-tat action from Islamabad, which also expelled two Indian High Commission officials there.

Akhtar, a Pakistani Mission staffer, was expelled last week from India after being declared 'persona non-grata' on espionage charges.

Mehmood Akhtar is believed to have revealed to the Indian officials that he was part of a bigger espionage ring operating from the mission.

Sources said that ISI officer Mehmood Akhtar had made this revelation to the Delhi Police Crime Branch during his interrogation.

Akhtar, who worked in the visa section of the Pakistan high commission and had diplomatic immunity, was procuring critical details including those about deployment of BSF personnel along the India-Pak border from two other accomplices who were arrested in Delhi.

Akhtar and two others - identified as Subhash Jangir and Maulana Ramzan- were picked up from Delhi Zoo last week. Akhtar was released after around three hours of interrogation as he enjoys diplomatic immunity.

A fourth person Shoaib, who is a Jodhpur-based passport and visa agent, was detained by Rajasthan police later.

Meanwhile, the Indian government also reportedly decided to withdraw eight officials from the high commission in Islamabad after they were identified in local media reports, amidst growing tension between the two countries after a Pakistani high commission staffer in Delhi was caught in an espionage ring and expelled.

Indian diplomats had been "completely compromised" after their names and pictures were put in the public domain in Pakistan, an External Affairs Ministry official said.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a high-level meet to discuss the security along India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir as shelling and cross-border firing by Pakistani troops killed eight civilians.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval attended the meet.

Rajnath Singh, Manohar Parrikar, and Ajit Doval had on Tuesday reviewed the security along the India-Pakistan border.

Army Chief, Gen Dalbir Singh, was also present at the meeting, which was dubbed "routine review meeting".

On Tuesday, heavy shelling of hamlets and military posts was witnessed in Samba, Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri districts along the International Border and the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.

Eight civilians, including five women, were killed and 14 others injured on Tuesday as Pakistan troopers bombarded several border areas of Jammu and Kashmir with heavy mortar shells, triggering a mass exodus from dozens of frontier villages, officials said.

The Border Security Force said it destroyed 14 Pakistan outposts in retaliation after the civilian casualties in India.
After the killings of BJP and RSS workers in Kerala, the National Human Rights Commission issued a notice to the Left government asking them to explain the 'communist violence' against the RSS-BJP cadre and leaders, particularly in the Kannur district.

The Right-wing outfits have been alleging that the Left in Kerala has been concertedly targeting RSS and BJP members in the state.

By Mail Today: Through the decades, the Communists in Kerala tried to smother the opposition and it seems that is still continuing unabated.

Violence of the Communists in the southern state, especially against the RSS and BJP workers, has now caught the attention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The rights panel on Tuesday issued a notice to the Left government in Kerala - which is a collation of the Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and other smaller parties - to explain the "Communist violence" against RSS-BJP cadre and leaders, especially in the Kannur district.

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The NHRC issued the order in response to a petition filed by RSS-affiliate Akhil Bharatheeya Malayalee Sangh (ABMS), an organisation claiming to represent the "nationalistic Malayalees living across the country".



READ | The killing fields of Kannur

READ | Kerala: BJP worker hacked to death, his father was killed in 2002

NHRC ASKS FOR REPORT, WANTS IT WITHIN 15 DAYS

The report is to be submitted in 15 days' time.

In case the state government failed to come up with the report within this period, the Commission said it would take such action as it deemed fit.

The same notice was also marked to the home secretary of the Union government, director general of police (DGP) of the state and the district collector of Kannur.

The Right-wing outfits have been alleging that the Left in Kerala has been concertedly targeting RSS and BJP members and leaders. Observers said two sides are engaged in a pitched ideological war.

The issue was also widely discussed in Sangh's Akhil Bharathiya Karyakari Mandal (ABKM) meet held at Hyderabad recently. "The violence against RSS and BJP cadres as well as anyone who defies CPIM in the state, including their own cadre and the allies, is likely to be eliminated, or at the least beaten into submission.

Kerala is the only state in India where one finds 'party grams' or villages of the party (CPI-M), especially in the Kannur district, where only their cadre can live or even enter during polls," said Delhi University professor and ideologue Rakesh Sinha.

On the other hand, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury declined to comment on the issue despite Mail Today tried repeatedly over the phone.

Also Read:

Another BJP worker attacked in Kerala's Thrissur; accused, victim have criminal past, say police

Kannur youths do make bombs, admits Kerala BJP leader



--- ENDS ---
New Delhi: The alleged suicide of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Garehwal over the OROP issue has turned into a big political issue after Congress and AAP politicians made a beeline to meet the family of the deceased.

The Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in central Delhi became the epicentre of the drama over the issue after the Delhi Police, citing complaints by the hospital administration and other patients of being discomforted, took a stand against allowing politicians to meet the family of Garehwal.

While Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia managed to meet the family, he was later detained by the police and taken to police station.

The issue reached a boiling point after Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was stopped at the gates of the hospital and denied entry into the premises.

Rahul Gandhi moved from one gate to another of the hospital only to be told that he will not be allowed inside at any cost.

An exasperated Rahul said, What sort of country is being created (by Modi government)? For the first time in the history of India, we are not being allowed to meet the family of our soldiers.

On being asked about the situation, Rahul said, It's a mentality, it is an undemocratic type of mentality.

Later, Rahul said that he had found a solution. I have found a solution, they (family members of ex-jawan) are coming out to meet me.

However, the family members were not allowed to meet Rahul. An adamant Congress leader announced that he will not budge before getting to meet the family, forcing the police to detain him as well. He was later taken to the Mandir Marg Police Station.

The police also took family members of the deceased ex-jawan to the same hospital.

Livid about the situation, Rahul slammed the police. Aren't you ashamed of arresting the family of a martyr. What sort of rule is this?

Meanwhile, several senior Congress leaders, including Ahmed Patel, and workers began a protest outside the Mandir Marg Police Station.

The way (Modi) government is working since day one is anti-democratic, this is a well-thought conspiracy to stop Rahul Gandhi wherever he goes, said Ahmed Patel.

Rahul was released after 70 minutes in detention.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also rushed to the Lady Hardinge Hospital  where Garhewal's body was kept - but he too was not allowed to enter the hospital. As Chief Minister of Delhi, am I not supposed to respond when there is a suicide in the state? The Deputy CM has also been detained, we have a cabinet meeting today which we will have to cancel now. This is 'gundagardi'.

AAP party workers are also protesting outside the police station against the detention of Dy CM Sisodia.

Reacting to the development BJP spokesperson Shrikant Sharma said Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal wait for a tragedy to start playing politics over it.

Why hasn't Rahul Gandhi ensure that OROP was given to soldiers during the 40 years Congress was in power, he said.

Meanwhile, family members of Ram Kishan Garehwal have alleged that they have been beaten up by the police.

Also Read: Delhi Police beat dead ex-serviceman's son

Earlier, Delhi Police Special Commissioner MK Meena said, It's a hospital and not a place for any demonstration. Rahul Gandhi detained for trying to enter hospital despite being advised otherwise.

AAP leaders who came here for creating a disturbance at the hospital have also been detained, the police officer said.

Family members were detained as well as they are contacting political leaders and holding a demonstration here. Democracy doesn't mean creating an obstruction. Leaders must also understand that a hospital is not the place to hold any demonstrations, said Meena.
Aboard the Papal Plane: Pope Francis said on Tuesday he believes the Roman Catholic Church`s ban on women becoming priests is forever and will never be changed, in some of his most definitive remarks on the issue.

He was speaking aboard a plane taking him back to Rome from Sweden, in the freewheeling news conference with reporters that has become a tradition of his return flights from trips abroad.

A Swedish female reporter noted that the head of the Lutheran Church who welcomed him in Sweden was a woman, and then asked if he thought the Catholic Church could allow women to be ordained as ministers in coming decades.

"St. Pope John Paul II had the last clear word on this and it stands, this stands," Francis said.

Francis was referring to a 1994 document by Pope John Paul that closed the door on a female priesthood. The Vatican says this teaching is an infallible part of Catholic tradition.

The reporter then pressed the pope, asking: "But forever, forever? Never, never?"

Francis responded: "If we read carefully the declaration by St. John Paul II, it is going in that direction."

Francis has previously said that the door to women`s ordination is closed, but proponents of a female priesthood are hoping that a future pope might overturn the decision, particularly because of the shortage of priests around the world.

In reaction, The Women`s Ordination Conference (WOC), a group that promotes a female priesthood, said in a statement that "Patriarchy Will Not Have the Last Word". WOC said it was "profoundly disappointed" by the pope`s comments, calling the document the pope referred to "outdated, fallible and painful".

The Catholic Church teaches that women cannot be ordained priests because Jesus willingly chose only men as his apostles. Those calling for women priests say he was only following the norms of his time.

"The Church cannot be afraid to examine customs when they no longer communicate or resonate with the Gospel. A Church that is not open to the gifts of half of its membership is unsustainable and out-of-touch with the needs of its people," WOC said.

In August, Francis set up a commission to study the role of women deacons in early Christianity, raising hopes among equality campaigners that women could one day have a greater say in the 1.2 billion-member Church.

Deacons, like priests, are ordained ministers and must be men. They cannot celebrate Mass, the Catholic Church`s central rite, but they are allowed to preach and teach in the name of the Church, and to baptise and conduct wake and funeral services.

The Church barred women from becoming deacons centuries ago.

Scholars debate the precise role of women deacons in the early Church. Some say they were ordained to minister only to other women, for instance in baptismal immersion rites. Others believe they were on a par with male deacons.
Kathmandu: Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, who arrived here on Wednesday on a three-day state visit, held talks with his Nepalese counterpart Bidhya Devi Bhandari.

During the talks, both Mukherjee and Bhandari hoped that the presidential visit from India, which comes after a gap of 18 years, would help further cement bilateral ties.

While welcoming her Mukherjee at her office, President Bhandari discussed wide range of issues and expressed satisfaction over the present status of Nepal-India ties and underscored regular interactions among the top political leadership, Bharat Raj Poudyal, spokesperson at Nepal`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters.

Mukherjee told Bhandari that he was eager to host her in New Delhi very soon.

After the meeting, Mukherjee headed to the Indian Embassy to participate in a reception hosted by the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Ranjit Rae.

Leading a 60-member team including one state minister, some parliamentarians, senior Indian government officials and security personnel, Mukherjee arrived in Kathmandu at 12.30 p.m.

President Bhandari received him at the VVIP lounge at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minister for Urban Development Arjun Narsingh KC, political leaders and Nepalese Army high-ranking officers were at the airport to welcome Mukherjee.

On the occasion, a contingent of Nepalese Army offered a guard of honour to the Indian President. A 21-gun salute was also offered on the occasion.

After the special welcome ceremony, President Bhandari and her Indian counterpart proceeded in the same limousine to the President`s Office, Shital Niwas.

People were lined up at different places on the sides of the road from the airport to Shital Niwas waving the national flags of both the countries.

The Nepalese government has announced a public holiday in honour of the visiting President.

Mukherjee is also scheduled to hold separate meetings with Vice President Nanda Kumar Pun and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal `Prachanda`.

Later in the evening, President Bhandari will host a state banquet.
Kathmandu: President Pranab Mukherjee arrived here on Wednesday on a three-day state visit -- in the first presidential visit from India in 18 years to the Himalayan nation.

Mukherjee was received at the VVIP Lounge at Tribhuvan International Airport by his Nepalese counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari. He arrived at the head of a 36-member delegation.

Authorities shut down the Airport ahead of Mukherjee's arrival.

The airport administration issued a public notice on Wednesday morning stating that all international flights will be stopped 25 minutes ahead of his arrival and another 25 minutes after he lands.

Over 5,000 security personnel have been deployed in the capital city for the visit.

All major roads inside Kathmandu that President Mukherjee will be travelling on have been shut for public use.

The government has announced a public holiday in honour of the visiting Indian President.

The last Indian President to visit Nepal was KR Narayanan on May 28, 1998.

Mukherjee is slated to hold a meeting with Bhandari later in the day at the Sheetal Niwas, the official residence of the President.

On Thursday, Mukherjee will offer prayers at the Pashupatinath temple and will visit the Kathmandu University, where he will be honoured with an honorary degree. He will participate in a seminar hosted by India Foundation.

He will also attend a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.

On Friday, he will visit Pokhara and Janakpur. He is to perform a puja at the Janakpur-based Janaki Temple.

Mukherjee will return to Kathmandu on the same day and head back to India.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday questioned the state government's logic behind celebrating the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, observing he wasn't a freedom fighter but a monarch who fought to safeguard his interests.

"What is the logic behind celebrating Tipu Jayanti. Tipu was not a freedom fighter, but a monarch who fought the opponents to safeguard his interests," Chief Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee, presiding over the division bench, observed.

Justice R B Budhihal is the other member of the bench.

The observation was made by the Chief Justice during a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation filed by South Kodagu- based K P Manjunatha, challenging government's move to celebrate Tipu Jayanti.

Justice Mukherjee also questioned the logic behind celebrating Tipu Jayanti amid fears of communal tension escalating in Kodagu district and other parts of the state.

He observed that last year's celebrations had resulted in a law-and-order situation after protesters resorted to violence.

However, public counsel M R Naik defended the celebrations, saying Tipu was a great warrior who fought against the British.

Countering the submissions, Sajan Poovaiah, counsel for the petitioner, said Tipu was a tyrant ruler who killed people?belonging to many communities, including Kodavas, Konkanis and?Christians.

The hearing will resume tomorrow.

The Congress government's decision to observe the birth anniversary of the 18th century ruler of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom has stirred a major controversy, with opinion sharply divided among intellectuals, academia and different communities and organisations.

Tipu Jayanti, slated to be celebrated across the state on November 10, is being observed since last year following a government decision, which had triggered a major row and caused violence in Kodagu district last November.

RSS had stated recently it opposed the celebration and would stage protests against it as the ruler of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom was a "religious bigot and a violent sultan".

BJP has also expressed its strong opposition to 'Tipu Jayanti'.
Jammu: Muzaffar Wani, the father of slain Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani, on Wednesday condemned the burning of educational institutes in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it's unacceptable.

"Schools are being burnt in Jammu and Kashmir from the past 10 days, and don't know, who's doing all this. We cannot blame anybody else. Who all are involved in this are doing wrong, they shouldn't have burnt the schools. This is our property, Jammu and Kashmir's property. This is wrong," Muzaffar Wani said while speaking to ANI.

"It is not only about kids, it's about the future of Kashmir as everybody is suffering here including the shopkeepers, workers, transporters. During the present scenario, we should think about everybody and we should get a solution for it," Wani said.

Adding further that the Valley has seen unrest before in 2008 and in 2010 and is witnessing a similar worst situation again at present.
Srinagar: Clashes erupted in Soura area on the city outskirts on Wednesday as police tried to arrest some youth allegedly involved in disturbing law and order, leaving four persons injured.

While three persons received pellet injuries, another was hit by a tear-smoke shell during the clashes which broke out shortly after police assisted by paramilitary forces launched a cordon and search operation to nab some youths, a police officer said.

He said groups of youth indulged in stone-pelting on search parties, prompting retaliation by law enforcement agencies.

The situation in the area is tense but under control, the officer said, adding reinforcements have been rushed to the area to maintain law and order.
Srinagar: Kashmir Private Schools Association (KPSA) today appealed to the government to reconsider its decision to hold annual board examinations as per schedule in the unrest-hit Valley, saying students were not ready for exams and extreme stress could give rise to suicidal tendencies among them.

"Students did not learn anything, so they will perform poorly. That will also result in students being unable to qualify competitive exams like NEET, JEE, CET," KPSA president G N Var said in a statement here.

Var said students would suffer in exams which would mar their careers and added that this year there were very less number of working days and the syllabus was far from complete.

Var also condemned the burning of schools over the last few weeks, saying no sane person, particularly a Muslim, can burn schools as it is against the teachings of Islam.

Over 25 educational institutions have been burnt by miscreants in the Kashmir Valley since July 9, a day after Burhan was killed in an encounter in South Kashmir.

"In the present situation, where we have seen dozens of school children getting killed, students are in no way ready for exams. The extreme stress will give birth to suicidal tendencies among them and in the longer run it will create behavioral problems among children," he said.

He said everybody, including the government, should forego their hard stance, particularly on holding the exams in November.

"Examinations are not important, they are just a formality. Studies and classrooms are important as it is here the student learn something. Exams are there to check what a student has learned in classes. When a student didn't learn anything that's the point of having exams?" he asked.

The association appealed to people from all schools of thought to work for a middle path that will benefit students in the best possible way.

"Nobody, including the Hurriyat leaders, is against education but unfortunately confrontation is still taking place on the issue," he said.

Var advocated for conducting the exams in February next year as it would give enough time for students to prepare.

"In 2014 floods too, we lost seven months and still managed to save the session. So time is not the problem as we can cope with it. The government needs to think about the larger benefit of students," he said.

As many as 85 people, including two cops, have been killed and several thousand others injured in the ongoing unrest in the Valley.

Around 5000 security forces personnel have also been injured in the clashes.
Jammu: Pakistani border guarding force, with the active connivance of its Army, have resorted to heavy mortar RPT mortar shelling deliberately towards Indian civilian areas along the International Border, Inspector General of BSF D K Upadhyay said today.

Addressing a press conference, Upadhyay said Pakistan Army is giving full support to Pakistan Rangers, which have violated ceasefire "countless" times in recent past.

"Pakistani forces are firing heavy mortars deliberately towards Indian civilian areas. BSF never fires towards any Pakistani civilian area. We fire only towards military bunkers from where Pakistani forces fire. We have inflicted heavy damage on 14 Pakistani bunkers," he said.

Upadhyay said if there was any civilian casualty on the Pakistani side, it was because the civilian population lives very close to the military bunkers that might have resulted in "collateral" damage.

The senior officer of the Border Security Force also showed images of BSF's firing which targeted only military bunkers in Pakistan.

In an escalation of the tension along the border, eight people, including two children and four women, were killed and 22 injured yesterday as Pakistani troops targeted civilian areas in Jammu region inviting strong retaliation by Indian forces who killed two Pakistani soldiers and destroyed their 14 posts.

In view of increased shelling and firing by Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered the closure of all the 400 schools along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC).

With cross-border firing escalating, Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation at a meeting in Delhi which was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag and other top officials.

Tension along the IB and LOC escalated since the surgical strikes by army targeting terror launch pads in Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK) on September 29.
Jammu: An uneasy calm prevailed on the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Jammu on Wednesday, a day after eight civilians were killed and 24 injured in Pakistan targeting of civilian facilities.

Eerie silence ruled the villages close to the IB in Ramgarh, RS Pura, Hira Nagar and other sectors in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts during the night as guns fell silent on both sides.

Firing was also not reported from the LoC in Naushera sector of Rajouri district on Wednesday.

"There was no crossborder shelling or firing anywhere on the IB or the LoC during the night," police said.

While six civilians were killed in Ramgarh sector, two others were killed in Naushera in the indiscriminate targeting of civilians areas by Pakistani troops on Tuesday.

Border Security Force officials said on Tuesday that in a counter offensive, it destroyed all 14 outposts of Pakistan from where shelling and firing on civilian areas were carried out.
By PTI: Colombo, Nov 2 (PTI) Sri Lanka today sacked its spy chief amid suspicions that a notorious sword-wielding gang operating in the northern Jaffna peninsula was being backed by a section of the military, creating unrest in the Tamil-dominated area.

The Defence Ministry announced the removal of head of military intelligence Suresh Sallay and replaced him with Brigadier Vijendra Gunatillake.

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The move came amid suspicion that the military was backing the terror group named Ava Group operating in the northern Jaffna peninsula.

Addressing reporters, Cabinet spokesman and Minister of Health Rajitha Senaratne said the Ava Group was a creation of former President Mahinda Rajapaksas regime.

"They formed this group to counter the LTTE and other armed groups in the north," he said.

Senaratne said former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who was also Mahindas brother, was responsible for the creation of Ava Group.

"Some retired military officers and the former defence secretary think they can create problems for the government by causing unrest in the north," Senaratne said, adding that the government was capable of cracking down onthe group and eliminating their threat.

Jaffna residents have been complaining of violence by the sword-wielding group. They were charged of attacking state intelligence operatives two weeks ago in Jaffna.

Acts of violence by Ava group have recently increased in Jaffna suburbs such as Manipay, Kopay and Chunnakam.

It is believed this group was being backed by some politicians and former members of the LTTE. The group is also said to draw inspiration from South Indian films.

The group has been accused of murder, plunder of property and assault. People are in fear due to its attacks which have caused serious injuries to the victims. PTI CORR ASK AKJ ASK

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Bhopal: The post-mortem report of eight undertrial SIMI activists, killed in an alleged shootout with police after a Bhopal jailbreak on Monday, was released on Wednesday.

As per the report, the eight SIMI activists died due to gunshot injuries and wounds were mainly above waist.

On Tuesday, a united opposition sought an impartial probe into the death of the SIMI activists even as the government strongly defended the deaths of the "dreaded terrorists".

Seeking a judicial probe into the police "encounter" deaths on Monday, the CPI-M, the BSP and the RJD raised doubts over the government's version about the prison escape and the subsequent killings of the SIMI activists.

The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had earlier called for a probe, suspecting that the "encounter" may have been staged to kill the accused.

A Communist Party of India-Marxist statement said the eight men were undertrials whose guilt had not been established.

The statement asked how was it possible for these men to secure arms after escaping from the prison "while being unable to get a vehicle to make good their escape".

Hitting out at the Opposition for doing electoral politics, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said those killed were "of course dreaded terrorists who could have wreaked havoc had they succeeded in escaping".

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said the Opposition was doing "dirty politics" to secure minority vote banks.

"Patriotism is important," he said, hailing "the sacrifice" of a policeman who was allegedly killed with a sharpened spoon by the accused while breaking out from the high-security Bhopal Central Jail.

In Delhi, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu slammed the Congress for being "concerned about terrorists", calling it "all cheap politics" against the national interest of the country.

The eight SIMI activists were killed on Monday on the Bhopal outskirts after police claimed they escaped from the prison by killing a police guard with a spoon and plates and forging keys out of "toothbrush and wood" to open the locks of their prison barracks.

The accused, police said, were armed when they were cornered and asked to surrender.

(With Agency inputs)
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked ally Shiv Sena to stop attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cautioning that it will only boomerang on it.

However, he asserted that their alliance is intact and the government will complete its full term, despite frequent taunts and digs from Sena.

"Speaking about Modiji will only put the Shiv Sena in a bad light and people do not like it at all. As far as I am concerned I am ready to face and give them a proper reply. So I do not care."

"Governance and politics are two different things. The Sena should refrain from criticising the Prime Minister, but I am ok with their criticism," Fadnavis told PTI in an interview.

Fadnavis (46), who heads the first BJP-led Government in Maharashtra which has sailed into its third year, also dwelt on other current issues like the campaign by the Maratha community for reservation, the Vidarbha issue and the controversy regarding his intervention in defusing the stand-off over Karan Johar's film "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil".

On the film row, the Chief Minister said that in hindsight, he feels the issue could have been handled in a better way.

In a veiled dig at the previous Congress-NCP regimes, he said the "established leadership" in the state are trying to use peoples' anger that has now spilled on to the streets in the form of silent protests by Marathas to carry out their agenda against him either directly or by "proxy" means.

Fadnavis, however, rejected the apprehension voiced by observers that the Maratha morcha and reaction to it from the OBC and Dalit outfits, could cause caste tensions in the state.

He noted that the Maratha community had only raised its demands without seeking to upset the benefits of other social segments and the same is the case of OBCs and Dalits.

He said the Government has already stated its commitment to meet the genuine demands of the Maratha community. The fee waiver scheme announced recently is an initiative that will benefit a large number of students from the community.

Expressing confidence that the BJP and Sena will complete the full term of the government, he said, "We are two different parties and there is bound to be some friction owing to different ideologies in matters of policy implementations and style of governing.

"But I can claim that we have been able to run the government successfully where all major policy decisions have been undertaken by a unanimous vote," he said.

Dismissing the suggestion that the morcha launched by the Maratha community is directed towards his government, Fadnavis said their anger springs from the "historical injustice" suffered by them under successive regimes, which made nearly 80 percent people remain in agony.

"One segment of the Maratha community comprises 20-25 per cent people who have been ruling the state, have been ministers, MLAs, have been controlling the cooperative sector, controlling private educational institutions and are absolutely wealthy and well to do. Then there is 75-80 per cent people who have been left out," he said.

"This is the agony of these left outs and it is not just against governments but against these 20-25 per cent people as well. Established leadership was not allowed to take centre stage (in the protests)," he said.

"Among the established leadership, there are people who have been trying to target me using this platform but fortunately the organizers of these protests have not allowed them till date to do this. These people are also trying to put in front some proxy organizations since they are not allowed to direct this anger against the government. But I am sure they will not be allowed to do that as well," Fadnavis said.

On the controversy surrounding the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, the Chief Minister said that in hindsight, the issue could have been handled in a better way, but at that time, he did what he felt was right.

"If Raj (MNS chief Raj Thackeray) wouldn't have created that controversy, things were settled. In that case, everybody would have said the CM did a wonderful job. Without any problem the issue got solved."

"Since Raj asked for Rs five crore, it was over hyped by national media. I think today one can say the issue could have been handled in a better way due to the controversy it generated. I did what I felt right at that time," Fadnavis said.

On the demand for a separate Vidarbha state, an issue over which not only the Congress-NCP opposition but also Shiv Sena had often targeted him since he hailed from the region and also as his party's preference for smaller states, Fadnavis said his government's agenda is to ensure balanced development of Maharashtra.

"The statehood issue is a matter in the domain of the Centre. I have made it amply clear whenever the issue was raised. For me, what is important is balanced development of entire Maharashtra, including Vidarbha and Marathwada," he said.
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has rejected a petition challenging externment of a Nashik resident, saying the externing authority had exercised its powers within the parameters of law and hence no interference was called for in the externment proceedings.

"In view of this, we are not inclined to allow the petition," said a bench of justices Prakash Naik and Naresh Patil while upholding the externment of Pankaj Shimpi from Nashik for a year, in a judgement delivered recently.

Externment proceedings were initiated against the petitioner by an Assistant Commissioner of police of Nashik who issued a show cause notice to him on November 13 last year. Shimpi was given an opportunity to give a reply and defend himself which he did.

The case was then referred to DCP who also issued a notice to the petitioner. In this notice, it was stated that the petitioner had committed several acts and offences which were causing harm, alarm and danger to lives and properties of the citizens.

The notice further stated that due to certain acts of his?terror,?the?witnesses?are?not?willing?to?come?forward?to? depose against?him?openly.?It also mentioned that he was allegedly involved in criminal cases including a murder case.

The notice also said that statements of two witnesses recorded in-camera had also implicated him in certain criminal activities.

The petitioner, however, denied his involvement in criminal activities and said he had been acquitted in the muder case registered against him. This material had not been taken into consideration while issuing externment order against him, the petitioner pleaded.

In the order of externment, it was mentioned that the externing?authority?is?satisfied?that?the?acts?and?movements? of?the externee are causing harm, alarm and danger to lives and property of people in Ambad and Nashik cities and that it was necessary to initiate externment process against him.

Accordingly, the petitioner was externed from Nashik city for a period of one year. Being aggreived, he filed an appeal before the Nashik Divisional Commissioner who rejected the plea. He then moved the Bombay High Court challenging the externment order.

After perusing documents, the Court noted that it was satisfied that a case was made out against the petitioner for externing him from Nashik for a period of one year.
Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Pune on November 13 has come under the scanner of the Election Commission of India as the model code of conduct is in force due to the Legislative Council elections.

The Prime Minister is to attend International Conference on Sugar at Vasantdada Sugar Institute at Mangri Budruk in Pune district on November 13. On the same day he would also address BJP workers at a public gathering.

When asked about the poll code in force for the November 19 Legislative Council elections, an ECI official said it had asked the PM's office and BJP only to follow the model code of conduct, i.E., not to make any announcement that will influence the voters.

Pune Collector Saurabh Rao has instructed the Election Returning Officer (ERO) for Pune Local Authorities Constituency to follow the poll code provisions.

In his letter, the Collector has drawn the ERO's attention to the provisions of the poll code that entail that - "ministers, whether central or state (including Chief Minister) can make official visit to any district(s) in which any biennial/bye-election from a council constituency is being held subject to the following conditions ? official visit shall not be combined with the election related work/tour."

The ERO had sought clarification on whether permission could be granted for PM's public meeting.

District Guardian Minister and state Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Girish Bapat and Pune BJP chief Yogesh Gogawale too had on October 28 sought permission from the Collector for the public address by the PM.

The ECI official said the poll body merely drew attention to the requirement that the code of conduct is not violated by making any announcements amounting to inducement to voters.
Pratapgarh (UP): At least 18 persons were injured in a communal clash at Veerpura Bazar in Fatanpur area here, police said today.

The incident took place late last night when members of two communities clashed during a fair over some dispute involving their children, they said.

Both the factions resorted to brick batting, firing and tried to torch huts, resulting in injuries to over 18 persons, Superintendent of Police S P Verma said.

Police is probing the matter and elaborate force has been deployed in the area to check any untoward incident, he said
Lucknow: Call it a showdown or a show of strength, the stage is set for Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's 'Vikas Rath Yatra' to be flagged off on Thursday by SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, where Shivpal Yadav is likely to be present to send a message of unity in the ruling party.

"All arrangements have been made. The yatra will be flagged off by 'Netaji' (Mulayam) and senior party leaders, party state president Shivpal Yadav will also remain present," MLC Sunil Yadav Sajan, who is close to Akhilesh, told PTI.

Sajan, who is also incharge of first leg of the yatra, said at every second kilometre, the CM will be welcomed and he will also address gatherings at various locations.

Last month, Shivpal had expelled Sajan, considered close of Akhilesh, from the party.

The supporters of both Akhilesh and Shivpal factions are keeping an eye on the development and the entire route of yatra is dotted with hoardings, banners and colourful arches to welcome the 'Vikas Sey Vijay Tak' rath yatra starting from here.

A hoarding put up by a youth leader close to Shivpal says "Shivpal kahey dil se, Akhilesh ka abhishek phir se" (Shivpal says from his heart to make Akhilesh CM again), while some others only highlight Akhilesh's achievements.

"The hoardings put up by the leaders show the state of confusion in the party. It's visible on roads. We wish this confusion to end with the start of this yatra," a senior SP leader said.

A cavalcade of over 5,000 SUVs and trucks will seek to send a message to the party leadership that 43-year-old Akhilesh is the "most acceptable" face of SP.

The pro-CM camp, which has expelled SP leaders, is working overtime to make it one of the biggest political shows of recent times, coming close on the heels of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's month-long Deoria-to-Delhi 'kisan yatra'.

Another gala event is scheduled for Saturday to mark SP's silver jubilee.

Seeking to cobble together a 'mahagathbandhan', Mulayam has sent out invitations to all "secular and like-minded" leaders of various parties like RJD and JD-U.

But, chances of these leaders making it to the event appeared remote since the date clashes with 'Chhath Puja', a major festival in Bihar.

Last week, Mulayam's younger brother and state SP chief Shivpal had met JD(U) leader KC Tyagi and RLD chief Ajit Singh to invite them to the anniversary bash in Lucknow.

Shivpal had said Lohiaites and followers of Charan Singh should join hands to beat BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

Samajwadi Party, which was initially part of Bihar's grand alliance, had walked out of it after it was offered only a handful of seats to contest the assembly elections there.

The grand alliance of JD(U), RJD and Congress had, however, scripted a glorious electoral victory, defeating the BJP-led NDA.

Shivpal had recently blamed his estranged cousin Ram Gopal Yadav for Samajwadi Party's decision to walk out of the alliance in Bihar.

Ram Gopal, a Rajya Sabha member, has been backing Akhilesh in his fight against Shivpal. Ram Gopal was recently sacked from the party amid escalating tension between the rival camps.

Given the unusual belligerence shown by Akhilesh, the party apparently wants to fortify its position by bringing in new friends.

SP's main aim in the polls is to prevent split of Muslim votes for which it is looking for an alliance with "secular" parties.

Congress' poll strategist Prashant Kishor yesterday held a two-hour meeting with Mulayam, who is trying to cobble together an alliance of like-minded parties.

Kishor, along with SP leader Amar Singh, met Yadav at his Delhi residence, apparently to discuss the possibility of an alliance before the poll dates are announced.

Akhilesh, who ruled out parting ways with Samajwadi Party in the wake of the unprecedented family feud, has said he will participate in the silver jubilee event, though a large number of his loyalists are likely to boycott the show in view of the strife in the party.
Lucknow: Taking strong exception to the detention of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi today, Congress staged protest dharnas and burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.

On the instructions of UPCC president Raj Babbar, the ongoing 'Rahul Sandesh Yatras' were converted into dharnas at different places in the state where party workers protested against the detention of their leader, chairman of party's communications department Satyadev Tripathi said.

Youth Congress (Central) activists led by media chairman Anshu Awasthi burned the prime minister's effigy near the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters here, a party release said.

Speaking on the occasion, Awasthi hit out at the central government's alleged efforts to crush democracy and vowed to continue the struggle against it.

"The country today witnessed the atrocities of the Modi government which created hurdles for Rahul Gandhi in taking up fight for soldiers....Our leader has always stood for the rights of those suffering and will continue to do so," he alleged.

Earlier in New Delhi, Gandhi was detained after he tried to enter RML hospital to meet the family of Ram Kishan Grewal, an ex-serviceman who allegedly committed suicide over the OROP issue.
New Delhi: A Bangladesh police team quizzed five members of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) terror group, arrested by NIA in 2014 Burdwan blast case, to find if any of them were involved in the conspiracy hatched to overthrow democratically elected Sheikh Hasina government in the neighbouring country.

Official sources said a team of Bangladesh police arrived here last month and questioned Moulana Yusuf, alleged to be the second-in-command of JMB's West Bengal unit and one of the main accused in the Burdwan blast, Jahidul Sheikh alias Zafar alias Jabirul, Mohammad Rafique, Shahidul alias Shamim and Abdul Kalam alias Kalim.

The Bangladesh police and NIA have been cooperating on reciprocal basis on various issues including the role of banned JMB and flow of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) into India.

The Bangladesh team quizzed the five to know whether any of them were involved in the conspiracy hatched to overthrow a democratically elected Sheikh Hasina government there and ensure rule of 'Shariyat' (Islamic law) in that country.

The five were arrested from Assam by Special Task Force of Kolkata Police in the last week of September for allegedly conspiring to carry out blasts in the country and also striking a deal with Bodo militants. Later, NIA took their custody.

Out of the five, Yusuf and Kalam had been charge-sheeted by the NIA in abstentia while the role of other three would be defined in a fresh charge sheet, to be filed in due course of time, sources in the anti-terror probe agency said.

On October 2, 2014, a blast had occurred in a house at Khagragarh in Burdwan district of West Bengal in which a man identified as Sakil Gazi died on the spot, while another man named Sovan Mandal died in hospital. Both of them were suspected of having terror links.

NIA later discovered that Mondal was Karim Sheikh and he had misled West Bengal police about his identity.

The agency later filed a charge sheet against 30 people in March last year. Some others were added in supplementary charge sheets in which the NIA alleged that the JMB members wanted to establish Sharia rule by overthrowing the democratically-elected government in Bangladesh.

JMB's activities in India primarily included recruitment, radicalisation and training of vulnerable youths in a systematic and organised manner and, in pursuance of the conspiracy, they had established organisational bases in certain districts of West Bengal like Nadia, Burdwan, Murshidabad and Birbhum as well as in Sahebganj district of Jharkhand, the NIA said.
Nongsa: A speedboat carrying 93 Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia sank off an Indonesian island on Wednesday, killing 17 of them, Indonesia`s national disaster agency said.

The boat set sail from the southern Malaysian state of Johor and was headed towards Indonesia`s Batam island, just south of Singapore, the Indonesian national disaster mitigation agency said in a statement.

The boat crashed into a reef after being hit by big waves and strong wind, and sank at around dawn, the disaster agency said. About 39 people were evacuated and a search and rescue team was looking for the rest.

Zainul Arifin, one of the survivors who worked at an oil palm plantation in Malaysia, said he was sitting at the back of the boat when sea water started coming aboard.

"I had to jump off and start swimming," Arifin told Reuters in the port town of Nongsa on Batam.

Many Indonesians work in Malaysian factories and plantations.

Boat accidents are common in Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago of more than 17,000 islands.
Sanford, Florida: Intensifying her attack on Donald Trump, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has said her Republican rival is "unfit" and "unqualified" to become the next US president.

A week ahead of the next general election, Clinton, 69, made a strong case for her presidency citing her work experience over the last three decades.

"One week from today, we will be choosing our next president and commander-in-chief of the United States. I don't think the choice could be any clearer," Clinton said in Dale City, some 70 miles west of Orlando in Florida, which is a key battleground State for the November 8 general elections.

Clinton spend her entire day in Florida yesterday campaigning and also addressed three rallies in the State.

"I have spent my career fighting for children and families. I have served in the United States Senate, served on the senate armed services committee; I was in the situation room when we brought Osama Bin Laden to justice," she said.

"I represented you as your secretary of state, going to 112 countries, negotiating with friend and foe alike. I am ready to serve, if you give me the great honour of being your president," Clinton said as the crowd chanted Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!

"If you think about all of the issues that separate Donald Trump from me, it could be his dangerous statements about nuclear weapons. When a journalist told Donald Trump that people were worried about how causally he talks about nuclear weapons, he said 'well then why are we making them?" she said.

This is a man who thinks that he is better than President Reagan, better than President Obama, literally better than anybody I guess. And when you think about it, what he said at the convention, I alone can fix it runs counter to who we are as Americans, Clinton said.

"We work together. So there are many reasons why I think it is fair to conclude that Donald Trump is unqualified and unfit to be president," she asserted.

"For my entire life, I've been a woman. When I think about what we now know about Donald Trump and what he's been doing for 30 years, he sure has spent a lot of time demeaning, degrading, insulting, and assaulting women. And I got to tell you, some of what we've learned - some of this stuff is very upsetting," Clinton said.

She said Trump called women "ugly", "disgusting" and "nasty" all the time.

"He calls women pigs, rates bodies on a scale from one to ten. We just heard from Alicia, she was Miss Universe when Donald Trump owned the pageant. Well, he said she put on some weight," Clinton alleged.

"It made him angry, so he called her Miss Piggy, called her Miss Housekeeping because she's a beautiful Latina. He brought a bunch of reporters to a gym to watch him order her around to exercise. Can we just stop for a minute and reflect on the absurdity of Donald Trump finding fault with Miss Universe?" she asked.
A popular lesbian vlogger's latest video will shatter all the pre-conceived notions you might have about butch lesbian women.

By India Today Web Desk: A recent video posted by notable vlogger, Arielle Scarcella has a set of butch lesbians crush all misconceptions people have about their kind.

For the uninitiated, butch lesbians are women who are more inclined towards being masculine than they are towards the idea of being feminine.



With the world finally warming up to the idea of same-sex relationships, Scarcella thought it only fair to pay attention to this lesbian community sub-group.

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While the existence of gender roles is a disputed topic in itself--the lesbian community too succumbs to the societal pressure of constituting 'male' and 'female' attributes to the two women in a relationship.

Also Read: Not gay, not bisexual; why some straight individuals don't mind same-sex intimacy

So, can two 'masculine' women date each other? Why is it that people can't stomach two supposedly masculine women dating? Scarcella's video manages to provide answers to these questions and many more.

Also Read: She's not gay, she just fell in love with me: The touching love story of two American women

Starring real-life butch lesbian couples, the video touches upon topics like lesbian sex and shatters several stigmas about the same.

"Love and our expression of it goes far beyond gender roles and expression. Two femme gay men can fall in love as well as two butch women," Scarcella was quoted as telling Huffington Post.

Watch the insightful video, right here:









--- ENDS ---
Sanford, Florida: For the first time in 30 years, an Indian-American monthly publication has endorsed a US presidential candidate as it asked its readers to vote for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

India Currents, a monthly publication from Bay Area, said in an editorial yesterday that it endorsed Clinton as it felt "intense outrage" after the resurfacing of an old video of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

"For the first time in thirty years, we are endorsing a presidential nominee?Hillary Clinton to be the next President," said in a joint editorial written by the magazine's editor Nirupama Vaidhyananthan and publisher Vandana Kumar.

Founded in 1987, the monthly is also being published from Washington DC for the past few years.

According to the editorial, the news magazine decided to endorse a presidential candidate after a 15-year-old video of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump resurfaced in which he is seen making lewd remarks about women.

"The right to vote is both a duty and a privilege, and is especially so in this election which I am dubbing the ?ism election. Racism and sexism have been in full display," the editorial said.

"Even Mr and Mrs India would have heard about the video this election cycle ? the one where Trump bragged about making unwanted sexual advances," it said.

"Before the video surfaced, India Currents had planned the November cover to feature photos of both candidates?Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, with a headline "Vote!".? After seeing the video, the intense outrage we felt prompted an editorial decision to carry only Hillary Clinton's image on the cover," the editorial said.
Gogjali: An Iraqi special forces general says his troops are holding their positions along Mosul's eastern outskirts as poor weather hampers visibility in operations to rout Islamic State fighters from the country's second-largest city.

Brig Gen Haider Fadhil says no advances are planned for today, as high humidity and clouds obscure the view of aircraft and drones.

From the Mosul neighborhood of Gogjali, which is inside city limits but just outside more urban districts, the guns have gone largely silent, although sporadic rifle cracks could be heard as well as some army artillery fire on IS positions.

The pause comes after Iraqi troops yesterday set foot in the city for the first time in more than two years, gearing up for urban warfare expected to take weeks, if not months.
London: Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been trapped by Iraqi Army, which entered the terrorist group's stronghold of Mosul for the first time in more than two years for a final assault, a report has claimed.

The battle for Mosul, where the self-declared caliph of IS is believed to be hiding, is likely to end in a decisive defeat for the terrorist group, the Independent reported.

Fuad Hussein, chief of staff to Kurdish President Massoud Barzani, told the daily that his government had information from multiple sources that "Baghdadi is there and, if he is killed, it will mean the collapse of the whole [IS] system."

Baghdadi has kept himself concealed for the last eight or nine months according to Hussein, who added that the caliph had become very dependent on IS commanders from Mosul and Tal Afar, a city just to the west of Mosul.

Other senior and better known figures in IS, particularly those from Syria and other countries, have been killed since their initial triumphs in the summer of 2014 when they took over much of northern Iraq and eastern Syria.

The presence of Baghdadi in Mosul may complicate and prolong the battle for Mosul as his surviving adherents fight to the death to defend him.

If he is killed, IS would have to choose a new caliph in the middle of a battle, but no successor would have the authority and prestige of Baghdadi, the leader who surprised the world by establishing the caliphate after capturing Mosul in June 2014.

Hussein said "it is obvious that they will lose, but not how long this will take to happen."

He said Kurdish Peshmerga forces had been impressed by the extraordinary number of tunnels that Isis had dug in order to provide hiding places in the villages around Mosul.

Yesterday, Iraqi Special Forces advanced into Mosul, which once had a population of two million, seizing the state television on the east bank of the Tigris River that divides the city in half.

Hussein said the speed of the fall of Mosul would depend on many factors especially whether or not IS "is going to destroy the five bridges over the river."

Iraqi troops entered Gogjali, a district inside Mosul's city limits, and later the borders of the more built-up Karama district, according to Major General Sami al-Aridi of the Iraqi special forces.

"Daesh (IS) is fighting back and have set up concrete blast walls to block off the Karama neighbourhood and [stop] our troops' advance," General Aridi said.

The anti-IS offensive is dependent on US-led air strikes and the presence of US special forces.
Damascus: The Islamic State (IS) militant group has retaken control of 17 areas in Syria`s Aleppo province in a counter-attack against the Syrian rebels, backed by Turkey, authorities said on Wednesday.

According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the purpose of this IS attack launched on Tuesday was to fend off the Syrian armed groups operating within `Operation Euphrates Shield` on the al-Bab city, the main stronghold of IS militants in the northeast of Aleppo, Efe news reported.

Since Tuesday, the IS has retaken towns, farms, and hills, which were held by Syrian rebel groups, backed by Turkish aircraft and tanks.

Since last August 21, Syrian factions and Turkish forces have been fighting together under `Operation Euphrates Shield` to liberate Aleppo from the IS and stop the advance of Kurdish militias
Nairobi: Kenya announced Wednesday it was withdrawing from United Nations peacekeeping duties in South Sudan after UN chief Ban Ki-moon fired the Kenyan head of the force for failing to protect civilians.

Continued deployment of Kenyan troops in South Sudan "is no longer tenable", the foreign ministry said, saying the country would "withdraw, immediately" its forces there.
Kyrgyzstan: The parliament of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday endorsed plans to hold a referendum on December 11 on controversial constitutional changes for which the country`s president has been criticised.

The proposed amendments, which would grant more power to the prime minister and cabinet, have been attacked by critics as a tactic that President Almazbek Atambayev could use to extend his rule.

Atambayev has repeatedly spoken of the need for constitutional change as the end of his single term in office approaches ahead of elections in 2017.

He has denied he will seek the position of prime minister.

Atambayev's Social Democratic Party quit the ruling coalition last week over other parties` resistance to constitutional reforms, forcing the government to resign and sparking fears the country could be plunged into instability.



The Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe rights and democracy organisation, has said the proposed reforms "negatively impact the balance of powers" in government and weaken judicial independence.

Local civic activists charge that the changes could also weaken parliamentary authority and undermine individual rights.

Kyrgyzstan has a reputation as an outpost of democracy in authoritarian Central Asia, but has also suffered bouts of instability.

Autocrats Askar Akayev and Kurmanbek Bakiyev were overthrown in 2005 and 2010 respectively.

Ethnic violence that erupted several months after Bakiyev`s ouster claimed hundreds of lives.

The ex-Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Tajikistan both held referendums this year on constitutional changes that strengthen the power of incumbent autocrats.

In September, Turkmenistan also adopted changes strengthening the position of President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov but did not put them to a popular vote.
Beijing: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said that former colonial powers should not lecture countries they once exploited on their internal affairs, a Chinese newspaper reported on Wednesday, in a veiled attack on the West as he looks to strengthen ties with China.

Najib`s visit to Beijing follows that of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who announced a "separation" from the United States and signed a raft of memoranda of understanding for Chinese investment in the country.

Najib, who is on a six-day visit to China, said in an editorial in the state-run China Daily that larger countries should treat smaller countries fairly.

"And this includes former colonial powers. It is not for them to lecture countries they once exploited on how to conduct their own internal affairs today," he wrote.

The Philippines is a former Spanish and US colony, and Malaysia a former British colony.

Najib is looking to strengthen ties with China after July lawsuits filed by the US Justice Department implicating him in a money-laundering scandal. Najib has denied any wrongdoing and said Malaysia will cooperate in the investigations.

More than $3.5 billion was allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB, according to civil lawsuits filed by the Justice Department. The probe has strained ties between Malaysia and the United States, with Najib dismissing it as foreign interference in Malaysia`s affairs.

The shift by the Philippines and Malaysia is being widely seen as China`s counter to US influence in the region.

Najib also wrote that disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved through dialogue in accordance with rule of law.

China claims most of the energy-rich waters through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.

"When it comes to the South China Sea, we firmly believe that overlapping territorial and maritime disputes should be managed calmly and rationally through dialogue, in accordance with the rule of law and peaceful negotiations," he said.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said on Tuesday that Malaysia had pledged with Beijing to handle South China Sea disputes bilaterally.

Malaysia agreed to buy four Chinese naval vessels and signed 14 agreements totalling 143.64 billion ringgit ($34.25 billion), Malaysian state news agency Bernama said, after a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Najib on Tuesday.

Najib also said Malaysia welcomed the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank which marks a turning point "of peaceful dialogue, not foreign intervention, in sovereign states".

Global institutions needed to be inclusive of "countries that were given no say in the legal and security infrastructure that was set up by the victors of the Second World War", he added.
Peshawar: A Pakistani court on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of an Afghan woman who was immortalised on the cover of National Geographic magazine in the 1980s and arrested last week on fraud charges.

Sharbat Gula, National Geographic magazine's famed 'Afghan Girl', has been in the custody of the Federal Investigation Agency since October 26 for having obtained fake identity papers.

The special court in Peshawar had reserved its verdict a day earlier and today rejected her bail application.

She faces up to 14 years in jail.

Gula's arrest highlighted the plight of millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

Pakistan has for decades provided a safe haven for millions of Afghans who fled their country after the Soviet invasion of 1979. It hosts more than 1 million registered Afghan refugees, according to UNHCR.

The agency also estimates a further one million unregistered refugees are in the country.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on October 30 had indicated that Gula may be may soon be freed on humanitarian grounds.

The haunting photo of a green-eyed, Afghan girl named Sharbat Gula, taken in a refugee camp in Pakistan in 1984, was one of National Geographic magazine's most famous covers.
Seoul: South Korea`s presidential office on Wednesday named a new prime minister and finance minister, the highest-level shake-up yet since President Park Geun-hye`s administration was rocked by a scandal involving a friend accused of meddling in state affairs.

But the reshuffle quickly provoked anger from opposition parties saying Park was trying to divert attention from the political crisis, which has dragged her approval rating to an all-time low.

The Blue House named Financial Services Commission chairman Yim Jong-yong as finance minister and deputy prime minister. Yim, who will replace incumbent minister Yoo Il-ho, has been well-regarded by policy makers and market participants in his current role.

Kim Byong-joon, a senior presidential secretary during former president Roh Moo-hyun`s administration, was named the new prime minister to replace Hwang Kyo-ahn. The prime minister`s role in South Korea is largely administrative.

The late Roh was from a liberal party that rivalled the conservative predecessor to Park`s conservative Saenuri Party, and naming Kim appears intended to placate the opposition.

South Korean stocks and the won currency were unmoved by the news.

The shake-up, which also include a new minister of public safety and security, was seen as an effort to soothe public anger over the scandal involving Park`s friend, Choi Soon-sil, who is in custody and under investigation by prosecutors.

But it did not please the opposition.

"This replacement of the prime minister and finance minister can`t be happening without discussing it with the opposition," Park Jie-won, leader of the opposition People`s Party, told a party meeting.

"We won`t stand by such a move to turn around the current situation with the personnel change."

The prime minister`s appointment is subject to parliamentary approval.

Yim, the finance minister nominee, was due to hold a press conference on Wednesday at 0200 GMT, according to his press office.

"The Blue House named Kim as the right person to lead the cabinet for the country`s future and to overcome current hardships," presidential spokesman Jung Youn-kuk said.

Neither incumbent Yoo or Hwang has been implicated in the scandal, although Yoo had been under pressure from opposition lawmakers over his close relationship with Park.

A televised apology by Park last week for giving Choi access to draft speeches during the first months of her presidency has done little to deflect demands that Park reveal the full nature of her ties with Choi and whether she enjoyed favours because of her friendship with the president.

Choi arrived at the prosecutors` office on Wednesday morning in handcuffs for a third day of questioning.
Tehran: Tehran's notorious former chief prosecutor Said Mortazavi has been sentenced to 135 lashes for misappropriation and waste of public money while head of Iran's welfare program, Iranian media reported today.

Mortazavi "was sentenced to 70 lashes for misappropriation of public goods and 65 lashes for negligence and waste of public goods," said Mostafa Torkhamedani, a lawyer for workers at the Social Security Organisation who brought the case against him, according to IRIB news agency.

A close ally of hardline former president Mahmud Ahmedinejad, Mortazavi became a hate figure among Iranian reformists during his six years as chief prosecutor for shutting down dozens of reformist publications and jailing journalists.

He was suspended in 2010 after parliament held him responsible for the deaths of at least three anti-government protesters during the previous year's mass demonstrations against Ahmedinejad's controversial re-election.

The deaths caused a public uproar and the prison in question -- Kahrizak in south Tehran -- was shut down on the orders of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Nonetheless, Ahmedinejad appointed Mortazavi as head of the anti-smuggling office and later put him in charge of the wealthy social welfare organisation between 2012 and 2013.

Mortazavi, who was targeted by US sanctions over "sustained and severe violations of human rights" during his time as a prosecutor, was disbarred in November 2014.

He has also been linked to the death in custody of Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi in 2003.

In September, he wrote an open letter asking for forgiveness over the deaths of the three protesters, saying they were "martyrs".
The LeT terrorists, operating under the code names of Abu Ukasha and Abu Mavia, sneaked into Kashmir Valley in August.

By Ashraf Wani: Security forces have released two pictures of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists who managed to escape from Ajar area of Bandipora district yeaterday, after a brief encounter.

The duo are Pakistan nationals and crossed into Kashmir in August. As per the security forces, both Lashkar commanders had been sent to Kashmir Valley to organise and arrange logistics for fresh infiltrators in north Kashmir.

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The Lashkar commanders are operating under the code names of Abu Ukasha and Abu Mavia.

Also read: Worried over attack on schools, J-K Governor meets Home Minister Rajnath Singh



Security forces have inputs that both the LeT terrorists have established a network in north Kashmir and are using forest areas as their hideouts.

WATCH VIDEO



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Des Moines: Two police officers were killed in a pair of "ambush-style" shootings around Des Moines, Iowa, early on Wednesday morning, and police are searching for a possible suspect, whose motives were unknown.

Police are searching for a local man named Scott Michael Greene, 46, who should be consider armed and dangerous, TV station KCCI reported.

One officer was found dead about 1 a.m. local time in Urbandale, an affluent suburb of Des Moines. The second officer was found dead about 1:30 a.m. local time in the city, NBC News reported.

"These officers were ambushed," Des Moines police department spokesman Paul Parizek told a news conference, adding that they were shot while sitting in their patrol cars about 2 miles (3 km) apart.

"There is a clear and present danger to police officers right now," he said.

The apparently unprovoked attack comes two years after two New York Police Department officers were shot dead while sitting in their patrol car in Brooklyn, by a man who said he wanted to avenge the deaths of unarmed black men killed by police.

A police cruiser at the site of the Des Moines shooting was riddled with three bullet holes, according to a Reuters witness there.

Police were conducting a manhunt for the suspect or suspects throughout the area, Parizek said.

"An attack on public safety officers is an attack on the public safety of all Iowans," Ben Hammes, a spokesman for Governor Terry Branstand, said in a statement. "We call on Iowans to support our law enforcement officials in bringing this suspect to justice."

Before the shootings in Iowa, 50 police officers had died by gunfire, two accidentally, in the line of duty in the United States this year, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page website.

Wednesday`s shootings come seven months after two Des Moines officers were killed when their vehicle was hit by a wrong-way drunken driver. Another Des Moines police officer died in a motorcycle accident in August.

Officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were the targets of deadly ambushes earlier this year after police killed two black men in separate incidents in a Minnesota suburb and Baton Rouge.

Philadelphia police officers have been deliberately targeted by a gunman twice this year.
By PTI: Mumbai, Nov 1 (PTI) Pharma major Lupin Ltd has received final approval from the USFDA to market norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol tablets marked for use by females of reproductive potential to prevent pregnancy.

"We have received final approval for norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol tablets USP, 0.25 mg/0.035 mg, from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market a generic version of Janssen Pharmaceuticals Ortho-Cyclen 28 tablets," a company statement said today.

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The approved product will be manufactured at Lupins Pithampur facility. It is indicated for use by females of reproductive potential to prevent pregnancy. Ortho-Cyclen tablets had US sales of USD 178.2 million.

Lupin is an innovation-led transnational pharmaceutical company developing and delivering a wide range of branded and generic formulations, biotechnology products and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) globally. PTI AP NRB ARD SDM

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By Mayuresh Ganapatye: While Maharashtra government is celebrating its two years in state, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is speaking about the government's achievements and how they have transformed state. However, today Mumbai Congress has levelled serious allegations against the Maharashtra CM.

In a press conference Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam alleged that the CM gave away the prime land under Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation (MADC) to Ramdev Baba and Anil Ambani at less than market price.

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"On what basis have CM given these pieces of land in Nagpur to Ram Dev's Patanjali and Anil Ambani's company? Why the same policy was not applicable to other industrialist ? CM must Explain this as he is heading MADC," said Nirupam.

Reacting to the allegations levelled by Nirupam Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said that the agro processing zone was created in non SEZ area of Mihan and the rates were decided by committee of 4 secretaries. He added that, based the rates bids were called by open tender and after third call Patanjali was the only bidder so he was awarded land as per CVC norms at the rates decided by the secretary committee.

PATANJALI BOUGHT LAND AT MARKET RATE

"Still there are 250 acres of land available but there is no taker. Patanjali has taken land in SEZ at market rate. Anil Ambani has been allotted land at prevailing rates at which more land is available to anyone," said Fadnavis.

Ramdev Baba's company Patanjali got the 230 acres in Nagpur at the cost of Rs 25 lakh per acre. Nirupam alleges that the when the deal happened government rate was Rs one crore per acre. Further Nirupam alleged that CM had favoured Industrialist Anil Ambani's company too by giving land on concessional rate.

In the same area about 111 acre land was given to Anil Ambani's company at Rs 57 lakh per acre. According to Nirupam, Ambani's company has not paid full amount to the government despite reminders sent to it.

Also read:

Supriya Sule compares CM Fadnavis with women who fight for water at public taps

Maharashtra: CM Devendra Fadnavis launches Mumbai CCTV surveillance project



Comedian Kapil Sharma seeks meeting with Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis over bribery complaint



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With less than one week to go until Election Day, a national poll showing Donald Trump with a narrow lead over Hillary Clinton sent global financial markets tumbling Wednesday, as both candidates focused on scrapping for votes in battleground states.

Major European stock markets opened lower in the wake of a dip Tuesday on Wall Street (down 0.7 percent), followed by plunges in Tokyo (-1.76 percent) and Hong Kong (-1.45 percent) on fears that the maverick billionaire could win the White House.

"It's been clear for some time now that markets would much prefer the stability that a Clinton victory would bring for the US economy and the reaction over the last 24 hours or so since the polls started to change so dramatically just confirms this," Craig Erlam, a senior market analyst at OANDA, said in a note.

An ABC News/Washington Post tracking poll out Tuesday showed Trump ahead 46 to 45 percent, while other polls still put Clinton in the lead but suggest the race has narrowed as November 8 looms.

The 70-year-old real estate mogul boasted about the new numbers as he addressed a raucous crowd -- chanting "Lock her up!" and "Drain the swamp!" -- in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, before turning the knife.

"The Clintons are the sordid past. And we will be the bright and clean future," he declared.

Renewed FBI scrutiny of Clinton's controversial use of a private email server as secretary of state has excited Republicans and underlined public doubts about the Democrat's trustworthiness.

- 'Reflect on the absurdity' -

But when the 69-year-old Democratic candidate took the stage at a rally in Fort Lauderdale late Tuesday, her fierce rhetoric was backed by a new survey of early voters that shows her winning Florida.

"Well, I'll tell you what!" she declared, her voice cracking but her tone triumphant. "Donald Trump has proven himself to be temperamentally unfit and unqualified to be president of the United States."

At another event in Dade County, Clinton was introduced by Alicia Machado, a former Miss Universe whom Trump, then the owner of the pageant, publicly belittled by mocking her post-victory weight gain.

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"Can we just stop for a minute and reflect on the absurdity of Donald Trump finding fault with Miss Universe?" Clinton said.

Trump's doctor says he is more than overweight at 236 pounds (107 kilograms).

"What about our girls? What happens to their confidence, their sense of self-worth?" she demanded, warning against a president "who insults more than half the population."

Pollster TargetSmart forecast that Clinton could win Florida -- and effectively bar Trump any route to the White House -- by a massive eight point margin, 48 to 40 percent.

The Florida poll, conducted with the College of William and Mary, used only a small sample of voters but targeted those who had already cast ballots under the state's early voting law.

An average of earlier Florida polls by tracker RealClearPolitics gives Trump a narrow one point lead there, but TargetSmart's survey suggests many registered Republicans have switched camps.

- Must-win states -

In order to win the White House, Trump must take at least one normally Democratic state like Wisconsin, swing states like Florida and the Republican heartland.

Wisconsin backed President Barack Obama in 2012, but if Trump can win its 10 electoral college votes, it could put him over the 270 threshold and win him the keys to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

But this remains a long shot. The New York Times statistical model gives Clinton an 88 percent chance of winning, while data tracking website FiveThirtyEight says she has a 74 percent chance.

Nevertheless, the tumultuous race -- which has featured footage showing Trump boasting of sexual assault and claims of Russian interference in the contest -- may have a few twists left.

On Monday, Trump was hit by fresh allegations in a detailed report by The New York Times that he not only dodged paying income tax but did so in a way that has since been outlawed.
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) Home-grown auto major Mahindra and Mahindra today reported 60.88 per cent jump in total tractor sales at 45,177 units in October this year.

The company had sold 28,081 units in the same month last year.

It sales in the domestic tractor market were up 60.65 per cent to 43,826 units in October as against 27,280 units in the year-ago month, the company said in a BSE filing.

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Exports during the month zoomed by 68.66 per cent to 1,351 units as compared with 801 units in the year-ago month,.

On sales outlook, M&M President and Chief Executive, Farm Equipment and Two-wheeler Division, Rajesh Jejurikar said: "This seasons rainfall has been normal resulting in healthy water levels in reservoirs. Expectations of good Kharif crop coupled with continued good sentiments will positively impact demand going forward." PTI RKL SA

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Washington

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday had tough questions for both sides in a case about whether a family that sued a Michigan school district under federal disabilities laws after the district barred a service dog for their child with cerebral palsy should have had to first exhaust a special education administrative process.

By the end of the hour-long argument in Fry v. Napoleon Community Schools (Case No. 15-497), it appeared that the court was leaning in the direction of the familys view that it could sue for damages and other relief under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 without exhausting procedures under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Justice Elena Kagan, citing a separate 1986 federal statute meant to clarify the interplay between the IDEA and the other federal disabilities laws, said Congress seemed to be saying the fact that the IDEA exists for schools does not mean that you dont have separate ADA and Rehabilitation Act claims.

And if you bring those separate kind of claims, which are essentially denial of access claims to public facilities, and then youre asking in addition to that for a form of damages that has nothing to do with what any IDEA officer can provide, then you can go forward without exhaustion, Kagan told Neal K. Katyal, the lawyer representing the Napoleon school district before the high court.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor said that the harms alleged in the familys ADA and Rehabilitation Act lawsuit are essentially compensatory emotional harms": that Ehlena Fry was denied equal access when the Napoleon district denied her the use of her service dog, Wonder, when she was in kindergarten in 2009-10; that her opportunity to interact with other children was infringed, and she suffered emotional distress and mental anguish as a result.

Every one of those are the classic damage harms that are compensatory, Sotomayor told Katyal, suggesting they were damages not covered by the IDEA.

In the Courtroom and Outside

Ehlena Fry, now 12, observed the arguments from the second row of the courtrooms public gallery with her parents, Stacy and Brent Fry, and one of her brothers. (The family has five children altogether.)

Because Ehlena no longer relies on her service dog, a goldendoodle named Wonder, in school, the family decided not to seek permission for the dog to accompany her into the courtroom Monday. Ehlena is now in 6th grade in the Manchester school district in Michigan, which welcomed Wonder for the three years she continued to need him, until last school year.

As the case ended and the crowded courtroom dispersed, Ehlena and her family waited for a court aide to bring her walker to her before they exited. Outside, Wonder waited to be reunited with his family. The dog is now 9 1/2 years old and made the trip from Michigan. Other families with service dogs were also outside on the courts plaza.

Back in the courtroom, Katyal aggressively advanced the view that Congress had established a delicate balance in the special education statute and that the relief the family is seeking in its suita declaration that the dog be permitted and damageswas actually available under the IDEA, if under other names.

The idea of allowing money damages for this type of situation without first exhausting the state processes is an end-run around the expert agency statute that Congress set up, which they want to give states and localities the first crack at resolving this instead of allowing parents to abandon the IDEA system and march into federal court, which is exactly what happened here, Katyal said.

Samuel R. Bagenstos, a University of Michigan law professor representing the Fry family, told the justices that Congress adopted the 1986 statute, called the Handicapped Childrens Protection Act, to make clear that that IDEA is not the exclusive vehicle for protecting the rights of children with disabilities, and Congress also sought to make clear that cases brought under other federal statutes, like the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act, may proceed directly to court so long as they are not actually seeking relief that is also available under the IDEA.

The family also had President Barack Obamas administration on its side, with Roman Martinez, an assistant to the U.S. solicitor general, arguing that the family was seeking money damages, and not a change to Ehlenas individualized education program, and that relief is not available under the IDEA.

Martinez said that when a family and a school district, as in this case, agree that a free, appropriate education has been provided under the IDEA, that should be enough to allow a separate claim to proceed under the ADA or Rehabilitation Act.

Skeptical Questions

Both Bagenstos and Martinez met some skepticism from the court.

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wondered whether a plaintiff lawyers artful complaint might subject the school district to damages that it might not otherwise have had to pay.

Justice Stephen G. Breyer told Bagenstos that if lawyers sought to avoid the IDEA exhaustion requirement by waiting to sue for damages, that would seem to gut the carefully written procedural system that the IDEA sets up.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. had a similar concern, that lawyers would tack on an emotional damages claim and then school districts will always face two-track litigation.

But by late in the argument, both Breyer and Roberts seemed to have worked out their concerns and sounded more sympathetic to the Fry family.

Breyer told Katyal that once the school district denied the service dog, at that time youre free to sue. Youve met the exhaustion requirement because its futile. ... And this suit has been brought after that was done. So I dont see how this suit is going to ever get back for exhaustion, because the school has made clear they wont [allow the dog].

(Actually, the Napoleon district did agree to permit Ehlenas service dog to accompany her, but only after the U.S. Department of Educations office for civil rights intervened. The girls parents had already pulled her out of the school district by that point and did not feel comfortable returning.)

Meanwhile, when Katyal said that all a family had to do to exhaust remedies under the IDEA was go through a 105-day process (which he nevertheless called complicated), Roberts said, 105 days is a big part of the school year. ... I think saying, all they have to do is go through a 105-day process is not particularly responsive.

A decision in the case is expected by next June.

Photo: With her service dog, Wonder, at her side, Ehlena Fry, 12, is helped down the steps of the Supreme Court in Washington, by her mother Stacy Fry and Michael J. Steinberg, legal director for ACLU of Michigan, following oral arguments before the court on Oct. 31. Ehlena, who has cerebral palsy, was banned by her school district from bringing her service dog to class. (Molly Riley/AP)
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday granted the appeal of a Virginia school district seeking clarification of whether schools must allow transgender students to use the restrooms corresponding to their gender identity.

The courts action in Gloucester County School Board v. G.G. (Case No. 16-273) sets up a high-stakes battle over the rights of transgender students in schools and the authority of the U.S. Department of Education to issue broad interpretations of its regulations.

The high court had intervened in the case over the summer to grant a stay to the Gloucester County school district, which had temporarily blocked a lower-court injunction that would have allowed a 17-year-old transgender student, Gavin Grimm, to use the boys restroom at his high school.

Five justices had granted the stay in August, with Justice Stephen G. Breyer voting with the courts conservative bloc as a courtesy because the court was in its summer recess and to preserve the status quo, he wrote in a concurrence.

It takes only four justices to grant full review of a case, so the conservatives did not need Breyers vote to grant the school districts appeal of a federal appeals court ruling that sided with the student. But the court remains short one member since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February and the political gridlock over President Barack Obamas nomination of Merrick H. Garland for the seat. So the justices risk deadlocking on the merits of the case, which would uphold a lower-court decision in favor of Grimm.

The school district had appealed the decision this past April by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, in Richmond, Va., that guidance on transgender students merited deference under a 1997 Supreme Court decision, Auer v. Robbins . That decision says that a federal agencys interpretation of its own ambiguous regulation should be given controlling weight unless the interpretation is plainly erroneous or inconsistent with the regulation or statute at issue.

The 4th Circuit court had ruled based on a letter from a January 2015 Education Department official to the Gloucester County district. (The letter is in the appendix, at Page 121A, of the school districts petition for writ of certiorari .)

In May, the federal Departments of Education and Justice issued a Dear Colleague letter that clarified, in somewhat broader terms, the federal interpretation that transgender students should be allowed to use restrooms corresponding to their gender identity. That guidance was temporarily blocked in August by a federal district judge ruling in a challenge brought by Texas and other states.

The Supreme Courts decision to take up the Gloucester County school districts appeal will keep in place the stay of lower-court rulings that the district had to allow Grimm to use the restrooms corresponding to his gender identity.

In a statement, Troy Andersen, the president of the Gloucester County school board, said, We are grateful that the Supreme Court has granted the school boards petition in this difficult case. The board looks forward to explaining to the court that its restroom and locker room policy carefully balances the interests of all students and parents in the Gloucester County school system.

In an op-ed essay in The Washington Post on Friday, Grimm wrote that he never imagined that the Supreme Court might be deciding whether he could use the school restroom. Under a policy adopted by the Gloucester County school board, and in force under the Supreme Courts stay, Grimm uses a single unisex restroom or a nurses office restroom at Gloucester High School.

I continue to suffer daily because of the school boards decision to make my bathroom use a matter of public debate, Grimm wrote. I feel the humiliation every time I need to use the restroom and every minute I try to hold it in the hopes of avoiding the long walk to the nurses office.

What keeps me going is the knowledge that I am not the only transgender student out there, and I have the chance to make things better so other transgender kids do not have to go through what I am going through, Grimm wrote.

In a statement, Josh Block, a senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Unions LGBT project, which is representing Grimm and had urged the court not to take up the case , said it is disappointing that Gavin will probably have to finish out his high school career under this harmful, humiliating policy.

In a short order on Friday, the Supreme Court said it would not take up the first question posed in the school districts appeal, Should this court retain the Auer doctrine despite the objections of multiple Justices who have recently urged that it be reconsidered and overruled?

The court said it would consider these two questions:

If Auer is retained, should deference extend to an unpublished agency letter that, among other things, does not carry the force of law and was adopted in the context of the very dispute in which deference is sought?

And with or without deference to the agency, should the departments specific interpretation of Title IX and [its regulation] be given effect?

Those questions still give the justices much running room that, in the real world, will have an impact on transgender rights and beyond.

Arguments in the case are likely early next year.

For more on the battle over bathroom access for transgender students, view the followingvideo.

This video aired on PBS NewsHour on June 7, 2016.
It was a busy day Monday for the Georgia Supreme Court and school issues.

In one decision, the states highest court unanimously struck down a state statute that criminalized upbraiding, insulting, or abusing a public school teacher, administrator, or bus driver in the presence of a student while on a school bus or school premises. The measure was overly broad in violation of the First Amendments guarantee of free speech, the court said.

In another Oct. 31 ruling, the court held that a Georgia law that prohibits firearms on school property takes precedence over one passed around the same time that says a person licensed to carry firearms may carry them into school safety zones.

In the speech case, West v. The State , Michael Antonio West was charged under the upbraiding statute after he reportedly boarded a school bus in 2015 and verbally abused the driver over the alleged bullying of his child by other students.

The Georgia Supreme Court agreed to take up the case after West lost a pretrial motion to strike down the law.

Among the aspects of the law that the court found troubling was that the statute does not proscribe all speech that might be boisterous or disruptive, the opinion says.

Instead, the law prohibits only that speech directed at public school officials which may be perceived as negative or unfavorable, the court said. The practical effect of the plain language of [the statute] is that any personmay it be a parent, school system employee, or concerned citizen while on school premises or a school buswho dares to speak critically to school officials at any time in the presence of minors must leave the premises when so ordered by a school official or face arrest and prosecution for a misdemeanor.

We agree with West that this statute, though perhaps well intentioned, neither regulates unprotected speech nor is appropriately tailored to meet its intended objective and is therefore overbroad, the court concluded.

Gun Law

In GeorgiaCarry.org Inc. v. Code Revision Commission , a gun rights group sought to compel a state panel to reinstate a statute that authorized licensed gun owners onto school property.

That measure was signed in to law by Gov. Nathan Deal on April 22, 2014. The next day, Deal signed HB 60, a bill that made it unlawful for any person to have a firearm within a school safety zone unless that person was dropping off or picking up a student.

The Code Revision Commission determined that the two measures were in conflict, and it gave effect to the school weapons prohibition because it became law later.

The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously agreed that the two laws are in irreconcilable conflict.

These provisions are contradictory in that they address the same circumstances, but one expressly authorizes the carrying of a firearm and the other expressly criminalizes such conduct, albeit with a limited exception, the court said. Accordingly, the two statutes cannot stand together and the provisions of [the first measure] related to the carrying of firearms in a school safety zone did not survive the subsequent enactment of HB 60.
ZHUHAI, China (Reuters) - Engine maker Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp , said on Wednesday that it had won nearly $800 million (654 million pounds) in contracts from carriers Air China <601111.SS> and Shenzhen Airlines to supply engines for their Airbus Group A320ceo aircraft. Doug Cai, president of Greater China, Pratt & Whitney, told a news conference on the sidelines of the country's biggest air expo in Zhuhai that Air China had picked V2500 engines for 18 of its A320 aircraft, while Shenzhen Airlines selected the engine for 13 of its jets. The V2500 engine is designed and manufactured by International Aero Engines, a global partnership of aerospace firms including Pratt & Whitney, Japanese Aero Engine Corp and MTU Aero Engines. Pratt & Whitney also said it would assess opportunities for involvement in planemaker Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China's (COMAC) [CMAFC.UL] project to develop a wide-body passenger aircraft with Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). The jumbo jet project represents the two countries' aim to compete in the wide-body segment, currently controlled by Europe's Airbus Group and Boeing Co of the United States. The plane would be China's largest-ever aircraft, as well as Russia's biggest post-Cold War airliner. COMAC and UTC said in June last year they want to begin deliveries of the jet in 2025, a target most Western industry analysts consider extremely ambitious. (The story has been refiled to correct acronym to UAC from UTC in 4th paragraph) (Reporting by Brenda Goh; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
Funding

Ed Dept. Launches $680,000 Augmented and Virtual Reality Challenge

The United States Department of Education (ED) has formally kicked off a new competition designed to encourage the development of virtual and augmented reality concepts for education.

Dubbed the EdSim Challenge, the competition is aimed squarely at developing students' career and technical skills  it's funded through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006  and calls on developers and ed tech organizations to develop concepts for "computer-generated virtual and augmented reality educational experiences that combine existing and future technologies with skill-building content and assessment. Collaboration is encouraged among the developer community to make aspects of simulations available through open source licenses and low-cost shareable components. ED is most interested in simulations that pair the engagement of commercial games with educational content that transfers academic, technical, and employability skills."

The competition seeks concepts from individuals and teams and will award all five finalists prizes of $50,000 to help them further develop their concepts. Finalists will also receive access to expert mentors to help with the process, along with gear and development tools, including Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy Tab S2 9.7, Gear S3 watch and Gear VR headset, as well as an Oculus Mobile software developer kit. ED noted that other prizes may also be added later.

The submission deadline will be Jan. 17, and finalists will be announced during the winter of 2017. A "demo day" will be held in the summer, showcasing progress on the work, and a single grand prize winner will be announced soon after.

The grand prize winning project will receive $430,000.

Criteria for finalists include:

Learning outcomes, including clearly stated outcomes for academic or career/technical training objectives, among other things;

Engaging learning experience;

Commitment (the ability of the participant to develop the concept in the timeframe of the competition);

Implementation strategy for schools, taking into account challenges schools might face in implementing the concept; and

Scalability and expansion.

All participants must be at least 18 years old, and at least one member of each team must be a U.S. citizen. Participants must also register on the Luminary Lightbox platform. (Registration is free.)

Complete rules can be found at edsimchallenge.com/terms.
...but they had to discontinue the study, because men couldn't handle mood swings!

By India Today Web Desk: Not only can men not handle women's mood swings, they can't handle their own mood swings either, it seems.

In what was going to change contraception as we know it, a study that commenced in 2008 was inching closer to making male contraceptive shots a reality-which would have been a big yay for women.

The study, however, has been discontinued, because men have not been able to handle the side-effects that come with these shots. What side-effects, you ask? Mood swings, acne, altered libido, depression et al--you know, the same shit women go through regularly, especially when they're on contraceptives.

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The male birth control shot being used in the study was proving to be 96 per cent effective at preventing pregnancies.

The study, published last week in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, found that only four pregnancies occurred, out of the 266 men who used the contraceptive. The method involved a series of injections that lowered sperm count, reports USA Today.

Though the study ended in 2012, researchers had stopped enrolling new participants in 2011, because of the number of reported side-effects, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Twenty couples even dropped out of the study because of them! Seventeen per cent of the participants said they experienced "emotional disorders" during the study, the Journal-Constitution reported, but most of these reported disorders were considered to be mild.

"Despite the adverse effects, more than 75 per cent of participants reported being willing to use this method of contraception at the conclusion of the trial," the Endocrine Society, which oversees the journal publishing the study, said in a statement.

"Twenty to 30 per cent of women who take oral birth control pills experience depression and have to take medication for it. So, the difference just struck me," Elizabeth Lloyd, an Indiana University biology professor, who is unaffiliated with the study, told CNN.

"They terminated this study once it showed 3 per cent depression for the men."

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LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Nov 1, 2016) - GTX Corp. (OTC PINK: GTXO), an IoT platform in the personal location GPS wearable and wandering assistive technology business, announced Unforgettable.org has launched an advertising campaign on radio, the SAGA Magazine and social media, designed to help create awareness for those who care for their loved ones suffering from dementia. The campaign provides heart-felt stories together with information, products and services of use to dementia sufferers and their care-givers, and features the GPS SmartSoles that provide a discreet, reliable solution for those who "wander".

"We were thrilled to launch our first radio advertising campaign for Unforgettable on Smooth Radio London", said James Ashwell, Unforgettable's founder. "The voiceover artist, actress Paula Wilcox, has her own personal link to dementia which I think really comes across. You can read about this and hear the ads on our website."

Click here to read Paula's story -- www.unforgettable.org/blog/paulas-story-mum-was-so-blessed-to-have-dad-there/ or here for the radio commercial on the GPS SmartSoles -- www.soundcloud.com/user-486166891/unforgettable-radio-ad-gps-smart-soles.

James continued, "I passionately believe there is plenty of life to be lived with dementia and that innovative products and services can really help. Unforgettable makes it easier to access specialized support and for caregivers to discover dementia products that really have a positive impact. Combined with forums for sharing stories, reassurance, advice and articles on advances in dementia care."

"Unforgettable.org is one of the most useful and innovative services for the dementia community," said Patrick Bertagna, GTX Corp CEO. "As with many healthcare innovators, James' inspiration came from caring for his mother, and he has created a useful, easy-to-access website offering information, services and products for those in the United Kingdom suffering from dementia and other cognitive memory disorders. We are excited to see our partners in the U.K. start advertising in a meaningful way and look forward to following the success of the campaign."

Story continues

In 2015, it was estimated that there were 850,000 people living with dementia in the U.K. As a result of memory, physical and communication challenges, people with dementia may experience social isolation, loneliness, disorientation and wandering. Going for a walk can sometimes be a challenge for them, which can lead to getting lost even in familiar surroundings. These distressing experiences can result in reduced activity, increased social isolation and increased caregiver stress, so any form of technology that can support people to get out and move about more safely and confidently, such as the GPS SmartSoles is a significant quality of life improvement. "We are very pleased that Unforgettable.org and our master distributor Possum, have begun advertising across the U.K. on the radio and print in order to generate more product awareness", stated Andrew Duncan GTX Corp Director of business development.

About Unforgettable.org

A social mission at the heart of everything we do. Unforgettable is a for-profit social enterprise with 10% of profits going to the Unforgettable Foundation, but profit is not their only driver. Unforgettable is one of the pioneering B Corp social businesses in the UK, combining entrepreneurial skill and innovation with support from socially-minded investors. Building a reputation as the world's best marketplace of products and services for dementia and memory loss, everyone, including Unforgettable's investors, are committed to enhancing the lives of their customers. "We are delighted to be the founding charitable partner in Unforgettable and fully support Unforgettable's mission to improve the quality of life of all those affected by dementia by providing the most comprehensive range of products and solutions to meet their tough daily challenges," says Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Society.

Unforgettable contact details:

www.unforgettable.org

Tel: +44 (0)203 322 9070

helpdesk@unforgettable.org

About Possum:

Founded in Buckinghamshire in 1961, Possum is today a market leader in the provision, installation and support of many types of Electronic Assistive Technology. These include Environmental Control Systems, Telecare, Telehealth and TECS (Technology Enabled Care and Support Services). Possum develop and offer innovative and proprietary products and also source class leading new technology from third party suppliers to bring to the UK market. With an internal research and development function, manufacturing facilities, a network of highly qualified service/installation engineers and a team of expert trainers, we offer unrivaled reassurance and support to our customers. Possum has a strong established customer base in the National Health Service, Social Services and Local Authorities and also works with reseller partners to make this exciting technology more widely available.

Possum Limited contact details:

+44 (0)1296 461000

info@possum.co.uk

telecarenews@possum.co.uk

https://twitter.com/PossumLtd

https://www.facebook.com/Possum/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/possum-ltd-

www.possum.co.uk

About GTX Corp

GTX Corp (GTXO) is a pioneer in Smart, Mobile and Wearable GPS, cellular and BLE tracking and recovery technology. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with distributors in over 14 countries, GTX is known for its game-changing and award-winning patented GPS Smart Shoe, blockbuster Smartphone GPS Tracking App, and innovative GPS and BLE SmartSole. GTX provides solutions that answer the "where" question: where is my mother, child, employee, vehicle, drone and high value assets. Through a proprietary global enterprise IoT monitoring platform and licensing subscription business model, the Company offers a complete end-to-end solution of hardware, middleware, apps, connectivity and professional services. Letting you know where or how someone or something is at the touch of a button, delivering security and peace of mind in an instant. GTX Corp also owns and operates LOCiMOBILE, Inc, which develops applications for smart phones and tablets, and Code Amber Alertag. The Company has a comprehensive intellectual property strategy and owns an extensive portfolio of patents, patents pending, registered trademarks, copyrights and URLs.

For more information on the Company's flagship product, the GPS SmartSole, visit us:

Online: www.gtxcorp.com; www.gpssmartsole.com

Social media - #withyou #smartsole

www.facebook.com/gtxcorpcom

www.twitter.com/gtxcorp

www.pinterest.com/gtxcorp

www.instagram.com/gtxcorp

www.linkedin.com/in/gtxcorp

Source: UPTICK Newswire

Disclaimer: GTX Corp does not warrant or represent that the unauthorized use of materials drawn from the content of this document will not infringe rights of third parties who are not owned or affiliated by GTX Corp. Further GTX Corp cannot be held responsible or liable for the unauthorized use of this document's content by third parties unknown to the company.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. The terms and phrases "expects," "would," "will," "believes," and similar terms and phrases are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by GTX in light of its experience and its perception of current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that GTX believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause GTX's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Certain risk factors that may cause actual results to differ are set forth in GTX's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (which may be obtained at www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on GTX's forward-looking statements. GTX has no intention and undertakes no 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.
DGAP-News: Xenikos B.V. / Key word(s): Change of Personnel Xenikos appoints Eric van Hooren as Chief Development Officer to drive forward T-Guard(TM) clinical development program 02.11.2016 / 12:00 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xenikos appoints Eric van Hooren as Chief Development Officer to drive forward T-Guard(TM) clinical development program Nijmegen, the Netherlands, November 2nd, 2016 - Xenikos B.V., focused on the development of innovative immunotherapies for the treatment of patients suffering from serious immune diseases or rejection after transplantation, announced today that it has hired Eric van Hooren as Chief Development Officer (CDO). Mr. van Hooren has over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including extensive work in clinical project and clinical trial management. Prior to joining Xenikos, he was Director Clinical Operations at Acerta-Pharma, where he was responsible for the set up and line management of the European clinical operations group, including the execution of Phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trial programs with the compound acalabrutinib, a potential best-in-class irreversible oral Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, that contributed to a major transaction with AstraZeneca in December 2015. Mr. van Hooren previously worked as a Program Manager at Merck, where he managed Women's Health Programs. He also worked for many years at Organon in positions of increasing responsibility in both clinical development and medical marketing. At Xenikos, Mr. van Hooren will be responsible for preparing and executing the EU/US randomized active-controlled Phase 2 pivotal study of T-Guard in acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), as well as exploring new potential indications that might benefit from T-Guard's promise as a therapeutic tool for safely and swiftly resetting the body's immune system in T-cell- mediated diseases. He will take over the responsibilities of Dr. Edna Venneker, who is leaving the company to pursue another opportunity. Xenikos announced just recently that the last patient has completed treatment in the Company's Phase 1/2 trial evaluating T-Guard for the treatment of steroid-resistant acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Ypke van Oosterhout, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are delighted to welcome Eric to Xenikos in this very important phase of the T-Guard development. He has a broad background in strategic drug development for both new biological and new chemical entities, as well as in global clinical trial management and medical marketing. His many years of experience will be invaluable as we continue to advance our product candidate, T-Guard in clinical development and eventual registration for market approval in acute graft-versus-host disease, as well as explore other opportunities for this promising development candidate." Dr. van Oosterhout continued: "I would also like to warmly thank Dr. Venneker, who has been instrumental in driving our clinical program. We wish her the very best in her next endeavor." About Xenikos B.V. Xenikos B.V. is developing new, innovative immunotherapies to help restore patients' health and save lives. It is developing new therapies based on the action of conjugated antibodies that enables patients suffering from serious immune diseases or rejection after transplantation to reset their immune systems quickly and efficiently. Its lead product candidate T- Guard(TM) is currently being developed for the second-line treatment of steroid-resistant acute GVHD. Further information is available at www.xenikos.com. For further information, please contact: <pre> Corporate contact: Media contact: Xenikos B.V. MC Services AG Ypke van Oosterhout Dr. Solveigh Mahler Chief Executive Officer Phone: +49 211 529 252 19 Phone: +31 24 3000100 Email: solveigh.maehler@mc-services.eu Mobile: +31 6 11017611 Email: y.vanoosterhout@xenikos.com For US inquiries: Laurie Doyle Phone: +1 339 832 0752 Email: laurie.doyle@mc-services.eu </pre> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 02.11.2016 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 516459 02.11.2016
Danish English

Danish Financial Supervisory Authority

Arhusgade 110

DK-2100 Copenhagen 

Company Announcement No. 17-2016:

FLSmidth has signed a contract worth more than $200 million with Iraq Cement Co., to supply a total of 6,000 tonnes of cement per day to the production line for the Al Muthana region.

The contract is a full EPC order, comprising engineering, all FLSmidth equipment supplies, erection and construction, as well as commissioning and training once completed. The cement plant will produce 6,000 tonnes per day and will feature state-of-the-art equipment, including the latest technology to ensure an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient production process.

"By signing the contract, Iraq Cement Co. is making the first step in raising financing for the project, which is an important milestone in their pursuit to realise the project. We are pleased to have been selected to support them on that journey. FLSmidth has a long history in Iraq and the Middle East, and is maintaining its leading role in serving the rapidly expanding cement market. The growing economy and increasing infrastructure investments in the region continue to offer business opportunities," says Group Executive Vice President of the Cement Division, Per Mejnert Kristensen.

The contract is worth more than $200 million and is among several others, subject to receipt of the down payment by FLSmidth. Until all conditions are met and the contract becomes effective, it will not be part of the order intake. A separate company announcement will be issued when the order becomes effective.

Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risk and uncertainty, which may cause actual developments to differ materially from the guidance provided. This stock exchange announcement is a consequence of changed disclosure rules in FLSmidth: Company Announcement No. 13-2016.

-------------------------------------

Contact Investor Relations:

Pernille Friis Andersen, +45 36 18 18 87, pefa@flsmidth.com

Nicolai Mauritzen, +45 36 18 18 51, nicm@flsmidth.com

Contact Media Relations:

Sofie Karen Lindberg, +45 30 93 18 77, skl@flsmidth.com

FLSmidth is the market-leading supplier of productivity to the global mining and cement industries. Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, and with offices in more than 50 countries, FLSmidth delivers engineering, equipment and service solutions to customers worldwide.

Productivity, sustainability and quality are the focus areas for the 13,000 employees in FLSmidth. The company generated revenue of DKK 20 billion in 2015.

Read more on www.flsmidth.com
As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ
US President Barack Obama said Hillary Clinton is not flashy and better qualified for the job.

By India Today Web Desk: US President Barack Obama today said that voters are holding Democratic candidate Hilllary Clinton to a double standard for being the first female presidential nominee against an outlandish opponent.

"I want every man out there who's voting to look inside yourself and ask yourself," he said, asking men to treat women candidates at par with men.

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"When a guy's ambitious and out in the public arena and working hard, well, that's OK. But when a woman suddenly does it, suddenly you're all like, 'Well, why is she doing that?' I'm just being honest," he added.

CLINTON IS NOT FLASHY

Obama said that Clinton is not "flashy" but is someone who is "respected around the world", adding that Trump's chances of succeeding him as the US President are not even close. It's Clinton, he said, who has the experience, intelligence, temperament and the heart to occupy the Oval Office.

ALSO READ: Stop whining, Obama tells Trump over election rigging claims

"You know, we always want to see the new shiny object, and if you get beat up enough in this political environment that's so toxic, after a while people start believing stuff," Obama said, referring to Republican candidate Donald Trump's rhetoric and posturing.

"I saw her as my Secretary of State. I saw her in the Situation Room making arguments to go after (Osama) bin Laden even though it was risky, tirelessly circling the globe as Secretary of State, respected around the world," Obama said at a rally in Columbus, Ohio.

"Her efforts are not always flashy and they're not always appreciated here at home, but she made me a better president and she didn't ask for credit," Obama said praising Clinton's efforts.

ALSO READ: Michelle Obama campaigns for her 'girl' Hillary Clinton, takes Trump to task

ALSO READ: Trump in trouble? Democrats sue Donald for 'voter intimidation' in 4 states TRUMP IS UNIQUELY UNQUALIFIED

Obama railed against the Republican nominee, casting Trump as an atypical candidate who is "uniquely unqualified" for office and would erase the progress of his administration if elected.

Clinton, he said, summarising his position, "is so much better qualified than the other guy. She has conducted herself so much better in public life than the other guy. That this notion that somehow, you know, it's hard to choose - it shouldn't be."

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ALSO READ: Donald Trump's demeaning comments about women have 'shaken me to my core', says Michelle Obama

ALSO READ: Wary of Trump's 'America First', India hastens US defence deals as Obama presidency ends

ALSO WATCH

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Even the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the encounter of eight under trial prisoners.

By Indrajit Kundu: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday spoke out on the encounter of eight under-trails belonging to the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) terming it a "political vendetta".

At a time when several questions are being raised on the manner and circumstances in which the eight terror suspects were gunned down after her reported jail break, Mamata asked, "We do not agree with the so-called encounter theory. Many unanswered questions arise in the minds of the people."

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POLITICAL VENDETTA IT IS: MAMATA BANERJEE

"This is all happening in the name of political vendetta. Issues like these make me deeply concerned about national integrity & unity," Banerjee further wrote on Twitter. Her comments come at a time when several rights bodies have raised questions about the Bhopal encounter.

Even the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the encounter of eight under trial prisoners.

NHRC ISSUES NOTICE

The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and the DG & IG, Prisons, Government of Madhya Pradesh, calling for detailed reports in the matter within six weeks.

The Commission has observed that it has always been concerned about the deaths in police and judicial custody as well as in police action.



SOCIAL WORKERS CRITICISE



Meanwhile, various rights groups like Kolkata based Association of Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) has criticised Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju's comment condemning people who question the police action.

"Raising doubts and questioning the police in such incidents are healthy habits and traditions absolutely necessary for the survival of Democracy and Rule of Law," said Amitadyuti Kumar, Working President of the organisation.



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Manohar Parrikar to visit Uri and other forward areas along India's border in Jammu and Kashmir.

By India Today Web Desk: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will visit Uri and other forward areas along India's border in Jammu and Kashmir today, his first visit since the Indian Army's surgical strikes across the Line of Control.

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh will accompany Parrikar on his trip, which also comes amid heavy firing and ceasefire violation by Pakistan, in which a number of Indian soldiers and civilians have died.

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ALSO READ | Deadliest Pakistan assault in J-K after surgical strikes: Families shattered, 8 civilians killed



Parrikar is scheduled to visit LoC posts and take stock of the situation, which has remained tense since the attack on the Army camp in Uri, followed by India's retaliatory surgical strikes on terror pads in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

At least eight civilians were killed and 24 others injured on Tuesday in Pakistani firing on villages close to the International Border in Ramgarh, RS Pura, Hira Nagar and other sectors in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts.

ALSO READ | Surgical strikes did not end terror, attacks happening everyday: Owaisi



Border Security Force officials said their counter offensive destroyed all 14 outposts of Pakistan from where shelling and firing on civilian areas were carried out.

Tributes to Major Somnath

Parrikar will also join senior army officers and other ranks in paying tribute to Major Somnath near the Srinagar airport in Budgam district. Major Somnath was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, the highest military honour.

Major Somnath was awarded the medal posthumously for his bravery in the Kashmir operations in November, 1947. He laid down his life while evicting Pakistani raiders from the Srinagar airport during the war with Pakistan in 1947-48. He belonged to the 4th Kumaon Regiment.

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By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) A high-level meeting today discussed various issues that are holding back the implementation of Land Pooling Policy including notification of earmarked villages as urban areas and transfer of about 12 per cent of developed land to Delhi government.

The meeting, chaired by Union Urban Development Ministry Secretary, was attended by senior officials from the Ministry, Delhi government, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and North and South MCDs.

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"Issues that need to be resolved for implementation of the policy were iscussed during the meeting. There would be further meetings to sort out the issues," an official said.

Transfer of about 12 per cent of developed land to Delhi government was also taken up at the meeting in which DDA stated that in accordance with the Master Plan of Delhi, land would be provided to Delhi Government on "need basis as is being done now". However, the Delhi government is demanding about 12 per cent of the developed land.

Issues that were discussed during the meeting also included notification of 89 villages as urban areas and 95 villages as urban development areas, a requisite for implementation of the policy.

It was informed that North and South municipal bodies have passed resolutions for notifying 89 villages as urban areas.

During the meet, the Delhi government has also sought some clarifications regarding provision of civic amenities in the developed areas.

Other issues that were discussed included waiver of stamp duty on transfer of developed land by DDA to farmers or promoters.

While the Land Pooling Policy was finalised in 2013, regulations in this regard have been approved in May 2015 but the same are still to be notified.

Under the scheme, land owners can pool their land and hand it over to the DDA which will develop it before returning a portion to the owner. The land owners can then rope in real estate developers to come up with residential properties. PTI MP RG

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A man and his wife were arrested from Nalasopara in connection with the rape of a minor. In another incident five persons were arrested for gangraping minor in Dindoshi.

By Saurabh Vaktania: A husband and wife were arrested in Nalsopara in connection with the rape of a minor. The man raped a 14-year-old girl, while his wife held her hands. The bizarre incident took place on October 29.

The incident came to light after the rape survivor narrated her ordeal to her family, who later filed a complaint with the Waliv police. The police said that the minor girl and the accused husband and wife live in the same locality.

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On October 29, the minor girl went to the accused couple's house. The wife closed the door, while the husband forced himself on the minor. He asked his wife to hold the girl by her hands. After raping the minor, the couple threatened her with dire consequences if she spoke about it to anyone.

"We have registered a case under sections 363 (punishment for kidnapping), 376 (punishment for rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and POCSO act. Both accused husband and wife are under police custody and further investigations are on," said Waliv senior police inspector Prakash Birajdar.

MENTALLY DISABLED GIRL GANGRAPED

Another incident of rape was reported in Dindoshi locality of Mumbai. Five persons were arrested by the police for allegedly gangraping a 16-year-old girl with mental disability.

Also read: Kolkata: 2 OLA drivers raped and killed girl and threw her in canal



According to police, the family members of the minor girl came to know about the incident after the girl got pregnant. The family told the police that the girl went missing on October 21. The family filed a missing persons complaint. The police found the girl on October 27 found from the same locality where she was seen last.

Police said that after she was found they took her for a medical check-up where it was found that she was pregnant. Based on the girl's account the police arrested five persons from the area. The police said that the girl was raped repeatedly by the accused.

Also read: Kolkata: Uber driver held over alleged molestation



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Men in a village near Mosul began November with a shave and it was their first trim after two long years. Find out why.

By India Today Web Desk: The onset of November brings Movember -- No-shave November movement-- and while men across the world are 'embracing' their hair by donating the money they usually spend on shaving and grooming for cancer awareness and prevention, men in a village near Mosul began their November with a shave.

Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, has been under the control of the Islamic State since June 2014. Iraqi PM Abadi had announced the beginning of Battle for Mosul, a military operation to recapture the city from ISIS, three weeks ago.

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Also read: All you need to know about Iraq's fresh offensive to recapture Mosul from Islamic State



Now that Iraqi forces are on the doorstep of ISIS-held Mosul and have come the closest they have been since launching an operation, a town just 20 kilometer north of Mosul and 5 kilometers from the nearest ISIS position is rejoicing at its newfound freedom.

Only six days ago, ISIS fled the town of Al Fazliya as Kurdish Peshmerga forces advanced.

ISIS had banned shaving when it took over the town and now in the post-ISIS landscape, there are men who are getting their first trim after two long years.

First thing you hear from people who flee or recently liberated from ISIS in Mosul area is: I gonna shave my beard. #ISIS #islam #MosulOps Soran Jaff (@sorandarbani) November 2, 2016

Till nearly a week ago, men who are now going to the barber and demanding trendy haircuts could not even think of entering the shop as a wrong haircut could mean a month in jail or a heavy fine.

Also read: Iraqi forces make first push into Mosul as offensive enters third week



The militant group had distributed leaflets about how immoral and un-Islamic it was to shave and threatened to punish men without beards.

Photo: Reuters

A CNN report says, Ahmed, a local barber, said that even he is out of practice because of the strict implementation of the ban yet he has not put down his clippers and has more than 200 boys and men who have come to avail his service.



But not all men are shaving because they are free to do so, for jihadists of ISIS it has become a compulsion so that Iraqi forces cannot identify them. Since Battle for Mosul was launched, jihadists are shaving their beards and changing hideouts in Mosul to escape troops.

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By PTI: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Nov 2 (PTI) President Pranab Mukherjee today held talks with his Nepalese counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari to strengthen Indo-Nepal relations that had been strained over the issue of promulgation of the new Constitution.

Mukherjee, who arrived at the Tribhuvan International Airport, was received by President Bidya Devi Bhandari and later the two leaders had a meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhawan at Sheetal Niwas.

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"The bilateral meeting was warm and cordial," Foreign Ministry officials here said.

"The Indian President also congratulated President Bhandari and the people of Nepal for the promulgation of the Constitution through the Constituent Assembly last year," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bharat Raj Paudyal said.

The promulgation of the Constitution last year had led to a strain in ties with Madhesis, who are largely of Indian-origin, leading a nearly six-month-long protest over better representation in the Parliament and the federal structure of the new Constitution.

Their blockade had caused strain in bilateral ties, with Kathmandu accusing New Delhi of imposing an "unofficial blockade" which India had categorically denied.

The two leaders, during the meeting, focused on matters relating to bilateral relations and they stressed on the need to strengthen friendly ties between the two countries, according to Paudyal.

Nepals Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minister for Tourism and Culture Jeeban Bahadur Shahi and Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi were also present during talks.

Meanwhile, Mukherjee also attended a reception hosted by Indias Ambassador Ranjit Rae at the Indian Embassy premises.

Vice president Nanda Bahadur Pun, ministers, top leaders of various political parties, lawmakers, senior government officials, members of civil society and journalists were also present during the function.

President Mukherjee is here on a three-day visit -- the first by an Indian President in 18 years.

Before this, the then President K R Narayanan had paid a state visit in 1998.

President Mukherjee will visit Pashupatinath Temple tomorrow morning and also meet Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda". He will also visit Ram Janaki in Janakpur on November 4.

The Nepal government declared a national holiday today to welcome Mukherjee and stepped up security around the capital. MORE PTI SBP ABS ASK AKJ ASK

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Ahead of Akhilesh Yadav's massive state-wide yatra, the party seems to be clearly divided in two camps.

By Siraj Qureshi: As Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav gets ready to launch a state-wide Vikas Rath yatra on Thursday, the rift in the Samajwadi Party is visible in the election campaign.

Akhilesh's father and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and state unit president Shivpal Yadav are missing from the campaign posters. Further, the party's election symbol, the cycle, is also missing in the posters.

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The background colour of the posters too is white, breaking away from the usual red and green pattern associated with the Samajwadi Party. Besides Akhilesh, the only other leader visible on the posters is Firozabad MP Akshay Yadav, son of Ram Gopal Yadav, who is also the brain behind the new posters.

ALSO READ: Samajwadi PariWar: Akhilesh meets governor, Shivpal vacates official residence

YOUNG LEADERS WANT AKHILESH

Akshay had earlier written to SP chief Mulayam Yadav, telling him that the party's young leaders have a one-point programme -- to see Akhilesh Yadav as the chief minister of UP again. "The young leaders of the party want Akhilesh as the chief minister of the state and will not accept any other leader," Akshay told India Today.

ALSO READ: Congress waits for end to Yadav PariWar to decide on tie up with Samajwadi Party

SHIVPAL CAMP AVOIDS PARTY

Following the public fallout with Shivpal, both Akshay and Ram Gopal have so far stayed away from all party activities. Mulayam too has chosen to avoid them and reportedly skipped the annual Diwali celebrations in his ancestral village Saifai because Ram Gopal was present there.

ALSO READ: Dynasty has nasty in it: BJP takes a dig at Samajwadi Party crisis

Several SP leaders from Firozabad and Agra told India Today that it is likely that Akshay will not participate in any party activities. On social media platforms, Akshay has erased his affiliation with the party and is using the new campaign poster as his profile picture.

ALSO READ: Samajwadi crisis: Mulayam Singh pulls up Akhilesh Yadav, Shivpal calls CM a liar

BJP's PARIVARTAN RALLY

Meanwhile, the BJP is also set to launch a 'Parivartan Yatra' in the state to counter Akhilesh's yatra. The yatra will focus on the BJP government's achievements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expose the state government's inability to check the rampant lawlessness in the state.

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"This Parivartan Yatra will be the medium through which the BJP will inform people in the state about PM Modi's achievements in the past 30 months," said BJP City President Vijay Shivhare.

ALSO READ: Is BJP taking advantage of rife in Samajwadi Party?

ALSO READ: Amar Singh proves to be Mulayam's Akhilesh heel as Yadavs fight over Samajwadi Party

ALSO WATCH

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By PTI: From Shirish B Pradhan and Abhishek Shukla

Kathmandu, Nov 2 (PTI) President Pranab Mukherjee today said Nepal can look at Indias experience of Constitution making but it is for Kathmandu to decide if any lessons can be drawn from it.

Mukherjee, who earlier arrived at the Tribhuvan International Airport here for a three-day state visit -- the first by an Indian President in 18 years, told his Nepalese counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari that Nepal can "look at Indian experience at Constitution making but it is for Nepal to draw lessons from it," Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said.

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Mukherjee also appreciated that Constitution amendment process has progressed in Nepal, Jaishankar told reporters.

Confirming that the issue of Nepalese Constitution was discussed during Mukherjees meeting with Bhandari, Jaishankar said: "Essentially what the President said during these meetings was look at Indias experience. Indias experience was to take an inclusive approach towards Constitution making and to carry all sections of the population and that this is a painstaking process.

"It takes a lot of effort, it takes a lot of debate, it takes a lot of consultation."

The promulgation of the Constitution last year had led to a strain in ties with Madhesis, who are largely of Indian-origin, leading to a nearly six-month-long protest over better representation in the Parliament and the federal structure of the new Constitution.

Their blockade had caused strain in bilateral ties, with Kathmandu accusing New Delhi of imposing an "unofficial blockade" which India had categorically denied.

Jaishankar said India is supportive of the proposed amendments in the Constitution to meet the grievances of a section of population which perhaps feel their interests are not being fully taken care of.

"As a neighbour, as a well wisher, as a unique partner what we are saying is this is our experience please look at it and if you feel there are lessons to be drawn that is something the Nepali side needs to reflect on," Jaishankar quoted President Mukherjee as saying during his meetings with Nepali leaders.

Earlier, Mahendra Prasad Yadav, a prominent Madhesi leader said the community has hopes that India will help in implementing the accord signed between the community and Nepal government in 2008.

Nepal had adopted a democratic Constitution in September 2015 in which four major demands of Madhesis--seats in the Parliament based on population, their representation in government proportional to their population, provincial demarcation, and equal citizenship for women marrying Nepali men were not included, he said. PTI SBP/ABS SUA SUA

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The LeEco Pro3 has the specs of a high-end smartphone, but the price of a mid-range model. The phone features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage and it has a list price of $399.

LeEco is bringing the phone to America starting today and as part of a flash sale, the company is offering an even better price.

A limited number of people will be able to snag the phone for $299 at LeMall.com starting at 10:00AM Pacific/1:00PM Eastern today. But there are a few things you should know before pulling out your wallet.

First of all, not everyone will be able to get the sale pricing. Second, the phone has pretty great specs for the price, but it also has what some folks may consider drawbacks:

It has a 5.5 inch, 1920 x 1080 pixel display at a time when many other phones have 2560 x 1440 screens.

Theres no SD card slot or headphone jack.

The software is based on Android 6.0, but features LeEcos custom user interface with tight integration into the companys own apps and services.

If youre cool with the fact that LeEco is selling phones at low prices as a way to build a software and hardware ecosystem in the United States the same way it has in China, then this is a pretty good deal. If not, you might want to consider a OnePlus 3 or ZTE Axon 7.

The LeEco Pro3 features a USB Type-C port, a 4,070 mAh battery, Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 support, 16MP rear and 8MP front cameras, 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, an infrared port, and a fingerprint sensor on the back.

LeEcos S3 smartphone with a Snapdragon 652 processor also goes on sale today. It has a list price of $249, but some people will be able to get one for $149 during todays flash sale.

The company will also be offering deep discounts on its 43 inch, 55 inch, 65 inch, and 85 inch smart TVs today at the LeMall.com web store and there are also deals on accessories including Bluetooth headphones and speakers and portable power packs.
I am a woman, retired, young enough to have many friends who are still working, old enough to get the senior citizen discount. Among my Facebook friends - and I'm picky enough that these friends are actually real-life friends of long standing - the ones who are most fervently supporting Trump are women of roughly my generation, within 10 years of my age. I don't get it, at all. Most of their fervor seems to be disgust with Clinton, which I understand and even share, but I'm voting for her anyway, because the alternative is bat-poo crazy. Is this an anamoly, or does he really have more support among women than one might think?
Lots of Ideas From Transit Workers in Dialogue on Assaults

They cited the need for fully functional, modern technology, including video surveillance equipment to ensure the safety of transit workers, as well as de-escalation training for workers, passenger education campaigns, and increased police presence, Acting Federal Transit Administrator Carolyn Flowers reports.

Transit workers suggested a number of improvements that could increase their safety against assaults in a National Online Dialogue on Transit Worker Assault that the Federal Transit Administration launched this year. They cited the need for fully functional, modern technology, including video surveillance equipment to ensure the safety of transit workers, as well as de-escalation training for workers, passenger education campaigns, and increased police presence, Acting Federal Transit Administrator Carolyn Flowers reported in a post on the DOT blog.

Flowers explained that the agency plans to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on transit worker assault, required by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, in early 2017.

"I have a message for everyone who participated in the online dialogue: FTA hears you. Transit worker assault is a serious, often-underreported issue, and there are many measures available to address it," she wrote. "In addition to the Online Dialogue, I recently visited New York City to learn how the nation's largest transit system is addressing the problem of assaults on transit workers. I traveled by both bus and subway to observe operator/passenger interactions first-hand and see mitigation measures in use, such as protective barriers that shield the bus operator. All of these experiences will help FTA develop a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to establish rail and bus safety standards, practices, or protocols for protecting rail and bus operators, and all transit workers, from the risk of assault."

The proposed rule will aim to encourage solutions to protect transit workers from any assault, whether it be verbal assaults such as threats and harassment, which are reported by transit workers to be as much of a problem as violent or physical assaults, she added, explaining that more than 130 workers participated in the dialogue and they represented "large urban and small rural transit agencies alike. Of the nearly 60 ideas put forward by dialogue participants, one topic stood out above all others: passenger fare disputes. Several potential prevention strategies were discussed, including enhancing fare policy, removing fare enforcement from the drivers, and automating fare collection. Dialogue users also commented on the need for fully-functional, modern technology such as radios, protective barriers, and video surveillance equipment to ensure the safety of transit workers. Other proposed mitigations included de-escalation training for transit workers, passenger education campaigns, legal remedies, and increased police presence or a dedicated transit police force."

She wrote that FTA will use the Safety Management System approach as it drafts the proposed rule and said it will provide updates to the industry on its progress.
News

Microsoft Describes Windows 10 Long-Term Servicing Limits for Surface Devices and Configuration Manager

Microsoft is starting to document how its long-term servicing branch (LTSB) concept for Windows 10 can affect organizations.

The latest surprise in this evolving story is that Microsoft doesn't see LTSB servicing as being a "supported" option for managing its Surface tablet-PC devices when they are used as "general-purpose" devices. This idea comes from a recent Microsoft TechNet article, as reported today by veteran Microsoft reporter Mary Jo Foley.

LTSB servicing for Windows 10 is somewhat similar to Microsoft's traditional product support found with its earlier client operating systems, such as Windows 7. Under that venerable and stable model, Microsoft would sometimes release a service pack after a couple of years or so, but otherwise the OS features did not change from month to month, and the OS had patch support for 10 years.

Windows 10 now gets monthly feature changes, as well as a few major OS updates per year. With this model, Microsoft has argued that most organizations should prefer using the Windows 10 current branch for business servicing model where they are accepting this faster update approach. In contrast, LTSB servicing was billed by Microsoft as a solution for a few organizations with Windows 10 clients that couldn't tolerate much change, such as medical devices.

Nonetheless, many organizations may have been considering using LTSB servicing as a way to avoid the potential problems that can arise in computing environments with the arrival of frequent Windows 10 updates, since LTSB just delivers security updates, not OS feature updates. However, Microsoft seems to be quietly building up arguments against general LTSB use by organizations. And those arguments appear to be dribbling out in various TechNet articles this month.

Restrictions on LTSB for Surface Devices

The TechNet article provides the following advisory against adopting LTSB servicing for Microsoft Surface devices when they are used as general-purpose devices:

General-purpose Surface devices running Long-Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) are not supported. As a general guideline, if a Surface device runs productivity software, such as Microsoft Office, it is a general-purpose device that does not qualify for LTSB and should instead run Current Branch (CB) or Current Branch for Business (CBB).

The article adds (at the very end) that specialized-device use cases, as for "medical equipment, point-of-sale systems, and ATMs," are possible scenarios for using Surface devices with the LTSB servicing model.

The rationale against using Windows 10 LTSB servicing for general-purpose Surface devices is that LTSB won't deliver "critical Windows 10 feature updates and certain non-security servicing updates." The article also noted that LTSB has no support for the "core applications" included in Windows 10, such the Edge browser, Calendar and Camera apps, which may be acceptable omissions for some organizations electing LTSB servicing. However, it added two less noted items that won't get support, namely "seamless inking and touch-friendly applications."

Usually, when Microsoft indicates that something is not supported, it just means that it organizationally doesn't support the use case, not that it can't be done. Other PC makers possibly may have products that are less restricted than the Microsoft Surface device with regard to LTSB servicing and general-purpose computing.

Restrictions on LTSB for SCCM

Microsoft also provided some clarification this month for organizations hoping to use System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to manage Windows 10 clients via the LTSB servicing model. The ability to opt for LTSB in SCCM is restricted to just using version 1606 of SCCM, Microsoft explained in a TechNet article.

Microsoft initially had released SCCM version 1606 in July. However, the TechNet article suggested that LTSB users likely would be using the October update to SCCM version 1606. In October, Microsoft had released a "baseline (or installer bits)" that made it easier to "directly upgrade" SCCM, such as from SCCM 2012 or SCCM 2012 R2 installations, a Microsoft spokesperson explained. The July version 1606 release of SCCM, though, was aimed at facilitating in-console SCCM upgrades, the spokesperson added.

Using LTSB with SCCM also requires that an organization had Software Assurance coverage in place at the time of SCCM version 1606's October release (namely on Oct. 1, 2016). If an organization had SCCM with perpetual rights and let Software Assurance coverage lapse before Oct. 1, then they "can install the version of System Center Configuration Manager LTSB that is current at the time of lapse," a TechNet article on SCCM licensing explains.

Microsoft warned that an SCCM installation using LTSB servicing has "reduced functionality." Additionally, an organization can't have a mix of LTSB and current branch servicing for Windows 10 devices when using SCCM for management of a hierarchy, according to the TechNet article:

All sites in a hierarchy must run the same branch. It is not supported to have a hierarchy with a mix of LTSB and Current Branch at different sites.

SCCM LTSB servicing has no support for Microsoft Intune mobile device management. There's no Windows 10 Servicing Dashboard support with SCCM LTSB. It's also not supported to use "cloud-based distribution points" or Exchange Online "as an Exchange Connector."

Most notably, SCCM LTSB servicing "does not support future releases of Windows 10 LTSB and Windows Server." That's a flat statement in the TechNet article, without qualification. In other documentation, though, Microsoft has described new Windows 10 LTSB updates as occurring "every 2-3 years," with OS product support having "a 10-year life cycle." And, presumably, that's what Microsoft's statement above about LTSB and future Windows release support means, too.

Update 11/2: Microsoft today explained that support statement, via an e-mailed response, as follows:

ConfigMgr LTSB will not support the future releases of Windows 10 LTSB and Windows Server. For example, if next year Windows 10 LTSB "version 1706" is released, ConfigMgr (LTSB  version 1606) will not support it. Only the Current Branch of ConfigMgr supports future releases of Windows 10 and Windows Server.

LTSB users still have 10-year product support as "ConfigMgr (LTSB -- version 1606) is supported for 10 years, so customers can keep using it, if they choose to," the spokesperson clarified.

While IT pros may see LTSB servicing as a means to gain control over their computing environments, Microsoft's TechNet article seems to be suggesting that the existence of LTSB is just a licensing bridge of sorts for current SCCM users.

"It [LTSB] is designed for customers who have allowed their Software Assurance (SA) or equivalent subscription rights to lapse," the TechNet article flatly states.
Going overseas on an exchange programme is becoming increasingly popular among local tertiary students. It is no longer enough to just complete one or even two internship stints in Singapore  in typical fashion, local students now push to gain a superior edge in the employment market by pursuing experience and exposure outside of our little red dot.

When you travel abroad for an extended period of time, be it for an exchange, an internship or for an overseas education, there are many things to prepare for: your enrolment; visa requirements; insurance needs; personal belongings; and many more.

One thing many people tend to leave until the last minute, is the money you will need to reside in a foreign country. Many students are just not familiar with the different options available to access and use money overseas, and how they can get a good exchange rate with no add on fees.

Put yourself in this situation for a minute.

Imagine you are going to be based overseas for the next 12 months. You will not be making any trips back to Singapore during this period. How would you ensure you have enough money to spend while you are overseas?

While some people still trust cash, were going to rule it out because of the administrative challenges of declaring money brought into countries as well as the significant risk of theft you would be exposing yourself to. Here are other viable options you can consider.

# 1 Credit Card

One alternative is to bring a small amount of cash with you and supplement most big expenses with several credit cards. Of course, its best to find one that offers you discounts and perks when making purchases abroad.

The advantage of using credit cards is that it provides convenience and limits risks, as you do not have to carry large wads of cash wherever you go. If youve taken a card that offers great perks, you would not have to worry about having insufficient money on you, or the fees involved with using them, since your credit cards are your preferred mode of payment in this instance. Of course, you must ensure that your credit limit is sufficient for your trip and that youve authorised your bank to transact overseas charges.

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There are, however, limitations with using credit cards as your preferred mode of payment. There might be significant charges, hidden or otherwise, that you may incur, including suffering large foreign exchange spreads and add-on fees from credit card companies and banks.

UOBs Visa Signature and One card and Citibanks M1 Platinum Visa offers up to 5% rebates of overseas spend, with a caveat that you have to charge between $1000 to $3000 monthly.

For students on exchange, it might be useful to have a supplementary card from your parents that you can bring with you overseas. This would be handy especially if you need to pay for unexpected costs  not to mention the fact that the bill will be sent to your parents too!

Read Also: Should You Use Your Credit Card While You Are Overseas?

# 2 ATM Withdrawals

As some of you would have known, you can use your ATM card for cash withdrawals outside of Singapore as well. Students can also consider getting a debit card that allows them to make such cash withdrawals overseas.

While ATM withdrawals represent a convenient option, many people dont realise that they will end up paying a significant fee each time they use the service.

Withdrawal fees apply each time a withdrawal made from the ATM. For example, if the withdrawal fee was $5, you would have to pay $5 regardless of the size of your withdrawal. There is also a foreign exchange spread charged by the banks that users would have to bear. To get the most of this option, youd have to research which cards would offer you the best rates. For example, banks with international branches, such as ANZ, waive overseas withdrawals for their customers. However, you would still be exposed to its foreign exchange spread.

# 3 Bank Transfers

One of the most common methods students rely on are bank transfers. An overseas bank account is set up in the country they are in and money is transferred into this bank account from their account (or their parents account) back in Singapore.

Having an overseas account allows you to ensure that you have enough money in the overseas country without the need to carry cash around all the time.

However, bear in mind that bank transfers are also subjected to foreign exchange spreads that are usually unfavourable, meaning that you wont always get the best rate. In addition, most banks also charge a fee for the transfer of money to an overseas account.

# 4 Online Money Transfer Services

Banks make money from wide foreign exchange spreads and other overseas transaction fees.

In contrast, online money transfer services such as World First can offer a better solution that reduce these costly inefficiencies many students encounter.

1. Competitive Exchange Rate Spread

Using World First for the transfer of funds overseas, you enjoy competitive spreads on the exchange rate than what is typically offered by most banks. This gives you an immediate saving.

2. No Transfer Fee

Adding to that saving is the fact that any transfer made to your overseas bank would be free. Unlike bank transfers, private individual users do not need to pay a transfer fee for the transfer of funds overseas.

This could save you as much as $30 each time you make a transfer.

3. Customer Service Oriented

Unlike the other options available, where money transfers are done via faceless entities, World First clients are assigned dedicated dealers who are able to advise them on foreign currency transfers based on their personal needs.

This is important since the company provides a range of different services to fulfil the needs of different clients. These include Spot Contracts, Forward Contracts and Firm Order, all of which could help clients save significant amounts of money over the long term.

Equally important is the fact that World First has 6 different offices around the world. That means even if you are on the other side of the world living in a different time zone there would still be international offices that are operating.

This article was written in collaboration with World First. All views expressed in this article are the independent views of DollarsAndSense.sg

To find out how to make cheaper, faster international money transfers, go to World First today.

The post Going Overseas For An Exchange? Here Are Some Ways You Can Get Your Money Across appeared first on DollarsAndSense.sg.
September's buffer provision for bad loans fell to 102.7%

Fitch Ratings believes the credit profiles of Singapore's three local banks will remain strong, characterised by healthy funding and liquidity profiles and strong capitalisation, despite 3Q16 results that showed continued - though modest - decline in asset quality due to their exposure to the troubled oil & gas sector.

"We believe these three banks - DBS Group Holdings, United Overseas Bank Limited and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp, have strong loss-absorption buffers to weather global macroeconomic headwinds, given their strong capital buffers, sound lending practices and adequate profitability," said Fitch.

These factors support Singapore banks' 'AA-' ratings.

Here's more from Fitch:

As we had expected, stresses from the oil & gas sector continued to exert pressure on banks' asset quality. The weighted average NPL ratio for the three banks had increased to 1.37% at end-September 2016, from 1.23% at end-June 2016 and 1.06% at end-2015.

Still, the underlying asset quality for the non-oil and gas sector remained broadly resilient. The weighted average provision buffers (as a proportion of NPLs) remained sound, at 102.7% at end-September 2016, despite having fallen from 113.3% at end-June 2016.

The combined oil & gas exposure of the three banks was SGD47.3bn (USD34.7bn) at end-September 2016, or 50% of their combined core equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital. This may seem high, though the risk is mitigated by the majority of the oil & gas exposure being collateralised. Furthermore, only SGD16.1bn of this exposure is to the more vulnerable subsector of offshore support services, which accounted for 17% of banks' CET1 capital.

Strong domestic deposit franchises remain one of the Singapore banks' strengths. This is reflected in their sound Singapore dollar liquidity coverage ratios (LCR), which had remained in excess of 200% for the last two quarters. The Singapore dollar loan-deposit ratios improved to 86.0% at end-September (June: 88.7%, March: 87.2%) as banks shored up liquidity ahead of the US money market reforms that took effect from 14 October. The banks' all-currency LCR averaged a comfortable 132% for 3Q16.

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The banks' core capitalisation ratios continued to strengthen modestly in the third quarter, aided by discounted scrip dividend schemes for DBS and UOB, slower risk-weighted asset growth and healthy internal capital generation. Fully-loaded CET1 ratios range from 12.4% to 13.5%, and we expect capitalisation to remain stable in light of more modest growth expectations in the near term. This despite modestly higher risk weight charges that will affect the banks from 1 January 2017 due to further updates to bank capital calculations under Basel guidelines. Our internal stress tests show that Singapore banks' sound capital buffers should enable them to weather a significant deterioration in credit quality.







More From Singapore Business Review


Fire at Sungei Kadut warehouse on 2 Nov 2016. Photo: SCDF Facebook page

A fire broke out at a warehouse at Sungei Kadut Loop early Wednesday morning (2 Nov).

According to eyewitnesses who live near the area, the fire started at 5.30am. Some also heard loud explosions.

When Yahoo Singapore arrived at the scene at 8.45am, the building was no longer in flames.

According to updates on the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Facebook page, SCDF firefighters confined the fire to the three-storey warehouse at around 7.30am. At about 8.50am, SCDF had contained the fire and firefighters began dousing small pockets of fire within the building.

Seven people were rescured from the office block adjoining the warehouse  three from the rooftop and four from a third-floor balcony, added SCDF. An eyewitness told Yahoo Singapore the name of the building is Winter Furnishing Centre.

SCDF also posted photos of the dramatic scene at the onset of the fire showing how the fire engulfed the whole building.

A total of 50 firefighters, four fire engines, two Red Rhinos, one ambulance and seven support vehicles were deployed, said the SCDF.

 Additional reporting by Mabel Tan
By PTI: The President is accompanied by Minister of State for

The President is accompanied by Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, Members of Parliament Bhubaneswar Kalita, L Ganesan, Jagdambika Pal and R K Singh. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar is also accompanying the delegation.

On November 3, the President will offer prayers at Pashupatinath temple, a UNESCO heritage site. Later, he will be conferred with an honorary degree from Kathmandu University followed a civic reception in Kathmandu in his honour.

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The President will also address a seminar of Niti Anusandhan Pratisthan Nepal and India Foundation.

On November 4, a civic reception has been scheduled in his honour at Janakpur, epicentre of protests by Madhesi community, where he will interact with local people. He will also meet leaders of Madhesi community.

The President, who is the supreme commander of the armed forces, will also visit Pokhra on the same day where he will interact with ex-servicemen of Indian Army from Gurkha community. PTI SBP ASK AKJ ASK

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A day after Uganda's president ordered the closure of one of Africa's oldest universities, 23-year old Gabriel Deng was hurriedly stuffing his belongings into rucksacks in a rundown student hostel. Pop music blared down the corridor from a nearby room as other students at Makerere -- Uganda's top university and one of the oldest and best in Africa -- scurried about on Wednesday as riot police stood on guard outside. "Now that President Museveni has ordered the university closed, we have to leave but I don't have anywhere to go," said Deng, a first-year veterinary student. On Tuesday, Uganda's long-time ruler President Yoweri Museveni ordered the indefinite closure of Makerere after days of student protests culminated in violent clashes with police. "Yesterday the police came and fired teargas into the hostel," Deng said. "We can't stay here but I'm a refugee from South Sudan so if I can't find a friend to stay with in Kampala, I might have to return the refugee camp." Unlike in South Africa where students protesting over the high cost of fees have brought universities to a standstill and chaos to their campuses, the Ugandan protests are in response to a fortnight of strike action by academic staff demanding better pay and conditions. As a result there has been no teaching, angering students eager to learn. Dr Muhammad Kiggundu, chairman of the staff association, said lecturers had not been paid a university-agreed "incentive payment" after years without a pay rise. "The incentives are a top-up which give us enough to live on but it hasn't been paid for nine months. Members of our association feel that we are being taken for a ride," he said. - 'Really bad situation' - Museveni's intervention on Tuesday evening brought an end to negotiations between university administrators and staff, but on Wednesday police were taking no chances as they ordered students to vacate the campus. Outside Mary Stuart Halls, students forced their belongings into over-filled suitcases. Thin mattresses, rolled-up, were propped against walls and laundry baskets overflowed with pillows and dog-eared textbooks. Dozens of police officers in riot gear kept a close watch as students filed out of the main gate past water cannon trucks and armoured personnel carriers. Those who remained would be treated as a security threat, warned police spokesman Andrew Kaweesi. Julliet, a 21-year old student who was afraid to give her last name, sat nearby with her friends waiting for her parents to transfer money to her phone so she could buy a bus ticket home. "I'm from Gulu in the north of Uganda but it costs 25,000 Shillings ($7) for the bus and I don't have that," she said. Julliet, who is studying to become a teacher, said she was "worried about our lecturers" and about her education after "teargas covered the whole campus" during Tuesday's unrest. "I'll just stay at home until the university opens," she said. "There's nothing we can do. The situation is really bad."


1 Nov - Michelle Yeoh and partner, FIA President Jean Todt, were recently honoured with the United Nations Association of New York's Humanitarian of the Year award.

As reported on Mingpao News, the actress and her fiance were awarded for their commitment in stabilising and reducing the number of death caused by road accidents around the world.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed, "Jean Todt and Michelle Yeoh have mobilised sustained commitment toward road safety and development. Road safety is not a privilege but a basic human right."

Sharing the award with Todt, Michelle said that the two of them will continue with their commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals to make roads safe.

(Photo source: instagram.com/michelleyeoh_official)
If you have an active lifestyle, traditional fashion brands might not provide enough durability when it comes to clothing and accessories. But Aulta is different.

The company, which was founded by three friends who love to surf, makes watches for surfers and others who have active lifestyles. Read more about the company in this weeks Small Business Spotlight.

What the Business Does

Makes and sells watches for people with active lifestyles.

Business Niche

Selling watches directly to consumers in the surf industry.

Co-founder Marty Pomphrey told Small Business Trends, We believe that stylish, well-made watches shouldnt break the bank. Which is why we chose a vertical model that allows us to offer watches built using the highest quality components, at the best possible price, direct to you.

How the Business Got Started

After a day of surfing.

Pomphrey says, Aulta came about very organically four years ago when Abe, Pancho, and I were in Hawaii feeling completely recharged after a day of surfing together. Each of us comes from a different background, but we were brought together by a shared love of the ocean. We had talked previously about building a company together but wanted a brand and product concept which tied directly back to our lifestyles, and Aulta was born out of that sunset conversation over beers.

Biggest Win

Having a watch reviewed by Business Insider in July 2015.

Pomphrey explains, We received over 3000 order requests and ran out of inventory in just a few hours. We were packing for days and knew that we had a business on our hands.

Biggest Risk

Investing in the products.

Pomphrey says, We design, develop and produce watches without any external input or preorders. Every factory order we bring in is 100% blind, so you better believe in the brand and product concept.

How Theyd Spend an Extra $100,000

Inventory and marketing.

Decision Making Process

Surfing.

Pomphrey explains, A lot of our biggest decisions were made in the water when surfing together. There is something about the disconnect from phones and computers that results in really good ideas.

Favorite Quote

A man can be destroyed but not defeated.  Ernest Hemingway

* * * * *

Find out more about the Small Biz Spotlight program
Hundreds of people who purchased hair care products from Wen by Chaz Dean got a little more (or less) than they bargained for.

According to a class action lawsuit against the company and direct marketing company Guthy-Renker, 200 women from 40 different states have reported hair loss, scalp irritation and rashes after using the products. And a federal judge has just approved a preliminary settlement of over $26 million.

Though that settlement still needs to get final approval from another federal judge, that could mean that anyone who experienced hair loss and scalp irritation could get up to $20,000, while anyone who even bought the product could get $25.

Thats a lot of cash for a company to shell out, but it could be the least of Wens worries. The Food and Drug Administration is now investigating the reports of adverse reactions to Wens cleansing conditioner products. And even if the company doesnt face any official backlash, it could certainly see its reputation take a hit.

The Importance of Product Testing

Situations like this are difficult for companies to come back from, which is just emphasizes the importance of product testing and research. If you can avoid major issues like this before they ever come up publicly, you wont have to work so hard to repair your businesss reputation later.
The email hacks  not the other email problem  impacting this years Presidential election should be a stern warning to any small business owner.

Cyber attacks are on the rise and you dont have to be the campaign chair of a Presidential candidate to be a target. In fact, if youre a small business owner, youre more likely to be targeted.

Heres how it happened: A spear-phishing email was sent to Hillary Clintons campaign chairman John Podesta. An aide read the email, was worried and contacted hired expert help. Lines were crossed, a bad link was clicked, and the rest is unfolding history.

This could happen to you and while the ramifications may not have the same global impact as Podestas, someone would have a hard time explaining that to you when it does.

So here are 10 key lessons to be learned by small business owners from the John Podesta email hack.

Takeaways from the John Podesta Email Hack

1. Implement a Chain of Command

There will be times when security breaches are attempted. It may have already happened at your small business. If it hasnt, it will.

Even as Wikileaks is busily dumping thousands of emails from Podestas Gmail account, tens of thousands of small businesses are targets of hackers. And unless youre a cyber security expert, youre going to need to have a plan to deal with these threats.

Outline a chain of command for dealing with cyber security threats. Let everyone associated with your company know what the chain of command is when dealing with a potential security threat. Who contacts whom and what does each person do?

2. Read and Reply to Your Own Emails

The hack started when an aide to Clinton campaign chair Podesta read this message on her bosss Gmail account (Image via The Smoking Gun):

The message was sent to john.podesta@gmail.com.

So, the big takeaway here  the point at which it all begins to break down  is that if its your email with your name, you should be the one in charge of opening, reading, and replying to messages.

3. Typos and Errors Are Hallmarks of a Hack

If theres one thing that usually separates hackers from legitimacy, its adherence to grammar and punctuation.

The header of the message at the heart of the Podesta attack reads Someone has your password but like that line, the email is riddled unprofessional hallmarks.

There is no punctuation in the initial warning. There is no comma or colon after the salutation, Hi John. And if this were a real message from Google  which it obviously wasnt  give the company props for being vague and confusing.

What does the first sentence even mean? Secondly, there is no ask for confirmation of suspicious activity. Just a demand that the password be changed immediately.

And then, a very cordial closing to this message seems out-of-tune for the alleged severity of this message. Only a Good luck, would be more ignorant. Note that they did put in a comma after Best though.

4. Get Familiar With a Real Gmail Warning

Oddly, it was 3 days after the March 19 successful spear-phishing email that Google released information about potential government attacks against some Gmail users. To warn users, Google sent this message to Gmail users:

Note its adherence to proper grammar and punctuation. Notice that it doesnt take a bossy, back-you-in-the-corner tone. Your message likely wont be the one above but will have a similar look and feel, no doubt.

5. Read Security Update Blogs

Of course, it would have helped if Googles warning came three days prior to this spear-phishing attempt. Google, however, has made this similar warning in the past.

If you use Gmail for your companys email, then its wise to check security and other blogs directly from Google. Set up an alert or notification when new posts are created on key Google security blogs.

6. Recognize When Its Beyond Your Realm

This is one area where the campaign got it right. And you should, too.

The aide who read the email clearly knew this was out of her jurisdiction. But it clearly needed to be addressed. After all, this message was a hacking attempt.

Reacting to this message, the aide contacted an IT professional close to the campaign.

7. Unsure? Call a Pro

Again, this is another area where the campaign got it right.

The aide to Podesta who saw this ominous message in his inbox almost immediately recognized that this could be something. So, she reached out to the campaigns IT pro. The campaign had one in place and the right alarms were sounded when the message was initially received.

If youre not sure what to do with a potential security threat, contact someone who will know.

8. Hire a Good Pro

In the case of the Podesta phishing attack, it appears the IT pro that the Clinton campaign had on staff or on-call was up on his information, at least about Gmail.

Make sure you get a knowledgeable expert who can offer real help at the drop of a hat. When recruiting such a person, contact a third-party who can give you vetting questions to ask your would-be expert.

9. Read Messages Thoroughly

If youre going to pay said security expert, best hang on their every word. Underscore every.

That IT expert wrote in an email, This is a legitimate email. John needs to change his password immediately, and ensure that two-factor authorization is turned on his account  It is absolutely imperative that this is done ASAP.

That message included a Google link to enable two-factor authentication on Podestas Gmail account. The message was sent back to the aide who forwarded it to Podesta and another aide, who ultimately read the email and acted on it.

However, the aide who acted on it wasnt sure if  or didnt see  the link copied by the IT expert was legit or if he meant that blue button in the phishing email.

Guess which one was clicked?

10. Pick Up the Phone, Address It In Person

Dont let this situation up to chance. Cybersecurity is a real threat to small businesses. The first time your company is hacked could be the last.

When responding to an email threat, dont use email to try and resolve it. Pick up the phone. Get confirmation that the right messages are being read and the proper links clicked and protocols put in place. Better yet, get on Skype and share your screens. Even better, have your expert address threats in person.

All About Protocol

Cybersecurity is likely your companys biggest vulnerability now and in the future, at least until you address it.

A careful, consistent, and measured approach to all threats is imperative. It will stress its importance to your business to others, too.
Personalized Learning

California Educators Online Community Awarded $2.25M to Advanced Personalized Learning Platform

The Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation (CDEF) has received a $2.25 million award from the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, in an effort to support enhancements to CDEFs professional learning platform and support the states #GoOpen campaign.

The Collaboration In Common (CiC) platform is Californias first professional learning community and open resource exchange built for educators. CiC's tools enable educators to:

Connect with other educators through online communities (at the local, district, county and state levels);

Access standards-aligned curricular resources, including resources from the National Learning Registry and the California Department of Education (CDE); and

Share their expertise and experiences through online discussions.

CiC was launched last August, through CDEFs partnership with CDE. The platform is powered by Declara, a personalized learning technology company. With the $2.25 million award, Declara will work closely with CDEF and CDE to develop a platform that leverages artificial intelligence to provide accurate, relevant and real-time recommendations for content and human connections to accelerate learning, according to a statement.

California was the 16th state to join the United States Department of Educations GoOpen campaign to adopt openly licensed educational materials, which prompted the states superintendent of public instruction, Tom Torlakson, to launch the CiC platform.

This is a terrific step forward in helping California teachers prepare their students for 21st century careers and college, Torlakson said in a statement. This new online learning space helps educators make sense of the vast amount of materials available. Collaboration in Common will help California become a leader in supporting teacher-led innovation that scales personalized learning.

To learn more, visit the CiC site.
Digital Citizenship

Maryland Middle Schools Incorporate Digital Citizenship Curriculum

The largest school district in Maryland is promoting practices for students to be safe, smart and ethical online. All Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) middle schools have incorporated digital citizenship education into curriculum, thanks to a partnership with Common Sense Education.

The Common Sense K12 Digital Citizenship Curriculum covers issues such as privacy, cyberbullying, internet safety and other digital dilemmas, according to a statement. The curriculum comprises lesson plans, videos, interactive activities, assessments and resources to take a whole-community approach to digital citizenship, like family outreach materials. Users can either filter learning modules by unit or by topics, such as self-image and identity or creative credit and copyright.

The partnership is funded by a donor gift from the Delaney Family Fund, a philanthropy organization that has previously supported digital literacy efforts from Common Sense.

Students in grades 68 are the first to adopt the curriculum, but the program will expand to all MCPS students over the next three years.

To learn more about the curriculum, visit the Common Sense site.
Calling the Clock with Daniel Negreanu Sponsored by KO Watches

November 02 2016 PokerNews Staff

Beginning as a cutting-edge brand active in design, manufacturing and distribution of quality-finish watches from young Mexican entrepreneurs, KNOCK OUT -KO- Watches works to distinguish itself with its quality and clean design, allowing people to use time they have as they wish and without interruption. With our sponsor, KNOCK OUT -KO- Watches in mind, we're now going to "Call the Clock" on Daniel Negreanu.

PokerNews Sarah Herring called the clock on Daniel Negreanu, giving him two minutes to answer as many questions as he can.

Do you have any irrational fears?

No.

Do you have any phobias?

No.

Whos the person you wish was in your phone?

Barrack Obama.

Would you rather have the power of invisibility or be able to read minds?

Invisibilitys so fun.

Do you snore?

No.

Whats your most treasured possession?

My dog.

Would you rather eat meat for a year or vote for Trump?

Id eat some fucking pork belly sandwiches, you name it! Big Macs and pork belly sandwiches, please.

Have you ever been arrested?

Yes.

Is there anywhere you want to go that you havent been?

Israel.

Book you most often recommend to people?

The Four Agreements.

Question youre most sick of answering?

You remember that hand when you had like, quads against Gus Hansen who had like, all the other quads. That was fun, huh?

Best question you have ever gotten?

Best question Ive ever gotten? Fuck. I dont know. Pass.

Whos your celebrity crush?

Oh, thats easy. Anna Faris. So cute.

Best concert youve ever seen?

Oh that would be withAmanda Leatherman in Australia, we saw Muse.

If you had a yacht, what would you name it?

Big D.

BONUS: What did you get arrested for?

Oh, a couple things. One, for, it was stupid, it was like, failure to appear in court on the way to Vegas. It wasnt even my fault. I was in a poker club in Toronto and Id just won a tournament and it was underground or whatever. We had lawyers that were supposed to show up and take everything so I thought it was handled and then I was getting on a plane to go to Vegas and theyre like, Excuse me. I was in a cell for a minute.

It was actually one of the scariest things I ever had happen to me because it was just a ticket; it wasnt a thing. So they put me in this holding cell and it was a Friday, and they took me back to the jail where people are and I went into the courthouse waiting to be heard from the judge so that I could go. And then the judge was like, Oh, you know, its about 5:30, were going to have to send you back. And the guy next to me goes, That means youre going to east detention. Im like, Im not going to jail for the weekend. So I literally stood up, I sit up and I go to the judge, Excuse me, excuse me. I dont belong here with these people.

He looked at my thing and was like, Oh yeah, this is not  hes not supposed to go back.

When the clocks stops, time comes to life. Get your hands on a Knock Out -KO- watch right here.

Sharelines Two minutes with Daniel Negreanu @RealKidPoker sponsored by @kowatches: What'd you get arrested for?
First, there was the green-eyed chaiwala from Pakistan who drove people on the internet crazy and now we have a pretty grocer from Nepal. While her pictures are breaking the internet, there is something not quite right about them.

By India Today Web Desk: Photos of 18-year-old Arshad Khan, pouring tea at a small shop in Pakistan's Islamabad, went viral after it was posted on the photographer Jiah Ali's Instagram handle. The viral photos made the green-eyed boy famous, made the photographer famous, and started a sort-of trend of posting pictures of unaware "hot" vendors.

Read more: Hot Pakistani chaiwala, who shot to fame after his photo went viral, now knows he is famous

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Now, we have pictures of a young woman, presumably a green grocer, breaking the Internet with hashtag #Tarkariwali. As dubbed in many news reports, the girl's identity is not known, and by the looks of her poses, she is unaware of the fact that she is being photographed.

If that is true, is it ethically correct to snap someone's pictures and put it up on the social media without their consent?

Source: Rupchandra Mahajan/ Facebook



In Arshad Khan's case, photographer Jiah Ali is said to have taken his permission before clicking the pictures. She also went back to meet him to let him know that he's become an internet sensation.

Source: Rupchandra Mahajan/ Facebook

Opinion: Is the Pakistani man 'hot' because he's a chaiwala?



Also read: Hot Pakistani chaiwala Arshad Khan lands modelling contract, all set to take over the internet

The Nepali "tarkariwali", who seems to be melting the hearts of many on social media, is said to have been photographed near/on a suspension bridge between Gorkha and Chitwan, according to The Gundruk Post.



Also read: India might have moved on from HOT chaiwala, Pakistani media clearly has not



--- ENDS ---
Qui Nguyen Wins 2016 World Series of Poker Main Event for $8 Million!

November 02 2016 Frank Op de Woerd

Qui Nguyen from the United States has won the 2016 World Series of Poker Main Event. On the final day of battle, the 39-year old Nguyen defeated both Cliff Josephy and Gordon Vayo to pose with the coveted WSOP bracelet and bundles of cash worth over $8,000,000.

The start of the day was action-packed with Cliff Josephy doubling up in the first hand, only to lose 90 percent of his stack four hands later. Josephy made a comeback but eventually exited in 3rd place anyway to leave the heads-up part to Gordon Vayo and Qui Nguyen. They played heads-up for several hours before Nguyen ultimately knocked out a short stacked Vayo with king-ten versus jack-ten.

Position Player Country Prize 1 Qui Nguyen United States $8,005,310 2 Gordon Vayo United States $4,661,228 3 Cliff Josephy United States $3,453,035 4 Michael Ruane United States $2,576,003 5 Vojtech Ruzicka Czech Republic $1,935,288 6 Kenny Hallaert Belgium $1,464,258 7 Griffin Benger Canada $1,250,190 8 Jerry Wong United States $1,100,076 9 Fernando Pons Spain $1,000,000

The final day of play started with still 3 players in contention for the title, after four players had been eliminated on the first day of play, and two of them had found their stacks dusted on the penultimate day. Qui Nguyen lead with a massive stack of 165 big blinds, over twice as much as both Cliff Josephy and Gordon Vayo. Here's how they lined up as play got underway on the final day:

Seat Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Qui Nguyen United States 197,600,000 165 2 Cliff Josephy United States 50,000,000 42 3 Gordon Vayo United States 89,000,000 74

As soon as tournament director Jack Effel asked the dealer to shuffle up and deal and the ESPN camera's got rolling, the players got right into it. What followed was one of the most intense and action-packed set of hands ever seen at a World Series of Poker Main Event final table.

Right in the first hand, Cliff Josephy doubled through Qui Nguyen. Josephy, wearing a hat and sunglasses for the first time this tournament, successfully five-bet shoved with ace-queen as Qui Nguyen called with ace-four. The latter was drawing dead by the time the turn came out and Josephy started stacking.

While the first hand of the final day was a dream coming true for Josephy, the fifth hand of play would be the complete opposite. The nightmare for Josephy started with him raising and getting called by Vayo. Nguyen squeezed and both Josephy and Vayo wanted to see a flop and called. The flop came king-three-deuce rainbow and Nguyen bet just shy of 10 million. Josephy and Vayo called, growing the pot immensely. A four hit the turn and Vayo and Nguyen checked before Josephy bet 21 million. Vayo shoved for 75 million and Nguyen folded before Josephy eventually called. Vayo showed a set of deuces and Josephy raised his arms in the air realising he had just a single out with his set of deuces. A blank on the river resulted in a monstrous 200 million-stack for Vayo while Josephy was left with just 8 big blinds.

Right the next hand, Josephy doubled through Qui Nguyen and repeated that feat not much later, this time with a suck out, to get back to the stack size he had started the day with. While Josephy had "his" chips back and seemed composed, in the end he would be next to go anyway. He lost a big pot against Nguyen where he tried to bluff him off of top pair, which didn't work. The remainder of his stack went in minutes later, getting it in with queen-three against the king-six of Gordon Vayo. Both paired up on the flop and as the turn and river blanked, Josephy had to say his goodbyes.

With that, the tournament was down to heads-up play and the bundles of cash were brought out to the table.

Player Chip Count Big Blinds Gordon Vayo 200,300,000 125 Qui Nguyen 136,300,000 85

Gordon Vayo lead, but not for long. What followed, was as entertaining a heads up match as any. Vayo and Nguyen played as fast paces as before. Nguyen even snap shoved a couple of times.

While the cards were initially certainly not favoring Vayo, the commentary team over on ESPN wondered out loud why Vayo was playing so passively in certain spots. He folded the better hand more than once and seemed hesitant to bet even when he made his hand. Nguyen chipped away at his opponent time and time again, only to ultimately double him up every single time as well.

One of the most intense hands was one where the two got all the chips in the middle on a queen-high board. Nguyen had by far the best hand with ace-queen while Vayo had to do with just queen-five for top-pair with not much of a kicker. Vayo, once again, put his arm around Nguyen and together they awaited their fate. Spades on the turn and river made Vayo the miraculous runner runner flush and the two gladiators went back to their corners to fight on.

While the two were jovial and friendly with each other as soon as all the chips were in the middle, while there were still decisions to be made, so tense was the atmosphere as decisions were still to be made. Nguyen looked like a cold-blooded killer when putting Vayo to the ultimate test, staring at his opponent without any emotion from behind his sunglasses and from underneath the shadow of his trademark raccoon hat. Vayo did show his feelings with his body language, with the commentators and railbirds on twitter describing him as looking unhappy to be where he was.

After Vayo was ground down one last time, he tried to double up once again but would fail this time. He pushed his last 18 big blinds with jack-ten suited over a button raise by Nguyen, only to get called by the dominating king-ten. While Vayo flopped a double gutshot, his draw would fail to complete. After blanks on the turn and river, Vayo made his exit in 2nd place, good for $4,661,228.

Qui Nguyen, the self-proclaimed gambler born in Vietnam but now residing in Vegas, is our new World Series of Poker champion and he takes home $8,005,310! Nguyen said he would donate a portion of his winnings to the Wounded Warrior Project, a military and veterans charity service organisation empowering injured veterans and their families.
The D.C. Council on Tuesday gave initial approval to legislation that would allow physicians to prescribe fatal drugs to terminally ill residents in the city, making the District the sixth jurisdiction nationwide to allow the practice.

The District would be the first predominantly black community to legalize what supporters call death with dignity, overcoming objections from some African American residents.

A spokesman for Mayor Muriel Bowser declined to say whether the mayor would approve or veto the legislation, although he said Bowser expects the bill to become law. The council approved the bill by a vote of 11 to 2. Council members Brianne Nadeau and Yvette Alexander cast the dissenting votes.

The council still must hold a final vote on the bill, possibly as soon as Nov. 15.

Tuesdays action followed an emotional discussion in the D.C. Council chambers, which was packed with supporters wearing yellow Compassion and Choices shirts and opponents wearing red NO D.C. Suicide shirts.

Council member Kenyan McDuffie lost his composure as he described the death of his father this year, pausing for 30 seconds in the middle of his testimony and excusing himself after the vote.

My family had to watch him suffer, and I wouldnt wish that on anyone else, said McDuffie, tearful and his voice breaking. But Im not basing this vote today on my own story because there are thousands of other people throughout the District who have had the same experience. . . . This is by far my toughest vote in 4 1/2 years in this body.

Other council members described struggling to balance their religious beliefs with support for the legislation.

While I have strong personal feelings with regards to the creation of the universe and humanity, I do not have the authority to impose my views on others, said member Anita Bonds. I will not take the liberty of even thinking for others on matters of life or death.

Advocates say the measure would allow terminally ill patients to choose the timing and manner of their deaths and to avoid prolonged suffering.

But the practice is opposed by many who say it violates their religious beliefs. Advocates for the disabled say they fear people will be steered to premature death, and medical professionals say it violates the Hippocratic oath.

And it faces particular opposition from African-Americans, who make up nearly half of the Districts population and are among the most likely to oppose such legislation. Some African-Americans say they are unsettled by the practice because of historical abuse by the medical establishment and concerns that they may be steered to an early death.

Leona Redmond, a Northeast Washington resident who has organized African-American seniors against the legislation, said she would take the fight against the bill to Congress, which can strike down local laws.

We believe in life until natural death and that there is a racist component to it. Its eugenics being dressed up to look like its the best thing since gravy, Redmond said before joining a prayer circle outside the council chambers. They have been soft killing us for couple of decades now by not providing certain people in the community with what we need to live wholesome lives. They are doing everything to send blacks away.

The Death with Dignity Act sponsored by council member Mary Cheh is modeled after Oregons 1997 first-in-the-nation law.

The bill would allow terminally ill patients with less than six months to live to request fatal drugs from a physician after consulting a doctor over a period of two weeks, with two witnesses attesting that the decision is voluntary. Patients must ingest the medication themselves without the assistance of doctors or family members, and physicians can refer them to counseling if they think their judgment is impaired.

An analysis by the Districts chief financial officer estimates that fewer than 10 people a year would exercise the option provided by the proposed law.

Bowser pushed amendments to the legislation that would allow the D.C. Department of Health to offer training to doctors involved in these cases and prohibit patients from ending their lives in public places.

The legislation was supported by the national aid-in-dying advocacy group Compassion and Choices, and opposed by some doctors, religious groups including the D.C. Catholic Conference and advocates from the disability community.

To date, physician-assisted death has been authorized in Oregon, Washington, Montana and Vermont  states with mostly white populations. In June, a right-to-die law took effect in California, despite opposition from Latinos and Catholics.

The D.C. Council on Tuesday also gave final approval to anti-tobacco legislation that would increase the legal smoking age from 18 to 21, bar public use of e-cigarettes in places where smoking traditional cigarettes is prohibited and bar the use of all tobacco products, including chewing tobacco, at sporting arenas. It also sent the mayor a bill that would increase penalties for distracted driving.

dc-rightodie
WAUKESHA, Wis.  Donald Trump got the big October surprise. The momentum seems to be going his way. Hillary Clinton is again on the defensive, again over her emails. But in this enclave of white, upper-middle-class Republicans, the partys presidential nominee still faces a barrier that will be difficult to clear.

Its a moral choice, Dick Radder, a 68-year-old Republican, said as he cupped a black coffee outside a Starbucks here Tuesday. I cant get there. I cant get to Trump. Im a husband and a father. And I cant convince myself to vote for a person who is weakening the fiber of the country.

Most of the well-kept lawns here are dotted with signs for Sen. Ron Johnson, the incumbent Republican, and for other down-ballot candidates, but support for Trump is less evident.

Youre in a town thats about going to college and raising a family. People are polished and hardworking. Hes not one of us, said Andy Schwichtenberg, a 28-year-old stockbroker.

I did try, Schwichtenberg added with a sigh. I went to a rally. But he was not swayed and he was turned off by the crowd, which he noted was packed with men and women who came there on Harleys.

In the last days of a presidential race where Trump is targeting traditionally Democratic states to try to forge a path to victory, holding together Republicans who have reservations about him remains a vexing challenge for a candidate who has repeatedly clashed with his own party.

Nowhere has that been more true than Wisconsin, a state that celebrates civility and is the historic home of the Republican Party, which was founded in Ripon in 1854.

Trump lost Wisconsins April GOP primary by 13 percentage points to Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas), and he lost in Waukesha County by 39 percentage points. More recent polling has shown lingering unease about his character in this small city and other Milwaukee suburbs, long a hub of deeply conservative Republicans  and where strong turnout will be necessary for Trump to win.

They have just never been comfortable with Trump, Charlie Sykes, a popular talk radio host, said in an interview Monday night. The only question, the only thing people are talking about, is whether theyll come home.

Sykes, who has been a leader of anti-Trump efforts within the Wisconsin right, said Trumps chances will come down to what are called the wow counties  Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington  that need intense GOP participation to offset the heavy Democratic numbers coming out of Milwaukee, Madison and other liberal parts of the state.

Trump, who rallied Tuesday in northwest Wisconsin, is intent on making a late play, pitching himself to independents and working-class voters as someone who channels their economic frustrations.

Trumps push is reminiscent of how previous Republican nominees have tried with little success in past frenzied final weeks to score blue state upsets when other battlegrounds started to look less likely to go their way. Mitt Romney, for example, drew huge November crowds in Pennsylvania in 2012 but lost the state by five percentage points.

Still, Trumps advisers hope that the FBIs announcement last week that the agency is resuming its investigation of Clintons emails could be enough of an impetus for Wisconsin Republicans to finally decide to vote a straight party ticket, even if they will never warm up to him.

The campaigns view, voiced in several interviews, is that if Trump can spark Republicans in the suburbs and rural regions, the party organization here is ready to gin up turnout.

You do have a bit of a feathered nest, Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said, noting that Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, who is from Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker have built a robust state party over the past decade that has made significant gains in non-presidential years.

I tell people to remember that were not hiring a pope, Laurie Bujack, 57, said as she made calls at a bustling county GOP field office decorated with a crucifix, posters of Ronald Reagan and a life-size cutout of the local GOP hero, House Speaker Paul Ryan (Wisconsin).

Nearby, Chuck Bloom, a retired 73-year-old salesman in a Trump T-shirt, said he identifies with those who were not with Trump at the start  he certainly was not. But now, he said, is no time to be on the fence or have your nose out of joint.

It could be Hillary, God forbid, he said.

Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, campaigned Tuesday alongside Walker, who lives in the Milwaukee suburbs and who clashed with Trump in the primaries. Republicans are hoping his more recent support will help rally wavering voters.

The message his being there with Trump sends is: Trump is the Republican candidate. Get behind all of our Republicans, said Candee Arndt, a veteran activist and longtime friend of Walker. This is about the Supreme Court and the federal courts. Its about more than Trump.

Wisconsin Democrats, meanwhile, are busy rousing their coalition, dubious but slightly unnerved about Trumps foray into a state that they have won, at times narrowly, since 1988.

I know what it was like during the times Trump says were good. Were not going back, and Im trying to tell the young people whats at stake, Alma Johnson, 74, said Monday at a phone bank in Milwaukee with dozens of African American Democrats.

In another sign that Clinton is not taking Wisconsin for granted, her campaign last week reserved television advertising time in the state. Her running mate, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, appeared at Wisconsin college campuses Tuesday, and her daughter, Chelsea, will make three stops Wednesday.

Clinton, who lost the Wisconsin primary handily to Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, is getting help from her onetime rival, who will be in Madison and Green Bay on Wednesday to campaign for Clinton and former Democratic senator Russell Feingold, who is locked in a hotly contested race with Ron Johnson.

The polling average in Wisconsin shows Clinton up by nearly six percentage points. President Barack Obama won Wisconsin by about seven percentage points over Romney and by 12 percentage points in 2008. President George W. Bush came far closer in 2000 and 2004, losing both times by a few thousand votes.

By Tuesday afternoon, more than 518,000 early votes had already been cast, according to the states elections commission. For Democrats, the data was seen as favorable since about 30 percent came from the urban part of Milwaukee and the Madison area  more than the 26 percent of statewide ballots those counties provided in 2012.

Making calls Monday night with Democrats, Hazel Frazier, 65, argued that working-class whites are not sure bets for Trump for reasons different from why many wealthier conservatives are averse to him.

I used to work at General Motors, which has left. When those jobs go, it leaves black people and it leaves white people without what they had, Frazier said beneath a poster that read in part, Dont get frustrated!

Im an old bird, and I dont buy that working-class folks are going to go for Trump, she said. We see through men like him, and were sick of the damn emails.

Early voting is up by similar margins in the wow counties  providing 16 percent of the absentee ballots. Four years earlier, those counties counted for 12 percent of the vote.

You couple the FBI announcement with the organization weve built, we feel very good, said Mike Duffey, the executive director of the Wisconsin GOP. He said there are more than 30 offices in the state prepared to meet new and nontraditional voters who may come out on Election Day to register and vote for Trump.

As Robin Moore, 53, president of the Republican Women of Waukesha County, said Monday, Republicans here have moved from lesser of two evils to one evil. Thats progress.

Its been hard for some women, and those tensions [with Ryan] didnt help, Moore said. At the end of the day, we have to save the Supreme Court and we have to stop her.

campaign-wisconsin
NEW YORK  One of the nations top card players lost his poker face on Tuesday while pleading guilty in a $31 million debt collection scam.

Travell Thomas, a past winner of World Series of Poker tournaments, cried repeatedly as he entered the plea in federal court in Manhattan to conspiring to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. The 38-year-old suburban Buffalo resident agreed not to challenge any sentence less than 15 1/2 years in prison or a forfeiture order of up to $31 million when he is sentenced in February.

Thomas said he violated the law when he encouraged employees of his Buffalo-based debt collection business to make false threats and representations to force thousands of people nationwide to resolve debts.

I knew what I was doing was wrong and violating the law, he told U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla.

Prosecutors said victims sometimes paid more than they owed after they were warned that they might be arrested if they didnt immediately pay off debts. They said the debt collection company Thomas headed also falsely claimed to victims that it was affiliated with local government and law enforcement agencies.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara called the prosecution, which has resulted in 10 other guilty pleas, a landmark consumer fraud case that victimized thousands of people across the country.

Thomas instructed his debt collectors to threaten, intimidate, and lie to their victims by overstating their debts and making false claims about what would happen to if they didnt pay up, he said in a statement.

During the plea, the judge asked Thomas if overstating the debts was referred to as juicing.

Yes, your honor, he answered.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward A. Imperatore told the judge the scheme was carried out between 2010 and 2015 as Thomas oversaw four debt collection offices in Buffalo, where employees read from scripts approved by Thomas to coerce people into paying money.

He said evidence that would have been revealed at trial included the testimony of victims and cooperating witnesses plus emails, instant chats, spreadsheets, victim complaints and bank records.
Natalie Babbitt, a celebrated author of childrens literature whose 1975 novel Tuck Everlasting led millions of young readers on an exploration, both fantastical and philosophical, of what it might mean to live forever, died Oct. 31 at her home in Hamden, Conn. She was 84.

The cause was lung cancer, said her husband, Samuel Fisher Babbitt.

Babbitt wrote or illustrated more than two dozen books, among them Kneeknock Rise (1970), a recipient of the Newbery Honor. But she was best known for Tuck Everlasting, a volume that became required reading in many schools and a favorite of children and parents alike. Novelist Anne Tyler once described it as one of the best books ever written  for any age.

Set in the town of Treegap at the turn of the 20th century, the novel centers on a girl, Winnie Foster, who befriends the Tuck family. To her awe, Winnie learns that the Tucks have drunk from a spring that confers eternal life  and that if the water is not a curse, it is not a blessing, either.

The family must contend with a menacing unnamed man, recognizable by his yellow suit, who sets out to sell the water as an elixir, not minding the isolation that comes with its spell. And while one Tuck son wishes that Winnie will drink from the spring and be his eternal love, his father tries to save her from the waters allure.

Dyings part of the wheel, right there next to being born, he tells her. You cant pick out the pieces you like and leave the rest. Being part of the whole thing, thats the blessing. But its passing us by, us Tucks.

If I knowed how to climb back on the wheel, Id do it in a minute, he continues. You cant have living without dying. So you cant call it living, what we got. We just are, we just be, like rocks beside the road.

Babbitt once told Publishers Weekly that everything in the book comes from actually living it. Treegap and the surrounding area was based on a refuge in the Adirondacks where she vacationed. She wrote the book for her 4-year-old daughter, who one day awoke from a nap crying and afraid, her mother discerned, of death.

It seemed to me that that was the kind of thing you could be scared of for the rest of your life, Babbitt told NPR years later. And it seemed to me that I could write a story about how its something that everybody has to do and its not a bad thing.

Tuck Everlasting was quickly recognized as a classic. The story is macabre and moral, exciting and excellently written, Philippa Pearce, a childrens author, wrote in a New York Times review. It has no absolute end, because Time hasnt.

The book, like the Tucks, proved ageless. It was adapted into a film in 1981 and again in 2002, with William Hurt and Sissy Spacek as the Tucks, Alexis Bledel as Winnie and Ben Kingsley as the man in the yellow suit. The novel also inspired a short-lived Broadway musical this year. A moral  or at least one unmuddied by questions  proved elusive.

People are always looking for a lesson in it, but I dont think it has one, Babbitt said in an interview with Scholastic. It presents dilemmas, and I think thats what life does! . . . I think a lot of adults would like to think that things are simple for kids, but thats not so.

Natalie Zane Moore was born in Dayton, Ohio, on July 28, 1932. Her father was a businessman, and her mother was an amateur painter.

Inspired by her mother, she said she knew from an early age that she wanted to be a book illustrator. She was a 1954 art graduate of Smith College in Northampton, Mass.

Her first illustrations appeared in The Forty-Ninth Magician (1966), a picture book with text by her husband. After an editor suggested that Babbitt pursue her own writing, she wrote several volumes in verse, eventually moving into chapter books.

Her early titles included The Search for Delicious (1969), set in a magical kingdom complete with king, queen and mermaid. Next came Kneeknock Rise, about a mountain-dwelling monster that may be symbolic or real.

Like Tuck, The Eyes of the Amaryllis (1977), about a widow who waits decades for her husband lost at sea, was adapted for film.

Babbitt said her favorite book that she had written for children was Goody Hall (1971), a Gothic mystery with a happy ending, and that her favorite book overall was Herbert Rowbarge (1982), an adult novel about a man separated from his twin as a baby.

Her most recent book was The Moon Over High Street (2012), about an orphan who must choose between following his dream, however obstacle-strewn, of becoming an astronomer or being adopted by a millionaire who may not be able to offer him a happy life.

Survivors include Babbitts husband of 62 years, Samuel Fisher Babbitt of Hamden; three children, Christopher Babbitt of Hudson, Wis., Thomas Babbitt of Brunswick, Maine, and Lucy Babbitt of Stratford, Conn.; and three grandchildren.

Once, Babbitt was asked why she let Winnie decline the magical water and die in Tuck Everlasting.

Winnie did what I would have done, Babbitt told Scholastic. I think that living forever would be a terrible thing. It would be boring, sad and lonely.
Unlike past presidential nominees, Donald Trump has declined to release his complete tax returns, which has fostered fervid speculation about what they might contain  especially since the New York Times published a few pages from Trumps 1995 tax documents last month.

Those documents suggested that the Republican nominee could have avoided paying taxes on as much as $916 million in income. The question was how he could do so legally. Experts had put forward a range of intricate theories, and the new documents disclosed by the Times on Monday point to one explanation for how Trump sheltered the bulk of that money.

It appears Trump gave his creditors shares of his failing businesses to avoid taxes on hundreds of millions of dollars they granted him in debt relief, a practice that has since been explicitly outlawed, the Times explained.

In short, He made it up, said legal scholar Edward Kleinbard of the University of Southern California.

Some had missed Trumps maneuver, Kleinbard said, because they did not think that it would have been allowed at the time.

The reason nobody thought of it is that nobody thought that it existed, Kleinbard said. The real surprise here is that he apparently got away with it.

Trump declined to comment for the Times story.

In a letter published by the Times, lawyers warned the New York businessman that his strategy would be legally risky. He was audited by the Internal Revenue Service, which has not commented on the result of its investigation.

The details of Trumps reported maneuver are somewhat complicated, but the essential idea is fairly straightforward. The documents reviewed by the Times suggest Trump worked around a couple of basic principles of U.S. taxation.

The maneuver began when Trumps businesses borrowed money from banks to purchase the Plaza Hotel in New York and his casinos in Atlantic City. Neither Trump nor his businesses owed taxes on the cash infusion because the tax code doesnt consider debt to be taxable income.

For instance, when someone takes out a mortgage, the money is not counted as income, even though the bank has just given the borrower hundreds of thousands of dollars. Mortgages do not actually make borrowers better off, because the borrowers are expected to return the money eventually.

We dont tax proceeds on borrowing, because youve also assumed a liability, said Steven Rosenthal, an attorney at the Tax Policy Center. Your net position hasnt changed.

If the bank forgives the loan, however, then the amount that is forgiven does count as income under federal law. A canceled debt is equivalent to a gift from the bank, and it is subject to income taxes.

That is what happened to Trump. When the casino and hotel investments failed catastrophically, Trumps businesses declared bankruptcy, and his creditors were forced to forgive much of the debt.

He borrowed other peoples money and spent it in spectacular fashion, Rosenthal said.

From the point of view of Trumps income, it all came out in the wash. He had lost a lot of money, but he had also persuaded the banks to write down what he owed them  a gift that largely wiped out his losses.

Trump then claimed on tax returns that he had lost the money, but he did not acknowledge the income in the form of canceled debts. He likely did not have to pay taxes on that money  which totaled at least $425 million, Rosenthal estimates based on his review of the documents obtained by the Times.

To avoid taxes on the income from his canceled debts, Trump used what experts described as a dubious legal argument, according to the account provided by the Times.

First, in exchange for writing down his debts, he gave the creditors shares of the partnerships through which he controlled the failing hotel and casinos. Then he essentially argued that the lenders had not done him a favor at all, because they had simply exchanged one asset for another.

The asset the banks gave up was real money Trump owed them. What they got, on the other hand, were shares in failing properties. Trump claimed that he and his borrowers were square.

Kleinbard and his colleagues developed an early version of the maneuver, sometimes called a stock-for-debt swap, more than three decades ago when he worked for Salomon Brothers. He recalled using it to engineer roughly 75 deals for the firms corporate clients in about a year-and-a half. Business was good until 1984, when Congress mostly shut down the practice. It was, Kleinbard admitted, clearly an abuse of the system.

Trump also would have been able to count his substantial losses against any future income, as well, Rosenthal said, possibly sparing him from the need to pay federal income tax again for years. Under the tax code, taxpayers can count their losses against future income because they arent really better off until theyre back in the black. By swapping stock for debt, Trump would have been able to claim he was still in the red.

The documents obtained by the Times that Rosenthal reviewed list at least $425 million in forgiven debts. Trump did not acknowledge that these cancellations effectively wiped out about half of his $916 million loss, Rosenthal said. As for the rest of that red ink, Trump might have used a similar maneuver with regard to loans that were not listed in the documents, or he might have used some other legal strategy to claim that he really was still in the hole.

In a recent debate with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton that he does not pay federal income tax, the Republican candidate was asked about whether he pays federal income tax.

Did you use that $916 million loss to avoid paying personal federal income taxes for years? moderator Anderson Cooper asked him.

Of course I do, Trump replied. Of course I do, and so do all of her donors, or most of her donors.

Kleinbard said that he would have enjoyed bringing Trump to court on behalf of the authorities in order to force him to pay up. I would have been certain that I would have won, Kleinbard said.

Lawyers for Willkie Farr & Gallagher, the firm Trump retained to provide an opinion on the strategy, wrote that if the authorities took Trump to court, his odds of winning would be no better than a coin flip.

We are unable to provide legal assurance that the probabilities are more likely than not that such positions will be upheld if litigated, they wrote, according to the letter published by the Times.

trump-taxes
By PTI: Washington, Nov 1 (PTI) Scientists are developing a new system that will make it more difficult to register websites for immoral purposes, even before the malicious users have done anything harmful.

The system called PREDATOR, developed by researchers at Princeton University in the US distinguishes between legitimate and malicious purchasers of new websites.

It yields important insights into how those two groups behave differently online even before the anything obviously bad or harmful is done.

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These early signs of likely evil-doers help security professionals take preemptive measures, instead of waiting for a security threat to surface.

"The intuition has always been that the way that malicious actors use online resources somehow differs fundamentally from the way legitimate actors use them," said Nick Feamster, professor at Princeton University.

"We were looking for those signals: what is it about a domain name that makes it automatically identifiable as a bad domain name?" said Feamster.

Once a website begins to be used for malicious purposes - when it is linked to in spam email campaigns, for instance, or when it installs malicious code on visitors machines - the defenders can flag it as bad and start blocking it.

However, by then, the site has already been used for the very kinds of behaviour that we want to prevent.

PREDATOR, which stands for Proactive Recognition and Elimination of Domain Abuse at Time-Of-Registration, gets ahead of the curve.

The researchers techniques rely on the assumption that malicious users will exhibit registration behaviour that differs from those of normal users, such as buying and registering lots of domains at once to take advantage of bulk discounts, so that they can quickly and cheaply adapt when their sites are noticed and blacklisted.

Criminals will often register multiple sites using slight variations on names: changing words like "home" and "homes" or switching word orders in phrases.

By identifying such patterns, researchers were able to start sifting through the more than 80,000 new domains registered every day to preemptively identify which ones were most likely to be used for harm.

Testing their results against known blacklisted websites, they found that PREDATOR detected 70 per cent of malicious websites based solely on information known at the time those domains were first registered.

The false positive rate of the PREDATOR system, or rate of legitimate sites that were incorrectly identified as malicious by the tool, was only 0.35 per cent.

Being able to detect malicious sites at the moment of registration, before they are being used, can have multiple security benefits, Feamster said.

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Those sites can be blocked sooner, making it difficult to use them to cause as much harm - or, indeed, any harm at all if the operators are not permitted to purchase them. PTI NKS MHN AKJ MHN

--- ENDS ---
SANTA FE  A Santa Fe man who pinched his 5-year-old stepsons genitals so hard that the boy had to undergo emergency surgery was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted child abuse in Santa Fe District Court Tuesday.

For a second-degree child abuse charge, Mario Alejandro Maldonado-Rivera, 30, also was senteneced to four years of supervised probation after his release from prison.

Maldonado-Rivera was originally indicted in February for child abuse resulting in great bodily harm, a first-degree felony, but the charge was reduced under a plea deal. He is required to serve 85 percent of his five-year prison sentence since the charge is considered a serious violent felony.

Santa Fe police arrested Maldonado-Rivera Jan. 6 after a Cesar Chavez Elementary School nurse told officers that the boy told her that Maldonado-Rivera and struck him with a belt and pinched his genitals while they were walking to school.

Teachers noticed the boy had a hard time getting up and saw blood running down his leg. He was taken to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe and then to University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque for emergency surgery.

The boy told an interviewer at the Solace Crisis Treatment Center before being taken to the hospital that Maldonado-Rivera became angry with him as they were walking because the boy was not keeping up. He said Maldonado-Rivera reached into his pants and pinched his genitals with his finger nails.

Maldonado-Rivera later told police that the boy slipped on a curb and split his legs apart as he fell, but he then changed his story and said he may have accidentally kneed the boy in the groin as he was picking him up. He said he didnt go to the Solace Center to be with the boy because he was out getting heroin.

If Maldonado-Rivera, a Mexican national, is deported after his prison sentence, then hsi subsequent probation term will be unsupervised. He must report to Adult Probation and Parole if he returns to the U.S. during his probation term, but Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer said he would likely be deported again for unlawful entry into the country.

Maldonado-Rivera has been in the Santa Fe County jail on a $250,000 cash-only bond since his arrest.

Court records show he had three felony counts of sexual criminal penetration dropped by prosecutors in 2014 in addition to one count of battery against a household member and false imprisonment. A 2015 battery on a household member charge was dropped in March for a lack of prosecution, according to court records. Prosecutor Joshua Humphreys said in court Tuesday that the boy was in state Children, Youth and Families Department custody and said the agency was aware of the terms of the plea deal.
Copyright  2016 Albuquerque Journal

Three women who accused a Bernalillo County jail officer of sexual assault will receive settlements totaling $2.1 million.

The officer at the center of the allegations, Enock Arvizo, resigned in April. He faces trial on rape and other charges next year, according to court records.

Arvizo has pleaded not guilty. His defense has suggested that he has an alibi and argues that he wasnt where prosecutors allege he was on key dates in the case.

Bernalillo County Attorney Ken Martinez said the jail is installing new security cameras and making other changes to improve safety. It should serve as a deterrent if officers and inmates know theyre being watched, he said.

We take these matters very seriously, Martinez said Tuesday in an interview.

County Commissioner Wayne Johnson said jail officers should never be in a position where its possible to rape an inmate or even be accused of it.

It should be part of our policy and procedures to make sure this never happens, he said.

A criminal complaint filed in April accused Arvizo of raping an inmate in an elevator at the county courthouse in Downtown Albuquerque, where she was taken for a court hearing. The inmate said she was in handcuffs and shackles during the assault.

Altogether, Arvizo faces four counts of rape while in position of authority over an inmate, according to online court records, and three separate trials are scheduled next year.

His attorneys didnt immediately respond to Journal requests for comment.

Martinez, for his part, said the settlements were reached with three women: $1.25 million for one, $800,000 for another, and $50,000 for the third.

The county last year settled a similar case for $680,000, in which a female inmate accused a separate officer of raping her in a closet at the jail.

A third officer, jail Sgt. Torry Chambers, is now on trial on charges that he raped inmates.

The county settled a civil lawsuit involving allegations against Chambers in 2012 for over $900,000.

Altogether, the settlements total nearly $3.7 million.
SANTA FE  At least one aspect of this seemingly endless election season is over: Its too late to complain to the secretary of state about violations of New Mexicos campaign finance laws.

Under state law, those complaints cant be filed within eight days before an election. According to Secretary of State Brad Winters office, that means they would have had to be received before Monday to be considered.

That appears to rule out a complaint the state Republican Party announced Tuesday against an independent expenditure committee that the GOP says illegally contributed directly to Democratic candidates.

Winters office, which has handled dozens of ethics complaints this election year, hadnt received the GOPs filing as of Tuesday. It was dated Nov. 1, according to a copy provided to the Journal.

We usually hear about it from the press, said Ken Ortiz, chief of staff in the Secretary of States Office.

Some complaints this year have been accompanied by superheated news releases, prompting candidates targeted by the complaints to grouse that they were filed largely for the publicity value.

According to Bureau of Elections Director Kari Fresquez, Winters office has received 55 election-related complaints this year, 27 aimed at candidates in the primary or general elections. The others complained about political action committees, county clerks offices or how elections  including municipal elections  were conducted.

Thats on a par with the previous general election year, 2014, when 52 complaints were filed, 28 of them against candidates, Fresquez said.

Most of this years complaints ended with the secretary of state either deciding there was no violation of the law, or with the target of the complaint voluntarily complying with the law. About a dozen of them are still pending.

The belated complaint from the state GOP says Enchantment PAC, which gets its money primarily in large chunks from Patriot Majority, a Washington, D.C.-based political action committee, reported contributions of $1,000 to Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, and $600 to Democrat Natalie Figueroa, running in House District 30. Independent expenditure committees are not supposed to coordinate with candidates.

Matthew Henderson, executive director of the nonprofit group OLE, which started Enchantment PAC, claimed there was no violation because the PAC is a hybrid and it contributed to candidates with money it received from individual donors, not from other PACs.

If New Mexico were to create an independent ethics commission, lawmakers would have to decide whether to establish a blackout period for complaints during election seasons. At least 11 states with ethics commissions have cutoff dates  in some cases months before elections  in an effort to distance themselves from the political process.

Rep. Jim Dines, R-Albuquerque, who sponsored an ethics commission proposal last year, said that, if a commission is created, the Legislature should consider some blackout period, but not until shortly before Election Day.

I think whats important is if you dont have some vehicle in which to complain about somebodys activities, then youre giving them a blank check, he told the Journal .
WASHINGTON  With less than a week to go until Election Day, the presidential race is heating up in New Mexico as Republicans hope to capitalize on new FBI disclosures about emails and a spike in Obamacare health insurance premiums.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, the Republican vice presidential nominee, is scheduled to arrive in the state today for a 2 p.m. campaign rally in Las Cruces. The visit comes just three days after GOP nominee Trump headlined an Albuquerque rally Sunday evening.

Neither Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton nor her running mate, Tim Kaine, has visited New Mexico in this election cycle. Their campaign hadnt announced any immediate plans to do so as of Tuesday.

The Clinton tickets absence, coupled with news of Pences visit today, prompted one Democratic state senator to take to Twitter on Tuesday morning with an invitation to the Clinton camp.

Its time for Hillary Clinton to come to New Mexico, Sen. Clemente Sanchez of Grants tweeted.

Meanwhile, Clinton on Tuesday announced two hard-hitting new television ads in New Mexico, Virginia and Michigan that target Trumps fitness for office.

New Mexico  once a quadrennial presidential battleground  has long been considered safe territory for Clinton in this election cycle, according to polls and national analysts. But Trumps repeated visits to the state suggest that his campaign views the state as ripe for an upset.

Trump predicted victory in New Mexico at his rally Sunday.

The Trump campaign thinks they have a shot to win to New Mexico, which is why they keep coming back to the state, said Brian Sanderoff, the Journal s pollster and a longtime political analyst. Their path to victory must include converting some blue states to red, as well as winning key battleground states.

The high-profile candidate visits and advertising buys in New Mexico come as national polls show the presidential race tightening. An ABC News/Washington Post tracking poll released Tuesday showed Trump with a one-point lead  46 percent to 45 percent  over Clinton nationally.

That poll showed that Clintons once double-digit lead over Trump  already slipping a week ago  eroded further after FBI Director James Comey said Friday that agents would analyze more of the former secretary of states emails found on an aides computer.

A Journal Poll published a month ago showed Clinton with a 4-point lead over Trump  35 percent to 31 percent, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. Gary Johnson was in third place, with 24 percent. The Journal will publish the results of a new presidential poll of New Mexico voters on Sunday.

GOP attention

Trump has visited New Mexico twice since May and Pence has held three rallies in the state. This election cycle, neither Clinton nor Clintons vice presidential running mate, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, has held public events in New Mexico.

A Clinton campaign aide on Tuesday didnt rule out a New Mexico visit by the candidate or her running mate before Tuesday, but didnt commit to one, either.

Were still looking at the schedule through Election Day, the aide said in an email.

Former Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, a top Clinton fundraiser, told the Journal on Tuesday that Clinton needs to focus the limited time left on the most crucial battlegrounds. But Chavez said he and other Democrats would welcome a visit to New Mexico.

I think that New Mexicans intend to keep our state blue and, as much as wed like to see her, understand that she should spend the remaining days of the campaign where it will help the entire Democratic ticket the most, Chavez said.

Taking NM for granted?

Tucker Keene, spokesman for the New Mexico Republican Party, tweeted Tuesday that Clinton has rested on her laurels in New Mexico, which her husband, Bill Clinton, won twice in the 1990s.

Hillary Clinton and the Democrats are taking NM for granted, Keene tweeted. Theyre going to regret that next week.

Although neither Clinton nor Kaine has hosted a public rally in New Mexico, the campaign has sent some high-profile surrogates to the state in recent days, including former Clinton rival Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who held a rally for the Democratic nominee in Albuquerque last month.

Sanderoff said Trumps decision to dispatch Pence to southern New Mexico  represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce  is strategic.

Politicians often focus on the Albuquerque and Santa Fe area, but Las Cruces is New Mexicos second-largest city, Sanderoff said. By going to Las Cruces, Dona Ana County residents will see Pences visit on their local TV news, which is in a different media market than Albuquerque.

Pearce said recent news about premium increases for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act has motivated first-time voters to support Trump.

They just say they cant afford it, Pearce said, adding that he met many such voters at Trumps Albuquerque rally Sunday night.

While Clintons new ads in New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia take direct aim at Trump, the Clinton campaign stressed Tuesday that the spots also aim to boost turnout and chances for Democratic victories in the U.S. House and state legislative races. New Mexico Democratic Party Chairwoman Debra Haaland said shes confident in Clintons ground game in New Mexico, regardless of whether the candidate makes an appearance in the state before Election Day.

Well be working around the clock to elect Democratic candidates up and down the ballot with the support of the Hillary Clinton campaign, Haaland said.
Its a nightmare scenario that could happen to any of us, at any time.

As youre driving through the Big I, a speeding car veers out of control and smashes into yours, seriously injuring you and your loved ones. Firefighters and paramedics work furiously to cut the victims out of the mangled wreckage and prepare to transport them to emergency care.

For more than 60 years, the people of Bernalillo County have been able to rest easy knowing that in situations like this superb, life-saving care is available at University of New Mexico Hospitals state-of-the-art Level I trauma center.

The hospitals ability to continue providing trauma care and many other critical services will be on the line with this years November 8 general election. County voters are being asked to renew their support for a mill levy to support the hospital. We hope youll consider voting yes.

Proceeds from the mill levy directly support UNM Hospitals operations and maintenance, making it possible to offer many medical and surgical services in addition to emergency care that are a tremendous boon for our county and state.

For one thing, it is accessible to all patients, regardless of their medical condition or ability to pay. And as the states primary teaching hospital, it plays a crucial role in educating the future health care workforce. More than 600 future doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and others train there daily.

UNM Hospital also provides New Mexicos most advanced stroke care. It recently introduced a telemedicine network that links emergency rooms throughout the state to UNMs neurologists and neurosurgeons, who can determine whether patients should be airlifted to the hospital for life-saving treatment.

It also sponsors the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in a vast region that stretches from Dallas to Tucson to Denver. Most of the adult and virtually all of the pediatric cancer patients in the state receive cutting-edge treatment there.

UNM Hospital treats people with severe psychiatric diagnoses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression, and it operates the states only 24-hour psychiatric emergency room. The program offers comprehensive behavioral health care for children, including an inpatient acute care hospital. It also runs a large substance abuse program.

And UNM Childrens Hospital provides a broad spectrum of care to New Mexicos children, including those suffering from congenital heart abnormalities and behavioral and developmental issues, in a spacious modern facility.

UNM Hospital is only able to provide these critical services because of generous support from the people of Bernalillo County, as many of these programs are not economically viable under current reimbursement arrangements.

Over the years, the people of Bernalillo County and the doctors, staff and students at University of New Mexico Hospital have worked together to build something we can all be proud of  a nationally ranked academic medical center and teaching hospital.

A yes vote on November 8 will ensure that everyone in our community will continue to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having access to this valuable resource.

Also signed by Harold Lavender, president-elect UNM Alumni Association; James B. Lewis, former State Treasurer; and Fred Mondragon, former UNM Hospital CEO.
At places of worship across the country, abortion is not an unusual topic for discussion, or even instruction.

That the subject may be given more intense attention during an election season isnt unusual, either. Thats because even though abortion is legal, based on a 1973 Supreme Court decision, it remains one of the most divisive issues across America and an important one for many religious denominations.

That a Catholic priest in Santa Fe would issue guidance to his flock that is consistent with the Catholic Churchs official position  that abortion is a moral evil  shouldnt come as a surprise  particularly after the presidential candidates staked out their positions in a nationally televised debate.

What perhaps is surprising is the archdioceses reaction to Father Larry Britos display of a sign on the side of the St. Anne Parish church proclaiming Vote Catholic, Vote Pro-Life and a letter to his parishioners urging them not to vote in representatives into office who are Pro-Abortion or as they sheepishly call themselves Pro-Choice. 

Brito did not name any candidates he had in mind, though in discussing Planned Parenthood he made it clear that there is one candidate who has been endorsed by this evil organization and who has proudly embraced their endorsement. In the presidential race, of course, that could only be Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Why is a controversy involving one denomination a public issue here? Thats because more than 380,000 New Mexicans are Catholics.

In a response to news coverage of Britos letter, the relatively new Archbishop of Santa Fe, the Most Rev. John C. Wester, issued a statement that said something about concern for the unborn, but appears to be a clear reprimand of Brito.

The archbishop wrote that while emotions are running high as the election nears, these emotions do not give us license to endorse or denounce a candidate because of his or her position on a given issue. He referred the Catholic faithful to consult a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops document called Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship for advice as they prepare to vote.

One of the fundamental points that is made in Faithful Citizenship is that the Churchs leaders are to avoid endorsing or opposing candidates or telling people how to vote,' Wester wrote. Rather, This is a decision to be made by each Catholic guided by a conscience formed by Catholic moral teaching. 

Wester also could be concerned that abortion rights supporters might attempt to cause problems between the church and the IRS, threatening the churchs status as a nonprofit. Or it could be that he is setting a new tone on this given issue, that perhaps the churchs position is no longer as black and white as portrayed in the churchs official Catechism, which says:

You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.  Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.

So what is a parish priest to do?

Westers statement seems to emphasize that abortion is just one thing for a Catholic voter to consider in a complex political world. Britos would seem to be that the church teaching on an abominable crime should figure much more prominently than other issues.

While Westers statement implies that the clergy cant talk about who to vote for, or not vote for, if a pastor cant speak about what many religious groups consider to be a moral crime in the context of an election, then what do the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of religion or speech really mean in a country that was founded upon those principles? After all, the history of Christianity is rich with the accounts of religious leaders and followers willing to die for their beliefs.

Is the new archbishop ushering in a new era of thought on the importance of abortion? Thats an interesting question Catholics may want to ponder and discuss.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
Copyright  2016 Albuquerque Journal

District Attorney Kari Brandenburg, in her first public comments since a jury deadlocked on murder charges against two former APD officers in the fatal shooting of James Boyd, said Tuesday she has no regrets about filing the criminal case.

It was important for everyone to have their day in court, the (Boyd) family, law enforcement and the community, she told the Journal. Had nothing been done, I think it would have been very harmful to our community, because they would have believed there was a cover-up.

I still feel it was a very important case that needed to move forward.

But the longtime prosecutor, who will leave office Dec. 31, wouldnt say what might happen next in the case against retired detective Keith Sandy and former officer Dominique Perez.

Brandenburg was disqualified from prosecuting the case by District Judge Alisa Hadfield at the request of defense lawyers who argued that she had a conflict of interest. Brandenburg subsequently appointed attorney Randi McGinn as a special prosecutor.

The jury deadlocked 9-3 in favor of acquittal Oct. 11 after a 15-day trial.

Given the disqualification, Brandenburg said Tuesday that she didnt believe she has the authority to decide whether the two men should be retried or the case dismissed.

And there was no consensus Tuesday as to whether incoming District Attorney Raul Torrez, who is running unopposed and expected to take office Jan. 1, would be bound by the judges directive disqualifying the DAs Office.

After the jury deadlocked, McGinn said her involvement with the case was over. On Tuesday, McGinn said she was still researching the issue of whether she could or would make the decision on a retrial.

Although McGinn, a successful attorney in private practice, agreed to handle the case for under $5,000, Brandenburg said the prosecution already has cost her office more than $156,000 in expert witness fees and other costs. She said her budget for such expenses is only about $40,000 this year.

A status hearing on the case is set for Nov. 14.

The shooting

Boyd, a mentally ill man who was armed with two pocketknives, was shot after he refused to surrender during an hourslong standoff with APD officers near his illegal campsite in the Sandia foothills.

Up to 19 APD officers had responded to the hillside confrontation before Perez and Sandy fired the fatal shots. Charged with second-degree murder, the two testified at trial that they used deadly force to protect the life of a fellow police officer at the scene.

The shooting was captured on a widely circulated video from Perezs helmet camera and set off several public protests in Albuquerque.

Hopefully with the (criminal prosecution) process that was followed, people may not agree with the outcome, but they appreciate that there was no cover-up and there was a lot of effort taken so there would be complete transparency, Brandenburg told the Journal.

Perezs attorney Luis Robles said Tuesday that what weighs against (the filing of criminal charges) was at least nine people (on the jury) thought it shouldnt have happened.

A spokesman for incoming DA Torrez referred the Journal to a statement released after the trial ended that Torrez didnt want to rush a decision on a retrial.

Sandys lawyer Sam Bregman couldnt be reached for comment.

Robles said he didnt have an immediate answer on whether the disqualification order would apply to Torrez. But he added, All we want is a resolution.

His client, a decorated U.S. Marine who served two tours in Iraq, is appealing his firing from APD  an action the department took pursuant to policy after criminal charges were filed.

AG bows out

Back in April 2015, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas told Brandenburg in a letter that he couldnt prosecute the two officers because his office shares some of the same conflicts that caused Judge Hadfield to disqualify your office.

Balderas cleared Brandenburg of any criminal wrongdoing in May 2015 but found she created an appearance of impropriety when she contacted victims, and reimbursed one of them, in property crime cases in which her adult son was a suspect. Brandenburg opted not to seek re-election this year.
Wells Fargos sales scandal has cost the jobs of the chief executive, more than 5,000 rank-and-file workers and the head of the companys community banking unit.

But by and large, the faces at the top of the San Francisco-based bank remain the same. And for some, that raises the question of whether new CEO Tim Sloan, a 29-year Wells Fargo veteran, can keep his pledge to overhaul the companys culture.

When companies get into deep trouble financially, or in this case malfeasance, bringing in outside people is a common practice, and that was not done here, said Michael Useem, professor of management at the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School. Its unusual given the magnitude of this disaster.

Long-simmering populist anger at big banks has flared anew with claims that Wells Fargo employees, rushing to meet sales goals, opened millions of accounts that customers may not have authorized.

The lack of prosecution so far of any bankers in connection with the Wells Fargo scandal has also given ammunition to critics who argue that Wall Street executives too often are given a pass for wrongdoing.

Its not a square deal when the people that are fired are the tellers who make 15 bucks, and the senior execs walk off with $100 million, U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., said at a September hearing on the scandal. These 5,300 tellers, they didnt come up with this scheme on their own.

A new Observer analysis has also found more than half of the 60 regional community-banking presidents in place in 2011  when authorities say the widespread illegal account activity began  remain in those roles or other positions in the company.

Some of those same people still have oversight in the West and Southwest, which had heavy concentrations of unauthorized customer accounts.

Speaking to employees in Charlotte last week, Sloan said the bank still has weaknesses within it that we must change. He and the banks senior leadership are personally committed to taking decisive actions to prevent a repeat of bad behaviors, he said.

Changes at the top and elsewhere could be coming: The banks board is conducting an investigation, which might result in more departures.

Its unclear when that investigation will end up. Meanwhile, the bank continues to face questions from lawmakers like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts Democrat who signed a letter in October asking the banks board if it addressed the question of whether Sloan played any role in the scandal.

(EDITORS: BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM)

Paul Miller, a banking analyst at FBR & Co., said Wells Fargo needs a new, fresh set of eyes to change its culture.

This is a major, major crisis for a major institution, Miller said.

One of the problems with that senior executive floor is theyve all been at Wells for 20-plus years, he said. Thats where they needed to make some outside changes, and they didnt.

(END OPTIONAL TRIM)

Wells Fargo notes a growing list of changes it has already made to rebuild trust with customers and others  starting with the 5,300 employees it dismissed over five years for the misconduct. The terminations ranged from branch bankers to an area president, former CEO John Stumpf testified to Congress in September. Weeks later, the bank announced that Stumpf himself would leave.

Also, Wells Fargo in July named Mary Mack, who had been running the brokerage unit, its new head of community banking, replacing San Francisco-based Carrie Tolstedt, who left the company. Other steps the bank has taken included getting rid of product sales goals for retail bankers in branches and call centers. Sloan has also said the bank will use outside culture experts to help pinpoint weaknesses.

Wells Fargo agreed in September to pay $185 million in government fines to settle allegations over its sales practices. The bank has also said Stumpf will forfeit all of his outstanding unvested equity awards, worth $41 million. He is still expected to walk away with millions in stock, deferred compensation and retirement benefits.

Some investors also want new members on the banks board, even after the board split the chairman and CEO roles and appointed a vice chair in response to the scandal. Nearly half of the 15 members on the banks board have been in place for a decade or more.

(EDITORS: BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM)

Two Wells Fargo executives in Charlotte, N.C., said the banks 2008 purchase of Wachovia showcased Sloans skills as a leader in times of change.

Sloan, who was then Wells head of commercial banking, was responsible for analyzing Wachovias investment banking business, a Wall-Street style area in which Wells was not a top player. In those turbulent days, Wachovia employees were on edge, uncertain whether their jobs were in jeopardy. In the end, Wells Fargo kept the business and has continued to build it.

Hes a very calm, thoughtful, deliberate critical thinker, and I saw him very methodically get his arms around, in very short order, a business that was very different than what Wells had, said David Carroll, who at the time headed Wachovias capital management group. He now reports directly to Sloan as head of wealth and investment management. Unlike a lot of people hes not bound by the past, Carroll said of Sloan.

Carroll said Sloan has also led efforts to decentralize and modernize Wells Fargo, even before he became president and chief operating officer last November. For example, Carroll said Sloan was architect of an ongoing initiative, known as Efficiency and Effectiveness, launched in 2015 to streamline parts of the company. In recent months, Wells efficiency efforts have included cutting technology jobs, some in Charlotte.

Wells Fargos strong sales culture hasnt always sat well with former Wachovia employees. As the two banks combined operations, some former Wachovia executives said they didnt understand how Wells was selling so many products and why it didnt add up to more revenue.

Those who had come over from Wachovia were priding ourselves on doing the right thing, not selling but really servicing client needs, one former Wachovia executive said, speaking on a condition of anonymity to protect business relationships.

If former Wachovia executives asked questions about the numbers, we were ostracized, the executive said.

Rob Engel, head of investment banking and capital markets at Wells, called Sloan a complete package around leadership. Engel, who was Wachovias co-head of investment banking and capital markets, began reporting to Sloan after the merger with Wells Fargo. From day one (he) was very candid, open, honest, Engel said.

(END OPTIONAL TRIM)

While Wells Fargo has fired workers for their involvement in the scandal, many regional presidents in the community banking segment at the center of the controversy remain in their jobs.

The Observer analysis found more than 60 percent of the presidents in place in 2011 still hold such roles.

The group includes presidents overseeing the West and Southwest. Those two markets had more fraudulent account activity than elsewhere in Wells footprint, Stumpf testified to lawmakers in September.

Brian Simmonds Marshall, policy counsel at Americans for Financial Reform, called that disturbing.

Wells Fargo needs to continue to undergo a change throughout its management to demonstrate that they are taking customers needs seriously, Marshall said. And its not enough only to fire 5,000-plus frontline workers and a handful of managers  and let everything in between stay the same.

Companies facing scandals or crises have been known to tap both insiders and outsiders for senior leadership roles.

In 2002, Tyco International brought on Motorola CEO Edward Breen as chief executive and chairman as the industrial conglomerate was rocked by fraud indictments of some top executives. In 2004, HealthSouth named HCA executive Jay Grinney as replacement for its former CEO who was dismissed over fraud charges.

Other companies looking to navigate a crisis have promoted from within.

Bank of America elevated Brian Moynihan to replace CEO Ken Lewis when Lewis retired in 2009 as he came under fire for the banks Merrill Lynch acquisition. At the time, Moynihan was running the banks consumer and small-business operations.

This year, Toshiba named a company veteran its new chief executive as that company seeks to recover from an accounting scandal.

Its hard to say an outsider is always going to be the right answer, said Suraj Srinivasan, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School.

Culture doesnt happen overnight, Srinivasan said. It is something that the next management, whoever that is, has to start talking about.

Changing a culture, he said, is a hard problem. Its easier said than done.



(Observer staff writer Rick Rothacker contributed to this report.)



2016 The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)

Visit The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.) at www.charlotteobserver.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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FARMINGTON  Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumps oldest child will make a campaign stop here on Friday.

Sean Sharer, chairman of the San Juan County Republican Party, said today Donald Trump Jr. is scheduled to arrive in Farmington at 2 p.m. Friday then speak at an event at Pinon Hills Community Church, 5101 N. Dustin Ave.

The event is free with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. and seating is first come, first served, Sharer said.

Were excited about it. It shows New Mexico is in play, Sharer said.

Todd Johnson, the campaigns statewide director, confirmed the younger Trumps visit and said the campaign has not released information about what topics he will focus on during his speech.

Trumps visit comes after his father visited Albuquerque on Sunday.

Sharer said the county party office learned about the younger Trumps visit late Monday afternoon.

Fridays event will include speeches by local candidates, including state Reps. Sharon Clahchischilliage and James Strickler and state Sen. William Bill Sharer.

Clahchischilliage is seeking a third term for the state House District 4 seat and faces a challenge from Democrat GloJean Todacheene.

Clahchischilliage was named a co-chair on the Native American Coalition for Trump, according to a press release from the Trump campaign. The coalition is composed of Native American grassroots leaders and elected officials from 15 states, the release states.

Strickler is seeking a sixth term and faces Democratic challenger Kenneth Robinson for the state House District 2 seat.

Sharer faces a challenge from Rebecca Morgan, a Democrat, for the state Senate District 1 seat.

Henry Silentman, chairman of the Democratic Party of San Juan County, said today he was not aware of Trumps visit and remains confident New Mexico will vote for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

I dont think itll make that much of a difference, Silentman said about Trumps appearance.

Also on Friday, the Navajo Republicans of Shiprock are scheduled to hold a rally at the Shiprock Chapter house after the Farmington event.

Noel Lyn Smith covers the Navajo Nation for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4636.



2016 The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.)

Visit The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.) at www.daily-times.com

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LAS CRUCES  A U.S. citizen who lives in Mexico was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in federal prison on drug trafficking charges, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in New Mexico.

Leon Homero Hernandez, 42, pleaded guilty in March to two counts of distributing cocaine and two counts of distributing methamphetamine last year in Dona Ana County.

Hernandez was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Las Cruces. In addition to the seven-year prison term, Hernandez also will have to serve four years of supervised release.

Hernandez was arrested on Oct. 28, 2015, after he distributed various quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement officers on three separate occasions.

Hernandez also was required to forfeit $3,900 to the United State government.



2016 the Las Cruces Sun-News (Las Cruces, N.M.)

Visit the Las Cruces Sun-News (Las Cruces, N.M.) at www.lcsun-news.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Wikileaks founder Julian Assange said his next release will provide enough evidence to guarantee Hillary Clinton's indictment.

By Agencies: Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has said that Wikileaks has obtained information which, when released, will guarantee an indictment of Hillary Clinton.

During a recent interview with a television channel, Assange said his next release will "provide enough evidence" to see Hillary arrested. With reports suggesting that her rival and Republican candidate Donald Trump has edged past her in the latest poll survey, the leak could prove to be a big blow to her campaign.

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ALSO READ: FBI reopens investigation into Hillary Clinton's private email server

WikiLeaks has already published 30,322 emails from Clinton's private email server, spanning from June 30, 2010 to August 12, 2014. While Assange didn't specify what exactly was in the emails, he did tell the channel that WikiLeaks had "accumulated a lot of material about Hillary Clinton, which could proceed to an indictment".

In regard to the ongoing FBI investigation, however, Assange expressed a lack of confidence in the Obama administrations Justice Department to indict the former Secretary of State.

ALSO READ: Hillary takes on US FBI director in latest email flap

"[Attorney General Loretta Lynch] is not going to indict Hillary Clinton. It's not possible that could happen. But the FBI could push for new concessions from the Clinton government in exchange for its lack of indictment," Assange said.

WikiLeaks has long been a thorn in the side of the former Secretary of State, who called on President Barack Obama to prosecute the whistleblowing site after its 2010 leak of State Department cables. Julian Assange remains confined to the Ecuadorian Embassy in downtown London, as Ecuador has promised to not hand over the WikiLeaks founder to the US authorities.

ALSO READ: FBI obtains warrant to examine Hillary Clinton emails, say reports

ALSO READ: US gun store ad says will not sell to Muslims, Hillary Clinton backers

ALSO WATCH



--- ENDS ---
TOKYO  What do North Koreans think about their leaders? Its an impossible question to answer, given that North Korea is a totalitarian state where professing anything other than wholehearted adulation for the Kim regime could land a person in a political prison camp  or worse.

For years, researchers in Seoul have been trying to collect data on North Korean thought by conducting surveys of people who have escaped from the police state and made it to safety in South Korea.

But now a new project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, is trying to poll North Koreans who still live in North Korea.

This gives us a window into what the average North Korean citizen is thinking, said Victor Cha, chair of Korea studies at CSIS, who runs the Beyond Parallel project dedicated to Korean unification. This is the first time were hearing directly from people inside the country.

The project contracted a nongovernmental agency that works inside North Korea  Cha would not reveal its name to protect the safety of its operations  to carry out surveys. The latest, on how North Koreans think and talk about the Kim Jong Un regime in private, is being published Wednesday.

The NGO surveyed 20 men and 16 women between the ages of 28 and 80, spread across the country. They came from a variety of backgrounds, with jobs including doctor, laborer, homemaker, factory worker and company president.

Such is the nature of working inside North Korea that even Cha does not know how the NGO carried out the survey or if the people explicitly knew they were being questioned for a poll. And the survey was not done through cold calls  the survey administrators knew those they were questioning in some way.

This isnt Gallup-level surveying, said Cha. Its only 36 people, but its 36 people more than anyone else has surveyed in North Korea. The findings are modest, but theyre pretty insightful.

Thirty-five of the respondents said their family, friends or neighbors complained or made jokes about the regime in private.

For the vast majority of the worlds population, especially for those people living in free and open societies, a similar such finding would be quite banal, the survey report states. But North Korea is not a free and open society. That all but one . . . say people they know complain and makes jokes about the government is an extraordinary number given the gravity with which the regime responds to criticisms.

North Korea regularly ranks at the bottom of lists of countries with free speech, with Freedom Houses latest report noting that the nation has one of the most repressive media environments in the world. Only a handful of the most elite members of the regime has access to the Internet or to outside information.

The landmark Commission of Inquiry report published by a U.N. panel in 2014 concluded that there is an almost complete denial of the right to freedom of thought and expression in North Korea. State surveillance permeates the private lives of all citizens to ensure that virtually no expression critical of the political system or of its leadership goes undetected, it wrote. Punishments usually involve time in a political prison camp, and executions are ordered for serious offenses.

Academics at Seoul National University have been surveying North Korean defectors since 2008  there are now about 30,000 living in the South  and have consistently found criticism of the Kim regime.

This survey confirms defector testimony, but defector testimony is a biased sample, Cha said, because people disaffected with the regime are more likely to flee the country. The finding that the overwhelming majority of respondents still living in North Korea also make jokes at the governments expense is another thing altogether, he said.

The first survey results, released last month, were on the public distribution system that is supposed to supply basic food items to citizens but which broke down during the devastating famine of the mid-1990s. It found that none of the respondents thought the system provided what they want for a good life.

Marcus Noland, executive vice president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics and an expert on that famine, commended the audacity of even trying to do a survey inside North Korea, although he noted the process was opaque.

What we have is a small survey, conducted according to an unrevealed methodology, that confirms what many of us thought that we already knew, Noland wrote on his Witness to Transformation blog. But the astonishing thing is that it even exists.

The survey findings add to the stream of reports coming from citizen reporters inside North Korea. Media outlets including Rimjingang, run by Japanese journalist Jiro Ishimaru, and the Daily NK in Seoul, use informants inside the country, although their reports tend to be based on single sources from border regions.

nkorea
Its no secret that Academy Award-winning Thelma and Louise star Susan Sarandon isnt fond of Hillary Clinton.

During the primaries, she got behind Bernie Sanders, after saying in a CNN interview that Donald Trump was like the guy at a wedding that gets drunk and just goes on and on and on.

Later on MSNBC, she added that, if Trump loses, Some people feel Donald Trump will bring the revolution immediately if he gets in then things will really, you know, explode.

After Sanders lost the nomination, the actress who The Washington Posts Chris Cillizza called uber-liberal faced what likely seemed like an obvious choice: keeping with her belief system (and in hopes of avoiding a revolution), Hillary Clinton was the only option, right?

Wrong, because it seems that Sarandon, as Cillizza put it, still really, really doesnt like Hillary Clinton.

She proved just how much she doesnt like the Democratic candidate on Tuesday, when she sent the Green Party a letter officially endorsing its candidate for president, Jill Stein. This, even though Sanders himself has urged his supporters to vote for Clinton over a third party.

The letter has since been posted to the partys website.

Fear of Donald Trump is not enough for me to support Clinton, with her record of corruption, it stated.

The letter tellingly didnt espouse the virtues of Stein so much as it offered an exhaustive laundry list of reasons she does not support Clinton. Among those reasons were Clintons lack of support for the following: a $15 minimum wage, legalization of marijuana and a binding climate treaty. It also expressed frustration at Clintons support of unconditional military aid to Israel.

Finally, it argued that Clinton holds no position on the Dakota Access oil pipeline, a subject that, judging from Sarandons Twitter feed, is close to the actress heart.

In bold lettering, the missive stated, Its clear a third party is necessary and viable at this time. And this is the first step in accomplishing this end.

This shouldnt come as too much of a surprise. After all, back in June, Sarandon tweeted, Im not with her, referencing the Im with her phrase that Clinton supporters often employ.

Reactions on social media varied but appeared to be generally  if not completely  negative.

Shes a monster. Before asking Which she? Throw a dart, both (Stein/Sarandon) are, one user tweeted.

Sarandon is smarter than this, tweeted another user, who added, Geez, Susan, get real. Yet another tweeted, I had to sit down I was so shocked. Are you certain Susan Sarandon is supporting Jill Stein? I tearfully shouted.

Below is her full letter.



Dear Jill and team,

Ive been waiting for any indication that Hillary Clintons position on the issues that are most urgent to me, has changed. But 

 She does not support the $15 minimum wage.

 She shows no support for legalizing marijuana.

 She supports TPP.

 She has sold fracking and Monsanto.

 She supports offshore drilling.

 She has no position on the Dakota Access Pipeline.

 She opposes the labeling of GMOs.

 She opposes the breakup of big banks.

 She takes lobbyists money for campaigning.

 She opposes a binding climate treaty.

 She supports unconditional military aid to Israel.

Im therefore very happy to endorse Jill Stein for the presidency because she does stand for everything I believe in.

Its clear a third party is necessary and viable at this time. And this is the first step in accomplishing this end.

Fear of Donald Trump is not enough for me to support Clinton, with her record of corruption.

Now that Trump is self-destructing, I feel even those in swing states have the opportunity to vote their conscience.

Susan Sarandon

sarandon
BRUSSELS  Belgiums immigration minister is refusing to grant humanitarian visas to a family in the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo despite being fined 4,000 euros ($4,438) a day for defying an appeal tribunal.

A lawyer for the family, Olivier Stein, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the Belgian tribunal ruled three times that visas should be granted to the two adults with children aged 5 and 8 living in one of Syrias most dangerous cities.

Immigration Minister Theo Francken, whose office supervises Belgiums visa authority, has been visited by a bailiff directed by the tribunal, demanding 1,000 euros per person for each day that visas are not delivered. The tally so far is more than 30,000 euros ($33,000). The bailiff could confiscate goods to pay the fines.

Were going to use all possible legal means to fight this affair. This is going too far, Francken told state broadcaster RTBF on Tuesday.

Friends in the city of Namur have offered to lodge and feed the family. But Francken said their links with the would-be refugees are tenuous and that granting visas could set a precedent that would open the floodgates to other demands. He also believes the government and not courts should rule on visa policy.

Stein said the family is only interested in finding sanctuary.

We offered him the opportunity to drop this, to just give us the visas and forget the money. But he refused. So hes the one putting himself in a position where he faces a fine or sanctions. Hes making the Belgian taxpayer pay for not granting these visas, Stein said.

He rejected Franckens claim that the case might set a precedent.

This is a family who can prove they are in immediate danger of being killed. This is a very special case. We have provided proof of that, Stein said.

Francken cant cry about migrants drowning in the Mediterranean, then force people to put their lives in danger, Stein added.

The friends of the Syrian family say they are hopeful that things will turn out well, but they too insist that they arent seeking money.

Were not the ones who are asking for money. Its the Belgian justice system that set this amount, one friend said. She declined to be named out of concern for the security of both families, saying that hers had already received threats.

Aleppo is the main focal point of the conflict in Syria.

East Aleppo has been subjected to a ferocious campaign of aerial attacks by Russian and Syrian government warplanes, and hundreds of people have been killed in recent weeks, according to opposition activists and trapped residents. The U.N. estimates that 275,000 people are trapped in the city.

With no Belgian consular facilities in Syria, the father had to leave his family there to travel to Beirut to apply for the visas, Stein said.
Jorge Hernandezs family planned to have a private vigil for him  and an open-casket funeral where the 26-year-olds loved ones could say their final goodbyes.

Relatives also wanted to take pictures of Hernandez in his coffin. He had a half-finished angel-wings tattoo on his arm that was supposed to have the words Mom and Dad below the wings when it was completed; they wanted photos of that, too.

But they never got those things.

After relatives had made funeral arrangements, officials from the Los Angeles County coroners office told them that Hernandez had been cremated by mistake.

His body was confused with that of another man with the same name, the coroners office said.

The other man was indigent and was supposed to be cremated by the county. But the coroners office staff did not check the case number, and the body of the wrong man was cremated.

It was an oversight caused by human error, coroners office spokesman Armand Montiel said in a statement.

But for the young mans mother, it was as if her son died twice, the familys attorney told The Washington Post.

It was agony all over again, lawyer Luis Carrillo said. They never had a chance to say goodbye. There was no closure.

Hernandez was taken to a hospital on Oct. 3 after he was found unconscious in his car, Carrillo said.

Doctors told his family the next day that he was brain dead. His organs were donated, and the following week, the coroners office picked up his remains for an autopsy.

In the meantime, his family members began making funeral arrangements. Carrillo said they had planned to have Hernandez cremated after the funeral.

Hernandezs body was with the coroners office for about a week before his family members were told that he had been cremated, Carrillo said.

Montiel said in his statement that the agency immediately contacted Hernandezs family after the mistake was discovered.

County officials met with and apologized to the family on Oct. 21, three days after the cremation.

The department is profoundly sorry for any additional discomfort that this has caused the loved ones of Mr. Hernandez, Montiel said.

Hernandez died of a drug overdose, according to the coroner.

The mix-up occurred as the Los Angeles County coroners office is struggling to reduce a backlog caused by prolonged staffing shortages.

The department handles more than 8,500 cases a year, and the Los Angeles Times reported in March that about 180 bodies were at the county morgue because of delays in processing.

That same month, Mark Fajardo announced that he was resigning after two years as the countys chief medical examiner-coroner.

Ultimately, I wasnt supplied the resources I need to perform my duties, Fajardo said, according to the Times. Every year, we made requests for positions that needed to be filled. . . . Each year, we were not supplied the personnel we need.

Montiel, the coroners office spokesman, said the countys policy is to check the case number associated with the remains  a practice that has worked for almost two decades.

Carrillo said someone should have been supervising the staff members who made the mistake. He added that a lawsuit is in the works.

Hernandezs loved ones want justice, he said  and they dont want another family to have to go through the same ordeal.

I mean, I watched that little boy grow up. I changed his diapers and everything, Hernandezs aunt, Marylou Diaz, told an ABC affiliate. To see this happen to him, its just so unfair.

Parties planning to sue government officials or agencies in California must first file a claim.

According to claims for damages filed Thursday on behalf of Hernandezs parents, the coroners office was made aware that Hernandezs family had plans for a funeral.

The claims allege that the mistaken cremation was a result of deficient training policies, practices and procedures at the coroners office.

calif-cremated
Teddy Roosevelt knelt in the grass, raised his rifle and eyed the lion that was charging straight at him.

The animal was a splendid old fellow, Roosevelt would later write. A heavy male with a yellow-and-black mane . . . burly and savage. The lion raced closer, its ears laid back and fierce, guttural grunts echoing from deep within its throat.

It was June 1909. The former president was three months out of office and two months (and several slain lions) into an East Africa trip aimed at collecting specimens on behalf of the Smithsonian. But he had yet to capture a creature as large and impressive as this one. This was a scientific expedition, but there was no denying his motivation was partly ego: He really wanted to bag a big lion.

Roosevelt took aim and fired.

The bullet went as true as if the place had been plotted with dividers, he recalled in his account of the expedition, African Game Trails. The blow brought him up all standing, and he fell forward on his head.

As a storm gathered in the west and the red sun sank low over Kenyas Sotik plain, Roosevelt and his companions set about skinning the lion. Then they brought the pelt back to camp, boxed it up with hundreds of other specimens and shipped it off to Washington, where taxidermists at the U.S. National Museum were waiting to help bring it back to life.

On an afternoon last month, the lion stood in the middle of a windowless room at what has become the National Museum of Natural History, its right paw extended outward, its head held high. Its been out of public view for two decades, but now the museum is preparing the lion to go on display in March. It will be part of an exhibit of highlights of the Smithsonians collection.

The past century has taken a toll on the majestic creature. The lions tawny fur is crushed in places, and his rumpled mane gives him the appearance of having bed head. A portion of his ear is clipped, chunks of fur are missing, and his glass eyes have gone foggy with age.

Conservator Ron Harvey surveyed the mount, assessing the damage, deciding what to repair and what to leave as is.

I want him to look his best, he explained. But it is 100 years old. I want to maintain that sense of history too.

The job of a natural history conservator goes far beyond simple aesthetics. Harvey must maintain the specimens scientific usefulness, ensuring that it can be studied by future generations. He also wants to preserve it as a historical artifact  an object that can tell us about our past and its own. When museum visitors look at this mount in six months, Harvey hopes theyll get a sense of how it got to the museum, what it meant when they arrived, what it stills mean today.

What story did this lion and Roosevelt want to tell us? Harvey wondered. Thats what he aims to conserve.

In his final days in office, facing the fact that he was about to become the youngest-ever former president, Roosevelt was grappling with what to do next. He knew he didnt want to stay in Washington, D.C., after the inauguration of William Howard Taft, a fellow Republican and his chosen successor. Pundits were already lambasting Taft as Roosevelts puppet, and a New York Times article from the time claimed that Roosevelts express desire is to get away as soon as possible so as not to embarrass Taft in his new office.

Then a fateful conversation with Charles Akeley, a biologist and taxidermist who was laying plans for a year-long African collecting expedition on behalf of the American Museum of Natural History in New York, rekindled Roosevelts childhood dream of becoming a naturalist.

The trip was announced on Election Day: Roosevelt, his son Kermit and three scientist friends would spend 11 months in Central and East Africa, surveying the landscape, observing the fauna and collecting specimens for research. His offering to the Smithsonian would include not just skins for taxidermy, but also skeletons, bugs, plants and meticulously documented information about the animals habitat, biology and behavior.

As you know, I am not in the least a big game butcher, he wrote to Smithsonian Secretary Charles D. Walcott. I like to do a certain amount of hunting but my real and main interest is the interest of a faunal naturalist. Now, it seems to be me that this offers the best chance for the National Museum to get a fine collection . . . and looking at it dispassionately, I believe that the chance ought not to be neglected.

That last sentence was a nod to the fact that Africas big mammals  and the environments they inhabited  were swiftly vanishing. By the turn of the century railroads crisscrossed what was then the colony of British East Africa, and farmers had fenced off the land. Overhunting, much of it for sport, was pushing many creatures to the brink of extinction. Roosevelt had seen the same thing happen in the United States a generation earlier: the near-extinction of the bison, the actual demise of the passenger pigeon, the transformation of the landscape.

He viewed his expedition as an act of conservation. If the world could read about his encounters with creatures like the lion, if people could see the impressive animal for themselves, perhaps they would be motivated to preserve nature. And if legal protections did come too late, at least he would have captured a snapshot of this wilderness before it was lost.

He was acutely aware of wanting to document something of the privileged time in which he was alive, says Darrin Lunde, a Roosevelt biographer and collections manager for the division of mammals at the National Museum of Natural History. Because he knew that in 100 years, East Africa would be like the American West. There wouldnt be an opportunity for people to go out and collect like this again.

Predictably, the plan raised a hullabaloo at home. Newspaper reporters clamored to be allowed to accompany Roosevelt on the safari (he forcefully declined). The Chicago Tribune ran a cartoon showing a herd of wild animals racing in the direction of a sign saying to the tall grass. The caption below read: When the news of President Roosevelts visit reached Africa.

Critics assailed the expedition as a glorified trophy hunt.

He is a game butcher, pure and simple and . . . his interest in animals lies chiefly in the direction of blood, butchery and brutality, nature writer William J. Long told the New York Times. The only thing we will get out of the much-heralded trip will be some more hunting yarns and some more skins and bones, of which we already have too many. The only one who will ever learn or teach anything of value is the man who studies the living animal, not the man who gloats over a dead one.

The debate over the relationship between killing and conservation still rages today. Think of the outrage over trophy hunters who pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to conservation organizations and wildlife preserves for the opportunity to kill a single animal, or the recent discussion in the biology community about the risks of collecting voucher specimens from threatened species. The political and scientific reality of big game hunting in Africa and around the world has changed dramatically in the past 100 years. But there is still no consensus about the morality of killing one for the good of the many.

Its a really difficult question, Lunde says. Everyones got a different opinion about the sequence of events we call conservation. . . . I think a lot of Roosevelts detractors, they just didnt like the idea of these animals being killed. And thats perfectly legitimate.

Roosevelt was far less tolerant of those who doubted his motives. In a peeved rebuttal in the magazine New Outlook, he wrote, I can be condemned only if the existence of the National Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, and all similar zoological institutions are to be condemned.

By the time it ended in early 1910, the Roosevelt expedition had gathered more than 23,000 specimens for the Smithsonian and documented several new species. Prominent Smithsonian mammalogist Charles Handley, who died in 2000, once called the collection still the largest and most comprehensive single research collection of East African flora and fauna ever made.

The big male lion and four of its kindred were displayed in a diorama of a Kenyan watering hole, one of the first exhibits at the newly opened U.S. National Museum. It would remain in the public eye for almost a century, fixating generations of visitors with its serious stare. But in the late 1990s the lion was boxed up and stashed away for a renovation of the museums mammal hall.

After a two-decade stint in storage, its about to re-enter the spotlight. The lion and two other Roosevelt specimens  a pair of fantastically absurd shoebill storks  will go on display next spring as part of the museums Objects of Wonder exhibit, which examines the history of the collection. Harvey, who runs a private conservation practice in Maine, came to the Smithsonian for a week to get the trio in exhibit shape.

After consulting with museum conservation specialist Cathy Hawks, he decided to leave the lions glass eyes  which are cloudy and crizzled from a phenomenon called glass disease  as they are. Theyre historic artifacts too, after all, and theyre suggestive of the lions old age and impressive backstory. On top of which, it would probably cause more damage to try to take them out.

What were trying to do in conservation is preserve and extend the life of . . . this body that has not been sapped of all its knowledge, Harvey said.

He noted that the specimen has been cited in scientific journal articles as recently as 2010, and that scientists are developing new tools for research all the time. There may be other stories  about lion biology, East African ecosystems, 20th century taxidermy methods  buried inside this specimen, waiting for someone with the right question and the right tools to answer it.

But for the time being, Harvey was focused on aesthetics: broken ear, patchy fur, discolored nails.

I love what youve done with his hair, Hawks said on Harveys fourth day at the museum.

Harvey had spent much of the morning carefully fluffing the lions mane by spritzing it with tiny puffs of damp air. This part of a conservators job makes him feel more like a celebrity stylist than scientific expert.

Its hair by Ron, he joked.

Hawks nodded and said, He still looks a little sad though.

Harvey examined the animal; the foggy eyes did give him a baleful look. Well, if you saw Teddy with a pretty high powered rifle pointing at you, youre not going to be happy, he acknowledged. But look at the life he has now.



Video: A lion killed by Teddy Roosevelt gets a new life

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In August 1922, the Topeka State Journal reported on an unusual voter suppression tactic. Members of the Ku Klux Klan reportedly flew over Oklahoma City, dropping cards into black neighborhoods warning people to be cautious before heading to the polls.

The only thing thats really hard to believe about this is that the Klan used airplanes to deliver the message.

Its not surprising that anti-black rhetoric manifested itself in Oklahoma. The year prior, white mobs burned down a flourishing black community in Tulsa, killing an estimated 300 people.

Its not surprising that the Klan was so public. In the 1920s, membership in the group spiked, with such a robust presence that supporters marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, before a crowd of thousands, afterward retiring to Arlington, Virginia, for a cross-burning. The Klan marched through Queens, New York in 1927, sparking some fighting during which Donald Trumps father was arrested.

Its also not surprising that the Klan was actively involved in politics. In the early part of the 20th century, the Klan was so public in its aims that it endorsed candidates for office. In 1924, black Republican voters  loyal to the party since its abolitionist days  demanded that Calvin Coolidge, then the incumbent president, take a strong stand against Klan-endorsed candidates from the party.

And its certainly not surprising that the Klan sought to use its position as an overt public organization and its interest in politics to keep nonwhite people from voting.

The card-drop from the airplane was one thing. The Topeka State Journal also reported that Klansmen pledged to stake out polling places in Texas that year, with an aim to take careful note of the voting procedure. (This news article and the airplane one are via the excellent Tweets of Old Twitter account.)

Intimidation of voters by the Klan goes back way further than 1922, though. In 1871, Congress passed the Second Enforcement Act, better known as the Ku Klux Klan Act. Among its provisions was an effort to curtail often-violent efforts to prevent black people from casting votes in elections. Fifty years later, the Klan was no less subtle in its intentions, even if the methodology was sometimes  sometimes  more nuanced.

There are obvious parallels between those news articles and the current presidential election, even beyond that note in the Texas article about all of the women on the ballot. The menacing suggestion that voter fraud or voting irregularities necessitate keeping a close eye on things is born not of legitimate questions about the outcome of an election but of an attempt to create an excuse for keeping certain voters away from the polls.

Politico reports that the Trump campaign has inspired white supremacists and members of the Klan to head to the polls once again, both in support of his candidacy and to keep an eye on things in the helpful way of those Texans in 1922.

The Klans support for Trump has long been an undercurrent to the campaign, but this week it became official, with the organizations official newspaper (The Crusader) formally endorsing.

The Trump campaign strongly rejected the newspapers stance. This publication is repulsive and their views do not represent the tens of millions of Americans who are uniting behind our campaign, it said in a statement on Tuesday.

That is unlikely to tamp down what the racists are doing. A representative from an alt-right website provided a statement to Politicos Ben Schreckinger about its efforts. We are organizing poll watchers in urban areas to cut down on the most traditional type of voter fraud, the statement read. We also will have stationary cameras hidden at polling locations in Philadelphia, to monitor anyone that comes in to vote and make sure that the same people are not voting at multiple locations. It is easy to install those cameras, the person explained, because black schools are so disorderly that pretty much any official-looking white person with a clipboard can gain access to them.

Another prominent racist told Schreckinger that he was sending an army of Alt-Right nationalists to watch the polls. A third  the man who was slated to be a Trump delegate in California until people noticed  has been running automated phone calls in Utah suggesting without evidence that independent candidate Evan McMullin is gay.

Most of this is probably just clumsy bravado from people more comfortable tweeting about racial hostility than actually trying to sneak into a public school. But political efforts to make it harder for black voters to get to the polls have been much more effective when passed legislatively. New laws approved since 2012 have trimmed early voting time in Ohio and North Carolina, contributing to lower turnout from black voters so far in those states.

The through-line was obvious in North Carolina: cite voter fraud as a problem, link early voting to increased voter fraud, cut back on early voting, see lower black turnout  and therefore Democratic turnout. A federal judge tossed North Carolinas law, saying it intended to target African Americans with almost surgical precision, but after the law was repealed, counties were able to implement early voting as they saw fit. In one county, the New York Times reports, the number of early voting locations dropped from 16 in 2012 to one this year.

In a polarized era where black and Democrat are often considered interchangeable in a political context, the line between anti-black and anti-Democrat gets blurry. Its worth noting that an unnamed source told Bloomberg that the Trump campaign was explicitly hoping to suppress turnout among black voters this year.

Efforts by pro-Trump forces to monitor polling places to root out fraud (which is essentially non-existent as a factor in elections) have already been the subject of legal action. Longtime Trump ally Roger Stones clumsy voter-watch effort has been cited in several legal complaints as violating regulations against voter suppression. This is tricky territory for the Republican Party, which is legally prohibited from similar activity under a consent decree enacted in response to efforts to disenfranchise black voters in 1981. If the party is found to be encouraging voter suppression based on race, those involved could be found in contempt of court.

Among the statutes that are allegedly being violated, per those complaints? The provisions of the Ku Klux Klan Act.

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LONDON  Britain and Colombia announced a new oil and gas partnership Wednesday during the state visit to the U.K. by President Juan Manuel Santos, as Prime Minister Theresa May hailed one of Britains most important partners in Latin America.

Santos, who received the Nobel Peace Prize last month for his efforts to end Colombias civil war, met May at 10 Downing St. on the second day of his three-day trip.

Its the first U.K. state visit by a Colombian leader, and is being used by U.K. officials to highlight Britains international focus as it prepares to leave the European Union. Britons voted in June to leave the 28-nation bloc.

May said she was determined that Britain should become the global champion of free trade, and that means boosting trade with fast-growing economies like Colombia.

The energy deal announced Wednesday will see the two countries share information in areas such as regulation, supply-chain development and training.

May also announced a tax agreement with Colombia and 1 billion pounds ($1.2 billion) in export financing to encourage investment in rural health care and renewable energy projects.

On Tuesday, Santos and his wife Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos dined on Dover sole and pot-roasted pheasant at a Buckingham Palace banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II.

On Thursday Santos will visit Northern Ireland, Ireland, where a decades-long civil conflict was ended through political negotiation in the 1990s.

Santos won the Nobel Prize for striking a deal with Colombias main rebel group to end Colombias long civil war, which has killed more than 200,000 people. But the peace pact with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia was narrowly rejected by voters.

May said Britain would support Colombia in its efforts to secure a final and lasting peace agreement.
Mathematician Joseph Mazur was in the back of a van snaking through the mountains of Sardinia when he heard one of his favorite coincidence stories. The driver, an Italian language teacher named Francesco, told of meeting a woman named Manuela who had come to study at his school. Francesco and Manuela met for the first time in a hotel lobby, and then went to have coffee.

They spoke for an hour, getting acquainted, before the uncomfortable truth came out. Noting Manuelas nearly perfect Italian, Francesco finally asked why she decided to come to his school.

She said, Italian? What are you talk about? Im not here to learn Italian,' Mazur relates. And then it dawned on both of them that she was the wrong Manuela and he was the wrong Francesco. They returned to the hotel lobby where they had met to find a different Francesco offering a different Manuela a job she didnt want or expect.

The tale is one of the many stories that populate Mazurs new book, Fluke, in which he explores the probability of coincidences.

Mazur argues that most of the coincidences we experience  like stumbling into a close friend halfway around the world, meeting someone with the same birthday, or even dreaming of an event before it happens  can be explained by simple mathematics. If coincidences seem so surprising to us, its because people often fail to understand how the basic laws of probability work.



The chance of meeting someone with your birthday

For example, you might be surprised to meet someone who shares your birthday. But should you be?

Mathematicians call this the birthday problem, and they usually phrase it like this: How big of a group of people do you have to assemble before theres a 50-50 chance that two of the people share the same birthday? If you havent heard this problem before, take a guess now before reading further.

Right away, you know that if you assemble a group of 366 people, theres 100 percent probability that two people will have the same birthday  since there are only 365 days in a year, excluding leap year. But the probability is still almost certain with a much smaller group than that.

For this problem, its easier to look at the opposite case, the probability that no two people in a room have the same birthday. To figure out the probability of two independent events occurring together, like two people being born on the same day, you need to multiply the probabilities of each event. So the probability that two people do not share the same birthday is 365/365 x 364/365.

That equals about 99.7 percent  meaning that, with just two people, its very likely neither will have the same birthday. The probability that three random people do not share the same birthday is 99.18 percent.

But as you add people to this equation, the probability that no two people are born on the same day starts to fall, first gradually, and then sharply. With five people, its 97.3 percent. At 15 people, its 74.7 percent. And to get better than even odds (50 percent or more) that two people in the room have the same birthday, you only have to assemble 23 people.

It might seem strange that that number is so low, but consider this  every person you add to the mix is compared independently with every other person in the group. Among 23 people, there are 253 potential pairings  which creates a lot of potential for two people to share a birthday.

As the graph below shows, by the time you reach 60 people, its close to certain that the group will contain a birthday match.

The problem has interesting practical applications  for example, figuring out how likely it is that the FBIs database of genetic material contains random matches between people. While the kind of DNA readings that are used to convict suspects in criminal cases are highly unique, studies have shown that the chance of a random match between two unrelated people may be higher than convicting juries assume.



The chance of a monkey writing Shakespeare

Mazur discusses another problem that tells you a lot about how people misunderstand probabilities: the monkey problem, which originated with mathematician Emile Borel.

In 1913, Borel decided to tackle an age-old question about randomness, Mazur says. He asked the question, Could totally random events amount to something meaningful? And the popular rendition of the question soon became, Could a monkey randomly hitting the keys of a keyboard type out a Shakespearean sonnet?'

Youve probably heard the question before  its become widespread in pop culture, including in a Simpsons clip from 1993, in which Mr. Burns keeps a roomful of monkeys hammering away on typewriters, in hope of creating the next great work of literature.

Borels answer to the monkey problems was, essentially, yes  a monkey will eventually type out a Shakespearean sonnet, though it could take a very long time. As Mazur says, the probability of a monkey randomly typing shall  as in Shall I compare thee to a summers day  is in itself nearly 1 in 12 million.

But if the monkey tries many, many times, or more fellow monkeys join it in its endeavor, that probability starts to drop. With 8.2 million tries, the monkey has a better than even chance of typing the word shall.

This same principle is used in brute force attempts to crack passwords, in which algorithms use trial and error methods to quickly run through potential password combinations. This is why longer passwords are so much more secure than shorter ones, just as its much harder for the monkey to type out a sonnet than the word shall.



Why coincidences are so surprising

A central argument of Mazurs book is that people tend to make several common mistakes when thinking about probabilities.

For example, think of probability estimates like FiveThirtyEights 2016 Election Forecast, which in early November showed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton with a 70 percent chance of winning and Republican candidate Donald Trump with a 30 percent chance. Many people look at a lopsided probability like that and assume that a Clinton win is all but assured. And if Donald Trump were to be victorious, some might assume FiveThirtyEight got it wrong.

But thats not, of course, how probability works. With more than a one-in-four chance, Donald Trump could still easily win the 2016 election.

Another reason people tend to misunderstand probability is our selective attention  we notice and remember coincidences, but we hardly ever heed their absence. Think of all the people youve met who dont share your birthday, for example. Its a huge number in comparison to those who do share it. After meeting so many people who dont share your birthday, youre bound to meet someone who does.

This is a point thats illustrated by the monkey problem  as the number of trials rises, even very rare events have a high likelihood of occurring.

Something similar happens with the Francesco and Manuela story. It seems like a strange event, but as you add in other pairs of popular names, and other hotel lobbies around the world, the probability of an incident of this type occurring begins to grow.

The mistaken identity event is more common than we think because numbers behind them are larger than we imagine, Mazur writes. [I]f we include all the hotel lobbies of the entire world, our number would grow so large that we should be certain that two pairs of people will have a mistaken identity meeting in some hotel lobby (I would guess) somewhere every hour!

This tendency to overestimate or underestimate particular numbers is what gives rise to our great surprise at many coincidences. As Mazur writes, we are often deceived by the magnitude of our world. With so many chance events occurring to so many people around the world, stunning coincidences are only natural.

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PHOENIX  A Phoenix charter school has denied claims that a teacher harassed a Somali boy because he is a Muslim.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona filed a complaint with the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education on behalf of the boys family.

A teacher at the Academy of Excellence choked the sixth-grade boy, called him a terrorist in class and verbally threatened him, according to the complaint filed Friday.

The complaint says the charter school eventually forced the boys mother to withdraw him and his younger sister after she raised concerns about the situation.

Attorney Lonnie Williams, who represents the Academy of Excellence, said Tuesday that the claims are devoid of evidence and contain false and unsubstantiated allegations.

Williams said internal investigations found no evidence of the claims.

A police report concluded that the allegations raised by the boy and his mother were unfounded. According to the report, the teacher and the school denied the ACLUs claims and said the boy was disruptive and kicked out of the school for non-compliance issues.

ACLU attorney Heather Weaver called the situation one of the most egregious cases of harassment that weve seen. She said the school didnt make an adequate effort to investigate the allegations and called the police investigation superficial at best.

The ACLU says a teacher showed a video clip about the terrorists responsible for the 9/11 attacks last school year and told the boy thats going to be you. It also says she snapped at the boy when he raised his hand to answer a question, saying, All you Muslims think you are so smart.

The complaint also accuses the teacher of telling the boy that he and other Muslims will be deported if Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is elected.
The U.K. government broke the law by failing to adequately deal with air pollution, a London judge said, ruling that ministers should revise current plans to rein in toxic emissions to comply with European Union standards.

Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom must aim to achieve compliance by the soonest date possible, High Court Judge Neil Garnham said on Wednesday. She must choose a route to that objective which reduces exposure as quickly as possible and take steps to ensure meeting EU standards is not just possible, but likely.

Wednesdays ruling marks the second time that ClientEarth, a non-profit environmental law firm, has successfully challenged the government over air quality. The verdict means ministers will now have to revise future plans to ensure they cut sooner toxic levels of nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant that comes from diesel engines among other sources. Prime Minister Theresa May told lawmakers in Parliament on Wednesday that ministers will look again at the governments air quality strategy.

We recognize that there is more for the government to do, May said. Weve taken action, theres more to do and we will do it.

Leadsoms office said in a statement that its plans have always followed the best available evidence, and that it is ready to update them if necessary.

Whilst our huge investment in green transport initiatives and plans to introduce clean air zones around the country will help tackle this problem, we accept the courts judgment, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said. We will now carefully consider this ruling, and our next steps, in detail.

The government published air quality plans in December that, while improving on previous measures, still projected London to remain in breach of EU guidelines until 2025. Its those plans the environment department will now have to revise.

The U.K. has been in breach of EU air quality regulations since 2010, and London breached annual limits just eight days into 2016. Mayor Sadiq Khans office estimates that illnesses from long-term exposure to airborne pollutants cause 9,400 deaths in the capital each year, while ClientEarth estimates the figure is about 23,500 nationwide.

This must now act as a real wake-up call to government to finally get to grips with this national health emergency, Khan said Wednesday in a statement. I am calling for the governments revised package of measures to include funding a national diesel scrappage scheme to take the most polluting vehicles off our roads and an overhaul of vehicle excise duty to incentivize the buying of the cleanest vehicles, as well as powers to tackle non-road sources of NO2, including from construction.

Mays spokesman, Greg Swift, later told reporters in London that acceptable air quality would be a central part of its decision to expand Heathrow Airport, which currently has a nearby monitoring station thats in breach of EU standards, according to the London Air Quality Network at Kings College.

We were very clear when the decision on Heathrow was made that air quality at an acceptable level was going to be a central part of that project, and we havent moved, Swift said.

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By PTI: From Abhishek Shukla

Kathmandu, Nov 2 (PTI) Nepal today condemned terror in all its forms and asserted that no country should let its territory be used against any other state as it acknowledged that Indo-Pak tensions were harming SAARC.

In an interaction with the media at a reception hosted in the honour of President Pranab Mukherjee by Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae in the sprawling laws of India House, Nepal Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat said Nepal is against terrorism in all its forms.

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He was responding to a question on terror perpetrated by Pakistan in India despite condemnation from international community.

"We are against terrorism in all forms. No matter what causes terrorism. Terrorism is terrorism. We condemn that and we will like to work together against terrorism. No country should let its territory to act against any other country. It should totally be discouraged and those who process terrorism be eliminated," he said.

When asked whether the tensions between India and Pakistan are affecting South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) of which Nepal is presently the Chair, he said "definitely" because SAARC works on consensus.

When two countries do not agree on something and major bilateral issue arises it definitely harms SAARC, he said.

Recently, SAARC summit scheduled in Islamabad was cancelled following the attack by terrorists on Uri Army camp in which 19 Indian soldiers were killed.

Nepal as the Chair of SAARC had issued a stern statement condemning cross border terror.

When asked whether there is any move to shift the venue of SAARC, Mahat said, "We need to discuss. Even Pakistanis agree that current situation is not conducive. Everybody has to agree. It is still not mature...No decision to shift SAARC venue. We have had discussions with Pakistan, India and other countries and everybody feels time is not right for the Summit."

When asked about China, he said there are many facets of relations with India and there is "no need to compare".

"We want to have good relations with both our neighbours," he said.

President Mukherjee is on a three-day visit -- the first by an Indian President in 18 years.

He was received today at the Tribhuvan International Airport by his counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari. The two leaders later went to Shital Niwas -- official residence of the Nepal President.

The experts see this visit as a "goodwill visit" as Mukherjee in his different capacities in the Indian government closely saw "evolution of democracy" in Nepal. PTI ABS SKL ASK AKJ ASK

--- ENDS ---
LAS CRUCES  In the final push toward Election Day, Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence rallied supporters with promises to turn New Mexicos blue-state voting record to red.

This movement is coming together, Pence said. New Mexico is coming together, and were going to make Donald Trump the next president of the United States of America.

Pelted for more than half an hour by a light rain, Pence spoke to a crowd at an airport hangar filled to near its 500-person capacity. Supporters stood in the shelter while Pence spoke at a podium under the drizzle.

Waving placards emblazoned with Make America great again and Drain the swamp, supporters cheered when Pence promised Trump will repeal the Affordable Care Act, build a wall at the Mexican border, have zero tolerance for criminal illegal aliens and renegotiate NAFTA.

This election is really about issues that come right to our kitchen tables, Pence said, that have to do with our security, our prosperity and with the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

A vacancy exists on the nine-member court after the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia earlier this year, while two elder justices may soon retire  potentially allowing the next president to tip the balance toward a more liberal or a more conservative court.

Pence revved up the crowd by accusing Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton of corruption, and supporters responded by chanting, Lock her up!

Many supporters  including old and young people, Anglo and Hispanic, from Las Cruces, Alamogordo and El Paso  said they had already voted. Pence called on them to encourage their relatives and friends to head to the polls.

Southern New Mexico, defined by the 2nd Congressional District, is 54 percent Hispanic, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures, although Hispanics account for 40 percent of total registered voters. The region swings between the two parties.

Don and Becca Williams attended the rally and said they had already cast their ballots.

We thought that every point that he made was great, Becca said. Speaking about Pences plea to bring others on board, Don said, America needs this.

In an exceptionally polarizing election year, in which dozens of high-ranking Republicans, including Gov. Susana Martinez, have disavowed or refused to endorse Trump, Pence, the governor of Indiana, addressed the divisions within his own party.

I think its time to say with one voice to our fellow Republicans, its time to come home, he said.

Republican Rep. Steve Pearce, who represents southern New Mexico, restated his support for Trump at the rally. I hear people every day expressing concerns about what Trump says, Pearce said. Im more worried about what she does, I will just tell you that.

Pearce underscored New Mexicos importance to the Trump campaign, saying, The Trump team is coming in again and again to say We value your vote.'

Repeat visits

Trump has visited New Mexico twice since May and Pence has held three rallies in the state. High-level surrogates for Clinton have made stops in New Mexico, but neither Clinton nor her running mate, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, have visited the state this election cycle.

Democratic Rep. Bill McCamley of Las Cruces told a news conference before the rally, The Clintons have a long and deep history in the state, and the campaign is investing a lot of resources to get out the vote.

Earlier, outside the airport hangar, the scene was peaceful, but the mood intense as supporters and detractors intermittently screamed at each other.

Loud arguments began as a few protesters began speaking one at a time through a megaphone, including one woman who said she came to the U.S. illegally as a child. Trump supporters shouted Trump, Trump or USA to drown them out.

I hope you can reflect on what Jesus, or your God, would say about what your candidate says, protester Sarah Silva said to the supporters in line. I hope you can reflect on that.

Earlier in the day, 45-year-old Irma Trujillo was among the first to arrive, holding a hot-pink sign saying Deplorable Latina (heart) Trump  a play on Clintons statement that half of Trumps supporters belong in a basket of deplorables, for which Clinton later apologized.

Trujillo said she is sick of politicians and agrees with Trumps tough line on immigration.

There is nothing racist about keeping undocumented immigrants out, she said.

In a desert field near the airport, Democrats held a news conference to denounce the Trump-Pence ticket, tout Clintons platform and urge people to vote early.

Trumps message is divisive, its dangerous and its not good for our communities, McCamley said.

A few protesters joined. Jeneen Roybal held a sign saying Love Trumps Hate.

I am not a Trump supporter, she said. If Trump wins, well be set back 50 years.
Elmore Leonards Get Shorty is getting the TV treatment, and it will be filming in Albuquerque and Los Angeles.

The New Mexico State Film Office announced Wednesday that the Epix and MGM Television project will be in principal photography through May 2017.

According to the film office, the production will employ 289 New Mexico crew members and about 3,500 New Mexico background talent.

The series stars Chris ODowd and Emmy Award-winner Ray Romano and is inspired by Leonards 1990 New York Times best-selling novel, which was adapted into a 1995 film.

Series regulars include Sean Bridgers, Lidia Porto, Megan Stevenson, Goya Robles, Lucy Walters and Carolyn Dodd.

ODowd is set to play Miles, a hitman from Nevada who tries to become a movie producer in Hollywood as a means to leave his criminal past behind. Romano is set for the role of Rick, a washed-up producer of low-quality films who becomes Miles partner and guide through the maze of Hollywood. Bridgers will play Miles partner within the organization, Louis.

Porto will portray Amara, the godmother of a Nevada crime ring. Stevenson is set for the role of April, an attractive and ambitious studio executive, and Robles will portray Yago, Amaras dangerous nephew.

It is created and executive produced by Davey Holmes.

Elmore Leonards work was formative for me, and the world of Get Shorty felt ready for a reinvention, while staying true to the creative spirit of the book, Holmes said. Leonard had a fantastic ability to illuminate thuggish characters and find not only menace, but also comedy that springs from their humanity. Its a story about murderous tough guys with wistful dreams and fragile egos. Our lead character is an outsider, doesnt come from Hollywood. We are delighted to be shooting in New Mexico.

This is the second Epix production that has filmed in New Mexico. The first was Graves, which also filmed in Albuquerque.

Albuquerque welcomes the TV series Get Shorty to our city, said Albuquerques Mayor Richard Berry. The film industry provides high-paying, creative jobs to our citizens and many businesses are affected positively by the filming here in Albuquerque.
ORLANDO, Fla.  The presidential campaign broke into a final, urgent sprint Wednesday as Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and their allies fanned across the country, warning supporters against complacency and pressing their case to the remaining pool of ambivalent voters.

The tightness of the race  and the multiple states poised to have a pivotal effect on the outcome  was apparent in the vast distances covered by the candidates and their surrogates, as well as the tens of millions of dollars in advertising lined up to fill the airwaves in the last days.

A bullish Trump spent the day in Florida, assuring supporters that he was on the path to victory, while his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, raced through Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. Trumps children also campaigned in key battlegrounds on his behalf, making stops in Colorado, North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

We are going to win back the White House, Trump told supporters gathered in the sweltering sun in Orlando. But he urged them to get out and vote, warning: We dont want to blow it.

Give us two more days, I think were going to be winning everywhere, Trump concluded.

Clinton, who was slated to hold events late Wednesday in Nevada and Arizona, was backed by a full cast of Democratic and liberal heavy-hitters across the country, including President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

After arriving in Las Vegas, Clintons first stop was the lunchroom of the Mirage Casino, where she urged workers to get out to vote early.

Make sure you get out and vote.  I need your help on Tuesday! the candidate told employees, many of whom were wearing uniforms. They lined up to greet her enthusiastically, and one woman grabbed Clinton by the arm, kissed her own hand and placed it on the candidate.

Earlier in the day, Biden told a crowd in Palm Beach Gardens: You win here in Florida, it is all over. We can go to bed early on election night!

A few moments later, Obama made the same case to supporters in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. So I hate to put a little pressure on you, but the fate of the republic rests on your shoulders, he told the crowd gathered on a sports field at the University of North Carolina.

In a radio interview broadcast Wednesday morning, the president expressed concern about turnout among African Americans, pressing black voters to go to the polls for Clinton to protect the policies he has implemented.

The African-American vote right now is not as solid as it needs to be, Obama said on The Tom Joyner Morning Show, framing the election as not only a race between Clinton and Trump, but one in which his record is on the line.

I need everybody to understand that everything weve done is dependent on being able to pass the baton to somebody who believes in the same things I believe in, the president said.

To shore up support among black voters, Clinton released a radio ad Wednesday titled Disrespect that says Trump openly mocks the African-American community. The spot will air in Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and North Carolina, her campaign said.

The Clinton team dipped into its bulging war chest to increase its ad investments across the country for the final week of the campaign, purchasing airtime in Wisconsin and doubling its television spending in Arizona to $1 million.

A Democratic nominee for president has not won Arizona since Bill Clinton in 1996, but polls show a competitive contest there.

In addition, the campaign is expanding its air presence in Colorado, Virginia, Michigan and New Mexico with six-figure buys.

The new spending is fueled by Clintons large bank account. As of Oct. 19, she had more than $62 million on hand, compared with Trumps $16 million.

This week, the campaign said it raised a record $11.3 million in 48 hours online. Clintons online fundraising has reached its highest level since she became the Democratic nominee in July, officials said, giving them the resources to blanket the airwaves.

Were not going to leave any money on the table, said Clinton communications director Jennifer Palmieri.

The surge in donations coincides with news of a renewed FBI inquiry into Clintons use of a private email server when she was secretary of state, a development that Democrats have angrily branded as unfair. Fundraising appeals have asked Clinton supporters to have her back at a difficult time.

At the same time, the controversy has invigorated Trump and his supporters. The campaign said it had raised $100 million in small-dollar donors in October  meaning it saw a huge flood of contributions in the last 11 days of the month.

Trump has been focusing heavily this week on the FBIs latest probe, often wildly exaggerating or changing key details. In Orlando, he said that all 650,000 emails that were located on a laptop belonging to Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of Clinton aide Huma Abedin, belonged to Clinton. Officials have not yet said whether any of the emails are connected to Clinton.

In Orlando, the GOP nominee predicted that Clinton is likely to be under investigation for many years, probably concluding in a criminal trial.

Hillary wants to blame everyone else for her mounting legal troubles and I dont see  if youve watched her last few speeches over the last few days, she has become totally unhinged, he said. Unbelievable. What shes saying and what shes doing it, actually, its unbelievable. But she has no one to blame but herself.

Earlier in the day, at a rally in Miami, Trump called his Democratic rival a very unstable person. He did not elaborate on his claim.

Obama also briefly addressed for the first time the FBIs revived review of Clintons emails, saying in an interview with NowThis posted Wednesday that the agency does not operate on innuendo and emphasizing that there is no evidence that the Democratic nominee had violated the law.

Meanwhile, the deadly shootings of two police officers in central Iowa prompted two of Clintons top surrogates to cancel a Wednesday campaign event in the state. Former president Bill Clinton and vice-presidential nominee Tim Kaine scuttled a get-out-the-vote event in Des Moines, Clintons campaign announced.

The officers were shot in their squad cars in Des Moines and Urbandale. Authorities took a suspect into custody on Wednesday morning.

Animosity against the news media flared at Trumps rallies on Wednesday as he accused reporters of taking part in a rigged system. The tension was particularly acute in Miami, where the usual buffer zone between supporters and the traveling press was missing. Screaming supporters stood just inches away from reporters.

At one point, the candidate appeared to single out NBC News reporter Katy Tur for criticism, as he has done before.

We have massive crowds. Theres something happening. Theyre not reporting it. Katy, youre not reporting it, Katy. Theres something happening, Katy. Theres something happening, Katy, Trump said.

As the rally continued, one man near the press pen shouted menacingly at Tur.

Trump also lambasted both Bill and Hillary Clinton, saying, If Hillary Clinton were to be elected, it would create an unprecedented and protracted constitutional crisis. Havent we just been through a lot with the Clintons? Right?

As Trump spoke, a man in the crowd kept screaming, Hes a rapist!

Rep. Raul R. Labrador, Idaho, was an introductory speaker at Trumps rally  a rare GOP lawmaker who traveled from out of state to campaign with the nominee. Sen. Marco Rubio, a defeated GOP primary rival locked in a tight reelection battle, did not appear with Trump.

Im here because what we need to do in this election is we need to elect somebody that can believe and does believe in the American Dream, Labrador said, then telling the crowd about how he grew up in Puerto Rico and ended up being a Republican. Later he added, I need you to do everything you can for the next seven days to make America great again.

As the crowd waited for Trump to arrive, a local GOP official spoke about the importance of voting for Republicans up and down the ticket  but the crowd was distracted by a woman wearing a jail jumpsuit and a Clinton mask who posed for photo after photo.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus also addressed supporters, saying in Miami that while Trump is not politically correct, he doesnt lie like Clinton.

Were in a battle for freedom, Priebus said, and Donald Trump will fight for our freedom.



Phillip reported from Las Vegas and Gold reported from Washington. Anne Gearan and David Nakamura in Washington and Juliet Eilperin in Chapel Hill, N.C., contributed to this report.

  

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At a rally in Miami, Nov. 2, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he believes his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton is very unstable. The crowd followed with cheers of, Lock her up. (The Washington Post)

URL: http://wapo.st/2feSkHU

Embed:

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FORT WORTH, Texas  Texas authorities have determined that the estranged wife of an internationally known pianist is incompetent to stand trial in the deaths of their two young daughters.

A competency evaluation for 32-year-old Sonya Tsygankova (tsih-GAN-koh-vah) found her unfit for trial on two counts of capital murder, and a judge Monday committed her to a mental health facility for 120 days.

Her competency will be re-evaluated again. Shes pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Tsygankova is accused of suffocating her 1-year-old and 5-year-old daughters March 17 at her suburban Fort Worth home.

Her attorney, Joetta Keene, tells the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (http://bit.ly/2eeEdj9 ) that several doctors have determined shes not ready for court.

The girls father, Vadym (va-DEEM) Kholodenko (koh-loh-DEHN-koh), won the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth in 2013.

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Information from: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, http://www.star-telegram.com
PHOENIX  Authorities say they are looking to arrest a pregnant woman in connection with a homicide in Phoenix last month.

Phoenix police announced Wednesday that they have developed probable cause to arrest 23-year-old Yaneli Medina.

They say officers were requested to do a welfare check on Sept. 28 on a man neighbors hadnt seen for a few days.

Police went to the mans home and reported finding him dead from a gunshot wound.

Hes been identified as 52-year-old Kimmy Brice.

Police say theyve spoken with family and friends of Yaneli, who reportedly was in a long term relationship with Brice.
AUSTIN, Texas  Texas schools have not spent years denying disabled students access to special education, state officials told the U.S. Department of Education on Wednesday, but also signaled making changes following a newspaper investigation that troubled lawmakers about whether families were being wrongfully turned away.

The Texas Education Agency refuted stories by the Houston Chronicle that found the state quietly restricting special education services in the face of budget cuts. Texas wound up with the lowest percentage of students enrolled in special education, 8.5 percent, which the newspaper reported was an arbitrarily set benchmark.

But state education officials denied ordering districts to hit an enrollment target in a lengthy letter to their federal counterparts, who have ordered Texas to cease using current policies unless the state could show it didnt keep children with disabilities from receiving appropriate services.

The allegation that the special education representation indicator is designed to reduce special education enrollment in order to reduce the amount of money the state has to spend on special education is clearly false, wrote Penny Schwinn, the states deputy commissioner of academics.

Schwinn also told federal officials, however, that it will also stop using one indicator of identifying eligible students and clarifying practices with the states 1,200 school districts.

Republican House Speaker Joe Straus, who put pressure on the agency to take action, said Wednesday he had heard concern from teachers and parents about access to special education and thanked education officials for responding.

This is good news for Texas families. TEAs decision will give the agency time to work with legislators and others to make sure students get the services they need, Straus said in a statement.

State officials said there was no timeline to receive a response from federal officials.
On Oct. 14, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced its New Mexico district office would be run by a familiar face: John M. Garcia, a New Mexico native and longtime advocate for business and veterans issues.

Before joining the SBA, Garcia worked in Washington, D.C., as the deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He is the founder of Garcia & Associates LLC, a consulting company that specializes in issues related to veteran wellness and entrepreneurial development.

A few weeks after the announcement, Garcia sat down with the Journal to talk about his new role and the economic challenges facing the state.

Q: Tell me a bit about your path to this position.

A: After high school, I was drafted into Vietnam. I came home, went back to school (at the now-defunct University of Albuquerque), but at that time being a veteran wasnt the best thing you could be. I had a college professor who came in one day and said, If there are any Vietnam vets in here, I want you out. I needed to work, so I was driving around Central one day and I saw a big sign by (the retail store) Whites saying, We hire Vietnam vets  a bold statement for the time. Today its patriotic. I walked in with no resume, and they said I could start Monday. Two years later, I had my own retail store. That all led to me getting heavily involved being a veteran advocate, especially in the business community. I ran the Hispano Chamber of Commerce for about nine years, then was cabinet secretary of Economic Development (under Gov. Bruce King). Ive always had a passion for small business, and most people dont realize that of the 28 million small businesses in this country, 3.6 million are veteran-owned.

Q: What are your goals for your current role?

A: A lot of people dont know what the SBA is or what it has to offer: loans (through partnerships with lenders), counseling, contracting. We help people find the capital they want, and the technical assistance and counseling they need to be successful. And those people are going to hire other people, which makes us one of the most important agencies for the development of New Mexico and our country. I want to raise the bar of awareness for this agency, thats my first task. I want to get out there and let people know Im here and what we have to offer. I found that this agency brought in $131 million in loans (in fiscal year 2015) for small businesses through our partners. Thats a lot of money. This year, its up by $40 million. Thats an indicator to me that the lenders may be loosening up a bit, and maybe that the small business community is hiring more.

Q: How do you reconcile those numbers with the fact that New Mexico currently has the second-worst unemployment rate in the country?

A: I think it all goes back to the awareness I was talking about before. When I started my own company, I knew the SBA was there, but I thought I didnt have time. I was in a constant panic mode. We need to teach people to invest in themselves first. That growth in the loans shows a trend in the right direction, but we need to do a better job of connecting our small business owners with the resources of the SBA and our partners. That will help elevate the economy because (small businesses) are such a big part of it.

Q: Do you think theres a resistance to change here in New Mexico, as it relates to the economy?

A: We like to keep things as they are, or as they were, or as we perceive them to be. Change makes people uncomfortable. Leaders are supposed to be the agents of change, and its a matter of creating the vision for people to see what that change could be and articulating that vision. If we understand our mission, then our goals and objectives will start falling into place.

Q: What do you think is the biggest thing holding back small businesses right now?

A: I run a small business, and as a service-disabled vet, 3 percent of federal contracts are mandated to me by law. The biggest thing that bothered me was that I had to pay gross receipts tax. Seven percent, right off the top. Why? What incentive is that? Waive it, at least for the first two or three years, and let that small business owner get on their feet. (New Mexico) rolls the red carpet out for big business, but we roll a towel out for small business.

Q: If you had one thing to say to our readers who are small business owners, or who want to be small business owners, what would it be?

A: Give us the chance to help your dreams become a reality. My staff and I are ready to help you, and if we cant help you, we have partners that can.
Authorities have identified five of the six people killed in a crash involving a school bus and an MTA bus in Baltimore that also injured 10 people during Tuesday mornings rush-hour commute.

It appeared that most of these folks were on the way to work or on their way home from work, Baltimore police spokesman T.J. Smith said Wednesday.

No children were on either bus, but the deadly collision left a scene that looked like a bomb had exploded after the school bus crashed into a gray Mustang and a stone pillar before slamming into the commuter bus with 13 on board, according to police.

Both bus drivers died in the crash. Police identified the school bus driver as Glenn Chappell, 67, and the Maryland Transit Administration bus operator as Ebonee Danell Baker, 33.

Four passengers on the commuter bus died: Cherry Denise Yarborough, 51; Terance Lee Casey, 52; Gerald Holloway, 51; and a 46-year-old woman who has not yet been publicly identified as police continue to search for her next of kin.

The identified victims were all from the Baltimore area, according to a list provided by police.

As of Wednesday morning, three people remain hospitalized, including one man in critical condition, police said.

The school bus was traveling east on Frederick Avenue to pick up the first of 18 students headed to Dallas Nicholas Sr. Elementary School when the series of collisions occurred near Monastery Avenue about 7 a.m., police said. The MTA bus was running its route from Dundalk in eastern Baltimore County, west through the city, to Catonsville.

Authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board, are working to determine the cause of the crash and may have recovered video from the MTA bus that might help the investigation. Police were trying Wednesday to determine whether the crash damaged the video, Smith said.

Were still in the process of verifying the viability of that, Smith said. This wasnt a fender bender. Were talking about major, major destruction that even that equipment is not prepared to withstand.

Investigators were also speaking with an aide who was on the school bus and suffered minor injuries.

The school bus was operated by AA Affordable Transportation, a firm that has a contract with Baltimore City Public Schools to provide curb-to-curb transportation for students who are homeless, have special needs or require some other specific assistance from the system.

Smith said that the company was involved in a crash four years ago but that its bus was not at fault. A vehicle had run a red light and struck the bus, Smith said, who added that such an accident would not be uncommon in an urban area like Baltimore.

Smith said Wednesday that the police department was not aware of any type of sanctions against the school bus driver and is trying to determine whether he had a medical condition that would explain why it appears the bus did not stop during the series of crashes.

On Wednesday morning, the Baltimore Sun posted a profile of Baker, the MTA driver, interviewing family members and friends who described her as a dedicated mother who dreamed of becoming a bus driver when she became a fare inspector more than a decade ago.

She was very dedicated to her job, said Sahkia Johnson, who was described as a longtime friend. On time, always there, whenever they needed her. She considered the MTA friends she had as family.

The Sun also spoke with people who knew Chappell, the school bus driver. His friends described him as a good man who would leave change at the corner store he frequented for children to buy snowballs.

The NTSB is running a crash investigation parallel to the police inquiry, with both agencies working to determine what caused such an extraordinary and catastrophic incident, Smith said.

Its not something we see a lot, but when it happens, it is something we all in public safety should study, Smith said. Maybe there is something that can be done to make sure that others dont meet the same fate.

maryland-crash
WASHINGTON  President Barack Obama briefly addressed the FBIs reopened investigation into Hillary Clintons email practices for the first time, saying in an interview posted Wednesday that the agency does not operate on innuendo and emphasizing that there is no evidence that the Democratic presidential nominee violated the law.

I do think that there is a norm that when there are investigations, we dont operate on innuendo, and we dont operate on incomplete information, and we dont operate on leaks, Obama said in the interview with NowThis News, which was filmed Tuesday. We operate based on concrete decisions that are made. When this was investigated thoroughly last time, the conclusion of the FBI, the conclusion of the Justice Department, the conclusion of repeated congressional investigations, was she had made some mistakes but that there wasnt anything there that was prosecutable.

The presidents remarks came several days after FBI Director James B. Comeys surprise announcement Friday that agents would review thousands of emails potentially connected to Clinton that were discovered as part of a separate inquiry into former congressman Anthony Weiner, D-New York, who is married to a high-ranking Clinton aide, Huma Abedin.

Ive made a very deliberate effort to make sure that I dont look like Im meddling in what are supposed to be independent processes for making these assessments, Obama said. Of Clinton, he added: Setting aside the particulars of this case, I know that she is somebody who has always looked out for the interests of America and the American people first.

Obama had not mentioned the case during recent appearances at Clinton campaign rallies in Florida and Ohio. This week, press secretary Josh Earnest said the White House would neither defend nor criticize Comeys actions. Earnest also referred to the FBI chief as a man of integrity and good character.

But Comeys disclosure, made in a notice to Congress that leaked to reporters, has prompted strong criticism of the FBI from Democrats and some Republican lawmakers who have questioned whether Comey violated Justice Department policies by making a decision so close to Election Day that risked shaking up a political campaign.

The president doesnt believe that [Comey] is secretly strategizing to benefit one candidate or one political party, Earnest told reporters at the White House on Monday. Hes in a tough spot, and hes the one who will be in a position to defend his actions in the face of significant criticism from a variety of legal experts, including individuals who served in senior Department of Justice positions in administrations led by presidents in both parties.

Aboard Air Force One on Obamas trip to a Clinton rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Wednesday, another White House spokesman insisted that nothing changed on the White House view of Comey despite Obamas remarks in the interview. The president does take seriously the longstanding norms and customs that have historically limited what law enforcement can say about a pending investigation, the spokesman, Eric Schultz, said.

You will see the president went out of his way to say he wasnt going to comment on any specific investigation, he added.

Though the race between Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump already had been narrowing, according to public polls, Clinton has lost more of her lead since Comeys announcement; polls on Wednesday showed the two candidates in a dead heat nationally. A new Washington Post-ABC News Tracking Poll finds Trump now holds an edge on which candidate is honest and trustworthy, while 59 percent disapproved of Clintons handling of her email on a personal server while serving as secretary of state.

In July, Comey said the FBIs investigation into 30,000 State Department emails that passed through Clintons private server found that 110 contained classified information at the time she sent or received them, and a very small number included markings as such. He called Clinton and her aides extremely careless in their use of email, and suggested that hostile foreign governments could have gained access to them. But he recommended against criminal prosecution, saying there was no evidence that Clinton and her team had intentionally mishandled the information.

Obamas interview with NowThis was scheduled as part of a final week campaign blitz as the president seeks to help Clinton by boosting Democratic voter turnout among young people and other groups that heavily supported his victories in 2008 and 2012.

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Tech and government investment specialist Veritas Capital has made another deal in the wake of its weighty $10.65bn Fund VIII close from earlier this month with the buyout of analytics provider Verisk's energy business.
Unmesh Madhi, a fourth standard student of Polkanda Primary School in Malkangiri wrote to Prime Minister on Monday drawing his attention to towards the menace that has turned grim and led the state of Odisha towards complete despair.

By Indrajit Kundu: A 10-year-old boy from Odisha wrote to Prime Minister seeking help from the outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis that has claimed almost eighty lives within a span of one month.

Unmesh Madhi, a fourth standard student of Polkanda Primary School in Malkangiri wrote to Prime Minister on Monday drawing his attention to towards the menace that has turned grim and led the state of Odisha towards complete despair.

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"Save our lives. Many of my friends have died of Japanese fever. You are roaming around the globe. Cannot you come over to our village and see how children are dying here," Umesh Madhi wrote in his letter to Prime minister.

Almost eighty deaths due to Japanese Encephalitis have been recorded in the 505 villages of Malkangiri district as the Odisha government remains mum.

Madhi who considers the Prime Minister as his last resort, in his letter described the ordeal of parents who lost their children in the Japanese Encephalitis.

The deadly disease originates from pigs and spreads to humans, mostly children, through mosquitoes. Symptoms of Japanese Encephalitis include fever, nausea and fatigue.

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A former CBS executives foundation has donated $39 million to The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Ohio State President Michael V. Drake said in a late September announcement that the gift from the foundation of the late Frank Stanton, PhD, would be transformational.

It is an investment in the future of veterinary medical education at Ohio State that will continue in perpetuity through veterinary students and faculty who will provide skillful and compassionate medical care for generations, he said.

Dr. Stanton, who died in 2006, earned a masters degree at Ohio State in 1932, a doctorate in psychology in 1935, and an honorary doctorate in 1949, and he was president of the CBS television network from 1946-1971.

    Veterinary students at The Ohio State University wear shirts expressing gratitude for the $39 million gift from Frank Stanton, PhD, and his foundation to the veterinary college. (Photos courtesy of The Ohio State University CVM) 

Dr. Rustin M. Moore, dean of the veterinary college, said in an interview that the program would build on the colleges strong foundation, better preparing students for veterinary practice in general and canine medicine in particular. It is intended to be a permanent resource for helping students develop clinical, technical, and professional skills and competencies. He said the university needs to introduce these skills earlier in students curriculum.

In a letter sent to faculty, students, and staff, Dr. Moore wrote that the gift was being used to establish the Building Preeminence in Veterinary General Practice Education program, which will bolster academic infrastructure, strengthen core clinical and professional competencies, expand experiential learning, and build an innovative laboratory.

Through that program, $19 million will fund the Frank Stanton Endowed Chair in General Practice and Canine Health and Wellness, in which Dr. Lawrence N. Hill has been installed; seven other faculty positions; 12 staff positions; design and construction of a clinical and professional skills lab; and purchase of a mobile veterinary clinic. After five years, university officials plan to use $20 million to endow the preeminence program.

 



  Liz Allison, PhD, Stanton Foundation co-director, pets one of the Cardigan Welsh Corgis brought to the gift announcement in honor of Dr. Stanton, who was a dog lover and Corgi owner. 

Dr. Moore said the plans include expanding the clinical care outreach programs for homebound and homeless pet owners. That outreach gives students experience working with clients and patients beyond those who come to university hospitals, shows them medical care options for owners who have financial difficulties, and encourages work that benefits communities.

The new 8,500-square-foot laboratory will include high-fidelity simulation models and communication training scenarios using trained actors.

Some of the curriculum will change, he said, and how it will change will be considered over the next year or so.

Shantay Piazza, communications director for the college, said the program will expand practice experience at private clinics, a benefit expected to help all students improve their education, regardless of career path. It also will offer problem-solvingbased learning, provide externships, give students more experience in specific aspects of clinical practice such as shelter medicine and dentistry, and boost student confidence, among other benefits.

The Stanton Foundations gift is among more than $3 billion raised for the But for Ohio State fundraising campaign since 2009. The campaign ended this September.
General Singh said the OROP scheme should be kept away from politics, as his party, the BJP, attacked Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for politicising it.

By Manjeet Negi: Former Army chief and now Union Minister General VK Singh today said that the mental state of the ex-jawan who committed suicide on Tuesday in protest against the government's failure to implement OROP must be investigated.

General Singh doubted if the retired soldier Ram Kishan Grewal's mental state was alright. "The reason for his suicide being reported is OROP. I don't know what his mental state was. It needs investigation," he told reporters.

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Grewal, 70, formerly of Rajputana Rifles, allegedly took poison at a park near Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Tuesday evening and died demanding the immediate implementation of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.

The One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme aims to grant retired armed forces personnel pension parity with those retiring now.

Also read: Rs 5,500 crore paid as first installment to implement OROP: PM Modi



General Singh said the OROP scheme should be kept away from politics, as his party, the BJP, attacked Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for politicising it.

Ironically, General Singh, shortly after joining the BJP, had stood next to the then prime ministerial aspirant Narendra Modi as the latter addressed an ex-serviceman rally in Haryana's Rewari in the run-up to the Lok Sabha election in 2013. One of the prime agendas of that rally was the implementation of the OROP.

RAHUL DETAINED OVER OROP PROTEST

Amid high drama at Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in the national capital earlier today, Rahul, Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and even Grewal's family were detained by cops. Rahul was released after about an hour.

Also read: Suicide over OROP: Delhi Police detains ex-jawan's family, Rahul Gandhi, Manish Sisodia

Also read: Kejriwal writes to PM Modi: Roll back disability pension decision, revamp OROP



"You have no shame?" Rahul asked an officer at Mandir Marg police station and demanded to know how the police could even think of detaining the family of a retired soldier who had killed himself.

Also read: 'Sharm nahi aati aapko?' Rahul slams Delhi Police for detaining ex-jawan's family with him



Seated on a chair, Gandhi asked the officer: "If you can arrest a veteran's family, arrest me too. How can you arrest a veteran's kin?"

As hundreds of Congress activists massed outside the police station shouting slogans and waving Indian and Congress party flags, the police allowed Gandhi to leave, ending 70 minutes of unexplained detention.



Watch the video here



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The Ministry of Defence has been directing special efforts towards the implementation of OROP benefit for pensioners.

By Manjeet Negi: The Ministry of Defence have accorded the highest priority to the cases of complaints in the successful implementation of the historic OROP benefit.



As a result, less than one lakh pensioners remain to receive payment out of the 20.60 lakh (approx) pensioners. Even among the remaining cases, there is a speedy mechanism to sort out complications.

A majority of cases are being sorted out by the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Cells functioning in each district. But the defence minister himself has solved not less than 500 cases of complaints which were sent to him directly through email or other means.

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These include cases of veterans of 1950-60s also. The RM continues to receive a least 10-15 emails which are forwarded to the corresponding agencies.

Also read: Delhi: Ex-serviceman commits suicide at Jantar Mantar over One Rank One Pension



It may be noted that most complaints relate to problems with calculations and banks. It is important to note that a large number of pensioners live in remote corners of the country where banks are still coming to grips with the new calculations.

SPECIAL OFFICERS TO EASE OUT TOUGH TASK

MoD has now arranged for special officers in such branches to ease out the humungous task. Furthermore, banks have been directed to release the OROP of those pensioners also whose papers are not totally in place. Their confirmation would be done in due time, it has been instructed.

It is no surprise that soon after the historic decision, nearly Rs 6,000 crore have been released already. Of these nearly Rs 4,000 crore have been disbursed as part of the first instalment and remaining for second instalment.

Also read: Rs 5,500 crore paid as first installment to implement OROP: PM Modi



The government is confident that in another three instalments the OROP arrears would reach all the beneficiaries. It has already been given out on earlier occasions that the total annual financial burden of OROP is Rs 7,500 crore while the arrears are Rs 11,000 crore in all.

THE CASE OF EX-SERVICEMAN GREWAL

Ex-Serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal served the Territorial Army for 6 years, 11 months after which he was serving in the Defence Security Corps. However, he was entitled to OROP. The delay in receiving the revised pension was due to problems in calculation at his bank's end.

Also read: Suicide over OROP: Delhi Police detains ex-jawan's family, Rahul Gandhi, Manish Sisodia



Like his other colleagues, he should have approached the ex-serviceman welfare cell. However, his case could have been resolved amicably like hundreds of others even if he had directly approached the ministry. His letter dated October 31 and his suicide on November 1 raises several questions.

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It also demands serious investigation about who was with the deceased when he took the extreme step, who provided the poison and if anybody may have taken advantage of his troubled mind to provoke him to take the extreme step. The ministry had not received any request for appointment with the deceased nor does his letter say any such thing.



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People will be able to travel freely between the UK and Ireland after Brexit, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has signalled.

The Taoiseach said he has agreed with British Prime Minister Theresa May that the "benefits of the Common Travel Area" between both countries are preserved.

"I have agreed with the Prime Minister (Theresa May) that there will be no return to the borders of the past," Mr Kenny told the forum.

"Therefore, the retention of an open border is critical.

"Neither I, nor the Prime Minister, desire to limit the freedom of people on both sides of the Irish Sea to trade, to live, to work, to travel freely across these islands.

"Therefore, we have agreed that the benefits of the Common Travel Area be preserved."

The Government is defending today's all-island forum on Brexit, saying it is not a "talking shop".

The "Civil Dialogue" is taking place at the Royal Hospital in Dublin today - with representatives of political parties, business groups and civil and cultural lobbies all attending.

However, Unionist parties are staying away from today's meeting, and have criticised it as a "grandstanding exercise" and "talking shop".

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said today's All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit is a chance to "listen" to all sectors of society, writes Elaine Loughlin of the Irish Examiner.

Arriving, Mr Kenny said this was the first of a "start of a series of engagements".

Asked whether he was disappointed that DUP leader and Norther Ireland First Minister, Arlene Foster had not turned up he said: "I sent out invitations to all of the parties many of them have turned up.

"We are here today to really listen to the voices of the different sectors.

"The opportunity here is for politicians is to actually engage with and listen to the views of business and the different sectors throughout the island of Ireland," Mr Kenny said.

Arriving at the forum, Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said he was disappointed that Ms Foster had not accepted the invitation to attend adding that "there is strength in unity".

While Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said Ireland must receive a special deal when negotiations around Brexit begin.

Speaking at the event Mr Martin said a "different approach" is needed adding that there is "an urgent need to quickly move forward".

"The European Union itself has an obligation to stand by the pro-EU majority on this island. It cannot insist on business as usual in how it develops programmes, allows state supports and implements broad EU policies. The principle of helping states meet unique challenges was embedded within the Union when the single market and monetary union treaties were agreed. It must continue.

"One outcome of the negotiation process has to be the development of a specific package which recognises the unique economic and social impact of Brexit on Ireland."

Taoiseach Enda Kenny says the focus will be on delivering a positive from Brexit for all people on the island.

The Taoiseach said: "What we want to do is to keep our own priorities of our own economy and jobs, the Good Friday Agreement, the open border, the common travel area, our links with the UK in terms of trade and opportunity of the common travel area and of course the future and our future within the European Union arising from that."

Here is the full speech made by the Taoiseach at this morning's Brexit forum:

"Thank you all and welcome to the Royal Hospital Kilmainham for this initial meeting of the All-island Civic Dialogue on Brexit.

"Today's event is a response to the unique situation that has been created on this island by the UK's vote to leave the European Union.

"Brexit is an issue that has the potential to impact everybody on this Island - North and South. It has implications for so many aspects of our relationship. It presents the most significant economic and social challenge of the past 50 years.

"That is why it is so important for us to have a conversation on what this means to all of us. That is why we have sought to have the broadest possible attendance at today's event, from across the Island.

"It is an opportunity to consider how best to deal with the challenges that lie ahead and ensure the best possible outcome for Ireland and for Northern Ireland.

"This situation is not of our making. It is not the outcome that we, the Irish Government, and many others, wanted. But we must, and do, respect the outcome of the democratic process in the UK.

"I also acknowledge that the electorate in Northern Ireland did not vote to leave the EU.

"While many uncertainties remain, the UK is now on a course that will fundamentally change its relationship with the European Union.

"And for the first time, when the negotiations are complete, Ireland will be an EU member and the UK will not.

"The priorities for my Government are well set out - the economy and trade; Northern Ireland and the peace process; the border and the Common Travel Area as well as the future of the EU itself.

"In that context, we need to understand clearly that business in the Republic is not exempt from the consequences of Brexit.

"We have ensured that all of our EU partners understand our unique circumstances. I have emphasised these in my meetings with Chancellor Merkel, President Hollande, Prime Minister May, and the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk and more recently with Michel Barnier, head of the EU Commission's Brexit Taskforce.

"We now have clarity on a number of issues:

1. Prime Minister Theresa May will trigger Article 50 by end of March 2017;

2. I have agreed with the Prime Minister that there will be no return to the borders of the past. Therefore the retention of an open border is critical;

3. Neither I, nor the Prime Minister, desire to limit the freedom of people on both sides of the Irish sea to trade, live, work and travel freely across these islands. Therefore we have agreed that the benefits of the Common Travel Area be preserved.

4. Access to the E.U. Single Market requires acceptance of the freedom of movement of people.

5. The Irish government remains fully committed to the Good Friday Agreement, as Co-Guarantors of the Agreement.

"We have now put structures and resources in place to ensure a whole-of-Government response to the Brexit vote. A newly established Brexit Cabinet Committee which I chair is co-ordinating this work. All Ministers will participate in this.

"The European Council which I attend will have political charge of the Brexit negotiations at EU level - so it is vital that this work continues to be managed strongly from my Department, because the EU Council will make the political decisions that matter.

"We are acutely aware of the potential economic impacts of Brexit for this country and we will seek to maximise any opportunities that arise.

"I am very conscious that for some sectors, Brexit is not a distant prospect but a present reality as the sterling depreciation creates many challenges for Irish exporters. We have introduced measures in our Budget to help mitigate this - particularly for agri-food.

"Our ultimate objective is to ensure that the upcoming negotiations lead to the closest possible trading relationship between the UK and the EU - something that would be of advantage to us all.

"In all of this  Northern Ireland and the peace process is front and centre of our priorities. We are working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive and with the UK Government to prepare to meet the challenges ahead.

"I will be in Northern Ireland tomorrow to meet with political leaders to discuss how best we can work together.

"I am delighted to see such a broad range of representatives of civic society here today and I welcome the engagement of most political parties throughout this island.

"Sectoral engagement is a core part of our work. This all Island Dialogue is part of a series of consultations by the Government and added to this will be a further series of sectoral discussions both north and south.

"Today we want to hear about the challenges and opportunities of Brexit from your perspective.

"I ask you to be constructive in your contributions, and to concentrate on how we can grasp the potential of the future beyond Brexit and when the UK has left the EU.

"This is an opportunity for all of you to influence and contribute to our thinking on how we deal with Brexit. We have no time to waste.

"As well as this mornings plenary session, you will have the opportunity to participate in break-out discussions this afternoon.

"We are live streaming this event and we have note takers on hand who will record your contributions. A report of the dialogue will be compiled and published.

"This is the first instalment and we will have more plenary engagements in the coming weeks and months. Both I and the Minister for Foreign Affairs are also committed to further more focused events on the all island impacts of Brexit. We are keen to hear your views on the shape and format of these.

"There will be plenty of opportunities for people to speak here today and we want to hear from you. I would ask you all to be respectful of each other but also to be as succinct as possible in getting your points across.

"As I have said previously, once the negotiations between the UK and the EU commence, I will be one of the 27 Heads of Government on one side of the table, with the UK on the other.

"In that context it is important that I hear what you have to say. I am here to listen to your contributions and proposals.

"I want to thank Tom Arnold for moderating for us today and all of the panellists and contributors."
There has been a substantial rise in queries to agents here from UK based firms looking to move from the UK, following the Brexit vote.



This is according to the latest Ireland Commercial Property Monitor which was published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in conjunction with the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI). Twenty nine per cent of respondents across Ireland say they have already seen such enquiries.



In addition, almost three out of four respondents (73%) believe there is likely to be an increase in some firms looking to move from the UK over the next two years.



The Monitor found that while investment sentiment dipped in London immediately after the EU referendum it appears to have settled down with the mood stabilising in the third quarter while the expectations indicators point to little change in the foreseeable future.



President of the SCSI, Claire Solon said, "The increase in enquires to agents here from firms looking to relocate from the UK is significant but its important to note that agents in Germany and Poland also recorded a similar increase while other countries such as Holland, Spain and France also saw a rise in queries. Its clear that while Brexit may generate opportunities it will also generate stiff competition from fellow EU members."

Source: www.businessworld.ie

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Modified On Nov 03, 2016 02:31 PM By Nabeel

This festive season has brought joy for Hyundai as the South Korean automotive manufacturer has registered record sales in October 2016. Hyundai Motor India registered highest-ever domestic sales with 50,016 units, with a growth of 6.4 per cent over October 2015. This comes after a good September, with a growth of 17.4 per cent over September 2015. Hyundai has also received 1,509 bookings for the Elantra sedan which was launched in August 2016.

In October 2016, Hyundai Motor India sold 50,016 units in the domestic market and exported 14,356 units. This is Hyundai India's record cumulative sales of 64,372 units. Commenting on the October sales, Mr Y K Koo, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said, Hyundai with a highest-ever domestic volume of 50,016 units registered record cumulative sales of 64,372 units in October 2016. Hyundai achieved the highest and fastest domestic sales of 50,000 units mark within 15 months from the earlier milestone of 40,000 units. He added, The recently launched all-new Elantra, received an overwhelming response with 1,509 bookings resulting in 4-5 months waiting period, we thank our customers for showing confidence in Brand Hyundai.

Hyundai had offers on all its cars in the festive season, which has helped them register record growth. Also, Hyundai has released the official sketches of its upcoming SUV, the Tucson which will be launched on November 14 and will be placed between the Creta and the Santa Fe. The Tucson comes with a 2.0-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel engine and will rival the Mahindra XUV500 in the Indian market. Expect the prices to begin around the Rs 18 lakh mark.

Also Read: Hyundai Tucson Bookings Commence
Modified On Mar 15, 2017 12:23 PM By Raunak for Honda WRV 2017-2020

After revealing the official sketches of the WR-V a few days ago, Honda has teased the production-spec WR-V under a veil. The Jazz-based sub-4m SUV will have its world premiere at the 2016 Sao Paulo International Motor Show on November 8. It will go on sale in South American countries in the coming months and its Indian debut is likely to happen in the first quarter of 2017.

Honda will pitch the WR-V against the popular Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and, by the time it arrives, we expect Ford to introduce the facelifted EcoSport as well. Hyundai will also launch the Carlino sub-4m SUV in a couple of years, which made its debut as a concept at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo.

The WR-V is based on the Jazz and shares its side profile with the hatch, while the front and rear profiles will be entirely new. A similar approach was also seen with the Honda BR-V, which was based on the Mobilio. As seen in the teaser image, the WR-V will have LED park lights, just like the BR-V.

Since it is based on the Jazz, it will borrow most of the things that the hatch is appreciated for, such as a spacious cabin, class-leading boot space, Magic Seats, and others. The WR-V is highly likely to share its mechanicals with the hatchback in the international market. However, in India, apart from the 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol and 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel, Honda might as well offer the bigger 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol from the City since the EcoSport  one of its arch rivals  offers a powerful petrol option. However, this is just wishful thinking on our part, and the possibility of this happening are quite low.

Check out what we expect from Hondas debutant sub-4m SUV here: Honda WR-V  What To Expect

Recommended Read: Honda WRV Review
MI5 Head: Russia A Growing Threat To UK

Russia poses an increasing threat to the stability of the UK and is using all the sophisticated tools at its disposal to achieve its aims, says the director general of MI5.

In the first newspaper interview given by an incumbent MI5 chief in the services 107-year history, Andrew Parker (pictured) said that at a time when much of the focus was on Islamic extremism, covert action from other countries was a growing danger. Most prominent was Russia.

It is using its whole range of state organs and powers to push its foreign policy abroad in increasingly aggressive ways, involving propaganda, espionage, subversion and cyber-attacks. Russia is at work across Europe and in the UK today. It is MI5s job to get in the way of that.

Parker said Russia still had plenty of intelligence officers on the ground in the UK, but what was different now from the days of the cold war was the advent of CyberWarfare. Russian targets include military secrets, industrial projects, economic information and government and foreign policy.

Parker said he was talking to the Guardian rather than any other newspaper despite the publication of the Snowden files and a consistent skepticism about the need for extra powers for the security services. We recognise that in a changing world we have to change too. We have a responsibility to talk about our work and explain it, he said.

The spy chief also:

 Said that 12 jihadi terror plots had been foiled by the security services in the past three years.

 Identified the size of the homegrown problem: there are about 3,000 violent Islamic extremists in the UK, mostly British.

 Said that budget increases would see MI5 expand from 4,000 to 5,000 officers over the next five years.

 Rejected criticism that the investigatory powers bill, due before parliament this week, was going too far in enabling intrusive surveillance, arguing that it correctly balances privacy and security.

 Dismissed claims that Brexit would affect cooperation with European intelligence services.

 Said his aim was to equalise the gender balance in MI5 and recruit many more operatives from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Russia increasingly seems to define itself by opposition to the West and seems to act accordingly, said Parker. You can see that on the ground with Russias activities in Ukraine and Syria. But there is high-volume activity out of sight with the Cyber-Threat. Russia has been a covert threat for decades. Whats different these days is that there are more and more methods available.

Relations between the west and Russia have deteriorated since the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and with Russias bombing of rebel-held positions in Aleppo in support of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad. Russia, in what was interpreted as a signal to the west, sent a formidable naval detachment through the Channel in October.

Parker said the Islamic extremist threat was also enduring and generational. He broke it down into three segments: a large homegrown problem of potentially violent extremists in the UK, most of them British, about 3,000 in number; members of Daesh (Islamic State) in the conflict zones of Syria and Iraq trying to incite terror plots against the UK; and Daesh trying to spread its toxic ideology and promote terrorism online.

Critics of the controversial investigatory powers bill, which went before the House of Lords recently, say it will offer the security services access to personal data, bringing a reality to bulk surveillance. Parker said the data was necessary in the fight against terror and he thought the government had reached the right balance between privacy and security.

A recent ruling by the investigatory powers tribunal concluded that UK security agencies had been unlawfully collecting bulk data, which may have included medical and tax records, for 17 years from 1998, in contravention of article 8 of the European convention on human rights.



UK security agencies unlawfully collected data for 17 years

British security agencies have secretly and unlawfully collected massive volumes of confidential personal data, including financial information, on citizens for more than a decade, senior judges have ruled.

The investigatory powers tribunal, which is the only court that hears complaints against MI5, MI6 and GCHQ, said the security services operated an illegal regime to collect vast amounts of communications data, tracking individual phone and web use and other confidential personal information, without adequate safeguards or supervision for 17 years.

Privacy campaigners described the ruling as one of the most significant indictments of the secret use of the governments mass surveillance powers since Edward Snowden first began exposing the extent of British and American state digital surveillance of citizens in 2013.

Asked if this vindicated Edward Snowdens 2013 revelations about mass surveillance, Parker replied: It absolutely does not.

Parker was strongly critical at the time of Snowden, and of the Guardian for publishing the revelations. He said: I spoke out at the time about the damage that was done to the work of British and allied intelligence agencies, about having so much about how we operate revealed to our adversaries. Secrecy is not something we need for its own sake.

Before the interview, Parker was the surprise guest speaker at the Royal Societys annual conference on diversity.

He told the audience that the agency had practical reasons for needing to reflect the diversity of UK society. We have to approach, cultivate and recruit people to be agents, to work for us. That does not work so well if everybody looks like me.

photograph of Andrew Parker: copyright MI5

Guardian: Guardian: Whats In The New UK Surveillance Bill?:




Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were detained on Wednesday after they tried to meet the relatives of ex-jawan who committed suicide.

Rahul Gandhi was detained by the Delhi Police on Tuesday after he tried to visit the kin of the deceased ex-jawan.

By Ilma Hasan: Politics peaked over Subedar Ram Kishen Grewal suicide after his demands on One Rank One Pension (OROP) were not met. Opposition rushed to meet Grewal's bereaved family, lashing out at the BJP government for not fulfilling their promises over OROP.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi were detained after they tried to meet the grieving family of Ram Kishan Grewal, who ended his life on Tuesday evening. Both Kejriwal and Gandhi were later released.

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"The central government is intent on goondagardi. I am the Chief Minister of Delhi. An ex-serviceman has committed suicide. Is it not my duty to meet his family?" asked Kejrwal.

Also read: OROP protest: Rahul detained twice and then released by Delhi Police



Kejriwal refused to leave RK Puram police station even after he was released. Rahul Gandhi blamed the Narendra Modi government for the situation. He condemned the detention of the deceased jawan's kin. Gandhi was detained twice during the day.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal with his minister Gopal Rai at Lady Hardinge Hospital. (Photo: PTI)



"It was the most difficult day for the family but they were detained by the police for the entire day. I tried to meet the family but all four gates of the (Ram Manohar Lohia) hospital were closed," Gandhi said. He further added that the government should apologise to the family.

Also read: Suicide over OROP: Delhi Police detains ex-jawan's family, Rahul Gandhi, Manish Sisodia



I went to meet the family, not to stage a dharna. What's wrong with that? What kind of system is this, Modiji," Sisodia asked, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was also detained today morning when he went to visit the grieving family. He was released only by the evening.

Also read: Delhi: Ex-serviceman commits suicide at Jantar Mantar over One Rank One Pension



"I went to meet the family, not to stage a dharna. What's wrong with that? What kind of system is this, Modiji? " asked Sisodia.



HOW POLICTICS UNFOLDED THROUGHOUT THE DAY At around noon Manish Sisodia visited the family in Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Just ten minutes into their conversation, Sisodia was put into preventive detention by the Delhi Police. Later in the evening he was released. At 3 PM, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was not even allowed to enter the RML premises, with cops citing 'law and order' issues as their reason. Rahul Gandhi was put into detention, and Subedar Grewal's sons were taken as well. "You are arresting a martyr's son in India? Are you not ashamed of yourself? What kind of work are you doing here? This man has lost his son and you are arresting the deceased's father and brother?" asked Rahul Gandhi. At 4PM, after his body was taken to Lady Hardinge Hospital for post mortem, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrived and was not allowed by Delhi Police to enter. "What sort of hooliganism is this, I just want to pay my respects to the man who served our country. I am an elected representative in Delhi, I should be allowed to meet them", said Delhi CM. Kejriwal stood outside the barricaded hospital for two-and-a-half hours, refusing to move till he was given permission to enter. "I am not carrying arms, it is just me who wants to enter, why can't I go?", said Kejriwal on the phone to Delhi Police Commissioner. He was also joined by Transport Minister Gopal Rai. The Delhi CM was later detained and taken to RK Puram Police Station. And as politicians flock to meet Grewal's kin, his son says he is still reeling from the shock. In a telephonic conversation with his son he said, "My father was a strong man, he had been fighting for the rights of men who served this country. I just want justice for him." On being detained by the police he said, "I have been kept in the Connaught Place Police Station, they want us to stay out of the limelight" Grewal's friends also ex-army men said, "We had fought this together for so long, but despite promises they had not payed us according to the 6th and 7th pay Commission. After he didn't get a meeting with the Defence Minster, he took poison in Jawahar Park. We had no idea." Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that he was saddened by the death of Subedar Grewal. He said, "I express my heartfelt condolences. I have asked for officials to provide me details." According to reports, Grewal had written a letter to Parrikar on October 31 but committed suicide the next day. Parrikar said that he did not receive any letter. The defence ministry has asked the MoD officials to investigate the matter. Upon further inquiry on the issue, defence ministry has found that the soldier was supposed to get Rs 28,000 pension but was getting only Rs 23000 due to wrong calculation by bank.

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For the past three decades, public school accountability had generally been heading in one direction: toward common standards, standardized tests, and a bigger role for the federal government in shaping how states gauge student performance and improve schools.

But now, all that seems to have taken a U-turn.

Reflecting a seismic shift in attitudes toward the federal footprint in education, states and districts are getting broad flexibility when it comes to how they measure school and student progress. And theyll have much more say when it comes to intervening in the lowest-performing schools, and ensuring that students who are traditionally overlookedincluding poor and minority studentsdont fall through the cracks.

Theyve also been tasked with looking at a broad range of factors to gauge school performancenot just test scores.

But the new leeway, embodied in a new version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, has reignited an old debate: If states are given the controls when it comes to accountability, will they continue to turn around low-performing schools? Will they keep expectations highand keep their foot on the accelerator when it comes to closing the achievement gap?

Margaret Spellings, who served as U.S. secretary of education under President George W. Bush, is worried.

The states basically have said, We cant get all kids reading on grade level, are you crazy? Lets figure out some loopholes so we dont have to,  said Spellings, who was an architect of the No Child Left Behind Act, the 2002 reauthorization of the law that was arguably the high-water mark for federal involvement in accountability. Theres nobody pounding the table and saying, Youve got to be kidding me. Nobody is putting the shame card out there. This is ridiculous.

But Carey Wright, Mississippis superintendent of education, said theres no way the Magnolia State will back down from a strong system focused on high expectations for all students.

I think states are excited about having a little flexibility, more autonomy, she said. But for me, in a state like Mississippi which has been underperforming for the number of years that it has, I cannot back up. I just cannot. ... I think its incumbent upon us to really be looking at this through the lens of equity because there are subgroups of our population that are just not performing as high as other subgroups, and thats just not fair, and its just not just.

Riding a Wave

The federally centered, largely test-driven approach to accountability that has dominated the landscape over the past decade and a half didnt emerge from nowhere. Instead, the NCLB law grew out of the decades-old, standards-based education redesign movement.

That movement was arguably underwayin fits and startsfor some 30 years before it got hit with a double whammy of accelerants. First came the 1983 report A Nation At Risk, which warned that the country was falling dangerously behind the rest of the world in K-12 education, threatening long-term prosperity.

That report brought new momentum to a flurry of activity already taking place in the nations capital and around the country. States, particularly in the South, beganor continuedto ratchet up the rigor of their coursework and hold their students to higher expectations. Meanwhile, a 1988 reauthorization of the ESEA introduced the idea of looking at student outcomes to gauge whether federal money aimed at the poorest children was making an impact.

The second big boost came the year after that new iteration of ESEA became law: President George H.W. Bush convened a summit on education in Charlottesville, Va., featuring nearly every governor, including future President Bill Clinton, who was Arkansas chief executive at the time.

The 1989 summit resulted in a promise to set education goals, and for the country to hold itself accountable, somehow, for meeting them.

That pledge helped create a fragile federal-state partnership to further standards-based education redesign. Even in the face of concerns about federal overreach, it spurred a cascade of legislation: Goals 2000, a Clinton-era initiative that sought to provide states with resources to develop content standards, and the 1994 reauthorization of ESEA, the Improving Americas Schools Act, which introduced a federal requirement for statewide tests and standards for the first time.

Policy Hammers The issue of public school accountability has been bound up with the question of consequences if schools, students, and educators fall short of the expectations set for them. Among them: For Students Retention: In some states, students that do not score above a certain threshold on an exam can be retained in that grade. For example, more than half of states have a policy to retain students in 3rd grade if test scores show they arent reading on grade level. Diploma Withholding: At the high school level, some states require students to pass either a general exit exam or a series of end-of-course exams aligned to specific courses in order to receive a standard diploma. (States differ in whether they offer alternative pathways to graduation or other completion credentials in lieu of a standard diploma.) For Schools NCLB Era: The No Child Left Behind Actnow superseded by the federal education laws latest reauthorization, the Every Student Succeeds Actincluded prescriptive strategies for districts to use to jump-start changes in their schools needing improvement, increasing with severity depending on the number of years the school missed testing benchmarks. They included: the right of students to transfer to a better-performing school; free tutoring for students in schools needing improvement; revamping the curriculum, staff replacement, and even conversion of the school to a charter or turning it over to private or state management. School Ratings: Many states use systems for identifying schools needing assistance, such as A-F grading systems. Audits: Some states, like Rhode Island and Washington, require school improvement for low-achieving schools to go through an external audit or diagnostic process before improvement strategies are selected. Washingtons audit process includes parent notification and requires collective bargaining contracts to be reopened to align to the improvement plan. Specialists: Some states send in support staff to help low-achieving schools. Georgias school effectiveness specialist, for instance, works to improve adherence to state curriculum frameworks, professional development, and assessment practices. Menu of Options: Many states now offer far-more tailored options. Rhode Islands lowest-performing schools must select at least nine strategies to improve from a list of several dozen. SIG Strategies: Prompted by the federal School Improvement Grant programon the way out as a separate program under ESSAsome states now use those options for intervening in schools. They include closing the school; converting to a charter school or other outside governance; replacing the principal and up to half the staff; or transforming via performance evaluations, extended learning time, and other strategies. Receivership: A receiver is authorized to make major governance changes in a low-performing school. Under New York states law, a district superintendent is given receivership powers to, among other things, change curriculum, extend the school day, convert the school to a charter, and request contract changes. Eventually, the state can also appoint an independent receiver. Parent Trigger: Some states allow parents to force major governance changes if more than half of a schools parents sign a petition. Californias parent-trigger law applies to low-performing schools; parents can demand staff change-ups, conversion to a charter, or the use of a private company to operate the school. For Teachers Remediation: Most states and districts require teachers with low performance to be given professional-growth plans to boost their performance. Parent Notification: Under the NCLB law, parents received letters if their childs teachers were not deemed highly qualified, a designation given to those that have a bachelors degree, are fully certified by the state, and have demonstrated competency in the subject they teach. Loss of Tenure: In some states, a tenured teacher may be returned to probationary status if he or she receives several poor performance evaluations. Dismissal: Some states now specify that teacher-performance evaluations can contribute to a teachers dismissal for inefficiency, incompetency, or another similar reason in state law. Library Intern Rachel Edelstein provided research assistance.

Meanwhile, states including Kentucky and Maryland were moving toward crafting their own accountability systems, including consequences and extra supports for schools that failed to make progress.

The NCLB law, which passed by big, bipartisan margins, was intended to build on that work and put some federal parameters in place to ensure that states tested students every year. And it expected states to take specific action in places where poor and minority studentsor the whole schoolwere struggling to meet achievement targets.

That law also required states to work toward a common goal for student achievement: bringing all students to the proficient level on state assessments in reading and math by the 2013-14 school year.

Wiggle Room

But the law stayed in place for years without a facelift. As the deadline for bringing all students to proficiency neared, and it became clear that few states would come close to getting all children over that bar, the Obama administration stepped in. It offered states waivers from many of the mandates of the NCLB law.

The waivers, which were in place in 42 states and the District of Columbia in fall 2015, gave states more say over some pieces of accountability: setting student-achievement goals, pinpointing which schools needed the most help, and intervening in schools that had problems but werent seriously underperforming.

But the waivers tightened the strings on two other key accountability pieces by calling for new teacher evaluations that took student outcomes on state tests into consideration, and standards that would get students ready for college and the workplace.

States could either opt to use the Common Core State Standardswhich are currently in place in more than 40 states and the District of Columbiaor draw up their own, as long as their institutions of higher education certified that the expectations were rigorous enough to get students ready for college and the workplace.

Setting the Stage

The Obama administration billed that as new state flexibility. But not everyone saw it that way. In fact, all the perceived prescriptions in the NCLB law and, later, the waivers, helped trigger a big backlashagainst standardized testing, against the common core, and ultimately, against the federal role in accountability, said Jeff Henig, a professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, who focuses on education and politics.

It united some progressives with the anti-federal-establishment crowd, he explained, and ultimately put pressure on state leaders and Congress to head in a new direction.

That political dynamic, coupled with frustration on the part of some states with the NCLB waivers, helped shape the latest reauthorization of the federal education law signed by President Barack Obama last month.

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, states will be required to hold schools accountable for much more than just test scores. They will have to consider at least one factor that gets at school quality, such as teacher engagement, student engagement, or access to and success in advanced coursework.

Whats more, the law will allow a handful of states to try out new forms of assessments, beginning in individual districts, with the goal of going statewide. It also calls for states to focus their turnaround efforts on their lowest-performing schools and schools with high dropout rates, while giving state and district officials more control when it comes to interventions.

States and districts could use the new law to build on experimentation and approaches already underway. Massachusetts, for instance, uses a triage approach to school improvementoffering the most help to schools and districts that dont have the capacity to transform themselves.

New Hampshire is already moving to replace traditional standardized tests with a new breed of performance assessments. A cadre of California districts is gauging schools on more than just reading and math scoresthey are looking at grit and other social-emotional skills.

Ramping Up

Theres a lot of potential in the approaches getting a test run in New Hampshire and California, Deborah S. Delisle, the executive director of ASCD, a 150,000-member international education organization that provides professional development, advocates policy shifts, and more, wrote in an email. But, she added, other places need to know that neither states approach could be replicated overnight.

These systems took a significant amount of thinking, analysis, and work at the local level, wrote Delisle, who served as the assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education under Obama. It is easy to be tempted to adopt another states or districts pilot; however, processes are not necessarily transferable, and they need to be analyzed in terms of the local schools needs and goals for their students.

Whats more, there are almost certainly going to be concerns about state capacity to take the lead on setting goals and turning around low-performing schools, said Paul Manna, a professor of government at the College of William and Mary, in Williamsburg, Va. He noted that some states have trouble just testing all students each year.

It may take a while for the dust to settle and a new vision for accountability to emerge, Henig said. But one blueprint for the future may be the past, specifically, the years just before the passage of the NCLB law, which saw a real range of approaches to accountability.

Looking back to pre-NCLB, we see what we could anticipate as a likely outcome in the future, which is considerable variation in terms of how [states] use greater authority and discretion. Some states were leaders and innovators, some were laggards, he said. They vary in terms of political dynamics, vary in terms of bureaucratic capacity, ... and in terms of what they value.
Graduation rates are on the rise again.

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education , the on-time graduation rate for the nations public high schools has reached another all-time high.

Eighty-two percent of the class of 2014 graduated with a regular high school diploma within four years, as measured by the Education Departments Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate, or ACGR. The graduation rate rose by a full percentage point from the prior year and by 3 percentage points since 2011, when the department first started requiring states to calculate and report graduation rates using this method. Graduation rates in roughly half the states reached or exceeded the 85 percent mark for the class of 2014.

The consistent upward trajectory captured by the ACGR in recent years mirrors results from other measures that track trends in the high school graduation rate over longer periods of time.

Although the graduation rate for the nation as a whole has improved over the years, progress has been far from uniform, and critical gaps remain.

Where students live still very much matters when it comes to their chances of graduating with a diploma in four years. Thirty percentage points separate the states with the highest and lowest on-time graduation rates forthe class of 2014. Iowa leads the nation, with 91 percent of its students graduating on time. At the other extreme, only 61 percent graduated on time in the District of Columbia, which is considered a state for the purposes of this analysis.

Graduation rates are on the rise in most states. From 2013 to 2014, rates increased in 35 states, while holding steady in nine states and decreasing in six. (Data for the class of 2013 were not available for Idaho.) Delaware and Alabama made the biggest strides, increasing on-time graduation rates by 7 percentage points and 6 percentage points, respectively. The biggest loss was in Oklahoma, where graduation rates fell 2 percentage points.

Racial, Poverty Gaps Continue to Narrow

An even stronger picture of progress emerges when taking a longer view. Since the class of 2011, the nations overall on-time graduation rate has risen by 3 percentage points. And all but three of the states reporting data posted gains over that period. Changes over time could not be calculated for Idaho, Kentucky, and Oklahoma because ACGR data were not reported for 2011.

Consistent with long-term trends, members of the class of 2014 from historically disadvantaged racial and ethnic groups are much less likely to finish high school. On-time graduation rates for white students, at 87 percent, outpace those for their American Indian, 70 percent; black, 73 percent; and Latino, 76 percent, peers by considerable margins. With an 89 percent graduation rate, Asian students graduate at the highest rates.

Data Download Graduation in the United States PDF

That said, gains among lower-performing groups have been particularly strong in recent years, helping to narrow racial and ethnic achievement gaps.

Other Groups Join in Gains

The federal agency also releases results for students based on their English-proficiency and disability status. The on-time graduation rate for both English-language learners and students with disabilities is 63 percent for the class of 2014, a level 19 percentage points lower than the average for the nation as a whole. Improvements for those groups have also outpaced the U.S. average, with gains of 6 percentage points since 2011 for English-learners and 4 points for students with disabilities.
The stakes for K-12 policy in this years state-level elections couldnt be clearer: Whoever voters pick in the legislative and gubernatorial races will have significant new leverage in shaping states education agendas in the years ahead.

The reason is the new federal Every Student Succeeds Act, which gives state governments sweeping authority to design, among other things, teacher evaluations and school accountability systems, topics that political observers expect to dominate policymakers 2017 legislative seasons.

Observers wouldnt necessarily know that, however, by hanging out on the campaign trails this year.

Aside from school finance, teacher pay, and transgender students access to bathrooms, education policy has mostly stayed out of the fray of this years topsy-turvy election cycle.

But, among education scholars, advocates, and lobbyists, its no secret that state elections this year matter greatly.

It all looks huge for those of us who spend all of our time on it, said Frederick M. Hess, the director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute and an opinion blogger for Education Week. But when candidates are trying to convince people that they have a better idea on how to incorporate [student] growth rather than proficiency in states accountability systems, you make peoples eyes glaze over. Thats not something that could affect elections. At least it wont yet.

The Coming Wave

There are telltale signs that the volatility of education politics could crest in the coming years.

Legislators not running for office have in recent months bombarded the National Conference of State Legislatures with technical, in-the-weeds questions about ESSA, assessments, and accountability systems and have requested NCSLs handful of education experts to fly out to state capitals to testify during off-season committee hearings.

This is the most engaged weve ever seen legislators in education policy, said Michelle Exstrom, the organizations education program director. Legislators are becoming a lot more aware of the importance of the decisions that are about to be made.

And in some states, incumbents are experiencing backlash from parents and teachers alike over previous policy moves.

 When budget cuts to districts in Kansas and Oklahoma took a deep toll, dozens of teachers, inspired by a scrappy social-media campaign, filed to run for legislative office.

 Teachers unions have bankrolled ballot initiatives in Maine and Oklahoma to tax wealthier corporations and individuals to benefit school funding, and they have placed boots on the ground in Massachusetts to fight a ballot initiative that could dramatically expand that states charter school sector.

 In Indiana, education has gotten its front-row attention in the races for governor, state schools superintendent, and state Senate and House seats after botched test scores earlier this year led the legislature to scrap the states test and hit the reset button on teacher evaluations and the states rigid school accountability system.

Education is such a politically volatile issue because parents and teachers historically are so intense in their attitudes toward education that it can be, for those groups, almost a single issue for them, said Jeffrey Henig, a political scientist at Teachers College, Columbia University.

The regulations putting ESSA into full effect in the 2017-18 school year are being written, and state officials are still wrangling to make sure the final federal rules give them all the authority theyre seeking.

Consultation Under ESSA

But ESSA, unlike its predecessor, the No Child Left Behind Act, requires that in developing their accountability plans, state education agencies have timely and meaningful consultation with their legislatures and governors before submitting their plans to the U.S. Department of Education by next summer.

Some states, such as Michigan and South Carolina, have pushed to have plans completed before the opening of next years legislative sessions so that the states lawmakers and governors have enough time to vet and sign off on those plans.

While state plans in past decades were scrutinized during sparsely attended state board of education meetings, politicians anticipate the nitty-gritty policy debates to be thrust into the public forum next spring.

State agencies are bracing for their plans to be examined by legislators for unintended consequences.

After they received so much blowback from the public over the common-core debate, legislators are realizing that they need to be much more aware of their policy options and the details of these sorts of things, NCSLs Exstrom said.

By the Numbers 2016 State Elections Up for Grabs

12 Governorships

44 State Legislatures

5,916 Individual State Lawmakers

5 State Schools Chiefs Current Partisan Control

Democrats:

18 Governorships

12 Legislatures

3 State Schools Chiefs Republicans:

31 Governorships

30 Legislatures

6 State Schools Chiefs Independent:

1 Legislature (Unicameral/Non-Partisan)

1 Governorship Sources: National Conference of State Legislatures; National Governors Association; Ballotpedia

The average voter may not have heard much about ESSA or know the difference between a dashboard accountability system and an A-F systembut that could change quickly.

These decisions right now feel very technical and abstract, said Hess of the AEI. But once theyre in place, and schools start getting labeled, and educators start worrying about how they perform under set targets, then, rest assured, youre going to have much more visceral reactions.

Shifting Responsibilities

ESSA goes a long way toward meeting state legislators and governors hunger for more control over education policy.

President Barack Obamas Race to the Top program, which provided a series of financial incentives for states to tie test scores to teacher evaluations, adopt the Common Core State Standards, and institute sweeping and prescriptive school turnaround strategies, had sparked a roiling debate over states versus federal rights.

Over the past two years, legislators have introduced a battery of bills to dismantle accountability systems, slash away at standardized testing, and repeal what some opponents have tagged as Obamacore.

No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top kept [legislators] from having to be too explicit in their positions, and it gave them the opportunity, that some of them appreciated, to blame Washington, D.C., Henig said. But now they have to confront what they couldnt so easily duck in the past: the need to take their own position. Its one thing to say, We dont like these test-based accountability dictums coming from Washington, but many of them will findand are findingthat they have to articulate an alternative vision of what accountability means. And that opens them up to having to take riskier positions than theyve been forced to do over the last 16 years.

That could mean some state legislatures will punt more difficult decisions like state control either to voters through ballot measures or to state boards of education and state superintendents, many of whom are eager to take back influence theyve lost to career politicians far removed from the classroom.

Partisan Split

The majority of states legislatures and governors offices this year are dominated by Republicans, and though the numbers could change some with this years unpredictable election, experts warn against predicting where politicians will stand on education policy based on their party.

As the education debate has moved to Washington in the last 15 years, its been easier for people to be on my side or your side, Hess said. In communities, youre dealing with people you know, and you tend to cut deals.

Strange and unlikely alliances abound: Moderately conservative governors and civil rights advocates have faced off against teachers unions and tea-party legislators over standardized testing, for example. And even in states with super-majorities, its not uncommon to see a governor veto a state legislatures education plans.

In North Carolina, the states GOP-controlled legislature and governor have, for a variety of reasons, diverged sharply in recent years on long-standing education policies. This years combative debate between incumbent Gov. Pat McCrory and his Democratic rival Roy Cooper over teacher pay is a proxy for a variety of other issues, said Ferrel Guillory, the director of the Program on Public Life at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Voters also have deep anxieties about a shifting economy, the resegregation of schools, and a widening achievement gap between the states growing minority population and its wealthier, white students, all policies the state will have to confront in its ESSA plans next year, he said.

While important, this debate over teacher pay is more symbolic than substantive, Guillory said. Its time for us to have the wider debate over these much-more-difficult decisions over the future of a public education system that is...a public asset thats important to the vitality of our communities.
If Donald Trump were in school, many of his comments would earn him a trip to the principals office.

Thats according to many educators across the country, who say they are struggling with how to teach an election cycle that has inflamed racial and ethnic tensions, sparked name-calling between the Republican presidential nominee and Democratic standard-bearer Hillary Clinton, and drawn stark lines betweenand even withinthe parties.

Some teachers say they have found themselves trying to strike a balance with their own code of ethics as educators: They feel they have a responsibility to condemn some of Trumps controversial remarks, despite their wish to maintain objectivity in front of their students.

I try to be very neutral in classthats always been my philosophy, said Erik Anderson, a U.S. government teacher at Valley View Middle School in Edina, Minn. Probably for the first time, there have been some things said in the campaign that I cant just ignore. I have to say, This isnt right. I dont remember ever before being unable to play it right down the middle.

Trumps comments on immigration, in particular, have struck a nerve with Anderson and other teachers. The GOP candidate has called for large-scale deportations of undocumented immigrants, the construction of a massive wall along the U.S.-Mexican border, and an outright ban on Muslim immigration.

Its not so much the policyits some of the words used, some of the hyperbole thats thrown out there, and the personal nature of things. I would have a hard time looking some of my kids in the eye if I didnt say anything, Anderson said.

In an unscientific survey conducted in April, Teaching Tolerance, an educational project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, found that 40 percent of 2,000 teachers who participated were hesitant to teach about the campaign at all. As the new school year gets underway, many teachers are still reluctant, said Maureen Costello, the director of Teaching Tolerance.

For the most part, the concern is not coming from administrators, she said. Rather, classroom teachers are wary of their own ability to navigate the tensions.

Protective Instincts

Of course, not all teachers are unsympathetic to Trump. There are several Teachers for Trump social-media groups, for example. But teachers from those groups did not respond to requests for comment for this article.

Sean Hiland, a high school social studies teacher in Atlanta who tweets and blogs under the handle Conservative Teacher, plans to vote for Trump. He said he tries not to broadcast his political beliefs to his students but, instead, encourages them to look past the rhetoric coming from both parties.

I dont let my kids take anything a politician says at face value, Hiland said. I dont want to breed cynics, but I dont want them to be naive voters either.

Indeed, having students analyze issues beyond the campaign rhetoric is one of many ways that teachers are approaching the 2016 election, said Meira Levinson, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education who has been holding professional-development sessions on the election with teachers.

Some teachers have decided to facilitate strictly issue-based discussions, she said. Others have tried to put the electionand Trumps rise in popularityin historical context.

Some teachers say they will teach about the election as in previous years but be more careful with setting the ground rules on acceptable classroom discourse. Still others are focusing on teaching their students how to analyze media reports and notice biases.

Justin Christensen, an Advanced Placement U.S. Government teacher at St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco, put it this way: In my classroom, were not here to say, I like this person, I like that person. Were here to be political scientists.

Still, Levinson said, many teachers are still wrestling and stuck. Grown men started to tear up as they talked about this. They said, Ive been thinking about this all summer long. What am I going to do? 

Such teachers, she said, are committed to ensuring that their classrooms are safe spaces for their students, particularly those of color or from marginalized communities. At the same time, theyre worried that parents might complain to the schools administration if they take a stance against a candidate in the classroom.

Educators say the divisive and inflammatory rhetoric in this campaign cycle has caused some studentsparticularly undocumented students, children of immigrants, and Muslim studentsto feel unsafe and concerned about their futures if Trump is elected. That has sparked teachers protective instincts.

It doesnt feel like I can say, There are two candidates and you should make up your own mind,  said Luke Carman, a math teacher at Albany Park Multicultural Academy in Chicago, which is almost 80 percent Hispanic. Its obvious, but I still feel like they should hear, No, Im not voting for Donald Trump. No, I dont support the rhetoric thats coming from his campaign, because I fundamentally love and care about you as human beings. 

At the same time, teachers are concerned about making sure students who support Trump feel protected to voice their views.

The challenge of this election is how do you respond in the moment to a kid who says something that violates your schools norms, or the norms of the classroom, without silencing the student or leading them to accuse you of endorsing the other candidate, said Jonathan Gold, a middle school history teacher in Providence, R.I.

Mock-Election Troubles

Kyle Redford, a 5th grade teacher at Marin Country Day School in Corte Madera, Calif., and an opinion blogger for Education Week Teacher, said she wants to make sure both her students from Republican families and students who might feel personally threatened by Trumps rhetoric feel supported. But if those two sides come into conflict, she said, she would feel comfortable stepping in to defend the latter group.

Weve already seen kids using Trumps language against each other. ... If Trump gets elected, your family has to go home. Its really hurtful, Redford said.

Costello noted her group, Teaching Tolerance, has created a Speak Up for Civility contract for educators, other school staff members, and parents to sign, asking them to refrain from name-calling and stereotyping to model good citizenship for students.

Teachers had requested a resource like this, she said. On the day of its release, about 1,000 copies were downloaded.

Teaching Election 2016 For teachers wrestling with how to best approach the election in the classroom, several groups are offering support, lesson ideas, and teaching materials. Letters to the Next President 2.0. Students can write letters to the next president about the issue that matters most to them, and the National Writing Project and PBS member station KQED will publish the letters through Election Day. Teaching Tolerance Election 2016 Resources. The Southern Poverty Law Centers educational branch has compiled resources for teachers on the election, including a civility contract, civic activities for students, and webinars for professional development. iCivics. The free provider of civics curriculum has a collection of election resources to teach students about the basics of democracyincluding an interactive digital game where students manage their own presidential campaign to win electoral votes and popular support. C-Span Classroom. This collection of election resources focuses on primary sources, including both historical and current video clips of various aspects of the election process, with related discussion questions, handouts, and activity ideas. Join the Debates. This project provides teachers and students free curricular materials to have collaborative discussions on issues that are prominent in the presidential campaign and debates.

The 2016 presidential campaign has also put a damper on one of the civic-minded traditions in U.S. schools: the mock election. This year, the exercise could lead to problems, some educators say, particularly if students are given the roles of impersonating the candidates and trying to win classmates votes.

I would not recommend it this year, because it encourages caricature and it just opens the door to the kind of language that doesnt belong in school, Costello said.

Kelly Wickham Hurst, a former educator and the founder of the advocacy group Being Black at School, started a Twitter hashtag, #blockthemock, to discourage educators from hosting mock elections, particularly for the sake of children of color.

To impersonate candidatesI think it would be very, very dangerous and damaging to children, she said. It would inflame some of the racial and ethnic tensions that kids are already hearing on the news.

Some schools are finding alternate ways to conduct mock elections. Hiland, the Atlanta teacher who supports Trump, said he will continue to host his schools mock election but will conduct it in a panel format, with a student moderator and two panels of students representing both Trump and Clinton. He did that in 2008 and said it resulted in a greater a focus on the issues, as opposed to the candidates personalities.

High-Stakes Teaching

Even the National Student/Parent Mock Election is discouraging the impersonation element.

Discretion is the better part of valor, said Gloria Kirshner, the co-founder and president of the program (of which Clinton has been a board member since 1987). Were never mentioning the candidates by name this year. Weve given teachers a great deal of thoughtful ideas for kids to think about, rather than the usual he said, she said. 

Despite the myriad of challenges of teaching the 2016 election, however, many teachers also see it as a unique opportunity.

I think Im going to have students who have never cared more about history class, Gold, the Rhode Island history teacher, said. Theyre going to want to understand all of this, and theyre going to want to talk to someone about this.

And the stakes are high, educators say. You cant go into autopilot this year, Redford said. Everything is so potentially explosive that it makes you feel unsafe getting near it, but its too important. Its our democracy; its our election. You cant pretend its not happening. Its not going away.
In decades past, governors have leveraged their bully pulpit to advance increasingly bold education agendas. Theyve had their own children integrate schools, pledged that every child would have a laptop computer, and overhauled learning standards.

Next year, theyll enjoy fresh leverage in school accountability, courtesy of the nations flagship K-12 lawand that prospect already has amped up the volume of education debate in several of this years gubernatorial contests.

The Every Student Succeeds Act tosses power back to states to design their own school-accountability and teacher-evaluation systems, among other measures, after more than a decade when the federal government used the No Child Left Behind Act to set priorities for education policy nationwide.

Election Watch: Governors Voters in 12 states will pick governors this year, with only five incumbents up for re-election. The winners will have considerable power to shape state education policy under the new Every Student Succeeds Act. Education policy has taken a central role in many of these states. Delaware LEFT: Democrat: John Carney

RIGHT: Republican: Colin Bonini

Indiana LEFT: Democrat: John Gregg

RIGHT: Republican: Eric Holcomb

Missouri LEFT: Democrat: Chris Koster

RIGHT: Republican: Eric Greitens

Montana LEFT: Democrat: Steve Bullock (Incumbent)

RIGHT: Republican: Greg Gianforte

New Hampshire LEFT: Democrat: Colin Van Ostern

RIGHT: Republican: Chris Sununu

North Carolina LEFT: Democrat: Roy Cooper

RIGHT: Republican: Pat McCrory (Incumbent)

North Dakota LEFT: Democrat: Marvin Nelson

RIGHT: Republican: Doug Burgum

Oregon LEFT: Democrat: Kate Brown (Incumbent)

RIGHT: Republican: Bud Pierce

Utah LEFT: Democrat: Mike Weinholtz

RIGHT: Republican: Gary Herbert (Incumbent)

Vermont LEFT: Democrat: Sue Minter

RIGHT: Republican: Phil Scott

Washington LEFT: Democrat: Jay Inslee (Incumbent)

RIGHT: Republican: Bill Bryant

West Virginia LEFT: Democrat: Jim Justice

RIGHT: Republican: Bill Cole

Source: Education Week

Twelve states will pick governors Nov. 8, and two-thirds of them will be new faces regardless of the partisan outcome, as incumbents exit the stage because of term limits or other factors. Of the 12 races, six governorships are held by Democrats, five by Republicans, and one (West Virginia) by an independent.

That fluid situation and the Every Student Succeeds Acts new grant of policy flexibility to the states may clear the way for a more activist stance on education policy by the nations governors, according to James B. Hunt Jr., who served as the governor of North Carolina from 1977 to 1985, and then again from 1993 to 2001. He now runs the Hunt Institute, which aims to help shape the education agenda of politicians aspiring to serve as a governor.

Back in the days before [the No Child Left Behind Act], we were making huge changes to increase education resources and focusing on teacher improvement with a laser-like focus, he said. With ESSA, what youre going to see now is governors throw themselves back into the education arena.

In the 12 gubernatorial races this year, school funding, finance formulas, and accountability have dominated the debates. Here are some of the hot spots to watch as the elections near:

Delaware

Delaware is one of the only states not to provide extra funds for students with special needs, English-language learners, and poor students, a situation creating a pitched battle between districts in the Wilmington area over which will serve which neighborhoods. Many of the states districts are reluctant to take on these students since they wont get extra money to serve them.

In 2015, Democratic Gov. Jack Markell appointed a task force called the Wilmington Education Improvement Commission, made up of business leaders, parents, and district administrators, to come up with a way to address the problem.

The legislation they crafted, which would have shifted more money toward high-poverty schools and redistricted parts of Wilmington, failed this year. Its now become a campaign issue for the gubernatorial candidates.

I believe strongly that we need to preserve the progress that WEIC has made and build on it next year, Democratic candidate John Carney said, according to The News Journal, a Wilmington newspaper. I am, however, committed to doing whatever is necessary to give every child the quality education they deserve, particularly those facing the kinds of obstacles WEIC is most concerned about.

Republican nominee Colin Bonini has said that hes an advocate of local control and opposes top-down mandates from the state.

Indiana

Under Republican Govs. Mitch Daniels and Mike Pence, Indianas government crafted one of the nations most aggressive and punitive school accountability systems. It grades both schools and teachers, based mostly on test scores.

When botched test scores were released this year, superintendents and the states teachers revolted, complaining that the legislature had gone too far in scrutinizing public schools. Meanwhile, the state has been hit with a teacher shortage thats left several districts having to increase class sizes and use uncertified teachers.

Weve seen some of the biggest changes that have impacted public education [of] any state in the union, said J.T. Coopman, the executive director of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents. The things that they referred to as reforms have actually decimated public education.

Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb, who stepped in as the GOP nominee for governor after Pence was tapped to run for vice president on the national Republican ticket, doesnt have an extensive track record on education, though he has served under both Daniels and Pence.

Thats left several observers in the state wondering in which direction he would go on education policy if he moves up to the states top job.

Among our top priorities will be retaining and attracting a 21st-century workforce, ... striving to make Indianas public school system the best in the country, supporting teachers as role models, and equipping them to develop outstanding young Hoosiers, Holcomb said, according to local reports.

His Democratic opponent, John Gregg, said during a debate in August that he thinks education has become too political in recent years.

We also must eliminate the ISTEP testing, he said of the statewide test, according to the Princeton Daily Clarion. Teachers must be part of the solution.

The rivals for the governorship will have an education-focused debate later this month at the states superintendent and school board association fall conference.

Missouri

While most states have seen an increase in revenue since the rebound from the Great Recession, others, for a variety of reasons, have had to make cuts to their public schools as tax revenue dropped.

In Missouri, at least 15 districts have gone to four-day school weeks to save money. Many educators have lobbied the legislature to overhaul the states funding formula. A bill that would have done so failed during the 2016 legislative session.

Democratic nominee Attorney General Chris Koster opposed the bill, saying it would have lowered education spending in the state.

A billion dollars annually is cut from the [elementary school] budgets; infrastructure investment has come to a halt at the hands of the Republican legislature, he said at a debate this summer, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Im trying to bring some balance back to the state government.

On his campaign page, Republican nominee Eric Greitens, a retired Navy SEAL, said he wants to reduce the state governments footprint.

I believe in results and accountability, Greitens said. I pledge to shrink government, to eliminate waste and fraud, and to act as a budget hawk, who looks after your every dollar.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, Republican incumbent Pat McCrory and Democratic nominee Roy Cooper, the states attorney general, have sparred over whether teachers salaries have indeed increased over the past four years, when Republicans for the first time in decades controlled the state House, the Senate, and the governors mansion.

For years, teacher pay in North Carolina had been declining and ended up near the bottom, said McCrory in a widely distributed campaign ad. But now average teacher pay next year will be over $50,000 and thats just the start.

The legislature, following the lead of McCrory, has expanded the states charter school sector and given the state department of education the authority to start taking over underperforming schools and running them directlyall actions that have upset teachers. The teachers union say the legislature has damaged morale, leading to a teacher shortage in many districts.

Cooper, who has been endorsed by the states teachers union, argues that, according to his staffs calculation, teachers still make among the lowest average pay in the region.

I have a plan to make education a priority, ... ensuring our classrooms have the resources they need and raising teacher pay to at least the national average, said Cooper in a video posted on his website. Weve done it before and we can do it again.
New research suggests a long-sought amyloid-lowering drug for Alzheimer's disease (AD) may soon be on the horizon. In a phase 1 clinical trial, a compound that blocks the enzyme BACE1, a major AD target, safely reduced toxic -amyloid in 32 study participants with AD. Unlike other BACE1 inhibitors that cause severe side effects, the new drug proved safe, making it the first oral BACE1 inhibitor to advance to phase 3 trials, which are currently underway. -amyloid (A) is a sticky peptide that clumps into plaques, which damage the brain of individuals with AD. Blocking BACE1, which plays a key role in the production of A, has emerged as a promising approach to rid the brain of amyloid buildup. However, the search for a brain-penetrant BACE1 inhibitor remains a challenge because of severe toxicity, which can lead to liver damage and further neurodegeneration. Matthew Kennedy and colleagues developed verubecestat, a potent and well-tolerated BACE1 inhibitor. A single dose of the drug markedly reduced levels of A in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of rats and monkeys. The animals showed no signs of toxicity even after extended treatment. In a phase 1 trial of healthy adults and patients with mild to moderate AD, single and multiple doses of verubecestat lowered A levels without serious side effects. The promising results have helped launched phase 3 trials of the drug investigating its long-term outcomes in AD patients.

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Beer is one of the world's most popular alcoholic beverages. But, made with barley, brews can contain low levels of mycotoxins, which are produced by fungi that can contaminate grains. Although not a major health threat, the industry needs to minimize the risk of contamination. Now scientists have developed a portable sensor that can help. Their report appears in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Because of its alcohol content and the high temperatures required to make beer, most consumers might assume that contamination by biologically derived compounds is not an issue. But mycotoxins can survive the brewing process and end up in the final product. Some mycotoxins have been shown to cause genetic damage in cells and cancer in animals. Currently, methods to detect mycotoxin contamination in beer are costly and require in-laboratory analysis. Sweccha Joshi, Teris van Beek and colleagues wanted to come up with a less expensive, portable alternative.

Building on technology used to detect mycotoxins in grains, the researchers developed a biosensing chip that can bind these compounds when they are present in beer samples. The team also could reuse the chip 450 times before it started to fail. Testing on commercial beer and barley showed that the portable instrument detected levels as low as 0.2 nanograms/milliliter of ochratoxin A and 120 ng/mL of deoxynivalenol -- respectively, the estimated safe limits for these mycotoxins.

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The authors acknowledge funding from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research.

The abstract that accompanies this study is available here.

The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With nearly 157,000 members, ACS is the world's largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

To automatically receive news releases from the American Chemical Society, contact newsroom@acs.org.

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BOSTON - While schizophrenia is best known for episodes of psychosis - a break with reality during which an individual may experience delusions and hallucinations - it is also marked by chronic neurocognitive deficits, such as problems with memory and attention. A multi-site cognition study led by psychologists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) found that these neurocognitive symptoms are evident prior to the onset of psychosis in a high-risk stage of the disorder called the prodromal phase. Published today online in advance of print in JAMA Psychiatry, the findings suggest that these impairments may serve as early warning signs of schizophrenia, as well as potential targets for intervention that could mitigate the onset of the psychotic disorder and significantly improve cognitive function.

"To our knowledge, this is the largest and most definitive study of cognition in the high-risk period before onset of for psychosis/schizophrenia," said corresponding author Larry J. Seidman, PhD, a psychologist at BIDMC and professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School. "This is part of a paradigm shift in the way we are focusing on the earlier, prodromal phase of the disorder in an effort to identify those most likely to develop psychosis."

Seidman and colleagues collected neurocognitive functioning data from participants at eight university-based, outpatient programs in the United States and Canada over the course of four years. The observational study compared 689 males and females deemed at clinical high risk (CHR) of developing psychosis to 264 male and female healthy controls (HC). Using 19 standard tests of executive and visuospatial abilities, attention and working memory, verbal abilities and declarative memory, the researchers found that the high-risk group performed significantly worse than the control group on all 19 measures. Among the high-risk individuals only, those who later progressed to a psychotic disorder performed significantly worse than their high-risk peers who did not develop psychosis during the study.

"Currently, when mental health professionals assess people coming in for evaluation, we don't know who will eventually develop schizophrenia," said Seidman. "Our group's focus is on identifying early warning signs and then developing interventions to improve a person's chances for not getting it, making it milder or delaying it."

Impaired working memory (the ability to hold information like a phone number in mind for a short time while it's in use) and declarative memory (the ability to recall things learned in the last few minutes) turned out to be the key neurocognitive functions that are impaired in the high-risk, prodromal phase prior to the onset of full-blown psychosis. These findings, said Seidman, are in keeping with the experiences of many people with schizophrenia who report sudden difficulties reading, concentrating or remembering things in the earliest days of the disorder.

Schizophrenia "conjures up dread" in our culture, Seidman said, but he notes that it is likely these cognitive deficits - not the delusions and hallucinations people fear so much - that keep roughly 80 percent of people with schizophrenia out of work or school. Recent focus on the prodromal period and the growing promise of early intervention is giving patients and their families more realistic hope that better outcomes are possible, he added.

"People can hear voices and still function pretty well, but they basically cannot function at all when their cognition is impaired," he said. "We are also testing a number of cognitive remediation and enhancement treatments to determine their role in the evolution of the illness. There's more evidence suggesting that early intervention reduces the number of people who transition to schizophrenia."

This study represented the second phase of the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study (NAPLS), the multi-site research consortium formed in 2003 to focus on early intervention and prevention of schizophrenia. By pooling their data, NAPLS researchers have been able to identify individuals at high risk for developing a psychotic disorder as well as the biological risk factors associated with converting to psychosis. This summer, the collaborators, led by researchers at Yale, published a risk calculator that can help professionals predict patients' risk of developing psychosis. In addition to BIDMC and Yale, the other NAPLS sites are based at Emory University, the University of Calgary, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), University of California San Diego (UCSD), University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, University of San Francisco, and Zucker Hillside Hospital.

"A significant number of people are able to remain in or go back to work and school," Seidman said. "This early intervention approach is giving people more hope, and that really matters."

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Study coauthors include Daniel I. Shapiro, PhD; Williams S. Stone, PhD; Kristen A. Woodberry, MSW, PhD; and Ashley Ronzio, BS, all of BIDMC; Barbara A. Cornblatt, PhD, MBA, of Zucker Hillside Hospital, Queens, NY; Jean Addington, PhD, of the University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Carrie E. Bearden, PhD; of UCLA; Kristin S. Cadenhead, MD, and Ming T. Tsuang, MD, PhD, DSc, of UC San Diego; Tyrone D. Cannon, PhD, Thomas H. McGlashan, MD, and Scott W. Woods, MD, of Yale University; Daniel H. Mathalon, PhD, MD, of UC San Francisco; Diana O. Perkins, MD, of UNC, Chapel Hill; and Elaine F. Walker, PhD, of Emory University.

This work was supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (U01MH081928, P50 MH080272, R01 MH096027, U01 MH081857, U01 MH081984, P50 MH066286, R01 MH60720, U01 MH082022, K24 MH76191, U01 MH081902, U01 MH082004, U01 MH081988, U01 MH082022); grant SCDMH82101008006 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Clinical Translational Science Award UL1RR025758 and General Clinical Research Center Grant M01RR01032 from the National Center for Research Resources to Harvard University at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; and by grant P41RR14075 from the National Center for Research Resources.

About Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a patient care, teaching and research affiliate of Harvard Medical School and consistently ranks as a national leader among independent hospitals in National Institutes of Health funding.

BIDMC is in the community with Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Milton, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth, Anna Jaques Hospital, Cambridge Health Alliance, Lawrence General Hospital, MetroWest Medical Center, Signature Healthcare, Beth Israel Deaconess HealthCare, Community Care Alliance and Atrius Health. BIDMC is also clinically affiliated with the Joslin Diabetes Center and Hebrew Rehabilitation Center and is a research partner of Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and the Jackson Laboratory. BIDMC is the official hospital of the Boston Red Sox. For more information, visit http://www.bidmc.org.
Initial results of LAA closure device for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation demonstrate device safety and low rates of major adverse events

WASHINGTON - November 2, 2016 - Initial results from the largest, prospective evaluation of a percutaneous transcatheter left atrial appendage (LAA) closure device (Amplatzer Amulet) for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation show that the device has a high implant success rate and low major adverse events.

Findings from the AMULET OBSERVATIONAL STUDY were reported today at the 28th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium. Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), TCT is the world's premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.

The study enrolled 1,073 patients between June 2015 and September 2016 at 64 clinical sites in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and South America. 1,060 patients had device implantation, giving a technical success rate of 98.8%. Major adverse events (MAEs) within 7 days of implant included ischemic stroke (0.3%, n=3), pericardial effusion requiring intervention (0.5%, n=5), embolization (0.1%, n=1), and bleeding (0.9%, n=10). There were three deaths (0.2%) that occurred within seven days of attempted implant, two of which were adjudicated as procedure or device related, and one as unrelated to the device. At 1-3 month follow-up, the majority of patients were on antiplatelet therapy only and the CoreLab analyzed results of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed a closure rate of 99%.

"These results indicate that the Amplatzer Amulet is safe and associated with low rates of peri-procedural and early adverse events, as well as demonstrating high closure rates," said David Hildick-Smith, MD, from the Sussex Cardiac Centre, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals in Brighton, United Kingdom. "In addition, antiplatelet therapy appears to be an effective treatment strategy post-implantation in the short-term. Additional long-term data is necessary to confirm these promising early findings."

The AMULET trial was funded by St. Jude Medical. Dr. Hildick-Smith reported grant/research support and consulting fees/honoraria from St Jude Medical, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Gore, Abbott, Occlutech and Edwards.

The results of the AMULET OBSERVATIONAL STUDY will be presented on Wednesday, November 2 at 9:40 AM ET in the Main Arena (Ballroom, Level 3) in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

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About CRF and TCT

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) is a nonprofit research and educational organization dedicated to helping doctors improve survival and quality of life for people suffering from heart and vascular disease. For over 25 years, CRF has helped pioneer innovations in interventional cardiology and has educated doctors on the latest treatments for heart disease.

Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) is the annual scientific symposium of CRF and the world's premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine. Now in its 28th year, TCT features major medical research breakthroughs and gathers leading researchers and clinicians from around the world to present and discuss the latest evidence-based research in the field.

For more information, visit http://www.crf.org and http://www.tctconference.com.
The spires and pillars in the new images of the Carina Nebula are vast clouds of dust and gas within a hub of star formation about 7500 light-years away. The pillars in the nebula were observed by a team led by Anna McLeod, a PhD student at ESO, using the MUSE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope.

The great power of MUSE is that it creates thousands of images of the nebula at the same time, each at a different wavelength of light. This allows astronomers to map out the chemical and physical properties of the material at different points in the nebula.

Images of similar structures, the famous Pillars of Creation/ [1] in the Eagle Nebula and formations in NGC 3603, were combined with the ones displayed here. In total ten pillars have been observed, and in so doing a clear link was observed between the radiation emitted by nearby massive stars and the features of the pillars themselves.

In an ironic twist, one of the first consequences of the formation of a massive star is that it starts to destroy the cloud from which it was born. The idea that massive stars will have a considerable effect on their surroundings is not new: such stars are known to blast out vast quantities of powerful, ionising radiation -- emission with enough energy to strip atoms of their orbiting electrons. However, it is very difficult to obtain observational evidence of the interplay between such stars and their surroundings.

The team analysed the effect of this energetic radiation on the pillars: a process known as photoevaporation, when gas is ionised and then disperses away. By observing the results of photoevaporation -- which included the loss of mass from the pillars -- they were able to deduce the culprits. There was a clear correlation between the amount of ionising radiation being emitted by nearby stars, and the dissipation of the pillars.

This might seem like a cosmic calamity, with massive stars turning on their own creators. However the complexities of the feedback mechanisms between the stars and the pillars are poorly understood. These pillars might look dense, but the clouds of dust and gas which make up nebulae are actually very diffuse. It is possible that the radiation and stellar winds from massive stars actually help create denser spots within the pillars, which can then form stars.

These breathtaking celestial structures have more to tell us, and MUSE is an ideal instrument to probe them with.

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Notes

[1] The Pillars of Creation are an iconic [image] - https://www.spacetelescope.org/images/heic1501a/ , taken with the [NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope] - http://spacetelescope.org/ , making them the most famous of these structures. Also known as [elephant trunks] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_trunks , they can be several light-years in length.

More information

This research was presented in a paper entitled "Connecting the dots: a correlation between ionising radiation and cloud mass-loss rate traced by optical integral field spectroscopy", by A. F. McLeod et al., published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

The team is composed of A. F. McLeod (ESO, Garching, Germany), M. Gritschneder (Universitats-Sternwarte, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Munich, Germany), J. E. Dale (Universitats-Sternwarte, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Munich, Germany), A. Ginsburg (ESO, Garching, Germany), P. D.Klaassen (UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Royal Observatory Edinburgh, UK), J. C. Mottram (Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg, Germany), T. Preibisch (Universitats-Sternwarte, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Munich, Germany), S. Ramsay (ESO, Garching, Germany), M. Reiter (University of Michigan Department of Astronomy, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA) and L. Testi (ESO, Garching, Germany).

ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It is supported by 16 countries: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory and two survey telescopes. VISTA works in the infrared and is the world's largest survey telescope and the VLT Survey Telescope is the largest telescope designed to exclusively survey the skies in visible light. ESO is a major partner in ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre European Extremely Large Telescope, the E-ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky".

Links

Research paper - http://www.eso.org/public/archives/releases/sciencepapers/eso1639/eso1639a.pdf

Photos of the VLT - http://www.eso.org/public/images/archive/category/paranal/

Contacts

Anna Faye McLeod

ESO

Garching bei Munchen, Germany

Tel: +49 89 3200 6321

Email: amcleod@eso.org

Mathias Jager

Public Information Officer

Garching bei Munchen, Germany

Tel: +49 176 62397500

Email: mjaeger@partner.eso.org
Ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal committed suicide over the issue of One Rank One Pension scheme (OROP) on Tuesday.

By India Today Web Desk: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia were detained by the Delhi Police on their way to meet the family of former serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who committed suicide over the government's failure to guarantee the controversial One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.

A furious Rahul attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "It is an undemocratic mentality. A new kind of India is being created. It is Modiji's India," the 46-year-old Congress leader told reporters after he was prevented from entering New Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia hospital.

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The Delhi Police said Rahul was detained for preventing the cops from doing their job. "Rahul Gandhi has been detained at Mandir Marg police station for disruption of duty after he wasn't allowed to enter the RML hospital to meet ex-serviceman's family," Special Commissioner of Police MK Meena told reporters.

Meena said Grewal's family members have also been detained as well since "they were contacting political leaders and holding demonstration in a hospital which is not a place for demonstration".

SISODIA ALSO DETAINED



Earlier, Sisodia was also taken into custody by the Delhi Police when he had gone to the same hospital to meet Grewal's family, who killed himself by consuming poison over OROP at the Jantar Mantar site in the national capital.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader was detained after he tried to sit on a dharna inside the hospital over Grewal's suicide. "I went to RML to meet the family, not to stage a dharna. What's wrong with that?" he tweeted.

Sisodia also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Law and order is in jeopardy if Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister meets the grieving family? What kind of system is this, Modiji?"

"You pat yourself over the soldiers' bravery and arrest us when we go to meet the family of a soldier who committed suicide. Patriotism?" he said.



Sisodia added that he had been told that police can detain a person for 23 hours without showing any documents under Section 65 of the Indian Penal Code.

Sisodia's boss and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is expected to reach the hospital soon.



Also read:

Ex-serviceman commits suicide at Jantar Mantar over One Rank One Pension

OROP



Ram Kishan Grewal in his suicide note said that he is taking such extreme step for the welfare of the soldiers. Police said he along with some other ex-servicemen were in the process of submitting a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP.

Ex-servicemen have been protesting for a long time now, demanding the implementation of the OROP scheme.

WATCH VIDEO







--- ENDS ---
Particularly under threat are honey bees, which are as vital to our food systems as the crops they pollinate, and which are prone to a range of emergent diseases including Moku and Deformed wing virus (DWV).

The Moku virus was identified through a collaboration of institutes with complementary expertise.

Purnima Pachori of the Platforms & Pipelines Group at the Earlham Institute (EI) carried out the bioinformatics work of separating out host and viral genetic material, which allowed for the analysis and identification of the novel Moku virus led by Gideon Mordecai (based at the time at the Marine Biological Association (MBA), Plymouth).

"It's brilliant that our computational biology expertise at EI could contribute to the characterisation of a new virus which can be a threat to pollinator health worldwide" said Purnima.

It was through work at the MBA that the true uniqueness of the Moku virus revealed itself. Gideon Mordecai said, "The use of next generation gene sequencing techniques has led to a rapid increase in virus discovery, and is a powerful tool for investigating the enormous diversity of viruses out there."

The study has highlighted the importance of monitoring invasive species for broad-range viruses as well as the potential for transmission of these pathogens. Dr Declan Schroeder, Head of the Virus Ecology Group at the MBA explains: "The true significance of this discovery lies in the potential ramifications that a new biological invasion could cause. Could we be seeing history repeating itself? Similar to the Spanish invasion of the Inca and Aztec empires in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, it was the smallpox and measles viruses that inflicted the most damage on the individuals of these populous nations. Here we are seeing an invasive wasp bringing in a new virus to honey bees."

The likelihood is that Moku has the ability to spread throughout the endemic population of honey bees in Hawaii. Gideon Mordecai concludes that "future challenges will be assessing the biological relevance of these novel pathogens and the role they play in the ecology of their hosts."

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Read more on this study in our article: Moku virus highlights potential threat to pollinators worldwide.
Millions of Australians suffering from kidney stones could soon get relief, with researchers discovering a prostrate treatment can also help ease the painful condition.

Patients with kidney stones were treated with the drug Tamsulosin in an Emergency Medicine Foundation Australasia (EMF) funded clinical trial run across five Australian hospital emergency departments.

Trial leader and specialist emergency medicine physician at The Townsville Hospital, Dr Jeremy Furyk, said Tamsulosin was normally used to treat an enlarged prostate, but the research team found the treatment could also assist the passage of large kidney stones in the urine.

"Kidney stones are a bit of a mystery, occur frequently in the community and generally affect young, healthy adults," Dr Furyk said.

"It can be extremely painful to pass these jagged little crystallized minerals and it's very common for sufferers to go to an emergency department for treatment.

"Of more than 400 patients in the trial, we found those who received Tamsulosin passed their large kidney stones more often than the placebo group.

"This means patients with large stones might not need more complicated treatments including surgeries, and this has potential to improve care and reduce costs. We're very excited because Tamsulosin treatment may also allow patients to be treated closer to home rather than needing referral to a major centre."

EMF Australasia awarded more than $270,000 to support Dr Furyk's research, through its Queensland Research Program, which is funded by the Queensland Government Department of Health.

EMF Australasia Chair, Associate Professor Sally McCarthy said this research had the potential to help millions of Australians suffering with this extremely painful condition.

"It may also have implications for patients living in rural and regional areas, where access to urologists - the specialist doctors who treat this condition - can be limited."

Up to 15 per cent of the Australian adult population and 1 in 11 people in the United States suffer from kidney stones, which range in size from a grain of sand to a pearl or even larger, and can be excruciating to pass through the urinary tract.

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Dr Furyk's research was recently published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine: http://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(16)30364-X/abstract

About the Emergency Medicine Foundation - EMF is an Australasian non-profit organisation funds innovative, evidence-based emergency medicine research that will improve clinical practices to save lives, as well as deliver significant economic benefits to the healthcare system. EMF runs two research grant programs - a national Rural and Remote program and a highly successful Queensland program - as well as a Research Support Network. The Foundation was established in 2007 with the support of the Queensland Government.

For more information visit http://www.emergencyfoundation.org.au
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was not only the largest ecological disaster in the U.S., but it has become the most scientifically researched oil spill. Six years since the disaster, researchers from various fields have gathered data on the environmental, economic and health impacts. Many of these research findings, including a number by LSU researchers, have been compiled in a special issue of The Oceanography Society's magazine, Oceanography.

"The oil spill was an incredible human and environmental tragedy. The silver lining to that cloud is it has provided the resources for us to learn a lot more about a part of the Gulf of Mexico that we didn't know about - the deep sea. It's a new frontier," said LSU College of the Coast & Environment Associate Dean Richard Shaw, who is also the co-chair of the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Synthesis and Legacy Committee.

This special issue includes leading scientific contributions by LSU faculty, researchers and graduate students. For example, the work by LSU Department of Environmental Sciences Emeritus Professor Ed Overton has advanced the understanding about the chemical complexity of crude oil, how it weathers and how to track it over time.

"Offshore and coastal Louisiana bore the brunt of the damages from this oil spill, and we are fortunate to be able to study and document its damages and consequences. It is also an opportunity to highlight the importance of Louisiana not just as an energy-producing state, but as a state with one of the largest and most productive coastal wetlands and fisheries in our country," Overton said.

From the disaster, more than 1,000 kilometers of wetlands were oiled in Louisiana. Marshes lost due to oiling and shoreline erosion will not come back. LSU Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences Shell Chair Nancy Rabalais and Boyd Professor R. Eugene Turner synthesize the key results from published research on the effects of the oil on coastal habitats and its inhabitants from microbes to vertebrates thus far.

"These post-spill studies build a baseline for understanding future large-scale perturbations, and the documentation of oil spill impacts will, perhaps, provide a basis for avoiding, rather than accommodating, some of them," Turner said.

The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative, or GoMRI, will continue to fund research pertaining to the oil spill through 2020. Additional data and analyses will be made available through this period.

"I think Gulf of Mexico science has been elevated since the oil spill and the research investment," Shaw said. "I think we're much better prepared if and when another incident happens. We've developed the type of research tools, instruments and analyses to be able to respond more quickly and more effectively."

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Researcher Don Hood from LSU and colleagues from collaborating universities studied an unusual region on Mars -- an area with high elevation called Thaumasia Planum. They analyzed the geography and mineralogy of this area they termed Greater Thaumasia, which is about the size of North America. They also studied the chemistry of this area based on Gamma Ray Spectrometer data collected by the Mars Odyssey Orbiter, which was launched in 2001. What they found was the mountain ridge that outlines Greater Thaumasia was most likely created by a chain of volcanoes. The results were published recently in the Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets.

"The chemical changes we see moving northwestward through the region is consistent with the mantle evolving on Mars. Our research supports that this whole area was built as a volcanic construct," said Don Hood, LSU Department of Geology and Geophysics doctoral candidate and lead author of the paper.

The chemical composition changes throughout the region. Silica and H20 increase and potassium decreases from southeast to northwest.

"The chemical composition shifting is the key progression that tells us that this environment was most likely shaped by a series of volcanic events that continually erupted from a changing mantle composition," Hood said.

Hood and colleagues from Stony Brook University, University of Tokyo and Lehigh University ruled out another hypothesis that the abundance of H20 and potassium was caused by water interacting in rock.

"We looked for evidence of aqueous alteration through other geochemical means and didn't find it," he said.

The geography of the region has many shield volcanoes that are similar to the ones found in Hawaii. However from geochemical analyses, the researchers found that the sulfur that is present was most likely deposited as a volcanic ash. Volcanic ash from various areas could be evidence of explosive volcanism on Mars, which would be an important clue for piecing together the history of Mars. It is significant because explosive eruptions emit a lot of gas that can stay in the atmosphere and can cause global cooling and warming events.

"Whether there was explosive volcanism on Mars and how much of it there was is an important question in terms of finding out what the past climate was like," Hood said.

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The effort to manage a fatal brain disease in deer and elk is taking significant steps forward thanks to a partnership between researchers, government experts, and American deer and elk farmers.

Researchers from Midwestern University, Colorado State University, the Colorado State Department of Agriculture, and the United States Department of Agriculture were part of a unique study aimed at managing chronic wasting disease (CWD) in ranched elk in areas where the disease is common in wild deer and elk.

The project, first reported during the 59th AAVLD/USAHA annual meeting in Greensboro, NC, received a major boost from deer and elk farmers, including the North American Deer Farmers Association (NADeFA), the North American Elk Breeders Association (NAEBA), and Whitetails of Wisconsin (WOW). Over the past few years, the groups have supported research into developing live animal tests - specifically relying on samples collected during herd depopulations. What has been lacking, until recently, is the application of those test developments towards solving real world problems.

The project, headed by Midwestern University's Nicholas Haley, D.V.M., Ph.D., focused on using conventional and experimental tests for CWD to identify and remove infected animals from a large elk herd living on thousands of acres of fenced property. The study provided a substantial body of samples that could provide for more sensitive tests than are currently available, but perhaps more importantly it has allowed insight into the genetic association between infection and disease resistance.

With the help of his collaborators, Dr. Haley been able to examine the links between infection and a number of genetic markers found in elk known as microsatellites, using techniques commonly known as "DNA fingerprinting" which assist in building a family tree for the ranch and may prove useful in any number of other species as well. "I am time and again fascinated with the wealth of genetic data we've been able to collect," Dr. Haley said. "Imagine being able to predict which animals may become infected next year, or identify branches of animals more resistant to disease than others, and ultimately using that information to manage the disease from purely an agricultural perspective."

The project would not be possible without the cooperation of deer and elk farmers and their representatives, Dr. Haley says. "This project has allowed the deer and elk farming industries to take ownership of CWD management and play a critical and prominent role in bringing it under control."

In areas where CWD is common, deer and elk farmers have the very realistic ability to manage their animals by identifying desirable traits and selectively breeding for them - in this case, resistance to CWD. "What would take Mother Nature thousands of years to do, deer and elk farmers can do in our lifetime," Dr. Haley suggests.

Although the concept of managing CWD on-site through live animal testing and selective breeding is a relatively new one in the deer and elk farming arena, Dr. Haley hopes that this project is able to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of such an approach, allowing future work to build off of the novel findings and ultimately stop CWD in its tracks.

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Midwestern University is a graduate degree-granting institution specializing in the health sciences with eleven colleges and two campuses. The Illinois campus, located on a 105-acre site in Downers Grove, is home to over 2,900 students and five colleges: the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Chicago College of Pharmacy, the College of Health Sciences, the College of Dental Medicine-Illinois, and the Chicago College of Optometry. The Arizona campus, located on a 156-acre site in Glendale, is home to over 3,500 students and six colleges: the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, the College of Pharmacy-Glendale, the College of Health Sciences, the College of Dental Medicine-Arizona, the Arizona College of Optometry, and the College of Veterinary Medicine. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, visit http://www.midwestern.edu or call 623.572.3215.
LA JOLLA--We put things into a container to keep them organized and safe. In cells, the nucleus has a similar role: keeping DNA protected and intact within an enveloping membrane. But a new study by Salk Institute scientists, detailed in the November 2 issue of Genes & Development, reveals that this cellular container acts on its contents to influence gene expression.

"Our research shows that, far from being a passive enclosure as many biologists have thought, the nuclear membrane is an active regulatory structure," says Salk Professor Martin Hetzer, who is also holder of the Jesse and Caryl Philips Foundation chair. "Not only does it interact with portions of the genome to drive gene expression, but it can also contribute to disease processes when components are faulty."

Using a suite of molecular biology technologies, the Salk team discovered that two proteins, which sit in the nuclear envelope, together with the membrane-spanning complexes they form, actively associate with stretches of DNA to trigger expression of key genes. Better understanding these higher-level functions could provide insight into diseases that appear to be related to dysfunctional nuclear membrane components, such as leukemia, heart disease and aging disorders.

Historically, the nuclear membrane's main purpose was thought to be keeping the contents of the nucleus physically separated from the rest of the cell. Complexes of at least thirty different proteins, called nucleoporins, form gateways (pores) in the membrane, controlling what goes in or out. But as the Hetzer lab's work on nucleoporins shows, these nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), beyond being mere gateways into the nucleus, have surprising regulatory effects on the DNA inside.

"Discovering that key regulatory regions of the genome are actually positioned at nuclear pores was very unexpected," says Arkaitz Ibarra, a Salk staff scientist and first author of the paper. "And even more importantly, nuclear pore proteins are critical for the function of those genomic sites."

Curious about all the regions of DNA with which nucleoporins potentially interact, the team turned to a human bone cancer cell line. The scientists used a molecular biology technique called DamID to pinpoint where two nucleoporins, Nup153 and Nup93, came into contact with the genome. Then they used several other sequencing techniques to understand which genes were being affected in those regions, and how.

The Salk team discovered that Nup153 and Nup93 interacted with stretches of the genome called super-enhancers, which are known to help determine cell identity. Since every cell in our body has the same DNA, what makes a muscle cell different from a liver cell or a nerve cell is which particular genes are turned on, or expressed, within that cell. In the Salk study, the presence of Nup153 and Nup93 was found to regulate expression of super-enhancer driven genes and experiments that silenced either protein resulted in abnormal gene expression from these regions. Further experiments in a lung cancer cell line validated the bone cancer line results: Nucleoporins in the NPC were found to interact with multiple super-enhancer regions to drive gene expression, while experiments that altered the NPC proteins made related gene expression faulty, even though the proteins still performed their primary role as gatekeepers in the cell membrane.

"It was incredible to find that we could perturb the proteins without affecting their gateway role, but still have nearby gene expression go awry," says Ibarra.

The results bolster other work indicating that problems with the nuclear membrane play a role in heart disease, leukemia and progeria, a rare premature aging syndrome.

"People have thought the nuclear membrane is just a protective barrier, which is maybe the reason why it evolved in the first place. But there are many more regulatory levels that we don't understand. And it's such an important area because so far, every membrane protein that has been studied and found to be mutated or mis-localized, seems to cause a human disease," says Hetzer.

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Other authors on the paper were Swati Tyagi of the Salk Institute, Chris Benner of the University of California, San Diego, and Jonah Cool of Organovo Holdings, Inc.

The work was funded by the Human Frontier Science Program, National Institutes of Health grant R01GM098749, NIH Transformative Research Award R01NS096786, the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research, the NOMIS Foundation, the Keck Foundation and American Cancer Society Award number P30CA014195.

About the Salk Institute for Biological Studies:

Every cure has a starting point. The Salk Institute embodies Jonas Salk's mission to dare to make dreams into reality. Its internationally renowned and award-winning scientists explore the very foundations of life, seeking new understandings in neuroscience, genetics, immunology and more. The Institute is an independent nonprofit organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature and fearless in the face of any challenge. Be it cancer or Alzheimer's, aging or diabetes, Salk is where cures begin. Learn more at: salk.edu.
In a study published online by JAMA Surgery, Jim C. Hu, M.D., M.P.H., Joshua A. Halpern, M.D., M.S., of Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, and colleagues examined effects on practice patterns in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment following the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation against prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in 2012.

Prostate cancer is the most common nondermatologic malignancy among men in the United States, with an estimated 220,000 new cases and 27,540 deaths in 2015. Owing to its high incidence and the potential for cure with early detection, population-based screening programs were widely implemented in the United States during the 1990s. However, the USPSTF recommended against population-based PSA screening following a randomized clinical trial that showed no mortality benefit to PSA screening, and screening decreased significantly following this recommendation. Few studies have examined the downstream effects of the USPSTF recommendation on diagnostic and therapeutic prostate cancer practice patterns.

For this study, the researchers evaluated procedural volumes of certifying and recertifying urologists from 2009 through 2016 for variation in prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy (RP) volume. The study included a representative sample of urologists across practice settings and nationally representative sample of all RP discharges. Operative case logs were obtained from the American Board of Urology and urologists performing at least 1 prostate biopsy (n = 5,173) or RP (n = 3,748) were identified.

The researchers found that following the USPSTF recommendation, median biopsy volume per urologist decreased from 29 to 21. After adjusting for physician and practice characteristics, biopsy volume decreased by 29 percent following 2012. Similarly, following the USPSTF recommendation, median RP volume per urologist decreased from 7 to 6, and in adjusted analyses, RP volume decreased 16 percent.

"These findings represent the direct downstream effects of the USPSTF recommendation. While the pendulum of prostate cancer screening continues to swing, a more extended vantage point is needed to evaluate the long-term consequences of the 2012 USPSTF recommendation with regard to stage at presentation, outcomes following treatment, and disease-specific mortality in prostate cancer. Because revision of the USPSTF recommendation is in progress, policy makers should weigh the downstream effects of the 2012 USPSTF recommendation and consider future unintended consequences," the authors write.

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(JAMA Surgery. Published online November 2, 2016.doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2016.3987. This study is available pre-embargo at the For The Media website.)

Editor's Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.
Professor Ron Hui, Chair Professor of Power Electronics and Philip Wong Wilson Wong Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Hong Kong, has been named a Fellow by the Royal Academy of Engineering, U.K., one of the most prestigious national academies.

Professor Hui attended the New Fellow Induction ceremony in London on October 20 (Thursday, HKT). The ceremony was officiated by HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Senior Fellow of the Academy.

The citation for Professor Hui stated: "Professor Hui is a visionary inventor and researcher. His groundbreaking research focuses on power electronics, with emphasis on energy saving and reduction of electronic waste. His achievements involve fundamental engineering science and applications, influencing both academic and industrial worlds."

Professor Hui was delighted to receive the honour, he said: "I am deeply honoured being named a Fellow of the Academy, in recognition of my research in environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies. More importantly, it serves as important recognition of research efforts which help protect the Earth and its sustainability in the long run, for the well-being of our next generations. I am in particular grateful in this regard."

Over the last 20 years, Professor Ron Hui has focused his research on environmentally friendly technologies. His ground-breaking research focuses on Power Electronics, with emphasis on energy saving and reduction of electronic waste. Besides publishing extensively in top-tier research journals in power electronics, he has over 55 patents adopted by industry. His achievements Planar Wireless Power Transfer and Sustainable Lighting Technology have been previously recognised by the Institute of Electical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE) USA, Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) UK and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering.

Professor Hui's inventions have underpined the key features of the World's 1st Wireless Power Standard "Qi", launched by the international Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) in 2010. Noting the surge of mobile phone chargers and their e-waste problem in early 2000's, he has pioneered a series of "Planar Wireless Charging technologies" covering (i) free-positioning, (ii) localized charging and (iii) load identification. Such user-friendly technologies have been adopted into "Qi" by the WPC, now comprising over 200 companies worldwide.

Professor Hui raised the electronic waste issues arising from electronic lighting products in early 2000. He has championed the concept of "Sustainable Lighting" that incorporates not only energy saving (as adopted in Energy Star), but also long product lifetime and recyclability of product components. He invented sustainable ballasts/drivers that outperform conventional ones with improved energy efficiency, lifetime and recyclability. He designed the world's first passive LED driver that has designed lifetime (>10 years) exceeding that of the LED devices. (now in production for street lighting). In 2009, he published the Photo-electro-thermal Theory for LED Systems, unifying the interactions of light, heat and power. Such theory has been adopted into the Industrial Electronics Handbook.

Professor Hui's achievements in Planar Wireless Charging Technology have been independently recognised by both of IET (UK) and IEEE (USA) with their "most prestigious awards" in Power Research:

2010 The IET Crompton Medal for achievements in Power

2015 IEEE William E. Newell Power Electronics Award (IEEE Technical Field Award - the highest honour in Power Electronics by the IEEE Award Board)

Moreover, he received the IEEE Rodulf Chope Research & Development Award (for Sustainable Lighting Technology) in 2010, and was honoured a Fellow of the Austrialian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering in the same year.

Presently, Professor Hui and his team are engaged in several exciting research ideas. He is studying new omnidirectional wireless power transfer (for 3-dimensional wireless charging) and electric springs (for stabilizing power systems with increasing renewable energy generation).

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Those of us with easy access to the internet often take for granted the plethora of information at our fingertips as well as the ability to communicate -- seemingly in the blink of an eye -- with friends and family both near and far. For people in communities where resources and technology are harder to come by, however, these opportunities are equally limited.

Such is the case for the tribal communities of the San Diego area, where UC Santa Barbara computer science professor Elizabeth Belding, is working to bring cutting edge wireless technology to increase the number of residents who are online in the tribal communities of the San Diego County area. With $550,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Belding and colleagues will study ways of bringing telecommunications connectivity to currently disconnected residents of the rural inland native communities.

"You need the internet for everything," said Belding. "To apply for a job, you have to be online. If you are in a remote part of a reservation, distance learning opportunities and education are critical."

Fueled by two NSF grants -- Early-Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) and Networking Technology and Systems (NeTS) -- Belding and her collaborators at Georgia Tech, Penn State and local partner Tribal Digital Village (TDV), are working to roll out the technology and services necessary to bring online more homes, municipal buildings and businesses on 13 reservations. Some homes have internet service, but many would-be subscribers live in remote areas that are difficult to reach with current wireless technologies.

"Many residents of Native American reservations around the country don't have internet access at all," said Belding, who has worked with unserved populations in Africa and with refugees at camps in the Middle East to provide essential communications infrastructure and technology. "This group is at the forefront."

Among the challenges in providing high-quality broadband service to remote communities such as these is terrain, which can be inhospitable to the conventional terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure. Another is the economics of supplying the services to a relatively small, spread out subscriber base.

"I think that when you're talking about bringing internet connectivity to rural areas there are a lot of commonalities between otherwise disparate communities," Belding said. "You have very geographically dispersed populations, often there are economic challenges, and because there's no infrastructure already you don't necessarily have the technical expertise."

Fortunately, she noted, significant technical expertise comes from local partners at TDV, a program of the Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association. The group has been working for over a decade to bring internet services to the rural tribal communities of San Diego County, actively lobbying the Federal Communications Commission to open the "white spaces" -- unused frequencies between TV channels -- for internet service.

"When you think about TV, it covers a really wide geographic area, it has really good penetration properties through foliage and through buildings," said Belding. These frequencies are a relatively new addition to wireless technology bandwidth in this country, but are seen as well suited to rural areas.

The project, still in its trial stages, also will collect anonymized information about user habits in an effort to determine which content would result in the best user experience for the population, especially for those who would still have limited time and opportunity to access the internet. The lessons learned from the field trial and usage study would provide the researchers with information on scalability and internet use that may be specific to this particular population or to Native American populations in general. It could also pave the way for future deployments on other reservations.

"If we're successful with the white spaces buildout we would like to use it as a model for bringing internet to other Native American populations who are not currently online," Belding said.

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Irvine, Calif., Nov. 2, 2016 - Shane Ardo, assistant professor of chemistry at the University of California, Irvine, has been named a Moore Inventor Fellow by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and will receive $825,000 over three years to fund the development of solar-powered desalination technologies to help solve water scarcity problems for nearly a billion people worldwide.

"Imagine if you could dip a plastic bottle in the ocean and have that container take the salt out of the water in front of your eyes," said Ardo, an expert in solar energy, electrochemistry, physics and materials science. "My lab is on track to perfecting technologies to sustainably and inexpensively desalinate seawater for both personal consumption and agriculture."

Desalination is seen as one possible solution to the ongoing water crisis confronting the southwestern United States and many other regions of the world. But conventional desalination plants are extremely costly to build; a facility in Southern California that cost more than $1 billion to construct serves less than half a million consumers. Ardo believes the smaller scale and distributed nature of his concept will help people obtain freshwater more readily, more cheaply and with less environmental impact.

Ardo is developing a solar electrodialysis device that could deliver a more than tenfold increase in efficiency over the current process of using grid power to pump water through filters, he said. Scientists in his lab designed specialized polymer plastic membranes with chemically bound, light-absorbing dye molecules. These novel materials directly convert sunlight into ionic power that could be used to drive the desalting process.

Ardo said his project got started with funding from UCI, and the university will continue to provide support, but this new bridge funding from the Moore Foundation will help his lab bring the concept to fruition.

"We are investing in promising scientist-inventor-problem-solvers with a passion for inventing - like Gordon Moore himself," said Harvey V. Fineberg, M.D., Ph.D., president of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. "By providing support to these early-career researchers, we can give them the freedom to try out new ideas that could make a real and positive difference."

Ardo is among the first group of five inventors to be awarded this new fellowship. The Moore Foundation plans to invest nearly $34 million over the next 10 years in 50 early-career innovators with high potential to accelerate progress in scientific research, environmental conservation and patient care.

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About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 30,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $5 billion annually to the local economy. For more on UCI, visit http://www.uci.edu.

Media access: Radio programs/stations may, for a fee, use an on-campus ISDN line to interview UCI faculty and experts, subject to availability and university approval. For more UCI news, visit news.uci.edu. Additional resources for journalists may be found at communications.uci.edu/for-journalists.
The Pakistani Army again violated ceasefire on Tuesday in Samba and Nowshera sectors and resorted to heavy firing and shelling, killing eight civilians. Many others were injured, including an infant.

Army personnel and volunteers carry a woman to a hospital in Jammu on Tuesday after she was injured in cross-border firing.

By Ashwini Kumar, Ashraf Wani: Her fight for survival has begun at age 1 - and unexpectedly. Pari celebrated her first birthday barely two months ago.

On Tuesday, she lay unconscious on a hospital bed in Jammu, her tiny hands tied to medical drips before a potential surgery.

The infant was hit in the neck and the spine when a Pakistani shell crashed down on her home in Rangroor village of Samba sector. Her father Rakesh Kumar and mother Sushma were also wounded.

A kid being treated at the hospital.

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The Kumar family was rejoicing on Bhai Dooj when the mortar turned their small house into a graveyard.

Kumar lost his father, one of this three sisters and two nephews - aged 7 and 5 years - in the shelling as they prepared to celebrate the festival together.

Also Read | Indian Army retaliates after civilian deaths: 2 Pakistani jawans killed, 14 posts damaged

Also Read | 2 Pakistan soldiers killed as India responds to ceasefire violation with punitive strikes



DEADLIEST PAKISTANI ASSAULT IN SINGLE DAY

In the deadliest Pakistani assault in a single day on the Indian side after the September surgical strikes, eight civilians, including four from the Kumar family alone, were killed in indiscriminate shelling in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, authorities said.

The ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Rangers were reported in the Samba and Nowshera sectors.

According to the BSF, the assault began with gunfire from small arms. It was subsequently followed by mortars, BSF spokesman Dharmendra Pareek said. Around 20 people were wounded in the firing.

The Rangers, he explained, shot 82-mm mortars intermittently and the BSF retaliated strongly.

But the Pakistani shelling forced hundreds of residents out of their homes in Samba district. Civilians fled the line of fire, some of them on foot.

A 16-year-old girl, who was hit by a mortar splinter, was among the dead. Dozens of livestock were also killed or injured in the shelling. Pakistan's army also shelled Indian positions in Nowshera sector of the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district, authorities said.

Also Read | Inside story of Indian Army's daring surgical strikes against Pakistan

Also Read | How para commandos used flame throwers to decimate terror camps behind enemy lines

'PAKISTAN HAS DESTROYED OUR FAMILY'

When India Today TV's crew visited Naika Panjgraian in Rajouri, villagers were seen mourning a woman and her daughter-in-law, who were killed in the Pakistani attack.

According to local residents, as many as 100 shells pounded on their village within an hour. "This heavy round of shelling destroyed our fields and houses," said Mohammad Yaqoob, a resident of Naika Panjgraian.

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A relative described how the two village women lost their lives in the mortar fire. "Both of them were working in their fields and suddenly shells rained down on them. They died instantly," said Salma Begum.

"Pakistan has destroyed our family," she wailed.

There have been more than 60 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the LoC and the international border in the state since surgical strikes against terror launch pads by the Indian army in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, military sources say.

A shootout also broke out between militants and security forces in Bandipora area of Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday.

Security sources said three suspected Lashkar terrorists, holding up in Ajar village in Bandipora, were involved in the gunfight. Troops cordoned off the entire neighbourhood for search operations.

Also Read:



J-K: Another government school set ablaze in Anantnag, concerns mount over students' safety

Fierce encounter between security forces, terrorists in Kupwara

Army destroys 4 Pakistani posts in Keran sector along LoC, says it has inflicted 'heavy casualties'





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--- ENDS ---
Researchers at University of Tsukuba use genetic screening approach to identify mutations that affect sleep/wakefulness in mice; amount of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep shown to be regulated by NALCN and SIK3 proteins, respectively

Tsukuba, Japan - Sleep is an essential animal behavior seen in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Mammalian sleep is made up of tightly controlled cycles of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep. Recent research has identified neural networks in different parts of the brain that switch us between wakefulness, REM sleep and non-REM sleep. However, the molecular mechanism regulating these switches was unknown.

Researchers centered at the University of Tsukuba examined mice carrying random mutations to isolate those with sleep/wake abnormalities. This large-scale screening process identified sleep phenotypes and mutated genes that revealed roles for two proteins in regulating sleep need and maintaining periods of REM sleep.

Previous work identified genes that control sleep in flies carrying random mutations, but equivalent experiments in mice are technically more challenging because of the requirement for measures of brain electrical activity in sleep/wakefulness and the fact that many redundant mechanisms are involved in sleep regulation.

The researchers used chemical mutagenesis to introduce random mutations into mice. Observations of the mice identified a mutant pedigree, named Sleepy, with an extended sleep time. This pedigree was shown to carry a mutation in the Sik3 gene, which encodes an enzyme (SIK3) expressed in neurons of the brain that controls other proteins.

"We noticed that Sleepy mutants showed an exaggerated response to sleep deprivation," first author Hiromasa Funato says. "Examining the brains of sleep-deprived mice revealed changes in the phosphorylation of amino acids within the SIK3 protein. These changes were disturbed by the Sik3 mutation in Sleepy mice, which is why they have an increased sleep need."

A second sleep phenotype was identified with a shortened and unstable REM sleep period. "This mutant pedigree, named Dreamless, carries a mutation in the Nalcn gene, which encodes an ion channel thought to control neuronal excitability," coauthor Chika Miyoshi says. "The Dreamless mutation causes increased ion conductance through the channel and increased activity of REM-terminating neurons, which is compatible with REM sleep instability."

Genes related to Sik3 in Drosophila and nematode worms were also shown to be involved in regulating the amount of sleep-like behaviors in these animals, while a mutation in a Nalcn-related Drosophila gene was previously found to control a circadian change in neuronal excitability. These conserved roles in invertebrate genes show the importance of controlling sleep in all animals.

"We hope that the discovery of these key genes is just the beginning of our long journey into the blackbox of sleep regulation," senior author Masashi Yanagisawa says. "It is amazing that we know almost nothing about the simple question of what is 'sleepiness' physically in our brain. We will start from these genes and try to solve the great mystery."

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The article, "Forward-genetics analysis of sleep in randomly mutagenized mice" was published in Nature at DOI:10.1038/nature20142.
Increases in overweight and obesity rates among young children occur during summer vacations, not during the school year, according to new research from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.

Paul von Hippel, an associate professor of public affairs at the LBJ School, examined body mass index (BMI) and obesity prevalence in a nationally representative sample of 18,170 children from the start of kindergarten in 2010 through the end of second grade in 2013. The results, published in the journal Obesity, provide insight into whether the causes of childhood obesity lie primarily inside or outside of schools.

Between the start of kindergarten and the end of second grade, all of the increases in overweight and obesity prevalence occurred during the two summer vacations, not during the three school years.

This study is the second nationally representative analysis of seasonal BMI gain. The first, which was co-authored by von Hippel and published in 2007 in the American Journal of Public Health, found that children gained weight faster during summer vacation than during the kindergarten and first-grade school years. However, that earlier study only followed children through first grade, and the results of the earlier study are outdated since the children who participated are now in their early 20s.

"I wish I could say that changes schools have made over the last decade are helping to reduce obesity, but they're not," von Hippel said. "Schools have never been a big part of the obesity problem. What we're seeing in elementary schools today is the same thing that we saw in 1998-2000; kids are gaining BMI at healthy rates during the school year, and then becoming overweight when school lets out. We can't make a dent in this problem if we continue to focus on school food and physical education programs that affect children only when they're at school."

Von Hippel said that school-based programs should try to change children's behaviors not only when they are in school, but also when school is out. In addition, we need to work outside schools to limit child-directed food marketing, promote out-of-school activities such as summer schools and summer camps, reduce screen time and educate parents about nutrition.

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Study findings include:

Between the start of kindergarten and the end of second grade, the prevalence of obesity increased from 8.9 percent to 11.5 percent, and the prevalence of overweight children increased from 23.3 percent to 28.7 percent.

All of the increase occurred during summer vacactions. During the school years, overweight prevalence did not change, and obesity prevalence slightly declined.

Because prevalence increases during the summer, it appears that major risk factors lie outside of schools.

Funding for this research was supported by the Russell Sage Foundation.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- What would happen if a lengthy disruption befell the major mode of transportation of U.S. corn and soybeans? What ramifications would that have on U.S. producers and the national economy? How would that affect U.S. competitiveness in world grain markets?

While hypothetical, these concerns are very real as the barge corridor in question contains a total of 36 locks and dams that have long since surpassed their designed lifespan. This corridor is the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway (UMR-IWW) that serves as the primary corridor for the movement of bulk commodities in the U.S. Corn and soybeans comprise nearly 90 percent of food and farm products on these waterways.

Barge transportation is of great importance to U.S. agriculture because of its comparatively low transport costs as compared to overland modes. However, the inefficiencies of the locks are currently creating additional fuel and labor costs to barge operators, ultimately increasing transportation costs of grain and oilseeds, which means less profit for producers, higher costs for consumers and a handicap when competing in the world market.

U.S. grain and oilseed producers have frequently expressed concerns about navigational inefficiencies of these aging and constrained waterways. Congress authorized the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP) in 2007 to address the capacity constraints on the most congested segments on these waterways; however, implementation of NESP has been delayed due to a lack of appropriations from Congress.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service asked Edward Yu, associate professor at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC), to lead an economic analysis of the navigability on the UMR-IWW, which is crucial and timely to the U.S. agricultural sector and could help evaluate the need for NESP appropriations. Yu was selected due to his considerable experience and expertise in agricultural transportation economics. Professor Burton C. English and Jamey Menard, research leader, assisted Yu by estimating the economic impacts that would occur as a result of lock closures.

Estimated economic impacts from the study include:

Aggregate economic activity related to grain barge transportation reduces by $933 million (or 40 percent decrease) if Lock 25 on the upper Mississippi River is closed from September to November during the 2024/25 marketing year. The reduction reaches to nearly $2 billion if the lock is unavailable for the marketing year.

Decline in economic surplus in the corn and soybean sector due to Lock 25 closure could cause a decrease of more than 7,000 jobs, $1.3 billion in labor income and about $2.4 billion of economic activity (total industry output) annually.

While similar consequences are anticipated if LaGrange Lock on the Illinois River is closed for a period of time, the degree of magnitude is less.

"Resulting study recommendations stress how crucial it is to maintain the navigability of the UMR-IWW system for U.S. food and farm products and the risk of delaying infrastructure improvements," said Yu.

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The full report of this study can be found at http://tiny.utk.edu/9nhrs

Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. ag.tennessee.edu
Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new personalized assessment tool that could better predict lung cancer risk in never, light and heavy smokers using a large Taiwanese prospective cohort study. By incorporating risk factors in addition to smoking history, this tool could better classify those in greatest need of lung cancer screening and reduce false positives. The study, published online today in Nature's Scientific Reports, is the first to develop a tool for personalized risk assessment in never smokers in a large prospective cohort design.

The American Cancer Society estimates 224,390 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year in the United States and 158,080 will die from the disease. While the majority of these cases will be diagnosed in smokers, as many as 20 percent of lung cancers in the U.S. occur in those who do not smoke.

"Currently, there are no criteria to select high-risk individuals for lung cancer in never smokers," says lead author Xifeng Wu, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Epidemiology. "Lung cancer screening criteria is based only on age and smoking information, but from this study we can differentiate risk in those who have never smoked in addition to light and heavy smokers."

Based on the results of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening is recommended for individuals between the ages of 55 and 74 with a smoking history of 30 pack-years, which is defined as smoking one pack per day for 30 years. Thus, light and never smokers would not be candidates for lung cancer screening.

However, according to Wu, roughly only one-quarter of lung cancers diagnosed in the U.S. meet the strict screening criteria from the NLST, indicating a need for better risk stratification across all smoking types.

For this study, the researchers analyzed a prospective cohort of 395,875 participants in Taiwan, recruited by MJ Health Group to participate in a health-screening program across Taiwan. Mean age of the participants was 40.4 and 52 percent of the cohort was female. Heavy smokers were classified as those with a smoking history of 30 pack-years or greater, and light smokers had less than a 30 pack-year history

The analyses were conducted after a median 7.3 years of follow-up. Among the participants, 1,117 cases of lung cancer were diagnosed at a mean age of 60.2. Forty-seven percent of the lung cancers were diagnosed in never-smokers, which constituted 71 percent of the participants, and 38 percent occurred in females.

In addition to age, gender and smoking history, the researchers incorporated personal and family cancer history, body mass index, a lung function test, and four blood biomarkers to determine five- and 10-year risk probabilities for never, light and heavy smokers.

In the current study, the five-year estimated risk of lung cancer ranged from 0.01 percent to 15.82 percent in never smokers, from 0 percent to 7.39 percent in light smokers, and from 0.02 percent to 7.48 percent in heavy smokers.

The 10-year estimated risks ranged from 0.02 percent to 32.97 percent in never smokers, from 0.01 percent to 16.31 percent in light smokers, and 0.06 percent to 18.13 percent in heavy smokers.

"Our model was able to stratify light and never smokers into groups with dramatically different probabilities of developing lung cancer over time. According to our results, a small number of never smokers have lung cancer risks as high as some heavy smokers," says Wu.

The findings highlight varying degrees of risk across each type of smoker, underscoring the need to consider alternative factors when recommending LDCT screening for lung cancer, explains Wu. Through more accurate classification of lung cancer risk, the researchers hope to reduce unnecessary screening and false positives in lower-risk smokers and improve screening for high-risk non-smokers.

Despite the large number of participants included in this study, the findings are limited by studying a distinct Taiwanese population. Additional validations in independent cohorts will be necessary to determine the true predictive ability of this model across non-Asian populations, says Wu, who is actively working with identify appropriate cohorts for future studies.

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Other MD Anderson authors on the study include: Yuanqing Ye, Ph.D, Xia Pu, Ph.D., Wong-Ho Chow, Ph.D., Chad Huff, Ph.D., Sonia Cunningham, Ph.D., Maosheng Huang, M.D., and Jian Gu, Ph.D., all of Epidemiology; Jack A. Roth, M.D., Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Additional authors include: Chi Pang Wen, M.D., Dr.P.H., MinKwang Tsai, and Shuanbei Wu, all of National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan and China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Christopher Wen, M.D., University of California at Irvine; Chwen Keng Tsao, MJ Health Management Institution, Taipei, Taiwan; and Scott M. Lippman, M.D., UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center.

The work was supported by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Research Trust, The Center for Translational and Public Health Genomics, Duncan Family Institute for Cancer Prevention and Risk Assessment, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Taiwan Department of Health Clinical Trial and Research Center of Excellence (DOH101-TD-B-111-004).
Our nervous systems are remarkable translators, channeling information from many sources and initiating appropriate behavioral responses.

But though we know how a lot about how neurons work, scientists do not fully understand how the nervous system integrates stimuli from different senses. You may smell smoke and feel heat, but how does the brain combining and interpret these different stimuli, signaling you to phone the fire department?

It turns out that insects are attractive models to investigate questions about integrating information from different sensory pathways. The hawkmoth, Manduca sexta, uses a long, trunk-like proboscis to drink up sweet nectar meals from obliging flowers. A research team led by University of Washington biology professor Tom Daniel has teased out how hawkmoths integrate signals from two sensory systems: vision and touch.

Their findings, published Oct. 24 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, illustrate the computational basis of this integration, which may serve as a general model for insects, other animals and humans.

"Sensory integration remains one of the more interesting tasks that even simple nervous systems accomplish," said Daniel. "From tasks like reaching in humans to nectar-feeding in insects, our challenge has been developing experimental ways to reveal the mechanisms and circuitry that underlie combined visual and mechanical sensing."

The hawkmoth's proboscis is longer than its body, so it can probe deep within a flower to find nectar while the hawkmoth hovers above. Even as the flower sways and blows with the wind, hawkmoths have been observed adjusting their position to track with the flower's position.

Scientists can study tracking behavior in the laboratory using specially designed, artificial flowers constructed with their own small nectar pods. Hawkmoths respond to these pre-packaged dinners similarly to real flowers, and -- if researchers manipulate the artificial flower to move when a hawkmoth is feeding -- the hawkmoth adjusts its position to keep up.

In addition to its drinking duties, the proboscis is also a sensory organ, relaying information about the moving flower it is touching. To see how input from different sensory systems contributed to tracking behavior, Daniel's team modified the artificial flowers to simultaneously deliver contradictory visual and tactile cues: the flower's petals, which the hawkmoth follows using its eyes, move independently from the nectar pod, which the hawkmoth proboscis touches. By studying how moths respond to discordant visual and touch signals, they hoped to decipher how the hawkmoth brain processes and combines inputs from both sensory systems.

"Typically, to study how a particular sense contributes to a behavior, scientists try to design experiments in which the animal only receives that one kind of sensory cue," said UW postdoctoral researcher Eatai Roth, who is lead author on the paper. "But this doesn't reflect what's happening when an ensemble of senses contribute concurrently. Our approach -- sensory conflict -- bombards the animal with rich multisensory cues simultaneously. This allows us to model how information is processed and combined concurrently across different senses."

Daniel and his team tested how well hawkmoths tracked while feeding on the discordant flower. When the nectar chamber moved but the rest of the flower was still, the moths were generally able to sway in response to their moving meal. But when they kept the nectar chamber still and moved the flower petals, moths only swayed slightly.

This indicated that, for feeding, tactile information transmitted by the proboscis may be a more important sensory input than vision.

"In nature, the visual and touch cues largely agree and either sense alone is enough for the job. Having both provides redundancy, a backup just in case," said Roth. "But when we present the moth with conflicting stimuli, it must decide how to balance the mismatched information -- which cue to follow. And it turns out, quite surprisingly, that touch beats out vision in this sensory tug-of-war."

They measured hawkmoth positions during the tests and used these data to describe hawkmoth behavior in terms of a mathematical model. Though the sense of touch appeared to play a greater role in tracking behavior, moths do not rely on this sense alone. Their mathematical model indicated that the moth brain uses a simple additive or "linear summation" model to integrate signals from the proboscis and the eyes. And though moths rely heavily on the touch cues from the proboscis, the model suggests that both the visual and touch senses are acute enough for the moth to follow the flower.

The team used this model to predict how moths would behave in a new discordant setting in which the nectar chamber and flower were both moving, but quite differently. The researchers tested these predictions on a different set of hawkmoths, and they responded to this floral discord just as the model predicted. Daniel and his team believe that the mathematical underpinnings they describe here may represent a common mode of signal integration in animals.

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Senior author is Simon Sponberg, a former UW postdoc who is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Physics at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Co-author is UW graduate, Robert Hall. The research was funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Washington Research Foundation and the University of Washington.

For more information, contact Daniel at danielt@u.washington.edu or 206-543-1659 and Roth at eatai@uw.edu or 205-543-7335.

Grant numbers: FA8651-13-1-0004, FA9550-14-1-0398.
TerraCom Ltdhas signed a binding term sheet for a 5.5 year offtake in regards to hard coking coal, produced from the BNU Coal Mine in Mongolia.The company signed this deal with a subsidiary of the Kingho Group, which is one of the largest private coal companies in China.TerraCom says this agreement is for a total of 7.5 million tonnes over the 5.5 year term.The company also says a definitive sales agreement will be developed in the coming weeks, and that payment terms are in USD in the form of 100% irrevocable Letters of Credit.TerraCom posted a net loss of $51.8 million at 30 June 2016.
Is your shoe too tight? Normally you would just shift your weight to take the pressure off the area that is sore. In people with diabetes, however, the nerve endings in the foot often become atrophied, and those affected cannot feel the soreness. This can give rise to pressure points and eventually wounds that heal badly. A remedy, or at least some relief, is promised by insoles that are very soft in the area of the injury, and that are custom-made by orthopedic shoemakers in a variety of materials. Up until now, however, it has not really been possible to assess the success of insoles scientifically  each insole is a one-off item, after all. So it is in the interests of health insurances companies to have the process surrounding insoles digitalized to allow the collection of scientific data on them.

Digitalizing the manufacture of insoles

It will soon be possible to digitalize the manufacture of insoles. LAUF, a German acronym for laser-assisted construction of customized footwear, refers to a project funded by Germanys Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institutes for Mechanics of Materials IWM and for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology UMSICHT are collaborating with industry partners on the process of digitalization. Digital foot mapping is already common practice. As part of this project, we have now also completely digitalized the insole production process, says IWM scientist Dr. Tobias Ziegler. Using newly developed software, the orthopedic shoemaker can design an insole for an individual patient and can print out the result on a 3D printer. This has a number of immediate advantages: On the one hand, the mechanical properties of each insole become readily apparent, which is something health insurance companies want. On the other, insoles can be produced at greatly reduced cost. In two or so years, this software might be available to orthopedic technicians through IETEC, a member of the project.

Covestro and Lehmann&Voss&Co laid the foundations for the 3D printing of insoles some years ago. These industry partners were the first to develop a soft material for 3D printing in the form of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Working together with UMSICHT experts, they are now developing other types of TPU that are expected to be even more suitable for use in orthopedic insoles.

Accurate adjustment of insole rigidity

IWM scientists have meanwhile been optimizing the three-dimensional structures that are required of TPU when it is used for insoles. How soft or rigid insoles are depends not just on the material itself, but also on how it is shaped. First we think about structures  straight rods, crooked arms, or triangles, for instance  then we produce a computer model of them, key in the data for a particular material, and simulate how rigid the result is under pressure, Ziegler explains. Where does an insole need to be soft, or more rigid? By altering the structure type, we can precisely determine the rigidity of the insole. The IWM team uses application-oriented load simulations to resolve which structures are needed where to achieve the desired properties. They test the materials load-bearing strength and its expected lifespan. We simulate the entire production process, too, in order to identify where there is potential for optimization, Ziegler explains. He also uses this approach in relation to other materials and structures for 3D printing.

Data relating to different insoles is next sent to Fraunhofer IWMs industrial partners rpm GmbH and Sintermask. Their 3D printers print them by means of selective laser sintering, an additive manufacturing technique. Another partner, Explius, is responsible for processing the 3D data. The job of the team at Fraunhofer UMSICHT is to optimize the printing process. Once an insole has been printed, it goes back to Fraunhofer IWM, where it is tested to the point of failure using tensile, abrasion, and bending tests. The first insole prototypes have already been produced in this way.
3D Visualization of a patient CT image with highlighted metastases of the spine. Deep learning methods help discover bone metastases, which can be overlooked in clinical routine. CT dataset courtesy of Radboudumc, Nijmegen, NL.

Has a tumor shrunk during the course of treatment over several months, or have new tumors developed? To answer questions like these, physicians often perform CT and MRI scans. Tumors are usually evaluated only visually, and new tumors are often over-

looked. Our program package increases confidence during tumor measurement and follow-up, explains Mark Schenk from the Fraunhofer Institute for Medical Image Computing MEVIS in Bremen, Germany. The software can, for example, determine how the volume of a tumor changes over time and supports the detection of new tumors. The package consists of modular processing components and can help medical technology manufacturers automate progress monitoring.

The computer learns on its own

The package is unique in its use of deep learning, a new type of machine learning that reaches far beyond existing approaches. This method is helpful for image segmentation, during which experts designate exact organ outlines. Existing computer segmentation programs seek clearly defined image features such as certain gray values. How-

ever, this can often lead to errors, according to Fraunhofer researcher Markus Harz. The software assigns areas to the liver that do not belong to the organ. These errors must be corrected by physicians, a process which can often be quite time-consuming.

The new deep learning approaches promise improved results and should save physicians valuable time. To demonstrate their self-learning methods, Fraunhofer scientists trained the software with CT liver images from 149 patients. Results showed that the more data the program analyzed, the better it could automatically identify liver contours.

Finding hidden metastases

A further application of the approach is image registration, in which software aligns images from different patient visits so that physicians can easily compare them. Machine learning can aid the particularly difficult task of locating bone metastases in the torso in which hip bones, ribs, and spine are visible. Currently, these metastases are often overlooked due to time constraints in clinical practice. Deep learning methods can help reliably discover metastases and thus improve treatment outcomes.

Researchers focus on a combination of classical approaches and machine learning: We wish to harness existing expertise to implement deep learning as effectively and reliably as possible, stresses Harz. Fraunhofer MEVIS builds upon years of experience in practical application: for example, the algorithms for highly precise lung image registration have been integrated into several commercial medical software applications.


The NFU has called for a work permit scheme to help ease a farm labour shortage expected to rise to 95,000 workers a year after the UK leaves the EU.

NFU representatives met Home Office officials to push for a substantial trial of a Seasonal Agricultural Permit Scheme for non-EU workers in 2017.

Speaking after the meeting on Tuesday (1 November), NFU horticulture chairman Ali Capper said: The industry has very specific needs for labour in agriculture and horticulture.

Horticulture alone needs about 80,000 seasonal workers to pick and pack fruit, vegetable and plant crops across the country.

This is expected to rise to 95,000 by 2021, based on todays growth projections.

See also: Seasonal agricultural workers scheme looks likely

Ms Capper said the NFUs message to the Home Office was simple: without workers to produce British crops, the industry would contract and food imports would increase.

This goes against everything the public tell us about wanting to support British farmers and wanting to see more British food on supermarket shelves, she said.

We are already experiencing a shortfall in EU workers resulting from long-term declines and exacerbated by the referendum outcome.

Ms Capper added: We urgently need a substantial trial of a Seasonal Agricultural Permit Scheme for non-EU workers in 2017.

We are satisfied that the Home Office has a full understanding of how important access to a competent, flexible and reliable workforce is for food production.

However, without basic assurances from government that this labour will be accessible in future, grower businesses face huge uncertainty and are delaying investment in British production.
"The two diplomats have been found to be involved in activities to destabilise Pakistan by facilitating and funding terrorism," media reports alleged quoting sources.

By Kaswar Klasra: Pakistan is likely to expel two more Indian diplomats on charges of running a spy network in the country, media reports suggested on Wednesday. According to reports, Pakistani authorities are mulling expelling commercial counsellor Rajesh Kumar Agnihotri and press information secretary Balbir Singh. Both are posted at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

ACCUSED OF RUNNING A SPY NETWORK

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Quoting sources, Pakistan's leading private news channel ARY News reported that Rajesh Kumar Agnihotri and Balbir Singh were under the scanner of intelligence agencies for a long time. The reports alleged that they have been running a spy network in Pakistan. "The two diplomats have been found to be involved in activities to destabilise Pakistan by facilitating and funding terrorism," media reports alleged quoting sources. The report said that Indian diplomat Surjeet Singh, who was recently expelled by Pakistan, was also part of the network.

Till the filing of this report, the official version of Pakistan's foreign office couldn't be ascertained as the spokesperson refused to answer Mail Today's phone call or respond to text messages. According to media reports, expulsion of two more Indian diplomats will heighten the tension between the two nuclear neighbours. The move comes close on the heels of Islamabad expelling an India high commission staffer Surjeet Singh last week, in what was viewed as tit-for-tat move after New Delhi asked a Pakistani high commission official to leave India and accused him of running a spy ring. "Surjeet Singh's activities were against diplomatic norms," said a statement issued by Pakistan's foreign office.

TENSIONS ESCALATE

Pakistan's foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry conveyed it to Indian high commissioner Gautam Bambawale. Pakistan's action came after India declared Pakistan high commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar a persona non grata and asked him to leave India. Pakistan denied the spying charges and accused Indian investigators of manhandling Akhtar, who was briefly detained by Delhi Police. Tension between the two nuclear-armed rivals is at its highest point since India's claim of conducting surgical strike inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on 29 September.

Pakistan rejected the claims as an "illusion" but acknowledged the loss of two of its soldiers in the exchange of fire that also wounded nine others. Since then, tension between the two countries is at its peak. Armies of the two countries regularly exchange fire across the LoC. On Tuesday, the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) visited the LoC near Kotli sector and obtained firsthand information from people residing in the area.

ALSO READ:

Indian Army retaliates after civilian deaths: 2 Pakistani jawans killed, 14 posts damaged

Pakistan suspends channel's license for airing Indian content



--- ENDS ---
Thousands of South Africans have called for the resignation of president Jacob Zuma in a series of demonstrations.

Mr Zuma is caught up in a series of scandals which critics say are undermining the country's democracy.

The protests in the administrative capital of Pretoria came as a court ordered the release of a state watchdog report on allegations that a business family linked to Mr Zuma sought to influence some cabinet post selections to benefit its own interests.

The public protector's office must release the report on Wednesday, the North Gauteng High Court ruled.

Mr Zuma had earlier sought to block the release of the report, but his lawyer, Anthea Platt, said he was dropping the effort.

The possibility of new revelations of alleged wrongdoing at top levels of the South African government is likely to increase pressure on Mr Zuma, who apologised earlier this year after the Constitutional Court said he flouted the constitution in a scandal over more than 20 million dollars (1.7m) in state funds which were used to upgrade his rural home.

Mr Zuma eventually paid back more than 500,000 dollars (440,000), an amount determined by the national treasury.

In a separate scandal, the director of the national prosecuting authority this week dropped fraud charges against finance minister Pravin Gordhan following an outcry by South Africans who suspected the move to prosecute him was an attempt by government factions to take control of the national treasury.

Business executives, religious leaders and others gathered in a Pretoria cathedral to demand Mr Zuma's resignation. They said alleged corruption linked to the president was undermining one of Africa's biggest economies, which is experiencing weak growth, as well as a constitution which was crafted after the end of white minority rule in 1994.

"It is not possible to turn the situation around" as long as Mr Zuma remains president, said Sipho Pityana of Save South Africa, a coalition of groups which seeks to protect the constitution.

Separate rallies were also held in Pretoria by South Africa's two biggest opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters. The ruling African National Congress party, which took power after the end of apartheid, lost several key municipalities in local elections in August, partly because of public dissatisfaction with the president.

The marches were mostly peaceful, but some shop windows were smashed and police fired rubber bullets to disperse a crowd in one area during the street demonstrations. Four people were arrested for throwing stones at passing cars.

Mr Zuma has not commented this week on growing calls for his removal. He is scheduled to chair a forum in Harare on Thursday with Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe.
The Government needs to deliver a clear message to business of what it wants to secure before Britain starts formal divorce proceedings with the EU, the British-Irish Chamber has said.

The business group, which has highlighted that 60bn in annual trade of imports and exports between Ireland and Britain secures around 200,000 jobs across Ireland, has urged the Government to provide firms what it describes as clarity of Brexit terms and unbiased information.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Nov. 2, 2016) - Argonaut Gold Inc. (TSX:AR) (the "Company", "Argonaut Gold" or "Argonaut") is pleased to announce the board of directors has approved to proceed with construction of the San Agustin project in Durango, Mexico (approximately 10 kilometres from the El Castillo mine). The Company also announces receipt of regulatory approval for the Change in Use of Soil permit, the last significant permit required to commence construction. All dollar amounts are expressed in United States dollars unless otherwise specified.

The Company anticipates first gold production from San Agustin during the third quarter of 2017. The Company is able to fund all of its ongoing commitments at its existing operations and San Agustin's initial capital of $43 million through the September 30, 2016 cash balance of $50.4 million, anticipated cash flow from operations and its undrawn $30 million corporate revolving credit facility.

Pete Dougherty, President & CEO, stated: "With the receipt of the final major permit for San Agustin and an expected after-tax IRR of 50%, the board approved the construction of the project. We view San Agustin as a low-risk, high-return project where we are able to utilize numerous synergies with our nearby operating El Castillo mine. The El Castillo and San Agustin deposits are very similar geologically, as is the characterization of mineralization. This allows us to incorporate similar mining and processing procedures at San Agustin that we currently utilize at El Castillo."

The Company views the San Agustin project as an extension of its El Castillo mining complex where operations have been running since 2007. Management and the board believe this operating knowledge mitigates the risk of moving forward with a construction decision based on a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA").

San Agustin Project Updated PEA Highlights using $1,200/ounce gold and $15/ounce silver

After-tax net present value ("NPV") of $89.9 million using a 5% discount rate.

After-tax internal rate of return ("IRR") of 50%.

Initial estimated capital expenditure investment of $42.6 million, including $7.3 million in contingency.

Average annual production of over 80,000 gold equivalent ounces ("GEOs")(1) over the 6.5 year mine life.

San Agustin Production Specifications

Total Indicated Mineral Resource proposed to be processed includes 72.4 million tonnes containing 745,000 ounces of gold with an average grade of 0.32 grams gold per tonne ("g/t") and 24.5 million ounces of silver with an average grade of 10.6 g/t.

Life-of-Mine ("LOM") strip ratio of 0.4:1.

No Inferred Mineral Resources were included in the mine or production plan.

Total contemplated LOM production of 488,000 ounces of gold and 3.8 million ounces of silver from the Indicated Mineral Resource.

Production Statistics: LOM (years) 6.5 Total Indicated Mineral Resource tonnes processed (000s) 72,400 Total tonnes waste (000s) 28,600 LOM strip ratio (waste: mineralized material) 0.4 Overall average gold grade (g/t) 0.32 Overall average silver grade (g/t) 10.6 Overall average gold recovery - 2-stage crushed material 66 % Overall average gold recovery -1-stage crushed material 57 % Overall average silver recovery - 2-stage crushed material 16 % Overall average silver recovery -1-stage crushed material 9 % Gold ounces recovered (000's) 488 Silver ounces recovered (000's) 3,804 Average annual production GEOs 80,200

Modeled Operating Costs (LOM Average) Cost / Tonne Mineralized Material $ 4.79 Mining $ 1.52 Processing $ 2.92 G&A $ 0.35 Cash Cost Per GEO $ 648

Modeled Capital Costs (millions) Mine (pre-production) $ 2.8 Process $ 21.7 Infrastructure $ 5.3 Total Capital $ 29.8 Contingency, EPCM, owner & indirect costs $ 12.8 Total Initial Capital $ 42.6 Sustaining Capital $ 42.2 Total LOM Capital $ 84.8

For further information on the San Agustin project, please see the Technical Report titled "Technical Report and Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment San Agustin Heap Leach Project Durango, Mexico" effective date of April 29, 2016 and available on www.sedar.com and on the Company's website, www.argonautgold.com.

Mr. Michael Lechner of Resource Modeling Inc. located in Stites, Idaho who is an "Independent Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101 and the lead person responsible for completing the San Agustin resource has reviewed this press release as it relates to the San Agustin project.

Mr. Richard Rhoades, Chief Operating Officer of Argonaut Gold, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and the person responsible for the mine plan and mining related capital and operating costs, has reviewed this press release as it relates to the San Agustin project.

Mr. Carl Defilippi of Kappes, Cassidy & Associates located in Reno, Nevada who is an "Independent Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101 and the lead person responsible for completing the metallurgical work for the San Agustin resource has reviewed this press release as it relates to the San Agustin project and has overseen the metallurgical and recovery methods, infrastructure, and non-mining related operating costs and capital costs.

The release of this information was approved by Thomas Burkhart, Argonaut Gold's Vice President of Exploration and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

Cautionary Note Regarding the San Agustin Construction Decision

The Company advises that it has not based its production decision on a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability, and, as a result, there may be increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. There is no guarantee that production will begin as anticipated or at all or that anticipated production costs will be achieved. Failure to commence production would have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations. Failure to achieve the anticipated production costs would have a material adverse impact on the Company's cash flow and future profitability. The Company further cautions that the PEA is preliminary in nature. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that the PEA will be realized.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Argonaut Gold Inc. ("Argonaut" or "Argonaut Gold"). Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing and amount of estimated future production; economics of production; estimated production and mine life of the various mineral projects of Argonaut; the future price of gold and silver; estimation of mineral resources at mineral projects of Argonaut; the realization of mineral reserve and resource estimates; the receipt of necessary permits; the benefits of the development potential of the properties of Argonaut and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to Argonaut, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Argonaut and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.

Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include variations in metal grades, variations in recovery rates, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, permitting delays, changes in market conditions, risks relating to international operations, fluctuating metal prices and currency exchange rates, changes in project parameters, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated.

These factors are discussed in greater detail in Argonaut's most recent Annual Information Form and in the most recent Management Discussion and Analysis filed on SEDAR, which also provide additional general assumptions in connection with these statements. Argonaut cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. Argonaut believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Argonaut undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws.

Although Argonaut 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 anticipated, estimated or intended. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.

About Argonaut Gold

Argonaut Gold is a Canadian gold company engaged in exploration, mine development and production activities. Its primary assets are the production stage El Castillo mine and the construction stage San Agustin project in Durango, Mexico and the production stage La Colorada mine in Sonora, Mexico. Advanced exploration stage projects include the San Antonio project in Baja California Sur, Mexico, and the Magino project in Ontario, Canada. The Company also has several exploration stage projects, all of which are located in North America.

(1) Gold equivalent ounces ("GEO" or "GEOs") are based on a conversion ratio of 80:1 for silver to gold, as used in the PEA

Source: Argonaut Gold
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Nov. 2, 2016) - Denison Mines Corp. ("Denison" or the "Company") (TSX:DML)(NYSE MKT:DNN) is pleased to provide an update on its initial Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") related activities at its 60% owned Wheeler River Project ("Wheeler River" or "the Project"), located in the infrastructure rich eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin region in northern Saskatchewan. Denison announced the initiation of a PFS for the Wheeler River project in July 2016, following the completion of a successful Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") studying the economic merits of co-developing the high grade Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits. The PEA highlighted the potential to achieve a base case 20.4% pre-tax internal Rate of Return ("IRR") and an indicative post-tax IRR to Denison of 17.8%, using a long term contract price for uranium of US$44 per pound U 3 O 8 .

Project development related field activities commenced at Wheeler River in June 2016, running in parallel to the Company's highly successful summer exploration program. In addition to initial infill drilling completed at Gryphon during the summer, project development field work completed during 2016 has been focused on initiating the environmental and engineering data collection programs required for the PFS and Environmental Assessment process.

David Cates, President and CEO of Denison commented, "Our Saskatoon based project development team has spent the summer working alongside our exploration team to begin the process of assessing the feasibility of the development of Wheeler River. This work is a critical first step and clearly signals our commitment to advancing the Wheeler River Project in a responsible and sustainable manner that respects the environment and northern communities. The activities we've started in the field this year will help to build a solid foundation for both our project engineering as well as our environmental impact assessment. Through this process, we've had the opportunity to introduce the Project to some of the northern communities in the region, and moving forward we will continue to maintain and build positive relationships as we position Wheeler River, for the benefit of all of our stakeholders, to take advantage of the next uranium bull cycle."

Engineering Activities

In June 2016, the Company commenced engineering data collection programs on site at Wheeler River, including geotechnical and hydrogeological field studies. Geotechnical data collection programs were initiated to assess ground conditions in the mineralized zones as well as the surrounding host rock. This information will be used to guide the location of underground development and the design of ground support systems for both the shafts and the mine. This information is also used in the production planning process, including the determination of optimum stope sizes and mine production sequencing. By the end of October, a substantial database of geotechnical information was obtained including:

1,650 metres of geotechnical logging at the Phoenix deposit;

33,000 metres of geotechnical logging from exploration drilling at Gryphon; and

3,800 metres of geotechnical logging of historic drill cores from both Phoenix and Gryphon.

Hydrogeological data collection was also initiated during the summer to gather information on sub-surface water movement in the mineralized zones, host rock and across major geological structures. Understanding these conditions at Wheeler River will help to avoid some of the challenges that have been experienced at other underground operations in the Athabasca Basin. The information collected will be used to: evaluate routine and potential non-routine water inflows to an underground operation; develop design criteria for mine dewatering and water treatment plant systems; and understand potential interactions of the Project with the environment.

Similar to the geotechnical program, by the end of October 2016 a substantial database of hydrogeological information was obtained including:

92 hydrogeological tests at both Gryphon and Phoenix, completed to better understand groundwater movement and flow paths, including tests in the sandstone, at the unconformity and in basement zones across geological structures;

Surface water elevation surveys completed in over 180 boreholes;

The collection of 20 sub-surface water samples for laboratory analysis; and

The installation of two vibrating wire piezometers to facilitate sub-surface hydrogeological data collection during drilling and pumping programs.

In addition to the engineering field work described above, the Company also initiated engineering investigations into alternate mining methods at Phoenix, options for shaft and vent raise excavation at both Gryphon and Phoenix, and possible routes for a site access road from provincial highway 914.

Environmental Activities

Denison is continuing to collect environmental baseline data to help characterize the existing environment in the Project area. Thoroughly understanding and documenting the local environment is essential to assessing current and future project impacts. This data will form the foundation of the Environmental Assessment for the Project. The information will also be used in the design of various aspects of the Project, including the location and layout of site infrastructure, the location for treated effluent discharge and fresh water intake, and the designs of water treatment plants, waste storage facilities, and other infrastructure interacting with the environment. Programs conducted in 2016 and continuing into 2017 include:

Aquatic environment : Lakes and streams near the Project area are in the process of being characterized with key aspects including: water quality, water flow and water levels, lake sediment quality, benthic invertebrate communities, and fish communities;

: Lakes and streams near the Project area are in the process of being characterized with key aspects including: water quality, water flow and water levels, lake sediment quality, benthic invertebrate communities, and fish communities; Terrestrial environment : Data regarding wildlife, vegetation and soils surrounding the Project area is being characterized;

: Data regarding wildlife, vegetation and soils surrounding the Project area is being characterized; Waste rock geochemistry : Targeted core samples are being analyzed to determine potential acid and metal leaching potential from waste rock, which will be used in design of potential waste rock storage facilities;

: Targeted core samples are being analyzed to determine potential acid and metal leaching potential from waste rock, which will be used in design of potential waste rock storage facilities; Atmospheric environment : Collection of air quality measurements was initiated to gather information on pre-development atmospheric conditions; and

: Collection of air quality measurements was initiated to gather information on pre-development atmospheric conditions; and Heritage resources: Investigations are underway to determine presence of heritage resources in the Project area.

In addition to the environmental baseline programs, Denison is pleased to have started initial consultations with local communities.

Infill drilling at Gryphon

An important step in completing the PFS involves increasing the level of confidence of the previously released inferred resources estimated for the Gryphon deposit to an indicated level. An infill drilling program was designed to achieve this objective by increasing the previous 50 x 50 metre drill spacing to an approximate 25 x 25 metre spacing across the A, B and C series lenses of the Gryphon deposit. The program, which is expected to require approximately 40 drill holes, includes delineation holes designed to potentially close-off areas where mineralization is still open.

An initial set of infill and delineation holes on the Gryphon deposit was completed during the summer 2016 exploration drilling program (as reported previously, see Denison's Press Release dated October 6, 2016), which reinforce the high-grade nature of the deposit and included highlight results of:

1.5% eU 3 O 8 over 14.4 metres (including 2.3% eU 3 O 8 over 7.9 metres and 1.5% eU 3 O 8 over 1.0 metre) in drill hole WR-668D2, and

0.93% eU 3 O 8 over 14.1 metres (including 2.1% eU 3 O 8 over 3.7 metres and 1.4% eU 3 O 8 over 1.3 metres) and 2.4% eU 3 O 8 over 7.3 meters (including 3.7% eU 3 O 8 over 4.5 metres) in drill hole

WR-668.

Qualified Persons

The disclosure of scientific or technical information regarding infill drilling at the Gryphon deposit included in this press release was prepared by, or reviewed and approved by, Dale Verran, MSc, Pr.Sci.Nat., the Company's Vice President, Exploration, a Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. The remainder of the disclosure of a scientific or technical nature contained in this news release was prepared by, or reviewed and approved by, Peter Longo, P. Eng, MBA, PMP, Denison's Vice-President, Project Development, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101.

Grade results reported herein as "eU 3 O 8 " refer to radiometric equivalent U 3 O 8 derived from a calibrated total gamma down-hole probe. Radiometric equivalent U 3 O 8 results are preliminary in nature and all mineralized intervals have been sampled and submitted for chemical U 3 O 8 assay in accordance with Denison's technical procedures. All Gryphon drill holes reported herein were drilled at a high angle to mineralization to allow for better evaluation of true thicknesses which are expected to be approximately 75% of the intersection lengths. For further details regarding the description of the data verification, assay procedures and the quality assurance program and quality control measures applied by Denison, please see Denison's Annual Information Form dated March 24, 2016 available under Denison's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and its Form 40-F available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

About Wheeler River

The Wheeler River property is a joint venture between Denison (60% and operator), Cameco Corp. (30%), and JCU (Canada) Exploration Company Limited (10%), and is host to the high-grade Gryphon and Phoenix uranium deposits discovered by Denison in 2014 and 2008, respectively. The Gryphon deposit is hosted in basement rock and is currently estimated to contain inferred resources of 43.0 million pounds U3O8 (above a cut-off grade of 0.2% U3O8) based on 834,000 tonnes of mineralization at an average grade of 2.3% U3O8. The Phoenix unconformity deposit is located approximately 3 kilometres to the southeast of Gryphon and is estimated to include indicated resources of 70.2 million pounds U3O8 (above a cut-off grade of 0.8% U3O8) based on 166,000 tonnes of mineralization at an average grade of 19.1% U3O8, and is the highest grade undeveloped uranium deposit in the world.

On April 4th, 2016 Denison announced the results of a PEA for the Wheeler River Project, which considers the potential economic merit of co-developing the high-grade Gryphon and Phoenix deposits as a single underground mining operation. The PEA returned a base case pre-tax Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 20.4% and an indicative post-tax IRR to Denison of 17.8%, based on the current long term contract price of uranium (US$44.00 per pound U 3 O 8 ), and Denison's share of estimated initial capital expenditures ("CAPEX") of CAD$336M (CAD$560M on 100% ownership basis). The results of the PEA, and the estimated resources for the Gryphon and Phoenix deposits, are detailed in the Company's NI 43-101 technical report entitled "Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Wheeler River Uranium Project, Saskatchewan, Canada" with an effective date of March 31, 2016. A copy of the report is available on the Company's website and on both SEDAR and EDGAR.

Exploration results from the winter and summer 2016 drilling program have not been incorporated into the resource estimate or the PEA. The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the preliminary economic assessment will be realized. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. On July 19th, 2016 Denison announced the initiation of the PFS for the Wheeler River property and the complimentary commencement of an infill drilling program at the Gryphon deposit to bring the inferred resources up to an indicated level of confidence.

About Denison

Denison is a uranium exploration and development company with interests focused in the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan. Including its 60% owned Wheeler River project, which hosts the high grade Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits, Denison's exploration portfolio consists of numerous projects covering over 350,000 hectares in the infrastructure rich eastern Athabasca Basin. Denison's interests in Saskatchewan also include a 22.5% ownership interest in the McClean Lake joint venture, which includes several uranium deposits and the McClean Lake uranium mill, which is currently processing ore from the Cigar Lake mine under a toll milling agreement, plus a 25.17% interest in the Midwest deposit and a 61.55% interest in the J Zone deposit on the Waterbury Lake property. Both the Midwest and J Zone deposits are located within 20 kilometres of the McClean Lake mill.

Denison is also engaged in mine decommissioning and environmental services through its Denison Environmental Services division and is the manager of Uranium Participation Corp., a publicly traded company which invests in uranium oxide and uranium hexafluoride.
Korean companies will participate in Oman's large-scale energy and infrastructure projects totaling approximately $27.1 billion, the trade ministry said Tuesday.

The two countries came to an agreement at their economic cooperation committee meeting, according to ministry officials. The committee has been meeting every other year since 2009, this time in Seoul.

Oman agreed to Korea's participation in building a refinery in Duqm, a petrochemical plant in Sohar, the Oman-Iran underwater gas pipeline, a national railway network and other related facilities, officials said.

Oman will consider setting up a "Korea Desk" that will assist Korean companies operating in the country and serve as a one-stop center for solving administrative problems, they said.

The two countries will launch a working-level group of experts from the government and business community to discuss cooperation in renewable energy and an energy storage system. They will also seek an agreement for information and experience sharing between regulatory bodies, officials said.

Oman aims to produce 10 percent of its energy output in renewable energy by 2020.

"We will jointly launch a working negotiation group to assess the implementation of the agreements," a ministry official said. "We intend to hold the first meeting next year." (Yonhap)
By Jun Ji-hye



South Korea is expected to sign a deal with Japan to directly exchange military intelligence about North Korea by the end of this month despite ongoing controversy, according to a high-ranking official from the defense ministry, Wednesday.



The two countries resumed negotiations  stalled since 2012  on the signing of a General Security of Military Intelligence Agreement (GSOMIA) in Tokyo the previous day.



"There is a great possibility that the deal could be signed by the end of November as the two countries appear to have few differing opinions about the content of the agreement created in 2012," said the official, asking not to be named.



In 2012, Seoul and Tokyo were about to sign the deal under the Lee Myung-bak administration. However, this fell through at the last minute due to fierce public criticism here over the government's alleged attempt to sign a sensitive agreement with the former colonial ruler in a clandestine manner.



When the ministry announced the resumption of the talks last week, it said its goal was to sign the deal by the end of the year.



Criticism has been raised that the ministry is rushing into signing the sensitive deal while public attention is focused on the scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye and her long-time confidant, Choi Soon-sil, who allegedly pulled strings in state affairs and illegally profited using her relationship with the President.



The official noted that after working-level officials from South Korea and Japan, who participated in Tuesday's negotiations, report to their seniors, the two sides will soon arrange the next meeting, which is expected to take place in Seoul.



With the ministry apparently having attempted to complete the issue as quickly as possible at a time when the nation is in chaos, controversy is abounding that the ministry has apparently shifted its existing position that "conditions" need to be created first to resume discussions with Japan.



The ministry had maintained this position, apparently wary of public resistance stemming from the bitter memory of Tokyo's 1910-1945 colonial rule and Japanese soldiers using Korean women as sex slaves.



When asked about whether the ministry has decided that public sentiment is now ready to accept such an agreement, the ministry declined to make an official comment.



The ministry also downplayed arguments from opposition lawmakers that the pact would allow Japan's self-defense forces to fight on the Korean Peninsula in times of crisis without South Korea's consent. Some analysts also claimed that the deal might mean that the South will participate in the U.S.-led missile defense (MD) system, which has been in place in Japan since 2003, saying that this could invite protests from China, which is already angry over the planned deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery on the peninsula.



"Those arguments are over interpretation," the official said.



Regarding the opposition parties' call on the ministry to seek the approval of the National Assembly before signing the deal, the official said, "It is not subject to Assembly approval," noting that the ministry has signed intelligence sharing deals with more than 30 countries without such approval.



If signed, the deal would allow Seoul and Tokyo to directly share and exchange intelligence on the North's military activities related to its nuclear and missile programs. Currently, the two indirectly exchange such intelligence through Washington under a trilateral sharing pact signed at the end of 2014.




According to a media report, the two officials were running a terror unit in Pakistan.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Pakistan has decided to expel two officials from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, a media report said on Wednesday. The two have been accused of being Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) agents.

According to the report carried by Pakistan Today, "Two RAW agents in the guise of diplomats are running a terror unit in Pakistan".

The two officials, Rajesh Kumar Agnihotri and Baleer Singh, are working as Commercial Counsellor and Press Information Secretary respectively, the daily said.

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ALSO READ: India, Pakistan engage in tit-for-tat, expel mission staffers

"The two officials have been found to be involved in activities to destabilise Pakistan by facilitating and funding terrorism," sources told the daily.

According to the sources, Indian diplomatic official Surjeet Singh who was recently expelled by Pakistan was also part of the network.

ALSO READ: Pakistan spy ring explodes, expelled embassy staff takes 16 more names

Both India and Pakistan have been engaged in a tit-for-tat over expelling mission staffers. India expelled Pakistani High Commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar for spying on 27 October.

Pakistan responded on the same day by declaring Surjeet Singh, an official of the Indian High Commission, as persona non grata.

ALSO READ: Pakistan considers calling back 4 officials from India after 1 diplomat declared persona non grata

ALSO READ: War is not an option, dispute should be resolved through dialogues, says Pakistani diplomat

ALSO WATCH



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Posters put up by students at Wonkwang High School in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, read that President Park Geun-hye should take responsibility for the influence-peddling scandal involving her confidant, Choi Soon-sil, Tuesday. / Yonhap



By Lee Kyung-min

Local high school students and overseas Korean students have joined the civic movement calling for President Park Geun-hye to take responsibility for the ongoing influence-peddling scandal surrounding her confidant Choi Soon-sil.

Students of Wonkwang High School in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, put up posters inside their school, Tuesday, demanding that he President take responsibility.

"If you are the President representing the people, not the puppet of Choi, do not hide behind Choi and come forward to acknowledge your fault and face punishment," the statement read.

The poster was titled "First clause of the current law: Korea is governed by the President and all power comes from Choi Soon-sil," a sarcastic twist of clauses 1 and 2 of Article 1 of the Constitution which states, "Korea is governed by the people and all power comes from the people."

The students said, "Korea is a country where not only does a cultish figure have a major sway in state affairs but also hardworking, diligent students' hopes and dreams are shattered and trampled upon by a handful of people born with a silver spoon in their mouths."

The students, who face tough college entrance exams, also ridiculed Choi's daughter Chung Yoo-ra, a dressage competitor who allegedly received favors in admission and grading at Ewha Womans University. Chung once said on social media, "If you are not rich, blame your parents. Money is competency."












By PTI: Mumbai, Nov 2 (PTI) Reserve Bank has asked income tax assessees to pay their dues in advance and has designated a total of 29 banks at which the payments can be done. RBI said remitting I-T dues towards the end of December every year becomes too far heavy and makes difficult for it to cope with the pressure of issuing receipts despite opening additional counters to the maximum extent possible. Encouraging I-T asseessees to pay their dues sufficiently in advance of the due date, RBI said the dues can be paid at RBI or at the authorised bank branches.

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Most of the agency banks designated to collect the dues also have online payment facilities to pay taxes.

"Assessees can use alternate channels like select branches of agency banks or the facility of online payment of taxes offered by these banks. These will obviate the inconvenience involved in standing in long queues at the Reserve Bank offices," RBI said in a notification.

The 29 agency banks who are authorised to accept the payments of I-T dues are : SBI, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Punjab National Bank, IDBI Bank, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Corporation Bank, Bank of India, Allahabad Bank, Andhra Bank and Central Bank of India.

The others are : Bank of Maharashtra, Dena Bank, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Punjab and Sindh Bank, Syndicate Bank, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, United Bank of India, Vijaya Bank, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Mysore and State Bank of Patiala. PTI KPM MR

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The effect of these lower prices is starting to be felt in Chile, the worlds largest producer with over 5.7 million tonnes of output last year, Aurora Williams said.

She noted that tax revenues have fallen as a result of the lower copper price, while GDP has dropped to about 9% from around 14% recently.

Research suggests that we are likely to see extended periods of lows and highs, she told a briefing in London.

The lower cycle will be longer than we have seen before, she added.

This means copper is unlikely to return to all-time highs of above $4 per lb, as seen during the super cycles, she told the briefing.

The market is of course still subject to some collateral effects, Williams said, citing potential delays in projects which could impact prices as demand rises.

We would like to see our public companies be even more independent and self-governed, with minimal day-to-day influence from government, she added.

Williams said that Chile has a roadmap for the next 20 years focused on collaboration between the public and private sectors.

There are five key areas for this roadmap, comprising tailings, smelting and refining, milling operations and planning, concentration of minerals and hydro, she added.

After discussion earlier this year, there are now 29 productivity measures for mining companies in place, she told the audience during LME Week in London.

While Chiles copper output is around 30% of world production, with the next largest producer being Peru with around 1.7 million tonnes annually, Williams said she expects output to return to higher levels in 2018.

But she noted lower grades and struggles with older projects, adding that Chile needed to attract foreign investment to stay competitive and target its reserves, which account for around 29% of world output.

Investment in Chiles copper industry declines as the market price declines, she said.

At its peak, foreign direct investment in Chile was around $1.12 billion, but is forecast to more than halve to $49 million by 2020, Williams noted.

Projects dont disappear  theyre delayed, waiting for a better price and timing opportunity, she added.

There are around 37 mining projects on the books in Chile out to 2020, of which 29 are in copper with the rest in gold, iron ore and others.

We want to create value, and to work with the private sector; this is needed to tackle lower copper prices, she said.

Williams said that a National Productivity Commission had identified a link between prices and productivity, especially in the mining sector.
Just as the saying goes: It doesnt matter how many times you get knocked down, what matters is how many times you get back up. One of the most rewarding things that has happened to me during my career at Zen is being able to affect peoples lives positively. So many times, I have been approached, sent messages on social media by readers to say how much they admire the work we do here, with many noting that Zen Magazine illustrates the beauty of African fashion, and not simply about the prints. Our November cover star is a very talented Nollywood actress who hails from the Idoma speaking area of Benue State in Nigeria. A lover of languages, she speaks and writes English, French, Hausa, Idoma, Spanish and Yoruba, fluently. She holds a bachelors degree in English from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, a Masters degree in Human Resources Management from TIME Universite Tunis in Tunisia and an MBA training from Universite Jean Moulin in Lyon, France. One of the stars in Africa Magic s new hit TV series Hush, Meg Otanwa looks smoking hot on our November cover.

Before acting, Meg used to work at African Development Bank in Tunis, Tunisia. She worked in the bank for several years before moving back to Nigeria to pursue a career in acting. Making her debut for the magazine, Meg wears a material from her late mother on the cover, along with accessories from Raya Jewelry , while inside the issue she talks candidly about her rise in the movie industry, the actors who inspire her, her favourite African designers, favourite food, on acting on HUSH, and so much more details that have never been published online.

Each role brings its own individual challenge, Meg shares with our editor, Arinze Nwokolo. I love playing different characters as it allows me to be more than myself and express myself. Check out more of Megs exclusive interview with us this month, on our website from November 25th!

In our hottest fashion issue of the year so far, we have some of the most stunning red carpet dresses from African designers you will see anywhere online and some of the best beauty products. We also have a great article on the top 10 Most followed African models on Social media . Yes, the list includes power names like Maria Borges , Liya Kebede , Candice Swanepoel , and Nykhor Paul . With a few fresh names, like Amilna Estevao and Mayowa Nicholas . The 8th edition of the Exquisite Ladies of the Year (ELOY) Award is set to take place on the 27th of November, at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos this November. Its one of our favourite shows of the year because it acts as a platform that brings together some of the most talented, inspirational, hardworking, and successful women in the industry. Our cover star, MEG OTANWA is nominated this year in the best TV Actress category alongside Ruth Kadiri , Toyin Aimakhu , Okawa Shaznay , Juliana Olayode and Iyabo Ojo . As always we welcome your comments and views on our cover look. Which stories are you looking forward to reading this month? What do you think of Megs look on the cover? Too simple or just right? We would love to read your comments below.

Photo Credits

Photography: Nehroo

Styling and Make up: Muhera Fashion & Beauty

Accessories: Raya Jewelry

Hair by Fabulocks
02.11.2016 LISTEN

There is a new entrant onto the music scene, Evangelist John K., a Gospel Musician based in Tarkwa in the Western Region of Ghana.

Known in private life as John Kweku Quansah, he had always had the passion to sing and praise God hence his strong interest in Gospel music.

His music career dates back to the year 1994.

He is therefore urging all music lovers to follow his new album titled 'Nation's Prayer'.

The new Album 'Nation's Prayer' has 7 songs.

"I released my first album in 1994, the second in 1997 and the third in 1999 and now 2016," the man of God revealed.

"Reason behind the title of the song is that we need the hand of God upon the nation Ghana to bring us peace and unity, and not just that but to also release us from any hardship or bitter experiences life may bring," Evangelist John K. explained.
02.11.2016 LISTEN

Afro-pop act and raved producer Selebobo features Effyzzie Music diva Yemi Alade, on his new single "Conquer".

The melodious song sees the African acts grateful and thankful for success and blessings despite the hurdles and harsh environment. The groovy "Conquer", arrives after the massive success of previous collaborations "Na Gode" and "Tangerine" .
Samini has declared that he will be exercising his civic responsibility by voting during Ghana's 2016 general elections scheduled for December 7.

According to him, he is a registered voter and will be going out there this year to exercise that right.

The award-winning dancehall artiste's declaration follows claims that Ghanaian celebrities do not go out to exercise their franchise and perhaps a lot of them may not be voting this year.

Yes, I am a registered voter, I have been a registered voter since 2003 or 4so yes I am a register and yes I will vote, Samini assured on Tuesday during the press launch of his peace campaign and a peace song and video titled, 'Mama Ghana', he recorded with Kofi Kinaata.

Samini in the new song is asking Ghanaians who have the right to vote to also go out there and exercise their franchise. The song cautioned Ghanaians to desist from any activity that would jeopardise the peace they are currently enjoying.

Today, the greatest threat to our peace lies in partisan differences, a growing level of intolerance, a strange spirit of divisiveness, seeking to destroy our very peaceful moral fabric in music, politics, governance and even in homesMust we run the next person down to gain favours? Or create needless rivalry? he asked when he pleaded with Ghanaians to maintain peace before and after the elections.

When they come with their moneys, their charms, promises to threaten our peace, tell them Samini said we want peaceI

Samini stand for peace. Let's make sure we maintain the peace, he added.

Speaking at the ceremony, Kofi Kinaata also encouraged Ghanaian youth not allow themselves to be used by politicians.

Let's show our leaders we worth more than the pennies they give us. It is peace we want. I am for peace, he stated.

On December 3, Samini will stage his 'Saminifest Concert' to further preach peace to Ghanaians ahead of the 2016 elections.

By Francis Addo (Twitter: @fdee50 Email: [email protected] )
South African President Jacob Zuma has survived a string of damaging scandals, but has faced increasing criticism as the economy has stalled. By Rodger Bosch (AFP/File)

02.11.2016 LISTEN

Pretoria (AFP) - South African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday abandoned a court bid to block a watchdog's report into corruption allegations against him, as calls grow for him to stand down.

"My instructions are to withdraw the application," Zuma's lawyer Anthea Platt told the High Court in Pretoria.
Pretoria (AFP) - South African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday abandoned a court bid to block a watchdog's report into corruption allegations against him, as calls grew for him to stand down.

Zuma's surprise move came as thousands of people took to the streets of the administrative capital Pretoria to demand that he leaves office.

It paves the way for the release of the probe into accusations that he allowed a wealthy Indian family undue political sway, including letting them choose some cabinet ministers.

"My instructions are to withdraw the application," Zuma's lawyer Anthea Platt told the High Court in Pretoria at the start of the second day of the hearing.

Former public ombudswoman Thuli Madonsela concluded her report into the influence of the Gupta family last month, shortly before the expiry of her seven-year term.

It was due to be released on October 14 until Zuma moved to block it.

Atul Gupta welcomes guests arriving for a family wedding at Waterkloof Airforce Base, outside Pretoria, in 2013

The president, 74, has survived a string of damaging scandals, but faces increasing criticism as South Africa's economy stalls and after the ruling ANC party suffered unprecedented losses in local polls.

Some factions of the ANC, former anti-apartheid activists and business leaders have all recently called for him to stand down before his term ends in 2019.

On Wednesday, thousands of opposition party supporters, unions and civil groups marched through Pretoria to protest against Zuma's presidency.

"I spent the whole night here," Dominic Khulube, 30, an unemployed man from Tembisa, a township outside Johannesburg, told AFP after a vigil by the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party.

"Zuma must step down and the Guptas must leave the country. If he does not step down today we will be here until he steps down."

Power struggle

The marches were originally planned to show support for Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who was due in court Wednesday on separate graft charges that many analysts see as an attempt by Zuma loyalists to oust him.

Lawyers Dumisa Ntsebeza and Dali Mpofu at the court hearing at the North Gauteng High Court, in Pretoria, on November 2, 2016

But prosecutors dropped the charges on Monday in another twist to a power struggle that has exposed deep tensions in the ANC, the party that Nelson Mandela led in the fight against apartheid and which has held power since white-minority rule ended in 1994.

"We are being robbed by the very people who are meant to be looking after us," Mmusi Maimane, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, told crowds in Pretoria.

"Judging by events this week, things aren't going so well for the bad guys. Yes, our country is under attack, but make no mistake -- the good guys are winning."

The Gupta family -- brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh -- built an empire in mining, transportation, technology and media after arriving in South Africa from India in the early 1990s.

One of Zuma's sons, Duduzane, is their business partner.

Deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas early this year accused the family of offering him the job of finance minister, something he said he rejected.

Zuma last month said he was not given enough time to respond to the watchdog's questions.
The two attacks took place in a span of 20 minutes.

By AP: The police in Des Moines, Iowa, said that two officers were shot and killed in ambush-style attacks.

The Des Moines Police Department said in a news release that the shootings took place today morning. Officers responded to a report of shots fired at 1:06 a.m. They found an Urbandale Police Department officer had been shot.

Des Moines officers responded to assist. About 20 minutes later, a Des Moines officer was found shot. Both officers have died.

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The Des Moines Police Department said the suspect information is being developed. The agency didn't immediately release any other information but said a news conference will be held later.

ALSO READ: Terror alert: US embassy warns Americans in India of possible ISIS attacks

ALSO READ: New York bombings: US charges suspect Ahmad Rahami with use of weapons of mass destruction

ALSO READ: Brussels airport attack is 2nd major bombing survived by Utah teenager

(More inputs awaited)



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Members of South African opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters rally in Pretoria on November 2, 2016 for the release of a report into corruption allegations against Jacob Zuma. By Gianluigi Guercia (AFP)

02.11.2016 LISTEN

Pretoria (AFP) - A potentially explosive report into corruption allegations against President Jacob Zuma must be released Wednesday, a South African court ruled, as calls grow for him to resign.

The court's order came as thousands of people took to the streets of the administrative capital Pretoria to demand that Zuma, who has been engulfed in several graft scandals, resigns.

Police fired rubber bullets and water cannon to disperse supporters of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party who tried to storm Zuma's office in the city.

The report by the Public Protector, the country's top watchdog, probed accusations that Zuma allowed a wealthy Indian family undue political sway, including letting them choose some cabinet ministers.

"The Public Protector is ordered to publish the report forthwith and by no later than 17:00 hours (1500 GMT)," judge Dunstan Mlambo told the High Court in Pretoria.

Former public protector Thuli Madonsela concluded her report into the influence of the Gupta family last month, shortly before the expiry of her seven-year term.

Atul Gupta welcomes guests arriving for a family wedding at Waterkloof Airforce Base, outside Pretoria, in 2013

It was due to be released on October 14 -- until Zuma moved to block it.

"Today is a historic day... Jacob Zuma must be held accountable," Mmusi Maimane, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, told reporters, hailing the court order as "a turning point in South Africa".

The president, 74, has survived a string of damaging controversies, but faces increasing criticism as the economy stalls and after the ruling ANC party suffered unprecedented losses in local polls.

Protest marches

Some factions of the ANC, former anti-apartheid activists and business leaders have all recently called for Zuma to stand down before his term ends in 2019.

Lawyers Dumisa Ntsebeza and Dali Mpofu at the court hearing at the North Gauteng High Court, in Pretoria, on November 2, 2016

On Wednesday, opposition party supporters, unions and civil groups gathered in Pretoria to protest against his presidency.

"I spent the whole night here," Dominic Khulube, 30, an unemployed man from Tembisa, a township outside Johannesburg, told AFP after a vigil by the leftist EFF.

"Zuma must step down and the Guptas must leave the country."

The marches were originally planned to show support for Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who had been due in court Wednesday on separate graft charges that many analysts see as an attempt by Zuma loyalists to oust him.

But prosecutors dropped the charges on Monday in the latest twist to a power struggle that has exposed deep tensions in the ANC, the party that Nelson Mandela led in the fight against apartheid and which has held power since white-minority rule ended in 1994.

The Gupta family -- brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh -- built an empire in mining, transportation, technology and media after arriving in South Africa from India in the early 1990s.

One of Zuma's sons, Duduzane, is their business partner.

Court rebuke

Deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas early this year accused the family of offering him the job of finance minister, something he said he rejected.

South African President Jacob Zuma has survived a string of damaging scandals, but has faced increasing criticism as the economy has stalled

Zuma last month said he was not given enough time to respond to the watchdog's questions.

In 2014, the Public Protector dealt a major blow to the president in a report that found he had "unduly benefited" from the refurbishment of his Nkandla rural home.

Zuma fought the case until being berated by the Constitutional Court and ordered to pay back public money spent on upgrades including a chicken coop and a swimming pool.

Zuma is also fighting a court order that could reinstate almost 800 corruption charges against him.

The 783 charges relate to alleged corruption, racketeering, fraud and money laundering over a multi-billion dollar arms deal in the 1990s.
Nouakchott (AFP) - The Malian jihadist group Ansar Dine has denied agreeing to a ceasefire with the government, a Mauritanian news agency and extremist monitoring group said Tuesday.

It follows the announcement Monday by influential Malian imam Mahmoud Dicko that a letter from the militant outfit received at the end of September had proclaimed a unilateral ceasefire, a claim immediately questioned by Malian security analysts.

Ansar Dine's statement expressed "utmost surprise and astonishment with these declarations attributed to Sheikh Mahmoud Dicko", according to a document translated by the US-based SITE watchdog and Mauritanian news agency Al-Akhbar.

The group would also "affirm that we are continuing -- Allah willing -- with all resolve in the option of jihad", the statement said.

A Malian source told AFP Monday that the letter dated from September 27, since when Ansar Dine have claimed or been accused of carrying out several attacks.

Ansar Dine was blacklisted in 2013 by the United States for its affiliation with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and was one of several jihadist groups that overran key Malian cities in 2012.

It is responsible for frequent attacks on Malian and international security forces stationed in the country.
Please join the U.S. Department of State for an online press briefing featuring Special Envoy for Climate Change Dr. Jonathan Pershing to preview the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP 22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to be held in Marrakech, Morocco on November 7-18, 2016. COP22 will be the first such meeting since the historic adoption of the Paris Agreement, which will enter into force on November 4, 2016, as over 55 countries representing over 55 percent of global emissions have now formally joined the Agreement.

COP22 will focus on implementation of the Paris Agreement and ways to drive ambitious action on climate change. This meeting comes on the heels of two other recent milestones in the international effort to confront the climate challenge: an amendment to the Montreal Protocol to phasedown hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a class of potent greenhouse gases; and the adoption of the first-ever industry-wide market-based measure to set international aviation on a path towards sustainable, carbon-neutral growth.

These achievements underscore the widespread recognition of the urgency of the problem and are testaments to the continued determination of the global community to tackle climate change. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Pershing before he departs for Marrakech to discuss U.S. climate policy priorities at COP22 and beyond.

DETAILS:

Speaker: Special Envoy for Climate Change Jonathan Pershing

Topic: COP22

Date: Thursday, November 3, 2016

Time: 9:00 a.m. EDT | 13:00 GMT |15:00 SAST

Language: English

Ground rules: ON THE RECORD

RSVP: Please register here by Thursday, November 3 to participate.

Dial-in Info: You may also call this listen-only phone line to hear the briefing:

USA (Domestic): (877) 336-1829

International: +1-636-651-0002

Access Code: 5806095

Email address: During the briefing, if you need to send your question via email instead of the online interface, please send it to [email protected] and we will add them to the queue.

LiveAtState

LiveAtState is the U.S. Department of States interactive on-line video platform for engaging with international media on the top foreign policy issues of the day. Invited journalists from around the world submit questions and receive live video answers from U.S. policymakers through this on-the-record virtual press briefing format. Past LiveAtState programs may be viewed at www.state.gov/liveatstate

How to Ask Questions in LiveAtState

During the LiveAtState event, please enter your questions into the field under the video screen and click ASK A QUESTION to submit, or email [email protected] . You may also send questions in advance to the same email address.

Special Envoy for Climate Change  Jonathan Pershing

Term of Appointment: 04/04/2016 to present

Dr. Jonathan Pershing is the Special Envoy for Climate Change at the U.S. Department of State. Previously, he served as the Senior Climate Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Energy and the Principal Deputy Director of the Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis at the Department of Energy.

Prior to joining DOE, Dr. Pershing was the Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Change and the lead negotiator representing the United States at meetings of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Before his appointment to the Obama Administration, he spent six years as the Director of the Climate, Energy and Pollution Program at the World Resources Institute, a Washington, D.C., think tank; five years as the Head of the Environment Division at the International Energy Agency in Paris; and for nearly a decade in the 1990s, served the Science Advisor and Deputy Director of the Office of Global Change in the U.S. Department of State.

Dr. Pershing holds a Ph.D. in geology and geophysics, and has also held positions in the private sector as a petroleum and mining geologist, and as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Minnesota and at American University. He has published and lectured widely on climate and energy issues, and has served as a lead author, review editor and contributor for reports of the Nobel-prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
In recent weeks, South Africa, Burundi and Gambia have announced that they will withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is the world's first permanent international criminal court, and has 124 states parties, including 34 African states.

'Norway is concerned about the formal steps taken by South Africa and Burundi to withdraw from the ICC, and about Gambia's announcement that they too will withdraw from the Court. We urge these countries to reconsider this decision and to remain active states parties to the ICC. Norway would like to continue its dialogue with these states at the Assembly of the States Parties in November,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Brge Brende.

The International Criminal Court is a key actor in the international fight against impunity for the most worst categories of crimes. African states played a vital part in the negotiations leading up to the Rome Statute, which was adopted at the end of the 1990s, and they continue to play a crucial role today.

'Norway seeks to promote a good dialogue between the states parties, and the African countries are key partners for us in these efforts. It is important to uphold the fundamental principles on which the ICC is based, such as the independence of the Court and the Prosecutor. We urge South Africa, Burundi and Gambia to engage in a dialogue on the ICC with Norway and the other states parties,' said Mr Brende.

Among the objections the three countries have raised is that prosecution under the Statute of Rome may make it more difficult to reach peaceful solutions to conflicts.

'In Norway's view, the ICC plays an important and constructive role in peace negotiations, and we believe that mechanisms for the prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are important for achieving peaceful solutions,' said Mr Brende.
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has called on protesting university students to allow for peaceful examinations for those students who have opted to write.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Connie September, said the Committee has noted the relative calm at most university and that most have been able to finish lectures and start with examinations despite disturbances.

We should all commit to ensuring that most students succeed in this academic year. No one student should interfere with anothers right to write exams. Those that are on the verge of graduating should be allowed to write without problems as their skills are needed in the economy, Ms September said.

Communities should assist the Inter-ministerial Task Team in finding a solution to the higher education crisis by whatever means possible. The Committee maintains its position that poor students and the category of the missing middle will be taken care of in 2017 and no single student will be turned away from university on financial grounds, she said.

Most universities have been able to finish their academic programmes and have thus started with exams. Some others announced last week that they have abandoned face-to-face teaching for the year.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme received increased funding, as announced by the Finance Minister last week, and is now engaged in an improved funding approach that benefits not only registered students, but also Grade 12 learners who will be registering for the first time.

Ms September called on universities to provide all the necessary assistance and support to protesting students when they decide to write exams. Vice chancellors should ensure that students are not victimised for having been part of the protests. The student demands are legitimate, she said.

She also voiced concern about the situation in the Western Cape, where violence is still a challenge, and urged students there to finish the academic year.
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) concluded its field mission to the Republic of South Sudan, which was undertaken from 28 to 31 October 2016, pursuant to a decision adopted at its 609th meeting held on 30 June 2016. The field mission, consisting of all fifteen members of the PSC, was led by H.E. Ambassador Catherine Muigai Mwangi, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya in her capacity as the Chairperson of the PSC for the month of October 2016.

The objective of the field mission was to gather first-hand information regarding the political, security, humanitarian and socio-economic situation in the country. During the mission, the PSC held extensive consultations with the President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit and other members of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU), including the First Vice President of the TGoNU, H.E. General Taban Deng Gai, representatives of SPLM Leaders (Former Detainees) namely, Honourable Deng Alor Kuol, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Honourable John Luk Jok, the Minister of Transport.

The PSC also visited two protection of civilians sites (POCs) in Juba and Malakal where it interacted with the representatives of the internally displaced persons in these sites.

The PSC further held consultations with the African Diplomatic Corps; the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and her team; representatives of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) and Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM); faith-based and womens groups and representatives of Other Political Parties, including the SPLM/IO; as well as with the Troika and representatives of several bilateral and multilateral partners, including the European Union.

The PSC commended the TGoNU for demonstrating the necessary political will and commitment to implement the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS) signed in August 2015. The PSC appealed to all South Sudanese people to fully embrace the peace process. To this end, the PSC encouraged the TGoNU to ensure that the implementation of the Peace Agreement is inclusive and to embark on a nation-wide campaign of civic education, with a view to generating the necessary momentum for the successful implementation of the Peace Agreement.

The PSC underscored the urgent need for the establishment of accountability, justice and reconciliation mechanisms as provided for in the Peace Agreement, including appropriate mechanisms to address issues relating to sexual violence in a timely manner, with a view to ensuring justice for the victims. The PSC welcomed the consent of the TGoNU for the deployment of the Regional Protection Force pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2304.

The PSC emphasized the critical importance of ensuring humanitarian access and encouraged the TGoNU to facilitate the activities of the institutions that were established by the Peace Agreement, including JMEC and CTSAMM. In addition, the PSC encouraged constructive engagement between the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and UNMISS with regard to the management of POCs.

The PSC reiterated its commitment to support the TGoNU and the people of South Sudan in implementing the Peace Agreement, among others, through the engagements of the AU High Representative for South Sudan, H.E. Alpha Oumar Konare. The PSC strongly urged all South Sudanese to embrace dialogue to find a consensual solution to the challenges impeding the implementation of the Peace Agreement.

The PSC expressed gratitude to the TGoNU and the UNMISS for facilitating the successful conduct of the field mission.
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The UN Security Council will travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo next week to gauge tensions over the holding of presidential elections.

The 15 council envoys will visit Kinshasa, Goma and Beni from November 10 to 14 for talks with President Joseph Kabila, opposition leaders and civil society.

"We are in a very tense pre-election context," Senegalese Ambassador Fode Seck, who holds the presidency of the council this month, told reporters on Tuesday.

"The council considers that it would be useful to go to DRCongo to speak to all the players as part of its prevention role," he told reporters.

Anti-Kabila demonstrations in Kinshasa in September turned violent, killing some 49 people.

Last month, a political deal was reached between Kabila's party and some fringe opposition groups to delay the presidential election due to have been held this year, until April 2018.

The opposition rejected the deal, with the main dissident coalition -- "Rassemblement" (Gathering) -- branding it a ploy by Kabila to stay in power beyond the end of his term.

One of Africa's biggest, resource-richest countries, the DR Congo has been ruled by Kabila since 2001, when his father Laurent was assassinated.

He was elected in 2006 to his first five-year term under a constitution that sets a two-term limit for presidents.

France has said the political deal does not fully address the crisis and has called on Kabila to announce that he will not run for office.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has said Kabila should set a date for the election.

US Ambassador Samantha Power has said elections should be held in 2017.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon last month said he hoped the deal would help improve human rights and lead to a credible vote.

Ban urged opposition groups to resolve differences peacefully.
By PTI: From Abhishek Shukla

Kathmandu, Nov 2 (PTI) President Pranab Mukherjee today arrived here on three-day state visit to Nepal, the first by an Indian Head of State in 18 years, to hold talks with the top leadership on ways to boost bilateral ties especially after the formation of a new government.

Mukherjee, who arrived at the Tribhuvan International Airport, was received by President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

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He will hold talks with the political leadership here besides visiting historical temples of Pashupatinath tomorrow and Ram Janaki in Janakpur on November 4.

A formal meeting between the two Heads of State has been lined up at the official residence of Bhandari - Shital Niwas.

Bhandari will host a state banquet in Mukherjees honour. Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda will also host a dinner in his honour.

"India is giving particular focus on our ongoing development, connectivity and economic projects as well as number of projects under the lines of credit...India has committed USD one billion assistance to Nepal," Joint Secretary (North) Sudhakar Dalela had said ahead of the visit.

Nepal Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun and the Prime Minister will also call on Mukherjee - whose visit comes in the backdrop of Nepal, as SAARC chair, issued a strong statement condemning terror in all forms in the aftermath of the Uri terror attack.

The President is accompanied by Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, Members of Parliament Bhubaneswar Kalita, L Ganesan, Jagdambika Pal and R K Singh. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar is also accompanying the delegation.

The leaders "will discuss the full range of issues covering bilateral, regional and international issues and I am sure regional cooperation issue will figure in the talks," Dalela had said.

On November 3, the President will offer prayers at Pashupatinath temple, a UNESCO heritage site. Later, he will be conferred with an honorary degree from Kathmandu University followed a civic reception in Kathmandu in his honour.

The President will also address a seminar of Niti Anusandhan Pratisthan Nepal and India Foundation.

On November 4, a civic reception has been scheduled in his honour at Janakpur, epicentre of protests by Madhesi community, where he will interact with local people. He will also meet leaders of Madhesi community, mostly of Indian-origin, besides offering prayers at the Janaki temple.

The President, who is the supreme commander of the armed forces, will also visit Pokhra on the same day where he will interact with ex-servicemen of Indian Army from Gurkha community. During the visit, the emphasis of the Indian side is to see the implementation of agreements which have already been entered in both sides. PTI ABS ACB SAI AKJ SAI

--- ENDS ---

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Former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings has said some countries in Africa and other parts of the developing world are facing governance challenges because they adopted Western democracy without recourse to the intrinsic values of democracy in their local cultures.

He said that Ghana, like many African countries, has used the English language as a symbol of authority and power but not as a symbol of respect and integrity.

The former President adds made the comments when he addressed a durbar last Saturday at Tadzewu in the Volta Region, to mark the mini-Hogbetsotso festival of the people of Anlo.

The West is getting a taste of the weaknesses of multi-party democracy that we have to put up with in our part of the world. While our old traditional culture of democracy was able to contain such weaknesses, the Western multi-party democratic practice appears almost incapable of containing corruption in its various forms. We have adopted the worst out of the West and used it to pin down and suppress the good qualities in our culture, the former President said.

Flt Lt Rawlings was at a colourful ceremony also installed a chief of the Anlo State for his lead role in fostering peace and stability in Ghana, with the stool name Togbui Nutifafa Fiaga I.

In his inaugural address, the former President expressed concern about the poor environmental and sanitation habits of Ghanaians and stated that our responsibility and discipline as a people can be well judged by the way we handle our environment.

By contrast, the degradation of the environment is the quickest way to degrade our human self-worth, and a government or local authority that would butcher trees or watch the degrading of its environment, cannot expect people to behave responsibly in other facets of their life, or respect their government, he said.

Former President Rawlings described as a gross indictment the situation where formal education has rather led to the proliferation of poor hygienic habits and environmental degradation when the opposite was the case during the era of non-formal education.

The former President urged chiefs to recognize their roles as critical in ensuring peace and enriching national discourse.

Flt Lt Rawlings also informed the gathering that the Rawlings Foundation was being established to cater for a broad array of areas including the environment, provision of humanitarian relief, quality education for the under-privileged and brilliant students, civic responsibility and social justice.

The Foundation, the former President, added, will also seek to conserve and protect the biodiversity of the livelihoods of the fishing communities as well as the ecological integrity of the Volta Lake.

President Rawlings thanked the chiefs and people of Anlo for the honour done him and dedicated the award to all peace-loving people in Ghana and across the world.

Present at the ceremony was the Awoamefia of the Anlo State, Torgbui Sri III.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | GN
02.11.2016 LISTEN

The family of Mary Aba Anokye, an unemployed Fante lady based in Accra, who has been reported missing since Monday 31st October, 2016 have picked up signals of kidnapping.

The 28-year-old job seeker, according to information gathered, followed a male friend whose name was given as Kwame Yeboah to the mining town Tarkwa, Western Region of Ghana to look for a job since the latter runs a job agency.

It has further been established that Kwame Yeboah convinced Mary Anokye and took her to a place called Lebanese Home in Tarkwa to start work but has since not returned.

The family is by this raising alarm to draw the attention of security agencies not only to marshall a rescue mission as soon possible to save her but crack down the kidnappers.

Mary on Monday evening managed to steal a chance to communicate via text message that she had been locked up in a secret hide out at the Lebanese Home.

She told one of her brothers in the text message that she was told by one of their guys that it was not likely she would be alive by Friday 4th November.

Communication has caesed since Tuesday morning and her family is deeply worried her phones might have been taken away from her upon detection of the communication link.

"Now we can't get to her by phone. This is Mary Aba Anokye's number: +233 266 69 # #. Please share and help us to bring her back alive," one of her worried brothers discreetly disclosed .
Abidjan (AFP) - An opposition-boycotted referendum to change Ivory Coast's constitution has easily passed, electoral officials said, but opponents swiftly dismissed the vote as fraudulent.

President Alassane Ouattara said the changes were necessary to help end years of instability linked to disputes over national identity while critics labelled the vote an attempt to line up a successor for when his term ends in 2020.

The "Yes" camp won 93 percent of votes cast in Sunday's constitutional referendum, but most eligible voters stayed at home, following the opposition call to boycott, with the official turnout rate put at just over 42 percent.

An opposition leader quickly dismissed the official results as "fake".

The package, put to the country's 6.3 million voters, also includes creating a post of vice president as well as a senate, a third of whom would be appointed by the head of state.

The measures have alarmed opposition leaders and prompted accusations that Ouattara is trying to instal a sympathetic successor.

"More than 90 percent... of Ivorians have understood the need to turn the page on our shameful ways," Joel N'Guessan Joel N'Guessan, spokesman for Ouattara's Rally of Republicans Party (RDR), told AFP.

A man holds a banner that reads in French, "No to a President for life", during a protest march against the new Ivory Coast draft constitution in Abidjan

The 42 percent turnout rate was "honourable," he added.

But Pascal Affi Nguessan, head of the opposition Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), said the election results were "obviously faked".

The official numbers "do not match reality. We all witnessed an electoral desert (on Sunday)," he added, referring to the turnout.

He spoke of cases of "corruption and ballot-stuffing", insisting that the real turnout rate was no higher than 10 percent.

"The coming battle" is to mobilise support for parliamentary elections, at a date yet to be fixed, in order to overturn the new constitution, he told AFP.

American influences

People hold a banner that reads "No to the referendum, no to selling-off nationality, no to plundering land" during a protest against the Ivory Coast's draft constitution

The constitutional changes notably get rid of a contested clause on national identity that took effect in 2000 and stipulated that both parents of a presidential candidate must be born on Ivorian soil and not have sought nationality in another country.

The issue has contributed to years of unrest in the world's top cocoa producer.

Violent episodes in the West African country include a coup in 1999, a civil war in 2002 that split the nation between its north and south and a bloody post-election crisis in 2010.

The most recent eruption led to months of post-poll bloodshed with then-president Laurent Gbagbo refusing to step down.

Some 3,000 people died and Gbagbo is now on trial in The Hague for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Ouattara, 74, hails from central Ivory Coast but his father was born in neighbouring Burkina Faso and the issue of "Ivorian-ness" raised a hurdle in his bid for the presidency.

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said changes to the constitution were necessary to help end years of instability linked to disputes over national identity

He eventually overcame this obstacle through a decree Gbagbo was pressured to sign by the international community.

The Ivorian parliament had already approved the new constitution. The government claims that the introduction of a vice president is to ensure continuity if the head of state dies or is incapacitated.

The new constitution's design bears American influences, perhaps a reflection of Outtara's years studying in Pennsylvania: a strong executive, a senate, fixed election dates and a vice president.

A former top official at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), Ouattara is credited with making good use of his contacts to pump investment into the war-scarred economy since taking office in 2011.

After a decade of unrest and a civil war that saw the once prosperous former French colony split in two, Ouattara has overseen major infrastructure works including new roads, bridges and dams.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA)'s major service provider in the Northern Region, Peekay Gombi Pharmaceuticals, has withdrawn its services with effect from November 1, 2016.

This is because of the NHIA's failure to pay claims submitted for 13 months of service delivery to NHIS subscribers in the Northern Region.

Hundreds of NHIS subscribers in Tamale Metropolis who as usual queued at the Peekay Gombi Pharmaceuticals were on Monday November 1 turned away.

The Chief Executive Officer of Peekay Gombi pharmaceutical, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdul Rauf Peekay Gombila, told Citi News the NHIA owed him Ghc2 million.

The total value is around two billion old currency and I cannot continue to service the NHIS subscribers.

The NHIA owes me three months in 2015, and 10 months in 2016, and so I thought it wise that if I don't stop the NHIS subscribers and continue to supply the drugs, I will have problem with the suppliers because there is no money to pay them.

He has vowed never to resume serving NHIS subscribers in the Northern Region until the NHIA defrays the accumulated Ghc2 million outstanding amount.

According to Alhaji Peekay Gombila, management of 16 pharmaceutical companies supplying him drugs have also withdrawn their services.

I deal with 16 companies and the major ones are Ernest Chemist, Tobinco and Rena Chemist, and I cannot continue to tell them that the NHIA has not paid me so the best thing to do is to stop.

I have to do cash and carry to pay my suppliers and if the next one hour the NHIA pays the accumulated debt, I will resume services to the NHIS subscribers, Alhaji Peekay Gombila declared.

Peekay Gombi Pharmaceuticals is a major retailer supplying other over the licensed counter chemical shops across the Northern Region.

Government has struggled to sustain the NHIS financially, a situation that has affected the quality of service rendered to beneficiaries.



By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
A Deputy General Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, has said the party's decision to sack 23 members for contesting as independent candidates in the December polls was to ensure discipline in the party.

Mr. Anyidoho insisted that, this course of action was necessary because such persons were taking the party for granted.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, he said, the maintenance of the party discipline is more important to us than anything else, so that people cannot take the party for granted.

There is a case in point somewhere where the person went independent in 2012, lost , and came back in to join the party; then 2016 you are going independent again. Couldn't you learn anything from what happened in 2012, Mr. Anyidoho questioned.

The NDC Deputy General Secretarys remarks followed a statement signed by the General Secretary of the party, saying the party took the decision because the 23 persons breached the party's constitution .

The statement said, the General Secretary acting on behalf of NEC wishes to inform the general public and especially all such persons that they are in breach of articles 8( d,f); 45( a,b,c &e) and 46(10) of the party's constitution. The affected persons by their conduct and on their own volition have ceased to be members of the party, the statement added.

The party further ordered the affected persons to desist from using party paraphernalia and also return any party property in their possession.

Independent candidates fueling discord

Mr. Anyidoho also explained that, this decision was also informed by the fact that some of the independent candidates are creating dissonance on the ground.

They are going around claiming that we are going independent and we are being supported by national executives. Some are claiming that they are being supported by the President. Some are claiming they are being supported by individuals at the Flagstaff House.

So it is only right and proper that the General Secretary comes out to let everybody know that, if any independent candidate comes to tell you that he or she is being supported by the national executives or for that matter being supported by the Presidency it is false, he explained.

Mr. Anyidoho also insisted that, any NDC member who would campaign for te President, but not the partys parliamentary candidate, does not have the partys best interest at heart.

So if you say you are going to vote for the President, but you won't vote for the MP for us to have the heavy numbers that we need to be able to operate and function as a government after the 2016 elections, then you don't mean well for the party.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
With barely thirty days to go for Ghana's seventh successive elections in the fourth republic, the democratic credentials of the country are once again up for scrutiny. This will be against the backdrop that Ghana is seen by many as the beacon of hope and the model of democracy in Africa. A feather in our cap is the fact that the country's democracy passed the coveted Huntington's test of democratic development in 2008 when the country conducted its second successful changeover from one political party to the other.

From the viewpoint of an observer of the political space, the election is one that will be down to the wire; owing to the incumbent NDC's desire to win a second term for President Mahama vis-a-vis the NPP's rock-solid resolve not to allow the NDC enjoy twelve continuous years in office. Then, there is the stark reality that this could be the last opportunity for the NPP flagbearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to have a fair shot at the Presidency of a country whose politics he has been involved in since his early thirties. The referee for the contest; the Electoral Commission in spite of the initial disagreement with some political parties on mainly procedural matters seem to be ready now to deliver what they term world class elections (never mind the disqualification brouhaha).

My challenge however is with the class of citizens I call the unperturbed. Yes!! The Unperturbed. I have termed them so because of their sheer nonchalance to what is going on in the country's political space a few months to such a crucial election. You may say that they have been bitten by the bug of voter apathy and you would not be far from correct.

Historically, Ghana's elections at least in the fourth republic have been characterized by appreciable numbers in terms of turn out for the Presidential elections. From 50.1% in 1992 which went up to 78.2% in 1996 then down to 61.7% in the democratically pivotal election 2000,85.1 in 2004, 72.9% in the second turning point election of 2008 and 80.1% in 2012.

Political scientists typically measure turnout by looking at votes cast as a percentage of eligible voters. By this measure, our democracy has not been bad. The danger however lies in the people who have decided that there is no difference in terms of the output of the Ghana's bi-partisan duopoly (The governing National Democratic Congress and the opposition New Patriotic Party) For them, these parties are all the same and they would promise heaven on earth when in opposition only to deliver corruption and underdevelopment when they get the people's nod. The unfulfilled one time NHIS premium payment promise of the NDC in 2008 and the conversion of all chop-bars into restaurants promise in 2008 are instances that come in handy to back their point.

What is more frightening is the fact that majority of this class of the unperturbed are people in the middle class bracket of our society. People who have had the benefit of the education, Ghana provides and yet have decided not to take part in the political process because for them the system is too corrupt to accept their ideas and by extension their votes.

Thus, they would not even waste their time to join the queue to vote. My disappointment with this segment of the unperturbed is their unwillingness to use the clout they have to initiate the change they desire in our political space. A study of the group of nations who are known as the emerging powers in international relations, the likes of India, Mexico, and Brazil reveal that the middle class played a pivotal role in their journey from underdevelopment just a few years ago to the giant development strides they are making now.

Our middle class cannot afford to stay out of the country's political and policy space. From what has been witnessed so far, this year's election is proving to be one that has generated considerable debate on issues from the feasibility of the NPPs one this one that set of policies to the NDC's one child one tablet and the promise of putting money in people's pockets if they are given a second term.

The opportunity thus presents itself for those with the sophistication to understand the real issues to engage the political class the more, as a means of fine-tuning the ideas which may be used the entire populace over the next four years.

Failure to do that will give politicians the leeway to continue doing what they have done over the past twenty four years-finding it difficult to posit and implement far reaching solutions to the country's structural developmental problems. It's not my desire to end on this note but I feel that the Unperturbed in Ghana's political space need to be reminded of what Plato said in the Golden age of Pericles Athenian era that One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. The teeming mass of Ghanaians who understand the issues of the day must not fold their arms in despair and complain. December 7th and the processes leading to it must serve as the Eureka moment for the unperturbed.



By: Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana
The Vice President, Kwesi Berkoe Amissah Arthur, has urged Ghanaians to vote against disruptive change in the upcoming December 7 general elections.

Addressing hundreds of National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters at Kumbungu as part of his four-day tour of the Northern Region, the Vice President said there is no need changing a performing president like John Dramani Mahama.

He said such a change would be disruptive as it would take the country backwards.

He said President Mahama has invested heavily in infrastructure, particularly roads, schools, hospitals, and provision of electricity, among others.

Vice President Amissah Arthur said with the solid foundation already in place, it is very imperative that President Mahama is given another term to build on the foundation and take Ghana to the promise land.

He pledged the governments commitment to continue to expand its electrification project, construct more roads, schools and hospitals among many other social interventions.

He advised the electorates in the Kumbungu constituency not to repeat the mistake of the 2013 by-election, where they voted for a Convention Peoples Party candidate to represent them in parliament, after the NDC incumbent MP, Mohammed Mumuni, was appointed to head the African Caribbean Pacific countries in Brussels.

He said the NDCs parliamentary candidate, Ras Mubarak, an indigene of the area, is a development-oriented person, and therefore urged the electorate to vote for him.

On December 7, when you go to the polls, vote for John Dramani Mahama as President and Ras Mubarak as your member of parliament. The NDC is going into this elections with peace in our heart and development as our vision.

He therefore urged NDC supporters to be peaceful during the elections.

On his part, Naa Iddrisu Abu, the Chief of Kumbungu, commended government for the unprecedented projects undertaken in the area.

He said for the first time in 50 years, Kumbungu has seen tarred roads.

A member of the Council of State, and paramount Chief of Vogu Traditional area in the Northern region,Vo-Naa Mohammed Abdulai Bawa, endorsed the second-term bid of President John Dramani Mahama.

He made the endorsement when veep Amissah-Arthur, called on him during his campaign tour of some selected constituencies of the Northern region.



By: Richard Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
The New Patriotic Party in the Volta region on Tuesday amended its initial targets of securing three parliamentary seats and 30 percent of valid votes cast.

The party now plans to secure 5 parliamentary seats from the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and 50 percent of the total votes cast.

The governing NDC have over the years been enjoying political monopoly in the volta region. Currently out the 26 constituencies in the region 25 of them are being occupied by NDC Member of Parliaments.

The other being an Independent candidate who defected from the NDC.

Prior to the launch of their campaign, the NPP has vowed to make inroads into the region by securing at least three parliamentary seats and 30 percent of the valid votes cast.

But it looks like the reception accorded their Presidential Candidate Nana Addo during his tour in the region has given the party hopes to expect more from the region.

At a press conference in Ho this afternoon the party chairman, John Peter Amewu thanked the people of the region for the unprecedented reception given their presidential candidate describing it as a striking historical political democratic revolution within the region.

This he said has rekindled their hopes in the region hence their decision to increase their initial targets.

Upon keen review and consideration it became apparent that we would inevitably capture five Parliamentary Seats and in accordance attain 50percent of the total votes within the region thus our initial Agenda 3:30 has now been revised to Agenda 5:50 he stated.

He added that in attaining their goal, the party has launch a campaign dubbed operation eagle eye  to keep surveillance at the countries Eastern corridor to prevent foreigners from entering the country to vote.

NPP targets laughable

But the National Democratic Congress in the region said the NPPs new projections are laughable.

It is extremely funny how any serious political party can make such an outrageous prediction. Not even a first year student of politics will make such a prediction as long as Volta politics is concerned, Kafui, Agbleze, Communication Officer of the NDC in the Volta Region said in a statement.



By: King Norbert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Dakar (AFP) - Intimidation of opposition parties, media repression and politicised security forces have "all but extinguished" the chance of a free and fair election in the Gambia next month, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday.

In a report released a month ahead of a vote expected to deliver President Yahya Jammeh's fifth term in power, the rights group said the strongman's tightening grip on Gambian society meant a truly democratic process was unlikely.

The "climate of fear among many opposition politicians and activists... severely limits their ability to criticise Jammeh and his government," said the report, entitled "More fear than fair".

Since April, activists with the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) have been arrested during peaceful protests and at least two have died in custody, while several more are serving three-year jail sentences for holding demonstrations.

These arrests ran in tandem with increasing suppression of free speech and the demand of absolute loyalty to Jammeh by the security forces, Human Rights Watch said.

"The security forces are his tools, and he uses them to control Gambia by arresting people who don't share his views," a prominent opposition figure told the rights group.

Furthermore, the president's Alliance for Patriotic Re-Orientation and Construction (APRC) "routinely used state resources for campaigning... and have mobilised civil servants and security force members to act on behalf of his re-election," the report said.

The opposition was limited to a two-week campaigning period in November, "the only time" state media reported on their activities.

The government has long been accused of intimidating and arbitrarily arresting journalists, and as a result many "temper their reporting of the government to avoid reprisals," according to the report.

The allegations come days after opposition parties decided to join forces to field a single candidate, the UDP's Adama Barrow, to take on Jammeh on December 1.

Before the nation's last presidential vote in 2011, the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said Jammeh's control of the media and intimidation of voters meant the election could not be free and fair.

This time, ECOWAS, the European Union and the United States, "should set clear benchmarks for the government to meet ahead of the election," the rights watchdog said, adding that if they were not met a package of sanctions should be applied.

Jammeh has derided international calls for investigations into activists' deaths in custody, and in words addressed to the opposition in May said: "If you want to destabilise this country, I will bury you nine-feet deep."
02.11.2016 LISTEN

It's soo apalling to hear Central Regional Minister Queenster Pokuaa to lie to the people of Central Region Ghanaians that her Government has brought development in the region.

Speaking on Peace fm 12pm news on Friday, 28th October, 2016. The Minister told Ghanaians that Central Region has benefit the good governance of NDC/Mahama Government more than the other nine regions.

As a concern citizen, I challenge the Minister to come out and mention just two(2) major things that NDC/Mahama Government have done for we the people of Central Region.

When it comes to Unemployment ranking in all the ten(10) Administrative Regions, Central will be number one(1). When you come to Agona Swedru which is the headquarters of SAKAWA, you will find young people, graduate etc practising Sakawa because the rate of Unemployment is very high. Speaking to most of these people, they will tell you that, because am Unemployed, I decided to go into Sakawa because I saw that my Certificate is useless. The only job that, Agona Swedru Municipality can boost of is SAKAWA and I hopw our Propagandist Regional Minister is aware of such job.

Poverty is the quality or state of being poor. The most poorest region among others is the Central Region and I hope these one too the Regional Minister is much aware of these fact too. When you come to Agona West Constituency, there is a village called Akonoma near Obrakyere. The people in that village find it difficult to get a three square meal with poor education as well. Am asking Ghanaians that, is these changing lives of the people of Central Region as NDC/Mahama Government?

Lastly, Bad Road Network in Central Region is as many as sugar. Most road network in central region is not in good shape at all. Gomoa Nkran/Dawurapong-Apam road is one of them. Nsaba/Duakwa-Mansakrom road. Madam Central Regional Minister, these are just two roads that I want to challenge you on. Come out and tell us that these roads are in good shape. We will consider you if you tell me that you do not know the state of Gomoa Nkran/Dawurapong-Apam road but for Nsaba/Duakwa-Mansakrom road which is in your Constituency. Hon. Minister propaganda won't help us.

We are stating it clear that Central Region is not for any political party as the NDC are claiming ownership. Central Region is a swing region as well as the decider for Presidential elections. NDC/Mahama Government have failed the people of Central Region and Ghanaians in general so we the people of Central Region are waiting for 7th December to show them the exit. No more propaganda, No more sympathy vote.

Eric Nyame

Agona Swedru
By Baishali Adak: Punjab has pleaded helplessness on the farm fire menace clearly citing the impending Assembly elections in March-April 2017. Members of the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) told Mail Today that at two recent meetings, Punjab agriculture department officials prayed they may be excused from fining farmers for burning paddy straw.

FARMERS' VOTE IMPORTANT FACTOR

"We do not wish to risk upsetting farmers just ahead of the polls," they reportedly said. The meetings took place in Chandigarh on October 7 and in Delhi on October 21. Farmers form a large voter base in the agrarian northern state of Punjab. As per the 2011 census data, the total rural population of Punjab is 1.73 crore, which is 62.5 per cent of its total population, who are engaged primarily in farming.

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As per 2001 figures, the total number of agricultural workers in Punjab is 35.55 lakh, which is around 39 per cent of its all workers. All parties in the poll fray- Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party-have been trying to woo the farmer populace. On the other hand, rice stubble burning in the month of October-November in Punjab has emerged as a huge pollution problem, as represented by satellite images provided by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

ENVIRONMENTAL COST OF FARM FIRES

A scientific apportionment study recently conducted by the National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) assigned farm fires in Punjab and Haryana up to 60 per cent of the Particulate Matter 2.5 that flies to and chokes Delhi. A member of EPCA said requesting anonymity said: "We had asked all three neighbouring states of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh-to provide us data on how many farmers have been fined up till October 21. Haryana reported 1,200 farm fire incidents and `8,00,000 collected in fines. Punjab reported 1,881 such incidents and claimed non-availability of fine collection numbers. Uttar Pradesh did not provide us any data." While UP is not a great concern as the wind direction from here blows southwest taking all the smog towards eastern UP and Bihar, Punjab and Haryana remain the biggest offenders in Delhi's pollution pie, said the expert.

MEASURES TAKEN AGAINST FARM FIRES

Punjab generates 20 million tonnes of paddy stubble at the end of each Kharif season and Haryana produces 12 million tonnes of the same. "Punjab simply said election season is approaching and we cannot offend farmers at this time," the EPCA member said. "We have asked them to implement the other measures at least," he added. In view of the huge agrarian pollution problem, Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) have passed strictures on banning paddy stubble burning in the past. The NGT even went to the extent of demarcating slabs of fines for big and small farmers in December 2015. It ruled that landholders with less than two acres will pay `2,500 per fire incident, land holders with up to five acres shall shell out `5,000 and those with farm area more than five acres shall pay `15,000 in fine. "However, political reasoning is taking over environmental sense," the EPCA member said.

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)-who's DG Sunita Narain is a member of EPCA-has previously expressed its disappointment on the issue. Research Associate at CSE Polash Mukherjee said: "Punjab has not taken any concrete action on the subject since 2013. They have only six power stations which buy paddy stubble from farmers with a total capacity of using one million tonne of straw and generating 62.5 MW electricity. That leaves us with 19 million tonne of paddy which is obviously burnt." Machines which can help farmers either remove the excess straw or shred and mix it with soil-such as rotavators and happy seeders-are also in short supply, said Mukherjee.

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Ahead of the 2008 elections, there was a rumour that if the NDC wins the election, the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) would be CANCELLED. The NDC refuted that claim. Then MP and running mate of Professor Mills, John Mahama, "refuted media publication that the NDC government would scrap 110,000 jobs under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP).

Addressing a hurriedly press conference organized by the NDC Vice Presidential hopeful in

Sunyani over the weekend, he indicated that he had never said anywhere that the NDC government would abolish the NYEP. He said, We would not scrap NYEP, but we shall review it to be permanent and lucrative to all Ghanaians. He explained that what he has been saying was that the NYEP under the NDC would be reviewed. He added that he also stated that the NYEP, as it is now, would be maintained as a short time programme under the NDC administration and be strengthened to remove any political mark on it.....

Hon. Mahama, however, revealed that the NDC administration would strengthen the whole job

industry based on three areas so that people under the NYEP could find secured jobs. He named the areas as growing the economy

that would lead to permanent job creation, increase investment in the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and investment in the public works that would throw up jobs in the private sector."( "We won't scrap NYEP", Daily Guide, 24/07/08).

This was 2008, when the NDC was desperate to return to power after 8years of being in opposition. We are in 2016 and the NDC hasn't yet used their three thematic areas they promised to curb the unemployment situation in the country. The NDC has failed to grow the economy. They have in fact worsened it. They have destroyed the economy so jobs are not just in the system. The NDC have equally failed to grow small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Their dumsorisation of the country have led to the collapse of many SMEs. The NDC have not passed the very exams they set for themselves in 2008.

With these in mind, one would have thought that the president would not have made further promises. But that would be practically impossible because we are talking about a president who ardently believes Ghanaians have very short memories and can accept lies in every given day, time and situation.

President Mahama has promised three million jobs to be created in 2017 in the very unlikely event he is voted for again. This promise of his is refuting his own party propaganda. His specially trained ministers and propagandists, painted a picture of a rosy employment situation in the country. Okudjeto Ablakwa for instance made us to believe in 2011 that the NDC created 1,400,0000 jobs for the youth of the country. Then in 2014, Dr Omane Boamah also made us to understand that 800,000 jobs were created and added to the already existing jobs. That to him is one of the achievements of the president Mahama led NDC government.

If we add all, we'll realise that 2,200,000 were already created. With this, one wonders where the deficit is coming from for the president to create jobs to fix for the three million people. One still wonders why University and polytechnic graduates are roaming from office to office searching for non existing jobs. One further wonders why teaching and nursing trainee graduates sit at home and do nothing. Even common appointment letter they can't get to then think of payment of their salaries and arrears. The president and his NDC government are actually clueless about the unemployment situation in the country.

In any case, the president can't be believed in his promise of job creation after his government has already signed a death warrant with the IMF to sack public sector workers in 2017. He just wants votes to use to sack workers. The president despite promising not to scrap NYEP has modified it into GYEEDA for he and his cronies in the NDC to loot the state. The create, loot and share in GYEEDA can't be easily forgotten by us. GYEEDA was collapsed by the NDC and wasn't operational again until this very few months to elections where it was brought back to deceive a public who the NDC believe are very gullible with very short memories.

The president and the NDC must however be credited for making the youth of the country to resort to gambling(lotto, eurobet, jackpot etc) as a way of getting some small coins for survival. At least that's the only "viable" employment they have created for some people.

I shall, In sha Allah, be back

Fuseini Abdul-Fatawu
Over 25 ladies from Aburi Girls Secondary School 94/96 year group last month embarked on a windshield cleaning exercise at the Airport Shell filling station to raise funds.

The day was full of fun and colour while working towards a good cause.

The Airport Shell station was taken over by ladies spotting the Aburi Girls colours of green and yellow, cleaning windscreens and raising funds from motorists who had stopped to refuel.

Commenting on the exercise, the President of the association, Mrs. Theresa Maame Ekua Galley, said this was a precursor of many more events spearheaded by the 94/96 year group to raise funds to support development projects of the Aburi Girls High School.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
Dr. Kwasi Debrah in a conversation with TheAfricanDream.net:

"After my initial training in women's health; Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN), I noticed a growing request and interest from my patients for Cosmetic Surgery. That really sparked my interest."

The US-based Ghanaian Cosmetic Surgeon said this in response to why he became a cosmetic surgeon.

Dr. Kwasi Debrah has a private practice in Bowie, Maryland, in the USA where he offers procedures like facial rejuvenation, botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels and body sculpting to clients.

The surgeon tells TheAfricanDream.net that he also specializes in liposuction, fat transfer to the buttocks; also known as the Brazillian butt lift, tummy tuck, smart lipo, vaginal rejuvenation, and sculpture; a state-of-the-art laser treatment for non-invasive lipolysis of the flanks and abdomen.

Dr. Kwasi Debrah desired to set up shop in Africa

When asked when he developed the desire to practice in his native Ghana and west Africa, Dr. Kwasi Debrah said it began in the year 2000 when he led a team of 14 physicians, nurses and medical students on a medical mission to Ghana.

"During my trip, I saw the real need for medical professionals to help in various capacities in the health care delivery system there, this really touched me and I felt inspired to do my bit based on my area of expertise."

"As a women's health provider too, I had several requests from patients who wanted cosmetic procedures at the time of routine abdominal surgery. This led me to obtain additional training that gained me more experience to be able to combine plastic and cosmetic surgery."

"Because I get additional requests from expatriates in Ghana in addition to clients from various West African countries, I figured I'd visit Ghana and the west African sub-region quarterly to honor them" - based on this the surgeon set up a practice in Ghana's capital city of Accra in 2006.

Africa ready for cosmetic surgery

The surgeon's take on how ready Ghana and Africa is for these kinds of surgical procedures was: "Africa is ready, there are facilities in some countries located in Southern, Eastern and Northern Africa although West Africa is the last frontier.

This is something I hope to change in the near future with the establishment of my Ghana practice."

A few of the things Dr. Debrah felt Africa needs to do to prepare itself in the plastic and cosmetic surgery venture included the addressing of the health insurance matter in relation to cosmetic surgery.

He asked that special attention is paid to the creation of policies to ensure the right things are done in the cases of developing countries as cosmetic surgery is not covered by health Insurance for the most part.

A major challenge Africa and other advanced countries are grappling with in this field is the difficulty to control or monitor outcome, malpractice insurance requires a standard of care, which is non-existent.

...but much more needs to be done

This is the reason why Dr. Debrah feels there is a dire need for a medical group or association to provide peer review, education, and standard of care, especially in Africa.

He said "there are a lot of well trained and qualified plastic and cosmetic surgeons of African descent outside the continent that could be encouraged to return home if most of these challenges I mentioned are given a critical look over time.

We must, of course, consider the technology and cost of supplies involved also as almost everything is imported presently."

Because there are a lot of fake products, educating the public is also important because some people all over are mostly drawn to the least pricey things. This could become problematic as some of those drawn to cosmetic surgery based on what they see on the Internet, TV, in movies and via digital communication, could be taken advantage of by quacks.

Some people believe everything they see in this world of instant gratification thanks to information proliferation. They tend to want the experience, and this sometimes creates an interest in cosmetic surgery in Africa that is mostly driven by vanity.

Difference between Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery

It is necessary though to know the difference between plastic and cosmetic surgery. Dr. Debrah explained to TheAfricanDream.net that "plastic surgery is a surgical specialty dedicated to the reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease, while cosmetic surgery enhances beauty."

The procedures, techniques, and principles of cosmetic surgery are entirely focused on enhancing a patients appearance. Improving aesthetic appeal, symmetry, and proportion are the key goals.

Cosmetic surgery can be performed on all areas of the head, neck, and body. Because the treated areas function properly, cosmetic surgery is elective. Cosmetic surgery is practiced by doctors from a variety of medical fields, including plastic surgeons.

Dr. Debrah's past and what he hopes for the future

Both parents of Dr. Debrah are Kwahu from Obomeng in the Eastern region of Ghana where he was born at Nkawkaw. He grew up living all over Ghana in cities like Saltpond, Accra, Cape Coast and Kumasi because of schooling.

"I started at a Roman Catholic School in Ghana's Central region of Saltpond, moved to Accra to attend Kinbu Boys high school, went to Cape Coast to further my education at Mfantsipim School after which I attended the School of Medical Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi."

"I started my residency at Howard University Hospital in 1988 in Transitional Medicine in Washington, DC. I went back to school for my Executive MBA at the College of William and Mary located in Williamsburg Virginia in July 1999.

When TheAfricanDream.net asked the cosmetic surgeon what future he sees for cosmetic surgery in Africa he responded with excitement: "A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE."

"We will however need to incorporate a non-profit aspect to provide a sliding scale of payment for those who may have a true medical need", he said with concern." - Dr. Kwasi Debrah

To find out more about Dr. Kwasi Debrah and his work, check out his website at www.aestheticlavc.com
Excellence is the virtue of an intelligent man, an intelligent man is not necessarily the one with a university degree but the one who is able to challenge the mind to do exploits. I have seen an academically intelligent man with Phd who acts like a device backed by a remote control. Excellence shows a high level of valuable quality; the state of being excellent is the state of being successful at a particular thing.

To be excellent, decisions and choices play a much major role. The decision you make in your twenties can and will influence what you become in the fifties. Be bold to take certain decisions without fear. If you want to start a business, start it without the fear of losing, losses are part of business ventures, the motive is to nurture and propel you as youve identified your short comings.

The ability to not give up is the key to success, being positive and ready to welcome any form of challenge is the right spirit to becoming successful. The essence of this paper is to motivate and get you on your toes to start something really good now. This is what I read from a page and I loved it, it reads Reading others success story is one of the most important ways to strengthen the energy and enthusiasm you need to become successful, no matter what business you have and in what competition you want to become successful. You need to learn how those who have been able to stand out of the crowd followed the right track seriously. This encourages you to do the same and not to give up until you get where you want to be.

The success stories of Bill Gates, Alinko Dangote, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Marcus Garvey is what I want to handle to encourage you. One of the best ways to be successful isnt in a government provided job and neither is it in working for someone but it is in working for yourself and doing your own business. Being successful is being excellent in the decisions and actions you take today. This papers motive is to assure and guarantee your success only if you decide to go the right path towards success. I would like you to take few minutes to read these short stories about the worlds most renowned, successful and powerful men and how they did it.

BILL GATES

Gates once said if you are born poor, its not your mistake but if you die poor, that is your mistake. The morale from this piece is; though you cant control how things start since you have no chance and the opportunity to determine how they should have started, you have the opportunity to turn that situation around for your greater good.

Bill Gates success story has continued to inspire many across the world. The story of a Harvard dropout topping the Forbes Rich List year after year is no mean achievement and being able to do it year after year means one surely has some special abilities. The unique characteristic that makes one tick, overcome challenges and gives the strength to continue even when encouragement is few and hope is all that keeps you moving ahead is what makes the clear distinction between a successful and an average achiever. It is not just about being at the right place at the right time but as Gates himself said, it is necessary to Do the right things, long enough, consistently.

Success does not come in a platter. One has to strive for it, work towards it and achieve it bit by bit. Unlike what you see, it is never an overnight transition. There is no fairy Godmother whose magic wand helps you wake up a millionaire after spending the night as a pauper.

Bill Gates as a Lakeside Prep School student spent many days designing computer programs. Though this meant that his academic performance suffered and his homework was incomplete on most occasions, he remained committed to his passion (that is perseverance at work here). Think of the time Bill Gates started. At a tender age of 13, he was experimenting with the many computer applications that later on would become the foundation of his eventual success. Given how expensive computers were at that point in time, he used his school computer extensively at that point of time to further his passion and give shape to his dreams.

The fact that he chose to constructively give shape to his thoughts rather than mere daydreaming was what eventually turned the tide in his favor. Now someone who dropped out of Harvard University was awarded a degree and honored with a doctorate from the same University he dropped out from.

ALINKO DANGOTE

I have less to say concerning Aliko Dangote, he came from a rich background and I dont really see his story as much inspiring. Forgive my choice and construction of sentences but Aliko Dangotes grandfather, Sanusi Dantata, was once named one of the wealthiest people living in Kano. He made his fortune by selling commodities such as oats and rice. So Aliko had the foundation laid and he tapped from there, what inspires me of Aliko is his entrepreneurially mindset. He believed in building his empire, creating his own wealth and creating employment for millions of people in the world. He is an achiever, such excellent success well-crafted by a mastermind.

To succeed, it doesnt matter the corner that you are but what you make from such a corner. Tenacity has being Aliko Dangotes hallmark and that is one quality to excellence, continuity on doing the right thing for a longer time. After graduating from college in 1977, Dangote managed to convince his uncle to lend him $3,000 to start a business. The funds from the loan allowed him to import soft commodities at wholesale prices from international suppliers. Two of his main imports were rice from Thailand and sugar from Brazil. He then sold those items in small quantities, and at a lucrative markup, to consumers in his village. The venture quickly became successful and turned into a cash cow . Dangote claims that on some of his best days, he was realizing a daily net profit of $10,000 . That allowed him to repay his uncle in only three months.

DR.KWAME NKRUMAH AND MARCUS GARVEY

In the socio political perspective, great men like like Dr.Kwame Nkrumah and Marcus Garvey never gave up on their quest to achieve what they yearned to achieve. To achieve your goals and what life got to offer, you need not compromise to challenging situations but you fight to win. He stated Freedom is not something that one people can bestow on another as a gift. Thy claim it as their own and none can keep it from them. Such powerful mindset is what successful individuals possess, they claim ownership of what they yearn for.

Marcus Garvey on the other hand, was a Jamaican political leader, publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator who was a proponent of the Pan-Africanism movement, to which end he founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League . Garveyism intended persons of African ancestry in the diaspora to "redeem" the nations of Africa and for the European colonial powers to leave the continent. His essential ideas about Africa were stated in an editorial in the Negro World entitled "African Fundamentalism", where he wrote: "Our union must know no clime, boundary, or nationality to let us hold together under all climes and in every country.

He believed in just and what is supposed to be. He stood by what he understood was right and ensued justice prevailed for the blacks.

Conclusion:

Being a successful person in life is not necessarily about acquiring different levels of academic certificate. You can write your success story in any way you like it but believe you can do it. All the great successful men in this world applied one thing to being successful and that was excellence. Excellence in their thinking and in their actions too, same excellence was exhibited. Life is full of choices and to be successful, it doesnt matter whether you are black or white, American or Indonesian, what matters is your mindset and the choices you make today.

Writer: Emmanuel De-Graft Quarshie

0202927554/0574738810

Visit degraftxclusive.blogspot.com for more quotes and inspirational messages.

Read more: How Aliko Dangote Became the Richest African | Investopedia http://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/100615/how-aliko-dangote-became-richest-african.asp#ixzz4OnWpomRk

Wikipedia: Marcus Garvey

Wikipedia: Dr.Kwame Nkrumah
US business magnate Donald Trump is on the verge of pulling off a political miracle. If he succeeds, it will have little to do with who he is, besides the fact that he is not a global elitist. Mr. Trump has defined the global elites as "powerful corporations, media elites and political dynasties". He just missed the Professoriat of the leading universities.

The global elites, according to Peggy Noonan, do not see themselves as citizens of America--- or any other country. To be fair, they have been around, in different forms for some time. They were the founding fathers of the IMF, the World Bank and the UN. The global elites have been the light of the world for some time. And they have done some good things.

But now, fuelled by an alliance of Republicans interested solely in profits and Democrats interested in global dominance, they do and stand for some strange things:

1: Free Trade

2: Open borders

3: Redefinition of marriage away from what it has meant for centuries

4: decriminalization of drugs

You get the picture.

And the masses have been protesting.

The modern version of these protests started with Occupy Wall Street in September 2011, in Zuccotti Park, in Wall Street district of New York. It has been followed, with pauses, by the Tea Party movement, others, Brexit and finally, the rise of Trump. Indeed, this rebellion is not limited to the West.

It was the refusal to follow the guidance of the global elites that propelled Mugabe to power in Zimbabwe and helped elect Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013 in Kenya despite being under indictment for the murder of hundreds of Kenyans. The case of the global elites is not helped by the tendency to label whoever stands in their way as "sexists", "racists", xenophobes" " ignoramuses" etc

As he roused the discontented, urging them to " imagine how much better our future can be if we declare independence from those who have led us to one financial disaster and foreign policy disaster after another". When God wanted to start the most enduring revolution in history, he chose a carpenter's son.

Regardless of how Mr. Trump does, it is time for the global elites to listen to the masses and become, once more citizens of their individual countries. Let there be a return to commonsense and common values. Otherwise, there will be more rebellions that will create more Trumps.

Arthur K
02.11.2016 LISTEN

Mammography is a great example of a stubborn head-in-the-sand approach to cancer screening says Dr. Mercola. He further said Americans are already exposed to seven times more radiation from diagnostic scans than they were in 1980. It is well known that ionizing radiation increases the cellular mutations that lead to cancerand mammograms aim at a highly focused dose directly at your breasts, thereby increasing your cancer risk!

WHY would you want to do this?

Mammograms expose your body to radiation that can be 1,000 times greater than a chest x-ray, which we know poses a cancer risk. Mammography also compresses your breasts tightly, and often painfully, which could lead to a lethal spread of cancerous cells, should they exist. Dr. Charles B. Simone, a former clinical associate in immunology and pharmacology at the National Cancer Institute, said:

"Mammograms increase the risk for developing breast cancer and raise the risk of spreading or metastasizing an existing growth."

Others have spoken out against mammography. Dr. Samuel Epstein, a top cancer expert who has been warning people for years about the dangers of mammography, explains:

"The premenopausal breast is highly sensitive to radiation, each 1 rad exposure increasing breast cancer risk by about 1 percent, with a cumulative 10 percent increased risk for each breast over a decade's screening..."

"The high sensitivity of the breast, especially in young women, to radiation-induced cancer was known by 1970. Nevertheless, the establishment then screened some 300,000 women with X-ray dosages so high as to increase breast cancer risk by up to 20 percent in women aged 40 to 50 who were mammogramed annually."

In July 1995, an article in The Lancet about mammograms read:

"The benefit is marginal, the harm caused is substantial, and the costs incurred are enormous."

There is no solid evidence that mammograms save lives, in spite of the propaganda some organizations constantly parrot to the press. Mammograms are often touted as a "life-saving" form of cancer screening, responsible for reducing breast cancer death rates by 15 to 25 percent. But this reported benefit is based on outdated studies done decades ago.

In September 2010, the New England Journal of Medicine, one of the most prestigious medical journals, published the first recent study in years to look at the effectiveness of mammograms, and their findings are a far cry from what most public health officials and physicians would have you believe.

Their bottom line was that mammograms might have only reduced cancer death rates by 0.4 deaths per 1,000 womenan amount so small it may as well be zero. Put another way, 2,500 women would have to be screened over 10 years for a single breast cancer death to be avoided.

So, not only are mammograms unsafe, but they are NOT saving lives as many professionals believed they were.

Past research has also demonstrated that adding an annual mammogram to a careful physical examination of the breasts does not improve breast cancer survival rates over a physical examination alone.

False Positives are Alarmingly Common in Mammography

Another glaring problem with mammography is its unacceptably high rate of false positives. If a mammogram detects an abnormal spot in a woman's breast, the next step is typically a biopsy. This involves taking a small amount of tissue from the breast, which is then looked at by a pathologist under a microscope to determine if cancer is present. Estimates are that 17 percent of DCIS cases found through needle biopsy are misdiagnosed.

Mammograms carry a first-time false positive rate of up to 6 percent.

The problem is that early stage cancer like DCIS can be very hard to diagnose, and pathologists have a wide range of experience and expertise. There are no diagnostic standards for DCIS, and there are no requirements that the pathologists doing the readings have specialized expertise.

Dr. Shahla Masood, the head of pathology at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville, told the New York Times:

"There are studies that show that diagnosing these borderline breast lesions occasionally comes down to the flip of a coin."

Unnecessary Mastectomies are More Common than You Might Think

False positives can lead to unnecessary emotional stress and expensive repeat screenings, exposing you to even more radiation, chemotherapy, and unnecessary invasive procedures including biopsies and major surgery. Women have actually undergone unnecessary mastectomies after receiving a false positive mammogram report.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, most women are afraid and even frantic to do whatever it takes, as soon as possible, to fight and remove the cancer. And usually, that involves the "slash and burn" approach. Can you imagine what it would be like to go through surgery, having one or both of your breasts removed along with receiving debilitating radiation treatments and toxic drugs, only to later be told that you never had cancer?

This scenario happens more often than you might think; you can read about several women's terrifying ordeals with false breast cancer diagnoses here.

And there is new evidence that breast cancer might go away on its own a fair amount of the time. YesWITHOUT intervention. A group of researchers who track breast cancer rates found evidence to suggest that some tumors found by mammograms might naturally disappear on their own.

Mammograms will not prevent you from getting breast cancer, and the latest study shows they offer very little benefit in improving your chances of survival. Effective cancer screening methods are important, but mammography is simply NOT the answer.

But then, what is the answer?

The screening tool I recommend is breast thermography and Ultrasonography is also excellent. Ultrasound is radiation free an uses sound waves for breast examination.

What About Breast Self-Exams?

Breast self-exams have long been recommended as a simple way for women to keep track of anything unusual in their breasts. Now, after studies have found that such exams do not reduce breast cancer death rates and actually increase the rate of unnecessary biopsies, many experts are recommending a more relaxed approach known as "breast awareness."

Breast awareness is really self-explanatory. It means you should regularly check your breasts for changes, but can do so in a way that feels natural to you. In other words, you don't have to do it on the same day each month, or using any particular pattern.

Simply be aware of what's normal for you so you can recognize anything out of the ordinary. Although breast cancer is much less common in men, it certainly wouldn't hurt for men to practice "breast awareness" as well.

Raphael Nyarkotey Obu: PhD(A.M) is a Research Professor of Prostate Cancer and Holistic Medicine at Da Vinci College of Holistic Medicine, Cyprus and the Director of Mens Health Foundation Ghana & Nigeria Chapter
Ghana will see improved crop yield if the county applies biotechnology seriously.

Thats a prompt from Director of Crop Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Stella Asante-Ennin.

She says it is critical authorities take definite steps to address the countrys food security issues.

Dr Asante Ennin was unveiling a graduate programme in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology at the Crop Research Institute Research at Fumesua, near Kumasi.

She is convinced biotechnology will speed up initiatives by scientists to come up with improved crop variety.

Biotechnology is the new tool that can give plant breeders quicker results, she said.

Conventional plant breeders will take 10 years to come up with new variety but biotechnological can cut down the time, she adds.

Under the programme which tailored for industry students will acquire skills and focus on breeding crops adaptive to Ghanas varied ecological zones.

Programme Head, Dr. Hans Adu-Dapaah,says students will go through entrepreneurial training to enhance their business potential.

In addition, they will learn French to prepare them for the expanding and challenging global market.
An Accra high court asked electoral commissions (EC) boss to rescind her decision to disqualify Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom from contesting in the 2016 presidential election. On Monday October 31, 2016, Madam Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei and her commissioners hinted of going to the Supreme Court with the aim of quashing the foregoing ruling of the high court.

The stance of electoral commissioner reminds me of the famous dawn broadcast of Dr. K. A Busia in April 20, 1970, after the Supreme Court ruling: No court could enforce any decision that sought to compel the government to employ or redeploy anyone. Is the electoral commissioner saying no court could compel the commission to reinstate any disqualified presidential candidate? A former Supreme Court Judge of United States, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. (1841-1935) intimated that the language of judicial decision is mainly the language of logic.

And the logical method and form flatter that longing for certainty and for repose which is in every human mind. But certainty is illusion and repose is not the destiny of man. Indeed, the electoral commissioners pursuit of legal certainty at the Supreme Court especially in about 35 days to presidential and legislative elections is not only deceptive but pernicious to Ghanas burgeoning democracy. This article looks at the imperative need for the EC to shelve litigation at this critical moment of Ghanas multi-party democracy.

In the first place, the neutrality of EC is compromised with the decision to engage in a protracted litigation with Dr. Nduom. There are three main arms of government in Ghana under the 1992 constitution. These are the legislature (parliament), executive (president and his ministers, and all state institutions that implement laws passed by the parliament) and the Judiciary (court). In order to prevent legislative and executive arbitrariness and actions that are ultra vires (operating beyond ones legal authority), the 1992 constitution gave a tool known as judicial review to the court. Judicial review is the power given to the court to declare the unconstitutional acts of legislature and executive as null and void.

The EC belongs to the executive organ of government practically. Dr. Paa Kwesi Ndoum and his team of attorneys utilized the principle of judicial review. The court through a writ of mandamus (court order entreating government official to correct an abuse of discretion) is compelling the EC to allow Dr. Ndoum to stand as a presidential candidate of the progressive peoples party (PPP) and run for 2016 election. EC is a referee of the countrys election and it is not a duty of the EC to go to the Supreme Court for the sole purpose of overturning high courts ruling. Any Ghanaian, apart from EC can petition a superior court to invoke the writ of certiorari (an order a higher court issues in order to review the decision and proceedings in a lower court and determine whether there were any irregularities) by going to a superior court to quash the high court ruling in favor of Dr. Ndoum. The ECs decision to go to Supreme Court means that the political neutrality of the institution is compromised.

Secondly, the role of the EC among other things is to conduct free and fair elections for Ghanaians but not to interpret electoral laws. The only body that is mandated by the constitution to interpret laws including electoral laws and prescribe punishment for those who breach both civil and criminal laws of the land is the judiciary. If someone is impotent (inability to give birth) and an irresponsible chief is complaining that someone has impregnated his wife, I dont think it will be necessary for such an individual to bother himself.

Charlotte Osei must not grandiose initiatives to ensure that electoral litigations always favor her. As an English anthropologist, Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) observed: we all decry prejudice, yet are all prejudiced. The EC must accept the high court ruling and concentrate on the coming elections. It is an open secret that the impact of Dr. Ndoum in the coming election is very inconsequential. Therefore, prolonging things because of ECs inordinate and uncompromising zeal to cripple Ndoums presidential bid is needless. We need to preserve the peace in our country.

In psychotherapy, the term grandiosity refers to a hyperbolical (exaggerated) sense of individuals own greatness, ability and significance. For example, an individual who is intoxicated with a drug or alcohol, out of grandiosity will say: me I am stronger than everybody. Also statement like: me I can win all the pretty ladies in the whole city. A police officer will say: I am a police officer, nobody defeats me. A hyper religious pastor will say: I am more prophetic in this country. ECs chairperson will say in her mind for example, I am a lawyer I know what the law says and nobody defeats me. An extreme form of grandiosity is known in psychopathology as delusion of grandeuor or grandiose delusion (GD). I am convinced the ECs decision to overturn the PPP flag bearers candidature is borne out of grandiose legality. A throttled grandiosity leads to either social or generalized anxiety disorder. Charlotte Osei must be careful of legal grandiosity as it might not inure to the benefit of the very citizens she is serving.

In sum, it is maximally significant that Madam Charlotte Osei relinquishes the decision to go to Supreme Court for at least two main aforementioned reasons. First, it compromises the political neutrality of EC. Secondly, EC is mandated to conduct elections but not to pursue electoral justice for Ghanaians. We as Ghanaians must be clear on who can contest for a president in future in order to relieve the EC of needless pressure. From my novice opinion, Charlotte Oseis decision to quash Dr. Ndoums candidature at the Supreme Court is a clear example of what I term as legal grandiosity. God Bless Our Homeland Ghana. I know that I am intelligent because I know that I know nothing. (Socrates).

Feedbacks must be directed to [email protected]

Nana Yaw Osei (Padigo)
The Policy Adviser of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Emmanuel Agyarko has described the 38 million euro loan agreement secured by the government for the University of Environment and Sustainable Development in Somanya and Donkorkrom in the Eastern Region as day light robbery.

Parliament on Friday passed the loan agreement between government and Deutsche bank.

But the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wogon, in a Facebook post expressed his misgivings about the deal, saying I am scandalised by the daylight robbery this government seeks to perpetrate on the Republic in their attempt to put up infrastructure for the university.

The cost of providing 3 residential accommodation for the principal officers of the university according to the attachments cost about 1.7 million euros each.That works out about 2 million dollars or 8 million Ghana cedis so for the 3 buildings this is 6 million dollars or 24 million Ghana cedis.

I put up this here hoping that someone including the Minister and her deputy with responsibility for tertiary education would come and say I'm wrong. Otherwise this is ore than incompetence. This is armed robbery. Like I said I hope that I am wrong.

Minority leader kick against loan

Before the agreement was passed on Friday, the Minority raised concerns about value for money for some of the components of the agreement.

Though Mensah Bonsu noted that the university was necessary he said there was the need to have value for money projects.

I have said that we should be very conscious about what we are doing in these last daysWe agree that there is the need to establish the university of Environment and Sustainable development in the Eastern Region, but what would be going into that is dangerous for the economic health of the nation. And I believe that at the appropriate time the critical issues would be raised and if we have to resist it to ensure that the proper thing is done so that we will have value for money, he added.



By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @EfeAnsah
The act of commission or omission regarding the replenishment of essential stocks at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital is an act of irresponsibility underpinned by a dose of madness on the part of the political authorities charged with ensuring the efficient management of the facility.

Some of the patients are said to be out of the premises posing avoidable danger to pedestrians and themselves as they beg for alms; the food served them inadequate and their mental state still unstable.

Being the foremost mental health management facility in the country, the Accra Psychiatric Hospital should not be starved of the basic ingredients it requires to function.

We easily forget that mental wellness is an integral constituent of health.

Compromising the efficiency of the facilities charged with managing mental situations as being witnessed, is not only inappropriate but the shirking of a critical responsibility by the political authorities in whose scale of preference, the subject under review, is unfortunately at the bottom.

We are all susceptible to depression or other mental health related challenges requiring the attention of professionals managing such conditions.

That is when the importance of the efficient running of such facilities can be appreciated by the reckless and the irresponsible. Considering mental health as something belonging to others and not us, is a manifestation of the ignorance of this subject which is all-pervading.

That surely is one of the factors accounting for the near negligence of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.

It is unsurprising that families of victims of depressions or schizophrenia would this day and age patronize prayer camps where their mentally challenged relations would be shackled and chained to tree trunks like prized slaves.

A certain Jamilatu Hussein, a staff psychiatric nurse of the facility, painfully painted a picture of a hospital in need of simple items such as gloves, disinfectants, syringes and more importantly drugs such as required to sedate dangerous patients.

When an irate patient charges at a nurse or doctor they remain at the mercy of these patients, as they face imminent death.

With no insurance to cover any injury suffered thereof, it can only be imagined the danger staff are exposed to under the current conditions.

That is how bad the situation at the hospital is as we compose this commentary.

Going through the reliefs the striking nurses are demanding as their strike action continues, we appreciate the sacrifice the nurses have put in over the past few years the country hardly hearing about their predicament.

Now there must be closure to this irresponsibility.

The risk of cross infection through direct contact with patients by nurses in the course of the primary management of the various cases at the facility is real. When we consider the fact that the nurses would foot the bills for medication should they be infected or even sustain injuries from aggressive patients, we shudder.

The President has said that he is unaware of the state of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital vis-a-vis the strike action by the nurses.

We are unsurprised about the President's lack of knowledge about what is happening at the facility. He must be too busy with his campaign that such 'unimportant' issues do not come under his radar. In any case, he has an appointee whose assignment is to ensure that all health facilities, including the Accra Psychiatric Hospital function efficiently.

When you are walking in the street, be mindful about the possibility of a charging mentally challenged patient; his condition having relapsed because of shortage of basic drugs.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and a large number of Aam Aadmi Party ministers and workers are also protesting outside Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia hospital over the suicide.

By India Today Web Desk: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was today released from the Tilak Marg police station after being detained by the Delhi Police twice over meeting the aggrieved family of the former army jawan who committed suicide over the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.

Addressing the media after his release Rahul Gandhi hit out at the Centre and said, "Arrest me if you want, I said to the police. But why detain family of ex-serviceman? Whatever happened with them is wrong. When I asked the police at the station why he acted this way he said he had orders from higher up."

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He added, "Wanted to speak to bereaved family for 2 minutes, when family came out to meet me they were beaten and dragged to police station. This is the most difficult day for them (family members of late ex serviceman) but even today they were made to suffer."

KEJRIWAL FORMALLY DETAINED



Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and a large number of Aam Aadmi Party ministers and workers are also protesting outside Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia hospital over the suicide.



Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said police were not letting him go to a police station to meet the family of a retired soldier who committed suicide.

"My vehicle surrounded by police. Not allowing me to leave," the Aam Aadmi Party leader tweeted from outside the Lady Hardinge Hospital which had conducted the autopsy of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal.

Kejriwal told journalists at the site that "Modi Raj" was not permitting a Chief Minister to meet the family of a soldier who was dead.

"Spoke to his (Grewal's) son just now. He said he was manhandled by police. They have been detained in CP (Connaught Place) police station. Am going there now to meet family," Kejriwal tweeted.



A retired soldier's suicide over OROP triggered a political tug of war today as police detained Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia after he met the grieving family. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also detained early in the evening later but let off after 70 minutes.



Unfortunate that ex-serviceman committed suicide.On one hand Govt glorifies soldiers &on the other hand doesn't fulfil promises:Anna Hazare pic.twitter.com/H2vz56BpbT ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

Delhi: Ex-serviceman suicide case - Dilip Pandey & Sanjay Singh detained as they protested outside Parl street police station pic.twitter.com/FR2DV3QCep ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

Rahul Gandhi at Parliament street police station, Delhi. pic.twitter.com/JApwnEoZUu ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

--- ENDS ---
Tension is brewing in the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) after the successful campaign tour of the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Volta Region.

The Volta Region has for many years been described as the stronghold of the NDC.

However, the story seems to be changing, as many people in the Volta Region are beginning to align themselves with the NPP, a development have described by many as historic in Ghana.

DAILY GUIDE has gathered that the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah is currently touring the Volta Region few days after Nana Addo's visit to address the apathy of the residents due to the abysmal performance of the current Mahama administration.

A source in the NDC told DAILY GUIDE that Nana Addo is really causing problems for us in the Volta Region, our own stronghold.

He added that they were surprised by the show of love from the massive crowd that gave Nana Addo a rousing welcome in the region.

The massive media coverage of the entire campaign tour has been a great source of worry for the NDC.

He was hopeful the Chief of Staff would use the tour to help counteract the recent gains made by Nana Addo and the NPP in the Volta Region.

The Chief of Staff will visit Peki, Kpando, Vakpo, Hohoe, Ho, Nkwanta South, Afadjato South, among others, which Nana Addo recently toured.

At a press conference last Tuesday, the Volta Regional Chairman of the NPP, John Peter Amewu said the move by the NDC was a panic reaction.

He noted that the visit would be fruitless because the NPP's message of change has resonated with the people.

Mr Amewu encouraged the people to gladly receive freebies from NDC officials bought with state funds but still reject the party during the December polls.

From Fred Duodu, Ho ( [email protected] )
The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed 23 members of the party, including about four incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) who are contesting as independent candidates in the December 7 general elections.

All the sacked members have complained bitterly about how the party's leadership manipulated and 'rigged' their respective parliamentary primaries in favour of their opponents; and have already filed their nominations to go independent.

Speaking to Citi Fm yesterday in reaction to the party's directive that they had been dismissed and so should return all party properties, the independent candidate for Savelegu, Alhassan Bunglung, said the NDC 'rigged' the primary, hence his decision to go solo.

He was cagey when asked if he would campaign for the president who is the NDC flag bearer, telling the station that that was his personal decision.

Twenty-three candidates, including nine from the North, Upper East and Upper West Regions and 11 aspirants from the party's stronghold  Volta Region  have filed with the EC to stand as independent candidates.

Sacked

A statement issued in Accra and signed by NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia indicated, The affected persons by their conduct and on their own volition have ceased to be members of the party.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party has, therefore, directed that the affected persons be barred from the use of the partys paraphernalia, or the use of names of key party officials, including the partys presidential candidate in their campaigns or political activities and return all party property (including vehicles) in their possession.

According to the NDC, Pursuant to articles 45 and 46 of the party's constitution, executive members of the party who endorsed the nomination forms of independent parliamentary candidates or who are campaigning for independent candidates have by their actions and on their own volition also ceased to be members of the party.

The list of sacked members include Samson Abu (sitting MP), Lawra and Pharauk Bandanaa  Wa West, in the Upper West Region; Anthony Cobinna, Cape Coast South in the Central Region; Alhassan Bunglung, Savelugu; Joseph Amuzu, Saboba (already resigned) and Namburr Berrick, Bunkpurugu  all in the Northern Region; Harrold Cobinna (sitting MP), Akontonbra and John Amenlemah, Jomoro  in the Western Region.

The Volta Region has the highest number of sacked members.

They include Elvis Ativoe, Agotime Ziope; Albert Zigah and Jim Morti  both from Ketu South where Fifi Kwetey is contesting; Wogbemase Kpikpitse, North Dayi; Christopher Eleblu, North Tongu; Evans Gadeto Djikunu, Akatsi South; Edwin Tukpeyi, Ho Central; Dr David Kofil Ahorse, Buem; Joseph Ofori (sitting MP), Akan; Timothy Udijol, Nkwanta North, as well as Emmanuel Jalulah, Karachi West.

The rest are from the Upper East Region and they include Peter Yakubu Pandam, Garu; Dr. Francis Asaana, Tempane; Simon Akuye, Pusiga and Saeed Ayuba, Bawku Central.

NDC Cracks

The latest NDC decision is coming at a time President John Mahama, who is its candidate, is going round the country telling voters that it is rather the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) that is divided within its ranks.

President Mahama has not relented in describing NPP flag bearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as intolerant and divisive and should not be elected into the highest office of the land.

Strangely, events within the NDC are showing clearly that there are serious cracks within the party and so the president overlooking the NDC's problems and turning round to accuse the NPP leader of being divisive smacks of hypocrisy, according to a political scientist.

The NDC is insisting that all the members who have decided to contest as independent candidates are in breach of articles 8(d, f); 45 (a, b, c and e) and 46(10) of the partys constitution.

By William Yaw Owusu


The Accra Regional Police Command is holding a block factory operator for allegedly killing his wife at Danchira in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra region.

Reports said the deceased struck his wife Faustina Owusu, 42, and the seven year-old son identified as Benedict Owusu with a pinch bar.

The woman died on the spot but the boy became unconscious.

According to reports, Thomas Kofi Owusu, 56, allegedly committed the act after an argument with his wife around 8pm on Sunday, October 30, 2016 at Danchira.

The couple, who have been married for the past seven years, lived in the area for four years.

They lived together in a chamber and hall apartment with a 13-year-old girl, who is the niece of the deceased.

According to reports, on that fateful day, the couple had an argument.

At that time, their seven-year-old boy was in the hall watching television with his cousin. The woman attempted to go out of the room during the heated argument but her husband, Owusu dragged her into the room and threatened her with the pinch bar.

Reports indicated that their only child rushed into the bedroom to find out what was happening.

The suspect immediately struck the woman in the head with the pinch bar and when the boy questioned him, the suspect again struck him.

The suspect, according to information, wanted to hit the 13-year-old girl with the pinch bar but the girl pleaded that she was not part of the family and therefore must be spared.

She immediately rushed out of the room and raised an alarm.

Thomas Owusu, who feared he could be lynched by neighbours for killing his wife, moved to the Amasaman Police Station to report himself.

ASP Effia Tenge, who confirmed the report, said the police received the complaint from the suspect around 8:30pm on that fateful day.

When the police proceeded to the house, both the mother and child were lying in a pool of blood in their bedroom.

The little boy was rushed to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for treatment.

The body of Faustina was also conveyed to the Police Hospital morgue for autopsy while investigations continued.

The suspect, who is currently in police custody, wants to obtain approval from his lawyer in order to make further disclosure to the police.

( [email protected] )

By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey


HAJIA SAMIRA Bawumia, wife of the vice presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has taken a big shot at the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its leader, President John Dramani Mahama, describing it as a corrupt government.

She noted that Ghanaians have seen the corrupt deeds and bad governance of the president and want to change them on December 7.

According to her, the youth and well-meaning Ghanaians have taken a decision to elect an incorruptible leader like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, flag bearer of the NPP, to rescue the country from total collapse.

Mrs Samira Bawumia stressed, We need a competent leader. We need a selfless leader. We need a visionary leader, a leader with good judgement and a leader who loves the country more than he loves his pockets.

She took on the Mahama government for wasting millions of the taxpayers money on rebranding some 116 MMT buses at the expense of the suffering masses.

You misappropriated our money to rebrand buses with your images, and when we complained, you called our bluff and vowed to do even more. You then proceeded to use our money to rebrand the whole of Ghana with your giant billboards and campaign posters. Every nook and cranny of this country has been rebranded with John Mahamas campaign billboards and NDC parliamentary candidates for the various constituencies.

Well, President Mahama wants every Ghanaian to see him everywhere, hence his decision to mount those giant billboards which are very expensive. Okay, we want to tell him that yes, we see those billboards, but we also see corruption. We see those billboards, but we also see incompetence. We see those billboards, but we also see suffering. We see those billboards, but we also see mismanagement, Samira charged.

The wife of NPP's vice presidential candidate was speaking at the party's Greater Accra Regional campaign launch in Tema on Sunday.

Samira further accused the NDC of not taking a cue from the GH3.6 million of Ghana oil revenue for the rebranding than to continue branding the nation with tax payers' money on party paraphernalia and giant bill boards across the length and breadth of the country.

Mrs Bawumia recalled, NDC used millions of our monies on bus rebranding. Ghanaians wailed and advised the NDC to withdraw the contract but they didn't heed to the advice. Currently, NDC flags and Mahama's billboards are all over. They've branded every part of Ghana with Mahama's posters.

From Vincent Kubi, Tema


Former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is back in court in a second attempt to reverse her disqualification from the 2016 presidential election by the Electoral Commission (EC).

The court, presided over by Justice Eric Kyei Baffour, has ordered parties in the case to file their respective affidavits on Thursday, November 3, followed by oral presentations on Friday.

The judge was compelled to adjourn the case because Thaddeus Sory, the EC's lawyer, was not in court when the case was due for hearing.

He was before another high court in a suit brought against the commission by Hassan Ayariga, the presidential candidate of the All People's Congress (APC).

It is unclear whether the former first lady will be lucky this time round following her defeat last week.

She is among 12 others dropped by the EC on the basis of some purported irregularities on the face of their nomination forms for the presidential election in December.

Kick Out

A court presided over by Justice George K. Koomson on Thursday dismissed an application for judicial review and enforcement of fundamental human rights filed against the EC by Nana Konadu.

The court had wondered why lawyers for Mrs. Rawlings would join the case involving the enforcement of her fundamental human rights and that of judicial review.

He said when a case is improperly laid before the court, it denies it the power to invoke its jurisdiction.

Justice Koomson said on matters of processes, there could be no compromise.

Unsatisfied with the ruling of the court, Mrs. Rawlings, through her lawyers, filed a fresh suit against the EC.

Reliefs

In the instant case, the applicant is seeking an interlocutory injunction, prohibiting and restraining the EC and its agents from going ahead with the balloting for positions on the ballot paper until the court settles the matter.

The applicant is seeking a declaration that the decision of the EC to close the nomination of presidential candidates on September 30, 2016 was wrong.

The lawyers believe the rejection of Nana Konadus nomination papers on the basis of an error and the ECs failure to afford her the opportunity to correct whatever wrong on the papers was a breach of her rights under Article 23 of the 1992 Constitution.

She also wants a declaration from the court that pursuant to Regulation 9 of CI 94, the EC should have informed and afforded her the opportunity to make the necessary amendments when it determined that the particulars of a person subscribing to her nomination forms were not required by law.''

In a related development, the NDP in a statement signed by Mohammed Frimpong and issued in Accra yesterday reiterating the orders of the court, urged its supporters to believe in the judiciary.

We wish to continue to assure our supporters that we believe in the justice and strength of our case and are convinced that in the final analysis the truth will be made evident, the statement indicated.

[email protected]

By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson


The indefinite strike by nurses at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital is taking a heavy toll on the health facility, forcing management to consider discharging about 200 patients.

Patients, who are still under observation at the various wards, will have to go home in the coming days because the government has failed to provide the needed consumables for their treatment.

The move is to lessen the burden of the few doctors who are treating the patients at the facility following the total withdrawal of the services of the nurses earlier this week.

The nurses began an indefinite strike on Monday to protest against poor working conditions at the hospital and the prolonged shortage of basic logistics such as gloves, spirit, dressing solutions, facemasks, plaster, sterile cotton and gauze, detergents, among others, to carry out their professional duties.

They said the lack of logistics exposes them to unnecessary risks and attacks by aggressive patients.

A doctor at the facility, who spoke to a local radio station in Accra, said that although the discharge of patients is not new to the health facility, now we want to do it on a bigger scale because the nurses are not at the psychiatric wards.

The doctor noted that before patients will go home, we would visit the wards to check the conditions of the inmates before any recommendation to discharge them will be made.

The hospital has already contacted the relatives of patients, who are well enough to come for them while transportation arrangements are being made for patients whose relatives do not show up.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mental Health Authority, Dr. Akwasi Osei, said measures have been put in place for community psychiatric nurses to monitor the inmates who will be released.

President John Dramani Mahama indicated that he is not aware of the strike action being embarked on by the nurses of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.

No it has not come to my attention, but I do know that the area of mental health is one of the areas that we need to focus attention. We passed the mental health bill and government is committed to its implementation, President Mahama told Sunrise Radio in the Eastern region on Tuesday.

We will take immediate steps to resolve the issue at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital and I am going to call the Minister of Health after this programme to see what the issues are and see how we will resolve them, he declared.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri


The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah is on a four-day tour of the Volta Region visiting communities and meeting with party faithfuls.

His tour came few days after the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo ended his five-day tour of the region.

Julius Debrah on his arrival last night met with Regional Campaign Taskforce, Regional Executives, Cadres, Former MDCEs, Former MPs, and Former Govt Appointees in Ho.

He is expected to this morning [Wednesday] meet the chiefs and people of Peki Blengo in the South Dayi Constituency.

He would proceed to organize a Mini Rally at Have in in Afadjato South .

In the North Dayi constituency the Chief of Staff would be in Vakpo later in the day to preach the campaign messages of the governing NDC.

Julius Debrah is scheduled to meet members of the clergy in the evening to end his first day tour.

He would continue his campaign in Nkwanta South, Akan, Hohoe, Kpeve, Kpando finally to Ho where the tour would be heralded by a health walk .



By: King Norbert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana
02.11.2016 LISTEN

The eastern part of Nigeria, largely dominated by people from the Igbo tribe, is a unique place to visit or live in. Aside from serene environs stretched over the area and the generally low cost of living, there is a profound exhibition of culture and deep respect for customs and tradition; and this affects how the locals interact and relate with others around the country and world at large.

Basically, people living in the eastern area are far more emotionally reserved than their counterparts in the Western or Northern parts of the country and some visitors find this disconcerting. The truth, however, is that they can actually be both affectionate and demonstrative when it comes to showing affection, though, they may not show it in the way that is expected. To help visitors looking to understand the lifestyle of these people, Jumia Travel reveals 5 unique ways people in eastern Nigeria show affection.

Hail with praise names and titles

A very common way people in the eastern parts of Nigeria, especially Aba and Owerri, show affection is by hailing the person with fancy titles and praise phrases. Some of the popular appellations include Chief, Oga, odum, Eze e.t.c. They also use phrases that tend to exalt the person being referred to, such as onye Isi meaning the man man, Nwoke ukwu meaning Big guy.

Brag about the person

Another way they show affection is by bragging to others about the person or about something the person did or is going to do. Usually, when they start to brag, they first make sure the person is within earshot, so the person knows they are favored or loved. Parents usually do this a lot with their kids rather than just hug them or share such emotional words as I love you and more.

Symbolic/significant gifts

Giving gifts is a common way people from around the world show affections, but people from the eastern parts of Nigeria take this a step further when they want to channel affection. From unexpected surprises to gifts of farm animals and food, they gift abundantly in the bid to show affection .This is also why Nigerian women prefer to marry Igbo men who genuinely care about them.

They share what they have

The Igbos are generally considered to be tight-fisted and selfish. The key stereotype is that they love money and would amass as much wealth as they can without offering same opportunities to others. While this has not be proven and is largely regarded to be false, there actually is an atom of truth to it. Igbos would actually only share their food and possessions if they like a person and want to show affection.

Exhibit domineering behaviors

This may seem conflicting, but people from the eastern parts of the country usually demonstrate their love by being more controlling of the persons behavior or activity. This is why the parents tend to be very strict with their children and the people seem to be meddlers.
The Ministry of Health has confirmed that 157 cholera cases have been reported in the Central regional capital, Cape Coast.

Addressing the media in Accra on Wednesday, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Badu Sarkodie stated that despite the huge number of people infected, no death has been recorded since the outbreak on October 21.

Starr News reported on Monday that the cholera outbreak in the Central region was getting worse as more people were being rushed to various hospitals for treatment.

According to Dr. Sarkodie, the national rapid response team has been dispatched to assist the region to fight the outbreak.

He added that the Ministry together with the Ghana Health Service has also activated their surveillance schemes to deal with any suspected case.

The Cape Coast metropolis was one of the areas worst hit by the disease in 2014.

It recorded 2,182 cholera cases with over 20 deaths.


Former President Jerry John Rawlings has been installed chief of Anlo with the stool name Togbui Nutifafa Fiaga I at a colourful ceremony in the town in recognition of his lead role in fostering peace and stability in Ghana.

Togbui Fiaga I, in his inaugural address, expressed concern about the poor environmental and sanitation habits of Ghanaians, stating that our responsibility and discipline as a people can be well judged by the way we handle our environment.

By contrast, the degradation of the environment is the quickest way to degrade our human self-worth, and a government or local authority that would butcher trees or watch the degrading of its environment cannot expect people to behave responsibly in other facets of their life or respect their government, the former President noted.

President Rawlings described as a gross indictment the situation where formal education has rather led to the proliferation of poor hygienic habits and environmental degradation when the opposite was the case during the era of non-formal education.

He said some countries in Africa and parts of the developing world have adopted democracy from the textbook without recourse to the intrinsic values of democracy in their local cultures.

We have used the English language as a symbol of authority and power but not as a symbol of respect and integrity.

The former President highlighted the weakness in Western democracy, which is being manifested today when he addressed a durbar last Saturday at Tadzewu in the Volta Region to mark the mini-Hogbetsotso festival of the people of Anlo.

The West is today getting a taste of the weaknesses of multi-party democracy that we have to put up with in our part of the world. While our old traditional culture of democracy was able to contain such weaknesses, the Western multi-party democratic practice appears almost incapable of containing corruption in its various forms.

We have adopted the worst out of the West and used it to pin down and suppress the good qualities in our culture, the former President said.

The former President called on chiefs to recognize their roles as critical in ensuring peace and enriching national discourse.

That can only be achieved if we demonstrate integrity and truth even at the risk of sounding politically incorrect.

Flt Lt Rawlings also informed the gathering that the Rawlings Foundation was being established to cater for a broad array of areas, including the environment, provision of humanitarian relief, quality education for the under-privileged and brilliant students, civic responsibility and social justice.

The Foundation, the former President added, will also seek to conserve and protect the biodiversity of the fishing communities, as well as the ecological integrity of the Volta Lake.

President Rawlings thanked the chiefs and people of Anlo for the honour done him and dedicated the award to all peace-loving people in Ghana and across the world.

Present at the ceremony was the Awoamefia of the Anlo State, Torgbui Sri III.
The Congress vice-president has slammed the Delhi Police for detaining the former jawan's family along with him.

By India Today Web Desk: An angry Rahul Gandhi today lashed out at the Delhi Police for detaining the family of a retired soldier who committed suicide on Tuesday demanding the implementation of the controversial One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.

In a video released from inside Mandir Marg police station in central Delhi, Rahul is seeing reprimanding a police officer for detaining Ram Kishan Grewal's family. Grewal killed himself at a park near Jantar Mantar.

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"Sharm nahi aati aapko? Aap ek jawan jo mar gaya hai uski family ko utha kar laye hain. Kya jurm hai unka?" Rahul is seeing asking the cop in the video.



Gandhi was detained close to the gates of the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital here when he went to meet the family of Grewal.

Also read: Suicide over OROP: Delhi Police detains ex-jawan's family, Rahul Gandhi, Manish Sisodia



An upset Gandhi told the media: "It is an undemocratic mentality. A new kind of India is being created. It is Modiji's India."

Earlier, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was detained by the police. The Joint Commissioner of Police, Deependra Pathak said the detentions were made to control the situation.

POLICE BEAT DEAD EX-SERVICEMAN'S SON

Grewal's son alleged that he and his family members were beaten by police before being taken to the police station.

Jaswant, Grewal's elder son, said the police beat him and thrashed his younger brother as well as brother-in-law.

Also read: Delhi: Ex-serviceman commits suicide at Jantar Mantar over One Rank One Pension



Jaswant was detained along with his brother and relative at a police station in the heart of the city.

"We have been ill-treated. We were beaten and abused. We want justice," Jaswat said in a video message.

The grieving son said he had never heard of such conduct by the police towards soldiers' families.

Also read: Rs 5,500 crore paid as first installment to implement OROP: PM Modi



Read the full transcript here:

Kin: We have been forcibly arrested and beaten up.

Rahul: Has anyone beaten you?



Kin: Yes sir, they beat up all of us.



Rahul: Please tell me if they are arrested are not? and if they are not arrested then release them now. Release them right away!



Cop: Sir, but..



Rahul: He is a son of martyr they should be released immediately!



Cop: But, sir..

Rahul: If you want to arrest them, arrest me too!

Kin: This is my brother and uncle, they beat up all of us.



Rahul: Are they arrested or not?



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Cop: Yes.



Rahul: Am I arrested too?

Cop: No Sir, not you.



Rahul: So can I take them with me?



Cop: No sir.

Rahul: why? is it not allowed?



Cop: No.

Rahul: Why in India would you arrest the family of a martyr?



Cop: Sir, only senior officials can explain that.



Rahul: Which officer? give me his name!



Cop: It would be better if you wait outside sir.



Rahul: Are you trying to kick us out? Why don't you arrest us also?



Cop: We have no such orders sir.

Rahul: You are arresting a martyr's son in India? Are you not ashamed of yourself? What kind of work are you doing here? This man has lost his son and you are arresting the deceased's father and brother? what kind of a move is this?

Rahul: Tell me your name?

Cop: My name is inspector Lallan Singh.

Rahul: What do you think? should the family of India's martyr be arrested?



Cop: (picking up the phone after he gets a call) Please wait for some time, will talk later.



Watch the video here:



Also read:

Modi government anti-army, milking army's sacrifice for political gains: Arvind Kejriwal

Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi praises courage of jawans, dedicates this Diwali to Army

--- ENDS ---

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MINISTER of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Dr. Seidu Danaa has denied claims by some members of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs (GARHC) that he had blocked the payment of their monthly allowances.

This follows an earlier publication in the DAILY GUIDE dated October 28, 2016, which exposed the grumblings of some members of GARHC regarding the non-payment of their allowances and the transfer of their Registrar, Henry Anthony Attipoe to the Volta Region.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday in Accra, Dr. Danaa disclosed that an amount of GH 74, 178 had been transferred into the account of the GARHC but the chiefs have refused to allow the newly posted Registrar, Emmanuel Addoquaye to append his signature for the funds to be disbursed.

He noted that it was dangerous for the chieftaincy administration to reject the posting of Mr. Addoquaye because he went through the formal procedure and had met the requirements of a registrar, as demanded by civil service regulations.

According to him, it was unfortunate that the chiefs have decided not to work with the new registrar, stating that Mr. Addoquaye is a competent registrar.

Responding to claims that his (minister's) assumption that Mr Attipoe was using his office as a platform for self-projection; Dr. Danaa stated that the claims were false and that he harboured no such assumptions.

He added that wherever Mr. Attipoe was transferred to, he can project himself, and so allegations of suppressing Mr. Attipoe because he is viewed as using his office to project himself for whatever reason, were unfounded.

Dr. Danaa indicated that his ministry followed formal procedures in the transfer of Henry Attipoe and in the subsequent appointment of Emmanuel Addoquaye.

He therefore advised the chiefs to also follow due process by stating the reason why they cannot work with Emmanuel Addoquaye and remarked that all civil servants can be transferred despite the unwillingness of those they work with.

By Ernest Nii Amartey Pappoe-Amartei


The Chief of Kade, Osaberima Agyare Tenadu II, has suggested that it is prudent for traditional leaders to exercise restraint in making comments which may be interpreted to mean that they are dabbling in active partisan politics.

There are laws governing this country and the chieftaincy institution is not above these laws. We are not allowed as traditional leaders to get involved in active partisan politics. Article 276 of the 1992 Constitution is very clear on this and that is why in these season, as a chief, we have to pray the prayer the Psalmist prayed in Psalm 141:3 'Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Osabarima Osaberima Agyare Tenadu was explaining to NEWS-ONE the reason he has not thrown his weight behind any of the political parties campaigning for the Decemebr 7 polls yet.

I am a chief and when speaking to the people of Kade, I should know that my people belong to different political parties so I would not choose and pick by saying anything that would make it seem I am throwing my weight behind one party against another party. If I ask them to vote for a particular party or a particular candidate, that would mean I am campaigning for a party and that is politics and as I said, the Constitution forbids me from doing that. So disregard any report that I, Osabarima Osaberima Agyare Tenadu II have thrown my support behind any political party or candidate, the chief explained.

Osabarima Osaberima said about a fortnight ago when President John Mahama led the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on a campaign visit to Kade, as a chief, he was very circumspect in his address at the function.

The president had said somewhere else that all stakeholders should accept the outcome of the December 7 polls no matter which party wins or loses. This was the same message I repeated to the people of Kade when the president visited our town, Osaberima added.


The Abudu Royal Family in Yendi has been cleared by the Tamale High Court presided over by Justice Charles Gyamfi to perform the final funeral rites of the late Yaa-Naa Mahamadu IV.

The final funeral rites will be performed at the Old Gbewaa palace in Yendi in the Northern Region.

The case has been in court since the death of Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai, the Yaa-Naa of Dagbon in 1986.

The Tamale High Court on Friday ordered the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuyaa Naa Abdulai Andani to pay GH25,000 as damages. The court ordered him also to vacate the palace for the funeral of the late Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV to be performed.

Some leaders of the Abudu Royal Family were seen at the court celebrating the victory with smiles all over their faces.

The verdict has however brought a lot of tension and fear into residents of Yendi who were apprehensive that the conflict between the two royal gates might erupt again.

Unconfirmed reports alleged that some of the gates had started transporting family members to Tamale and other communities in anticipation of any imbroglio.

The lawyer of Abudu Royal Family, Charles Agbanu told DAILY GUIDE that judgement on the case was read on Friday and that by Monday the judgement will be entered and signed to enforce it.

Which means that the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuyaa Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani is to vacate the palace for the funeral of the late Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV to be performed, he said.

He indicated that after the first judgement in 1986, the Supreme Court ruled that Abudu IV should be recognized as Yaa-Naa and should be accorded a royal burial meaning he should be buried at the palace and his funeral observed there as well but his funeral was not performed at the palace.

Lawyer Agbanu stated that the current regent of Dagbon was supposed to perform the funeral rites but he did not do it so the Abudus went to court to compel him to do it.

The road map to perform the funeral rites was signed in 2006 but the Andani family refused to do it so the court ruling will compel them to do it.

FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale


The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has indicated that it has released funds to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) for the purchase of cocoa for the 2016/2017 crop season.

This was disclosed in a release issued by the Public Affairs Department of COCOBOD.

Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) would like to assure stakeholders in the cocoa industry, especially our cherished farmers that sufficient funds have been released to qualified Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to purchase cocoa for the 2016/2017 cocoa season, the release indicated.

It said seed funds are released to LBCs for cocoa purchases on revolving basis. This means that LBCs are given specific amounts based on their bank guarantees, and it is only after they have purchased and delivered quantity of cocoa equivalent to the amount released that additional funds are disbursed for cocoa purchases.

It explained that therefore, rumours being peddled within the Ghanaian cocoa fraternity, especially among our cherished farmers, that funds for cocoa purchases are unavailable are totally false.

It may be recalled that in September this year, Ghana Cocoa Board secured a syndicated loan of $1.8 billion for cocoa purchases for the 2016/17 crop season. The funds are adequately being used for the purpose for which they were secured.

We wish to use this opportunity to reiterate that the producer price announced by government on 1st October for the 2016/2017 crop season still stands at GH475.00 per bag of 64kg gross weight.

The amount, which includes a bonus of GH5.00 per bag, represents 77.45% of the net FOB, COCOBOD said in the statement.

It encouraged farmers to insist that they are paid GH475.00 per bag of 64kg gross weight at the point of sale.

COCOBOD is committed to advancing the cause of farmers by ensuring that they receive prompt payment for their produce, and will continue to implement strategic measures to make cocoa farming a profitable venture and improve livelihoods of all farmers.

By Melvin Tarlue






Allan Kyeremanteng

02.11.2016 LISTEN

Former presidential hopeful of the largest opposition NPP, Mr. Allan Kwadwo Kyeremanteng says if voted into power, the next NPP government under Nana Addo will represent job creation and employment across the country.

He added that anybody who had been badly affected by the current socio-economic difficulty should join hands with the NPP to win the upcoming elections to enable Nana Addo to salvage the economy.

Mr. Kyeremanteng stated this at Ekumfi Otuam in the central region when he joined the campaign tour of NPP flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

According to Mr. Kyeremanteng, the NDC under President Mahama had totally failed to solve the unemployment problem that had entangled the entire nation hence the need for change.

He continued that rural-urban migration across the country had increased rapidly under the current administration because the government, who is supposed to be the largest employer, had surprisingly failed to create jobs for the youth.

He alleged that many young men and women now want to travel to the capital city in desperate attempts to find jobs because there are no jobs in their districts to create employment for them.

The former trade and industry minister under former president John Agyekum Kuffours administration posited that the proposed One District One Factory idea by the NPP would be a one-time solution to the worrying unemployment situation in the country.

As a voter, if your major problem is about unemployment, then the best candidate for you is Nana Addo because he had demonstrated how he intends to create jobs for every Ghanaian. He pointed out.

He stressed that the One District One Factory that the NPP intends to implement when given the power would create sustainable employment for the nation.

He added that the One District One Factory policy would lead to increase in the yields of farmers because there would be high demand for their various products which would be the raw materials to feed the factories.

According Mr. Kyeremanteng, many private businesses have folded up under the current administration as a result of non-availability of credit facilities and therefore appealed to Ghanaians to vote for a real change that would transform their lives.

The flag bearer of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is currently embarking on a three day tour in the central region.

The tour which started Tuesday, took him to Gomoa East, Ekumfi and Asikuma Odobeng Brakwa constituencies where he addressed party supporters.

Former presidential aspirants, Mr. Allan Kyeremanteng, Dr. Kofi Konada Appraku and Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng and other party stalwarts have all joined the tour.
Akufo-Addo's 'no haircut' comment applies to only the principal not accrued interest  Kojo Oppong Nkrumah clarifies
The Attorney General's Department has filed a notice at the Supreme Court to discontinue a case it filed about a week ago against businessman, Alfred Agbesi Woyome, in the controversial GHc51 million judgment debt saga.

The notice of discontinuance stated that please take notice that the 1st Defendant Judgment Creditor [Attorney General] herein has this day [26th Day of October 2016] discontinued the present application to orally examine the 3rd Defendant Judgment Debtor [Alfred Agesi Woyome] with liberty to reapply.

Per the earlier notice, the Attorney General would have orally examined Mr. Woyome on November 10, 2016; a decision pressure group, OccupyGhana lauded.

OccupyGhana had also urged the AG to pursue the case to its logical conclusion to ensure the money is refunded to the state.

Background

Alfred Woyome was paid 51 million after he claimed that he helped Ghana to raise funds to construct stadia for purposes of hosting the CAN 2008 Nations Cup.

However an Auditor General's report released in 2010, said the amount was paid illegally to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) financier.

The Supreme Court in 2014 ordered Mr. Woyome to pay back 51 million fraudulently taken from the state, after Mr. Martin Amidu, a former Attorney General challenged the legality of the judgment debt paid the businessman, Waterville, and Isofoton.

Following delays in retrieving the money, the Supreme Court judges unanimously granted the Attorney-General clearance to execute the court's judgment ordering Mr. Woyome to refund the cash to the state.

Woyome prevents officials from valuing residence Mr. Woyome in April 2016 prevented officials of the Attorney General's Department and the Lands Commission from having access to his Kpehe residence for valuation.

The move was part of a directive from the Supreme Court to retrieve monies illegally paid to him.

But Woyome resisted the move, saying the planned valuation was illegal. Mr. Woyome had earlier won the criminal prosecution that sought to imprison him for the offence.

-Citifmonline


The campaign for the 2016 Election has reached its peak with about a month to go. There is no doubt that the two major political parties who are in the hot race are doing everything within their powers to win the elections. Notwithstanding the gifts and monies being doled out to the electorate for their votes, the giant bill boards of the ruling party, the abuse of incumbency (especially the use of Government vehicles, fuel and helicopters), it is becoming increasingly clear that NDC has met their match and there are clear indications that the NPP is making headway in almost all the Regions.

The foundation of the dreaded world bank has been badly shaken which compelled the President to employ all the arsenals at his disposal to ensure that Voltarians do not abandon him. The Region of the First Lady  Brong Ahafo is in turmoil mainly due to the collapse of DKM and other micro financial institutions in the Region and the belated attempt by the Government to save its face with some bizarre payments has rather angered the people whose deposits were involved rather than appeasing them. In the three Northern Regions and the Zongos, damage is being done by Dr. Bawumia, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the NPP who has caused a nasty shudder through the spine of the NDC compelling them to zoom all ballistic missiles they have on the NPP Northern Bright Star to destroy him but unfortunately it has rather inflamed passions and Bawumia is gradually being made a hero by the NDC. The Western and Central Regions cannot be described as safe for the NDC if the wind of change blowing across the regions is anything to go by. In Greater Accra and Ashanti  the regions with the highest registered voters, the computations are very interesting and varied and only people with mental delusions will day dream about one and a half million votes in Ashanti for the NDC.

In my last piece I wrote that the NDC has brought all these upon themselves because the lies, deceit, propaganda and all are just too much for Ghanaians to stomach. When the loans were being piled up, the Government refused to heed advice and teased Ghanaians with Daddy Lumba's lyric of yen tie obiaa with impudence. Ghanaians are now being told that the loans were not acquired for khebabs. The strikes in the country today are as a result of outstanding payments due to Government workers which clearly establishes the fact that the Government is broke but the NDC has refused to accept the reality and Ghanaians are rather being accused of being blind. There are indications that if the NDC is voted into power more workers will be sacked as part of some of the IMF's conditions for assisting Ghana which was postponed to 2017 for implementation. DUMSOR the almighty killer of most economic activities will be intensified because the Government's indebtedness to our sister country Nigeria for the supply of gas has reached a melting point.

To the NPP, please take note that notwithstanding these observations, the NDC will not hand over power to the NPP on a silver platter. They will fight on all fours using stolen monies, the Security and Intelligent Services, the machomen, some quasi security police and military men and all the foul means they have already mastered. Politically, Kwasi Pratt's return to the CPP is an indication that he is going to create an enabling environment for the CPP to support NDC should there be a run off. The recent attacks on NPP by Greenstreet confirmed this assertion and the belief that the NDC funded Greenstreet's campaign.

Most Governments in an election year and for that matter a campaign period as we find ourselves today would act with caution but not the NDC, they are full of confidence of winning this election one touch. The courage to increase fuel prices in the midst of their unpopularity demonstrates arrogance, impunity, insensitivity and foolhardiness. The NDC has always teased Ghanaians and now the President has abandoned the NDC's twisted lips insignia of edey be keke for Usain Bolts victory sign without truly applying its principles. The gesture comes from a Jamaican dancehall move that was popular in 2008. Dancehall is a popular music style in Jamaica and also known as the Lightning Bolt or just plain Bolting. What is significant about Usain Bolt's signature of victory is that his victories have never been tainted with bribes and spectators have cheered him on to victory because of their passion for sports. He has never bribed other competitors to let him win neither has he abused any official position to cheat on his fellow competitors but has always won his competitions on MERIT.

With all the obvious signs of defeat, if the NDC says they are going to win the elections hands down, then they are either bluffing or have something up their sleeves. Knowing the NDC, they will surely do what they know best and that is, the use of intimidation, harassment and stealing of the ballot. In 2012, they stole the ballot with the connivance of the Electoral Commission (EC) and his staff and I am not sure whether this time round the same thing is not going to happen. Elections are won or lost at the polling stations and if NPP wants to avoid what happened in 2012, it must protect the ballot at the polling stations especially on D day. The concept of adopting polling stations by our supporters is one of the means to help achieve that objective. Many people whom I have spoken to, do not understand what it means to protect the vote'' and I am taking this opportunity to throw more light on the subject.

Protecting the vote means a lot in elections and covers many areas. To be precise, it starts from the award of contract and printing of the ballot papers and ends when a party successfully collates its results and transmit them to the Constituency Collation Centre. The printing of the ballot must be monitored and the distribution of the ballot and journeys to the Regions, Districts, Constituencies and lastly to the polling stations must all be monitored. At the polling stations the number of ballot booklets allocated to the polling stations must be checked and the serial numbers of the booklets in 100, 50, 25 and 10 must be checked and recorded before polling starts. At the close of the poll the same exercise has to be conducted but the most important is to record the number of ballot papers used, rejected or spoilt.

The other aspect of protecting the vote involves the voting process and the work of Presiding Officers and Polling Agents must not only be vigilant but must be conversant with the rule and regulations of voting all spelt out in CI 94. There is also the need to create a peaceful environment for them to work. This means the provision of physical security to prevent harassment, intimidation and snatching of ballot boxes. In the past, enough security has never been provided for all polling stations and this election will not be an exception. This situation offers opportunities to miscreants to take the law into their own hands to misbehave and create unnecessary tension and panic. The public is always advised to leave the polling station after voting but this has always been misconstrued because there is a difference between a polling station and a polling area. The polling station is always marked and taped and this is the area where the Presiding Officers and Polling Agents work. The polling area covers the general area where the electorates reside and therefore after casting your vote, approximately fifty meters away from the taped area, is public land and there is no law forbidding its use.

Protecting the vote is not the sole responsibility of NPP and its supporters but the electorate especially the youth who want a change of the current economic situation and should not sit down and allow their votes to be usurped. If anybody dares to take the law into his/her hands, there could be the possibility of a mob reaction and this could degenerate into civil unrest. With the NDC they will be too happy and as a routine blame the NPP. This is the time for the peace seekers to campaign against injustice, harassment, intimidation and abuse of office; preaching for peace alone is not enough.

The NPP has the option to ensure meaningful security by organising its supporters to prevent malpractices, harassment and intimidation. Yes, there may be shortage of security personnel at some polling stations but there will never be shortage of young and enthusiastic men in the polling areas to prevent nefarious activities.

The world suffers a lot not because of the VIOLENCE of bad people but because of the SILENCE of good people (Napoleon).

By Brig. (Rtd) J. Odei


The 4 member working group for the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan has been sanctioned to effectively keep the country in a state of preparedness for any oil spill incident on our sea.

This working group includes the Operations Working Group, Environment Working Group, Chemical Working and the Waste Management Working Group with personnel drawn from identified institutions.

A statement read on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Mahama Ayariga noted that the inauguration of the working group will also paved the way for the revised National Oil Spill Contingency Plan to be finalized and printed in first quarter of 2017.

The Sector Minister indicated that the key element in the restructuring process is the formation of technical working groups to serve as the technical arm of the National Oil Spill Steering Committee.

According to him, Ghana in 1986, through the assistance of International Maritime Organization (IMO), developed the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) after an initial risk assessment.

At that time, he added that certain specific goals were set out so as to have a certain level of preparedness for management of oil spill.

Mahama Ayariya stated that some of these goals are development of an environmental sensitivity map of the entire coast of Ghana, development of policy on the use of dispersants in our marine environment, guidelines on the importation and use of dispersants, guidelines on management of oily waste generated as a result of an oil spill, continuous review of the NOSCP, training and conducting exercises.

He added that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the collaborative effort of its stakeholders has been able to achieve all these goals set out in the NOSCP.

The sector Minister noted that the NOSCP has been reviewed severally with the last version in print in 2010.

Mahama Ayariga said a complete restructuring of the administrative structure and review of the NOSCP was initiated in 2011 due to the emerging upstream industry which called for common understanding of the role of each stakeholder identified in the NOSCP.

According to him, preceding the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between EPA and its partners in March 2016 was the formation of a National Oil Spill Steering Committee to assist the EPA in its preparedness process.

The Acting Executive Director of EPA, John A. Pwamang, said, in the event of a spill, to achieve the highest level of response effectiveness, all involved parties have to act cooperatively and with high degree of coordination.

He added that after many years of working together and learning from experience, it is prudent for us to now dedicated working groups for the various aspect of the NOSCP.

The Deputy Director, Oil and Gas, EPA, Kofi Agbenor-Efunam said when there is an oil spill from a tanker on the sea, affected communities or individuals can apply for the Oil Pollution Compensation Fund which is a global fund after submitting a claim.

The fund company will come and set up in the country to verify the damage before releasing the compensation, he stated.

Mr. Kofi Agbenor-Efunam added that the Operations Working Group will be in-charge of the contingency plan after every exercise for it to be reviewed, the Environment Working Group would also look at all the actions they will undertake to benefit the environment, the Chemicals Working Group that will be looking at the chemicals that will be used during the spill to disperse it and lastly the Waste Management Group that will be in-charge of avoiding the waste during the clean up.
02.11.2016 LISTEN

It is often said, A prophet is never recognized in his own land. The people of Tamale have done the opposite of this, showing their appreciation to their son from the savannah part of the country.

H.E John Dramani Mahama will go down in history as the first Northerner to have served a full term and on the verge of going second term, due to his historical development across the nation. The Northerners during the JM Appreciation walk, confirm that they have had its fair share of the national cake.

This is a president whose commitment to the Muslim fraternity, ensured that the hustle and painful experiences, that Muslims go through, to perform Hajj becomes a thing of the past.

In an emotional and historic moment, Muslim pilgrims were airlifted from Tamale to Mecca. This single visionary act has changed the fortunes of subsequent pilgrimage which was evidential in the 2016 hajj.

Indeed this was equally possible because the foresighted President, John Dramani Mahama, determined to have the Tamale airport upgraded to international status.

Tamale is now open to the international air travel business which comes with enormous economic and business benefits.

Gone are the days when the 3 northern sectors were stereotyped as only farmlands.

The new Buipe Cemetery factory that is on stream, will create multiple streams of jobs, it will give people in and around Tamale authorship of their own cement for their construction purposes. It adds to the competitive market of cement production and cut cost of construction where all cement were transported from the southern sector which attracted extra cost.

To keep the educational prowess of the northern sector, his investment in education saw the Tamale Polytechnic engineering department receive a facelift in equipment and other auxiliary inputs. Soon this institution will be recognized as a Technical University.

Health sector achievement of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama is just wordless, and again the people of Tamale and its enclave were not left out. Currently the Tamale teaching hospital got 400 capacity expansion to make sure the health care of the people are given a topmost priority.

The Fufulso Sawla asphalted road have brought a great relieve to the people of Tamale and beyond. The number of hours one needed to spend just to travel along this area has been reduced drastically. This is indeed the true meaning of changing lives and transforming Ghana.

One of the indigenous business of the people of the region is shea butter, this business has always had foreign exchange potential and once again H.E John Dramani Mahama saw to the establishment of Buipe Shea factory. This will create added value to the indigenous business of the people and make it one of the revenue generation means for the people. This goes a long way to better the lives of the people in and around Tamale.

These coupled with many other interventions like the sharp upgrade and expansion that LEAP, NHIS e.t.c have benefitted the people of Tamale.

It is only that Natural that the crowds seen in Tamale this Saturday have come out saying Thank-you and JMToaso.
Ranveer Singh compared his negative role in Padmavati to that of late Hollywood actor Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008)

By India Today Web Desk: After a breezy performance in a candyfloss film like Aditya Chopra's Befikre, Ranveer Singh is stepping into dark, menacing and serious territory with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama Padmavati.

The 31-year-old actor plays the antagonist in the film While Deepika Padukone plays queen of Chittor Rani Padmini, Ranveer plays Alauddin Khilji, the Khilji dynasty Sultan. Shahid Kapoor plays Rana Rawal Ratan Singh, Mewar's 42nd ruler.

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In an interview with Filmfare magazine, Ranveer Singh spoke about his role, "I am absolutely petrified. It takes a lot out of you. Sometimes you feel empty...Like you have got nothing left. I probably may need some mental therapy. It does affect me to that degree. Hopefully, after Padmavati, I will do something light to keep a balance. I need time to recover."

Interestingly, the Befikre actor compared his role to that of late Hollywood actor Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008).

"I am on the threshold of entering completely uncharted territory. I'm scared of stepping into that rabbit hole. I fear if I go in, I may not come back. Like Heath Ledger. He didn't come back. He went so far into the rabbit hole that it took away everything from him. I can say I'm living life on the edge," Ranveer said.

Playing the villainous character Joker reportedly pushed Heath Ledger into depression due to which he began taking drugs to cope up. The intense preparation for the character eventually led him to overdose on painkillers one night. Heath Ledger died on January 22, 2008 when he was 28 years old.

Padmavati is scheduled to release in theatres on November 17, next year.



--- ENDS ---
Parliament was gripped with emotions as MPs contemplated life after parliament with elections barely 32 days away.

The MPs who are on a GHC7,000 salary are worried about job opportunities when their parliamentary service comes to an end with Parliament set to rise for the last time in 2016.

Even before the December 7 parliamentary elections, 21 NPP MPs are not coming back to parliament after losing their party primaries last June.

Notable among them are Dr Richard Anane, Hon Addai-Nimoh, Hon Isaac Osei, Hon Elizabeth Agyemang and Hon. Edward Anin. In all, six (6) females and nineteen (19) males lost their seats.

Photo: Defeated NPP MPs

On the Majority caucus, more than 16 incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs suffered similar fate in the party primaries in November 2015.

Photo: Defeated NDC MPs

More 'political casualties' are expected when voters go to the polls next month. In 24 hours the third meeting of the fourth session of the House will come to an end.

NDC MP for Central Tongu Constituency in the Volta region, who will spend his last day in parliament Thursday acknowledged that finding a befitting job is a major concern.

Joe Giddisu a trained teacher paid tribute to a colleague MP who died two years after existing parliament for reasons he linked to a deterioration of living conditions.

His call for 'some form of pension' for MPs was well received by Parliament, Joy News's parliamentary correspondent Elton John Brobby reported.

"...there is something that we need to do about the welfare of people who have devote themselves even sometimes at the peril of their lives", he rallied parliament.

Story by Ghana|myjoyonline.com
Little sister made a casual visit to my home after securing a temporal leave from work and we lodge in the very single room provided to me by my employer.

she is actually my blood from infancy to our present state of adulthood. She washes my clothes,cooks for me and attends to other regular chores. We also chat when I close from work. Truthfully , We are like people in a relationship except the avoidance of any form of romance.

She has been with me for less than a month now and cannot recount the number of times I have become upset with her FEMINE ATTITUDES. She is sometimes Moody and do not want to talk at all. Other times, she would answer any query put before her but with difficulties.

Hah! I returned home the last time only to see her clothes and make ups scattered all over the room and it took the intervention of God to prevent me from screaming beyond the walls of the house.

Can you also imagine this?. I gave her a reasonable amount of Ghana cedis to purchase food items but she failed to render any account to me even upon request. I honestly desired to know this in order to revise the amount I usually give her and perhaps do some changes to reconcile petty commodities in the kitchen.

One interesting aspect of my habitation with little sister is that, I am a staunch christian doubling as a leader in my local church so I try so hard to restrain myself from the anger that arises from the constant attitudinal differences between us.

One morning while thinking about the little stress I am going through, God laid a question on my heart and it reads, "you have been praying to me for a wife and it is a while now, are you ready to go through all these similar challenges till death do you apart?"

He continued and asked, " Do you remember how your sister was attacked by malaria and flu? Do you again recall how she sneezed all night thereby disturbing your sleep?"

"You would have to empty your pocket for the upkeep of the woman and as many kids you would plant into her womb. Her breast would skew away from its original value after two or three births and her beauty would diminish in elegance", this time He declared emphatically.

The thoughts became so much that I had to realize the tendency of my wife being permanently disabled few moments after marriage and I would have to stay true to her.

Buddies, this revelation is for any of you who excessively desire to have a woman under your roof, to think critically into these set of questions and assess yourselves whether you are indeed ready for marriage or not.

You must know that your pockets would be emptied to take care of the woman together with your children. She would be sick and grow frail, her breast would become flaccid after a number of childbirths,her tummy would begin to protrude and her pretty skin would certainly zoom in to wrinkle.

She would sometimes, although not often annoy you and act directly opposite of your believes and you must contain them.

These are the hurdles before every man who yearn to marry. so, "Do you still want a wife after knowing all these?"

Without any limitations however , If you go out henceforth to ask a lady "would you marry me?", PLEASE NOTE THIS.

Thomas Akanyibah/ www.felixkwakudua.com

[email protected]

Accra.
The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Yagaba-Kubori constituency in the Northern Region, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, has kicked against calls on the electorate in Mamprugu land to massively vote for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) because of Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia.

He is angered by a group calling itself the Mamprugu Youth Network for the NPP's campaign trail, soliciting votes for the party on the foundation that Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia is their kinsman.

The group is targeting all five parliamentary seats in Mamprugu land; out of which the NDC is occupying the Gambaga-Nalerigu and Yunyoo seats.

But Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko is opposed to what he described as tribal politics in the area.

The National Hajj Board Chairman in a Citi News interview implored the electorate in Mamprugu land, to rise above partisan considerations on December 7.

He maintained that, the electorate there should ignore Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia's tribal lineage and exercise their franchise based on the political office seekers achievements in the area.

Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko further cautioned the Mamprugu Youth Network for NPP against tribal politics, and added that such a desperate votes grabbing measure has the tendency of destabilizing the peaceful co-existence in Mamprugu land.

I think that it is time as a country we stop that kind of ethnic politics because it is not going to be in our favour. We should be looking for a leader who will unify us and not somebody who will divide us.

Tribal politics has always been the case, and in my case they say I am Hausa, and I swear by almighty Allah; there is nobody who has developed this area than me and they claim I am Hausa. That my father is Hausa and my mother is a Mamprusi.

He claimed Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia was alien to the people of Mamprugu land, prior to his nomination as the NPP's vice Presidential candidate in 2008.

I have spent more of my life in Mamprugu than Bawumia himself, and I have built infrastructure in Mamprugu land than Bawumia. Until recently, Bawumia did not have a house in Walewale.

Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko was the NDC's Member of Parliament for the Yagaba-Kubori constituency from 2004 to 2012.

The NPP's Yussif Mustapha unseated Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim at the 2012 elections.

The National Hajj Board Chairman has staged a comeback with the hope of winning the seat on December 7.

He is influenced by his track record as a former MP, which he claimed is unparalleled to that of the incumbent NPP MP, Yussif Mustapha, who is seeking re-election.



By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Joice Mujuru, former ZANU-PF vice president and now president of the Zimbabwe People First Party, speaks with UpFront on Al Jazeera:

 Apologizes for not doing more to address human rights abuses during her time as Mugabes vice president: You have to feel bad and sorry and say sorry to those that have been affected

 Claims she was kicked out of ZANU-PF for speaking out about human rights abuses: Im sure this was the reason why they were in cahoots or clandestinely working against me

 Denies knowing about the Gukurahundi massacre while it was ongoing: But who knew that this was a secret army that was going straight to [Mugabe]?

 Says her controversial claim that she shot down a Rhodesian helicopter as a teenager is true: It did happen!

In an interview with Al Jazeera Englishs current affairs show, UpFront, Joice Mujuru, Zimbabwes former vice president and then senior member of the ruling Zanu-PF, expressed regrets at not doing more to stop human rights abuses by the Zimbabwean government.

Im being availed to some of the things that are even shocking, the Zimbabwe People First Party president told UpFront host Mehdi Hasan. I am even asking myself, did these things happen during my days in government?... Surely, for a person who has a human heart, you have to feel bad and sorry, and say sorry to those that have been affected.

Mujuru, however, did claim that she raised many concerning issues during her ten years as Robert Mugabes vice president, which she believes ultimately led to her swift removal from the party in 2014. Its on record that I even addressed, and calling and asking who was giving orders for people to go and maim and kill others, she said. Im sure this was the reason why they were in cahoots or clandestinely working against me.

During the interview, Mujuru was asked whether she knew about the so-called Gukurahundi massacre, when around 20,000 civilians were killed by Mugabes Fifth Brigade in Matabeleland. She denied any knowledge and says she trusted what Mugabe told her. Of course, you have to believe [Mugabe], she said. But who knew that this was a secret army that was going straight to him?

On the subject of the wealth accumulated by her late-husband Solomon Mujurus political and business ventures, Mujuru claimed it was exaggerated. The estate for Mujuru should have, by now, brought out how wealthy Mujuru was, she said. Why is it that theyre still very quiet about those billions of dollars that the world has been told?

Mujuru insisted that she had no access to her late husbands fortune, telling UpFront: Its all with the courts, what he is worth. You can ask them how much they have managed to identify that belonged to Solomon. And they can tell you.

When questioned about the multi-million dollar farm she calls home, Mujuru said that even though the farm had been illegally seized from its former owner during Zimbabwes war of liberation, she is now looking to make things right. I want the world to know that since the departure of my husband, I have been hunting for the former owner of Alamein Farm. So that Im in a position to discuss with him as to the way forward, regarding that farm. Because we know, theres compensation that was discussed.

During the interview, Mujuru was also asked about whether she shot down a Rhodesian helicopter as a teenager, a story that has since become legendary in Zimbabwe.

It did happen! she said.

To those who claim its a fabricated tale, she said, Its because their participation in the struggle was very minimal, if not none.

This UpFront interview with Joice Mujuru airs tonight, Friday, 28 October 2016 at 19:30GMT / 21:30 CAT. The full interview will be available to embed from YouTube after it airs.
02.11.2016 LISTEN

We are being forced as a nation by a man who claims to speak directly and daily to God to falsely believe that the sole purpose of God for Ghana today, is to see Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the NPPs Presidential Candidate, win the December 7 Elections. Interestingly, Akufo-Addo is not even a Christian and attends the Ridge Church in Accra sparingly. Akufo-Addo only visits churches to canvass for political votes. Period! Yet, he is being paraded as a saviour designated and anointed by God to save Ghana.

Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah, founder and leader of Glorious Word Ministry International, keeps jumping from one radio station to another, prophesying that God has spiritually declared Akufo-Addo the winner of the up-coming 2016 Elections. Owusu Bempah however adds a fine line that what is left, is for the NPP folks to pray hard before his prophesy manifests physically. Very interesting comments by Owusu Bempah. In these interesting times.

Owusu Bempah does not stop there. He sternly warns the Electoral Commission Chair, Mrs Charlotte Osei that if she attempts to rig the elections, God will strike her and that God has rejected President Mahama. Lets see, which God Owusu Bempah is talking about!

First off, God is apolitical. Of course, God listens to the prayers of his children including politicians when they pray to him for success in any venture. But the way Owusu Bempah roams around daily with only one-message smacks of deceit. Owusu Bempah has firmly placed God in the centre of the 2016 Elections and to Bempah its a done deal for Akufo-Addo. Akufo-Addo will win. Says Bempah. Just remember this!

But come December 7, if Akufo-Addo loses the election, which I strongly believe he will lose, there are two things Owusu Bempah will tell Ghanaians just to create confusion. Owusu Bempah will either say that the elections were rigged or that the NPP people did not pray hard for victory to come their way.

One question that keeps bouncing off my head is why will God concentrate all His energies solely on Akufo-Addo to be president at all cost? Why has Owusu Bempah become so obsessed with the up-coming elections that he seems to have nothing else to do except to talk about the elections and give false information.

Owusu Bempah claims there is blood on the hands of President Mahama, which is why God has rejected him. But interestingly, that same God who saw blood on the hands of Mahama did not see the filthy bloody hands of Akufo-Addo, a man who many in Ghana see as the most violent, dishonest, divisive, petty, arrogant and non-God fearing politician.

Many Ghanaians know about Akufo-Addos younger sister. Her name is Golda Akufo-Addo and those very close to her used to call her Mamaa. Golda was not happy with the reckless way Akufo-Addo kept selling the family properties to fund his mirage political ambition. This led to an open confrontation between Golda and Nana Akufo-Addo. Mamaa has since vanished! To date no one knows her whereabouts and there are wild rumours making rounds that Mamaa has been eliminated and that Nana Akufo-Addo is behind this.

For well over nine years, no one knows the whereabouts of Golda. It is only Akufo-Addo who knows what may have happened to her sister. I am giving Owusu Bempah an assignment to tell Ghanaians where Golda Akufo-Addo is today. Owusu Bempah, please find Golda Akufo-Addo!

The God that we worship is a truthful God. He knows the hearts and minds of all of us, including Owusu Bempah. That is why many people including me do not believe the junk Owusu Bempah keeps spewing around.

For those who dont know Owusu Bempah very well, he is currently married to his third wife. Third wife? The answer is yes. The two former wives were not good enough so Owusu Bempah got rid of them for his current one. How can Owusu Bempah tell Ghanaians that the two women he previously married were bad and that he is the good one? How can Owusu Bempah who marries people in his church and admonishes them to stick in their marriages if things were not going well, tell Ghanaians that he could not stick into his own two previous marriages because he is a different kind of person or because he is a prophet? Indeed, God is not double-faced.

Owusu Bempah loves flashy cars. He lives very big on the tithes and offertory of his church members, and he does not shy from showing his collection of glitzy cars to people. It was Owusu Bempahs love for gaudy cars that got him into serious trouble with the law during Rawlings regime.

For those who dont know and those who may have forgotten, there was once a car stealing syndicate operating from Europe that stole and shipped expensive cars to Ghana. And Owusu Bempah got involved with this car stealing syndicate. Owusu Bempah bought some of these cars and investigations led to his arrest. Those who dont believe this story should check with the Police Headquarters. Owusu Bempah was arrested but luckily he weaselled himself out, but this did not erase the fact that he is a dubious person.

Today Owusu Bempah claims he had fortified Akufo-Addo. Mr Bempah please let me tell you this, It is only God who fortifies people. You are just a human being with no powers at all. All power belongs to God. God is the source of everything. I would have believed you if you had stated that God had fortified Akufo-Addo.

God is not to be mocked! We have to take Him very serious and for His word. There is no way God will let a violent person like Akufo-Addo, who leads a violent party like the NPP, with a violent gang who do not tolerate any dissenting view to be marked as the next leader of Ghana. This is definitely not the God that I worship. My God, hates violence and He will never let Ghana to suffer at the gain of Akufo-Addo.

God loves people with pure hearts. Hearts that is free from deceit, pettiness, evil thoughts, evil plans, divisiveness, violence, murderous thoughts, and many others. When Akufo-Addo, is therefore weighed on the scale of God, he definitely does not make it. This then is not the kind of leader God wants to thrust on Ghanaians.

This is what Im leaving with you for now!

[email protected]

http://majjacks80.blogspot.com
1. Pursuant to regulation 110(2) of the Regulations of the Registry and rule 97(2) of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, the Registry of the International Criminal Court hereby launches a call for experts to assist the Court with reparations at the reparations phase of proceedings in the case of The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, in compliance with the Decision issued by Trial Chamber VIII on 29 September 2016, in which it set a calendar for the reparations phase of proceedings and ordered the Registry of the Court to identify one or more experts with expertise in the matters listed below (ICC-01/12-01/15-172).

2. The Registry notes that the Trial Chamber may appoint competent experts included on the list of experts that the Registry of the Court creates and maintains pursuant to regulation 44 of the Regulations of the Court, at the reparations phase, if their expertise is deemed necessary, to assist it in determining the extent of any damage, loss and injury to or in respect of victims and to suggest various options concerning the appropriate types and modalities of reparations. [1]

3. As part of the reparations phase in the proceedings in the case of The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, the Registry is calling, in particular, for experts with expertise in the following matters :

(a) the importance of international cultural heritage generally and the harm to the international community caused by its destruction;

(b) the scope of the damage caused, including monetary value, to the ten mausoleums and mosques at issue in the case; and

(c) the scope of the economic and moral harm suffered, including monetary value, to persons or organisations as a result of the crimes committed.

4. Anyone wishing to be included on the list of experts drawn up by the Registry must therefore meet the following criteria:

proven expertise and wide experience in a variety of matters relating to reparations and, in particular, those listed under paragraph 3, above;

proven competence in the relevant matter recognised nationally, regionally and/or internationally;

ability to act independently and impartially when performing duties;

fluency in at least one of the Courts two working languages (French and English); knowledge of the local languages spoken by the affected communities in this case will be considered an asset;

familiarity with the context of the Courts operations, including an understanding of the affected communities, local and regional dynamics, stakeholders and local programmes or initiatives, will be considered an asset.

All interested experts are requested to send the following documents by 11 November to the Court at: ExpertsR[email protected] :

a detailed curriculum vitae; a letter of motivation stating area of expertise and wish to be included on the Courts list of experts; and all documents showing proof of years of experience in the area of expertise and, where applicable, inclusion on a list of experts.

Persons included on the list of experts of the Registry of the Court shall, if appointed , act in their personal capacity . Candidates who occupy positions of responsibility in a government or in governmental organisations will not be included on the list of experts if those responsibilities are likely to place them in a situation of conflict of interest.

[1] Rule 97(2) of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
Pretoria (AFP) - South Africa's anti-corruption watchdog Wednesday called for prosecutors to investigate alleged criminal activity as it released a report into President Jacob Zuma that fuelled further calls for him to resign.

Zuma, whose presidency has been engulfed by multiple scandals, had fought to block the release of the Public Protector's report, but his lawyers made a surprise U-turn and dropped their legal appeal.

The report was released hours later, further undermining Zuma after a series of court rulings that have tarnished his time in office and the ruling ANC party that led the fight to end apartheid rule.

The investigation probed accusations that Zuma allowed the Guptas, a wealthy Indian business family, to have undue influence over government, including letting them choose some cabinet ministers.

Members of South African opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters rally in Pretoria on November 2, 2016 for the release of a report into corruption allegations against Jacob Zuma

Among findings in the 355-page report -- titled "State of Capture" and illustrated on its front page with a hand strung with puppet wires -- was telephone evidence that David van Rooyen visited the Johannesburg neighbourhood where the Guptas live on the day before he was appointed finance minister.

Van Rooyen, a little-known Zuma loyalist, was removed as finance minister only four days after his appointment -- but not before it had triggered a market plunge, investor panic and political outrage.

The Public Protector said it "brings to the notice of the National Prosecuting Authority... those matters identified in this report where it appears crimes have been committed".

It raised several allegations that Zuma had broken the Executive Members' Ethics Act in his relationship with the Guptas and by failing "to select and appoint ministers lawfully".

Protest marches

The report was published as thousands of people took to the streets of the administrative capital Pretoria to demand that Zuma resign.

Police fired rubber bullets and water cannon to disperse supporters of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party who tried to storm Zuma's office in the city.

Former public protector Thuli Madonsela concluded her report into the influence of the Gupta family last month, shortly before the expiry of her seven-year term.

"Today is a historic day... Jacob Zuma must be held accountable," Mmusi Maimane, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, told reporters.

The marches were originally planned to show support for Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who had been due in court Wednesday on separate graft charges that many analysts see as an attempt by Zuma loyalists to oust him

The president, 74, has survived a string of damaging controversies, but faces increasing criticism as the economy stalls and after ANC suffered unprecedented losses in local polls.

Some factions of the ANC, former anti-apartheid activists, trade unions and business leaders have all recently called for Zuma to stand down before his term ends in 2019.

"I spent the whole night here," Dominic Khulube, 30, an unemployed man from Tembisa, a township outside Johannesburg, told AFP after a vigil by the leftist EFF in Pretoria.

"Zuma must step down and the Guptas must leave the country."

The marches were originally planned to show support for Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who had been due in court Wednesday on separate graft charges that many analysts see as an attempt by Zuma loyalists to oust him.

But prosecutors dropped the charges on Monday.

'Explosive, damaging information'

"The report contains a lot of explosive, damaging information about the president," Mcebisi Ndletyana, politics professor at Johannesburg University, told AFP.

"The calls for him to step down after this damaging evidence will grow louder, and there will be a very big fight within the ANC."

The Gupta family -- brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh -- built an empire in mining, transportation, technology and media after arriving in South Africa from India in the early 1990s.

In 2014, the Public Protector found Zuma had "unduly benefited" from the refurbishment of his Nkandla rural home.

Zuma fought the case until being berated by the Constitutional Court and ordered to pay back public money spent on upgrades including a chicken coop and a swimming pool.

Zuma is also fighting a court order that could reinstate almost 800 corruption charges against him over a multi-billion dollar arms deal in the 1990s.
On the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the Media Foundation for West Africa and other 35 civil society organisations in West Africa have petitioned the ECOWAS through the ECOWAS Chairperson, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia. The petition is over The Gambias continued refusal to comply with judgments of the ECOWAS Court on rights violations against three journalists.

The petitioners, which include the MFWAs national partners from all ECOWAS member states, cited three cases - Chief Ebrimah Manneh v. The Gambia (2008), Musa Saidykhan v The Gambia (2010), and Deyda Hydara Jr. and Others v. The Gambia (2014) in which the ECOWAS Court found The Gambia culpable and ordered the government to pay compensations to the victims and their families.

We regret the fact that The Gambian government has repeatedly failed to comply with any of these binding Court judgments in violation of Article 15 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty, as well as its specific obligation to respect journalists rights and safety under Article 66 of the same treaty, said Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the MFWA.

The petitioners commended the resolute and proactive manner in which the ECOWAS Court delivered the judgments in favour of the victims and to protect human rights. It however cautioned that the seeming lack of political will to enforce the judgments could undermine the authority of the Court and the credibility of ECOWAS to defend the rights of community citizens.

The petitioners bemoaned what they describe as the gross and systematic human rights violations, including killings, enforced disappearances, tortures, arbitrary arrests and detentions in the Gambia and the absolute impunity with which they have been perpetrated.

They therefore urged the ECOWAS to invoke the sanctions provisions of Article 77 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty to suspend the Gambia from the organisation, just as it did to other member states such as Sierra Leone in 1997; Guinea in 2009; Niger in 2000; Togo (2009) Cote dIvoire (2010), Guinea-Bissau (2012), and Mali (2012) when these countries violated their Treaty obligations as ECOWAS Member States.

As you know, progress and development cannot occur in the absence of accountability for human rights abuses. Furthermore, justice is a fundamental element in the promotion of peace, stability, and security. Socio-political and economic growth in West Africa thus necessitates a strong regional judicial mechanism to punish violators and provide remedies and reparations to victims, the petition stated.

November is marked worldwide as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists to highlight the devastating impact that the lack of accountability for crimes against journalists has on society as a whole.

A copy of the Petition to the ECOWAS is available here.
Akyem-Ofoase (E/R), Nov, 1, GNA - An Inter Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC), has been formed at the Akyemmansa District in the Eastern Region.

It would serve as a buffer zone in the area to stem the tide of suspicious and anxiety among the political parties in the run up to the December 7 elections.

The committee was made up of all registered political parties, faith-based organisations, civil society and community- based organisations, independent government institutions and security agencies.

Inaugurating the committee, the District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education, Mr Daniel Chartey challenged the committee to promptly deal with any issue that would arise and had the potential of plunging the district into chaos before, during and after the December 7 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

Ghana, Mr Chartey observed, had an enviable record to protect as a very peaceful country in Africa when it comes to elections and therefore challenged politicians to rise above their personal interests at the expense of peace and harmony.

He urged the committee to monitor breaches of the rules and regulations regarding the electoral process, investigate cases of petty misunderstandings and conflicts and promptly deal with them.

The District Police Commander, Superintendent Ofosu Anim, Chairman of the Committee, cautioned that nobody should hide under any political party to foment troubles before, during and after the elections since anyone caught would face the full rigorous of the law.

Supt Anim advised against the utterance of inflammatory speeches by political activists and encouraged a high sense of maturity by the citizenry to ensure violent-free and peaceful elections on December 7.

Campaign messages, the Chairman noted, should be issues based and not attacks on personalities.

GNA
By Dennis Peprah,

Sunyani, Nov 02, GNA - The Ghana Oil Company (GOIL), the nation's foremost indigenous oil marketing company has taken steps to significantly enhance the quality of its petroleum products.

Mr. Cyril Mawuli Asare, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Marketing Executive, said its fuel additive, 'XP3' ensures stronger performance of vehicle engines.

He said despite the enormous benefits the prices of its petrol and diesel remained unchanged - sold at GHa3.63 and GHa3.62 per litre, respectively.

He was addressing a two-day training workshop for reporters and stringers of the nation's wire service, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Abesim, near Sunyani.

The workshop comes under the 'GNA Tracks Election 2016 Project', being funded by GOIL, the state oil company and CIMG 2015 Petroleum Company of the year.

The project seeks to sensitize the electorate on the various issues raised by political parties, the elections management body and other governance institutions.

It aims at ensuring gender and social inclusion in national politics and to provide voice for the youth, vulnerable groups, opinion leaders and the broader spectrum of the society, and to contribute to the achievement of peaceful polls.

Another objective of the project is to create a platform to dissect the manifestoes of all political parties and provide in-depth analysis of each thematic area to the electorate to enable them to make an informed judgment.

Reporters and stringers from Brong-Ahafo, Ashanti, Upper East, Upper West and the Northern Regions attended.

Mr. Asare gave the assurance that GOIL, as a local marketing company would continue to sell its products at reasonably cheaper prices and encouraged increased patronage to sustain it on the path of growth and profitability.

That, he noted, was the way to go to enable the company to support the local economy and live up to its corporate social responsibility.

He applauded GNA for its enormous contribution to the nation's development, and expressed optimism that the relationship between the two organizations would be deepened for their mutual benefit.

Alhaji Mohammed Nurudeen Issahaq, acting General Manager of the GNA, commended GOIL for the support, and expressed the hope that the agency's reporters would take advantage of the training opportunity and improve their reporting skills.

The GNA is holding three zonal electoral reportage enhancement workshops, the first in Sunyani, for reporters from Ashanti, Upper East, Upper West, Northern, and Brong Ahafo Regions.

The second would be held in Koforidua for journalists from Central, Eastern and Group one from Greater Accra Regions between November 4- 6 and the third workshop would be for those in the Western, Volta, and another group from Greater Accra from November 6-8.

Topics to be discussed include: the role of the media in elections: ethics and responsibilities of a news agency reporter; electoral reporting: key elements Constitutional Instrument (C.I) 94; and exposure to hidden prejudices, hate speech stereotypes and misconceptions: approaches to a responsible use of content and language.

Other topics are: ethical guidelines on election reporting as spelled out by the National Media Commission; ensuring credible and transparent elections 2016 the role of the police/media; and balance reportage devoid of personal opinions and insults on election processes and activities across the country.

Caption:

Ghana News Agency Officials, Mr Cyril Mawuli Asare, Brong Ahafo Regional Officer of GOIL, Mr Yaw Opoku, EC Municipal Electoral Officer, Sunyani

GNA
The prince was flogged by a policeman in a prison in Jeddah for an undisclosed crime.

By India Today Web Desk: Just two weeks after a prince in Saudi Arabia was executed after a court found him guilty of murder, another prince who belongs to the ruling family of Al Saud has been flogged in a prison in Jeddah for an undisclosed crime.

According to the Saudi daily Okaz, the prince was flogged by a policeman on Monday after a medical test found the prince to be healthy.

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On October 19, Prince Turki bin Saud al-Kabir was executed after the court found him guilty of shooting dead a fellow countryman.

PUNISHMENTS ARE RARE



According to the Saudi media, the execution of the prince was the first since 1970. One of the most prominent cases was that of Faisal bin Musaid al Saud, who assassinated his uncle, King Faisal, in 1975.

The strict punishments for the Saudi princes have come at a time when the kingdom is facing financial troubles due to oil prices hitting an all-time low. A war with Yemen has also put pressure on its resources.

(with inputs from agencies)

ALSO READ: Saudi Arabia reportedly executes prince found guilty of murder

ALSO READ: Saudi man dumps wife of 2 hours after latter sends friends wedding pics on Snapchat

ALSO READ: Yemen's ex-president urges attack on Saudi Arabia after air strike

--- ENDS ---
02.11.2016 LISTEN

Accra, Nov. 2, GNA - The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) says it has begun plans to develop a second Airport City to be named 'Airport City 2' in a bid to increase its non-aeronautical revenue.

'Airport City 2' will be sited on a parcel of land near the Accra Polo grounds to provide offices, hotel, malls, car parks and other related developments on the landside of the Kotoka International Airport.

Speaking at the GACL's 2015 Annual General Meeting, Charles K. Asare, Managing Director of the company, said the GACL would invite private partnership to develop the city.

'Our intention in the partnership will be that we contribute our land as our equity investment and partner with someone who has the appropriate technology, management and the capital to come and do it,' he stated.

Mr Asare said, in line with this, the GACL was close to securing its land title from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, adding that this would not only curb encroachment of the airport lands but also help it attract investors for the project expected to commence in 2016.

Mr Tony Lithur, Board chair of the GACL, commended the management and staff of the company for their hard work.

He urged the participants to support the GACL in its quest to position Ghana as a preferred aviation hub and leader in airport business.

Ms. Irene Addo-Dankwah of the Public Investment Division of the Ministry of Finance, who represented the shareholder, commended the GACL for holding the AGM and for the work in the year under review.

She urged management to find more ways of boosting domestic air travel, as its decline impacted its performance.

GNA
Kumbungu (N/R), Nov. 2 GNA - Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has called on Ghanaians to retain President John Dramani Mahama in power to continue with the transformation agenda.

He said it would be a big mistake for the electorate to change the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for another party.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur made the call when he paid a courtesy call on the Kumbungu Naa, Naa Iddrisu Abu and also addressed NDC supporters at Kumbungu in the Northern Region.

The Vice President is currently on a four-day campaign tour of the Region.

This is his second campaign tour of the Region in the last few weeks.

The tour would take him to Bunkprurugu/Yunyoo, Nalerigu, Savelugu and Tamale.

He is expected to call on chiefs and opinion leaders, meet with Party supporters, and interact with students, among others.

In April 2013 the NDC lost the Kumbungu parliamentary seat to the Conventions Peoples Party in a bye-election when Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni have to take up an international appointed at the African Caribbean Pacific organisation in Brussels, Belgium.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur also said the NDC as a party believes in the peace and unity of the country and President Mahama as a leader of Ghana epitomised such virtues.

He said the NDC with development as its vision want the best for the people of Kumbungu and Ghana.

He said the over the last few years the NDC government had initiated a lot of development projects in the area including building schools, health facilities, extending electricity to communities and the tarring of the main road from Tamale to Kumbungu.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur said for Ghana to attain speedy development the country needed a government that was consistent on the delivery of its promises which he said the NDC represents.

He said the country as at now does not need any disruptive change to affect the forward march of the nation.

He urged the electorate in the area to vote for Mr Ras Mubarak, the NDC Parliamentary candidate and not make the same mistake it made in the April 2013 bye-elections.

The Kumbungu Naa, Naa Iddrisu Abu on his part thanked the NDC government for the numerous developments it was undertaken in the area.

He said for the first time in more than 50 years Kumbungu has had its roads a tarred road to the Centre of the town and building of the District Assembly hall and expressed appreciation to the government for that.

He said since Kumbungu have been elevated to district status the area would require a district hospital and model senior secondary school.

He therefore appealed to the government to consider the request of the people in the provision of these facilities.

Vice President Amissah-Athur introduced Mr Mubarak, to the people.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur made similar courtesy calls on the Gbulum Lana- Sulaimana Aminu, the Chief of Voggu, Mohammed Bawa Abdulai and also addressed NDC supporters in those communities. GNA
A National Democratic Congress (NDC) member contesting as an independent parliamentary candidate in the Wa West Constituency, Farouk Bandana, has slammed the NDC for directing expelled members not to campaign for the partys presidential candidate.

This followed the party's decision to expel 23 members contesting as independent candidates in the 2016 elections.

The NDC, in a statement signed by the General Secretary of the party, explained that the party expelled the members because the 23 persons breached the party's constitution.

The party also directed the independent candidates to stop campaigning with the party's colors and suggested that those campaigning for only the NDC Flagbearer, President John Mahama, without the NDC parliamentary candidates did not have the partys interests at heart.

In an interview with Citi News' Sixtus Dong Ullo however, Mr. Bandana, said he was at peace with his expulsion from the NDC but insisted that the party could not prevent him from campaigning for President Mahama.

To say that nobody should use the names of key party executives or the President in their campaign  I don't know how they seek to interpret that. I don't know really know what that means. I think it is quite arrogant posturing. The decision by the NEC [National Executive Committee] is quite arrogant and I don't think that is how our democracy should be handled.

Mr. Bandana asserted that expulsion could not be used to curtail the freedom of choice of any individual because if you tell me I cannot even tell people to campaign for the President, you cannot tell me that.

Samson Abu urges expelled members to accept suspension

The NDC MP for the Lawra Constituency going independent, Samson Abu, toed a similar line as he said it would be unfair for the party to bar the expelled members from campaigning for the President.

Mr. Abu, argued that he had the right to choose and campaign for whomever he wished to be President.

The President needs votes and the President needs my vote as well. Whether I belong to a party or I am an independent person, I have the right to choose my President. Whilst I am choosing I have the right to seek the support of others for us to toe the same line or to all support the same President.

Samson Abu

Mr. Abu also urged the the expelled members to accept their suspension from the party in good faith saying, all those going independent should receive this information in good faith because once you know you are going independent, you should know that the rules of the party must come into play, he said.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
02.11.2016 LISTEN

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), has made a fresh case for electricity tariffs to be reduced and render them competitive.

The AGI says the high cost of utility still hampers the efforts of its members to expand their businesses and employ more people.

The apparent silence by businesses in the last few months on issues of high cost of power tariffs should not be misconstrued as acceptance of the business community of the current energy tariff levels.

It is indeed a helpless situation for industries in particular and everything should be done to improve efficiency and reduce the electricity tariffs as it is rendering our businesses uncompetitive, President of AGI, James Asare Adjei remarked.

Mr. Asare Adjei made the remarks at the 56th Annual General Meeting of the AGI in Kumasi on Wednesday, November 2, 2016.

He however lauded the efforts by authorities for what he described as the significant improvement in energy supply in the past few months.

This level of improvement comes as a welcome development to us as private sector operators.

The AGI boss however believes the ultimate relief for businesses will be for electricity tariffs to be reduced.

According to him, the high cost is still a challenge for businesses to surmount and be competitive in the local and international markets.

The improvement in the energy supply has brought in its wake the high and unbearable tariff costs to industries in particular and industries in general.

This year's AGM was on the theme, Growing local industries for export development and job creation.

Commenting on the theme, Mr. Asare Adjei further challenged more resources to be channeled into developing the export sector to reduce the country's balance of trade deficit and shore up the country's currency.

Meanwhile James Asare Adjei has commended government for the relative macro-economic stability.

He is however urging that sustainable measures are instituted to foster the economic gains made and reflect in the general macro-economic outlook.



By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Angola said Wednesday that a date must be set for presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo that will allow a smooth handover of power from President Joseph Kabila.

Angola and France will be leading a Security Council visit to the DR Congo next week to meet with Kabila, opposition leaders and civil society in a bid to ease tensions over the holding of the vote.

"I want the elections to be set, to be done orderly and then let someone else continue to run the country," Angola's Ambassador Ismael Gaspar Martins told reporters.

"I think that is doable," said the ambassador.

Angola is an influential player in the DR Congo and a key backer of the Kinshasa government dating back to the two wars of the 1990s and early 2000s when Luanda provided crucial military support.

The 15 council envoys will visit Kinshasa, Goma and Beni from November 10 to 14 for meetings that the French ambassador said were an "important exercise in preventative diplomacy."

They will also travel to Luanda to meet with President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

There have been growing fears that the DR Congo, one of Africa's biggest and resource-rich countries, could descend into chaos after some 49 people were killed in anti-Kabila demonstrations in September.

Last month, a political deal was reached between Kabila's party, its allies and some smaller opposition groups to delay the presidential election -- due to have been held this year -- until April 2018.

But the main opposition Rassemblement (Gathering) coalition rejected it, branding it a ploy by Kabila to stay in power beyond the end of his term.

The Catholic Church, which has a strong voice in the country, has criticized the deal and called for more dialogue.

A 'good' date for elections

The Angolan envoy said the council can demand that a date be set for the vote but he stressed that this must be a "good date... so that we do not have elections and then confusion."

Kabila, who has been in power since 2001, "should end his term and let someone else be elected, but he cannot sit aside and let the country in a vacuum do elections and stay stable," added the ambassador.

"We want the Congolese to agree on something which is orderly, which guarantees stability in the country and we in the region should be able to support whatever is selected by the Congolese," he said.

The UN envoy for the Great Lakes region, Said Djinnit, told the council on Wednesday that the government must reach out to the opposition that rejected the political deal to try to build an "inclusive process."

US Ambassador Samantha Power has said elections should be held in 2017

During its visit, the council will talk to all sides to "ensure that they fully realize the responsibility that they have in preserving peace in the country," said French Ambassador Francois Delattre.

Congolese politicians must show they are willing to compromise to prepare the elections as soon as possible, he added.

US Ambassador Samantha Power has said elections should be held in 2017.

The DR Congo has been ruled by Kabila since his father Laurent was assassinated in 2001.

Kabila was elected in 2006 to his first five-year term under a constitution that sets a two-term limit for presidents.
Nobody should be afraid, some people are inquiring from me, the fact that NDC may rig the election or may not cede power should they lose, let me assure you, that is not going to happen

If you look around Ivory Coast what happened to him [Gbagbo] when he refused to cede power, his wife as well as his special aide who was causing trouble, are all languishing in prisons, so the NDC and John Mahama must take a lesson from that to cede power to guarantee peace in the country (Mac Manu, Campaign Manager of the New Patriotic Party).

Such a militarized rhetoric! Where do we start?

We pose this question, because if these are the leaders and role models the Ghanaian youth should aspire to, then Ghana (and Africa) is in deep trouble.

What will prompt this demon-possessed political animal to make this outrageous threat?

Perhaps political threats are the new political manifesto of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

It is, however, interesting how these new trends of political threats seem to be emerging just at the moment when the Machiavellian and conning leadership of the NPP thinks it can use the concept of crowdmanship to bulldoze the masses into believing that crowdmanship somehow automaticallyif not directlytranslates into a numerical preponderance of electoral success.

This is not always the case, however. Other than that, our working hypothesis will point to the other fact that the leadership of the NPP may actually be capitalizing on the carefully staged-managed photogeneity of bumps at public rallies, to shore up its grandiose delusions that electoral success for the NPP is a foregone conclusion.

In other words, this leadership wants to use the culture or climate of fear to sustain this forgone conclusion and to push its clandestine agenda of winning political power at gunpoint (see Wole Soyinkas 2004 BBC Reith Lectures The Climate of Fear; again, see Soyinkas book of the same title).

After all, party loyalists and supporters are always bussed from one base to another to shore up numbers.

On the contrary, these artificial bumps may therefore represent an assumptive riposte to the sentimental illogic of this foregone conclusion.

This is largely because the psychology of voting patterns or behavior is not the focus of vigorous scientific research from the viewpoint of any of the political parties or research institutions and think tanks associated with them.

Thus understanding social psychology, affective influence, political psychology, the psychology of judgment and decision making, game theory, implicit ethnicthe Ghanaian/African version of the Bradley Effectand regional prejudices, negativity bias, gerrymandering, social choice theory (or voting theory), social desirability bias, polling, electoral geography, rational choice theory, the so-called bandwagon effect, mass illiteracy and poverty, aliteracy, charisma of presidential candidates, the mathematics of voting, and loss aversionin the mainsurely offer great insights into patterns of voting behavior, important topics that are not carefully studied in our part of the world, if at all.

We should not leave out the entire field of psephology, if we should add.

These are some of the tools our politicians should be using for purposes of predictive inferences insofar far as numeric election results go, rather than indulging in violent political communication and rhetoric.

In the final analysis then, we need to expend some research efforts on these methodological approaches to understanding human psychology and voting behavior patterns.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The only poll that matters is the one on U.S. election dayall other polls are concoctions (Diane Francis).

I would like to promise and pledge to all of my voters and supporters and to all of the people of the United States that I will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election, if I win (Donald Trump).

In the end, all the telegenic glad-hanging rituals involving the presidential candidates of the two leading parties may not actually amount to much in terms of a winnable preponderance of electoral numbers.

At best, this trial balloon of political threats will not make any impact on the outcome of the general elections.

It is a political risk the leadership of the NPP is willing to take to support a potential foreseeable electoral win at the polls.

Trying to capitalize on the stage-managed telegeneity of crowdmanship and glad-handing rituals, to score cheap political points, may eventually turn out to be a disappointing boondoggle.

Neither can the kind of forecasts undertaken by pollster Ben Ephson amount to much, since the notion of exchangeability, computational neuroscience, time series analysis/time series forecasting, predictive inference and other forms of statistical probability always accurately predict the proclivities, or otherwise, of human psychology.

The idea of value judgment, emotions, and subjectivity all come into play in accessing the statistical probability of human psychology and patterns of voting behavior.

Namely, pollsters cannot always capture the fullest spectrum or continuum of subtleties and nuances in human psychology. The plasticity of the human brain, the epigenetic influences on its development and the brains interaction with the environment make for the complexity of the human brain. In this context, the human mind is such a great complex mystery to behold.

What this also means is that the efforts of pollster Ephson may, at worse, be elitist exercises in intellectual exuberance. Pollster Ephson may not be an independent statistical assessor after all.

This problem of lack of independence is further compounded by the fact that everything in Ghana is deeply politicized and heavily monetized through the strategic channels of political partisanship and of patronage.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

His (Mac Manu) violence-breeding comments send a very bad signal to the electorate Comments so far from the NPP for the past weeks have been very carefree which have sent a negative signal about them to the electorate as an intolerant militant party

The statements from the NPP including their flag bearer who should know better as December 7, 2016 is drawing nigh, have either been bigotry, violent or tension-breeding

Ghana is bigger than anyone and most Ghanaians will not like to support a party that plants a seed of violence in the atmosphere per their actions and comments

We hope NPP will call their members making such deviant comments to order and restrategise their campaign with respect to statements being made. Again, we hope NPP will put Ghana first rather than their party and clean their power-at-all-cost mentality if indeed they want to win this elections (Nii Tettey Tetteh & Charles Kwadade, Strategic Thinkers Network (STRANEK).

Mac Manus stinking, awkward temerity to liea remarkable whopper, if you willthat Akufo-Addo accepted the outcome of the 2012 general elections is a slap in the face of our collective memory.

Why did Akufo-Addo and the NPP go to court in the first place, and what was the outcome of the petition trial?

Mac Manus mind is a criminal mind indeed, a mind warped to an extent beyond or incapable of corrective reversibility.

This kind of mind is a bold statement on a psychological profile steeped in the waywardness of political Ludditism.

Mac Manu is therefore an unrefined, clumsy first-order nation-wrecker not in words alone but in actionable potentiality as well. It is only matter of time before he bares his rotten teeth of anarchy.

With such a warped, corrupt mindset at the head of a political organization, one wonders what has become of patriotism, humanism, and intolerance.

This jihadist mindset is the very antithesis of progressive politics. Such a bearer of nihilistic political psychology should not be tolerated. A nihilistic political psychology does not bode well for any democracy.

POSTSCRIPT REFLECTIONS

Countrymen, the task ahead is great indeed, and heavy is the responsibility; and yet it is a noble and glorious challengea challenge which calls for the courage to dream, the courage to believe, the courage to dare, the courage to do, the courage to envision, the courage to fight, the courage to work, the courage to achieveto achieve the highest excellencies and the fullest greatness of man. Dare we ask for more in life? (Kwame Nkrumah)

In Part 3, the concluding segment, we take up some critical perspectives of Nelson Mandela beyond what it means to focus on making sense out of these critical perspectives, in the broader context of resolving some of the major contradictions plaguing Ghana and the larger continent.

Unemployment, rising rates of crime, poor public services, poor sanitation, pollution of the environment, afforestation and desertification, falling standards in education, public safety and health issues, teenage pregnancy, malnutrition and hunger, rising disease burden, ethnocentrism and racism, religious bigotry, gender inequality, and public corruption are a few of the problems calling for our remediation focus and attention.

Mandela drew our attention to some of these problems and the necessity of coming together and solving them. Though the quotations we attribute to him in Part 3 are specific to South Africa of the Apartheid era, they do in fact demonstrate a symbolic generality and seamless continuum with the human condition.

On the contrary Ali Mazrui called it the African Condition, an unhelpful diagnostic label incapable of fully capturing the underlying rhythm and complexities of the human condition (see his book The African Condition: A Political Diagnosis, a collection of his 1979 Reith Lecture Series). In other words his diagnostic specificity tended to de-contextualize prognostic options for technocrats, thus belying the contributions of interactionism and situationism to the human experience.

Addressing these problems will require strategic and constructive dialogue and planning across political divides, using the best tools of modern science and technology, in the absence of the heightened alarmist political communication and militarized rhetoric we see in Ghana today, particularly at the dawn of the Fourth Republic. Perhaps we need to take a hard look at party politics! This militarized rhetoric is uncalled-for, inappropriate and both strategically and tactically premature.

We tend to think as if we have lost our sense of focus and the collective will to effectively contain our problems, this coming from excessive partisan political bickering and bitching about almost everything. We have allowed fake religious prophets and demagogues to replace pragmatic men and women of science and technology. We are in effect our own worst enemy!

A WORD OF ADVICE TO GHANAIANS

Until Ghanaians wake up one day from their sickening, ever-thickening slumberous coma and realize the fullest extent of their politicians robbing them in broad daylight, shortchanging them at every available opportunity, the future for them and for their unborn generations will remain as bleak as the suffocating depths of hell.

Then will they only realize that that future belongs exclusively to those political extortionists, to their families and cronies, and to their unborn generations. Our extorting duopoly and the numbing incompetence of those representing it in leadership positions are what Ghanaians should watch out for.

If President Mahama is incompetent then it is probably because Akufo-Addo has never demonstrated any model competence of leadership in the first. Significantly, though, the seemingly illogic of this statement enjoys a stark momentum of some visual truth in the comparative anatomy of the two men, which, hereby, points to the contrasting differential in their physical heights.

REFERENCES

Ghanaweb. Accept Defeat Else There Will Be ChaosNPP Warns Mahama. October 29, 2016.

Diane Francis. (September 23, 2016). Diane Francis: The Only Poll That Matters Is The One On U.S. Election DayAll Other Polls Are Concoctions. Retrieved from http://business.financialpost.com/diane-francis/diane-francis-the-only-poll-that-matters-is-the-one-on-u-s-election-day-all-other-polls-are-concoctions

Jeremy Diamond. (October 20, 2016). Donald Trump: 'I Will Totally Accept' Election Results 'If I Win.' Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/20/politics/donald-trump-i-will-totally-accept-election-results-if-i-win/

Ghanaweb. Do clean politicsGroup to NPP. October 31, 2016.
President John Mahama says the current division in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was predicted by former President John Kufuor towards the end of his term in 2007.

Describing the former Ghanaian leader as a prophet, the President said members of the NPP are to blamed for electing a flagbearer whose stock of trade has been to foment tension and division in the party.

Mr Mahama made reference to a video which is making the rounds on social media in which Mr Kufour was heard advising some party functionaries to be wary of the person they elect to succeed him ahead of the 2008 general elections.

'One day I was on social media particularly WhatsApp and I saw a video of our former President Kufuor and after watching I was shocked', Mr Mahama said in Twi.

In the video, then President Kufuor told those he was addressing not to vote for an individual who comes to them bearing gifts to buy their conscience.

What we have to be careful about is that even as we look for a successor we must look for somebody who will continue to hold the party together.We mustnt go for anybody who will divide us because we by ourselves alone cannot get the vote we need, former President Kufuor said in the video.

True NPP people will vote for us, but I dont think we will make the 50 percent plus one vote to win at one touch, that is why we need to stay together so that we will be attractive to draw others close to us, he continued.

Addressing a rally of supporters of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Suhum in the Eastern Region, President Mahama said all the things the former President said are taking place in the NPP.

Whoever challenges the current NPP leader is either sacked or suspended in the party, President Mahama said, adding

Advancing a case for his second term bid, he said as a President and human being, he has done what is humanly possible and would continue if he is given a second term.

He said the Opana in the NPP is so intolerable that he can attempt to destool chiefs who speak against his government should he become president.

The President urged Ghanaians who want the current peace in the country to continue to give him a second term because he is peace-loving.

Do not vote for the NPP and its flagbearer because they dont have the peace of Ghana at heart, he said.

What is happening in the NPP should be enough to help you draw your own conclusion in the December polls, he said, adding the election is either a vote for a unifier or a divisive leader which he and the NPP leader, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo represent respectively.

Listen to President John Mahama and former President John Kufuor in the Audios attached below:

Former President John Kufuor:



President John Mahama on Kufuor



Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Kofi Siaw | Austin Brakopowers
Nairobi (AFP) - Kenya announced Wednesday it was withdrawing from United Nations peacekeeping duties in South Sudan after UN chief Ban Ki-moon fired the Kenyan head of the force for failing to protect civilians.

Continued deployment of Kenyan troops in South Sudan "is no longer tenable", the foreign ministry said, saying the country would "withdraw, immediately" its forces there.
Some Members of Parliament have made calls for a review of retirement package for law makers in the country.

The MPs lamented that life after service in Parliament for some members often become extremely difficult hence efforts must be made to cushion them when they leave parliament.

The concerns were raised on the floor of the house, after tributes were read in memory of the late MP for Hohoe North, Prince Jacob Hayibor.

Theme Member of Parliament for Central Tongu, Joseph Gidisu in his comment said the rate of exit from this world by colleagues who have passed out of the house is quite alarming; and I want to equally associate myself on calling for a very serious attention to be given to whatever support that could be given to members of the house by way of pension or any other arrangement to be of assistance to MPs when they are outside this house.

The Deputy Minority leader and Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul, described as disappointing, the situation where Members of Parliament would now have to contribute to support the former MPs funeral.

Government in 2013, released about GH200,000 to be paid to former Members of Parliament who served in the fifth parliament of the fourth republic as ex-gratia.

'Set up provident fund for ex-gratia'

In April 2016, a Zonal Consultative forum held in Kumasi on emoluments and salaries of article 71 public office holders, ended with recommendations that a provident fund be set up to allow Members of Parliament (MPs) cede part of their monthly salaries to serve as their ex-gratia when they exit Parliament.

A five-member Presidential Committee on Emoluments appointed by President John Dramani Mahama is organizing the broad consultative meetings across the country to solicit public views on the all-important issues to factor these into a final recommendations document.

Article 71 office holders are: the President and his Vice, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Speaker of Parliament and Members of Parliament, Chief Justice, other superior judges and heads of independent state agencies.



By: Duke M. Opoku & Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
An eight-member technical delegation from Senegal, are in Ghana to understudy the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Leader of the team, Mamadou Racine Senghor, told journalists on Monday in Accra that, their one week visit is to afford them the opportunity to learn from Ghana's experience and speed up their process of implementing their own form of health insurance.

According to him, the team will be seeking to acquire lessons in clinical audit, database management, biometric system and the instant issuance of cards.

Other areas of their interest include claims management, policy monitoring and evaluation, credentialing and provider payment methods.

Mamadou Senghor, also the deputy Chief Executive of Senegal's Universal Healthcare Coverage Agency, voiced his country's appreciation to Ghana.

The government of Senegal and the people are happy and well-informed about the help that Ghanas NHIS is providing our country in terms of technical assistance. Our choice of Ghana is because of the great work we see you do, providing financial access to healthcare to your people and we are confident that after this tour, Senegal will be able to see its way clearer, he said at the opening of their one week study visit.

Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nathaniel Otoo, welcomed the team, and expressed Ghana's willingness to help in providing technical assistance to Senegal.

He thanked them for their confidence in Ghana's system and said various technocrats at the NHIA will take turns to share lessons with them during their study.

He said it is laudable that Senegal is embarking on the journey to provide health insurance for its people. He however cautioned that the road to achieving the objective may not always be smooth.

Ghana aspires to bring healthcare to its entire populace and this is being done through different vehicles. Financing of healthcare is one of these vehicles and that is what we do here at the NHIA. We have had our fair share of successes and challenges. But the challenges haven't put us off, Mr Otoo averred.

The NHIA boss mentioned that, the NHIS currently has a membership of 11.3million with a network of over 4,000 service providers across the country comprising public health facilities, private providers and faith-based healthcare institutions.

According to him, the enthusiasm many people show every day in enrolling onto the Scheme is heart-warming.

Mr. Otoo said sustainability of health financing schemes remains a big challenge across the globe, and it was important for the Senegalese health system to have a clear idea of fairly sustainable funding sources even before they take off.

He informed the delegation that Ghana's president late last year commissioned a comprehensive review of the Scheme, the first of its kind in the 13-year history of the NHIS.

The review, according to him, will provide Ghanaians the opportunity to re-define the sustainability period of the scheme and re-focus it to meet the nation's most pressing health priorities.

The NHIA in the last couple of years has received over a dozen countries and foreign delegations on similar missions.

The NHIA has said that the example of Ghana in purchasing healthcare makes the country a reference point in the health insurance world.



By: citifmonline.com/Ghana
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) Markets regulator Sebi has ordered five companies and their directors to refund in three months the money raised from investors without complying with the public issue norms.

The companies are AVM Real Estate & Allied, Goldmine Industries, Cemendia Infrastructures, Aryan Agro Projects and Omisha Agri Industries (India).

The regulator has barred the entities from the securities market for four years and also directed them to refund the money along with an interest of 15 per cent per annum.

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All the five firms and their directors were barred from the securities market till further directions through separate interim orders issued earlier.

While AVM Real Estate had mobilised about Rs 63.5 lakh from at least 156 persons, Goldmine Industries raised Rs 19.41 lakh from more than 128 investors.

Similarly, Cemendia Infrastructures mobilised Rs 1.31 crore from 1,665 allottees and Aryan Agro Projects had issued securities to 87 investors. Omisha Agri Industries mopped up Rs 33.27 lakh from 82 allotees.

The securities were issued by the firms to more than 49 investors each, which qualified as a public issue that requires compulsory listing on the recognised stock exchange.

They were also required to file a prospectus, among other things, which they failed to do.

In five separate and similarly-worded orders, Sebi said the entities would be barred for four years or till the date of refund of money to the allottees, whichever is later.

In case the companies fail to comply with the directions, the regulator may initiate appropriate action in accordance with the provisions applicable laws.

The orders would come into force with immediate effect. PTI PRJ MR

--- ENDS ---
Pressure Group OccupyGhana has accused the Attorney General of discontinuing a case at the Supreme Court against businessman, Alfred Agbesi Woyome in order to protect his accomplices in the controversial GHc 51 million judgment debt saga.

The Attorney General had filed an application at the Supreme Court to orally examine Mr. Woyome.

But the Attorney General's Department in a notice has announced its decision to discontinue the oral examination. OccupyGhana in response has said it is aware that some of the AG might ask Woyome questions which would expose some government officials who benefited from the booty.

A notice of discontinuance dated October 26, 2016 from the Attorney General stated that please take notice that the 1st Defendant Judgment Creditor [Attorney General] herein has this day [26th Day of October 2016] discontinued the present application to orally examine the 3rd Defendant Judgment Debtor [Alfred Agbesi Woyome] with liberty to reapply.

OccupyGhana had earlier commended the AG for taking up the case and urged the department to pursue it to its logical conclusion to ensure the money was refunded to the state.

The pressure group explained that it issued a statement when the AG filed the first application because we had heard that after the order was obtained and served on Woyome, immense pressure was brought to bear on the Attorney-General's Department to abandon that process.

The key concern, we learnt, had to do with Woyome being compelled to disclose how he spent our money, because the answer to that question would reveal the names of all the persons who benefited from our money.

What we did not believe at the time was that on the very next day after our statement, the Attorney-General would so easily cave in to the pressure and abandon probably the only option left to Ghana to recover our money from Woyome, the statement added.

Sydney Casely-Hayford

Gov't, AG scared of Woyome OccupyGhana further took a swipe at government and the Attorney General saying they are scared of Mr. Woyome.

It is clear to us that this government and its Attorney-General are either scared of Woyome or do not have the moral courage to pursue him for our money.

We cannot forget that this Government deliberately bungled the civil case it reluctantly filed to claim the money from Woyome, and secretly paid the money to him at a time when that case was still pending, and when the court had allowed the Government to hold on to at least two-thirds of the money.

We cannot forget that but for the admirable and sacrificial vigilance and work of Mr. Martin Amidu, Woyome might never have been compelled to refund our money, the statement added.

Background Alfred Woyome was paid 51 million after he claimed that he helped Ghana to raise funds to construct stadia for purposes of hosting the CAN 2008 Nations Cup.

However an Auditor General's report released in 2010, said the amount was paid illegally to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) financier.

The Supreme Court in 2014 ordered Mr. Woyome to pay back 51 million fraudulently taken from the state, after Mr. Martin Amidu, a former Attorney General challenged the legality of the judgment debt paid the businessman, Waterville, and Isofoton.

Following delays in retrieving the money, the Supreme Court judges unanimously granted the Attorney-General clearance to execute the court's judgment ordering Mr. Woyome to refund the cash to the state.

-Citifmonline
02.11.2016 LISTEN

From Issah Alhassan, Kumasi

SECURITY AUTHORITIES in the Ashanti Region have been put on high alert, after substances suspected to be explosives were dumped at the premises close to the Deputy Regional Minister and a National Security Data Centre in Kumasi.

The potentially harmful substances, suspected by security authorities to be powerful explosives, were said to have been dumped at the premises in Danyame, by an unidentified motor rider, who sped off immediately after dumping the items.

The suspect reportedly dropped the explosives at two different locations; one close to the National Security Data Centre and another one close to the entrance of a building which houses the Deputy Regional Minister, Mr. Andy Osei Okrah.

Security personnel at the time of filing this report were in a crucial meeting to deliberate on the matter and to devise means of unraveling the mystery.

DETECTION

According to information pieced together by The Chronicle, the suspect reportedly dropped the items, which looked like a gas cylinder and a timer, at around 5:30 pm on Monday.

A police officer manning the residence of the Deputy Regional Minister allegedly spotted him but could not effect his arrest because the suspect was riding at top speed.

Following the incident, the Military and National Security quickly deployed personnel to the scene. Subsequently, all roads leading to the premises were closed to traffic whilst the place was also cordoned off to avoid any eventualities.

Military personnel from the Bomb Squad of the 4th Battalion Infant Brigade managed to eliminate any form of potential threats on Tuesday.

According to information, the military personnel brought to the scene several materials including heaps of sand to neutralize any form of potential explosion.

However, several efforts to get security authorities to brief the media proved unsuccessful.
02.11.2016 LISTEN



The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has armed journalists with the requisite skills on reporting on the operations of the company at a days workshop, organised for media personnel.

The media personnel, drawn from the region, were armed with information and mad to understand how the power distribution business operates.

The training covered two parts  theory and practical steps in generating power and distribution.

The Western Regional Engineer of the ECG, Ing. Ebenezer Ghunney, explained how power was generated from the Volta River Authority (VRA), then transmitted to Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), and consequently, distributed to the ECG.



After GRIDCo has transmitted power from the VRA source, we take it at our Bulk Distribution Stations. We then use our transformers to step down the high voltage along our distribution network until it gets to the 230 volts, usable by our appliances. He also explained the many circumstances under which power has to be taken off to safeguard the infrastructure in place and to save lives.

The training ended after Ing. Ghunney and some technical men led the group to the Takoradi substation of the company, to explain how power was received for onward distribution to consumers.

The Western Regional Public Relations Officer of the ECG, Philip Osei Bonsu, expressed the hope that the workshop would enhance the capacity of the media on reporting their operations.

To him, journalists played a crucial role in telling the story of what ECG engineers do daily to ensure power in our homes and businesses, which would help clear some misconceptions.

He cited, for instance, that in times of load shedding, some members of the public accuse ECG engineers of maybe just sitting somewhere pressing knobs just to plunge people into darkness.

The Regional Manager of the ECG, Ing. Jacqueline Ofori-Atta, urged journalists to seek clarification on issues of power which they may not understand, in order to get the correct information, especially, on power cuts.
02.11.2016 LISTEN



Complied by Alfred Adams.

AngloGold Ashanti, Iduapriem Mine, continues to touch the lives of its host communities, through social intervention programmes designed by the mining giant as a means of giving employable skills to the indigenes.

One of such social interventionist programmes designed by the mining giant is the Local Empowerment Initiative (LEI), aimed at equipping women with employable skills.

The social intervention programme has helped many individuals in the catchment area acquire employable skills, and one of such beneficiaries of the LEI is Madam Comfort Adjei, is a middle school certificate holder.

Considering her educational background, there was no end in sight for her, but now she can breathe a new life under the AngloGold LEI programme.

Now operating under the business name 'Add Fort', Comfort Adjei has become a successful entrepreneur.

She revealed that 'Add Fort' was formed in 2012, through the Mine's Local Empowerment Initiative.

With support from the mine and the Municipal branch of the National Business for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), a series of workshops was organised for them on business management, which enabled her moot the idea to form the company.

Starting with two employees, she now employs 20, after landing her first cleaning services contract with the mine from 2011-2012.

She continued that from the experience she gained, she now understands contract procedures such as tendering, filling tender application forms and meeting timelines on submission of tender, tender opening, negotiation and award of contract.

Through this, she was able to secure additional contracts.

Through the contracts I won from Iduapriem Mine, as well as training in financial management, I am able to turn proceeds around, and this has helped me see my two children up to the tertiary level of education.

She, however, admitted that had it not being for the initiatives rolled by the Mine in women empowerment, she, hitherto, might not have been able to establish her own business.

Comfort hinted that it is an honour to see her young business grow into a company, a phenomenon, she says, is evident because her business has empowered others to take care of their families, by enabling them earn an income.

Now I can make ends meet, and create employment for the youth in my community, through the initiatives Iduapriem Mine has rolled out.

As a value of leaving communities with a sustainable future, AngloGold Ashanti ensures that Comfort Adjei and other host community contractors have their skills regularly evaluated and developed, to enable them be more competitive.

I am appreciative of the contributions of Iduapriem Mine towards women empowerment in our host communities, since more women are now running their own business, which complements the efforts of husbands in their respective homes, an employee of Madam Comfort remarked.

Considering how Iduapriem Mine has positively impacted on the lives of women in its host communities, Comfort Adjei encouraged other community members, especially females, to take advantage of the opportunities the mine presents.

The AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine's Local Economic Development Initiative programme seeks to build the capacities of local contractors, to enable them participate in the supply chain process.

It is implemented in collaboration with the National Board for Small Scale Business.
02.11.2016 LISTEN



A duplicate docket of the two Policemen involved in the robbery of a bullion van, belonging to the GCB Bank Limited, at Mame Krobo in the Eastern Region, has now been forwarded to the Attorney General's office for advice.

Prosecuting Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) A.A. Annor told a District Court in Accra on Monday.

My Lord, we have been able to forward the docket to the Attorney General for advice, DSP Annor said.

The officers; General Corporal Solomon Elvis Mensah and General Lance Corporal Daniel Kissi Abrokwa alleged attack led to the death of Daniel K Sarpong, the driver of the bullion van.

The other accomplice in the dock is Hafisu Mohammed, aka Danjuma, a mechanic.

The two officers are being held on the charges of attempted robbery, conspiracy and murder.

Mohammed has been charged with conspiracy.

The pleas of the accused persons have been reserved by the court. The court, presided over by Mr Stephen Owusu commended the investigator for acting promptly in the matter.

This was after Abrokwa had told the court that he had received his wallet containing his money and ATM card.

At the last sitting Abrokwa told the court that he had no money to buy food in the cells and was compelled to fast.

Mensah lamented about media report stating that he had been admitted at the hospital, hence could not attend court at the last sitting.

Mohammed assured the court his family members were making frantic effort to ensure that his counsel appeared in court.

The facts, as presented by DSP Annor, indicated that the Police officers were stationed at Donkorkrom.

He said the officers hatched a plan of robbing the bullion van and on August 16, 2016. The Police Officers who were on duty at the GN Bank and GCB respectively.

The officers, therefore, discussed the robbery with Mohammed, who was a friend to the two and also a taxi driver.

The officers the armed themselves with AK 47 rifles and laid ambush at a spot between Tease and Mame Krobo at about 1030 hours on that fateful day.

Mohammed drove his taxi with registration number 1860-09 towards Ekye Amanfrom to monitor the arrival of the bullion van.

The Prosecution said 20 minutes after the bullion van arrived, Mohammed signaled the Police officers who then opened fire, killing the driver of the van.

DSP Annor said a Police Officer on board the van who got injured managed to return fire compelling the two robbers to take cover in the bush.

The attackers called Mohammed, who picked them with his car, in their bid to escape.

The Police Command at Donkorkrom got wind of the robbery incident and mobilised men who arrested the three accused persons on board the cab.

The Prosecution said two AK 47 rifles, 23 rounds of ammunitions, a cutlass and two metal bars were retrieved from the taxi.

The deceased's body has been deposited at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital awaiting autopsy.

DSP Annor said three other occupants of the bullion van, however, escaped unhurt while the Policeman on guard was treated and discharged at the Donkorkrom Presbyterian Hospital.

The matter has been adjourned to November 14.

Source: GNA


02.11.2016 LISTEN

By Richard Kofi Attenkah.

Credible information gathered by this paper reveals that the governing party's parliamentary candidate for Efutu Constituency in the Central Region, Mr. Eric Don-Arthur, is in hot waters over allegations of corruption, while others describe it as fraud.

Checks conducted by this paper showed that the Constituency Chairman, Paa Nii Lamptey, is on the heels of the parliamentary candidate over the setting up of an account to solicit funds from Ghanaians to aid his campaign, whereas about US$1 million handed over to the candidate to facilitate some projects for the fisher-folks in the constituency, cannot be properly accounted for.

The Efutu Constituency was recently in the news over the distribution of outboard motors to the fisher-folks, resulting in some government functionaries peddling falsehood against the sitting New Patriotic Party (NPP) legislator for the area, Mr. Alex Afenyo-Markin.

Though the MP did not officially respond to the issues, it appears the attempt by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to throw mud at the MP has hit a snag, as the party members now are now at the throats of each other.

Paa Nii Lamptey, attempting to purge himself from allegations of fraud and corruption, openly blew the lid on Mr. Don Arthur's overt and covert actions.

On the platform of the NDC, Paa Nii, as he is popularly known, wrote to inform the entire members of the party in the constituency, and the region, about the activities of Mr. Arthur, and called on the party hierarchy to call the candidate to order.

In his post to the NDC platform, he wrote: I wrote an article few weeks ago, and my party members (NDC) were furious.

I have the honour of being a goodwill Chairman to ask Eric Don Arthur to account for the $1 million given to him to facilitate the fisher-folks.

Therefore, Im dissociating myself from him, and have no knowledge of the CPAID account he created on all networks, with the Short code 1947, asking Ghanaians to donate GH1 to help him build a CP Facility in the constituency.

He continued: I will not allow anyone to use the name of the party for business. If I was to be Eric Don Arthur, I would have learnt a lot from the just-ended keep fit of our opponents and the message the MP was sending across. (MP: Wearing GREEN and WHITE top with NPP shirt inner.)

Meaning: Those around him (Eric Don Arthur) are all fake. They are all deceiving him by wearing NPP shirt inner, whiles the NDC shirt is on top. That was the message of the GREEN and WHITE top the MP was wearing, sending across.

The Constituency Chairman further stressed: I, Paa Nii Lamptey, is hereby cautioning you, Eric Don Arthur, to be careful and restrain from those ungrown toothless boys. A word to a wise is enough.

Eric Don-Arthur, former broadcaster at TV3, according to some party members, would perform abysmally in the upcoming elections, considering his way of doing things.

Efforts to reach the NDC aspiring MP proved futile at the time of going to press. Mr. Eric Don Arthur also could not respond to a text message sent to his phone to react to the allegations leveled against him.
02.11.2016 LISTEN





From Samuel Agbewode, Ave-Dakpa.

The Akatsi North District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. James Gunu, says the main opposition New Patriotic Partys (NPP) manifesto is worthless, comparing it to a mobile phone without a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, battery and manual.

While calling on the electorate to reject the party at the polls in December, Mr. Gunu indicated that the NPP manifesto promised no hope to Ghanaians, as it was only packaged as an unattractive toy to children.

The DCE also argued that the NPP manifesto was inconsistent with the party's own ideologies, a situation he likened to the creation of its own mobile phone numbers and deciding to dial, which would definitely not go through, because there would be no connectivity.

Addressing branch executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at separate meetings at Ave-Glime, Kpegbadza and Yegbekope, as part of his campaign tour of the constituency, Mr. Gunu told the party executives that politics in the 21st Century had reached an advanced stage, where political parties could no longer develop manifestos, as if it were for fashion purposes, as demonstrated by the NPP.

He saw the NDC manifesto as one which had met the development aspirations of the people, saying the ruling party had the unfinished agenda to complete all development projects started, as well as to initiate new projects relevant to the development needs of the people when the party wins the 2016 general elections.

Revealing that the partys planned programme was devoid of tribal and ethnic discrimination, Mr. Gunu urged the electorate in the area to vote massively for President John Dramani Mahama and the Member of Parliament for the area, Mr. Peter Nortsu Kotoe, to enable them continue with the development activities in the country and the constituency.

For him, the umbrella family had over the years proved itself as the only political party that was much closer to the people, citing the creation of the Akatsi North District as an example of government's determination to bring the needed development to them.

Mr. Gunu explained that not only was governance brought closer to the people in the Akatsi North District, but also much development had taken place in the various areas, such as the building of school infrastructure, improvement in health care, improvement in agriculture and general improvement in the living conditions of the people.

Emphasising his case that the NDC had over the years undertaken major projects, including the construction of roads, the provision of potable water and the provision of electricity in rural areas, Mr. Gunu thus appealed to the electorate to, as a matter of importance, vote for President Mahama to enable him, not only complete development projects, but also implement new ones.

He commended the chiefs, religious leaders and other stakeholders in the Akatsi North District for their collaboration with the Assembly, which had resulted in the numerous development projects executed in the area.

Mr. Gunu later met with the clergy and other religious leaders in the district, and appealed to them to educate their followers to embrace peace at all times, particularly, during and after the 2016 general elections.

Peace, he indicated, was a prerequisite for any form of development, hence the need for the people to tolerate opposing views, to enable them to live in peace with one another.

He also held a breakfast meeting with the three best candidates in the 2016 Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) with their parents at Ave-Dakpa.

He commended them for the achievement, and urged students in the area to take their lessons more seriously, to justify the investment government and their parents were making in them.
02.11.2016 LISTEN

Story from Isaac Akwetey-Okunor, Koforidua.

( [email protected] )

The Eastern Regional representative of the Council of State, Nana Kodua Kesse II, has expressed his frustration over the economic hardship Ghanaians are going through under the Mahama led-administration.

Nana Kodua, who doubles as the Adontenghene of the New Juaben Traditional Area and Oyokohene in the New Juaben municipality, admitted that the countrys current economy was in shambles emphasizing that, there was no sign of lasting solutions being found to the current economic hardship Ghanaians were currently faced with.

The economy is bad but the government is poised to help turn things around by putting down good policies. You go to homes and there is no money to even buy food for the children, he observed.

He also expressed worry about the recent unemployment situation among the youth but quickly hinted that government was doing its best possible to ensure the menace became a thing of the past, with his explanation being that lot of jobs would be created in the NDCs second term of office, when voted for.

He made the confession in Koforidua over the weekend, during the Eastern Regional launch of Ovation Magazine published by Chief Dele Momodu and aimed at highlighting the development projects of President John Dramani Mahama.

The traditional ruler reitereated that, the Mahama-led government, over the past four years, had undertaken lots of development projects in the areas of education, health, transport, security among many other sectors of the economy.

Nana Kesse, who assured Ghanaians of governments commitment in dealing with the alarming challenges to ensure well-improved living conditions of the public, said the development projects undertaken by the NDC administration were aimed at mitigating the economic challenges.

He, however, urged government workers to put in their best at their various fields of work to ensure increased productivity, while discouraging laziness, absenteeism and other negative attitudes to work.

Most workers are being paid for no work done which is a great worry to the productivity. Workers need to put in their all to ensure their productivity match with their salaries, he Nlamented.

Nana Kodua Kesse, therefore, charged the media to propagate the enormous achievements of the NDC government, urging them to desist from false propaganda which had the tendency to dent the hard earned record of President Mahama.
Rabat (AFP) - Authorities in Morocco have pressed charges of homosexuality against two teenaged girls allegedly caught kissing and will put them on trial this week, a human rights group said Wednesday.

Police detained the pair, only identified as 16-year-old Sanaa and 17-year-old Hajar, in Marrakesh last Thursday, said Omar Arbib, an activist at the Moroccan Association of Human Rights.

"They were caught kissing and hugging on the roof of a house in Hay Mohammadi district," said Arbib.

"Someone photographed them, sent the picture to the family who informed the police" and the two girls were arrested on the same day, he told AFP.

They appeared before prosecutors and were due in court on Friday facing charges of "licentious or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex" under article 489 of the penal code.

The Moroccan Association of Human Rights has appointed a lawyer to defend the girls who if convicted could be imprisoned for between six months and three years.

But Arbib called for the release of the pair and for the law they are accused of breaking to be abolished.

Morocco, a country of 35 million people torn between religious conservatism and openness to the West, has had several controversial cases concerning homosexuality in recent years.
02.11.2016 LISTEN

The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) has launched a platform to enable citizens to access the manifesto of political parties, analyse it and make informed decisions on the energy sector.

The platform dubbed: Citizens' Energy Manifesto Monitor, serves as an accountability mechanism to monitor the manifesto of elected government.

The document comprises all the promises made by the political parties with respect to the oil, gas and power sectors.

Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, the Executive Director of ACEP, said the document would help to track the energy manifestoes of the political parties, for transparency and accountability.

He said the document also provided a one-stop shop platform for the electorate to analyse the energy sector promises, programmes and policies of the political parties to ensure informed choices in the December 7 polls.

ACEP, in July launched the citizens' manifesto to provide platform for citizens to make inputs into the manifestoes of various political parties.

Dr Adam explained that these views were analysed and put together in a book, Citizens Energy Manifesto and presented to the political parties before they launched their manifestoes.

He said analyses done by ACEP on the various manifestoes showed that the three political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and the Convention People's Party (CPP) made 28 policy promises in the oil and gas sector.

All the three parties have six common positions on broad policies in the sector. The NDC and NPP have two common policies and programmes, the NDC and CPP have one while the NPP and CPP have three policies and programmes in common.

He said all the parties, for instance, reiterated their commitment to promote transparency in oil and gas resource management, ensuring transparency and reporting in managing public funds, including oil revenues as well as prudent public financial management.

On the issue of local content in the oil and gas sector, Dr Adams said all parties in their manifestoes promised to increase local participation and value addition in the sector, strengthen and transfer technology, skills and capacity development as well as develop petrochemical industries from oil and gas.

The analyses, which were done as part of its Citizens' Energy Manifesto Campaign, showed that the various parties also made a total of 27 manifesto promises in the power sector.

Reacting to the document of energy sector manifesto, Energy experts expressed concerns about the absence of coherent strategy to create effective sustainable energy sector.

Mr Kweku Awotwi, the former Volta River Authority Chief Executive Officer was of the view that the political parties have not come out with concrete measures to address challenges in the energy sector.

Mr Emmanuel Kuyole, Deputy Director of the Natural Resource Governance Institute, observed that the political parties' manifestoes lacked the framework that link the extractive sector to the country's long-term development plans.

Mr Ishmael Edjekumhene, the Executive Director of the Kumasi Institute of Technology and Environment urged political parties to set specific targets in addressing the country's energy sector.

Source: GNA


By PTI: Varanasi, Nov 1 (PTI) BJP President Amit Shah will kick off the Parivartan Yatra (march for change) from Sonbhadra on November 8 ahead of the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls as the party attempts to regain power in the politically- crucial state after one-and-a-half decades.

BJP leader Ratnakar today held a meeting with party workers from Kashi region to review preparations for the yatra.

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According to Ratnakar, Shah will kick off the yatra from Robertsganj in Sonbhadra district of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

More than one lakh people are expected to participate in the march, he said. PTI CORR SMN

--- ENDS ---
Nairobi (AFP) - Kenya announced Wednesday it was withdrawing from United Nations peacekeeping duties in South Sudan after UN chief Ban Ki-moon fired the Kenyan head of the force for failing to protect civilians.

Continued deployment of Kenyan troops in South Sudan "is no longer tenable", the foreign ministry said, declaring that the country would "withdraw, immediately" its forces there.

In an angrily-worded statement, the ministry said it learned "with dismay" of Ban's decision Tuesday to dismiss Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki as head of the UN peacekeeping force in South Sudan, UNMISS force.

The move came after a UN special investigation issued a damning report, saying lack of leadership in the force led to a "chaotic and ineffective response" during heavy fighting in the capital Juba from July 8 to 11.

UNMISS has around 16,000 troops deployed in South Sudan, which has been at war since December 2013. Kenya has contributed around 1,000 men, making it one of the largest national components.

A South Sudan government spokesman declined to comment on the announcement.

In Nairobi, the Kenyan foreign ministry said the government "takes great exception to this decision" to fire Ondieki and lashed out at the process as lacking transparency and consultation.

It accused the UN of failing to address UNMISS's shortcomings and "instead opted to unfairly attribute them to a single individual."

'No longer tenable'

"This action is not only wrong but also insulates the Department Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO) from the hard questions it needs to answer, and the responsibility it must shoulder to facilitate the proper management of UNMISS," it said.

"The continued deployment of (Kenya's) troops in South Sudan is no longer tenable and is inimical to their safety and well-being," the ministry declared.

In addition to immediate withdrawal from South Sudan, Kenya will "discontinue plans to contribute to the Regional Protection Force, and... disengage from the South Sudan peace process," it added.

The fighting in July involved helicopter gunships and tanks pitting President Salva Kiir's government forces against those loyal to ex-rebel chief Riek Machar.

Machar fled the capital during the clashes, which scuttled international efforts to form a unity government and restore peace to South Sudan.

Ex-rebel chief Riek Machar fled the capital during the clashes, which scuttled international efforts to form a unity government and restore peace to South Sudan

The UN report said the peacekeepers abandoned their posts and failed to respond to pleas for help from aid workers who were under attack in a nearby hotel compound.

Chinese peacekeepers abandoned their positions at least twice and Nepalese troops failed to stop looting inside the UN compound, the inquiry found.

Ban said he was "alarmed by the serious shortcomings" in UNMISS and demanded Ondieki be immediately replaced, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Ondieki had been the force commander since May.

UN mission chief Ellen Margrethe Loj of Denmark steps down at the end of November after more than two years in the job.

Rights group Amnesty International called Wednesday for the UN force to do more to protect civilians.

"Change at the top of the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan has to be matched by fast and drastic change," it said.
By Kodjo Adams, GNA

Accra, Nov. 2, GNA - Mr George Blankson, Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has called on graduates of the GRA professional course to adhere to the Authority's mission of transparency, integrity and honesty in their field of work.

He urged the graduates to acquaint themselves with the Authority's code to guide them in their interaction with taxpayers.

"I urge you to contribute positively to the emerging organisational culture of excellence, creativity and providing solutions to identified challenges" he said.

The Commissioner-General said this at the graduation ceremony of 204 GRA course trainees for the 2014/2015 Professional Course in Taxation.

The trainees graduated from the basic tax administration course for new officers of the domestic tax revenue division.

The twelve months training includes basics of Accounting, Principles of Taxation, Principles of Law, Value Added Tax, Excise Tax and Communications Service tax.

Mr Blankson urged the graduates to be good ambassadors and portray the new face of GRA as a modernized service oriented tax administration and provide services to taxpayers in collecting the needed revenue for national development.

He called on them to combine the knowledge acquired with the realities on the ground to improve revenue mobilization in the country, adding that revenue mobilization requires determination, hard work, compassion, discipline, tenacity and integrity to succeed.

Mr Blankson said the Authority is increasingly and progressively modernizing its operations through the deployment of ICT and the adoption of new procedures and processes to enhance effective service delivery.

He said management has adopted a code of ethics to guide its employers in the performance of their duties, saying it will not hesitate to apply sanctions against erring employees.

He urged them to learn from the experiences of their senior officers to become worthy replacements and commended the staff of the training department for their efforts.

Ms Essie Sekyi, Acting Head of Training and Development Department and Assistant Commissioner for Direct Tax advised the graduates to eschew laziness and cultivate a positive attitude for success.

She said the reduction of the course training from two years to one year has resulted in the reduction of subjects such as information technology, deduction rules and long term contracts.

Ms Sekyi thanked management for acquiring its own building for the training school as a long-term solution.

Mr Bless Akrobetu, the Course Prefect for the 2016/2016 Batch, commended management for the opportunity and pledged their support to the growth of the Authority.

He urged management to take the needed steps to convert the training school into a fully-fledged degree awarding institution and ensure that accommodation facilities at the hostels are expanded to take more trainees.

Mr Justice Mensah, emerged the overall best student, Mr Ernest Essieku, Mr Henry Cofie, Ms Mary Amankwah and Mr Bless Akrobetu all earned deserved positions and were awarded with a plaque for their excellent performances.

GNA
Tamale, Nov 02, GNA - The Japanese government will from next year resume giving concessionary loans to Ghana.

Mr Koji Makino, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Country Representative to Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, said, for a start, an amount of $100 million concessionary loan would be given to Ghana.

The loan is to be used for the reconstruction of a bridge over the Volta River at Kpong in the Eastern Region to help contain the volume of traffic on the Adomi Bridge.

He said the bridge, when completed, would go a long way to strengthen the capacity of the Eastern Corridor Road; thereby accelerating Ghana's socio-economic development.

Mr Makino, who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Tamale during his three-day tour of JICA-funded projects in the Northern Region, said despite Ghana's rising debts, the Japanese government had confidence in Ghana's economy and in its ability to repay loans.

He said the concessionary loan repayment schedule would begin in about 10 years' time, adding that the concessionary loan was virtually interest-free.

He recounted that Japan's Official Development Assistance to Ghana started in 1963 and amounted to an average of 10 billion yen (over $100 million) annually between 1980 and 2000, making Japan the largest bilateral partner to Ghana.

He said in 2004, Japan granted a debt relief to Ghana worth about 105 billion yen (one billion dollars), the largest amount exempted by a creditor country.

Japan withdrew its loan assistance following the decision by Ghana in 2001 to join the league of Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC).

It would be recalled that in May 2013, President John Dramani Mahama at the fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, appealed to

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for the resumption of Japanese loans to Ghana.

Mr Makino said currently, JICA, in collaboration with the government of Ghana, was implementing cooperation in six sectors namely health, infrastructure, agriculture, education, governance and private sector development.

The Country Representative said these project areas were selected through a dialogue with the government of Ghana based on her development strategy and Japan's cooperation strategy outlined in the Tokyo International Conference for African Development.

Mr Makino said JICA would continue to provide support for capacity development, policy and institutional capacity improvement as well as social and economic infrastructure, thereby stimulating sustained poverty reduction through equitable growth and human empowerment.

The Northern Region JICA projects include the Tensui Two Project for Sustainable Development of Rainfed Lowland Rice Production Phase Two, and Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers in Ghana.

Others are the construction of electricity sub - transmission stations for the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) in Tamale and Sunyani, and the National KAIZEN Project.

During his three-day tour of the region, Mr Makino also held discussions with beneficiaries of the Japanese government training programme at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

GNA
02.11.2016 LISTEN

Accra, Nov 02, GNA - Mr Siapha Kamara, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SEND WEST AFRICA, has called for the strengthening of the oil and gas platform.

He explained that, through effective coordination among those who would want to see accountability within the sector, the strengthened platform would be used as the mouthpiece for them in the expenditure of the commodity.

He also called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to play a crucial role by broadening their efforts, putting pressure on government and making it accountable on how best the oil money could be used toward the development of citizens and the country as a whole.

Mr Kamara said these at a national stakeholder's dialogue on the utilization of the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) for specific projects held in Accra on Tuesday.

He remarked that lack of political leadership in the prioritisation of projects in the country was a major setback confronting the leaders and citizenry.

'Until we get leaders in Ghana who will put projects ahead, especially prioritizing the use of oil, we will always engage.

'But coming together as CSOs and focusing the discussion and championing the real look of oil issues on how to use additional resources through coordinated efforts, we will make head way,' he said.

'We in SEND and others who form the oil platform will coordinate and have researches that will help make this goal worthwhile,' he said.

The ABFA, which was organised by SEND-GHANA and sponsored by OXFAM America, brought together CSOs, representatives from the various ministries, policy makers, researchers and development partners to discuss findings on the research report on the utilization of the ABFA for specific projects.

Presenting findings on the ABFA, Ms Rachel Gyabah, Programmes Officer for SEND-Ghana, noted that, based on the five projects the team tracked in Northern Ghana with focus being on Agriculture and education, it was revealed that community members were not involved in decision making and had limited knowledge on the funds for the projects.

She therefore recommended the involvement of the citizenry in decision making, as that would promote extensive decentralization and allow citizens to monitor projects, encourage ownership and ensure the promotion of good governance.

Some participants who spoke with the Ghana News Agency called for effective decentralization system in the country.

GNA
02.11.2016 LISTEN

Accra Nov. 2, GNA - The Supreme Court would on Friday hear an application by the Electoral Commission (EC) challenging the judgement of the High Court that overturned the commission's disqualification of Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom as the candidate of the Progressive Peoples Party in the December polls.

This was after the EC's requested for abridgement of time in the matter and same was granted by the Supreme Court. This means that the hearing which was slated for next week would now be heard on Friday.

The sole Judge, Mr Justice Gabriel Pwamang therefore ordered lawyers for the EC and PPP to file their statement of cases by Thursday.

The EC had gone to the highest court of the land to seek clarity following the decision of the High Court quashing the commission's decision to disqualify the PPP's Presidential Candidate from the Presidential race on December 7.

The EC had rejected Dr Nduom's nomination claiming the number of subscribers to his forms did not meet the requirements of Regulation 7 (2) (b) of CI 94, the law governing, the conduct of the 2016 elections].

The commission said one of his subscribers endorsed the form with different signatures in both portions of the nomination form, raising questions as to the legitimacy of one or both signatures.

The PPP however argued that the EC did not give them the opportunity to correct the errors on the nomination forms hence proceeded to the High Court to contest the matter.

The High Court presided over by Mr Justice Eric Kyei Baffour, on October 28 this year, ordered the EC to give the PPP the opportunity to amend anomalies on the nomination forms of the party"s flagbearer for him to re-submit.

The EC in its statement on Monday, October 31, dissented the judgment, saying that presidential candidates must ensure the accuracy of information provided to public institutions and must take full responsibility thereof.

At the Supreme Court today, Mr Thaddeus Sory who represented the EC stated that they were before the court on two main issues.

According to him the issues related to dates for parties in the case to file their statement of cases and abridgment of time for expeditious hearing.

Mr Ayikoi Otoo noted that under rules, he had 14 days to file statement of case but would comply to file his statement of case.

The sole judge, expressed the court"s readiness to hear the case as a matter of urgency.

GNA
Cape Coast, Nov. 02, GNA - The Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Dr Emmanuel Akwetey has said Ghana's electoral system is increasingly becoming turbulent because many invisible hands were funding activities of political parties.

According to him, a lot of money was being channelled into politics and that winning election, especially presidential elections was crucial to those who invested in it.

'Meanwhile, regulatory institutions charged to find out where the parties get money to fund their campaigning and other activities had failed to enforce the law,' he added.

Dr Akwetey who was speaking at the second edition of the Advancement Lecture Series organised by the Institutional Advancement Office of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) said the practice was a serious characteristics of the country's political system which needed to be addressed.

The lecture was on the theme, "Towards credible 2016 elections: the role of stakeholders in ensuring free, fair, transparent and violent free elections".

He said people accuse Governments of abuse of incumbency and blatant spending of the tax payers' money as well as heavily borrowing in election periods, but the opposition also spent a lot of money and no one knew where their money came from.

His comment comes at the back of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO)'s recent invitation of the Presidential aspirants of the All People's Congress (APC) and Progressive People's Party (PPP).

It would be recalled that the EOCO issued a letter to PPP's Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom requesting him to explain the source of the over GHc1.7 million he used to pay filing fees at the Electoral Commission (EC) for himself and his party's parliamentary candidates.

Presidential Candidate of the APC, Hassan Ayariga was also invited to answer questions on the sources of funding for his party in securing vehicles for his campaign.

Dr Akwetey said the political system was also characterized by what he termed 'election overloads' whereby unregulated political activities tended to make it difficult to define an election season or period.

He said the country's political system operated on a four-year cycles, which did not allow political parties to implement policies that transformed lives systematically.

According to Dr Akwetey, there was what he described as 'paradox' in the electoral process because the peace and stability the country enjoyed did not translate into its elections, but was often mashed by fear of violence and stabilisation of democracy at every next elections.

He said it was expected that the more progress a country made in democratic elections would help minimize the violence at elections but that was not the case in Ghana.

'We question the results, we do not trust it anymore and it means we have a system which is paradox. The more our system becomes transparent, the less we believe in the outcome. Our system is more transparent than many African countries, but because the people do not know what is being done to correct the wrongs in the process, they tend not to believe in it,' He said.

Dr. Akwetey said even though Ghana practiced a multi-party system, it had become a 'duopoly' where the two main parties dominated and were allowed to operate without serious checks on them.

He asserted that the Electoral Commission (EC) often seemed to be more considerate towards the 'big' political parties in situations where they flouted the law as against the smaller ones.

He said there were certain dynamics in the democratic system of the country which had made it difficult to determine who wins elections.

The political exclusivism of where the "winner takes all" did not encourage the contribution of other parties and therefore should be a concern to the citizenry.

'After every election, the system somehow closes up. There is the belief that people who are not members of the ruling political party are frustrated in the system because they are not given jobs,' He added.

GNA

By Afedzi Abdullah, GNA
Abesim, Nov 02, GNA - Journalists have been urged to go to every length to avoid doing anything unethical that could undermine the unity of the nation as it inched closer to the December 07 election.

Alhaj Mohammed Nurudeen Issahaq, acting General Manager of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said they should be more responsible, report accurately and objectively.

He reminded them to uphold the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA)'s code of ethics and the National Media Commission's guidelines for fair, unbiased and equitable coverage of the activities of all the political parties.

He was addressing a two-day training workshop held in Abesim near Sunyani for reporters and stringers of the Agency drawn from Brong-Ahafo, Ashanti, Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions to build their capacity to provide adequate coverage of the polls.

He spoke on the topic 'The role of the media in elections: ethics and responsibilities of a News Agency Reporter'.

The workshop comes under the 'GNA Tracks Election 2016 Project', being funded by GOIL, the state oil company and CIMG 2015 Petroleum Company of the year.

The project seeks to sensitize the electorate on the various issues raised by political parties, the elections management body and other governance institutions.

It aims at ensuring gender and social inclusion in national politics and to provide voice for the youth, vulnerable groups, opinion leaders and the broader spectrum of the society, and to contribute to the achievement of peaceful polls.

Another objective of the project is to create a platform to dissect the manifestoes of all political parties and provide in-depth analysis of each thematic area to the electorate to enable them to make an informed judgment.

Alhaji Issahaq indicated that the media had a responsibility to empower the electorate through comprehensive, factual, balanced and relevant information to enable them to make informed choices.

He counselled reporters of the national wire service to put the nation's interest ahead of any other consideration and to maintain the credibility and reputation the Agency had built for itself.

They should set the agenda and encourage political discourse that promoted the interest of the public on issues of national development - quality education, good and affordable health care and accesses to potable water.

The GNA is holding three zonal electoral reportage enhancement workshops, the first in Sunyani, for reporters from Ashanti, Upper East, Upper West, Northern, and Brong Ahafo Regions.

The second would be held in Koforidua for journalists from Central, Eastern and Group one from Greater Accra between November 4- 6 and the third workshop would be for those in the Western, Volta, and another group from Greater Accra from November 6-8.

Topics to be discussed include: the role of the media in elections: ethics and responsibilities of a news agency reporter; electoral reporting: key elements Constitutional Instrument (C.I) 94; and exposure to hidden prejudices, hate speech stereotypes and misconceptions: approaches to a responsible use of content and language.

Other topics are: ethical guidelines on election reporting as spelled out by the National Media Commission; ensuring credible and transparent elections 2016 the role of the police/media; and balance reportage devoid of personal opinions and insults on election processes and activities across the country.

GNA

By Regina Benneh, GNA
02.11.2016 LISTEN

Apam, (C/R) Nov. 02, GNA - The Apam Senior High School (APASS) can now accommodate more female students following the commissioning of a six-unit dormitory block, which includes a bungalow for the housemistress and modern washrooms for the girls.

The facility, estimated at GH 400,000, was financed by the MTN Foundation, which also provided 60 bunk beds for the newly constructed dormitory to reduce the burden on the authorities of the School.

The project is also aimed at creating opportunities for more students to experience the benefits of living in the boarding house to enhance quality education.

Addressing the ceremony to commission the dormitory, Mrs. Cynthia Lumor, the Executive Director of MTN Ghana Foundation, said the Foundation had more than 135 projects across the country in the areas of hospital blocks, medical equipment, school buildings, dormitory blocks, libraries, ICT centres and Capacity building programmes for teachers.

She stated that more than 1,000 scholarship programmes had made education and health care possible for more than three million people in diverse communities nationwide.

The Foundation, she said, had provided a Children's Ward at the Twifo Praso Government Hospital, an ICT Centre at the Aggrey Memorial SHS, the Komenda College of Education , Ankaful Prisons and at the Ekumfi Imuna .Srafa JHS.

Additionally, she said, the Foundation had supported a Library project at the University of Cape Coast and given seed capital to existing small-scale businesses to enhance economic empowerment of Ghanaians.

Mr. Ishmael Yamson, the Chairman of the MTN Board, through whose instrumentality the dormitory project was initiated, urged students to study hard to become responsible adults.

Mr. Yamson, who is also an Old Boy of the School, said the MTN Foundation would continue to invest in projects that would enhance quality education and health care.

He expressed appreciation to the chiefs and people, and other stakeholders and urged them to take care of the building to prolong its life span.

Nana A. C. Acquah, the headmaster of the School, thanked the MTN Foundation for the donation, and gave the assurance that maintenance would be their top priority.

He said the Project for the girls had come at the right time because more fresh female students could be enrolled to promote female education to impact national development.

He, however, appealed to the Foundation to assist the boys in order to increase student intake in subsequent years.

The Headmaster said the current student population stood at 3,752, which was the highest ever, but it was without the necessary facilities to accommodate them.

He expressed concern about the few accommodation facilities for masters, saying that, the majority commuted from Winneba, Apam Town, Agona Swedru and beyond to the School, which made it difficult to supervise the students to ensure discipline.

GNA
02.11.2016 LISTEN

Accra, Nov. 2, GNA - The Police have told a District Court hearing the matter of the two suspects in the murder of J. B Danquah, MP for Abuakwa North, that the docket has been sent to the Attorney General (AG) for advice.

According to Superintendent Francis Baah who is prosecuting, the AG was yet to formally charge the accused persons.

The two accused persons Daniel Asiedu aka Sexy Dondon and Vincent Bosso are being held for murder of the late MP in an incident which occurred on February 9 this year, at his Shaishie residence.

Bosso has been charged with abetment of crime to wit murder and both pleas had not been taken.

When the trial judge, Mr Stephen Owusu asked Asiedu how he was doing, he told the court that he was sick.

According to him, he has a boil in one of his ears.

The court therefore ordered the investigator to send the victim to the hospital for attention.

Counsel for the accused persons, Mr Augustine Obuor was not in court when the matter was called.

The facts as presented by Mr Baah are that on February 8, at about 2340 hours the deceased came home in his private vehicle driven by his driver Samuel Berko Sarkodie.

Prosecution said the driver having brought his master home handed over the ignition keys to him and left for his residence at Kasoa while the deceased then retired to his bedroom upstairs.

He said at about 0100 hrs, Asiedu and Bosso, both armed, went to the house of the deceased, Asiedu after entering the house picked up a ladder and climbed to the porch of the top floor and entered the bedroom of the deceased through the window while the deceased asleep.

'Asiedu began to search the room and the noise woke up the decesed who held him, Asiedu resisted and stabbed the deceased on the right chest above the breast.

The prosecution said the deceased held the knife and Asiedu pulled the knife through the deceased hands creating a deep cut in his palm.

Prosecution said the deceased who was bleeding profusely fell by his bed helpless and Asiedu stabbed him several times on the right chest and neck.

Realizing that the deceased was almost dead, Asiedu left him and took away his three iphones.

The prosecutor said the struggle that ensued between the deceased drew the attention of the security man who alerted other security men within the vicinity

Mr Baah said Bosso realising danger took to his heels leaving Asiedu behind.

Asiedu, however, managed to descend from deceased room to the back house, climbed one of the poly tanks in the house and jumped over the electric fence into the adjoining house and escaped.

He said the security man then called the police emergency line and informed them of the situation.

When the Police arrived the victim was already dead and his body was conveyed the Police Hospital mortuary.

On February 15, an autopsy was performed on the deceased body by a Pathologist from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital who gave the cause of death as '' Exsanguination and multiple stab injuries on anterior and chest.'

Prosecution said Police investigations led to the arrest of accused persons who stated that their aim of going to the deceased house was to steal.

The prosecutor said Asiedu explained that deceased struggled with him when he entered the room and this compelled him to use the knife on him.

The matter has been adjourned to November 16.

GNA
02.11.2016 LISTEN

By Patience A. Gbeze/Ms Rhema Bansah, GNA

Accra, Nov. 2, GNA - A day's seminar on development of food value chain in Africa 2016, aimed at offering Ghanaian farmers the opportunity to network and gained knowledge from Japanese companies in Africa, on Food Value Chain and technology know-how is underway in Accra.

It is being organized by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) in collaboration with Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries MAFF, under the theme, 'Creating New Markets by Linking Consumers, Producers, Farmers and Economies'. It is to forge collaboration between the two countries to increase awareness of food value chain in Africa.

It would also enable Japanese companies to offer assistance to participants on how to improve Food Value Chain in Africa, with the aim of creating new market by linking consumers, producers and farmers.

Mr Nicholas Neequaye, Director, Agribusiness Unit of MOFA, said the Ministry was involved in a lot of initiatives to increase yield of farm produce, especially rice production in Ghana.

The Ministry, he said, is also providing support in terms of input, fertilizer, research into improved varieties, and land acquisition, among others, which also aimed at increasing farm produce in the country.

He said the problem Ghanaian rice farmers face is the preparation of the land and the Ministry is trying to bring in more tractors to address the challenges of land preparation.

'We are also finding solutions to harvesting, storage and finding markets for the produce,' he added.

Mr Neequaye said to improve the value chain the Ministry provided milling facilities to rice farmers and currently Ghana has the largest rice miller in the Northern Region.

He noted that though people complained about change in taste of local rice as compared to the imported ones, 'these millers are state of- the- art machineries with the capacity to provide first quality grade of rice.

He said the challenges are that demand for rice consumption in Ghana is always increasing, which means that they have to speed up production to meet the demand.

Currently, he said the country produces between 400,000 tons and 500,000 tons of rice annually and expressed the hope that with the various interventions the Ministry is bringing on board Ghana would be able to increase production in the near future.

Answering question on what the Ministry is doing to retrieve its productive lands being encroached upon by real estate developers, Mr Neequaye said, the MOFA is determined to take back all its arable lands for agricultural purposes.

He stressed the need to enforce the land use policy to give clear demarcation of farming lands and those that are for real estate development.

Mr Shigeru Umetsu, Charge d' Affaires of the Japan Embassy, said Value Chain Development is relatively new approach to Agricultural Development in Africa as a whole and in particular.

He said the approach is gradually gaining prominence and becoming the center-piece for agricultural development strategies.

'Establishment of Food Value Chain is key to success for not only the agricultural sector but the general Ghanaian Economy as well,' he said and expressed the hope that the enriching experiences that would be gained would be put into good use in their various companies.

Five Japanese companies in Africa are attending the seminar to showcase their machineries, products and technical know-how.

GNA
Five fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the fire was brought under control by 6:30 am, an official said.

By India Today Web Desk: massive fire broke out in a building at Mohan Park area of northeast Delhi's Shahdara today.

Three persons were killed in the fire and at least 14 others were injured.

A call was received at 5:06 am about fire breaking out in the parking area of a house. The fire spread through the four-storeyed building, said a senior official from Delhi fire services.

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Five fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the fire was brought under control by 6:30 am, the official said.

The three persons killed in the fire are yet to be identified.



The injured people are currently undergoing treatment at GTB Hospital.



Delhi: 3 dead, 10 injured after fire broke out in a building in Mohan Park area of Shahdara (Visuals from outside the hospital) pic.twitter.com/H7L1NebFuz ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016







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By Hafsa Obeng, GNA

Accra, Nov. 02, GNA - Three companies, on Tuesday, donated money and items to the Greater Accra Regional Coordination Council towards the organisation of the Farmers' Day at the regional level.

The companies the Mohinani Group of Companies, which presented two water storage tanks, poly woven sacks, 1.5 liter gallons, rows of black sheets, and cartons for storing fresh products valued at GH6,000.00.

Politex Industry also presented 50 pieces of 1.5 liter gallons and an amount of Gh500.00.

Wire Weavers Company also donated a quantity of wire for the celebration.

Ms Moudline Duodua Gyan, a Media Relations Officer, Mohinani Group, said the presentation was to support farmers because they contributed a lot to the development of the country.

She said the Company believed that farmers formed an integral part of the socio-economic development of the country, therefore, it would continue to deliver products that would add value to their produce.

Nii Djamba Vanderpuje, the Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister, receiving the items, expressed appreciation to the companies for their immense contributions over the years towards the celebration.

He said the day was marked to appreciate farmers for their hard work, saying it was very important for all to recognise the important role they played and joined efforts to appreciate them.

He called on other companies to emulate the efforts of the donors and stakeholders to ensure that the celebration became a success.

This Year's Regional Farmer's Day would be marked in all regions across the country, on Friday, November 4, 2016. GNA
02.11.2016 LISTEN

By George-Ramsey Benamba, GNA

Accra, Nov 2, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama has challenged the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to prove to Ghanaians and people of the Eastern Region in particular what they did for them in their eight years of governance.

"Although they have all the years boasted that Eastern Region is one of the stronghold regions, they have not done anything in terms of infrastructural development to change the living condition of the people."

President Mahama threw this challenge when he concluded his second phase of campaign in the Region with two-day rallies at various constituencies.

During the two days President Mahama inaugurated a new market project at New Abirem in the Birim North, addressed rallies at Ayirebi in the Ofoase Ayirebi constituency, Akroso and Suhum.

On his second day he addressed rallies at Sempoa in the Abetifi constituency, Mpraeso, Asokore and Koforidua Municipality and inaugurated projects at the Osiem Saviour Church.

President Mahama said in his first four- year term his administration had established an ultra-modern hospital at Abetifi-Kwahu, 104 Community Health-based Planning Services (CHPS) compounds throughout the region.

He said his administration had also constructed 13 new Community Day Senior High Schools in the Region alone adding: 'The NPP during their eight years of administration could not build a single Senior High School in this region."

On roads and potable water, President Mahama said the National Democratic Congress had distinguished itself in the Region and the entire country, where a total of 4,500 kilometres of roads had been constructed throughout the country.

He questioned: "How can you continue saying the Eastern Region is your stronghold when you cannot change the life of a single soul in the region?

President Mahama said since independence, the NPP had only succeeded in criticising other regimes without alternative suggestions for good governance.

He said during President Nkrumah's regime, the NPP criticised him for the construction of the Tema motorway, Tema Oil Refinery and the Tema harbour, which later became instrumental in the socio-economic development of the country.

"All they do is to discourage Ghanaians for following the right government and yet they are not always able to provide alternatives."

President Mahama appealed to the people of the Region to massively vote for the NDC for him to continue with the projects he had embarked on.

At all the programmes, the chiefs made demands such as provision of potable water, senior high schools and health facilities.

GNA
02.11.2016 LISTEN

By D.I. Laary, GNA

Accra, Nov 2, GNA - State-run hospitals across the country have been put on high alert after the Cape Coast metropolis registered 157 cholera cases.

Health officials say the move is to keep the hospitals vigilance and help reduce the number of cases.

No death has been recorded since the diarrhoeal disease was first reported at the University of Cape Coast in October this year and sweeping through communities in the metropolis prompting officials to be on the lookout.

Cholera treatment centres have been established for the management of cases, while rapid response teams and public health management committees reactivated, Dr Badu Sarkordie, Director of Public Health Division of the Ministry of Health, told reporters on Wednesday.

Logistics and other medical supplies have been deployed to the region and two treatment centres established there to mitigate the number of reported cases, he said.

Needed logistics and funding support for management of the outbreak have been sent to the regional health directorate to support the Metropolis, he said.

'All regions and districts have been put on high alert,' he said, while water, sanitation and hygiene interventions started in collaboration with development partners and are found to be 'very effective.'

He said the affected population continued to be at high risk of contracting the infectious disease because people continue to drink unsafe and contaminated water, consume un-hygienically prepared or contaminated food and practice open defecation.

Dr Sarkordie advised the public to often keep some sachets of oral rehydration solution (ORS) at home.

'It will be good idea to have few sachets of ORS at home. If there is none at home, take a lot of fluids such as coconut juice or lots of potable drinking water,' he said.

'Go immediately to the nearest health facility. Continue to drink ORS at home and while you travel to get treatment.'

Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, the Deputy Minister of Health, said: 'the good news is that they [patients] were reporting to hospitals early and the situation is not as bad as it may seem.'

'There is a concerted effort in Cape Coast metropolis in the way they handle sanitation so that we can scale up and bring down the number of cases,' he said, noting that 'cholera has been with us since the 1970s.'

He said the contingency measures being put in place including introduction of social mobilization and risk communication has helped to contain the current outbreak.

As of November 1, a total of 157 cholera cases with no deaths have been reported in Cape Coast Metropolis in the Central Region.

GNA
02.11.2016 LISTEN

Accra, Nov. 02, GNA - Two persons who allegedly attacked a businessman with cutlasses at Rawlings Park and made away with his money, two mobile phones and gold watch have appeared before a Circuit Court in Accra.

Tettey Ashong and Isaac Boateng, both unemployed, have been charged with conspiracy to rob and robbery.

They have pleaded not guilty to the charges and the Court, presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh, has remanded them into police custody to reappear on November 15.

An Accomplice whose name was given as Solomon is, however, at large.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Kwabena Adu told the Court that the complainant, Ali Kamagartey, who dealt in bags and ladies' purses, resided at Mamprobi.

The accused persons resided at Opetey-Kwei, near Dansoman, in Accra.

On October 19 at about 04:55 hours, the complainant was on his way to his shop and on reaching Rawlings Park, the accused persons and their accomplice, Solomon, attacked him with cutlasses and hammer, the Prosecution said.

They robbed the complainant cash of GH2,950.00, two mobile phones, and gold chain totalling GH5,700.00, the prosecutor said.

The complainant, prosecution said, reported the matter to the Police.

However, on October 20, this year, the complainant saw Ashong at the Rawlings Park and with the assistance of a soldier, they arrested him.

Ashong, in his caution statement, mentioned Boateng and Solomon as his accomplices and added that they robbed the complainant of GH250.00 and not GH2,950.00 as alleged.

Ashong also stated that he had a share of GH75.00 and a mobile phone, while Boateng also took home GH100.00 and a mobile phone.

According to prosecution, Solomon had GH75.00.

Ashong also led the Police to arrest Boateng at his hideout at James Town but he denied his involvement in the robbery.

The Prosecution said the Police were making frantic efforts to arrest Solomon.

GNA
Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhoopendra Singh Thakur has said the escape of SIMI activists, who were killed after fleeing from a jail in Bhopal on Monday, was an insider as well as an outsider's job.

The site of the encounter where SIMI terrorists, who had fled from Bhopal jail, were killed on Monday. PTI Photo.

By Kumar Shakti Shekhar: In a sensational disclosure, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhoopendra Singh Thakur has said the escape of SIMI activists was an insider as well as an outsider's job. "An FIR will be registered against the jail authorities who helped the SIMI terrorists escape," he said.

Talking to India Today Digital over the phone from MP today, the Minister strongly refuted allegations of the eight SIMI undertrials getting killed in a fake encounter. He said the "dreaded SIMI terrorists" were not ready to surrender till the last moment, leaving the police with no option but to eliminate them.

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LODGING ALL 8 SIMI MEN IN ONE JAIL WAS A BLUNDER

However, Singh admitted that keeping all the eight hardened criminals in one jail was a blunder. He said, "Government has learnt a lesson and it will not repeat the mistake in the future. Though these eight terrorists were lodged in three different cells, living in the same Bhopal Central Jail made their job of escaping easier. Had they been kept in different jails, they could not have conspired so easily," he said.



SIMI MEN WERE TERRORISTS

Throughout his conversation, Singh addressed the killed SIMI activists as "terrorists". He justified it by saying that they were active and senior members of SIMI, which is a banned organisation in the country. "They indeed were terrorists. The sections imposed on them for trial pertained to terrorism," he said.

NO JAIL UNIFORM FOR UNDERTRIALS

On issues raised in some quarters over SIMI terrorists not wearing jail uniform, the Minister said they were undertrials and not convicts. "Only the convicts wear the jail uniform, while undertrials wear personal clothes," he said.

SPECIAL TREATMENT TO TERRORISTS INSIDE JAIL

Singh took strong exception to the special treatment meted out to the terrorists inside the jail. "The terrorists were leading a lavish lifestyle inside the jail. Dry fruits like cashew and raisins were found in their prison cells. They were enjoying several other facilities. It was a major negligence on the part of the jail authorities. It would not have happened without their connivance," he said.

The Minister said all these factors, including the help from insiders and the manner in which the terrorists escaped from the jail, will be investigated by retired MP DGP Nandan Dubey. On the other hand, the encounter will be probed by a Special Investigative Team (SIT). He clarified that the NIA was nowhere in the picture so far.



Also read: Bhopal SIMI jailbreak: 8 hours that shook the city



WILL RECOMMEND MARTYR'S STATUS FOR SLAIN JAIL GUARD

In another major announcement, Singh said he would recommend to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to accord the status of a "martyr" to head constable Ramashankar Yadav, the jail guard whose throat the terrorists slit before fleeing the jail.

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The MP Home Minister also gave details of the encounter and the impracticability of the eight men getting caught alive. He said after fleeing from the jail, they took the inside roads as the police had barricaded the main roads. As they were not familiar with the local terrain and it was dark, they lost their way. They perhaps thought of spending the day behind the rocks and again move after night fell. However, local villagers, who were watering their fields, spotted them and raised the alarm. The terrorists threatened them with dire consequences. The police reached soon after the villagers informed them, he said.



Also read: SIMI terrorists broke gates of cell: All you need to know about Bhopal encounter



GUNNING DOWN SIMI TERRORISTS INEVITABLE

"The terrorists challenged even the police. They were in no mood to yield. They fired at the police. They were not ready to surrender. In the prevailing circumstances, the security forces had no other option but to gun them down. Catching them alive was not possible," he said.

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Singh claimed that the MP Police had achieved a major success by eliminating the SIMI terrorists. "Had they not been neutralised, they would have engineered terror blasts. They had already killed two policemen on earlier occasions and fled from Khandwa jail. They were running SIMI's network," he said.

Also read: Bhopal encounter: Post-mortem shows multiple wounds on SIMI men's bodies



--- ENDS ---
The Yoruba people of Nigeria are an ethnic group of Southwestern and North Central Nigeria as well as Southern and Central Benin, together known as Yoruba land.

The Yoruba constitute over 40 million people in total. The majority of this population is from Nigeria and make up 21% of its population, according to the CIA world fact book this makes them one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa.

The majority of Yoruba people are known for a lot of things, one of those things is their penchant for colorful insults. Here are some insults all Yoruba mothers use freely:

1. Oponu

The word means an ignoramus or a very stupid person. So when you do something stupid, or appear confused, a Yoruba mother will surely hit you with: Oponu!

The insult will have you looking confused like....

2. Agba iya

Pronounced Agbaya, it means an older person, who despite his age, is still useless. Yoruba mothers usually use it when you do something especially childish.

Best Cry Ever

Ironically, being called 'agbaya' will make you want to cry like a child.

3. Ode

Ode is a classic. Used by almost everyone with a grasp of Yoruba and it basically means stupid. It is so commonplace, many do not even feel insulted when it is used on them.

I don't care

Imagine someone calling you Ode and expecting you to feel insulted, but you have been called Ode all your life.

READ ALSO: 8 things that gives Nigerians JOY but foreigners find odd

4. Obun

This is used to call into question, a person's personal hygiene, so it can mean anything from dirty to filthy. Usually used when your room looks like a pigsty that has not been cleaned in years.

Messy room

If your room looks like this half the time, then you are an 'Obun'.

5. Oloshi

As commonplace as Ode, it is used almost by everyone and it means someone who does rubbish a lot. many translate it as unfortunate, but it means someone who is interested in unnecessary things.

Oloshi

Oloshi is perfect as a suffix when you want to insult people.

6. Olodo

Olodo is an insult used to describe someone as having low intelligence. An Olodo is dull, slow and most likely has problems with school work or other academic activities.

Crying child

You will likely hear a mother use it when her child comes home with poor school results.

READ ALSO: You cant wish Biafra away like you did to Oduduwa, Arewa  Iwuanyanwu

7. Didirin

Didirin is a close relative of Olodo and Ode, it is a cross between the two and can be used to describe someone who has low mental faculties.

When someone calls you 'Didirin' you will most likely feel like the man in the picture above.

8. Apoda

Apoda is like the superlative of Oponu. It means someone who is confused and has little or no direction. It is one of the most painful insults.

One example of such mothers is this funny video:

Source: Legit.ng
As doubts are being raised over the encounter of 8 SIMI men in Bhopal, the post-mortem has revealed multiple wounds on their bodies.

By Hemender Sharma, Ashish Pandey: Suspicions around Monday's alleged encounter near Bhopal deepened further after the doctor who performed autopsies of the eight slain SIMI suspects revealed that the men died from gunshot wounds mostly in the abdomen and the chest.

"They died from gunshots," said Ashok Sharma, who heads the medico-legal department of Bhopal's Gandhi Medical College. Most of the bullets, he told India Today, were fired into the chest and the abdomen of the fugitive SIMI suspects.

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Some shots pierced through them while some remained lodged inside, he explained. A bullet also hit the head of one of the men, Sharma said while the hospital authorities prepared their autopsy report.

Usually, gunshot injuries in shootouts, which the Madhya Pradesh government claimed erupted between the state police and the SIMI suspects after the pre-dawn jailbreak on Monday, vary widely on body parts, experts say.

But Sharma's autopsy findings, as he disclosed to India Today, suggest the ballistic trauma on the eight men was mostly concentrated in their chest and abdomen.

Also, India Today has found Bhopal's central jail authorities gave no serious consideration to warnings about a possible jailbreak after September's surgical strikes.

On October 3, the additional director-general of Madhya Pradesh's prisons, Sushovan Banerjee, wrote to the Bhopal jail superintendent to intensify vigil on its 29 SIMI inmates.

"As 29 SIMI prisoners are lodged in the Bhopal central jail, it becomes pertinent that they be kept under a close watch and that the security be tightened to avoid any untoward incident," wrote Banerjee in his October 3 letter accessed by India Today.

A specific 18-point note on security was also sent to all jailhouses in Madhya Pradesh on Oct 5. The circular, issued by the state's jail headquarters, extensively listed do's and don'ts for strict compliance.

Doubts emerged over the Madhya Pradesh police claims that the SIMI suspects were killed in a gunfight after a video showed an armed police commando pumping bullets into what appeared to be a nearly-dead fugitive.

In the footage, obtained exclusively by India Today, an officer in civvies was also seen pulling out a brand-new knife from the trousers of another slain man lying on the same rocky ground resembling what was officially identified as the scene of the alleged encounter.

No firearms were spotted near the bodies seen in the stunning video.

Before the clip surfaced, the state police claimed the under-trials accused of links with the banned SIMI outfit were killed in a cross-fire about 30 km north of Bhopal.

Police insisted they were gunned down within 10 hours of the jailbreak, during which they also killed a prison guard.

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SECOND VIDEO

A second video also appeared purportedly showing five SIMI suspects waving, apparently to turn themselves in.

In its audio, police were purportedly heard radio-messaging the control room about the whereabouts of the men, who didn't appear to be armed.

According to authorities, the eight alleged SIMI operatives broke the Bhopal jail after killing a warder by slitting his throat with an improvised knife.

They scaled the prison walls well before dawn, using sheets and blankets strung together, officials said. Some 20 SIMI suspects are housed in the same Bhopal jail.

The fugitives, now dead, were identified as Zakir Hussain, Mehboob Malik, Amzad Khan, Mujeeb Sheikh, Khalid Ahmad, Mohammed Aqeel Khilji, Abdul Majid and Salik Sallu.

HOW THE PRISONERS WERE TRAPPED

Police claimed they surrounded the escaped prisoners in a large, hilly swathe near Eentkheri village and were fired at when they tried to capture the SIMI suspects.

Two country-made pistols were recovered from the scene besides three knives, according to authorities.

State home minister Bhoopendra Singh Thakur rebutted allegations that the SIMI suspects were killed in cold blood and not in a shootout.

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"The terrorists challenged even the police. They were in no mood to yield. They fired at the police. They were not ready to surrender. In the prevailing circumstances, the security forces had no other option but to gun them down. Catching them alive was not possible," he told India Today.

"Had they not been neutralised, they would have engineered terror blasts. They had already killed two policemen on earlier occasions and fled from Khandwa jail. They were running SIMI's network," he said.

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- These are not the best of times for the All Progressives Congress (APC)

- The party is facing an imminent financial crisis

- A major financier of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has withdrawn his support

The feud between the National leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the party chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is affecting the finances of the party, Legit.ng has been told.

Who will pacify Asiwaju Bola Tinubu?

A senior chieftain of the party who spoke under the condition of anonymity, confided in Legit.ng that all is not well within the party because of Tinubu's withdrawal of financial support to the party headquarters.

Things have gone from bad to worse, the party chieftain told Legit.ng on phone, Ever since the refusal of President Buhari to fund the party activities, Asiwaju has been the sole financier of the party.

But he has withdrawn his support due to the way he was humiliated by the party chairman in the Ondo primary.

Asked to comment on the rumours that there are plans by anti-Oyegun elements in the APC to remove him and include his name in President Muhammadu Buhari's ambassadorial nomination list, the party chieftain said it is true.

APC chairman, Chief John Oyegun is under the spotlight

His words: I can confirm that the report is true. The truth is even members of the APC NEC have lost confidence in Oyegun.

Why do you think they have not come out to pass a vote of no confidence on him, which is the norm in politics when a leader is under duress.

Majority of the NEC members are tired of Oyegun's antics and they are all pre-occupied with positioning themselves for government appointments than staying put in party politics.

READ ALSO: This is what will happen to APC after its convention  Former presidential candidate

Legit.ng reached out to another chieftain of the party who corroborated the story. He pleaded for his identity not to be revealed because he was not authorized to speak on such matters.

He said: Baba (President Buhari) has not sent a kobo to the party since he came into office. When we went to Aso Villa to complain, he asked the party chairman how the monies for the forms sold to party aspirants was expended.

The party chairman could not give a reasonable explanation, so baba asked us to go and look for ways to make money for the party.

Tinubu has been the one funding us since then because we could not even approach the governors knowing their situation.

Legit.ng efforts to get the APC official reaction to this report was not successful as at the time it was published.

Yesterday, there were media reports that the national secretariat of the APC in Abuja has been thrown into darkness following the partys failure to offset the N1.7 million debt owed Abuja Electricity Distribution Company.

READ ALSO: APC governors write President Buhari over security challenges, lopsided appointments

An electricity receipt pasted on the gate of the APC secretariat which was seen by Vanguard showed that the party had only recently paid N500, 000 of the debt.

Source: Legit.ng
Women from Singapore's Parliament dressed in beautiful sarees to mark the occasion of Diwali.

By India Today Web Desk: This year's Diwali might've seen a wrap, but the festivity around it continues to engulf people not just in India--but also in Singapore!

You read that right.

For this year's edition of Diwali, sixteen female members from Singapore's Parliament decided to don vibrant sarees and pose for the Diwali special edition of Tamil Murasu--a Singapore based Tamil language newspaper.

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According to a report in the Strait Times, the Members of Parliament readily agreed to be a part of the initiative, which aimed to "connect with the Indian community."





The MPs readily agreed to be a part of the initiative. Picture courtesy: Facebook/Tamil Murasu

The string of members who draped themselves in beautiful sarees included veteran parliamentarians such as Senior Minister of State for Finance and Law Indranee Rajah and newer MPs such as Ms Cheryl Chan and Ms Cheng Li Hui.





All of them were given tips about dressing up for the special photoshoot. Picture courtesy: Facebook/Tamil Murasu

Pictures of the sixteen MPs recently appeared in the Diwali special issue of Tamil Murasu, which otherwise features models dressed in traditional outfits.

Ms Indranee, an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC reportedly told The Straits Times that "she felt it was a very nice way for the MPs to connect with the Indian community, adding that the sari was a cultural symbol that could be shared with those of other races."

--- ENDS ---
Mehmood Akhtar claimed that 16 other employees of the diplomatic mission were in touch with spies for extracting sensitive information and documents pertaining to Army and BSF deployment.

By Press Trust of India: The Pakistan High Commission employee, who was recently expelled by India for spying, had named 16 other "staffers" who were also allegedly involved in the espionage ring, police said.

During his joint interrogation by Delhi Police and intelligence agencies, expelled Pakistani High Commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar had claimed that 16 other employees of the diplomatic mission were in touch with spies for extracting sensitive information and documents pertaining to Army and BSF deployment, said a senior police officer privy to the probe.

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His claims are still being verified and, if found to be true, the police might write to the Ministry of External Affairs to take the matter forward, the officer said.

Crime Branch teams are raiding various places in Rajasthan to apprehend the locals who were providing confidential documents and information to Akhtar, who allegedly headed the espionage racket.

Also read:

How sincere efforts, good luck helped Delhi cops nab ISI spy Mehmood Akhtar red handed



Two teams of Crime Branch are currently in Rajasthan along with the other arrested accused-- Maulana Ramzan, Subhash Jangir and Shoaib-- to seek details of paramilitary personnel who might be involved in leaking information to them, sources said. Two persons have also been detained in Rajasthan and are currently being questioned, said the officer.

"It is suspected that some retired officers were in touch with the arrested spies," he said.

Also read:



Pakistan declares Indian official persona non grata after New Delhi expels Mehmood Akhtar



Samajwadi Party's Rajya Sabha MP Munavvar Saleem's personal assistant Farhat Khan was also arrested last week in connection with the espionage racket. The Pakistan High Commission staffer was caught receiving secret documents here on October 26.

Ramzan and Jangir, residents of Nagaur, Rajasthan, were held along with Akhtar. Another accused Shoaib was detained in Jodhpur and brought to Delhi by the police where he was arrested.

Watch the video





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The government has announced it wants to celebrate Tipu Sultan anniversary, but this is strongly opposed by some sections.

By Revathi Rajeevan, Rohini Swamy: Eminent Bangalorean and educationist Mohandas Pai has lashed out at the Karnataka government for organising the Tipu Jayanti celebrations on November 10. "Tipu Jayanti is like celebrating the anniversary of Aurangzeb, who was a tyrant Mughal emperor and a staunch religious fundamentalist," said Pai at an RSS function in Bengaluru.

"Tipu Sultan is a fundamentalist and a tyrant who massacred several people. I am a Konkani and he (Tipu) murdered hundreds of people belonging to my community. Tipu destroyed our temples and I oppose the government's decision to hold Tipu Jayanti," said the Manipal Global Education chairman.

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TIPU FORCIBLY CONVERTED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE



"Historians who have documented Tipu Sultan's regime have mentioned how Tipu forcibly converted hundreds of people in Kodagu. He is said to have 20,000 Christians in captivity apart from hanging 700 Melkite Brahmins in Srirangapatna for which he was termed a bigot and a tyrant," Pai alleged.

ALSO READ | Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary: BJP, RSS to protest against Karnataka celebrations



"Tipu was a brave warrior but he has a dark side. He was a religious bigot, he killed Nair community in Kerala and converted them, the Mangalorean community was devastated because of him. Tipu is a controversial leader. The Congress as a party can play communal politics. Even BJP can do that but government of the day should not do that," Pai said.

BJP, RSS TO PROTEST AGAINST CELEBRATIONS



The RSS and the BJP have decided to hold state-wide agitations and it is expected to culminate in a mega rally on November 8 in Bengaluru. Some Christian organisations have also raised the red flag over Tipu's birth anniversary being celebrated as a state event.

"Why should we not go ahead with the celebrations? This year also we will hold Tipu Jayanti. There will be no law and order issues," said Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

In 2015, this decision met with stiff resistance as many felt that the celebrations were unwarranted.

The event will be organised by the department of Kannada and culture and the state budgets has earmarked Rs 60 lakh towards the celebration of Tipu's anniversary.

"It is the RSS and the BJP who want to use this issue, don't we celebrate Mahatma Gandhi's anniversary, he was shot down by the RSS. Don't we celebrate Deen Dayal's anniversary? Tipu has contributed so much to Karnataka towards sericulture. He made the first missile and also was the only ruler who fought against the British four times. He is the son of the soil, they are making an issue just to politicise it. Tipu is being targeted only because he was a Muslim, had he been a Hindu ruler, he would have been made the greatest king in India," Karnataka Pradesh Congress committee working president Dinesh Gundurao said.

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WATCH VIDEO

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Nov. 2, 2016)  Nomura Asset Acceptance Corporation and Nomura Home Equity Loan, Inc. jointly have agreed to pay more than $3 million to settle claims by the National Credit Union Administration alleging the sale of faulty residential mortgage-backed securities to two corporate credit unions, NCUA announced today.

Every recovery NCUA makes through our legal efforts reduces the possibility of further costs of the corporate resolution being shouldered by credit unions, NCUA Board Chairman Rick Metsger said. Our legal team continues to work to fulfill the agencys statutory responsibilities to protect the credit union system and to pursue recoveries against financial firms we maintain contributed to the corporate crisis.

The settlement covers claims the NCUA Board asserted in 2011 as liquidating agent for Western Corporate Federal Credit Union and U.S. Central Federal Credit Union. NCUA filed suit in federal district courts in California and Kansas against the Nomura entities. With this settlement, NCUA will dismiss pending suits against both firms. Neither firm admits fault as part of the settlement agreement.

NCUA was the first federal financial institutions regulator to recover losses from investments in securities on behalf of financial institutions that failed in the wake of the recent financial crisis. The Federal Credit Union Act and NCUA regulations require that net proceeds from recoveries be used to pay claims against five failed corporate credit unions, including those of the Temporary Corporate Credit Union Stabilization Fund. Payments to the Stabilization Fund have permitted NCUAs repayment of outstanding U.S. Treasury borrowings and decreased the amount credit unions pay for the costs of the corporate credit union resolution.

NCUA still has litigation pending against other financial institutions, including Credit Suisse and UBS Securities, alleging they sold faulty residential mortgage-backed securities to corporate credit unions. NCUA also has pending litigation against various residential mortgage-backed securities trustees and LIBOR banks related to corporate credit union losses.

NCUA provides detailed information about recoveries from securities-related litigation on its Legal Recoveries from the Corporate Crisis webpage.
I arrived to Colombia after spending five weeks in Belize, during which I largely subsisted on red beans. While I love red beans and appreciate their ability to keep me energized and alive in the Central American jungle, I was looking forward to the diversity of food I knew existed in Colombia, and learning about the unique culinary customs of the country.

My interest in visiting Colombia was born as a teenager after reading the Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquezs Love In The Time Of Cholera, rumored to be set in the coastal colonial city of Cartagena. The book spends more time on intricacies of the heart than on the stomach, but even I knew that the South American country called to both.

Colombia country shares a border with Panama, has coasts on the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and lays claim to a huge portion of the Amazon jungle. Its the most biodiverse country on the planet, with highlands and lowlands and sealands and junglelands characterized by entirely unique collections of animal and plant species.

So its no surprise that the various regions of the country independently developed their own take on Colombias cuisine, using the available flora and fauna to create delicacies endemic to their respective locations. Colombia has also seen a wide range of cultural diversity throughout the nations history, from the original indigenous groups to Arab traders to the Spanish invaders that ultimately shaped their modern culture.

Even though I expected a level of culinary diversity unlike anything I had ever seen before, food from the United States included, I encountered so much more than I could have imagined. I was graciously hosted for two weeks by actual Colombians, I their complete student to the culture and food, and they assured me that what I was fed is what actual Colombians eat, prepared how they eat it.



Photo by Ali Wunderman

The standard ingredients and individual menu items became obvious right away. What I noticed first was the ubiquity of arepas, little cornmeal cakes infused with cheese that can be eaten as sides or entirely on their own. At one restaurant in a little country town outside Bogota called Guatavita, arepas were served with salsa, much in the way tortilla chips are served with salsa in the USs version of Mexican cuisine. I ate them daily for breakfast, and while my hosts even taught me how to make them, they were a far cry from Colombians who grew up emulating their grandmothers cooking skills.

As a self-proclaimed lover of fruit, I was astonished at the abundance of fruits that I never knew existed before, like the granadilla with its slimy black seeds that made my mouth dry, and the uchuva, which, like the total gringa I am, I initially mistook for a tomato. It seemed like every morning my gracious hosts had another fruit with which to bewilder me, but I ate them all with a silent note to myself to try to find them at home in San Francisco.



Photo by Ali Wunderman

Avocados were part of almost every meal, and like other fruits and vegetables, they were fresh and readily available. As a Californian I thought I knew everything there is to know about avocados, so I did not expect these ones to be as big as my face! They taste more buttery than their California cousins, but utterly devastating in their deliciousness, in that now I never need a Californian avo again. I began to crave avocados the way I once craved meat in Argentina: incessantly.

Colombia is known for its coffee and cocaine, and since I dont drink the former, I filled up on the latter  in tea form. Its not really cocaine-like in the way Narcos makes it out to be, in that actual cocaine is largely gasoline, but the tea made from coca leaves is quite delicious, gives a nice caffeine-like kick, but like the powdery stuff is totally illegal to bring back to the US. I checked.

Though many cuisines are available throughout the country and two weeks of looking around makes me in no way an expert, I found the majority of the Colombian meals I ate to include some combination of a few basic ingredients: rice, chicken, cheese, a tortilla-like bread, the aforementioned avocados, and plantains. How plantains havent made their way into every meal worldwide is a mystery I will never solve.



Photo by Ali Wunderman

You dont really need much more than that to be happy, but its worth mentioning the street-Sundae-built-in-a-pineapple I encountered in Bogota during their famous Sunday Markets (Mercado de las Pulgas de Usaquen), which looks and feels like a big outdoor festival. Carts full of those moutherwateringly giant avocados and every kind of fruit bustled by as I became hypnotized by the skill of the sundae-making woman, so deft in her handiwork. I cursed my lactose intolerance, placating my appetite with giant, horse-sized avocadosIm exaggerating, but their avocados really are exceptionally big.

A facet of Colombian eating that was also new to me was the big breakfasts and lunches, followed up by tiny, sometimes nonexistent dinners. I was so used to my Bean Routine in Belize, that I wondered if skipping dinner was just a thing my specific hosts were into. Nope. Thats just how they do things there, I learned.

Though I was only able to visit Colombia for a mere two weeks, during that time I experienced some of local the cuisines of Bogota, Guatavita, and Cartagena. As a food writer I definitely had my eye open for all things culinary, but Im looking forward to spending more quality time in the country so I can get to know it in an even more significant way, hopefully even beyond the lens of my gringa eye. Or maybe thats just my excuse to stuff my face with arepas and avocados.

Ali Wunderman is a freelance food, travel, and wildlife writer authoring the Moon Travel Guide to San Francisco and chasing animals for her magazine, The Naturalist.

Top and preview images by Cucombre Libre CC BY
As we quickly approach Black Friday, its once again time for the beer community to start discussing Goose Islands Bourbon County. A beer, which once stood as the golden standard for barrel aged stouts, will be looking for a rebound year after a rough 2015 marred by infections and refunds.

While many have lost faith in the coveted stout, brewmaster Jared Jankoski has not. In a September blog post, Jared noted that there were two main changes to the 2016 batch to prevent a repeat of last year. First, the beer was flash pasteurized for the first time. If youre curious as to what other breweries pasteurize their barrel aged stouts, Deschutes Brewery has pasteurized Abyss since 2010 after consumers complained about their 2009 release.

The second change is how the brewery selects the barrels they used; they made sure they knew where the barrel is coming from and how recently the barrel had been emptied.

For those of you that got excited to try this years variants after seeing information that the Alcohol and Tabaco Tax and Trade Bureau approved labels for a Maple Rye and a Scotch Prop this summer, youll have to wait, as neither will be included in the 2016 release. Both are currently on the backburner after Goose announced the beers werent ready and would be left to continue aging. Instead, the 2016 release will feature Goose Islands core three, Regular, Coffee and Barleywine, and for the fourth year in a row, a Chicago-only Proprietors variant. We had the chance to try the beers before their Black Friday release. Here are our thoughts in ranking order, best to least best.

Lets start with the OG. Before variants like Coffee and Vanilla, BCBS was what started this legendary release. While the variants have changed over the years, one thing has not; You could always count on BCBS to be an outstanding barrel aged stout that matured well. One of the beauties of BCBS is that if you asked 10 beer nerds whats your favorite year of BCBS? almost always you will get a number of answers. Whether its the big 15% from 2012, the bomber from 2009 or my personal favorite, 2013, BCBS never disappoints.

Pouring the 2016 BCBS takes me back to all the reasons why I love this beer. The nose gives off a huge (Trump sized) amount of chocolate and sweet bourbon notes. The mouthfeel is decadent, thick, rich and chocolatey, coating my mouth. The barrel character is just right, rounding out the initial chocolate notes, lingering on each sip. For a 13.8% stout, you would never know it, as there is practically zero heat. Instead, the beer finishes incredibly smooth. The 2016 BCBS fresh is the beer all Bourbon County fans want.

When Goose Island first introduced us to their Barleywine variant in 2013, it blew us away. It had everything in a barleywine you wantthe barrel character and flavors of rich toffee, raisin and vanilla. It brought us back to King Henry. Prior to this year, Barleywine always used third use barrels, meaning the barrel would be used to age bourbon, then Bourbon County Stout, and then Barleywine.

After last years release, a decision was made to use second use barrels, intending to not only attempt to bring back some of the barrel character we loved from 2013 and 2014, but also remove any quality issues that could arise from using old barrels.

This years Barleywine pours a cola color, giving off a slightly thin appearance on the body, and a faint nose of raisins and toffee with some additional heat compared to previous iterations. My initial thoughts were that the second use barrels might have taken over; however the beer evolves as it warms. That initial frontend of the beer becomes stickier, coating my mouth with vanilla and raisins. In the end, while this is no 2013 or 2014, its certainly an improvement on last years (prior to infection); theres a little more body, and its still sweet but its not as cloying. Being that barleywines are usually a style people choose to drink with a little age on them, Im interested to see how this one will progresses over time as the barrel mellows out.

Starting in 2013, Goose Island began releasing their Chicago only beer, known as Proprietors, AKA Prop. Unlike the other variants, for Prop, Goose Island has allowed their employees to come up with ideas for the upcoming years variant. Of those that have had the pleasure of trying Prop, the majority consensus is that 2013, which featured coconut, is the holy grail of the series.

For 2016, one of Gooses brewers developed a recipe using chipotle peppers and cocoa nibs, and aged in a bourbon barrel that previously stored maple syrup. The beer pours thick, however the nose is straight chocolate covered chipotle peppers, overpowering any maple you might have gotten from the barrel. Initially the mouthfeel is front-to-back heat with a brief pause for maple in between, however as the beer warms that initial heat becomes a little tamer. The flavors begin to meld together as the peppers which were so strong up front become a little gentler, followed by cocoa and some sweetness from the maple. The backend, however, continues to provide an overpowering amount of heat that assaults your palate.

This variant is going to be the polarizing beer of the set; You either love it or you hate it. Its certainly one of the more interesting variants Goose has put out, but to enjoy this, you have to be a big fan of spiced stouts, and thats not for everyone. Theres really no way around that wave of peppers on the backend; the maple and cocoa can only do so much. It will be interesting to see if over time the peppers dial back a bit, giving more of the spotlight to the maple and cocoa.

Ever since Goose Island dropped bottles of BCBCS in 2010, coffee stout lovers have continued to run to the shelves for bottles. Like the regular BCBS, the bottles of Coffee started off strong, appearing to be the winner of the 2015 release prior to the infection issues.

For this years release, Jonkoski and his team traveled to Costa Rica to learn about the process and history of coffee making, and to ultimately hand pick the type of coffee for this years BCBCS. They decided to go with coffee from the El Cidral lot, which will be marketed as Flecha Roja under Intelligentsia.

BCBCS, the lightest of the bunch at 12.5%, comes with a deep roasted coffee aroma, almost as if you stuck your nose into a bag of freshly grounded coffee. Compared to regular BCBS is, there is a sting on the front end from the carbonation, which somewhat throws off my first impressions of the mouthfeel. What follows though is a cherry-like undertone blended with chocolate. Bitter coffee lingers on the backend. While for me this isnt what last years was fresh, its still a well-executed coffee stout.

So there you have it, our thoughts on Goose Islands 2016 release. Now most of you are probably asking questions after the 2015 release about what the changes for 2016 could mean. We caught up with brewmaster Jared Jankoski to ask some of these questions.

Paste: How does flash pasteurization affect the aging process?

Jared Jankoski: I dont think it will do a whole lot to be honest. The process is really quick and gentle on the beer; it only lasts for about a minute at most. We have a tasting panel that is very sharp here at Goose that tastes the beer throughout the year. The aging, softening, and rounding that everybody sees and enjoys with this beer should not be any different from previous versions.

Paste: How can consumers trust that we wont see a repeat of 2015?

JJ: We simplified and improved our barrel procurement, and thats a big deal for us. To have a single-source, knowing the barrels are fresh and of good quality is important. Also, moving to flash pasteurization is a huge deal. Something I really didnt get into on the blog post was that we figured out what our problem was last year and how to detect it microbiologically in the beer. Then what we did was we worked with some very smart people to develop a microbiological test. Now its tricky because its a barrel and you know there is going to be something in there, but it comes down to what you know you want and dont want coming out of these tests. Now we can detect well ahead of time what might be in a beer that might pose a problem to us.

We have been using new technology very cautiously, and talking with our brewers to make sure we are able to minimize what could cause issues with our beers going forward. I know there is some concern from consumers, and consumers might call me out on my intentions since I didnt create the beer, but I honestly love the Bourbon County Stout, and I am going to captain this beer forward in the highest quality that I can.

Goose Islands Bourbon County Brand Stout and variants are released on Black Friday, November 25.
Looks like all the Shamus can finally be freeat least for the next few decades. Last week, 24 countries came together to vote the Ross Sea in Antarctica as being a Marine Protected Area (MPA) for the next 35 years. As of December 1, 2017, all commercial fishing is banned from 528,000 square-miles worth of water, which is more than twice the size of Texas.

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) has been debating Ross Seas protection for decades. New Zealand and the U.S. first proposed the idea in 2011. Due to their interests in deep-sea fishing and mining, China and Russia were a little slow to agree finally agreed last year and Russia just last week.

This is a major step in marine conservation not just for the Antarctic but internationally, said Evan Bloom, head of the United States delegation, told The New York Times.

The Ross Sea is home to more than 16,000 species, including krill and plankton, which base the food chain for animals such as orcas and emperor penguins. Seventy-two percent of the MPA will be completely banned from any kind of fishing while the rest of the area will be used for scientific research.

This enables scientists to research the relative impacts of fishing and other changes, such as those arising from climate change, the CCAMLR stated on their website. This can help our understanding of the range of variables affecting the overall status and health of marine

ecosystems.

The Ross Sea will only be the second-ever MPA deal-to-establish-worlds-largest-marine-reserve on the high seas and is known as The Last Ocean due to its isolation from human activity. Maybe this ecological safe-haven will inspire nations to keep it from truly being the last.

McGee Nall is a travel intern with Paste and a freelance writer based out of Athens, Georgia.
If the success of a character study can be measured purely by the extent to which the character him-/herself draws ones attention, then the new documentary Peter and the Farm is surely one of the most successful of recent years. On the surface, beyond his long white beard, there isnt anything extraordinarily distinctive about Peter Dunning, a solitary farmer who has devoted 35 years of his life to tending his farm in Vermont, and whose lonely existence masks deep psychological scars underneath. Even his traumas are fairly mundane: estrangement from his ex-wives and kids, curdled hippie idealism, a hand accident that ended his artistic dreams. And yet, once you hear Peter speak in his dramatically galvanizing voice, one cant help but sit up and pay attention to whatever cantankerous, world-weary, brutally candid statements he utters.

And boy, does he have many such words to impart to co-cinematographer/co-producer/director Tony Stone and his crew in this film. Im living in hell, he says at one point, hell referring to his farm, whose gorgeously pastoral qualities sharply belie his characterization. In another scene, he jokes to the filmmakers about how the film ought to be about capturing his own suicide. He still exudes seething resentment toward his former wives and children, all of the latter of whom, he claims, would never answer his phone calls. As for the farm he so carefully tends, Peter says that 1998 was its last great year, and that his farm has been in decline ever since. Such personal revelations occur in seemingly haphazard ways throughout Peter and the Farm. Instead of conceiving of a carefully structured biographical arc, Stone has edited his film in a way that feels like the camera dropping in on Peter as his memories sprout organically through his behavior.

Peters reminiscences alternate between long stretches where Stone and co-cinematographer Nathan Corbin simply observe the man in action: tending to his sheep, cows and pigs; gutting and disemboweling some of them in order to cut them up for meat; keeping tabs on all of his animals through charts he maintains on his clipboard. Stone doesnt shy away from showing us the grime Peter has to wade through every daywe even get to see a cow defecating in a medium shot, for instanceand no doubt some audience members will choose to witness these sections through partially covered eyes, if at all. More pertinent to the film, however, is the manner with which Peter carries out such filthy business, the methodical nature of his movements suggesting how routine theyve become for him. Even now, though, and despite his complaints about the state of his life at the moment, he still occasional betrays a certain pleasure in his work. Ive become the farm, Peter comments in one scene; he may say that with a certain measure of regret, but for better or worse, his farm is the only thing that keeps him going.

Nevertheless, its Peters introspective despair that leaves the most lasting mark on us in Peter and the Farm. Its an impression that Stone bolsters with small touches in his filmmaking, occasionally going beyond its closely observant roving-camera aesthetic to try to suggest the mans inner life. Mostly, this takes the form of a sound design that verges on outright distortion at its loudestas if aurally buttressing the prickliness of the subject himself. Music also plays a keenly psychological role in brief, isolated moments. Stones use of hard-driving punk rock on the soundtrack offers as stark a contrast to the idyllic exterior landscapes as Peters own drunken self-pitying ramblings.

Is it merely self-pity, though, or is Peter, through his own troubled life, touching on something universal: the disillusionment of a man who has endured dashed dreams and is currently living in something of a soulless state? Your response to Peter and the Farmwhether you find Stones film to be an unedifying wallow in one mans depression, or a profound meditation on existential human needswill surely hinge on that question. However you take Peter Dunning, though, there is something admirable to the way Tony Stone and co. view their subject with a fascination thats filled with clear-eyed empathy. Its the kind of unsentimental compassion that animates the best art.

Director: Tony Stone

Writer: N/A

Starring: Peter Dunning

Release Date: Nov. 4, 2016

Kenji Fujishima is a freelance film critic, contributing to Slant Magazine, Brooklyn Magazine, The Playlist, and the Village Voice in addition to Paste. He is also Deputy Editor of Movie Mezzanine and former editor-in-chief of In Review Online. When hes not watching movies and writing and editing film criticism, hes trying to absorb as much music, art and literature as possible. He has not infrequently been called a culture vulture for that reason.
Think of yaself as quite the beach bum? WELL LUCKY YOU, because Cebu Pacific Air is flying 3 Aussies (+ their mates) to The Philippines so that they can complete their degrees in da good / chill AF life. Enrollments easy: just fill out your application form HERE and explain why youd be an A+ student (ie. chiller) in an epic video to Vimeo / YouTube. Laid-back livin awaits.

The shitty truth though? Winter will always come back to mess you up annually. UNLESS, fellow sun lovers, you find a way (or, more specifically, a place) to avoid the cold completely.

Enter The Philippines. Yeah it rains, but when its hot all-year long that downpour is refreshing  almost as refreshing as the endless supply of pristine beaches you can dip into on the daily.

Behold the lush AF watering holes you can frolic, surf, socialise, dive in / on:

1. MALCAPUYA, CORON, PALAWAN



Photo: Instagram / @adrianquintos.

Its a tiny island absolutely untouched and completely perfect  crystal turquoise water, powdery, white sand. When I was there, there was even a man who was a retired ex-boxer with a pet bird on his shoulder that spends his time giving massages to people on the beach.  Christina Rita.

2. PORT BARTON, SAN VICENTE, PALAWAN





Photo: Instagram / @irisuquins.



Photo: Instagram / @nhvalentin22.

It was a mix of being less crowded / popular then El Nido, and because it was the wet season, we were able to explore the beach and village as if we were the only non-locals there. We had a beachfront cabin that was dirt cheap and were able to do private boat tours that hopped around beautiful islands and pristine snorkelling spots. Highlights were a private lunch and the beach to ourselves on Paradise Island, swimming with a sea turtle and having squid for every meal.  Ben Russell.

3. NACPAN BEACH, EL NIDO, PALAWAN





Photo: Supplied.

Earlier this year a Canadian vlogger, Christian LeBlanc, hailed Nacpan Beach as the most beautiful beach in the world. Yuge call, but, look, it doesnt suck. Twin Beach, pictured above, is a real goer for that summin different.

4. ALONA BEACH (+ BALICASAG), PANGLAO ISLAND, BOHOL





Photo: Instagram / @jahmes27.



There are heaps of bars along the beach of varying budget / quality, and heaps of companies that run scuba diving boats out to the nearby island, which is a protected island with lovely wall reefs, turtles and eels. The visibility when diving there [Balicasag] was incredible, like 40m.  Brendan Hogan.

5. WHITE BEACH, BORACAY, MALAY, AKLAN



Photo: Supplied.



Photo: Instagram / @travel_shooter.

Im still confused at to how picture-perfect the sand is, and the water is so, so clear. Like, the pictures are accurate. The water is that perfect.

We took advantage of that with a spot of helmet diving, and it was so cool to chill out with with the ocean life just a couple of minutes from the beach itself. The place changes after dark, and it more or less becomes the nightlife hub of the entire island. Its pretty wild to see such a serene beach transform so quickly.  David Adams.

HOT TIP: Be sure to check out the sunset at Station One White Beach while youre in Boracay  its easily the best on the island.

6. SUMILON ISLAND, CEBU



Photo: Instagram / @travelers.guide.



Photo: Instagram / @t0mmy__23.

SHUT. THE. FRONT. DOOR.

The oceanic waters of Sumilon are beyond, clearly (geddit lel). The coral island was created in 1974 as a marine sanctuary and is pretty as all heaven.

7. CLOUD 9, SIARGAO





Photo: Supplied.



Photo: Supplied.

Cloud nine: A state of perfect happiness.

Definitions dont lie, people.

On top of its clear beauty, its hailed as one of the worlds best surfing spots cause of its dramatic reef break.

Now that weve gotten you all hot n bothered about a steamy vaycay in The Philippines, its our duty to tell ya how you can get over there FO FREE. Cebu Pacific are sending three 18-24 year olds (and their +1s) to the islands of Cebu and Siargao as part of their Beach Bum Academy. To apply, just fill out your application form HERE and upload an epic video to Vimeo /YouTube. Your degree in laid-back living aint going to complete itself.

LETS GO TO THE BEACH EACH, LETS GO GET AWAY.

Photo: Instagram / @amberhalleday_mta.
By: Blackbox Connect

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-- Today, on their 5th anniversary, Blackbox Connect is announcing the participants of the 17th edition of the Silicon Valley based program dedicated to leveling the playing field for born-global startups. This immersion program for founders based outside the US will bring sixteen exceptional startups from thirteen countries to Silicon Valley. All the startups are members of the Google for Entrepreneurs global partner network.The full list of founders and their companies are available on the Blackbox website: blackbox.vc. The residential program will be held at the old Archbishop's Mansion in San Francisco from November 7-18, 2015.These entrepreneurs are coming to Silicon Valley from every corner of the world: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Ireland, Netherlands, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Uganda, and United Kingdom from entrepreneurial organizations such as Amsterdam's TQ or Shanghai's People Squared.Blackbox Connect 17 (BBC#17) culminates in a Startup Showcase on November 18th. The founders will present their startups in front of a select audience of investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leading executives. Interested parties can sign up for the Blackbox Connect newsletter to receive more news about upcoming events.To date, 270 startups from 63 countries have participated in the residential program for international entrepreneurs based outside Silicon Valley. Many have become leaders their local startup communities. Within three to nine months after the program, over 60% went on to raise funding and more than 90% of Blackboxers continue to grow their businesses. There have been nine exits to fuel the growth of global seed venture.Ethnic and cultural diversity are inherent to Blackbox Connect having received over 4,000applications from 108 countries. As a proud supporter of tech equity, Blackbox is happy to report that 38% of Blackbox startups have at least one female co-founder."Blackbox Connect is an invaluable program for startups looking to access the best Silicon Valley has to offer, while providing them with the tools and connections necessary to build global companies from day one. We're thrilled to partner with Blackbox on the 17th cohort, and support this truly global talent pool from across the Google for Entrepreneurs partner network" says Mary Grove, Director of Google for Entrepreneurs."We've come a long way from our days as a startup ourselves, growing our mission of supporting entrepreneurs grow their born-global startups." said Fadi Bishara, Blackbox Founder and CEO. He added, "We're grateful for partners like Google for Entrepreneurs who have been a key part of our growth. Together with their global network of entrepreneurial communities, we've aligned support for startups who are fueling economic growth in more countries around the world."About Blackbox ConnectBlackbox Connect empowers born-global entrepreneurs to become stronger leaders in their companies and local startup communities. For two weeks, we bring international founders to Silicon Valley to stretch their minds, focus their ambition, and hone their craft of entrepreneurship. To learn about Blackbox Connect, visit http://blackbox.vc and for info about the upcoming Startup Showcase and other updates subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on facebook (fb.com/blackboxvc), G+ (+BlackboxVC)and Twitter (@blackboxVC)About Google for EntrepreneursGoogle for Entrepreneurs provides financial support and the best of Google's resources to dozens of co-working spaces and community programs across 125 countries. We also create Campuses: physical hubs where entrepreneurs can learn, connect, and build companies that will change the world. To learn more about Google for Entrepreneurs, visit google.com/entrepreneurs or follow us on G+ (+GoogleForEntrepreneurs), Twitter (@GoogleForEntrep)and Facebook (fb.com/GoogleForEntrepreneurs)
Just as we celebrated Tipu Jayanti last year, we will celebrate the event this time as well. There will be no law and order situation, he assured.

By Revathi Rajeevan, Rohini Swamy: Tipu Sultan's contribution in the field of science and technology to the erstwhile state of Mysore and now Karnataka has to be lauded and celebrating his birth anniversary is a way of showing our respect to the man who fought the British and was India's first missile man, the Congress government in Karnataka has said. Tipu Jayanti will be held on November 10th across the state.

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The RSS and the BJP have decided to hold statewide agitations. The protests are expected to culminate in a mega rally on November 8 in Bengaluru. Christian organisations have also protested against Tipu's birth anniversary being celebrated as a state event. It is believed that Tipu forcefully converted several Christians too during his rule.

RSS IS A COMMUNAL ORGANISATION: SIDDARAMAIAH



"Just as we celebrated Tipu Jayanti last year, we will celebrate the event this time as well. We will take care of the law and order situation. RSS is a communal organisation and they will try to spread hatred", said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

In 2015, this decision met with stiff resistance as many felt that the celebrations were unwarranted.

Rajesh Parmar, spokesperson of Karnataka unit of RSS, said, "As history has recorded, Tipu was an intolerant king. He was a bigot, he forced his beliefs on others. He took to unscrupulous means to have his way in such matters. He killed many people in Kodagu, Mysore and Kerala. He also destroyed around 8,000 temples. The government is playing votebank politics. He is a role model for radical youths, not for the whole of Karnataka. "

Also read: Tipu Jayanti is like celebrating Aurangzeb's anniversary: Voices against Karnataka event

Despite opposition, the Congress government in Karnataka has decided to celebrate the day across the state on 10 November. This event will be organised by the department of Kannada culture. The state govt has earmarked Rs 60 lakh from its budget for celebrating Tipu's anniversary.

"It is the RSS and the BJP who want to politicise this issue. Don't we celebrate Mahatma Gandhi's anniversary? He was shot down by the RSS. Don't we celebrate Deen Dayal ji's anniversary? Tipu has contributed so much to Karnataka, towards sericulture. He made the first missile and also was the only ruler who fought Against the British 4 times. He is the son of the soil. They are making an issue out of it just to political reasons. Tipu is being targeted only because he was a Muslim. Had he been a Hindu ruler, he would have been made the greatest king in india, said Dinesh Gundurao, working president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.



DECISION TO CELEBRATE TIPU JAYANTI TAKEN AFTER HOLDING CONSULTATIONS



Sources in the government said the decision taken to celebrate Tipu Jayanti was fixed after holding consultations with several historians and academics on how important Tipu's contribution had been to Karnataka. But many opposed the the decision to celebrate it on November 10. Some historians pointed out that the birth anniversary of Tipu falls on 20 November and that 10 November was the day when 700 Melkote Iyengars were hanged to death.

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ALSO READ | Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary: BJP, RSS to protest against Karnataka celebrations



"Tipu is a controversial leader. The Congress as a party can play communal politics. Even BJP can do that. But the government of the day should not do that, said former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai.

The BJP and the RSS have been up in arms and have organised large-scale protests across the city. Two men lost their lives during clashes in Madikeri when a Muslim group took out a procession to celebrate Tipu Sultan Jayanti.

A lawyer from Madikeri, Manjunath has also filed an appeal in the Karnataka High Court, seeking a stay on Tipu Jayanti celebrations across the state.

ACTRESS TARA DETAINED BY POLICE DURING ANTI-TIPU PROTEST



Meanwhile, BJP state leader and cine actress Tara Anuradha has been detained by Karnataka state police at Shira just as she was inaugurating the Obavva procession at Chitradurga. This procession is being taken out by the BJP against the Karnataka government's decision to celebrate Tipu Jayanti.

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Tara has been detained at an outpost near a village called Jaavugaanahalli. This procession is expected to culminate in Bengaluru on November 10, which has been declared a 'Black day' by the RSS.

The BJP and the RSS claim that the celebration of Tipu Jayanti is an insult to the SC/STs as Tipu and his father Hyder Ali invaded and killed the last ruler of Chitradurga, Madakari Nayaka, who was a tribal king. Tipu and Hyder Ali's army had also killed a Dalit woman called Onake Obavva, who single-handedly defended the Chitradurga fort by killing enemy soldiers with the help of a heavy pestle. She was killed by Tipu and Hyder Ali later. The nayakas of Chitradurga had ruled some eastern parts of Karnataka for over two hundred years and they are a part of the state's folklore.WATCH VIDEO



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Follow 5 Generations of Lithuanian Jews in Epic Historical Novel

By: Strategic Book Publishing and Rights Co, LLC

A Family Saga

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-- What kind of novel would a historian write? Alex Bloch's fascinating new book A Family Saga: Life and Love Amidst Turmoil and Tragedy travels back to 19th- and 20th-century Lithuania for a realistic look at Lithuanian Jews.This exceptional story about Jews during this era shows that Lithuania housed a highly intellectual and disciplined community that excelled in rational religiosity.Follow the lives of five generations in one family, their experiences during this important time in history, as well as a look at the war years and historical events of the time. Family members lived in Berlin, visited Palestine, emigrated to America, and eventually visited Lithuania again after the Holocaust. This stunning story reads more like a true story, as it captures the essence and soul of a Jewish cultural community long gone."We are proud to be the publisher of this stunning novel that hits all the right notes. Especially noteworthy are its historical accuracy and depth of characterizations,"said Robert Fletcher, CEO of Strategic Book Publishing and Rights Agency.About the Author: Since retiring from his university position, Dr. Alex Bloch is a historian who returned to his early love of historical fiction. With the experience gained, he writes fiction while applying his knowledge of understanding and interpreting past events in the light of the times they occurred. In addition to professional publications, he has written five other novels: The Road Taken, The Cathedral, Fusion, Fermosa Rosales, and The Coin. His next book chronicles his life as a boy in Berlin who escaped the Nazis, his years living in Palestine and the U.S., and earning a doctorate in history from Tel Aviv University.A FAMILY SAGA: LIFE AND LOVE AMIDST TURMOIL AND TRAGEDY (ISBN: 978-1-68181-460-5) is now available for $17.95 and can be ordered through the publisher's website: http://sbpra.com/ AlexBloch or at www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com.WHOLESALERS:This book is distributed by Ingram Books and other wholesale distributors. Contact your representative with the ISBN for purchase. Wholesale purchase for retailers, universities, libraries, and other organizations is also available through the publisher; please email bookorder@sbpra.net.Strategic Book Publishing and Rights Co, LLCwww.SBPRA.net (http://www.strategicbookclub.com/)www.AuthorMarketingIdeas.com www.PublishOnDemandGlobal.com*About our book publishing, marketing, and distribution team  We have provided services to over 10,000 authors around the world in the last eight years. We have hybrid-published over 6,500 authors, (about 500+ in a "traditional style" contract and the remainder in a self-publishing style), and their books are for sale in all the normal Ingram distribution channels, and Amazon and B&N (US, UK, Australia, Europe), plus China, India, Malaysia and almost every country in the world. We have attended and exhibited at over 30 of the largest book fairs in the world including London, New York, Beijing, Frankfurt, Guadalajara, New Delhi, Taiwan, and more. We have been instrumental in the adoption of POD in mainland China and Korea. For our author-clients we have produced over 1,000 press releases, video book trailers and other marketing materials for authors around the world. We have created over 7,500 author websites with extended capabilities, we have over 1,200 multi-format eBooks available on Kindle, Apple, Kobo, and other eBook platforms around the world. We look forward to assisting you to the best of our ability.https://www.facebook.com/sbpra.ushttp://pinterest.com/sbpra/https://twitter.com/SBPRAhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/sbpra
Granite Capital Group (GCG), a Santa Barbara, Calif. real estate investment firm with a number of Colorado holdings, has purchased the recently completed Kipling Commons, a 48-unit residential development in Arvada, Colorado.

By: Granite Capital Group, Inc.

Kipling exterior photo small

Contact

Diane Rumbaugh

***@rumbaughpr.com Diane Rumbaugh

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-- Granite Capital Group (GCG), a Santa Barbara, Calif. real estate investment firm with a number of Colorado holdings, has purchased the recently completed Kipling Commons, a 48-unit residential development in Arvada, Colorado, 11 miles northwest of downtown Denver. The sales price was $10.6 million. It is anticipated the project will immediately return to investors a better than 10% cash on cash return.Located at 10125 West 72nd Avenue, Kipling Commons consists of six, two-story suburban apartment buildings, each housing eight units. The two-bedroom, two-bath apartments come with one-car detached garages, Class A finishes such as quartz counters, stainless steel appliances, plank LVT hardwood flooring and an in-unit washer and dryer. They range in size from 903 to 1,120 square feet.Through its GCG Kipling Commons, LP investment fund, GCG purchased the new development in September, with 47 of 48 units leased prior to the close of escrow."New construction such as Kipling Commons is attractive to investors because no rehab is required. This lowers investor risk," says BruceSavett, GCG founder and principal. "Maintenance costs associated with new high-end construction are more predictable."Kipling Commons is designed to appeal to young professionals and families who are priced out of the housing market or choose to rent instead of own and are seeking an alternative to more urban settings. "Demand for housing in Arvada is high," says Savett. "The vacancy rate is under 3 percent. Introducing new housing into the market helps fill a need while making it a smart venture for investors."Earlier this year, GCG closed initial funding and began developing Fairways at Vista Ridge, a $41.5 million, 14.5-acre, 169-unit single-family rental community in Erie, Colorado's Vista Ridge Master Planned community. Occupancy is expected to start in spring 2017. It is anticipated upon stabilization, the project will return to investors a mid-teen cash on cash return."There is little new single family residential construction in the Denver market," says Savett. "This will likely continue. Although a strong jobs market is keeping demand high, construction is getting cost prohibitive. However, the region remains one of the nation's economic bright spots so GCG will continue to seek new residential investment opportunities."For more information on Kipling Commons and other similar projects, contact Bruce Savett at Bruces@gcg-re.com , 805-259-3040.About Granite Capital GroupGranite Capital Group, Inc. (GCG), aSanta Barbara, California real estate investment firm, provides accredited investors, trusts, institutions and pensions with access to the commercial real estate market through limited partnerships. Its real estate opportunities are designed to deliver exceptional returns and mitigate risk while focusing on cash flow and asset appreciation. It currently has more than $120 million of assets under management. http://www.gcg- re.com
Grand Estates Auction Company Presenting Fully Furnished Costa Rican Mountaintop Luxury Villa via Live Online Auction on November 15th

By: Grand Estates Auction Company

Contact

Cristina Anderson

***@cristinaanderson.com Cristina Anderson

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-- An eco-luxury mountaintop villa with 10 developable acres in Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula is being offered through online auction by Grand Estates Auction Company on Nov. 15. Previously listed at U.S. $1.75 million, the property includes a master plan for a designed, surveyed, and previously permitted condominium resort development, providing a tremendous investment opportunity.With the upcoming United States presidential election leading many to state they'll be moving abroad if their candidate does not win, the Nov. 15online auction is particularly timely. Costa Rica is extremely attractive to retirees and expats  according to the United States State Department, approximately 100,000 private American citizens reside in Costa Rica, and more than a million American citizens visit Costa Rica annually."This auction presents a rare opportunity to name your price on a 13-acre mountaintop paradise on the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica," stated Grand Estates Auction Company Director of Operations Jeremy LeClair. "The three-bedroom, three-bathroom modern villa boasts a 270-degree panoramic ocean view, and has numerous luxury amenities and extensive structural engineering. The winning bidder will walk away with a luxury home and master plans for a 26-unit condo resort."The open floor plan home features expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces with soaring ceilings and spectacular ocean views from every room. High-end finishes and architectural details can be found throughout the three-bedroom, three-bathroom villa, including a second-floor master suite with luxurious en suite bathroom, a large walk-in closet, and upstairs laundry room; a gourmet kitchen with induction stove and chef's appliances; a large custom-designed Guanacaste wood live-edge dining table; and a hardwood sublevel wine cellar. Resort amenities include a 48-foot infinity pool, outdoor pool table situated in a cabana lounge, and an all-inclusive studio guest cottage. Security for long absences is provided through one-touch security doors and a sealable two-car garage, while two wells provide sustainable fresh water.In addition to the resort condominium development master plans, the winning bidder will receive a completely rebuilt and repainted 2002 Land Rover Defender and a four-seat dune buggy for off-road adventures.Designated a Blue Zone, the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica not only provides a high standard of daily living, but its residents also enjoy a longer life span, making this a particularly desirable area of Costa Rica for expats. The region provides beautiful beaches, incredible sport fishing, jungles teeming with exotic wildlife, fresh locally harvested foods, and the laid-back signature Pura Vida Costa Rican lifestyle.Grand Estates Auction Company has an unsurpassed closing rate in the luxury residential real estate auction industry and specializes in creating impactful global marketing campaigns for luxury properties. There are no contingencies, no lengthy negotiations, and timelines for closing are already established. To help buyers make an informed purchase, a comprehensive due-diligence Property Purchase Package is available.The Costa Rica online auction will go live on Tuesday, Nov. 15. The estate will be available to preview on Saturday, Nov. 12by appointment only. Buyers may contact Grand Estates Auction Company for details at 800-552-8120, by calling internationally at 001-704-529-0026, or by requesting information at CostaRicaAuctions.com.Grand Estates Auction Company is focused on delivering the most results-driven luxury real estate auction events, specializing in properties valued at $2 million and above throughout North America, the Caribbean, and select international destinations. Based in Charlotte, N.C., Grand Estates Auction Company has built a specialized platform and auction process that provides the highest success rate in the industry. Since 1999, Grand Estates Auction Company has successfully auctioned more than one billion dollars of luxury real estate. For more information and auction details visit www.CostaRicaAuctions.com
By: Aid & International Development Forum

Contact

Alina O'Keeffe, Marketing Manager

***@aidforum.org Alina O'Keeffe, Marketing Manager

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-- The Aid & International Development Forum would like to announce that the 2nd annual Aid & Development Africa Summit will be held in Nairobi, Kenya at Safari Park Hotel on the 28th February - 1st March 2017.The Aid & Development Africa Summit 2017 unites regional and global expertise, offering a unique opportunity for cross-sector engagement between UN and government agencies, NGOs, donors and the private sector.According to Timket A. Biresaw, Deputy Country Director, International Life Line Fund "the Aid & Development Africa Summit provides a platform for private-public-civil society partnership"Reasons to attend Aid & Development Africa Summit 2017: Debate the lessons learned from the recent drought crisis with all actors involved in humanitarian aid and development programmes in sub-Saharan East Africa Hear latest trends in procurement in the region, as well as policy updates and technological innovations to support emergency response, financing of development and aid programmes Find out about best practice in the supplier management and how to address supply chain challenges, including getting aid to areas of reduced infrastructure or conflict Learn about latest ICT developments and data strategy required to support SDGs, health resilience and emergency communication Find out how to build a culture of resilience and strengthen disaster preparedness, including initiatives and partnerships to improve health, livelihoods and safety of displaced people Build long lasting partnerships through structured networking opportunities, knowledge exchange and debates that influence regional development and humanitarian goalsLatest speaker confirmations at Aid & Development Africa Summit 2017: David Clapp, Coordinator of Sub-Regional Platform for East and Southern Africa, United Nations Development Programme Dr Sharad Sapra, Director of Global Innovation Centre, United Nations Children's Fund Rishi Ramrakha, Head of Zone Logistics Unit, Africa, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Christopher M. Hoffman, Regional Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Director, World Vision Miriam Maluwa, Country Director, Ethiopia, UNAIDS Barlin H. Ali, Program Coordinator, Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI), U.S Agency for International DevelopmentRegister your participation now to join engaging and inspiring discussions with 70+ expert speakers and mingle with over 300 senior representatives from regional governments, UN agencies, NGOs, Red Cross, development banks, civil society organisations and the private sector. As Linda Ndethiu, Red Een Kind (Help a Child) Kenya stated, the Summit offers "good opportunities for networking with delegates but also with speakers".The Aid & Development Africa Summit would like to thank its sponsors B Medical Systems, Losberger, Global Helicopter Service and DSV Air & Sea for their support.For more information about the Summit, visit http://africa.aidforum.org
The Student Accessibility Services Department organized the event to celebrate achievements of blind and visually impaired students

Contact

Sara Hassan

Media Relations Specialist

***@zu.ac.ae Sara HassanMedia Relations Specialist

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-- Shamsa Al Muhairi, a fresh psychology graduate from Zayed University, turned her vision impairment struggle into a success."I work now in the information technology department at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and planning to start my postgraduate studies in psychology, with an aim to pursue a career in clinical or counseling psychology,"Shamsa said at the sixth White Cane event held at Zayed University yesterday (Wednesday) in Dubai Campus."My goals could not be achieved without the continuous and solid support of Zayed University, particularly the Student Accessibility Services Department. The University provided special needs students with all the necessary resources to help each of them become a successful member of their communities and has full access to the general curriculum in order to improve academic performance and reach full potential," she added.Under the theme "With My Cane, I Excel and Attain," the event took place in the female promenade at Dubai campus and was organized by the Student Accessibility Services Department.Professor Reyadh AlMehaideb, Vice President of Zayed University, Dr Marilyn Roberts, Provost at Zayed University, and Fatma Al Qassimi, Director of the Student Accessibility Services Department, inaugurated the event, which will be held in Abu Dhabi on November 7th and 9th.The White Cane event aims to enlighten students, staff and faculty members on the best practices that can encourage individuals with special needs and celebrate the achievements of blind and visually impaired people.On this occasion, Professor AlMehaideb said: "Zayed University has always been committed to promote the spirit of equality, self-help, and mutual-help for students with low or no vision. Undeniably, technology is a significant part of that equation to meet the student's individual and unique learning needs."Devices such as Clear Reader, Piaf Tactile Image Maker, and Clear View are available at the Student Accessibility Services Department at Zayed University to provide visually impaired or blind students with the independence to compete effectively with peers.A large number of Zayed University volunteers have participated in the white cane event. Booths were installed in the female promenade and held several workshops, such as low vision class simulator, treasure hunt, eating in the dark, braille, while cane, and assistive technology.Many students were seen blindfolded while performing diverse tasks and activities to experience life and feelings that non-sighted people do.During the event, Fatma said: "With more than 100 students with disabilities at Zayed University, of which around 28 are visually impaired, the Student Accessibility Services Department is always committed to provide academic and social services to help them complete their studies and participate in events and activities held on campus."ENDS//About Zayed UniversityZayed University is today the premier national university in the United Arab Emirates and a regional leader in educational innovation and change. It has created and implemented a skills-rich, outcome-based general education program that systemically develops student skills, knowledge, and values associated with liberal learning and provided a solid foundation for pursuit of disciplinary majors and future careers. Zayed University welcomes national and international students, and provides them with a high quality education, offered by seasoned teaching scholars to prepare them to shape the future of the United Arab Emirates.Zayed University offers Undergraduate and Graduate degrees in the following Colleges: College of Arts & Creative Enterprises (recognized as substantially equivalent by NASAD), College of Business (Accredited by AACSB), College of Communication & Media Sciences (Accredited by ACEJMC), College of Education (Accredited by NCATE), College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, and College of Technological Innovation (Accredited by ABET). For more information, visit www.zu.ac.aeMedia contacts: Sara Sabry, Media Relations Specialist at the Office of the Vice President at Zayed UniversityDir-Tel: 025993630Mobile: 0566561059E-mail: Sara.Hassan@zu.ac.aeWeb: www.zu.ac.ae
Cerillion plc (AIM: CER), a leading provider of billing, charging and customer management solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alistair Carwardine as its new Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific.

Media Contact

Dominic Smith

marketing@cerillion.com

+442079276000 Dominic Smith+442079276000

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-- Cerillion plc (AIM: CER), a leading provider of billing, charging and customer management solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alistair Carwardine as its new Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific. Based in Sydney, Alistair is responsible for leading Cerillion's expansion in the region, including managing existing customer and partner relationships in Australia and New Zealand, as well as developing new business and guiding Cerillion strategy across the broader Asia Pacific region.Alistair is a highly successful telecoms delivery executive, with more than 25 years' experience in a variety of senior technical and management positions at companies including AOL7, Orion Telecommunications (Ireland), Commander and most recently as Technology Director of M2 Group Ltd. Prior to this, Alistair served 15 years as an officer in the Royal Australian Navy.Alistair commented: "As Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific, my mandate is to provide a regional focus to Cerillion's account management and sales functions, as well as building a local team of experts to expand and enhance our delivery capabilities. Cerillion's pre-integrated Enterprise BSS/OSS suite and powerful SaaS billing and subscription management solutions are ideally suited to the market here in Asia Pacific and I am excited by the new business opportunities the region offers.""With an established client base in Southeast Asia and Australia it is crucial for Cerillion to provide local expertise to support the growth and development of these customers," added Louis Hall, CEO, Cerillion plc. "Alistair's experience and track record of delivery made him the ideal candidate to establish our new regional presence and I am delighted to welcome him to the Cerillion team."Founded in 1999, Cerillion (AIM: CER) is a leading provider of billing, charging and customer management systems delivering its solutions across a broad range of industries including the telecommunications, finance and utilities sectors. The Company has a global customer base, with more than 75 customer installations across 40 countries and customers include Cable & Wireless, KDDI and MTN. For more information visit: http://www.cerillion.com or for Cerillion Skyline http://www.cerillion.com/ Products/SaaS/ Cerillion-Skyline
By: Rotarex

Contact

Charles Strobel

strobel.charles@ rotarex.com Charles Strobel

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-- http://rotarex.com/business-units/lpg - Rotarex, SA announced today that its Rotarex SRG business unit, the industry's leading manufacturer of premium LPG cylinder valves and regulators, along with a range of LP gas tank equipment, will attend the 29th World LPG Forum & 2016 AEGPL Congress in Florence, Italy.Booth visitors will find Rotarex SRG's new LPG multivalves that streamline cylinder manufacturing by enabling all valve functions for any application from just one opening, instead of multiple openings as done today. Also on display will be the industry's most comprehensive range of fill-stop valves, which allow purchasers to find the right fill-up valve for any LPG application from one source.Recently, the Rotarex Group made a strategic change to merge its LPG Automotive activities into Rotarex SRG. So, for the first time, show attendees can look at a wide array of products for LPG-powered vehicles such as forklifts, RVs and cars. The exhibit will include LPG-vehicle multivalves, tank valves, safety valves, solenoid valves and more.Rotarex SRG's classic line of LPG cylinder valves and pressure regulators for portable cylinders and equipment for LPgas tanks will also be on display, as will its innovative MLD low propane fuel gauge for LPG forklifts.The 2016 World LPG Forum takes place from the 15th to the 17th of November at the Firenze Fiera Congress and Exhibition Centre in Florence Italy.The Rotarex SRG Booth numbers are E3 and E4.About Rotarex SRGFounded in 1934, the company Schultz Rackow Gastechnik was acquired by Rotarex, SA, in 2000. Now known as Rotarex SRG, it is a world leader in premium quality LPG valves and regulators. Over decades of service to the LPG industry, SRG has gained a deep level of expertise that enables it to respond quickly to customer requests for innovative solutions that solve operational challenges.About RotarexRotarex designs and manufactures a wide range of very high quality gas control products that deliver peak performance, giving sellers, users or installers of gas equipment confidence that their projects will achieve better success. Developing industry-leading innovation expertise during its 90-year history, the company counts over 100 patents in its portfolio. With ISO certified manufacturing standards and unmatched source through production quality control, Rotarex products perform better, require less maintenance and have a longer life. Rotarex offers the widest range of control products and systems for all major gas applications. For more information visit us at: http://www.rotarex.com
The Norkem Group will show their latest range of advanced additives and supplements at the EuroTier exhibition.

By: Norkem

Contact

graham heath

***@norkem.com graham heath

End

-- Norkem, a leading supplier of additives and supplements will be attending the EuroTier event in Hanover, Germany this year. EuroTier is the world's leading trade event for animal production.Norkem will be attending with solutions in the following categories: Aquafeed Cleaning and disinfecting products Feed premixes Minerals Phosphate feeds Supplementary feed Vitamins and active agentsNorkem supplies a comprehensive range of products in this industry sector. They are a leader in the field of animal feed supplements (http://www.norkem.com/en/animal_feed_agriculture.php)and distribute their full range of products internationally.This will be the first time that Norkem have exhibited their Aquafeed range, a specialist range of products aimed at the fish food industry. They now offer raw materials which are used in the manufacture of a wide selection of aquatic feed products.A spokesperson for Norkem said "EuroTier has always been a successful event for the Norkem Group, this years' EuroTier is expected to be the busiest exhibition for us to date. As a leading global company we need to be here and in keeping with this, past EuroTier events have generated leads for us from over 50 different countries.Norkem's Group Marketing team said "we are totally committed to making this event a huge success and our stand will be manned with 16 members of staff, speaking 6 different languages.""We operate in many niche markets and animal nutrition and health is one of the most important industry sectors for Norkem. Visitors will have an opportunity to speak to our experienced sales team who can advise on the many products available across our range and how they can be tailored to individual needs."EuroTier is running from 15to 18November 2016 at Hanover Exhibition Grounds, Messegelande, 30521 Hannover, Germany. Visit Norkem at their stand H14, hall 20.Norkem are a major global stockist, distributor and producer of high quality speciality and general chemicals including unique solutions for the animal nutrition and health sector.Privately owned, Norkem was established in 1970. With a head office situated in the United Kingdom and sister offices located in The Netherlands, Spain, Chile, USA, Australia and China. They also have production facilities in the UK, Belgium and Australia.For more information visit http://www.norkem.com
Chief of Operations Sophia Ganosis is honored at the BSA Queens Council Salute to Women in Leadership Awards.

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-- Every year, the Boy Scouts of America hosts the BSA Queens Council Salute to Women in Leadership Award Dinner. They celebrate women in leadership positions in the Queens area. The honorees include the Queens Chamber of Commerce's Chief of Operations Sophia Ganosis.The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness. For more than a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes  and, through over a century of experience, knows  that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.The new vision of the Queens Chamber of Commerce is to become the premier comprehensive resource for the diverse Business Community in Queens. In addition, the Board of Directors reviewed the current Mission of the Queens Chamber and elected to revise it to more accurately reflect the current economic and community realities for the Borough. The new Mission is: "With a century of leadership, we foster economic growth and prosperity in the most diverse community in the country by promoting the interests of business through advocacy, networking and education."The other honorees are President of New American Women's Forum of New York, and Whitney M. Young Award honoree Rokeya Akhter, Assemblywomen Alicia Hyndman, and President and CEO of Greater Jamaica Development Corp., Hope Night. The dinner is on November 14 at 6 PM at Russo's on the Bay.
According to a Slovakia Industrial Market Snapshot by Cushman & Wakefield, the strong momentum seen in the Slovakian industrial market over the first half of 2016 has carried over to Q3 and is expected to remain for the rest of the year. Demand for space remains high across both the

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At this stage in their lives, an elderly couple is being forced to spend their life away from each other.

By India Today Web Desk: In the times of Tinder, it's always heartwarming to come across stories of old-fashion relationships, with the people involved holding on to each other till their last breath.

One such story is of an elderly British couple, Jessie and Ray Lorrison who have been together for 70 years and are being forced to live separately because of social services.

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Also read: 100-year-old grandpa holds dying wife's hand during their last moments together



In an age when your partner can become your best support system, the 95-year-old Mr Lorrison and his 88-year-old wife are not being allowed to live in the same care home by the South Tyneside Council, as reported by The Telegraph. The couple got married in 1950, after being introduced by Ray's elder sister Myra. Today, Mr Lorrison is living at Westoe Grange Care Home while his wife is in the hospital. However, post her treatment, she won't be able to live with her husband in the care home, as she doesn't meet the criteria to join him.

In the same report, their daughter Cheryl talked about her parents' plight, saying, "It is heartbreaking, and so cruel. Why should they be apart after all this time? What gives social services the right to play God? They haven't even got that much time left together. My dad will be lucky if he gets another six months. Every day he says, 'Where is your mam?' He's sitting outside his room in a chair waiting for my mam. He won't go to bed, he's sleeping in the chair. I am desperate for them to be reunited so they can spend the rest of their days together."

Also read: Photo of this elderly couple saying goodbye after 62 years of togetherness will break your heart



She also added, "They were always a happy couple. They were inseparable. The only time they spent apart was when he went to sea with the Merchant Navy."

Her son, Lee bates created an online petition to gauge support for the couple. Their story already has 5000 supporters and hopefully, the decision will soon be overturned in their favour.

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According to a Slovakia Office Market Snapshot by Cushman & Wakefield, the Slovakian office market continued to ride the positive tailwinds seen over H1 2016. The resilient economy and improving labour market conditions are feeding into more healthy business sentiment which in turn is driving demand for office space. However,

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For several years Manu Prakash, an assistant professor of bioengineering, has gone to field sites to test new, low-cost microscopes as a tool for diagnosing the parasitic disease schistosomiasis. The devices showed promise, but Prakash was perplexed by how often kids treated for the disease were getting re-infected. Prakash quickly turned his attention to preventing infections at the first place.

This new focus led his team to think about a fundamental question in the transmission cycle: How does this parasite actually move in open water to infect a human host? They hope that by understanding the biophysics of how this parasite swims, it might be possible to hinder the movement and thwart infection. The results of this study are published in the Oct. 31 issue of Nature Physics.

"We started thinking about the ecological context for the schistosomiasis disease cycle when, out in the field, we were seeing the terrible trauma it inflicts on people," said Prakash, senior author of the study. "It manifests over long periods of time, and if the water body near you is infected, there is a very high likelihood that you will get the disease. So, effectively, you can take drugs that could cure you for some time but you get re-infected again."

A debilitating disease

People become infected with schistosomiasis when the larval form of the parasite leaves the freshwater snail host, swims through the water and penetrates human skin. Once in a person, the larvae develop into adult schistosomes. The female parasites later release eggs, which are either passed out of the body through urine and stool or trapped in bodily tissues, triggering an immune response and large-scale organ damage. When the eggs from urine or stool enter a water body with the freshwater snail hosts, the cycle begins again.

Schistosomiasis infection often produces abdominal pain, diarrhea and blood in the stool or urine. It can also cause learning deficiencies in children and an inability to work in adults that traps families in a poverty cycle. Over the years, adults can develop bladder cancer or severe kidney damage, which reduces their quality of life. In some cases the disease results in death.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 258 million people required preventive treatment for schistosomiasis in 2014, with an estimated 20,000 deaths. As with many other neglected tropical diseases, schistosomiasis disproportionately impacts people who live in poverty. These people are more likely to be vulnerable to infection because they often have less access to adequate sanitation or to safe water for drinking, chores, recreation, fishing or agriculture. Even after treatment, people are often re-infected through their constant contact with contaminated water.

Where to start

Prakash decided to investigate how schistosomiasis larvae swim to find a human host. This is a valuable question because, in its larval form, the parasite has no feeding mechanism and must find a host within about 12 hours or die. It stands to reason, then, that the larvae likely have some special, extremely efficient swimming skills. It turns out that hunch is correct.

"This was unlike anything I had seen before," said Deepak Krishnamurthy, a PhD student in the Prakash Lab and lead author of the study. "When I looked at this parasite, I was fascinated by the fact that it was swimming in a completely different way as compared to any other microorganism I knew about. The parasite had a mysterious forked tail, something that has never been seen before in any other swimming microorganisms."

The researchers used three different approaches to investigate this odd swimming stroke. They imaged live parasite larvae with high-speed microscopy, they created a mathematical model to understand how the parasite interacted with the surrounding fluid, and finally they translated that model into a scaled-up robotic swimmer as a physical extension to learn more about physical parameters at play.

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The T-swimmer

While observing the larvae, the team noticed a few swimming styles that schistosomiasis larvae employ in different situations, and which differ primarily in the position of the forked tail. Of those, one stood out as unique. In this stroke, the larvae stick the tail out perpendicular from the body, like the letter T, prompting the researchers to dub them T-swimmers.

The larvae switch to T-swimming when they are moving against gravity, which they seem to do in order to be near the water's surface, where they are most likely to find a human host. High-speed video of live larvae swimming allowed the researchers to examine in depth how this novel swimming style works.

"We spent countless hours watching hundreds of these parasites swim -- it's like an obsession," said Yorgos Katsikis, a former PhD student in the Prakash Lab and co-author of this study. "Then we developed image-processing algorithms that would process this data automatically without any experimental bias."

These custom algorithms revealed in detail the exact kinematics of how the larvae bend their body and rotate their head, how fast they move and how they accelerate and decelerate and perturb the surrounding fluid.

Creating models

In parallel with direct observations, the researchers developed multiple mathematical and robotic models for how a T-swimmer could swim. The mathematical representations look like three rods, one representing the larvae's forked tail and the other two its bending tail and body. The robots were similarly structured and swam through corn syrup, a 10,000 times more viscous counterpart to the water the larvae infests, to recreate the same physical effects.

With these models, they could make the model larvae do strokes that involved varying combinations of tail stiffness and bending movement. They even raced several robots, each with slight modifications in their tail stiffness.

"In many cases, we try to replicate nature in robots. This was very different," said Krishnamurthy. "On the face of it, it looks like I'm trying to make a robot that swims like a parasite, but the truth is that it was the exact opposite: I was building a robot to actually understand how the biological parasite swims."

What these models and various modifications revealed is the larvae's real swimming stroke was indeed the optimal version.

Prakash and Krishnamurthy have been in Madagascar collecting infected snails and studying the ecology of this parasite in open water in rural villages. They hope their work in and out of the lab will help them understand how these parasites find humans and bring them one step closer to an ecological solution to this widespread disease.
Tapping into social media posts on Instagram, Flickr and Panoramio gave North Carolina State University researchers a trove of information about people's opinions of scenic European landscapes. A new study shows that geotagged photos -- complete with millions of comments -- can provide data for predictive models to help guide land use policy, conservation planning and development decisions worldwide.

"Social media offer the possibility of transforming the way researchers collect data on how we perceive and value the environment around us," says Derek van Berkel, a postdoctoral researcher with NC State's Center for Geospatial Analytics and co-lead author of the study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "Crowdsourced information provides an exciting alternative to small-scale social surveys, which are expensive and laborious to administer."

The research comes as land use in Europe and worldwide continues to shift because of urbanization. Land devoted to agriculture, mining and forestry may be managed for recreation, leisure activities and tourism instead, van Berkel says.

Crowdsourced predictive models could help residents of the Swiss Alps make decisions about whether mountain meadows are best suited for grazing cattle, suburban housing or a new ski resort. French residents could choose between allowing large-scale agricultural production or investing in preserving traditional hedgerows around fields because of their beauty and environmental value as habitat for birds and pollinating insects.

"We found that Panoramio, Instagram and Flickr provided comparable data that was reliable as an indicator of which landscapes visitors value most on a continental scale," van Berkel says. "It's difficult to put a numerical value on beauty and inspiration, but policymakers need to know which locations have aesthetic and cultural worth so that they can develop strategies to preserve those landscapes and think in terms of amenity-driven visitors and agricultural tourism to boost local economies."

Researchers created algorithms to filter data from Instagram and Panoramio, which are widely used across Europe, and Flickr, which is more common in Central and Western Europe. They mapped the geographic distribution of images in Europe and ranked sites into four quartiles, from most- to least-visited locations. In analyzing visitor patterns, researchers found the most-valued landscapes included mountainous areas, locations near rivers and lakes, and areas near population centers.

"These landscapes are clearly providing ecosystem services highly valued by society," says Ross Meentemeyer, director of NC State's Center for Geospatial Analytics and a co-author of the study. "Using social media to uncover and quantify people's interest in ecosystem services is an exciting new approach to understanding the important connection between natural resources and human health and wellbeing."

Instagram, a mobile app for photo sharing, offered a particularly rich source of data for the study because it allows users to attach comments and hashtags to their photos. Photo-sharing data provides a snapshot of the values of millennials, a key demographic group for future land use decisions, van Berkel says.

"Geospatial analytics allows us to study how urbanization changes the landscape and to predict the consequences of those changes," van Berkel says. "Our goal is to model what will happen in different scenarios -- something like what you'd see in Sim City -- but using a computer model driven by real data about real places."
An incentive program that shifts electricity usage for low-priority activities to nonpeak times could save money for utilities companies and consumers, according to assistant professor Tim Hansen of South Dakota State University Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Through a $153,689 National Science Foundation grant, Hansen will examine how an end-user distribution plan could help balance the demand for electricity and ease pressure on aging transmission lines. He will collaborate with Colorado State University researchers, who received a separate NSF award. Total funding for the three-year project is $425,000.

"This project is a formal method for trying to balance consumption with minimal intrusiveness based on customer willingness to reduce electricity demand during peak times," explained Hansen. That could mean, for instance, changing the time and day they do laundry.

Utilities companies pay less for nonpeak energy because more efficient generators, including renewables, such as wind and solar, are in use, Hansen pointed out. Consequently, utilities can pass those savings on to consumers through discounted rates for those who agree to alter their energy usage habits. "Reducing usage at peak times can help keep our rates low," he said.

Easing transmission load

Hansen described three facets of power -- generation, transmission and distribution. "What most people see is the distribution side," he said, pointing to the outlets on the wall.

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The distribution grid has lower voltage and power, while the transmission grid uses higher voltage and power, Hansen explained. However, most of the nation's transmission lines were constructed in the 70s and have exceeded their estimated life span of approximately 30 years.

Constructing a new power line can take more than a decade from planning to approval and then installation, he pointed out. In the meantime, new gadgets and devices increase the demand for power, but transmission lines cannot handle the increased load.

Simulating changes

The research project takes a simulation-based approach. "We know how the power market works and energy prices are assigned," he said. That is then paired with how consumers normally use energy.

Using algorithms, the researchers will determine when and how much energy must be shifted to balance the energy draw and reduce pressure on the transmission grid. Two doctoral students will work on the project.

"We will determine if this is a viable option for operators to look into," Hansen said. The researchers are also working with the University of Technology of Belfort-Montbeliard in France, the National Renewable Energy Lab, Siemens Corporation and a Fort Collins, Colorado, utilities company.

Hansen and project collaborators associate professors Siddharth Suryanarayaran of Colorado State and Robin Roche of the University of Technology of Belfort-Montbeliard published a book, "Cyber-Physical-Social Systems and Constructs in Electric Power Engineering," this year.

"We're looking not only at the market, but at the environmental impact," Hansen noted. Carbon emissions will also be calculated for energy generation to determine reduction in greenhouse gases.


Today on Google.com in the US, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Portugal and many of those regions, is a new Google logo, Doodle for the Day of the Dead. The cool part, it is in pink and in the form of tissue-paper cutouts.

Google said today's "Doodle captures the intricate tissue-paper cutouts that have been used in Mexican celebrations since the 18th century." Adding that "on Dia de los Muertos, the bright, delicate paper banners indicate that life is fragile and fleeting, but it's also full of beauty and delight."

Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated in many regions Google is displaying the logo, as described above. It is a holiday that "focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey," according to Wikipedia. It happens over multiple days.

Forum discussion at Google+.
Cookie, a senior cocker spaniel, had probably asked for nothing but affection and care from her family - so she couldn't have possibly seen this coming. On December 30, Cookie, who's thought to be about 9 years old, and a 1-year-old Labrador retriever arrived at the San Bernardino City Shelter in California. They'd been rounded up as strays, the Sacramento Bee reported.

Dodo Shows Adopt Me! Scared Little Dog Is So Full Of Joy Now  And Looking For A Family

When their family came to reclaim them, they took only the young Lab and surrendered Cookie because they could no longer handle her medical needs, Lynn Hamilton of OC Small Paws So UT, who is one of many assisting with Cookie's care now, said in a Facebook comment. As the family walked away, shelter staff said that Cookie whimpered - crying out for her loved ones. Abandoned and alone, Cookie had no one else, until fosters came across an ad for her rescue, and rushed in to give her a roof over her head with plenty of affection in tow. If Cookie hadn't been rescued, she more than likely would have been euthanized, as senior dogs are often passed up for younger ones. Thankfully, she was given a second chance at life. She was put into a foster home where she got nice and clean - and where she was able to play until her heart's content.

But she still has a long struggle ahead of her. A trip to the vet and one surgery later, it was found she had more than 12 cancerous tumors. Cookie was able to have most of her tumors removed during her surgery in early January.

Cookie's most recent updates show her relaxing and almost all healed from that surgery. Once fully recuperated, a second surgery will follow to remove a remaining tumor.
By PTI: Colombo, Nov 2 (PTI) In a candid admission, Sri Lankas human rights commission has informed a UN panel that detainees were being "routinely" subjected to torture in the country irrespective of the offences for which they were arrested.

Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has reported to the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) that the practice of inflicting severe pain on a person as a punishment is being routinely used across the country irrespective of the offence for which that person is arrested.

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Torture is used not only during interrogation but also during the process of arrest, according to the periodic review report of October.

The complaints received by the commission illustrate that torture is routinely used in all parts of Sri Lanka regardless of the nature of the suspected offence for which the person is arrested.

For instance, those arrested on suspicion of robbery, possession of drugs, assault, treasure hunting, dispute with family/spouse, have been subjected to torture.

"The prevailing culture of impunity where those accused of torture is concerned is also a contributing factor to the routine use of torture as a means of interrogation and investigation," the commission said.

According to HRCSL, usually, complainants are from low-income groups.

The commission has received complaints of persons sometimes being arrested with family members, sometimes arrests being made due to mistaken identity, and torture used to elicit information or to punish.

According to the report, in 2010 the Commission received 566 complaints against torture, while this number increased to 579 in 2011.

In 2012, there were 542 complaints followed by 600 complaints in 2013.

In 2014, a total of 489 complaints were lodged in relation to torture, while in 2015 there were 420 complaints.

As of August 31, 2016, a total of 208 complaints have been received in relation to torture, with a majority of the complaints being recorded at the Commissions head office in Colombo. PTI CORR ABH AKJ ABH

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Family is what you make of it. Four African baby animals - a buffalo, a zebra and two elands (a type of antelope) - know this better than most. After losing their moms, they decided to form their own family. Ngulia the zebra was the first to arrive at the Voi Reintegration Unit, a rehabilitation center run by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) in Kenya. "Ngulia was a victim of the bushmeat," Amie Alden, of the DSWT, tells The Dodo, meaning that her mom was probably killed for meat, and her baby was left to fend for herself.

At first, Ngulia paired up with another orphaned zebra named Lualeni. But when Kore, a tiny, milk-dependent eland arrived at the unit, everything changed.

"When [Kore] first arrived, Ngulia became a bit jealous," Alden says. "She followed the keepers around when they carried a milk bottle for Kore, who was fed every three hours, sometimes even attempting to block their entry into Kore's stable for milk feeding!"

Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Woman Tries Every Day For A Month To Rescue This Dog

Within a few months, however, Ngulia dropped her jealousy of Kore, and decided to become her friend instead. "[Ngulia] happily took her around the stockade compound, exploring and grazing together," Alden says. "Kore also appreciated her new resident friend's approach and felt very happy running and jumping around with her."

The twosome of Ngulia and Kore soon became a foursome. Another orphaned eland named Tawi and an orphaned buffalo named Jamhuri joined this nontraditional family.

"Jamhuri developed a close attachment to male orphan baby eland Tawi from the outset and, in the early months, was seen suckling on Kore's ears," Alden explains. "[Jamhuri] loves to suckle on the ears of the other little orphans in the stockade group. In fact, she's also tried to suckle from the underside of both Kore and Tawi - they stand calmly as if they enjoy being tickled on their tummies by her suckling."

Ngulia has taken the mother role in the family, particularly with Jamuhuri. "Ngulia has much love for the orphan baby buffalo Jamuhuri, and has become very protective and jealous over her, so much that she charges anybody approaching the baby buffalo in her presence," Alden says.

This motley crew rarely spends a day apart. Together they wander around the Voi Reintegration Unit, grazing under the watch of the keepers.

They also love eating lucerne and grass pellets - and they don't mind sharing.
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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, November 1, 2016

Some 20,000 police officers will be deployed to ensure security at a planned demonstration on Friday organized by a number of Islamic organizations against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama.

Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mochamad Iriawan said police officers from Jakarta and other cities would be involved in securing the rally.

"There will be personnel from outside Jakarta, such as from Banten, West Java, East Java, Lampung, Kalimantan and West Nusa Tenggara, who have come to Jakarta today," Iriawan said at the Jakarta Police headquarters on Tuesday.

Organizers have announced that 35,000 to 50,000 people would join the demonstration.

Iriawan said he and National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian had met organizers of the demonstration, who had promised to hold the action peacefully.

"They have committed [to carrying out peaceful action]. Residents do not need to worry," he said.

Iriawa said police had not formally received a letter from protesters regarding the protest. According to available information, the protesters will march from Istiqlal Mosque to the State Palace and the House of Representatives to urge law enforcers to charge Ahok over allegations of religious defamation. (bbn)
Brazils drought has gotten so bad that the countrys instant-coffee makers, the worlds top suppliers, are no longer entering into new export contracts amid a shortage of the robusta beans needed to make the quick brew.

Producers have stopped entering into sales commitments since September because of depleted stockpiles of the beans, according to Abics, a group representing the nations soluble coffee industry. Brazil is the worlds No. 1 maker and exporter of instant coffee.

Industries can only sell to clients if theyre sure that they can deliver, Aguinaldo Jose de Lima, director of institutional relations at Abics, said by telephone from Sao Paulo. So, it means they are losing clients.

Coffee prices have soared this year as Brazils dry weather shrank its robusta crop to the smallest in more than a decade. The South American woes followed drought in Asian growers including Vietnam, the top producer of the bean variety. With robusta getting harder to find, more coffee roasters are using arabica beans, the smoother type favoured by Starbucks Corp., tightening supplies and pushing up prices for that variety as well.

The soluble industry cant replace robusta with arabica as roasters do, Lima said. We are being asphyxiated.

The scarcity of robusta is threatening Brazils competitiveness in the instant industry as exports could be hampered into next year, Lima said. Adding to producers struggles is a government rule that doesnt allow for imports of green, or unroasted, coffee.

Our competitors in soluble, such as Colombia, Mexico, are not having trouble buying robusta from Vietnam, said Pedro Guimaraes, the commercial director at Cia. Cacique de Cafe Soluvel, the Sao Paulo-based maker of instant coffee and other beverages. Producers in other countries are able to buy the beans for about 30 per cent cheaper than what the commodity is trading for in Brazil, he said by telephone.

Brazils domestic prices for robusta beans surged about 44 per cent this year, reaching all-time highs. That nations crop will drop to an 11-year low of 9.4 million metric tons, the governments crop agency estimates. Benchmark robusta futures traded in London have climbed in eight of the past nine months.

In the Brazilian countryside, farmers are reluctant to sell coffee. Their inventory levels are so low that theyre worried about being able to make money through the start of next years harvest in May, Edimilson Calegari, the general manager of grower co-operative Cooabriel, said by telephone from Sao Gabriel da Palha in Espirito Santo state.

At the instant-coffee maker Cia. Cacique, Guimaraes estimates that the company only has enough supply to fulfil the contracts its already signed that run through December. The producer isnt entering into any new contracts to sell starting from January, he said.

Even agreeing to pay expensive prices, the industry cant purchase a reasonable volume of beans, Guimaraes said. We will probably extend the mandatory vacation of employees, usually in the last 10 days of December, until January 20.

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Canadas technology players are cheering the federal governments decision to simplify the process to recruit high-skilled foreign workers, a move they see as helping to even the playing field with global competitors in the hunt for top talent.

Federal finance minister Bill Morneau announced in the fall economic update Tuesday that Ottawa will reduce the processing time for visas and work permits to two weeks, a drop from the many months it takes now.

The initiative, which targets high-growth companies, will also create a new temporary working permit allowing foreign workers into the country for 30 days a year. The new rules are expected to be introduced early next year.

Companies will have to demonstrate that bringing in foreign talent will result in labour market benefits such as increasing investment, training and Canadian job creation for Canadian companies and global companies making large investments in Canada.

One of the big things that this now creates is certainty, said Alexandra Clark, head of government relations at Shopify, one of Canadas biggest homegrown tech success stories.

This is a direct response of this government hearing from Canadian companies that labour and access to talent has been a major barrier for us to be competitive.

The government is increasingly turning focus to the tech sector as a way to attract investment and jobs that could propel the economy out of a slow growth environment.

Tech companies have long said it is difficult to scale up when they cant attract the talent they need to do so in a context of a global shortage of specialized tech workers.

This has been a conversation for 10 years and were just so happy the government is acting, said J. Paul Haynes, CEO of Cambridge-based cybersecurity company eSentire.

The changes make Canada one of the most accommodating countries in the world for foreign tech talent, he said.

So far, jobs in tech-related roles have far outnumbered the talent available to fill them and cybersecurity has been particularly challenged due to the industrys growth in recent years, Haynes said. The firm has been working with Canadian universities and colleges, but, he added, that has not been enough.

Hassan Yussuff, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, said hes worried that the fast-tracked process might allow companies to sidestep the requirement to search for a Canadian who can fulfil the job vacancy first.

Nobody should have a carte blanche and simply show up without having to prove it and I dont think its fair to Canadians with fairly high unemployment in the country, he said.

Canadas tech sector is in a very specific predicament and bringing in the right talent could be key to domestic job creation down the road, said Chris Plunkett, director of external affairs at Waterloo-based tech hub Communitech.

Youre not trying to protect the one job; youre saying if you bring in one other, how does that then create 10, 20 or 50 or more jobs down the road,  he said.

Thats a big shift and its the right shift when youre trying to create a high-skilled economy.

The changes are going to be incredibly important to companies such as Clearpath Robotics, which need highly specialized people, such as those with PhDs in human-robot interaction.

Think about the number of people in the world who have that, and even if you have a couple Canadians who have that specialization, they might be working in Silicon Valley, or another company  theyre not sitting around looking for a job, Plunkett said.

For highly technical companies that cant bring the talent they need into Canada, relocation is a very real possibility, he added.

They either have to grow slower because they cant build the product that they want or theyre going to have to open an office elsewhere.

Then there are mid-size companies such as Vidyard  whose software hosts and analyzes video marketing  looking for expertise at the executive level who know how to scale a company from 100 to 500 people in a very specific industry.

If they dont bring in the right person, the best person in the world, the company is going to grow significantly slower, and the way CEOs think is if they cant bring in the right people, they may as well go build it elsewhere, Plunkett said.

The benefits of the new government policy will trickle through to be felt throughout the country, said Shopifys Alexandra Clark.

This is not about Canadians missing out on opportunities. This is actually bringing opportunities for Canadians in the workforce and especially in tech companies here in Canada.

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Dressed to the nines, and all in their 30s, three women scrambled into one of those goof-time photo booths, one late Toronto eve.

One was the wife of the sitting prime minister, another the daughter-in-law of a former prime minister, and the last the va-va-voom-giving star of the TV series Suits.

A cheek-to-cheek. A stare-off! A funny pucker-up and Tyra Banks-worthy smize! They were all in: Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, Jessica Mulroney and Meghan Markle. The girlish trio  descending on the booth found on the third floor of Soho House  had arrived with a pack following a showy society gala held here in April.

Fast-forward, alas, to July, where  at another Soho House, this one across the pond  Markle appears to have made the scene with the fifth-in-line to the British throne. And then, last Saturday: a spy tells me that Prince Harry was actually here in Toronto at a Halloween party with Markle  a bait-and-switch that counters, possibly, reports that Harry was a no-show on a flight into YYZ on Sunday.

Clearly, no shortage of dance cards, she.

Boom! With the royals proving, as always, that nothing abhors a vacuum more than the English press, Great Britain has all but exploded this week with news that the Toronto-based actress was being romanced by Prince Harry. Scooped by the Sunday Expresss Camilla Tominey  whos considered to be reliable (and this is important) in the murky world of royal reportage  Markle was suddenly being game-hunted for the covers of all the papers (even non-tabs such as the Daily Telegraph), being fanned across American vanes like US Weekly and Vanity Fair and causing mouths to all-around gape back here, in Toronto, where the slinky, smart brunette has long been immersed in the life of the city. (She once stood in my kitchen, but thats perhaps another story.)

In terms of fan fiction, there was more than enough: Worlds Most Eligible Bachelor meets slightly older, biracial, Pippa-lookalike divorcee who can make a mean Ina Garten chicken (its true!), has done humanitarian work in Africa (just like Harry!), began her career as a briefcase model (Deal or No Deal!) and once toiled as a professional calligrapher (whats not to like about a gal with Grade-A cursive skills?).

People magazine  usually pretty on-it with this kind of stuff  reported Tuesday that things had moved so quickly Harry has even introduced his new lady, a graduate of Northwestern University, to his father, Prince Charles.

So, is it true? Three good sources tell me that theres something to it all, although to what extent it is serious remains nebulous. Me, Im partial to what gossipist Elaine Lui wrote Monday on her website, LaineyGossip.com: its somewhere in between casual and pre-engaged. Meanwhile, on the trick-or-treat circuit the other night, in the Dupont St. area of Toronto where Markle lives, there were some Halloweeners swearing up and down that theyd seen Prince Harry in the hood in the last few weeks, complete with black SUVs.

What does strike me as tin-eared was the official response from representatives of the Suits starlet, who told the Sun in Britain that the romance was still unofficial with a spokesperson adding, However, should this be confirmed by the Palace, all of us at Kruger Cowne are delighted for them, and wish them well.

A non-confirmation confirmation?! What might Her Majesty say? Rather than staying silent, or issuing a standard We dont comment on our clients private lives comment, they gave press a puzzling statement. Do remember Kate Middleton stayed mum the whole time she was dating Prince William (about eight years!) and the first time the world even heard her voice was the day  Nov. 16, 2010  their engagement was announced.

Alls fair in love and Instagram? Thats the other interesting angle to this whole story. For the first time in Windsor love-circles the photo-based social media platform is being mined for clues (he follows her, she follows him, she posted a photo of herself wearing a bracelet that looks similar to one Harrys been sporting!). Meanwhile, Markles Instagram photos also form the breadcrumb trail being used to debunk the story that Harry and Meghan first met in Toronto, when the prince was here to launch the Invictus Games. That was May 2, when, according to photos from Markles own account, she was in Mexico.

Curiouser and curiouser.

In early July, meanwhile, Meghans longtime boyfriend, amiable chef-about-town Cory Vitiello, was heard remarking that hed broken up with his girlfriend a few weeks prior. (He and Markle continued to custody-share their dog, Guy.) This week, hes been inundated with interview requests from London, all of which hes rebuffed.

In Toronto, needless to say, Markle remains Topic A. In Rosedale carpool circles and even some downtown corporate towers, the speculation is rife. Me? I do subscribe to the characterization painted by the fashion/royal-watchers known as FugGirls: This IS a random story to be wholly invented, especially since weve technically never even seen them together. Without any jumping off point at all, it doesnt seem like this is a story that would even occur to anyone to invent . . . When there is smoke without any matches on the scene, perhaps there is fire of some sort.

However it all plays out, this much is also true: though Markle was famous last week (as famous as an actress on a USA Network show is going to be), her station on the celebrity food chain was clear. She wasnt on magazine covers (not even a Marie Claire, or a Shape), wasnt being snapped at the Met Gala, wasnt hosting SNL. In a few days, all this has changed.

Finally, there is this very strange six-degrees-ism: Prince Harry is apparently courting Meghan Markle, who used to be coupled up with Cory Vitiello, who used to date heiress Belinda Stronach, who, long ago, was dogged by rumours of a special friendship with Bill Clinton. Stronach has always denied the latter, but it just shows how royally teeny-tiny this world truly is.

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The Walking Deads newest cast member, Khary Payton, stands behind the shows controversial season 7 premiere, noting it was a brutal episode but it was also six years in the making.

Paytons new character, King Ezekiel, was introduced in Sundays episode, a week after the gruesome season opener in which two characters were killed in vicious fashion.

This is a zombie apocalypse  youre going to lose people that you care about, Payton said Monday in a phone interview.

I think if it happened in a Shakespearean way in which all the action takes place offstage and someone just runs in and tells you Glenn died, everybody is going to be disappointed. Theres a certain amount that you have to experience in order for you to be satisfied, from a storytelling aspect.

And the truth is that if youve been connecting with characters for several years and youre invested in them, its supposed to be brutal when they go  that means that they meant something to you and thats what were trying to do with this show. And frankly, if there is no conflict, then there is no drama.

As leader of a community called the Kingdom, Paytons charismatic dreadlocked character sits on a throne with a snarling tiger (which is created with special effects in post-production) by his side. He offers his followers protection from threats in the outside world  be they living or dead. He appears to be an ally for Rick and his group, who are reeling from their deadly encounter with Negan and his gang the Saviors.

Payton, who hails from Georgia, acknowledges there is a duality to friendly King Ezekiel.

I think when youre living in a crazy world, youve got to somehow deal with it in maybe an unconventional way, said Payton.

Its like that Seal song, Were never gonna survive unless we get a little crazy.

The character stems from the comic books that inspired the AMC series, but the onscreen version has some differences.

I enjoy reading the comic books but I dont put any stock into the way that the comic books are going and what we might do on the TV series itself, said Payton.

Every time I think Ive got it figured out, (writer-producer) Scott Gimple will throw me a curveball. So I just try to keep myself open to all the possibilities.

Payton said he was a fan of the show before landing the role, so it was easy to integrate himself into the cast. But he had to keep the part a secret.

Ive done video games and things where they want you to keep it a secret for two years, said Payton, who has also voiced characters for several animated series including Teen Titans and Young Justice.

But this was about six months of not being able to talk about this story and three months of not being able to even say that I was on The Walking Dead, so its been a long time.

When I shot the first episode, they threw a sheet over me and I had to dive in the back of the transportation truck and make sure that no one saw me coming or going  and fortunately nobody really knew who I was, so it was pretty easy.

But it was also kind of a weird experience to get the biggest job of my life and not be able to say a word about it.

Payton couldnt say much about future episodes, but noted that when it comes to fighting villains, theres a bigger picture at play.

I think the thing that you fight in this show is your own sense of humanity and how much of your humanity youre willing to give away to fight, to survive  are you going to live or are you just going to merely survive? he said.

The villains may change but at the end of the day the fight is within really yourself.

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Lindsay Lohan has a new accent.

It is, how you say? Deefrant. Veeird. Lohan still looks like Lohan. But Lohan now sounds like Laetitia Casta doing an impression of Arianna Huffington. Or maybe its Kate Middleton pretending to be Penelope Cruz. Or a telemarketer from Long Island imagining life as an olive farmer from Andalusia.

Lohans new speaking style emerged this week in a video that quickly baffled fans, celebrities, speech pathologists, extraterrestrials and the local populations in at least a dozen countries that wondered if she was mocking them.

Shes not. But thats the first thing you notice about Lohans new accent: its actually multiple accents blended together into some kind of accent smoothie. You know how most people have a voice inside their heads? Well, Lohan now has a United Nations chorus inside hers and each voice has push-button access to her larynx.

You understand that life is bigger than, ahhh, everything that we see, she coos in the video, chatting with Greek reporters before the grand opening of her eponymous nightclub in Athens. Americans are very close minded in that sense. I know that cause Im American. Im Italian-Irish, really, but, ahhh, I think theres Greek people are very welcoming, Turkish people are very welcoming. And we have to . . . help other people

What the hell is she talking about? I have no idea. But the way shes talking  the clipped inflection, the intonation uptick acROSS syllaBLES, the halted delivery of someone struggling to find the right word in English  demands an explanation, which Lohan provided to the Daily Mail after her new accent went viral this week.

Why does she sound different?

Je ne sais pas, she replied.

Lohan then said her new accent is a mixture of most of the languages I can understand or am trying to learn, adding, Im fluent in English and French, can understand Russian and am learning Turkish, Italian and Arabic.

Is that really how this works? At some point during the acquisition of secondary languages, do polyglots subconsciously churn the tonal and syntactic elements into a vocal mixing bowl? Do they go to bed as themselves and then wake up sounding like a cross between a groggy Juliette Binoche and a philosophical Margot Robbie?

We know Lohan is now based in London and is a frequent flier across Europe. We know shes multilingual. But we also know her dark history of substance abuse and this is why a brand new accent should be a concern to her friends and family.

It suggests something else, something deeper, may be at play.

A few months ago, Lohan seemed to be in a very good place. She had crossed the Atlantic and left her demons in Hollywood. But then she broke up with her Russian boyfriend and some of the previous drama returned. Then she started posting more and more cryptic drama on social media. Then rumours of all-night partying returned, along with some questionable photographs.

Now she has a new accent.

Whats really troubling about the accent is how it is fundamentally distracting people from more pressing inquiries, like, Ahh, given her past experience with rehab and prison, is it wise for Lohan to veer into the nightclub business?

Then there are her expansion plans for Lohan Club, which also got overlooked this week now that the actress sounds like a malfunctioning Teddy Ruxpin.

With the club, we can create charity work, Lohan told reporters, who clearly could not understand a word she was saying. And theres bigger things to be done with the Lohan Club. There is spas, there is refugee camps.

Did she just link spas and refugee camps?

We start with the refugees and then we open nice places, she continued, still not making a lick of sense in multiple languages. And maybe one of the refugees will open a place with us.

Yes, maybe.

Or maybe one of the refugees will ask you to kindly stop painting their toenails before they migrate. Or maybe one of the refugees will be a neurologist who can examine you for signs of accidental trauma to your frontal lobe. Or maybe one of the refugees will say, Knock it off with the accent, already. This is serious!

Or maybe its not serious. Maybe this is all an act, her most compelling role in years.

Bien joue, Madame Lohan!

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MINNEAPOLISFor Somali-Canadian rapper Knaan, the story he is trying to tell in his proposed HBO series Mogadishu, Minnesota is one he has lived: an immigrant coming to America and trying to adjust.

But the 39-year-old ran into vocal opposition from fellow Somalis as he prepared to film the series pilot in Minneapolis, home to the largest Somali community in the U.S. While Knaan envisions a family drama, critics worry the series will focus on young Somalis who have gone overseas to join terrorist groups, concerns raised by the series original title The Recruiters and the involvement of Academy Award-winning director Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker).

We dont want Muslims being stereotyped, Knaan says opponents tell him. I say, Me, too. Thats why Im writing this.

Filming of the shows pilot wrapped Friday after shooting at about 14 main locations in the Minneapolis area. Knaan, who lived in Minneapolis in his early 20s, said he wanted to shoot in a city he found inherently cinematic.

Born in Somalia, Knaan came to the U.S. when he was 13 and lived in New York and then Toronto, where he spent his teenage years. He said he is trying to tell a story that reorganizes in the public consciousness how they see Muslim-Americans, and wants to move away from stereotypes and tell a tale about peoples lives and how they really live them.

The Somalis living here are a summer people against a winter backdrop, Knaan told The Associated Press. He called Minneapolis a new American experiment, a place where America is negotiating its differences and its commonalities.

Its a new Ellis Island, in a way, said Knaan, who said he came up with the idea for the series  named after the capital of Somalia  about three years ago. And I thought, what a great place to set a story, to dispel the myth about Somalis and immigrant threats and Muslims in general.

An estimated 57,000 Somalis live in Minnesota. While Knaan emphasizes the true-life aspects of his characters -Sameer, described by HBO as the Somali all-American boy planning to go to college, and his father, Afrah, a former professor in Somalia now working at a rental car company in the U.S.  and his desire to tell a nuanced story, opponents worry that the show will focus on the recruitment of young, disaffected Somalis to join terrorist groups and stoke Islamophobia.

More than 20 young Minnesota men have joined the militant group al-Shabab in Somalia since 2007, while about a dozen people have left to join militants in Syria. Nine Minnesota men are to be sentenced later this month on terror charges for plotting to join Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL).

Ayaan Dahir, 24, a student at the University of Minnesota, criticized the involvement of Bigelow, whose films include Zero Dark Thirty, about the hunt for Osama bin Laden.

When the dust clears, were the ones (who are) going to be left to pick up the pieces and continue to live here and be concerned about our safety, Dahir said.

But Knaan, who is making his directorial debut, insists the writing on Mogadishu, Minnesota is his alone and that Bigelow is only an executive producer.

This was my idea, said Knaan, who hopes the pilot leads to a 10-episode inaugural season.

Knaan has met some resistance in Minnesotas largest city. In September, Knaan had to cut short a free performance in the Cedar-Riverside neighbourhood  in the heart of Minneapoliss Somali community  when a protest over the upcoming pilot broke out. Police used a chemical irritant on the crowd and arrested two people.

The owners of Riverside Plaza, the colourful towers that are home to many Somalis, rejected a request to film the series there. And a resident group at a public housing complex unanimously denied a request to film exterior shots.

But the project has support from city leaders including Mayor Betsy Hodges and city council member Abdi Warsame, who is Somali.

In a statement, Hodges said the show, which if accepted would be the first HBO series ever filmed in Minnesota, represents a significant investment in Minneapolis and is an exciting opportunity to reflect the diversity of our Somali community.

Besides using professional actors, Knaan said he is mixing in Somali actors and has mandated that every department in his team  from accounting to wardrobe  hire a Somali to train the next generation of filmmakers.

Some Somalis who are fans of Knaan embrace the idea of a series on the premium channel showcasing Somali-Americans.

Im pretty proud of it, said Mahdi Mohamed, 51, of Minneapolis, who came to the U.S. in 1984. All America can see it now.

After a month of post-production, a decision on whether HBO will green-light Mogadishu, Minnesota as a series is expected next year. While filming the series would be cheaper in Toronto, Knaan said he has tried to make a case for shooting in Minneapolis.

Its been a challenge here, Knaan acknowledged. But he adds: This is the place to do it.

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Before Debbie Bowers had surgery for breast cancer, her doctor promised that insurance would pay for reconstruction, and said she could even go up a cup size. But Bowers did not want a silicone implant or bigger breasts.

Having something foreign in my body after a cancer diagnosis is the last thing I wanted, said Bowers, 45, of Bethlehem, Pa. I just wanted to heal.

While plastic surgeons and oncologists aggressively promote breast reconstruction as a way for women to feel whole again, some doctors say they are beginning to see resistance to the surgery. Patients like Bowers are choosing to defy medical advice and social convention and remain breastless after breast cancer. They even have a name for the decision to skip reconstruction: They call it going flat.

Reconstruction is not a simple process, said Dr. Deanna J. Attai, a breast surgeon in Burbank, Ca., and a past president of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, adding that more of her patients, especially those with smaller breasts before diagnosis, were opting out of reconstruction. Some women just feel like its too much: Its too involved, there are too many steps, its too long a process.

Social media has allowed these women to become more open about their decision to live without breasts, as well as the challenges, both physical and emotional, that have followed. For a recent video created by wisdo.com, a social media platform, and widely shared on Facebook, Bowers and her friend Marianne DuQuette Cuozzo, 51, removed their shirts to show their scarred, flat chests. And Paulette Leaphart, 50, a New Orleans woman whose clotting disorder prevented her from having reconstruction after a double mastectomy, walked topless from Biloxi, Miss., to Washington this summer to raise awareness about the financial struggles of cancer patients.

Breasts arent what make us a woman, Leaphart said.

The nascent movement to go flat after mastectomies challenges long-held assumptions about femininity and what it means to recover after breast cancer. For years, medical professionals have embraced the idea that breast restoration is an integral part of cancer treatment. Womens health advocates fought for and won approval of the Womens Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, which requires health plans to cover prosthetics and reconstructive procedures.

Since then, breast reconstruction has become standard care. More than 106,000 reconstructive procedures were done last year, a 35 per cent increase since 2000, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

In promoting the surgery, doctors cite studies that suggest breast reconstruction improves a womans quality of life after cancer. But some women say that doctors focus too much on physical appearance, and not enough on the toll prolonged reconstructive procedures take on their bodies and their psyches.

Thats the dirty little secret of breast reconstruction: The risk of a major complication is higher than for the average elective surgery, said Dr. Clara Lee, an associate professor of plastic surgery at Ohio State University who performs the procedure.

Cuozzo, who appeared in the Facebook video with Bowers, spent a year having her breasts rebuilt after a double mastectomy, but after four infections in five months, she had the implants removed. The reconstruction, she said, was getting worse than the cancer.

Dr. David H. Song, chief of plastic surgery at the University of Chicago and immediate past president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, said that the risk of complications was real, but that focusing on them was like focusing on plane crashes when millions of flights land safely.

Given advancements in surgical techniques, the esthetic result can be better than the native breast, Song said. Patients can come out the other end looking more youthful, with a better esthetic in her breast than before.

But it is that kind of talk  suggesting that a reconstructed breast is an improvement on a womans natural breast  that enrages many women who have undergone mastectomies. For starters, a reconstructed breast is often numb and can no longer play a role in sexual arousal. It often lacks a nipple, since the nipple is usually removed in a mastectomy.

After looking at photos of reconstructed breasts, I was slightly horrified, said Charlie Scheel, 48, of Brooklyn, who decided against implants after a double mastectomy. You dont have nipples and you have scars everywhere.

Rebecca Pine, a cancer survivor from Long Island who co-founded a photography and writing project called The Breast and the Sea, said, Its a tremendous amount to put your body through, and its not like were going to get our breasts back.

Some women say physicians pressured them to get implants. When Catherine Stapleton, of Florida, woke up after her mastectomy, she discovered that her breast surgeon, a woman, had left unsightly flaps of skin and tissue that could be used for breast reconstruction later, in case she changed her mind.

When I woke up from anesthesia, I was in shock, said Stapleton, 58, who is now facing additional major surgery to correct the first procedure.

Geri Barish, president of the Long Island advocacy group 1 in 9, said a doctor had chided her when she opted against reconstruction. One doctor said to me: How can you walk around like that? You look deformed, she recalled.

Coming to terms with a flat chest after breast cancer can be difficult. While some women wear a prosthesis in their bra, it is not uncommon for them to stop using it. Theyre heavy, theyre uncomfortable, and theyre in a sensitive area where you have scars, Pine said.

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OTTAWAThe Canadian Forces came under fire Wednesday for leaving academics and other non-military personnel off the team investigating the Royal Military College of Canada, which has been rocked by a series of troubling events in recent months.

That omission was not intentional, the senior officer overseeing the probe said Wednesday; the military had been considering ways to give civilian faculty at the college some type of advisory role on the team.

But in the end, said Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, the team of eight current and former service members was convened specifically to address the colleges unique status as not just a school, but also a military unit.

At the end of the day, this is the leadership of the armed forces looking at the unit environment of a unit of the armed forces, Norman said in an interview. And thats our business.

The review, announced Wednesday, was ordered by defence chief Gen. Jonathan Vance following several suspected suicides and concerns about a sexualized culture at the prestigious school in Kingston, Ont.

Given the serious nature of the issues that have emerged in recent years, observers largely welcomed the decision to investigate the college, where future generations of Canadian military leaders have been groomed for the last 140 years.

But the absence of non-military personnel on the investigation team raised eyebrows.

The eight-member team is being led by retired vice-admiral Greg Maddison and retired major-general David Neasmith, and includes several colonels and chief warrant officers who are still in uniform.

Im always concerned when a committee is made up, in this case, entirely of military personnel, said Julie Lalonde, who was verbally abused while giving a presentation on sexual assault prevention at the college in October 2014.

I would say the same if this was a police review or whats happening with the RCMP around workplace harassment. Clearly if these institutions had the capacity to create the necessary change, they would have done so already.

Lawyer Michael Drapeau, a retired colonel who now represents many military clients, including military college cadets, wants a coroners inquest following the suspected suicides of three students and a recent graduate over a four-month stretch earlier this year.

I see this as a cover-your-butt exercise, Drapeau said. Its being done in-house by the military for the military. And it will be seen by cadets as the military investigating itself.

One faculty member, speaking on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals, cited a rift between the colleges military staff and civilian faculty, and questioned why someone from an outside university or college wasnt asked to participate.

Investigators officially started their work on Wednesday and will spend the next two months looking at all aspects of the college, from the institutions climate and culture to its academic programs and infrastructure.

The review will put a heavy emphasis on assessing the mental state of the colleges approximately 1,000 student cadets by looking at stress levels and available support, as well as overall morale levels.

It will also look at how staff are selected and whether they have the right training and qualifications to be working at the college, as well as the structure of the program.

Former chief of defence staff Tom Lawson, who served as colleges commandant from 2007 to 2009, said he was heartened that the militarys senior leadership was taking action to address the problems that have surfaced at the school.

One must characterize the loss of several cadets in a relatively short period of time as unique in its tragedy, and in the effects these losses have had on the student body and staff, he said.

Therefore, it called for unique action.

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A transgender Muslim woman in Russia was hacked to death beyond recognition days after marrying the man she loved.

By India Today Web Desk: Born Adam Aliev, 25-year-old Raina underwent a sex change operation in Moscow against his parents' wishes, and then went on to marry a man. Days later, she was found hacked to death by unknown assailants.

Most shocking part of the murder is that Raina's father, Alimshaikh Aliev, had declared on TV that he wants her dead: "Let him be killed, I don't want to see him. Bring him here and kill him in front of my eyes."

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Raina belonged to a conservative Chechen Muslim family from Dagestan. Following her sex change surgery, her father is said to have suffered from a stroke, and later issued a 'purman', inviting people to kill her.

Remembering her while she was still Adam, Raina's village's deputy head Abdutagur Israpilov said: "I knew Adam. He liked to put on tight leggings, his manners were feminine, even his voice was like a girls. I don't blame him. His feminine nature had won, so he decided to correct the mistake."

He said Raina received multiple threats, and had appealed to the police for help: "Every second man in the Caucasus wanted to kill him. According to our traditions, it is just a disgrace for his family, it is a dirt on the whole Caucasus."

According Israpilov, Raina's "cut-up body" was unrecognisable when it was brought to the village.

Transgender Muslim Woman, Adam Aliev Raina Hacked To Death Days After Marrying A Man In Russia.. (Photos) https://t.co/1rt4eCm9jS pic.twitter.com/8MOL4Mdxl7 OLANIYAN ADEWUMI TOS (@oatzeal) October 31, 2016

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A Canadian couple is accused of importing fentanyl products from China into the United States and then mailing the powerful opioid drugs to Canada.

Karl and Sorina Morrison, both 59, were arrested at a border crossing near Niagara Falls, N.Y., last month after an investigation by U.S. authorities.

The Kitchener, Ont., couple has been charged with conspiracy to import and export controlled substances and analogues, and attempt to export controlled substances and analogues.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1-million fine.

The couple has pleaded not guilty.

In a criminal complaint filed with a New York court, a Homeland Security agent says a package mailed from China to Karl Morrison at a mailbox in a UPS store in Niagara Falls, N.Y., contained four packets, two of which were found to contain types of fentanyl.

Fentanyl is an opioid-based pain killer roughly 100 times stronger than morphine.

The Morrisons were attempting to smuggle the packages they received from China from the United States to Canada so as to avoid examination by the customs service of either country because the Morrisons knew the contents of the packages to be contraband, agent Curtis Ryan writes in the complaint.

The complaint notes that the Morrisons have a son and that since 2009, five packages mailed to him were seized by the Canada Border Services Agency after they were found to contain controlled substances.

In the current case, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service alerted Ryan to a mail package that was considered suspicious because it originated from a known Chinese producer of fentanyl. The package was addressed to Karl Morrison, who maintains a mailbox at a UPS store in Niagara Falls, N.Y., the complaint said.

Ryan said he examined the package, which contained plastic bags with powders. Testing revealed that at least some of the bags contained types of fentanyl.

On Oct. 15, the Morrisons entered the U.S. from Canada at the Lewiston Queenston border crossing, stating that they intended to go shopping at an outlet mall, the complaint said.

The pair were under surveillance as they eventually made their way to the UPS store where Karl Morrison picked up four parcels which he placed in his trunk, the complaint said.

Morrison then opened the parcels, threw out the packaging material, which had Chinese shipping labels, and repacked the contents into new envelopes, the complaint said.

Sorina Morrison then went into the same UPS store her husband had retrieved the original package from and mailed three new parcels to Canada, the complaint said.

She told the store employee she was shipping all natural cinnamon, the complaint said.

Those packages were later seized as evidence and were found to have been addressed to two locations in Kitchener, including one to the Morrisons home address, the complaint said.

When the pair returned to the border crossing, they were detained by U.S. border officers.

In an interview at the border, Karl Morrison said his son had recently learned of his UPS mailbox in the U.S. and asked if he could have packages from Japan and China shipped there, which he agreed to, the complaint said.

Morrison said he picked up three packages for his son, which were from China, on Oct. 15 and said he knows his son is a drug abuser, the complaint said.

Albert had explained to Karl what he was having sent to the mailbox in Niagara Falls, the complaint states. Karl Morrison said he did not understand everything his son was telling him, but that Albert said the names of the things he was sending started with F and U.

Morrison also told authorities he and his wife mailed the packages to their son because they did not want to carry them across the border, the complaint said. He also said he used a random address as a return address on the packages being mailed to Canada because he didnt want them to be connected to his UPS mailbox, the complaint said.

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You may have heard that people aged 18-33 dont drive cars, dont watch cable TV, dont care one iota about politics (unless Bernie Sanders is on the ticket) and dont value their privacy  or even, for that matter, know what privacy is.

Statistically speaking almost none of this is true, but these myths prevail about everyones favourite scapegoat  the millennial  because its fun to rag on the young.

Its true: Im 27 and even I cant shirk the desire to murder my own cohort sometimes. We are, after all, the reason why so many news headlines nowadays read like a transcript from Keeping Up with the Kardashians: Donald Trump met the president of Mexico and you, like, totally will not believe what happened next! . . . OMG, Hillary Clintons email fail IS ALL OF US.

But the place where anti-millennial sentiment is legitimately unfair is also the place where its most prevalent: at work. There is perhaps no greater myth about Generation Y than the notion that we are drastically different from our parents when it comes our working lives.

The stereotype goes, as championed by the deluge millennial-themed books published every year, that in the work world, millennials are practically an alien species. We are hyper-connected but scatterbrained, smart but ungrateful and shiftless. Our ideal work life supposedly consists of working remotely in spurts of 10 minutes, sitting on exercise balls and whining about our bosses on Twitter.

Though this is a fantastic image, it too is patently false. Heres why.

According to a new study published recently in the Journal of Business and Psychology, entitled Generational Differences in Work Ethic: Fact or Fiction? baby boomers do not have a more robust work ethic than their allegedly lazy millennial colleagues. In fact, researchers from Wayne State University analyzed 77 studies dealing with work ethic and determined that younger people are just as prone as their elders to uphold the so-called Protestant Work Ethic, a.k.a. PWE, characterized by an uncompromising dedication to work and a disdain for leisure time.

It just so happens, according to an online survey released in August by the non-profit U.S. Travel Association, that millennials are the most likely generation to forfeit time off.

So what are we to make of this? Well for starters, write the researchers at Wayne State, the finding that generational differences dont really exist when it comes to work ethic suggests that organizational initiatives aimed at changing talent management strategies for the very different millennial generation may be unwarranted and not a value-added activity.

In English: if youre the CEO of a company looking to attract young talent, dont replace all your desk chairs with exercise balls just yet. News of our radical laid-back-ness has been grossly exaggerated. We work just as hard as boomers.

Why then do popular myths tell us otherwise? They tell us otherwise, perhaps, because (as Ive written about a million times before) young people exist in a precarious work world, millions of them on contracts that provide no room for ascension on the corporate ladder and scant benefits. So while they work as hard as they can in their jobs of the day, it isnt rocket science as to why they are always on the lookout for different work  and why they report more than older generations a desire to work for several different employers in a lifetime.

Im going to tell you a story. A few months ago I received a phone call from a radio station. A producer there offered me job: she asked me if I would like to host my own show. When I asked her how much the job paid, she told me that, at present, it paid nothing. (They were waiting, she said, for sponsors to come in, and they might in the meantime be able to offer me a modest stipend.)

I may be youngish, but I am also an established columnist for a national newspaper. My intention here isnt to toot my own horn, but to put into context what the work world is like for a lot of young people. If an already settled career person like myself is asked to do unpaid work as though its no big deal, what do you imagine finding a decent job is like for newbies trying to establish themselves? Yeah: not great.

So go ahead: keep ragging on us for peppering our sentences with gratuitous likes but where our work ethic is concerned, like, give us a break already. Its rough out there.

Emma Teitel is a national affairs columnist.

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The evidence against a father, mother and son convicted of murdering the couple's three daughters and another woman was so overwhelming that it could only have led to guilty verdicts, Crown lawyers argued Friday as they sought to block the trio's attempts at new trials.

Mohammad Shafia, his wife Tooba Yahya and their son Hamed claim the trial judge made several errors that include allowing highly prejudicial expert evidence on so-called honour killings, and made improper instructions to the jury.

But those alleged errors  if they were to be accepted  were minor, the Crown suggested to the panel of three Ontario Court of Appeal judges.

The evidence against the appellants in this case was overwhelming, said Jocelyn Speyer. Given the nature of errors that have been alleged and their relative insignificance in the context of this very large trial, the verdict would necessarily have been the same.

The Shafia trial captivated the country and made international headlines.

The family was originally from Afghanistan and eventually immigrated to Canada, settling in Montreal.

In June 2009, the bodies of Shafia and Yahya's daughters  Zainab, 19, Sahar, 17, and Geeti, 13  and Shafia's first wife in a polygamous marriage, 52-year-old Rona Amir Mohammad, were found in a car at the bottom of the Rideau Canal in Kingston, Ont.

Shafia, Yahya and Hamed argued the deaths were the result of a tragic accident.

Crown prosecutors contended the murders were committed after the girls shamed the family by dating and acting out, and Amir Mohammad was simply disposed of.

The most important evidence in the case, Speyer argued, lay at the scene, where the car carrying the dead females was found.

The Shafia trial heard that the car, a Nissan Sentra, could not have entered the canal on its own and must have been pushed.

Speyer recalled that the Nissan and Shafia's other car, a Lexis, were both damaged and debris at the scene supported a suggestion that one pushed the other into the canal. She also noted that the Nissan's seats were all fully reclined and the ignition was off.

The evidence at the scene was completely inconsistent with the accident theory, she said.

There was also significant evidence of planning and deliberation, Speyer said, pointing to evidence about Internet searches on the family laptop about where to commit a murder. The trial also heard from teachers, child protection workers and police about reports from Shafia's daughters that they were afraid of their father and brother and wanted to leave the family home, she noted.

Also significant was evidence on motive  that the deaths were so-called honour killings, a concept introduced through the words of the family patriarch himself, Speyer noted.

Speyer cited several wiretapped conversations played at Shafia's trial where he was heard talking about the importance of his honour, and how it had been threatened by his westernized daughters.

In particular she recalled how Shafia cursed his daughters as treacherous and whores and was heard saying may the devil (defecate) on their graves.

An abundance of evidence for motive in this case comes from the mouth of Mohammad Shafia himself, Speyer said.

To help the jury at Shafia's trial assess his conversations, the Crown called an expert witness to explain the concept of honour killings, Speyer said.

This is not cultural profiling, Speyer said. This was equipping the jury to understand an issue in the trial.

Speyer noted that the expert witness was careful to note at the original trial that honour killings are rare events, and also made sure there was no generalizations about citizens of Afghanistan or the Middle East in her testimony.

She is not stigmatizing or seeking to generalize or profile an entire nation, Speyer said. She didn't offer any opinion that this case was a case of honour killing.

But lawyers for Shafia, Yahya and Hamed argued that the expert should not have been allowed to tell the jury how honour killings are typically carried out, nor should she have been allowed to read out denunciations on honour killings.

They argued the expert's evidence encouraged prejudice, invited the jury to extrapolate from the facts of other unrelated murders, and encouraged a more generalized cultural stereotyping.

The judges reserved their decision on the matter.

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Thirteen-year-old twins remain in serious condition after being struck by a vehicle while they were out trick-or-treating in North York Monday night.

Police received a call for a collision in the Don Mills Rd. and Lawrence Ave. area around 8:30 p.m., said Const. Allyson Douglas-Cook of Toronto police.

Police say a Honda CRV travelling west on Lawrence Ave. E. at approximately 100 km/h rear-ended a Hyundai vehicle, veered off the road onto a grassy area and hit three children before it crashed into a pole. Photos from the scene show Halloween candy strewn about.

The Hyundai hit a Volkswagen also travelling west on Lawrence Ave. E., according to police.

The twins, a boy and a girl, were taken to Sick Kids Hospital in life-threatening condition, according to Cook. Theyve since been upgraded to serious condition.

A third child, 14, was also struck and suffered minor injuries, according to police.

Ryan Peden, who lives in a building at Don Mills and Lawrence, heard the crash from his apartment.

He said car crashes occur pretty often at the intersection, but that this one, instead of just a simple crunch, was a crunch, a screech, and a bump, and then a big smash, and then silence.

By the time he ran over the window, people were already converging on the scene, and Peden called 911; he was put on hold, but he said police showed up in less than five minutes.

Everyone seemed pretty conscious of not wanting to move [the victims], he said, even though several people were crouched, in the cold, next to the victims. Within a minute or two, people were bringing the bystanders blankets.

The female victim didnt appear at first to be moving, Peden said, while the male victim seemed conscious. A couple of minutes later, the female victim tried to move and screamed, because it hurt too much.

Two of the teens attend Don Mills Middle School, just half a kilometre from where the crash happened, Toronto District School Board spokesperson Ryan Bird confirmed Tuesday. Counsellors were at the school to offer support for any students or staff, he added.

Don Mills Middle School principal Carla Robbins said the school is a very close-knit community and so, obviously, we did what we could today to support the needs of our staff and students.

She support was given to all those who needed it. This is something that hits close to home, Robbins added.

We have no update at this pointobviously we hope that itll be a speedy recovery because we want all of our kids here at the school learning together.

Police confirmed that a 44-year-old male driver has since been charged with dangerous driving and criminal negligence, and will appear in court in December.

With files from Jackie Hong, Andrej Ivanov and CP

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Among the warlord combatants during Afghanistans brutal civil war, none was more pathologically destructive than Gulbuddin Hekmatyar  which is saying a great deal, given the rogues gallery of mass murderers who vied for power.

Hekmatyar, leader of the UN-blacklisted Hezb-i-Islami  which predates the Taliban  well-earned his moniker as The Butcher of Kabul. For a few years he squatted with his militia in the hills south of the capital, raining indiscriminate rocket-fire on the city. Estimates of civilians killed by the merciless onslaught, though Hekmatyar was hardly alone in reducing Kabul to a moonscape of rubble, range from 20,000 to 50,000.

He is an internationally-wanted terrorist and war criminal. By any definition of crimes against humanity, his name should be on top of the list  and leading the targets which are to be investigated by the prosecutors office of the International Criminal Court. The ICC, as reported this week by Foreign Policy , is preparing to initiate a full investigation into a range of possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan, including alleged abuses of detainees by American military personnel. (The U.S., however, is not a signatory to the international court and the ICC has no jurisdiction over either American soldiers or civilians.)

Yet despite Hekmatyars extensive criminal jacket, Hezb-i-Islami has announced that the 69-year-old fugitive  once the darling of the CIA, in the mujahedeen resistance against Soviet occupation, simultaneously a key beneficiary of the Pakistan Intelligence Agency (until his outrageous maneuvering convinced Islamabad to mid-wife the birth of the Taliban) and one of the richest profiteers of the heroin trade  will arrive in Kabul in the next few weeks, his return as a hero in from the cold hailed and negotiated by the U.S.-backed Afghan government of President Ashraf Ghani. This is a grand jihad that Afghanistan desperately needs, said Ghani.

In the tangle of Afghanistan politics, the absurd re-casting of Hekmatyar  twice, albeit briefly, Afghanistans prime minister (not good enough, he coveted the presidency) and in spite of repeatedly breaking a promise to lay down his arms, an oath he took on the Koran  has been heralded by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry as a deal model for the Taliban to abandon insurgency and accept a seat at the government table. Kerry called it an honourable peace. It is the epitome of dishonorable.

Why the Taliban would want to pursue negotiations when they now control more Afghan territory than ever since the blitzkrieg toppling of their regime by a U.S.-led coalition in 2002 is difficult to fathom. Some 85 per cent of Helmand Province is under the Taliban thumb today. The Guardian reports that negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government have been conducted in Qatar over the past year, with Mullah Abdul Manan  brother of Taliban founder Mohammad Omar (died 2013)  allegedly in attendance. The Taliban denies it. But Sayed Muhammad Tayeb Agha, until recently the Talibans chief negotiator and head of their political commission, issued a letter about peace talks to the insurgencys supreme leader, as reported this past weekend by The New York Times , which obtained a copy. In it, Agha supported the peace talk initiative, arguing the militants should be trying to position itself as a political movement separate and detached from Pakistani intelligence officials who have sheltered the leadership in exile.

The Taliban and Hezb-i-Islami have been one-two on the insurgency depth-chart for the past 15 years, although many analysts argue the latter has become a spent force. Now an old man who has somehow survived decades of violence, enjoying asylum in Iran (until he was kicked out) and then Pakistan, Hekmatyar as a shape-shifting government ally may be more symbolic than strategic. But symbolic of what? That even the worst of Afghanistans internal enemies can be superficially rehabilitated by a current regime desperate to gerrymander peace accords as the country slides back into anarchy? These solemnly-signed treaties have never worked before.

Afghanistan and the Taliban have largely slipped off the international radar since the rise of Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The fact is America is still at war inside the writhing country: U.S. and NATO have nearly 15,000 troops in Afghanistan under security agreements signed in September 2014. President Barack Obama had planned to draw down U.S. troops by the end of 2016 but announced in July that he would leave 8,400 military personnel in place through the end of his term because the security situation in Afghanistan remains precarious.

Yet Afghanistan has been barely mentioned by either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump during the presidential campaign. It came up only once in their three presidential debates.

One of the demands that Hekmatyar made during negotiations with the Ghani government was the complete removal of all foreign troops from Afghan soil. That was just about the only invocation that wasnt granted. Without the Americans and NATO there would be no Ghani government, corrupt as it is.

Last month Western government and other donor nations pledged more than $15 billion through 2020 in aid and military funding at an international conference in Brussels. There are few safeguards, however, to ensuring that money goes where its needed instead of into the pocket of government officials, cronies and foreign contract workers. Afghanistan is addicted to foreign aid, receiving more than $100 billion from the donor community in the last decade, with little evidence of life improving for citizens. The country is third, along with Somalia and North Korea, by corruption watchdog Transparency International, with an eighth of the funds estimated disappearing. Example of the fraud and extortion: According to John Sopko, U.S. special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction, the U.S. is paying the salaries for 320,000 Afghan soldiers and police nationwide. Yet the actual number of troops is just 120,000. The remainder, says Sopko, as ghost troops, with commanders claiming salaries and benefits for soldiers and police that dont exist.

But sure, with the 15th anniversary of the U.S. invasion just passed, bring Hekmatyar home, to be feted and enriched, as a calming influence  an affront to his victims, objects Human Rights Watch, compounding the countrys culture of immunity. The deal includes releasing all Hezb-i-Islami prisoners, permit his supporters to run for office and provide millions of dollars for their security, housing and vehicles. Ghani will also press to have Hekmatyar removed from international terror lists. Like none of it ever happened, all sins pardoned.

What a basket-case of a country. Yesterdays enemy may be todays ally; that is the way of war. But some war criminals are in a league of their own and should never be forgiven.

The other most notorious warlord in Afghanistans modern history is treacherous Uzbek tribal leader Abdul Rashid Dostum, known as The Bull for his staggering cruelties, erstwhile collaborator with the CIA, the Soviets and whichever vulture he could cut a deal with over the years.

Hes now Afghanistans vice-president.

Rosie DiManno usually appears Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

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Mayor John Tory is pushing ahead with a multibillion transit agreement with the province, despite claims that it saddles the city with a disproportionate amount of the costs of expanding the transit network, and will compel the municipality to foot the bill for Ontarios regional rail plan.

At a special meeting of Torys executive committee Tuesday afternoon, councillors in the mayors inner circle voted to approve the deal, which would make the city responsible for all of the capital costs of the SmartTrack project that was the cornerstone of Torys mayoral campaign.

It would also commit the city to the annual operating and maintenance costs for as-yet-unfinished LRT lines, estimated to be tens of millions of dollars a year, and millions more in expenses to bolster the provinces GO Transit regional express rail (RER) plan.

Before the vote, Tory said he was carrying out his mandate to bring more transit to Toronto. Were moving a transit plan forward in partnership with the other governments. That is certainly one of the main things that I thought I was sent here to do, he said.

Tory said he was confident the agreement would be approved when it goes to council next week. The province has set a Nov. 30 deadline for the city to commit to SmartTrack costs.

But while the decision at Torys hand-picked executive was unanimous, councillors at opposite ends of the political spectrum criticized the deal.

One sticking point was the capital costs for SmartTrack, which are estimated at $3.7 billion. The bulk of that, or $2.5 billion, is to pay for the Eglinton West LRT, which would replace the western portion of the express rail line Tory pitched during the campaign.

Toronto city staff are hoping to reduce the citys share of the $3.7 billion bill for SmartTrack down to $2 billion by securing contributions from the federal government, city of Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, but those contributions arent assured and would still leave the city paying over $1 billion for the Eglinton West LRT.

John Campbell, a fiscally conservative councillor representing Etobicoke Centre, questioned why council would agree to spend so much on the line when Toronto has more pressing transit needs.

Why are we being asked to invest $1.1 billion on what is ostensibly a low-priority line, given all of the other considerations? he asked.

As part of the proposed deal, the city would contribute significantly to GO infrastructure projects, including: $60 million toward building two new stations on the Barrie line; $95.5 million for work on the Georgetown South corridor; and $62.25 million in order to cover 15 per cent of the cost of converting level crossings on GO lines to grade separations.

Those projects would support implementation of the provinces RER plan, to which SmartTrack has effectively been grafted. The most recent version of the mayors plan calls for six new stations branded as SmartTrack stops on the Stoufville/Lakeshore East and Kitchener GO lines.

Councillor Gord Perks (Ward 14, ParkdaleHigh Park), who has been critical of Torys administration, said if the deal is approved, the city would end up paying an unfair amount for regional GO service that would benefit people outside Toronto.

Why were paying for things that are designed to serve other parts of the GTA just so we can label part of RER as SmartTrack, I dont really see how thats a sell I can make to my constituents, he said.

In addition to paying capital costs for new transit lines, the deal would also commit the city to paying for operation and day-to-day maintenance costs of new LRT lines built by the province, including the Eglinton Crosstown.

The city would also pay for operation and maintenance of the Eglinton West LRT and any rail service to SmartTrack stations the province wasnt already planning under RER. City staff dont yet know how much SmartTrack RER service will cost.

Councillor Janet Davis (Ward 31, Beaches-East York) predicted that operating the new lines could put a huge burden on the citys budget and argued that the city already struggles to operate TTC service.

We cannot at this point sustain the existing network of transit. Our fare- paying residents are paying the greatest share of the operating costs of a transit system anywhere. And now were going to ask them to pay more, she said.

The mayor and proponents of the deal say that its a reasonable price to pay for provincial transit projects. Queens Park is spending $3.7 billion on GO corridors in Toronto to electrify trains and enable more frequent service for RER. The province has also committed $7.8 billion for LRT lines.

Most of the citys costs laid out in the agreement wouldnt start mounting for several years, but if council approves the deal it would commit to spending $71 million over two years on planning, design and other pre-construction work associated with SmartTrack.

After a meeting with Premier Kathleen Wynne on Tuesday morning, both leaders praised the deal. Tory said the agreement would mean that Toronto is contributing its fair share.

But I would say to those people who have nothing but criticism about plans that Im putting forward  whats their plan? Because at the moment they dont have a plan. Theyre just content to criticize the plan that Im putting forward. And my plan is based on one simple proposition  we need to build transit and we need to build it now.

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Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault is strongly denying OPP allegations he was offered a plum post to jump from the federal NDP to the provincial Liberals to run in last years Sudbury byelection.

In the filing of Elections Act bribery charges Tuesday against Liberal re-election campaign chief Patricia Sorbara and Sudbury power broker Gerry Lougheed, Ontario Provincial Police allege an inducement was proffered to Thibeault.

Absolutely not, the minister, who is not facing charges, told reporters at Queens Park on Wednesday.

I dont know what the allegation relates to. Im confused by it. This was my own decision to leave federal politics and to get into provincial politics, he said.

It was something that I thought long and hard about and talked with my family and friends. I was very disenfranchised with where I was at in federal politics and was looking to move on.

Thibeault, who spoke with OPP detectives in Toronto last June, said he is prepared to testify in defence of both Lougheed and Sorbara.

She resigned Tuesday in the wake of the charges but will get party help with her legal bills along with a fair and generous severance, said Liberal party president Vince Borg.

While he admitted speaking with Sorbara and Lougheed before defecting from the federal New Democrats to the provincial Liberals, Thibeault said they made no offers of anything beyond guaranteeing he would be the partys nominee in the Feb. 5, 2015 byelection.

I was under the impression that I had to actually show what I could do here and go from there. There was never any implied cabinet offer. There was nothing like that, added Thibeault, who was elevated to Wynnes cabinet last June.

The premier and I had a conversation about roles within government. I said Im looking forward to being part of the government and demonstrating the skill set that I have.

The OPP alleged that Sorbara did directly or indirectly give, procure or promise or agree to procure an office of employment to induce a person, to wit, Glenn Thibeault, to become a candidate contrary to provincial law.

Thibeaults lawyer, Ian Smith, said the police claims about his clients motives are frankly absurd.

Mr. Thibeault spent years as an MP in opposition, faithfully serving the people of Sudbury. His decision to leave that position in the hopes that he could win the byelection and join Premier (Kathleen) Wynnes governing Liberals was motivated by nothing other than a desire to serve the constituents of Sudbury more effectively, said Smith.

Sorbara, 60, Wynnes deputy chief of staff until moving to run the 2018 Liberal campaign last month, is charged with two counts of bribery. Lougheed, 62, a Sudbury funeral homeowner, is charged with one count of bribery.

Their first court date is set for Nov. 21 in Sudbury.

Last April, more serious criminal counts of bribery against Lougheed were stayed.

Sorbara was never charged under the Criminal Code.

Elections Act charges are provincial offences and are a lower, non-criminal category of violations, where penalties range from fines of up to $25,000 and maximum jail sentences of two years less a day.

Both Sorbara and Lougheed have denied any wrongdoing.

The charges stem from a campaign in which businessman Andrew Olivier  the Liberal candidate in the June 2014 provincial election and one of only two Grits to lose seats held by the Liberals that year  claimed Sorbara and Lougheed offered him jobs to drop out of the nomination race to clear the way for Thibeault.

Olivier, who declined to comment Wednesday, had hoped to run again for the Liberals in the byelection triggered by the sudden resignation of New Democrat MPP Joe Cimino.

But Wynne wanted Thibeault. Olivier ended up running as an independent and finishing third.

The OPP began investigating the alleged violations after Olivier, who is quadriplegic and records conversations because he cannot take notes, made public his conversations with Sorbara and Lougheed on Facebook.

Progressive Conservatives stormed out of question period Wednesday after MPP Steve Clark was ejected for repeatedly asking Thibeault if he was offered any inducements to leave federal politics.

Speaker Dave Levac ruled the questions unparliamentary, citing the legislatures standing orders.

What are you hiding? Answer the question, Clark shouted at Thibeault.

As he was escorted out by the sergeant at arms, Clark was joined by PC fellow Tory MPPs except House Leader Jim Wilson, who stayed in his seat in case a unanimous consent motion arose.

Deputy NDP leader Jagmeet Singh asked Elections Ontario to investigate whether Thibeault was offered or accepted an inducement to run for the Liberals and said opposition parties need wide latitude in asking questions.

Attorney General Yasir Naqvi said the case should be tried in the courts, not in the legislature.

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BEIJINGChinese President Xi Jinping met with Taiwans opposition leader Tuesday, underscoring Beijings message to the islands independence-leaning administration that it wont have access to the mainlands highest levels of power if it doesnt accept that Taiwan is part of China.

Xis meeting with Nationalist Party Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu at the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing comes months after China cut off communication and exchanges with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wens administration. Diplomatically, China has also sought to isolate the island even more by having its representatives barred from international gatherings.

While Xi referred to neither of those issues in his opening remarks before the media, he reiterated the importance of the one-China principle and the 92 consensus, referring to an agreement reached that year reinforcing the principle. Beijing says the agreement forms the basis for all future contacts and exchanges  and insists Tsai explicitly endorse it.

To ensure that the country cant be separated and ensure the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation is the common will of all Chinese people, Xi said, according to footage shown by Hong Kongs Phoenix TV.

The meeting marked Xis highest-profile talks with a Taiwanese political figure since he met then-President Ma Ying-jeou in Singapore late last year for a one-day summit.

Xi said China resolutely opposes Taiwans formal independence and that the sides should continue to push forward the co-operation in all fields, and continue to improve the sentiment for the benefits of the peoples, and strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Although the Communists and Nationalists were once bitter foes, they have found common cause in recent years in opposing Taiwans independence and embracing closer economic ties.

Underscoring those ties, hundreds of people from the two sides will gather on Wednesday at a forum to discuss issues from politics to economics, culture, social issues and youth.

In her remarks to Xi, Hung noted that while more formal channels for communication are currently blocked, the Nationalists cannot shirk its responsibility to help civil society though the communication channels between the Communist Party and the Nationalists to solve problems.

She said the Nationalists wanted to help maintain communication to facilitate economic, cultural, social and other exchanges and explore the possibility of a peace settlement.

Hung said efforts should be made to eliminate the dangerous turmoil caused by the independence-leaning government to preserve the hard-won harmony between the two sides.

Although the Nationalists are not the governing party, we will never, for a second, forget the mission of cross-Straits relations, she said.

Hungs election as Nationalist boss was widely seen as recompense for her being dumped as the partys candidate to run against Tsai in the January election. She is seen as the standard bearer for the partys more conservative pro-unification wing made up largely of those who followed Chiang Kai-shek to Taiwan after the Communist military victory on the Chinese mainland in 1949 and their descendants.

The Nationalists lost the presidency in January by a landslide, along with their parliamentary majority.

On Monday, Hung and her delegation paid their respects at the mausoleum of original Nationalist leader and Chinese President Sun Yat-sen in the former capital of Nanjing. Sun, who is revered by both the Nationalists and the Communists, inspired the former enemies to work together to fight for the national rejuvenation and improve peoples livelihood, Hung said.

We will create a prosperous future. (As long as) both sides of the Taiwan Strait co-operate and develop peacefully, our common wish will come true, she said in remarks carried by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

Despite the keen rivalry between the Nationalists and Tsais DPP, Tsais spokesman Alex Huang said the government sees all normal people-to-people exchanges with China in a positive light.

The two sides should enhance mutual understanding and promote the peaceful development of bilateral relations through meaningful dialogue and exchanges without political preconditions, Huang was quoted as saying by Taiwans official Central News Agency.

However, he added that all political parties should stand by the people and support the governments policy on cross-strait ties. He also added that only the government was authorized to forge agreements on behalf of Taiwan.

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KING OF PRUSSIA, PA.Here is why Democrats should worry.

Donald Trump scares Brittany Cook, an undecided voter in the critical suburbs of Philadelphia. But Hillary Clinton makes her uneasy, too. When Cook heard that the FBI was investigating Clinton emails, again, she became even more apprehensive.

It makes me think theres something wrong, said Cook, a 31-year-old lawyer, as she shopped for groceries on Tuesday.

Here is why Democrats should not worry.

Pushing a cart in the next aisle was Venita Lane, a staffing supervisor who lives in the same suburban county as Cook. Asked about FBI director James Comeys Friday letter to Congress, she responded with a blank shake of the head.

To be honest with you, Im not even following it. I made up my mind a long time ago, she said. Hillary Clinton, to me, is the lesser of two evils. I dont care what comes out from now until the 8th. My mind is made up.

Comeys letter has at very least jolted a wild presidential election that briefly appeared like a Clinton cakewalk to the finish. With seven days to go, a race in which the candidate in the spotlight has always fallen in the polls is focused firmly on Clinton.

More on thestar.com:

FBIs renewed review into Clinton emails broke a standard followed in the summer

Investigating Donald Trump, the FBI sees no clear link to Russia

Trump campaign once again slams Canadian health care

There were hints that Comeys vague disclosure has already hurt her. In a Washington Post/ABC tracking poll, Trump jumped Tuesday to a one-point lead, 46 per cent to 45 per cent, after being down by 12 percentage points just over a week ago. It was his first lead since May.

There was also data, though, to suggest that nothing much had actually changed. A Politico tracking poll had Clinton up three percentage points, exactly the same margin as before the revelation. The NBC News tracking poll was also unchanged, showing the exact same six-point Clinton lead.

We do not see anything that would suggest that the FBI story is impacting our support, a Clinton aide told reporters on Tuesday, BuzzFeed reported.

The electoral map remains clearly on her side. Trump has one week to make up vast ground in several states in which he has trailed for months. In Pennsylvania, for example, a new Franklin & Marshall College poll, conducted mostly before the Comey revelation, showed Clinton up 11 percentage points  and a whopping 36 points in the large, affluent and politically mixed suburban counties around Philadelphia.

But Clinton and her super PAC allies announced tactical moves that Trumps team and some independent analysts took as confirmation the race was tightening.

Clintons team revealed plans to run its first ads of the general election in Michigan and New Mexico, two states that had been widely considered safe, and to resume ads after a long hiatus in Colorado and Virginia, two swing states that have seemed out of reach for Trump.

In Michigan, a state won by every Democratic presidential candidate since 1992, a new poll showed Clinton with her typical lead of seven points  but Clinton announced that she would be spending part of the last Friday of the campaign at a get-out-the-vote rally in Detroit.

Trump delivered an invitation-only campaign speech on Tuesday in Pennsylvanias Montgomery County, one of the key Philadelphia suburbs, in which he slammed Obamacare as disastrous but offered only a vague plan for its replacement with health savings accounts. His running mate, Mike Pence, slammed Canadas socialized system and vowed an Obamacare replacement relying on the power of the free market.

They were, again, short on details; they were again appealing to the Republican base. The polling of the last week suggests some combination of Trumps message and Clintons travails has pulled skeptical Republicans back on board with his campaign. Their renewed enthusiasm may cripple the Democrats hopes of winning back the Senate.

Trump likely needs Pennsylvania to win the presidency. It is nearly impossible to win the state without a strong showing in those counties. And Trump has never shown he had a chance of making inroads there.

The firewall is not just the state. Its also basically in five or six counties, including Philadelphia proper, said G. Terry Madonna, director of Franklin & Marshalls Center for Politics and Public Affairs. Hes winning the white working class. But hes losing college-educated voters.

Even the most pessimistic of the models that crunch polling data, by the website FiveThirtyEight, gave Clinton a 71-per-cent chance of victory as of late Tuesday.

Trumps best shot, of all the not-great shots, might be to win Ohio and Iowa, where he has usually led; win North Carolina, where he has consistently trailed; win Florida, which has been close; and then find some way to flip Wisconsin, a state with a higher-than-average proportion of white working class voters  where no Republican has won since 1984.

He was back there on Tuesday night, giving a rally speech in Eau Claire in which he warned that Clinton is likely to be under investigation for many years, probably concluding in a very large scale criminal trial.

Clinton had attempted to make the elections final days a referendum on Trumps character, not hers. She appeared in Dade City, Fla., on Tuesday with Alicia Machado, the Latina actress and former beauty queen whose appearance Trump disparaged in the 1990s and again this fall.

Can we just stop for a minute and reflect on the absurdity of Donald Trump finding fault with Miss Universe? But youve got to ask, why does he do these things? Who does this? I will tell you who: a bully, that is who, Clinton said.

The Comey letter, which numerous experts have said violated government protocol for avoiding law enforcement influence on an election, appears to have sparked further FBI intrigue; a series of unusual leaks have emerged from the bureau over the last two days. NBC News reported that the bureau has made preliminary inquiries into the foreign business ties of Trumps former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, who said, Theres no investigation going on by the FBI that Im aware of.

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CALAIS, FRANCEFrench authorities bused all unaccompanied children  1,616 of them  out of Calais sprawling migrant slum on Wednesday, taking them to special processing centres in one of the final steps to empty the notorious camp in the English Channel city.

The underage migrants climbed into to 38 buses in a day-long operation that began just under a week after adult migrants were cleared out of the camp known as the jungle and sent to refugee centres around France.

In the governments final move, women and their children  slightly more than 300 people  in the Calais camp were to be transported to family centres on Thursday.

Then there will be no one at the end of the day, said Steve Barbet, spokesman for the Pas-de-Calais region.

Last weeks operation to evacuate and demolish the makeshift camp  whose population soared to more than 10,000 two months ago, aid groups said  was a mammoth logistical task rushed to completion after fires engulfed large swaths of the slum. Clean-up crews finished pulling down shelters Tuesday.

Two agents from the British Home Office travelled on each bus, said Barbet. They will study files of the underage migrants, who often have family members in the U.K., to see who might qualify for transfer to Britain  the goal of most migrants who used the camp as a stepping stone for bids to sneak across the Channel by hiding out in freight trucks.

Since Oct. 17, Britain has taken in slightly more than 300 Calais migrants. France is pressing Britain to do more.

Most of the youths lined up calmly to board the buses, though one grabbed onto a fence, begging British officials to take him to the U.K.

Migrants from the Mideast and Africa had converged on the Calais camp over the past 18 months. The filthy, lawless site had become a symbol of Europes migrant crisis and a source of shame for France.

The child migrants were taken to 60 dedicated centres scattered around France until British officials decide their cases. Those refused access to Britain will be put under the care of French child welfare services.

The operation rekindled tensions among some youths, who feared it means the end of their dream of reaching Britain.

They are saying you are young, we can help you. But they are not helping me, Carlos Osma, a 16-year-old from Sudan, said before boarding a bus.

Four people were injured when clashes broke out Tuesday night between Afghan and Eritrean migrants in the camp, and police used tear gas to separate them.

British Home Secretary Amber Rudd told Parliament last week that several hundred more child migrants would be brought in soon. But details remain unclear. The issue is complicated by Britains recent vote to leave the European Union, which highlighted the publics unease with immigration.

We are absolutely committed to safeguarding and protecting children in Calais and have been working very closely with the French to ensure the camp is cleared as safely as possible, British Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill said Wednesday.

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By PTI: From Lalit K Jha

Sanford (Florida), Nov 2 (PTI) Intensifying her attack on Donald Trump, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has said her Republican rival is "unfit" and "unqualified" to become the next US president.

A week ahead of the next general election, Clinton, 69, made a strong case for her presidency citing her work experience over the last three decades.

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"One week from today, we will be choosing our next president and commander-in-chief of the United States. I dont think the choice could be any clearer," Clinton said in Dale City, some 70 miles west of Orlando in Florida, which is a key battleground State for the November 8 general elections.

Clinton spend her entire day in Florida yesterday campaigning and also addressed three rallies in the State.

"I have spent my career fighting for children and families. I have served in the United States Senate, served on the senate armed services committee; I was in the situation room when we brought Osama Bin Laden to justice," she said.

"I represented you as your secretary of state, going to 112 countries, negotiating with friend and foe alike. I am ready to serve, if you give me the great honour of being your president," Clinton said as the crowd chanted Hillary! Hillary! Hillary! .

"If you think about all of the issues that separate Donald Trump from me, it could be his dangerous statements about nuclear weapons. When a journalist told Donald Trump that people were worried about how causally he talks about nuclear weapons, he said well then why are we making them?" she said.

This is a man who thinks that he is better than President Reagan, better than President Obama, literally better than anybody I guess. And when you think about it, what he said at the convention, I alone can fix it runs counter to who we are as Americans, Clinton said.

"We work together. So there are many reasons why I think it is fair to conclude that Donald Trump is unqualified and unfit to be president," she asserted.

"For my entire life, Ive been a woman. When I think about what we now know about Donald Trump and what hes been doing for 30 years, he sure has spent a lot of time demeaning, degrading, insulting, and assaulting women. And I got to tell you, some of what weve learned - some of this stuff is very upsetting," Clinton said.

She said Trump called women "ugly", "disgusting" and "nasty" all the time.

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"He calls women pigs, rates bodies on a scale from one to ten. We just heard from Alicia, she was Miss Universe when Donald Trump owned the pageant. Well, he said she put on some weight," Clinton alleged.

"It made him angry, so he called her Miss Piggy, called her Miss Housekeeping because shes a beautiful Latina. He brought a bunch of reporters to a gym to watch him order her around to exercise. Can we just stop for a minute and reflect on the absurdity of Donald Trump finding fault with Miss Universe?" she asked. PTI LKJ MRJ

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GOGJALI, IRAQIraqi special forces paused their advance in an eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighbourhood of any remaining Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL) militants, killing eight while carrying out house-to-house clearances.

Six of the militants were killed inside a tunnel in the newly-recaptured Gogjali neighbourhood, while the other two were shot dead as they advanced on troops, Lt. Col. Muhanad al-Timimi of the Iraqi special forces told The Associated Press. One of the militants was wearing an explosives-laden vest, he added.

Mosul is the last major Daesh stronghold in Iraq, and driving the militant group from the city would be a major blow to its ambitions of creating a cross-border caliphate stretching into Syria. Daesh announced the project in Mosul in 2014, after it routed the much larger Iraqi military, which had been neglected and demoralized by corruption.

Hundreds of civilians cleared out of the adjacent neighbourhood of al-Samah, some carrying white flags. All the women were wearing the niqab, a veil that covers the face, and all the men had long beards. Daesh strictly enforces an Islamic a dress code in territory it holds.

Through the day, special forces could be seen going house to house in Gogjali, Mosuls easternmost district, while sappers searched the road for explosives and booby traps left behind by the jihadis driven out a day earlier.

Gen. Abdul-Ghani al-Asadi, the top counterterrorism forces commander, told reporters a curfew had been imposed in the neighbourhood while gains there were being consolidated.

We fear that Daesh militants could attack our forces or the town with mortars, he said. So,for the safety of the families we ask them to stay inside their houses. He spoke in the town of Bartella, some 15 km. behind the front lines.

Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil said that no advances were planned while high humidity and clouds obscured the view of aircraft and drones, a key component to the operations provided by a U.S.-led air campaign.

The guns were largely silent during the day in Gogjali, which is inside Mosuls city limits, but just outside more urban districts, although sporadic rifle cracks could be heard as well as some army artillery fire on Daesh positions. Fadhil said special forces had detained three suspected militants in the area.

The pause came a day after Iraqi troops set foot in the city for the first time in more than two years, gearing up for urban warfare expected to take weeks, if not months.

In the next stage, troops will have to navigate streets likely lined with booby traps, fighting house to house while trying to avoid killing civilians, more than one million of whom are still in the city.

Further to the south, where progress has been much slower, Federal Police forces captured four small villages outside the Hamam al-Alil area, over 30 km. from Mosul, the army said. The largest of the four is Min Gar, some 10 km. west of Hamam al-Alil, spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool said of the Wednesday morning operation.

Concern over the fate of civilians caught up in the fighting has been growing, after residents reported that Daesh militants were rounding up thousands of people to use as human shields and killing those with suspected links to the security forces.

According to one account given to the AP, the fighters went door to door in villages south of Mosul, ordering hundreds of people at gunpoint to march north into the city, where urban fighting is expected to be heaviest and the presence of civilians will slow the armys advance as it tries to avoid killing innocents.

In the latest international condemnation of Daesh, which has carried out mass killings of perceived opponents in the past and boasted about them in grisly photos and videos circulated online, the United Nations called on authorities to collect evidence of Daesh abuses of civilians for future use by tribunals.

The Norwegian Refugee Council warned that more than one million civilians trapped inside Mosul are in grave danger as Iraqi troops advance into the city.

The aid group, which works with refugees and internally displaced people, said that around 18,000 Iraqis have fled their homes since the start of the massive Mosul military operation over two weeks ago.

Its Iraq chief, Wolfgang Gressmann, said the agencys aid workers were bracing . . . for the worst.

The lives of 1.2 million civilians are in grave danger, and the future of all of Iraq is now in the balance, he said

Adama Dieng, special adviser to the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the prevention of genocide, expressed concern over the increasing risk of sectarian violence or revenge attacks during the Mosul campaign, especially where state-sanctioned Iraqi Shiite militias are approaching Sunni communities.

Any kind of retaliatory violence against individuals on the basis of their membership of a specific group is unacceptable, he said in a statement released Tuesday.

Political rhetoric on the issue has been heating up, after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently warned that Turkey would be closely monitoring Shiite militias behaviour in northern Iraq and seeking to safeguard the rights of ethnic Turkmens there. Erdogan said the Iraqi Shiite militias could prompt a Turkish response if they terrorize the Iraqi-Turkmen town of Tal-Afar.

On Tuesday, Turkeys defence minister said his country was making preparations for all kinds of possibilities as the Turkish military began deploying tanks and other vehicles to the border town of Silopi.

In a televised speech later that evening to praise the Mosul operation, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi downplayed an escalation. We dont want war with Turkey. We do not want confrontation with Turkey, he said. But if it happens, we are ready.

Separately, Amnesty International said government-sanctioned tribal Sunni fighters taking part in the Mosul operation had carried out revenge attacks against men and boys they suspected of being Daesh militants in newly-liberated areas.

Fighters from the Sabawi tribe, originally from Mosul, unlawfully rounded up civilians, beat them with metal rods, gave them electric shocks and tied some of them to the bonnets of vehicles and paraded through the streets or placed in cages, the London-based group said in a report based on interviews with local officials and eyewitnesses.

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NEW YORKMany Muslim Americans cringe at the way they have been portrayed by candidates during the U.S. presidential campaign: either as potential terrorists, or as eyes and ears who can help the governments counterterrorism efforts.

Those descriptions, offered by Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, respectively, are troubling to Muslims who complain they are being pigeonholed and their concerns on other issues ignored.

I think that there is some level of dismissiveness about Arab-Americans and American Muslims that allows candidates to talk about us, not really to us, said Omar Baddar, a political analyst and media producer based in Washington.

Chaumtoli Huq, a lawyer from the New York City suburb of Yonkers, agreed.

Were not able to talk about issues that impact us as citizens: education, jobs, things that any other voter would care about, she said. Its a really demoralizing way to be seen to be part of this country.

One of the campaigns more memorable moments for Muslim Americans unfolded at the Democratic National Convention in July, when a grieving Khizr Khan addressed delegates about his son, Humayun, an American soldier who was killed in Iraq.

The GOP candidate soon pushed back against Khans anti-Trump comments, setting up an almost unprecedented episode in which a presidential nominee criticized a military family that had lost a loved one in a war zone.

Huq and others said Trumps campaign has clearly been the more negative one, starting with the Republican candidates call to ban foreign Muslims from entering the United States as an anti-terrorism measure.

In the second presidential debate in St. Louis, Trump answered a question about how to stop Islamophobia in America by saying American Muslims must report other Muslims who are engaging in dangerous behaviour.

He also repeated the false claim that neighbours of the San Bernardino, California, shooters saw bombs all over the floor in the shooters home last year but did not report it.

That led to a widely retweeted comment from Brooklyn College professor Moustafa Bayoumi, who posted, Im a Muslim, and I would like to report a crazy man threatening a woman on a stage in Missouri.

By the time the debate ended, his retort had been retweeted more than 32,000 times and liked more than 43,000 times.

Speaking to The Associated Press, Bayoumi said Muslim Americans get exceptionalized to such a degree that their average Americanness disappears in the wind.

Hillary Clinton did not escape censure from Muslim Americans, who said that the Democratic nominees public remarks have primarily revolved around recognizing them for what they could do to support counterterrorism efforts.

At that second debate, in answering the same question as Trump, Clinton said: We need American Muslims to be part of our eyes and ears on our front lines. Ive worked with a lot of different Muslim groups around America. Ive met with a lot of them, and Ive heard how important it is for them to feel that they are wanted and included and part of our country, part of our homeland security, and thats what I want to see.

Nour Eidy, a freshman at the University of Michigan, grew up in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, which is heavily Arab and Muslim. She was troubled by the call to root out radicals, mainly because she has not come across any.

I dont know anything about terrorism. I dont know their game plans, their strategies, she said. Were just as victimized by them as anybody else.

Hussien Kazwini does not object to calls for Muslims to identify dangerous extremists. The college student in Toledo, Ohio, whose parents were born in Lebanon, said its what every U.S. citizen should do.

We, at the end of the day, are around more Muslims at a mosque or an event, Kazwini said. Maybe we do have an ability to more easily see if someone is going over to the extreme side.

Frustration with the race is enough to make Ramah Kudaimi want to skip voting altogether.

People are so shocked by what Trump is saying, that hes  and hes so openly racist  that they are giving Hillary Clinton a pass, the Washington, D.C., organizer said. The Democrats, frankly, have not necessarily done what is needed to also earn my vote as a Muslim American.

In New York, Ahsia Badi said the campaign rhetoric had also affected how non-Muslims interact with Muslims. This sort of dialogue . . . is forcing people to sit there and see their friends who happen to be Muslim, to be their Muslim friends. 

The 44-year-old health professional has two children, ages 10 and 8.

Because of the constant linkage between Muslims and terrorism issues, she said,: Im worried about how my children see their own opportunities and what their role is as Americans.

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President Barack Obama sharply criticized the decision by his FBI director to alert Congress on Friday about the discovery of new emails related to the Hillary Clinton server case, implying that it violated investigative norms and trafficked in innuendo.

We dont operate on incomplete information, Obama said in an interview with CNNs Now This, broadcast Wednesday. We dont operate on leaks. We operate based on concrete decisions that are made.

When this was investigated thoroughly the last time, the conclusion of the FBI, the conclusion of the Justice Department, the conclusion of repeated congressional investigations was that she had made some mistakes but that there wasnt anything there that was prosecutable, Obama said.

Declaring that he had made a very deliberate effort to make sure that I dont look like Im meddling in what are supposed to be independent processes for making these assessments, Obama nonetheless expressed confidence in Clinton and her integrity.

Obamas comments were somewhat surprising since he weighed in on the investigation last year before the FBI had determined that neither Clinton nor her aides would face charges for mishandling classified information that was found on the secretary of states private email server. The presidents comments angered FBI agents.

I dont think it posed a national security problem, Obama said on 60 Minutes on CBS in October 2015. He said it had been a mistake for Clinton to use a private email account when she was secretary of state, but his conclusion was unmistakable: This is not a situation in which Americas national security was endangered.

Obama took a sharper tone than his press secretary, Josh Earnest, who said Tuesday that the White House did not have an official position on whether the decision by the FBI director, James Comey, to alert Congress about the FBIs pending analysis of a new cache of emails related to the use by Clinton of a private email server when she was secretary of state.

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JOHANNESBURGThousands of South Africans demonstrated on Wednesday for the resignation of President Jacob Zuma, who is enmeshed in scandals that critics say are undermining the countrys democracy.

The protests in the administrative capital of Pretoria came as a court ordered the release of a state watchdog report about allegations that a business family linked to Zuma sought to influence some Cabinet post selections to benefit its own business interests. The public protectors office must release the report on Wednesday, the North Gauteng High Court ruled.

Zuma earlier sought to block the release of the report, but his lawyer, Anthea Platt, said he was dropping the effort.

The possibility of new revelations of alleged wrongdoing at top levels of the South African government is likely to increase pressure on Zuma, who apologized earlier this year after the constitutional Court said he flouted the constitution in a scandal over more than $20 million ($27 million Cdn.) in state funds used to upgrade his rural home. Zuma eventually paid back more than $500,000, an amount determined by the national treasury.

In a separate scandal, the director of the National Prosecuting Authority this week dropped fraud charges against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan following an outcry by South Africans who suspected the move to prosecute Gordhan was an attempt by government factions to take control of the national treasury.

On Wednesday, business executives, religious leaders and others gathered in a Pretoria cathedral to demand that Zuma quit. They said alleged corruption linked to the president was undermining one of Africas biggest economies, which is experiencing weak growth, as well as a constitution that was crafted after the end of white minority rule in 1994.

It is not possible to turn the situation around as long as Zuma remains president, said Sipho Pityana of Save South Africa, a coalition of groups that say they seek to protect the constitution.

Separate rallies were also held in Pretoria by South Africas two biggest opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters. The marches were mostly peaceful, but some shop windows were smashed. Four people were arrested for throwing stones at passing cars, the African News Agency reported.

Later, members of the Economic Freedom Fighters, many wearing red berets and red shirts, marched to the Union Buildings, which houses the offices of Zuma and other government officials. There, protesters briefly clashed with police who set off stun grenades and fired rubber bullets.

The government said in a statement that South Africans have the right to protest peacefully and that police were prepared to act to protect property.

Some members of the ruling African National Congress party also want the president to resign. The ANC, which took power after apartheid, lost several key municipalities in local elections in August, partly because of public dissatisfaction with the president.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation, founded by the anti-apartheid leader who became South Africas first black president, is among groups that say Zuma is failing in his duties.

Zuma has not commented this week on growing calls for his ouster. He is scheduled to chair a forum in Harare on Thursday with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

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GENEVASwiss police raided a mosque in a northern city on Wednesday, detaining eight people including an Ethiopian imam who allegedly called for the killing of Muslims who refused to participate in prayers, the state prosecutors office said.

Police searched the An Nur mosque in Winterthur and the apartments of three people as part of the morning operation, according to a statement from the regional prosecutors office in nearby Zurich.

In a public sermon on Oct. 21, the Ethiopian imam allegedly called for the killing and denunciation of Muslims who refuse to participate in common prayers at the mosque, the statement said. Prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation centring on the imam and three others.

In a separate statement, Zurich police said another four men aged 23 to 35 from countries including Algeria and Tunisia were also detained. They were inside the mosque at the time of the raid, and were believed to be illegally in Switzerland, said Corinne Bouvard, a spokeswoman for the prosecutors office. They werent believed to be connected to the imam and three others, whose nationalities werent identified, she said.

Bouvard also said prosecutors so far have turned up no connection to any possible international extremist groups. Earlier Wednesday, Swiss daily Tages Anzeiger reported that investigators were focusing on the mosques new preacher, who it said was from Somalia  not Ethiopia. The report also said some young men who were once regulars at the mosque had later left to join the Daesh group, also known as ISIS or ISIL.

In the wake of extremist attacks in Europe in recent years, Swiss authorities have been stepping up controls and surveillance of suspected militants who could cause violence.

The Swiss intelligence service estimates that 77 people motivated by jihad have left Switzerland to travel to conflict zones since 2001, more than four in five of them to Iraq and Syria. The service says 21 of them are believed to be dead, while others are still active in the conflict regions or have returned to Switzerland.

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TEL AVIVOne of the most divisive trials in Israeli history is taking place in a cramped military courtroom in a peeling mansion in the poor Arab section of Jaffa.

It is the trial of a teenage Israeli sergeant, but in many ways it is about the soul of the Israeli army and the young men and women the Jewish state sends to protect its citizens and enforce its almost 50-year military occupation.

On trial for manslaughter before a military tribunal is a pint-size recruit who sits in the courtroom beside his mother, who wraps her arms around his shoulders and sometimes cries.

Such a public trial of a soldier charged with killing a Palestinian is almost unprecedented here. The last witnesses appeared this week.

The central fact of the case is not in dispute. In March, Sgt. Elor Azaria fired a single bullet at close range into the skull of a Palestinian assailant as he lay wounded, sprawled on his back, on a street in Hebron in the West Bank minutes after lunging at soldiers with a knife.

This is not in dispute because the shooting was caught on video by a Palestinian volunteer for the Israeli human rights group BTselem, which denounced the shooting as the direct consequence of inflammatory remarks made by Israeli ministers and officials, augmented by the general public atmosphere of dehumanization.

Many Israelis and Palestinians believe the only reason the 19-year-old Azaria is on trial is because of the video.

The question the court is asking is why Azaria shot Abed Al Fatah al-Sharif in the head. Was it malice or self-defence?

The question many Israelis are asking is why Azaria is even on trial. They think he should have been given a medalor, at worst, a reprimand.

Terrorists need to be killed, said Uzi Dayan, a general in the Israeli army reserves who testified in Azarias defence.

Dayan said that while serving as a commander in the 1990s, he allowed the killing of terrorists, even if they did not pose any immediate danger.

On this, Israelis appear divided.

The Israel Democracy Institute and Tel Aviv University released a survey last month of Jewish Israelis that found 47 per cent support killing on the spot a terrorist who attacked Jews, even if he has been captured and clearly does not pose a threat. Support for killing the terrorist was highest among young Israelis and religious Israelis. Forty-five per cent said such a terrorist should be handed over to authorities.

Palestinians and Israeli human rights activists called the shooting a summary execution.

Moshe Yaalon, Israels defence minister when the incident took place, said Azarias actions were an utter breach of the armys values and its code of ethics in combat.

After Azarias arrest, thousands of flag-waving Israelis rallied in a central square in Tel Aviv to support Azaria and his family.

For many Israelis, the trial is every parents nightmare. Military service is mandatory for most Israelis at age 18, and the public compact requires the society to support its young troops almost without question.

The scene in Jaffa could be the setting of a stage play.

Courtroom No. 4 is tiny and intense. Four military prosecutors in uniform sit elbow to elbow at what appears to be a school desk. The four defence attorneys sit opposite, dressed in long black robes. A panel of three military judges loom above them at a dais made of cheap wood. A couple of wheezing air conditioners struggle against the humidity.

The prosecutors contend Azaria killed the Palestinian without cause. The defence says he feared for his life.

Since the trial began in early May, the court has witnessed hours of boredom, as the attorneys wrangle over points of law, punctuated by wrenching scenes that lay bare deep fissures.

Youre trying to frame him! Charlie Azaria, the defendants father and a veteran police officer, shouted at the prosecutors one day. He later suffered a stroke from the stress.

During the trial, enlisted men have openly contradicted the accounts of their commanders. Witnesses have accused officers of cover-ups and lies. Senior Israeli officers have traded insults. Soldiers have complained of being bullied and brainwashed.

The shooting took place in one of the most tense settings in the West Bankat one of the military checkpoints that protect 850 of Israels most ideological Jewish settlers, who live in the heart of old Hebron surrounded by 200,000 Palestinians.

On March 24, al-Sharif and a friend attacked the Israeli troops with knives, wounding one soldier. The Israeli forces quickly responded and shot both men. Ramzi al-Qasrawi died immediately. But the video captures al-Sharif moving slightly, a twitching of his head and hand.

The video shows Azaria pulling his rifle off his shoulder, aiming and firing at al-Sharif as a dozen soldiers, officers, medics, ambulance drivers and Jewish settlers mill about.

Many commentators remarked that no one appears to flinch after the shot. They simply go on about their business.

Maj. Tom Naaman, who was Azarias commanding officer at the time, testified that Azaria told him immediately after the shooting that the terrorist was alive and needed to die.

Quotes from courtroom testimony are taken from Israeli English- and Hebrew-language media. The Washington Post also attended the trial.

Naaman said the scene was secure and that the two assailants were neutralized and posed no threat.

I was angry that the shooting happened without my approval. In the initial questioning, Azaria did not mention fear of a knife or an explosive device to me, Naaman told the court.

Naaman had to be publicly defended by the army chief of staff after receiving a deluge of phone calls and social media posts branding him a traitor for his testimony.

Soon after Azaria talked to Naaman, he was questioned by a more senior officer, a battalion commander, Lt. Col. David Shapira.

I asked him why he had shot, Shapira testified. Elor answered that he saw the terrorist move his head and that there was a knife next to him. I asked Elor, You were near him. Why didnt you kick the knife away? Elor answered, I felt I was in danger. I told Elor that I felt he was not telling me the whole truth because after the incident he had told the company commander something entirely different. Elor was silent.

According to Shapira, In that conversation Elor did not mention any fear of a bomb, only his concern about the knife which was near the terrorist.

The prosecution presented a video that showed a knife on the ground yards away from the prone assailant after he had been shot dead. A Jewish settler and ambulance driver named Ofer Ohana then kicked the knife closer to the body. Someone can be heard on the video yelling: Hes still alive, hes still alive.

Azarias defence attorneys have argued that their client shot the assailant because he feared not a knife but a bomb hidden under his clothing. There was no explosive device.

One of Azarias fellow soldiers, an active-duty sergeant who was identified only by his initials in the media, told the court, There was a terrorist in a black coat who was alive and moving. From my point of view, he looked like a threat. The soldier said there were fears of a bomb.

Top Israeli officers have testified on Azarias behalf.

Shmuel Zakai, a brigadier-general in the army reserves, said he watched the video and found Azarias manner calm and deliberate. I assume that Azaria was concerned about an explosive device, Zakai testified.

Danny Biton, a major general in the reserves, told the court, If a soldier kills for no reason, he should go to jail. But in this case I disagree with the prosecution.

He asked, Should every soldier go to battle with a lawyer at his side? Biton accused the prosecution of castrating the army by second-guessing a soldiers action in the field. Theres not one person in this trial who isnt lying, and thats whats sad, he said.

The three-judge panel will announce a verdict, though their deliberations could take weeks. If convicted, Azaria could face up to 20 years in prison.

The new defence minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said in September that Israel should support its soldiers even if one of them makes a mistake. Lieberman said, We are talking about 18 and 19 year olds.

Naftali Bennett, Israels education minister and the leader of the right-wing Jewish Home party, offered a solution: If the court finds Azaria guilty, he should immediately be given a pardon.

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WASHINTONPresident Barack Obama said Tuesday that his administration was considering ways to reroute the Dakota Access oil pipeline after a week of violent clashes between authorities and activists protesting the controversial project.

In an interview with the media site NowThis, Obama addressed concerns from Native Americans that the pipeline cuts too close to tribal lands in North Dakota. The $3.8 billion project was approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is slated to cross under a section of the Missouri River less than a mile from the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.

Were monitoring this closely, Obama said. My view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans. And I think that, right now, the Army Corps is examining whether there are ways to reroute this pipeline.

Were going to let it play out for several more weeks and determine whether or not this can be resolved in a way that I think is properly attentive to the traditions of first Americans, he said.

Obamas interview represents the most explicit remarks he has made on the simmering controversy. During a White House tribal conference in September, the president offered an elliptical reference to the issue, telling hundreds of tribal representatives gathered in Washington, I know that many of you have come together across tribes and across the country to support the community at Standing Rock. And together, youre making your voices heard.

On Tuesday afternoon aboard Air Force One, White House press secretary Josh Earnest declined to say what the administration might do about the pipeline because of the ongoing litigation.

What I can say more generally is that the White House has been in touch with the Department of Interior and a couple of other agencies that are taking a fresh look at the procedures that they follow to incorporate input from Native American communities that could potentially be affected by infrastructure projects, Earnest said. The president believes that thats a worthwhile thing for the Department of Interior to do. And so hes supportive of that process to consider reforming some of those procedures.

The president has elevated American Indian rights during his tenure, establishing a White House tribal liaison and laying the groundwork for a government-to-government relationship with native Hawaiians. During this falls tribal conference, Obama recalled how he had pledged during his first White House bid to do more for tribal communities.

And I want everybody in this auditorium and all the folks back home in your respective communities to know that whole time Ive heard you, I have seen you. And I hope Ive done right by you, he said.

But even as Obama raised the possibility of rerouting the pipeline, he seemed to suggest that it would go forward. Many climate activists have called on him to halt the project altogether, the way he blocked construction of the Keystone XL pipeline last year between Canada and the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Jamie Henn, a spokesman for the environmental group 350.org, said in an email Wednesday that it would be hypocritical for Obama to allow the pipeline to be completed.

Theres no reroute that doesnt involve the same risks to water and climate, Henn said. The president must submit Dakota Access to the same climate test as Keystone XL, a test it will surely fail.

Obama has also faced criticism for the delay from a coalition of energy and manufacturing groups, who note that the pipeline is a major infrastructure project that is mostly built and could boost economic activity along its route. The 1,900-kilometre Dakota Access pipeline is to transport crude oil from fields in North Dakota to an existing pipeline and refinery in Illinois.

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe has been fighting the pipeline for months, arguing that the project could harm sacred lands and pollute the tribes only water supply. Over the summer, Native American tribes and environmental activists from across the country set up a camp in Cannon Ball, North Dakota, near the pipelines path, and have used it as a staging ground for protests.

David Archambault II, who chairs the Standing Rock Tribe, said in an interview that his members welcomed Obama weighing in on the project.

I applaud the presidents promises, and commitments on, protecting out sacred lands and water and the water for many others, Archambault said, but added, We cant wait for a long time for this to get this resolved.

Violence broke out last week when a group of protesters tried to create a second camp on land owned along the pipelines path. Hundreds of law enforcement officers in riot gear used pepper spray, rubber bullets and high-pitched noise cannons to disperse the activists who refused to leave, arresting 141 people in the process. Some protesters set fires and threw rocks and molotov cocktails at authorities, and at least one protester fired a gun, police said.

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ORLANDORepublican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivered two speeches in Michigan on Monday, Oct. 31. He made at least 19 false claims.

Well continue to investigate some other claims he made about job outsourcing from the state. For now, the list:

Grand Rapids, Michigan

1. Falsely said of Hillary Clinton: She created the vacuum, ISIS formed . . . there was no ISIS when she was secretary of state. She and Obama created it through the vacuum they created. (ISIS has existed in some form since 1999; it was already a major entity during the Bush presidency. It named itself Islamic State of Iraq in 2006, more than two years before Clinton took office.)

2. Falsely said of Barack Obama in 2008, He essentially was talking about how corrupt the election system is in Chicago . . . and saying, Im lucky Im from Chicago. (Obama did not say anything about being lucky to be from Chicago or lucky he was from a corrupt city. He seemed to be referring to Chicagos past, not present corruption. His quote: I come from Chicago. So I want to be honest. It is not as if its just Republicans who have monkeyed around with elections in the past. Sometimes Democrats have too.)

3. Falsely said, Before NAFTA went into effect there were 280,000 autoworkers in Michigan. Today that number is only 160,000 and, believe me, its going down and going down fast. (He repeated this claim at his second rally on Monday. Writes The Associated Press: Michigan actually added jobs after the North American Free Trade Agreement began in 1994, when auto-manufacturing and auto-parts plants employed roughly 280,000 workers. Over the next six years, their ranks increased to 320,000. The decline only occurred after the tech bubble burst and U.S. automakers lost market share among U.S. consumers. It is not going down  the Detroit Free Press reports that auto jobs have increased sharply since the crash: Since the rescue of General Motors and Chrysler in 2008-09, auto manufacturing jobs in Michigan have grown from 22,800 to 38,200 and auto parts jobs also have grown, from 73,400 to 162,800.)

4. Falsely said, We have nearly $800 billion in annual trade deficits with the world. (Repeated at his second rally. The U.S. trade deficit was $532 billion in 2015. It was $746 billion only if you exclude trade in services, at which the U.S. excels. Trump sometimes specifies that he is talking only about goods, but he did not here.)

5. Falsely said of Mexico, Theyre on a VAT system; were on our system. Well theres . . . almost a 17 per cent difference. So every deal we make, we are behind 17 per cent before we even start. People have known that for years and years and years and its a defective deal. (Mexicos value-added tax does not put the US behind in trade. It applies both to products imported to Mexico and products made in Mexico. He was implying that its a trade barrier, and its just not, Alan Deardorff, economics professor at the University of Michigan, told CNN in September. A VAT does not favor one countrys producers over anothers. Trumps claim that Mexicos VAT gives its producers an advantage over American competitors is simply wrong, Tax Policy Center expert Eric Toder wrote.)

6. Falsely said of Barack Obamas $3 billion funding commitment to the UNs climate change program, Its insane  a number that Hillary wants to actually increase. (Clinton has never said she wants an increase, her campaign confirmed Wednesday.)

7. Falsely said of a 700-mile border fence proposed in 2006, You know why they didnt build it? They couldnt get their environmental impact statements. (Environmental impact statements were not an issue here: the secretary of Homeland Security used his powers to waive the usual environmental review. In a sweeping use of its authority, the Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that it would bypass environmental reviews to speed construction of fencing along the Mexican border, the New York Times reported in 2008. Its simply false that environmental requirements or issues impeded wall construction, Denise Gilman, director of the immigration clinic at the University of Texas School of Law, told Politifact.)

8. Falsely described Clintons role in the release of illegal immigrants convicted of crimes: And they bring these people back to their countries and thee countries very intelligently, they said, No we dont want a murderer, no we dont want a drug dealer, no we dont want the head of a gang in Los Angeles. They call up the secretary of states office. They say, Oh thats OK, bring them back. So we release them right into our country. (This is false in several ways. These immigrants are never actually sent back to countries that refuse to take them; they are eventually released from U.S. prisons. The secretary of states office is not called about the releases, nor did Clinton have a choice: a 2001 Supreme Court decision requires their eventual release if they cant be deported.)

9. Falsely said, GM laid off 314 workers at the Lake Orion assembly plant in 2013 because of the imports from the South Korean trade deals that were pushed by Hillary. That was her baby. (The Lake Orion plant was actually making a car, the Chevrolet Sonic, whose earlier version had previously been made in South Korea. The Sonic used to be made in South Korea as the Aveo. Now they design it, its built in Lake Orion, and the president was able to point to it as an example of two countries working together, a local news station reported in 2011, when Obama and South Koreas president visited. GM has since laid off hundreds of workers there, but because of poor sales, not South Korea.)

Warren, Michigan

10. Falsely said, Donna Brazile was fired from the network for giving Crooked Hillary the answers and questions to a debate. (There are is no such thing as answers to a debate.)

11. Falsely said of hacked John Podesta emails, Another one came in today where various networks, a lot of them, were sending stories . . . what do you want us to say here what do you want us to say there? What should we do here? What should we do there? Do you believe it? (There is no new email showing multiple television networks asking for direction from the Clinton campaign.)

12. Falsely said, Youve been seeing polls. Were winning almost everywhere. (Trump was trailing nationally and in most swing states.)

13. Falsely said, We give Iran back $150 billion. (The nuclear deal with Iran did not involve a $150 billion payment; rather, a smaller amount of Iranian assets were unfrozen. The Treasury Department told Congress in 2015 that total Iranian assets were estimated at $100 billion to $125 billion; it put the usable liquid assets at around $50 billion. Secretary of State John Kerry said Iran would get about $55 billion.)

14. Falsely said, Were the highest-taxed nation in the world. (The U.S. does not even have the highest corporate taxes, though it is near the top. Where all taxes are concerned, the U.S. is below the average for OECD industrialized nations.)

15. Falsely said he was even in Michigan polls. (He was down by an average of 7 percentage points.)

16. Falsely described Mexicos value added tax: Under NAFTA, we eliminated our tariffs on Mexico but Mexico raised their VAT on us. (Mexico did not raise its VAT on us  it raised its VAT in general  and the decision was unrelated to NAFTA. NAFTA came into effect on Jan. 1, 1994; Mexico raised the VAT from 10 to 15 per cent in spring 1995 as part of its response to its economic crisis. Articles at the time did not mention NAFTA.)

17. Falsely said of the disparity in advertising spending, In Florida its 50 to 1. (There was a September article that said Clinton was slated to outspend him 53 to 1 in Florida, but this is not actually happening. CNN reported on Oct. 18 that Clinton had spent $43 million in Florida, Trump about $12 million, a ratio of less than 4 to 1.)

18. Falsely said Clinton wants open borders in the Middle East . . . she wants the Middle East to pour into our country. (Clinton is not proposing anything of the sort.)

19. Falsely said, She is going to raise taxes. Hillary is going to raise your taxes up to almost 50 per cent, by the way. (This is only close to true for rich people. Under Clintons plan, only people making more than $5 million a year would face a top marginal rate of, effectively, 44 per cent. People below the top 1 per cent will see only minor changes.)

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The world didnt need a reminder but it got one anyway. The U.S. election is remarkably close. Donald Trump could still become Americas next president.

This is the same Donald Trump who has been accused of sexual impropriety by 12 women. It is the same Donald Trump routinely called a serial liar by the media. It is the same bloviating tycoon who brags about his skill at deal-making and his ability to avoid taxes.

And, yes, he could win in spite of this.

An ABC-Washington Post poll released Tuesday shows Republican Trump in a statistical tie with his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

Other polls show Clintons lead narrowing in swing states such as Colorado. In the two key battleground states of Florida and North Carolina, the contenders are neck and neck.

The proximate cause of all of this is, of course, the FBIs decision to reopen the Clinton email investigation.

Clinton had thought she was free of this particular albatross, an inquiry into whether, during her time as secretary of state, she had broken the law by using her personal computer server to handle delicate  and in some cases confidential  government emails.

But the gods have a malevolent sense of humour. The FBI announced Friday it had officially reopened the inquiry after finding more emails on a computer used by alleged sexter Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of a top Clinton aide.

Weiner, a former Democratic Congressman famous for sharing pictures of his crotch online, is under police investigation for allegedly sending suggestive texts to a 15-year-old girl.

But even before the Weiner connection emerged, Clintons lead in the polls was softening. It seems that for a good chunk of wavering Americans, Trumps many faults, including his reprehensible approach to women, are not reason enough to vote for Clinton.

She really is unpopular  almost as unpopular as Trump.

But can he beat her? The experts tend to say the odds are against him. Writing in the New York Times, polling whiz Nate Cohn says it would take a perfect storm to give Trump the presidency  one that included the demoralization of Democrats, a poor turnout by Clinton-friendly black and Latino voters and a decision by anti-Trump Republicans to swallow their distaste for their partys candidate and return to the fold.

But two points should be made here. First, the experts are often wrong. Canadians will remember the sweeping election victories of Christie Clark in British Columbia and Alison Redford in Alberta that the pollsters failed to predict.

In the U.S., the experts famously failed to anticipate Trumps win in the Republican nomination battle,

Second, people dont always tell pollsters the truth, particularly if they are embarrassed by their political choices.

This phenomenon could be in play here. Fanatic Trump backers are proud to pledge their allegiance to the New York developer. But less-committed supporters see him as a deeply flawed candidate whose only saving grace is that he is the lesser of two evils. This latter group may be shy about admitting their preference.

Certainly, the resurrection of the email scandal has thrown the Clinton campaign into a tizzy.

Senior Democrats are accusing FBI director James Comey of trying to influence the election outcome. Nevada Senator Harry Reid, who just a few months ago called Comey a man of great integrity for his decision not to press charges against Clinton over the email scandal, now suggests the FBI chief is breaking the law.

Democrats are also playing the Russian card again.

They have already called Trump, who favours better relations with Moscow, a Russian puppet. This week, Clinton campaign manager Robbie Mook accused the FBI of a double standard  of coming down hard on her even as it soft-peddles Russias alleged involvement in the leak of another trove of emails embarrassing to the Democrats.

That Director Comey would show more discretion in a matter concerning a foreign state actor than one involving the Democratic nominee for president is nothing short of jaw-dropping, Mook told the magazine Mother Jones.

Meanwhile, Trump is focusing attention on states like Michigan that dont usually vote Republican. Perhaps this is an act of desperation. Or perhaps he is onto something.

Thomas Walkoms column appears every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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Hey, they got new couches, I say as we drive along the Gardiner looking into condo living rooms only a few metres away. I think theyre going to regret those trumpet lamps though. Is that a guy thing?

I do this because I can. But why would you allow me to?

Inside Torontos glass towers nuzzled up against each other, owners have no privacy. Theyre Edward Hoppers nighthawks. This might be because theyre exhibitionists  the same way earnest young architects love Brutalist cement barns because theyre a blank backdrop for ones own gloriousness  or because they didnt think things through.

Meanwhile, strangers stuck in traffic mock your throw pillows.

Glass was precious once. In 1696, England imposed a window tax  windows were easy for tax collectors to count  and glass became a status symbol for the rich. But glass is cheap now and developers use it lavishly, pushing it as fashionable.

Beware fashion. The condos of the truly rich look sturdier, have smaller windows and a lot of architectural detailing. They dont want your glass menagerie.

When owners of $8.6-million glass condos in London realized that visitors to Tate Moderns new viewing gallery could stare straight into their homes, they protested at having become a human art installation.

The Tates director sneered and told them to buy net curtains. This was a class-based insult, a real whack at the knees. Only peasants like privacy apparently.

Edwin Heathcote, the Financial Times architectural critic, recently wrote a fine essay on glass, class and transparent lives, and I was happy because glass is now so omnipresent that no one discusses its malign effects.

Glass condos were sold as regal  you can look out over your spread  until you realized everyone could see in.

Homes need walls. Thats what makes them homes. A window is not a wall; it is also not sturdy. Badly installed, it falls and shatters in the streets. Partly thanks to warping  on the increase from extreme temperatures  those condo walls will have to be replaced every few decades. With a bit of neglect, a whole area becomes a slum.

As Heathcote writes, glass architecture began in Britain with buildings like the Palm House at Kew in 1848 and the Crystal Palace in London in 1851. Those were sturdy walls of smaller framed windows, but look at the landmark glass cube Apple Store on Fifth Avenue in New York, he writes. Its a symbol (the actual shop is underground) of how sinisterly transparent our lives are turning out to be.

Heathcote writes gently that the suburban curtain-twitching mocked by the Tate is actually being neighbourly in Jane Jacobs style. You know your neighbourhood and whos in it, and this is what led the backlash against Airbnb. The bricked Tate overlooks your glass home, but you cant see into the Tate. Whos the ogre now?

There was always an ethical dimension to transparency, the opening up of everyday life to the world, the throwing open of the metaphorical curtains, writes Heathcote. This is why Berlins new Reichstag has glazed chambers, for a confident citizenry, no Nazis governing here.

But we didnt give explicit permission to have our personal lives exposed. It just sort of happened.

Our Google searches are tracked, our Uber rides monitored. Were on CCTV outdoors. We get mass text messages from the Ontario Provincial Police who tracked cellphones in the vicinity of a murder recently. Employers read our private emails. Twitter and Facebook were meant to be liberating, but now theyre OMG.

What was the worst part of Ontario prisoner Adam Capays solitary-confinement torture? Was it the 24-hour-a-day lights or his barred Plexiglas cell? What monster devised his life under glass like a bug in a museum display?

Glass walls enable surveillance by weird neighbours, which is something women should consider. I have stalkers, so there are three layers of blinds on some windows of my house. I like light but I block anyone peering in.

At some point, condo owners will grow sick of transparency and buy blinds, which rather negates the purpose of the glass room.

Then you wouldnt have strangers deploring the weird brother-in-law sleeping on your couch, or what the dog does when youre out.

Or the way you have sex. Trust me, youre not doing it right. She is done with you. I can see the look in her eye. Shes getting up to leave.

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By PTI: Interestingly Indias nuclear energy establishment that

Interestingly Indias nuclear energy establishment that has many facilities on coastal India did not participate in the mock drill, confirmed officials of INCOIS.

It may be recalled that the massive destruction seen in the atomic power plants at Fukushima in Japan in 2011 was a consequence of lack of preparedness to handle a giant tsunami. Though it must be said all nuclear power plants in India are installed with sensors that automatically shut down the rectors if a big earthquake hits them.

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Since the inception of the tsunami early warning system, India has been fortunate that not a single massive tsunami has hit the Indian coast although the real test comes in providing targeted forecasts that can accurately predict the arrival time and wave height.

Last mile connectivity still remains a hurdle. Evacuating people from the zone that may face the disaster is another herculean task since convincing people to leave their homes and belongings is one of the toughest things.

People are reluctant to vacate their homes when cyclones and hurricanes strike but at the same time effective, credible and timely communication in local languages helps people feel confident to take shelter. Trust has to be won as enforced evacuations do not work that well.

Preparedness holds the key and it is well known that natural hazards turn disasters when effective communication fails. Community preparedness can save maximum lives when they are ably assisted by high-tech facilities like the Indian tsunami early warning system. PTI CORR SRY

--- ENDS ---
Saif Greenidges apartment is infested with cockroaches. Theres peeling paint on the ceiling from upstairs floods and mould in the bathroom. Yet Greenidge is obliged to pay $918 a month for his unit, despite the outstanding repair work.

Hes not alone. A survey by ACORN Toronto, which represents about 20,000 low- and moderate-income residents across the city, found about 95 per cent of its 174 respondents were living in deplorable conditions that violate the citys property standards bylaw. Worse, 29 per cent said they felt threatened when making complaints about the state of their units.

While the survey may be small, if the citys current audit program is any indication, it speaks to the state of repair in a many low-income rentals across the city. Since 2008, more than 58,000 deficiencies were found in the 1,046 apartment towers that were audited and more than 4,446 work orders were issued.

The city has a chance to make a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of people living in sub-standard rental units. It can and should implement a licensing or registration program being recommended by city staff to the Tenant Issues Committee on Wednesday that would force landlords to make repairs or face financial penalties.

Whats at stake is ensuring low income renters dont have to live with health hazards. The ACORN survey, for example, found 83 per cent of respondents have seen a cockroach in their apartment. More than 31 per cent had experienced a bed bug infestation. Just over half reported a lack of heating in their building and almost a quarter have been trapped in an elevator in the past two years. These are unacceptable conditions at any income level.

Among enforcement measures the committee should consider:

Prohibiting landlords with outstanding work orders from applying for rent increases or leasing vacant units.

Letting tenants pay rent into an account set up by a court or local housing department, instead of to their landlord, until repairs are done.

Fining landlords who dont comply with work orders up to $100,000.

Financing the program would be minimal for landlords of buildings that have 10 or more units and are three storeys or higher. An annual registration fee could be as much as $1,300 or as little as $800 for a 100-unit building, for example, depending on the financing structure the city adopts.

The Tenant Issues Committee should greenlight this plan and send it to city council for consideration at its Dec. 13 meeting. Tenants of all income levels deserve to live in homes that, at minimum, meet city standards.

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Re: Raised in Senegal, radicalized in Canada, Oct. 30

Raised in Senegal, radicalized in Canada, Oct. 30

Canadians should be up in arms about the RCMPs attempts to extort agreement to spy from citizens. The refusal of a Canadian to spy on friends should not be costing him his right to a passport or any other rights he deserves as a Canadian citizen.

Karin Brothers, Toronto

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NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares of Anthemundefined were higher in pre-market trading on Wednesday after the company posted 2016 third quarter revenue that topped Wall Street's expectations.

Before the market open, the Indianapolis-based health insurance provider reported revenue of $21.13 billion, beating analysts' projections of $20.83 billion, according to FactSet.

Adjusted earnings of $2.45 per share fell short of analysts' estimates of $2.47 per share.

Medical enrollment was 39.9 million by quarter's end vs. 38.7 million in the same period last year.

"Our third quarter results reflected our focus on improving affordability for our members and capitalizing on growth opportunities across our businesses," CEO Joseph Swedish said in a company statement.

For the full year, Anthem sees adjusted earnings of $10.80 per share on operating revenue of $83.5 billion. Analysts are looking for adjusted earnings of $10.85 per share on $83.4 billion in revenue.

The company is currently seeking regulatory approval for its proposed $54.2 billion acquisition of Cigna (CI).

Separately, TheStreet Ratings objectively rated Anthem stock according to its "risk-adjusted" total return prospect over a 12-month investment horizon. Not based on the news in any given day, the rating may differ from Jim Cramer's view or that of this articles's author.

TheStreet Ratings rated Anthem as a "buy" with a ratings score of B.

The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and attractive valuation levels. We feel its strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.

You can view the full analysis from the report here: ANTM
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Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) visited Inova Loudoun Hospital in Leesburg in 2014 to rally support for the expansion of Medicaid. On the left is J. Knox Singleton, the chief executive of Inova Health System. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

Inova Health System is nearing a $112 million deal with the University of Virginia School of Medicine to bolster its effort to become a national leader in genomics and cancer research.

Leaders from both organizations plan to announce an agreement Wednesday to form a research partnership and bring a regional campus of the universitys medical school to Inovas planned Center for Personalized Health in Merrifield.

The U-Va. medical school would keep its main campus in Charlottesville.

The agreement, which has not been finalized, would end a more than year-long search by Inova to identify a medical school to partner with on the discovery and commercialization of treatments for cancer and other diseases, a mission that dovetails with the Obama administrations $1 billion Moonshot initiative aimed at eliminating cancer.

Personalized medicine, in which patients receive treatment tailored to their genetic makeup, is considered a critical opportunity both to fight cancer and advance the commonwealths economy.

The Rotunda on the campus of the University of Virginia. (DAN ADDISON/UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA)

A medical school campus in Fairfax County would also create a path for U-Va. medical students to serve both at Inovas flagship hospital on Gallows Road and across the street, where Inova is building the Center for Personalized Health on a 117-acre former corporate complex of ExxonMobil.

With a research-intensive university and health system, we are committed to developing research breakthroughs that improve the human condition and to training the next generation of physicians and health care workers, U-Va. President Teresa A. Sullivan said in a statement.

This affiliation can help us better accomplish our missions in education and research.

Assuming that the new center receives accreditation, officials hope that the first 30- to 40-student class could begin working in Fairfax by 2021. (Some medical students already train at Inovas hospitals, and that number could grow in the interim).

J. Knox Singleton, Inova chief executive, said Inova would rely on the universitys prowess in engineering and computer science, critical tools to analyzing and utilizing reams of genetic data, as well as the schools experience using medical discoveries to launch new companies.

U-Va. would have a much more difficult time doing that outside of this partnership, and we would have a much more difficult time doing this outside of this partnership, he said.

The Virginia General Assembly included $28 million in funding for the partnership in its fiscal 2017-2018 budget, which took effect in July.

Founder and chairman of homebuilding and mortgage giant NVR, Dwight C. Schar, and his wife, Martha, have donated $50 million to the Inova hospital system to help develop a cancer research institute that will bear their names. (WUSA9)

Inova added to that by raising $56 million, a 2-to-1 match of the taxpayer dollars. U-Va. raised an additional $28 million to hit the $112 million total.

The U-Va. partnership is the latest in a long line of agreements Inova has formed since agreeing to buy the Exxon campus two years ago, including a deal to launch a new cancer center with a $50 million donation from home-building executive Dwight Schar.

Work rehabbing the buildings is underway. Singleton said he does not expect anyone to begin working on the new campus until late 2017.

He said other announcements are forthcoming, including a new investment initiative and blockbuster recruits from out of the region.

Inova officials had spoken previously with other universities, including Shenandoah University, about having a medical school presence on the research campus.

It announced a smaller partnership with George Mason University last year involving personalized medicine, backed by another $16 million in taxpayer funds.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) issued a statement praising J. Knox Singleton, Inova chief executive.

I applaud Inova and the University of Virginia for embarking on this exciting new initiative and look forward to the economic, scientific and quality of life benefits it will generate for all of us, McAuliffe said.

House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford), Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) and other state and local officials are scheduled to join the announcement Wednesday at the Center for Personalized Health.
MEDIA

Gawker settles with Hogan for $31 million

The shell of Gawker has settled with Hulk Hogan for $31 million, ending a years-long fight that led to the media companys bankruptcy, the shutdown of Gawker.com and the sale of Gawkers other sites to Spanish-language broadcaster Univision.

The invasion-of-privacy case, which revolved around a sex tape of Hogan posted on Gawker.com, resulted in a $140 million verdict won by the former professional wrestler in a Florida court. It became even more notorious when it emerged that Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel had bankrolled the suit. Thiel was outed as gay by a Gawker-owned website in 2007.

Under the settlement, Hogan will get $31 million and 45 percent of the proceeds from potential sale of Gawker.com, said Elizabeth Traub, a spokeswoman for Hogans lawyer, David Houston.

Gawker founder Nick Denton said in a blog post Wednesday that he was confident that an appeals court would have reduced the $140 million verdict, but an all-out war with Thiel would have cost too much, and hurt too many people, and there was no end in sight.

 Bloomberg News

AUTO INDUSTRY

Fuel economy reaches record high in U.S.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that the average fuel economy of 2015 model-year vehicles increased 0.5 mile per gallon to a record high of 24.8 miles per gallon.

Mazda had the highest average fuel economy of 29.6 miles per gallon, the EPA said. Fiat Chrysler had the lowest, at 20.8. Most manufacturers improved over 2014, but General Motors and Toyota had lower fuel economy in 2015 because they produced more trucks.

Weight loss is one reason fuel economy is increasing. Vehicles were an average of 25 pounds lighter in the 2015 model year than in the year before because automakers are using lighter materials such as aluminum and high-strength steel. Vehicle weight is expected to drop another 50 pounds in 2016, the agency said.

Trucks had the biggest weight declines in 2015, losing an average of 110 pounds, the EPA said. Car weights stayed flat from the prior year.

New engine and transmission technology also is making vehicles more efficient, EPA official Christopher Grundler said.

 Associated Press

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Lauren Middledorf poses for photos that she later added to her social-media accounts and her blog, Its All Good. (Photos by Debbie Cartee)

As soon as Lauren Middledorf starts striking poses, you can tell that shes done this more than a few times before.

Smile. Look at the camera. Look away. Reposition the leopard-print purse.

Tousle hair. Cross legs. Add sunglasses. Repeat.

The photographer  snapping away at her subject on a shadow-bathed outdoor plaza  occasionally chimes in with bits of advice. Teeth, she offers at one point, prompting Middledorf to give a broader grin. Let me take some more of your shoes against that, she says, betting the sleek black stilettos will pop against a beige block of concrete.

Middledorf is not a model: She has a full-time job as a corporate event coordinator. The photographer is her mom. And Middledorf put on this ensemble in the bathroom of a nearby restaurant.

Its all part of her effort to gain a modest slice of the mushrooming marketing budgets that retailers and megabrands are funneling to everyday women and men who have amassed large followings for their blogs, Instagram feeds or Snapchat stories.

[ Behind that pretty photo in your Instagram feed: Layers and layers of strategy ]

Brands regard these social-media influencers as relatable messengers for their goods. Companies pay them in fees or free products, resulting in sponsored posts in which, say, a millennial gal about town, working mom or fitness buff might talk up a pair of high heels from Kohls, show off a recipe made using Progresso bread crumbs or flash a smile thats been treated with Crest White Strips.

What was an experimental marketing practice only a short time ago has morphed into a mini-economy with dizzying financial stakes. The social-media analytics firm Captiv8 estimates that big brands are spending a collective $255 million per month for sponsored posts on Instagram alone. Captiv8 says Instagram influencers who have more than 7 million followers command an average rate of more than $150,000 per sponsored post.

Some have even signed with agents, who help them get connected for a cut of the earnings. Others have banded into informal syndicates to help promote one anothers posts, making them attractive to more brands.

As the business takes shape, and more people rush to join, some wonder whether the new form of marketing can hang onto the sheen of authenticity that made it successful in the first place. Already, regulators and consumer watchdogs have begun clamoring for more disclosure of the paid relationships. And already, some influencers are feeling the strain of their always-on lifestyle, where the product theyre selling is their own personality and taste.

Theirs is a world where happy hour with friends becomes a moment to trumpet ones enviable taste in cocktails to followers. Family vacations become paid photo ops. Pleasure becomes business.

In other words, while influencer marketing rose to prominence as a raw, credible antidote to the slick world of television and glossy magazines, it has metastasized into something every bit as calculated.

***

Middledorf, 24, has a blog called Its All Good  along with related Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest accounts  where she offers up fashion finds and showcases her life in Northern Virginias wine country. She got into the game about five years ago while she was in college, and much has changed since then.

Now that its so saturated, its getting harder and harder to get sponsored posts, said Middledorf, who has almost 5,000 Instagram followers.

Thats part of why she and legions of other influencers go to greater and greater lengths to make sure their feeds feature only the most polished aspirational imagery.

For Middledorf, that means studying Pinterest for fresh posing ideas. She has honed tricks such as walking backward, a tactic she swears actually appears as a more natural walk in photos. And she scouts locations ahead of time to make sure the scenery is a fitting background for a certain outfit. On one Sunday afternoon in October, she shot a date-night outfit  lacy top, skinny jeans, sexy heels  in bustling Reston Town Center. Then it was off to a pumpkin patch in Bluemont, Va., to shoot a casual boots-and-flowy-dress look.

Across the influencer universe, this kind of meticulous choreography is common.

Alicia Chew, a style and food influencer, figured out how to replicate the marble countertops she lacked to showcase beauty products. Her solution: She bought some marble-print contact paper and slapped it on a piece of cardboard.

I have to make my life a little  well, actually a lot  more glamorous than it actually is, Chew said.



Alicia Chew, a style and food influencer, poses for photos for her blog. ( Photos by Rosa Carrasco )

Getting the photos to look enticing is just part of the process.

Influencers say they often log hours each day trying simply to expand their following so that they can command larger fees: Theyll respond one by one to commenters, post content across channels including Pinterest and Twitter, and like other peoples social posts.

For some, all that effort can become, well, work. Elizabeth LaBau, who has more than 8,000 Instagram followers on her desserts site SugarHero, said she used to enjoy posting on Pinterest.

Now I schedule my Pinterest time every week, and I just sit down and do it like a kid eating broccoli.

[ Teenage Instagram star says decision to stop chasing likes and shares made her feel free ]

***

Behind the work exists a more philosophical challenge: How does an influencer make money without diluting a carefully crafted, real-girl or real-guy brand?

Influencers typically gained traction because they did not come off as corporate shills. If they clutter peoples feeds with too many sponsored posts or execute those sponsored posts in a way that feels contrived, they might alienate readers.

Chew, for example, maintains a lifestyle blog called Alicia Tenise and an Instagram feed with about 12,000 followers. She has done all sorts of sponsored posts, including with Banana Republic, Rent the Runway, Pepsi, Brita and Enterprise CarShare. But there was one that ticked her followers off.

I did a campaign with a mouthwash company a little over a year ago, and I got so much backlash over that, Chew said.

Readers scoffed, complaining that she was endorsing a product that wasnt in her wheelhouse. Since then, Chew has tried to rethink her strategy, doing fewer sponsored posts but raising her rates to offset the reduced rate of earning.

Sponsors, though, can be tricky to manage. Chew agreed to participate in one brands Twitter chat before realizing that the brand had a set of canned answers for her to deliver.

They asked what a family tradition was for Fourth of July, Chew said.

She was supposed to respond that she and her family go to the lake. Problem is, Chew cant swim, and so she thought her followers would sense right away it was phony. She told the brand that shed need to say something that was more true to her real life.

Such tight restrictions from brands are not unusual. Kimberly Smith of Penny Pincher Fashion said shes been asked not to use words such as cheap or budget when writing about a low-priced item. Amanda Kushner of Glitter & Spice says one food company asked her to feature its cracker in an original recipe but said she could not show any photos of the cracker in crumbled form.

***

At the upper echelons of the influencer hierarchy, there is evidence of just how lucrative this new world can be. Aimee Song, whose Song of Style feed on Instagram has 4 million followers, has signed an endorsement deal with Laura Mercier cosmetics that is reportedly worth more than $500,000. Emily Schuman, who founded Cupcakes & Cashmere and has racked up more than 300,000 Instagram followers, now has a clothing collection that is sold at Nordstrom and Shopbop. Logan Paul, an influencer who is known for quirky, comedic videos, recently said he was paid $200,000 for a single days work.

But even with fewer followers, you can do quite well. LaBau, the desserts blogger, said she charged $200 for her first sponsored post years ago but now can command up to 10 times that per post.



Elizabeth LaBau, right, displays her Cosmic Brownie Mini Cakes. LaBau says her blog posts can take her 15 to 20 hours to execute, including time devoted to baking, decorating, prop shopping, photography and other steps. (Provided by Elizabeth LaBau)

Some of the proposed arrangements do not involve money at all.

I had a company that was going to send me hair extensions  but not pay me for it  but wanted a blog post, three Instagram posts, two Twitter posts and a Facebook post spaced out over a three-month period, said Anna Dille Cobbs, a Dallas-based speech therapist who runs a fashion and recipe site called Fleur Dille. Thats crazy.

Cobbs charges $250 to $400 for a sponsorship package that includes a blog post and one related post each on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Sponsored posts are not the only way for influencers to monetize their work. They also can join affiliate networks that allow them to make a few pennies on each click they drive to retailers websites or that pay them commissions on the sales they facilitate on retailers websites.

But, overall, its an uncertain landscape. Regulators have begun insisting that sponsorships be more transparent, with greater disclosures. And the technological landscape keeps changing. For example, Instagram moved recently from a chronological feed to an algorithm-driven feed. This has some influencers worried that it will become hard to enlarge their followings and get as many likes as they need to keep brands happy.

Such changes have made some skeptical that the influencer marketing boom can be sustained.

Chew, for one, said she has no plan to abandon her day job working full-time for a media group in Tysons Corner, Va.

Im a little hesitant right now, Chew said, because Im not exactly sure when the blogger bubble is going to burst.
The United States and India can jointly make a difference in the lives of ordinary people, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma said on Tuesday.

By Indo-Asian News Service: The United States and India can jointly make a difference in the lives of ordinary people, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma said on Tuesday.

"Our work together is improving the lives of ordinary people everywhere," he said while delivering a talk on 'US-India Relations' with a focus on education at the Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi.

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Verma said the two countries could also help overcome the shared challenges faced by their citizens and people around the world.

21st CENTURY DEFINED BY NEW SECURITY PARADIGM



Noting that the 21st century is increasingly defined by a new security paradigm, which includes terrorism and asymmetrical warfare, cyber threats, environmental degradation, climate change, pandemic diseases, resource scarcity and other non-conventional challenges, he emphasised that "like-minded partners must come together and leverage all the elements of our national powers in order to overcome these challenges."

Also read: India will lead world in almost every category by 2030: Richard Verma



The US ambassador said strains to the international order, compounded by globalisation and economic inequality, were also bringing to the fore voices that sought to exploit fears and build barriers to cooperation.

"We see this in many parts of the world, with growing pockets of intolerance and anti-immigrant sentiments. This includes instances of unacceptable rhetoric against the Muslims, including in the United States, and particularly during this Presidential campaign season," Verma added.



US-INDIA EDUCATION LINKAGES



About the US-India education linkages, he said the number of Indian students studying in the US has reached 1,32,000, the highest number ever.

"We would like these numbers to grow even higher. We have Education USA advisory centres in seven cities across India, which are assisting students in accessing higher education opportunities through virtual and in-person outreach sessions and one-to-one consultations," he added.

Also read: US envoy Richard Verma hails Obama's words on tolerance



He said that it was important that partnership of the two nations had a practical impact on the ground.

"Twice in the last 12 months, the US and India have come together to combat global climate change, first at the Paris Agreement in December and last month at the Kigali Conference on hydroflurocarbons," he said, adding that it is the "global leadership" in action.



18 COUNTRIES WORKING FOR GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT



Verma also noted that 18 countries, across Africa and Asia, were working with the US and India to advance global development in areas like agriculture, nutrition, health, clean energy, women's empowerment, education, and sanitation.

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"We're also working to build security capacity in Africa. Earlier this year, the US and India launched a new joint training programme for United Nations peacekeepers from Africa. The first batch of nearly three dozen African troops completed their training in August," he added.

He also said that space remains "the most exciting area of cooperation" between the two nations.

NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO were working together to develop an advanced satellite that would observe and measure some of the planet's most complex processes, including ecosystem disturbances, ice-sheet collapse, and natural hazards, he added.

--- ENDS ---
Natalie Babbitt, a celebrated author of childrens literature whose 1975 novel Tuck Everlasting led millions of young readers on an exploration, both fantastical and philosophical, of what it might mean to live forever, died Oct. 31 at her home in Hamden, Conn. She was 84.

The cause was lung cancer, said her husband, Samuel Fisher Babbitt.

Mrs. Babbitt wrote or illustrated more than two dozen books, among them Kneeknock Rise (1970), a recipient of the Newbery Honor. But she was best known for Tuck Everlasting, a volume that became required reading in many schools and a favorite of children and parents alike. Novelist Anne Tyler once described it as one of the best books ever written  for any age.

Set in the town of Treegap at the turn of the 20th century, the novel centers on a girl, Winnie Foster, who befriends the Tuck family. To her awe, Winnie learns that the Tucks have drunk from a spring that confers eternal life  and that if the water is not a curse, it is not a blessing, either.

The family must contend with a menacing unnamed man, recognizable by his yellow suit, who sets out to sell the water as an elixir, not minding the isolation that comes with its spell. And while one Tuck son wishes that Winnie will drink from the spring and be his eternal love, his father tries to save her from the waters allure.

Dyings part of the wheel, right there next to being born, he tells her. You cant pick out the pieces you like and leave the rest. Being part of the whole thing, thats the blessing. But its passing us by, us Tucks.

If I knowed how to climb back on the wheel, Id do it in a minute, he continues. You cant have living without dying. So you cant call it living, what we got. We just are, we just be, like rocks beside the road.

Mrs. Babbitt once told Publishers Weekly that everything in the book comes from actually living it. Treegap and the surrounding area was based on a refuge in the Adirondacks where she vacationed. She wrote the book for her 4-year-old daughter, who one day awoke from a nap crying and afraid, her mother discerned, of death.

It seemed to me that that was the kind of thing you could be scared of for the rest of your life, Mrs. Babbitt told NPR years later. And it seemed to me that I could write a story about how its something that everybody has to do and its not a bad thing.

Tuck Everlasting was quickly recognized as a classic. The story is macabre and moral, exciting and excellently written, Philippa Pearce, a childrens author, wrote in a New York Times review. It has no absolute end, because Time hasnt.

The book, like the Tucks, proved ageless. It was adapted into a film in 1981 and again in 2002, with William Hurt and Sissy Spacek as the Tucks, Alexis Bledel as Winnie and Ben Kingsley as the man in the yellow suit. The novel also inspired a short-lived Broadway musical this year. A moral  or at least one unmuddied by questions  proved elusive.

People are always looking for a lesson in it, but I dont think it has one, Mrs. Babbitt said in an interview with Scholastic. It presents dilemmas, and I think thats what life does! . . . I think a lot of adults would like to think that things are simple for kids, but thats not so.

Natalie Zane Moore was born in Dayton, Ohio, on July 28, 1932. Her father was a businessman, and her mother was an amateur painter.

Inspired by her mother, she said she knew from an early age that she wanted to be a book illustrator. She was a 1954 art graduate of Smith College in Northampton, Mass.

Her first illustrations appeared in The Forty-Ninth Magician (1966), a picture book with text by her husband. After an editor suggested that Mrs. Babbitt pursue her own writing, she wrote several volumes in verse, eventually moving into chapter books.

Her early titles included The Search for Delicious (1969), set in a magical kingdom complete with king, queen and mermaid. Next came Kneeknock Rise, about a mountain-dwelling monster that may be symbolic or real.

Like Tuck, The Eyes of the Amaryllis (1977), about a widow who waits decades for her husband lost at sea, was adapted for film.

Mrs. Babbitt said her favorite book that she had written for children was Goody Hall (1971), a Gothic mystery with a happy ending, and that her favorite book overall was Herbert Rowbarge (1982), an adult novel about a man separated from his twin as a baby.

Her most recent book was The Moon Over High Street (2012), about an orphan who must choose between following his dream, however obstacle-strewn, of becoming an astronomer or being adopted by a millionaire who may not be able to offer him a happy life.

Survivors include Mrs. Babbitts husband of 62 years, Samuel Fisher Babbitt of Hamden; three children, Christopher Babbitt of Hudson, Wis., Thomas Babbitt of Brunswick, Maine, and Lucy Babbitt of Stratford, Conn.; and three grandchildren.

Once, Mrs. Babbitt was asked why she let Winnie decline the magical water and die in Tuck Everlasting.

Winnie did what I would have done, Mrs. Babbitt told Scholastic. I think that living forever would be a terrible thing. It would be boring, sad and lonely.


Former Americas Test Kitchen colleagues Christopher Kimball, second from left, and Jack Bishop, second from right, pictured in 2010, are now on opposite sides of a lawsuit filed by Americas Test Kitchen against Kimball because of his new Milk Street venture. (Laurie Swope for The Washington Post)

Milk Street, Christopher Kimballs new magazine, has been on stands for just about two weeks, and its already prompted a lawsuit from his former employer, Americas Test Kitchen.

[Q&A: Christopher Kimball talks about Milk Street]

On Monday, as first reported by the Boston Globe, Americas Test Kitchen (ATK) filed a complaint in Massachusettss Suffolk County Superior Court against Kimball and his new company. His co-defendants are his wife and former ATK employee, Melissa Baldino; Christine Gordon, Kimballs former executive assistant at ATK; and Deborah Broide, who worked as a public relations consultant for ATK.

Mr. Kimball spent the last year of his employment with Americas Test Kitchen creating a new venture which literally and conceptually ripped off Americas Test Kitchen, the lawsuit says. (While Americas Test Kitchen is the brands flagship public television series, its also the name of the multimedia corporation that includes its cookbook operations, online cooking school, Cooks Illustrated and Cooks Country magazines, a now-defunct radio show, and a variety of other assets.)

The lawsuit claims that Kimball essentially stole company resources to create a competing venture, Milk Street, that, like ATK, includes radio, television and online presences. Both companies are based in the greater Boston area.

Its more complex than a former employee going out and starting a new business, Jack Bishop, ATKs chief creative officer, said in an interview. Thats because Kimball, one of ATKs founders, is still considered a partial owner.

No one is really happy were here. Let me start with that. Im not the only one who has known Chris and worked with Chris for a long time, but we are here because of Chriss actions, said Bishop, who also frequently appeared with Kimball in Americas Test Kitchen and Cooks Country segments. It is what it is.

Scott Lashway of the Boston office of firm Holland & Knight, the attorney representing Kimball and his co-defendants, declined to comment. But in an interview with The Post last month about the new venture, Kimball said Milk Street is inspired by global cuisine that is less reliant on heat and time and more so on spices and levels of flavor. Its just a whole new way of thinking about cooking, Kimball said. In my prior iteration, which lasted 35 years, there would be no starting point outside of the kitchen. . . . With Milk Street, I think, were always starting someplace outside of Milk Street. Were trying to tell the story to give a little bit of context. Were trying to travel to actually go learn something.

Among other things, ATK is seeking damages for Kimballs breach of fiduciary duties, from both Kimball and the co-defendants for aiding and abetting him. It also seeks the return of a portion of Kimballs 2015 salary, as well as part of Baldinos, Gordons and Broides, since it accuses all of building Milk Street on ATK time.

The suit also seeks all profits Kimball and CPK Media derived from the theft and misappropriation of ATKs confidential information, trade secrets and business opportunities.

Weve pored over the 39-page complaint, as well as emails attached to it. Here are some of the big take-aways.



Milk Streets charter issue and a recent issue of Cooks Illustrated. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

Americas Test Kitchen alleges that Kimball used company resources and relationships to create his new endeavor.

To quickly break into the marketplace with a viable and recognizable company, it alleges, Mr. Kimball stole confidential information from Americas Test Kitchen, solicited Americas Test Kitchen employees and outside relationships and misappropriated corporate opportunities belonging to Americas Test Kitchen.

Among ATKs allegations: that Kimball sought to capture the email addresses of readers; that Gordon misrepresented herself as doing business for ATK while searching for real estate for Milk Street; that Broide provided Kimball with media lists she had built while a consultant at ATK; and that Kimball tried to recruit current ATK staff to work at Milk Street.

According to the suit, even after Kimball was officially terminated as an employee of ATK in November 2015, he maintained an 8.59 percent partnership interest in the company. In addition to his responsibilities as an employee, his position as a part owner means Kimball violated his fiduciary duty of utmost good faith and loyalty to ATK and his partners in creating a competing business built on what he allegedly took from the company, the suit claims.

We are not arguing that Chris couldnt go out and create something in the food and media business, Bishop said, but ATK takes issue with the way he has done so and how it appears to rest on literally the shoulders of our intellectual property.

Kimballs work at ATK has been lucrative.

According to the suit, in 2015, he was paid more than $1 million in salary and bonuses. But that doesnt include his partnership distributions; so far this year that has totaled $772,000. According to the lawsuit, he has been paid more than $30 million in partnership distributions, which an ATK representative said began in 1995.

Emails can leave a potentially incriminating paper trail.

The suit cites a variety of electronic communications sent and received by the defendants. Emails attached to the complaint include notes between Gordon and real estate brokers; between Kimball and an IT consultant covering such issues as how to store hundreds of recipes Kimball said he was scanning (which ATK alleges were stolen) and whether ATK would have access to his Gmail account (messages from that account are in fact included in the suit); between Broide and Kimball regarding the media lists; and between Gordon and the ATK help desk about whether company scanners would keep copies of documents she scanned.

And thats just a start. The suit asserts that further investigations into Kimballs private email accounts will likely reveal additional instances of corporate theft.



Julia Collin Davison, left, and Bridget Lancaster have taken over as the hosts of public television's America's Test Kitchen. (Steve Klise/America's Test Kitchen)

Americas Test Kitchens radio and television shows are already being affected.

In January, a new 26-episode season of Americas Test Kitchen (which the suit says is public televisions most-watched cooking show) will become available to stations, which have flexibility to air according to their own schedules. It will be the first one to not include Kimball as host; hes being replaced by a duo of longtime on-air personalities, Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster. A similar transition will occur in the next season of Cooks Country, which will be available starting in September 2017.

The lawsuit alleges that Milk Street has already interfered with ATKs television properties. It claims that Kimball and Baldino met with ATKs production company before the pair left ATK; the production company is now working to produce Milk Streets series and informed ATK that it would be severing relations with ATK even though ATK expressed a strong desire to continue the contract, the suit says.

The suit alleges that Kimball also sought out PBS affiliate WGBH in Boston as Milk Streets presenting station, meaning it works to market a show, get stations to pick it up and ensure programmers schedule it at an optimal hour. ATK was forced to change its presenting station for the 2017 season, the suit says (its now Arlington-based WETA), because WGBH would otherwise be presenting three shows with Kimball as host, due to broadcasts of the current seasons and reruns. Milk Street is filming its first season, with a projected air date of fall 2017.

Similarly, the suit alleges that Kimballs actions on behalf of Milk Streets radio program harmed ATK. It says that the distributor of ATKs radio show decided not to renew its agreement with ATK, concluding that Milk Street Radio competed directly with ATK Radio. ATK also alleges that in November 2015, Kimball orchestrated the bait and switch by offering to produce ATK Radio through his new company  and ATK accepted on assurances that Mr. Kimball had no plans to compete with ATK  but then announced in April that he would cease production in six months. The last day of ATK Radio was Oct. 15, and Kimballs new show debuted a week later. ATK has now forged a partnership with radio program The Splendid Table, which, beginning in 2017, will feature a weekly ATK segment.



Americas Test Kitchen claims that Christopher Kimballs Milk Street is too similar to Cooks Illustrated in both design and content. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

Similarities between Milk Street and Cooks Illustrated magazines are too close for ATKs comfort.

The lawsuit disputes Kimballs claim that Milk Street is conceptually different from Cooks Illustrated (which the suit says has more than 1 million paid subscribers) because of its focus on global recipes and techniques, rather than Northern European tradition. Since its inception, ATK has written about recipes and techniques from around the world, especially in Cooks Illustrated, the suit says. Indeed, while at ATK, Kimball openly compared Northern European cooking (as a melting pot cuisine) with the rest of the world, which uses more spices and less heat  the very concept he now touts as the foundation of Milk Street. Additionally, it states, Kimball promotes Milk Street as a cosmopolitan reboot of Americas Test Kitchen.

The lawsuit also takes a very detailed approach to comparing the two magazines. In format, Milk Street Magazine runs 32 pages, the same page count of Cooks Illustrated and Cooks Country, which Mr. Kimball previously recognized as unique. It has no ads. It moves from a table of contents insert to a Page 1 editors note letter . . . to recipe features to a Page 32 Tools review, to a stylized back cover, the suit says. In design, Milk Street Magazine employs layout and font nearly identical to Cooks Illustrated.

In content, Milk Street Magazines recipe section employs the same narrative arc of the Cooks Illustrated case study approach, the suit alleges, in which a problem is diagnosed and food science and subsequent recipe testing are used to address it.

Were not an island when it comes to recipe and food coverage, Bishop said in the interview, but he said the unique approach that the lawsuit accuses Kimball of usurping is what makes Milk Street much more uncomfortably similar to ATK than other publications and blogs.

The lawsuit also claims that Milk Streets masthead reveals that at least 15 former and current ATK employees and freelancers now work for Milk Street. . . . This astonishing continuity in workforce ensures the across-the-board replication of ATK by Milk Street.

According to a Sept. 26, 2015, email that the suit quotes, Kimball wrote to Bishop: Im not interested in going head to head with ATK  too much at stake financially, and Im not that lame!

The conflict was apparently brewing long before Kimball officially left.

The lawsuit says that as early as 2013, discussions were underway at ATK to bring on professional executives, including a formal COO and CEO, and board members who had more media industry experience. That came to fruition in 2015, including the hiring of David Nussbaum as chief executive; Kimball had functioned as the CEO of ATK up until that point, the suit says. It alleges that Kimball secretly resented giving up any control of the business and began to build Milk Street while still in talks with ATK about continuing to serve as a leader and the external face of ATK.

The suit claims that in late August 2015, Kimball told other employees he had been fired and began trying to recruit colleagues to join his new venture.

But according to the suit, by that point the board had offered to keep Kimball on at the same salary and bonuses, and didnt fire him until November, in part because of his alleged work to start Milk Street.
Protesters demonstrate at the Dakota Access pipeline project construction site in North Dakota. (Morton County Sheriff's Department via European Pressphoto Agency)

President Obama said the U.S. government is looking for ways to reroute an oil pipeline in North Dakota to address concerns raised by Native American tribes.

Obamas comments were his first to directly address the clashes between police and protesters over the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline.

My view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans. And I think that right now the Army Corps [of Engineers] is examining whether there are ways to reroute this pipeline, Obama said Tuesday.

The government halted work on part of the 1,172-mile project in September because of protests by tribes that say the pipeline would disturb sacred land and pollute waterways.

The injustices done to native people in North Dakota and throughout the country must be addressed, said David Archambault II, Standing Rock Sioux chairman.

The pipeline would offer the most direct route for crude oil from North Dakota to Gulf Coast refineries.
Five school board races are on the ballot in Prince Georges County this election season, at a time when the school system has been struggling amid fallout from child abuse cases and the loss of a $6.4 million federal grant for its Head Start early education program.

With no incumbents in the running for two of the five races, the Board of Education  which has a hand in making policy for a 130,800-student district that runs on a $1.93 billion budget  is clearly headed for change.

Nine of the 14 members are elected by county voters, one is a student member and four are appointed by county officials, a structure created in 2013 as part of an effort by County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) to have more control over the school system. Baker has endorsed a candidate in each of the five nonpartisan races.

[Prince Georges executive moves to take over struggling school system]

District 1

(Kenneth Harris, Gold Wave Studios/Prince Georges school board candidate David Murray)

David Murray, 24, who works in investment consulting, also ran for the board in 2010 and 2012. He is essentially unopposed in the race following the withdrawal of his opponent, Raul Jurado, who said he has moved out of state but whose name will still appear on the ballot.

Murrays top issues include incorporating financial literacy into schools, so that students better understand instruments such as credit cards and loans. No matter what you go into, youre going to need those skills, he said.

Another priority is parental engagement, which he calls a big driver in student success.

Murray, who was endorsed by Baker and the Prince Georges County Educators Association, called for an outside investigation into Head Start, beyond a recently ordered state audit.

If the board was more forthcoming and open, then we may not have lost the grant, and we could have gotten started on solving these problems sooner, he said.

Murray served on the Maryland State Board of Education when he was a senior at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. He graduated from University of Maryland Baltimore County.

District 4



Prince Georges school board candidates Patricia Eubanks, left, and Abel Olivo. (Courtesy of Eubanks, Olivo campaigns)

Patricia Eubanks, 55, is seeking her third term on the board. She lives in Capitol Heights; her two children are graduates of county schools.

Eubanks said her priorities include boosting early childhood education and parental involvement. She is passionate about the need for parents at every income level to be involved with schools, and says she would like to offer preschool to more children at younger ages.

On abuses in Head Start, Eubanks said the district should have acted with greater urgency and held employees to higher levels of accountability. A state audit will spotlight areas not handled correctly, she said, and the school system can use those findings to improve its oversight.

Eubanks, who was endorsed by Baker, said she has taken classes at University of Maryland University College and Trinity in Washington, D.C., but does not have a college degree.

Abel Olivo, 42, a stay-at-home father of two, lives in Cheverly and has a career background in government relations. His top issues are ensuring the safety of students and increasing community and family engagement with schools.

When someone speaks up, we need to make sure they are heard, he said, adding that all members of the school community  principals, teachers, support staff, board members  need to be present, engaged and responsive.

[How a Maryland school system lost its Head Start grant]

As he has campaigned, Olivo said, he has heard from many county residents who are upset with the school systems handling of Head Start. The publics trust is gone, and that is unfortunate, he said. We need to restore that trust.

A graduate of Ohio State University, Olivo has been an active school and community volunteer. He serves on the board of the Cheverly Parent Resource Center, and has been involved in PTA work and taught English classes at St. Ambrose Catholic Church.

District 5



Prince Georges school board candidates Cheryl Landis, left, and Raaheela Ahmed. (Courtesy of Landis, Ahmed campaigns)

Raaheela Ahmed, 23, who does financial consulting for federal agencies, lives in Bowie and is making her second try for a school board seat. Her top issues are transparency and accountability, community engagement and school safety.

As she and her campaign volunteers have talked to residents  visiting 5,000 homes over the summer, she said  the biggest issue was whether the district is being managed properly: A lot of people were concerned about oversight, she said.

Looking at the Head Start and abuse scandals, Ahmed said: I think it comes down to being reactive, as opposed to proactive, and I think thats a deep cultural issue we have with our school system. Ahmed said she thinks the state audit of Head Start is a positive step but should have been approved more quickly.

It shouldnt take that much effort to fight for something like that, she said. We should be willing to be transparent and see what went wrong.

A 2011 graduate of Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Ahmed  who has been endorsed by the teachers union  earned two bachelors degrees from the University of Maryland at College Park. She said she would push for a more interactive budget website and an evaluation of programs to see which are most effective.

Cheryl Landis, 62, a 27-year school system employee from Upper Marlboro who retired this week , is making her first run for office. Landis spent 17 years working in the school board offices, and more recently focused on partnerships with businesses, nonprofits and community groups.

Landis is a former chair of the Prince Georges County Democratic Central Committee and has been endorsed by Baker. She says one of her top concerns is how the board operates and works with the superintendent and community. The board must be functional, not dysfunctional. They must work as a unit.

Of recent abuse scandals, Landis said the board should hold the administration accountable for acting on safety task force recommendations. She said she would like updates on progress quarterly, not yearly. She also would push for a volunteer coordinator position and a process to track where volunteers are working within the system.

Landis, mother of a school system graduate, said she would work to ensure schools in her district have a fully engaged PTA and would help foster partnerships between District 5 schools and area businesses and nonprofit groups. She is a high school graduate.

District 7



Prince Georges school board candidates John E. Richardson, left, and K. Alexander Wallace, right. (Left photo by Belinda Queen-Howard; right photo by supporters of K. Alexander Wallace)

John E. Richardson, 52, a former teacher and assistant principal, lives in Forestville and works as a permit specialist and snow route inspector for the county department of public works and transportation. He is making his second bid for school board.

His top issues are academic achievement and improved communications. More than 20 percent of ninth-graders at three high schools in his district are retained each year, he said. I would like to improve the promotion rates.

On abuse scandals, Richardson said the school system has taken steps to improve, but more can be done. He would focus on extensive background checks and training: The more people know what to look for, the more we can stop it before it happens.

Richardson said he brings 17 years experience as an educator to his quest for public office; he left D.C. public schools in 2009 amid a reduction in force.

Over the years, he has held church leadership positions and served in the Marine Corps Reserve. He earned a bachelors degree from the University of District of Columbia and a masters from National Louis University.

K. Alexander Wallace, 25, an incumbent who has worked in policy analysis, lives in Upper Marlboro. He was appointed to the board last year by Baker, and has the backing of the county executive and the teachers union in his bid for an elected term.

Wallace says his top issues include introducing career and technology education programs to middle schools, to help students make the transition to high school. He also wants to seek the involvement of alumni and encourage them to give their time and talent to schools.

He said he was disgusted to hear about the Head Start abuse allegations and added, We have to be much stronger in our approach to rooting out bad apples and bad actors.

Wallace said he does not support calls for the resignation of board leaders or schools chief Kevin Maxwell, and said Maxwells contract should be renewed. I truly appreciate his dedication to his home county, he said.

Wallace earned a bachelors degree at Towson University and a masters degree at University of Baltimore. He was a policy fellow at the Education Trust and worked in the office of state Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince Georges).

District 8



Prince Georges school board candidates Stephanie Hinton, left, and Edward Burroughs III. (Left photo: David Sachs, Hinton campaign; right photo: courtesy of Edward Burroughs III)

Edward Burroughs III, 24, an incumbent from Temple Hills, works as a director of business development for a company that runs food service programs. He joined the board as a student member, serving for two years before graduating in 2010 from Crossland High School. Since then, he has been elected to two more terms. He graduated from University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Burroughs, who was endorsed by the teachers union, says his priorities are accountability and transparency. He wants an external investigation into how the school system handled problems in Head Start and why it took so long to discipline the employees involved. He was among the five school board members who called for the resignation of top board leaders following the crisis and, more recently, for Maxwell to step down.

We have a leadership issue and an accountability issue. More money alone is not going to solve the problem, Burroughs said. He wants to focus on special education and says he will continue to push for adding math and reading specialists for the 25 lowest-performing schools.

Stephanie Hinton, 52, a fifth-grade teacher from Temple Hills, is a first-time candidate. Her priorities include working to reduce class sizes in schools and retain quality teachers in the district.

I see teachers leaving mid-year . . . because they are being offered better pay in other districts, she said.

Hinton, who was endorsed by Baker, said that recent abuse scandals are a major concern and that the county needs to be proactive. When problems do arise, she said, the investigations need to happen more rapidly as well as consequences.

[Teacher pushed out of Head Start kept in school system for months]

Too many teachers are idling on administrative leave amid reports of possible abuse or neglect, Hinton said: If they are guilty, they need to be fired. And if they are not guilty, they need to be back in the classroom. We cant keep people in limbo.

Hintons career in education spans 20 years, including seven in county schools, several in Catholic schools and a period as owner of a tutoring service. In her 20s, she was a military police officer in the Army. She graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park.
Officials from the Prince George's Hospital Center brief reporters during an evacuation of the neonatal intensive care unit earlier this year.

The Prince Georges Hospital Center is closing its neonatal intensive care unit for the second time this year following another bacterial outbreak among its patients.

Dimensions Health Care Systems, the nonprofit organization that runs the hospital, said in a statement on Wednesday that all five tiny patients will be transferred from the unit after two were found to have tested positive for the Pseudomonas bacterium.

At this time there is no environmental indication or defined cause for the latest bacterium presence, Dimensions said in the statement.

Chief Operating Officer Sherry B. Perkins called the germ a complex epidemiological case, but said experts are working closely with the hospital to get rid of it.

This outbreak comes one month after the hospital reopened the NICU, after state and hospital officials implemented safeguards to prevent Pseudomonas from recolonizing in the hospitals water system. The waterborne germ is notoriously difficult to eradicate.

[NICU closed at Maryland hospital after discovery of deadly bacteria]

Pseudomonas can be deadly for people with compromised immune systems, such as babies in the NICU. It is fairly common in tap water and can spread by health care workers hands and insufficiently sterilized medical equipment.

The bacteria was first discovered in the Cheverly hospital in early August, when officials said routine nasal swabs from several infants detected its presence.

[Bacteria found in infants, discovered in Pr. Georges hospital plumbing]

At that time, nine NICU patients were transferred to Childrens National Medical Center in the District.

It took nearly two months for the hospital and state epidemiologists to discover the source of the bacteria: the plumbing supplying water to the NICU. They removed sinks that had harbored Pseudomonas, installed filters on faucets and treated the water.

State health officials said their agency was informed of the latest outbreak on Sunday.

Dimensions did not respond to additional questions regarding how the bacteria was detected or whether any children were sickened by the outbreak.

It is unclear where the patients were being transferred.
Prince William County

These were among incidents reported by Prince William County police for this edition of Local Living. For information, call 703-792-5123.

BRISTOW AREA

ASSAULT

Drum Salute Pl., 12100 block, 12:07 a.m. Oct. 21. During an argument, a male juvenile pepper-sprayed and assaulted a male relative. A Bristow male juvenile, 17, was arrested.

DUMFRIES AREA

ROBBERIES

River Heritage Blvd., 3100 block, 8:48 p.m. Oct. 20. Two masked gunmen robbed a gas station of cash.

Telescope Lane, 16600 block, 2:54 p.m. Oct. 25. A male juvenile grabbed an unknown male juvenile pedestrian from behind and lifted him off the ground. A second male juvenile took the pedestrians shoes, and the two assailants then fled.

GAINESVILLE AREA

ASSAULT

Deming Dr., 14700 block, 5:54 p.m. Oct. 24. A man pushed a male relative and forcibly took his car keys. Responding officers found the man in the relatives parked vehicle. When an officer opened the drivers door and ordered the man to exit, the man put the vehicle in reverse and pinned the officer between the door and a street sign. The driver continued in reverse and hit his relative. A Gainesville man, 36, was arrested.

BREAK-IN

Glenkirk Rd., 14000 block, 9:30 p.m. Oct. 18 to 6:40 p.m. Oct. 19. A place of worship was entered by damaging a rear door. Minor damage was found inside. Nothing was reported stolen.

MANASSAS AREA

WEAPONS

Claremont St., 8200 block, 1:38 p.m. Oct. 22. Several gunshots were heard. Bullets hit a residence. No one was reported injured.

Irongate Way, 10200 block, 2:22 a.m. Oct. 24. Several gunshots were heard. Bullets hit a residence. No one was reported injured.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Bulloch Dr., 10800 block, 3 a.m. Oct. 24. A man entered a business by breaking a window. He fled empty-handed.

Centreville Rd., 7500 block, 2:45 a.m. Oct. 25. A man attempted to enter a business. The business owner, who had been asleep inside, called police. A Manassas man, 22, was arrested.

Centreville Rd., 8300 block, 4 a.m. Oct. 23. Cash was stolen from a business entered through a side door.

Yorkshire Lane, 9100 block, 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 19. A video-game system was stolen from a residence.

TRIANGLE AREA

INDECENT EXPOSURE

Graham Park Rd. and Purvis Dr., 6:30 a.m. Oct. 21. A man in a vehicle exposed himself as a female juvenile pedestrian walked by him.

WOODBRIDGE AREA

ASSAULTS

Briar Rose Lane, 1900 block, 12:11 a.m. Oct. 24. During an argument, a man assaulted a female acquaintance. A Woodbridge man, 26, was arrested.

Minnieville Rd., 13300 block, 2:25 p.m. Oct. 18. Following an argument between a man and a female acquaintance, the woman called another male acquaintance to assault the man. The male acquaintance pepper-sprayed the first man, and the woman joined in attacking the man. A Woodbridge woman and a Woodbridge man, both 37, were arrested.

Potomac Mills Cir., 2700 block, 4:21 p.m. Oct. 19. A woman in a mall got into an altercation with a male acquaintance. When two security guards attempted to intervene, the woman assaulted them. They were treated for minor injuries. A Woodbridge woman, 22, was arrested.

Westminister Lane, 14300 block, 7:45 p.m. Oct. 23. Following an argument, a man attempted to leave a residence, and a male acquaintance followed. When the man picked up a wooden board to defend himself, the acquaintance took out a handgun and fired at the man, missing him. The two struggled, and the gun fired again, striking the acquaintance in the upper body.

Williamsburg Ct. and Georgetown Rd., 3:07 p.m. Oct. 23. A man stabbed an unknown male pedestrian in the shoulder.

WEAPONS

Matura and Everest Peak lanes, 12:32 a.m. Oct. 21. Several gunshots were heard. No one was reported injured.

Winding Loop and Maryland Ave., 4 p.m. Oct. 20. Two male juveniles on bikes rode by three juvenile pedestrians and brandished at the two boys and a girl what appeared to be a handgun. The object was later determined to be a toy gun.

ROBBERIES

Foulger Sq., 13800 block, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 25. A masked man armed with a knife demanded property from a male pedestrian. The pedestrian refused and assaulted the robber, who fled.

Potomac Mills Rd., 14600 block, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 21. A woman arranged to meet an unknown man at a hotel room. The woman and a female acquaintance armed with a stun gun-type weapon robbed the man of cash, a wallet and a computer.

Woodmark Dr., 2800 block, 8:24 p.m. Oct. 24. A group of men assaulted a male pizza deliveryman and robbed him of cash, a cellphone, car keys and pizza.

INDECENT EXPOSURE

Lodge Terr., 15200 block, 8 a.m. Oct. 21. A male exposed himself to two female juvenile pedestrians.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Bristol Ct., 3300 block, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 25. A video-game system and games were stolen from a residence entered through an unlocked window.

Cassandra Ct., 12500 block, 3 p.m. Oct. 20 to 9:25 p.m. Oct. 22. A residence was entered by forcing a front door. Nothing was reported stolen.

Forest Lane, 1400 block, 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 25. A bike was stolen from an open garage.

Gloucester Ct., 2800 block, 4 p.m. Oct. 22 to 12:20 a.m. Oct. 23. A laptop computer, a watch and shoes were stolen from a residence entered through an unlocked window.

Green Ash Loop, 2700 block, 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 19. A laptop computer and video-game equipment were stolen from a residence.

Tassleford Lane, 15700 block, 2 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 19. Cash, a TV, a computer tablet and a video-game system were stolen from a residence entered by damaging a front door.

Weathervane Terr., 15600 block, 2:59 p.m. Oct. 25. A firearm was stolen from a residence. A resident fled to call police after seeing two people in the yard and hearing a window break.

Worth Ave., 14000 block, 4:01 p.m. Oct. 22. A man stole power tools from a store and sold them at a pawnshop. A man, 35, was arrested.

Manassas

No reports were received from Manassas police for this edition of Local Living. For information, call 703-257-8000.

Manassas Park

This was among incidents reported by Manassas Park police for this edition of Local Living. For information, call 703-361-1136.

THEFT

Paul Dr., 9300 block, Oct. 12 to 23. Political signs were stolen from a yard and other locations throughout the city.
Four violent street robberies were reported on Halloween night in affluent neighborhoods in Northwest Washington. Police say say groups of youths are suspected in the robberies. (WUSA)

Four violent street robberies were reported on Halloween night in affluent neighborhoods in Northwest Washington. Police say say groups of youths are suspected in the robberies. (WUSA)

Halloween normally means revelry, but in the District this year it also signified robbery.

Four violent street robberies were reported Monday night in affluent sections of Northwest Washington.

Robberies were reported in the West End, in Georgetown and in the Woodley Park area, all neighborhoods that are generally considered safe.

All four involved groups of youths. It was not known whether any of the youths were involved in more than one of the robberies. But similarities exist among all four, and the reported time of the incidents make it possible that several of the youths participated in more than one incident.

[Man dressed as Freddy Krueger shoots five people, police say]

In the West End robbery a man was walking in the 2400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue NW about 9:45 p.m. when youths knocked him down, kicked and punched him, and took his cellphone.

Later, a robbery was reported about 10 p.m. in the 2300 block of Cathedral Avenue NW, in the Woodley Park area. Police were told that about 10 people participated, including males and females. No ages were given. Unlike the other robberies, an initial report said a gun was used.

In the second Woodley Park incident, a woman was getting out of her car about 10:30 p.m. in the 2700 block of 29th Street, when two youths emerged from a group of about 15.

They grabbed her by her hair and pushed her against the vehicle. They demanded her cellphone, got it and fled.

The fourth of the robberies occurred about 15 minutes later, in Georgetown, police were told. In that robbery, which was reported in the 3400 block of Prospect Street NW, the victim told police that between 15 and 20 youths, including males and females, took part.

The victim, a Georgetown University student, said he was walking when the group approached him.

One of the youths called out: Look what I can do, and punched the victim in the back of the head.

With the man knocked to the ground, other members of the group punched and kicked him. The first robber took the students wallet from his pocket and took two backpacks from him.

A second youth took a laptop from one of the backpacks and smashed it on the ground, police said.

Then they all fled.

Police said the victim was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The most detailed description of the assailants was given in the 29th Street incident in Woodley Park.

One robber was described as a thin, black, female, 18 years old, 5-foot-5, in a dark jacket and red shirt. She had black hair.

A second of the 29th Street robbers was described as male, in his late teens, about six feet tall, wearing dark clothing and a black ski mask.

Other descriptions were far less detailed, but none appeared to conflict substantially with those given for the robbery on 29th Street.

The incidents were reminiscent of those that occurred in Georgetown last year on Halloween.

Four of the robberies involved physical force: at 10 p.m. in the 1200 block of 28th Street NW, at 10:30 p.m. in the 3300 block of M Street NW and about 11 p.m. in the 3100 block of M Street. Another was reported in the 3000 block of M Street at 11:45 p.m.

One of last years Halloween robbery reports indicated that a gun was shown. That holdup occurred about 11 p.m. in the 1100 block of 34th Street NW.

The flurry of 2015 Halloween robberies was not totally unexpected.

Citizens were warned on a police email bulletin board that the Georgetown area, along with the rest of the city, has the potential for a high volume of robberies on Halloween night. Police said the threat of robbery existed even though officers would be out in force.

Georgetown is the site of one of the Washington areas largest outdoor Halloween celebrations. Many people stroll through the streets in costume, and it is possible that people may give less heed to their normal street-wise instincts.

Against this background, of tumult, revelry and costume, it appears more likely that large groups of youths intent on mischief, and worse, can blend in and avoid notice or scrutiny.

Peter Hermann contributed to this story.
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26-year-old Uppma Virdi does everything from making yummy tea to holding workshops on 'The Art of Chai' in Melbourne.

By Shreya Goswami: It's not easy being a chai walla or a chai walli, especially if you're doing it in Melbourne, Australia. Yes, Australia was a British colony and still falls under the Queen's realm, but the country has taken to coffee more than tea.

In a setting like that, an entrepreneur like Uppma Virdi has a tough job to accomplish. The businesswoman who uses the moniker Chai Walli isn't a full-time restaurateur or cafe owner yet, but runs an online business with occasional pop-ups and workshops. She is, in fact, a lawyer working for a firm in Melbourne.

Virdi won the title of Businesswoman of the Year last week in Sydney. Picture courtesy: Instagram/chai_walli

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Her immense love for chai stems from the life of her grandfather, who was an Ayurvedic doctor. She took to making tea for the family, and then realised that she has a talent for making a perfect blend.

Virdi, whose family hails from Chandigarh, makes chai just like most of us Indians do--with love and respect for the ingredients, and with the intention of bonding with family and friends (even new ones) over a cuppa.

The award was given to Virdi by the Indian Australian Business and Community Awards (IABCA). Picture courtesy: Instagram/chai_walli

Also read: Attention tea lovers! Your humble cuppa has just got a five-star makeover



"In the Indian culture people come together through tea. Whether it's a happy occasion or a difficult moment, tea is all pervasive. I tried, but couldn't find many good tea places in Australia," she reportedly told SBS. That's where Virdi's business idea was born about two years ago, and she's been quite successful since.

So it's actually no wonder that she has been awarded with the title of Businesswoman of the Year by the 2016 Indian Australian Business and Community Awards (IABCA) at a glittering ceremony in Sydney last week.

Uppma Virdi traces her passion for chai-making back to her grandfather, who was an Ayurvedic doctor. Picture courtesy: Instagram/chai_walli

"Interest in tea is growing in Australia as more and more people are seeking alternatives to coffee. It was coincidentally the right time for me," she was quoted as saying after the event. "My real aim is to educate the Australian society about the Indian culture through tea," she added.

And we're quite glad that Uppma Virdi has taken up such a mission in life, and hope this Businesswoman of the Year soon opens a chai cafe or restaurant in Australia.

How to make the perfect cup of chai like Uppma Virdi? Watch this video :



--- ENDS ---

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The 3-year-old preschooler was already late when he arrived at Moten Elementary School Tuesday as his father escorted him into the building with his hand on his sons backpack.

The father then left the boy with the school security officer and left. When the security guard asked the boy his name, the boy was unable to tell the officer. The officer then looked inside the boys backpack for some identification. It was then that the officer found a loaded Glock 17, 9mm semiautomatic in the bag. The pistol had 15 bullets and one bullet in the chamber.

[Preschooler in Southeast Washington found with loaded pistol in backpack]

Officials at the Southeast Washington school reviewed security video footage and identified the father as 31-year-old Anthony E. Chiles. Chiles was arrested Tuesday and charged with carrying a pistol without a license.

At a hearing Wednesday in D.C. Superior Court, Chiless public defender, Byron Conway, said that his client was innocent and that there was no evidence that he was connected to the weapon. Conway said his clients son had not stayed with his father the night before, but instead had stayed with his grandmother and another adult.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Cobb argued that Chiles was a danger and should be held in D.C. jail. An obviously irritated Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond called the prosecutions evidence ridiculously slim, but still ordered Chiles to remain in jail until his next hearing Thursday.

As a felon, it would be unlawful for Chiles to own a gun in Washington. He was convicted in 2007 of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and convicted in 2005 of burglary.

Officials from the school at 1565 Morris Rd. SE quickly alerted parents of the incident. In a letter to parents, Mireille Lopez-Humes, Motens principal, noted that the gun was found soon after the boy arrived and was immediately confiscated and turned over to police.

To be clear, at no time was there an immediate threat to the school, Lopez-Humes wrote in the letter. All students and staff were safe.
A pre-schooler brought a loaded gun to school in Washington on Tuesday and the police arrested his father, authorities said.

They said a school security guard found the gun in the 3-year-old boys backpack Tuesday morning at the school in the 1500 block of Morris Road SE. Moten Elementary School is on that block.

Police said the gun was a semiautomatic pistol.

They said Anthony Earl Chiles, 31, of Southeast, was arrested and charged with carrying a pistol without a license, possession of unregistered ammunition and recklessly endangering a childs health.
Residents of a Silver Spring apartment complex that exploded in flames in August filed two lawsuits Wednesday against the apartment management company and the utility that supplied the complex with natural gas.

The lawsuit, organized by the Maryland-based immigrant rights group Casa, seeks damages against Kay Management and Washington Gas.

Seven people died in the explosion and fire. The family of two of the deceased victims, as well as residents of the apartments, are named as plaintiffs in the litigation.

[Two young fire victims were buddies  one loved Spider-Man, the other Minions]

Were asking for justice, John W. Barrett, an attorney representing the residents, said at a news conference Wednesday. Were asking for substantial damages. Were asking for safety reforms.

The night of Aug. 10, natural gas built up in a basement utility room at the Flower Branch Apartments, about 1 1/2 miles east of downtown Silver Spring, the initial investigation showed. There was a massive explosion, followed by a large and lengthy fire.

Officials have not said how the natural gas leaked  and whether it came out of equipment managed by the utility, Washington Gas, or by the apartment management company, Kay. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board are probing the disaster, a process expected to extend well into next year.

The two lawsuits do not discuss how the leak occurred, or how the gas was ignited. On Wednesday, Casa cited Washington Gas as the entity responsible for the gas lines which exploded that night, and said Kay also had the duty to maintain safe conditions throughout the complex.

Bernie Tylor, a spokesman for Washington Gas, declined to comment on the litigation, citing the ongoing federal investigation.

As a signed party to the NTSBs investigation of this tragedy, we are precluded from making any public statements about the details of their work or about our work with them in helping to determine what happened at the Flower Branch apartments, Tylor said.

A spokeswoman for Kay Management said the company remains deeply saddened by the effects of the natural gas explosion and is committed to work with government agencies to resolve the ongoing investigation as quickly as possible.

The incident left roughly two dozen people injured and dozens of families without homes.

[After deadly Silver Spring apartment fire, tenants air grievances]

Many of the Plaintiffs, attorneys wrote in the lawsuits, including the children, suffer ongoing mental injuries from the traumatic events of August 10  waking to the sound of the explosion, escaping from the burning buildings by any means that they could, and fearing for the safety of their parents and children.

Those with physical and mental injuries also endured other losses. Due to fire, smoke, and water damage, residents lost their homes, family photos, life savings, identification documents, furniture, and the contents of every room, closet, cabinet and shelf. Some were left with nothing but what they grabbed when they fled their apartments.

The attorneys said they filed in D.C. Superior Court because Washington Gas is headquartered in the District. Kay Management is based in Maryland, but the attorneys assert in the litigation that the firm could be sued in Washington because, among other reasons, Kay conducts business with Washington Gas.
Calvert County

These were among reports received by the Calvert County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police. Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Criminal Investigation Division at 410-535-2800 or 301-855-1194, the Crime Solvers line at 410-535-2880, or the state police Prince Frederick Barrack at 410-535-1400.

CHESAPEAKE BEACH AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

18th St., 4:30 p.m. Oct. 22. A license plate was stolen from a vehicle parked at a residence.

HUNTINGTOWN AREA

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS

N . Solomons Island Rd. and MF Bowen Rd., 12:30 a.m. Oct. 22. During a traffic stop, it was discovered that a man did not have a valid drivers license or permission to drive the truck he was using. A Huntingtown man, 31, was charged with failure to obey properly placed traffic control device instructions, driving without a license, driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, theft of $1,000 to less than $10,000, motor vehicle theft and unlawful taking.

LUSBY AREA

DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY

Running Fox Cir., Oct. 21. A window at a home was shot three times with BBs.

NORTH BEACH AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Seventh St., 10:15 a.m. Oct. 23. A window screen at a home was bent and a garage window screen was missing.

PRINCE FREDERICK AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Costley Way, Oct. 24. Wooden pallets were stolen from a grocery store.

Hallowing Point Rd., Oct. 21. Cash was stolen from a home.

Charles County

These were among reports received by the Charles County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police. For information, call 301-932-2222 or 301-870-3232. The website ccso.us has crime statistics and information on crime prevention programs.

REWARDS FOR INFORMATION

Crime Solvers will pay a reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment. The 24-hour hotline is 866-411-8477. Callers may remain anonymous.

INDIAN HEAD AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Park Square Ct., 100 block, 11:37 p.m. Oct. 18. Tires were stolen from a vehicle. A Landover woman, 19, a Nanjemoy woman, 18, and an Indian Head man, 20, were charged with theft scheme and theft of less than $1,000.

Strauss Ave., 4800 block, 6:40-7:20 a.m. Oct. 18. A cash register was stolen from a business.

WALDORF AREA

HOMICIDE

Mall Cir., 11100 block, 8 p.m. Oct. 26. During a drug transaction behind a movie theater, a man shot and killed a Waldorf man, 18. A man, 19, of no fixed address, was arrested and being held at the Charles County detention center.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Crain Hwy., 2200 block, 12:03 a.m. Oct. 16. Cash was stolen from a business.

WHITE PLAINS AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Siwanoy Pl., 11100 block, Oct. 14 to Oct. 17. PVC trim boards were stolen from a townhouse under construction.

Willetts Crossing Rd., 10400 block, Oct. 8. Several guns were stolen from a residence. A Great Mills man, 23, and a Lusby man, 24, were charged with first-degree burglary, malicious destruction of property and theft. The Lusby man was also charged with possession of a stolen firearm and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. A Lexington Park man, 27, was being held.

WEAPONS

Highgrove Dr. and Oxon Ct., 10:40 p.m. Oct. 18. While driving, a man had taken a gun out to unload it when it accidentally discharged and hit an acquaintance in the back. A Clinton man, 20, was charged with reckless endangerment and illegal possession of a regulated firearm.

St. Marys County

These w ere among reports received by the St. Marys County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police. For information, call 301-475-8008. To submit a tip, call Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333. The Leonardtown Barrack of the state police has an anonymous tip line at 301-475-2936.

CALIFORNIA AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Longfields Blvd., Oct. 20. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

Longfields Blvd., Oct. 21. Property was stolen from a vehicle. Two other vehicles were entered but did not appear to have had anything stolen from them.

Sayer Dr., Oct. 20. Several vehicles were entered in the area.

VANDALISM

King Way, Oct. 20. Vehicle tires were slashed.

CALLAWAY AREA

ASSAULTS

Hunting Meadows Ct., Oct. 15. During an argument, a man choked an acquaintance. The person temporarily lost consciousness but was able to run to another room and hide. A Lexington Park man, 28, was charged with first- and second-degree assault, malicious destruction of property, controlled dangerous substance possession, not marijuana, and possession of contraband.

HOLLYWOOD AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Clarks Mills Rd., Oct. 21. Property was stolen from a home. A man, 27, of no fixed address was charged with first-, third- and fourth-degree burglary, theft of $10,000 to less than $100,000 and malicious destruction of property.

LEONARDTOWN AREA

ASSAULTS

Leonardtown, Oct. 18. During a fight at a detention center, two men assaulted each other. Two California men, 29 and 52, were charged with second-degree assault on a Department of Correction inmate.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Goddard Ct., Oct. 21. Property was stolen from a home.

LEXINGTON PARK AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Bradley Way, Oct. 24. Property was stolen from a home.

Rosewood Terr., Oct. 21. Property was stolen from a home.

MECHANICSVILLE AREA

ASSAULTS

Hancock Dr., Oct. 18. During an argument, a woman assaulted an acquaintance. A Mechanicsville woman, 52, was charged with second-degree assault.

VANDALISM

Budds Creek Rd. and Woodyard Ct., Oct. 14. A woman damaged a sign with a light fixtures and used a black marker to deface it. A Mechanicsville woman, 34, was charged with malicious destruction of property.
Metro Board Chairman Jack Evans responds to a question from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee during an April hearing on Metros failings. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post)

Metro Board Chairman Jack Evans urged a federal takeover of the transit system Wednesday, instantly triggering a regionwide debate over what would be a drastic step to solve the agencys financial and management problems.

Evanss call for a federal control board with extraordinary powers to run Metro drew a surprisingly positive response from several leading elected officials and former Metro board members. Virginias transportation chief and the chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors were open to the idea.

D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) renewed her call for a regional sales tax or other reliable funding for Metro while leaving open the possibility of supporting a takeover.

But such a move would face major political obstacles. Many in Congress would resist using taxpayer funds to support the transit agency.

I would be surprised if theres any appetite in Congress to take on the responsibilities of a contemporary urban transit system, said Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.), who is a strong supporter of Metro.

At a congressional hearing on April 13, after Metro shut down for a day to make emergency repairs, Metro Board Chairman Jack Evans asked for federal funding to help with maintenance. (Subcommittee on Transportation and Public Assets)

But Connolly didnt completely shut the door to the possibility, either. He said he might consider it if Congress agreed to pick up a share of Metros operating costs, as the District, Maryland and Virginia do.

Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Oversight subcommittee on transportation and public assets, said he was lukewarm about a federal takeover but would consider one if we dont see continued progress. He emphasized, however, that Metro would not be getting any operating funds from Congress.

Absolutely not, said Mica, who has been a critic of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Its a very prosperous region. The local governments can certainly help.

Supporters said that Congress might come around if a takeover were the only way to salvage a system that carries hundreds of thousands of federal workers and contractors each day.

Critics of the proposal said it was premature and unrealistic, or both.

I dont think the federal government is very good at running a business, said Metro board member Michael Goldman, citing the challenges faced by Amtrak and the U.S. Postal Service.

He also expressed doubt that a federal takeover would come with an influx of cash.

Washingtons Metro came into the world 40 years ago full of promise. It was a rail system of the future. Then, reality set in. (Lee Powell/The Washington Post)

Thats just a pipe dream, said Goldman, who represents Maryland.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued a brief comment that avoided taking an explicit stand. As the governor has made extremely clear, making Metro as safe as possible and returning fiscal stability to the system have to be top priorities, spokesman Doug Mayer said.

Evanss proposal sparked interest because it appears to offer a simple  albeit radical  way to break up budgetary and administrative logjams that have left Metro in a dire state. The system has been losing riders and revenue as it struggles with chronic safety lapses, service disruptions and neglect of basic maintenance.

Evans, who also is a D.C. Council member, spoke in response to an editorial in The Washington Post on Wednesday saying its time to consider a federal takeover.

[Post editorial: It has come to this: Its time to consider a federal takeover of Metro]

Evans said he supports the idea because the agencys problems can be solved only by a body strong enough to raise money, dismiss employees, cancel union contracts and streamline management.

His recommendation is based in part on his experience with the federal control board that succeeded in rescuing the District from financial crisis in the 1990s.

You have to have extraordinary powers  thats the key, he said. You have to be able to negate contracts, fire people and restructure without outside interference.

A control board also is necessary, he said, as a condition to tap federal funds to help cover Metros operating deficits, estimated at $290 million in the next fiscal year, and long-term investment needs, which run in the billions of dollars.

He noted that the Districts chief financial officer, Jeffrey S. DeWitt, estimates that Metro needs $12 billion to $18 billion in additional capital funds over the next 10 years to pay for system maintenance and upgrades.

You bring in the federal infusion of money to fix this with federal control, Evans said.

In particular, he hopes that the federal government would assume responsibility for Metros unfunded pension liability of $2.8 billion.

When the feds took over the city, they took over the entire $10 billion unfunded pension liability, Evans said. Thats something the feds could do for Metro.

In addition, he said, a control board could change the entire personnel structure at Metro.

It also could eliminate the system of binding arbitration of labor contracts. That could be a selling point for Republican lawmakers, who have objected to the practice.

We have 13,000 employees who take up 70 percent of our budget, Evans said. A control board would look at such issues as Do we have too many people? Are the pensions and retirements too generous? You change all that, you get out of the binding-arbitration situation.

[Budget proposal paints grim portrait of Metros future ]

Those comments drew a scathing response from Jackie Jeter, president of Metros largest union, who said Evans was engaging in crazy talk. Suggesting that federal intervention could allow for firings and for contracts to be negated was terribly irresponsible, Jeter said.

Evans said a control board might be a non-starter because of legal obstacles related to the WMATA Compact, the agencys founding document that spells out how it is governed and funded.

But several experts said the compact would not prevent a takeover if the federal government, and all the compact signatories, agreed to support a control board.

A Metro spokeswoman said that General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld would not comment on the proposal. He is, instead, focused on delivering safe and reliable service, she said.

Tom Davis (R), the former U.S. House member from Virginia who wrote the legislation two decades ago that put a control board in charge of the Districts finances, said it would be possible to do the same for Metro. One way it could be accomplished: The federal government could offer Metro an infusion of cash in exchange for the establishment of an oversight board.

Evans, who has been board chairman for nine months, says its impossible to lead the 16-member board effectively for two reasons: Its too large and members have split loyalties between the interests of the jurisdictions that selected them and Metros best interest.

Most of the loyalties [of board members], I have found, are not to Metro but to the jurisdictions that chose them, Evans said.

Political leaders and others open to a federal takeover also see it as a way to get around the cumbersome governing structure.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova (D), in supporting federal intervention, cited the jurisdictional discord that has already come to light in Metros budget discussions for the next fiscal year.

You can have local governments veto a budget or hold a budget hostage for parochial interest, she said. I agree that something urgently needs to be done on the governance side, she said.

Virginia Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne said the state would be open to the idea of a control board but that its probably premature.

Certainly, governance is a big issue with all the different political pressures in every [jurisdiction] being different, he said.

[Metro chairman Evans: Board is so unwieldy that we ought to scrap it altogether]

Metro board member Corbett Price, who represents the District, supported the proposal and praised Evans as the only board chair Ive seen to really show political courage and speak out as an advocate for the system.

But former Metro board chairman Tom Downs said, The answer has to be political accountability at the very top of the political food chain  the governors of Maryland and Virginia and the mayor.

The control board thing is such a dud of an idea, not because theres a slim possibility that you could pull this off, but because it relieves the pressure about everything else, Downs said. The one-cent regional sales tax is the necessary thing to fix the dilemma about the predictable future of Metro, and the three people who can shepherd that through are the three executives.

James C. Dinegar, president of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, said that Evanss call was premature because theres a plan in place to deal with Metros immediate problems.

Theres a proposal to reduce the workforce further, he said. There are proposed, but not enacted, service cuts. There are proposed, but not enacted, fare increases. There are systemwide improvements being put in place . . . and now, we tell the federal government we cant handle this? Now?

Im not sure that every time the region has a problem they get to run to Uncle Sam, Dinegar said.

Christian Dorsey, a Metro board member representing Virginia, called the idea half-baked.

The idea of a federal takeover sounds like it could solve all our problems, but I think there are plenty of details hidden in that simple phrase that would have to be unpacked before that becomes a solution, Dorsey said.

Evans initially expressed pessimism that the control board proposal would get much backing.

Asked who supports the idea, besides him and The Posts editorial page, he said: Probably nobody. The region is resistant to change of any kind. Nobody wants to change anything, even as the house is burning down.

Faiz Siddiqui contributed to this report.
The Arlington gun store that sued 64 people, including elected officials, over their opposition to the store has filed a court notice that it intends to drop the lawsuit.

Broadstone Security, doing business as Nova Armory, notified Arlington Circuit Court on Tuesday that it will not pursue its claims that opponents conspired to destroy the business by making statements against the opening of Nova Firearms in March.

The attorney for Broadstone did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An attorney for seven of the defendants, state legislators who had written a letter objecting to the store, declined to comment. Others who were sued included members of the Arlington County Board and Arlington School Board, and residents who objected to the store on social-media sites. The store was sold in August to one of its employees.

The request for dismissal is known as a nonsuit.

I am delighted  though not surprised  to learn that NoVa Armory nonsuited its lawsuit today, state Del. Richard Rip Sullivan (D-McLean), one of the defendants, said in a statement. From the very beginning it was clear that this lawsuit had no basis in law or fact.
Virginias Medicaid program will need an extra $281 million during the current two-year budget, adding to the states already substantial budget woes and reviving Richmonds bitterly partisan battle over expanding health-care for the poor.

The projected cost overrun, disclosed to legislative budget leaders Tuesday, comes on top of the $9.3 billion the state had budgeted to fund the health-care program through fiscal years 2017 and 2018. It was disclosed two months after Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) revealed a $1.5 billion budget hole, which has already forced the state to scuttle raises for teachers and consider other painful cuts.

Republican legislative leaders said the new Medicaid estimate validated their efforts over the past three years to block McAuliffes marquee campaign promise: expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

We continue to see costs on an unsustainable trajectory, even when enrollment levels stay the same, House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford). We must look at ways to reform Medicaid in order to protect precious taxpayers dollars. This forecast reinforces the wisdom of our decision not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

Through a spokesman, McAuliffe pledged to work with the GOP-controlled General Assembly to cover the higher Medicaid costs. But he also took a shot at Republicans, who in recent years have blocked expansion for low-income Virginians while expanding the most expensive part of the program, which provides long-term care for the elderly and disabled. Those services account for one-third of Medicaid enrollees but two-thirds of the programs cost, administration officials said.

The Governor is prepared to work with the General Assembly to ensure that the increase in the Medicaid forecast is reflected in the budget they will pass this upcoming session, McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy said in an email. However, growth in the current Medicaid program has nothing to do with bringing Virginians taxpayer dollars home to expand access to health care for people who need it.  Instead of manipulating the issue for political gain, Republicans should do the right thing for their constituents and the state budget by coming to the table around a common sense solution for closing the coverage gap.

Administration officials said the $281 million in extra costs is partly the result of rising premiums, set by the federal government, for some enrollees eligible for medical services and prescription drugs. They also blamed the higher cost and utilization of mental-health services.

Under the Affordable Care Act, states that allow more people onto their Medicaid rolls can pass along most of the cost to the federal government. Eventually, states are supposed to pay 10 percent.

Since running for governor in 2013, McAuliffe has sought to extend health-care benefits to 400,000 uninsured Virginians. With Washington promising to pay most of Virginias $2 billion-a-year cost, he said expansion would help needy Virginians and create more than 30,000 jobs. More recently, he has also suggested that expansion would help the state tackle rising opiate addictions.

Expanding Medicaid will save Virginia $211 million in the current budget by using federal money to reduce the cost of care for people who do not have health insurance, Coy said. Those savings could be invested in Virginias mental health system, treatment for heroin and opiate addictions or other priorities that will make life better for Virginians.

Republicans have objected to expanding an entitlement program to able-bodied adults. They also have questioned how Washington can afford to make good on its promise to pick up most of the tab. Even if it does, some Republicans say the states $200 million-a-year share would crowd out other priorities.

We cannot ignore the truth on Medicaid, said House Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights). Medicaid remains the largest growth driver in our budget. Medicaid expenditures will consume the largest share of available revenue, limiting our options in K-12 education, higher education and public safety as we try to make up an already large shortfall. This strengthens our position that Virginia must continue to reform its current Medicaid program before we consider expansion.
Did a powerful Republican in the Virginia General Assembly open the door - just a crack - to decriminalization of marijuana in the Old Dominion?

Lets go to the tape - or, in this case, the Virginian-Pilot, which quoted state Sen. Thomas K. Norment Jr. appearing at a meeting on Tuesday with the Norfolk City Council.

I think its absolutely crazy that we continue to lock people up for possession of a modest amount of marijuana, said Norment, a lawyer representing the Peninsula region who is majority leader of the state Senate and a member of Virginias crime commission. We are tough on crime. Its a question of what crimes we want to be tough on.

Norment went on to say that he would support having the crime commission study the issue of decriminalizing pot, or reducing penalties for possessing small amounts to something that draws a ticket or fine, not a criminal charge. The crime commission recommends actions to the General Assembly and would be the first stop in any decriminalization campaign.

The comments prompted a flurry of interest from the press - after all, last year Norment voted against a decriminalization bill. But he told the Pilot that his views may be changing. When I speak to millennials, they see things very differently than I do, he said.

On Wednesday, Norment spokesman Jeff Ryer was trying to calm the media commotion. Youre like the eighth reporter whos called me today, he said with a sigh. All he said is he would be willing to have it looked at by the crime commission, thats all he said.

Norment was not saying he will propose that the commission study the issue, and hes not expressing universal support for it or anything, Ryer said. He added that Norment did not bring up the issue - its something the Norfolk City Council has discussed, and someone asked him about it.

So dont go changing the tobacco leaves on the State Capitol ceiling to marijuana leaves just yet. Virginia is a loooong way from changing its drug laws, Ryer said. But he acknowledged that the newspaper quotes are accurate. Norment does think its bad when someone gets convicted on a small amount.


A sign at the entrance to the Bundy familys ranch in Bunkerville, Nev. (Ronda Churchill for The Washington Post)

Less than a week after being acquitted at a trial over last winters armed occupation of an Oregon federal wildlife refuge, Nevada rancher Ryan Bundy said another protest action will be justified if President Obama goes ahead with plans to create a huge national monument abutting the Bundy familys ranch here.

Absolutely! Thats the best thing in the world for [people] to do, Bundy said Monday in a telephone interview from an Oregon jail, where he is being held pending a February trial related to a separate armed standoff in 2014 with federal agents at his familys ranch.

Read the Declaration of Independence, he said. It says right there that if the government becomes abusive, its our right and our duty to abolish that government. If the government wont restrain itself, whatever happens is their own fault.

The suggestion of a potential uprising underscores the extent to which two competing political movements  defiance of federal authority, and Obamas determination to permanently protect vast federal lands  could collide next in this arid patch of land 110 miles northeast of Las Vegas.



Jim Boone, a board member of Friends of Gold Butte, leads a hike through the Little Finland area of the Gold Butte wilderness in Nevada. Gold Butte lies just south of the Bundy family ranch. (Ronda Churchill for The Washington Post)

Federal officials were alarmed by the jurys decision to acquit Bundy, his brother Ammon and five others who staged a 41-day occupation early this year at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in remote eastern Oregon.

While supporters of the Bundys hailed the surprise verdict as a victory against what they see as federal overreach, federal officials said it could embolden anyone with a grievance to take over government property and endanger federal workers.

Ryan Bundy is angry that Obama, before he leaves office, may use his executive power under the 1906 Antiquities Act to impose new restrictions on Gold Butte, a 350,000-acre parcel of pristine desert wilderness just south of the Bundy familys ranch.

Obama administration officials said federal officials were rattled by the Oregon verdict, but individuals briefed on the process say the White House is pushing ahead with plans to create a monument that would permanently preserve a federally owned tract filled with soaring peaks, exotic red sandstone formations, an imperiled desert tortoise population and thousands of ancient Native American rock etchings called petroglyphs.





Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), who has worked to protect the area for years, has described a monument designation as one of his final goals before retiring this year.

Bundy, 44, wouldnt say whether he and his family would encourage some kind of anti-government action over Gold Butte, because I never say what we will do. But asked whether violence was ever justified against an abusive government, Bundy said: Ask George Washington.

Repeating an argument common in the West but disputed by most mainstream constitutional scholars, Bundy said the Constitution does not grant the federal government power to own large tracts of land, nor does the president have legal authority to create national monuments. Bundy said that creating the Gold Butte monument would be an abuse of presidential power and a valuation of tourism and endangered species over the economic needs of struggling communities.

The government should be scared. They are in the wrong. The land does not belong to the government. The land belongs to the people of Clark County, not to the people of the United States, said Bundy, who spoke over the phone as his wife, Angie, sat nearby beneath a shady mesquite tree at the familys 160-acre ranch on the parched banks of the Virgin River.

The only peaceful resolution to all this is for them to obey the Constitution, he said. Read it, understand it, abide by it. There doesnt have to be violence. None of that has to happen if they would just abide by the Constitution.



Jose Witt, Southern Nevada director of Friends of Nevada Wilderness, points out petroglyphs at Gold Butte on Oct. 30. (Ronda Churchill for The Washington Post)

That kind of talk is exactly what officials have worried about after the Oregon verdict. They fear that a potential flash point for anti-government action could be Obamas fast-paced creation of national monuments where grazing, timber-cutting, mining and other commercial activities are generally prohibited. Obama has already created or expanded 27 national monuments, more than any other president since Franklin D. Roosevelt.

[The long fight between the Bundys and the government]

For many generations, ranchers in Bunkerville have paid a fee to graze their cattle on the Gold Butte land, but nearly all of them allowed the Nature Conservancy and other groups to buy out their permits years ago. The Bundy family, which has fewer than 600 head of cattle, is the last full-time ranching family in the area. Their animals still graze for free, as they have for years, in defiance of federal courts twice ordering the Bundys to desist. The family has refused to pay more than $1 million in fees and fines.

When officials from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Park Service tried to finally remove the cattle in 2014, they were met by the Bundy family and hundreds of armed supporters.

Fearing bloodshed, authorities eventually retreated. Earlier this year, family patriarch Cliven Bundy, along with sons Ammon and Ryan, and 16 others, were charged with an array of federal firearms, conspiracy and assault counts in the 2014 incident. They face trial in Nevada in February.

Heres a look at the Bundy familys history of anti-government actions. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell has called the Nevada standoff the worst moment of her tenure. And after last weeks acquittal in Oregon, she warned her employees, including those at the BLM, to take care of yourselves and remain vigilant.

[Jury acquits Bundy, six others in standoff at Oregon wildlife refuge]

A coalition of environmentalists, tribal groups, academics and some business owners eagerly support the Gold Butte plan.

Gold Butte has captivating landscapes that Americans across the country would love to explore, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune said in an interview. But its also home to thousands of archaeological sites that currently have no protection and that could be enjoyed and studied for future generations.

In the two years since BLM staffers withdrew from the area, there has been vandalism, graffiti and habitat degradation through off-road vehicle use, according to a report by Friends of Gold Butte, a group that supports a national monument for the wilderness.

Reid has been the highest-profile advocate for the project. He has devoted much of his career to brokering such deals: During his 34 years in Congress, the amount of federal land off limits to development in Nevada has grown from 67,000 acres to 4.8 million acres.

Speaking on the Senate floor just after Bundys were arrested this year, Reid said: Ive tried to protect Gold Butte for a long time. And the reason we havent been able to do anything to this point is the Bundy boys and their pals. So thats why Im grateful for the Antiquities Act. Because of this legislation and because of the fact that the Bundys are in jail, Im going to reach out to the White House.

As he has personally lobbied the president, Reid has framed the issue as a test of federal will. Lets tell others how important this is, he said during a news conference in August, and tell people to keep their damn hands off public lands.

Republicans have opposed Obamas use of unilateral executive power to create national monuments. The establishment of any new national monument in the State of Nevada, regardless of location, ought to be considered in the public Congressional process, Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) wrote in an April letter to the president.

On the Bundy ranch, Angie Bundy said that Harry Reid has no right to be saying those things. She said she suspects that the federal government is trying to claim more land to keep control of uranium and other minerals. She said federal officials should respect local ranchers more and recognize that they are far more effective stewards of the land than bureaucrats from back East.

They should let people who have been protecting this land for generations take care of it, she said. And they shouldnt be sending in heavily armed military forces to point weapons at a rancher who hasnt paid his taxes.

[Armed with guns and the Constitution to fight for liberty]

On Monday, Reid said in a statement that the Gold Butte monument would not be derailed by threats of resistance from radicals . . . intent on using public lands like Gold Butte for their own selfish purposes.



Bunkerville town official Duane Magoon said that federal officials are aware that we are upset about a potential national monument at Gold Butte. Why would they rock that boat? (Ronda Churchill/For The Washington Post)

Angie Bundy speaks with her husband, Ryan Bundy, who was calling from an Oregon jail. He is being held there as he awaits trial in a 2014 standoff at his familys ranch. (Ronda Churchill/For The Washington Post)

That kind of talk infuriates Duane Magoon, a rancher and Bunkerville town official who was raised by the Bundy family. He said he doubted that local people would rise up against the government over Gold Butte, as they did in Oregon or at the Bundy ranch in 2014. But, he said, you never know.

Why would the feds even want to find out? Is the government stupid? he said. They are aware that we are upset. Why would they rock that boat? If something happens, its because of them.

Deep in the heart of Gold Butte one hot afternoon this week, Jim Boone hiked among the otherworldly swirling and jagged sandstone formations known as Little Finland. He admired petroglyphs carved into black stone and salt formations that turned the rock a vibrant shade of blue.

Boone, an ecologist and writer who chronicles Gold Buttes wildlife and history, said lush vegetation covered this area thousands of years ago. But over the centuries, the land has dried out, and today the vegetation is mainly prickly brush and creosote bushes.

Not far from the Bundy ranch, Boone pulled off the gravel road to look at about 20 of the familys cattle grazing on the parched land.

In a way, you can understand the Bundys, he said. The world is changing all around them, the environment and the politics, and all they want to do is have the world stay the same and let their grandchildren do exactly what they did.

Eilperin reported from Washington.
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) The 26 per cent sin tax on tobacco products proposed by GST Council will "negatively" impact revenue and public health, and anything below 40 per cent will make those items more affordable to the youth and other vulnerable populations, various bodies said today.

With India having the worlds second largest number of tobacco users - 275 million or 35 per cent of all adults in the country - and of these at least 1 million dying every year from tobacco related diseases, the bodies said there is an "overarching consensus" that tobacco be taxed at the highest rate.

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The bodies in a statement said tobacco be taxed at the highest rate under GST as recommended in the Chief Economic Advisor report, which seeks a 40 per cent GST sin rate on all tobacco products including cigarettes, bidis and chewing tobacco.

They said the GST council meeting that concluded on October 20 proposed a much lower 26 per cent GST sin rate which will have "significant impact on the revenue as well as the health of our nation, both of which require serious consideration".

"Compared to a GST Sin rate of 40 per cent, imposing a 26 per cent Sin rate will reduce total tobacco tax revenue by almost one fifth (17 per cent or roughly Rs 10,510 crores) even if the government retains the current excise on tobacco products post GST," said Rijo John, Assistant Professor, IIT Jodhpur.

"Clearly, 26 per cent Sin rate will be well below what is required to maintain a revenue neutral position for tobacco and will significantly reduce tax burden on all tobacco products since the existing average VAT rates themselves are higher than 26 per cent on most tobacco products," John said.

Tobacco-use imposes enormous health and economic costs on the country. The total direct and indirect cost of diseases attributable to tobacco use was a staggering Rs 1.04 lakh crore ($17 billion) in 2011 or 1.16 per cent of Indias GDP.

"A much lower GST rate will make all tobacco products even more affordable to the youth and other vulnerable populations, leading to the impact of the tobacco epidemic becoming more severe driving up healthcare costs and resulting in productivity losses.

"This will certainly lead to an increased number of fatalities per year, which is not a good news for any country. I firmly believe and urge that the government should tax tobacco products at very high rate to ensure it discourages mass consumption," said Pankaj Chaturvedi, Oncologist at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

Approximately 48 per cent men and 20 per cent women consume tobacco products (35 per cent of the adult population overall). Of these at least 10 lakh are dying each year from tobacco related diseases. (MORE) PTI TDS NSD

--- ENDS ---

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IRAQ

Government troops solidify Mosul gains

Iraqi special forces mopping up in eastern Mosul killed eight Islamic State militants Wednesday as residents fled to safety from nearby areas and men shaved the beards they were forced to grow while the extremists were in control.

Consolidating gains in the Gogjali district lays the groundwork for the next stage: entering Mosuls more urban central neighborhoods, a densely built-up zone likely to contain booby traps and roadside bombs.

That could mean house-to-house combat and might take weeks, if not months, with the city center about six miles away.

The districts deputy emir was sprawled on a central street, shot and killed by soldiers when he tried to approach them in an explosives-laden vest.

A man the troops identified as the deputys superior was arrested and taken away in a military vehicle.

Six other militants were killed in a tunnel in the neighborhood, said Lt. Col. Muhanad al-Timimi of the Iraqi special forces.

The U.N. Security Council expressed alarm Wednesday at reports that the Islamic State is relocating civilians to act as human shields in Mosul. The council condemned the use of human shields and urged all parties to avoid harming civilians and civilian facilities.

 Associated Press

GERMANY

Suspected far-rightists threaten migrants

Suspected far-right extremists have threatened asylum seekers in the eastern German town of Bautzen, police said Wednesday, adding to signs of discontent over the arrival of almost 1 million migrants in the country last year.

Police cited witnesses saying that about eight men had threatened a group of two German women and three young asylum seekers Tuesday evening. Two of the men aimed objects resembling pistols at the asylum seekers, police said. Witnesses said the men belonged to the right-wing scene, and investigations were underway.

Some Germans fear that the country is being overrun by foreigners, and Chancellor Angela Merkel has drawn criticism for her liberal migrant policy as the number of violent attacks on asylum seekers or their reception centers has risen.

 Reuters

Russian city confronting HIV epidemic, official says: Russian health officials say one in 50 people in the countrys fourth-largest city is carrying the HIV virus as Russia struggles to deal with a rapidly rising number of infections. The central Russian city of Yekaterinburg suffers from an HIV epidemic, regional Deputy Health Minister Tatiana Savinova said, according to a statement widely reported by Russian media. The city of 1.5 million has 27,000 residents, or 1.8 percent of the population, carrying the virus, she said. The rate of new HIV infections is increasing in Russia, which bans some preventive measures common in other parts of the world, such as methadone therapy for intravenous drug users.

Kenya pulling peacekeepers from South Sudan: Kenya is pulling out its 1,000 troops deployed to South Sudan as part of the U.N. peacekeeping mission and stopping future deployments after the U.N. secretary general fired the forces Kenyan commander, the countrys Foreign Ministry said. In a further blow to regional efforts to calm the civil war, Kenya said it is also disengaging from the South Sudan peace process, in which it has been instrumental as a broker, guarantor and monitor. The firing of Kenyan Lt. Gen. Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki came after an independent investigation sharply criticized peacekeepers response to deadly attacks in July on a U.N. compound housing 27,000 displaced people in South Sudans capital, Juba. The probe also found that peacekeepers didnt respond to calls for help as South Sudanese soldiers rampaged through a nearby compound popular with foreigners.

 From news services

U.S. election shows countrys decline, Irans Khamenei says: Almost 37 years to the day that radical students overran the U.S. Embassy in Iran, the Islamic republics supreme leader sat with students Wednesday and delivered a blistering tirade against American society, politics and foreign policy. He reserved special condemnation for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, and said this years presidential election was a symptom of Americas decline. These two candidates show the catastrophic reality which goes beyond what even we were saying, said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who regularly speaks out against perceived U.S. imperialism and double standards. He was steadfast in refusing to negotiate directly with the United States, even in the momentous deliberations leading to the nuclear deal.

 Max Bearak
The GOP presidential nominee is out on the trail ahead of the general election in November.

The GOP presidential nominee is out on the trail ahead of the general election in November.

When The Posts Matea Gold reported this week that the Trump campaign is contesting $767,000 that its pollster Tony Fabrizio says he is owed, I could feel the Republican consultants pain.

Fabrizio was just the latest on a long list of people stiffed by Donald Trump. And now you can add one more to that list: me. I want my $49 back.

I know, I know. We had all been warned that Trump doesnt make good on his commitments. Scores of times as businessman and candidate he has refused to pay, or deliver, what he owes. Heck, hes even being sued for stiffing USA Freedom Kids, the three preteen girls who danced before one of his rallies in patriotic costumes.

So I should have had my eyes wide open when I saw Trumps video last week offering to put my name on a brass plaque on a wall in Trump Tower, for a contribution of only $49. The wall has only space for 2,000 more supporters. Contribute today, he said, showing the very special wall.

[Trump is refusing to pay his pollster three-quarters of a million dollars]

The latest revelation in Donald Trump's ups and downs with the polls is his campaign's disputed bill of nearly $767,000 to veteran strategist and pollster Tony Fabrizio. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

As one of the loudest Trump critics, I thought it would be exquisite to have my name engraved as part of the select group on Trumps wall. I clicked through and authorized the $49 charge to my credit card.

And then, nothing. No acknowledgment. No response. No word about any wall with my name on it. I checked my spam filter: nothing. I checked my Visa statement: The charge had gone through.

Stiffed! And at great personal risk. Post employees arent supposed to donate to campaigns, and in 16 years I hadnt  until the lure of Trumps wall got me. We dont want a contribution to create the appearance that were in the tank for a candidate, even if, in the case of Trump and me, the probability of creating such an impression is fairly low. My editors gave me the proverbial 40 lashes for my $49.

But those welts are nothing compared with the injuries Trump has done as a mogul and candidate to those who have done business with him.

An investigation by USA Today earlier this year found 60 lawsuits and hundreds of liens, judgments and other government filings involving people who have accused Trump and his businesses of failing to pay them. The aggrieved include 48 waiters, dozens of bartenders and hourly workers, real estate brokers, a glass company, a carpet company, painters  even law firms that defended him against charges that he stiffed those he owed. The paper found 24 violations of labor law for failing to pay overtime or the minimum wage, and liens filed by more than 200 contractors and employees who provided plumbing, electrical and HVAC work and the like.

At the first debate, Hillary Clinton singled out in the audience an architect Trump had stiffed and said shed met dishwashers, painters, architects, glass installers, marble installers, drapery installers . . . who you refused to pay when they finished the work that you asked them to do.

Trump responded that maybe he didnt do a good job and I was unsatisfied with his work, which our country should do, too.

Apparently Trumps belief that he cant get good help these days extends to the campaign, which is disputing the $767,000 that Fabrizio, the pollster, says hes owed. (The campaign says it doesnt dispute the entire amount.) Federal Election Commission records also indicate the Trump campaign has yet to pay Michael Caputo, a former communications adviser who publicly celebrated the dismissal of Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Caputo said Wednesday that he still hadnt been paid.

[Heres how you destroy a democratic republic]

Fabrizio and Caputo are big boys. But what about the three little girls who danced at a Trump rally in January, becoming a viral sensation? The father of one of them filed suit against the Trump campaign two months ago, saying the campaign didnt make good on its promise to let them sell CDs at a Trump event and then had them travel, at their own expense, from Florida to a Trump event in Iowa before canceling their appearance.

Im not looking to do battle with the Trump campaign, the dad, Jeff Popick, told The Posts Philip Bump, but I have to show my girls that this is the right thing.

And now I stand with Popick, Fabrizio and hundreds of others in demanding from Trump what is ours. I wrote to Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks on Wednesday and asked whether she could tell me where I could find my name on the Trump Tower donor wall, or refund my $49. She indicated she was looking into it, but nothing happened.

I bet Trump isnt even building that wall  and I paid for it!

Twitter: @Milbank

Read more from Dana Milbanks archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Jason and Laurie Holt are Utah residents and the parents of Joshua Holt.

In September, the White House touted its efforts to free U.S. nationals being held as hostages in countries around the world. As a result of policy changes in the past year, it claimed, the U.S. government is more organized and communicates more effectively with families of hostages. We wish this were true.

Our 24-year-old son, Joshua Holt, is a hostage of the government of Venezuela. Framed by Venezuelan officials on ludicrous weapons charges so he could be leveraged as a political bargaining chip in bilateral discussions with the United States, Josh has been sitting in a small cell in a jail run by the countrys notorious intelligence agency, the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), since June. Every time we speak out, prison officials punish and threaten him, denying him access to visitors. They recently forced him to undress and respond to humiliating commands while naked, violating Joshs Latter-day Saints religious beliefs and practices. The prison has also repeatedly refused court-ordered medical treatment for his deteriorating health.

This is Venezuela: a country where food is scarce, the economy is in ruins and security forces have free rein to do whatever they want. The U.S. government knows this. In its most recent human rights report, the State Department noted that SEBIN prisons havent had international oversight since 2013; that arbitrary arrests and detentions in the country are widespread; and that the judiciary is corrupt and politically influenced. We are afraid to speak out because we dont know what horrors it will bring for Josh. And yet to not speak out carries its own punishment, for it is only through public pressure that weve been able to get our governments attention.

Last year, in the aftermath of scathing criticism from the families of American hostages, the U.S. government announced that it was updating its U.S. hostage recovery policies to improve interagency coordination, better support families in the United States and ultimately bring home U.S. nationals detained abroad. It created the Hostage Response Group to oversee the also newly established Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, which consists of top officials from the Departments of Defense, State, Justice and Treasury and the FBI, and ensure that senior administration officials are collaborating and coordinating on hostage cases. It has also designated a special envoy for hostage affairs to coordinate U.S. diplomatic efforts abroad.

Yet because a foreign government and not a terrorist group holds our son, he has not received any of the benefits of these reforms. To the extent we have had access to senior U.S. officials, it is because we have sought them out ourselves. With the help of external advocates such as former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson and Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), we have learned how to navigate the byzantine bureaucracy of the U.S. government, which involves many unanswered calls and  when we do get someone on the phone  unanswered questions. When we finally asked why other families in similar situations have had access to senior U.S. officials, we were told it was because they asked for it.

Let that sink in: The families who have the most access and most success with our own government are those who understand how to work the system. All of these agencies and entities are supposedly developing and pursuing recovery strategies for Americans, but  more important  theyre allegedly sharing information across agencies and making hostages and their families a priority for senior officials. If our familys experience is any indication, there is much progress to be made.

Hostages are not just individuals held by terrorist groups and other bad actors for ransom or prisoner exchanges. They are also political prisoners held by foreign governments as political pawns. Josh never broke Venezuelan law; he was arrested for being an American, and he has not been freed, despite his innocence, because his U.S. citizenship carries significant weight. Last month, for the second time, a hearing scheduled in Joshs case was postponed because the judge didnt show up. This should not be a surprise, given how the Venezuelan government has used its media channels to allege Josh is a gringo agent acting on behalf of the United States to destabilize the country. Yet there is nothing for us to do but pray for due process or our governments intervention in what is clearly a hostage situation.

For months our son has sat in prison, praying that his government will come to his aid, while we have called members of Congress, State Department employees and other U.S. officials to beg them to do more to bring him home. With all due respect, we can do better.
FBI Director James B. Comey leaves a closed-door meeting with senators about President Trumps allegations of wiretapping at Trump Tower during the 2016 election at the Capitol in Washington.

March 15, 2017 FBI Director James B. Comey leaves a closed-door meeting with senators about President Trumps allegations of wiretapping at Trump Tower during the 2016 election at the Capitol in Washington. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

James B. Comey, the head of the bureau since 2013, was dismissed by President Trump on May 9, 2017.

With the 58th presidential election under the U.S. Constitution now less than a week away, it is clear that the 228-year-old document is not achieving one of its central purposes.

James Madison intended it to curb factious spirit  what we call partisanship  which he correctly identified as the bane of popular governments, both those that had existed before 1788 and the ones in the 13 newly independent American states.

Yet todays Republicans and Democrats are so divided that they no longer seem like citizens of the same nation or acknowledge even the same factual reality.

Among the many manifestations of out-of-control factious spirit, none is more dismaying than the obeisance Republicans have paid their partys patently unfit presidential candidate, Donald Trump, out of a combination of opportunism, blind factional loyalty and hatred of his opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

None is more dangerous, though, than the potential partisan politicization of federal law enforcement, especially its investigative arm, the FBI.

On Oct. 28, the FBI announced new inquiries related to Hillary Clintons private email server. The Fix's Aaron Blake breaks down reactions to the announcement and explains why it matters to her presidential campaign. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

If you really wanted to destroy a democratic republic, the surest way would be to turn its prosecutors, investigators and intelligence-gatherers into the instruments  actual or perceived  of a political party.

[Eric Holder: James Comey is a good man, but he made a serious mistake]

Yet this specter haunts the United States in the aftermath of FBI Director James B. Comeys potentially election-altering letter announcing that the bureau must renew its investigation of the off-the-books email system Clinton operated while secretary of state.

Is that alarmist? To be sure, the FBI and the rest of the intelligence community  CIA, National Security Agency, Secret Service  have faced their share of scandals over the years, from wiretapping civil rights leaders to waterboarding terrorism detainees. For all that, these institutions remained generally above the fray with respect to outright electoral politics, restrained by law, policy and an ethos of national service traceable to the global crises, World Wars I and II and the Cold War, that shaped them.

Notwithstanding the hyperbole of their critics, these agencies never became U.S. versions of the Gestapo or KGB, because, unlike the latter two, they were not the creatures and creations of a political party, much less a totalitarian one. They fought for their own bureaucratic interests but remained subject to oversight and legislative reform carried out on a bipartisan basis.

Nor is it clear that Comey, or his nominal superiors at the Justice Department, are acting out of conscious partisan motivation now, despite dueling partisan accusations to the contrary.

Rather, they have lost their perceived impartiality despite their various attempts to preserve it, which a mistrustful, polarized society, obsessed with a high-stakes election, refuses to credit.

1 of 57 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail View Photos The Democratic presidential nominee hits the road after her partys national convention. Caption Hillary Clinton loses to Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Nov. 9, 2016 Hillary Clinton speaks in New York while her husband, former president Bill Clinton, applauds. Melina Mara/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

On the issue of indicting Clinton, the buck should have stopped with Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch, who, despite her obvious Democratic affiliation, is the politically accountable head of federal law enforcement.

However, she accepted an invitation to hobnob with Clintons husband, former president Bill Clinton, in late June, just three days before a scheduled FBI sit-down with Hillary Clinton. This blunder created a terrible appearance, inflamed Republicans and forced the attorney general to defer to Comey on Clinton  even though she didnt fully recuse herself from the case, and even though that is not his institutional role.

Then came Comeys news conference, an act of improvised transparency that buoyed Democrats and infuriated Republicans when he explained that Clinton was extremely careless with classified info, just not criminally so.

[The only way Trump can win]

His even more unorthodox subsequent testimony before Congress, in which he defended his finding of non-prosecutability before hostile Republicans but promised to act on any new information, set the stage for last weeks bombshell, to which Democrats have responded by vilifying the same FBI chief they lionized when he exculpated their candidate.

Lynch, or her designee, had the power to order Comey not to send his letter. Media reports say unnamed Justice officials warned him that it would violate policies against prosecutorial action too close to an election, but they stopped short of an express command to stand down  for fear of precipitating an even bigger election-eve crisis.

The net effect of so much irregular procedure has been to convince partisans of all stripes, possibly lastingly, that these vital institutions cannot be trusted, and therefore must be fought over.

If Trump wins, Democrats would consider it an FBI-engineered victory. If Clinton wins, she would face the awkward predicament of working on anti-terrorism and other vital efforts with an FBI director still pursuing a Republican-encouraged investigation of her emails. Comeys term expires in 2023.

Many Democrats (and not a few Republicans) think Comey should resign, in part to head off that predicament. But that would probably lead to a new problem: a partisan impasse in the Senate over replacing the FBI director, just like the one we already have involving Justice Antonin Scalias former seat on the Supreme Court.

Read more from Charles Lanes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
IT IS time to consider a radical step to arrest what looks increasingly like a death spiral for Washingtons transit system: federal intervention and control. It is not just folly, but willful neglect, to wait any longer to see if Metros problems will somehow solve themselves. They wont.

The hemorrhage of subway ridership began several years ago. Slashing Metros budgets, laying off workers and cutting train and bus service  the prescription now offered by Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld  will accelerate the vicious cycle of declining passenger counts and fare revenue, and accumulating deficits. It is wishful thinking to expect big annual subsidy increases from Metros funding partners  the District, Virginia and Maryland  while service deteriorates and fares rise, as Mr. Wiedefeld also proposes.

SafeTrack, the current surge in repair work designed to reverse further decay, is a stopgap. It is unlikely to entice riders back to the subway absent more ambitious infrastructure upgrades and systemic reforms.

Metros problems are not only about money, but without money they will not be addressed. It is now apparent that the funding needed to cover a projected operating deficit of $290 million next year, plus much more in capital needs in coming years, exceeds available resources.

One option is to continue allowing Metro to wither, ensuring the Washington metropolitan areas economic degeneration and imperiling the federal workforce. Maybe it is time to consider Option B: a federal control board, modeled on those that intervened to manage the District of Columbia amid its fiscal meltdown in the 1990s or, just this year, to rescue Puerto Rico from its debt crisis.

Washington, namely the Federal Transit Administration, has already stepped in to take temporary control of safety oversight and upgrades at Metros rail operations, in an extreme step occasioned by local jurisdictions failure to fill that role effectively. And there is a legal basis for more far-reaching intervention.

The interstate compact that serves as Metros founding charter required and received the federal governments consent. That consent can be withdrawn and the compact dissolved, along with local funding agreements  a useful point of federal leverage. Congress could also assert its will to establish a control board under its explicit constitutional authority over the District; under the interstate commerce clause; or under its homeland security obligations, given Metros centrality to emergency preparedness in the event of attacks on the nations capital.

A control board is not a free lunch. The price of an infusion of federal cash for Metro would be sweeping reforms and service improvements. A control board would also in effect become the arbitrator of last resort for labor contracts with Metros reform-resistant unions. (Its useful to bear in mind that the projection for next years daunting deficit may be substantially understated, as it wishfully assumes no wage increases for Metro employees.)

Along with new investment, Metro must have new governance. Under federal auspices, that would include a governing board of transit, finance and management professionals, not local politicians, who have overseen the agency in its descent. The status quo is untenable; Metro desperately needs a clean slate.
Regarding the Oct. 31 front-page article Metros budget picture grim:

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authoritys budget and service proposal is indeed a reality check. General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld is not the bold, forward-thinking leader for the transit system many of us were led to believe he was.

Mr. Wiedefeld must know that his proposal of cutting service and raising fares is a recipe for chasing people away from Metro, making its fiscal problems worse. Weve seen this phenomenon in other transit systems that felt forced to cut service and raise fares at the same time. It may well be necessary for Metro to reduce its personnel costs. But beyond that, the only prudent way forward for Metro is for the regions political leaders to lock themselves in a room until they agree on a regional tax to fund the transit system  and fund it at a level that maintains current fares and service levels for two years, enough time for ridership and reliability levels to return to their peaks.

Isaiah J. Poole, Washington

Study after study has decried the governance of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the need for a dedicated regional tax. As a former Fairfax City mayor, I participated in the 2010 Moving Metro Forward initiative sponsored by the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. With a focus on governance, the report noted, There is concern that Metros troubling decline in performance will continue unless fundamental changes are made to improve governance, leadership, and accountability at WMATA.

Clearly, the strong leadership of General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld is making a difference. We have a better understanding of the systems challenges and what needs to be done. As disruptive as the maintenance program may be, it is necessary. One of my takeaways from the study effort was the degree to which the general manager lacks the requisite authority and flexibility to deal with personnel issues. The recent call for a dedicated tax seems to assume that union agreements calling for automatic pay raises will continue. In Virginia, jurisdictions dont typically operate that way. We have the flexibility to respond to the vagaries of the economy.

We already have a set of additional taxes and fees that provide about $300 million a year for the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. Creating another dedicated tax for Metro will be a tough sell without bringing into consideration the restrictive labor agreements that make it difficult for the general manager to manage and control personnel costs.

John Mason, Fairfax City

Is this metropolitan area so defeatist and woebegone that it cant rescue Metro? Is the District truly the cant-do capital of the world?

Metro needs real, permanent funding, not short-term, stopgap efforts. Area political leaders must come up with the money. That means one thing: Raise taxes. If we want something done, we must pay for it. There is no alternative.

The combination of raising fares, reducing service and cutting jobs is a quick route to total disintegration. Raising the money can be done. It has been done elsewhere in this country. I feel sure that we can do it. Otherwise, we should just give up on the self-governing, democratic experiment and ask King George to take us back.

John Fay, Wheaton
HILLARY CLINTONS election as president is hardly a sure thing. Nevertheless, progressives in the Democratic Party, feeling emboldened by the strong showing of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the primaries, are preparing their demands for a second Clinton administration. Following the old Washington adage that personnel is policy, unions, activists and think-tankers, under the informal auspices of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Mr. Sanders, are putting together lists of acceptable candidates for senior administration jobs  and a blacklist of unacceptable ones.

A certain amount of factional horse-trading over nominations is par for the course in politics; its especially so in a year when Ms. Clinton is reliant on support of the Warren-Sanders troops. We might add, though, that if Ms. Warren wanted to ensure her choices got picked, she could have run for president herself, as many urged her to do; Mr. Sanders did run, but failed to get more votes than Ms. Clinton, so his entitlement to determine administration staffing is a bit debatable as well.

The real problem, though, is not the fact of the lobbying but its nature: Ms. Clinton is being told, apparently, to apply a series of litmus tests to her potential nominees that include not only adherence to the Democratic Party platform, the drafting of which she largely (though not totally) ceded to Mr. Sanders, but also avoidance of any connection to the financial industry  notwithstanding whatever expertise it might confer. These conditions, or others unknown, may disqualify two able potential treasury secretaries, Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook and current Federal Reserve Board member Lael Brainard. Ms. Warren also wants Ms. Clinton to grant a demand that President Obama has so far refused: to fire Securities and Exchange Commission chair Mary Jo White for her refusal to advance a regulation  largely symbolic and arguably irrelevant to the SECs statutory mandate  requiring publicly traded companies to disclose their political donations.

That would set a troubling precedent by linking a current officials tenure at an independent regulatory agency to his or her policy decisions. The advance veto on future nominees that Ms. Warren and Mr. Sanders are seeking, if carried to its logical extreme, would make them de facto usurpers of presidential power. The lefts model is its successful campaign against Mr. Obamas choice of former investment banker Antonio Weiss as undersecretary of treasury for domestic finance in 2014. Under fire from Ms. Warren because of his role in the now-forgotten merger of Burger King and a Canadian company, Mr. Weiss withdrew early last year without a Senate hearing. In the end, this blackballing accomplished nothing practical: Mr. Weiss accepted a Treasury job that did not require Senate confirmation, and ably shepherded bipartisan legislation to restructure Puerto Ricos finances. Meanwhile, the job for which he was originally tapped remains empty. Such end runs could take place in a Clinton administration, too, thwarting the left but at the risk of muddied lines of accountability in the bureaucracy.

People should be nominated based on their individual merits by the person with clear constitutional power to do the nominating. If elected, Ms. Clinton should declare from the outset that is how she will operate.
AS THE 2016 presidential campaign draws to a close, Donald Trump is airing commercials that present him as a change agent who will shake up Washington. Not a mainstream politician, exactly, but nothing to be afraid of, either. This appeal seems to be having some success, as Mr. Trump pulls even with his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, in some national polls and surpasses her in likely voters judgment on who is more trustworthy.

Ultimately, though, this appeal can succeed only if voters succumb to last-minute distractions and ignore or forget Mr. Trumps record. Allow us to offer a few reminders.

If I decide to run for office, Ill produce my tax returns, absolutely.

This lie is emblematic, for two reasons. First, Mr. Trumps refusal to release his returns is an unprecedented sign of contempt for voters; every major-party nominee of the modern era has respected this basic norm of transparency.

[The closing argument against Donald Trump]

1 of 60 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  What Donald Trump is doing on the campaign trail View Photos The GOP presidential nominee is out on the trail ahead of the general election in November. Caption The GOP presidential nominee is pressing his case ahead of Election Day. Nov. 7, 2016 Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at SNHU Arena in Manchester, N.H. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Second, this early lie presaged a campaign built on lies. Mr. Trump went on to deceive about almost everything else: whether American Muslims celebrated the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001, whether he opposed the invasion of Iraq, whether he mocked a disabled reporter, whether his tax plan would benefit him, whether accusations from women he groped have been debunked, and so on and on and endlessly on.

Most politicians are caught in falsehoods from time to time. Mr. Trump revels in them, and when caught simply repeats the lie, more loudly. Similarly, he trades in conspiracy theories that he must know to be false, the more lurid the better: that President Obama was born in Kenya, that Vincent Foster and Antonin Scalia were murdered, that Ted Cruzs father was involved in the assassination of President Kennedy.

The campaign even lies about his initial lie, denying that Mr. Trump ever promised to release his returns.

When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. . . . Theyre sending people who have lots of problems. . . . Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.

These were Mr. Trumps words when he declared his candidacy in June 2015, and divisiveness remains the foundation of his appeal. In the United States of America most of us aspire to live in, we are each judged as individuals. Mr. Trump judges by group: Muslims are untrustworthy, women are weak or treacherous, the disabled are to be mocked, Jews are tough negotiators, African Americans are living lives of desperation, Mexicans are rapists  and their American offspring are unfit to serve as federal judges.

Youd be in jail.

American democracy survives the passions and animus stirred up every four years because its leaders always have accepted this rule: The loser acknowledges the winner, and the winner leaves the loser in peace. Mr. Trump disavows both sides of that time-tested formula.

[Donald Trump is a phony outsider]

Perhaps it is not surprising that Mr. Trump would be so cavalier about a Constitution that he apparently has never read. In fact, he has no understanding of the difference between an elected president of a republic and a dictator. I alone can fix it, he proclaimed at the Republican National Convention.

He vowed to open up the libel laws so that as president he could sue publications that criticized him, though press freedom is protected by the First Amendment and subsequent Supreme Court rulings. When he heard that a wealthy Chicago family was donating to a primary opponent, Mr. Trump tweeted, They better be careful, they have a lot to hide!

With the powers of the IRS and the National Security Agency, what might such a man do?

I would bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding.

Mr. Trumps celebration of torture provides one answer to that question. His vow to kill the innocent relatives of suspected terrorists offers another. A commander in chief in the U.S. system has vast powers, often beyond the reach of Congress or the courts to check. Mr. Trump could in fact order the CIA to resume waterboarding suspects  and worse  to the immense discredit of the country.

Ive always felt fine about Putin. I think hes a strong leader, hes a powerful leader.

In keeping with his disrespect for democracy at home, Mr. Trump consistently expresses admiration for the vilest dictators abroad. The fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin has invaded neighboring countries and dismantled democratic institutions inside Russia does not trouble Mr. Trump. He can be counted on to end the American tradition of supporting liberty and human rights where they are under assault. When MSNBCs Joe Scarborough pointed out that Mr. Putin kills journalists who try to report on the Russian regime, Mr. Trump responded, Well, I think our country does plenty of killing also.

Id like to punch him in the face, I tell ya.

Throughout history, a characteristic of strongmen who subvert democracy has been a romance with violence. As his campaign gathered strength early this year, Mr. Trump waxed nostalgic for the old days when a protester would have been carried out on a stretcher. And he did not limit his dark musings to protesters; speaking of Ms. Clinton, he appeared to invite assassination attempts. If she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks, Mr. Trump said in August. Although the Second Amendment people  maybe there is, I dont know.

[Dear Donald Trump: I want my $49 back]

When youre a star, they let you do it.

After The Post published a videotape of Mr. Trump bragging that he forces himself on women, including by grabbing their genitals, the candidate denied actually engaging in such behavior. The boast was disgusting enough, but many women soon came forward to testify that he is indeed a sexual predator. He responded by mocking the women for being unattractive.

Make America great again.

It is mystifying that so many Republicans, after criticizing Mr. Obama for eight years for showing insufficient pride in the United States, would attach themselves to someone who has such contempt for the country, its institutions and its values. U.S. generals have been reduced to rubble, the U.S. Army cannot fight, U.S. cities are hell, U.S. wealth has been stripped away by global interests, the electoral system is one big, ugly lie. To each of these disasters, Mr. Trump offers phony solutions (Mexico will pay to build a wall) or none at all. He has neither the interest nor the capacity to suggest actual policies.

We believe, as we have said, that Ms. Clinton is well-prepared to serve as president. But even voters who disagree  who believe that Ms. Clinton is unqualified or ethically distasteful  cannot realistically argue that she represents a danger to the republic.

Mr. Trump is such a danger. Only by forgetting or ignoring what he has told us could Americans decide otherwise.
Deutsche Bank is in trouble  and thats bad news for all of us.

Deutsche Bank is Germanys biggest bank, with more than 100,000 employees around the world and operations in more than 70 countries. Its assets total about $1.7 trillion. One worrying sign of the banks distress is that its stock is trading now at about $14 a share, roughly half the peak (almost $29) in the past year and much lower than the historical high point of about $160 in 2007.

For months, rumors about Deutsche Bank have circulated in European financial markets and political circles. How weak is it? Would it need to be rescued by the German government? At best, Deutsche Banks failure would be a blow to confidence and squeeze credit availability in Germany and elsewhere. At worst, Deutsches failure would cause a global recession.

The bank is edging close to suffering a general crisis of confidence, which could see investors pull their business from the bank and even depositors wanting their money out, writes Jacob Funk Kirkegaard of the Peterson Institute, a think tank. Still, Kirkegaard doubts that Deutsche Bank would be allowed to collapse. In a financial crisis, it would probably be rescued by the German government or the European Central Bank, he says.

That could happen. In a separate study, economist William Cline, also of the Peterson Institute, points out that the stock markets valuation of Deutsche Bank is far less than the companys valuation. The stock market puts a price tag of around $15 billion on Deutsche Bank. This figure represents simple arithmetic: the number of shares multiplied by the stocks price. By contrast, the company says its net worth is more than four times that at $68 billion.

The difference between the markets estimate and the banks is that the market thinks the company is too optimistic about future revenue, costs and losses, according to Cline. For example, the U.S. Justice Department is seeking a $14 billion fine from Deutsche Bank, reflecting allegedly abusive lending practices during the housing boom. Deutsche Bank has already created a reserve of $7 billion to pay the fine, says Cline. But if the Justice Department insists on the $14 billion, the reserve would be too small by half.

By Deutsche Banks accounting, and after tapping the reserve, this would still leave the bank with a sizable net worth of around $60 billion, far above the markets evaluation. The markets much lower figure, presumably, reflects losses on loans and other securities that havent been recognized. No one knows whether these losses exist or how much they total, says Cline.

But if large losses do emerge, they could trigger another European banking crisis. The reason: Deutsche Bank isnt the only major bank with a huge gap between its market value and the banks own estimates. Cline examined the 14 largest European banks and found that, with three exceptions, all have market valuations that were substantially below the companies estimates. The average gap was about a third in late October.

Cline did similar estimates for eight major U.S. banks and found that, on average, there was little gap between market and company valuations. U.S. banks appear to have made more progress cleansing their books of weak loans than have European banks, writes Cline.

So the strength of Europes banks is worth watching and worrying about. If the worst fears come to pass, a banking crisis would weaken an already-anemic European economy.

Read more from Robert Samuelsons archive.
Jim Sensenbrenner, a Republican from Wisconsin, is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives

On Tuesday, Americans will elect a president without the full protections of the Voting Rights Act. The last time that happened they were deciding between Lyndon Johnson and Barry Goldwater  more than a half-century ago.

In 2013, the Supreme Court declared that voter discrimination was no longer a problem and effectively struck down the only portion of the act designed to stop discrimination before it affects an election. The court let stand the provisions of the act that allow lawsuits after a discriminatory law takes effect, but unfortunately, the United States has learned the hard way that there is no satisfactory cure for discrimination after an election occurs.

At issue is a practice known as preclearance. Under the 1965 law, jurisdictions with a history of discrimination had to submit changes in voting practices to the Justice Department for review. But in 2013s Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court struck down the trigger used to determine which jurisdictions would be subject to preclearance, effectively removing this safeguard.

Along with Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) and Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.), I introduced the Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2015 to modernize the original law and to respond to the Supreme Courts objections in Shelby County. The bill recognizes the importance of preclearance, but applies it evenly across all 50 states. Under the new law, any state or jurisdiction that demonstrates a consistent pattern of discriminatory voting practices would be subject to preclearance. When the discrimination stops, the jurisdiction would automatically be freed from the requirement. This bill offers a modern and thoughtful response to voter discrimination that ensures the minimal possible federal interference in state elections. Unfortunately, despite the legislation having more than 100 co-sponsors, Congress still has not acted on it.

If opponents take issue with the details of how preclearance would operate or the way the bill defines consistent discrimination, I will happily work with them on changes. But to not act at all suggests they believe that Congress should not allow federal oversight of local elections no matter how discriminatory and unfair those elections are. I do not believe that is an acceptable position.

The country is already suffering from Congresss failure to modernize the Voting Rights Act. Without the full law in place, Americans face unnecessary legal battles, confusion and inefficiency at the polls, and a potentially discriminatory election process.

To date, there have been a number of significant cases brought against states regarding election laws  some with litigation still pending as Election Day approaches. The case League of Women Voters et al. v. the State of North Carolina challenged the states new voting laws, which implemented a state voter identification requirement and made changes to early voting and same-day voter registration practices. In early October, the Florida Democratic Party filed suit against Gov. Rick Scott and Secretary of State Ken Detzner seeking to extend the voter registration deadline in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. In Arizona, litigants brought suit against the Arizona secretary of states office, challenging polling-place closures in Maricopa County, which reduced locations by 70 percent since 2012  opening only 60 polling stations in the 2016 primary election compared with more than 200 in 2012 and 400 in 2008.

Under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, each of these cases would have been reviewed directly by the Justice Department, eliminating the need for costly litigation and ensuring that election laws were settled before Election Day. The Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2015 would not only restore Section 5 and preclearance practices, but also help relieve complications caused by state and local changes to voting laws. It would modernize the VRA to apply to all states equally and include transparency provisions, such as requiring officials to give public notice within 48 hours of certain voting changes that are made 180 days before a federal election. This would help reduce hours-long wait times for voters, give the public ample time to adjust to changes in polling locations and secure proper identification in states that require it.

There's a group of people in the United States and its territories who have historically faced disenfranchisement, including felons and certain U.S. nationals. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

At the core of the Voting Rights Act is the desire for equality in elections. I supported the acts reauthorization in 1982, was instrumental in its reauthorization in 2006 and now urge my colleagues to pass the Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2015 during the upcoming lame-duck session.

The opportunity to reauthorize the VRA for the 2016 election has passed, but enacting the Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2015 would be an enlightened congressional response to what has been an ugly presidential race.

The right to vote is fundamental to a successful, prosperous nation. It is imperative that the process is fair, accessible and protected from discrimination, doubt and partisan gamesmanship. If voters are worried about rigged elections, Congress must act with urgency to pass the Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2015.
THE PICTURE that accompanied a New York Times article about the founder of Chobani yogurt showed him with a giant American flag in the background. That was fitting, because Hamdi Ulukaya epitomizes the American success story  immigrating here, working hard, overcoming adversity, building a successful business and now giving back by helping others. Unfortunately, there is another strand to his story, and it is one of xenophobia that too often has marked the countrys reaction to waves of immigration. Even more distressing is that this ugliness has been enabled by the rhetoric of a presidential candidate who extols brute nationalism as a badge of honor.

Mr. Ulukaya, a Turkish immigrant of Kurdish descent who has built a flourishing business making a popular Greek yogurt, has become the target of racist attacks on social media and negative articles on alt-right websites. Mr. Ulukayas sin? Employing some refugees at his plants in upstate New York and in Twin Falls, Idaho, and advocating that other companies do more to assist immigrants.

The attacks have been encouraged by a series of conspiratorial articles. American Yogurt Tycoon Vows to Choke U.S. With Muslims headlined one article on the far-right website WND. Breitbart, the conservative website whose former executive chairman Stephen K. Bannon is now running Donald Trumps presidential campaign, ran what the Times characterized as misleading articles tying the hiring of refugees to two rape cases in Idaho as well as a spike in tuberculosis in the state. Now there are calls to boycott Chobani.

It is hard not to see the events as an outgrowth of the overheated debate about immigration in the presidential race. That Mr. Trump has opposed resettling refugees, summarily dismissed one nationality as criminals and rapists, and proposed a ban on immigrants of a certain religion has helped to feed the hate. It is no mere coincidence that Mr. Ulukaya, an immigrant, was targeted while other executives who have aided refugees were not.

Here is what should not get lost. Chobani has annual yogurt sales of about $1.5 billion. It employs about 2,000 people. Mr. Ulukaya, by all accounts, has proved to be a generous employer, paying more than the minimum wage and offering paid parental leave and Chobani shares to employees. He is, in short, a perfect rebuke to those who want to scare the United States into shutting the door to immigrants. Thankfully, much like other people who came to this country and encountered prejudice, he shows no sign of being deterred.
FBI Director James B. Comey leaves a closed-door meeting with senators about President Trumps allegations of wiretapping at Trump Tower during the 2016 election at the Capitol in Washington.

March 15, 2017 FBI Director James B. Comey leaves a closed-door meeting with senators about President Trumps allegations of wiretapping at Trump Tower during the 2016 election at the Capitol in Washington. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

James B. Comey, the head of the bureau since 2013, was dismissed by President Trump on May 9, 2017.

The surprise tweet from a little-used FBI account came about 1 p.m. Tuesday, announcing that the agency had published on its website 129 pages of internal documents related to a years-old investigation into former president Bill Clintons pardon of a fugitive Democratic donor.

The seemingly random reminder of one of the darkest chapters of the Clinton presidency a week before the election drew an immediate rebuke from Hillary Clintons campaign  with its spokesman tweeting that the FBIs move was odd and asking whether the agency planned to publish unflattering records about Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Will FBI be posting docs on Trumps housing discrimination in 70s? asked Brian Fallon.

For the second time in five days, the FBI had moved exactly to the place the nations chief law enforcement agency usually strives to avoid: smack in the middle of partisan fighting over a national election, just days before the vote.

The publication of the files related to the Marc Rich pardon inquiry, which agency officials said was posted automatically in response to pending public records requests, came as the Clinton campaign and Democratic lawmakers continued to fume over FBI Director James B. Comeys decision with less than two weeks before the election to announce that he was effectively resuming a review of Hillary Clintons email practices.

The Posts Matt Zapotosky explains why FBI Director James B. Comey has found himself at the center of the presidential campaign in recent days. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

Comeys move to direct agents to suddenly review thousands of emails discovered as part of a separate inquiry into former congressman Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) has led to a range of criticism of the FBI, with Democrats and some Republican lawmakers questioning whether Comey violated Justice Department policies by making a decision that risked shaking up a political campaign.

[Comey faces a firestorm of criticism over renewed Clinton email probe]

Some Democrats have also accused Comey of hypocrisy, citing reports this week that the director argued internally last month that it was too close to Election Day to publicly accuse Russia of meddling in the race. Top intelligence officials issued a rare statement implicating Russia in hacks of Democratic officials and party offices, but Clinton and aides have gone further, alleging that Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to tilt the race in Trumps favor.

All told, the events of the past week have dragged the FBI, a highly regarded institution whose leaders have in recent years worked to build a reputation for impartiality, into the thicket of the polarized presidential race.

Americans now look at the FBI and see a political entity, not a nonpartisan entity  and that has huge ramifications for the FBI and for all of us, said Matt Miller, former chief spokesman for the Justice Department and a Clinton supporter. It sows disbelief in our system of government and is hugely toxic.

On Tuesday, FBI investigators were continuing to examine the newly discovered emails and trying to discern how they ended up on a computer owned by Weiner. As of Tuesday morning, an official said, investigators had found no sign that the computer contained new and bigger evidence about Clinton. But the official said the FBI was deploying all computers, all hands on deck to sort through the high volume of emails and that no one knows what the emails contain.

FBI officials did not respond to questions about the agencys role in the campaign.

At a rally in at Kent State University, Oct. 31, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton spoke about the FBI investigation into emails that might be connected to her private email server. She said "by all means, they should look at" emails on a computer owned by Anthony Weiner, the husband of her top aide, Huma Abedin. (The Washington Post)

As for the release of the Rich files days before the election, FBI officials said the timing was coincidental. The FBI released a statement saying that they were published after Freedom of Information Act requests and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBIs public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures. This happens, the statement said, on a first-in, first-out basis.

The events of the past week have created an unusual political storm around Comey, who until this election year had generally drawn praise from leaders of both parties. When he announced in July that he believed that no reasonable prosecutor would charge Clinton for mishandling classified information through her use of a private email server, Democrats called him fair-minded while some Republicans, including Trump, accused him of being part of a rigged system. This week, the roles have been reversed.

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), who led the House investigation of the attacks on the U.S. diplomatic posts in Benghazi, Libya, said Tuesday that Democrats are improperly blaming Comey for a sequence of events that began with Clintons decision as secretary of state to use a private server. Secretary Clinton is the reason why you and I are having this conversation, not Jim Comey, he told CNN.

The Twitter account used to publicize the Rich files, an official FBI account called@FBIRecordsVault, had been dormant for more than a year until Sunday, when it began to tweet links to archived documents. They included records related to Fred Trump, the father of the GOP nominee, which were posted to the website in early October. Those records included eight pages of largely biographical details about the elder Trump, much of which appeared to be compiled by the FBI in 1988. The agency advertised the Trump records by tweeting: Fred C. Trump (1905-1999) was a real estate developer and philanthropist.

Another tweet linked to previously released internal investigative notes from the FBIs probe of Clintons private email server.

Agency officials said the tweets were automatically generated, a function of the website that they said had not been working since last year but that was recently fixed when the site was upgraded.

The Rich documents provided little new information about the matter, which plagued the first years of Bill Clintons post-presidency. But they served as a reminder of the vigor of the criminal probe into the matter.

Rich, who received his pardon on Bill Clintons last day in the White House, had fled to Switzerland after learning he would be indicted on a charge of tax evasion in the 1980s. The investigation, conducted between 2001 and 2005, was disclosed in news accounts at the time and looked at whether Clinton had issued the pardon in exchange for political donations, including to Hillary Clintons 2000 Senate race and to the Clinton Foundation. It was closed with no charges.

The newly disclosed documents show the FBI internally referred to the matter as a sensitive investigation concerning possible public corruption surrounding the pardons granted by former president William Clinton.

This weeks release of the Rich files demonstrates how many of the players in the current Hillary Clinton drama played roles in Clinton-related battles of the past.

Comey, for instance, as a young prosecutor in New York, helped lead the case against Rich. Later, as U.S. attorney, he led the office that handled the investigation into the Clinton pardon from early 2002 to the end of 2003.

Former attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr., a Clinton backer who this week wrote in a Washington Post op-ed that Comey made a serious error in announcing the resumption of the email probe, was deputy attorney general at the time of the pardon and acknowledged that he had been contacted directly by Richs attorney. The pardon was criticized in part for bypassing an established process in which Justice Department lawyers review applications for merit. Holders name was one of only a few not blacked out in the redacted files released this week.

Comey eventually supported Holders nomination for attorney general but told senators in 2008 that he had been stunned by the Rich pardon and that Holders actions in the case reflected a huge misjudgment.

The release of the Rich files came as Democrats had been expressing their anger over Comeys handling of their suspicions of Russian meddling. For months, Democrats have been talking about alleged ties that Trump and his team have to Russia, and they have been encouraging the FBI to investigate the claims  in addition to the ongoing inquiry into how Russian hackers broke in to the Democratic National Committee and the private email accounts of top party officials.

On Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) said Comey possessed explosive information about close ties and coordination between Donald Trump, his top advisers, and the Russian government. In a letter to Comey, Reid suggested that the FBI director may have violated a federal statute, the Hatch Act, that prohibits government officials from engaging in activities that can influence an election.

Through your partisan actions, you may have broken the law, Reid wrote.

[Harry Reid says Comey may have broken the law by disclosing new Clinton-related emails]

When asked about Reids letter, a White House spokesman bluntly declined to back up his claims and concerns.

Press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters that the Obama administration would neither defend nor criticize Comey, and that the White House had received no FBI briefings on even the existence of any investigation into the activities or habits of the Republican nominee.

Reid was briefed privately in August about the Russia threat by one of the countrys top intelligence officials and came away deeply shaken, according to an aide who was traveling with him at the time. During the private session, conducted in a specially secured briefing room at the FBIs Las Vegas office, Reid told aides he received disturbing details of Russian efforts to influence the election  and about possible Trump campaign ties to the Kremlin.

Afterward, he wrote Comey urging the FBI director to publicly investigate a series of disturbing reports indicating that Russia was trying to influence the Trump campaign and manipulate it as a vehicle for advancing the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump, who has called Putin a strong leader, has denied any connections to Russia.

But the FBIs approach to the questions has frustrated Democrats. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (Md.), the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said Comeys decision to speak out on the Clinton emails while choosing to remain silent on Russia raises serious questions about a very disturbing double standard.

Clinton campaign manager, Robby Mook, said it was nothing short of jaw-dropping that Comey would show more discretion in a matter concerning a foreign-state actor than one involving the Democratic nominee for president.

Matt Zapotosky, Karoun Demirjian, Alice Crites, Ellen Nakashima and Bob Woodward contributed to this report.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly reported that Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. had said that FBI Director James B. Comey made a serious error by resuming the Hillary Clinton email probe. In fact, Holder wrote in a Washington Post op-ed that Comey made a serious error by commenting publicly on the resumption of the probe in a vague letter to Congress.
Bob Berg, the owner of Bob & Tom's gun shop, sits behind the counter of his store in October. Discussion lately has centered on a ballot initiative to require background checks for all gun purchases in Maine. ( Katie Zezima/The Washington Post)

The regulars at Bob & Toms Gun Shop spend hours here fiddling with firearms, sipping coffee and making small talk  chatter that now focuses on fighting an initiative that would require universal background checks for nearly all gun purchases in the state.

Its honest gun country here, said Bud McLaughlin of Medway, Maine, who brought his 12-gauge shotgun into the shop, which is filled to the brim with rifles, shotguns, handguns, semiautomatic weapons and boxes of ammunition. Two rolls of toilet paper  one bearing the face of President Obama, the other of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton  hang from a shotgun that dangles from the ceiling.

Once they start getting their fingers into the gun laws, its the first of the bullcrap thats going to start, he said.

But McLaughlin and his friends are likely to be disappointed on Tuesday. Voters here and in Nevada are poised to approve background checks for almost all private sales and transfers of guns. The ballot initiatives seek to close a loophole in federal law that exempts private sales  such as those online or at gun shows  from comprehensive checks.

In California and Washington state, which have already closed the loophole, voters are being asked to take gun control a step further. Washington will vote on whether to allow family members to seek a temporary order barring a person from having a gun if the person is determined to pose a risk to themselves or others. In California, residents will be asked whether they want to ban the sale of high-capacity magazines and require background checks for ammunition purchases.

The sign outside Bob & Tom's gun shop in Mattawamkeag and a show of support for defeating a ballot initiative to require background checks for firearm sales in Maine. (Katie Zezima/The Washington Post)

The four measures are part of a state-focused approach that gun-control advocates have adopted in the wake of repeated losses in Congress  a strategy reminiscent of the one pursued by same-sex marriage advocates beginning a decade ago. In Maine and Nevada, the legislatures passed background check bills that were vetoed by Republican governors, while California and Washington have already shown strong popular support for gun-safety rules.

In the wake of Congresss failure . . . we decided to take a state-by-state approach, said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, a group backed by billionaire and former New York City mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. In many ways we were borrowing a page from the marriage equality movement.

Everytown has poured $13.3 million into Nevada, $4.6 million into Maine and $550,000 into Washington; it has not put any money toward the California initiative. The National Rifle Association has spent millions to oppose the initiatives, while also spending money in battleground states to help GOP Senate candidates and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Proponents of the measures argue that universal background checks are needed to keep guns out of the hands of people who might fail a check but could still obtain a gun through the loophole. Eighteen states and the District of Columbia require background checks for some types of firearm purchases.

Thats the way to protect the Second Amendment, by keeping guns away from knuckleheads who are going to make the rest of us gun owners look bad, said Nick Wilson, executive director of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition.

In Nevada, gun-control advocates have butted up against a potent force: the states law enforcement community. Sixteen of Nevadas 17 sheriffs have come out against the ballot measure, as have Gov. Brian Sandoval and Attorney General Adam Laxalt, both Republicans.

Many in Nevada law enforcement said they dont agree with language in the measure that requires a background check for the transfer of any gun at any time, requiring both people to go to a licensed firearms dealer before it can be exchanged. The measure exempts some temporary gun transfers, such as while hunting and during organized contests, from this requirement.

Chuck Allen, the sheriff of Washoe County, said he and others believe the requirement will create more work for stretched law enforcement agencies that would have to spend time making sure transfers were done legally.

The Maine provision has exemptions for shooting ranges, competitions and transfers while hunting or trapping.

Robert Uithoven, who is spearheading the NRAs effort in Nevada, said the Nevada measure would make illegal the common activities of people throughout the West and particularly in Nevada who are ordinary, law-abiding citizens. Transferring firearms, perhaps between cousins and good friends while going out recreating, shooting . . . those everyday common practices in Nevada would be illegal.

A Las Vegas Review-Journal poll conducted in late October shows that 54 percent of Nevadans surveyed support the background check question, with 38 percent opposing.

Mark Prentice, a spokesman for Americans for Responsible Solutions, a gun-control group founded by former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), who was shot in 2011, and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, said that there is an appetite for change in states including Nevada.

Prentice and other gun-control advocates said they see education as a large part of their push. Many people, he said, dont know that the loophole exists.

Giffords and Kelly have embarked on a 42-day, 16-state bus tour to push for gun control. The couple has been to Maine and Washington and plans to visit Nevada before Tuesday.

In Maine, a Portland Press-Herald poll conducted in late September showed that 61 percent of respondents support the background check measure, with 33 percent opposing.

The public is fed up with the inability for politicians to take action, said David Farmer, who works for Mainers for Responsible Gun Ownership. The group said it has 1,500 volunteers canvassing in the more-liberal population centers of South Portland, Brunswick and Orono and has spent thousands on ads.

But at the gun shop here in rural Mattawamkeag  about 60 miles north of Bangor and west of the Canadian border  owner Bob Berg sat behind the counter of his shop, boxes of ammunition stacked behind him and a sign reading Guns left at own risk tacked to a plywood wall next to an array of handguns. He said he doesnt want outside interests controlling his state.

Its not what Maine needs, he said of the expanded background checks.
 Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Partys nominee for president, could not believe what was happening. For months hed argued that the American publics disgust with the two major parties would cut his path to the White House. He had just watched those candidates disqualify themselves from high office. And he was polling worse than ever  especially in Utah, where those candidates were toxic.

James Comey would not have done what he did unless there was something underlying all of this, Johnson told a crowd of about 100 people Tuesday at a college auditorium near Salt Lake City. And if Trump is elected, he could actually go into Inauguration Day on trial for rape! Underage rape! He could be on trial for underage rape, taking the oath of office!

Both claims were full of holes, from the FBI directors letter to Congress in the Hillary Clinton email case to the flimsiness of the Donald Trump case. At the same time, two time zones away, Johnsons running mate, Bill Weld, was telling MSNBC that he was vouching for Mrs. Clinton and far more worried about Trump winning the election.

This was not a bad day in the Libertarian tickets final run. It was typical.

We purposely un-coordinate, other than the belief that we believe in each other, Johnson explained. Hey, he does not want Donald Trump elected. I dont want to see Hillary Clinton elected. So I dont see an issue with him going after Trump. Im going after Clinton.

In 2015 and 2016, for months at a time, the rise of libertarian-minded candidates sparked questions about whether a libertarian moment had arrived. The high-profile presidential run of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) rattled Democrats who worried about the shifting millennial vote. Johnson, an asterisk in the 2012 campaign, found hundreds of reporters following his 2016 bid. He sought media coverage and inclusion in public polling. He got it.

Pauls campaign ended days after the Iowa caucuses and months after most media stopped covering him. Johnson, who polled as high as the low teens, is tracking to finish in the low single digits and to win no states. The Koch donor network, which seeded libertarian think tanks for decades, has scaled back its 2016 ambitions from an eight-figure ad buy to some rote canvassing in swing states.

In an interview at Salt Lake Citys Alfa Club, Johnson acknowledged that Trump or Clinton will win the election, unless there was a collective head-jerk that got voters in Western states looking his way again. Before setting out for a final string of rallies from Atlanta to Portland, Ore., to New Mexico, the state he governed, he described 2016 as a building year for the libertarian movement. He would not run for office again.

I think the Libertarian Party will grow by leaps and bounds, he said. It will be a game changer if I can hit 5 percent. Ten million bucks of public financing. No issues regarding ballot access. There are going to be a slew of new Libertarians, who are going to be former elected Democrats and Republicans.

Some of that has happened. Six newspapers endorsed the Johnson-Weld ticket, making it six more than had endorsed the party in a presidential election. One retiring member of Congress, Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va.), bolted Trump for Johnson. In Murray, Johnson was joined by Mark Madsen, a Utah state senator who had quit the Republican Party for the Libertarians and told the mostly young crowd to run for office.

Dont start with president, he advised.

But its less than libertarians expected, and it comes as both the Democratic and Republican parties sprint further from their views. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), not Paul, became 2016s breakout star with young voters; his campaign found millions of them saying they preferred socialism to capitalism. Trumps takeover of the Republican Party moved it further from the Koch sweet spot on immigration, policing and entitlements. This has been the year of the alt-right more than the year of the Libertarian  far more.

You can complain about the candidates or the system,  said Gene Healy, a vice president at the libertarian Cato Institute. The bigger problem is theres no mass constituency for radical cuts in government  among GOP primary voters or the electorate at large. Any progress toward shrinking government and expanding liberty is going to be slow and incremental, and its almost certainly not going to emerge from presidential politics.

Still, the candidates gave libertarians plenty to complain about. Paul, who is favored to win an easy reelection to the Senate, attempted to balance an America-first foreign policy with the demands of nervous Republican voters. He opposed the nuclear deal with Iran; his father, former congressman Ron Paul (R-Tex.), supported it. Libertarian-approved campaign promises such as tearing up the tax code and balancing the budget fell flat, while prickly libertarian purists attacked him as a sellout.

He sent all these mixed messages about arming the Kurds, and people were like, I dont know who this guy is,  said Nick Gillespie, the editor of Reason.com and co-author of a 2009 book about how voters bailing on the two parties could become natural libertarians. He never came back from that. What would have worked better is a full-throated articulation of a libertarian foreign policy.

The libertarian gripe about Johnson was simpler  he was handed a perfect electoral opportunity and he talked his way out of it. Like Gillespie, Johnson described libertarianism as a goldilocks politics that took what was good about the left and right and junked what was unpopular.

But when the media finally put a camera in front of him, Johnson stumbled. Low-key and self-effacing, with a tendency to describe any policy discussion as in the weeds, Johnsononly broke through in interviews if he gaffed  which he did.

Johnson never quite recovered from blanking on a question about what hed do about Aleppo. When Clinton later erroneously referred to the city as a Syrian border town, Johnson cried bias. He jokingly bit his tongue in an MSNBC interview and blew up at a Guardian reporter who kept informing him that most economists opposed his plan to swap the income tax for a national consumption tax.

Ive never had an interview like that, Johnson said in Utah. Maybe its because I was burning the candle at both ends.

Yet neither Rand Paul nor Johnson made as many gaffes as Trump; and neither one had to fend off regular questions about federal agents probing their emails. Johnsons polling swoon happened as he was excluded from the presidential debates, while Democrats and NextGen Climate lit into him for saying  in 2012  that climate change was not a problem in the long run because eventually Earth would be engulfed by the sun.

Between Paul, Johnson and the Koch network, libertarianism had plenty of media space to make a sale. That it might end the election with 5 percent support or less challenges the Libertarians who have spent decades in the ideological snake pit. They warned before the nomination that Johnson and Weld were poor messengers. (I appreciate you, I like you, I believe in you, but please keep Bill Weld away from the Libertarian Party, Fox Business host Lisa Kennedy Montgomery told Johnson this week.) Fred Smith, the founder of the libertarian Competitive Enterprise Institute, suggested that Libertarians were still not able to reach the people who might listen.

The only channels big enough to reach the American people are the media, the academy and pop culture, and none are readily accessible to classical liberals, Smith said. Business does have channels to reach the citizenry, which they use to market product, not to gain societal legitimacy. So libertarian ideas got all dressed up for the last decade or so and found they had nowhere to go. One hope is that postelection this strategic weakness in the array of free-market forces will be addressed.

Utah, which Johnson had once invested with time and hope, was proving Smiths point. In the summer, Johnson was threatening to force a three-way race between Clinton, Trump and himself. Evan McMullin, the ex-CIA operative and House Republican staffer who jumped into the race days before the filing deadline, drained almost all his support.

McMullin, a Mormon graduate of Brigham Young University, posed a challenge to Trump but none to the Republican Party as it existed five minutes before Trump. He pitched a new conservative movement  pro-life, strong on defense, but more pro-immigration.

More worrying for the libertarian movement in the long term is that Johnsons performance may leave Ron Paul as the most successful candidate in its history. That was not a problem on economics, or war, or the movements other defining issues.

But in his 2008 and 2012 campaigns, Ron Paul seemed hamstrung by his support from white nationalists. The stories sprang up at the worst moments: donations from the founder of Stormfront.org, race-war fear mongering in his old newsletters. This year, Rand Paul and then Johnson studiously rejected all of that, replacing it with talk of criminal-justice reform. Black lives matter, Johnson said at every stop since the summer.

In the end, the nationalist aspect of Ron Pauls message  the one his son sprinted away from  proved more potent than libertarianism. The same day that Johnson slogged through his Utah schedule, Peter Thiel, the PayPal founder and libertarian donor who had funded a 2012 Ron Paul super PAC, was in Washington making the case for Trump.

[Its] become sadly clear, in the year of Trump, that a fair proportion of his 2.1 million voters in 2012 were attracted more toward inchoate system overthrow than well-considered libertarianism, said Brian Doherty, author of the movement history Radicals for Capitalism.

Libertarians, who do not lack for funding, will not give up. Johnson, who was disappointed that the Kochs did not stand on principle and back him, nonetheless raised more than any third-party candidate since the 1990s. At the Murray rally, Johnson got a rousing endorsement from Overstock.com founder Patrick Byrne, who praised him for bringing principle to the race.

Just a tenth as many people came to the speech as had come to the last big McMullin rally. But those who did skewed young and had a definition of libertarian that could be bent into any shape by the movements next candidate.

Its a happy middle between the parties, said June Paxton, 25. Her only caveat: After she put all of her issue stances into an online survey, she learned that she should have been supporting the Green Party.
Hillary Clinton gave a final argument against rival Donald Trump to voters in Tempe, Ariz., on Nov. 2. Imagine having a president who demeans women, mocks the disabled, insults Latinos, African Americans, the disabled, POWs, who pits people against each other," she told supporters. (Video: The Washington Post/Photo: Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Hillary Clinton gave a final argument against rival Donald Trump to voters in Tempe, Ariz., on Nov. 2. Imagine having a president who demeans women, mocks the disabled, insults Latinos, African Americans, the disabled, POWs, who pits people against each other," she told supporters. (Video: The Washington Post/Photo: Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Hillary Clinton on Wednesday laid out her final argument to voters still wavering over their presidential choice, asking Americans to imagine how Donald Trump would conduct himself in the Oval Office.

Imagine having a president who demeans women, mocks the disabled, insults Latinos, African Americans, the disabled, POWs, who pits people against each other, the Democratic presidential nominee asked a sprawling crowd gathered for a nighttime rally on the campus of Arizona State University.

We really dont have to imagine what it would be like, because everything he has said and done  both in his career and this campaign -- is a pretty good preview, she added.

At a Miami rally, GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump claimed reporters, including "Katy," aren't properly covering support for his campaign. The target of his finger-pointing was NBC News reporter Katy Tur. (The Washington Post)

The tightness of the race  and the multiple states poised to have a pivotal effect on the outcome  was apparent in the vast distances covered by both candidates and their surrogates Wednesday, as well as the tens of millions of dollars in advertising lined up to fill the airwaves in the last days.

[The good, the bad and the ugly in new state polls for Hillary Clinton]

A bullish Trump spent the day in Florida, assuring supporters that he was on the path to victory, while his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, raced through Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. Trumps children also campaigned in key battlegrounds on his behalf, making stops in Colorado, North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas  Trumps long-lasting rival in the primary contest  was set to appear with Pence Thursday in Iowa and Michigan.

At a rally in Dade City, Fla., on Tuesday, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton deplored how Republican rival Donald Trump has treated women. "We cannot hide from this," she said. (Photo: Melina Mara/The Washington Post; Video: The Washington Post)

Speaking to a crowd of fired-up fans in Pensacola at his third stop of the day, the real estate developer at one point gave himself a lecture about staying on message.

In six days, we are going to win the great state of Florida, and we are going to win the White House, the GOP nominee said. Its feeling like it already, isnt it? Weve got to be nice and cool, nice and cool. Alright? Stay on point, Donald, stay on point. No sidetracks, Donald.

But in a break from his past rhetoric about curtailing immigration, the GOP nominee proclaimed that as president he would allow tremendous numbers of legal immigrants based on a merit system.

They have to come in legally, he added. And well have merit involved, too. Wouldnt it be nice if we went a little bit on the merit system? We take people that are really going to help us to grow our country? Wouldnt that be nice? Somebody said: You cant say that, thats not politically correct. Well, I just said it, folks.

For her part, Clinton urged supporters to reach out to voters thinking maybe Ill just sit this one out, as she put it, and exhorted them to spend the final hours before Election Day working to persuade everyone they know to vote.

Think about any issue you care about  it is on the ballot, she told a small, crowded union hall in Las Vegas earlier in the day.

She ended her day in Tempe, with her second-biggest rally of the campaign, addressing an estimated 15,000 supporters gathered on the campus of Arizona State University.

You cant imagine how happy I am to be here with all of you! she said, beaming as she took in the teeming crowd.

Throughout the day, she was backed by a full cast of Democratic and liberal heavy-hitters across the country, including President Obama, Vice President Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

You win here in Florida, it is all over, Biden urged a crowd in Palm Beach Gardens. We can go to bed early on election night!

A few moments later, Obama made the same case to supporters in Chapel Hill, N.C. So I hate to put a little pressure on you, but the fate of the republic rests on your shoulders, he told the crowd gathered on a sports field at the University of North Carolina.

In a radio interview broadcast Wednesday morning, the president expressed concern about turnout among African Americans, pressing black voters to go to the polls for Clinton to protect the policies he has implemented.

The African American vote right now is not as solid as it needs to be, Obama said on The Tom Joyner Morning Show, framing the election as not only a race between Clinton and Trump, but one in which his record is on the line.

I need everybody to understand that everything weve done is dependent on being able to pass the baton to somebody who believes in the same things I believe in, the president said.

[Obama worries black vote is not as solid as it needs to be]

To shore up support among black voters, Clinton released a radio ad Wednesday titled Disrespect that says Trump openly mocks the African American community. The spot will air in Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and North Carolina, her campaign said.

The Clinton team dipped into its bulging war chest to increase its ad investments across the country for the final week of the campaign, purchasing airtime in Wisconsin and doubling its television spending in Arizona to $1 million. A Democratic nominee for president has not won Arizona since Bill Clinton in 1996, but polls show a competitive contest there.

In addition, the campaign is expanding its air presence in Colorado, Virginia, Michigan and New Mexico with six-figure buys.

The new spending is fueled by Clintons large bank account. As of Oct. 19, she had more than $62 million on hand, compared with Trumps $16 million.

This week, the campaign said it raised a record $11.3 million in 48 hours online. Clintons online fundraising has reached its highest level since she became the Democratic nominee in July, officials said, giving her campaign the resources to blanket the airwaves.

Were not going to leave any money on the table, said Clinton communications director Jennifer Palmieri.

The surge in donations coincides with news of a renewed FBI inquiry into Clintons use of a private email server when she was secretary of state, a development that Democrats have criticized as unfair. Fundraising appeals have asked Clinton supporters to have her back at a difficult time.

[After another release of documents, FBI finds itself caught in a partisan fray]

At the same time, the controversy has invigorated Trump and his supporters. His campaign said it had raised $100 million in small-dollar donors in October  meaning it saw a huge flood of contributions in the last 11 days of the month.

Trump has been focusing heavily this week on the FBIs latest probe, often wildly exaggerating or changing key details. In Orlando, he said that all 650,000 emails that were located on a laptop belonging to Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of Clinton aide Huma Abedin, belonged to Clinton. Officials have not yet said whether any of the emails are connected to Clinton.

In Orlando, the GOP nominee predicted that Clinton is likely to be under investigation for many years, probably concluding in a criminal trial.

Hillary wants to blame everyone else for her mounting legal troubles and I dont see  if youve watched her last few speeches over the last few days, she has become totally unhinged, he said. Unbelievable. What shes saying and what shes doing, it  actually, its unbelievable. But she has no one to blame but herself.

Earlier in the day, at a rally in Miami, Trump called his Democratic rival a  very unstable person. He did not substantiate his claim.

Meanwhile, Trump campaign spokesman Jason Miller confirmed Wednesday that the Republican nominee will hold his election night event at the New York Hilton Midtown.

The hotel is a couple of blocks from Trump Tower, where the nominee launched his campaign last year. But the atrium in Trump Tower is a privately owned public space, making it a problematic spot for a private campaign event. The City of New York earlier fined Trump $10,000 for holding campaign events there.

The campaign rented a ballroom in the Hilton but expects to do a small event  at least compared with most of Trumps big rallies, according to one person familiar with the plans who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe strategy.

In 2012, GOP nominee Mitt Romney spent $25,000 on a fireworks show over Boston Harbor that never came to pass because he lost to President Obama. There are no plans for Trump fireworks next Tuesday, the person said. Trump is superstitious and doesnt want to jinx things by planning a big victory celebration, the person added.

Trumps decision means that both presidential nominees will be spending next Tuesday night in New York. Clinton and her supporters will gather at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan  a building with a symbolic architectural feature: a large glass ceiling.

Johnson reported from Miami, Orlando and Pensacola, and Gold reported from Washington. Anne Gearan and David Nakamura in Washington and Juliet Eilperin in Chapel Hill contributed to this report.
Call it a housing policy head fake, one with potentially painful consequences for moderate-income buyers, sellers and seniors in condominium projects around the country. If you were thinking about purchasing a condo unit with a low-down-payment FHA mortgage in the coming year, this may affect you.

Last week, ostensibly yielding to a congressional mandate to make consumer-friendly Federal Housing Administration mortgages more widely available in condominiums, the government announced a move to do precisely that: Starting immediately, projects with fewer than half of their units occupied by owners may be eligible for certification for FHA financing. Under certain circumstances, the government said, projects with rates of owner occupancy as low as 35 percent might now be eligible.

Currently, the minimum owner-occupancy ratio is 50 percent, a level that critics in Congress and the real estate industry believe excludes too many first-time and minority buyers from access to FHA financing. FHA insists it needs such a threshold to avoid defaults and losses on mortgages. In July, legislation that passed Congress unanimously gave FHA 90 days to lower its owner-occupancy minimum to 35 percent or provide justification for keeping it higher.

[More Harney: After court ruling, secret payoff schemes may raise settlement costs]

That was important because historically, FHA has been the go-to option for consumers with modest resources. In some markets, FHA financing once accounted for upward of three-quarters of first-time purchases. In addition, its reverse-mortgage program accounts for an estimated 90-plus percent of all such loans made to seniors needing to supplement their retirement incomes.

In recent years, however, the agency has severely tightened eligibility requirements for condominiums and has experienced drastic declines in the volume of condo loans as a result. Less than 10 percent of the estimated 150,000 potentially eligible condominium projects in the country are now certified for FHA financing, according to the Community Associations Institute, a trade group. If a project is not certified by the FHA, no individual units within it can qualify for one of its loans.

Now for the head fake: In its announcement, FHA spelled out the conditions under which it would allow the lower owner-occupancy threshold. Condo boards of directors will have to document that their projects financial reserves equal 20 percent or more of their budget and that no more than 10 percent of all units are in arrears on homeowner dues. They also must provide three years of acceptable financial documents for review.

How many noncertified condo projects can meet these tests? I asked FHA spokesman Brian Sullivan, who said in an email that although the agency is not certain, it believes that many well-managed developments will indeed qualify for the lower 35 percent threshold.

Sounds great. The million-member National Association of Realtors certainly thought so. Its president, Tom Salomone, hailed FHAs policy switch as a big win.

But a closer look suggests something starkly different. FHA has created test criteria that appear virtually guaranteed to flunk most condo projects that might like to take advantage of the loosened standard.

[More Harney: New programs make mortgages available for many who had been frozen out]

I spoke with the heads of four of the best-known consulting firms that work with condo boards nationwide to attain FHA certifications and with a top official of the Community Associations Institute, which represents more than 30,000 homeowners associations and management companies. Everyone agreed: FHAs policy change wont help many projects or consumers who want to buy or sell units.

Christopher L. Gardner, managing member of California-based FHA Pros, told me the 20 percent reserves requirement alone is a deal killer.

I can probably count on two hands the number of associations Ive seen that reserve 20 percent, he said. Homeowners hate [having] their dues increased, and condo boards hate to vote for increases because they want to stay on the board. Locating projects that meet all the new criteria, he said, would be like finding a unicorn holding a four-leaf clover.

Rusty McInerney, president of InterIsland Mortgage of Bradenton, Fla., which has conducted more than 56,000 reviews of condo financials, said the request for three years of acceptable financial documents is a Pandoras box of ways to reject an application.

Jon Eberhardt, president of Condo Approvals, based in Torrance, Calif., told me, I dont know one [project] that would fit into FHAs combined requirements. Not one. Its egregious, he said.

Philip J. Sutcliffe, owner of Project Support Services in Philadelphia, who favors retention of the 50 percent owner-occupancy standard, said very few, if any projects will be able to pass the tests announced by FHA.

Bottom line: Congress may have instructed FHA to increase the number of condo units available for moderate-income buyers, but apparently FHA had a different idea.

Ken Harneys email address is kenharney@earthlink.net.


Employees of AfricaJuice, a Dutch-owned juice company in Ethiopia, toss fruit damaged by protesters two weeks earlier on Oct. 4. The attack was one of many during several days of unrest following a deadly stampede at a religious festival in the town of Bishoftu, triggered when police fired tear gas into crowds chanting anti-government slogans at the packed venue. Ethiopia is facing its most significant unrest in a decade from the majority Oromo and Amhara ethnic groups, which feel marginalized by the minority-led government. (Zacharias Abubeker/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESS VIA GETTY IMAGES)

The smell of rotting mango and passion fruit still hung in the air over the blackened shell of a juice factory near this village more than two weeks after the plant was looted and burned by an aggrieved mob.

As employees swept out the empty rooms, Abraham Negusay, AfricaJuices production manager, worked on his laptop in the former lab.

We are evaluating the damage and destruction, cleaning up the factory and doing a cost analysis, he said, noting that the Dutch company had yet to decide whether to keep its multimillion-dollar investment in Ethiopia.

The assailants, estimated by AfricaJuice farm managers to number in the thousands, descended on the factory in the Upper Awash Valley, about 90 miles southeast of Addis Ababa, on Oct. 4. Wielding axes, spears and some firearms, they overwhelmed the armed guards while workers fled into the nearby forest.

The attack was part of a week-long spasm of violence that followed a deadly stampede on Oct. 2 during Irreecha, a thanksgiving festival held annually by the Oromo, Ethiopias largest ethnic group. That day in the town of Bishoftu, police fired tear gas into crowds chanting anti-government slogans, and in the ensuing panic, dozens died. The opposition put the death toll in the hundreds.

[Dozens killed in Ethiopia after police use tear gas on protest at festival]

In response, mobs attacked industrial farms and factories across the country, focusing on those with state ties or owned by foreigners. Several tourist lodges were also targeted, and at least two were destroyed.



People pass a cargo truck that protesters destroyed in the town of Sebeta last month. The town was one of many where anti-government groups targeted foreign- or state-owned enterprises. (Zacharias Abubeker/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESS VIA GETTY IMAGES)

Once held up as the hot, new investment destination in Africa because of its cheap labor, plentiful water and stability, Ethiopias industrialization program is at risk of faltering  along with its impressive economic trajectory  as current investors reconsider their options and new ones shy away.

The unrest has shown the limits of the authoritarian nations Chinese-style development plan, which favors growth over public accountability.

A largely agricultural economy, Ethiopia has been luring foreign investors for the past decade to set up light industries, such as textile companies, and agribusiness ventures, such as flower farms.

Foreign investment has increased tenfold, from $265 million in 2005 to $2.16 billion in 2015, according to the World Bank, and the country has surpassed Kenya as East Africas largest economy.

[Ethiopia confronts its worst ethnic violence in years]

The unrest started last year here in Oromia, in central Ethiopia, when some residents began protesting the expropriation of land for foreign industries, as well as poor local administration and their ethnic groups historic marginalization. It quickly spread to the northern Amhara region, and there were sporadic attacks on farms and factories.

After the Irreecha stampede, activists abroad called for five days of rage and systematic attacks on foreign and state enterprises.

What started as a holiday celebration for Ethiopias Oromo people turned into a deadly protest in the town of Bishoftu on Oct. 2 as demonstrators tried to flee police firing tear gas and warning shots into the crowd. The ensuing stampede killed dozens. (Reuters)

The government responded to the violence by declaring a state of emergency on Oct. 8. Thousands were arrested, and bans were imposed on protesting, inciting others to demonstrate, damaging public property and communicating with terrorist groups  including listening to anti-government media outlets based abroad.

The measures have prompted concern from the United Nations, Germany and the United States .

Ethiopian officials say the state of emergency was the only way to restore order in the country.

We have been able to arrest the rate at which the destruction was visited on our people, and the violence has been controlled, then-government spokesman Getachew Reda said last week. He was replaced in a government reshuffle Tuesday.

An army unit is camped out in front of AfricaJuice, and machine-gun-mounted pickup trucks circle the lush Awash Valley.

President Mulatu Teshome has also toured devastated factories and promised investors that the government will help them recoup their losses.

Interviews with elders and the bystanders to the attacks in the Oromo region made clear that the deaths at the Irreecha festival left people all across the country desperate to vent long-simmering anger over land acquisitions for foreign industry. AfricaJuice was reportedly involved in one such land dispute.

In a few cases, though, investors ties to a particular community may have saved their farms. Marc Driessen, a Dutch flower grower, recalled watching smoke billowing into the sky as the AfricaJuice factory burned just six miles from his own 12-year-old farm, Maranque Plants.

It was really an end-of-the-world kind of thing, he said.



Workers tend flowers at Maranque Plants, a Dutch flower farm near the Ethiopian village of Alaga Dore that was the only operation in the area to remain untouched during the recent unrest. Village elders managed to dissuade the protesters from attacking the compound, arguing that it had benefited the local community. (Zacharias Abubeker/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE VIA GETTY IMAGES)

Inside the vast greenhouses, hundreds of workers  mostly from nearby Alaga Dore  tended the delicate chrysanthemums, dahlias and poinsettias that would later be packed up and shipped to 35 countries.

As hundreds of angry young men and women approached the main gate on Oct. 4, Driessen and his managers feared the worst  until the village elders intervened.

We went on motorbikes, elder Shumi Telila recalled as he sat under a tree in Alaga Dore. We said: This is our property. We are getting a lot of benefit from this company. You cannot burn this. 

The young villagers listened to their elders and left the farm alone.

At least 800 people from Alaga Dore work at the farm, which also maintains the villages water pump and generator and poured a concrete floor for its school.

Yet just 18 miles away, the Giving Tree Nursery was attacked by another group two days later despite the Belgian companys own efforts to support the local community.

Ingrid van der Schaaf, Giving Trees research manager, was there when reports of the attacks began, and she fled for the capital.

Workers and some locals tried in vain to protect the farm, which grows beans, peas, peppers and okra for export to Europe. When van der Schaaf returned, she found much of it gutted.

They destroyed the managers compound and staff quarters, she said, speaking by phone from the Netherlands. It was shocking to see.

The fields and some of the bigger equipment were untouched, but the farm now has no means to sow, harvest or transport a crop. You see all the damage and think, For what?  van der Schaaf said. There are 500 jobs.

The Machiels Group, which owns the farm, is still deciding its future in Ethiopia.

What the next few months will bring, you simply dont know, said its foreign projects manager, Hendrik Schoebrechts, speaking from Belgium. Will there be another uprising?



People pass between condominiums in Jemo, on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, in August. The condominiums, the Ethiopian version of social housing, have become a symbol of the countrys development and a way for authorities to clean up downtown Addis, create jobs and house more than 3 million people. (Zacharias Abubeker/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE VIA GETTY IMAGES)

According to Emma Gordon, East Africa analyst for Verisk Maplecroft, a U.K.-based risk consultancy, many investors are waiting to see whether the government has a better solution to the unrest than repression.

The protests have raised issues that will need more than a military response, and unless there is a perception that some of these underlying problems are being tackled, I think risk-sensitive sectors will be cautious to enter the country, she said.

In the wake of the state of emergency, the government has reshuffled the cabinet, adding several more Oromo ministers, and promised a more representative electoral system that will bring in opposition parties, which since 2015 have not had a single seat in Parliament.

New elections, however, are four years away, and the political crisis stems in part from the lack of faith Oromos have in their pro-government politicians.

Walking the perimeter of his farm, the sole untouched operation in the area, Driessen expressed doubt about the future, given the recent violence.

It will affect new investors dramatically, he said.

Read more

Ethiopia imposes state of emergency as unrest intensifies

Ethiopia has a lot riding on its new, Chinese-built railroad

In Ethiopias war against social media, truth is the main casualty

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
Members and supporters of the South African opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, shout and gesture as they demonstrate against President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday in Pretoria. (Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images)

South African President Jacob Zuma faced growing calls to resign Wednesday after the release of a state report that found possible evidence of corruption at top levels of a government whose leader has already been enmeshed in scandal.

The report by a state watchdog agency came out as thousands of South Africans demonstrated for the removal of Zuma, who apologized earlier this year after the Constitutional Court said he flouted the law in a scandal over millions of dollars in state spending on his rural home.

A commission of inquiry should be established to investigate separate allegations centered on Zumas close relationship with the Guptas, a business family of Indian immigrants that has been accused of meddling in the government for its own financial benefit, according to the report by the state public protectors office.

Zuma is required to appoint the judicial commission, though it would be headed by a judge solely selected by the Chief Justice who shall provide one name to the President, the report said.

The commission would have six months to complete its findings and make recommendations, a process that could slow calls for Zuma to quit. Opposition parties, however, said they could push for a vote of no confidence in the president in coming weeks.

A similar vote this year was rejected because the ruling African National Congress has a majority in parliament, though some ANC members have since become openly critical of Zuma.

The release of the 355-page report by former public protector Thuli Madonsela, who completed a seven-year term last month, was delayed in court because of efforts by Zuma and associates to block its release.

The president was not afforded a reasonable opportunity to provide meaningful input into the investigation and asked the court to be given an opportunity to do so, Zumas office said in a statement. It said he should have been provided with incriminating evidence before answering questions from the watchdog agency, and should have been allowed to question witnesses who were interviewed for the report.

The report explores conduct by Zuma and other state officials in connection with allegations that the Guptas were involved in the removal and appointment of cabinet ministers and directors of state-owned firms.

The Guptas have denied that they illegally tried to obtain state contracts and other benefits, and previously said they were the victims of hate speech.
The office door of rights group Amnesty International is sealed off in Moscow, Russia, November 2, 2016. (Maxim Zmeyev/Reuters)

Authorities abruptly locked out staff of the Russian branch of Amnesty International from their Moscow office on Wednesday, amid concerns about widening crackdowns on human rights groups and others.

A statement from Moscows city administration, whose land department owns the building containing Amnestys offices, said the rights watchdog group had failed to pay rent on time and that staff should remove their belongings and clear out.

But Amnesty officials denied that there were any problems with rent, which raised questions about whether the eviction was linked to pressures in Russia against groups perceived as challenging the government.

Sergei Nikitin, director of Amnestys Moscow office, said staff members found a seal on the door to the office, where the locks were changed and power was cut. A note on the seal warned against entering the property.

The development comes as human rights groups in Russia face increasing government controls and, in some cases, harassment. It also follows a strongly worded protest that Amnesty issued Tuesday over the incarceration and treatment of a Russian human rights activist.

Sergei Nikitin, Director of Amnesty International representative office in Russia, talks to journalists in Moscow, Russia, November 2, 2016. (Maxim Zmeyev/Reuters)

[Dissident artists getting squeezed by political pressure]

John Dalhuisen, Amnesty Internationals Europe director, called the lockout an unwelcome surprise.

Given the current climate for civil society work in Russia, there are clearly any number of plausible explanations, but its too early to draw any conclusions, Dalhuisen said.

Nikitin told reporters outside the office that Amnesty had always paid the rent on time and had the documents to prove it. The organization has rented the building for 20 years.

He planned to take up the matter with Moscow authorities.

The Moscow city property department cited considerable violations of the terms of the lease agreement and said Amnesty was warned that the lease could be terminated  charges that Nikitin repeatedly denied Wednesday.

President Vladimir Putins spokesman said he was unaware of the incident.

This is the first time Im hearing about this. I have absolutely no information of the sort, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

[Attackers target Greenpeace, decry ties to America]

On Tuesday, Amnesty International demanded that authorities release Ildar Dadin, a street protester convicted of participating in unauthorized assemblies, and investigate his allegations of torture. Dadins letter from prison to his wife, in which he described being beaten repeatedly, was published Tuesday by the Meduza online newspaper, a Russian-language news site based in Riga, Latvia.

Human rights groups that have criticized Russian authorities have faced what activists describe as an official campaign of harassment. Some nongovernmental organizations that work in Russia and receive funding from abroad have been designated as foreign agents, which gives Russian prosecutors the power to shut them down if deemed undesirable.

In September, the independent Levada Center polling group was designated a foreign agent, prompting its leaders to say they might have to close their Russian operations.

Various rights activists have also encountered a backlash from apparent pro-Kremlin vigilantes.

Last month, masked men carrying pistols, knives and truncheons stormed a Greenpeace campsite and severely beat volunteer firefighters in southern Russia.

In May, a group wearing the traditional hats of Cossacks assaulted a group of anti-corruption activists at an airport in southern Russia.

In Moscow, where many buildings are owned by the city, sudden termination of lease agreements has been used as a way of putting pressure on organizations that are critical of authorities. In 2014, the lease of the experimental theater group Teatr.doc was abruptly terminated.

Natalya Abbakumova contributed to this report.

Read more:

Putin wants revenge and respect, and hacking the U.S. is his way of getting it

U.S. hacking charges fail to impress Russians. They just think we hate them.

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news


After driving from Pakistan the previous day to a U.N. encashment center on the outskirts of Kabul, a family of Afghans wake up at dawn and boil tea after a night sleeping on top of the trucks that carried them. (Andrew Quilty for The Washington Post)

Abdulhalim fled the northern city of Kunduz this month after militants and security forces had been clashing for days.

Now hes 200 miles away in Kabul, sleeping in a tent and living on aid. He is part of a looming humanitarian crisis aid agencies here are struggling to contain.

Before the current crisis, more than a million people had already been uprooted last year. This year, at least another million Afghans are on the move inside Afghanistan and across its borders, in what the United Nations warns is an alarming new wave of displaced people.

Many, like Abdulhalim, fled violence or conflict; others escaped hardships such as poverty or drought. Still others were forced to return from Pakistan and Iran.

Even as the numbers grew, Afghanistan agreed to accept Afghan asylum seekers deported from the European Union. The deal, signed in October, could lead the E.U. to construct a separate terminal for deportees at Kabuls international airport, and as many as 100,000 Afghans could return.

This sudden increase [in the displaced] has put a lot of pressure on Afghanistan, which has had 30 years of war, said Nader Farhad, spokesman for the U.N. refugee agency in Kabul. Its not easy to put together the infrastructure, to provide the services that are required, he said, adding that the displaced need everything from food and blankets to jobs and health care.

To the European countries, we say: Instead of investing in the return of Afghans to Afghanistan, tackle the root causes, Farhad said. If the United Nations and other aid agencies fail to provide emergency assistance, it will be a humanitarian crisis, he said.



Families wait outside for a U.N. encashment center to open last month on the outskirts of Kabul. Afghan returnees are provided with health checks, immunizations, and needs assessments. (Andrew Quilty for The Washington Post)

Massive displacement has plagued Afghanistan for years, beginning with the Soviet invasion in 1979.

That conflict kindled two decades of war. When the United States invaded in 2001, some 4 million Afghans were living in Pakistan and Iran.

[Europe pressing harder on countries to take back deported migrants]

Many of those refugees later returned, driven by hopes for stability and peace. But now, Afghanistan is witnessing some of its worst violence since the United States helped to topple the Taliban.

More than 1,600 civilians were killed in the first six months of 2016, according to a U.N. report released in July. That was the highest number of civilian casualties in the first half of a year since the United Nations began keeping track in 2009.

The violence has been driven by Taliban assaults on Afghan cities, putting more civilians in the crosshairs. And the clashes have pushed even more people from their homes.

The fighting was intense. There was artillery, rockets, aerial bombardment, Abdulhalim, 38, said of this months days-long battle between Afghan and Taliban forces in Kunduz city. Insurgents briefly seized the city at the same time last year.

My children were screaming, our neighbors houses destroyed, said Abdulhalim, who like many Afghans goes by one name. We had no option but to leave.



Afghan children arrive outside the U.N. center on the outskirts of Kabul. (Andrew Quilty for The Washington Post)

A man prays beside the truck that carried him and his family to the center. (Andrew Quilty for The Washington Post)

In Helmand province, in the restive south, more than 60,000 people have been displaced this year, according to the United Nations, and militants have fought pitched battles in the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah.

At least 5,000 of those displaced in Helmand were forced out only in the past two months, the United Nations says, and thousands more have fled to neighboring provinces and beyond.

In some provinces, the [armed] groups have more power there, and the government, it is very difficult for us to reach the affected population, said Sayed Rohullah Hashemi, an adviser to the minister of refugees and repatriation. We dont have the capacity to do so, especially in our ministry. The government cannot reach everyone on its own.

In a dusty lot east of Kabul, the U.N. refugee agency has erected a center for the hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees arriving from Pakistan. At least 5,000 refugees cross the border from Pakistan every day. The United Nations gives them a small stipend and vaccinates the children against measles and polio.

[Afghan refugees, settled in Pakistan for decades, are being ordered to leave]

The influx began after Pakistani authorities announced a deadline for Afghan refugees  of which there were 1.7 million registered with the United Nations  to leave. Many of the refugees had lived in Pakistan for decades, or were even born there after their parents had fled Afghanistan.

Jumauddin, 27, was born in Pakistan to Afghan parents. Now he is heading to Kunduz province, to the Khanabad district, where Taliban fighters hold sway. He says he has no choice.

Kabul is too expensive, and maybe in Kunduz I can plow a plot of land, Jumauddin said. I know that there was fighting there even last week, but I have no other option.



More Afghan refugees arrive from Pakistan. (Andrew Quilty for The Washington Post)

The government is worried about the return of refugees to areas where insurgents are active. But right now, the Taliban controls more territory than at any time since 2001.

We are facing the return of tens of thousands of Afghans each month. . . . This will add very much to the vicious cycle of insecurity and joblessness, said Bashir Bezhen, an Afghan analyst and political commentator.

Reports have already surfaced of returning refugees clashing with locals over resources and land. The displaced are often rejected, or pushed into squalid camps. They also face the threat of forced eviction and rarely have access to clean water or food.

They are the poorest of the poor. They often live in open air, the U.N.s Farhad said. But they should go back [to their homes] when they feel secure. It has to be voluntary and of their own accord.

In the area where Abdulhalim took shelter, the displaced worried that the government would force them out. The fighting in Kunduz city had subsided, but they couldnt just pack up and go home.

They want us gone from here, but we dont have anything, not even the money to get back, Abdulhalim said. He first fled Kunduz on foot, with his children and the clothes on his back.

Bezhen said that the government is incapable of creating jobs for these people or of improving the economy in the remote places where they live. He said criminal and terrorist networks will seek out the jobless and displaced youths.

It will push Afghanistan into deeper crisis, Bezhen said.

Sayed Salahuddin contributed to this report.

Read more

Donors pledge billions to Afghanistan but seek push for peace

Afghan government signs peace pact with guerrilla group led by fugitive Islamist

Afghanistans shaky national unity government approaches second anniversary

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
A big-screen photo of ruler Kim Jong Un and sparkling confetti cap an evening concert at the Pyongyang Arena in North Korea in May. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post)

What do North Koreans think about their leaders? Its an impossible question to answer, given that North Korea is a totalitarian state where professing anything other than wholehearted adulation for the Kim regime could land a person in a political prison camp  or worse.

For years, researchers in Seoul have been trying to collect data on North Korean thought by conducting surveys of people who have escaped from the police state and made it to safety in South Korea.

Now, a new project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, is trying to poll North Koreans who live in North Korea.

This gives us a window into what the average North Korean citizen is thinking, said Victor D. Cha, chair of Korea studies at CSIS, who runs the Beyond Parallel project dedicated to Korean unification. This is the first time were hearing directly from people inside the country.

The project contracted a nongovernmental agency that works inside North Korea  Cha would not reveal its name to protect the safety of its operations  to carry out surveys. The latest, on how North Koreans think and talk about Kim Jong Uns regime in private, was published Wednesday.

The Washington Post's Anna Fifield has been to North Korea seven times. Here, she reports from Pyongyang on what's changed in the city and what hasn't, like the government's control over the population and visiting media. (Jason Aldag,Anna Fifield/The Washington Post)

The NGO surveyed 20 men and 16 women between the ages of 28 and 80. They came from a variety of backgrounds, with jobs including doctor, laborer, homemaker, factory worker and company president, and they lived across the country.

[Reaching a South Korean audience by finding laughs from North Korea]

Such is the nature of working inside North Korea that even Cha does not know how the NGO carried out the survey or if the people explicitly knew they were being questioned for a poll. And the survey was not done through cold calls  the survey administrators knew those they were questioning in some way.

This isnt Gallup-level surveying, Cha said. Its only 36 people, but its 36 people more than anyone else has surveyed in North Korea. The findings are modest, but theyre pretty insightful.

Thirty-five of the respondents said their family, friends or neighbors complained or made jokes about the regime in private.

For the vast majority of the worlds population, especially for those people living in free and open societies, a similar such finding would be quite banal, the survey report states. But North Korea is not a free and open society. That all but one . . . say people they know complain and makes jokes about the government is an extraordinary number given the gravity with which the regime responds to criticisms.

North Korea regularly ranks at the bottom of lists of countries with free speech, with Freedom Houses latest report noting that the nation has one of the most repressive media environments in the world. Only a handful of the most elite members of the regime have access to the Internet or to outside information.

[Incredible 360 degree photos and video show what its like inside North Korea]

The landmark Commission of Inquiry report published by a U.N. panel in 2014 concluded that there is an almost complete denial of the right to freedom of thought and expression in North Korea. State surveillance permeates the private lives of all citizens to ensure that virtually no expression critical of the political system or of its leadership goes undetected, it wrote. Punishments usually involve time in a political prison camp, and executions are ordered for serious offenses.

Academics at Seoul National University have been surveying North Korean defectors since 2008  there are about 30,000 living in the South  and have consistently found criticism of the Kim regime.

This survey confirms defector testimony, but defector testimony is a biased sample, Cha said, because people disaffected with the regime are more likely to flee the country. The finding that the overwhelming majority of respondents still living in North Korea also make jokes at the governments expense is another thing altogether, he said.

[North Koreas news service barely needs to be spoofed, but this duo nails it]

The first survey results, released last month, were on the public distribution system that is supposed to supply basic food items to citizens but which broke down during the devastating famine of the mid-1990s. It found that none of the respondents thought the system provided what they want for a good life.

Marcus Noland, executive vice president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics and an expert on that famine, commended the audacity of even attempting a survey inside North Korea, although he noted that the process was opaque.

What we have is a small survey, conducted according to an unrevealed methodology, that confirms what many of us thought that we already knew, Noland wrote on his Witness to Transformation blog. But the astonishing thing is that it even exists.

The survey findings add to the stream of reports coming from citizen reporters inside North Korea. Media outlets including Rimjingang, run by Japanese journalist Jiro Ishimaru, and the Daily NK in Seoul use informants inside the country, although their reports tend to be based on single sources from border regions.

Read more

Did North Korea just test missiles capable of hitting the U.S.? Maybe.

She fled North Korea and turned to online sex work. Then she escaped again.

Two more North Koreans said to defect, but dont hold your breath for regimes collapse

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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It was standing-room-only in the Great Hall of the Justice Department when FBI Director James B. Comey rose to honor a beloved colleague. David Margolis, a consigliere to senior Justice officials for more than 20 years, had been revered as the conscience of the department. He died in July of a heart attack at age 76.

The memorial service Tuesday was Comeys first public appearance since he roiled the presidential campaign by informing Congress that he had renewed an investigation into Hillary Clintons private email server. Luminaries who had publicly criticized that decision packed the marble hall. It took someone like Margolis to gather so many high-powered current and former officials  Republican and Democratic.

There was former Attorney General Eric H. Holder, who had editorialized against Comey in The Washington Post. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch and Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates  who had both warned Comey through staffers that his action would violate long-standing department policy against taking overt actions so close to an election and discussing an ongoing investigation  sat in the front row.

It is precisely the sort of issue that Margolis would likely have advised on.

Comey surveyed the crowd of judges prosecutors and lawyers.

Margolis would love that all of you are here, he said. I can picture him standing right there and looking at me and smiling, and saying, You know, were going to be able to have your service in a lot smaller room. 

The joke relieved the tension; the crowd broke into laughter. It also captured the essence of Margolis, a master of the self-deprecating quip.

The Department of Justice deals with very hard issues, hard facts, hard law, huge implications, said Comey, who as deputy attorney general under the George W. Bush administration worked closely with Margolis, whom he called the departments North Star. The department, Comey said, is always going to face issues like that, and that is why we miss David Margolis so much.

[David Margolis, mob prosecutor who was a senior Justice Department lawyer, dies at 76]

The 90-minute ceremony was a loving tribute to Margolis, one of the longest-serving Justice officials and one of the most colorful. Before rising to associate deputy attorney general in 1993, he was chief of the section that went after the Mafia. Over the prior decade, his prosecutors had brought the mob to its knees.

And how did this mob-busting prosecutor dress?

He was wearing cowboy boots, sunglasses  though it was a cloudy day, a purple Western shirt, jeans and the largest belt buckle I had ever seen, recalled Robert S. Mueller, Comeys predecessor as FBI director, describing his first meeting with Margolis in 1988. He sported what could only charitably be called a haircut.

Mueller later became head of the criminal division and recalled how Margolis had drawn up an organizational chart titled Bob Muellers nightmare. Every box, Mueller recalled, had Davids name in it.

Mueller, choking up, called Margolis the ultimate professional.

Margolis, a native of Hartford, Conn., was also a prodigious bestower of nicknames. He dubbed former deputy attorney general Jamie Gorelick the bionic babe. Who does that? Gorelick marveled Tuesday.

Holder noted that the Harvard-trained Margolis was a fan of both the New York Yankees and Hank Williams; I could never figure that pairing out, he said. Holder called Margolis as irreverent as he was brilliant, recalled that Margolis almost single-handedly kept the tobacco industry alive long after smoking was banned in the building. He faked coughing jags while interviewing candidates for U.S. attorney to see how they would react.

And it is by now legend how Margolis answered when lawmakers asked during a congressional hearing how many people worked at the Justice Department. About 60 percent, he quipped.

Yates noted that Margolis combined a comfortable-in-his-own-skin, wisecracking, disheveled personality with a razor-sharp intellect, unparalleled judgment, a spine of steel and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding the reputation of this department for justice, fairness and integrity.

[David Margoliss 50 years of quips and controversies at Justice Department]

Margolis in an interview last year said while it was a great thrill to win a verdict, you dont take great pleasure in locking people up for the rest of their life. Said Margolis: Its an obligation. You have to do what you have to do. That was my job. I did it to the best of my ability. But I didnt go home and say, Boy, that guy will never see his family again or anything like that. 

As an adviser to the deputy attorney general, Margolis handled decisions about whether to prosecute individuals  and probably would have been consulted in the Clinton email case. The decisions Margolis was most proud of, he has said, are cases where Ive said, No, Im not going to let you prosecute somebody. The regular cases. 

Margoliss daughter, Cheryl, spoke movingly of how her father told her the most joy he had was seeing his daughter become a nurse. Youre a public servant, just like me, he told her. His brother, Charles, read a poem he had written, Eulogy for Superman. His wife, Deborah, said Ive known him all my life. And Im learning new things from the speakers.

Margolis will inspire generations of lawyers long after his death, his colleagues said. And he will be remembered.

On Tuesday, Yates announced that the department had renamed its exceptional service award for Margolis. A conference room on the fourth floor is now the David Margolis memorial conference room. And it has been adorned with his memorabilia: a Washington Nationals jersey with the number 50 on it, a guitar-shaped Elvis clock and a wall full of framed photos of Margolis with former presidents and attorneys general.

But in a gesture that perhaps would have thrilled him most, his colleagues arranged to have his name, image and an epitaph projected onto the Yankees Stadium Jumbotron screen shortly after his death.

Said his brother: He would have gone crazy!

Read more:
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop yesterday confirmed that Australia and Indonesia are considering joint naval patrols in the South China Sea. Her comments followed a four-day visit to Indonesia last week, during which she met with Indonesian President Joko Widido and senior Indonesian ministers.

Speaking to Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio, Bishop sought to portray the mooted patrols as a routine part of the Australian navys operations. This is a regular part of what our navy does, she said. This is part of our engagement in the region and this is in accordance with Australias right of freedom of navigation, including in the South China Sea.

Such military exercises would be anything but routine, however. Indonesian naval vessels have already been involved in clashes with Chinese fishing trawlers allegedly fishing illegally inside the 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea. Sharp diplomatic exchanges between Jakarta and Beijing resulted.

While China does not dispute Indonesian sovereignty over the Natunas, its extensive maritime claims in the South China Sea intersect with the EEZ around the island group. Joint Australian-Indonesian naval exercises in the area risk an incident involving Chinese fishing boats that could draw in the Chinese coast guard or navy.

Following a clash in June, President Widodo travelled to the Natunas to underscore Indonesias determination to assert its maritime claims. The Indonesian armed forces has been expanding its presence on the Natunas and last month staged its largest-ever air force exercise in the area, involving more than 2,000 personnel with fighter jets.

An Indonesian defence ministry spokesman told the media that no agreement had been reached to conduct joint naval patrols with Australia. However, the issue was clearly discussed at the annual 2+2 talks involving Bishop and Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne with their Indonesian counterparts last Thursday.

Their joint communique emphasised the importance of maritime security. It noted that the two countries were natural maritime partners and would take practical steps to deepen and broaden bilateral maritime engagement. The Indonesian and Australian navies have already carried out joint patrols in the Timor Sea, between the two countries.

The communique underlined the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability, freedom of navigation in and over-flight above the South China Sea. It emphasised the importance of non-militarisation and backed Indonesias push for a code of conduct between the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China in the South China Sea.

These diplomatic code-words are in line with the Obama administrations aggressive intervention over the past six years in longstanding territorial disputes between China and its South East Asian neighbours. Washington has repeatedly criticised Chinas militarisation of its atolls and expansionism in the South China Sea. The US navy last month conducted a fourth freedom of navigation operation that provocatively challenged Chinese maritime claims in the area.

The Australian government has been under intense pressure from Washington to authorise its own freedom of navigation incursion into Chinese-claimed territorya move that Canberra has so far resisted amid deep divisions in the Australian political establishment. Sections of the ruling elite are fearful of the economic impact of a deterioration of relations with China, Australias biggest trading partner.

The communique referred to the need to resolve disputes in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In July, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague ruled in favour of a US-backed Philippine challenge under UNCLOS to Chinese maritime claims. The subsequent tilt by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte toward Beijing has blunted Washingtons ability to exploit the PCA ruling to ramp up the pressure on Beijing over the South China Sea.

After discussions with Bishop, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said last Wednesday she would seek clarification from the Philippinesin other words, to add to US pressure on Duterte to fall back into line. Duterte has called for an end to joint US-Philippine military exercises and the removal of US troops from the southern island of Mindanao.

In her remarks yesterday, Bishop suggested that the proposal for joint patrols came from Indonesia. Whether that is the case or not, closer defence ties and strategic collaboration between Australia and Indonesia, along with joint operations in the South China Sea, are fully in line with US efforts to build a web of alliances and strategic partnerships as part of its pivot to Asia directed against China.

A report appraising the US-Australian alliance published last month by the US Studies Centre at Sydney University included among its recommendations that Canberra midwife closer US-Indonesia ties. Written by Richard Fontaine, a visiting fellow and prominent figure in the US foreign policy establishment, the report suggested that closer ties should be forged also with other countries, including India, to boost maritime surveillance and operations in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean.

Bishop clearly had a briefnot only to strengthen Indonesian-Australian military ties but to draw Indonesia more fully into the US pivot against China. Echoing the reaction in Canberra and Washington to the proposal for joint Australian-Indonesian naval patrols, analyst Euan Graham from the Sydney-based Lowy Institute told the Financial Times: This is a very significant development. It sends a message to Beijing that not all South East Asian countries are kowtowing to it over the South China Sea.

The communique from last weeks talks in Bali also underscored closer Indonesian-Australian collaboration in regional forums such as ASEAN summits and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), which also took place last week in Bali. IORA was formed in 1997, comprising countries from Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. It is assuming growing significance as the Indian Ocean becomes the focus of rising geo-political rivalry.

Closer Indonesian-Australian ties are underscored by the planned trip by President Widodo to Australia next week, during which he is slated to address the Australian parliament.
A week after more than 140 demonstrators were violently arrested by police in North Dakota, protests are continuing against the $3.7 billion Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), which will transport oil 1,200 miles from the state into Illinois.

The demonstrators, mostly poor Native Americans, have bravely stood up to private security guards, militarized police, SWAT teams, and the National Guard. The protesters have set up blockades and encampments in an effort to stop the pipelines construction, which will destroy tribal lands and potentially pollute the environment.

As the protests continue, the demonstrators have attracted support from all over the world. Some 90 percent of those arrested last week were mostly Native Americans from other tribes all over the North American continent. Online, the demonstrators are getting enormous support on social networking site Facebook. At least 1.3 million people have checked in to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation online.

An online crowdsource fund for the protesters has generated over $1 million in contributions. The donations go to mostly cover legal costs, food, and other supplies to keep the encampments going. Between Thursday and Friday of last week alone, more than $200,000 was raised after the protests and mass arrests made national headlines.

Tribal chairman Dave Archambault told CBS news, I know the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is not alone; we have overwhelming support, adding that their tribe would help others in their fight against corporations.

A New Hampshire donor who gave $30 to the fund was motivated because her community faced a similar battle against a natural gas pipeline. She told CBS news, They are saying the same thing: This is our water supply. You run a pipeline through it and it leaks, you are poisoning us. Thats exactly what I spent two years of my life saying, adding, This really, really struck a chord with me.

While the protests have gained more support among a broad mass of the population, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has until now only given silence and the most meaningless statements of non-support to the protesters.

Clinton spokewoman Xochitl Hinojosa released a pathetic statement that all voices should be heard and that all parties, protesters and government and corporations alike, need to find a path forward that serves the broadest public interest. In other words, the peaceful protesters are the same as the corporations behind the pipeline with their attack dogs, private mercenaries, helicopters, pepper spray, sound cannons, concussion grenades, batons, bean bag shotguns, tasers and tanks.

It should be noted that the Clinton campaign only bothered to make a statement after a group of Native American youth traveled to the presidential candidates headquarters in New York City seeking to get her support, but were forced to leave empty-handed.

Both Clinton and Republican Donald Trump are committed to expanding oil and natural gas production in the US, regardless of environmental or cultural considerations, or workers rights.

Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, took a predictably reactionary stance on the anti-DAPL protests, claiming falsely that they were hurting workers in the area. Trumka released a statement defending the pipeline and attacking protesters for hold[ing] union members livelihoods and their families financial security hostage to endless delay.

Actually, it is Trumka and the lavishly paid union apparatus that hold workers and their families hostage to the profit motives of big business, not the protesters.

A United Nations group is investigating human rights abuses on the part of North Dakota authorities against protesters. A representative of the UNs permanent forum on indigenous issues has been collecting testimony from protesters regarding excessive force during arrests and inhumane treatment at the jails.

Roberto Borrero, a representative of the International Indian Treaty Council, told the Guardian, When you look at what the international standards are for the treatment of people, and you are in a place like the United States, its really astounding to hear some of this testimony.

Activists told the UN investigators that the police werent prepared to hold so many people in the local jails. After they were released, protesters still had numbers and charges written on their arms in marker, and some were kept in cages they said felt like dog kennels.

Protesters were denied basic necessities, including an elderly woman who was diabetic and requested help. Phyllis Young, a member of Standing Rock Sioux tribe, intended to file a lawsuit against North Dakota police, saying, We embarked upon a peaceful and prayerful campaign, she said. They were placed in cages. They had numbers written on their arms very much like concentration camps.

Sympathy protests have also spread beyond the embattled state of North Dakota. In New York City, dozens of protesters briefly disrupted the morning commute at the Grand Central Terminal before marching on to the offices of major US banks connected to the Dakota pipeline. In San Francisco, 12 people were also arrested for protesting outside of Citibank headquarters.
At least 25 people, the vast majority of them civilians, have been killed during the past five days of heavy, cross-border artillery and machine gun fire between India and Pakistan in the disputed Kashmir region.

Yesterday, Indian police reported that Pakistani shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) that separates Indian- and Pakistan-held Kashmir had killed seven people, including three women and two children, in the Ramgarh sector of Jammu and Kashmir, Indias only Muslim-majority state.

This followed the deaths Monday of one soldier and one civilian in India and of six Pakistani civilians in the Nakyal and Jandrot sectors of Pakistani-controlled Azad Kashmir. Cross-border exchanges also claimed the lives of two members of the Indian security forces and six Pakistan civilians last Friday and Saturday.

The border clashes, which flared up after India blamed Pakistan for a September 18 attack on the Indian army base at Uri, threaten to trigger all-out war between South Asias rival nuclear-armed states.

It appears as if a full-blown war is going on between India and Pakistan. Please have mercy and stop it, villager Mohammed Saeed told Reuters by telephone, in an interview interrupted by the sound of gunfire. Hundreds of schools have been closed in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, and anger and fear over the war is mounting in the population on both sides of the border.

Both Indian and Pakistani military commanders have pledged to intensify the fighting, however. Late Monday, the Pakistani armys Inter-Services Public Relations agency issued a statement declaring that its forces were effectively targeting Indian posts for heavy casualties, in retaliation for Indian targeting of civil population by unprovoked firing on LoC.

Indian Defense Ministry officials told Asian News International, They have targeted our forward areas and we have also responded appropriately. They are using 120 mm, i.e. heavy, mortars and we are also responding in equal measure... We are hitting them hard.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Deputy Inspector General Dharmendra Pareek praised what he called a calibrated retaliation yesterday by BSF forces, who targeted Pakistan Rangers posts across IB [the international border] in the same sector and caused heavy damage to 14 Pakistani posts.

Six weeks after the Uri attack, it is clear that the attack on the Indian military camp only served to intensify a conflict whose causes are far more deeply rooted.

Officials on both sides of the LoC are whipping up nationalism and war fever, both to suppress rising social anger and divide workers along national and communal lines, and as part of an international escalation of military tensions driven above all by the USs anti-China pivot to Asia.

India in particular has been shaken by social protests, including protests and strikes by tens of millions of workers against the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) austerity measures and pro-business market reforms.

The Uri camp attack was seized upon by New Delhi to legitimize and deflect attention from the Indian security forces bloody repression of mass protests in Kashmir. The protests, which have rattled Indias Hindu supremacist BJP government and the Indian establishment as a whole, erupted in July following the Indian security forces summary execution of Burhani Wali, an Islamist fighter calling for Kashmiri independence.

The crackdown on the anti-Indian protests in the Kashmir Valley has claimed the lives of more than 80 people and brutal police attacks on protesters are continuing.

Yesterday three girls aged 13, 16, and 18 were admitted to a hospital in Srinagar with wounds to the face, ears and eyes, after security forces shot them with pellet guns in the southern district of Pulwama, allegedly in response to stone throwing by protesters. Their families stated that they had not joined the protests. All three face weeks of painful operations in a desperate attempt to restore their sight, their hearing, and their ability to speak.

In this context, and with the support of Washington, the Indian government responded to the attack on the Uri base with unprecedented measures. This included threatening to abrogate the Indus Water Treaty and boasting that its Special Forces troops had mounted raids inside Pakistan and inflicted heavy casualties.

For more than four decades, New Delhi had not admitted to carrying out any military actions inside Pakistan, fearing that such statements could trigger a chain of strikes and counterstrikes that could escalate into all-out war. Now, nearly two decades after India and Pakistan both acquired nuclear weapons, India is proclaiming that the days of strategic restraint are over and that, if need be, it will wage war to enforce its demand that Pakistan cease supporting terrorismdeliberately stoking a conflict that could ultimately provoke a nuclear exchange claiming hundreds of millions of lives.

Over the last year, US officials signed military agreements with India that have turned it into a front-line state in Washingtons military-strategic offensive against China. If a major war were to develop between India and Pakistan, Chinas principal ally in the Indian subcontinent and Indian Ocean region, it must be assumed that it would draw both the United States and China into a global conflict.

This danger has become so palpable that, amid escalating popular opposition to war in the border areas, officials presiding over the repression in Kashmir felt compelled to beg New Delhi not to escalate the conflict too far. Yesterday, Jammu and Kashmir (JK) Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called for India and Pakistan to resume negotiations.

We in JK yearn for peace as we have been suffering immensely because of the hostility and violence in the region and know very well its dangers and perilous consequences, she said, adding, We see world-over how wars have resulted in complete destruction of once most prosperous countries and annihilation of cultures.

Powerful factions of the Indian ruling elite, of all political colorations, have supported the military escalation, however. In September, at the initiative of the Stalinist-led state government, the assembly in the southern Indian state of Kerala provocatively endorsed the Indian armys surgical strike attacks inside Pakistan. Its resolution, moved by Chief Minister and Communist Party of India (Marxist) Politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan, declared: The House congratulates the Army for taking steps to protect the country and people and fully supports its action.

The BJP government and Indian elite have intensified their campaign of threats, bullying, and provocations against Pakistan based on two interlinked calculations: that their ever-closer strategic partnership with the US gives them new leverage over Islamabad and that Washington shares their anger and concern that Pakistan and China have responded to the emergence of an Indo-US alliance by enhancing their own strategic ties.

They have not been disappointed. In a reckless move, the Obama administration and the US political and media establishment have given New Delhi ever-clearer signals that they are ready to go much further than in similar crises in the past in supporting India in pursuing aggression against Pakistan.

This has included ignoring Islamabads concerns about Indias involvement in its northwestern neighbor Afghanistan and announcing a trilateral US, Afghan, Indian dialogue. It has also seen Washington give cautious, tacit support to an Indian plan to break Pakistans blockade of Indian-Afghan trade and strategically compete with China for resources and influence in Central Asia though the building of a trade corridor, even though the plans pivot is a port, Chabahar, that is located in Irana country the US views as a major regional rival and key obstacle to its regime-change war in Syria.

In September, prominent US newspapers indicated their support for India taking military action against Pakistan in reprisal for the Uri attack, with the Los Angeles Times titling one such piece India has one of the worlds biggest armies, why doesnt it use it?

Last month, the Obama administration directly stated that its sympathies lie with New Delhi against Islamabad. While emphasizing caution, it lined up behind the BJP governments illegal and highly provocative attacks inside Pakistan, declaring, We empathize with the Indian position that it needs to respond militarily to the cross-border threat of terrorism.
Ever since the 2014 US-orchestrated and fascist-spearheaded coup in Ukraine, the New York Times has distinguished itself as the principal anti-Russian propaganda organ of the US government, demonizing Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin for everything from the death toll inflicted in Washingtons war for regime change in Syria to the political rise of Donald Trump.

In its November 1 edition, the Times continued this anti-Russian campaign with a news feature entitled Wary of Russias Ambitions, Estonia Prepares a Nation of Insurgents. The article touts the exploits of a paramilitary formation in the tiny former Soviet Baltic republic, which is now a member of NATO, located barely 85 miles from St. Petersburg.

Under the direction of the newspapers editorial page editor, James Bennet, who was installed earlier this year, the Times has pursued a virulently anti-Russian line that reflects the consensus within the Pentagon and the CIA that Moscow now stands as the foremost obstacle to Washingtons drive to assert US global hegemony. Bennet, whose father was a former chief of USAID, an agency that frequently operates as a front for the CIA, and whose brother is the senior US senator from Colorado, is uniquely prepared for the role of war propagandist.

Supplementing the editorial direction of the anti-Russian propaganda campaign are various on-the-ground specialists who churn out so-called news articles that reproduce all the worst features of yellow journalism.

Among them is Andrew E. Kramer, the Times Moscow correspondent. Kramer is responsible for a series of journalistic fabrications, distortions and lies in the service of the campaign to prepare the American public for a military confrontation with Russia. In April of 2014, in the wake of the coup in Kiev, he co-authored a front-page piece purporting to present photographic evidence, provided by the US State Department, that Russian troops were in eastern Ukraine and were leading the pro-Russian separatist rebellion against the right-wing regime in Kiev. It was quickly established that the photos were doctored and the Times was forced to retract the piece.

More recently, he penned a piece entitled More Enemies of the Kremlin End Up Dead: A Pattern That Suggests State Involvement, which essentially accused Putin of responsibility for a series of political assassinations without providing a shred of evidence to support the allegations.

In his latest article profiling the paramilitaries of the Estonian Defense League, Kramers journalistic pursuits dovetail entirely with the operations of US imperialism. It follows on the heels of last weeks announcement in Brussels of NATOs finalized plans for the deployment of combat brigades in all three Baltic countries: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. These 4,000 troops deployed on Russias doorstep are to be backed by a 40,000-strong rapid reaction force as well as a ring of missile defense systems in Eastern Europe designed to facilitate a US nuclear first strike.

Estonia serves as a strategic trip wire for a nuclear Third World War. In September 2014, President Barack Obama made this clear, flying to the Estonian capital of Tallinn to declare that the defense of Tallinn and Riga and Vilnius is just as important as the defense of Berlin and Paris and London. He declared Washingtons eternal commitment to go to war under the terms of NATOs Article 5 in defense of this tiny state of 1.3 million people on Russias doorstep, promising American boots on the ground.

In a rhetorical flight of fancy, Obama extolled Estonian nationalism, declaring, You never gave up when the Red Army came in from the east or when the Nazis came in from the west.

In the midst of his breathless recounting of the exploits of the Estonian Defense League as it tramped through the woods outside Tallinn and learned how to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDs), Kramer echoes the same historical narrative promoted by Obama, writing that in Estonia partisans are still glorified for fighting the Nazis and the Soviets in World War II.

The claim that the so-called partisans equally resisted the Red Army and the Wehrmacht, and that the predecessors of the current Estonian Defense League are glorified for fighting the Nazis, is a grotesque historical fabrication. The historical predecessor of todays Estonian Defense League, the Omakaitse (home guard), was formed in 1918 by former Tsarist officers in opposition to the Russian Revolution.

In 1941, the league was resurrected in conjunction with the German Nazi regimes Operation Barbarossa to carry out operations against the retreating Soviet Red Army.

The partisans in Estonia are glorified each year on August 28, which marks the anniversary of the day in 1942 when the Nazi Waffen SS began recruiting members of the Estonian Defense League into its ranks. SS veterans have held rallies on that day, supported by fascist and extreme nationalist elements. They have received official greetings from leading state officials.

Approximately 80,000 Estonians joined with Nazis in the Second World War. Another 30,000 joined the ranks of the Red Army, fighting the Nazis as the Estonian Rifle Corps. These latter veterans are neither glorified nor celebrated.

Elements drawn from the Estonian Defense League into the SS served as guards and even commandants in the network of 22 concentration and labor camps in Estonia. These proved so efficient that at the January 1942 Wannsee Conference, convened by the Nazi leadership to oversee implementation of the so-called final solution to the Jewish question, Nazi officials boasted that Estonia was already Judenfrei (free of Jews).

With the assistance of the Estonian fascists, the Nazis had exterminated virtually every one of the 4,500 Jews who failed to escape Estonia before the German occupation. Some 20,000 more Jews were transported from elsewhere in Europe to Estonia. Able-bodied men were worked to death in shale oil mines, while women, children and the elderly were murdered upon arrival.

Another 15,000 Red Army prisoners of war died in Estonia, many executed and others perishing from brutality and neglect.

What is involved in the whitewashing of this horrific legacy on the part of both Obama and the New York Times, who speak a common language crafted to promote the US military buildup against Russia, is the rewriting of the history of the last world war in order to prepare the grounds for the next.
South Korean President Park Geun-hyes administration has been thrown into turmoil by a series of scandals that last week forced her to remove key secretariat officials. Protests have also broken out, with demonstrators demanding she resign or be impeached. According to media polls, the presidents approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since coming to office in February 2013.

The woman at the centre of the crisis, Parks long-time confidante Choi Soon-sil, was detained on Monday after returning from Germany to answer allegations of corruption and exerting inappropriate influence in state affairs. Choi, 60, arrived at the supreme prosecutors office in Seoul on Tuesday morning in handcuffs, a surgical mask and a dark coat, escorted by correctional officers.

Prosecutors said they are investigating whether Choi used her friendship with the president to gain access to classified documents that enabled her to influence government matters and benefit personally through non-profit foundations. Prosecutors have asked eight banks for documents related to Chois financial transactions, South Koreas Yonhap news agency reported.

Park, 64, and Choi have known each other for decades. Parks father, Park Chung-hee, controlled South Korea for 18 years after seizing power in a military coup in 1961. Park senior was murdered in 1979 by the head of the countrys spy agency, which accused Chois father and family of holding undue influence over the dictator.

Last Friday, Park ordered 14 of her top secretaries to submit their resignations, although not all were accepted. The reshuffle included the removal of Woo Byung-woo (U Byeong-u), the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, and An Jong-beom, senior presidential secretary for policy coordination. Both men have faced corruption allegations. An, in particular, has been accused of involvement in the scandal surrounding Choi Soon-sil. Three other secretaries believed to be associated with ChoiLee Jae-man, Jeong Ho-seong and An Bong-geunwere also removed from their positions.

The allegations involving An Jong-beom and Choi Soon-sil emerged as part of an audit into the activities of Woo, who was involved in a bribery case with online gaming company Nexon, and other government figures. At the end of September, Noh Woong-rae (No Ung-rae), a member of the opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK), released transcripts of An Jong-beom directing the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) on the amount of money they should donate to two non-profit corporations, Mir and K-Sports. That these allegations became public is an indication of the intensity of the conflict within the South Korean bourgeoisie.

Choi was reportedly behind the creation of Mir and K-Sports, which collected 80 billion won ($72 million) from 53 major companies in just a few months. The foundation of the two organizationsin October 2015 and January 2016, respectivelywas approved in just a single day, a process that usually takes weeks. An Jong-beom has been accused of using the FKI to pressure corporations into giving money.

Choi has also been accused of being involved in deciding policy matters. Lee Sung-han, the former secretary-general of Mir, told the Hankyoreh newspaper that closed-door meetings over the shutdown of the Kaesong industrial complex in North Korea, for example, were led by Choi.

Park admitted in an apology on October 25 that Choi had assisted in writing her speeches. Choi, who has held no official position in government, is the daughter of Parks one-time mentor Choi Tae-min, who headed a cult known as the Church of Eternal Life. The elder Choi died in 1994.

On Saturday, as many as 20,000 people in Seoul gathered to call for the presidents resignation, with similar protests in cities like Busan. Significantly, participants included high school and university students. Foreign workers also took part. The official opposition parties used the protests as platforms to advance themselves as alternative administrations.

Park has lost her authority as president and showed she doesnt have the basic qualities to govern a country, Jae-myung Lee, from the Minjoo party and the mayor of the city of Seongnam, told protesters from a stage on Saturday.

Corruption scandals in South Korea are typically used to settle political scores, as bribery and influence peddling are commonplace. Park is not just unpopular with the population; she faces concerted opposition within her own Saenuri Party, where a strong anti-Park faction exists.

About 50 Saenuri legislators demanded the party leadership, comprised of mostly pro-Park figures, give up their positions at the head of the party. Rep. Hwang Yeong-cheol stated: The current party leadership is responsible for failing to properly stop Chois involvement in state affairs. They are calling for a neutral leadership, with more positions for the anti-Park lawmakers.

A strong anti-Park faction solidified in the 2000s around Lee Myung-bak, who touted his experience as Hyundai Engineerings CEO to win support from big business. However, many of Parks backers had closer links to her fathers military dictatorship. Bitter infighting took place before Lee defeated Park in the conservative partys primary, and then became president in 2008. Four years later, Park secured the nomination.

The investigation into Parks secretaries and confidantes has nothing to do with fighting corruption. It is an intensification of the struggle over who will be elected president in 2017, as the incumbent is limited to one, five-year term. Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, is believed to be favored by the pro-Park faction. Kim Mu-seong of the anti-Park faction is also considered a potential candidate.

Facing deteriorating economic conditions globally, the South Korean elite has launched an austerity offensive against the working class. The economy last year grew by only 2.6 percent, and nearly half of that came from the production of unsold goods. Unemployment is growing, particularly among youth. Thousands of workers are losing their jobs in the shipping and shipbuilding industries.

In ruling circles, Park Geun-hye is increasingly under fire for not fully pushing through the labor reform demanded by big business. These measures are aimed at creating a low-paid, casual workforce, furthering the attack on lifelong employment begun under President Kim Dae-jung following the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis.

With Parks presidency in crisis, the official opposition parties are offering themselves as more reliable instruments for implementing the corporate agenda. The Wall Street Journal noted in an opinion piece on October 18 that neither the Minjoo Party nor the Peoples Party, the two left parties in the political establishment, are fundamentally opposed to reforms, and both are likely to propose their own variations on labor reform as the December 2017 presidential election draws near.
Police and security guards forcefully removed students occupying the Sydney College of the Arts (SCA), the visual arts school of the University of Sydney, last Wednesday, with the support of the university administration. The occupation, which lasted for 65 days, was reportedly the longest in the University of Sydneys history.

It was initiated in response to the universitys plans to close the SCAs Rozelle facility, slash up to 50 jobs and merge the SCA with the universitys Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the overcrowded main Camperdown/Darlington campus.

According to Let SCA Stay, a group involved in the occupation, police smashed the colleges door down at 6:45 a.m., without giving any warning.

Fifteen police officers were accompanied by as many as 20 university security guards. They reportedly removed the occupiers with force, with one student claiming to have been dragged out by the wrist. Others said their property, including art works around the campus, was destroyed and discarded.

One of the occupiers, Che Baines, told the University of Sydney Union that after police broke down the door, they shouted that the students had 30 seconds to comply otherwise disciplinary action would be taken. Barnes said she saw one female student, escorted out of the building ... with about five [officers] on her, holding her arms and pushing her from behind.

Having removed the occupiers, security and police proceeded to tear down all banners and posters throughout the campus opposing the restructure.

On October 7, the police and university security had already removed students camping overnight at the Camperdown/Darlington campus to protest the attack on the SCA. The following week, campus security destroyed an approved art exhibition opposing the closure, ripping down poster art.

University management responded to anger over the last weeks police action by issuing a statement defending the eviction and accusing the occupation of creating distress for SCA students and staff. It threatened disciplinary action against those involved and expulsion for anyone who attempted to reestablish the occupation.

The university has the right to exclude anyone who has been party to the occupation from its campuses, it said. It has chosen not to do so at this stage, but students and their representative groups have been warned that any further attempt to occupy could see the university exercise this right.

The university has a documented history of closely collaborating with police, including from the riot squad, against students and staff opposing cuts to jobs, conditions and courses.

In April, riot police, operating with the support of university authorities, violently removed 30 student protesters from the main library. The students were opposing an event featuring Simon Birmingham, the federal Liberal-National governments education minister, who has played a key role in deepening the assault on higher education carried out by Labor and Coalition governments. As many as 20 riot police participated in the attack, which included forcefully dragging students from the library.

In 2013, Tom Raue, vice-president of the University of Sydney Union, leaked a secret report prepared for the union. It indicated that university management had coordinated an aggressive response to limited student and staff strikes called in opposition to a restructure, which included plans for the destruction of hundreds of jobs. In the course of clashes between protesters and the police, 11 students were arrested, one suffered internal bleeding, another a broken leg and one was placed in a dangerous choke-hold.

The frequent use of police against any opposition or protest on campus is bound up with the transformation of universities into for-profit entities increasingly reliant on corporate partnerships and private endowments for their funds, and with close links to the state.

In April, for instance, the University of Sydney received its largest ever one-off donation, of $35 million from substantial property owners. The university is also home to the United States Studies Centre, which has high-level ties to the political establishment, and plays a key role in promoting the US-Australia military alliance and formulating Australias militarist foreign policies.

The ability of the university and police to shut down the occupation is a product of the bankrupt politics of the pseudo-left organisations, such as Socialist Alliance (SA) and Solidarity, that animated the protest. The political perspective of these groups has been to pressure the university administration with the assistance of Labor and the Greenscapitalist parties that have slashed university funding and been instrumental in pushing through the pro-market restructuring of tertiary education.

In the lead up to the removal of the occupation, these organisations hailed a series of tactical manoeuvres by the university as victories. On October 15, for instance, SAs Green Left Weekly declared: The campaign to save Sydney Universitys Sydney College of the Arts is celebrating another victory in its long battle with management.

It touted vague comments by university management, indicating it would hold off on the closure of the SCA until later in 2017, even though the university had made clear there would be no new student intake next year. SA likewise declared that the resignation of the colleges dean, Colin Rhodes, last September was a major step forward. As the attack on the occupiers demonstrates, however, that was merely a cosmetic public relations ploy.

The pseudo-lefts, and the leadership of groups such as Let SCA Stay, promoted illusions in Labor and the Greens, providing them with a platform at protests to fraudulently posture as friends of the arts and opponents of the assault on higher education. At the same time, the occupation was kept isolated from other students at Sydney University and other institutions that are facing similar attacks, not to speak of the working class, which is confronting a wholesale assault on jobs, wages and living standards.

These organisations remained largely silent on the fact that the attack on the SCA is part of a wholesale restructure at the University of Sydney, which will reduce 122 undergraduate degrees to just 20 and slash 16 faculties and schools to just 9. Similar projects, at the University of Melbourne and elsewhere, have resulted in the destruction of hundreds of jobs.

The pseudo-lefts also promoted the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), which postured as defenders of SCA but has engaged in backroom negotiations with the university administration over the restructure and the future of SCA. The NTEU at the University of Sydney and other universities has played the central role in enforcing repeated rounds of job cuts, sackings, and regressive Enterprise Bargaining Agreements, which have played a central role in the corporatisation of higher education.
PRAGUE (Reuters) - Russia has asked the Czech Republic to extradite exiled Russian underground artist Oleg Vorotnikov who has been in the country since being detained by police in September, the Czech Justice Ministry said on Wednesday. Vorotnikov, the founder of the art collective Voina who fled Russia five years ago, was detained in Prague after a routine identity check and released the next day but ordered to stay in the country to await a possible extradition request from Moscow. A Czech court will rule on his extradition but Justice Minister Robert Pelikan has the final say. He has been quoted in the local media as saying Vorotnikov was not likely to be returned to Russia. A ministry spokeswoman declined to say what course the minister would take. She said it may take months before a decision on the extradition request is reached. Vorotnikov fled Russia in 2011 and was subject to an Interpol warrant due to his group's high-profile stunts, which authorities have denounced as insulting and violent. His group Voina (War) started in 2007 and gained attention in 2010 by painting a huge phallus on a drawbridge near offices of Russia's FSB security service in St Petersburg. It came under more pressure that year after members overturned police cars in a protest against abuse of power by the force. Vorotnikov could face charges of hooliganism in Russia, which carry stiff sentences. (Reporting by Jason Hovet; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
The legacy of the late Peter Tosh -- known for an iconic reggae style which melded visceral reggae with unrelenting activism -- has been grandly commemorated with the opening today (Nov. 1) of the Peter Tosh Museum in his home city of Kingston, Jamaica.

The museum hosted a soft launch on Oct. 19, Tosh's birthday, with media and invited guests given the chance to view the museum's exhibitions, photos and artifacts from the revolutionary musician's life. Those include his M-16 rifle shaped guitar -- a gift Tosh received in 1983 from a teenaged fan while on tour in California -- and his Grammy award for Best Reggae Album, awarded posthumously in 1988 for No Nuclear War.

The museum is a partnership between Pulse Investments and Andrea Marlene Brown (Tosh's common law wife at the time of his Sep. 11, 1987 murder) and the Peter Tosh Estate, now administered by Tosh's daughter Niambe McIntosh and managed by music industry veteran Brian Laturre. Located in the capital city's New Kingston business district, the museum was designed by Chicago's Art On the Loose, with Jamaica's Dr. Donna McFarlane as consulting curator.

Several days of Peter Tosh-related activities surrounded the Oct. 19 debut, capped by a commemorative concert on October 22 with marquee Jamaican acts including millennial sing-jay Chronixx, vocalist Luciano, and Tosh' s son Andrew performing Tosh's songs backed by original members of Word, Sound and Power. "My father's name resonates with different people all over the world, lawyers, doctors, Rastas," Niambe observes, "so whatever the estate does has to reflect his vision, and we have barely scratched the surface for the potential of his brand."

A founding member of The Wailers (alongside Bunny Wailer and the late Bob Marley), Tosh was the first artist signed to Rolling Stones Records, unanimously chosen by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ron Wood. Tosh's 1978 debut for the label, Bush Doctor, featured "Don't Look Back," a duet with Jagger, which they performed on Saturday Night Live; in the show's second performance segment Tosh sang "Bush Doctor," its opening words "legalize marijuana" said to be the first ganja championing lyrics broadcast on US television.

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Around that time, "Peter had just completed the Mama Africa world tour, he had the hit 'Johnny Be Good' and was the reggae's world ambassador, nobody was bigger," Pulse Investments chairman Kingsley Cooper tells Billboard. "About 15 years ago, Marlene Brown asked me to preserve some of Peter's belongings; some items had been stolen and there was danger of more disappearing, so the museum idea came from that... but it couldn't have happened without the Peter Tosh Estate." Cooper continued: "Tosh had ten children, so there were many negotiations among family members over time, but we signed an agreement in January 2016 and moved forward from there."

"We will be working with the Jamaican government and marketing through various travel and music channels to make the museum part of the country's tourism destinations. We also want to create partnerships with schools so children can learn that Peter Tosh was a powerful advocate for disadvantaged people everywhere," Niambe McIntosh, Peter's youngest child, tells Billboard. A Boston-based educator, Niambe is now transitioning into a full-time role as the Tosh Estate administrator and global brand ambassador, overseeing numerous endeavors including the structuring of the non-profit Peter Tosh foundation, various merchandise and licensing deals and a forthcoming feature film about her father, produced by Cowboy Films and directed by Kevin Macdonald, director of the 2012 Marley biopic.

"Peter Tosh was the original ambassador for the current legalization movement," says Tosh Estate manager Brian Laturre, also Chief Executive Manager of Peter Tosh 420, a joint (naturally) venture between the Tosh Estate and Steven Trenk, CEO of Lizada Capital established to facilitate the movement of legal cannabis. The Peter Tosh 420 brand will include multiple organically grown marijuana strains, cannabis products and ancillary merchandise.

"We are seeking a foundational line of Jamaica ganja strains because we don't want the Jamaican farmer undermined by the capitalization of a natural, agricultural product but what that will look like from the standpoint of import/export depends on future legislation," Laturre states.
When Doctor Strange is released this weekend, it'll be the 14th Marvel Cinematic Universe movie to hit theaters, continuing the overall storyline that launched in 2008's Iron Man. But with 13 movies, five television series and five shorts under its belt, there are plenty of unfinished storylines and missing characters out there for Marvel fans to wonder about. Here are just ten questions about the MCU that Marvel needs to answer.

What Is Up With Thanos And The Infinity Stones?

The most obvious of the dangling plot threads is one we're expecting to be addressed in Avengers: Infinity War in 2018. Why does Thanos want the Infinity Stones, and what will he do in order to get them? (Readers of Marvel's comics will know the answer to that first part, at least, and it's not good news for the Avengers.)

Who is Star-Lord's Dad?

Another thread that we know will be answered soon, the question of Peter Quill's parentage was purposefully left open at the end of the first Guardians of the Galaxy. It'll be answered in next year's second installment with the introduction of Kurt Russell as Ego, the Living Planet, as revealed at this summer's San Diego Comic-Con. Quite how a planet can have a son is something that everyone is looking forward to James Gunn explaining.

Where Did The Hulk Go?

Mystery No. 3 that we expect an answer to soon: When the Hulk flew off in a quinjet at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron, where did he end up? Somewhere so off the map that he wasn't available for Captain America: Civil War, but is that because he was kidnapped by a cosmically-powered alien that looks very like Jeff Goldblum for the purposes of next year's Thor: Ragnarok?

Whatever Happened To Samuel Sterns?

Actually, while we're asking Hulk-related questions: didn't biologist Sam Sterns get infected by a gamma-related substance that transformed him into something towards the end of the 2008 Incredible Hulk movie? (Again, comic fans know just what that something is, but it was never revealed in the movie itself.) Is there a mutated, super-smart Sterns out there behind the scenes, manipulating events? Will we ever see him again?

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Where Is The Real Mandarin?

Along similar lines, the All Hail the King short written and directed by Iron Man 3's Drew Pearce walked back the villainous reveal of the third Iron Man, revealing that there really is a real Mandarin in charge of terrorist organization the Ten Rings after all, and that he wasn't a fan of Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley) and his attempt to pretend that he was the Mandarin. Is he really likely to sit back in the shadows and not try to reclaim his crown at any point?

What's Going On With Odin?

Another missing person in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is Thor's dad, Odin. At the end of Thor: The Dark World, it's revealed that, somehow, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) has taken the place of Odin without anyone noticing. Why? How? It's now three years - and one Thor appearance (in Avengers: Age of Ultron) later, and we're none the wiser. Again, here's hoping that Thor: Ragnarok provides some kind of explanation about this seemingly abandoned plot line.

What about Jane Foster?

Speaking of Thor, Natalie Portman won't be appearing in the next installment as Jane Foster. But the end of Dark World saw Thor returning to Earth to kiss her - and Ultron featured Thor and Tony arguing over whose girlfriend was better. Will Thor explain they broke up off camera, just as Tony mourned the loss of his relationship with Pepper in Civil War?

Is Janet Van Dyne Alive? And If So, Where Is She?

There's much more to reality than what the Avengers and the like know - an idea at the center of Doctor Strange, but also something nodded to in last year's Ant-Man, which suggested that Hank Pym's wife didn't die while trying to disarm a nuclear missile, but instead disappeared into another dimension altogether. (Perhaps the "Microverse" of Marvel's comic mythology.) Presumably, this is a thread to be followed in future Ant-Man movies, but if not, could Janet Van Dyne re-appear elsewhere without warning?

What Does The Post-Sokovia Accords Marvel Cinematic Universe Look Like?

The question most likely to be answered by Doctor Strange, it'll be interesting to see what the Earth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe looks like after Captain America: Civil War. After all, it should really be different in some form, right? It wouldn't be like the Avengers came to blows with each other for nothing, right? Well, perhaps, because lest we forget

Is Someone Going Through All Of SHIELD's Files?

Less an open question than an unfinished thought thrown out in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but what happened to all of SHIELD's files that were dumped online at the end of that movie? Shouldn't that have significantly changed the Marvel world because, you know, SHIELD was a spy organization that had existed for decades and knew lots of things about the superhumans of the world, which means dumping all of its private information onto the Internet means that everything it knew is now public knowledge So why does the world that has been seen in Ant-Man, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War not seemed any different, for the most part?

Read more: 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Director Teases Next Three Stan Lee Cameos
A self-proclaimed Centenarian for Hillary cant stop smiling about casting her vote.

Jerry Emmett, who voted on Tuesday, Nov. 1, thanks to Arizonas early voting system, is 102 years old, meaning she was born before the 19th amendment was passed in 1920.

I am getting to vote for Hillary Clinton for president, which has been my dream since Bill Clinton was president, Emmett told the AP.

Joined by her son, Jim, Emmett cast the vote she says shes spent her whole life waiting for.

I have lived for this day, to vote for her and to live to see her, the next president of the United States of America, Emmett added to azcentral.com on Wednesday.

Wearing a fresh white pantsuit for the occasion, Emmett told reporters that she voted for Franklin Delano Roosevelt in her first presidential election. She also recalled seeing her mother vote for the first time after the 19th amendment was ratified in 1920.

According to analysis from the NBC News Data Analytics Lab, more than 26 million voters have already cast early ballots a week ahead of Nov. 8, which is nearly double the amount of early votes cast at this point in the 2012 election.




Police in Iowa's capital say the suspect wanted in connection to the "ambush-style" slayings of two officers there has been apprehended.

Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek says Scott Michael Greene, 46, was arrested Wednesday morning after a manhunt that lasted several hours.

On Wednesday afternoon, the two slain officers were identified as Urbandale PD Officer Justin Martin and Sgt. Anthony Beminio of the Des Moines Police Department.

Read: Orlando Shooter's Wife Opens Up, 6 Months After Pulse Nightclub Massacre: 'I Was Unaware'

According to officials in Des Moines, both officers were inside their cruisers when they were shot dead in the early morning hours of Wednesday.

At an emotional press conference, Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek told reporters: It doesnt look like there was any interaction between these officers and whoever the coward is who shot them while they sat in their cars."

The first officer, Officer Martin, was killed in Urbandale, which borders Des Moines.

In the second shooting, Sgt. Beminio was shot after responding to the initial shooting and later transported to a hospital, where he died. The second shooting took place just blocks from the first, KCCI reports.

The Des Moines officer was transported to Methodist Hospital, where he died a short time later.

Read: Fugitive Who Documented Run From Authorities on Facebook Is Killed by Cops After Weeklong Manhunt

Beminio, a 39-year-old married father, had been with the Des Moines department since 2005 while Martin, 24, joined the force in Urbandale last year. He was single and had no children.

My cousin Tony Beminio was sergeant with the Des Moines PD. He was killed in cold blood by a coward. Don't make it political. Pray. pic.twitter.com/4yUDYKINOB  Jason (@stlrnhwk) November 2, 2016

Parizek was clear that a danger remained for his colleagues.

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"There is clearly a danger if youre a police officer. These officers were gunned down sitting in their car doing nothing wrong, so theres definitely some danger out there. Theres somebody out there shooting police officers. We hope we find him before anyone else gets hurt. We definitely dont want anyone in the public or the community to get hurt," he told reporters.

Watch: Ex-Cop Kills Wife And Flees With Body in Trunk Before Killing Himself: Cops

Related Articles:
This article first appeared on EW.

Country music is having a moment. With Blake Shelton charming audiences on the Voice, Jana Kramer heating it up on the Dancing with the Stars dance floor, and even mainstream pop stars like Lady Gaga wanting to get in on the fun (her latest No. 1 album Joanne was country-inspired), its impressive that for as fresh as country feels, the Country Music Awards are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. Read below to find out all you need to know about this special anniversary edition of the CMAs.

So, when and where is this happening?

The awards will take place Wednesday, Nov. 2 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

But I dont live in Nashville! How can I watch?

No Nashville, no problem! You can tune in at 8/7c on ABC to catch the fun.

Whos hosting?

Country darlings Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will return as co-hosts for the ninth straight year. Back when the news was announced, Paisley wrote on Instagram, Last year they let me pull my pants down on national tv, I wonder what they will let me do this year, so you just know this night is going to be good.

Who will be performing?

If were being honest, its more like who wont be performing? All the big names will be here  and we mean all! (This is country musics biggest night ever, after all). Performers include Eric Church, Brooks & Dunn, Clint Black, Maren Morris, Charley Pride, Martina McBride, Keith Urban, George Strait, Luke Bryan, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks with wife Trisha Yearwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Randy Travis, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Alabama, Thomas Rhett, and the list goes on. You can find the full line-up here.

Whos up for the big awards?

Just a sneak peek at some of the big ones:

Entertainer of the Year Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban Single of the Year Die a Happy Man, Thomas Rhett, Humble and Kind, Tim McGraw, My Church, Maren Morris, Nobody to Blame, Chris Stapleton, Record Year, Eric Church Female Vocalist of the Year Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Carrie Underwood Male Vocalist of the Year Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Tim McGraw, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban

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Who decides who wins?

The nominees and winners are chosen by the 6,300 industry professional members of CMA. Fun fact: When the CMA was established in 1958, it was the first trade organization dedicated to promoting a specific genre of music. The first awards show was held in 1967, and since then, the CMA Awards have become the longest-running annual music awards program on network television.




Jezebel

Today, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments that will likely result in its overturning of affirmative action in education. The plaintiffs allege that race-conscious school admissions are a form of discrimination against White and Asian students. Its bad! But there are actually two separate arguments today about the constitutionality about affirmative action, because Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson recused herself from one due to a potential conflict of interest. Justice Clarence Thomas is seein
More than 120 images of ancient Egyptian boats have been discovered adorning the inside of a building in Abydos, Egypt. The building dates back more than 3,800 years and was built near the tomb of pharaoh Senwosret III, archaeologists reported.

The tableau, as the series of images is called, would have looked upon a real wooden boat said Josef Wegner, a curator at the Penn Museum at the University of Pennsylvania, who led the excavation. Only a few planks remain of the wooden boat, which would have been constructed at Abydos or dragged across the desert, Wegner said. In ancient Egypt, boats were sometimes buried near a pharaoh's tomb. [In Photos: Tomb Painting Discovered Near Great Pyramid of Giza]

Etchings and a boat

Archaeologists found that the tableau was incised on the white plaster walls of the building.

The largest images are nearly 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length and show "large, well-rendered boats depicted with masts, sails, rigging, deckhouses/cabins, rudders, oars and in some cases rowers," wrote Wegner in an article published in the International Journal of Nautical Archaeology. Some images are small and simple, the smallest reaching only about 4 inches (10 centimeters) in length, wrote Wegner.

An image showing part of the boat tableau, which includes both large and small images. Some of the larger boats are highly detailed, showing masts, sails, rigging, cabins, rudders and oars. Josef Wegner

Though 120 boat images survive today, there would have been more incised on the building walls in ancient times, Wegner wrote. In addition to the boats, the tableau contains incised images of gazelle, cattle and flowers, he noted.

Near the entranceway of the building  whose interior is about 68 feet by 13 feet (21 by 4 m)  archaeologists discovered more than 145 pottery vessels, many of which are buried with their necks facing toward the building's entrance. "The vessels are necked, liquid-storage jars, usually termed 'beer jars' although probably used for storage and transport of a variety of liquids," wrote Wegner in the journal article.The existence of the building was first noted in a 1904 report by an Egypt Exploration Fund (EEF) team that worked at Abydos between 1901 and 1903. However, that team didn't have time to excavate the building and didn't know what was in it; "they came down on the very top of the boat building. They saw the vault of it but abandoned work," Wegner said.

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Many mysteries

The discoveries leave archaeologists with a series of mysteries that future excavations may help solve. [7 Amazing Archaeological Discoveries from Egypt]

The archaeologists don't know who drew the tableau or why they created it. "We can't conclusively answer that on the basis of what's preserved," Wegner told Live Science. However, the researchers think multiple people created the tableau within a short period of time, he added.

One possibility is that the people who built the boat also created the tableau, he said. Or, perhaps, a group of people taking part in a funerary ceremony after the death of pharaoh Senwosret III etched the images onto the building walls. Yet another possibility is that a group of people gained access to the building after the pharaoh died and created the tableau. Archaeologists found that a group of individuals entered the building at some point after the pharaoh's death and took the boat apart, reusing the planks.

Archaeologists are also puzzled over the purpose of all the pottery found near the entrance of the building. It's possible that those attending a funerary ceremony could have spilled liquid from the pots on the ground on purpose. "Potentially a massive decanting of liquid, likely predominantly water, at the entrance of the building was a way of magically floating the boat," Wegner wrote in the paper. The boat would not have been literally floated if this ceremony took place.

Another possibility is that the wooden boat was transported on a wooden sledge across the desert. In that case, "water and other liquids may have been used to lubricate and solidify the ground along the path of the boat as it was pulled from the floodplain to its desert resting place," wrote Wegner, adding that "the ceramic vessels used in this journey may themselves have taken on a ritual significance, and both boat and jars were then buried together as ceremonial interment of objects associated with royal mortuary rites."

The team plans to carry out excavations in the future that may help solve the various mysteries, he said.

Wegner's team, in cooperation with Egypt's Ministry of State for Antiquities, carried out the excavations of the building between 2014 and 2016.

Original article on Live Science.

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A 4-year-old girl befriended a 82-year-old widower and insisted on spending Halloween with her new BFF. (Photo: Getty Images)

A 4-year-old girl and an elderly man have struck up a sweet and special friendship. Mom of seven Tara Wood, who lives in Augusta, Ga., shared on Facebook how her daughter Norah  who has said in the past how much she loves elderly people because they walk slow like I walk slow and they [have] soft skin like I [have] soft skin  met and befriended 82-year-old Dan Peterson, whom she affectionately calls Mr. Dan. It all started when Tara took Nora to the grocery store in September to pick up cupcakes for the 4-year-olds birthday.

She was sitting in one of those carts that look like a car or truck or whatever when an older gentleman walked by, Tara explained in her post. Wed passed several other elderly customers, but she seemed magnetically drawn to this man. Her face lit up like the sun, she waved excitedly, and said, Hi, old person! Its my birfday today!

The man, undaunted after having been called old, waved back and the two chatted for a bit. A few minutes later, Nora asked her mom if she could take a photo with Mr. Dan for her birthday. They found him still at the grocery store, and he kindly agreed. And so they posed together and then they hugged each other like they were long lost friends, wrote Tara. We thanked Mr. Dan for taking time to spend a few minutes of his day with us. He teared up and said, No, thank you. This has been the best day Ive had in a long time. Youve made me so happy, Ms. Norah.

According to LittleThings.com, after Tara posted about the sweet encounter on Facebook and included some photos, she received a private message from someone who recognized Dan. Tara learned that Dans wife, Mary, had passed away in March and that meeting Norah had touched him. In fact, Dan shared with CBS News that he was having a particularly hard time before Norah came along. It was one of those days that Im on my own little private pity party, he said. And Im feeling sorry for myself and doubting my beliefs, and it obviously changed my opinion that day, and lifted my spirits to heights that I hadnt known for a long time.

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Tara asked the friend for Dans phone number and called him a few days later to get together.

They came by the house, and sure enough, [Norah] grabbed me and hugged me like there was no tomorrow, Dan told CBS News.

Norah brought him a framed picture of the two of them in the grocery store, pictures she colored (he put them on his fridge!) and a bag full of pastries and Butterfingers, said Wood.

Along with celebrating Dans 82nd birthday recently, the new BFFs also spent some time on Halloween together. Norah dressed up as Minnie Mouse and visited Dan with her mom. The two shared candy, hugs, and took photos together. Their bond has changed both of their lives, but particularly Dans.

If I didnt have anything else to do the rest of my life, he told CBS News, I have her to love.

Lets keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
T. Rowe Price, one of the biggest fund families of the U.S., posted a strong mutual fund performance and upbeat earnings results in the third-quarter reporting cycle. The company also experienced stable growth in its income, revenue and assets. During the quarter, the company did suffer outflows in equity funds, but managed to register inflows in fixed income and money market funds.

T. Rowe Price aims to provide low-cost, high quality mutual funds, which are expected to lead to strong performance in the long run. According to Lipper Inc., based on fiscal year-end data available as of September 30, 2016, out of 217 mutual funds, 170 have expense ratio lower than category averages. Moreover, out of its 102 rated funds, 73 have received 4 or 5 star ratings from Morningstar.

The fund family aims to provide a large number of no-load funds. As per its founder, Thomas Rowe Price Jr., the company focuses on charging fees on the basis of assets under management (AUM) and not as front or backend sales load. The company also offers direct investment access to its customers which will help in avoiding payment of any brokerage charge like transaction fees. With its investor-friendly approach and strong quarterly performance, investing in T. Rowe Price funds could be a sensible option.

Quarterly Income Up 18% Y-O-Y

In the third quarter, the company reported net income of $327.8 million, up 18% year over year and 68% from the previous quarter. Although its adjusted earnings per share of $1.17 missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.20, the bottom line improved 10% from the year ago quarter.

Moreover, net revenue rose 4% from the year-ago quarter and 10% from the prior quarter to $1.09 billion. Net revenue also outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.07 billion. The rise in revenue was primarily due to 5% year-on-year growth in investment advisory fees to $970.5 million. Also, an increase in AUM drove revenues.

Strong Assets Position

During the quarter, total AUM increased 12% year over year to $812.9 billion. Further, T. Rowe's mutual funds have around $517 billion in AUM, reflecting an increase of 11% from the year-ago quarter. During the quarter, net market appreciation and income came in at $36.5 billion, while net cash outflow was $0.2 billion after client transfers.

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Moreover, outflows were significantly narrower than the previous quarters outflows of $2.7 billion. Additionally, outflows of the companys mutual funds were $400 million. While equity funds witnessed major outflows of $3.5 billion, fixed income funds and money market funds experienced inflows of $2.7 billion and $400 million, respectively.

5 Best T. Rowe Price Mutual Funds to Consider

T. Rowe Price claims that more than 75% of its mutual funds carry a lower expense ratio than their respective categories. This renowned publicly owned investment management firm offers a variety of mutual funds and operates worldwide from 16 offices. Recently, T. Rowe held the third rank in Fortune Magazines WORLDS MOST ADMIRED COMPANIES 2016 list.

We have selected five mutual funds that carry a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy). These funds have encouraging one-year return and its minimum initial investment is within $5000. Also, these funds have low expense ratios.

We expect these funds to outperform their peers in the future. Remember, the goal of the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank is to guide investors to identify potential winners and losers. Unlike most of the fund-rating systems, the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank is not just focused on past performance, but also on the likely future success of the fund.

T. Rowe Price Global Multi-Sector Bond Advisor PRSAX invests the majority of its assets in bonds. PRSAX may invest a maximum half of its assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated foreign debt securities. The fund may also invest up to 65% of its assets in securities and other holdings that are rated noninvestment-grade. PRSAX has an annual expense ratio of 0.89%, lower than the category average of 0.95%. The fund has one-year returns of 7.3%.

T. Rowe Price Japan PRJPX seeks capital appreciation for the long run by investing the majority of its assets in securities of companies which are based in Japan. PRJPX invests in a variety of Japanese companies and industries, irrespective of their size. The fund has an annual expense ratio of 1.05%, lower than the category average of 1.48%. PRJPX has one-year returns of 18.7%.

T. Rowe Price Capital Opportunity PRCOX invests a large chunk of its assets in companies that are listed on the S&P 500 Index. PRCOX seeks U.S. common stocks, which are believed to be well positioned for capital appreciation. The fund is expected to maintain company weights similar to the index.PRCOX has an annual expense ratio of 0.70%, lower than the category average of 1.06%. The fund has one-year returns of 4.4%.

T. Rowe Price International Bond RPIBX seeks appreciation of capital and income. The fund invests the lions share of its assets in foreign bonds. RPIBX also invests more than 65% of its assets in investment-grade foreign bonds. It is a non-diversified mutual fund. RPIBX has an annual expense ratio of 0.83%, lower than the category average of 0.95%. The fund has one-year returns of 7.8%.

T. Rowe Price Tax-Free High Yield PRFHX invests a large share of its assets in municipal debt securities that are rated non-investment grade and believed to provide return exempted from federal income tax. PRFHX has an annual expense ratio of 0.69%, lower than the category average of 0.96%. The fund has one-year returns of 6.3%.

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Stock markets had a choppy ride last month owing to rising volatility. Factors including the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming U.S. Presidential election and concerns over oil output cut led major benchmarks to end in the red in October. The popular fear-gauge, CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) surged nearly 23.3% during the month, indicating rising volatility levels in the financial markets.

Also, the index jumped 33.8% over the past five trading sessions to reach its highest level since June yesterday. In a scenario like this one, investors always look for stocks that can safeguard their portfolios from market turbulence. Fundamentally strong yet boring stocks may be the most desirable ones right now.

Factors Behind Rising Volatility

Rising speculations about a close fight in the upcoming U.S. Presidential election emerged as the major factor behind the surge in volatility level. While a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Monday showed that Democrat representative Hillary Clinton still holds a significant lead over Donald Trump, separate polls from ABC News and the Los Angeles Times indicate that Trump is now ahead of Clinton by one point. After significantly outpacing Trump in all three Presidential debates, market participants were confident of Clintons win in the election.

However, the sentiment took a reverse turn following FBIs probe into Clintons emails. Clinton is being investigated on her use of a private server and handling of classified information while she was the state secretary. FBI Director James Comey said that in connection with the investigation of former Secretary Clinton's personal email server, the FBI discovered existence of new emails relating to the investigation. (Also Read: 5 Rock-Solid Stocks to Buy in November).

Separately, fluctuations in oil prices also played a significant role in escalating volatility level. The CBOE Crude Oil Volatility Index (OVX), which is a popular gauge of measuring volatility in crude oil, jumped 7.1% over the past five trading sessions. Despite Saudi Arabias announcement to control output, doubts over possible crude production cuts by major oil producing nations still persist.

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This in turn dragged oil prices into negative territory in recent days. During a meeting in Vienna last week, non-OPEC countries like Russia, Brazil, Mexico and others did not commit to freeze or cut their crude output until OPEC members agree to do the same.

Why Boring Stocks?

Stocks that are always in the news and are believed to be exciting also tend to fall prey to market volatility. On the other hand, stocks that are not so exciting or businesses that do not provide enough excitement to attract investors are commonly called boring. These boring stocks are generally poised to remain out of favor due to relatively less appeal and thus are available at discounted prices. More importantly they are speculated to be less affected by market volatility.

Different studies have also showed that these stocks are poised to provide higher returns compared to those that grab more investor attention. Boring stocks that are also good dividend payers are one of the best investment choices available in the current volatile environment. This is why we have tried to provide some potential options from this space that can lend support to your portfolio in this backdrop.

5 Boring Stocks to Buy

Though we do not have any predefined screen for finding Boring stocks, we have tried to run a screen on our Research Wizard tool on the basis of fundamentals that may help to find out impressive dividend paying Boring stocks. Here are the basic criteria that we have considered:

Dividend yield greater than 2.5%

Forward P/E ratio below the median of S&P 500

Price to cash flow ratio below the industry average

Beta less than 1

A history and forecast of rising EPS

A history of rising dividends

Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) or better

Here are five stocks from the list that showed up following the screen:

DSW Inc. DSW: This branded footwear and accessories retailer has a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio for the current financial year (F1) of 14.88, lower than the S&P 500 and industry average of 24.31 (as of Oct 28) and 16.18, respectively. Currently, the company has a beta of 0.72. It has a current dividend yield of 3.85% and carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Spire Inc. SR: This natural gas utility company has a P/E ratio of 17.64, lower than the industry average of 20.66. This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company has a beta of 0.34. It has a current dividend yield of 3.12%.

Holly Energy Partners L.P. HEP: This refined product pipelines and terminals operator has a P/E ratio of 16.01, lower than the industry average of 21.70. This Zacks Rank #2 company has a beta of 0.86. It has a current dividend yield of 7.79%.

VEREIT, Inc. VER: This publicly owned real estate investment trust has a P/E ratio of 12.26, lower than the industry average of 14.08. This Zacks Rank #2 company has a beta of 0.72. It has a current dividend yield of 5.85%.

Heritage Financial Corporation HFWA: This holding company for Heritage Bank has a P/E ratio of 12.55, lower than the industry average of 16.27. This Zacks Rank #2 company has a beta of 0.31. It has a current dividend yield of 2.61%.

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If youre a serious movie buff, its getting harder and harder to Netflix and chill. As the streaming service has shifted into original television and film production, several reports have noted how its film library is steadily shrinking. With that in mind, a number of upstart services are rushing in to fill the void. Theres the horror-dedicated Shudder, the documentary-centric Dox and Shout Factory TV, the streaming home of the cult movie empire Shout Factory. Now its time to open your eyes and wallet to one more new service: FilmStruck, a just-launched collaboration between the two leading purveyors of classic cinema, Turner Classic Movies and the Criterion Collection.

Launched on November 1, the service is positioning itself as the thinking cinephiles alternative to Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. To put it in terms that old school video store aficionados will understand, FilmStruck is essentially one big library section without the New Releases wall. And that library encompasses both recognizable and rare movies from around the world and across eras, starting in the days of silent cinema and continuing up to the 90s indie film boom. FilmStruck is also using its Criterion connection to port over special features and documentaries previously only available on DVD. (The service plans to produce original content as well, including documentaries and celebrity guest programs a la TCMs Guest Programmer series.)

As an example of the kinds of treasures you can expect to find on FilmStruck, weve combed through its archives and discovered five pictures that arent currently available on any other of the major streaming services. Be sure to visit the site for pricing options and other information.

Fires on the Plain (1959)

Made only 14 years after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended World War II, Kon Ichikawas searing survival story follows a tuberculosis-afflicted Japanese soldier as he criss-crosses the island of Leyte, trying to avoid death at the hands of his disease or American troops. His journey exposes him  and by extension, us  to the horrific ravages of war. The soldiers own breaking point comes when he discovers the true source of the monkey meat other deserters are living on.

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The Exiles (1961)

A striking slice-of-life, this docu-fiction hybrid captures a vanished era of Los Angeles. Filming on the streets of L.A.s Bunker Hill neighborhood, director Kent McKenzie stitches together a loose narrative derived from the first-hand experiences of his cast of Native American non-professional actors. Mostly unavailable until its rediscovery and restoration in 2008, The Exiles is a crucial link in the history of early independent film.

Watch the Tom Jones trailer:

Tom Jones (1963)

One of the best Best Picture winners you probably havent seen, director Tony Richardsons adaptation of Henry Fieldings 18th century novel is a rowdy, rambunctious delight. Albert Finney is perfectly cast as the title character, a rakish cad who experiences a series of misadventures en route to claiming the heart and hand of his one true love, Sophie (Susanna York). With its jaunty score and fleet-footed pace, Tom Jones is the antidote to stuffy, stilted period pieces.

Watch the Mona Lisa trailer:





Mona Lisa (1986)

One of our personal favorites from the storied Summer of 86, Neil Jordans contemporary noir stars the late Bob Hoskins in one of his very best performances as a former gangster now making a living as the chauffeur for high-end call girl (Cathy Tyson). The Crying Game has come to overshadow Mona Lisa in recent years, but this earlier movie is arguably Jordans greatest achievement. Its a gritty, moody crime tale that would have made Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler proud.

A Personal Journey With Martin Scorsese Through American Movies (1995)

If youre looking to learn more about the history of American film, you couldnt ask for a better guide than Martin Scorsese. The master director and cinema enthusiast holds court for four engrossing hours, discussing titles that are crucial to the evolution of film as an art form, as well as the evolution of his own filmmaking style. Heres hoping that FilmStruck soon acquires Scorseses equally fantastic guide to Italian cinema, My Voyage to Italy.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Only heaven knows wholl end up becoming the next U.S. president, but heres what we can say with certainty: The Obamas are moving out of the White House soon. Theyve already locked in a new house (which is gorgeous), but the question remains: Whats their current home really like? We know they live in the White House, of course, but the first family has never really shown off its private quartersthat is, until now.

Thanks to Architectural Digest, we have the first-ever peek inside the second floor of the White House, where President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle, their teenage daughters Malia and Sasha, and (last but not least) Portuguese water dogs Bo and Sunny have been living for the past eight years. And weve gotta say, their home decor choices are full of surprises. Here are some of the biggest:

Fact No. 1: The Obamas paid for it themselves

New presidents are traditionally allotted $100,000 to decorate the White House residence however they please, but the Obamas turned down this handout and spent their own money. So nice of them to not run up the governments bill, dont you think?

The Yellow Oval Room Architectural Digest

Fact No. 2: Malia and Sashas rooms were furnished first

For a mom, even a first lady mom, kids always come first, even on the decor front.

The No. 1 priority for the first lady was getting Malias and Sashas rooms and her mothers room set up, first lady senior adviser Melissa Winter told Architectural Digest. The most important thing was ensuring the comfort and happiness of her family.

The West Hall Sitting Room Architectural Digest

Fact No. 3: The artwork is way out there

Michelle made some pioneering art selections, according to her interior designer, Michael Smith. We selected artists and designers who would never have appeared in the White House before, he says. Mrs. Obama often talks about bringing new voices into the national conversation, and that idea informed many of the decisions we made. (More on one noteworthy newcomer next.)

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The White House West Hall Architectural Digest

Fact No. 4: The historic dining room got a big-time modern overhaul

The Obamas made a slew of changes to the Old Family Dining Room. Its a nice mix of old and new. The old: a 19th-century mahogany table and a sideboard once owned by statesman Daniel Webster. The new: a handful of American abstract works, including Josef Albers nested squares, a 1998 pop art piece by Robert Rauschenberg, and a 1966 painting by Alma Thomasthe first African-American female artist represented in the White House (pictured below, right).

The Old Family Dining Room Architectural Digest

Fact No. 5: The master bedroom is a real oasis

After a long day running the country, the president retires with his wife to a master bedroom thats serene and surprisingly monochromatic, graced with an antique canopy bed topped with Italian linen, family photos on footed tables, stacks of books, and a nocturne painting by James Abbott McNeill Whistler hanging over the fireplace.

Smith notes, This is their sanctuaryprivate, elegant, and calm. You really want to make sure that the president of the United States gets a good nights sleep. Indeed we do!

The Obamas bedroom Architectural Digest

Fact No. 6: It really did feel like home

Think its hard to truly kick back and feel at home in the White House? Not according to the first lady.

Because of Michael Smith, the private residence of the White House has not only reflected our taste but also upheld the proud history of this building, Michelle says. Above all, it has truly felt like a home for our family.

Awwww.

The post 6 Surprises About the Obamas Private White House Quarters appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com.
6 things we learned at Bindercon, a conference for female and gender non-conforming writers

The conversation about gender disparity within creative industries continues to be an important one for both established creatives and emerging ones. Each year, the VIDA count brings these disparities to light  and the numbers are frustrating. This proves especially important for women working within publishing. A bi-annual conference dedicated to women and gender non-conforming writers, BinderCon, creates a community for women (and gender non-conforming writers) to come together and share knowledge.

Out of the Binders operates as a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping writers advance in their careers. Each year, fiction writers, journalists, playwrights, screenwriters, and more gather for a series of panels and talks. This years NYC conference took place at Cooper Union on October 29th-30th and featured Elif Batuman, Porochista Khakpour, Anna Quindlen, and Allison Wright as speakers. Co-founders Lux Alptraum and Leigh Stein welcomed the crowd of excited writers for the two-day conference which brought together writers from a variety of backgrounds and locations.

From book readings to practical advice, there was plenty to take in during the productive weekend. But, to give you just a taste, here are just a few of the lessons we learned

1. Its important to tell your story. You never know who might relate to it.

On the topic of personal essays, Quindlen reflected on her years as a columnist and what it means to share your perspective. Many times, it seems that what someone is going through is totally unique to them  that theyre alone. Yet, sharing your story  whether through personal essays, your blog, social media, etc.  is a way to let others know you understand their situation, too. Obviously, not all of us share the same experiences, but theres still some comfort in knowing were not totally alone.

As Quindlen put it, theres too little authentic connective tissue in the world and storytelling can be a powerful way to make someone feel less isolated.

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Leigh Stein and Anna Quindlen.

2. Self-care is super important, no matter your writing focus.

Pursuing a career in writing means so much more than just sitting down to write. From pitching to networking to editing, a writers schedule can get crazy  especially if she happens to be a freelancer. Travel writer Hillary Richard cautioned that if you dont have physical health and mental wellness, everything else will fall apart.

Self-care is ~super~ important no matter your career path and sometimes its the little things that can make a huge difference in our wellbeing.

3. Rejection is a normal part of the process, and theres strength in not being afraid of it.

This actually applies to plenty areas of life, but especially to writing. Getting your work out there is scary but totally worth it. Just know that you ~will~ get rejections  but you shouldnt be afraid of them. The best thing you can do is accept that rejection will happen, but that you can always try again. Stephanie Foo, a producer at This American Life, also made it clear that if someone suggests you pitch again, they ~really~ mean it. Just make sure to take into consideration their original feedback when crafting your next idea.

The essay Why You Should Aim For 100 Rejections a Year is a great resource for encouragement. Get out there and advocate for your work  the worst someone can say is no.

From left to right: Lori A. May, Leslie Hsu Oh, Meredith Bethune, Felice Neals, Hillary Richard

4. Social media is a powerful tool for building a community.

During the entire weekend at the conference, writers were busy live-tweeting the talks and connecting with each other on social media. Building a strong community (or even a small group of supportive writers) doesnt always have to involve meeting IRL. BinderCon was just further proof that women have a powerful voice in social media and can support each others work in ways that are invaluable.

5. Write what you want to read  or what you ~need~ to read.

During a panel on writing about mothers and daughter, Beth Boyle Machlan read her essay Joyful Noises, which dealt with her daughters diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome. She shared that she wrote something [she] wish had been out there when [she] was a parent to read.

If youre not finding your own experience reflected in articles, books, etc., take that as inspiration to write your own material. Theres always a need for more diverse voices and stories.

6. Theres value in stepping away from your computer and getting outside.

Even while it might be temping to stay at your computer and write until your wrists hurt, its important to step away for a bit and just live life. You never know when you might find the next story.

Its also important to leave your own headspace. While personal essays are powerful, you never know what types of stories you might find just from talking to others in completely different life situations from yours.

Now, most importantly, go forth and write!

The post 6 things we learned at Bindercon, a conference for female and gender non-conforming writers appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Creative liberties? Amazon takes a few in its new series Good Girls Revolt, about a group of women who sue over their treatment at a male-dominated newsweekly in 1969-70.

Genevieve Angleson plays Patti, a young journalist seen in the pilot marching to work through midtown Manhattan . past a fairly large anti-Vietnam protest. In December 1969? We cant find any record of such a protest during that month. However, in May 1970 New York was shaken by the Hard Hat Riot, when hundreds of construction workers attacked students protesting the shooting deaths at Kent State.

Patti works at a magazine called News of the Week. Of course, there never was a major weekly by that name. But there was and is a magazine called Newsweek, which is where the real-life women described in the story worked.

Jim Belushi plays Wick, the cranky newsroom boss, who in the pilot orders his staff to cover the violence at the Rolling Stones concert at the Altamont track in California. Small problem: Newsweek didnt cover the Stones concert at the time (it was written about years later, though, once the concert became a cultural signpost).

Mick Jagger and the Stones performed at Altamont on December 6. That was a Saturday, which means the news of the violence would have broken over the weekend, and not on a busy workday, which is when the staff on Good Girls breathlessly discusses Altamont.
For the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017, our nation's capital will be filled with exhibitions showcasing intriguing, history-filled archives and artifacts of past inaugurations and presidential campaigns. Several timely exhibits demonstrate that contentious presidential campaigns are nothing new with titles at top-notch institutions across the city including "Your Next President...!" and "Louder Than Words: Rock, Power and Politics." So, if you're planning to experience the excitement and American traditions in Washington, D.C. for Inauguration weekend, consider this your definitive list of impressive and often overlooked museums.

[See: 16 Free Things to Do in the Top Affordable U.S. Destinations.]

The Newseum

The Newseum's all-day "2017 Presidential Inauguration Celebration Experience" package offers a view of the parade as it passes by the museum on Pennsylvania Avenue, along with discussions with political experts and curators and access to all Newseum exhibits. Top exhibits include "CNN Politics Campaign 2016: Like, Share, Elect," an interactive exploration of the campaign and its coverage on CNN and social media, through Jan. 22, and "Louder Than Words: Rock, Power and Politics," a Newseum-Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exhibit about the crucial role rock 'n' roll plays in politics and social movements, running from Jan. 13 through July 2017. At the rock-themed exhibit, you can check out items such as Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan's handwritten lyrics to "The Times They Are a-Changin'" and his 1960s Hohner Chrometta harmonica, Bruce Springsteen's outfit worn on his album cover "Born in the U.S.A." and the guitar John Lennon played at the May 1969 "bed-in," where he and Yoko Ono recorded "Give Peace a Chance."

The George Washington University Museum

Rare presidential inaugural and campaign flags and textiles form a fascinating patriotic exhibit -- "Your Next President...!" -- at the new George Washington University Museum that will be on display through April 10, 2017. "It's no mere child's play to inaugurate a president of the United States," says an official program of Theodore Roosevelt's 1905 inauguration. The exhibit's campaign items from the 19th century reveal "It [the campaign] was as frenzied and heated back then as it is today," co-curator Anne Dobberteen says. "Hot-button issues like immigration and the economy were pretty inflamed and impassioned back then. They don't go away," she adds. One wall is also emblazoned with a reproduced 1868 illustration of demonstrators proclaiming "Reduce Taxation before taxation reduces US.".

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The President Woodrow Wilson House

The President Woodrow Wilson House, the only D.C.-based home of a former president, is showcasing "Evolving Elections; Comparing the 1916 and 2016 Presidential Campaigns." Both of those heated races featured fractious primary battles, bitterly divided parties, outsiders seeking their party's presidential nominations and gruelingly long campaigns. World War One was raging and President Wilson's reelection campaign slogan was "He Kept Us Out of War." However, he asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany less than one month after his inauguration. In the Republican race for the party's nomination, former President Theodore Roosevelt termed his rival, Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes, "a bearded iceberg." But after Hughes won the nomination, Roosevelt campaigned for him by making rancorous speeches against "every form of hyphenated Americanism" such as German-American and Irish-American. Wilson narrowly won reelection. The exhibit, on view through Feb. 26, 2017, features Wilson's "election" walking stick, campaign buttons, ads and sheet music, plus memorabilia from his 1917 inauguration. Visitors can also watch archival campaign films and hear campaign songs from 1916 and 2016.

[See: 8 Amazingly Affordable Family Vacations.]

The Library of Congress

"Presidential Elections Through the Years," at the Library of Congress through Jan. 26, looks at the evolution of popular campaigning from George Washington to Barack Obama. It reveals a long history of insults about opponents and appealing to Latinos and young voters. A 2008 flip-book combines comic book biographies of then Senators Barack Obama and John McCain. And the exhibit shows that to capitalize on the 1860 presidential race between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, a tobacco company used the presidential candidate's nickname to market its "El Biejo Onesto Abe" (Honest Old Abe) cigarettes.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture opened last September with its own "mini-inauguration" led by President Obama. No free advance timed passes are available for the first few months of 2017, but a limited number of free same-day timed passes are available only at the museum on the day you plan to visit.

The National Museum of American History

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is a natural stop over Inauguration weekend. It features the First Ladies' Collection of inaugural ball gowns including Michelle Obama's white chiffon one-shouldered crystal-embellished gown worn to Barack Obama's first inauguration in 2009. This museum also displays "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden," an exhibit containing approximately 900 artifacts including the carriage Ulysses S. Grant rode to his second inauguration in 1873, souvenirs and photos from many inaugurations, plus the Bill Clinton 1992 campaign button "It's the Economy, Stupid!"

The National Portrait Gallery

The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery will install a portrait of the president-elect on its first floor just before Inauguration Day. And the museum will host lots of related programs throughout January, including "Pop Quiz: Presidents" on Jan. 12. What's more, at its permanent exhibit, "America's Presidents," you can explore the portraits and video excerpts of 11 speeches of past presidents, and the museum's senior historian David Ward will share fun facts and little-known tales about them on Jan. 19.

[See: Where to Stay Like a President This Election Season.]

The National Archives

The National Archives' permanent Public Vaults exhibit showcases original documents signed by former Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln Lincoln. In the Public Vaults, you can also see presidential public addresses and private deliberations. Other original documents signed by former Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are showcased at the National Archives' permanent Public Vaults exhibit. It features presidential public addresses and private deliberations, as well as home movies of past presidents as children, like a young George W. Bush playing in the snow.

Marsha Dubrow is a freelance writer specializing in travel and the arts. You can follow her on Twitter @MarshaDubrow, connect with her on Facebook and LinkedIn. She earned an M.F.A. in Writing and Literature at Bennington College, which published her book "Single Blessedness."
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump vowed on Tuesday to call a special session of Congress to dismantle the Affordable Care Act within days of next weeks election if he somehow manages to defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

When we win on November 8 and elect a Republican Congress, we will be able to immediately repeal and replace Obamacare, Trump declared Tuesday afternoon during a speech in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. I will ask Congress to convene a special session so we can repeal and replace. And it will be such an honor for me, for you and for everybody in this country because Obamacare has to be replaced . . . It is a catastrophe.

The immediate problem with his promise, of course, is that even in the unlikely event that Trump wins the election, he wont be sworn in until January 20 and would be powerless before then to summon Republican and Democratic lawmakers back to work to vote on the future of Obamacare or anything else. Theres a little matter of the Constitution: President Obama will still be in power, and only he could call a special session  which he wont.

Whats more, House and Senate Republican leaders already are planning to conduct a month-long, lame-duck session after the election to vote on a massive spending bill to keep the government operating, send emergency aid to flood-ravaged states and a raft of other measures.

Trump is notoriously ignorant about the machinations of government, constitutional strictures or even the basic political realities of how things get done on Capitol Hill. While the GOP has been calling for the repeal and replacement of Obamacare for years, they have yet to agree on precisely what would replace the existing law that provides subsidized health care insurance to many of the 10 million Americans who currently acquire coverage through government exchanges.

While House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and other GOP leaders are working on a scheme to repeal the 2010 Affordable Care Act by using a complicated budget procedure to circumvent a Democratic filibuster, that process would unquestionably take months  not weeks, as Trump apparently would like to see.

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Related: For Trump, Orlando Terror Attack Is an Opportunity

Trump has long prided himself as a government outsider who has little patience with political correctness and treats the Constitution with astonishing indifference. While he promises his conservative political base that he would be a strict constructionist in interpreting the Constitution, there is little evidence he has ever read the document.

He has little regard for the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights in attacking reporters as low-lives, calling for tough surveillance of mosques and even insisting that only people with views that he approves of can immigrate to this country. At a private meeting with congressional Republicans earlier this year, Trump famously expressed his admiration for Article 12 of the Constitution, seemingly unaware that there are only seven Articles.

Many conservative and libertarian legal scholars have warned that electing Trump would be inviting a constitutional crisis.

Here is just a sampling of the Trumpian view of constitutional liberties:

Shutting down mosques

In November, after a terrorist attack in France, Trump said that eventually, the United States government was going to have to start shutting down mosques. Nobody wants to say this and nobody wants to shut down religious institutions or anything, but you know, you understand it. A lot of people understand it. Were going to have no choice. Some really bad things are happening.

Thats a pretty blatant violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association, and of the Fifth Amendment, which guarantees of due process.

Related: Trumps Extreme Vetting Plan Would Close the Gateway to Muslim Refugees

Banning Muslim Immigrant

Trumps suggestion that all Muslims be barred from entering the country, which he made in December of last year, violates the establishment clause on due process and the Fourteenth Amendments equal protection provisions.

Deporting all Undocumented Immigrants

Trump has promised to round up and deport some twelve million undocumented immigrants within the first two years of his presidency. That would require more than 100,000 deportations per week, every week -- a caseload that couldnt conceivably be handled without massive due process violations and other assaults on civil liberties, including racial profiling.

Muzzling the press

Trump has repeatedly vowed to challenge the freedom of the press, which is also enshrined in the First Amendment. He says he wants to open up libel laws to make it easier to sue publications that run stories he dislikes. There is also the small matter of no federal libel law for President Trump to change. Libel claims are heard at the state level.

Bringing Back Torture

Trump has promised to compel the military and intelligence services to torture terrorism suspects for information. Torture, in addition to being illegal under the due process clause and the Eighth Amendments prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment, also violates multiple international agreements to which the US is a party.

Related: Trump Promises to Get Vicious With Radical Islam

Reinstituting Mass Surveillance

Trump has said that he is in favor of allowing the National Security Agency to retain bulk metadata related to Americans electronic communications. However, a federal circuit court has already ruled that the NSAs original program of data collection was illegal because it was not congressionally authorized. Even if it were authorized, it would likely face an insurmountable challenge on the grounds of the Fourth Amendments ban on unreasonable searches.

Nationwide Stop-and-Frisk

Trump has called for the implementation of a nationwide program allowing police to stop and search individuals for weapons without probable cause. Setting aside the challenges this would face under the ban on unreasonable searches, it wouldnt be feasible because the president doesnt establish the rules under which state and local law enforcement authorities operate.

Other Constitutional Ignorance

In a primary debate last February, Trump complained about Texas Sen. Ted Cruzs criticism of Trumps sister, a federal judge, for one of her written opinions. He's been criticizing my sister for signing a certain bill, Trump said. You know who else signed that bill? Justice Samuel Alito ... signed that bill. As any eighth-grade civics student could tell you, U.S. judges dont sign bills.

He has also promised that Hillary Clinton will go to jail. He even encourages chants of Lock her up! at his rallies. In the U.S., jailing someone under federal law happens when prosecutors in the executive branch bring charges that are validated by the judicial branch. Presidents dont get to decide whether or not a U.S. citizen should go to prison.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
JeNu Plus Ultrasonic Infuser What it does: According to JeNu, the main win with this gadget is the devices ability to make the products you already use work better and faster. With a touch of conduction gel (and this is key), Jenus claim to fame is that, when tested against a leading anti-aging topical, the JeNu Plus Ultrasonic Infuser ($279) increased absorption by six times. It does this by transmitting 365,000 pulses of ultrasonic energy per second to push key ingredients deeper into your skin. Who its for: Everyone. Use it to focus on problem areas  crows-feet, forehead wrinkles, etc. The only note of caution: If you are using an active ingredient like retinol, we suggest easing your skin into using the Infuser. As it is increasing absorption, your skin will need to adjust to the strength of your products. How to use it: Simply layer your skin care on as normal. Put a drop of the conduction gel on the head of the infuser and use it to massage product into the skin in one-minute, automatically timed increments. The company suggests dedicating a minute to each side of your face. It can also be used in the morning before application of sunscreen. (Photo: JeNu)

Youve already got your cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, and who knows what else. For many, the idea of adding yet another step to their skin care regimen is daunting and seemingly unnecessary, let alone one that needs a charger.

But what if we told you that there are skin care tools that can actually amplify the efficacy of all those products you invested in to begin with. Facial gizmos and gadgets  ones that go beyond the popular Clarisonic cleansing brushes  are rapidly taking hold of the beauty industry. In addition to promoting the absorption of skin care treatments, many of these tools have added benefits  from helping to contour the face by promoting lymphatic drainage to stimulating collagen to depuff undereyes. So, should you use one?

Its no surprise that many dermatologists are skeptical of such tools, and with good reason  devices made for at-home use work at a far lower power level than those aestheticians in clinics rely on. Tools to improve absorption of products are a double-edged sword, says Gerald Imber, the founder of the Youth Corridor Clinic. Anything that works would be considered a medical device and regulated by the FDA. Anything that doesnt work isnt worth bothering with. The strength factor is why Imber suggests leaving such things to aestheticians. We actively combine micro-needling or dermaplaning with a variety of other treatments, like PRP, IPL, or laser, to maximize results. These professional skin care treatments only help encourage skin to absorb the product you are using at home. A benefit of opting for a professional treatment at a medical clinic, he says.

Of course, theres a case to be made in favor of such instruments too: First of all, if you dont have access to a medical clinic, be it due to proximity or financial limitations, such devices can certainly improve the quality of your skins appearance and its absorption of products. One benefit of at-home devices is that they keep the lymphatic system healthier in the skin. They do stimulate lymphatic drainage, just not as much as a professional treatment. Using them regularly will help, says celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas.

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All skin types benefit from facial massage. Boosting microcirculation can help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well as dry patches and discoloration, says Victoria Tsai, the founder and CEO of the Japanese geisha-inspired line Tatcha. Massage overall has been shown to promote stress reduction  taking a few moments to focus on yourself, take care of your skin, and massage away tension will always be of benefit to mind and body alike. Dermatologic surgeon and skin care creator Dennis Gross echoes the benefits of at-home facial massage, noting that it is best done in a seated position, so gravity can assist with drainage of lymphatic system as opposed to lying down when fluid accumulate rather than drain.

Whether its an ancient jade roller, which hasnt changed much since its use in ancient China, or a newfangled tech device, here are nine to consider adding to your own skin care routine.

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By Andrew M. Seaman Social media is an important source of news for many Americans, but the health stories that are most popular may also be the least accurate, suggests a study of Facebook posts about Zika virus. In May and June 2016, a period of heavy media coverage of the Zika virus epidemic spreading in the Americas, about four out of five popular posts on Facebook about Zika contained accurate information, researchers found. But the ones containing inaccurate information or conspiracy theories were far more popular on the social networking website. "What was most disturbing to me was the websites or videos that are giving this misinformation are trying to take the focus completely away from the issue," said lead author Dr. Megha Sharma, a neonatal-perinatal medicine fellow at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Those inaccurate posts may lead people to disregard accurate information about Zika virus from organizations like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO), Sharma told Reuters Health. In February 2016, Zika virus was actively transmitted in 30 countries, most in the Americas, according to CDC, and WHO declared the outbreak to be "of international concern." By late May, the tally of countries with Zika transmission was up to 48. Zika infections in pregnant women have been shown to cause microcephaly - a severe birth defect in which the head and brain are undersized - as well as other brain abnormalities. The connection between Zika and microcephaly first came to light last fall in Brazil, which has since confirmed more than 2,000 cases of microcephaly. In adults, Zika infections have also been linked to a rare neurological syndrome known as Guillain-Barre, as well as other neurological disorders. For the new study, Sharma and her colleagues searched Facebook over one week in late June for the words Zika and virus. They then selected the 200 most popular posts from the previous month and analyzed their content. Popularity was determined by various factors, including the number of views and shares, and number of supportive comments. The researchers report in the American Journal of Infection Control that 81 percent of the top-200 most popular posts and videos on Facebook contained useful or credible information about Zika virus. Most useful posts came from news agencies, and 22 useful videos were attributed to the CDC. About 12 percent of the posts were classified as misleading. Most of those posts suggested that Zika virus was a way to depopulate developing nations or called the entire disease a hoax. While most of the 200 posts contained useful and credible information, the researchers found that those spreading conspiracy theories or misinformation were most popular. The most shared credible and useful post, for example, was a video of a WHO press briefing that was viewed 43,000 times and shared by 964 Facebook accounts. The most popular post spreading misinformation claimed Zika virus is a "fraudulent medical hoax" and was viewed over 530,000 times. That post was also shared by more than 19,600 people. "A lot of this has to do with how information is presented," Sharma said. Websites that create posts with misinformation are often more "in your face" than those posts from the CDC and WHO, she added. "I understand that this is a very hard issue to deal with because there has to be freedom of speech and impression on social media," Sharma said. There may be a way for social media websites to display more relevant health information, she added. Deciding what information is and is not credible would be difficult for Facebook to scale to its entire network, said Ceren Budak, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Information in Ann Arbor. Budak, who wasn't involved in the new study, researched how to combat online misinformation. She approached it as a math problem, and found it's possible if a person or organization targets the right people with the correct information. Timing is key, however. "If you're too late, its hard for you to catch up and combat (misinformation)," Budak told Reuters Health. "The exact solution is very complex," she said. Budak also said the new study may underestimate the spread of misinformation since it only evaluated popular posts. Some research suggests the spread of misinformation by people online is much greater than what the new study shows. "They just dont really check the credibility of the information," she said. "They receive and just share it right away." Sharma said about two-thirds of U.S. adults use Facebook and many get their news from the website. She suggests people follow reliable social media channels like the CDC and WHO, and be more skeptical of other kinds of videos posted online.
eric eichmann

Criteo surpassed analysts' estimates in its third quarter  and the France-based ad tech company has visions on new revenue streams that could well see it exceed expectations again over the next fiscal year.

Revenue ex-TAC (traffic acquisition costs) grew 32% to $177 million in the three months to September 30. Analysts had predicted revenues of $173.5 million in the period.

Net income increased $154% to $14.7 million, while adjusted net income per diluted share rose 173% to $0.48, versus the $0.37 per share predicted by analysts.

Criteo's stock jumped on the news. CRTO was up 10.61% to $40.49 at 11.49 a.m. EST.

Speaking to Business Insider, Criteo CEO Eric Eichmann said the company has marked more than 20 quarters in a row of a 90% or higher retention rate.

"You don't see that many businesses [deliver that], certainly not in ad tech," Eichmann said.

"This is our 12th quarter, in our three years as a public company, that we have been setting guidance and delivering and over-delivering on our expectations. It shows our business is something advertisers and commerce companies depend on to drive sales," Eichmann added.

Criteo works with retailers to target online ads at users who are most likely to be in the market for buying products. Its key specialism is "retargeting"  serving an ad at someone that has already viewed a retailers' product or website.

As Eichmann has explained to Business Insider previously, the reason the company is a star-performer in the ad tech sector is that the majority of its clients treat Criteo as a sales cost, rather than marketing cost. Just like search, clients don't usually need to go through a lengthy process to get budget sign-off (like they would with an ad campaign) because if Criteo can prove it increased sales, ad spend on the platform goes up. And that spend is uncapped, unlike marketing budgets, which are often fixed over the course of a year or quarter.

Criteo has two big new revenue opportunities. The first is predictive search

Criteo doesn't just want its business model to be compared to search. It wants a piece of the estimated $93.82 billion search advertising market too.

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emarketer search

On October 25, Criteo announced the launch of its Predictive Search tool, which helps retailers manage and refine their Google Shopping ads.

Retailers spend the majority of their budgets on Google Shopping ads, largely because they appear at the top of the search results page when consumers search for specific products. The ads provide an image of the product, a price, and the ability to click straight through to buy.

But while the sales opportunity is clear, managing Shopping ads is complex.

Eichmann said: "For every product you have to provide how much you are willing to bid [for the search ad] then different users lists and whether you are willing to bid or or less for them. And for certain items you don't bid at all. It's a complex environment for a retailer with thousands of products  and it can be hard to extract real performance."

The predictive search tool aims to make that process more automated, using retailers' product catalogs and its own data to handle high volumes of Shopping ads and refine them based on performance. The product rolls out in 2017 and Eichmann think sit will "drive significant performance" for its clients.

The second big new opportunity is a new brand exchange

Earlier this month, Criteo acquired ecommerce ad tech company HookLogic for $250 million. The deal is expected to close by the end of the fourth quarter.

HookLogic helps retailers generate ad revenue from their own sites. Just as large grocery chains and supermarkets make money through what is known as trade marketing  product brands advertising their wares through posters on the shelves and windows of their stores  HookLogic allows them to open up ad space on their online stores.

Apart from huge ecommerce sites like Amazon, most retailers don't generate enough traffic to their websites to be able to pull in enough digital ad dollars alone. So HookLogic created a network of retailer sites that allows brands to buy performance ads across a range of relevant ecommerce companies.

Eichmann said: "It opens up the ability to get a whole new sector or vertical of advertisers to come into our ecosystem: brand manufacturers. Those advertisers are potentially going to open up other opportunities in our ecosystem. We can extend the exchange and increase the amount of retailers that participate in the exchange. HookLogic is mostly US centric and we can accelerate that into Europe. And the algorithmic intelligence we have can be applied to drive better performance from their ads"

Sizing up the potential revenue opportunity, Eichmann referred to the size of Amazon's ad business. Amazon is on track to generate more than $1 billion in advertising revenue in the US this year, according to eMarketer.

"[Amazon] is not in every country  we have presence in more countries. It will take time to build the business ... but what is clear is if you are a mid-size retailer ... the ability to offer brand manufacturers' [ad dollars] without the effect of a network is very hard," Eichmann said.

Eichmann's view on the Criteo vs. SteelHouse lawsuit being dropped by both parties

Criteo posted its third-quarter earnings a day after the company announced its legal dispute with rival ad tech company SteelHouse had been dropped.

Criteo filed a lawsuit in June claiming SteelHouse was running a "counterfeit click fraud" that was damaging its business. SteelHouse filed counterclaims in July accusing Criteo of using dubious methods to drive up its click numbers.

mark douglas

What followed was a nasty back-and-forth of allegations, but the two companies' differences are now being settled out of court. In a joint statement, the companies said they agreed "the focus should be on continuing to improve transparency in the ad tech industry."

Asked whether he felt relieved the dispute was over, Eichmann responded "absolutely," adding Criteo's intent, when entering into litigation, was to clarify the attribution mechanisms marketers use to assess the performance of their advertising  not to cause harm to a rival.

"I think in this process we have arrived at a place where it's very clear there are different attribution methods used by SteelHouse and us  post-click and view-through  and it's very clear they offer a different product. They resolved an issue related to a bug they had, which was corrected, and I feel very good where we are at today and I am happy we arrived at this settlement out of court," Eichmann said.

"Our business is to make advertisers richer, not lawyers, that's something we are not very comfortable with  and I say this in front of our general counsel too, by the way," he said. "For us it's very important, we have a business with a 90%-plus retention rate, where people rely on numbers and transparency and how we take credit for the sales we generate. It is very important for us to make sure people understood the system was clean."

Criteo Q3 earnings, the key numbers:

Revenue ex-TAC: $177 million, up 32%

Net income: $14.7 million, up 154%

Adjusted net income per diluted share: $0.48, up 173%

Adjusted EBITDA: $54 million, up 55%

Operating expenses: $131 million, up 33%

Cash flow from operating activities: $44 million, up 149%

Free cash flow: $24 million, up $30 million year-on-year

Total cash and cash equivalents: $407 million

Net new clients in the quarter: 1,000

Total clients: "Approaching 13,000"

NOW WATCH: A hacker reveals a simple way to come up with a strong password that's easy to remember





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Simon West's action-comedy Salty, starring Antonio Banderas and Olga Kurylenko, has lined up a raft of international pickups.

The film, being sold worldwide by Carnaby, has been snapped up by AB Groupe (France), Prorom (Bulgaria, the former Yugoslavia, Hungary and Romania), Kino Swiat (Poland), Big Movie (CIS, Baltics), Five STars (Israel), Gulf Film (Middle East), Central Park (Turkey), PT Prima Cinema (Indonesia), Multivision Plus (Malaysia) and A Company (Vietnam).

"There's been a tremendous amount of interest in Salty ahead of AFM, with buyers lining up to watch the new footage we're premiering at the market," said Carnaby director of international sales Tania Sarra, who brokered the deals. "We're excited to show the new footage."

The film sees Banderas play an aging, pampered rock star and reformed sex addict. After being persuaded to go on holiday to Chile, he sees his supermodel wife - played by former Bond girl Kurylenko - abducted by a group of shipless pirates trying to raise money to buy a new boat.

Having never organized anything more challenging than a club sandwich from room service, he's then forced to navigate the back alleys of Santiago and jungles of South America to rescue his wife from the bandits.

Salty, which wrapped production in Chile this year, has been billed as The Hangover meets Spinal Tap. West (Con Air, 2011's The Mechanic) directed from a screenplay by Mark Haskell Smith, who adapted his own novel.

Read more: AFM: Oscars Offerings Replace Genre Movies as Indie Industry Struggles
Lake Bodom, the buzzed-about Scandi genre movie that just played at Sitges and London Film Festival, has been sold by London-based outfit Film Constellation across several territories.

Directed by Taneli Mustonen, who last helmed Finlands top-grossing comedy The Reunion, Lake Bodom has sold to Germany (Koch Media), Japan (New Select), and the Middle East (New Select) ahead of its market screening at the AFM on Thursday.

Co-written and produced by Aleksi Hyvarinen, the movie just earned Mimosa Willamo a best actress award at Screamfest film festival last weekend.

The movie turns on a group of teenagers who go camping at Lake Bodom, where four teenagers were stabbed to death in 1960, hoping to solve the unsolved murder case.

Film Constellation was launched earlier this year by Fabien Westerhoff, a former head of sales and distribution at WestEnd Films and HanWay Films, in partnership with Films Distribution.

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Gogjali (Iraq) (AFP) - More than one million civilians in Mosul are in grave danger and aid workers are "bracing for the worst", a relief group said Wednesday, after Iraqi forces reached the jihadist-held city.

Just over two weeks into the offensive to retake the last Iraqi city under the control of the Islamic State group, the country's forces have fought their way to the eastern outskirts of Mosul.

But there were no signs yet of a major push inside Mosul itself and bad weather appeared to have limited operations, while forces on other fronts were still some distance away.

Gunfire echoed across the village of Gogjali on Mosul's eastern edge as elite Iraqi forces worked to clear the area.

Civilians, who emerged cautiously from their homes, some carrying white flags, told tales of IS brutality.

"They confiscated my tractor and then threw me in jail for six days. They beat me and when I got out I couldn't do my work anymore," said Yusef Fariq.

The 40-year-old farmer, speaking from his home in Gogjali and surrounded by his mother and two sons, still had the long beard IS militants forced him to grow.

"They were killing us, always asking for money, we couldn't go anywhere. We went through hell," his mother said.

The electric hair clipper a member of the Iraqi special forces gave to residents of Gogjali was the village's most popular item as men who had been forced to grow beards by IS were finally able to shave.

- Human shield fears -

The Norwegian Refugee Council said a long-feared humanitarian crisis was closer than ever.

"We are now bracing ourselves for the worst. The lives of 1.2 million civilians are in grave danger, and the future of all of Iraq is now in the balance," said its Iraq director Wolfgang Gressmann.

"People in and around Mosul have lived for almost two and a half years in a relentless, terrifying nightmare. We are now all responsible to put an end to it."

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More than 20,000 people have already fled to government-held areas since the offensive was launched on October 17, says the International Organization for Migration.

But civilians inside Mosul -- including an estimated 600,000 children -- are trapped behind IS lines and the UN has said thousands are being held for possible use as human shields.

Residents confirmed those fears, saying IS was forcibly gathering civilians.

One of them in east Mosul, Abu Yunes, told AFP the jihadists had "demanded that people, especially young people, gather in the area's schools".

Abu Mohammed, a west Mosul resident, said the jihadists aimed to hide among the civilians and flee among them to escape.

In Gogjali, fighters with Iraq's elite Counter-Terrorism Service were screening civilians for IS members.

One government fighter carried a black IS flag, saying: "We removed it and planted the Iraqi flag instead."

Backed by air and ground support from a US-led coalition, Iraqi federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters are advancing on Mosul from the east, north and south.

Soldiers pushing from the north have moved within around two kilometres (1.25 miles) of Mosul, military officials say, while forces approaching from the south are still some distance away.

Paramilitary forces from the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation), an umbrella organisation dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militia, also launched an assault at the weekend to cut off the jihadists' escape route to Syria.

- IS radio reveals tactics -

IS is vastly outnumbered with an estimated 4,000 to 7,000 jihadists in and around Mosul, but it has put up stiff resistance with suicide bombers, mortars and small arms fire.

On the southern front, where Iraq's elite Rapid Response Division is advancing towards the town of Hamam al-Alil some 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Mosul, a captured IS radio provided rare insight into how the jihadists operate.

An AFP journalist embedded with Iraqi forces was present on Tuesday as they listened to IS fighters plan over the radio.

"Abu Dhiyab, let the istishhadi with you go," a jihadist who was referred to as Abu al-Layl said, using an Arabic word the jihadists use for suicide bombers.

Abu Dhiyab replied: "I brought the istishhadiyeen and left them behind the dirt berm. As soon as they (Iraqi forces) advance, they will go out to them."

A captain ordered vehicles to approach the berm to draw out the jihadists, but the suicide bombers were hit by air strikes before that could happen.

After seizing control of large parts of Iraq and neighbouring Syria in mid-2014, IS declared a cross-border "caliphate", imposed its harsh interpretation of Islamic law and committed widespread atrocities.

IS has been losing ground steadily in Iraq since 2015 and the outcome of the Mosul battle is in little doubt, but commanders have warned it could last months.

If the city is retaken, only Raqa in Syria will remain as the last major city under the jihadists' control.
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Airbus <AIR.PA> expects to sell around 670 aircraft this year, matching its planned deliveries, Mark Pearman-Wright, head of leasing and investor marketing, told the Airline Economics conference in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Airbus Group officially targets more than 650 commercial deliveries, but the company's finance director last week told analysts that it actually would deliver more than 670.

Airbus posted 566 gross orders between January and September.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
(Refiles to correct acronym to UAC from UTC in 4th paragraph)

ZHUHAI, China, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Engine maker Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp, said on Wednesday that it had won nearly $800 million in contracts from carriers Air China and Shenzhen Airlines to supply engines for their Airbus Group A320ceo aircraft.

Doug Cai, president of Greater China, Pratt & Whitney, told a news conference on the sidelines of the country's biggest air expo in Zhuhai that Air China had picked V2500 engines for 18 of its A320 aircraft, while Shenzhen Airlines selected the engine for 13 of its jets.

The V2500 engine is designed and manufactured by International Aero Engines, a global partnership of aerospace firms including Pratt & Whitney, Japanese Aero Engine Corp and MTU Aero Engines.

Pratt & Whitney also said it would assess opportunities for involvement in planemaker Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China's (COMAC) project to develop a wide-body passenger aircraft with Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).

The jumbo jet project represents the two countries' aim to compete in the wide-body segment, currently controlled by Europe's Airbus Group and Boeing Co of the United States. The plane would be China's largest-ever aircraft, as well as Russia's biggest post-Cold War airliner.

COMAC and UTC said in June last year they want to begin deliveries of the jet in 2025, a target most Western industry analysts consider extremely ambitious.

(Reporting by Brenda Goh; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
By Huw Jones

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain should focus on convincing the European Union that it will abide by rules that are robust enough for its financial sector to continue serving customers across the bloc after Brexit, a think tank said on Wednesday.

In its "Blueprint for Brexit" paper, think tank Politeia said Britain should not seek to preserve "passporting" rights for financial services at all costs.

Under current EU rules, a bank authorised in London can serve customers across the bloc in return for Britain respecting unfettered free movement of EU citizens.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has said there must be some controls on immigration once the UK has left the EU, a step EU leaders have said would mean ending full access to the European market.

The blueprint written by Barnabas Reynolds, a partner at international law firm Shearman & Sterling, proposes two models for "re-booting" the UK financial sector after Brexit without cutting off access to Europe.

Reynolds was the first after the Brexit vote to propose an equivalence model, which caught the attention of the government. The paper fleshes out his ideas and is likely to be closely read by ministers who need to come up with a negotiating position.

The first "expanded equivalence" model builds on an existing EU framework that gives firms from a non-EU country access to the bloc if their home rules are equivalent or similarly strict.

This would allow for the removal of some EU rules and a reworking of others, although there would still be some constraints on British regulation after Brexit, Reynolds said.

If this model is not possible, an alternative "financial centre" model is proposed in the 105-page paper to be launched on Thursday.

Under this model Britain would reconsider its entire regulatory framework to develop an "attractive, market friendly" set of rules.

This would, however, still take into account the need to protect consumers and financial stability, meaning no return to the light-touch regime of the 1990s.

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"Whichever model is adopted, the UK must ensure it continues to be a key centre for the trading and clearing of instruments denominated in any globally important currency, including the euro," the paper says.

The government is in the process of planning for formal divorce talks with the EU by the end of March.

Mark Garnier, a government minister, said last month that Britain must find a mechanism that offers access to the EU market with safeguards to the equivalence regime.

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said last week that equivalence could be a way forward if there is an independent dispute resolution body, coupled with safeguards against Brussels withdrawing equivalence at short notice.

(Reporting by Huw Jones; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
Yahoo file photo

Online retail giant Amazon is set to make its entrance into Southeast Asia, starting with a launch in Singapore next year, according to a media report on Wednesday (2 November).

Citing two sources close to the company, tech media portal Techcrunch said that Amazon is quietly acquiring assets, including refrigerated trucks, and making new hires ahead of its entry into Singapore.

Amazon plans to launch in Singapore by the first quarter of 2017, the report said, adding that the company will initially offer its Prime delivery service alongside its AmazonFresh grocery services.

Earlier this year, Amazons bid for grocery delivery startup RedMart was rejected for being too low. In a joint statement on Wednesday, Southeast Asian e-commerce firm Lazada announced it is buying RedMart for an undisclosed sum.

Amazons plans for Singapore comes months after it pumped US$3 billion into its India business and a week after it introduced its Prime services in China.
Showtime is expanding its remake footprint.

The premium cabler, which is already rebooting Twin Peaks, has landed the TV remake of American Gigolo, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

First put in development two years ago, the project hails from Paramount TV and Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced the 1980 Paramount film starring Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton.

Neil LaBute has boarded the reboot and will pen the script for the drama that is set in the present day but inspired by the original feature about a male escort in Los Angeles who falls for a politician's wife at the same time he is the prime suspect in a murder case.

Bruckheimer will executive produce via his Jerry Bruckheimer TV banner alongside Jonathan Littman. KristieAnne Reed will co-executive produce, while James Oh will produce. Paul Schrader, who directed and penned the screenplay for the film, is attached as an executive consultant.

Read more: Jerry Bruckheimer Adapting 'American Gigolo' for Paramount TV

American Gigolo becomes the latest film-to-TV project for Paramount, which is mining its library for content. The studio has reboots of The Italian Job (NBC), Shutter Island (HBO) and School of Rock (Nickelodeon) as well as Jack Ryan (Amazon) in the works.

Reboots continue to remain in high demand as broadcast, cable and streaming outlets look for proven IP in a bid to cut through a cluttered scripted landscape that is quickly approaching 500 original series. Key to the remakes is having the original producers involved in some capacity as more studios look to monetize their existing film libraries.

Already in the works this season are reboots of Sneakers (NBC), Enemy of the State (ABC), Dynasty (The CW), War of the Worlds (MTV), Magnum P.I. (ABC), The Lost Boys (CW), Varsity Blues (CMT), The Departed (Amazon), Let the Right One In (TNT) and L.A. Law, though the latter does not yet have a network attached.

Should American Gigolo move forward, it would join Bruckheimer TV fare including Lucifer (which just nabbed a full 22-episode season-two order at Fox) as well as ABC's Enemy of the State.

Read more: Do TV Shows Get a Boost From 'American' Titles?
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Angola said Wednesday that a date must be set for presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo that will allow a smooth handover of power from President Joseph Kabila.

Angola and France will be leading a Security Council visit to the DR Congo next week to meet with Kabila, opposition leaders and civil society in a bid to ease tensions over the holding of the vote.

"I want the elections to be set, to be done orderly and then let someone else continue to run the country," Angola's Ambassador Ismael Gaspar Martins told reporters.

"I think that is doable," said the ambassador.

Angola is an influential player in the DR Congo and a key backer of the Kinshasa government dating back to the two wars of the 1990s and early 2000s when Luanda provided crucial military support.

The 15 council envoys will visit Kinshasa, Goma and Beni from November 10 to 14 for meetings that the French ambassador said were an "important exercise in preventative diplomacy."

They will also travel to Luanda to meet with President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

There have been growing fears that the DR Congo, one of Africa's biggest and resource-rich countries, could descend into chaos after some 49 people were killed in anti-Kabila demonstrations in September.

Last month, a political deal was reached between Kabila's party, its allies and some smaller opposition groups to delay the presidential election -- due to have been held this year -- until April 2018.

But the main opposition Rassemblement (Gathering) coalition rejected it, branding it a ploy by Kabila to stay in power beyond the end of his term.

The Catholic Church, which has a strong voice in the country, has criticized the deal and called for more dialogue.

- A 'good' date for elections -

The Angolan envoy said the council can demand that a date be set for the vote but he stressed that this must be a "good date... so that we do not have elections and then confusion."

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Kabila, who has been in power since 2001, "should end his term and let someone else be elected, but he cannot sit aside and let the country in a vacuum do elections and stay stable," added the ambassador.

"We want the Congolese to agree on something which is orderly, which guarantees stability in the country and we in the region should be able to support whatever is selected by the Congolese," he said.

The UN envoy for the Great Lakes region, Said Djinnit, told the council on Wednesday that the government must reach out to the opposition that rejected the political deal to try to build an "inclusive process."

During its visit, the council will talk to all sides to "ensure that they fully realize the responsibility that they have in preserving peace in the country," said French Ambassador Francois Delattre.

Congolese politicians must show they are willing to compromise to prepare the elections as soon as possible, he added.

US Ambassador Samantha Power has said elections should be held in 2017.

The DR Congo has been ruled by Kabila since his father Laurent was assassinated in 2001.

Kabila was elected in 2006 to his first five-year term under a constitution that sets a two-term limit for presidents.
Freedom is falling out of fashion, and the autocrats are on the move. Ever since 2006, human rights watchdog Freedom House has recorded a drop in democracy and a rise of authoritarianism around the world.

It gets worse. For the first time since the end of the Cold War, neither major presidential candidate in a U.S. election has offered a full-throated defense of the principle that America should continue supporting democracy around the world. If freedom is already on the decline, whats happening in the 2016 campaign will only accelerate that trend.

Ever since Woodrow Wilson called on the United States and its allies to make the world safe for democracy in 1917, it has been American foreign policy to loudly extoll the virtues of liberal governance. As Ive written in my book, The Despots Accomplice, the United States track record of actually making the world more democratic is checkered, to put it charitably. But the rhetorical commitment alone has been an important consideration for governments around the world. That signal has been particularly vital since the end of the Cold War, acting as a crucial deterrent that has kept despots in check.

Until now. The biggest loser in the three presidential debates of the 2016 campaign wasnt Donald Trump. It was the reformers around the world who are fighting to bring at least a breath of freedom to their societies. Even in the most entrenched autocracies like Belarus  often described as the last dictatorship of Europe  the influence of the West is an important restraint on a ruthless despot. Without the influence of the West, we would be in the Middle Ages, Nika Wegosky, a Belarusian democracy activist, recently told me. We need more support, not less, but the limited support we have now is crucial.

Activists like Wegosky have long relied on the knowledge that making the world more democratic is a bedrock principle of American foreign policy. Without that commitment, dictators and fake democrats in all corners of the world start to feel bolder in cracking down on their opponents.

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The word democracy was spoken just three times over the course of four and a half hours of posturing in this years presidential debates (and in each case the reference made was to the United States). There was no talk of supporting fragile new democracies like Tunisia; no commitment to supporting the opening underway in Burma; no condemnation of backsliding in once-democratic countries like Turkey; and not even any generic commitments to making the world more free. There was nothing.

The debates are, admittedly, only one snapshot of the campaign. But they are the highest-profile occasions for presidential candidates to make their priorities clear to the American public and the world. Anyone watching for cues that either of the United States two future leaders cares about democracy abroad heard only deafening silence.

This is a stark departure from past presidential races, particularly since the end of the Cold War. In the 1992 debates, George H.W. Bush boasted that 44 countries had gone democratic during his time in office. His opponent, Bill Clinton, could do nothing more than agree, arguing that the United States needs to be a force for freedom and democracy and to back democratic reformers wherever the seeds of freedom are sprouting. Clinton doubled down on that rhetoric in 1996 against Bob Dole.

Four years later, Al Gore called for a future in which the United States was promoting the values of democracy and human rights and freedom all around the world. Though at the time portraying himself as an opponent of nation building, his opponent, George W. Bush, concurred, expressing the hope that world powers would encourage democracy to take hold. That rhetoric continued into his reelection in 2004, by which time President Bush had made the so-called Freedom Agenda a cornerstone of his foreign policy. Most recently, in the 2012 debates, both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama chided dictators and despots while offering promises of a more democratic world.

In other words, Republicans and Democrats used to agree on at least one thing: A more democratic world would be not just a moral good, but also in the United States best interests. How to achieve that goal was a contentious partisan issue (as the Iraq War made clear), but the goal itself was never seriously questioned.

Today that bipartisan consensus appears to be extinct. Trumps admiration of strongman leaders is well known. In October, he offered himself as apologist-in-chief for the butcher of Baghdad, who killed thousands of civilians in a 1988 gas attack: Saddam Hussein throws a little gas, everyone goes crazy, oh hes using gas!

Such language also has an effect on Hillary Clintons campaign: It gives her a pass to ignore democracy as a serious consideration in American foreign policy. On the debate stage, she missed a major opportunity not only to articulate why Trumps adoration for despots is dangerous, but also to contrast it with a foreign policy vision that would put democracy center stage. By failing to capitalize on the opening Trump provided, Clinton sent a signal that pro-democracy reformers may not have an ally in the White House during her presidency.

Instead of agreeing with the goal of promoting political freedom and arguing over who would be better at it, the Trump/Clinton debates showcased two candidates who didnt seem to care too much about democracy abroad one way or the other. This gives mainstream currency to a viewpoint that was unthinkable even just a few years ago.

Trumps rhetoric represents something new. Its true that past U.S. leaders have made unsavory friends. After all, Saudi Arabia, which only banned legal slavery in 1962 and still doesnt let women drive, is one of the United States closest allies. President Obama has done smiling photo ops with the likes of Equatorial Guineas President Teodoro Obiang, who has ruled since 1979, repeatedly proclaiming himself the countrys God with all power over men and things, and using this power to torture and kill his opponents. Clinton had to maintain those unsavory relationships as Secretary of State.

But such alliances result from a perceived strategic self-interest that occurs even as the State Department documents human rights abuses in those same countries and calls for democratic reform. The photo ops are usually accompanied by behind-the-scenes pressure for change. And, in general, American diplomacy is genuinely committed to democracy promotion, even if it isnt always as effective as it could be. This doesnt excuse standing arm-in-arm with despots, but at least it tempers the damage.

What Donald Trump has said in his campaign matters enormously  even if he doesnt become president. Thats because he has succeeded in lowering the standards of what is acceptable in U.S. foreign policy. When Hillary Clinton (as appears probable) enters the Oval Office, she will do so in a world where it is no longer a mainstream view that the United States should concern itself with promoting democracy abroad.

That is particularly worrying because the shift is occurring at a moment when more people than ever, both overseas and at home, are questioning the virtues of democratic government. As Trump peddles the myth that American elections are stolen by a rigged system that involves droves of dead people voting (it does not), Americans are losing faith in their democratic institutions. In a recent poll of U.S. voters, 41 percent of respondents said that they worry the election could be stolen, and 64 percent of Trump supporters said that they would not accept a Clinton presidency as legitimate. Only a third of millenials now say that they find it essential to live in a democracy, down from nearly three-quarters of those in older generations.

As faith in democracy erodes at home, it becomes far more difficult for a president to promote it abroad. Just this May, a general in Thailands junta told me: If Donald Trump is what democracy is all about, dont sign us up for it.

Now, more than ever, we need a president who will be an outspoken advocate of meaningful democratic reform from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe. Instead, both presidential candidates appear to be shying away from the greatest challenge of our generation: ensuring that billions of people receive the basic human right to have a say in how their lives are governed. This failure, if it stands, means that we will not only have abandoned brave democratic reformers around the globe; we will also have abandoned our most sacred ideals.

Photo credit: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
Water utility Aqua America Inc.s WTR third-quarter earnings per share of 41 cents outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 39 cents by 5.1%. Reported earnings also improved 7.9% from the year-ago figure of 38 cents.

The year-over-year increase in earnings was attributable to higher contributions from the Regulated business segment and proper management of expenses.

Total Revenue

Third-quarter revenues of $227 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $223 million by 1.8% and increased 2.7% year over year.

Higher consumption, rates and surcharges, regulated growth, and other factors added nearly $9.2 million to regulated revenues. However, lower contributions from market-based activities offset the upside by $3.7 million.

Highlights of the Release

Year to date, Aqua Americas state subsidiaries in Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and Virginia have received rate awards or infrastructure surcharges, resulting in an annual increase of $5.5 million in revenues.

Total operating expenses in the reported quarter increased 1.6% to $79.8 million. Reduced market-based activities and lower production costs of $2.7 million helped offset the increase in operating expenses.

So far this year, Aqua America has added nearly 5,300 customers to its existing base through strategic acquisitions.

Interest expenses increased 4.8% to $20.2 million from $19.2 million in the year-ago quarter.

AQUA AMER INC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

AQUA AMER INC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | AQUA AMER INC Quote

Financial Highlights

Current assets were $141.4 million as of Sep 30, 2016, up from $128.4 million as of Dec 31, 2015.

Long-term debt was $1,726.5 million as of Sep 30, 2016, marginally higher than $1,720.5 million as of Dec 31, 2015.

The company invested $270 million in the first nine months of the year to improve its infrastructure.

Guidance

Aqua America reiterated its 2016 earnings guidance in the range of $1.30 to $1.35 per diluted share. The company expects its customer base to expand by 1.5% to 2% in 2016.

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Ageing infrastructure is a pressing concern for most water utilities. For 2016, the companys capital investment budget is $350 million. This is part of its planned investment of nearly $1.1 billion during the 20162018 period.

Peer Releases

SJW Corp. SJW reported third-quarter 2016 adjusted earnings of 92 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 45 cents by 104.44%.

California Water Service Group CWT reported third-quarter earnings per share of 48 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 57 cents by 15.79%.

An Upcoming Peer Release

Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. CWCO is expected to report third-quarter results on Nov 14. The Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at 16 cents.

Zacks Rank

Aqua America carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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By Nate Raymond

NEW YORK (Reuters) - An Arizona man was arrested on Wednesday on charges that he hacked into over 1,000 email accounts for students and others at two universities and tried to do the same at 75 other higher-education institutions throughout the country.

Jonathan Powell, a 29-year-old Phoenix resident, was arrested based on a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Manhattan charging him with fraud in connection with computers, according to prosecutors.

According to the complaint, Powell used password reset tools try to access thousands of email accounts at two universities in New York and Pennsylvania, successfully changing the passwords for 1,050 accounts.

Prosecutors said he went on to compromise social media and other accounts at online services such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Google that were linked to the university email accounts, and mined those accounts for users' confidential information.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said Powell also searched their photos for "potentially embarrassing content." In one instance, he searched a students' Gmail account using the key words "naked" and "horny," the complaint said.

"This case should serve as a wakeup call for universities and educational institutions around the country," Bharara said in a statement.

A lawyer for Powell could not be immediately identified. He was expected to be presented in a federal court in Phoenix later on Wednesday.

Neither Bharara's office nor the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which investigated the incidents, identified the universities at issue.

The biggest victim appeared to be the unnamed New York university, where since at least October 2015, Powell attempted to change the password for 2,054 accounts, succeeding with 1,035 of them, prosecutors said.

In September, he tried to change email passwords for 220 of the Pennsylvania university's accounts, succeeding with 15, prosecutors said.

He also accessed student directories and login portals for more than 75 other colleges, they said.
Arrow is finally introducing Talia al Ghul.

One of DC Comics' most formidable characters, the oldest daughter of Ra's al Ghul (Matt Nable) has only been seen so far in the Arrow-verse in the past as a young girl on Legends of Tomorrow, but The Hollywood Reporter has learned that she will finally appear as an adult on Arrow later this season.

Lexa Doig (Continuum, Stargate SG-1) has been cast in the major recurring role of the half-sister of Nyssa (Katrina Law). Described as "worldly and cultured, an elite warrior who doesn't pick sides but rather creates her own," Talia is an expert hand-to-hand fighter, extremely well-trained in most weapons and highly intelligent. She will first appear in episode 10 and will recur in multiple episodes this season.

Read more: DC TV Watch: 'Gotham's' Gay Twist, Is 'Supergirl' Next?

While Arrow has already spent numerous seasons getting to know the rest of the Ghul family through Ra's as the former leader of the League of Assassins and through his other daughter Nyssa, the introduction of Talia has major ramifications for The CW series if it follows the comic book source material. While she is widely known as one of the best DC Comics supervillains, she also has a long and storied history as Batman's on-and-off again love interest. She even had a child with him. While the Arrow producers have always made it clear how much they love Batman, it never seemed like a possibility to have Bruce Wayne on the show while DC Comics currently has both the big screen version played by Ben Affleck as well as the younger version of the caped crusader, a pre-Batman Bruce Wayne, on Gotham. But the producers have never denied the possibility that they could have Batman on Arrow.

"At the end of the day, it'd be so awesome to have Batman on the show. That'd be really cool," executive producer Marc Guggenheim previously told THR. "I don't think that will be happening anytime soon, but you never know one day. One thing we're always saying we ended up with a lot more DC Comics characters becoming part of the show than we had ever planned. It wasn't initially part of the pitch or the conception of the show. ... I've learned not to expect anything or make any predictions because the reality has far exceeded any of our initial predictions or initial conceptions."

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Throughout Ra's al Ghul's time on Arrow back in season three, fans constantly wondered if the prominence of the biggest Batman villain from the comics meant that Batman would also be introduced on the show, but that obviously never came to pass. Perhaps the producers were waiting until they could tell Talia's story to bring the iconic antihero to the series. There is a lot more story to mine from a complicated love interest like Talia who constantly waivers between her loyalty to her father and her father's organization, the League of Assassins, and her love for Batman, making her a compelling antihero in her own right. She also has connections to other major DC Comics characters like Bane, and even Superman and Lex Luthor, therefore opening up the door to more potential crossovers with Supergirl.

Read more: DC TV Watch: A 'Supergirl' Exit, 'Legends of Tomorrow' Battle and New Crossover Details

While the speculation surrounding Talia's upcoming arc on Arrow is endless, what is practically guaranteed is that her half-sister Nyssa will return in a big way to the story, as they have a tumultuous relationship in the comics. After Ra's abandoned Nyssa as a child, resulting in her enduring horrific torture in a concentration camp during the Holocaust, she vowed to get revenge on him by using his other daughter Talia. By killing Talia and resurrecting her over and over again via the Lazarus Pit, mentally breaking her and making her into a weapon to kill their father. She succeeds, and the two sisters then take over the League of Assassins together. And since the Lazarus Pit affected Talia emotionally, she renounced her love of Batman and became his enemy after that.

On Arrow, it has been well established that Nyssa had no warm feelings towards her father since he disapproved of her relationship with Sara Lance (Caity Lotz), and even forced her to marry Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) even though she was a lesbian. And since it was revealed on Legends of Tomorrow that Ra's was already training Talia in the League of Assassins back in the 1960s, the half-sisters could have a complicated backstory that can play out in flashbacks, or in present day. With so many possibilities and different options to choose from, there's no way to predict how Arrow will handle this iconic comic book character, but no matter what, her presence will have a huge impact on the show.

Arrow airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on The CW.
An ambush killing of two Iowa police officers Wednesday is the latest in a string of attacks on police in the last several months. Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft weighed in on how politics plays a role in government response to these events, and concerns the Department of Justice has become too political.

When you have a situation where ordinary folks dont believe in the protection afforded by the justice community and the people at the top believe they cant be prosecuted by the justice community theres a crisis in America as it relates to the respect for law enforcement and justice generally, Ashcroft told the FOX Business Networks Stuart Varney.

Ashcroft put much of the blame for this crisis on the Obama Administration.

There have been times when this administration has literally fostered a sort of disrespect for much of the law enforcement community and those chickens unfortunately have come home to roost, he said.

The former U.S. AG specifically addressed the police shootings in Iowa, saying it doesnt appear to be a situation in which the officers were conducting an investigation , but rather were ambushed. Ashcroft said he anticipates some kind of comment from the Justice Department expressing support for security and law-enforcement officials.

Still, he recognized the events that have become all-too common this year, and the actions elected officials in Washington weight, are a subject of political polarization.

If the reports of The Wall Street Journal during the last week signaling that the Justice Department has restrained the FBI in its ability to investigate, Ashcroft said. That would be extremely disappointing and it would be literally an embarrassment to the department.

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From ELLE

Dear E. Jean: How do I recover from a disaster at work?

I'm 28, and a coworker and I were busted big time when our "private" chats were made public. We had, in our frustration, lambasted everyone in our company. We both apologized profusely, and our managers decided the best thing to do was to move forward in a professional manner.

I've learned my lesson. But now I'm in a situation where I have lost my best friend (the coworker I chatted with) and have become persona non grata in my company. I can't understand why my coworker is still being treated with respect and is acknowledged by everyone, whereas I'm ignored, even when I initiate polite greetings. I don't feel that what I wrote (as terrible and shameful as it was) was any more awful than what my coworker wrote.

So why am I the only one getting the cold shoulder? Our company is small, only about 50 people, but we dominate our niche market. I'm the sales and marketing administrative assistant, and I want to be here. I express it every day to my manager by keeping my nose to the grindstone and focusing on my work. But how do I get through this? We exist in an open-cubicle environment, and I am losing it! -Why Is She Better Than Me?

Miss She Better, My Sunflower: Honey, please. What with the Russians cyberattacking our politicians, the NSA hacking our e-mails, companies tracking our keyboard strokes, boyfriends bugging our Samsung Galaxies, friends grabbing screen shots of our Snapchats, and coworkers tattling to our bosses, here's the rule: Never write a syllable that you don't want 40,000 people to read.

I will pause here for you to put down this beautiful ELLE and frantically reread all the e-mails and chats you sent today.

Fine. Now let's pull you out of your quagmire and put you back on your feet. The strong woman does not do anything so feeble as merely "initiate polite greetings." No. We must call in the big weapon: stationery. Run and get your box of stylish note cards. Good. Take a card. (Is it thicker than a butter plate? Excellent. MIT research shows that the heavier the writing paper you use, the more seriously your message will be taken.) Second, fill a fountain pen with gray ink (more serious than black). Select a coworker who hates you, and write to him or her that you're an idiot, a misguided fathead, a blot on humanity who's made every mistake in the book (if you're going to bow, as the Chinese proverb says, "bow low"), and sign off with a short, candid tribute to something about his or her character that you honestly admire and from which you intend to learn. Follow this procedure with the next 49 persons at your company-including the brass. (Weirdly, many executives prefer promoting a person who rises from the muckheap of her mistakes and turns things around over a person who doesn't muck up at all.)

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Third, after slipping, for the sake of elegance, each apology into its little tissue-lined envelope, shimmy into work early one morning before anyone arrives and place the envelopes on desks. If it were me, I'd attach a macadamia-nut cookie, because though it will be difficult for a coworker to continue totally detesting you after reading a note admiring her character, it will be impossible if it's attached to a macadamia-nut cookie.

PS: I can't absolutely guarantee that this will get you as well liked as your friendbut then, Elizabeth Cady Stanton neglected at the first Women's Rights Convention in 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York, to call for "all women to be loved equally at the office."

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(Spoiler alert: Please do not read on if you havent watched Tuesdays episode of Atlanta)

Tuesday nights Atlanta finale just gave everyone a healthy dose of the reality of police brutality and how desensitized we have become to it.

The episode, appropriately titled The Jacket, focuses on Earns quest in retrieving his lost jacket after a night of partying and heavy drinking with Paper Boi and Darius. Earn (Donald Glover) quickly finds out that he left it in their Uber drivers car from the night before so he, along with his cousin and sidekick, plans to meet up with the driver to get it back.

As Earn, Paper Boi and Darius wait on the side of the road for the driver to arrive, a slew of police officers pull up on them and order them out of the car with their guns drawn theyre looking for the Uber driver too, who they suspect of being a drug dealer.

Also Read: 'Atlanta' Star Brian Tyree Henry Says 'Everyone Knows' Someone Like Paper Boi (Exclusive Video)

Shortly after, the suspect in question runs into the scene, wearing Earns jacket, and attempts to flee from the officers, but unfortunately this doesnt end well for him. The Uber driver ends up getting fired at by almost every officer present and winds up dead.

Although this was probably the most intense scene in all of the Atlanta episodes, none of the characters lingered on the fact that they just witnessed a man being shot to death by police officers. In fact, no more than a minute after the man was pronounced dead does Earn walk up to the cops and asks if they could check the pockets of his jacket on the dead driver.

It has long been a criticism that sharing videos of police brutality towards black men is making us desensitized to the violence and Atlanta captured that effortlessly.

Related stories from TheWrap:

'Atlanta' Just Introduced Us to Craig, the Most Annoying White Dude Ever

'Atlanta': Yes, Juneteenth Is a Real Holiday

Find Out What Eric Trump and Donald Glover's 'Atlanta' Character Have in Common
Brian Tyree Henry is not Alfred Miles, who is not Paper Boi. They all just play each other on Atlanta, the FX comedy that finished its first season Tuesday night. Alfred is a delicate balancing act of a character, gruff with a big heart, a rapper (Paper Boi) who hates going to the club. Luckily, Henry has an M.F.A. from Yale and a list of credits that include HBOs Boardwalk Empire and Cinemaxs The Knick. He called Variety after the Atlanta finale to talk all things Alfred, why this election cycle doesnt scare him, and what Atlanta  both city and series  means to him.

Youve said New York has your heart, but youre from the South originally.

I went to college in Atlanta, at Morehouse, which I call my formative years, because thats where I discovered that I wanted to be an actor and discovered these friendships I still have to this day. And I discovered how turnt Atlanta is. I was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina; I was raised in D.C.; and I became a man in Atlanta.

What were some of the more transformative experiences you had in Atlanta while in school?

The city really gave us a place to go and explore who we are as young black men seeking a higher education. It wasnt about the institutions we were at, it was about how we maneuvered through the world those institutions were set in. We were so grateful and lucky to be in Atlanta, in this Black Mecca in the South. Here we are, young black kids in a society trying to get a higher education but also still dealing with a society that doesnt really want us to be educated.

Atlanta really is all about community. I think we reflect that in the show. Were in a world that tells us No, so how do we make it say Yes, together? I love that sense of brotherhood and community that is so desperately needed and yearned for. Theres something about the show that talks about how, if you know that dude, then you know that other dude, and that one, and youre basically all dudes together.

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Thats the one thing I really liked the most about playing Alfred: Hes That Dude. Everyone has an Alfred in their life. I feel like Atlanta is a breeding ground for Alfreds, these people with great big hearts that can make you laugh at any given moment, because life is hard out there. And what better way to remedy that than laughing at the absurdities of the world? Thats what Alfred does.

Whos your Alfred?

Ive collected a lot of Alfreds. And Im sure at some point in my life Ive been an Alfred to them. I call them my brothers  I was the only boy in a house full of women, I had five moms altogether, really. I always yearned for that connection, what brotherhood is, to know what it is to walk in this life as a black man with another black man.

But its good to pass the Alfred torch sometimes, because I think Alfred is always yearning for something bigger, but doesnt necessarily know how to get there. Its very important to have people see you for who you are, and will guide you and tell you that you can have what you want, you can be bigger and better than anything else in the world. That is exactly how Im sitting here talking to you today, because of the Alfreds in my life: the people who believe in you more than you can even imagine.

Ill be damned if I leave this earth without fulfilling that dream for them. When someone really believes in you, it is your duty, your calling, your charge in life to make sure you see it through. And theyre not just men! There are tons of sisters whove been behind me and beside me, walking with me.

What would your rap name be?

I have a list on my phone of baby names and rapper names. I dont want kids at all, Im the uncle of 11 kids, and Im really good. But if I were to have some, these are the names I would give them, and it turns out they also work as rapper names: Conduit and Diatribe, who are twins, obviously. Diminuendo. Anomaly. And, for some reason, Bronco Hot Pockets is on here. [Laughs] And clearly I was very adamant about Bronco Hot Pockets, because its in all-caps: BRONCO HOT POCKETS.

Are you on Twitter? That would make a good display name.

Eventually Ill get to Twitter. But I have a big mouth, so I gotta wait until after the election.

This election cycle has been sort of terrifying.

Dont be scared! Im not scared at all. Heres the thing: Whoever wins this election, this world cannot unsee what weve seen. This election shouldnt be scary, because theres no going back. But if we really want to move forward, we have to do this s together. You cant act like you cant see whats happening in the streets, like you dont see this pipeline being built, that this man called an entire people rapists. So, we move forward. If you choose not to be woke, thats your choice  youre choosing it.

Ive been rocking this Vince Staples album, and he has this lyric: My teachers told me we was slaves, my mama told me we was kings. And you know, I always believe what my mother told me.

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By Elinor Comlay

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., Nov 2 (Reuters) - New Jersey's cash-strapped coastal gambling hub of Atlantic City will submit an updated fiscal recovery plan to the state, local officials said on Wednesday, in an eleventh-hour bid to hold off a takeover of city government.

Trenton rejected the city's five-year plan on Tuesday, questioning the viability of a $110 million land sale to raise revenue and saying the overall plan was unlikely to lead to financial stability.

The city will respond to the state's concerns and resubmit the plan on Thursday, Mayor Don Guardian said at a press conference.

"We believe there are a lot of inaccuracies and misinformation" in the state's response, Guardian said.

If the state still does not approve the plan, "the next step is going to be taking it to the court," the mayor said, pledging to appeal.

The costs of a lawsuit to appeal the decision would be expensive, but Guardian believes there are groups and organizations that are "friends" of the city and would help support the legal expenses.

State lawmakers passed a package of legislation in May aimed at rescuing Atlantic City after its property tax base plummeted due to gaming competition in neighboring states that cut into the seaside city's casino industry.

Under the new laws, the city got a $73 million bridge loan and had 150 days to craft a recovery plan acceptable to the state, or face a state takeover.

That deadline is not until Thursday, giving Atlantic City officials hope that the state will still consider their revised plan.

The city's finances have already been under state oversight since 2010. Atlantic City even had a state appointed emergency manager for a year, who along with a team of professionals, cost state taxpayers at least $2.6 million.

His term ended in January.

The city has the money to meet its debt payments through the end of the year, although it is waiting for the state to send it about $26 million in promised transitional aid and more than $60 million in casino taxes, Guardian said.

(Reporting by Hilary Russ, editing by G Crosse)
* Revised terms come less than a month after first prospectus

* REIT offering from Charter Hall also had to be re-priced

* Inghams IPO now aims to raise around $455 mln (Recasts throughout with details from the prospectus)

By Jamie Freed and Byron Kaye

SYDNEY, Nov 2 (Reuters) - TPG Capital Management LP has slashed the amount it plans to raise in a listing of Australia's biggest chicken producer, the second domestic offering in as many months to be re-priced as investor enthusiasm for IPOs wanes.

In documents revised less than a month after the prospectus was issued, the U.S. private equity giant said an initial public offering for Inghams Group Ltd now aimed to raise A$596.4 million ($455 million), much less than the original target of up to A$1.1 billion.

An adviser to TPG, who declined to be identified, said the downsizing was motivated by the desire to ensure a strong first day of trading. A successful debut is seen as key as TPG will also be courting investors this year with an IPO for Australian gas and electricity supplier Alinta Energy worth up to A$3 billion.

TPG declined to comment beyond the prospectus.

But the downsizing also underscores the caution which has been holding back IPO markets around the world as investors fret about the outcome of the U.S. presidential election and Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

"The U.S. election will have a big impact. That will impact investor confidence," said Ian Turner, Deloitte's head of corporate finance in Australia.

Last month, property group Charter Hall Group pulled a A$1.1 billion REIT offering after failing to draw support from institutional investors although it later reapplied to list at a lower price.

Under the new terms, TPG slashed the amount of the company it was taking public to 40 percent from a target of up to 70 percent outlined previously, and cut the issue price to A$3.15 from a target range of A$3.57 to A$4.14.

The number of new shares in the offering was, however, bumped up although that portion of deal is still much smaller than the amount of shares sold by TPG.

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Inghams is pitching itself as a beneficiary of changing tastes in its home market, where chicken consumption overtook beef a decade ago and is now double it. The company expects to post a pro forma net profit of A$98.8 million in fiscal 2017, up a fifth on the previous year.

In Australia, money raised in IPOs has fallen to $3.1 billion from $4.39 billion at the same time last year, according to Thomson Reuters data, and offerings led by private equity firms have been greeted with some caution.

In July, Dick Smith Electronics, sold in an IPO by another private equity firm in 2013, entered administration. Shares of hospital operator Healthscope Ltd, which TPG and private equity rival Carlyle Group listed in mid-2014, were trading at a 3 percent premium to their issue price on Wednesday.

Inghams shares are expected to start trading on Nov. 7.

($1 = 1.3111 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Jamie Freed and Byron Kaye; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
Duke Energy Corp. DUK, an electric and natural gas utility based in Charlotte, NC, is set to report third-quarter 2016 results before the opening bell on Nov 4.

Last quarter, the company recorded a positive earnings surprise of 5.94%. However, the company missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being a negative 1.20%.

Lets see how things are shaping up for this quarter.

Why a Likely Positive Surprise?



Our proven model shows that Duke Energy is likely to beat earnings because it has the right combination of two key ingredients.



Zacks ESP: Duke Energy has an Earnings ESP of +1.29%. That is because the Most Accurate estimate is $1.57 while the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged lower at $1.55. This is a meaningful and leading indicator of a likely positive earnings surprise.Please check our Earnings ESP Filter that enables you to find stocks that are expected to come out with earnings surprises.



Zacks Rank: Duke Energy has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Note that stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 have a significantly higher chance of beating earnings estimates.

Conversely, we caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Sell-rated stocks) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.



The combination of Duke Energys Zacks Rank #3 and +1.29% ESP makes us reasonably certain of an earnings beat.

DUKE ENERGY CP Price and EPS Surprise

DUKE ENERGY CP Price and EPS Surprise | DUKE ENERGY CP Quote

Whats Driving the Better-Than Expected Earnings?

Duke Energy continues to develop its domestic infrastructure business. In this connection, the recently completed acquisition of Piedmont Natural Gas and the expansion of the companys natural gas infrastructure platform are expected to support its transition to a lower carbon future.

Moreover, favorable weather conditions are expected to drive sales in the third quarter; which has been traditionally the companys strongest quarter over the year.

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Further, at the onset of the third quarter, management filed a request with the Public Service Commission of South Carolina to raise the base rate which will boost the companys revenues by about $79 million. Also, the companys recent investments in energy infrastructure will enable it to offer affordable, reliable and cleaner energy to customers. These investments, in turn, are expected to make a stronger case for the rate hike proposal.

Duke Energy has also been making significant investments in cleaner energy resources and technologies to modernize its energy grid and provide better services to customers. The companys growth opportunities for natural gas infrastructure across its service territories, particularly in the Southeast, also buoy optimism.

Considering these positives, the company continues to expect 2016 earnings in the range of $4.50$4.70 per share.

For the third quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is $1.55 a share, reflecting an increase of 5.15% year over year, while the consensus for revenues is pegged at $6.68 billion, implying 3% year-over-year growth.

Other Stocks to Consider

Here are a few other stocks in the Utility space worth considering on the basis of our model which shows that they have the right combination to pull off a beat:

Pattern Energy Group Inc. PEGI has an earnings ESP of +16.67% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is scheduled to release third-quarter results on Nov 7.

Ameren Corporation AEE is scheduled to report on Nov 4. It has an earnings ESP of +2.90% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

American Water Works Company, Inc. AWK has an earnings ESP of +2.00% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is slated to release results on Nov 2.

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After being teased in Geneva this spring; the Lotus Evora Sport 410 is officially ready to race.

In developing the new flagship Evora coupe -- a job that took thousands of hours going over the existing model in microscopic detail looking for any way to boost road and track performance without adding weight -- the goal was simple. Lotus wanted to build a "pure" supercar that could be considered the successor to its last genuinely iconic model -- the Esprit Sport 300.

In terms of vital statistics it does this with aplomb. With a 410hp, 3.5-liter supercharged V6 under its carbon fiber hood it goes from 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds and onto a top speed of 190mph. The Esprit Sport 300 needed an extra 0.8 seconds to hit 60mph and reached its limits at 168mph.

However, what both cars have in common is that they are as light as technological advancements will allow and have been engineered to stick to a track or a back road as if the tarmac is made of steel and the car is magnetized.

"[The car] defines a period in which we are producing our best ever cars," said Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc. "Its ballistic pace means that, in the right hands, it's unbeatable. We have achieved so much in the development of the Evora platform, and the Sport 410 is possibly the most accomplished car we have ever built."

At 82,000 (108,500) it is also one of the most expensive series production models in Lotus history. That price point puts it head-to-head with the likes of the Porsche 911, Jaguar F-Type Coupe and a host of M-powered BMWs and AMG Mercedes.

But the Lotus should still stand out in this crowd because it is built so that a keen driver can use all the car's capabilities all of the time. Lotus promises that even when the car is at its 190mph limit, there is still traction on tap.



"[It] delivers the power and precision that Lotus cars are renowned for. We've taken the war on weight to a new level, demonstrating perfectly our principle of intelligent engineering," said Gales.

Yet, the car should still be comfortable. There's an Alcantara-trimmed cabin, a touch-screen infotainment system plus the option of complete bespoke detailing via Lotus's recently launched Exclusive program.

The Evora Sport 410 will be limited to just 150 examples a year and a North America specific model will be rolling out next summer.
Sophie Hunter is positively glowing.

The mom-to-be, who is expecting her second child with husband Benedict Cumberbatch, was on hand to support the actor Monday at the New York City premiere of his film Doctor Strange.

While Cumberbatch, 40, kept it traditional in a dark suit and tie, Hunter, 38, opted to conceal her baby bump under a bronze-colored, button-down dress featuring a high collar and unique geometric pattern. She completed the look with natural makeup and a pretty pink lip.

Its really incredible, Cumberbatch tells PEOPLE of having Hunter, who debuted her baby bump on Oct. 20 at the Los Angeles premiere of Doctor Strange, at his side to support him.

Want all the latest pregnancy and birth announcements, plus celebrity mom blogs? Click here to get those and more in the PEOPLE Babies newsletter.

One person wholl likely be extra excited about his dads starring role in a superhero film? Soon-to-be big brother Christopher Kit Carlton, 16 months.

In fact, when asked whether he had any Doctor Strange-themed toys hed be willing to pass on to his son, Cumberbatch tells PEOPLE, Yes, many. Well wait and see.

RELATED VIDEO: Benedict Cumberbatchs Wife Sophie Hunter Is Pregnant

For the film, the English actor had to put on an American accent. But for him, that wasnt the most out-of-the-box part of the experience.

Its weirder watching yourself in front of film this size, at the L.A. premiere, the world premiere of it, Cumberbatch says. Yet somehow, because of the thousands of other people involved, you can sit back and enjoy the other peoples work as well.

He adds humbly, Its not all about you. I kind of got over myself.

With reporting by MARLENE LENTHANG


TVs Sherlock is temporarily relocating from 221B Baker Street to Studio 8H when Benedict Cumberbatch hosts Saturday Night Live on Nov. 5.

RELATEDSherlock Season 4 Premiere Date Set

Cumberbatch, who can next be seen in Marvels Doctor Strange (out on Nov. 4), is front and center in this new SNL promo, speaking directly to the iconic New York studio when he declares we meet at last before taking center stage.

The actor is perhaps the most fitting choice to serve as host of SNLs last pre-Election Day outing. As youll recall, the British thespian once portrayed Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in the 2013 thriller The Fifth Estate. Its a pretty safe bet hell reprise that role this weekend.

Press PLAY on the teaser above, then tell us if youll be tuning in for Cumberbatchs SNL hosting debut.

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By Joseph Nasr BERLIN (Reuters) - The best outcome of Brexit negotiations between Britain and the European Union would be to keep the country in the bloc, a committee of academic advisers to the German government said in a report on Wednesday. The Council of Economic Experts said the biggest threat to the EU from Britain's departure was the political fallout. "An exit of the United Kingdom from the EU would not only mean an economic loss, but above all a bigger political loss," they wrote in their report. "The best outcome of the upcoming negotiations would therefore be if a Brexit could be averted." Speaking at a news conference after handing the report to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Council chairman Christoph Schmidt said Britons' vote in June to leave the EU had had little economic effect on Germany so far, but that the long-term economic effects were hard to identify. "Regarding Brexit, we see hardly any economic effects (on Germany) in the short term; of course we see the biggest (impact) on the United Kingdom itself," he said. The panel of five experts said in its report that Britain should not be allowed to "cherry-pick" which of the "four freedoms" that underpin the EU's internal market it wanted to respect, as this would threaten the political stability of the bloc. Merkel told a separate news conference after receiving the report that the negotiations should cause as little friction as possible within the bloc. She added that the four freedoms should be the basis of negotiations with Britain on its exit from the union. "In negotiations with Britain, there should be as little friction as possible for the EU," Merkel said. The four freedoms guarantee free movement of people, goods, services and capital. British Prime Minister Theresa May has said she wants to secure the best trade deal possible with the EU, with access to the single market, while also being able to restrict immigration from EU countries. (Additional reporting by Michael Nienaber; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
bill clinton

Former President Bill Clinton shot back at a heckler at a Tuesday about his position on the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare.

Clinton seemed to misstep in October calling the ACA the "craziest thing in the world." Republicans seized on the comments and nominee Donald Trump has been using the line at his rallies over the past few weeks.

In his response Wednesday, Clinton said his comments had been taken out of context and he supported the healthcare law.

"That is not at all what I said," replied Clinton to the heckler. "No. Oh really, go read it. Go read it. Don't read it over the internet, get the whole thing."

Clinton said his support of healthcare reform in general and Obamacare specifically went back many years.

"I campaigned hard for that law," Clinton said. "I risked the Congress to pass universal healthcare. Thirdly, I defended President Obama in 2010 and 2012. He went up 5 points in the polls after I defended what he did on healthcare."

Clinton also clarified his comments, saying that Obamacare needs some fixes as both the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Obama have said.

"We shouldn't be in denial, the president said the same thing," Clinton said. "I didn't say a thing that the president hadn't already said, or that the health care people in his administration hadn't already said in his administration."



In his original comments that spurred controversy, Clinton drew attention to the fact that a chunk of people receiving health insurance through the ACA's public exchanges that do not receive government subsidies to help pay for their plans. This is a small number of the total exchange population, however, with 77% of people on the exchanges able to get a plan for less than $100 a month after subsidies.

Even so, these are weakness that even Obama pointed out in a speech in Miami last month. Both Clinton and Obama have called on reforms to the law to fill this gap.

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Obamacare has become a key issue in the waning days of the election, with premiums for exchange plans increasing dramatically in many swing states such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Arizona.

NOW WATCH: Trump says 'every poll' shows he won the second debate, but scientific polls suggest he lost





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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign canceled an event in Iowa on Wednesday with former President Bill Clinton and vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine after the deadly shooting of two police officers.

The campaign announced the cancellation of the Des Moines "get out the vote" event after two Iowa police officers were shot dead in separate "ambush-style" killings as they sat in their patrol cars in the Des Moines area.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu)
UPDATE 1:39 PM: A criminal trial that could see Bill Cosby in jail for up to a decade and paying big fines if found guilty of sexually assaulting a then Temple University employee in 2004 may come sooner than expected, a Pennsylvania judge indicated today.

Currently the actors trial on the three felony charges of second-degree aggravated indecent assault is set for June 5, 2017. But Wednesday, Judge Steven ONeill said the trial could be earlier if pre-trial motions are fully dealt with in scheduled December hearings  thats a big could.

The comments by the state judge today came near the end of two-days of pre-trial hearings on a variety of motions and a request for dismissal by the 79-year-old Cosbys lawyers that saw no expected rulings. Decisions were expected in this round of hearings on the Montgomery County D.A. offices wish to have 13 other women who say they have been sexually assaulted and drugged by Cosby as Andrea Constand claims she was 12 years ago.

Cosby was charged late last year just before Pennsylvanias 12-year statute of limitations on sex crimes expired. He was arraigned December 30 and released on $1 million bail without entering a plea. In the subsequent months, Cosby and his frequently changing team of lawyers have tried everything to get the case tossed out  unsuccessful so far.

With issues of Cosbys health and apparent blindness taking up most of this weeks sessions, Judge ONeill wasnt able to examine if more than a decade-old taped phone conversations between the actor and Constands mother, and 2005 deposition in the civil case, can be used as evidence in the trial  whenever it starts.

Though one of his lawyers said that Cosby had been vilified, the actor has had around 60 women go public in recent years saying he assaulted them and/or drugged them. In that 2005 depo, which was made public last year, Cosby admitted to have drugs on hand to have sex with women.

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We are hopeful in the next set of hearings to come that we will be able to successfully resolve this case in a way that gives Mr. Cosby some justice, said attorney Brian McMonagle outside the courtroom with fellow lawyer Angela Agrusa and Cosby by his side.

PREVIOUSLY, 9:26 AM: The second day of the transit strike in Philadelphia also saw the start of another day of pre-trial hearings for Bill Cosby over the alleged 2004 sexual assault of Andrea Constand. It is also the last days of the increasingly close presidential election, and today Cosbys lawyers wasted little time leaping into local politics in their latest effort to get the criminal case dismissed. A trial is set to start in June in the case that could find the ailing 79-year-old actor behind bars for up to a decade if found guilty.

We believe that this case is not about depositions, Angela Agrusa told a Norristown, PA, courtroom this morning about the three felony charges of second-degree aggravated indecent assault laid last year by newly elected Montgomery County D.A. Kevin Steele. We believe its about a prosecutorial change of policy.

My client is not a meme, Agrusa also said of Cosby. Hes a human being. And his rights have been trampled on by ego and ambition.Claiming that Steele decided that hes going to use Mr. Cosby as a pawn in that election, the recently retained Agrusa added, a trump card if you will.

To push home the point that the re-opening of the case just before the Granite States 12-year statute of limitations on sex crimes expired was politically motivated, the defense team played a Steele ad from last years D.A. race that called out incumbent Bruce Castor for not taking action against Cosby more than a decade ago.

Cosby was arraigned December 30 and released on $1 million bail without entering a plea. Since then he and his various lawyers have tried unsuccessfully in various courts to have the only criminal case against him dismissed. Everything from being vilified in court to being charged as guilty in the media, Agrusa said today of Cosby. He has not had the opportunity to defend himself.

This weeks hearings are expected to determine whether a 2005 deposition in the civil case Constand, an employee at Temple University in 2004, brought against the comic can be used. Agrusa and fellow lawyer Brian McMonagle also have argued that Cosbys fading health and near-blindness make him unable to defend himself and identify his accusers, or perhaps even recall many of the supposed incidents in question. Judge Steven ONeill called that last point a leap in court today and that there is not proof that not being able to see faces and photographs will not trigger memories.

In trying to see the whole matter tossed, Cosbys lawyers insist that the actors right to due process was violated by the authorities long delay in mounting a criminal case  especially after then-D.A. Castor made a decision in 2005 not to pursue charges if Cosby would participate in a civil case.

RelatedBill Cosby Ends Lawsuit Against 2004 Rape Accuser & National Enquirer

Additionally, the pre-trial hearings before Judge ONeill are set to address whether 13 other women who say Cosby sexually assaulted or drugged them over the years will be able to testify. Around 60 women have gone public in recent years alleging they were sexually assaulted or drugged by Cosby, going back to the 1960s.

Like yesterday, Cosby was in court today but much more active than on previous occasions. After entering the courthouse with a walking cane that never seemed to touch the ground, The Cosby Show creator at one point stood up uneasily from his chair as if he was going to leave. The move prompted ONeill to ask, Is he OK? Cosby sat down, but the incident caused the judge to call a break in the proceedings. Earlier, the actor also acted strangely when he spun his chair around to face away from the bench and spent several minutes staring at the floor.

When the hearing resumed, Cosby was back in the courtroom and seemed fine.

Also like Tuesday, lawyer Gloria Allred is in the courtroom. The L.A.-based attorney represented a number of the women who might be called to testify.

Todays hearing is expected to run all day. More pretrial hearings are scheduled in Cosbys criminal case later this year.

Anna Orso contributed to this report.

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Aden (AFP) - A Yemeni money exchange firm on Wednesday denied being involved in funnelling money to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, a day after Washington slapped it with financial sanctions.

Al-Omgy and Brothers Money Exchange issued a statement dismissing the accusations as "false" and mere "rumours".

The US Treasury said AQAP had used the firm to make and receive payments throughout Yemen.

It said the company had also recently pledged to provide AQAP with a 10 percent commission on all of its transactions.

The US imposed sanctions on the company's two owners, Said Salih Abd-Rabbuh al-Omgy and Muhammed Salih Abd-Rabbuh al-Omgy, an alleged AQAP member.

Treasury said with the latest actions it had frozen any of the Yemeni company's US assets and blocked any transactions with it.

The United Arab Emirates' central bank had also recently taken steps to freeze the company out of the UAE financial system, the Treasury said.

In the statement, Said al-Omgy urged the Yemeni government to "demand a clarification from the UAE and the US Treasury" over the measures taken against the company.

The sanctions are part of Treasury efforts to cut off financing to the group and "degrade AQAP's capabilities to execute violent attacks," said senior Treasury official Adam J. Szubin.

AQAP was behind a number of attacks on US and Saudi Arabian targets, including in 2009 when a passenger aboard a US-bound flight tried to set off a bomb sewn into his underwear.

The US State Department designated AQAP as a foreign terrorist organisation in 2010.
Zhuhai (China) (AFP) - Aerospace giants Boeing and Airbus took potshots at one another at the Zhuhai air show, as the US and European rivals seek to capture more of China's booming aircraft market.

China is one of the Western manufacturers' key battlegrounds, with its travellers taking to the skies in ever-growing numbers.

The country's airlines will need nearly 6,000 new planes worth $945 billion over the next two decades, Airbus said in its 2016-2035 Global Market Forecast.

Boeing's expectations are even more optimistic, for 6,800 aircraft costing $1 trillion.

To win favour locally both have built partnerships with Chinese firms.

Airbus has a completion and delivery centre in Tianjin, where workers install furnishings and apply paint to aircraft for the domestic market. It also buys parts such as exit doors, brake blades and wing sections from Chinese suppliers.

Boeing is planning to open a facility with the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) to paint and install cabins for 737-model planes, the Chinese firm said.

Eric Chen, president of Airbus China, dismissed the Seattle firm's plan as "close to one generation" behind his own firm, saying it was following Airbus's strategy with a lot of reluctance.

"I got two impressions," he said at a briefing at the China Airshow in Zhuhai, the industry's biggest event in the country. "First one, the decision we made 10 years ago was right. The second impression is that we are well in advance of our competitor."

Darren Hulst, managing director for Northeast Asia marketing at Boeing, earlier told reporters that the Airbus A350 fell short of the 787 widebody plane in range, capacity, carbon emissions, window size and aerodynamics.

The 787 is capable and has technology and features built into it that are not available on the A350, which was obviously introduced later into the market, he said.

He added the company had 14 China deliveries of 787-9s in 2016 and had secured orders and commitments for 46 more.

Story continues

- Future rivals -

While the two megafirms see a sunny future in China, homegrown competitors backed by Beijing aim to beat them at home -- and ultimately abroad.

Chinese authorities have urged companies to acquire technology and skills in a range of high-value sectors including aerospace in the Made in China 2025 plan.

At the same time as it is working with both Boeing and Airbus, COMAC is developing single-aisle jets to compete with them. Its C919 narrow-body is going up against the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 in the 160-seat segment, which the Chinese company predicts will have more than 17,000 deliveries over the next 20 years.

In Zhuhai COMAC announced that state-owned China Eastern Airlines had committed to buy 20 C919s.

In the summer COMAC's regional jet, the 90-seat ARJ21, flew its first commercial flight after years of delays.

Boeing, Airbus and Canadian regional builder Bombardier all played down the threat of Chinese competition.

But the business climate has darkened for US and European firms in the country, with the American Chamber of Commerce in China reporting this year that more than three-quarters of survey respondents felt less welcome there.

Pessimism among European companies hit an all-time high in the summer, according to a European Chamber of Commerce in China report on the "increasingly hostile" business climate.

Chinese-built planes are sure to secure market share in the country, Eric Lin, Hong Kong-based director of Asia transport research with UBS Securities, told AFP.

In the short term, he added, foreign firms have little to fear from Chinese rivals in the developed countries that are their home market.

"But after 10 years, its hard to say, he noted.

China has a history of adapting foreign technology with remarkable swiftness, turning from a buyer of Russian military aircraft to a producer of advanced stealth jets in 20 years. Its high speed rail and clean energy industries went from collaborators to competitors faster than global rivals anticipated.

Like all foreign firms with valuable intellectual property operating in China, the aerospace giants understand the risks of training their future rivals, said Christopher Balding, professor of economics at Peking University's HSBC Business School.

But they are stuck between a rock and a hard place, he added, because shareholders want them to fight for Chinese market share.

Even if they don't come to China, there's a good chance that if they are doing anything innovative it's going to get stolen anyway, so the only thing they are doing is harming their revenue.
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LONDON  Professor Stephen Hawking grapples with some of the most profound and complex questions known to humankind.

But there's one issue even this world-renowned genius doesn't care to tackle: Brexit.

SEE ALSO: Brexit and the U.S. election are making British children anxious

At the 'Pride of Britain' Awards on Monday night, Hawking received a lifetime achievement award from Theresa May.

In response, he said: "Thank you Prime Minister for those very kind words.

I deal with tough mathematical questions every day, but please dont ask me to help with Brexit.

Black Holes, Big Bangs and now Brexit. The honourable Stephen Hawking accepts the Daily Mirrors #PrideOfBritain Lifetime Achievement Award. pic.twitter.com/B11FiVE8wU  ITV (@ITV) November 1, 2016

Hawking is not the only British academic to warn about the logistical challenges posed by Brexit.

The independent research group The UK in a Changing Europe recently published a report that apprises the enormity of the task of extricating Britain from the EU  once Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty is triggered.

Just to recap, Article 50 sets out how an EU country could voluntarily leave the union, but it has yet to be formally invoked.

A privilege to be on Stephen Hawking's table at #PrideOfBritain - a superb celebration of bravery and achievement pic.twitter.com/ddUwhfHTNJ  Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) November 1, 2016

Led by Professor Anand Menon of Kings College London, the document ventures to assess the question, "what happens next?" once the ball is set rolling on Article 50.

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Speaking to Mashable, Prof. Menon said: "Public administrations are used to dealing with very complicated problems: countries run wars, they set up health services.

"Human ingenuity is quite good at finding a way around things. Were not for a moment saying this is impossible  were just saying its going to be hard, and we should be aware of that before we start."

As part of their analysis, the group addresses the capacity of the Civil Service to accomplish the task set out by the 'great repeal bill.' It's a piece of legislation that mandates the conversion of EU regulations into British law.

To avoid a legal vacuum and mass uncertainty once Britain officially leaves the EU, the bill would instate European laws, which Professor Menon confirms to be "in itself a monstrous task."

The debate between MPs to determine which laws stay and which ones go prefaces the comparably daunting undertaking of negotiating Britain's future relationship with EU members.

"It is a massive process that involves every single part of our state. From the Civil Service to the Scots, the Welsh, the Northern Irish, and the English, all parts of our government  they have to agree amongst themselves and then negotiate with partners that have got a very different view of what we should be doing," said Prof. Menon.

Ladies and gentlemen, Brexit: the bureaucratic headache even Stephen Hawking can't stomach.
Facebooks Timehop feature made a New Zealand bride aware that a cancerous lesion was visible on her wedding day. (Photo: Getty)

Deborah Crofts wasnt going to let a blemish on her chest spoil her wedding day. In a photo taken for her marriage in February 2007, a spot can clearly be seen peeking out above the neckline of her strapless, ivory gown. Sure, many brides are going to notice imperfections when theyre getting dressed and primped, but, according to the New Zealand Herald, with all the excitement of her big day, she soon forgot about it.

What she dismissed as a pimple was actually the first symptom of skin cancer.

Deborah Crofts on her wedding day with her grandma Vera Bindon (PA Real Life/A.V.I Auckland NZ)

The spot continued to cause problems for Crofts in the years that followed, according to the publication. It would continuously bleed in the shower, then scab over, in a never-ending cycle. Although it didnt grow in size during this time, it would never heal, and it refused to go away, the 41-year-old mom told the New Zealand Herald.

Crofts didnt know it then, but according to the American Cancer Society, one of the hallmark symptoms of basal cell carcinoma (BCC)  is open sores (which may have oozing or crusted areas) that dont heal, or that heal and then come back.

Men Have Eating Disorders Too, and Zayn Malik is Proof

A year later, Crofts wisely decided to have a doctor examine it  and, as you might have guessed, she was diagnosed with BCC. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, this is the most frequently occurring form of skin cancer. When Crofts was presented with the diagnosis, she admits she was shocked and frightened. She told told the publication, I didnt like the word cancer  it was scary. But her anxiety was somewhat allayed when doctors told her she could have the cancerous cells surgically removed and would not require chemotherapy treatment, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Deborah Crofts with husband Martyn on their wedding day (PA Real Life/A.V.I Auckland NZ)

Crofts had the spot surgically removed while under a local anesthetic  and while wide awake. She was left with a massive scar on her chest, and has since had other areas treated, on her forehead, back, and chest, according to the publication.

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According to Crofts, it was Facebooks relatively new Timehop feature that gave her the rude awakening that her skin cancer had been present since at least 2007. The feature finds throwback photos and prompts the user to post them again  but in Crofts case, it prompted her to realize that the little annoying pimple that had plagued her wedding day was actually something much more serious.

Now, Crofts is alert to early warning signs of skin cancer and less shaken when she notices suspect spots. Now Ive had so many reoccurrences I just think: Not another one, she told the New Zealand Herald. But she also knows to get treatment right away.

Photo: Deborah Crofts/JustGiving

A Woman Says She Was Fired Over Her Breast Cancer Diagnosis

The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that more than 4 million cases of BCC are diagnosed in the United States annually, and that it rarely metastasizes beyond its original site. That said, a suspicious mole  especially one that has not healed for about two weeks  should not be taken in stride. It can be disfiguring if not treated promptly, the foundations site says.

Crofts post-op treatment, aside from having the cancerous lesions removed, has consisted of applying topical cream. But its not just a healing cream: It also reacts with your skin if it detects cancerous cells, and treats it like an infection, the New Zealand Herald reported. What the cream revealed for Crofts was a big patch of the skin on my neck came out in a red angry rash, and what it highlighted was that I had a whole load of cancerous cells at a microscopic level.

Photo: Deborah Crofts/JustGiving

The New Zealand mother tells the publication that seeing the hidden, malignant cells materialize as a visible rash is even scarier than surgery itself. She adds, I didnt like the thought that the cream was on my skin when my son was cuddling me, but I checked with the doctor, and it was safe.

So what caused Crofts BCC? She told the publication that she believes it was too much UV exposure while growing up in sunny New Zealand. The Skin Cancer Foundation confirms that both long-term sun exposure over your lifetime and occasional extended, intense exposure (typically leading to sunburn) combine to cause damage that can lead to BCC. The foundation concludes that while the fair-skinned, red- and blond-haired, and light-eyed among us are more susceptible, anyone with a history of sun exposure can develop BCC.

Luckily, Crofts doesnt need any more treatment for the time being. She is cautious when out in the sun, using sunblock and wearing hats, sunglasses, and clothes that cover her shoulders. Shes also vigilant about protecting her children from exposure. I nearly cried when my son didnt have a hat and sun cream at school on an unexpected sunny day last year, she told the New Zealand Herald.

Her story is a reminder that we should all take care. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, Men with BCC have outnumbered women with the disease, but more women are getting BCCs than in the past. Crofts, who says she has never been much of sunbather, urges both men and women who worship the suns rays to rethink their habits. She tells the New Zealand Herald, No amount of tanning is worth the stress of healing cancerous skin cells.

If you think you might have a malignant mole or want to learn more about protecting yourself from skin cancer, please visit the websites of the American Cancer Society and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

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By Farah Master HONG KONG (Reuters) - British investment banker Rurik Jutting acted rationally before and after he killed two Indonesian women in his luxury Hong Kong apartment and had even telephoned his mother after killing the second woman, the prosecution said on Wednesday. Jutting, a former Bank of America Corp employee, has pleaded not guilty to the 2014 murders but guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter due to "diminished responsibility", citing his heavy drug and alcohol abuse and sexual disorders. The mutilated body of Sumarti Ningsih, 23, was found in a suitcase on the balcony of Jutting's apartment and Seneng Mujiasih, 26, was found inside the apartment with wounds to her neck and buttocks. Prosecutor John Reading called Kavin Chow, an associate consultant at the Department of Forensic Psychiatry at Hong Kong's Castle Peak Hospital, to state that Jutting had moments of sobriety in between the killings and should have been able to resist "the use of substance". Chow noted that Jutting acted rationally, ordering food for Ningsih before he killed her as well as cleaning up the bathroom afterwards. "Despite the presence of abnormality of the mind it doesn't substantially impair his mental responsibility," she said. Reading said Jutting called his mother after he killed Mujiasih, before he reported himself to police. Details of the conversation was not made clear in court. The defense has called British experts in forensic psychiatry and psychology who have testified that Jutting has recognized disorders from cocaine and alcohol abuse as well as other personality disorders of sexual sadism and narcissism, which impaired his ability to control his behavior. The defense has also argued that Jutting, a 31-year-old Cambridge university graduate, felt huge stress during his banking career. Reading said Jutting only worked for 10-15 days in the month before he was arrested and only for a few hours a day. Jutting stopped responding queries form his work in the second week of October, 2014, just before the killings, said Reading. Jutting, a former vice president and head of Structured Equity Finance & Trading (Asia) at Bank of America in Hong Kong, had felt great pressure when his boss told him his professional activities would be monitored, his defense has said. The court heard on Tuesday that Jutting called his boss at the Bank of America after the killings, before he called the police, and warned him that the bank's reputation was at risk, defense lawyer Tim Owen said. The trial, which is in its second week, has attracted international scrutiny due to Jutting's profile and the brutality of the killings in a city where crime is relatively low. 'NOT IMPULSIVE' Jutting took hours of video on his iPhone as he tortured Ningsih. He also filmed monologues he called the "narcissistic ramblings of Rurik Jutting" in which he spoke of the murders, binged on cocaine and explained his violent sexual fantasies. Freshly shaven and wearing a pale blue shirt, Jutting focused on the session intently on Wednesday, making notes as he sat in a sectioned off area, flanked by three policemen. He smiled at times as his defense team challenged Chow, the prosecution witness. Murder carries a mandatory life sentence, while manslaughter carries a maximum of life though a shorter sentence can be set. Chow said Jutting had traits of a psychopathic and narcissistic personality but not a disorder. Reading, referring to Chow's report, said Jutting had no close friends and would not share his feelings with others, only speaking to his younger brother. He was typified as coldly callous, promiscuous and superficially charming. Reading detailed Jutting's openness to homosexuality. He quoted Jutting as saying he was "96 percent heterosexual" after having a few experiences with other males including have mutual oral sex aged 16 with a friend and full penetration with another male at Cambridge. He enjoyed having rough sex and experimenting with a variety of sex workers, including having anal sex and urinating on them, Reading said. Dr Oliver Chan, a medical officer at the Department of Forensic Psychiatry, at Castle Peak Hospital, said he believed it would be hard for Jutting to resist cocaine but it would "not deprive him of his ability to control himself". Jutting's series of actions before and after the killings, including buying sex toys and hardware tools, "speaks against the notion he was out of control ... all I can say is it was not an impulsive act", Chan said. (Reporting by Farah Master; Editing by Greg Torode, Robert Birsel)
The wife of a British Bangladeshi man arrested over the South Asian country's deadliest attack says her husband is innocent and unaware that his father has died while he's been in prison.

Sharmina Parveen told AFP her family had also been "ostracised" since Hasnat Karim, 48, was named a suspect in the Dhaka cafe attack which left 20 hostages dead four months ago.

Sharmina, Karim and their two children were at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Bangladesh's capital when five gunmen stormed the cafe on July 1. Eighteen foreigners died.

Military commandos brought an end to the siege the next morning, killing all five attackers and freeing more than a dozen Bangladeshi hostages including Sharmina's family.

However, Karim was detained by authorities after video footage, which emerged hours after the hostages were shot and hacked to death, showed him strolling on the roof of the cafe with the attackers.

Sharmina insists her husband, a British citizen of Bangladeshi origin, was being used as a "human shield" by the hostage takers.

"I was there in the cafe with him. He was taken to the rooftop at gunpoint. He only followed their order to save his family... any responsible man would do the same," she said.

Bangladesh has been reeling from a wave of recent attacks with targets including foreigners, rights activists and members of religious minorities.

Bangladesh authorities have blamed a local Islamist extremist group for the cafe attack, rejecting claims by the Islamic State organisation that it was behind the carnage.

Since the deadly assault, security forces have killed at least 40 Islamist militants including a Bangladeshi-origin Canadian who police described as the mastermind of the attack.

Golam Mostafa, a lawyer for Karim, who is a former university professor, has said there is no evidence his client was involved. Police have interrogated Karim for several weeks but are yet to formally charge him.

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Sharmina said Karim's father, who had been receiving kidney dialysis, had passed away on Monday.

"My husband doesn't know about his father's death. I'm very scared to give him the news in the jail as his cardiac condition is very weak," she said Tuesday.

"The head of the family is gone. He was worried about his son till his last breath. It's been a very difficult phase," she added.

The 34-year-old said she was sent on "forced leave" from her job as a schoolteacher and that her family had been shunned since Karim's arrest.

"My kids couldn't go to school for more than three months as they were facing social ostracisation. Other kids bullied my eight-year-old son saying that his father is a terrorist," Sharmina told AFP.

"My colleagues and friends stopped contacting me. The situation is unbearable," she said.
She first made headlines for the emotional letter she read at her attackers sentencing  in which she described the severe impact she suffered as a result of her sexual assault. And now the victim of former Stanford University swimmer Brock Turner is speaking out again.

The unnamed woman, publicly known as Emily Doe, was this week named one of Glamours Women of the Year. She penned a new essay for the magazine describing what happened after her statement about Turner went viral.

In her Glamour piece, Doe says she felt relieved after Turners trial was over, and she was excited to read her statement at his sentencing.

She says she wanted to declare, I am here. I am not that floppy thing you found behind the garbage, speaking melted words. I am here, I can stand upright, I can speak clearly, Ive been listening and am painfully aware of all the hurt youve been trying to justify.

Her new essay (which was also performed by the cast of Girls in an accompanying video) comes two months after Turner was freed from a northern California jail.

He was released just three months into his controversial six-month sentence for sexually assaulting Doe while she was unconscious outside a frat party in 2015.

When she learned Turner had only been receiving a six-month sentence, Doe says she was speechless.

I was struck silent, she writes in Glamour. Immediately I felt embarrassed for trying, for being led to believe I had any influence. The violation of my body and my being added up to a few months out of his summer. The judge would release him back to his life, back to the 40 people who had written him letters from Ohio.

The sentencing also brought on anxiety. I began to panic, Doe reveals. I thought, this cant be the best-case scenario. If this case was meant to set the bar, the bar had been set on the floor.

 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.

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I had forensic evidence, sober unbiased witnesses, a slurred voice mail, police at the scene. I had everything, and I was still told it was not a slam dunk, Doe says in Glamour. I thought, if this is what having it good looks like, what other hells are survivors living? Im barely getting through this but I am being told Im the lucky one, some sort of VIP.

After media outlets picked up her statement at Turners sentencing, Doe says she felt nervous about making herself exposed and vulnerable again. But the supportive responses she received far surpassed the trolls  with letters coming in from across the world.

Even Vice President Joe Biden wrote her, calling her a warrior and telling her you have a steel spine.

My body seemed too small to hold what I felt, she says of her coverage. No one turned away. No one said Id rather not look, its too much, or too sad. Everyone pushed through the hard parts, saw me fully to the end, and embraced every feeling.

Turner was found guilty on three felony sexual assault charges  each of which carried a minimum sentence of two years in prison. Prosecutors asked that Turner be sentenced to six years, but Judge Aaron Persky sentenced him to six months  stating that he feared a longer sentence would have a severe impact on .

Doe also addresses Judge Persky, whose decision was widely criticized, in her essay for Glamour. (He has not commented on his ruling.)

When Judge Aaron Persky mutes the word justice, when Brock Turner serves one month for every felony, we go nowhere, she writes.

When we all make it a priority to avoid harming or violating another human being, and when we hold accountable those who do, when the campaign to recall this judge declares that survivors deserve better, then we are going somewhere.

RELATED VIDEO: Stanford Sex Assault Convict Brock Turner Banned from USA Swimming for Life

Turner has returned to his hometown in Ohio for his three-year post-jail probation. The former college athlete has been barred from ever stepping foot on Stanford Universitys campus and has registered as a sex offender.

He has also been ordered to attend drug and alcohol counseling and a sex offender management program  which requires him to participate in polygraph tests.

He has admitted to having sexual contact with Doe, but maintains that it was consensual.

But Does final message in Glamour is not for Turner. It is for all sexual assault victims  she tells them, I hope you keep going.

If you think the answer is that women need to be more sober, more civil, more upright, that girls must be better at exercising fear, must wear more layers with eyes open wider, we will go nowhere, Doe says.

I hope you grow up knowing that the world will no longer stand for this, she adds. Victims are not victims, not some fragile, sorrowful aftermath. Victims are survivors, and survivors are going to be doing a hell of a lot more than surviving.




Berlin (AFP) - Germany's mass refugee influx may have abated, but the fears and tensions it stoked loom large as a weakened Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to lead her party into a tough election year.

When her Bavarian allies the CSU kick off the 2017 campaign season with a party congress Friday, Merkel, for the first time in her 16 years at the helm of the ruling CDU party, won't be on the guest list.

Merkel's absence is a sign of the lingering rancour over her open-door migrant policy that brought almost 900,000 asylum seekers to Europe's top economy last year, most of them passing through Bavaria.

At the height of the influx, Merkel endured a humiliating, almost 15-minute dressing down on the stage of the CSU congress by its leader, Bavarian state premier Horst Seehofer.

While Merkel's welcome to refugees won her many plaudits, it also stoked deep anxieties and boosted a new party to the right of the arch-conservative CSU -- the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Railing openly against migrants, Islam and the establishment parties, the AfD is the dark horse in the September 2017 election and currently polling at around 12 percent.

It only narrowly missed Germany's five-percent hurdle for entry into parliament in 2013 and has since won opposition seats in 10 of Germany's 16 state assemblies.

The CSU, not to be outdone in talking tough on immigration, wants Germany to favour migrants from the "Christian-occidental cultural sphere", ban full-face Islamic veils and set an upper limit of 200,000 refugees a year -- a demand Merkel has consistently rejected.

- 'Still in front' -

Merkel has not yet officially declared her candidacy but is expected to do so at a CDU congress in December, after which the CSU is likely to bury the hatchet and throw its weight behind her for a fourth term.

The traditional sister parties have "more similarities than differences", CDU secretary general Peter Tauber insisted Wednesday.

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"Mutti" (Mummy) Merkel's long stellar poll ratings took a heavy hit amid the backlash against the refugee influx -- especially as sexual crimes committed by North African men and jihadist attacks by Syrians stoked deep popular fears.

However, support for Merkel has nudged back up as migrant numbers have fallen and Germany has tightened asylum rules, with some 300,000 arrivals projected for all of this year.

Merkel's approval rating, which had plummeted to a five-year low in September, this month bounced back nine points to 54 percent, according to a survey by DeutschlandTrend.

"Merkel is weakened but still in front, with no serious challengers in her own conservative ranks" or dangerous rivals in the opposition camp, said Oskar Niedermayer of Berlin's Free University.

On current trends -- as the refugee crisis gradually loses its urgency in voters' minds -- her CDU again looks set to be the strongest party, the political scientist said, warning however that a lot can happen in a year.

- 'Red-red-green' -

Among the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), leading figures still fear that going head-to-head with Merkel is a political suicide mission.

The last man who tried, gaffe-prone former finance minister Peer Steinbrueck, suffered a stinging defeat in 2013. He gave his farewell speech to parliament last month, with plans to work as a consultant for a large bank.

The next SPD candidate for Germany's top job is expected to be Sigmar Gabriel, currently Merkel's vice chancellor and economy minister in a right-left 'grand coalition'.

Like Merkel, Gabriel is yet to declare his candidacy on behalf of the SPD, which is polling in the low 20-percent range, and European parliament president Martin Schulz has also been mentioned as a possible candidate.

The SPD -- facing the threat of opposition, or of again playing second fiddle to Merkel's conservatives in a loveless grand coalition -- has started flirting with the idea of joining forces with other leftist parties instead.

Party members of the SPD, far-left Linke and ecologist Greens party have met to sound out a "red-red-green" alliance. The Linke has also signalled it may back an SPD candidate in a separate political contest, for the symbolic but prestigious federal presidency.

However, huge policy hurdles remain -- the Linke, successors to the East German communists, for example have a eurosceptic and strictly pacifist platform that opposes even peacekeeping missions and Germany's NATO membership.

So far a left-wing coalition remains theoretical -- a recent Emnid poll says red-red-green would garner just 44 percent of the vote.

But however unlikely, the scenario has become a useful tool to reunite the estranged CDU-CSU camp.

Seehofer warned Monday that the key mission for their union in 2017, as the refugee issue fades, must be to "prevent a leftist front" from taking power in Germany.
The British label launched its Holiday 2016 campaign this week, telling the story of the brand's founder, Thomas Burberry, and the key moments that built its international reputation. Domhnall Gleeson, Sienna Miller, Dominic West and Lily James star in the three-minute Christmas commercial, filmed in the style of a movie trailer.

Burberry is celebrating Holiday 2016, as well as the brand's 160th anniversary, with a seasonal short film paying tribute to the luxury label's founder, Thomas Burberry. The video looks back at some of the key events that helped make Burberry an internationally recognized brand.

"This Christmas, as we celebrate our 160th anniversary, we wanted to tell the story of Thomas Burberry -- pioneer, inventor, innovator, and the man behind the iconic trench coat -- in our own words,' said Christopher Bailey, Burberry Chief Creative and Chief Executive Officer. "The film we have made is a brief glimpse inspired by his full and extraordinary life, which threaded its way through the history of the twentieth century in all its tumultuous highs and lows."

The label signed up a star cast and director for this Holiday 2016 campaign. "The Tale of Thomas Burberry" was written by Matt Charman and directed by filmmaker Asif Kapadia ("The Warrior," "Amy").

The film stars Domhnall Gleeson ("Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," "The Revenant") as Thomas Burberry and Sienna Miller ("American Sniper," "Black Mass") as Sara, a fictionalized version of his first love. Dominic West ("The Wire," "Money Monster") plays explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and Lily James ("Downton Abbey") is Betty Dawson, a character inspired by the life of pilot Betty Kirby-Green.

Key moments in the trailer include Thomas Burberry creating his water-resistant trench coat, which went on to become one of the brand's signature pieces.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/6D5IZtDCS5c
(Adds details)

Nov 2 (Reuters) - Canadian uranium producer Cameco Corp on Wednesday reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit, largely helped by a jump in uranium sales volumes.

Cameco's uranium sales rose 35 percent to 9.3 million pounds in the third quarter ended Sept. 30, while its average realized uranium price fell 0.6 percent to $43.37 per pound.

Chief Executive Tim Gitzel said though uranium prices are at the lowest levels in more than a decade, the company's average realized prices were well above the market price thanks to its portfolio of long-term contracts.

However, Cameco warned that the uranium market would remain depressed until Japan's nuclear reactors are restarted and excess supply is depleted, among other things.

The 2011 Fukushima meltdown led to shutdowns of all of Japan's nuclear reactors, depressing the radioactive metal's price. Some reactors have since come back online, but global uranium inventories remain high.

Cameco reported a net profit of C$142 million, or 36 Canadian cents per share, attributable to equity holders in the quarter, compared with a loss of C$4 million, or 1 Canadian cent per share, a year earlier.

Excluding items, the company earned 30 Canadian cents per share, beating the average analyst estimate of 28 Canadian cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Revenue rose 3.2 percent to C$670 million, beating analysts' expectation of C$654.9 million.

($1 = 1.34 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Rod Nickel in Winnipeg and Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Martina D'Couto)
* Canadian dollar at C$1.3375, or 74.77 U.S. cents * Loonie posts a 3-week high against the Mexican peso * Bond prices slightly higher across the yield curve TORONTO, Nov 2 (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar strengthened against its U.S. counterpart on Wednesday despite lower oil prices as U.S. election uncertainty pressured the greenback.

The U.S. dollar fell against a basket of major currencies as investors were rattled by signs the U.S. presidential race was tightening just days before the Nov. 8 vote.

Losses for the greenback come ahead of a Federal Reserve monetary policy decision due later on Wednesday.

U.S. oil prices were down 1.54 percent at $45.95 a barrel as jittery investors awaited official U.S. crude stockpile figures after industry data showed a surprise build in inventories. Canada is a major oil exporter.

At 9:04 a.m. EDT (1304 GMT), the Canadian dollar was trading at C$1.3375 to the greenback, or 74.77 U.S. cents, stronger than Tuesday's close of C$1.3393, or 74.67 U.S. cents.

The currency's strongest level of the session was C$1.3360, while its weakest was C$1.3406.

Against the Mexican peso the loonie touched its strongest since Oct. 10 at 14.5148 pesos.

The peso is seen as the chief proxy for market pricing of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's chances of winning.

Strengthening of the Canadian dollar against the peso adds to pressure on Canadian exporters who have struggled with weak growth this year. Canada competes with Mexico for exports to the United States.

Canadian government bond prices were slightly higher across the yield curve, with the two-year up 1.5 Canadian cents to yield 0.545 percent and the benchmark 10-year rising 7 Canadian cents to yield 1.2 percent.

The market showed little reaction on Tuesday to plans by the federal government to boost spending on infrastructure projects by an extra C$81 billion over the next 12 years to revitalize a limping economy.

Bank of Canada Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Wilkins will speak on Wednesday on a panel at a Ontario Securities Commission event in Toronto.

(Reporting by Fergal Smith, Editing by W Simon)
Ottawa (AFP) - Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion will press Saudi Arabia's chief human rights official on jailed Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, his office said Wednesday.

The foreign ministry said Dion would speak on Thursday with visiting Saudi Human Rights Commission president Bandar Bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, about "a full range of human rights issues, including the case of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi."

"It is through engagement and frank dialogue that universal human rights may progress in the world, including in Saudi Arabia," Dion said in a statement.

Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar has lived in Canada as a refugee with their three children since her husband's arrest in 2012 and conviction for insulting Islam.

He is serving 10 years in jail and has received 50 lashes of a 1,000-lash sentence that caused international outrage.

Dion and Al-Aiban are scheduled to also participate in a round table on human rights.

On Wednesday, Al-Aiban was to sit down with Canada's International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Minister of Status of Women Patty Hajdu and talk about "the importance of women and girls as powerful agents for change."
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / Canyon Copper Corp. (CNC.V) ("Canyon") is pleased to announce that it has closed its private placement financing previously announced on September 27, 2016 by issuing a total of 4,000,000 shares for gross proceeds of $100,000.

In connection with the proceeds raised under the private placement financing, Canyon paid finders cash commissions totaling $1,100.

The securities issued under the financing will be subject to a hold period expiring on March 1, 2017 pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws and the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The proceeds of the financing will be used for exploration of its mineral properties, pay ongoing expenses associated with meeting its continued disclosure requirements and general working capital purposes. None of the proceeds will be used to pay related parties to Canyon.

Bonus Shares issued under Loan Agreement

Canyon also announces that it has issued 400,000 common shares ("Bonus Shares") to Metamin Enterprises Inc., a company controlled by Benjamin Ainsworth, President and CEO of Canyon, in accordance with the terms of a loan agreement entered into by the parties in November 2015. The details of the loan agreement are set forth in Canyon's news release dated November 16, 2015.

The Bonus Shares will be subject to a hold period expiring on March 2, 2017 pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws and the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Benjamin Ainsworth"

CANYON COPPER CORP.

Benjamin Ainsworth, President

Contact:

Canyon Copper Corp.

Investor Relations

(604) 331-9326

(604) 684-9365 (FAX)

info@canyoncc.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

This News Release may contain, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phases such as "believe," "expect," "plan," "anticipate" and similar expressions identifying forward-looking statements. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Canyon's expectations, and expressly does not undertake any duty to update forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to the following, limited operating history, proposed exploration and/or drill programs and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Canyon to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

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NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

SOURCE: Canyon Copper Corp.
Scuffles broke out again in Hong Kongs legislature Wednesday, after three consecutive weeks of drama and paralysis over choice words and political gestures by two rebel lawmakers taking their oaths of office.

During a Legislative Council chamber meeting, the pro-independence lawmakers Yau Wai-ching, 25, and Sixtus Baggio Leung, 30,  who had previously been barred from the floor  entered and demanded to take their oaths on the spot.

The newly-elected lawmakers, who do not accept that the territory is part of China, have been blocked three times from being sworn in. A clause in the oath requires the lawmaker to pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic China, but each time the lawmakers have deviated from the script or held banners that read Hong Kong is Not China.

On Wednesday, Council President Andrew Leung (no relation to Sixtus) ordered the pair ejected  but not before they had read out the oath of office using their own microphones, according to local media. The scuffles broke out as guards attempted to remove Sixtus Leung from the chamber.

The latest drama comes one day before an unprecedented judicial review, brought by the territorys government, to look into whether Leung can re-administer their oaths so the pair can take their seats in office.

Read More: Pro-Independence Hong Kong Lawmakers Wont Be Allowed to Take Office Until Court Rules

Some of the pro-democracy legislators  including Nathan Law, Hong Kongs youngest-ever elected representative; Eddie Chu, who was forced into hiding at one point after his election, and veteran activist Long Hair Leung Kwok-hung  huddled around Leung, trying to prevent guards from carrying Sixtus Leung out.

People elected by Hongkongers have the right to take their oaths of office and speak for Hongkongers! cried Chu during the tussle.

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After a change in venue following a 30-minute suspension, the meeting carried on intermittently while Yau and Leung made another attempt to charge the room. Four security personnel were sent to hospital following the tussle, and the Council has called in the police to investigate the matter.

Citing safety reasons, the meeting was prematurely adjourned for yet another week.

Chaotic scenes such as these have erupted in the Legislative Council over the past few weeks, and the Youngspiration party lawmakers  elected on a wave of local sentiment against Chinese encroachment in September  have faced a barrage of criticism from pro-Beijing figures. On Wednesday, there was no sign of the large groups of protesters who had been mobilized by pro-China groups to rally against them  ostensibly outraged by how Leung and Yau took their oaths of allegiance when the council first met on Oct. 12.

Read More: New Lawmakers Pledge Loyalty to the Hong Kong Nation

Starry Lee, chair of the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, told reporters Wednesday that the duo shouldnt have used the platform to promote Hong Kong independence to begin with, if they were serious about taking office. There is no room for the promotion of Hong Kong independence under the One Country, Two Systems framework, she added.

The governments judicial review of the legislature, which begins Thursday, is already raising eyebrows in Hong Kong. The legal action worries many in the territory who fear the executive branch is unduly interfering in the legislature. Questions are abound as to whether judicial independence and the separation of power in Hong Kong are under threat.

There are also concerns now that China itself may directly step into this affair.

The first hint of overt Chinese intervention came when Leung Chun-ying, Hong Kongs Chief Executive, canceled a trip to Beijing, reportedly to stay in Hong Kong to deal with the judicial review, of which he is listed as a co-plaintiff. He also suggested that Mainland Chinas top legislature could step in and offer its interpretation of the Basic Law, the territorys mini-constitution.

Read More: Loyalist Walkout Prevents Swearing-In of Pro-Independence Hong Kong Lawmakers

In a statement issued Wednesday, the Hong Kong Bar Association said it is deeply concerned about Leungs comments, saying that any intervention by Chinas top legislative body, National Peoples Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) would deal a severe blow to the independence of the judiciary and the power of final adjudication of the Hong Kong court.

On Tuesday, multiple reports quoting unnamed government sources emerged across various Chinese- and English-language media outlets, including the South China Morning Post, indicating that the NPCSC would issue what is set to become its fifth interpretation of the Basic Law at a meeting Thursday, the same day as the judicial review hearing is set to get underway.

However, a report from Radio Television Hong Kong Wednesday suggested that no items pertaining to Hong Kong had appeared on the Chinese legislatures agenda so far.

Generally, when they issue an interpretation in Hong Kong, its always sensitive, and in this case particularly so, Michael Davis, a law professor recently retired from the University of Hong Kong, told TIME, explaining that they seem to be moving ahead of the court.
Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder and Bill Murray have been staples at the World Series, supporting their beloved Chicago Cubs on a nightly basis as the team has motored to the brink of its first title in more than a century.

They even, separately, sang the traditional seventh inning stretch tune "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the team's Wrigley Field stand.

But Saturday night, the dynamic duo got together with Derek Trucks at a post-game-four house party for a ragged unplugged duet on The Band's "The Weight."

After Tuesday night's decisive Cubbies victory in Cleveland, could they celebrate with an encore of Queen's "We Are the Champions" tonight? You'll have to tune in to find out.

The video was posted on Pearl Jam Radio's Facebook page. Check it out below.

This story first appeared on Billboard.com.
CHICAGO, Nov 2 (Reuters) - The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) should be able to afford a new contract with teachers, but it must continue to look to the state of Illinois for more money, the district's CEO said on Wednesday, less than a day after union members ratified the deal.

Forrest Claypool, who heads the nation's third-largest public school system, said the four-year contract will cost CPS $400 million less than the previous pact, which expired in 2015.

"While we're clearly not out of the woods yet, we are in better shape than we were under the previous contract," he told reporters, adding the new deal was the district's most cost-effective in decades.

Claypool said CPS must continue to cut costs and obtain more "equitable" funding from state officials, who have agreed to send the district a one-time $215 million pension contribution, which is contingent on the still-uncertain passage of comprehensive pension reforms by lawmakers this year. The district included the money in its $5.46 billion operating budget for the fiscal year that ends June 30.

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.

The Chicago Teachers Union reported late on Tuesday that more than 70 percent of its members voted in favor of the deal, which was reached on Oct. 10, averting a strike the union had called for the following day.

A CPS fact sheet indicated a $55 million boost in surplus revenue from Chicago's economic development districts will cover the cost of the new contract in the current fiscal year. That money, agreed to by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who controls the school system, is not considered a recurring revenue source, making its future availability uncertain.

The new contract, which has a retroactive start date of July 1, 2015, includes $11 million in initial healthcare savings, pay raises, an early retirement program, and the continued coverage by the district of 7 percent of current teachers' 9 percent pension contributions at an annual cost of $130 million.

The new contract is subject to a final vote by the Chicago Board of Education on Dec. 7.

(Reporting by Karen Pierog; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
* State spending, credit binge fuel worries over debt, property

* Debate on whether China should cut 2017 growth target heating up

* China leaders due to meet to map up 2017 growth, reform agendas

* Leaders seen walking on tightrope between growth, reforms

By Kevin Yao

BEIJING, Nov 2 (Reuters) - China's growing debt and property risks have touched off an internal debate over whether China should tolerate growth as low as 6 percent in 2017 to allow more room for painful reforms aimed at reducing industrial overcapacity and indebtedness.

The government has said economic growth of at least 6.5 percent is needed each year through to 2020 to meet a previously stated goal of doubling GDP and per capita income by 2020 from 2010 levels. It aims for 6.5-7 percent growth this year.

Many advisers expect the government to stick to this year's target in 2017, or at best change the wording to "around 6.5 percent" to allow for a slightly lower expansion rate next year.

But some advisers say maintaining growth above 6.5 percent is unrealistic because it will force the government to keep up costly economic stimulus measures that have stoked concerns about a sharp rise in credit and the property market. Instead, the target should be reduced to a range of 6.0 percent to 6.5 percent next year, they said.

Real growth is slowing down anyhow and setting a lower target would give China room to push on with reforms needed to meet 2020 targets, these advisers said.

"This year's growth target is definitely high. It's necessary to slightly lower next year's target given that downward pressures still persist," said a government economist, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The sources, government economists and advisers, provide recommendations for top leaders to consider. The debate will feed into the annual Central Economic Work Conference expected in December, a gathering of leaders and policymakers that maps out the country's economic and reform agenda for the following year.

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China's economic growth targets are important because they determine policy settings. If leaders feel the growth target is at risk, as they have this year, they will adjust policy to ensure economic activity picks up.

The State Council Information Office did not immediately respond to faxed requests for comment.

China's economy expanded 6.7 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, steady from the first half growth rate. It looks set to hit the official full-year target this year, driven by the stimulus policies and a soaring property market.

TIGHTROPE

Chinese leaders are walking a policy tightrope, trying to bolster growth, create more jobs and prevent debt defaults while also pushing painful structural reforms to foster more sustainable growth.

They have pledged "decisive results" by 2020 on a wide range of reforms to let market forces play a bigger role in driving the economy.

The government has been cutting red-tape and trying to reduce production capacity in surplus industries including steel and coal.

But preoccupied by concerns over immediate economic growth, progress has been relatively slow on some key structural reforms.

These include overhauling bloated state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to reduce their dominance of the economy, reforming land and residency rights to give migrants more confidence to move away from family farms to live in cities and opening up state-dominated service sectors to private investors.

A slump in private investment and capital heading offshore suggest many Chinese entrepreneurs are investing abroad, despite Beijing's repeated pledge to open up sectors dominated by the state.

"We should put more emphasis on structural reforms. We cannot put the most difficult problems in the final year. It will be too late," said an influential economist who advises the

government and who declined to be identified.

Beijing has relied on a property rally and state stimulus to drive growth this year, even as it has stepped carefully to avoid repeating the huge stimulus package implemented in the global financial crisis, which saddled the economy with a pile of debt.

China's debt has soared to 250 percent of gross domestic product from 150 percent a decade ago, and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) warned in September that a banking crisis was looming in the next three years.

"We are going too far down the old road if we still keep the 6.5-7 percent growth target next year," said a policy insider, who declined to be identified.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended the government makes a more fundamental change. In a report published in August, it said China should shift away from annual growth targets because they have "fostered an undesirable focus on short-term, low-quality stimulus measures".

That means China is paying a price for its fixation on growth targets, one Chinese policy adviser said.

"It's absurd and distorting," he said. "It's a legacy from the centrally planned economy."

UNCERTAIN OUTLOOK

The 2017 economic outlook is far from certain given weak global demand and property cooling measures that could weigh on the sector.

The IMF expects China's growth to fall to 6.2 percent in 2017, which would be the weakest since 1990, from its forecast for this year of 6.6 percent.

The third-quarter growth has fanned optimism among some Chinese officials and economists that the economy has hit a bottom after slowing for six successive years.

Thus, a researcher with the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planner, said he expected the government to maintain the 6.5-7 percent goal in 2017.

Zhang Liqun, an economist at cabinet's think-tank, the Development Research Centre, agreed there are risks if the government allows growth to slip too far.

"If economic growth is too low, many firms will have difficulties in sales and cash flows, they will cut jobs and wages, delay loan payments and won't be able to pay debt," Zhang said.

"Policies to stabilise growth will continue next year."

(Reporting by Kevin Yao; Editing by Neil Fullick)
BEIJING (Reuters) - China will provide 20 million yuan ($3 million) in humanitarian relief to North Korea to address damage from deadly floods there, China's Commerce Ministry said on Wednesday, after aid agencies have said they are struggling with relief efforts. At least 133 people have died in North Korea and some 600,000 people have been affected by flooding caused by heavy rain in late August and early September. The Red Cross said on Saturday that there had been a disappointing response from the international community to its emergency appeal to raise needed funds. (Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Michael Perry)
China expressed disdain Wednesday over European Commissioner Guenther Oettinger's use of the term "slitty eyes" to describe Chinese people in a leaked recording of a speech to business leaders.

In the comments, secretly filmed at a Hamburg event earlier this month, Oettinger -- the commissioner for digital economy who was last week named to the more powerful post of budget commissioner -- mocked a delegation of Chinese ministers for having "their hair combed from left to right with shoe polish".

Anonymous YouTube user "Sebas Travelling", who uploaded the clip last Friday, said Oettinger had used the words "slitty eyes" and "chiselers" to refer to Chinese people.

"The relevant remarks reveal a baffling sense of superiority entrenched in some Western politicians," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular press conference.

"We hope that they can learn how to view themselves and others objectively and respect and treat others as equals."

The comment was "a somewhat sloppy expression that was not meant in any way disrespectfully towards China," Oettinger told Die Welt newspaper on Saturday.

The comments come at an embarrassing time as they emerged just after European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker announced Friday he had tapped Oettinger to take over the budget portfolio from Bulgaria's Kristalina Georgieva.
By Brenda Goh

ZHUHAI, China (Reuters) - China and Russia took a step closer on Wednesday to the joint development of a long-haul jet to challenge Boeing (BA.N) and Airbus (AIR.PA), displaying a model of the unnamed plane that would compete with Western rivals.

State-owned planemakers Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) [CMAFC.UL] and United Aircraft Corp (UAC) of Russia said they had started the hunt to find suppliers, as they presented a mock-up of the wide-body jet at Airshow China.

Neither firm gave details on financing or technical specifications for what Western analysts call a politically-driven initiative that will be difficult to pull off and is likely to carry a high price tag.

China opened the show on Tuesday in the southern city of Zhuhai with a brief flypast of its J-20 stealth fighter, in a demonstration of military clout.

Both countries are currently developing smaller narrow-body jets to compete with the best-selling Airbus and Boeing types.

Guo Bozhi, general manager of COMAC's widebody department, said a 50-50 joint venture based in Shanghai will start operations this year.

First announced in 2014, the project has so far been slow to materialise. The firms have said they want conduct a maiden flight in 2022 and begin deliveries in 2025 or later.

Western industry analysts consider the target challenging, but more realistic than recent aircraft programmes that sought results in 5-7 years and came in late.

"A wide-body jet is an extremely complicated product, which will require a lot of skills (to develop) and require broad industrial knowledge," Guo told reporters. "China and Russia each have their own advantages."

Descriptions accompanying the model showed the firms ultimately envision three variants, based on a basic version that will seat 280 and have a range of up to 12,000 kilometres (7,500 miles).

SUPPLIER SEARCH

The decision to base the venture in Shanghai was a "mutual decision", Guo said at the event, attended by COMAC Chairman Jin Zhuanglong, UAC's Chief Executive Yury Slyusar and Russia's Minister of Trade and Industry Denis Manturov. Guo declined to say how much each party had invested in the project.

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A global effort to assess potential suppliers is now under way, said COMAC, which is separately pushing its own C919 narrow-body passenger jet towards a long-delayed maiden flight, now aimed for the end of 2016 or early 2017.

U.S. firms Honeywell (HON.N) and United Technologies Corporation (UTC.N) said on Wednesday they discussed the China-Russia jet with COMAC officials at the airshow, without commenting on the nature or subject of the contacts.

"We will choose suppliers who have rich experience in development, whose products are competitive globally, and who can continually guarantee quality from the development stage until the planes go into operation," Guo said.

A key decision will be what engines to use. Industry sources speculate the jet could use Western engines.

Another potentially tricky issue will be how the work should be divided, a subject which caused years of wrangling at Europe's Airbus, which began in 1970 as a consortium of nations and took more than two decades to make a significant impact.

Though a 50-50 JV, analysts view the Chinese side as being the more influential in the project.

The firm's Shanghai headquarters tells "where the balance of power is going to be and that reflects the size of the Chinese domestic market," said Sash Tusa, analyst at London-based consultancy Agency Partners.

(Editing by Kenneth Maxwell; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)
Taiwans Kuomintang (KMT) leader Hung Hsiu-chiu and her delegation met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijings Great Hall of the People on Tuesday, November 1. The leaders vowed to fight Taiwan independence and to ensure cross-strait peace and stability as well as business and cultural exchange. Hung said Taiwan and China agreed to discuss peaceful negotiations in ending the hostility between the two countries.

Cross-strait tensions ran high after Beijing stopped official communications with the Taiwanese government. That came after Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen refused to accept the one-China principle.

Hung, who leads Taiwans nationalist party, also emphasized the KMTs role in developing democracy and justice in Taiwan amid tough times. The party lost political leadership in Taiwan to the Democratic Progressive Party, which has traditionally been known for its pro-Taiwan independence views. KMT launched a recent campaign to seek donations from members after its cash was frozen by Taiwans Ill-Gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee. Credit: Facebook/ChuChuPepper ()
By Supantha Mukherjee

(Reuters) - Chipmaker Broadcom Ltd (AVGO.O) said it would buy Brocade Communications Systems Inc (BRCD.O) for $5.5 billion, pushing deeper into the fast-growing market for network equipment used in data centers.

The deal, the latest in a consolidating chip sector, will allow Broadcom to corner a larger share of the data center products market by using Brocade's fiber channel switches that speed up data transfer between servers and storage devices.

Singapore-based Broadcom, formerly Avago Technologies, is known for its connectivity chips used in products ranging from mobiles to servers, while California-based Brocade makes networking switches, software and storage products.

"We believe the deal is highly complementary to Broadcom's existing enterprise storage offerings and boosts its exposure to the high-growth data center market," CFRA Research Angelo Zino said.

The market for IT infrastructure products is expected to expand rapidly. Total spending on cloud infrastructure, including server, storage and ethernet switches, will increase by 15.5 percent to $37.1 billion in 2016, according to research firm IDC. (http://bit.ly/2e2Tadb)

Broadcom said it planned to sell Brocade's networking business, which makes controllers and access points that help businesses offer high-speed internet to their customers, to avoid competing with its top customers such as Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO.O).

The $12.75 per share offer represents a premium of 46.7 percent to Brocade's close on Friday.

Brocade's shares were up 9.5 percent at $12.31, while Broadcom's stock rose 1.7 percent to $171.73.

Up to Tuesday's close, Brocade's shares had gained nearly 30 percent since Bloomberg reported on Monday that the company was in talks to sell itself.

The chip industry has been undergoing rapid consolidation as companies try to capture market share, much of it related to connected devices and cars, and Avago/Broadcom has been one of the sector's most prolific acquirers.

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Since taking over the top job at Avago a decade ago, Chief Executive Hock Tan has turned around a small chipmaker into a giant with a market capitalization of $67 billion.

In the biggest chip deal ever, smartphone chipmaker Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O) agreed last week to buy NXP Semiconductors NV (NXPI.O) for about $38 billion, making it the leading supplier to the fast-growing automotive chips market.

The Qualcomm-NXP deal topped Avago's $37 billion acquisition of Broadcom Corp last year that formed Broadcom Ltd.

Broadcom's top customers include Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE.N) and Intel Corp (INTC.O).

A big part of Brocade's networking business that Broadcom plans to divest was acquired as part of Brocade's $1.5 billion acquisition of Ruckus Wireless earlier this year. The unit generated $209 million in product revenue in the third quarter.

"I don't think there will be a lack in buyers for the IP business," Drexel Hamilton analyst Cody Acree told Reuters, adding that companies such as Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and some Chinese firms are trying to make headway in the space.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that a Broadcom-Brocade deal was imminent.

Broadcom said it would take on about $400 million of Brocade's debt and fund the deal with available cash and debt.

Evercore was Brocade's financial adviser.

(Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Aishwarya Venugopal; Editing by Ted Kerr and Sriraj Kalluvila)
By Svea Herbst-Bayliss and Lisa Baertlein

BOSTON/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Two union-affiliated shareholders in Chipotle Mexican Grill on Tuesday said they would propose replacing the company's chairman, Steve Ells, who founded Chipotle, with an independent director, piling on pressure after well-known activist Bill Ackman took a large stake in the company.

Amalgamated Bank and CtW Investment Group, both of which have previously sparred with Chipotle, filed a shareholder resolution on Tuesday to strip board leadership from Ells, who is also co-chief executive, by instituting an independent chair.

The non-binding proposal marks escalating pressure from investors who have previously challenged the formerly high-flying restaurant chain over corporate governance and executive compensation. Chipotle shares have plummeted to around $360, less than half their level in summer 2015, when they flirted with $750 before a series of food-borne illnesses at company restaurants.

Chipotle did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Any vote on the latest shareholder proposal would not occur until Chipotle's 2017 annual meeting.

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, who oversees a pension fund that owns Chipotle shares, immediately backed the new proposal. Billionaire Ackman, whose hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management unveiled a 9.9 percent stake in Chipotle in September, declined to comment.

The California Public Employees' Retirement System, which holds 90,771 Chipotle shares, indicated the proposal is in line with its governance principles.

"As a matter of practice and in principle we support separating chairman and CEO roles consistent with the CalPERS Global Governance Principles," a spokeswoman said.

Pershing Square has met with Chipotle, sources familiar with the matter said, but it has not publicly discussed its demands. A spokesman for the hedge fund declined to comment on the new proposal.

CtW, which led a successful shareholder referendum on lavish CEO pay in 2014, failed to get enough support to remove two longtime board members at the company's annual meeting in May.

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A New York City Pension Funds resolution making it easier for shareholders to nominate directors passed at this year's annual meeting with the backing of activist investors, including CalPERS.

Since then, investors have grown more worried about Chipotle's ability to rehabilitate its brand.

"Chipotle's closed-off and limited governance structure is unsustainable and counterproductive, posing a direct risk to shareholders and the public at large," Amalgamated Bank CEO Keith Mestrich said in a statement. The bank owns about 5,500 Chipotle shares. CtW works with funds that own about 55,000 shares.

People familiar with Ackman's thinking suggest he also is taking aim at the board, demanding a substantial number of directors be replaced with people who have expertise in food safety, marketing, and digital engagement.

Troy Alstead, the former Starbucks Corp chief operating officer who was instrumental in the coffee chains turnaround, could be a Chipotle board nominee, several people with ties to activist investors said. Alstead, who now sits on the board at apparel company Levi Strauss & Co, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Chipotle has hired investment banks Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Morgan Stanley, as well as law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz LLP, and crisis public relations firm Joele Frank to defend against Ackman, people close to the matter have said.

CtW analyst Derrick Wortes said his group will begin reaching out to the company's biggest shareholders, including Fidelity and Vanguard, to make its case for change. "It is time to steer the strategic changes that will help pull the company back from the edge," Wortes said.

(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss in Boston and Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by David Gregorio and Leslie Adler)
VANCOUVER, B.C. / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / CIBT Education Group Inc. (TSX: MBA, OTCQX International: MBAIF) ("CIBT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of the purchase of GEC Burnaby Heights, a residential and commercial building located in Burnaby, B.C., for $17.75 million before furniture, fixtures and equipment. The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Global Education City Management Corp. ("GEC Management"), has taken possession of the building as of October 31st, 2016 on behalf of its beneficial owner, GEC Burnaby Heights Limited Partnership. Appraised value of this building as of May 2016 was $24.2 million.

GEC Burnaby Heights, the newest Global Education City ("GEC") project, is a building with 30 residential units and commercial premises on the ground floor. It is composed of four stories of concrete and wood frame construction. The close proximity of this property to various educational institutions as well as to public transit makes it perfect for both domestic and international students to commute between school, residence and downtown Vancouver. The property's location relative to schools such as Simon Fraser University, Fraser International College, Capilano University, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Sprott Shaw Burnaby Campus and Sprott Shaw College East Vancouver creates a significant opportunity to attract students from these schools, as well as other young adults in the area. Similar to other GEC properties, controlled access, 24/7 video surveillance of all entrances and public areas, centrally monitored smoke detectors, smart locks, as well as a security guard and live-in caretakers are just some of the safety features at GEC Burnaby Heights.

A strong emphasis has been placed on comfort and cleanliness of the building. Weekly housekeeping for all suites, furniture, television, beds and bedding, towels, Wi-Fi and many other services and amenities are provided free of charge. Weekend excursion activities for students staying at any GEC property in Metro Vancouver are also offered as an option. Photos of GEC Burnaby Heights are available at www.studenthotel.ca.

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"We are very pleased with the booking rate of this latest GEC project in Burnaby, B.C.", commented Toby Chu, Chairman, President and CEO of CIBT. "GEC Burnaby Heights has been nearly fully booked since the beginning of August, three months prior to completion. Students from nearby colleges and universities have started moving into this new property with no further vacancy at this time. Approximately $24 million of assets with a corresponding mortgage liability of approximately $16.3 million will be reflected in CIBT's Q1 financial statements."

About CIBT Education Group:

CIBT Education Group Inc. is an education and student-housing investment company focused on the global education market since 1994. Listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and OTCQX International, CIBT owns and operates a network of business, technical and language colleges in North America and Asia. CIBT offers cooperative joint programs in various countries with campuses, offices and training centers at 27 locations enrolling over 8,300 students annually. Its education business is operated through Sprott Shaw College (established in 1903), Vancouver International College and CIBT School of Business. Through these subsidiaries, CIBT offers recognized and approved business and management degrees, programs in college preparation, healthcare, hotel management, English language training, and over 150 career and vocational programs. CIBT also owns Irix Design Group, a leading design and advertising company based in Vancouver, Canada, Global Education Alliance ("GEA") and Global Education City Holdings Inc. ("Global Education Holdings"). GEA recruits international students for many elite kindergarten, primary, secondary schools and universities in North America. Global Education Holdings is an investment holding and management company with a special focus on education related real estate projects in Canada such as student hotels, serviced apartments and education super centers. Visit us online at www.cibt.net, www.studenthotel.ca and watch our corporate video at http://cibt.net/about/.

Toby Chu

President, CEO and Chairman

CIBT Education Group Inc.

Investor Relations Contact: 1-604-871-9909 extension 318 or | Email: info@cibt.net

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information (the "forward-looking statements") about CIBT Education Group Inc. and its future plans. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and in this news release includes the statement as to the anticipated rental income to be generated from GEC Burnaby Heights. The forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors (collectively, "Risks") that could cause CIBT's actual results or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by forward-looking statements. The Risks include, without limitation, the ability to maintain occupancy of the building at near capacity. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions and expectations of CIBT's management at the time they are made, and CIBT does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances should change, except as may be required by law.

SOURCE: CIBT Education Group Inc.
NIAMEY (Reuters) - Eighteen people were killed and 20 others were wounded on Tuesday in violence in Niger that pitted itinerant cattle herders against farmers, officials said. The clashes broke out near the village of Bangui along the West African nation's southern border with neighbouring Nigeria after livestock belonging to ethnic Fulani herders damaged the field of a farmer. "The nomadic herders fought with a farmer, whom they wounded. He was taken to the medical centre and everything started from there," said Oumarou Mohamane, Bangui's mayor. A group of farmers then attacked the Fulani camp in reprisal. Around 15 houses were burned. "It required the intervention of the police to stop the villagers," the mayor said. A second government official confirmed the details of the incident. Violent clashes between farmers and nomadic herders are a relatively common occurrence across West Africa, where there is competition over resources including land and water. (Reporting by Boureima Balima; editing by Grant McCool)
One of Americas most renowned medical centers  The Johns Hopkins Hospital  intentionally defrauded hundreds of sick coal miners out of compensation and health benefits while pocketing large sums from coal companies, according to a class action lawsuit filed by the families of two coal miners who died of black lung disease.

The lawsuit, which also targets a longtime Hopkins doctor, draws heavily from revelations in an investigative report by the Center for Public Integrity, in partnership with ABC News, about a unit of radiologists who for decades provided coal companies X-ray readings that almost always said the miner didn't have black lung, helping the companies avoid paying benefits under a program administered by the federal government.

In response to a request for comment, a Johns Hopkins spokesperson said, "We are reviewing the complaint."

The Center investigation found that the longtime leader of the unit, Dr. Paul Wheeler, had read X-rays in more than 1,500 cases just since 2000 but never once found a case of severe black lung, despite the fact that other doctors looking at the same films found evidence of the disease hundreds of times. Wheelers credentials and longtime affiliation with Johns Hopkins often trumped those of all other doctors involved, and administrative judges credited his reports over those of other doctors and denied more than 800 claims.

Yet the Center found that in more than 100 cases, biopsies or autopsies proved Wheeler wrong.

That is what happened in the case of longtime miner Steve Day, whose family members are lead plaintiffs in the new lawsuit, filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. After more than 30 years working in the mines, Day applied in 2005 for benefits through a program administered by the federal government. A half-dozen doctors saw advanced black lung on his X-rays and CT scans. But the judge deferred to the credentials of Wheeler and two colleagues at Johns Hopkins who said they saw no evidence of the disease, denying Days claim. After the Center featured Days story, he reapplied for benefits but died while the case was ongoing. An autopsy revealed a severe case of black lung, and his surviving family members continued and won the benefits claim.

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A similar story played out in the claim of Junior Barr, whose family members are the other lead plaintiffs in the suit. The Day and Barr families, represented by lawyers Jonathan Nace and Chris Nidel, say in the complaint that their cases are representative of perhaps hundreds of others and ask a Baltimore City judge to allow the case to proceed as a class action.

This story is part of Breathless and Burdened. Dying from black lung, buried by law and medicine. Click here to read more stories in this investigation.

Don't miss another Environment investigation: Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email.

The allegations against Johns Hopkins and Wheeler in the complaint include fraud, unjust enrichment, and violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, the federal law best known as a tool used against organized crime. Johns Hopkins and Wheeler "have engaged in a pattern and practice with the intent to defraud at least hundreds of toxically injured coal miners of federally earned benefits," the lawsuit alleges.

The focus of the suit is the method Wheeler used to interpret X-rays. Doctors who want to read X-rays as part of the benefits program overseen by the Labor Department have to follow standards established by the International Labour Organization. But records reviewed by the Center in its investigation showed that he didnt follow these rules, and Wheeler himself confirmed this in an interview.

He said he has his own criteria for what black lung looks like on an X-ray, leading him to mark some films as negative for disease even though federal rules say he should have marked them positive.

The lawsuit claims that this "willful refusal to interpret chest X-rays in compliance with the ILO classification system" has led to the wrongful denials of hundreds of miners claims.

After the Center investigation, released in 2013, Johns Hopkins suspended the work of Wheelers unit and began an internal review. Two years later, after concluding the review, the hospital said that it had permanently ended the units work and that Wheeler had retired.

In 2014, the Labor Department instructed its officials not to credit Wheelers readings unless coal companies produced evidence that rebutted the findings by the Center and ABC, and it informed more than 1,000 miners that their claims may have been wrongfully denied because of Wheelers involvement. This year, the government agency that oversees the X-ray-reading program set up a quality control system to weed out doctors who arent following the rules. Members of both houses of Congress have introduced legislation that would make sweeping reforms to the benefits system, but the bills have remained stuck in committees.

Chris Hamby, a former reporter with the Center for Public Integrity, works for BuzzFeed News.

This story is part of Breathless and Burdened. Dying from black lung, buried by law and medicine. Click here to read more stories in this investigation.

Related stories

Copyright 2016 The Center for Public Integrity. This story was published by The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization in Washington, D.C.
By Mark Hosenball and Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON/FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Reuters) - A top aide to Hillary Clinton urged the FBI on Tuesday to disclose what it knows about any ties between Donald Trump and Russia, accusing the agency of unfairly publicizing its inquiry into Clinton's email practices while staying quiet about the Republican presidential candidate. The Federal Bureau of Investigation opened a preliminary inquiry in recent months into allegations that Trump or his associates might have had questionable dealings with Russian people or businesses, but found no evidence to warrant opening a full investigation, according to sources familiar with the matter. The agency has not publicly discussed the probe. A week before Election Day, the Clinton campaign was trying to contain damage from the announcement by FBI Director James Comey on Friday that his agency was looking into newly discovered emails that might relate to Clinton's use of a private server while she was secretary of state. Clinton has voiced confidence the FBI will not find anything problematic. She campaigned on Tuesday in the battleground state of Florida, where she was joined in Dade City by former Miss Universe Alicia Machado, whom Trump had mocked for gaining weight. Chants of Lock her up! from dozens of Trump supporters gathered nearby could be faintly heard while Clinton spoke. In Ft. Lauderdale, a young man who yelled, "She's a liar" was escorted out of the rally. Several other protesters removed during the course of her speech. "I am sick and tired of the negative, dark, divisive, dangerous vision and behavior from people who support Donald Trump," Clinton said as another protester was removed from the rally. Trump and other Republicans have seized on Comey's announcement, which did not indicate any wrongdoing by Clinton, to ratchet up criticism of the Democratic candidate. She leads in most opinion polls ahead of the Nov. 8 election. Trump urged people on Tuesday who voted early for his Democratic rival to cancel their ballots and switch to him. "This is a message for any Democratic voters who have already cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton and who are having a bad case of buyer's remorse, in other words you want to change your vote," Trump told a Wisconsin rally. So if you live here or in Michigan or Pennsylvania or Minnesota, you can change your vote to Donald Trump." Several states, including those cited by Trump, have a process to allow voters who cast early ballots to change their votes, either by submitting new ballots or showing up at their polling place on Election Day. 'CONNECTIONS TO THE RUSSIANS' Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook questioned why the FBI director had not released any information about the agency's Russia inquiries. "If you're in the business of releasing information about investigations on presidential candidates, release everything you have on Donald Trump. Release the information on his connections to the Russians," Mook said on CNN. The FBI inquiry reviewed allegations that Trump or his associates might have violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or engaged in contacts or commerce with people in Russia who are subject to U.S. or international financial sanctions. The U.S. government has blamed Russia for cyber attacks on Democratic Party organizations. Democrats criticize Trump for taking what they say is a pro-Russia foreign policy stance. Russia's possible role in the campaign again came into focus when online magazine Slate said a group of computer scientists had been alarmed by records showing thousands of apparent connection attempts between an email server operated on behalf of the Trump Organization and computers inside a Russian company, Alfa Bank in Moscow. Trump campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks said the server, which had been used to send out hotel marketing material, had been dormant for years. Prominent U.S. cyber security company FireEye said it had been hired by Alfa Bank to investigate the records and had been granted access to the banks systems in Moscow to look for evidence of any relationship with Trumps company or any signs of hacking or infection. FireEye said so far it had found no emails being sent back and forth or any other link. CLINTON POLL LEAD Opinion polls showed Clinton's lead has narrowed slightly since early last week but it was too early to say whether the email controversy was hurting her. Clinton led businessman Trump in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll of likely voters released on Monday, by 44 percent to 39 percent. Clinton, hoping to be the first woman elected president, strengthened her lead over Trump in polls after the release last month of a 2005 video in which the Republican bragged in vulgar terms about groping women. But in a dramatic twist, Comey told Congress in a letter on Friday that the FBI was reviewing the newly discovered emails. Comey had announced in July that the FBI had completed a probe into the email practices, concluding there were no grounds to bring any charges. Clinton's team has been pressing the FBI to provide details on the new trove of emails, which Comey said may or may not be significant in the case. Little is publicly known yet about the emails, other than that they were found during an unrelated probe into former U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin. Comey's letter has provided Republicans with fresh fodder for attack in the waning days of the campaign. U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said on Tuesday that a Clinton presidency would bog down in "scandal baggage." Congressional Republicans, who had been concerned Trump risked damaging their majorities in the House and Senate, were also encouraged by his recent statements on efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare. A campaign aide said if Trump wins, he would ask Congress to begin working on legislation to repeal the law before the Jan. 20 inauguration. (Additional reporting by Emily Stephenson, Susan Heavey, Doina Chiacu, John Walcott and Joseph Menn; Writing by Alistair Bell and Ginger Gibson; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Peter Cooney and Nick Macfie)
The Clorox Company CLX released first-quarter fiscal 2017 results, wherein the bottom line marked its second consecutive miss. Also, the company tweaked its earnings guidance for fiscal 2017 (including the ASU 2016-09 benefit), which seemed to have upset investors, as is reflected by a 2.1% decline in its stock price during the pre-market trading hours. The top line, however, remained strong, thanks to robust volume growth across all segments.



Quarterly earnings from continuing operations of $1.36 per share jumped 3% year over year, but missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.42 as benefits from solid sales and cost savings were more than offset by currency headwinds and higher manufacturing and logistics expenses. Also, the bottom line includes a benefit of 4 cents related to the adoption of the Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09, as revealed earlier.



FindTheCompany | Graphiq

On the positive side, however, net sales of $1,443 million advanced nearly 4% year over year, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,433 million. Notably, this marked the companys third consecutive sales beat.



During the quarter, gains from 8% volume growth, higher pricing at the International business and benefits from RenewLife (acquired in May 2016) were somewhat negated by unfavorable mix and about 2% impact from unfavorable currency effects. On a currency-neutral basis, revenues increased 6% in the reported quarter.



However, Cloroxs gross margin contracted 60 basis points (bps) to 44.4% in the quarter, as greater manufacturing and logistics expenses; unfavorable mix and adverse currency movements more than offset the gains from efficient cost savings, lower commodity costs and improved pricing.



Revenue by Segment



Sales in the Cleaning segment improved 7% to $534 million, with a 13% jump in volumes. Volumes mainly benefited from the strength in Home Care brands, particularly Clorox disinfecting wipes coupled with strong volumes at the Professional Products cleaning brands.



Household sales grew 3% to $422 million, with volumes rising 6%. Volumes were mainly aided by the RenewLife acquisition, somewhat negated by lower shipments at Charcoal.



Sales at the Lifestyle segment rose 2% to $236 million, driven by 1% advancement in volumes, which in turn benefited from growth witnessed in Natural Personal Care.



In the International business segment, Cloroxs sales remained flat at $251 million, reflecting the negative impact of currency. On a currency-neutral basis, sales jumped 10% year over year. Volumes at the segment improved 4%, mainly driven by gains in Canada (including benefits from Renew Lifes buyout) and Asia, partly offset by weakness noted in some Latin American nations like Argentina.



Financials



Clorox ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $408 million, and long-term debt of $1,789 million. During the first quarter, the company generated $170 million of net cash from continuing operations compared with $135 million in the year-ago period.



CLOROX CO Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise



CLOROX CO Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | CLOROX CO Quote

Looking Ahead



Management remains pleased with the strong start to fiscal 2017, which witnessed solid sales and volume growth across most segments, alongside delivering impressive gross margin  reflecting its focus on its 2020 Strategy. This strategy has been helping the company achieve cost savings and productivity enhancements. Going forward, the company remains on track to keep this momentum going. That said, management remains positive about the remainder of fiscal 2017 given its constant focus on its core business strategies.



However, managements fiscal 2017 guidance takes into account a challenging macroeconomic environment and adverse currency movements, which may pose concerns.



Clorox continues to expect fiscal 2017 sales growth in a range of 2%4%, including a positive impact from the RenewLife buyout of nearly 2 points and adverse currency impact of nearly the same amount. On a currency-neutral basis, sales growth is still anticipated to range from 4%6% in the fiscal.



Further, EBIT margin is still estimated to expand in a band of 2550 bps, mainly backed by lower selling and administrative costs.



However, given the adoption of ASU 2016-09, the company now anticipates effective tax rate for the fiscal in the range of 32%33%, compared with 30%31% projected earlier.



Management further stated that the ASU 2016-09 benefit is now expected to boost fiscal 2017 earnings by 1015 cents per share compared with a gain of 2530 cents per share expected earlier. Consequently, the company lowered its earnings forecast for fiscal 2017 to $5.23$5.43 per share (including ASU benefit) from $5.38$5.58 expected earlier.



However, excluding the benefit from the new accounting standard, the company reiterated its earnings per share guidance range of $5.13$5.28 for fiscal 2017.



Zacks Rank



Clorox currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked stocks in the consumer staples sector include Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. OLLI, Blue Buffalo Pet Products, Inc. BUFF and Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. SPB, each with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.



Ollie's Bargain has to its credit a spectacular earnings trend as the company delivered a positive earnings surprise over the past four quarters. Moreover, its long-term EPS growth rate of 20.2% and positive estimate revisions over the past 90 days help it stand strong against the industry.



Blue Buffalo, with a long-term EPS growth rate of 16%, has seen positive estimate revisions for 2016, over the past 90 days. The company also flaunts a solid earnings surprise history.



Spectrum Brands, with a long-term EPS growth rate of 13.3%, has delivered back-to-back positive earnings surprises in the last two quarters. Also, the company, which is expected to release earnings on Nov 17, has an Earnings ESP of +3.88%. Please check our Earnings ESP Filter that enables you to find stocks that are expected to come out with earnings surprises.



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As California voters head to the polls this Election Day, one of the propositions on their ballot will be a question with decades of history and conflict behind it: Should the state make it easier for schools to offer bilingual education for students?

The question is a relatively narrow one, but bilingual education has long been an indication of a larger conversation about immigration and language in the United States. Though the subject has not provoked much conflict during the general election season, it was a major point of conflict during the Republican primaries. Donald Trump blasted Jeb Bush for speaking Spanish on the campaign trail, Marco Rubio responded that campaigning in Spanish can be the best way to reach Spanish-speaking voters and Carly Fiorina mistakenly said that English was the official language of the United States.

Its not, though naturalized citizens do have to be proficient in it.

That link between citizenship and language ability has existed since the early 20th century. In 1905, on the order of President Theodore Roosevelt, a commission on naturalization issued a report that recommendedamong other tweaks due to the increased volume of, and resistance to, immigrationmaking English language ability a prerequisite for becoming a citizen because if he does not know our language he does in effect remain a foreigner. The following year, after much debate, it became a requirement for new citizens to speak English. In 1950, as part of a Cold War-era security push, it became necessary to read and write English as well, with allowances for age and ability.

Those same requirements are still basically in effect today; the subject that tends to come up for debate today is whether English should also be required for legal residence short of citizenship (something Marco Rubio has long supported). But, for decades, bilingual education was the ground over which activists fought.

In 1968, Congress had passed a law, the Bilingual Education Act, designed to help young immigrants who were falling behind academically. The idea was that they could, on a voluntary basis, study other subjects in their native tongues while they worked toward English proficiency. The law provided funding for schools that wished to develop programs to do so. That ideal of bilingual education was strengthened in 1974 in the Supreme Court case Lau v. Nichols, which found that it was discriminatory for the San Francisco school system to fail to properly educate students who spoke Chinese. (After that ruling, the 1968 law was amended to be more specific in its requirements.)

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By 1980, according to a TIME report on the then-burgeoning debate over whether those bilingual programs were the right use of education funds, about a half million children benefited from the federal program. By 1985, it cost over $350 million a year to run the programs.

Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter

As an anti-bilingualism TIME essay pointed out in 1983, clumps of foreign-language speakers had long found their own solutions to the need to educate children who couldnt learn well in the language of the schoolthousands of Ohio students were educated in German around the turn of the 20th century, for example. Modern bilingual education, on the other hand, was seen by some as not a stepping stone to acculturation, but as a way for new immigrants to remain separate from the rest of the population. Many 1980s supporters of the English-only movementlike Walter Cronkite and Saul Bellowargued that they were happy to support immigrants, but wanted to avoid a situation in which language served to divide rather than unite. Supporters of bilingual education, on the other hand, saw the loss of support for the programs as part of a xenophobic and racist trend, which spawned ugly treatment of those seen as outsiders.

California was particularly fraught territory, as large Chinese- and Spanish-speaking populations made the debate highly visible and highly emotional.

In 1986, the state made English its official language. California was in the minority at the time, but the majority of states went on to pass some version of such a law. (A stricter version, which actually limited the way government officials could talk, however, was struck down on free-speech grounds.)

It was perhaps no coincidence that the 1980s and 90s saw bilingualism become a political problem, complete with a lobbying group. English-only proponents of the 1980s and 90s tended to turn again and again to the same example of the problems with bilingualism: Canada. Canada had little to teach the United States about large-scale immigration by Spanish speakers, which was the heart of the issue south of the (northern) border, but Canada had problems of its own. During the 1960swithin memory for those who were active in politics in the early 1980sthe movement for French-speaking Quebec to become a separate country gained steam. By the end of the 1970s, Quebecs language problem was a political time-bomb that threatened the unity and perhaps even the survival of Canada, per TIME. Throughout the 80s, it seemed plausible that a peaceful nation right next door might actually be split in two because it couldnt accommodate multiple languages and the multiple cultures they represented.

Except that didnt happen.

By the early 90s, a separate Quebec no longer seemed realistic. Still, the specter of bilingualism had already been raised in the United States. Language had become a political issue, and it would be hard to take that back.

In 1998, California approved Proposition 227, dramatically shrinking the scope of bilingual education in the state. Thats the measure thats up for possible roll-back this yearwhich would perhaps signal that the English-only moment of the late 20th century is making way for something new.
On Tuesday, Conan continued its week of shows in New York and the gangly host, known for his odd string dance at the beginning of his show, tried his hand at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. O'Brien started his dance lesson by complaining about his attire. In tight black leggings, Conan said, "Can I just say, this is a little confession, this is the first time in my life wearing a thong. It feels very strange, it feels like I'm smuggling something through customs." He tried to keep pace with the skilled dancers but instead had his editors place his head on theirs. It made it look like there was a dozen highly skilled Conan O'Briens in the company. A truly majestic dance theater.
The one thought on every renters mind on move-out day (aside from How the heck am I going to get this sofa through the front door?) has to do with the security deposit. Will you ever see that money again?

According to most leases, your only hope is to return your apartment in the same condition as when you took possession, beyond normal wear and tear. Still, though, this raises the question: What exactly is normal wear and tear, and what crosses the line?

Read on to learn just what you need to fix, and what you can let slide.

What qualifies as normal wear and tear

Unfortunately, when it comes to pinpointing wear and tear, theres no specific laundry list of flaws that landlords will find acceptable to leave behind. It helps to think in terms of things you encounter in your own home on a daily basis.

Have you ever put a nail in the wall to hang a picture or scuffed the wall carrying in groceries? asks Trent Zachmann, chief operating officer of Renters Warehouse, which manages residential real estate. (Of course you have!) These kinds of things happen.

Normal wear and tear is light damage that occurs over time and doesnt affect the use of the home or appliances; its just not aesthetically pleasing. Other examples of normal wear and tear are light scratches on wood floors, wear spots on carpet (but not stains), and loose railings or banisters.

What tenants must fix

According to Gary Malin, president of Citi Habitats, these are some of the most common things that renters would be responsible for fixing:

Excessively scratched or gouged floors

Broken windows or torn screens

Broken or nonworking appliances

Pet stains and odors

Custom wall coverings such as paint or wallpaper

Any installations like shelving, light fixtures, or window treatments

The importance of a move-in checklist

All landlords or property managers will have different expectations, and so on your move-in day its important to discuss the condition they expect you to keep your apartment in. Scratches and discoloration should be documented, so whip out your smartphone or camera and take photos of any flaws you see and make sure your landlord is aware of them so he knows you didnt create them.

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Ideally, your landlord should provide a checklist of the property condition upon move in. But if not, Kimberly Smith of AvenueWest, which manages corporate housing, recommends creating your own (you can download a sample rental property checklist online). Ask your landlord to sign the document to make it official, include photos of flaws, and, if you want to be extra careful, search online and try to find out the life expectancy of various items. One biggie is the carpet.

The carpet is a great example of an amenity that many tenants and landlords dispute, Smith explains. To establish the expectations for the cleanliness of the carpet, first start with the total life expectancy. Experts estimate that in a household of two to four people, carpet will typically last around three to five years. So if the tenant rents a newly carpeted place for five years and the carpet needs to be replaced when he moves out, then this is considered normal wear and tear.

In other words, make yourself at home and dont sweat the small scuffs.



Have any other tips on how to keep your wear and tear in the normal range? Is your landlord especially picky about it? Share your stories by joining the discussion on House Talk.

The post Whats Considered Normal Wear and Tear in a Rental? appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com.
After encountering the rough tides arising from the sluggishness witnessed in emerging markets such as China and Brazil, and the fears of challenging economic/political conditions in Europe post Brexit, the U.S. economy looks steadier now. This is quite evident from the ongoing earnings season. The Q3 earnings season has been increasingly heading toward an improvement after five straight quarters of earnings decline.

Per the latest Earnings Outlook report as of Nov 1, out of the 332 S&P 500 companies that have come up with their quarterly numbers, approximately 72.9% have posted positive earnings surprises, while 55.4% beat top-line expectations. According to the report, earnings for the 332 S&P 500 companies that have reported so far are up 1.9% from the same period last year, while revenues have increased 1.3%.

Further, the report projects that earnings for the total S&P 500 companies will improve 2.1% from the year-ago period with total revenue inching up 1.4%. However, the performance of the index is not restricted to a single sector, and of the 16 Zacks sectors, four have witnessed an earnings decline so far in the third quarter  Autos, Conglomerates, Oil/Energy and Transportation. Nonetheless, the Consumer Staples sector is displaying some strength.

About 62.5% of the total number of S&P 500 companies in this sector has reported their results, wherein 85% beat earnings estimates, while 40% surpassed revenue estimates. While earnings surged 4.9% year over year, revenues inched up 0.5%. Cosmetic comes under the Consumer Staples sector. Among Cosmetic stocks lined up to report their quarterly numbers on Nov 3, lets take a sneak peek at three companies.

Church & Dwight Co. Inc. CHD, manufacturer and marketer of household, personal care and specialty products, is slated to report third-quarter 2016 results. Our proven model does not conclusively show that Church & Dwight is likely to beat earnings estimates this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have both a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) and a positive Earnings ESP for this to happen. Please check our Earnings ESP Filter that enables you to find stocks that are expected to come out with earnings surprises.

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Church & Dwight has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% as the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate both stand at 47 cents. The company carries a Zacks Rank #3, which increases the predictive power of ESP. However, its ESP of 0.00% makes surprise prediction difficult.

CHURCH & DWIGHT Price and EPS Surprise

CHURCH & DWIGHT Price and EPS Surprise | CHURCH & DWIGHT Quote

We expect beauty and cosmetic goods company, Avon Products Inc. AVP to beat expectations when it reports third-quarter 2016 results, as it holds a favorable combination. The Most Accurate estimate is 4 cents, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged lower at 3 cents. So the ensuing +33.33% Earnings ESP and the companys Zacks Rank #1 make us reasonably confident of an earnings beat.

Avons efforts towards improving pricing, lowering costs, building brand strength and boosting Active Representatives have started to pay off. This was evident in the second quarter, where the company made a significant recovery, gaining from improved performances in nine of its top 10 markets in local currency. Further, Avon is constantly focused on the implementation of its Transformation Plan that was announced in Jan 2016, to curtail costs. All these factors emphasize that the company is in a position to return to sustainable and profitable growth in the future, thus making us positive about the upcoming results. (Read: Avon Q3 Earnings: Stock to Deliver a Beat Again?)

AVON PRODS INC Price and EPS Surprise

AVON PRODS INC Price and EPS Surprise | AVON PRODS INC Quote

Nu Skin Enterprises Inc. NUS is set to report third-quarter 2016 results. Unfavorable currency has been a concern for Nu Skins revenue since quite some time. For the third quarter, revenue is expected in a range of $560$580 million, assuming a negative foreign currency impact of approximately 12%. Earnings are expected in the range of 8084 cents per share in the quarter. (Read: Nu Skin to Report Q3 Earnings: What's in the Cards?)

The company employs representatives to sell products and is always closely watched by rivals and regulators. It faces accusations like focusing more on recruiting rather than product sales and running a pyramid business model, i.e. employing deceptive marketing practices for business improvement. We note that China has always been suspicious about direct selling companies like Nu Skin. Nevertheless, we believe that product innovation has been driving the companys revenues since several past quarters. In the second quarter, revenues were driven by significant product launch events in South Asia/Pacific and Greater China.

Our criteria of earnings beat has been let down by an Earnings ESP of -1.22%, as the Most Accurate estimate stands at 81 cents, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged higher at 82 cents. Nu Skin currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

NU SKIN ENTERP Price and EPS Surprise

NU SKIN ENTERP Price and EPS Surprise | NU SKIN ENTERP Quote

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CoverGirl just named Muslim hijabi beauty blogger Nura Afia their new ambassador

Its no secret that Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab are often underrepresented, misunderstood and ridiculed  but CoverGirl just took a big, big step to change that stigma, according to Allure Magazine. Beauty blogger Nura Afia is CoverGirls newest ambassador for their new mascara So Lashy! We couldnt be happier! Shes the gorgeous face behind a wildly popular YouTube channel and now, shes making her way to our TV screens with her new CoverGirl commercial. Did we mention shes also on a billboard in New York Citys Times Square? Slay, girl. Afia is a Muslim woman who wears the hijab, and the fact that she just booked such a major deal is both groundbreaking and important.

CoverGirl is on a roll  an incredibly inclusive, progressive roll. The brand recently announced James Charles as its first male model (cause hey, newsflash: Men can wear makeup too). With Afia added to their family, CoverGirl is doing its part to prove that beauty comes in all sorts of packages.

Afia will also join the ranks of Katy Perry and Sofia Vergara (NBD). The gorgeous group is featured on CoverGirls Instagram account in an image promoting Lash Equality.

But we dont just love this news because of how wonderful it is to see a woman who wears the hijab featured so prominently in a major campaign  Afia is also incredibly qualified for the role. Anyone who has visited the vloggers channel (which is basically everyone  she has over 300,000 subscribers) knows that her makeup skills are on point!

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Afia is stunning, she clearly loves makeup and shes in a position to make SO many young women feel like theyre finally seeing versions of themselves in the beauty industry.

#Nuralailalov #babylailalov #blue #iceblue #ice #Denvermua #denvermakeupartist #bluemakeup A photo posted by Nura Afia (@nuralailalov) on Oct 14, 2016 at 4:41pm PDT

This new platform will hopefully give Afia a chance to shatter all the negative stereotypes that very much exist about Muslim women, especially those who wear the hijab. We think this a brilliant partnership on all levels, and we cant wait to see what comes of it.

The post CoverGirl just named Muslim hijabi beauty blogger Nura Afia their new ambassador appeared first on HelloGiggles.
For a few fleeting minutes on Tuesday night, everything was all right in the world. That was because Jon Stewart, performing at the benefit show Stand Up for Heroes, was once again delivering a blisteringly funny take on current politics. Jon, please come back. We've sorely missed you.

The former Daily Show host's set was one of the highlights of the event presented by the New York Comedy Festival and the Bob Woodruff Foundation. Raising money to help injured veterans and their families, the annual show consistently delivers an evening of laughter mixed with a few tears.

This year's edition featured the usual stellar line-up of stand-up comics - besides Stewart, it included Louis C.K., Jerry Seinfeld, and Jim Gaffigan - and perennial guest star Bruce Springsteen, who has performed at every show since its inception. As always, there were many veterans in attendance, both in the audience and onstage.

After a suitably patriotic opening featuring Phillip Phillips singing the National Anthem, Bob Woodruff and his wife Lee welcomed the crowd. Addressing the veterans in the audience, Woodruff asked them, "Those who are able to stand, please do so," encapsulating the need for the fund-raiser in a single sentence. This was followed by a video clip profiling a double-amputee veteran whose indomitable spirit was conveyed by his comment, "I don't think my injuries are that seriousit's just an arm and a leg."

Stewart performed the opening set, announcing that it was "an honor to be with you, my heroes, on the eve of the last American election240 years, we gave it a shot." After claiming that he didn't miss commenting on current events, he launched into a hilarious tirade about the surreal presidential race, summed up by his exclamation, "What the f - k?" He said the race should have been over after the leaked tape in which Trump boasted to Billy Bush about grabbing women "by the pussy," adding that the revelation "broke the news." He also noted the irony of Hillary, who is vying to become the first woman president, possibly being taken down by "Bush and Weiner."

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Read more: Jon Stewart Jokes Wild 2016 Election Likely to End With Scenario Involving O.J. Simpson, JonBenet Ramsey

"Hillary Clinton is literally being cock-blocked," he added.

As if resigned to an ever-divided country, Stewart asked, "Can't we just split up? Does it have to be the United States of America?" He spent the rest of his time reciting uproarious tweets he and Trump exchanged several years ago, in which Trump lambasted Stewart for changing his name from Jonathan Liebowitz and Stewart responded by dubbing him "F - kFace Von Clownstick," a moniker which quickly went viral.

As he left the stage, Stewart sardonically enjoined the crowd, "Vote wisely this November."

Surprisingly, that was the last significant mention of politics in the show. Even with the election only a week away, the other comedians stuck to their tried-and-true themes. Jim Gaffigan did his usual self-deprecating fat jokes, including a story about being humiliated when airport security discovered a box of donuts in his carry-on luggage, and delivered funny gags about fall foliage, TV remote controls, and baby boomers clinging to such old-fashioned technologies as cable TV and landline phones.

Louis C.K. continued his current penchant for jokes about fatherhood and parenting, including riffing about public school. He began the latter bit by praising teachers, but quickly shot down the ensuing applause: "Don't clap, because you're not going to like this how this ends," he warned, before proceeding to mercilessly mock the profession. Seinfeld delivered his well-honed routine about the effort that "going out" entails, and for what? "Well, this is it," he said, looking around the large venue. Now that we were out, he added, all we wanted to do was get back home. "Nobody wants to be anywhere," he shrugged. He also tore into energy drinks, over-coddled children, and the mediocrity of children's movies. "No kid has ever said, 'I found that unwatchable,'" he pointed out.

As has become a tradition at these shows, Springsteen took advantage of the opportunity to channel his inner Borscht Belt comedian. He introduced each of his numbers with Henny Youngman-style jokes featuring opening lines on the order of "So there's this 80-year-old couple" and "An old man is in a gym" They were surprisingly funny, although it's safe to say that the Boss shouldn't give up his day job.

Read more: Critic's Notebook: 'Trump Tower Live' Is Not Ready for Primetime

In his brief set, Springsteen delivered stark, solo acoustic versions of "I'll Work for Your Love" and "Long Walk Home" (both from the 2007 album, Magic), "Working on the Highway," and his smash hit, "Dancing in the Dark."

The show included a pitch for donations from a largely well-heeled audience that raised $770,000 in just a few minutes. Later, a custom-built Harley-Davidson motorcycle was auctioned off, as well as Springsteen's guitar. To raise the stakes, Springsteen threw in a ride in his '67 Cadillac, all the hot dogs and hamburgers the bidder could eat, and a serving of his mother's lasagna. The comedians joined the fun, promising to have dinner with the winning bidder and Gaffigan offering one of his kids to sweeten the deal.

For all the laughs and pointed digs, it was the veterans who provided the most memorable moments as they introduced the performers. They included Master Sergeant Israel Del Toro, who as a result of an IED detonation suffered third-degree burns on 80% of his body and lost fingers on both hands; and Corporal Aaron Mankin, who's endured 64 surgeries since a bomb exploded under his assault vehicle.

"It's amazing to be here," Mankin told the crowd. "Actually, it's amazing to be anywhere."

The old line may not have been very funny, but it has rarely had greater emotional impact.
New York (AFP) - The writer of hit film "The Queen" returns to his favorite subject this week with a new Netflix series offering perhaps the most intimate portrait yet of Britain's head of state.

All 10 episodes of "The Crown" will be available from Friday, continuing a tradition of big-budget original content that has seen the streaming service lavished with praise for such hits as "House of Cards" and "Narcos."

The series comes from the pen of Peter Morgan, who lifted the veil on the private world of Elizabeth II in "The Queen" (2006), which was directed by Stephen Frears and earned Helen Mirren an Oscar in the title role.

Morgan went back to Britain's longest-serving monarch with the stage play "The Audience," which concentrated on her relationship with her various prime ministers -- and which also starred Mirren.

While these previous dramas depicted a mature and then aging Elizabeth II, Morgan and director Stephen Daldry ("Billy Elliot") start out "The Crown" with a young Princess Elizabeth as she marries Philip Mountbatten in the uncertain aftermath of post-war Britain.

Netflix has already committed to a second season and has so far dedicated over $100 million to "The Crown," according to several reports.

"Nothing you or His Royal Highness does is a private matter," Winston Churchill warns the 25-year-old Elizabeth, as she embarks on a very public life which has seen her become arguably history's most recognizable royal.

- Man's world -

For all her fame, the 90-year-old monarch has managed somehow to reveal little of herself over 64 years on the throne.

Played by Claire Foy, whose last royal role was as Anne Boleyn in the BBC's 2015 miniseries "Wolf Hall," the Elizabeth Windsor of "The Crown" is a level-headed young woman who is nevertheless prone to moments of levity and sensuality.

Morgan, who plans to dedicate one season of "The Crown" to each of the six decades of the queen's reign, starts with her difficult ascension to the throne, stewarded by Churchill, after the sudden death of her father George VI.

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Morgan and Daldry offer up a nuanced portrait of a woman who combines reserve with grit, an heiress to an ancient tradition who manages somehow to be thoroughly modern.

A woman very much plunged into a man's world, she finds herself in the alien position of being of higher standing than her husband, treated with deference by the prime minister.

Central to Morgan's narrative is Elizabeth's relationship with Philip, which is more complex and passionate than the formal, sometimes stilted, image of the union served up for the public.

- 'Permanent anxiety' -

Foy, 32, is full of praise for Morgan's achievement in taking a well-documented historical subject and fashioning it into a drama full of surprises, while resisting the temptation to be sensationalist or salacious.

At a recent press day in New York, Foy noted that while many people follow the royal family, "you forget who they are."

Vanessa Kirby, who plays Elizabeth's sister Princess Margaret, says Morgan was able to convey the difficulty of life as a royal by getting the cast to imagine in every scene having a stone in their shoe.

"There's never just easy and lovely. He wants it to be difficult and gritty, and tough and hard," the 28-year-old actress said.

George VI is played by Jared Harris, who is probably best known for his role as British financial officer Lane Pryce in the AMC drama series "Mad Men."

Harris, 55, imagines being a royal as an invidious calling, an occupation with no real job description or authority.

"And at the same time they're in this weird position where if they mess up, it can all be taken away," he said.

"And they'll be the ones who screwed up 1,000 years of British monarchy. Imagine -- you must be in a state of permanent anxiety and paranoia."
Against the common juridical and commercial view, the teaching essentially attempts to induce the faithful to show responsibility toward the dead and the communion of saints. Since the Church has taught that death is not the end of life, then neither is it the end of our relationship with loved ones who have died, who along with the saints make up the Body of Christ in the "Church Triumphant."



The diminishing theological interest in indulgences today is due to an increased emphasis on the sacraments, the prayer life of Catholics, and an active engagement in the world as constitutive of the spiritual life. More soberly, perhaps, it is due to an individualistic attitude endemic in modern culture that makes it harder to feel responsibility for, let alone solidarity with, dead relatives and friends. [7]

When we discuss the Feast of All Souls, we look at a liturgical commemoration which pre-dated doctrinal formulation itself, since the Church often clarifies only that which is being undermined or threatened. The first clear documentation for this celebration comes from Isidore of Seville (d. 636; the last of the great Western Church Fathers) whose monastic rule includes a liturgy for all the dead on the day after Pentecost. [4] St. Odilo (962-1049 AD) was the abbot of Cluny in France who set the date for the liturgical commemoration of the departed faithful on November 2.Before that, other dates had been seen around the Christian world, and the Armenians still use Easter Monday for this purpose. He issued a decree that all the monasteries of the congregation of Cluny were annually to keep this feast. On November 1 the bell was to be tolled and afterward the Office of the Dead was to be recited in common, and on the next day all the priests would celebrate Mass for the repose of the souls in purgatory. The observance of the Benedictines of Cluny was soon adopted by other Benedictines and by the Carthusians who were reformed Benedictines. Pope Sylvester in 1003 AD approved and recommended the practice. Eventually the parish clergy introduced this liturgical observance, and from the eleventh to the fourteenth century it spread in France, Germany, England, and Spain.Finally, in the fourteenth century, Rome placed the day of the commemoration of all the faithful departed in the official books of the Western or Latin Church. November 2 was chosen in order that the memory of all the holy spirits, both of the saints in heaven and of the souls in purgatory, should be celebrated in two successive days. In this way the Catholic belief in the Communion of Saints would be expressed. Since for centuries the Feast of All the Saints had already been celebrated on November first, the memory of the departed souls in purgatory was placed on the following day. All Saints Day goes back to the fourth century, but was finally fixed on November 1 by Pope Gregory IV in 835 AD. The two feasts bind the saints-to-be with the almost-saints and the already-saints before the resurrection from the dead.Incidentally, the practice of priests celebrating three Masses on this day is of somewhat recent origin, and dates back only to ca. 1500 AD with the Dominicans of Valencia. Pope Benedict XIV extended it to the whole of Spain, Portugal, and Latin America in 1748 AD. Pope Benedict XV in 1915 AD granted the "three Masses privilege" to the universal Church. [5]On All Souls Day, can we pray for those in limbo? The notion of limbo is not ancient in the Church, and was a theological extrapolation to provide explanation for cases not included in the heaven-purgatory-hell triad. Cardinal Ratzinger was in favor of its being set aside, and it does not appear as a thesis to be taught in the new Universal Catechism of the Catholic Church. [6]The doctrine of Purgatory, upon which the liturgy of All Souls rests, is formulated in canons promulgated by the Councils of Florence (1439 AD) and Trent (1545-1563 AD). The truth of the doctrine existed before its clarification, of course, and only historical necessities motivated both Florence and Trent to pronounce when they did. Acceptance of this doctrine still remains a required belief of Catholic faith.What about "indulgences"? Indulgences from the treasury of grace in the Church are applied to the departed on All Souls Day, as well as on other days, according to the norms of ecclesiastical law. The faithful make use of their intercessory role in prayer to ask the Lord"s mercy upon those who have died. Essentially, the practice urges the faithful to take responsibility. This is the opinion of Michael Morrissey:

As with everything Christian, then, All Souls Day has to do with the mystery of charity, that divine love overcomes everything, even death. Bonds of love uniting us creatures, living and dead, and the Lord who is resurrected, are celebrated both on All Saints Day and on All Souls Day each year.



All who have been baptized into Christ and have chosen him will continue to live in Him. The grave does not impede progress toward a closer union with Him. It is only this degree of closeness to Him which we consider when we celebrate All Saints one day, and All Souls the next. Purgatory is a great blessing because it shows those who love God how they failed in love, and heals their ensuing shame. Most of us have neither fulfilled the commandments nor failed to fulfill them. Our very mediocrity shames us. Purgatory fills in the void. We learn finally what to fulfill all of them means. Most of us neither hate nor fail completely in love. Purgatory teaches us what radical love means, when God remakes our failure to love in this world into the perfection of love in the next.



As the sacraments on earth provide us with a process of transformation into Christ, so Purgatory continues that process until the likeness to Him is completed. It is all grace. Actively praying for the dead is that "holy mitzvah" or act of charity on our part which hastens that process. The Church encourages it and does it with special consciousness and in unison on All Souls Day, even though it is always and everywhere salutary to pray for the dead.



ENDNOTES:



[1] See Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, The Ratzinger Report: An Exclusive Interview on the State of the Church, with Vittorio Messori (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1985) 146-147. Michael P. Morrissey says on the point: "The Protestant Reformers rejected the doctrine of purgatory, based on the teaching that salvation is by faith through grace alone, unaffected by intercessory prayers for the dead." See his "Afterlife" in The Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality, ed. Michael Downey (Collegeville: Michael Glazier/Liturgical Press, 1993) 28.



[2] Maccabees 12:38-46. From The Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version, Containing the Old and New Testaments. Catholic Edition. (London: The Catholic Truth Society, 1966) 988-989. Neil J. McEleney, CSP, adds: "These verses contain clear reference to belief in the resurrection of the just...a belief which the author attributes to Judas ...although Judas may have wanted simply to ward off punishment from the living, lest they be found guilty by association with the fallen sinners.... The author believes that those who died piously will rise again...and who can die more piously than in a battle for God"s law? ...Thus, he says, Judas prayed that these men might be delivered from their sin, for which God was angry with them a little while.... The author, then, does not share the view expressed in 1 Enoch 22:12-13 that sinned- against sinners are kept in a division of Sheol from which they do not rise, although they are free of the suffering inflicted on other sinners. Instead, he sees Judas"s action as evidence that those who die piously can be delivered from unexpiated sins that impede their attainment of a joyful resurrection. This doctrine, thus vaguely formulated, contains the essence of what would become (with further precisions) the Christian theologian's teaching on purgatory." See The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, ed. Raymond E. Brown, SS, etal., art. 26, "1-2 Maccabees" (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 1990) 446. Gehinnom in Jewish writings is more appropriately understood as a purgatory than a final destination of damnation.





[3] Spanish-speaking Catholics today popularly refer to All Souls Day as "El Dia de los Muertos", a relic of the past when the pre- Christian Indians had a "Day of the Dead"; liturgically, the day is referred to as "El Dia de las Animas". Germans call their Sunday of the Dead "Totensonntag". The French Jesuit missionaries in New France in the seventeenth century easily explained All Souls Day by comparing it to the the local Indian "Day of the Dead". The Jesuit Relations are replete with examples of how conscious were the people of their duties toward their dead. Ancestor worship was also well known in China and elsewhere in Asia, and missionaries there in times gone by perhaps had it easier explaining All Souls Day to them, and Christianizing the concept, than they would have to us in the Western world as the twentieth century draws to a close.



[4] See Michael Witczak, "The Feast of All Souls", in The Dictionary of Sacramental Worship, ed. Peter Fink, SJ, (Collegeville: Michael Glazier/Liturgical Press, 1990) 42.



[5] "Three Masses were formerly allowed to be celebrated by each priest, but one intention was stipulated for all the Poor Souls and another for the Pope"s intention. This permission was granted by Benedict XV during the World War of 1914-1918 because of the great slaughter of that war, and because, since the time of the Reformation and the confiscation of church property, obligations for anniversary Masses which had come as gifts and legacies were almost impossible to continue in the intended manner. Some canonists believe Canon 905 of the New Code has abolished this practice. However, the Sacramentary, printed prior to the Code, provides three separate Masses for this date." See Jovian P. Lang, OFM, Dictionary of the Liturgy (New York: Catholic Book Publishing Company, 1989) 21. Also see Francis X. Weiser, The Holyday Book (New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1956) 121-136.



[6] Ratzinger stated: "Limbo was never a defined truth of faith. Personallyand here I am speaking more as a theologian and not as Prefect of the CongregationI would abandon it since it was only a theological hypothesis. It formed part of a secondary thesis in support of a truth which is absolutely of first significance for faith, namely, the importance of baptism. To put it in the words of Jesus to Nicodemus: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God" (John 3:5). One should not hesitate to give up the idea of "limbo" if need be (and it is worth noting that the very theologians who proposed "limbo" also said that parents could spare the child limbo by desiring its baptism and through prayer); but the concern behind it must not be surrendered. Baptism has never been a side issue for faith; it is not now, nor will it ever be." See Ratzinger, The Ratzinger Report, 147-148.



[7] Morrissey, "Afterlife" in The Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality, 28-29.



This article was originally published, in a slightly different form, as "To Trace All Souls Day," in The Catholic Answer, vol. 8, no. 5 (November/December 1994): 8-11.




With all the focus on this over-the-top election campaign here in the US, its refreshing to hear from someone who has a global perspective.

Dambisa Moyo is a Zambian-born global economist and author whos worked at World Bank and Goldman Sachs. Moyo, who now lives in New York City, has been in leadership roles at a number of high-profile companies and is currently on the boards of Chevron and Barclays, among others. In a recent interview she discusses how income inequality, European turmoil and the very contentious US election are just some of the headwinds global markets are contending with.

I started off by asking Moyo how she expects the global economy to behave in the aftermath of the US electionno matter who wins. No one has been able to credibly predict the situation were currently in or can really say anything sensible at this point, she says. We dont really know what the public policy trajectory is whomever wins. From a global perspective, there is a tension. In terms of trade protectionism, both candidates have intimated that is the direction they are heading. I think the regulatory environment remains burdensome for a lot of corporations, which for the global economies to recover becomes a big issue.

Does Moyo think that if Trump wins there will be a market shock?

I think thats pretty much priced in, she says. I think people will be surprised but only because the polls showed [Clinton winning] by a wide margin. Im not entirely of the mind that the whole world comes to an end [if Trump wins.] Well wake up on the ninth and come to work. What does worry Moyo is that neither candidate has articulated a very clear idea of the path of economic growth and a lot of the issues were dealing with today.

Dambisa Moyo

As for income inequality, Moyo suggests we probably need to tear up the old manual. The problem she says is, Weve tried both solutions: Tax and spend favored by the left and also trickle down economics favored by the right, and neither of these has really worked. Weve seen income inequality widen in the US to such an extent that it is now equal to income inequality in China. And social mobility has deteriorated in the United States. So these two things at the extreme have not worked. What might a solution look like? Probably a little bit of both. In the US now, were so polarized that no one wants to hear both. But in the short term I do feel that we need some minimum interventions to assist people in terms of minimum wage reform. Im not a not a big believer in all these types of interventions, but at the same time we need long term implementation to make sure we get social mobility back.

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We are at risk of creating a jobless underclass in this country because of technology changing the job market, Moyo says, citing a study that says 47% of the American workforce might be out of work because of technology in the next 20 years. But if you go to Silicon Valley she points out, you hear a different story. To wit she says: Just because we dont whats around the corner doesnt mean that we dont know that something amazing is coming in terms of job creation.

Moyo is uncertain in terms of the fallout from Brexitor even if there will, in fact, be any fallout. We dont know yet, she says. Its not just about derivatives contracts. Its about immigration, visas, trade across borders, capital flows. Its going to be challenging to get this done in two years, she says.

As far as diversity and inclusiveness, she says, The question I always ask is: Is everybody in the room? Is there, for instance, a young Latino male, an older black male, and a white woman who stays home? All of our stakeholders diverse now, and so should we.

For Americans about to go the polls, they might want to think a little global before they act local.
David S. Goyer is putting down some new TV roots.

The prolific writer-producer has signed a two-year first-look deal for his Phantom Four banner with IM Global Television, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. With the pact, Goyer moves to IM Global from Universal Television, where he had been under an overall deal.

Under the IM Global deal, Goyer has set his first new project: LAPD anthology Golden State. The drama is a seasonal anthology that tells the story of the LAPD over 150 years, beginning with the department's forerunners in the 1850s and ending with the 1990s and the L.A. Riots. Each season will jump forward a generation, charting the relationship between law enforcement and criminals. Jake Lee Hanne will pen the script, with Phantom Four president Kevin Turen and Linne Radmin of the Radmin Co. attached to produce.

The Golden State deal extends Goyer's relationship with IM Global. The DaVinci's Demons exec producer is already teaming with IM Global on I, Rebel, a sci-fi series about an astronaut lost in space for eight years who returns home to find a very different Earth.

Read more: IM Global Acquired by Tang Media Partners, Launches TV Joint Venture With Tencent

"Kevin and I were looking to do something outside the box," Goyer said. "Because the television landscape is changing so quickly and dramatically, we wanted to find partners who were nimble, who could partner with any buyer, and who had a uniquely global outlook. [IM Global TV CEO] Stuart [Ford] and [IM Global TV president] Mark [Stern] fit that criteria perfectly."

Goyer is currently readying Syfy's Warner Bros. Television Superman prequel Krypton, which is in the pilot stage. His TV credits include NBC's Constantine, ABC's FlashForward, Starz's DaVinci's Demons and USA Network's Brooklyn Animal Control pilot, the latter of which is being redeveloped. On the film side, his credits include writing all three of Christopher Nolan's Batman films as well as Batman v. Superman, Man of Steel, Blade and more. In September, Goyer signed a film deal with China's Tencent Pictures - with the latter company launching a joint TV venture with new IM Global owner Tang Media Partners.

Goyer's deal comes as IM Global TV is continuing to expand its offerings. The company's TV slate includes Noah Hawley's Cat's Cradle project, in the works at FX, TNT's Time of Death as well as more than a dozen other projects in development.

Goyer is repped by WME.
David Tennant will return to the West End stage early next year, playing the licentious title role in Patrick Marber's Don Juan in Soho.

The play is a funny, filthy modern update of Moliere's 17th-century tragicomedy Don Juan, tracing the final adventures in the dissolute life of an unrepentant rake, who is ultimately punished for his immorality.

Marber will direct the production, which begins previews March 17 at Wyndham's Theatre. The strictly limited 11-week engagement has set its official opening for March 28.

Tennant's extensive stage experience in the U.K. includes several productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company, among them As You Like It, The Comedy of Errors, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Love's Labour's Lost and the title roles in Hamlet and Richard II. The latter production traveled to New York earlier this year, marking the actor's U.S. stage debut.

Read more: 'Richard II': Theater Review

The popularity of Tennant's eccentric turn in the iconic title role of Doctor Who has made him a massive draw at British theaters. His last West End appearance was in a 2011 staging of Much Ado About Nothing, starring opposite Catherine Tate.

Tennant recently finished filming the third season of Broadchurch and will next be seen on big screens playing Scottish psychiatrist R.D. Liang in Mad to Be Normal.

Don Juan in Soho was first produced at the Donmar Warehouse in 2006, with Rhys Ifans in the title role. Further casting on the new production is to be announced.
This week, the Department of Education published the final version of the borrower defense to repayment regulations. These regulations are intended to both help borrowers who have been defrauded by their schools receive relief on their federal student loan debt and try to ensure that the federal taxpayer isn't on the hook for it.

We published a summary of the draft rules when they came out this past summer. Since the new rules did not change very much, we'll use this post to add some clarity and explain how borrowers can apply for this discharge if they feel they are eligible.

Existing Federal Student Loans

Borrowers with Federal Family Education Loan Program loans have probably the most difficult burden to meet to qualify for the borrower defense to repayment discharge. As stated in our June post, these borrowers must not only show that the school violated state law, but they must also show that the school had an improper relationship with the lender who made the FFELP loan. The good news -- as we discussed this summer -- is that FFELP borrowers may also find some relief in the new rules.

As previously discussed, existing direct loan borrowers will have to meet a higher standard than future borrowers because they also have to show that the school violated state consumer protection laws. While this standard is more rigid than the new standard will be, it is certainly not impossible to meet.

Last week, the Department of Education issued a report showing that, to date, it had approved full or partial discharge for 15,000 claims that had been filed by former Corinthian Colleges students for a total of more than $270 million.

These borrowers were generally approved for the discharge if they attended during a time when the school advertised false job placement rates of its graduates. Some have also been approved due to the school claiming that credits were transferable to other institutions when in fact they were not. Several hundred borrowers had their claims denied becauseas they were not attending the school during the time these violations of state or federal law took place.

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Remember that there is also a statute of limitations for payments already made on the loan, which is the same as whatever the statute of limitations is for the state law the school has been found to violate.

[Here are three times college closings can affect student loan repayments.]

Loans Made on or After July 1, 2017

Future borrowers will have more protections and opportunities for relief in fraudulent school situations than ever before. Instead of being bound by the narrow definition of violation of state law, these borrowers may also qualify for relief of their student loans if the school is in breach of contract, has been found at fault in a contested judgment or engaged in substantial misrepresentation.

Substantial misrepresentation can be in writing, such as in the school's advertising, or made verbally by school staff or vendors. That doesn't mean that every inaccuracy uttered will lead to federal loan discharge, however.

That's where the "substantial" part comes in. What was written or said -- or not said, since omission can also be considered misrepresentation -- must be egregious enough that a reasonable person would have relied on it and did so to his or her disadvantage.

Some examples of situations that might result in a borrower defense discharge include if the school advertised that its faculty were all certified in their field of teaching when, in fact, most were not. Or the school claimed an average starting salary for graduates of $100,000 when in fact the average starting salary was $25,000 at best.

A situation that would likely not qualify for discharge would be if the school advertised an average starting salary of $100,000 and those numbers were proven to be accurate but the discharge applicant did not have a salary that high.

It's important to remember that discharge can mean the full loan amount or only a partial amount. An example used in the final rule describes a student who was quoted one cost for the school but was charged another, increased price. In that situation, the borrower may be eligible for discharge up to the difference between the quoted and charged cost.

[Learn three ways a student loan could be discharged.]

How and When to Apply

Borrowers with direct loans, FFELP or Perkins loans made prior to July 1, 2017, who think they meet the eligibility criteria for borrower defense under this new standard may apply and, if approved, consolidate into the direct loan program to take advantage of this new standard. Note that you will not be able to do this until the new rules take effect on July 1, 2017.

To ensure that you don't lose any current benefits you have, such as progress toward an income-driven repayment or public service forgiveness program, it's important to apply for the discharge before consolidating your loans. You cannot reverse consolidation, and consolidating wipes away any progress you've made in other repayment programs.

The Department of Education has appointed a "special master" to manage a unit dedicated to the review of these claims. The special master will let borrowers know whether they are eligible for this discharge, at which point they can consolidate, if necessary, to gain access to the broader eligibility definition.

Loans made on or after July 1, 2017, don't have to jump through this particular hoop. Borrowers with existing loans that are using the current, stricter eligibility rules can apply any time.

And be sure to read the i nstructions for applying for this discharge under any of the scenarios described.

Betsy Mayotte, director of consumer outreach and compliance for American Student Assistance, regularly advises consumers on planning and paying for college. Mayotte, who received a B.S. in business communications from Bentley College, responds to public inquiries via the advice resource "Just Ask" and is frequently quoted in traditional and social media on the topics of student loans and financial aid.
Airbnb has teamed up with Delta Air Lines in the US in a new partnership that will allow frequent flyer members to earn miles when they book their travel accommodations on Airbnb.

It's the latest partnership of its kind for the short-term vacation rental site. Last month, Qantas became the first carrier to sign on to the scheme.

Frequent Delta fliers and SkyMiles members can now earn one mile per dollar spent on qualifying Airbnb stays.

SkyMiles members who've never stayed at an Airbnb accommodation are also being enticed to sign up with up to 1,000 bonus miles and $25 coupon code.

For Airbnb, the collaboration could be construed as a means to expand their reach and legitimize their brand at a time when it faces legal challenges around the world.

Their latest challenge is in New York City, where Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a new law last month that makes it illegal for residents to list whole, unoccupied apartments on Airbnb for less than 30 days.

Offenders face fines of up to $7,500.

Airbnb has launched countersuit in New York, the latest in a string of legal battles around the world, from San Francisco to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Spain, and Berlin.

To earn miles on their Airbnb accommodations, Delta loyalty members can book at delta.com/airbnb.
A comprehensive approach

Guaranteeing the right to abortion isnt enough. We know that economic, cultural, religious, and systemic barriers prevent many people from accessing abortion care even where its legal and available.

Our solution: We work across institutions and communities to build sustainable abortion ecosystems. In such an ecosystem, people have the information they need to make decisions about reproductive health, theres community and health-system support for human rights and abortion access, and laws and policies support full bodily autonomy.
* Basel reform set to tighten capital rules

* Regime will hit big global lenders

* Deutsche Bank among those most affected - sources (Adds background, detail)

By Francesco Canepa and John O'Donnell

FRANKFURT, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Germany's Deutsche Bank is among roughly a dozen large European lenders that face higher capital requirements when new banking rules come into force in the coming years, several sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The assessment has been made by the Basel committee of supervisors, which is in the process of negotiating stricter bank capital rules - due to be finalised in January and come into force in 2019 - to avoid a repeat financial crisis.

This could pose a further challenge to Deutsche, as it also braces for a fine of up to $14 billion from U.S. authorities over its part in the mortgage debt crash.

Three people familiar with the matter have told Reuters the new regime will be stricter with big banks, demanding new standards for how they assess risks of, say, property loans - effectively raising the capital hurdle.

International supervisors believe the tougher regime will affect Deutsche Bank and others with complex balance sheets more harshly, the sources added, without naming other lenders in the roughly dozen-strong group.

"For a small number of big banks there could be a significant increase," one of those people said, on condition of anonymity.

Deutsche Bank and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision declined to comment.

The rising demands set the stage for a confrontation between U.S. and European regulators. Many in Europe are demanding a compromise, threatening to otherwise scupper the launch of the rules dubbed by banks as Basel IV.

"From a German perspective, what we have on the table so far is not acceptable," the head of Germany's financial watchdog Bafin, Felix Hufeld, said this week.

Bank of England governor Mark Carney said last week that one significant element of the new rules - covering so-called operation risk - is expected to be cut.

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MODELS

Among the worries at the forefront of Basel regulators' minds are the 'models' banks use to calculate how much capital to put aside against the loans and investments they make.

Internal models, which vary significantly between firms, have served Deutsche and other large banks well in the boom years, allowing them to take on significant risks and record big profits, including via property loans.

The regulators are now looking to establish stricter and more homogenous rules for setting these so-called 'risk weights'.

Although this does not necessarily mean banks would immediately need more funds, it would compress their capital cushions.

Ratings agency Moody's has said European banks would be particularly affected by this change.

Deutsche Bank has a Core Tier 1 ratio, a key gauge used by supervisors that measures funds against risky assets, of roughly 11 percent - above current requirements.

But Germany's largest lender is already under pressure due to an imminent multi-billion-dollar fine that analysts believe could open a capital shortfall of 5-10 billion euros.

Still, rule makers will be wary of squeezing banks too hard. Further bargaining is expected to take place before central bank governors and heads of supervision meet again in January.

"It is not our objective to set capital requirements that cannot be met," a European supervisor said.

European banks complain the new rules are a poor fit. Many argue against steeper capital demands for mortgage debt, saying German mortgages, for instance, are less risky than those made in the United States.

They point to U.S. banks being helped by state-sponsored bodies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which package and resell mortgages, allowing lenders to hive off part of the risk.

Such disagreements could ultimately result in a dilution or delay of the new rules.

(Reporting by John O'Donnell and Francesco Canepa; Additional reporting by Ilona Wissenbach, Frank Siebelt and Andreas Kroener; Editing by Rachel Armstrong and Mark Potter)
In the past couple decades, scientists have been slowly moving toward developing birth control for men. A recent clinical trial of an injectable hormone contraceptive for men showed super promising results: It was 96 percent effective at preventing pregnancy, which it did by lowering sperm counts. Unfortunately, the trial was discontinued early by an independent committee, which determined that the side effects were such that the risks to the study participants outweighed the potential benefits.

The side effects in question? Mood changes, depression, pain at the injection site, and increased libido.

Hm. Hmmmmmmmm. Hm. Lets review some of the possible side effects of currently available birth-control options for women, shall we? Heres just a sampling.

Minastrin 24 FE, a low-hormone birth control pill: Headaches, nausea, menstrual cramps, yeast infections, breast tenderness, acne, mood swings, and weight gain.

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NuvaRing, a hormonal vaginal ring: Vaginal-tissue irritation, headaches, mood changes, nausea and vomiting, weight gain, breast pain, painful menstruation, abdominal pain, acne, and decreased libido.

The Mirena Intrauterine Device: pelvic or abdominal pain, ovarian cysts, headaches and migraines, acne, depressed mood, heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.

IUDs can also cause sepsis or perforate the uterus. This is very rare, but still: perforate the uterus.

All of these are FDA-approved contraceptives that are currently on the market and in womens bodies, and their side effects are just as bad as those that occurred with the injectable male birth control. Nobody halted them in their tracks, saying that perhaps the risks outweighed the benefits. (Women may well decide that for themselves, though; one study found that nearly 40 percent of women stop using the pill within a year of starting it.)

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Though men have an equal responsibility to prevent unwanted pregnancies, they dont share equally in the consequences, and never have.

Whats more, were learning more about just how serious the side effects of hormonal birth control may be. A recent study of more than a million women published in JAMA Psychiatry found that women who used hormonal birth control were more likely to be prescribed antidepressants. The studys design has received some criticism, but it nonetheless underscores that for some women, there are tradeoffs between their reproductive freedom and their mental and emotional health.

Not so for men. Though men have an equal responsibility to prevent unwanted pregnancies, they dont share equally in the consequences, and never have. The burden of birth control has always fallen largely on womens shoulders; it is their bodies that will bear the consequences if birth control fails. The only currently available birth-control method for menshort of a vasectomyis a condom. So a man can either wrap it up, or let the lady handle it. And because condoms are significantly less effective than IUDs, implants, contraceptive pills, and rings, it stands to reason that many will choose the surer thing.

Early versions of the hormonal birth-control pill had tons of side effects, enough that, in a trial done in Puerto Rico in the 1950s, the doctor in charge of the trial recommended against its use. However, as Bethy Squires recently reported in a history of birth control side effects for Broadly, a U.S. pharmaceutical company released the same formulation anyway. (Current formulations use far less hormones, but as weve seen, still have side effects.) The Broadly piece also notes that the same group of doctors that studied the female pill originally considered one for men, but testicle shrinkage, among other side effects, led them to abandon it. It was believed women would tolerate side effects better than men, who demanded a better quality of life, Squires writes.

The crazy thing is that in this recent study, most men wanted to continue using the injectable birth controlmore than 80 percent of them said they would choose to use it. So if men in the past demanded a side-effect-free life, it seems these days many are at least open to taking on the responsibility of birth control themselves. Perhaps the hurdle that remains is that male birth control is unlikely to substantially improve a mans quality of life. He can already avoid unwanted pregnancies if his partner is on birth control; with his own hed get the same advantages, except now he might have mood swings. But for women, birth control has been revolutionary. One-third of womens wage gains since the 1960s can be attributed to the availability of oral contraceptives, according to a report by Planned Parenthood. College enrollment has historically been higher among women who have access to the pill, and birth control has been estimated to account for more than 30 percent of the increase in the proportion of women in skilled careers from 1970 to 1990, the report reads. Not to mention that 86 percent of the declining teen-pregnancy rate in the U.S. is thanks to contraception.

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So it makes perfect sense that women would be willing to endure all kinds of side effects in exchange for, essentially, freedom. Being able to control whether and when they become pregnant has opened up so many opportunities for women, opportunities that men already had greater access to by virtue of being men. Mens careers, mens bodies, mens control over their own lives, have never been at stake in the same way.

A woman using Liletta has a higher chance of experiencing the same side effects than a man using the injectable birth control that was deemed too risky.

I wasnt in the room when the independent panel decided to halt the recent male birth control trial. I dont know what their decision-making process was like. Certainly, depression and mood changes arent things to be taken lightly, and of course its in everyones best interest to have new drugs be as safe as possible.

However. In the male birth control trial, 4.7 percent of men experienced mood swings, and 2.8 percent experienced depression. These were two of the side effects cited as reasons for ending the trial. On the other hand, lets take Liletta, an IUD approved by the FDA in 20155.2 percent of its users experienced mood swings, and 5.4 percent experienced depression. A woman using Liletta has a higher chance of experiencing the same side effects than a man using the injectable birth control that was deemed too risky. The standards are different.

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In 2007, the pharmaceutical company Bayer gave up on a male contraceptive that involved an annual implant and a quarterly injection, as my colleague Olga Khazan reported in 2015. The company, she wrote, concluded that men would consider the regimenin the words of a spokespersonnot as convenient as a woman taking a pill once a day.

Well, yes. That is far more convenientfor the men. Women will put up with it, of course, as they have for years, because the stakes are that high. And as research into male birth control accelerates, we are starting to see this hypocrisy more clearlythat the burdens women bear in exchange for their reproductive freedom are considered too much to expect men to deal with.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
You may not recognize their names and your kids definitely dont know. But chances are you have all enjoyed the movies of John Musker and Ron Clements. Most likely over and over again. Musker and Clements are arguably the most accomplished contemporary Disney Animation directors, having helmed the hit toons The Little Mermaid (1989), Aladdin (1992), Hercules (1997), and The Princess and the Frog (2009).

For the past five years, Musker, 62, and Clements, 63, have been toiling on the Mouse Houses next animated tentpole, the action-adventure Moana. Set in ancient Oceania, the story follows the navigationally skilled 16-year-old title character (voiced by newcomer AuliI Cravalho), who teams up with the wise-cracking demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on a seafaring adventure that will determine the fate of her remote village.

Moana is a notable departure for the hand-drawn animation vets, marking their first foray into the computer-generated technology that now dominates the medium. Yahoo Movies talked to Musker and Clements about their adventures in both Polynesia and CGI, pitching the film to Disney-Pixars head honcho John Lasseter, and how Little Mermaid almost got deep-sixed in favor of Splash 2.

What inspired you guys to make Moana? Were you guys with this project since the very beginning?

John Musker: Yeah, we pitched it. We were trying to get a new film going after The Princess and the Frog. It doesnt always work this way, but [typically] directors here pitch three ideas to John Lasseter and out of that something emerges. So we went through a series of these, and one of them was the idea of doing a Polynesian-themed movie. I had been intrigued [by the culture]. I had read books set in that area by Herman Melville, like Typee, and Joseph Conrad novels, and I had seen paintings by Paul Gauguin. I just thought it was such a beautiful, rich, inviting and exotic place. These are Western points of view, so that lead me to actually read Polynesian mythology, and I discovered what a rich vein of storytelling it was And then particularly there was this character of Maui, and he seemed so animation-friendly to me. He was a shape-shifter. He was bigger than life. He was this folk hero. He could literally pull up islands with this hook So we pitched John a very simple story. He said, I love the arena, and I love the idea of doing this, but you got to dig deeper and do the research now. That lead to this research trip [to the islands of the Pacific Ocean as part of a team dubbed the Oceanic Story Trust], and that was a really transformative trip. Thats when the idea became a story more based around navigation.

Ron Clements: We really refashioned the whole story based on that trip. Pretty much the only element that really stayed was the character of Maui.

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Considering the diversity of Disneys recent animated output in the past few decades, including your own films like Aladdin and Princess and the Frog, did the fact that Moana explored this new culture in a new corner of the globe help as a selling point?

Musker: That was appealing to me, and I think John likes the worlds of whatever movie, even if its not in another country. Whether its with toys [Toy Story] or in the video-game world [Wreck-It Ralph], I think theres something appealing to him about characters in a world that youre being introduced to, where theres something about the world youre going to learn about that you didnt know.

Clements: And then we can make that world tangible.

Related: Shes No Princess: How Moana Continues the Evolution of Disneys Animated Heroines

What becomes of those other pitches that John Lasseter didnt greenlight? Do you remember what they were? And do you think youd ever return to them?

Clements: We remember what they are. It was the same when we did The Princess and the Frog, which was the first film that we did with John Lasseter. Weve known John for years and years.

Musker: I went to school with John at Cal Arts. But with the other pitches, I think legally if you pitch it to the studio, they kind of own it. But some people have gotten them back. Certainly its possible for us, if we wind up doing another movie here, we can return to one of those other pitches, if were still enthused and we can get John enthused about it. Even with Little Mermaid there were a few ideas that were pitched at that meeting

Clements: I pitched Little Mermaid at what was the first Disney Gong Show with [former Disney execs] Michael Eisenberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg. They had a bunch of us trying to come up with ideas for animated films, and we actually got gonged. But then it got ungonged.

Wait, The Little Mermaid got gonged?

Musker: Yeah, initially they said, Were doing a sequel to Splash. We dont want to do another mermaid movie. We were like, Really? You dont want to do this? This is going to be kind of special. And then they gave it a reprieve when they read the two-page treatment Ron wrote. They read that and said, Oh, there might be something here. Disney does fairy tales and this is a fairy tale we havent done. So they put it into development after initially saying, Nah, forget it.

Related: Directors Reel: Ron Howard on Splash, Cocoon, Apollo 13, and More

How did your other Disney successes inform your approach to Moana?

Musker: Well, I think weve always liked music in storytelling, certainly I started listening to music from the area, which again I only knew superficially, hearing Tevaka, this great band. Hearing field recordings of this British guy David Fanshawe, who recorded these great local choirs that sang a cappella and did this really powerful, moving music. And we wanted to get this music into the movie. That was part of our pitch. Theres music all over the islands.

Clements: Weve done a lot of musicals, and a lot of fantasy.

Musker: And what we always look for, which was applicable in Mermaid and Aladdin and Hercules and just about all of them, is a story that feels legitimized in animation. Of course now its tricky because live-action has become so much like animation. You see Avatar, or you see Jungle Book, the Jon Favreau version  I dont care what they say, those are pretty much animated films. But were looking for a story that uses the medium of animation and takes of advantage of it, whether or not its hand-drawn, like Mauis tattoos, or its CGI, like the idea of bringing an ocean to life, and it having a personality, which would be tough to do in live-action.

How has this one been different, especially in regards to working in CG?

Clements: Its been its own adventure, its own journey. Weve had some periods of quite a bit of struggle, and hitting some rough waters, and getting lost at places. Its been a unique experience, aside from the fact that its a different medium. Weve had to learn and go back to school and weve had classes to teach us whats different.

Musker: The pipeline and the production process is different in CG, but the front-end is still essentially the same. Where youre developing a story, youre storyboarding it. They have new tools to storyboard now. There are Cintiqs, which are pressure-sensitive tablets that you could storyboard more easily on, things like that. But the front part is really the same as it was then. Its been great that weve been able to bring some of the great hand-drawn animators like Eric Goldberg or Mark Henn to do stuff on this essentially CG film. And theres a great young staff of [digital] animators that weve gotten to know.

Clements: Its come full-circle, theres an incredible staff here at Disney thats built up over years, and some of them grew up with Aladdin and Little Mermaid and those films.

Musker: Some of these young animators, its kind of funny, I see their posts on Twitter and theyre like, My inner-8-year-old is squealing. Because they basically saw Aladdin when they were 8 and now theyre animating with us on a movie. Its like, These old guys! Were with these old guys!

Moana opens everywhere Nov. 23.
JOHANNESBURG  The success stories, the challenges and the opportunities for women working in media were the focus of a lively panel discussion which opened the Discop Africa TV content market in Johannesburg on Nov. 2.

Moderating the session, former CNN anchor and CEO of Akoma Media, Zain Verjee, introduced her colleagues as women who have broken glass ceilings.

With a few cuts and bruisesbut theyve all done it, she said.

The panel included Khanyi Magubane, managing director of Zinokwanda Media & Communications; Sara Blecher, co-founder of Cinga Productions and founding member of the South African Women in Film and Television (SWIFT); Paula Madison, co-owner and consultant for The Africa Channel (pictured, left); and Bongiwe Selane, vice-chairperson of South Africas Independent Producers Organization, and creative producer of Blingola Media (pictured, right).

Over the course of the 90-minute talk, the panelists shared stories of the struggles theyve faced throughout their careers in an industry largely dominated by male decision-makers, offering candid anecdotes about workplace harassment while also sharing career advice with an audience largely made up of young women.

[Getting started] had everything to do with recognizing that what I could not do was go into the room feeling afraid, said Madison. What I could not do was go into the roomthinking that I needed to hold my tongue.

During her time working at NBC, Madison rose to become the highest-ranking African-American in broadcast news. In Johannesburg, she told the audience she was encouraged by the prospects for many of those embarking on media careers across the continent.

There are probably more women in decision-making positions in Africa than in the U.S., she said, while drawing a comparison to the start of her own career, when there werent many opportunities for the women who had preceded me to pull me along.

Progressive legislation has begun to open doors in South Africa, where women today hold more than 40% of the senior posts in government. Selane pointed to progress in women taking decision-making places in the film and television space, including at the helm of the countrys National Film & Video Foundation.

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Blecher also described the efforts of SWIFT to work as a lobbying group, pushing lawmakers to adopt measures that will aid women struggling to gain equal footing in the industry.

The hope shared by the panelists was that the effect would be felt by producers, enabling them to create more content that reflects womens voices. Were 52 percent of the population, said Blecher. Surely we want to hear our own stories. And we want to tell our own stories.

As head of The Africa Channel, Madison stressed how women in ownership can drive the narratives that take shape on TV screens.

Much of the content that I see in primetimeis the perpetuation of women as competitors, she said. When an owner has an expectation or a fantasy about how women interact with each other, those are the scripts that get selected, those are the productions that get funded, those are the people who get hired, those are the programs that get [broadcast].

Thats the narrative thats being forced upon us by a particular group of people who have a mindset that this is what women do, she added.

Still, as a TV exec, Madison was just as quick to point to the practical need to reach out to women viewers. I dont take that in any way as pandering to a female audience, she said, noting how women in African households frequently control the family finances. Thats just good business.

Selane echoed the concerns of many in the audience when she talked about the added pressures facing women in the workplace. Theres a lot more that we have to deal with, being mothers, being sisters, being wives, she said. And we cant move away from those things. Theyre part of who we are.

Those common challenges underscore the need within the industry to have more women supporting and helping other women, according to Blecher.

The mountain that we have to climb in this industry is big, she said. And were not going to do it alone.

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Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f269710%2fnorthaboutnwpassage

On August 14, the 48-foot sailing vessel Northabout was in a sheltered location north of Siberia, battling hurricane-force winds. Held in place by 100 feet of chain tied to an anchor, the crew hunkered down as the storm built through the late summer Arctic night.

At times, the anchor dragged across the bottom of the shallow sea, making a terrible grinding noise.

The seven-person-crew of the ship thought they might have to beach the vessel and brave the elements. Vdeo footage and photos show them huddled below deck in survival suits.

SEE ALSO: NASA timelapse shows

just how quickly our Arctic sea ice is disappearing

"Ive not been that scared for many a year," said expedition leader David Hempleman-Adams, in an interview.

"... We were in shallow waters, and the anchor was dragging," wrote 14-year-old crew member Ben Edwards in an as-yet unpublished ship's diary entry provided to Mashable.

"Before we went into the saloon we had to get into our abandonment suits. Basically massive really thick wetsuits. They protect you somewhat if you end up in the sea. We looked like Telly Tubbies," Edwards wrote.

"I don't mind telling you that I thought we were all going to die," he added.

Some of the crew in their abandonment suits.

Image: Polar ocean challenge

In trying to sail through both the Northeast and Northwest Passages in the same year  a feat that would have been impossible as recently as 2007  Hempleman-Adams, Edwards and the rest of the Northabout's crew ran smack into the capricious face of the new Arctic reality.

Sea ice is rapidly thinning and melting as the world warms, hitting the second-lowest level on record this year. At the same time, weather patterns in the Far North seem to be growing weirder and more menacing.

For example, the storm that hit the ship this summer was more typical of the intense tempests that sweep across the region during the winter.

The storm was one of several major low pressure areas that transported unusually mild air into the Arctic this summer, helping to shift and melt sea ice and vault temperatures above freezing in many areas.

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The Northabout crew, for example, recorded a high temperature during that storm of 17 degrees Celsius, or 63 degrees Fahrenheit.

A small piece of sea ice spotted in the Northwest Passage.

Image: Polar ocean challenge

Hempleman-Adams, a veteran Arctic explorer, says he never experienced such warmth in the Far North before, and he was shocked at the lack of sea ice he saw during the journey.

Since the boat did not have protection against thick sea ice, potentially becoming stuck whenever it encountered ice floes of about 10 feet in thickness, its successful Arctic circumnavigation was only possible due to the rapidly warming world.

The Arctic is warming at double the rate of lower latitudes, which is having widespread consequences, from sea ice loss and melting of the Greenland ice sheet to earlier spring snow melt.

Voyage aimed at raising global warming awareness

Hempleman-Adams put the expedition together as a way to raise awareness about global warming. But even he didn't anticipate how little ice he and his crew members would encounter during much of their voyage.

During the Northabout's two-week transit of the famed Northwest Passage, for example, he said there was a near complete absence of sea ice.

The passage was blocked with ice throughout all of human history until sea ice loss from global warming opened it briefly during the summer of 2007. It has been seasonally open during several summers since, including 2016. This year, in addition to the Northabout, a cruise ship carrying more than 1,000 people also sailed through the passage.

"We went through the Northwest Passage in 14 days and didnt see one drop of ice, not even enough ice for a gin and tonic," Hempleman-Adams said.

He compared a previous group's voyage using the same boat just 11 years ago. That team, led by Irishman Jarlath Cunnane, took three years to complete both the Northeast and Northwest Passage, largely because they kept getting held up by thick ice floes.

"Whereas when you see the photographs of their trip and how they were in the same boat and the conditions they had with the ice, and what we had, they are massive contrasts..." Hempleman-Adams said. "They had ice where we had just open water."

Other than an iceberg or two in Lancaster Sound, Hempleman-Adams said the crew didn't encounter any sea ice in the traditional choke points of the Northwest Passage, which is actually a series of twists and turns between islands and straits through the Canadian Arctic.

Northern Lights



The voyage, which covered a total of about 15,500 miles in 20 weeks, was aimed at raising awareness of climate change. Hempleman-Adams saw Edwards, the youngest crew member, as a sort of youth ambassador on global warming.

"I felt my generation has helped fuck up the world, but I wanted to make the younger generation more aware of their environment," he told Mashable.

Hempleman-Adams, who is the retired chairman of Global Resins, a UK-based epoxy and polyurethane resin systems company, plans to sail the Northabout to Greenland this summer with a crew of young people from inner cities.
The Democratic National Committee, already engulfed by the WikiLeaks Donna Brazile scandal, is again on the defense Wednesday as some Democratic Senate candidates in tight races scramble to return thousands of dollars in campaign donations following allegations of a massive straw-donor scandal, which Republicans say may be wider than initial reports.

Despite the fanfare, one high profile Democrat, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), says she won't return the donations until it is proven that they were given illegally.

The Campaign Legal Center, which represents the public interest, confirmed to FOXBusiness.com, it has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission over straw-donor practices at a boutique Boston firm, Thornton Law.

Viveca Novak, who reported the story for the Center for Responsive Politics, told FOXBusiness.com this may not be an isolated case and is likely not the only one of employees being reimbursed for contributions to candidates of both parties.

Weve received emails since the story was published that employees at other companies were pressured to make donations and were told they'd be reimbursed, she said. We always thought it was a much bigger problem, but it is hard to flush out.

The straw-donor scheme was first reported by the Center for Responsive Politics and the Boston Globes Spotlight Team, the investigative arm of the paper that won a Best Picture Oscar for Spotlight, which chronicled its reporting of the Archdiocese of Boston and the cover-up involving numerous sexual abuse cases by Catholic Priests.

A straw donor is a person who illegally uses someone elses money to make contributions under his own name. In this case, according to Novak, the partners at Massachusetts-based Thornton Law Firm were using the companys money to make donations under their own individual names. Campaign finance rules prohibit entities like Thornton from giving more than $2,700 to any singular candidate, but the use of straw donors allows the firms to illegally circumvent this rule.

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The small law firm, which boasts just ten partners, was inexplicably among the countrys largest dollar for dollar political donors, raising red flags for the Boston Globes investigative team. Brian Kelly of NixonPeabody, which represents the Thornton Law Firm, said in a statement to FOXBusiness.com, We would like to make it clear that the Thornton Law Firm has complied with all applicable laws and regulations regarding campaign contributions. Ten years ago, it hired an outside law firm to review how it wanted to handle donations to politicians. It was given a legal opinion on how it should structure its program and then it hired an outside accountant to review and implement the program. It was a voluntary program which only involved equity partners and their own personal after tax money to make donations.

After some digging, the Globe reporters, along with the Center for Responsive Politics, realized that something was in fact off. Between 2010 and 2014, three of the firms partners gave $1.6M to mostly Democratic candidates. During that same period of time, those same three partners received $1.4M in bonuses from the law firm, in what appears to be reimbursement for their hefty donations.

The Massachusetts GOP has been one of the first to issue a call for an investigation by the FEC into the reports of illegal, hidden donations.

We did call for an investigation. I think it has raised a lot of questions for voters, and the fact that these Democrats felt it important to return the money certainly indicates that theres the appearance of a problem. It certainly looks that way to voters, Terry MacCormack, Communications Director for the Massachusetts GOP, told FOXBusiness.com.

Republicans argue it could call into question the efficacy of some very narrow Senate races across the country. Democrats have raised more than $276 million for Senate races throughout this election cycle, compared with $256 million raised for Republican Senators.

Senator Elizabeth Warren has reportedly received an estimated $130,000 from the Thornton Law Firm over the past decade. Critics are surprised by her decision to keep the donations.

"Democrat politicians like Sen. Elizabeth Warren have spent their careers decrying hidden money in politics, yet Warren refuses to return the contributions she received in connection with this Democrat fundraising scheme that appeared to funnel hidden money to candidates, Kirsten Hughes, Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party, said in a statement.

Senator Warrens office did not immediately return FOX Business request for comment.

Judith Ingram of the Federal Election Commission tells FOXBusiness.com there is a lengthy process to review these complaints for merit and next steps.

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New York (AFP) - The emotional journey of the band Eagles of Death Metal since last year's bloodbath in Paris will be the subject of a new HBO documentary, the network announced Wednesday.

The film "Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis (Our Friends)" will start with the November 13 attack on the group's show, which left 90 people dead as part of a coordinated assault on Paris claimed by the Islamic State group.

The documentary, which will debut on the US cable network in February 2017, will follow the California rockers over the three months until they return to the stage in Paris.

The film "spotlights the group's deep bonds with each other and with their fans, which inspired them to return to Paris to perform once again," HBO said in a statement.

Eagles of Death Metal initially enjoyed wide sympathy in the wake of the attacks but statements critical of Muslims by frontman Jesse Hughes have tarnished the image of the band, whose appearances were cancelled by prominent French festivals.

Hughes has alleged that the attack was an inside job by employees of Arab origin at the Bataclan club, charges strongly rejected by the venue.

The frontman, a rare right-wing rocker and supporter of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, has also said without evidence that Muslims were celebrating outside during the siege.

It was not clear to what extent the documentary would explore the controversies.

The film, the first work of new Live Nation Productions of concert promotion giant Live Nation, was directed by actor Colin Hanks, a longtime friend of band members and son of superstar actor Tom Hanks.
London (AFP) - A sense of kinship has emerged between British eurosceptics and Donald Trump supporters who are united in their efforts to unseat -- and shock -- the establishment, despite being separated by an ocean.

The self-declared "biggest fan of Trump in the UK" is a 46-year-old IT professional, who goes by the initials CT. He also voted for Britain to leave the European Union in the country's June 23 referendum -- "for independence", he tells AFP.

Preferring to remain anonymous, CT is convinced the Republican will win. To show his support he runs the @UKforTrump Twitter account, although it has only attracted several hundred followers.

Finding someone who will openly identify as a Trump supporter in the UK is no easy task.

When Channel 4 organised a TV debate on the presidential election, "they literary flew someone over" from the US to give the pro-Trump perspective, according to Brian Klaas, one of the guests and a specialist in US politics at the London School of Economics.

Britain is also where some of the strongest opposition has been voiced to the American billionaire's policy proposal to ban Muslims from the US.

Foreign minister Boris Johnson, one of those who championed Brexit, said he would stay away from certain New York neighbourhoods to avoid the risk of bumping into Trump.

- 'Farage's magic'-

Admirers of Hillary Clinton's rival are most likely found within the ranks of the anti-immigrant UK Independence Party (UKIP), a key driving force behind Brexit.

Invigorated by the vote, UKIP's co-founder and interim leader Nigel Farage has been spending ample time in the US recently, warming up the crowds at Trump rallies.

"The parallels are there," Farage told Trump supporters as he recalled his UK referendum success.

He believes American voters are also facing a historic opportunity to "beat the pollsters, the commentators and Washington".

It is of little importance that few in the US have heard of Farage.

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"Trump was drawn to the fact that Farage beat the odds and beat the establishment. He wanted to sort of bring that magic, as it were, to his campaign," he said.

- From Rochdale to the Rust Belt -

Although Trump and Farage are addressing different electorates, Klaas said they appeal to the same voters: "white men without college degrees."

Those left behind by globalisation, whether they live in post-industrial areas of northern England and Wales or in the American "Rust Belt", are drawn to the politics and polemic rhetoric of Farage and Trump.

"They are both tapping into this global moment of fear, not just economic fear but also fear of terrorism and extremism," said Klaas.

Jon Stanley, a commentator for the right-leaning think tank The Bow Group, agreed there are parallels between the two supporter groups.

"There are effectively three things: anti-globalisation, anti-uncontrolled immigration, and anti-establishment," he told AFP.

- 'Trump will win' -

Within UKIP, many are convinced Trump can repeat the shock outcome of the British referendum, when experts and pollsters were proven wrong, and beat Clinton to the presidency.

"I do believe that Donald Trump will win," said David Coburn, an MEP representing UKIP.

Speaking to Business Insider UK, Coburn said his party has in many ways "helped start a revolution in the United States".

The British party's chief financier, millionaire Aaron Banks, likened Trump supporters to anti-EU voters in the UK and said they were "much more motivated" than their rivals.

But not all UKIP members have been charmed by Trump, with two of the party's MEPs openly criticising Farage for backing the bombastic billionaire.

"Trump's sexist and derogatory comments have unequivocally proven he is totally unfit to be president of the United States, and Nigel Farage should think very carefully about defending him," said MEP Jane Collins.

UKIP member Pete Durnell, an unsuccessful candidate in last year's election, also distanced himself from Farage's US strategy.

"Trump has made some really stupid and very offensive comments about Mexicans, Syrians, certain women, war veterans," he told AFP.

While Trump critics remain vocal, his backers often prefer to remain discreet after being vilified in the press and by the elite. That is until they head to the polls, en masse, aiming to prompt another political earthquake.
Alex Carlile, a Liberal Democrat member of the UKs House of Lords, writes about the tragic case of Nazanin Ratcliffe, a British charity worker accused of trying to overthrow the Iranian Regime.

She was arrested in April when she visited her parents in Iran so they could see her baby daughter, and was held without charge for five months. She was sentenced to five years imprisonment back in September on bogus national security charges, which are often used by Iran when they have no evidence.

The Lord of Berriew, who was co-chairman of the British Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom, stated that this was only the latest in a long line of human rights abuses by the Regime.

He cited recent revelations about the 1988 massacre, in which the Regime murdered over 30,000 political prisoners, including children and pregnant women. In August, a tape of a Death Commission meeting was revealed and it featured Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri criticizing the Committee for carrying out the fatwa of then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Geoffrey Robertson, the former U.N. tribunal chief judge on Sierra Leone, described the 1988 massacre which primarily targeted members of the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI, or MEK), as one of the worst crimes against humanity since World War II, in his report for the UN.

Carlile, a former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation in the UK, wrote: The Iranian regime has repeatedly tried to hide its crimes and discredit the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), for publicizing the massacre.

He notes that the NCRI has hit back.

Their president-elect, Maryam Rajavi, said: The recording is irrefutable evidence that leaders of the mullahs regime are responsible for crimes against humanity and the unprecedented genocide.

While the NCRI published a list of nearly 60 regime members heavily involved in the massacre who still hold positions of power in Iran today.

Carlile wrote: Rather than being punished, they have been protected and promoted.

He continued: Lest you think that 1988 was the last time that the Iranian regime ruthlessly murdered its opponents, there have been near 1,000 executions in the last 12 months, according to the U.N. secretary-general and the special rapporteur on Iran.

Indeed, Iran is the leading state sponsor of terror, has the highest execution rate per capita in the world, and still implements horrific corporal punishments like public flogging, limb amputation and blinding with acid.

He calls on the UN to investigate the 1988 massacre and that the International Criminal Court needs to prosecute them.

The Iranian Regime cannot be allowed to get away with this.
Donald Trump has long told his supporters that if Hillary Clinton becomes president shell be corrupt, but in recent days he and his surrogates have begun invoking a more specific fear: impeachment.

If Hillary Clinton were to be elected, it would create an unprecedented and protracted constitutional crisis, Trump said Wednesday in Miami, wearing a white Make America Great Again hat and open shirt collar in the balmy weather. Havent we just been through a lot with the Clintons? Remember when [Bill Clinton] was impeached for lying? Didnt we just go through this?

Trump surrogate Rudy Giuliani made a similar comment at an event in Iowa Wednesday. I think that if [Hillary] Clinton should get elected, I guarantee you, in one year shell be impeached, the former New York mayor said. One year. And indicted. Its just going to happen.

Giuliani turned the looming impeachment fear into a memory, reminding his audience of Bill Clintons impeachment in 1998. Giuliani argued that after Bills acquittal, the House was afraid to impeach President Obama.

There were a number of areas in which they could have done it, where he acted unconstitutionally but literally we havent caught him like we have Clinton committing a crime, he continued.

Even Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson has mentioned the possibility of a Hillary Clinton impeachment: I think unquestionably if [Clinton] takes office she is going to be under criminal investigation, unquestionably this is going to be the nations agenda for the entire time she is office and it may well end up in impeachment, he said on The Craig Silverman Show, CNN reports.

Raising the idea of impeachment largely rests on the ongoing investigation into Clintons use of a private email server while she was Secretary of State. Clinton maintains, as she always has, that she did nothing illegal with her emails. Clinton said at the end of October that shes confident that James Comeys recent announcement about newly discovered emails will not change the conclusion reached in July, in which the FBI director did not recommend criminal charges.

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I think people a long time ago made up their minds about the emails, Clinton said. Thats factored into what people think. And now theyre choosing a president.

Both Trump and Giuliani spoke out against the impeachment of Bill Clinton in the past. In his 2000 book The America We Deserve, Trump wrote that he got a chuckle out of all the moralists in Congress and in the media who were upset by Bill Clintons affair with Monica Lewinsky, arguing that the president should have refused to discuss his private life rather than perjure himself.

In 2007, during his own run for president, Giuliani said, I didnt think ultimately Bill Clinton should have been impeached.
A Donald Trump supporter has filed a whopper of a lawsuit against NBC, claiming that he was roughed up and sustained substantial injuries at the hands of a goon squad during a taping of NBC morning show Today.

In the lawsuit, filed in New York Supreme Court on Wednesday, Mark Gallagher claims he was attacked simply for being a known Donald Trump supporter, outraged by the conduct of Bill Clinton, a rapist.

Gallagher says he showed at the taping due to a financial offer made by Infowars boss Alex Jones  described as a Great American in the suit  of $1,000 for anyone who wears a shirt reading Bill Clinton Is a Rapist on national television, so that its visible for five seconds or more.

Also Read: 'Vote Trump' Painted on Black Church Set on Fire in Mississippi

The suit claims that he hadnt even exposed the T-shirt when he was descended on by the goon squad, and was in fact merely talking with two nice ladies from Louisiana about their dogs at the time of the Oct. 13 encounter.

According to Gallagher, he was grabbed by the arm and neck, and struck in the back of the head with a security radio.

The lawsuit is peppered with colorful language, at one point identifying one supposed member of the goon squad as serving as the personal security detail for liberal douche Alec Baldwin from time to time.

Also Read: Election Predictions: 5 Bad Omens for Hillary Clinton

A spokeswoman for NBC has not yet responded to TheWraps request for comment.

Alleging assault and battery, conspiracy, aiding and abetting and other counts, Gallagher is seeking a a massive payout  not less than $3 million on each of the nine counts, and not less than$50 million per cause in punitive damages.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

Related stories from TheWrap:

'Vote Trump' Painted on Black Church Set on Fire in Mississippi

Why Donald Trump's Brand Needs to Pivot Next Wednesday

34 Hollywood Stars for Donald Trump (Photos)


Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wants to see local animations reach international viewers.

2 Nov  Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi encouraged the government to give support to the local animation film industry as it has a high potential to break through the regional and international market.



On that note, Ahmad Zahid has requested for the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) to continue assisting in the production of animation films by channelling more funds.



"We understand that not much funds are provided for it now, but we hope that in the future it can be increased as animation films seem to have a bright future."



"Last year, the export value of local animation was RM101 million, while the sales value was RM127 million," said the DPM during the gala premiere of the new local animation film, "Upin Ipin Jeng Jeng Jeng" at eCurve last night.



Managing Director of Les' Copaque, Tn Haji Burhanuddin presents a gift to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid

Hamidi after the launch of "Upin Ipin Jeng Jeng Jeng".

Taking "Upin Ipin" as an example, Ahmad Zahid said that the animation series by Les' Copaque is very well received even on an international level as it has managed to air on the Disney channel.



He also added that the collaboration between Les' Copaque Production and KRU Studios is a great effort to revitalise the local animation industry.



At the same time, he also wishes that local animation films in the future will be able to penetrate the global market by the year 2050, in line with National Transformation 2050 (N50) as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak recently.



He believes that the objective is possible through the support of the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, as well as government departments and agencies related to the film industry.



The prestigious gala premiere was also attended by Ahmad Zahid's family, Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh and Deputy Minister of Tourism and Culture, Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.



Directed by Erma Fatima and Hajah Ainon Ariff, the live-action-animated film, features Puteri Balqis, Awie, Sara Ali, Gambit, Remy Ishak and more.



The film is set to hit cinemas nationwide on 24 November 2016.
Kinshasa (AFP) - Six pro-democracy activists arrested in connection with a protest against Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila were released on Wednesday, but have to report back to police next week, their organisation said.

"We were all freed this evening. We have to report back on November 9... the investigations will continue," Carbonne Beni wa Beya, one of five members of the Filimbi movement detained Saturday along with their driver, told AFP.

The six were arrested after a demonstration against any moves to extend Kabila's presidential mandate, which ends on December 20. In all about a dozen were initially detained, but the others were not kept in custody.

Their release came a few hours after that of another activist, Arciel Beni, arrested on Monday and accused of espionnage while he was filming the arrest of the six others.

The arrests were the latest sign of rising tensions in the vast central African nation, where the opposition does not want Kabila's grip on power to continue beyond the expiry of his term.

On Saturday some 30 activists affiliated to Filimbi, whose name means "whistle" in Swahili, called on Kabila to step down in a protest at the African Union headquarters in Kinshasa.

Kabila first took office in 2001, and in 2006 a new constitutional provision limited the presidency to two terms.

Last month, DR Congo's main opposition party firmly rejected a deal to keep Kabila in power by postponing this year's presidential vote until April 2018.

The idea was agreed by the authorities and fringe opposition groups taking part in a "national dialogue" held to reduce tensions over Kabila's fate.
Dr Fred Rouse, CFP (The REAL Money Doctor) and Brian Tracy Release New Course: Business Rx, 6 Essentials for a Healthy Business to Make Money

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / International bestselling authors Dr Fred Rouse, CFP (The REAL Money Doctor) and legendary Brian Tracy was interviewed and recently released their first joint course: Business Rx, 6 Essentials for a Healthy Business to Make Money.

The course is an essential guide for aspiring as well as seasoned entrepreneurs take control of their business, cut their taxes and make more money while still having time to enjoy a personal life.

"This course is long overdue" stated Dr Rouse. He went on to say, "I've seen thousands of people making costly errors starting and attempting to run businesses in my 20+ years of working with select individuals and small businesses with 0-6 employees. Business is simple if you have a proven system, but no one had ever shown these people until they came in to see me. I had to develop a simple blueprint that would take them from an initial idea to a profitable business. I was fortunate enough to be able to team up with Brian Tracy who gave the big picture aspects of starting and running a business while I extensively covered the day to day nuts and bolts of what it takes to start, run and make money with a new business today."

During the interview, which is supplied with the transcripts and an Action Guide, Dr Rouse and Brian Tracy discuss what a successful business looks like, the why and how of business, the mechanics of properly setting it up and correcting the problems of an existing business structure. The third and fourth modules discuss the essential elements you need to have on your website. Without them you're just throwing your money away. They continue with the uses of social media for marketing and personal branding and how you can become the "go to" person in your field. The final two modules discuss building an everlasting business, business plans that actually work for you, time management so you still have a personal life, managing cash flow and taxes for maximum profit and the exceptionally practical easy way to keep the records to document your progress as well as income and expenses.

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Business Rx, 6 Essentials for a Healthy Business to Make Money may very well become the new gold standard for entrepreneurs that want to make money

If you're the CEO of General Motors or some other fortune 500 company, you can do without this course. However if you thinking about starting your own business or have started one in the last 3-5 years, this course is a "must have". Using the blueprint this course provides is like putting money into your bank account.

This unique money making course is only available directly from Dr Fred Rouse on the company website: DrFredRouse.com

About Dr Rouse.

Dr. Fred Rouse, CFP (aka: The REAL Money Doctor & Quiet Trader) started as the son of a blue collar carpet installer in South Philadelphia. His entrepreneurial spirit soon emerged as he started painting handrails at age 10. Five years in the US Coast Guard at the tail end of the Vietnam War and the ten years as a Registered Respiratory Therapist led him to his in-depth study of money and people. Becoming a Certified Financial Planner was not enough for him. He went on to graduate studies and now holds a PhD in Taxation, Doctorate in Business Administration and even did a year in law school just for some additional background.

He teamed with Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul fame) to write the international best seller The Soul of Success. He is now the top Certified Financial Planner, Money Expert and International Best-Selling Author that has received several national awards for his writing and money expertise.

He works with select individuals and a variety of small business that earn from 50K to 7 figures a year, to improve their lives, cut taxes, make money, protect their assets and help them gain the Iconic Lifestyle they want and deserve.

Dr. Rouse helps serious people that are 50 and older with a simple blueprint to find 63% More Money for their Ultimate Secure Retirement in less than 20 mins a day even if they have zero business or investment experience.

He's developed The REAL Money Doctor's Business Rx course with the legendary Brian Tracy that helps aspiring as well as seasoned entrepreneurs take control of their business, cut their taxes and make more money while still having time to enjoy a personal life.

His passion for helping is shared through his books, courses, special reports and webinars through his website. If you would like to learn more about Dr Rouse and how he can help you and or your business, please contact him directly from: DrFredRouse.com.

Dr. Rouse and his work have been featured on FOX News, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, CNBC, A&E, BRAVO, USA Today, Forbes, Wall Street Business, Hollywood Live, The Money Show, Investing Daily and more.

Financial Management Press, UBO

123 First Ave

New York, NY 10001

c.parker@financialmanagementpress.com

http://financialmanagementpress.com/

SOURCE: Dr. Fred Rouse
From Cosmopolitan

If Dunkaroos were your favorite middle school snack and you were left heartbroken in 2012 after they were discontinued in the United States, I have some exciting news! The cookie and icing treats are being smuggled from Canada to the United States through a website called "Smugglaroos." No, really.

TheGlobe and Mail reports that General Mills launched the entire marketing campaign to target nostalgic adults after they realized people were cross-border shopping for Dunkaroos at inflated prices online. "There is still an affinity for this product," General Mills marketing director Jason Doolan said.

Even though it's unclear whether or not anyone will actually do this, it's good to know you can still get Dunkaroos if you really, really want them.

Since it might seem strange to meet up with a stranger traveling from Canada to the United Sates in order to exchange Dunkaroos, the website also provides safety tips and best practices.

I love Dunkaroos as much as the next girl but I dont know if I would go that far for them. Literally.

For more food news and magical recipes, follow Cosmo Bites on Facebook!

Follow Danielle on Instagram and Twitter.

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The current Justice Minister, mullah Pour-Mohammadi, had previously said that the application of the death penalty should be reviewed. He repeats that sentiment now, despite sending a total of 77 people to be hanged in September alone.

Pour-Mohammadi cannot be expected to reduce the amount of executions, given that he was a member of the death committee who authorised the murder of 30,000 political prisoners in 1988. When irrefutable evidence of his involvement surfaced earlier in 2016, he claimed he was proud of his role in the massacre.

The Iranian Regime is the world leader in executions per capita, according to the most recent Amnesty International report on the death penalty. The international community must hold the Iranian mullahs to account over their abuse of human rights within the country; they cannot be appeased.

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon states that since 2009, a pattern has been established, whereby executions drop in the weeks leading up to the elections and rise sharply just afterwards.

Javad Larijani, who oversees human rights in the regime, claimed in 2014, that they were campaigning to decrease the execution rate by up to 80%. This has not happened and he went on record this year saying that he was against the full removal of capital punishment because certain dangerous crimes deserve it. The crimes he listed as potentially worthy of execution included certain drug-related offences and criticism of the government.

The Regimes parliament has also made statements about reducing the number of executions and in 2015, 70 members of the Regimes parliament signed a plan to remove capital punishment from drug charges but it was not ratified.

This year, the same plan was backed by 100 MPs but it again has not been ratified.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran said: These deceptive manoeuvres are indicative of weakness and [the] fragile situation of a regime that is deeply scared of frustrated people uprising, and has no way forward and no way back in the deadlock of increasing domestic and international crises.
Chicago (AFP) - More than 27 million people have already voted in the US presidential election, and early trends are offering some hints of the outcome less than a week before Election Day.

Six days before the election, voters had cast 6.7 million more early ballots compared to the same period in 2012, the data analytics firm Catalist said.

The numbers hold both good news and bad for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton as she battles her Republican challenger Donald Trump in a tightening final dash for the White House.

Early voting tallies indicate Democrats are turning out in greater numbers than Republicans in some states, an advantage for Clinton, experts say.

But turnout is lagging among young people and African Americans, key constituencies that lifted a triumphant Barack Obama into the White House in 2008.

In Chicago -- the popular president's adopted hometown and the country's third-largest city -- however, there is little sign of the enthusiasm deficit reflected in national polls.

Early voting here is on pace to match or exceed 2012, when the country's first black president won a second term, and officials say polling places fill up around midday with voters on their lunch breaks.

"It's very important to me to carry on what Obama started," said Democrat Deborah Land, 61, outside an early voting station in downtown Chicago.

That kind of sentiment should help Clinton -- who has cast herself as Obama's loyal heir and guardian of his legacy -- by driving Democrats to the polls.

Clinton was Obama's bitter rival for the Democratic nomination in 2008, but later served as his secretary of state and is now aiming to make history as the first female president of the United States.

But both she and Trump are deeply unpopular, with unusually low favorability ratings -- 44 percent for Clinton and 38 percent for Trump, according to an average of multiple polls by RealClearPolitics.

And after one of the meanest US presidential contests in memory, many voters are motivated less by support for their own candidate than opposition to the other.

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Mark Baker, a Clinton voter, said he felt compelled this year "because of the nature of the election, and frankly, Mr Trump."

"It's been a long election season," the 57-year-old said. "I think everybody is eager for it to be over with, except Saturday Night Live" -- the hit comedy show that parodies the campaign.

- Email probe -

Last week's surprise revelation that the FBI is looking into Clinton's emails again has injected renewed uncertainty into the race.

A new Washington Post-ABC tracking poll showed Trump ahead of Clinton 46 to 45 percent -- the first time that survey put him first since May.

More significantly, the poll found the number of Clinton supporters who were enthusiastic about her candidacy dropped from 51 to 43 percent, while Trump's numbers remained unchanged at 53 percent.

Still, Michael McDonald of the University of Florida, who maintains a national tally of early voting, said it is unlikely early voters will be swayed.

"People have consumed a lot of information about the candidates and they've made up their minds, and they're going out and voting," he said.

So far, there are signs of enthusiasm among early voters who are Latino, women and white liberals.

"The worrisome signs for (Clinton's) campaign are the lower early voting rates for blacks and young people. They were essential pieces of the coalition that elected and reelected Obama," said Barry Burden, professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

- 'Checkmate' -

Trump faces bigger hurdles.

They include Clinton's early vote lead in the swing states of Nevada, Virginia and Colorado, according to McDonald.

"That's almost like checkmate because Trump would have to win almost every other battleground state," he said.

On top of that, Latino voters overwhelmingly support Clinton, with a record 27.3 million of them eligible to vote in this election -- four million more than during the last presidential race, according to the Pew Research Center.

"Compared to 2012, it appears that early voting is being used more by Latinos," Burden said. "This might reflect the efforts that the Clinton campaign has made into the Latino community and concerns among Latinos about what Trump has said about immigrants."

Meanwhile, Trump has had to defend his position in reliably Republican states.

Among them, Texas is seeing outsize enthusiasm from early voters. More than a quarter of the state's eligible voters had cast their ballots a week before the November 8 election, shattering records.

With recent poll numbers in the state showing Clinton closing in on Trump's lead, the early voting figures are especially intriguing observers, even prompting speculation about whether deeply red Texas might turn blue.

"The fact that the state is perceived to be competitive... is driving both parties to the polls," said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston.

Although Clinton is still unlikely to win Texas, he added, the former secretary of state could lose by a much smaller margin than past Democrats.

"That will be a success for them," he said, helping Democrats in future elections.
Frankfurt (AFP) - The European Central Bank's easy-money policy has let eurozone governments delay key reforms, a German expert panel said Wednesday, urging the Frankfurt institution to ease off the massive stimulus spending.

"The extent of monetary easing in the euro area is no longer appropriate given the region's economic recovery," the German Council of Economic Experts said in its annual report to Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"The ECB should slow down its bond purchases and end them earlier."

Under President Mario Draghi, the ECB has bought well over one trillion euros of government and corporate bonds in a bid to pump cash into the financial system.

Most analysts expect the central bank to extend the programme at its current 80 billion euro ($88.6 billion) per month rate past the current March 2017 cutoff, as growth in the euro area remains tentative.

But the five "wise men" -- who in fact number one woman among them -- warned that the ECB has reduced pressure on governments to reform.

"Even the German government did not sufficiently use the positive economic growth of the past few years for market-oriented reforms," council chairman Christoph Schmidt said in a statement.

The experts predicted economic growth for the eurozone of 1.6 percent in 2016 and 1.4 percent in 2017.

Beyond the ECB, the experts warned that Britain's vote to quit the EU in June shows reform is needed in the 28-member bloc.

"There is cause for concern given the strengthening trend of EU-critical voices in some member states," they wrote.

Anti-EU sentiment was likely to increase without reform to give voters the feeling that their governments are in control, fixing the union's finances and addressing transnational challenges like climate change, migration and terrorism, they warned.

But they also defended key pillars of the European project including the "four fundamental freedoms" on the movement of goods, capital, people and services.

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The experts also backed the hotly-contested CETA free trade deal with Canada signed by EU leaders last week, and recommended pressing ahead with a yet more controversial planned US free trade agreement known as TTIP.

At home in Germany, the experts predicted growth would slow to 1.3 percent in 2017 after reaching 1.9 percent in 2016, "primarily due to calendar effects".

They warned the government against increasing spending, advising instead that Berlin continue to pay down its debts, link the statutory retirement age to life expectancy, and make the labour market more flexible.

The last suggestion would also help to integrate the 900,000 refugees and migrants who arrived in Germany in 2015, the experts noted.
Academy Award-winning actor Eddie Redmayne stopped by Ellen on Wednesday where he shared a story about something every parent dreads: flying with a baby. Redmayne explained hed been invited by Omega watches to be an ambassador for the company at the Rio Olympics this past summer. Though his baby, Iris, was only 8 weeks old, Redmayne and his wife, Hannah, packed up and the three of them were off to Brazil.

But this wasnt your run of the mill flight to Brazil. According to Redmayne, quite a few British Olympians were also on the flight. Not surprisingly, this gave Redmayne a bit of anxiety. There was this fear that, what if she cries lots and then they dont sleep, and then they blame all of their lack of success on Iris?

But all that worry was much ado about nothing. Redmayne said that after a brief crying interlude, baby Iris was calm and quiet the entire flight.

Ronda Rousey tells Ellen her next fight will be one of her last:

Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Khail Anonymous, on Twitter.
A giant effigy of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump holding the head of rival Hillary Clinton will be burned in Edenbridge, a village in Kent, England, on November 5, for the towns annual bonfire celebrations.

Edenbridge Bonfire Society, which is responsible for the effigy, specializes in spectacular displays for Guy Fawkes Night, which is marked in the UK by the lighting of fires. Previous effigies include former UK prime minister Gordon Brown, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, and comedian Russell Brand. Credit: Laura Burton-Lawrence/The Community Show
A giant effigy of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump holding the head of rival Hillary Clinton will be burned in Edenbridge, a village in Kent, England, on November 5, for the towns annual bonfire celebrations.

Edenbridge Bonfire Society, which is responsible for the effigy, specializes in spectacular displays for Guy Fawkes Night, which is marked in the UK by the lighting of fires. Previous effigies include former UK prime minister Gordon Brown, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, and comedian Russell Brand. Credit: Edenbridge Bonfire Society
The number of Americans searching for jobs in Canada has increased a whopping 58 percent since last year. And some are speculating it's because of the especially rough election season.

Jobs posting platform Monster Worldwide (MWW) saw 30,296 job queries on its website using the keyword "Canada" between January and October of this year, a jump from the 19,693 in all of 2015.

The job title most searched for by Americans looking to work in Canada was engineers. American job seekers were looking in Ontario, specifically the city of Toronto, followed by the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia.

The authors of the Monster report set out to explore the hypothesis that the scandal-ridden presidential election cycle was actually driving citizens, especially white-collar workers, to consider moving up north.

Their numbers support it.

Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston recently said he would consider moving to Canada if Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, wins. Rapper Ne-Yo also said he would consider moving up north if Trump wins, adding that he and Drake, who is Canadian, would be neighbors.

Malcolm Gladwell, Canadian best-selling author, recently told CNBC that if he were to write a book about this year's U.S. presidential election, the title would be " I'm heading home ."

Although the median income is actually higher up north, and despite Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent joke about accepting unhappy Americans post-election, moving to Canada might not be the best money move overall, CNBC explains.

For starters, hiring an attorney to facilitate the legal process of becoming a Canadian citizen can run you anywhere from $4,000 to $7,000. Filing for taxes will almost certainly be more complicated. And moving your belongings internationally could cost you upwards of $20,000.

Then there is the weather: winters in Canada are, on average, significantly colder than in the U.S.

But so far, at least, nervous workers are not deterred.





More From CNBC


Sturm Ruger (NYSE:RGR) saw the 2016 presidential race power a surge in gun sales during the summer.

The Southport, Conn.-based gun maker said Wednesday its net sales for the third quarter jumped 34%, as consumers stocked up on concealed-carry pistols and AR-15 rifles. FBI background checks, when adjusted to gauge U.S. gun sales, rose 16% during the same period, according to Ruger.

Ruger CEO Michael Fifer attributed the upbeat quarter to stronger-than-normal summer demand across the industry, likely fueled by the political campaigns ahead of the November elections.

Sales from Rugers distributors to retailers were up 21%. The sharp increase suggests that retailers were attempting to get ahead of a potential surge in demand that would limit the availability of firearms after Election Day on Nov. 8.

If you look back at what happened eight years ago, there was in my opinion a surprising number of people who were actually surprised by the outcome at the last minute, and then scrambled through November to try and get any product, Fifer said during a conference call with analysts.

Hunting season, which usually kick starts demand for Rugers bolt-action rifles, wasnt a strong catalyst.

We kept waiting for the hunting season to kick in, and really the hunting season this year was fairly weak across the board, Ruger President and COO Christopher Killoy said. A lot of consumers spent their discretionary income dollars on concealed carry products and modern sporting rifles.

When asked if Ruger expects more gun buying to occur if Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton wins, Fifer reiterated that Ruger doesnt make projections about future results. However, he said Ruger has done extensive contingency planning to prepare for a variety of election outcomes, including the White House and Congress.

During an August earnings call, Fifer called Clintons positions on gun rights unprecedented for a major party nominee. He also said the presidential race between Clinton and Republican Donald Trump will decide the makeup of the Supreme Court. The Second Amendment is also firmly on the ballot, Fifer added.

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Gun owners appear to be bracing for the possibility of new gun-control regulations. The FBI processed 2.33 million background checks in October, a new record for the month. Background checks are well on their way to setting a new annual record in 2016. Last month, outdoor retailer Cabelas (NYSE:CAB) reported strong demand for firearms and shooting accessories during its third quarter.

In addition to the election cycle, new products boosted Rugers top line in the third quarter. A redesigned LCP pistol, the American Compact pistol, the AR-556 modern sporting rifle and other firearms contributed 36% of total sales in the three months ending Oct. 1.

Rugers shares rallied on Wednesday morning after the company booked a quarterly profit that climbed 66% to $19.9 million, or $1.03 a share.

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The non-profit advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) organised the campaign in order to warn attendees of the Summit about the projects being shown that were tied to terrorist activity, including that of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). They even took out a full-page ad in the Financial Times Asia to warn potential investors.

UANIs CEO, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, said: Any international company doing business in Iran could find itself inadvertently supporting terrorism  from Hamas and Islamic Jihad to Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen.
Animal lovers have long flocked to countries including Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to see a nearly unparalleled diversity of animal life. On safaris and at conservation parks, visitors throughout the African continent can see beautiful and beloved species such as lions, giraffes, and of course elephants.

However, ongoing struggles to contain the scourge of elephant poaching have kept some tourists away, and African economies stand to lose $25 million a year in tourism revenue, according to new estimates published in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday.

Poachers kill an estimated 20,000-30,000 African elephants per year, according to research from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the University of Vermont, and the University of Cambridge. The research constitutes the first continent-wide survey of the effects of poaching on tourism economies, according to its authors.

Elephant Poaching in Africa

The economic argument is providing information so that governments can understand that in certain places conservation is actually a real net gain to revenue, Brendan Fisher, one of the studys co-authors and University of Vermont economist, told Travel + Leisure.

The team of researchers used statistical modeling to determine and quantify how tourists valued elephants and how much money and time they were willing to devote to see them during a trip. In parks where elephant populations dipped, research suggests the number of tourists could fall too.

Elephant Poaching in Africa

The study found that in most regions the returns from cracking down on poaching outweighed the cost of paying for increased patrols and other conservation efforts: Fisher estimated that for every $1 spent on conservation in East Africa, for example, $1.78 was earned in tourism revenue.

Most of the countries where we have elephant populations, a lot of them are in sub-Saharan Africa and they dont have tons of revenue around to invest in conservation, Fisher told T+L. If conservation is seen as being a costly endeavor to the government, its probably going to fall down the priority list.

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The ethical imperative to conserve elephants and protect biodiversity should not be discounted, Fisher said, adding, Youre backing the moral argument with an economic argument.

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PRAGUE, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Economic growth will pick up in central, east and southeastern European countries (CESEE) next year on economic recoveries in Russia and neighbouring countries, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Wednesday.

The IMF forecast the emerging Europe region as a whole would grow by 2.1 percent next year, an acceleration from 1.3 percent in 2016.

This will be led by 1.1 percent growth in Russia in 2017, compared with a 0.8 percent contraction this year, helped by more favourable oil prices. The economies of Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova combined will expand by 1.6 percent in 2017 after 0.1 percent growth in 2016, it said.

"In (Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus), after exiting the recession in 2016, the recovery is projected to gather pace in 2017, supported by improved outlook in Russia, given linkages through trade and remittances," it said.

Elsewhere in the region, a cyclical rebound may soon peak and growth will be difficult to sustain over the longer term. Central Europe will see a slight acceleration to 3.0 percent growth next year from 2.8 percent in 2016.

Growth in Turkey is expected to cool to 3 percent in 2017 from this year's 3.3 percent, the IMF said, after a failed coup attempt in August and purges added to existing political uncertainty.

"In 2017, growth is projected to slow further as the one-off factors pushing growth in 2016 dissipate (e.g. fiscal loosening, increase in minimum wages), and headwinds from eroded business confidence further weigh on investment," it said.

Overall downside risks to the growth prospect dominate in the entire region, although possibly less than six months ago, the IMF said.

The report did not focus on the potential fallout from Britain's decision to leave the European Union, which is seen as a risk factor for European economies. It said longer-term impacts of Brexit are unclear.

There has been some decrease in concerns about China's near-term prospects, the pace of monetary normalisation in key advanced economies, and the refugee crisis, the IMF said. But risks from rising populism - which may lead to reversal of growth-supporting reforms - have become more pronounced.

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The IMF said the region needs a new round of structural reforms to raise investment and productivity.

Initiatives like efficient public investment are needed to lift its growth potential, given large infrastructure gaps compared with advanced Europe and low investment rates, the IMF said.

(Reporting by Jan Lopatka; Editing by Andrew Hay)
Foreign diplomats visited flashpoint areas of Myanmar's strife-torn Rakhine state on Wednesday, authorities said, as pressure mounts on the government to address accusations of rights abuses in a region home to the Muslim Rohingya minority.

The military has heavily restricted access to the state's northwestern strip, which abuts Bangladesh, since surprise raids on border posts left nine police dead on October 9.

The hunt for the culprits, who the government says are radicalised Rohingya Muslims, has seen more than 30 people killed, dozens arrested and 15,000 flee their homes in fear.

The government has denied allegations that security forces have raped villagers, looted towns and torched homes belonging to the Rohingya and is keen to show that its operations to flush out the attackers were proportionate.

The ambassadors of China, the United States and United Kingdom were among diplomats and UN officials who arrived in the area on Wednesday morning, Myanmar's Ministry of Information said on its website.

They were joined by a high-level Myanmar government delegation "to study villages in Maungdaw district... from November 2nd to 3rd" the ministry added.

The surge in violence, in a state that has seen repeated rounds of religious unrest since 2012, has renewed international pressure on Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi to tackle the conflict and probe allegations of army abuse.

Those reports are difficult to verify with the army barring journalists from some areas of the remote region.

The violence has also raised a question mark over the extent of her leverage over an army that dominated the country for decades until her pro-democracy party was swept to power by elections a year ago.

A local policeman, requesting anonymity, said the ambassadors began the day by "checking the area around Wapaik village near Kyikanpyin BGP commanding office," referring to the Border Guard Police post hit by the attack on October 9.

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Later a hundreds-strong group of Rohingya met their convoy as it toured the area.

"We told them we were kicked out from our village. We hope they can do something for us," Aung Thura, a Rohingya man who fled his village as it was engulfed in violence, told AFP.

Most of the one-million strong Rohingya are denied citizenship in Myanmar and tens of thousands have been trapped in grim displacement camps ever since religious violence tore through Rakhine in 2012.

The status of the Muslim minority has become a touchstone for Buddhist nationalists in Myanmar.

Many insist the group hails from Bangladesh and are in Myanmar illegally, despite their long roots in the country.

The issue routinely billows out on social media where local and foreign journalists are often accused of one-sideness and distortion.

A team of state-run news agencies were also dispatched to northern Rakhine on Wednesday, according to the government mouthpiece the Global New Light of Myanmar.

Their mission was to "clarify" the situation and "refute accusations on the alleged racial and religious persecution" by the army, the report added.
(Adds details from conference call, updates shares)

By Jessica Kuruthukulangara

Nov 2 (Reuters) - Cosmetics maker Estee Lauder Cos Inc reported lower-than-expected quarterly sales on Wednesday as fewer shoppers visited department stores in the United States.

Shares of the maker of Clinique skin care and Smashbox make-up products fell as much as 5.9 percent to $81.17, their lowest in more than nine months.

Estee Lauder, like its peers in the cosmetics industry, has struggled to boost sales in the United States as customers increasingly spend more on big-ticket items such as cars and smartphones than on personal products.

Sales at department stores, which account for a large share of cosmetics sales, have also slowed in the last few quarters as shoppers increasingly opt to buy online.

New York-based Estee Lauder's sales in the Americas region, which make up more than 40 percent of the company's total sales, fell 2.8 percent to $1.23 billion in the first quarter ended Sept. 30, hurt by the continued slump in mall traffic and lower tourist spending in its MAC stores.

"We are cautious of the decline in retail traffic, primarily related to mid-tier department stores, as well as certain tourist-driven doors in the United States," Estee Lauder said in a statement.

A drop in tourists from mainland China visiting Hong Kong and weak consumer spending in the Middle East also weighed on total sales in the quarter, the company said.

The company does not expect either market to improve in the year ending June 2017, Chief Executive Fabrizio Freda said on a call with analysts.

Estee Lauder said it expects net sales to grow 3-4 percent for the quarter ending Dec. 31, implying sales of $3.22 billion-$3.25 billion. It also forecast adjusted profit of $1.10-$1.15 per share for the same period.

The company also expects to incur charges of about $30 million-$40 million in the current quarter, related to exiting some markets and laying off workers.

Estee Lauder's net sales rose 1 pct to $2.87 billion in the first quarter ended Sept. 30, the slowest growth in more than a year, missing analysts' estimate of $2.90 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

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Net earnings attributable to Estee Lauder fell to $294 million, or 79 cents per share, from $309 million, or 82 cents per share, a year earlier.

Excluding restructuring and other charges, the company earned 84 cents per share, beating the average analyst estimate of 80 cents per share.

Up to Tuesday's close, Estee Lauder's shares had fallen 2 percent this year.

(Reporting by Jessica Kuruthukulangara and Sruthi Ramakrishnan in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta and Sai Sachin Ravikumar)
* New EU-U.S. data transfer pact entered into force in Aug

* Irish advocacy group already launched legal challenge

* French groups argue privacy protections insufficient

* Both challenges face admissibility problem

By Julia Fioretti

BRUSSELS, Nov 2 (Reuters) - A new EU-U.S. pact governing the transfer of personal data faces a second legal challenge, putting the details of the deal which underpins billions of dollars of transatlantic trade in digital services under further scrutiny.

French privacy advocacy group La Quadrature du Net, non-profit Internet service provider French Data Network and its Federation FDN industry association have now challenged the adoption of the Privacy Shield pact by the European Commission at the Luxembourg-based General Court, following in the steps of Irish group Digital Rights Ireland.

The Privacy Shield agreement was reached earlier this year after the European Union's highest court struck down the previous Safe Harbour Principles used by companies to enable them to transfer Europeans' personal data to the United States, due to concerns about intrusive U.S. surveillance of online data.

The new agreement gives businesses storing Europeans' data on U.S. servers - from human resources information to people's browsing histories and hotel bookings - an easy way to do so without falling foul of tough EU private data transfer rules.

More than 500 companies have signed up to Privacy Shield so far, including Google, Facebook and Microsoft, while over 1,000 are being processed by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The agreement seeks to strengthen privacy protections for EU citizens by giving them a means of seeking redress in the case of disputes, including through a new privacy ombudsman within the State Department who will deal with complaints from Europeans about U.S. spying.

But the objectors say that restrictions on U.S. surveillance activities - in particular the bulk collection of data and the purposes for which the data can be used - are inadequate and therefore the Privacy Shield agreement should be annulled.

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Under EU law companies or individuals may challenge EU acts before the EU courts if they are directly concerned within two months of the act coming into force, otherwise they have to go through national courts, a process which takes longer.

However both challenges face a strong risk of being declared inadmissible if the court finds that the associations are not directly concerned.

In their challenge the French groups say that the U.S. ombudsman is not an effective mechanism for dealing with complaints.

"The fact that it relies on so-called 'independent' instruments is in no way sufficient to consider it an independent judicial entity," they said.

A spokesman for the European Commission, which negotiated the Privacy Shield with Washington, said it was aware of the new complaint.

"We don't comment on ongoing court cases. As we have said from the beginning, the Commission is convinced that the Privacy Shield lives up to the requirements set out by the European Court of Justice, which have been the basis for the negotiations," Christian Wigand said.

The U.S. Department of Commerce did not respond to questions about the second challenge.

The case number is T-738/16.

(Additional reporting by Dustin Volz in Washington; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
* STOXX 600 down 0.5 pct

* VSTOXX hits highest level since July

* Moller-Maersk drops after results (Adds quotes and detail, updates prices)

By Kit Rees

LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - European shares were on track for their eighth straight day of losses on Wednesday, falling on jitters ahead of the U.S. presidential election next week and a drop in A.P. Moller-Maersk after results.

The STOXX 600 index dropped 0.5 percent, its lowest level since July 11, with almost every sector in negative territory.

Wall Street and Asian shares fell after U.S. voter polls showed Republican Donald Trump was closing the gap on Democrat Hillary Clinton ahead of next Tuesday's election.

Europe's VSTOXX volatility index reflected this nervous sentiment, hitting its highest level since July.

"Now that it's a bit less certain that (Clinton) is going to win, we're seeing the impact of investors finally taking evasive action - probably evasive action which they should have taken a month ago. The caution is setting in," said Ken Odeluga, market analyst at City Index.

Banking stocks were the heaviest fallers by sector, dropping 1.6 percent and extending their losses from the previous session, with Italian lender Banco Populare and Standard Chartered among the biggest decliners.

Standard Chartered dropped 4.5 percent, taking its losses combined with the previous session to 9.5 percent after it reported weak results on Tuesday, with brokers Deutsche Bank and Natixis cutting their target prices for its shares.

"Despite limited European/UK exposure, we think operating leverage for Standard Chartered remains challenging and see pressure on revenues in the coming years", analysts at Deutsche Bank said in a note, retaining their "sell" rating on the stock.

Shares in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena were down 5.1 percent, having triggered automatic trading suspensions earlier in the session, after the withdrawal of an alternative rescue plan for Italy's third-largest lender.

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Container shipping firm A.P. Moller-Maersk slumped more than 9 percent after the firm's earnings missed forecasts with a 44 percent fall in third-quarter profit.

On the positive side, results boosted shares in a number of companies, including security firm G4S, Danish pharmaceuticals company Lundbeck and luxury retailer Hugo Boss, which all rose between 7 percent to 8.3 percent.

(Editing by Alistair Smout and Hugh Lawson)
As well as further demonstrating the depth of Iranian efforts to evade US-led sanctions, this story indicates that at least in some instances, the US Department of Justice is still following up on reports to this effect. These sorts of arrests and prosecutions stand in contrast to the large-scale relief from economic sanctions, which has been proffered to Iran as part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The enforcement efforts may also function as a counterpoint to American lawmakers criticisms of the Obama administrations Iran policy, which has widely been described as overly permissive.

However, occasional instances of enforcement are hardly enough to counterbalance the sources of those criticisms, some of which continue to be subject to close scrutiny and the revelation of new information. For example, in January, the administration settled an outstanding debt related to an uncompleted arms sale to the Shah, and months later that payment came to be regarded by Republicans and some Democrats as a payment of ransom for American citizens being held in Iranian jails. The administration itself acknowledged that the money was held back to be used as leverage in securing the release of the prisoners, though it has denied that this constitutes ransom.

In the ensuing months, critics of the Obama administration have called attention both to new details about the payment and to the potential effects of that payment on Iran and particularly on its pattern of arresting and issuing harsh sentences to Iranian-Western dual nationals. Now, Mosaic Magazine has published an in-depth report on the payment, once again alleging that the administrations actions were much worse than was previously believed.

Specifically, the article argues that the payment was made prematurely and that it actually violated a law dating to the end of the Clinton administration, which required that Iran pay the penalties established by American court cases related to Iran-backed terror, before the US could be allowed to repay the supposed debts related to Foreign Military Sales. Mosaic emphasizes the uncertainty about whether such debts were actually owed to Iran by the US, in that there were related claims pending over Foreign Military Sales, with the US as the plaintiff and Iran as the defendant.

According to Mosaic, this means that it is highly likely that judgments in international court would have determined Iran to owe more to the US than the US owed to Iran, thereby cancelling out the 1.7 billion dollar debt that the Obama administration paid beginning on January 17. Furthermore, this figure represented the apparent maximum amount that the US would have been obligated to pay, contrary to White House claims that the immediate settlement saved US taxpayers billions of dollars over what Iran had been demanding.

While it may be true that Iran was making exorbitant demands, the Mosaic report finds no evidence that those demands were legally substantiated or that legal precedents at the Hague would have allowed for collection of anything more than 1.3 billion dollars in interest on the 400 million dollar principal debt.

Both in the Mosaic report and in the preexisting criticism of the debt repayment, uncertainty about the USs financial obligations is only one part of the story. The larger point of contention seems to relate to how Iran is expected to spend money acquired through these settlements, especially in light of a lack of enforcement or safeguards by the US government and the international community. Mosaic states that Iran has been and continues to be extremely brazen in its support of terrorism, to the point that the government even has a line item for such expenditures in its annual budget. A major concern among critics of Januarys payment is that that money will be largely dedicated to this purpose, and that it could have otherwise been used to pay compensation owed to previous victims of Iran-backed terror attacks.

Several of these incidents are detailed in the Mosaic report, as are the legal judgments handed down against Iran as a result of them. The Victims of Trafficking Violence Protection Act demanded that those judgments be paid before the arms sale debt was repaid to Iran, and the White House has provided no legal justification for ignoring or circumventing this provision. And according to Mosaic, the neglect of that provision represented not only a violation of the law, but also a deviation from previous foreign policy, as in the case of Libya, where settlement of terror-related claims was successfully put forward as a precondition of normalizing relations with the US.

Just as US lawmakers are concerned that the apparent ransom payment will encourage ongoing hostage-taking, so are they concerned that willful neglect of Irans terror support network will embolden more of the same behavior. And the potential impact of that emboldening can be seen throughout the region. In October, missiles belonging to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels were fired from Yemen toward US warships in the Red Sea. And in Iraq and Syria, Shiite militias continue to vie for influence over regions reclaimed from ISIL. Some of those militias openly declare allegiance to the Iranian supreme leader.

On Tuesday, the World Tribune provided new updates about the role of those militias in the fight to capture the ISIL stronghold of Mosul in Iraq. The article noted that Irans political influence over Baghdad had allowed for those forces to be welcomed into the outskirts of Mosul, although not into the city itself for the time being. But major conflict is expected at the town of Tal Afar, 45 miles outside of Mosul, and the Tribune describes this as putting Iranian and Turkish proxies on a collision course, as both fight to defeat ISIL but replace it with their own brand of influence.

Although the US has traditionally supported some of the same rebel groups as has Turkey, there is little sign of Western nations making efforts to legitimize the Turkish presence or to obstruct that of Irans local proxies, many of which have been accused of attacking Sunni civilian populations and committing crimes against humanity which rival those of ISIL.
By Laila Kearney

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced a former Long Island, New York, police chief to 46 months in prison for beating a handcuffed man suspected of theft and then leading an attempt to cover up the act, prosecutors said.

James Burke, 52, who ran the Suffolk County Police Department, pleaded guilty in February to violating the civil rights of Christopher Loeb, a resident of Smithtown, which is located in Suffolk County, and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

With todays sentence, Burke learned that no one is above the law and that the consequences for such egregious behavior are severe, Robert Capers, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement.

Burke has already served 11 months of his sentence.

"Mr. Burke will do his time, and he will come back and be and be a productive citizen again," defense attorney John Meringolo said.

Burke apologized to his family, to Loeb, to Suffolk police and to the court on Wednesday, Meringolo said, adding that the sentence given to his client was "just."

In December 2012, Loeb was detained and handcuffed after being accused of breaking into several cars and stealing a duffel bag that contained a gun belt, cigars, ammunition and other items from Burke's police car.

According to the federal grand jury indictment, Burke "slapped and punched" Loeb while he was handcuffed at a police station. Authorities said the chief and others then pressured detectives who witnessed the incident to conceal it.

The incident was among a string of recent events in which law enforcement officers have been accused of using excessive force. While most of those cases have involved African-Americans and other minorities, both Burke and Loeb are white.

Burke had worked for 31 years on the police force in Suffolk County, one of New York's largest counties, before stepping down from his post in October 2015.

He was arrested and arraigned in December following a federal probe.

The sentence, which was handed down by Judge Leonard Wexler, also includes three years of supervision for Burke after his release.

(Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn and Leslie Adler)
Ex-Philippine leader Fidel Ramos has resigned as special envoy to China after criticising President Rodrigo Duterte's tirades against the United States and deadly war on crime.

Duterte said late Tuesday he had received a resignation letter from Ramos, an elderly stalwart of Philippine politics who had been a trusted ally of the new leader but recently branded his rule as a "huge disappointment and let-down".

According to the president, the pair had disagreed on US relations and the domestic crime war, which has claimed more than 4,000 lives in four months.

"I know he is pro-Western. He is a military man who studied there (in the US). You must remember Ramos finished his (studies) in West Point. He really does not want to fight (with the US)," Duterte told reporters.

Duterte appointed Ramos, president from 1992 to 1998, as his envoy to mend relations with Beijing, which had soured under the previous administration over competing territorial claims to the South China Sea.

Ramos, 88, travelled to Hong Kong in August on an "icebreaker" trip to meet with senior Chinese officials.

But Ramos did not join Duterte in Beijing last month for a state visit that cemented better ties and secured billions of dollars in Chinese investments and loans.

Ramos told GMA7 television this week he had resigned because he had done what was needed to improve ties with China.

But Duterte's comments pointed to a much deeper falling out with Ramos, who he had repeatedly publicly thanked for supporting his bid to become president.

Ramos, a former police and military general, has for decades been a powerful political force in the Philippines, and as armed forces vice chief of staff, he was key in turning the military against dictator Ferdinand Marcos during the 1986 "People Power" revolution.

Ramos has in recent weeks been openly critical of Duterte's attacks on the US and threats to end the two nations' military alliance.

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Duterte's tirades have been partly in response to American criticism of his war on crime.

"So, what gives? Are we throwing away decades of military partnership, tactical proficiency, compatible weaponry, predictable logistics and soldier-to-soldier camaraderie just like that," Ramos wrote in a newspaper column to mark Duterte's 100th day in office.

Ramos has also been one of the few prominent political figures to directly criticise Duterte's anti-drugs crackdown.
It's safe to say Lindsay Lohan is sounding pretty different these days.

The 30-year-old actress talked in a curious accent at the opening of her Greek nightclub last month, in video that went viral on Tuesday. The Mean Girls star slips in and out of the accent, which sounds vaguely British, though clearly, not quite.

WATCH: EXCLUSIVE -- Jamie Lee Curtis Says She's Spoken to Lindsay Lohan About Donald Trump's 'Vile' Comments -- 'She Deserves People's Support'

But according to Lindsay's father, Michael Lohan, his daughter's new speaking habits aren't a cause for concern. Michael spoke to ET on Wednesday, when he explained that Lindsay's learning multiple languages and often bounces between them. Michael says that in addition to French, she also speaks Arabic and Farsi, and has always "played around" with accents and languages.

"Lindsay picks up languages like I pick up a coffee!" Michael tells ET. "I will tell you this, she's spoken other languages on the phone with me -- languages I don't understand. I'll be on the phone with her and I'll hear her say something in fluent Farsi to a friend she's with."

Lindsay's mother, Dina Lohan, also spoke to ET on Wednesday about her daughter's gift for languages.

"I raised Lindsay and all my kids to constantly learn different languages and embrace different cultures," Dina, 54, says. "Since Lindsay was a kid, she was speaking fluent Italian because my mother is Italian and would only speak to her in it. She taught herself how to speak French, Arabic, Hebrew and the list goes on. Lindsay has a very high IQ and is very intelligent and can pick up on any language in a minute. She has that gift."

"She is a worldly person who has so many talents and so much to offer, and that's what makes her so special and so beautiful," she adds.

Michael, 56, says Lindsay is currently doing "absolutely amazing." The actress had a high-profile split from her estranged fiance, Egor Tarabasov, in August.

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"She's so happy and healthy and doing great," he says. "Every time I talk to her she's so positive. There's nothing to be concerned about."

Michael says Lindsay is passionate about all of her recent charity work and has ambitions to be a U.N. Ambassador. He says she's planning to return to the United States for Christmas, and will spend the holiday with him as well as her mother, Dina Lohan, and all of her siblings -- including his two sons with Kate Major.

"We'll be spending Christmas together with the whole family -- Dina, the kids, my boys, everyone!" he says.

On Tuesday, Lindsay addressed all the speculation on her new accent, tweeting the Daily Mail, "What should I call my new accent? I'm thinking #LILOHAN."

@DailyMailUK what should I call my new accent? I'm thinking #LILOHAN  Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) November 1, 2016

WATCH: Lindsay Lohan Shares a Selfie in Bed -- 'Being Alone Is the Best Way to Find Yourself'

It's been a rough couple of months for the actress. Aside from Lindsay's big breakup from Tarabasov, she also lost her fingertip in a boating accident while she was vacationing in Turkey last month.

"This is the result of me trying to help anchor the boat by myself," she laughed in a Snapchat video. "My poor finger."

Watch below:

-- Additional reporting by Darla Murray

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By Mike Stone

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin Corp <LMT.N> concluded negotiations on their ninth contract for F-35 fighter jets after 14 months of negotiations on the more than $6.1 billion deal, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.

The unilateral agreement on the contract for 57 of the new war planes, will give profit margin certainty to Lockheed and its partners who have been producing the jet under a placeholder agreement known as an "undefinitized contract action".

People familiar with the contract negotiations who spoke under condition of anonymity said the tenth production contract, a 94-plane deal, was still under negotiation.

In a statement, Lockheed said that the contract was "not a mutually agreed upon contract, it was a unilateral contract action, which obligates us to perform under standard terms and conditions, and previously agreed-to items." Adding, "We are disappointed with the decision by the government to issue a unilateral contract action."

People familiar with the procurement process said that the unilateral decision was rare.

The previous lot of 43 jets, lot 8, had an average unit price of $108 million per plane. Planes in lot 9 are about $107 million per plane, 3.7 percent less, making it the lowest price per jet thus far.

The F-35 is the Pentagon's costliest arms program. The U.S. Defense Department expects to spend $391 billion to develop the plane and buy 2,443 of the supersonic, stealthy new warplanes, in the coming decades.

The ninth batch of jets includes 42 F-35 A-model jets for the U.S. Air Force, Norway, Israel and Japan; and 13 F-35 B-model jets, which can handle short takeoffs and vertical landings, for the Marine Corps and the British navy, as well as two carrier-variant F-35C jets for the U.S. Navy.

Lockheed, and its main partners including Northrop Grumman <NOC.N>, Pratt & Whitney <UTX.N> and BAE Systems <BAES.L>, have been developing and building F-35s for the U.S. military and 10 allies.

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Lockheed's F-35 program manager Jeff Babione had previously said that the price of the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing version of the jet would drop to under $100 million per plane in the 10th low-rate production batch.

On Oct. 25 Lockheed, the world's largest defense contractor, reported a quarterly profit that handily beat analysts' expectations, as sales of its Sikorsky helicopters pushed total revenue up 14.8 percent.

(Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Bernard Orr)
Overstock.com Inc. OSTK is slated to report third-quarter 2016 results on Nov 3. It is an online retailer that sells brand-name merchandise at deep discounts. Its offerings include bed-and-bath goods, kitchenware, watches, jewelry, electronics, sporting goods and designer accessories.

Lets see how things are shaping up for this announcement.

Factors to Consider

The companys second-quarter revenues were up 8% year over year. It has intensified its efforts on expanding its product reach, building its customer base and strengthening its international foothold.

The company has partnered with Tmall in China, 11Street in Korea, Mercado LibreIguama in Latin America, Trade Me in New Zealand and Australia and Rakuten in the UK. Management has also indicated more partnerships in the near future. It has launched a trusted partner marketplace as part of its global expansion efforts.

However, the companys business has been hit by changes in Google search algorithms and rising competition in the e-commerce sector. It has also been engaged in legal battles with several brokerage firms over stock price manipulation issues. Overstocks continuous efforts to reduce illegal stock manipulation and reform capital markets could boost its results in the to-be-reported quarter.

Also, management confirmed Overstocks continued focus on improvement of customer experience as well as customer attraction and retention efforts. For this, the company is trying to bring in absolute customization and personalization of its marketing message and develop customer-friendly mobile platforms and applications.

Overstock has been a Bitcoin supporter for more than two years and has successfully leveraged the blockchain technology. The company is trying to establish relationships with major financial and capital market institutions to achieve the expected level of synergy between blockchain and cryptocurrency.

We expect customer-friendly initiatives, product and geographical expansion efforts, and reform capital markets to act as major positives for Overstock in the to-be-reported quarter.

Story continues

OVERSTOCK.COM Price and EPS Surprise

OVERSTOCK.COM Price and EPS Surprise | OVERSTOCK.COM Quote

Stocks That Warrant a Look

Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. AHP is slated to report third-quarter earnings results on Nov 2. The company has an Earnings ESP of +9.76% and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Avon Products Inc. AVP with an Earnings ESP of +33.33% and a Zacks Rank #1. The company is slated to report third-quarter earnings results on Nov 3.

Glaukos Corporation GKOS with an Earnings ESP of +100.0% and a Zacks Rank #1. The company is slated to report third-quarter earnings results on Nov 10.

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Instagram on Tuesday said it will start testing features that let smartphone or tablet users easily buy items they find on the popular photo and video sharing service.

The test slated to begin next week in the US will be tailored for Instagram applications on Apple mobile devices, according to a blog post by the Facebook-owned service.

The move will build on a strategy by the world's leading online social network to connect shoppers and shops, earning revenue from purchases.

"Mobile has changed the way people shop," Instagram said in the blog post

"We're excited to announce an easier experience to shop the products you love on Instagram."

Instagram cited industry statistics indicating that smartphone purchases are commonly used in the US to browse or research options regarding potential purchases.

Twenty US retailers including Kate Spade and JackThreads will take part in the Instagram e-commerce test, sharing posts that provide more information along with "Shop Now" icons for streamlined purchasing, according to the blog post.

"This test is going to change the scope of what we, as retailers, are capable of offering on mobile," JackThreads chief marketing officer Ryan McIntyre said in the post.

"Our customers will be able to shop seamlessly from their social media feeds -- allowing us to reach guys where they're already hunting for what's new."

Rival firm Pinterest last year dove into e-commerce with "pins" that let people buy items they like at the popular online bulletin board.

Pinterest became a hit, particularly among women, by giving people virtual bulletin boards that they can decorate with pictures showcasing interests in anything from food to sports, to fashion or travel.
BERLIN (Reuters) - Suspected far-right extremists have threatened asylum seekers in the eastern German town of Bautzen, police said on Wednesday, adding to signs of discontent over an influx of almost one million last year. Police cited witnesses as saying that about eight men had threatened a group of two German women and three young asylum seekers in the town on Tuesday evening. Two of the men aimed objects resembling pistols at the asylum seekers, police said. Witnesses said the men belonged to the right-wing scene and investigations were under way. Some Germans fear their country is being overrun by foreigners and Chancellor Angela Merkel has drawn criticism for her liberal migrant policy as the number of violent attacks on asylum seekers or their reception centers has risen. Merkel's conservatives have lost some support to the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD). In another incident in Bautzen, police quoted witnesses as saying a 20-year-old Libyan, who was under the influence of alcohol, accompanied by two other asylum seekers assaulted a 19-year-old German outside a supermarket. Police took the Libyan into custody. Around 10-15 people pursued the two other asylum seekers and threw stones at them before being dispersed by police. Four people of German nationality were detained and police were checking whether they were also involved in the other Bautzen incident. Bautzen police said they had launched criminal proceedings against a 29-year-old German man in possession of a stun gun who is suspected of having threatened an asylum seeker. Right-wing extremists and asylum seekers have previously clashed in Bautzen. (Reporting by Michelle Martin; editing by Mark Heinrich)
By Tyler Durden on 2 November 2016 for Zero Hedge -

Image above: Huma Abedin and John Podesta, aides to Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton are seen in the Capitol's Senate Reception Room upon arriving for Clinton's meeting with Senate Democrats, July 14, 2016. Photo by Tom Williams. From ( http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/huma-abedin-and-john-podesta-aides-to-presidential-news-photo/576502484#huma-abedin-and-john-podesta-aides-to-presidential-candidate-hillary-picture-id576502484 ).

.

SUBHEAD: Former British ambassador claims source of Wikileaks Podesta emails from Washington source.With the media gripped by accusatory speculation regarding the identity of the source behind the Wikileaks leak of hacked Podesta and DNC emails, much of it focused on Russia, a new theory has emerged from Craig Murray, the former British ambassador to Uzbekistan, who tells Sputnik (a Russian media outlet) that the source of the leaks are not Russian hackers but a Washington insider."The source of these emails and leaks has nothing to do with Russia at all. I discovered what the source was when I attended the Sam Adam's whistleblower award in Washington.The source of these emails comes from within official circles in Washington DC. You should look to Washington not to Moscow."Asked about whether or not WikiLeaks have ever published information at the behest of Moscow, Murray said that "WikiLeaks has never published any material received from the Russian government or from any proxy of the Russian government. It's simply a completely untrue claim designed to divert attention from the content of the material."While blasted by Washington, first by Republicans several years ago, and most recently by Democrats, the WikiLeaks revelations have often been hailed as a champion of accountability."I think whistleblowers have become extremely important in the West because the propaganda model  as Chomsky puts it  has been reinforced to the extent that people don't get any true information out of the media at all. It's worth saying that Julian Assange and WikiLeaks are publishers; they publish what whistleblowers leak to them," Mr. Murrary told Sputnik.Yet, whistleblowers in the US continue to be subject to lengthy prison sentences. A key example is Chelsea Manning, who was sentenced on August 21, 2013 to a thirty five year sentence for providing WikiLeaks with sensitive military and diplomatic documents highlighting, among other things, US military conduct in Iraq.Murray also mentions the case of John Kiriakou, a former investigator of international terrorism with the CIA who turned whistleblower."The people who did the torture have suffered no comeback at all," adds Mr. Murray.Taking a step back and discussing the risk of geopolitical escalation between Russia and the US, Murray told Sputnik that "there is no chance whatsoever that Russia is going to ever attack the United States, that simply isn't going to happen.""Just as Russia is not going to attack the United Kingdom. There never has been a chance that Russia would ever attack either of these two countries. But of course the narrative is all to do with power and funneling huge amounts of American taxpayer money into the defense industry and the security industry and these people are both from the class that benefits."It's an extremely dangerous game, says Mr. Murray, and it feeds into a foreign policy that is completely mad."In Syria  and I should say I'm no fan of the Assad regime at all  but the idea that backing assorted groups of jihadists to tear the country apart is a better solution is crazy and it's especially crazy when we've already messed up Iraq, Afghanistan and now we're doing exactly the same thing again and you can see it doesn't work, it only works in terms of promoting continued instability and continued spending for the military and the security services."Finally, Murray also believes that the public can't get clear analysis of these issues from mainstream media, because they are part of the same money/power nexus.
barack obama

President Barack Obama delivered an impassioned plea to voters in North Carolina to vote next week and reject the candidacy of Republican nominee Donald Trump.

"We don't win this election, potentially, if we don't win North Carolina," he said during a campaign rally for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. "I hate to put a little pressure on you, but the fate of the republic rests on your shoulders. The fate of the world is teetering."

In his speech to voters in the Tar Heel State, the president emphasized how crucial North Carolina's 15 electoral votes are to Clinton's path to capturing the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House.

Obama repeatedly laid into Trump, one sentence after another, saying that he had "no respect for working people," mocking his claim that he has a "good brain," and lambasting the Republican presidential nominee's plan to bar all Muslims from entering the US.

"What I can tell you is we can't afford a president who suggests that America should torture people, or that we should ban entire religions from our country," Obama said.

The president also raised the 2005 video of Trump boasting about kissing and forcing himself on women regardless of their consent.

"If you disrespect women before you are elected president, you will disrespect women when you're in office," Obama said.

"Imagine what you'll do when you actually have the power to violate the Constitution along those lines," he added.

Obama also noted how congressional Republicans have already mulled investigations and a potential impeachment of Clinton over her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state.

"They're promising years of investigations, years of hearings, more shutdowns, more obstruction," Obama said.

He added moments later: "You've got some Republicans in Congress who are already suggesting they will impeach Hillary. She hasnt even been elected yet. It doesn't matter what evidence  they'll find something. That's what they're saying already. How does our democracy function like that?"

Story continues

With just one week until the general election, the Clinton campaign has deployed Obama to key battleground states including Ohio, North Carolina, and Florida in hopes that he can gin up Democratic turnout.

Despite strong early vote rates in states such as Nevada, the president worried that black voter turnout is "not as solid as it needs to be" in other battleground states like Florida.





More From Business Insider


By Therese Apel

JACKSON, Miss. (Reuters) - A historic black church in Mississippi was burned and spray-painted with "Vote Trump" and authorities said on Wednesday it was arson and being probed as a hate crime committed one week before the U.S. presidential election.

Greenville Fire Chief Ruben Brown Sr. told a news conference on Wednesday afternoon that investigators had determined the fire at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church was "intentionally set."

"Samples and evidence have been collected from inside the church and are being analyzed to determine the accelerant or ignition source," Brown said.

Earlier in the day he said no one was injured in the Tuesday evening blaze, but the church was extensively damaged.

Were investigating this as a hate crime," Greenville Police Chief Delando Wilson told a news conference early on Wednesday. "We feel that the quote on the church is intimidating.

"It tries to push your beliefs on someone else, and this is a predominantly black church and no one has a right to try to influence the way someone votes in this election.

Black churches in the U.S. South have long been a base of support for the Democratic Party.

During the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, southern black churches were often targets for arson and bombings by white supremacists.

"The FBI Jackson Division is aware of the situation in Greenville, and we are working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to determine if any civil rights crimes were committed," the agency said in a statement.

"We have contacted local, state, and federal authorities of this hateful and cowardly act," Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons said in a statement. "This act is a direct assault of peoples right to freely worship."

The town of some 33,000 people is about 100 miles (160 kms) northwest of Jackson.

"The act that happened left our hearts broken," Pastor Carolyn Hudson told the news conference, noting that the church has a 111-year history.

Story continues

Bobby Moak, chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party, said it was "reprehensible to see this sort of thing."

"Hopefully the true cause of the fire will be discovered but nothing in politics is coincidental," Moak said in a telephone interview.

The Mississippi Republican Party declined to comment.

In October, the Orange County Republican Party's office in Hillsborough, North Carolina, was set on fire and a graffiti message left nearby said "leave town or else."

No arrests have been made in that incident, which Indiana Governor Mike Pence, the Republican vice presidential candidate, called "political terrorism."

(Writing by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Alistair Bell, Toni Reinhold)
By Therese Apel JACKSON, Miss. (Reuters) - A historic black church in Mississippi was burned and spray-painted with "Vote Trump" and authorities said on Wednesday it was arson and being probed as a hate crime committed one week before the U.S. presidential election. Greenville Fire Chief Ruben Brown Sr. told a news conference on Wednesday afternoon that investigators had determined the fire at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church was "intentionally set." "Samples and evidence have been collected from inside the church and are being analyzed to determine the accelerant or ignition source," Brown said. Earlier in the day he said no one was injured in the Tuesday evening blaze, but the church was extensively damaged. Were investigating this as a hate crime," Greenville Police Chief Delando Wilson told a news conference early on Wednesday. "We feel that the quote on the church is intimidating. "It tries to push your beliefs on someone else, and this is a predominantly black church and no one has a right to try to influence the way someone votes in this election. Black churches in the U.S. South have long been a base of support for the Democratic Party. During the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, southern black churches were often targets for arson and bombings by white supremacists. "The FBI Jackson Division is aware of the situation in Greenville, and we are working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to determine if any civil rights crimes were committed," the agency said in a statement. "We have contacted local, state, and federal authorities of this hateful and cowardly act," Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons said in a statement. "This act is a direct assault of peoples right to freely worship." The town of some 33,000 people is about 100 miles (160 kms) northwest of Jackson. "The act that happened left our hearts broken," Pastor Carolyn Hudson told the news conference, noting that the church has a 111-year history. Bobby Moak, chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party, said it was "reprehensible to see this sort of thing." "Hopefully the true cause of the fire will be discovered but nothing in politics is coincidental," Moak said in a telephone interview. The Mississippi Republican Party declined to comment. In October, the Orange County Republican Party's office in Hillsborough, North Carolina, was set on fire and a graffiti message left nearby said "leave town or else." No arrests have been made in that incident, which Indiana Governor Mike Pence, the Republican vice presidential candidate, called "political terrorism." (Writing by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Alistair Bell, Toni Reinhold)
Washington (AFP) - The FBI has unexpectedly released documents concerning ex-president Bill Clinton's pardon of the husband of a wealthy Democratic donor, in a surprise move just days before the election in which his wife is seeking to become America's first female president.

The release of the heavily redacted 129-page report over the pardon of trader Marc Rich -- an investigation that closed in 2005 without charges -- triggered questions from Democrats already angered by the FBI's probe into hundreds of thousands of newly uncovered emails possibly linked to Hillary Clinton.

While the Rich documents were published online Monday, they received little notice until they were posted on Tuesday on a Twitter account for the Federal Bureau of Investigation's division managing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests that had had no posts since a year ago, except for a small handful released simultaneously on Sunday.

"Absent a FOIA litigation deadline, this is odd," said Hillary Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon.

"Will FBI be posting docs on Trump's housing discrimination in '70s?" he added, referring to Clinton's Republican rival Donald Trump, a billionaire real estate magnate.

The FBI said the documents were posted shortly after they were processed, as with FOIA materials requested three or more times.

"Per the standard procedure for FOIA, these materials became available for release and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBI's public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures," the statement said.

The FBI indicated that this was only a "preliminary" release that could therefore be followed by more.

Rich was indicted on federal charges of tax evasion in the United States. He was a fugitive from the Department of Justice -- at a time one of the FBI's most wanted -- living in exile in Switzerland at the time of his indictment. He died there in 2013.

In a controversial move, Bill Clinton pardoned him on his last day in office on January 20, 2001. The FBI opened its investigation into the pardon later that year.

Story continues

Rich's ex-wife Denise Eisenberg Rich, whose name was redacted from the FBI files, "has been a major political donor to the Democratic Party, and these donations may have been intended to influence the fugitive's pardon," reads a bureau note requesting that a preliminary investigation be opened.

Some of the donations went to the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation, the predecessor to the Clinton Foundation, according to the document.

"It appears that the required pardon standards and procedures were not followed," reads the FBI document dated February 15, 2001.

The Rich case fell under the watch of current FBI Director James Comey, then a younger prosecutor.

The FBI document dump comes as Comey is under fire, from both Democrats and some Republicans, for effectively reopening in recent days the bureau's investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.
A Wisconsin voter told CNNs Randi Kaye on Tuesday that woman who accused Donald Trump of sexual harassment need to grow a set and get over it.

I think those women need to grow a set, personally, Trump supporter Carol Robertson said when asked about the accusations that have come to light in recent weeks. You know, its been a lot of years. Get over it.

Trump supporters defended his character at the Eau Claire rally while many of them were quick to bash Hillary Clinton. One supporter referred his Trumps character as awesome, beautiful and said he has the character of god.

Also Read: Donald Trump Campaign Rejects 'Repulsive' KKK Newspaper Endorsement

"Donald Trump really has the character of God"  Trump supporters defend their candidate and his character https://t.co/uFfz8diqmB  New Day (@NewDay) November 2, 2016

Donald Trump was the man that god chose, one supporter told CNN while another said, I think weve all fallen short of what god expects of us. Weve all missed the mark. So, he missed the mark a few times.

Also Read: Jay Leno Skewers Trump, Clinton: 7 Best Jokes From 'Tonight Show' Monologue (Video)

One woman said the infamous Access Hollywood tape of Trump making lewd sexual comments doesnt bother her, while another man said Trump isnt perfect but he isnt looking for perfect.

Im looking for someone to save this country, he said.

The rally also featured Trump protestors but the answers provided by supporters appeared to outnumber the critics in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Related stories from TheWrap:

Donald Trump Takes Lead Over Hillary Clinton in Latest ABC News Poll

Donald Trump's Odds of Winning Election Jump 33 Percent Since Friday, Vegas Says

'Daily Show' Halloween Special Imagines Donald Trump's Terrifying Post-Apocalyptic America (Videos)

Ivanka Trump's Brand Takes Beating as Consumer Boycott Gains Momentum
Montreal (AFP) - A young man stabbed two female students at their high school in western Canada on Tuesday, killing one and wounding the other, who was hospitalized in stable condition, police said.

The incident took place in Abbotsford on the US border, some 70 kilometers (45 miles) east of Vancouver, with the attacker arrested on the spot, city police chief Bob Rich told broadcaster CBC.

Police were dispatched to Abbotsford Senior Secondary School just after 2:00 pm (2100 GMT) following reports of an assault in progress, a police statement said.

The school and an adjacent middle school were locked down as a precaution, police said.

Officials did not release the identities of the victims or the attacker.

CBC cited Rich as saying the attacker did not appear to be a student at the school and may not have had any connection to the victims.

"Who he is (and) what was driving him is very much a matter for investigators at this time," Rich said.
A couple of fertilizer companies are scheduled to come up with their quarterly results on Nov 3. The fertilizer industry falls under the broader Basic Materials sector. Based on the earnings scorecard as of Nov 1, 75% of the sector participants on the S&P 500 index have already reported their quarterly numbers. Earnings for these companies have increased 7.5% from the same period last year while revenues are down 2.2%, per the latest Earnings Outlook.



The fertilizer industry is in a rut and still hamstrung by a slew of headwinds that continue to weigh on the performance of the companies in the space. Fertilizer makers remain exposed to a difficult pricing environment for the nutrients they sale. Potash prices remain under pressure due to elevated supply. Moreover, depressed global energy prices and higher supply have also contributed to a softer nitrogen pricing environment.



Global capacity expansion continues to exert pressure on urea and other nitrogen fertilizer prices. Elevated supply in the global nitrogen market is hurting prices, causing farmers to delay their buying activities. As such, margins of fertilizer producers remain thwarted by a weak nutrient pricing environment.



The prevailing softness in agricultural commodity pricing is a concern for fertilizer and agricultural chemicals companies as it is hindering fertilizer use by farmers given the adverse effect of lower crop pricing on growers' income. Lower farm income has a negative influence on growers' nutrient purchasing decisions. Moreover, the crop protection market remains under pressure, in part, due to a slowdown in Brazil.



Let's see what's in store for these two fertilizer companies that are set to report their quarterly numbers on Nov 3.



Agrium Inc. AGU will report third-quarter results before the bell. It has an Earnings ESP of -8.33% as the Most Accurate estimate stands 11 cents while the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at 12 cents. The stock carries a favorable Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), but its negative ESP makes surprise prediction difficult. Please check our Earnings ESP Filter that enables you to find stocks that are expected to come out with earnings surprises.



Agrium beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters with an average positive surprise of 39.71%.

Story continues

AGRIUM INC Price and EPS Surprise

AGRIUM INC Price and EPS Surprise | AGRIUM INC Quote

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company SMG will report fiscal fourth-quarter results before the bell. The company is expected to come up with a positive earnings surprise as it has an Earnings ESP of +15.39% and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.



The company surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 12.55%.

SCOTTS MIRCL-GR Price and EPS Surprise

SCOTTS MIRCL-GR Price and EPS Surprise | SCOTTS MIRCL-GR Quote

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On the evening of Oct. 19, Fifty Shades producer Dana Brunetti declared war on the Producers Guild, firing his first shot via Instagram. The post, which he also shared on Twitter and Facebook, read: "Once again outdated Hollywood reigns. According to my own 'guild,' I've been determined not eligible to receive the PGA mark on #fiftyshadesdarker."

Brunetti's missive, which was followed by far more critical and incendiary posts over the following days, created the kind of headache for the 54-year-old guild only possible in the age of social media. Though PGA national executive director Vance Van Petten refused to engage publicly, a number of producers threw kindling on the blaze, voicing their support for Brunetti's promise "to rally against the Producers 'Guild' with a vengeance." Among those commiserating with the outspoken producer were Bold Films CEO Gary Michael Walters ("Not a fan of the PGA mark TBH. no transparency to the process") and Drinking Buddies producer Sam Slater ("Makes you wonder what is the point in being a part of a guild that seems to try to hurt us, rather than protect us!?"). Even celebrities joined the Brunetti chorus, including actor Armie Hammer, who posted a GIF of Taxi Driver's Travis Bickle applauding, and actress and sometimes producer Kate Bosworth, calling the guild's decision "truly insane."

But will Brunetti's campaign, which shows no signs of abating, have any lasting impact on the guild's process in determining how producers are determined eligible for a coveted Producers Mark ("p.g.a."), a credit considered key for awards?

"I'm making this a platform because I think everyone knows that Fifty Shades Darker isn't going to be considered for an Oscar, so I really don't give a f - about the mark," Brunetti tells THR. "With Captain Phillips, I had to bow down to these f - ers, kiss their ass and go through their antiquated ways to ensure I was eligible."

Read more: 'Fifty Shades' Producer on Salary Demands, Feuding With Harvey Weinstein and Why He Won't Support Hillary Clinton for President

The PGA created the p.g.a. mark in 2012 to prevent film financiers from buying awards-season glory. A panel of three unnamed arbiters reviews all materials to determine who contributed work on set or in a "decision-making" capacity.

"The purpose of the Producers Mark is to protect the integrity of the 'Produced By' credit," says PGA president Gary Lucchesi. "Drawing distinctions among producers' contributions inevitably results in disappointment for some. We have an appeals procedure to address those cases, and we encourage all producers to take advantage of the entire process."

Brunetti argues his tweets reveal how frequently he was on the Darker set. As for fulfilling the decision-making criteria, he points to his role in enlisting director James Foley, who worked on Brunetti's series House of Cards. He is particularly incensed because the film represents the fourth time he has disagreed with the PGA's determination on a film on which he worked, notably The Social Network, when he received the mark but Mike De Luca did not (De Luca appealed and the decision was reversed), and Captain Phillips. Both Social Network and Captain Phillips were Oscar best picture contenders, where the p.g.a. mark holds significance and affects which producers are noted at the ceremony.

But many producers say they embrace the current process. "The PGA mark is a great advancement for all producers," says Jason Blum. "They don't get it right 100 percent of the time, but they sure get close to that number."

Adds Doug Wick, "It's the difference between a merit-based credit and a bully-based credit. For the longest time, a producer credit was given to whoever had the most power or leverage even if they never stepped foot near the set"

Still, producer Craig Baumgarten, who was on the committee that wrote the rules, refused to accept his mark for the upcoming All I See Is You after learning that director Marc Forster and producer Michael Selby were denied. Baumgarten insists that all three were equally deserving.

"The PGA mark itself is a great thing - to designate who really produces a movie - but sometimes the prejudices or preconceptions of the arbiters - many of whom have spent most of their lives being screwed over by studios, directors and movie stars - overlie the facts."

The PGA says arbiters are working producers, which it touts as a selling point. But bias is unavoidable, and even those who praised the mark as a far better alternative to the pre-mark days concede that it is easy to determine the identity of producers during the so-called blind process.

"A panel of your peers? It's a peer I probably took this f - ing movie from because everyone was competing to get on this project," says Brunetti of the Fifty Shades franchise. "It should be an arbitrary panel of people who know the rules but not a panel of peers."

For his part, Brunetti is mulling legal action. Privately, the guild is encouraging him to appeal (Brunetti remains undecided). Either way, the PGA hopes that the PR nightmare unleashed by the social media-savvy producer will go away.

A version of this story first appeared in the Nov. 11 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.

Read more: Amazon vs. Netflix: An Epic Oscar Battle Begins
Italian prince Filippo Corsini was killed in a cyclist crash in London last week on Monday, October 24, Sky News reports.

According to reports, the 21-year-old was on his way to a class at Regent's University when he got caught under the wheel of a truck in Knightsbridge around 12:40 p.m. local time.

PHOTOS: Celebrity Deaths in 2016: Stars Weve Lost

Per the Evening Standard, Corsini was dragged 30 yards across an intersection and died a half hour later from his injuries. The 42-year-old driver of the vehicle was arrested and questioned by authorities. The incident is still under investigation.

Celebrity Health Scares

Corsini's classmates and loved ones have been paying tribute to him where the accident occurred. "He was a very nice guy, very hardworking," one friend told the Evening Standard.

PHOTOS: Most Shocking Celebrity Deaths of All Time

A second peer added: "I cannot believe it. He was a wonderful boy."



Corsini hailed from an aristocratic family that dated back to the 16th century and was an equestrian studying for a B.A. in international business at the time of his death. One of his Florentine descendants includes Pope Clemente XII, who ruled from 1730 to 1740 and founded Rome's Capitoline Museums.

Corsini is survived by his parents, Duccio and Clotilde Corsini, and two younger sisters.











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By Ellen Francis BEIRUT (Reuters) - When Uli Sigg began looking for contemporary art in China nearly three decades ago, he was surprised nobody was collecting it systematically. So he decided to do it himself. The Chinese Lives of Uli Sigg, a documentary to be screened alongside 44 others at this month's Beirut Art Film Festival tells how Sigg became the world's largest collector of Chinese contemporary art, gathering more than 2000 pieces. In 2012, he donated around 1,400 of them to the M+ Museum for Visual Design, set to open in Hong Kong in 2019. "I thought it's very weird, the biggest culture space in the world and nobody's paying attention to the contemporary artists," said the Swiss diplomat and businessman during a visit to Lebanon last month. He described the film festival, which is run in partnership with the Lebanese ministry of culture, and the British, Swiss and other embassies, as "an interesting initiative to cover documentaries about art so extensively". Sigg began visiting China in the late 1970s, as former leader Deng Xiaoping ushered in landmark economic reforms that eventually opened up the country to the outside world. Working for Swiss manufacturer Schindler, he helped negotiate the first industrial joint venture between China and Europe. "Nobody was willing to do it at the time," Sigg recalled. "People thought we were crazy." In the turbulent period following the death of the founder of modern China, Mao Zedong, Sigg - Swiss ambassador to Beijing in the late 1990s - says he looked for art that could give insights into the country's transformations. "I hoped the artists would be another source of information. But there was nothing to see, because they had been totally isolated," Sigg said. "When they found their language, it became much more interesting," he added. "I thought I would collect the way a national institution should but didn't." In 1997, Sigg created the Chinese Contemporary Art Award (CCAA) to encourage artists who then worked largely underground. Now in its second year, the Beirut Art Film Festival will showcase films from around the world, including a selection dedicated to Lebanese producers. Screening locations will take the festival outside the capital, to a cafe on a former frontline in the northern city of Tripoli, and a theater in the south that is reopening after a two-decade shutdown. "We started with a small festival for amateurs. We werent expecting people to respond so well," said Alice Mogabgab, one of the founders. "This year, it has become national." (Reporting by Ellen Francis; Editing by Catherine Evans)
Eau Claire (United States) (AFP) - Republican Donald Trump has spent much of the past week in enemy territory, desperate to poach a Democratic state and carve a perilously narrow path to victory in his White House race against Hillary Clinton.

Polls, history, demographics and Trump's abrasive rhetoric are not on his side, even as he seeks to capitalize on never-ending revelations about his rival's use of a private email server while secretary of state.

But with the campaign in its final week, the braggadocious billionaire is determined to make a last-gasp play for a blue state or two that could put him over the top -- if he holds on to Republican ground and seizes the crucial battleground of Florida.

On Sunday he was in Colorado and New Mexico, both of which voted for President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, and are leaning toward Clinton.

On Monday it was Michigan, then Tuesday it was Pennsylvania, also favoring Clinton. Both states have voted Democratic in presidential elections since 1992. Also on Tuesday, Trump visited Wisconsin, whose Democratic streak goes back further, to 1988.

But Trump's team is showing some swagger in blue states.

"I feel like it's going to happen," Carol Robertson, a 57-year-old on disability assistance, told AFP at Trump's rally in Eau Claire.

Polls have shown Clinton reliably ahead in Wisconsin for several months, and she is leading by 5.7 percentage points now, according to the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate.

Robertson dismissed polls as unreliable, and said a silent majority will rise up in Wisconsin and elsewhere.

"People are afraid to say 'I support Trump,'" but they'll vote for him in the privacy of the polling booth, she said.

- 'Logical target' -

In his quest to reach the 270 electoral votes needed to prevail on November 8, Trump is aiming to snatch Rust Belt states like Ohio, a bona fide swing state which voted twice for Obama but where working-class voters feel disenfranchised with the collapse of the manufacturing sector.

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If Trump holds all the states Republican Mitt Romney won in 2012, and wins Ohio and Florida, he is still short. He needs to break into Democratic states.

"If you look at the electoral map, there's little question that Trump has to find some of these blue states to flip over," said Geoffrey Peterson, chair of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Wisconsin could be "a logical target" because of its large manufacturing base, which has shrunk in recent decades.

Its population is also considerably whiter than the national average, which means a broader potential base for Trump who draws heavily from white working class males.

But Peterson said it won't be about Trump winning over new voters at this point: "It's a get-out-the-vote race."

Trump's deputy campaign director David Bossie stressed that the team is knocking on millions of doors in Wisconsin, Ohio and elsewhere.

"It's going to be a very, very close race, and they need everybody out to be... ambassadors for Donald Trump," Wisconsin Republican Party chairman Brad Courtney said.

Democratic stalwarts insist the state is safe.

"Trump is wasting his time in Wisconsin," said Stephanie Bloomingdale, secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO labor union in the state.

"They know when they're being conned by a billionaire brat."

Clinton voters aren't so sure.

"A lot of Democrats don't want to vote this year, because they don't like either of the options," said 21-year-old college student Olivia Knutsen, who protested Trump's visit to Eau Claire.

Such a depressed turnout "is a big reason we're kind of scared it could go either way," she said.

- 'No defense' of Clinton -

Broghan Reilly, who cast his ballot for Libertarian Gary Johnson in early voting Tuesday, said Wisconsin's "populist cities" like Eau Claire, Milwaukee and Madison tend to be more Democratic.

"But you go even a mile or two outside and hit a corn field and all you see is Trump signs," said Reilly, who owns a chiropractic business.

Jim Nichols, 64, was drinking dollar beers at The Joynt, a dive bar in Eau Claire, after protesting at the Trump rally. It felt bittersweet to him.

As he squared off with Trump supporters, he said, "I was nervous because I have no defense of Hillary."

Nichols was a diehard Bernie Sanders backer in the Democratic primaries, but with the "scary" prospects of a Trump upset in Wisconsin, he is taking no chances and voting for Clinton.

Bloomingdale, the AFL-CIO representative, acknowledged the vote will be close.

But she was confident Wisconsinites would promote "common sense ideas to protect the common good," noting the state was first in the nation to institute workman's compensation and that the idea of social security was born in Wisconsin.

But the Republican Party was born in Wisconsin too, in 1854. And current US House Speaker Paul Ryan, the nation's highest-ranking elected Republican, is a favorite son.

Even though Ryan has a longstanding and public feud with Trump, the speaker announced he cast his vote for the party's nominee last week.
Holy Banana Stand! 13 years ago today, we first met the Bluth Family and learned how to accurately imitate a chicken. In honor of Arrested Development officially becoming a teenager, and a man in the Jewish tradition, we present Five Things You Never Knew About the Pilot

#1. The first to be cast wasnt a Bluth.

Before the roles of Michael, Lindsay, Buster, Gangie, George Senior, or Gob were cast, the producers first picked Alia Shawkat to play Maeby Funke.

#2. Michael Cera was nearly replaced.

Because he was having trouble with his work visa, Michael Angarano was on standby to step in for Cera if he was deported to Canada. Cera had to fly to Tijuana, Mexico, to obtain a new visa and finish the pilot.

#3. Enron inspired the series.

Executive Producer and narrator Ron Howard wanted to make a network comedy in the style of a reality TV series, so he met with several producers and writers. When Arrested Development creator Mitchell Hurwitz suggested a riches to rags story in the vein of the Enron scandal, Howard ran with the concept.

#4. Two characters werent supposed to be major players.

George Senior wasnt supposed to make it past the pilot and would spend the rest of his time offscreen and in prison, and Tobias Funke was written as a only minor side player, but when you cast Jeffrey Tambor and David Cross, you use them.

#5. Ron Howard cast his babysitter in an important role.

Howard had a dream actress in mind for Lucille #2, but never thought shed take the part. But when he personally asked Liza Minnelli, his babysitter when he was a child and she was a teen, to play the part, she naturally agreed.

Ron Howard On Arrested Development Season 5: Definitely in the Incubator

Tell us what you think! Whats your favorite episode of Arrested Development? Its Good Grief! with all the Charlie Brown references, right? Right. Either way, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Khail Anonymous, on Twitter.
By Rina Chandran CHAKSU, India (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Days before she was married 18 years ago, K. Bina Devi and her sister were called to the living room of the family home where they lived with their parents and four brothers. There, in a short ceremony witnessed by village elders, she and her sister signed a piece of paper giving up their share of the family property to their brothers. Sweets were distributed and everyone congratulated her and her sister. The custom of "haq tyag", or sacrifice of right, entails a person - usually a woman - relinquishing their claim on ancestral property. It is widely practiced in the Indian state of Rajasthan despite a 2005 national law that gave women equal inheritance rights. While haq tyag is voluntary, women come under enormous pressure to comply, activists said. "If we don't do it, our family will boycott us," said Devi, 36, her head covered with the end of her green saree. "Our relationship with the family will break, and people will speak ill of us," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in Chaksu village, about 30 km (19 miles) from Jaipur city. Haq tyag is justified on grounds that the father pays for his daughter's wedding, and therefore only the sons are entitled to a share of the family property. Also, once she is married, a woman is seen as belonging to her husband's family with no claim on ancestral property. In a bid to address the imbalance, Rajasthan and other states now offer lower rate mortgages and cheaper registration when a property is registered in the name of a woman. "Haq tyag is a tradition, and it is voluntary," said Rajendra Singh Shekhawat, a joint secretary in the state government. "In some cases, it may not be voluntary. But how can we check if the woman is signing willingly or not? That is why we have laws that encourage property ownership by women," he said. NO SECURITY One of India's poorest states, Rajasthan is known as much for its beautiful palaces and majestic forts as for its centuries-old traditions of honor and chivalry. This is the state where the custom of sati, where widows threw themselves into their husband's funeral pyre, prevailed long after it was declared illegal in the 19th century. The law was strengthened in 1987 following the death of a young widow in Rajasthan watched by thousands. Across India, only 13 percent of farmland is owned by women, according to census data. [nL5N1881WM] Amendments in 2005 to the Hindu Succession Act, which governs matters of inheritance among Hindus who make up about 80 percent of India's population, made women's inheritance rights equal to those of men. Yet some state laws run contrary to the legislation, and in states such as Rajasthan, women are made to forgo their claims. Haq tyag itself is rooted in misogynistic customs and traditions, particularly in India's villages. These include limited education for girls, early marriage, financial dependence, and denial of the right to property. "It is a deep-rooted patriarchy that tells women they are okay only as long as they have the protection of a man," said Varsha Joshi, an associate professor at the Institute of Development Studies in Jaipur, who has studied property ownership among women in rural Rajasthan. "Women have no security, no guarantee of a roof over their heads. And it is assumed they will never go against their families or go to court over being denied their right to property," she said. FINANCIALLY LITERATE Increasingly though, women in Chaksu village and elsewhere in the northwestern state are having to tend to the land as their husbands migrate in search of work. With their names missing from property titles, women are often unable to take loans or access government subsidies. They are in danger of being thrown out when the husband dies, as the property then goes to the sons or the husband's brothers. Rights activists are raising awareness of the law among women, and encouraging men to take advantage of the perks. "We have to be respectful of customs: we can't just go tell women to claim their rights, they will be ostracised if they do," said Kavita Mishra, head of the Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants Society (CECOEDECON). "Having a financial incentive is a great way to make the men see the benefit of registering property in the name of the women," she said. Women are also becoming more independent and financially literate. Once confined to their homes and dependent on their husbands, women in villages are running small businesses with the help of microfinance, and working in state welfare programs that provide 100 days' employment to rural families. "They now have bank accounts and some financial independence. That has given them the ambition and the confidence to own a home or a plot of land," said Mishra. In Chaksu, Devi belongs to a self-help group that sews camel-leather slippers for sale to a retailer in Jaipur, and helps members source loans to buy property. "It's important that we women have something in our name. Otherwise we have no security," said Manju Devikumar, who heads the 10-member group. "Things are changing. Laws give us equal rights even to own property, which we could never dream of," she said. (Reporting by Rina Chandran @rinachandran, Editing by Ros Russell. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit news.trust.org to see more stories.)
LONDON (Reuters) - A former fund manager at the London division of asset manager BlackRock Inc (BLK.N) on Wednesday pleaded guilty to two counts of insider dealing in a London court.

Mark Lyttleton, 45, admitted buying shares shortly before public announcements about EnCore Oil Plc and Cairn Energy (CNE.L) after working on deals or on the basis of conversations with colleagues, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Lyttleton, who had been charged in September with three counts of insider dealing after being arrested in 2013, dealt through an overseas asset manager trading on behalf of a Panamanian registered company.

He will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Dec. 21.

Lyttleton worked at BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Ltd between 2001 and 2013, according to the FCA's register of financial appointments.

Blackrock, the world's largest asset manager, reiterated that it had been told by the FCA that the charges related to alleged actions carried out for personal gain, while off its premises. There was no impact to any of its clients, it said.

Insider dealing is a criminal offence in the UK and is punishable by a fine and up to seven years in jail.

The markets regulator has secured 30 insider dealing convictions since starting to prosecute the crime in 2009.

(Reporting by Kirstin Ridley, editing by Louise Heavens)
LONDON (Reuters) - A former fund manager at the London division of asset manager BlackRock Inc (BLK.N) on Wednesday pleaded guilty to two counts of insider dealing in a London court.

Mark Lyttleton, 45, admitted buying shares shortly before public announcements about EnCore Oil Plc and Cairn Energy (CNE.L) after working on deals or on the basis of conversations with colleagues, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Lyttleton, who had been charged in September with three counts of insider dealing after being arrested in 2013, dealt through an overseas asset manager trading on behalf of a Panamanian registered company.

He will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on December 21.

Lyttleton worked at BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Ltd between 2001 and 2013, according to the FCA's register of financial appointments.

Blackrock, the world's largest asset manager, reiterated that it had been told by the FCA that the charges related to alleged actions carried out for personal gain, while off its premises. There was no impact to any of its clients, it said.

Insider dealing is a criminal offence in the UK and is punishable by a fine and up to seven years in jail.

The markets regulator has secured 30 insider dealing convictions since starting to prosecute the crime in 2009.

(Reporting by Kirstin Ridley, editing by Louise Heavens)
LONDON (Reuters) - A former fund manager at the London division of asset manager BlackRock Inc <BLK.N> on Wednesday pleaded guilty to two counts of insider dealing in a London court.

Mark Lyttleton, 45, admitted buying shares shortly before public announcements about EnCore Oil Plc and Cairn Energy <CNE.L> after working on deals or on the basis of conversations with colleagues, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Lyttleton, who had been charged in September with three counts of insider dealing after being arrested in 2013, dealt through an overseas asset manager trading on behalf of a Panamanian registered company.

He will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Dec. 21.

Lyttleton worked at BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Ltd between 2001 and 2013, according to the FCA's register of financial appointments.

Blackrock, the world's largest asset manager, reiterated that it had been told by the FCA that the charges related to alleged actions carried out for personal gain, while off its premises. There was no impact to any of its clients, it said.

Insider dealing is a criminal offence in the UK and is punishable by a fine and up to seven years in jail.

The markets regulator has secured 30 insider dealing convictions since starting to prosecute the crime in 2009.

(Reporting by Kirstin Ridley, editing by Louise Heavens)
(Reuters) - Former Tehran prosecutor general Saeed Mortazavi, whose role in curbing dissent has been condemned by human rights groups for years, has been sentenced to 135 lashes on charges related to a corruption trial, Iranian media reported on Wednesday. Mortazavi was convicted of "seizing and wasting public funds while head of the Social Security Organization, an Iranian NGO that provides insurance for the elderly, unemployed and others, in 2012 and 2013, according to state TV's website. The sentence marked a dramatic reversal of fortune for a man who once personified the heavy hand of the Islamic Republic's hardline judiciary. In 2010, Human Rights Watch described Mortazavi as a "serial human rights abuser". Mostafa Turk Hamedani, an attorney for the plaintiffs in the Social Security Organization case, said on Wednesday the sentence was too light for the charges Mortazavi faced. "With respect to the opinion of the judge I am going to file a complaint with the judiciary, he said, according to state television's website. Mortazavi, 49, served as prosecutor general in Tehran from 2003 until 2009 and was the head of the capital's Revolutionary Court for a few years prior to that posting. He first gained widespread attention in the early 2000s for his role in closing dozens of reformist newspapers while heading up the revolutionary court during the reformist presidency of Mohammad Khatami, who was despised by Iranian conservative hardliners for trying to liberalize the Islamic Republic. Zahra Kazemi, an Iranian-Canadian photo journalist, died in Tehrans Evin prison in 2003 in the midst of this crackdown on critical media. The Canadian government said Kazemi was tortured to death and accused Mortazavi of direct involvement. During Mortazavis tenure, three detainees were killed and many tortured in Kahrizak prison in 2009, according to human rights campaigners. The three had been jailed for taking part in street unrest over allegations of fraud in the re-election of then-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a Mortazavi ally. Mortazavi was acquitted of charges related to the deaths of the three Kahrizak prisoners in 2014 but banned from holding public office for five years. Mortavazi was also involved by extension in a protracted feud between Ahmadinejad and the prominent Larijani family. In 2013, Ahmadinejad played an audio clip in the Iranian parliament in which the brother of parliament speaker Ali Larijani allegedly offers a bribe to Mortazavi. Sadeq Amoli Larijani, another brother, is the head of the judiciary. Mortazavi was arrested on the day Ahmadinejad played the audio clip but freed after two days, without explanation. (Reporting by Babak Dehghanpisheh; editing by Mark Heinrich)
Foxs Star will be born early  and Cookie Lyon & Co. will be assisting with the delivery.

Fox on Wednesday announced that Empire creator Lee Daniels newest musical drama Star will get an early premiere on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 9/8c, following the fall finale of Empire (which will shift to 8/7c for the first time ever). Star will then resume its rookie season on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 9/8c. Empire, meanwhile, will return in the spring to close out its third season.

RELATEDBones Final Season: Fox Announces Premiere Date, Teases Wedding

The Atlanta-set Star follows three young women (Ryan Destiny, Jude Demorest and Brittany OGrady) who form a musical group and experience the music business highs and lows on their road to fame. The cast also includes Queen Latifah, Benjamin Bratt and Nicholas Gonzalez.

In September, Chuck Pratt Jr., who most recently served as headwriter on CBS The Young and the Restless, stepped in as showrunner and executive producer, filling the void left by departing producer-writer Charles Murray.

Check out the new trailer above, and then hit the comments with your thoughts on Daniels latest musical endeavor  will you be watching?

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By Pascal Rossignol CALAIS, France (Reuters) - France moved more than 1,600 child migrants from the site of a demolished camp to reception centers across the country on Wednesday, and said Britain would be giving refuge to several hundred of them. French authorities transferred more than 5,000 other migrants last week before bulldozers moved in to raze the sprawl of ramshackle shacks and tents nicknamed the "Jungle" by its inhabitants. But hundreds of unaccompanied children were left behind. They have been sheltered in converted shipping containers on a site on the edge of the flattened camp as France and Britain squabbled over who should take them in. Many of them teenagers from war-ravaged Afghanistan and Sudan's Darfur region, they bade farewell to companions and charity workers before boarding awaiting buses. The children's plight triggered a diplomatic row between Paris and London, with tensions intensifying in recent days after President Francois Hollande pressed Britain to accept its share of responsibility for the minors. British officials demanded France take better care of them. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told parliament that Britain had agreed in negotiations to take in "several hundred" of the child migrants. An interior ministry source said these were on top of the more than 300 minors Britain had taken in between Oct. 10 and last week's operation to dismantle the camp. "The challenge now is to implement the terms of the agreement we concluded with the British," Cazeneuve said. "INHUMANE CONDITIONS" A spokesman for the Pas-de-Calais region said 1,616 children were moved out on Wednesday. Many had been desperate to reach Britain, which lies tantalizingly close across a narrow stretch of sea, saying they have relatives there. "We don't want to go to the bus, we want to go to England only. England, no France," said one Afghan teenager. European Union rules say Britain must take in unaccompanied children who have family ties. Britain has also made a wider commitment to taking in vulnerable migrant children under the so-called Dubs amendment passed in parliament this year. David Jones, junior minister in charge of Britain's exit from the EU, told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday that there had been a pause in the process of admitting children while the camp was closed. "We anticipate that that will recommence later this week," the minister said. The United Nations' Committee on the Rights of the Child criticized both governments for disregarding the child migrants' best interests. "Hundreds of children have been subjected to inhumane living conditions," the committee said in a statement. Faced with an uncertain future, the child migrants received colored bracelets marked with the number of the bus they would be traveling on but no choice over its destination. Dozens of British Home (Interior) Office officials, including Border Force staff, were in Calais on Wednesday and will visit the 60 temporary housing centers dedicated to unaccompanied children to assess their asylum requests. The Calais camp came to symbolize Europe's fraught efforts to cope with a record influx of migrants fleeing war and poverty in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Hollande this week promised Calais residents the migrants would not return, and on Wednesday the prefect of the Pas-de Calais region said even the container park would be dismantled. Charity workers criticized the plans to remove the shipping container site. "We fear many of the adolescents will come back to Calais. How will the state look after them? Will they be left to sleep in the street?," said Christian Salome, head of the Auberge des Migrants charity. (Additional reporting by Matthias Blamont and Brian Love in Paris, Tom Miles in Geneva and William James in London; Writing by Richard Lough Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
Calais (France) (AFP) - Over 1,600 unaccompanied minors left in Calais after the demolition of the infamous "Jungle" migrant camp were bussed to shelters across France on Wednesday, even as many still hoped to be admitted to Britain.

Two days after the last makeshift shelters in the camp were destroyed, buses took 1,616 children, mainly teenagers, away from the container housing where they had slept for the past week.

The first bus carrying 43 minors headed for the town of Carcassonne, around 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) from Calais in southern France. Another was bound for Sainte-Marie-la-Mer, near the Spanish border.

The closure of the container housing is one of the last acts in a major French operation to clear Calais of migrants who have long used the area as a staging post for attempts to sneak into Britain, stowed away on trucks or trains crossing the Channel.

Many of those driven to far-flung parts of France were still dreaming of Britain.

"I can't say I'm really happy because I don't know where I'll end up," said Ahmed, a 17-year-old from Sudan, before boarding a bus. "But I'm glad to be leaving the Jungle anyway."

French authorities have said that Britain, which has taken around 300 child refugees from Calais since mid-October and promised to take more, will continue to review applications from minors seeking to be transferred there.

Two British officials accompanied each bus.

Regional security chief Fabienne Buccio said their presence demonstrated Britain's "commitment towards the minors".

Last week, more than 4,000 mainly Afghan, Eritrean and Sudanese migrants agreed -- in some cases reluctantly -- to be moved to centres dotted around France where they can seek asylum.

A few hundred minors were among those moved to shelters last week but "around half" of them later slipped away, according to the head of the France Terre d'Asile charity, Pierre Henry.

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"They want to return to Calais," Henry said.

Their departure leaves only around 400 women with young children still living at the site, in a centre run by charities.

- Setting 'appalling' example -

The plight of the "Jungle children" had been a sticking point between France and Britain.

France expects Britain to take in the lion's share of the youngsters who travelled alone to Calais hoping to reach family or friends in England.

Britain has blamed France for the initial delays in the transfers.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on Wednesday accused both countries of passing the buck.

"Disagreements between the French and UK governments over who should take responsibility for the majority of these children have led to major violations of these children's rights," the committee said.

Amnesty International said the spat between the two European neighbours sent "an appalling signal to other countries".

"Shirking responsibility for protecting refugees can only encourage others to shirk too," the rights group said.

Buccio, the regional security chief, said she expected the minors to know their fate "within three weeks maximum".

- 'Future French citizens' -

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said he was "very proud" of how the operation had been executed, saying the asylum-seekers were the French citizens of the future.

The camp represented "an image of France that I don't want to see -- men, women and children living in disgraceful conditions. Welcomed, given the right to asylum, they will be French," he said at an awards ceremony in Paris.

"They will speak French, they will share our values. Tomorrow, some of them will be lawmakers, members of the government."

The camp was already demolished in 2009 only to sprout up again in 2015 when migrants from the Middle East and Africa began pouring into Europe in unprecedented numbers.

French President Francois Hollande has vowed an end to all such camps.

But less than 300 kilometres from Calais, around 2,000 migrants are living in conditions similar to those seen in the Jungle, on the streets of Paris.

Authorities are expected to soon clear the camp under a railway bridge in the northeastern Stalingrad district, with a 400-bed temporary shelter set to open in the coming days.

Several hundred people took to the streets in Paris on Wednesday in support of the migrants, chanting "So-, So-, solidarity" and "Police! No!"
PARIS (Reuters) - France's ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy and his camp on Wednesday stepped up attacks on his rival Alain Juppe and a centrist ally they said could not be trusted, in a sign of growing tensions within their conservative Les Republicains (LR) party. Sarkozy is lagging in opinion polls behind Juppe ahead of a Nov. 20 first round of voting in a primary contest that will decide who wins the LR nomination for next year's French presidential election. Sarkozy is unhappy about a rule that allows anybody willing to pay two euros and sign a declaration that they share center-right values to take part in the primaries, which many see as effectively a first round of the presidential election itself. The rule is widely viewed as favoring Juppe, a former prime minister, as the much more abrasive Sarkozy is unpopular among left-wing voters. Many such voters have told pollsters they will take part in the primaries to back Juppe and block Sarkozy. Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, said on Wednesday Juppe was making an "error" by accepting the backing of Francois Bayrou, head of the small center-right MoDem party. "I don't want the next government to be Bayrou's hostage," he told France Info radio. Bayrou voted in the 2012 presidential election for Francois Hollande, the Socialist candidate who defeated Sarkozy. Sarkozy says Bayrou cannot be trusted and would prevent Juppe carrying out key reforms. Several of Sarkozy's closest allies also slammed Bayrou on Wednesday at a joint news conference. Lawmaker Luc Chatel said "the ambiguity" of Bayrou's support for Juppe could call into question the party's "founding pact". While Sarkozy, like Juppe and the other five, lesser known candidates in the primaries, have said they will respect the result of the primaries, analysts say the current tensions could spell trouble for the LR party. "The Sarkozy camp is insisting on this (aggressive stance) to try and deprive Alain Juppe of his legitimacy because Bayrou voted for Hollande," said Jerome Fourquet at Ifop pollsters. "We're seeing the start of a discourse on an illegitimate victory, that will take its toll," Fourquet said, adding that in case of a narrow Juppe win where left-wing and Bayrou supporters make the difference, "many grassroot (LR) party members will be very angry". An Elabe poll on Wednesday forecast that Juppe would win the run-off of the primary vote with 61 percent - up five percentage points since early October - against 39 percent for Sarkozy. The winner of the primaries has a strong chance of becoming France's next president, given the deep unpopularity of Hollande and the fact that a majority of voters do not want Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front, as president. (Reporting by Ingrid Melander and Sophie Louet; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Gawker Media and its founder, Nick Denton, have settled litigation with Hulk Hogan over Gawkers posting of a sex video of the wrestler, along with two other parties who sued the now-bankrupt digital media company.

Gawker will pay Hogan and his lawyers $31 million to settle the $140 million jury award in the case, which was filed after Gawker.com in 2012 posted a video of the wrestler having sex with his best friends wife, according to documents filed Wednesday in Manhattan bankruptcy court.

Denton in a blog post confirmed that the settlements had been reached. The saga is over, he wrote. Under the terms of the agreement, three stories published by Gawker Media  the one about Hulk Hogan, a story about the claim by Shiva Ayyadurai that he invented email, and a story about the feud between the founders of Tinder  are being removed from the web, according to Denton, who called that the most unpalatable part of the deal.

Previously, Denton and Gawker Media said they planned to appeal the verdict in the Hogan case along with the two other lawsuits, each of which were funded by Peter Thiel, PayPals billionaire founder and a vocal Donald Trump supporter. In the post Wednesday, Denton wrote that an all-out legal war with Thiel would have cost too much, and hurt too many people, and there was no end in sight. Thiel has defended his war on Gawker, which outed him as gay in a 2007 article, as a check on media organizations that publish individuals private info.

Under the settlement, Gawker will pay a total of $1.25 million to Ayyadurai and Ashley Terrill, a writer who had been working on a story about Tinder and sued Gawker for libel over Gawkers story about the app company. Hogan (whose real name is Terry Bollea), Ayyadurai and Terrill were represented in the Gawker lawsuits by attorney Charles Harder.

As a result of the Hogan verdict, Gawker declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy and initiated the process of selling its assets.

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In August, Univision Communications acquired six of Gawker Medias sites  Gizmodo, Lifehacker, Deadspin, Jezebel, Kotaku and Jalopnik  for $135 million. Those sites are now housed under Univisions Gizmodo Media Group, overseen by ex-News Corp exec Raju Narisetti. Gawker.com ceased publishing on Aug. 22, but the site remains live.

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Gawker apparently is tapping out.

On Wednesday, Gawker Media's founder Nick Denton published a statement that the company's legal battle with Hulk Hogan over the publishing of an excerpt of a sex tape would be coming to a close.

"After four years of litigation funded by a billionaire with a grudge going back even further, a settlement has been reached," wrote Denton. "The saga is over."

According to bankruptcy papers filed Wednesday, Hogan will be receiving $31 million plus a share of distributions from a contingent proceeds creditor account. He may also be gaining more in a separate deal with Denton.

In October 2012, Gawker published less than a minute of Hogan's sex tape alongside an essay by A.J. Daulerio that opened by musing about how "we love to watch famous people have sex." Little did the publication know then this one post would bring about its demise.

Hogan initially sued in federal court with a copyright claim, but couldn't get a temporary restraining order that removed the video from the website. The former professional wrestler born Terry Bollea then refiled in Florida state court, bringing privacy claims against not just Gawker, but also his partner in the video, Heather Cole, the then-wife of his best friend, Tampa-area radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge.

After nearly four years of litigation, which included ample discovery, an FBI investigation into whether Hogan was extorted, and more sex tape leaks showing that Hogan had made racist comments during bedroom banter, the case went to trial in March. He was awarded $140 million in compensatory and punitive damages from Gawker, Denton and Daulerio. The trial judge later upheld the verdict.

Gawker expressed its hope that its First Amendment arguments would lead to a different outcome on appeal, but the verdict created financial pressures on the company. In July, Gawker declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and some of the company's blogs - but not its flagship Gawker.com - were sold to Univision for $135 million after an auction.

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Meanwhile, the revelation that Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel had secretly provided financial backing to Hogan created another explosive turn. The PayPal co-founder reportedly contributed money not only to Hogan, but also to others like purported email inventor Shiva Ayyadurai to sue Gawker. Many were represented by Hollywood attorney Charles Harder. Thiel was outed as gay by one of Gawker's old tech publications, but he denied that his funding was the result of a grudge. At a recent press conference, Thiel explained that he found Gawker's reporting to be distasteful and commented, "If you're a single-digit millionaire like Hulk Hogan, you have no effective access to our legal system. It costs too much."

In bankruptcy court, the parties were prepared to argue about distribution of the Univision proceeds as well as next steps. Gawker was eyeing a possible lawsuit against Thiel. But according to Denton, it's all over.

In a statement titled "A Hard Peace," Denton writes, "Yes, we were confident the appeals court would reduce or eliminate the runaway Florida judgment against Gawker, the writer of the Hogan story and myself personally.... But all-out legal war with Thiel would have cost too much, and hurt too many people, and there was no end in sight."

The parties are due in court Thursday and are expected to discuss the settlement, which calls for Ayyadurai to get $750,000 and journalist Ashley Terrill to get $500,000 to settle their own lawsuits. It's said in the bankruptcy papers that " baseline benefit is higher than the alternative of fully litigating the disputes resolved under the Plan Settlements."

The settlement will require the bankruptcy judge's approval.

David Houston, Hogan's lawyer, commented, "As with any negotiation for resolution, all parties have agreed it is time to move on."
Redefining the sector dynamics, industrial goods manufacturer General Electric Company GE inked a definitive agreement with Baker Hughes Incorporated BHI to merge its Oil & Gas business with the latter to form an industry leader with an unrivalled mix of service and equipment capabilities.



However, this multi-billion deal, which seeks to create a behemoth in the oil & gas industry with operations in over 120 countries and combined revenues of $32 billion, failed to lift investor sentiments. Share prices decreased marginally to close at $28.88 on Nov 1, 2016 on the subsequent day of the announcement of the deal.

GENL ELECTRIC Price

GENL ELECTRIC Price | GENL ELECTRIC Quote

The Deal



Under the terms of the agreement, GE Oil & Gas and Baker Hughes will form a new entity (the New Baker Hughes) using a partnership structure, pursuant to which both the parties will contribute their operating assets to the newly formed partnership. General Electric will own the majority stake of 62.5% in the new company, and the remainder will be held by the erstwhile Baker Hughes shareholders, who will also receive a special one-time cash dividend of $17.50 per share at closure. General Electric will contribute about $7.4 billion to the new partnership to fund the dividend.



The transaction is expected to close in mid-2017, subject to mandatory regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. The New Baker Hughes will have dual headquarters in Houston, Texas and London, U.K., along with nearly identical representation in the Board of Directors.

BAKER-HUGHES Price

BAKER-HUGHES Price | BAKER-HUGHES Quote

The Rationale



With a complimentary portfolio of operating assets and integrated offerings, the new entity will be able to better serve the existing customers of both the companies. While General Electric possess unique capabilities in fullstream oil and gas manufacturing and technology solutions spanning across subsea & drilling, rotating equipment, imaging and sensing, Baker Hughes has proven expertise in drilling & evaluation and completion & production services. The transaction will reportedly create the second largest player in the oilfield equipment and services industry.



Through effective utilization of combined resources, the synergistic deal is likely to yield $1.6 billion by 2020. The transaction is anticipated to be accretive to General Electrics earnings by 4 cents per share by 2018 and 8 cents by 2020.



Hints of Re-Conglomeration



General Electric has been actively pursuing its massive restructuring initiatives in order to create a simpler and nimbler firm. From a classic conglomerate with diversified business interests in financial services, media, industrial and technology-based operations, the company is pruning its operating portfolio to focus on core manufacturing businesses with a digital edge. Since Apr 2015 till the end of Sep 2016, GE Capital inked sale agreements worth approximately $193 billion in ENI, of which it has already completed deals worth $173 billion.



However, the recent partnership with Baker Hughes portrays re-conglomeration efforts by General Electric to arrest the dwindling sales of its Oil & Gas business. During third-quarter 2016, Oil & Gas revenues declined 25% year over year to $2,964 million, due to macroeconomic headwinds and volatility in oil prices. Experts widely believed that GE Oil & Gas business lacked product breadth and was losing market share in a few key product lines, leading to increased risk of asset erosion. The strategic deal, therefore, fortifies the beleaguered business to ramp up its operations to fend off competition from rivals like Schlumberger Limited SLB and Halliburton Company HAL.



We remain impressed by the opportunistic deal and expect the transaction to be mutually beneficial for both the companies. General Electric currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.



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Frankfurt (AFP) - Germany's vital chemicals sector is struggling with slow growth in emerging economies and political uncertainty in Europe, prompting the VCI industry federation to slash its forecast for 2016.

For the whole year, the federation predicts revenues will sink by 3.0 percent compared with 2015, to 183 billion euros.

In July, it had predicted revenues would shrink less, at 1.5 percent.

"Unfortunately we're not getting much tailwind at the moment from the political or economic environment," federation president Kurt Bock said in a statement.

"We don't see many indications of a sustainable pick-up in the chemicals business."

Chemical firms make up Germany's third-biggest industrial sector by revenue after the car industry and machine-tool makers, and employ some 444,000 people.

The sector cut production in the third quarter, with the VCI blaming uncertainty among customers at home for lower orders despite "first positive impulses" from foreign customers.

Weak demand meant the sector was only able to raise prices slightly in response to increased input costs for raw materials like crude oil.

Prices gained 0.5 percent between July and September compared with the previous three months, the first increase after three quarters of decline, but remained 2.7 percent lower than the same period in 2015.

That translated into revenues of 43.5 billion euros ($48.2 billion) over the quarter, a drop of 2.5 percent compared with the third quarter last year.

Sales fell slightly in Germany compared with the previous quarter, while exports to Europe remained constant and those to other regions grew.

"Excluding Asia, all regions recorded significantly lower sales than in the previous year," the federation said.

Companies in the sector, which range in size from small firms to global giants like BASF and Bayer, "were not unhappy in the third quarter overall," the VCI noted.

And the picture looking to the future is less bright.

"Uncertainty given the continuing weak growth in emerging economies can be felt just as much as concern for stability in Europe," the federation said.

The VCI pointed to the impact of the Brexit vote on investment and consumption in Britain, concerns over the Greek and Italian economies and political difficulties in Spain as the most important sources of uncertainty.
By Jan Schwartz HAMBURG, Germany (Reuters) - A German court weighed up the limits of artistic freedom on Wednesday in considering whether to ban a satirical poem that mocked Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and caused a diplomatic spat between Ankara and Berlin. The Hamburg court had issued a preliminary injunction in May banning re-publication of parts of the poem, suggesting the president engaged in bestiality and watched child pornography, which Jan Boehmermann recited on German television in March. The row has soured already tense relations between Germany and Turkey at a time when the European Union is looking to Ankara for support in tackling the migrant crisis. A resolution passed by Germany's parliament in June that declared the 1915 massacre of Armenians by Ottoman forces to be a genocide further worsened relations. The crux of the legal arguments is weighing the right to artistic freedom with the personal rights of Erdogan, the court has said. In its May ruling, it marked 18 of the poem's 24 verses as "abusive and defaming". Boehmermann's lawyer Christian Schertz said he expected the court to reject the lawsuit claiming slander and offense. "Artistic freedom is protected here and I think that the court assessed some things incorrectly in their previous ruling," he told reporters. The poem had to be evaluated as part of a whole performance exploring what satire is allowed, he said. The court said it would make its ruling on Feb. 10 in the civil case. Last month, prosecutors in the town of Mainz dropped a separate investigation into Boehmermann who was accused of offending a foreign leader with the poem. Chancellor Angela Merkel was widely criticized for giving prosecutors the nod to pursue the case against the comedian and it prompted the government to say it would rescind an archaic law forbidding insults of foreign leaders. Erdogan's lawyer Michael-Hubertus von Sprenger told reporters there was no conflict between human dignity and freedom of artistic expression. "Human dignity is inviolable. There is no trade-off ... There is nothing to consider," he said. (Reporting by Reuters TV and Jan Schwartz; Writing by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
CHENGDU, China (Reuters) - Germany's outspoken economy minister, visiting China, on Wednesday met activists who have criticized the Beijing government and urged it to free jailed human rights lawyers. Human rights is a sensitive subject in China where President Xi Jinping's administration has tightened control over civil society, saying it needs to increase security in what activists say is the most sweeping crackdown on dissent in decades. Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel met nine activists at the German Embassy in Beijing, including Sakharov Prize winner Hu Jia; Chen Guiqui, the wife of a jailed lawyer; and writer and blogger Murong Xuecun. "These were all people who have had difficult experiences with the state apparatus," Gabriel, the deputy to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, told reporters accompanying him during a stopover in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu. He said he was urging Chinese authorities to release dozens of human rights lawyers jailed by security forces for alleged subversion. It was unclear whether Gabriel had already discussed this with Chinese officials during his trip. "We hope that these lawyers will be released," said Gabriel. He would make this position clear in forthcoming talks with Chinese officials "and I will also write", said the minister. China routinely rejects foreign criticism of its rights record and says that guaranteeing things like the right to education and freedom from hunger underscore its commitment to a broader definition of human rights. On Tuesday, Gabriel drove home German concerns about Beijing's trade policies in talks with Chinese government officials marked by tensions over Chinese corporate takeovers of German technology companies. (Reporting by Gernot Heller; writing by Madeline Chambers; editing by Mark Heinrich)
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - A new draft of proposed international bank regulation is unacceptable for Germany because the rules might restrict lending by the country's banks, the head of Germany's financial regulatory agency said.

The Basel Committee of bank supervisors from nearly 30 countries intends to deliver the new Basel IV rules by the end of this year. The rules aim to avoid repeats of the financial crisis of 2008-09, when taxpayers had to bail out under-capitalized lenders.

The plan, however, has drawn criticism in Europe. The European Union's financial services commissioner said several weeks ago that the reform risks hurting European banks and needs to be changed.

Felix Hufeld, the president of Germany's regulatory agency, Bafin, weighed in late on Tuesday.

"Discussions are not over the finish line yet," Hufeld said. "From a German perspective, what we have on the table so far is not acceptable."

Germany and France, especially, are worried that the proposals presented so far could discourage their banks from lending to consumers and companies. They say that the new rules demand a significant increase in the capital banks must hold against their risks.

One bone of contention is the level of discretion over how much capital banks must hold against loans turning sour.

Regulators want to cut complexity and inconsistency in capital requirements among big banks that use their own models, rather than methods set out by regulators, to calculate credit risks.

Models typically indicate lower capital requirements, a big advantage, since credit risk accounts for 70 percent of a bank's capital buffer. Regulators suspect that the big banks use models to make capital ratios appear stronger than they are.

But the switch to standards defined by regulators hits banks in different countries to a different extent.

European banks argue that the new rules favor U.S. banks because the U.S. economy depends less on bank loans for financing than on capital markets.

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In addition, European banks usually keep mortgage loans on their own books, while U.S. banks can offload them to state agencies such as the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, commonly known as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The Basel committee has said that the proposed rules will not increase overall capital requirements significantly. Bank lobby groups say they would raise capital requirements as much as 50 percent for some banks.

Bafin's Hufeld indicated that the Basel committee may be unable to find common ground on the issue.

"We are trying to develop a global standard. But if part of the industry would be eliminated, that is not acceptable for us," he said.

(Reporting by Alexander Hubner; Writing by Arno Schuetze; editing by Larry King)
BERLIN (Reuters) - German police have arrested a Syrian man in Berlin on suspicion of being a member of a foreign terrorist organization, local police tweeted. The man, who officers said had given his age as 27, had been living in Germany since 2015, police said. He was arrested in an apartment in the Schoeneberg district and an investigation has begun. German security services, fearing Islamist attacks, are on high alert. In October, a Syrian refugee was arrested on suspicion of planning a major attack in Berlin after police discovered explosives in his apartment. Almost 900,000 migrants arrived in Germany last year and while many Germans initially welcomed them, security concerns have since increased, especially after migrants carried out several violent attacks on civilians over the summer, two of which were claimed by Islamic State. There have also been attacks on asylum seekers and their accommodation facilities. On Tuesday suspected far-right extremists threatened asylum seekers in the town of Bautzen. (Reporting by Michelle Martin; Editing by Louise Ireland)
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany is not discussing possible sanctions against Turkey over its widening crackdown after a failed coup in the summer and the detention last month of executives from an opposition newspaper, a spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday. "We have big doubts whether the actions against editor in chief Murat Sabuncu and his colleagues are in line with the principles of the rule of law," Steffen Seibert said during a regular government news conference. Sabuncu, editor of the opposition secularist Cumhuriyet newspaper, was arrested late last month and accused along with other executives of committing crimes on behalf of Kurdish militants and the "Gulenist Terror Organisation" (FETO). Ankara blames the supporters of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen for the coup attempt. The government refers to his network as the Gulenist Terror Organisation (FETO). Gulen has denied involvement in the putsch. Seibert added that German would not sever contact with Turkey even though it was very alarmed by the crackdown on the press. (Reporting by Madeline Chambers and Paul Carrel; Writing by Joseph Nasr)
Gigi Hadid had a super chill Halloween on Monday night.

The 21-year-old supermodel talked about spending the holiday this year with her good pal, Taylor Swift, during her first-ever appearance on the Today show on Wednesday.

"It was really cool, we were all working so my friend had a little, like, girls' night at her house," she tells anchor Matt Lauer, who quickly calls out that the "friend" is none other than Swift. "We had chips and guacamole and pizza."

WATCH: Gigi Hadid Slams 'BS' Reports About Her -- The Amount of Negativity It Creates Is 'Truly Sad'

 A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Oct 31, 2016 at 7:11pm PDT

Gigi also explains how she made her cute cub scout costume.

Happy Halloween from Deadpool, a Cub Scout, Martha Brady, a space cadet, a granny with a lost cat, black swan, and a birthday girl dressed as a cat  Happy birthday @kennedyrayee WE LOVE YOUUUUUU A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Oct 31, 2016 at 7:10pm PDT

Thanks @vancityreynolds for this costume, you're the BEST deadpool inside contact ever  A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Oct 31, 2016 at 7:30pm PDT

"I had a really, really intense costume planned and then I said, maybe I'll save it," she shares. "So then I found a cub scout shirt in Japan at a vintage store, and I made a costume out of it."

The beautiful blonde also talks about the interesting look she stepped out in on Tuesday, rocking a gray sweatsuit ensemble with a floor-length white coat. Lauer jokingly told Gigi that he couldn't believe she was willing to drag her coat through the not-so-clean New York City streets.

"This will make you feel better -- the coat came off the runway already dirty," Gigi says with a laugh. "So I walked across the street to get coffee. I only walked across the street. ... It was already dirty, so I either I wear it, or I don't wear it."

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Gigi was on the NBC morning show to promote her new Stuart Weitzman boots, which she's proud of since some of the proceeds will go to building schools around the world. Gigi, who's a brand ambassador for the designer shoe label, says having a reputation as someone who's easy to work with is more important than being labeled an "it" girl.

"Obviously, it's an honor to be called that," she notes. "[But] I think that something that I've really paid attention to is just being someone that people like to work with, and I think if you really touch someone on a personal level then they'll be the ones that are fighting for you the next day in a meeting, or pushing you for a certain campaign, and that's something that I just try to stick to."

Last month, Gigi revealed similar advice that her mother, former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Hadid, imparted on her. Yolanda, 52, is herself a former model.

"I think my favorite thing that she says is, 'When you start working, you better be the most hardworking, nicest person in the room because if you're not, then there's always going to be someone prettier, nicer, and more hardworking,'" Gigi shared with W magazine. "And that's just something that I always think about when I get to set. ... It's always a first impression, and I think that the thing I try and remember is that you have to give your energy for that time, because it's the time that counts, and that's how the person's going to remember you."

WATCH: Gigi Hadid Has Star-Studded 21st Birthday Bash -- Both Taylor Swift and Ex John Mayer Awkwardly Attend Along With Kardashian-Jenner Clan

While Gigi might describe her Halloween as low-key, of course, not everyone gets to wear the actual Deadpool costume from Ryan Reynolds himself as Swift did at her girls-only bash. Check out more insane Halloween costumes in the video below.

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Rory Gilmore has a lot going on: friends, family, career. So why are Gilmore Girls fans so obsessed with her boyfriends?

During a recent interview, creator Amy Sherman-Palladino discussed the upcoming Netflix revival, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, as well as the publics fascination with her characters love lives. The show, Sherman-Palladino says, was always about a smart, ambitious girl and her family, not about Rorys romantic prospects. And yet ever since Netflix announced the revival, fans have spent most of their time debating Dean vs. Jess and who Rory should date in the new episodes. (All three actors will appear in the revival.) Heres an excerpt from the interview, but look for the full story on the new Gilmore Girls episodes next week.

Weve talked about how the show was meant to focus on Rorys ambition and her relationship with her family. Given that, how do you feel about the Internets obsession with Rorys boyfriendswho was the best, who was the worst, which one she should end up with?

Its a small part of who Rory is. Rory didnt spend her days thinking, Who am I going to end up with? Rory was much more concerned about How do I get that interview at the New York Times? Its a natural thing: People love romance. Romance is an element of every show on air, including The Sopranos or Breaking Bad.

Sometimes I wish that the Dean and Jess thing werent so prominent because in the grand scheme of Rorys life, who her boyfriend was when she was 16 years old is such a small event. I dont begrudge people the excitement of Jess and Dean. But they were there to show Rorys evolution as a character. She picked certain boys for her depending on who she was at that moment. It was part of her character. It was part of her development that Dean was her first boyfriend, that Jess was the boy that diverted her attention. Then she wound up with Logan, and God knows where shes been since then.

The fact that people focus on itI dont know. I have such great affection for all three of these boys as actors and as people. They were a very big part of the show, and frankly they were always there to feed stories about Lorelai and Rory. That was the core of everything. Lorelais relationships, Rorys relationships were a way for us to explore the mother-daughter relationship.

The fact that people love them and are excited about them is great. Its just such a small part of who Rory is. I dont see people debating What newspaper is Rorys working for? Did she win a Pulitzer yet? Its all about Dean and Jess. Dean was 16 years old when they dated. Everybody should go back and think about their boyfriend at 16 and then reevaluate whether that should be the focus of the conversation.
Glamours Women of the Year honorees have been announced  and theres a twist

Every day is a great day to celebrate girl power, but even more so when Glamour announces their Women of the Year honorees. Packed with strong women and superstars alike, Glamours 2016 Women of the Year list also includes an unprecedented twist. For the past 27 years, Glamours Women of the Year winners have served as a whos who in the world, from the pop culture zeitgeist to leaders of social change. This years list is no different; it includes Gwen Stefani, the founders of #BlackLivesMatter, and Simone Biles. However, rounding up this year list is an interesting addition: a man.

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Benefit Concert With U2

For the first time since its inception, Glamours annual edition of female awesomeness includes the legendary Bono. Why include a male honoree on a list that explicitly acknowledges women? According to Glamour, the answer is simple. When a major male rock star who could do anything at all with his life decides to focus on the rights of women and girls worldwide  well, all thats worth celebrating.

As for the women being honored this year (the most important part), the complete list includes the three women who founded the #BlackLivesMatter movement  Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi.

Celebrating Women Breakfast Hosted By The New York Women's Foundation

In addition, Glamour is honoring the Stanford sexual assault case survivor Emily Doe and body positive activist Ashley Graham. Superstars Gwen Stefani and Zendaya, Olympian Simone Biles, and changemakers Christine Lagarde, Nadia Murad, and Miuccia Prada round out the list. Actress Tracee Ellis Ross will honor the nominees on November 14th in Los Angeles, but until then you can admire the stunning photos of Glamours 2016 honorees.

Gwen Stefani Performs At Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre

As always, Glamours Women of the Year are impressive, inspiring, and worthy of this accolade. Were still not sure how we feel about a man being included on Glamours list of Women of the Year, but hey, at least its Bono.

The post Glamours Women of the Year honorees have been announced  and theres a twist appeared first on HelloGiggles.
FAMILY TIES

Though his parents were actors in their native Mexico, Garcia Bernal, 37, says he tried his best to avoid the family business. You have to be a contrarian growing up, he jokes. So despite having starred in telenovelas as a teenager, Garcia Bernal didnt begin to take acting seriously until he arrived in Europe. I was in London, working in restaurants and bars, he recalls. I didnt know what to do, but I ended up going to look at drama schools. The result? At 18, Garcia Bernal became the first Mexican student to enroll at the citys prestigious Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. Says Garcia Bernal: I surrendered to destiny.

MEXICO MEETS HOLLYWOOD

Working both in front of and behind the camera with his production company, Canana Films, Garcia Bernal has built a bilingual career with credits that include his breakout coming-of-age tale Y Tu Mama Tambien, Oscar-winning drama Babel, and border comedy Casa de Mi Padre. And, citing the burgeoning influence of Mexican filmmakers in Hollywood, Garcia Bernal bets Anglo actors will pursue multilingual careers too. Theres something brewing, he says. I think in the future theyll be willing to experiment.

PASSIONATELY POLITICAL

Garcia Bernals latest project, bilingual thriller Desierto, unfolds across the U.S.-Mexico border, as his character, Moises, guides a group of migrants on the journey north to California, where they unexpectedly find themselves the target of a merciless sniper (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). It conveys the many complexities around immigration, says Garcia Bernal of the film, directed by Gravity co-writer (and fellow Mexican) Jonas Cuaron. Its a way of sharing something about all the people whove risked their lives by taking on this journey. The movies message is particularly poignant given the upcoming presidential election. People need to understand how important immigration is, even economically.

HORSING AROUND

While Garcia Bernal has never shied away from playing challenging characters, his next role as the swashbuckler Zorro is an outsize opportunity to reinvent an iconic Hispanic hero. I hope its a fun and interesting movie, with a certain transcendence, he says of the project, which is currently being scripted. With it comes the chance to fulfill a lifelong goal. Id love to learn how to ride horses, says Garcia Bernal. I cant wait.
A growing number of grandparents aren't just interested in saving in their retirement, but are using their finances to support family members -- which in some cases includes paying for a grandchild's college expenses.

"Grandparents in particular want to start giving in their lifetime and not wait until passing their assets on down to their heirs ," says Wendy Moyers, a financial advisor and the founder of Linden Oak Wealth Partners in Kensington, Maryland.

A recent study by Age Wave and Merrill Lynch reports that 62 percent of adults ages 50 or older are providing some form of financial support to a family member. That study also found that 60 percent of those surveyed say it's better to pay down some assets now rather than waiting until the end of life.

"Not everyone is in a position to help. We're lucky that I was an only child and that she's done a really good job on planning her retirement," says Sabina Novoa, a mother of two from San Francisco, who receives money from her mother to pay for her kids' educational expenses. "She's just helping to ease the pain."

Novoa receives $1,000 every month in her checking account from her mother in San Jose, California to pay for sending her 19-year-old daughter to the University of Arizona.

"I'd say it's about $50,000 that we're paying for her collegewise, so it does help because it brings down our cost down to about $38,000 a year," says Novoa, who adds that her mother wanted to help now instead of later to see the results firsthand.

[Learn about tools that give you a tailored estimate of what you'll pay for college.]

For grandparents in a position to help fund their grandchildren's college costs, here are a few financial considerations to review.

1. A grandparent can give up to $14,000 a year to a child or grandchild without paying gift tax. That's according to IRS guidelines on gift exclusions. Grandparents who are married and file jointly can give up to $28,000.

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Receiving $12,000 a year as a gift for college costs, such as in the Novoa family, qualifies as exempt since it's under the $14,000 threshold.

But experts say a monetary gift to a student counts as untaxed income to the student, which can reduce aid eligibility on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is used by many schools to determine financial aid awards -- especially need-based ones.

"A gift from the grandparent to the parent is not reported as income on the FAFSA," says Mark Kantrowitz, publisher and vice president of strategy at Cappex.com, a college and scholarship search website. "It's better for the grandparent to give gifts to the parents, not the grandchild -- even if the ultimate intention is to help the grandchild pay for college."

[Read 10 ways parents should plan for college financially.]

2. Grandparents can make payments directly to the educational institution to avoid gift taxes. The IRS allows a person to make direct payments to a medical and educational institution without it being counted as a "gift."

"If the grandparent paid the school directly in terms of tuition, then the grandparent has more flexibility to give money to the child using the annual gift tax exclusion," says Moyers from Linden Oak Wealth Partners.

But some colleges may treat this as cash support and reduce the student's eligibility for need-based aid, experts say.

For this reason, Kantrowitz from Cappex.com says unless the student doesn't qualify for need-based aid, "There's no real benefit for the grandparent making a payment directly to the college as opposed to giving the money to the parent."

3. A tax-advantaged 529 account is one way for grandparents to save and pay for college. "One of the most efficient and flexible methods to save for the cost of higher education is through a 529 savings plan," says Ashley Bleckner, a financial planner at California-based RS Crum, Inc., a financial planning and investment management firm.

Experts say a 529 plan that isn't owned by the parent or the student doesn't count toward the estimated family contribution -- the figure calculated from the FAFSA that determines a family's ability to pay.

[Learn what you need to know about FAFSA changes.]

But distributions from a grandparent-owned account count as income to a student, Moyers says.

"Distributions from a grandparent-owned plan may reduce eligibility for need-based financial aid by as much as half of the distribution amount, while a parent-owned 529 plan reduces aid eligibility by as much as 5.64 percent of the asset value," the Cappex.com publisher says.

Under this circumstance, some financial planners advise grandparents with 529 accounts to hold off on distributions until it no longer hurts the student's chances at financial aid.

With the new FAFSA rules that use a different base tax year for calculations, financial advisors say there's more flexibility in planning distributions.

"The new rules say they will go back and look at the tax return from two years previously, not one year previously. This is beneficial for grandparents who own a 529 because the distributions could potentially start when the child is preparing for their junior year of college," Moyers says.

Trying to fund your education? Get tips and more in the U.S. News Paying for College center.

Farran Powell is an education reporter at U.S. News, covering paying for college and graduate school. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at fpowell@usnews.com.
When the trial of Rurik Jutting, the former British banker charged with the murder of two Indonesian women in his Hong Kong apartment in October 2014, began last week, presiding judge Michael Stuart-Moore described the case as an unusual one. There is no dispute of whether or not Jutting killed the women, 23-year-old Sumarti Ningsih and 26-year-old Seneng Mujiasih: a lions share of the presented evidence is video footage Jutting recorded of himself on his iPhone in the hours and days after the murders, in which he confessed to taking their lives and rambled about his motives, gratuitous drug use and dark sexual fantasies.

But the 31-year-old Jutting, who formerly worked in Bank of America Merrill Lynchs structured equity division, has pleaded not guilty to the murders, instead seeking the reduced charge of manslaughter because of diminished responsibility  the confluence of personality disorders that prevented him from acting rationally at the time of the killings. The defense began making its case this week by rendering a thorough portrait of Juttings psychological history.

The defenses witnesses on the stand have been expert forensic psychologists and psychiatrists who have argued that Jutting suffers from narcissistic personality disorder and sexual-sadism disorder. In the fall of 2014, they said, these disorders were so exacerbated by cocaine and alcohol abuse that he was impelled to act on macabre sexual fantasies  kidnapping, torturing and executing the two women.

Read More: British Banker Rurik Jutting Suffered From Disorders at Time of Hong Kong Murders

The elements of this narrative have been chilling. According to these experts, Juttings adult life was marked by a gradual descent into drug abuse, an obsession with violent pornography and increasingly erratic professional behavior. The court heard that Jutting was moved by Bank of America Merrill Lynch from London to Hong Kong in September 2013, allegedly because of a dubious tax project he undertook in London that brought the bank under scrutiny.

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It was during his year working in the former British colony that he suffered what has been called a breakdown. He binged on cocaine, alcohol and Red Bull and solicited sex workers who indulged his violent fantasies. Under the influence of cocaine, the court heard that he sometimes proposed marriage to these individuals and often funneled money into their bank accounts. He withdrew from his work, at one point telling his office that he had HIV as an excuse for missing a meeting.

The defense and its witnesses have argued that at the time when he killed Sumarti and Seneng, he lacked the facilities to control his judgment.

Read More: The Prosecution Has Rested Its Case in the Hong Kong Murder Trial of British Banker Rurik Jutting

The prosecution has not held back in aggressively challenging this. When pressed Tuesday by prosecutor John Reading during cross-examination to give a concrete answer on Juttings culpability, one of the defenses experts, British psychologist Derek Perkins, faltered.

His capacity to form intent at the time was affected by  the combination of substance use, lack of sleep and sadistic urges, Perkins said. The prosecutor asked, But did he have the capacity or not?

Im not sure I can answer it in the way you put it  in a dichotomous yes or no, Perkins replied.

Perkins was the last of the defenses witnesses. On Wednesday morning, the prosecution brought forward a Hong Kongbased psychiatrist, Dr. Kavin Chow, to challenge the defenses argument. Chow, who interviewed Jutting for several hours during his incarceration before the trial, questioned Juttings diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder, which manifests itself in both a grandiose sense of self-importance and a deep, disproportionate sensitivity to criticism.

In my view, Mr. Jutting did suffer from traits of a narcissistic personality but not at the level of disorder, Chow said.

Read More: Not Just Sex Workers: Heres What We Know About the Hong Kong Murder Victims

More critically, she rejected the suggestion that Jutting lacked personal agency when he killed the two women. She pointed to the personal narratives he recorded on his iPhone immediately after killing them, in which he spoke of his actions in a fluent and measured manner.

Given all of his calm and rational judgments immediately before and after the killings, it shows he was able to make his own decisions, she said. Despite the presence of abnormality, it didnt substantially impair his mental responsibility.

The trial is expected to conclude early next week.
Almost half of Russians fear a third world war due to Moscow's worsening relations with the West, according to a new poll.

The survey, conducted by the independent Levada Center, found 48 percent of respondents felt opposing positions on the war in Syria could widen to a global conflict.

Ten percent of those polled "seriously fear" war while the remaining 38 percent had "some fears" about an eventual military conflict between Russia and the West.

Just over half of those asked however did support Moscow's current air campaign in Syria with almost two out of three claiming they followed the situation via the media.

Another 52 percent of the 1,600 Russian adults polled across 48 different regions supported the Kremlin's Syria strikes and 49 percent thought Moscow should continue its involvement in the conflict.

The research body, which considers itself independent, was fined by a Russian court on October 26 for not registering as a "foreign agent".





Meanwhile, the chief spy at the British domestic security service has told The Guardian newspaper that Russia is becoming an increasing threat to the United Kingdom.

"It is using its whole range of state organs and powers to push its foreign policy abroad in increasingly aggressive ways  involving propaganda, espionage, subversion and cyber-attacks. Russia is at work across Europe and in the UK today. It is MI5's job to get in the way of that," said Andrew Parker, Director General of MI5.

In the first ever interview by a serving British spy chief, Parker also said Russia still had intelligence officers on the ground, but a greater focus was now on cyber-warfare.

"Russia increasingly seems to define itself by opposition to the west and seems to act accordingly," said Parker.

"You can see that on the ground with Russia's activities in Ukraine and Syria. But there is high-volume activity out of sight with the cyber-threat.

Story continues

"Russia has been a covert threat for decades. What's different these days is that there are more and more methods available."

You can read the full Guardian article here.







More From CNBC


October 23 was a big day for 9-year-old Mahlon. In fact, its been a big year for him.

In July, his family moved from Portland to Bend, Oregon, and after being homeschooled his entire life, he started to attend public school with the hopes of achieving his dream of throwing a birthday party with classmates and friends.

Last Sunday, the house was decked out, the party theme based on Mahlons favorite book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, was set and the birthday cake ready to cut, but no one showed up.

Mahlon and his family were crushed.

I was heartbroken, Mahlons mother, Kristen Layne, tells PEOPLE. I woke up the next morning after his party and my face was literally almost swollen shut from crying so hard.

We would have been thrilled with one child. If one child had shown up, that would have made our day.

Devastated, Layne, 38, wrote about her sons birthday party debacle on her blog, Life on Peanut Layne.

Words cannot describe the utter and complete devastation that washed over me, my husband and my nearly 70-year-old father who was almost brought to tears himself, she wrote. Seeing my heartbroken little boy sitting all alone at his brightly decorated, empty party table was more than I could take.

But the stay-at-home mom says her son is a rare breed and finished the day with his head held high.

Despite his pain, he tried his hardest to have a good time, she says.

The mother of five decided to make the best of it and the party became a family affair, followed by a night of bowling. Her post became a plea to all parents to think twice about failing to RSVP.

I know that were all busy and its easy to overlook in anticipation and kind of think, Oh, Ill get to it later or kind of think that, Oh, were busy that weekend, cant make it,  Layne says. But theres a child on the other side of the invitation thats expecting people to come.

What she didnt expect was the outpouring of positive response in support of her son. After her blog post made the rounds, she received messages from other parents sharing their own childs birthday party failures, anonymous gifts and birthday wishes for her son. Best of all? A birthday Facetime call with Jeff Kinney, the author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and an autographed copy of his yet-to-be-released book.

Story continues

Hes beaming, Layne says of her son. Hes saying, Jeff Kinney is my friend! Hes been guarding with his life.

Since the birthday fiasco, Mahlon has returned to school and even brought goodie bags for the friends that didnt attend. Hes hopeful that next year  after more time with his peers  friends will attend his party.

In the meantime, Mahlon is making a thank-you video for all the parents and kids who have messaged him to say they have a friend in him.

Layne never expected her heart-wrenching post  with the poignant message to just RSVP to turn into a birthday for Mahlon that cant be topped.

For his next birthday, people are joking, Whatre you going to do for his 10th birthday? He already got to talk to Jeff Kinney! Layne says, laughing. But really all he wants is to have a friend there. Thats all its about for him. Having friends that he can share his day with.




From Esquire

If you can stop paying attention to the intramural FBI feud playing itself out among its presidential proxies on the national stage, you might take a look waaaayyyyyy down ballot at the race for state comptroller in Illinois, which doesn't sound like much of a barn dance, but, when looked at closely, it's one of those races with substantial ramifications down the line. The Chicago Tribune-saved for the moment from the clutches of Gannett-has most of the reasons why.

(But it is brother Driftglass who hipped us to this as an election to watch.)

But Illinois' pounding financial pressures have placed renewed attention on the Illinois comptroller's office. So too have the state's political power brokers, who combined have poured more than $12 million into a campaign that in the end will decide which party has control of the state's checkbook. In one corner is Republican Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger, a former executive at beauty products company Helene Curtis/Unilever who was semiretired and had just lost a bid for state representative when Gov. Bruce Rauner appointed her to succeed the late Judy Baar Topinka in January 2015. In the other is Democrat Susana Mendoza, the politically ambitious two-term city clerk known for overhauling Chicago's outdated parking permit system. Before that, she served 10 years in the Illinois House, where she was an ally of longtime Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan.

So this is an obvious proxy war, but it's an obvious proxy war in a state in which the entire state government is engaged in an ongoing rockfight over its budget-not simply over the budget itself but, apparently, over whether to have a budget at all. Inspired by success stories like Sam Brownback's Kansas and Scott Walker's Wisconsin, Illinois' Tea Party plutocrat governor, Bruce Rauner, has tried to create a similar dark miracle in Illinois, only to be thwarted by the Democrats in the state legislature, especially Madigan.

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The result has been political bloodletting remarkable even by the standards of Illinois politics, which are considerable, and policy wreckage better suited to a failed state. So maybe Rauner's producing the Kansas he wanted after all.

The state is sitting on a more than $9 billion backlog of unpaid bills, leaving vendors who do everything from provide electricity to power the Capitol to administer cancer screenings for poor women waiting months to get paid. Munger calls the situation "unconscionable" but says she's done what she can to manage the pain. Under law, the comptroller's office is allowed to cut checks only with authorization from the legislature and subsequent approval of the governor's office. While stopgap plans or court orders kept many programs afloat, others such as social service programs that care for the disabled and elderly went nearly a year without any funding from the state. That's left Munger to juggle a complex payment schedule in which she's had to make tough decisions on how to prioritize who gets paid, and when. "Walking in and looking at this, I just said 'you've got to be kidding me,'" Munger said. "It's so much worse than I ever understood, and I don't think anyone really knew how bad things were."

There seems to be little doubt that both sides see this race as a possible break in the logjam over the state budget. It can be argued that the difference is that only one of the two sides-the Democrats in the state legislature-see a break in the logjam as a good thing. Right now, with a governor and the comptroller both being Republicans, the Democrats have fought Rauner to a standstill. With a Democratic comptroller, they could force a settlement on their terms.

And the people who finance both sides have backed their cash barges up the Sangamon River to Springfield.

The broader money war in Illinois politics has been on display in the comptroller's race. Since January 2015, Mendoza has brought in about $3.5 million, with $1.3 million in union contributions of $25,000 or more, plus $400,000 from Madigan's Democratic Party of Illinois fund. During the same time period, Munger has raised $8.9 million, with $8 million coming from just three donors. Rauner gave $1 million, hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin gave $5 million and conservative Lake Forest businessman Richard Uihlein gave $2 million. Munger turned around and sent $3 million to the Illinois Republican Party, which is heavily spending on House and Senate races as it tries to cut into Democratic supermajorities.

Wow, that's a lot of money. I wonder if

Wait, what?

The transfer led Mendoza to accuse Munger of being the "state's chief fiscal launderer."

That's certainly very Illinois of her. Mendoza is also belaboring Munger with Donald Trump, about whom the incumbent is doing the customary tap dance. This is the kind of race that is just obscure enough to hide real and important issues and Illinois is a helluva big and important state. Keep an eye on this. It's going to matter.

Click here to respond to this post on the official Esquire Politics Facebook page.

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French luxury goods manufacturer Hermes is celebrating its watchmaking artisanship with Crafting Time, an exhibition at its Madison Avenue store on display through November 5. The centerpiece of the exhibition is the Slim dHermes Pocket Vieux Greement, a new enamel pocket watch that combines a deep-blue Grand Feu enamel dial with a painstakingly detailed engraving of a ship setting sail on its white-gold case. From the fine lines of its sails to the reflective cuts that make up the ocean below, every line and detail on this unique piece was hand engraved by Hermes master craftsman Sylvain Bettex. The entire process took roughly 50 hours from start to finish, says Bettex, who was illustrating his craft at a makeshift workbench for the exhibition.

Beyond its beautiful casework, the one-of-a-kind timepiece ($183,400) houses the same H1950 movement that powers the 3-hand dress watches in the Slim dHermes collection. Visible via its sapphire display caseback, the 2.6-mm-thick microrotor-equipped automatic caliber boasts hand-chamfered bridges, as well as a healthy dose of h-patterned etching that adds to its unique appeal.

Though not a core component of its watchmaking repertoire, pocket watches are part of the Hermes DNA. In 1912, Jaqueline Hermes was gifted a porte-oignon by her father to enable her to strap her pocket watch onto her wrist while out riding horses, and since then the brand has released a handful of limited-edition pocket watcheseach using traditional techniques such as marquetry and cloissone enamel work. (hermes.com)

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Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f269795%2fbarackobama

If you bait him, he will come.

The Clinton campaign has been particularly adept at trolling Trump this election: gently mocking him on Twitter, baiting him at debates and jabbing him on Facebook live. President Obama, by contrast, has taken the higher ground: making personal, reflective speeches at packed rallies to help drum up enthusiasm for Clinton. And while Obama's inspiring turns of phrase create legendary memes, the president could stand to learn a lesson or two from the internet's snarkiest warriors: the trolls.

SEE ALSO: It's time to reclaim the troll

Sure, trolling has a bad rep. But there's a huge difference between trolling a candidate and harassing one. Trolling is an antagonistic technique used to inspire "lulz" and energize the base; harassment is specifically designed to cause injury to body and mind.

Here's what Obama can learn from the "do-gooder" trolls of the world:

1. Use language that makes him feel physically small.

Trump imploded when Clinton used the word puppet to describe his relationship to Putin in the final debate. The image it created  that of a small, felt man (Trump) being manipulated by a larger one  prompted Trump's total loss of control, in a debate where he had otherwise remained steady.

2. Don't call him Donald Trump  call him Donald.













There is nothing Trump loves more than the sound of the word "Trump" rolling off his tongue. But reports have shown that Trump doesn't like the use of his first name, which appears to be why Clinton called him "Donald" throughout the debates, knocking him off his already shaky stool.

3. Make him sound like a privileged, unsuccessful businessman.





No one is more sensitive to being called out on their privilege than Donald Trump. The Clinton campaign executed this angle particularly well, both on Twitter and during the debates when she called the candidate out for the "small loan" he received from his father worth $14 million dollars.

Story continues

4. High-five Mark Cuban

Love him or hate him, Cuban has been an enormously effective surrogate for Clinton both on TV and as a troll on Twitter. Whatever Obama can do to empower Mark Cuban  even if it's high-fiving him in front of the cameras  would probably do more to energize Clinton's base than any substantive discussion about policy (*sighs, cries, throws computer out window*).





5. Subtweet, Ahmed Mohamed style





Cool clock, Ahmed. Want to bring it to the White House? We should inspire more kids like you to like science. It's what makes America great.  President Obama (@POTUS) September 16, 2015

Remember when Obama invited Ahmed Mohamed, the clock-making kid accused of being a terrorist, to the White House with a delightful subtweet on Twitter? Obama could similarly use the power of the bully pulpit/Tweetdeck to launch an effective troll against Donald Trump, who loves nothing more than a 3 a.m. Tweetstorm.

6. Simply say the name "Alicia Machado"





Image: andrew harnik/ap





Trump seems to be triggered by nearly every mention of the beauty queen. While so many other scandals have simply rubbed off him, this one appears to have stuck, as evidenced by Machado's recent appearance on the campaign trail and Trump's infamous Twitter meltdown.

7. When Trump goes low, you go high (except when you sometimes go a little bit low)









One of the greatest refrains of this campaign has been Michelle Obama's infamous DNC line, "When they go low, we go high." The Obamas almost always go high, which makes the few moments when they dip their toe in the low (think: when Michelle tapped her microphone to make fun of Trump's "faulty mic" excuse ) so delightful and resonant.

8. Read him the early voting returns





Forget the polls, it's the early voting numbers that everyone's watching now. Trump will use almost any data he can scrounge up to boost his popularity  but the returns are sometimes more accurate (and damaging) than the polls.

9. Repeat after me: "Rosie O'Donnell. Rosie O'Donnell. Rosie O'Donnell."

Only the Lord knows why this 90s comedian continues to rattle Donald Trump, but her name has been a surprisingly effective trigger throughout this campaign.





10. Remind him that's he going to lose





Donald Trump may be one of the most unpopular candidates of our time, and Obama, our most popular. Trump may not care about the future of his country, but he is deeply concerned about his own Klout score. Troll Trump into thinking he's less popular than he actually is  and he will be.

BONUS: The Obamas showed us how to Zombie Dance on Halloween
(Reuters) - American International Group Inc <AIG.N>, the largest commercial insurer in the United States and Canada, reported a net income versus a loss last year, when tumultuous markets gutted returns from its investments.

AIG, which reported higher profits at all but one of its businesses, also said on Wednesday that its board had authorized an additional share buyback program of $3 billion.

The company, which has been under pressure from shareholders, including billionaire Carl Icahn, to cut expenses and divest businesses, slashed total adjusted costs by 8.6 percent to $2.44 billion.

AIG reported net income of $462 million, or 42 cents per share, for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, compared with a net loss of $231 million, or 18 cents per share, a year earlier.

Net investment income rose across AIG's units.

Net income in the latest quarter included losses of $526 million, or 48 cents per share, mainly due to the weakening of the British pound following the Brexit vote in June.

On an operating basis, AIG's earnings jumped 58.8 percent to $1.1 billion, or $1 per share.

The company's operating income included a $622 million loss expense as it padded reserves at a non-core legacy business.

Analysts on average had estimated AIG would earn $1.21 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. It was not immediately clear if the figures reported were comparable.

Catastrophe-related losses in AIG's commercial business more than doubled during the quarter to $253 million from $88 million. The combined ratio at the business inched up to 105.3 percent from 102.3 percent as a result, indicating the insurer paid out more in claims than it earned in premiums.

Catastrophe modeling firm Kinetic Analysis estimated last month that the insurance industry would sustain about $4 billion in losses from Hurricane Matthew. AIG did not disclose any exposure to Hurricane Matthew in its release.

(Reporting by Richa Naidu in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)
Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton appears to be taking a cue from Donald Trump in a new appeal to voters.

"Think how you'll feel if there was something you could have done but didn't on November 9," Clinton said at the end of her campaign rally in Sanford, Florida, on Tuesday. "If this doesn't work  personally I can't imagine.

"Throw your mind a little further, and when your kids and your grandkids ask you what you did in 2016 when everything was on the line. I hope you'll be able to say you voted for a better, stronger America."

It's a slightly different tone for Clinton, whose poll numbers have taken a hit in recent days amid an ongoing FBI inquiry into her private email server.

Trump similarly waxes apocalyptic in telling his supporters that a Clinton presidency would be a disaster  offering unfounded claims about a rigged election and falsely declaring that Clinton wants to abolish the Second Amendment.

"This is our last chance to save our country and reclaim it for we the people. This is it," Trump said at a campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, earlier this month.

Trump has borrowed a few lines from Clinton, too.

"You know, I have a son named Baron, and I want to tell you, she is a terrible example for my son and for the children in this country," Trump said at a campaign rally in Warren, Michigan, echoing a Clinton campaign ad that makes the same charge against Trump.

A RealClearPolitics polling average Tuesday showed how tight the race was in Florida between the two candidates, who were separated by less than 1 percentage point.

NOW WATCH: Animated map shows how drastically split different demographics are this election





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About Me

Name: Carl in Jerusalem Location: Jerusalem, Israel

I am an Orthodox Jew - some would even call me 'ultra-Orthodox.' Born in Boston, I was a corporate and securities attorney in New York City for seven years before making aliya to Israel in 1991 (I don't look it but I really am that old :-). I have been happily married to the same woman for thirty-five years, and we have eight children (bli ayin hara) ranging in age from 13 to 33 years and nine grandchildren. Four of our children are married! Before I started blogging I was a heavy contributor on a number of email lists and ran an email list called the Matzav from 2000-2004. You can contact me at: IsraelMatzav at gmail dot com

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Hillary Clinton opened up about ~those emails~ and were hearing her out

This election is SUCH A MESS, you guys. And one thing that keeps on coming up is the Hillary Clinton email controversy. When it comes down to it, there are some things we dont know about the Clinton email scandal, which, eh, maybe should or shouldnt even be called a scandal in the first place. You probably know that the FBI is reviewing Hillary Clintons emails, and Clinton is now speaking out about the emails. Heres what she had to say.

According to Business Insider, Clinton spoke at Kent State University in Ohio on Monday to give her side of the story. She said,

I am sure a lot of you may be asking what this new email story is about and why in the world the FBI would decide to jump into the election with no evidence of any wrongdoing with just days to go.

She quipped,

That is a good question.

Democratic Nominee for President of the United States former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Clinton continued, saying that she wasnt trying to make excuses, but instead to explain why she wishes the media would move on. She said,

And first of all, for those of you who are concerned about my using personal email, I understand, and as I said, I am not making excuse.

She recognizes her error, and is confident that things will play out as they should with the FBI.

I have said it was a mistake and I regret it, and now they apparently want to look at emails of one of my staffers, and by all means they should look at them, and I am sure they will reach the same conclusion when they looked at my emails for the last year  there is no case here.

Democratic Nominee for President of the United States former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

We remain curious about this mess, and will keep paying attention. Either way, were glad were taking the time to do our own research!

The post Hillary Clinton opened up about ~those emails~ and were hearing her out appeared first on HelloGiggles.
By Amanda Becker

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hillary Clinton began her presidential campaign by promising to do what it takes to rein in Wall Street.

Boosted by Wall Street's toughest critics, U.S. senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic candidate has declared "the deck is still stacked in favor of those at the top" and said she would raise bank fees and tighten banking regulations. She has encouraged regulators to break up too-risky banks.

And yet, Wall Street appears unperturbed by the prospect of a Clinton presidency. In fact, the banking industry has supported Clinton with buckets of cash and stocks have sold off on days when the Clinton campaign stumbles. Privately, bankers say that they trust her to remain a pragmatist who will keep the current regulatory regime laid down by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform legislation passed in 2010.

I dont think Clinton wakes up thinking about Wall Street," one senior banking industry lobbyist said.

There are hints in apparently leaked email discussions among Clinton's campaign staff that bankers are not far off the mark when they count on her to tread lightly.

Pressed during the campaign by progressive Democrats to call for a revival of the Glass-Steagall Act that would require separation of commercial and investment banking, Clinton ultimately refused. She also weighed another progressive favorite - a tax on financial transactions- but instead recommended a far narrower plan to tax only canceled orders by high speed traders.

Ultimately, what bankers most like about Clinton is that she is not Donald Trump.

Many financiers fear her unorthodox Republican rival could disrupt global trade, damage geopolitical relationships and rattle markets, industry analysts and participants say.

Those are the kind of things that corner offices think about, said Karen Shaw Petrou of Federal Financial Analytics Inc, whose firm advises financial firms about U.S. regulatory policy. The overriding concern about Trump has dominated peoples thinking."

Story continues

Trump's candidacy has upended traditional political alliances and bankers that usually contribute more to the Republicans have been flinging money at Clinton.

Employees of the 17 largest bank holding companies and their subsidiaries have been sending her $10 for every $1 they contributed to Trump, according to a Reuters analysis. In 2012, the same group contributed twice as much to Republican candidate Mitt Romney as it did to President Barack Obama's re-election campaign.

DEVIL YOU KNOW

People who work for hedge funds and private equity firms have contributed more than $56 million to Clintons presidential campaign and the supporting groups that face no legal cap on donations. Trumps campaign and related groups received just $243,000 from donors in the same sector, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics.

Its basically going with the devil you know over the devil you dont, said Brian Gardner, a managing director of New York investment firm Keefe Bruyette & Woods. What also helped, he said, was the familiarity with Hillary and Bill Clinton dating back to the 1990s when her husband was president and ushered in a period of financial deregulation.

There is a closeness and a comfort level between the titans on Wall Street and the Clintons," he said.

For bankers, the biggest worry is a scenario where Clinton wins and the Democrats take control of the House and the Senate, with progressives such as Warren and Sanders holding sway over everything from new tax laws to appointments of regulators.

Already, Warren has called for immediate dismissal of the Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Mary Jo White. Last year, Warren successfully led a movement to derail Obamas plan to appoint banker Antonio Weiss to the top job at Treasury.

Warren and other progressives will press Clinton to be tough on Wall Street in return for their campaign support.

Clinton "leaned heavily on Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, and progressive ideas, when she needed to excite voters, Adam Green with the Progressive Change Campaign Committee said. Elizabeth Warren has proven shes a very powerful ally to have on your side. And its well known shes also a formidable opponent to have against you, Green said.

However, recent polls suggest it is unlikely that Democrats will take the House and the future of the Senate is far from certain. Even if the Senate goes Democratic, it is likely to be led by New York Senator Chuck Schumer, a moderate who has represented Wall Street with the industry's backing.

Clinton has said she will propose a "risk fee" on the largest financial firms and tighten up rules which allow banks to circumvent bans on proprietary trading by investing in hedge funds. Like Trump, she has proposed to end the tax break that private equity investors enjoy, termed "carried interest."

Yet such provisions will be probably tied up in a much larger tax initiative that will involve months, if not a year or more, of horse trading in Washington. Ultimately, it could end up overshadowed by other progressive goals, such as infrastructure funding, college affordability, or raising the minimum wage.

Those are the causes that Clinton has prioritized and they are likely to supersede her anti-bank rhetoric, say bankers. One industry trade group representative said: "We're not in her top 10 to take care of."

(Reporting by Amanda Becker; Additional reporting by Patrick Rucker in Washington and Olivia Oran and Grant Smith in New York; Editing by Linda Stern and Tomasz Janowski)
Michelle Obama may never run for president, but there may be another place for her in the White House yet!

I think she is pretty much looking toward what she will do, Hillary Clinton tells PEOPLE when asked, in an interview for this weeks new issue, about Mrs. Obama possibly having a role in the Clinton administrationif Clinton wins. Mrs. Obama has set some goals, she wants to continue working to make sure girls get to go to school and I want to be sure we work with her on that, Clinton says.

So we are going to talk after the election but again I dont want to get the cart before the horse.

The current First Lady has been one of the former First Ladys most passionateand most effectiveadvocates on the campaign trail, thanks to a series of attention-getting speeches lauding the Democratic hopeful and condemning GOP nominee Donald Trump.

I could not be more grateful that she has campaigned so hard for me and, starting with her speech at the Democratic Convention, has really laid out in such personal compelling terms of why people need to care about this election, the 69-year-old Clinton tells PEOPLE.

Clinton and Obama, 52, campaigned together for the first time last week in Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, delivering back-to-back speeches singing each others praises.

First Ladies rock! said Obama, referring to Clinton as my girl.

I think she is amazing  shes done such an incredible job on all levels and I know how hard this job isit turns into a very demanding responsibility, Clinton said of Obamas eight-year tenure as First Lady. And lets be real. As our first African-American First Lady, shes faced pressures I never did, and shes handled them with pure grace.

By any standard, she has been an outstanding First Lady who has made us all so proud, Clinton continued on stage. And she and the President have been such wonderful friends to me and my family. Its meant the world to me. It really has.

REPORTING by SANDRA SOBIERAJ WESTFALL


Hillary Clinton shot back at a heckler in the crowd during a Florida rally who shouted that her husband, Bill, was a rapist Tuesday night.

Read: Alicia Machado Campaigns for Hillary Clinton: 'Trump's Not Getting Away With It'

I am sick and tired of the negative, dark, divisive, dangerous vision and the anger of people who support Donald Trump, Clinton said as she pointed a finger at the protester.

The heckler began shouting: Bill Clinton is a rapist at the top of the Democratic presidential candidates 20-minute speech. The heckler also held a sign with the phrase written on it.

"Were not going backwards, were going forward into a brighter future," Clinton said as the crowd began to chant Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!

Clintons security detail quickly removed the heckler from the audience.

On Tuesday evening, Donald Trump campaigned in Wisconsin and encouraged early voters who went for Clinton to switch their choice to him.

This is a message for any Democratic voters who have already cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton and are having a bad case of buyers' remorse  in other words, you want to change your vote. Wisconsin is one of several states where you can change your early ballot if you think you've made a mistake," Trump said. "We'll make America great again."

Read: Grab 'Em by the Pages: Did Trump Write the Steamiest Novel of the Decade?

Early voters in Wisconsin can change their vote up to three times before the general election on November 8.

According to CNN, more than 24 million American citizens have already voted in 38 states prior to Election Day, thanks to early voting or via absentee ballot.

Watch: Meeting Between Former Beauty Queens Descend Into Madness Over 2016 Election

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British actress Holliday Grainger is set as the female lead opposite Tom Burke in Cormoran Strike, BBC Ones high-profile new limited series based on J.K. Rowlings bestselling crime novels, written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

Cormoran Strike centers on Strike (Burke), a war veteran turned private detective operating out of a tiny office in Londons Denmark Street. Though hes wounded both physically and psychologically, Strikes unique insight and his background as an SIB Investigator prove crucial in solving three complex cases which have eluded the police. Grainger will play Robin Venetia Ellacott, Strikes assistant and secretary.

HBO has U.S. and Canadian rights to the series.

Grainger most recently starred as Lady Constance Chatterley in the BBCs Lady Chatterleys Lover. She played Lucrezia Borgia in The Borgias and will next be seen in feature Tulip Fever set for release in 2017.

Variety first reported Graingers casting.

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Country music is traditionally the domain of outlaws and rebels, and its radio formats are no exception. Each successful new artist has its champions of the airwaves, and following are the outliers who took the risks at country radio that led to breakthroughs this past year of stars like Maren Morris, Old Dominion and Cole Swindell.

These programmers are identified by country label executives surveyed by Billboard as among the most influential in the genre, at a time when country is second only to top 40 as the nation's most popular radio format, according to Nielsen Audio.

All of the ranked programmers have responsibility for at least one specific country station.

The ranking of these programmers reflects a combination of their impact on country music, as judged by label executives, and the size of the radio market they serve.

Director of operations, KKBQ Houston, Cox Media

The day in 2004 when Chiang walked in to Houston's KKBQ (The New 93Q), he could not have conformed to the pop-guy-takes-over-country-station cliche more if he tried. He asked music director Christi Brooks what was playing. "You're kidding, right?" she answered. The song was "Friends in Low Places" by Garth Brooks. The Taiwan-born, Los Angeles-raised Chiang was a quick study and has come a long way since in his country music expertise. With breakout slots on his playlist that are much coveted by country record labels, he has championed new talent like Runaway Jane, and he loves country's current mix. "We've got the GQ magazine guys like Brett Eldredge, rockers like Eric Church, great new females like Kelsea Ballerini. It all blends perfectly," he says. On Nov. 2, the Country Music Association will honor Chiang's KKBQ as 2016's major-market station of the year.

Program director, WSM-FM/WKDF Nashville; Vp country, Cumulus Media; operations manager, Cumulus Nashville

In the capital of country music, Cook runs the top dog in town. WSM-FM (which shares its call letters with a legendary, separately owned AM station) has beaten its four country-format competitors in Nashville for the year to date, according to Nielsen Audio. "We've refined the format, and it really clicked," says the Michigan-raised father of two. Sister station WKDF (NASH-FM 103.3), meanwhile, has promoted showcases with rising acts like Brett Young, Mickey Guyton, Runaway Jane and Chase Bryant. A 46-year radio veteran, Cook admits, with a mixture of pride and embarrassment, "I don't have one friend who isn't in the radio or music business, not one."

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Program director, KEEY, MINNEAPOLIS; regional senior vp programming; country brand coordinator, iHeartMedia

"We have a healthy appetite from listeners to support new acts early on," says Swedberg, a Minneapolis native and father of one, recalling when the annual KEEY (K102) concert series introduced Taylor Swift to the market in 2006. "Every year we identify five or six of the most promising acts and support them all year," says Swedberg, whose station most recently has elevated the likes of Brett Young, Tucker Beathard and Old Dominion, helping it rank No. 2 among women 25 to 34. But music alone doesn't boost listenership. "We've brought ratings up as a whole with our personalities and being involved in the community."

Senior director, country programming, SiriusXM

Texas-born and raised Schumann is not shy about choosing songs to help SiriusXM's country channels lead the pack: Thomas Rhett's "Vacation," Ryan Follese's "Float Your Boat" and Eli Young Band's "Saltwater Gospel" are among the tracks played early on the satellite broadcaster. "Country radio is in the wrong frame of mind," says Schumann, referring to the unusually long development phase for new releases. "When we jump out on a record, we commit to the song, the artist and the discovery aspect. There has never been a trail blazed by following in line behind everybody else." When he's not breaking new artists, Schumann oversees channels for country's superstars, from No Shoes Radio for Kenny Chesney to The Garth Channel, which launched Sept. 8 with exclusive content from Garth Brooks.

GM, KRTY/KLIV San Jose, Calif.; Empire Broadcasting

"All of the stuff that competes with radio was invented here," says Deaton of Silicon Valley, the region served by KRTY (95.3 KRTY). But the San Jose native believes radio beats any digital platform when it comes to music discovery. Consider "Head Over Boots" from fellow Californian Jon Pardi, which Deaton got behind 11 months before the song hit No. 1 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart. Choices like that have helped KRTY rank No. 1 among all listeners 18 to 49. While AM sister station KLIV offers country gold, at KRTY, "promoting new music is what we do," says Deaton. "That's the whole philosophy of the station. Radio needs to introduce you to new music from stars and new artists."

Program director, WNSH New York, Cumulus Media

Country music fans in New York, the nation's largest media market, endured years without a country station before Cumulus launched WNSH (NASH-FM) in 2013. (Country outlet WYNY dropped the format in 1996.) Although WNSH scored the highest cumulative audience in its history in September (more than 1.2 million), Foxx says, "I don't think anyone knows yet how big country in New York can be." The Bronxville, N.Y., resident, a veteran pop programmer who first came to WNSH at its launch, adds: "When it comes to country fans, the passion level is through the roof."

Program director, WUSN Chicago; vp programming, CBS Radio

Kapugi has been programming WUSN (US-99) since 2011, but he also grew up in the Windy City, listening to the likes of legendary WLS-AM, one of the nation's pioneering stations. "I have to pinch myself that I get to do this," says the father of two grown children. Kapugi points to Brandy Clark and Chris Stapleton as two artists that he supported early, and in his CBS Radio chain role, with input from fellow PDs, he recently has supported airplay for Chris Lane's "Fix" and Granger Smith's "Backroad Song." Says Kapugi: "I love seeing artists on the way up."

Program director, WKLB Boston, Greater Media

A 20-year veteran at WKLB (Country 102.5), Brophey says new artists are still what gives his station a market edge. "We highlight new music hourly, sometimes multiple times in an hour," says the Albany, N.Y., native and father of two, whose wife, Ginny Rogers, is the station's assistant program director/music director. Despite going up against new competition from iHeartMedia's WBWL, WKLB still ranked No. 2 among women 18 to 24. "Amid all the listener research available today," says Brophey, picking songs "still goes back to your gut."

Director of branding and programming, WWKA Orlando; Cox Media Group

Within nine days of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando in June that killed 49 and left more than 50 injured, WWKA (K92), under Bland's direction, staged a four-hour benefit concert that raised $250,000 for the OneOrlando Fund to help the survivors and victim's families. "It was the biggest event we've ever put on in the shortest time," says Bland, a Colorado native. Artists including Cole Swindell, Maddie & Tae and Easton Corbin "showed up at the drop of a hat," he adds. "Country music is authentic and healing."

Program director, KMPS Seattle, CBS Radio

Since arriving at KMPS in January, Jay has maintained the station's hitmaking streak -- it played Old Dominion's "Break Up With Him" months before the track reached No. 3 on the Hot Country Songs chart -- and displayed his own instincts for new talent. Brandy Clark's "Girl Next Door" was "one of our bigger early hits of 2016," says the Minneapolis native and father of two. "She didn't have national success" with the song at the time KMPS got behind the track (which later reached No. 39 on Country Airplay). "But it was consistently a top song [measured by Shazam] in the market. We've seen similar stories play out with Chris Lane and Brett Young."

FRONT OFFICE PROFILE: JOHN SHOMBY BRINGS A NEW FOCUS TO NASH

Even among country's local station mavericks, Cumulus Media's John Shomby, 65, stands apart, directing the NASH Network's syndicated programming.

The Philadelphia-raised Shomby had been programming a five-station cluster in Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Va., for Max Media of Hampton Bays when he took on his new Nashville gig in March.

At Cumulus' Nashville campus, which is full of air personalities, Shomby jokes he was brought in to be "the adult to run this school." Jibes aside, he has helped to realign the focus of NASH's syndicated offerings. Blair Garner moved from America's Morning Show to a new overnight program. Ty Bentli replaced Garner in mornings, and Kix Brooks exited overnights to focus on his weekly American Country Countdown.

On Oct. 25, Cumulus is due to crown the winner of its Nash Next talent search, staged in 60 markets nationwide, with the victor getting a deal with Big Machine Label Group. Cumulus, says Shomby, "is very open to exposing new artists."

Program director, WEBG Chicago, iHeartMedia

It took a little more than a year to transform a former regional Mexican music station into a rival for the title of Chicago's most dominant country outlet. Under Stewart, WEBG (Big 95.5) ranks just behind market format leader WUSN. "You don't get many opportunities to start with a station that's brand new," says Stewart, a native Rhode Islander who lives near Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood. WEBG went country at a time when the format is "as broad as it has ever been," says the father of two. "You have pop sounds, rocking sounds, traditional bro country, female artists, bands, superstars and core artists."

Program director, KPLX/KSCS Dallas, Cumulus Media

Daniels packs a one-two punch in Dallas, programming KSCS (New Country 96.3) as well as hits from the '90s onward at KPLX (99.5 The Wolf). The Missouri-raised father of four notes his stations offer artists from this musically rich region two shots at exposure. Aspiring Texan acts competed on KSCS as part of the national NASH Next promotion for a Big Machine Record Group deal (see sidebar, page 66), while KPLX has aired The Front Porch Show since the station's launch 18 years ago. "It's a two-hour feature every Sunday," says Daniels, "where we feature veteran artists who are native to Texas and part of the Texas music and Oklahoma red-dirt music scene."

Vp programming, CBS Radio Houston

The country format "has an overabundance of edgy sounds right now," says Logan, a Louisville, Ky., native who has programmed Houston's KILT (The Bull) for the past three years. "They are hit records with rock and rhythmic sounds, but fewer traditional country sounds." Offering listeners a balance "is the number one job for me and Chris Huff, my music director," he says. One sign they're succeeding: KILT ranks No. 4 among women 25 to 54, edging out crosstown country rival KKBQ in that segment. The Houston market, says Logan, "is possibly one of the most exciting radio battles in America."

Program director, WBWL Boston/WTBU Portsmouth, N.H.; captain of country format, iHeartMedia Boston

After guiding iHeartMedia's battle in Atlanta against a country format leader, Houston arrived at WBWL (The Bull) in 2014 to do the same in Boston, challenging long-established country powerhouse WKLB. An Alabama native, Houston has embraced life in New England and has worked to win listeners with some competitive picks. "We went out and played Luke Bryan's 'Games' from his [2015] Spring Break EP and Sam Hunt's 'Raised On It,' which also was not a single. Both did great for us."

Program director, WXTU Philadelphia, CBS Radio

As a young girl in love with radio in her native New Jersey, Easton figured she would have to marry a DJ "since there were no women disc jockeys back then." At WXTU, the mother of two has shown programming and promotional savvy -- planes trail "WXTU Banner Buddies" signs over Philadelphia events on weekends -- and led her station to a No. 1 rating among women 25 to 34.

Program director, WKIS Miami; Vp programming, CBS Radio Miami

Promoting the country hits of WKIS (Kiss 99.9 FM) in a market dominated by Latin culture is a unique challenge. But Morris, an Ohio native and top 40 format veteran, says such rising stars as Brett Young, Tucker Beathard and Kelsea Ballerini have broadened listenership. The annual Kiss 99.9 Chili Cook Off concert, attracting headliners like Brad Paisley and Little Big Town, makes Kiss a player on the country scene. "It's a driving force for us," says Morris.

Program director, KWJJ Portland, Ore.; director of country programming, Entercom

"There's a lot of talk right now that the country format isn't the hottest place," says Moore. But the Nebraska-bred PD of Portland's KWJJ (99.5 The Wolf) strongly disagrees. In his chain role, Moore supervises seven Entercom country stations nationwide. At KWJJ, he has led the station to a No. 1 ranking among men 18 to 49, up from No. 2 in 2016, through "aggressive" support for new acts like Chris Janson and Maren Morris.

Program director, KBEQ Kansas City, Mo.; Vp programming, Steel City Media

With three country stations competing in the Kansas City market, Kennedy, at KBEQ (Q104), takes nothing for granted. "We've been number one nine out of the past 10 [rating] books; I'm knocking on wood as I say that." The Emporia, Kan., native adds: "It's not about balancing Luke Bryan with a gold song. It's trying to schedule Luke and the new Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert. So many strong current artists make it difficult to keep the balance."

Program director, KKWF/KHTP Seattle, Entercom Radio

A seven-year veteran of the Seattle market, Preston does double duty programming KKWF (100.7 The Wolf) and rhythmic gold outlet KHTP (The New Hot 103.7). "The psychographic and music tastes are different,'" says the San Jose-raised father of two, "but the listeners could be next-door neighbors." Preston says he is "proud of what we've done" to fend off KMPS, his station's long-established crosstown rival, by ranking No. 3 among women 18 to 34.

Vp music programming, CBS Radio Detroit

Roberts, a Detroit native and father of three, was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame while WYCD was named the Academy of Country Music's major-market station of the year for 2016. Although focused on today's hits, he has a historian's perspective on why country music thrives in Detroit. "The influx of workers here in the '30s and '40s, even into the '50s and '60s, came from Southern roots," says Roberts. "So there was a base of fans for country music right here."

Contributors: Rich Appel, Jim Asker, Chuck Dauphin, Gary Graff, Steve Knopper, Melinda Newman, Craig Rosen, Phyllis Stark, Chuck Taylor, Deborah Wilker

This feature was originally published in the Nov. 5 issue of Billboard.


The most contentious issue during the recent Yahoo Finance Trump-Clinton economic debate was Hillary Clintons plan for business tax reform. Those are the words used on her website to describe how shell come up with $275 billion to spend rebuilding infrastructure and creating jobs.

So what is business tax reform? During the Yahoo Finance debate, Clinton economic adviser Roger Altman insisted the additional revenue Clinton seeks to raise is not a tax on businesses. No, she hasnt proposed to raise taxes on business, Altman says in the video above.

Its on her website, argues Trump economic adviser Peter Navarro.

No, it is not on her website, Altman answers.

Its on her website, an incredulous Navarro repeats.

Enough of this tedium. Yahoo Financed promised to fact-check this dispute, and give viewers a straight answer. So heres what the two advisers are arguing about.

Clinton has proposed no changes in the corporate tax code, which is curious, because this is one improvement to the tax code that might actually be politically possible. In the Yahoo Finance debate, Altman suggested that Clinton does have a corporate tax reform plan she hopes to unveil after the campaign, if she wins. It would probably entail a lower top tax rate, fewer loopholes and possibly a repatriation plan to bring overseas profits home at a one-time discounted tax rate. So Clinton has not proposed a hike in the corporate tax rate.

But the majority of US businesses arent subject to the corporate tax rate in the first place. Most American businessesfrom one-person operations to large, privately held partnershipsare so-called pass-through entities whose owners pay tax at individual rates. Changes in tax law over the years have led to a surge in the portion of pass-through businesses, which now account for more than half of all business income. The biggest, publicly owned companiessuch as those in the S&P 500 indexare usually C corporations subject to the corporate tax rate, but most private businesses are not.

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Clintons plan would raise taxes on many of these businesses, because shed raise taxes on wealthy individual filers. In general, Clintons plan calls for tax hikes on people earning $1 million or more, as Altman explains in the video above. Shed also raise the capital-gains tax rate on some investment profits, depending on how long the asset producing the gain is held. While couched as a hike in tax rates for wealthy individuals, there would also be de facto tax hikes on many pass-through businesses.

A 2015 research paper by five Treasury Department tax experts and three independent economists found that: The rise of pass-throughs accounts for much of the rise in income inequality over the last three decades. The owners of such firms face nominal tax rates as high as 50%, including state and local taxes. But a wide variety of deductions and other tax breaks helps many business owners slash their actual tax bill to much lower rates.

With those offsetsall entirely legaltaken into account, pass-throughs paid an effective tax rate ranging from 13.6% to 24.9%, depending on how the business was structured and how much of its profits came from capital gains, typically taxed at lower rates than normal labor income. For big C corporations subject to the corporate tax rate, the average effective tax paid was 31.6% of net income. The significant gap explains why just about any business would want to be taxed as a pass-through, if possible.

So when Clinton or her advisers talk about business tax reform, they are invariably referring to tax hikes that would affect a lot of businesses. Whether those businesses and the individuals profiting from them can afford such a tax hike is a separate question, one that voters will get to answer at the polls on Nov. 8.

Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman.
Washington (AFP) - Former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan agreed Wednesday to accept at least $31 million from Gawker Media to settle his lawsuit over publication of a sex tape, court documents showed.

The settlement was revealed in court documents in the case which drove the gossip-focused media group into bankruptcy.

The case also divided media and press-freedom advocates after it was revealed that Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel had funded Hogan's case as part of an effort to drive Gawker out of business.

Hogan -- whose real name is Terry Bollea -- had been awarded $140 million by a Florida court for invasion of privacy over publication of the video showing him having sex with a friend's wife.

The settlement calls for him to be paid $31 million plus a share of Gawker assets sold as part of the bankruptcy process, according to documents in the New York bankruptcy court.

Nick Denton, the founder of Gawker, said in a blog post the group agreed to the settlement instead of pursuing an appeal, because of Hogan's deep-pocketed backing from Thiel.

"We were confident the appeals court would reduce or eliminate the runaway Florida judgment," Denton wrote.

"But all-out legal war with Thiel would have cost too much, and hurt too many people, and there was no end in sight."

While Gawker has come under fire for its no-holds-barred approach to celebrity coverage, the case raised questions about whether powerful interests can use their resources to silence media for unfavorable coverage.

German-born Thiel was a founder of the online payments firm PayPal, and served as its chief executive before it was sold to eBay. He was also an early investor in Facebook and has been active in venture investing in Silicon Valley.

In May, Thiel acknowledged funding a legal battle against the gossip website that "outed" him as a homosexual.

"It's less about revenge and more about specific deterrence," Thiel said in an interview at the time.

Gawker shut its flagship website in August after it agreed to sell most of its assets to Spanish-language television network Univision for $135 million.

Some of the former Gawker Media news sites -- Gizmodo, Lifehacker, Deadspin, Jezebel, Kotaku and Jalopnik -- are being operated by Univision.
[November 01, 2016] Nimble Storage to Announce Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results on November 22, 2016

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nimble Storage (NYSE: NMBL), the leader in predictive flash storage, will report results for its fiscal third quarter on Tuesday, November 22, 2016. The results will be included in a press release with accompanying financial information and Shareholder Letter that will be released after market close and posted on the Nimble Storage Investor Relations website. Nimble Storage management will host a conference call and live webcast beginning at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET) to discuss the Company's financial results and business highlights. Interested parties may access the call by dialing (877) 719-9801 in the U.S. or (719) 325-4762 from international locations. In addition, a live audio webcast of the conference call will be available on the Nimble Storage Investor Relations website at http://investors.nimblestorage.com. A replay of the audio webcast will be available on the Nimble Storage Investor Relations website for 45 days. Nimble Storage Resources Nimble Storage Website

Case Studies and Videos

Follow Nimble Storage on Twitter: @NimbleStorage

Follow Nimble Storage on LinkedIn

Visit Nimble Storage on Facebook

Visit the NimbleConnect Community



About Nimble Storage Nimble Storage (NYSE: NMBL) is the leader in predictive flash storage solutions. Its predictive flash platform gives users the fastest, most reliable access to data. By combining predictive analytics with flash storage, IT teams radically simplify their operations. More than 9,000 customers across 50 countries rely on Nimble to power their businesses, on-premise and in the cloud. For more information, visit www.nimblestorage.com and follow us on Twitter: @nimblestorage.

Nimble Storage, the Nimble Storage logo, CASL, InfoSight, SmartStack, Timeless Storage, Data Velocity Delivered, Unified Flash Fabric and NimbleConnect are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nimble Storage, Inc. Other trade names or words used in this document are the properties of their respective owners. Media Contact:

Kristalle Cooks

408-514-3313

[email protected] Investor Relations Contact:

Elaine Gaudioso

408-514-3475

[email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nimble-storage-to-announce-third-quarter-2017-financial-results-on-november-22-2016-300352080.html SOURCE Nimble Storage

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It would need additional 15,000 workers in cyber security segment.

Despite Singapores low unemployment rate, skills challenges exist in a number of key growth industries as a result of the ongoing structural changes in the economy, the impact of disruptive technologies and the shortage of students enrolled in certain critical fields. According to a study by Singapore Management University (SMU) and global financial services firm J.P. Morgan, the industries in Singapore most in need of skilled workers include the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, which currently employs about 150,000 workers.

"The government projects that by 2017, the industry will require an additional 15,000 workers, particularly in the areas of cyber security, data analytics and development and network infrastructure  a number that could rise to 30,000 by 2020," the study revealed.

More so, the electronics and electrical engineering manufacturing  the largest component of Singapores manufacturing base  also faces a skills gap.

"A lack of necessary work experience and specialist skills, and the perceived uncompetitive pay are the main reasons why engineers are shunning the industry. The skills gap is set to widen as Singapore moves towards an innovation-driven economy, especially in newer engineering fields like robotics and digital manufacturing," SMU noted.

The study furthered that the rapid adoption of Fintech could render a number of jobs obsolete, but that also means more workers are needed in niche areas like IT development and programming, according to the study.

"The increased use of mobile banking and web-based wealth management service Robo-Advisers could also require talent possessing both technical and entrepreneurial skills," the study cited.

It attributed the skills gaps to the rapid changes in the countrys key growth industries, which it states are partly encouraged by the frequent changes in the governments industrial policy. This has perpetuated the need for foreign workers to make up for the shortage of new skills that are in demand. Despite some tightening of the foreign workers policy in recent years, the total number of foreign workers continues to increase, and was comprised of 38 percent of the workforce by the end of 2015, according to government data.

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With this, the study recommended the government to consider moderating the pace of change in targeting new sectors for growth. Industries should be given time to mature to gain scale and depth, and achieve international competitiveness.

"This would also allow time for skilled workers to keep up with changing demands. Given the dynamic nature of Singapores economy, the emphasis on education and training should also include promoting soft skills and adaptability," it underscored.





More From Singapore Business Review


IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / Khang & Khang LLP (the "Firm") announces the filing of a class action lawsuit against Adeptus Health Inc. ("Adeptus" or the "Company") (ADPT). Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares pursuant and/or traceable to the Company's secondary public offering (the "SPO") on or about July 31, 2015, or purchasers of common shares between April 23, 2015 and November 16, 2015, inclusive (the "Class Period"), are encouraged to contact the Firm before the December 27, 2016 lead plaintiff motion deadline.

If you purchased shares of Adeptus during the SPO or Class Period, please contact Joon M. Khang, Esquire, of Khang & Khang, 18101 Von Karman Avenue, 3rd Floor, Irvine, CA 92612, by telephone: (949) 419-3834, or by e-mail at joon@khanglaw.com.

There has been no class certification in this case yet. Until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. You may choose to take no action and remain a passive class member.

According to the Complaint, Adeptus Health made material false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose: that the Company engaged in widespread predatory billing practices, particularly with respect to lower acuity level patients; that Adeptus Health's predatory billing practices subjected the Company to numerous known but undisclosed risks, such as financial risks, reputational risks, risks associated with improper financial reporting, civil or criminal sanctions, and even exclusion from federal and state healthcare programs; that the Company's financial statements were not prepared in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; that contrary to the Company's representations about its practice of referring lower acuity patients to urgent care facilities, Adeptus Health routinely treated lower acuity patients and excessively billed them for services; and that as a result of the above, Adeptus Health lacked a reasonable basis for its statements about its business and future financial prospects at all relevant times. On November 17, 2015, an NBC-affiliated television station located in Denver, Colorado aired an investigative report about the predatory billing practices at Adeptus Health's Colorado First Choice emergency rooms.

If you wish to learn more about this lawsuit free of charge, or if you have any questions concerning this notice or your rights, please contact Joon M. Khang, a prominent litigator for almost two decades, by telephone: (949) 419-3834, or via e-mail at joon@khanglaw.com.

This press release may constitute Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions.

Contacts

Joon M. Khang, Esq.

Telephone: 949-419-3834

Facsimile: 949-225-4474

joon@khanglaw.com

SOURCE: Khang & Khang LLP
IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / Khang & Khang LLP (the "Firm") announces the filing of a class action lawsuit against Xerox Corporation ("Xerox" or the "Company") (XRX). Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares between April 23, 2012 and October 23, 2015 inclusive (the "Class Period"), are encouraged to contact the Firm prior to the December 23, 2016 lead plaintiff motion deadline.

If you purchased shares of Xerox during the Class Period, please contact Joon M. Khang, Esquire, of Khang & Khang, 18101 Von Karman Avenue, 3rd Floor, Irvine, CA 92612, by telephone: (949) 419-3834, or by e-mail at joon@khanglaw.com.

There has been no class certification in this case yet. Until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. You may choose to take no action and remain a passive class member.

The complaint alleges that during the Class Period, Xerox repeatedly touted its new software product, Health Enterprise, as an important growth area for the Company, which would operate at low cost and high profit margin. The Companys statements pertaining to the profitability and growth prospects of the Health Enterprise business were materially false and misleading because Xerox failed to disclose: that the Companys existing Health Enterprise projects were experiencing major delays and cost overruns; that Xerox would be unable to deliver Health Enterprise implementations at sustainable profits; and that as a result of the above, the Companys statements about its business, operations, and prospects lacked a reasonable basis. On October 26, 2015, Xerox released its third quarter 2015 financial results which were disappointing due to costs associated with the implementation of Health Enterprise and the termination of Health Enterprise contracts with the state agencies of California and Montana. When this information was disclosed to the public, shares of Xerox dropped in value.

If you wish to learn more about this lawsuit at no charge to you, or if you have questions concerning this notice or your rights, please contact Joon M. Khang, a prominent litigator for almost two decades, by telephone: (949) 419-3834, or via e-mail at joon@khanglaw.com.

Story continues

This press release may constitute Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions.

Contacts

Joon M. Khang, Esq.

Telephone: 949-419-3834

Facsimile: 949-225-4474

joon@khanglaw.com

SOURCE: Khang & Khang LLP
LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / Lundin Law PC , a shareholder rights firm, announces a class action lawsuit has been filed against Adeptus Health Inc. ("Adeptus Health" or the "Company") (ADPT) on behalf of purchasers of Adeptus Health securities pursuant and/or traceable to the Company's secondary public offering (the "SPO") on or about July 31, 2015, or purchasers of common shares between April 23, 2015 and November 16, 2015, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Investors, who purchased or otherwise acquired shares during the SPO or the Class Period, are encouraged to contact the firm in advance of the December 27, 2016 lead plaintiff motion deadline.

To participate in this class action lawsuit, click here. You can also call Brian Lundin, Esquire, of Lundin Law PC, at 888-713-1033, or e-mail him at brian@lundinlawpc.com.

No class has been certified in the above action. Until a class is certified, you are not considered represented by an attorney. You may also choose to do nothing and be an absent class member.

The complaint alleges that during the Class Period, Adeptus Health made material false and/or misleading information and/or failed to disclose: that the Company engaged in widespread predatory billing practices, particularly with respect to lower acuity level patients; that Adeptus Health's predatory billing practices subjected the Company to numerous known but undisclosed risks, such as financial risks, reputational risks, risks associated with improper financial reporting, civil or criminal sanctions, and even exclusion from federal and state healthcare programs; that the Company's financial statements were not prepared in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; that contrary to the Company's representations about its practice of referring lower acuity patients to urgent care facilities, Adeptus Health routinely treated lower acuity patients and excessively billed them for services; and that as a result of the above, Adeptus Health lacked a reasonable basis for its statements about its business and future financial prospects at all relevant times. On November 17, 2015, KUSA, an NBC-affiliated television station located in Denver, Colorado, aired an investigative report about the predatory billing practices at Adeptus Health's Colorado First Choice emergency rooms. When this news was announced, shares of Adeptus Health fell in value, causing investors harm.

Lundin Law PC was founded by Brian Lundin, a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding shareholders' rights.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

Contact:

Lundin Law PC

Brian Lundin, Esq.

Telephone: 888-713-1033

Facsimile: 888-713-1125

brian@lundinlawpc.com

http://lundinlawpc.com/

SOURCE: Lundin Law PC
By Krishna N. Das

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The Indian government and three state-run firms will jointly set up an equity fund of up to $2 billion for renewable energy companies to tap into to help New Delhi meet its clean energy goals, two government sources told Reuters on Wednesday.

Private and public companies will be able to dip into an initial amount of more than $1 billion starting next fiscal year, said the sources with direct knowledge of the decision taken after a meeting of government officials more than a month ago. India's government hopes the Clean Energy Equity Fund (CEEF) will attract pension and insurance funds from Canada and Europe.

Around $600 million of the initial pool will come from the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, under the finance ministry, and the rest from state entities NTPC Ltd, Rural Electrification Corp and the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency, according to one of the sources.

The sources declined to be named as they are not authorised to talk to the media. Officials at the finance ministry, new and renewable energy ministry, NTPC, Rural Electrification, and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target of raising India's renewable energy target to 175 gigawatts by 2022, more than five times current usage, as part of the fight against climate change by the world's third-biggest greenhouse gas emitter and to supply power to all of the country's 1.3 billion people.

The program will depend on getting as much as $175 billion in funding with 70 percent of that likely in bank loans and the rest as equity, the sources said.

The government reckons loans are not a problem but providing equity to investors may be difficult due to uncertainties over returns, one of the sources said.

"As we expand our clean energy capacity, there may be a shortage of equity next year," said the source. "Private equity is seen as risky in India but if the government itself creates a fund, that gives a lot of confidence."

Story continues

India's clean energy push was set back earlier this year when U.S. solar company SunEdison filed for bankruptcy. The company is now looking to secure partners to see through its planned India projects.

Nevertheless, companies are still keen to invest in clean energy.

Japan's Softbank Corp, Taiwan's Foxconn and India's Bharti Enterprises have pledged to invest about $20 billion in India's renewable sector. Global solar giants like First Solar Inc, Trina Solar Ltd and Fortum are also expanding their presence.

(Reporting by Krishna N. Das; Additional reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
Hundreds of schools were ordered to close indefinitely in Kashmir Wednesday after shelling by Indian and Pakistani troops in the disputed region killed 14 civilians in two days.

Authorities on the Indian-administered side of Kashmir, which is split between the two nations, said nearly 300 schools had been ordered to close from Wednesday morning, following the death of eight civilians on Tuesday in mortar shelling along the highly militarised border.

Officials on the Pakistani side said around 25 schools would be closed in the Nakyal sector for the rest of the week due to shelling by Indian forces which had killed six civilians since Monday.

The closures represent another blow to a beleaguered education system already hit by widespread closures in Srinagar, the largest city in Indian-administered Kashmir, and arson attacks on schools.

Eight civilians including two children were killed on Tuesday when mortar bombs hit two locations in the Samba and Rajouri sectors, in the Jammu region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Nearly 300 schools, both private and government-run, have been asked to close down in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts," Pawan Kotwal, a top official in Jammu, told AFP.

He said the border remained relatively calm overnight with only a few cases of cross-border firing in some areas.

On Monday Pakistani authorities said an 18-month-old girl was among six civilians killed on its side of the border in firing by Indian forces in the Jammu region.

Islamabad summoned a senior Indian diplomat to protest over the killings.

The closure order in the Jammu region comes at a time when teaching at many government and private schools in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Kashmir Valley remains severely disrupted.

- Schools torched -

Although schools are officially open, many pupils and teachers have been unable to attend class for months because of a 52-day-long curfew and a continuing shutdown called by separatist groups, that has severely hit normal life.

Story continues

The region has suffered its deadliest violence in the last six years -- with at least 90 people killed in street protests triggered by the killing of a popular separatist leader by Indian forces in Kashmir in July.

Nearly 30 schools have been torched in the Kashmir Valley since July but no-one has been arrested for the arson attacks.

Indian and Pakistani troops have regularly exchanged fire across the Line of Control -- the de-facto border in Kashmir -- as well as along their undisputed part of the border since a militant attack on an Indian army base on September 18 left 19 soldiers dead.

Each country accuses the other of violating a 2003 ceasefire and engaging in "unprovoked firing".

Eight Indian troops have also died in the border skirmishes.

India's border security force (BSF) accused Pakistani troops of "deliberately targeting" the civilian population after Tuesday's killings, which also left 22 people injured.

"Pakistani forces are firing heavy mortars deliberately towards Indian civilian areas. BSF never fires towards any Pakistani civilian area," D K Upadhyay, a top BSF commander told reporters on Wednesday.

Relations between the two countries have plummeted in recent months since the attack on the army base, the deadliest in more than a decade.

India has blamed Pakistan-based militants for the attack and its prime minister Narendra Modi recently characterised the regime in Islamabad as the "mothership of terrorism".

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in full.

Several rebel groups have fought for decades an estimated 500,000 Indian soldiers deployed in the Himalayan territory, demanding independence for the region or its merger with Pakistan.
By Kanupriya Kapoor JAKARTA (Reuters) - Thousands of hardline Muslims are expected to take to the streets on Friday to protest against the governor of Jakarta, a Christian and the first ethnic Chinese in the job, over claims he insulted the Koran. Jakarta police said dozens of social media accounts were discovered "publishing provocative statements and images" and urging people to take violent action in the name of Islam against governor Basuki Tjahja Purnama, better known by his nickname "Ahok", including calls to kill him. "We have seen racially and ethnically divisive statements being spread online and there are indications many of them are anti-Chinese," said Jakarta police spokesman Awi Setiyono. He added police are stepping up patrols and online monitoring in a "show of force" ahead of Friday's rally. About 18,000 police and military personnel will be deployed on the day of the protest. Critics, however, slammed Indonesia's government for doing little to contain the hardline Muslim groups that have fueled religious and ethnic tensions ahead of next year's election for Jakarta's governor, which Ahok is contesting. "Indonesia's spineless political leaders have allowed extremists to seize the momentum and foment religious hatred against the governor...for more than a month without challenging the substance or methods of their arguments," security expert Sidney Jones said in an online column. Police are investigating Ahok for alleged religious defamation, after he said his opponents had deceived voters by attacking him using a verse from the Koran. Ahok has apologized for the remarks. A spiritual leader for the protest organizer, the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), insisted its actions on Friday would be peaceful. "This is not anti-Christian or anti-Chinese action," Habib Riziek said. The group has had a history of vigilante attacks against religious minorities since it was formed in 1999. It has also frequently protested against Ahok. ANTI-CHINESE SENTIMENT Indonesia's population of 250 million people includes 3 million ethnic Chinese, many of whom are Christian. The community has faced persecution and violence in the past, most recently during the political and social turmoil that gripped the capital as authoritarian ruler Suharto was toppled in 1998. Hundreds of people were killed and thousands of ethnic Chinese fled the country as mobs rampaged through Jakarta, looting and burning Chinese-owned shops and houses. Some fear anti-Chinese sentiment and religious tensions are once again on the rise ahead of the Jakarta governor election in February. The government has shied away from addressing the rising tensions head on, saying instead it is committed to protecting freedom of expression and assembly alongside Indonesia's diversity. Earlier this week, President Joko Widodo, whose ruling party backs Ahok, met with party leaders backing the two other candidates in the race, whose camps have been accused of using hardline Muslim groups to fan tensions. In joint statements, these political and religious leaders urged protesters to demonstrate peacefully. Communications Minister Rudiantara said the government is working to counter the online "hate speech". "Indeed, social media is contributing to the current situation," he said. "The president has made it clear Indonesia's unity is non-negotiable." The race to lead the sprawling capital of 10 million is often hotly contested, with top political parties jostling to get their candidates elected to a job that is seen as a stepping stone to higher political office. President Widodo served as Jakarta governor for 1-1/2 years before running for, and winning, the presidency in 2014. His rise brought back to power the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which had spent a decade in opposition. One of his rivals in the governor's race is the son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Ahok, who took over from Widodo as governor, has gained a reputation as a tough reformer, and remains a frontrunner in opinion polls. (Additional reporting by Agustinus Beo da Costa.; Editing by Bill Tarrant.)
By Florence Tan and Wilda Asmarini SINGAPORE/JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia and Vietnam are looking to join Thailand in blazing a trail for solar power in Southeast Asia, introducing targets to fire up green energy generation as a landmark global agreement to curb pollution is set to take effect. Countries around the world are coming under increasing pressure to crack down on carbon emissions from sectors such as coal-fired power stations, with the historic Paris climate accord coming into force this Friday after it was signed last year. Indonesia and Vietnam aim to each have annual solar power capacity of at least 5 gigawatts (GW) from 2020, up from close to nothing now, officials from both governments told Reuters. That level of output would have placed the countries among the top 15 solar producers in the world in 2015 data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and would account for close to 9 percent of expected power generation in Indonesia and Vietnam at the turn of the next decade. The regional push towards solar will add momentum to global growth in the technology and could benefit companies such as Canada's CMX Renewable Energy Inc, as well as South Korea's Shinsung Solar Energy and Hanwha Q Cells Korea Corp. "It will come very quickly as it takes a short time for construction," Hoang Quoc Vuong, Vietnam's Vice Minister of Industry and Trade, said on the sidelines of an industry conference last week. However, with initial costs traditionally seen as a big deterrent to solar projects, both Indonesia and Vietnam will be offering opportunities for subsidies via so-called feed-in tariffs (FIT), allowing producers to lock in sales of renewable energy at fixed prices for a few years. "If we promote solar, there has to be subsidy," said the Vietnam official. "Feed-in tariffs have been issued so that the (5 GW) target can be achieved," said Maritje Hutapea, director of various kinds of energy at the Renewable Energy Directorate General under Indonesia's Energy Ministry. France's Engie is in talks with state power company PLN for two solar projects of 200 MW. FEELING THE HEAT Thailand has so far been the frontrunner in developing solar power in Southeast Asia, with a government official saying its installed capacity reached about 2 GW in August, beating its target of 1.7 GW for this year. "We have already exceeded our target for this year, especially in solar and waste power, given attractive FIT rates," Viraphol Jirapraditkul, director of the Energy Regulatory Commission told Reuters. "We have discussed about the possibility of raising the target for renewables and the energy ministry's planning office will need to propose the numbers." Elsewhere in the region, Malaysia plans to add 1 GW of solar power capacity by 2020, or 250 MW per year, said Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Maximus Ongkili, up from 267 MW currently. And the Philippines has met a previous target of 500 MW for solar, but no fresh target has been set as the country's new government is still reviewing its energy mix. But some analysts cautioned that Indonesia and Vietnam's solar targets were ambitious and could be difficult to achieve. "It's a good move in the right direction but the targets are optimistic," said Paul van der Aa, an advisor at PT. PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting Indonesia. "It remains to be seen if they can be achieved in the short term." And despite the growth of solar power in the region, coal is likely to remain a major source of energy as fast-growing demand means that Southeast Asia needs to double its power generation capacity in the next decade, government and industry officials said. (Reporting by Florence Tan in Singapore and Wilda Asmarini in Jakarta; Additional reporting by Khettiya Jittapong in Bangkok, Enrico dela Cruz in Manila, Seng Li Peng and Roslan Khasawaneh in Singapore, Jane Chung in Seoul; Editing by Joseph Radford)
[November 01, 2016] Fitch Places Chilton County Health Care Authority, AL's Sales Tax Bonds on Rating Watch Negative

Fitch Ratings has placed the 'AA-' rating on $38,310,000 of limited obligation sales tax bonds, series 2015A (Chilton County Hospital Project) on Rating Watch Negative. SECURITY The bonds are a limited obligation of the authority payable from a first lien on the proceeds of a 1% general sales and use tax levied and imposed within the county. The bonds are also secured by a cash-funded debt service reserve fund (DSRF) equal to maximum annual debt service (MADS). KEY RATING DRIVERS Sales Tax Authorization Challenged: The Negative Watch is based on litigation filed against Chilton County and the Chilton County Health Care Authority which challenges the validity of the sales tax pledged to bondholders and seeks its repeal on procedural grounds. A motion to stay the lawsuit has been granted pending a ruling in a similar case being heard by the Alabama Supreme Court (Jefferson County v. Taxpayers and Citizens of Jefferson County). Unfavorable Outcome Unlikely, But Potential Consequences Severe: Fitch believes that it is unlikely that the state supreme court will rule the tax invalid; however, the assignment of the Negative Watch reflects the severity of the potential outcome of the case, which is inherently unknowable. A ruling in favor of the plaintiff would effectively leave bondholders in an unsecured position. An event of default would be considered imminent or inevitable absent other action, leading to a 'C' rating. Constitutional Amendment Uncertainty: A constitutional amendment on the November ballot will in effect ask voters to ratify all prior local laws including the Chilton County sales tax. Fitch will monitor the results of the election but also the retroactive application of the amendment, if successful. It is not clear to Fitch that the constitutional amendment alone would resolve the issue. RATING SENSITIVITIES Favorable Resolution of Litigation: Final resolution of the litigation pertaining to the legality of the pledged sales tax revenue in favor of the county and the authority would likely result in resolving the Negative Watch. Sales Tax Repeal: Conversely, resolution that eliminates the sales tax without compensating action would likely result in a rating downgrade to 'C'. CREDIT PROFILE The Chilton County Health Care Authority is a public hospital corporation authorized to acquire, construct, install, and equip and operate health care facilities within the county. The bonds were issued to fund a new 30-bed general hospital to meet the healthcare needs of the county, which had not been served by a hospital since 2013. The pledged revenue consists of a 1% general sales and use tax authorized by the Alabama Legislature in 2014 for the explicit and sole purpose of providing funds to pay the costs of construction, maintenance and operation of hospital facilities in the county. Imposition of the sales tax received overwhelming support from county voters at an advisory referendum in June 2014 (80% pass rate). The legal challenge arises from a seemingly narrow and technical issue having to do with the composition of a majority vote in the state legislature. The vote appears to have been taken in accordance with rules of the legislature; the constitutionality of that rule is the subject of the challenge. It appears that the Alabama Supreme Court has considered a very similar question previously, and concluded that it is the prerogative of the legislature to define its own rules for quorums and voting. However, there can be no certainty that the outcome will be favorable to the authority and Fitch has no basis for reaching a definitive legal conclusion. For background information, see 'Fitch Rates Chilton County Health Care Authority, AL's Sales Tax Bonds 'AA-'; Outlook Stable' dated Oct. 22, 2015. Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'. In addition to the sources of information identified in the applicable criteria specified below, this action was informed by information from Lumesis and InvestorTools. Applicable Criteria U.S. Tax-Supported Rating Criteria (pub. 8 Apr 2016)



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Fitch receives fees from issuers, insurers, guarantors, other obligors, and underwriters for rating securities. Such fees generally vary from US$1,000 to US$750,000 (or the applicable currency equivalent) per issue. In certain cases, Fitch will rate all or a number of issues issued by a particular issuer, or insured or guaranteed by a particular insurer or guarantor, for a single annual fee. Such fees are expected to vary from US$10,000 to US$1,500,000 (or the applicable currency equivalent). The assignment, publication, or dissemination of a rating by Fitch shall not constitute a consent by Fitch to use its name as an expert in connection with any registration statement filed under the United States securities laws, the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000 of the United Kingdom, or the securities laws of any particular jurisdiction. Due to the relative efficiency of electronic publishing and distribution, Fitch research may be available to electronic subscribers up to three days earlier than to print subscribers. For Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and South Korea only: Fitch Australia Pty Ltd holds an Australian financial services license (AFS license no. 337123) which authorizes it to provide credit ratings to wholesale clients only. Credit ratings information published by Fitch is not intended to be used by persons who are retail clients within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161101006871/en/

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BEDMINSTER, NJ and DUBLIN, IRELAND / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / Amarin Corporation plc (AMRN) will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss the results of the third quarter 2016, to be held Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 7:30 AM Eastern Time.

Live Event Information

To participate, connect approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the beginning of the event

Date, Time: November 3, 2016 at 7:30 AM ET

Toll Free: 877-407-8033

International: 201-689-8033

Live Webcast: http://www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=175436 or www.amarincorp.com

Replay Information

The replay will be available beginning approximately 2 hours after the completion of the live event, ending at midnight Eastern on November 17, 2016.

Toll Free: 1-877-660-6853

International: 1-201-612-7415

Replay ID#: 13649077

Webcast: www.investorcalendar.com or www.amarincorp.com

About Amarin

Amarin Corporation plc is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization and development of therapeutics to improve cardiovascular health. Amarin's product development program leverages its extensive experience in lipid science and the potential therapeutic benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Amarin's clinical program includes a commitment to an ongoing outcomes study. Vascepa (icosapent ethyl), Amarin's first FDA approved product, is a highly-pure, EPA-only, omega-3 fatty acid product available by prescription. For more information about Vascepa visit www.vascepa.com. For more information about Amarin visit www.amarincorp.com.

SOURCE: Investor Calendar
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / TOR Minerals International, Inc. (TORM) will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss the results of the third quarter 2016, to be held Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

Live Event Information

To participate, connect approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the beginning of the event.

Date, Time: November 3, 2016 at 5:00 PM ET

Toll Free: 877-407-8033

Live Webcast: www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=175342 or www.torminerals.com

If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the event archive will be available at www.investorcalendar.com or www.torminerals.com.

About TOR Minerals International, Inc.

Headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas, TOR Minerals International, Inc. is a global manufacturer and marketer of specialty mineral and pigment products for high performance applications with manufacturing and regional offices located in the United States, Netherlands and Malaysia.

SOURCE: Investor Calendar
SAN JUAN, PR / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / Triple-S Management Corporation (GTS) will host a live webcast to discuss the results of the third quarter 2016, to be held Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time.

Live Event Information

To participate, connect approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the beginning of the event.

Date, Time: November 3, 2016 at 9:00 AM ET

Live Webcast: www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=175341 or www.triplesmanagement.com

If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the event archive will be available at www.investorcalendar.com or www.triplesmanagement.com.

About Triple-S Management Corporation

Triple-S Management Corporation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. It is one of the leading players in the managed care industry in Puerto Rico. Triple-S Management has the exclusive right to use the Blue Cross Blue Shield name and mark throughout Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Costa Rica. With more than 50 years of experience in the industry, Triple-S Management offers a broad portfolio of managed care and related products in the Commercial, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid markets under the Blue Cross Blue Shield marks. It also provides non-Blue Cross Blue Shield branded life and property and casualty insurance in Puerto Rico.

SOURCE: Triple-S Management Corporation
MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / Vector Group Ltd. (VGR) will host a live webcast to discuss the results of the third quarter 2016, to be held Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 8:30 AM Eastern Time.

Live Event Information

To participate, connect approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the beginning of the event.

Date, Time: November 3, 2016 at 8:30 AM ET

Live Webcast: www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=175405 or www.VectorGroupLtd.com

If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the event archive will be available at www.investorcalendar.com or www.VectorGroupLtd.com.

About Vector Group Ltd.

Vector Group is a holding company that indirectly owns Liggett Group LLC, Vector Tobacco Inc. and Zoom E-Cigs LLC and directly owns New Valley LLC, which owns a controlling interest in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC.

SOURCE: Investor Calendar
LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - German government bond yields dropped on Wednesday as investors, rattled by uncertainty over next week's U.S presidential election, sought refuge in the safe haven debt.

The move in the euro zone's top-rated benchmark followed a similar fall in U.S. Treasury yields as investors started to rethink their long-held bets of a victory for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton on signs her Republican rival Donald Trump could be closing the gap.

German 10-year bond yields fell 3 basis points to 0.15 percent, while yields on lower-rated bonds in Spain and Italy rose and euro zone stock markets fell.

(Reporting by John Geddie; Editing by Alistair Smout)
A touching encounter between an Iowa resident and police office was caught on camera in the hours after two Des Moines-area cops were senselessly shot dead with no warning early Wednesday.

In the KCCI footage, a man who appears to be a Urbandale Police Department officer is greeted by a citizen, who offers the only thing she had on hand, a package of bottled water.

Read: Orlando Shooter's Wife Opens Up, 6 Months After Pulse Nightclub Massacre: 'I Was Unaware'

"I can't even imagine," the woman tells the officer in an apparent reference to the consecutive, "ambush-style" slayings of an Urbandale officer and a Des Moines officer as they each sat in their patrol cars.

"This is the only thing I know how to help," the woman said tearfully as she handed the officer water. "I want you to be hydrated."

A deeper reason for the woman's intense emotions surrounding the slayings soon comes clear as she appears to suggest that her own father is a police officer.

"I want you to go home to your families because I want my dad to come home to me. And I want my friends to come home to me and I'll pray for you all and I don't how else to help. I don't know what else to do," she said.

As the woman allows her tears to flow, the officer can't help but become emotional himself.

"Your prayers are all we need," he says.

While they grieve this unthinkable tragedy, Iowans can at least rest easy knowing police believe they have the man they believe to be responsible in custody.

Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek says Scott Michael Greene, 46, was arrested Wednesday morning after a manhunt that lasted several hours.

Read: Fugitive Who Documented Run From Authorities on Facebook Is Killed by Cops After Weeklong Manhunt

The first officer, Urbandale PD Officer Justin Martin, was killed in the town that borders Des Moines.

In the second shooting, a Des Moines police officer Sgt. Anthony Beminio was shot after responding to the initial shooting and later transported to a hospital, where he died. The second shooting took place just blocks from the first, KCCI reports.

Story continues

According to officials in Des Moines, both officers were inside their cruisers when they were shot dead in the early morning hours of Wednesday.

At an emotional press conference, Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek told reporters: It doesnt look like there was any interaction between these officers and whoever the coward is who shot them while they sat in their cars."

Watch: Ex-Cop Kills Wife And Flees With Body in Trunk Before Killing Himself: Cops

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Tehran (AFP) - The Iranian students who stormed the US embassy in 1979 and released thousands of secret CIA documents were the WikiLeaks of their time, their former lead spokesperson has told AFP.

Every year on November 3-4, Iran celebrates the 444-day siege of the embassy when more than 50 diplomats, staff and spies were taken hostage by Islamist students demanding the extradition of the shah, who had fled to America after being deposed a few months earlier in the Islamic revolution.

Massoumeh Ebtekar is now Iran's vice-president and one of its most recognisable politicians, feted globally for her work as head of the environment department.

But back then, she was a 20-year-old medical student -- nicknamed "Mary" by the international press -- who became the face of the hostage crisis thanks to her fluent English.

She now regrets the diplomatic isolation that followed the embassy siege, but she is still proud of their work in releasing documents found in the CIA's files -- some painstakingly reassembled after embassy staff frantically shredded as many as possible when the students stormed the building.

"Revealing these documents was very similar to what WikiLeaks is doing these days. It was the WikiLeaks of those ages," Ebtekar told AFP.

The documents unveiled the CIA's attempts to recruit leading Iranian politicians -- including a liberal who became the first post-revolution president, Abol Hassan Bani-Sadr.

Although he denied being on the CIA payroll, the allegations contributed to his decision to flee the country.

"The hostage crisis... is hugely important to Iran's domestic politics. It was used as a weapon to destroy the opposition," said Michael Axworthy, a British historian who has published several books on Iran.

- 'Important milestone' -

Ebtekar says the documents, later compiled in 77 volumes of "Documents from the US Espionage Den", also showed how Washington was working to subvert popular uprisings around the world.

Story continues

"(It) was a very important milestone in terms of global politics," she said.

Despite her past, Ebtekar is now a firm supporter of her government's efforts to rebuild ties with the West through last year's nuclear deal.

"Even the students who took part in (the siege), many of them believe that maybe in some aspects, relationships could have been maintained in a more rational manner," she told AFP.

But she remains unrepentant about the hostage crisis. At the time, the students were convinced the US was preparing another coup to reverse the revolution.

"They were not militants, radicals. They thought there was an imminent danger... of another coup d'etat that would have led to the downfall of the very young and fragile Islamic revolution."

Such fears were not completely unfounded. Looming large in every Iranian's mind was the 1953 CIA-organised coup in which the US and Britain conspired to overthrow the enormously popular prime minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, who had dared to nationalise Iran's oil resources.

"They installed a government that was a puppet to American policies for 25 years, a tyrant who had imposed dictatorship, very dark ages for Iran," said Ebtekar.

Washington's decision to grant asylum to the deposed shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was seen as proof of the plot.

However, historians now say it was unlikely a conspiracy was brewing, not least since Pahlavi had terminal cancer.

"The strong impression is that the US government was thrashing around, really not sure what was happening," said Axworthy.

"There was a degree of paranoia on the part of the students, but that's not necessarily unreasonable. (The 1953 coup) had a huge influence on how people viewed the actions of the US and UK."
Gogjali (Iraq) (AFP) - The most popular object in Gogjali Wednesday was the electric hair clipper a member of the Iraqi special forces who retook the village from jihadists gave the residents.

On the steps leading to the mosque, one man revelled in his first shave in two years and sheared off thick tufts from the beard that militants from the Islamic State group forced him to grow.

Other men queued up patiently to use the precious tool, which was banned under the rules of the "caliphate" that IS proclaimed in the city of Mosul in June 2014.

Gogjali, which lies on the eastern edge of Mosul, this week became the most advanced post of the massive Iraqi offensive launched last month to retake the city from the jihadists.

After more than two years of a tyranny during which one word could get residents executed, the people of Gogjali were unstoppably talkative.

"We had to wear the dishdasha," one teenager explained, referring to the traditional Arab robe.

"Above the ankle or you would get lashes," said the boy, sporting a chequered shirt and a pair of trousers, which he said he has not worn once since IS took over.

The elite Counter-Terrorism Service entered Gogjali earlier this week and on Wednesday were still securing the village to prepare for a push into Mosul proper.

Mosul's recapture could deal a death blow to the "caliphate", whose brutality has plunged the region deeper into chaos and inspired attacks the world over.

- Smoking police -

On Wednesday it was the simple joys of a normal daily life that Gogjali residents enjoyed and the freedom to get countless tales of oppression off their chests.

"Sometimes I was driving my taxi, they would stop me and say: 'You've been smoking, we know it, open your mouth so we can smell your breath'," said a man in his 60s, who had not trimmed his beard yet.

If the breath test was inconclusive "they would check my fingers to see if they were yellow" from smoking.

Story continues

He said the worst thing about IS rule was that people constantly felt vulnerable to any delation.

One such case landed him in a jihadist jail for 62 days, during which he said he remained blindfolded and underwent mock executions by beheading.

The sexagenarian, who like most others in Gogjali would not give his name out of concern for relatives still living in IS-held territory, said he paid his way out.

Next to him, the man who was finishing his turn with the hair clipper said IS "had legions of accountants" and said that the jihadists' ruthless levying of the "zakat", or almsgiving, forced him to close his shop.

- 'Open-air prison' -

Many residents spoke of how IS militants had turned the zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, into a pretext for a systematic racket of the population.

Several residents said that they or their relatives were jailed for the sole purpose of raising bail money that the "Islamic State" had set at $10,000 (9,000 euros).

As Gogjali residents recovered their freedom to speak, the village's darkest moments also surfaced from two years of silence and people started sharing their accounts.

"People were executed in public and the entire village was made to watch," said one man, as children around him nodded silently.

"Once, a woman was stoned and all those who looked away were beaten," said another man.

A third said that "men were thrown off the rooftops of six- or seven-storey buildings, most of them former members of the security forces."

Many residents looked dazed as they emerged from their homes to see government forces taking over their village.

Abu Ahmed, who worked as a barber until IS swept in two years ago, looked around him as dozens of fully veiled women and bearded men walked cautiously out of their homes, some of them still carrying white flags.

"We're just coming out of the open-air prison in which we lived," he said.
[November 02, 2016] Data Encryption Market to Reach Market Size of US ~$4 Billion by 2022

PUNE, India, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Research Future published a half cooked research report on Data Encryption Market. The Global Data Encryption Market is majorly driven by factors such as high security proliferating and technological advancement. Market Highlights Data Encryption market is seeing tremendous opportunities in the coming future and is forecasted to grow at USD ~4 billion by year 2022 with CAGR of ~18%. With the help of trending cloud technology companies can store their bundle of data and can access from anywhere but the risk of theft always exist. Data Encryption is a method which allows the user to encode the data into a code or language which only can be accessed if a person or organization has the unlocking code. This makes the data more secure and helps to minimize the misuse. Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 30 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 "Global Data Encryption Research Report -Forecast to 2022



Access Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/global-data-encryption-market-research-report-forecast-2022 The prominent players in the market are- IBM Corporation (U.S.), Microsoft Corporation, (U.S.), Symantec Corporation (U.S.), HP (U.S.), Intel Security (U.S.), Oracle Corporation (U.S.), Netapp Inc. (U.S.), Gemalto (Netherlands), Vormetric Inc. (U.S.), FireEye, Inc. (U.S.) among others.

Request a Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample-request/global-data-encryption-market-research-report-forecast-2022 Market Research Analysis: Market Research Future analysis shows that Global Database Encryption market is to grow exponentially during the forecast period. Growing security threats and increasing data size which are confidential in nature are some of the key drivers. Currently, North America is dominating the market due to the high cyber-attacks in comparison with other countries. Presence of global players in this U.S. is also giving technology advantage to North America. Asia-Pacific has emerged as fastest growing market due to the presence of strong manufacturing sector in China and Japan and strong service industry in India. The Early Diners are Offered Free Customization - Up to 20% on this Report. Make an enquiry before buying this Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/global-data-encryption-market-research-report-forecast-2022 Browse Related Report Global Multi Cloud Management Market, by Deployment (Private, Public, Hybrid), by Application (BFSI, Healthcare, Retail, Telecommunication, Life-Science), by Services (Managed services, Task migration, Cloud automation) - Forecast 2022 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/multi-cloud-management-market-research-report-global-forecast-to-2022 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 deployment, end users, applications 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. Contact:

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Email: [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161006/415948LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/data-encryption-market-to-reach-market-size-of-us-4-billion-by-2022-300355918.html SOURCE Market Research Future

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Iraqi forces continued advancing from different sides of Mosul on November 1, capturing a number of towns and areas from Islamic State. The Iraqi army entered the Shalalat area in north Mosul and also advanced in east Mosul, Iraqi Special Forces said.

Iraqi media also reported that a prominent Islamic State leader was killed during the fighting in the Shalalat area. Storyful was unable to independently confirm the report.

This video was shared by an Iraqi media outlet and is described as showing fighting in the Shalalat area in north Mosul. Credit: YouTube/al-Mawselya
Jerusalem (AFP) - An Israeli military court on Wednesday sentenced a Palestinian minor to life in prison for killing an Israeli woman, the army said.

"The Judea military court sentenced the assassin of Dafna Meir, who was killed by stabbing on January 17, 2016, to life in jail and to fines of 750,000 shekels" (about $196,000/178,00 euros), the army said in a statement.

The 38-year-old Israeli nurse and mother of six died of her wounds after she was stabbed at her home in the Jewish settlement of Otniel in the occupied West Bank.

The statement did not mention the name of the attacker because he was a minor.

It said the army would "continue dispensing justice with the greatest of severity against those who carry out terrorist acts".

A wave of Palestinian knife, gun and car-ramming attacks began a year ago, but the violence has significantly declined in recent months.

Since October last year, the violence has claimed the lives of 237 Palestinians, 36 Israelis, two Americans, a Jordanian, an Eritrean and a Sudanese, according to an AFP count.

Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out attacks, according to Israeli authorities. Others were shot dead during protests and clashes, while some were killed in air strikes in the Gaza Strip.

Most of the attacks were by lone-wolf assailants, many of them young people, including teenagers.
Warsaw (AFP) - Thirty top religious leaders from Israel's Christian, Druze, Jewish and Muslim communities on Wednesday condemned extremism and "hatred of the other" during a landmark visit to Auschwitz.

The members of the Council of Religious Community Leaders in Israel repudiated "racism, fanaticism and extremism, particularly when these are committed, allegedly in the name of religion" in a statement issued following their visit to the grounds of Nazi Germany's most infamous death camp.

They also called on world leaders to "act with unwavering resoluteness against anti-Semitism, (and) hatred of the other, which once again plague contemporary society."

Jerusalem's Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, Anglican Archbishop Suheil Dawani, Druze religious leader Sheikh Mowafaq as well as Rabbis Dimony Icchak Elefant and David Rosen participated in the visit.

The delegation, also including two Sunni imams from Galilee, walked through the camp's infamous wrought iron "Arbeit Macht Frei" (Work makes you free) gate before laying flowers at the death wall, where executions took place.

The religious leaders also viewed exhibitions at the Auschwitz-Birkenau museum on the grounds of the former death camp in Oswiecim, southern Poland.

One million European Jews died at the camp set up by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland in 1940-1945.

More than 100,000 others including non-Jewish Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war and anti-Nazi resistance fighters also died there, according to the museum.

An estimated 232,000 of Auschwitz victims were children.
(CASTELLUCCIO DI NORCIA, Italy)  Some houses are collapsed outright, pancaked piles of stones and plaster. A pair of skis stick out. Some are cracked open neatly, exposing living rooms frozen in time.

The central Italian mountain village of Castelluccio di Norcia, among the most heavily hit by Sundays earthquake, is known for the beautiful blossoms of its lentil fields and its historic charm. Now its a ghost town.

With the roads cut off, almost all of the 300 inhabitants were evacuated by helicopter. They all survived after an earlier quake in August prompted them to move into safer housing like camper vans or containers.

But a small group of 13 hardy souls refuses to leave. Mostly farmers, they want to stay close to their cattle, sheep and horses  their livelihood, without which they would truly have nothing left to come back for.

Practically weve returned to the stone age, said Augusto Coccia, 65.

He was among the farmers housed in containers in the town square, eating breakfast, when the earthquake struck. It bounced the containers about and filled the air with a thick fog of dust.

The 6.6-magnitude tremor, the countrys most powerful in 36 years, pulled down buildings and historic churches in villages across the Appenine mountains. In Castelluccio, the ground is now as much as 70 centimeters (two feet) lower, according to the national geophysics institute.

This towns plight was worsened by the fact that the roads were cut off. Rescue helicopters brought in the bare necessities  food and water  on Sunday but little else.

Coccia and the others who stayed behind cook under the open sky with gas canisters. They have no heating, electricity or constant water supply. The temperature drops to as low as minus 6 Celsius (20 Fahrenheit) at night.

The medical supplies were delivered to us today. Its been three days since we requested them but its very hard to get them to us, he said.

Story continues

Besides helicopter, the only way to get to Castelluccio is by four-by-four through an hour and a half of rough terrain. Some residents of the area made the trip, as did forest rangers, with whom The Associated Press traveled.

Among those making their way to Castelluccio on Tuesday was Vincenzo Brandimarte, 63. He had recently built an inn here using modern earthquake-resistant planning  and it was one of the very few buildings that did not collapse or crack.

Today I began to cry when I saw the town with my own eyes, he said. This is worse than war. If it had been a real war maybe the town wouldnt have been destroyed to this extent.

As of Tuesday, 15,000 people from the region some 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of Rome were being given shelter. Thats on top of 2,000 who remain displaced from a first quake in August, which left 300 dead.

Premier Matteo Renzi visited the town of Preci with his wife to survey the damage, meet some of the displaced people and participate in an open-air mass for All Saints Day.

We will rebuild everything in a timely manner, he said, according to news agency ANSA. He called on people to accept the offer of relocation, stressing the police presence had been beefed up to avoid looting and that tents are not a long-term solution in winter.

But farmers like Coccia argue its not an option, as they do not want to leave their herds alone. Wolves are a problem, in particular for sheep. There is a shortage of water and food for the animals. And the animals need barns within weeks to be able to withstand the cold.

As rescue operations proceeded Tuesday, aftershocks continued at a rate of several per hour, keeping people on edge. The strongest on Tuesday morning was felt as far away as Rome. Damage was also reported in the Italian capital where, among other things, small cracks appeared in the ceiling of the Saint Eustache church and the marble of a street lamp near the Vatican was misaligned.

For some, the disaster will resonate acutely on Wednesday  All Souls Day, when Italian families traditionally visit cemeteries to remember their dead relatives. Cemeteries were heavily damaged in the stricken villages, with coffins spilling out of the built structures that are typical in Italy.

Here the apocalypse happened, said Giuseppe Caponecchi, a 54-year-old entrepreneur from Castelluccio. But were stronger than the apocalypse.

___

Piovano reported from Rome. Adam Pemble in Castelluccio di Norcia, Valentina Onori in Norcia and Colleen Barry in Milan contributed to this report.
(Adds quotes, context, background)

By Gavin Jones

ROME, Nov 2 (Reuters) - The Italian government is not considering delaying a Dec. 4 referendum on constitutional reform that could decide the future of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, the premier's office said on Wednesday.

Italian government bond yields fell earlier in the day after Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said he would personally give "great consideration" to the idea if it were to be proposed by the opposition.

Renzi's office said it "categorically denies the hypothesis of a delay in the vote".

Renzi himself on Monday dismissed as "a journalistic invention" the suggestion the referendum could be put back due to a series of earthquakes which have rocked central Italy in the last two months, leaving thousands homeless.

Some minor politicians who play no role in government had floated the proposal of putting off the vote following the latest devastating quake on Sunday.

Alfano's comments were dismissed out of hand by the opposition. Renato Brunetta, the lower house leader of the centre-right Forza Italia party, called the idea of a delay "crazy and irresponsible."

Four-and-a-half weeks ahead of the ballot on his plan to reduce the role of the Senate and cut the powers of regional governments, Renzi is campaigning furiously to try to turn around opinion polls that suggest he may lose.

Alfano, who leads a small centrist party in the ruling coalition, said in a radio interview he was not speaking in his capacity as a minister, and that the government would take no initiative of its own to delay the referendum.

Nonetheless, his remarks were enough to prompt a brief rally for Italian bonds on markets, which are nervous that the referendum outcome could cause the fall of Renzi's government and a bout of political instability.

"There are many other things for the euro zone to worry about but the biggest concern is over this referendum, so that's why there's a rally," said Commerzbank strategist David Schnautz. "There is still an elephant in the room but it could become a more distant elephant."

Story continues

Earlier this year, Renzi repeatedly vowed to resign and quit politics if he lost the referendum. But over the last two months he has declined to confirm the pledge, saying debate over his own future deflected attention from the merits of the reform.

All but one of 29 opinion polls published this month has put the "no" camp ahead, with a lead ranging from one to nine percentage points.

There is still some chance the referendum could be put off.

A Milan court is currently considering a case brought by a former constitutional court judge who argues that it should not be held because it lumps together too many separate questions into a request for a simple "yes" or "no" answer.

(Additional reporting by Valentina Za and Francesca Piscioneri; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
By Gavin Jones ROME (Reuters) - The Italian government is not considering delaying a Dec. 4 referendum on constitutional reform that could decide the future of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, the premier's office said on Wednesday. Italian government bond yields fell earlier in the day after Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said he would personally give "great consideration" to the idea if it were to be proposed by the opposition. Renzi's office said it "categorically denies the hypothesis of a delay in the vote". Renzi himself on Monday dismissed as "a journalistic invention" the suggestion the referendum could be put back due to a series of earthquakes which have rocked central Italy in the last two months, leaving thousands homeless. Some minor politicians who play no role in government had floated the proposal of putting off the vote following the latest devastating quake on Sunday. Alfano's comments were dismissed out of hand by the opposition. Renato Brunetta, the lower house leader of the center-right Forza Italia party, called the idea of a delay "crazy and irresponsible." Four-and-a-half weeks ahead of the ballot on his plan to reduce the role of the Senate and cut the powers of regional governments, Renzi is campaigning furiously to try to turn around opinion polls that suggest he may lose. Alfano, who leads a small centrist party in the ruling coalition, said in a radio interview he was not speaking in his capacity as a minister, and that the government would take no initiative of its own to delay the referendum. Nonetheless, his remarks were enough to prompt a brief rally for Italian bonds on markets, which are nervous that the referendum outcome could cause the fall of Renzi's government and a bout of political instability. "There are many other things for the euro zone to worry about but the biggest concern is over this referendum, so that's why there's a rally," said Commerzbank strategist David Schnautz. "There is still an elephant in the room but it could become a more distant elephant." Earlier this year, Renzi repeatedly vowed to resign and quit politics if he lost the referendum. But over the last two months he has declined to confirm the pledge, saying debate over his own future deflected attention from the merits of the reform. All but one of 29 opinion polls published this month has put the "no" camp ahead, with a lead ranging from one to nine percentage points. There is still some chance the referendum could be put off. A Milan court is currently considering a case brought by a former constitutional court judge who argues that it should not be held because it lumps together too many separate questions into a request for a simple "yes" or "no" answer. (Additional reporting by Valentina Za and Francesca Piscioneri; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
MILAN/PARIS (Reuters) - Italy's market watchdog has fined LVMH (LVMH.PA) managing director Antonio Belloni 350,000 euros (315,170.45) for divulging confidential information to a fund manager before the luxury group's 2011 acquisition of jeweller Bulgari.

Belloni informed Alessandro Sonvico, an asset manager at Swiss-based wealth manager Pentagram, of an upcoming LVMH offer for Bulgari shares, Consob said in a statement on Wednesday. Consob also said it had fined Sonvico 350,000 euros.

Belloni denies the charges against him and LVMH said he would appeal the Consob decision.

"Mr. Belloni notes the administrative decision by Consob which he has decided to appeal, challenging all aspects of the charges against him," Belloni's lawyers said.

No-one at Pentagram was immediately available to comment. Sonvico did not immediately respond to a Reuters request to comment via Linkedin.

Consob also said Belloni was barred from holding any management role in a listed company for eight months.

LVMH said that according to its French and Italian lawyers, none of the positions held by Belloni would be affected by the Consob decision.

"LVMH, which has been fully informed by Antonio Belloni throughout, maintains full confidence in its group managing director whose loyalty and integrity have been constant features since he first joined the Group in 2001," the group said in a statement.

(Reporting by Giulia Segreti and Astrid Wendlandt in Paris. Editing by Jane Merriman)
Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno is the latest celebrity to weigh in on the Donald Trump/Billy Bush leaked tape scandal, skewering the former Today show co-host for his involvement in the controversial 2005 recording.

Leno threw uncharacteristically caustic barbs at Bush during a special appearance on Monday's The Tonight Show, in which he "tagged in" for Jimmy Fallon during his monologue.

While it's been nearly two years now since Fallon officially took over the reins of NBC's late night talk show, Leno, who has guested since his departure, comfortably slipped back into his old rhythm with a couple of good-humored topical jokes.

"Hillary Clinton got quite a scare tonight. I guess a trick-or-treater came to the door dressed as a lie detector," he joked. "And I tell you, that Donald Trump, he is a smart businessman. When kids rang his bell and yelled, 'Trick-or-treat,' Trump yelled, 'Trick!' and before the kids could grab any candy, he declared bankruptcy."

READ: Jay Leno Returns to 'Tonight Show' to Tag in for Jimmy Fallon During Monologue

But things took a prickly turn when the Jay Leno's Garage host mentioned his former NBC cohort.

"I had a great costume this year," Leno said. "Earlier tonight, I put a douchebag on my head and I was Billy Bush. As you know, Billy Bush got fired for the outrageous things he and Donald Trump said about women. I think Trump should hire Billy, this way he could grab Bush whenever he wanted."

Two days after The Washington Post leaked the video of a vulgar conversation between Trump and Bush, who was then co-host of Access Hollywood, Bush was suspended from his post on the Today show. He had appeared on the third hour of the morning show since August.

Story continues

WATCH: What's Next for Billy Bush and the 'Today' Show?

On Oct. 17, NBC announced that Bush was officially dismissed from the show.

Marshall Grossman, the Los Angeles litigator hired by Bush, had been negotiating terms of his exit with NBC before the announcement. Details regarding the settlement remain undisclosed.

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Jeffrey Katzenberg has shared private dinners and counseled Barack Obama on his post-White House plans, but even he says it's a "unique" experience to host the president in his home.

On Oct. 24, the DreamWorks founder and wife Marilyn hosted a roundtable with tech venture capitalist Chris Sacca and his wife, Crystal, and political consultant Andy Spahn and his wife, Children's Action Network's Jennifer Perry. J.J. Abrams, his wife, Katie McGrath, and lawyer Skip Brittenham were among the 25 guests who paid $100,000 each to attend and benefit the Hillary Victory Fund.

Three nights later Katzenberg picked up his amfAR Inspiration Gala honor and told THR that Obama "is still very ambitious about these last couple of months, and he's got a huge agenda with things he wants to get done. You can't help but be impressed - still [fighting] after eight years."

Read more: Jeffrey Katzenberg Takes Aim at Trump at amfAR Gala: "Demagogues Have Had Their Day"

A version of this story first appeared in the Nov. 11 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
[November 02, 2016] Fitch: Qualcomm/NXP Deal Underscores Semiconductor Merger Trend

Qualcomm's proposed acquisition of NXP Semiconductors (News - Alert) marks the latest deal in a wave of industry consolidation that includes increasingly expensive transactions with greater focus on expanding scope rather than economies of scale, according to Fitch Ratings. We believe consolidation in the chip industry will continue through the intermediate term within the context of cheap financing and tepid demand in more mature semiconductor markets. While the NXP deal is expensive (and the largest ever) at $47 billion, including nearly $8 billion of net debt at NXP, Qualcomm will be able to tax-efficiently use offshore cash to fund a material amount of the all-cash transaction, given NXP's Dutch incorporation. Fitch estimates Qualcomm will use approximately $28 billion of its $31 billion of total available cash at June 26, 2016 (more than $28 billion is located outside the U.S.) of offshore cash as of June 26, 2016 (versus $31 billion of total cash) and $11 billion of new debt, resulting in a Fitch estimated total leverage (total debt to operating EBITDA) of roughly 3.2x at closing. Despite the high price tag (News - Alert), Fitch believes the 4.6x revenue purchase multiples is in line with averages paid in large transactions completed over the last year, which Fitch estimates was roughly 5x revenues. The Qualcomm deal with NXP is the latest example of chip companies acquiring capabilities within growth markets, particularly automotive and internet of things (IoT), as traditional semiconductor PC and smartphone markets mature. Qualcomm expects the acquisition will increase its addressable market by 40%, driven by increasing semiconductor content per car in automotive markets, exponential growth of connected devices in IoT markets and growing adoption of credit card security technologies. Avago Technologies' Feb. 2, 2016 acquisition of Broadcom (News - Alert) for $37 billion focused on leveraging Broadcom's leading wi-fi technology for the IoT market. Qualcomm's August 2016 $2.4 billion acquisition of CSR plc strengthened Qualcomm's nascent automotive and IoT offerings with significant semiconductor and software capabilities. Intel's (News - Alert) December 2015 acquisition of Altera Inc. for $16.7 billion acquisition of Altera diversified Intel away from personal computers by combining Altera's field-programmable gate arrays with Intel's low power processors for IoT applications. Even NXP's December 2015 $12 billion acquisition of Freescale Semiconductor (News - Alert) focused on expanding already strong capabilities and share in automotive and IoT markets. Qualcomm has been in strategic review mode over the past few years amid growth concerns reflecting intensifying competition in the maturing smart phone market from the likes of Intel and a less robust long-term outlook for licensing revenue in China, where most smartphone unit growth is expected. The acquisition of NXP meaningfully diversifies Qualcomm's end market exposure, reducing wireless handset exposure to below 50% of mobile products sales from 61% currently, and provides a top line growth catalyst, as well as earnings growth beyond significant share repurchases. Fitch believes deal integration may be complicated by NXP's ongoing integration of Freescale, which was structured largely as a merger of equals, and lack of technology overlap, given Qualcomm's system-on-a-chip for mobile devices and telecom equipment focus and NXP's focus on mixed-signal semiconductors and microprocessors and microcontrollers. Additional information is available on www.fitchratings.com. The above article originally appeared as a post on the Fitch Wire credit market commentary page. The original article, which may include hyperlinks to companies and current ratings, can be accessed t www.fitchratings.com. All opinions expressed are those of Fitch Ratings.



ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTPS://WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEB SITE AT WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA, AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE, AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE CODE OF CONDUCT SECTION OF THIS SITE. FITCH MAY HAVE PROVIDED ANOTHER PERMISSIBLE SERVICE TO THE RATED ENTITY OR ITS RELATED THIRD PARTIES. DETAILS OF THIS SERVICE FOR RATINGS FOR WHICH THE LEAD ANALYST IS BASED IN AN EU-REGISTERED ENTITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE ENTITY SUMMARY PAGE FOR THIS ISSUER ON THE FITCH WEBSITE. Copyright  2016 by Fitch Ratings, Inc., Fitch Ratings Ltd. and its subsidiaries. 33 Whitehall Street, NY, NY 10004. Telephone: 1-800-753-4824, (212) 908-0500. Fax: (212) 480-4435. Reproduction or retransmission in whole or in part is prohibited except by permission. All rights reserved. In issuing and maintaining its ratings and in making other reports (including forecast information), Fitch relies on factual information it receives from issuers and underwriters and from other sources Fitch believes to be credible. Fitch conducts a reasonable investigation of the factual information relied upon by it in accordance with its ratings methodology, and obtains reasonable verification of that information from independent sources, to the extent such sources are available for a given security or in a given jurisdiction. The manner of Fitch's factual investigation and the scope of the third-party verification it obtains will vary depending on the nature of the rated security and its issuer, the requirements and practices in the jurisdiction in which the rated security is offered and sold and/or the issuer is located, the availability and nature of relevant public information, access to the management of the issuer and its advisers, the availability of pre-existing third-party verifications such as audit reports, agreed-upon procedures letters, appraisals, actuarial reports, engineering reports, legal opinions and other reports provided by third parties, the availability of independent and competent third- party verification sources with respect to the particular security or in the particular jurisdiction of the issuer, and a variety of other factors. Users of Fitch's ratings and reports should understand that neither an enhanced factual investigation nor any third-party verification can ensure that all of the information Fitch relies on in connection with a rating or a report will be accurate and complete. Ultimately, the issuer and its advisers are responsible for the accuracy of the information they provide to Fitch and to the market in offering documents and other reports. In issuing its ratings and its reports, Fitch must rely on the work of experts, including independent auditors with respect to financial statements and attorneys with respect to legal and tax matters. Further, ratings and forecasts of financial and other information are inherently forward-looking and embody assumptions and predictions about future events that by their nature cannot be verified as facts. As a result, despite any verification of current facts, ratings and forecasts can be affected by future events or conditions that were not anticipated at the time a rating or forecast was issued or affirmed.

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(Adds city comment, details on emergency loan default, debt payments due)

By Elinor Comlay

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., Nov 1 (Reuters) - New Jersey on Tuesday rejected Atlantic City's recovery plan, saying it was unlikely to achieve financial stability, setting the stage for a possible state takeover of the cash-strapped gambling hub.

The plan, which would cut costs, borrow money and raise $110 million through a land sale, did not go far enough, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Charles Richman said in his decision.

The blueprint failed to meet several necessary requirements, and city leadership "has had ample time to improve the city's financial condition yet has avoided doing so in any meaningful way," Richman wrote.

The city's property tax base plummeted over the last several years as increased gambling competition in neighboring states cut into the city's casino industry.

In a joint statement with City Council President Marty Small, Mayor Don Guardian called on the state to reconsider its decision.

"We will fight this until we cannot fight any longer," they said, adding that the city was reviewing its options.

Earlier on Tuesday, Atlantic City met its $9.4 million debt service payment but still owes another $7.1 million through the end of the year.

To take over city operations, the state's Local Finance Board, a division of the Community Affairs Department, must next consider whether to assume governing powers from local officials.

A department spokeswoman said she did not have information about how long that might take. The board next meets on Nov. 9.

Atlantic City, which has been under the state's fiscal oversight since 2010, tried to meet terms of a $73 million emergency loan from New Jersey earlier this year.

However, to avoid default on the loan the city council was required to dissolve its water authority, which it did not agree to do. That was another factor behind Richman's decision, he said.

The gambling resort slashed jobs, sold assets ranging from filing cabinets to city vehicles, and devised a plan to sell an abandoned airstrip to the water authority for $110 million. But it was not clear that the utility would be able to borrow to finance the acquisition, Richman said.

He said his decision was based on the content of the plan as well as what it lacked, such as a balanced 2017 budget, as required. It also underestimated debt service costs by about $18 million, he added.

(Additional reporting by Hilary Russ in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Richard Chang)
By Elinor Comlay

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Reuters) - New Jersey on Tuesday rejected Atlantic City's recovery plan, saying it was unlikely to achieve financial stability, setting the stage for a possible state takeover of the cash-strapped gambling hub.

The plan, which would cut costs, borrow money and raise $110 million through a land sale, did not go far enough, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Charles Richman said in his decision.

The blueprint failed to meet several necessary requirements, and city leadership "has had ample time to improve the city's financial condition yet has avoided doing so in any meaningful way," Richman wrote.

The city's property tax base plummeted over the last several years as increased gambling competition in neighboring states cut into the city's casino industry.

In a joint statement with City Council President Marty Small, Mayor Don Guardian called on the state to reconsider its decision.

"We will fight this until we cannot fight any longer," they said, adding that the city was reviewing its options.

Earlier on Tuesday, Atlantic City met its $9.4 million debt service payment but still owes another $7.1 million through the end of the year.

To take over city operations, the state's Local Finance Board, a division of the Community Affairs Department, must next consider whether to assume governing powers from local officials.

A department spokeswoman said she did not have information about how long that might take. The board next meets on Nov. 9.

Atlantic City, which has been under the state's fiscal oversight since 2010, tried to meet terms of a $73 million emergency loan from New Jersey earlier this year.

However, to avoid default on the loan the city council was required to dissolve its water authority, which it did not agree to do. That was another factor behind Richman's decision, he said.

The gambling resort slashed jobs, sold assets ranging from filing cabinets to city vehicles, and devised a plan to sell an abandoned airstrip to the water authority for $110 million. But it was not clear that the utility would be able to borrow to finance the acquisition, Richman said.

He said his decision was based on the content of the plan as well as what it lacked, such as a balanced 2017 budget, as required. It also underestimated debt service costs by about $18 million, he added.

(Additional reporting by Hilary Russ in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Richard Chang)
In an attempt to aid people worried sick over the election, JetBlue has stepped in with a two-day elect a vacationflash sale for travel beginning November 9.

Flights begin at $34 one-way for domestic routes like Long Beach, California to Tahoe, Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, and Boston to New York City. You can check out the pandemonium in Washington, D.C. for less than $50 (and stay at the steeply discounted Trump International Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue): Or escape it for the same price.

If what you really want is to get out of the country, you can find international flights (Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas, for example) for as little as $49 one-way. Trips to Aruba, Saint Croix, Bermuda, and Turks and Caicos cost between $59 and $79 one-way.

Because the fares are for one-way tickets, theres really no pressure to return home, either.

Travel dates are available until February 28, though unfortunately, you cant use this deal to escape your family onThanksgiving, Christmas, or the New Year.

To book, use JetBlues best fare finder tool, and make your reservations before midnight on November 2nd.

Cast your vote, pack a bag, and either celebrate or bemoan the results somewhere else with a relaxing, post-election season vacation.

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When the new Jimmy Fallon attraction opens at Universal Orlando Resort next spring, it will be billed as the world's first flying theater whisking 72 guests through the streets of New York.

New details about the ride, which was first announced last year, have been revealed.

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon will seat up to 72 audience members for an action-packed race that pits riders against Fallon in a race through the city that visits iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building.

The attraction will recreate Studio 6B in Rockefeller Center where the show is recorded, and feature cameos by some of the show's popular characters like Sara from Ew, Jimmy in Tight Pants, Tonight Show announcer Steve Higgins and the band The Roots.

Fans can also take turns playing a talk show host themselves at the Interactive Desk, where they can write their own version of Fallon's popular Thank you Notes to their friends and family and watch clips from the show.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is the highest-rated US late night show in the US and boasts a 62-year-history that began in 1954 with hosts Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien and Fallon.

Props and set pieces from the show -- one of the longest-running shows in television history -- will be on exhibit, including suits worn by hosts, past and present, NBC video cameras used to record the shows throughout the years, and cue cards used in past episodes.

The theme park attraction is the latest Jimmy Fallon-branded product. Last year, Ben & Jerry's released The Tonight Dough in honor of Fallon's first season as talk show host.

The Tonight Dough is made with chocolate and caramel ice creams, chocolate chip cookie dough, peanut butter cookie dough and crunchy chocolate cookie swirl.

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon is set to open in spring 2017.





Go behind the scenes into the making of the ride at https://youtu.be/s5NoMa0dYxg.
Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fstory%2fthumbnail%2f26605%2fbcc4f9ab75414d97834f8ec0e74b967a

To Joe Biden, the best way to get anything done is by having a plan  and that includes making a BLT, mopping a floor and voting.

In a silly PSA that Hillary Clinton just released, our beloved VP encourages voters to make a plan for Election Day.

SEE ALSO: 5 charming Joe Biden & Jill Biden moments from the Social Good Summit

For Biden, the key to making sure you and everyone around you votes is having a plan.

After detailing his BLT-making plan, Biden meets with his campaign team to discuss his detailed voting plan. But the most important part to Joe is making it back to the White House in time to show Barack his "I Voted" sticker.

Be like Biden. Get your entourage together and make a voting plan.

Then, treat yourselves to some BLTs.
Johnny Depp will star in the sequel to the upcoming Harry Potter spinoff film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

The first installment of the Warner Bros.' magical franchise is due out in theaters on Nov. 18. Depp will be making a cameo in the movie, but his character is being kept under wraps.

During a fan event earlier this month in Hollywood, J.K. Rowling made a surprise announcement that she has finished the plot for five films in the Fantastic Beast franchise. (The franchise was previously reported as a trilogy.)

More to come.

Read more: J.K. Rowling's 'Fantastic Beasts' Tracking for $75M U.S. Debut




Whats better than a bunch of beautiful models walking a runway in lingerie? One of them completely covered in Swarovski crystals. Josephine Skriver, who was anointed an Angel by Victorias Secret just this year, was selected to wear the Swarovski Look at the annual fashion show, which will be held at the Grand Palais in Paris on Nov. 30.

The blinged-out outfit is adorned with 450,000 Swarovski crystals, including baguette diamonds, emeralds, and fancy stones, among others. The matching Brian Atwood thigh-high boots, featuring 1,630 of the crystals, are a focal point of the look. Alexander Wellhoefer, Swarovskis senior vice president, notes: For over 120 years, Swarovski has been the global leader in cut crystal, and we are proud to be a part of one of the most extraordinary runway shows in the world. The Victorias Secret Fashion Show allows us to reimagine our use of crystal and continues to inspire, year after year.

Josephine Skriver will wear the Swarovski Look at this years Victorias Secret Fashion Show. (Photo: Glen Allsop)

Yahoo Style recently caught up with Skriver to discuss her reaction to finding out that she would be wearing the Swarovski this year, how her unique upbringing influenced her take on modeling, and what it means to be one of the most outspoken advocates for the LGBTQ community in the modeling industry.

Yahoo Style: Can you tell me a little bit about this years Swarovski Look, and how it felt to be selected to wear it?

Josephine Skriver: When they called me and said I would be the Swarovski girl this year, I couldnt believe it. Its my first year as an Angel. Im wearing wings for the first time, and Im getting the Swarovski outfit. So everything on top  its just a dream come true.

Photo: Glen Allsop

How much does each sleeve weigh?

Each sleeve is about 8-10 pounds. Its a little hand-weight workout here. Yeah, theres almost 450,000 crystals on this entire outfit, total. Theres 3,000 strands [of fringe] attached to the sleeves. And can you believe that each of them takes 12 minutes to make? How many hours is that to make an entire outfit? Thats so many man-hours! [Editors note: Thats 600 hours!] So Im just really, really honored to wear this handmade piece.



Story continues

Photo: Glen Allsop

It looks great! So youve walked in the Victorias Secret Fashion Show every year since 2013. Do you have a favorite look that youve worn? Do any years stand out in your mind?

I think every year stands out for its own unique reasons. The first because its the first. Last year stood out because it was the first time I wore two outfits in a row. That was fun and special, because I got to wear this cop outfit, and I just had so much fun with it. I got to walk a section with my really good friend Selena Gomez, so it was really fun to walk on stage with friends at the same time.



What are your thoughts on the show being in Paris this year?

I think the show being in Paris couldnt be a better mix. Its the best of two worlds meeting. Its the capital of fashion and couture, and VS is the biggest underwear brand in the world, so the fact that they havent met before blows my mind.

Do you have any strange preshow rituals?

I have this weird thing I do that the things I wish for, I write down on a note, put it in my back pocket, and walk around with it. And then, by the time it somehow falls out or gets away, hopefully, it comes true.

Youre an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ community and an ambassador for the Family Equality Council and its Outspoken Generation Program. Has being a world-famous model helped you to use your voice to speak on issues and causes youre passionate about?

Oh, definitely, I think being in the eye of the world and just having a platform, its really elevated the voice I have. Its given me a megaphone to talk about what I really care about, and I think its a privilege to be able to be a spokesperson and a role model for people out there  that, hopefully, will listen to my story.

You also recently collaborated with the sunglasses brand Illesteva. Why did you want to work with the brand to benefit the organization Keep a Child Alive. Why is this nonprofit important to you?

Well, Keep a Child Alive is super-, superimportant to me. Its a close cause, because growing up in the LGBTQ community, its hit that community a lot. Just being stigmatized as a kid, I know what those kind of kids go through. So I wanted to make sure that everywhere in the world, kids are feeling safe, and if I can do just a little bit to help and to benefit that  I just really connected with this cause. It became really, really important to me. So we were trying to figure out what would be fun for me to do and how we could connect it, doing a personal thing, and Im such an accessory girl. I dont think I ever walk a day without sunglasses, pretty much. So it was very easy for me, we reached out to Illesteva, and they were 100% on board. We did this 100% for charity for KCA.

Is your family attending the show in Paris this year?

This is going to be the first time Im going to bring my mom and my brother to see the show this year. So Im very, very excited to see them!

Thats so exciting! Whats something people would be surprised to learn about you?

Something surprising to learn about me? I dont know  I feel like Im a pretty open book right now!



Thats a great way to be. And if you werent a Victorias Secret model, what would you be, and why?

I was on the way to being in Doctors Without Borders. I always wanted to study medicine. I always wanted to travel and help people.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration, delivered fresh to your feed, every day.




Paris (AFP) - One journalist is killed every four-and-a-half days, according to a shocking report released by UNESCO on Wednesday.

During the last decade, 827 journalists have been killed while on the job, the UNESCO director-general's report said.

The worst hit areas were Arab States including Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya. Latin America is the next worst affected region, the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity report said.

Unsurprisingly, most deaths -- 59 percent over the last two years of the 2006-2015 report -- happen in conflict zones.

During that period, 78 of the 213 journalists killed (36.5 percent) were in Arab States.

Perhaps most alarming was the increase in journalist deaths in Western Europe and North America, up from none in 2014 to 11 last year.

Local journalists are far more at risk than foreign journalists, accounting for 90 percent of the victims.

But there was a huge spike in foreign journalist deaths in 2014 with 17 killed compared to an average of four in previous years.

Last year saw a massive increase in online journalists being killed, with 21 compared to two in 2014. Almost half of those were Syrian bloggers.

The report found that more than 10 times as many men are killed than women -- 195 to 18 in 2014/15 -- while television journalists have overtaken print hacks as the most vulnerable.

The report noted that death is not the only harm journalists are exposed to.

"The extent of the risks faced by journalists is demonstrated by the 827 killings recorded by UNESCO over the course of ten years," said the report.

"To this, one needs to add the countless other violations endured by journalists, which include kidnappings, arbitrary detention, torture, intimidation and harassment, both offline and online, and seizure or destruction of material."

The report was requested by 39 member states of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Council.
By Harriet McLeod

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Reuters) - A jury of 11 whites and one black was selected on Wednesday for the trial of Michael Slager, a white former North Charleston police officer accused of murder in the shooting death of unarmed black motorist Walter Scott last year.

Slager, 34, was arrested and charged with murder in April 2015 after a bystander's cellphone video emerged showing him firing eight times at the back of Scott, 50, who was fleeing.

The video reignited a national debate over police use of deadly force against black men in America and the dangers of working as a law-enforcement officer in a heavily armed country.

Defense attorneys will say Slager felt threatened when Scott grabbed the officer's stun gun after a struggle and pointed it at the officer.

Six white men, five white women and one black man were chosen to hear evidence and render a verdict in the case.

During jury selection, prosecutors challenged the defense's strikes of jurors, saying they were illegally made on the basis of race.

Seven of the defense's nine strikes were against minorities.

After a defense attorney named his reasons for each of the seven minority jurors he eliminated, prosecutors dropped their objection.

Reasons the defense gave for striking minority jurors included expression of anti-gun sentiment, lack of education or education not suitable for the defense's case, and trouble with the English language.

In addition, Judge Clifton Newman on Wednesday denied a Slager's request to move the trial out of Charleston.

Defense attorney Andrew Savage said a "tsunami of information" from media coverage had prejudiced prospective jurors and he sought to move the trial to the far northwest corner of the state.

The cellphone video that has been replayed on television was an "incomplete" edited version that presents a "false narrative" of the encounter as it failed to show Scott and Slager fought on the ground and struggled over the policeman's stun gun, Savage said.

Story continues

In denying the defense motion, the judge noted that jurors promised they could set aside what they had seen and read about the case and form an objective opinion based on the evidence in court.

"There may be extensive pre-trial publicity but the linchpin of looking at this issue is prejudice," Newman said.

Opening arguments were set for Thursday.

(Editing by Andrew Hay and Alan Crosby)
If this isn't the look of love, we don't know what is.

Jessica Biel got a visit on Tuesday from her husband, Justin Timberlake, on the set of her new film, Shock and Awe, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The two weren't shy about showing some major affection, with Timberlake giving Biel a big smooch before heading back to her trailer.

Patriot Pics/FAMEFLYNET PICTURES

WATCH: Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel Dress Up as Trolls for Halloween With Cute Son Silas

Shock and Awe is about a group of journalists covering George Bush's planned invasion of Iraq in 2003. The film hits theaters next year.

Biel and Timberlake recently celebrated their four-year anniversary on Oct. 19, and the two appear to be more smitten with one another than ever. Last month, the 34-year-old actress Instagrammed an adorable picture of her and her man enjoying a game of Scrabble and some wine during a low-key date night.

I played 'sardine' and got the 50 bonus points! Guess who is no longer undefeated... #scrabblebrag A photo posted by Jessica Biel (@jessicabiel) on Oct 13, 2016 at 2:54pm PDT

And they're not afraid to poke fun at one another, either. Earlier this week, Biel threw some hilarious shade at her husband over his controversial voting booth selfie.

"When you're so turnt up about voting that you do a photo shoot with your sticker and think it's cool but then second guess it, but you've already posted, but at least you waited to get home before snapping so you won't almost go to jail, shout out to @justintimberlake," she Instagrammed.

Well played, Wifey. Well played... @jessicabiel #getoutandvote #rockthevote #votelikeyoumeanit #everyvotehashtagever Ps. No selfies in the booth. A photo posted by Justin Timberlake (@justintimberlake) on Oct 31, 2016 at 1:57pm PDT

"Well played, Wifey," Timberlake, 35, responded. "Well played..."

WATCH: Justin Timberlake Gets Emotional Talking About His 'New Appreciation' for Jessica Biel and Son Silas

The Trolls star recently opened up about how fatherhood has affected his new music. The couple welcomed their son, Silas, in April 2015.

Story continues

"That song ["Can't Stop the Feeling!"] came together the way it did because I'd had a son at that point," he told Variety. "It's the sort of thing where you realize, 'Man, there's nothing wrong with putting some good vibes in the world.'"

Watch below:

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FBI Director James Comey sent a letter to Congress last Friday, saying that the FBI has discovered additional emails that were linked to the Clinton email investigation and that the FBI needed to continue its investigation. Investigators recovered up to 650,000 emails on a laptop, that supposedly belonged to former Rep. Anthony Weiner.

During a rally, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said that Comey had a lot of guts for further investigating the Clinton case and that he was bringing back his reputation.

I was very surprised when I heard about Director Comey writing the letter, I think he is on the right path there. I think when the FBI gets notified of criminality, they have to look at it. You dont put it off, you deal with it, but I think something had to be said to Director Comey that was pretty substantial, Former FBI Assistant James Kallstrom told the FOX Business Networks Lou Dobbs.

Kallstrom said that the people running the Justice Department are to blame for not stopping the Clintons corruption.

But the Justice shut down the Clinton Foundation investigation and look at that outrageous sewer that is. One example, Haiti...they collected hundreds of millions of dollars and virtually none of it went to Haiti, he said.

Kallstrom also said that the American people should be angry at the Democrats for electing Clinton as their nominee.

The people should be mad at the Democrats, they caused all of this. They put someone [Hillary Clinton] as their candidate, who came with a long trail of lies and betrayals of the rule of law, he said.

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Mt. Hollywood Films, a new Burbank-based indie production outfit focused on working with female and minority roles, has launched its film slate and unveiled that Karen Gillan will direct Tupperware Party, marking her featuring helming debut. The former Doctor Who star and Guardians of the Galaxy regular also wrote and will star in the pic, set to shoot in January in her native Scotland.

The new production company is launching with an eye on five-film slates of midbudget projects in the $10 million-$40 million range focused on popular genres. Each film is fully funded, and each slate expected to complete production during a 12- to 18-month window. Plans are afoot to to broaden into TV sometime next year.

Tupperware Party will be produced by Mt. Hollywood president R. Andru Davies, CEO Albert Gersten and CFO Sloan Martin. Gillans producing partner Mali Elfman, Tien Huei Grace Yeh and Claire Mundell also are producing.

We believe this is a substantial opportunity to engage a very talented and underutilized pool of talent, collaborating on films theyre excited about making, Davies said. Along with artist-driven projects, Mt. Hollywood seeks to partner with other production companies on compelling stories that appeal to audiences worldwide.

Also slated for a production start in early 2017: the female-driven action film Texas Rangers: Z-Unit, written by Mitch Iverson (Voltron).

Gillan just landed a key role in Sonys Jumanji update and reprises as Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy 2. She also co-starred with Ethan Hawke in In a Valley of Violence and is in James Ponsoldts The Circle. She is repped by UTA, Troika in the UK and attorney Darren Trattner.

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Nov 2 (Reuters) - Handbag and accessories maker Kate Spade & Co posted a better-than-expected 14.1 percent rise in quarterly sales as its Kate Spade New York brand attracted more shoppers.

The company said on Wednesday its net sales rose to $316.5 million in the third quarter ended Oct. 1, from $277.3 million a year earlier.

Analysts on average had expected revenue of $310.7 million, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Kate Spade's net income jumped to $29.6 million, or 23 cents per share, from $2.3 million, or 2 cents per share, a year earlier.

(Reporting by Gayathree Ganesan in Bengaluru; Editing by Martina D'Couto)
ALMATY (Reuters) - A Kazakh man was sentenced to death on Wednesday for killing 10 people, mostly policemen, in a July shooting spree, to avenge what he called the suffering of Muslims at the hands of police. Authorities at the time described Ruslan Kulekbayev's attack on a police station and security office in Kazakhstan's financial capital Almaty as an Islamist assault. The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to the shooting, and admitted killing a woman working as a prostitute the night before, saying he saw her occupation as sinful. His state-appointed lawyer told local news website Vlast.kz he would not appeal - though the Central Asian nation has had a moratorium on executions since 2003, meaning death sentences are usually commuted to life imprisonment. A month before Kulekbayev's attacks, two dozen men attacked two firearms stores and a National Guard facility in the city of Aktobe, killing seven people. The oil-rich former Soviet republic is officially secular, though most of its population is Muslim. More conservative Salafist forms of the religion have become increasingly popular since the country became independent in 1991. Authorities say hundreds of Kazakhs have also joined Islamic State in recent years. (Reporting by Olzhas Auyezov)
KANSAS -- A referendum on Tuesday's election ballot asks Edgar County voters if a 1-percent sales tax should be imposed there to generate revenue for facility projects in all of the school districts in the county.

However, Kansas was not among the districts in Edgar County that placed the referendum on the ballot and Kansas school officials have not been campaigning for approval of this county school facilities sales tax.

Superintendent John Hasten said officials have stayed out of the sales tax effort because of a promise that the Kansas school board made to local voters as part of a fall 2014 referendum.

Hasten said the board promised that if Kansas voters approved a three-year increase in the district's property tax rate, the district would not seek any other forms of tax increases during this time frame. A majority of voters gave their approval to this temporary property tax increase.

Kansas has not yet begun the final year of the increased property tax rate, Hasten said. Consequently, he said the district has not been advocating for the proposed Edgar County school facilities sales tax.

"The board does not take the promises that it makes lightly," Hasten said.

Paris Union School District 95 has taken the lead on the sales tax proposal, Hasten said. He added that the request to place such a referendum on the ballot must be made by districts representing 51 percent of a county's students, a threshold that the Paris district could meet on its own.

The other three school districts in Edgar County are Paris Crestwood Community Unit School District 4, Chrisman, and Shiloh.

Hasten said if the sales tax referendum is approved on Tuesday, he is uncertain about how much of the resulting annual revenue Kansas would receive. He said revenue could be used for facility construction and maintenance projects, as well as related bond payments.

"It would be a benefit for any school district to have that extra cash on hand to utilize," Hasten said.

Still, Hasten said Kansas district officials do not want to consider advocating for any referendums until the current three-year property tax rate increase expires. The Kansas district pursued the property tax referendum in fall 2014 to eliminate a budget deficit.

Voters gave their approval to temporarily increasing the district's tax rate from 1.84 percent to 2.19 percent. Hasten said the district will levy under the 2.19 percent rate for the last time in December and collect the resulting revenue in summer 2017.

Hasten said the district hopes that pared down expenses will prepare it for continuing to operate the Kansas school when the normal property tax rate resumes. He said the district will keep its options open for the future and will make sure voters are informed about the district's financial needs.
Kendall Jenners mysterious health scare has been confirmed: she suffers from sleep paralysis.

In a sneak peek at Sundays episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kendall, 20, opens up about her recent experiences with the sleep disorder, in which one experiences a temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or upon waking.

In the clip, Kendall is going over her upcoming schedule with momager Kris Jenner, who reminds her that she has back-to-back trips scheduled to Paris, Milan and London.

I dont know if Im going to be able to do that, says Kendall.

Well, youre already booked to do that, honey, replies Kris, 60.

I cant travel that much, Kendall says. Im like, scared. Im freaking out because of these fing paralysis things. Im scared to fall asleep because it keeps happening to me. It almost feels like my heart stops.

Kris reminds her daughter that the nature of her career as a supermodel involves flying around the world, and that backing out would mean letting down designers that have already booked her and are counting on her to show up.

Kendall basically lives on an airplane, says Kris. So the anxiety on an airplane and the sleep paralysis is a huge problem. Sometimes its been so bad that shes been paralyzed from even getting on an airplane. Ive had to get on a plane and fly from L.A. to London just to get her from London to New York! So its becoming a real problem.

RELATED VIDEO: Kendall and Kylie Jenner Rescued by NYFD After Getting Stuck in Elevator: Worst Nightmare!

But Kendall puts her foot down.

I think that my health is a bigger deal, she tells her mother. Its genuinely frightening and I dont know how much of it I can do.

Keeping Up with the Kardashians airs Sundays (9 p.m. ET) on E!




Nairobi (AFP) - Kenya announced Wednesday it was withdrawing from United Nations peacekeeping duties in South Sudan after UN chief Ban Ki-moon fired the Kenyan head of the force for failing to protect civilians.

Continued deployment of Kenyan troops in South Sudan "is no longer tenable", the foreign ministry said, declaring that the country would "withdraw, immediately" its forces there.

In an angrily-worded statement, the ministry said it learned "with dismay" of Ban's decision Tuesday to dismiss Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki as head of the UN peacekeeping force in South Sudan, UNMISS force.

The move came after a UN special investigation issued a damning report, saying lack of leadership in the force led to a "chaotic and ineffective response" during heavy fighting in the capital Juba from July 8 to 11.

UNMISS has around 16,000 troops deployed in South Sudan, which has been at war since December 2013. Kenya has contributed around 1,000 men, making it one of the largest national components.

A South Sudan government spokesman declined to comment on the announcement.

In Nairobi, the Kenyan foreign ministry said the government "takes great exception to this decision" to fire Ondieki and lashed out at the process as lacking transparency and consultation.

It accused the UN of failing to address UNMISS's shortcomings and "instead opted to unfairly attribute them to a single individual."

- 'No longer tenable' -

"This action is not only wrong but also insulates the Department Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO) from the hard questions it needs to answer, and the responsibility it must shoulder to facilitate the proper management of UNMISS," it said.

"The continued deployment of (Kenya's) troops in South Sudan is no longer tenable and is inimical to their safety and well-being," the ministry declared.

In addition to immediate withdrawal from South Sudan, Kenya will "discontinue plans to contribute to the Regional Protection Force, and... disengage from the South Sudan peace process," it added.

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The fighting in July involved helicopter gunships and tanks pitting President Salva Kiir's government forces against those loyal to ex-rebel chief Riek Machar.

Machar fled the capital during the clashes, which scuttled international efforts to form a unity government and restore peace to South Sudan.

The UN report said the peacekeepers abandoned their posts and failed to respond to pleas for help from aid workers who were under attack in a nearby hotel compound.

Chinese peacekeepers abandoned their positions at least twice and Nepalese troops failed to stop looting inside the UN compound, the inquiry found.

Ban said he was "alarmed by the serious shortcomings" in UNMISS and demanded Ondieki be immediately replaced, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Ondieki had been the force commander since May.

UN mission chief Ellen Margrethe Loj of Denmark steps down at the end of November after more than two years in the job.

Rights group Amnesty International called Wednesday for the UN force to do more to protect civilians.

"Change at the top of the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan has to be matched by fast and drastic change," it said.
By Elias Biryabarema KAMPALA (Reuters) - Kenya said on Wednesday it would withdraw its troops from the U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Sudan after it sacked a Kenyan who led the force and was accused of not responding to an attack on a hotel in the South Sudanese capital Juba in July. A U.N. inquiry accused the force, known as UNMISS, of failing to respond to the attack on Hotel Terrain despite multiple requests. The inquiry also found that during assault by South Sudanese government troops civilians in the hotel were subjected to and witnessed crimes including murder, intimidation, sexual violence and torture. Ban Ki-moon, the U.N. secretary general, expressed alarm at UNMISS' failures and said he had asked for immediate replacement of the force's commander, Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki, from Kenya. The Kenyan government said it rejected the findings of the inquiry and the request by Ban to replace the commander, who had been in charge since June. "The process leading to this unfortunate decision not only lacked transparency but did not involve any formal consultation with the government of Kenya," the statement. It said Kenya would withdraw its troops in UNMISS as its continued deployment in South Sudan was "no longer tenable and is inimical to their safety and well-being". The country also said it would stop participating in a peace process for South Sudan and discontinue plans to contribute troops to a proposed regional force to be deployed in Juba. Kenya said UNMISS was stymied by "fundamental structural and systemic dysfunctionality", and that blaming the force's failures on its officer was scapegoating. U.N. spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, told Reuters Kenya had about 1,000 soldiers in the 12,000-strong peacekeeping force, but that the global body had not been notified by the Kenyan government of its decision to withdraw troops. The attack occurred during several days of fighting between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former vice president, Riek Machar, who belongs to different ethnic groups. (Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Alison Williams)
The Hague (AFP) - Dutch national airline KLM is heading for a showdown with labour unions after the carrier said Wednesday it will file an urgent court order to force unions to the negotiating table.

But union negotiators say they refuse to attend talks to agree a pay deal, following KLM's recent decision to cut the number of cabin crew members on many of the airline's long-haul flights.

"KLM has received a response from FNV (Dutch Trade Union Federation) Cabin Crew indicating that it will not be complying with KLM's demand for it to enter into consultation," the Amsterdam-based carrier said in a statement.

"This means that KLM will be initiating preliminary relief proceedings requesting the court to rule on the validity of the consultation obligations of the cabin unions under the applicable collective labour agreement," it said.

Since mid-October unionised cabin crew members have been carrying out sporadic work stoppages to protest against the airline's austerity plans ahead of talks to hammer out a collective labour agreement.

This particularly included cutting cabin crew staff by one on long-haul flights on KLM's large Boeing 777 and 787 and Airbus A330 jets.

"The FNV will not sit down at the negotiating table so long as KLM continues to cut the number of stewards and stewardesses on intercontinental flights," said FNV lead negotiator Zakaria Boufangacha.

"This is leading to unacceptable high work pressures and KLM is using this to try to pressurise us during negotiations," Boufangacha told AFP.

The vast majority 8,500 KLM cabin crew are union members and the FNV represents some 2,000 of those, who will carry out work stoppages between 0400 GMT and 1000 GMT on Thursday, Boufangacha said.

He said cabin crew will down tools for half an hour as soon they are expected to board flights, but that in-flight services to passengers once off the ground is not expected to be affected.

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Dutch media warned the labour action could lead to serious flight delays at Amsterdam's busy Schiphol airport, one of Europe's major hubs which handled some 58 million passengers last year.

National public broadcaster NOS reported that the court hearing will most likely take place on Friday.

KLM and labour leaders in September struck a pay agreement for ground staff after weeks of tensions and threatened FNV strike action by some of KLM's 14,000 ground handlers.
Heres what you should know about Dia de Los Muertos, through the lens of death-embracing artists

Today marks the beginning of November and all things fall-related (and Christmas-related, judging by the holiday displays at major stores). But its also Dia de Los Muertos, an important holiday to many communities. A Mexican national holiday, November 1st marks a series of celebrations that actually take place through various countries in Latin America.

Oftentimes, the internet can forget about this traditional day amidst the hullabaloo of Halloween. If youre wondering what exactly makes up the celebration of Dia de Los Muertos, weve gathered some great information from artists who have created amazing work related to this meaningful day.

HelloGiggles chatted with Oscar Navarro (aka The Art of Sketch), Francisco Franco, Elvia Rodriguez Ochoa, and Amandalynn about their artwork and the holiday. Here are some things you should know about the day:

1. Its not about making death scary, its actually meant to promote honest conversations about it.

franco1

From an outside perspective, it might seem like Dia de Los Muertos is just as creepy as Halloween. After all, people paint their faces to mimic those of skeletons. The tradition takes its inspiration from La Calavera Catrina, a piece by printmaker Jose Guadalupe Posada. During the reign of President Porfirio Diaz, this female skeleton with a hat that indicated her high class became a symbol of dissent towards the political climate.

The symbol, then, also references class differences. Today, people create catrina (elegantly dressed skeleton figure) faces to continue this tradition but also embrace the inevitability of death.

Dia de los Muertos is significant for me because it is a day when we confront our own mortality, framed in a positive and healthy light, wrote Franco in an email to HelloGiggles. It embraces our ultimate reality and fears, and aids us in confronting and contemplating not only our own fate, but the fate of those who have passed before us. It is a very beautiful idea especially when it leads to catharsis.

This makes it easier to talk about death openly and honestly. Creating artwork just helps to further that conversation.

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2. Many artists continue to put their own spin on Dia de Los Muertos visuals.

Dia de Los Muertos relies heavily on visual components. The biggest of these: Creating ofrendas (or altars) to loved ones who have passed away. These often include paper flowers and trinkets related to the deceased loved one. This tradition also continues to get different twists through art, modern altar-making, and more.

My work attempts to poke fun at death so that it may lose its sting through humor and fraternization, wrote Franco. I also bring in elements of both American and Mexican Pop Culture in order to give it a more modern sensibility. My aim is not to rehash the past, but to bring it up-to-date by adding to the tradition and exploring where those branches might lead.

franco2

Artist Elvia Rodriguez Ochoa has also created altars that include political or social statements. Shes used to working with installation and exploring the Dia de Los Muertos traditions became a way to continue to create installations while reconnecting to my culture by creating ofrendas that mixed traditional items with contemporary practices and materials.

Modern takes on these traditions can make sure they are kept alive. Plenty of museums and galleries also host events and exhibitions to educate the public.

3. Its a highly personal display of affection for a loved one.

Beside illustrating cute skeleton figures, my art also reflects love, joy, and happiness, wrote Navarro in an email to HelloGiggles. As some of my character[s] represent past family members, I love depicting them living life to the fullest while engaging in something they truly loved. For example, my grandpa, Manuel Navarro loved two things: his fedoras and playing his saxophone. As a tribute to him, I paint fedoras and top hats on all my male characters.

While these symbols might not have the same meaning to everyone approaching an altar, each piece is carefully chosen to pay respect to the loved one. Who they were as a person continues to be celebrated even after death.

All of my work is inspired by those around me, whether its obvious or not, wrote Amandalynn. Many secret inspirations from loved ones poor out through my art. The tradition of celebrating ones life through alters and celebrations is similar to depicting their memories through symbols and illustrations in art.

4. It actually represents an approach to death that goes beyond November 1st.

Just like hardcore Halloween lovers love getting spooky 365 days a year, Dia de Los Muertos offers a viewpoint thats important to remember anytime of the year. The holiday hinges on the idea that remembering loved ones who have passed away  and celebrating their lives  is a way to make peace with such a deep loss.

As like Halloween, Dia de Los Muertos is all year-long for me, wrote Navarro. Every time there is a family gathering we end up talking about past family member as well as our past pets. Hearing these stories makes us have a good time with joy and laughter.

'Mi Prima' in honor of #diosdelosmuertos I celebrate the life of my cousin #Fon , her inspiration will live on forever in me. #Amandalynn #Family A photo posted by Amandalynn (@alynnpaint) on Nov 1, 2016 at 7:39am PDT

After all, good memories of a loved one never get old. And no matter the time of year, honoring our loved ones can bring us some solace.

I truly believe that we should always celebrate the life of our lost love ones, wrote Amandalynn. I have lost some very special people and this day gives me a chance and moment to send extra love to all of them.

The post Heres what you should know about Dia de Los Muertos, through the lens of death-embracing artists appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Korean President Park Geun-hye is mired in another scandal, adding to a list of controversies since her election in December 2012. An investigation by media giant JTBC uncovered evidence that the president had been consulting a longtime family friend by the name of Choi Sun-sil on affairs of state. Choi is the daughter of Choi Tae-min  the leader of the Eternal Life Church, which mixes Buddhist and shamanistic beliefs with Christian trappings  who was a close advisor to Parks father, late dictator Park Chung-hee.

The Chois religious beliefs and Parks relationship with the family is no secret; the Choi-Park connection was noted by the U.S. Embassy in Korea and Korean media years ago. But controversy flared after it was discovered that the younger Choi, who has no security clearance, may have been advising the president on a host of issues , from presidential appointments to public policy. Choi allegedly used her presidential connection to pressure for millions of dollars in donations from large corporations for two non-profit foundations that she runs, which she then reportedly embezzled. If that wasnt enough, Choi is also accused of peddling her influence to secure her daughter a spot at the prestigious Ewha Womans University; this accusation resulted in the president of the universitys resignation .

Coverage of the scandal is converging on the bizarre or the  irrational  nature of Chois network. Rumors are claiming that Chois fingerprints were all over Parks administration, from the shamanistic decorations supposedly used at her inauguration to the name of her political party, allegedly copied from cult language. But while the investigation may overturn some odd creatures underneath the stone of Parks battered administration, right now Parks future boils down to one simple factor: politics.

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, has a presidential system of government with a unicameral legislative body. The president, who is directly elected for one five-year term, exercises substantial authority over politics and affairs of state as chief executive, chairman of the presidential cabinet, head of state, and commander in chief of the armed forces. There is also a prime minister, appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly, who serves a role similar to a vice president. Aside from assisting the president in managing the cabinet, the prime minister is the first person to take over as head of state should the president be unable to carry out their presidential duties  in the event of impeachment, for instance.

Its not yet clear if it will come to that. In her most recent address to the nation, Park apologized for causing public distress. It was an ambiguous apology for an ambiguous relationship, and its still unclear the exact nature of the Park-Choi relationship and how much influence Choi really had on affairs of state. But the scandal is already claiming scalps. Park has accepted the resignation of her top aides and is reported to be taking suggestions on how to best reorganize her cabinet. Meanwhile, the Supreme Prosecutors Office has launched an investigation. An independent and bipartisan council setup by the ruling Saenuri and opposition Minjoo parties will eventually take over, assuming the two can agree on the terms of the council; they are currently in disagreement . After leaving the country for Germany, Choi returned to Korea on Sunday and has since appeared in front of a veritable media mob to offer an apology for an unpardonable crime. She is currently being held under emergency detention .

On Saturday, a candlelit rally at Gwanghwamun Square, within sight of the Blue House, the presidential residence, drew upwards of 20,000 people. Protestors who attended the rally were clear what they wanted: a resignation. Who the protestors are and whose interest in society they represent arent clear, but there appears to be modest support from the general public for their demand that Park resign and a snap election be held. Among respondents from an Oct. 31 poll , 38 percent favor Park Geun-hye resigning.

The Justice Party, one of the smaller opposition parties, has already articulated demands. But the main opposition party, the center-left Minjoo Party, is treading carefully. Theyre not likely to call for impeachment or Parks resignation from government. The opposition does not want to trigger a snap parliamentary election because it is not guaranteed to win. Despite electoral success in the National Assembly elections earlier this year, the opposition parties have had a hard time fielding viable candidates or maintaining party discipline.

It is also not a forgone conclusion that an impeachment effort would succeed. Although some members of Parks own Saenuri Party have indicated they might turn on the president, initiating impeachment would require a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. Even with Parks approval numbers hitting rock bottom, there is still support, however begrudging, within Saenuri. And right now, the accusations about Parks relationship with Choi are just that; its still unclear if the extent of wrongdoing is sufficient to justify removal from office. This might change as the investigation wears on, but uncertainty prevails at the moment.

Impeachment is also a gamble. Late President Roh Moo-hyun was impeached in 2003 for violating election laws by voicing support for his political party during assembly elections, but the Constitutional Court, which is the independent judicial body responsible for adjudicating impeachment cases, dismissed the case. The ruling backfired against those who had sought to remove Roh in his first year of power The conservatives, who voted for impeachment with disenchanted liberals, lost big at the ballot box due to a groundswell of support for the president and his Uri Party; Rohs party tripled its seats in the Assembly in the election following the courts decision. This may be different; Park is late in her five-year term, and the charges may be far worse. But the effect could be similar and with the election just over a year out, the opposition is not likely to risk it.

More intriguing is the power struggle within the ruling Saenuri Party. Despite Parks longtime relationship with the conservative party, there is an influential anti-Park faction. This group, which stands at about 40 out of 129 party members, is at loggerheads with the pro-Park faction over what should be done. The pro-Park faction support a wait-and-see approach, arguing that they need to get to the bottom of the situation first. The anti-Park faction, meanwhile, is demanding Parks resignation from the party and the formation of a coalition cabinet.

Amid the political disagreements and general brouhaha, a rough consensus is taking shape. As an alternative to impeachment, the possibility of delegating political authority to a responsible prime minister (RPM) appointed by ruling and opposition parties has been motioned. Originally tabled by the main opposition Minjoo Party, there is agreement within the Saenuri Party that this is probably the best course of action. Conservative politician Ha Tae-kyung, who supports the idea, says it would mean Park taking on a role similar to that of Germanys president. Park would maintain her position as head of state, but her role would be largely symbolic. She would, in other words, effectively relinquish her presidential powers, although there are no clear terms just yet. According to media reports , leading candidates for the RPM position are Kim Jong-in and Sohn Hak-kyu, both Minjoo Party legislators.

While reasonable, the opposition may have good reason to stall the negotiations with Saenuri regarding the conditions of a RPM and the appointment of a coalition cabinet. Politically, the opposition has the most to lose from participating in government. Criticism comes cheap; governing is more difficult, with the chance of political backlash if the situation is handled poorly.

Of course, its possible that nothing changes, and things muddle along to an inglorious end when a new president is elected on Dec. 20, 2017. Much depends on the outcome of the ongoing investigation and other developments, namely the publics reaction. As things stand, it is unlikely that the coalition of opposition party members and anti-Park conservatives can agree on a call for impeachment. And those protesting in the streets arent likely to force the governments hand. The approximately 20,000 who turned out Saturday to demand Parks resignation is a relatively small number by recent standards. By comparison, approximately 70,000 people attended a labor protest in November last year, and more than 40,000 protested the governments response to the Sewol ferry disaster . Relative lack of public outcry could change, of course. Large-scale protests to demand Park Geun-hyes resignation are scheduled for the rest of this week.

Despite an unimpressive presidency to date, Park previously enjoyed a reasonable base of support among conservatives segments of society and actually gained broader support over the course of a rocky 2015. Until the recent scandal broke, Gallup Korea data showed Park with a 32 percent approval rating overall and a 59 percent approval rating among Koreans age 60 and older, the most conservative demographic cohort. But since the presidents apology, the bottom has dropped out; Gallup data show an approval rating of 14 percent, with the aforementioned Oct. 31 poll putting her overall approval rating at 10.4 percent and support from the 60-plus age cohort below 20 percent.

A sub-20 approval rating is abysmal, to be sure. But a cursory glance at former presidents approaching similar points in their five-year tenures suggests there is nothing particularly unique about Park Geun-hyes status. The bottoms have dropped out for Parks predecessors, too, as Leiden University researcher Christopher Green notes . Comparing Parks (un)popularity with her five presidential predecessors, Green points out that of the five presidents prior to Park Geun-hye, four have ended up leaving or being kicked out of their respective political parties. Even if she voluntarily left or was voted out of the ruling party, that would be par for the course, not exceptional. Lame duck status hits hard in the Korean system.

The big takeaway is this: The fight for the next presidential election has already begun. Both sides are more concerned with the future elections than with Parks past connections  even if the Korean public may not feel the same way.

Photo credit: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images
KTLA anchor Lu Parker was arrested at LAX on Wednesday on suspicion of theft, police tell The Hollywood Reporter.

The alleged incident occurred around 7:03 a.m. after police were notified of lost property at the TSA screening area in Terminal 6. An investigation into the matter revealed that a theft had occurred, police said.

Frances Louise Parker, who goes by Lu, 48, a former Miss USA pageant queen, was located and allegedly had the stolen property - a pair of earbuds for music - on her person, police said. She was arrested on suspicion of petty theft and booked at the LAPD's Pacific Division Jail.

The news station contended that the incident was a misunderstanding.

"Earlier today Lu Parker was traveling to tend to her father who is ill. After going through the security line at LAX, Lu noticed earbuds were left behind. She picked them up intending to return them to the owner whom she had been speaking with while in line to clear TSA," the KTLA statement read.

It continued: "When she was unable to locate the owner, Lu boarded her flight. We believe this is a misunderstanding, Lu is cooperating fully with the authorities and we are confident she will be able to clear this all up."

Parker won Miss USA in 1994, representing South Carolina. She also famously dated former Los Angeles m=Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Read more: Relativity Exec Kenneth Lynch Hospitalized After McLaren Car Crash in Woodland Hills
CHARLESTON -- The newspaper report from 118 years ago said it took place "without any ceremony whatsoever."

But Coles County officials are hoping to have more of a celebration next week with the planned opening of a time capsule placed in a corner of the county courthouse all those years ago.

According to the 1898 newspaper account, a 12-inch-square copper container was placed in the northeast cornerstone of the courthouse in conjunction with the remodeling -- or replacement, depending on the point of view -- of the county's original 1835 courthouse.

There was little information on what it contained and no instruction on when it was supposed to be opened.

County Circuit Judge Mitchell Shick, who serves as the courthouse's unofficial historian, said he knew the story about the time capsule before but the idea of opening it came about recently during work on the courthouse's outside steps.

Though there's limited verification about the capsule's existence, Shick said the opening ceremony on Tuesday will be a worthwhile look at the county's history, no matter what.

"If it's not there, we'll try to find out why it's not there and where it went," he said.

Tuesday's ceremony is set to start at noon near the courthouse's northeast cornerstone. The cornerstone will be opened and, if the time capsule's inside, it will be removed and taken to a courtroom on the courthouse second floor to be opened.

Shick said the ceremony is open to the public and people will be allowed to view the capsule's contents after it's opened.

Kevin Tracy of Kross Masonry and Restoration of Newman, the company working on the step replacement, has agreed to open the cornerstone at no charge, Shick said.

He said Tracy agreed to do that while they were talking about the time capsule during work on the courthouse's north steps, which was recently completed. The building's southside steps will also be replaced and that work is set to start after Tuesday.

Shick said the 1898 newspaper report is "the only hard evidence" of the time capsule's existence. He said he checked county records and there's "no mention of it."

But he did hear from a man, Richard Stickann, who said his wife Katherine's great-grandfather's journal mentions the time capsule.

The great-grandfather, Charles Gramesly, was a photographer whose Dec. 26, 1898, journal entry said several of his photographs of the county's old courthouse "went into the box."

Shick said if the county eventually goes through with plans for a courthouse annex, he'd like to see part of the additional space used as a display for the time capsule's contents and some of the county's other historical items.

He added that there are also plans for a new time capsule to be placed in the courthouse northeast cornerstone this spring, with the contents to be determined.

The time capsule's story is also connected not only to the courthouse's history but also to the at least perceived rivalry between Charleston and Mattoon, Shick also related.

County supervisors, predecessors of today's county board, agreed in 1898 to do something about the courthouse that was "so crammed" and malodorous that courthouse workers wouldn't stop complaining, he said.

Some accounts are that the original courthouse building's northeast cornerstone remained in place while others say it was part of its foundation.

"Technically and legally, this is still the original courthouse," Shick said.

The designation was the key point in the Mattoon-Charleston dispute over whether the courthouse work would take place, where the building would be located and which city would be the home of Eastern Illinois University.

Shick said the Illinois Supreme Court ultimately had to decide the county did the project legally, without a public vote on the funding.
KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (LXRP) (CSE:LXX) (the "Company" or "Lexaria") announces existing warrant and option exercises.

The Company has received payment from one person of US$12,500 to exercise 55,000 stock options at a price of US$0.2273 each. The Company has received payment from one person of US $37,504.50 to exercise 165,000 warrants at a price of US$0.2273 each, and the warrant holder is receiving 165,000 replacement warrants with an exercise price of US$0.2273 each and expiring May 14, 2017, under the recently announced early warrant exercise incentive program.

The Company has issued 500,000 warrants to consultant Adam Mogil, each warrant valid to purchase one new common share at a price of US$0.31 with an expiration date of May 31, 2017.

The securities issued will be subject to a hold period for any resales into the USA under Rule 144, of six months and one day. The warrant issuance is subject to normal regulatory approvals.

No commissions or placement fees will be paid in the event that any or all of the warrants are exercised. Use of proceeds from any warrants that are exercised will be general corporate purposes.

The securities referred to herein will not be or have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

About Lexaria

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. is a food biosciences company with a proprietary technology for improved delivery of bioactive compounds. The Company's lipophilic enhancement technology has been shown to enhance the bioavailability of orally ingested cannabinoids, while also masking taste. This technology promotes healthy ingestion methods, lower overall dosing and higher effectiveness in active molecule delivery. The Company's technology is patent-protected for cannabidiol (CBD) and all other non-psychoactive cannabinoids, and patent-pending for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), other psychoactive cannabinoids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), nicotine and other molecules.

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www.lexariabioscience.com

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Lexaria Bioscience Corp.

Chris Bunka

Chairman & CEO

(250) 765-6424

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release includes forward-looking statements. Statements which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. The Company makes forward-looking public statements concerning its expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, including statements that include words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: any revenue or license fee payments that may be realized from license agreements, the introduction of any product lines that are derived from license agreements, that license arrangements may be entered into with other companies or partners, that the Company's technology enables higher rates of absorption of certain molecules such as vitamins and cannabinoids while simultaneously masking and at times even eliminating inherent strong flavors and/or odors typical of those molecules, or that the technology will function in a similar manner if tested with THC, nicotine, or any of the other molecules named in our patent applications. Such forward-looking statements are estimates reflecting the Company's best judgment based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that other factors will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements. Access to capital, or lack thereof, is a major risk and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to raise required working capital. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by the Company include, but are not limited to, government regulation, managing and maintaining growth, the effect of adverse publicity, litigation, competition, the patent application and approval process and other factors which may be identified from time to time in the Company's public announcements and filings. There is no assurance that any license agreement, hemp oil sector, or alternative health businesses will provide any benefit to Lexaria, or that the Company will experience any growth through participation in these sectors or as a result of the granted patent. There is no assurance that existing capital is sufficient for the Company's needs or that it will be able to raise additional capital. There is no assurance that Lexaria will successfully complete any other contemplated or existing technology license agreements, nor that Lexaria's technology will deliver any improvement in taste or bioavailability with any reliability nor across any product category. There is no assurance that any planned corporate activity, business venture, or initiative will be pursued, or if pursued, will be successful. There is no assurance that any hemp oil or cannabinoid-based product will promote, assist, or maintain any beneficial human health conditions whatsoever, nor that any patent application in the USA or any other nation or under any treaty will result in the award of an actual patent; nor that an award of any actual patent will protect against challenges from unknown third parties. There is no assurance that any new definitive agreement will be reached to license the Company's technology to any third party in return for compensation. There is no assurance that any of Lexaria's postulated uses, benefits, or advantages for the patented and patent-pending technology will in fact be realized in any manner or in any part. No statement herein has been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Lexaria Energy Foods and ViPovaTM products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Lexaria Bioscience Corp.
Douma (Syria) (AFP) - Where you sleep. Whether your children go to school. When you can shop. The rhythm of bombardment dictates life in the besieged Syrian town of Douma, much of it spent underground.

The rebel-held town, the largest in the Eastern Ghouta suburb of Damascus with more than 100,000 residents, is surrounded and heavily shelled daily by advancing Syrian regime forces.

Residents say artillery fire and air strikes by Syrian warplanes determine when they can spend time above ground.

Some essential elements of daily life in Douma have completely shifted to below the surface -- with basements turned into schools and playgrounds, and even subterranean bakeries and makeshift clinics.

On days when skies are clear, Douma's residents live as normal a life as they can: gaggles of children walk to school across bombed-out streets and vegetable sellers peddle their goods in the open-air markets.

But once shelling begins, families are forced to take refuge in bomb shelters, hiding out there overnight and into the early morning if the bombing does not stop.

- 'No other place to hide' -

Abu Omar's makeshift one-room shelter is about four metres (yards) deep, its dirt walls lit by a single fluorescent bulb and lined with rugs and household items.

On mornings when the booms of air strikes can be heard, his nephews and nieces clamber down the rickety wooden ladder into the shelter instead of going to school.

They spend up to four hours there daily, doing schoolwork in lined notepads or making up games to play together.

"We dug for about 15 days to make this shelter because there's no other place for us to hide from the shelling," a gaunt Abu Omar told AFP.

Thick floral carpets line the floor, where Abu Omar sets out a precious set of gold-rimmed cups for Arabic coffee.

"We go to school, but these last few days we haven't been able to because of the shelling," said Abu Omar's nephew Mohammad, who is in second grade.

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- 'Tightening the noose' -

Morning bombardment prevents farmers with land on Douma's outskirts from harvesting their fields, so vegetable sellers in turn have no produce to display in their stalls and families have nothing to cook.

On such days, Douma's streets lie deserted -- except for the ambulances frantically transporting rescue workers and paramedics to the scene of an air strike.

The air attacks are part of a six-month offensive by government forces that has chipped away at rebel-held villages and farmland across Eastern Ghouta, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Backed by allied militia, Syria's army has advanced to within two kilometres (less than two miles) north of Douma, "tightening the noose" around the town, the monitoring group has said.

Douma has been under government siege since 2013 and is a bastion of the powerful Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam) rebel group.

In June, aid agencies reached Douma for the first time in three years, bringing in desperately needed food and medical aid.
Walking through the streets of the worlds first ghetto, one might come across a variety of sights: the impoverished Jews confined to that quarter; rabbis reciting elegant speeches in the Italian vernacular; crumbling buildings; musicians singing Hebrew psalms.

Although Jewish life has been restricted in cities all over the world for centuries, the first so-called ghetto was declared in Venice in 1516. By and large, its establishment was a response by the Venetian government to the increasing Jewish refugee population, which had begun to arrive following the 1492 expulsion of Jews from Spain. Desiring to keep its communities separate, the Venetian Republic declared that the citys Jews (who made up 1% to 2.5% of the total population) were to live on the site of a former iron foundry  geto in the Venetian dialect. By 1642, 2,414 Jews were confined to this small section of the city.

The enclosure was walled off, and its gate was locked at sunset every night. Any Jews who returned to the ghetto after the closing of the gates needed to submit a written explanation to the governments guards. Outside the ghetto, Jews were forced to wear colored head-coverings to indicate their difference from the rest of the population.

With this distinction emphasized and recorded, the Venetian state had the power to effectively monitor and control Jewish movement, business, trade and life. For this reason, governments throughout the world would later use the term ghetto to designate the always-too-small and always-too-decrepit areas where Jews were segregated. Infamously, the Nazis forced Jews to move into enclosed ghettos in cities all over Central and Eastern Europe, an act that preceded their systematic destruction.

Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter

And yet, devastation is not the only legacy of the Venice Ghetto. That was one of the lessons of the academic conference hosted in September by the Center for Jewish History, of which I am the president. The conference, which was co-sponsored by the Medici Archive Project (MAP) in Florence and which is accompanied by an exhibit, which will remain up through the end of the year, offered scholars and the public an opportunity to learn about the experience of living in the early modern Italian ghetto. Indeed, some scholars argued that, while the Venice ghetto obviously restricted the lives of Jews, it also gave them express legal permission to live in the city. Within this structure, the Venetian Jewish community flourished culturally, producing works of art and scholarship that were revered around the world. Indeed, non-Jewish foreigners traveling to Venice rarely left the city without visiting the ghetto.

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The ghettos Jewish preachers  darshanim  reflect a cultural ambiance unique to Jews, emanating from the special characteristics of their cultural heritage and the specific circumstances of their social and political status, noted University of Pennsylvania Professor David B. Ruderman, in his keynote address. Many of these rabbis were not only religious sages, but also scientists and philosophers.

In fact, despite their subjugated status, some Jews were permitted to attend the prestigious University of Padua, just a short walk away from the confines of the ghetto, where they studied both medicine and the humanities. As such, their writings often attempted to bridge the gap between human reason and divine omniscience. It was no coincidence that Venice became the worlds center for Jewish book publishing at the time. Other figures, such as Solomone Rossi, became musicians, incorporating the polyphonic techniques of Catholic Church services into Hebrew songs and psalms.

Of course, early modern Venice is not the first association that the word ghetto suggests today. It was not until the 1930s that scholars of demographics and sociology first used ghetto in its newer American sense, to describe the inner-city areas where poor and disadvantaged African-Americans lived. Racist housing policies, poverty and discrimination restricted, and continue to restrict, these communities to specific areas. The use of the term was appropriate: ghetto originally described a walled in physical space, where Jews lived restricted lives under circumstances dictated and controlled by an outside force  often an official governmental body. It is no wonder, then, that sociologists discussed the experiences of African-Americans and European Jews in the same light.

Unlike the Venice Ghetto, contemporary ghettos in the United States are surrounded not by walls, but by the more amorphous and ambiguous historical legacy of inequality and racism. The ghettoes of our inner cities continue to isolate and restrict those who live in them. By giving the ghetto the scholarly consideration it merits, from 500 years ago to today, we can better understand the full impact of that isolation.

Joel J. Levy is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Jewish History
Human rights work must be bad for the Russian governments health. On Wednesday, Amnesty Internationals Moscow staff showed up at work to find their office locked and sealed with electricity cut off.

City authorities left a note on the door, saying the office was property of a city of the Russian Federation and no one could go into the office without an official escort.

John Dalhuisen, Amnesty Internationals Europe and Central Asia director, called the move an unwelcome surprise for which we received no prior warning.

And owing rent money wasnt the problem. We are 100 percent confident that we fulfilled all our obligations as tenants, he added. Sergei Nikitin, the head of Amnesty International in Russia, said the human rights watchdog had rented the offices from the local city government for more than two decades.

Amnesty International, a London-based human rights organization, has been a vocal critic of the Russian governments crackdowns on freedom of speech, free press, and civil society groups. Just a day before its office was shut down, Amnesty called on the Russian government to release imprisoned anti-Kremlin protester Ildar Dadin and highlighted a letter he wrote from behind bars, alleging being tortured.

In May 2015, Russia enacted a draconian law to blacklist what it described as undesirable organizations with foreign funding that, according to the statute, could undermine state security, national defense, or constitutional order. To translate this from Orwellian language, the law gave the Russian government carte blanche authority to target and disrupt civil society groups, independent think tanks, and human rights watchdogs.

With its new powers, the Russian government has already blacklisted the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), International Republican Institute, Media Development Investment Fund, and other prominent foreign-funded civil society organizations.

This reprehensible move to blacklist so-called undesirable organizations marks another low point for Russian authorities that have systematically sought to slash and burn the countrys civil society in recent years, Dalhuisen said at the time of NEDs blacklisting in 2015.

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As of last month, the Russian government had designated 147 groups as foreign agents  a designation thats close to spy or traitor, according to Human Rights Watch. Since 2012, independent organizations had to register as foreign agents or face heavy fines and forced closure.

Given the current climate for civil society work in Russia, there are clearly any number of plausible explanations, but its too early to draw any conclusions, Dalhuisen said of Wednesdays sudden and inexplicable office closure.

This is not the first time Amnesty International has been targeted for its work. To name just one earlier incident, authorities in Thailand threatened in September to arrest Amnesty representatives after the organization released a report on police torture.

Photo credit: NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/Getty Images
Trend-setting hipster chain Urban Outfitters has announced their newest collaboration, and it will be with millennial rapper Lil Yachty and old-time clothing brand Nautica.

As WWD reports, the seven-piece collection, consisting of a long and short sleeve tee, track pants and jacket, sweatpants, pullover hoodie and hat, is "based on the brand's signature sailing aesthetic" and will hit Urban stores worldwide in mid-November, just in time for the holiday season. Yachty, who's been a longtime vintage Nautica fan thanks to his seafaring name, will be promoting the collection, hosting an event at Urban Outfitters' Space Ninety 8 in Brooklyn on November 17 and sporting pieces with prominent Nautica logos in UO ads.

Me 4 @sneezemag cover Shot By The Legendary @kennethcappello 

A photo posted by KING BOAT (@lilyachty) on Aug 1, 2016 at 10:01am PDT

Karen Murray, president of Nautica, told WWD that the collection "is a great way for us to showcase our heritage in a way that is relevant and current, while tapping into a very prominent vintage trend."

Nautica + Urban Outfitters Capsule Collection prices range from $35 to $99 and will be available at all Urban Outfitters stores on November 14.
Lindsay Lohan is rocking a very ~interesting~ accent for this kind of awesome reason

Lindsay Lohan, the star of The Parent Trap and Mean Girls, has been keeping things relatively low profile recently. But that changed yesterday, when she was interviewed at the opening of her new nightclub in Greece. Lindsay Lohan spoke with an unusual new accent, and everyone is taking notice.

Before her club opening last night, the star was most recently sighted traveling around the Middle East visiting Syrian refugees. She has been totally sweet about visiting with children living in difficult circumstances, and we totally support her work to bring more awareness to the crisis.

Lindsay Lohan even brings up her work with refugees as she talks about her love for Greece in the below video. And its this interview where youll notice Lindsays unusual accent.

Yeah, that is definitely an odd-sounding accent, and we are really confused where exactly she picked it up. However, Lindsay is an American living in London and traveling to places like Turkey and Greece, so she has definitely been exposed to a number of different accents in that time.

Naturally, when the internet heard her accent, everyone freaked out.

me trying to guess where lindsay lohan's new accent is from pic.twitter.com/PAiPbYXw03  SON OF A CAPRI (@carinahsieh) November 2, 2016

The FBI needs to focus on REAL emergencies like Lindsay Lohan's new accent  Leslie Grossman (@MissLeslieG) November 2, 2016

Bored of dull, colorless speech? Consider adopting Lindsay Lohan's insane new accent! https://t.co/RXDrxb7CMa pic.twitter.com/jAyLsT18LQ  PopCrush (@PopCrush) November 2, 2016

But it turns out that Lindsay has a very clear explanation for her accent, and its actually kind of awesome.

'Uno de 50' 20th Anniversary Party

Lindsay explained to the Daily Mail that her accent developed from a thirst to learn new languages.

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Its a mixture of most of the languages I can understand or am trying to learn. Ive been learning different languages since I was a child. Im fluent in English and French, can understand Russian and am learning Turkish, Italian and Arabic.

THAT is actually an awesome reason to develop a weird accent. We applaud Lindsays awesome dedication to linguistics, and were so impressed. We can barely remember the few bits of high school Spanish we picked up, so six languages is pretty boss.

Lindsay even gave a name to her new way of speaking.

I can't stop listening to Lindsay Lohans new accent, which she's named "Lilohan" https://t.co/nlx3WqXwkO pic.twitter.com/7qX3xpES7Y  Jezebel (@Jezebel) November 2, 2016

Lindsay has since deleted this Tweet screencapped by Jezebel above. But we love that shes owning it, and we think that LILOHAN is the perfect name.

So were with Lindsay in giving a bit of an eye roll to her critics.

We just wish we knew enough languages to speak LILOHAN for ourselves!

The post Lindsay Lohan is rocking a very ~interesting~ accent for this kind of awesome reason appeared first on HelloGiggles.
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In a perfect world, we will one day have a Parent Trap reboot in which one twin sister speaks in an American accent and the other speaks in Lilohan.

Lindsay Lohan, who has (voluntarily or not) shifted her attention from acting to global humanitarian issues, premiered a bizarre new accent at the opening of her new nightclub in Greece last month. Now, she has kind of explained how it came to be and given it a name.

SEE ALSO: That's so fetch: The 'Mean Girls' musical is coming

"It's a mixture of most of the languages I can understand or am trying to learn," Lohan told The Daily Mail. "I've been learning different languages since I was a child. I'm fluent in English and French, can understand Russian and am learning Turkish, Italian and Arabic."

She suggested to the paper on Twitter that she coin the name for her new accent and immediately put the hashtag into motion, which was the right call.

@DailyMailUK what should I call my new accent? I'm thinking #LILOHAN  Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) November 1, 2016

In the video in question, Lohan recognizes why people may raise their eyebrows at her entering the nightlife industry, but explains she's just trying to turn her reputation into something positive.

"Whereas in the past I've been associated with nightclubs and clubbing I said why not do my own and make it a good place," says Lohan. "Where there's bad things happening in the world we can focus on the bad things and fix them with the club. We can create a charity with the club."

Recently, Lohan has devoted time to aiding Syrian refugees.

Back with my little ones. #turkey #istanbul #theworldisbiggerthan5  current mood:   A photo posted by Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) on Oct 20, 2016 at 8:12am PDT

Lohan and her business partners opened the club in Athens because she's inspired by how welcoming Greece has been towards Syrian refugees.

If you're wondering if Lohan Nightclub serves Mintanine, the German energy drink that Lohan partnered with to help refugees, the answer is absolutely yes.
Longmire is riding off into the sunset  for real this time.

Netflix announced on Wednesday that it has renewed the death-defying Western for a 10-episode sixth and final season. The Robert Taylor-fronted series originally ran for three seasons on A&E, before getting cancelled in August 2014. Netflix subsequently swooped in with a Season 4 order, followed by Season 5 and (now) 6.

RELATEDCable/Streaming Renewal Scorecard 2016: Whats Coming Back? Whats Cancelled? Whats On the Bubble?

In a statement, executive producers Greer Shephard, Hunt Baldwin and John Coveny expressed gratitude to Netflix for the opportunity to compose a closing chapter for these beloved characters that inspires lasting memories. Most importantly, were committed to delivering a dynamic and satisfying conclusion to our fans that rewards their longtime loyalty.

Cindy Holland, Netflixs VP of original content, added, We are proud to be the home of the Longmire series, as so many viewers over the last few seasons have watched and been captivated by Walts journey. There has been no better team to work with on this show than Greer, Hunt and John, and their tremendous cast and crew, and we have every confidence that they will have a satisfying conclusion to this revered series. We are grateful to them and our friends at Warner Bros, who have been tremendous partners.

Longmires final ride kicks off in 2017.

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Like many institutions in the U.S., global universities make efforts to welcome and support international students on campus. These international student services include providing information on topics ranging from the campus and community to visa and academic support and student life activities.

Since international student services may vary from one institution to another, "it is essential for prospective students and their parents to discover what kind of support the student will actually have" to find a school that is the right fit, says Karen Ekman-Baur, certified educational planner for StudyHorizons in Germany, which advises students on international universities.

She says students should carefully review institutions' websites and contact schools' admissions offices by phone or email to find out about their international student services.

Here are some aspects that prospective students should consider when evaluating these services at global universities.

-- The size of the school's international student body: Universities with a large international student population may have more resources devoted to their international student services.

For example, the University of Munich in Germany has some 8,610 international students out of 51,000 enrolled for the 2016-17 winter semester, based on preliminary figures, says Stefan Lauterbach, head of the university's International Office. The university offers a variety of international student services ranging from "counseling on international admission issues, social services and financial aid to buddy and mentoring programs," says Lauterbach.

He says the school organizes orientation activities for international students as well as hosts an information fair, where students can learn about the many student groups that can help them settle in.

[Discover ways to connect with a religious community as an international student.]

However, just because a university has a small international student population doesn't mean students should rule it out.

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Marina Constantinidou, spokesperson for the University of Cyprus' International Support Office, which opened in October 2015, said via email that the school currently has 46 international students out of 7,177 total students.

She said the office provides guidance and support to international students "on issues relating to immigration requirements and visas." It also offers information on travel, accommodations, the academic calendar and medical exams and insurance.

"They shared some information regarding accommodation, life in Cyprus and how to get familiar with the country," says Palestinian Yanal M. Hammoudeh, a student at the school. Hammoudeh says his MBA program, in collaboration with the International Support Office, organized an orientation of the campus, team-building exercises and social events.

-- International student reception and orientation: Another aspect to consider is how a university welcomes students and helps them settle into their new environment.

The University of Glasgow in Scotland, for example, has an international student support team that greets and transports students from the airport to the campus and university residences, according to the school's website. The team organizes an orientation and welcome program that includes everything from walking tours of the campus to a session on budgeting and saving.

At Lund University in Sweden, student mentors and staff greet students at the airport and hold a social event on the first night, says Megan Grindlay, international marketing manager for the school. Lund's Orientation Weeks provide two weeks of events that combine information sessions -- including topics on living and studying in Sweden -- with social activities like hiking and taste testing Swedish foods.

[Learn five tips for finding off-campus housing overseas.]

Grindlay says the school also has faculty- and program-specific welcome events "for their respective students to familiarize them with practical introduction information" and connect with other students.

Stefan Aubrey, an American student at the University of Munich, says the school's orientation program covered "practical aspects of student life" and provided a cultural tour of Munich, helping students better adjust to their new home.

Aubrey says the school's international office helps foreign students like himself integrate well into the campus and Munich cultural life, saying that without the division "it would be much tougher for students to navigate" the large university.

-- Engagement on campus: Beyond the initial welcome and orientation, prospective students should also research how actively a school communicates with international students and the type of activities they offer -- often through separate websites and social media accounts.

Lund University, for example, has an International Desk devoted to current international students. In addition to its presence on campus, the International Desk has a Facebook page for communicating about events, activities and Swedish cultural traditions taking place around the university and a newsletter with news and local events.

Some of the weekly on-campus events are a Swedish language lounge, a social for international students to practice their Swedish skills, and a board games night.

Although the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands has just one student service desk that helps both domestic and international students, Johan Rheeder, a university press officer, said via email that each academic faculty "has its own special contact person for international students and in most cases manages social media channels, newsletters, etc., specifically for this target group."

For example, a Facebook page was created for international students in the economics and business program at the University of Amsterdam. Ukrainian national Yelyzaveta Nazarenko, a student in the school's program, says the page is useful to international students who exchange and share information related to exams and coursework.

She says since some of the courses are different from those in the Dutch track, the Facebook page shares everything international students need to succeed in their program.

Nazarenko says the international student services that a university provides "can be crucial in making a choice of whether to enter that university or not."

See the complete rankings of the Best Global Universities.

Anayat Durrani is a Los Angeles-based freelance education reporter for U.S. News, covering global universities, including those in the Arab region.
Comedian Louis C.K. visited TBS' Conan at his New York show on Tuesday to talk politics.

He explained to Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter that he plans on voting for Hillary Clinton because she can bring the qualities of a mother to the presidency, which he is excited about. "I think she's super smart," he said. "It's really exciting to have the first mother in the White House. It's not about the first woman, it's about the first mom."

O'Brien asked what it was about a mom that would work so well as president, to which C.K. said, "A mother just does it. She feeds you and teaches you, she protects you, she takes care of shit. We've had 240 years of fathers. Bald father, fat father, every kind of father."

Read more: Conan O'Brien's TBS Show Headed to New York

Admitting that "fathers are OK," he explained that he thinks "a great father can give a kid 40 percent of his needs - top. Any mother, just a shit mother, just a not-even-trying mother - 200 percent."

But the comedian also said that a Donald Trump presidency would mean four years "of a guy who can't be criticized," which he would have a problem with. "What's more important about a president than you can shit all over them? That's what presidents are for," he said. "That's the point of the president, is to get drunk and blame them for everything."

"This guy," he said, referencing Trump, "every time he's criticized, everything stops and he makes everybody pay. That's not how it works. We need somebody who can take abuse. Hillary Clinton can take abuse."

"We've been hazing her, we've been holding her down and spitting in her mouth and yelling at her, and she just keeps working!"

"You really changed my mind. I was all in for Trump," O'Brien joked, before asking the comedian what he thought about people who abstain from voting.

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C.K. explained that "if you're a liberal who's not gonna vote, you're a piece of shit," imitating young voters who may not like Clinton's voice, because he doesn't want someone in the White House who's "likable or cool" anyway. "We need a two-faced, conniving, crazy, just somebody who's got a million schemes."

"We need just a tough bitch mother who nobody likes," he concluded. "If you vote for Hillary, you're a grown-up. If you vote for Trump, you're a sucker. If you don't vote for anybody, you're an asshole."

Watch the interview below.

Read more: 'Awards Chatter' Podcast  Louis C.K. ('Horace and Pete')
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation LPX reported adjusted earnings per share of 32 cents in the third quarter of 2016, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 39 cents by 17.95%.



Net sales of $596 million in the quarter missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $608 million by 1.97%. However, net sales increased 28% year over year, as revenue increased across all segments.



Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $111 million in the quarter compared with $11 million in the prior-year quarter.



Segmental Analysis



Oriented Strand Board (OSB): Sales at the OSB segment increased 41% year over year to $282 million.



For the third quarter of 2016, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $83 million compared with $4 million in the third quarter of 2015.



Sales volumes were up 5% and sales pricing rose by 36%, driving operating results by $75 million.



Siding Segment: The segment manufactures products under two categories: SmartSide siding products and related accessories, and CanExel siding and other related accessories. These products are used for new constructions, repair and remodeling and outdoor structures such as shed. The Siding segment also produces a small amount of OSB products.



Sales at the segment increased 23.4% year over year to $195 million on the back of an increase in volumes of SmartSide. Notably, SmartSide volumes improved 25% while sales price in SmartSide was up 1%, owing to changes in product mix, with individual prices remaining relatively flat.



During the quarter, the Siding segment recorded adjusted EBITDA of $42 million, higher than $22 million reported in the prior-year quarter.



Engineered Wood Products (EWP): The EWP segment makes I-Joists, laminated veneer lumber (LVL), laminated strand lumber (LSL) and other related products. These products are used in residential and commercial flooring and roofing systems.



Engineered Wood Products sales surged 8% year over year to $81 million in the quarter. Volumes of IJ increased 1%, while both LVL and LSL volumes were up 9%.



Pricing increased 2% in LVL, LSL and I-Joists. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations improved by $1 million.



South America: Segment sales increased 18.5% year over year to $32 million. Volumes declined 3% in Chile and 9% in Brazil. However, on a U.S. dollar basis, pricing was up 13% in Chile and 10% in Brazil. Adjusted EBITDA of $6 million was $2 million higher compared to the third quarter of 2015.

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LOUISIANA PAC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

LOUISIANA PAC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | LOUISIANA PAC Quote

Outlook



Louisiana-Pacific expects housing starts, particularly single family, should continue to grow over the next several years.



The company's transaction with Norbord will likely boost flexibility to add future siding capacity. Further, continued focus on value-added products will enhance over-the-cycle margins.



The company projected capital expenditures in the $115 million to $125 million range for 2016. For 2017, it is planning to spend approximately $140 million of capital. This includes $40 million for South American operations and excludes any capital to convert or build a new Siding mill.



For 2017, the company expects demand for housing to increase, driven primarily by increased household formations and wage growth. However, because of numerous constraints, labor, adequate lots, regulatory cost and timing, the growth rate in housing is expected to be between 5% and 10%.



Louisiana-Pacific carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here .

Upcoming Releases



Vulcan Materials Company VMC is slated to release third-quarter results on Nov 2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.12 cents.



DR Horton Inc. DHI is scheduled to report third-quarter results on Nov 8. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 77 cents.



Toll Brothers Inc. TOL is expected to release third-quarter numbers on Dec 13. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the bottom line is pegged at 98 cents.



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By Piya Sinha-Roy LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - When Mildred Loving, a black woman banned from her rural Virginia hometown for marrying a white man, wrote to U.S. Attorney General Bobby Kennedy in 1963, she never imagined that she was about to change the course of American history. Kennedy referred Mildred and Richard Loving's case to the American Civil Liberties Union, and in 1967, eleven years after the couple had been exiled from Virginia for violating the state's anti-miscegenation laws, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down legislation that prohibited interracial marriages. Nearly 50 years after the landmark ruling, the quiet, working class Lovings are showcased in the film, "Loving," out in U.S. theaters on Friday. Behind every cause are the people that fight for something they believe in, and in this case, the Lovings' unwavering devotion to one another was what inspired writer-director Jeff Nichols. "We stop thinking about the humanity at the center of these things, and that's what Richard and Mildred show us," he said. In "Loving," the couple from Caroline County, Virginia, travel to Washington, D.C. to get married, bypassing Virginia's strict laws preventing interracial marriage. They return to their home to live quietly under the radar, but the police are tipped off and the Lovings, who are expecting their first child, are arrested and given a suspended prison sentence on the condition that they leave Virginia. The film centers on the Lovings' quiet daily lives, with little dialogue between the couple, but their discomfort living in cramped quarters in a noisy big city and their desire to go back to Virginia is the catalyst for their case. The Lovings "weren't standing on podiums shouting and inciting crowds. They were literally kind of pushed through an already open door; they weren't kicking it in," said Joel Edgerton, who plays Richard Loving. "They're very identifiable, unwilling heroes," he added. The Loving vs Virginia case was cited in arguments for same-sex marriage, which in 2015 was made legal across the United States. "They changed the legislative nature of the judicial system, they changed the American constitution, they paved the way for a lot of people's lives," said Ruth Negga, who plays Mildred Loving. "I don't think anyone should ever think that their voice is too small or too quiet, because this couple shows it's the exact opposite," she added. (Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)
PARIS (Reuters) - Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) is focusing talks with Etihad on a wet lease deal with Air Berlin and is not interested in an investment in Italy, the carrier's chief executive said when asked about speculation Lufthansa could invest in Alitalia [CAITLA.UL].

Etihad is a major shareholder in both Air Berlin and Alitalia and there have been reports in the Italian press that Lufthansa and Alitalia were in talks over an investment.

Lufthansa Chief Executive Carsten Spohr said Lufthansa had its hands full with a deal to lease around 40 planes and crew from Air Berlin, worth around 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion).

"We have agreed that we focus on the Air Berlin issue due to its magnitude and operational complexity," Spohr told analysts on Wednesday, saying it was seeking safeguards from Etihad to ensure Lufthansa did not take on any financial risk to do with loss-making Air Berlin.

"That is enough. I personally have a house in Italy, that's as much investment as we need in Italy right now," he added.

($1 = 0.9024 euros)

(Reporting by Victoria Bryan; Editing by Tina Bellon)
Berlin (AFP) - German airline Lufthansa said Wednesday that its net profits had almost doubled in the third quarter, boosted by a pensions deal with cabin staff.

Net profits soared to 1.42 billion euros ($1.5 billion) between July and September. Last month, Lufthansa raised its profit forecast for the year, after recording better than expected demand from business travellers in September.

More than 700 million euros of provisions the group had set aside flowed into its results this quarter after it reached a deal to move from defined-benefit to defined-contribution pensions for cabin crew.

Excluding such exceptional items, the group recorded an operating profit of 1.15 billion euros, down 6.3 percent compared with the third quarter in 2015.

"The Lufthansa group is developing with stability in a difficult market environment," chief executive Carsten Spohr said in a statement.

"We are responding to the price pressures in the air transport sector with consistent capacity and cost discipline."

Confident in its performance in the final months of the year, Lufthansa had already increased its annual forecast in late October.

Based on its adjusted operating profit for the first nine months of 1.68 billion euros, the group said it aimed to achieve a full-year performance "approximately on the previous year's level" -- when the same measure stood at 1.8 billion euros for the full 12 months.

Lufthansa Group, which includes Austrian Airlines, Swiss, and low-cost Eurowings, carried 32.7 million passengers between July and September.

That was an increase of almost 600,000 compared with the same period in 2015, some of which the firm put down to an increase in business bookings in the traditionally busy month of September.

But revenue shrank to 8.83 billion euros, a slight decrease of 1.2 percent compared with the third quarter last year.

Lufthansa laid plans to expand its capacity in the third quarter, aiming to complete its acquisition of Brussels Airlines and lease 40 aircraft from struggling German competitor Air Berlin.

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Both moves are designed to strengthen Eurowings, which booked a 35-million-euro loss in its adjusted earnings between January and September compared with a 60-million-euro profit over the same period in 2015.

The low-cost subsidiary suffered a day of strikes by cabin crew last week, recalling waves of walkouts that inflicted heavy costs on Lufthansa during 2015.

Overall, the group said it would slow the growth in its capacity over the rest of the year "to help further stabilise the pricing environment".
Picture use

Unless otherwise stated all photos on this site are copyrighted  Jim Budd. They should not be used without authorisation and due credit. Please contact me on budmac@btinternet.com for all use. There will usually be a charge for use in commercial publications  papers, magazines, websites etc. and for other commercial uses. Photos that are used for commercial use without permission will be charged double  the fee for the use of photo and for breach of copyright. Commercial organisations asking to use photos for no payment may not always receive a polite response.
Trying to look at the overall impact of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, is something which may depend solely upon your income or your politics. The reality is that the view of this as a success or a failure is just that divisive. Now there is word that yet another major insurer is warning that they may exit or trim their offerings under the Affordable Care Act.

Anthem Inc. (ANTM) has warned, along with its earnings report, that it may jettison offering plans under the Affordable Care Act by 2018 if the financial results under this program don't improve.

ALSO READ: America's 50 Best Cities to Live

Anthem's third quarter earnings did not meet analyst expectations by and large. Medical costs rose in its Medicaid business, and of course there is the ACA plan angle as well. Now the company sees its adjusted full year earnings at about $10.80 in earnings per share (EPS), a tad lower than prior forecasts.

Here is what really matters in the grand scheme: UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH), Humana Inc. (HUM), and Aetna Inc. (AET) have already announced that they will taper or drop their ACA plans. In short, this would mean that nearly all of the major for-profit health insurers will have pulled back or exited selling their health care plans on the government exchanges.

Anthem is the operator of the Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, and the company currently sells the ACA health plans in 14 states under the brand.

Anthem CEO Joseph Swedish warned that insurers need better pricing under the law. He also said that they need to find ways to improve the regulations which govern the sale and administration of such plans. Swedish said:

ALSO READ: Chrysler Offers 0% Financing for 84 Months to Dump 200 Model

If we do not see clear evidence of an improving environment and a path towards sustainability in the marketplace, we will likely modify our strategy in 2018. Clearly, 2017 is a critical year as we continue to assess the long-term viability of our exchange footprint. The financial performance in individual ACA compliant products has been disappointing as membership has been short of our original expectations.

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Maybe leaving the exchange is just what shareholders now want. Anthem shares were last seen trading up 4.4% at $122.58 after its earnings report. The stock's 52-week range is $114.88 to $148.00 and Anthem has a consensus analyst price target of $158.94. Anthem also has a 2.1% dividend yield.

24/7 Wall St. wanted to see how the rest of the ACA plan giants were reacting to this news as well.

UnitedHealth Group's shares were last seen trading up just 0.3% at $139.80, versus a 52-week range of $107.51 to $146.36. UnitedHealth has a consensus analyst price target of $164.81 and it has a 1.8% dividend yield.

Shares of Aetna were last seen trading up 0.2% at $106.04. Its 52-week range is $92.42 to $123.57 and Aetna has a consensus analyst price target of $133.86. Its dividend yield is 0.9%.

ALSO READ: Largest Industry in Each State

Humana shares were last seen trading up 0.5% at $169.51 in mid-day Wednesday trading. Humana's 52-week range is $150.00 to $191.65 and it has a consensus analyst price target of $200.83. Humana has a dividend yield of 0.7%.

Anthem showed that its benefit expense ratio (medical expense ratio) was 85.5% in the third quarter. That is up 190 basis points from 83.6% in the prior year's quarter. Anthem said the gain was driven by the Medicaid business due to medical cost experience (notably in Iowa) exceeding the net impact of annual premium rate adjustments and higher membership. The benefit expense ratio was also said to reflect the impact of higher medical cost experience in the Individual business.

The problem with none of the major insurers being in ACA ahead means that the companies which do plan to offer exchange plans might not be competitive or they might not be able to financially handle the risk.

It was widely reported in the last week or so that the Affordable Care plans would see an average hike of 22% for younger populations with the silver level plan. What will it show for the Affordable Care Act if there are no major insurers offering plans on the exchanges after next year?

Related Articles
Beijing (AFP) - Malaysia will buy four combat vessels from China in a "landmark" defence deal, Prime Minister Najib Razak said, signalling a potential strategic shift away from the United States.

The agreement marked the first time Kuala Lumpur had purchased warships from Beijing and came only two weeks after Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte announced his "separation" from Washington during a visit to China.

Under the terms of the deal, two of the vessels will be built in Malaysia and two in China, Najib said in an op-ed published in the China Daily newspaper on Wednesday during his week-long trip to Beijing.

"I call this a landmark decision because before this we have not bought such vessels from China, Najib said after talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday, according to Malaysian newspaper The Star.

Malaysia has historically acquired the bulk of its major defence hardware from the United States, Russia and European countries.

Analysts said the accord was a setback for Washington's "pivot" towards Asia and underlined China's increasing diplomatic and economic gravitational pull in the region -- despite its ongoing territorial disputes.

"This is the new regional norm. Now China is implementing the power and the US is in retreat," said Southeast Asia politics analyst Bridget Welsh.

Gu Xiaosong, a researcher at government think tank Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences, was quoted in China's Global Times as saying: "Southeast Asia's diplomatic situation has shifted towards China following the visits of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Vietnam's leader this year."

Najib called for Malaysia and China's disagreement over rights to the strategically vital South China Sea, which is claimed almost in its entirety by Beijing, to be resolved "calmly and rationally through dialogue".

Malaysia's relations with the United States warmed after Najib took office in 2009 following decades of periodic distrust.

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But he has increasingly leaned towards China as it became Malaysia's biggest trading partner and after the eruption last year of a massive corruption scandal implicating Najib and a state investment fund he founded.

Billions are alleged to have been syphoned from the fund, 1MDB, in a stunning international campaign of embezzlement and money-laundering that has sparked investigations in several countries.

Najibs ties with Washington became strained when the US Justice Department moved in July to seize more than $1 billion in assets it says were purchased by Najib relatives and associates using stolen 1MDB money.

In Beijing this week, Najib signed 14 memorandums of understanding worth 144 billion ringgit ($34.4 billion), including an agreement for China to build a rail line on Malaysia's east coast, Malaysian media reported.
BAMAKO (Reuters) - An al Qaeda-linked militant group has said it is still waging war in Mali, dismissing a report that it had agreed a ceasefire as "completely baseless". Ansar Dine released a statement expressing its "utmost surprise" at the announcement by the head of the West African nation's top Islamic authority, according to a report by the SITE monitoring group late on Tuesday. Mahmoud Dicko, president of Mali's High Islamic Council, had said on Monday that he had received news from Ansar Dine's Tuareg commander Iyad Ag Ghali that it would halt attacks that have killed dozens of civilians, soldiers and U.N. peacekeepers. Dicko did not give details of the agreement at the time and has not been available for comment since. Ansar Dine and other Islamist groups have recently intensified their insurgency in Mali, carrying out more than 60 attacks on U.N. and other targets since May and spreading south into areas previously deemed safe. The groups hijacked a separatist Tuareg rebellion in 2012 to seize major towns in Mali's vast desert north and declare sharia, or Islamic law. Forces from former colonial power France drove them back a year later, but they have kept bases in remote desert locations. Earlier this week, Ansar Dine said it had attacked a French military barracks inside a U.N. camp in the northern city of Kidal. A spokesman for the U.N. mission known as MINUSMA said several shells hit the base on Sunday, damaging three helicopters. (Reporting by Tiemoko Diallo; Additional reporting by Emma Farge; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
While Lee Kaplan lived with 12 girls in his Pennsylvania home, authorities say, he allegedly brainwashed them to believe he was a prophet of God  grooming several of them for sex and calling six of them his wives.

Prosecutors this week revealed these and other harrowing details of the girls years of alleged mental and sexual abuse, as the investigation of Kaplan continues and he faces multiplying charges.

This guy set up a virtual feeding ground of victims, Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub tells PEOPLE. He preyed upon one by one.

Kaplan, who was charged with sex crimes after police rescued the girls from his home in June, is now accused of not only fathering two children with the eldest of the girls but also sexually abusing five of her younger sisters, Weintraub announced on Monday.

That same day Kaplan pleaded not guilty to more than a dozen new charges, including rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault, Weintraub says.

He took these children into his home not too far from where we stand here today, Weintraub alleged at a news conference. Over time he played on their trust and affection for him. He groomed them to believed that he was a religious, cult-like figure for whom they should submit their will.

Weintraub tells PEOPLE that Kaplan allegedly brainwashed the girls, using tactics similar to Stockholm syndrome, by taking advantage of their innocence and abusing his position of authority.

They to accept it, Weintraub says. Im saddened. Im sickened, but Im not surprised.

Kaplan, 51, was originally charged with statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and aggravated indecent assault after authorities rescued the girls, who ranged in age from six months to 18 years old, from his home in Feasterville, Pennsylvania. (Authorities were tipped off anonymously.)

 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.

After Kaplans arrest, the eldest of the girls told investigators she was 14 when her parents handed her over to Kaplan after he helped them financially. She told police she and Kaplan have two children together: a 3 year-old girl and a 10-month-old infant.

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The eldest girl also said that years before moving into his home, Kaplan had his own bedroom in her parents Lancaster County home in Pennsylvania. She alleged that the sexual abuse started one night when she was 10. It didnt stop until her rescue this summer.

Nine of the 11 other girls living in Kaplans home were her sisters, according to authorities; the remaining two were her daughters.

Newly released court documents obtained by PEOPLE show the sisters, who were quiet during initial interviews, recently opened up to investigators about their years of living with Kaplan.

Authorities had been unsure if he had harmed any of the 11 other girls, but six of the sisters, including the eldest, told police they were Kaplans wives, according to the documents.

The youngest is 10.

The girls said in their interviews that Kaplan claimed he had dreams about them becoming his wives. Kaplan felt it was in the childrens best interests to become his wives, according to the documents.

The girls every day life remains a mystery, Weintraub tells PEOPLE. They were sometimes spotted by neighbors playing in the front yard, dressed in traditional Amish attire, but no one ever saw how they spent their time inside the three-bedroom home.

According to the police interviews, however, multiple girls alleged they were routinely abused.

They were not only hearing from him but from their parents, Weintraub alleges, noting that the girls mother, Savilla Stoltzfus, is believed to have been living with her daughters and Kaplan during the abuse.

A Cultural Interpretation Problem?

The girls story gained national attention after authorities announced the couples alleged gifting of their eldest daughter to Kaplan.

The Stoltzfuses, who have been charged with child endangerment, told authorities their eldest daughter was set to wed Kaplan, a former business partner and family friend. The family lives in an Amish community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

(The father, Daniel Stoltzfus, had been shunned by the Amish by the time of his relationship with Kaplan, prosecutors previously told PEOPLE.)

Kaplans arrest affidavit alleges the Stoltzfuses gifted their daughter to him in exchange for financial benefits, but Savillas attorney, Craig Penglase, previously told PEOPLE that the language has been misconstrued.

Penglase compared the agreement the couple had with Kaplan to the common wedding ceremonial tradition of the brides father giving his daughter away to the groom.

Thats what meant when they said that to the police, Penglase said. Its an interpretation problem. Its a cultural interpretation problem.

According to Penglase, the couple had no idea their daughter and Kaplan were sexually involved. He said Savilla only learned about her daughters alleged sexual abuse by Kaplan when she learned about the pregnancy.

Soon after the baby was born, Savilla moved into Kaplans home with her nine other daughters, Penglase told PEOPLE.

Police have said there were a number of complaints regarding Kaplan in the months leading up to his arrest, but nothing warranting an arrest.

Attorneys for Kaplan and the Stoltzfuses could not be reached for comment about the new charges and accusations. (Kaplans attorney has previously declined to comment.)

All three defendants were set to appear in court the week of Nov. 7, but their hearings have been postponed, court officials tell PEOPLE.




An Oklahoma man has been arrested after he went joyriding around town in a stolen cop car and recorded the whole thing on Facebook Live.

John Pinney, 25, allegedly hopped in the car of an officer who left her keys in the unlocked cruiser while on a coffee break on Halloween night, police said.

Read: Woman Accidentally 'Steals' Subaru, Brings it Back With Apology Note and Gas Money

He was driving throughout the city, Tulsa officer Ashley Leland told InsideEdition.com.

A woman reportedly called police when she saw a man get into the cop car. She told police he asked if she wanted a ride and when she said no, he drove off.

During the more than 30-minute chase with multiple police departments pursuing him, Pinney recorded four separate Facebook Live videos, giving rambling speeches about music and his life.

Im a motha****** retard is what I am. I got cops behind me and ****. I ain't got nothing else to do but ******** read books, said Pinney in the video. I got away from like five cops already.

Pinney increased his speed to 120 mph at times during the pursuit, police said.

It is what it is man. I cant help it. Im just gonna do what I gotta do. Im trying to figure out how to work all this lights and stuff, Pinney continues in the video.

At one point gets out of the car, with lights flashing, to show his Facebook friends the police cruiser

Sheridan Hailey, Pinneys sister, told InsideEdition.com that this is the third time her brother has stolen a car since he got out of prison two months ago.

Police also said at the time of his arrest after the chase, Pinney had a warrant for auto theft in another town.

Hailey said Pinneys been homeless and may have stolen the car because he needed a place to stay.

Read: Give Me a Break! 'Hungry' Man Steals a Kit Kat From Student's Car, Leaves Note

He has really bad and anger issues but really I think he just wants to go back to prison. He knew what would happen; he might like it better in there then out here, said Hailey.

Story continues

"This is the third car he stole. The first car was my grandmas and the second car was just a friend's car. Honestly he wasn't on drugs because he was homeless. How would he be able to afford drugs?

Pinney ended up driving to his parents house where he was arrested.

Hes been charged with auto theft, possession of a firearm, and eluding police.

Watch: 12-Year-Old Steals Car from Elderly Man After Getting Out of Vehicle

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A Virginia womans attacker remains at large after police say he ran her off the highway Monday and then sexually assaulted her in a ditch for more than two hours, PEOPLE confirms.

The attack began sometime between 2:45 a.m. and 3:15 a.m., when the woman was hit by a dark-colored SUV while driving on a highway in Stafford County, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C., authorities say.

Authorities are asking the public for help in identifying the suspect in the attack, according to the Stafford County Sheriffs Office.

The woman described him as Hispanic, approximately 30 years old, with black hair and a short black beard. He was about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed approximately 175 pounds, she said.

Somebody saw this guy earlier, sheriffs spokeswoman M.C. Morris Moncure tells PEOPLE. Someone knows who he is.

The woman told deputies she never saw the vehicle prior to the crash, which caused her car to spin out of control, according to authorities. When her car stopped, the victim found herself on the shoulder of the road.

The woman was then dragged from her car and assaulted, according to a sheriffs office news release.

The victim told deputies that once her attacker was finished, he got back into his car and drove off.

 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 victim said that when the man was out of sight, she got up and walked back to her car to call 911. Deputies arrived on the scene moments later.

When he attacked her, the victim told deputies, he was wearing light blue jeans with a sleeveless tank top under an orange, blue and white plaid shirt, which was left at the scene.

She said he spoke Spanish and broken English.

Authorities are not sure whether the crash was intentional, the Free Lance-Star reports.

Anyone with information about the suspect is urged to contact the Stafford County Sheriffs Office at 540-658-4400, text Stafford + tip to 274637 (Crimes) or submit your information online here. There is a $1,000 reward.




Update on morning of Nov. 9: The initiatives to legalize recreational marijuana were passed in California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada. Results are pending for recreational marijuana in Arizona. The initiatives for comprehensive medical marijuana programs were passed in Arkansas, Florida and North Dakota.

Either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will be a winner on Nov. 8, but in a number of states, pot smokers may come out ahead as well.

Election Day might be a major turning point for the marijuana reform movement because five states have ballot initiatives that would legalize cannabis for adult use, regulating and taxing it like alcohol. There are also campaigns in three states to legalize medical marijuana  which would bring the total to 28  and a slew of local, citywide initiatives.

The vote to watch is in California, where polls suggest the Adult Use of Marijuana referendum has a substantial lead.

When you see voters from San Diego to San Francisco coming together in support of this type of policy shift, it suggests that it is also likely to appeal to a broad swath of voters in other parts of the country, Mason Tvert, a spokesperson for the Marijuana Policy Project, told Yahoo News. At the federal level, it will inspire more members of Congress to take a closer look at the issue. At the state level, it will help legislators recognize the writing is on the wall and start thinking about their own prohibition exit strategies.

A recent Gallup poll found that a record 60 percent of Americans support making cannabis legal. Heres a breakdown of the key state votes.

The issue of legalizing recreational marijuana will be on the ballot in five states. (Photo: AP/Yahoo News)

Recreational marijuana

State: Arizona

Ballot initiative: Proposition 205  The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol

Whats at stake: Proposition 205 would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, consume marijuana in private and grow up to six marijuana plants at home. It would also establish marijuana retail stores and manufacturing facilities licensed by the Department of Marijuana Licenses and Control.

Story continues

Will it pass? Proposition 205 is supported by registered Arizona voters 50 percent to 40 percent, according to an Arizona Republic/Morrison/Cronkite News poll.

Barrett Marson, communications director for Yes on 205, told Yahoo News, People are using it. People are buying it on the street. People are doing it illegally. It is time to end the failed policy of prohibition. In doing so, we can heavily tax and regulate the sale of marijuana. Eighty percent of the revenue would go to education funding here in Arizona  and the other 20 percent would go to drug and alcohol programs at the Department of Health Services.

State: California

Ballot initiative: Proposition 64  The Adult Use of Marijuana Act

Whats at stake: This would allow adults 21 and older to possess and consume one ounce of marijuana and eight grams of marijuana concentrates and grow up to six marijuana plants at home. It would also enact a 15 percent excise tax on all cannabis sales.

Will it pass? Proposition 64 is supported by registered California voters 52 to 41 percent, according to a SurveyUSA poll.

Jason Kinney, a spokesperson for Yes on 64, told Yahoo News, I think that the arc of history, social justice and public opinion have been bending in this direction for a long time.  Were still criminalizing thousands of otherwise law-abiding adults in California with nonviolent marijuana felonies. Were giving criminal misdemeanors to juveniles. These are mostly communities of color, Latino and African-American, and theres no reason to do that around a substance that is less harmful and addictive than alcohol.

Canna Care employee John Hough waters young pot plants at the medical marijuana dispensary in Sacramento, Calif., Aug. 19, 2015. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP)

State: Maine

Ballot initiative: Question 1  Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol

Whats at stake: It would allow adults 21 and older to possess a limited amount of marijuana and grow a limited number of marijuana plants at home. It would establish a regulatory system of licensed marijuana retail stores and associated facilities and enact a 10 percent marijuana sales tax, which would be used to enforce regulations.

Will it pass? Adults in Maine support Question 1 by a substantial margin  50 percent to 41 percent  according to a University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll.

David Boyer, campaign manager for Yes on 1, told Yahoo News, We think it would be good for Maine because our current system has failed. Marijuana is readily available, and we know from other states track records that regulating and taxing marijuana is a far better approach. Were going to generate millions and millions in new revenue that can support things like education, and were going to save law enforcement time and resources so that they can focus on serious and violent crime rather than adults possessing small amounts of marijuana.

State: Massachusetts

Ballot initiative: Question 4  The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol

Whats at stake: This would allow adults 21 and older to possess and grow limited amounts of marijuana and establish an entity thats similar to the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission to oversee licensed retail stores and cultivation facilities.

Will it pass? Likely voters in Massachusetts support Question 4, 53 percent to 50 percent, according to a WBZ-TV, WBZ NewsRadio, UMass Amherst Poll poll.

Jim Borghesani, the communications director for Yes on 4 told Yahoo News, We think that its imperative to end marijuana prohibition because its been a vast failure. All its done is create a commerce dominated by criminals, and its forced buyers into dangerous markets where theyre exposed to deadly drugs like heroin and fentanyl. What wed like to do is take the commerce away from criminals and put it with regulated and taxed businesses under the complete control of state authorities.

Rebecca Gasca, CEO of a consulting firm in Reno, Nev., looks over a crop of marijuana plants during a tour of marijuana retail and grow operations in Denver last year. (Photo: David Zalubowski/AP)

State: Nevada

Ballot initiative: Question 2  The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol

Whats at stake: It would allow adults 21 and older to possess and use up to one ounce of marijuana or one-eighth of an ounce of concentrated marijuana. People who live more than 25 miles from a retail marijuana store would be allowed to grow up to six marijuana plants at home. It would also establish a 15 percent excise tax on marijuana sales.

Will it pass? Nevada voters support Question 2, 50 percent to 41 percent, according to a KTNV-TV/Rasmussen Reports poll.

Joe Brezny, a spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, told Yahoo News, The big-picture benefit of regulating marijuana is the elimination of the dangerous and criminal marijuana market. Instead, we will have marijuana produced and sold by regulated business that test and properly package products while generating tax revenue for the state. It is also way beyond time we stop punishing adults for using a substance less harmful than alcohol. This is especially true in the minority communities, where marijuana laws have been enforced more harshly. Passage of Question 2 will enhance public safety and advance social justice.

Recently harvested marijuana buds at Laura Costas farm near Garberville, Calif. (Photo: Rich Pedroncelli/AP)

Medical marijuana

State: Florida

Ballot initiative: Amendment 2  Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions

Whats at stake: The amendment would legalize medical marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician and allow caregivers to assist patients in their use of medicinal cannabis. In 2014, a similar ballot initiative that would have legalized medical marijuana in the Sunshine State was supported by 58 percent of Florida voters, falling just short of the 60 percent approval it needed to pass.

This time around, medical marijuana activists are confident the influx of younger voters in a general election year will put them over the top. And Americans in general overwhelmingly support medical marijuana use.

This election year  with a hotly contested presidential race on the ballot  turnout is expected to be much higher, Paula Dockery, a former Republican state representative from Lakeland, said in the Orlando Sentinel. Remember, the first ballot proposal failed by only two percentage points.

Will it pass? Most likely. According to a recent University of North Florida survey, 73 percent of voters approve of the amendment, well above the 60 percent needed to pass.

Grow lights turn the color of marijuana plants under cultivation a golden yellow. (Photo: David Zalubowski/AP)

State: Arkansas

Ballot initiative: Issue 6  The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment

Whats at stake: The amendment would legalize medical marijuana in the Razorback State for 17 qualifying conditions, create a Medical Marijuana Commission and allocate tax revenue from sales of medical marijuana to technical and vocational schools.

A competing ballot initiative  Issue 7  would have legalized medical marijuana for 56 qualifying conditions and allowed patients who dont live near a dispensary to grow their own marijuana. But the Arkansas Supreme Court disqualified that measure, saying the group that created the proposal, Arkansans for Compassionate Care, violated state laws regarding the reporting and registration of paid canvassers. (The group has asked the court to reconsider.) But even if were reinstated, medical marijuana faces an uphill battle in Arkansas.

Last month, the states governor and lieutenant governor held a joint news conference with business leaders to argue that legalizing medical marijuana would hurt the states efforts to keep and attract businesses, particularly when it comes to issues arising from drug testing of employees.

It will not help us in the direction we need to go in Arkansas in terms of increased economic success in this state, said Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former head of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

But Ryan Denham  deputy director for Arkansans for Compassionate Care, one of the groups in favor of the amendment  said that hasnt been a problem in the 25 states that have legalized medical marijuana.

They dont have these types of societal or workforce problems, Denham told reporters. And largely its been a net positive for the state economies.

Will it pass? Unclear. A poll released Wednesday found 51 percent of Arkansas voters are in favor of legalizing medical marijuana, with 49 percent opposed. The measure requires a simple majority to pass. And in 2012, Arkansas voters narrowly rejected legalizing medical marijuana.

A medical marijuana dispensary in Sparks, Nev. (Photo: Scott Sonner/AP)

State: North Dakota

Ballot initiative: Initiated Statutory Measure 5  The North Dakota Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative

Whats at stake: The measure would legalize the use of medical marijuana to treat debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, AIDS, hepatitis C, ALS (Lou Gehrigs disease), glaucoma and epilepsy, and develop regulatory procedures for growing, dispensing and using medicinal pot. In 2015, the North Dakota House declined to pass a similar bipartisan bill that would have allowed patients and caregivers to possess cannabis for medical use.

In a late push ahead of next weeks vote, supporters of the measure have launched a statewide TV ad campaign  the Faces of Measure 5  featuring seriously ill people making emotional pleas for legal access to medicinal marijuana. (They all end their stories by saying, Medical marijuana would help me.)

These are real North Dakotans who would experience real benefits from medical marijuana, Anita Morgan, who represents the North Dakota Compassionate Care 2016 campaign, wrote in an email. It is a sensible and compassionate proposal that would ensure patients safe and legal access to medical cannabis if their doctors recommend it.

Will it pass? Hard to say. While a recent poll conducted by the University of North Dakota found 47 percent of voters supported the measure compared to 41 percent who oppose it, state law requires at least 50 percent support for it to pass. The same poll found more than two-thirds (68 percent) of North Dakotans oppose legalizing recreational marijuana, while 24 percent support it.

Opposition

Not everyone is welcoming the increasingly liberal attitudes and policies concerning marijuana.

Carla Lowe, founder and co-chair of Citizens Against Legalizing Marijuana (CALM), a political action committee in California, argued that Proposition 64 will exacerbate the social ills she attributes to pot use.

What its going to do to neighborhoods, were concerned about that. People are already complaining about the horrible smell from pot grows, Lowe told Yahoo News. Were concerned about the increased use of marijuana. Any time kids think its no big deal. Just go back and look at Colorado and Washington. Kids use will go up. The bottom line is that the people who are behind this issue are in it for huge money.

When asked if anyone has the right to control what otherwise law-abiding citizens ingest, Lowe said that the United States government does because we are a nation of laws. Under federal law, marijuana is still classified as a schedule 1 drug  in the same category as heroin.

Marijuana laws as they stand

Heres the current makeup of marijuana access in the United States looks leading up to the election:

Legal recreational marijuana is available in four states  Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington  and the District of Columbia. Legal medical marijuana is available in D.C. and 25 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

In 2013, the Justice Department announced that it would not challenge or block state laws that conflict with federal law regarding marijuana policy.




(Adds details from announcement, background)

TORONTO, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Quebecor Inc's media subsidiary said on Wednesday that it will cut 220 jobs, nearly 8 percent of its workforce, and cease publication of two magazines in a bid to slash costs, the latest in a string of layoffs in Canadian media.

Quebecor Media Group said the move would mostly affect managers, professionals and support staff, and would have no impact on its newsrooms or on news coverage across Quebec.

The move includes the loss of 125 jobs at the media group's subsidiary TVA Group Inc, one of the largest broadcasters and publishers of French-language content in North America and a major production company.

TVA Publications will no longer publish the Chez Soi and Tellement bon magazines, the media company said.

"In Quebec as elsewhere in the world, our industry is facing ongoing disruption," Julie Tremblay, chief executive of Quebecor Media Group and TVA Group Inc, said in a statement that did not estimate the likely cost of the restructuring or the scale of any expected savings.

The Canadian media industry is struggling to deal with falling advertising revenue and the migration of audiences to online outlets, with several of its biggest players recently offering buyouts to workers or cutting jobs amid sustained operating losses.

Rogers Communications Inc in September said it will stop printing four of its biggest magazines next year and sell all its French-language and trade publications.

Quebecor said that it will incorporate its local newspaper advertising salespeople into a broader team dealing with national sales, media creativity and research, in a bid to better serve advertisers.

(Reporting by Alastair Sharp; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Alan Crosby)
LINXIA  Driving through the Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu province, in Chinas northwest, minarets puncture the sky every few minutes. Many rise out of mosques that resemble Daoist temples, their details a blend of traditional Chinese and Islamic features: a bronze door knocker inscribed with the word Allah in Arabic, a crescent moon peeking above the pointed eaves of a tiled roof, and stone steles carved with hadith  a collection of sayings attributed to the Prophet Mohammed  in Chinese. This is the heartland of the Hui, a Chinese minority of about 10.5 million, distinguished from the majority Han ethnicity primarily by their Muslim identity.

Chinas ruling Communist Party has long had a fraught relationship with religion, with harsh restrictions in regions like Xinjiang and Tibet, where religious identity is seen as a conduit to separatism. Chinese President Xi Jinpings heightened sensitivity toward civil society and outside ideological influences, combined with the recent rise of global terrorism, has intensified government suspicion toward Muslims. Meanwhile, mainstream Han society, especially on the Chinese web, has grown increasingly vitriolic toward Muslims. Han chauvinism and ethnocentric nationalism are common in online forums, occasionally including Islamophobic warnings that the mosque will soon overshadow the Party.

Yet Islam appears to be thriving among the Hui. Hui Muslims make up the majority of the approximately 14,000 Chinese pilgrims who go on hajj to Mecca each year. China has built a sprawling Hui culture park in Ningxia, enshrining Hui Islams status as an exemplary form of Chinese religion. The loudest critics of the Hui are not state officials but reformists from within the Hui community, often returnees from religious study in the Middle East. They deride Hui Islam as facile and compromised, both because of its melding with Confucian and Daoist practices and because they believe that many of its practitioners have succumbed to materialism and corruption.

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Ironically, Hui Islams flourishing depends precisely on the characteristics which locals say are also essentially Chinese: apolitical patriotism, adaptability, and more concern for material survival than rigid doctrine. Amid rising tides of ethnocentric nationalism, the Hui are preserving Islam in China by performing a specifically Chinese form of the religion. Their relatively peaceful coexistence with the state and the Party differs from Chinas estimated 10 million Uighurs, a Turkic-speaking group who live mostly in Chinas far western region of Xinjiang. (There are roughly 23 million Muslims in China.) As state-supported Han migration to Xinjiang increased over the last 10 years, tensions between Uighur and Han have exploded into violent ethnic clashes, as well as some Uighur militant attacks on civilians. The crackdown in response has spawned further violence and a stereotyping of Uighurs as separatists radicalized by foreign influence, in contrast to the Huis organic blend of Chinese and Islamic ways.

Imam Ma Jun, leading Friday morning prayer at the Xiguan mosque. (ALICE SU for ChinaFile)

A bilingual Quran in the library of a mosque on the outskirts of Lanzhou, Gansu province. (ALICE SU for ChinaFile)

The Hui have manifested Islam with Chinese characteristics since the 7th century Tang Dynasty, when Arab and Central Asian traders immigrated, intermarried, and spread their religion along the ancient Silk Road. Their offspring eventually became a distinct ethnic minority, though most Hui are physically indistinguishable from Han Chinese. Throughout their history, some Hui actively tried to merge Islamic and Chinese culture. In the 18th century, for example, the Hui scholar Liu Zhi wrote the Han Kitab, a synthesis of Islam with Confucianism that identified Muhammad as a sage and linked Sharia law to Confucian rituals. He believed that the combined practice of the two would cultivate virtue and produce social harmony.

This blend of Chinese and Islamic tradition still shows in Hui mosques today. In the Linxua Hui Autonomous Prefecture, I met a moderator of Zhongmuwang, the Chinese Muslim Net web forum, who asked to go by his Arabic name, Hassan. He took me to visit several shrines built on the graves of Sufi saints. An eight-sided tower  corresponding to the bagua, or eight symbols, system of ancient Daoist cosmology  rose over one grave, decorated with Arabic calligraphy and a yin-yang symbol. Incense burned before the holy mans shrine, and Hassan told me that some worshippers would kowtow in front of it. Some people call this a distortion of Islam, but they dont understand Chinese history, Hassan said. Religion here must adapt to survive.

Those who find this adaptability a distortion are often Hui students who become enamored with Islam abroad. In 1995, the then-23-year-old Hui imam Ma Jun left his hometown of Lanzhou, Gansus capital, to study Sharia law and Arabic at the Islamic University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia. After five years, he came back bent on reform. I was on fire when I came back from Saudi Arabia, Ma said.

I felt a strong responsibility. Chinese Muslims didnt have enough belief. They were impure and too shallow. And the 24-year-old Ma Xin, a Hui student whod recently returned to Lanzhou after studying at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, also derided Hui absorption of Chinese traditions. My grandmother is a perfect example. She gives the Sufi elders money to pray for her, burns incense, and makes us drink ashes when were sick, Ma said, referring to a Chinese folk practice of burning and drinking blessed paper to heal diseases. I cant accept this. Its a twisting of Islam. Ma Xin had rejected his familys Sufi traditions in favor of Yihewani (or Ikhwan) Islam, a reformist sect founded in Gansu by Ma Wanfu, a late 19th century Chinese Muslim who similarly became determined to purify Chinese Islam after studying in Mecca. (Many Hui surnames are Sinicized forms of Muslim names in Arabic and Persian: Ma, for Mohammad, is especially common.)

Yet Beijing favors religion that displays political loyalty and cultural adaptation  as Hui leaders quickly learn. When Ma Jun returned to China, he set up two informal religious schools. In 2000, he established a private Arabic school in Guanghe, a mostly Hui town between Lanzhou and Linxia. And in 2008, he started giving religious lessons through a program for minorities at a public middle school in Lanzhou. Chinese law forbids teaching religious material in school, but Ma infused his language lessons with Islamic scripture and Saudi-style Salafi exegesis. By 2010, authorities had shut both programs down.

While China is an officially atheist state, the government allows for five official religions  Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Christianity, and Islam  as long as they are practiced at state-approved sites, stay free of foreign influence, and do not proselytize. At the Central Religious Work Conference, a state-convened national conference to discuss religions in China in April, Xi stressed that religious groups should merge [their] doctrines with Chinese culture while keeping religion out of politics, government affairs, and education. The state thus allows some space for religious practice, however circumscribed, and those who learn to compromise can function within it. In 2010, Ma decided to work within the system. He dropped his private reform efforts and became an imam at Lanzhous Xinguan Mosque, a traditional mosque within Lanzhous Muslim quarter that adheres to orthodoxy of the Gedimu school, Chinas oldest and most traditional form of Islam. He quickly rose in influence, leading some 3,000 Hui pilgrims from Gansu to Mecca in 2014, a process facilitated and approved by the semi-governmental Islamic Association of China. Encounters with the state had meanwhile softened Mas doctrinal views. Its hard enough just to exist as a Chinese Muslim, Ma said. The door is narrow. If someone walks through it, let us not say, Youre not perfect, get out. We should take it slow.

The disjuncture between religious devotion and the atheist Party doesnt seem to bother most Hui leaders. Chinese people are flexible. Some compromise is okay, explained Ma Yinhua, the owner of Fengqiwu, a bookstore dedicated to minority studies in Lanzhou. For now, Love your country, love your religion is fine. Love your Party might be a little much, but even Party members dont necessarily love the Party. Rhetorical mendacity is normal in China, he said. Like our economic situation: its capitalism, but you can call it socialism. The state is lying to itself. So what if the people lie to the state? Everyone knows. Its not a big deal.

Hui women drive their children home from school on motorcycles in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu. (ALICE SU for ChinaFile)

The Chinese-style minaret of a Gedimu mosque is seen through an Arabic-style latticed window in Lanzhou, Gansu. (ALICE SU for ChinaFile)

A Hui man walks into one of the largest Sufi mosques in Lanzhou. (ALICE SU for ChinaFile)

Compromise and corruption are complements to shallow faith, Imam Ma explained, and the reason why Hui Muslims are not a threat, however devout they may seem. Religion has been marginalized in China. Everyone is focused on money. We are much more likely to go toward corruption and politicization than extremism, Ma said, adding that he rarely goes to meetings with the national organization the Islamic Association of China any more, because no one there wants to talk about theology. The imams are just asking, Is your iPhone 6 or 6S? What kind of car are you driving? Like most Chinese people, Hui are far more concerned with the material present than the afterlife, Ma said. Nobody would give up their life for religious struggle or sacrifice.

Back in Lanzhou, a Muslim who called himself Abdelhalim and whose family owns the successful halal lamb restaurant chain Zhonghua Shouzhua King showed me their recently opened private mosque, madrassa, and Islamic nursing home for the elderly. Authorities hadnt obstructed the family opening any of these, he said. The minority religious policies are good. The government is trying to preserve ethnic unity, not to disturb the minorities, Abdelhalim said. Even when some sects are doing really bad things, the government doesnt push them. Sometimes religious figures resist government attempts to confiscate land by claiming property as part of the mosques endowment, for example, Abdelhalim said. Even though the mosque leaders might be lying, officials usually complied. The Islamic Association also often treated religious leaders to state-funded tours and trips to other provinces. When I asked whether that was corruption, Abdelhalim laughed. Corruption is good for the government! Give us a visible enemy and well all unite to fight for our religion and identity, he said. Give us an invisible enemy  lust, money, selfishness  and were defeated.

In Linxia, Hassan agreed that in Hui Islam, as in contemporary Chinese society, outward appearances do not always reflect inner belief. There are thousands of mosques in Linxia, but this is a bad thing, he told me as we drove by towering Gedimu, Salafi, Yihewani, and Sufi structures, women in hijabs passing us on their motorcycles. The proliferation of mosques and shrines only reflected disunity and sectarianism, Hassan said. People say this is religious extremism? I think its secularization. He continued, Only very secular people think that building more mosques is a true expression of faith. Outsiders might think there is a clash between the minarets and Chinese flags of Chinas Hui-populated areas, he noted, but thats because they are only looking at the surface.

Reporting for this article was supported by the Pulitzer Center.

Top image: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
From House Beautiful

When you're renovating a royal residence, you want design help from the best of the best. That's why Prince William and Duchess Catherine enlisted the help of Ben Pentreath when they moved into their Kensington Palace apartment.

What made him qualified? For starters, he studied at the Prince of Wale's Institute of Architecture before opening his own practice in London in 2004. Oh, and then there's the fact that he came highly recommended by Kate's father-in-law, Prince Charles, after the work he did on the Poundbury model village in Dorest and Charles' Duchy of Cornwall estate.

Photo credit: The New York Times/Vimeo

With Pentreath's help, the royal family settled on a neutral palette paired with modern sofas an dramatic curtains for their apartment. The floor boasts an oatmeal-colored carpet with a large patterned rug that grounds the seating area. And, of course, there's abundance of side table lamps - though we believe Kate mixed in a few of her own lamp and pillow purchases from places like Anthropologie and Zara Home, too.

Photo credit: Getty

However, the apartment wasn't the pair's first collaboration together: Penatreath also worked with Kate on Anmer Hall, which is the family home they escaped to after the birth of Princess Charlotte. The Georgian mansion is located on the Sandringham Estate, which is where the queen holidays, and has 10 bedrooms (no big deal).

Photo credit: Getty

If you want to live in a home Kate Middleton would approve of, Pentreath has two books you can take cues from: English Decoration, which was published in 2011, and he just released a second book, English Houses. This means it's only a matter of time until we're best friends with Kate, right? Right?!'

[h/t PopSugar]

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Meghan Markle has posted a series of cryptic photos on social media after news of her rumored romance with Prince Harry broke over the weekend.

News of the Suits actress rumored relationship with the royal emerged in the British press over the weekend, and People reported the story on Monday, pointing to the pairs matching bracelets and shared love of animals, children and humanitarian work as evidence for their compatibility.

Bosch puzzle & tea  #Bosch #teatime #TheTig A photo posted by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on Nov 1, 2016 at 11:29am PDT

Sleep tight xx A photo posted by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on Oct 31, 2016 at 7:19pm PDT

British outlet the Sun said Markles Instagram photos could hint at a royal romance because the elephant shape of the teapot could be a subtle nod to the princes campaigning for the protection of the endangered species.

According to the Daily Express, the pair are rumored to have met in May when Harry was promoting the Invictus Games in Toronto, where Suits is filmed. Markle, 35, plays paralegal Rachel Zane on the popular legal-drama series, and is also an advocate for the U.N. and the charity World Vision.

Kensington Palace has not commented on reports regarding the rumored new couple.
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday accused Syrian government troops of committing "crimes against humanity" that could not be overlooked. Human rights groups and Western countries have previously accused Syria's army, backed by Russia's air force, of targeting hospitals, bakeries and other civilian areas when bombarding rebel areas, including eastern Aleppo. "The use of barrel bombs and incendiary bombs, and even chemical weapons, is not being shied away from," Merkel said as she received the Seoul Peace Prize in Berlin. "The civilian population is being starved, medical institutes are being attacked, doctors are dying and hospitals are being destroyed," she said, adding that not even United Nations aid convoys were safe from bombardment. "These are serious crimes against humanity. We mustn't overlook that," Merkel said. On Tuesday, a U.N. human rights spokeswoman said all sides fighting over the Syrian city of Aleppo may be committing war crimes through indiscriminate attacks in civilian areas. The U.N. Human Rights Council said late last month it would identify the perpetrators of war crimes in Aleppo, and it launched a special inquiry into the use of starvation and air strikes there. Merkel also urged Europeans to think about crises further afield. On North Korea's nuclear program and tensions in the East and South China Sea, she said: "Everyone involved has a duty to stick to the internationally agreed rules and to cooperate." (Reporting by Andreas Rinke; Writing by Michelle Martin; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Berlin (AFP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday called Turkey's latest arrests of opposition newspaper journalists "highly alarming" and said they would impact Ankara's EU membership negotiations.

"For me and the entire government, it is highly alarming that freedom of the press and speech are being restricted again and again," she said after Turkey detained at least a dozen journalists and executives from the Cumhuriyet daily.

The arrests were "the latest example of this already very sad trend," Merkel said at a joint press conference with Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann. "We have great doubts that it complied with the rule of law."

Adding that the German ambassador had visited the Cumhuriyet newsroom Tuesday, Merkel said: "The journalists can be certain of our solidarity, just like all the others in Turkey who, under difficult conditions, are active for freedom of the press and speech."

She said the issue would "obviously play a central role" in talks on Ankara's long-standing but currently stalled bid to join the European Union.

The Cumhuriyet arrests came after Turkish authorities fired more than 10,000 civil servants at the weekend and closed 15 pro-Kurdish and other media outlets, the latest purge since July's failed military coup aimed at ousting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Merkel's strong comments follow a series of rows this year between Berlin and Ankara on civil rights and sensitive historical questions.

Relations took a dive after the German parliament in a June resolution declared the Ottomans' World War I-era massacre of Armenians a genocide.

The vote infuriated Erdogan and for months Ankara blocked German parliamentarians from visiting German troops at a NATO base in southern Turkey, until Merkel's government publicly clarified that the vote was non-binding.

Another major dispute was sparked by German TV comic Jan Boehmermann who in a so-called "Defamatory Poem" satirically accused the Turkish president of bestiality and paedophilia, sparking a criminal complaint by Erdogan and an ongoing civil case.

Germany is home to a three-million-strong ethnic Turkish population, the legacy of a massive "guest worker" programme in the 1960s and 1970s.

As Europe's top destination for refugees last year, Germany has relied on an EU-Turkey agreement designed to stop the massive influx of people fleeing war and poverty.
satya nadella

On Wednesday, Microsoft officially unveiled Teams  a new work chat app for PCs, smartphones, and tablets that will take on competitors like $3.8 billion Slack and $5.5 billion Atlassian when it fully launches in early 2017.

In response, Slack took out a full-page ad in the New York Times, welcoming Microsoft to the market.

That's especially notable considering reports that Bill Gates himself talked Microsoft leadership out of placing an $8 billion bid for the red-hot Slack, urging instead for the company to use its own tech to build a competitor. With Teams, it seems like Microsoft took Gates' advice to heart.

And now, Microsoft is being very clear that despite all the hype around the very well-funded and much-hyped Slack, it's not worried about competing with the startup, or any of its imitators. After all, Microsoft has Office, and Office rules the workplace.

"Little companies come and go," says Microsoft corporate VP of Office 365 marketing Ron Markezich, referring to tools like Slack as "applications du jour" that will fade away as Microsoft Teams comes into its own.

'A very narrow niche'

Markezich says that, from Microsoft's perspective, tools like Slack "fill a very narrow niche."

He calls them "little point solutions" that have found success with smaller teams by focusing so heavily on the user interface and letting them get started for free. The original and still primary audience for tools like Slack and HipChat have historically been smaller, more technical or creative teams.

Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield

But, he says, these apps just aren't suited to scaling up to larger companies, lacking in features, security controls, and integrations with business-standard software like Microsoft Office. Markezich says with Teams, Microsoft built something that's as easy to use as its upstart rivals, but that fills in the gaps for the IT department.

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For its part, Slack has lost customers like Uber to its rival Atlassian HipChat over those same concerns around scalability and IT control.

"We have it all covered," says Markezich. "We are unique in that we are a great friend of IT and a great friend of the end user."

The master plan

With Microsoft Teams, Markezich says, Microsoft has built a product that's good for departmental groups of all sizes, at larger enterprises of all sizes, and that integrates tightly with the Microsoft software and services that so many employees at so many businesses already use.

Plus, thanks to Microsoft's strong (though recently strained) relationship with big enterprise vendors like Salesforce, Office 365, and thus Teams, can hook up with most systems that employees in every part of the business is already using.

"I talk about Office 365 integration with Salesforce more than anything  more than our own [Microsoft Dynamics] product, in fact," Markezich says.

microsoft teams

Plus, Markezich points out, Microsoft already has 85 million monthly active users on Office 365, all of whom get access to Teams when it enters into general availability next year. Slack, for comparison, recently claimed 5.8 million weekly active users.

That's a lot of potential users, and it's going to encourage developers to sign up and integrate their products with Teams  hot Silicon Valley companies like Asana and Zendesk have already signed on to provide their tools within Teams, letting users plan projects and assign help desk work right within the chat app.

Slack app

All of which means that Microsoft Teams can be customized for every team within a business, in a way that its upstart rivals can't, Markezich says.

"We look at Office 365 as a solution for every team," Markezich says.

Slack did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

NOW WATCH: The crazy story behind Slack, the app taking over offices everywhere





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Mila Kunis was once told she would have to pose half-naked on the cover of a mens magazine to promote a film. When she refused, a producer reportedly threatened her by saying, Youll never work in this town again.

That obviously turned out not to be true: Kunis has worked in over 30 films in her career, and launched an attack on sexism in Hollywood in an open letter published on A Plus, a media site co-founded by Ashton Kutcher.

Its what we are conditioned to believe  that if we speak up, our livelihoods will be threatened; that standing our ground will lead to our demise. We dont want to be kicked out of the sandbox for being a bitch. So we compromise our integrity for the sake of maintaining the status quo and hope that change is coming, Kunis wrote.

She explained that after being rejected, insulted, paid less, and diminished based on her gender, she decided to found her own production company, Orchard Farm Productions, with three other women to avoid having a similar situation happening to her again.

However, the issue persisted when the company signed on to partner with an influential male producer to work on a project that discussed inclusivity.

In the process of pitching this show to a major network, the typical follow-up emails were sent to executives at this network, Kunis wrote. In this email chain, this producer chose to email the following: And Mila is a mega star. One of biggest actors in Hollywood and soon to be Ashtons wife and baby momma!!!'

He reduced my value to nothing more than my relationship to a successful man and my ability to bear children. It ignored my (and my teams) significant creative and logistical contributions, Kunis said.

Kunis went on to say that she is taking a stand against the microaggressions that devalue the contributions and worth of hard-working women, and that she hopes that she can use her voice to allow women in the workplace to feel a little less alone and more able to push back for themselves.

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The actress most recent work includes starring in Bad Moms opposite Kristen Bell.

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How my miscarriage changed my outlook on life

September 29th marked seven years since I miscarried my second child. The day is still clearly etched in my mind, bound by tissues of unwanted memory. Much in the way early morning dew clings to blades of grass before the sun can fully rise to dry away the mist, I held these scenes close for years, unsure of when or how to let them go.

When I discovered I was carrying, my husband and I had only been trying for a few months. Imagine my delight when I discovered that I was, in fact, pregnant.

With polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and an awkwardly tilted uterus, bearing children would always prove to be a difficult feat. Having my firstborn back in 2006 was unexpected and challenging  though my doctor assured me that having other children would be possible, however frustrating.

I was told to be patient with my body  so patient I became.

preggo2

The day I went in for my first check-up, my doctor deemed me far enough along to do an ultrasound. With my previous health obstacles, it wasnt only informative, but necessary. Id had minor cramping in the days prior, which is to be expected with my fickle, unpredictable body. Ive always been the girl with the mysterious blinding migraines, the multi-month-long menstrual cycles, and GI complications that had me eating less than a newly hatched bird (or I was just plain sick for no reason at all).

Because of my lengthy history, I invited my mother for moral support. Any trip to the doctor was terrifying for me, never knowing what diagnosis would come to fruition next. My daughter, so innocent and excited, was also there so we could all bask in the beauty of this little creation growing inside my belly.

As I recall laying on the tissue paper-covered exam table that crinkled with every breath, I remember the way the ultrasound techs movements suddenly felt panicked, then a controlled calm all at once.

It was like a definitive line was drawn between us as her hand grazed every section of my stomach, ripping me from all the dreams Id made for this baby in an instant. I remember her eyes, and how they dipped away from me. The complete silence with only the whir of the machine filling my thoughts. The sight of my daughter watching the screen to see her brother or sister staring back at her.

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Most of all, I remember the way my heart sank when the tech could not answer any questions, but instead guided me into the farthest corner room of the office where no one could hear me cry. No one said a word, and before my doctor ever cracked open the door, I knew  my baby had not survived.

The rest will forever be a blur. I floated outside my body after the insides tightened, smothered me to a pile of ash. I remember seeing the way the doctors lips moved slow and steady  but I couldnt hear the words; not really. Just the tone. The deep, resolute tone of goodbye.

His hand gently patted my shoulders, but I didnt feel the weight of them, of this event; this loss. Not yet. I couldnt possibly know just then, in that moment, the enormity of this speck of time or how it would change me in ways I couldnt have prepared for.

The following day, I had surgery to remove the rest of my child, my baby, due to health reasons I didnt care about at the time. I cant remember a time when Id ever felt such vastness within me. It was both a literal and metaphorical loss inside my body and heart, and I had no idea if Id recover from the agony of it. Ive long since battled depression and anxiety, but this was a new kind of devastation.

My body had betrayed me. An innocent life I had wanted to meet so badly was taken from my husband, my daughter, ME. It was my fault, I thought. All my fault. I couldnt figure out how to piece the moments together when all I wanted to do was break apart  maybe forever.

depressed1

In the weeks directly after that traumatizing event, I somehow managed to find an alternate view of life. Before this loss, Id taken so much for granted  my amazing, healthy daughter, a marriage that only strengthened as my husband learned how to be the rock I needed.

I slogged through my days with little direction or gusto when I was surrounded by so much to be grateful for. Part of my grieving process, I learned, meant looking at what I did have; the things in front of me. It wasnt easy or fast or lacking in frustration or complexity, but day by day, I made an effort  in my babys honor  to appreciate what the events had taught me, such as how strong I really am.

I eventually learned the baby would not have survived outside the womb. It was not totally my bodys fault  or my fault. While this isnt easy to reconcile, it did help in moving forward. In October of the same year, my husband and I renewed our vows. We celebrated our daughters 3rd birthday. We began to pick up the pieces. I hadnt completely healed but learned how to move forward so that the pain didnt control me.

birthday

Over time, we continued trying and hoping and wishing  not knowing if it would ever really happen for us again. And if it did happen, we planned and anticipated what might be another loss. In late December, my doctor and I talked about starting fertility drugs to help the process. It was a road I never wanted to take, but if that was what my body needed, then that was what I would do.

On January 1st, 2011, I had another miscarriage.

This time, I was numb in disbelief, tossing away all Id previously learned through grieving.

Even as I prepared myself, I didnt understand how it could happen again. Some things in life dont make sense, wont make sense. Still, I would not let this new loss break me again. For my daughters sake, my husbands, and honestly, for mine.

baby

After that, I gradually accepted that my body is not fit to carry life (again). As hard as it was, I had to let go of the hope I clung to, or it would rule my thoughts and actions forever.

The funny thing about letting go is, once you do it, theres a new sense of freedom that comes in its place. This is also when the universe cuts in to take back control, to prove Im right where Im supposed to be, losses and all; to show me all that hope wasnt for naught.

A few short weeks later, I became pregnant again.

Only this time, he survived.

The post How my miscarriage changed my outlook on life appeared first on HelloGiggles.
2 Nov - The newly-crowned Miss Earth, Katherine Espin, has denied allegations made by former Miss Philippine Earth Imelda Schweighart about having undergone plastic surgery to alter her looks.



As reported on PEP News, the Ecuador beauty, who spoke to the media recently following her coronation, stated that she has never done anything to her face.



"I have never done any plastic surgery on my face. No. Her saying that, she will have to prove it, I guess," she said.



Her response came after a video of Schweighart making a comment about Espin to a crowd of fans went viral. In the video, the Filipino-German beauty can be heard telling the crowd on the street that Espin has 'fake nose, fake chin, fake boobs' and that a Miss Earth winner should be all natural.



Schweighart even stressed, in a later interview with the media, that she wasn't making it up and that it was Espin who told her about it when they became roommates throughout the competition.



As for Schweighart's allegation that Espin took the yellow Leo Almodal gown that was custom-made for her when she didn't make it to the top 16, Espin said that she didn't know anything about it.



""When I got into top 16, I was like, 'Where's my dress?' [The designer's] assistant was telling me, 'We didn't finish it. We have this yellow dress. Try this yellow dress.' I've never even tried the yellow dress in my life. I never even knew how it looked on me. They just put it on me and I never knew it was Imelda's dress," she said.



(Photo source: instagram.com/kathespin)
Decades after Richard Hoagland disappeared, leaving his wife broke and under suspicion, his secret life is finally exposed. For much more, pick up this weeks issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands on Friday.

Linda Iseler had at last moved on from her old life  the one where her husband, Richard Hoagland, abruptly left her and their two sons 23 years ago  until one phone call three months ago brought it crashing back.

Thats when Iseler, 59, learned that Hoagland had been arrested on July 20 and charged with fraudulent use of personal identification in Pasco County, Florida, after allegedly stealing the identity of Terry Symanski, a Florida man who drowned in 1991. A stray Internet search eventually unraveled his ruse.

Ive had a real upheaval of feelings and emotions, Iseler tells PEOPLE in this weeks issue, on newsstands Friday, of the revelations about Hoagland, 63.

Some of this stuff that I thought I was over  it has come back, she says.

Hoagland remains in jail on a $25,000 bond and has pleaded not guilty. He declined to be interviewed by PEOPLE.

 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.

Since his arrest, details have slowly emerged about what happened to Hoagland since 1993, and how he ended up across the country from Indiana, in Zephyrhills, Florida.

When authorities tracked him down there, he had a new name, a new wife and another child.

This guy is a coward, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said at a news conference. He left a family behind. Its sad for the victims all around.

Meanwhile, Iseler says she has leaned on her faith and her family, especially her oldest son, in the years after her husband vanished. Shes remarried, and shes happy. But she still has questions.

Now, finally, she might have answers.

I wanted to know why, she tells PEOPLE in this weeks issue. Why did walk out? How could he do it?




TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese trading firm Mitsui & Co expects "certain progress" in its LNG project in Mozambique by the end of the current financial year to March 31, CFO Keigo Matsubara told a news conference on Wednesday, without elaborating. No decision has been made on the future of Hazelwood coal-fired power plant in Australia, he added. Its French partner, Engie, said last month it would soon decide what to do with the plant. The 1.5 GW plant - which produces 5.4 percent of Australia's power - is one of the world's most polluting power stations, environmental groups say. (Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
A Pennsylvania mom was arrested Tuesday for allegedly smothering her son to death and attempting to kill her daughter as well  all while texting their father to say she was doing it, police said.

Police announced Wednesday that 21-year-old Christian Clark was charged with homicide and attempted murder in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Read: Mom Who Smothered Baby While in Drug-Induced Sleep Pleads Guilty: 'I Carry the Ultimate Punishment'

Police said that Clark and the childrens fatherm Andre Price Jr., were having an argument about his alleged infidelity when she started texting things like, "Ya kids aint safe here I dont want them here... So you better pray for your kids and, Im killing them, with a laughing emoji.

Police said she then sent a video of the childs lifeless body, letting the dad know that she had killed the 17-month-old.

Police said the parents were exchanging texts before, after, and during the act.

Superintendent of the Allegheny County Police Department, Coleman McDonough, said Clark confessed to killing the baby during an interview with police.

She admitted to smothering her son in an air mattress, McDonough said. At one point she lifted the childs lifeless body [on video]... and texted that video to the childs father.

Police said additional texts also revealed that she unsuccessfully attempted to smother her 2-year-old daughter.

Its quite an exchange, McDonough said of the text messages. "Obviously she was angry and he was denying her allegations. It just goes to show how have texts have become such a part of our lives that people dont even realize the nature of what they are communicating."

Read: Father Allegedly Stabs 2-Year-Old Daughter to Death, Stabs Himself, Sets Fire to Their Apartment

Clark called McKeesport police after the incident and told them she found what she called the boy unresponsive, police said.

Story continues

Both children were taken to the hospital where the 17-month-old was pronounced dead.

The 2-year-old is expected to be okay.

Clark is currently being held without bond until a preliminary hearing.

Watch: Mom of Missing Kayla Berg on Hoax Kidnapping Video: 'It Completely Sickens Me'

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Early voting has started, which means voters nationwide are starting to get emotional.

The feels hit Vickie Wilkinson, 60, of Bozeman, Montana, all at once. After casting her ballot for Hillary Clinton, she promptly started crying tears of joy.

SEE ALSO: Hillary Clinton takes on hard-hitting questions from curious children

Wilkinson's daughter, Sarah Dean, shared a video of her mom crying on Instagram.

Just went with mom to the ballot box #girlpower #biggirlsdocry #feminist #feminism #imwithher #nastywoman #mom #hillaryclinton A video posted by sarah_magnolia (@sarah_magnolia) on Oct 26, 2016 at 10:06am PDT

"Mom, why are you crying?" Dean asked her mother in the video.

"I got to vote for a woman for president!" Wilkinson replied through laughter and tears.

"I don't think women like my mom, in her generation, really thought they'd get to see this happen," Dean wrote to Mashable.

"My mom grew up in a whole different world where women were often forced to rely on men for legitimacy in their field! Electing a woman for president, even getting to vote for one, is a sign we've made real progress!"

We look forward to more videos of proud, teary mamas on Nov. 8.
Andre Holland, one of the star of Moonlight, and Levi Miller, who starred in last year's Pan, have joined the cast of Disney's adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time, the studio announced Tuesday.

The movie, which has Ava DuVernay sitting in the director's chair, begins shooting Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Disney calls its take a reimagining of the award-winning novel by Madeline L'Engle and the muscular cast includes such names as Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine, Zach Galifianakis and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

Rising actress Storm Reid is the center of the pic, starring as Meg Murry, a young girl traumatized by the disappearance of her scientist father (Pine) years before. She finds herself on an interplanetary journey with a schoolmate and her younger brother to find her father. They are aided by a trio of supernatural beings: Mrs. Whatsit (Witherspoon), Mrs. Who (Kaling) and Mrs. Which (Winfrey).

Holland will play the principal at Murry's school, while Miller will play Murry's friend that journeys with her.

Also joining the production on the eve of starting are Deric McCabe, Bellamy Young, Rowan Blanchard and Will McCormack.

"Since Day One, this experience has shimmered with the promise and possibility, the passion and power that only great stories offer," DuVernay said in Disney's announcement. "And Madeline L'Engle's book is a great story indeed. A cool, quirky tale of an imperfect girl on an otherworldly expedition that has been praised and banned, dissected and celebrated the world over for more than 50 years. On behalf of all the filmmakers, artists and craftspeople in our Wrinkle in Time family, we are genuinely thrilled by and truly grateful for the opportunity to make this film together."

The movie will shoot in California with two weeks in New Zealand. Jim Whitaker (Pete's Dragon) and Catherine Hand are producing.

Holland appeared in DuVernay's Selma and was seen on The Knick and recently on American Horror Story.

Read more: Zach Galifianakis in Talks to Join Ava DuVernay's 'A Wrinkle in Time' (Exclusive)
The most-searched skin condition in your state will likely make you nod your head

Have you ever spent weeks trying to figure out why your the state of your skin has suddenly become super oily, super dry, or just plain bratty? Trying to decipher the clues your skin is giving you is akin to mapping the universe, a scary challenge for, well, all of us. Plus, with the changing of seasons and other factors, that makes figuring out exactly whats going on with your skin even more difficult.

With the above in mind, we tend to look to Google for answers. In fact, online specialty skincare boutique Skinfo recently released a study showing the top skin searches in each state (proving that were not alone in our skin-based queries). As for the map they compiled with the results  its seriously fascinating.

Check it out below:

The study confirms quite a few environment-based patterns that actually make a lot of sense. For instance, the study found that Rosacea was the top search in states such as those in New England, Montana, and Oregon, due to there being a high population of people of Celtic and Scandinavian descent, in which Rosacea is prevalent.

Additionally, states with hot climates like California, Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia had oily skin or enlarged pores as their top searches. This trend is certainly common in places where heat and humidity are prevalent.

In addition to common environmental and heredity trends, Skinfo also found that states known for gambling had search trends not consistent with the states environment. According to the study,

Active indoor lifestyles may be the source of skin problems in Nevada and New Jersey. These two states, home to gambling hot spots Las Vegas and Atlantic City, see a large number of Google searches for dark circles under the eyes, which can be caused by a lack of sleep.

When it comes to skin issues, people often feel like theyre the only ones with a particular condition. Fortunately, this proves otherwise!

The post The most-searched skin condition in your state will likely make you nod your head appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Baghdad (AFP) - The Islamic State group is forcibly gathering people in and around Mosul for possible use as human shields against advancing Iraqi forces, residents said Wednesday, confirming UN fears.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces have since regained significant ground, and Mosul is the last Iraqi city still held by the jihadists.

Iraq launched a massive operation to retake Mosul from the extremists a little more than two weeks ago, and its forces have reached the eastern outskirts of the city.

The United Nations has cited reports of IS kidnapping thousands of people for use as human shields, and also of the jihadists executing nearly 300 people in the Mosul area since October 25.

One resident of east Mosul said the IS jihadists had "demanded that people, especially young people, gather in the area's schools, and that they bring their identity papers with them".

But most people had "refused to obey those orders," Abu Yunes told AFP, adding they were fearful that IS wanted to use them as human shields.

Abu Mohammed, a west Mosul resident, said IS had "gathered a large number of people from areas south of Mosul and forced them to move to the city."

He said that IS aims to hide among the civilians when security forces enter the city and flee among them to escape.

"The majority of Daesh members are now deployed on the right bank, and they are apparently ready to fight, after they prepared car bombs and suicide bombers and snipers, as well as rigging streets and bridges" with explosives, Abu Mohammed said, using an Arabic acronym for IS.

Mosul is split by the Tigris River, with the eastern half of the city known as the left bank and the western as the right bank.

Abu Mohammed's description of IS deployments squares with expectations the jihadists will put up the toughest fight in western Mosul, which is still not cut off from territory they hold farther west in Iraq and in Syria.

In Geneva on Tuesday, the United Nations said it had received reports of IS fighters forcing thousands of civilians into Mosul, possibly to be used as "human shields".

UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters there was "a pattern" of the jihadists surrounding their offices and bases in Mosul with civilians.
The mother of a boy who died in a hot-car incident said in court Tuesday that the boys father, her ex-husband, destroyed my life.

Justin Ross Harris left his 22-month-old son Cooper in the car in Georgia in June 2014; his defense attorneys say he forgot to drop him off at daycare and then forgot that he was in the car, while prosecutors say he deliberately left the child in the car to escape his family responsibilities. He was found to have been sexting with a 17-year-old during the incident, asking her to send a photo of her breasts. He also visited a prostitute not long before the event.

Leanna Taylor divorced Harris earlier this year, but she testified in court Monday that he was a loving father who wanted to enjoy every second he could with their son. She said she did not believe he would leave the child intentionally. But on Tuesday, questioned by prosecutors, she said her husbands infidelity had humiliated her.

He ruined my life. He destroyed my life, she said, according to the Associated Press. I may never trust anyone again the way that I did. If I never see him again in my life, thats fine.

Testimony from Taylors best friend and Harris brother also emphasized that cheating aside, they believed him to be a devoted father and did not feel he would purposefully kill his son.

[AP]
LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase & Co announced a series of promotions at its equities trading business on Wednesday, including appointing Paul Brannan and Jonathan Cossey as global co-heads of prime brokerage.

The changes follow the appointment of Jason Sippel and Mark Leung as global co-heads of equities in September, replacing Tim Throsby who left JPMorgan to head up Barclays' investment banking business.

Brannan was previously head of prime brokerage in the U.S. while Cossey led the division for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Leung and Sippel also announced Luiz de Salvo and Dennis Fitzgerald will become co-heads of Global Cash Trading after previously leading the division in the Americas.

Chris Berthe and Charles Chiang will co-head Global Delta One, including Program Trading and ETF Block Trading, said the internal announcement seen by Reuters.

Fater Belbachir will become head of volatility trading globally, relocating to London from New York where he was head of volatility trading and structuring for the Americas.

The changes come as JPMorgan tries to consolidate its strong showing in equities. It was ranked second for equities trading globally in the first half of 2016 according to data from Coalition.

In the third quarter its equity markets business earned revenues of $1.4 billion, posting a small rise while several of its peers saw sharp slides.

(Reporting by Anjuli Davis and Maiya Keidan; Editing by Rachel Armstrong)
British banker Rurik Jutting understood what he was doing and was aware of the consequences when he killed two Indonesian women in his Hong Kong apartment, a psychiatrist told his trial Wednesday, as the defence argued her testimony was "absurd".

Jutting, 31, has pleaded not guilty to two murder charges, instead pleading guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility -- which was rejected by the prosecution.

Cambridge graduate Jutting is accused of murdering Sumarti Ningsih, 23, and Seneng Mujiasih, 26, two years ago, slashing their throats after saying he would pay them for sex.

He tortured Ningsih inside his apartment for three days before killing her and stuffing her body in a suitcase found on his balcony.

The defence has argued that Jutting was not in full control of his actions at the time of the killing due to heavy cocaine and alcohol use.

But forensic psychiatrist Kavin Chow, testifying for the prosecution, said although Jutting was impaired and disinhibited by cocaine and alcohol he had not completely lost control.

"He understood the nature of the act... and was aware of the consequences of the killings," said Chow.

She also disagreed with the argument from a psychiatrist and a psychologist for the defence that Jutting had full-blown narcissistic personality disorder, instead saying that he had only exhibited narcissistic traits.

Defence counsel Tim Owen questioned how Chow could argue that Jutting was in control of the amount of cocaine he was taking when she agreed that his abuse of it was severe and that he was consuming it round-the-clock.

"I suggest your evidence on this issue is absurd, it's contradictory," he said.

According to a report from Chow read to the court, Jutting said he had given his first victim, Ningsih, opportunities to leave his apartment. Ningsih had "appeared terrified" and did not go.

On the third day Jutting wrapped a towel around her neck and decided to see if she accepted death, the report said. He cut her throat and was "horrified afterwards", Chow's report said.

Story continues

When Jutting's second victim Mujiasih struggled and cried, Jutting decided she should be punished, said Chow.

In her report, she described him as "cold and callous", especially with girlfriends, and said he had increased his cocaine use in 2013 following a relationship break-up.

Jutting was "superficially charming", had no long-term close friends and only talked to his brother, she said.

The jury will not sit tomorrow as the court hears legal arguments. Final speeches from prosecution and defence take place Friday.
By Wa Lone and Simon Lewis SITTWE, Myanmar (Reuters) - Myanmar police will begin arming and training non-Muslim residents in the troubled north of Rakhine State, where officials say militants from the Rohingya Muslim group pose a growing security threat, police and civilian officials said. Human rights monitors and a leader of the mostly stateless Rohingya told Reuters the move risked sharpening intercommunal tensions in a region that has just seen its bloodiest month since 2012, when hundreds of people were killed in clashes between Muslims and ethnic Rakhine Buddhists. Soldiers have poured into the Maungdaw area along Myanmar's frontier with Bangladesh, responding to coordinated attacks on three border posts on Oct. 9 in which nine police officers were killed. Security forces have locked down the area - shutting out aid workers and independent observers - and conducted sweeps of villages in Maungdaw, where the vast majority are Rohingyas. Official reports say five soldiers and 33 alleged insurgents have been killed. Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has urged security forces to exercise restraint and act lawfully, but residents say civilians have been killed, raped and arbitrarily detained and houses razed to the ground. The government has denied abuses by troops. Ethnic Rakhine political leaders have urged the government to arm local Buddhists against what they say is rising militancy among the Rohingya. Rakhine State police chief Colonel Sein Lwin told Reuters his force had started recruiting new "regional police" from among the ethnic Rakhine and other non-Muslim ethnic minorities living in Maungdaw. Candidates who did not meet the educational attainment standards, or criteria such as minimum height, required for recruitment by the regular police would be accepted for the scheme, he said. "But they have to be the residents," said Sein Lwin. "They will have to serve at their own places." Police Captain Lin Lin Oo said initially 100 recruits aged between 18 and 35 would undergo an accelerated 16-week training program, beginning in the state capital Sittwe on Nov. 7. "They will be given weapons and other equipment, like police," said Lin Lin Oo, an aide to the commander of the border police in Maungdaw, who will oversee the auxiliary force. Police and civilian officials said the auxiliary police recruits would not form a new "people's militia", like those that fight ethnic insurgencies elsewhere in Myanmar. Such militias - which are often accused of abuses against civilians - raise their own funds and are overseen by the army. The new recruits in Rakhine will be paid and come under the control of the border police. "CITIZENS ONLY" Min Aung, a minister in the Rakhine State parliament and a member of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, said the recruits would help protect residents from the militants, estimated to be 400-strong, responsible for the Oct. 9 attacks. The government has said the militants, who stole weapons and ammunition in the raids, have links to Islamists overseas. Only citizens would be eligible to sign up for the police training, Min Aung said, ruling out the 1.1 million Rohingyas living in Rakhine State, who are denied citizenship in Myanmar. "The minority ethnic people need to protect themselves from hostile neighbors," said Min Aung, referring to non-Muslim ethnicities who are in the minority in the region. "That's why the government supports them as regional police, as well as with employment." Suu Kyi's government has invited diplomats and the senior United Nations representative in the country on a visit to Rakhine from Wednesday to try to assuage concerns over aid access and rights violations. But international experts working to rebuild relations in Rakhine, and human rights groups, say arming and training local non-Muslims could make the situation on the ground worse. "It's sad and telling that the authorities regard this move as part of a security solution," said Matthew Smith, founder of Fortify Rights, a campaign group. Arming local Buddhists who may regard all Rohingyas a threat to their safety was "a recipe for atrocity crimes", Smith said. "It can only inflame the situation and will likely lead to unnecessary violence." Kyaw Win, an ethnic Rakhine resident of Kyein Chaung village, in Maungdaw, told Reuters by phone on Wednesday that he was interested in signing up for the training, but said he doubted the plan would allay his community's security fears. "It is not possible to live together with Muslims because they are invading and seizing our own land day by day," he said. A Rohingya community leader in Maungdaw, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said he was concerned Muslims might come under attack form the newly armed recruits. "If they have guns in their hands, we won't be able to work together as before," he said. (Editing by Alex Richardson)
BEIJING (Reuters) - Malaysian premier Najib Razak said that former colonial powers should not lecture nations they once exploited on their internal affairs, a Chinese newspaper reported on Wednesday, in a veiled attack on the West as he looks to strengthen ties with China. Najib's visit to Beijing follows that of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who announced a "separation" from the United States and signed a raft of memoranda of understanding for Chinese investment in the country. Najib, who is on a six-day visit to China, said in an editorial in the state-run China Daily that larger countries should treat smaller countries fairly. "And this includes former colonial powers. It is not for them to lecture countries they once exploited on how to conduct their own internal affairs today," the prime minister wrote. The Philippines is a former Spanish and U.S. colony, and Malaysia a former British colony. Najib is looking to strengthen ties with China after July lawsuits filed by the U.S. Justice Department implicating him in a money-laundering scandal. Najib has denied any wrongdoing and said Malaysia will cooperate in the investigations. More than $3.5 billion was allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB, according to civil lawsuits filed by the Justice Department. The probe has strained ties between Malaysia and the United States, with Najib dismissing it as foreign interference in Malaysia's affairs. The shift by the Philippines and Malaysia is being widely seen as China's counter to U.S. influence in the region. Najib also wrote that disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved through dialogue in accordance with rule of law. China claims most of the energy-rich waters through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbors Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims. "When it comes to the South China Sea, we firmly believe that overlapping territorial and maritime disputes should be managed calmly and rationally through dialogue, in accordance with the rule of law and peaceful negotiations," he said. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said on Tuesday that Malaysia had pledged with Beijing to handle South China Sea disputes bilaterally. Malaysia agreed to buy four Chinese naval vessels and signed 14 agreements totaling 143.64 billion ringgit ($34.25 billion), Malaysian state news agency Bernama said, after a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Najib on Tuesday. Asked if the defense deals with Malaysia were Beijing's bid to counter U.S. influence, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the country consistently pursued the policy of being a good and friendly neighbor. "And its foreign policy is not targeted at any third-party country," she told a regular news briefing. Najib also said Malaysia welcomed the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank which marks a turning point "of peaceful dialogue, not foreign intervention, in sovereign states". Global institutions needed to be inclusive of "countries that were given no say in the legal and security infrastructure that was set up by the victors of the Second World War", he added. (Reporting by Sue-Lin Wong; Writing by Praveen Menon; Editing by Nick Macfie and Clarence Fernandez)
James Webb Space Telescope

After years of busted budgets and stretched timelines, NASA says its $8.8 billion James Webb Space Telescope is ready for testing and on track for launch in 2018.

The telescope, seen as a successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, is designed to capture images of the first galaxies ever formed and provide unprecedented data about planets circling distant stars.

Today, were celebrating the fact that our telescope is finished, and were about to prove that it works, Nobel-winning astrophysicist John Mather, the telescopes senior project scientist, told reporters at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland today.

NASA has completed an initial round of laser-based optical measurements, known as a Center of Curvature Test, to determine that the telescopes 18 hexagonal mirror elements are precisely aligned to produce sharp images.

In the months ahead, the mirror will be subjected to the stresses and strains its expected to experience during launch. Then the mirrors alignment will be checked again to make sure itll work correctly in space.

NASA also says the fifth and last layer of the telescopes sunshield has been completed and delivered to a facility in California. The reflective, foldable sunshield is designed to keep the telescopes sensitive electronics and optics from overheating.

Eventually, all the components will be combined to create the finished telescope, and then loaded onto a European Ariane 5 rocket for launch in October 2018. The telescope will be sent to a gravitational balance point beyond Earth known as Sun-Earth L-2.

The telescope is designed to be tuned remotely by mission controllers back on Earth  but its not designed to be repaired by a visiting crew of astronauts, as was the case for Hubble. That means its important for NASA to make sure no unfixable glitches come to light after liftoff.

If you really care about something, youve got to measure it at least twice, Mather said, and if you dont get the same answer, you better figure out why.

Story continues

When the Webb telescope was conceived in the mid-1990s, NASA expected it to cost somewhere around $1.6 billion and go into operation around 2011. The project ran into cost overruns and schedule setbacks, however. Five years ago, it came close to being canceled.

It almost didnt happen, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden acknowledged at Goddard Space Flight Center.

Congress agreed to keep the program alive but set an $8 billion cost cap for mission formulation and development.

Today Bolden said he was very confident that the telescope was on budget and on track  and in response to a question, he said the James Webb Space Telescope should get off the ground on time no matter how next weeks presidential election turns out.

We made a commitment of a schedule and time, and we have been on that for about six years now, Bolden said. So I think the story we have to tell, the record of performance that we have, should stand us in good stead. I think anybody would be crazy to tell you that anything survives over a transition, but Im comfortable, as I am about most of what NASAs doing today, that weve got a good story to tell and a record of performance.

More from GeekWire:
Wednesday, November 02, 2016 New Mexico Is Swinging Again; At Least For A Week As Trump And ClintonTake To State's Airwaves, Plus: It's Getting Sloppy In The Mailboxes



Out of the blue our long lost swing status was restored Tuesday for the first time since 2004 as Trump announced the first NM TV buy of the campaign and shortly after Hillary joined the party. Trumps campaign



Momentum has shifted toward Trump in the final days with the FBI revelation about Hillary's emails. The electoral math says he must pick off a blue state outside of the already targeted swing states. We are one of several states Trump's campaign is aiming its long shot rifle at. Others include Wisconsin, Virgina and Colorado.



Even though Hillary has done a good job banking many votes during the early voting period in the state, the latest



Nate Silver's 538 Tuesday puts Trump's chances of winning the presidency at 30 percent, a recent high. However, his chances in NM were pegged at



Not surprisingly, Hillary's two NM ads (



We haven't seen the Trump ads but don't expect them to play nice, either. This is about firing up base voters to get to the polls. Feeding them rice and beans won't do it. They want and will get the red meat that will give them the fuel to get out and vote.



Well over 300,000 New Mexico votes had already been cast before this new phase of the campaign took hold. That vote tilted Democratic so it's assumed Clinton built a pretty nice lead and has some room to maneuver with votes left to be cast.



The state's five electoral votes are still heavily favored to go to Clinton but her margin of victory is in question and so is the impact this flood of presidential money will have on the down ballot races. Local consultants on both sides are nervous. A couple of dozen votes could spell the difference in several tight legislative races, but like the rest of us they will have to wait and see how it all unfolds on Election Night.



As veteran national Dem strategist Bob Shrum



The days right before an election are like the re-entry of spacecraft, he said. We just dont know what is going to happen.



NO PREDICTION HERE



We chatted up former ABQ GOP State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones about the sudden turn in the presidential race. She chuckled and said she was not ready to make any predictions. That's the safe road to take in this crazy year. Who knows what else will happen in the final hours? Janice will join our KANW-FM public radio election panel this year. Maybe she'll be ready to make some predictions when we do our pre-game show Monday at 5 p.m. where we'll review all the big races in the state. Our Election Night coverage begins at 6:30 p.m.



PENCE VISIT



Indiana Governor Mike Pence stops in Las Cruces at 2 this afternoon following Trump's Sunday night visit to ABQ. That will get him into the El Paso TV market which serves Dona Ana County where control of the state House will be decided. R's are hoping the Pence visit will not only boost GOP turnout for Trump but also for those House battles.



What about Hillary coming? Well, she may have had her chance. If she comes in now, it might only encourage the Trump brigades who will see it as a sign of weakness and get more fired up.



And Donald Trump, Jr. will go to heavy Republican Farmington in the Four Corners



FROM PURPLE TO BLUE



One of the reasons New Mexico lost its swing state status is the increasing Hispanic population who favor the Democrats. In 2005, one year after George W. Bush was the last R to carry the state, Hispanics made up



Local Republicans have found a way to advance their candidates with Hispanics in low turnout state elections. National R's have not had the same success. Until they do, the state is going to stay in the blue column for the presidency.



GETTING SLOPPY







Sanchezs campaign turned over records of his travel expenses for the past seven years, the only period for which the Legislative Council Service maintains records. They show no travel to Hawaii by Sanchez. No one answered a phone number listed for Advance New Mexico Now, and a political consultant involved with the group did not respond to messages seeking comment Oct. 31.



That "political consultant" would be Jay McCleskey, Gov. Martinez's



This is the home of New Mexico politics.







Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.



( c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2016

. Sure its been a while since we swung but New Mexico hasn't forgotten its days on the presidential dance floor. We're more than ready to scoop up the TV money, the national attention and those smiling visits from campaign surrogates--even if it's only for a week.Out of the blue our long lost swing status was restored Tuesday for the first time since 2004 as Trump announced the first NM TV buy of the campaign and shortly after Hillary joined the party. Trumps campaign is spending $196,814 on ads and Clinton's campaign bought $118,880. But will any of it make a difference in the outcome here? Is Trump just shooting in the dark? Is this swing state deal the ultimate head fake?Momentum has shifted toward Trump in the final days with the FBI revelation about Hillary's emails. The electoral math says he must pick off a blue state outside of the already targeted swing states. We are one of several states Trump's campaign is aiming its long shot rifle at. Others include Wisconsin, Virgina and Colorado.Even though Hillary has done a good job banking many votes during the early voting period in the state, the latest WaPo/ABC poll showing a big dip in the enthusiasm of her supporters has her team feeling some wind in their face. They had to match Trump in New Mexico or increase the risk of an upset.Nate Silver's 538 Tuesday puts Trump's chances of winning the presidency at 30 percent, a recent high. However, his chances in NM were pegged at only 12.3 percent . That's up but still in long shot land.Not surprisingly, Hillary's two NM ads ( here and here ) attack Trump for his treatment of women and for having an unsteady temperament that could put the nation in danger. Nothing gets Dems fired up more than hearing about the bad side of Donald. Clinton must thwart his momentum and at this late date she isn't going to do that by trying to sell herself.We haven't seen the Trump ads but don't expect them to play nice, either. This is about firing up base voters to get to the polls. Feeding them rice and beans won't do it. They want and will get the red meat that will give them the fuel to get out and vote.Well over 300,000 New Mexico votes had already been cast before this new phase of the campaign took hold. That vote tilted Democratic so it's assumed Clinton built a pretty nice lead and has some room to maneuver with votes left to be cast.The state's five electoral votes are still heavily favored to go to Clinton but her margin of victory is in question and so is the impact this flood of presidential money will have on the down ballot races. Local consultants on both sides are nervous. A couple of dozen votes could spell the difference in several tight legislative races, but like the rest of us they will have to wait and see how it all unfolds on Election Night.As veteran national Dem strategist Bob Shrum puts it We chatted up former ABQ GOP State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones about the sudden turn in the presidential race. She chuckled and said she was not ready to make any predictions. That's the safe road to take in this crazy year. Who knows what else will happen in the final hours? Janice will join our KANW-FM public radio election panel this year. Maybe she'll be ready to make some predictions when we do our pre-game show Monday at 5 p.m. where we'll review all the big races in the state. Our Election Night coverage begins at 6:30 p.m.Indiana Governor Mike Pence stops in Las Cruces at 2 this afternoon following Trump's Sunday night visit to ABQ. That will get him into the El Paso TV market which serves Dona Ana County where control of the state House will be decided. R's are hoping the Pence visit will not only boost GOP turnout for Trump but also for those House battles.What about Hillary coming? Well, she may have had her chance. If she comes in now, it might only encourage the Trump brigades who will see it as a sign of weakness and get more fired up.And Donald Trump, Jr. will go to heavy Republican Farmington in the Four Corners Friday looking for votes.One of the reasons New Mexico lost its swing state status is the increasing Hispanic population who favor the Democrats. In 2005, one year after George W. Bush was the last R to carry the state, Hispanics made up 43.4 percent of the state's population. Flash forward to 2015 and that percentage had grown to 48 percent , the largest in the nation.Local Republicans have found a way to advance their candidates with Hispanics in low turnout state elections. National R's have not had the same success. Until they do, the state is going to stay in the blue column for the presidency.Come on, Jay. We know you're trying to cram in a lot, but the flyer for your Advance NM Now PAC excoriating State Senate Majority Leader Micheal Sanchez for taking a taxpayer financed junket to Hawaii has no basis in the truth--not even a kernel. Even by the loose standards of political mailers these days, this one is a whopper That "political consultant" would be Jay McCleskey, Gov. Martinez's attacker in chief . Come on, Jay. It's supposed to be all-crime-all-the-time against Sanchez. Now look what you've gone and done. Slow down. Cut back on the work load. Maybe you can take a vacation--maybe to Hawaii?This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com)
A Pakistani court refused bail Wednesday to an Afghan woman immortalised on a National Geographic cover after she was arrested in Pakistan and accused of being one of thousands of refugees using fake ID cards.

Pakistan last week arrested Sharbat Gula, whose haunting green eyes -- captured in an image taken in a Pakistan refugee camp by photographer Steve McCurry in the 1980s -- became the most famous cover in the magazine's history.

She was accused of living in the country on fraudulent identity papers following a two-year investigation into her and her husband, who has absconded.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told a press conference on Sunday the country would review her case on the grounds that "she is a woman" and the government "should see it from a humanitarian angle".

However a judge in the northwestern city of Peshawar rejected bail for Gula, saying she had failed to make her case.

She got both a computerised ID and a manual ID, judge Farah Jamshed said in a written judgement, "meaning that on both occasions she impersonated herself as Pakistani citizen without legally adopting the status of same".

Officials say Gula applied for a Pakistani identity card in Peshawar in 2014, using the name Sharbat Bibi.

Her arrest highlights the desperate measures many Afghans are willing to take to avoid returning to their war-torn homeland as Pakistan cracks down on undocumented foreigners.

Pakistan has for decades provided safe haven for millions of Afghans who fled their country after the Soviet invasion of 1979.

Until recently the country had hosted 1.4 million Afghan refugees, according to UNHCR, making it the third-largest refugee hosting nation in the world. A further one million unregistered refugees were also believed to be in the country.

But since July hundreds of thousands have returned to Afghanistan in a desperate exodus amid fears of a crackdown, as even Pakistan's famed hospitality ran out.

Last month UNHCR said more than 350,000 Afghan refugees -- documented and undocumented -- had returned from Pakistan so far in 2016, adding it expects a further 450,000 to do so by the year's end.
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / Newport Gold Inc. (OTC PINKS: NWPG) (the "Company", "Newport") announced today it has entered into a world-wide licensing agreement with Eco-Orex Technologies ("Eco-Orex"), (an Ontario Company) to develop and commercialize new mineral processing technology for the mining industry. Eco-Orex holds patents and patents pending related to specialized mining technologies.

Under the terms of the agreement, Newport will make an upfront payment to Eco-Orex of $75,000 (CDN) within six weeks. In total, Newport will pay Eco-Orex $4 million (US), in agreed upon timelines over the next 36 months as well as royalties on sales of the product after the development of prototypes and commercial machines. Newport will also issue 25 million shares of common stock to Eco-Orex subject to the filing of a certain patent application with the US Patent and Trademark Office and Newport will be entitled to earn certain ownership rights in Eco-Orex based upon amounts paid to Eco-Orex as described above.

Newport intends to finance and manufacture, under certain agreed upon protocols with Eco-Orex, a working prototype in order to create a commercial technology for the mining industry, for distribution on a world-wide basis.

This new technology was initially tested in Russia and then in Canada over the past 15 years with success. The process known as Cavitational Technology is a process that allows for the disintegration and concentration of minerals in ore in one single operation. The technology can be applied to metallurgical tailings, slag and sludge. The technology does not require large rotating equipment or any grinding media. The required facilities may be portable and can be designed and constructed at the location of choice for any particular customer. This technology will provide a unique opportunity to unlock major incremental mineral values in any mining operations dealing with thin pay dirt deposit layers. In addition to being portable, initial testing has shown that the process can reduce particles to less than 10 microns in size if necessary, without the necessity of any additives or reagents. Furthermore to being mobile, the technology is not harmful to the environment and can deliver huge economies of scale at a fraction of the cost of conventional mining methods. The scientists at Eco-Orex Technologies were the first to transfer this cavitational theory into a working industrial application.

"We believe this new mine processing technology will be a major breakthrough and revolutionary in terms of processing mineralized rock for the mining industry on a global scale. It will be portable, environmentally friendly and achieve significant cost reductions compared to conventional mining techniques. It can be applied to processing both surface tailings operations and in open pit ore bodies as well as numerous applications as it relates to processing ore" said Derek Bartlett, President of Newport Gold. "We look forward to building the prototype and advancing the technology too commercial production and marketing and selling this technology to the mining industry on a global scale."

Newport Gold will be updating its website and financial information and intends to submit any necessary filings as soon as possible in order to resume having current information available on the OTC Markets.

About Newport Gold Inc.

Newport Gold Inc. is an incorporated Nevada company (incorporated July 16, 2003), originally formed for the purpose of mining exploration but will now shift and concentrate its major business activities into developing and commercializing the new mining technologies described herein, in conjunction with Eco-Orex Technologies. The Company still retains some mining exploration claims in the province of British Columbia in Canada.

DISCLAIMER ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements contained herein that are not based upon current or historical fact are forward-looking in nature. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company's expectations about its future operating results, performance and opportunities that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. When used herein, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "plan", "intend", and "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to Newport Gold Inc., or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or for any other reason.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Newport Gold Inc.

Derek Bartlett, B.Sc. (Geology)

President, CEO and Director

905-542-4990

SOURCE: Newport Gold Inc.
Also Announces JV Acquisition of Graphite Warehouse Facilities in The Port of Luderitz, Namibia

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / Next Graphite, Inc. (OTC PINK: GPNE) ("Next Graphite," "GPNE" or the "Company"), a graphite development company in the African Republic of Namibia and license holder of the Aukam vein project, is pleased to announce that its has retained Carter, Terry & Company, Inc. ("Carter Terry"), an Atlanta based full services investment banking firm, to act as its exclusive lead agent in respect of a private placement to raise up to $2,000,000 (the "Private Placement") on a best efforts basis.

The net proceeds from the sale of stock will be used for general working capital.

Carter Terry has an excellent investment banking record of helping companies with early stage financings through private placements. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Carter Terry has provided businesses with intelligent financial solutions and productive relationships for over 25 years. In 2015, the Atlanta Business Chronicle ranked Carter, Terry & Company, Inc. as one of Atlanta's Top Brokerage Firms.

"The Company is very impressed with Carter Terry's track record. A successful private placement will ensure that Next Graphite has adequate working capital prior to completion of its joint venture's graphite processing plant and will lessen the need to rely on revenue from unprocessed graphite, which is far less profitable than processed graphite," said Cliff Bream, CEO of Next Graphite, Inc.

Next Graphite is also pleased to announce that it's Aukam Graphite Mine JV has agreed to acquire 100% of the total issued share capital of Ludbay Properties (PTY) Ltd ("Ludbay"). Ludbay is a private Namibian company, the only asset of which are buildings and property on tidewater in the town of Luderitz, the closest port to the Aukam Graphite Mine.

The property covers 6,564 square meters and contains three buildings: a large warehouse, a double garage with six storerooms/workshops and a single garage with two offices and a storeroom. The JV intends to use the warehouse for the processing and packaging of graphite from the Aukam Graphite Mine. The property gives the JV waterfront access to the Port of Luderitz and to container facilities enabling direct delivery to ports in Europe, Asia and North America.

Story continues

Traditionally dominated by diamond mining and fisheries, the Port of Luderitz in Namibia has recently expanded its facilities to meet the demands of modern industries including mineral development and oil and gas production. Recent upgrades include a 500m long quay providing cargo handling and container facilities and a new mobile harbour crane that can handle containers and break-bulk cargo up to 64 tonnes. In recent years, the port has handled over 300,000 tonnes of cargo and had 900 to 1,000 vessel visits each year. Transit time to Hamburg, Germany is approximately 19 days.

Bream went on to say, "We are excited that our JV is acquiring tidewater property in the closest port to Aukam, as it gives us direct access to ship graphite to potential markets in Europe, Asia and North America."

About Next Graphite, Inc.:

Next Graphite, Inc. is a development stage company targeting the growing global graphite production industry with the Company's Africa-based Aukam Graphite Project. The Aukam Graphite Mine was established in 1940 in the current Republic of Namibia and produced USD $30 million of graphite at today's prices. The site is located on approximately 96,000 acres (34,082 hectares) in southern Namibia close to the port city of Luderitz and is estimated to contain a significant amount of high grade, vein type graphitic material.

The property hosts three underground adits that were mined periodically between 1940 and 1974. Five dumps from the historical mining occur on the property and 73 samples from the lower three dumps were assayed and averaged 42% Cg. Next Graphite's joint venture has completed a bulk-sampling program at Aukam, and the joint venture has a letter of intent to sell the graphitic material produced during the program. Findings to date have reinforced Next's intent to put the historical mine back into production. The Company is working to transition from its current exploratory license to a full mining license and build a new graphite processing facility. Next's joint venture in Namibia maintains high safety and environmental standards and has a comprehensive strategy of social engagement.

For more information, please visit: www.nextgraphite.com.

Safe Harbor Statement:

This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements are based upon the current plans, estimates and projections of Next Graphite Inc.'s management and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning market and industry segment growth and demand and acceptance of new and existing products; any projections of sales, earnings, revenue, margins or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; uncertainties related to conducting business in Africa, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: business conditions in Africa, general economic conditions; geopolitical events and regulatory changes, availability of capital, the Company's ability to maintain its competitive position and dependence on key management. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

CONTACT:

Paul DeRiso

ir@nextgraphite.com

(925) 465-6088

SOURCE: Next Graphite, Inc.
Seoul (AFP) - Among the many challenges facing the next occupant of the White House, few will be more pressing, or more complex, than that posed by North Korea's seemingly inexorable drive to nuclear statehood.

As adamant as Washington is about never accepting the North as a nuclear weapons state, the ground reality is of a country rapidly closing in on its strategic goal of possessing a direct and credible nuclear strike threat against the US mainland.

Pyongyang's weapons programme has accelerated sharply in this US election year, with two nuclear tests and around 25 missile tests in defiance of multiple UN resolutions and sanctions.

"Every single day that goes by, North Korea becomes a more and more acute threat," US Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken said in Seoul last week.

Whatever the outgoing administration's policy was with regard to curbing the North's nuclear ambitions, it has clearly failed.

The question for the incoming administration, whether headed by Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, is why it failed and, more urgently, what to do about it.

The one thing the new president will not lack is vocal advice from any number of think-tanks, policy wonks, former diplomats and retired generals who believe they have the solution.

The last few months have witnessed an avalanche of op-eds, research papers and studies laying out the path the new White House incumbent should take and issuing dire warnings about the disastrous consequences of doing otherwise.

- Ahead of the curve -

"The first hundred days in office will be critical," said Joel Wit, a senior fellow at the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

"Rather than wait for events on the ground to narrow down choices and dictate policy, the new administration needs to get ahead of the curve. It needs to shape events itself -- not be shaped by them," Wit told AFP.

The policy argument essentially pits those who favour threatening the North Korean regime's very existence with crushing sanctions backed by military threat, against those who prefer a cocktail of measures in which tough sanctions and military strength provide a base for offering talks and incentives to denuclearise.

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Some analysts say the debate smacks of desperate "do-somethingism" and suggest that dealing with the North Korea threat should be more about problem-containment than problem-solving.

In a stark assessment delivered to a Washington think-tank last week, the US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said convincing North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons was "a lost cause".

As secretary of state, Hillary Clinton followed the Obama administration's sanctions-based policy of "strategic patience" -- refusing to talk with the North unless it takes steps to denuclearise.

Critics say that boiled down to sitting back and watching North Korea's nuclear weapons programme slip into high gear.

- Tough choices -

Those who back dialogue include Jane Harman and James Person of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars who wrote a recent op-ed in the Washington Post titled: "The US Needs to Negotiate with North Korea."

They argued for entering into direct talks with the stated goal of negotiating a freeze of all North Korean nuclear and long-range missile tests.

Negotiations would then move towards verifiable dismantlement, with Washington offering possible concessions such as a non-aggression pact or a suspension of joint military exercises with South Korea.

"Done right, there is a way out of the insanity," they wrote.

The opposite view was put in a briefing paper from the Brookings Institution that called on whoever the next president might be to "steer clear of illusory outcomes that offer no hope of success".

The paper advocated intensified sanctions -- backed by "a strong foundation of military measures" -- that would starve the regime of foreign currency, cut Pyongyang out of the international financial system, and squeeze its trade networks.

"The next president should make clear to Pyongyang that the United States is prepared to put at risk the one thing that North Korea holds even more dearly than its nuclear weapons -- the preservation of its regime," it said.

- Lack of experience -

Analysts say the gamut of opinion on North Korea runs particularly wide, given the lack of verifiable intelligence on, or real understanding of, a country that remains remarkably isolated.

"There are a lot of myths and misconceptions that have taken hold in the minds of people, and these are very difficult to counteract," Wit said.

"In any new US administration there will be people making decisions who have no direct experience of dealing with North Korea -- who have never even met a North Korean.

"Can you imagine a similar scenario when it comes to making decisions about somewhere like Russia?" he said.

The only real area of consensus on North Korea is that time is fast running out.

Its nuclear and missile testing programme has accelerated to the point where previous estimates -- once seen as alarmist -- that it could have an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the United States by 2020, are now seen as soberly prudent.
Gawker apparently is tapping out.

On Wednesday, Gawker Media's founder Nick Denton published a statement that the company's legal battle with Hulk Hogan over the publishing of an excerpt of a sex tape would be coming to a close.

"After four years of litigation funded by a billionaire with a grudge going back even further, a settlement has been reached," wrote Denton. "The saga is over."

In October 2012, Gawker published less than a minute of Hogan's sex tape alongside an essay by A.J. Daulerio that opened by musing about how "we love to watch famous people have sex." Little did the publication know then this one post would bring about its demise.

Hogan initially sued in federal court with a copyright claim, but couldn't get a temporary restraining order that removed the video from the website. The former professional wrestler born Terry Bollea then re-filed in Florida state court, bringing privacy claims against not just Gawker, but also his partner in the video, Heather Cole, the then-wife of his best friend, Tampa-area radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge.

After nearly four years of litigation, which included ample discovery, an FBI investigation into whether Hogan was extorted, and more sex tape leaks showing that Hogan had made racist comments during bedroom banter, the case went to trial in March. He was awarded $140 million in damages from Gawker, Denton and Daulerio. The trial judge upheld the verdict.

Gawker expressed its hope that its First Amendment arguments would be lead to a different outcome on appeal, but the verdict created financial pressures on the company. In July, Gawker declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and some of the company's blogs - but not its flagship Gawker.com - were sold to Univision for $135 million.

Meanwhile, the revelation that Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel had secretly provided financial backing to Hogan created another explosive turn. The PayPal co-founder reportedly contributed money not only to Hogan, but to others like purported email inventor Shiva Ayyadurai to sue Gawker. Many were represented by Hollywood attorney Charles Harder. Thiel was outed as gay by one of Gawker's old tech publications, but he denied that his funding was the result of a grudge. At a recent press conference, Thiel explained that he found Gawker's reporting to be distasteful and commented, "If you're a single-digit millionaire like Hulk Hogan, you have no effective access to our legal system. It costs too much."

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In bankruptcy court, the parties were prepared to argue about distribution of the Univision proceeds as well as next steps. Gawker was eyeing a possible lawsuit against Thiel. But according to Denton, it's all over.

In a statement titled "A Hard Peace," Denton writes, "Yes, we were confident the appeals court would reduce or eliminate the runaway Florida judgment against Gawker, the writer of the Hogan story and myself personally... But all-out legal war with Thiel would have cost too much, and hurt too many people, and there was no end in sight."

The parties are due in court on Thursday and are expected to discuss the settlement. Terms aren't yet known, but could become public soon.
Niamey (AFP) - Niger has arrested 38 suspects over the deaths of 18 people who were killed in clashes between cattle herders and farmers, a police source said on Wednesday.

The clashes near Bangui, a community in the western Tahoua region, were sparked on Tuesday morning after a herd of cattle wandered into a farmer's field and damaged the cereal crop, a local official who declined to be named said.

Public radio reported Wednesday that "over-excited young farmers armed with knives descended on a town to attack the families (of herders). They burnt 22 homes, killed 18 people -- mostly women, children and the elderly -- of whom seven were burnt alive".

"38 people, mainly farmers, have for now been arrested and detained," said a police officer who requested anonymity.

The arrests were part of an inquiry opened following the clashes, added the officer.

Forty-three people were also injured in the violence, according to the interior ministry, which said the incident had caused a "tragic toll".

The home of Bangui's mayor was also set alight during the attack, according to public radio.

"123 women and children threatened by the angry assailants (have been) put under protection in the local police station," according to the police officer, who added that Bangui was calm Wednesday.

Such clashes are not unusual in drought-hit Niger, where food shortages and scarce water supplies inflame tensions, especially during the harvest, which coincides with the transfer of cattle to pasture.

The clashes come nearly two years after 10 people were killed in the same region in similar clashes between cattle herders and farmers.
Nebraska will receive nearly $664,000 as part of a multi-state settlement with Hyundai and Kia, Attorney General Doug Peterson's office announced Wednesday.

The Korean automakers settled a lawsuit with 33 states and the District of Columbia over claims that they misrepresented the mileage and fuel economy ratings for some of their model year 2011, 2012 and 2013 vehicles. The total amount of the settlement was $41.2 million.
ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's government will resubmit to the Senate a request to borrow $30 billion abroad up to 2018, which the house rejected on Tuesday, the information minister said. "It is not unusual for the government and the Senate to have some disagreements, they want more information," Lai Mohammed told reporters on Wednesday. "We will give them all the information they need ... and we are sure that by the time we finish they (lawmakers) will approve the request." (Reporting by Felix Onuah; Writing by Ulf Laessing; editing by John Stonestreet)
Dakar (AFP) - Intimidation of opposition parties, media repression and politicised security forces have "all but extinguished" the chance of a free and fair election in the Gambia next month, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday.

In a report released a month ahead of a vote expected to deliver President Yahya Jammeh's fifth term in power, the rights group said the strongman's tightening grip on Gambian society meant a truly democratic process was unlikely.

The "climate of fear among many opposition politicians and activists... severely limits their ability to criticise Jammeh and his government," said the report, entitled "More fear than fair".

Since April, activists with the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) have been arrested during peaceful protests and at least two have died in custody, while several more are serving three-year jail sentences for holding demonstrations.

These arrests ran in tandem with increasing suppression of free speech and the demand of absolute loyalty to Jammeh by the security forces, Human Rights Watch said.

"The security forces are his tools, and he uses them to control Gambia by arresting people who don't share his views," a prominent opposition figure told the rights group.

Furthermore, the president's Alliance for Patriotic Re-Orientation and Construction (APRC) "routinely used state resources for campaigning... and have mobilised civil servants and security force members to act on behalf of his re-election," the report said.

The opposition was limited to a two-week campaigning period in November, "the only time" state media reported on their activities.

The government has long been accused of intimidating and arbitrarily arresting journalists, and as a result many "temper their reporting of the government to avoid reprisals," according to the report.

The allegations come days after opposition parties decided to join forces to field a single candidate, the UDP's Adama Barrow, to take on Jammeh on December 1.

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Before the nation's last presidential vote in 2011, the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said Jammeh's control of the media and intimidation of voters meant the election could not be free and fair.

This time, ECOWAS, the European Union and the United States, "should set clear benchmarks for the government to meet ahead of the election," the rights watchdog said, adding that if they were not met a package of sanctions should be applied.

Jammeh has derided international calls for investigations into activists' deaths in custody, and in words addressed to the opposition in May said: "If you want to destabilise this country, I will bury you nine-feet deep."
Minsk (AFP) - Belarusian writer Svetlana Alexievich, last year's Nobel Literature Prize winner, has signed a petition for the release of a Russian activist who says he has been tortured and threatened in prison.

Opposition activist Ildar Dadin, 34, alleged in a letter to his wife published Tuesday that he has been regularly beaten and threatened with rape and murder in prison, where he is serving a two-and-a-half year sentence for staging solo anti-government protests.

The letter prompted a wave of support from the human rights community and saw former Soviet-era political prisoner Lev Timofeyev launch a petition calling for the "immediate revision of his unprecedentedly unjust, unconstitutional sentence."

"I signed the petition because we are all waiting for some kind of change," Alexievich, who has often criticised authoritarianism in her native Belarus and neighbouring Russia, told AFP.

"Dadin was put in prison because he staged a solo protest. Let's all do like him (...) and do something worthy. It could change our lives."

Novelist Lyudmila Ulitskaya and a number of Soviet-era dissidents also signed the petition.

In his letter, Dadin said that on the second day of his detention in September, the prison governor and three other employees came to his cell and began beating him.

He also said that guards had hung him by his handcuffs for half an hour and pulled his underwear down, threatening him with rape if he refused to stop a hunger strike he had begun after being deprived of basic necessities such as soap and toilet paper.

Dadin was the first person to be imprisoned under a new law that punishes repeated participation in unsanctioned rallies with jail time.

Several international rights groups have also called for a thorough investigation into his allegations, as well as for his release.

"Dadin was convicted for nothing more than peacefully exercising his right to free expression, and that in turn has led to further serious physical abuse against him and even death threats," Yulia Gorbunova, a Russia researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement Wednesday.

Regional authorities said Tuesday they would probe Dadin's claims, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin would be informed of the situation.

International rights groups have decried inmates' treatment in Russian prisons, which are often overcrowded and rife with corruption.
Noble Corporation plc NE is expected to report third-quarter 2016 earnings on Nov 3, after the market closes.

Last quarter, the company posted negative earnings surprise of 85.71%. In the last four quarters, Noble Corporation posted an average negative surprise of 18.63%. Lets see how things are shaping up for this announcement.

Factors Likely to Affect Earnings

The pricing scenario for natural gas was much better in the third quarter, both on a sequential and an annualized basis. However, oil prices were weaker than the July-September quarter of 2015. Despite the persistent weakness in crude, the commodity price improved significantly from the mid-February lows. The improvement in commodity prices is undoubtedly favorable for upstream energy players as these firms would now be able to carry on exploration and production activities by hiring more drillers.

This is evidenced by the substantial increase in the U.S. rig count in recent times. In fact, Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI)  the companys data issued since 1944 is as an important yardstick for energy service providers in gauging the overall business environment of the oil and gas industry  declared the rig count for Sep 2016. In the U.S., the total number of rigs increased from the Aug 2016 count owing to a rise in the number of land rigs. This represents the fourth consecutive increase in the U.S. monthly rig count.

The developments in this front will likely be favorable for drillers like Noble Corporation.

Earnings Whispers

Our proven model does not conclusively show that Noble Corporation is likely to beat earnings this quarter. 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. Unfortunately, that is not the case here as elaborated below.

Zacks ESP: Earnings ESP for Noble Corporation is -15.79%. This is because the Most Accurate estimate stands at a loss of 22 cents while the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged narrower at a loss of 19 cents. Please check our Earnings ESP Filter that enables you to find stocks that are expected to come out with earnings surprises.

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Zacks Rank: Noble Corporation holds a Zacks Rank #3. Though a favorable Zacks Rank increases the predictive power of ESP, the companys negative ESP makes surprise prediction difficult.

Conversely, the Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 and 5) should never be considered going into an earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.

NOBLE CORP PLC Price and EPS Surprise

NOBLE CORP PLC Price and EPS Surprise | NOBLE CORP PLC Quote

Stocks to Consider

Here are some stocks from the same industry that you may want to consider as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this season:

Vertex Energy Inc. VTNR, which is expected to release earnings results on Nov 3, has an Earnings ESP of +37.50% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

EOG Resources Inc. EOG has an Earnings ESP of +3.33% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is expected to release third-quarter earnings results on Nov 3.

Enbridge Inc. ENB has an Earnings ESP of +27.59% and a Zacks Rank #1. The company is expected to release third-quarter earnings results on Nov 3.

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Recreational Users Will Become Medical Users

MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / Novus Acquisition and Development, Corp. (OTC Markets: NDEV), the nation's first healthcare insurance carrier/aggregator in the medical cannabis sector demonstrates how their MedPlan will capture market share of recreational users and convert them to medical users in California.

With the impending approval of Proposition 64 in California, Novus has put into operation, through their insurance subsidiary WCIG Insurance Services, Inc., a supplemental Workers Compensation Program that will include medical marijuana for patients in the State of California.

How the MedPlan was derived was based on the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau's Actuarial assessment, that workers' compensation premiums in California continue to grow at double-digit rates. The state's workers' comp written premium accounts for more than a quarter of the U.S. total, but only 12 percent of America's workforce, according to the report. Additionally, to make matters worse, the California coverage compares poorly with the rest of the nation

How does California's workers' comp and Novus' supplemental medical marijuana insurance coverage benefit patient and employers interests? Four principal factors: a) California has the highest permanent disability claims in the nation with an inherent on going pain management crisis, b) the state has among the highest claims in terms of medical costs, c) it has a high cost of delivering insurance benefits and; d) another driver of California's higher premiums is the state's medical treatment costs.

How we approached solving the problem is by implementing a supplemental workers compensation program with Novus' infrastructure with California marijuana dispensaries. Then instrumentally delivering a supplemental worker's compensation plan will ease insurers and employers burdens by allowing Novus to procure, in network, a consortia of physicians that will take in patients, generate more medical marijuana recommendations for the protocol for pain management and other aliments to ease suffering. What makes this of value for insurers and employers is that California worker's compensation premiums will decrease losses because medical marijuana and Novus premiums are affordable.

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Once the ballot initiatives in California is approved under Proposition 64 Novus will take advantage of three areas a) the abatement of taxation for medical marijuana cardholders b) many doctors are approving medical cannabis and writing recommendation forms for patients because of, c) the opioids crisis, many California doctors are writing less prescriptions for opioids and combining it with medical cannabis for pain management. The end result will be that Novus will get an increase in patient/member signups from the overlapping of recreational users that become medical users under this program.

The graphic below shows the percentile range and the overlying of cannabis users in medical (33%) versus recreation (55%) users, coinciding with worker's comp claims, which is estimated at 12%.

NDEV 2nd Quarter Financial Filing: http://bit.ly/2cJ3Efj

About Novus

Novus Acquisition & Development Corp. (NDEV), through its subsidiary WCIG Insurance, provides health insurance and related insurance solutions within the wellness and medical marijuana industries in states where legal programs exist. Novus has positioned itself to gain market share within many lines of insurance business within and outside of the MMJ sector.

Novus will work as outside developers and will not cultivate, handle, transport grow, extract, dispense, put up for sale, put on the market, vend, deliver, supply, circulate, or trade cannabis or any substances that violate the United States law or the Controlled Substances Act, nor does it intend to do so in the future and will continue to follow state and federal laws. The statements made about specific products have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided on these press releases or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. Once a push notification is competed the transaction is solely between the state-licensed dispensary and the registered patient.

The state laws are in conflict with the federal Controlled Substances Act. The current administration has effectively stated that it is not an efficient use of resources to direct federal law enforcement agencies to prosecute those lawfully abiding by state designated laws, allowing the use and distribution of medical marijuana. However, there is no guarantee that the current administration, nor any future administration, will not change this policy and decide to enforce the federal laws strongly. Any such change in the federal government's enforcement of current federal laws could cause significant financial changes to Novus Medical Group. While we do not intend to harvest, distribute or sell cannabis or cannabis related products, we may be harmed by a change in enforcement by federal or state governments.

For more information, check out: http://www.getnovusnow.com

For NDEV 2nd Quarter Financial Filing: http://bit.ly/2cJ3Efj

Learn How Insurance Companies Are Evaluated: http://bit.ly/2ddIYva

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and reflects management's current expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of these factors include: general global economic conditions; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; increasing competition; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of services; changes in the economy; changes in laws and regulations, includes codes and standards, intellectual property rights, and tax matters; or other matters not anticipated; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements. Novus Medical Group disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact Information

Corporate:

Chairman and CEO

Frank Labrozzi

frank@ndev.biz

855-228-7355

Investors:

Hayden IR

hart@haydenir.com

917-658-7878

SOURCE: Novus Acquisition and Development, Corp.
In its 25-year history, the iconic World Cafe has celebrated the music of nearly every region of the planet, but it has always been based in just one place: WXPN Philadelphia. That's where the NPR-distributed radio show is produced and where host-producer David Dye presents interviews and performances from what he calls "essential and emerging artists" - particularly focused on regional roots music - in a format free from genre constraints. It is heard on more than 200 stations nationwide.

But as the show prepared to celebrate its 25th anniversary on Oct. 11 (a celebration that will continue through 2017), its top executives decided an expansion was in order and chose Nashville as the first-ever additional "hub" for the show in partnership with NPR Music. That partnership involves a beefed-up relationship with Nashville affiliate WMOT (Roots Radio 89.5), which switched from jazz to an Americana format in a well-timed September move, as well as an increased role for NPR Music's Nashville-based correspondent Ann Powers.

While Nashville is principally known for country music, World Cafe Nashville will celebrate Music City's diversity, as well as that of the Southern region of the country. Dye calls it "musical discovery with a Southern accent."

"It's been increasingly clear to us over the recent years that there just seems to be more and more great music that goes beyond country coming out of Nashville," says Roger LaMay, WXPN GM and board chair for NPR Music. "Along with Brooklyn, it's probably the place where the most bands that come through our studios come from."

While country music will continue to be an important part of the mix, LaMay says the city's other forms of music, including Americana, "sometimes get lost in the shadow of the country thing." He says the new hub will aim to rectify this with "wider exposure on a national platform" for other genres. "There's a lot of artists that obviously don't fit into that mainstream country box that are not getting the kind of exposure maybe they deserve," he adds.

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LaMay says he and his team came to Nashville during the summer and "did some sessions as kind of a test run. We got such a warm reception down [there] that we really felt great about being able to do this and make it kind of a second home for the program."

On the agenda are recording sessions, interviews, live concerts and digital material including streams and other special events focused on - and emanating from - Nashville and other parts of the south. And even more may be in the works: LaMay says if his team can raise the additional funds, he would like to launch a Nashville video channel and a World Cafe Nashville podcast. "We're going to do as much here as we can afford to do," he says of the city where he plans to "start small and build."

The new hub kicked off with a two-night celebration at the local City Winery Oct. 27-28. The first night featured a performance and Q&A with country star Eric Church, conducted by Powers. (The second night featured instrumental band Steelism and other guests.) LaMay says Church was chosen for the launch because he "represents the kind of artist that has had great success in the commercial country world, but has a whole lot more to say. That is certainly the kind of artist that we want to connect with."

At the Oct. 27 event, NPR vp programming and audience development Anya Grundmann said of the Nashville expansion, "We want to find the places in our country that are lighting the fire under the music in our culture." Powers, who has previously lived and worked in New York and Los Angeles, called Nashville "the best music city in America." Added Dye, "We don't want to seem like an interloper in Nashville. We've been playing this music all 25 years."

Addressing World Cafe's enduring success, LaMay says, "It embodies the sense of musical discovery that public radio audiences are really interested in. The show is meant to explore the creative process, really getting the artists' perspective on their work. David's been a very distinct voice for the program over the years and a comforting and trusting curator of what's new and what you should be listening to."
By Nathan Layne

Nov 2 (Reuters) - New York city and state authorities urged a federal judge on Wednesday to impose a fine of $872 million against United Parcel Service for delivering untaxed cigarettes from smoke shops on Indian reservations.

The closing arguments came in a lawsuit over whether UPS illegally shipped more than 683,000 cartons of untaxed cigarettes, mostly from reservation smoke shops. The lawsuit is part of a broader effort by the state to combat smuggling of cigarettes from lower-tax areas.

John Oleske, a lawyer for the state, told U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest that a stiff penalty was justified because UPS acted with "an entitled sense of disregard" for the law in failing to vet shipments from entities on the reservations with a history of dealing in contraband.

Oleske also argued that a large fine was needed to act as a deterrent for a company that had $4.84 billion in net profit last year. The state and city have brought a similar lawsuit against UPS rival FedEx Corp that is pending.

Lawyers for UPS have said that the state and city made misleading allegations, that the evidence would show it complied with the law and that authorities had mistaken cartons of legally shippable "little cigars" as cigarettes. Lawyers for UPS are scheduled to make closing arguments later on Wednesday.

Forrest questioned the state's and city's arguments, including how to reconcile evidence that the bulk of some shipments were cigars instead of cigarettes. She also asked whether the authorities were not "double-counting" by seeking damages for violations of both a 2005 agreement between the state and UPS governing its compliance with cigarette deliveries and a 2010 law creating new regulations for carriers of cigarettes.

"The law allows for the stacking of all of these penalties for all of these violations," Oleske said, arguing the judge should also appoint a monitor to police UPS's compliance. "The court should stack and max out all those penalties."

The deliveries to residences, unlicensed wholesalers and unlicensed retailers were made despite the 2005 agreement between UPS and New York in which the company agreed to stop cigarette shipments to consumers and unlicensed dealers, the lawsuit said.

(Reporting by Nathan Layne in New York; Editing by David Gregorio)
Barack Obama

In an interview published Wednesday, President Barack Obama offered his first comments on the FBI's examination of new emails related to its probe of Hillary Clinton's private email server, which FBI Director James Comey announced Friday.

Obama told NowThisNews, a left-leaning outlet, that the "norm" for his administration is "we don't operate on incomplete information" and "leaks."

"I do think that there is a norm that when there are investigations we don't operate on innuendo, and we don't operate on incomplete information, and we don't operate on leaks," he said in the interview. "We operate based on concrete decisions that are made."

"When this was investigated thoroughly last time, the conclusion of the FBI, the conclusion of the Justice Department, the conclusion of repeated congressional investigations was that she had made some mistakes but that there wasn't anything there that was prosecutable," the president added.

Obama said, however, that he did not want to meddle in the process.

We spoke with President Obama about the FBI's recent investigation into emails related to Hillary Clinton pic.twitter.com/3ivMp2TfVi  NowThis (@nowthisnews) November 2, 2016

Comey came under fire from Democrats and some political analysts for notifying Congress in a short letter that an unrelated investigation turned up "pertinent" emails related to Clinton's case. He made the announcement 11 days before Election Day.

The FBI director had determined over the summer that Clinton acted with "extreme carelessness" in using the server while she was secretary of state, but concluded that "no reasonable" prosecutor would go forward with a case.

Multiple reports said Comey went against the recommendation of Attorney General Loretta Lynch in sending his letter to Congress. During a rally in Ohio this week, Clinton insisted that the FBI wouldn't reach any new conclusions and that the agency has "no case" against her.

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NOW WATCH: How late-breaking bombshells affected past presidential elections





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Two area power districts said Wednesday they are planning to merge.

Seward County Public Power District and Norris Public Power District announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding laying out plans for a potential merger and hope to complete the process sometime early next year.

Joel Navis, general manager of Seward County Power, said the target date is May 1, but it is dependent on regulatory approval.

As part of the merger, Seward County Public Power's 4,900 customers and 17 employees would become part of Norris Public Power District, which has nearly 19,000 customers and 76 employees. The existing Seward County power facility located in Seward will continue to be utilized as an area operations and customer service facility, and customers located within Seward County will have representation on the Norris Board of Directors.

Navis said the utility is in good financial condition, but he is nearing retirement, as are some employees and board members.

That, combined with Obama Administration clean power rules that if implemented will be costly for coal plants, made it seem like a good time to explore merging.

Seward County Power gets its power from Nebraska Public Power District, and while rates have been flat for the past three years, things could easily change over the next five to 10 years if regulations change, he said.

"The thinking is that by becoming part of a bigger boat, we might be better able to weather storms," Navis said.

He said combining with Norris makes sense. The two utilities are neighbors that work well together, and they also have complementary businesses, with Seward having mostly residential customers and Norris getting more than half of its revenue from commercial and industrial users.

Bruce Vitosh, Norris CEO and general manager, said that while the utility was not actively seeking to grow, merging with Seward County Power makes sense. The two districts border each other on two sides.

"It's a nice fit from a location standpoint," he said.

The two utilities said they expect the merger to create cost savings by eliminating duplication. Though there will be no layoffs, Vitosh said positions will be evaluated for possible elimination or consolidation as they come open through normal attrition. He said he also expects cost savings from eliminating duplication in engineering and information technology.
President Barack Obama finally broke his silence on FBI Director James Comeys controversial announcement to Congress that he is revisiting the investigation into Hillary Clintons emails.

In an interview with NowThis, an online news and media start-up, on Wednesday, Obama said, I do think that there is a norm that when there are investigations, we dont operate on innuendo, we dont operate on incomplete information, we dont operate on leaks. We operate based on concrete decisions that are made. Obama added that he was very deliberate in making sure that it does not appear that he is meddling in what are meant to be independent investigations.

Comey notified Congress that the FBI was going to review new material that appeared to be pertinent to the investigation to determine whether they contain classified information. The FBI found thousands of emails on a laptop that Clintons longtime aide Huma Abedin shared with her estranged husband and former congressman, Anthony Weiner, who is under FBI investigation for possibly sending sexual text messages to a minor.

In his letter to Congress on Oct. 28, Comey said: The FBI cannot yet assess whether or not this material may be significant. Comeys letter on Clintons email investigation drew immediate criticism from Democrats and plenty of former officials from both parties in the Justice Department. On Oct. 29, Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta called Comeys letter bewildering, short on factsand unfair to voters.

The whole issue of FBI investigations and the presidential race has since been muddied even further, after various news outlets reported that the bureau is investigating possible links between the campaign of Republican nominee Donald Trump and Russia. The FBI has come under additional fire after it made public Tuesday information about past investigations on Trumps father, Fred Trump, on Oct. 30 and on Bill Clintons time in the White House.

The FBI released these records on its records vault Twitter account, which until the release of Fred Trumps file had been dormant for more than a year.

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Obamas comments come just two days after his press secretary, Josh Earnest, said the White House would not criticize Comeys decision to continue looking into the curious case of Clintons emails.

The president, Earnest said, doesnt believe that [Comey is] secretly strategizing to benefit one candidate or one political party, adding, Hes in a tough spot.

That spot seems to have just gotten a bit tougher.

Photo credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
President Obama lambasted Donald Trump at length on Wednesday, arguing that the Republican presidential nominees statements and actions should not be accepted as normal.

This guy is temperamentally unfit to be commander in chief, and he is not equipped to be president. And this should not be a controversial claim. It really shouldnt! Obama exclaimed at a campaign rally for Hillary Clinton in Chapel Hill, N.C.

I mean, its strange how over time, what is crazy gets normalized, he continued. And we just kind of just assume, Well, you know what? Hes said 100 crazy things. So the 101st thing, we dont even notice.

Obama cited a string of Trump controversies in his speech, accusing the property magnate of stiffing small business owners, not paying a dime in federal income tax, endorsing torture and engaging in boorish behavior. He cited the 2005 Access Hollywood tape, unearthed last month, which caught Trump boasting about how his celebrity status lets him kiss and grope women.

Do you want somebody to be your voice who on tape brags about how being famous allows him to get away with sexual assault, who calls women pigs or dogs or slobs and grades them on a scale of one to 10. That is not the voice of America. Thats not the better angels of our nature, Obama said.

We have to stop thinking his behavior is normal, the president stressed, that its within the bounds of what has up until this point been our normal political discourse.

President Obama points to members of the audience while speaking in Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 1, 2016. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

The speech came as Clintons campaign has aggressively targeted North Carolina, a large state in which polls show a close race and where high turnout among African-Americans is critical for her. If the Democratic nominee were to win the Tar Heel State on Nov. 8, Trumps victory path would narrow significantly.

We dont win this election, potentially, if we dont win North Carolina, Obama said Wednesday. So I hate to put a little pressure on ya, but the fate of the republic rests on your shoulders. The fate of the world is teetering, and you, North Carolina, are going to have to make sure that we push it in the right direction.
President Obama. (Screenshot: NowThis News/Twitter)

President Obama defended Hillary Clintons integrity as she faces a renewed FBI investigation of emails sent from her private server.

In a NowThis News interview released Wednesday, the president ducked a question about whether he was upset that FBI Director James Comey had announced the new twist in the long-running probe so close to Election Day. However, he did say the FBI should not operate on innuendo.

I do think that there is a norm that when there are investigations, we dont operate on innuendo, and we dont operate on incomplete information, and we dont operate on leaks, he said. We operate based on concrete decisions that are made.

Obama pointed to Comeys conclusion in July, following months of investigation into whether Clinton or her aides mishandled classified information, that he would not recommend bringing charges. But in a cryptic letter to Congress last Friday, Comey said new emails, reportedly found on a computer used by her aide Huma Abedin, would be investigated.

When this was investigated thoroughly last time, the conclusion of the FBI, the conclusion of the Justice Department, the conclusion of repeated congressional investigations was she had made some mistakes but that there wasnt anything there that was prosecutable, Obama said.

The president also touted the character of his former Cabinet secretary. He said he wouldnt be supporting her if I didnt have absolute confidence in her integrity.

Ive made a very deliberate effort to make sure that I dont look like Im meddling in what are supposed to be independent processes for making these assessments, he said when asked about the timing of Comeys Friday announcement. Setting aside the particulars of this case, I know that she is somebody who has always looked out for the interests of America and the American people first.

Elected officials and legal experts from both parties have criticized Comey for his letter to Congress, arguing that it risked influencing the Nov. 8 election. Obamas top spokesman, Josh Earnest, said Monday that the White House would neither defend nor criticize Comeys announcement.

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Watch the NowThis News interview below:
* Obama's comments first to address review of pipeline

* Protesters, law enforcement standoff again at site

* Local official: weeks-long delay will enable violence to escalate

* Army will make final decision based on its own review (Adds comments from U.S. Department of Justice)

By Valerie Volcovici

WASHINGTON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said the U.S. government is examining ways to reroute an oil pipeline in North Dakota as it addresses concerns raised by Native American tribes protesting against its construction.

Obama's comments late on Tuesday to online news site Now This were his first to directly address the escalating clashes between local authorities and protesters over Energy Transfer Partners' $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline project.

"My view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans. And I think that right now the Army Corps is examining whether there are ways to reroute this pipeline," Obama said in the video interview.

The U.S. Department of Justice did not comment on Obama's statement regarding rerouting the line, citing pending litigation involving the tribes and an ongoing review of permitting by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

"Ultimately, this is a determination the Army must make based on its own review, and we don't yet know what that decision will be," a Justice Department spokesman said.

On Wednesday, protesters on the banks of the Cantapeta Creek confronted law enforcement, as they attempted to build a wooden pedestrian bridge across the creek to gain access to the Cannon Ball Ranch, private land owned by ETP, according to a statement from Morton County officials.

The U.S. Justice and Interior Departments along with the Army Corps of Engineers halted construction on part of the pipeline in September due to protests by Native American tribes who contend the pipeline would disturb sacred land and pollute waterways supplying nearby homes.

The affected area includes land under Lake Oahe, a large and culturally important reservoir on the Missouri River where the line was supposed to cross. The Army Corps of Engineers confirmed Wednesday that it let law enforcement go into this land to prevent further campsites from being set up.

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Construction is continuing on sections of the pipeline away from the Missouri River, according to one of the owners of the pipeline and also to U.S. refiner Phillips 66.

The 1,172-mile (1,885-km) pipeline, being built by a group of companies led by Energy Transfer Partners, would offer the fastest and most direct route to bring Bakken shale oil from North Dakota to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries.

North Dakota officials are girding for a long fight. The state's emergency commission on Tuesday approved another $4 million loan to support law enforcement during the protests.

David Archambault II, chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux, in a Wednesday statement lauded Obama's comments and called on the administration and the Army Corps of Engineers to issue a stop-work order on the pipeline on federal land. He also called for a full environmental impact study.

"The injustices done to Native people in North Dakota and throughout the country must be addressed. We believe President Obama and his Administration will do the right thing," he said.

LETTING THE SITUATION PLAY OUT

Obama said government agencies will let the situation "play out for several more weeks and determine whether or not this can be resolved in a way that I think is properly attentive to the traditions of First Americans."

Morton County Commission Chairman Cody Schulz, in response to Obama's statement, said that letting the situation play out "affords the opportunity to the out-of-state militant faction of this protest to keep escalating their violent activities."

The Now This video, however, suggests that Obama was talking about the review process, not the protests. The president later in the interview says he wants to make sure that both protesters and law enforcement are "refraining from situations that might result in people being hurt."

The fight against the pipeline has drawn international attention and growing celebrity support amid confrontations between riot police and protesters. More than 140 people were arrested when a protest was broken up by law enforcement nearly a week ago.

Some have said an alternative pipeline route could be a way to get over the impasse. North Dakota gubernatorial candidate Marvin Nelson, a Democratic state representative, said in an interview with Reuters last week that moving the route 10 miles (16 km) north could make a difference.

"It would take some time to do that, but it seems to me to be a much safer route and it wouldn't need to cross culturally sensitive land," he said.

Environmental group 350.org urged Obama to reject the federal permit for the entire project due to the risk to water supplies and the climate.

"President Obama breaking the silence on Dakota Access is a testament to the powerful resistance of Indigenous leaders, but he shouldn't sit back while people are facing violent repression from militarized law enforcement on the ground," said Sara Shor, a campaign manager for 350.org.

(Additional reporting by Ernest Scheyder in Houston, Julia Harte in Washington and Timothy Mclaughlin in Chicago; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Matthew Lewis)
By Valerie Volcovici WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said the U.S. government is examining ways to reroute an oil pipeline in North Dakota as it addresses concerns raised by Native American tribes protesting against its construction. Obama's comments late on Tuesday to online news site Now This were his first to directly address the escalating clashes between local authorities and protesters over Energy Transfer Partners' $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline project. "My view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans. And I think that right now the Army Corps is examining whether there are ways to reroute this pipeline," Obama said in the video interview. The U.S. Department of Justice did not comment on Obama's statement regarding rerouting the line, citing pending litigation involving the tribes and an ongoing review of permitting by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "Ultimately, this is a determination the Army must make based on its own review, and we dont yet know what that decision will be," a Justice Department spokesman said. On Wednesday, protesters on the banks of the Cantapeta Creek confronted law enforcement, as they attempted to build a wooden pedestrian bridge across the creek to gain access to the Cannon Ball Ranch, private land owned by ETP, according to a statement from Morton County officials. The U.S. Justice and Interior Departments along with the Army Corps of Engineers halted construction on part of the pipeline in September due to protests by Native American tribes who contend the pipeline would disturb sacred land and pollute waterways supplying nearby homes. The affected area includes land under Lake Oahe, a large and culturally important reservoir on the Missouri River where the line was supposed to cross. The Army Corps of Engineers confirmed Wednesday that it let law enforcement go into this land to prevent further campsites from being set up. Construction is continuing on sections of the pipeline away from the Missouri River, according to one of the owners of the pipeline and also to U.S. refiner Phillips 66. The 1,172-mile (1,885-km) pipeline, being built by a group of companies led by Energy Transfer Partners, would offer the fastest and most direct route to bring Bakken shale oil from North Dakota to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries. North Dakota officials are girding for a long fight. The state's emergency commission on Tuesday approved another $4 million loan to support law enforcement during the protests. David Archambault II, chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux, in a Wednesday statement lauded Obama's comments and called on the administration and the Army Corps of Engineers to issue a stop-work order on the pipeline on federal land. He also called for a full environmental impact study. "The injustices done to Native people in North Dakota and throughout the country must be addressed. We believe President Obama and his Administration will do the right thing," he said. LETTING THE SITUATION PLAY OUT Obama said government agencies will let the situation "play out for several more weeks and determine whether or not this can be resolved in a way that I think is properly attentive to the traditions of First Americans." Morton County Commission Chairman Cody Schulz, in response to Obamas statement, said that letting the situation play out "affords the opportunity to the out-of-state militant faction of this protest to keep escalating their violent activities." The Now This video, however, suggests that Obama was talking about the review process, not the protests. The president later in the interview says he wants to make sure that both protesters and law enforcement are "refraining from situations that might result in people being hurt." The fight against the pipeline has drawn international attention and growing celebrity support amid confrontations between riot police and protesters. More than 140 people were arrested when a protest was broken up by law enforcement nearly a week ago. Some have said an alternative pipeline route could be a way to get over the impasse. North Dakota gubernatorial candidate Marvin Nelson, a Democratic state representative, said in an interview with Reuters last week that moving the route 10 miles (16 km) north could make a difference. "It would take some time to do that, but it seems to me to be a much safer route and it wouldn't need to cross culturally sensitive land," he said. Environmental group 350.org urged Obama to reject the federal permit for the entire project due to the risk to water supplies and the climate. "President Obama breaking the silence on Dakota Access is a testament to the powerful resistance of Indigenous leaders, but he shouldn't sit back while people are facing violent repression from militarized law enforcement on the ground," said Sara Shor, a campaign manager for 350.org. (Additional reporting by Ernest Scheyder in Houston, Julia Harte in Washington and Timothy Mclaughlin in Chicago; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Matthew Lewis)
Washington (AFP) - On the eve of the Tuesday's high-stakes US election President Barack Obama will jet into New Hampshire to campaign for would-be successor Hillary Clinton.

Obama will travel to the Democrat-leaning state with a national message designed to get out the vote.

"President Obama will lay out his support for Clinton and her vision of an America that is stronger together, with an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top," the Clinton campaign said.

But he will also be seeking to boost Democrats' chances of winning back control of the Senate.

For the last two years, Obama has faced a Republican-controlled Senate which sought to derail his agenda and hold up his selection of Supreme Court Justice Merrick Garland.

In New Hampshire incumbent Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte faces a tough challenge from Democrat Maggie Hassan.

Polls show a tight race. A University of New Hampshire/WMUR survey late last month showed Hassan leading by two points, earlier polls showed Ayotte ahead.

Ayotte has struggled to justify her on-again-off-again support for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Republicans countrywide have been coming under fire for suggesting they may not confirm any Clinton Supreme Court nominee -- leaving the top court in the land with eight instead of nine justices.
Obama

On the stump for Hillary Clinton on Tuesday afternoon, President Barack Obama went in on Donald Trump.

"This guy?" he said. "Don't be bamboozled. Don't run for that okey-doke."

It was a familiar refrain for Obama, who has been campaigning vigorously for Clinton over the past several weeks.

The president's speech in Columbus, Ohio, took a more urgent tone Tuesday, just a week out from Election Day. In criticizing Trump, Obama pointed to what he characterized as a lack of interest in policy and a disdain for inclusiveness.

Offering a counterpoint to what he described as the GOP nominee's "divisive" campaign rhetoric, Obama said, "You do this job for a while, and your love for this country just grows and grows ... this is a place like no other. It is founded on an idea that all of us are created equal."

Trump has also faced steady criticism for language that appears to flout some of the tenets of the US Constitution, including provisions that protect freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

During an interview with CBS Miami in October, Trump said, "Our press is allowed to say whatever they want and they can get away with it," while suggesting he would seek to weaken First Amendment protections if elected.

Obama painted a stark picture of Trump's vision

Obama said:

"If you disrespect the Constitution by threatening to shut down the press when it doesn't say things you like or threaten to throw your opponent in jail or discriminate against people of different faiths  if you do that before you are elected, then what are you gonna do when you have actual power to do those things?"

He suggested that Trump was more interested in promoting himself than being an advocate for America, adding that presidential politics should be more than just an opportunity to "pitch a hotel."

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Speaking to the heated bombast surrounding Clinton during the election cycle, Obama asked men in the audience to pause and take stock of their views.

"When a guy is ambitious and out in the public arena and working hard, well that's OK, but when a woman suddenly does it, suddenly you're all like, why's she doing that?" he said.

Clinton has been a polarizing figure in the 2016 cycle, in part because of an ongoing FBI inquiry into a private email server she used while serving as secretary of state.

James Comey

The matter gained new life last week when the FBI director, James Comey, announced that the FBI had stumbled upon a separate batch of emails possibly related to the investigation. The agency's handling of the case has led Clinton supporters to accuse Comey of employing a double standard with the Democratic nominee.

Obama argued that, despite the email controversy, "there's something fundamental at stake" that puts Clinton above Trump; he then ran through a litany of the real-estate mogul's controversial moves on the campaign trail.

"She is so much better qualified than the other guy," Obama said, before asking voters to choose Democratic candidates up and down the ballot.

"She's gotta have a Congress that behaves a little bit better than the Congress we have now," he said.

"You have a chance to reject those who would take us backwards and instead choose the progress that we can keep on making over the next four years, the next eight years, the next 12 years."

Watch Obama's full speech below:

NOW WATCH: Watch Trump repeatedly photobomb Clinton during the debate





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(Adds information from conference call, context, byline)

By Svea Herbst-Bayliss

BOSTON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Hedge fund company Och-Ziff Capital Management Group, on Wednesday posted a stronger-than-expected quarterly profit, sending its stock higher, but it warned that a bribery scandal will keep driving investors to withdraw money from its assets under management.

Third-quarter distributable earnings, excluding adjustments related to taxes and a bribery settlement with the U.S. government, totaled $51.9 million, or 10 cents a share, the company said. This compares with $66.1 million, or 13 cents a share, a year earlier.

Wall Street analysts had expected New York-based Och-Ziff to earn 6 cents a share. The company's stock rallied 3.2 percent to $3.22, paring its gains from a session high of $3.30.

The company said it will not issue a dividend for the quarter in order to have some breathing room after it agreed in September to pay $412 million to resolve federal probes into its role in bribing officials in several African countries.

Chief Executive Daniel Och said he expects fourth-quarter redemptions to be somewhat elevated due to the scandal, extending a recent trend. He declined to be more specific.

Investors pulled out roughly $3.4 billion during the third quarter after having asked to get $1.5 billion back in the second quarter, the company said.

On Nov. 1, the company said it had $37 billion in assets, down from $39.3 billion on Sept. 30 and $44.5 billion at the end of September 2015.

Last week the state of Rhode Island's pension fund asked for its money back..

Wall Street analysts expect revenue to keep falling, due to investor redemptions and the company's decision last month to cut the fee it charges investors for managing their money to around 1 percent.

Traditionally hedge funds charge a 2 percent management fee as well as 20 percent of the gains they earn on the investments.

Most of the outflows have come from Och-Ziff's flagship Master Fund, the company said. At the same time it is raising money to invest in the credit markets.

"We are in growth mode in credit," Och said on the conference call with analysts.

(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss Editing by W Simon)
From Country Living

Mark Madsen grew up fishing and hiking in the area roughly 35 miles southwest of Denver, Colorado, now known as Staunton State Park. His parents bought a cabin there in 1983 and he and his sister would spend summers biking "all over," she recalls. "This was his place of renewal, inspiration, refueling," Mark's sister, Marie Hensick, told High Timber Times.

In 2001, Mark was paralyzed from the neck down after rolling his car in an attempt to avoid hitting a deer. Wheelchair bound, it wasn't until 2014 that Mark was able to enjoy Staunton Park again, this time with a modified track chair borrowed from Craig Hospital, a spinal research and rehabilitation center in Englewood. He enjoyed the time outdoors so much that he became "a regular fixture at the new park," according to Huffington Post.

"Mark's summer in Staunton was his best summer ever the 14 years he lived in a wheelchair," added Hensick.

Sadly, Mark passed away in August 2015, but the legacy he left behind inspired his loved ones to see that other people with disabilities enjoy the same time in nature. Last month, the Friends of Staunton State Park organization presented the park with its first Action Trackchair, a specially equipped wheelchair that can handle unpaved hiking trails that traditional wheelchairs cannot. They named the chair Mark 1, in memory of Mark.

For his funeral, Mark's family requested that friends donate in his name to Friends of Staunton, instead of sending flowers. A year later, thanks to the jumpstart from Mark's friends and family, the organization had raised $41,000 to help improve the park's accessibility for disabled guests, according to Colorado Outdoors Magazine. Each Trackchair costs $15,000; the funds will cover a second all-terrain chair and a lift that will help guests get into the chairs.

"Mark would be shockedhonored, humbled, and most of all he'd be really happy and pleased that others are going to have the opportunity to explore new horizons," said Hensick at last month's ceremony debuting the Trackchair.

Story continues

"Being able to offer the therapeutic benefits of the outdoors to all of our visitors is truly rewarding," said park manager Zach Taylor. "We have assisted Craig Hospital in getting a number of people out to the park already and this chair will officially be the [park's] to share."

(h/t Huffington Post)

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With a week left to get its message out before a Nov. 8 vote, Retain a Just Nebraska sent out a statement made by Lt. Gov. Mike Foley in 2014 that mirrors its own anti-death penalty view.

Foley was running for governor then, and when asked by Nebraska Public Radio during a debate about his stand on the death penalty, he indicated that vicious and violent criminals should be put in prison for life.

Nebraska, he said, was spending millions of dollars pretending it could execute people.

We cant do it, he said on March 23 that year.

Nebraska didnt have a functioning capital punishment system, Foley said during his race against now-Gov. Pete Ricketts. It didnt have the drug protocol or the legal structure in place to carry it out.

The real issue here is, how are we going to protect society from the vicious and the violent? Foley asked then. Thats why we have our maximum security prisons.

Foley, who is Catholic, took the point of view of Nebraskas three bishops and the Nebraska Catholic Conference in opposing the death penalty. Ricketts, the governor he now serves, is also Catholic but takes a different view. He supports the death penalty.

Foley issued a statement Wednesday, saying: The governor sets policy, and he has been clear that his administration supports keeping the death penalty as an option for the most heinous crimes in Nebraska.

Taylor Gage, Ricketts spokesman, said it is inappropriate for the Retain campaign to use Foleys voice and image without his permission.

This is an attempt to confuse Nebraskans about the administrations position, Gage said.

Retain spokesman Dan Parsons said Foleys statement is a matter of public record and no permission was needed.

Parsons posted Foleys statement on his own Facebook page and shared it on Foleys, where it was still posted Wednesday afternoon.

The anti-death penalty campaign also sent a news release this week with messages from two conservative Nebraska senators who voted in 2015 to repeal the death penalty.

Sens. Laura Ebke of Crete and Mike Gloor of Grand Island said the states expected budget shortfall of nearly $1 billion should motivate the governor and lawmakers to shift funds from a program that hasnt been used in 20 years to more critical needs.

Ebke, a former Republican and now a Libertarian, said money spent on the death penalty should be used to reduce property taxes and better support law enforcement.

When our state is facing intense revenue shortfalls and agencies are being forced to make tough cuts, its irresponsible to continue to invest in a death penalty system we have gotten no return on in nearly 20 years, she said.

A study by Ernie Goss, professor of economics at Creighton University, showed Nebraskas maintenance of the death penalty cost the state $14.6 million annually above the cost for life without parole. Pro-death penalty supporters have disputed that cost.

Ive heard loud and clear from my constituents that property taxes are too high, especially in light of the struggling ag economy," Ebke said. "At the same time, our Department of Corrections is struggling to find the resources it needs to operate safely. If we are truly serious about public safety, that should be our No. 1 priority.

Gloor of Grand Island, who once supported the death penalty but voted for repeal because of the cost, supports Goss study, according to the news release.

Even before Dr. Goss study showed the $14 million annual price tag of Nebraskas death penalty, the Unicameral examined dozens of studies from around the country. They are all very clear: The complicated requirements to try to maintain a constitutional death penalty create additional expense, Gloor said.

The money would be better spent on tax breaks, or to aid some of the struggling state agencies that have been asked to tighten their belts, he said.

Ebke said it is the responsibility of conservative senators to find and root out broken government programs, and that is what they did when they ended the death penalty.

I trust Nebraskans concerned with fiscal responsibility, limited government, or rooting out ineffective government problems will join the 16 conservative senators who voted to end our broken death penalty, she said.

On Thursday, a number of faith leaders will gather at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral at 109 N. 18th St. in Omaha for an anti-death penalty rally.

The leaders represent the Catholic, Episcopal, United Methodist, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Jewish, Buddhist, Presbyterian, Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ.

The rally is at 10 a.m. and will be streamed live at www.ustream.tv/channel/Cy7yMU6Pwf9.
office depot

Office Depot shares gained by as much as 14% in trading on Wednesday after the company reported earnings results.

In the statement, CEO Roland Smith said the office-supplies retailer was "recovering quickly from the disruption" that the failed merger with Staples caused. In May, a federal judge blocked their $6 billion merger on anti-trust concerns, promting the companies to call off the deal.

However, the company said the foiled deal is one reason why sales in the fourth-quarter sales will be lower than expected. Store closures and customer losses are also expected to weigh on its performance during the holiday season, the company said.

Meanwhile, Office Depot said it would sell its remaining international businesses and focus on North America.

For the third quarter, Office Depot reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.16, one cent above the consensus estimate on Bloomberg. Sales were lower than expected, totaling $2.84 billion ($3.49 billion estimated.)

Office Depot shares plunged nearly 40% after news of its halted merger in May. The stock is down 59% year-to-date.

Screen Shot 2016 11 02 at 11.23.00 AM

NOW WATCH: LIZ ANN SONDERS: The most unsettling outcome for the markets would be a surprise Trump win





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By Barani Krishnan

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices tumbled 3 percent on Wednesday after a record weekly build in U.S. crude inventories stoked investor worries about a global supply glut, days after analysts estimated higher monthly OPEC crude output.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said crude inventories rose 14.4 million barrels for the week ended Oct. 28, far more than the 1.0 million barrels analysts had expected. It was the biggest weekly rise in U.S. crude stocks since records began in 1982, and exceeded the American Petroleum Institute's report on Tuesday of a 9.3 million-barrel build.

"This is very, very, very bearish. Nothing else in the report matters," said James L. Williams, energy economist at WTRG Economics in London, Arkansas.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude (CLc1) settled down by $1.33, or 2.9 percent, at $45.34 a barrel. It broke the $45 support earlier, sinking to a five-week low of $44.96.

Brent (LCOc1) fell $1.28, or 2.7 percent, to settle at $46.86, after sliding to $46.46, its lowest since Sept. 28.

Oil markets have been volatile lately on dithering by members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries on a production cut the group announced on Sept. 27 to rein in a crude glut that forced prices down from 2014 highs above $100. Last month, Brent hit one-year highs of $53.73 and WTI 15-month peaks of $51.93.

"There are lots of longs coming out of the market, liquidating," said Tariq Zahir, who trades long-dated WTI spreads for Tyche Capital Advisors in New York.

"I wouldn't be surprised if by the end of the week or beginning of next week, we'll get to $42 or $41 a barrel, as very few believe OPEC will make cuts that matter."

OPEC output likely reached a record high of 33.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in October, a Reuters survey on Monday showed. The group meets Nov. 30, hoping to finalize output cuts.

This week, two OPEC members indicated they were more keen to raise production than cut. Nigeria said its output has recovered to 2.1 million bpd while Libya has doubled its output since mid-September and is producing about 590,000 bpd.

Story continues

The U.S. crude build came on the back of 2 million bpd jump in imports to just under 9 million bpd, the highest rate since September 2012. Prior to that, there were drawdowns in seven out of eight weeks.

"I don't think that imports will stay this high and (refinery) runs will be increasing from here," said Scott Shelton, broker and commodities specialist with ICAP in Durham, North Carolina.

"This tells me that while this is an ugly report, it's the worst we are going to see for the rest of the year."

(Additional reporting by Aaron Sheldrick in Tokyo; Editing by Marguerita Choy and David Gregorio)
We are in the busiest phase of the Q3 earnings season, with 130 S&P 500 members set to release their quarterly results this week.

Picture Emerging Thus Far

So far, 332 S&P 500 members  74.1% of the indexs total market capitalization  have come up with their Q3 numbers. Total earnings for these companies have inched up 1.9% from the last-year quarter on 1.3% higher revenues. Our Earnings Trends report dated Nov 1, 2016, indicates that 72.9% of these companies delivered positive earnings surprises, while 55.4% beat revenue estimates.

Will the Energy Sector Remain a Drag on Earnings?

The Oils/Energy sector remains weak and continues to be a drag on overall growth. For the 61.1% sector components on the S&P 500 Index that have reported Q3 results  including behemoths like Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) and Chevron Corp. (CVX)  total earnings plunged 63.1% due to a 13.7% decline in revenues, on a year-over-year basis.

Despite being the most underperforming sector, an overwhelming 72.7% Oils/Energy companies managed to deliver an earnings beat, albeit due to very low estimates.

Oil & Natural Gas Pricing Scenario in Q3

The pricing scenario for natural gas was much better in the third quarter, both on a sequential and an annualized basis. However, oil prices were weaker than the July-September quarter of 2015. Despite the persistent weakness in crude, the commodity price improved significantly from the mid-February lows. The improvement in commodity prices is undoubtedly favorable for upstream energy players as these firms would now be able to carry on exploration and production activities by hiring more drillers.

This is evidenced by the substantial increase in the U.S. rig count in recent times. In fact, Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI)  the companys data issued since 1944 is as an important yardstick for energy service providers in gauging the overall business environment of the oil and gas industry  declared the rig count for Sep 2016. In the U.S., the total number of rigs increased from the Aug 2016 count owing to a rise in the number of land rigs. This represents the fourth consecutive increase in the U.S. monthly rig count.

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Developments in this front should be favorable for upstream energy players in terms of improved production and prices.

Stocks to Watch for Earnings on Nov 3

Lets see whats in store for five oil companies that are expected to come up with Q3 numbers on Nov 3.

Houston, TX-based EOG Resources Inc. EOG, a major independent oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) company, is expected to report Q3 results after the closing bell. The company delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 37.98% over the last four quarters.

Our proven model shows that EOG Resources is likely to beat earnings because it has the right combination of two key ingredients. This is because the stock has Earnings ESP of +3.23% and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). It is to be noted that for an earnings beat a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3.

EOG RES INC Price and EPS Surprise

EOG RES INC Price and EPS Surprise | EOG RES INC Quote

U.S.energy firm Apache Corp. APA is set to release Q3 results before the opening bell.

Last quarter, the company posted a negative earnings surprise of 8.33%. Apache reported an average positive surprise of 55.75% in the preceding four quarters. Our proven model does not conclusively show that Apache will beat estimates this quarter. This is because the company has a Zacks Rank #3 but an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. Please check our Earnings ESP Filter that enables you to find stocks that are expected to come out with earnings surprises.

APACHE CORP Price and EPS Surprise

APACHE CORP Price and EPS Surprise | APACHE CORP Quote

Oil and gas explorer Encana Corporation ECA is set to report Q3 results, before the market opens. Last quarter, the company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 225.00%. Coming to its earnings surprise history, Encana reported an average positive earnings surprise of 71.21% for the last four quarters.

Our proven model does not conclusively show that Encana will beat estimates this quarter. This is because the company has a Zacks Rank #2 but an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. (Read more: Encana: What's in the Cards this Earnings Season?)

ENCANA CORP Price and EPS Surprise

ENCANA CORP Price and EPS Surprise | ENCANA CORP Quote

Cheniere Energy Inc. LNG is expected to report third-quarter 2016 results before the opening bell. The company lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters with an average miss of 61.28%.

Our proven model does not conclusively show that Cheniere Energy will beat estimates this quarter. This is because the company has an Earnings ESP of +19.23% but a Zacks Rank #4. Please note that the Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 or 5) should never be considered going into an earnings announcement.

CHENIERE ENERGY Price and EPS Surprise

CHENIERE ENERGY Price and EPS Surprise | CHENIERE ENERGY Quote

Energen Corp. EGN is expected to report third-quarter 2016 results after the closing bell. Over the last four quarters the company posted an average positive earnings surprise of 3.18%.

Our proven model does not conclusively show that Energen will beat estimates this quarter. This is because the companys Earnings ESP of -4.00% complicates surprise prediction in spite of its favorable Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

ENERGEN CORP Price and EPS Surprise

ENERGEN CORP Price and EPS Surprise | ENERGEN CORP Quote

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Established in 1911, Harrys New York Bar in Paris 2nd arrondissement is one of the oldest cocktail bars in Europe and the birthplace of such iconic drinks as the Bloody Mary and French 75. But Harrys has a less well known tradition of hosting a straw vote for the U.S. presidential elections, which has only twice since 1924 failed to predict its outcome. Who will win this year? Theres only one way to find out.
Bento Rodrigues (Brazil) (AFP) - In the ravaged Brazilian valley where a giant mining waste dam burst, killing 19 people and spewing pollution, an incongruous sight pops up: billboards with a grinning workman and the slogan "communicate positively."

The boards stand in swirling dust raised by diggers and trucks repairing the damaged network of dams and dikes at the site of what's been called Brazil's worst environmental disaster.

But 12 months since the tragedy at the Samarco iron ore mine -- which belongs to two of the world's wealthiest mining companies Vale and BHP-Billiton -- there is little positive to communicate.

The sudden dam break on November 5, 2015 unleashed 32 million cubic meters (42 million cubic yards) of mineral waste -- a moving wall of red sludge big enough to fill 11 Dallas Cowboys stadiums and, according to the UN, containing dangerous contaminants.

The flood tore about 640 kilometers (400 miles) down the River Doce, killing mine workers and inhabitants of the nearby village Bento Rodrigues, and stripping thousands of their homes or jobs.

Samarco, located near the historic town of Mariana in Brazil's metals-rich Minas Gerais state, insists it is doing everything possible to draw a line under what it calls a tragic accident, denying that the spill was even toxic.

Victims and Brazilian prosecutors -- who have filed manslaughter charges against 21 executives, as well as billions of dollars in damages claims -- tell another story.

- Where are the houses? -

Samarco's highest profile commitment is to build new villages for the people of Bento Rodrigues and Paracatu, a second rural community wiped out in the mudslide, although no one was killed there.

To date, not a single brick has been laid. In fact, the sole physical sign of progress is a metal plaque reading "Novo Bento" in the middle of a forest that will become a building site but which for now is home only to tropical butterflies, birds and termite hills.

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"A whole year and nothing has happened. They've done nothing apart from buying the land," an angry displaced villager, Antonio Geraldo Santos, 33, said last week after a meeting with former neighbors at a hall in Mariana.

BHP, the world's biggest mining company, and Vale, the world's biggest iron ore miner, say they and Samarco are committed to repairing the damaged communities, mine infrastructure and environment.

Alvaro Pereira from the Renova Foundation, a body set up to coordinate aid, said 8,000 families along the River Doce are receiving emergency compensation.

Many of these relied on fishing or tourism where the Rio Doce enters the Atlantic Ocean and have lost income. But the worst hit live near the dam and had only minutes to run for their lives when it broke, losing everything from cars to family photos.

Just in Bento Rodrigues there were 236 families forced to flee, Renova says. Another 108 families were displaced in Paracatu.

Pereira describes a "gigantic sense of responsibility" and attributes rebuilding delays to intensive consultations with villagers and authorities.

"Many question why it hasn't started yet," he said during a media tour where Samarco public affairs officers monitored every word said by employees to journalists. "But there is a lot of work that you don't see."

Construction will be complete by early 2019, he said.

- Justice and jobs -

By contrast, frantic work has gone into rebuilding a dam that holds back an even bigger waste reservoir after being badly damaged during the accident last year.

"We are working 24 hours a day, seven days a week," the head of the project, Eduardo Moreira, told journalists during the tour.

Huge trucks, earth movers and platoons of men in orange work jackets and hard hats dug and pushed earth and rocks to shore up the dam, centerpiece of a vast barren area gouged by Samarco from the green hills. Smaller dikes were being built lower down to ensure that waste left over from last year's broken dam doesn't go any further.

Asked if another dam could burst, Moreira said: "It's virtually impossible."

Samarco and its multinational owners face a barrage of lawsuits, with prosecutors notably demanding 155 billion reais ($49 billion) in damages, not to mention potentially lengthy prison sentences for the 21 executives and employees accused of qualified homicide.

Minas Gerais state prosecutor Guilherme de Sa Meneghin accuses Samarco of "using delaying tricks" at every step of compensation.

"They only meet their obligations after being forced to in court," he told AFP.

Yet despite this widely shared fury, victims want Samarco -- paralyzed since the disaster -- back in action.

Samarco employed 3,000 staff, about 1,000 of whom are now out of work. There were also 3,000 contractors and "many" have been laid off, a spokesman said.

"It really is a complex situation given that mining is the chief activity of Minas Gerais. The relationship with mining is very strong, so they want Samarco to reopen," Meneghin said.

"But they don't want them to be let off or to escape responsibility."
With Art Basel Miami Beach set to open on December 1, organizers have revealed the fair's Film program, highlighted by a film portrait of the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan by Maura Axelrod. The program news joins previously announced details of the galleries to be featured in 2016 as well as details of the Survey and Kabinett programs, with many more programming announcements still to come.

Art Basel Miami Beach runs December 1-4, when it will welcome 269 galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. As in past years, the main exhibition hall will feature paintings, sculptures, installations, photography, films and editioned works. Outdoors, large-scale installations, films and performances will be on display at the city's Collins Park and SoundScape Park.

On Tuesday organizers announced this year's Film program, offering more than 50 film and video works from around the world and screened both at the exhibition hall and on a 7,000-square-foot projection wall in SoundScape Park. Films include Maura Axelrod's "Maurizio Cattelan: Be Right Back," said to be a "highly entertaining portrait" of the provocative Italian artist that premiered at this year's Tribeca Film Festival.



Chilean-born artist Alfredo Jaar is bringing his debut film, "Muxima," while Christian Marclay is on the program with a silent film about music. Also featured are a new work by Liliana Porter and a set of 28 short films from curator David Gryn titled "Best Dressed Chicken in Town" after a 1970s reggae song by Doctor Alimantado.

Films will be screened by day at the Miami Beach Convention Center and by night at SoundScape Park from November 30 through December 4. The full gallery list for the Film program can be found at www.artbasel.com/miami-beach/film.

In September, Art Basel Miami organizers began revealing details of the event's 15th edition, beginning with a list of the galleries set to attend. Of the 269 galleries features, 193 are to be included in the highly selective Galleries sector, which welcomes eight new exhibitors. Find the full gallery list at www.artbasel.com/miami-beach/galleries.

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Also revealed are details of the Survey program, now in its third year and focused on historical projects. Fourteen such projects are on the 2016 roster, including a solo show by Mono-ha artist Kishio Suga, historical works on paper by Sudanese artist Ibrahim El-Salahi, and "El encierro" by Graciela Carnevale, a significant work of Latin American sociopolitical art of the 1960s. Further details can be found at www.artbasel.com/miami-beach/survey.

The Kabinett sector, in which galleries display carefully curated exhibitions within their booths, will include 30 exhibitions this year; they include an installation by Irena Haiduk of a candy store selling Balkan confections and emerging artist Yang Mushi's look at issues of globalization and Chinese urban development via industrial raw materials. See more at www.artbasel.com/miami-beach/kabinett.

Launched in 2002, Art Basel Miami Beach has earned a reputation as the art world's premier winter event. The Miami event joins Art Basel Hong Kong as offshoots of the original Art Basel, founded in 1970 by gallerists in the Swiss city.

https://www.artbasel.com/miami-beach
THE WOODLANDS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (OPXA), a company developing personalized immunotherapies for autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO), today announced that it was implementing an approximately 40% reduction to the Company's current workforce in order to reduce operating expenses and conserve cash resources. The move comes as the Company recently announced that the Phase 2b Abili-T clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tcelna (imilecleucel-T) in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) did not meet its primary endpoint of reduction in brain volume change (atrophy), nor did it meet the secondary endpoint of reduction of the rate of sustained disease progression.

The Company estimates that it will incur incremental aggregate cash charges of approximately $95,000 associated with this current workforce reduction. Moreover, the Company expects that additional restructuring will occur by year-end.

Additionally, the Company has accepted the resignations of Ms. Donna Rill, Opexa's Chief Development Officer, and Mr. Scott Seaman, a member of the Company's Board of Directors. Ms. Rill, who is leaving to pursue other career opportunities, will depart as of November 4, 2016.

"This reduction in force is a difficult but necessary step as a result of the disappointing results of our lead product candidate, Tcelna, announced last week," said Neil K. Warma, President and Chief Executive Officer of Opexa. "I would like to personally express my appreciation to each of the employees impacted by this decision for their commitment to Tcelna and Opexa. The Opexa team has endeavored to increase the understanding of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, and we hope our work will contribute to the development of a safe and effective therapy for this devastating disease. I would also like to thank Scott Seaman for his long-time service as a Director of Opexa and note our special heartfelt appreciation of Donna Rill who has dedicated over 15 years to Opexa."

About Opexa Therapeutics

Opexa Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing personalized immunotherapies based on ImmPath, its proprietary T-cell technology, with the potential to treat autoimmune diseases. Opexa's staff of cell therapy experts operates in a stand-alone facility located on one acre in the Woodlands, Texas. The facility is comprised of over 10,000 sq. ft. of state of the art space for cGMP manufacturing suites, a quality control laboratory, a research and development laboratory, quality assurance, specialized flow cytometry, a microscopy lab and clinical and regulatory affairs, as well as warehouse space for materials management. Opexa's patent estate is currently comprised of over 160 issued patents (domestic and international).

For more information, please visit Opexa Therapeutics' website at www.opexatherapeutics.com or follow company news on Twitter via @OpexaCEO or LinkedIn.

Cautionary Statement Relating to Forward-Looking Information for the Purpose of "Safe Harbor" Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Statements contained in this report, other than statements of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "expects," "believes," "may," "intends," "potential," "should," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding the reduction-in-workforce and the anticipated future reduction in operating expenses and cash conservation benefits associated therewith, and the future charges expected to be incurred, constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include without limitation risks and uncertainties associated with possible changes in the magnitude of the planned workforce reduction, including as a result of changes that may occur in the Company's operations or operating plan, or other reasons or events, possible changes in the amount of charges and cash payments associated with the workforce reduction, including the possibility that the Company may incur unanticipated charges or make cash payments that are not currently contemplated, and the Company's ability to reduce its operating expenses and conserve cash on a net basis as a result of the workforce reduction. These and other risks are described in detail in the Company's SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016. All forward-looking statements contained in this report speak only as of the date on which they were first made by the Company, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after such date.

Company Contact:

Neil K. Warma

Opexa Therapeutics, Inc.

Chief Executive Officer

281-775-0600

SOURCE: Opexa Therapeutics, Inc.
New images from a conservation project in Jerusalem reveal the original limestone bed where the body of Jesus Christ is said to have been laid out after his crucifixion.

The rock-hewn burial platform was exposed for just moments as conservators from the National Technical University of Athens worked to shore up the shrine surrounding the site. Their efforts revealed a marble casing with a cross carved into it that may date back to the Crusader era, between the 11th and 16th centuries. The team also found remnants of the original rock wall of the tomb.

"I'm absolutely amazed. My knees are shaking a little bit because I wasn't expecting this," Fredrik Hiebert, an archaeologist with the National Geographic Society, a partner in the excavations, told National Geographic magazine, which originally reported the findings. [Jesus' Tomb: See Photos of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre]

The making of a holy site

The conservation effort is the culmination of nearly 60 years of negotiations, but the story really begins nearly 1,700 years ago. The supposed site of Jesus' burial was first identified as a holy place in A.D. 326, when Helena, the mother of the Christian Roman emperor Constantine, traveled to Jerusalem and asked locals where Christ had been crucified and buried. She was pointed to a limestone cave in an area pocked with first- and second-century burials. According to Orthodox tradition, Helena ordered excavations and found not only Jesus' tomb, but three crosses and some iron nails. To determine which cross Jesus had died on, church officials held each over corpses on their way to be buried. One of the crosses brought a corpse back to life, revealing it to be the true cross, according to Orthodox readings.

A restorer brushes loose dirt and dust from the original limestone surface of what is said to be the tomb of Jesus Christ. ODED BALILTY / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Atop the site was a pagan temple, which Helena and Constantine ordered to be torn down. The top of the cave was removed, and a new shrine was built over the tomb so that pilgrims could look down and view the stone. Meanwhile, construction began on the sprawling Church of the Holy Sepulchre surrounding the shrine. The church took about 10 years to build, according to the histories of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Another wing surrounds the spot where Jesus is said to have been crucified. [Proof of Jesus Christ? 7 Pieces of Evidence Debated]

The shrine itself is known as the Holy Edicule. By 1555, marble cladding had been put over the original limestone to protect it from souvenir seekers and graffiti carvings. This cladding had not been removed until today's ongoing conservation project. The shrine itself has been damaged and rebuilt many times over the centuries, most recently in the early 1800s, after a fire destroyed it.

Saving history

The Greek Orthodox Church, the Armenian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church jointly control the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, with some presence by the Syriac Church, the Egyptian Copts and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The main stakeholders agreed in 1958 that the Edicule that surrounds the original rock tomb needed to be preserved; already, it was being held up by ugly iron girders.

It took nearly 60 years for all of these groups to agree on a conservation proposal. The National Technical University of Athens opened the marble cladding that had been in place for at least 500 years last week, revealing a layer of loose fill material. Painstakingly brushing it away, they uncovered one last layer of marble and the original limestone bedrock on Friday (Oct. 28), National Geographic reported.

"We can't say 100 percent, but it appears to be visible proof that the location of the tomb has not shifted through time, something that scientists and historians have wondered for decades," Hiebert told the magazine. [In Photos: A Journey Through Early Christian Rome]

An investigation by University of Oxford archaeologist Martin Biddle more than 20 years ago suggested that the Edicule might contain a first-century tomb, said Ken Dark, an archaeologist at the University of Reading who was not involved in the excavations. The new project, which provided a high-tech look at the structure, was unique in that it looked at the original tomb itself, Dark told Live Science.

"The GPR [ground-penetrating radar] survey may indicate that much more of the rock-cut tomb survives inside the surrounding structure than was expected," Dark said. "If so, this is the really important discovery from the work reported."

Connection to Christianity

The rough limestone bed that restorers uncovered was protected by a broken slab of marble inscribed with a small cross.

Conservators have already replaced the marble, hiding the limestone away, perhaps permanently. The team injected mortar around the limestone slabs intended to be a permanent solution to preserving the Edicule. The restoration work will continue into spring, but when it is complete, workers will be able to remove the iron girders around the Edicule, offering an unobstructed view of the structure.

The team also left a piece of the limestone wall of the original tomb exposed so that pilgrims will be able to view it on visits to the shrine, National Geographic reported. The researchers have been documenting each portion and layer of the tomb for future study. Graffiti on the stone could reveal more of the history of the tomb, Biddle told National Geographic.

"The surfaces of the rock must be looked at with the greatest care," he said.

Original article on Live Science.

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New York (AFP) - Actress Susan Sarandon is well-known for supporting liberal causes, but helping Hillary Clinton become America's first female president apparently isn't one of them.

As polls tighten between the Democratic nominee and her maverick Republican challenger Donald Trump, Sarandon has endorsed Jill Stein, the fringe Green Party nominee, according to the Stein campaign.

"Fear of Donald Trump is not enough for me to support Clinton, with her record of corruption," Stein's website quoted the New York-based actress and activist as writing in a letter.

Stein stands for "everything I believe in," she said.

"Now that Trump is self-destructing, I feel even those in swing states have the opportunity to vote their conscience," she added.

The 70-year-old Sarandon -- a noted Clinton critic -- has not commented on her apparent endorsement on Twitter.

In the letter posted Tuesday on Stein's website, she complains about Clinton's failure to support a $15 minimum wage, legalizing marijuana and other policies.

The actress campaigned for Bernie Sanders, the self-described Democratic socialist and independent senator from Vermont who challenged Clinton for the Democratic nomination.

She told MSNBC in March that "a lot" of Sanders supporters would have "legitimate concerns" about supporting Clinton.

Asked at the time about her own vote in a race between Clinton and Trump -- who has inflamed America with an insult-driven, divisive campaign -- she replied: "I don't know. I'm going to see what happens."

Stein commands the support of just 2.1 percent in a poll average compiled by RealClearPolitics.

In a four-way race, Clinton is ahead with 45.3 percent, Trump with 43.4 percent and libertarian candidate Gary Johnson, 4.6 percent, according to the poll.

Clinton has backing from a litany of other Hollywood stars, however. Actors, studio executives and other employees of the film, television and music industries have donated more than $20 million to her campaign.
A state prison inmate has been charged in an August assault against three correctional officers at the Nebraska State Penitentiary.

Jeffrey Hoover, 39, was charged with three counts of assault by a confined person. Records show he's now being held at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution.

At 2 p.m. Aug. 8, Hoover, who was a maximum security general population inmate, began punching a correctional officer in the face, according to prison officials. He also hit two officers in the area who were trying to help the first officer, the state Department of Correctional Services said in a news release.

The first officer was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and the others sought treatment elsewhere.

Hoover started serving 15 to 25 years for first- and second-degree assault in early 2000.

He was charged in the assault on Oct. 27.
In time for the bicentennial of Charlotte Brontes passing (if not todays National Authors Day), the Paris-based publishing house Editions des Saints Peres is releasing a fair copy manuscript of Jane Eyre, the novelists magnum opus from 1847. The limited edition has been reproduced from the only existing copy (secured in the British Library) written in Brontes own graceful and highly legible cursive.

Although a 19th-century work, Jane Eyre remains a timeless exploration on the internal conflict between physicality and spirituality from a feminine perspective, one given more insight with the 824-page copys inclusion of the authors edits and corrections. Primary among these are Brontes revisions on the relationship between her protagonist and Mr. Rochester, Janes employer and love interest, who proposes to her despite already being married. The dynamic between the two characters is pivotal to the plot and the calibration of Janes moral compass.

The manuscript is also illustrated with etchings from artist Edmund Garrett that appeared in an 1897 version. Available December 2 for a price of around $300, each of the 1,000 reproductions has been printed with vegetable ink, is hand-bound, and features a cover and slipcase accented with iron gilding. (editionsdessaintsperes.co.uk)

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By Jibran Ahmad PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - A Pakistani court on Wednesday denied bail to Sharbat Gula, who was arrested for illegally living in Pakistan and is best known as the green-eyed Afghan girl who posed for a National Geographic magazine photograph 30 years ago. Gula, now in her 40s, became a symbol of her country's internecine wars when her photo as a young girl with haunted eyes appeared on the cover of National Geographic. She has been held in jail in the northwest Pakistani city of Peshawar since her arrest on Wednesday last week following an investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which accuses her of possessing illegally obtained documents. The special court for anti-corruption and immigration in Peshawar denied her bail, saying her application to be freed focused on human rights and did not contain any legal arguments. "During her illegal stay in Pakistan, she twice misused her position by obtaining a Pakistani Computerised National Identity Card," judge Farah Jamshed said. She faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted of fraud, though it is more common for undocumented Afghan refugees to be deported than to serve time in prison. Gula's arrest comes amid Pakistani pressure to send 2.5 million Afghan refugees back home even though Afghanistan is facing a bloody Taliban insurgency and would struggle to look after so many returnees. Gula was for years an unidentified celebrity after National Geographic published her image as a refugee in 1985, her defiant, pained eyes staring out from an unsmiling face, framed by a shawl over her head. The image became a symbol of Afghanistan's suffering during the 1980s Soviet occupation and U.S.-backed mujahideen insurgency against it. Afghanistan's ambassador in Pakistan, Omar Zakhilwal, said the verdict contradicted government promises to set Gula free. He said the mother of four was suffering from hepatitis. "Despite being world famous, Sharbat Gula is a poor widow and the sole head of her family," Zakhilwal said in a statement. "I call on the Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan, to whom I will also send a formal request, to intervene," he said. (Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Asad Hashim, Robert Birsel)
By Syed Raza Hassan and Douglas Busvine ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Pakistan may expel five Indian diplomats for espionage and has revealed their names, local media said on Wednesday, a move sure to exacerbate a rift between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbors that has been widening for months. Pakistan declined to comment on the matter ahead of a planned news conference on Thursday, while India said the identity of eight of its diplomats had been revealed by Pakistani media. Vikas Swarup, spokesman of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, declined to comment when asked whether the eight diplomats stationed in Islamabad would be withdrawn. Swarup also said six Pakistani diplomats had left the Indian capital on Wednesday but said they had not been expelled. Last week India ordered one employee of the Pakistani embassy, known as a High Commission, to leave the country on suspicion of espionage, triggering the expulsion of one of its own envoys by Islamabad. The diplomatic spat comes after months of sharply deteriorating relations that began with civil unrest in Indian-controlled Kashmir and Pakistan's global lobbying against New Delhi's crackdown on the Kashmiri activists. In September a group of gunmen killed 19 Indian soldiers at an army camp in Kashmir, an attack India blamed on Pakistan-based militants. India said it had carried out "surgical strikes" inside Pakistan as retribution, but Islamabad denied they even took place and accused New Delhi of fabrication to distract attention from its crackdown on the protests in the part of Kashmir it controls. Artillery duels and skirmishing along the disputed frontier that runs through Kashmir have escalated in recent days, leading India to summon the Pakistani deputy high commissioner on Wednesday to express its "grave concern and strong protest". In a statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs accused Pakistan of violations of a 2003 ceasefire that have caused several fatalities and injuries among its civilians and security forces. New Delhi also protested against the alleged mutilation of the body of an Indian soldier by an attacker who escaped across the Line of Control after "committing this heinous crime". Both sides typically refute the other's version of events. On Wednesday the press wing of the Pakistani military said India had committed 178 ceasesfire violations this year, killing 19 civilians and injuring 80 more. (Writing by Drazen Jorgic and Douglas Busvine; Editing by Gareth Jones)
One-stop pan-European online rights hub ICE has signed a multi-territory license with SoundCloud enabling rights holders across Europe to receive royalties from its suite of services, including the recently-launched SoundCloud Go subscription offering.

The deal follows a licensing agreement between SoundCloud and U.K. collecting society PRS for Music in December last year that brought an end to PRS' suit against the Berlin-based startup over unpaid royalties.

PRS for Music is a founder member of ICE, also known as the International Copyright Enterprise, alongside two of Europe's biggest collection societies: STIM (Sweden) and GEMA (Germany). Today's deal marks the first time that GEMA and STIM members -- like those of PRS -- will be able to receive remuneration from SoundCloud. Collectively, the three societies represent 250,000 songwriter, composer and publisher members' works.

"We're pleased to have reached yet another agreement that enables us to continue to build a place for voracious lovers of music and all forms of creative audio content, whilst ensuring rights holders' work is rewarded and respected," said SoundCloud's vice president of content partnerships Donagh O'Malley in a statement announcing the deal.

"The agreement with ICE adds to the growing number of deals that expand our already expansive catalogue of unique content, and strengthen our connected community of creators, listeners and curators who are fueled by their genuine passion for music and creativity," O'Malley went on to say.

Following a much-publicized U.S. bow in March, SoundCloud's subscription tier SoundCloud Go launched in the U.K. and Ireland two months later, offering ad-free access to a catalog of 135 million tracks for a monthly fee of 9.99. The service is also currently available in France, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

ICE hopes that the rights covered under the new agreement will help accelerate the roll out of SoundCloud's subscription and ad funded services across more territories in mainland and Eastern Europe, driving up user numbers and, in turn, royalties for its members.

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"The deal with SoundCloud marks another significant step forward as ICE continues to work to simplify multi-territory licensing for the benefit of rights holders and digital music service providers alike," said Ben McEwen, ICE licensing commercial director.

For SoundCloud, the agreement further advances its move towards becoming a fully legitimate service to rival Spotify, Deezer and Apple. Earlier this year, it struck a deal with Sony Music -- the last major to sign on the dotted line with the once entirely unlicensed platform that built up a huge following among DJs and dance music producers through its user-upload functions.

It also comes at a time when user-generated platforms, most notably YouTube, are finding themselves under increasing heat from European regulators over the perceived 'value gap' between music consumption and relatively low sums of money paid out to rights holders.

"I want journalists, publishers and authors to be paid fairly for their work, whether it is made in studios or living rooms, whether it is disseminated offline or online, whether it is published via a copying machine or commercially hyperlinked on the web," declared European Commission's president Jean-Claude Juncker at the EC's annual State of the Union address in September in Strasbourg, France.

Included within the address was the EC's long-awaited draft proposals to reform copyright throughout Europe as part of its Digital Single Market strategy. They included forcing sites like YouTube to pay more for the content on its platform and ramping up the policing of infringing content -- complaints that were not too long ago issued by a loud chorus of labels, artists and rights holders towards SoundCloud.

The platform's latest pan-European licensing agreement with ICE -- which arrived on the same day that German collection society GEMA signed a deal with YouTube, ending a seven year dispute -- further smooths relations between SoundCloud and rights holders, while enabling its continued international expansion. Now all its needs to do is achieve the Holy Grail of streaming services and turn a profit.
A 6-year-old Washington boy and his younger sisters were regularly injected by their parents with heroin  their medicine  in order to make them fall asleep, prosecutors allege.

Both parents have been charged, authorities said, and the children have been removed from their care.

Ashlee Rose Hutt, 24, and her 25-year-old boyfriend, Leroy McIver, allegedly referred to the illicit street drug as feel good medicine while administering it to their kids  ages 6, 4 and 2  Pierce County prosecutors said in a statement.

Hutt was charged earlier this week with three counts of criminal mistreatment in the second degree, three counts of assault of a child in the second degree and three counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance to a person under 18, according to the prosecutors statement.

She is being held on $100,000 bail, according to police.

McIver was charged with the same crimes in September, according to the statement; and he, too, remains in police custody  though it was unclear Wednesday what amount had been set for his bail.

Hutt and McIver have pleaded not guilty to their charges, according to court records and KIRO7. Their attorneys did not immediately respond to calls seeking comment.

The prosecutors statement, which was obtained by PEOPLE, reveals an investigation into both Hutt and McIver began in November 2015, when the couples three children were removed from their Spanaway, Washington, home by child welfare investigators. (Reports conflict about whether McIver is the biological father of all three children.)

The kids are in foster care and doing well, a Pierce County sheriffs spokesman told KIRO7.

 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 states child protective services agency visited the couples home and allegedly discovered that multiple individuals lived at the residence and everyone was using heroin, according to prosecutors.

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Rat droppings and drug needles were also found at the home, according to KIRO7, citing court documents.

They made a determination that abuse and neglect of the children had occurred, prosecutors said. They noted marks, cuts, and bruises on one of the childrens bodies. They also noted the bruises appeared to be injection marks with bruising.

The oldest of the three children told police McIver has allegedly choked him and his siblings on more than one occasion, and he alleged his mom and dad give him and his sisters the feel good medicine, which he described as a white powder mixed with water.

His parents, the boy told investigators, allegedly used a needle to inject the feel good medicine into him and his sisters and the medicine put them to sleep.

Tests performed by the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab supported the childs claims, according to prosecutors. Hair follicles from the 2-year-old girl tested positive for heroin, and the 4-year-old girl also showed signs of heroin in her system  but the level did not meet the threshold for a positive test.

The boy tested negative for drugs.

The statement alleges both Hutt and McIver admitted to being heroin users under police questioning.
black lives matter Pennsylvania philadelphia dnc protest

Last week, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a bill that flies in the opposite direction of a national push for transparency after police-involved deaths.

The legislation, House Bill 1538, would prevent public officials from releasing the names of officers involved in shootings or use-of-force incidents that result in the death or serious injury of civilians for 30 days or until the completion of the official investigation. Officials that break the gag order would be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor.

Amid a year of protests and national scrutiny of police following the fatal shootings of Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott in September and Alton Sterling and Philando Castile in July, supporters of the bill say it is critical to protect "our protectors," as one state representative told The Morning Call.

But opponents of the law say such legislation would damage the publics fragile trust in the police and could provide conditions for the type of tensions that produced explosive protests in places like Ferguson, Missouri, and Baltimore, Maryland over the last several years.

"This bill diminishes transparency. The implication here is that police officers who use force have something to hide," Reggie Shuford, the executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania said in a statement last year when the bill was first introduced.

Major newspapers across the state, including the Philadelphia Tribune, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and Lancasters LNP, along with the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, have slammed the bill as misguided and unnecessary and said it would codify suspicion.

The LNPs editorial board wrote that Pennsylvanias Right-to-Know law already allows public officials to withhold public documents, like the release of an officers identity, if it would endanger the life or safety of that person.

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Ex-Philadelphia police commissioner Charles Ramsey called the bill a huge mistake last year and told The Washington Post in March that failing to release officers identities after incidents builds mistrust. Current police commissioner Richard Ross told Philadelphia Magazine that the bill misses the bigger picture and would do little to further police-community relations or protect officers.

Pennsylvania state troopers sanders

The executive director of the Pittsburgh Citizen Police Review Board, Elizabeth Pittinger, said the bill would perpetuate public skepticism and suspicion of government institutions in a letter sent to the state's governor, Democrat Tom Wolf. The president of the Alliance for Police Accountability in Pittsburgh told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the bill was hypocritical.

And the executive director of the Philadelphia Police Advisory Commission, Kelvyn Anderson, told Newsworks that the bill sets a dangerous precedent.

The heavy opposition is unlikely to matter. The bill received broad bipartisan support in both houses  the House passed it 151 to 32 and the Senate 39 to 9. The Fraternal Order of Police has come out in favor of the bill, as have police unions in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Even if Tom Wolf vetoes the bill, which he has until next week to do, the legislature has the votes to override it, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

If enacted, the state will be doing the opposite of what even the Department of Justice has recommended.

The final report from President Barack Obama's task force on policing, published last year, recommended that police create a culture of transparency to build public trust, saying that when serious incidents occur, including those involving alleged police misconduct, agencies should communicate with citizens and the media swiftly, openly, and neutrally."

Tracey Meares, a professor at Yale Law School specializing in criminal law policy, told Business Insider in an email that, if transparency is the goal, HB 1538 is not a great response, adding that there appears to be little evidence that the bills approach would be effective at protecting officers.

A 2015 DOJ report found that the Ferguson police department's decision to wait six days to release the name of Officer Darren Wilson, as well as doing so at the same time it released video footage indicating Michael Brown had been involved in a robbery, inflamed tensions and actions in the city. And the DOJs lesson learned was that law enforcement should release all information to the public after an incident as soon as possible, unless there is a compelling investigatory or public safety reason against it.

A further twist in the development of HB 1538: It was introduced by Republican state Rep. Martina White in direct response to a 2015 Philadelphia Police Department policy change. The shift dictated that the department would release the names of officers involved in shootings within 72 hours of the incident. It was made after a Department of Justice report on Philadelphia polices use of deadly force recommended that departments release information on incidents within 72 hours to combat mistrust.

While neither the White House's report nor the DOJs Philadelphia report explicitly recommended disclosing officers names, officials involved told The Washington Post that the intent of the recommendations was for departments to release them.



obama philadelphia police ramsey 21st century policing

A recent Business Insider investigation into the police department of Albany, New York, similarly found that releasing the names of officers involved in incidents had a positive effect on the public response.

Albany police chief Brendan Cox told Business Insider that, after police killings in Ferguson, Baltimore, and elsewhere, he realized that releasing the names of officers deescalates tense situations. When Albany suffered a death at the hands of a police officer in 2015, Cox decided to release the name of the officers involved within 24 hours. He said it helped convey to the distraught community that the police intended to be as transparent as possible.

It wasn't the first time. After an Albany officer shot 19-year-old Nah-Cream Moore in 2011, then-Chief of Police Steven Krokoff released the identities of the officers involved at a press conference the day after the incident, along with as many details as were available at the time. The move, he says, was critical to defusing public anger.

Its the vacuum of information that fuels the flames, Krokoff said.

Not all states or cities operate so transparently. Chicago, New Jersey, and Washington, DC, currently only release officers names if they are charged criminally, according to the Post. The Privacy Act of 1974 prohibits federal agencies from releasing officers identities unless that person is charged with a crime.

Meanwhile, Arizona, Virginia, and Oregon have tried to pass similar laws as HB 1538 over the last two years but theyve been either vetoed or tabled to this point, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. If the bill is enacted, Pennsylvania would become the only state that keeps officers identities secret for 30 days following an incident.

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jpn f35

Defense officials at the Pentagon say they need up to $500 million more to finish the development phase for the F-35, the troubled fifth-generation fighter that's already gone 50% over its original budget.

The F-35 program office requested the money last month to the Defense Acquisition Board, according to Bloomberg, which first reported the news Wednesday. The call for additional funds is pretty familiar at this point, since the program  known as the Joint Strike Fighter since it will be used by the Navy, Marines, and Air Force  has been plagued by lengthy delays and enormous cost overruns.

Its overall lifetime budget has ballooned to more than $1.5 trillion, making it the most expensive weapons system ever built by the US.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has in the past called those cost overruns a "disgrace."

"It has been both a scandal and a tragedy with respect to cost, schedule and performance," he said in April.

Rising costs haven't been the only problem of note for the F-35. The jet has had plenty of incidents while being built, such as electrical problems, major issues with its software, and problems related to its advanced helmet system.

Just four months ago, the Pentagon's chief weapons tester wrote in a memo the F-35 program was "not on a path toward success but instead on a path toward failing to deliver."

Still, the Air Force and Marines have both declared the fighter "combat ready" and have begun integrating it into their squadrons. The military has only taken delivery of about 180 of the aircraft from Lockheed Martin so far, though it plans to buy more than 2,400.

The fighter, which features stealth and advanced electronic attack and communications systems, is a project with roots going back to the late 1990s. Lockheed won the contract for the fighter in 2001.

"Strong national security is an expensive endeavor but the existing concerns with the F-35 make calls for even more money harder to green light," said Joe Kaspar, chief of staff for Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

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"And the Pentagon never seems to be able to help its case on the F-35. Technical superiority is not cheap, but whether or not costs can be driven down is something Congress must look at it before throwing more money in the Pentagon's direction."

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From Esquire

With only a week left before an Election Day that's been preceded by a heated, ugly campaign that's lasted for what seems like four years, it is impossible to imagine that there are Americans whose votes are really, truly so still up for grabs that the recent "October surprises" could change any minds. Is there anyone out there who has been OK with Hillary Clinton's private email server up until now, but this Weiner thing is just one...step...too...far. And what about the double shot of news that Donald Trump cheated on his taxes even more egregiously than previously revealed and is also rumored to be a Russian stooge? Is that enough to sway someone who was OK with it when Trump was just not paying taxes at all, and openly preferring Vladimir Putin to President Obama? Mind-bogglingly, some polls suggest that's exactly what might be happening. So who are these mythical swing voters for whom any of this information is surprising in the days of 24-hour cable news, confirmation-biasing social media and constant news cycle polling? Here are three personality profiles that are the only types we can imagine budging.

Gary M., 44, computer programmer, Columbus, Ohio

Gary doesn't look like a liberal, but under his SuperCuts special and his square glasses beats a true bleeding heart (at 68 beats per minute resting, according to the blood pressure machine at the Walgreens that he sticks his arm into every month when he picks up his cholesterol medication). No one was a more enthusiastic Bernie Sanders supporter during the primary, even if he had to keep it quiet. Neither his parents nor his colleagues at an IT support firm would understand his conviction that the failures of American capitalism could only now be solved by a Nordic-style social democracy.

It was a sad summer for him: If his coworkers were disposed to noticing other people's emotions, they might've been aware that his shoulders slumped more than usual in his short-sleeved baby-blue button-downs. Many of the other Sanders volunteers that he'd phone-banked with had stopped replying to his Bernie-or-bust group texts by early July; he was pretty sure that was a tear in his left eye when Bernie endorsed Hillary; and his disappointment when he learned that Jill Stein was anti-WiFi was as keen as when he discovered Sony had eliminated OtherOS support and he could no longer boot into Linux on his PS3.

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He had almost resigned himself to voting for Hillary, after entreaties from Bernie Sanders and the few phone bankers who still responded to his texts. But then he received a New York Times push notification while waiting for his usual at Moe's Southwest Grill and saw that Comey was investigating Hillary's emails again, Gary let out an epithet.

"Gosh darn it all to heck!"

The outburst startled the woman assembling his Joey Bag of Donuts with pulled pork. "What was she thinking? What in the world am I supposed to do now? Vote for a woman who thinks WiFi will kill you?"

Sergey P., 36, general contractor, Bridesburg, Penn.

A few hundred miles east, in a suburb of Philadelphia, Sergey was steering his Ford F-150 to a job site when the morning drive time anchor started ribbing her co-host about latest news of Trump's sketchy Russian connections. " !" he swore: Though he was born in America, Sergey's parents had immigrated from the Soviet Ukraine in the 1970s and he preferred to curse in Russian as it just sounded better.

Like a lot of immigrants of the era, Sergey and his parents identified as Republicans-they loved the constitution and Ronald Reagan for sticking it to the Soviet oppressors-and he'd proudly cast a ballot for Ohio governor John Kasich during the primary in the hopes that he'd stick it out and contest the convention. Something about Donald Trump had never sat right with him, even though Sergey supported programs that would deport immigrants who'd skipped the line in which his parents had once had to wait and he admired the man's machismo, which reminded him of his newly-rich uncles back in the Ukraine.

Still, he knew he had to keep Hillary Clinton from winning, right? But as more and more of the conservative foreign policy establishment had lined up for her and against Trump, his resolve to never vote for That Woman wavered. Evan McMullin didn't make the ballot, and Sergey didn't cotton to Gary Johnson's pothead charms but, still, could he really afford to pay more in taxes? And Trump had said repeatedly that he didn't know Putin.

But with the evidence piling up that Trump and his staff had helped the regime in Moscow and undermine the fledgling democracy in his homeland, he wasn't sure what to do. Slamming the door on his pick-up truck, he swore again as he put on his hard hat. "I really don't want to have to vote for that ."

Mary-Elizabeth S., 33, stay-at-home mother, Las Vegas, Nevada

Across the country, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Mary-Elizabeth was getting ready to take her children to school and listening to CNN when she heard the latest news about Trump's tax returns. Well, she heard something about Trump's tax returns and the New York Times, but she didn't really understand all the stuff about stock swaps. All she got was that he'd used some complicated tax scheme for rich people to get out of paying taxes.

She frowned-as much as she could with the Botox injections she'd just received-she loaded the kids into her husband's Mercedes G-Class to drop them at their private school, making sure that Mercedes, their housekeeper, had given Skip the gluten-free sandwich and Bettina the peanut-free cookies. "El sandwicho no wheat-o?" Mary-Elizbeth asked. Mercedes grimaced and nodded. Mary-Elizabeth was never sure what was wrong with her housekeeper's mouth, really.

She ignored her kids bickering in the backseat as they sat in traffic at the road leading in and out of their gated community. It made her so mad to think that Donald Trump had managed to avoid taxes. Just think how much her husband, Dan-a tax lawyer-had to pay every year! It seemed like it took him hours to do their taxes, muttering over every deduction and credit.

Elections were just so confusing: she knew Dan didn't like Hillary Clinton and said she was going to take their guns, but she was pretty sure they didn't even have any guns to take away, unless they were in Dan's office or something. But there was something about Hillary that reminded her of Dan's first wife, the one nearly old enough to be her mother, who looked at her disdainfully when she dropped off Dan's other kids, and she hadn't wanted to vote for her.

Still, it sounded so shady, this avoiding taxes thing. Maybe she could just not tell Dan and vote for Hillary anyway? She just wasn't sure what to do, and the elections were next week. Wednesday, maybe? She vowed to ask Mercedes when she got home.

If you run into an undecided voter before Election Day, document their location and back away slowly. The dithering might be a contagious condition, and we can't afford to add to the ranks of the afflicted.

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Classpass Payal Kadakia 2644

ClassPass announced Wednesday that it plans to discontinue its unlimited membership plan  and the company's diehard fans are not happy.

The monthly subscription service for gyms and workout classes announced in a blog post that it's doing away with the plan that helped the company make its name, citing "a fundamental problem" with the idea of unlimited classes.

CEO Payal Kadakia wrote in the post that ClassPass would be "sabotaging the vision at the very heart of this company" if it encouraged users to continue using Unlimited.

Now, the company is making its 5- and 10-packs of classes  which it introduced earlier this year  the only option for users, migrating its unlimited users over to the 10-class plan, which costs $135 per month. Those members will receive 10 free classes every month for the first three months, the company said.

But several unlimited plan users disagreed with the changes and took to Twitter to voice their frustration with the company's decision.

@classpass It's the same as when you doubled prices. Can no one there do math? Did no one anticipate this? Unacceptable.  socallmeshirley (@socallmeshirley) November 2, 2016

@classpass you're killing me getting rid of unlimited!  Lindsey Frances (@lindsfrances) November 2, 2016

Not too happy about @classpass discontinuing grandfatherd unlimited in TO. Guess I'll be joining a regular gym shortly  Ezra Grossman (@EzraGrossman2) November 2, 2016

NOT happy about @ClassPass discontinuing unlimited. I'm frustrated that I spent last month finding new studios, but now likely will quit.  Laura (@50by25) November 2, 2016

so @classpass no longer offers unlimited classes in LA? * cancels membership *  evelynn (@evemeetswest) November 1, 2016

Using @classpass Raised prices twice

Limited # of current bookings

Eliminated flagship membership option

:(  Allison Preiss (@allisonmpreiss) November 2, 2016

@classpass disappointed does not begin to express my feelings right now. Y'all don't get it.   Kathryn Bennett (@KBheyy) November 2, 2016

@classpass I don't understand why there can't be 15-20 classes a month instead of 10. 10 just doesn't cut it   Stevi  Lou (@stevilou) November 2, 2016

Can't believe @classpass are changing their terms again &have stopped unlimited classes!! What's the point of #classpass anymore?! So angry  ellie kirkby (@pinkele4nt) November 2, 2016

So sad @classpass is changing yet again! and no info on how much the add on bundles are!   Harriet Hadfield (@harrymakesitup) November 2, 2016

Heartbroken that @classpass are discontinuing their unlimited plan. It changed my life this year. So, so disappointed.  Amelia Florence (@ameliafsimmons) November 2, 2016

And the Classpass hits just keep on COMIN!  Danielle Gibson (@danimop) November 2, 2016

Dear @classpass, maybe you should've thought about your business model before deciding it didn't work. The WORST  Jennie Miller (@JennieAMills) November 2, 2016

Well, obviously I'll be cancelling my @classpass. Unbelievably expensive for very little now.  Daisy Jordan (@daisyojordan) November 2, 2016

.@classpass boy, bye. Looking for a new gym membership.  Goldwill Digger (@betsyappleton) November 2, 2016

Kadakia wrote on the company's blog that ClassPass plans to roll out new features in the coming months to "enhance" memberships, and has been sending apologies and working to assuage its disappointed users on the ClassPass Twitter account since announcing the news.

Story continues

You can read the full post about the changes on the ClassPass blog.

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Tasty Made

Chipotle's new burger joint looks nothing like Chipotle. It does, however, look suspiciously similar to many of its competitors.

Chipotle opened the first Tasty Made location opened in Lancaster, Ohio, last week, and there's a lot at stake. The company is betting big on the success of its two spinoff brands, Tasty Made and Pizzeria Locale, as its sales continue to tank.

But initial reviews of Tasty Made aren't great. The location has a two-star rating on Yelp, and reviews describe the place as "sad" and "underwhelming."

One of customers' biggest complaints is that Tasty Made looks strikingly similar to other chains, many of which they say can craft a better burger.

"There seems to be an identity crisis, which surprised me," reads a three-star Yelp review of the location. "Everything from the menu to the color palette and decor screams 'imitation of In-N-Out and Five Guys.'"

We took a look at some of the chains that Chipotle seems to be drawing some serious inspiration from.

In-N-Out

That time I drove like an hour to try Chipotle's burger  A photo posted by Alicia  (@alicia.wanders) on Oct 31, 2016 at 7:34am PDT on Oct 31, 2016 at 7:34am PDT

The makeup of Tasty Made's menu shares some striking similarities to In-N-Out.

Both chains have just four offerings: burgers, fries, shakes, and beverages. Both chains offer a relatively simple take on the hamburger, promising to elevate the humble dish with a beef patty free of additives and preservatives.

Just like In-N-Out has its animal sauce, Tasty Made is trying to distinguish itself with a smoky bacon "tasty sauce."

Take a look at how similar the two restaurants' websites are. Here's In-N-Out:

And here's Tasty Made's website  the same concept, but with a little more scrolling:

The employee uniforms are also similar, down to the hats. Here's Tasty Made:

#TastyMade by Chipotle. A photo posted by William Rouse (@wrouse89) on Oct 27, 2016 at 11:09am PDT on Oct 27, 2016 at 11:09am PDT

Here's In-N-Out:

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in-n-out burger

The similarities aren't escaping customers. For some, in fact, they were a bonus.

"My burger was as close to In-N-Out as you can get without becoming embroiled in some kind of litigation over taste and presentation," reads the location's only five-star review so far. "It is comforting to know that I don't have to hop a nonstop to LA to get an In-N-Out fix whenever I feel the urge."

Others are less positive.

"Dear Chipotle, you poisoned me twice with your burritos. I forgave you," reads a one-star review. "But for you to take clothes from In-And-Out and resell Wendy's cheeseburgers for 3x the price...well, I have to wonder: Don't you guys care about your fellow man anymore?"

Shake Shack

In-N-Out's rival, Shake Shack, also appears to be a major source of inspiration for Chipotle's new burger joint.

After all, just like Shake Shack, Tasty Made is emphasizing its quality ingredients and burgers that are grilled to order and never frozen.

And just as Shake Shack has the ShackBurger, Tasty Made is calling its signature burger "The Tasty Made." It's similarly available in a single or a double.

Five Guys

When it comes to design, Tasty Made has more than a few aesthetic similarities to Five Guys.

Take the menu boards  here's Tasty Made's old-school red and white menu:

Here's the menu at Five Guys:

Five Guys Burgers 1

The foil-wrapped burgers are also reminiscent of Five Guys fare. Tasty Made uses red-and-silver checkered foil:

I just happened to be in Lancaster today. #tastymade A photo posted by J-Rod Racing (@jarrodherr) on Oct 27, 2016 at 10:13am PDT on Oct 27, 2016 at 10:13am PDT

Five Guys uses a simpler foil, but a red checkered pattern shows up on the cups:

Again, customers are noticing the similarities  and some aren't happy.

"Not worth it," one customer posted on Instagram. "It's just like Five Guys but limited options and with a drive-thru."

Tasty Burger

Tasty Burger

Tasty Made's similarities to a small, six-location burger chain have actually led to legal issues for Chipotle.

Tasty Burger, a Boston-based chain, filed a complaint against Tasty Made with the US Patent and Trademark Office in October saying its logo and name are too similar, according to The Boston Globe.

Here's Tasty Made's sign:

The new kid on the block is almost here #tastymade #lancaster A photo posted by stephlbauer (@stephlbauer) on Oct 17, 2016 at 1:05pm PDT on Oct 17, 2016 at 1:05pm PDT

And here's Tasty Burger's logo, on the bag:

Cuddle up with a nice juicy burger on this gloomy day @tastyburgerusa A photo posted by heat ay (@ourcheatday) on Oct 22, 2016 at 3:48pm PDT on Oct 22, 2016 at 3:48pm PDT

Chris Arnold, a Chipotle spokesman, rejected Tasty Burger's complaints in a statement to Business Insider:

"The US Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO) has approved all Tasty Made trademark applications for registration on the primary register. We do not believe that Tasty Burger has any basis for a claim or objection to such approval. We view no confusion or conflict here. While we did discuss Tasty Burger's concerns with them, such discussions led us to believe that Tasty Burger is simply using this as a way to build awareness for their brand and has no valid legal basis to challenge our trademark."

Tasty Made

More generally, Arnold said that Tasty Made is "designed as a very classic burger restaurant, with a very focused menu," and distinguishes itself by using high-quality ingredients.

Tasty Made's problem is that better ingredients don't truly distinguish a burger chain from the competition in 2016.

In recent years, the better-burger business has become crowded, with chains such as Shake Shack and Five Guys demonstrating that a fast-food staple can be improved with higher-quality ingredients.

For years, fast-casual restaurants have imitated Chipotle's menu, design, and more, hoping to be the "Chipotle of" every type of food from Hawaiian to Greek.

Now, however, it looks as though Chipotle may have fallen into the trap of becoming the imitator and not the trendsetter. For a struggling chain, it's not a good position to be in.

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Authorities are investigating a suspicious death after a body was found Wednesday in Dixon County and evidence was found at a residence near Emerson.

Dakota County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Tim Decker said authorities were called to 2605 Highway 35 around 10:30 a.m.

"We found some blood and that led us to some suspects and (that) led us to finding a deceased person in Dixon County," Decker said.

Decker would not release any other information.

The Nebraska State Patrol, the Dakota and Dixon county sheriff's offices and the Dakota County Attorney's Office are investigating.

Emerson is about 30 miles southwest of Sioux City.
(Changes dateline to LIMA, was BUENOS AIRES)

LIMA, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Julio Velarde, the president of Peru's central bank, said on Wednesday the direction of the country's monetary policy will not change after the legislature added three new members to the central bank's board.

The opposition-dominated legislature selected economists Elmer Cuba and Jose Chlimper, along with engineer and politician Rafael Rey, as new members of the central bank's board, completing the group of seven officials led by Velarde.

Cuba and Chlimper supported unsuccessful presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori in the presidential election held earlier this year. Cuba led Fujimori's economic planning team, while Chlimper is a spokesman and secretary for her political party.

"If there is any question with respect to whether the orientation of monetary policy could change, I think that concern has absolutely no basis," Velarde, who has led the central bank for ten years, told reporters.

"Ninety-nine percent of decisions are unanimous. I don't think the bank's monetary policy will change at all," he said.

(Reporting by Teresa Cespedes, editing by G Crosse)
For more celebrity videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS.

Phaedra Parks divorce from jailed husband Apollo Nida is finalized.

The 43-year-old Real Housewives of Atlanta star confirms the news to PEOPLE, saying the ending of their almost seven-year marriage would be documented on the hit Bravo shows upcoming seventh season.

The couple, who split in 2014, began divorce proceedings last season. Nida is currently serving an eight-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to bank fraud and identity theft in May 2014. He was also incarcerated from 2003 to 2009 for car theft charges.

Parks tells PEOPLE that after Nida left, she had to regroup, refocus and work on herself and children  Ayden, 6, and Dylan, 3. And while shes not ready to start dating just yet, she knows her kids will be a part of it when she does.

If I date someone, they have to date all three of us, she shares. Well be a foursome  me and my two kids and him. It has to be a whole family affair.

And at this time, thats not really my top priority. My priority is making sure theyre okay, she adds. I think dating is in the bright near future, but its got to be someone whos definitely a really good guy. I cant have any crazy at this point in my life.

So what exactly is Parks looking for in a guy? Its no surprise that the attorney, funeral director and philanthropist has a long list.

A good sense of humor, confident, God-fearing, generous, hopefully wealthy, attractive  all of those things, she says.

RELATED VIDEO: What Advice Does Phaedra Parks Have for Teresa Giudice?

Parks looks back on the time with Nida positively  even though there were tense moments, like when an estranged Nida showed up at her house as she was changing the locks and confronted her on camera.

It was hard to have such a traumatic, real-life scenario happen all on cameras in front of everybody, she admits. But at the end of the day it not only made me stronger as a woman, but it made me look at life differently. I think Im better because of it. I always try to be very optimistic about life and hope things will be as positive as I want them to be. And thats not always so easy on this type of show. But I think at the end of the day, it works itself out. 

Story continues

As for the criticism she received at the time from Housewives Kandi Burruss and Cynthia Bailey, Parks still feels betrayed and surprised.

It was so hypocritical of these people who were supposedly my friends and my circle to not support me at all, she says. I would have never had imagined that  never in 100 years would I have thought that people would be so mean and nasty during such a real traumatic time for anyone. I just thought, These are the meanest girls on the planet! And they proved themselves to be as much.

Its easy to always make comments  but some of the same things they made comments about, theyre now going through, she points out. Cynthias going through a divorce, Kandis having some issues with her first babys father  I think its interesting to have these big options about everyone elses life and then to see how you handle it when it comes to your front door.

Parks says shes sat down with Bailey, who is divorcing husband Peter Thomas, to offer some advice. Of course, she wasnt nice to me at all when I was going through my stuff with Apollo, Parks points out. But, like I told her: I understand having something very emotional such as losing a relationship a marriage play out. So Ive always supported her in whatever.

I know no one gets married to have a divorce so I understand that this is very sensitive time, she continues of Bailey. If you are anyones friend, you support them. Even if you dont agree with them, you keep your opinions to yourself. No one dies for anyone else, and no one can live anyone elses life.

The ever-quotable Ms. Parks ends with a few words of wisdom: Unless youre doing something that obviously is detrimental for your health and welfare of others, I think your opinions can be kept in your pants like your butt.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta returns for a new season Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
Pharrell Williams made an impassioned plea Tuesday for women to rally behind Hillary Clinton and take the reins in American society.

Appearing at Varietys Inclusion summit at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills, the R&B artist and producer slammed Donald Trump  though without ever mentioning the Republican presidential candidate by name  and countered criticism of Clintons trustworthiness.

If all the women in this nation decided to vote and support the first female candidate, thered be nothing to worry about, Williams said in a conversation with Indiewire executive editor and Variety editor-at-large Michael Schneider. Its that easy.

Of Clinton, he added, Has she been dishonest about things? Sure. Have you? Accusing Clintons opponents and Trump of gender bias, he said, She dont lie no more than any other politician does.

At the end of a conversation that focused on Williams wide-ranging career in film, television, and music  including as a producer of the upcoming feature Hidden Figures, Schneider asked Williams how the social and political polarization of the day has impacted him and his work. Williams responded with a long period of quiet.

That silence in this room right now is often what I feel when you see some of the things that are being said, not just about my culture, but about women, Williams said. He spoke of the need for women to wrest control of society from men. Im praying that women come together and save this nation, he said. You think about the destructive things that have come from mankind, its mostly men.

But he also was self deprecating as he contrasted the lyrics from some of his more salacious songs  which he said were written in the spirit of dancing  with the misogynist language employed by Trump and many of his supporters.

Ive had 60- and 70-year-old women come up to me and say, You know, I like that Drop it Like its Hot,' he said. And Ive had women come up to me, 80-year-old women, and say, That Blurred Lines   Williams then raised his hand as if imitating someone about to slap another person, and added, But they knew where I was coming from. And theres some other people out there, we knew where theyre coming from too.

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In the closest he came to calling out Trump explicitly, Williams said, Are we going to let this other situation take over and remind us what great used to be?

He then rejected the idea that Trumps Make America Great Again slogan constitutes coded language.

Its not a code, its blatant, he said. It made me not want to wear red white and blue for a while, that rally. Those things that were being said. Those t-shirts. I call them the bumper stickers. Cause thats how they talk. Just like bumper stickers.

Williams began the conversation talking with Schneider about Hidden Figures. Directed by Theodore Melfi and starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae, the film is based on the true story of African-American female mathematicians who contributed to the success of NASAa Mercury and Apollo programs.

The female contribution to society was not acknowledged like it should be, Williams said of the movies mid-century setting. Womens contributions were often dismissed, discounted. The idea that we get a chance to actually go back and shine a light on the amazing accomplishments of these women  and African-American women, you know. Its one thing to be a woman in the 1960s. Its another thing to be an African-American woman in the 1960s.



Watch the Pharrell Williams interview below:

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Nov 2 (Reuters) - Talks to resolve a strike by Philadelphia's transit workers that has stranded thousands of commuters have made some progress, the U.S. union and the transport company said during the stoppage's second day.

About 4,700 workers represented by the Transport Workers Union Local 234 went on strike early on Tuesday after they were unable to reach a contract agreement with Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). The system provides almost 1 million rides a day.

The strike has raised fears that it could hamper residents as they try to vote in a Nov. 8 presidential election. Democrats heavily outnumber Republicans in Philadelphia, the fifth-biggest U.S. city, while Pennsylvania is a key presidential swing state.

SEPTA and union representatives "are still at the bargaining table. There was some progress made late last night and they went back to the table this morning," SEPTA spokeswoman Heather Redfern said by phone.

She declined to give details about progress in the talks, which center on health-care benefits, pensions and working conditions. The strike does not affect commuter rail lines outside Philadelphia.

Union spokesman Jamie Horwitz said: "We started seeing some positive efforts last night, but we moved an inch."

He said formal talks were being held at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown hotel, though informal contacts were occurring at various venues.

"It's not as much talks across the table, but through intermediaries," Horwitz said.

With mass transit shut down, Indego, Philadelphia's bike-share system, has seen a sharp increase in use, with about 3,500 trips on Monday, up from a normal 2,400, a spokesman said.

(Reporting by Ian Simpson in Washington; Editing by Alan Crosby)
By Karen Lema SUBIC, Philippines (Reuters) - On his first voyage as captain, Philippine fisherman Joel Banila was more worried about being battered by Chinese coastguard ships than he was about the impending storm on the horizon in the South China Sea. His was one of the first boats to gamble on the big catches on offer in and around the disputed Scarborough Shoal since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made surprise overtures towards China, which sees the area as its sovereign territory. For four years, Chinese ships have blockaded the tranquil lagoon rich in fish stocks and forced fishermen from the Philippines to travel further for smaller catches, reflecting tensions in the South China Sea where several countries have overlapping claims. Frosty relations between China and the Philippines have improved markedly, however, as Duterte shifts away from traditional ally the United States and closer to Beijing, and some fishermen have decided to take a calculated risk. "I felt a bit nervous because it was my first time serving as captain," 32-year-old Banila told Reuters, a day after making the 10-hour, 124-mile journey back to the shores of the northwest Philippines. "We heard what happened before, that they (Chinese ships) ram the boats, so I was moving slowly around the shoal but nothing happened." There has been considerable confusion at sea since Duterte's diplomatic shift, with China's foreign ministry saying this week that the situation at Scarborough Shoal "has not changed and will not change". Philippine officials said fishermen could return, but confirmed no agreement had been reached when Duterte visited Beijing two weeks ago in search of investment, trade, and unimpeded access to the shoal. Duterte's outreach has stunned the region, coming just months after an arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines in a case it lodged in 2013 to challenge not only China's control of the rocky outcrop, but the legality of its manmade islands and vast maritime claims. "We heard there was a (Philippine) boat there, so we also tried go to Scarborough," Banila said. MIXED MESSAGES The situation is far from certain at the shoal, which the arbitral ruling said should be shared by all claimants, and no one country had sovereign rights to it. China has rejected the tribunal's findings. The Philippine defense minister and the president's spokesman on Friday said Chinese ships had withdrawn from the area. Within two days, defense and coastguard officials said Chinese were still there, but had scaled back their presence since Duterte's visit. Some fishermen have returned with big smiles and bountiful catches, reporting no interference from the Chinese as they accessed the lagoon. Among them was Cornel Garnel, a shirtless fishermen who got back last week. "Before, when fishermen tried to fish there, they were driven away by water cannon," he said. Satellite imagery taken on Saturday by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative and The Center for Strategic and International Studies, however, showed fishermen were not entering the shoal itself and were working on its periphery, with China's coastguard still present. Banila said he spotted four Chinese ships, one at the mouth of the lagoon and three circling the area. His boat stayed outside, following the advice of other fishermen. "We were close enough for us to see them, but we can't go inside, only outside," he added. Laureano Artagame, a senior fisheries management official in Subic, said it was "unacceptable" that Chinese ships had let Filipinos shelter at the shoal during a typhoon, but made them leave afterwards. "There is already a decision by the international arbitral court... so why are the Chinese still there?" he said. "Yes, there's some leniency now, there's no more harassment. But there is still anxiety, they still worry." Artagame said the blockade meant fishermen had to be at sea three times longer to catch the kind of volumes of fish they would at Scarborough. He said fishermen were unhappy with the diplomatic ambiguity and he planned to meet representatives of Duterte's government soon to push for answers. "One of the things we will talk about ... is to really ask the government, is there a clear agreement opening the Scarborough?" he said. "And why are they still blocking the entrance?" (Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Mike Collett-White)
HOUSTON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Pioneer Natural Resources Co Chief Executive Scott Sheffield has little hope that OPEC members will agree later this month to curb production, a step that would boost low oil prices.

"I give OPEC a 40 percent chance of reaching an agreement," Sheffield said on a conference call with investors on Wednesday. "And even if they do, everyone will cheat. I have seen this over my 42-year career."

Oil ministers from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries are scheduled to meet Nov. 30 to negotiate a deal on supply cuts.

If OPEC fails to reach an agreement, oil prices likely will stay in the mid-$40 per barrel range for much of next year, Sheffield said.

"With regard to oil prices, we are obviously not out of the woods yet," he said. Sheffield said he did not expect the oil market to rebalance until 2018.

Pioneer, considered by Wall Street analysts to be one of the best-managed U.S. shale oil producers, posted a lower-than-expected quarterly profit on Tuesday. The company's stock fell 6.1 percent to $169.87 in Wednesday trading in line with the broader market as oil prices dropped.

(Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; editing by Grant McCool)
This year's presidential campaign has been rough. At rallies for Republican candidate Donald Trump, crowds chant, "Lock her up!" in reference to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Trump, meanwhile, has been accused of groping and sexually harassing multiple women. Clinton has called some of his supporters "deplorable," while Trump has called Clinton a "nasty woman."

Anecdotal evidence suggests that this negativity is trickling down. Across social media, people publicly announce their plans to unfriend acquaintances on the other side. Friendships and marriages that have weathered years of political differences suddenly seem on unstable ground, according to social media posts, surveys and news articles. In early August, The New York Times profiled a couple who was split between the Trump-Clinton camps. Though the two had been on opposite sides of the 2012 election, this year was the first time one had threatened divorce over the other's vote. [Election Day 2016: A Guide to the When, Why, What and How]

A Monmouth University poll released in September found that 7 percent of Americans said they'd lost friendships over the 2016 election. Experts say there are a lot of reasons for the high emotions on both sides. Here are five major reasons you might find your finger hovering over the Unfriend button before Nov. 8:

1. A deepening partisan divide

The 2016 election is happening against the backdrop of political polarization in the United States. Ordinary Americans are increasingly divided, and increasingly less likely to view the other side with charity. A 2014 Pew Research Center nationally representative survey of 10,000 Americans found that 21 percent eschew consistently conservative or consistently liberal views  an increase from 10 percent in 1994. Thirty-eight percent of Democrats and 43 percent of Republicans viewed supporters of the other party "very unfavorably," up from 16 percent and 17 percent, respectively, in 1994. The two sides even see each other as enemies: 27 percent of Democrats and 36 percent of Republicans said the other party threatens the nation's very well-being.

A 2015 study published in the American Journal of Political Science found that open discrimination against the opposing party is stronger than racial discrimination in experimental studies.

"Today, the sense of partisan identification is all-encompassing and affects behavior in both political and nonpolitical contexts," the researchers concluded.

2. Mudslinging candidates

Against this backdrop of distrust and dislike, the 2016 election has served up two incredibly polarizing candidates with extensive public histories. [We Fact-Checked the Science Behind the Republican Party Platform]

"Republicans have been very suspicious of Hillary Clinton since she was first lady," said Stanley Feldman, a political scientist at Stony Brook University in New York. Trump's criticism of Clinton  that she is guilty of criminal behavior and shouldn't have been allowed to run  is "largely unprecedented," Feldman told Live Science.

At the same time, Feldman said, Trump is a "lightning rod for very strong feelings," due to comments that have antagonized women and minority groups. The rhetoric around the election has cast each candidate as illegitimate or unqualified, he said, increasing the public's anxiety.

The candidates' behavior also sets a standard for the public's behavior, said Joshua Klapow, a clinical psychologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health.

"It's personal, and that's what they're modeling," Klapow told Live Science. "What's happening is that the concern we have about our country and the passion we may have for our position has gotten much more emotional than intellectual." [How to Argue Politics Without Blowing Up Your Relationship]

3. Hot-button issues

The election has also focused on a number of emotionally charged topics: race, religion, sexism and sexual assault, to name a few.

"One of the potentially disturbing parts of this election is the extent to which  I'll say particularly the Trump campaign  has seemingly made it OK to more directly criticize various minority groups and women," Feldman said. "That has generally been considered to be unacceptable in public discourse."

The breakdown of norms inflames emotions and makes it harder to reconcile across party lines post-election, Feldman said. Racism and sexism also hit close to home for many Americans, who then find it difficult to face friends and family who support a candidate they associate with their own experiences of victimization.

"When he [Trump] opens his mouth and speaks about women the way that he does, I feel the fear and I feel the anxiety from my assault take over, as I'm sure most any sexual assault survivor does," an anonymous author wrote on the parenting blog Scary Mommy.

"It is, for many women, personal, and then they try to scrutinize the motives of people who are saying, 'Oh, it's nothing,'" Feldman said. "That's much harder for people to forget."

4. Existential questions

Americans as a whole have been losing trust in social institutions for decades. A 2013 report from researchers at the University of Chicago found that when asked about 12 institutions  from the Supreme Court, to organized religion, to the medical establishment  only 23.3 percent of Americans reported a "great deal of confidence" in these institutions between 2008 and 2012. That number was down from 29.9 percent in surveys taken during the 1970s.

This confidence level isn't at its lowest point in the past 40 years, however  there was an even lower point between 1993 and 1996, during which only 22.6 percent of Americans had a great deal of confidence in social institutions. The study from 2013 also showed a low level of confidence in Congress, with only 6.6 percent of Americans saying they had great confidence in the legislative body. That same year, 14.3 percent of Americans said they had great confidence in the executive branch.

These confidence issues played out during the primaryelection as well as the general election. During the Democratic National Convention, supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders staged a walkout to protest what they called a "rigged" or broken primary system. Much of Trump's candidacy has been predicated on the impression that the political system is broken.

"Change has to come from outside our very broken system," Trump told a crowd in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, earlier this week. He also repeated accusations that the system is rigged and that voter fraud means election results can't be trusted. In conversations like these  on whether the system is corrupt  there's little room for common ground, Feldman said.

"When you have a situation like this where the candidates are cast as being completely unacceptable, when there are aspersions made about how the system is unfair, it's really hard to see how people are going to walk away from this feeling like, 'OK, we lost, but we can wait four years,'" Feldman said.

5. Social media

Once upon a time, you might not have known the political affiliations of your kid's teacher, your ex-boss, your cousin's fiance and your friends from the adult softball league. Alas, those days are long gone. Now, the political opinions of people you might never talk politics with are all over Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites.

"It's not uncommon for us now to discover, 'Oh my goodness, I didn't realize he or she thought that way,' based on what they're saying on social media," Klapow said.

The emotional tenor of the election isn't driven entirely by social media, Feldman said, but it isn't helping, either.

"People are increasingly turning to the web, to Facebook and Twitter for the news, and that does run the risk of something like an echo chamber, where people who have these intense feelings just find them reinforced," he said. Whether the next election is as vicious as this one will depend partially on the candidates, he said, but also on the public discourse around the process from journalists, politicians and commentators across the media.

"I'm not optimistic that this polarization is just going to disappear overnight," Feldman said. "It's going to take a lot of work."

Original article on Live Science.

Editor's Recommendations
By David Rohde WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Supporters hail CIA director John Brennan as a devoted public servant with a strong moral core and a tenacious work ethic. He has increased the recruitment of minority intelligence officers and promoted women to senior posts. He wears a lanyard around his neck every day that celebrates LGBT diversity at the CIA. But some former covert operatives say Brennan is too cautious and political. Liberals accuse Brennan of protecting the CIA instead of forcing it to become more accountable to Congress. In particular, they blame Brennan for convincing President Barack Obama to oppose the release of the full 6,000-page U.S. Senate report detailing torture by the CIA during the presidency of George W. Bush. In private hearings, they said, Brennan bristled at questions from senators regarding the report. After CIA officials searched the computer of a Senate staffer investigating torture, an outraged Sen. Dianne Feinstein accused Brennans CIA of provoking a constitutional crisis by thwarting Congress ability to perform its mandated right to oversee the executive-branch agency. Two other Democratic Senators called for Brennans resignation. Obama and White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough aggressively defended Brennan, who eventually apologized to Feinstein. The exhaustive 6,000-page Senate Intelligence Committee report fully documented the program, Feinstein told Reuters, but the CIA under Johns leadership has had difficulty confronting this dark chapter and learning from its mistakes. Leon Panetta, who served as President Obamas first CIA director, said he understood Brennans desire to protect CIA officers who carried out interrogation methods deemed legal at the time by the Bush administration. But he said it was important to also be open with Congress and the public. I think you can do both, Panetta said. You can protect people there [at the CIA]. And be honest with the American people. Brennan and his aides vehemently defend his reforms, his transparency and his response to the Senate torture investigation, which they say exaggerated the scale of CIA abuse. They say Brennan, who opposes waterboarding, successfully struck a middle course  ending torture while protecting the identities of CIA operatives. He did more to stand up for human rights than any other official in the administration, said Harold Hongju Koh, a Yale Law School professor who served as Hillary Clintons top legal adviser in the State Department. In the interview, Brennan said the actions of CIA officials who exceeded the Bush-era interrogation guidelines were reprehensible. But he said the Senate report exaggerated the scale of abuse. Brennan contended that the vast majority of CIA officers followed the Bush-era guidelines and were being unfairly maligned by individuals who have political agendas. When we do things that are within our authorized mandate, things that we are directed to do by our presidents, things that are deemed lawful by our Department of Justice, Brennan said, for us to be dragged through the coals on that, I find that reprehensible as well. Friends say Brennan say he has privately expressed frustration with the White House's cautious response to the war in Syria and growing Russian assertiveness. But, they add, he is in many ways similar to Obama himself, questioning Americas ability to unilaterally change the world. Brennan declined to comment on his own policy views. But he said, I really feel as though my moral compass is pretty similar to Obamas. And he echoed a central tenet of Obamas worldview. The U.S. should act as the worlds organizer of support to countries that are in desperate need, Brennan said, but recognize that our influence and power over the course of events is limited. (Edited by Michael Williams)
By Philip Pullella ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Tuesday he believes the Roman Catholic Church's ban on women becoming priests is forever and will never be changed, in some of his most definitive remarks on the issue. He was speaking aboard a plane taking him back to Rome from Sweden, in the freewheeling news conference with reporters that has become a tradition of his return flights from trips abroad. A Swedish female reporter noted that the head of the Lutheran Church who welcomed him in Sweden was a woman, and then asked if he thought the Catholic Church could allow women to be ordained as ministers in coming decades. "St. Pope John Paul II had the last clear word on this and it stands, this stands," Francis said. Francis was referring to a 1994 document by Pope John Paul that closed the door on a female priesthood. The Vatican says this teaching is an infallible part of Catholic tradition. The reporter then pressed the pope, asking: "But forever, forever? Never, never? Francis responded: "If we read carefully the declaration by St. John Paul II, it is going in that direction." Francis has previously said that the door to women's ordination is closed, but proponents of a female priesthood are hoping that a future pope might overturn the decision, particularly because of the shortage of priests around the world. In reaction, The Women's Ordination Conference (WOC), a group that promotes a female priesthood, said in a statement that "Patriarchy Will Not Have the Last Word". WOC said it was "profoundly disappointed" by the pope's comments, calling the document the pope referred to "outdated, fallible and painful". The Catholic Church teaches that women cannot be ordained priests because Jesus willingly chose only men as his apostles. Those calling for women priests say he was only following the norms of his time. "The Church cannot be afraid to examine customs when they no longer communicate or resonate with the Gospel. A Church that is not open to the gifts of half of its membership is unsustainable and out-of-touch with the needs of its people," WOC said. In August, Francis set up a commission to study the role of women deacons in early Christianity, raising hopes among equality campaigners that women could one day have a greater say in the 1.2 billion-member Church. Deacons, like priests, are ordained ministers and must be men. They cannot celebrate Mass, the Catholic Church's central rite, but they are allowed to preach and teach in the name of the Church, and to baptize and conduct wake and funeral services. The Church barred women from becoming deacons centuries ago. Scholars debate the precise role of women deacons in the early Church. Some say they were ordained to minister only to other women, for instance in baptismal immersion rites. Others believe they were on a par with male deacons. (Reporting By Philip Pullella; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Michael Perry)
A 26-year-old Lincoln man who slashed another man's calf with a busted beer bottle after a dispute over $20 worth of meth in January was sent to prison Tuesday.

Joseth Botts received a six-year term in connection with that Jan. 30 disturbance in Airpark and a police chase March 15.

Botts pleaded to weapons charges in both cases.

At his sentencing Tuesday, Botts' attorney asked the judge to consider putting him on probation because he has schizophrenia and probation monitoring would help him to continue receiving treatment.

But Lancaster County District Judge Lori Maret said that request is ridiculous because of Botts' lengthy criminal history dating back to when he was a juvenile.

"You're a dangerous person," Maret told him.

Maret gave Botts credit for 177 days served in jail.

After his release, he must serve 36 months of post-release supervision.
ZHUHAI, China (Reuters) - Engine maker Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp (UTX.N), said on Wednesday that it had won nearly $800 million (654 million pounds) in contracts from carriers Air China and Shenzhen Airlines to supply engines for their Airbus Group (AIR.PA) A320ceo aircraft.

Doug Cai, president of Greater China, Pratt & Whitney, told a news conference on the sidelines of the country's biggest air expo in Zhuhai that Air China had picked V2500 engines for 18 of its A320 aircraft, while Shenzhen Airlines selected the engine for 13 of its jets.

The V2500 engine is designed and manufactured by International Aero Engines, a global partnership of aerospace firms including Pratt & Whitney, Japanese Aero Engine Corp and MTU Aero Engines.

Pratt & Whitney also said it would assess opportunities for involvement in planemaker Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China's (COMAC) [CMAFC.UL] project to develop a wide-body passenger aircraft with Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).

The jumbo jet project represents the two countries' aim to compete in the wide-body segment, currently controlled by Europe's Airbus Group (AIR.PA) and Boeing Co (BA.N) of the United States. The plane would be China's largest-ever aircraft, as well as Russia's biggest post-Cold War airliner.

COMAC and UTC said in June last year they want to begin deliveries of the jet in 2025, a target most Western industry analysts consider extremely ambitious.

(The story has been refiled to correct acronym to UAC from UTC in 4th paragraph)

(Reporting by Brenda Goh; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
In a better world, Leila de Lima would be enjoying the triumphant culmination of a long career in public service. Instead the 57-year-old member of the Senate of the Philippines is enduring an all-out campaign to smear her reputation and discredit her work.

The man behind it is none other than her countrys president, Rodrigo Duterte. Im the subject of a massive demolition job, De Lima told me when I met her recently in Manila. The president is using practically the entire apparatus of the state to destroy me. Hes said that he wants me finished. Even before he took office, he said, De Lima, dont pick a fight with me, youll surely lose.

Duterte began his term a little over four months ago, and yet, as the campaign against De Lima shows, his presidency is already casting a dark shadow on his countrys hard-won freedoms. His signature policy is his bloody campaign against the drug trade, in which Duterte has declared open season on dealers. In a recent speech, he questioned whether drug users are even human beings, urging law enforcement and indignant citizens to take matters into their own hands. Since Duterte took office this summer, more than 4,700 people have been killed by police officers and vigilantes  without even a hint of due process.

Its an extraordinary departure for a country that, until recently, was offering the world a remarkable demonstration of the virtues of democracy. In 1986, millions of Filipinos took to the streets to overthrow long-reigning dictator Ferdinand Marcos, ushering in an era of free elections and open media. It took a while for the People Power Revolution to bring economic results, but over the past decade the Philippines, population 100 million, has experienced growth that has made it one of the most dynamic performers in Asia  even outpacing China at times. In the second quarter of this year it was Asias fastest-growing economy.

So why in the world would Filipinos elect a man like Rodrigo Duterte? His contempt for the constraints of the law were already apparent during his long stint as the mayor of Davao, the southern city where he oversaw the extrajudicial killing of those he deemed worthless to society. His habit of flinging obscenities at other world leaders (including President Obama and Pope Francis) has diminished the stature of his office and cast a shadow on the Philippines international reputation. And his dramatic foreign-policy pivot to China runs contrary to popular opinion in what is probably the most pro-American country in the world.

Story continues

Chito Gascon, head of the Philippines Commission on Human Rights, doesnt mince words: This is probably the biggest challenge to democracy since the dictatorship, he says. With the election of Mr. Duterte were moving away from the post-authoritarian democratic consensus to a period of illiberal democracy. The Philippines, he says, is now aligning itself with the global trend towards popularly elected despots, who use their voter mandates to undermine institutions and consolidate their personal power.

Like so many other places where democracy is in peril, the Philippines has become something of a victim of its own success. The fruits of growth have been unevenly spread, deepening the frustration of marginalized regions and social classes. Corruption has exploded.

Meanwhile, the justice system is deeply dysfunctional, often trapping the accused in overcrowded prisons for years pending trial. An entrenched elite maintains a tight grip on the commanding heights of the economy and the political system. By one account, just 20 families own most of the 267 companies trading on the Philippines stock exchange.

Duterte, a self-declared outsider (though hes clearly a member of the elite) has vowed to tackle all these ills head on  even if it means bypassing the system of checks and balances that the Philippines has so laboriously built up over the past few decades. His tough talk and no-nonsense attitude appeal to those who yearn for dramatic change.

The consequences for democracy are already manifest. The anti-drug campaign is making a mockery of the most fundamental principles of the rule of law. Were essentially setting loose the police from whatever constraints weve tried to establish over the past 30 years, says Gascon. A few weeks ago, he notes, a civil society leader was shot by masked men who turned out to be police officers. Meanwhile, on Oct. 28, security forces gunned down a mayor on the southern island of Mindanao after Duterte accused him of complicity with the drug trade. Well never know if the allegations were justified, since the mayor  who protested his innocence  never had a chance to present evidence to the contrary.

Even so, the campaign appears to be highly popular with many Filipinos, who have rewarded the presidents perverse version of law and order with sky-high approval ratings. And since Dutertes camp commands a solid majority in the lower house of parliament, criticism from the opposition presents little threat.

It is Senator De Lima who has been trying to fill the gap. She and Duterte have a long history. A few years ago, as head of the influential Commission on Human Rights (the same position held by Gascon today), she used her position to throw light on the killings in Davao. By all accounts, Duterte never forgave her  and as soon as she tried to launch a Senate hearing into the latest murders, she found herself under fire.

The administration trotted out a series of dubious witnesses  many of them serving life sentences in prison  who proceeded to incriminate De Lima herself in the drug trade (through credible evidence was conspicuously lacking). During testimony one of the men revealed De Limas personal phone number and address, prompting her to move out of her home for a while.

Meanwhile, Duterte supporters unleashed a tsunami of social media vitriol against the senator. The president and his minions accused her of an illicit sexual liaison with her former driver  and alleged the existence of a sex tape to prove it. Pro-government politicians who claim to have seen the tape are outdoing each other with crude commentaries that make Donald Trumps notorious hot mic episode look tame. (Duterte himself set the tone with a gruesome joke about rape he made during his election campaign.)

Aside from casting light on a venomous culture of misogyny, the episode raises worrisome questions about the durability of the Philippines democratic institutions. De Lima says that shes received little support from her allies because the president, who has declared that certain journalists should not be exempted from assassination, is cowing the media into silence. The withered political opposition has been notably reluctant to speak up in her defense. Backed by his legions on social media, Duterte has pressured other potential critics  from the Supreme Court to the Roman Catholic Church  to stay out of his way.

Gascon, of the Human Rights Commission, hopes that those who remain committed to democracy will soon find the strength to push back. But he worries that it may not happen soon enough. Were living in dangerous times, he says. I dont know if [De Lima] will survive this. I dont know if I will survive this. The president said in his campaign that change is coming, and probably change is here. But to us it actually feels more like winter is coming.

Photo credit: NOEL CELIS/AFP/Getty Images
With less than a week left until Election Day, President Barack Obama is calling on male voters to search their minds and hearts for any signs of sexism that may be holding them back from voting for a woman president.

Speaking at an early voting rally for Hillary Clinton in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday, the president told supporters of the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton is consistently treated differently than just about any other candidate I see out there.

You know, theres a reason why we havent had a woman president before, Obama continued. We have to ask ourselves, as men  because I hope my daughters are going to be able to achieve anything they want to achieve, and I know that my wife is not just my equal but my superior.

I want every man out there whos voting to kind of look inside yourself and ask yourself, if youre having problems with this stuff, how much of it is that were just not used to it? So that, like, when a guy is ambitious and out in the public arena and working hard, well, thats okay, but when a woman suddenly does it suddenly youre all like, Well, why is she doing that? 

RELATED VIDEO: Hillary Wants Michelle Obama to Work with a Clinton White House

The president made similar remarks about sexism and its impact on Clintons campaign and possible presidency in a recent interview with comedian Samantha Bee.

When Hillary is president, what do you think will be the female equivalent of you werent born in this country?  Bee asked, referencing the birther campaign against Obama.

I think the equivalent will be: Shes tired. Shes moody. Shes being emotional,  Obama said.

When men are ambitious, its just taken for granted. Well, of course, they should be ambitious,  he added. When women are ambitious, Why? That theme, I think, will continue throughout her presidency, and its contributed to this notion that somehow she is hiding something.

Vice President Joe Biden has also pointed to the disproportionate scrutiny the former secretary of state has faced over the years, saying on Sundays Face the Nation that hes benefited from the same double standard that hurts Clinton. I get all of this credit for being authentic, and you know, and now even Biden gaffes are now, you know, Biden tells the truth kind of thing, he said. But Im a guy.

Story continues

At Tuesdays rally, Obama urged voters to look beyond the systematic attacks critics on the right have made against Clinton.

Has she made mistakes? Of course. So have I, the president said. Theres nobody in the public arena over the course of 30 years that doesnt make some.

But she is a fundamentally good and decent person who knows what shes doing and will be an outstanding president, Obama concluded to cheers.




President Obama had this incredible thing to say to male voters about sexism and we approve

As the race for the presidency races towards its heated climax on November 8th, President Obama has been asking one specific group of voters to consider the prejudices before entering the booth.

Speaking to crowds at a rally in Columbus, Ohio, the current President of the United States, made a plea to male voters and, tbh, its incredible.

Asking men to consider whether their voting habits had anything to do with sexism, Obama passionately told the male electorate yesterday (November 1st) to leave their biases at the door.

To the guys out there, I want to be honest, he said to the crowd. You know, theres a reason we havent had a woman president before, and I think sometimes were trying to get over the hump.

Continuing, Obama went on to say he wanted to equal opportunities for his daughters so that they could achieve everything they wanted in life, before going on to praise his wife, Michelle.

I know that my wife is not just my equal but my superior.

Michelle Visage

Obama then made an appeal to all men we totally applaud it.

Expanding on his earlier points, the President gave a rousing speech.

I want every man out there whos voting to kinda look inside yourself and ask yourself, if youre having problems with this stuff, how much of it is that were just not used to it? he asked, implicating himself in the discussion. When a guy is ambitious and out in the public arena and working hard, well thats okay. But when a woman suddenly does it, suddenly youre all like, well, whys she doing that? Im just being honest.

Obama then went on to give his support to Hilary Clinton.

He also threw some not so subtle shade at a certain Donald Trump.

Shes so much better than the other guy,' Obama said. She has conducted herself so much better in public life than the other guy. So this notion that its hard to chooseit shouldnt be!

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President Obamas comments come just a day after he gave an interview with comedian Samantha Bee, where he said that Hilary Clinton had been subjected to sexism.

When men are ambitious, its just taken for granted. Well, of course, they should be ambitious, he said. When women are ambitious, Why? That theme, I think, will continue throughout her presidency, and its contributed to this notion that somehow she is hiding something.

Obama also warned the crowd in Ohio to beware the Republican candidate.

Speaking directly to working class voters, the President said that Trump doesnt have time for anyone thats not rich or a celebrity.

He then made this important and vital point about voting for Donald Trump:

The only thing this office does is it amplifies who you are, Obama said knowingly. It magnifies who you are. It shows who you are. If you disrespected women before you were elected, you will disrespect women once youre president.

You can watch Obamas full speech below (it starts around the 15 minute mark):

We have to say, we really respect Obama for addressing the internalized sexism that some men may or may not realize that they have.

Remember, its so, so important to go out and vote on November 8th. To find out whether you can vote early, visit vote.org.

The post President Obama had this incredible thing to say to male voters about sexism and we approve appeared first on HelloGiggles.
President Barack Obama has criticized FBI Director James Comeys decision to notify Congress of the agencys renewed probe into Hillary Clintons use of a private email server during her time as secretary of state.

Breaking his silence on the matter in an interview with NowThis News that aired Wednesday, Obama suggested  without mentioning Comey by name  that the FBI director had breached investigative protocol with his bombshell announcement on Friday.

I do think that there is a norm that when there are investigations, we dont operate on innuendo and we dont operate on incomplete information and we dont operate on leaks, Obama said. We operate based on concrete decisions that are made.

When this was investigated thoroughly the last time, the conclusion of the FBI, the conclusion of the Justice Department, the conclusion of repeated congressional investigations was that she had made some mistakes but that there wasnt anything there that was prosecutable, he continued.

Obama said he had made a very deliberate effort to make sure that I dont look like Im meddling in what are supposed to be independent processes for making these assessments, but added that he had faith in Clintons integrity.

The presidents comments come after his press secretary, Josh Earnest, said Monday that the White House would neither defend nor criticize Comeys decision.

The president doesnt believe that hes secretly strategizing to benefit one candidate or one political party, Earnest said of Comey. Hes in a tough spot, and hes the one who will be in a position to defend his actions in the face of significant criticism from a variety of legal experts, including individuals who served in senior Department of Justice positions in administrations led by presidents in both parties.

RELATED VIDEO: Hillary Wants Michelle Obama to Work With a Clinton White House

Comey is indeed under fire for sending a letter to Congress announcing that the FBI is taking additional investigative steps into the Clinton case after uncovering emails that could be related to the probe on a laptop belonging to Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin.

Story continues

Republican attorney and former White House ethics lawyer Richard W. Painter has filed a complaint against Comey and the FBI, alleging that they violated the Hatch Act, which ensures that federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan fashion.

At a Clinton campaign rally in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday, President Obama said the Democratic nominee is consistently treated differently than just about any other candidate I see out there. He urged voters to look beyond the systematic attacks critics on the right have made against Clinton, saying that while shes made mistakes  she is a fundamentally good and decent person who knows what shes doing and will be an outstanding president.




On Nov. 2, Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric spoke with Kristen Clarke, the president and executive director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, about the firebombed Mississippi church that was vandalized with Vote Trump graffiti Tuesday evening. Clarke told Couric, We want a democracy at the end of the day where people can freely worship and most importantly where they can freely participate in our political process and exercise the right to vote free from intimidation or harassment.
Nov 2 (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

** TransCanada Corp is undertaking a series of multibillion-dollar moves to help pay for a major U.S. acquisition earlier this year while cementing annual gains in its dividend of up to 10 percent. The company said late Tuesday it will issue as much as $3.5 billion of stock in its second massive bought deal of 2016. http://bit.ly/2fc44dP

** The Canadian federal government is rolling out measures to lure more foreign cash and talent as it tries to dig the country out of a slow-growth trap. The strategy, unveiled Tuesday by Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau, includes measures that will make it easier for fast-growing Canadian tech firms and multinational corporations operating here to quickly bring in skilled foreign workers. http://bit.ly/2fc3hJW

** Canadian mobile game maker Big Viking Games has announced it received C$21.75 million ($16.25 million) in equity financing in 2016, and hopes to raise almost C$40 million ($29.88 million) more to expand in the coming years. http://bit.ly/2fc194F

NATIONAL POST

** Alberta's NDP government moved to put into law Tuesday the costliest aspect of its climate leadership plan - a 100 megatonne-a-year cap on emissions from the oilsands. http://bit.ly/2fc5ViR

** One of the Canada's largest banks has moved a key prime rate up 15 basis points for variable-rate mortgage customers, a change that will affect Canadians with floating rate products. Toronto-Dominion Bank began telling the lending industry on Monday that its prime lending rate was going to jump from 2.7 percent to 2.85 percent on Tuesday for one segment of its business. http://bit.ly/2fc3Pzp

($1 = 1.3387 Canadian dollars)

(Compiled by Parikshit Mishra in Bengaluru)
Nov 2 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories in the Financial Times. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

Headlines

Evergrande in talks to buy UK housebuilder Cala http://on.ft.com/2ebAWBa

EasyJet heads off strike threat over pilot fatigue http://on.ft.com/2ebGbB4

ICE to appeal UK antitrust ruling on Trayport acquisition http://on.ft.com/2ebFrM6

Valeant in talks to sell Salix to Takeda for $10 bln http://on.ft.com/2ebH2BM

Overview

China-based property developer, China Evergrande Group is in talks to buy UK housebuilder Cala Homes.

EasyJet Plc averted a potential strike by pilots after they accepted a fresh offer from the European airline to resolve a dispute over fatigue.

Intercontinental Exchange Inc will appeal a UK antitrust ruling that its purchase of London-based Trayport hurt competition.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd is in advanced talks with Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc to buy Salix Pharmaceuticals for about $10 billion.

(Compiled by Abinaya Vijayaraghavan in Bengaluru; Editing by Sandra Maler)
Nov 2 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the New York Times business pages. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

- In the latest hit to the bank, Wells Fargo and Co has agreed to pay $50 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that accused the bank of overcharging hundreds of thousands of homeowners for appraisals ordered after the homeowners defaulted on their mortgage loans. http://nyti.ms/2ftpVRC

- Airbnb on Tuesday avoided a potential class-action lawsuit by customers who accused hosts of racial discrimination when a federal judge ruled that the company's arbitration policy prohibited its users from suing. http://nyti.ms/2e0AiLC

- Teneo, the corporate consulting firm with ties to the Clintons, filed papers to sue Ed Rollins, a Republican strategist and chairman of a Donald Trump super PAC, for defamation and breach of contract over comments made about the firm in recent days. http://nyti.ms/2ec3iLL

- African-Americans are failing to vote at the robust levels they did four years ago in several states that could help decide the presidential election, creating a vexing problem for Hillary Clinton as she clings to a deteriorating lead over Donald Trump with election day just a week away. http://nyti.ms/2ey0fyt

- Unifor, Canada's largest private sector union, reached a tentative agreement with the Ford Motor Co of Canada early Tuesday, concluding contract talks with the three Detroit-based automakers. http://nyti.ms/2eZxM5m

- Meeting reporters, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria said his country's social fabric was "better than before" the war, and rejected political changes until government forces had prevailed. http://nyti.ms/2evOOaF

(Compiled by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru)
Kahramana Market & Bakery, 850 N. 27th St. Immediate suspension, all food service operations ordered to cease. Meat being prepared at another facility that does not have USDA inspection. Numerous containers of food observed adulterated by mice, olives in walk-in cooler with mold, stagnant. Raw beef and chicken thawing in same sink, eggs over ready to eat items in display cooler. Employee stated that meat saw was being cleaned with soap and water and not sanitized. Leaking drain pipe requires tub to catch water. Items produced at local bakery lacking labels where made. Numerous pest droppings, dead mice and adulterated packages in facility. Evidence of smoking inside building found in rear storage and basement areas, smoking restricted to outside.
Long-distance love! Prince Harry proved just how serious he is about Suits actress Meghan Markle after making a top-secret visit to her home in Toronto, Us Weekly can exclusively reveal.

With just one protection officer in tow, the 32-year-old royal kept a low profile as he caught a commercial flight to Torontos Pearson International Airport on October 28 for a romantic trip to the Canadian city.

PHOTOS: Prince Harry's Hottest Moments!

He was buzzing with excitement when he arrived, a Harry pal tells the new issue of Us Weekly, adding that a car was waiting at the airport so he could be driven to Meghans house.



For the next several days, including Halloween night, the couple holed up inside 35-year-old Markles suburban pad, forgoing nights out at her favorite city spots in favor of cooking together at home and playing with her rescue dogs, Lab-shepherd mix Bogart and beagle Guy. Adds the pal, Its very serious.

PHOTOS: Celebrity Couples and How They First Met: Love Story Beginnings

For the couple  who met through a mutual friend in June  the visit has been one of many transatlantic travels in their relationship. Markle quietly went on dates with Harry on trips to London in July, September and October, often sharing cryptic snaps of her British travels on Instagram.



Shes met his closest circle of friends, and they all love her, a source adds of the U.N. Women advocate, who has spent time with a number of his nearest and dearest, including a double date with Harrys cousin Princess Eugenie and her love Jack Brooksbank. Its an exciting time.



PHOTOS: Prince Harry's Craziest Scandals

And while its too early for engagement talk, the source adds that Markle is perfect for the philanthropic prince: Harrys in a really good place. Being able to find his true purpose through his work and now being able to share it with someone else. Everyone is so happy for him.



For more about the Princes blossoming relationship  including how he broke the news to Kensington Palace aides  pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now!

Story continues





Related Content:
Prince Harry is rumored to be off the market, but who exactly is Meghan Markle, the actress said to be romancing the red-headed royal?

Reports broke over the weekend that the 32-year-old prince is dating the 35-year-old American star, who plays Rachel Zane on USA's Suits.

WATCH: Prince Harry Reportedly Dating 'Suits' Star Meghan Markle

"He is very into Meghan, it's a bit of a whirlwind romance," royal expert Katie Nicholl tells ET. "They've been dating very secretly for the past three months."

"I've spoken to quite a lot of friends and the people he hangs out with over here, and there's a lot of surprise that this story has gathered so much momentum and an engagement is being spoken about," Nicholl notes of the rumors swirling around the budding relationship. "They're saying that is way down the line."

Here now is everything there is to know about Markle:

WATCH: Prince Harry Meets His Redhead Mini-Me and It's the Cutest Moment Ever

1. When Harry Met Meghan: The two reportedly crossed paths this past May, when Harry was in Toronto, Canada, to promote the Invictus Games. Markle films Suits there. And it seems as if things might be getting pretty serious. According to People, Harry has already introduced Markle to his father, Prince Charles.

Gutted to be leaving #London - Thanks for a yummy breakfast @anderson_markus @sohohouse A photo posted by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on Jul 5, 2016 at 5:58am PDT

2. She Has Been Traveling to London a Lot Lately: Sure, none of her Instagram shots actually have Harry in them but there certainly have been a number of pictures from her travels across the pond over the past four months.

WATCH: Prince Harry Says He 'Regrets' Not Speaking Out About His Late Mother Princess Diana's Death Sooner

3. She's Down to Earth: "When she's not working, she's totally a 'jeans and tee' kind of girl," a source tells ET. "She's way more into having a low-key night in than going out to party. She's very smart, hardworking, and incredibly sweet."

Story continues

After a long day of shooting it's date night with my boys and @lindsayjillroth #homesweethome #bogart&guy #adoptdontshop A photo posted by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on Apr 22, 2016 at 10:24pm PDT

4. How She Describes Herself: "I'm an actress, a writer, the editor-in-chief of my lifestyle brand The Tig, a pretty good cook, and a firm believer in handwritten notes," she told Elle UK in a recent interview. Her bio on Instagram mirrors this description.

5. She's a UN Women Advocate: "I spoke about this in a speech I gave for International Women's Day with UN Women just two years ago. It is a testament to the fighting spirit I had as a young girl, and the responsibility I now feel as a grown woman; and even more so as an actress. The moment Suits became successful and I realized people (especially young women) were listening to what I had to say," she wrote on her site, The Tig.

MORE: Prince Philip Looks Just Like Prince Harry in 1957 Photo and Everyone Is Losing It!

6. She's Been Married Before: Markle married Trevor Engelson, a film producer, in 2011 before divorcing two years later. "I think being a divorcee is more an issue when it comes to potentially marrying Prince Harry than being an actress who has filmed, shall we say, some racy scenes in the past," Nicholl tells ET.

7. She Has No Interest in a Cinderella Story: "With fame comes opportunity, but in my opinion, it also includes responsibility  to advocate and share, to focus less on glass slippers and more on pushing through glass ceilings, and if I'm lucky enough  then to inspire," Markle writes.

8. She graduated From Northwestern University in 2003: Markle was a Communications major and didn't forget her alma mater after making it as an actress. She returned to the Chicago campus in 2014 for a panel discussion. "It's my alma mater, so I'm really happy to be back here," she said at the time.

WATCH: Prince Harry Gets Tested for HIV in Facebook Live Video

9. Other Places You Have Seen Her on the Big and Small Screen: While Markle is best known for her TV role on Suits, she has also made appearances on General Hospital, 90210, The League, and Castle along with such films as Horrible Bosses and Remember Me.

Me and my dad #throwbackthursday A photo posted by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on Mar 14, 2013 at 6:23pm PDT

10. She is Biracial: "My dad is Caucasian, and my mom is African American. I'm half black and half white," she tells Elle UK. "Being biracial paints a blurred line that is equal parts staggering and illuminating. At the end of season two, the producers [of Suits] went a step further and cast the role of Rachel's father as a dark-skinned African-American man, played by the brilliant Wendell Pierce."

west coast, best coast #californiagirl A photo posted by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on Feb 28, 2016 at 2:32pm PST

11. She Grew Up In Los Angeles: Markle was raised on the West Coast but currently resides in Toronto with her dogs, which she adopted, while filming Suits. "It was the late '70s when my parents met. My dad was a lighting director for a soap opera, and my mom was a temp at the studio. They moved into a house in The Valley in LA, to a neighborhood that was leafy and affordable," she shares with Elle UK.

WATCH: Prince William Becomes First Royal to Cover a LGBT Magazine, Takes Stand Against Bullying

12. Her Suits Co-Stars Have Hollywood relationships: Patrick J. Adams is dating Pretty Little Liars star Troian Bellisario while Gabriel Macht is married to actress Jacinda Barrett.

Sign up for the presale for my fall capsule collection for @Reitmans! The essential fall uniform I designed for work or play  #MMxReitmans (on sale next week!! http://bit.ly/1qVx66l) #fashion A photo posted by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on Oct 25, 2016 at 3:11pm PDT

13. She Has a Clothing Collection for Reitmans: "For me, in putting the whole collection together, it's a reflection of where I've come from," she said of the collection for the Canadian retailer. "I've always shopped on the sale rack and I've always been the girl flipping through the hangers trying to find the best deal. And now, being able to say, wow, this has my name on it and is at a price point that I think is really approachable and I'm proud to say a lot of people can afford. (Hmm, something for her to bond with Kate Middleton over?)



WATCH: Kate Middleton Makes a Style Statement in $30 Pants from the Gap

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The American actress linked to Prince Harry has spoken out for the first time since reports of their relationship surfaced, however, she isnt dishing on their alleged time together.

Read: 'Suited' for a Prince: Is Harry About to Tie the Knot With American Actress Meghan Markle?

Suits star Meghan Markle told the Vancouver Sun about her upcoming fashion line and career, saying: "My cup runneth over and Im the luckiest girl in the world!"

Many believe she is really talking about her relationship with the world's most eligible bachelor.

She also added: December is holiday time and Im really looking forward to seeing my family and traveling.

The 35-year-old actress had a humble upbringing, growing up in a house in a crime-riddled neighborhood in Los Angeles. It is a stark contrast from Buckingham Palace.

The romance between the prince and the actress could lead to an engagement in the very near future, according to People magazine.

Read: The Prince and Me: Harry Has Been Secretly Dating 'Suits' Star Megan Markle: Reports

"Harry is pretty serious about her and she is pretty serious about him, a source told the magazine.

According to reports, they met last summer in Toronto at an event for the Invictus games.

Watch: Ryan Lochte Once Attended Wild Pool Party With Prince Harry, Who Challenged Him to a Race

Related Articles:
Youve undoubtedly heard by now: Prince Harry is dating a brunette! Oh, and shes an American!

If the name Meghan Markle doesnt ring a bell, dont worry  were sure youll be learning lots about her in the days, weeks, and potentially years to come.

So heres what we know at this point: Markle, 35 and from Los Angeles, is an actress on the legal TV drama Suits, as well as a humanitarian. Relationship-wise, shes been divorced from her first husband for three years, and is rumored to have dumped her Canadian celeb chef boyfriend of two years this past May in order to get with Harry  whom she met at a charity event in Toronto.

But while Markle may share the same chestnut hair color as her potential future sister-in-law Kate Middleton (are we jumping the gun here?), her fashion sense is far less modest. In fact, Markle has admitted that she actually has to wrestle with the Suits wardrobe department to allow her character to wear looser-fitting clothing. As she reportedly told the Toronto Sun (via Daily Mail), Those pencil skirts on the show are fit within an exhale, but I fight to get that paired with a mens oversized shirt for balance.

And staying on the topic of fashion, Markle has actually just released her first-ever design effort: A five-piece clothing collaboration with Canadian brand Reitmans, which includes a cashmere poncho, a silk top, an on-trend bodysuit, and vegan leather pants and a skirt.

Im deeply and passionately involved in the design process, she told the Sun. Im a brash American, and if my name is going to be on something, Im going to have my say. All of which means that, even if you arent lucky enough to be Prince Harrys (rumored) girlfriend at least you can dress like you are.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.
Zurich (AFP) - Swiss chocolate and cocoa giant Barry Callebaut posted Wednesday sweeter annual sales but restructuring costs and a challenging confectionary market nibbled away at its profit.

The world's leading cocoa company said it pulled in a net profit of 219 million francs ($226 million, 203 million euros) during its fiscal year that ended in August -- an 8.7-percent drop from the previous fiscal year.

The slumping net profit was largely attributed to a morose market for cocoa-based products, restructuring costs, swelling tax expenses and the impact of unfavourable exchange rates.

Increased volumes however helped boost Barry Callebaut's sales to 6.7 billion Swiss francs.

That marks an increase of 8.8 percent when expressed in local currencies, although a strong franc meant sales swelled by just 7.0 percent when expressed in the Swiss currency, the company said.

Over the fiscal year, Barry Callebaut said it sold 1.8 million tonnes of cocoa products -- up 2.2 percent from the previous 12-month period.

Following the announcement, the company saw its share price inch up 0.57 percent in mid-morning trading to 1,235 Swiss francs a piece as the overall market slipped slightly.

Analysts polled by the AWP financial news agency had expected the company to rake in a net profit of 224.6 million Swiss francs on sales of 6.6 billion.

"Good profitability in our chocolate business was offset by a challenging cocoa products market, as anticipated," company chief Antoine de Saint-Affrique said in the earnings statement.

In light of the market challenges, the company said it had deliberately been phasing out less profitable contracts.

Instead, it said it had been focusing more heavily on growing segments like its The Gourmet & Specialties business, which saw sales soar 12.4 percent during the fiscal year.

The company, which produces chocolate for food giants like Nestle and Mondelez, meanwhile confirmed its three-year outlook, saying it aims to grow volumes by 4.0-6.0 percent on average annually.

For the fiscal year ended in August, the company said it would propose paying shareholders a dividend of 15.50 Swiss francs per share, up from 14.50 a year earlier.
Thomas Rhett Akins and his high school sweetheart, wife Lauren Akins, are quite possibly the cutest couple in country music. Remember his bid for ACM new artist of the year when he made a video of their love story? Or their romantic, PDA-filled video for Die a Happy Man? Or  oh yeah  when he won Single of the Year at Wednesday nights CMAs, planted a sweet smooch on her and declared from the stage, My lovely wife, she was the full inspiration for the song? We could go on.

But in addition to being ridiculously adorable together, theyre also incredibly stylish. Weve noticed their red carpet chemistry has been stronger than ever lately  just check out their style at tonights CMA Awards (where he already picked up single of the year)  as well as their best moments to date.

On Tuesday night the duo warmed up for the CMAs with a stop at the BMI Country Awards, where Thomas wore a silver vest with matching pants paired with a black shirt and bow tie, while Lauren went with a sexy fire engine red gown with deep-V neckline.

And Thomas totally approved, writing on Instagram, Woo baby that red dress!!!!!

RELATED PHOTOS: Carrie Underwoods Most Memorable CMA Outfits

Earlier this year they were constantly surprising us with Laurens cute and flirty pieces and Thomas bold suit style.

At the CMT Artists Of The Year awards they wore matching black outfits with Thomas in a slim-fitted dark suit and Lauren in a lace cap-sleeve romper.

Then at the CMT Music Awards Lauren made a crop top and short shorts look not only adorable but cocktail-attire appropriate with her messy top knot and pointy-toe pumps. And Thomas kept his chic navy suit cool and casual thanks to his bright white Vans.

And at the American Country Countdown Awards, Lauren chose a summery white halter dress with sexy side cutouts, while Thomas went with a burgundy suit teamed with a navy polka dot shirt and tan shoes.

In addition to being a cute and stylish, the couple is also incredibly charitable. The two are very involved with helping children through 147 Million Orphans. Laurens been on various mission trips to in Uganda, Haiti and Honduras and Thomas hopes to join her soon.

Story continues

We both have a huge heart for orphans and I think definitely one day wed want to , Thomas told PEOPLE at a charity event in October.

PEOPLEs Special Edition 50 Years of the CMA Awards is on sale now online and on newsstands.

And just when we thought the two couldnt get any more perfect 

Are you excited to see what they wear at the CMAs tonight? Share in the comments below.




Donald Trumps campaign manager kept her cool on The View, much to the frustration of co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar, who are Hillary Clinton supporters.

Read: Hillary Fires Back at Heckler Who Shouted 'Bill Clinton Is a Rapist' at Rally: 'I'm Sick and Tired'

Kellyanne Conway stood her ground as Behar said: "I like you, but right now, you're being delusional."

The comment came after a fierce debate about Trumps nuclear policy and whether he would sign a deal with Iran.

On Wednesday morning, Conway held her own, firing back at Behar saying: Ill tell you what scares me. The fact that Hillary Clinton always puts Hillary Clinton first. It scares me.

Goldberg was set off after she asked Conway: "Didnt you guys say the polls were rigged?"

The campaign manager smiled and said: Never me, I love the polls. Conway then teased that Trump could come back on The View when he is president.

I dont care if he ever comes back on this show, Goldberg fired back. Hes been very nasty about people I care about.

Conway has become a national figure in this wild presidential campaign and has been mocked several times on Saturday Night Live.

The campaigns have become increasingly bitter in the days before Tuesday's election, so much so that Starbucks has unveiled a green coffee cup that's intended to promote togetherness.

Now, the so-called "unity cup" is under attack.

Read: Alicia Machado Campaigns for Hillary Clinton: 'Trump's Not Getting Away With It'

Starbucks has been accused of "political brainwashing" and spreading "liberal bias" on social media.

Last year, Starbucks was blasted for issuing a red cup for the holidays that didn't use a traditional Christmas theme.

In a statement, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said of the cup: "During a divisive time in our country, Starbucks wanted to create a symbol of unity as a reminder of our shared values, and the need to be good to each other."

Story continues

Watch: Meeting Between Former Beauty Queens Descend Into Madness Over 2016 Election

Related Articles:
Rescuers scouring through rubble in Norcia were in high spirits on Tuesday, November 1, after finding Ulysses, a dog who was buried alive in an earthquake.

Italian firefighters found the yelping cagnolino, or puppy, in the midst of ruins two days after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit areas near Norcia, Preci and Castel SantAngelo sul Nera. Puppy Ulysses was sent to a vet in Rieti and was in good condition, according to local reports.

The quake came just four days after powerful earthquakes hit central Italy. In August, villages surrounding Amatrice were devastated by a 6.2-magnitude quake, which killed 298 people. Credit: Twitter/Vigili del Fuoco
MONTREAL (Reuters) - Police in Quebec secretly tracked phone calls received and made by six French-language reporters in 2013, broadcaster Radio-Canada reported on Wednesday, widening a media surveillance scandal that has already sparked furor in the Canadian province. Quebec's provincial police force, the Surete du Quebec, obtained warrants to track the journalists' calls but did not register their conversations, the public broadcaster reported on Wednesday. The police force did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the story. Provincial and municipal police were tracking the calls to find the sources of leaks to media, including one case involving an officer implicated in a probe into allegations that cops had been fabricating evidence, Canadian media say. Quebec's premier pledged on Tuesday to reform legislation to better protect press freedom in the mostly-French language province, following reports that Montreal police were spying on a popular columnist at newspaper La Presse by tracking his cellphone calls, texts and whereabouts. Legislation to be introduced by the provincial government would make it harder for police to obtain a search warrant against journalists, local media reported. (Reporting By Allison Lampert; Editing by Alistair Bell)
Millions of working Americans, many of them in their 50s and early 60s and inching closer to that gold watch and their golden years, are having a tough time saving for retirement.

According to a recent study from Transamerica's Center For Retirement Studies, 40 percent of baby boomers expect a decrease in their living standards in retirement.

Meanwhile, 83 percent of Generation X workers say they'll have a "harder time" achieving financial security than their parents' generation, while only 18 percent of millennials are "very confident" about their future retirement, Transamerica reports.

[Read: 10 Tips to Live Rich While Saving for Retirement.]

"Today's workers are grappling with retirement security and challenged by the wobbly three-legged stool comprising Social Security, employer-sponsored retirement benefits and personal savings," said Catherine Collinson, president of TCRS.

"Although the Great Recession ended years ago, millions of Americans are still regaining their financial footing," Collinson says. "As each year passes, people's fears about our current retirement system come more sharply into focus."

Even so, more Americans want to buck that negative retirement trend and retire early -- much earlier than their parents and grandparents. According to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the average retirement age for women is 62, and 64 for men. Both are well below the Social Security's newly-recommended retirement age of 70.

If you really want to retire early, more power to you. But first, know and understand the financial benchmarks you'll need to hit as you close in on an early retirement. Because if you don't see them, you have no business retiring early.

To get you going, here's a short list of "green lights" that indicate you're ready for early retirement:

Your "Monte Carlo" plan shows you can cover expenses well into your 80s. An accurate financial plan can project your money realities in retirement, says Douglas Carey, a financial planner and president of WealthTrace, in Boulder, Colorado. "You'll need to see how much money you'll have at age 60, and how much their financial safety buffer is when they're in their 80s, he says.

Story continues

[Read: Give Your Investment Portfolio a Stress Test.]

"If your financial plan data shows your income covers expenses every year in retirement, they are very likely all set to retire early. (Carey recommends using a Monte Carlo-style retirement planning model that takes into account all of your income, expenses, taxes, and historical rates of return and the historical volatility for your investments. Ask a financial advisor to walk you through the plan.)

You have little or no debt revolving debt. Brett Anderson, a money manager at St. Croix Advisors in Hudson, Wisconsin, says that having no debt as you approach your retirement years is a great sign that you can retire ahead of time. "No debt is great, but I recommend you have your home paid off before retiring," he says. "That will help you live within your means -- if you do that, you'll enjoy your retirement years."

You show the ability to live off half your income. Xavier Epps, president of XNE Financial Advising in Alexandria, Virginia, says a key green light to look for in retiring early is if have the ability to live off of half of your current income. "Plus, you'll need a debt-to-income ratio below 20 percent, and savings that can cover over 12 months of monthly expenses," he says.

Another good financial sign from Epps: "If the income you'll receive during retirement (excluding Social Security benefits) allows you to save between 20 and 30 percent monthly after living expenses have been covered, that's another green light that you can retire early."

You already have great cash flow. The biggest signs that you can retire early is you have enough cash flow now to carry your normal expenses, as well as for any future contingencies, says Michael Eisenberg, a certified pubic accountant, and a member of the AICPA's National CPA Financial Literacy Commission.

"Early retirees need to ask what happens if there is an unexpected car repair bill of $1,000, or an emergency medical bill that pops up unexpectedly," he says. "If you can you handle those items now, and you'll be able to handle them when regular paychecks stop coming in, that's a good sign."

Is your company offering an incentive for retiring early? This factor, by itself, isn't a guarantee that you can hang up your office pass early, but it sure can help make early retirement more attainable. "Some companies periodically downsize and offer incentives for senior employees to retire early," says Sharon Marchisello, author of the e-book, "Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy," and an early retiree at age 60.

"These may include large severance checks and/or additional benefits not normally available to regular retirees. If you're thinking about retirement and your company has a history of offering packages, try to time it so you can take advantage," she says.

You meet these key financial criteria. Deb Meyer, chief executive officer of WorthyNest, a St. Louis, Missouri-based a fee-only financial planning firm that works with many early retirees, says there are five benchmarks to consider.

-- You have historically lived within your means. Frugality and financial confidence metrics are high.

-- You are not tempted by outside influences to make large impulsive purchases.

-- You have stress-tested a financial plan created by a certified financial planner professional. If the confidence level of success is still high after the stress tests, you could be ready for retirement.

-- Other than Social Security, you have some form of certain, steady income such as a pension or annuity that will cover basic living expenses.

-- You view retirement as a gradual road to financial independence, not as an all-or-none proposition. Many successful retirees have passions outside work and find creative ways to turn these passions into businesses. Or rather than "fully" retiring, they scale back through a flexible, part-time schedule.

"I think stress-testing the financial plan is most critical because it forces each potential retiree to look at the numbers -- in black and white -- and see if retirement is possible," says Meyer.

[See: 6 Strategies To Avoid Working in Retirement.]

"Just remember, there is no magic number to retire," she says. "Each family will be different. But if you can recognize these signs in your life, you might be ready to retire early." Maybe even a lot earlier than you think.





More From US News & World Report


Millions of working Americans, many of them in their 50s and early 60s and inching closer to that gold watch and their golden years, are having a tough time saving for retirement.

According to a recent study from Transamerica's Center For Retirement Studies, 40 percent of baby boomers expect a decrease in their living standards in retirement.

Meanwhile, 83 percent of Generation X workers say they'll have a "harder time" achieving financial security than their parents' generation, while only 18 percent of millennials are "very confident" about their future retirement, Transamerica reports.

[Read: 10 Tips to Live Rich While Saving for Retirement.]

"Today's workers are grappling with retirement security and challenged by the wobbly three-legged stool comprising Social Security, employer-sponsored retirement benefits and personal savings," said Catherine Collinson, president of TCRS.

"Although the Great Recession ended years ago, millions of Americans are still regaining their financial footing," Collinson says. "As each year passes, people's fears about our current retirement system come more sharply into focus."

Even so, more Americans want to buck that negative retirement trend and retire early -- much earlier than their parents and grandparents. According to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the average retirement age for women is 62, and 64 for men. Both are well below the Social Security's newly-recommended retirement age of 70.

If you really want to retire early, more power to you. But first, know and understand the financial benchmarks you'll need to hit as you close in on an early retirement. Because if you don't see them, you have no business retiring early.

To get you going, here's a short list of "green lights" that indicate you're ready for early retirement:

Your "Monte Carlo" plan shows you can cover expenses well into your 80s. An accurate financial plan can project your money realities in retirement, says Douglas Carey, a financial planner and president of WealthTrace, in Boulder, Colorado. "You'll need to see how much money you'll have at age 60, and how much their financial safety buffer is when they're in their 80s, he says.

Story continues

[Read: Give Your Investment Portfolio a Stress Test.]

"If your financial plan data shows your income covers expenses every year in retirement, they are very likely all set to retire early. (Carey recommends using a Monte Carlo-style retirement planning model that takes into account all of your income, expenses, taxes, and historical rates of return and the historical volatility for your investments. Ask a financial advisor to walk you through the plan.)

You have little or no debt revolving debt. Brett Anderson, a money manager at St. Croix Advisors in Hudson, Wisconsin, says that having no debt as you approach your retirement years is a great sign that you can retire ahead of time. "No debt is great, but I recommend you have your home paid off before retiring," he says. "That will help you live within your means -- if you do that, you'll enjoy your retirement years."

You show the ability to live off half your income. Xavier Epps, president of XNE Financial Advising in Alexandria, Virginia, says a key green light to look for in retiring early is if have the ability to live off of half of your current income. "Plus, you'll need a debt-to-income ratio below 20 percent, and savings that can cover over 12 months of monthly expenses," he says.

Another good financial sign from Epps: "If the income you'll receive during retirement (excluding Social Security benefits) allows you to save between 20 and 30 percent monthly after living expenses have been covered, that's another green light that you can retire early."

You already have great cash flow. The biggest signs that you can retire early is you have enough cash flow now to carry your normal expenses, as well as for any future contingencies, says Michael Eisenberg, a certified pubic accountant, and a member of the AICPA's National CPA Financial Literacy Commission.

"Early retirees need to ask what happens if there is an unexpected car repair bill of $1,000, or an emergency medical bill that pops up unexpectedly," he says. "If you can you handle those items now, and you'll be able to handle them when regular paychecks stop coming in, that's a good sign."

Is your company offering an incentive for retiring early? This factor, by itself, isn't a guarantee that you can hang up your office pass early, but it sure can help make early retirement more attainable. "Some companies periodically downsize and offer incentives for senior employees to retire early," says Sharon Marchisello, author of the e-book, "Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy," and an early retiree at age 60.

"These may include large severance checks and/or additional benefits not normally available to regular retirees. If you're thinking about retirement and your company has a history of offering packages, try to time it so you can take advantage," she says.

You meet these key financial criteria. Deb Meyer, chief executive officer of WorthyNest, a St. Louis, Missouri-based a fee-only financial planning firm that works with many early retirees, says there are five benchmarks to consider.

-- You have historically lived within your means. Frugality and financial confidence metrics are high.

-- You are not tempted by outside influences to make large impulsive purchases.

-- You have stress-tested a financial plan created by a certified financial planner professional. If the confidence level of success is still high after the stress tests, you could be ready for retirement.

-- Other than Social Security, you have some form of certain, steady income such as a pension or annuity that will cover basic living expenses.

-- You view retirement as a gradual road to financial independence, not as an all-or-none proposition. Many successful retirees have passions outside work and find creative ways to turn these passions into businesses. Or rather than "fully" retiring, they scale back through a flexible, part-time schedule.

"I think stress-testing the financial plan is most critical because it forces each potential retiree to look at the numbers -- in black and white -- and see if retirement is possible," says Meyer.

[See: 6 Strategies To Avoid Working in Retirement.]

"Just remember, there is no magic number to retire," she says. "Each family will be different. But if you can recognize these signs in your life, you might be ready to retire early." Maybe even a lot earlier than you think.

Brian O'Connell is a Bucks County, Pennsylvania, business writer and author. A former Wall Street bond trader, O'Connell is the author of two best-selling books, and is a frequent contributor to TheStreet.com, CBS News, Bloomberg and other major media business platforms.
Reed Sorensons No. 55 for Texas. (Via Premium Motorsports Facebook page)

Premium Motorsports is getting political at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday.

The team, which fields backmarker cars in the Sprint Cup Series, will support Donald Trumps presidential campaign on Reed Sorensons No. 55. Premium posted images of the car to its Facebook page Wednesday.

Weve reached out to Premium asking if the team is self-funding the wrap for the car and if it had been in contact with Trumps campaign.

Its not the first time a team in NASCAR has supported Trumps candidacy, though its the first time the support has been shown in the Cup Series. Two weeks ago at Talladega, a Camping World Truck Series team ran a Trump/Pence paint scheme.

The paint scheme for the car, which has been largely unsponsored in 2016, will be very well received at Texas over the weekend. Earlier this year, the track hosted the Duck Commander 500. Duck Dynastys Phil Robertson gave the prayer before the race and prayed for a Jesus man to occupy the White House.

Robertson was supporting Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R), at the time. Hes since switched his support to Trump.

Unsurprisingly, Trumps campaign has been advertising more than rival Hillary Clintons during Cup Series races. Over the past four Cup races (according to CawsNJaws.com), there have been seven ads from the Trump campaign or supporting his candidacy vs. one for Clinton.

People who arent voting for Trump are going to hope Sorensons chances of winning Sunday are a metaphor for Trumps chances in Tuesdays presidential election. Sorenson has finished in the top 30 three times in 25 races for Premium Motorsports and his best finish was a 22nd at Daytona in July.

In 2004, Kirk Shelmerdine put his support for George W. Bushs re-election campaign on the side of his car. A complaint was filed with the Federal Election Commission about Shelmerdines use of the campaign logo on his car, saying that he failed to report the independent expenditure. The FEC ruled there was reason to believe there might have been a violation but didnt punish Shelmerdine outside of an admonishment letter.

Story continues

      

Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
Relativity Media's Kenneth Lynch was involved in a two-vehicle Woodland Hills car crash on Tuesday afternoon that resulted in a hospitalization for the executive, a source confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

Lynch, who is the senior financial exec at the studio, is currently in surgery at a local hospital. He sustained a broken leg in the crash.

A green McLaren was torn apart in the crash, which occurred around 4:45 p.m. at the intersection of Califa Street and Platt Avenue, Los Angeles police said.

Two cars, including the McLaren, were involved in the crash, said Brian Humphrey, spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department. Two people were transported to the hospital, but the extent of their injuries is unknown, Humphrey added.

Initially, the crash was thought to be a street-racing incident, but police said Wednesday morning that there is no evidence of a race at this time.

Relativity Media declined to comment.
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - The Republic of Congo expects to launch a new shallow-water licensing round for 2017/18 after its last round closes at the end of March when winning bidders are expected to be announced, the oil minister said on Wednesday. Jean-Marc Thystere Tchicaya said the new licensing round would consider pre-salt and post-salt plays close offshore of the west African nation. Last year Congo launched its 2016 license rounds for eight deep and ultra-deep offshore blocks and five onshore blocks in the Coastal and Cuvette basins. (Reporting by Wendell Roelf; Editing by Ed Stoddard and Louise Heavens)
Death penalty opponents would like us to think that a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole means that we lock the door and throw away the key. But thats not what it means, and even if it did, life in prison is the next penalty that will come under attack by death penalty opponents.

I support the death penalty because it is a just punishment, sparingly applied, and reserved for the most egregious cases of first-degree murder. Thats as it should be.

For their part, death penalty opponents want us to believe that there is a suitable alternative to the death penalty  life in prison without parole. Is it?

First, as a matter of law, there is no such thing. The Nebraska Board of Pardons, which exercises the virtually unlimited power of executive clemency in Nebraska, has the power to pardon and to commute life sentences to a term of years, which makes the inmate eligible for parole.

This power is not just theoretical. Laddie Dittrich was one of three men convicted of first-degree murder in the beating and stabbing death of a man they ran off the Interstate in Omaha. Dittrich was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

But in 2013, the Pardons Board commuted his sentence to a term of years that made Dittrich immediately eligible for parole. Within a month he was out. The following year he was arrested and subsequently convicted of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl. Hes back in prison.

That doesnt happen very often, death penalty opponents respond. For the 10-year-old girl and her family it happened 100 percent of the time.

Just as concerning, many of those who are wooing the public with the claim that a life sentence is the alternative to the death penalty are themselves challenging the legitimacy of life imprisonment. This makes their argument disingenuous at best and very nearly fraudulent at worst.

Brian J. Adams was convicted of first-degree murder for shooting to death two men in two separate robberies. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In 2014, Adams sued the state. His lawyers claimed that his life-without-parole sentence violated his Nebraska constitutional rights. This year the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled against him. Does anyone really believe there arent more such lawsuits awaiting us?

The ACLUs opposition to the death penalty is a given. The ACLU opposed even putting the issue on the ballot. But the ACLU also is quietly working to end life without parole. For example, the ACLU filed a brief in a case last year before the U.S. Supreme Court involving juveniles sentenced to life without parole. In the brief, the ACLU directed the court to a study that is critical of life sentences altogether  not just for juveniles, but for adult criminals also. Ironically, such studies point to the growing number of life-without-parole sentences resulting in part from sentencing in states that used to have the death penalty but dont any longer.

Getting rid of life without parole is quite plainly the next target. A well-funded national group called The Sentencing Project wrote a paper in 2013 essentially calling for the elimination of life without parole. Californians will be voting on the death penalty this year also. There, a proliferation of voices are arguing that life without parole should be abolished too. Law review articles abound. The ACLU is on board. You will not be surprised to learn that the challenges to life without parole are remarkably similar to the claims being raised against the death penalty.

Often quoted by death penalty opponents, former Nebraska District Court Judge Ron Reagan recently intoned, Let me be perfectly clear about what happens when someone is sentenced to life in prison. They die in prison.

But when he was a judge, and John Joubert, a slayer of young boys, stood before him for sentencing, then-Judge Reagan didnt sentence Joubert to life in prison. Judge Reagan sentenced John Joubert to death.
Warsaw (AFP) - Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was reunited with a 15-year-old Polish fan, who was awakened from a coma by listening to commentaries of the Portuguese's goals.

David Pawlaczyc fell into a coma for three months after being hit by a car when riding his bike in 2013.

However, using an experimental technique to trigger memories in coma victims, Pawlaczyc was awakened by listening to commentaries of some of Ronaldo's most famous strikes for Madrid.

Accompanied by his parents Pawlaczyc travelled to Warsaw to meet Ronaldo ahead of Real's Champions League clash with Legia Warsaw later on Wednesday.

"I am happy to see he feels good. He is healthy and he is better," Ronaldo said in a video of the meeting published on Real's official Twitter account.

Pawlaczyc was previously invited to watch Ronaldo in action at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium in a Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund in 2014.
Athens (AFP) - Russia seeks "honest cooperation" for a political solution in Syria -- "the sooner the better," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday as Moscow declared a brief truce in the war-ravaged city of Aleppo.

"We hope our partners will draw the necessary conclusions (so that) we will all aim for honest cooperation... for a political process involving both the government and opposition forces," Lavrov said at the start of an official visit to Greece.

"We must come to an agreement, the sooner the better," he said.

However, Lavrov insisted that Washington help enforce a November 2015 United Nations Security Council resolution condemning support for extremist groups in Syria.

"When we adopted this resolution, I remember US Secretary of State John Kerry's words. He said: 'Whoever wants to be part of (the political) process must sever links to terrorists'," Lavrov said through a translator.

"Almost a year has passed and we await these words to be carried out," he added.

Russia has accused the US-led coalition of failing to rein in hardline Syrian rebels, warning that the chances of a political settlement to the crisis was now remote.

"The United States are a great power, but that does not mean that everyone else must play by America's terms," Lavrov said. "If they follow this policy we will not be able to do anything in the world."

In turn, the West has accused Moscow of committing possible war crimes in Aleppo through indiscriminate bombing to support a brutal Syrian government offensive.

Moscow has been conducting a bombing campaign in Syria in support of long-time ally Bashar al-Assad since September 2015.

More than 300,000 people have been killed since Syria's war devolved from a widespread protest movement against Assad's rule in March 2011 to a multi-front war between rebels, jihadists, Kurds and regime forces.
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Ryanair (RYA.I) said on Wednesday it hoped to step up the number of flights it offers from Frankfurt airport in the winter of next year.

The Irish low-cost carrier earlier announced plans to fly from Frankfurt to four tourist destinations in Spain and Portugal once a day from the end of March.

"That is very small for Ryanair. But all things start out small. We hope to come back in January with a winter schedule that is much bigger," Chief Commercial Officer Kenny Jacobs told journalists on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Maria Sheahan; Editing by Tina Bellon)
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Irish low cost carrier Ryanair (RYA.I) will start flying from Frankfurt airport to tourist destinations in Spain and Portugal, the airline and airport operator Fraport (FRAG.DE) said on Wednesday.

The once-daily flights to Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Malaga and Faro will start from the end of March, they said, in a move flagged by Reuters on Tuesday. [nL8N1D248R]

The news will provide a further headache for Fraport's main customer Lufthansa (LHAG.DE), which has slowed growth at its main brand and has faced strikes while it tries to lower costs and expand its own budget unit Eurowings.

(Reporting by Maria Sheahan; Editing by Tina Bellon)
Frankfurt (AFP) - Irish low-cost airline Ryanair on Wednesday said it would base two aircraft at Frankfurt airport, Germany's busiest, serving sun-soaked tourist destinations in Portugal and Spain -- sparking outrage among German competitors.

Ryanair hopes to bring 400,000 travellers per year from the German financial centre to Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca with 28 flights per week starting in March 2017, Ryanair chief commercial officer David O'Brien said in a statement.

O'Brien said the new base represented an investment of around $200 million (180 million euros).

The move "underlines the increasing importance of Frankfurt for low cost traffic," Stefan Schulte, chief executive of airport operator Fraport said in the joint statement.

Ryanair will count nine bases in Germany once Frankfurt is up and running, among some 85 in Europe.

Until now, it has only flown to Hahn airport more than 100 kilometres (60 miles) away on the Main River.

Like its peers, the no-frills carrier has avoided Frankfurt due to the high fees charged by Fraport, which mostly serves higher-end airlines.

The only low-cost operators currently flying to the hub are Iceland's WOW and Spanish Vueling, which between them account for around four percent of traffic, a Fraport spokesman told AFP.

Eurowings, the low-cost subsidiary of German aviation giant Lufthansa, has also stayed away from Frankfurt.

German airline federation BDF released a statement Wednesday blasting a new fee structure Fraport plans to roll out from January that will offer newly-arrived airlines a 40-percent discount compared with existing operators.

"We can't accept that competitors get the red carpet rolled out with unfair advantages, while those who have for many years been paying for Frankfurt's infrastructure to be built up with high fees pick up the tab," said BDF director Michael Engel.

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr, Fraport's biggest client, on Wednesday demanded a discount equivalent to that on offer to Ryanair, news agency DPA reported.
(James Saft is a Reuters columnist. The opinions expressed are his own)

By James Saft

Nov 2 (Reuters) - Frustrated that you can't properly diversify your portfolio anymore and are unwillingly taking on more risk? Blame the internet, or perhaps just globalization.

A new study lays out the "precipitous" decline since 2000 in the potential for getting benefit from spreading your bets, or diversifying, and ties the phenomenon to technology-powered global integration.

Sometimes called the "only free lunch in investing," improving risk-adjusted returns by diversifying has long been a bedrock technique among investors. The basic idea is that a portfolio which doesn't all crash at once won't lead to forced selling. Thus a diversified investor can afford to take on more risk and will get a better outcome.

But the proverbial benefits of not putting all your eggs in one basket vary over time and circumstance.

While investors complained, and many were undone, during the great financial crisis when it turned out that virtually everything that wasn't screwed down, and much that was, was correlated, the truth appears to be that this is a longer-term secular trend.

"We find a pronounced uptrend in integration within and among asset classes and countries over the period of the financial crisis and beyond and hence a substantial decline in our diversification indexes," John Cotter of University College Dublin, Stuart Gabriel of UCLA and Richard Roll of the California Institute of Technology write.

"The decline in diversification potential is widespread among country cohorts and has been precipitous in the post-2000 period." (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2852164&download=yes)

The paper studies a variety of developed and emerging markets, looking at correlations within and between equities, government bonds and real estate.

A score of 100 on their scale between two assets would be perfect correlation, implying they move in concert and offer no diversification benefit. A lower score signifies lower correlation and more diversification possibility.

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While you could get something close to a score of 100, on average, in global equities or bonds and real estate diversification in the late 1990s, by 2012 those scores had sunk to just above 60.

And while emerging markets remain less correlated than developed ones, the trend is in the same direction, with perhaps a later point of departure. The catch, as ever with emerging markets is that those assets which still offer relatively more diversification are in places like Africa and the Middle East with higher and harder to gauge risks.

BENEFIT DOWN, RISKS UP

And as diversification benefit fell, risk, measured in the study by using volatility of returns as a proxy, rose. Risk on this measure has about doubled globally since 1996, though it is down sharply from its 2008 peak.

It is important to note that the trend in diversification benefit is downward, with "little evidence of differences in bull and bear markets or during periods of high and low" market volatility.

While the study doesn't say this, a possible implication of this is that the underlying forces making all asset classes move more closely together are deeper than simply the sorts of issues we found before and during the crisis, such as over-leverage. It also may imply that while central bank intervention can help market returns, it may not have any impact over correlation. That said, we've had most all central banks doing the same things at more or less the same time since the crisis.

Very interestingly, the more technologically integrated we become, such as through internet use, the more tightly linked markets become, offering less diversification.

"We also find that technology and communications innovation, as proxied by global diffusion in internet usage, is associated with declines in diversification indexes among all asset classes," the authors write.

In equities every 1 percent increase in global internet diffusion, or spreading, brings with it a 1.7 percent decline in diversification potential.

There were signs that other measures of globalization or human development had similar effects, such as exports as a percentage of output, telephone usage or even female teachers in secondary education.

So it may be, broadly, that a more globalized world is a more tightly correlated one. The problem this represents for investors is considerable. To be sure, many are at present under-diversified, and could still gain a lot by spreading their portfolios more thinly, but many more sophisticated investors don't have this upside.

One irony is that though the internet and globalization may have reduced the scope for diversification in recent years, political forces now appear to be pulling the opposite way. The U.S. election and Brexit immediately come to mind.

This may reduce overall growth and increase systemic and idiosyncratic risk.

Diversification may become more possible but not in a way that is pleasing to investors.

(Editing by James Dalgleish)
The acquittal of the leaders in the 41-day armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon sends a horrible message.

The outcome heightens fear by park rangers, biologists and other federal employees for their personal safety. People are going to get killed because of this verdict, because the jury has just given militias the green light to go after federal facilities with rifles, said Kieran Suckling of the Center for Biological Diversity.

The acquittal leaves the impression that gun-toting white men in cowboy hats are entitled to get away with things that would put other Americans behind bars.

The verdict returned Thursday by the federal jury in Portland stunned observers around the country, especially at the scene of protests against the Dakota Access pipeline in North Dakota.

If Native people were armed like the Bundy militia, we would be killed, said one pipeline protester.

The acquittal of Ammon and Ryan Bundy and five others came on the same day that authorities, including Nebraska State Patrol troopers, arrested 141 pipeline protesters. One protester responded by allegedly firing shots from a pistol. Others threw rocks, bottles and Molotov cocktails and started fires.

The Oregon occupation came to an end when the Bundys and others were arrested outside the refuge. One of the occupiers was killed at the scene, authorities said, when he tried to pull a gun.

The Bundys started the occupation at the wildlife refuge to protest the arrest of ranchers who were charged with setting fire to federal lands. They still face charges in connection with an armed standoff at their fathers ranch in Nevada in 2014.

It will do little to help public perception that a close examination of the case makes the verdict more comprehensible. The problem was that federal prosecutors chose to file conspiracy charges.

All 12 (jurors) agreed that impeding existed, even if as an effect of the occupation, and that something was very wrong, Juror 4 (who asked not to be identified) told the Oregonian newspaper. But we were not asked to judge on bullets and hard feelings, rather to decide if an agreement was made with an illegal object in mind.

Prosecutors failed to present enough evidence of an agreement to interfere with federal workers, the juror said, noting that local ranchers, lawmakers, students and families visited the refuge during the occupation.

But even if those who take the time to study the case may grasp how a system of laws could deliver the surprising verdict, the fact remains that the leaders of a group of armed men took over public land and got away with it. Americans can only hope that other activists are not emboldened to try the same thing elsewhere. There are peaceful and effective ways to change government policy.
A San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) janitor made $162,050 in overtime pay last year.

Liang Zhao Zhang grossed $235,000 in 2015, more than four times his base salary of $57,945. Other pay and benefits brought Zhang to a total of $271,243, according to public compensation data released Tuesday by Transparent California.

Zhang, whose job is to clean up the BART stations in downtown San Francisco, has made a six-figure salary over the past three years because of overtime pay, according to Transparent California research director Robert Fellner. The salary data released by Transparent California showed that Zhang and four other janitors received overtime payouts in excess of their regular salaries, Fellner wrote in a blog post.

Itd be great if all janitors were paid $200k, but I seriously doubt many of BARTs riderswho must pay for this excessare ever afforded that opportunity, Fellner wrote.

BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost said Zhang was not to blame for the extra compensation.

This employee signs up for every overtime slot that becomes available, Trost told NBC Bay Area. He is likely working almost every day of the year cleaning our stations. He is signing up for time that is also available to othersif he doesnt take them, someone else will.
Sarah Jessica Parker has turkey anxiety, and dont worry, girl  we get it

Now that Halloween is over, we can focus on the next big holiday: Christmas. No, just kidding. Even though youre probably tempted to shop, Thanksgiving is chronologically next, and just as important. To get ready for the big event, Bon Appetit decided to interview Sarah Jessica Parker about the Thanksgiving turkey anxiety she faced after cooking her first big meal at home.

The good news is, theres multiple cooks in the Parker/Broderick household. As it turns out, husband Matthew Broderick often takes over many of the tasks. So really, what Parker is trying to say, is that good marriage and good dinners have one thing in common  teamwork.





I was so scared, Parker said to the magazine, as she recollected on her first big meal ever that she cooked for her then-boyfriend. I had never cooked a turkey in my life and I was really, really young and I remember having a dream the night before that I had only cooked a carcass. I pulled it out, revealed it, and it was a carcass.

Nightmares about the big day? Say it aint so! But, we totally get where shes coming from  Thanksgiving can be pretty anxiety-inducing, especially if you have way more guests than stove top burners.





While Parker can definitely handle the main course, these days she normally sticks to sides. (But for many of us, sides are the very best part of Thanksgiving, so they deserve a ton of respect.)

I always cook baby peas with sour cream, salted butter, and grainy mustard. Its crazy good. People love it and want to inject it into their bloodstream, she noted.

(Can we be invited to her house this year?)

So, whats Parkers absolute favorite dish of the night? The delicious answer to that is pumpkin pie.

I didnt think I was a pie person, but we have been buying our pies at a place in New York called the Little Pie Company for 10 or 15 years. You have to order them well in advance, Parker said, probably regretting the fact that she gave away her little secret. Seriously, she might need to order them even earlier after that plug!

And, just like that, Parker took us away from candy corn and Snickers bars, and made us dream of the good food well be eating later on this month. And thankfully, theyre definitely dreams  not nightmares. (The turkey is fully in tact in our minds.)

The post Sarah Jessica Parker has turkey anxiety, and dont worry, girl  we get it appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia has congratulated Lebanon's new President Michel Aoun on his election despite the support he received from the kingdom's regional foes.

King Salman telephoned Aoun to wish him success, "stressing the kingdom of Saudi Arabia's support for Lebanon and its unity", the official Saudi Press Agency reported late Tuesday.

Lebanese lawmakers elected the 81-year-old former army chief on Monday, ending a two-year vacancy caused by a deadlock between Iran- and Saudi-backed blocs in parliament.

Aoun had received the unstinting support of Iran's Lebanese ally, Shiite militant group Hezbollah, which Saudi Arabia blacklisted as a "terrorist organisation" in March.

His election followed a surprise U-turn by two key leaders of the pro-Saudi camp -- billionaire Sunni former prime minister Saad Hariri and Christian Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

Hariri's influence in Lebanon has waned as his construction firm Saudi Oger has been hit by a slowdown in Saudi government infrastructure spending in what has been seen by some as a disengagement by his longtime sponsor.

Saudi Arabia's relations with both Hezbollah and its ally Iran have deteriorated sharply this year amid deep differences over the conflict in Syria.

Hezbollah has sent thousands of fighters to back President Bashar al-Assad. Riyadh supports the rebels.

Earlier this year, the kingdom halted a $3 billion programme of military aid to Lebanon to protest what it said was "the stranglehold of Hezbollah on the state".

It also urged its citizens to leave Lebanon and avoid travel to the country.
Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia has flogged a prince convicted in a criminal case, a newspaper reported Wednesday, two weeks after another was executed for murder in rare punishment of the country's royalty.

The unnamed prince was lashed along with other convicts in a prison in the Red Sea city of Jeddah on Monday, the Okaz daily reported.

It said the prince had been sentenced to flogging and jail without specifying the charges. It was unclear how many lashes he received.

Last month, Saudi authorities executed Prince Turki bin Saud al-Kabir in a highly unusual case involving one of the thousands of members of the royal family.

He was condemned to death for shooting dead Adel al-Mahemid, a Saudi, during a brawl.

Most people put to death in Saudi Arabia are beheaded with a sword.

Saudi Arabia is one of the world's most prolific executioners and has a strict Islamic legal code under which murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery, rape and apostasy are all punishable by death.

Rights groups have also raised concerns about flogging sentences including those handed to Saudi rights activist Raif Badawi, convicted of insulting Islam, and Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayad, convicted of apostasy.

Arrested in 2012, Badawi is serving a 10-year jail sentence and has received 50 lashes of a 1,000-lash sentence that caused international outrage.

A Saudi court in February commuted a death sentence against Fayad to eight years in jail, but maintained a punishment of 800 lashes in sessions of 50.
late show with seth meyers donald trump brand nbc

Seth Meyers used an edition of the "Closer Look" segment on Tuesday's "Late Night" to describe signs he had seen that the election had tarnished Donald Trump's brand.

"Before he became a presidential candidate," the host said, "Donald Trump was a blustery New York City businessman known mostly to voters not for the person he was behind closed doors but for the character he played in tabloids and on TV. And as he's reminded us in recent weeks, back then life was so much easier."

Meyers said Trump had gone on to severely underestimate the damage publicity could do to him during the election, with the public learning so much more about the mogul's real character. For example, he has bragged about avoiding paying taxes, reports have suggested he's not very charitable, and his own campaign staff members have said it's tough to communicate with him.

"So the character Trump played in tabloids and on TV as a generous, intelligent billionaire has been undercut by his presidential campaign," Meyers said. "And now there are signs that the one thing he cares about most, his brand, is hurting as a result."

The host then shared articles about residents in the GOP presidential nominee's buildings petitioning to have his name taken off the buildings. And Trump created a new brand for his hotels called Scion; he typically uses his name.

"That is heartbreaking. Trump loved putting his name on buildings," Meyers said. "He's like the Tyler Perry of real estate."

Watch the new edition of "A Closer Look" below:

NOW WATCH: 'He really said this': New Clinton ad supercuts Trump's controversial comments about women





More From Business Insider


While you certainly have the right to tout whomever for president, it behooves you to include the faults also of one Hillary Clinton ("Clinton is best choice for president," Oct. 23).

There was no mention of Benghazi, where she was responsible for the lives of four Americans and then lied many times in regard to the causes of the debacle.

There was no mention of the quid pro quo relationships as millions upon millions were given to the Clinton Foundation.

There was no mention that she has a nonexistent record of positive accomplishments as first lady, a senator or secretary of state.

There was no mention of her open borders policy, nor posited acceptance of myriads of Middle East refugees, both of which would take jobs from our work force, including legal immigrants, causing higher unemployment problems.

There was no mention that Obamacare needs replacement, and not with a Clinton plan from a previous decade.

There was no mention that the Clintons were the sleaziest couple ever to occupy our White House, even being accused of stealing things upon their vacating.

And you want them back in our house?

Edmund R. Martens, Lincoln
Donald Trump underestimated the amount of public scrutiny he would come under while running for the White House, scrutiny that may hit him in his wallet, Late Night host Seth Meyers said.

This long campaign has unearthed all kinds of deeply unflattering information about the real estate magnate.

Trump also is famously resistant to listening to other people. But his campaign manager Kellyanne Conway has found a way to get advice across to him, by talking to him on TV. A way you can communicate with him is you go on TV to communicate she has been quoted as saying.

They have to go on TV and then make Trump watch it to communicate with him, Meyers marveled. Even by his own campaigns account, Trump is a child who has to be manipulated to listen to his aides.

Meyers also brought his viewers up to speed on a new WaPo report on Trumps philanthropic efforts. In the article, WaPo says the GOP nominees crashed a 1996 ribbon cutting ceremony in New York for a new nursery school for children with AIDS, though he had not given the group any money, and wasnt invited. Nonetheless, WaPo wrote over the weekend, Trump sat on stage in a chair that had been reserved for a donor, and then left without giving any money.

One night earlier, Meyers took a closer look at FBI director James Comeys announcement the bureau had discovered discovered more emails that might be relevant to the investigation of Dem nominee Hillary Clintons private server.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbShT2XWs1c&w=620&h=340]

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / The following statement is being issued by Levi & Korsinsky, LLP:

To: All Persons or Entities who purchased American DG Energy, Inc. ("American DG Energy") (NYSE MKT: ADGE) stock prior to November 2, 2016 .

You are hereby notified that Levi & Korsinsky, LLP has commenced an investigation into the fairness of the sale of American DG Energy to Tecogen Inc. (TGEN) for 0.092 shares of Tecogen stock per American DG Energy share. Based on the closing price of Tecogen Inc. on November 1, 2016, this represents an approximate value of $0.37 per American DG Energy share. To learn more about the action and your rights, go to:

http://zlk.9nl.com/american-dg

or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@zlk.com or by telephone at (212) 363-7500, toll-free: (877) 363-5972. There is no cost or obligation to you.

Levi & Korsinsky is a national firm with offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, and Washington D.C. The firm's attorneys have extensive expertise in prosecuting securities litigation involving financial fraud, representing investors throughout the nation in securities lawsuits and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders. For more information, please feel free to contact any of the attorneys listed below. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Levi & Korsinsky, LLP

Joseph E. Levi, Esq.

Eduard Korsinsky, Esq.

30 Broad Street - 24th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Tel: (212) 363-7500

Toll Free: (877) 363-5972

Fax: (212) 363-7171

www.zlk.com

SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / The following statement is being issued by Levi & Korsinsky, LLP:

To: All Persons or Entities who purchased Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. ("Brocade") (BRCD) stock prior to November 2, 2016 .

You are hereby notified that Levi & Korsinsky, LLP has commenced an investigation into the fairness of the sale of Brocade to Broadcom Ltd. (AVGO) for $12.75 per share. To learn more about the action and your rights, go to:

http://zlk.9nl.com/brocade-communications-brcd

or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@zlk.com or by telephone at (212) 363-7500, toll-free: (877) 363-5972. There is no cost or obligation to you.

Levi & Korsinsky is a national firm with offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, and Washington D.C. The firm's attorneys have extensive expertise in prosecuting securities litigation involving financial fraud, representing investors throughout the nation in securities lawsuits and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders. For more information, please feel free to contact any of the attorneys listed below. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Levi & Korsinsky, LLP

Joseph E. Levi, Esq.

Eduard Korsinsky, Esq.

30 Broad Street - 24th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Tel: (212) 363-7500

Toll Free: (877) 363-5972

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SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Photo: Getty Images

Lauren Agnew is claiming Batiste dry shampoo, which she used so she could skip washing her hair daily (like all of us), has caused her hair to fall out, CBS affiliate WFMY is reporting.

Agnew told the station that, while she has tried every hair color and style possible, only when she tried Batiste dry shampoo did she have an issue with damage.

Your hair is coming out in clumps, she said. Drying your hair, your hair is coming out in clumps. Trying to put your hair up and you just run your fingers through it, and you have 20, 30 hairs coming out. You look at it, and you just cry.

This isnt the first time Batiste has made headlines for reported reactions to the product.

Nicole Baxter of Belfast, Northern Ireland, claims she had a severe reaction to a dry shampoo, the details of which she shared in a scary Facebook post detailing how she noticed a bald patch on her head that kept getting bigger, along with some sores and blisters.

After a diagnosis of triangular alopecia (hair loss in one area of the head), Baxters doctor told her shed need a scalp biopsy and not to use any product on her hair the day of. At this point, Baxter stopped using dry shampoo but still didnt connect it to her scalp issues. However, when she went back for the biopsy, the doctor said her issues had cleared up and told her the best thing she could have done was to stop using the product.

Moral of the story  dry shampoo caused me to now have this bald patch on my head (which I still have, and it may or may not grow back, but nothing can be done) and a terrible scalp for ages, she wrote. Just wash your hair, people!

It should be mentioned that the brand is one of the highest-rated dry shampoos  with a four-and-a-half-star rating on Amazon  and it appears on recommended lists from Harpers Bazaar and InStyle. Its the top-selling dry shampoo in the U.K.

Dry shampoo is probably fine when used rarely and in someone with no history of scalp disease such as eczema or psoriasis, Patricia Ceballos, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group told Yahoo Beauty.

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But can it cause hair loss?

The buildup of oil and dirt on hair could potentially irritate the scalp. Irritation represents inflammation, Ceballos explained. And inflammation leads to hair loss.

Out of the 12 ingredients in the product, 10 are considered moderately to highly toxic by the Environmental Working Groups Skin Deep database. The worst offenders are butane and isobutane, the first two listed ingredients, which can cause irritation to eyes, skin, or lungs and be toxic to organ systems. Canada bans their use in cosmetics.

Ceballos recommends not overusing dry shampoo, saying, It should be employed judiciously. It should never completely replace water and regular shampoo, which effectively keep the scalp clean.

We reached out to Batiste Dry Shampoo, who shared the following statement: Batiste Dry Shampoo is committed to producing quality products, which are used by millions of loyal customers globally. We would like to assure our customers that all Batiste Dry Shampoo products comply with all government regulations. As with any beauty product, use only as directed and discontinue use if any sensitivity occurs. For any questions or concerns, please contact our Consumer Relations Department at 1-800-952-5080.

According to WFMY, the brand refunded Agnew the $8 cost of her bottle.

Lets keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Abidjan (AFP) - Ivory Coast's former first lady Simone Gbagbo's trial for crimes against humanity was adjourned on Wednesday after her lawyers threatened to walk out over the failure of high-profile witnesses to attend.

The trial was suspended until Monday while judge Boiqui Kouadjo insisted the high-profile witnesses -- including parliament speaker Guillaume Soro, former prime minister Jeannot Kouadio Ahoussou and former army chief Philippe Mangou -- will appear on November 16.

The trial had already been suspended a week ago when Gbagbo refused to attend due to a no-show by the witnesses her lawyers had called to testify.

"If we want the trial to proceed, those involved must attend," said Gbagbo lawyer Ange Rodrigue Dadje.

Judge Kouadjo said some anonymous witnesses would appear on Monday, after which the high-profile figures would be heard on November 16.

"It is with regret that we acknowledge that the witnesses did not receive their notices to attend court," said Kouadjo, after an hour of debate.

The delay was caused in part by a row over whose responsibility it is to ensure the witnesses appear before the court.

Simone Gbagbo is the wife of former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo, who was forced from power in 2011 by current incumbent Alassane Ouattara, who had won presidential elections five months previously -- the results of which his predecessor rejected.

Simone Gbagbo's trial began on May 31. She is accused of involvement in the shelling of Abobo, a northern suburb of the capital Abidjan, which was a Ouattara stronghold.

She is also accused of being a member of a "crisis cell" that allegedly coordinated attacks by the armed forces and militias in support of Gbagbo.

She is already serving a 20-year sentence for "endangering state security".

Deadly violence erupted in the cocoa bean-rich west African republic after Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede defeat to Ouattara following the November 2010 election, with more than 3,000 people subsequently killed in the five months of bloodshed that followed.

Laurent Gbagbo, who was eventually arrested by forces loyal to Ouattara in April 2011, is currently on trial before the International Criminal Court in The Hague accused of crimes against humanity, including murder, rape and persecution.
Each eligible Singaporean will receive up to $200 additional payment.

Cash recipients who have previously signed up for the GST Voucher or past Government payout schemes, and have received up to $300 in August 2016, will be receiving another payout of up to $200 under the one-off GST Voucher  Cash Special Payment by 5 November 2016.

According to the Ministry of Finance, no action is required from them.

Singapore citizens who are eligible for the GST Voucher  Cash/Medisave but have yet to sign up are reminded to do so by 31 December 2016.

The Ministry of Finance will send a second reminder letter in early November 2016 to those who have yet to sign.

In 2016, eligible citizens can receive a total of $890 million in GST Vouchers and Medisave Top-Ups. This includes $280 million in November 2016 from the one-off GST Voucher Cash Special Payment.





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HELENA, Alabama (Reuters) - A small fire continued to burn at the site of a Colonial Pipeline [COLPI.UL] explosion in dense forest 12 miles (19 km) south of Helena, Alabama, a Colonial spokesman said on Wednesday.

Colonial had said it hoped to complete repairs to the pipeline and resume shipments as early as Saturday. A firefighter who battled the blaze on Monday said on Tuesday the pipeline appeared to have been punctured.

(Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
If you want a Nebraska Board of Education member who understands and will work tirelessly for your local school, vote for Patsy Koch Johns. Patsy has been focused on students and teaching for her entire professional career. She knows that what you care about, the experience of students in your local school, is the most important education issue a school board can work for.

She knows what makes the Nebraska education system one of the strongest systems in the country: our focus on teachers and students. The heart of education lies in each classroom, in the learning relationships between a teacher and your student, every moment of every school day. Patsy will fight to keep resources there, where they belong, and make sure teachers and students have the resources they need to learn in their classrooms.
Focus Features third movie with director Sofia Coppola, The Beguiled, will open on June 23 in select cities with a further expansion on June 30. Focus has worldwide rights to the film, and UIP will handle abroad next summer. Production is already underway in Louisiana. Beguiled stars Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning and Colin Farrell, and its based on the same novel by Thomas Cullinan as the 1971 Don Siegel movie starring Clint Eastwood and Geraldine Page. Pic is set at a Virginia girls school in 1864. As the Civil War rages, The Miss Martha Farnsworth Seminary for Young Ladies has been sheltered from the outside world until the day a wounded Union soldier is discovered nearby and taken in. Production designer Anne Ross reteams with Coppola for the fifth time while costume designer Stacey Battat marks her fourth collaboration with the director. DP Philippe Le Sourd is shooting Beguiled in 35MM. Coppolas Lost in Translation from Focus earned her a 2004 screenplay Oscar win as well as three noms for best picture, best actor Bill Murray and director.

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Is this the hacker Sombra? (Blizzard)

Art of a new character for Blizzards online shooter Overwatch has leaked online, just days away from the start of BlizzCon. The character named Sombra had been heavily speculated as a new addition to the playable Overwatch cast, but Blizzard has reportedly leaked Sombras art earlier than intended by accident.

According to a post on Mashable, the image was found in a Blizzard store listing with the word sombrafineart in the URL. The image has since then been removed by Blizzard, but as with anything on the Internet, savvy users have saved it and shared it online.

The artwork features a female character clad in an outfit with cyberpunk aesthetics (think metallic lining, bright laser-like beams, and a shaved hairdo). This would align with previous speculations that Sombra is the subject of an alternate reality game Blizzard is currently running that centers around the movements of a hacker. Earlier today the companys Twitter account posted about a security breach at LumeriCo, a fictional energy company from Overwatchs universe that is located in Mexico.

[BREAKING] LumeriCo network security breach underway, power outages reported across Mexico.  Suspect unidentified

 Portero: "No comment" pic.twitter.com/cVgBhUiSf4  Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) November 1, 2016

BlizzCon takes place November 4-5 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Yahoo Esports will have a team at the show to cover news as it breaks, so be sure to check back on site for live updates!

Follow Zorine Te on Twitter @ztharli
BREAKING: On the heels of its new alliance with Dalian Wanda designed to better launch its global tentpole films in China, Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group chairman Tom Rothman tonight unveiled a Writers Initiative where the studio will host emerging and established writers from China. They will meet established Hollywood film and TV execs and scribes to exchange ideas and collaborate on ideas for Hollywood films and Hollywood/China co-productions. The goal will be to set some of the participants into yearlong first-look deals to hopefully generate films for the studio. Rothman revealed the initiative at the sixth Annual China International Co-Production Film Screenings.

Sony will select four writers at a time for two-week stays in Los Angeles at Sony Pictures Studios, where they will take an itinerary of meetings, mutual education and discussion. The final selection among the candidates will be made by a committee with representatives from Columbia Pictures; Sony Pictures International Productions, China; and Film Bureau, State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film & TV, Peoples Republic of China (Film Bureau).

The new program was developed with Sony Pictures China, and it will be overseen by Columbia Pictures president Sanford Panitch, who has spent the past few years putting together local-language productions for Fox and then Sony. Rothman said the goal is for writers and executives to gain the unique perspective of creative voices from China  one of the worlds most important film markets  and for Chinese writers to meet Hollywood writers to enrich this collaboration.

The screenplay is the foundation of everything we do  it all starts with the writer, Rothman said. So as we look to make great content for global audiences, its critical that the writers we work with both here and in China understand each others cultures. Thats the goal of this program; we can support that dialogue by fostering cooperation between writers to receive each others perspective, which will benefit Hollywood, Chinese-language films, and Chinese co-productions.

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Said MPAA chairman/CEO Chris Dodd: We thank Sony Pictures Studios for hosting this years China International Co-production Film Screenings  an event we began six years ago here in Los Angeles. Over the years, the program has enabled us to showcase some of the best films China has co-produced with international partners. With the launch of the China Writers Initiative, we are pleased to see Sony cooperating with some of the most promising Chinese filmmakers in a program that puts quality screenplays at the focus of potential new co-productions. As China continues on its path to become the largest theatrical market in the world, partnerships between Hollywood and China will mutually benefit our two great film industries and economies.

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Deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas (right) walking tall.

The 355-page report detailing corruption in South Africas ruling party offers one rare uplifting moment. In the report, deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas reveals more details of how he turned down an offer by the powerful Gupta family of 600 million rand (about $44 million) to be the countrys finance minister.

Jonas, in an interview with Thuli Mandonsela, the countrys former anti-corruption chief who spearheaded the report released today, said he had agreed to meet with president Jacob Zumas son Duduzane Zuma on Oct. 23 last year, a few months before then finance minister Nhlanhla Nene was dismissed, kicking off a hailstorm of corruption allegations against the president.

Jonas met the younger Zuma at the Hyatt Regency hotel in the Johannesburg suburb of Rosebank where Zuma asked if they could move to a more private location for discussions with a third party.

Jonas was then taken to the Gupta compound in the suburb of Saxonwold where they were joined by Ajay Gupta, the eldest of the Gupta brothers, who briskly informed the deputy minister that they had been gathering intelligence on him and those close to him. Gupta informed Jonas that they were going to make him minister of finance, to which Jonas said that only the president could make that decision.

The report details:

As Mr Jonas was walking towards the door, Mr A. Gupta made a further offer of R600 million to be deposited in an account of his choice. He asked if Mr Jonas had a bag which he could use to receive and carry R600,000 in cash immediately, which he declined.

Jonas is earning praise on social media, as well as disbelief for turning down the 600 million rand.

Eish, Put some respect on Mr Jonas' name. He turned down 600million and 600k in cash #StateCaptureReport. Man of integrity pic.twitter.com/SlKn0Ebjpg  Ndeyanale Taapopi (@Ndeya_Taapopi) November 2, 2016

This is Mcebisi Jonas

Jonas rejected R600m from Guptas

Jonas is a man of integrity

Jonas is smart

Be like Jonas #StateCaptureReport pic.twitter.com/VzXvrXghYl  Barry Roux (@Barry_Roux) November 2, 2016

Sign up for the Quartz Africa Weekly Brief  the most important and interesting news from across the continent, in your inbox.

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By Wendell Roelf CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa's parliament passed amendments to a long-delayed mineral resources law on Tuesday, though doubts remain over whether it will provide the regulatory certainty needed to boost a declining mining sector. Battered by a global commodities downturn that hit key platinum, iron ore and coal exports, Africa's most industrialised country hopes the bill will boost a flagging mining sector forced into shaft closures and massive job losses. The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment (MPRDA) bill was first passed in 2014, but President Jacob Zuma referred the bill back to parliament over concerns that it might infringe global trade obligations and was unconstitutional, partly because it elevated the country's Mining Charter to the status of legislation. The Mining Charter contains regulations meant to redress imbalances of the nation's past apartheid rule and stipulates rules for white-owned companies to sell stakes to black businesses. The bill also gives wide-ranging powers to the mines minister to place certain minerals in a "value-addition" category requiring a portion of extracted resources to be processed domestically and not be exported in raw form. It also allows the minister to declare minerals strategic and aims to give the state a 20 percent minority stake in new gas and oil exploration and production ventures, which the industry has said would discourage investment. The country's nascent oil and gas industry has previously called for a separate bill after companies such as Shell, ExxonMobil, Total and Anadarko voiced concern over the proposed 20 percent government ownership in new ventures. A spokesman for the Offshore Petroleum Association of South Africa did not answer a phone call seeking comment. Mosebenzi Zwane, the minister of mineral resources, supported the bill, saying it vests the country's mineral resources in the hands of the state. "The gains we have made in a short space of time can be accelerated and amplified with the processing of this bill," he told parliament. "It is our duty to create legislation that would stand the worst of times and the best of times." The official opposition Democratic Alliance party remains critical, however. "This bill will worsen uncertainty by putting massive power in the Mineral Resources Ministers hands to set the rules and change them quickly," said James Lorimer, the shadow mines minister. The bill will be referred to parliament's upper house and then to Zuma for his assent, but legislators say the bill could be challenged in the Constitutional Court. (Editing by James Macharia and David Goodman)
Jordan Stump ("Fischer, Fortenberry cowardly," Oct. 14), wrote that the statements of continued support for Donald Trump by Republican Congressman Jeff Fortenberry and Sen. Deb Fischer are cowardly. Both officeholders said they deplore the news of sexual assaults and gross behavior by Trump but must support the Republican nominee and vote for him.

Fortenberry and Fischer seem unable to lead their constituents away from support of a scoundrel who has shown himself to be a man with whom you should not leave your daughter or wife alone.

Democrats put up with the segregationist wing of their party in order to win elections and legislative victories, but passage of the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Acts in 1964 and 1965 saw Democrats losing elections because they stood up for what was right.

In 1970, Richard Nixon signed the EPA into law and appointed a no-nonsense administrator who would enforce regulations on big business interests, to start the process of cleaning up our drinking water and the air we breathe.

These courageous political leaders were not courageous because they sacrificed Americans to "win" some futile foreign war. They were courageous because they stood strong against the forces of bigotry and big-money special interests, even when coming from their own political party.

In 2016, Republicans have enabled Trumps destruction of the real GOP, allowing him to turn it into the Nationalist White Mens Christian Party. This is a tragic loss for Americans, a loss of a home for important center-right conservative ideals.

It's not too late; now is the time for courage, my Republican friends.

Jim Boucher, Valley
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's rand touched 2-1/2 month high against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday after a court ordered the release of a report over alleged influence peddling in government by close allies of President Jacob Zuma. Zuma earlier withdrew a court challenge to the release of the report by the Public Protector, a constitutionally mandated anti-graft watchdog, on the extent of political influence by the Gupta family, who are his wealthy friends. At 1320 GMT, the rand traded at 13.36000 per dollar, 1.8 percent firmer from its New York close on Tuesday and trading at its firmest level since Aug. 18, according to Thomson Reuters data. "It's an indication that the country still enjoys institutional strength and that's a definite plus for investors," ETM Analytics economist Jana van Deventer said. "The currency could strengthen further if we see more progress on this front." Government bonds firmed alongside the currency, with the yield for the benchmark instrument due in 2026 dipping 10.5 basis points to 8.655 percent. On the bourse, the benchmark Top-40 index fell 1.5 percent to 43,787 points while the All-Share index dropped 1.2 percent to 50,338 points. (Reporting by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Tiisetso Motsoeneng; Editing by James Macharia)
PRETORIA (Reuters) - South African President Jacob Zuma has withdrawn an application to delay the release of a report over allegations of political influence by his wealthy friends, his lawyer told a Pretoria court on Wednesday. He gave no reasons. The release of the report by the Public Protector, a constitutionally mandated anti-graft official, was suspended on Oct. 14 after Zuma's application to the High Court. The hearing was due to run into its second day on Wednesday. Opposition parties, civic groups, unions and businesses held marches in Pretoria and some chanted outside the court in a protest against Zuma and a string of scandals linked to him. (Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana; Writing by James Macharia; Editing by Ed Cropley)
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African President Jacob Zuma withdrew his application to delay the release of a report over allegations of political influence by his wealthy friends, in the interests of justice the Presidency said on Wednesday. A judge then ordered that the report be released by 1100 ET on Wednesday. "In the interest of justice and speedy resolution of the matter, the president decided to withdraw his application," the Presidency said in a statement. "The president will give consideration to the contents of the report in order to ascertain whether it should be a subject of a court challenge." (Reporting by James Macharia)
JUBA (Reuters) - South Sudan said on Wednesday it had detained at least 17 people, most of them soldiers, suspected of committing rape and other crimes in July during an attack on Hotel Terrain in the capital Juba. Results of a government inquiry into the incident showed between 50-100 South Sudanese soldiers had participated in the attack, said Martinson Mathew Otorumoi, who headed the investigation. The attack occurred during several days of fighting between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former vice president, Riek Machar, who belong to different ethnic groups. On Tuesday a separate U.N. investigation of the attack said that civilians at the hotel, who included aid workers, had been subjected to or witnessed murder, acts of intimidation, sexual violence and torture. Speaking to reporters in Juba, Otorumoi said the government inquiry had also uncovered evidence of murder, rape, looting and vandalism. Eight suspects have been detained on rape allegations and another eight on suspicion of stealing vehicles, he said. One other suspect has been accused of injuring his victim. "A special court needs to be constituted to undertake trials of suspects implicated in ... acts committed at Terrain," Otorumoi added. "Given the fact that most of the suspects are members of the military, the (investigation) committee proposed that the special court to be constituted should be a special military court." The July fighting was the latest outbreak of major violence pitting forces loyal to Kiir and Machar, who hail from the Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups respectively. Their political rivalry led to a civil war in 2013 that was often fought along ethnic lines. The two men signed a shaky peace deal in August last year but it was continuously violated. Machar, whose sacking as vice president in 2013 triggered the war, was reinstated in his position earlier this year but again fled South Sudan after the July fighting and has since been replaced as vice president. The U.N. inquiry showed the global body's peacekeepers in the country had failed to respond to the attack, which occurred less than a mile from a United Nations compound. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has asked for the replacement of the force's commander. (Reporting by Denis Dumo; Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Madrid (AFP) - Spain's National Court said Wednesday it was investigating the country's ambassador to Afghanistan and his former deputy for alleged security flaws after an attack on the Kabul embassy last year that left six dead.

Four Afghan policemen and two of their Spanish counterparts were killed in December last year when Taliban insurgents burst into the embassy after a car bomb blew off the gate of the compound, sparking a shoot-out inside.

Relatives of one of the Spanish policemen who died and seven others who were injured filed a complaint accusing Ambassador Emilio Perez de Agreda and his then deputy Oriol Sola of involuntary manslaughter.

According to court papers published Wednesday, the plaintiffs allege the ambassador failed to act on warnings of security flaws at the embassy.

Since it was built in 2008, there had been warnings about flimsy sentry boxes, or doors that were only made out of wood, which were later reinforced, according to the papers.

The building is outside the secure "green zone" in the Afghan capital, where many other Western embassies are located.

The ambassador, though, had his home in the "green zone" as his predecessor had "refused to live in the embassy due to the potential danger," the writ said.

When the attack happened, Perez de Agreda was on holiday in Spain, and Sola was in charge.

He "didn't respect any security measure either," the plaintiffs alleged, according to the papers.

"On the contrary, he constantly put the building at risk, letting traders into the embassy, allowing cars, vans and trucks in with jewels, carpets and other items without giving security teams enough advance warning to check people and products", it added.

On December 11, 2015 -- the day of the attack -- French intelligence services warned of the risk of an attack against the Spanish embassy, but no special security measures were taken, the writ further alleges.

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According to judge Santiago Pedraz, the allegations could be a "penal offence," and will be investigated.

A spokesman for the foreign ministry said Perez de Agreda is still ambassador in Afghanistan, but Sola has since left due to "normal staff rotation."

He said both the ministry and ambassador were "fully available to collaborate with judicial authorities in clarifying the facts."
MADRID (Reuters) - A Spanish High Court judge agreed on Wednesday to investigate allegations that Spain's ambassador to Afghanistan ignored security concerns before the Taliban attacked the country's embassy in Kabul last year, killing two Spanish policemen. The widow of one of the dead policemen and seven Spanish police officers injured in the attack had accused the ambassador in Kabul, Emilio Perez de Agreda, and his former deputy, Oriol Sola Pardel, of involuntary manslaughter over the alleged security failings. High Court Judge Santiago Pedraz said in a court ruling on Wednesday that he had decided to investigate the allegations. Spain's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it and the two accused diplomats were ready to cooperate with the court to clarify the facts. In December 2015, Taliban fighters attacked a guest house attached to the Spanish embassy in Kabul, killing the two Spanish security officers and four Afghan police as well as injuring the seven Spanish police officers. The widow and the injured officers say the Spanish Foreign Ministry and Perez de Agreda had known about the embassy's security failings soon after it was built in 2008 but the ambassador never acted on recommendations to remedy them Their complaint alleges that the French secret service warned on the morning of the bombing of the risk of an attack against the embassy and that this should have led to extraordinary security measures being taken. (Reporting by Rodrigo de Miguel and Adrian Croft; Editing by Angus Berwick and Alison Williams)
By David Rohde WASHINGTON (Reuters) - When America goes to the polls on Nov. 8, according to current and former U.S. intelligence officials, it will likely experience the culmination of a new form of information war. A months-long campaign backed by the Russian government to undermine the credibility of the U.S. presidential election  through hacking, cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns  is likely to peak on voting day, the officials said. Russian officials deny any such effort. But current and former U.S. officials warn that hackers could post fictional evidence online of widespread voter fraud, slow the Internet to a crawl through cyber attacks and release a final tranche of hacked emails, including some that could be doctored. Dont underestimate what they can do or will do. We have to be prepared, said Leon Panetta, who served as CIA director and defense secretary in President Barack Obamas first term. In some ways, they are succeeding at disrupting our process. Until they pay a price, they will keep doing it. John Brennan, the current CIA director, declined to comment on the Russian efforts. But he said Russian intelligence operatives have a long history of marrying traditional espionage with advances in technology. More broadly, Brennan said, the digital age creates enormous opportunities for espionage. But it also creates vulnerabilities. Citing an array of new cyber, conventional and terrorist threats, Brennan announced the most sweeping reforms of the CIA in its 69-year history 18 months ago. Weakening the role of the Directorate of Operations, the agencys long-dominant arm responsible for gathering intelligence and conducting covert operations, Brennan created 10 new mission centers where CIA spies, analysts and hackers work together in teams focused on specific regions and issues. He also created a new Directorate for Digital Innovation to maximize the agencys use of technology, data analytics and online spying. The information age has totally transformed the way we are able to operate and need to operate, Brennan told Reuters in a series of interviews. Most human interactions take place in that digital domain. So the intelligence profession needs to flourish in that domain. It cannot avoid it. When a new American diplomat arrives for duty at the U.S. embassy in Moscow or Beijing, CIA official say, Russian and Chinese intelligence operatives run data analytics programs that check the digital dust associated with his or her name. If the newcomers footprint in that dust  social media posts, cell phone calls, debit card payments  is too small, the diplomat is flagged as an undercover CIA officer. The Russian-backed campaign to discredit the U.S. election is not isolated. Hackers believed to have links to Chinese intelligence began stealing the personal information of 22 million federal employees and job applicants in 2014, the worst known data breach in U.S. government history. Islamic States online propagandists continue to inspire lone wolf attacks in the United States even as the group loses territory. A senior official from the Directorate of Operations, who backs the shake-up, said the agency is experiencing its greatest test in decades. THE DIGITAL DEBATE The amount of threats and challenges that are facing this organization and this nation are greater than at any time in the last 30 years, said the official, who declined to be named. The days of a black passport, a fistful of dollars and a Browning pistol are over. James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, praised Brennan and his efforts to retool the CIA for a new era in an interview. So did Lisa Monaco, Brennans successor as the President Obamas Homeland Security and Counterterrorism adviser. But some current and former officials question Brennans strategy, arguing his reforms are too digitally focused and will create a more cautious, top-heavy spy agency. At a time when the agency needs to refocus its efforts on human espionage, they say, the concentration of power in the new mission centers weakens the ability of the Directorate of Operations to produce a new generation of elite American spies. The reforms have hurt morale, created confusion and consumed time and attention at a time of myriad threats, according to interviews with ten former officials. Glenn Carle, a former CIA covert officer, supports Brennan and his reforms but said they have sparked a mixed reaction among directorate of operations officials who believe human intelligence is getting short shrift. The value the CIA can fundamentally add is to steal secrets, and the ultimate secret is intention, the often inscrutable aims of foreign leaders, Carle said. Obtaining that is a human endeavor. At the same time, Brennan has stirred a different sort of criticism  that he has defied Congressional oversight. Liberal Democrats and libertarian Republicans in Congress say the Brennan-Obama tenure has been tarnished by a lack of transparency with congressional oversight committees and the public regarding surveillance, drone strikes and the agencys use of torture against terrorism suspects during the administration of George W. Bush. While I think Johns overall legacy will be as a reformer, that legacy will suffer from his refusal to come to grips with the CIAs troubled torture program, said Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif, vice chair of the Senates intelligence committee. I think the new presidents CIA director must prioritize a high level of trust between the CIA and Congress to insure proper oversight is conducted. Its unclear how closely the countrys next president will hew to Brennans strategy. The front-runner, Democrat Hillary Clinton, has an incentive to beef up American cyber-espionage: U.S. intelligence officials blame the continuing leak of emails from her campaign on Russian-backed hacking. Clinton also expressed support for covert action in a transcript of a 2013 speech she gave to Goldman Sachs that was recently released by Wikileaks. Republican Donald Trump, meanwhile, pledged to make cybersecurity a top priority in his administration in an October 3 speech. For non-state terror actors, the United States must develop the ability  no matter how difficult  to track down and incapacitate those responsible and do it rapidly, Trump said. We should turn cyber warfare into one of our greatest weapons against the terrorists. In interviews at agency headquarters in Langley, Virginia, Brennan declined to comment on either candidate or discuss operational details of the CIA. But he and eight other senior CIA officials gave the most detailed description yet of their rationale for the most radical revamp of the agency since its founding in 1947. I look out at the next 10, 20, 30 years, and I look at technology, I look at complexity, I look at the global environment, Brennan said. I think CIA really needs to up its game. JUST-WAR THEORIST Brennan, a 61-year-old native of north New Jersey, looks like a linebacker but talks like a technocrat. He speaks excitedly about how the CIA and other government bureaucracies can be configured in a way to ensure optimal outcomes. The son of devout-Catholic Irish immigrants, Brennan speaks reverently of CIA officers as public servants who risk their lives without public accolades. He joined the agency in 1980, at the age of 24, after receiving a Masters Degree in government with a concentration in Middle Eastern studies from the University of Texas. Educated in various Catholic schools, including Fordham University, Brennan says he is an adherent of just-war theory  a centuries-old Christian theological argument that war is justified when it is waged in self defense, as a last resort and minimizes civilian casualties. Those beliefs, he says, have guided him in one of the most controversial aspects of his tenure in the Obama administration. As Obamas White House counter-terrorism adviser and CIA director, Brennan played a central role in carrying out 473 U.S. airstrikes outside conventional war zones between 2009 and 2015, primarily by drone. U.S. officials estimate the attacks have killed 2,372 to 2,581 people, including 64 to 116 civilians. Human rights groups say the totals are vastly higher. Last year, for instance, a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan accidentally killed American aid worker Warren Weinstein and Italian aid worker Giovanni Lo Porto, who were both being held captive by al Qaeda. Brennan declined to comment on specific strikes, but said, I still can look myself in the mirror everyday and believe that I have tried to do what is morally right, what is necessary, and what is important to keep this country safe. He also acknowledged mistakes. You question yourself. You beat yourself up. You try to learn from it, Brennan said, in a rare display of emotions. But you also recognize that if youre not prepared to make the tough decisions in the jobs that have been entrusted to you, you shouldnt be in those jobs. Today, Brennan says the United States faces the most complex array of threats he has seen since joining the agency 36 years ago. As a CIA analyst, operative and executive, he has lived through the Cold War espionage duels of the 1980s; the disintegration of nation-states after the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall; the rise of non-state terrorist groups since 2001; and the current digital disruption. Now, he says, all four dynamics are converging at once. BOLD AND INNOVATIVE RIVALS CIA officials say their greatest state competitors are the Russian and Chinese intelligence services. While smaller countries or terrorist groups may want to strike at the United States, Russia and China are the only two adversaries with the combination of skills, resources and motivation needed to challenge Washington. In recent years, Moscows Federal Security Service, or FSB, has become adept at waging gray zone conflicts in Ukraine, Crimea and Syria, the officials said. In all three countries, Russian intelligence operatives have deftly shrouded protagonists, objectives and war crimes in ambiguity. One target is Americas increasingly politically polarized democracy. As Russian-backed hacking unfolded this summer, the Obama White Houses response fueled frustration among law enforcement and intelligence officials, according to current and former officials. The administration, they said, seemed to have no clear policy for how to respond to a new form of information warfare with no rules, norms or, it seemed, limits. White House officials said the administration is still considering various methods of responding, but the responses won't necessarily be made public. China presents another challenge. Chinese businessmen and students continue trying to scoop up American state and economic secrets. In one bright spot, Beijing appears to be abiding by a 2015 pact signed by Obama and Chinese leader Xi Jinping that the two governments would not conduct economic espionage against one another. Chinese hacking appears to have slowed from the voracious rate of the past, which included hacking into the computers of the 2008 presidential campaigns of John McCain and Barack Obama but not releasing what was found. The question is whether or not it is due to greater care in terms of covering ones tracks, Brennan said of the apparent change. Or whether or not they realize that theyre brand is being tarnished by this very rapacious appetite for vacuuming up things. Regional powers are also increasing their digital espionage efforts. In 2014, the Obama administration blamed North Korea for the hacking of Sony Pictures computer system. This spring, U.S. prosecutors indicted seven Iranian hackers for allegedly trying to shut down a New York dam and conducting a cyber attack on dozens of U.S. banks. They also indicted three Syrian members of the Syrian Electronic Army, a pro-Syrian government group, who hacked into the websites of U.S. government agencies, corporations and news organizations. In a 2015 case that U.S. officials said marks a worrying new trend, federal prosecutors indicted a 20-year-old hacker from Kosovo. With the help of a criminal hacker, Ardit Ferizi stole the home addresses of 1,300 members of the U.S. military, providing the information to Islamic State and posting it online, and calling for attacks on the individuals. Ferizi was arrested in Malaysia, where he was studying computer science. In September, he pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. This blend of the criminal actor, the nation-state actor and the terrorist actor, thats going to be the trend over the next five years, said John Carlin, who recently stepped down as head of the Justice Department division that monitors foreign espionage in the United States. But some active clandestine officers argue that the intelligence community has grown too reliant on technology, a trend they trace back four decades to the directorship of Stansfield Turner. Satellite photography, remote sensors and communications intercepts have become more sophisticated, but so have encryption techniques and anti-satellite weapons. More important, they argue, is that technology is no substitute for penetrations  planting or recruiting human spies in foreign halls of power. The CIA missed Indias 1998 nuclear tests and misjudged Saddam Husseins arsenal in 2003 because it lacked spies in the right places. Today, these current and former CIA officials contend, American policymakers have little insight into the thinking of Vladimir Putins inner circle. Presidents, kings and dictators often dont share their true intentions electronically, putting this valuable information largely beyond the scope of digital spying. The best sources are still people, and these officials believe the agency is not mounting the kind of bold human spying operations it did in the past. Brennan and other CIA officials flatly denied downplaying human intelligence. They said aggressive, high-risk human spying is under way but they cannot go into operational detail. One of Brennans predecessors, Michael Hayden, former CIA chief under President George W. Bush, says the agency strayed from its core mission during the Bush years. After the Al Qaeda attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Hayden said, the CIA had shift to become a paramilitary organization that devoted its most talented officers to tracking and killing terrorists. It now needs to reverse that trend by focusing on espionage against rival nations, he said. The constant combat of the last 15 years has pushed the expertise of the case officer in the direction of the battlefield and in the direction of collecting intelligence to create physical effects, said Hayden, using an intelligence euphemism for killing. At the expense of what the old guys called long-range, country-on-country intelligence gathering. OPTIMIZING CAPABILITIES Brennan and the eight other senior CIA officials made the case that their modernization effort will address the needs and threats described by Hayden and others. Technological advances, they said, have leveled the intelligence playing field. The webs low cost of entry, creativity and speed benefits governments, hackers and terrorists alike. A veteran covert operative who runs a new CIA mission center compared Brennans reforms to the Goldwater-Nichols Act. The landmark 1986 legislation reorganized the U.S. military into a half dozen regional commands where the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines work together. It was a response to inter-service rivalries that bedeviled the American military in Vietnam. The CIA equivalent involves having the agencys five main directorates  Operations (covert spies), Analysis (trends and prediction), Science and Technology (listening devices and other gadgetry) and Digital Innovation (online sleuthing) and Support (logistics)  provide the personnel needed by each regional mission center. Andrew Hallman, director of the new Directorate for Digital Innovation, said the CIA has embraced cloud computing as a way to better share intelligence. In a move that shocked insiders and outsiders, the CIA awarded an $600 million contract to Amazon in 2013 to build a secure cloud computing system where multiple CIA databases can be quickly accessed. For decades, different directorates maintained their own separate databases as a security measure, said Hallman. Some of the applications the agency used were so old  up to 30 years  that the manufacturer was no longer in business. Turning to Amazon was designed to immediately put private-sector computing advances at the fingertips of CIA operatives. It was also an admission that it was easier for the agency to buy innovation from the private sector than try to create it internally. Several former CIA officials criticized the new team-focused system, saying it dilutes the cultures that made each agency directorate strong. The best analysts are deeply skeptical and need to be separated from covert operatives to avoid group-think, they said. And the best covert operatives are famously arrogant, a trait needed to carry out the extraordinarily difficult task of convincing foreigners to spy for America. Richard Blee, a former CIA clandestine officer, said the agency needed reform but highlighted a separate problem created by technological change. Instant secure communications between CIA headquarters and officers in the field has centralized decision-making in Washington, Blee said. And regardless of administration, senior officials in Washington are less willing to take a risk than field officers  virtually all of whom complain about headquarters excessive caution. The mentality across the board in Washington is to take the lowest common denominator, the easiest option, the risk-free option, Blee said. The Chinese are taking tough decisions, the Russians are taking tough decisions and we are taking risk-averse decisions. And we are going to pay a price for that down the road. Brennan says his reforms will empower CIA officers: The integrated teams in each new mission center will improve speed, adaptability and effectiveness. To me, thats going to be the secret of success in the future, not just for CIA but for other organizational structures, Brennan said. Taking full advantage of the tools, capabilities, people and expertise that you have. The old ways of spycraft, Brennan argues, are no longer tenable. Asked what worries him most, he gave a technocratic answer: Twentieth century American government management practices are being rendered obsolete in the digital age. U.S. decision making processes need to be streamlined and accelerated, he said. Because the problems are not going to wait for traditional discussions. (Additional reporting by John Walcott and Jonathan Landay. Edited by Michael Williams)
By Adam Jourdan

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Yum China Holdings Inc (YUMC.N), newly hived off from its U.S. fast food giant parent, faces a tricky battle to revive sales growth in the country, Chief Executive Micky Pant told Reuters, given the strength of its local rivals and a volatile market.

The firm, which debuted on the New York stock exchange on Tuesday, has seen China revenues at its KFC, Pizza Hut and other outlets flatline since 2012 even as it has opened over 1,500 new stores. It is aiming for stronger growth in 2017, though Pant said China was hard to read.

"We've guided to high single-digit revenue growth as our business model, but we can't really predict year-on-year, that's the whole point in China. You'll go up, but the path is not always straight," Pant said at the firm's Shanghai offices.

As part of Yum Brands Inc (YUM.N), the China unit saw stellar sales growth of over 20 percent each year until 2012. Since then, it has struggled with food safety scares, slower economic growth, changing consumer tastes and stronger rivals.

Yum Brands has also pointed towards food delivery apps luring diners with cut-price deals and recent U.S.-China tensions over the South China Sea triggering boycotts of its stores.

Pant said that the spin-off of the China unit would not, however, mark a shift away from Yum's American roots any further than it has done already - its brands offer Durian pizzas and popular Asian breakfast porridge congee.

"Being an American brand has upside and it has some risks... People in general love America, but they might have differences with American foreign policy," said Pant.

A recent investment, though, by Primavera Capital and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA.N) affiliate Ant Financial Services Group would bring extra local onus with foreign exchange, local taxes and understanding the real estate market, he added.

SLOW AND STEADY

Pant said Yum China will focus on building its own stores rather than via franchise partners in order to maximize returns and keep a strong grip on food safety. In the United States the vast majority of Yum stores are franchised.

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"I think the franchise system in China is very nascent, it's very new. In the U.S. you can go to people with franchise experience of 25 years... They know the whole deal," said Pant, adding that letting go of control could be a "huge risk".

"In the vast, vast majority (of cases), for the next several years, we will be building our own stores."

Yum China aims to build 600 new stores each year with long-term potential for 20,000 outlets in the market. However, Pant said the focus for now would be squeezing more out of its existing 7,300 stores - even if this meant slower expansion.

"We took about $150 million of capital this year and transferred it, instead of building new units, to refurbishing our existing stores," he said. This has included installing cashless payment systems, efficient LED lighting and digital menus.

Pant added Yum China was likely to attract more investors from Asia, while the traditional U.S. investor base for Yum Brands might be more cautious about the higher risks. One positive, though, was China's stable political environment compared with other parts of the world.

"Look at the United States. They've got an election coming up in a week and no-one knows what going to happen - that's the biggest risk of all. At least we have stability here," he said.

($1 = 6.7609 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
Hong Kong (AFP) - Standard Chartered could face "financial consequences" after an investigation in Hong Kong over its role in an initial public offering, the firm said as it reported more disappointing earnings results which sent its share price tumbling.

The London-based, Asia-focused lender said authorities were looking into its conduct while co-sponsoring the listing in the city in 2009, dealing another legal blow to the bank which is already facing a US probe.

"The Group has been informed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission that it intends to take action against Standard Chartered Securities (Hong Kong) ... in relation to its role as a joint sponsor of an initial public offering listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2009," it said in its interim earnings report.

"If it does take action there may be financial consequences" for the bank, it said in the report Tuesday.

Standard Chartered said pre-tax profit improved in the third quarter to September but was still well short of expectations, while revenue was also below forecast.

Shares in the firm plunged 6.67 percent in Hong Kong Wednesday. Its London-listed shares ended down 5.42 percent on Tuesday.

Last week Swiss giant UBS said it could faced a fine and suspension from sponsoring IPOs in Hong Kong over a listing in the city.

Neither bank said which IPO the actions referred to, but the Financial Times cited a source as saying the investigations centred on the listing of China Forestry Holdings.

Standard Chartered is still being probed by US authorities over claims of bribery by an Indonesian power company, MAXpower Group, which is controlled by the bank.

The probe is the latest in a string of legal problems for the bank, which paid $667 million in 2012 to settle charges it violated US sanctions by handling thousands of transactions involving Iran, Myanmar, Libya and Sudan.

In August 2014 the bank was hit by US regulators with a $300 million fine and restrictions on its dollar-clearing business for failing to detect possible money-laundering.
By Tom Arnold DUBAI (Reuters) - Standard Chartered's Islamic division is seeking banking licences in three African countries in order to offer its services to the continent's large Muslim population. Standard Chartered Saadiq could enter at least one of these markets - Nigeria, Botswana and Zambia - as early as 2017, Mohammad Ali Allawalla, who is head of Islamic banking for retail clients at the bank, said on the sidelines of a media briefing on Tuesday. The Muslim population in sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to more than double from about 250 million people in 2010 to nearly 670 million in 2050, according to Pew Research Center. As well as talking to regulators in the three African countries, Standard Chartered Saadiq is also in discussions about gaining an Islamic banking licence in Brunei in South East Asia and working with the regulator there on guidelines for Islamic wealth management. Standard Chartered Saadiq's core markets are Pakistan, Malaysia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Bangladesh and in 2014 it entered the Kenyan market, its first move into Africa. "Nigeria is an interesting market in terms of size we are exploring and other markets like Botswana and Zambia, which are not big markets in terms of sheer size but in terms of pockets of customers they present a good opportunity," Allawalla said. Nigeria, the continent's most populous nation, has around 77 million Muslims, according to Pew Research Center. Allawalla said the country presented challenges for retail banking because of the gap between rich and poor. Standard Chartered already operates in Nigeria, Botswana, Zambia and Brunei and Saadiq would only venture into them if there was a need for a alternative Islamic products, Allawalla said. "Its not just a matter of what we would like to do, it's also a matter of how mature the regulations are, what do the regulations allow you to do, what is the cost of setting up vis-a-vis the products you can roll out in the market," he added. (Editing by Alexander Smith)
Broadcast network late-night shows, like the cable news networks, have been feasting on the White House race for more than a year. But that broadcast gravy train is about to come to an end. Except in the case of CBS, thanks to Stephen Colberts vague resemblance to FBI director James Comey.

When Comey sent a letter to lawmakers that his bureau had discovered more emails that appear to be pertinent to its probe of Hillary Clintons use of a private email server, CBS may have gained a new crime drama series: FBI: Email Readers Unit.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXHRFgsMzBQ&w=620&h=340]

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DUBAI (Reuters) - The Suez Canal Authority expects to hear back from three major shipping firms shortly about its proposal to give discounts on fees for using the waterway if they are paid in advance, its chairman said on Wednesday. "I will hear next week," Mohab Mameesh told reporters on the sidelines of a maritime conference in Dubai when asked about the plan, confirming he was awaiting responses from Maersk, MSC and CMA "Every company has to make a meeting for the board and to discuss with the lawyers and the finance team before it passes." Mameesh said earlier this week it had proposed offering ships using the canal a discount of between 3 and 5 percent on fees if they paid three and five years in advance, respectively, with the aim of introducing the system early next year. The authority has been considering pre-paid systems for fees that would attract large sums of cash as a way to further draw in foreign currency to ease a shortage. The canal is one of the main sources of income for Egypt, which is facing increasing speculation about whether it will need to devalue its currency, having already weakened it by almost 14 percent in March. "We need the hard currency in advance and I think many navigation lines are thinking about it," Mameesh said. (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Writing by David French; Editing by Louise Heavens)
If you werent planning on voting this election  and if not, really? Shame!  one of the biggest PACs is hoping to woo you. With puppies.

NextGen Climate, the climate change-oriented PAC from billionaire investor Tom Steyer, announced Friday that its planning to bring puppies to events in Iowa, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Nevada and New Hampshire. Its also launching a digital campaign to recruit puppy volunteers for further events.

We want every young voter to make it to the polls by Election Day, so weve enlisted our most loyal companions to help during this historic election, Nick Ellis, the groups National Puppy Coordinator (Side note: #JobGoals), told Business Insider. We are excited about this new approach to voter outreach.

Per a NextGen rep, the idea came about when the PAC noted anecdotally that the presence of puppies increased voter registrations and commitments to vote at locations. It has also noted, anecdotally, that the sky is blue.

Young voters are famously unreliable and even less so in this election year where they seem more dissatisfied with their choices than in prior elections.

Youre looking at the largest age cohort in the United States right now  bigger than the baby boomers  that is passionate about energy and climate, and doesnt participate at levels that are commensurate with its numbers, Steyer said. It makes total sense to try and talk to them on the issues, get them involved, try and get them to understand the true significance of their vote, and encourage higher participation.

So, now its come to this. Puppies at the polls. I give up. 2016, you win.




From Esquire

Update (11/1/16, 9:38 p.m.): The Trump campaign reached out to Esquire with an official statement:

"Mr. Trump and the campaign denounces hate in any form. This publication is repulsive and their views do not represent the tens of millions of Americans who are uniting behind our campaign."

Right. Like the time he proposed a ban on all Muslim immigration to the United States. Or the time his son tweeted a Trump meme comparing Syrian refugees to Skittles. Or the time he used "bad hombres" to describe immigrants crossing the United States border. There are just so many examples of when the campaign denounced hate.

Trump's campaign may have "rejected and rebuked" hate groups, but they've got the support from supremacists anyway. Over a third of Trump supporters on Twitter follow white nationalists. And now, the Ku Klux Klan is supporting Donald Trump for president.

The KKK just formally endorsed Trump, citing their shared values. Don't forget this when you choose what side of history you want to be on. pic.twitter.com/0aiXIcfeif - Ted Geoghegan (@tedgeoghegan) November 1, 2016

Filmmaker and publicist Tom Geoghegan tweeted a picture of The Crusader, the KKK's official newspaper and the "premier voice of the white resistance." Today's front-page headline? "Make America Great Again."

Wrote The Crusader's Pastor Thomas Robb in the article:

"While Trump wants to make America great again, we have to ask ourselves, 'What made America great in the first place?' The short answer to that is simple. America was great not because of what our forefathers did - but because of who our forefathers were. America was founded as a White Christian Republic. And as a White Christian Republic it became great."

Although Robb told The Washington Post that the paper isn't officially endorsing Trump, he said that it enthusiastically supports him:

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"Overall, we do like his nationalist views and his words about shutting down the border to illegal aliens. It's not an endorsement because, like anybody, there's things you disagree with. But he kind of reflects what's happening throughout the world. There seems to be a surge of nationalism worldwide as nationals reclaim their borders."

Makes sense, considering both Trump and Mike Pence have refused to condemn David Duke in the past. Just one week left, folks.

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BELFAST (Reuters) - Women's rights groups are to ask the British Supreme Court on Wednesday to compel the government to fund abortions for Northern Ireland residents travelling to England to avoid some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. While the National Health Service routinely provides free abortions to women in most of the United Kingdom, abortion is only permitted in the British province of Northern Ireland when a womans life is at risk or if there is a risk of permanent and serious damage to her mental or physical health. Last year just 16 abortions were carried out in Northern Ireland but women's rights groups estimate that around 1,000 women travel to Britain each year for terminations, which they must finance themselves along with travel and other costs. The Republic of Ireland has similarly restrictive laws, although the government there has said it will consider changes in the next two years. In 2014, the High Court in London ruled that the British Health Secretary had a duty in relation to the physical and mental health of the people of England, but not those ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland. A coalition of reproductive rights organisations is arguing that not allowing NHS-funded abortions represents unlawful discrimination contrary to Article 14 and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It is simply unjust that women from Northern Ireland are forced to pay for healthcare that is provided free of charge to women resident in all other parts of the UK," said British Pregnancy Advisory Service chief executive Ann Furedi. Pro-choice activists in Northern Ireland are demanding as a minimum a relaxation of laws so girls and women can access a termination in cases of fatal foetal abnormality and pregnancy through sexual crime. Political parties in Northern Ireland are divided on abortion. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of First Minister Arlene Foster is among the most socially conservative in Europe and has consistently opposed widespread access to abortion. Northern Ireland's health and justice ministers have received a report exploring the issue of fatal foetal abnormality and it will be considered by Northern Ireland's devolved government in due court, Foster told Reuters last week. (Writing by Amanda Ferguson; Editing by Conor Humphries)
Washington (AFP) - Against the background of crisis in Venezuela, the US Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case involving the late leader Hugo Chavez's expropriation of a US oil company's assets in 2010.

The question of law before the court's eight justices is under what condition can a sovereign state -- in this case Venezuela -- be sued in US courts.

Oklahoma-based Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Company accuses Venezuela of having illegally seized 11 of its oil exploration towers.

At the time, Chavez was president of the South American country and his "Bolivarian revolution" was in full swing.

The former army lieutenant colonel, famous for his criticism of "Yankee imperialism," had embarked on a course of nationalizations, vowing to lead Venezuela on the path of "21st century socialism."

- Expropriation -

Government takeovers ranged across entire industries -- from agrobusinesses to banking to wholesale distribution -- forcing multinationals to reduce the scope of their operations.

The energy industry, whose strategic importance made it a particularly vulnerable target, did not escape the "reappropriation" movement.

Compared to Halliburton or Schlumberger, Helmerich & Payne is a relatively modest player in the oil exploration business.

It had its own derricks and other exploration equipment in Venezuela, but it was a subcontractor for the state-owned oil giant PDVSA.

By 2009, PDVSA had run up about $100 million in unpaid bills owed Helmerich & Payne, which decided to cut its losses and dismantle its installations in Venezuela.

In response, the regime in June 2010 blocked the movement of its equipment and Chavez signed a decree expropriating the company's assets in Venezuela.

Helmerich & Payne then took Venezuela to court in the United States, despite the fact that sovereign states have generally been shielded from US lawsuits for more than two centuries.

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- Sacrosanct immunity -

In 1976, however, the US Congress provided for some limited exceptions to the immunity sovereign powers enjoy.

The "Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act" made it possible to sue a foreign country when it has seized American goods or when its actions have a direct impact on US trade.

Basing itself on this law, a court in Washington gave Helmerich & Payne the okay to sue Caracas over the expropriation.

The Venezuelan state countered that authorizing lawsuits for such insubstantial reasons was unthinkable, and against the rules of international law.

In this complicated affair, Caracas paradoxically has the support of the United States, which worries that it would be exposed to all kinds of lawsuits if the sacrosanct principle of state sovereignty is weakened.

Following that reasoning, President Barack Obama recently opposed a law that allows victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks to sue Saudi Arabia.

At Wednesday's hearing, the justices seemed stumped by the case.

"I came in on your side, but I swing back and forth," Justice Stephen Breyer told Elaine Goldenberg, assistant to the US solicitor general.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, a liberal like Breyer, also said she found it confusing, noting that the US State Department and Venezuela both were "upset" that the lower court had found a "viable legal argument" to support a suit.
Geneva (AFP) - Swiss police arrested an imam at a controversial mosque near Zurich on Wednesday after he allegedly urged followers to kill fellow Muslims who refused to join communal prayers.

In a statement, the prosecutor in Zurich's cantonal government said the imam at the An'Nur de Winterhour mosque, who is an Ethiopian national, had been detained for incitement to violence.

During an October 21 sermon, the imam "called for the assassination of Muslims who refuse to participate in communal prayers in the mosque," the prosecutor's statement said, adding that a criminal probe had been launched.

Three of the imam's followers were also being held and investigated but the prosecutor said it was "unclear" what role they played in the alleged call to violence.

Separately, Zurich police raided the mosque early Monday and arrested three other men -- aged 23 to 35 -- over suspected immigration violations.

Swiss media have reported frequently on the An'Nur mosque, including on suggestions that it has played a part in radicalising young Muslims.

According to the news site 20min.ch, the Ethiopian cleric starting working at the mosque recently, replacing a predecessor who was forced to leave amid accusations that he was preaching extremism.

Swiss media have further reported that the compound's landlords do not intend to extend the mosque's lease, possibly forcing its closure by the of the year.
ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland's cabinet proposed new light-touch regulations for financial technology (fintech) companies on Wednesday aimed at bolstering business and competitiveness.

Easing rules could help reduce barriers to market entry and provide more legal certainty for the burgeoning sector, said the finance ministry, which must now turn the changes into draft legislation.

Ministry officials said draft legislation could be sent to parliament by mid-2017 after a public consultation.

"We assume that with the steps we have prepared and the commitment we have to the overall financial services industry we can provide a solution that puts us among the top (countries) in the world that regulate this," Finance Minister Ueli Maurer told a news conference in Bern.

He said the measures sent a signal that Switzerland will quickly create good conditions for fintech companies, thus fostering innovation and preserving financial sector jobs.

Switzerland lags the likes of Britain and Singapore when it comes to fintech. Firms specializing in crypto currencies, for instance, say financial regulations must change for them to thrive in places like Zug, dubbed "Crypto Valley".

Many crypto currency companies are subject to banking regulations as they are classed as deposit-taking firms, meaning they need 10 million Swiss francs ($10.3 million) in paid-up capital once their business grows above a certain level.

To address these concerns, the cabinet proposed a three-pronged strategy:

- Setting a deadline of 60 days for holding money in settlement accounts, facilitating crowd funding services

- Creating a "sandbox" innovation area in which a provider can accept from the public funds of up to 1 million francs without being monitored by industry watchdog FINMA

- Establishing a new fintech license, granted by FINMA, for institutions which are restricted to taking deposits of up to 100 million francs and do not operate in the lending business. These would be exempt from traditional depositor protection systems. The minimum capital should amount to 5 percent of the accepted public funds, but no less than 300,000 francs.

Officials said matters still to be decided include establishing the legal status of virtual assets and regulating the use of blockchain technology -- in which a network of computers verifies and updates a record of transactions through a system derived from virtual currency bitcoin.

(Reporting by Michael Shields; editing by Jason Neely)
ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland's cabinet proposed new light-touch regulations for financial technology (fintech) companies on Wednesday aimed at bolstering business and competitiveness. Easing rules could help reduce barriers to market entry and provide more legal certainty for the burgeoning sector, said the finance ministry, which must now turn the changes into draft legislation. Ministry officials said draft legislation could be sent to parliament by mid-2017 after a public consultation. "We assume that with the steps we have prepared and the commitment we have to the overall financial services industry we can provide a solution that puts us among the top (countries) in the world that regulate this," Finance Minister Ueli Maurer told a news conference in Bern. He said the measures sent a signal that Switzerland will quickly create good conditions for fintech companies, thus fostering innovation and preserving financial sector jobs. Switzerland lags the likes of Britain and Singapore when it comes to fintech. Firms specializing in crypto currencies, for instance, say financial regulations must change for them to thrive in places like Zug, dubbed "Crypto Valley". Many crypto currency companies are subject to banking regulations as they are classed as deposit-taking firms, meaning they need 10 million Swiss francs ($10.3 million) in paid-up capital once their business grows above a certain level. To address these concerns, the cabinet proposed a three-pronged strategy: - Setting a deadline of 60 days for holding money in settlement accounts, facilitating crowd funding services - Creating a "sandbox" innovation area in which a provider can accept from the public funds of up to 1 million francs without being monitored by industry watchdog FINMA - Establishing a new fintech license, granted by FINMA, for institutions which are restricted to taking deposits of up to 100 million francs and do not operate in the lending business. These would be exempt from traditional depositor protection systems. The minimum capital should amount to 5 percent of the accepted public funds, but no less than 300,000 francs. Officials said matters still to be decided include establishing the legal status of virtual assets and regulating the use of blockchain technology -- in which a network of computers verifies and updates a record of transactions through a system derived from virtual currency bitcoin. (Reporting by Michael Shields; editing by Jason Neely)
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian rebels on Wednesday rejected Russian demands that they withdraw from Aleppo by Friday evening, an official in one insurgent faction said. "This is completely out of the question. We will not give up the city of Aleppo to the Russians and we won't surrender," Zakaria Malahifji of the Fastaqim rebel group told Reuters. Russia's defense ministry said rebels and civilians would be allowed to leave the eastern opposition-held part of Aleppo and signaled it would extend a moratorium on air strikes inside the city. However, Malahifji said there were no safe exit corridors, as Russia had stated. "It's not true. Civilians and fighters are not leaving. Civilians are afraid of the regime, they don't trust it. And the fighters are not surrendering," he said. (Reporting by John Davison; Editing by Louise Ireland)
Hip-hop's biggest stars have been using their platform to mobilize young voters in this year's election. Now, T.I., Rick Ross, Pusha T and Gucci Mane are joining forces with the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East Union to rally before election day.

With the event slated for Nov. 7, at the Florida Memorial University in Miami, Sybrina Fulton and Jahvaris Fulton -- the mother and brother of Trayvon Martin -- will join forces with the rappers for the "Young Gets It Done" event, to help drive the younger generation to cast their votes. The event will be hosted by New York radio icon Angie Martinez.

"There has never been a more important time to activate young people to take action on behalf of the issues that will define their generation - equality, justice and democracy," 1199SEIU president George Gresham said in a statement. "These values have always been at the core of the work that we do and we are honored to be working with such incredible partners and talent to address voter turnout amongst the youth and people of color through innovative ways, get out the vote on November 8th, and continue our fight for fairness across the country."

Pusha T has spent the past few weeks rallying for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, hosting a contest with Clinton to encourage voter registration and interviewing vice president nominee Tim Kaine in Miami at the Florida Democrats Block Party. Tip has also been vocal about social issues with the release of his EP, Us or Else.

The "Young Gets It Done" event will feature guest appearances from Power star Rotimi, Empire star Bre-Z, Snapchat queen YesJulz, DJ Stevie J and more.

Tickets for the free event are available at here.
Hip-hop's biggest stars have been using their platform to mobilize young voters in this year's election. Now, T.I., Rick Ross, Pusha T, Jay Electronica and Gucci Mane are joining forces with the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East Union to rally before election day.

With the event slated for Nov. 7, at the Florida Memorial University in Miami, Sybrina Fulton and Jahvaris Fulton -- the mother and brother of Trayvon Martin -- will join forces with the rappers for the "Young Gets It Done" event, to help drive the younger generation to cast their votes. The event will be hosted by New York radio icon Angie Martinez with special correspondent, Snapchat queen YesJulz.

"There has never been a more important time to activate young people to take action on behalf of the issues that will define their generation - equality, justice and democracy," 1199SEIU president George Gresham said in a statement. "These values have always been at the core of the work that we do and we are honored to be working with such incredible partners and talent to address voter turnout amongst the youth and people of color through innovative ways, get out the vote on November 8th, and continue our fight for fairness across the country."

Pusha T has spent the past few weeks rallying for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, hosting a contest with Clinton to encourage voter registration and interviewing vice president nominee Tim Kaine in Miami at the Florida Democrats Block Party. Tip has also been vocal about social issues with the release of his EP, Us or Else.

The "Young Gets It Done" event will feature guest appearances from Power star Rotimi, Empire star Bre-Z, DJ Stevie J and more.

Tickets for the free event are available at here.
Tangiers (Morocco) (AFP) - Wall paintings, colourful facades and flowery alleyways are brightening up the centuries-old Tangiers medina as residents bring new life to the neglected streets of the Moroccan port's old city.

Standing on a hill overlooking the port and the Strait of Gibraltar -- one of the world's most strategically vital waterways -- the old city of Tangiers has few green spaces.

But residents of 13 neighbourhoods have launched a campaign to spruce it up.

"The initiative came from the residents, without any intervention from political parties or associations," said Rafih al-Kanfaoui, 33, of the old city's Ibn Battouta neighbourhood.

"The neighbourhood has taken on a beauty that nobody imagined."

Along the old city's winding alleys, house fronts are decked out in different colours and pots of flowers sit outside doors and in windows.

The walls of Ibn Battouta -- named after the 14th century explorer who was the city's most famous son -- have been daubed green and purple, and a wheelchair ramp has been fitted.

"We all worked together, men and women, children, young people, old people, to make the neighbourhood beautiful," said Soufyane Abdel-Mottalib, 30.

The operation was funded by the residents themselves and now four neighbourhoods in Tangiers have won awards from Morocco's Observatory for Environmental and Historical Monuments.

- Proud of long history -

It is one of several citizens' initiatives launched as Morocco hosts the COP22 climate talks in Marrakesh from November 7 to 18.

Mohammed Salmoun, a local civil society activist, said the project had changed the face of several marginalised parts of the city.

"This kind of initiative has shown its potential to make districts stand out both locally and nationally," he said.

Inspired by pictures of the project on Facebook, inhabitants of other Moroccan cities including Casablanca have launched similar projects.

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Tangiers residents are proud of their city's long history, particularly the story of Ibn Battouta, who left Tangiers in 1325 at the age of 21.

He crossed North Africa and travelled as far east as China. Defying distance, hardship and the Black Death, he later returned to his home city and wrote a book about his travels.

Because it overlooks one of the world's top maritime routes, Tangiers was the theatre of bitter rivalry between European powers in the 19th century.

Between 1923 and 1956, the region was a neutral international zone that attracted all types from spies and adventurers to authors like Tennessee Williams.

Tangiers, like much of Morocco's north, was neglected under the late king Hassan II. The city dwindled slowly and turned to smuggling and hashish as many young, unemployed locals chose to migrate to Europe.

But the city has experienced a revival since King Mohammed VI launched an ambitious four-year $1 billion (700 million euro) redevelopment plan in September 2013.

The waterfront now shines with new buildings and the city centre has been transformed, with wide avenues and white painted sidewalks.
Retail real estate investment trust (REIT) Taubman Centers Inc.s TCO third-quarter 2016 funds from operations (FFO) per share of 94 cents beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 89 cents.



Also, the figure was up 5.6% from 89 cents earned a year ago. Results were driven by higher rents and contributions from its new centers.



Revenues came in at $148.0 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $146 million and improving from around $140 million in the year-ago quarter.

Quarter In Detail



Comparable center NOI, excluding lease cancellation income, rose 4.5% year over year; while average rent per square foot was $60.23, up 1.3% year over year. For the period ended Sep 30, 2016, trailing 12-month releasing spreads per square foot were 21.3%.



Comparable center mall tenant sales per square foot expanded 0.4% from a year ago. However, year to date, mall tenant sales per square foot were down 1.1%. As of Sep 30, 2016, the comparable centers portfolio was 96.7% leased, denoting a 0.6% year-over-year decline; while ending occupancy was 95%, up 1% year over year.



Liquidity



Taubman Centers exited third-quarter 2016 with cash and cash equivalents of $59.7 million, down from $206.6 million recorded at year-end 2015.



Guidance



Taubman Centers has revised its guidance for 2016. The company now projects 2016 FFO per share in the range of $3.78$3.88 against the prior outlook of $3.75$3.90. Further, adjusted FFO per share outlook, is revised to $3.53$3.63 from the prior guided range of $3.50$3.65. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is currently pegged at $3.84.



Note that, adjusted FFO excludes the one-time $21.7 million payment the company got in second-quarter 2016 for the termination of its leasing services agreement at The Shops at Crystals.



Further, for 2017, the company guided consolidated and unconsolidated interest expense, at 100%, to be $250$255 million and at beneficial share, the same is anticipated to be $170$175 million. Moreover, the company expects its share of net operating income from its three new centers (CityOn.Xian  Xian, China, International Market Place, and Starfield Hanam) and CityOn.Zhengzhou (slated to open on Mar 16, 2017) in the band of $40$45 million.



Our Viewpoint



Taubman Centers is expected to grow on the back of a solid retail portfolio and a strong tenant base, going forward. Yet, stiff competition and growing online sales remain as concerns.



Currently, Taubman Centers has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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TAUBMAN CENTERS Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

TAUBMAN CENTERS Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | TAUBMAN CENTERS Quote

Investors interested in the retail REIT industry may consider stocks like Realty Income Corp. O, STORE Capital Corp. STOR and Washington Prime Group Inc. WPG. Each of these stocks carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).



Note: All EPS numbers presented in this write-up represent funds from operations (FFO) per share. 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.



Confidential from Zacks



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A little over five years ago, when Navy SEALS entered Osama bin Ladens compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, they knew exactly where to go, how many people were in the compound, what weapons were there, and whether the place had been booby trapped. They didnt have a mole inside or a secret agent feeding them information, and they didnt have cameras or other hidden equipment inside the compound.

How did they know where to go to find Bin Laden? They had pictures  in real time  from a special camera that can see things that the human eye can never see. Put simply, where people can only see color through visible light in three bands  red, green and blue, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) divides the spectrum into dozens or hundreds of bands, covering a wide range of wavelengths of the electromagnetic field. The result: The possible combinations of wavelengths are infinite and discoverable in ways that can detect and identify everything from a blade of grass to a toxic gas leak.

Related: Meet the 'Seal Team 6' Who Killed Bin Laden

The digital photos taken before and during the operation from MH-60 Black Hawks by classified HSI experts gave the SEALS a complete blueprint of what to expect in advance. Backed by this technology, the SEALS completed their mission.

This valuable technology is expensive and out of reach for most businesses and consumers. Thats a problem a young scientist on the research staff of PARC, a Xerox company in Palo Alto, decided to solve.

I met Alex Hegyi, one of MIT Technology Review's 2016 Innovators Under 35, at EmTech, a conference held at MITs Media Lab. He said his goal was to make hyperspectral technology cheaper than anything that's out there and also small enough to fit inside a cellphone. That could dramatically change the way just about anyone looks at the world. Here are a few of those changes, according to Hegyi:

In agriculture, you could look at your crops and see if they need more or less water, more or less fertilizer, and predict crop yields.

In medicine, you could look at your skin and actually see tissue oxygenation, or look at a mole and see if its cancerous.

In defense, you could easily spot camouflaged targets.

In planetary exploration, you could spot signs of life.

In the fine arts, you could look at a painting and see the different layers of composition.

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Related: A Robot Is My Co-Pilot: The Pentagon Tests a New Way to Fly

The list of potential applications is endless. One of my favorites is identifying counterfeit currency. Hegyi explains, Someone hands you a hundred-dollar bill. You don't know if it's real or not. If you had a general purpose hyperspectral camera on your cel lphone you could download the app, take a picture of the bill and know whether or not it's counterfeit, based on the spectral signatures you get back.

He continued, When people are printing counterfeit money they're just matching the colors. They're not matching the spectral signature. It turns out there are anti-counterfeit measures in the bills that we didn't know about until we started taking hyperspectral images.

I suppose Hegyi could find a way to install his technology in everything from ATMs to cash registers, saving businesses and the government a bundle.

The Early Days of Photonics

Hyperspectral imaging isnt new. Its been used by the oil and gas industry and geologists to pinpoint exactly where the motherlode is located.



NASA - In this wavelength region in California, clay, carbonate, and sulfate minerals have unique absorption features, resulting in distinct colors in the image. For example, limestones are yellow-green, and purple areas are kaolinite-rich (kaolinite is a clay mineral).

One of the more recent uses for the technology is to detect leaks in gas pipelines. The Canadian Energy Pipeline Association says hyperspectral cameras can detect evaporated hydrocarbons that cant be seen by the human eye.

Although Hegyis camera has a somewhat limited wavelength range, Marian Dudek, a senior manager at Accenture, explained, Hyperspectral images can show extremely low volumes and concentrations of evaporated hydrocarbons within a one-mile radius of the camera.

Bending the Cost Curve in Health Care

As the U.S. and other developed countries struggle to keep health care costs in check, a technology that identifies disease symptoms before theyre visible to the naked eye and before they blossom into full-blown (read: expensive) diseases could be invaluable.

Related: Obamacare Rate Hikes for 2017 Even Bigger Than Expected

Hegyi says, Hyperspectral imaging can be a tool like a stethoscope. For example, Blood changes color depending on if it's oxygenated or not, so scanning diabetics to find ulcers that are forming on their bodies can prevent one of the biggest co-morbidities of diabetes  amputation. That has almost an incalculable cost associated with it. So if you could find those early and well before they become clinically significant, let's say, that would be significant.

Hospital readmissions after tissue grafts is another big one. Taking pictures of tissue after you do a skin graft to see that the blood is perfusing through it and making sure it's viable tissue immediately allows you to know if that surgery was unsuccessful and that they have to be admitted for a second surgery. So that changes that indicator of success vs. non-success from something that's 12 to 24 hours out to something which is immediate.

HSI helped save a patients injured toe, which he initially thought would require amputation. HSI was used to monitor oxygen levels in the tissues, which provided instant analysis of this patients foot.

For consumers, Hegyi offers lots of workable healthy ideas: You could have different medical apps like the one that allows you to take a picture of a mole and upload it to a doctor to figure out if it's cancerous. He said if you put a drop of blood or saliva on a colorimetric test strip with hundreds of colorimetric indicators and take a picture of the test strip, the doctor could perform multiple analyses simultaneously.

How can color answer these hidden secrets of the human body and beyond?

Engineers have built hyperspectral sensors and processing systems for applications in astronomy, agriculture, biomedical imaging, geosciences, physics and surveillance. In other words, everything has a unique signature or fingerprint that can be identified.

Hyperspectral images are sometimes referred to as image cubes because of the large number of measured wavelengths. Each pixel has a known code or identity of what is in the cube, be it animal, vegetable or mineral.

Source: Dr. Nicholas M. Short, Sr. - NASA

Consumers Reap Benefits, Too

For consumers, the technology could be incredibly practical. Someday, if Hegyi has his way, youll know immediately if that cantaloupe is ripe enough to eat before you buy it by taking an HSI of the melon with your smartphone while shopping in the supermarket.

Related: The Surprising Food Trend Thats Driving the Restaurant Recession

Want to know which tomato is ripe or sweet? Are those flowers fresh enough to last a few days? The hyperspectral camera on your smartphone could have the answers. Theres a downside, too. Youre having dinner at a four-star restaurant with your new friend and the gray sole tastes, well, fishy. If you photograph it and learn its been frozen and for two weeks, what would you do?

If we use this technology wisely, the U.S. could shed one its dubious distinctions  the country that leads the world in food waste. From farm to table, knowing when to water and fertilize, and when to buy and eat could avoid tossing roughly 50 percent of all the produce we grow and buy into a landfill.

Moreover, much of the food that must be tossed because its passed its expiration date could be sold at a discount or given to food pantries with a new label: Certified Edible Until Date: XX by Hyperspectral Imaging.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
WESTMINSTER, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / TechPrecision Corporation (TPCS) ("TechPrecision" or "the Company"), an industry leading manufacturer of precision, large-scale fabricated and machined metal components and tested systems with customers in the defense, energy and precision industrial sectors, today announced it will release financial results for its 2017 fiscal second quarter on November 14, 2016.

The Company will hold a conference call at 4:30 p.m. Eastern (U.S.) time on November 14, 2016. To participate in the live conference call, please dial 1-800-894-5910 five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time. International callers should dial 1-785-424-1052. When prompted, reference Conference ID: TECH.

A replay will be available until December 14, 2016. To access the replay, dial 1-877-481-4010 or 1-919-882-2331. When prompted, enter Conference Passcode 10141.

The call will also be available live by webcast at TechPrecision Corporation's website, www.techprecision.com, and will also be available over the Internet and accessible at http://www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=175449.

About TechPrecision Corporation

TechPrecision Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Ranor, Inc., and Wuxi Critical Mechanical Components Co., Ltd., manufactures large-scale, metal fabricated and machined precision components and equipment. These products are used in a variety of markets including: defense, aerospace, nuclear, industrial, and medical. TechPrecision's goal is to be an end-to-end service provider to its customers by furnishing customized and integrated "turn-key" solutions for completed products requiring custom fabrication and machining, assembly, inspection and testing. To learn more about the Company, please visit the corporate website at http://www.techprecision.com. Information on the Company's website or any other website does not constitute a part of this press release.

Company Contact:

Mr. Thomas Sammons

Chief Financial Officer

TechPrecision Corporation

Tel: 978-883-5109

Email: sammonst@ranor.com

www.techprecision.com

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Investor Relations Contact:

Hayden IR

Brett Maas

Phone:646-536-7331

Email: brett@haydenir.com

SOURCE: TechPrecision Corporation
Tehran (AFP) - Tehran's notorious former chief prosecutor, Said Mortazavi, has been sentenced to 135 lashes for misappropriation and waste of public money while head of Iran's welfare programme, Iranian media reported Wednesday.

Mortazavi "was sentenced to 70 lashes for misappropriation of public goods and 65 lashes for negligence and waste of public goods," said Mostafa Torkhamedani, lawyer for workers at the Social Security Organisation who brought the case against him, according to IRIB news agency.

A close ally of hardline former president Mahmud Ahmedinejad, Mortazavi became a hate figure among Iranian reformists during his six years as chief prosecutor for shutting down dozens of their publications and jailing journalists.

He was suspended in 2010 after parliament held him responsible for the deaths in custody of at least three anti-government protesters during the previous year's mass demonstrations against Ahmedinejad's controversial re-election.

The deaths of Mohammad Kamrani, Amir Javadifar and Mohsen Ruholamini from injuries sustained during their detention in Kahrizak prison in south Tehran caused a public uproar, and the jail was shut down on the orders of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Nonetheless, Ahmedinejad appointed Mortazavi as head of the anti-smuggling office and later put him in charge of the wealthy social welfare organisation between 2012 and 2013.

Mortazavi, who was targeted by US sanctions over "sustained and severe violations of human rights" during his time as prosecutor, was disbarred in November 2014.

He has also been linked to the death in custody of Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi in 2003.

In September, he wrote an open letter asking for forgiveness over the deaths of the three protesters, saying they were "martyrs".

Mortazavi can still appeal his sentence of 135 lashes.
From Esquire

I have to believe that, sooner or later, a sufficient number of Texans will rise up against Governor Greg Abbott's endless waste of their tax money re-litigating, appealing and generally becoming the country's most gigantic producer of nuisance suits. Or, at the very least, the country's most gigantic producer of nuisance suits who also is a lifelong supporter of "tort reform." I have to believe this because believing otherwise inevitably would lead me to the conclusion that Texas taxpayers are a bunch of big-government spendthrifts who should not be trusted with their own money, which would make me a kind of a funhouse mirror version of Steve King.

[contentlinks align="center" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Related%20Story" customtitles="The%20Governor%20of%20Texas%20Sounds%20Like%20a%20Twitter%20Egg" customimages="" content="article.41029"]

The latest and greatest comes courtesy of The Texas Tribune, which tells us that Abbott is now intent on "narrowing" the Supreme Court's decision on marriage because Greg Abbott is completely unable to realize that the country has moved on, and that it's moved on right over him like a steamroller in a field of mashed potatoes.

Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday filed an amicus brief with the Texas Supreme Court urging the all-Republican court to reconsider a Houston case challenging the city's benefits policy for married same-sex couples. It appears they've set their eyes on the Houston case as a way to limit the effect of the high court's ruling. The Texas Supreme Court has already had a say in the case challenging Houston's benefits policy, which was extended to same-sex spouses of city employees. In a 8-1 ruling, the court in September declined to take up the case, letting stand a lower court decision that upheld the benefits for same-sex couples. In asking the Texas Supreme Court to reopen the Houston case, state's leaders in their brief also urged the court to clarify that the case that legalized same-sex marriage, Obergefell v. Hodges, does not "bind state courts to resolve all other claims in favor of the right to same-sex marriage."

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Their creativity at rebooting interposition and nullification for yet another century is positively otherworldly. Now, they've decided that their pet local court should be the one standing in the doorway-or, in this case, the county clerk's office.

And almost a month after the ruling, Paxton quietly conceded a case against the federal government over medical leave benefits for certain same-sex couples. Now, Paxton, the governor and and lieutenant governor are suggesting to the Texas Supreme Court that it should "remind" lower courts that all "disputes involved the right to same-sex marriage have not been resolved." "It it not the duty of the state courts to divine broad principles from Supreme Court opinions and to extrapolate them to new contexts," the Republicans wrote. "Rather, state courts must be meticulous in examining each new claimed right and determining whether and to what extent it must be expanded in new ways."

Sooner or later, I will be able to shelve Stalin's Order N. 227. But, until then, all steps forward in the area of simple human rights will continue to have to be considered impermanent, or even temporary. Ni shagu nazad still holds.

Click here to respond to this post on the official Esquire Politics Facebook page.

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Sid Miller

A Texas Republican official said his campaign mistakenly posted a message on Twitter that used an obscene term to describe Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

The message on Miller's Twitter account was referencing a poll that showed Donald Trump leading Clinton 44% to 43%. However, the message used the word, "c--t" instead of Clinton's name.

The message was deleted shortly after it was posted and a spokeperson for Miller claimed the vulgar tweet was sent by hackers.

Texas ag commissioner Sid Miller just called Hillary Clinton the c word. #txlege pic.twitter.com/zkxsEo5FeI  Edgar Walters (@ewaltersTX) November 1, 2016

Shortly after, a statement released on Miller's behalf attempted to clarify that his Twitter account was not hacked and that the message was mistakenly retweeted by a staffer who was unaware of the offensive language.

The campaign was retweeting information on Twitter today and inadvertently retweeted tweet that they were not aware contained a derogatory term. The tweet was taken down as soon as possible. Commissioner Miller find the term vulgar and offensive and apologizes to anyone who may have seen it, the statement said.

This isn't the first time Miller has found himself in hot water.

In April, The Houston Chronicle revealed documents that purported to show Miller may have used campaign funds to travel to Mississippi in 2015 to compete in a rodeo for prize money.

NOW WATCH: Trump says 'every poll' shows he won the second debate, but scientific polls suggest he lost





More From Business Insider


Black Friday and Cyber Monday have nothing on China's Singles' Day. Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (ticker: BABA) has turned the anti-Valentine's Day holiday in the country, celebrated every Nov. 11, into a 24-hour online shopping bonanza, reports Business Insider.

Last year it made $14.3 billion in sales, according to Fung Global Retail and Technology. This year, it's expected to hit $20 billion. One in every 12 people in China purchased something on Alibaba's website Tmall on last year's Singles' Day, per Fung Global Retail and Technology. There were 467 million delivery orders, compared to 278 million the year prior.

This makes the combined Black Friday and Cyber Monday spending by Americans online last year look paltry at just $5.8 billion.

Alibaba says more than 40,000 brands will participate. American retailers like Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST), Macy's Inc. (M) and Target Corp. (TGT) are involved this year, an Alibaba spokesman told Business Insider.

Alibaba's Singles' Day rise has been swift. Business Insider notes that seven years ago, roughly two dozen companies featured Singles' Day discounts. In 2009, Alibaba joined the fray. Nike ( NKE) and Adidas were among last year's most popular brands on Singles' Day.

This event underscores the growing power of e-commerce that's warped the retail industry. The trend rang true in Alibaba's most recent earnings. Despite the deceleration in Chinese economic growth, consumers are flocking to Alibaba sites and ditching brick-and-mortar retailers, reports The New York Times.

The New York Times notes, however, that the value of Alibaba's goods has started stagnating. It's been looking toward adjusting advertising targets and alluring international brands to its offerings (where it can charge them to sell) to fix this sales growth issue. Also, analysts have been paying more attention to the company's other businesses, like its cloud services.

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Alibaba's stock is up about 27 percent this year.

The 9 Best ETFs for Retail Power

7 Stocks to Buy for the Fourth Quarter

David Oliver is Associate Editor, Social Media at U.S. News & World Report. Follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn, or send him an email at doliver@usnews.com.
Donald Trump wants to bring back millions of manufacturing jobs. Hillary Clinton wants to spend billions building new roads and bridges. This years presidential candidates have great prescriptionsfor the economy of 1996.

But its now the Internet era. The digital economy is minting billionaires and spawning most of the nations fastest-growing companies. The biggest factor determining any workers prospects for success may now be the ability to harness electrons, not to turn a wrench or shovel asphalt.

The 2016 presidential candidates seem not to have considered this. During a 45-minute panel discussion with top advisers to both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, I asked each if their candidate had ideas for how to spread the spoils of the digital economy more widely. Their answers, which you can check out in the video above, werent encouraging.

Peter Navarro, a senior economic adviser to Republican Donald Trump, defined the problem in terms of manufacturing. When our  manufacturers go offshore, he said, they generally take two things with them. One, they take their supply chains, but they also take their R&D. Thats where you get the high technology economy.

Roger Altman, whos advising Hillary Clinton, took issue with that. Really? he asked Navarro. China has a higher technology economy than America?

Navarro called that a stupid question.

Altman pressed. The answer is no, he said.

Navarro argued that if the United States were to lower the corporate tax rate and slash regulations, more manufacturers would relocate here, bringing technology innovation back with them. Still, while high-tech manufacturing overlaps with the digital economy, its just a tiny part of it.

Altman insisted we already have a vibrant tech sector. The technology side of the US economy is one of its greatest strengths, he said. America is the undisputed leader in most forms of advanced technology, in IT, in biotech, and so forth. The goal of any president should be to support that, to nurture that, to enable it to do what its been doing.

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But thats already happening, I pointed out. What can we do to get more Americans involved in the soaring tech economy, and fewer waiting for globalization to reverse itself or some other form of relief to arrive?

Ill spare you the suspense: Neither really answered the question, though there were some further fireworks between Navarro and Altman. So theres broad agreement the nation needs to do more help Americans who feel theyre falling behind. Theres broad agreement that the tech sector is going gangbusters. But neither presidential candidate has a plan to introduce Silicon Valley to Main Street. Maybe politics will catch up with the digital economy by 2020.

Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman.
Wristbands for voters are seen at a polling station during early voting in Chicago on Oct. 14, 2016. (Photo: Jim Young/Reuters)

Donald Trump is now making a point of letting Americans know that they can change their vote if they want, and at his rallies and on Twitter he is encouraging any Clinton voters who have changed their mind to vote for him.

You can change your vote in six states. So, now that you see that Hillary was a big mistake, change your vote to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2016

While some polling shows that the latest development in Clintons email scandal appears to have had minimal effect on the minds of voters, the Republican nominee is correct that voters in some states can indeed change their votes. However, in some of those states, the deadline is looming or has already passed.

In Wisconsin  where Trump spoke Tuesday night  voters are allowed to change their vote up to three times until Friday, Nov. 4. If requested, county clerks would retrieve a ballot from the vault where theyre kept, note that the voter had used up one of their strikes and then replace the ballot.

In Minnesota, which allows early voting by mail or in person, you are allowed to request to alter your ballot until a week prior to Election Day, which means voters there cannot alter their choice as of Tuesday.

Pennsylvania doesnt allow early voting, but if you voted via an absentee ballot and are in your district on Election Day, you are allowed to go to your polling place and submit a new ballot. Mississippi also allows absentee voters to change their ballot as long as they go to their precinct and vote in person on Nov. 8. New York State absentee voters are also able to override any absentee ballot they cast by going to their local board of elections and requesting a new ballot.

The Connecticut secretary of states office told Yahoo News that absentee voters there can also alter their choice, but you have to go to your polling place and request to void your prior vote by 10 a.m. on Election Day. According to the Wall Street Journal, Michigan voters can rescind their absentee ballot until Saturday.

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Florida allows you to return a mail-in ballot to your polling place to request a new one, but if youve already submitted your choice, you cannot change your vote. Colorado allows a very narrow window: If you mail in a vote and change your mind, you can switch it only if you beat your ballot to the county clerks office.

There was a report on Fox News that residents of Louisiana were allowed to change their vote. However, the Louisiana secretary of states office sent a tweet to Fox indicating that the information was incorrect and voters there are not allowed to change a ballot during early voting.

@FoxNews @tracegallagher reports of voters in LA being able to change vote during early voting are FALSE. Correct pls.  La. Sec. of State (@Louisiana_sos) October 29, 2016

Voters in the potential battleground states of Arizona, North Carolina and Ohio are also out of luck: Laws there state that you can only vote once.
Can a woman of a certain age not show her knees? [Photo: Getty]

People in a position of power are always closely scrutinised, but should their sense of style be up for inspection?

Since Theresa May took on the role of Prime Minister earlier this year, its not just her policies that have been judged  but her wardrobe choices. An issue were pretty confident David Cameron didnt have to deal with.

At the Pride of Britain awards, held on Monday night in London and aired last night on national television, the PM was condemned for her outfit  a simple navy dress. So why was her ensemble such a talking point? The programmes viewers took issue with the length and cut of Theresas dress; it fell above the knee and was sleeveless. The horror.

Taking to Twitter, viewers complained about the fact that you could see the PMs armpits and knees.

Think Theresa May has forgot her skirt ????#prideofbritain  Lindsey Ramskill (@linziramma) November 1, 2016

Apparently, once you reach a certain age you shouldnt show off such areas of your body.

This isnt the first time Theresas hit headlines because of her outfits. Shes bizarrely infamous for her leopard print kitten shoes and now it seems like her hem length will be commented on at every occasion. But the PMs not bothered by the remarks.

I have grown used to the focus on my clothes and my shoes, Theresa told The Telegraph. As a woman I know you can be very serious about something and very soberly dressed and add a little bit of interest with footwear.

@theresa_may Also, please dress appropriately when visiting mtg other countries. Saw you on TV today, too short skirt and red shoes. Tartish  James Taylor (@thejamestay) September 21, 2016

Theresas by no means the first female figure whos shocked the British public with her fashion sense. Back in June, Samantha Cameron caused a stir at the Queens 90th birthday service of thanksgiving by wearing a sleeveless dress. The L.K. Bennett number ruffled some feathers for not boasting any sleeves  as traditionally people dress modestly when in a place of worship.

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However, across the pond in the US, Michelle Obama seems to have avoided any controversy. The current FLOTUS regularly wears sleeveless  and even strapless *gasp*  dresses and is praised for her glorious sense of style.

Perhaps theres an expectation for women in a position of power in the UK to be more conservative? Tweet us what you think at @YahooStyleUK.

Samantha Cameron causes a stir after baring her shoulders at Queens church service

Pride of Britain awards: What everyone wore
Can a woman of a certain age not show her knees? (Photo: Getty Images)

People in a position of power are always closely scrutinized, but should their sense of style be up for inspection? Since Theresa May took on the role of prime minister of the United Kingdom earlier this year, its not just her policies that have been judged  but also her wardrobe choices (an issue that her predecessor, David Cameron, probably didnt have to deal with).

At the Pride of Britain Awards, held on Monday night in London and aired on television Tuesday, the politician was condemned for her outfit, a simple navy dress. So why was her ensemble such a talking point? The programs viewers took issue with the length and cut of Mays piece because it fell above the knee and was sleeveless.

Think Theresa May has forgot her skirt ????#prideofbritain  Lindsey Ramskill (@linziramma) November 1, 2016

Theresa May & her knees!! Dress 6ins too short Prime Minister #PrideOfBritain  Michelle R (@Mandlastyle) November 1, 2016

Put your knees away Theresa May  Cristina George (@Crissietoff) November 1, 2016

According to social media, it seems, once you reach a certain age you shouldnt show off such areas of your body.

This isnt the first time Mays made headlines because of her outfits. Shes bizarrely infamous for leopard print kitten heels (her preference for them was even addressed during a trade union conference).

However, the PMs not bothered by the remarks. I have grown used to the focus on my clothes and my shoes, May told the Telegraph. As a woman I know you can be very serious about something and very soberly dressed and add a little bit of interest with footwear.

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By no means is May the first powerful female figure whos shocked the British public with her fashion sense. Back in June, Samantha Cameron caused a stir at the Queens 90th birthday service by wearing a sleeveless dress. The L.K. Bennett number ruffled some feathers for not boasting any sleeves  as traditionally people dress modestly when in a place of worship.

Across the pond, in the United States, first lady Michelle Obama courted similar criticism when she was pictured in her first official portrait baring her toned arms.

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Time Warner, which has agreed to be acquired by telecom giant AT&T in an $85.4 billion deal, expects the deal to provide drive "long-term value into the future," chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes said on Wednesday.

He made the comments on a conference call with analysts after the conglomerate reported its third-quarter earnings that also included various other questions about the mega-deal, which Wall Street has given a mixed reaction. Some media investors and analysts suggested it could run into regulatory hurdles and not bring all the benefits promised. Jefferies analyst John Janedis wrote in a report: "The deal will receive intense regulatory scrutiny."

Bewkes on Wednesday again touted the "enormous" opportunities of the deal for innovation and the launch of new products, services and content types. He also reiterated that he and the heads of Time Warner's three divisions, Warner Bros., HBO and Turner, are scheduled to remain with the company once the deal closes.

"I'm not going anywhere," Bewkes reiterated past comments, saying he would be staying for "quite a period of transition" after the deal closes.

"Most of creative input comes from outside the company," from creatives partnering with company executives, Bewkes also said amid a question about how HBO and other units will maintain their reputation for content excellence. "That's the essence of Time Warner."

Asked how Time Warner's 10 percent Hulu stake would be affected by the stake, he said he expected "no change," saying it is a passive stake and adding that "I don't think the merger changes anything."

But Bewkes said one effect of the deal on the digital space would be that it would add a competitor for Google and Facebook, which he said dominate digital advertising.

The regulatory review of the AT&T deal was also a topic of debate. General counsel Paul Cappuccio said, when asked, that Time Warner has one broadcast license and a number of operating licenses and is currently "looking into [which], if any," need to be transferred to AT&T. If there is such a transfer, the FCC would review the deal. If the company transfers to AT&T licenses allowing it to use public airwaves, which are FCC-regulated, the agency would be involved in the deal review in addition to the Justice Department, which checks for antitrust issues.

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"There aren't material licenses that are the bedrock of our business that AT&T would need," suggested Cappuccio. Some observers have suggested TW could also sell licenses if they are not needed by AT&T but would draw an FCC review.

And Bewkes said the expectation remains that the deal would be completed by the end of 2017, if not earlier.

Asked if Time Warner had held talks with other potential buyers, Bewkes declined to address the issue and said he wants to instead focus on the transaction at hand.

Meanwhile, TW CFO Howard Averill said on the call that Warner Bros. was on track for a possible new record full-year adjusted operated income before depreciation and amortization.

And management said that the company's consumer products business was having a record year. "This business can be an important growth driver going forward," Bewkes said.

This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.
By Gul Yusufzai QUETTA, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani firefighters were battling on Wednesday to douse a fire still raging more than a day after a series of explosions on a decommissioned oil tanker, with the death toll rising to 17, and more than 20 workers missing, officials said. Tuesday's initial blast occurred as workers were welding near a fuel tank in a shipbreaking yard in Gaddani, 45 km (28 miles) northwest of the southern port city of Karachi, said Zulfiqar Bokhari, a local administration official. "The fire is still burning," said Bokhari, adding that civilian and military firefighters were struggling to put out the flames, which had been ignited by two blasts in quick succession and followed by eight more explosions. At least 58 people were injured in the blasts, and between 20 and 25 people were still missing, he added. Laborers in Gaddani often work in poor conditions without basic protective gear. The Gaddani ship-breaking industry, which has fallen on hard times recently, employs about 9,000 workers, far fewer than during its boom years at the end of the last decade. (Writing by Asad Hashim; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
From Cosmopolitan

Politics is tricky for me. For most of my life, I didnt think it applied to me. As a kid, I always spoke up when I didnt think things were fair, but I did not realize that fair is often determined by policy. In my late 20s, I realized that I had a very clear social conscience and strong opinions about things like diversity, equality, and education, and while I tried to become more politically literate, I just couldnt catch on. It felt like I had walked into a movie that had already started and no one would explain what had happened. Then came Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, and for the first time, I heard a politician who talked about things that mattered to me, like inclusion, fairness, justice, and true civic engagement. He used language that didnt distance me but instead invited me into the conversation.

What I learned is that politics is, in fact, inextricably linked to my rights as a human being, which can be daunting, but also exciting. Even if politicians spew confusing, convoluted jargon, these people are still meant to represent me, and the only way that happens is if I stay informed and vote.

There is a lot happening in our country right now and a lot at stake in this election. Many Americans are truly struggling, have given up hope, are scared, or dont see the point in getting involved when they are being shown their lives dont matter. Human rights, race relations, gender politics, health care, and foreign policy - its a lot to keep track of, and yet all of these things affect us in our daily lives. Making sense of everything requires meticulous unpacking of feelings, delicate navigation of social norms, and a community of love to help along the way.

Our two main candidates are very different in the ways they would handle these issues and represent us. For me, the priority is to find a candidate who makes me feel safe and heard, who can continue to move our country forward with the interests of all of us at heart, even those with differing opinions, beliefs, and experiences. I have had my own trepidation about speaking up and sharing my opinion over fear of alienating others. But in facing my fears, I have decided to use my voice to remind people about the importance of voting and share why I have decided to support Hillary Clinton.

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I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Nevada to campaign and introduce Secretary Clinton at a rally. While grabbing a snack in between stops, I shared an intimate moment with a woman and her husband in the supermarket (the chip aisle, to be exact). I turned the corner and was met by the surprised yelp of a guy who recognized me. His wife, thinking there was danger, grabbed her assorted multipack of potato chips and almost smacked me in the face until it dawned on her that there was no danger, just a celebrity. We all laughed, and as I was about walk away, I asked if they were registered to vote. They both said yes and I followed up with, Hillary? He said yes in a heartbeat. Her, not so much.



She was certain about not voting for that crazy guy, but she also wasnt convinced about Hillary. It was an unexpected, quiet, and real conversation. She shared about wanting a better life for her children, saying, If Obama couldnt help make life better for black people, then what is the point? How can Hillary do anything?

It was a sobering statement that reflected the concerns of a particular group of Americans. I reminded her of how much he did accomplish, like ensuring millions more have access to health care, enacting reforms to our criminal justice system, and advancing the rights of the LGBTQ community. Change takes time, but we will not only lose the momentum, but also go backward, if she is not elected. I also shared that I, too, believe she is not perfect. But when I think about what is important to me in a leader, perfection is not a quality that I look for. Perfection feels too rigid. I want experience, a sense of equality, a level of excellence, an ability to grow, and none of those things mean perfect.

I do believe Hillary is the most qualified nominee in our countrys history. She has faced adversity, lost with dignity, and remains tireless in her quest to help others. She fumbles and gets back up stronger.

Her platform is evidence of the evolutionary road of policy. It incorporates a need for refinement and necessitates compromise, but, at its heart, it shows that Secretary Clinton has a steadfast dedication to the core values of equality and a belief in the goodness of our nation.

I have gained courage and inspiration watching Secretary Clinton throughout her life, but especially during this campaign. Her presence as the first female nominee of a major political party has pulled the curtain back on a culture of sexism and misogyny, has amplified womens voices we don't often hear, and has brought to the forefront conversations that are often dismissed about the reality of the experiences women have. Our society places impossible standards on women in power, but she hasnt let them stand in her way, focusing instead on the issues that matter, like equal pay for equal work, the appointment of Supreme Court justices who will protect womens rights, racial justice, reducing gun violence, immigration reform, and much more. She has taught me that, despite this sexist roadblock of being held to a higher standard, it is important to keep trudging through without letting it dim my light or discourage me from being who I am and doing what I am meant to do.

This election has garnered a need for honest and kind conversations like the one I had in the supermarket. My chance meeting required real talk and listening - heartfelt, curious listening - on both our parts.

This is a time when we need to dig deep and remember compassion, kindness, and respect for one another. We may have differing opinions, but together, I believe we can move toward a common goal. Lets allow the wisdom of our bodies and truth of our freedom to fuel us as we walk toward Nov. 8.

Let us own what we know to be true: the epic-ness of Hillary Clinton.

Let us harness the joy and excitement that we are all feeling and elect the first woman president of the United States of America! On Nov. 8, lets make history.

Follow Tracee on Twitter.

#WhyImWithHer is a series of essays in support of Hillary Clinton written by Alfre Woodard, Tracee Ellis Ross, America Ferrera, Constance Wu, Yara Shahidi, Uzo Aduba, and Zoe Kazan. This is a project of EMILYs List, the nations largest organization dedicated to changing the face of power by electing pro-choice Democratic women to office at all levels.

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By Isla Binnie ROME (Reuters) - Training Libya's coastguard to stop people smugglers and rescue boat migrants could help save many lives and avoid incidents in which Libyan officials have behaved too aggressively, the head of the European Union's Mediterranean mission said on Wednesday. The Sophia mission, which aims to combat the criminal gangs that pack the migrants into boats making the perilous crossing from Libya to Europe, started training 78 Libyan coastguard officials on Oct. 26. The training will run for 14 weeks. A breakdown of law and order in Libya has allowed the smuggler gangs to operate with near-impunity, launching hundreds of thousands of mainly sub-Saharan Africans toward Europe over the past few years. More than 3,740 have died trying to make the crossing this year alone. The Libyan coastguard currently lacks the personnel and equipment to patrol more than 1,000 miles of coastline and the EU's Sophia mission can only operate in international waters, 12 nautical miles from land. "A trained Libyan coastguard, already in that zone, could prevent many deaths," Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino, commander of the Sophia operation, told reporters in Rome. "When a rubber boat overturns, it sinks quickly. Hardly any of the migrants can swim and they don't have life jackets so they drown fast," Credendino said. Reports of incidents in which vessels apparently belonging to the Libyan coastguard have attacked migrant or rescue boats makes the training all the more urgent and necessary, he said. [nL8N1CR43O] "On some occasions, the coastguard that we are training has responded too violently because they are not trained." Last month German humanitarian group Sea-Watch recovered the bodies of four migrants after an attack its members said had been carried out by a vessel with the markings of the Libyan coastguard. The coastguard denied any involvement in the incident. Credendino said it was sometimes hard to tell whether such people were actually coastguard officials as some smugglers wear camouflage or uniforms and fly Libya's flag on their boats. There had been some scepticism around the training plan, Credendino said, but the 78 officials "arrived with great enthusiasm ... a real desire to do this with us". Sophia, which became operational in July 2015, has so far arrested and handed over to Italian authorities 99 suspected traffickers and seized 337 boats. The mission is also aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks in the Mediterranean and enforcing a United Nations arms embargo against Libya. (Editing by Gareth Jones)
A woman is accusing Herschel Walker, the anti-abortion Republican running for U.S. Senate in Georgia, of encouraging and paying for her 1993 abortion. The accusation comes weeks after a former girlfriend said Walker did the same for her in 2009. Walker is dismissing the latest claim as more foolishness and all a lie," similar to how he denounced the first woman's allegation. The woman who came forward Wednesday is identified only as Jane Doe," and says she's not revealing her identity because she fears reprisals against myself, my family and my livelihood. She said in a call set up by her lawyer that Walker pressured her into an abortion and paid for one after she became pregnant while Walker was married to his first wife.
America's National Parks This year marked the centennial of the U.S. National Park Service, so what better place to win Destination of the Year? Our countrys best natural wonders hosted a blitz of events to celebrateand also in part to pull in younger and more diverse visitors. NPSs new Find Your Park campaign highlights lesser-known (but equally appealing) spots around the country. There are 413 sites in total overseen by the Park Service, ranging from the .02-acre Thaddeus Kosciusko house in Philadelphia to Alaskas 13.2 million-acre Wrangell-St. Elias. Get out there! Kathy Roberson, Copy and Research Chief Harf Zimmermann

For the past two years, Travel + Leisure has anointed a Destination of the Year: the country or city that we watchedand coveredwith fascination as it went through irreversible changes. Our first Destination of the Year was Myanmar, an Asian nation that was going through political, religious, and cultural shifts. Go before the place internationalizes and loses the look of old Asia that has been preserved by its harshly imposed self-isolation, wrote Andrew Solomon in a story we published in our December 2014 issue. Go before everyone else goes. In 2015, we selected Cuba, a country that, at long last, was opening up to American tourism. It was sheer luck that T+L had writer Gary Shteyngart in Havana on assignment just weeks after President Obama announced the beginning of restoring relations with the country. In the ensuing months, airlines, hotels, and cruises scrambled to keep up with demand and debut new offerings. We also opened up the vote for a Readers Choice, and Southern hot spot Nashville won with 15.8 percent of the vote.

What destination will receive the honor for 2016? This year, our short list has a range of places, including the tiny Italian island of Ischia and Americas broad national park system, which celebrated a major birthday this year. Below, 17 Travel + Leisure editors share their choices for Destination of the Year. Vote for your favorite and check back on November 14for who weve deemed the winner.
trevor noah

One of the surprises for Trevor Noah of taking over "The Daily Show" from Jon Stewart was the amount of what he called "liberal hatred" that he experienced.

Generally, Noah prepared himself for conflict with those whose politics he didn't agree with.

"'The Daily Show' is probably the biggest challenge that Ive been working toward my entire life without even realizing it," he said in a new interview with The New York Times. "Im in a position where you are fundamentally against what many people believe."

Noah took over hosting the comedic news show in September 0f last year after less than a year as a recurring contributor. And while he expected that he'd have to win over Stewart's fans, he didn't expect the vitriol he'd receive from them.

"I had people  you know, people who are Democrats, fans of the old show  saying things like, 'Go back to Djibouti, we want Jon Stewart back.'" Noah said. "I knew liberal hatred existed, but I didnt think it would come to me. I had to quell that feeling that people have lost what is theirs."

But the comedian says that finding something in common with his haters can help.

"Part of the job was to help people see that you have a bit of that color in yourself," he told the newspaper. "'Hey, theres a bit of you in me. Im not coming from a world where I dont see you. If you look carefully, youll see yourself in me and what Im saying.'"

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More From Business Insider
Donald Trump is rejecting the support of the Ku Klux Klans official newspaper  one of the few publications to support the controversial nominee.

The Crusader, the most prominent newspaper of the white supremacist group, expressed its approval of Trump on the front page of its latest issue. Trumps campaign swiftly rejected the support and called the publication repulsive, CNN reports.

Mr. Trump and the campaign denounces hate in any form. This publication is repulsive and their views do not represent the tens of millions of Americans who are uniting behind our campaign, the campaign said in a statement to CNN.

In an article titled Make America Great Again, Thomas Robb defended the presidential hopefuls slogan, writing, Can America really be great again? This is what we will soon find out! according to NBC News.

Robb continued: While Trump wants to make America great again, we have to ask ourselves, What made America great in the first place? The short answer to that is simple: America was great not because of what our forefathers did  but because of who our forefathers were. America was founded as a White Christian Republic.

The quarterly journal bills itself as The Premier Voice of the White Resistance.

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Although the Trump campaign was quick to condemn the support, Robb told the Washington Post that his article was not an official endorsement of the 70-year-old.

Overall, we do like his nationalist views and his words about shutting down the border to illegal aliens, Robb said. Its not an endorsement because, like anybody, theres things you disagree with. But he kind of reflects whats happening throughout the world. There seems to be a surge of nationalism worldwide as nationals reclaim their borders.

This is not the first time Trump has received praise from a white supremacist, but the rejection was Trumps most swift response to receiving support from the KKK.

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The GOP nominee initially refused to denounce the KKK and former leader David Duke after Duke expressed his support for the business mogul.

However, after much criticism and backlash, Trump officially distanced himself from the prominent white supremacist months later, CNN reports.




Five disgruntled Republican physicians and one nurse warmed up the conference room at a Hilton DoubleTree hotel in Pennsylvania yesterday. All were members of the U.S. Congress, gathered for a rally that Donald Trump would call a meeting talking about health care.

On the day that health-insurance enrollment began for 2017, the Trump campaign chose to keep the focus on medicine. Health-insurance premiums will be increasing in exchanges for some two to five percent of Americans this year. The U.S. has the most expensive health-care system in the world and needs a great deal of improvement. The candidate has been hostile toward the current health-care system and toward Hillary Clintons proposals, but has offered almost nothing in the way of solutions. Perhaps today was the day for a plan.

First to the mic stepped John Barrasso, an orthopedic surgeon from Wyoming. People need a better way, and that is why we are here, he said, setting the stage. There is a better way than Obamacare. He said that he believes that government is the problem and that Hillary Clinton is proposing more Obamacare, though it was unclear what part of the system he was referring to. Republicans are here today to offer solutions, he said.

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Before he could get into those solutions, he introduced another orthopedic surgeon, Tom Price of Georgia.

We want a system thats affordable for everybody, thats accessible for everybody, thats of the highest quality, and provides choices for patientsall of those things have been destroyed by Obamacare, Price said. This is what happens when you put the government in charge, he continued (although the U.S. health-care system is run by insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and hospital consortia).

So, the surgeon offered, we need Donald Trump and Mike Pence to put in place a real health solution. That solution exists. Weve been working on that solution for years, literally.

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A promising note, which he used as a segue to introduce gynecologist Mike Burgess of Texas.

Burgess said we need to repeal Obamacare. He said that Obamacare collapses the market. The elaborate law tells you what you have to buy. (Obamacare created a marketplace for health care to attempt to encourage competition among insurance companies.) When did more federal money going into anything ever result in a cheaper price to the consumer? he asked. No one raised a hand to mention all the Americans on Medicare and Medicaid, and the millions receiving subsidies to purchase insurance in the free market using exchange websites.

With that he introduced anesthesiologist Andy Harris of Maryland, who said that hes tired of hearing his patients complain about Obamacare. Its going to get worse. The only solution is he paused for another hopeful moment,Trump Pence.

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So close that time.

Then Harris introduced nurse Renee Ellmers from North Carolina. Weve got to defeat this, she said, apparently referring to the entire system established by the Affordable Care Act. She acknowledged that President Obama likened the current law to a starter home. Well, you know what? If its a house, its an outhouse.

The audience and others on stage laughed and applauded. An outhouse.

And, yes, Hillary Clinton only wants to make it worse, she continued. How many of you have been to a doctor and felt like the doctor spent more time on the computer than taking care of you? she said, referring to electronic medical records. Thats Obamacare. Were here to support Donald Trump and Mike Pence because we know that they are the answer.

With that she introduced another doctor from Tennessee, representative Scott DesJarlais. I got a message for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, he said. Obamacare is going to fail, period. The nurse, Ellmers, behind him jumped and clapped as she shouted, Yes!

He went on to call Obamacare a gateway to socialized medicine.

Then he introduced Cynthia Lummis, a representative from Wyoming, who is not a health-care professional, but does have an undergraduate degree in animal science. When the government tells the American people this is how youre going to live your life, Americans get angry, she added.

Then Price came back to the mic to build the energy to a climax, drawing the crowd into a chant: Trump! Trump! Trump!

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Then 20 minutes passed.

Then Ben Carson wandered on stage.

He talked about how he was once a neurosurgeon nearby, in Baltimore. He said that Trumps success in the hotel industry bodes well for his success in health care. We need to drain the swamp and tell the people in the government, Youre fired! Much applause.

He then introduced Mike Pence. Pence said that Carson was one of the great leaders of the United States of America, without explanation. Pence said that he considers himself a Christian, a conservative, and a Republicanin that order. He furrowed his brow and waited for applause. He emphasized that Donald Trump is a man who doesnt quit. Were going to make him the next president of the United States of America! A standing ovation. Were going to lower taxes across the board, he said. He offered that he would end the war on American energy. He said they would end illegal immigration once and for all.

Then he said it: Were going to repeal and replace Obamacare.

He said that the health law is plain and simple, a government takeover of health care, referring to the individual mandate and subsidies. He said hes very proud that not one Republican in Congress voted for Obamacare. Applause for partisanship. He mentioned free-market solutions. Then he said the polls looked good for Trump, and he is going to win. The people stood and chanted Trump! Trump! Trump! He said repeal and replace again. This government takeover of health care called Obamacare is failing in states across America, Pence said.

Then he talked about premiums increasing. He furrowed his brow and shook his head. He said that right here in Pennsylvania, people would see their rates spike drastically with absolutely no help from the government. He furrowed his brow. At this point it was unclear if help from the government was good or bad.

Hillary Clintons plan is actually to introduce whats called single-payer into the system, he said, falsely. More government-run health care.

Then he said he was going to pull Obamacare off the market so it would stop burning up everyones wallets. A standing ovation.

Part of the reasons costs went up is because Obamacare dictates that Americans buy a government-designed health care plan, he said, falsely.

Then he said Obamacare is killing jobs, although unemployment in the U.S. is lower than it was in the years before the law.

Its time to end this government takeover of healthcare and start over with American solutions, he said. Were going to repeal Obamacarelock, stock, and barrel. A standing ovation.

He said that he would use the free market, the American way. He mentioned allowing health insurance to be purchased across state lines, which is one of two concrete ideas that Trump and Pence have offered. The other is to make it easier for people to open savings accounts to pay for their own health care when they get sick (health savings accounts). They allow you to control your health care dollars, Pence said. Indeed they do, and many large employers already offer this option.

He also said he would empower Americans with more information about the cost and quality of care in their hometowns. This would be great and is an element of Obamacare as well, though it has proven difficult for the government to force this transparency. Pence offered no plan to accomplish this. Theoretically when everyone is paying cash for their medical care, providers will compete aggressively to offer the lowest prices, with billboards and subway ads. The wealthiest people will get the most care.

Then he offered another thing thats part of Obamacare, also without a plan: Donald Trump and I will protect Americans with pre-existing conditions so that theyre not charged more or denied treatment just because theyve been sick. As long as they pay their premiums consistently, he said, which is how insurance works. In this case, as long as a person has enough money in their (health) savings account to pay for exorbitant health insurance (that they might have to pay because of a pre-existing condition), he and Trump will support that person.

We didnt see these rate increases when the states were running things, he said, falsely. So were going to empower the states, once again, to manage our health insurance industry.

He said Clinton would offer more Obamacare which was a government takeover of health care from the start, and that he would like a system based on free market principles. Then he said we need a health-care system based on free market principles and consumer choice, and then he furrowed his brow and said its time to come home.

Then everyone stood up and applauded. Then Pence introduced the man who would restore freedom to our health-care economy, Donald Trump. As he walked on stage, I couldnt see anyone in the audience who wasnt taking a picture. The Star-Spangled Banner played. Trump said that a lot of people were enthused and excited about his campaign. He said that Ben Carson would be very much involved with his administration.

He said he will immediately repeal and replace Obamacare. He then said he would ask Congress to convene a special session, so we can repeal and replace. Congress will be in session already in January. Obamacare has to be replaced, he said, it is a catastrophe. He said, falsely, that Clinton wants to put the government totally in charge of health care in America. If we dont repeal and replace Obamacare, we will destroy American health care forever.

The people stood and chanted Trump! Trump! Trump!

He repeated what Pence said, that he would like to have people use health savings accounts, where they save money tax-free that can be used to pay for health care. It will be a much better health care [sic] at a much less expensive cost.

It wont be, though. When everyone pays for their own health care individually, they lose collective purchasing power and the pharmaceutical companies and hospital systems can charge whatever they want, offering care to only those who can afford high costs.

Then Trump took a hard right turn, and with the rest of his twenty minutes, he talked about bringing back manufacturing jobs, China, NAFTA, great negotiating, Mexico, currency manipulation, clean coal, steel-workers jobs being stolen by China, more choices for school for children, bringing education local [standing ovation], tax cuts, rebuilding the military [standing ovation], that we are far less safe today than we were before we started, vocational training, the fact that he went to Wharton, African Americans in the inner cities, and the enthusiasm of crowds at his rallies.

And thats it. That was the health care meeting.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish authorities issued arrest warrants for 137 academics on Wednesday over suspected links to the cleric who Ankara says orchestrated an attempted coup, CNN Turk reported, widening a crackdown that has worried rights groups and Western allies. Turkey has formally arrested more than 37,000 people and has already sacked or suspended 100,000 civil servants, judges, prosecutors, police and others in an unprecedented purge. The government says it is rooting out supporters of Fethullah Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, from the state apparatus and other key positions. Gulen has denied Ankara's charges and denounced the July failed coup by rogue members of the military. Among the latest suspects, 31 of them have already been detained and another 22 are believed to have fled abroad, CNN Turk said, citing the Ankara Prosecutor's Office. The prosecutor's office could not be reached for comment. Over the weekend, Turkey dismissed more than 10,000 civil servants over alleged links to Gulen. Thousands of academics, teachers and health workers were among those removed through a new emergency rule decree published late on Saturday. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Editing by David Dolan and Richard Balmforth)
By Daren Butler ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's deputy prime minister said on Wednesday a military build-up on the border with Iraq was a precaution, not a threat, and urged the government in Baghdad to lower tensions after it warned Turkey would pay for any incursion. A convoy of Turkish tanks and other armored vehicles are advancing toward the town of Silopi, near the Iraqi border, their deployment coinciding with an Iraqi operation to drive Islamic State from the northern city of Mosul. Largely Sunni Muslim Turkey fears that Iraqi Shi'ite militias involved in a related offensive west of Mosul could trigger sectarian unrest, and is also concerned that Kurdish PKK militants are trying to establish a foothold nearby. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi warned on Tuesday that Baghdad would respond to any violation of its territory. Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told the broadcaster NTV: "I regard Abadi's words as overstepping the mark. Abadi must make statements lowering the tension ... "We are obliged to take measures to guard against threats from across Turkey's border," he added. "It is more of a precaution than a threat." Abadi said his country did not want war or confrontation and that the "door of diplomacy" was open, but added: "If they enter, we are ready to face them ... Any invasion of Iraq would lead to the dismantling of Turkey." Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik said on Tuesday that the deployment was part of the fight against terrorism and that Turkey had "no obligation" to wait behind its borders if PKK militants gained a foothold in Iraq's Sinjar region, around 115 km (70 miles) south of Silopi. Silopi is part of Sirnak province, one of the main areas of conflict between Turkey and the PKK, whose main bases are in the mountains of northeast Iraq. The PKK has been fighting for autonomy in Turkey's mostly Kurdish southeast for three decades, and is designated a terrorist group by the United States and European Union. But Ankara is also concerned about an offensive by Iraqi Shi'ite militias, backed by Iran and known collectively as the Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces), to recapture the Iraqi town of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, from the Sunni militant group Islamic State. Erdogan has said Ankara will respond if the militias "cause terror" in Tal Afar, home to a large ethnic Turkmen population with historical and cultural ties to Turkey. Abadi said Tal Afar had a mixed population with a majority of Turkmens, both Shi'ite and Sunni, and that any force sent to recapture it from Islamic State would reflect that diversity. (Additional reporting by Dominic Evans and Humeyra Pamuk; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Nick Tattersall and Kevin Liffey)
ANKARA (Reuters) - The head of the Turkish armed forces, General Hulusi Akar, held "constructive" talks with his Russian counterparts on the situation in Syria's Aleppo and the fight against Islamic State, the Turkish military said in a statement on Wednesday. Russia and Turkey, a NATO member, back opposing sides in the Syrian conflict. In recent months they have been normalizing ties that broke down a year ago when Turkey shot down a Russian warplane along its border with Syria. Akar visited Russia on Tuesday with Turkey's intelligence chief to discuss military cooperation and regional developments. "The subjects taken up in the talks were a settlement to the clashes in Syria and normalization of the situation in Aleppo as well as continuing to develop coordination between the two countries with the aim of ... ending the threat from Daesh (Islamic State)," the Turkish statement said. "The talks were held in a constructive atmosphere," it said, without giving further details. (Reporting by Tulay Karadeniz; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Nick Tattersall)
Nicosia (AFP) - Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci called Wednesday for "realism and reasonable" approaches from the Greek Cypriots ahead of UN-backed talks aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon is to open a five-day summit in Geneva on Monday between Akinci and his Greek Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades for talks billed as the last best chance for an enduring peace deal.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the northern third of the island following an Athens-inspired coup by Greek Cypriots seeking union with Greece.

"We want the Greeks (Cypriots) to leave to one side their wholesale approaches. We want them to come with realism and reasonable limits," Akinci said during a speech.

"We want them to understand that we cannot come to a resolution with a 'zero soldiers, zero guarantees, we won't accept anything' mentality," he said.

Akinci is the leader of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, or TRNC, an entity recognised only by Turkey.

For the first time, Akinci and Anastasiades are to discuss territorial adjustments in Mont Pelerin, near Geneva after negotiations were launched in May 2015.

The Turkish Cypriot leader said the goal was to achieve a federal structure with two regions and two communities based on a political balance between the two founding states that both parties can agree to.

Akinci has previously said he hopes that a roadmap for reunification can be agreed before the end of the year.

"If we leave without a result, then in 2017 the Cyprus problem has come to a point when we must put it in everyone's hat for them to think about it," he said.

"This is not something that we can keep discussing after 50 years for another 50 years. Everyone, including the UN, is aware of this."
RACINE  A Racine man has been charged after reportedly shooting a female who was found outside in the 1200 block of Marquette Street last week.

Keeon X. Trice, 21, of the 1800 block of Chatham Street, was playing with a gun in a bedroom in the 1200 block of Marquette Street when it discharged and hit the female, according to the criminal complaint.

The victim was found initially outside of the residence on the sidewalk, where Trice and two others told police that the victim was shot by someone in a car that fled the area at a high speed at about 5:18 p.m. on Oct. 27.

First responders reportedly took the victim to Ascension All Saints Hospital, then she was transferred to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa via Flight for Life helicopter due to injuries from a gunshot wound. The bullet traveled through the victims right bicep, went into her side and became lodged near her spine, the complaint said.

Investigators reportedly found inconsistencies in the reports Trice and others provided. Review of surveillance video from the area did not reveal the car the witnesses had reported and the direction the bullet traveled in the victims body did not match the angle of a bullet fired from the direction a car would have traveled, according to the complaint.

When investigators searched the home of one of the witnesses that knew the victim in the 1200 block of Marquette Street, blood was allegedly found on the carpet in a bedroom along with carpet cleaner. A casing also was reportedly found in the room.

According to the complaint, when investigators interviewed witnesses again, they told police they had fabricated the original story. Witnesses then reportedly told police that Trice and the female were hanging out in the bedroom when the gun went off and they decided to make up a story.

Following the shooting, the victim reportedly was able to talk to police and said it was an accident.

Trice is charged with a felony count of first-degree reckless endangerment with use of a dangerous weapon. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 9 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave.

Trice remained in custody as of Wednesday at the Racine County Jail, online records showed.

He has previously been convicted of bail jumping, disorderly conduct and receiving stolen property.
Ankara (AFP) - Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu denounced Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as "weak" on Wednesday, further escalating tensions after Baghdad warned Ankara about provoking a confrontation through deploying tanks near Iraq.

Abadi's remarks were made on Tuesday after Turkey sent a 30-vehicle convoy including artillery to the southeastern district of Silopi, with the Iraqi leader warning that any Turkish "invasion" would prompt a fierce response.

The two countries traded barbs last month over Ankara's military presence in Iraq's north and its insistence on playing a role in the offensive to retake second city Mosul from Islamic State (IS) extremists.

"If you have the strength, why did you surrender Mosul to terror organisations?

"If you are so strong, why has the PKK occupied your lands for years?" Cavusoglu jeered, referring to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party which is waging an insurgency inside Turkey and has bases in northern Iraq.

"You cannot even fight against a terror organisation, you are weak," he said in televised comments.

- Turkey at risk -

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus on Wednesday suggested Ankara had sent in the convoy as a precautionary measure because of the "fires raging (there)... and this neighbouring fire can spread to us".

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey was ready to take on more responsibility in the region even as it was facing threats from the ongoing volatility along its borders.

"Some people give us lessons, they say 'do not get so involved in Iraq'... well, what are we going to do?" he asked in a speech to the Organisation for Islamic Co-operation in Istanbul.

"It is us that has a 350-kilometre (220-mile) border with Iraq."

The future was far from clear in Mosul, Kirkuk, Tal Afar and Sinjar, he said. "What happens next is unknown," he added, saying Turkey was preparing to deal with any situation.

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During the Mosul offensive, Kirkuk has been subject to diversionary attacks from IS while Tal Afar is a town near Mosul where Shiite militias advanced at the weekend. Erdogan previously warned the militias not to attack Turkmen residents in Tal Afar.

Turkey also fears the district of Sinjar could become another base for the PKK which Erdogan has said he will not allow.

Defence Minister Fikri Isik also said Turkey was ready for any developments in the region, and was continuing important work to prepare for this.

- 'Playing tough' -

Ankara claims its artillery hit IS positions in Iraq during the Mosul operation but Baghdad denies any Turkish involvement and has called for Turkish troops training fighters near Mosul to be withdrawn.

Iraqi forces fought their way into the northern city that has been held by IS since June 2014 in the third week of the operation.

As the Turkish convoy moved in, Abadi said Iraq was "ready" for a confrontation with Ankara even though he insisted he did not want to go to war with Turkey.

In response, Cavusoglu said it was "not right to make flippant remarks", accusing Iraq of trying to "play tough" with empty rhetoric.

Cavusoglu's remarks were in stark contrast to those made during a visit to Doha on Tuesday in which he admitted Turkish troops' presence in northern Iraq had created "unnecessary tension".

Erdogan says Turkey has nearly 700 soldiers at the camp training fighters who will assist Kurdish peshmerga forces retake Mosul.

Relations between the two neighbours soured on October 1 after the Turkish parliament renewed a mandate for its troops to spend another year in Iraq and Syria.
Chicago (AFP) - Police quickly apprehended a 46-year-old white male in the shooting death of two police officers who were "ambushed" in separate attacks in the US state of Iowa early Wednesday, authorities said.

Scott Michael Greene from Urbandale -- a suburb of state capital Des Moines -- was captured less than two hours after police released his name and said they were searching for him. They had cautioned that Greene should be considered armed and dangerous.

"We think he's got some information that's pretty critical to us closing this case out. We can't go into great detail right now. But, he's definitely somebody that we want to talk to," Des Moines Police Sergeant Paul Parizek said in an early morning news conference.

Police said two officers were "ambushed" in the early morning hours Wednesday, with footage of one of their police cars showing bullet holes on the front passenger side door.

"It doesn't look like there was any interaction between these officers, and whoever the coward is... shot them as they sat in their cars," Parizek said.

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Authorities said a member of the Urbandale police force was found dead just after 1:00 am (0600 GMT).

Twenty minutes later, a second Des Moines police officer was discovered gunned down at an intersection around two miles away. US media said the officer died after being taken to the hospital.

Parizek told reporters police would be doubling up to patrol in pairs in the wake of the shootings.

"There is a clear and present danger to police officers right now and we've doubled up our police officers" so that no one is working alone, he said.

A series of tips and leads drew investigators to Greene, the officers said, although they declined to comment on a motive for the killings.

"I think you know that oftentimes in these investigations we don't figure out what the motive is until we get done and then there's times we can't make sense of what their motive is, or they don't even share that with us," Parizek said.

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The incident marks the first time a Des Moines officer has been shot in the line of duty since two police were gunned down in 1977, The Des Moines Register said.

The United States was on edge for weeks in July following the shooting in Dallas of five officers and a similar assault in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where three officers were shot dead by a former military veteran.

Those killings were carried out in apparent retribution for a string of high-profile police shootings of black citizens which inflamed racial tensions in the United States.
Presidents James Knox Polk and Warren Gamaliel Harding have one thing in common aside from a stay in the White House: the same November 2 birthday. Beyond that, the men took different paths in their public lives.

polkharding

Polk was born on November 2, 1795 in North Carolina. Polk served as the 11th President of the United States from March 1845 to March 1849. Polk died shortly after leaving office.

Harding was born on November 2, 1865 in Ohio. Harding served as the 29th President of the United States from March 1921 to August 1923, when died in San Francisco while on a speaking tour as President.

Among historians and political scientists, Polk is currently viewed as an average President. He had been held in higher regarded in earlier academic surveys, but Polks role in American expansionism and the Mexican-American War has undergone some re-evaluation. Most recently, he was ranked 19th out of 43 Presidents in an American Political Science Association survey from 2015.

Harding, in all current and past academic surveys, has ranked as one of the worst Presidents in American history. In 2015, that political scientist survey put Harding just above James Buchanan as the second-worst President ever. That is actually a slight improvement for Harding, who was ranked as the worst president on a consistent basis between 1948 and 1996.

Polk wasnt a huge national figure, but he also wasnt obscure. Polk was the only American President who had served as Speaker of the House of Representatives before heading the Executive Branch. He was a close ally of his political mentor in Tennessee, Andrew Jackson, and Polk became a national figure within the Democratic Party. Polk was also a college educated attorney before entering politics.

Harding briefly studied law, but he decided to go into the newspaper business in Marion, Ohio, where Harding was very successful at it. His wife, Florence, also played a key financial management role at the newspaper. Harding was also an early entrant into politics with the support of Mark Hanna, a key GOP figure nationally and in Ohio. The future President served in the U.S. Senate prior to running for the White House.

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Polk had Jacksons support in the 1844 election, where he was chosen as the first Dark Horse, or compromise candidate, by the Democrats. Harding, too, was a compromise choice at the Republican convention in 1920, where he was allegedly picked in a smoke-filled room as the convention deadlocked. While Polk easily defeated the Whig candidate, Henry Clay, in 1844, Hardings margin of victory over James Cox was the largest ever at the time, since the two-party system began.

Their time in the White House, however, couldnt have been more different. Polk was consumed with a main issue of the 1844 election: the annexation of Texas. The acquisition of territory in Oregon, New Mexico and California were also policy goals. War with Mexico started in 1846 over disputed territory; it concluded later in 1847 with the cession of California, Nevada, Utah and parts of three future states to the American government. Polk then honored an earlier commitment to not run for a second term in office, in an effort to stabilize the Democratic Party.

During Hardings brief term in the White House, he established a pro-business administration that sought to bring the country back to normalcy. But Harding also seemed overwhelmed at the White House, and he was known to smoke and drink heavily. After the Republicans saw defeats in the 1922 mid-term elections, Harding started on a national tour to lay the groundwork for his re-election. Instead, a fatigued Harding fell ill and died in a San Francisco hotel at the age of 57. After his death, a series of scandals emerged about the Harding administration, including the Teapot Dome scandal.

Polk also was in poor health from overwork, at the end of his administration. He died just three months after leaving Washington at the age of 53 from cholera.

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Photo credit: (NGAIO PARR)

From LennyLetter

I'm not a vegetarian anymore, but I'm sort of a maniac about making vegetable-centered meals - when I was in a touring band I ended up eating a lot of bread and cheese, so now I get really excited by new and classic combinations. Eight years ago I went to cooking school at the Natural Gourmet Institute and knew then that even if I didn't pursue a career change to the culinary arts, the worst case was I'd be a better cook at home and maybe have a backup plan to get a job if the world turned upside down and I needed to get out of the music business entirely. Now I have a full-time job and a toddler, so the best time to really experiment is on vacation. Recently we were on a trip to Tybee Island, Georgia, and got shut in one day due to an unwelcome visit from Hurricane Hermine. The upside was I had time to crank out some special dishes. They're all pretty easy but very satisfying. Give them a try!

Corn, Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad with Tarragon-Sherry Vinaigrette

Serves 4 to 6

This salad is so easy and so refreshing - it's really just chop, mix, and go. It's perfect for a meal on its own or as a sharp accompaniment to something else.

Ingredients

2 ears grilled corn, kernels removed

1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cubed

2 medium heirloom tomatoes, cubed

1 ripe avocado, cubed

Vinaigrette

2 sprigs tarragon, minced

1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

3 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

In a large bowl, combine vegetables, and set aside. In a separate, small bowl, combine tarragon and sherry vinegar, and slowly add olive oil to emulsify. Add salt and pepper to taste. When you're ready to serve, combine vinaigrette and vegetables, and serve within 20 to 30 minutes.

Photo credit: (NGAIO PARR)

Barley Salad with Green Beans, Criminis, and Scallions, with Tamari, Rice-Vinegar, and Sesame-Oil Vinaigrette

Serves 4 to 6

A few weeks ago we made a trip up to Blue Hill at Stone Barns and had a wonderful lunch in the cafe there. This salad was inspired by one we had that featured hen-of-the-woods, shiitake, and another kind of mushroom. This is a simpler version, using criminis, but you can certainly use any mushrooms you like.

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Because barley is so sturdy, this salad is perfect for a picnic or packed lunches. Store in an airtight container, and it should stay fresh and delicious in your fridge for a few days.

Ingredients

2 cups cooked barley

1 cup cooked sliced green beans

 cup sauteed crimini mushrooms

 cup sliced scallions

Vinaigrette

1 tablespoon tamari

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 tablespoon sesame oil

3 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

For best results, soak barley overnight, drain, rinse, and cook in 3 cups of water with a pinch of salt for about an hour. Drain and set aside to cool. Once cool, add vegetables and mix thoroughly. Combine vinaigrette ingredients, and season to taste. Pour into barley and vegetables, combine thoroughly, and serve!

Photo credit: (NGAIO PARR)

Sweet-Onion, Emmentaler, and Thyme Quiche

Serves 4 to 6

Quiches are a great way to incorporate vegetables and protein in a dish. Once you get the hang of the method, it's pretty easy! If you're not up for making pie crust, using premade crust or puff pastry can work well too. Fresh spring onions in the summer are perfect, but leeks or shallots would make a great substitute.

Ingredients

Pie Crust

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 stick butter

1 pinch salt

6 tablespoons ice water

Pie Filling

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 medium spring onions

2 tablespoons thyme

2 teaspoons salt

3 eggs

1 teaspoon pepper

 cup whole milk

5 slices Emmentaler cheese

For crust, my go-to recipe is Mark Bittman's because it's so easy to remember: 1 cup flour and 1 stick of butter, ice water, a pinch of salt, and a little more flour when you're rolling it out. I leave out the sugar for savory crusts.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees after you've chilled the dough, rolled it, and chilled it again. Blind-bake it in the oven to get a bit of color and crispness on the crust. Reduce oven to 375 degrees. Set aside as you prepare the filling.

In a medium saute pan, heat the olive oil and saute the onions until slightly caramelized, about 15 to 20 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of thyme and 1 teaspoon of salt. Combine, then remove to a bowl and let cool.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Add 1 tablespoon of thyme, 1 teaspoon of salt, the pepper, and the milk, and combine thoroughly.

Once the crust and onion mixture are cooled, add the onion mixture to the crust, cover with the slices of cheese, and pour the egg mixture over the top. Return to the oven, and bake for 15 minutes. Rotate 180 degrees, bake for another 15 minutes, test for firmness, and remove if firm. For an extra bit of color, put it under the broiler for 30 to 60 seconds.

Let cool for at least 30 minutes, slice, and serve with a fresh green salad. Absolutely satisfying and easy to adapt the filling to whatever you like!

Molly Neuman is head of music at Kickstarter, a late-blooming mom to a fabulous two-and-a-half-year-old, and a punk forever. She lives in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, with her husband, Alex, her daughter, Lucia, and her two kitty children, Ayoba and Zakumi. In a former life, she was a member of Bratmobile, the Frumpies, and the Pee-Chees.
Tyler Farr has been married for just under a month, and so far the biggest change hes felt is his new shared title.

The country star opened up about newlywed life on the 50th annual CMA Awards red carpet, revealing, the shocking part was when we were on our honeymoon and in Antigua and they said Mr. and Mrs. Farr.

The 32-year-old married his girlfriend Hannah Freeman in an outdoor ceremony near Nashville last month. Many of the 220 guests will reunite with the happy couple at the Bridgestone Arena, including Jason Aldean, who was a groomsman.

RELATED VIDEO: Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood  CMA Awards Game Show

 Watch PEOPLE and EWs red carpet LIVE show, airing Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 5:30 p.m. ET on our homepages or the newPeople/Entertainment Weekly Network (PEN). Go to PEOPLE.com/PEN, or download the PEN app on Apple TV, Roku Players, Amazon Fire TV, Xumo, Chromecast, iOS and Android devices.

PEOPLEs Special Edition 50 Years of the CMA Awards is on sale now online and on newsstands.

Farr also addressed his decision to refuse a prenup, which he previously told PEOPLE is a music business standard.

Times have changed, but some things shouldnt, Farr said on Wednesday.

Gushing of his new wife, Farr told PEOPLE earlier, She is probably the kindest person Ive ever met.




MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - U.S. authorities have charged seven men with sex trafficking after a crackdown against a gang operating across the U.S.-Mexico border for at least 16 years, the U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday.

Six suspected members of a sex trafficking organization known as STO were arrested last week and a seventh man remains at large, said U.S. Attorney General Lorreta Lynch and Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.

From at least 2000, STO members used romantic promises, physical and sexual violence, threats, lies and coercion to make women and girls work in prostitution in both Mexico and the United States, the Justice Department said in a statement.

Bharara accused the defendants of raping, beating, torturing, and enslaving their victims. Fourteen victims of the STO were identified in the 21-count indictment unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Four of the men charged were apprehended by Mexican authorities, and two were arrested in the United States.

(Reporting by Natalie Schachar; Editing by Dave Graham and LIsa Shumaker)
RACINE  Following in the footsteps of his fellow defendants, a 26-year-old Milwaukee man accepted a plea deal on Tuesday for his role in a 2014 botched armed robbery that resulted in the shooting death of Chicago man Maurice Carter.

Daimon V. Jackson Jr., initially charged with three felonies in connection with the crime  felony murder-armed robbery, felon possessing a firearm, and armed robbery with use of force  had been slated to have his case go to a jury trial on Tuesday, when his attorney and Assistant Racine County District Attorney Robert Repischak informed Racine County Circuit Judge Faye Flancher that they had reached a plea agreement.

A few minutes later, Jackson pleaded no contest to an amended charge of second-degree reckless homicide with a dangerous weapon, as a repeater.

In exchange for the plea, the state agreed to dismiss and read into the court record the firearms and armed robbery charge. Charges of delivering cocaine that Jackson faced in a separate case were also dismissed but read into the record.

Carter, 41, was shot and killed on Dec. 11, 2014, in the 1000 block of Grand Avenue.

What happened

According to the criminal complaint, Jackson, and two Racine men  Bobby C. Henderson and Travenn L. Webster, now both 26  had devised a plan to rob a Carter and another man that evening.

Henderson told police he was going to try to rob Carters friend, who was slated to be leaving a card game with a lot of cash. Jackson was to try and rob Carter, investigators said.

Henderson said he walked toward a car where the other man was, but the latter drove off. At that point, Henderson said Jackson began scuffling with Carter. Thats when two gunshots rang out. Henderson later told police it was Jackson who shot Carter.

After the shooting, the three men allegedly went gambling at Potawatomi Hotel and Casino in Milwaukee, an investigator later testified.

Henderson, who was also charged with felony murder-armed robbery, pleaded no contest in September 2015 to a reduced charge of second-degree reckless homicide, as a party to a crime. He was later sentenced to 12 years in prison. Webster was sentenced to 10 years in prison in November 2015 after pleading to guilty to being party to the crime of robbery.

Jacksons sentencing hearing has been set for 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 17. He faces up to 30 years behind bars.
By Nicole Mordant

Nov 2 (Reuters) - U.S. miners of steel-making coal will be slow to lift output, even with prices tripling so far this year, as they need to renew operations shuttered during a five-year price collapse that pushed many into bankruptcy court, industry watchers say.

Delays in bringing on new supplies of steel-making coal, also known as metallurgical or coking coal, are expected to help keep global prices higher for longer.

With operating costs higher than their Australian peers, U.S. miners typically bring supply online when prices rise and are cut back when they fall.

"Given how decimated the whole industry has gotten over the last two to three years, there is just not a lot of ready-use production that could come online," said Jeremy Sussman, analyst at Clarksons Platou Securities in New York.

Analysts and executives said many idled mines would need capital infusions for equipment purchases and mine development, such as waste rock and soil removal that were deferred before they were shut down.

The surviving U.S. miners, some of which are only now emerging from bankruptcy, are expected to be cautious in making any big financial outlays.

Prices for Australian premium hard coking coal (.PHCC-AUS=SI) have surged from around $70 a tonne in February to more than $250.

Boosted by China's government curbs on domestic production, the trend has lifted shares of miners like Canada's Teck Resources Ltd and Australia's Whitehaven Coal Ltd .

The turnaround comes after prices collapsed from above $300 a tonne in 2011, which helped push U.S. producers, such as Arch Coal Inc and Alpha Natural Resources, to seek bankruptcy protection.

U.S. producers are likely to hike coking coal output by around two million tonnes by year-end, driven mostly by miners adding work shifts at existing mines, said Dale Hazelton, an analyst at consultancy Wood Mackenzie in Annapolis, Maryland.

Two million tonnes would be equivalent to about a 6 percent increase on the 32 million tonnes of U.S. metallurgical coal exports that Wood Mackenzie had forecast previously for 2016.

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"(Miners) are doing what they can to get the extra tonnage without a big commitment of money, capital, people," Hazelton said.

For example, Corsa Coal Corp recently increased its work schedule from four days a week to 5.5 at two of its underground mines in Pennsylvania and Maryland, said Chief Executive George Dethlefsen.

The small U.S. producer is also weighing whether to restart its idled Horning mine in Pennsylvania, but would need to see prices stay high for a while in order to do so, he said.

At its 2012 peak, the United States exported 63 million tonnes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The total size of the seaborne market is about 300 million tonnes, more than half of which is supplied by Australian mines.

Wood Mackenzie's Hazelton believes prices of between $140 and $150 a tonne for six months to a year would be enough to prompt U.S. producers to re-open mines.

But he also warned that when the price comes back down, "it is going to be the U.S. that falls back out of the market." (Reporting by Nicole Mordant in Vancouver, additional reporting by Susan Taylor in Toronto, editing by G Crosse)
President Obama on Tuesday said the federal government is looking into ways to reroute the Dakota Access pipeline after thousands of protesters, including many Native Americans, have expressed concerns and anger over the controversial project.

Obama said in an interview with NowThis that he believes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which maintains the nations water and environmental resources, is currently examining whether there are ways to reroute this pipeline.

Were monitoring this closely, he said. My view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans.

Were going to let it play out for several more weeks and determine whether or not this can be resolved in a way that I think is properly attentive to the traditions of First Americans, Obama added.

Read More: How Activists Are Using Facebook Check-In to Help Dakota Access Pipeline Protesters

Since plans to build the 1,200-mile pipelinedesigned to transport crude oil from North Dakota to Illinoiswere introduced, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe has vehemently opposed the project, which it says could harm the tribes water supply. The tribe also says it touches sacred burial ground.
By Erwin Seba and Devika Krishna Kumar

HELENA, Ala./NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. energy officials sought to determine the extent of gasoline shortages on Wednesday, two days after a fatal blast in Alabama shut a crucial supply pipeline to the East Coast, as retail gasoline prices inched higher in southeastern states.

Monday's blast, which killed one worker and injured five others, occurred several miles from September's gasoline spill that interrupted Colonial Pipeline Co's main line flow for 12 days. The leak was the largest in two decades.

A small fire continued to burn at the blast site on Wednesday morning, a Colonial [COLPI.UL] spokesman said. The company is trying to complete repairs on the line and resume shipments as early as midday on Saturday.

Retail gas prices in Georgia, one of the worst-hit states during Sept. 9 outage, climbed about 3 cents to $2.19 a gallon on Wednesday, according to motorist advocacy group AAA. Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina have waived rules governing transport of fuels to ensure adequate supplies.

Colonial said on Wednesday it still aimed to reopen the vital supply artery by Saturday, but added that the timetable might change as it gets updated information.

Any delays to Colonial's restart plans will result in slightly higher prices at the pump, said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst at GasBuddy.

"I'd say not near September's price increases, in which many areas spiked 15 to 30 cents per gallon. This time I'd say the outcome might be (increases of) 10 to 15 cents per gallon," DeHaan said.

Colonial said it was evaluating options for customers to move gasoline before the restart.

In September, the company temporarily shipped gasoline on its distillates line, which normally moves diesel and jet fuels, and restarted sections of the line before fully restoring service.

The pipeline can carry about 1.3 million barrels per day of gasoline from the Gulf Coast to the Northeast.

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The Department of Energy began to assess the extent of fuel supply shortages caused by the accident, a department source said. The DOE advises the Department of Homeland Security on shortages in the event companies or state governments seek a waiver of the Jones Act to allow relaxation of rules on shipping of fuel by ships. There have not been any requests yet.

Pipeline safety experts said while regulators will investigate the incident, the pipeline could resume service sooner than it did in September due to fewer uncertainties about the cause.

Ramona Morris, regional director for the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said the investigation into the blast would last six months.

Late Tuesday afternoon, a steady stream of tractor-trailers carrying heavy repair equipment and pickup trucks with workers rumbled through Helena, a town of 18,000. They went down a winding two-lane blacktop highway, turning off the dusty dirt road to the scene of the fire located in a densely forested area.

The full cause of the Colonial September spill has not been made public. A nine-member crew was working on repairs related to the September leak when an excavator struck the line, setting off the explosion, according to Colonial officials.

A spokesman for UAB hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, said four injured crew members were being treated. He declined to comment on their conditions, citing the families' request for privacy. Another crew member was treated and released.

Gasoline futures were down 2.5 percent by afternoon Wednesday after rising as much as 15 percent on Tuesday.

Cash gasoline markets in New York and the Gulf Coast began to rebalance on Wednesday.

Markets on the East Coast are relatively better positioned due to access to ports. By noon Tuesday, some 14 ships were provisionally booked to sail from Europe to the region, more than quadrupling shipping costs, traders and ship brokers said.

The explosion came amid opposition to pipeline construction by environmental and Native American groups. They are protesting the construction of an oil pipeline in North Dakota. President Barack Obama said late Tuesday the government is examining ways to reroute the line to address the concerns.

(Additional reporting by Jessica Resnick-Ault in New York and Timothy Gardner in Washington; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
HONG KONG (Reuters) - The U.S. Export Import bank may win legal approval to resume export financing for Boeing Co (BA.N) passenger jets as early as December, a senior official at the agency said on Wednesday.

The bank, which provides financing for many U.S. exporters, is currently unable to agree new business for large jets because only two of the five seats on its board are filled, not enough to approve deals over $10 million.

Robert Roy, vice president of EXIM's transportation division, told financiers in Hong Kong that there were indications that legal changes needed to reopen the system of jet financing, opposed by some conservatives, could happen soon.

"We are pretty certain that in December, we will be able to meet with a quorum of two," he told the Airline Economics conference, adding that he had three to four transactions waiting to be considered as soon as the changes were adopted.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher)
By Justin Mitchell and Andy Sullivan

JACKSON, Ga. (Reuters) - Down a Georgia country road, camouflaged members of the Three Percent Security Force have mobilized for rifle practice, hand-to-hand combat training -- and an impromptu campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

"How many people are voting for Trump? Ooh-rah!" asks Chris Hill, a paralegal who goes by the code name "Bloodagent."

"Ooh-rah!" shout a dozen militia members in response, as morning sunlight sifted through the trees last weekend.

As the most divisive presidential election in recent memory nears its conclusion, some armed militia groups are preparing for the possibility of a stolen election on Nov. 8 and civil unrest in the days following a victory by Democrat Hillary Clinton.

They say they won't fire the first shot, but they're not planning to leave their guns at home, either.

Trump's populist campaign has energized militia members like Hill, who admire the Republican mogul's promise to deport illegal immigrants, stop Muslims from entering the country and build a wall along the Mexico border. Trump has repeatedly warned that the election may be "rigged," and has said he may not respect the results if he does not win. At least one paramilitary group, the Oath Keepers, has called on members to monitor voting sites for signs of fraud

Armed paramilitary groups first gained prominence in the early 1990s, fueled by confrontations in Ruby Ridge, Idaho and Waco, Texas, culminating in a militia sympathizer's 1995 bombing of a federal office building in Oklahoma City that killed 168 people.

Their numbers dwindled following that attack but have spiked in recent years, driven by fears that President Barack Obama will threaten gun ownership and erode the power of local government. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks extremist groups, estimates there were 276 active militias last year, up from 42 in 2008.

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In recent years, armed groups have confronted federal authorities in a series of land-use disputes in the western United States. Federal officials fear more clashes could come after seven militants were acquitted on conspiracy charges for occupying a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon.

Many fear Clinton would push the county further to the left.

"This is the last chance to save America from ruin," Hill said. "I'm surprised I was able to survive or suffer through eight years of Obama without literally going insane, but Hillary is going to be more of the same."

EXTREMIST GROUPS EMBOLDENED

The Oath Keepers, a prominent anti-government force that sent gun-toting members to the 2014 race riots in Ferguson, Missouri, called on members last week to monitor voting sites on election day for any signs of fraud.

An hour south of Atlanta, the Three Percent Security Force started the day around the campfire, taking turns shooting automatic pistols and rifles at a makeshift target range. They whooped with approval when blasts from one member's high-powered rifle knocked down a tree.

The group operates independently, but is affiliated with a national armed movement that calls for members to defend individual rights in the face of what they see as an overreaching federal government. The movement draws its name from the notion that no more than 3 percent of the American population fought in the Revolutionary War against Britain.

Amid the war games, Hill weighed plans for a possible armed march on Washington if Clinton wins.

He said he doesn't want his members leading the way, but they will defend the protesters if need be. His group will not hesitate to act if a President Clinton tries to disarm gun owners, he said.

"I will be there to render assistance to my fellow countrymen, and prevent them from being disarmed, and I will fight and I will kill and I may die in the process," said Hill, who founded the militia several years ago.

Trump's candidacy has emboldened extremist groups to speak more openly about challenging the rule of law, said Ryan Lenz, a researcher at the Southern Poverty Law Center.

"Prior to this campaign season, these ideas were relegated to sort of the political fringe of the American political landscape," he said. "Now these ideas are legitimized."

Over the past week, some prominent Trump supporters have hinted at violence.

"If Trump loses, I'm grabbing my musket," former Illinois Representative Joe Walsh wrote on Twitter last week. Conservative commentator Wayne Root fantasized about Clinton's death while speaking at a Trump rally in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Back in Georgia, the Three Percent Security Force wrapped up rifle practice in the midday sun. They then headed further into the trees to tackle an obstacle course with loaded pistols at their sides, ready for whatever may come.

"We've building up for this, just like the Marines," he said. "We are going to really train harder and try to increase our operational capabilities in the event that this is the day that we hoped would never come."

(Editing by Stuart Grudgings)
By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations peacekeepers failed to respond to an attack on civilians by South Sudanese government troops at the Hotel Terrain in the capital Juba in July, less than a mile from a U.N. compound, a U.N. inquiry found on Tuesday. "During the attack, civilians were subjected to and witnessed gross human rights violations, including murder, intimidation, sexual violence and acts amounting to torture perpetrated by armed government soldiers," the inquiry found. Despite multiple requests by the U.N. mission's joint operations center for peacekeepers to respond to the attack on Hotel Terrain, each "contingent turned down the request, indicating their troops were fully committed." After nearly four hours, South Sudan's National Security Service extracted most of the civilians. However three female international aid workers were left behind and the inquiry said the peacekeeping mission was quickly made aware of this. One of the women managed to call the U.N. mission but the security officer "was dismissive of her appeal for assistance and did not call her back when her phone credit expired." A private security company, dispatched by an aid group, rescued the women the following morning, the inquiry said. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is "alarmed by the serious shortcomings identified ... which were evident in the mission's failure to fully implement its mandate to protect civilians and U.N. staff during the fighting," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Tuesday. Ban established the inquiry to assess the response by the U.N. peacekeeping mission, known as UNMISS, to the outbreak of several days of fighting in Juba between South Sudan President Salva Kiir's troops and soldiers loyal to his rival Riek Machar. "A lack of leadership on the part of key senior mission personnel culminated in a chaotic and ineffective response to the violence," according to the executive summary of the report. The U.N. inquiry found that peacekeepers did not operate under a unified command, "resulting in multiple and sometimes conflicting orders to the four troop contingents from China, Ethiopia, Nepal and India." On two occasions Chinese peacekeepers abandoned their positions, the inquiry said. Ban has asked for the immediate replacement of the UNMISS force commander, Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki of Kenya, Dujarric said. U.N. South Sudan envoy Ellen Loj will step down at the end of November. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the contributions and sacrifices made in the operation by Chinese peacekeepers, two of whom were killed, were clear. "Chinese peacekeepers braved life-threatening dangers to carry out their duties on the front line, defended the United Nations objectives and principles, and fulfilled their promises to multilateralism and the U.N. peacekeeping operations," Hua told a regular press briefing. She did not specifically address the finding that Chinese peacekeepers had abandoned their positions but said the United Nations and its members needed to review the situation facing peacekeepers and increase capabilities. Political rivalry in South Sudan between Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and his former deputy Machar, a Nuer, led to civil war in 2013 that has often followed ethnic lines. The pair signed a shaky peace deal a year ago, but fighting has continued. Machar fled South Sudan following the fighting in July. U.N. peacekeepers have been deployed in South Sudan since 2011, when it gained independence from Sudan. There are some 13,000 U.N. troops and police on the ground. Two Chinese peacekeepers were killed during the violence in July. The inquiry found a "lack of preparedness, ineffective command and control and a risk-averse or 'inward-looking' posture resulted in a loss of trust and confidence ... in the will and skill of UNMISS military, (and) police to be proactive and show a determined posture to protect civilians." (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Additional reporting by Sue-Lin Wong in Beijing; Editing by James Dalgleish, Robert Birsel)
Kampala (AFP) - A day after Uganda's president ordered the closure of one of Africa's oldest universities, 23-year old Gabriel Deng was hurriedly stuffing his belongings into rucksacks in a rundown student hostel.

Pop music blared down the corridor from a nearby room as other students at Makerere -- Uganda's top university and one of the oldest and best in Africa -- scurried about on Wednesday as riot police stood on guard outside.

"Now that President Museveni has ordered the university closed, we have to leave but I don't have anywhere to go," said Deng, a first-year veterinary student.

On Tuesday, Uganda's long-time ruler President Yoweri Museveni ordered the indefinite closure of Makerere after days of student protests culminated in violent clashes with police.

"Yesterday the police came and fired teargas into the hostel," Deng said.

"We can't stay here but I'm a refugee from South Sudan so if I can't find a friend to stay with in Kampala, I might have to return the refugee camp."

Unlike in South Africa where students protesting over the high cost of fees have brought universities to a standstill and chaos to their campuses, the Ugandan protests are in response to a fortnight of strike action by academic staff demanding better pay and conditions.

As a result there has been no teaching, angering students eager to learn.

Dr Muhammad Kiggundu, chairman of the staff association, said lecturers had not been paid a university-agreed "incentive payment" after years without a pay rise.

"The incentives are a top-up which give us enough to live on but it hasn't been paid for nine months. Members of our association feel that we are being taken for a ride," he said.

- 'Really bad situation' -

Museveni's intervention on Tuesday evening brought an end to negotiations between university administrators and staff, but on Wednesday police were taking no chances as they ordered students to vacate the campus.

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Outside Mary Stuart Halls, students forced their belongings into over-filled suitcases. Thin mattresses, rolled-up, were propped against walls and laundry baskets overflowed with pillows and dog-eared textbooks.

Dozens of police officers in riot gear kept a close watch as students filed out of the main gate past water cannon trucks and armoured personnel carriers.

Those who remained would be treated as a security threat, warned police spokesman Andrew Kaweesi.

Julliet, a 21-year old student who was afraid to give her last name, sat nearby with her friends waiting for her parents to transfer money to her phone so she could buy a bus ticket home.

"I'm from Gulu in the north of Uganda but it costs 25,000 Shillings ($7) for the bus and I don't have that," she said.

Julliet, who is studying to become a teacher, said she was "worried about our lecturers" and about her education after "teargas covered the whole campus" during Tuesday's unrest.

"I'll just stay at home until the university opens," she said.

"There's nothing we can do. The situation is really bad."
LONDON (Reuters) - Motormile Finance UK, a debt purchase and collections company, has been ordered to compensate 500,000 customers and write off 414 million pounds ($509 million) in debt by the UK markets regulator over historic systems and controls failures.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said on Wednesday that customers, who had been pursued unfairly for debt recovery, would receive 154,000 pounds cash after Motormile failed to properly check how much customers owed.

Motormile, which also trades as MMF, MMF Debt Purchase and MMF UK, has since amended its processes, systems and controls. It has rolled out a bespoke new IT system, appointed a new chief executive and has agreed to the compensation package.

($1 = 0.8134 pounds)

(Reporting by Kirstin Ridley; Editing by Mark Potter)
RACINE  When an East Troy family first met James Barnak, 76, and his now-former wife, they were looking for someone to watch their two children.

Barnaks then-wife became the childrens babysitter, but the family quickly grew so close to the Waterford couple that they became like extended family members.

Half a dozen years later that facade would crumble to reveal a sinister reality  that the doting, grandfatherly man whom they had entrusted with the care of their children had been sexual assaulting their now-teenaged daughter for six years, fondling her and bribing her to disrobe for suggestive photos.

The assaults began when the victim was 8 and ended in November 2014, when the then 14-year-old notified East Troy police about an incident that occurred in which Barnak asked her to take off her shirt and then tied her up with a rope and blindfolded her.

Barnak later admitted to most of the allegations, telling investigators that he targeted the girl because she was vulnerable.

The assaults primarily took place at Barnaks residence in the 600 block of Park Avenue in the Village of Waterford, while the final incident occurred in East Troy in Walworth County.

Speaking at the sentencing hearing for Barnak on Tuesday in Racine County Circuit Court, the victims father said the betrayal was so bizarre that he almost didnt believe his daughter at first; something he said that he will regret for years to come.

The extent of the damage that this has done to her life is not knowable, the father said. While this may be sad for his family, it is tragic for ours.

The victims mother said the family longs to have a normal life, one in which her daughter doesnt suffer from flashbacks.

No minimizing

Racine County Circuit Judge Emily Mueller stated that what she was most troubled by Barnaks efforts to minimize what he had done, noting how the defendant had allegedly called the incident in East Troy a dumb move on my part.

Dumb move cannot describe what you have done to this child, Mueller said.

Pointing to letters the court had received testifying to Barnaks contributions to society, among them his military service and church work, Mueller stated that that such things covered up something terrible  that you had the capacity to do something terrible.

In the end, Mueller sentenced Burnak to 12 years in prison and three years on extended supervision; giving him roughly two years credit for time the senior citizen has spent in jail awaiting trial.

Barnak was initially charged with repeated sexual assault of the same child  at least three violations of first- or second-degree sexual assault for the incidents that occurred in Racine County. But last month he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree sexual of assault of a minor. The plea deal followed a similar arrangement in Walworth County, where Barnak had initially faced charges of child enticement-causing mental/bodily harm, child sexual exploitation, false imprisonment, strangulation and suffocation for the 2014 incident in which he tied up the victim.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim told investigators that Barnak took photos of her and then blindfolded her and tied her hands behind her back with a white rope. He then reportedly told the teen to lie on her back and straddled her, allegedly choking her until she thought she was going to black out.

Barnak, who is also facing a civil suit from the victims family, eventually pleaded guilty to the single charge of child enticement-causing mental/bodily harm in the Walworth County case, agreeing to have the remaining charges dismissed but read into the court record. He was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison on that charge last November, time which will now run concurrently to his sentence in the Racine County case.
London (AFP) - Environmental campaigners in Britain won a High Court legal battle on Wednesday over the government's failure to tackle air pollution to meet European standards.

The ClientEarth non-governmental organisation (NGO) argued that Britain's environment minister had failed to take action to comply with European Union law on levels of nitrogen dioxide "as soon as possible".

A judge ruled in favour of the group's case, declaring that the government's Air Quality Plan was unlawful and "must be quashed" and rewritten.

The defeat is a blow for the government as it seeks to demonstrate its commitment to the global climate change deal struck in Paris last year.

ClientEarth's case focused on claims that ministers prioritised costs over health implications when drawing up plans to cut emissions.

The government's own data estimates that air pollution causes more than 40,000 premature deaths a year in Britain.

In his ruling, judge Neil Garnham said the government's goal of complying with EU targets nationally by 2020 and in London by 2025 were too distant and its model for future emissions "too optimistic".

Limits for nitrogen dioxide were introduced by EU law in 1999, and were to be achieved by 2010.

ClientEarth says that 37 out of 43 zones across Britain remain in breach of legal limits.

Britain is one of 60 countries committed to the COP21 climate deal struck in Paris in December 2015, with Prime Minister Theresa May promising to ratify the deal by the end of the year.

However, questions about how emissions cuts will be divided among EU states have held up the deal in some countries, amid uncertainty over how Britain's exit from the bloc will affect quotas.

Responding in parliament to Wednesday's ruling, May said the government had taken action on air quality but added: "there's more to do and we will do it".

This case is the second the British government has lost in two years on its failure to clean up air pollution.

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ClientEarth won a Supreme Court case on the same issue in April 2015, when ministers were ordered to draw up a plan to reduce air pollution. That plan has now been found to be legally flawed.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who backed the NGO's case, said the government had "let down millions of people".

"Today's High Court ruling brings sharply into focus the scale of the country's air pollution crisis and lays the blame at the door of the government for its complacency in failing to tackle the problem quickly and credibly," he said.

ClientEarth chief executive James Thornton welcomed the ruling and urged May to "take immediate action now to deal with illegal levels of pollution and prevent tens of thousands of additional early deaths in the UK."
By James Davey

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Pensions Regulator on Wednesday formally began "enforcement action" against Philip Green, the former owner of BHS, to plug a hole in the collapsed department store's pension fund, saying the billionaire had failed to provide a credible offer.

Green, 64, owned BHS for 15 years before he sold the loss-making 180-store chain to Dominic Chappell, a serial bankrupt with no retail experience, for one pound last year.

BHS went into administration in April and the last of its stores closed in August. Some 11,000 jobs were lost.

Green, whose Arcadia group owns a string of fashion chains including Topshop, sold BHS with a hole in its pension fund which had ballooned to 571 million pounds ($702 million) by the time it went into administration. If not filled, this will leave 20,000 BHS pensioners facing significant cuts to their income.

Green told lawmakers in June he would resolve the pensions issue and in an interview with ITV News last month said there was some "light in the tunnel to a solution".

However, the Pensions Regulator's Chief Executive Lesley Titcomb said on Wednesday: "We are yet to receive a sufficiently credible and comprehensive offer in respect of the BHS schemes."

Green countered Titcombs claim, saying he had made a decent offer.

I have provided the regulator with what I believe to be a credible and substantial proposal, with evidence and bank confirmation of cash availability, which would prevent the scheme from entering the Pension Protection Fund," he said.

Green added he had also spoken to the chairman of the BHS pension trustees who was supportive of the proposal.

Following its investigation the regulator has now sent 'Warning Notices'  statements of its case  to Green, his holding companies, Taveta Investments Limited and Taveta Investments (No. 2) Limited, to Chappell and to his vehicle Retail Acquisitions Limited.

Each notice runs to more than 300 pages and sets out the arguments and evidence as to why the regulator believes the respondent should be liable to support the BHS pension schemes.

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The notices set out evidence to support the use of both the regulator's Contribution Notice (CN) and Financial Support Direction (FSD) powers.

A CN demands a specified sum of money and an FSD requires respondents to put ongoing support in place for a pension scheme, which must first be agreed with the regulator.

"Our decision to launch enforcement action is an important milestone in our work to attain redress for the thousands of members of BHS schemes who have been placed in this position through no fault of their own," said Titcomb.

"If parties wish to approach us with settlement offers, that course remains open to them," she added.

The regulator's move will likely rekindle the debate over whether Green should retain his knighthood, awarded in 2006 for services to retail.

Lawmakers backed stripping Green of his title in a symbolic vote last month.

(Editing by Gareth Jones and James Dalgleish)
By James Davey LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Pensions Regulator on Wednesday formally began "enforcement action" against Philip Green, the former owner of BHS, to plug a hole in the collapsed department store's pension fund, saying the billionaire had failed to provide a credible offer. Green, 64, owned BHS for 15 years before he sold the loss-making 180-store chain to Dominic Chappell, a serial bankrupt with no retail experience, for one pound last year. BHS went into administration in April and the last of its stores closed in August. Some 11,000 jobs were lost. Green, whose Arcadia group owns a string of fashion chains including Topshop, sold BHS with a hole in its pension fund which had ballooned to 571 million pounds ($702 million) by the time it went into administration. If not filled, this will leave 20,000 BHS pensioners facing significant cuts to their income. Green told lawmakers in June he would resolve the pensions issue and in an interview with ITV News last month said there was some "light in the tunnel to a solution". However, the Pensions Regulator's Chief Executive Lesley Titcomb said on Wednesday: "We are yet to receive a sufficiently credible and comprehensive offer in respect of the BHS schemes." Green countered Titcombs claim, saying he had made a decent offer. I have provided the regulator with what I believe to be a credible and substantial proposal, with evidence and bank confirmation of cash availability, which would prevent the scheme from entering the Pension Protection Fund," he said. Green added he had also spoken to the chairman of the BHS pension trustees who was supportive of the proposal. Following its investigation the regulator has now sent 'Warning Notices'  statements of its case  to Green, his holding companies, Taveta Investments Limited and Taveta Investments (No. 2) Limited, to Chappell and to his vehicle Retail Acquisitions Limited. Each notice runs to more than 300 pages and sets out the arguments and evidence as to why the regulator believes the respondent should be liable to support the BHS pension schemes. The notices set out evidence to support the use of both the regulator's Contribution Notice (CN) and Financial Support Direction (FSD) powers. A CN demands a specified sum of money and an FSD requires respondents to put ongoing support in place for a pension scheme, which must first be agreed with the regulator. "Our decision to launch enforcement action is an important milestone in our work to attain redress for the thousands of members of BHS schemes who have been placed in this position through no fault of their own," said Titcomb. "If parties wish to approach us with settlement offers, that course remains open to them," she added. The regulator's move will likely rekindle the debate over whether Green should retain his knighthood, awarded in 2006 for services to retail. Lawmakers backed stripping Green of his title in a symbolic vote last month. (Editing by Gareth Jones and James Dalgleish)
By Rahul B and Paul Sandle LONDON (Reuters) - A "bullying" approach by European leaders over Brexit risks hurting sales of French wine, German beer and Swedish cider, said the founder of British pubs chain JD Wetherspoon, a prominent "Leave" campaigner. The warning came as the group, which operates more than 900 pubs, said strong sales growth in the summer had slowed in recent weeks, and it faced rising costs, sending its shares lower on Wednesday. Company chairman Tim Martin said a call from European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker last month for a firm stance in Brexit talks could backfire. "If we, and companies like ours, are unable to agree on tariff-free transactions, it will inevitably result in a loss of business for European companies which have done nothing to deserve this outcome," he said, using a company trading statement to make his point. "Indeed, the ultimate sanction will be in the hands of UK consumers, should they take offence at the hectoring and bullying approach of Juncker and co. French wine, Champagne and spirits, German beer and Swedish cider, for example, are all at extreme risk." The group said it normally agrees on trade deals with suppliers for between three and 10 years. Like other British businesses, it faces higher import prices following the slide in the value of the pound after Britons voted in June to leave the European Union. Sterling has lost around 15 percent against the euro since the referendum. Martin was a high-profile backer of Britain's bid to leave the EU, appearing in television debates before the June 23 vote and the company distributed half a million beer mats challenging statistics used by the government to back the "Remain" campaign. Shares in the group fell to three-month lows after the trading update. They were down 6.1 percent at 833.5 pence at 1030 GMT. "The company anticipates higher costs in the remainder of the current year, for instance in the areas of wages, business rates and repairs," Martin said. The company's financial year runs until July 30. Wetherspoon said sales growth slowed to 2.3 percent in the last five weeks of the period ended Oct. 23, compared with growth of 3.5 percent for the 13 weeks ending at the same point. The company said it had made a reasonable start to the current financial but added that any full-year forecasts were "inevitably tentative". Rivals Greene King Plc and Marston's Plc have reported a slowdown in like-for-like sales in their latest trading updates. (Reporting by Rahul B in Bengaluru and Paul Sandle; editing by Keith Weir)
LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Trade is growing between Britain and Iran and the government is working to resolve banking sector concerns which are limiting its further expansion, British trade minister Liam Fox said on Wednesday.

Despite the removal of international banking restrictions in January, Tehran has secured ties with only a limited number of smaller banks as U.S. sanctions remain in force and large foreign institutions still fear potential fines.

"Slowly but with increasing enthusiasm, British companies are starting to do business with Iran again ... we are seeing the first signs of growing trade between the UK and Iran," Fox told a City and Financial Global conference.

"The banking sector's ongoing concerns about facilitating payments or providing financial services means that the benefits of sanctions relief are not yet being fully realised, resolving these problems remains a priority for this government." (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan and Jonathan Saul, editing by Elizabeth Piper)
By Kylie MacLellan and Jonathan Saul

LONDON (Reuters) - Trade between Britain and Iran is beginning to grow but the reluctance of large Western lenders is holding back a major expansion of ties and needs to be resolved, government and finance officials said on Wednesday.

Since the removal of international banking restrictions in January, Tehran has secured links with only a limited number of smaller banks as U.S. sanctions remain in force and large foreign institutions still fear potential fines.

Banks remain nervous after U.S. penalties including a $9 billion (7.32 billion) fine on France's BNP Paribas in 2014, partly for violating financial sanctions imposed in 2012 to pressure Iran to abandon its nuclear programme.

Major global lenders like HSBC have reiterated they have no intention of doing any new business involving Iran, questioning why the United States is encouraging them to do so when U.S. financial firms are restricted.

British trade minister Liam Fox said on Wednesday that Anglo-Iranian relations had improved since Britain reopened its Tehran embassy last year and it would work to expand bilateral trade following the vote to leave the European Union.

"Slowly but with increasing enthusiasm, British companies are starting to do business with Iran again ... We are seeing the first signs of growing trade between the UK and Iran," Fox told a City and Financial Global conference in London.

"The banking sector's ongoing concerns about facilitating payments or providing financial services means that the benefits of sanctions relief are not yet being fully realised. Resolving these problems remains a priority for this government."

Norman Lamont, Britain's trade envoy to Iran and a former British finance minister, said the deadlock over progress on banking access to Iran was "profoundly unsatisfactory".

"This is an embarrassing situation ... these difficulties only strengthen the critics of (Iranian) President (Hassan) Rouhani," he told the event.

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The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has tried to promote deeper international trade for Iran while still limiting U.S. business engagement due to sanctions that bar U.S. banks from doing business with Iran and prevent transactions with Iran in dollars being processed through the U.S. financial system.

Fox said the government was working with the banking sector to find a solution for Iranian payments, and that Britain was well-placed to help private Iranian banks modernise.

Giles Thomson, deputy director of sanctions and illicit finance at Britain's finance ministry, said while some progress had been made "it is something that is going to take time to really work through and for the full benefits to be realised".

Iran's ambassador to Britain, Hamid Baeidinejad, said the banking problems were "highly troublesome" for Iran, adding that the United States was "disappointed".

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has spent months trying to encourage non-U.S. banks and companies to boost trade, although he has acknowledged the complications.

Last month the Obama administration updated its guidance that non-U.S. banks can do dollar trades with Iran, provided those transactions don't pass through financial institutions in the United States.

Justine Walker, director of financial crime with the British Bankers' Association (BBA), which represents the industry, said primary U.S. sanctions still in place could not be ignored.

"For any of the global banks, they do have a very strong U.S. presence and that is something that they need to get comfortable with in how they insulate their U.S. exposure and that is taking time and involving changing lots of policies," she told Reuters.

Walker said banks were also watching for the outcome of next week's U.S. presidential election.

Investors are rethinking long-held bets of a Nov. 8 victory for Democrat Hillary Clinton on signs that her Republican rival Donald Trump could be closing the gap. Trump has said he would tear up the nuclear deal reached with Iran.

"What we will see is gradual movements (by banks into Iran)," the BBA's Walker said. "Unless the U.S. lifts primary sanctions, there is not going to be a set day ... banks will get to that stage at different times."

Trade sources say many global banks are also trying to win more work in Saudi Arabia as it tries to diversify the economy and wean itself off oil. A perception of being too close to Iran could hamper banks' prospects in Saudi, given hostile relations.

IRAN BLACKLIST

In June FATF, a global group of government anti-money-laundering agencies, decided to keep Iran on its blacklist of high-risk countries.

FATF welcomed Iranian promises and called for a one-year suspension of some restrictions, but this did little to ease the banks' fears.

Iran's politically powerful elite military force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) which has extensive business interests, including through front companies, remains sanctioned, posing more compliance worries for banks and companies.

Charles Blackmore, chief executive of advisory firm Audere International, said the IRGC represented a "shadow economy".

"You have got to look at the transparency of local ownership of companies, you have to identify beneficial ownership. You will get penalised very, very hard if you get this wrong," Blackmore told the conference.

Fox said that while this was an opportunity to put UK-Iranian relations on a new footing, the government was also "deeply concerned" about Iran's record on human rights and a number of British-Iranian dual nationals detained there.

The British government is prioritising opportunities for exporters in sectors such as retail, healthcare, water, advanced manufacturing, mining, airports and aviation, Fox said, and will send a mining sector delegation to Tehran in December.

"Iran does remain, however, a challenging place to do business, and needs to do more to meet international banking standards and instigate reform if it is to enjoy a post-sanctions dividend," he said.

(Editing by Hugh Lawson/Ruth Pitchford)
By Mica Rosenberg

NEW YORK, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Attorneys for Brazil's state-controlled oil company, Petroleo Brasileiro SA, asked a U.S. federal appeals court on Wednesday to decertify a class of investors trying to recoup billions of dollars in losses stemming from a sprawling corruption scandal.

Petrobras, as the company is known, and its bank underwriters argued that it is not clear buyers and sellers of the company's securities, traded on exchanges all around the world, were doing transactions in the Unites States. Only securities traded in the United States can be included in the class action.

The attorneys also argued before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York that the plaintiffs had failed to adequately show the news of the bribery and political kickback scandal in Brazil had a downward effect on the company's stock price.

Petrobras wants to reverse a decision made in February by lower-court Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan that certified two classes of plaintiffs, saying their claims are similar enough to be pursued as groups.

Class certification can make it easier for investors to recoup larger sums than if they sued individually, though it does not guarantee they will be recover.

Prosecutors in Brazil have accused former Petrobras executives of accepting more than $2 billion of bribes over a decade, mainly to from construction and engineering companies. Petrobras has said that it was a victim of the scheme by corrupt individuals.

The scandal has contributed to a plunge in Petrobras' market value to below $20 billion from nearly $300 billion fewer than eight years ago, according to Reuters data, and investors in the company want a payout.

Jeremy Lieberman, an attorney at Pomerantz representing the shareholders, argued that Rakoff's decision was correct and the district court would easily be able to "call balls and strikes" to determine who should be included and left out of the class.

He also said there was a clear link between bad news about developments in the Petrobras investigation in Brazil and a drop in share price.

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One class approved by Rakoff bought various Petrobras securities from January 2010 to July 2015 and will be led by Universities Superannuation Scheme of Liverpool, England. The other bought debt securities from offerings in 2013 and 2014, and is led by North Carolina's treasurer and the Employees' Retirement System of Hawaii.

The case is In re: Petrobras Securities Litigation, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 14-09662.

(Reporting by Mica Rosenberg; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)
RACINE  A 41-year-old sex offender is slated to be released to a temporary residence in the 4600 block of Durand Avenue later this month, Racine Police announced Wednesday.

Eric Pletz was arrested in 1989 and 1993 for first-degree sexual assault and second-degree sexual assault of a child, according to a Police Department press release. In 2004, he was charged with child enticement.

He will be released Nov. 15, the release states, after which he will be taken to the Racine Police Department for face-to-face registration.

Pletz has served the prison sentence imposed on him by the courts. He is not wanted by the police at this time. The release states that the notification is not intended to increase fear; but is rather part of the departments belief that an informed public is a safer public.

Upon his release Pletz will be a lifetime sex offender registrant, with lifetime GPS monitoring in Wisconsin. He will be supervised until 2026.

If he violates the terms of his lifetime registry or GPS conditions, he will be taken back into custody.

He does not have a permanent address at this time.

Criminal history

Pletz was last charged with sexual assault in November 2004, when, just 12 days after being released from the Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center in Mauston, the convicted sex offender tried using video games to entice an 11-year-old boy to a Burlington hotel room. A year later, in November 2005, a jury found him guilty of child enticement-sexual contact. He was later sentenced to 10 years in prison and 12 years of extended supervision. It was his third sexual offense against a child, but his first as an adult.

Under the terms of his release, Pletz is to have no unsupervised contact with minors unless approved by the Department of Corrections, no contact with taverns, bars, and liquor stores, no contact with his victims, and he cannot consume alcohol or illegal drugs.

We want to make sure that the community remains vigilant and ensure that they fully understand the seriousness of this offender, especially since he will not have permanent housing upon release, the release states. He will be required to have regular contact with his assigned agent, advising them of his whereabouts. This will also be verified through the use of GPS.

Citizens are encouraged to go to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections website for more information.
Washington (AFP) - The family of Austin Tice, a US journalist held captive in Syria since 2012, renewed calls Wednesday for his release as a banner highlighting his case was unveiled by press freedom groups.

The #FreeAustinTice banner was attached to the facade of the Newseum, a museum focused on news media and located on the street linking the US Capitol and the White House.

"This banner will stay in front of the Newseum until Austin Tice is released," said Jeffrey Herbst, president and chief executive of the Newseum. "We hope we will take it down soon."

The location of the banner -- on the route taken by each US president upon inauguration -- provides "unprecedented visibility" for Tice, said Delphine Halgand of Reporters Without Borders, which helped create the banner.

Halgand said it was the first time a major American institution such as the Newseum has displayed a public banner on its building for a missing US journalist, a move aimed at bring greater attention to his case.

Debra Tice, the journalist's mother, told reporters at the unveiling that she hoped for the success of diplomatic efforts to release her son before President Barack Obama leaves office in January.

"We call on Austin's captors to reach out and make it clear how we can resolve this situation and get our son safely home," she said.

The banner "will remind people how precious press freedom is," she said.

She said information filtering out of Syria indicates that Tice is alive and in relatively good health, and is not being held by any rebel or Islamic militant organization.

Tice, a freelance journalist working for McClatchy News, the Washington Post, CBS and others, was abducted August 14, 2012 near Damascus.

He is believed to the only American journalist currently held in Syria, which has been one of the most dangerous countries for the news media in recent years.
Need to catch up? Check out last weeks This Is Us recap here.

What if? is a harsh mistress, but that doesnt stop several This Is Us characters from sleeping with her this week, anyway.

Randall wonders if he was meant to be a musician, but that pesky getting-adopted thing just got in the way. Kate ponders the possibility that her new boss only hired her as an elaborate scheme to communicate with her overweight teenager. Kevin, the king of doubt, rings his Maybe Im Just Not Good Enough bell so hard, it takes a funeral (a strangers) and a breakdown (Kevins) to dampen the clanging. And in the past, Jack envisions a life in which his anachronistically sculpted dad bod is out there building homes for his own company instead of stuck under fluorescent lights in a cubicle all day.

How do all these what if?s affect the Pearson familys general happiness, in both the past and present? Read on for the highlights of Career Days.

RELATEDTVLine Items: Westworld Meets This Is Us and More

THE SAME, BUT DIFFERENT | In the past, Jack comes home from the desk job he took to make a little more money for the family, and the kids all yip for his attention. But its Rebecca who actually nabs it when she shows him Randalls totally average report card and note from his school, which wants a meeting ASAP.

Turns out, Randalls test scores are through the roof, and the discrepancy with his grades is likely because hes bored. A school administrator suggests a private school where hell be more challenged, but Jack immediately balks on the grounds that the school is even whiter than the public one hes in now  and at the new place, he wont have Kevin and Kate there to look out for him.

RELATEDThis Is Us Adds American Horror Story Vet Denis OHare in Recurring Role

JACK WISES UP | But Yvette, the mom from the pool a few episode ago, who is now a friend of the family, points out that Jack is treating Randall differently because hes black; after all, he wouldnt think twice about sending a white kid to the very white private school if that kid were exceptionally bright. So when Jack spends a little alone time with Randall at the office and witnesses his sons mathematical genius firsthand, he questions why the boy doesnt want to own up to his smarts. I dont want to be different from them, Randall says in tears and hes referring to his brother and sister.

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Jack then gives a very touching monologue about how, even though he and Rebecca have tried to treat all the kids equally, theyre not the same  and thats a good thing. I love you as much as the human heart can, kiddo. You are an exceptional young man, he says, and they hug. No, YOURE moved by a mustachioed dads tender words to his child!

So Randall starts attending the new school, and Jack puts aside his dreams of opening his own homebuilding company (Big Three Homes, awww) and instead takes a promotion Miguel offers.

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This Is Us Recap Season 1 Episode 6

KATE DONT PLAY THAT

| Kate gets a job as an event planner/personal assistant for a woman named Marin (oh hi, Jami Gertz!), but soon realizes that the woman partly hired her because she thinks Kate can somehow get through to her overweight daughter, Gemma. It doesnt really work. And after Kate kicks the insolent girl out of her car while chauffeuring her to a friends house, it looks like maybe thats the end of this gig (at which, by the way, Kate excels).

But Marin apologizes, and Kate stays  though she dumps the personal assistant duties. On her way out of the house, Kate lets Gemma know that she, too, has a gorgeous and thin mom with whom shes compared herself her entire life and now we barely talk and it sucks. Using herself as a cautionary tale, Kate advises the brat to cut her mom a break.

LETTING IT ALL OUT | In rehearsals in New York, Kevin is having a really hard time mustering up the appropriate amount of sadness for the plays emotional climax. So Olivia tricks him into attending a strangers memorial service with her.

Kevin is irked by the ruse (as well he should be; when Olivia lies to the widow about how they knew her husband, I hate her a little), but eventually he finds himself sharing a moment with the dead mans wife in her kitchen. They go from talking about the deceaseds love of pickles (some of which Kevin eats) to The Manny sobbing on her shoulder after he tells her that he destroyed all the models he made with his dad and how the necklace he wears is all I have now. I cant take it off now. (Side note: I love Kevins vague It was a long time ago when the grieving Grace asks when Jack died. Nice try, lady! Go back to theorizing on Twitter like the rest of us!)

When Olivia finds him later in a bedroom, hes angry that she crashed the sad occasion. In turn, shes happy that hes finally getting in touch with some long walled-off feelings. Why do you push that all away? she asks, and apparently she likes his answer, given the way she takes swift advantage of his lips like theyre a Bed, Bath & Beyond 20 percent off coupon on the last day of eligibility. Sorry I have picklemouth, he mumbles as they roll onto the coat-covered bed. Ha!

But slow your emotional roll, Kev: At the next rehearsal, Olivia tells him that theyre done, and he should use those emotions to fuel his dramatic work. And, scene!

PHOTOSPerformers of the Week: Black Mirrors Bryce Dallas Howard, This Is Us Justin Hartley and More

SING IT PROUD | Oh Randall. I want to be on board with your choice to sing a song at your daughters Career Day, but honey you dont play the piano. Or have any discernible musical talent. And your sense seems to be in short supply this week, as well. But here are the things I do love about Randalls storyline this week: his description of what a weather trader does (Its like licking a piece of pizza so that nobody will eat it later!); Beths advice to look away when he drops his boring Career Day speech in favor of a cringe-worthy ballad, sung entirely in his head voice; the way he jumps at both Williams approval and offer to teach him piano; his decision to instead take piano lessons from someone else, because his fledgling relationship with his biodad doesnt need the complication of a student/teacher dynamic; and the way he and Beth tease and taunt each other in the most loving of ways (though I love that every week).

The best moment is when proud math geek Randall announces to his family at breakfast, My dad put on a tie every day because he had to. I put one on every day because I want to. Randall, cmere. I wanna give you and your little midlife crisis a big hug!

Now its your turn. What did you think of the episode? Sound off in the comments!

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Washington (AFP) - A US drone strike in Syria last month killed an Al-Qaeda member with ties to the organization's senior leadership, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

The October 17 strike near Idlib northwestern Syria killed Haydar Kirkan, who "was intent on plotting and carrying out attacks against the West," Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said.

"He was a long serving and experienced courier for Al-Qaeda in Syria. He had ties to Al-Qaeda's senior leaders to include Osama bin Laden himself, and he was Al-Qaeda's senior external terror attack planner in Syria," Davis said, without describing any of the purported plots.

In recent weeks, the Pentagon has targeted other Al-Qaeda members.

On October 23, US drone strikes targeted two top Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan.

While officials have not confirmed any deaths, they are privately confident the strikes killed Farouq al-Qahtani, Al-Qaeda's emir for northeastern Afghanistan, and his deputy Bilal al-Utabi.

On October 21 in Yemen, five Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) members were killed in a US air strike, including local AQAP leader Abu Hadi al-Bayhani, Davis said.

"Al-Qaeda doesn't recognize borders when they conspire to commit terrorist attacks against the West, and we will continue to work with our partners and allies to find and destroy their leaders, their fighters and their cells that are planning attacks externally," Davis said.
By Carl O'Donnell and Svea Herbst-Bayliss (Reuters) - Canada's Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc said on Tuesday it is in talks with third parties to sell its Salix stomach-drug business and other assets. The drugmaker did not name the potential buyers it was talking with but people familiar with the matter told Reuters Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd <4502.T> was interested in Salix. The deal could raise as much as $10 billion for the indebted drugmaker, the people said, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private. Valeant acquired Salix last year for $14.5 billion. "The discussions may or may not lead to a definitive agreement," Valeant said in a statement late on Tuesday. "Takeda is continuously considering various options aiming to accelerate its growth. At this point, we have nothing to be disclosed," the company said in a statement on Wednesday. The Japanese bourse earlier in the day suspended trading in Takeda shares until the company released its statement. Its shares then fell as much as 4 percent, compared with a 1.8 percent dip in the benchmark Nikkei 225 index <.N225>. Valeant is working with investment bank Morgan Stanley on the sale, the people told Reuters. Another bidder may also be interested in the Salix business, they added. Salix Pharmaceuticals makes treatments for disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea. The proceeds from the sale would likely be used to pay down the majority of Valeant's roughly $12 billion in bank loans. Valeant, which has a market value of $6 billion, has an overall debt pile of about $30 billion. The company's new chief executive officer, Joseph Papa, has committed to selling around $8 billion in non-core assets to help pay down debt that it accumulated over the course of a series of large acquisitions. On Monday, Bloomberg reported that Valeant's former chief executive Michael Pearson and ex-chief financial officer Howard Schiller are targets of a U.S. criminal probe against the drugmaker over its ties to specialty pharmacy Philidor that helped boost its sales. Schiller also served as interim CEO while Pearson was on medical leave. The report, citing people familiar with the matter, said the case against Valeant could yield charges within weeks, or lead to a settlement with the company. Valeant issued a statement saying it has been fully cooperating with authorities conducting the investigation. Valeant used Philidor to overcome insurer reimbursement rejections of its medications, with Philidor resubmitting claims to insurers until they were approved, according to numerous media reports late last year. It has since severed ties with the pharmacy company. Valeant has been struggling to revive its dwindling share price since late last year, when controversy around its drug pricing practices sent shares plunging. Its stock is down around 90 percent since its 2015 highs. Takeda tried earlier this year to buy Salix as part of a joint bid with private equity firm TPG, a few weeks before Papa took over as CEO. But Valeant's board rejected the offer as it wanted to give Papa time to map out a course for the company. Takeda told Reuters in September that it was scouting for multibillion-dollar acquisitions in the United States and other overseas markets as it seeks to boost its core therapy areas, including gastrointestinal medicine. News of the talks was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The U.S.-listed shares of Valeant surged to close up 33.7 percent at $23.86 on Tuesday. The stock, which dipped 3 percent in extended trading, had fallen about 78 percent this year. (Reporting by Carl O'Donnell in New York, Svea Herbst in Boston and Subrat Patnaik in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Bill Berkrot in New York and Tim Kelly in Tokyo.; Editing by James Dalgleish and Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Perhaps you've had this nightmare: you're doubled over with stabbing pain. You feel like you've been knifed on your right side. You've Googled, gone to WebMD, double-checked the pain is in fact on your right side. It's your appendix, you know it could burst at any moment--you're going to need immediate surgery, right?

Probably not. The emergency appendectomy--that wicked, temporarily debilitating, and costly medical procedure performed on 320,000 Americans each year--it turns out, in most cases, is completely unnecessary said David Agus, Director of the University of Southern California's Center for Applied Molecular Medicine speaking at Fortune's Brainstorm Health conference in San Diego on Tuesday.

In a recent study in Europe, 70% of patients with appendicitis were treated successfully with antibiotics, Agus says. And those that were not cured with medicine underwent surgery with no complications. Such an approach could prevent more than 200,000 surgeries per year in the U.S.

Yet the appendectomy continues to reign supreme, noted Agus, "because 24/7 we're taught you have to take it out if there's appendicitis." He added of the health care community, "We're stubborn and pig-headed."

Agus, author of The Lucky Years: How to Thrive in the Brave New World of Health, sees the community's recalcitrance as one of the field's serious challenges. Some of the others: lack of political will, and the system's focus on treatment, rather than prevention.

"We're incentivizing [situations] where surgeons get paid to operate. We push to treat, he said. We're not incentivizing to prevent.

The good news? Were at inflection point, Agus argues, in terms of technology and know-how: were ready to disrupt health care.

See original article on Fortune.com

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SPRINGFIELD, VA / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2016 / Versar, Inc. (NYSE MKT: VSR) today announced that its long-term joint venture with Johnson Controls Federal Systems was awarded a $15.5 million design-build construction contract to repair and renovate building B1108 at Hanscom Air Force Base (AFB), located outside of Boston, MA. Building 1108 is a three-story structure enclosing 76,658 square feet and was constructed in 1952 as part of a complex of buildings within the base that is now known as the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratory Historic District. Once the renovations are completed, B1108 will house the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). The contract scope includes design, permitting, renovation, construction and commissioning for an administrative building to include office space, classrooms, and conference rooms. Versar's Engineering Construction Management (ECM) group will perform the work.

Versar's CEO, Tony Otten, noted that, "Versar is proud to support this very special project at Hanscom AFB to renovate a previously vacant building to house the new Eastern Headquarters of DCMA. We appreciate the Air Force's confidence in Versar by entrusting us with this key project."

VERSAR, INC., headquartered in Springfield, Virginia, is a publicly-traded global project management company providing sustainable value oriented solutions to government and commercial clients in the construction management, environmental services, and professional services market areas.

VERSAR operates the following websites: www.versar.com and www.versarpps.com.

Find out more about VERSAR at

https://twitter.com/VersarInc

https://www.facebook.com/VersarInc

http://www.linkedin.com/company/38251

This news release contains forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be significantly impacted by certain risks and uncertainties described herein and in Versar's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended June 26, 2015, as updated from time to time in the Company's periodic filings. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Versar does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

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Contact:

Karin Weber

M&A, Investor Relations Manager

Versar, Inc.

(703) 642-6706

kweber@versar.com

Robert Ferri

Robert Ferri Partners

(415) 575-1589

robert.ferri@robertferri.com

SOURCE: Versar, Inc.
By Gina Cherelus

(Reuters) - Baltimore police on Wednesday identified five of the six people killed a day earlier when a school bus with no students aboard plowed into an oncoming commuter bus.

The driver of the school bus, Glenn Chappell, 67, and Ebonee Danell, 33, who was driving the Maryland Transit Administration bus, both died in the collision, Baltimore Police spokesman T.J. Smith said in a statement.

Other victims were identified as Cherry Yarborough, 51, Terance Casey, 52, and Gerald Holloway, 51, all of Baltimore, according to police. The sixth, a 46-year-old female, remains unidentified.

The yellow school bus rear-ended a car during Tuesday morning's rush hour and then struck a pillar before veering across a boulevard's center line into the commuter bus.

The impact tore off most of the driver's side of the commuter bus and 10 people were injured in the accident.

"Three people remain hospitalized," Smith said. "Their conditions are fair, serious and critical."

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

(Reporting by Gina Cherelus; Editing by Tom Brown)
HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnamese police on Wednesday detained a prominent blogger for distributing anti-state information, the latest in a crackdown on critics of the country's Communist rulers. Ho Van Hai, 52, was arrested in Ho Chi Minh City and accused of "spreading information and documents on the internet that are against the government of the Social Republic of Vietnam", according to a statement by Ho Chi Minh City police on their website. Police will investigate and handle Hai's violations in accordance with the law, the statement said. Hai's Facebook page and blog were inaccessible as of Wednesday night. Despite sweeping reforms to its economy and increasing openness toward social change, including gay, lesbian and transgender rights, Vietnam's ruling Communist Party retains tight media censorship and zero tolerance for criticism. Last month Vietnam police detained prominent blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, or "Me Nam" (Mother Mushroom), for running "propaganda" against the state. The United States, European Union and Britain called for her release. Another well-known Vietnamese political blogger and his assistant lost their appeal in September when a higher court upheld their jail terms and reaffirmed they had abused their freedom and hurt the state's interests. (Editing by Alison Williams)
In his masterful account Strategy: A History, Sir Lawrence Freedman defines strategy as the art of creating power. This is a useful lens through which to consider one of this years key geopolitical trends: Russias return to the Middle East.

Apart from its close ties to the Syrian regime, which date back to the 1970s, Moscow has had no substantial role in the Middle East since 1972, when President Anwar Sadat kicked Soviet advisors out of Egypt.

Why return now? At a general level, its clear that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to challenge the notion of a U.S.-led world order and encourage the return to a multipolar one, though there are certain self-imposed constraints on his ambitions. Although he has intervened in Georgia and Ukraine, he doesnt seem willing to start a wider war by attacking any Eastern European states that are already members of NATO. In the Middle East, however, Putin has a theater to undermine Western influence, and to create power for himself, without the risk of triggering a war with the West.

As any demagogue knows, one way to create power out of nothing is to find a division and then exploit it. In the Middle East, the fundamental division Russia has exploited is the one between the Wests aversion to Islamists, on the one hand, and human rights abuses on the other. The conflict between these aims often produces equivocation in Western foreign policy. It also opens up political space where Russia can operate by investing in repression and discounting democracy.

Moscow unequivocally supports the current authoritarian regimes in Damascus, Cairo, and Tobruk, which it portrays as bulwarks against the spread of radical Islam. In Egypt, Putin has consistently backed President Abdel Fattah al-Sisis actions against the Muslim Brotherhood, for example, in the face of widespread evidence of repressive tactics by his military government. Since 2013, Russia has stepped in to provide arms to the Egyptian government, exploiting U.S. reluctance to provide military hardware that could be used for domestic political repression. Although Egypt continues to depend on much greater levels of financial support from Washington than from Moscow, this action exemplifies Russias strategy for exploiting any seam between the United States and its regional allies when Washington equivocates between security and human rights.

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We see the same thing in Libya and Syria, where Russia does not contend with an established U.S. partner. In Syria, despite human rights atrocities by the Syrian government that have attracted Western scorn, the West has not been able to explain how getting rid of Bashar al-Assads regime would improve the countrys security, since that could lead to a rise in Islamist anarchy. Putin has exploited this gap by unreservedly backing Assad, leaving the West arguing for a gradual transition away from the Syrian president. And that further boosts the influence of Russia and Iran, the only countries with the leverage to initiate any such transition.

As for Libya, the United States is invested in the U.N.-backed Government of National Accord, based out of Tripoli, which seeks to unify a divided country. The problem is that the separatist government in Tobruk in eastern Libya, which is supported by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, has not agreed to this merger.

Sensing an opportunity to get between the United States and two traditional allies (Egypt and the UAE), while nominally supporting the official U.N. process, Russia has funneled arms, likely via Serbia and Belarus, to the forces of Gen. Khalifa Haftar, who supports the Tobruk government. And following Haftars successful takeover of the oil terminals in Libyas Sirte basin over the last two months, and his hard line against Islamist groups in Benghazi, the West currently appears to have accepted the reality  and, to an extent, the necessity  of his power and, by extension, Russias influence in Libya.

Much the same could be said about Putins surprise diplomatic volte-face toward Turkey. Again sensing an opportunity to chip away at the NATO alliance, after the attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in July, Putin invited the Turkish leader to Moscow. Russian sanctions imposed after the downing of a Russian fighter jet in Syria last year were lifted, and the West now has to deal with the tricky situation of a NATO member whose presidents political philosophy has more in common with Putins than the democratic values NATO is supposed to protect.

Though Putin has tried to insert himself into several other areas of Middle Eastern politics this year, we should not exaggerate his influence. Recall for example that the propaganda value the Russians attached to a Syria bombing raid from an Iranian base in August irritated Tehran, and the Russians were kicked off the base three days later. Likewise, Putins attempt to carve out a role in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process this year, which appears primarily designed to challenge the United States as the key broker, is not likely to result in any breakthrough.

So is Putin a strategic mastermind or a reckless gambler? The reality is more prosaic. Yes, Russia has made diplomatic gains this year, notably in eastern Libya and Turkey, and has propped up Assad, but this has come at serious long-term economic cost to Russia.

As any demagogue knows, the only way to maintain power generated out of nothing through division is to keep stoking the flames of perpetual conflict upon which these divisions depend. But when you make a perpetual enemy out of the West, you cant be surprised when you seem to be perpetually on the receiving end of economic sanctions and a general wariness by Western firms to invest in your country.

Its possible that Putin believed his actions in the Middle East would give him leverage to bargain sanctions away, despite the fact that Ukrainian and Syrian sanctions are not formally linked. But its more realistic to assume that Putins encouragement of a state of perpetual conflict with the West makes a relaxation of sanctions unlikely in the near term, especially if Hillary Clinton enters the White House. If anything, Putin has boxed Russia into a position where it must increasingly orient its economy toward China, and away from the West, which gives Beijing considerable leverage over Moscow.

Its also important to note the role of deception and bluff in Russian strategy. This is a way of generating power out of nothing, but its a duplicitous kind of power that in the long run destroys ones credibility.

Take for example Russias relationship with Saudi Arabia. Despite being on different sides of the Syrian civil war, Putin has managed to bring Riyadh into its diplomatic orbit through cooperation on oil policy, given how both Saudi-led OPEC states and Russia need substantially higher prices for government budgets to break even.

Moscow has voiced commitment to such cooperation, and the Saudis appear to have bought into this assurance  for without it, Russia could simply gobble up much of any market share conceded by a Saudi production cut. But Riyadh will almost certainly lose out in any such deal. Last month, Igor Sechin, the CEO of Russian state-controlled oil company Rosneft, said his company would not take part in any such cut, implicitly contradicting Putin.

Russia seems to want to get the Saudis to sign on to a deal Moscow has no real intention of supporting. But its hard to see how long Putin can trick them into doing the heavy lifting. In the short term, the official announcement of an OPEC-Russia oil production deal, which is expected to come this month, will temporarily lift prices. But in the long term, when the deal breaks down, as it must, it will erode Putins credibility with Riyadh and OPEC.

Gauging the success of Putins strategy really depends on the time frame: In 2016, Russia is up in the Middle East; in the longer term, the damage he has done to the Russian economy by breaking with the West will outweigh the value of an alliance with the likes of eastern Libya or even perhaps Turkey. Already battered by low oil prices, the Russian economy can hardly afford to be unplugged from Western capital markets and investment.

But maybe Russian international success is entirely the wrong way of thinking about what Putin gains from a strategy of perpetual conflict. Strategy might be the art of creating power, but the power the strategist is most interested in might be at home. Perpetual conflict abroad clearly helps rally popular support among Russians to keep Putin entrenched in the Kremlin, even as his country rots around him.

Photo credit: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images
Less than a week from Election Day, Hillary Clinton still leads Donald Trump in Wisconsin, according to results from a statewide poll released Wednesday.

Clinton leads Trump by six points, up 46 percent to Trump's 40 percent among likely voters, according to the latest Marquette University Law School Poll.

The poll surveyed 541 likely voters over a six day period Oct. 26-31. It is the first Wisconsin poll in the presidential race following news that the FBI is re-opening an investigation into her private email server.

The slight tightening suggests more Republican unity behind their nominee, said Charles Franklin, who runs the poll.

"This would suggest that some Republicans are coming home after having some trouble making up their minds," he said. "The presidential race looks relatively stable but maybe a little bit tighter."

The new numbers illustrate what political analysts are increasingly asserting in the days before the election: Wisconsin is a necessary state to win. Both campaigns have increased the frequency of their events in the state the last two weeks with more stops planned ahead of Nov. 8.

This month's poll, the last before the Nov. 8 election, has narrowed the gap between the presidential candidates slightly. Clinton led Trump by seven points earlier this month in a poll conducted just after a 2005 video tape of his comments about women surfaced.

Women in Wisconsin maintained a preference for Clinton over Trump. The latest poll found women preferred Clinton 50 percent to Trump at 41 percent. Among Republicans, 86 percent of men versus 76 percent of women supported Trump. Clinton also maintained her edge among likely non-Hispanic white voters with a college degree, 46 percent to Trump's 39 percent, according to the latest poll.

The Oct. 12 Marquette University Law School Poll from found that 44 percent of likely voters supported Clinton and 37 percent supported Trump. Clinton's lead was narrowest in September, when the Marquette poll showed her with 41 percent of the vote to Trump's 38 percent.

Polls have been giving Clinton an edge in Wisconsin for months, though the margin has wavered, according to Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight election forecast.

Silver puts Clinton's chances of winning the state at 79.5 percent, as of 2 p.m. Wednesday.

A poll released Oct. 30 by Remington Research Group on behalf of the Republican consulting firm Axiom Strategies showed Clinton with a four point lead in Wisconsin, with 46 percent to Trump's 42 percent of the vote.
By Norihiko Shirouzu

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Swedish car maker Volvo announced on Wednesday moves deepening cooperation with its Chinese parent Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co - a tie-up that's shaping up to show that China can make a success of buying consumer brands.

Volvo's global chief executive Hakan Samuelsson and Geely Chairman Li Shufu said the two firms will soon start producing cars at a joint assembly plant in Taizhou, in eastern Zhejiang province.

The plant, operated by Volvo and expected to start gradually ramping up production this quarter, will produce compact cars based on an "advanced" vehicle architecture the two companies have jointly developed in Sweden. Both Volvo and Geely are expected to produce small cars at the plant based on that Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform - for both domestic and export markets.

Volvo is trying to create "synergies and economies of scale", Samuelsson said in Shanghai on Wednesday, "by sharing development-intensive components: engines, transmissions, suspension parts and brakes", and by sharing manufacturing facilities.

The effort won't "dilute" or "jeopardize" the identities of the two car brands, he said.

On Wednesday, Volvo also unveiled two stretched variants of its recently launched large S90 premium sedan, including the S90 Excellence. It will build both S90 variants at its assembly plant in Daqing in northeastern China, for sale in China and abroad.

Samuelsson and other Volvo officials said Volvo will make China a global production hub for the S90 and its long-wheel base variants. While some production of those cars will likely remain in Europe the company over time will produce in China a majority of those cars it sells globally.

Volvo began exporting its China-made cars last year, shipping its S60 Inscription to the United States.

The Taizhou plant will be Volvo's third assembly site in China, along with Daqing and one in Chengdu in western China. The car maker also has two plants in Europe, and is building a new plant in South Carolina in the United States.

Story continues

RISING SALES

Geely raised auto industry eyebrows when it bought Volvo from Ford (F.N) for $1.8 billion six years ago. Few saw any obvious synergies in marrying a premium Western marquee with a Chinese entry brand.

But the two appear to be making it work.

Cooperating on buying parts, developing technologies and boosting capacity, sales of both brands have risen.

Volvo increased its third-quarter sales in both China and the United States by more than a fifth, and July-September operating profit jumped 62 percent to 2.07 billion Swedish crowns ($232.5 million).

Geely sold more than half a million cars last year, up 22 percent, and sales in the first nine months of this year were already at nearly 460,000 cars.

"Moving production from Sweden to China, and sharing manufacturing processes and components has been a positive for both Geely and Volvo from a cost savings perspective," said James Chao, Asia-Pacific chief for consulting and research firm IHS Markit Automotive.

"It makes sense especially as they upgrade the Geely product line-up with the new Lynk brand, as well as through tangible product improvements, which should help protect the Volvo brand from association with a lower cost brand."

Geely said this month it will use the jointly developed compact car CMA platform for a new brand called Lynk & Co, which will begin production next year for the Chinese market and start exporting to Europe and the United States in 2018.

PREMIUM IMAGE

Chao at IHS said that despite the signs of progress in the partnership, the process of integrating Volvo has been slower than he expected. "So far, I'd grade it a 'B'," he said.

Geely insiders acknowledge that Volvo wants to keep some distance between the two brands, fearing that too close a manufacturing tie-up could risk diluting its premium image.

And, the insiders note, there is still some disconnect as to just how premium Volvo's premium cars should be for the Chinese market, with Geely Chairman Li said to want a more upscale model to compete with BMW (BMWG.DE), Audi (NSUG.DE), Mercedes-Benz (DAIGn.DE).

A Volvo spokesman said there is no disagreement on the need for a large premium sedan for Volvo. "The S90 large sedan is an area we need to move into in order to be credible in the premium sector," the spokesman said.

(Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell and Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Vulcan Materials Companys VMC third-quarter 2016 adjusted earnings of $1.01 per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.12 by 9.8%. However, the bottom line increased 9.8% from the prior-year quarter on the back of robust margins.



Total revenue of $1,008 million also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,109 million by 9.1%. Sales also decreased 3% from the prior-year quarter.



Third-quarter 2016 results were hurt by slower-than-expected large project starts and the impact of extremely wet weather conditions on shipments in several key markets.



Adjusted gross margin of 35.2% increased 200 basis points (bps). Adjusted EBITDA increased 6.1% year over year to $300.97 million as gross profit margins improved at the Aggregates and Asphalt segments.

VULCAN MATLS CO Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

VULCAN MATLS CO Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | VULCAN MATLS CO Quote

Segment Details



Aggregates



Revenues declined 1% year over year to $822 million. Freight-adjusted revenues jumped 2% year over year to $641 million.



A noticeable slowdown in the trailing twelve month construction starts in March, the timing of certain large projects, and unfavorable weather patterns led to highly variable third-quarter shipment results across Vulcan-served markets.



Aggregates shipments (volumes) decreased 4% owing to gradual recovery in private and public demand across end-markets.



Freight-adjusted average sales price climbed 8%.



Adjusted gross profit margin of 40.8% increased 90 bps compared to the prior-year quarter.



Non-Aggregates



Total revenue in the Concrete segment was $91.1 million, up 3.6% year over year. Concrete segment gross profit was $9 million in the quarter compared with $10 million in the prior-year quarter. Sales volumes were flat with the prior-year quarter level as higher volumes in Arizona and Georgia helped offset lower volumes in Maryland, Texas and Virginia.



Revenues at the Asphalt Mix segment were $157.4 million, down 11.9% owing to a decrease in volume. Asphalt segment gross profit was $33 million versus $30 million a year ago. Volumes decreased 11%. However, solid sales and operating disciplines as well as effective materials margin management made up for the volume decline.



Total revenue at the Calcium segment (formerly Cement) was $2.4 million, compared with $2.2 million in the prior-year quarter. The Calcium segment reported gross profit of $0.8 million, in line with the prior-year quarter figure



Guidance



Although the company did not issue any firm guidance, it expects to see broad-based volume and pricing growth accompanied by continued margin expansion in 2017.



Vulcan Materials carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).



Upcoming Releases



Here are some companies in the construction sector that are scheduled to report third-quarter results soon.



Summit Materials, Inc. SUM is slated to report third-quarter 2016 results on Nov 2. Third-quarter earnings are expected to grow 2.44%.

Story continues

Quanta Services, Inc. PWR is expected to report third-quarter 2016 results on Nov 3. Earnings are expected to grow 87.83%



D.R.Horton, Inc.s DHI third-quarter earnings is expected to increase 20.4%. The company is scheduled to release results on Nov 8.

You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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* Board to convene Friday on Nov 18 budget meeting -sources

* VW executives, labour haggling over cost cuts, investments

* VW, works council decline comment (Adds detail and background throughout)

BERLIN, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Volkswagen's supervisory board will hold an extraordinary meeting on Friday, Nov. 4, to consult on a wide-ranging restructuring of the carmaker, two sources close to the board told Reuters on Wednesday.

Management and labour leaders are seeking to agree on cost cuts and investments that will form part of the German carmaker's efforts to revive its fortunes more than a year after the diesel emissions scandal broke.

Two weeks before the supervisory board is scheduled to ratify spending plans for the multi-brand group through 2021, the sheer number of issues facing the 20-member panel on Nov. 18 made the extraordinary meeting necessary, the sources said, adding no decisions were expected to be made.

VW and the group's works council declined to comment.

Europe's largest carmaker is under pressure to make cuts at high-cost operations in Germany to help to pay for a shift to electric cars and autonomous driving while still dealing with billions of euros in costs for the emissions scandal.

Herbert Diess, head of Volkswagen's (VW) namesake brand, wants to cut annual costs at the troubled division by 3.7 billion euros ($4.11 billion) through 2021 in a so-called future pact with workers, sources familiar with the negotiations told Reuters last month.

But VW's powerful works council, whose members occupy almost half the seats on the supervisory board, have said they will not back retrenchments without a commitment from management to fixed targets and quotas for products, output and investment.

When announcing VW's post-dieselgate transformation plan in June, Chief Executive Matthias Mueller said the overhaul would require a double-digit billion amount of investment, funded by an efficiency drive aimed at delivering around 8 billion euros in annual savings.

German business daily Handelsblatt, which was first to report the extraordinary meeting, said VW's two profit engines Audi and Porsche will be under particular pressure to cut costs.

($1 = 0.9011 euros) (Reporting by Andreas Cremer; Writing by Christoph Steitz; Editing by Alexander Smith)
By Manolo Serapio Jr and Neil Jerome Morales

MANILA, Nov 2 (Reuters) - In four years, Ivan Rey Tan worked with seven Philippine businesses. From a doughnut shop to a baby products store, the firms only hired workers on short-term contracts to rein in costs, and none of his jobs lasted longer than five months.

Tan is among 28 million Filipinos employed on short-term contracts, an astonishing 70 percent of the Asian nation's workforce. Now, new President Rodrigo Duterte's government is aiming to bar the employ-on-contract practice because it offers no job security, health or other benefits and tramples on workers' rights.

The government is still to amend any of the labour laws, but Duterte has already warned employers to stop hiring workers on such contracts.

His plans have not created as much of a furore as his controversial war on drugs, but employers in one of the world's fastest growing economies are up in arms. They say ending short-term contracts would mean up to 30 percent additional costs for businesses, forcing them to hire fewer people and driving away prospective investors.

If the state forces all companies to make all their employees permanent, "we will bring the government to court," said Donald Dee, head of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines. "You cannot do that."

"In today's business environment, there is no such thing" as permanent employment, Dee said. "If they push that, no madman would do business here."

Other employers said pushing the reform could mean a downturn in the Philippines' enviable rate of economic growth, which at 7 percent in the second quarter was among the highest in the world.

Philippine law allows employers to hire workers to meet demand at peak times. These contracts typically span five months to avoid a six-month rule that would require employers to make an employee permanent.

The practice is popularly called "endo", an abbreviation of "end of contract".

In 2011, the labour agency allowed companies to engage contractors to supply workers for short-term jobs, helping spread the practice of "endo" to job-intensive sectors such as retailing and manufacturing.

Story continues

Duterte has said he wants the number of jobs with these contracts halved by year-end and eradicated next year.

There are pending bills in Congress to end such contractual work in what would be the first overhaul of the Philippines' labour law since 1989 but no legislation has yet been passed.

Nevertheless, Duterte ordered an inspection of all companies shortly after assuming office on June 30, warning that any company that would not end short-term contracts risked closure.

"You will not only lose your money, you will lose your pants," Duterte said on Aug. 1. "You are creating a very serious dissension in the society."

COSTS COULD CLIMB

Duterte has a "tendency to be really forthcoming and forceful," said Edmund Tayao, a political science professor at the University of Santo Tomas.

"Regardless what the president says, if there are legal options available for business groups, then they have every reason to fight it," said Tayao.

"But of course, if you are a businessman and you would like to have less headaches, you'd try as much as possible to comply."

Labour Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod estimated that up to 70 percent of the country's 39-40 million workforce are on short-term contracts.

"A worker is not a commodity, a machinery or instrument of production. We should respect their dignity," said Maglunsod, a former labour rights activist.

"Contractualisation is a neo-liberal policy, an attack on the livelihood, salary and jobs of workers," he said in an interview.

Although it's just four months into Duterte's term, 16,626 contract workers have been made regular staff, said Maglunsod.

But Dole Food Company, one of the firms that the labour agency said had recently made 554 contractual staff in its banana cultivation business permanent, was unsure where the agency got its number from.

"While we hire workers as needed from time to time, we haven't hired such a large number of workers at one time in the recent past," Dole lawyer Marianne Aniceto said in response to a Reuters query. But she said Dole outsources "certain services to cooperatives."

Maglunsod said the government also hired workers on contract and more than 50 percent of state employees were short-term. "There's budget to do it (make them permanent) if the government wants to," he said.

The labour reform plan "can increase the operating cost in certain industries which are very labour intensive," said Barclays Bank economist Rahul Bajoria.

To limit any potential economic damage, the government could resort to imposing fines and penalties "rather than shutting down certain businesses that would be negative for the economy because you're directly putting people out of jobs," Bajoria said.

Tan, who has worked at seven jobs in four years, said he was happier now that he was employed at a toy store which signed him up to a longer, one-year term through a contractor.

But Duterte was clear he wants contract jobs gone for good, warning all companies in August: "If you do not take care of the workers, then I cannot take care of you." (Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Imagine you are a U.S. citizen living in California. One morning you read in the paper, hear in church or see posted on telephone poles that you have two weeks to sell your land and belongings, keeping only what you can carry, and report to a "relocation center." Now imagine that you've been singled out - labeled a National Security Concern - not because of anything you've said or done, but simply because of who you are. This isn't a scene from some dystopian fantasy or the logline of an upcoming Warner Bros. movie - it's exactly what happened to my parents and grandparents, less than 75 years ago. My mother, Miyeko, was 16 when she was put on a train to Poston, Ariz.; my father, Shizou, then 22 or 23, was sent to Amache, Colo.

As most of us learned in middle school, nearly 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry - two-thirds of them American citizens - were rounded up and forcibly incarcerated after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor during World War II. Decades later, a government study confirmed that the cause had been racism, not legitimate security concerns, and the U.S. apologized. But the scars remained.

Bettmann/Getty Images

Unfortunately, some of the rhetoric that's part of the current political climate sounds hauntingly similar to what my parents and grandparents faced in 1942. During the past year, legitimate concerns about economic opportunity, national security and other pressing issues have been hijacked by people who want to blame immigrants or people of different faiths or ethnic backgrounds for their troubles. Loose talk about "building a wall," "deportation forces" and "banning Muslims" has become common, and hate speech is on the rise. According to a new report by the Anti-Defamation League, 2.6 million anti-Semitic messages were posted on Twitter from August 2015 to July 2016.

Sadly, we have been down this path before, and it doesn't solve our problems. It undermines the very values that set this country apart - and we always regret it. America is a nation founded by and made great by immigrants. Immigrants fleeing persecution, poverty and hopelessness, who came here in search of the American Dream. Growing up, I had the opportunity to see that dream in action, which is why, in my mind, it's not just a story or a concept - it's a reality. In America, you can come from any walk of life and create a better life for yourself and your family.

Story continues

Even after they were interned, my father and uncles, all born in the U.S., joined the armed forces. Yes, it was a way out of the camp. But more importantly, it was a way for them to support the war effort and defend their country: the United States of America. Following the war, despite being citizens and veterans, they struggled to find meaningful employment. Adding insult to injury, they felt shame for having been sent to a camp, shame that they were somehow different from other Americans. But my father didn't become embittered; he became determined. He started a business, raised a family and sent five children to college. My parents never wanted us to feel different from the other kids around us. And we didn't. We were Americans.

Today, that sense of belonging is something I want for all of us. When President Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, granting reparations to Japanese-Americans, he recalled "that blood that has soaked into the sands of a beach is all of one color. America stands unique in the world, the only country not founded on race, but a way, an ideal." That still holds true today.

I'm sad that my father wasn't alive to see me become CEO of Warner Bros. I know he would have been shocked, not because he didn't think I was qualified for the job, but because he never would have thought I'd have that opportunity. I wish I had the chance to show him that everything he taught us about this country, about the American Dream, was right - as long as we're still willing to stand up for it.

This story first appeared in the Nov. 11 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.

Read more: Black Santa and Hip-Hop 'Oliver Twist': Disney's Diversity Push
By Tom Miles GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization's battle to eradicate Guinea worm is being hampered by conflict and infections in dogs but cases have fallen to just 17 so far in 2016, the doctor leading the fight told Reuters on Wednesday. The debilitating parasite afflicted 3.5 million people 30 years ago but is now endemic in only four countries: South Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia and Mali. "Globally we have never been so close to Guinea worm eradication as now," Dieudonne Sankara said. "It will be a colossal achievement." Victory over the worm, which grows up to a meter long before emerging through the skin and which lays its eggs in water, has been repeatedly delayed. But Mali has had no cases this year, while South Sudan has had five, Ethiopia two and Chad 10. Although the decline in the global number of cases has leveled off, one worm can cause 80 new cases after its incubation period of 10-14 months, so keeping cases low signals the battle is being won. But the security situation in the endemic countries is a complicating factor, as health workers and volunteers often venture hundreds of kilometers into lawless areas, said Ashok Moloo, a WHO information officer. Another challenge was the discovery that dogs - mainly around the Chari river in Chad, but also in the other countries - were picking up Guinea worm infections too. That required a new fight, to control the disease among the dog population. In 2015, more than 500 dogs in Chad, 13 in Ethiopia, and one each in Mali and South Sudan, were reported with emerging Guinea worms. Moloo said WHO was optimistic that the dog problem had peaked, although the incubation period meant it was premature to be sure, and the new challenges were unexpected. "People warned us a few years ago: 'You're moving fast, but you will see'," said Sankara. "And now we are seeing." (Reporting by Tom Miles; Editing by Catherine Evans)
Bruno Mars is an Adele fan, but he's a superfan of the song they wrote together.

During a visit to the BBC 1 Live Lounge on Wednesday (Nov. 2), Mars covered Adele's heartbreaking ballad "All I Ask," which he wrote with the British superstar. While Mars kept the melody the same as Adele's beltable tune, he added a little Bruno flair with jazzy electronic sounds and effortless swag on the major notes.

His biggest moment during the cover came at the end, when Mars began an impressive run of high notes building up to a powerful finish on the word "again." But according to his recent interview with Rolling Stone, Mars' favorite part is the line "Take me by the hand while we do what lovers do" because of the songwriting story behind it.

"We were aiming for that big, diva, ballad thing -- that's what I envisioned," he explained to the magazine. "But 'lovers'? I don't know if anybody really says 'lovers.' 'Yeah, we're lovers.' 'This is my lover.' I was like, 'Should we rethink that?'"

Insisting that Adele was "so gangster" about Mars' suggestion, he revealed that she quickly shot him down. "She was like, 'Nope. That's what it has to be.' And she was right. It's this grand word that makes the song bigger because no one says it. Because nobody talks like that, it pops out."

Adding to the fanboying, Mars admitted that he'll bust out in the song in his spare time. "Sometimes I play it on the piano, and I look forward to singing that part," he said. "It's f---ing perfect."

Watch Mars' cover of "All I Ask" below:
A cat thats been stuck on a water tower in Weld County, Colorado, for at least four days is at the center of a difficult rescue operation on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, K99 News reported that the LaSalle Fire Department apparently didnt have a ladder long enough to reach the feline and that they were looking for someone who has the proper equipment to get to the cat.

Denver 7 News, who also reported the story, said the first sighting of the feline came on Sunday afternoon.

We normally give them two or three days to come down by themselves, LaSalle Police chief Carl Harvey told the station. This cat has tried at least twice to come down, but didnt make it.

Since its been stuck there for quite some time, officials are said to be worried about the cats health. Harvey told Denver 7 that two groups offered to rescue the cat for a hefty $2,800 to $4,600 price tag.

Thats not an option, Harvey said.

The station reports that a technical rescue team from Fort Collins agreed to lend a hand on Wednesday.

We are still working on solving this issue as we speak, Bear Hulsey, operations manager for the LaSalle Fire Department, told PEOPLE in an email Wednesday morning.




From Cosmopolitan

Viral wedding proposals are an exhaustive genre - from flash mobs to selfies that take an unexpected turn, aspiring spouses have done it all. And yet it is still heartwarming to see someone surprised by an offer of marriage and overcome with happiness, as Captain Dooley Elliss girlfriend seemed to be when the pilot proposed to her over the intercom on a Qantas Airlines flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles. "Shes traveling back to South America now to visit her family, and I want to make sure she comes back to me in Australia," the pilot began. "So now that I have her complete attention, Ana: Quieres consarte conmigo?" He then helpfully translated his question for non-Spanish-speaking passengers and headed into the cabin to get Anas response.

Watch the video, posted yesterday by the airline, and feel your cold heart warm. Hope you go back to Australia too, Ana!

Follow Hayley on Twitter.

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Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f269256%2fsharkattack

No shark should silently creep up on humans  they should announce their presence with the Jaws theme song.

Derik Boshar, an American tourist, recently watched in horror as a shark quietly swam under surfers in Byron Bay, Australia. While the surfers swam away untouched, video footage of the event reveals just how close they came to a deadly encounter.

SEE ALSO: Clever Buoys: Shark-detecting tech to patrol Aussie beaches

Boshar watched as the shark made its way to the surfers and beachgoers began to call for the authorities.

"We were looking down at all the surfers having a good time, and we saw this shark. It just slowly moves in towards the surfers and you can kinda of hear some people in the background say, 'We should warn them," Broshar told The Northern Star.

The shark hovered around the surfers for a minute, but left after one surfer went over it with his board.

Though shark attacks are relatively rare, Byron Bay has experienced close to 20 shark attacks, resulting in three deaths, since 1990.

Just another great reason to never go into the water/leave your house again.

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US Coast Guard narco sub cocaine drug seizure smuggling

The US Coast Guard reported a record cocaine haul in 2016  more than 416,000 pounds, significantly exceeding the previous record of 367,700 pounds intercepted in 2008.

The haul was seized during 263 Coast Guard counterdrug operations during the last fiscal year, which ran from October 1, 2015, to September 30 this year.

The total wholesale value of the cocaine seized was $5.6 billion, according to the Coast Guard, which said it detained 585 suspects in FY2016, another record that bested the 503 detained in FY2015.

Of the suspects detained this past fiscal year, 465 of them were transferred to the US for prosecution  up from 373 last year.

In the video below, the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Waesche unloads 39,000 pounds of cocaine on October 27, a drug load seized in international waters of the coast of Central and South America.

The crew of the Waesche intercepted a self-propelled semisubmersible (SPSS)  a vessel often called a narco sub  carrying 5,600 pounds of cocaine on September 6.

The seizure was the first SPSS captured by the Waesche during FY2016 and the sixth captured by the Coast Guard during the same period.

The crew of Waesche pursued the SPSS with the aid of an armed helicopter crew, eventually catching it and removing five suspects. The people aboard the SPSS apparently tried to sink it, but Coast Guard personnel were able to pump the water out.

US Coast Guard narco sub drug smuggling Pacific Ocean

SPSS vessels are typically hard to detect  their hulls are mostly underwater and only a cockpit and exhaust pipe protrude above water.

Seizures of them are relatively uncommon, but they are believed to carry a significant portion of the illegal narcotics that make it to the US.

Cocaine seizures at US borders nationwide

Story continues

According to a US Foreign Military Studies Office report, 80% of drugs smuggled into the US in 2012 came via maritime routes  and 30% of the drugs that came to the US by sea were carried on narco subs.

The amount of cocaine seized at ground crossings along the US-Mexico border declined by about half between 2011 and 2015.

But over that same period, seizures in other border sectors, particularly maritime borders, have been considerable.

During the last fiscal year, US Coast Guard apprehended more than 250,000 pounds of cocaine, valued at nearly $3.5 billion.

"In an average year, Coast Guard interdictions at-sea amount to more than three times the quality of cocaine seized at U.S. borders and with in the country combines," the Coast Guard said in a release.

Given the immense profits that can be reaped from just one multiton load of cocaine smuggled into the US aboard a narco sub, as well as drug traffickers' apparent enthusiasm for underwater smuggling, it's unlikely that the Coast Guard will run out of drugs to seize any time soon.

NOW WATCH: Why the price of cocaine in America has barely moved in decades





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The Weather Underground Organization was the most famous American radical group committed to political violence in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Starting in the summer of 1970, FBI wanted posters featuring images of Bill Ayers, Bernardine Dohrn and a dozen others were hung prominently in every post office in the United States, and this continued for years.

In retrospect, it seems odd that the Federal Bureau of Investigation elevated a band of about one hundred young people, mostly college students, into a leading place on the Bureaus Most Wanted List. The FBI decision garnered Weatherman a huge amount of publicity and made some of its leaders famous. Yet the Weather organization was minuscule. To be sure, it was almost unique among radicals in that period in using dynamite bombs to protest government war policies, racial unfairness and corporate greed. The Weathermen believed that the evil of these acts warranted an extreme responsein fact, it warranted a revolution. But Weather only set off a total of 25 such bombs during its entire seven years of existence, all of them relatively small. And fully half of those bombs were detonated early on, in 1970. After that, Weatherman on average set off only one bomb every six months, mostly in the bathrooms of government buildings and corporation headquarters.

Yet for years the FBI leadership remained obsessed with capturing the Weathermen, and they remained prominent on the FBI wanted posters. Why? After all, by any rational measure, Weatherman was not an existential threat to the country; it was too small.

True, some of its operations were spectacular: the bombing of the Capitol itself (March 1971), the bombing of the Pentagon (May 1972), the bombing of the State Department (January 1975). Moreover, the Weathermen were determined revolutionaries, not kids out on a lark. They consistently proclaimed their desire to destroy the very system the FBI was sworn to defend. And when in summer 1970 the original decision was made to put some Weatherman leaders onto the Most Wanted List, the FBI believed there were as many as 1,000 Weatherman Underground guerrillas at large in the United States. If that had been the case, Weatherman might have constituted a serious problem for the country; but in fact the FBI overestimated the scale of the Weatherman organization by a factor of tenand panicked.

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And this was not the first time the FBI had miscalculated about Weatherman. Newly released FBI documents show that in the spring of 1969, Washington ordered its civilian informants in Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) to support the National Office faction (that is, Weatherman) against other factions in the organization. At that time, the FBI believedwronglythat Weatherman, because it was countercultural and anarchic, was the least dangerous group in SDS. When the 600-strong Weatherman faction walked out at the SDS national convention in June 1969 and formed the true SDS, among those 600 people were dozens of FBI civilian informants.

By autumn 1971long after they had changed their name to the Weather Undergroundit was clear that the FBI had been exaggerating the scale of the Weather threat; yet the Bureau still committed vast resources to pursuing the group. They diverted hundreds of agents and tens of millions of dollars away from fighting traditional crime. This was partly because of the occasional bombings, but also because the sheer presence of all those young Weathermen faces on all those wanted posters year after year constituted a humiliation to the Bureauand the prestige of the Bureau was part of its power.

On the FBI side, then, bureaucratic interests and imperatives, not merely fears for national security, fostered a disproportionate effort to eradicate the group. Yet the fact is that FBI never permanently caught a single major Weatherman figure.

The Weathermen remained at large until 1977-1980, when most of them simply gave up their revolution and surfaced, resuming lives within mainstream society. There they have lived peacefully (if on the far Left) for the last 40 years.

Why did the Weathermen stand down?

The Weathermen thought of themselves as revolutionariesthat is, not merely as students acting out of anger over Vietnam and racism, but as politically minded organizers. They yearned to expand their numbers beyond a tiny revolutionary cadre. While they worried that the bulk of the white working class was corrupted by relative prosperity, and ineradicable racism which they called white skin privilege, they hoped that in the counterculture, made up of disaffected young people, they might find a constituency capable of eventually empowering their revolutionary project. But the Weatherman bombing policy had not won support even on the extreme Left. Even the Berkeley Tribe, the most radical underground newspaper in the country, publicly warned that lethal bombings would discredit Weatherman and isolate the would-be guerrillas from potential supportersif they killed, they would be alone.

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Yet however large Weathermans constituency of radical students became, it turned out to be too small to be politically effective. By 1974, the leadership realized the problem. In an 186-page book called Prairie Fireclandestinely printed by Weather, and clandestinely distributed with great success, despite the FBIthe leadership concluded that the only way to mount a revolution in the United States was to win over the American working class.

The Prairie Fire Organizing Committee was founded to prepare the way. But Prairie Fire set off an ideological struggle within the Weather organization itself, one that culminated in the spring of 1976 in the triumph of the more radical wing, which insisted on continuing the guerrilla war. From late 1976 onward, those who favored an aboveground mass organizationincluding Jones, Dohrn, and Ayerseither drifted away from Weatherman or were expelled. The charge was rightist deviationism, that is, moderation.

But the new leaderthe elderly Stalinist Clayton van Lydegrafwas utterly incompetent, and the core of his group ended up being caught in 1977 and sent to prison. And over the next three years, the vast majority of the Weathermen, with no serious federal charges now pending against them, came up voluntarily from the underground and returned to mainstream society.

And yet the 60s Movement was, broadly speaking, a success, in that it helped to create a society where there was far more individual choice. Thousands of New Leftists agreed with the Weathermens analysis of what had gone awry in America. The surviving Weathermen are old now, but the last 50 years have seen remarkable progress in black rights, womens rights, gay rights, Hispanic and Asian rights; and to that extent Weathermans violencelimited, as it eventually wasdid not impede that progress. Like the enormous prestige of the FBIwhich proved itself hapless in the pursuit of Weathermanthe myth surrounding this small group is bigger than the reality.

Adapted with permission from Bad Moon Rising: How The Weather Underground Beat the FBI and Lost the Revolution, by Arthur M. Eckstein
From Cosmopolitan

What began with an infomercial and a dream has turned into a damaging class-action lawsuit for the makers of Wen by Chaz Dean haircare products and Wen's parent company Guthy-Renker.

On Monday, according to a report from CBSLA.com, a federal judge in Los Angeles granted preliminary approval of a $26.25 million settlement for the lawsuit. It will next go to a U.S. District Court judge for approval. If approved at that point, 6 million people could get individual settlements ranging from $25 to $20,000, according to The Cut.

The higher awards would go to customers who didn't just buy the cleansing conditioner at the center of the lawsuit, but who suffered side effects such as hair loss.

"From what we understand about the product and how it causes hair loss is it contains virtually no cleanser," attorney Amy Davis told CBS Los Angeles. "Its like using lotion to wash your hair. So instead of removing the product when you rinse it off, it just becomes impacted in your hair follicle."



The Food and Drug Administration, which essentially has no oversight of the beauty industry, is now investigating consumer complaints, which number in the thousands.

In a statement, Wen defended its products: "Wen by Chaz Dean is safe and we continue to provide our hundreds of thousands of customers with the Wen by Chaz Dean products that they know and love. Since the process of litigation is time consuming and costly, we made a business decision to pursue a settlement and put this behind us so that we can focus on delivering quality products."

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By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey on Wednesday blasted Mylan NV's announced $465 million settlement with the U.S. Justice Department over the drugmaker's classification of its lifesaving allergy treatment EpiPen as a generic, saying the amount was "woefully deficient." The department has not acknowledged such a deal almost a month after Mylan announced it, and department spokeswoman Nicole Navas declined to comment on Wednesday. A spokesperson for Mylan did not respond to requests for comment. In a Nov. 2 letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Morrisey said there were no reports that such a deal had been finalized. But he urged the department to reject the $465 million figure because it "does not nearly pay for the damage done by Mylan." Mylan has come under fire for hiking the price of EpiPen to more than $600 for a package of two in less than a decade. Mylan's Oct. 7 announcement about the settlement came just months after congressional scrutiny into the issue began. For years, the company had classified EpiPen as a generic drug instead of a branded one, resulting in smaller rebates to state and federal Medicaid programs. Morrisey said Mylan should not be allowed to receive a "windfall after flagrantly defrauding the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program." The Medicaid rebate for a generic is 13 percent compared with a minimum 23.1 percent for a branded drug. Morrisey in August started conducting an investigation into the rebates and antitrust concerns as to whether Mylan took steps to block market competition. The probe became public in September after Morrisey filed an action against Mylan for allegedly refusing to comply with a subpoena. Curtis Johnson, a spokesman for his office, confirmed the investigation was still ongoing. The New York Attorney General is also investigating whether Mylan broke antitrust laws in writing contracts to provide EpiPens to school systems. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Acting Administrator Andrew Slavitt revealed in an Oct. 5 letter to lawmakers that the centers had on "multiple occasions" provided guidance to the industry and Mylan about the proper classification of drugs. Until Oct. 7, the company had not told shareholders about the possible misclassification of the EpiPen or the pending settlement with the Justice Department. That day, Mylan also revealed that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission had launched an investigation and was seeking copies of its communications with the centers and documents related to the Medicaid rebate program. Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican, plans to hold a hearing on Nov. 30 to scrutinize the terms of the purported settlement. One topic that could also come up at the hearing is the question of how EpiPen price spikes have affected the U.S. military's spending. Last week, Reuters reported that nearly half of the Pentagon's spending on EpiPens was at retail pharmacies, which do not give the same government discounts as medical treatment centers. As a result, Pentagon spending on EpiPens rose to $57 million over the past year, from $9 million in 2008. Grassley, as well as Senate Democrats Amy Klobuchar and Richard Blumenthal, have responded by sending letters to the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs seeking further details to determine whether they might be owed rebates. On Tuesday, 17 U.S. Senate Democrats sent a letter to Mylan asking a variety of questions and demanding copies of all of the guidance that Mylan received from the centers about the classification since 2007, when Mylan acquired the company that owned the EpiPen. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; additional reporting by Caroline Humer in New York; Editing by Richard Chang)
(Adds letter from lawmakers about impact of EpiPen price increases on U.S. military)

By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey on Wednesday blasted Mylan NV's announced $465 million settlement with the U.S. Justice Department over the drugmaker's classification of its lifesaving allergy treatment EpiPen as a generic, saying the amount was "woefully deficient."

The department has not acknowledged such a deal almost a month after Mylan announced it, and department spokeswoman Nicole Navas declined to comment on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for Mylan did not respond to requests for comment.

In a Nov. 2 letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Morrisey said there were no reports that such a deal had been finalized. But he urged the department to reject the $465 million figure because it "does not nearly pay for the damage done by Mylan."

Mylan has come under fire for hiking the price of EpiPen to more than $600 for a package of two in less than a decade. Mylan's Oct. 7 announcement about the settlement came just months after congressional scrutiny into the issue began.

For years, the company had classified EpiPen as a generic drug instead of a branded one, resulting in smaller rebates to state and federal Medicaid programs.

Morrisey said Mylan should not be allowed to receive a "windfall after flagrantly defrauding the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program."

The Medicaid rebate for a generic is 13 percent compared with a minimum 23.1 percent for a branded drug.

Morrisey in August started conducting an investigation into the rebates and antitrust concerns as to whether Mylan took steps to block market competition. The probe became public in September after Morrisey filed an action against Mylan for allegedly refusing to comply with a subpoena.

Curtis Johnson, a spokesman for his office, confirmed the investigation was still ongoing.

The New York Attorney General is also investigating whether Mylan broke antitrust laws in writing contracts to provide EpiPens to school systems.

Story continues

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Acting Administrator Andrew Slavitt revealed in an Oct. 5 letter to lawmakers that the centers had on "multiple occasions" provided guidance to the industry and Mylan about the proper classification of drugs.

Until Oct. 7, the company had not told shareholders about the possible misclassification of the EpiPen or the pending settlement with the Justice Department.

That day, Mylan also revealed that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission had launched an investigation and was seeking copies of its communications with the centers and documents related to the Medicaid rebate program.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican, plans to hold a hearing on Nov. 30 to scrutinize the terms of the purported settlement. One topic that could also come up at the hearing is the question of how EpiPen price spikes have affected the U.S. military's spending.

Last week, Reuters reported that nearly half of the Pentagon's spending on EpiPens was at retail pharmacies, which do not give the same government discounts as medical treatment centers.

As a result, Pentagon spending on EpiPens rose to $57 million over the past year, from $9 million in 2008.

Grassley, as well as Senate Democrats Amy Klobuchar and Richard Blumenthal, have responded by sending letters to the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs seeking further details to determine whether they might be owed rebates.

On Tuesday, 17 U.S. Senate Democrats sent a letter to Mylan asking a variety of questions and demanding copies of all of the guidance that Mylan received from the centers about the classification since 2007, when Mylan acquired the company that owned the EpiPen.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; additional reporting by Caroline Humer in New York; Editing by Richard Chang)
On the air, it's business as usual for Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show. But behind the scenes, the NBC late-night leader is adapting to the exits of two longtime power players in as many weeks.

First, producer-writer Gavin Purcell, a force on Fallon's digital team, jumped to Vox Media. Then, on Oct. 24, showrunner Josh Lieb, who had been with Fallon since his move to 11:35 p.m. in February 2014, left for a Universal Television deal. Filling Lieb's shoes are three Tonight producers: Gerard Bradford and Mike DiCenzo, who will handle creative efforts, and supervising producer Katie Hockmeyer, who will oversee production.

Tonight continues to far outpace the competition on ABC (Jimmy Kimmel) and CBS (Stephen Colbert) in adults 18-to-49 and total viewers, and it remains the top late-night-show channel on YouTube and Facebook. But the election season has boosted buzz for his rivals and their barbed political humor while Fallon mostly has made headlines for his softball treatment of Donald Trump. (At the same time, CBS' James Corden is building web momentum for his stunts and Carpool Karaoke franchise.)

Perhaps recognizing an image tweak is in order, Purcell's and Lieb's exits coincide with Fallon switching personal publicists from Claire Mercuri to Matthew Hiltzik, known as a crisis manager for Brad Pitt and Ryan Lochte (as well as noncrisis clients like Katie Couric). Hiltzik declined comment.

This story first appeared in the Nov. 11 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.

Read more: 'Tonight Show' Showrunner Josh Lieb Exits for Overall Deal With Universal Television
Missoula, Montana Highlights the

Inanity of "Universal Background Checks"

By Robert Farago. October 31st, 2016

"Universal background checks" are the Holy Grail of the civilian disarmament movement. No surprise there. Under the system, all private firearm sales and transfers must go through an FBI background check from a federally licensed firearm (FFL) dealer. The government then has a paper record of every firearm sale between private individuals and those initiated by FFL dealers, including the firearm type and the buyer's and seller's name, address and ethnic identity.

Which is why UBC opponents call UBC's "universal gun registration" -- enabling as they do the possibility of government gun confiscation/prohibition. Even if you reject that slippery slope argument, there's no question that UBC's add extra time and expense to private firearms sales.

For the gun control crowd that's a feature not a bug. For anyone who values their right to keep and bear arms, it's government infringement.

On October 27, the Missoula, Montana City Council enacted an ordinance mandating "universal background checks." As abcfoxmontana.com reports, the people at the sharp end are none too happy with the new law.

Here's how it works:



If a gun owner wants to sell a gun, he must bring that gun to a federally licensed firearm dealer. The dealer then essentially takes ownership of the gun while he does a background check on the buyer. If that buyer fails the background check, the dealer now has to do a background check on the gun owner in order to return the gun to him. If the owner fails the background check, now the dealer is left with a gun he doesn't want and he's out all the time he invested in getting the background checks.



That's why many gun shops are saying they are choosing not to participate.



"We run into a major logistical nightmare. And it's not good business sense. We're going to tie up more time and energy into the entire situation then we could deem even charging a fee to do that for the public. So just from a business standpoint, it does not make good sense for us," says Bob Burton, manager of Grizzly Gold & Silver.



According to the fine-print of the ordinance, guns shops are allowed to choose to opt in or out.

So what if all of Missoula's federally-licensed gun stores and FFLs in the surrounding areas opt out? ......

Anti-gun law makers seem to be obsessed with background checks as one of their main missions, despite the fact that there is very little evidence that they have any appreciable effect on the criminal use of firearms. As usual, the good guys who seek to ignore such mandates finish up themselves as potential criminals. It is obvious to most that a detailed database of lawful transactions is one step closer to fascilitating gun confiscation - itself the anti's true Holy Grail.

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Where can undocumented immigrants go for health care?

None of the 11.2 million undocumented immigrants who the government estimates are in the country are eligible for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Neither are the 728,000 young unauthorized immigrants -- commonly known as "Dreamers" -- who are protected from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

A relatively small number of undocumented immigrants, perhaps in the tens of thousands, obtain health insurance through private employers. Unauthorized immigrants who are the victims of certain crimes -- such as domestic violence -- can apply for psychotherapy services they need in connection with that specific offense, says Yesenia Acosta, an immigration and employment attorney based in Los Angeles.

[See: How to Find the Best Mental Health Professional for You.]

Many undocumented immigrants who are college students have the option of obtaining health insurance through a student health plan. Many universities offer such plans for students who do not have insurance (some universities require students to have some form of insurance) and school officials typically do not require proof of immigration status. Five states -- California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and Washington -- and the District of Columbia offer health insurance coverage to undocumented children younger than 18. Unauthorized immigrants can also buy health insurance directly from brokers, but because they are not eligible for the subsidies provided under the Affordable Care Act, such insurance is usually prohibitively costly.

These health care options cover relatively few of the unauthorized immigrants in the country, says Daniel Ehlke, assistant professor of health policy and management at SUNY Downstate School of Public Health. To obtain health care, the vast majority of undocumented immigrants can turn to these resources for help:

1. Community health clinics. The nationwide network of about 1,400 community health clinics provides an array of basic health services, including basic dental care, to unauthorized immigrants. North County Health Services, which runs 13 health centers in northern San Diego County and one in Riverside County, California, provides treatment for diabetes, heart disease, cancer screenings, high blood pressure, tests for sexually-transmitted diseases and dental care. Officials at the health centers do not ask people for proof of immigration status, and they charge nominal fees, based on a sliding scale, for health care. Depending on the treatment and the patient's income, officials at these clinics charge $25, $45 or $75 per service, says Irma Cota, chief executive officer of North County Health Services. The prices are slightly higher for dental care, which is more expensive. Community health clinics do not turn away patients because of an inability to pay; they treat some indigent people at no charge.

Story continues

[See: Here's How People in 8 Other Countries Stay Healthy.]

2. Free medical and dental school clinics. Many large medical schools provide free health care through clinics staffed by medical and dental students, who are supervised by physicians who are part of the university's faculty. At a building that once housed the District of Columbia's now-defunct public hospital, Georgetown Medical School students run the HOYA Clinic, providing health care to poor patients, including undocumented immigrants.

The facility takes patients two nights a week and provides many of the services available at community health centers, says Dr. Eileen Moore, the clinic's medical director and associate dean for community education and advocacy at Georgetown University's School of Medicine. The clinic treats many Hispanic immigrants from Central America, but also large numbers of patients from Africa and the Middle East, says Sarah Schuessler, a second-year medical student who volunteers at the clinic. The clinic uses a translation service to communicate with patients who speak little or no English. When they are serving such a patient, the clinic's doctors call the service, and a translator helps the physicians and patient communicate. There are about 1,200 free clinics nationwide, according to the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics.

3. Hospital emergency rooms. Under federal law, hospitals that receive federal funding -- and most do -- are required to care for patients who need emergency care, regardless of their immigration status or whether they are insured, Ehlke says. Hospital officials must provide care until the patient is stabilized, but not beyond that point. Hospitals also must develop a release plan for such patients.

For some undocumented patients, community and free clinics provide the only care available to battle a deadly disease. For example, Morena, a Salvadoran trans-woman, fled her native El Salvador in 2014 after gang members beat her twice to extort money from her and threatened her life. She arrived in the District of Columbia that year without documentation and began getting services at Whitman-Walker Health, a community health clinic in the city. A routine checkup in the summer of 2016 revealed she had contracted the HIV virus. Morena says she was devastated, but the clinic quickly provided counseling and medication, and she's determined to fight her disease. "I don't know what I'd do without the clinic," says Morena, who declined to provide her real name because she fears gang members may retaliate against her relatives in El Salvador.

Community health clinics and free facilities can only serve a fraction of the undocumented population. If the government's estimate of the number of undocumented immigrants in the country is right, there is about one community health clinic for every 85,000 unauthorized immigrants, and one free health facility for every 100,000 undocumented immigrants. While community and free clinics do a commendable job providing services to unauthorized immigrants and others, the health care resources available for undocumented immigrants are insufficient to cover the need, says Mario Russell, the director of immigrant refugee services for Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of New York, which encompasses New York City and several nearby counties. The number of facilities that provide primary care to unauthorized immigrants is insufficient, and many immigrants don't know where to find these resources, Russell says. Once a week, Catholic Charities in New York provides a clinic for undocumented immigrants, helping them find services, including health care. "We don't have clinics and doctors, but we have case managers who can help people navigate access to a clinic or a hospital," Russell says.

[See: Here's What People Eat for Breakfast in 9 Other Countries.]

The dearth of health care options for unauthorized immigrants harms their health and costs the public more as people seek medical attention at hospital emergency rooms for conditions that might have been prevented or managed, says Gabrielle Lessard, a senior policy attorney at the Los Angeles-based National Immigration Law Center. "The lack of access to ongoing coordinated care undermines people's ability to manage chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure," Lessard says. "This results in costly, inefficient service delivery and needless human suffering."

Ruben Castaneda is a Health & Wellness reporter at U.S. News. You can follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn or reach him at rcastaneda@usnews.com.
It may be early days in their relationship, but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have focused attention on the protocol behind royal marriages.

Should things continue to get serious, though, Markles divorce has been raised as a possible impediment. (Markles marriage to producer Trevor Engelson ended in 2013; they were officially divorced the following year.)

Its not.

Harrys father Prince Charles was himself divorced from Princess Diana before marrying Camilla in 2005. She too had been divorcedshowing that the royals view of marriage and divorce had evolved with the times.

But it wasnt always that way. In the late 1990s and into the 2000s, Queen Elizabeth took years to signal that she approved of her sons new union. When they finally wed, it was in a civil ceremony rather than a church. Still, the Queen and the extended family were witnesses to the blessing that followed in St. Georges Chapel in Windsor.

In the 1950s, Elizabeths sister Princess Margaret chose to give up her relationship with divorced Capt. Peter Townsend. She said in a sad statement at the time, Mindful of the Churchs teaching that Christian marriage is indissoluble, and conscious of my duty to the Commonwealth, I have resolved to put these considerations before any others.

Since 2015, the rules have been eased so that only the first six in line to the throne have to ask the Queen for permission to marry. (Harry is fifth.)

Interestingly, it was only last year that the rules also changed to permit a senior member of the royal family to wed a Catholic. (Markle went to the private Immaculate Heart Convent school in LA.)

The law came into force in 2015 following Prince Georges birth when the on the implications swirled should Princess Kate have had a girl. The system of primogeniture, whereby a second-born son would have precedence over a first-born girl in the same family, was ruled out. So if Prince William and Kate were to have a third child, or second son, he would not precede their daughter Charlotte in the pecking order.

Story continues

But, under the law, should the children of an heir be raised Catholic, they would not be able to inherit the throne. Thats because the monarch is also Head of the Church of England, a Protestant Anglican church established by the royals 16th-century forebear Henry VIII. (The last Catholic monarch was Mary Tudor, who was posthumously deemed Bloody Mary for her executions of Protestants.)

Insiders believe it is likely to be a moot point, as Charles has signaled that he will be a defender of faiths rather than Defender of the Faith (Anglican Protestantism) to the exclusion of all elsemeaning his heirs, from Prince William and George downward, would not be inclined to favor one church over another.




Investors are always looking for stocks that are poised to beat at earnings season and Avon Products Inc. AVP may be one such company. The firm has earnings coming up pretty soon, and events are shaping up quite nicely for their report.

That is because Avon Products is seeing favorable earnings estimate revision activity as of late, which is generally a precursor to an earnings beat. After all, analysts raising estimates right before earningswith the most up-to-date information possibleis a pretty good indicator of some favorable trends underneath the surface for AVP in this report.

In fact, the Most Accurate Estimate for the current quarter is currently at 4 cents per share for AVP, compared to a broader Zacks Consensus Estimate of 3 cents per share. This suggests that analysts have very recently bumped up their estimates for AVP, giving the stock a Zacks Earnings ESP of 33.33% heading into earnings season.

AVON PRODS INC Price and EPS Surprise

AVON PRODS INC Price and EPS Surprise | AVON PRODS INC Quote

Why is this Important?

A positive reading for the Zacks Earnings ESP has proven to be very powerful in producing both positive surprises, and outperforming the market. Our recent 10 year backtest shows that stocks that have a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better show a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and have returned over 28% on average in annual returns (see more Top Earnings ESP stocks here).

Given that AVP has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and an ESP in positive territory, investors might want to consider this stock ahead of earnings. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Clearly, recent earnings estimate revisions suggest that good things are ahead for Avon Products, and that a beat might be in the cards for the upcoming report.



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Investors are always looking for stocks that are poised to beat at earnings season and Magna International Inc. MGA may be one such company. The firm has earnings coming up pretty soon, and events are shaping up quite nicely for their report.

That is because Magna International is seeing favorable earnings estimate revision activity as of late, which is generally a precursor to an earnings beat. After all, analysts raising estimates right before earningswith the most up-to-date information possibleis a pretty good indicator of some favorable trends underneath the surface for MGA in this report.

In fact, the Most Accurate Estimate for the current quarter is currently at $1.23 per share for MGA, compared to a broader Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.20 per share. This suggests that analysts have very recently bumped up their estimates for MGA, giving the stock a Zacks Earnings ESP of 2.50% heading into earnings season.

MAGNA INTL CL A Price and EPS Surprise

MAGNA INTL CL A Price and EPS Surprise | MAGNA INTL CL A Quote

Why is this Important?

A positive reading for the Zacks Earnings ESP has proven to be very powerful in producing both positive surprises, and outperforming the market. Our recent 10 year backtest shows that stocks that have a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better show a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and have returned over 28% on average in annual returns (see more Top Earnings ESP stocks here).

Given that MGA has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and an ESP in positive territory, investors might want to consider this stock ahead of earnings. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.

Clearly, recent earnings estimate revisions suggest that good things are ahead for Magna International, and that a beat might be in the cards for the upcoming report.

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



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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Thousands of Puerto Ricans who fled the economic crisis on their island and flocked to Florida in search of jobs could tilt the state to Hillary Clinton and effectively block Donald Trumps path to the presidency.

Susan MacManus, a distinguished professor of political science at the University of South Florida and an expert on the states politics, said in an email yesterday: The influx might help Hillary win the state because Democratic registration groups like Mi Familia Vota have aggressively worked to get the new arrivals to register as Democrats.



Related: Election 2016: Will It All Be About Florida Again?

Trump has a 1-point lead in Florida today in a four-way race, according to the Real Clear Politics average, but that is a margin-of-error edge in a state that he must win if he has any path to victory. If Clinton can block Trump in Florida, he will  barring some act of the gods -- be finished.

The Washington Post today posits four ways Trump could win. In each scenario, he must take Florida.

As part of an online fund-raising message yesterday, Kellyanne Conway, Trumps spokesperson and campaign manager, released a map showing Florida too close to call. But she said if Trump won there and in Iowa, Ohio, Maine, Nevada and North Carolina, he would have 266 Electoral College votes and would need a win in only one of battleground states of Colorado, New Hampshire or Pennsylvania to get over the 270-vote top. Thats true. But if he lost Florida, he would need to be victorious in all three of those states to claim the presidency.

Related: If This Poll Is Right, Trump Cant Win Florida -- or the Election

One major Clinton backer who recognizes the critical role Puerto Ricans in Florida may play is billionaire investor George Soros. According to Univision, he has bankrolled a PAC, United for Progress, that was set up just last month to mobilize Puerto Rican voters in Florida. Marco Vilar, a veteran of Hispanic voter registration organizations, including Mi Familia Vota, is running the effort. Attempts to contact Vilar were unsuccessful.

Story continues

The number of Puerto Ricans living in Florida has increased 110 percent since 2000, according to a 2015 Pew Center for Research report, with a big spike in the past few years. There are now more than 1 million Puerto Ricans living in Florida, Pew says, and they are poised to pass Cuban-Americans as the largest Hispanic group in the state.

There is some disagreement about the percentage identified as Hispanic out of Floridas almost 12.7 million voters. Most reports say 15 percent, but Mi Familia Vota, which has received money from Soros Open Society Foundations in the past, says there are 2,557,000 Latino voters in the state, or about 24 percent.

Related: Is Trump Pulling Ahead? Heres What the Polls Are Really Saying

Most of the new Puerto Rican arrivals in Florida have registered as Democrats, Univision says, and overall, more new voters have registered as Dems than Republicans in the two most recent months recorded, according data on Floridas Division of Elections website. In September, 41,873 new voters registered as Republicans, while 67,546 registered as Democrats.

Of course, those new voters arent all Latino, and there is no guarantee they will show up at polling places on Nov. 8.

MacManus says that among the newly arrived Puerto Ricans there is an impetus to register as Democrats, but the reason they are more likely to vote for Hillary is less party than an anti-Trump sentiment traceable to his negative comments about immigrants.

At a street festival in Orlando on Oct. 25, Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who has distanced himself from Trump but not disavowed him, was booed off the stage by a largely Puerto Rican crowd.

And Latino Decisions, a polling firm employed by the Clinton campaign, found some 70 percent of Puerto Ricans in Florida supporting Hillary, with an even larger percentage among those born on the island, according to Bloomberg Politics. As American citizens, the new arrivals are immediately eligible to vote. But will they?

Puerto Rico, Bloomberg pointed out, has one of the worlds highest voter-turnout rates.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
The upcoming election will go down in history as the most divisive and obsessively fascinating in decades. With a week of campaigning left, the team at the Center for Public Integrity is still pushing hard and giving no quarter.

Journalists giving to politicians

That includes to our fellow journalists. Federal politics reporters Dave Levinthal and Michael Beckel took on the entrenched interests of their own profession with a fascinating piece on journalists who showed up in campaign finance data: the vast majority of them supporting Hillary Clinton.

Of course it played into the Trump narrative  which was never our intention as such  with The Donald tweeting the story as evidence of bias against him. Perhaps more importantly, it generated hundreds of thousands of views on our site and on the site of the partner which ran it, the Columbia Journalism Review. It also generated significant debate across the media and among colleagues over whether journalists should contribute to politics.

I realized I am quite old fashioned in my belief  honed in years at Reuters  that it is beyond the pale for an active reporter to contribute to any political cause. Turns out many do and many organizations permit it. The Center has a strict policy forbidding journalist and non-journalist staff from any political activity but would it stand up to a court challenge?

Emily Nussbaum, the New Yorker critic who covered the Republican National Convention and was identified by Dave and Michael as contributing $250 to Hillary, addressed the issue rather adroitly in her latest piece in the New Yorker, disarming us with: Full disclosure: late one night, while watching Fox News, I donated two hundred and fifty dollars to Hillary Clintons campaignMy bias, in sum, is as blatant as a Celtic arm tattoo.

Help? Who do I believe about Donald and Hillary?

Our sage National Security managing editor R. Jeffrey Smith  a Pulitzer Prize-winning hand formerly of the Washington Post  stepped into the federal politics beat with a brace of stories packed with humor so dry it almost combusted with the cynicism he exposed in the conduct of both presidential campaigns on foreign policy issues.

Story continues

In an illuminating and entertaining pair of stories, carefully labeled A nonpartisan guide Jeff examined the bromance between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin and the bizarre, partially baked policy ideas of the Republican candidate, saying Clinton supporters might sum up his campaign slogan as let global chaos reign. In the second piece Jeff took apart the record of Clinton as Secretary of State, suggesting that to her enemies her slogan could be: Im going to look after my friends and not tell you anything. 

Jeff also used the story as vehicle to get into the remarkable and so far underreported contents of the emails  no not those emails  between Clinton campaign boss John Podesta and Douglas Band, a long-time Clinton flunky, which show the dark underbelly of how money and influence really work in Washington. Its a genuinely exciting and interesting read either with us or over on Salon.com which partnered on it and Part 1.

A strong collection

I have been really remiss in not writing this note for a little while for which I apologize to my team and those kind enough to give us feedback.

A few stories during the past few weeks which I think warrant calling out include:

- Allan Holmes, our telecom specialist, whom I urged to enter the fray of the AT&T/Time Warner merger in light of his deep reporting experience in this area. He has written gracefully on how the exiting oligopoly on cable and broadband delivers a terrible deal to all Americans and a really terrible deal to poor Americans. Heres his take on AT&T/TW.

- our work on broadband (with huge data work from Ben Wieder and Chris Zubak-Skees) was cited by the judges in the Editor & Publisher Eppy Awards last month, recognizing the Center for Public Integrity -- and effectively Ben and Chris -- with an award for data journalism and visualization.

- data is central to story-telling at the Center and Chris work was also prominent in the launch project of the Carbon Wars series by Jim Morris environment team. Its a major series and will last a couple of years, starting with this piece by Jamie Smith Hopkins explaining the daily reality of climate change right here.

- away from the Presidential race our powerful states team, led by Kytja Weir, has been tracking ad spending across the country and looking at the down ballot races and how candidates differentiate themselves from the somewhat unappealing presidential duo  even those on the same ticket. Much more from the team in Whos Calling the Shots in State Politics.

This story is part of Inside Publici. Stories were working on, the impact of our investigations, news about our fundraising efforts, and other issues that shape our work. Click here to read more stories in this topic.

Don't miss another Inside Publici investigation: Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email.

What were reading and thinking about

I thought George Packers analysis on the disaffection of white, working class, American voters in the New Yorker last week was one of the finest pieces of long-form analysis I had read on a phenomenon that had gone ignored by the media and politicians until the shock of Trump. It quotes from a book which has also been something of a revelation in explaining that phenomenon, J.D. Vances pull-up-your-socks memoir and libertarian treatise Hillbilly Elegy: A memoir of a family and a culture in crisis.

Also in books and highly relevant given Vladimir Putins voices-off-stage role in the election is former Financial Times Moscow correspondent David Satters wonderful take down of Putin: The less you know, the better you sleep: Russia's Road to Terror and Dictatorship under Yeltsin and Putin If you ever find yourself wondering if Putin can be so bad and if maybe Donald has a point, it is worth reading that book to set yourself straight.

Thank you,

I welcome feedback on this note.

Peter Bale

CEO, The Center for Public Integrity

pbale@publicintegrity.org

@peterbale

This story is part of Inside Publici. Stories were working on, the impact of our investigations, news about our fundraising efforts, and other issues that shape our work. Click here to read more stories in this topic.

Related stories

Copyright 2016 The Center for Public Integrity. This story was published by The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization in Washington, D.C.
By Alex Dobuzinskis

(Reuters) - A woman appeared in court on Tuesday to face extortion charges in a scheme that brought her nearly $400,000 in payments from former New York state Governor Eliot Spitzer, who resigned in a 2008 prostitution scandal, prosecutors said.

Svetlana Zakharova, 26, pleaded not guilty during her court appearance in Manhattan, the New York Daily News reported.

She is accused of obtaining the money between March 2014 and her arrest last month by threatening to reveal her relationship with Spitzer and expose intimate details to his wife and the public, the District Attorney's Office for the Bronx said in a statement.

Zakharova, a Russian national, has been indicted on several criminal counts including grand larceny, attempted grand larceny and forgery, prosecutors said.

A New York City judge at Zakharova's court appearance on Tuesday ordered that her bail remain at $1 million, the statement said.

Zakharova's attorney could not be reached for comment late on Tuesday.

She previously accused Spitzer of choking and pushing her in New York City's Plaza Hotel in February. But no charges were filed against Spitzer in the incident and his attorney denied that the former New York state governor assaulted her.

Spitzer, as a Democrat, was a rising star in national politics when he resigned the governorship in 2008 amid a prostitution scandal. In 2013, he staged an attempt at a political comeback when he ran for New York City comptroller, but he lost in a primary election that year.

Zakharova tried to extort $5,000 from a second man by also threatening to expose their relationship, prosecutors said in a statement.

She remained in jail on Tuesday and is due back in court on Dec. 6.

Zakharova faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charge against her, prosecutors said in the statement.

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
The woman who sued Donald Trump claiming he raped her when she was 13 years old was set to speak publicly for the first time Wednesday at a press conference - but backed out at the last minute because she's afraid, according to attorney Lisa Bloom.

"Jane Doe has received numerous threats today," Bloom said to a room full of reporters. "She is living in fear. She has decided that she is too afraid to show her face."

The woman, who has not been publicly identified but who is being referred to as Jane Doe, alleges that Trump sexually assaulted her during four separate parties in 1994 when she was 13. She says that the parties were hosted by Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire who has since been convicted of soliciting an underage girl and who is a registered sex offender.

Doe first sued Trump and Jeffrey Epstein under the name Katie Johnson on April 26 in California federal court. Her amended complaint was filed Oct. 3 in New York federal court and claims she was subject to rape, criminal sexual acts, assault, battery andimprisonment.

Epstein was convicted in 2008 after pleading guilty to soliciting prostitution from minors and sentenced to 18 months. He was released after serving 13 months and remains a registered sex offender.

Doe claims to have two witnesses who also wish to remain anonymous, a classmate and an Epstein employee.

Bloom penned an essay for The Huffington Post this summer about why Doe's case shouldn't be ignored and has since been vocal about the lack of media coverage it is receiving.

It's also worth nothing that Bloom's mother is attorney Gloria Allred, who has stood by the side of multiple women who have come forward accusing Trump of varying levels of sexual impropriety.

Trump's campaign has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot has debuted a smaller teaser ahead of Thursday's release of a new trailer.

The footage is edited the first trailer from San Diego Comic-Con and is coming just weeks after Gadot and original TV Wonder Woman Lynda Carter spoke at the United Nations, where the iconic superhero was named an honorary U.N. ambassador on the 75th anniversary of her debut.

Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins has also been teasing the trailer, tweeting on Tuesday her thanks to fans who shared their Wonder Woman Halloween costumes: "Thanks everyone for sharing their awesome Halloween costumes!! So great. So appreciated! Can't wait til THURSDAY, to share back..."

Warner Bros. and DC's Wonder Woman is directed by Patty Jenkins and is in theaters June 2, 2017.

The trailer we've all been waiting for is almost here! Can't wait for you to see our NEW #WonderWoman trailer when it debuts tomorrow! @WonderWomanFilm

A video posted by Gal Gadot (@gal_gadot) on Nov 2, 2016 at 9:02am PDT
From Popular Mechanics

The nonprofit organization that wants to build a giant telescope atop a Hawaii mountain has selected another site in case it can't be built on land many Native Hawaiians consider sacred.

A mountain in the Canary Islands, Spain, is the primary alternative to Hawaii, Thirty Meter Telescope officials announced Monday.

The TMT International Observatory Board of Governors met last week to discuss the project's progress in Hawaii and identified Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos on La Palma island "after careful deliberation," board chair Henry Yang said in a statement.

Hawaii's Mauna Kea is still the preferred location, Yang said, adding that telescope officials will forge ahead in efforts to obtain a permit to build it on conservation land.

The project is stalled in Hawaii amid intense protests by Native Hawaiians and others who cite the sacredness of the land and other issues for their opposition. The state Supreme Court last year invalidated the project's permit, ruling that the state land board's approval process was flawed. The ruling sent the matter back for a new contested-case hearing.

The hearings have been moving slowly since they started on Oct. 20 after various delays.

"I'm glad they're looking at alternative sites," Kealoha Pisciotta, one of the leaders challenging the telescope, said during a break in the hearings. "I have to say if they do go with the alternative site, I hope they don't do there what they're doing to Native Hawaiians and the people of Hawaii."

Telescope officials earlier this year decided to start looking at other sites for the $1.4 billion project. They also considered high mountains in Chile, India, China and Mexico.

Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos is on the edge of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, about 7,800 feet above sea level.

Telescope officials selected Mauna Kea over Chile's Cerro Armazones mountain in 2009. Astronomers prefer Mauna Kea because its nearly 14,000-foot summit is well above the clouds, and it provides a clear view of the sky for 300 days a year. There's also very little air and light pollution.

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You might think kangaroos are adorable, cute little animals. But this guy begs to differ, and it seems he's been working out quite a bit.

The very, very buff kangaroo was photographed by William Thomsen in Albany, Western Australia, two days ago. It's probably not a good idea to approach him for pats.

SEE ALSO: Australian man narrates 2 kangaroos kickboxing like it's NBD

Thomsen told WA Today he spotted ripped 'roo among a herd of the creatures, while out with his sister. Most of the kangaroos ran away on approach, except for this buff fella.

"Nine or ten ran away but this big guy just stood his ground. We were a bit taken aback. He was huge. He stood right up on his haunches and just stared at us," he told the news outlet.

Check out that formidable "come at me bro" stare.

A photo posted by William Thomsen (@williamthomsen_photography) on Oct 29, 2016 at 6:54pm PDT

A photo posted by William Thomsen (@williamthomsen_photography) on Oct 31, 2016 at 1:18am PDT

This roo could totally pass for a relative of Roger, the other buff kangaroo dude from The Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs.

Maybe they should hang out sometime and crush metal buckets for fun.
(Adds details of results, CEO comment)

By Nick Carey

CHICAGO, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Logistics company XPO Logistics Inc on Wednesday reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit after a year-earlier loss, citing strong ecommerce demand in North America that offset the impact of lackluster economic growth.

XPO gave a robust outlook for 2017 and its shares rose more than 4 percent after the announcement.

The Greenwich, Connecticut-based company is a provider of contract logistics, freight brokerage and global freight forwarding services to retailers, manufacturers and e-commerce companies among others.

XPO went on a buying spree in 2015. Its acquisitions included France's Norbert Dentressangle SA for $3.53 billion trucking and logistics company Con-way Inc for $3 billion, including debt.

The company said that it expects full-year 2017 EBITDA of $1.35 billion, a 17 percent increase over its expected 2016 EBITDA of $1.15 billion.

"Our profit improvement opportunities are now largely in our own hands," Chief Executive Bradley Jacobs told Reuters in a telephone interview.

He said the 2017 improvement in EBITDA would come "from company specific actions that are independent of the macro environment" such as centralized procurement, investments in technology infrastructure, savings in real estate and facilities management.

Jacobs said XPO has closed $300 million in new logistics contracts in North America this year, $175 million of which came in the third quarter, and has won 330 million euros ($366 million) in Europe for the first nine months of 2016.

XPO reported third-quarter net income of $13.8 million, or 11 cents per share, compared with a loss of $93.1 million, or 94 cents per share, a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, XPO reported earnings of 41 cents per share.

Analysts had on average expected earnings per share of 37 cents.

The company reported charges for the quarter related to a debt refinancing, plus transaction and branding costs.

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Revenue in the quarter rose more than 50 percent to $3.7 billion from $2.4 billion, reflecting the addition of last year's acquisitions. Jacobs said the company's "organic" revenue growth was 7 percent versus the third quarter of 2015.

In after-market trading XPO's shares were up 4.2 percent at $34.

(Reporting by Nick Carey; Editing by Bernard Orr and Grant McCool)
streetcar 2

Traveling from Brooklyn to Queens in New York City, the hourlong journey will take you a bus ride, a transfer, and subway ride.

By 2024, New Yorkers may have a faster waterfront option: streetcars.

In February, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio proposed a $2.5 billion plan to install a 16-mile streetcar line from Brooklyn to Queens. On November 2nd, city officials unveiled the routes they're considering, the New York Times reports.

Though the streetcars would only travel 12 mph, the average cross-borough trip would still take less than a half hour. Called the BQX, the line would move approximately 50,000 riders a day, and is expected to cost $30 million a year to operate and maintain.

The cars look like a sleeker version of San Francisco's trolleys.

streetcar

The proposed route goes through neighborhoods that have seen rapid development in the last decade, but are still underserved by the existing subways. The biggest reason for this is because NYC's subway system was built in the early 20th century. Those who planned the subway routes never could've predicted that Brooklyn's population would rise from 1.6 million in 1910 to 2.6 million today (Queens' population went from just 280,600 to 2.3 million in the same period). There are only two lines, the G and J, that connect Brooklyn and Queens.

According to the proposed routes, the streetcars would run alongside cars in some of the busiest areas of the two boroughs.

The waterfront route would no doubt be scenic, but it's uncertain whether the plan takes NYC's rising sea level into account. By the end of the century, New York City's sea level is predicted to be six feet higher than it is today, according to a 2015 report.

Just tossing this out there. The Bklyn-Qns streetcar and the flood zone map for NYC. pic.twitter.com/GJzYiCasj6  Second Ave. Sagas (@2AvSagas) February 5, 2016

With that in mind, it may not be optimal to build a multi-billion-dollar streetcar line right next to the water. A powerful storm, like we saw with Hurricane Sandy, could flood and destroy the metal tracks. Although the subways mainly suffered from flooding, Sandy wiped out 1,500 feet of above-ground tracks in Queens (though they've since been replaced and a three-mile wall to protect them has been added).

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N_7_St_Bedford_Av_Williamsburg

$2.5 billion is a lot of money to invest in building shiny streetcars in areas at risk for floods, but the city believes it's worth it.

"The cost can be offset by a revenue stream taken from the expected rise in property values along the route," officials told Gizmodo.

According to the New York Times, some residents also worry that the new line would increase housing prices in isolated neighborhoods, like Red Hook.

Still, if the plan goes through, it would offer a much-needed connection between the two boroughs.

NOW WATCH: This Lego-style home can be built in a few weeks with just a screwdriver





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From Country Living

The Grand Ole Opry is expanding its brand, and New York is the first stop on its list.

Last week, the Opry's parent company, which also owns Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, announced plans for a Times Square outpost that will encompass a restaurant and bar, retail space, listening room, and private event space, according to the Associated Press. Opry City Stage, as it's currently known, is slated for April 2017.

The Stage will feature a lineup of concerts curated by Nashville's iconic songwriter club, the Bluebird Cafe, and the Nashville Songwriters Association International. Performances from the original Opry will also stream in via big screen TVs.

Why Manhattan? Veteran Grand Ole Opry member Vince Gill points towards the city's strong fan-base. "Garth Brooks played there at Central Park one time and had about 88 million people there, I think," Gill told reporters. "So yeah, they love country music up there."

If that's not convincing enough, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. chairman and CEO Colin Reed has the market research to back up Gill's enthusiasm: "There are about a 100 million consumers who love country music all across the country," Reed told the AP. "Times Square happens to be the place where between 40 and 50 million tourists go through that market. So we thought we'd start in a place as big and dominant as Times Square."

This is the first time in the Opry's 91 years that the brand has eyed a property outside of its home state.

(h/t Adweek)

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HANOI (Reuters) - The number of confirmed Zika cases in Vietnam has more than doubled over the past three days to 23, with a dozen of the new infections recorded in the commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City, the health ministry said on Wednesday. The mosquito-borne virus has been spreading in Southeast Asia after outbreaks in the Americas. Thailand reported the region's first confirmed case of microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size, linked to Zika in late September. On Sunday, Vietnam's health ministry reported its first microcephaly case that it said was likely linked to Zika. nL4N1D002L] The ministry said 14 more cases of Zika were reported since Sunday, most in the south of the country. Seventeen of Vietnam's 23 cases have been in the south's Ho Chi Minh City, the country's biggest city. Health officials were not immediately available for comment on the surge in cases. Vietnam last month raised the threat level for Zika and stepped up monitoring of pregnant women. Zika infections in pregnant women have been shown to cause microcephaly - a severe birth defect in which the head and brain are undersized - as well as other brain abnormalities. The connection between Zika and microcephaly first came to light last year in Brazil, which has since confirmed more than 1,900 cases of microcephaly. In adults, Zika infections have also been linked to a rare neurological syndrome known as Guillain-Barre, as well as other neurological disorders. There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, which is a close cousin of dengue and chikungunya and causes mild fever, rash and red eyes. An estimated 80 percent of people infected have no symptoms, making it difficult for pregnant women to know whether they have been infected. (Reporting by My Pham; Editing by Martin Petty, Robert Birsel)
By TJ Strydom and Mfuneko Toyana PRETORIA (Reuters) - A South African judge ruled on Wednesday that a report over alleged influence peddling in government should be released, after President Jacob Zuma dropped a court bid to delay its publication and thousands marched against him. Police fired stun grenades and used water cannon to disperse demonstrators who had marched to the Union Buildings, the seat of government where Zuma's offices are located in the capital Pretoria. Outside the court deliberating whether to release the report, protesters carried "Zuma must go" placards. The report by the Public Protector, a constitutionally mandated anti-graft official, looks into allegations of corruption that have brought on the biggest crisis of Zuma's presidency, costing him support within the ruling party. Zuma denies providing special favours for wealthy friends, including three brothers who also deny wrongdoing. The report's publication had been halted on Oct. 14 after Zuma appealed to the High Court to block it. The affair has rattled markets in Africa's most industrialised economy, which faces the risk of ratings downgrades later this year. Divisions within the African National Congress (ANC) have widened since the ruling party suffered its worst-ever local election results in August. The rand rose by 2 percent to the dollar and bonds firmed. Analysts said allowing the report to be released was an indication the country still had strong institutions. "The public protector is ordered to publish the report forthwith and by no later than 1700 (1500 GMT) on 2 November, 2016," Judge Dunstan Mlambo said to applause in court. ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa said the party welcomed the decision. Zuma withdrew his court bid in the interests of justice, the Presidency said in a statement. It also said Zuma would consider "the contents of the report in order to ascertain whether it should be a subject of a court challenge." [nJ8N18G028] Zuma's lawyer, Anthea Platt, had earlier told the court she had been instructed to withdraw the application to delay publication and offer to pay the costs for the hearing. Protesters also demanded that state prosecutor Shaun Abrahams be removed from office. Abrahams had pressed charges of fraud against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, but then dropped them on Monday after popular support for him from the worlds of politics and business. "WHEELS COMING OFF" Supporters of Gordhan and sympathetic financial analysts say the charges against him could have been a ploy by Zuma and his allies to discredit Gordhan for standing in the way of their securing access to government contracts. The president has denied that he is in conflict with Gordhan. In a sign of the country's establishment turning sharply against Zuma, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, a charity founded by South Africa's first black president, blamed Zuma on Tuesday for the "wheels coming off" South Africa. About 40 CEOs of mostly listed companies have joined in calls for new political leadership. Among companies coming forward were technology investment firm Naspers, Africa's biggest company by market value, Standard Bank, the continent's biggest bank by assets, and Telkom, the partially privatised former telecoms monopoly. Since taking office in 2009, Zuma, 74, has survived several corruption scandals with the backing of top echelons of the ANC. But near record unemployment has exacerbated discontent with his government, which also failed to end weeks of often violent student demonstrations over the cost of university education. Jay Jacobs, 40, a protester outside the court who works in the security industry, said: "We will not leave Pretoria until Zuma goes. He must take the Guptas with him to jail." Brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta, who are close friends of Zuma and run businesses ranging from media to mining, are the subject of the report by the then public protector on allegations that they influenced the appointment of ministers. Zuma has denied granting them undue influence and they have denied seeking it. "The publication of the report will probably certainly embarrass him and will embarrass members of the cabinet," Daniel Silke, a director at Political Futures Consultancy, said. "While we may not see immediate action from the president, I think the ANC will now begin a process which will result in President Zuma's earlier departure from office. The pressure is going to be felt after 5pm tonight." However, some predicted that Zuma could still delay a reckoning. Political analyst Gary van Staden of NKC African Economics said: "We have to bear in mind he probably has a few other legal tricks up his sleeve, like he wants to review it or disputes it." THOUSANDS MARCH Outside the court, opposition leaders said Zuma, who has shown no signs of stepping down before his second and final term as president is up in 2019, should leave office now. "We don't want Zuma, he has no credibility," said Julius Malema, leader of the radical leftist party Economic Freedom Fighters who called for Wednesday's marches as a show of force against Zuma. "Jacob Zuma is unfit to hold office," Mmusi Maimane, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, said. Paul Mashatile, ANC chairman for Gauteng province which includes Pretoria and the economic hub Johannesburg, said his group would take part in the marches, even without the blessing of the national party. "I do not have the mandate to say the president must step down, but I can say we are against all the wrong things that are happening, including corruption," he told eNCA television. He said the party had to change after its August hammering in municipal polls, its worst electoral losses since Mandela's historic victory in the first post-apartheid election in 1994. In March, the Constitutional Court ordered Zuma to repay some of $16 million spent on enhancing his Nkandla home in rural KwaZulu-Natal province. Zuma, who weathered a motion of no-confidence in parliament over the cost of the renovations, has since paid back more than $500,000 as required by the court. (Additional reporting by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo, Tanisha Heiberg and Nqobile Dludla in Johannesburg; Writing by James Macharia; editing by Giles Elgood)
By Anya George Tharakan

(Reuters) - "FarmVille" creator Zynga Inc (ZNGA.O) forecast lower-than-expected bookings for the holiday season, as the company's much-awaited game "Dawn of Titans" is slated to launch late into the quarter.

Shares of the company fell 5 percent to $2.60 in light after-market trading on Wednesday.

The company forecast current-quarter bookings in the range of $185 million to $195 million, below the $201.4 million expected by analysts polled by research firm FactSet StreetAccount.

Bookings, an important metric indicating future revenue, include the sales of virtual goods such as currency and lives.

The company's action-strategy game, "Dawn of Titans", is the last of the 10 games Zynga committed to release in 2016.

"The challenge is that (Dawn of Titans) is shipping pretty late in the quarter, so its material impact on financials is a lot lower than potentially people are thinking because there's only so many days it'll be out in the quarter", Chief Executive Frank Gibeau said in an interview.

Zynga, whose "FarmVille" once dominated games played on Facebook Inc (FB.O), named Electronic Arts Inc (EA.O) veteran Gibeau as chief executive in March to spearhead its transition to a mobile-focused games maker.

Gibeau - who replaced founder Mark Pincus - has a track record of managing EA's mobile franchises such as "Plants vs. Zombies" and getting games shipped on time.

However, Zynga reported bookings of $196.7 million in the quarter ended Sept. 30, beating analysts' estimate of $189 million, according to research firm FactSet StreetAccount.

The third quarter included the impact of "FarmVille: Tropics Escape", as well as the long-delayed mobile racing game "CSR 2", which launched at the end of the second quarter.

Zynga's average daily active users fell 5.3 percent to 18 million from a year earlier, but were unchanged from the preceding quarter. Analysts had expected 18.1 million, according to FactSet.

"We generate strong bookings, but we're leaking too much of those bookings before it gets to the bottomline," recently named CFO Gerard Griffin said in an interview.

Story continues

"So, from an operating leverage point of view and a financial point of view, we need to be more rigorous," he said.

The company, which also announced an up to $200 million share buyback, posted a net loss of $41.7 million, or 5 cents per share, compared with a profit of $3.1 million, or breakeven, a year earlier.

The net loss was primarily because of a $21 million impairment charge on intangible assets, as well as higher costs and expenses for some of its games.

(Reporting by Anya George Tharakan in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
Jerry Emmett, 102, cast her vote for Hillary Clinton wearing a crisp white pantsuit. (Photo: AP)

PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP)  A 102-year-old Prescott, Arizona, woman born before women gained the right to vote in America has cast her ballot early and voted for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Jerry Emmett is urging other Arizonans to follow her lead and use the states early voting system.

Emmett made headlines in July at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia where she carried a blue-and-white sign that read Centenarian for Hillary.

John Goodie escorts Jerry Emmett, a Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton supporter, to her seat before Clinton arrives to speak at a campaign event at Carl Hayden Community High School in Phoenix, Monday, March 21, 2016. (Photo: AP)

As an honorary delegate for Arizona, she announced the states delegation was casting 51 of its 85 votes for Clinton for president.

Emmett remembers seeing her mother go to vote for the first time after the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote was ratified in August 1920.

The retired educator says shes been waiting her whole life to cast her ballot for a woman and has been eager to vote for Clinton, who would be the nations first female president.
Um, Prince Harry just spray painted an elephant (but its okay!)

There is immense pressure on famous people to remain wholesome and conflict-free in the public eye. And no celebrity knows this to be true quite like the royal family. Prince Harry was caught spray painting an elephant recently  but before you sharpen your pitchforks and start composing those emails to PETA, know that it was for a good cause!

For three weeks this summer, Prince Harry was on the ground and in the air in Malawi, working with a conservation NGO called African Parks. They manage protected areas and national parks on behalf of governments. Englands favorite Prince was working on an initiative called 500 Elephants  a relocation of 500 elephants to the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve.

Prince Harry said: "Marking one of the young males so that he is easily identifiable when the family group is released back into the bush and we can keep them together. The spray paint disappears after a few days." (Photo 4/5) @africanparksnetwork A photo posted by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Oct 28, 2016 at 3:13am PDT

All 500 elephants had to be herded 350 kilometers across Malawi to their new home. Prince Harry shared a short film explaining his involvement in the project, as well as a series of Instagram posts with detailed captions.

Some of the elephants were very cooperative with the operation, moving along as asked. Others were not as accommodating.

Prince Harry said: "Lawrence Munro and I met in South Africa last year and have been in contact since. We got him to give a fantastic brief to the Ranger students at Kruger on their graduation. This year he is working with African Parks as their operations manager in Liwonde. He's one of the best." (Photo 2/5) @africanparksnetwork A photo posted by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Oct 28, 2016 at 3:11am PDT

Prince Harry pointed out in one of this posts that it was usually the male elephants who refused to budge. They needed to be encouraged and sometimes tranquilized in order to get where they needed to be.

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Besides spray painting elephants, Prince Harry also helped with monitoring their breathing by fixing various radio collars until each creature was in the appropriate location. He also helped anesthetize the elephants  meaning administering a tranquilizer.

Prince Harry took this photograph and said: "'Kester Vickery from Conservation Solutions trying to get this Bull Elephant to lie down! 262 elephants were moved from Liwonde National Park and it was always the bulls (males) that needed a little extra to stop them. They are all now living happily in their new home in Nkhotakota Reserve, where there is more space for them to breed." (Photo 5/5) Prince Harry A photo posted by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Oct 28, 2016 at 3:14am PDT

Long gone are the days that Prince Harry partied in Vegas  instead, he has been splashing across the front pages because of his charity work. Each new endeavor he undertakes makes Prince Harry that much more eligible to steal our hearts. He is still not married, so there might be hope for those ladies out there looking for a royal husband!

The post Um, Prince Harry just spray painted an elephant (but its okay!) appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Jennifer Dons love for her boyfriend, Matt Truebe, is as deep as ocean. And to prove it, she decided to pop the question to her man while on a scuba diving trip in Iceland.

In the cute clip posted to Iceland Airs YouTube account, the pair travels to Thingvellir National Park for a dive at the point where the tectonic plates divide into Europe and North America. Jennifer and Matt went plunging into the arctic depths, to be greeted by an underwater scene with decorative hearts. Jennifer came prepared with a set of heart-shaped cards, one of which read, Will you marry me?

Jennifer Don pops the question. (Photo: Iceland Air)

Matt accepted by nodding his head and trying to kiss his new fiancee with the breathing apparatus in his mouth, which is just as adorable as it sounds.

And if that wasnt enough to give you the feels, Jennifer had one other surprise for Matt at the end of the clip  she invited his family to join them for the engagement celebrations!

The happy, newly engaged couple. (Photo: Iceland Air)

Watch the proposal in the video above, and enjoy the warm-and-fuzzy feelings that will surely follow.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.
Google's virtual reality headset, the Daydream View, will be available in five countries from November 10, 2016, priced $79 in the USA. The device is an exclusive gateway to Google's Daydream VR platform and all of its content.

Unveiled at Google's latest major conference, October 4, 2016, in San Francisco, this new virtual reality headset promises to plunge users into a whole world of virtual reality content via the Daydream platform. To access this content, users will need a Daydream View headset as well as a compatible smartphone. For the moment, the only compatible phones are Google's new Pixel handsets. The headset will be available November 10 from the Google Store and retailers in the US ($79 USA), Canada ($99 CAD), the UK (69 GBP), Germany (69 EUR) and Australia ($119 AUD).

The system promises spectacular content, including 3D video from sites like YouTube, Google Play Movies and Hulu, as well as loads of games. There's even access to Street View for virtually visiting more than 70 countries. In a different genre, the platform also features news apps like The Guardian and The Wall Street Journal.

The Daydream View headset is actually a fairly basic piece of kit. Like Google's rudimentary Cardboard viewer, it's designed for use with a smartphone, which slots into the device. The Daydream View is, however, sturdier than the cardboard version and has a remote control with trackpad, gyroscope and accelerometer.

This kind of 3D headset is a world away from more sophisticated models like the Oculus Rift or the HTC Vive, for example. Still, such devices seem to have a bright future ahead. Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi recently launched a very similar device, the Mi VR Glasses, compatible with all of the brand's smartphones and featuring a remote, selling for just $38. Microsoft recently announced the upcoming release of various virtual reality headsets from partner manufacturers like Acer, HP and Lenovo, all priced under $300 and designed for use with Windows computers.
San Francisco (AFP) - Microsoft warns that a Windows vulnerability exposed by rival Google was being exploited by a hacking group suspected of cyber attacks on US political institutions.

Hackers that Microsoft researchers call "Strontium" launched a low-volume spear-phishing campaign aimed at a specific set of people, Windows and Devices Group executive vice president Terry Myerson said in a blog post.

Spear phishing involves tricking people with personally crafted email messages that get them to click on links or files booby-trapped with malicious code that infects machines, letting hackers steal information or take control.

The vulnerability exposed this week let hackers slip into computers through web browsing software, eventually installing "back doors" through which they could enter as they please.

Strontium, given an array of names by cyber security researchers, has been described as a sophisticated hacking operation with ties to Russia.

The group has also been suspected of involvement in hacks of political parties in the US presidential race.

In a threat report, Microsoft described Strontium as having the markings of being backed by a nation state, but did not conclude which one.

However, the US technology titan did take aim at Google, saying that a "responsible" member of the industry would have put users first and waited for a patch to be ready before making the vulnerability public.

"Google's decision to disclose these vulnerabilities before patches are broadly available and tested is disappointing, and puts customers at increased risk," Myerson said.

Google countered that it gave Microsoft seven days to fix the flaw, as per its policy regarding critical flaws, before making it public on Monday.

"This vulnerability is particularly serious because we know it is being actively exploited," Neel Mehta and Billy Leonard of the Google threat analysis group said in an online post.

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Google said it told Microsoft and Adobe about the vulnerabilities on October 21, and an update to Flash addressing the weakness was released five days later.

Microsoft said people using the Edge browser on fully updated Windows 10 operating systems should be protected from the attack.

"We have coordinated with Google and Adobe to investigate this malicious campaign and to create a patch for down-level versions of Windows," Myerson said.

Adobe Patches for Windows are being tested and Microsoft planned to released them on November 8.

A Microsoft threat report described Strontium as a group that usually targets government agencies, diplomatic institutions and military organizations, as well as affiliated private sector organizations such as defense contractors and public policy research institutes.
There's a reason big data is big. The amount of information that is being collected is staggering and that can make investing in it complicated.

"It's a digital transformation," says Rob Strechay, vice president of products at Zerto, a disaster recovery software company in Boston. "Most organizations are still trying to learn what big data means to them."

Like squirrels collecting nuts for a long winter, companies are gathering as much data as possible via the internet of things, the nebulous network that connects anything digital.

"Many companies are collecting everything because they don't know what they need yet," Strechay says.

[See: High-Tech Investing: 7 Sectors to Watch.]

It's quickly amounting to more data than any human can possibly comprehend as companies grapple with how to drive insights into action.

"Almost everything you do leaves a digital trail," says Wayne Ferbert, co-founder of Zega Financial, a registered investment advisory headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, that takes a snapshot of more than 200 data points -- including search engine results, engagement and volume on interactions on websites -- for more than 2,000 publicly traded companies to track and find outliers within the market. "But big data isn't useful without analysis."

That's because big data still suffers from a lot of quality problems, Ferbert says, and has to be extensively "scrubbed" where incorrect, incomplete or duplicated information is removed and then analyzed. That means many companies are accessing information from multiple providers, typically at least two different third-party vendors, he says to cross-check and verify the data is "clean" and accurate.

To capture that digital footprint, many companies are using artificial intelligence and machine learning to help organize, qualify and manage the data.

"It's a tsunami," Michael Skok, co-founding partner at Underscore.VC and an entrepreneur-in-residence at Harvard Business School. "Up until 18 months ago, almost everyone was prepared to make sense of that data, but the sheer volume of data has beyond that and it's no longer feasible to gain insights into this data without deep learning, machine learning and artificial intelligence."

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Big data is becoming more accessible. As the cost of purchasing big data has come down, Ferbert says the ability to buy it is going up.

"To get access to advanced big data research in the past, you needed to be a very wealthy institutional investor to get access through a hedge fund," Ferbert says. "But now big data is more accessible."

Amazon.com (ticker: AMZN) is one the biggest resellers of big data, Ferbert says, and many stock researchers will look for transactions such as the number of Cisco Systems ( CSCO) routers being sold on eBay ( EBAY) and third-party sellers to see if a spike in sales might indicate a product refresh is coming with new inventory.

"There's a lot of ways to imply trends, and sometimes it's dangerous because you have to make a lot of assumptions," he says.

To capture the trend, Skok suggests investors look at software service and application companies that are being built on top of the infrastructure and data storage framework. Focus on companies involved in fundamental analytics and infrastructure that can make sense of the data, while making companies and employees more productive.

"If you are an investor, the trick is time it right," Skok says. "Which is always difficult."

Companies are preparing to get hacked. "The security aspect is daunting," Strechay says. Although he sees a lot of cloud vendors touting how much security they have, he says servers and data storage remain large targets.

"People worry about data security and the physical security of data servers showing up on Google maps," he says, not only from a hacking perspective but someone trying to break inside to steal or corrupt data.

[See: Artificial Intelligence Stocks: 10 Companies Betting on AI.]

Strechay says his company works with a "government entity" in the U.K. that gets hit with CryptoLocker ransomware that locks up a server nearly once a week. Although he says ransoms aren't ever paid out, they have to assume they are going to get hacked and whatever information that is inside will become public.

"It's a fact of life today that at some point you are going to get hacked," Strechay says. "You aren't planning not to get hit, you are planning what to do when it happens and how to recover."

Where to look. Although Ferbert says based on his company's analysis the technology sector will likely see a small correction at the end of the third quarter, companies such as Intuit ( INTU), NetGear ( NTGR), Nvidia Corp. ( NVDA) and Qualcomm ( QCOM) might be a good place for investors to look since they've all had positive digital trends as of late and are deeply embedded in data analytics.

Besides Amazon, which recently struck a major deal with VMware ( VMW) to create a hybrid cloud in partnership via its Amazon Web Services, other big players include Alphabet ( GOOG, GOOGL), Microsoft Corp. ( MSFT), International Business Machines ( IBM), Oracle Corp. ( ORCL), SAP SE ( ADR) and HP ( HPQ), Skok says, as well as some that haven't gone public.

There's also PureFunds ISE Big Data exchange-traded fund ( BIGD). Launched in July 2015 under the ticker BDAT, the fund, which recently had $1.18 million, down from $2.5 million in total assets, revamped earlier this year.

The fund changed its component eligibility requirements in the index methodology guide to companies that derive its revenue from selling its data analytics software and services. Previously it had focused on big data developer and service providers as well as companies that aggregates massive data sets.

Top holdings include software-focused Pros Holdings ( PRO), Nielsen NV ( NLSN), Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. ( HPE), SAP SE ( SAP) and New Relic ( NEWR), a software analytics company.

"It's about doing something that hasn't been already done before," says Andrew Chanin, CEO of PureFunds in New York, whose company launched the PureFunds ISE Cyber Security ETF ( HACK).

Cautionary advice. Some experts say that doesn't always make for a great investment.

"I'd like to see the fund become a little more established," says Greg Ostrowski, managing partner at Scarborough Capital Management in Annapolis, Maryland.

With an expense ratio of 0.75 percent and bid-ask spread of more than 1 percent, Jeff Ptak, global head of Morningstar's manager research team in Chicago, says although Morningstar doesn't cover this ETF, he's not a fan of how thinly traded it is.

[Read: What Rising Government Bond Rates Mean for Your Money.]

"Investors haven't achieved great outcomes with narrowly-oriented products that tend to be pretty volatile," he says. "We can get excited about the theme, but if we can't trade it efficiently, we can end up getting eaten alive by transaction costs."

Dawn Reiss is an award-winning journalist in Chicago who has written for TIME, Reuters, Chicago Tribune, The Atlantic and Travel + Leisure and many other publications. Follow her on Twitter, Google+ and Instagram @dawnreiss.
The Portuguese capital is well placed to become a tech hub because it has strong infrastructure, cheap rents and an educated workforce that is fluent in English, backers claim (AFP Photo/Patricia de Melo Moreira )

Lisbon (AFP) - Lisbon is betting that hosting the Web Summit, Europe's largest tech event, will spur the growth of startups and draw foreign investors, helping it compete with the continent's main innovation hubs.

Portugal, struggling with a high debt and low growth, requested a three-year 78-billion-euro ($85 billion) international bailout in 2011 that imposed higher taxes and steep spending cuts.

While the crisis hammered the economy, depriving it of state funding and easy bank loans, it also drove change, pushing people to come up with new ideas for businesses -- many of them tech startups.

During the first half of the year the number of new companies that were created was 3.3 times higher than the number of firms that went under, according to government figures.

To fuel the expansion of the startup sector the government lobbied hard to bring the annual Web Summit to Lisbon. The tech expo has been held every year in Dublin since its launch in 2010.

Some 50,000 participants and 15,000 companies from around the world are expected to attend the November 8-10 event, nearly double the 27,500 people who attended last year.

Lisbon will host the annual event until at least 2018.

Portugal's secretary of state for industry, Joao Vasconcelos, said he hoped hosting the event will give rise to a new generation of entrepreneurs.

"A Web Summit generation, with a global mentality," he told AFP.

"We are a peripheral market, the digital economy is a unique opportunity for Portugal," added Vasconcelos, the former head of a Lisbon startup incubator.

- 'Good environment' -

Web Summit chief executive Paddy Cosgrave said the strong government support given startups in Portugal was one of the reasons why he moved the event to Lisbon.

"They recognise the value of technology and want to put Portugal on the map as a tech hub," he said.

The Portuguese capital is well placed to become a tech hub because it has strong infrastructure, a "vibrant tech community", cheap rents and an educated workforce that is fluent in English, Cosgrave said.

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"These are all key factors for making a good environment for startups," he added.

The city has already given rise to a number of "brilliant" new firms with strong growth potential such as Codacy, which has developed a software tool that automatically reviews computer code, said Cosgrave.

The company, which employs 16 people, won the Web Summit Pitch competition in 2014.

"The Web Summit will place Lisbon amid the European startup capitals, alongside London and Berlin," said Codacy co-founder Jaime Jorge, who often travels to Silicon Valley in California, the heart of the tech universe, to drum up business.

Codacy is one of 40 Portuguese startups that have raised at least $1 million each from investors.

Since 2010 they have raised a combined total of more than $166 million, according to a European Commission report on Portuguese startups published last year.

While the figures trail those of Britain, Germany and Fra

nce, the report said "the data tells you how recent and strong is the growth of the Portuguese startup ecosystem".

- 'Springboard for startups' -

Ricardo Marvao, co-founder of Beta-i, a non-profit that helps startups develop by providing office space and free legal consultancy, said "2015 was a turning point" for Lisbon's notoriety as a startup centre.

"When a dozen Portuguese startups raised five to ten million euros each in just a few months, investors started to show interest in what is happening here. With the Web Summit, the hype around Lisbon will rise," he added.

Foreigners are behind many of Portugal's new startups.

Of the 220 firms that took part in the Lisbon Challenge, a three-month startup acceleration programme organised by Beta-i in 2013, roughly two-thirds were founded by foreigners who were drawn by the city's low costs and mild weather.

Among them is Moneytis, an online comparator of money transfer services founded in 2015 by two Frenchmen.

After eight months in Amsterdam they moved to Lisbon because they were looking for a "flourishing environment that is cheaper than Paris or London", said Moneytis co-founder Christophe Lassuyt.

"Lisbon has great chances in Europe. The city has already proven itself to be a good springboard for startups and the Web Summit will be a great opportunity to meet major investors and partners," he added.
'Watch Dogs 2' is set in a simulated San Francisco with space for up to four human players at once.

Hardware manufacturer Samsung is bundling copies of high-profile November release "Watch Dogs 2" with a selection of its solid state drives and curved monitors.

Ubisoft's "Watch Dogs 2" is an open world game outwardly in the mold of a "Grand Theft Auto" title but with a high-tech angle, focused on the lifestyle and exploits of a socially connected computer hacker.

And while graphics cards manufacturers Nvidia and AMD frequently offer free games as incentives to buy their most recent components -- thus using glossy game releases to drive technology upgrades -- Samsung is now doing the same for a half dozen of its solid state hard drives and three curved monitors.

The PC release of "Watch Dogs 2" is tracking for November 29 (two weeks behind a mid-month PlayStation 4 and Xbox One debut), and products from Samsung's 850, 960, and Portable T3 SSD lines, as well as two CFG70 Curved Gaming Monitors and a CF791 Curved Monitor will come with a copy of the Windows game until the end of the year.
By Yimou Lee and Antoni Slodkowski YANGON (Reuters) - Norwegian telecoms company Telenor will focus on improving data services in Myanmar, the head of the local business said on Wednesday, as an era of rapid subscriber growth following the opening up of the economy has ended. The liberalization of Myanmar's telecoms sector has been a rare example of successful reform since the military ceded power in 2011, with Telenor quickly establishing itself as the No. 2 in the market with 18 million subscribers. But after a period of astonishing growth in a country which had one of the world's lowest mobile penetration rates, the fight over customers is shifting to more-lucrative Internet services, fueled by Myanmar's near-ubiquitous use of Facebook. "Those who wanted to have a SIM card already have one ... The fight will turn into existing customers rather than new, virgin customers who have never had experiences in cellphones," Telenor Myanmar chief executive, Lars Erik Tellmann, told Reuters in an interview. "Everyone has jumped into mobile  there's no fixed line alternatives and very few have PCs while Internet penetration remains extremely low," said Tellmann. "That explains why everyone is so hungry for their smartphone and their ability to be online." Other social media apps popular in Myanmar include Facebook-owned WhatsApp and Viber. Telenor faces tough competition from Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT), a state-owned provider that has partnered with Japan's KDDI Corp to improve its services, and Qatar's Ooredoo. Estimates vary, but industry experts say MPT has around 21 million subscribers while Ooredoo has reported 9 million. Vietnamese carrier Viettel said in April it planned to form a consortium with two Myanmar companies to invest a combined $1.5 billion in Myanmar's telecoms sector if it won the country's fourth, and last, telecom license. Myanmar accounted for 5.3 percent of Telenor's revenue in the third quarter and was its fastest growing market. But the company's average revenue per user in Myanmar, a key industry measure, was down 28 percent to $4 compared with a year earlier, partly because Telenor is now pushing deeper into rural areas where people spend less on mobile services. "Super hyper growth has flattened," said Tellmann. As of the third quarter, around 40 percent of Telenor's revenue in Myanmar came from data services, Tellmann said, while the remaining 60 percent was from the traditional sources such as voice calls and text messages. The company has built 6,800 telecoms towers and plans to build an additional 3,200 by the end of 2018. "The leftover rollout we have is going to be the most challenging and difficult," said Tellmann, referring to areas controlled by the country's myriad of ethnic armed groups and where fighting still goes on unabated. (Editing by Mark Potter)
President John Dramani Mahama has sent a stern warning to the NPP presidential nominee, Nana Akufo-Addo to stop carrying himself as the winner of the December of polls.

Stop carrying yourself as president-elect - Mahama to Nana Addo

According to Mahama, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer has been going around saying he has already won the elections.

Power rests in the hands of God, He decides who becomes a leader. So when I see somebody [Nana Addo] carrying himself as an already elected President, I say if God says he wont make you a President, you can move heaven and earth you will still not be President, the NDC presidential candidate told an NDC gathering at a mini rally t Ayirebi in the Ofoase-Ayirebi constituency of the Eastern region.

READ ALSO: Minister's family evacuated after "powerful bomb" spotted near his house

President Mahama further opined that only God knows who the next President of Ghana will be.

Source: YEN.com.gh
General public's movement not stopped during Indian Prez's travel: Police

Nepal Police has stated that the general public has not been stopped from walking on the pavement during the passage of the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee's carcade.
Indian Prez Mukherjee to worship at Pashupatinath Temple on Thursday

Visiting Indian President Pranab Mukherjee is scheduled to offer worship at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on Thursday morning.
Indian Prez Mukherjee arrives for 3-day Nepal visit

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday for a three-day state visit to Nepal in a special flight at 12:30 pm, leading a 36-member delegation.
Indian Prez's visit will further strengthen mutual relation: PM Dahal

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the Indian President's visit to Nepal would further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Iraqi forces enter outskirts of Mosul

Iraqi forces have for the first time entered the outskirts of Mosul, as they attempt to drive Islamic State (IS) militants from the northern city.
Nepali man serving in Indian Army dies in India-Pak cross-border firing

A Nepali serving in the Indian Army's Gorkha Regiment was killed during a cross-border firing at the India-Pakistan border in Balakote sector on Monday, informed Indian Home Ministry.
Preparations for Indian President's Janakpur visit near completion

The preparations for the visit by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee are nearing final stages in Janakpur.
President Mukherjee, PM Dahal discuss Nepal-India bilateral issues

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held a meeting with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee at Hotel Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu on Wednesday.
Prez Bhandari, Indian President Mukherjee hold meeting

President Bidya Devi Bhandari held a meeting with visiting President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, at her official residence in Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu on Wednesday.
Samuel Chhetri is an online reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering a wide range of issues, including politics, society, sports, arts and entertainment.
Veep Pun pays courtesy call on Indian Prez Mukherjee

Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun paid a courtesy call on Indian president Pranab Mukherjee here this evening. The Indian President arrived here today on a three-day state visit.
Former Attorney General Pater Nyombi has been pinned by parliaments committee of State Enterprises and Statutory Authority for allegedly causing financial loss of over 1.5 billion shillings.

The loss is said to have been incurred when Nyombi failed to secure legal representation for the Uganda National Roads Authority as reflected in the 2014-2015 Auditor Generals Report.

The committee steered by its Vice Chairperson Anita Among the Bukedea district Woman MP has faulted Nyombi for authorizing the payment of Dot Services 1.5 billion in damages, which money could have been saved through a court process.

In his defense, Nyombi says that he advised UNRA to pay the money upon realising that any further delays would attract heavy interests.
The Inspector General of Police, Kale kayihura has said the government was right to close down the University.

He says the government had no option and its closure was the best decision.

He added that a breaking space was needed to allow the government, administration and staff to get a solution to the situation.

The guild president, Roy Semboga says they are writing a petition to the Education minister which will be handed to her later today.

He says many international and local students are stranded as the decision to send them back home came at short notice.

He added that students are victims and thus must go home and allow
The Ministry of health has downplayed fears that mosquito nets could cause health effects on Ugandan people.

This comes as the government plans to distribute 24Million nets in a mass campaign aimed at reducing the malaria burden.

The exercise kicks off on 9th December till 24th April 2017.

However there are continued fears amongst the public that these nets contain chemicals which lead to miscarriages.

Now health Minster Dr. Ruth Achieng says mosquito nets are fully tested and certified on both international standards and locally by the national drug authority and national bureau of standards.

She denies that there chemicals saying of the 6.5 M nets received already in the country all these have been tested as they await the extra ones.

She says the national reduction strategy is 3% by 2020 and part of the steps to achieve this is by distributing tested mosquito nets urging the public to embrace them when distributed.
The electoral commission has hailed the media for a great role played in the voter education in the February general polls

Speaking at a media evaluation workshop commission chairman Eng Badru Kiggundu said the media were very strong allies and helped sensitize members of the public on their voter, rights, duties and responsibilities.

He says the media also helped connect the electorate with the political players and the election managers.

He challenges the incoming commission to maintain the good working relationship with the media however noting that some CSOs were very adversarial and he will have to advise the new commission on how best to handle them.

Sound Kiggundu on media and CSO

The evaluation workshop has attracted editors and journalists from a wide range of media houses from Kampala and upcountry.
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This years 13th District state Senate race pits Republican incumbent Sue Glick, of LaGrange, against Democrat Justin Kuhnle, of Garrett.

The 13th District includes LaGrange, Noble and Steuben counties, and parts of DeKalb County.

Glick has served in the state Senate since 2010. She is a lawyer with more than 30 years of experience, a former LaGrange County prosecutor and the former chair of the LaGrange County Republican Party.

She first was appointed to the Senate in 2010 to replace Marlin Stutzman, who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives 3rd Congressional District seat. Two years later, she earned a full term in the Senate, winning her general election race.

Glick lives in LaGrange, where she still practices law.

Kuhnle is a Garrett resident who has worked in social services for more than a decade. He is a graduate of Purdue University, and studied psychology and occupational therapy at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and Ivy Tech Community College.

He is married to a fourth-grade teacher, and the couple have a young son.

Two years ago, Kuhnle ran against Stutzman for the congressmans 3rd District seat. Kuhnle said he never envisioned seeking political office until he watched federal and state governments reduce support for mental health patients and professionals.

He works as a family health consultant and said his job is to help children be reunited with their families.

Kuhnle said his reasons for running for office are simple.

What I see with current representatives is theyve not done a lot for juveniles within the judicial system. Theyve created problems within the (Indiana Department of Child Services) network. Theyve continued to assault public education, and they continue to not harness job creation or job retention, he said.

Theres a certain point when representatives become disconnected with the constituents, where theyre not representing the interests of the citizens.

Glick said shes proud of her accomplishments in the Legislature, including reducing the regulations placed on businesses and agribusinesses. She said she looks forward to turning the legislative spotlight back on education, and hopes to help local educators and communities play a larger role in how their schools function.

I would like to see the matter of local control over the schools resolved so that educators can feel like they have a stronger voice in the decision making, she said. They should be able to control schools in such a way that testing procedures arent burdensome on the teachers and children, and that we have the ability to assess where the child is in a meaningful way without it being a criteria for the educators effectiveness.

Kuhnle said he is a strong supporter of local control of schools. According to the issues section of his website, If charter schools are to remain as an option for students, they must be held to the same standards as those required of public education.

He vowed to fight any push to privatize education and said he would oppose expanding standardized testing. Kuhnle also disagreed with the way the governors office has treated Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz.

Glick said if shes elected to return to the General Assembly to serve another term as a state senator, she plans to start working toward eliminating some of the regulations she believes are placing an undue burden on taxpayers and business owners alike.

I want to try and lift some the regulations off of the taxpayers and the businesses, she said. Every time they turn around, theyre faced with a state, local or federal mandate on how they operate, how they do business.

If were going to encourage economic development, were going to have to take the regulations away and reduce the regulations to make it a more free economy. There has to be an incentive for people to make money, and they cant do it if they have to spend all their profits addressing regulations and meeting mandates from government.

If hes sent to Indianapolis, Kuhnle would like to address redistricting. He said those in power have created district boundaries that benefit the officeholder, not the constituents.

Our state has created these wonderful gerrymandered districts. But thats another bonus of electing someone whos of the people. In four years, were set to redistrict the Senate and House seats in the state, he said.

What better way to do that than get a person who understands you have to have a balance between Rs and Ds and Is, and actually create a map that represents all Hoosiers?
EVANSVILLE  Ha!

This was a deep-throated staccato mono-syllable projected from the diaphragm of Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb at Tuesdays debate at the University of Southern Indiana. I had heard it before, uttered by Holcombs mentor, Purdue President Mitch Daniels. It signals either exceptional glee that the listener had registered a deep concept. Or it signifies contempt.

In the post-debate presser, I had asked Gregg where he thought his campaign stood heading into the final two weeks of this unprecedented gubernatorial race.

Gregg explained, We have been what I feel has been the only campaign that has put out a substantive list of plans and details. I talk about infrastructure. Where is his plan? He doesnt have one. Hes running for governor and he doesnt have an infrastructure plan. Thats not vision.

Holcomb followed Gregg and was told by a local reporter about the Democrats remark.

John Gregg as former speaker of the House had no infrastructure plan other than what he described today, which is to borrow, Holcomb said. What he said today was I will raid the Major Moves Trust Fund and we will borrow for three years.

This set Holcomb up for his reinforcing point, one of 200 miles of new concrete, berms, steel guardrails, beams and bridges, connecting Indianapolis to Evansville via the new I-69, a road some of us had driven for the first time heading into this encounter.

I was part of the team that laid out a plan for a long-term, sustainable, data driven, not political, infrastructure program, Holcomb said. He was actually talking about current plans being forged by House Speaker Brian Bosma and House Transportation Chairman Ed Soliday over the past year, that are expected to reach critical mass in the biennial budget session of the Indiana General Assembly less than three months away. But it applies to the work Holcomb did as Daniels deputy chief of staff, which included appearances at various union halls, gaining support for Major Moves in 2005.

Working with legislators and leaders, we will come up with a long-term plan, Holcomb said before turning his attention to Gregg. He didnt pour one inch of concrete on I-69 in the entire time he was in the House of Representatives, including six years as speaker. We had projects lying on the shelves gathering dust his entire time, so there is hypocrisy and theres high-pocracy.

To say the state has no plan I would call high-pocracy, Holcomb concluded.

Indignation was not the singular domain of the Republican. Gregg, too, was ticked.

We have a Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Gregg began. I dont think it was needed, number one. He vowed to repeal it.

Number two, the LGBT issue has been a huge economic problem for us in Indiana, it has damaged our reputation. It makes us look like were not respecting all Hoosiers. I believe all Hoosiers deserve better. Gregg continued, Indiana is a state where federal law allows a same sex couple to get up, go to work, get married at the lunch hour and then come back and find out they can lose their job or their housing without civil rights protection.

In recent sessions Ive had academics, businessmen and rainmakers, there is great talk of the various bioscience projects that have steadily morphed into what will be billion-dollar opportunities for the state in the next five years in places like 16 Tech on the IUPUI campus. Asking if RFRA and the lack of LGBT rights are obstacles in making Indiana a bio Silicon Valley is to fetch a torrent of consternation. Its the phone calls that dont come, said one rainmaker, who just moments before had talked about the gathering capital intended to fund top researchers who in the next five years will be working in labs in downtown Indy. But these researchers steer clear of intolerant places.

Holcomb and his campaign manager, Mike OBrien, who had been a key figure in Indy Competes that had pushed for LGBT rights, have heard this from many of these same players.

This was Greggs Ha! moment.

It hurts us in keeping talent, attracting talent and it is long overdue, Gregg explained. It is one of the top five issues with the Chamber of Commerce, one of the top five issues cited by the Thriving Cities/Thriving State. I know my opponent says this is no longer an issue. Its a huge issue.

Gregg continued: When I met with execs at Eli Lilly they mentioned it. When I met with execs at Cummins, they mentioned it. When I met with execs at Hillenbrand and Salesforce they mentioned it. Salesforce only expanded in Indianapolis because Mayor Gregg Ballard, a Republican, passed a civil rights ordinance. This isnt a Democrat or a Republican issue. Mayor Winnecke here in Evansville has been saying the same thing.

In Holcomb responded, We have taken a couple of runs at this issue. We saw no progress. We have a balance now where locals are able to address this.

In 20 minutes we watched these two potential governors grapple with the two issues of our time: Concrete and steel, as well as human capital and dignity. There they stood in stark contrast.

 The columnist is publisher of Howey Politics Indiana at www.howeypolitics.com. Find him on Facebook and Twitter @hwypol.
The Texas Book Festival (TBF) began with a simple purpose: to bring authors and readers together in a celebration of literature and literacy. Founded in 1995 by Laura Bush (a former librarian and then First Lady of Texas), Mary Margaret Farabee, and a dedicated group of volunteers, the TBF set out to honor Texas authors, promote the joys of reading, and benefit the states public libraries. The first Festival took place in November 1996 and has grown into one of the nations premier annual literary events, featuring 275+ authors of the years best books and drawing more than 40,000 book lovers of all ages.
Treig Pronschinske, mayor of Mondovi and Republican candidate for the 92nd Assembly District seat, says road funding and business opportunities would be his top concerns if elected to the state Legislature.

Pronschinske is looking to unseat Democratic incumbent Chris Danou.

Were not keeping up with the 30-year plan for roads, said Pronschinske, who would entertain a raise in gas tax only if it goes entirely to roads and suggests raising sales tax by municipality, specifically in larger cities or those with high tourism rates.

In order to promote business opportunities, Pronschinske advises lowering regulations so companies can afford to hire more people and locals wont be commuting to larger cities to work. He is also a strong proponent of small businesses.

The business climate is not better in this district, Pronschinske said. Theres been no growth in population. That needs to change.

In regards to education, Pronschinske favors continuing the UW System tuition freeze.

We cant give free education after high school, Pronschinkske said. Its just not in the cards. We need to get kids ready to go into the workforce. Not everyone is going to college. Universities should get down to the bare bones and level the playing fields so more people can go.

In contrast, he supports increasing funding for K-12 schools.

We cant let our kids get behind on anything. Theyre going to be the next small business owners, factory workers, doctors, said Pronschinske, who has mixed emotions on voucher schools. Im going to stay in the middle on vouchers  Im not on either side at this point.

Pronschinske also sees pros and cons with concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, saying, I like that theyre making a profit, but should look into whether to cap it, and affirms his support for family farms.

In regards to railroad safety, Pronschinske suggests changing the method of oil transport, explaining, I dont like the idea that were taking crude oil down the track. A pipeline makes more sense for oil transport.

Pronschinske takes pride in his transparency as an elected official, and opposes the change to Wisconsins open records law.

Its ridiculous not to post meetings in the paper. Thats where a lot of the locals get their news. It protects everybody to post public notices, he said.

Pronschinske believes his understanding of the needs of small towns and mayoral experience makes him the superior candidate for 92nd Assembly District Representative.

I treat everyones problem like its the biggest problem in the world, because they wouldnt be bringing it up if it wasnt, Pronschinske said. I have priorities to push in Madison to benefit my community.
Incumbent Chris Danou is hoping to serve a fifth term as the 92nd Assembly District representative to tackle constituent concerns about road funding, rail safety and education.

Danou, a Democrat from Trempealeau, is facing Republican challenger Treig Pronschinske. Danou says district residents consistently raise road and bridge concerns, for which he supports raising gas taxes or looking into open road tolling options for funding.

We have to maintain our infrastructure  infrastructure, improvements and construction pay for themselves over time, Danou said.

Danou plans to address rail safety if re-elected, citing a need for local responders to have adequate equipment and training in case of a train derailment, and proper maintenance of the tracks, especially in light of the derailment and ethanol leak in Alma last November. He supports Wisconsin State Assembly Bill 876 to restore railroad crossing rights.

Danou sees a need to find solutions for the health, safety and environmental impact of concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, frac sand mining and failures by the Wisconsin DNR to monitor water purity.

Theres not enough being done about CAFOs, Danou said. Polluted wells, the cumulative impact on wells ... when single farms dominate the landscape there are environmental and community concerns. Smaller farms are more viable for the community, and if you dont have clean water, what developmental options are there?

In regards to frac sand mining, Danou recommends hiring more inspectors and monitoring how long the eyesores are allowed to sit idle. Im skeptical of the industry and if theres even a place for it. I have a fear of the gold rush mentality. Overall for the area, long term economic development wont come from mining.

Danou states he is extraordinarily concerned about the DNR, saying the morale has never been lower and believing the institution needs to be essentially rebuilt without involvement from the federal government, and that the DNR should answer to the Natural Resources board.

Danou is in favor of lifting the UW system tuition freeze, saying with a lack of adequate classroom space, students arent likely to graduate one time, and the tuition of an extra semester negates the freeze. He calls the K-12 voucher program a failed experiment which takes money out of the public school system and advises phasing it out. In reference to teacher shortages, Danou suggests offering benefits and flexibility in situations where pay increases are not feasible.

Danou believes his eight years of experience as representative makes him the superior candidate to Pronschinske.

This is a job that you gain a lot of knowledge of as you do it. Im proud of the fact that Ive had bipartisan support in previous bills...Im proud of the praise Ive received from both parties. I have demonstrated a track record of commitment to the district.
Vietnam veteran and career educator Mark Holbrook says six years of Republican Party control of the Wisconsin Legislature have led to declining public education, crumbling infrastructure and a loss of local control.

Thats why the Wisconsin Rapids Democrat is challenging first-term state Rep. Nancy VanderMeer, R-Tomah, for the 70th Assembly District seat.

The U.S. Army veteran commanded an aero-scout unit in Vietnam and left the service after six years as a captain. After a stint with Frito-Lay, he was a teacher, then a school psychologist and finally a public school administrator the last 14 years of his career.

Restoring funding to public schools and holding accountable those private schools that get tax-funded vouches will be among his priorities if hes elected.

I will work hard to return tax dollars that have been siphoned out of the public schools in the last six years and work to put in place a method of measuring the effectiveness of the private schools that receive state tax dollars supported vouchers, Holbrook says. If private schools are going to receive state tax dollars to educate children, they need to be as accountable to the public as our public schools.

Holbrook advocates raising fees and using short-term borrowing to repair infrastructure: We can have the best-trained, most-qualified workforce in the nation, but if we have infrastructure deficits that make transporting and delivering goods and services to the public difficult, what company is going to move their business into our state?

Holbrook wants the Legislature to restore funding to the UW System and find ways to decrease tuition.

If an economist sat down today and tried to measure the past impact of this university on the economics of Wisconsin, I believe it would be a near impossible task, he says. So how can we stand by and allow politicians in our state attempt to make political hay by destroying what our forebears created?

Holbrook wants the DNR to consider the environmental impact of high-capacity wells on water tables and streams on adjacent properties.

And he insists the Walker administration has robbed Wisconsinites their right to govern themselves.

Throughout the governors administration ... he has attempted more than 125 time to remove or modify the effect of local control, he says.

This state government has manipulated the law to remove local control from a variety of local governments or state agencies who traditionally have been tasked to educate our children and protect our resources and rights. We need to return local control to the agencies and governments that work best on our behalf.

Holbrook is critical of efforts to cut prison costs on the backs of corrections employees and wants to reduce the number of prisoners by developing alternatives consequences for nonviolent offenders.
Black River Memorial Hospital and the Western Region Enrollment Network are providing assistance to those who desire help in navigating through the Wisconsin Healthcare Marketplace.

The marketplace has been set up to provide information on how to apply for health insurance coverage including Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus and the Childrens Health Insurance Program.

This opportunity helps those community members of Jackson County who need health insurance under the Affordable Care Act to access the healthcare marketplace by providing certified application counselors to assist in the process, said Matt Streeter, BRMHs CFO.

All enrollment opportunities are held in the Dorothy Halvorson Conference Room at BRMH. The events are scheduled for Nov. 14 from 4-7 p.m., Dec. 12 from 4:30-7 p.m. and Jan. 3 from 4-7 p.m.

For more information, call (608)785-5841.
Voters will help cap the 2016 fall election season next Tuesday when they head to the polls for the presidential election and other state and local races.

Jackson County doesnt have any contested county office races, but local voters will cast their ballots in the presidential, U.S. Senate and congressional races on Nov. 8.

Parts of the county also will weigh in on contested state Senate and Assembly races and Melrose-Mindoro School District and Osseo Fire District referenda.

Jackson County Clerk Kyle Deno said she expects strong turnout because of the combination of national election and local items on the ballot.

Being a presidential election, I do believe we will have an excellent voter turnout, she said. Im certainly optimistic that well have an excellent voter turnout. Were seeing a lot of absentee voting  people are taking advantage of the opportunity to vote early with absentee voting, which is a positive for voters.

The positive is that they dont have to stand in line.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wisconsins voter ID law is in effect and applies to this election. Acceptable forms include drivers licenses, an ID card, passport, tribal ID or military-related card.

In Jackson County, people are very accustomed to it, Deno said of the law. The polling places havent had any issue with people not providing the appropriate ID card to look at.

The presidential and vice presidential election sits atop the list of races and pits Republicans Donald J. Trump and Michael R. Pence against Democrats Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine.

The other president and VP tickets include Darrell L. Castle and Scott N. Bradley for the Constitution Party, Gary Johnson and Bill Weld for the Libertarian Party, Jill Stein and Ajamu Baraka for the Green Party, Monica Moorehead and Lamont Lilly for the Workers World Party and Rocky Roque De La Fuente and Michael Steinberg for the American Delta Party.

Republican Ron Johnson and Democrat Russ Feingold are set for a rematch for one of Wisconsins two U.S. Senate seats. Also on the ballot is Libertarian Phillip N. Anderson.

The 7th Congressional District race will be on the ballot in Jackson County, with residents in five northeastern towns and part of another town casting their ballots. The race has incumbent Republican Sean Duffy taking on Democratic challenger Mary Hoeft.

Voters in seven towns in the eastern portion of Jackson County will weigh in on the 24th state Senate and 70th Assembly District races. Incumbent Democratic state Sen. Julie Lassa is being challenged by Republican challenger Patrick Testin. Incumbent Republican Rep. Nancy VanderMeer will look to fend off a challenge by Democrat Mark Holbrook.

Voters in the towns of Cleveland and Garfield will help decide the race for Wisconsins 68th Assembly District, where incumbent Republican Kathy Bernier is taking on Democratic challenger Howard White.

Residents in the other portions of the county will cast votes in the 92nd Assembly race between incumbent Democrat Chris Danou and a challenger in Republican Treig E. Pronschinske.

Town of Garfield voters will help the Osseo Fire District decide whether it should build a new fire hall with an advisory referendum.

Melrose-Mindoro School District voters will weigh in on a $24.7 million referendum question on whether or not to build a united campus at the high school site south of Melrose.

When you have referendums that deal with certain things, you do have a lot of people there, Deno said. Its local, besides the presidential election. Local things bring people out.

Three county offices are up for re-election, but they all will by uncontested by Democrats. Deno is seeking another term for clerk, Shari Marg is running for another term as register of deeds and Jo Anne Forsting-Leonard is running for re-election to the treasurer position.

District Attorney Gerald Fox also will run again unopposed as a Democrat.

For previews of contested races, see B2-B4 of this weeks Chronicle.
The fight to halt an invasion of the rivers, streams and Great Lakes of the Upper Midwest will likely need a varied arsenal. Scientists with the United States Geological Survey are testing various tools for developing integrated pest management systems in its efforts to halt or slow the spread of Asian carp.

USGS research fish biologist Jon Amberg will present a program about the agencys efforts in the battle. He will give his presentation at the Wednesday, Nov. 9 meeting of the Friends of the Black River. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Jackson County Banks community room in Black River Falls.

Amberg will begin his talk with a brief overview of the history of Asian carp in the United States. The carp were imported to this country in the 1970s by southern fish farmers as a natural means for helping keep their commercial ponds clean. In the 1990s, floods allowed the fish to escape those ponds and the nonnative carp have been invading the Mississippi River and its tributaries ever since.

I will then provide a summary of the new technologies being developed to control these fishes, like repurposed carbon dioxide and complex sound as barriers as well as the development of microparticles and new species-specific control chemicals, Amberg said. I will conclude with importance of using multiple tools to manage these species as part of an integrated pest management strategy.

Amberg is based at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences, where he leads a team of scientists on the development and assessment of new tools in the control of aquatic invasive species.

Employed by USGS for about seven years, Amberg has a PhD in animal sciences with an emphasis on fish physiology and biology from the University of Idaho and holds a masters degree in fisheries from Michigan State University.

Along with developing methods for controlling the pest species, the team is developing diagnostic tools for monitoring the extent of the invasion. If proved effective, all these new tools could be implemented as part of a strategy for addressing the spread of the carp.

Not only do these invaders threaten the ecology of a waterway but they also pose a significant threat to the economy of an area by altering fisheries and recreation opportunities in locations that they have become established, Amberg said. Unfortunately, natural resource managers have had few tools to control aquatic invasive species like the Asian carp. Significant efforts into expanding the number of available tools to control invasive fishes like Asian carps are currently under way.

Some the tools could include removal netting, commercial fishing, microparticle toxins, seismic water guns and manipulation of stream flow to encourage spawning in poor locations or settling of eggs.

The four species of carp populating the countrys streams and the Mississippi River are the silver, bighead, grass and black. The two species of greatest concern are the bighead and silver carp. The fish have gained notoriety for their tendency to leap out of the water when the river or stream is disturbed by motorized boats. They also are known for their voracious appetite, which destroys habitat for native fish.

In 2015, anglers have reported catching some of the carp as far north as the St. Croix River. Scientists are monitoring the Mississippis tributaries to determine whether the carp have migrated up other Mississippi River tributaries such as the Black River.

Ambergs program and the FBR meeting are free and the public is encouraged to attend.
Oct. 17

5:22 p.m.: Anton F. Chojnacki, 71, Black River Falls, was cited for failure to yield after a two-vehicle accident in the parking area of Oriental Kitchen. Chojnacki turned left and into the path of a vehicle driven by Todd M. Waldera, 48, Taylor, causing the two to collide. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Oct. 18

2:15 p.m.: A 69-year-old Black River Falls man reported someone used some of his old checks from a closed account.

Oct. 19

1:39 a.m.: Timothy P. King, 49, Black River Falls, was cited after a report of theft at Walmart. An officer made contact with King in a truck in the parking lot and he admitted to taking alcohol. An employee also reported King had taken alcohol and food items during an incident three days earlier. King was cited for misdemeanor bail jumping and retail theft.

2:55 p.m.: Joshua R. Harris, 31, Melrose, was arrested on a probation hold and transported to jail.

Oct. 22

4:54 p.m.: Beverly R. Waldera, 69, Taylor, was cited for non-registration of auto following a traffic stop on Highway 54.

9:43 p.m.: George S. Cruz, 28, Black River Falls, was cited for operating after suspension following a traffic stop on Highway A near Forrest Street.

Oct. 25

1:24 a.m.: Erica Peterson, 43, Black River Falls, was cited for misuse of 911 after a call from an apartment on the 200 block of S. Third Street. Peterson first said she called because she was worried about a friend, but the resident of the apartment said Peterson wanted to see what kind of response she would get by calling 911.

8:49 p.m.: Robert L. Perry, 67, Breckenridge, Minn., was cited for failure to yield following a two-vehicle accident on 10th Street near Harrison Street. Perry pulled away from the stop sign and into the path of a vehicle operated by Elizabeth M. Pardoe, 16, Black River Falls, which had the right of way. Pardoes van sustained severe damage.

Oct. 26

4:53 p.m.: Laurie K. Doud, 50, Hixton, was cited for following too closely after striking the back of a vehicle driven by Andrea G. Storm, 68, Black River Falls, while both were traveling on Highway A. Storm was transported to the hospital.

Oct. 28

9:59 a.m.: Brady J. Palmer, 42, and Casey J. Palmer, 40, both of Black River Falls, were cited for disorderly conduct after a report of a disturbance on N. Water Street. Casey stated he went to his grandmothers residence to visit when Brady met him at the door and wouldnt let him in. Casey stated he was put in a headlock and Brady said he was struck in the face.

11:50 a.m.: Jody F. Whiteeagle, 27, Black River Falls, was cited for possession of open intoxicants in a motor vehicle following a traffic stop on Highway 12.

Oct. 29

2:21 a.m.: Shane C. Nicholas, 21, Black River Falls, was arrested for battery after a report of a fight at Murphys Pub. The victim, a 21-year-old from St. Paul, Minn., appeared to have suffered a broken nose.

12:55 p.m.: Gideon Newell, 18, Black River Falls, was arrested and transported to jail after marijuana was discovered in his bedroom.
Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, will forever be one of the most important days of my life.

It was the day I put everything I could in my 1997 Chevy Cavalier, waved goodbye to my family and drove 142 miles to Jackson County.

My, did that drive ever seem long. As I got closer and closer to the Jackson County line, more trees filled the side of Interstate 94, and I felt how much farther away I was from the home I knew in southwestern Wisconsin.

I became a Western Wisconsinite.

I arrived at the office for my first day on Wednesday, Aug. 26, excited and nervous, ready and anxious. Then-editor Matt Perenchio gave me a tour of the area and introduced me to a few people I would need to get to know, like then-City Administrator Bill Arndt.

Then I was off to the races of working on my story assignments, taking photos and getting to know Jackson County and its people better than I ever imagined I could.

Those seven-plus years from then to now went by in a flash. I cant believe all that has taken place and how much joy covering this community has brought me.

The Milt Lunda Memorial Arena was just getting finalized  and its ice painted  in some of my earlier days here. Now, its hosted countless events and games and is a community staple.

I went on a trip with local officials to southeastern Wisconsin in 2011 as they investigated whether to build a new community center in Black River Falls. I was here to see the results of that when the local facility opened earlier this year.

When I started, Black River Falls elementary school students went to classes at Forrest Street, Third Street or Gebhardt. As of the 2016-17 school year, the community has a new school in Red Creek Elementary and all elementary students go there or at neighboring Forrest Street. Melrose-Mindoro voters next week will decide whether or not to build a united campus.

There have been big projects  like these  that have been an honor to track, cover and watch as a journalistic observer.

However, as a reporter, youre also privy to some of the countys tougher events as you help chronicle the areas history. There have been homicides, two major flooding events and other stories that have rocked the community.

I was here to see a victim in a long-unsolved homicide case  Julia Baez  be identified. The rise of heroin, meth and prescription drugs in the community and officials response to them has been an important issue  and will continue to be in the coming months and years.

Its also an honor to be indebted with presenting these kinds of events, issues and stories because theyre equally important as they help form the fabric and history of the area.

The Chronicle was privileged and honored to have won awards from its peers during Matts and my time here. These honors brought us joy  not because of personal recognition but because of what it meant for the community. We always agreed it made us feel as though the Chronicle was doing the best it possibly could for Jackson County and our readers  our focus as weekly journalists.

Every person Ive interviewed  young, old and everyone between  has left a mark on my life that will never leave. I think Connie Craig from Melrose-Mindoro High School will probably always call me Cassie from the Chronicle  how Ive introduced myself on the phone. Its those small, regular interactions that you develop and look forward to over time.

I write to tell you Im now leaving the Jackson County Chronicle at the end of this week, but fortunately for me, Im not going far away. Ill be working with the community in a new way as a marketing specialist at Co-op Credit Union.

Its been a ride at the Chronicle, but its simply time to get in a new vehicle and take a new direction. Fortunately, for me, its one that allows me to continue to interact with the county and region I love.

Thank you, Jackson County. Your memories are now my memories and ones that I cherish.

Ill see you around.
Dona Jean Schoonover passed away Oct. 28, 2016, at Vernon Manor in Viroqua.

Dona was born to Harvey and Theresa (Sordahl) Schoonover Nov. 7, 1933. She attended Asbury Elementary School and later graduated from Viroqua High School in 1951. After high school Dona received her nursing degree from St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse. She then went on to obtain supervisor training at Great Lakes Naval Center before joining the Navy Nurse Corps. She served her country in the nursing corps from 1956 through 1976. Always aspiring to be a leader while helping others, Dona attained the rank of Naval Commander while stationed in Japan, China, Guam and places throughout the U.S.

After retiring from the Navy, Dona returned to the family farm on Asbury Ridge to help her brother, Gordon care for their mother.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Theresa; one sister, Lucille Cox; and one brother, Gordon. Blessed be the memory of Dona Schoonover.

Funeral services for Dona will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua. Pastor Dan Wollman of the Westby Coon Prairie Church will officiate. Friends may call during a visitation one hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial with military honors at the graveside will follow the service at Coon Prairie Cemetery in Westby.

Online Condolences may be offered at www.VossFH.com.

The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home 123 W. Decker St. in Viroqua is serving the family.
As co-owner of Charlottes Bridal and Formal Wear, Kathy Walker has seen countless women light up as they discover the perfect dress, and on Nov. 11, shell be giving that moment to more than a dozen worthy women, free of charge.

This will be the shops sixth year participating in the Brides Across America Operation Wedding Gown Event, which has given away 17,000 dresses since its inception in 2008. The nonprofit also offers discounts and contests for reduced cost or free weddings and honeymoons. Women with upcoming deployments or who have been deployed overseas in the past five years, or have fiances meeting the same criteria, can register for a gown.

Charlottes Bridal has outfitted more than 130 military brides in dresses donated by the shop and designers since 2010, and will have a selection of 40-50 gowns this year for eligible women.

We give away as many dresses as we can, Walker said. These women are so amazing.

Walker says many brides react with tears, while others surprise themselves with how excited they are.

One woman said shes not very girly and wanted something simple, Walker recalled. But she left with the bling-iest style and the biggest smile.

Brides-to-be have the opportunity to register through the day of the giveaway, and do not need to live in La Crosse to be eligible. All the gowns are new, in current styles. With many wedding dresses costing more than $1,000, the savings can be a blessing.

When these military women come in they are profoundly thankful, Walker said. I dont know if they know how thankful we are for the men and women who go overseas. We want every girl to have the dress of her dreams  its the least we can do for the people who do so much for us.

For more information on Operation Wedding Gown or to register, visit www.bridesacrossamerica.com./register-qualify.

Charlottes Bridal has outfitted more than 130 military brides in dresses donated by the shop and designers since 2010, and will have a selection of 40-50 gowns this year for eligible women.
Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla, the youngest daughter of St. Gianna Beretta Molla, will attend Mass at 12:15 p.m. Friday at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, followed by a talk on her mothers life.

St. Gianna, a native of Magenta, Italy, who also was a physician, is a popular saint who is considered an intercessor with God for anti-abortion causes and physicians. In 1962, when she was pregnant with Molla, doctors told her she had a cancerous tumor and advised her to have an abortion to save her own life.

Ignoring their advice, she continued the pregnancy, gave birth to Molla on April 21, 1962, and died seven days later. The Vatican declared her a saint on May 16, 2004.

Molla, who practiced as a geriatrician at the Geriatric Institute in Milan, Italy, left the health profession in 2003 to care for her father, who had serious health problems.

Since he died in 2010, Molla works full-time for the St. Gianna Beretta Molla Foundation, a small nonprofit organization her dad created to memorialize St. Gianna.

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine Church includes a shrine in St. Giannas honor, including a painting by artist Neilson Carlin and a first-class relic.

Shrine officials said that, because of the large amount of people expected at the event, they cannot guarantee individual cart rides up the steep trail to the shrines church. The carts will run in a train fashion.
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson reiterated his claims Wednesday that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has committed crimes that would qualify her for impeachment if elected Tuesday while vowing to work with the next president if he himself is re-elected.

The first-term Wisconsin Republican said Clinton broke two federal laws regarding concealment or destruction of records related to national defense when she was Secretary of State and said the FBI investigation into her use of a private email server was completely bungled.

FBI director James Comey said in July that Clinton and her colleagues did not intentionally violate federal law, though they were extremely careless in their handling of sensitive information.

Comey roiled the campaign when he told members of Congress Friday that the agency was looking into new email messages discovered in an unrelated investigation to determine whether they are relevant to Clintons handling of classified information.

I think Secretary Clinton has disqualified herself from being president of the United States, Johnson said during a meeting with the Tribune editorial board. Its very clear.

Johnson would not say whether allegations of sexual assault would qualify Donald Trump for impeachment but said he would hold whichever candidate is elected accountable if theres a proven crime.

Trump, the Republican nominee, was caught on tape in 2005 bragging that he grabbed women by the genitals, and several women have since accused him of groping them.

Johnson appeared with Trump on Tuesday at a rally in Eau Claire, marking the first time the candidates have appeared together in public during the campaign.

He said neither major party candidate is ideal, but the election is a binary choice.

I would like to be voting for Ronald Reagan, Johnson said, adding that Democrats would probably prefer Harry Truman.

Johnson is locked in a tight race with former Sen. Russ Feingold, whom he unseated in 2010. Polls conducted in the past four weeks have shown Feingold ahead by an average of 6.8 points, though in a Marquette Law School poll released Wednesday Feingolds lead had narrowed to one point  within the polls margin of error.

Johnson says if re-elected he will not seek a third term, which he considers the selling point of his campaign.

We need more people in Washington, D.C., that arent motivated by re-election, he said.
The three candidates for the 32nd Senate District clashed Tuesday on Planned Parenthood, Wisconsins controversial voter ID law and the economy during a debate at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Sen. Jennifer Shilling and her challengers Dan Kapanke and Chip DeNure grew heated as they discussed Gov. Scott Walkers move to defund Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and shift the work they do onto community clinics and public health departments.

Kapanke, R-Town of Campbell, and DeNure, I-La Crosse, both spoke out against state funding for the womens health organization, with DeNure calling the group nasty and Kapanke saying theyre horrible, citing the Center for Medical Progresss sting videos released last year, which accused the national Planned Parenthood organization of illegally selling fetal tissue to researchers.

Officials in 12 states and a U.S. House of Representatives oversight community found no evidence the group broke the law; however, the donation of fetal tissue and the performance of abortion procedures continue to draw scrutiny.

All of us are given that great gift of life, but some people arent having that choice  50 million. What happens at Planned Parenthood is unconscionable when you think about it and when you look at those videos, Kapanke said.

Shilling criticized her opponents for immediately bringing up abortion.

There we go again. When a man is asked about womens health, they immediately go to abortion, instead of thinking about what those clinics are providing, Shilling said.

Shilling cited mammograms, cancer screenings and other services provided by Planned Parenthood, adding that public health departments are unable to handle the burden if people are forced to look elsewhere for care.

DeNure called for a single-payer health system, which he said would eliminate the need for the reduced-cost services Planned Parenthood provides.

There was also a sharp contrast between the candidates when it came to Wisconsins statutory requirement to show a photo ID at the polls, which went into effect this year.

It is a fundamental right and we must make it as easy as possible to vote, Kapanke said; however, he added, there were real concerns of students voting in more than one state, citing several students telling him they might vote in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.

We make this voter ID law as seamless as possible for everybody and weve tried to do that, and, you know, where do you go where you dont have to show an ID? You need one to change your cell phone program for petes sake, Kapanke said.

Those photo IDs are accessible, he added.

Shilling disagreed, saying the laws unnecessarily impact students, people with disabilities and people who dont own a car.

Its a constitutional right  and dont confuse renting a movie using your drivers license or opening a banking account or flying on an airplane with your constitutional right to vote, Shilling said.

DeNure is undecided on the law, but thinks voter fraud is a concern nation-wide, if not in Wisconsin. He also called for eliminating early voting.

I think we should do away with it. We vote on Election Day, DeNure said. He said people should be fully informed before voting, citing the recent letter by FBI director James Comey explaining that the bureau is continuing its investigation into Hillary Clintons personal email server after additional emails came to light during an unrelated investigation.

The candidates were in agreement that La Crosses economy was strong, but differed when it came to the state and national levels.

Shilling called for additional public-private partnerships  citing their success in the growth of downtown La Crosse  urged a focus on tax breaks for small-business entrepreneurs over billionaires, and renewed her appeal for expanded broadband, particularly in rural areas.

Broadband is the great equalizer for economic development in large and small communities, she said.

Kapanke said while La Crosse is in a good place, the Coulee Region, as well as the state of Wisconsin, needs more workers.

We need to market the good things about Wisconsin and not run it down. We have so many things going on here with this great state. Lets market that to the outside. Lets bring businesses in here and lets bring a larger workforce in here, Kapanke said.

DeNure believes the 32nd District is doing well, but that the country as a whole could use a boost.

If you want to make the economy better, you elect Donald Trump president, he said.

The candidates also differed on educational vouchers, with DeNure and Shilling criticizing the program for funding private schools with public funds and for a lack of accountability, respectively, and Kapanke speaking in support, saying it addresses students needs.
Every once in awhile, a deal is so good it amounts to a steal  and people who are loco for tacos get one today when Taco Bells step up to the plate with free Doritos Locos Tacos between 2 and 6 p.m.

The tacos  one to a customer  are courtesy of the thievery of Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor in the annual Steal a Base, Steal a Taco promotion, in which anyone in the country can claim a free taco if a player steals a base during the World Series.

Lindor didnt keep taco lovers in suspense for long, swiping second base in the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

On the other hand, the Cubs foiled another one of Lindors larcenous attempts in the third inning, when he was thrown out trying to steal second again.

The tacos are free at participating Bells, and the two outlets in La Crosse and Onalaska are participating.

The local franchise operators are not allowed to talk to the media about the promotion, deferring instead to corporate headquarters.

Therefore, a local purveyor whose identity will remain as secret as whether the Indians or the Chicago Cubs would win Tuesday night as this story was written, said only, Last time, we didnt get a ton (of free taco claimants), but we got some.

At company HQ, spokeswoman Laura Nedbal said local stores have been stocked with extra provisions in case fans storm the gates.

Were definitely ready to accommodate, Nedbal said. We  have shipped in supplies to participating stores, especially those in Cleveland and Chicago, where fans are expected to respond with more enthusiasm.

The company has never counted noses for one of its free taco promotions, so there is no gauge to determine how successful this one is, she said.

As for Lindor, he tweeted a message after the chain declared him its Taco Hero for the year: One of the best bases Ive ever stolen  enjoy the free tacos America and s/o to @tacobell!
We've been told there is a dispute between the city of La Crosse and the town of Shelby about who is responsible for the repair of this road. This summer, a large pothole was filled with gravel and some tar, but that doesn't cut it.

Someone is going to have major damage to their vehicle or wheelchair or get seriously injured. We can envision an eager attorney waiting to get the case for a lawsuit. If this city and town can work together to fix this road, which has needed repairs for years, it would benefit both the continuous traffic and the elderly residents who go for walks. Please improve communication and finally agree on a needed fix.
Monday I joined in with a group of Lutherans and Catholics at the Franciscan Spirituality Center, viewing and taking part in Lutheran/Catholic prayer. With live streaming, Pope Francis and the Rev. Dr. Martin Junge, head of the Lutheran World Federation, came to our location leading hundreds in Lund, Sweden, and millions around the world, to ask God's forgiveness for mutual transgressions against the Gospels, and to pray for unity.

At this point we can't yet take part in the Eucharist at the table together. But, in the name of Jesus, we can work together to put food on the table for the millions of refugees in the world, until they can return to their own homes.

To emphasize where we do agree and to feed our sisters and brothers who are temporarily without, I suggest that Catholics donate to Lutheran World Relief and Lutherans donate to Catholic Relief Services.

Sister Patricia Tekippe,

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
Sean Duffy and Mary Hoeft differ over what can be done to boost the nations economy, how to handle the threat of the Islamic State in Syria and the merits of the presidential candidates of their respective parties.

Voters will get to decide which stands on the issue they prefer in the Nov. 8 election for 7th Congressional District seat.

Duffy, a Republican, was elected in 2010 and has been re-elected since as representative of the sprawling district, that spans from just north of Chippewa Falls to Superior, and from Hudson to near Wausau and includes portions of Jackson County.

Hoeft, a Democrat, was a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Barron County for 45 years before retiring Aug. 9. She has served two terms on the Rice Lake School Board.

Sean Duffy

Busineses in the 7th District compete globally, but new rules are driving up their cost of business, said Duffy, chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

For example, pressures on businesss mount if you start raise the cost of energy by 30 percent, which Duffy said is being done with environmental standards.

You have these small businesses hurt at every different break, he said.

If you regulated increases in the cost of energy, government then controls facets of the economy, he said.

When that happens, you dont grow the middle class, ever, he said.

There are a lot of jobs, including in the trucking industry, that go unfilled because businesses cant find trained workers, he said.

Duffy said he talked with one of the largest employers in the district, who said it costs the business $15,000 to $18,000 per employee to comply with regulations. Its about the same price range for health care for each worker, he said.

About the civil war in Syria, Duffy said the bombing and information war conducted by the U.S. has not been successful.

My concern is this threat comes home, he said of the threat posed by the militant Islamic State, also known as ISIS.

He said it will take air and ground action by the U.S., along with good intelligence, to get rid of ISIS.

To think we can removed from this and not be engaged, I think is naive, he said.

Duffy, who spoke at the national Republican convention, said hes incredibly disappointed by an audio tape of Republican nominee Donald J. Trump of how Trump approaches women.

Thats not the way I or my friends talk about women, he said.

But Duffy said hes concerned by the missing government emails of Democratic nominee and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. And he said hes concerned about allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

Looking a policy, he said, Trump will do a better job than Hillary Clinton in growing the economy, securing the nations border and defeating ISIS.

Mary Hoeft

Hoeft said Trump openly demeans and denigrates women. She said Duffy should break from his support of Trump.

I think he knows how low Donald Trumps opinion of women really is, she said.

Hoeft said she supports Clinton and said Republicans have conducted a campaign to paint her as a liar.

Name one lie of hers, she said.

About Syria, she said the situation is complex.

Do we want to back a dictator who is also backed by (President of the Russian Federation Valdimir) Putin? she asked.

She supports an increase in the U.S. intelligence services in the area so the U.S. can isolate and identify the whereabouts of the Islamic State.

Hoeft calls for moving over three years the national minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour. She favors federal subsidies to small businesses so they can absorb the higher rate.

She also wants everyone to have two years of either technical college or community college experience.

That will be funded by putting a tax on each speculative transaction on Wall Street, she said, adding the plan will not hurt four-year colleges and universities.

Hoeft supports going with a single-payer health care system, where one agency would coordinate health care financing. The care itself under the system would stay in private hands.

She said she also would work to overturn the U.S. Supreme Courts Citizens United decision in which political contributions are considered a form of freedom of speech.

Duffy and Hoeft are scheduled to have two debates. The first will be at 7 p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Northcetral Technical College in Wausau, and the other at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 at Hayward Community High School in Hayward.
Every campaign season brings new commitment, emotion, and enthusiasm as I greet constituents across the district. Every contact brings opportunity to connect with those I serve as an assembly representative. Through this campaign, I have visited with thousands of those I represent.

There are some visits that certainly remain with me. (Some of the names have been changed to respect our constituents identity.)

Helen, who is 90 years old, wasnt going to vote at all this year. She heard an interview I did with my opponent on Wisconsin Public Radio the day I visited with her. We talked and she was inspired to become engaged with the election cycle again. My support to preserve SeniorCare and my law Wisconsin Act 252 I passed to protect elderly and disabled from scammers made a positive impression with her.

There was a young boy named Christopher I met at a garage sale. He asked me if I was someone important. I told him I didnt consider myself to be anyone famous, but as his state representative I work for him and his family in addressing their concerns in local government. A few seconds later he returned with a piece of notebook paper and asked for my autograph. It reminded me of our commitment to supporting school funding and the pilot program I co-authored to coordinate career paths with schools, businesses, and parents. Christophers youthful exuberance and opportunity for the future of all students motivates me to do more.

Our district is rich with those who have served in the military, and I have been humbled by their service to our country as I continue to meet our military members and veterans. As vice chairman of the Assembly Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, I continue to extend my gratitude to each veteran. I was honored to author and see our new veterans employment and entrepreneurship law Wisconsin Act 385 signed into law. This is one way we can continue to improve employment outcomes for Wisconsin veterans.

There are those with medical challenges in our community. David cares for his wife who has Alzheimers disease and deals with the daily challenges that come along with the advancing stages of the disease. I discussed with him about the good work that our Assembly Alzheimers and Dementia Task Force does to study the issue and work on proposed legislation. Dementia and Alzheimers affects the patient, family, and care giver.

There are those who struggle with drug addiction. Jolene and Rob who I met have a son who struggles with such an addiction. Addiction disrupts college, jobs and family relationships. Our state legislature has worked on combating the drug usage in Wisconsin through our HOPE legislation, the Heroin, Opiate, Prevention, and Education initiative.

Since the 70th District is largely rural, I have visited with many hard-working farmers and discussed how we keep family farms strong. We need to give the farmers across our district the tools they need as they continue to contribute to Wisconsins agriculture economy. As a member of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, I have supported preservation of the UW Discovery farms, which brings about meaningful and useful research to farmers. We need to maintain sensible regulation for agriculture.

Wayne is a small manufacturer who like many business owners is challenged to find qualified applicants. His business continues to be challenged to find skilled candidates with employable skills to hire. Wisconsin has 80,000 to 100,000 jobs available on any day through the Department of Workforce Development website. Our legislature needs to continue to promote work force training and career path development by providing educators and employers with as a many tools as possible.

Earlier this legislative session, 20 rural state legislators, including myself, developed the Rural Wisconsin Initiative. This initiate seeks to enhance areas of our rural life in areas of education, technology like broadband expansion, workforce development, and healthcare. Many of my conversations including those Ive described touched on some of the solutions that we will continue to focus on through meaningful legislation in the Rural Wisconsin Initiative.

These personal visits, which are only a small fraction of the interactions that I have encountered this season, inspire me to continue my commitment to those Wisconsinites I serve. They share their very heartfelt challenges and victories. As a community member and a legislator, improving the lives of the people I serve is a victory for our area and our state.

I respectfully ask for your consideration when you cast your vote on Nov. 8.

Republican Nancy VanderMeer, Tomah, represents the 70th state Assembly District and is seeking re-election.
I favored my mother as a child ... not in looks (I was the spitting girl-image of my brown-eyed father) but in small things ... like cream but no sugar in my coffee when I was finally old enough to imbibe, and favoring my mothers political party of choice when I became old enough to vote: the Republican party. I no longer drink cream in my coffee ... I take it black. And for this election, at least, I, a life-long, died-in-the-wool Republican, will vote for the Democratic candidate for President: Hillary Clinton.

Now politics was not something discussed in our house. My parents just went to the polls on election day and lived with the results, no matter which ones party won. For the rest of the year, they went about providing the necessities of life, necessities being the key word here. Having lived through the depression years, they were not frivolous in their spending habits. And having to provide for their four children during World War II with just what the farm produced and ration coupons, they raised us to be good citizens and decent people by example, rather than by a Do as I say, not as I do philosophy of child-rearing.

Both of my parents, though, did have their favorite adages. My mothers was, If you cant say something nice about someone, dont say anything.

But in this election year, my dear mother will be turning over in her grave if she hears what I have to say about her partys candidate for the highest office in this already great America.

Sorry, Mom, but I say loudly and clearly that Donald Trump is a nasty man.

And I use one of Mr. Trumps favorite words, one that he applies to anyone who does not think he is Gods greatest gift to only beautiful women, to describe him.

Merriam-Webster defines nasty thus: disgustingly filthy, physically repugnant, obscene, mean, indecent. Synonyms from other sources use disgusting, distasteful, repulsive, nauseating to define the words meaning. (The fact that these adjectives are possibly better fitted to Trumps own conduct has not escaped commentators.) According to Donald Trump, not only is Hillary nasty, Such a nasty woman, and Sadiq Khan was mean and nasty for saying nasty things about him, but unlike Presidential candidates of years past who have been amused by Saturday Night Lives portrayals of them, he thinks Alec Baldwins mimicry of him is mean and nasty. Nasty? Really???

Did Donald go easy on Pope Francis by just calling him disgraceful and not nasty when the Pontiff said, A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. (Definitions for disgraceful: despicable, contemptible and deplorable!) Pope Francis might have better said that one who demeans women, makes fun of disabled people, cheats purveyors by not paying for their goods and services, does not render under Caesar what is Caesars (Paying little or no taxes makes me smart.) and brags that his sexual assaults on women are something he can get away with because he is a celebrity, is not a Christian. (Perhaps marrying the first two of his three wives in New Yorks famous Marble Collegiate Church qualifies him to dispute the Popes august opinion.) To the eligible voters among the 69 million Catholics in the United States, Pope Francis in October did not endorse, but offered this advice to Americas faithful: Study the proposals well, pray, and choose in conscience. Unlike the Mexican murderers and rapists who pour into our country illegally, to hear Donald tell it, many of this years voters are faithful Catholic Latinos, who, like Alicia Machado, the Miss Universe that Donald called disgusting and Miss Piggy because she had gained 20 pounds, will almost certainly not be casting a vote for him.

Donald Trump says so many irresponsible (claiming Colorados conscientious volunteer poll workers will toss out votes to rig the election); ridiculous (Hillary will let 650 million refugees into the country in one week!); vindictive (regarding the media, once his favorite venue for praising himself, they are, Absolute dishonest, absolute scum. Theyre totally dishonest.); dishonest (No one respects women more than I do) and yes, nasty (see above) things. They are insulting to most Americans, even as they seem to roll off his rally fans backs. Perhaps, if God or the American electorate doesnt forbid, Donald Trumps way with words will win him a chair in the Oval Office.

Even as I disregard my mothers words of advice to say only nice things about people, I am reminded of my fathers favorite adage: Into every life some rain must fall. If Donald Trump is elected President, some rain will become worse than the Biblical flood that Noah survived. Because a Donald Trump flood would surely last more than 40 days, and America could well not survive it.

Sandra Humphrey is a resident of Tomah.
Nancy VanderMeer wants voters in the 70th Assembly District to send her back to the Legislature so she can continue her work on the issues of health care, rural education, broadband internet access and drug abuse, among others.

And the Tomah Republican has been quick to point out that shell oppose legislation of her own party if she believes its not in the best interest of her predominantly rural district.

I opposed efforts to reduce funding for K-12 education and the University of Wisconsin System, she said. I also worked in conjunction with our UW System to reach a compromise to help save a program that provided college course opportunities to our high school students.

Property rights are one of the 70th District incumbents priorities.

Whether its working at my familys small-town car dealership or on my husband Dave Halls fifth-generation dairy farm, hard work is at my core, she says. Thats why I will fight to protect our rural way of life by keeping big government out of our family farms and protecting our rights as property owners.

She also touts her support of workforce development initiatives.

I understand a strong a strong workforce is critical to building Wisconsins economy. Thats why I support making investments in vocational and professional training programs that will prepare workers for todays economy, she says.

As a member of the Rural Wisconsin Initiative, a group of outstate legislators, supports boosting funding for broadband expansion grants, increasing available resources for youth apprenticeship grants and tuition reimbursement grants for apprenticeships, creating rural opportunity zones, expanding a student loan repayment program for rural teachers, encouraging expanded STEM education programs and bolstering funding for the Wisconsin Rural Physician Residency Assistance Program.

VanderMeer also counts her support of the Heroin, Opiate Prevention and Education Agenda as a key part in her first term. The HOPE Agenda included legislation to help prescribers, dispensers and law enforcement to gather information and analyze data to reduce overprescribing and the illegal sale of drugs.

We have approved multiple bills aimed at expanding the HOPE Agenda with the goal of stopping addiction before it begins, VanderMeer says.

She advocates streamlining state regulations so that more people will have access to treatment and diversion programs. Unlike incarceration, these programs help people addicted to opioids become and remain successful members of society.
Since Oct. 24, Westby parents with children residing inside the city limits can finally rest a little easier after the Westby Area School Board approved several additional in-town school bus pick up and drop off locations for children attending the school district.

After four years of trying to bring an awareness to the need for more in-town bus stops in the city of Westby, parent and day care provider Carmen Fortun is finally breathing a sigh of relief knowing that the children she cares for will have a safer route to school. Fortun has been providing day care in her home on the north side of Westby for the past four years and since that time she has been trying without success to get law enforcement to deem the area near Washington Street and below the park as a potentially dangerous walking path to school.

The area below Davidson Park has narrow streets and does not have sidewalks for children to walk to and home from school. The children must also make their way up and down a hill out of the hollow (as it is referred to people in Westby) which has a steep crest onto Washington St., a heavily traveled road connected to the hollow. Fortun and others residing in the area know that the blinding sun is a safety concern for motorists exiting the hollow during fall mornings, and departing the area in the winter months when roads might be slippery and can be hazardous.

Fortun said when you factor everything into account that motorists already deal with driving in that area and you add the element of watching for small children walking along roads without sidewalks it is just an accident waiting to happen.

This is a real problem for many people, not just myself and something needed to change, Fortun said.

School administrator Chuck Norton said he had already been looking into the situation before Fortun and a number of concerned parents attended a school board meeting in September where they were prepared to address the school board with the growing concern. Norton had been working with the transportation department director Rhonda Kennedy to see what viable options the district had for additional pick-up and drop-off points and the cost associated with adding more stops to the overall bus routes.

I am so thankful for the school board approval and for all the work Chuck Norton put into this before I ever even got the chance to preach to the school board. I was prepared to speak to the heart of all of them and they took the wind out of my sails before the boat even left the dock, Fortun said.

Several years earlier the school board approved adding bus pick up and drop off stops on the south side of Westby after the Vernon County Sheriffs Department deemed the area hazardous for students crossing Hwy 14/61/27, where a good portion of the streets and housing developments lacked sidewalks and crossing guards. Stops were also added at the same time in the village of Coon Valley where students cross Hwy 14/61 and a lack of sidewalks was also a major concern.

There will now be a total of 10 stops, eight in the city of Westby and two in the village of Coon Valley, with the addition of stops at:

Bus 8: West Park and West Ave. North

Bus 3: East Park and Vernon St. (United Methodist Church)

Bus 12: Melby St. and Ramsland St.; Ulland St. and Blackhawk Ln.

Bus 5: West Ave. No. and West State St.

Students at the 10 pickup and drop off locations are provided both morning and afternoon transportation, but the routes do not include the late routes for students involved on extracurricular activities. Midday routes for 4K students have been provided since the inception of our 4K program several years ago. There are no pick-up points designated in the village of Chaseburg because all students in the village are already provided bus transportation because the nearest school (CVES, WAMS, WAHS) which they attend are all more than two miles away from their homes.

To date, Norton said the school district administration has received nothing but praise from parents/guardians since the new routes were added on Oct. 24. He added that the cost of the expanded routes was minimal and will have very little impact on the transportation budget, since the stops are all inside the city where the school district buildings are located.

The school board and myself are so pleased that the safety and well-being of our students, particularly our youngest learners, is being enhanced. It certainly is a win/win for all. You cannot put a value on student safety, Norton said.
A Wisconsin consumers computer screen turned black. A pop-up message told her to call Apple tech support and provided a phone number. A quick call and $299 later, the problem was fixed.

Another consumer had a full-page ad appear on her screen, then her computer froze. She contacted a tech support company using the phone number in the ad and gave them remote access to her system. They unfroze the system, set her up with a Gmail account and charged her nearly $450 for their services.

A third consumers computer froze when a flashing screen appeared and a loud alarm activated. She called the number on the screen for help. The support representative removed the flashing screen and alarm for a fee.

Three similar stories. All three are ripoffs. These examples demonstrate the recent blending of two types of extortion: ransomware and tech support scams.

Ransomware  where malware locks down a computer  involves an on-screen demand for an anonymous payment in order to free up the system. Tech support scams typically involve a phone call out of the blue to a potential victim from a conman claiming to be with Microsoft or a major tech firm. The caller warns the consumer about a (non-existent) virus on their computer and promises to fix it for a fee.

These newer hybrid pop-up windows serve the purpose of pushing a call center number out to unsuspecting computer users.

Calling the number listed on the pop-up is a fruitless and dangerous proposition:

For one, there is no virus or problem that prompted these pop-ups. Even if there were a technical issue on your system, a tech support company (especially a representative from a major company like Microsoft) would never call to warn you about it.

Secondly, the person you call will ask for your credit card or bank account information to charge you for their services. Dont give out your credit and bank account information to someone you dont know or trust  especially a random scammer.

The last and most dangerous reason not to call is that the tech support rep will request remote access to your computer in order to fix the problem. Turning over control of your system gives a stranger access to all of your files and sensitive information and opens up your system to whatever malicious software they wish to install.

Instead of calling the number in the pop-up:

Disregard the warnings in the message. A virus has not actually been detected and you have done nothing to cause an issue.

Manually shut down your browser or close it using Task Manager on a Windows system (hit the Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys simultaneously) or Force Quit on an Apple system (hit the Command, Option and Esc keys simultaneously).

If forcing the browser closed is not an option, shut down the system and restart.

Clear your website history and cache.

If you face further issues, contact a trusted local tech support business for assistance.

File a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection at datcp.wi.gov.

More information on these types of operations and additional safety tips can be found on both the Microsoft and Apple websites.

For additional information, visit the Consumer Protection Bureau at datcp.wi.gov, call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-422-7128 or send an e-mail to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov.

Connect with the Bureau of Consumer Protection on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wiconsumer.
Hunter Safety Administrator Jon King is urging Wisconsin hunters to wear body harnesses when using tree stands in light of new research documenting injuries and deaths from falls.

The research shows falls from tree stands and similar elevated platforms are the largest source of injuries and deaths of hunters nationwide  and this includes Wisconsin, King said of the research from the 2016 Wildlife Society.

The research also showed the most avid hunters face a 1-in-20 chance of suffering an injury in a fall from a tree stand during a lifetime.

Tree stand incidents are preventable, King said. This is why we ask hunters to take some time to review tree stand safety rules.

King offers these safety tips:

Always wear a full-body harness also known as a fall-arrest system. Connect to your tether line and keep your tether line short. The tether is designed to keep you in the seat, not to catch you after you fall.

Always have three points of contact while climbing into and out of the tree stand: This means two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand at all times.

Always use a haul line to raise and lower your unloaded firearm or bow into and out of the stand. You can also use the haul for other things like a heavy backpack.

Use a lifeline when climbing up and down, this keeps you connected from the time you leave the ground to the time you get back down.

Be aware of suspension trauma. Suspension trauma can happen in less than 20 minutes and can be fatal. Attaching an additional foot strap to the body harness will take pressure off your upper legs.

More information is available by searching the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for keywords tree stand.


In August, a group of eighth grade girls took part in an unusual protest in the American state of Maryland.

The girls are students at Urbana Middle School in Frederick County, Maryland. When they walked into Urbanas dining room in yellow, baggy t-shirts, everyone cheered. The top school official required the group to wear the shirts after violating Urbanas dress code. But the girls added large lettering to their clothing. It read: I am more than a distraction.

The t-shirt punishment is not written in Urbanas dress code; the school official made it up. That is one reason why the girls carried out their protest.

The girls are part of a larger group of students in Frederick County who believe dress codes unfairly target girls.

Also in Maryland, a young woman named Rachel Zuniga launched what became a popular student petition at Linganore High School. Her campaign questioned why many of Linganores dress code policies required girls to cover up too much of their bodies.

School administrators say student opposition to dress codes is normal for the first month or two of every school year. Yet, the last few years have witnessed something different: a growing number of American girls expressing the belief that those policies unfairly target them.

The United States Supreme Court ruled in 1969 that schools have the right to limit a students expression if they believe that it disturbs the learning environment or violates the rights of other students.

But there often are conflicts between what the school officials believe is a disturbance and what the students believe are their rights in a democracy. Many students think that dress codes conflict with the policy of gender equality  an important idea in American democracy.

More Than A Distraction

Two years ago, a group of girls in South Orange, New Jersey launched an online campaign to protest their high schools dress code. The campaign was called #IAmMoreThanADistraction. It received attention nationwide from girls who shared their experiences about what they believed were unfair rules on students clothing. #IAmMoreThanADistraction even became a trending topic on Twitter.

Since that campaign began, hundreds of petitions have questioned school dress codes. And some students have walked out of school in protest, notes The Atlantic.

Many girls are uniting under their opposition to dress codes. They say these rules result in body shaming. The girls also say the codes excuse rape culture, and support unhealthy ways of thinking about women that can lead to sexual assaults. At the heart of it all, they say, is the belief that girls bodies are a distraction.

Lauren Weis is the director of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at American University in Washington, D.C. She agrees that some dress codes target girls.

As I see it, the problem is that these kinds of codes sexualize and demean girls bodies because they assume that girls and their bodies are a distraction or a temptation to male students.

Other educators and sociologists also find dress codes rooted in a highly problematic societal logic: that girls and women are the ones who need to protect themselves from unwanted attention, says The Atlantic, and that those wearing what could be considered sexy clothing are asking for a response.

At Linganore High School, for example, a policy about leggings  which are usually worn by girls  says they can be worn only if shirts worn with them cover the students backside. This leggings policy is said to be common at other American schools.

Zuniga disagreed with the leggings rule and other policies on clothing at Linganore. She told the Frederick News-Post newspaper that her schools dress code teaches males that it is OK for their wrongdoings against females.

VOA attempted to contact two administrators at Frederick County Schools, but was told they were too busy to speak on the issue. VOA also reached out to that same districts spokesman, but has yet to receive an answer.

Tom Saunders is the instructional director of middle schools for Frederick County. Asked whether the dress code wrongly targeted girls, he told the News-Post in August that mens clothing has mostly stayed the same over the years.

He also said that middle school age students grow quickly, and therefore clothing that was appropriate in the past may no longer fit. He suggested that parents who do not agree with the dress code contact the head of the school.

Social Media and Popular Culture

Lauren Weis believes a new social awareness is happening among girls, and that some of it is the result of the popularity of what we might call pop culture feminism, she told VOA.

She said celebrities like Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Emma Watson have publicly promoted feminist ideas in ways that seem to make sense to young women.

Media personalities may be partly responsible for this new recognition among girls. But social media is also adding to the national discussion.

Last year, security officers at Vista Murietta High School in California removed at least 25 girls from class for dress code violations, according to Seventeen magazine. Most of the girls were told their dresses or skirts were too short.

The incident took place on a day in June when the temperature was about 32 degrees Celsius. The schools policy says that dresses, skirts, and shorts must be no shorter than 10 centimeters above the top of the knee.

Some Vista Murietta girls posted images on social media to show their clothing the day they were dress coded and to show their schools clothing policy.

Vista Murietta High Schools policy includes one list for boys and another list for girls. Some of the policies for clothing length, for example, only apply to girls.

One student posted a photograph on social media of a boy wearing very short shorts, noting that girls are not permitted to wear shorts that length.

Weis believes that the Vista Murietta students and others are evidence of something beyond gender: a larger social movement around inequality.

And in todays culture, theres so much more awareness of inequality, so, inequality on the basis of gender or sexuality as well as race, class, economic status, and, more recently in the news, so much discussion about sexual assault and sexual violence, and young girls are paying attention.

Social media has helped young people reach a wider audience.

Girls at Linganore, for example, used Twitter for this goal. They started an account called @Linganore Girls to support each other and work against misogyny and body shaming.

At Farragut High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, student Holly Sikes started a petition on Change.org, a social media site for launching national petitions. Her appeal read, Are we as a county seriously willing to send a girl home and deprive her of her education simply because her shorts are too short?

She also wrote that these rules promote victim blaming.

More than 3,700 people have signed her petition.

A spokesperson for Knox County Schools told WATE.com that parents and students did not object to the dress code after a public school board meeting on those rules.

Even so, some parents do object to school dress codes, and are using social media to discuss their experiences.

A mother in Kansas, Kimberly Jones, became angry after her daughter was forced to change into gym clothing at school. She posted a photo of her 11-year-old daughters violation: a long shirt with leggings. The girl was new to the school, Jones explained to People magazine.

Jones used Facebook to tell her story. She wrote that the school did not allow her daughter to call her to bring her a different pair of pants.

Apparently, 13 year old boys cant control themselves around this, she said jokingly about her daughters long shirt and leggings.

To Be or Not Be Gender Neutral

There is another group whose gender Weis believes is unfairly targeted: students whose gender expression is different from their legally recorded sex. She says that gender-specific dress codes may punish and humiliate them and it does not create a good learning environment.

For example, earlier this year, CNN reported that a lunch worker at a high school in Ohio denied a boy his meal because the boy was wearing a bow in his hair. In fact, 19 percent of students around the country say they were not permitted to wear clothing that administrators thought was inappropriate for their gender. This number comes from a report called the 2013 National School Climate Survey.

Weis calls the growing social movement around dress code a positive and hopeful sign that young people today will be active in civic life in a way that has not happened in many years.

Im Alice Bryant. And Im Phil Dierking.

Alice Bryant wrote this story based on a number of news reports and an original interview with Lauren Weis. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

t-shirt - n. a shirt that has short sleeves and no collar and that is usually made of cotton

dress code - n. a set of rules about what clothing may and may not be worn at a school, office, restaurant, et cetera

distraction - n. something that makes it difficult to think or pay attention

petition - n. a written document that people sign to show that they want a person or organization to do or change something

disturb - v. to stop someone from working, sleeping, etc

gender - n. the state of being male or female

shame - v. to cause (someone) to feel guilt, regret, embarrassment, or sadness for doing something wrong

logic - n. a proper or reasonable way of thinking about or understanding something

appropriate - adj. right or suited for some purpose or situation

feminism - n. the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities

dress - n. a piece of clothing for a woman or a girl that has a top part that covers the upper body and a skirt that hangs down to cover the legs

skirt - n. a piece of clothing worn by women and girls that hangs from the waist down

length - n. a piece of clothing worn by women and girls that hangs from the waist down

shorts - n. short pants that reach down to the knees

misogyny - n. hatred, dislike, or mistrust of women, or prejudice against women

validate - v. to show that someone's feelings, opinions, et cetera, are fair and reasonable

deprive - v. to take something away from someone or something

humiliate - v. to make someone feel very ashamed or foolish

bow - n. a knot that is made by tying a ribbon or string into two or more loops and that is used for tying shoelaces or for decoration
This is Whats Trending Today.

Many people have heard the story of Scotlands Loch Ness monster.

The sea creature, often called Nessie, is said to live in Loch Ness, a large waterway in the Scottish Highlands.

Yet, have you ever heard of an ice monster in the American state of Alaska?

Well, an ice monster is what many people thought they were seeing when a federal government agency published a strange-looking video. The Bureau of Land Management put the video on its Facebook page.

The pictures were taken in Fairbanks, a city in north-central Alaska. Alaska is the northernmost part of the United States. While winter has yet to officially begin, weather conditions in Fairbanks already are very cold.

In the video, a fish with ice on its back appears to be swimming in the Chena River.

The video was only 20 seconds long. But it was enough to get people wondering what they saw.

One person said he thought it showed a shark that lost its way.

Someone else wrote that he thought the video was a prank designed to trick people. The writer said the Bureau of Land Management wanted to bring attention to its Facebook page.

A number of media organizations picked up on the ice monster story and talked about it on their shows.

Other writers asked if the video was edited in some way, removing some images or adding others. Perhaps, they reasoned, the bureau was trying to frighten people around the celebration of Halloween.

Some people said the ice monster was a zombie salmon, or a larger fish: a sturgeon.

One writer even suggested the creature was an alligator or crocodile. But such an animal could not survive in Alaska, where it does not get very hot, even in summer.

Some readers said it was ice moving in the river current, or ice that was frozen to a rope or some other object.

On October 31, the Bureau of Land Management published an update.

It agreed with some of the people who commented on the original piece.

An expert from the Department of Fish and Game told the bureau the picture looked really cool, but it was probably just ice stuck to a rope. The ice caused the rope to float and move in the rivers current.

Even though the mystery seems to be solved, some people do not seem persuaded. Others are still wishing it was a real monster.

And thats Whats Trending Today.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

Did you think it was a real ice monster? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

bureau  n. a government department or part of a government agency

prank  n. a trick that is done to someone, usually as a joke

edit  v. to prepare a book, newspaper story or television program to be seen or heard; to change, move, or remove parts of a work

zombie  n. a dead person who reportedly has the ability to move because of magical powers

monster  n. a creature that frightens or produces fear

update  n. a report that includes the most recent information

current  n. a continuous movement of water or air in the same direction
A program designed to help families escape poverty in the American state of Georgia is serving as a model for other parts of the United States.

The program is a partnership between private donors and the city government in Atlanta, Georgias capital.

Today, the East Lake neighborhood of Atlanta is a nice place to live. But 20 years ago the neighborhood was unsafe and looked unappealing.

Recently, VOA reporter Chris Simkins visited East Lake and spoke with Daniel Shoy, the president of the East Lake Foundation. The foundation was set up to help people in the community.

More than 20 years ago this was the home to East Lake Meadows, which was one of the nations most violent housing developments, and today is probably one of the most promising.

The city and private charities are spending $150 million to help poor families escape poverty.

Carol Naughton works for a non-profit group called Purpose Built Communities. It works with local leaders to help improve communities.

The absolute idea of income inequality is part of the problem, but the lack of social mobility is just as big a problem. If people in America don't feel like they have a reasonable shot at working and earning a better life and creating a better opportunity for their children, I think our democracy is threatened at its very core.

East Lake Village is home to about 2,100 people. Only low or middle-income individuals are permitted to live there. The housing development has banks, a grocery store and other businesses usually found in higher income neighborhoods.

Young people in East Lake are given help with their education so they can go to college and get a good job.

Twenty years ago, an average family of four in this neighborhood struggled to earn $4,500 a year. Shoy says the average income is now about $20,000.

There was only 14 percent employment in this community. Now we see a hundred percent employment for the families that we work with who are living in the subsidized units. Weve seen a dramatic increase in annual household income.

Michelle Campbell and her family have experienced success since they moved to East Lake in 2013. Campbell helps operate the housing development. She is building wealth and will soon buy her first home.

This type of program encourage(s) self-sufficiency. It is a move-to-work program, so the residents are required to work 30 hours or more in order to be on the program. And the goal is geared to them getting off the program, finding a home, getting into a better position financially.

East Lake leaders say its success can be a model for what is possible when people come together to end poverty.

Im Caty Weaver.

VOAs Chris Simkins reported this story from Atlanta, Georgia. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

charity  n. an organization that helps people who are poor, sick, etc.

social mobility  n. the ability or tendency to move from one position or situation to another usually better one; the opportunity to improve ones situation in life

shot  n. informal chance, opportunity

core  n. the most important or basic part of something

income  n. money that is earned from work, investments, business, etc.

subsidize  v. to help someone or something pay for the costs of (something)

unit  n. one of a number of apartments in a building

annual  adj. yearly

encourage  v. to make (someone) more determined, hopeful or confident

self-sufficiency  n. the act of being able to live or function without help or support from others

geared  v. aimed at, designed for; to get ready or to cause (someone) to get ready for something or to do something
Educators in Turkey are at the center of a government campaign against Kurdish rebels.

More than 12,000 teachers have been suspended for suspected ties to the Kurdish Worker's Party, or PKK.

The campaign has affected schools in Diyarbakir, a city with a large Kurdish population. Almost one-fourth of its 17,000 teachers are suspended.

The teachers are accused of supporting terrorism because they took part in a strike last year. The strikers called for an end to fighting between the PKK and the Turkish government.

Saliha Zorlu is a leader of Diyarbakir's educator's union. She says that she believes there is a larger plan behind the governments crackdown.

Her union, she explains, supports secularism in education and in Turkish society in general. Secularism is the belief that religion should not have a strong influence in education or other public parts of society.

If the union is not active, she says, the education system will change into a religious one.

"We are already seeing signs of this today," Zorlu adds. "During the attack on us, we saw that imams were appointed to state-run dormitories."

Dormitories are the buildings where students live.

Traditionally, Kurds in Turkey are religious conservatives. Religious groups that support the government have recently increased their activities in Kurdish areas. These activities include supporting calls for the region's return to its Islamic roots.

Religious activities are seen as an opposition to the secular PKK.

Like the rest of Turkey, there has been an expansion of religious schooling in the Kurdish region.

The government insists that the teacher's suspensions are about fighting terrorism.

The head of the ruling AKP party in Diyarbakir, Muhammad Akar, said, "In the upcoming days, those who made propaganda for the terror organization, who boycotted schools and who encouraged students to join the terrorists, will be separated from the innocent teachers."

He added "I can say that a significant percentage will be reinstated to their duties, and the others, those who are guilty, will be charged."

The arrests and suspensions of teachers are continuing to fuel anger and protests.

Idris Baluken, a parliamentary group leader of the pro-Kurdish party HDP, warns the suspensions are increasing tensions in the area.

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK appears to have a new front line: education. Children and teachers seem likely to be caught in the crossfire.

Im John Russell.

Dorian Jones reported this story for VOANews.com. John Russell adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

crackdown  n. a serious attempt to punish people for doing something that is not allowed

region  n. an area

imam  n. an Islamic religious leader

crossfire  n. shots that come from two or more places so that the bullets cross through the same area  sometimes used figuratively

reinstate  v. to return or re-establish
scholarship, news and new ideas in legal history
AURORA  A 40-year-old Aurora man who corresponded with a female on a social media site was arrested on Tuesday by the Nebraska State Patrol and charged with first-degree sexual assault.

Ross Carstensen was taken into custody without incident, according to a press release from the State Patrol. Carstensen, who lives at 190 Dongle Road, was in the Hamilton County Jail as of late Tuesday.

State Patrol investigators responded to the victim's report of a sexual assault on Oct. 20.

She provided investigators with information about a male who identified himself as "Brandon," whom she met on a social media site, according to the press release. The victim indicated the two had been corresponding for a couple of weeks and that she had agreed to meet with him. The female was to drive to Aurora, where she would meet him at a park. He indicated he would be in a white car.

Upon her arrival at the designated location, the victim said, she found a man waiting in a white car, but she did not recognize him as Brandon. The man told her Brandon was at a house in Aurora and he was to drive her there. The victim rode with him to the house. She then went inside the home with the man.

Once inside, he informed her Brandon was not there. While in the home, the victim was sexually assaulted by the man, according to the State Patrol. After the assault, the man drove her back to her car. The victim then returned to her home, where she reported the sexual assault.

Using information provided by the female, investigators identified Carstensen as a suspect in the sexual assault. On Tuesday, a search warrant was served at his residence, where computers, other electronic devices and additional evidence were seized.

Carstensen, who was home at the time, was taken into custody.
Nebraskas preterm birth rate rose to 9.9 percent in 2015, up from 9.1 percent the year before, the March of Dimes reported Tuesday.

The increase was enough to bump the states grade in the organizations annual report card to a C, down from last years B. The states increase mirrored that of the nation as a whole, which saw its preterm birth rate increase for the first time in eight years. The U.S. preterm birth rate went from 9.57 percent in 2014 to 9.63 percent in 2015.

In Nebraska, preterm births affected some groups more than others: The rate among black women in the state is 12.8 percent, followed by Native American women at 9.2 percent and compared with 8.8 percent for whites and Hispanics and 8.7 percent for Asians. Rates also varied across the state, from 6.9 percent in HallCounty to 10.6 percent in SarpyCounty. DouglasCounty was close to the state average at 9.8 percent.

In Iowa, the 2015 preterm birth rate was 9 percent, earning the state a B on the organizations report card.

Despite promising programs and some localized improvements, this years report shows additional steps need to be taken in Nebraska to give more babies a healthier start to life, Debra Arnow, Nebraska March of Dimes maternal health chairwoman, said in a statement.

Its not clear what has led to this years increase in premature births in Nebraska or nationally, said Arnow, vice president of patient care and chief nursing officer at Childrens Hospital & MedicalCenter in Omaha. More than half of all premature births have no known cause. March of Dimes is funding five premature birth research centers, where researchers are working on that question.

The organization also has funded other programs locally that have made a difference. In the Omaha area, the organization funded an educational, prenatal group program that served primarily the Spanish-speaking community. During the first half of 2016, the number of low birth weight babies born to mothers in the program stood at 4.5 percent, surpassing the goal of 4.8 percent.

The organization now is requesting proposals from groups to apply for funding to establish programs among other populations. The goal is to focus on improving the health of mothers so they dont deliver prematurely.

We do know what has helped, Arnow said, and were going to continue to broaden those programs.

The organization also has eliminated early elective deliveries before 39 weeks gestation, educated mothers about the risks of tobacco use and encouraged women to wait 18 months before getting pregnant again, she said. Improving access to health care also has been a goal.

Working to sustain pregnancy for at least 39 weeks is important to a babys health, the group says, because many organs, including the brain and lungs, dont completely develop until the end of term.

Premature birth, defined as before 37 weeks gestation, is a serious health problem that costs the United States more than $26 billion a year, according to the National Academy of Medicine. Not only is premature birth the leading cause of newborn death, babies who survive an early birth often face lifelong health concerns, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy and intellectual delays.
From thousands of feet in the air, western Nebraska farms looked like childrens toys near puddles for lakes  including one large one called Lake McConaughy.

In just about an hour, Tuesday mornings flight  the first PenAir flight from North Platte  landed at Denver International Airport. Passengers connected to different flights to places such as San Diego and Atlanta.

For Brian Odell, trips to Denver are frequent for his job on the safety staff at Union Pacific Railroad. But until Tuesday, they often meant long drives, three weeks a month.

I was home on weekends, he said. I was back and forth, back and forth.

Previous flights out of North Platte could cost hundreds of dollars.

After federal guidelines required pilots to earn more flying hours for planes with larger cabin capacity, Odell said, he remembers being on airplanes in which seats had been removed. Tuesdays flight had a major-airline feel, he said.

PenAirs vice president of marketing and sales, Missy Roberts, has quoted airline prices between $99 and $189. Each aircraft has 30 seats  double seats on one side of the aisle and singles on the other  two pilots and a flight attendant.

About half an hour after landing in Denver, PenAirs flight back to North Platte Regional Airport took off. Members of North Platte Area Chamber and Development were there to meet the handful of passengers at landing, cheering as each one exited the plane. The flight attendant asked who the commotion was for, before realizing it was for the plane itself.

Mayor Dwight Livingston cut the inaugural ribbon before taking his own flight with a host of other city officials.

The day was a celebration, but for people like Odell, who wont need a days travel just to catch a flight, it was a matter of practicality.

Thats why Im on a plane instead of in a car right now, he said with a laugh.
Have writer's block? Hopefully this resource will help librarians identify publishing and presentation opportunities in library & information science, as well as other related fields. I will include calls for papers, presentations, participation, reviewers, and other relevant notices that I find on the web. If you find anything to be posted, please drop me a note. thanks -- Corey Seeman, University of Michigan(cseeman@umich.edu)




Particularly during my sojourns in South Africa, it may not be possible for me to perform the moderation function speedily. I regret the necessity of moderation but it has been rendered inevitable by the behaviour of a particular commentator whose contributions will always and without exception be rejected.





No correspondence will be entered into regarding moderation decisions.

Readers are invited to comment on blog posts. All comments require to be pre-moderated by me, and I shall reject all (a) that are not related to the Lockerbie disaster or (b) that fail to meet my -- perhaps idiosyncratic -- standards of courtesy towards other contributors. Comments will not be rejected simply because I disagree with them or because I, or other contributors, find them irritating. But comments will be rejected if they distort or misrepresent the evidence; are defamatory; or if they risk embroiling me, as publisher, in defamation proceedings. I am perfectly relaxed about being sued in respect of material which I personally have posted -- but not in respect of material that others wish to post as comments and which, in any case, I often strongly disagree with.
Around 60 students from Manatee High School band are heading to Rome to perform in the New Year's Eve Parade.

Students leave Dec. 27 for Rome

Trip will cost $3,500; students fundraising on own

Students are looking forward to the trip, especially band seniors



"Theres things that they've seen in pictures or in movies, or in books, and when they actually see them live it just makes it so real for you," said band volunteer Linda Boone.

This is not the first time Boone will take this band overseas.

The Manatee High band has been invited to Scotland and London in the past. However, the Rome trip will be its first since 2010.

"Ive never been out of the country before, so this is my first really big trip," said Manatee band senior Alison Bennett.

Bennett, who plays flute, has been in the band since her freshman year. She said you can feel the anticipation among the team.

"Every day we just get more and more excited, its like two months away now," she said. "Its just building up to more and more excitement."

Working into the night, these students wont stop until every note is in tune.

For those graduating this year, they say it will be their best performance yet. Bennett called it the "best way to leave high school."

Each student is fundraising on their own to pay the $3,500 the trip costs.

The students leave Dec. 27 and return in the beginning of January.
With less than a week before Election Day, the final push is on, and the presidential candidates and their surrogates are spending plenty of time in Florida.

RELATED: With Orlando stop, Trump hopes to attract undecided voters

Florida Decides Voting Guide: Candidates, races, ballot measures that affect you



Join us for exclusive coverage of the general election throughout October and through the Nov. 8 election. Here's your guide to our special coverage:

Special editions of Political Connections Florida Decides 2016 election preview | 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7 Election day coverage on-air, online and on mobile starting at 7 a.m.



It was Vice President Joe Biden's turn Wednesday, as he spoke at the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa.

In a fiery speech to about 250 Hillary Clinton supporters, the vice president went after Republican Donald Trump.

Biden told the crowd gathered at MOSI that everywhere he travels around the world, people ask him how Republicans have nominated such an offensive candidate.

"He has offended the American worker," Biden said. "He talks terribly about women, Hispanics and Muslims."

The vice president also made it clear that Florida is make-or-break in this election and said the race is a dead heat.

"It comes down to Florida, Florida, Florida," Biden said. "No joke. You guys do your jobs here, and we can go to bed early on Tuesday."

Many in Wednesday's crowd have been campaigning for Clinton for a while.

"My first Hillary house-party was last November," said Rich Piper of Tampa, who was a delegate for Clinton at the Democratic National Convention. "It has been a long year, and I'm ready for it to be over."

Biden made no mention of the recent of FBI probe into more emails linked to Clinton. Instead, he kept the focus on voter turnout to defeat Trump, along with education, jobs and families.

"Hillary Clinton knows we have to have the most educated workforce in the world," Biden said to a crowd that included Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. "We have the most advanced culture in the world. Now let's go show them by electing Hillary Clinton."

President Barack Obama will campaign for Clinton in Miami Thursday. GOP candidate Donald Trump, meanwhile, planned to hold rallies in Miami, Orlando and Pensacola on Wednesday.

I-4 corridor visits by presidential candidates
On Tuesday, Nov. 8, the polls will close, ballot counting will begin, and with any luck, we will know who our president is by the end of the night.

But thats actually not the official end of the election. There is still one more vote, and though it is largely a formality these days, it is crucial to Americas electoral process.

Thats the vote by the Electoral College.

Join us for exclusive coverage of the general election throughout October and through the Nov. 8 election. Heres your guide to our special coverage: Special editions of Political Connections Florida Decides 2016 election preview, 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7 Election day coverage on-air, online and on mobile starting at 7 a.m. Get more of your election questions answered in our Florida Decides Voting Guide





What is the Electoral College?

The Electoral College is, essentially, the vote that determines who will be president and vice president.

The college was set down in Article II of the Constitution:

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

Who are the electors?

There are 538 electors, equal to the number of congressmen in the House of Representatives, plus the 100 members of the U.S. Senate, plus three for electors for the District of Columbia.

The amount of electors each state gets is equal to the size of each states Congressional delegation. For instance, Florida has 27 representatives and two senators, for a total of 29 electoral votes.

To win, a presidential candidate needs 270 electoral votes. It can be any combination of states, but they have to reach the 270-vote threshold.

With a few exceptions, the winner of the popular vote in each state wins all the electoral votes. Maine and Nebraska each have a kind of proportional representation in the college, so its possible for candidates to split the vote.

Before Election Day, each political party chooses a slate of electors. Once a candidate wins the election, the state finalizes who the electors are. Essentially, when people cast their votes for president, they are really choosing electors.

Then, those electors meet on and vote for president and vice president on separate ballots. This year, that election will take place Dec. 19.

The U.S. National Archives maintains the Electoral College.

On the Archives website, they have an interactive Electoral College map so you can see what it would take for your chosen candidate to reach 270 Electoral College votes.

By the way, if no candidate gets 270 electoral votes, the U.S. House of Representatives chooses the president.



Are the electors bound to the popular vote?

Theres no provision in the Constitution or in federal law requiring electors to vote according to the popular vote.

However, some states require the elector to be bound to the popular vote. Political parties can also force electors to sign pledges requiring them to vote for the candidate.

This is what the law says in Florida:

The Governor shall nominate only the electors recommended by the state executive committee of the respective political party. Each such elector shall be a qualified elector of the party he or she represents who has taken an oath that he or she will vote for the candidates of the party that he or she is nominated to represent.

Other states have so called Faithless Elector clauses that say the elector can face fines or be disqualified and replaced.

According to the National Archives, which handles the Electoral College, more than 99 percent of electors in the history of the country have voted as pledged.

Why did the founders add the Electoral College?

When the Constitution was created, the American states were a loose confederation.

At the time, each of the states were an independent political unit, said Aubrey Jewett, political science professor at the University of Central Florida. There was on one hand some pressure to work together so they could be stronger as a country against the big bad European power, but on the other hand, they didnt really want to work together.

Even during the Constitutional Convention, there was a reluctance among the states to give up any sovereignty. And small states and large states fought over how much power each had over government.

Several compromises helped bring the states together into one country, such as the Great Compromise, which led to our two-chamber U.S. Congress.

The Electoral College helped assuage that large state/small state conflict. No state had less than three electoral votes, and even if a large state had more electoral votes, it wasnt so much more that they overpowered the interests of small states.

The other reason was, quite simply, the founders didnt trust us.

There was basically the fear of mob rule, Jewett said. That the masses would want to do things in the heat of passion that the elite and educated would not do.

This is what Alexander Hamilton, one of the architects, said in The Federalist Papers, a collection of articles supporting the Constitution:

Some might say that has happened since, even in the current election.

This is also why our country is really a republic, not a democracy.

Thats why originally U.S. senators were also not chosen by the people but by state legislatures. That ended with the 17the Amendment.

The U.S. House has always been elected by the people, and the people can dispose of congressmen every two years with their vote.

Do we still need the Electoral College?

This debate has existed almost as long as the Constitution has. A majority of Americans have consistently said the Electoral College should go away.

The debate especially rears its head during close elections and ones in which a candidate wins the popular vote but loses the Electoral College  a rare occurrence.

The biggest criticism is that its not democratic as most people understand it, Jewett said. The thought that we can have a system where a candidate gets the most votes but loses the presidency is not very fair. Thats what happened in 2000.

Jewett said the biggest reason to keep the Electoral College is still the small state/large state argument.

Most of the small states say they already dont get much attention. But that would be worse if we did away with the Electoral College, Jewett said.

Right now, states that are closely divided get more attention. The state you live in matters. Hillary Clinton spends less time in California and New York doing public rallies because the states are reliably blue.

Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, Iowa and Nevada get more attention from campaigns because they are hotly contested states. The population size doesnt matter because every electoral vote counts.

Consider that Utah, traditionally a very "red" state, is now a tossup because of the presidential candidacy of independent Evan McMullin. If McMullin should win Utah, he will take six electoral votes. Analysts say the loss of just those six votes could hurt Donald Trump in the final electoral vote count.

Now imagine there is no Electoral College. That means the state you live in no longer matters.

Where do the candidates go? They go to places with the largest population centers: California, New York, Texas, Virginia and Florida. Now, the candidates can win the election by visiting fewer states and population centers.

The rural areas lose importance.

If we get rid of the Electoral College, theres no such thing as a battleground state, because it doesnt matter if youre close or not in a popular vote, Jewett said. If we dont have that, theyre going to spend all their time in the 10 or 15 largest states, because thats where all the voters are.

And for Republican voters  many of the largest states are not red but blue.

How would we get rid of the Electoral College?

As with anything in the Constitution, the only way to get rid of the Electoral College is through a Constitutional amendment.

"To get a constitutional amendment passed, first you have to get two-thirds of the House and Senate to propose it," Jewett said. "Then you need three-fourths of the states to ratify it."

The question is, would small-population states give up their say in choosing the president?

Have more questions? the National Archives has its own Electoral College Frequently Asked Questions section on its website.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released the names of the 22 nominees for the 2016 Reporters Without Borders-TV5 Monde Prize for Press Freedom, which will be awarded to three laureates - a journalist, a media outlet and a citizen journalist - at a ceremony in Strasbourg on November 8. This is the 25th year running that RSF has awarded this prize.

Alfred Taban, founder and editor of The Juba Monitor

Many journalists and bloggers have continued to distinguish themselves in 2016 by the immense courage they display in their daily reporting despite the risks to their lives. Many of this year's nominees, who are from 19 countries, are being prosecuted or are in prison for refusing to censor themselves. Others are exposed to threats and physical violence from those they dare to criticize.

Authoritarian regimes cracked down harder on journalists and bloggers in 2016, RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said. It is no coincidence that nearly half of the nominees work in the bottom 20 of the 180 countries in RSF's World Press Freedom Index. RSF hails the courage and determination of all these women and men with a common commitment to fighting for freedom of information.

A significant number of the nominees are unfortunately in the process of being prosecuted or are languishing in jail solely because they wanted to inform their fellow citizens about matters of public interest, RSF programme director Lucie Morillon said.

Those in prison include Egyptian journalist Ismail Alexandrani, Azerbaijani journalist Seymour Khazi and Chinese citizen journalists Chinois Lu Yuyu and Li Tingyu who, like many other citizen journalists all over the world, took over when the authorities stifled the traditional media. We call for their unconditional release and the withdrawal of all the charges against them.

Nine journalists who take risks

A 29-year-old former nurse from Homs, Hadi Abdullah has had many brushes with death as a freelance reporter who became a target for both government forces and rebel armed groups and saw his cameraman killed. Afghan journalist Najiba Ayubi, the head of the Killid Media Group, has also been threatened with death but continues her fight for media freedom.

Colombian investigative reporter Jineth Bedoya continues to defend women who have been the victims of violence; while Maldives Independent editor Zaheena Rasheed embodies tenacity in the fight against impunity for crimes of violence against journalists. Rasheed covers highly sensitive stories in her now Islamist country and has been outspoken in her criticism of the authorities since one of her reporters, Ahmed Rilwan, disappeared in 2014. Fearing arrest, she finally fled Maldives in September.

Judicial harassment is a problem shared by Alfred Taban, the well-known founder and editor of South Sudan's first newspaper, The Juba Monitor, Mahfuz Anam, the editor of Bangladesh's Daily Star, and French investigative journalist Edouard Perrin, who helped to expose the LuxLeaks scandal in Luxembourg. But none of them is in prison. Egyptian investigative reporter Ismail Alexandrani and Seymour Khazi, a well-known reporter for Azerbaijan's sole remaining opposition daily, Azadlig, are not so lucky. Both are jailed on trumped-up charges.

Seven pioneering independent media outlets

Seven media outlets distinguished themselves by their exemplary reporting in the face of constant harassment. Azamn, the Sultanate of Oman's only independent newspaper, paid a high price for its independence this year. A court closed it down and imposed jail terms on its three most senior editors. The local correspondents of Fergananews.com, the website of Central Asia's independent news agency Ferghana, are exposed to similar risks and its reporters in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have to operate clandestinely.

The citizen journalists who report for Chinese human rights website 64Tianwang are still systematically persecuted but show no sign of giving up. As their editor, 2004 RSF Cyber-Freedom Laureate Huang Qi explained: In 18 years of activity, none has ever agreed to sign a confession drafted by the authorities. He was referring to the confessions that CCTV and Xinhua broadcast with the aim of discrediting government critics.

In Algeria and Libya, two media outlets that emerged just three years ago have made a name for themselves by being outspoken and resolutely defending media freedom. Radio M, the first Algiers-based independent web radio, airs a wide range of opinion in a country that gags the media. The Bawabat Al Wasat website has established itself as an essential source of news and information amid the chaos and mounting concern about security issues in Libya. It was blocked for nine months from February 2015 because of its coverage of the talks leading to the creation of the Government of National Accord.

Founded by Adam Michnik, the pro-European daily Gazeta Wyborcza has become a symbol of opposition to the excesses of the ruling Law and Justice Party, which is waging an all-out crusade against the media. Since its creation in 2011, the Brazilian non-profit news agency Agencia Publica has produced many reports on environmental and human rights issues, some of them winning awards.

Citizen journalists step up

When the traditional media are unable fulfil their role properly, citizen journalists and bloggers take over the job of providing independently-reported news and information, often eliciting an angry response from the authorities. This is what happened to Chinese citizen journalists Lu Yuyu and Li Tingyu. After they suddenly stopped sending messages on 15 June, it emerged that they are being held for documenting unrest and work protests  taboo subjects for the ruling Communist Party.

Blogger Ali Al-Mearaj was arrested in June for criticizing the Bahraini regime and is now charged with supporting terrorism. Roya Saberi Negad, a Facebook user with British and Iranian dual nationality, has been detained in Tehran's notorious Evin prison since October 2013, where she is serving a five-year sentence for criticizing the Iranian regime on Facebook.

Tania Quintero and her son, Ivan Garcia Quintero embody journalistic resistance and illustrate the difficulties of free speech in Cuba. She is now a political refugee in Switzerland while he has stayed behind and continues to write blog posts about censorship and the fight for independent journalism.

Former war reporter Leonardo Sakamoto keeps a blog about human rights in Brazil and the fight against modern-day slavery. He has often been defamed and threatened and was the target of major smear campaign in April 2016. Created in the space of a day when Burundi's political crisis erupted in May 2015, SOS Media Burundi consists of a news website and a Facebook page where journalists posts news reports anonymously. It is come to be the main source of information about the crisis.

Now partnered with TV5 Monde, RSF's annual Press Freedom Prize has been drawing attention to the importance of freedom of information since 1992 by honouring journalists and media outlets that have made a noteworthy contribution to the defence or promotion of this fundamental freedom. Each award comes with 2,500 euros in prize money.

rsf.org
As ousted Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry stepped up the attack, Ratan Tata on 1 November hit back saying his removal was "absolutely necessary" for the future success of the Tata Group.

"The decision to change the leadership of Tata Sons was a well-considered and serious one for its board members. This difficult decision, made after careful and thoughtful deliberation, is one the board believes was absolutely necessary for the future success of the Tata Group," the interim chairman wrote to employees of the $100 billion Group.

The letter came shortly after Mistry ratcheted up war of words by rebutting "insinuations" of mishandling a dispute with Japan's NTT DoCoMo, saying Ratan Tata was party to all decisions regarding the telecom venture.

Tata, 78, who retired as Tata Group Chairman nearly four years back, justified his return for "maintaining stability and continuity of leadership" and promised to give the group "a world-class leader" when a full-time boss is appointed.

Earlier in the day, Mistry's office issued a statement saying all decisions on the telecom joint venture with DoCoMo and the following dispute were taken with unanimous approval of Board of Tata Sons as well as family patriarch Ratan Tata.

The handling of the $1.17 billion compensation slapped by an arbitration panel over breach of agreement with DoCoMo is said to one of the triggers for Tata Sons sacking Mistry last month.

"Insinuations that the Docomo issue was handled under the watch of Mistry in a manner inconsistent with Tata culture and values are baseless. The suggestion that Ratan Tata and the trustees would not have approved of the manner in which the litigation was conducted is contrary to what transpired," the statement said.

Responding to the statement, a Tata group spokesman said: The insinuations are being imagined and this (DoCoMo) matter is sub-judice.

Tata in his second letter to employees after the 24 October sacking of Mistry, said the Group companies should focus on their profit margins and their market position and not compare themselves to their own past.

"The focus has to be on 'leading' rather than 'following'," he wrote.

Stating that he was excited to work with them once again, Tata in his letter to over 6.6 lakh employees sought to soothe them in the wake of high profile top level change and its subsequent public spat with Mistry.

"Your company and the Tata group are well served. The directors on your boards and the empowered leadership of your companies continue to serve with the same degree of passion and ethical commitment as they have done in the past," he wrote.

As a group, Tata continued, "we are steadfast in our resolve to maintain the Tata culture and value system that all of us have worked so hard to nurture over the decades."

Praising the spirit the employees, he said, "During its long history, the group has faced and overcome many challenges. Our employees have displayed their spirit at all times to create great companies that have delivered value to the shareholders."

Mistry's office had earlier in the day reiterated that the agreement with DoCoMo had been executed before he became executive chairman of the Tata Group and "all decisions were taken with the unanimous approval of the Tata Sons board".

"In fact, all decisions were collective decisions and the actions were consistent with every such collective decision."

Tata Group is entangled in a legal tussle with Japanese firm, NTT DoCoMo. DoCoMo had in November 2009 acquired 26.5 percent stake in Tata Teleservices for about Rs 12,740 crore (at Rs 117 per share) with an understanding that in case it exits the venture within five years, it will be paid a minimum 50 per cent of the acquisition price.

DoCoMo, in April 2014, decided to exit the joint venture that struggled to grow subscribers quickly and sought Rs 58 per share or Rs 7,200 crore from the Tatas.

But the Indian group offered Rs 23.34 a share in line with RBI guidelines that states that an international firm can only exit its investment at a valuation "not exceeding that arrived at on the basis of return on equity".

The Japanese firm then dragged the Tatas to international arbitration where it won a $1.17 billion award. Tata Sons has said they will resist enforcement of the arbitration award in India as also other jurisdictions as it has been barred by Indian law and public policy.

Insisting that Ratan Tata and NA Soonawala, Trustee, were kept informed throughout the process, the Mistry's office said they even participated in separate meetings held with him.

"They also participated in the meeting with the legal counsel (who also happened to be a trustee of the Dorabji Tata trust) and who represented Tatas in the litigation. At all times, Ratan Tata and Soonawala concurred and approved the course of action adopted by the Tatas and as advised by legal counsel," it said.

Meanwhile, N S Rajan and Nirmalya Kumar resigned as non-executive directors on boards of Indian Hotels Company and Tata Chemicals respectively, days after Group Executive Council set up by Mistry was disbanded.
The latest missive from Cyrus Mistry defending his actions in the Tata DoCoMo deal and other charges levelled against him by Tatas is bringing the Tata Sons boardroom coup to a new low. Is there an end in sight to this you-did-it-no-i-did-not war of words?

After Cyrus Mistry, former chairman of Tata, was sacked and Ratan Tata, the old guard, stepped in and issued a statement that he would occupy the chair only for four months as the board was looking for a replacement, India Inc and the public reacted with shock. And that continues even after a week into the sudden dismissal, as both the Tatas and Mistrys engage in accusations and counter accusations, with nobody stating what really went wrong between them.

Mistry is son of Shapooji Pallonji, the construction group, which has 18.4 percent stake in Tata Sons and is the largest single shareholder in the firm.

The Tatas' association with the Mistrys goes back to three generations. Shapoorji Pallonji Mistrys father bought shares in Tata Sons in the 1930s.

The Tatas are known as an old-world, sedate and traditional firm. Shareholders of the Tatas hold their shares not expecting any large movements in share price. However, it is the trust factor and a sense of ownership with a 148-year-old firm that is known for its oft-stated values of transparency and honesty that keeps them loyal to it.

The latest spill-out of the boardroom intrigues is unusual by the Tata standards and also public perception of the group.

Though ousted as group chairman, Mistry continues on the board of 13 listed companies. He is also the Chairman of Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), The Indian Hotels, Tata Global Beverages, Tata Chemicals, and Tata Teleservices.

However, most legal experts think this is not going to be a major issue as the Tatas can resort to legal ways to ease out Mistry from these companies without much trouble.

Despite all the back and forth that is happening between both the camps, no concrete reason has been revealed yet on what led to Mistry's summary dismissal from Tata Sons. The latest in the chain is a message by Ratan Tata to the group employees explaining the rationale behind the sacking of Mistry. In his letter, Tata has reportedly said the the move was absolutely necessary for the future success of the group.

However, the war of words at the one of the most respected private companies in the country is leaving many bewildered.

This is a case of fighting for fighting sake, believes Manoj Kumar, a Visiting Fellow at Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and an alumnus of the Harvard Business School and the National Law School, India.

The big challenge for the Tatas would be to ensure that all the companies in the group function as smoothly as possible, especially in this moment of unwanted cynosure and focus of the world's eyes.

So far, contentious issues have been raised and different opinions on the matter have been aired against each other in this case. Manoj Kumar of ORF says that the Tatas can work towards getting Mistry out of the blue chip companies where he holds the chairman's post, but should be careful about not repeating the manner in which it evicted him from the chairmanship of Tata Sons.

The Tatas would not, believes Kumar, buy out the Mistry's share (there have been reports the Tatas have reached out to the investors for this). He reasons the board would prefer to maintain the status quo as they would not like to be seen as usurping minority shareholders, after having ousted Mistry and received widespread flak for it.

"The action of ousting Mistry from the chair was an impulsive decision and that has reflected poorly on Tata Sons' corporate governance principles. Mistry had no time to react or resort to a legal framework, which was the intention of the Tata board. However, the board is legally right in doing what they did for it said that it has lost faith in the chairman. However, there is a human angle to it. The Mistrys and the Tatas relationship spans generations. A softness of approach would have ensured comfort for both parties instead of the public spectacle this issue has turned out to be," says Kumar.

The unanimous view about the Tatas in the Mistry issue is that their handling of his dismissal shows them in poor light. This action is seen as a troublesome signal emanating from the tradition-bound group. J N Gupta, former ED, Sebi, reiterates the oft-held view that the way the Tatas sacked Mistry was just not right. "I find the manner of dismissing Mistry faulty. "

The war of words between Mistry and Tata should not be seen to be the final act of the Tata-Mistry saga, he points out. "This will go on for some time. We are only privy to a few scenes from the ongoing play. These are mere glimpses and we cannot base any of our opinions on what we see in the public arena," cautions Gupta, adding that the battle in full public view is akin to grown-ups behaving like children.

However, there are contentious issues raised by Mistry in his first letter.

With regard to the DoCoMo issue, Gupta says, "Mistry cannot be blamed for it. If the board says that they did not approve of or were not in agreement to pay DoCoMo, then, and only then can Mistry be held solely responsible for it."

Tata Sons was ordered to pay $1.17 billion (around Rs 7,956 crore) to the Japanese firm, NTT DoCoMo for breach of contract on their joint venture in Tata Teleservices. The agreement of the joint venture stated that the Tata Group had to find a buyer or buy back the 26 percent stake that DoCoMo held in Tata Teleservices at Rs 7,250 crore or Rs 58.045 a share which was half of its original investment.

The second issue concerns the hemorrhaging Nano project of Tata Motors. "The Nano product development called for a car below Rs 1 lakh, but the costs were always above this. This product has consistently lost money, peaking at Rs 1,000 crores. As there is no line of sight to profitability for the Nano, any turnaround strategy for the company requires to shut it down. Emotional reasons alone have kept us away from this crucial decision. 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 Tata has a stake," Mistry had said in his letter.

With regard to the Indian Hotels, Mistry had stated in his letter: "IHCL, beyond flawed international strategy, has acquired the Searock property at a highly inflated price and housed in an off balance sheet structure. In the process of unravelling this legacy, IHCL has had to write down nearly its entire networth over the past three years. This impairs its ability to pay dividends."

Gupta, however, says that Mistry's contention on IHCL is strange considering that it was Mistry himself who signed the resolution and in the annual report had termed it as marquee property. "Does that mean when he was in the chairman's post the deal was good and when he is out of office, he sees the same deal differently," asks Gupta.

The Mistry-Tata fallout will be a long-drawn out affair, opine both Gupta and Kumar.

Will there be a truce? Gupta does not want one. "The shareholders need to know what led to this state of affairs for the 148 year-old firm to dismiss a chairman without issuing a notice. There has to be some trigger which caused this. Non-performance is no excuse."

True. There are many rumours doing the rounds. For the good of the Tata group and in the larger interest of the public and its shareholders, the Tatas and Mistrys should stop beating around the bush and let the public know what really went wrong at the group.
As part of the festival scheme offer, State Bank of India, the country's largest commercial bank, has slashed its home loan rates to 9.1 percent. The fresh cut in home loan rate is supposed to be the lowest in six years, Times of India report said.

The revised rates, effective from 1 November, comes after SBI announced a 0.15 percent cut in its marginal cost of funds based lending rates (MCLR) across tenors last week.

However, the festive scheme offering a new home loan rate of 9.1 percent is only being provided to women or loans with women as co-borrowers, the TOI report said. For other category home loan borrowers, the rate will be available at 9.15 percent.

The bank has also made it clear that all the home loans sanctioned in November and December with disbursement in a month will be eligible for the scheme.

"The rate cut will bring down the equated monthly instalment on a Rs 50-lakh loan by Rs 542 per month. Since March, the EMI has come down by over Rs 1,500." TOI report said quoting SBI MD Rajnish Kumar.

The report also claims that the new home loans rates by SBI are 20 basis point lower than ICICI Bank and HDFC, which offer cheapest home loan rate at 9.3 percent.

Not just SBI, private sector lender ICICI Bank also announced a cut of 0.10 percent in its marginal cost of funds based lending rate (MCLR) across tenors.

The announcements come after repeated displeasure shown by the regulator for not passing on the benefits of cuts to borrowers and give a boost to the sagging economic growth.

They also come ahead of the crucial "busy season" in the second half of the fiscal which sees a spurt in loan demand. Under the revised rate structure, the one-year MCLR --- which is used for calculating the rate of interest on home loans -- will come down to 8.95 percent.

The overnight and one-month MCLR will be 8.75 per cent, while the three-month MCLR has been fixed at 8.85 per cent and six months at 8.90 percent.

The MCLR was introduced from April this year as a transparent and effective alternative by the RBI, after banks refused to pass on the benefits of its rate cuts to the borrowers.

Even after the introduction of the MCLR, the central bank continues to be concerned on the issue of transmission which was flagged by Governor Urjit Patel at his maiden policy review this month. Banks are given a set formula to compute the MCLR based on cost of funds and are required to review it on a monthly basis, when the calls on the new rate structures are taken.

"I agree that the transmission through bank lending has been less than anyone of us would have liked to," Patel had told reporters.

"We are hoping that over the next quarter or two, keeping in mind the government has also reduced the small savings rates, the MCLR itself will now throw up more transmission."

Since January 2015, the Reserve Bank has reduced repo rate by 175 basis points, including the recent cut, but banks have reduced their base rates only by 60 basis points.

With PTI inputs
Washing dirty linen in public is not a bad thing. Especially when it comes to closely held companies because that is the only way we can get a glimpse of the goings on at such organisations. The Ratan Tata-Cyrus Mistry fracas is proof of this.

As the war of words between the Tata and Mistry camps intensifies, many details and views are being made public, which otherwise would not have been the case at all.

A report in the Business Standard has brought the focus on Tata Steel with an unnamed director of the company telling the newspaper that the decision to sell Tata Steel Europe was taken by the entire board and Mistry cannot be blamed solely for it.

"Dozens and dozens of meetings of the board took place, including with British labour unions and British ministers, who came to Mumbai, the director has been quoted as saying in the report.

The Tata Steel director has also told the newspaper that the agenda of every meeting was send to all the directors and Ratan Tata too got these mails as he was chairman emeritus. So why didn't he react when the decision was being taken, he asks.

Moreover, the director says when Tata was the chairman, he was advised to sell the loss-making operations. "But, it was Tata who was not willing to get out, he has told the newspaper.

According to him, while finding fault with Cyrus Mistry, nobody is asking whether acquisition of Corus in 2007 was indeed a right one.

He has put his weight behind Mistry saying the ousted chairman was in no way responsible for the buyout at high cost, for he only inherited it. Mistry was only trying to clean it up.

The Tata camp had earlier indicated that the poor show by Tata Steel Europe was among the many reasons for ousting Mistry.

A report in The Financial Times had on 26 October said, citing analysts, that the sudden sacking "might raise question marks on the continuation" of the strategy to sell Tata Steel's UK business. CLSA analysts quoted in the report said Mistry is thought to be behind the move to sell the European assets and with Ratan Tata back at the helm, this move is likely to be reversed.

On Monday, reacting to the changes at Tata Sons, Brickwork Ratings revised outlook for Tata Steel to negative though it continued to place the company in the 'high degree of safety' category with regard to the services to debt.

"Essentially the Rating reflects heightened management risk and the current stage of lack of clarity at group level management that may impact strategic decision-making at Tata Steel Ltd," Brickwork had said.

In the letter to Tata Sons board, Mistry had said a fair value assessment of legacy hotspots such as Indian Hotels, Tata Motors PV, Tata Steel Europe, Tata Power Mundra and Tata Teleservices would result in a write-down of about Rs 118,000 crore.

"In the face of above challenges, I had to take many tough decisions with sensitive care to the group's reputaion as well as containing panic amidst internal and external stakeholders...," Mistry said in the letter defending his decision to sell certain assets of the group such as fertilizer and UK steel businesses.

A look at how Tata Steel's debt burden increased will prove Mistry's concerns right.

In 2006 March, the company had a minuscule debt of Rs 3,377 crore. This jumped to Rs 24,926 crore a year later and then more than doubled to Rs 53,625 crore the next year. The debt as of March 2016 stands at Rs 86,204 crore.

Indeed, why is nobody questioning the highly-leveraged buyout strategy at all?

One may make the argument that nobody expected the global financial crisis to break out in 2008 and continue to cripple demand for years to come. But how can one justify clinging on to a loss-making investment that drains millions of pounds on a monthly basis?

Like the Nano, Tata Steel Europe too seems to be an emotional investment for the Tatas.

(Data inputs from Kishor Kadam)
Ratan Tata, interim chairman of India's Tata Sons conglomerate, will outline a revamped top management structure for the $100 billion group within days, a person close to the company told Reuters on Tuesday.

The new structure is being put in place after Tata Sons last week removed Cyrus Mistry as chairman, and disbanded his advisory Group Executive Council, triggering a very public spat between Tata and Mistry.

In a letter to employees on the day Mistry was ousted, Tata said "a new management structure is being put in place," with a selection committee formed to find a new chairman.

"The new management structure that (Ratan) Tata promised will soon be put in place, and it will speak a lot about the future of the group," the source said, asking not to be named as the matter is private.

Details on the structure and the personnel are being finalised, the person said.

A spokesman for Tata Sons said he was not aware of any such development, and declined to comment further.

Setting up the new management structure will be one of Tata's first steps since he returned as interim chairman, four years after stepping down and appointing Mistry in his place.

Mistry's advisory team included five people in key roles such as group heads of business development, strategy and public affairs. Two of those five - Mukund Rajan, Tata's brand custodian, and Harish Bhat, who oversaw Tata's retail ventures - are likely to be part of the new management structure, the source said.

The other three members of Mistry's advisory council have resigned.

Tata veteran Prasad Menon, who last served as chairman of Vistara, an airline venture with Singapore Airlines, has been brought in to help Tata put the new structure in place, the source said.

Earlier on Tuesday, CNBC-TV18 reported that S Ramadorai stepped down as chairman of India's National Skills Development Council (NSDC) and National Skills Development Agency (NSDA) amid speculation of his return to Tata. Ramadorai is also chair of AirAsia India, another airline joint venture Tata has with Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd.

A source at the NSDA said Ramadorai tendered his resignation in September citing ill health. The source was not aware if that move was related to a possible return to Tata Sons.
A couple of decades ago, the story goes, somebody asked one of the owners of The Times of India if their newspaper was pro- or anti-government.

The owner, famous for his laconic replies, countered: We are neither. It is the government that is either pro- or anti-Times of India.

The tale may or not be true. But, back then it underlined the importance and hubris of India's largest media group and its standing in the Indian pecking order.

On Tuesday, like he is used to, Arnab Goswami juggled the order for ever, turning it upside down when he quit the Times Group, reportedly seeking a fortune outside it, in "independent" media, making his group look like an insignificant relic from the past.

For decades, the Times Group was considered the Mecca of Indian journalism. To many who embraced journalism, a stint with the group was the ultimate Hajj, a lifetime's dream destination. Editors like Dilip Padgaonkar famously claimed that theirs was the second-most important job in the country after the Prime Minister's.

Goswami is reportedly leaving the group, perhaps of his own volition, to start his own venture. He is walking out bigger than the brand that once co-opted him, turning larger than the prevailing life and times of India.

His decision is a perfect denouement of the times we live in.

We are currently in an age where the face is the medium, the person is the message and noise is the newshour. We are witnessing an era where individuals become synonymous with institutions, wrest years of their legacy; where personal biases masquerade as answers to what a nation wants to know.

Goswami created, contributed to and excelled in this culture.

To his credit, Goswami turned his TV channel  run by the Times Group, mind you  an ode to himself. The anger he felt became the rage of the nation, what he said in his hectoring, bullying style became the voice of the nation, what he asked turned into the nation's collective query. He became a puppeteer controlling the strings of the naive, emotional audience that found catharsis in allowing him to control and sway their emotions, give voice to their feelings and reflect their biases. He morphed into a mix of Vladimir Putin and Manoj Kumar Goswami of TV journalism.

So, it is ironical when Goswami says he is leaving to start something of his own considering that he turned Times Now into his personal pulpit, becoming, as Firstpost put it, a preacher-in-chief.

It is not clear what Goswami will do next. Some rumours suggest he may start a new venture with Rajeev Chandrashekhar and Rupert Murdoch. But, to his credit, Goswami has reached a stage in life where, as the couplet goes, he has become some buland that even khuda may ask him what his raza (wish) is. So, the sky is the limit for Goswami from here and the world the playground.

Think big. For instance, it is widely believed that if Donald Trump loses the US presidential election, he would roll out a TV channel of his own. Wouldn't Goswami be the perfect face to give voice to Trump's ideology? Now that would be a match made in TRP heaven.

In his reported farewell speech, Goswami reportedly stressed on the phrase "independent media." Considering his track record, that sounds like an oxymoron. Goswami is among the pioneers of a media culture that kow-tows to the government, admonishes those who seek questions of it, castigates as anti-national those who criticise and speak against the majority voice. He is a symbol of the subjugation of the individual by the collective noise hour. To expect him to start an "independent media" would be like expecting the proverbial cat to go on a pilgrimage after devouring 900 mice. In all probability, Goswami is looking at financial independence, starting an enterprise where he controls not just the message but also the purse strings.

Whatever he does next, the true test of his popularity would be his ability to take his audience with him, a la the Pied Piper of TV. To prove to his former employers that there are just categories of TV audience in India today: One that is anti and the other that is loyal to Arnab Goswami.

(Firstpost is from the same stable as CNN-News18 which competes with Times Now.)
A missive issued by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar asking the service chiefs to immediately implement the Seventh Central Pay Commission, thus bringing the military under the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), amounted to what in military parlance is termed as an unlawful command.

The initial response of the chiefs was that the military will wait for the anomalies in the Seventh CPC to be addressed first. But kudos to the one particular chief who convinced the other two to submit to Parrikars dictum; posterity will never forgive them.

The bigger question, however is, what compelled the defence minister to issue such an unlawful command? It was certainly not a soft corner for Islamabad or Beijing. So, was it because of the "mafia" that transcends all governments?

A reference to the "mafia" was made in an earlier Firstpost article, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. Its real face is contained in the Vohra Committee Report of 1993.

This committee, headed by NN Vohra, the then home secretary (now governor of Jammu and Kashmir), aimed to take stock of all available information about the activities of crime syndicates/mafia organisations in the country which had developed links with and were being protected by government functionaries and political personalities.

A few of the findings of the exhaustive Vohra Committee were:

 That money power was used to develop a network of muscle-power, which was also used by the politicians during elections.

 It established mafia linkages to various institutions in the electoral, political, economic, law and order, and administrative apparatus.

 That the cost of contesting elections had thrown the politician into the lap of these elements, and had led to grave compromises by officials of the preventive/detective systems.

 It also identified the utter inadequacy of the criminal justice system.

 It showed the rapid spread and growth of mafias and economic lobbies which have, over the years, developed extensive network with bureaucrats/government functionaries, politicians, media persons and strategically located individuals in the non-state sector; with some also having international linkages, including with foreign intelligence agencies.

 It established that any leakage about the linkages of crime syndicate with senior government functionaries or political leaders in the states or at the Centre could have a destabilising effect on the functioning of the government.

Naturally, the above report has remained buried somewhere because it poses the threat of "destabilising" the functioning of any government. India is not like Singapore, a country where 150 politicians and bureaucrats were jailed overnight when their equivalent of the Lokpal Bill came into being.

No wonder then that former Defense Minister AK Antony couldnt sleep after discovering the capabilities of the armys Technical Support Division (TSD). As a result, the TSD was killed off pronto, on trumped up charges, because it "could" have been intercepted by the "mafia".

Never mind the fact that the mobile interceptors in question were actually imported by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), which functions directly under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), and not the army.

China is known to extract value in strategic terms for financial gain. Similarly, the mafia can extract value by attracting foreign funding. As a result, the military is continuously put down and many of the defence-industr ial complexes remain out-dated.

The prime minister may push hard for "ease of business" but the mafia gets massive foreign funding, and which country wants to see a strong India? The inability to act against the mafia makes it bolder. Remember the efforts under the previous government to hollow the system by pitting the IB against the CBI?

But then the realisation dawned that the IPS manning the intelligence agencies were also privy to the mafia dealings. So now, the mafia is going full blast against the military; even trying to pitch the CAPF against the military (remember the police baton charging military veterans at Jantar Mantar).

In terms of ranking and emoluments, the bureaucracy and civilian defence employees should be left aside. Of course, unlike any other country in the world, the same ranks and uniforms of the military, were quietly introduced into the police forces.

When some military veterans first gave a call for a protest at Jantar Mantar in 2015, an organisation called "Patriots Front" wrote a letter to the prime minister, warning him of a military coup and recommended that anti-coup measures be put in place.

Even today, the so called "patriots" dismiss the soldiers' demands as just whining. The soldiers just want their status to be respected, as given in the Constitution and they want the serious imbalances and disparities between soldiers and other government civil employees be rectified, taking into account the average career earnings including pension benefits.

For example, the non-functional upgradation (NFU) demand of the armed forces was reportedly turned down on the pretext that it was applicable only to class A officers, like IAS, IFS, IPS, IRS, etc. That begs the question: What is the class of the military officers who are commissioned by the President of India?

Does the government have an explanation for this? Why should 45 percent of the defence pension outlay be consumed by 22 percent civilians under the MoD?

In such an environment, what should the military do? There is no need for the service chiefs to bow down to such "unlawful commands", even as the mafia appears to be hell-bent upon demolishing the military.

But aside from representing the hierarchy on specific issues, the least the service chiefs must do is to ensure that soldiers must not be denied their right to cast their vote, especially since many of their fundamental rights are already severely curbed as part of their service.

The manner in which caste, creed, and religion are played in our country clearly indicate that anything and everything goes, and anything can be sold for votes. Even US President Barrack Obama celebrated Diwali in the White House and so did the United Nations (perhaps on the behest of the US) with an eye on the Indian origin voters going into next weeks Presidential election.

Fortunately, the Election Commission of India has authorised every military soldier to vote during the elections (both state and local) at the station they are posted in  thanks to the efforts of Rajeev Chandrashekhar, former member of parliament.

Legislative Assembly elections are due in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Goa and Manipur next year, and the battle lines are tightly drawn; especially in UP, where every vote will count.

When the army formations voted during the 2007 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election, the change in the political attitude towards the army was electric. Interestingly, on discovering that army division at Allahabad would also participate in the 2007 election, a recent Congress defectee from Allahabad to BJP, had executed a summersault at par with perhaps Dipa Karmakar; from complaining against the army to becoming all sugar and honey, in all but a few seconds.

It is true that no political party wants the military to vote as the soldiers vote without a consideration for caste, creed, religion, in the true spirit of "India first". This often upsets the political calculations. Not only will there be hints for the military to abstain, spanners will be put out like  first get your voter identity cards made; and that voting is impossible where soldiers with even one day of service are authorised to vote.

But, there is precedence to overcome this. In the 2007 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election, serving soldiers were permitted to vote showing their service identity cards, and the list of eligible military voters was submitted to both the UP and the Election Commission well in advance. In fact, special voting booths were established within military cantonments, where soldiers voted under the supervision of Election Commission representatives.

With Gujarat passing a law to make voting mandatory, this approach should be adopted as dictum even in the military. With the military facing disparaging assaults, every soldier must at least get to vote. This should be the resolve of the service chiefs.

There should be no need for one chief to convince the other two. The three service chiefs actually owe this to their command. The routine instructions for getting soldiers voting cards fooled no one. The only question that remains is, do the chairman chiefs of Staff Committee and the service chiefs have it in them?

The author is veteran Lt Gen of Indian Army.
Jammu: Pakistani border guarding force, with an active connivance of its Army, have resorted to heavy mortar RPT mortar shelling deliberately towards Indian civilian areas along the International Border, Inspector General of BSF DK Upadhyay said on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference, Upadhyay said Pakistan Army is giving full support to Pakistan Rangers, which have violated ceasefire "countless" times in recent past.

Indian retaliation was accurate & measured,resulted in heavy damage to their(Pakistan) posts.We never target civilians: DK Upadhyaya,BSF IG pic.twitter.com/iXmMegGLMX  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

We targeted their posts,the number of casualties on their side is very high, can't confirm numbers: DK Upadhyaya,BSF IG  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

"Pakistani forces are firing heavy mortars deliberately towards Indian civilian areas. BSF never fires towards any Pakistani civilian area. We fire only towards military bunkers from where Pakistani forces fire. We have inflicted heavy damage on 14 Pakistani bunkers," he said.

Upadhyay said if there was any civilian casualty on the Pakistani side, it was because the civilian population live very close to the military bunkers that might have resulted in "collateral" damage.

The senior officer of the Border Security Force also showed images of BSF's firing which targeted only military bunkers in Pakistan.

In an escalation on the tension along the border, eight people, including two children and four women, were killed and 22 injured on Tuesday as Pakistani troops targeted civilian areas in Jammu region inviting strong retaliation by Indian forces who killed two Pakistani soldiers and destroyed their 14 posts.

In view of increased shelling and firing by Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a closure of all the 400 schools along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC).

With cross-border firing escalating, Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation at a meeting in Delhi which was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag and other top officials.

Tension along the IB and LOC escalated since the surgical strikes by army targeting terror launch pads in Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK) on 29 September.
New Delhi: Fishermen associations of India and Sri Lanka on Wednesday held talks in which the visiting delegation rejected demands for relaxation of norms for Tamil Nadu's fishing trawlers, making it clear that their country will not allow foreign fishermen in its waters "even for a minute".

The 15-member Sri Lankan delegation from four coastal districts said that the Indian association had made an "implict" demand for a three year phasing out period from the neighbouring country's waters.

The demand that they be allowed to fish in Sri Lankan waters for 83-85 days per year for the next three years, especially in seas of Mannar and Palk Strait, was rejected, the Sri Lankan delegation said.

Today's talks come ahead of a meeting between Ministers of External Affairs and Agriculture with their Sri Lankan counterparts on Saturday.

The delegation from Jaffna, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts of Sri Kanka also demanded compensation for "ecological and economical damages" incurred due to Tamil Nadu fishermen.

The Indian side comprised fishermen from Tamil Nadu, senior officials from the Centre and Tamil Nadu government.

This was also one of the first high-level delegation talks on the issue between the two sides.

"We have conveyed to the Indian side that their fishermen should not cross the International Maritime Boundary Line. No Indian fishing trawler should enter the Sri Lankan waters and any illegal poaching will not be tolerated.

"We have also made it clear that fishermen straying in Sri Lankan waters would be arrested and later released, but their trawlers would be confiscated, said V Subramaniam, former president of Jaffna District Fishermen Association Federation and the leader of the delegation

"The Sri Lankan fishermen are not in favour of giving any kind of permits to fish in our waters. These are pre

requisites for talks," he added.

"We will not allow foreign fishermen to fish in our waters even for a minute," he asserted.

When asked about Chinese fishing trawlers fishing in its waters, the delegation said it had a uniform policy of not allowing any foreign vessel in its territory.

Another delegation member, a Mariyarasa from Mullaitivu, accused the Indian fishermen of causing them economic losses by fishing in their prawn-rich sea.

"Even before we could harvest the fish, trawlers from Tamil Nadu enter our waters, resulting in huge economic losses.

"Unless there is no sustainable policy, we will implement our domestic rules and arrest (foreign) fishermen, but release them," Mariyarasa said.

The issue of Indian fishermen being arrested by Sri Lankan navy is a sensitive matter, especially in Tamil Nadu.

According to the delegation, Sri Lanka has confiscated nearly 130 fishing Indian fishing trawlers and 400 fishermen. The delegation claimed that all arrested fishermen were later released.
It is heartening to know that the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has chosen 'public participation in promoting integrity and eradicating corruption' as the theme for the Vigilance Awareness Week this year, starting from 31 October (till 5 November).

The Commission, in its circular dated 19 September, said: Aware, active, involved and empowered public is essential to any anti-corruption campaign...the fight against corruption cannot be won without the citizens support.

The move is heartening because it is increasingly becoming clearer that the only way the fight against corruption in India can be won is by empowering its citizens  as measures of checks and balances within the government to minimise the corruption have all but failed.

Take the example of the CVC itself. It is handicapped in tackling the widespread menace because of its mandate. As it mentions in one of its reports, tilted The Indian Administrative Service: a study of the current state of punitive and preventive vigilance mechanism, "An important finding that emerged in the earlier part of this study relates to the fact that currently the state governments are required to report to the Central government (and the Commission) cases only where they propose to impose the penalty of dismissal, removal or compulsory retirement,"

"It would seem that rule seven of the All India Services (D&A) Rules, 1966 needs to be amended so as to make a reference to the Commission mandatory in all cases where state governments propose to impose any penalty in a case with a vigilance angle, the report said. It is self-evident that the CVC is hobbled by its statutory limitations.

Then there are other statutory bodies, such as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which examines year after year if the government expenses are incurred as per the norms and the guidelines.

But, unfortunately, the CAG is a toothless body; it can bark but cannot bite. The government machinery is too thick-skinned to respond to mere indictments. The governments mostly remain in denial mode as far as issues of corruption are concerned.

Because of the limited success of such statutory bodies, there came up a public demand for institutionalisation of an autonomous body, like the Lokpal, with punitive powers to punish an officer or a department of the government for corruption.

The Congress government initially strongly resisted the demands of the Anna Hazare-led movement, India Against Corruption  to set up a powerful Lokpal with judicial powers  but when they had to concede to the demands because of public pressure, it sought to dilute some of the stringent provisions demanded by the Anna campaign. Nevertheless, the Congress government deserved the credit for passing the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act in 2013.

But within the span of a year, during 2014-15, the Congress lost power in Delhi  in the Centre as well as the state. The Narendra Modi government, which came into power at the Centre, decided to amend the law and accordingly introduced the Lokpal and Lokayuktas and other related Law (Amendment ) Bill in the Lok Sabha in 2014 December. Since then, it is in a state of limbo.

Arvind Kejriwal, who became the chief minister of Delhi in 2015, was a close associate of Anna, but he too passed a Jan Lokpal bill which was a far cry from the original bill that he and Anna had mooted in 2011.

That just goes to prove that any party or leader in power will scuttle any attempt to make itself accountable to an external agency. That is precisely why it is important to explore the possibility of empowering citizens to contain corruption.

The government would usually frown at the idea of empowering the citizens to ask for accountability; but the Congress government, which came to power in 2004 (contrary to the poll predictions), was magnanimous (it has more to do with the initiative of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who had declined the offer to become the prime minister and had occupied the moral high ground) in enacting the Right to Information Act in 2005.

The RTI Act is the most potent instrument in the hands of an ordinary citizen to make the government accountable. Only a tiny fraction of citizens of India are using RTI now, to great effect. Imagine the impact it will have if an overwhelming majority of Indians use the RTI Act to seek damning information from the government; the shenanigans of all governments, both at the state and the Centre, would be verily exposed on a day-to-day basis. That would go a long way in curbing the corrupt practices.

Another noteworthy initiative of the Congress government was the Whistleblowers Protection (WPB) Act, which was enacted to enable a citizen to expose the misdeeds of a government while enjoying legal protection from physical harm or judicial harassment.

This bill was passed by the parliament and received the assent of the President on 9 May, 2014. But, before it could be notified, the elections were held and Congress lost power.

The BJP government which had supported the bill in parliament ought to have framed the rules to operationalise the WBP Act, but instead, it decided to move an amended bill in parliament with a view of diluting the stringent provisions of the Act (to remove safeguards available to whistleblowers from prosecution under the Official Secrets Act). The amended bill was passed in Lok Sabha in May 2015. The bill is stuck in the Rajya Sabha since.

On 28 April, 2016, while replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, Jitendra Singh, MoS, Prime Ministers Office (PMO), stated that the Whistleblowers Protection Amendment Bill is still pending with a committee.

But in a reply to a question by Anjali Bhardwaj, the well-known RTI activist, the Rajya Sabha secretariat replied on 16 August, 2016, that, The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015, as passed by Lok Sabha, is pending in the Rajya Sabha. This Bill is not pending with any Parliamentary Committee at present.

What does this suggest? Either the minister was ill-informed (even while replying to questions in parliament) or he was deliberately misleading the August house. This attitude reflects the governments intent regarding the bill.

Another casualty of the indifference of the government is the grievance redressal law. The 'Right of Citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances' Bill was introduced in parliament by the UPA government in 2011. But it could not be passed before the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha, as it had to go through several committees of the parliament.

Through an order in June 2014, after the NDA government came to power, the PMO instructed the Department of Personnel & Training and the Department of Administrative Reforms to expedite action for the passage of the law.

Though by March 2016, according to a Business Standard report, the government told parliament that it was not looking at legal justiciable rights for delivery of services but had prepared only a government scheme that would allow administrative action in case of deficiency in delivering services. The fate of this, too, now remains unclear."

Sonia will go down in history as someone who made the Indian democracy look vibrant by empowering the citizens through an effective, no-nonsense RTI Act. She masterminded the passage of the bill, despite apprehensions in the upper echelons in the Congress-led government.

Modi now has the chance to make history if he can overcome the resistance of the vested interests in his party and the government, and if he can ensure that the Lokpal Act, the Whistleblowers Protection Act and the Redressal of Grievance Act are passed without further delay. That will make the ordinary Indian citizen the fulcrum of a truly participatory democracy.

The only thing that remains to be seen now is whether Modi will follow Sonia's example?
The Narendra Modi-governments move to choke funds for the two NGOs run by the controversial preacher, Zakir Naik is an action long overdue, undoubtedly.

As Firstpost has noted before, much caution needs to be exercised on any individual or organisation seeking to promote the idea of religious supremacy in a secular society.

This government is seemingly convinced that Naiks speeches and the functions of his two NGOs  Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and IRF Educational Trust  are detrimental to countrys religious harmony and an inspiration to terror elements, hence the action.

Naiks style of preaching, which is centered around the supremacy of the 7th-century religion and his clandestine calls to wage war against the enemies of Islam have allegedly inspired terror elements both in India and abroad.

Two questions arise at this juncture.

First, why did the Indian government took so long to acknowledge that Naik is a threat and initiate actions? Going by Naiks own claims, he has been doing it for some 25 years and the content of his speeches have been pretty much same all along. As this website has reported before, during the UPA-rule, in 2013, a communication had gone to the ministry of home affairs from the then Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, about the potential threat caused by Naik's speeches. This was based on a complaint submitted at the PMO. But, the matter ended there.

It took the July 2016 Dhaka attacks for the Indian government to wake up to the problem (possibly due to media pressure) and initiate actions against the Islamic preacher. Naik is now a bird flown far away from the cage and is unlikely to return anytime soon. The preacher has even avoided attending his fathers funeral ceremony early this week, fearing arrest. As of now, he is out of reach of Indian agencies.

Also, Naiks name has been linked not just to Dhaka attacks but even to the cases in Kerala where youth have been brainwashed to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Kerala police has claimed that Arshi Qureshi, guest relations officer of Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation, had indeed links with the Islamic State. For years, Naiks NGOs have been receiving foreign aid. Given the findings of the Police, it is quite possible that these funds have been used for such acts. Only a detailed investigation on the money trail can reveal how this money has been utilised.

But, the point here is that had the investigative agencies acted well in advance, things wouldnt have worsened to this level. This shows how our surveillance mechanisms are still grappling with problem of sheer inefficiency.

The second question is how prepared is the government to proceed from here in this sensitive case. Since the very beginning, Naik has been playing the victim card. He has termed the actions against him as attacks on Muslim community.

True, Indias larger Muslim community (about 172 million of them as per Census 2011 data), except in certain pockets, do not approve his radical, religious fundamental ideas and the idea of religious supremacy. But even then, a failure from the part of the government to corner Naik with a convincing, foolproof case could result in the preacher yet again shielding himself keeping the community in the front. Then, it could lead to more communal issues like one seen in other Muslim dominated areas of the country and could thus become a bigger headache for the Modi-government, which is already facing flak for its alleged pro-Hindu, pro-RSS ideology. It is in this context that the government should send a strong message that extremist elements, be it of any religious background, will be dealt with iron hand like it is currently doing with Naik.

Zakir Naiks case is a classic example of government and investigators acting too late. And it is too sensitive a case for Modi-government to handle now. In an open letter he released in September, 2016, Naik had warned that if he and his organisation IRF are banned in India, he would be welcomed by other Muslim countries with a "red carpet" and such an action will be the "biggest jolt to the countrys democracy in recent times". This language is that of a clear warning to the Indian authorities. The government would do well exercising caution while cornering the Salafi preacher.
The amendment to the Citizenship Act proposed by the NDA government has got mixed response in Assam with protests from different students' unions. On Tuesday, convenor of the BJPs North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and state minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that it is his partys policy to differentiate between Hindu and Muslim migrants, reported The Indian Express.

"We clearly do. After all, the country was divided in the name of religion. Thus it is not a new thing," the newspaper quoted the minister as saying who was addressing the media on the sidelines of his book release  Anya Ek Dristikon.

Referring to the Bangladeshi migrants, Sarma said, "We have to decide who our enemy is. Who is our enemy, the 1-1.5 lakh people or the 55 lakh people?" While Sarma was referring to the 55 lakh Bangladeshi migrants, it was not clear who was Sarma referring to when he quoted 1-1.5 people.

Sarma further asked those opposing the Bill to find out which community threatened to reduce the Assamese to a minority.

Stating that the BJP wanted to protect the Bengali-speaking Hindu migrants and segregate them from the Bengali-speaking Muslim migrants, Sarma said, "We want the Bengali-speaking Hindus to remain with the Assamese people. That is the BJPs viewpoint. It has not changed. It has been the same, both before and after elections."

The proposed 2016 Amendment Bill of the Citizenship Act 1955  currently under consideration of the Joint Select Committee of the Parliament  will make illegal migrants who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, eligible for citizenship.

The All Assam Students' Union has been protesting against the proposed amendment for granting refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan citizenship. They have been taking out marches across the state since 18 October.

The Trinamool Congress termed it as an "attack on secular fabric of the country", had said it would oppose the proposed amendment to the Act tooth and nail in Parliament.

"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 had said.

With inputs from agencies
Reacting sharply to Assam's minister and convenor of the BJPs North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) Himanta Biswa Sarmas statement on Hindu Muslim migrants, Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav said that the BJP has been trying to invoke a "two-nation theory".

According to an Indian Express report, Sarma while referring to Hindu and Muslim migrants had asked people to choose their enemy  the 1-1.5 lakh people or the 55 lakh people".

Replying to queries on the opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Assam, Sarma on 1 November had reportedly said that it was his partys policy to differentiate between Hindu and Muslim migrants.

"Himanta Biswa Sarmas shocking statement shows how the BJP has been invoking two-nation theory. Its for the first time in India that the Muslim community has been openly excluded. Its clearly an attempt to revive the two-nation theory on which both the RSS and Mohammed Ali Jinnah agreed upon. The proposed amendment to the Citizenship Act amounts to discrimination on the ground of religion, and challenges the idea of India," Yadav, the former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, whos also the national president of Swaraj India, the newly formed political party out of Swaraj Abhiyan told Firstpost.

Biswas statement comes in the wake of the Modi government's move to propose an amendment to the Citizenship Act which seeks to grant citizenship to persons belonging to "minority communities" such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Those who have either entered into India without valid travel documents or whose validity of documents have expired are regarded as illegal migrants, and hence ineligible to apply for Indian citizenship. The amendments, however, reduces the requirement to acquire citizenship by naturalisation from 11 years to six years of ordinary residence for such immigrants.

Interestingly, the bill does not extend similar treatment to persecuted Muslim minorities such as Ahmediyas in Pakistan or to minorities from the Hindu dominated Nepal. Clearly the government wants to lay down everyone-except-Muslims policy for Indian citizenship. This goes against the letter and spirit of the Indian Constitution and violates the sacred principles of our republic, he alleged.

Swaraj Abhiyan, a splinter group of AAP has alleged that the bill threatens to bring in a dimension of religious communalism to the Constitution by effectively excluding only Muslims from the purview of Indian citizenship.

"The bill also violates the provisions of the Assam Accord 1985 signed between the Government of India and the leaders of the six year long Assam Movement launched on the issue of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh to Assam," Swaraj Abhiyan said in its statement.

The Assam Accord fixed 1971 as the cut-off year for any illegal immigrants to be granted citizenship of India; anyone who came after that was an illegal immigrant irrespective of religion.

People of Assam have for a long time been feeling that they have been made to bear the (weight of) illegal foreign immigrants. That is why this bill has generated tremendous resentment among the people of Assam and protests by some of its leading public intellectuals. This bill will further alienate them and encourage extremist challenge to the Indian state, remarked Yadav.

Swaraj Abhiyan has demanded from the BJP to clarify its position on religion as a criterion of Indian citizenship and affirm that the provisions of the Assam accord will not be violated. We demand that proper public hearings be held on the Citizenship Act (Amendment) Bill. In the mean time, the updating of the National Register of Citizenship being carried on under the direction of the Supreme Court be completed expeditiously and properly," added Yadav.
Monday's alleged police encounter that killed eight SIMI operatives on the outskirts of Bhopal, after they escaped from the high-security central jail, raised many questions. Varying police accounts and a video that surfaced showed a policeman shooting at a group of men lying still. It also showed a policeman pulling out a knife from one of the dead men. IG of Madhya Pradesh police Yogesh Choudhary's media address left many questions about the encounter unanswered.

TS Sudhir wrote for Firstpost: "In light of so many doubts over the police version, it is fair to assume there is more than what meets the eye. One can surmise that a lot happened between 2 am and 3 am inside jail."

Amid criticism over the Madhya Pradesh government's inefficient handling of the jailbreak which also revealed serious security lapses in its central prison, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the matter is being politicised as "the slain men were dreaded terrorists who could have wreaked devastation".

He advocated for quick trials and said, "How long can you keep them under trial? Some people even get chicken biryani in jail. We should seriously consider setting up fast-track courts, reported The Indian Express.

Chouhan further said that the SIMI operatives who were killed were involved in blasts, dacoity and murder and "would have been a threat to the state and nation had they not been eliminated".

"Certain politicians are making a hue and cry for these terrorists but not lending a word of solace for the martyred jawans. I condemn such leaders and the dirty politics they are doing. But for the government and the public the nation and the state is foremost and I appeal everyone to stop playing dirty politics. Patriotism is important," he said.

Moreover, when questioned about the veracity of police account, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said, "First of all we should stop this habit of raising doubts and questioning the authorities and police. This is not a good culture," Rijiju told reporters.

He lamented that people "have developed an habit of raising unnecessary doubts" on the conduct of security personnel and police in India.

With inputs from agencies
Tirupati: On Wednesday Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh assailed Narendra Modi for denouncing the practice of 'triple talaq' among Muslims, saying instead of raising such issues, the prime minister should focus on his slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

'Triple talaq' was related to a particular religion and it should be left to that religion. The Centre should not take any decision on it without a consensus, he told reporters.

The prime minister should remember his slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' and focus on it, the Congress general secretary said.

Singh, who earlier offered his prayers at the famous Lord Venkateswara temple, also accused the Modi government of "politicising the army's surgical strikes" across the LoC.

He said even during the UPA regime, surgical strikes were carried out, but they were never "utilised for political

mileage".

Slamming both the ruling TDP in Andhra Pradesh and the NDA government at the Centre, he alleged that they had "fooled" the people of the state on the issue of 'Special Category' status after the birth of Telangana.

Before the 2014 general election, the BJP had promised a 10-year 'Special Category' status to Andhra Pradesh if they won, but after coming to power, they only offered some incentives in the name of special package and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu too compromised on the matter, he charged.

Singh also questioned Naidu's decision to involve foreign agencies in building the new capital city of Amaravati.

Later, speaking to reporters at another place, the Congress leader said farmers were facing an "extremely bad" situation in Uttar Pradesh due to a mounting loan burden and the absence of a minimum support price for their produces.

Alleging "total misgovernance" by the Samajwadi Party government led by Akhilesh Yadav in that state, he claimed that people wanted a change in the upcoming Assembly polls.

Replying to a query on the Congress' prospects in the Uttar Pradesh polls due early next year, Singh said the party was "aiming to capture power".

"We are making an all-out effort in the campaign led by party vice-president Rahul Gandhi who is overseeing the entire election propaganda of the party. Like every political party, we are pinning our hopes on forming the government in Uttar Pradesh," he said.
Editors note: Kannur, the northern district of Kerala, hit the headlines for a spate of political violence that saw two murders in just 48 hours last month. The murders have given rise to fears that the cycle of violence, which had ebbed to an extent in the last few years, may be returning to haunt the regions. The new political context  the state ruled by the CPM-led LDF and the Centre ruled by BJP-led NDA  makes the situation in Kannur all the more complex, since the key parties that are involved in the violence are the CPM and BJP. Firstpost travelled to Kannur, probing the historical, sociological and communal dynamics of the political violence in the region. This is the second in a five-part series from ground zero.

Read Part I here: Political killings in Kannur: With corrupt cops and netas, settling scores is easy in this Kerala district

Kerala's political milieu favouring the Right and Left combination alternately every five years has all the trappings for political violence. Yet, barring a few isolated cases of clashes, the political rivalry between the two contenders  Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) headed by the Communist Party of India(Marxist)  did not lead to lasting hostility.

Political clashes became endemic in the state only after the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) that backs the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) started establishing their base in the state in the 1940s. RSS leaders consider the Communist attack on its gathering in the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram in 1948 addressed by Sarsanghachalak M S Golwalkar as the beginning of political violence in the state. They viewed another attack on a similar gathering addressed by Golwalkar at Alappuzha in 1952 as a continuation of the violent politics.

This was followed by a series of murders of RSS workers in Ernakulam, Kottayam, Thrissur and Palakkad districts. However, these attacks did not manifest into pestering frictions in many of these places. They fuelled relentless hostility leading to cycles of brutal killings and counter killings only in Kannur. Historians trace the roots of the political violence in Kannur, which incidentally has a strong legacy of warfare between warrior groups in the past, to a host of factors. Even though they do not rule out the influence of the warrior culture, represented by martial art (Kalarippayattu) and the ritual art (Theyyam) on the violence, they feel that it got an organic shape with the fight against the British rule.

Kannur witnessed one of the longest and bloodiest resistances to the British in India. The revolt led by Pazhassi Raja kept a large part of the district in a state of war from 1792 to 1806. This was followed by prolonged rivalry among the landlords, who maintained their own gangs equipped with arms and martial training.

This gave way to peasant-landlord rivalry following the arrival of communists in the 1930s. The Communist Party of India (CPI) made a strong base in Kannur through a series of peasant and agrarian movements against landlords. Political clashes erupted when other parties tried to make inroads into their bastions.

While the Congress and its partners in the UDF yielded the field to the communists, the RSS tried to resist it physically, resulting in violence. The RSS came to the district from neighbouring Karnataka state as foot soldiers of Mangalore-based businessmen, who tried to make a footing in the district.

Muslims who controlled the trade in the district resisted the move. This gradually led to communal tension between Muslims and Hindus and culminated in 1971 into a major communal riot at Thalasserry, which is the epicentre of the current political violence in Kannur.

The CPI(M) that viewed the anti-Muslim violence as part of a strategy by the RSS attempt to make inroads into their bastions took up the fight. Senior CPI (M) leaders like V S Achuthanandan claims this as the beginning point of the political violence between the CPM and the RSS in Kannur. The party veteran said that the CPM was forced to retaliate after the RSS workers ruthlessly attacked his party men.

However, RSS leaders alleged that the CPM was trying to give sanctity to political violence by terming it as a struggle for the protection of minorities. They said that the Communists had started murdering innocent RSS workers in Kannur even before the communal riots.

The CPM leaders say the RSS had begun its murder campaign in Kerala originally as the tool of capitalists and owners who wanted to smash the unions and the working class movement in Kannur. T Sasidharan, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Political Science, Sree Narayana College, Kannur, supports this view. He says that the enmity between the two had begun following the implementation of Central Beedi and Cigar Workers' Act by the Communist-led government in 1968.

The troubles started after private manufacturers like Ganesh Beedi shifted their units to the neighbouring state after the Act with several provisions for the welfare of the beedi workers started affecting the business adversely. The Communist party that controlled the beedi workers locked horns with the private manufacturers when they tried to employ workers aligned to the RSS as contract labourers to keep their production going. Though the Communists brought majority of the workers under a cooperative network, the rivalry continued with the RSS trying to establish their presence in the district through beedi workers.

The rivalry entered a bloody phase after RSS tried to woo the CPI(M) cadres. The flow from CPI(M) started with the RSS setting up shakhas in areas that were considered as their impregnable fortresses. The flow gained momentum after the Emergency. RSS leaders attribute the exodus of the CPI(M) rank and file to the RSS and the BJP to the compromising stand the CPI (M) leadership took on Emergency.

The frustrated comrades found an outlet in the underground activities that the RSS organized against Emergency extensively in Kannur and other parts of the state to express their political dissent. The comrades, who joined these underground activities, became active RSS activists after the Emergency.

The exodus of the rank and file made the CPM leadership desperate. They tried to prevent the flight by murdering the deserters. The RSS sought to counter the attack by targeting the CPM men resulting in frequent tit-for-tat murders.

Sasidharan feels that the spectre of revenge killings going on in the district now could also have been influenced by the system of 'kudippaka' that prevailed in the district in medieval days. Kudippaka, which in Malayalam means running feud between two families, is normally declared after one commits an atrocity and it goes on till those responsible for it and their children are eliminated.

However, political analysts like Umesh Babu and Prof M N Karaserry attribute the political violence in Kannur to the distrust and intolerance that the communists have developed towards their political rivals.

"The communists, who suffered police atrocities and repression under British and the subsequent Congress regimes, viewed anyone who opposed them as enemies. They distrusted all those who opposed them and tried to eliminate them," says Umesh, a writer with Left leaning.

Though the communist manifesto approves use of force against class enemies, the old timers were against attacking political rivals. Their descendents, however, followed the manifesto in letter and spirit. Umesh said the new crop of leaders led by Pinarayi believed that they can build the party only by eliminating the political rivals.

"They are continuing the annihilation of political rivals like some of the primitive tribes, who practised headhunting and preserved the heads of enemies as trophies. Though these tribes have stopped the practice long time ago, the communists in Kannur are still continuing the archaic practice," said Umesh.

The CPM started the practice in Kannur by murdering Vadikkal Ramakrishnan, a Mukhyashikshak of the RSS in 1969. He was brutally murdered while engaged in establishing RSS units in Thalaserry region of the district. Umesh consider this as the beginning of the chain of political murders in Kannur.

According to Sasidharan, the number of political killings from both sides crossed 200 by March 2015. He said more than 90 percent of the victims were members of Thiyas, a Hindu backward caste. Thiyas form the backbone of the communist movement in the northern parts of Kerala known as Malabar. Sasidharan feels high unemployment in the district may have forced the youths to embrace political activity.

"Political parties have succeeded in organizing these unemployed youths under their flags by manipulating the frustration prevailing among them. They use the youths to settle political scores and to strengthen their bases in the region," says the college professor, who chose political violence for his doctoral degree.

The CPM blames the RSS for the violence. The party claims that the RSS and its political front have been playing game of political annihilation of the CPM as it is standing in the way of its rabid communal ideology and politics.

"Ours is a party with a big mass base. We don't have to discredit ourselves by using violence against a political force that is trying to make their presence in the state without the support of the people. They think they can gain ground through violence. Therefore, they are killing our workers. We are only defending ourselves when they are attacking us," says party state secretary Kodiyeri Balaakrishnan.

Former state BJP president P S Sreedharan Pillai refutes the charge. He said that neither the RSS nor the BJP had become number one party in the country today without resorting to violence.

"We are locked in violence only in Kerala. This is because the CPM does not allow us to organize ourselves in the state. Our workers are being killed when they try to enter the party strongholds," says Pillai.

He said that the CPM was trying to protect Kannur as their exclusive preserve by maintaining iron control over villages. The party has taken control of more than 100 such villages in the district. The CPM men do not allow the rival parties to enter these villages let alone allowing them to exercise their democratic rights.
After Pakistan's blue-eyed chaiwallah Arshad Khan and the heartthrob Singaporean airport official, Lee Minwei, a tarkariwali (vegetable seller) from Nepal now gets her fifteen minutes, with netizens incessantly hitting the "share" button again to validate this girl's beauty overnight.

According to a News18 article, a Nepali photographer, Rupchandra Maharjan took photographs of a girl carrying vegetables on her back at the Fishling suspension bridge between Gorkha and Chitwan, and posted them online. The photo has became very popular on the social media.

The Gundruk Post report identified the vegetable seller's real name as Kusum Shreshta, a Class 11 student who helps her parents selling vegetables in the local market at Chitwan. It also claims that the photographs were taken with her consent.

However, some don't seem very excited with the use of the word tarkariwali for her.

An India Today article claims that her identity is still unknown, further adding that permission was not asked for before her picture was taken, winding a case against unethical photography.

But whether or not the beautiful Nepali tarkariwali gave permission for the photograph, we wonder if social media will bring her good fortune just like it did with the Pakistani chaiwallah. Arshad Khan, the Paksitani chaiwallah found work modelling after a Retail site Fitin.pk signed him on. We wish this green grocer good fortune too.

Choose some other word ... not Tarkariwali. Respect to hard working people. https://t.co/w2d1Vqg4v9  #yontengyatso (@yonten_gyatso) October 29, 2016
By Magdalena Mis

LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Aid agencies said on Wednesday families who have fled Mosul and surrounding towns were starting to reach displacement camps away from the fighting, as Iraqi forces press on with an offensive to retake Islamic State's last major stronghold in Iraq.The battle that started on Oct. 17 with air and ground support from a U.S.-led coalition is shaping up as the largest in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003.On Tuesday Iraqi forces battled Islamic State fighters on the eastern edge of Mosul as the campaign entered a new phase of urban warfare.The United Nations has said the Mosul offensive could trigger a humanitarian crisis and a possible refugee exodus if the civilians inside in Mosul seek to escape, with up to one million people fleeing in a worst-case scenario."People are starting to arrive now from the small towns around Mosul," Joe Cropp of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), told the Thomson Reuters Foundation."We've been aware that this has been coming up and the preparations have been going on for two months," he said in a phone interview from northern Iraq.

IFRC said many people were arriving with only the clothes they were wearing and those who reached Khazer camp, east of Mosul, said they had to walk through the night. "We were so worried the children would cry out during the night and we would be discovered," IFRC quoted one of the mothers as saying. Thousands more people are expected to arrive in the coming days and weeks as fighting around Mosul intensifies, IFRC said. Throughout the country, some 10 million Iraqis are in need of aid."Local communities across the country are sharing the responsibility, taking in millions of displaced people. But even with the greatest will in the world they cannot accommodate a million more," Gyula Kadar, IFRC operations manager, said in a statement.

The International Organisation for Migration said nearly 21,000 people have been displaced since the start of the campaign, excluding thousands of villagers taken into Mosul by retreating jihadists who used them as human shields.The U.N. said in October a total of six camps had been built that can accommodate 50,000 people. Efforts were underway to construct 11 more.Claire Mason, humanitarian policy and advocacy adviser at Save the Children said for security reasons the charity was unable to get too close to Mosul and was readying mobile child protection teams to assist people scattered outside the city.

Betsy Baldwin, Iraq response director from the charity Tearfund, said several hundred people arrived the previous night in one of the camps where the charity was helping.Baldwin said her organisation had been on standby since summer, preparing tents, stoves and winter clothes which it was planning to distribute this week."We are just hoping that we can safely access people in need, that the civilians can move safely out of the conflict zones," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation from Iraq.International Rescue Committee said in a statement on Wednesday it had heard of people inside Mosul buying cloth to use as white flags when the army arrives. (Reporting by Magdalena Mis; Editing by Ros Russell; Please credit Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, womens rights, corruption and climate change. Visit news.trust.org)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
NIAMEY Eighteen people were killed and 20 others were wounded on Tuesday in violence in Niger that pitted itinerant cattle herders against farmers, officials said.The clashes broke out near the village of Bangui along the West African nation's southern border with neighbouring Nigeria after livestock belonging to ethnic Fulani herders damaged the field of a farmer."The nomadic herders fought with a farmer, whom they wounded. He was taken to the medical centre and everything started from there," said Oumarou Mohamane, Bangui's mayor.A group of farmers then attacked the Fulani camp in reprisal. Around 15 houses were burned.

"It required the intervention of the police to stop the villagers," the mayor said.

A second government official confirmed the details of the incident.Violent clashes between farmers and nomadic herders are a relatively common occurrence across West Africa, where there is competition over resources including land and water.

(Reporting by Boureima Balima; editing by Grant McCool)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
BERLIN Suspected far-right extremists have threatened asylum seekers in the eastern German town of Bautzen, police said on Wednesday, adding to signs of discontent over an influx of almost one million last year.Police cited witnesses as saying that about eight men had threatened a group of two German women and three young asylum seekers in the town on Tuesday evening. Two of the men aimed objects resembling pistols at the asylum seekers, police said.Witnesses said the men belonged to the right-wing scene and investigations were under way.Some Germans fear their country is being overrun by foreigners and Chancellor Angela Merkel has drawn criticism for her liberal migrant policy as the number of violent attacks on asylum seekers or their reception centres has risen.

Merkel's conservatives have lost some support to the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD).In another incident in Bautzen, police quoted witnesses as saying a 20-year-old Libyan, who was under the influence of alcohol, accompanied by two other asylum seekers assaulted a 19-year-old German outside a supermarket.

Police took the Libyan into custody. Around 10-15 people pursued the two other asylum seekers and threw stones at them before being dispersed by police. Four people of German nationality were detained and police were checking whether they were also involved in the other Bautzen incident. Bautzen police said they had launched criminal proceedings against a 29-year-old German man in possession of a stun gun who is suspected of having threatened an asylum seeker.

Right-wing extremists and asylum seekers have previously clashed in Bautzen. (Reporting by Michelle Martin; editing by Mark Heinrich)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
A black church in Greenville, Mississippi, caught fire and was spray-painted with the words "Vote Trump" a week before the U.S. presidential election, police said on Wednesday.The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it was working with local authorities to probe the blaze at the Hopewell M.B. Church on Tuesday night."The FBI Jackson Division is aware of the situation in Greenville, and we are working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to determine if any civil rights crimes were committed," the federal agency said in a statement.Police offered few immediate details about the fire and the message about the Republican presidential nominee that was painted on the side the building. A press conference was planned for Wednesday morning.

Black churches in the U.S. South have long been a base of support for the Democratic Party.

The incident in Mississippi comes about two weeks after a suspected arson at the Orange County Republican Party's office in Hillsborough, North Carolina. A message reading "Nazi Republicans leave town or else," was spray-painted near the building..No arrests have been made in that incident, which Indiana Governor Mike Pence, the Republican vice presidential candidate, called "political terrorism."

(Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Alistair Bell)

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BERLIN German police have arrested a Syrian man in Berlin on suspicion of being a member of a foreign terrorist organisation, local police tweeted.The man, who officers said had given his age as 27, had been living in Germany since 2015, police said.He was arrested in an apartment in the Schoeneberg district and an investigation has begun.

German security services, fearing Islamist attacks, are on high alert. In October, a Syrian refugee was arrested on suspicion of planning a major attack in Berlin after police discovered explosives in his apartment.Almost 900,000 migrants arrived in Germany last year and while many Germans initially welcomed them, security concerns have since increased, especially after migrants carried out several violent attacks on civilians over the summer, two of which were claimed by Islamic State.

There have also been attacks on asylum seekers and their accommodation facilities. On Tuesday suspected far-right extremists threatened asylum seekers in the town of Bautzen.

(Reporting by Michelle Martin; Editing by Louise Ireland)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Washington: President Barack Obama has suggested that Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton faces a double standard as the first female presidential nominee of a major party against an outlandish opponent whose rhetoric and behaviour were being normalised.

"I saw her as my Secretary of State. I saw her in the Situation Room making arguments to go after (Osama) bin Laden even though it was risky, tirelessly circling the globe as Secretary of State, respected around the world," Obama said on Tuesday during a rally in Columbus, Ohio.

"Her efforts are not always flashy and they're not always appreciated here at home, but she made me a better president and she didn't ask for credit."

Pitting Clinton against Republican rival Donald Trump, Obama argued that the choice to succeed him is not even close, Politico reported.

It's Clinton, he stressed, who has the experience, intelligence, temperament and heart to occupy the Oval Office.

The President even swatted down the "I love you" that was shouted from the crowd so he could continue making his case, remarking that "I love you back, but I want talk about Hillary for a second."

"You know, we always want to see the new shiny object, and if you get beat up enough in this political environment that's so toxic, after a while people start believing stuff. Hillary Clinton is consistently treated differently than just about any other candidate I see out there," Obama said.

Obama challenged men specifically to look in the mirror and ask themselves why, exactly, they may be feeling so much discomfort with Clinton, Politico reported.

"I want every man out there who's voting to look inside yourself and ask yourself," he said, adding "When a guy's ambitious and out in the public arena and working hard, well, that's OK. But when a woman suddenly does it, suddenly you're all like, Well, why is she doing that?' I'm just being honest."

Obama railed against the Republican nominee, casting Trump as an atypical candidate who is "uniquely unqualified" for office and would erase the progress of his administration if elected.

Clinton, he said, summarising his position, "is so much better qualified than the other guy. She has conducted herself so much better in public life than the other guy. That this notion that somehow, you know, it's hard to choose - it shouldn't be."
Peshawar: A Pakistani court refused bail on Wednesday to an Afghan woman immortalised on a National Geographic cover after she was arrested in Pakistan and accused of being one of thousands of refugees using fake ID cards.

Pakistan last week arrested Sharbat Gula, whose haunting green eyes  captured in an image taken in a Pakistan refugee camp by photographer Steve McCurry in the 1980s  became the most famous cover in the magazine's history.

She was accused of living in the country on fraudulent identity papers following a two-year investigation into her and her husband, who has absconded.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told a press conference on Sunday the country would review her case on the grounds that "she is a woman" and the government "should see it from a humanitarian angle".

However a judge in the northwestern city of Peshawar rejected bail for Gula, saying she had failed to make her case.

She got both a computerised ID and a manual ID, judge Farah Jamshed said in a written judgement, "meaning that on both occasions she impersonated herself as Pakistani citizen without legally adopting the status of same".

Officials say Gula applied for a Pakistani identity card in Peshawar in 2014, using the name Sharbat Bibi.

Her arrest highlights the desperate measures many Afghans are willing to take to avoid returning to their war-torn homeland as Pakistan cracks down on undocumented foreigners.

Pakistan has for decades provided safe haven for millions of Afghans who fled their country after the Soviet invasion of 1979.

Until recently the country had hosted some 1.4 million Afghan refugees, according to UNHCR, making it the third-largest refugee hosting nation in the world. A further one million unregistered refugees were also believed to be in the country.

But since July hundreds of thousands have returned to Afghanistan in a desperate exodus amid fears of a crackdown, as even Pakistan's famed hospitality ran out.

Last month UNHCR said more than 3,50,000 Afghan refugees  documented and undocumented  had returned from Pakistan so far in 2016, adding it expects a further 4,50,000 to do so by the year's end
Paris: One journalist is killed every four-and-a-half days, according to a shocking report released by Unesco on Wednesday.

During the last decade, 827 journalists have been killed while on the job, the Unesco director-general's report said.

The worst hit areas were Arab states including Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya. Latin America is the next worst affected region, the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity report said.

Unsurprisingly, most deaths  59 percent over the last two years of the 2006-2015 report -- happen in conflict zones.

During that period, 78 of the 213 journalists killed (36.5 percent) were in Arab states. Perhaps most alarming was the increase in journalist deaths in Western Europe and North America, up from none in 2014 to 11 last year.

Local journalists are far more at risk than foreign journalists, accounting for 90 percent of the victims.

But there was a huge spike in foreign journalist deaths in 2014 with 17 killed compared to an average of four in previous years.

Last year saw a massive increase in online journalists being killed, with 21 compared to two in 2014. Almost half of those were Syrian bloggers.

The report found that more than 10 times as many men are killed than women  195 to 18 in 2014/15  while television journalists have overtaken print hacks as the most vulnerable.

The report noted that death is not the only harm journalists are exposed to.

"The extent of the risks faced by journalists is demonstrated by the 827 killings recorded by Unesco over the course of ten years," said the report.

"To this, one needs to add the countless other violations endured by journalists, which include kidnappings, arbitrary detention, torture, intimidation and harassment, both offline and online, and seizure or destruction of material."

The report was requested by 39 member states of Unesco's Intergovernmental Council.
Islamabad: Pakistan has asked two officials of the Indian High Commission to leave the country for their alleged involvement in subversive activities, a local Pakistan media report said on Wednesday. The news was confirmed by CNN-News18.

#BREAKING | Indian High Commission official Rajesh Agnihotri and Balbir Singh declared persona non grata by Pakistan  News18 (@CNNnews18) November 2, 2016

While Geo TV reported that commercial counsellor Rajesh Agnihotri and press counsellor Balbir Singh may be expelled, CNN-News18 confirmed that the mission staff were asked to leave the country.

Citing sources, the channel claimed that Agnihotri was directly linked with RAW while Singh was working for Intelligence Bureau (IB) and they were allegedly using their positions in Pakistan as cover to hide their real identities.

It claimed Singh was also running a network of militants in Pakistan and expelled High Commission official Surgeet Singh was also part of his network.

The development came after reports that Pakistan may call back at least four officials at its High Commission in India after they were named in a recorded statement of Mehmood Akhtar who was briefly detained and then expelled by India.

They include commercial counsellor Syed Furrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal.

There were no immediate comments from the Indian High Commission about the reports.

With inputs from PTI
By Karen Lema

| SUBIC, Philippines

SUBIC, Philippines On his first voyage as captain, Philippine fisherman Joel Banila was more worried about being battered by Chinese coastguard ships than he was about the impending storm on the horizon in the South China Sea.His was one of the first boats to gamble on the big catches on offer in and around the disputed Scarborough Shoal since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made surprise overtures towards China, which sees the area as its sovereign territory.For four years, Chinese ships have blockaded the tranquil lagoon rich in fish stocks and forced fishermen from the Philippines to travel further for smaller catches, reflecting tensions in the South China Sea where several countries have overlapping claims.Frosty relations between China and the Philippines have improved markedly, however, as Duterte shifts away from traditional ally the United States and closer to Beijing, and some fishermen have decided to take a calculated risk."I felt a bit nervous because it was my first time serving as captain," 32-year-old Banila told Reuters, a day after making the 10-hour, 124-mile journey back to the shores of the northwest Philippines."We heard what happened before, that they (Chinese ships) ram the boats, so I was moving slowly around the shoal but nothing happened."There has been considerable confusion at sea since Duterte's diplomatic shift, with China's foreign ministry saying this week that the situation at Scarborough Shoal "has not changed and will not change".Philippine officials said fishermen could return, but confirmed no agreement had been reached when Duterte visited Beijing two weeks ago in search of investment, trade, and unimpeded access to the shoal.Duterte's outreach has stunned the region, coming just months after an arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled in favour of the Philippines in a case it lodged in 2013 to challenge not only China's control of the rocky outcrop, but the legality of its manmade islands and vast maritime claims.

"We heard there was a (Philippine) boat there, so we also tried go to Scarborough," Banila said.MIXED MESSAGES

The situation is far from certain at the shoal, which the arbitral ruling said should be shared by all claimants, and no one country had sovereign rights to it. China has rejected the tribunal's findings.The Philippine defence minister and the president's spokesman on Friday said Chinese ships had withdrawn from the area. Within two days, defence and coastguard officials said Chinese were still there, but had scaled back their presence since Duterte's visit.

Some fishermen have returned with big smiles and bountiful catches, reporting no interference from the Chinese as they accessed the lagoon. Among them was Cornel Garnel, a shirtless fishermen who got back last week."Before, when fishermen tried to fish there, they were driven away by water cannon," he said.Satellite imagery taken on Saturday by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative and The Center for Strategic and International Studies, however, showed fishermen were not entering the shoal itself and were working on its periphery, with China's coastguard still present.Banila said he spotted four Chinese ships, one at the mouth of the lagoon and three circling the area. His boat stayed outside, following the advice of other fishermen."We were close enough for us to see them, but we can't go inside, only outside," he added.

Laureano Artagame, a senior fisheries management official in Subic, said it was "unacceptable" that Chinese ships had let Filipinos shelter at the shoal during a typhoon, but made them leave afterwards."There is already a decision by the international arbitral court... so why are the Chinese still there?" he said."Yes, there's some leniency now, there's no more harassment. But there is still anxiety, they still worry."Artagame said the blockade meant fishermen had to be at sea three times longer to catch the kind of volumes of fish they would at Scarborough.He said fishermen were unhappy with the diplomatic ambiguity and he planned to meet representatives of Duterte's government soon to push for answers."One of the things we will talk about ... is to really ask the government, is there a clear agreement opening the Scarborough?" he said."And why are they still blocking the entrance?" (Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Mike Collett-White)

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Johannesburg: Thousands of South Africans demonstrated on Wednesday for the resignation of President Jacob Zuma, who has been enmeshed in scandals that critics say are undermining the country's democracy.

The protests in the administrative capital of Pretoria came as opposition lawyers argued in court for the prompt release of a state watchdog report about allegations that a business family linked to Zuma sought to influence some Cabinet post selections to benefit its own business interests. The president has withdrawn a bid to block the release of the report, said his lawyer, Anthea Platt.

The possibility of new revelations of alleged wrongdoing at top levels of the South African government is likely to increase pressure on Zuma, who apologised earlier this year after the Constitutional Court said he flouted the constitution in a scandal over more than $20 million in state funds used to upgrade his rural home. Zuma eventually paid back more than $5,00,000, an amount determined by the national treasury.

In a separate scandal, the director of the National Prosecuting Authority this week dropped fraud charges against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan following an outcry by South Africans who suspected the move to prosecute Gordhan was an attempt by government factions to take control of the national treasury.

On Wednesday, business executives, religious leaders and others gathered in a Pretoria cathedral to demand that Zuma quit. They said alleged corruption linked to the president was undermining one of Africa's biggest economies, which is experiencing weak growth, as well as a constitution that was crafted after the end of white minority rule in 1994.

"It is not possible to turn the situation around" as long as Zuma remains president, said Sipho Pityana of Save South Africa, a coalition of groups that say they seek to protect the constitution.

Separate rallies were also held in Pretoria by South Africa's two biggest opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters. The ruling African National Congress party, which took power after the end of apartheid, lost several key municipalities in local elections in August, partly because of public dissatisfaction with the president.

Zuma has not commented this week on growing calls for his ouster. He is scheduled to chair a forum in Harare on Thursday with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
BEIRUT Syrian rebels on Wednesday rejected Russian demands that they withdraw from Aleppo by Friday evening, an official in one insurgent faction said."This is completely out of the question. We will not give up the city of Aleppo to the Russians and we won't surrender," Zakaria Malahifji of the Fastaqim rebel group told Reuters.Russia's defence ministry said rebels and civilians would be allowed to leave the eastern opposition-held part of Aleppo and signalled it would extend a moratorium on air strikes inside the city.

However, Malahifji said there were no safe exit corridors, as Russia had stated.

"It's not true. Civilians and fighters are not leaving. Civilians are afraid of the regime, they don't trust it. And the fighters are not surrendering," he said.

(Reporting by John Davison; Editing by Louise Ireland)

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Ankara: Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu accused Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi of weakness as tensions rose on Wednesday after Ankara deployed tanks and artillery near Iraq.

Abadi had warned Ankara not to provoke a confrontation and said any invasion would see Iraq's northern neighbour repelled after Turkey sent the 30-vehicle convoy to the southeastern district of Silopi on Tuesday.

The two countries traded barbs last month over Ankara's military presence in Iraq's north and its insistence that it would play a role in the offensive to retake Mosul, Iraq's second biggest city, from the Islamic State group.

"If you have the strength, why did you surrender Mosul to terror organisations? If you are so strong, why has the PKK occupied your lands for years?

"You cannot even fight against a terror organisation, you are weak," Cavusoglu added, quoted by the official news agency Anadolu.

The Turkish foreign minister was referring to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) which is waging an insurgency inside Turkey and has bases in northern Iraq.

Ankara claims its artillery hit IS positions in Iraq during the Mosul operation but Baghdad denies any Turkish involvement and has called for Turkish troops training fighters near Mosul to be withdrawn.

Iraqi forces fought their way into the northern city that has been held by IS since June 2014 in the third week of the operation.

Turkey also fears that the northern district of Sinjar could become another base for the PKK which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week he would not allow.

As the Turkish convoy made its way, Abadi said Iraq was "ready" for a confrontation with Ankara even though he insisted he did not want to go to war with Turkey.

Referring to Abadi's comments, Cavusoglu said it was "not right to make flippant remarks", adding that Iraq was trying to "play tough" with empty rhetoric.

Cavusoglu's remarks were in stark contrast to those made during a visit to Doha on Tuesday where he said the Turkish troops' presence in northern Iraq's Bashiqa camp had created "unnecessary tension" between the two countries.
Lets talk courts. Legislation mandates that the United States Supreme Court have nine justices. There are eight sitting justices currently, soon to be seven. The death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia and the pending retirement of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg means that soon there will be two vacancies on the bench.

Since the death of conservative Justice Scalia, Obama has been blocked from appointing a successor. Earlier this year, he put forth moderate judge Merrick Garland as a potential Scalia successor, but the appointment was blocked by the Republican majority Senate. This is a high-stakes game of chess that has reached stalemate. The next president will be responsible for appointing the two successors and the next US Senate will be responsible for confirming them.

Historically, presidents have used their appointing power to advance political agendas. President Franklin Roosevelt famously advocated for a bill that would allow him to pack the court with his appointees. Appointing a justice gives a president the opportunity to extend her legacy past her time in office. Justices stay on the bench until death or retirement, unless they are impeached. The courts job is to interpret the Constitution. If a case makes it to the court, the court is the final arbiter of legislation. Of course, this has lasting effects on the law of the land.

Republican Vice Presidential nominee Mike Pence has promised to support the appointment of strict constitutionalists like late Justice Scalia. Under this theory, the Constitutions meaning should be the only factor in interpretation. This is a departure from more activist jurisprudence, where factors such as the intention of the law and the problem it was intended to fix are included when interpreting text. What Mike Pence means to say is that he is on board to appoint someone with his values (and Trumps purported values). Scalia used this textualist interpretation to claim that the Constitution does not promise an individuals right to privacy, which is the crux of the landmark case Roe v. Wade, which deemed access to abortion a Constitutional right.

This is an extension of the narrative Republicans have constructed. Republicans tend to claim ownership over the Constitution, claiming that conservative justices are merely interested in interpreting the text as it is written. On the other hand, according to this narrative, liberal activist judges are looking to superimpose their political will over the document. Of course, the Democrats have launched their counter-narrative. A prime example of this counter-attack was when Khizr Khan, the Gold Star father of a slain U.S. soldier, pulled a pocket sized Constitution out of his jacket on stage at the Democratic National Convention. This display was the equivalent of wrapping oneself in the flag.

Like everything else in this electoral system, judicial appointment is a political game. The president can appoint a justice and the Senate must approve the appointment with a standard majority. But of course, every president comes in with a political agenda and every Senate comes with one as well, which often differs from the executive branchs agenda.

So what does this mean for women?

Well, if your agenda is to repeal Roe v. Wade, you will be affecting millions of women. Abortions will not be performed by doctors in clinics. Women will go back to dangerous bedroom abortions. More women will die due to complications in pregnancy.

And the people who want to make abortion illegal also happen to be the people who are making access to contraception more and more difficult. This is a signal to women that their main purpose in society is to be vessels, bearers of children, and caregivers with no autonomy and no decision-making power over their bodies. This is absolutely unacceptable.

We have already seen cases that seek to weaken access to abortion. Whole Womans Health v. Hellerstedt was a case that landed on the docket this summer. Two Texas provisions, requiring physicians who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital and requiring clinics to have facilities comparable to an ambulatory surgical center, were under scrutiny. These laws were passed with the explicit intention of restricting the number of clinics accessible in Texas, under the guise of mandating additional safety measures for an already safe procedure. It was decided that the provisions constituted an undue burden on abortion providers and abortion access, thus violating the Constitution.

The decision was 5-3, with the predictable spread. Liberal activist judges landed in the majority in this case and conservative textualist judges dissented.

There is a concerted effort to repeal Roe v. Wade. Anti-choice activists are waiting for the perfect test case to appeal and overturn Roe v Wade in the courts. The judicial system is hijacked by whatever political interest monopolizes power at the time. In this case, the rights of women hang in the balance.
By Alex Dobuzinskis

The wife of the gunman who shot 49 people to death at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, knew he had been watching jihadist videos but was unaware he planned to commit mass murder, she said in a New York Times interview published on Tuesday.Noor Salman, in her first extensive public comments since the June 12 shooting rampage that ended with police killing her husband, Omar Mateen, also said he physically abused her during their five-year marriage, even while she was pregnant.U.S. investigators questioned Salman within days of the massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A law enforcement source at the time told Reuters that Salman knew of Mateen's plans for the attack, the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.Media reports in June indicated Salman faced imminent arrest in the investigation, but no charges have been brought against her."I was unaware of everything," Salman, 30, told the New York Times in the interview. "I don't condone what he has done. I am very sorry for what has happened."

She and Mateen, then 29, lived in Fort Pierce, Florida, until the shooting. She and her young son have since relocated three times. She said she often cannot get out of bed and depends on family to care for her son."I just want people to know that I am human," Salman told the paper. "I am a mother." In emergency-911 calls placed by Mateen in the midst of the shooting spree, he professed allegiance to the head of Islamic State, the militant group that has seized vast swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria and claimed responsibility for numerous bomb and gun attacks on civilians in Europe.

An FBI spokeswoman on Tuesday said in a statement, "We have never said whether we are investigating any other individuals in connection with the shooting." Salman, a native of California, acknowledged that she was aware that Mateen, the U.S.-born son of immigrants from Afghanistan, was watching jihadist videos before the attack, according to the New York Times.

The FBI, after questioning Mateen in 2013 and 2014 for suspected ties to Islamist militants, concluded he did not pose a threat. Salman told the New York Times she was not particularly alarmed about Mateen watching the videos because the FBI appeared to have cleared him.Salman also told the newspaper that she was the victim of repeated domestic violence at the hands her husband, who she said choked her, pulled her by the hair and threatened to kill her.Once when she was pregnant, he punched her hard enough on the shoulder to leave a bruise, and later threatened to seize custody of their son if she divorced him, Salman said. According to her account, Mateen taunted her by saying she would never be able to prove his abuse of her. (Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; Additional reporting by Julia Harte in Washington; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Hyatt Place Sao Jose do Rio Preto opens today, marking the first Hyatt Place hotel to open in Brazil. Practical design aligned with comfort and technology are the leading characteristics of the new Hyatt Place hotel illustrating the success of Hyatt's select service brand as it continues to create value for guests and owners worldwide. Hyatt, in joint venture with Elandis, intends to open multiple Hyatt Place hotels in Brazil.

The Hyatt Place brand is rooted in extensive consumer insights indicating that guests seek stylish, comfortable, seamless experiences that accommodate their lifestyles and familiar routines. To embody this, the brand offers casual hospitality and purposeful services in a smartly designed, high-tech and contemporary environment.

"The opening of the first Hyatt Place hotel in Brazil is a milestone for the company as we continue to focus on the development of the Hyatt Place brand across Latin America," says Luciano Julio, regional director of Latin American operations for Hyatt Place and Hyatt House. "We truly believe guests will be pleased with the innovative service concept and modern design offered by the Hyatt Place Sao Jose do Rio Preto."

Hyatt Place Sao Jose do Rio Preto offers:

152 spacious guestrooms featuring a plush Hyatt Grand Bed, media and work center with a 43" flat-panel HDTV and comfortable Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper

featuring a plush Hyatt Grand Bed, media and work center with a 43" flat-panel HDTV and comfortable Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper Gallery Hosts unique to the Hyatt Place brand who are available 24 hours

unique to the Hyatt Place brand who are available 24 hours 24/7 Gallery Menu serving an a la carte menu

serving an a la carte menu 24/7 Gallery Market features perfectly packed grab 'n go items, such as snacks and sandwiches

features perfectly packed grab 'n go items, such as snacks and sandwiches Gallery Kitchen Breakfast , a free breakfast for guests, including baked goods, fresh fruit, yogurt, juices, tea, and coffee

, a free breakfast for guests, including baked goods, fresh fruit, yogurt, juices, tea, and coffee Coffee to Cocktails Bar featuring specialty coffees and premium beers, as well as wines and cocktails

featuring specialty coffees and premium beers, as well as wines and cocktails Meeting Spaces offering more than 3,980 square feet (370 square meters) of flexible, high-tech meeting/function space ideal for coffee breaks, cocktail parties, banquets, or business meetings,

offering more than 3,980 square feet (370 square meters) of flexible, high-tech meeting/function space ideal for coffee breaks, cocktail parties, banquets, or business meetings, 24/7 StayFit Gym featuring fully stocked exercise equipment

featuring fully stocked exercise equipment Odds & Ends program for forgotten items that guests can buy, borrow or enjoy for free

program for forgotten items that guests can buy, borrow or enjoy for free Free Wi-Fi and public computers with remote printing throughout the hotel

The city of Sao Jose do Rio Preto, in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, is less than 275 miles (440 kilometers) from the capital Sao Paulo. The city represents an important cultural center in the region with rich traditions in arts, theater, music, and sports. Hyatt Place Sao Jose do Rio Preto is located in a mixed use project that also houses one of Brazil's iconic luxury shopping malls, Iguatemi Shopping Center, and is also conveniently located nearby the city center, office complexes, hospitals, and clinics. Airport Professor Eribelto Manoel Reino is a 20-minute drive and serves the surrounding cities.

Aimed at stimulating the local socioeconomic development, the city of Sao Jose do Rio Preto is encouraging the growth of meetings and events productions. These events often attract people from other cities, demanding better infrastructure and encouraging the professionalization of the hospitality sector, which is beneficial not only to tourists but also to the entire population of the city.

"Sao Jose do Rio Preto is nationally recognized as one of the best cities for professional career development, and is also a service hub for several other cities in the region. The number of business and leisure travelers is consistently increasing so we hope Hyatt Place Sao Jose do Rio Preto becomes their preferred hotel and we look forward to welcoming them," adds Julio.

For more information about Hyatt Place hotels, please visit www.hyattplace.com.

The term "Hyatt" is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose  to care for people so they can be their best. As of June 30, 2022, the Company's portfolio included more than 1,150 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 72 countries across six continents. The Company's offering includes brands in the Timeless Collection, including Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Hyatt Residence Club, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, and UrCove; the Boundless Collection, including Miraval, Alila, Andaz, Thompson Hotels, Hyatt Centric, and Caption by Hyatt; the Independent Collection, including The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Destination by Hyatt, and JdV by Hyatt; and the Inclusive Collection, including Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts, and Sunscape Resorts & Spas. Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt loyalty program, ALG Vacations, Unlimited Vacation Club, Amstar DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions technology services. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-Looking Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "will," "would" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable when made, are inherently uncertain, and are subject to numerous assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are outside of Kiraku, Inc. or Hyatt's control, which could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements made in this press release are made only as of the date of their initial publication and neither party undertakes an obligation to publicly update any of these forward-looking statements as actual events unfold, except to the extent required by applicable law. If one or more forward-looking statements is updated, no inference should be drawn that any additional updates will be made with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
Global hospitality association Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), producers of the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC), is partnering with Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) to co-locate the HTNG Insight Summit Europe with the premier HITEC Amsterdam. Both events will take place in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. HTNG's Insight Summit Europe will be held from March 27-28, 2017, while HFTP's HITEC Amsterdam will take place March 28-30 at the RAI Convention Centre.

"HFTP is proud to continue its lasting relationship with HTNG by co-locating the European conferences next March," said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE. "HFTP is dedicated to advancing finance and technology segments in the hospitality industry, and is thankful for the support from allied associations such as HTNG."

Established in 1972, HFTP's HITEC has built a global network of leading industry experts, practitioners and vendors that come together each year, in a different city in North America, for the latest hospitality technology showcases, education and discussions. The latest HITEC event, that took place this past June in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, featured over 6,395 hospitality professionals representing 65 countries, welcomed over 106 educational speakers, 342 exhibitors and 867 exhibit booths. HFTP continues to build upon its globally renowned, HITEC with the addition of the premier HITEC Amsterdam and HITEC Dubai next year.

HTNG's Insight Summits focus on advancing discussions and solutions in current workgroups by providing the opportunity for participants to meet face-to-face. HTNG members can come together to discuss current issues, learn about new industry findings, acquire practical knowledge to carry forward and benefit from networking opportunities. HTNG's Insight Summits occur twice a year in two distinct regions  Europe and North America. There are 12 present workgroups at HTNG: Personal Area Networks, Internet of Things (IoT), Hotel Systems Dashboard, Lightweight Messaging, Next Generation Messaging, Door Lock Security, Bulk Data Transfer, Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Scalable Cellular Service, Open API, CRM and Cloud Communications.

"HTNG's Insight Summit Europe and HFTP's HITEC Amsterdam both provide platforms for industry professionals to network and collaborate," said HTNG Chief Operating Officer David Sjolander. "Our goal is to produce fewer events with better quality for the industry, and this structure will help accomplish that."

HFTP and HTNG are both nonprofit associations representing the hospitality industry and professionals worldwide. HFTP's HITEC conferences and HTNG regional conferences and Insight Summits serve as opportunities for attendees from around the globe to network with peers, learn about the latest industry innovations and develop their business.

As global associations in the hospitality industry, this partnership will benefit both organizations as well as the event attendees by extending resources and education. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss issues facing hospitality technology with some of the industry's top experts, learn about the latest technology products and services as well as build upon connections with partners across the industry.

For more information about HITEC and HFTP's other global activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected] or visit www.hftp.org and www.hftp.org/hitec. For more information about HTNG and its events, workgroups or memberships, contact HTNG's Marketing Department at [email protected] or visit www.htng.org.

Stay tuned to HFTP's main webpages: HFTP/HITEC; the world's first hospitality-specific search engine: PineappleSearch  mobile app available via iTunes App Store and Google Play; HFTP's official blog: HFTP Connect; HFTP's industry-specific, informational news sites: HITEC Bytes (technology), HFTP Club Bytes (club), HFTP Finance Bytes (finance) and HFTP News (association); and HFTP's social media sites: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@HFTP), Instagram (HFTP_HITEC), YouTube and Flickr for the latest updates.

About HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) is a global nonprofit hospitality association, headquartered in Austin, Texas, USA, that uniquely understands the industry's problems. HFTP has about 5,200 members and several thousand stakeholders across the globe. HFTP assists its members in finding solutions to industry problems more efficiently than any organization via its expert networks, research, conferences such as HITEC and certification programs. HFTP also owns the world's only hospitality specific search engine, PineappleSearch.com. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segment of the hospitality industry. For more information about HFTP, e-mail [email protected].

About Hotel Technology Next Generation

The premier technology solutions association in the hospitality industry, HTNG is a self-funded, nonprofit organization with members from hotel and hospitality companies, technology vendors to hospitality, consultants, media and academic experts. HTNG's members participate in focused workgroups to bring to market open solution sets addressing specific business problems. HTNG fosters the selection and adoption of existing open standards and also develops new open standards to meet the needs of the global hospitality industry.

Currently more than 400 corporate and individual members from across this spectrum, including most of the world's leading hotel companies and technology vendors, are active HTNG participants. HTNG's Board of Governors, consisting of 22 top IT leaders from hotel companies around the world, itself has technology responsibility for over 2.5 million guest rooms. HTNG publishes workgroup proceedings, drafts and specifications for all HTNG members as soon as they are created, encouraging rapid and broad adoption. HTNG releases specifications into the public domain as soon as they are ratified by the workgroups.

For more information, visit www.htng.org.

Jessica Blankenship

Public Relations Manager

HFTP
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The China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China) is being held between November 1 and 6 in the neighboring city of Zhuhai.

Airshow China is the international aerospace trade show endorsed by the Chinese authorities. It has been held every two years since 1996. The show is a platform for international aviation and aerospace enterprises to demonstrate the latest technology innovations in the market.

Chinas J-20 stealth fighter made its public debut at an air show yesterday, in the latest sign of the growing sophistication of the countrys military technology.

The fifth-generation warplane, which outwardly resembles the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor in service with the U.S. military, performed a series of maneuvers under overcast skies in Zhuhai.

The long-range J-20, armed with air-to-air missiles, performed its first test flight in 2011 and has been the object of feverish attention by the nations aviation buffs. At least six prototypes have been produced, according to an annual report on the Chinese military issued by the Pentagon this year.
The Hospital Conde de Sao Januario (CHCSJ) held a ceremony yesterday at its facilities in order to celebrate having passed the accreditation test by the Australian Council of Healthcare Standards (ACHS) in recognition of CHCSJs international standardized medical technologies and health care services.

Alexis Tam, the Secretary for Culture and Social Affairs, told visitors at the ceremony that CHCSJ was rated excellent in four (out of 47) criteria, specifically for patients participation, prevention of healthcare users falls, provision of public information, and for security management.

We are indeed very proud of it, said Tam.

CHCSJ is the first medical service provider in town to be accredited by the ACHS. In the neighboring region, Hong Kong, 26 healthcare institutions are accredited by the organization. In mainland China only one is.

Since the new government of Macau came into the office, we did a lot to improve peoples livelihood and healthcare standards, Tam claims. The governments first goal is [to] provide first class healthcare to the citizens of Macau.

Last year, the ACHS conferred three excellent ratings to the CHCSJ. Tam pledges that, from now on, more review sessions on the hospitals hardware and services will be arranged in order to keep ensuring that a good service is provided.

CHCSJ passed the test after a five-day assessment period. Desmond Yen, executive director of international business at ACHS, told the media that before the association came to CHCSJ to undertake the evaluation, ACHS informed the hospital that a test would be conducted imminently.

Yen believes that the time given to the hospital to prepare for the test was quite short, because not doing so could allow the hospital to present an abnormally perfect situation to the evaluators. That the CHCSJ still passed indicated that they had passed the test under normal conditions and thus met the ACHSs requirements.

On the sidelines of the ceremony, Kuok Cheong U, director of CHCSJ, reaffirmed to the media that the ACHS sent medical professionals from Hong Kong, from the Middle East and from Australia to CHCSJ for four days in order to evaluate their practical work.

Kuok stated to the media that the accreditation is reviewed every four years. In order to obtain the next accreditation, three self-reviews have been planned to be conducted in the three years before the Australians next evaluation. One self-review was already conducted on October 24.

The three self-reviews are planned for October of 2018, 2019 and 2020, carrying a budget of MOP48,800, MOP290,280, and MOP48,800, respectively. The Health Bureau and the CHCSJ are considering whether or not, after the review in 2019, we will participate in the next accreditation evaluation. Maybe it could be possible for ourselves to develop a medical improvement plan, said Kuok.

The ACHS is an authorized accreditation agency with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. The ACHS is authorized to accredit healthcare organizations to the National Safety and Quality Health Services Standards (NSQHSS).

ACHS has been developing standards for health care organizations, and in partnership with government and other health care stakeholders, since its inception in 1974. The ACHS was the first organization in Australia to develop standards that applied across the entire health care sector. Its standards are recognized and implemented worldwide. Julie Zhu
China and Malaysia said their navies will cooperate more in the politically sensitive South China Sea in an agreement signed yesterday during a visit by Malaysias leader, who is seeking stronger ties with Beijing as he tries to offset a financial scandal at home.

Prime Minister Najib Razak hopes to use his visit to Beijing this week to woo new investment and boost his image as he is shunned by Western leaders over the scandal, which has prompted a U.S. government investigation, analysts say.

He was given a red carpet welcome by his Chinese counterpart, Li Keqiang. After meeting at the Great Hall of the People, they oversaw the signing of agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation.

We have not touched upon the details of our cooperation. Mostly we are focusing on naval cooperation, Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters afterward. As China and Malaysia are both South China Sea coastal nations, we need to enhance our naval cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea and enhance our mutual trust, he said.

Beijing asserts that virtually all of the South China Sea is Chinese territory, but an international tribunal ruling in July invalidated those sweeping claims. China has ignored that ruling. Six other Asian governments also claim part of the South China Sea, and some observers see it as a potential flashpoint that could spark conflict one day.

Najib is the second leader of a nation with rival territorial claims in the South China Sea to visit Beijing in two weeks. The first, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, played down his countrys dispute with China.

The international tribunal case was initiated by Dutertes predecessor, and Duterte has sought to cast himself as far more conciliatory, an approach that appears to have paid off. While Chinese coast guard ships continue to guard a tiny, uninhabited shoal that China effectively seized in 2012, Filipino fishermen have been allowed to fish there for the first time in four years.

Malaysia claims a swath of the South China Sea north of Borneo, along with islands and reefs, but has been relatively understated amid the feuding among fellow claimants China, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Last month, Najib said Malaysia will not compromise on its South China Sea claims, but wants them to be hashed out through dialogue and peaceful negotiations.

Liu said Najib agreed with the Chinese premier to further advance the proper settlement of the South China Sea issue on a bilateral channel and through dialogue. Beijing always prefers negotiating disputes on a one-to-one basis with the countries concerned, so it can bring more pressure to bear.

Liu said the two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, trade, investment and law enforcement, and will work together to build an east coast railway link in Malaysia and an oil and gas pipeline in Sabah. All this cooperation will bring our relations to a new high, Liu said.

Najib is to meet President Xi Jinping tomorrow.

Najib has been implicated in a U.S. government investigation into massive fraud at a Malaysian investment fund he founded known by the initials 1MDB. The U.S. Department of Justice said in a lawsuit seeking to seize assets in the U.S. that at least USD3.5 billion was stolen from the fund and diverted through a web of shell companies and bank accounts in Singapore, Switzerland, Luxembourg and the United States.

Malaysias attorney general has defended Najib, even as his popularity at home has plummeted in recent months.

James Chin, director of the Asia Institute at Australias University of Tasmania, said Najib wants to attract more Chinese money to make up for a drop in foreign direct investment from Western countries spooked by the scandal. He said Najib also wants to show that there are still powerful countries around the world that are still willing to give him the five-star or red carpet treatment.

Hes showing the Malaysian domestic audience that a new upcoming power like China is still willing to host him, because it is quite obvious that he cant get the same treatment in Western capitals anymore, Chin said.

While Najib has more riding on the visit, the Chinese government is also eager to increase its clout with Malaysia as it looks to develop its One Belt, One Road initiative. Under Xis signature foreign economic expansion strategy, China aims to strengthen land and sea links and bilateral cooperation with the rest of Asia, Africa and Europe. One part of that is a planned high-speed railway from Singapore to the southwest of China which will pass through Malaysia.

China for its part wants to be closer to Malaysia in economic and political terms because its trying to draw Malaysia into its sphere of influence, Chin said.

Relatives of Chinese passengers on Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which went missing in 2014 en route to Beijing, are clamoring to meet with Najib during his visit. About 10 relatives went to the Foreign Ministry and later to the Malaysian Embassy yesterday. Louise Watt, Beijing, AP

Japan protests Chinas drilling activity in East China Sea

Japans government has lodged a protest with China over drilling activity in the waters between the two countries.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said yesterday that Japan had confirmed that a moored Chinese drilling ship is conducting some kind of activity in the East China Sea.

He called Chinas oil and gas exploration efforts extremely regrettable at a time when the maritime boundaries between Japan and China have not been established.

Japan has complained about similar activity before, largely in the waters between the Chinese mainland and Okinawa and other southern Japanese islands.
Chinese authorities could freeze assets and take other actions against foreign hackers threatening the countrys infrastructure under a revised draft of a new cybersecurity law.

The law has been submitted for its third and final reading by the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, Chinas legislature, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xinhua says the draft would allow police and other agencies to freeze assets and apply other necessary punishment against foreign hackers, while also requiring expanded security measures for industries including public communications, energy and finance. The report provided no details. The legislation is expected to be passed in the coming weeks.

Cybersecurity has been a top source of friction between China and the United States, which both say they suffer hacking attacks originating from the other. Chinese officials have long characterized their country as a top victim of hacking and have called for expanded law enforcement powers and more stringent regulations on imported technology equipment.

If passed in its current form, the cybersecurity law could introduce new rules about how Chinese citizens data are stored and expand data access and censorship powers for law enforcement.

Foreign technology companies, particularly Silicon Valley giants with a stake in the Chinese market, also worry that the rules have a secondary motive of protecting the domestic technology sector by discouraging Chinese buyers in both the private and public sectors from purchasing foreign products.
An American held hostage in Beirut by Muslim fundamentalists has been released.

David Jacobsen was set free in the west of the Lebanese capital after 17 months of captivity at the hands of Islamic Jihad.

After his release, Mr Jacobsen, 55, was taken to the American embassy compound in east Beirut.

He was kidnapped in May 1985 as he walked the short distance from his home on the American University Hospital campus to the hospital compound.

He is expected to leave Beirut soon with his daughters and sons who have come to the city to greet him.

Mr Jacobsens release is being credited to the efforts of the Archbishop of Canterburys special envoy, Terry Waite.

Soon after the hostage was freed a US helicopter collected Mr Waite from Lanarca in Cyprus where he had been conducting secret negotiations and took him to the US embassy in Beirut.

Mr Waites intervention in the case of the Beirut hostages comes after success in freeing people held in Iran and Libya.

So far he has helped gain the release of three Beirut hostages after their relatives appealed to him for help.

The US authorities were also involved in the negotiations.

US presidential spokesman Larry Speakes said they could not divulge details because of concerns for the safety of other captives in Lebanon.

Again we call on the captors of all hostages in Lebanon to release their innocent victims.

No political goals are or will be achieved by resorting to extortion or terrorism, Mr Speakes said.

The US Government held the kidnappers of the remaining hostages responsible for their safety, he added.

At least two other American hostages are still being held in Beirut as well as several Frenchmen and Briton John McCarthy.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

After David Jacobsens release it emerged that in spite of earlier declarations, the US Government had been effectively buying hostages freedom.

The US had been selling arms to Iran in return for its influence over the hostage-takers.

This led to the so-called Iran Contragate affair after further revelations that money from the arms sales had then been channelled to fund rebels in Nicaragua.

Hostage negotiator Terry Waite was himself kidnapped in 1987 and not released until November 1991.

The following month saw the release of the last US hostage, Terry Anderson, after seven years in captivity.
Police in one of the sheikhdoms of the United Arab Emirates say they found and determined a strange fruit covered in writing and nails was not dangerous.

Police in Sharjah, a conservative emirate neighboring Dubai, posted a picture and video of the fruit found Saturday on a beach there.

The yellow melon bore Arabic writing and appeared to have a cartoon picture of a person on it, with nails hammered into neat rows on the figure.

Police say they spoke with officials at the emirates Islamic Affairs Department and determined it not to be a threat.

While more relaxed on social issues than its Arab neighbors, items associated with black magic and witchcraft are illegal in the United Arab Emirates.
Iraqs special forces entered the outskirts of Mosul yesterday and were advancing toward its more urban center despite fierce resistance by Islamic State group fighters who hold the city, an Iraqi general said.

It was the first time Iraqi troops have set foot in the city, Iraqs second largest, in over two years. The advance could be the start of a grueling and slow operation for the troops, who will be forced to engage in difficult, house-to-house fighting in urban areas that is expected to take weeks, if not months.

Troops entered Gogjali, a neighborhood inside Mosuls city limits, and by noon were only 800 meters from the more built-up Karama district, according to Maj. Gen. Sami al-Aridi of the Iraqi special forces.

The special forces have stormed in, he said. Daesh is fighting back and have set up concrete blast walls to block off the Karama neighborhood and our troops advance, he said, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group. Bombs have been laid along the road into the city, he added.

Mosul is the final IS bastion in Iraq, the city from which it drove out a larger but demoralized Iraqi army in 2014 and declared a caliphate that stretched into Syria. Its loss would be a major defeat for the jihadis, but with the closest Iraqi troops still some 10 kilometers from the city center, much ground remains to be covered.

Yesterdays battle opened up with Iraqi artillery, tank and machine gun fire on IS positions on the edge of Gogjali neighborhood, with the extremists responding with guided anti-tank missiles and small arms in an attempt to block the advance. Airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition supporting the operation added to the fire hitting the district.

Spokesman Col. John Dorrian said that the U.S.-led coalition, which coordinates all its attacks with the Iraqis, has been observing the battlefield and has noted that IS forces can no longer move in large numbers.

And when we see them come together where there are significant numbers we will strike them and kill them, he said during a televised press conference with Iraqi forces in Qayara, south of Mosul. Concerns over civilian casualties have led to air operations using precision munitions only, he added.

From the nearest village east of Mosul, Bazwaya, smoke could be seen rising from buildings in Gogjali, where shells and bombs had landed. IS fighters also lit special fires to produce dark smoke in order to obscure the aerial view of the city.

Inside the village, white flags still hung from some buildings, put up a day earlier by residents eager to show they wouldnt resist the Iraqi forces advance. Some residents stood outside their homes, and children raised their hands with V-for-victory signs.

The families, estimated to number in the hundreds, will be evacuated from the village to a displaced persons camp, according to Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil of the Iraqi special forces.

As the fighting raged, several of the newly displaced from Bazwaya could be seen carrying white flags and driving a herd of some 150 sheep toward the camp.

Emad Hassan, 33, a former policeman, said he had come to Bazwaya when the operation started in order to flee the IS fighters.

When I knew the security forces were serious about liberating Mosul, I came here, he said. Daesh was preventing families from moving toward the security forces and ordered them into the city center, but I refused and stayed.

For over two weeks, Iraqi forces and their Kurdish allies, Sunni tribesmen and Shiite militias have been converging on Mosul from all directions to drive IS from the city.

Iraqi forces have made uneven progress in closing in on the city. Advances have been slower to the south, with government troops still 35 kilometers away. To the north are Kurdish forces and Iraqi army units, and Shiite militias are sweeping toward the western approach in an attempt to cut off a final IS escape route.

The Shiite forces, Iran-backed troops known as the Popular Mobilization Units, are not supposed to enter Mosul, given concerns that the battle for the Sunni-majority city could aggravate sectarian tensions.

Just behind the eastern front line, the armys ninth division has moved toward Mosul on the path cleared by the special forces, and was now approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) from its eastern outskirts.

The U.S. military estimates IS has 3,000-5,000 fighters in Mosul and another 1,500-2,500 in its outer defensive belt. The total includes about 1,000 foreign fighters. They stand against an anti-IS force that including army units, militarized police, special forces and Kurdish fighters totals over 40,000 men.

According to a video published online by IS, life was normal inside Karama district a day earlier. Released by its Aamaq news agency, the footage from Karama shows residents insisting that life is normal and that no apostates or Shiites had entered the city

We hear the thud of the bombs fired by our brothers at the apostates, said a bearded man in a wheelchair, speaking from a market street where taxis and shoppers passed by unimpeded.

As the Mosul offensive has pressed on, bombings have continued in the capital, Baghdad, part of sustained IS efforts to destabilize the country. Dozens have been killed since the push on Mosul started in apparent retaliation attacks, mostly claimed by IS.

Also yesterday, Kurdish authorities detained a Japanese freelance journalist covering the fighting. Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said in Tokyo that we are aware that he is currently being detained and that Japan is trying to determine why.

Japans Kyodo News agency says that journalist Kosuke Tsuneoka was reporting on the battle to recapture the city of Mosul from the Islamic State group. Kyodo reported he is being held by the Kurdish militia known as the peshmerga. Qassim Abdul-Zahra & Brian Rohan, Bazwaya, AP
A 53-year-old local man, surnamed Un, was arrested by the Judiciary Police (PJ) for alleged domestic violence, it was announced on Monday.

The incident marks the second domestic violence case arrest since the citys domestic violence law made such abuse a crime last month.

According to the 42-year-old victim, she and Un, who was the owner of a renovation construction company, have been married since 1997, and have one kid. The victim was a mainland resident who immigrated to Macau after her marriage.

In 2004, Uns wife found out that he was having an affair with another woman, but did not leave him because she was an immigrant and had no relatives in Macau.

In 2005, Un, partly as a consequence of his alcohol abuse, allegedly started to beat his wife frequently. The victim, afraid she might be beaten again if she reported it to the police, did not ask for assistance from anyone.

It is alleged that on the days of October 10 and 24, Un physically abused his wife, after which the victim headed to the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) seeking help. IAS arranged temporary accommodation for her as to keep her away from her husband. After moving out, the victim received messages from Un, who pledged to kill her. The victim then reported the abuse to the police on October 25. Un was arrested last Sunday.

According to a talk between elements of the PJ and Uns 20-year-old daughter, the victim had been suffering from Uns long-term mental and physical abuse.

Last month, a 39-year-old local man, surnamed Wong, was arrested by the PJ for alleged domestic violence. It marked the first domestic violence case arrest since the citys domestic laws came into effect. Wong had been abusing his wife for 10 years.

mother arrested for physically abusing six-year-old daughter

Yesterday, a 41-year-old local woman was arrested by the Judiciary Police for abusing her six-year-old daughter.

The abuse was reported by the school where the girl is studying. The mother beat her daughter with a clothing hanger because she did not take a shower on time. The forensics team found several bruises on the victims body, which are believed to have been caused over multiple occasions. The suspect was unemployed at the time, and all her income relied on the help of her friends and on her previous savings. She is single and has seven children aged between two to 15 years old. The authority stated that she had a record of physical abuse, relating to offences committed against another child of hers back in January this year
North Korea is joyfully jumping into a bizarre political scandal rocking Seoul, calling it the inevitable result of a corrupt regime and saying the administration of South Korean President Park Geun-hye is the most deformed, abnormal and stupid in contemporary society.

Pyongyang, while allowing none of its media the freedom to point criticism at its own leadership, has wasted no opportunity to lambaste Park in the harshest ways it can.

The Norths state-run Korean Central News Agency called the scandal a hideous power-backed corruption case unprecedented in South Korean history.

Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Norths ruling party, added the deformed, abnormal and stupid characterization and, just for good measure, called Park a colonial stooge.

The whole society of in the south of Korea is now boiling like a porridge pot at the shocking news, Jon Min Dok, a North Korean Foreign Ministry official, told an Associated Press Television crew in Pyongyang yesterday.

Any administration in Seoul can count on being branded as stooges and puppets of the U.S. by the North.

But North Korea has a special grievance with Park.

She had adopted an increasingly hawkish policy toward Pyongyang as her tenure has progressed and the North has stepped up its nuclear tests and long-range missile development.

But the bad blood goes much farther back. Her father, the staunchly anti-communist military strongman Park Chung-hee, was South Koreas president from 1963-1979. Though a North Korean attempt to assassinate him in at the presidential Blue House failed in 1968, he was killed by his own intelligence chief in 1979.

Parks mother was also assassinated, in 1974, by a Japanese-born Korean sympathizer of the Norths regime.
Hundreds of rescuers were struggling yesterday to find 15 coal miners still trapped a day after a gas explosion killed 18 of their colleagues in western China.

Whether the 15 are alive was not known more than 24 hours after the blast ripped through the privately owned Jinshangou mine in the sprawling Chongqing region. Just two miners are confirmed to have survived the blast.

Thirteen fatalities had been confirmed yesterday morning. Later, five more bodies were recovered from among the 33 people who had been trapped in the shaft following the explosion, Xinhua News Agency and state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The searchers were being hindered by debris blocking some of the mines passageways.

We will exert our utmost as long as theres still a ray of hope, Chongqing deputy mayor Mu Huaping said of the search efforts, according to Xinhua.

Local officials did not answer telephone calls from The Associated Press, and a person who answered the phone at the mine hung up when asked about the blast.

Gas explosions inside mines are often caused when a flame or electrical spark ignites gas leaking from the coal seam. Ventilation systems are supposed to prevent gas from becoming trapped.

The State Administration of Work Safety ordered an investigation into the blast, adding that those responsible must be strictly punished. Local officials in Chongqing also ordered smaller mines to shut down temporarily, Xinhua said.

Chinas mining industry has long been among the worlds deadliest. The head of the State Administration of Work Safety said earlier this year that struggling coal mines might be likely to overlook maintenance.

China is the worlds largest producer and consumer of coal but plans to shutter more than 1,000 outdated mines as part of a broader plan to reduce overproduction. AP
In Sri Lanka, an elephant in the back yard has long been a sign of wealth, privilege and power. But these days it may also be a sign that someone is breaking the law.

Capturing wild elephants has been banned for decades here. Registration records indicate there should be only 127 elephants in captivity, most of them older. Yet they are a staple of the South Asian island nations 400 or so yearly processions  traditional ceremonies honoring a marriage, calling for peace or praying for rain  and in each there are always a few young elephants clumsily cantering to keep up.

In Sri Lanka, people measure the success of the processions by the number of elephants, said the Rev. Magalkande Sudantha, a Buddhist monk.

Despite concerns that the animals may be abused, spectators always expect a parade of elephants wearing jangling ornaments, and babies are a special attraction.

There is no beauty in processions without elephants, said Janaka Alwis, a 48-year-old city council employee in Gampaha, north of Colombo. People go to watch because of the elephants, and to count them.

Aware of the ongoing elephant racket, authorities have been cracking down. In the last two years, the government has confiscated 39 elephants whose owners produced either false permits or none at all. Some had paid as much as USD200,000 per captured animal when a previous government was in office, according to Wildlife Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera.

Those facing prosecution for illegally keeping elephants include one judge and a Buddhist monk. Police are also considering charges against people suspected of rounding up wild elephants for profit.

The practice of taming wild elephants includes starving, beating and scaring them into submission, while keeping them chained up at all times, conservationists say.

Taming a wild elephant is an extremely cruel experience for the animal, said Prithviraj Fernando, who runs the Center for Conservation and Research in Sri Lanka. Whether its a temple or a private person, thats how it is done.

The Sri Lankan elephant is one of three subspecies of Asian elephant and is found only on the teardrop-shaped Indian Ocean island. In the 19th century there were believed to be up to 14,000. That number fell to fewer than 3,000 before hunting and capture were banned. But while the population has grown since then to nearly 6,000, according to the islands first official elephant census in 2011, they are still considered endangered and under threat from habitat loss and degradation. They are confined to small, isolated pockets of jungle and pasture in the north and the east.

For Buddhists, who make up 70 percent of the islands 20 million population, elephants are believed to have been servants of the Buddha and even a previous incarnation of the holy man himself. Sinhalese kings rode elephants into battle. And every year, colorfully decorated tuskers carry an ornate box containing a replica of one of the Buddhas teeth.

The elephants carrying sacred relics are very fortunate. Even we dont have that opportunity, said housewife Kanthi Sriyalatha, 53. She said the sight of the animals is also a thrill. Children wait in anticipation to watch processions because they want to see the elephants. 

Conservationists said that, given the importance given to using elephants in religious ceremonies, the government should be stepping in to manage their care while ensuring no more are captured in the wild.

We need to impose some restrictions on ourselves. There are about 30,000 Buddhist temples, Fernando said. If every temple wants to have a procession with an elephant, it is not possible.

The government is planning to set up its own pool of captive animals to be hired out to temples for ceremonies.

We have to create a pool of elephants for processions, said Perera, the wildlife minister. We are creating a process now for how to issue permits, how to release some of the elephant babies to temples for their upkeep and use in processions.

Under the plan, some would be kept in a so-called elephant orphanage. But some would go to families or temples that are financially capable of feeding and caring for them.

Some elephant owners say those who claim mistreatment are acting on Western notions of conservation and animal welfare.

Elephants living with us do better than the animals in the wild, said Harsha Dharmawijaya, whose family has kept at least one elephant for 96 years. We scrub their bodies and bathe them, feed them and treat their illnesses. [] In a way this is a noble act.

Some critics, however, note that Buddhism is a faith that preaches compassion for nature.

If the Buddha was alive, would he condone whats going on? I dont think he would, said Sumith Pilapitiya, a former World Bank environmental specialist who argued that the government should focus on the animals welfare rather than religious norms.

In the name of Buddhism [] we are ill-treating animals, he said. Krishan Francis & Bharatha Mallawarachi, Colombo, AP
Chinese President Xi Jinpings meeting with Taiwans opposition leader yesterday underscored Chinas key message to the islands independence-leaning administration: The price of not recognizing Taiwan as part of the Chinese nation, as Beijing demands, is access to Chinas highest levels of power.

Xis meeting with Nationalist Party Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu at the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing comes months after China cut off communication and exchanges with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wens administration. Diplomatically, China has also sought to isolate the island even more by having its representatives barred from international gatherings.

While Xi referred to neither of those issues in his opening remarks before the media, he reiterated the importance of the one-China principle and the 92 consensus, referring to an agreement reached at a breakthrough meeting that year reinforcing the principle. Beijing says the agreement forms the basis for all future contacts and exchanges  and must be explicitly endorsed by Tsai.

To ensure that the country cant be separated and ensure the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation is the common will of all Chinese people, Xi said, according to footage shown by Hong Kongs Phoenix TV.

The meeting marked Xis highest-profile talks with a Taiwanese political figure since he met then-President Ma Ying-jeou in Singapore late last year for a one-day summit.

Xi said that China resolutely opposes Taiwans formal independence and that the sides should continue to push forward the cooperation in all fields, and continue to improve the sentiment for the benefits of the peoples, and strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Although the Communists and Nationalists were bitter foes for decades, they have found common cause in recent years in their opposition to Taiwans independence and desire for closer economic ties.

Underscoring those ties, hundreds of representatives from the two sides will gather today for what is being called a forum on peaceful development, to discuss issues from politics to economics, culture, social issues and youth.

In her remarks to Xi, Hung noted that while more formal channels for communication are currently blocked, the Nationalists cannot shirk its responsibility to help civil society though the communication channels between the Communist Party and the Nationalists to solve problems.

She said the Nationalists wanted to help maintain communication between the sides to facilitate economic, cultural, social and other exchanges and explore the possibility of a peace settlement.

Hung said efforts should be made to eliminate the dangerous turmoil caused by the independence-leaning government to preserve the hard-won harmony between the two sides.

Although the Nationalists are not the governing party, we will never, for a second, forget the mission of cross-Straits relations, she said.

Hungs election as Nationalist boss was widely seen as recompense for her being dumped as the partys candidate to run against Tsai in the January election. She is seen as the standard bearer for the partys more conservative pro-unification wing made up largely of those who followed Chiang Kai-shek to Taiwan after the Communist military victory on the Chinese mainland in 1949 and their descendants.

Under another candidate, the Nationalists went on to lose the presidency in January by a landslide, along with their parliamentary majority.

On Monday, Hung and her delegation paid their respects at the mausoleum of original Nationalist leader and Chinese President Sun Yat-sen in the former capital of Nanjing. Sun, who is revered by both the Nationalists and the Communists, inspired the former enemies to work together to fight for the national rejuvenation and improve peoples livelihood, Hung said.

We will create a prosperous future. [As long as] both sides of the Taiwan Strait cooperate and develop peacefully, our common wish will come true, she said in remarks carried by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

Despite the keen rivalry between the Nationalists and Tsais DPP, Tsais spokesman Alex Huang said Monday that the government sees all normal people-to-people exchanges with China in a positive light.

The two sides should enhance mutual understanding and promote the peaceful development of bilateral relations through meaningful dialogue and exchanges without political preconditions, Huang was quoted as saying by Taiwans official Central News Agency.

However, he added that all political parties should stand by the people and support the governments policy on cross-strait ties. He also added that only the government was authorized to forge agreements on behalf of Taiwan. Christopher Bodeen, Beijing, AP
Democrats are accusing Republicans and Donald Trumps presidential campaign of conspiring to intimidate voters in at least four states just days ahead of the election.

In each lawsuit, the states Democratic party is seeking court action to preemptively block potential voter harassment or intimidation from Republican poll watchers or other observers.

The lawsuits were filed in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Arizona against Trumps campaign, each states Republican party and GOP operative Roger Stone, who runs the group Stop the Steal.

Trump has called on his supporters to act as election observers in certain areas of the country to help prevent fraud. That has stirred fears of voter intimidation and confrontations at the polls.

In a federal lawsuit filed in Cleveland, the Ohio Democratic Party accused Trump and Republicans of conspiring to threaten, intimidate and prevent minority voters from casting ballots in the perennial battleground state. The complaint cited comments Trump has made at rallies in Ohio and elsewhere.

In the months leading up to the 2016 election, Trump has made an escalating series of statements, often racially tinged, suggesting that his supporters should go to particular precincts on Election Day and intimidate voters, the Ohio lawsuit alleged.

The state party said that absent court intervention, voters would be subjected to intimidation, threats, and perhaps even force at the hands of vigilante poll watchers and ballot integrity volunteers on Election Day.

Ohio Republican Party spokeswoman Brittany Warner called the lawsuit a publicity stunt and said the party is not involved in such voter intimidation. Pennsylvania Republicans called the lawsuit a desperate effort by the Democrats in the face of eroding support for Hillary Clinton.

In an emailed response, Stone said the lawsuit is without merit. He said his organization is not coordinating with the Trump campaign or any official GOP organizations. Instead, it is partnering with another group called Vote Protectors to conduct exit polls and plans to compare those responses with the voting machine results in 7,000 precincts nationwide.

We seek only to determine if the election is honestly and fairly conducted and to provide an evidentiary basis for a challenge to the election if that is not the case, Stone said.

In Arizona, Democrats are seeking a court order to block volunteer GOP poll watchers from harassing or photographing people headed to polling locations.

Arizona Democratic Party Chairwoman Alexis Tameron said the party is worried that rogue actors will scare off voters.

In Nevada, the lawsuit claimed that Trump supporters have yelled at voters outside Las Vegas-area polling places when they said they were not voting for the Republican nominee. Ann Sanner, Columbus, AP

NYT: Trump used dubious tax avoidance scheme in 1990s

Donald Trump avoided paying potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes in a way even his own lawyers considered questionable, The New York Times reported.

The newspaper said the maneuver also may explain how Trump posted a one-year loss of more than USD900 million a few years later, enabling him to avoid paying federal income taxes for perhaps 18 years.

At issue is how Trump was able to cancel hundreds of millions of dollars of debt as his casino empire in Atlantic City went broke in the early 1990s. Canceled debt generally is treated as taxable income, meaning Trump would have owed the IRS significant money on debt that his creditors forgave.


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BRUNEAU  Two planes flew over Bruneau Dunes State Parks Big Lake on Thursday morning, dropping 480 gallons of fish-killing chemical in long, low strokes.

In 30 or 45 minutes, it was over. That, park and fishery managers hope, was the end of the common carp invasion in Big Lake and the beginning of a restored trophy bass fishery.

The rotenone  a broad-spectrum insecticide, piscicide and pesticide  killed the lakes bass and bluegill as well as its carp, and dead fish began drifting to shore. On Friday, a fisheries biologist pulled a small flat-bottomed boat around Big Lake, picking up fish carcasses to be hauled to a Mountain Home landfill.

Fish would continue to die through the weekend, Doug Megargle, Idaho Department of Fish and Games regional fishery manager, said Friday.

We expect that the coyotes are going to find them pretty soon, and well be cleaning up as well, Bryce Bealba, assistant park manager at Bruneau Dunes, said that day. Cleanup focused first on the parks day-use areas to make the most frequented spots visually appealing.

Besides dead fish littering the shoreline, Megargle said, visitors late last week were likely to notice a slight milky color and a sweet smell to the water of Big Lake, though rotenones labeling indicates no risk to animals or humans by that point.

Despite those factors and a closure of some park areas that lasted about six hours Thursday, visitor feedback was almost universally positive, Bealba said.

Perhaps many longtime fans of Bruneau Dunes know something about the effects of carp.

The fast-growing nuisance fish explodes in numbers, gobbles up the food needed by game fish species and muddies the water by rooting for vegetation on the lake bottom. That blocks sunlight and hinders plankton growth. In short, carp devastate a bass and bluegill fishery.

Idaho manages Bruneau Dunes State Park as a trophy bass fishery, with a bass limit of two and a requirement to release all bass shorter than 20 inches. In reality, Big Lake hasnt been an attractive fishery for years.

Megargles team on Thursday observed the first four or five hours of fish kill that drifted to shore. Most of the bass they saw were about 7 inches long; only one was longer than 20 inches. The takeaway: This fishery was broke.

Overrun by common carp, Big Lake simply couldnt produce the trophy fish that once drew anglers.

By Friday, Megargle said, the rotenone in Big Lake was probably still active; Fish and Game planned to monitor that by taking new fish to the lake and seeing if they survived 24 hours. Sunlight and warmth help neutralize the chemical more quickly. At the earliest, nice weather could do the job within three or four days of Thursdays application.

And by now, Megargle hoped to have 24-hour fish survival and he expected water clarity to improve, perhaps enough that visitors wont notice a difference. Visitors still will see some dead and decaying fish on the shoreline, he expected.

Also by now, Bealba expected that Bruneau Dunes State Park will have resumed pumping from the Snake River to replenish the lake as it does every winter; Fish and Game pays the power bill for that pumping.

Fish and Game aims to rebuild Big Lakes fishery by transplanting bass and bluegill  starting this fall or early winter if nice weather holds long enough for managers to find sources of fish, or starting in spring if it doesnt.

If the weather turns winter real quick, itll be tough for us to get fish, Megargle said.

He has mined local sources heavily to restock ponds in the Hagerman Wildlife Management Area, where Fish and Game spent several years eradicating carp. So to restock Big Lake at Bruneau Dunes, hell have to look to waters in other regions of Idaho, too.

Within three to five years, he hopes, Big Lake will rebound to the beloved fishery of the 1980s.

Before Thursdays chemical treatment, Fish and Game managed to save a couple of hundred Big Lake bass and bluegill to transplant into Bruneau Dunes Small Lake  believed to be carp free  and to hold there until spring as seed stock for the Big Lake rebuilding. Thats only a small percentage of the fish the project will need.

The agency also allowed public salvage of Big Lakes game fish during October.
BURLEY  A trial for a Burley man accused of trying to kidnap a schoolgirl near White Pine Elementary in April has been put on hold as the county continues to search for a special prosecutor for the case.

This case was poorly investigated, said Timothy Schneider, chief deputy public defender in Cassia County. Thats why no one wants to take it.

County Prosecutor Doug Abenroth has a conflict of interest with a witness in the case and cant prosecute it himself.

The incident touched off fears across southern Idaho and caused schools even outside the district to increase security measures.

During a case status hearing Tuesday, Abenroth said the Idaho Attorney Generals Office and prosecutors for Minidoka and Twin Falls counties and the city of Burley have all declined to take the case.

I want to talk with a few more prosecutors, and I may have to go outside the district, he said.

Vadian Eugene Dougal, 51, is charged with second-degree attempted kidnapping, misdemeanor battery and enticing a child. He has pleaded not guilty.

Abenroth said the state is doing its part to make sure the case is handled correctly and processed through the court quickly.

Since Dougals release from jail, he has had the significant expense of an ankle monitor, Schneider said when he asked District Judge Michael Crabtree to relieve him of that burden.

Schneider said Dougals family has appeared with him in court during every hearing, and there is no reason to think that he will leave the area.

Crabtree declined to provide the order to remove the monitor because he was not sure he has the authority.

Melvin DeWayne Simpson, 40, was arrested with Dougal at their home after girls claimed the pair tried to lure them off the school grounds and one girl said a man grabbed her on her way to school.

Simpson was charged with two counts of second-degree kidnapping and two counts of misdemeanor battery. The charges were dismissed and re-filed several weeks later but dropped a second time after Abenroth spoke with the parents of one the children and another child could not identify him during the preliminary hearing.

Dougal was charged after a girl said he was sitting on a cement light pole near the bike racks at school and tried to get her to come to him by offering her money and candy after she got off the school bus. She said when she started to walk away, he ran up and grabbed her arm and he did not release his grip until she hit his arm.

The maximum penalty for attempted second-degree kidnapping is 12 years, six months in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Crabtree set another status hearing in the case for Nov. 15.
TWIN FALLS  One of four Magic Valley men accused of operating a large-scale drug trafficking ring out of a home near the Twin Falls airport pleaded guilty in federal court and has agreed to help testify against three others set to stand trial beginning Monday.

Miguel Angel Otaegui, 37, of Filer signed a federal plea agreement Friday pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Otaegui, convicted of drug delivery in 2010 in Minidoka County and released from prison on parole in 2013, faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine.

As part of the plea deal, Otaegui agreed to fully cooperate with law enforcement and federal prosecutors in the investigation and prosecution of his alleged former partners set to stand trial Monday  James David Jones, 62, and William Lavelle Walker, 52, both of Twin Falls, and Jose Luis Hernandez.

Its not the first time Otaegui has helped authorities take down the other men, though its the first time hes done so knowingly. Between February and April of this year, Otaegui was under investigation by the DEA and Mini-Cassia Drug Task Force, and during that time law enforcement agents attached a GPS to Otaeguis car so that he unwittingly led them to his methamphetamine suppliers at the home near the airport.

Twin Falls patrol officers who were not part of the undercover investigation arrested Otaegui April 5 during a routine traffic stop when they found methamphetamine, cash and a digital scale hidden in his car.

Then on April 20, Twin Falls police raided the home at 2943 E. 3400 N., just northeast of the airport, where they arrested Jones and Walker, court documents said. At the home they found seven guns, including a .357 Magnum reported stolen out of Gooding County, several small bags of methamphetamine, a pipe and $3,085 cash, including nearly $1,000 worth of bills an undercover officer used to buy drugs from Otaegui.

And while officers didnt find the large stash of drugs they expected to find at the home where they arrested Walker and Jones, Walker allegedly confessed to selling large amounts of methamphetamine around Twin Falls.

The arrest of Otaegui and his alleged accomplices in April was the first large drug bust that month, followed just days later by the arrest of a Washington mother and a Buhl man who were trafficking large amounts of drugs from Yakima, Wash.

Both drug rings were prosecuted in federal court, and last month the Washington mother, 34-year-old Brenda Trinidad Jaime-Sainz, was sentenced to 17  years in federal prison. Her accomplice, 32-year-old Mauro Morales-Jimenez, was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison.
TWIN FALLS  With a week before the election, outside groups on both sides of the aisle are pouring cash into Idahos legislative races, and District 26 is drawing much of the attention.

Meanwhile, the campaign finance filings of Idahos congressmen also show some continued interest in state issues  particularly U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador, who donated a combined $13,000 to 40 Republican state legislative candidates in mid-October, including some in the Magic Valley which isnt in his congressional district.

On Monday, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund spent more than $4,500 on mailers to help Republican candidates statewide, including Rep. Steve Miller, R-Fairfield, who is running for re-election against Democrat Kathleen Eder, and Alex Sutter, the Republican running against Democrat Sally Toone for Rep. Donna Pences seat.

The NRA is one of a number of groups that has, over the past few days, filed a 48-hour notice of independent expenditures, a notice that campaigns are required to file if they receive a contribution of $1,000 or more between two and 16 days before Election Day. And District 26, which covers Blaine, Gooding, Camas and Lincoln counties and is represented by two Democrats and a Republican, is one of a handful of close districts drawing much of the outside spending as the election nears. On Oct. 28, Responsible Leadership for Idaho, a new political action committee that has been backing Idaho Democrats in close legislative races, spent more than $28,000 on campaign literature to support candidates in six races, including Toone. The same PAC spent $20,289.30 on campaign literature in several races, including Toones, on Oct. 26.

The Idaho Republican Party, too, has been spending on its issues and candidates in close races, filing two 48-hour notices last week  one spending almost $125,000 total on literature, including $17,157 on Sutter, Miller and Dale Ewersen, the Republican challenging District 26s Sen. Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, plus $56,194 in support of HJR 5, the proposed amendment to put in the state Constitution the Legislatures right to review new state regulations. The party also spent $4,000 on broadcast advertisements for 12 Republicans in tight races, including the partys three District 26 candidates.

U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, the Republican whose district includes the Magic Valley, donated $5,000 to Citizens for HJR5 on Oct. 18. But out of Idahos two congressmen Labrador has been investing most in state races, donating $10,000 to the Idaho Republican Party in October plus the contributions to individual legislators.

While many of the recipients of Labradors donations represent or are seeking to represent parts of his 1st Congressional District, others arent. For example, Labrador gave $250 each to Reps. Lance Clow and Stephen Hartgen and Sen. Lee Heider, who represent Twin Falls Legislative District 24, $250 to Miller and $250 to Sen. Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls. All five Magic Valley lawmakers are running for re-election against Democratic challengers.
BURLEY  Framing and block work is underway on Burleys new John V. Evans Elementary school, and Cassia County School District trustees are set to award bids on the new school and junior high projects in Declo on Thursday.

The board will meet at 8:30 a.m. at Declo Elementary School to get its questions answered before awarding the bids.

Debbie Critchfield, spokeswoman for the district, said the district received about 75 bids on the Declo projects, which is nearly double what it received on the other projects. Declo is the last community in the district to get its projects started under a plan to improve schools across the district.

We know we are within budget based on how those bids came in to the district, she said.

After the bids are awarded the gym equipment outside will be relocated and construction on the new school will begin. The new school will be complete by the 2017-2018 school year.

The handicap-accessible ramp at Declo Junior High is set to be completed in a couple of weeks, and the remodeling project at Declo Junior High, which includes a new commons area, is expected to get underway by spring.

The district passed a $37 million construction bond in 2015 but realized the costs for projects in Declo and Burley were underestimated by $15 million. The district sought another bond to make up the shortfall in May, but it was not passed by voters. District officials reevaluated the projects to see how they could be trimmed down in each community.

Critchfield said projects in all the communities are within budget.

It makes everyone just happy to see the improvements that are going on, said Brooke Christensen, a member of the districts patron facility committee that did the study on what was needed in the district for the original bond.

The new agricultural science shop is in use and the gym walls are up and framing is ongoing on the new portion of the high school.

Its really exciting to see the progress that is being made at the schools, Christensen said.

Once the new portion is complete, students from the existing portion of the school will move into the new section while it is renovated. The school will be complete by late summer.

John V. Evans Elementary will also be completed by late summer, and when it is finished students at Mt. View Elementary School will be moved to the new school while Mt. View is renovated. Construction at Mt. View will be ongoing through the 2017-2018 school year.

The city requested that the district install a turn lane in front of the John V. Evans school to assist with traffic on that road.

In Oakley, the new agricultural science room has been in use all fall and the classroom and music room addition is expected to be complete by February. The new gym at the school will be ready in April.
TWIN FALLS  Time has not worn down opposition to the Gateway West transmission line through southern Idaho.

The 1,000-mile project, proposed in March 2009 by Idaho Power Co. and Rocky Mountain Power, would stretch high-voltage power lines from Glenrock, Wyo., to Murphy.

Eight of the 10 segments of the massive 500 kilovolt project were authorized by the Bureau of Land Management in April 2013 after the project stirred controversy over right-of-way issues through public and private land. The BLM released the final Environmental Impact Statement on Oct. 7, announcing its preferred routes through Twin Falls, Owyhee, Jerome and Gooding counties. The chosen segments mostly bypass sensitive raptor habitat at the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.

But another bird has kept Cassia and Power counties in the fight.

Pocatello attorney Doug Balfour, representing a group called Gateway West Task Force, filed a protest Monday against the BLM-preferred routes through Cassia and Power counties  routes based on a now-irrelevant guideline on sage grouse.

The federal interim guideline allowed no construction near sage grouse habitat on federal land, pushing the transmission routes off BLM land and onto private ground, directly affecting 40 private landowners in Cassia County, Balfour said. But that guideline is no longer in effect.

The states own sage grouse conservation plan now allows construction on the routes suggested by the Gateway Task Force. And though the groups preferred route through Cassia and Power counties was rejected by the BLM more than three years ago, the BLM has a responsibility to re-evaluate its decision based on the new information, he said.

When the first seven Gateway segments were authorized, the BLM had only federal guidelines to protect the sage grouse. Since then, Idaho has made its own plans to protect the bird and its habitat. In 2012, Idaho Gov. C.L. Butch Otter formed a sage grouse task force, resulting in an executive order dated May 27, 2015, outlining the states conservation plans for the bird.

Earlier this year, Otter filed suit against the BLM and U.S. Forest Service for ignoring the states plan in making federal conservation plans. Oral arguments began last month in Washington, D.C.

The flawed amendment process by the BLM and USFS undermined years of open partnership-driven work by local and state leaders and other stakeholders, the governors office said in a statement.

Balfour said he has assisted Otters staff with the lawsuit.

The BLM came up with their own plan without discussing the state plan, he said.

So far, the BLM hasnt responded to Cassia and Power counties attempts to bring the states plan into play, said Brent Stoker, Gateway West Task Force chairman.

A meeting is due, Stoker said.

The scenery has changed dramatically.
TWIN FALLS  Southern Idahos food processing and production has once again garnered national attention.

The region was honored by a national publication for economic development. Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization received the 2016 Award of Excellence from Expansion Solutions, a magazine for site selection consultants and corporate real estate brokers.

The award noted SIEDOs success in expanding the food-processing and production industries here in Idaho.

With the regions federal Manufacturing Community designation in food from the U.S. Department of Commerce and its growing sector in all things food, SIEDO and its regional partners have excelled in driving economic development success for Idaho, Jeff Cornett, CEO and president of Expansion Solutions, said in a statement.

The magazines annual Top 5 Awards of Excellence recognize progress made by economic development organizations. Winning locations were chosen based on their support systems for businesses, recent activity and potential growth. Other big factors included investments in infrastructure and the availability of buildings and sites.

Southern Idaho earned the Federal Food Manufacturing Community designation from the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2015.
TWIN FALLS  Every morning, Marsha Buccambuso opens the blinds to her bedroom window and scans for the putting green flag in Gary Babbels side yard. Shes not fond of the southern Idaho wind, so she likes to be prepared before stepping out for the day and uses that tiny flag as her personal gauge.

Shes actually personally asked Babbel to never move the flag because she needs it to be prepared for the elements. But whenever Buccambuso mentions her disgust for the breeze, she is met with the optimistic musings of Babbel that warm her heart.

Hes always happy. If I come out and complain about how windy it is, he always looks at things as, Marsha, its a high oxygen day! Buccambuso said. He just has the biggest heart.

Babbel has lived in Twin Falls for years, dedicating his time and passions to not only his profession but to his faith and the community at large.

You probably know Babbel from Babbels Cleaners  the business was in his family for decades. But his importance in Twin Falls is deeper than cleaning the items in your closet marked dry-clean only. He and his wife have experienced great loss. Two of their sons succumbed to cystic fibrosis, but they continued to give back to their community and the world, never expecting anything in return. And its just the way Babbel likes it.

This philosophy is exemplified in the reason why 2006 was the best year of Babbels life. Its not because he won a special award or got promoted at work.

That year, plans to build Canyon Ridge High School passed with a majority vote. The Twin Falls County Hospital announced it was becoming part of the St. Lukes health organization. And, the plans to break ground on a Mormon Temple were approved.

As Babbel remembers it, it was a good year for Twin Falls, which meant it was a good year for him.

In one year we improved upon the educational aspect of our community, the health aspect of our community, and, for me as a Mormon, the Temple was built, Babbel said. Three important aspects of our community were advanced in that year, and I think thats pretty cool.

But this humble man came from humble beginnings, paved with sacrifices that have molded Babbel into who he is today.

From humble beginnings

Babbel had been at Brigham Young University only two years when he was called to do a mission with the Mormon church.

The year was 1960, and he traveled to Berlin, Germany. It was only 15 years after the end of World War II  the Berlin Wall didnt yet exist.

Thats just a fun little piece of history, Babbel said laughing. I guess Im showing my age, huh?

Throughout the rest of his life, he would find himself all over the United States and abroad, but his story started and continues, in Twin Falls.

He was born and raised in a time of development for the city and has the honor of being in the first graduating class of Twin Falls High School to attend all four years there.

He was studying biology  botany, to be exact  when met his wife, Anne.

The last thing I ever thought shed do was marry some kid from Idaho, but she did, Babbel said.

The couple had their first child, and then Babbel was accepted at the University of Texas in Austin for his doctorate. He graduated with a Ph.D. in botany of genetics and traveled around until he landed a teaching position at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Along the way, the happy couple had three more children  three sons and a daughter. But then their lives took a dramatic turn.

Babbels two youngest boys were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that affects the mucus-secreting glands in the body. It drastically decreases the functioning of the lungs and digestion, and at the time the boys were diagnosed, the life expectancy was short.

In the wake of the shocking news, the Babbels packed up and moved to Twin Falls to be closer to family.

My youngest son died when he was 7, and we had been here a couple years, Babbel said. My next youngest son died when he was 15 years old. Its a life-changing experience, but my wife has been a great strength to me.

Despite the tragedy, the Babbel family thirved and continued to help others who they felt needed more help than themselves.

When he moved back to Twin Falls, Babbel bought his fathers dry-cleaning business and lived out the remaining years of his working life as a self-employed businessman.

We used to always say that we were going to have a television series and we were going to call it Take Me To The Cleaners, he said.

He grew to love the business, and all his employees became family. About six years ago, Babbel sold the shop to a longtime employee.

I still go down there to hang out and help out sometimes, he said. My favorite line to the employees down there now, after Ive been there for about five minutes, is, Well its time for me to go home and take my nap now!

Babbel has also volunteered his time with the Magic Valley Arts Council, the Optimists Club, the Boys and Girls Club, the hospital board, the Twin Falls LDS Temple and helped with the Herrett Center Forum at the College of Southern Idaho.

One of the things I feel really strongly about (is volunteering). Ive had the chance to volunteer in the community in different ways, he said. I feel Ive been so influenced by good people in our community. Theyd given me an opportunity to help and do things.

Babbels selfless attitude toward the community is a trait Al Frost admires in his longtime friend.

Hes done a lot for this community, Frost said. I know hes also been involved in numerous other committees and projects in the town. I think, in a way, hes quite unusual because hes been both incredibly active in his church, but also in his community, and he has spent just a tremendous amount of time on both of those things. Hes a very unusual guy, as hes given so much of himself. Hes just an incredible person. He really is.

Happily retired and busier than ever, Babbel keeps his passion alive. He volunteers several times a week at the LDS Temple, and in his down time hikes, travels and enjoys wood working.

Planted in the front yard of his house are two trees, one for each of the sons that Babbel lost too soon. This tribute is just one way that Babbel has taken his life and made it the best he can be.

He spends all his time giving back and learning how to humble himself through service. In Babbels eyes, the world may seem like its struggling, but he knows that life is truly all about who you find yourself around.

People feel the world is a bad place; I dont really look at it that way, he said. Especially because of my associations with the people in the community. Theyre just really, really good people.
TWIN FALLS  Les Schwab Tire Centers and The Idaho Foodbank are partnering to accept turkey donations for the holidays, the food bank announced Monday.

The 11th annual Idaho Foodbank and Les Schwab turkey drive began Tuesday and continues through Dec. 22. Frozen turkeys can be dropped off at any Les Schwab Tire Center in Idaho, and will benefit families in those communities.

Twin Falls donations will go to the Mustard Seed and Center for Prayer and Worship pantries, an Idaho Foodbank spokesman said.

The turkeys are part of Idaho Foodbanks effort to distribute food for 2.5 million meals in November and December.

For 11 years now, our customers have rallied behind the effort to help our friends and neighbors, Boise Les Schwab manager and campaign spokesman Dave Black said in a statement. Its an honor to partner with the Foodbank for what promises to be another successful turkey drive.

Last year, the drive provided more than 600 turkeys to Idaho families.

Every year, Les Schwab Tire Centers help solve hunger in communities all over our state, said Karen Vauk, president and CEO of The Idaho Foodbank. This is an important part of our Hope for the Holidays campaign.

Any size of frozen turkey or meat can be donated, but there are separate rules for meat that has not been processed in a licensed commercial facility. Information: idahofoodbank.org.

Turkeys to be used for Thanksgiving should be donated by Nov. 15.
Malaysia embraces China following Duterte's visit

"And this includes former colonial powers. It is not for them to lecture countries they once exploited on how to conduct their own internal affairs today," the prime minister wrote. The Philippines is a former Spanish and U.S. colony, and Malaysia a former British colony.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak and China's Premier Li Keqiang attend a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, November 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee





Malaysian premier Najib Razak said that former colonial powers should not lecture nations they once exploited on their internal affairs, a Chinese newspaper reported on Wednesday, in a veiled attack on the West as he looks to strengthen ties with China.





Najib's visit to Beijing follows that of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who announced a "separation" from the United States and signed a raft of memoranda of understanding for Chinese investment in the country.





Najib, who is on a six-day visit to China, said in an editorial in the state-run China Daily that larger countries should treat smaller countries fairly.

"And this includes former colonial powers. It is not for them to lecture countries they once exploited on how to conduct their own internal affairs today," the prime minister wrote.





The Philippines is a former Spanish and U.S. colony, and Malaysia a former British colony.





Najib is looking to strengthen ties with China after July lawsuits filed by the U.S. Justice Department implicating him in a money-laundering scandal. Najib has denied any wrongdoing and said Malaysia will cooperate in the investigations.





More than $3.5 billion was allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB, according to civil lawsuits filed by the Justice Department. The probe has strained ties between Malaysia and the United States, with Najib dismissing it as foreign interference in Malaysia's affairs.





The shift by the Philippines and Malaysia is being widely seen as China's counter to U.S. influence in the region.





Najib also wrote that disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved through dialogue in accordance with rule of law.





China claims most of the energy-rich waters through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.





"When it comes to the South China Sea, we firmly believe that overlapping territorial and maritime disputes should be managed calmly and rationally through dialogue, in accordance with the rule of law and peaceful negotiations," he said.





Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said on Tuesday that Malaysia had pledged with Beijing to handle South China Sea disputes bilaterally.





Malaysia agreed to buy four Chinese naval vessels and signed 14 agreements totalling 143.64 billion ringgit ($34.25 billion), Malaysian state news agency Bernama said, after a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Najib on Tuesday.





Asked if the defence deals with Malaysia were Beijing's bid to counter U.S. influence, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the country consistently pursued the policy of being a good and friendly neighbour.





"And its foreign policy is not targeted at any third-party country," she told a regular news briefing.





Najib also said Malaysia welcomed the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank which marks a turning point "of peaceful dialogue, not foreign intervention, in sovereign states".





Global institutions needed to be inclusive of "countries that were given no say in the legal and security infrastructure that was set up by the victors of the Second World War", he added.
By GRECO BELGICA (from his Facebook account









First of all I am witness of what happened to China and saw how they treated us. Secondly, I paid for all my tickets, hotel, and food. I did not spend a single centavo of tax money and so did the 500 business delegates that came.

Foreign policy is not based on how you feel about a country, but the VALUE that is placed in the relationship. Kung baga Magkaibigan nga tayo, wala naman akong pakinabang sayo o lagi naman akong lugi sayo.





An independent foreign policy finds strength on freedom. Freedom from any external influence other than of its own, who looks after its own benefits and liberties.

Its not that Duterte hates America, Its the way America is treating us that he finds unfair, unjust, and insulting to the Filipinos, hampering economic development and threatens our security and sovereignty as a nation.

The Americans dont treat us as equals, it sees us as inferiors.

We are as good as any free man and nation there is. And we can be better than what we are today. I know that for a fact, because I finished my post graduate studies in the States. I am not anti-American, but I understand what it means to be free.

And we take all this for what? For peanuts coming from America compared to economic trade they get by staying in our region from our neighbors at the expense of our security as a people. This is stupidity, hypocrisy and unfair.





I pose this questions to our hypocritical bashers and to enlighten the well meaning Filipinos asking why Duterte hates America so much:

1.Why do these hypocrites accuse us of EJK and call us friends at the same time? When Duterte is cleaning the country of illegal drugs and narco-politics. Is America laying down the foundation for invasion as it did with Gadaffi, Sadam and Al-Qaeda using human rights abuse as its excuse?





DAMN YOU if you are!

It is America who started to paint this picture to the world. Without the benefit of proper investigation and proof and only sourcing its reports from the Presidents political enemies - De Lima, an Abs Cbn reporter, Rappler and the likes. And from a political party linked to the biggest illegal drugs case, corruption and treasonous acts the President is investigating.

2.Rather than diplomatically mending broken trust like the friend they say they are, they come with threats and tirades of economic and legal sanctions like prejudiced activists.

Sanctions? Who made them judge over us? And what evidence have they brought to court?

3.Because of their strategic military position through our islands, the US poses threat to Chinas security thus, trading trillions of dollars every year through the very wealthy South China sea.

Oh...have they paid rent over our islands and ports? And is it right to ask, if it is fair to ask Filipinos for a visa to visit America, when they dont need one to come to the Philippines? When both people are visiting or doing business at the same time in the first place.

U.S. already owes China more than $1.4T when the Philippines has almost no trade with China because of this little brown brother stupid perception.

Not even our bananas and mangoes were welcome to China. Has America done anything to help us get into business? Yet they continue to exercise influence over the south China sea leveraging their military presence in the Philippines. And we get nothing from the loot.

4.It is their very presences that poses security threats to both the Philippines and China. Using us as leverage against our neighbors who hates us only because of them. China and the Philippines has never had a long standing problem with each other other than a perceived American influence over our foreign economic and military policy. We have been trading with China longer before the Americans came to our shores. Trading with China is not new to the Philippines. WHY DO YOU HATE THIS ARRANGEMENT SO MUCH WHEN THERE IS MORE CHINESE BLOOD IN US THAN AMERICAN, AND WE THINK MORE ORIENTAL THAN WESTERN.





HYPOCRITES!

You hate this only because you are Pro-American or your bosses are working for them. Your bosses are benefiting from the America because every time they find a President that will stand against them, they will run to the CIA and have them replaced by their puppet.

Not because you love the Philippines.

If we can trade with the U.S. why cant we trade with China? If we can be friends with the U.S. who has been occupying territories in the Philippines for decades, why should we be enemies to China?

Do you really want war? Or would we rather have peace and trade with our neighbors?









I personally witnessed how the Chinese honored the presence of our President in our recent trip. It was like a celebration of the return of a long lost brother. It was said that how President Duterte was received was different and more special from how other nation were received. Evidenced by the investment and trade commitments PDuterte brought back home.

You can not be prouder to be Filipino than you are today.

Over dinner at a traditional Chinese restaurant with my friends, when the waiters found out that I was part of Dutertes delegationthey cheered wow and clapped! Nag papicture, autograph at nagtawag ng kanyang mga kasamahan para mag pa picture! Is that not honor for you and I?





What China offers us for friendship:

1.Peace in our region. We have saved millions of lives that can be lost if war breaks up. We have saved billions of dollars to urgently buy battleships, land to air rockets, war planes because the urgency of war in our region has dissipated.

2.$10B line if we need it.

3.$24B investment for infrastructure, railroads, super highways, internet and technology.

4.And we are now part of the $800T development program called 1 belt, 1 region program lead by China that we were never part of before the state visit of the President to China.

Duterte does not hate America. He hates how it treats us as a people and as a sovereign state. He hates that BULLSHIT that the CIA is doing to us every time we will have a leader that will not bend to their demand.

And for the colonials, who spend their day bashing us for agreeing with Digongs independent foreign policy, if you really love the Philippines, why are you so mad against moves to open up trade with other nation such as China, when your American hero is not in the position to help us develop our nation because it is busy coping up with its own economic problems?

Then don't use anything made in China!









We are no longer a colony of any one. Not of America, not of China. We are Filipinos and we are free!





And we know that the only reason you are attacking the independent stand of Duterte is because you are protecting your American bosses who are benefiting from American influence over the Philippines.

Or you are working with the Liberal Party who are running scared because of the anomalies their administration is exposed to. Not for the Filipinos interest. But for your own.

I went there to personally see what was going on with China and the Philippines.
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. ~
Chicken will be the best-positioned protein due to its low price position in times of pressure on consumer spending power but rises in production costs and the long-term impact of COVID-19 threaten to disrupt the sector, according to Rabobank.
Rwandan Government has published a list of 22 French officers it accuses of helping plan and execute the 1994 genocide in which 800,000 mostly Tutsi people were killed.

The move comes a month after Rwandan President Paul Kagame criticized French investigators for reopening an investigation into the 1994 assassination of the Rwandan president Habyarimana.

Topping of the list released Monday is General Jacques Lanxade, former chief of French Defense Forces at the time of the genocide, who is accused of providing arms to the Rwandan army at the time, even with knowledge that massacres against Tutsi were organized by the armed forces.

As supreme commander of the French Army, Jacques Lanxade received reports of abuses by the Rwandan army, its massacres, its discriminatory and genocidal policy, but he maintained increased assistance to this criminal army; by providing means like equipment, logistical and personnel, for its training and its development, a statement from the government reads.

According to Rwandas National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (known by its French acronym CNLG), high-ranking French officers and political figures committed very serious crimes in Rwanda and the refusal to put an end to the judicial investigation and to exonerate Rwandan leaders who ended the genocide is designed to camouflage these responsibilities.

The plane carrying President Habyarimana and manned by French crew was shot down with a missile on April 6, 1994.

His assassination  which is still shrouded in mystery  is largely considered to have triggered the genocide orchestrated by a majority Hutu against the minority Tutsi ethnic group.
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Micrograph showing a lymph node invaded by ductal breast carcinoma, with extension of the tumour beyond the lymph node. Credit: Nephron/Wikipedia

Breast cancer is the most common cancer type in women in Sweden and worldwide. It has long been known that not all breast cancers are similar: Luminal tumours consist mostly of cells that are similar to those found in the inner lining of the breast ducts (luminal mammary gland cells), whereas others can have cells more similar to the outer layer of the breast epithelium (basal cells). It is believed that this diversity originates from mutations in different stem cells or progenitor cells. The identities of these peculiar progenitor cell populations and their tumour forming capabilities are incompletely understood.

In a new study, published in Nature Cell Biology, researchers at Karolinska Institutet describe rare populations of basal and luminal progenitor cells that contribute to normal mammary gland development and serve as tumour-initiating cells specifically for luminal breast cancers.

The newly discovered progenitor cell populations express Lgr6, a cell surface receptor protein that is commonly associated with stem cells in the hair follicle, skin, lung, and tongue.

Marker for mammary gland progenitor cells

The research group at the Department of Biosciences and Nutrition at Karolinska Institutet in Huddinge, led by Leander Blaas and Rune Toftgard, teamed up with researchers at the Crick Institute in London to isolate and analyze progenitor cells marked by the receptor Lgr6 during normal mammary gland development and the development of tumours.

Using a genetic mouse model, in which these cells can be labelled with a fluorescent protein, the research team could show that Lgr6+ cells expand during puberty and help to build the organ. Once the mammary gland is fully developed, Lgr6+ cells do not seem to play an active role in maintaining the epithelium. During pregnancy, however, they surprisingly become reactivated and help to form the milk-producing structures (alveoli). Although, Lgr6-expressing cells only comprise ~2  4 % of all mammary gland epithelial cells, their progeny contribute substantially to the organ's development and it's main function, the production of milk.

Needed for efficient tumour growth

Parallel to their analyses of Lgr6+ cells in normal development, the researchers tested whether mutations in these cells could result in the formation of mammary gland tumours. When they induced two different combinations of mutations in these cells, luminal tumours appeared in both mouse models, suggesting that rare Lgr6+ cells are potent cells of origin for breast cancer. Next, they traced Lgr6-expressing cells in different mouse models of basal and luminal breast cancer. These experiments revealed a specific contribution to development and maintenance of luminal mammary gland tumours.

Strikingly, when they depleted Lgr6+ cells in a mouse model of luminal breast cancer, the resulting tumours appeared later, were smaller, and appeared to be less aggressive.

"Lgr6+ cells are rather rare and still, they seem to fuel luminal tumour growth and strongly affect the composition of a tumour", says Leander Blaas, a lead author of the study. "In a next step, we want to perform a detailed, molecular characterization of these cells in normal mammary glands and in tumours. Most progenitor and tumour-initiating cells are isolated using very broad and non-specific markers. Using Lgr6 as a marker, we are able to specifically isolate and characterize such cells and determine their properties."

The Lgr6 receptor is expressed in approximately 50% of human breast cancers and its overexpression may be associated with patient survival. Thus, this work will also benefit research into human breast cancer and therapies targeting tumour-maintaining cells.

More information: Leander Blaas et al. Lgr6 labels a rare population of mammary gland progenitor cells that are able to originate luminal mammary tumours, Nature Cell Biology (2016). Journal information: Nature Cell Biology Leander Blaas et al. Lgr6 labels a rare population of mammary gland progenitor cells that are able to originate luminal mammary tumours,(2016). DOI: 10.1038/ncb3434
Mothers in therapy for drug and alcohol use recover faster if their children take part in their treatment sessions, according to a first-of-its-kind study.

Researchers found that women who were in family therapy - which included their 8- to 16-year-old children - showed a quicker decline in alcohol, marijuana and cocaine use over 18 months compared to mothers who were in individual therapy.

This is the first study to examine the effectiveness of family therapy for mothers who are substance users, said Natasha Slesnick, lead author of the study and professor of human sciences at The Ohio State University.

"Interpersonal stress, especially within the family, has been shown to be an important factor in drug and alcohol abuse," Slesnick said. "So it makes sense that having mothers and children working together in therapy can help moms with substance use problems do better over time.

"Family therapy is not generally part of the treatment options for substance-using mothers, but this study suggests it should be."

Slesnick conducted the study with Jing Zhang, a postdoctoral researcher at Ohio State. The study appears in the current issue of Psychology of Addictive Behaviors.

The study involved 183 mothers who were seeking outpatient treatment and met diagnostic criteria for having an alcohol or drug use disorder. All had at least one biological child aged 8 to 16.

Some of the mothers were placed in a 12-session program called Ecologically Based Family Therapy. EBFT focuses on improving social interactions, emotional connectedness and problem resolution skills among family members.

Other mothers were assigned to an individual therapy program called Women's Health Education.

All participants were assessed at the beginning of the study and then three, six, 12 and 18 months later.

Substance use was assessed using structured interviews with the mothers in which the researchers calculated the percentage of mothers' total days of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and opioids use in the past 90 days.

For the EBFT group, the mother and child participated in a 10-minute interaction task at the beginning of the study and six and 18 months later. The researchers watched the interaction and rated the mother and child relationship quality.

Results showed that all mothers showed reduced alcohol, marijuana and cocaine use over time, but mothers in the family therapy saw their substance use decrease more quickly.

The exception involved opioids, such as heroin - mothers reported similar decreases in use after both the individual and family therapies.

"Different drugs affect family dynamics in different ways, and we need more research to determine why opioids respond differently to family therapy," Slesnick said.

Family therapy is probably more helpful to moms battling most substance use issues than individual therapy because it deals with the family stresses that contribute to drug and alcohol use, she said.

The researchers hoped that assessing differences in the mother-child interaction before and after treatment would help them determine whether changes in these family dynamics were the key to the success of family therapy, but the results did not confirm that link. Slesnick said she still believes the link is there, but that there weren't enough subjects in the study to prove it.

Preliminary data from upcoming studies by the researchers suggests that family therapy is not only good for the mothers - it helps their children's mental health, as well.

"Children are usually not included in the treatment plans of their mothers, but they should be. They already have to deal with their moms' substance use in many ways. Being part of the therapy can help both them and their mothers," she said.
A half billion dollars - at leastgets spent each year on blood tests to see which hospital patients have a genetic quirk that makes their blood more likely to form dangerous clots.

And most of that spending probably isn't necessary, according to a new paper by a University of Michigan Medical School team.

Writing in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, they review what's known about testing for the trait called inherited thrombophilia, and call for a drastic cut in the test's use by doctors across America.

After all, they write, hospitalized people who have already had such dangerous clots, called venous thromboembolisms or VTEs, don't need a positive genetic test to justify taking medication and making other changes to prevent future ones.

And there's no evidence that medication to prevent clots will help hospital patients who haven't yet had a VTE. Testing their DNA for inherited thrombophilia won't change that.

In other words, the authors say, ordering inherited thromboembolism testing on inpatients is something doctors do for little or no reason. And according to the team's analysis of data pulled from medical records, they do it hundreds of thousands of times a year in Medicare patients alone.

Often, it appears, the test gets ordered to satisfy curiosity about why a patient had a VTE, to see if they're among the seven percent of Americans with a genetic mutation that makes blood more prone to clot.

There are several tests for several traits, so patients often get them in combination - what's called a "hypercoagulable workup." But if doctors are following guidelines grounded in evidence, the test result should rarely change a patient's care.

So, except in very specific cases where such clots are highly likely - such as women with a family history of clots who are pregnant or getting hormone replacement therapy - there's probably not much reason to do the test at all.

Resisting temptation

"More testing is not always better," says Christopher Petrilli, M.D., an assistant professor of internal medicine at U-M and co-first author of the new paper.

"Testing for this disorder is almost never beneficial, and in fact can even be harmful because it can cause undue psychological distress for the patient, and unnecessary expense for the healthcare system," he adds.

"Physicians and patients should resist the temptation to perform costly search for an underlying genetic cause of venous thrombosis," says co-first author Lauren Heidemann, M.D., also an assistant professor of medicine.

Petrilli and Heidemann - both hospitalists who specialize in treating patients in the U-M Health System's University Hospitalhave set out to address such "no reason" testing at UMHS and beyond.

They've co-founded a local chapter of the group Providers for Responsible Ordering, which aims to help physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants reduce over-testing and use health care resources appropriately.

They've also led the effort to make UMHS one of more than 40 founding members of the High Value Practice Academic Research Alliance, which is working to bring institutions together to help one another implement strategies that make better use of resources.

The current climate of public attention on new genetic testing options and personalized medicine could make this difficult in some cases, they note in the paper.

Ideally, genetic tests to find out whether someone carries a certain genetic trait should be used when there's clear information about the risks, benefits and costs of that test.

"With national health care spending reaching an unsustainable level, we as physicians need to be vigilant about becoming stewards of health care resources," says Heidemann.

Reviewing the evidence

For the paper, Petrilli, Heidemann and their colleagues reviewed the full scope of literature and established guidelines on inherited thrombophilia testing. They illustrated the situation by applying this information to a hypothetical case of a young patient with a VTE but no family history who suffers a pulmonary embolism - a dangerous health emergency where clots form in the lower extremities and travel to the lungs, potentially cutting off oxygen to the body unless treatment starts quickly.

They note the conclusions about VTE prevention and treatment that have been reached by several medical bodies - including an American College of Chest Physicians guideline recommending against giving clot-prevention medication to people with the genetic trait but no VTE history.

More information: Christopher M. Petrilli et al, Inpatient inherited thrombophilia testing, Journal of Hospital Medicine (2016). Journal information: Journal of Hospital Medicine Christopher M. Petrilli et al, Inpatient inherited thrombophilia testing,(2016). DOI: 10.1002/jhm.2616
Findings from a recent study on health care utilization in Metro Louisville indicate the uninsured rate decreased by more than half in just one year, from almost 17 percent in 2013 to just under 8 percent in 2014.

A report issued by the Commonwealth Institute of Kentucky, an entity of the University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences (SPHIS), explains characteristics of the remaining uninsured population in Metro Louisville and examines the impact of outreach strategies on health care enrollment since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Co-authors Liza M. Creel, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor, and Susan Buchino, Ph.D., O.T.R./L., senior research manager, presented their findings to the Metro Louisville Board of Health during its regular meeting today.

The study found that those who are still uninsured in Metro Louisville are disproportionately Hispanic, African American, male, and younger than the general population. In addition, they also are more likely to have a lower income. Key reasons individuals report for remaining uninsured include the expense of health insurance, both for employer-sponsored and qualified health plans, the inability to pay for the health insurance options available to them, and confusion about the enrollment process. In 2015, nearly 20,000 individuals without health insurance sought medical and dental care from four local safety net providers in Metro Louisville, including community clinics, federally qualified health centers, and physician practices.

Enrollment professionals reported that local ACA implementation required strong relationships in the community, in addition to a robust infrastructure to support individuals seeking health coverage or who were at-risk of becoming uninsured. The study found that a successful outreach strategy in the first few years of ACA implementation involved the presence of enrollment professionals where people live, work, worship, learn and play - this included health care settings. Year-round marketing and outreach efforts between enrollment periods also were a significant part of the approach to decrease the number of uninsured.

"Our findings suggest that maintaining on-site assistance at safety net health care facilities for individuals to enroll in Medicaid or a qualified health plan is key to reaching uninsured sub-populations," Creel said.

Long-term, the report suggests that policy makers consider ways to improve the affordability for individuals who are neither eligible for Medicaid nor able to purchase private insurance. A second recommendation involves identifying strategies to improve health literacy in order to reduce consumer confusion about health insurance, generally.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky's first report on aspects of ACA implementation in Metro Louisville was published in December 2014.
Women may be at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder following a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, suggests a new study.

The team behind the research, from Imperial College London, say the findings suggest women should be routinely screened for the condition, and receive specific psychological support following pregnancy loss.

In the study, published in the journal BMJ Open, the team surveyed 113 women who had recently experienced a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

The majority of the women in the study had suffered a miscarriage in the first three months of pregnancy, while around 20 per cent had suffered an ectopic pregnancy, where the baby starts to grow outside of the womb.

The results revealed four in ten women reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) three months after the pregnancy loss.

Miscarriage affects one in four pregnancies in the UK, and is defined as the loss of a baby before 24 weeks - although most miscarriages occur before 12 weeks. Ectopic pregnancies are much rarer, affecting around one in 90 pregnancies. The fertilised egg usually implants in the fallopian tubes connected to the womb, where it cannot grow, and so the pregnancy either miscarries or must be ended surgically or with medicine.

In the new study, funded by the Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the scientists sent the women questionnaires asking them about their thoughts and feelings after their pregnancy loss. All of the women had attended the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea hospital, West London.

The results revealed that three months after the pregnancy loss, nearly four in ten women (38 per cent) met criteria for probable PTSD.

Among the women who suffered a miscarriage, 45 per cent reported PTSD symptoms at this time, compared to 18 per cent of the women who suffered an ectopic pregnancy.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is caused by stressful, frightening or distressing events, and causes people to relive the event though nightmares, flashbacks, or intrusive thoughts or images that appear at unwanted moments. The symptoms can start weeks, months or even years after a traumatic event and can cause sleeping problems, anger, and depression.

The women in the study who met the criteria for PTSD reported regularly re-experiencing the feelings associated with the pregnancy loss, and suffering intrusive or unwanted thoughts about their miscarriage. Some women also reported having nightmares or flashbacks, while others avoided anything that may remind them of their loss, or friends and family who are pregnant.

Furthermore, nearly a third said their symptoms had impacted on their work life, and around 40 per cent reported their relationships with friends and family had been affected.

Dr Jessica Farren, lead author of the research from the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial, said this research suggests women should have an opportunity to discuss their emotions with a medical professional.

"We were surprised at the high number of women who experienced symptoms of PTSD after early pregnancy loss. At the moment there is no routine follow-up appointment for women who have suffered a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. We have checks in place for postnatal depression, but we don't have anything in place for the trauma and depression following pregnancy loss.

"Yet the symptoms that may be triggered can have a profound effect on all aspects of a woman's everyday life, from her work to her relationships with friends and family."

Dr Farren, who is based at Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research at Imperial, explained that previous research has suggested women who experience a stillbirth may develop post-traumatic stress disorder. However this is the first research to only focus on early pregnancy loss.

"There is an assumption in our society that you don't tell anyone you are pregnant until after 12 weeks. But this also means that if couples experience a miscarriage in this time, they don't tell people. This may result in the profound psychological effects of early pregnancy loss being brushed under the carpet, and not openly discussed," she said.

The team, who conducted their research in collaboration with the University of Leuven in Belgium, also questioned a control group of 50 women with ongoing pregnancies.

The study results also revealed around one in five women had symptoms of moderate anxiety at three months after their pregnancy loss. In the control group, one in ten reported symptoms of anxiety.

Furthermore, one in 20 women reported symptoms of depression three months after their loss.

Professor Tom Bourne, senior author of the study, said the team are now planning larger follow-up studies, to confirm the findings and help identify at-risk women.

"Not all women who suffer a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy will go on to develop PTSD or anxiety and depression. Therefore we are now investigating why some women may be more at risk than others, to help medical professionals identify who may need extra support."

Jane Brewin, chief executive of the charity Tommy's, who part-funded the research, said: "This study gives a voice to many women who have suffered miscarriage in silence and the often significant consequences that follow. The message is clear: in a civilised society it is not acceptable for women to suffer in this way. Following this study there must now be added impetus to change miscarriage treatment and care; many women need more support following a miscarriage and the NHS needs to rethink how women are treated throughout the experience so they do not suffer from PTSD and other psychological impacts. Tommy's Centre for Early Miscarriage Research was opened this year with the support of many families who want to bring about change and we'd encourage all families to join with us to find answers to miscarriage and help improve care for everyone."

Professor Bourne added that in addition to improving diagnosis of psychological disorders following miscarriage, researchers need to assess what treatments may help.

"We know that talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, have been successful at treating PTSD. However we need to investigate how this treatment should be tailored to women who have suffered an early pregnancy loss."

Ian Lush, chief executive of Imperial College Healthcare Charity, who funded the study, added: "Clearly, losing a baby at any stage is devastating for parents. We recognised early on the potential this piece of research had, and equally, how important the findings would be to patients and clinical staff right across the NHS. The outcomes that are being shared will hopefully mean the effects of early pregnancy loss deservedly get the spotlight shone on them, and women and their partners, thanks to better understanding of those effects, get the extra support they need."

Nicole Martin, 42, suffered three miscarriages between 2013 and 2014. Although she didn't take part in the trial, she understands the enormous emotional toll of early pregnancy loss.

The PR associate director from London recalled: "We started trying for our second child after my daughter turned one. We became pregnant with twins, but the first baby died five weeks into the pregnancy, and the second at around 10 weeks.

We immediately started trying again and I feel pregnant a month or two later. I was crippled with anxiety and took pregnancy tests every day. However, we miscarried again at seven weeks.

I became consumed with what happened to us. I returned to work but was a shadow of my former self, and wracked with guilt that I was unable to give my daughter a sibling. I withdrew from social situations, and felt unable to laugh or smile. I also found it very hard to be around or even see people who had more than one child.

We were pregnant again within a couple of months, but were thrown into despair and disbelief when we miscarried a third time.

Two month later, a few weeks after my 40th birthday, we became pregnant again and our beautiful son Joseph was born in March last year. Although we are now extremely happy, I often say the miscarriages robbed me of my personality. I stopped engaging with life; even with my daughter; and was consumed by my almost compulsive desire to have another baby. I couldn't find joy in anything; and hated the jealousy I felt towards other pregnant women. My relationship with my husband was put under strain but somehow we got through it and, in many ways, it brought us closer together, and I will forever be grateful for the unfailing support he - and many others - gave me during that time."
While schizophrenia is best known for episodes of psychosis - a break with reality during which an individual may experience delusions and hallucinations - it is also marked by chronic neurocognitive deficits, such as problems with memory and attention. A multi-site cognition study led by psychologists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) found that these neurocognitive symptoms are evident prior to the onset of psychosis in a high-risk stage of the disorder called the prodromal phase. Published today online in advance of print in JAMA Psychiatry, the findings suggest that these impairments may serve as early warning signs of schizophrenia, as well as potential targets for intervention that could mitigate the onset of the psychotic disorder and significantly improve cognitive function.

"To our knowledge, this is the largest and most definitive study of cognition in the high-risk period before onset of for psychosis/schizophrenia," said corresponding author Larry J. Seidman, PhD, a psychologist at BIDMC and professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School. "This is part of a paradigm shift in the way we are focusing on the earlier, prodromal phase of the disorder in an effort to identify those most likely to develop psychosis."

Seidman and colleagues collected neurocognitive functioning data from participants at eight university-based, outpatient programs in the United States and Canada over the course of four years. The observational study compared 689 males and females deemed at clinical high risk (CHR) of developing psychosis to 264 male and female healthy controls (HC). Using 19 standard tests of executive and visuospatial abilities, attention and working memory, verbal abilities and declarative memory, the researchers found that the high-risk group performed significantly worse than the control group on all 19 measures. Among the high-risk individuals only, those who later progressed to a psychotic disorder performed significantly worse than their high-risk peers who did not develop psychosis during the study.

"Currently, when mental health professionals assess people coming in for evaluation, we don't know who will eventually develop schizophrenia," said Seidman. "Our group's focus is on identifying early warning signs and then developing interventions to improve a person's chances for not getting it, making it milder or delaying it."

Impaired working memory (the ability to hold information like a phone number in mind for a short time while it's in use) and declarative memory (the ability to recall things learned in the last few minutes) turned out to be the key neurocognitive functions that are impaired in the high-risk, prodromal phase prior to the onset of full-blown psychosis. These findings, said Seidman, are in keeping with the experiences of many people with schizophrenia who report sudden difficulties reading, concentrating or remembering things in the earliest days of the disorder.

Schizophrenia "conjures up dread" in our culture, Seidman said, but he notes that it is likely these cognitive deficits - not the delusions and hallucinations people fear so much - that keep roughly 80 percent of people with schizophrenia out of work or school. Recent focus on the prodromal period and the growing promise of early intervention is giving patients and their families more realistic hope that better outcomes are possible, he added.

"People can hear voices and still function pretty well, but they basically cannot function at all when their cognition is impaired," he said. "We are also testing a number of cognitive remediation and enhancement treatments to determine their role in the evolution of the illness. There's more evidence suggesting that early intervention reduces the number of people who transition to schizophrenia."

This study represented the second phase of the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study (NAPLS), the multi-site research consortium formed in 2003 to focus on early intervention and prevention of schizophrenia. By pooling their data, NAPLS researchers have been able to identify individuals at high risk for developing a psychotic disorder as well as the biological risk factors associated with converting to psychosis. This summer, the collaborators, led by researchers at Yale, published a risk calculator that can help professionals predict patients' risk of developing psychosis. In addition to BIDMC and Yale, the other NAPLS sites are based at Emory University, the University of Calgary, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), University of California San Diego (UCSD), University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, University of San Francisco, and Zucker Hillside Hospital.

"A significant number of people are able to remain in or go back to work and school," Seidman said. "This early intervention approach is giving people more hope, and that really matters."
BP regional manager, Georgian PM mull Shah Deniz-2 project

During the meeting, an exchange of views was held on ongoing BP projects, which are being implemented in the region and Georgia, Trend reports.The sides discussed work being carried out in Georgia to expand the Shah Deniz-2 gas corridor project, which is considered as one of the main components of the Southern Gas Corridor.The special role of the project, the commissioning of which is scheduled for 2019, for the South Caucasus countries was also noted during the meeting.
State without genuine labour inspection

By Messenger Staff

Last week there were several cases in which people were injured or died at the workplace.The reality that people are injured or killed on an almost daily basis in the workplace is alarming, Georgias Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili says.Last week, the media reported the death of two peeople employed in construction.Earlier on October 11, the Public Defender responded to the death of a miner in Tkibulis Mindeli mine.Georgias Ministry of Internal Affairs says about 123 people died or were injured in the workplace in 2015.This situation indicates that the non-observance of labour safety is the most acute problem in the country and employees suffer serious bodily injuries or are killed in the workplace at least once in 2-3 days, Nanuashvili says.The Ombudsman added that only an extremely small number of cases are covered by the media, meaning that the public is not informed of the majority of such cases.The Public Defender stressed that it must be clearly said that the state is accounted for the abovementioned cases, since no clear and modern labour safety standards have yet been adopted, and no labor inspectorate has been created, which would supervise their implementation in practice.The Public Defender has been demanding the creation of a labour inspectorate for years, but the recommendation has not been fulfilled so far. The state is actually waiting for the cases when people are harmed or killed and only after that it responds within the criminal legislation, Nanuashvili said.He emphasised that investigations do not always end with proper results, saying that in 2015, criminal investigations were launched into 108 cases, but were soon terminated in 42 cases.The number of terminated investigations might be higher today, as more time has passed since the mentioned cases. The state's actions that are not effective cannot be considered sufficient leverage for the prevention of future accidents, the Ombudsman stated.The state is obliged to protect the lives and health of employees and for this purpose to immediately create minimal mechanisms, and labour inspectorate and introduce modern standards of labour safety.It is hard not to agree with the Ombudsman, as hundreds of lives are at risk, the lives of those working on construction sites, or even walking past them.Georgia urgently needs labour inspections, as the rights of employees are being continually violated in the country.Employees are very often silent to labour violations, as the unemployment rate is very high and they are afraid to lose even the minimal salaries they receive from their employers by provoking their ire.
The News in Brief

President urges all questions to be answered regarding Krtsanisi incident



The President considers that timely and transparent investigation of the incident that took place in the Krtsanisi training center is essential, the President's Spokesperson, Eka Mishveladze, said at today's press conference.



According to her, the Commander-in-Chief also believes that all the questions of the victim's family members must be answered.



"We would like to respond to the sad incident that took place at the Krtsanisi National Training Center. The President believes that a timely and transparent investigation of the incident is essential. As you know, this is a very important and protected part of Georgia, where the NATO-Georgia joint training and assessment center is located. The Commander-in-Chief believes that all the questions of the victim's family members and society must be answered. We hope the investigation will not leave any questions or doubts regarding this issue without response. This is important for the state interests and the reputation of the armed forces, said Mishveladze. (IPN)







CEC Summarizes Proportional, Majoritarian MP Election Results



The Central Election Commission (CEC) summarized on Sunday the proportional part of the October 8 parliamentary elections as well as the results of the first rounds of majoritarian MP elections, according to which three political parties will enter the new Parliament.



According to final results, with 48.68% of the votes, the GDDG ruling party will have 44 seats under the proportional representation system; UNM party, which garnered 27.11% of the votes, will have 27 seats, and an election bloc led by the Alliance of Patriots, which garnered 5.01% of the votes, will have 6 seats.



77 seats out of a total 150 are allocated proportionally under the party-list contest among political parties and election blocs, which must clear a 5% threshold. 73 lawmakers are elected in 73 majoritarian, single-mandate constituencies.



On top of the 44 seats which the ruling party took in the Parliament under the proportional representation, its candidates have won outright in majoritarian MP races in 23 single-mandate constituencies, where GD candidates cleared the 50% threshold in the first rounds.



Second rounds are set for October 30 to reveal the remaining 50 majoritarian MPs, including in Zugdidi and Marneuli single-mandate constituencies, where repeat elections on October 22 failed to reveal the winners.



A candidate who garners more votes will win in the second round runoff.



Irakli Alasania, leader of the Free Democrats opposition party, and Georgias ex-first lady Sandra Roelofs announced their withdrawal from the second round contests for majoritarian MP seats in Gori and Zugdidi single-mandate constituencies, respectively. But their names will still remain on ballot papers during the second rounds along with GDDGs candidates.



GDDGs candidates are in the second round runoffs for majoritarian MP seats in 49 single-mandate-constituencies; in one constituency  Tbilisis Mtatsminda district, where the second round will also be held - GDDG had no candidate of its own; instead the party backed independent candidate Salome Zurabishvili, who will face the UNMs Nika Rurua in the second round.



In 44 districts where second rounds are expected, GDDGs candidates will face contenders from the UNM party. According to the results of the first round, GDDG candidates are leading in all but the Marneuli and Akhaltsikhe/Adigeni districts, where UNM candidates have better results; in two districts  Mtskheta and Lanchkhuti/Chokhatauri  GDDG will compete with independent candidates; in the Chiatura district, candidates of GDDG and Free Democrats will face each other; in Khashuri district, GDDG candidate will face a representative from election bloc Industrialists-Our Homeland.



The October 30 second rounds will determine the final composition of the new Parliament, where the ruling party already has 67 seats  9 short of a majority (76 seats) and 46 short of a three-quarters super-majority in the 150-member Parliament; 113 seats are required to pass constitutional amendments. (Civil.ge)







Caucasus mountain road closed in north Georgia due to snow and ice



A key mountain road that connects north and south Caucasus is now closed for large vehicles because of snow and ice.



Trailers, semi-trailers and vehicles with more than 30 seats are prohibited from driving on the S-3 between Gudauri and Kobi, the Road Departmentannounced on Tuesday.



Other types of vehicles are allowed. The Road Department has sent machinery to clear the road of snow.



The S-3 Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Larsi road, also known as the Georgian Military Highway, connects Georgias former capital Mtskheta, just north of Tbilisi, with the border crossing at Lars and the Russian republic North Ossetia. (DF watch)




@amysherman1

A group that opposes Donald Trump filed a complaint with state elections officials alleging he falsely registered to vote in Florida but it appears his most recent voter registration is in New York.

Stephen Bannon switched his voter registration from Miami to Sarasota County in August.

On Oct. 14th, he registered to vote at an address on West 40th Street in New York City, according to Thomas Connolly, a spokesman for the New York State Board of elections.

The global activist group Avaaz filed a complaint with the Florida Division of Elections Oct. 19th. The complaint alleges that Bannon doesn't actually live at the Sarasota County address where he became registered Aug. 25.

The address in Sarasota County is at the home of Breitbart News writer Andrew Badaloto. Bannon ran the conservative news network until August.

A spokeswoman for Bannon declined to comment Tuesday about his Florida voter registration and where he plans to vote on election day.

Although Florida election officials are reviewing the complaint about Bannon, it would be unusual for them to pursue it if he votes in New York.


@PatriciaMazzei

The political equivalent of a unicorn six days before an election is an undecided voter -- truly undecided, still wrestling with which presidential candidate to pick as the voting deadline looms.

In downtown Miami on Wednesday, we found two.

Nelly and Frank McCrory of Miami Lakes attended Donald Trump's rally at Bayfront Park. Fittingly for battleground Florida, they wore a little purple.

"I don't know what I'm going to do on Election Day," said Nelly, who's 65.

It's not that she's gone back and forth between supporting Trump and Hillary Clinton. She's never supported either, she said.

"It's been crazy," she said of the election. "Just so wild. It's brought out the worst, I think, in both candidates. The absolute worst."

Both she and her husband are registered without party affiliation. In past elections, Nelly said she voted for Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

Her top issue, Nelly said, is immigration: "I'd like the borders to be controlled. I'm just not sure what either candidate is going to do, honestly."

Frank, her 62-year-old husband, said he used to be registered Republican. Any other candidate but Trump would have resoundingly defeated Clinton, he said, adding that Jeb Bush would have been his choice.

"I have said from the beginning I would not vote for Trump," he said. "I have said I would vote for Hillary but only as a strategic block."

Frank's thinking?

"I am concerned if Trump gets in, he'll have a Republican Congress. They'll do a lot of stupid things, like so many tax cuts they'll drive up the deficit," he said. "Clinton, she is corrupt, unethical, but there's questions as to whether she's criminal. The Republican Congress would block her."

"There will be a divided government that would put a leash on spending," Frank continued. "I would have almost rather have seen Donald Trump lose by a lot and have Republicans maintain Congress. I'm concerned that if he loses by a little, even if we hold the Congress, Donald Trump is not going to walk off stage. He's going to continue to dominate Republican politics.

"I worry that there's a segment now of the center-right Republican troops that will follow him and split the party -- and the net result will be that we'll have a left-leaning government."

What will help them make up their mind in the final six campaign days?

"I think I'll know it when I hear it," Nelly said.
@JeremySWallace

SARASOTA  Joe Gruters forged a relationship with Donald Trump in 2012 after party leaders snubbed the New York real estate magnate at the Republican National Convention in Tampa.

Then the Sarasota Republican chairman, Gruters knew something GOP elites did not  Trump's celebrity resonated with rank-and-file party members. He cold called Trump's businesses to invite him to speak in Sarasota the night before the convention he was denied a speaking slot.

Trump agreed.

"This Joe's some piece of work," Trump said when he took the stage that night.

Now that "piece of work" is Trump's campaign co-chair in Florida. It was Gruters who convinced Trump to put his Florida primary headquarters in Sarasota. Gruters established early on a network of Trump-loyalists in all 67 counties, acted as a press surrogate and was responsible for the list of delegates that would go to the Republican National Convention.

Often the opening act at Trump's Florida rallies, Gruters has come a long way from a childhood where a speech impediment made it hard for him to say his name. Having overcome the impediment, Gruters now finds himself leading crowds in "Trump-Pence" chants.

If Trump wins the White House, Gruters would be in an enviable spot  an early Trump supporter with access to the upper levels Trump's circle. It seemed improbable in early 2015, when most high ranking Florida Republicans lined up behind Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio.

"Joe's taken some risks, but those risks are paying off," Florida Republican Party chairman Blaise Ingoglia said.

Full Story Here
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HELENA  Montana's new campaign disclosure law has survived its first test, with a federal judge rejecting arguments that it unconstitutionally interferes with the free speech of groups that want to influence elections without revealing where they get their money or how they spend it.

U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen, in ruling for the state Monday, cited the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision in 2010 that allowed unlimited corporate spending in elections. In that case, the justices ruled that although disclosure requirements burden the ability to speak, they are constitutional because they don't prevent anyone from speaking.

A dramatic rise in election spending has left Montana voters inundated with political television ads and mailers that seek to inform  or misinform  the voters and sway their opinions, Christensen wrote in the decision.

"Providing Montana voters with information about individuals and groups competing for their attention serve important government interests," the judge wrote.

The Montana Legislature passed the Disclose Act in 2015 amid concerns of the role that so-called dark money groups have played in elections since the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. The law requires more disclosure of political committees' contributors and spending, adds more reporting deadlines and restricts coordination between candidates and outside groups.

A Billings-based organization called Montanans for Community Development, which had previously sued the state over its campaign laws, amended its lawsuit last year to challenge the Disclose Act. The group, which does not disclose its donors or spending, describes itself as an educational organization that advocates for issues, not candidates.

The pro-natural resource development group wanted to send mailers close to Election Day that name candidates as impeding coal development, but do not overtly say whether to vote for candidates. The group argued that such issue-advocacy mailers are protected speech that can't be regulated by the state's campaign law.

Christensen knocked down each of the group's arguments one by one. Besides ruling that the law serves an important government interest, the judge also rejected arguments that the law was overly burdensome to political committees and unconstitutionally vague on what a committee, expenditure and contribution is.

Christensen also rejected the group's arguments that the law is too broad and allows for arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement.

James Bopp, the Indiana-based attorney for Montanans for Community Development and the lawyer who filed the original Citizens United case, did not immediately return a call for comment on the ruling.

Gov. Steve Bullock, speaking at a campaign rally in Missoula, praised the judge's ruling and the law, which he said was a bipartisan effort.

"The best way to get rid of the shadows is to turn up the sunshine, and that's exactly what our Legislature did," Bullock said.

Bullock's Republican opponent in the upcoming election, Greg Gianforte, was campaigning in northeastern Montana. His spokesman, Aaron Flint, said Gianforte believes in transparency but the next Legislature must take another look at the Disclose Act.

"Greg believes it is a work in progress, and the next Legislature will eye any strengths or weaknesses in the law that may need to be addressed," Flint said.

Anita Milanovich, who works for Bopp's firm and is the lead attorney for Montanans for Community Development, also is the Gianforte campaign's attorney.

There are at least two other legal challenges to the Disclose Act pending, one in state court and one in federal court.
Two dozen good-paying scientific research jobs almost left western Montana for Maryland last year  but they ended up here in Missoula thanks to an innovative partnership with the University of Montana.

GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, a giant pharmaceutical company with an office in Hamilton, announced in February 2015 that it was consolidating its research and development operations to Maryland.

Employees were faced with the choice of retiring, applying for new jobs on the East Coast, or figuring out a different option. None of them wanted to uproot their families and leave. So, they reached out to UM and chose to stay here, and the result is the formation of a new biotechnology company in Missoula called Inimmune Corp. that currently employs 22 workers in high-wage jobs, with plans to hire three more by year's end.

The University of Montana played a crucial role in allowing them to stay because it could provide the necessary laboratory space and infrastructure capable of supporting a large multidisciplinary research program.

There was also a big dangling carrot: The scientists from the Bitterroot already had more than $20 million in scientific equipment and research contracts from the National Institutes of Health that they could transfer to UM. It was a win-win situation.

Through the public/private partnership, UM hired 15 employees from the GSK-Hamilton research team, including five new faculty members. The company is now housed at the Montana Technology Enterprise Center on East Broadway, with plans to expand to the main campus next spring. Now, the company is expanding and one of its immuno-oncology drugs is scheduled to go to clinical trials soon.

On Tuesday, officials from Inimmune met with Gov. Steve Bullock and UM President Royce Engstrom for a tour of the facility and a discussion about how the states economy is affected by connections between UM researchers and entrepreneurs.

Jay Evans, the president and CEO of Inimmune, said it took a year of discussions and negotiations to put the agreements in place for UM to hire the researchers.

In association with this transition to the university, were also proposing a new Center for Translational Medicine at the University of Montana, he said. He would direct the center, which would prepare students for careers in the biotech fields. He said many UM faculty members have expressed support for the project. Inimmune also provides opportunities for students looking at careers in biotechnology to gain real-world experience.

Innimune focuses on developing new medicines and treatments  using innate immune receptor activation or inhibition  for conditions like allergies, upper respiratory tract infections, skin diseases and cancer. The company also provides fee-based contract services to academic partners and private pharmaceutical industry companies for drug formulation, analytical chemistry, immunology and chemical synthesis.

Evans didnt know how much combined payroll that the company doles out every year, but he said good-paying jobs were saved from moving to Maryland.

"They have to be good-paying jobs for us to be able to attract and retain the kind of talent we need," he explained.

Evans also said that the immunotherapy sector is growing and the company is positioned to expand into that space by focusing on diseases with a high unmet medical need.

Overall, this is the kind of work that we endeavor to do here at the University of Montana, Engstrom said. To play a bigger role in the economic development of our community and of our state and to play a bigger role in the kind of research that improves the quality of life for people here in Montana and indeed worldwide.

Scott Whittenburg, vice president for research and creative scholarship at UM, said the partnership brought a lot of cutting-edge technology to the school and will broaden participation from other researchers on campus.

Universities have a key role to play in the development of new technology and bringing it to the marketplace, he said.

Last year, UM secured a record $87 million in external research funding and looks likely to surpass that mark.

Bullock expressed his support for the partnership during a tour with Evans and Engstrom.

As Montanas economy grows and diversifies, getting research breakthroughs to market quickly propels new innovations, new businesses and more technical, high-paying jobs for Montana, he said.
Northwest Montana's soggy October ran from Stevensville north to the Canadian border, weather officials said. And a wetter than average winter lies ahead.

Stevensville recorded its third wettest October since records were first taken in 1911. It received 2.51 inches of rain.

The communitys wettest October actually occurred that first year when people started tracking moisture in the rain gauge. In 1911, they saw 2.85 inches of precipitation.

All of those numbers were dwarfed by the huge amount of moisture that fell on northwest Montana during October of this year as some areas set their all-time records for wettest month.

Hungry Horse led the pack with a staggering 12.34 inches of moisture.

National Weather Service meteorologist Jennifer Kitsmiller in Missoula said the line delineating the unusually high amounts of precipitation started near Stevensville and moved north.

Places like Kalispell, Hungry Horse and Troy really shattered any previous records, Kitsmiller said.

All of that is pretty interesting to anyone who tracks Montana weather. Kitsmiller said October typically is not one of the states wetter months.

That steady stream of moisture was the result of above normal typhoon activity in the Pacific Ocean.

When that happens, you tend to get an energized jet stream that allows more weather systems into the area, Kitsmiller said. Some of those weather systems picked up abundant amounts of moisture that were funneled here in the jet stream.

All that rain did wonders for the drought situation that covered most of western Montana at the end of summer.

The drought condition for the most part has actually been lifted, except for one small area near Butte, she said.

Overall, Stevensvilles temperatures in October were pretty much average.

But theres more to that story too, Kitsmiller said.

The maximum temperatures were actually a bit cooler than normal. The average highs were around 56 degrees. This time of year, they should be closer to 61.

On the flipside, the low temperatures were above normal, with an average of 37 degrees. Normally, the lows would be hovering around 32.

The coldest night was on Oct. 12 when the mercury dipped to 21. Other than that, there were only four other days that were below freezing.

When you averaged out the colder than normal highs and the warmer than normal lows, Kitsmiller said the overall temperatures were just about average for October.

Looking toward winter, the long range forecast for December, January and February calls for more of the same as far as average temperatures go.

Right now, theres not a strong signature for above or below temperatures during that time period, Kitsmiller said.

The long range forecast is suggesting the wet weather could well continue through the winter months.

Kitsmiller said forecasters are calling for a La Nina weather pattern to develop, which would bring a wetter winter and better snowpack.

In the short term, the area is going to get a bit of a break from the wet weather over the next few days.

We have a pretty dry forecast for near future, Kitsmiller said. Well have a ridge building for the next few days. The only day that it appears like there could be some moisture is Sunday. On either side of that, its a pretty dry forecast.
The most difficult decision Montana voters face this election season may very well be who to send to Washington, D.C., as the states sole U.S. representative.

Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke has certainly fought well for Montana a time or two; however, count us among those not entirely satisfied with his performance in Congress and deeply troubled by his continuing commitment to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Democrat Denise Juneau, on the other hand, promises to stand out from the crowd and draw a much-needed spotlight to Montana.

Juneau is a stand-out candidate running a high-profile campaign that has attracted national attention. She is a member of the Mandan Hidatsa tribes who grew up on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. As the first Native American woman elected to Congress, Juneau could bring long overdue attention to the often overlooked issues facing Montana women and tribes. She has already laid the foundation for ongoing support, both in Congress and at home in Montana.

Of course, in her first term Juneau would need to immediately begin expanding her focus and expertise beyond education. We would expect her to pick four or five issues near and dear to Montana, dive into the details surrounding them and make herself the go-to expert. That said, what she has already accomplished in the realm of education is a good indication of what she is capable of accomplishing in other areas.

Juneau holds a law degree from the University of Montana and a master's degree in education from Harvard University. She has twice been elected Montanas superintendent of public instruction, and her time in that statewide office has been marked by tremendous success in raising graduation rates, primarily because she identified Missoulas Graduation Matters initiative as a good example and encouraged local districts to adopt a similar program, with her office providing helpful tools and information.

At the same time, Juneau has fought against federal policies that dont fit Montanas educational needs, such as No Child Left Behind, while also advocating for expanded college and career readiness opportunities.

She has also demonstrated thoughtful decision-making on Montanas five-member Land Board, breaking from other Democrats on the board at times in order to ensure state lands remain protected in the future, while also giving the go-ahead for timber projects and additional public lands access.

Thats the kind of approach that just might get things done in Congress. If she uses her demonstrated skills to work across ideological divides, she might even be able to use her high profile to break through the gridlock.

In any case, Juneau would likely have a better working relationship than Zinke with Montanas two senators, Steve Daines and Jon Tester. Indeed, she maintains a strong connection with Tester, who would be a great mentor in D.C.

Juneau stands out because of who she is and what she has accomplished, which will undoubtedly draw others hoping to work with her. So long as she uses that attention to speak for Montana, she will make sure the issues affecting all of us are heard in ways they arent today.

If Montanans send Juneau to D.C., she needs to be all about Montana, not about herself. And if she needs a reminder of what not to do on that score, she need only look at her predecessor.

The plain truth is that Zinke has not been a particularly effective leader in the House, despite belonging to the majority party. He has not stood out from the crowd  except when trying to advance his own career. And in these attempts, he has seemed only too willing to leave Montana behind.

Less than a year into his first term as a freshman congressman, Zinke promoted himself as a viable candidate for Speaker of the House. More recently, he caused serious concerns about his judgment when he offered to serve as Trumps running mate, and continues to hope for a position in Trumps cabinet should he be elected president.

Perhaps that is why Zinke also continues to refuse to condemn Donald Trump for his verbal attacks on women, minorities, Gold Star families, Muslims and others too numerous to name. To be sure, we are in no way suggesting that Zinke endorse Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. We would, however, like to see him acknowledge that Trumps statements are unacceptable instead of merely shrugging them off. On this matter, he has not spoken well for Montana.

Montana is the fourth largest state in the nation but has the smallest possible representation in the House, with only one congressman to carry the voices of 1 million Montanans to a Congress packed with 435 members. By comparison, California has 53 House representatives.

Montanans need a strong voice in the U.S. House who is focused on serving her constituents. Lets see what Denise Juneau can do for Montana  for our economy, our public lands and our access to health care  as our U.S. representative.
The superintendent of public instruction election matters because spending on K-12 education accounts for most of Montanas state budget and for a significant portion of local property taxes. But more importantly, educating our children is a fundamental civic duty that we all share.

This years race pits Elsie Arntzen, a state legislator with 23 years of teaching experience, against Melissa Romano, who has taught for 12 years. The candidate more broadly experienced, fiscally responsible and attuned to the value of local control is Elsie Arntzen.

In a July 19 interview with a Missoulian reporter, Romano stated that [t]o people who say we cant just keep throwing money at [public education], I say of course we can. Perhaps she doesnt understand that spending tax dollars wisely matters more than simply how much is being spent. Or maybe she just finds it politically inconvenient to acknowledge the tax increases required to throw our money at her various policy proposals.

Arntzens opponent also asserted that our schools already have a lot of local control. But consider her unqualified support of Common Core, which was hastily adopted without formal input from school boards across the state. She apparently believes that local school boards are not competent to participate in crafting substantive policy. She is wrong. Such an attitude slights local elected officials and serves to erode public interest in public school governance.

In Helena, Elsie Arntzen had to deal with tough, real-world choices about how best to allocate scarce resources, which didnt win her friends within the entrenched education establishment. She is a proven leader. She respects state taxpayers. She understands that bottom-up solutions are generally the most effective and that re-empowering local school boards will strengthen communities by restoring to them meaningful control of their schools.

Vote Elsie Arntzen for state superintendent.

David F. Bedey,

Hamilton
I am a scientist at a high-tech photonics company in Bozeman and a former city councilor in Livingston. I will be voting for Gov. Steve Bullock because he represents strong moral values and is good for Montana businesses.

Bullock significantly reduced dark money in our local elections. This was particularly important in Livingston when outside dark money invaded our municipal elections and displayed a complete lack of ethics. They were ultimately defeated because our community came together and rejected their extremist behavior and vulgar lies, and because of Bullocks actions dark money is no longer a factor in Montanas elections.

Bullock is also good for Montana businesses. His economic development office helped our company develop a worldwide distribution network that imports over one million dollars of revenue annually from overseas directly into Montana.

I support Bullock because he is good for our economy, our businesses and our communities. Please join me in re-electing Governor Bullock on Nov. 8.

Adam Stern,

Livingston
Elsie Arntzen and Greg Gianforte both want to divert tax dollars to fund private schools, limit access to public lands and sell those lands off to the highest bidder. That is wrong for Montana.

Greg Gianforte dismisses Steve Bullock as a career politician. Governor Bullock is a career public servant who has worked to better the lives of all Montanans. He has funded public schools, kept public lands public, worked across party lines to expand Medicare to Montanans without health care, and works tirelessly each day for every single Montanan. Greg Gianforte likes to add that he is a Christian, but he endorses Donald Trump, who behaves in a most un-Christian way toward women, minorities, veterans and the disabled.

Melissa Romano is an award-winning educator who has a plan to continue moving Montana schools ahead. She wants to strengthen our public schools, and fund preschool education, which will mean that kindergartners begin school better prepared to learn. She will champion our schools by keeping public tax dollars funding public schools.

Elsies Arntzens legislative voting record on education in 2013 was a whopping 11 percent, and in 2015 it increased to just 24 percent. Arntzen has not only voted against Early Edge, she has voted at every opportunity to move public education tax dollars to private school vouchers. She has voted consistently to unravel, defund and destroy public education in Montana.

In order to keep moving Montana forward, we need to re-elect Gov. Steve Bullock and elect Melissa Romano as superintendent of public instruction.

Valerie McMurtry,

Billings
Greg Gianforte is a job creator, a true leader with a proven track record who genuinely cares about Montana.

I met Gianforte when I joined RightNow Technologies upon graduating from Montana State University-Bozeman in 2000. At that time, in-state jobs for technology majors were rare. Of the nine Montana engineering friends I attended classes with, I was the only one fortunate to find a job in Montana.

Staying in Montana at Gianforte's start-up company was a gamble. The company was relatively new, and previous attempts to start and grow a large tech company in Montana hadnt been successful. Some tech companies were downsizing. However, Gianfortes leadership, with Montana employees, set a new standard for what could be accomplished here.

Since then, many tech companies have started in Montana, often led by previous RightNow employees. Gianforte has traveled Montana urging students to consider technology careers. Oracle regularly hires interns from Montana State and converts them to full-time positions post-graduation. Montana is now attracting other big-name companies which have come to realize the benefits of our work ethic and education system, all due to Gianfortes leadership and focus on building a successful Montana company.

Ive been blessed to be able to stay in-state, working for a Bozeman company that has grown to over 500 Montana employees. Gianfortes interest in the community, evidenced by RightNows policy allowing employees to donate 40 hours annually to community service during paid work hours, is highly commendable.

Greg Gianfortes expertise is no gamble for Montana.

Duane Ray,

Bozeman
I am a Montana trial lawyer. We trial lawyers pay close attention to judicial elections, particularly Montana Supreme Court elections, but for many Montanans, our Supreme Court races tend to feature mystery candidates about whom voters know very little. This November, District Judge Dirk Sandefur and adjunct professor Kristen Juras, both of Great Falls, are running to fill the seat of retiring Justice Pat Cotter.

Juras is supported by vast amounts of money from out-of-state dark money entities, like the various Charles and David Koch entities, as well as by radical religious groups that oppose the teaching of evolution. Moreover, Juras is supported by individuals and groups that oppose Montanas citizens recreational access to Montanas rivers and streams.

The Montana Trial Lawyers political action committee is supporting the election of Sandefur to the Supreme Court because, as Sandefur has stated, I stand for the law, period. This support is not dark money, as Juras has alleged. Unlike out-of-state dark money from unspecified sources, we trial lawyers live and work here in Montana to protect the rights of Montana consumers and small businesses. Moreover, we are not hiding our identities or cloaking our activities behind shell organizations. All donors are identified and all spending is delineated in timely filed reports.

All of the retired Montana Supreme Court justices have endorsed Sandefur. These retired justices know what it takes to be a justice on the Supreme Court. Join them: Vote for Judge Dirk Sandefur for Supreme Court.

Tim Bechtold, president,

Montana Trial Lawyers Association,

Missoula
Im writing to urge voters to support the current ballot item for Cold Springs School. The vote is a site selection election, which is required by law. The money to purchase the new site was already approved in the bond election last year.

During the planning process, Missoula County Pubilc Schools considered a number of options for Cold Springs ranging from minor modifications to rebuilding the school. We settled on rebuilding the school, and the voters voted to fund this through the bond election. (Thank you!)

During planning, we considered rebuilding the school at the current location, but eventually decided to build the school on a new site in the Lower Miller Creek area. MCPS has negotiated a purchase agreement and just needs the publics OK on the new location. If the site selection election is successful, MCPS plans to have the new school open by August 2018. The existing school will then be available for use by Meadow Hill students while their school is being upgraded.

Community members are asking what will become of the existing Cold Springs property. I only speak for myself, not for the board or the district. The existing facility includes a gym that is quite new and in very nice condition. In my opinion, the gym and grounds could become a community-use property, possibly in cooperation with the city of Missoula. This would be similar to the current arrangements where MCPS leases the Westside Park and the PEAS Farm to the city for public use.

Again, please support the site selection election for the new Cold Springs School.

Diane Lorenzen,

MCPS Trustee,

Missoula
BILLINGS - A 13-year-old boy caught fire Tuesday night, and three neighbors who heard his screams helped put out the flames, according to the Billings Fire Department.

The boy was taken to St. Vincent Healthcare where police spoke with him and his family, said Billings Police Department Sgt. Jason Gartner. The boy had burns on the lower part of his body and was being prepared to be sent to the University of Utah Burn Center in Salt Lake City, Gartner said.

The firefighters responded to a call about a boy on fire at about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday.

When firefighters arrived at the 700 block of Anchor Avenue in the Heights, they found three men who had used their shirts to put out the flames, Billings Fire Department Captain Mike Martin said.

One of the men who helped the boy was 21-year-old Tanner Schilling, who lived across the street from the field where the boy was found. Nathan Pierce, 38, and Pierce's 16-year-old son, William Pierce, were at Schilling's house when they heard screams across the street.

"We covered him with our shirts," Nathan Pierce said. "His whole lower half was on fire. It looked like a stunt."

When the three men arrived, there was another boy in the field who seemed to be a friend of the boy who had caught fire, Nathan Pierce said. Once he saw the fire was out, he told the men he was going to get help and ran from the scene.

The flames had burned away the boy's pants, Schilling said, and his shoes looked melted.

"These men went above and beyond," Martin said.

Gartner said police are trying to identify the other boy who was at the scene to determine what happened. It is unclear how the fire started, but police believe gasoline was involved, Gartner said.

The field the boy was found in appeared to be somewhere kids had gathered in the past, Gartner said. Several bean bag chairs were found near where the boy caught fire.
BISMARCK, N.D.  President Barack Obama has called for "peace" and "restraint" on the disputed Dakota Access oil pipeline, and says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is examining whether the four-state project can be rerouted in southern North Dakota to alleviate the concerns of American Indians.

Obama told the online news outlet NowThis that his administration is monitoring the situation closely but will "let it play out for several more weeks."

"As a general rule, my view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans, and I think that right now the Army Corps is examining whether there are ways to reroute this pipeline," Obama said an interview Tuesday.

Corps spokeswoman Eileen Williamson said Wednesday the agency had no immediate comment on the president's remarks. She said a statement by the agency was expected later in the day.

The White House said the Corps was exploring a range of options that would address concerns raised by tribal officials and others. Separately, the Army, the Justice Department and the Interior Department are discussing with tribal governments how to prevent future disputes with the federal government over public works projects, according to the White House.

Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault welcomed Obama's statement but said the administration and the Corps should go farther and stop work on the pipeline and do a full environmental impact study.

The 1,172-mile, $3.8 billion pipeline will carry oil from North Dakota through South Dakota and Iowa to a shipping point at Patoka, Illinois. It will skirt the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation that straddles the North Dakota-South Dakota border.

The tribe objects to the project, saying it could threaten drinking water and destroy sacred sites. The tribe has sued federal regulators for approving permits at more than 200 water crossings.

Protests that have included clashes with police and pipeline security also have gone on for several months in North Dakota, where hundreds and at times thousands of people have set up a large camp on corps land. More than 400 protesters have been arrested since August. No serious injuries have been reported.

Obama called it "a challenging situation."

"There's an obligation for protesters to be peaceful, and there's an obligation for authorities to show restraint," he said. "I want to make sure that as everybody is exercising their constitutional rights to be heard, that both sides are refraining from situations that might result in people being hurt."

The Dakota Access pipeline's capacity is about half of North Dakota's current production at present. The state, the No. 2 oil producer behind Texas, this summer slipped below 1 million barrels daily for the first time in two years due to a slump in world oil prices.

About 350 miles pipeline would pass through North Dakota at a cost of about $1.4 billion, making it the longest leg of the project and its most expensive.

The pipeline's path in North Dakota would cross beneath the Little Missouri River once and the Missouri River twice, near Williston and at under Lake Oahe, a river reservoir, near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. The company said the pipeline would include safeguards such as leak detection equipment. Workers monitoring the pipeline remotely in Texas could close block valves on the pipeline within three minutes if a breach is detected, the company said.

The federal government in September ordered a temporary halt to construction on corps land around and underneath Lake Oahe, a Missouri River reservoir in the Dakotas. The corps is reviewing its permitting of the project, but has given no timetable for a decision.

The company still needs federal permission to build the pipeline for about a mile stretch on either side of the reservoir and under it.

The corps also asked that the pipeline company voluntarily stop construction within 20 miles of Lake Oahe, but the company has ignored the request and continued construction.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple said Tuesday that construction on private land was slated to be completed by this weekend, leaving only the small section near the reservoir and under it remaining.
An outbreak of pneumonia has killed at least 37 bighorn sheep on the National Bison Range north of Missoula.

The disease has appeared in several other wild bighorn herds throughout western Montana, often killing at least half or more of the populations in the Bonner, Rock Creek and southern Bitterroot Valley in recent years. While it is typically transferred from domestic to wild sheep species, the pneumonia strain appears to only be fatal to the wild animals.

We havent ever had a confirmed pneumonia die-off, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wildlife biologist Amy Lisk said on Tuesday. We had a report of several years of poor lamb recruitment [into adulthood], but that was 60 or 70 years ago. The types of tests we have now werent available then.

In addition to killing all ages of bighorn sheep, western Montana pneumonia outbreaks have also tended to suppress populations by either lowered pregnancy rates or poor lamb survival for several years. The disease does not appear to affect other species of wildlife and is not related to the pneumonia strains that humans catch.

Lisk said there are no known contacts with domestic sheep inside the Bison Range, which has extensive fencing around its 18,800-acre territory. However, Bison Range personnel are working with experts from Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and other institutions to develop a fuller picture of the outbreak.

Before the outbreak started killing bighorns this August, the range estimated it had about 175 wild sheep. November is the species breeding time. Male bighorns carry distinctive curled horns and may weigh more than 300 pounds. Females have shorter curved horns and average 125 to 150 pounds.

The Bison Ranges mountaintop-crossing Red Sleep Road closed to the public on Oct. 16. Visitors may still travel the lower Winter Drive, weather permitting. The range visitor center is open Monday through Thursdays in winter from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the road gates are open from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

While state FWP biologists killed many sick bighorns in previous outbreaks, that tactic was intended to prevent the spread of infection to other herds that were still disease-free. Lisk said because the Bison Range herd is essentially a single breeding population, theres no need or benefit to culling bighorns inside the range.

That isolation might have a silver lining, however. The National Bison Range bighorns have been extensively studied for at least 30 years, and detailed records exist of its breeding and behavior patterns.

All these animals are individually identifiable, Lisk said. Thats what makes it unique. There are so many things we dont know about this kind of pneumonia die-off. This may lead to learning more about this kind of disease.
HAMILTON  The three 18-year-old Hamilton men charged with starting this summers Roaring Lion Fire that burned 16 homes appeared in Ravalli County Justice Court Tuesday afternoon.

Steven Banks, Tyler Landon Johnson and Cody William Knez were released on their own recognizance following short hearings scheduled a half-hour apart.

The three men and a juvenile girl allegedly went camping four days before the Roaring Lion Fire erupted on July 31 southwest of Hamilton. In addition to homes, the fire burned 8,465 acres and 49 outbuildings. It cost about $11 million to suppress.

The four camped about a mile from the Roaring Lion Trailhead in an undeveloped site, according to an affidavit filed in the case. They allegedly dug a hole for a campfire in a previously unused spot and placed rocks around the hole to create a fire ring.

After the fire was burning, the girl allegedly took a photo of the campfire and posted the picture the next day on Instagram, with a caption reading: Camping is cooler when you do it with the people you love.

That photograph was used by investigators to tie the four to the cause of the fire.

According to the affidavit, each of the four claimed some effort to extinguish the campfire. That included claims that creek water, drinking water and dirt were put on the fire at various times. Johnson claimed that he felt the fire in the morning to see if the heat was gone.

Investigators were able to identify the fire ring as the specific origin of the Roaring Lion Fire. Fire indicators showed the fire initially crept through fine fuels like pine needles, duff and small twigs for several hours to days before passage of a cold front that caused the fire to explode.

The three were accompanied in court by members of their families.

Ravalli County Attorney Bill Fulbright asked for the men to be released on their own recognizance, with the stipulation that they steer clear of national forest lands.

Initially, Ravalli County Justice of the Peace James Bailey said that while Fulbrights request was unusual, under the circumstances he would consider it.

Knez was the first to appear. His appointed attorney, Ron Piper, asked Knez if he skied, went snowshoeing or sledding.

I might go sledding, Knez said.

Johnson later told Bailey that he liked to go fishing with his family on national forest lands.

Bailey agreed to allow Knez and Johnson access to the national forest, but said they could not carry any combustible materials like matches or lighters.

Banks said he had no need to go on national forest lands. Bailey allowed that condition to stand in his case.

The men will make their initial district court appearance on either Nov. 16 or 17.
EVARO  If she wasnt the first person to slide money into a gaming machine at the new Gray Wolf Peak Casino in the moments after it opened here Tuesday afternoon, Pat Doyle was close to it.

The Arlee woman put a $5 bill into a slot-like (but technically, an electronic bingo) penny machine, and fairly quickly won five free spins.

And after the fifth spin, the machine announced her winnings.

Ten cents, she said, laughing.

If the casino is to do what its owners  the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes  want, its 307 machines will have to be stingy more often than not.

The tribes are betting the $21.1 million casino can better capture millions of dollars in potential gaming revenue from nearby Missoula and Interstate 90 than the original  and considerably smaller  Gray Wolf Peak Casino did.

Gaming in state-controlled casinos in Montana is limited to $2 bets and $800 payouts. At CSKT properties on the Flathead Indian Reservation, bets can be as much as $10 and jackpots can climb to $500,000 and beyond.

Indeed, last year, CSKTs KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino in Polson paid out a $915,525 jackpot to one lucky winner.

Doyles penny machine was offering an $8,966 jackpot Tuesday, and she wasnt expecting to hit it.

Id probably have a heart attack, she decided.

***

The tribes opened the original Gray Wolf Peak Casino on U.S. Highway 93 10 years ago.

It had room for 112 machines, and closed for good at 10 p.m. Monday. Employees spent the next 16 hours transferring some of the equipment there to the new 34,000-square-foot facility next door.

Initial plans, announced two years ago, included a hotel, but S&K Gaming CEO Brian Miller said that had been pushed back into a potential phase II option.

Other speakers at Tuesdays grand opening made it sound like the hotel  which would now be placed on top of the new casino  is already a go. CSKT Chairman Vernon Finley said well be adding a hotel to the top and S&K Gaming chairman Allen Sloan said it would happen in the next 2  years.

Theres much more to come, Sloan said. Were just getting started.

Between 100 and 200 gamblers gathered to wait for the doors to open for the first time, even as workers continued to prepare more ground for parking lots and a crane waited to swing a large sign of a howling wolf into place.

I hope everyone has their $20 ready, Finley told the crowd.

Today is a good day, he added. Its been a long journey, but were really happy with the way it turned out.

Miller declined to compare it to the KwaTaqNuk, which added  and later moved and expanded  its casino after the resort was built.

This is a purposely built facility that was intended to be a casino, restaurant and lounge, with the possibility of a hotel, he said of Gray Wolf Peak. Its roomier (than the Polson casino) and has state-of-the-art equipment.

Construction itself ran $15.4 million, and other equipment brought the total price tag to $21.1 million, he said.

The casino will employ 105 to 120 people, up from the 35 who worked at the original casino. The old building is slated to be torn down soon.

Doyle, who said she normally only brings $20 to Evaro to gamble with and rarely wins more than $100 playing penny machines, called the new casino beautiful.

I think theres a lot of other things the tribes could use the money on, said Doyle, a CSKT member, but this will probably be a money-maker, so I guess its a good thing.
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This story was corrected at 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, to remove incorrect references to an area called the Beaver Chew.

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A public meeting to discuss a proposed land swap in Madison County between the state and a private company starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, in Twin Bridges High School.

The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is holding the meeting to solicit comment.

The state wants to exchange three separate parcels of state trust land in Madison County totaling 611 acres for 861 acres along the Big Hole River and adjacent to the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Proponents say the exchange will improve access to 1.2 million acres of Forest Service land.

The state land in Madison County includes an 80-acre parcel accessible only from the Jefferson River.

The private landholder in Madison County is SRI River Holdings, LLC, formerly known as the Hamilton Ranch. Headquartered in Massachusetts, SRI River Holdings is an investment firm. Its principals are brothers Benjamin, David and Hamilton "Tony" James. Listed by Forbes as being worth $1.45 billion, Tony James is also an angler, conservationist and Democratic activist who lives in New York City, according to previous new stories.

SRI would like to improve privacy near its ranch house.

The state says the purpose of the proposed exchange is to improve land management opportunities for both the private landowner and the DNRC; to enhance hunting safety zones near private ranch residences; to provide public access to inaccessible federal lands; and to provide a higher rate of return to state trusts.

The public will have until Nov. 15 to offer comment on the potential exchange. Public comment can be addressed to: Tim Egan, DNRC, 840 N. Montana St., Dillon, MT 59725 or tegan@mt.gov or 406-683-6305. If no new issues arise, the land board will likely take a final vote to decide the issue in mid-December.

Montanas Land Board, with constitutional authority over state land, gave the deal preliminary approval last December. Gov. Steve Bullock, Attorney General Tim Fox, and Secretary of State Linda McCulloch voted yes. Denise Juneau, superintendent of public instruction, and Monica Lindeen, state insurance commissioner, voted no.

More information on DNRC land exchange criteria and the Departments Land Exchange Policy is available at http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/trust/real-estate/land-exchanges
A top Environmental Protection Agency official will hear the communitys plan for the Parrot corridor Thursday.

The community group Restore Our Creek is holding a public meeting at 2 p.m. in the Butte Archives, 17 W. Quartz St. EPAs Region 8 administrator Shaun McGrath, who oversees six states, including Montana, is expected to attend.

The meeting will be a presentation on the plan for the 1-mile Parrot corridor from Texas Avenue to the confluence at George Street.

Now officially called Silver Bow Creek, the corridor contains acres of significant metals contamination, both underground behind the Civic Center and surface contamination along Casey Street. The state and EPA have long battled over the corridors fate.

Restore Our Creek hired New York City-based architect and urban design firm Interval Projects earlier this fall. Interval Projects ironed out a draft plan, with considerable input from Restore Our Creek members.

This is something weve been working toward for a long time. Weve got a vision for what we think Silver Bow Creek could look like. Its a plan Butte deserves, said Restore Our Creek spokesperson Northey Tretheway.

Restore Our Creek is a coalition community groups and leaders.
Some workers at Butte's REC Silicon plant are facing uncertainty as the company announced some 70 layoffs at its Moses Lake, Wash., facility early Wednesday.

An official at the company's headquarters in Norway blamed the loss of the Moses Lake jobs on a global trade war with China, resulting in tariffs China has placed on solar-grade polysilicon. Overall, the company reported third-quarter revenues of $50.9 million, compared to $71.1 million in the previous quarter.

The Butte plant manufactures electronic-grade polysilicon. The trade war and tariffs affect only solar-grade polysilicon in the Chinese market, said director of investor relations and global sourcing Chris Bowes in Norway.

That means workers at the Butte plant are not expected to be affected by the layoffs. But some at the company who perform "shared services,"  who oversee both the Butte and the Moses Lake plants  face uncertainty, Bowes said.

"The majority of this is focused on Moses Lake. There are some shared services we're looking at, but we haven't announced anything," Bowes said Wednesday.

Employees in Butte and Moses Lake affected by the layoff are being informed Wednesday, Bowes said. Whether Butte employees are affected won't be released to the public until Friday.

The Butte REC plant, about five miles southwest of town, employs an estimated 260 full-time workers. Its electronic-grade polysilicon is of a higher grade than polysilicon made for solar panels.

The company has reduced production capacity to approximately 50 percent at its Moses Lake facility, according to its third quarter revenues report. It currently employs more than 300 workers, company spokesperson Sharon Palmerton said from Washington state Wednesday

"We have been successful in maintaining sufficient liquidity during this period of market disruption. Because of our efforts to control costs, I expect REC Silicon to remain a low-cost leader in the polysilicon industry, even at reduced production rates," said CEO Tore Torvund.

The Moses Lake REC Silicon plant produces high-purity polysilicon, the main material in solar panels. The U.S. government placed an import tax on Chinese solar panels coming to the U.S. in 2012. The Chinese government retaliated by placing a 57 percent tax on solar-grade material coming from the U.S.

"That shuts us out of the Chinese market," Bowes said.

In addition, a separate tariff under discussion by the Chinese government makes rates for solar-grade polysilicon uncertain.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte expressed dismay over the news Wednesday.

"REC Silicon provides good jobs for Montana and the mining city. This is very troubling news for the good people of Butte, especially considering trade concerns with China. It also makes you wonder why the Governor and the Commerce Director didn't work harder to address these and other important issues during a recent trip to China. This is why we need an actual job creator, instead of a career politician in the governor's office," said Gianforte via email.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester responded to Gianforte's comment, saying he has attempted to solve the trade dispute.

"REC is an important economic driver in Butte Silver Bow, the jobs they create and the folks they employ boost our economy and create a stronger community. That's why I will continue to press the Chinese government to negotiate a common sense solution to resolve the trade dispute on solar goods," said Tester via email.

Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock's spokesperson Tim Crowe expressed support to Butte.

Governor Bullock appreciates REC Silicons investment in Butte and has quietly worked with the company to grow its operations and to support the companys ability to create more good-paying jobs for hardworking Montanans. As Governor, he safeguarded Montanas strong economy to buffer the REC plant in Butte from global market conditions, said Crowe.

The Butte-based plant makes polysilicon and silane gases for the electronics market. Silane gases are used in semiconductor, flat-screen display and thin-film technologies.
GUILTY PLEA IN KNIFE SLASHING

DEER LODGE  A Deer Lodge man pleaded guilty in district court Tuesday to felony assault with a weapon for slashing a man with his pocketknife in the lobby of the sheriffs department.

Anthony Ray Keys, 24, was initially charged with attempted deliberate homicide, but the charges were later reduced.

During the August 2016 incident, Powell County Sheriff Scott Howard stopped the attack by drawing his gun, ordering Keys to drop the weapon and arresting him. The incident happened about 3:30 p.m. in the lobby where Keys was waiting for a ride to Butte to catch a bus to Oregon.

John M. Dunne, 27, also of Deer Lodge, entered the sheriffs office on official business when, without provocation, Keys pulled a knife and slashed him on the arm and face, according to the police report. Thats when the sheriff intervened.

Howard said that prior to the incident Keys had voluntarily gone to the hospital and was medically cleared, and the Mental Health Crisis Response also determined he did not fit the criteria for them to see him.

After the incident, the sheriff called the response team who came to see Keys, but determined he does not have a mental illness.

Dunnes injuries did not require medical treatment, Howard said.

Dayton ordered a pre-sentence investigation and Keys remains in custody on $100,000 bond.

GUARDS ASSAULT BRINGS PLEA

A former Montana State Prison correctional officer pleaded nolo contendere in Deer Lodge district court Tuesday to misdemeanor assault of a prisoner.

Richard Allen Lynn received a six-month deferred sentence with conditions and must pay $75 in court fees.

Lynn is accused of assaulting and injuring inmate Nickerson on June 2 by slamming and kicking a food slot door on the prisoners arm.

After releasing it Lynn stepped back and Nickerson threw a cup of urine and feces at Lynn through the slot. Lynn allegedly kicked the food slot again, slamming it on Nickersons arm, then walked away to avoid further onslaught of bodily fluid. Nickerson did not need of medical treatment, but had superficial wounds to his wrist and shoulder. An assault case against Nickerson is pending.

Judge Ray Dayton said, I take a dim view of inmate assault on an officer and an equally dim view of officer assault of an inmate. There is no justification for a correctional officer to lose his temper; it only makes the situation more dangerous for other officers and yourself. Some inmates are going to do everything possible to try and cause a problem. It requires a particular kind of individual to tolerate the rigors of being a correctional officer. I understand you are upset, and Im tempted to throw you in jail for six months (the maximum sentence for the charge); but I will abide by the plea agreement.

Lynn previously resigned as a correctional officer.

A nolo contendere plea means the defendant neither admitted nor denied the charge, but in the eyes of the court is the same as a guilty plea.
Who will be the 31st county superintendent of schools for Butte-Silver Bow?

Incumbent Cathy Maloney has served two four-year terms, and is being challenged by Linda Sorini Granger. Both have longtime careers as educators.

The superintendent oversees county administration that concerns Butte, Ramsay, Divide and Melrose districts. It pays $72,315 a year.

Following is a question-and-answer interview:

Why should citizens vote for you?

Maloney: It has been my pleasure to serve in this position for two very productive terms in office. Ive worked diligently to do a respectable job for those that elected me. My community involvement and collaborative efforts show through my continuous efforts, forward thinking and dedication to education for the students of the city and county.

Granger: I want the voters/readers to know that I am highly qualified for this position and will give 110 percent if I am fortunate enough to be elected. I do not consider this elected office to be a retirement position  at least two of the previous county superintendents were longtime educators prior to being elected. I know many people who have had more than one successful career in their lifetime. I will work hard to make the residents of this county proud of this position.

What does the superintendent do to earn her keep?

Granger: First and foremost, I did not go into the field of education with the thought of becoming a wealthy person. I chose a career in education because I was fortunate enough to have teachers in high school who inspired me and who I looked up to, and I wanted to be just like them. As the county superintendent of schools, I will work as diligently as I have for the last 32 years and hope that this satisfies the taxpayers of this can do county.

Maloney: The office assists school boards, educators, students, parents and taxpayers in general to understand and implement federal, state and local laws applicable to education. The county superintendent is a liaison between the state and local government(s). The office oversees the budget preparation process for schools, and meeting of the Office of Public Instruction deadlines for schools as well as the Council of Commissioners in order to include yearly mill values on the tax notices.

Job duties also include financial reporting, census, boundaries, attendance, enrollment, transportation contracts, trustee elections, budgets, audits, home school notifications; registers educator licenses, bus routes, driver certificates and bus inspections; and acts as a hearing officer in trustee disputes.

What are your education credentials?

Maloney: Current County Superintendent of Schools. Masters degree in education leadership, 2012, Rocky Mountain College; Bachelor of Science in elementary education, 2004, Western Montana College; Associate of Science, Montana Tech, 2002. Taught at Divide School, at a Dewey charter school, as a long-term sub at East Middle School and as Title I teacher at Kennedy Elementary.

Granger: Department head, Highlands College business and account technology. Bachelors from Western. Tenured business and accounting instructor. Total 32 years of post-secondary teaching. Butte school district board trustee, six years.

On which boards do you serve?

Granger: Highlands curriculum review, financial aid and external advisory boards. Chamber board, second term. All of this committee work has a positive impact on the job, most of which are directly related to education and current trends in this area.

Maloney: Butte Literacy Program, Head Start, 4Cs Butte Community Council, Suicide Prevention Committee, Teens Advocating a Safe Community board, Graduation Matters, Local Emergency Planning, Montana Association of County School Superintendents, School Administrators of Montana, Great Divide Education Services Cooperative, Four Rivers Montana Assoc. of School Superintendents, Montana Small School Alliance, Community Transportation.

A professional highlight?

Maloney: Convinced Butte trustees to hear a Community Health Clinic physician proposal to open a free, public clinic for students. This would be a great service for students and the parents of these students." Trustees are considering it.

Granger: Two-time awardee, Montana Tech Rose and Anna Busch Faculty Achievement Award. The nominations come from the students and peers. This success can certainly help to be an effective county superintendent, as I feel that I am respected by my students and my colleagues and can continue in this direction in this elected position.

Last word?

Granger, who has work experience in banking and real estate: As a mother and former trustee in our school district, I am very aware of all aspects of education at all levels and want only the best for ALL students  those served in the public, private, or home-schooled areas.

Maloney, who keeps up on current education trends: We need more communication and collaboration to help establish a strong foundation for our children.
Wednesday, Nov. 2

MASS FOR MILITARY

A service honoring military personnel starts at noon at the St. James Episcopal Church, 203 E. Glendale, Dillon. Details: 406-683-2735.

TECH PRESENTATION

Montana Tech Restoration Seminar will host Bradford Watson from Montana State University presenting on Reclaiming Recreation. The talk will take place on at 4 p.m. at Montana Tech in the Chemistry/Biology Building Room 102. All are welcome to attend.

FLU CLINIC

The Butte-Silver Bow Health Department will hold walk-in flu vaccine clinics from 2 to 4 p.m. through Friday, Nov. 4, at the health department, 25 W. Front St. Questions: 406-497-5020.

PRAYER GROUP

The Living Word Prayer Group will lead the Patriotic Rosary Wednesday, Nov. 2, before the General Election on Nov. 8. Details: 406-593-1218

CLUBS AND MEETINGS

BUTTE

-- Xi Iota Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 2, in the home of Diane Chuprinski.

Bingo will be played at 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, Montana and Galena. Players are urged to come early to get a good seat.

Butte-Silver Bow Tourism Business Improvement District has scheduled a board meeting at 4 p.m. at the Butte Chamber of Commerce, 1000 George St. Details: Maria Pochervina at 406-723-3177 or email mariap@buttecvb.com

Butte Sunrise Kiwanis Club meets at 7 a.m. at Perkins Restaurant. Guest speaker will Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester.

Butte High Class of 1961 will have lunch at 11:30 a.m. at Cristinas Cocina.

Butte Kiwanis meets at Perkins at noon. Guest speaker Emmy Doucette, director of the 2016 Children's Sunshine Camp, will present pictures and talk about this year's camp.

Butte Community Celebrations regular meeting is 4 p.m. in the Carpenters Union Hall. Question: call Linda Redfern 406-565-7689.

Al-Anon meetings: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Gold Hill Lutheran Church; 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sharing and Caring, 1500 Cobban.

Overeaters Anonymous meets at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday at the Gold Hill Lutheran Church, 934 Placer St. Details: 406-533-5454.
State land is public land, once sold, public state land access is gone forever. Don't sell it.

Attorney Jim Goetz was hired to sue DNRC for access on public state land, and maybe hinder the selling of all 5.2 million acres. We won access, but selling of public state land is in the air again.

Republican Gov. Mark Racicot believed retaining public state land was more profitable.

However, the Montana Republican Party has never supported public lands or stream access. The Legislature authorized trading of isolated sections to consolidate state public land after the land had been appraised for full value. That would include wildlife habitat, especially big game, grouse, pheasants. Even a beautiful view must be considered a high value parcel. Appraising all public state land at low grazing prices, then or today is mostly fraud to the trust.

Gov. Bullock promises only truly isolated land sections will be considered and a Montana Fish and Game biologist will now vouch for the habitat value. Someone we can trust. I will vote for Steve Bullock. I can't vote for any politician who supports Donald Trump.

Access Across Section Corners  There is no law in Montana that prohibits crossing section corners.

Courts consistently find that entry into airspace above private property is, a trespass only, if the intrusion is significant. Stepping over a section corner or stretching my arm over a fence is so similar and takes but a few seconds. Landowners don't own the air and proving air damage would be difficult indeed! Does an extended arm warrant the same attention?

A man stepped across federal section corners in Wyoming is not guilty. Docket Ct2003-717S, LEO Sheep is a federal decision in Wyoming; about a road bed, but not on a section corner!

State and Federal agencies often reinterpret the law to suit their particular interest. You must see and read it yourself. Put your Congressman to work for you  consolidate, don't sell.

This is stuff I read about or experienced. I'm pleased so many others picked up where we left off. Don't give up. It's amazing what a small group of sportsmen can achieve, if they try often.

 Jack Atcheson Sr., Butte
While workers with associate's or bachelor's degrees do earn more on average, there are some relatively high-paying careers out there for peop
Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for Argent Securities Inc., Asset-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-W1

Plaintiff,

vs.

James Roswell Nott; Linda S. Nott a/k/a Linda Sue Nott; Parties in Possession; James Ralph Nott; Time Investment Company, Inc.; State of Iowa - Child Support Recovery Unit; State of Iowa - Child Support Recovery Unit; Jody Kay Nott; Unknown spouse (if any) of James Roswell Nott; Unknown spouse (if any) of James Ralph Nott; Unknown spouse (if any) of Linda S. Nott; IDT Carmel, Inc.; Credit Acceptance Corporation, et al.

Defendants.

You are notified that a petition has been filed in the office of this court naming you as a defendant in this action. The petition was filed on September 14, 2016, and prays for foreclosure of Plaintiffs mortgage in favor of the Plaintiff on the property described in this notice and judgment for the unpaid principal amount of $67,617.04, with 5% per annum interest thereon from November 1, 2015, together with late charges, advances and the costs of the action including (but not limited to) title costs and reasonable attorney's fees, as well as a request that said sums be declared a lien upon the following described premises from June 24, 2005, located in Muscatine county, Iowa:

The Southerly 70 feet of Lots 6, 7, and 8, in Block 34, of South Muscatine, an addition to the City of Muscatine, in Muscatine County, Iowa, except the Westerly 4 feet of said Lot 8; situated in Muscatine County, Iowa

also known as:

The South Half of Lots 6 and 7 and the East 56 feet South half of Lot 8 Block 34, of South Muscatine, an Addition to the City of Muscatine, in Muscatine County, Iowa, commonly known as 316 Bleeker Street, Muscatine, IA 52761 (the "Property")

The petition further prays that the mortgage on the above described real estate be foreclosed, that a special execution issue for the sale of as much of the mortgaged premises as is necessary to satisfy the judgment and for other relief as the Court deems just and equitable. For further details, please review the petition on file in the clerk's office. The Plaintiffs attorney is Emily Bartekoske, of SouthLaw, P.C.; whose address is 1401 50th Street, Suite 100, West Des Moines, IA 50266.

NOTICE

THE PLAINTIFF HAS ELECTED FORECLOSURE WITHOUT REDEMPTION. THIS MEANS THAT THE SALE OF THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY WILL OCCUR PROMPTLY AFTER ENTRY OF JUDGMENT UNLESS YOU FILE WITH THE COURT A WRITTEN DEMAND TO DELAY THE SALE. IF YOU FILE A WRITTEN DEMAND, THE SALE WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL TWELVE MONTHS (OR SIX MONTHS IF THE PETITION INCLUDES A WAIVER OF DEFICIENCY JUDGMENT) FROM THE ENTRY OF JUDGMENT IF THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY IS YOUR RESIDENCE AND IS A ONE-FAMILY OR TWO-FAMILY DWELLING OR UNTIL TWO MONTHS FROM ENTRY OF JUDGMENT IF THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY IS NOT YOUR RESIDENCE OR IS YOUR RESIDENCE BUT NOT A ONE-FAMILY OR TWO-FAMILY DWELLING. YOU WILL HAVE NO RIGHT OF REDEMPTION AFTER THE SALE. THE PURCHASER AT THE SALE WILL BE ENTITLED TO IMMEDIATE POSSESSION OF THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY. YOU MAY PURCHASE AT THE SALE.

You must serve a motion or answer on or before 7th day of December, 2016, and within a reasonable time thereafter file your motion or answer with the Clerk of Court for Muscatine County, at the county courthouse in Muscatine, Iowa. If you do not, judgment by default may be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

If you require the assistance of auxiliary aids or services to participate in a court action because of a disability, immediately call your District ADA Coordinator at 563-326-8783. If you are hearing impaired, call Relay Iowa TTY at 1-800-735-2942.

This case has been filed in a county that utilizes electronic filing. You may find more information and general rules governing electronic filing in Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16. You may find information concerning protection of personal information in court filings in Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16, Division VI.

By:Jeff Tollenaer

CLERK OF THE ABOVE COURT

Muscatine County Courthouse

401 East 3rd Street,

Muscatine, IA 52761

IMPORTANT:

YOU ARE ADVISED TO SEEK LEGAL ADVICE AT ONCE TO PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  On Tuesday, Muscatine residents had the opportunity to take their leftover Halloween candy to Gentle Family Dentists for a buy back, not only to receive money and prizes, but also to send candy to U.S. troops overseas.

Nathan Yoder, the clinic administrator, said Gently Family Dentists has been doing the buy back for 27 years, hoping to help children and families have a healthy Halloween.

"Usually they can get quite a bit of candy and its just not healthy, so we want to help give them a healthy snack of popcorn and some prizes and have the money instead to buy something more fun rather than the whole family eating the candy for weeks and weeks," Yoder said.

Yoder said the dentist offices, which are located both in Muscatine and West Liberty, have been donating the candy to different groups to send overseas for the past couple of years.

"Adults usually do a little bit better job of brushing, and the troops generally love to get mail and different things and a treat...and around this time of year its nice to send things to them," he said.

Because eating sugar contributes to cavities, Yoder said not eating all of the Halloween candy children collect can help teeth health.

"Were just trying to contribute to the overall health of the kids, and not have that 5 pound buckets lying around the house," he laughed.

Halloween candy can be taken to the West Liberty location from 3-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, at 1205 N. Columbus St., Highway 6. Gentle Family Dentists will take photos with the children who bring in their candy, and will give the family $1 for every pound of candy.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  A poem from the Muscatine County Arts Council's Wandering Words project is now visible in a Muscatine sidewalk.

In April, the Muscatine County Arts Council held a poetry contest, and Iowa Poet Laureate Mary Swander judged the works of around 40 applicants to select five winning poets. Their poems were embossed into stamps that were to be placed into wet concrete as Public Works replaces or repairs sidewalks.

After testing, Jim Edgmond, city engineer, said the city plans to continue placing poetry on Muscatine sidewalks, but will most likely use a different method for ease as well as to allow Public Works to place the poems without needing to wait for the wet cement of new sidewalks.

Dave Ales, a board member with the arts council, said he had seen the project in a city in Minnesota, and brought the idea back with him to Muscatine.

"It seemed like a good fit for the arts council to take on as a project," Ales said.

Ales said the council has worked with other art forms often before, but this project was a new medium for them to work with.

"We've offered things for the painters before and musicians, so this was something for the poets," he said.

The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine funded the contest through a grant, and Ales said he hopes the contest will continue.

"It's something that can be built on every year, we hope to continue this and have another poetry contest next year," he said.

The winning poems are on display at Musser Public Library, Ales said, so Muscatine residents can view them there as well as, eventually, on the sidewalk.

The first sidewalk poem from the Wandering Words poetry contest, "We are Living Stories," by Brenda Hughes, is stamped into fresh concrete near the corner of Harrison Street and Lincoln Boulevard.

Ed Chamberlin, the president of the Muscatine County Arts Council, said he hopes the project will raise awareness about the wide variety of projects the council works on around the county.

"We want people to know some of the things we do aren't just necessarily music," he said.

From painting to music and poetry, the arts council works around Muscatine County, and Chamberlin said the council is always open to new ideas to continue to expand its projects.

"We're really open to suggestions and input, that's how you get new ideas," he said.

The Muscatine County Arts Council meets at 7 p.m. in the Walnut Room at First National Bank, 300 E. Second St., the second Monday of every month. For more information, visit www.muscatineartscouncil.org.
ATALISSA, Iowa  Graveside services to celebrate the life of Michael W. Zuber, 66, a resident of Atalissa, will be 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, 2016 at Davenport Memorial Park. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, 614 Main St., Davenport assisted his family with arrangements. Mike passed away Tuesday, Oct. 25, at University Hospitals, Iowa City with family and friends by his side.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Michael Wayne Zuber was born Aug. 27, 1950, in Davenport, the son of Thomas W. and Beverly (Houseal) Zuber. Mike attended the University of Iowa, enjoyed playing his guitar, he was a skilled woodworker and an avid Cubs fan. He worked with his father as a carpenter and at Zuber Lumber, Blue Grass.

He is survived by his mother, Beverly Lobdell; siblings, the Rev. Kevin (Diane) Zuber, the Rev. Dennis (Sue) Zuber, Bethanee (Kirk) Lunday; step-mother, Mary (Elvidge) Norris Zuber; step-siblings, John (Linda) Norris and Bill (Donna) Norris; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many great friends.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting Mikes obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
EDITOR, Muscatine Journal:

Have you seen the attack mail being sent by Chris Brase against Mark Lofgren? He actually calls him names like you would hear on a school playground. Worse yet he uses veterans issues to attack Mark Lofgren. I know these are clear acts of desperation, and I know Mark personally (as opposed to volunteers) has knocked on thousands of doors, but Chris Brases antics are a new low for Muscatine.

Brase chastises Mark for voting NO to an appropriation for the Iowa Veterans Home. But get this: Brase voted NO for the same appropriation and still criticizes Mark for doing the same thing. This is politics at its very worst, let alone hypocrisy in the fullest sense of the word.

As the first Vice Chair of the Veterans Committee in the Iowa House, Ive seen Marks commitment to vets. I can assure you, Mark Lofgren represents politics at its very best.

Jeff Kaufmann

Wilton IA
Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi []
Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes []
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) says the SABC has not provided it with any proof that it has complied with its ruling to unban the airing of violent protests.

Icasa ruled in July that the public broadcaster was in contravention of the Broadcasting Act when it implemented an editorial policy to ban the airing of violent protests in May.

This after the High Court in Pretoria indicted the SABC on the same day from following through with its protest policy, following an application by the Helen Suzman Foundation.

Icasa acting chairperson Rubben Mohlaloga revealed in Parliament on Tuesday that the broadcasters board has not furnished any proof that it has complied with the ruling after its initial commitment to abide by it.

The body had written many times to the SABC on the matter, and will now take appropriate enforcement action, including going to court, he told MPs of Parliaments portfolio committee on communications.

MPs wanted to know why Icasa would go through the courts when the Icasa Act allows it to impose penalties on the broadcaster up to as much as a R1m fine.

ANC MP Mondli Gungubele said if Icasas relationship with the SABC was challenging, it should convey it to the committee.

DA MP Phumzile van Damme said Icasa must provide Parliament with timelines of what it plans to do next.

Icasa CEO Pakamile Pongwana told the committee that the body is capable of monitoring the SABCs broadcasts, but that what was required here was substantial proof, and not just a written statement from the board.

It is therefore launching an investigation into the protest policy.

The committee meanwhile is in the process of finalising an inquiry into the SABC board before November 24 over the reappointment of former COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng in an executive position, and other management issues plaguing the broadcaster.

News24

Now read: The SABC has not applied to cancel prime time news
The BlackBerry DTEK50 has launched in South Africa and is available through MTN for R6,899, or from R299 per month on contract.

Vodacom will also carry the device from this month. The networks pricing is yet to be announced.

New contract deals for Vodacom subscribers are expected to be launched on 7 November.

Cell C and Telkom have not yet confirmed whether they will offer the DTEK50.

BlackBerry said the DTEK50 will only be sold through its carrier partners initially, but it is looking at opening it up to more sales channels.

On MTN, the DTEK50 will be priced as follows:

Cash price: R6,899

My MTNChoice 50: R299 per month

per month MTN AnyTime TopUp 100: R299 per month

per month My MTNChoice Flexi R200: R349 per month

Most secure Android phone in the world

Named after BlackBerrys DTEK security system that the company incorporated into its first Android phone, the PRIV, BlackBerry bills the DTEK50 as the worlds most secure Android smartphone.

BlackBerry says the hardware root of trust, a better secure bootloader, and its DTEK app offers its smartphone the best security of any Android smartphone on the market.

The specifications of the BlackBerry DTEK50 are summarised in the table below.
BlackBerry has not left the smartphone business and BlackBerry-branded handsets will not disappear from the market.

Thats according to BlackBerrys regional product manager in South Africa, Martin Fick.

When BlackBerry announced it would stop making its own phones earlier this year, CEO John Chen said it would outsource manufacturing to partners.

However, there is still a misconception that BlackBerry is leaving the smartphone business entirely.

Fick said BlackBerry will partner with third-parties to make BlackBerry-branded handsets, while BlackBerry will focus on its strengths: software and security solutions.

Although Fick could not answer questions about how BlackBerry will manage the roll-out of security patches with its hardware partners, he said they have experience in dealing with hardware and carrier partners.

BlackBerry partnered with TCL Corporation to build the BlackBerry DTEK50, for example.

Its in our best interest to make sure we select the right partner for the relevant markets, said Fick.
South Africas Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) has welcomed the governments National ICT Policy White Paper as broadly positive.

It said the focus must now shift to how the proposals in the White Paper will be implemented.

In general, the White Paper is broadly positive and forward-looking and it reflects a much better understanding of contemporary electronic communications and related markets, said ISPA regulatory advisor Dominic Cull.

The policy revision is long overdue and many issues have been held back by the delays in finalising it. While we understand that some of the proposed interventions will not be universally welcomed, we now need to get a move on, said Cull.

ISPA and its 178 Internet Service Provider members are worried, however, about implementation and creating practice out of policy.

ISPA is concerned that the White Paper does not convincingly outline how the capacity and expertise shortcomings of the regulator, or policy maker, will be addressed.

Our fundamental reservation is that the White Paper still does not address the inability of the current institutional structures to implement its provisions, said Cull.

ISPA agrees with comments by the Acting Director General of the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services that there is a need for the status quo in the telecommunications industry to be upended, but this will not happen unless the status quo at the policymaker and regulator are also upended.

Historical failure to implement policy is reflected in the fact that most of the proposals in the White Paper are not new.

The mobile operators, including Telkom, have warned against the policy paper  particulalry its call for the networks to give back their spectrum.
Market research company Ask Afrika has revealed the winners of its Orange Index for 2016/17  which benchmarks service levels in South Africa across 32 industries.

The Ask Afrika Orange Index, first released in 2001, gathers views through 15,000 interviews across 33 industries and 228 companies, which are independently audited.

The aim is to create a snapshot for South African companies, establish and maintain best of breed practices, and ultimately boost the country as a service destination.

And according to Ask Afrika, consumers dont differentiate much between service interactions  be it a brand, a public office or other layers of society.

Customers dont make industry specific differentiations, said Sarina de Beer, MD at Ask Afrika.

They compare best-in-class regardless of industry. Thats why we started this ranking, so it doesnt just reflect service levels within a particular industry, but actually compares across sectors.

South Africans are very open to change. Its a good thing, because it plays a part of being the rainbow nation and having gone through significant changes over the past years.

But that change also implies  and you can see it with the latest elections  from a brand perspective we are equally open to change. If I am not getting what I want from a brand, I am more than happy to look around for something better, said de Beer.

According to De Beer, the quest for loyalty and client commitment is becoming increasingly more complicated, so there are more dimensions that entrench service excellence, such as reputation, trust and corporate social responsibility.

Consumers have opened this up  they are expecting far more from businesses, but under the umbrella of service.

Ask Afrika generates brand reports and workshops to offer guidance around the specifics of the Ask Afrika Orange Index, categorized over 10 different benchmarks.

Top 10 companies for customer service

# Industry Company 1 Automotive Companies Volkswagen 2 Food Retail Stores Woolworths Food 3 Automotive Companies Audi 4 Fast Food Outlets Romans Pizza 5 Food Retail Stores Pick n Pay 6 Private Hospitals Netcare 7 Short-term Insurance Companies OUTsurance 8 Automotive Companies Hyundai 9 Long-term Insurance Companies Momentum 10 Automotive Companies BMW 10 Private Hospitals Mediclinic

Top companies by industry

# Industry First Second Third 1 Automotive Companies Volkswagen Audi Hyundai 2 Food Retail Stores Woolworths Food Pick n Pay Checkers 3 Private Hospitals Netcare Mediclinic Life 4 Petrol Stations Caltex Engen Sasol 5 Fast Food Outlets Romans Pizza Debonairs Pizza KFC

Wimpy 6 Clothing Retail Markhams Truworths Miladys 7 Long-term Insurance Companies Momentum Sanlam Old Mutual 8 Casinos Boardwalk Gold Reef City Monte Casino 9 Banking Capitec Absa Nedbank 10 Home and Decor @Home Mr Price Home Sheet Street 11 Short-term Insurance Companies OUTsurance Miway Absa ST Insurance 12 Medical Aid Companies Discovery BestMed Bonitas 13 Telecommunications Vodacom Cell C Telkom Mobile 14 Furniture Shops Morkels Furniture City Russels 15 Internet Service Providers Cell C Internet Vodacom Internet Mweb 16 Vehicle Consumables Tiger Wheel & Tyre Supaquick Hi-Q 17 Entertainment eTV Dstv (Multichoice) SABC 18 Car Tracker Tracker Altech Netstar Matrix 19 Sport Retail Sportscene Total Sports Mr Price Sport 20 Electronics and White Goods HiFi Corp Incredible Connection Dion Wired 21 Building Retail Builders Warehouse Build It Builders Express 22 Hotels Protea Hotels Southern Sun City Lodge 23 Airlines British Airways Mango SAA

Republished with permission from BusinessTech
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PORTLAND, Maine  A handful of recreational marijuana legalization drives has the medical pot industry bracing for something it never expected to deal with: competition.

Legalization is on the ballot in five states this November, and all five currently allow some form of medical marijuana already.

Growers, medical professionals and users of medical marijuana say they worry that people who want medical marijuana will buy it on the open market instead of going through the hassle of getting a doctor's recommendation.

"This is being structured for big corporations to come in and in a very short period of time wipe out the caregivers," said Lori Libbey, a board director of a Maine group campaigning against legalization and a nurse who administers cannabis. "I wonder who is going to be able to provide for pediatric patients."

But in Maine and the other states considering legalization, others in the marijuana business are very much looking forward to the possibility of legalization. And some proponents believe medical marijuana professionals just don't want to lose their monopoly.

Recreational legalization measures are also on ballots in Arizona, California, Massachusetts and Nevada. Concerns from medical marijuana professionals have also cropped up in those states, and they have echoed similar struggles in states that have already legalized recreational marijuana, such as Oregon and Colorado.

Competition in the marijuana market has become part of the landscape in Colorado, which saw nearly $1 billion in sales of medical and recreational marijuana last year. The state went legal in 2012.

Paul Armentano, spokesman for the leading marijuana legalization group NORML, said some medical users and advocacy groups worry about potential corporatization of marijuana as the market expands. Tension between medical and recreational marijuana supporters, he said, has already become an issue in California.

NORML is sensitive to the concerns of medical marijuana users, Armentano said, but also understands some of the consternation is about angst over free-market competition.

"There is a concern among individuals who largely have the marijuana market solely to themselves that the advent of broader legalization will introduce competition into the existing market and that competition will pose a threat to their existing business model," he said.

Some advocates of medical marijuana feel state regulations are the key to making sure medical marijuana survives in the age of legal pot.

In Massachusetts, the language has alarmed some critics who fear passage of the ballot question could compromise or perhaps even overrun the state's medical marijuana program, which has already been slowed by regulatory delays since Massachusetts voters authorized it in 2012.

Nichole Snow, executive director of the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance, said her group, which supports medical marijuana recipients, is neutral on the ballot question and uncertain of its potential impact.

"I hope there is still patient focus (if) this initiative passes," Snow said.

Americans for Safe Access, an organization that advocates for legal access to medical cannabis, said recreational marijuana programs should be kept separate from medical marijuana.

The group sees potential "competing interests" between the two if they are comingled, said Beth Collins, a leader of the organization. The group also sees potential harm from the possibility corporatization of marijuana, Collins said.

"On the negative side, big business may try to impose regulations to keep other players out, which could lead to fewer products," she said. "The best medical cannabis programs allow for both large and small businesses along with access via patient or caregiver cultivation."

Some ardent proponents of medical marijuana are on board with broad legalization.

Carey Clark, a member of the board of directors for the American Cannabis Nurses Association, said recreational legalization will allow people who use marijuana as medicine to have easier access to it.

"When it's legal we're going to see an increase in quality and a decrease in cost, and that is really good for people who need access to this medicine," Clark said. "Things will be labeled and they'll know what they're getting."
SAN FRANCISCO 

San Francisco on Tuesday joined a growing nationwide call to abolish cash bail for poor defendants when it announced the city was dropping its opposition to a federal lawsuit.

City Attorney Dennis Herrera said a cash bail requirement is unconstitutional because it "creates a two-tiered system: one for those with money and another for those without."

The lawsuit was filed by two defendants who argued that requiring suspects to post cash bail to remain free pending trial unconstitutionally treats poor and wealthy defendants differently.

The centuries-old cash-bail system has become one of the flashpoints in the debate over equal justice with the U.S. Department of Justice siding with reformers.

The lawsuit challenging California's bail system in San Francisco is one of 11 filed in eight states by the nonprofit Equal Justice Under Law since January 2015. The Washington D.C.-based legal aid group seeks to abolish cash bail requirements across the country, arguing that many poor defendants languish in jail for minor offenses while wealthy suspects accused of serious crimes can often post bail while awaiting trial.

So far, cities in Alabama, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi and Louisiana have scuttled cash bail because of the lawsuits, the center said. Lawmakers have also started to call for bail reforms.

On Oct. 11, Maryland's attorney general told lawmakers that the state's bail requirements are likely unconstitutional, prompting the district court's chief judge to issue "cautionary advice" to his colleagues to impose the "least onerous" bail conditions on defendants as possible.

This summer, the DOJ filed a brief with the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals arguing that cash bail requirements "unlawfully discriminate" against poor defendants by using preset bail amounts that don't take into account the accused person's ability to pay. The 11th Circuit is considering the constitutionality of the bail system in Calhoun, Georgia.

The action taken Tuesday in San Francisco won't end the lawsuit or change the bail system because the San Francisco city attorney said the city is required to adopt the state's bail system and it's up to lawmakers or the courts to order reforms.

He said the lawsuit could still be defended by state Attorney General Kamala Harris or a trade organization representing bail bond companies.

The California Bail Agents Association is scheduled to file court papers later Tuesday urging the court to allow it to take over defending the case.

Kristin Ford, a spokesman for the California attorney general, said the case is under review.
American Canyon city employees showed up Tuesday night to express their frustrations to the City Council over not having a new labor contract.

Teamsters Local 315 has been negotiating since the beginning of the year with City Manager Dana Shigley and the citys labor counsel to forge a new contract. The previous contract, approved in 2013, expired July 1.

With no deal in hand, dozens of rank-and-file workers as well as union-represented managers from public works, parks and recreation, administrative services and other units spoke at length Tuesday evening during the councils open comment period.

They did not cite their demands, though some referenced cost-of-living adjustments and vacation accrual issues.

The employees were joined by local residents with union ties who dont work for the city.

Take a look at these employees who have come here on their own time to show their displeasure, said Chris Eagle, a community leader who has been recognized for her volunteer work, referring to the large gathering in the council audience.

Theyre the ones who have given until it hurts, said Eagle of previous concessions made by workers during and after the Great Recession.

Other residents criticized Shigley, saying she was the source of the problem, while also belittling the City Council.

Youre basically puppets of the city manager, said Lisa Lindsey, whose husband, Doug, is challenging Mayor Leon Garcia in the upcoming election. The tail wags the dog.

When asked to comment on the critical remarks, Shigley said Wednesday morning: Compensation of our employees is very important to us and we absolutely want to compensate our hard working employees fairly.

But keep in mind we are negotiating for a multi-year contract with our employees, Shigley wrote in an email, and the Council has many factors to consider, including long-term revenue projections, maintaining and increasing our reserves, paying down debt and unfunded liabilities, the local economy and our potential for future development and growth, anticipated future staffing needs, community desires for improved programs and services, and more.

She said the last six years have been hard on everyone, as we made our way through the recession and recovery  all our employees, both union and non-union, made sacrifices. Negotiating for long-term salary and benefits is an inherently difficult and emotional task, but the employees and City continue to meet and I am hopeful we can resolve this soon.

Council members did not respond to the criticism during the meeting.

Later, Councilmember Mark Joseph said: I think they made a case. Hopefully, well resolve the issues.

When asked for comment, Mayor Leon Garcia said: Were still working on it. We continue to engage in the process.

Well keep working in good faith to come to a resolution, said Garcia.

The city employees cited concessions they made during bad economic times to demonstrate they have suffered enough.

During 2010-2013 city employees worked without a union-approved deal after the Teamsters refused to accept the citys budget cuts brought on by the Great Recession. That period included layoffs, furloughs and other austerity measures.

The contract for 2013-2016 provided workers with a half-percent raise at three stages: after Jan. 1 and July 1, 2015, and after Jan. 1, 2016.

Don Garcia, secretary-treasurer for Teamsters Local 315, told the council at its Aug. 16 meeting that it was inappropriate for the city to create a new sustainability coordinator in the Public Works Department until a new labor agreement was reached. He called such a move prior to a new contract a slap in the face to city employees.

The council delayed approving the sustainability coordinator position, which would oversee water and energy conservation measures, only to later approve it on Oct. 18.

Another labor official, Local 315 business agent Dustin Baumbach, said Tuesday: The city has leveraged the Great Recession long enough. The union has done its part, and its time for the members to get the opportunity to stabilize their finances.

Baumbach went on to say that the union does not know what the council is being told in closed session by Shigley and its legal counsel, but were here tonight to tell you the members are dissatisfied with the status quo.

The city must decide, he added, if it wants invest in its workforce.
AMERICAN CANYON  City Council challenger Mariam Aboudamous has demonstrated during her first run for public office that she can fundraise as well, if not better, than the incumbents shes trying to unseat.

In the latest campaign contribution filings submitted last week to City Hall, Aboudamous reported that she raised $7,011 in just under a month.

Her total easily eclipsed those of incumbents Joan Bennett and Kenneth Leary, as well as that of the other challenger, Tony Heuschel, for the period covering Sept. 25-Oct. 22.

She also raised more money during the latest filing period than the two mayoral candidates combined.

Her $6,511 represented more than a tripling of what Aboudamous raised during the first filing period, when she collected $1,993. Most of the $1,993 came from three Democratic politicians  Assemblyman Bill Dodd, County Supervisor Keith Caldwell, and City Councilmember Mark Joseph, who each gave Aboudamous $500.

Aboudamous strong showing over the past month was driven by $1,000 contributions from bicycle manufacturer Dynacraft, WineDirect, and realtor Cori Badertscher, plus $500 from the District Council of Iron Workers.

Bennett was the top money recipient among candidates during the first filing period (July 1-Sept. 24), when she hauled in $7,740. This time, Bennett raised $1,619.

The four-term councilmember still has more money in her campaign account than Aboudamous, thanks to her previous efforts, including those earlier this year.

Bennett reported that as of Oct. 22, she had $13,212 left to spend during the last two weeks of the campaign, while Aboudamous said she had $8,368.

WineDirect also gave $1,000 to Leary, providing him with the majority his contributions from Sept. 25-Oct. 22. His total was $1,549, giving him $2,539 in his account for the closing stretch.

Heuschel raised $761, most of which came from a single contribution: $500 from the California Real Estate PAC. His remaining balance stood at $793.

With the $761 this period, Heuschel has raised just over $3,000 during his inaugural run for office since the beginning of the year. Hes also lent his campaign $2,750.

Mayor Leon Garcia posted the second largest contribution total during the second filing period: $4,290.

Garcias biggest contributors were developer George Altamura, Dynacraft and WineDirect. Each gave him $1,000.

Having spent only $714 from Sept. 25-Oct. 22, the mayor had nearly $7,100 in his account.

His challenger, Doug Lindsey, did not raise any money during the latest filing period. He did not lend his campaign anymore money, having previously lent $2,700.

Lindsey had less than $100 in his campaign account as of Oct. 22.
Napa Valley Expo is working on a master plan that could eventually remake the entire fairgrounds with new and refurbished buildings and expanded open spaces allowing for a greater variety of community uses.

As a first priority, Joe Anderson, the Expo's CEO, and the Expo's board of directors last week agreed that they would like to install seven acres of lawn for next May's BottleRock music festival.

Less certain are plans to replace the livestock barns with a covered pavilion nearer the center of the fairgrounds in time for next August's Napa Town & Country Fair.

The Expo has been working for a year on a master plan that would build on the fairground's success in hosting BottleRock. The music festival, held at the end of May, has been a financial bonanza for the Expo. A new 10-year contract will pay the fairgrounds $769,500 a year.

As part of the deal, the Expo has agreed to spend $100,000 a year in BottleRock revenue to improve facilities used by Bottlerock.

BottleRock representatives told Expo directors that installing new lawns along Silverado Trail, where cars park at fairtime, and Burnell Street, where the summer carnival sets up, are their highest immediate priority.

Last year BottleRock said it spent nearly $100,000 to bring in fake grass, patches of sod and bark chips to beautify the festival during its three-day run.

Jason Scoggins, a partner with Latitude 38, the BottleRock promoter, told directors that tentative Expo plans to create open fields running from Silverado to Burnell through the heart of the Expo would make the fairgrounds more capable of hosting a variety of events, not just BottleRock.

"We feel this is taking the Expo in the right direction, big picture-wise," Scoggins said.

The proposed 320,000 square feet of new turf along Silverado and Burnell streets would upgrade BottleRock's two main concert venues that host crowds of thousands.

The Expo intends to solicit design proposals so the new turf can survive the wear and tear from non-BottleRock uses the year around.

In order for new lawn to be tough enough to handle BottleRock crowds next May, it needs to be installed by the end of February, Anderson said. An exceptionally wet winter could upset this timetable, he said.

Justin Dragoo, another Latitude 38 partner, estimated that 320,000 square feet of new lawn would cost 50 cents per square foot or $160,000.

Marcia Vallier, a master plan consultant with Vallier Design, questioned if this figure included all the expenses for irrigation, which can be more costly.

Still undecided is whether the Expo would grow new lawn from seed or roll out turf, Dragoo said.

If finances allow, Anderson would like to build a covered 60,000-square-foot, open-sided pavilion on a site now used for parking just east of Chardonnay Hall. This versatile structure would host all the Junior Livestock Auction activities during the Town & Country Fair.

This facility would be larger than the total square footage of the barns now used for livestock operations during the fair. Those barns would be torn down and replaced with expanded RV parking -- a successful revenue producer.

The Expo is working with the consulting firm LSA to come up with a makeover of the entire fairgrounds, which sustained the loss of two exhibit halls and food booth used by community groups after the 2014 South Napa earthquake.

The rough estimate for implementing the draft master plan is $102 million. A financial consultant, EPS, is expected to report at the Expo board's special meeting at 3 p.m. on Dec. 7 how the early phases of the makeover could be financed.

The plan's early draft calls for every building at the Expo being razed, except for Chardonnay and Riesling halls, both of which would be remodeled. Many rentals would shift to a new 50,000-square-foot, multi-use building, also east of Chardonnay hall, and a two-story, 20,000-square-foot administration building with community spaces on Third Street.

Because the 50,000-square-foot building could cost an estimated $30 million, it would be among the last of new facilities to be built, assuming the financing can be found.

A community meeting is likely to be held in January to get reaction to the still-evolving draft master plan, Anderson said.
More than a year ago, Napa resident Jack Corrigan was finishing up his daily workout at a local health club. After going into cardiac arrest, he collapsed. Luckily, two bystanders witnessed his fall and came to his aid. The two were physicians trained in CPR. Corrigan credits his survival to the quick response of the two doctors who were nearby.

But what if they werent?

If those physicians were not aware of Corrigans distress and in the area, witnesses would have called 911 and waited for emergency personnel to arrive  time that Corrigan could not afford.

Napa County and its cities are looking to change that. A new, free life-saving smartphone app called PulsePoint is now available is integrated into the countys 911 system and alerts CPR-trained bystanders in the immediate vicinity of a cardiac emergency. These bystanders can get to the scene and start CPR in the critical minutes before first responder teams arrive.

The doctor that saved my life would have been likely to have this app, Corrigan said. I am sure there were several people like him around  off-duty firefighters, nurses, physicians. I can see this as a great benefit to our community.

We are thrilled to partner with Napa County and our surrounding cities to bring this life-saving tool to our community, said Mike Randolph, Napa Fire Department Fire chief.

The American Heart Association estimates that effective bystander CPR provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or triple a persons chance of survival, but only about one quarter of such victims receive bystander CPR.

Timing in an emergency can mean the difference between life and death. PulsePoint technology is another resource that can help save lives, said Napa County Fire Chief Barry Biermann.

I encourage more people in all our cities to get CPR training, says Calistoga Fire Chief Steve Campbell. Its easy to learn. There are classes available throughout the county.

This is a very caring, connected community. What better way to take care of one another than to learn hands-only CPR and download this app? said Chief Glen Weeks, of the American Canyon Fire Protection District.

PulsePoint notifications are generated by the 911 dispatch, said Bruce Lee, regional director for American Medical Response. It is important that all citizens know to call 911 in the event of a cardiac episode  no matter how seemingly small it is.

Hesitating to call 911 could prevent life-saving CPR to be administered by a trained bystander, added St. Helena Fire Chief John Sorensen.

The PulsePoint app also alerts bystanders to any nearby public access automated external defibrillators (AED), which is yet another tool proven critical to surviving a cardiac emergency.

To get the PulsePoint app, go to www.pulsepoint.org/download or simply search for PulsePoint in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
We are the Associated Student Body President and Business Manager for Napa High School. We are both seniors in the Napa High Leadership class. Currently we are undergoing one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, Operation: With Love from Homes Boot Sock Drive.

The main goal of this project is to collect money, or boot socks, for the amed forces of America. But boot socks are not the only thing that we collect. Things such as: instant oatmeal, ketchup, food flavoring, beef jerky, eye drops and anything that will make our troops more comfortable is collected. Socks are a big deal because our troops are always on their feet moving around, and their socks wear out often. Giving them extra socks is just one small thing we can do to help bring them some comfort. When deployed overseas, troops receive these care packages and it is just a little small slice of home for them.

We are in a friendly competition with our across town rival Vintage High School. Whomever raises the most amount of money and supplies for the Operation: With Love from Home care packages, will be presented with a trophy at this year's Big Game.

On behalf of Napa High and the Armed Forces of America, we were wondering if you would consider donating to our cause and to Operation: With Love from Home. Monetary donations, and/or boot socks, would be extremely appreciated.

To donate to our cause, there are bins in the Napa High front office, or you can contact the Napa High Activities Office at (707) 253-3707.

Zane Yoakum, ASB Business Manager

Jori Herman, ASB President
California voters, whove watched as Massachusetts and Colorado leaped ahead on causes such as gay marriage and legal marijuana, could restore its role as a laboratory of liberal policymaking with ballot measures to end capital punishment, boost taxes, require background checks to buy bullets and limit drug prices.

The push to regain Californias reputation as the nations progressive stronghold is being aided by billionaire hedge-fund founder Tom Steyer.

What were really looking to do is roll back the Reagan revolution of conservatism, Steyer said in a telephone interview. We have a big issue in California with adapting to the 21st century. Part of this ballot is to help us adapt to the 21st century.

California, the most populous state, has been a bellwether for liberal political issues nationwide. It was the first to adopt its own standards on vehicle emissions and to allow medicinal marijuana use. Now, polls show voters are leaning toward legalizing recreational pot, capping pharmaceutical prices, restricting ammunition purchases and increasing taxes on cigarettes and the most wealthy.

Success in the Golden State could inspire similar measures around the country, moving the issues from the fringes to the mainstream, said Cristina Uribe, the California director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, which promotes liberal ballot causes.

California had in some respects pulled back from the liberal vanguard. Though it allowed marijuana to treat medical conditions 20 years ago, Washington and Colorado were the first to permit recreational pot use. Its cigarette tax of 87 cents per pack ranks only 37th among states. New York and Washington, D.C., were ahead of California in raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, although New Yorks minimum applies only in New York City. Eight states have abolished capital punishment in the past decade, while another four have imposed moratoriums.

While Democrats have held every statewide office since 2011 and controlled both houses of the legislature since 1997, voters in recent years have shifted policies in a more conservative direction, approving measures banning same-sex marriage and denying public services to undocumented immigrants, and twice rejecting ones to allow recreational marijuana and to abolish the death penalty.

This time with turnout in their favor and Steyer as a patron, left-leaning partisans see a chance for broad success.

Californias ballot is the most proactive from a progressive standpoint that weve seen, Uribe said. What happens here will have tremendous importance throughout the country.

Californians favor the measures to legalize marijuana, raise cigarette taxes and reinstate the nations highest income tax on the wealthy, according to polls by the Public Policy Institute of California in October and the University of Southern California and Los Angeles Times in September. The USC poll found the measure on capping drug prices leading, while a majority were opposed to ending the death penalty.

In total, the ballot campaigns have attracted almost $500 million in contributions from supporters and opponents, a state record. No person has put more money individually into the election than Steyer.

Win, lose or draw, when it comes to ballot measures and individual campaigns in California, clearly Tom Steyer is the Democrats most valuable player, said Jim Brulte, chairman of the California Republican Party.

State Republicans dont have a donor on par with Steyer, a key hindrance in a state whose size means most ballot campaigns cost more than $10 million. The largest conservative individual donor, Charles Munger Jr., gave $10.7 million in support of a measure that would prohibit lawmakers from passing bills without disclosing the contents of the legislation at least 72 hours in advance.

Tobacco companies led by Altria Group and Reynolds American have spent more than $70 million opposing the Steyer-backed cigarette-tax increase, and pharmaceutical companies including Merck & Co. and Pfizer have spent more than $70 million against a measure to limit the amount agencies pay for prescription drugs to the same amount paid by the federal government. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is the measures major financial backer.

In addition to the statewide proposition, voters in Californias largest cities will consider measures backed by advocates for the homeless and those who ride buses and trains in a state defined by the automobile. Los Angeles Countys ballot includes higher taxes for parks, public transit and housing for the homeless, while San Diegos includes a sales-tax increase to expand mass transit and preserve open space. San Francisco voters will decide whether to increase their sales taxes, impose a levy on sugared beverages, and issue bonds for affordable housing.

While Californias Democratic legislative majorities, with the backing of Gov. Jerry Brown, have increased the minimum wage, expanded overtime for farm workers, and mandated more renewable energy, the November ballot offers Californians a chance to slide left of their legislators, said Thad Kousser, who teaches political science at the University of California at San Diego.

This is part of California moving from a purple state to a dark blue state, Kousser said. The ballot box is often used to react to the legislature, to correct it if they move too far to the left. Thats not the case here.
A week before the Nov. 8 election, St. Helena Mayor Alan Galbraith said Tuesday he is feeling cautiously optimistic that Measure D, the citys half-cent sales tax, will pass.

To do so, it needs 50 percent plus one yes votes. I think our residents understand the city needs the revenue, he said. Ive knocked on doors and the fundamental response Im getting is The city needs the revenue.

The proposed sales tax measure would raise about $1.4 million a year for the citys General Fund, to be used for general city expenses.

The mayor said he thinks that in the past 18 months, many St. Helenans have come to realize the city lacks the revenue to maintain current services and needs more. According to the citys audited figures, revenues for the last fiscal year were $10.6 million, with total expenses at $10.5 million.

Revenues includes property taxes and vehicles license fees ($3.7 million); sales taxes ($2.9 million); Transit Occupancy Taxes ($1.9 million); other taxes ($300,000); licenses and permits ($600,000); and other revenues of $1.1 million.

Expenses includes salaries ($3.5 million); PERS and health premiums, both ($900,000 each for a total of $1.8 million); other benefits ($500,000); and services and supplies ($4.7 million).

In the budgeting process in any one year, we certainly try to do our best to have operational revenues and operational expenses match or come close to matching, Galbraith said. If we dont we will further deplete our reserves.

Even so, looking at a chart of revenues and expenses doesnt tell the full story, according to the mayor. Our issues are two-fold, he said. First, the citys reserves are much too low; and second, and perhaps more importantly, our revenues just arent sufficient to enable us to make a real dent in our capital needs that we face, especially including city roads, sidewalks, curbs, our buildings and our parks.

As City Manager Jennifer Phillips Long Range Financial Forecast shows, the citys capital needs, including deferred maintenance on roads, sidewalks, curbs, buildings and parks, continues to grow each year. Phillips has estimated the city needs $3.9 million annually to recapitalize its assets, including $3.1 million in streets, curbs, sidewalks, gutters and ramps alone. The rest of the money is needed for buildings, parks and information technology.

Factoring those expenses into the budget would leave a deficit in the city of $2.6 million in FY17 and that amount would grow until it reaches a deficit of $15.6 million in Fiscal Year 2026.

These needs continue to build up and are ever more expensive to attack, Galbraith said. So, we need the additional revenues, not just for the purpose of giving us operational room, but we need the revenues in order to make a serious attack on our deferred capital needs.

If Measure D passes on Tuesday, it is not a panacea. To the mayor, it will enable the city to maintain the current levels of service in respect to the library, our recreational programs and other discretionary programs that are a real value to our community and help us feel we are a community.

If the voters pass Measure D, which will raise the sales tax a half-cent to 8.25 percent, it will bring in $1.4 million. I think it is fair to say that Measure D will not make a significant dent in terms of what we need to tackle our roads, our sidewalks, our curbs, our deteriorating buildings and bring our parks up to a better standard, Galbraith said. Its just not enough money.

Every year, St. Helena is faced with unanticipated expenses, Galbraith said. Last year, the city spent $600,000 from its General Fund on unforeseen and unavoidable costs. That, in itself, is a big chunk out of $1.4 million the city would get if Measure D passes.

Again, the point I keep wishing to make is, Measure D funds are not much. And it isnt going to put us in a position to tackle our very large capital needs. We will need further, significant sources of revenue.

Measure D is not the only sales tax measure on the ballot. Voters throughout the county will cast their ballots on Measure Z, a quarter-cent sales tax to support Napa Countys Regional Parks and Open Space District.
YEREVAN.  Armenia sees the settlement of the Karabakh conflict only through peace.

National Assembly (NA) President Galust Sahakyan on Tuesday stated the aforesaid speaking before journalists in the NA, after his talk with President of the Belgian Senate, Christine Defraigne, who is visiting Armenias capital city of Yerevan.

In Sahakyans words, they discussed the stepswithin the format of parliamentary cooperationthat are needed to invigorate Armenian-Belgian friendship.

Reflecting on the resolution on Armenian Genocide recognition which the Belgian Chamber of Representatives adopted in late 2015, we discussed also the need for the adoption of a law initiative that provides for criminal accountability for denial of the fact of Armenian Genocide, stressed the Armenian NA chairman. In particular, taking into account the fact that paying tribute to the memory of the genocide victims has special importance 100 years on, since the risk of recurrence of genocide continues to threaten humanity our days.

Defraigne, for her part, thanked Sahakyan for the warm reception in Yerevan.

And this warmth is expressed by the fact that today I received the Armenian National Assembly medal, which attests to the unbreakable and lasting friendship of the two peoples, added the head of the Belgian Senate. Im happy to be in Armenia, now.
The Collins British Dictionary chooses main word of 2022

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Paruyr Hovhannisyan receives Erin Elizabeth McKee

Dollar, euro drop in Armenia

Erdogan plans talks with Putin and Zelenskyy in coming days

Head of Armenian State Revenue Committee: In 2022, the state budget will lack about AMD 84.8 billion

Russia's richest billionaires will become $83.4 billion richer in 2022

Expert: expansion of relations between Tehran, Yerevan may prevent corridor creation

Governor of Armenias Gegharkunik briefs EU mission on condition of settlements affected by Azerbaijan shelling (PHOTOS)

Russia and Iran to sign deal on free trade zone with EEU

Armenia National Assembly opposition factions representatives meet with visiting European Parliament members

Hearings on South Caucasus to be held in US Senate

Central Bank chief: High activity in Armenia economy is maintained in third quarter of 2022

OPEC Secretary General: Europe and U.S. are heading for economic recession

Pashinyan briefs Raisi about talks in Sochi and their results

Ardshinbank and Mastercard offer to pay with Apple Pay and get cashback

Nine people arrested in India after mass deaths in bridge collapse

CSTO meeting on Armenia-Azerbaijan border situation to be held on November 23 in Yerevan

Zas: CSTO working towards proposals regarding situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

Clinton sues Trump to recover $1 million from him

Lukashenko: Armenia turned down proposed settlement plan

Raisi: Iran-Armenia trade can be increased to $3bn

Zas discusses Baku-Yerevan conflict in Minsk

Raisi: Foreigners interference will deepen problems of Caucasus

State Security Service conducts operation in Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture

Iran expands sanctions on U.S.

Cavusoglu discusses relations with Azerbaijan with his Iranian counterpart

European gas price falls to $1,246 per 1,000 cubic meters in October

Legislature vice-speaker thanks visiting European Parliament lawmakers for supporting Armenia

Armenia revenue committee chief: No initiative to ban import of Turkish goods

Economy minister: Authorities plan to increase number of tourists in Armenia to 2.5mn annually by 2026

Armenia official: Our border checkpoints are ready to receive Azerbaijanis

Flight restrictions extended at 11 airports in south and center of Russia until November 9

Sergey Kopirkin: Unblocking of communications must be based on respect for countries sovereignty

Storm Nalgae in the Philippines leaves 110 people killed

Lukashenko on Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict: Why did they engage EU? Why are they engaging CSTO there?

Ambassador: Russia justifies itself as Armenias ally

Kopirkin: September battles between Armenia, Azerbaijan were stopped by Russia militarys efforts

Gold price remains stable

Death toll in Seoul stampede rises to 156

Armenian PM and Iranian President hold talks in Tehran

Kopirkin: Karabakh status issue should be left to next generations

14 people injured in Chicago Halloween night shooting

Armenias Pashinyan arrives in Iran

Armenia economy minister: Government predicts 7% economic growth in 2023

Turkish and Ukraine defense ministers discuss situation with grain deal

Copper prices are rising

Russia envoy to Armenia: Many common paradigms being broken in South Caucasus

Israel holds fifth parliamentary elections since 2019

Lavrov: Over past decades we managed to lay solid foundations for strategic partnership, alliance with Armenia

Oil goes up in price

Primakov Readings international forum kicks off in Yerevan

One person killed in Toronto shooting

Armenias Pashinyan heads for Iran

Newspaper: Armenia premier sends intelligence to Artsakh on day of rally

Putin on choosing Turkey as Russia natural gas supply junction: Erdogan is man of his word

Russia, Turkey FMs discuss South Caucasus

Kremlin: Armenia, Azerbaijan confirmed their interest in Russia mediation

Armenia PM concludes visit to Russias Sochi

Putin: Europe will not be able to exclude Russia from Yerevan-Baku relations normalization process

Putin on extending mandate of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh: It will depend on other matters

Putin: No Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty yet

IMF forecasts $1 trillion unforeseen profit for oil exporter

Lavrov and Cavusoglu discuss recent developments in Caucasus

Seoul and Warsaw sign key agreements on nuclear energy development in Poland

Statement by leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan on results of meeting in Sochi

Saudi Arabia and UAE defend OPEC decision

Putin: Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan agree on joint statement

U.S. wants EU to impose export restrictions against China

Thunberg calls UN conference place for lies and fraud

Putin, Pashinyan and Aliyev hold trilateral talks

Russian businessman Artem Aslanyan commits suicide in Moscow

Head of the Ministry of Finance: Sweden's economic outlook is gloomy and we're heading for a tough winter

Norway to raise level of army combat readiness in response to Ukraine war

Putin and Aliyev talks in Sochi are over

Moldova expels Russian embassy employee after incident with falling rocket parts

Estonia to expand by 30 times protected zone on border with Russia

Serzh Sargsyan receives Garo Paylan

Inflation hits new record in 19 eurozone countries

Shoigu and Akar discuss Russia's decision to suspend participation in grain deal

Head of Armenian Armed Forces General Staff: Azerbaijan refuses to allow evacuation of Armenian soldiers' bodies

Inflation in Poland breaks the record of 25 years ago

Head of General Staff of Armenian Armed Forces explains why Azerbaijanis 'trapped' were not captured

Chief of General Staff of Armenian Armed Forces confirms loss of positions as result of Azerbaijani aggression

Central Bank: Inflation in Armenia reaches 9.9%

Edvard Asryan: The operational situation in the eastern and southeastern directions is relatively stable

Iran arrests 6 suspects in attack on Shiraz mausoleum

Aliyev: Baku put forward five main principles to normalize relations with Yerevan

Putin: The goal of the trilateral talks is the implementation of all agreements of 2020 and 2021

Talks between presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan start in Sochi

Six people detained in Belarus for hanging Ukrainian flag

NBC News: Biden lost his temper on the phone with Zelenskyy

European Parliament lawmakers arriving in Armenia on fact-finding mission

Cavusoglu: Europe weakening runs counter to Ankara's economic interests

Non-resident organizations providing online services in Armenia declare 1bn drams of VAT in 3 quarters

October oil production in Russia falls
YEREVAN. - The Defense Minister of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan on Wednesday received Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense with responsibility for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia, Michael Carpenter.

Vigen Sargsyan stressed the important role of the U.S. in supporting the reforms carried out in the countrys military area, contribution to the capacity building and insurance of stability in the region, the press-service of the Defense Ministry informed Armenian News  NEWS.am.

The sides expressed conviction that the Armenian-American cooperation in the defense area has potential for dynamic and efficient development.

Michael Carpenter, for his part, noted that the American side attaches importance to the joint efforts in ensuring international security, as well as to the participation of Armenian peacekeepers in missions carried out in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Lebanon.

Apart from this, the interlocutors touched on the cooperation programs in the defense area and issues related to regional security.

In the framework of their visit, the American delegation visited the peacekeeping brigade of the Armenian Armed Forces and met with the instructors of Battlefield Medicine Training Center.
YEREVAN. - President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on Wednesday received U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Carpenter.

Welcoming the guest, the President expressed satisfaction with the fact that since the establishment of diplomatic ties the Armenian-American interstate relations have constantly developed, the two friendly states approaching the 25th anniversary of establishing those ties with serious success achieved in the recent two-three years.

Sargsyan thanked the U.S. Government for many year of support in the economic development of Armenia, implementation of reforms in different spheres, as well as establishment of democracy and civil society. He also highly appreciated the role of the U.S. in maintaining stability in the region.

Apart from this, Sargsyan attached importance to the Armenian-American cooperation in the defense sphere, specifically underscoring the support of the American side in defense reforms, as well as capacity building in areas of battlefield medicine, humanitarian demining and peacekeeping in Armenia.

Sargsyan expressed hope that Michael Carpenters visit will also contribute to the further development of Armenian-American ties.

The interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the fact that the current high-level Armenian-American relations are based on the mutual respect and solidarity of the two peoples, Armenia and the U.S. currently having strong partnership ties both on bilateral and multilateral platforms.

For his part, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Carpenter expressed gratitude for Armenias input in peacekeeping operations.

President Sargsyan and Mr Carpenter also discussed issues related to the further development of cooperation in military, international and regional security areas.
PALM BAY, Florida  The Palm Bay Police Department is looking for a suspect that discharged a firearm into a white Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck pulling a trailer around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday on Palm Bay Road and Bass Pro Drive.



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The driver of the Silverado was shot in his left leg. The suspect vehicle is described as a white car, possibly a Volvo or Volkswagen. Both vehicles had just exited off of I-95 and were traveling east on Palm Bay Road.





According to Palm Bay police, the victim/driver of the Chevrolet pick-up said he might have accidentally cut off the vehicle while switching lanes, inciting the apparent road rage incident. The victim immediately stopped and called 911. The suspect vehicle sped away East on Palm Bay Road.





The Palm Bay Police Department is asking anyone with information on this shooting to call CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS.




10:35

A postmortem report on the eight alleged members of the banned Students' Islamic Movement of India, who were shot dead by the police on Monday, is out.



The report says that all the men died of gunshot wounds above the waist. The bullet wounds suggest that they were fired upon from all directions. The proximity of the firing is to be determined for which the clothes they wore will be sent for testing.



The men were killed under suspicious circumstances near Bhopal, hours after they escaped from the city's central jail by killing a security guard.



Eight SIMI activists who pulled off a daring prison break and escaped in the wee hours after killing a security guard at the Bhopal Central Jail, were on Monday hunted down and killed in a police encounter on the city outskirts.



All the eight activists were killed by Bhopal Police at Malikheda on the city outskirts, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh said.



Acting on the leads provided by locals, the cops tracked them down to Malikheda, where they were encircled and killed when they tried to challenge the police.



The activists of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India had managed to escape around 2-3 AM after killing a jail security guard and scaling the prison wall with the help of bed sheets, DIG Bhopal Raman Singh said.



The activists were identified as -- Amzad, Zakir Hussain Sadiq, Mohammad Salik, Mujeeb Shaikh, Mehbood Guddu, Mohammad Kalid Ahmed, Aqeel and Majid, a police official said.



Soon after the incident, the state government released their sketches and suspended four officials including Jail Superintendent Akhilesh Tomar. It had also announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh each on the heads of the activists.



This is the second major jail break by operatives of banned SIMI in three years after the sensational escape by seven members of the group from a jail in Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh in 2013.



The Union Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from the Madhya Pradesh government on the jail break whether there was any lapse on the part of the jail administration and the steps taken to check such incidents.
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NEW YORK: In a bid to protect users, Google has disclosed details about a critical Windows bug that affects Windows kernel, an integral part of the operating system.

The internet giant said it reported the bug to Microsoft 10 days ago but the company has done nothing to address the issue publicly.

The Windows vulnerability is a local privilege escalation in the Windows kernel that can be used as a security sandbox escape.

"This vulnerability is particularly serious because we know it is being actively exploited," Google said in a blog post on Monday.

Google said it has already deployed a fix to protect Chrome users, but Windows is still vulnerable.

"We encourage users to verify that auto-updaters have already updated Flash and to manually update if not and to apply Windows patches from Microsoft when they become available for the Windows vulnerability," the blog post added.

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BENGALURU: Indubitably, Alphabets Google is aiming for a much larger shift, the journey to which had already kicked off with the outbreak of Android software eight years ago that covers 85% of the worlds smartphone market.

The hardware experts and the Google Assistant enablers started sharing adjacent spaces in Google office around half a year ago for its first voice-activated phone, at California headquarters.

The trend today and hopefully in coming years would be reined by voice controlled devices. The technology is being developed to replace touch as the primary means of using a hand-held device. Apple already took a big leap and is continuously experimenting in that direction with the variety show.

Pixel's hardware and Assistant teams gather for happy hour every Friday and have already received a prototype for the camera on next year's phone, said Brian Rakowski, vice president of product for Google's Android operating system.

Their ambition: to make the company's voice-powered digital assistant better than rivals such as Apple's Siri and Microsoft Corp's Cortana.

"We really wanted the Assistant on the phone to feel like a natural extension of the ways you ask Google for information," Rakowski said in an interview.

Pixel, by Google, is the first phone to be rolled out featuring Assistant. Device ready Assistant can be requisitioned by saying the words "OK Google" or pressing HOME button.

The blend of hardware and software would be doing all the magic here. There are certain specifications, such as properly placed down microphones, powerful processors, graphics and others that are pivotal for high-performance of Google Assistant.

The team wants users to get an experience that goes beyond everything and the rivals notably. The Assistant will live only on Google products such as the Pixel, Google Home and the Google Allo app.

It is quite unsure whether Google will keep it that way, or go back to its original phone development strategy for Android phones. Anyway, the risk of offering a compromised experience is the least that Google can expect after pushing it on the other manufacturers' Android phone.

Executing the Assistant on some current Android handsets would be an uphill battle for Google, Rakowski said.

However, as we know, Google is coy about its plans, just as other big players.

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Matthew aftermath

UF students assess storms damage to historic properties

Maanvi Chawla is from the mountains of northern India  far from any threat of hurricanes. When she volunteered to assess Hurricane Matthews damage in St. Augustine, the University of Florida student was given a crash course in coastal disasters that you cant get from books.

This has been life changing, she said, standing outside a flood-damaged historic home on a street lined with storm debris.

Chawla and eight other graduate students from UFs historic preservation program volunteered Oct. 17-19 to help the Federal Emergency Management Agency assess flood damage from the storm that hammered Americas oldest city in early October. By going door-to-door and recording flood damage, the team gathered critical information included in reports leading to President Barack Obamas approval of the individual assistance portion of a federal disaster declaration.

Thanks in no small part to the student team, now flood victims in St. Johns County can apply for relief needed to rebuild their lives and homes, said Morris Hylton III, director of the historic preservation program. The team logged 190 volunteer hours in just three days.

The level of assistance flood victims receive is based on data like ours thats coming out of the field, Hylton said. This city has been unbelievably resilient and quick to clean up. But flooding leaves less visible, long-term damage as well. Its a bit deceiving.

Of the approximately 2,000 historic properties in St. Augustines National Register Historic Districts, Hylton suspects flooding affected 50 percent or more. His team also assisted in the evaluation of nearly 800 properties in the Davis Shores neighborhood, which is populated with many postwar-era bungalows and 50s and 60s ranch-style homes. Assessments also showed business along St. George Street, the center of downtown St. Augustine, is down 70 to 80 percent, Hylton said.

During the flood, the citys sewer systems were dramatically compromised and sewage mixed with floods water, contaminating streets, homes and businesses. The less-visible signs of flooding, like sewer contamination and water damage, will be a long-term restoration process lasting anywhere from three to 12 months.

Assessments collected by the student team will help create awareness of the hurricanes damage among officials and provide preservation recommendations to flood victims as they begin to repair their historic homes, Hylton said.

Insurance companies and FEMA are usually focused on taking out damaged materials. Well, thats historic fabric that cannot be replaced, Hylton said. As important as it is to get people back into their homes, its important not to make quick decisions that are irreversible. Thats where we can help.

St. Augustine officials plan to use the assessments to map damaged historic sites and track the recovery process. As the city begins this process, the students experience in planning, architecture and historic preservation was hugely beneficial, said Jenny Wolfe, historic preservation planner for the city of St. Augustine.

Its helpful to have the labor force to do these assessments, but we also hope the students fresh perspective will reveal new approaches for recovery that we may not be considering, Wolfe said.

UF historic preservation graduate student Anulekha Chakraborty said she gained invaluable firsthand experience, making the volunteer work a win-win for herself and St. Augustine.

You can learn topography and the way the water enters houses from books, but when you get out and you talk to people and hear their problems it puts things into context, Chakraborty said. Each community will have a different reaction to this, and thats something you can only learn when you come to the site.
Yearning for a new phone? You might be suffering from comparison neglect

If youre reading this on a shiny new iPhone 7, new research suggests you might not have given your old phone its due before trading up.

Decades of research support the theory that people tend to rely on comparisons when making decisions. But when one of their options is a perceived upgrade over the status quo, consumers rationality disappears, according to new research by University of Florida marketing professor Aner Sela.

Sela and Robyn LeBoeuf of Washington University examined the phenomenon of comparison neglect, where people favor an upgraded product without evaluating the product they already own.

In Selas work, 78 percent of consumers in one study readily admit that comparing the upgrade to the status quo option is a necessary component in the decision, and 95 percent agreed that comparisons were important.

Yet, when faced with that decision, consumers fail to practice what they preach.

We dont do as well as we know we should, Sela said. People know this is important; theres a consensus about it. But, in the moment of truth, were susceptible to these biases. Thats the striking thing: Knowing is not enough.

The researchers conducted a series of five studies of more than 1,000 smartphone users from age 18 to 78. When consumers were asked to select the status quo or an upgraded smartphone or app  even when they were supplied with a list of features of both productsthe majority chose the upgrade.

Only when consumers were explicitly reminded to compare the status quos existing features with the upgrades features did the likelihood of upgrading decrease.

Considering peoples tendency to use comparisonsand the high value people place on the status quoSela said the studys findings were unexpected.

We were not asking people to recall existing features from memory, Sela said. We put them in front of people side-by-side. But unless we tell them to compare, they dont do it. They dont use the information in the way they themselves say they should be using it. Thats what makes this so surprising.

Sela noted that comparison neglect only occurs when a perceived upgrade is one of the options. When the same decision is perceived as a choice between two optionsone more advanced than the other  comparison neglect isnt influential.

Overcoming comparison neglect is a difficult hurdle for consumers, Sela said. Therefore, companies bear an ethical responsibility to market their products accurately  an unlikely outcome, Sela said, considering the financial boon they receive from consumers paying for unnecessary upgrades.

Selas work, Comparison Neglect in Upgrade Decisions, has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Marketing Research.
Actress Amy Schumer has reportedly splashed out a whopping $12.1 million on a five-bedroom penthouse here, after the asking price was dropped by over $6 million. The actress' new abode is set over two floors and the glass walls give amazing views of the Hudson River and New Jersey, reports femalefirst.co.uk. "Perhaps the most unusual and gorgeous penthouse ever to appear on the market. Chic, bright and airy like a Malibu beach house with the sophistication of New York architecture," the property's listing on YouTube read. According to its listing, the home measures at 4,500 square feet on the inside, and almost 3,000 square feet on the outside and also features a gas fire place and power room. The "Train Wreck" star had put her Upper West Side brownstone up for sale after buying it in 2014, but it has so far failed to sell. It was originally on the market for $2.075 million last November, but knocked the price down to $1.625 million in August. Despite being a huge star, Schumer recently said she is still really close to her high school friends and arranged for them all to attend "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" premiere last year. "I was like, 'I have to bring all my friends from high school.' They were like, 'Are you serious?' I was like, 'Yeah, if I go and don't bring them, it'll be an issue'," she said. --IANS dc/nn/ ( 248 Words) 2016-11-02-06:26:03 (IANS)
This was announced by the EFA from its headquarters in Berlin on Tuesday, Efe news reported.

Brosnan, who will attend as guest of honor at the ceremony of the 29th European Film Awards, will personally collect the award for "his impressive dedication to cinema", said the EFA in a statement.

The Academy emphasised Brosnan's "rich and extensive career in front of the camera and behind the scenes as a producer," whether in action films, comedies or dramas.

The EFA highlighted films such as "The Lawnmower Man" (1992), "The Thomas Crown Affair" (1999) and "The Tailor of Panama" (2001), as well as his work as a producer in the recent "The Foreigner" with Jackie Chan in the lead role.

--IANS pgh/

( 160 Words)

2016-11-02-06:42:03 (IANS)
Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Giriraj Singh today accused the opposition of indulging in vote bank politics at the expense of the morale of the security forces. Coming down heavily on opposing parties for doubting the killing of eight hardcore terrorists in an encounter with security forces, Mr Singh said it was unfortunate to see opposition parties stooping so low for votes of a particular community by siding with forces of terrorism. Mr Singh said at a time when security forces were battling the threat of terrorism, opposition parties were raising questions aimed at lowering their morale. UNI IS AD SB 2252 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0108-1004218.Xml
Over one lakh devotees from all over country participated in the procession from Chikhalwadi to the Sachkhand Gurudwara road here.

This procession is taken out every year to show the bravery of the Shikh soldiers who fought against their enemies in the country.

An arrangement of 'langar' (community meal) was also made for all devotees.

On behalf of the administrator of the Sachkhand Gurudwara all facilities were made available for the visitig devotees including that of residence, medical and catering among others.UNI XR SS SB 2247

-- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-1004271.Xml
Describing the encounter killing of eight SIMI terrorists as "fake", senior supreme court lawyer K.T.S. Tulsi has urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to leave no stone unturned in probing the matter. "NHRC should go into this matter because you can't kill people with steel plates and you can't scale a 20 foot high wall merely with bed covers unless there is some inside hand involved," Tulsi told ANI. Highlighting the seriousness of the case, Tulsi argued that the video clearly showed it was a fake encounter. "It seems like it was an inside job, managing their escape from the jail," he said. Yesterday, the NHRC sent notices to the chief secretary, the director general of police, the director general of prisons, the inspector general of prisons and the Government of Madhya Pradesh to submit detailed reports on the incident within six weeks. "The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that eight SIMI under trial prisoners, who escaped from the Bhopal Central Jail were killed in an encounter with police in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on October 31," the statement read. The commission observed that it has been concerned about the prisoners' deaths in police and judicial custody. The rights commission also issued specific guidelines and conveyed to all the States/UTs for compliance in the matters of encounter. According to a report, the under trial prisoners escaped from the jail after killing a guard. They were charged with various crimes, including murder, sedition, jail break and bank robberies. All prisoners were killed within hours of their escape in an isolated forested area about 15 kilometers from the jail. Five jail officials have been placed under suspension including DIG (Jail) and the Jail Superintendent. The Additional DG (Jail) has reportedly been transferred. (ANI)
The Samajwadi Party on Wednesday wondered why only Muslims were involved in jail breaks and killed in encounters. Party leader Abu Azmi told ANI, "When the Congress government was in power in Maharashtra, a prisoner named Khwaja Younis was killed. Be it the Congress or the BJP, they don't care about Muslims." He said there were 42 CCTVs installed at the Bhopal Central Jail and, yet, prisoners were able to climb a 20 foot wall and escape. "When encountered, how come everyone was in the same place? How come they were killed in the same place? It is all concreted," he said. He said the police officer killed was a "scapegoat". "I think he was made a scapegoat, I consider him a martyr. There should be an enquiry in this." Azmi said. Politicians are demanding a probe to verify the authenticity of the encounter in which eight prisoners from the banned SIMI organization were neutralized. The Director General of the Madhya Pradesh Police has announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the killings. Superintendent of Police (SP) Anurag Sharma from the CID branch, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and four inspectors have been included in the team. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), taking suo motu cognizance of the issue, has issued notices to the Madhya Pradesh Government, the chief secretary and the state police for submission of a detailed report within six weeks. The under trial prisoners escaped from the jail after killing a guard. They were charged under various crimes, including murder, sedition, jail break and bank robberies. Five jail officials have been suspended, including the DIG (Jail) and the jail superintendent. The Additional DG (Jail) has reportedly been transferred. (ANI)
A major fire today broke out in a house at northeast Delhi's Shahdara area, in which three people were killed and 12 others injured, fire officials said. Officials said they received a call at around 0506 hrs that an inferno broke out in the parking of a house. Later, the flames engulfed the four-storeyed building, killing three persons and injuring 12 others. More UNI SM RJ ADG1026 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0098-1004441.Xml
South Korea's presidential office today named a new prime minister and finance minister, the highest-level shake-up yet since President Park Geun-hye's administration was rocked by a scandal involving a friend accused of meddling in state affairs.The Blue House said it named Yim Jong-yong, the Financial Services Commission chairman, as the new finance minister and deputy prime minister. Yim, who will replace incumbent minister Yoo Il-ho, has been well-regarded by policy makers and market participants in his current role.Kim Byong-joon, a former senior presidential secretary during former President Roh Moo-hyun's administration, was named the new prime minister to replace Hwang Kyo-ahn. The prime minister's role in South Korea is largely administrative.The moves, which also include a new minister of public safety and security, were seen as an effort to soothe public anger over the scandal involving Park's friend, Choi Soon-sil, who is in custody and under investigation by prosecutors.Yim was due to hold a press conference today at 0730 IST, according to his press office."The Blue House named Kim as the right person to lead the cabinet for the country's future and to overcome current hardships," presidential spokesman Jung Youn-kuk said.Neither incumbent Yoo and Hwang have been implicated in the scandal, although Yoo had been under pressure from opposition lawmakers over his close relationship with Park.A public apology from Park on Tuesday for giving Choi access to draft speeches during the first months of her presidency has done little to deflect demands that Park reveal the full nature of her ties with Choi and whether she enjoyed favours because of her friendship with the president.REUTERS PS 0702 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1004388.Xml
A sensing technique that the US military currently uses to remotely monitor the air to detect potentially life-threatening chemicals, toxins, and pathogens has inspired a new instrument that could "sniff" for life on Mars and other targets in the solar system. It's called the Bio-Indicator Lidar Instrument, or BILI.Branimir Blagojevic, a NASA technologist at the Goddard Space Flight Centre in Greenbelt, Maryland, formerly worked for a company that developed the sensor. He has applied the technology to create an instrument prototype, proving in testing that the same remote-sensing technology used to identify bio-hazards in public places also could be effective at detecting organic bio-signatures on Mars.BILI is a fluorescence-based lidar, a type of remote-sensing instrument similar to radar in principle and operation. Instead of using radio waves, however, lidar instruments use light to detect and ultimately analyse the composition of particles in the atmosphere.Although NASA has used fluorescence instruments to detect chemicals in Earth's atmosphere as part of its climate-studies research, the agency so far hasn't employed the technique in planetary studies. "NASA has never used it before for planetary ground level exploration. If the agency develops it, it will be the first of a kind," Blagojevic said.As a planetary-exploration tool, Blagojevic and his team, Goddard scientists Melissa Trainer and Alexander Pavlov, envision BILI as primarily "a rover's sense of smell."Positioned on a Mars rover's mast, BILI would first scan the terrain looking for dust plumes. Once detected, the instrument, then would command its two ultraviolet lasers to pulse light at the dust. The illumination would cause the particles inside these dust clouds to resonate or fluoresce. By analysing the fluorescence, scientists could determine if the dust contained organic particles created relatively recently or in the past. The data also would reveal the particles' size."If the bio-signatures are there, it could be detected in the dust," Blagojevic saidThe beauty of BILI, Blagojevic added, is its ability to detect in real-time small levels of complex organic materials from a distance of several hundred meters. Therefore, it could autonomously search for bio-signatures in plumes above recurring slopes - areas not easily traversed by a rover carrying a variety of in-situ instruments for detailed chemical and biological analysis. "BILI's measurements do not require consumables other than electrical power and can be conducted quickly over a broad area. This is a survey instrument, with a nose for certain molecules," Blagojevic said.With such a tool, which also could be installed on an orbiting spacecraft, NASA could dramatically increase the probability of finding bio-signatures in the solar system, he added. "We are ready to integrate and test this novel instrument, which would be capable of detecting a number organic bio-signatures," Blagojevic said. Blagojevic hopes to further advance BILI by ruggedizing the design, reducing its size, and confirming that it can detect tiny concentrations of a broad range of organic molecules, particularly in aerosols that would be found at the ground level on Mars."This sensing technique is a product of two decades of research," Blagojevic said, referring to the technology created by his former employer, Science and Engineering Services, LLC..UNI YSG RJ ADG 1037 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1004396.Xml
President Pranab mukherjee is today leaving for Nepal on a three-day visit,at the invitation of his counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari, which is expected to a open a new vista in the bilateral ties between the two nations."This will be the first visit of a President of India to Nepal in 18 years. During the visit the President will hold talks with the President of Nepal and have meetings with the Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal and other leaders of Nepal on a wide array of issues of mutual interest," MEA spokesman Vikas Swaroop said here."The state visit reflects the priority that the Government of India attaches to further strengthening its age old, unique partnership with Nepal and our shared historical and cultural linkages and wide ranging people-to-people contacts," he said. Pranab Mukherjee will be the first President from India to Nepal in 18 years after the visit of then President K.R. Narayanan in May 1998.The spokesman further said, "Apart from official engagements in Kathmandu, Mr Mukherjee will also visit Janakpur and Pokhra". During his visit, President will also hold talks with Nepalese vice-president Nanda Kishor Pun.The discussions will also cover all range of issues covering all aspects of bilateral issues including regional and international issues. President Mukherjee will be accompanied by Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, and some Members of Parliament. Officials have said the visit will also help expedite reconstruction work after last year's massive earthquake in the Himalayan nation. A senior official has said last week that India was trying to "move forward expeditiously" on the post-earthquake reconstruction projects after committing 1 billion dollar assistance to Nepal.The April 2015 earthquake killed nearly 9,000 people and injured around 22,000 others in Nepal.During President's visit, Kathmandu University will also be conferring an honorary doctorate on Mukherjee.A Rashtrapati Bhawan spokesman has also pointed out that during his long career President Pranab Mukherjee in different capacities -- as Defence Minister, as Finance Minister and as External Affairs Minister -- has contributed his part for the evolution of Nepal from a Himalayan Kingdom to a democratic country.For Nepal, the South Asia watchers say, the relationship with India has remained a pillar of Kathmandu's foreign policy. Thus, the relationship between two neighbours has withstood the test of time. It is worth mentioning that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Nepal visit in 2014 immediately after taking over sought to achieve a few multi-dimensional goals for New Delhi. One primary aspect was to regain some of the ground lost by India in recent years in pursuing the Indian diplomatic path especially in neighbourhood. PM Modi and his External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj have certainly worked hard in last few months to bring about a drastic improvement in the ties.Moreover, PM Modi importantly also shares a good ties with Nepalese Prime Minister Dahal, also known as Prachanda, and had described the latter as a 'catalytic force of peace'.UNI XC NAZ PS 0845 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1004402.Xml
Indian Journalists' Union (IJU) today demanded the government that a separate law should be enacted for the safety of journalists in the country. In a joint statement on the occasion of International Day for safety Journalists, IJU President S N Sinha, Secretary-General Amar Devulapalli and also International Federation of Journalists Vice-President Sabina Inderjit, have expressed grave concern over increasing attacks on journalists in the country. "Four journalists lost their lives this year so far and eight were killed last year, they said, adding that the number of journalists killed in the last two-and-half decades had crossed 100, it said. However, about 94 percent of cases of murder of journalists were either pending in the courts or the culprits were acquitted for lack of evidence, they said. "We strongly believe that democracy has no meaning if the journalists are killed with impunity for discharging their democratic duty of informing the people and exercising the freedom of expression, they said. They demanded that a separate law should be enacted for the safety of journalists for stringent and deterrent punishment against killers and attackers in the country. The IJU leaders called upon the organisations of working Journalists and Editors to mobilise the support of all democratic sections of the society to achieve a strong legal frame work for the safety of journalists as recommended by the United Nations.UNI KNR CS 1258 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1004613.Xml
Security forces resorted to aerial firing and burst teargas shells to disperse the demonstrators, who were opposing house-to-house searches on the outskirts of this summer capital, today. Trouble started when security forces and state police personnel cordoned off the Jenab Sahib Soura and Anchar area to conduct house-to-house search. Locals hit the streets, alleging that security forces during the searches, damaged household goods and window panes. Raising 'pro-freedom' and anti-government slogans, the agitators, including women, came out of their homes and clashed with the security forces.Security forces burst teargas shells, which had no impact on protestors, who were pelting stones. Later, security forces fired several rounds in the air, official sources said, adding that several people were injured in the clashes. Additional security forces and state police personnel have been rushed to restore normalcy in the areas.UNI BAS RJ ADG 1259 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-1004586.Xml
Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP) supremo Mayawati has blamed the PDP- BJP government of Jammu and Kashmir for the 117 days turmoil in the Kashmir valley and alleged that the people of Kashmir have lost faith in the present government. " Prime Minister Narendra Modi should think about the problems of the people of valley and do the needful so that the violence should end," she said. In a statement here today, Ms Mayawati further alleged that the BJP was trying to implement the ideology of the RSS in J&K which was the main reason for the continuation of the violence for the past 117 days and more than 2 dozen schools have been razed down by the ultras. She said that there is no government at all in J&K and there is no effort to solve the issue due to which now the majority community in the state were living in fear. However, the BSP president has welcomed the decision of the High Court for taking suo moto notice on the burning of the schools and directing the state government to do the needful. Ms Mayawati said that the recent Indo-Pak situation has also aggravated the violence in the Valley. " The centre as well as the J&K government should do something so that there is a permanent normalcy in the state," he demanded.UNI MB ADG 1339 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-1004626.Xml
Business and other activities, besides education, continued to suffer in Kashmir valley for the 117th consecutive day today due to strike called by the separatists, demanding right to 'self-determination'. Police said there was no curfew or restrictions on assembly of people, though security forces and state police personnel remained deployed on the ground to maintain law and order in the Valley, where the number of stone pelting incidents has witnessed a considerable drop after the arrest of more than 10000 alleged stone pelters and separatists during the past more than three months. However, people in south Kashmir district of Shopian alleged that hundreds of security force and state police personnel have been deployed to foil the 'Chitrigam Challo,' called by the separatists. Meanwhile, all gates leading to the historic Jamia Masjid, where no Friday prayers could be offered for the past 16 weeks, remained closed and large number of security force personnel remained deployed to prevent people from entering the area. Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), spearheading the agitation since July 9, in its latest calendar, have extended the general strike till November 3. The separatists urged people to organise 'Freedom Marches' like Kupwara to Hyhama, Baramulla to Wagoora, Bandipora to Bonakoot, Budgam to Nagam, Ganderbal to Sherpathri, Srinagar to Qamarwari (South), Pulwama to Aripal, Shopian to Chitrigam and Kulgam to Pombay today. Shops and business establishments remained closed and transport remained off the roads in this summer capital, and on the outskirts. However, private vehicles, including two-wheelers, were plying normally in the civil lines and uptown areas, particularly Airport, Sanantnagar, and Badgam roads. A good number of vendors, mostly selling fruit, vegetable, woolen and warm clothes, besides steel utensils, had put up their stalls at Hari Singh High Street (HSHS) in historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city and at Pologround.MORE UNI ABS RJ ADG 1311 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0433-1004593.Xml
The body of Ram Kishan Grewal was earlier kept at the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, where a large number of politicians gathered on Wednesday to meet the dead man's relatives.

Reacting to the rush of political leaders at the RML, Medical Superintendent of RML Hospital A.K. Gadpayle said that hospital functioning was being affected.

"I cannot understand why there is so much police in the hospital, and why so many people are coming here since morning. This is obstructing us from performing our duties," he told reporters.

Gadpayle added that the family of Grewal had also been informed that the body has been shifted to Lady Hardinge.

RML spokesperson V.K. Sinha said that Grewal's body was brought to the hospital at 1 a.m. on Wednesday and was shifted to Lady Hardinge at 5.30 a.m. for the post mortem.

"With so many people visiting here, it is causing a lot of inconvenience to patients," Sinha told IANS.

Many political leaders, including Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, visited RML hospital on Wednesday.

While Sisodia was detained from inside the hospital after meeting the relatives of Grewal, Gandhi was not allowed to enter the hospital by the Delhi Police.

--IANS vv-vn/rn

( 241 Words)

2016-11-02-15:28:04 (IANS)
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi ,who was prevented today from meeting the kin of deceased ex-serviceman, described his detention as undemocratic. The ex-serviceman who allegedly committed suicide last night by consuming poison at Jantar Mantar, had still not received the increased pension promised to him by the government under the OROP scheme it implemented last year. He has been identified as Ram Kishan Grewal hailing from Haryana's Bhiwani district. Subedar Ram Kishen Grewal allegedly poisoned himself on the lawns of a government building in the heart of Delhi. ''A new India is in making," Mr Gandhi told in a sarcastic tone to reporters when he was not allowed to enter the hospital. ''I am being prevented from meeting the relatives of the deceased soldiers which is reflective of the very undemocratic mentality,'' Mr Gandhi added. Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was also prevented from entering the hospital premises when he tried to meet the kin of the deceased serviceman.UNI SY RSA SNU 1557 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0093-1004913.Xml
'PAPEREX South India-2016', a three-day expo on pulp, paper and allied industry, and a conference on 'the Road Ahead for Paper and Packaging' will be held here from November 11. While the expo, which would see participation from Chinese technology suppliers would be held from November 11 to 13, the conference would be held on the first two days--November 11 and 12. The event, to be held at the Chennai Trade Centre, will be organised by the Indian Agro and Recycled Paper Mills Association (IARPMA), New Delhi. Ms Vandana Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, will inaugurate the conference. A statement from the organisers here today said the Indian paper industry was expected to grow at the rate of 7.5 per cent during the year 2015-2020. ''With a current production of 14.99 million tonnes of paper, board and newsprint, this is expected to shoot up to 25 million tones by the year 2025. To keep pace with this surging demand, there are various areas that needs to be addressed'', it said. MORE UNI GV CS 1545 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1004957.Xml
Peasant leader Akhil Gogoi, who has been behind bars for 30 days in connection with various police cases, was today remanded in judicial custody for another 14 days. A local court in Golaghat sent Mr Gogoi to 14 days judicial remand today in connection with a case of 2006 for allegedly instigating assault of a local Congress leader. Mr Gogoi, who was previously lodged in Lakhimpur, was brought to Golaghat last night and produced before the court this morning. He was arrested from the office of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) in Guwahati on October 2 last on charges of instigating protests during an eviction drive in Kaziranga, which had led to the death of two persons. After being remanded to judicial custody in the Kaziranga case, he was taken into custody by Lakhimpur Police in connection with a case regarding organising protests against an under-construction dam of the NHPC at Gerukamukh, near Lakhimpur. Golaghat police took him in custody yesterday from Lakhimpur and was again sent to judicial custody today. Talking to reporters while being taken to Golaghat Central Jail, Mr Gogoi alleged that he was being kept behind bars on flimsy grounds as he had been building protests against the proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2016, which seeks to give citizenship rights to persecuted religious minorities from neighbouring countries. UNI SG AD CJ SNU 1540 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0108-1004837.Xml
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is visiting Kashmir Valley tomorrow to pay homage to the India's first Param Vir Chakra recipient Major Somnath on his 69th death anniversary in the central Kashmir district of Badgam. Defence officials said Mr Parrikar, arriving here tomorrow, will be joined by senior Army officers to pay tribute to Major Somnath near the Srinagar Airport in Budgam. This will be the first visit of Mr Parrikar after the surgical strike by Indian Army on militant camps across the Line of Control (LoC) in retaliation to Fidayeen attack on Brigade headquarters at Uri in which 19 soldiers were killed and 20 others injured on September 18. Four Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants were also killed in the encounter. The Defence Minister will be given a details brief about the overall situation in the Kashmir Valley, particularly on the LoC and IB, where daily ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops are taking place. UNI BAS RSA SNU 1534 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-1004740.Xml
Golden Globe Hotels Private Limited, owned by former Haryana Minister Gopal Kanda, today gave an undertaking to the Bombay High Court at Goa that it would not operate the off-shore casino even if it was granted a licence by the government till the next hearing. The Goa Government advocate informed the court that no licence has been issued to the new casino. The vacation judge of the Bombay High Court at Goa Justice Mahesh Sonak adjourned till November 15 the further hearing on the petition filed by Adv Aires Rodrigues challenging the illegal and high-handed move by the Goa Government to renew and grant an off-shore casino licence to `controversial' former Haryana MinisterGopal Kanda. Adv Rodrigues in his petition has sought the recall of the order passed by the High Court on August 1, 2016 as it was passed after a misleading statement was made to the Court by Additional Advocate General Dattaprasad Lawande, which was contrary to the official records. Adv Rodrigues has pointed out that the court was wrongly informed by Additional Advocate General Dattaprasad Lawande that the Government had favourably considered the representation made by Golden Globe Hotels Private Limited to renew their licence from the year 2011 to 2016. Stating that the Additional Advocate General Dattaprasad Lawande could not have made a statement contrary to the official position of the government, Adv Rodrigues has drawn the attention of the Court to the affidavit filed by the Under Secretary Home on December 7, 2015 that the expired casino licence could not be renewed. Adv Rodrigues has also drawn the High Court's attention to a cabinet decision adopted by the Goa government in 2013 not to renew expired casino licences. UNI XR NV RSA SNU 1509 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-1004772.Xml
Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has directed the South Goa District Magistrate to provide basic necessities like food, water and solar panels to the Vanarmane, a nomadic tribe, till such time regular arrangements are made for their rehabilitation. Vanarmane, a nomadic tribe from Maharashtra were displaced by the local villagers at Bethora-Nirankal in Ponda taluka, 40 km from here about a fortnight ago. A group of local villagers vandalised their huts and destroyed their meagre food and household items demanding that the tribe be evicted from the village. Following this, Rajiv Naik, a citizen from Panaji approached the Goa Human Rights Commission complaining that vandal attack on Vanarmares was violation of human rights of primitive tribals residing at Bethora village. The complainant had prayed that the Goa chief secretary be directed to rehabilitate the victimised tribals and as interim measures to provide basic facilities like food, bedding and shelter to them and also to file action taken report within a week. The complainant represented by Adv Satish Sonak has also sought directions to the Goa police to hold an inquiry by a police officer not below the rank of DySP into the incident and to book offences against the culprits and to arrest them and to avoid recurrence of such incident. During the last hearing, the Ponda sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Sunita Sawant sought more time to file police report stating that the investigations was still on. However, the Commission directed the South Goa District Magistrate to provide basic necessities to the victims and to submit compliance report within 15 days. UNI XR NV RSA SNU 1537 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-1004780.Xml
Election Commission today issued notice to 27 Aam Aadmi Party MLAs for allegedly holding office of profit, sources in the poll panel said. The MLAs have been asked to reply to the notice by November 11, they said. President Pranab Mukherjee had forwarded to the Election Commission complaint against 27 MLAs of the party in 'Office of Profit' case. In the complaint, the 27 MLAs were charged with holding 'Office of Profit' by view of being appointed chairpersons of Rogi Kalyan Samitis in various government hospitals in the city. Their appointment amounts to holding 'Office of Profit' as in the capacity of chairpersons, all these legislators are in a position to interfere in day-to-day administration of all these hospitals. Another case, which is already before the EC, was of the 21 AAP legislators allegedly holding 'Office of Profit' as Parliamentary Secretaries. The AAP legislators were holding 'Office of Profit' as Parliamentary Secretaries after they were appointed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's government after it came to power in February 2015. UNI NY RSA SNU 1614 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0099-1004910.Xml
In one of the biggest seizures of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the apex counter-smuggling agency of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), have seized about 23.5 metric tonnes of Mandrax Tablets (Methaqualone), a banned psychotropic substance under Schedule I of NDPS Rules, 1985 worth over Rs 3,000-crore. In this regard, active assistance of officials of Border Security Force (BSF) at Udaipur has been taken by the officers of DRI for the operation. According to DRI officials, information was received that huge quantities of Mandrax tablets have been concealed in a premises at Udaipur (Rajasthan) by one Mumbai-based mastermind. On October 28, a team of officers of DRI raided the premises of Marudhar Drinks, Bhamasha Industial Area, Kaladwas, Udaipur. During the search, DRI officers detected a hidden room filled with cartons of Mandrax tablets. The total number of tablets are estimated to be about 2-crore in numbers with a weight of about 23.5 metric tonnes (23500 kgs). The international market value of seized tablets is estimated to be over Rs 3000-crore. This is one of the largest seizures of Methaqualone not only in India but also in the world. The mastermind of the syndicate has been arrested by DRI and follow-up operation is underway to nab others involved with the drug syndicate. The major raw material for Mandrax is acetic anhydride which was manufactured by the syndicate at Shreenath Industries, Rajsamand. The other raw materials for Methaqualone, apart from acetic anhydride (manufactured at Shreenath Industries) are Anthranillic Acid (which was imported from Indonesia from Kandla Port by misdeclaring it as Mallic Anhydride), ortho toloudiene, phosporous trichloride, caustic soda (procured locally). Methaqualone is a depressant, overdose of which can lead to coma and death. It is used as a recreational drug in Africa and Asia. It is commonly known as Mandrax, M-pills, buttons, or smarties and is usually smoked mixed with cannabis. Relentless efforts put in by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has resulted in neutralising 10 other factories across several states in the recent past manufacturing various types of synthetic drugs like Mephedrone, Ketamine, Alprazolam and precursor chemical like Ephedrine. In last five years, DRI has seized more than 540 kgs of heroin, and 7400 kgs of ephedrine along with other narcotics and psychotropic substances under NDPS Act 1985. DRI has been in active liaison with international enforcement agencies for combating the menace of drug abuse.UNI ADP RSA SNU 1644 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0429-1004904.Xml
Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio said the institution of the Gaon Burhas (village headmen) as custodian of Naga customary laws and practices has withstood the test of time since the British times in the then Naga Hills. Addressing the first conference of the Chumukedima Area Gaon Burha Association (CAGBA) at Diphupar local ground in Dimapur yesterday, Mr Rio wondered whether the image of the GBs was waning in the present day compared to the respect they received in the past. He said foremost, the GBs should exercise the powers vested in them with full prudence and wisdom and not abuse the position they command. The MP said in the past during the height of the Naga Movement, not many people were willing to shoulder the post of GB as it entailed lots of responsibilities and the GBs faced harassment from many angles. But in the relatively peaceful present-day, there is fight and clamour for the GB seat, Mr Rio said and reminded that the real test of a GB is during trying times when the villagers need their wisdom and guidance most. Mr Rio said as per Naga tradition, which accorded highest respect to elders of the village (Gaon Buras) for their experience, maturity and wisdom, the British sought the service of GBs to assist them in village administration and thus introduced the institution of GB. He said the British did not interfere in the internal and local affairs of the village but trusted and vested the GBs with powers to deal with local administration, including civil and criminal cases. Even to this day, the GBs form the backbone of the administration at the grassroots level and the GB institution is protected by the Indian constitution and also under the 16-Point Agreement, Mr Rio said. Earlier, CAGBA President Tokishe Achumi, who also chaired the conference, in his welcome address said the Association with 58 villages, including three unrecognised ones, was formed to foster better relationship among various tribes and communities living in Chumukedima area. UNI AS AD AE SNU 1633 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0108-1004887.Xml
Split within the first family of the ruling Samajwadi Party's seems eminent as party national president Mulayam Singh Yadav will skip Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Rath yatra to be launched tomorrow. SP vice-president and Rajya Sabha member Kironmoy Nanda told UNI here today that there was no need for a national president to attend a state level yatra programme. "Netaji had already flagged off the Mulayam Sandesh Yatra on September 10 which has completed its two phases of campaign for the party in view of the coming assembly elections," he stated. He said, "Netaji had in the past flagged off the yatras of Akhilesh in 2001-02 and then on 2011-12 so now there is no such need to do it again this time also." Defending that it was not compulsory for a national president to attend a state level programme, Mr Nanda, a close confidant of both Mulayam Singh Yadav as well as Akhilesh Yadav, said tomorrow's rath yatra launching programme would be a historic one. When asked about the national leaders attending the November 5 silver jubilee foundation day programme of the Samajwadi Party, he said that he was not aware of the number of leaders who would be coming on that day. He also refused to say anything on the possibility of pre-poll alliance with Congress and other secular parties. "I don't know anything about it," he said. Yesterday it was reported that Mulayam Singh Yadav had met Congress poll strategist Prashant Kishor in New Delhi. Mr Kironmoy and Mr Mulayam Singh returned to Lucknow from New Delhi together today. No senior leader of the party is ready to confirm whether 'Netaji' would flag off the rath yatra of his son like he did in 2001-02 and then in 2011-12. The real reason for refusal of party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav to attend tomorrow's programme would be the presence of his cousin and sacked party leader Ram Gopal Yadav and other youth leaders who had been expelled by the party for questioning the party president for removing Akhilesh from the post of the state president. UP minister Rajendra Choudhury, a close confidant of Akhilesh, too said that this yatra has the blessings of Mr Mulayam Singh but he did not confirm whether the party president would be present in the function of not. A senior party functionary said that Netaji has refused to join any function where his cousin Ram Gopal Yadav was present. Mr Ram Gopal Yadav in Etawah had recently announced to attend the Rath Yatra programme in Lucknow on November 3 and said that he would support Mr Akhilesh Yadav for his second term as the chief minister of UP. The bickering within the first family was obvious when after some conciliation, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav refused to attend the Yash Bharati Awards although his name was printed as the chief guest. Similarly Akhilesh Yadav refused to remove a minister Pawan Pandey from his ministry after he was expelled from the party for assaulting SP MLA Ashu Malik, who is close to Mulayam Singh Yadav. UP SP president Shivpal Singh Yadav, who was sacked from the Akhilesh ministry recently, addressing the meeting of the Lohia Vahini workers, said the party workers and leaders will have to be cautious about some people who were trying to weaken the party. Without taking names, he said these people were responsible for breaking of the Mahagathbandan in Bihar assembly polls and now they were putting hurdles in the pre-poll alliances in the coming UP assembly polls. Mr Shivpal Singh Yadav, the younger brother of party supremo, has asked the youths to identify the workers and leaders who were working against the party so that they could be thrown out.UNI MB RSA SNU 1704 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-1005110.Xml
Nagaland Governor PB Acharya, who has been vocal on streamlining the education setup, said there was an urgent need for a total overhaul in the system, as most of the institutions were still practicing the colonial British rule system. Addressing the silver jubilee-cum-25th Freshers' Social of the Pranabananda Women's College (PWC) in Dimapur yesterday, Mr Acharya also expressed serious concern by the way some universities were luring youths with mere degrees instead of equipping them with skills. This he said has rather created more educated unemployed youths and termed it as "act of crime." Such universities depend solely on the government funds and lack productivity, resulting in students hunting for jobs desperately with some even going to the extent of paying bribes, he said. He highlighted Centre's initiative under the leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which had earmarked Rs 12,000-crore, to impart skill oriented education. The scheme, to be implemented in all the colleges (sixth semester), would equip graduating students to be independent once they pass out from their institutions. Mr Acharya said this scheme was specifically targeted at creating more self-reliant students and not just students with mere degrees. He appreciated the college for attaining a milestone and for playing an exemplary role as one of the leading colleges for women in the state. The Governor further called upon the people to change their perception towards women and daughters, who he said were often regarded as liabilities. He urged the wealthy people to come forward in helping out in various social services and also to the Nagas residing elsewhere, to come and help their people. "It is them who can make the state a better place and that they shouldn't wait for someone else to do it on their behalf," he added. During the event, the Governor inaugurated the college magazine 'Pranab Vision' while his wife, Kavita Achraya inaugurated the 'Wall Magazine." UNI AS KK AE SNU 1635 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0212-1004992.Xml
The celebration of Tipu Jayanti had been opposed by the BJP,Sangh Parivar and other organisations who accused the muslim rulerof being anti-national and forced religious conversions.

However, the State government had declared that it would go aheadwith the celebrations as Tipu Sultan was a patriot who was the firstamong those who waged a major war against British Rule.

Police stopped when BJP members, led by film actor turnedpolitician Tara Anuradha tried to take out 'Onake (Pestel) Chaluvaliin Chitradurga.

History says that Onake Obbavva, wife of a guard in Chitradurga,ruled by 18th century Hindu King from this historical town ofChitradurga had fought the forces of Muslim dictator Hyder Ali, thefather of Tipu Sultan, single-handedly with a pestle (Onake) Herhusband was a guard of a watchtower in the rocky fort.

There had been mixed response for the government's decision tocelebrate Tipu's birth anniversary for the second year. The rightwing organisations have been protesting against the government'smove to celebrate the event of a person who ''was a bigot whoconverted Hindus, Christians''. This had led to come clashes last year.

Member of Legislative Council Tara Anuradha and a large number ofBJP workers were stopped at the entrance of the Fort Town and weredetained by the police.

Meanwhile, protests were reported in some other parts of Karnataka.MORE UNI RS MSP CS 1627

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The Kannada and Muslim Corporators met Deputy Commissioner NJayaram and demanded strict action against Mayor Saritha Patil andDeputy Mayor Sanjay Shindhe and also against Member of LegislativeAssembly Sambaji Patil who participated in the Maharashtra EkikaranaSamithi (MES) sponsored agitation.

Kannada Kriya Samithi President Ashok Chandargi, told newsmenafter holding a meeting, said that " the State Government shouldcarefully handle the issue and Superseeding the Corporation will notpunish those who protested against the State.

He said that Belagavi is selected for developing as 'Smart City'by the Centre and any wrong step will hamper development of the City.

He said that previous Mayors Mahesh Naik and Kiran Sainaik,though supporters of MES, did not participate in 'Black Day'agitation during their term. "But this time Saritha Patil,Sanjay Shinde, MLA Sambaji Patil, many Gram Panchayat,Taluk Panchayt and other elected members participated in theagitation and the Government should take action against them and notto punish Corporators who did not participate and striving theinterest of the State."

Meanwhile, Pro Kannada Forums staged protest demanding immediatesuperseeding of BCC and removal of Mayor, Deputy Mayor Belagavi SouthMLA Sambaji Patil.UNI HVN MSP CS 1650

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Police today foiled a meeting between chairmen of both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). The three Separatist leaders had planned to hold a joint meeting at the residence of Mr Geelani at Hyderpora this afternoon to chalk out the future strategy. However, when Mr Malik reached outside the Hyderpora residence of Mr Geelani, he was not allowed to go inside. Mr Geelani is under house arrest since his return from New Delhi in May this year. However, he was arrested a number of times for defying restrictions and later released in the evening each time. Mirwaiz is also under house arrest since his release recently from the detention for about two months. A spokesman for the amalgam Mirwaiz was not allowed to leave his house by the security forces deployed outside his Nigeen residence. Both the factions of the HC and JKLF are spearheading the agitation since July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and two other militants were killed in an encounter in Anantnag. Death of Burhan followed by massive protests and clashes during which 86 persons, mostly youths, were killed and several thousands injured in security force and police actions. About 10,000 stone-pelters and Separatists were arrested during the period and over 400 were booked under the Public Safety Act and shifted to jails outside the Valley, where life remained crippled due to strike. Separatists are jointly issuing weekly protest calendar for strike and other protests which will end tomorrow.UNI ABS AE SNU 1700 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0433-1005095.Xml
Muzaffar Wani, the father of slain Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani, whose death has sparked off unrest in Kashmir, on Wednesday condemned the burning of educational institutions in state, saying this is not acceptable. Muzaffar Wani told ANI, "Schools are being burnt from past 10 days, and don't know, who is doing all this. We cannot blame anybody else. Who all are involved in this are doing wrong they should not have burnt the schools, this is our property, Jammu and Kashmir's property. This is wrong." "It is not only about kids, it is about the future of Kashmir as everybody is suffering here including workers, shopkeepers, transporters. During the present scenario, we have to think about everybody and we should get a solution for the same," he added. Wani further said that they have seen unrest in 2008 and 2010 and now they are witnessing the same in 2016. "If today, we will try to find a solution, only then we will face things in future. It would be really good that this issue is settled once and for all," he added. On Monday, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court took suo-moto cognisance of schools being burnt in the valley and directed the authorities of all concerned districts to take all preventive and protective measures for school buildings from unknown enemies of education. The division bench of the high court directed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Brij Raj Sharma, Director General of Police K. Rajendra Kumar and Director School Education (Kashmir) to issue necessary instructions to all deputy commissioners, SSPs and CEOs of concerned districts to take all preventive and protective measures for school buildings. The bench also directed the three top officers to remain present during the next hearing on November 7. Over 25 educational institutions have been burnt by miscreants in the Kashmir Valley since July 9, a day after Burhan was killed in an encounter in South Kashmir. Several schools in Kashmir valley have been closed due to a shutdown call given by separatist groups.(ANI)
The First Private Sector Conference on Global United Fund Business Investment Opportunities held here today saw eminent disaster management personnel emphasising the need for encouraging entrepreneurs and innovators to come up with out of the box solutions for mitigating natural and man-made disasters with viable and profitable business models. The conference was organised by FICCI in association with The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), National Institute for Disaster Management (NIDM) and Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE). The theme of the conference was Business Opportunities in Disaster Risk Reduction with the focus on private sector involvement and the proposal to set up a Global United Fund, the world's first 100-million-dollar fund to bring the government and private sector together for business sustainability through disaster risk reduction. HK Mittal, Head & Adviser, Member Secretary, National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), Department of Science & Technology in his address, underscored the need for disaster management and risk reduction and stressed the importance of awareness on the use of relief material and preparedness. He gave examples of business opportunities such as the one afforded by the Latur earthquake in terms of supply of relief material and rehabilitation of the victims. Kirsi Madi, Director, UNISDR, pointed out that disaster resilience was a real issue for businesses in India as they have come to realise that investment in disaster reduction was not a cost but an asset for sustainability of business. Disaster risk reduction, she said, protects an organisation's assets and reputation, ensures safety of clients and opens up business opportunities. Jesper Elsgaard, Global Head, Government Affairs, Bavarian Nordic, said ''today's global trends underline the need for proactive bio- preparedness as an outbreak is not just a public health crisis, it is a social, humanitarian, and economic crisis and a threat to national security''. UNI ADP RSA SNU 1727 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0429-1005160.Xml
Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh today lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of exploiting Sikh sentiments by raking up the 1984 riots issue with an eye on the 2017 Assembly elections in the state. "The Akalis have been ruling Punjab for nearly 10 years, and AAP has now been in power in Delhi for two years. But neither party even thought of the issue till this moment, when elections in Punjab are round the corner," said the Punjab Congress chief. The Akalis, in fact, have a history of raising the issue only during election times and immediately forgetting all about it the moment elections are over, Capt Amarinder said, adding that AAP's track record in sensationalising events for promoting its vested interests needs no elaboration. The 1984 riots were the darkest chapter in Sikh history, said Captain Amarinder, adding that though he had resigned from Parliament and the Congress over the issue, it was time now for Punjab to move forward. The people of Punjab are faced with other, more vital concerns, which the Akalis have failed to address all these years and which AAP seems to be clueless about, the Punjab Congress president asserted. Punjab is today gripped by a host of serious problems, ranging from unemployment to drug menace, declining industrial and economic growth, agrarian crisis etc, Capt Singh pointed out. "And yet, all these parties want to talk about is an issue which has absolutely no relevance for people today." Charging AAP, which had yesterday written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking reopening of the anti-Sikh riot cases in the next three months, with brazen opportunism. Had AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal's party been sincere in its intentions, it would not have waited for the Punjab polls to take up the matter. As for the Akalis, they have lost all moral and political right to throw mud at other parties considering their atrocious track record in Punjab since coming to power. Captain Singh, a staunch opponent of Operation Bluestar that culminated in the anti-Sikh riots, said it was the responsibility of all political parties contesting the coming Assembly polls to take on issues that impact the lives of the people of Punjab, who are looking for a turn of the tide to alleviate their sufferings.UNI JS SW SNU 1803 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-1005222.Xml
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that development should not confine just to the capital area and that services should be decentralized. At a review meeting with officials of the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) here today, the Chief Minister said that hospitals, schools, malls and other services should come up in different parts of the Capital region for people's convenience. CRDA Commissioner Sreedhar informed the Chief Minister that they are holding meeting with mangers of star hotels, representatives of schools and colleges and are in the process of identifying land. "A total of 39 hotels like the Taj, the ITC and the Novotel have come forward to establish hotels and we are holding a meeting with hospital groups on Novemer 11," the CRDA Commissioner said. The officials informed the Chief Minister that by December 31, 2017 all construction of arterial roads and sub arterial roads of 270 km would be completed with an estimate cost of Rs.3,600 crore. The Chief Minister warned the officials that no water logging should be there and asked them not to compromise on the quality and standards.MORE UNI DP CS 1812 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1005315.Xml
Police said G.Raja (30) and his younger brother G.Bhoopathy (26) were talking to their kin Vadivel on the Kuzhumani road, when the heavily armed gang who came in two motorcycles attacked them with sickles indiscriminately. Both the brothers sustained multiple cut injuries and died on the spot, while their kin managed to escape with cut injuries.

The gang covered their faces with clothes to hide their identities. They sped in motorcycles after committing the double murder.

Preliminary investigations revealed that there was a wordy quarrel between the deceased and another gang while consuming liquor in a TASMAC shop on Deepavali night. The double murder might have been sequel to the quarrel, police suspect.

The deceased have criminal background and were reportedly indulged in Kangaroo courts in that area.

Somarasampettai police have registered a case and are searching for the assailants. UNI GSM CS 1836

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A meeting of the district unit chiefs of the Jharkhand Congress was today held at the state headquarters here which was chaired by Sukhdeo Bhagat and saw participation of 23 district unit chiefs. During the meeting, it was decided that the centenary birth anniversary celebrations of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi would be celebrated across the state on November 19. As part of the celebrations, Indira Jyoti Yatra would be taken out in the entire state and seminars, debates, essay writings would be organised. It was also decided that Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj awareness programme would be organised in remaining 11 districts of the state between November 11 and 13. It was also decided that party would raise the issues of police firing incidents, changes proposed in CNT and SPT Acts and would also 'gherao' the Vidhan Sabha. Addressing the meeting, JPCC president Sukhdeo Bhagat said all district unit chiefs should constitute booth committees, block and district committees along with media cell and social media cell. He asked them to identify short term and long term local problems and organise programmes over the issue and ensure participation of local leaders. During the course of the meeting, a proposal was also passed to condemn the baseless statements being made in the media by few party leaders. A two-minute silence was also observed as mark of respect for those who lost their lives in cross border firing of Pakistan in Samba and Rajouri sectors of Jammu and Kashmir.UNI AK KK SW SNU 1905 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0212-1005361.Xml
Dal Khalsa, AISSF and SYP will hold a demonstration at Moga on November 3 to raise the demand for UN-led credible probe into the November 1984 carnage. This was announced by party spokesman Kanwar Pal Singh after performing Ardas at Akal Takhat on the conclusion of freedom march. Dal Khalsa head Harpal Singh Cheema and AISSF acting president Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad were also present on the occasion. He said to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of Sikh carnage in Delhi and elsewhere, their affiliated groups would hold demonstration for two hours on the streets of Moga city. He said they would lit candles in the memory of innocent Sikhs who became victims of politics of genocide and hatred engineered by Congress top leadership led by Rajiv Gandhi. He said ironically every political party from AAP to BJP has coined a different meaning of justice. "We are very much clear that compensation is not a justice," the Dal Khalsa leader said and added that the aggrieved community wants to see the perpetrators and conspirators of the crime behind bars. Stating that 1984 was an attempted genocide, he said the media has been wrongly reporting it as riots. Taking a dig at the Indian justice system, he said hope for justice has faded with the passage of time. UNI JS SW SNU 1854 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-1005274.Xml
Social Activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday said that the Centre's betrayal to the nations' ex-servicemen over the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme resulted in the suicide of Ram Kishan Grewal, and threatened to restart his agitation on the implementation of the scheme. "Earlier the government had promised that the OROP will be implemented and we trusted them, which is why we stopped our protest," Anna said. Stating that it was unfortunate that an ex-serviceman committed suicide over the failure of the scheme's implementation, the activist stated that on one hand the government glorifies soldiers and on the other hand doesn't fulfill promises. Speaking to ANI here, Anna further said that armed forces put themselves on the line of fire in testing conditions to protect the country, yet their very right has been denied to them. "No harm in fighting for your own right and we are not begging in front of anybody," Hazare said on launching a protest again. Earlier today, ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison at Delhi's Jantar Mantar area, over the issue of One Rank One Pension scheme (OROP) In his suicide note, he said that he is taking such an extreme step for the sake of the soldiers. The Police said that he along with some other ex-servicemen were in the process of submitting a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP. Grewal was a resident of Bumla village in Bhiwani, Haryana. Ex-servicemen have been protesting over the OROP scheme introduced by the government. Earlier, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who was detained today after he tried to meet the kin of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, lashed out at the Delhi Police for arresting the former jawan's family besides himself. Rahul Gandhi was stopped close to the gates of the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital here when he went to meet the family of the victim Grewal. Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was also 'forcibly removed' from the hospital premises after he went to meet the grieving family. He later tweeted, "I had gone to the hospital to meet the family of the ex-serviceman, not to launch a dharna. What mistake have I done?" The police also detained Jaswant Grewal, the son of Subedar Grewal, after he joined AAP workers in impromptu protests outside the hospital. Gandhi called Jaswant's detention a "shame." The Trinamool Congress also joined the beeline stating that its representative is on his way to the national capital to chime in the developments. Subedar Grewal's family wants the government to fulfill the demands that he made in a petition that he planned to hand over to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar later on Tuesday. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has sought details of the incident.(ANI)
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today discussed the border situation with the Chief Ministers of the all border states in wake of heavy shelling by Pakistani Rangers in Jammu region in which eight civilians lost their life. He said the Centre will take all possible steps to counter the cross border shelling and assured that no one can harm the country. Mr Singh was replying to a question of the mediapersons here on the border situation of Jammu and Kashmir following continuous ceasefire violations by Pakistan. The Union Home Minister said he had already spoken to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti regarding the safety of civilians in that region. Asked about the Centre's strategy to counter the shelling in civilian areas at the border, Mr Singh said, "Strategy is strategy. It is never disclosed.''UNI NY SB SNU 1932 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0099-1005418.Xml
Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today asked NDMC to make Connaught Place, Khan Market 'No Vehicle' zones. Mr Naidu reviewed the progress of implementation of Smart City Plan of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and has given a set of directions for making a radical difference to the look and feel of the area so that NDMC area could act as a light house to other smart cities in the making. The Minister, while expressing concern over air pollution and traffic congestion, has asked NDMC to convert Connaught Place and Khan Market as 'No vehicle' zones through necessary planning for traffic management, parking and last mile connectivity. He suggested introduction of electric vehicles for the benefit of children, elderly and the disabled. Expressing concern over poor maintenance, look and feel of road from airport to Connaught Place, Mr Naidu directed that NDMC and South MCD should undertake necessary interventions to make this section a smart road with all necessary features like pathways, landscaping all along the road etc so that it looks world class. He stressed on the need for provision of quality pedestrian pathways and non-motorised transport infrastructure. All roads in NDMC area should be made smart with smart poles, smart bus stops, smart parking, pedestrian crossings, pedestrian and cycle pathways, CCTV cameras, LED lighting, 3D Zebra crossings, steel furniture etc. Mr Naidu also suggested setting up digital display screens at all major locations to provide information on traffic flows including jams, suggested traffic diversions, weather, pollution and other public information. Similar information needs to be disseminated on a continuous basis through FM and Community Radio, he said, adding that whole NDMC area should be provided with Wi-Fi support. The Minister said NDMC will ensure a visible impact of smart city development by June next year and the whole smart city plan, approved with an estimated investment of Rs 1,900 crore should be implemented by June, 2018. Chairman of NDMC Mr Naresh Kumar informed Mr Naidu that so far, smart city projects worth Rs 650 crore are already under implementation and work on the remaining would start in the next few months. He further said that a few projects have already been completed and about 25 projects would be completed by June next year. NDMC Chairman Naresh Kumar stated that the Smart City Plan of NDMC is based on four important pillars of Smart Water Management, Smart Energy Grid, Smart Education and Smart Healthcare. He informed that e-Hospital has been launched across the entire areas with three modules viz, Out Patient Division, In Patient Division and Pharmacy module already under implementation.UNI NY SB 2010 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0099-1005555.Xml
Former Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi today maintained that fear of new prohibition act being scrapped by the Supreme Court had forced Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to contemplate amendment in the New Excise Act. "BJP has been opposing stringent punishment of prohibition law since it was enacted in Bihar but Mr Kumar remained adamant," Mr Modi said, adding that the drama of seeking suggestions from the people was an attempt of the government to save its face. The former deputy chief minister demanded that an all-party meeting be convened to evolve consensus on the issue. It was strange to note that the government had preferred to seek opinion of the people after enforcing the law while the practice had been for seeking suggestions before framing a new law, he remarked. Mr Modi said the Patna High Court had scrapped April 5 notification of Bihar Government enforcing complete liquor ban in Bihar as it carried several stringent provisions which were found to be in contravention of the constitutional parameters. Even more stringent provisions like arrest of all adult members of the family and confiscation of the building, in the event of recovery of liquor had been made in existing prohibition act which was bound to fall flat in the court, making Nitish Kumar Government restless, he maintained.UNI KKS-IS KK SW SNU 1915 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0212-1005379.Xml
Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh today lashed out at the Modi Government over the inhuman and dictatorial treatment meted out to the family of ex-serviceman Subedar Ram Kishan, who committed suicide over the OROP issue in New Delhi. Not only were the family members of the deceased illegally detained but they were also beaten up by the police in brazen display of shameful high-handedness and mental depravity, Captain Singh pointed out, demanding strict action against the guilty personnel. "What could be more reprehensible than the fact that the family was not even allowed to see the body of Subedar Ram Kishan," he asked. The Punjab Congress chief also unequivocally condemned the detention of AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who went to meet the bereaved family, as a frontal attack on democracy. Clearly acting at the instigation of the central government, the cops acted in an imperious manner to crack down on the family, he said, adding that the government seemed hell-bent on covering up its shameful laxity. Asserting that Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had lost all moral right to remain in the office after the shocking incident, Captain Singh said the abominable treatment of defence personnel, ex-servicemen and war widows by the defence ministry had hit a shocking low under his leadership. In a statement here, Captain Singh said Subedar Ram Kishan's suicide had exposed Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's lie on the implementation of OROP. The Defence Minister was squarely responsible for Ram Kishan's death and should step down from office taking moral accountability for the same, demanded the Punjab Congress chief. Though Prime Minister Narendra Modi had just three days ago claimed that Rs 5500-crore had been paid for implementing OROP, the fact of the matter was that what had been implemented by the government was not OROP but a one-time increase in pensions, Captain Singh said. He lamented that the Modi Government continued to ignore the woes of the ex-servicemen, with serious consequences for the community as well as the nation as a whole. While the defence personnel were ready to lay down their lives for the country, the government had no qualms about playing with their lives, he added. Ram Kishan, along with other ex-servicemen, had been protesting in New Delhi for the past one year seeking proper implementation of OROP to remove all anomalies in the pension scheme for ex-servicemen. The existing system, according to them, was skewed against fair and equitable pension for ex-servicemen and should be corrected without delay. Depressed over the defence ministry's failure to respond to their concerns, Subedar Ram Kishan consumed poison last night. The Punjab Congress president said the plight of defence personnel, ex-servicemen and war widows under the NDA government was a matter of serious concern. Mr Parrikar had failed to address their problems. The OROP scheme offered by the Modi Government had fallen drastically short of the ex-servicemen's expectations, said the PPCC president, describing it as yet another example of the shoddy treatment being meted out to defence personnel by the NDA-led central government. Time and again, the defence ministry, led by Parrikar, had proved its incompetence at handling the problems of defence personnel, Captain Singh said, demanding immediate replacement of Mr Parrikar in this sensitive portfolio. With nearly three million ex-servicemen and war widows in the country affected by the delay in OROP implementation, the issue could not be allowed to hang fire and needed to be resolved promptly, before it claims more lives, he stressed.UNI JS SW SNU 1927 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-1005392.Xml
Condemning the continuous ceasefire violations across the International Border, Union Minister and Punjab BJP president Vijay Sampla today warned that Pakistan should refrain from such provocative acts. In his blog, Mr Sampla said, "India is a peace loving democracy and has never attacked any nation first. But Pakistan should bear it in mind that we do give a befitting reply. If Pakistan continues with its incursions or provocative actions on borders violating the ceasefire, then along with the Indian Army, the Indian citizens are ready to play their role." Mr Sampla wrote, "I don't understand the simple fact that why do we have to warn Pakistan every time that it should weigh the situation before any misadventure. I think Pakistan has forgotten 1965 and 1971. If these loses are not enough, then Pakistan should bear in mind the defeat in Kargil and the recent surgical strikes. Pakistan only fights to fuel its ego and instigate hatred, while jawans of the Indian Army are ready to sacrifice their lives for the nation. "It is evident from our historical past that we have always preached and practised peace. During the Ramayana era, Angad went to Ravan's Lanka as a peace envoy and during the Mahabarat times, Lord Krishna himself went to Dhritrashtra as an emissary to broker truce. Continuing this tradition, many of our former prime ministers including Atal Behari Vajpayee and incumbent PM Narendra Modi visited Pakistan and tried to resolve the differences and bring in peace and harmony. Instead, Pakistan has always back-stabbed us. We won't let the sacrifices of our soldiers go in vain. Indian Army is very much capable and well-equipped to protect its borders," said Mr Sampla.UNI JS SW SNU 1957 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-1005487.Xml
A fresh protest calendar issued by the separatists asked people to observe the strike till November 10 besides hold seminars, marches and protests in the Valley, where 86 people, mostly youths were killed and several hundred were injured in security force and police action since the death of Burhan.

However, there will be relaxation on plying of public and private transport from 2200 hrs till 0700 hrs every day. The fresh protest calendar issued this evening said that there will be relaxation in strike from 1600 hrs to 0700 hrs next morning on November 5, 6, 8 and 9.

Both the factions of Hurriyat Conference and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) , spearheading the present agitation are jointly issuing protest calendar every week.

However, today police foiled a joint meeting between Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq and Mohammad Yaseen Mali, who were scheduled to meet at the Hyderpora residence of Geelani, who is under house.

Mirwaiz was also not allowed from his Nigeen house where he is under house arrest while Malik was turned back by police from the house of Geelani.UNI ABS SW SB 2013

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As per handout issued here, the civil society has sought a high-level inquiry into the demise, alleging that death was caused due to mismanagement on the part of Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu.

The members said that Dengue is not deadly disease and over thousands of cases are registered in hospitals daily, but in case of death of Sadhaya Arora, there was negligence on the part of hospital administration.

They demanded a high level probe into the death of young entrepreneur, especially role of GMC administration.

''A high-level inquiry should be called to ascertain hidden facts behind the death of Sadhaya. Every single doctor, paramedical staff and others shall be questioned regarding series of treatment provided to the Sadhaya,'' demanded civil society, adding that the guilty person shall be punished, so that such unfortunate incidents may not repeat.

Son of MLC Ramesh Arora, Sadhya was a bright student especially in hardware, they added.UNI VBH VS 2044

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The Indian Air Force conducted an Air Display at Air Force Station Bakshi Ka Talab (BKT) here to give the people a glimpse of professional capabilities of Indian Air Force. The Governor UP, Shri Ram Naik was the guest of honour on this occasion. The air display demonstrated some of the very thrilling display manoeuvres performed by air warriors in their magnificent flying machines. The air display comprised of internationally acclaimed 'Akash-Ganga' Paratroopers Team, 'Sarang' Helicopter Formation Air Display Team and 'Surya Kiran' Formation Aerobatics Team all of which are famous for their mesmerizing performances worldwide. In addition, the famous Su-30 MKI aircraft carried out low level aerobatics and formations of the MIG-21 and Kiran MK-II aircraft were displayed. The occasion was graced by Air Marshal SBP Sinha, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in- C), Central Air Command, Group Captain Tarun Chaudhry, Station Commander BKT, various air force officers and civil dignitaries. The Indian Air Force is a modern, technology intensive force with real time response capability with a strategic global reach. Distinguished by its commitment to excellence and professionalism, it stands as a credible air power and is counted amongest the foremost professional services of the world today. The Indian Air Force besides defending our National Airspace has also been the first responder in all Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations saving numerous valuable lives and providing huge quantities of life saving relief material and succor to stranded people all over the country. Notably, the Central Air Command was formed in 1962 and its spreads from the Himalayas in the north to the Deccan plateau in the south. The vast geographical area of its responsibility extends across the states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra , Odisha, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The aircraft of Central Air Command have played a very crucial and decisive role in 1965 and 1971 wars and the Kargil conflict. The transport aircraft and helicopters of Central Air Command have contributed immensely in the service of the nation by undertaking numerous humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations during floods, cyclones, earthquakes and forest fires. The rescue and relief operations undertaken by Central Air Command during severe floods in Kedarnath valley and Earthquake in Nepal are praiseworthy. The Central Air Command in August this year employed Advanced Light Helicopter, Chetak and Mi-17 helicopters to rescue people stranded in floods in Rewa, Satna, Baliya, Ghazipur, Deoria and Allahabad wherein we saved lives of 12 people and dropped 54 Tons of relief material and succor. Helicopters of Central Air Command provide relentless support to the Central Armed Police Forces in the anti-Naxal Operations. UNI JDM MB VS 2048 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1005720.Xml
Addressing a rally after submission of nomination papers by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee for Shahdol Lok Sabha by-election Mr Gyan Singh, the Chief Minister said that the terrorists killed a security guard before escaping from the jail. They also escaped from Khandwa jail earlier and killed a constable but the Congress was insulting the martyrs.

Mr Chouhan also enlisted the development work and said that the Congress leaders were unable to digest it. The Congress could not do it in 50 years what the BJP dispensation did in a decade, he pointed out.

BJP state president Nand Kumar Singh Chauhan and hosts of senior BJP leaders also addressed the rally.UNI XC-BDG SB 2059

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The Congress party activists today staged a protest against detention of party vice-president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, when he went to a hospital to see body of an ex-soldierwho allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison for not getting one-rank-one-pension. Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC) president Sanjay Nirupam led the protest rally at Azad Maidan here, shouting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not allowing Mr Gandhi tomeet the family members of deceased and for detaining him by the police. A former soldier has committed suicide by consuming poison for injustice done to him by the government. He was not getting one-rank-one-pension despite Prime Minister's recent claim that his government has kept its promise by implementing OROP.UNI ST SS SB 2056 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-1005639.Xml
To lodge their protest over the arrest of AICC spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala by Delhi police, a large number of Congress workers led by Sudeep Singh Surjewala held a march and blocked Pehowa chowk late this evening. They also set on fire an effigy of Prime minister Narendra Modi. As result of this protest, the road users had to divert their vehicles to other routes. Addressing protesting Congress workers, Sudeep Surjewala said that the arrest of Randeep Surjewala was a great insult to family members of the Amy personnel who committed suicide in Delhi today. He said that earlier Rahul Gandhi was prevented from entering Ram Manohar Lohia hospital where he went to meet members of the bereaved family. Later when Surjewala reached, he was arrested by Delhi police which has become a puppet in the hands of Modi government, Mr Surjewala said. He said that the Congress leaders and workers would continue raising their voice against Modi government for its dictatorial attitude by which it wanted to crush all anti-government voices. Ram Niwas Mittal, a former Municipal Council chairman Bahadur Saini, Pawan Thareja , Roshan Padla , Surinder Ranjha , Anil Gujjar were among those present . UNI XC SB 2105 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-1005662.Xml
In a meet convened at the DCC office, K C Abu registered strong protest in the action of Delhi police.

The party also took out march from its premises to KSRTC Terminal at Mavoor Road in the city to protest the arrest.

Mr Gandhi was taken into custody for visiting relatives of a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), who had committed suicide for delaying implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP).

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was also taken into custody for visiting the RML hospital.UNI PCH VS 2203

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The Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Association (APCLA) today demanded judicial probe by a Supreme Court sitting judge into the Malkangiri encounter and also on the Bhopal encounter to unearth the facts. It also demanded not to harm the Maoist top leader Ramakrishna (RK) and other tribals who are in the police custody in Malkangiri forest area but produce them before the court. APCLA state president and state Bar association member Muppalla Subbarao, in a press statement, accused the police of killing the Maoists and others in point blank and described both the encounters as nothing but murders by the state (Rajya himsa).`The SIMI activists in Bhopal were unarmed but brutally gunned down .Similarly Maoists in Malkangiri also were unarmed at the time of the so called encounter. The reason for Maoists killing was that they were obstructing the bauxite mining in the area.Both the center and state governments if adopts the policy resorting to brutal killing in the name of encounters, it would be nothing but a mockery of `protection of fundamental rights'. If repression increases the revolt also bound to increase'' he warned.UNI XC DP VS 2206 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1005793.Xml
Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Parsottambhai Rupala would preside over the function, while Mr Vinay Saharabuddhe, Rajya Sabha Member from Maharashtra will deliver the key note address.

The conference, which would conclude on November five, would discuss the respective linkages between PLB and Decentralisation, Economic Development, Human Development, Social Development and Social Justice and Best Practices.

Union Urban Development and Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venhaiah Naidu would be the chief guest at the valedictory function on November five.

Besides India, representatives from BRICS countries like Brazil, Russia and China were expected to take part in the conference.

An array of Ministers prominent personalities, including Kerala Local Self Government minister K T Jaleel, Kerala Finance Minister Dr Thomas Issac, Madhya Pradesh Panchayati Raj and social justice Minister Gopal Bhargawa, Rajasthan Panchayat Raj Minister Surendra Goyal, Madhya Pradesh Finance Minister Jayant Mallaya and Prof K V Thomas, MP would present in the conference.UNI CGV SB 2232

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Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh today blamed the Modi government of transforming the country's borders into a `war zone', dismissing as totally 'contemptuous' the claims made by BJP chief Amit Shah that the country's borders are `more secure' today than earlier.The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief was reacting to Shah's statement at the Punjabi Suba celebrations in Amritsar on Tuesday. Shah had said the biggest achievement of the Modi government was that it had secured the boundary of the country, whereas under the UPA rule, "the situation was that anyone could come, do chhedkhani (tampering) with the boundary of the country, cause great insult." There could not be a bigger frivolity than this, said the Captain, adding that Shah seemed to be totally and comfortably oblivious of the fact border areas were being subjected to unwarranted and unprovoked assault from across the Line of Control (LoC) every day, leaving both soldiers and civilians dead or injured. The entire Jammu border area had become a war zone, thanks to the thoughtless and weak defence policies of the Modi government, said Captain Amarinder, citing media reports to point out that the situation along the LoC had deteriorated majorly since the September 18 Uri terror attack and subsequent surgical strikes by the Indian Army inside PoK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir). All that the Modi government, through Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, was interested in was to take political mileage from the surgical strikes, said the PPCC president, adding that the ground reality was in stark contrast to the claims of the BJP chief. The escalation of tension at the border is a clear sign that the situation is fast getting out of control and needs to be addressed immediately, before it snowballs into a full-fledged war, he warned. Captain Amarinder reiterated that New Delhi needed to engage diplomatically with Islamabad to resolve the border issues and restore peace, in the interest of the nation's security and the safety of its people. Residents of border villages were being subjected to cross-border shelling and violence, making them hapless victims of the Modi government's failure to protect and safeguard them, he added. With ceasefire violations by Pakistan at the LoC on an increase, the situation begets urgent and collective intervention by all the political parties of the country, irrespective of their ideologies, said Captain Amarinder. He pointed out that there had been as many as 60 instances of truce violation by Pakistan since the surgical strikes just over a month ago. Instead of engaging with opposition parties to find a meaningful solution to the festering border issue, the Modi government was going all out to seize political advantage from the situation, which it was deliberately allowing to aggravate, he added. The Congress, said Captain Amarinder, was always ready to support and cooperate with the government in ensuring peaceful resolution of the border tensions.UNI JS SB 2023 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-1005678.Xml
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government, of which Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is an alliance partner, is trying to save the key accused in 1984 anti-Sikhs riots, Jagdish Tytler & Company. Addressing a press conference here, AAP leaders HS Phoolka, Kanwar Sandhu, Himmat Singh Shergil, Gulshan Chhabra and Dinesh Chadha said that there were clear indications that on the pattern of Congress, Modi Government is also trying hard to save the accused Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler and others, which could be evident from that for the last two years NDA Government is deliberately delaying the investigation in the case against accused allegedly involved in the massacre of Sikhs. "In December 2015, Supreme Court instructed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to complete the investigation within two months, but instead of acting on the instruction of Apex Court, Modi Govt not only preferred to delay the investigation, rather demanded time for four more months recently", Supreme Court Lawyer and Senior AAP leader HS Phoolka said. Phoolka said that keeping an eye on the Punjab elections, both BJP and SAD do not want to take the case against riots accused to its logical conclusion before assembly elections in Punjab. Training his gun towards PPCC Chief Captain Amarinder Singh, Phoolka said to get himself declared as Congress' Chief Ministerial Candidate in Punjab and to continue his post as PPCC Chief, Captain is busy in distributing 'Clean Chits" to key accused of 1984 anti-Sikhs riots Jagdish Tytler and Kamal Nath. "Had the accused of 1984 riots given exemplary punishment at an appropriate time, nobody could have dared to engineer such riots in any part of the country, which takes place so often now", Phoolka claimed. AAP leader Kanwar Sandhu demanded that all the closed cases pertaining to 1984 anti-Sikhs riots should be re-opened and re-investigated and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should be given all rights to opening and getting investigated all such cases. "We assure the nation that all cases should be taken to its logical conclusion within six months, if Delhi Government is allowed to re-open and re-investigate the cases of anti-Sikh riots", Sandhu vowed adding that in although Modi Govt constituted a Special Investigating Team (SIT) in 2015 to probe the 1984 riots cases, but did not take even a single step to deliver justice to the victims of riots. AAP leaders said to demand justice for the victims of 1984 anti-Sikhs riots, party leaders would sit on a one day hunger strike in front of Gurudwara Shri Amb Sahib, Mohali on Thursday (November 3).UNI JS SB 2237 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-1005691.Xml
By Tuesday midnight, fire-fighters and rescuers brought 13 bodies out of the karaoke lounge on Tran Thai Tong Street, Cau Giay District, online newspaper VnExpress quoted Brigadier Doanh Manh Viet from the Fire and Rescue Police Department as saying, Xinhua reported.

The search and rescue would be continue overnight, said Viet.

The fire at the karaoke lounge, which rapidly spread to nearby houses, was contained after seven hours. It destroyed the front of four eight-story buildings and many motorbikes and cars.

The fire broke out in an area which is home to six karaoke bars, many restaurants and fashion shops. The district's officials said the burnt karaoke lounge does not have a certificate which says it meets fire safety requirements.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the municipal authorities to quickly seek and find victims, assist their families, probe into the accident's causes, and close karaoke boxes and other facilities that do not meet fire safety requirements.

--IANS pgh/

( 191 Words)

2016-11-02-04:12:06 (IANS)
Andrew Gaskell, 25, went missing on October 18 while on a 2,376-meter solo hike to the summit of Mount Mulu, the second tallest mountain in the Malaysian state of Sarawak.

Gaskell, from the island state of Tasmania, was found by a Malaysian search team late Tuesday covered in leeches and visibly weak, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Obviously I'm starving, but apart from that I'm really happy to be alive," Gaskell told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) from a Malaysian hospital on Wednesday.

"These last few days I picked up a few wild ferns from the jungle, aside from that I ate virtually nothing. I was getting weaker and weaker every day.

Gaskell said that a series of similar walking trails at the base of the mountain, an area famous for its complex cave system, caused him to become disoriented and lost.

"At the base (of the mountain) there's a lot of parallel trails and creek crossings that make the track quite confusing," he said.

"I ended up spending that whole night just wandering and really got myself badly disoriented."

--IANS ksk

( 220 Words)

2016-11-02-08:28:03 (IANS)
Voters in Ivory Coast overwhelmingly approved a new constitution in a weekend referendum, according to provisional results announced by the elections commission on Tuesday, though opposition groups denounced the turnout figure as fraudulent.President Alassane Ouattara had argued that the new charter would help the nation turn the page on a decade-long crisis that was capped by a 2011 civil war and create the stability needed to cement its status as Africa's rising economic star.The results showed about 93 per cent of voters backed the text on a turnout of around 42 per cent, commission president Youssouf Bakayoko said on state-owned television. There was no turnout threshold for the vote to be deemed valid.Opposition leaders had called for a boycott of the vote, branding the constitution a ploy to further entrench Ouattara's political coalition. Some urged their supporters to disrupt the process, and violence erupted at around 100 polling stations during Sunday's referendum.The boycott meant there had been little doubt about the outcome and the focus was on turnout as the key measure of whether there was broad public support for the new constitution."The turnout was rigged. It doesn't correspond to reality. Turnout was well below 10 percent," Pascal Affi N'Guessan, the head of ex-president Laurent Gbagbo's Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) party, told Reuters.The constitution "is not legitimate, because the people rejected it."A spokesman for a rival FPI faction called the voter participation figures "fabricated".Turnout in many areas on voting day appeared visibly lower than during last year's presidential election when 53 percent of registered voters cast ballots.The current constitution, drafted under military rule after a 1999 coup, was at the heart of Ivory Coast's prolonged unrest.In its most controversial clause, it says presidential candidates' parents must both be natural-born Ivorians - a swipe at northerners, many of whom, like Ouattara, have family ties that straddle the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali.The new constitution scraps that rule, which was used to disqualify Ouattara from a poll in 2000, and now only one parent must be Ivorian. It creates a post of vice president and a senate. The president says all these new measures will guarantee more political stability.The new text also allows future changes to the constitution to go ahead without a referendum and with a two-thirds majority in parliament, a body now dominated by Ouattara's allies.The results of the referendum must now be validated by the constitutional court. REUTERS PS 0411 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1004369.Xml
Pakistan may expel two Indian diplomats in Islamabad for spying and has revealed their names, Pakistani media said today the latest tit-for-tat measure amid worsening ties between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Pakistani officials believe one of the two Indian men worked for the RAW spy agency, while the other spied for India's Intelligence Bureau, said Pakistani Geo TV and most other channels, citing anonymous sources. In New Delhi, Vikas Swarup, the spokesman for India's Ministry of External Affairs, told Reuters the ministry was "aware" of the media reports. "We have yet to receive any official communication in the matter," Swarup added. India and Pakistan last week announced they would each expel one of the other's diplomats over spying claims amid growing tensions. Relations between the arch rivals have been strained since the summer, when civil unrest erupted in Indian-controlled Kashmir, with Islamabad lobbying globally against India and New Delhi's crackdown on Kashmiri activists. Tension soared after a group of gunmen killed 19 Indian soldiers in September at an army camp in Kashmir, an attack India blamed on Pakistan-based militants. India said it carried out a "surgical strike" in Pakistan as retribution, but Islamabad denied the strike took place and accuses India of inventing it to distract attention from its crackdown on protests in the part of Kashmir it controls.REUTERS CJ SNU 1640 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1005105.Xml
Germany's environment minister on Wednesday urged Chancellor Angela Merkel to intervene in a debate over a climate action plans after a row over how Germany will curb CO2 emissions prompted the cabinet to delay approving the proposals.Barbara Hendricks, a member of the Social Democrats, Merkel's junior coalition partner, had wanted her proposals for Germany's Climate Action Plan for 2050 to be ready for the next round of global climate talks in mid-November in Morocco.But resistance from ministries led by Merkel's conservatives, in particular the transport and agriculture ministries, has led to a delay and means Hendricks will go to the talks empty handed."If the chancellor's policy competence is worth something, the proposal should have come back almost unchanged from the ministries," Hendricks told the Funke Media Group, adding that she had discussed her plan with the chancellery.Merkel, once dubbed the "climate chancellor", has remained noticeably absent in recent months from the debate over what is intended to be German's plan to meet its ambitious climate goals.The plan lays out how Germany will move away from fossil fuels and achieve its coal of cutting CO2 emissions by up to 95 percent by 2050. It is based on pledges made as part of a global climate treaty clinched in Paris last December.Following months of debate, the environment ministry has already watered down its proposals by abandoning a timetable to exit coal-fired power generation and scrapping C02 emissions reduction goals for individual sectors.Instead, the new version proposes measures to ensure Germany will be "largely" greenhouse-gas neutral by the middle of this century.Hendricks urged other ministries to take Germany's climate commitments seriously: "Some people still seem to believe that climate protection is solely the pleasure of the environment minister," she said."If we cannot reach a consensus on the way to exit coal, legal regulations will inevitably become unavoidable. I want to avoid this," she saidREUTERS CJ AS1729 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1005172.Xml
According to Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov, the ceasefire measure, ordered by President Vladimir Putin, will take place between 09.00 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. (local time) on Friday, Efe news reported.

Gen Gerasimov added that the Russian Centre for Reconciliation and the Syrian government troops would ensure the safety of the evacuation.

The Russian General said civilians could leave the city through six routes, while members of armed groups might do so through two routes -- the Syrian-Turkish border and the Syrian city of Idlib.

Gerasimov emphasised that due to what he labelled the "inability" of the US to separate the opposition from terrorists, his country directly calls on all leaders of armed groups to cease combat actions and to leave Aleppo with weapons.

--IANS ask/dg

( 171 Words)

2016-11-02-18:18:11 (IANS)
President Pranab Mukherjee today received a warm welcome on his arrival on a three-day state visit to the Himalayan nation -- the first by a President in 18 years. Mr Mukherjee, who is heading a 36-member delegation, was received at the VVIP lounge at Tribhuvan International Airport by his Nepalese counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari. He later called on Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari at Sheetal Nivas, the official residence. Details on the discussions were not immediately available. Amid tight security, Nepalese authorities shut down the airport ahead of his plane's landing down. In fact, according to a public notice issued by the airport administration all international flights were stopped 25 minutes ahead of his arrival and another 25 minutes after his landing down. In his honour, the Nepalese Government has announced a public holiday. More than 5,000 security personnel have been deployed in the capital city for the Presidential visit. Mr Mukherjee on his arrival at India House in the capital attended a reception, hosted by Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae in his honour. Nepal's Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun and local dignitaries attended the reception. The President, who is scheduled to visit Janakpur and Pokhara on Friday, will offer prayers at Pashupatinath temple. At Kathmandu University, he will be honoured with an honorary degree and will attend a seminar hosted by India Foundation. He will attend a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'. On Friday, he will perform a puja at the Janakpur-based Janaki temple.UNI SD RSA SNU 1808 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0005-1005279.Xml
Germany's outspoken economy minister, visiting China, today met activists who have criticised the Beijing government and urged it to free jailed human rights lawyers.Human rights is a sensitive subject in China where President Xi Jinping's administration has tightened control over civil society, saying it needs to increase security in what activists say is the most sweeping crackdown on dissent in decades.Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel met nine activists at the German Embassy in Beijing, including Sakharov Prize winner Hu Jia; Chen Guiqui, the wife of a jailed lawyer; and writer and blogger Murong Xuecun."These were all people who have had difficult experiences with the state apparatus," Gabriel, the deputy to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, told reporters accompanying him during a stopover in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu.He said he was urging Chinese authorities to release dozens of human rights lawyers jailed by security forces for alleged subversion. It was unclear whether Gabriel had already discussed this with Chinese officials during his trip."We hope that these lawyers will be released," said Gabriel. He would make this position clear in forthcoming talks with Chinese officials "and I will also write", said the minister.China routinely rejects foreign criticism of its rights record and says that guaranteeing things like the right to education and freedom from hunger underscore its commitment to a broader definition of human rights.On Tuesday, Gabriel drove home German concerns about Beijing's trade policies in talks with Chinese government officials marked by tensions over Chinese corporate takeovers of German technology companies. REUTERS CJ AS1832 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1005358.Xml
South African President Jacob Zuma withdrew his application to delay the release of a report over allegations of political influence by his wealthy friends, in the interests of justice the Presidency said today .A judge then ordered that the report be released by 1500 GMT today."In the interest of justice and speedy resolution of the matter, the president decided to withdraw his application," the Presidency said in a statement. "The mresident will give consideration to the contents of the report in order to ascertain whether it should be a subject of a court challenge." REUTERS CJ -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1005486.Xml
Kenya said today it would withdraw its troops from the UN peace keeping mission in South Sudan after it sacked a Kenyan who led the force and was accused of not responding to an attack on a hotel in the South Sudanese capital Juba in July.A statement issued by the foreign affairs ministry, said continued deployment of its troops in "South Sudan is no longer tenable and is inimical to their safety and well-being".REUTERS VS NS2243 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1005814.Xml
People shift a man who was injured in a ship-breaking explosion to a hospital in southern Pakistan's Karachi on Nov. 1, 2016. At least 10 laborers were killed and over 50 others injured in an explosion during work on a dismantled ship at a ship-breaking yard in Pakistan's southwest Hub district on Tuesday, officials said. (Xinhua/Arshad)

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 laborers were killed and over 50 others injured in an explosion during work on a dismantled ship at a shipbreaking yard in Pakistan's southwest Hub district on Tuesday, officials said.

The deputy superintendent police said that the incident happened due to gas welding work at the Gadani ship-breaking yard of Hub, a district located in the country's southwest Balochistan province.

Eyewitness said that flames from the welding fall into the oil tank of the yard, causing fire and explosions

Police said that eight explosions took place at the yard and more are being feared.

Hospital sources said that 10 people were killed, 50 others injured and around 40 saved their lives by jumping off the ship when fire erupted.

The injured people have been shifted to a nearby hospital where several of them are said to be in critical condition.

Police said that fire fighters are trying to extinguish the fire at the yard.

Gadani ship-breaking yard is the world's third largest ship breaking yard. The yard consists of 132 ship-breaking plots located across a 10 km long beachfront at Gadani.
DUBAI, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The trade volume between Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) grew in the first eight months of 2016 by 7.4 percent year on year, a senior official with Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) said on Tuesday.

"The UAE is Hong Kong's largest export market in the Middle East. From January to August 2016, bilateral trade reached 7.1 billion U.S. dollars compared to 10.06 billion dollars in the full year 2015," HKTDC's Regional Director Middle East and Africa (MEA) Perry Fung said at a media briefing on the upcoming fourth HKTDC Lifestyle Expo in Dubai, to be held on Nov. 6-7.

He added that he sees a good potential for a rise in bilateral trade, especially in the fields of jewellery, telecom equipment and all sorts of products and services related to hospitality and tourism as Dubai in particular is the major hub in the UAE for travelers in the Gulf region and the wider Middle East region.

In 2015, Dubai welcomed 14.2 million tourists, representing a 7.5 percent year-on-year increase, according to the official tourism body DTCM.

Dubai aims to welcome up to 25 million visitors in 2020 when the sheikhdom hosts the six-month World Expo.

Fung further said that he sees huge potential in bilateral trade on halal (permissible in Islam) goods and services, "as both the UAE and Hong Kong play important roles in producing and distributing food and goods in line with Islamic law for the Muslim world."

Trade between Hong Kong and the UAE provides an excellent opportunity to build new business-to-business links along Chinese Belt and Road Initiative which covers 63 percent of the world's population and 35 percent of the world's merchandise trade, said Fung.
SHENYANG, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- A legislative session of northeast China's Liaoning Province was convened Tuesday, the first time after a massive election fraud.

At the seventh session of the 12th Liaoning Provincial People's Congress, 31 members of the Standing Committee of the congress were elected, and 84 members of special committees were approved.

In September, 38 among a total number of 62 members of the congress' Standing Committee were disqualified due to election fraud and ceased to serve on the committee.

The electoral bribery in Liaoning was the first of its kind to take place at provincial level.

The newly-elected members pledged allegiance to the constitution.

According to a statement from the congress, newly-elected cadres shall treasure the power entrusted by the people and draw lessons from the consequences brought by the election fraud. They shall obey the discipline of the Communist Party of China and the law. They shall exercise their power according to law, and carry out their responsibilities.

Congress members should take actions to clean up the bad influence of the election fraud, and work to build a healthy political environment, the statement said.
JUBA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has vowed to continue engaging South Sudan's warring parties in dialogue in order to restore peace and stability in the war-torn country.

The remarks were made late Monday as a delegation of the AU Peace and Security Council and the AU Commission concluded its three-day visit to Juba.

Head of the delegation, Catherine Muigai Mwangi, said the team met South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, government officials, and representatives of aid agencies and displaced people.

Renewed fighting between troops of President Kiir and those loyal to sacked First Vice President Riek Machar broke out in early July. Machar has since left South Sudan and is now in South Africa, calling on his supporters to topple Kiir's administration.

The latest round of violence has left hundreds of people dead and tens of thousands displaced.

Mwangi called on South Sudanese to stop violence and instead embrace dialogue.

"Our final word is to urge each and every single South Sudanese to agree to peace, to agree to dialogue," she said.

A peace deal signed between South Sudan's rival leaders under UN pressure last August led to the formation of a unity government in April, but failed to hold.

African heads of states and governments in July recommended the AU Peace and Security Council to carry out a visit to South Sudan to assess the situation on the ground.

Since civil war erupted in December 2013, tens of thousands of South Sudanese have died and more than 2.2 million have been displaced. Another 4.6 million in the country are severely food insecure. Enditem
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta(2nd L, front) and his Tanzanian counterpart John Pombe Magufuli (3rd R) cut the ribbon for the Nairobi Southern Bypass during a launching ceremony held in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Nov. 1, 2016. A bypass in the south of the Kenyan capital Nairobi was officially launched on Tuesday at a ceremony attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart John Pombe Magufuli. China's Exim Bank provided 85 percent of funding for the Nairobi southern bypass. The work was carried out by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, which is building a modern railway line in Kenya. (Xinhua/Li Baishun)

NAIROBI, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- A bypass in the south of the Kenyan capital Nairobi was officially launched on Tuesday at a ceremony attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart John Pombe Magufuli.

China's Exim Bank provided 85 percent of funding for the Nairobi southern bypass. The work was carried out by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, which is building a modern railway line in Kenya.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Kenyatta said the 28-km bypass, which links two major highways, will offer a durable solution to traffic congestion in Nairobi.

"The southern bypass will help unclog traffic congestion in Nairobi's central business district that is created by trucks originating from the port of Mombasa and destined to western Kenya and large swathe of east and central Africa," Kenyatta said.

Kenyatta said the modern road network would unleash economic and social benefits in Kenya and the wider eastern African region.

"The Nairobi southern bypass will create new economic opportunities along its route. It will boost regional integration through faster movement of people and goods," said Kenyatta.

The president lauded China's financial and technical support that has accelerated the modernization of transport infrastructure in Kenya.

He added that Kenya would strengthen cooperation with China as it embarked on large-scale infrastructure development to hasten industrialization.

Magufuli, who is also the current chairman of the East African Community, hailed China's contribution to infrastructure development in the region.

"China has lent significant financial resources to expand and upgrade roads in this region. We look forward to fruitful engagement with China as we embark on a path of economic renewal," Magufuli said.
NICOSIA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Bailed-out Cyprus has assured its international lenders of its commitment to continue reforms of the economy and the public administration in line with a 2013 economic assistance memorandum, an official statement said on Tuesday.

The statement said Cyprus's President Nicos Anastasiades and Finance Minister Harris Georgiades discussed the progress of the economy with European Stability Mechanism Managing Director Klaus Regling, European Commission and International Monetary Fund(IMF) officials in Nicosia for an international economic conference.

"We gave an assurance that Cyprus will stick to reforms of the economy agreed as part of the 2013 bail-out," Georgiades said.

Regling, whose European Stability Mechanism financed the 10-billion-euro(11.06 billion U.S. dollars) bail-out of Cyprus along with the IMF, commented the eastern Mediterranean island for managing a return to economic growth even before the end of its three-year adjustment program.

Actually, the European Commission told Cyprus last month that its economy has been "overheating" recently and suggested measures of a slow-down, such as additional taxation.

But Finance Minister Harris Georgiades, both in a public speech and during his private meetings turned down the suggestion.

Anastasiades noted that a Cyprus solution now sought in intensified negotiations with the Turkish Cypriot community will actually be the biggest reforms of all.

"It will act as the driving force of economic development for decades to come," he said. Enditem
LONDON, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Britain's spending of healthcare is next to bottom among G7 countries, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Tuesday.

New internationally-comparable health accounts published in London by ONS show Britain's total healthcare spending in the latest review year, 2014, was 220 billion U.S. dollars, or 9.9 percent of GDP.

ONS said as a percentage of GDP, Britain spent less on healthcare than the United States, Japan, France and Germany and a similar percentage to Canada. The U.S. spent the most on healthcare as a percentage of GDP at 16.6 percent.

Out of the G7 group of countries, only Italy spent a smaller percentage of GDP on healthcare (9.1 percent) than Britain in 2014, said ONS.

All of the G7 nations, including Britain, spent a higher proportion of their GDP on healthcare than the average of 9 percent for OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries.

The ONS report said among OECD countries, life expectancy tends to be longer in countries that spend more per person, on healthcare, however, this is not always the case.

While the U.S. outspent Britain on healthcare per person in 2014, average life expectancy at birth in the U.S. was 78.8, compared with 81.4 in Britain, said ONS.

"Despite spending, by far, the largest amount on healthcare, the U.S. was among the 10 OECD countries with the lowest life expectancy," said the ONS report, adding: "A range of factors can influence life expectancy including social influences, socio-economic factors, and spending on healthcare."

Italy spent the least per person and had the second highest life expectancy, while France and Germany spent more per person on healthcare than Britain but only France had a higher life expectancy.

Healthcare expenditure in Britain principally financed through government revenues, amount to almost 80 percent of all health spending. Privately financed healthcare was a much smaller component of healthcare spending in Britain, accounting for around one-fifth of total expenditure.

Private health insurance accounted for just 3.6 percent of total healthcare expenditure in Britain, much less than in France and Canada, where it represented a much larger proportion of healthcare expenditure.

The U.S., says ONS, is the only G7 country where less than half of healthcare expenditure is financed through government or compulsory insurance schemes. Instead, the U.S. healthcare system relies more heavily on private funding, notably from private health insurance, which makes up 34 percent of healthcare spending.
KAMPALA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's oldest and top university, Makerere University, was on Tuesday closed following a demonstration by the students over a resolution by teaching staff to continue their sit-down strike.

The country's President Yoweri Museveni ordered for the closure of the university.

"I have this evening ordered for immediate closure of Makerere University until further notice to guarantee safety of persons and property," Museveni said in a letter sent to media organizations.

Earlier in the day the police and students were involved in running battles. Police used tear gas to disperse the rowdy students.

The students want lectures to resume but their lecturers on Monday resolved not to continue teaching until they are paid all the incentive arrears.

The university has had a spate of student demonstrations sparked by lecturers not turning up in class as a result of failure by the university administration to pay their arrears. Enditem
HELSINKI, Nov. 1 (Xinhua)-- Both Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and his Latvian counterpart on Tuesday underlined the importance of continuing dialogue with Russia, particularly amid tense security situation in the Baltic region.

Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis paid an official visit to Finland on Tuesday. Security in the Baltic region was one of the key issues discussed during his meeting with Niinisto.

"We are facing now in the Baltic Sea area increased tensions, and that is not good for anybody," Niinisto said at a press conference after the meeting.

He said NATO's presence in the Baltics and Poland is important to ensure the security of the area.

Vejonis said open dialogue with Russia is essential to increase transparency and predictability, as well as to avoid misunderstanding.

In addition, Vejonis underlined the significance to strengthen cooperation with NATO and the European Union, as well as the other Baltic and Nordic countries.

Vejonis was the third Baltic president visiting Finland within a month, following the presidents of Lithuania and Estonia.
A woman wearing a Hillary Clinton mask carries a Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump doll during a Halloween parade in Long Beach, California on October 30, 2016. ( AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON)

Editor's note: The 2016 presidential election is seen by many as the most divisive and scandalous in the U.S. history. A team of Xinhua reporters recently toured two battleground states to get the firsthand accounts of what American voters really think less than two weeks before the Nov. 8 election. Here is the first of four in-depth reports they have produced.

By Xinhua writers Zhu Lei, Qi Zijian, Li Changxiang

COLUMBUS, the United States, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Decades ago, Susan Young, 54, aligned herself with the U.S. Republican Party, following the footsteps of her grandmother, one of the first women to lead the party. Yet, the 2016 presidential election, with all its twists and turns, brought a hard choice for her.

"I am a Republican. I can't vote for Republican; I can't vote for Democratic. They are the worst two candidates we could choose since I voted at 18 years old," she told Xinhua on a chilly late autumn morning in downtown Bethlehem, the state of Pennsylvania.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump "doesn't have the political sense to deal with other countries," while his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton "has been caught lying, cheating and taking money," said the medical practice administrator.

"This is the first year I thought let's do it and get over with it and get through hopefully four years and restart again," she said, with her voice carrying sadness and frustration. "It's been a hard decision, horrible, horrible decision."

The hard choice that bewilders Young is quite common among U.S. voters in the two battleground states of Pennsylvania and Ohio Xinhua reporters travelled to less than two weeks before the Nov. 8 election. Nationally, about 10-15 percent undecided voters out of 235 million eligible voters could tip the scales in the election.

BUFFOON TRUMP VS CORRUPT HILLARY

Even for those who have made up their minds, the inner struggle to pick a preference is also apparent. Many called their vote a "reluctant vote" or a "protest vote."

"I like Hillary only slightly less than Trump. I am casting a 'No' vote against Hillary more than casting a 'Yes' vote for Donald Trump," said Colin E. McNamee, 33. "Hillary is just so corrupt to be supported as a presidential candidate of the United States."

His dissatisfaction with Trump also runs deep. "Trump acts like a buffoon. He doesn't act in accordance with somebody you would think as a well-educated, successful businessperson; he acts like a child taunting folks on the playground," he said.

McNamee is a criminal defense lawyer who has a law office in downtown Columbus, the state of Ohio, while his wife runs a small business with two employees. McNamee said the issues he cared about most were the economy and taxes.

"If her taxes went up, she would have to fire at least one of the employees. It would be bad for jobs, and it would hurt our business generally," McNamee told Xinhua at the entrance of his office building.

"I am an independent. I tend to vote Republican just because of economic issues, but socially I could never identify myself as Republican," he said.

Whether the reality TV star-turned Republican standard-bearer could bring returns on economic issues is another open question.

On Oct. 22, Trump presented his 100-day plan in what his campaign billed as a "Contract with the American Voter" in the city of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where President Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address in November 1863 in an attempt to unify Americans amid the bloody Civil War.

In what he meant as a closing argument in his race to the White House, Trump listed his plan to revitalize the economy and protect U.S. citizens, but not before lashing out at rival Hillary, a "rigged" America and the nearly a dozen women who have recently openly accused him of sexual misconduct.

Trump's speech "is terrible," McNamee said. "What Trump did by going to Gettysburg and attacking those women as opposed to laying out his vision for the country, I think, is disrespectful not only to the Republicans in general, but also to the place, Gettysburg, the hallow battlefield."

Just around the street corner, a female voter, who supported Bernie Sanders, Hillary's underdog challenger in the Democratic primaries, said she will vote for Hillary, because "she scares me less."

"I think it's difficult for me because I don't really like either of the candidates necessarily. And I think there is such negativity," said the woman, in her 30s. "I hope there were better candidates."

This photo taken on October 29, 2016 shows people wearing costumes of US presidential candidates Hillary Clinton (L) and Donald Trump (R) as they take part in a Halloween parade in Tokyo. ( AFP PHOTO / BEHROUZ MEHRI)

"THREE-RING CIRCUS"

After eight years of the Obama administration, Trump and Clinton, the nominees the two major parties presented in the 2016 election cycle, are the two most disliked presidential candidates in U.S. history.

Trump is grappling with his temperament, tax returns issue and the lewd tape issue, while Clinton is fighting with her trust issue -- her use of a private email server when she was secretary of state, her ties to the Wall Street, and the Clinton Foundation, her family charity.

Even the three presidential debates have given place to boisterous personal attacks of each other's personality and history, instilling no sense of certainty to the undecided voters eager to hear their policy positions.

Americans have registered their negative views for the two candidates in poll after poll. A NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll issued on Oct. 20 found that half of voters now have negative views of the former secretary of state, up 1 percent from at the very beginning of the two major parties' primaries, while negative perception of Trump has risen to 63 percent, up from 58 percent in January.

"This election is a three-ring circus," Donna Rullo, a freelance writer, told Xinhua outside a church in Newtown, Pennsylvania. "It's not about ideologies. It's not about policy. It's about the media. And it's about earning much money."

Rullo, who was travelling to Newtown to attend her niece's wedding, lives in the state of California, which has become easy pickings for Democrats in recent decades.

Rullo, who owns an Italian imports business in San Diego, California, called herself a "reluctant voter." "Trump is not the person I want to vote for, but I can't vote for Hillary either," she said.

She was worried that the Democratic Party will increase taxes, which meant that she has to fire some employees because she can't afford their insurance, she said.

"America needs a reset button. Press the button, and start all over," she said.
COPENHAGEN, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Five Nordic Council Prizes were presented Tuesday evening at the DR Concert Hall in Copenhagen in conjunction with the ongoing 68th Nordic Council Session from Nov. 1 to 3.

Katarina Frostenson from Sweden has won the literature prize for her collection of poems "Sanger och formler" (translated as "Songs and formulas").

The 63-year-old writer won the prize because "in her poetry -- so apparently tight yet actually very spacious -- there are constant transformations portraying life's multifaceted oddity."

Hans Abrahamsen from Denmark has won the Nordic Council Music Prize for the song cycle "Let Me Tell You", while Nordic Council Film Prize went to director and screenwriter Joachim Trier, screenwriter Eskil Vogt and producer Thomas Robsahm for their Norwegian film "Louder Than Bombs".

Arnar Mar Arngrimsson from Iceland has won this year's Nordic Council Children and Young People's Literature Prize for the book "Solvasaga unglings" (translated as "Solvi, the tale of a young man").

The Nordic Council Environment Prize was given to Stian Olesen and Klaus B. Pedersen from Denmark for their design of app "Too Good To Go". The app is a digital innovation "that uses simple and informal means to change the way that both consumers and businesses approach food waste and the consumption of resources."

Each of the prize is worth 350,000 Danish kroner, or about 52,033 U.S. dollars.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Despite his deliberate distance from the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryan said on Tuesday he had already voted for the man with whom he clashed constantly in the chaotic election year.

"I stand where I've stood all fall and all summer," the highest-ranking Republican official told Fox News in an interview.

"In fact I already voted here in Janesville for our nominee last week in early voting," said Ryan, referring to his hometown in Wisconsin. "We need to support our entire Republican ticket."

The relations between Ryan and Trump were constantly tense through the general election with the speaker standing aloof from Trump's campaign.

After an 11-year-old leaked audio clip disclosed Trump's past lewd and sexually aggressive remarks about women, hostility between the two was exacerbated, with Ryan telling fellow Republicans that he would neither defend nor campaign with Trump while the New York billionaire developer calling Ryan "very weak and ineffective leader."
MELBOURNE, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- An Australian man who spent two weeks lost and "covered in leeches" in the Malaysian jungle said he survived by eating wild plants.

Andrew Gaskell, 25, went missing on October 18 while on a 2,376-meter solo hike to the summit of Mount Mulu, the second tallest mountain in the Malaysian state of Sarawak.

Gaskell, from the island state of Tasmania, was found by a Malaysian search team late on Tuesday covered in leeches and visibly weak.

"Obviously I'm quite starving, but apart from that I'm really happy to be alive," Gaskell told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) from a Malaysian hospital on Wednesday.

"These last few days I picked up a few wild ferns from the jungle, aside from that I ate virtually nothing. I was getting weaker and weaker every day.

"By the end of it, I was quite concerned I wouldn't make my 26th birthday."

Gaskell said that a series of similar walking trails at the base of the mountain, an area famous for its complex cave system, caused him to become disoriented and lost.

"At the base (of the mountain) there's a lot of parallel trails and creek crossings that make the track quite confusing," he said.

"The sun was just setting at the time (and) I managed to get myself lost.

"I ended up spending that whole night just wandering and really got myself badly disoriented.

"If I had a Global Positioning System (GPS) or better navigational equipment I would have been fine, but it was extremely stupid of me really.

"It actually took me a while to be concerned. I must be more optimistic than I thought."

Gaskell apologized for the stress he caused his family and thanked the Malaysian authorities for their rescue efforts.

"The rescue staff have been amazing, as have the hospital staff," he said.
MELBOURNE, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- A group of Australian aquatic farmers say that successful exports to China prompted them to list their company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

Ocean Grown Abalone (OGA), which farms the molluscs off the coast of Western Australia (WA) for human consumption, said an initial shipment of frozen abalone meat to Hong Kong in September proved so successful the company decided to become publicly listed.

OGA prides itself on farming the molluscs sustainably by building their own reefs on seabeds in areas best suited for abalone to thrive, making the farmed delicacy akin to wild-caught abalone without the issue of quota limits.

Brad Adams, the CEO of OGA, said the first shipment to Hong Kong was so popular that a 3.8 million U.S. dollar seed-funding round being offered by the company in November could be oversubscribed.

"The amount of inquiries we've had is just extraordinary," Adams told News Limited on Wednesday.

"I think it will be oversubscribed quite quickly."

OGA will use the capital to double the production out of Augusta in WA as well as trialling new farms in South Australia's Port Lincoln and WA's Esperance.

Adams said the company was largely pinning its hopes on China where the product has been "well received."

"The demand (there) is insatiable," he said.

Frozen abalone meat shipped to China by OGA sells for 125 to 130 U.S. dollars per kilogram, a price comparable to wild-caught meat, with plans to ship the meat fresh to China in the near future.

Adams said the sustainability of OGA's methods separated it from traditional abalone farmers as it ensured a steady supply of the meat.

"We've got a really unique product. (It's) essentially a wild-caught product, but with the advantages of aquaculture," Adams said.

"It avoids the peaks and troughs of the wild-catch industry."
CARACAS, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Venezuelan government released four political activists on Tuesday while the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) suspended a political trial in Congress against President Nicolas Maduro and scrapped a scheduled protest, a sign showing both sides may be willing to negotiate.

The opposition welcomed the freeing of the prisoners but warned more needed to be done for the negotiations to move forward.

The MUD has made clear that, despite its participation in talks with the government, it will not stop pressuring the government in other ways to restore the derailed referendum to recall Maduro.

MUD's Executive Secretary Jesus Torrealba called the releases "important but insufficient."

"The releases need to continue. They should reinstate the recall referendum or, failing that, advance presidential elections," he said.

Venezuelan Vice President Aristobulo Isturiz said on Tuesday that the recently begun dialogue process between the government and the opposition would promote development and peace in the country.

"Dialogue is crucial for acknowledgement between diverse political sectors," said Isturiz in an interview with the state-owned Radio Nacional de Venezuela.

Envoys from Maduro's government and the MUD met late Sunday. The two sides agreed to discuss four central topics -- how to bring about peace and justice, making amends to victims and reconciliation, social and economic stability, and setting a general election date.

Isturiz said the first of these topics -- peace and justice -- was particularly important.

The Vatican, along with former heads of state from Panama, Dominican Republic and Spain, as well as the regional bloc Unasur are trying to bring the adversary parties of Venezuela to the negotiating table, in a bid to avoid further chaos and bloodshed in the country.
WELLINGTON, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's burgeoning Chinese population will be the subject of a visit to China by Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga this month.

Lotu-Iiga left Wednesday for talks in Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong to discuss New Zealand's growing diversity and issues related to his other portfolio as Minister for Local Government.

Lotu-Iiga would meet senior State Councillor Yang Jiechi and other government officials from Nov. 3 to 10.

"I will also be meeting officials from the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. The office oversees and co-ordinates relationships with Chinese communities internationally," Lotu-Iiga said in a statement.

"I will be reinforcing the importance of our Chinese communities in New Zealand and will take the opportunity to share New Zealand's approach to promoting social cohesion and the benefits of ethnic diversity," he said.

"With the increased flow of trade and investment our people to people and cultural relationships become increasingly important."

Chinese people had been part of New Zealand society since the 1850s and now comprised New Zealand's third largest ethnic group with 171,411 people or 4 percent of the population.

About 6,000 people arrived from China to live in New Zealand every year.

He said he would also be looking at issues affecting local governments in China.

"Chinese municipal authorities are at the forefront of innovation in many areas of infrastructure development. Transport and water control are significant issues. There is much to share around innovative approaches to local government," he said.

"China is also at the leading edge of international 'Smart City' projects. These provide new evolving opportunities for future community development by leveraging the use of technology."
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (L) speaks during the second presidential debate with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at Washington University in St. Louis, the United States, on Oct. 9, 2016. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

by Peter Mertz

DENVER, the UNITED STATES, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- With a week to go before the highly contentious 2016 U.S. presidential election, voter fraud emerged as a controversial theme, which was mentioned by Republican candidate Donald Trump frequently and used as a consistent weapon against his Democratic counterpart Hillary Clinton.

On the campaign trail, Trump regularly quoted a 2012 study by the Pew Center on the States, saying that 24 million registrations were outdated or invalid, 2 million registrants were dead, and 2.75 million were registered in more than one state.

He fueled the voter fraud debate again last week in Golden, Colorado when he asserted that elections officials who count ballots, "will say, 'Oh, here's a ballot, bing, here's another ballot, throw it away, throw. Oh, here's one I like, we'll keep that one.' I have real problems..."

For these two areas of possible fraud spoken by Trump -- mail in votes that were individually handled and counted by elections officials, and cases of identity fraud where individuals would vote more than once using falsified identifications, election experts believed that the pugnacious billionaire intentionally overstated problems and it was a campaign tactic.

"By raising doubts about the integrity of the voting system, Trump is making it easier to explain what happened if he loses, and is sowing seed of doubt about the legitimacy of Hillary Clinton's presidency," Barry Burden, professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin, told Xinhua Tuesday.

Burden, considered one of the foremost experts on the American voting system and election fraud, conducted extensive research and authored more than 100 articles on the issue in the past decade.

"Voter fraud is extremely rare and not widespread," Burden asserted, "Although the U.S. election system is far from perfect, in no sense are American elections 'rigge' in the ways Trump is suggesting."

He also told Xinhua that fortunately states such as Colorado had impressive systems in place to track mailed ballots throughout the process.

Last week, an investigative report by Denver's CBS4 TV uncovered a dozen cases where Coloradans were suspected of voting twice.

The study cited Lincoln Wilson, a registered Republican from Hale, Colorado, for voting in both Colorado and Kansas in 2010, 2012 and again in 2014, and Hale admitted he had double-voted.

Kansas also charged James Criswell and Sharon Farris, both Colorado Republicans, with double voting. Their cases were still pending.

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach said he believes there were up to 10,000 people double registered in Colorado and Kansas. He publicly warned them, "Don't do it...we'll catch you."

Other instances emerged in the study whereby ballots were cast in the names of Coloradans who were dead, yet someone else cast a vote in their name.

Trump campaign officials also pointed to a 2014 report in the political journal Electoral Studies that figured out U.S. election registration procedures were flawed and as many as one in 15 non-United States citizens living in the country could have cast illegal ballots in the 2008 election.

Like Pew surveys cited by Trump often, the Electoral Studies also drawn fire and criticism from academic sources, who insisted that both represented a great minority of research supporting American voter fraud claims.

The oft-repeated assertion from the Trump campaign was that Democrats steal elections via fraud, however, the first such case of election fraud prosecuted in 2016 was last week when an Iowa Trump supporter was arrested and charged for attempting to vote twice in the upcoming election.

Terri Lynn Rote, 55, was charged with first-degree election misconduct and faced a 5-year prison sentence if convicted. She told the media her reason for breaking the law was that she thought the election was "rigged" and that her vote might go to "Hillary Clinton."

"Of the many types of fraud that might exist, voter impersonation at the polls is the least common and easiest to detect," Burden said, who pointed to a study suggesting that voter fraud was just a tiny part of the American election landscape.

A study investigating claims of voter fraud between 2000 to 2014 by Los Angeles' Loyola Law School uncovered only 31 credible claims of voter impersonation out of 1 billion ballots that were cast.

A 2012 Arizona State University journalism project analyzed 2,068 allegations of election fraud between 2000 and 2012 and said only 10 had involved misrepresentation.

And a Missouri study, after the 2000 presidential elections, concluded that only six of the 2,361,586 Missouri votes cast were found to have been ineligible.

However, not all voters trusted the research results. Many Democratic supporters still kept in mind that 2000 presidential candidate Al Gore was robbed of the presidency by widespread voting fraud in Florida, a case that eventually went to the U.S. Supreme Court, dominated by Republicans, who awarded the presidential election to George W. Bush.

Gore won the 2000 popular vote, 50,999,897 to 50,456,002, but due the American 'Electoral College' system, Bush was able to claim victory based solely on the Florida outcome, which was widely suspected to be fraudulent.

The Florida controversy triggered widespread voting reform, as many individual states took the initiative to review their voting systems and replace outdated lever and punch card voting machines.

The U.S. Congress also addressed the problem, passing the "Help America Vote Act" of 2002 that established basic guidelines for voting machines used in federal elections, and provided federal funds to states to replace outdated voting machines and to meet the new federal requirements.

But the new voting machines raise new concerns this year as more than 125,000 signed a petition posted Oct. 21, on the White House website that said, "We the people ask Congress to meet in emergency session about removing George Soros-owned voting machines from 16 states."

With recent WikiLeaks emails showing that Clinton received foreign policy directives and coordinated on domestic policy with Soros, along with receiving tens of millions of dollars from the billionaire, it's clear some Americans suspected that these shadowy players may pull the strings behind the curtains of the upcoming presidential election.

Related:

Feature: Days before election, who to vote for still hard choice

Editor's note: The 2016 presidential election is seen by many as the most divisive and scandalous in the U.S. history. A team of Xinhua reporters recently toured two battleground states to get the firsthand accounts of what American voters really think less than two weeks before the Nov. 8 election. Here is the first of four in-depth reports they have produced. Full story

Commentary: U.S. election falls to new low in third debate

NEW YORK, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- The third and final U.S. presidential debate has tossed the ongoing election to its new low, as Republican nominee Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton traded personal attacks relentlessly late Wednesday to draw voters. Full Story

FBI reopens Clinton email probe: U.S. House Oversight chairman

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz said on Friday the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has reopened Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's email investigation. Full Story

U.S presidential candidate Trump's Hollywood Walk of Fame star destroyed
By Feng Yingqiu

YANGON, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar new government has stepped up fight against bribery and corruption, accepting the public complaints on government malpractice to promote the healthy economic development of the country.

The Ministry of the State Counselor's Office announced on Wednesday the acceptance of people's complaint on cases of bribery and corruption.

Every individual has the right to make complaint addressed to the deputy minister of the ministry as required or by registered letter or email, the announcement said.

"In making complaints, cases of bribery and corruption committed by responsible officials of government services which affect the public shall be prioritized," the ministry's announcement said.

However, the announcement urged not to complain of cases sued in courts, cases under trial and against those who have already been convicted by courts of justice.

The ministry assured of protecting the safety of the complainants without leaking their complaints.

Myanmar new government formed the Ministry of the State Counselor's Office on April 6, aimed at building up a democratic federal union of peace, development and modernization and making efforts for the emergence of multi-democracy and exercising market economic system.

In August, Myanmar's House of Representatives (Lower House) adopted a proposal calling for fighting corruption, introducing anti-corruption measures in accordance with the directives of the government.

Parliamentarians stressed the need to end corruption which remains the country's biggest impediment to achieving modern development, expressing support for the motion calling on the government to take effective anti-corruption measures.

The parliamentarians said that one of the reasons for corruption is the low pay of government employees.

Myanmar's Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman U Mya Win emphasized the need for correcting the mindset of the people, attributing the cause of corruption to both giver and the taker.

He called for revising some of the provisions of the anti-corruption law, expressing the belief that a comprehensive approach to the fight against corruption will help the country make remarkable progress in its corruption battle within prescribed time.

Myanmar new government has banned its cabinet members, government organization officials and employees from taking bribery as part of its measures to fight corruption which has long been prevalent in the country.

The measures are seen as one of the new government's pressing undertakings since the assumption of office on April 1.

A directive of the President's Office on April 1 restricts the value of gifts or presents received by public servants exceptionally not out of their post held to not over 25,000 kyats (20 U.S. dollars) for a person and not over not over 100,000 kyats (83 U.S. dollars) per year.

Moral corruption is widespread in Myanmar which impacts on the country's society, economy and rule of law, the directive warned, adding that the measure aims at totally eliminating such customary corruption in a short period.
MOSCOW, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- As the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has successfully coordinated anti-terror efforts and upheld regional security, the bloc needs to do more to step up economic cooperation among its members, a leading Russian scholar has said.

Established in 2001, the SCO is a regional political, economic and security organization that has China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as full members.

India and Pakistan signed the SCO's Memorandum of Obligations in June, kick-starting the process of their accession into the group, which also has a number of observers and dialogue partners.

The SCO has now set up an efficient regional anti-terror structure in the Uzbek capital city of Tashkent, which has coordinated a series of regular training exercises and built up a great level of trust among its members, Alexander Lukin, director of the Center for East Asian and SCO studies at Moscow State Institute of International Relations, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

As some SCO member states are less experienced in the struggle against terrorism, he noted, frequent joint drills have played an important role in mutual learning and transfer of experience, and have helped strengthen regional security.

As to economic cooperation, however, the expert pointed out that more needs to be done.

Lukin said that although a number of documents on the promotion of economic development within the SCO have been adopted, the mechanism for funding joint projects is still not enough.

Joint projects are currently financed unilaterally by China, so first of all, the bloc needs to establish a mechanism for funding projects by all its members, he said.

He suggested setting up a SCO institution like the New Development Bank, which was created by the BRICS countries of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, or a special fund.

The expert placed great expectations on the creation of a free trade zone between the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and China, which is now actively discussed as a first step in the alignment of the EAEU and the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

The Belt and Road Initiative comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and aspires to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road routes. The EAEU groups Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

Such a multilateral initiative would generate ample benefits, and the SCO should help get more countries involved, Lukin said.

He added that the initiative will receive an impetus with the accession of India and Pakistan to the SCO, as New Delhi has shown interest in the economic cooperation and investment in Central Asia.

The promising organization, he said, will have more potential to be tapped through its expansion, as the number of its observers and dialogue partners has been increasing steadily.

In particular, he pointed to Iran, a large country in the Middle East that formally applied for full membership in 2008 and currently has an observer status.
MOSCOW, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation (UIMC), a Russian state cooperation, has created kites to monitor locations and relay communications signals, UIMC's press service said on Wednesday.

"The kites can reach an altitude of several kilometers relaying communications for warships and ground units. They can also be used to carry video and meteorological observation as well as transfer loads in rough terrain, through mountains, rivers and ravines," the press service said.

According to the corporation, the kites' design ensures their flight stability even in stormy weather. There are kites of different dimensions and capacity, ranging from 30 to 250 square meters to solve various problems.

"The idea to create a kite has interested the military customers for a long time. However, only now it has been realized technically. Our experts managed to create special heavy-duty materials to withstand strong winds, backache and cuts," the press service added.
NEW DELHI, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Embassy in Delhi has asked Americans in India to stay alert and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness, citing media reports of the Islamic State's desire to attack targets in this country.

"Recent Indian media reports indicate ISIL (also known as the Islamic State)'s desire to attack targets in India. The U.S. Embassy warns of an increased threat to places in India frequented by Westerners, such as religious sites, markets, and festivals venues," the American Embassy said in a statement Tuesday.

"All U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as detailed in the State Department's Worldwide Caution of September 9, 2016," it added.

Though it has not yet been linked to any terror attacks in this country, The Islamic State has made its intentions clear of launching terror attacks in India through its bases in neighboring nations.

Moreover, several dozen Indians, mainly from the states of Maharashtra and Kerala, have reportedly travelled to Iraq and Syria to join the organisation and several more were apprehended before they could leave India.
HANOI, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) will offer zero-percent tariff for goods from China and ASEAN into Vietnam, according to Vietnamese government's decree on Wednesday.

According to the decree on special preferential tariffs for ASEAN and Chinese products during 2016-2018 period, hundreds of goods from China and ASEAN will enjoy zero-percent import tax to Vietnam.

The goods include vegetables, fruits, processed or preserved fish and other kinds of seafood, as well as cacao and cacao products, cereal, flour and meat.

Following the commitments at ACFTA, Vietnam will abolish tax or reduce it to zero percent for 90 percent of existing tariff lines by the end of 2018, while the remaining 10 percent of tariff lines will be reduced by 2020.

Statistics by the General Statistics Office (GSO) showed that in the first ten months of 2016, Vietnam had the highest import of goods from China, with total import value at 40.3 billion U.S. dollars.

ASEAN ranked third among major suppliers for Vietnamese imports with revenue of 19.1 billion U.S. dollars.
SUVA, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Vanuatu and the United States have signed a law enforcement accord that includes a Ship Rider Agreement, local newspaper the Vanuatu Daily Post reported Wednesday.

The Ship Rider Agreement allows Vanuatu maritime law enforcement officers to use U.S. Coast Guard ships as maritime platforms from which to conduct boarding of foreign commercial vessels operating illegally in the country's exclusive economic zone.

The signing, by Vanuatu's Minister of Internal Affairs Alfred Maoh and U.S. Ambassador Catherine Ebert-Gray, is a first time ever agreement between Vanuatu and the U.S. to use American surveillance vessels to intercept foreign commercial vessels operating illegally in Vanuatu waters, said the report.
WELLINGTON, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- North America has been the most significant source of foreign investment in New Zealand over the last three years, although half of the biggest single investments come from Asia, according to analysis out Wednesday.

The KPMG analysis of investment approvals by New Zealand's Overseas Investment Office showed New Zealand's strongly-growing economy was providing an attractive environment for foreign direct investment (FDI).

The United States and Canada were the most significant source of FDI over the analysis period from 2013 to 2015, followed closely by Australia, China and Singapore, said a statement from KPMG.

Last year, Singapore became the largest source of FDI, accounting for 20 percent of the total.

Investment in New Zealand continued to be broad-based across a range of sectors, said the statement.

"However, when evaluated on a country-by-country basis, Asian countries have generally had a narrower investment focus on dairy, food and the waste management sectors," it said.

"By contrast, the traditional investment markets of the United States and Australia have a much broader base of investment, perhaps reflecting the maturity of their economies and their investment networks."

Over the short run, New Zealand's FDI statistics were heavily influenced by a few large transactions, with the 10 largest over the three-year period accounting for 33 percent of the total, and Asia accounted for over half of these.

The U.S. was the largest acquirer of land for the period, accounting for 40 percent of acquisitions, followed by China (11 percent) and China's Hong Kong (7 percent).

Forestry purchase were the most significant driver behind the land acquisitions.

Dairy, forestry and milk processing were the leading areas for investment in the agribusiness sector.

"We expect that investment in milk processing will be subdued until dairy prices recover. However, this may be offset by speculative buying of farms in the event that forced sales occur in this sector," it said.
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has fired the commander of the peacekeeping force in South Sudan as he was "deeply distressed" by a Tuesday report accusing the blue helmets of failing to protect civilians during the violence in the nation's capital in July.

The world body on Tuesday announced the dismissal of Lieutenant-General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki from Kenya, shortly after the report was released here.

Stephane Dujarric, Ban's spokesman, said the secretary-general had "asked for the immediate replacement of the force commander."

The report from a UN special investigation found that a lack of leadership in the UN mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, culminated in a "chaotic and ineffective response" during the heavy fighting between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those loyal to rebel leader Riek Machar in Juba on July 8-11 that killed dozens of people.

The special investigation, launched by the secretary-general and led by retired Major General Patrick Cammaert, found that "UNMISS did not respond effectively to the violence due to an overall lack of leadership, preparedness and integration among the various components of the mission." "Command and control arrangements were inadequate, while peacekeepers maintained a risk-averse posture," Dujarric said in a statement.

"These factors contributed to the failure of UNMISS to respond to the attack by government soldiers on the Terrain camp on July 11 and protect civilians under threat," the spokesman said.

The special investigation was unable to verify allegations that the peacekeepers failed to respond to acts of sexual violence committed directly in front of them on July 17 and Juy 18, the spokesman said.

The secretary-general has studied the recommendations made by the special investigation, and "will ensure that necessary steps are taken to enable UNMISS to protect civilians more effectively."

More than 70 people were killed in three days of fighting, the report said, and 182 buildings in the UN headquarters, which housed more than 27,000 displaced people, were struck by bullets, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades.

South Sudan, which won independence on July 9, 2011 from Sudan, plunged into conflict in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup, which led to a cycle of retaliatory killings.
CARACAS, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. help to hold a political dialogue between the Venezuelan government and opposition may hide its double agenda, a Venezuelan historian and international analyst told Xinhua recently.

"The U.S. plays for its own interests. It seems that this visit somehow sought the Venezuelan government's acceptance of a recall referendum (against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro)," Omar Galindez said.

He referred to the visit of U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon, who met with Maduro on Monday in Caracas on energy, oil and political negotiation with the opposition, among others.

Following the meeting, Maduro called on the United States to have "respectful relations" and a "permanent dialogue" with his country.

"Washington's true intention is for there to be a presidential recall referendum...immediately, under the conditions it proposes," Galindez said.

A recall referendum on whether to remove Maduro from power was originally planned on Oct. 26-28.

However,the National Electoral Council on Oct. 20 suspended signature collecting needed to start the referendum, citing alleged irregularities during the signature collecting process.

The impossibility of holding the referendum this year may lead Washington to try a "new strategy" against Venezuela, suggested the expert, pointing out that 2016 has seen "the worst year" for the Venezuelan economy as well as a political crisis.

"It must be pointed out that the Maduro government has repeatedly tried to get closer to the U.S. government and that the U.S. has not been willing to do so," said Galindez.

In March, U.S. President Barack Obama renewed an executive order which said Venezuela posed an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to national security.

Venezuela has urged Washington to cancel this order. Galindez said complying with this demand would be a good step toward normalizing relations.
LIMA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The 24th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Peru would help the integration process in Latin America, as well as the broader integration across the Asia-Pacific, said Ernesto Samper, secretary-general of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).

In an interview with Xinhua, Samper said, "we hope that the results to be produced can be shared across the region."

The APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held on Nov. 19-20 in Peru.

Samper, who is also the former president of Colombia (1994-1998), said that UNASUR would carefully analyze the success of the APEC meeting. "We see the organization of this meeting very positively, especially in Peru, which has in some way become the capital of the Latin American Pacific."

For Samper, the integration of Latin America coincides with the goal to bring together economies across the Asia-Pacific.

"UNASUR has already discussed the possibility of a broader political and economic integration in the region," he pointed out, adding that the bloc supports initiatives which promote cooperation and commercial alliances around the world.

"China is a crucial player in the region today," he explained, saying that the direct commercial aid and investments from China have poured into the regional economy.

The Chinese market has increased its capacity to consume products from Latin America, said Samper about the commercial integration between both sides.

He added that the Asia-Pacific region has become a must for countries seeking to strengthen economic and trade ties.

"We see the Pacific as an area of opportunity for all the countries of South America," he said.

"China is, without doubt, one of the most important partners in the region, not only because of foreign investment but also for international cooperation," said the former president.

"China does not act only out of its own interests, but of friendship and solidarity," he said.

"For us, China is a big brother of countries in the South. We want to see it as a good brother, a trusted partner," he noted.
CANBERRA, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- It is increasingly likely that Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 was in an uncontrolled descent when it went missing in March 2014, an Australian report said.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report, released on Wednesday, said that the aircraft's wings were in a "cruise" position when the plane crash landed in the Southern Indian Ocean, killing all 239 people on board.

Debris analysis of a right outboard wing flap section, which washed up near Tanzania in September, revealed that the plane was "in a high and increasing rate of descent".

Greg Hood, the Chief Commissioner of the ATSB, said that the status of the flap section indicated the plane was not configured for landing.

"You can never be 100 percent (sure) and we are very reluctant to express absolute certainty, but that's the most likely scenario," Hood told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Wednesday.

"You can draw your own conclusions as to whether that means someone was in control or not."

The release of the report came as international aviation experts met in Canberra on Wednesday for the beginning of a three-day conference to review the next stage of the search process.

"Findings of the review will be released after the meeting," Darren Chester, Australia's Minister for Transport, said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Australia, Malaysia and China continue to work together to find MH370."

Chester confirmed that the search for the missing plane, which was meant to conclude at the end of 2016, would now extend into 2017 due to challenging conditions in the Southern Indian Ocean.

"Keep in mind we're talking about a search area which is located 2,600 kilometers off the coast of Western Australia (WA)," Chester said.

"We're talking of a search area, in many cases, up to six kilometers deep in terms of the water and the sea conditions which have been extreme on many, many occasions."

The current search area spans 120,000 square kilometres and all but 10,000 square kilometers of that region has been searched.
HEFEI, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Unrelenting rain along the Huaihe River, China's third-longest waterway, has pushed the water level to a record high and fanned concerns over possible floods, Huaihe water conservation commission said on Wednesday.

The El Nino and La Nina phenomena have had a significant effect on the weather this year, and the river flooded in the summer, said Wang Bin, an inspector from the commission.

Since October, heavy rain has pushed water levels on the Huaihe tributary to record highs. In October, 177 millimeters of rain fell in the Huaihe drainage area, 289 percent more than the average of previous years, Wang said.

Four billion cubic meters of water is expected to flow into Hongze Lake, which is in the lower reaches of Huaihe, in the near future.

The commission has ordered local authorities to closely monitor the weather and take precautionary measures. Hydropower stations and irrigation facilities shall be properly used to control floods, it said.

The 1,000-km long Huaihe River originates in Henan Province and traverses Hubei, Anhui, Shandong and Jiangsu provinces. Often called the most untamed river in China, it floods every three to four years on average, including 17 intense floods over the past century.
MOSCOW, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Russia has delivered about seven tons of humanitarian aid from Monday to Tuesday to Syrian provinces of Aleppo, Hama, Quneitra and Tartus, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

Eight humanitarian events were held "in last 24 hours" to give the humanitarian aid to people in Auba of Quneitra province, in Hama, in military and central hospitals in Tartus, and in residential homes and orphanages in Aleppo, the ministry said.

According to the ministry, stores with hot food and essential items are working for the civilians fleeing the northern Syrian city of Aleppo part of which was under the control of armed groups.

Syria's civil war between government forces and insurgents, including opposition groups and terrorists, has been raging for more than five years and has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The collapse of a cave in northern Brazil killed at least 10 people during a religious celebration on Tuesday, local authorities said.

The accident occurred during a celebration of All Saints' Day in Santa Maria do Tocantins, Tocantins state, when at least 50 people were in the cave, local authorities reported.

According to local fire department, the victims, seven adults, one teenage girl and two children, have been identified. Three of them are from Santa Maria do Tocantins and the others are from nearby towns.

Seven injured people were taken to hospitals. The authorities did not reveal the extent of their injuries.

The government of Tocantins state declared a three-day official mourning period over the accident.
NEW YORK, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Over half of the respondents in a recent U.S. poll said they are "alarmed" with the ongoing presidential election, with Americans deciding on Nov. 8 who to send to the White House.

The poll by Suffolk University on Oct. 26 showed that 46 percent of respondents hold a favorable attitude of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton with 47 percent unfavorable.

For Clinton's Republican rival Donald Trump, 61 percent have an unfavorable attitude compared with 31 percent favorable.

Forty-nine percent of respondents said they would vote for or lean toward Clinton, with thirty-nine percent for Trump and another 10 percent undecided on their vote.

Fourty-three percent of respondents, feel "scared" about the idea of Trump eventually winning the election, according to the poll.

It also found that 58 percent of the respondents think the divisions inside the U.S. are deeper than the past, and 54 percent are worried that the country is headed in the wrong direction.

Poll results from Fox, CNN and MSNBC provided people's divided viewpoints on the two presidential candidates.

In stark contrast to the Suffolk University poll, 83 percent of Fox respondents said they would vote for Trump, while 77 percent of CNN respondents and 94 percent from MSNBC chose Clinton.

The 2016 presidential election, with all its twists and turns like Clinton's trust issues and accusations on Trump's sexual misconduct, is believed to be one of the most contentious races yet to the Oval Office.
File photo shows the presiding officer of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union, Joseph Chilengi, condemned the International Criminal Court (ICC) for ordering the arrest of Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir during his visit to South Africa to attend the 25th AU summit. (Xinhua)

by Samuel Egadu, Ronald Ssekandi, Yuan Qing

KAMPALA, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's decision to quit the International Criminal Court (ICC) sent a reminder to the world that Africa is determined to leave the world's only permanent war crimes tribunal.

Uganda, which was the first country to take a case to The Hague-based Court, is arguing that in January when African leaders gather for a continental summit in Ethiopia, many countries will announce their decision to leave the Court which they accuse of bias.

"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 in a recent interview.

At an AU summit held in Rwanda in July, African leaders voted by a huge margin in favor of a proposal for its member states to withdraw from ICC jurisdiction. Following this decision, South Africa - the continent's power house, notified the UN of its decision to leave. Gambia and Burundi have also said they are leaving.

African states played a critical role in ratifying the Rome Statute, which was the founding treaty of the ICC. Back then, they saw the initiative as critical in punishing perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the world.

As a sign of belief in the Court, Uganda, in 2002 was the first country to take a case to the court seeking redress regarding top commanders of the Lord's Resistance Army rebels who were accused of committing heinous crimes in the northern part of the east African country.

Since then several war lords, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo, have appeared before the Court. However, when the Court started looking at African leaders, the issuance of summons to Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir and Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta's appearance before the Court, sent chills among the leaders.

Many leaders started seeing it as being biased arguing that the Court is turning a blind eye to heinous crimes committed elsewhere in the world apart from Africa.

"We have been telling ICC to listen to the concerns of African leaders but they chose to ignore. If ICC had listened, this situation (withdrawals) would have not happened. They chose to listen and push the agenda of our former colonial masters," said Oryem, Uganda's minister for international affairs.

"We have no problem with any legal framework and body that monitors human rights abuses, violations, war crimes and genocide. But it has to be fair to Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Americas. ICC is not that body. It is basically targeting Africans," he added.

However, not all African countries are pro-withdrawal. Senegal and Botswana have criticized South Africa's move to quit the Court.

Experts argue that Africa's withdrawal from ICC would render the Court toothless in providing accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity. But they also caution that the move would have an effect of condoning impunity on the continent since those in power would not be answerable to anyone.

"This is particularly true given that there is no regional mechanism to step in when domestic courts in Africa, many of which are too weak to challenge political elites and those in power, fail to do so," Alex Fielding, a political analyst at Max Security Solutions, a geopolitical risk consulting firm, told Xinhua.

Phil Clark, an international relations lecturer at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies, told Xinhua that those in power may have intentions of protecting themselves from international scrutiny and the domestic pressure that can be exerted through being a signatory to the Rome Statute.

The ICC argues that the world should stay united in fighting against impunity, which often causes massive violations of human rights.

"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," said Sidiki Kaba, the President of the Assembly of State Parties to the Rome Statute in a Oct. 22 statement.

He said ICC needs the strong support of the international community and the cooperation of member states to ensure its effectiveness and strengthen its credibility.

Fielding argued that during the 15th annual session of the Assembly of States Parties, scheduled for Nov. 16 to 24 in Netherlands, Kaba and his regional allies should lead a diplomatic offensive to find a consensus and slow the withdrawal movement.

"As to the ICC itself, it should continue to focus on the victims and work to ensure that the message is being delivered by more African non-governmental organizations, lawyers, regional organizations, activists, and government officials, rather than from The Hague," he said.

He said that ICC's public diplomacy and outreach should be improved, to better deliver the message that the Court is an impartial entity that seeks to ensure justice for victims.
Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2016 shows the newly launched Nairobi Southern Bypass in Nairobi, capital of Kenya. (Xinhua/Li Baishun)

NAIROBI, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- A bypass in the south of the Kenyan capital Nairobi was officially launched on Tuesday at a ceremony attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart John Pombe Magufuli.

China's Exim Bank provided 85 percent of funding for the Nairobi southern bypass. The work was carried out by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, which is building a modern railway line in Kenya.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Kenyatta said the 28-km bypass, which links two major highways, will offer a durable solution to traffic congestion in Nairobi.

"The southern bypass will help unclog traffic congestion in Nairobi's central business district that is created by trucks originating from the port of Mombasa and destined to western Kenya and large swathe of east and central Africa," Kenyatta said.

Kenyatta said the modern road network would unleash economic and social benefits in Kenya and the wider eastern African region.

"The Nairobi southern bypass will create new economic opportunities along its route. It will boost regional integration through faster movement of people and goods," said Kenyatta.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (L) and his Tanzanian counterpart John Pombe Magufuli (R) unveil the monument of Nairobi Southern Bypass during a launching ceremony held in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Nov. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Li Baishun)

The president lauded China's financial and technical support that has accelerated the modernization of transport infrastructure in Kenya.

He added that Kenya would strengthen cooperation with China as it embarked on large-scale infrastructure development to hasten industrialization.

Magufuli, who is also the current chairman of the East African Community, hailed China's contribution to infrastructure development in the region.

"China has lent significant financial resources to expand and upgrade roads in this region. We look forward to fruitful engagement with China as we embark on a path of economic renewal," Magufuli said.
If any paradise on this planet, Yading must be one. Considered the "last Shangri-La" on Earth, Yading of Daocheng County in Garze, southwest China's Sichuan Province boasts breathtaking natural scenery and is an appealing destination for both Chinese and foreign travelers.

Beautiful scenery in Yading.

Yading on the south edge of Daocheng is considered a most sacred place by local Tibetan pilgrims. The prefecture of Garze has a large Tibetan population. In the Tibetan language, Yading means a place faced to the sun.

Beautiful scenery in Yading.

The Yading Nature Reserve covers an area of more than 1,000 square kilometers and is circled by three snow mountains, namely Jambeyang, Chanadorje and Shenrezig, all nearly or above 6,000meters. They are considered holy mountains by local Tibetans.

Snow-capped Jambeyang Mountain.

Full of stunning beauty, Yading is a good place for trekking. Usually, it takes two days to walk around the nature reserve and there are three routes to choose.

As a landmark of Yading, Luorong Pasture can be the starting point of your trip. Surrounded by rolling mountains, the pasture is the best site to view the three holy mountains on sunny days.

Luorong Pasture.

After spending some time at Luorong Pasture, you can go to Milk Lake and then to Five-Color Lake.

Luorong Pasture.

Milk Lake is a stunning glacier-fed lake on the south end of Mt. Shenrezig. The lake is so named because of its milky edge. The whole lake looks like a shinning blue quartz under the sun.

Milk Lake

Five-Color Lake sits on a higher position than Milk Lake. It's only about 300 meters away from Milk Lake, but the trip to it is not easy because the way is rugged and steep. However, the beautiful colors of the lake are worth your efforts.

Five-Color Lake.

For another route, you can choose to go to Chonggu Monastery from Luorong Pasture. Chonggu Monastery lies at the foot of Mt. Shenrezig at an elevation of 3,880 meters. A clear, glacier-fed river flows through an evergreen forest, making a charming scenery along the trek.

Chonggu Meadow.

In fact, Yading or Daocheng became well known nearly 100 years ago. Joseph F. Rock, an American explorer and botanist, visited Yading in 1928 and stayed in Chonggu Monastery for three days. Rock's travelogue was printed by the National Geographic magazine in 1931. It's believed that his writing inspired James Hilton, who later wrote the famous fiction Lost Horizon.

You can also trek from Chonggu Monastery to Pearl Lake as a third choice. It takes about half an hour. It's said that Pearl Lake is the dressing glass of fairies. It's an ideal place for photographers to shoot Shenrezig.

Overlooking Mt Shenrezig from Pearl Lake.

One tip to keep in mind is that most of the sites in the reserve are above 4000 meters, some tourists may get headache and nausea because of depletion of oxygen, which is the so-called acute high altitude disease (AHAD). So tourists with hypertension, cardiopathy and diabetes should be cautious and prepare relevant medicine in advance.

Another thing to mention is that the best time to visit Yading is September, October and November, when there are more sunny days. Just imagine the blue sky, white snow mountain, golden woods and colorful lakes at the world's last Shangri-La, and then you will know what to do.

(All photos by Xinhua or provided to Xinhua)
BEIJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang left Beijing on Wednesday for an official visit to Kyrgyzstan.

During his stay in the country's capital Bishkek, Li will attend the 15th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) prime ministers' meeting.

With a long-time friendship, China and Kyrgyzstan have enjoyed a boost of vital economic and cultural exchanges in recent years. The following are some major figures and facts about China-Kyrgyzstan relations.

Kyrgyzstan and the People's Republic of China forged diplomatic relations on Jan. 5, 1992.

The two countries upgraded their relations to a strategic partnership during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the central Asian country in 2013. Their trade and economic cooperation has hence been raised to a new level.

According to Kyrgyzstan's official data, trade exchange between the two nations in the first half of 2016 reached 672 million U.S. dollars, up 60 percent year-on-year.

China is now ranked as Kyrgyzstan's largest trade partner, largest source of import and the seventh export market.

Besides the vitality in bilateral trade and economic exchanges, civil and cultural exchanges between the two countries have also witnessed fruitful results.

So far, there are four Confucius institutes in Kyrgyzstan and four colleges offer Chinese language classes. Thousands of students in the country are learning the Chinese language and more and more choose to study in China.

Several Chinese companies are engaging in infrastructure construction such as building roads and power stations in Kyrgyzstan. The central Asian country plays an important role in the Silk Road Economic Belt and is a vital supporter to China's Belt and Road Initiative.




BRASILIA, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's President Michel Temer on Tuesday called on Portugal to help advance trade talks between South American trade bloc Mercosur and the European Union (EU).

Temer asked Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa to have Portugal be the "voice of Brazil" in ongoing negotiations for a free-trade deal between the EU and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), comprising Brazil and four other Southern Cone nations.

"Portugal could be the voice of Brazil at the European Union, in order to close the deal as soon as possible," said Temer.

Speaking to reporters following the 12th Portuguese-Brazilian Summit, held in Brazil's capital Brasilia, Temer said he and Costa spoke of the priority both countries give to the negotiations between Mercosur and the European Union, and Costa offered to serve "at the very least, as the lawyer."

In a joint statement made during the Summit, the two leaders pledged to work "to have the blocs enter the final stage of the negotiating process, with an eye to concluding an ambitious, comprehensive and balanced agreement."

"It has already been quite some time since Mercosur and the EU have tried to complete this deal." Temer said.

The free-trade talks between the EU and Mercosur began in the mid-1990s, but hit an impasse between 2004 and 2010, after neither side was willing to make more concessions, in agriculture for the Europeans, and in the industrial sector for the South Americans.

Talks resumed in 2012, but reached another impasse in 2014. They restarted in May of this year.
OTTAWA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Canadian government on Tuesday pledged massive spending plans of nearly 61 billion U.S. dollars in face of the country's gloomy economic forecast.

Just days before Justin Trudeau marks his first anniversary in office as Canada's 23rd prime minister, his Liberal government released a gloomy economic update that predicted a larger national deficit for 2016-17.

According to the update, Canada's deficit is expected to hit 25.1 billion Canadian dollars (18.7 billion U.S. dollars), lower than the 29.4-billion-dollar (21.9 billion U.S. dollars) federal deficit Finance Minister Bill Morneau projected in his spring budget.

In March, Morneau said that Canada's books would be balanced by 2021-2022. Now, he predicted that the deficit will be 14.6 billion Canadian dollars (10.9 billion U.S. dollars) by then.

"Our economy is growing," Morneau told the House of Commons while unveiling his Fall Economic Statement. "Just not as fast as we would like."

Trudeau's government has committed to spending more on infrastructure projects. From 2017 to 2028, 81.2 billion Canadian dollars (60.6 billion U.S. dollars) will be allocated to such projects as public transit improvement, trade and transportation so as to facilitate exports.

The government also planned to establish a Canada Investment Bank next year that will provide at least 35 billion Canadian dollars (26.1 billion U.S. dollars) for large infrastructure projects with the hope of attracting four or five times that amount in private capital.

To attract foreign investment from "strategic markets," Canada allocated 218 million Canadian dollars (162.7 million U.S. dollars) over the next five years to employ more trade commissioners.

An Invest in Canada Hub will also be created before the end of next year. The hub will work with federal departments to promote Canada in overseas markets, forge global partnerships with foreign companies and invite them to expand their businesses in Canada, according to the statement.

Under Canada's proposed Global Skills Strategy, the federal government will make it easier for international companies to hire employees by setting a two-week turnaround to process visas and work permits for "low-risk, high-skill talent" doing business in Canada. Ottawa will also introduce a work-permit exemption for employment terms of less than 30 days in a year or brief academic stays.

From 2017, the threshold of foreign investors that wish to acquire Canadian companies will be increased from 600 million Canadian dollars (447.9 million U.S. dollars) to 1 billion dollars (746.4 million U.S. dollars).

Before the end of this year, the Canadian government will publish guidelines that stipulate which investments violate national security provisions.
GUANGZHOU, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Guangdong Police announced that they had disbanded 60 online-fraud syndicates in the last five months.

In what has been described as an "intense crackdown" on online fraud in over 21 cities and counties in Guangdong, police say they have apprehended more than 480 suspects.

The fraudsters invented new schemes to capitalize on the wide-use of virtual money, often requesting money in the guise of "charity work." The schemes were estimated to have swindled people out of over two billion yuan (about 300 million U.S. dollars).

The five-month investigation included the discovery of two major fraud gangs, according to police.

From January to September, Guangdong police handled 680 cases related to illegal fund-raising and pyramid schemes online, up 24 percent year on year. More than 1,370 people have been apprehended in the period, up 71.3 percent year on year, it said.

The police promised that the campaign will continue unabated, but reminded the public to be wary when approached by people with unsolicited money requests.
SHENYANG, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Six teachers have received jail terms for helping students cheat in last year's national college entrance examination (gaokao) in northeast China's Liaoning Province.

The teachers were sentenced from one year to 26 months in prison by the Intermediate People's Court of Shenyang City after being convicted of "illegally obtaining state secrets," according to a court statement on Monday.

In April 2015, two months prior to the gaokao, Chen Jun, a middle school teacher in Shenyang, colluded with Yang Zhiqing, an unemployed local, to cash in on the cut-throat test.

Chen, along with five other teachers, found more than 20 students whose parents paid for their services. Yang bought test answers, as well as nine emitters, 60 receivers and 60 earphones.

However, their plan was detected by police when they were setting up electric gadgets at the exam site.

The court defines organized cheating in national examinations as illegal trade in state secrets.
BISHKEK, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived here Wednesday for an official visit to Kyrgyzstan and the 15th prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Li is expected to hold talks with his Kyrgyz counterpart, Sooronbay Jeenbekov, and meet Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev to exchange views on bilateral ties and cooperation in economic, security, cultural and other areas.

The talks, said Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Huilai at a press briefing in Beijing on Monday, will also cover the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and aspires to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient routes.

The two countries will issue a joint communique and sign a string of deals in such areas as economy and trade, production capacity, transportation, agriculture and intellectual property protection.

At the SCO meeting, the Chinese premier will propose concrete initiatives to further deepen SCO cooperation in areas like finance, trade, science and innovation, added Li, the assistant minister.

The SCO members are expected to announce 38 measures designed to boost cooperation in areas such as transport, science and technology, infrastructure construction and environmental protection.

Established in 2001, the SCO is a regional political, economic and security organization that groups China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as full members.

India and Pakistan signed the SCO's Memorandum of Obligations in June, kick-starting the process of their accession into the group, which also has a number of observers and dialogue partners.

Kyrgyzstan is the first leg of Li's ongoing eight-day four-country tour, which will also take him to Kazakhstan, Latvia and Russia.
Team members of research vessel and icebreaker Xuelong (Snow Dragon) say goodbye at a Shanghai dock, east China, Nov. 2, 2016. China launched its 33rd Antarctic expedition when Xuelong left a Shanghai dock Wednesday morning. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

SHANGHAI, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- China launched its 33rd Antarctic expedition when research vessel and icebreaker Xuelong (Snow Dragon) left a Shanghai dock Wednesday morning.

A 256-member team has embarked on their 161-day trip of 31,000 nautical miles, according to Sun Bo, deputy director of the Polar Research Institute of China, who leads the team.

They will visit the Zhongshan, Kunlun, Taishan and Changcheng stations, performing various research tasks. The team will also carry out environmental clean-up around the stations.

The team is scheduled to return to Shanghai on April 11 next year.

The expedition has a list of 72 tasks to perform including preliminary site selection for China's new base on the Ross Sea and work on fixed-wing aircraft.

Xuelong will arrive at the Zhongshan station in eastern Antarctica in early December. After unloading at Zhongshan, Kunlun, and Taishan stations, the ship heads to Chile to resupply.

In late January it will survey the Ross Sea, returning to the Zhongshan station late February before departing home early March.
NANJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- China is near to building a South Pole Astronomical Observatory, according to four astronomers onboard the Chinese scientific icebreaker Xuelong (or Snow Dragon), which left the port of Shanghai Wednesday for China's 33th Antarctic Expedition.

One of the astronomers on the trip is hoping that being far from home really does make the heart grow fonder. "I am going to propose to my girlfriend from the South Pole," said Lu Haiping, 32, before he set off.

He and his colleagues have embarked on a five-and-a-half-month trip to the South Pole, though it is not love they are interested in but the stars.

The team includes an astronomer from the National Astronomical Observatories and three from the Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics and Technology.

China has sent astronomers to the region every year since 2007 to make preparations to build an astronomical observatory on Dome-A, the highest location in Antarctica, about 4,093 meters above sea level.

The Chinese Antarctic Expedition first visited Dome-A in 2005, which is considered one of the best places on earth to set up an observatory as it stores climate information and atmospheric conditions for the entire globe.

China built its first Antarctic expedition station -- Kunlun Station -- in 2009, about 7.3 km from Dome-A.

It was in this station that preparations for building the Dome-A observatory were carried out.

"On each Antarctic expedition, members have just 20 days to work at the Kunlun Station," Lu said, adding that he and his colleagues have been commissioned to finish 100 projects during the new expedition.

China has established an automated astronomical observation platform at Dome-A, and plans to build a high-elevation Antarctic Terahertz telescope, the world's newest far-infrared observatory.

Lu's primary work on the trip is to maintain the automatic telescope AST3-2 unit, and to dismantle old facilities.

In their South Pole astronomical research, China's astronomers have cooperated with astronomers from the United States, Russia and Germany, such as in the observation of high-energy electrons based on data obtained from various Antarctic observatory facilities.

The astronomical research is expected to shine a light on the origin of cosmic objects, dark matter and extraterrestrial life.
BEIJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday called on the European Union (EU) to stop trade measures against Chinese photovoltaic (PV) imports.

"In the interest of mutual benefits, we hope the EU will completely terminate its anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties as soon as possible to bring the market back on track," Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Shen Danyang said at a weekly press conference.

The remarks came after the Australian Anti-Dumping Commission decided to stop its investigation into Chinese solar panels on Oct. 18.

The EU started imposing high tariffs on Chinese solar panels more than three years ago and extended the measures at the end of 2015. But appeals for fewer restrictions in the sector have been on the rise in Europe this year.

Member of the European Parliament Christofer Fjellner said last month the trade defense measures against solar imports from China are a European Commission (EC)-backed cartel, which makes the fight against climate change more expensive.

Hundreds of European companies and environmental organizations have asked the EC to scrap those measures as solar panel prices were driven up and the solar power sector was impeded.

The EU's trade remedy measures have harmed its own PV market, Shen said at the conference.

As significant trade partners, the two sides should focus on and channel more energy into cooperation in a wide range of areas, such as global economic growth and fighting climate change, Shen added.
TAIPEI, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The number of tourists to Taiwan is likely to shrink this year due to fewer travelers from the Chinese mainland, according to the island's tourism authority on Wednesday.

Inbound tourists are expected to decline by 300,000 to 400,000 this year, Chou Yung-hui, Director-General of Taiwan's tourism bureau, said when testifying before the local legislative body.

The number of mainland tourists has plummeted since Taiwan's leader Tsai Ing-wen took office in May. The tourism bureau estimated earlier that mainland tourists decreased by 28.4 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier.

The decline in mainland tourist arrivals cannot be offset by increasing tourists from Japan, the Republic of Korea and Southeast Asia, he added.

Tourism-related sectors have felt the pain and demanded the government take measures to help them make ends meet.

Although the government has offered loans to help the struggling sectors cope with their plight, business owners don't expect them to sort out their long-term woes.

The island's Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) estimated earlier that if the number of mainland tourists to Taiwan declines 10 percent this year, it will trim the island's annual economic output growth by 0.1 percentage points.

Taiwan's economy has just emerged from a recession and grew 2.06 percent in the third quarter. While the island's economy is highly relevant to the tourism industry, experts said it will face more uncertainties from dwindling mainland tourists.
Members of an investigation team established by the State Council mourn for the victims before a meeting in Chongqing, southwest China, Nov. 2, 2016. A preliminary investigation has unearthed evidence indicating that a fatal gas explosion at a coal mine in Chongqing on Monday was due to operational negligence. All 33 miners who were trapped underground by the explosion have been found and pronounced dead. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

BEIJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- A preliminary investigation has unearthed evidence indicating that a fatal gas explosion at a coal mine in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing on Monday was due to operational negligence.

It is alleged that Jinshangou Coal Mine had operated beyond its mining boundaries; used outdated, insufficient or malfunctioning equipment; failed to ensure adequate ventilation; and its health and safety management was deemed "disorderly," the office of the State Council's work safety committee said in a statement released Wednesday.

All 33 miners who were trapped underground by the explosion have been found and pronounced dead, according to the investigation team.

Safety officials vowed to "seriously punish" those responsible for the incident.

The State Council called for a nationwide health and safety review, and that small mines, like the one in Chongqing, be closed immediately.

Altogether 35 workers were underground at the time of the incident, which happened just after 11:30 a.m. Monday. Two escaped unharmed from the coal mine in Yongchuan District.

Jinshangou mine has a designated annual output of 60,000 tonnes, according to its license.
KATHMANDU, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 120-million-U.S. dollar loan and a 500,000-U.S. dollar grant to help improve access and quality of secondary education in Nepal.

The loan is part of a multi-donor program to provide 6.5 billion U.S. dollars to the School Sector Development Plan, the government's main education initiative for 2017-2023.

ADB Nepal country office said in a statement on Wednesday that the project includes setting up 200 model schools with disaster risk resilient infrastructure, improved education facilities, a full complement of teachers and quality improvements to enhance student learning.

"Continued investment in education, particularly secondary education, is critical for Nepal to achieve its goal of becoming an inclusive and prosperous middle-income country by 2030," Sungsup Ra, director of the Human and Social Development Division in ADB's South Asia Regional Department, said.

The project will support government efforts to increase the number of secondary school graduates, who will earn higher wages than non-graduates, and boost the efficiency of the country's education system.

According to ADB, the program will benefit 6.3 million students, 153,200 teachers, and more than 34,000 schools. Professional development courses will be provided to 13,500 subject teachers.

The program will be carried out over the next 5 years under ADB's results-based lending modality, which will disburse funds based on the achievement of yearly results or performance targets.
CHENGDU, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The 4th China-Australia Media Forum was held in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Wednesday with attendance of officials from China and Australia as well as representatives from nearly 30 mainstream media outlets.

The forum, co-hosted by China's State Council Information Office and Australian News Channel, will focus on the "media's role in promoting China-Australia relations: opportunities and challenges."

Representatives at the forum exchanged views on media cooperation and ensuring the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Guo Weimin, deputy head of the State Council Information Office, said Chinese and Australian media should report on each country objectively and rationally to play a constructive role in advancing the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The forum has been held three times: in Sydney in 2006, in China's Guangzhou in 2012, and again in Sydney in 2014, to provide an important platform in forming a mutual understanding of the media's role in China-Australia relations.
MOSCOW, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday a fresh pause of air strikes against militants in the Syrian city of Aleppo for 10 hours scheduled for Friday.

The humanitarian pause, to be introduced from 09:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m local time (0700 to 1700 GMT), is aimed at avoiding "unnecessary casualties," Gen. Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, said in a statement. He added that the decision has been agreed upon with the Syrian authorities.

The Russian military called on all the leaders of armed groups to cease hostilities and withdraw from Aleppo with their weapons.

Two corridors will be opened, one leading to the Syrian-Turkish border and the other to the province of Idlib, south west of Aleppo, while six more corridors will be kept to organize the exit of civilians and evacuation of the sick and wounded, the statement said.

A humanitarian pause, declared for eight hours from Oct. 20 and later extended, has barely held as militants in eastern Aleppo reportedly continued launching attacks.

Russia has not delivered any air strikes against rebels in Aleppo for 17 days.

On Friday, the Russian military asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to resume air strikes against militants in eastern Aleppo due to terrorist attacks, but the Russian leader turned it down, saying it is "inappropriate at the current time."
TRINKOT, Afghanistan, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Up to 80 militants have been killed in the southern Uruzgan province as a crackdown against armed insurgents continues, the local police said on Wednesday.

"Operations against Taliban rebels which begun three days ago have left around 80 insurgents dead and injured almost 80 others around provincial capital Lashkar Gah," provincial police chief Wali Jan Sarhadi told Xinhua.

The government forces have recaptured Charmgar and Sarshakhlo areas, forcing militants to flee, the official added.

Taliban militants who have intensified operations in Uruzgan and the neighboring Helmand provinces in the troubled southern region are yet to make comment on the situation.
SKOPJE, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The public debt of Macedonia amounted to around 5.2 billion U.S. dollars in the end of the third quarter 2016, hitting 50.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), data published by the ministry of finance here confirmed Wednesday.

The public debt here has seen a 4 percent year-on-year growth given that at the end of 2015 it stood at the level of 46.7 percent of GDP, according to the data. Macedonia's public debt has continued to rise since 2008 when it was a mere 23 percent of GDP.

Statistics published by the Macedonian finance ministry showed that from January to September public debt here increased by around 586 million dollars mainly due to the new loans that the current government borrowed through euro bonds.

The issue has spurred debate among the majority and opposition political parties now that the country's public debt has already exceeded the threshold of 50 percent of GDP.

According to Macedonia's vice minister of finance Kire Naumov, who hails from the opposition, the current public debt here is a catastrophe because public debt has increased by 2.2 million dollars per day this year.

He harshly criticized the government and namely the finance minister Kiril Minoski saying that they are burdening the budget of Macedonia's citizens.

However, such claims were rebuffed by the Macedonian ministry of finance, which reacted Wednesday through a press release saying that Macedonia has been ranked by Eurostat as the country with the smallest public debt level in region and Europe while it considered such statements as speculation.
PHNOM PENH, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- China's technology giant Huawei signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Cambodia on Wednesday to support Information and Communications Technology (ICT) education in the country.

The first MoU on "Seeds for the Future" was signed by Lyu Qing Chen, chief executive officer of Huawei Technologies (Cambodia), and Lawmaker Hun Many, president of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia, and the second deal on e-Education and ICT Talent development was inked between Lyu Qing Chen and Chet Chealy, rector of the state-run Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP).

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Xiong Bo presided over the signing ceremony, which was held at the RUPP.

"Under the MoU on 'Seeds for the Future,' outstanding ICT students will have an opportunity to pursue their studies in China," Ambassador Xiong said. "The two deals will significantly contribute to developing human resources in ICT in Cambodia."

Meanwhile, he pledged to encourage more Chinese enterprises to help develop Cambodia's education and other social activities.

Hun Many expressed his profound gratitude to the government and companies of China for supporting the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia in human resources development.

"Under the MoU on 'Seeds for the Future,' some 30 Cambodian youths will have a chance to study ICT in China," he said. "Huawei's assistance is really crucial to helping develop ICT human resources in Cambodia."

Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. The firm's products and solutions have been deployed in over 170 countries and regions.
PRETORIA, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- South African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday withdrew his court bid to interdict the release of a report on the alleged "state capture" by the Indian Gupta family.

This came on the second day of deliberations on former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's "state capture" report in the High Court in Pretoria.

The report relates to allegations that the wealthy Gupta family, which keeps close relations with Zuma and his family, meddled in South Africa's politics by influencing the appointment of cabinet ministers and directors of state-owned enterprises.

As the court was hearing arguments over whether the report should be released to the public, Zuma's legal team, in a dramatic about-turn, announced to withdraw the application to block the report without giving reasons.

Opposition parties said Zuma should use his personal money to pay for the legal cost as he has wasted state funds by bringing this matter to court.

Outside the court, hundreds of anti-Zuma protesters gathered to called for Zuma to resign. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has urged supporters to occupy the streets of Pretoria to let their voices be heard.

Opposition parties, spearheaded by the Democratic Alliance (DA) that initiated the state capture investigation in March, have been pressing for release of the report and implementation of its findings without delay.

The Guptas, along with Zuma, have come under fire after Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas and former Member of Parliament Vytjie Mentor said early this year that they were offered cabinet positions by the Guptas.

On Tuesday, a full bench of the court dismissed Zuma's application and ordered that the DA's application to intervene in the "state capture" case be granted with costs.

This is seen as a giant leap towards ensuring that the final report into "state capture" is handed to the DA as the complainant.

Opposition parties are now seeking an order from the court to compel newly-appointed Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to release the report by her predecessor Madonsela.

Madonsela had been expected to release the report on October 14, her last day in office, but it was put under lock and key in Parliament after Zuma indicated his intention to interdict it.

Mkhwebane has said she would not release the report until the court delivered its ruling on Zuma's interdict case.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Two U.S. police officers were shot dead in their cars early Wednesday in two seperate locations in apparent ambush-style attacks in Des Moines, Iowa, Des Moines Police Department told local media.
RAMALLAH, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned Wednesday an Israeli plan to connect Jerusalem with settlements in the West Bank via a light train.

The ministry said in an emailed press statement that such projects are considered to be a declaration of gradual annexation of wide areas of the West Bank.

"The Israeli government seeks to connect settlements in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, with nearby Israeli cities, which would lead to cutting Jerusalem off it's Palestinian surrounding, changing it's features and concealing it's Palestinian identity and heritage," said the statement.

The ministry highlighted that this plan would encourage more settlers to move for living in West Bank settlements, particularly those around Jerusalem, advancing the so-called "greater Jerusalem" plan that would turn the Jerusalemites into a minority amidst a sea of settlers.

The ministry called on the international community, the UN and it's relevant agencies, to shoulder responsibilities toward this new dangerous settlement escalation that risks blowing up the entire situation.

The ministry stressed that any international movement must be swift to stop this unprecedented settlement attack.

Israeli public radio said that Israeli Transportation Minister Israel Katz has approved a plan earlier on Wednesday to connect Jerusalem with settlements within the Green Line by a light train.

The report said that the train would move from Jerusalem to Maale Adumin, Givat Ze'ev, Adam and settlements near Ramallah in both directions.

Katz reportedly said that all Israelis must receive equal transportation service, every where they live.
ISTANBUL, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged on Wednesday to boost cooperation with African countries.

"We are developing long-term cooperation with African countries based on a win-win concept," the president said during the first Turkey-Africa Economy and Business Forum in Istanbul.

He appealed to Turkish companies to increase investments which would contribute to the continent's economic, cultural, touristic and agricultural development.

Turkey's direct investment in sub-Saharan countries reached 3.9 billion U.S. dollars, while its trade volume with the entire continent jumped to 17.5 billion dollars in 2015, according to Erdogan.

The president noted that Turkey aims to increase the number of its diplomatic missions in Africa, currently at 39, to improve cooperation.

In his speech, the Turkish leader also criticized what he called the West's colonial policies toward the Middle East and Africa.

"Turkey and Africa both refused to become colonies or being second-class citizens," said Erdogan.

Drawing attention to terrorism's negative impact on economic development, the president asked African leaders to support Turkey in its fight against Fethullah Gulen's group, a U.S.-based cleric accused of masterminding the failed July coup in Turkey which left 246 people dead.

Gulen's group, which operates a network of schools in Africa and other parts of the world, has been designated as a terrorist organization by Ankara.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attends a joint news conference with Italy's President Sergio Mattarella in the West Bank city of Bethlehem November 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

RAMALLAH, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned Wednesday an Israeli plan to connect Jerusalem with settlements in the West Bank via a light train.

The ministry said in an emailed press statement that such projects are considered to be a declaration of gradual annexation of wide areas of the West Bank.

"The Israeli government seeks to connect settlements in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, with nearby Israeli cities, which would lead to cutting Jerusalem off it's Palestinian surrounding, changing it's features and concealing it's Palestinian identity and heritage," said the statement.

The ministry highlighted that this plan would encourage more settlers to move for living in West Bank settlements, particularly those around Jerusalem, advancing the so-called "greater Jerusalem" plan that would turn the Jerusalemites into a minority amidst a sea of settlers.

The ministry called on the international community, the UN and it's relevant agencies, to shoulder responsibilities toward this new dangerous settlement escalation that risks blowing up the entire situation.

The ministry stressed that any international movement must be swift to stop this unprecedented settlement attack.

Israeli public radio said that Israeli Transportation Minister Israel Katz has approved a plan earlier on Wednesday to connect Jerusalem with settlements within the Green Line by a light train.

The report said that the train would move from Jerusalem to Maale Adumin, Givat Ze'ev, Adam and settlements near Ramallah in both directions.

Katz reportedly said that all Israelis must receive equal transportation service, every where they live.
RAMALLAH, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) has officially demanded that Britain annul the Balfour Declaration and instead issue a new one recognizing Palestinian rights, said a Palestinian official on Wednesday.

The Balfour Declaration confirms the British government's support for establishing a "national home" for Jewish people in Palestine.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said in statements to the Palestinian official radio station, Voice of Palestine, that he made the official request during his meeting with his British counterpart Boris Johnson in London earlier this week.

Malki added "we demanded from the British side to issue a new declaration that would end the 99-year-old vow in which Britain commits itself for the Palestinian people's right to self determination, its support to the establishment of a Palestinian state and recognizing it."

"We discussed the historical responsibility of Britain towards the consequences of the Balfour Declaration and the necessary apology, if it had the courage to undertake its responsibility towards what happened to the Palestinian people as a result of the Declaration," said the minister.

Today marks the 99th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, which is the name given to the letter dated Nov. 2, 1917, sent from the United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary back then, Arthur James Balfour, to Lord Lionel Walter Rothschild, head of the British Jewish community at the time.

The Balfour Declaration was developed following three years of negotiations between the British Government, the British Jewish community and the Zionist Organization before it was dispatched as a letter to be signed by Arthur Balfour.

The letter was presented to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, who approved its content before its publication, and was officially approved by France and Italy in 1918, then publicly adopted by President Wilson in 1919, as well as Japan.

In 1920, it was adopted by the San Remo Conference which was held following the end of World War I and the Declaration was incorporated into the British Mandate.
PHNOM PENH, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- A truck transporting garment factory workers collided with a lorry in southeast Cambodia's Svay Rieng province Wednesday morning, leaving 26 workers injured, a Labor Ministry statement said.

The accident took place when the truck carrying 73 workers attempted to overtake the lorry and crashed into the side of it.

"Twenty-six workers got injured, including one was in severe condition," the statement said, adding that the ill-fated workers had been rushed to hospital soon after the crash.

The truck driver escaped the scene after the accident.

Transporting factory workers in open trucks to and from factories is common in the Southeast Asian country. On Oct. 27, some 72 garment workers were injured when their truck overturned on the eastern outskirts of Phnom Penh.

The country's 6.5 billion-U.S. dollar garment industry is comprised of some 1,000 factories, employing around 750,000 workers.
RABAT, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Morocco will host meetings of the African Parliamentary Union (APU) on Nov. 5-9, a statement released by the Moroccan parliament said.

According to the statement, during the meetings, the executive committee of APU will examine and adopt amendments to the union's statutes, the yearly action plan and the 2017 draft budget.

On this occasion, the APU's female MPs committee will convene on the theme of "the contribution of African parliaments to fight women's and children's trafficking and labor," the statement said.

The APU is a continental inter-parliamentary organization set up in Ivory Coast city of Abidjan in February 1976.

It aims particularly to bring together the parliamentary institutions of all African states to encourage contacts among African Parliamentarians and contribute to the promotion of democracy.
NAIROBI, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- A Kenyan woman rescued from Somali pirates days ago after about three years of captivity reunited with her family in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Tuesday evening.

Louis Njoki was flown from Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, to her home in Nairobi.

Speaking to Xinhua at the Wilson Airport, her family member John Gitau commended the Somali government for its action that led to Njoki's rescue.

"We are delighted that she is finally at home. We have endured severe mental torture since her abduction," said Gitau.

He said Njoki will undergo further medical tests to ascertain any threat to her health.

Njoki was captured along with her partner James Kuria by Somali pirates in 2014 while delivering medicine in Mogadishu.

Kuria was freed during a raid by Somali security forces in February last year.
BEIJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- With Brexit a reality, Donald Trump's emergence in the U.S. presidential election and the rise of extreme right-wing parties in Germany and France, populism has resurged in the Western world and has become a great force on the European and U.S. political scenes.

As Paul Taggart, professor of politics at the University of Sussex, said, populism is a barometer through which the health of a political system can be assessed.

Looking into the current rising of populism, it is easy to see that the Western political system has encountered problems deeply rooted in the contraction of the middle class and a widening wealth gap.

According to McKinsey & Company, the real household income of 65 percent of families or 540 million people in advanced economies has stagnated or decreased from 2005 to 2014.

In the United States, the income of the poorest 20 percent of its population accounts for only 3.1 percent of the national wealth, while the richest 20 percent possess more than half.

The American people are dissatisfied and even angry with economic inequality, and they hate the current economic and political system.

Political outsider Trump capitalized on this popular sentiment and successfully disguised himself as a champion of the public will.

According to a CNN report, 150 voters for Trump in 31 cities confessed that they would not vote for Trump himself in the election but are casting a vote based on their discontent.

According to a poll by the U.S. television network MSNBC, most of Trump's admirers are white, blue-collar male workers belonging to the silent majority who had refused to vote in the past. Over 70 percent of them have an annual income of no more than 100,000 U.S. dollars, less than the average annual income of the Republican Party's voting tank, and another 43 percent are poorly educated without a university diploma.

These voters have chosen Trump over Hillary Clinton because of their own discontent with the latter whom they have found unreliable, citing Clinton's email controversy as an example.

With Wikileaks releasing more information and casting doubt on Clinton's ability to lead, American voters have found themselves caught in an electoral nightmare, a Trump-vs-Clinton dilemma in which neither candidate is a good choice. Trump and Cinton have become the least popular nominees in American electoral history.

Pro-Brexit voters are similar to Trump's supporters in many aspects: most of them are older, white, poorly-educated people who live in rural areas, dissatisfied with their living conditions, and fear a massive influx of immigrants.

Fiona Hill, director of the Center on the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution, said that the parallels between the United States and the United Kingdom show the "depth of the anger" against elites.

Brexit supporters and Trump followers are both "anti-establishment, anti-globalization and anti-immigration," Hill said.

With the triple shock of the financial crisis, rising debt and the refugee fiasco, Europeans loath economic recession and are struggling to keep their own cultural identity.

Jakub Grygiel, a senior fellow-in-residence of the Center for European Policy Analysis at the U.S. Foreign Policy Research Institute, wrote about the heated populism in Europe.

In his essay titled "The Return of Europe's Nation-States" published in the magazine Foreign Affairs, Grygiel wrote that "Europe currently finds itself in the throes of its worst political crisis since World War II. Across the continent, traditional political parties have lost their appeal as populist, Euroskeptical movements have attracted widespread support."

To draw votes, European politicians are preaching protectionism and isolationism. French conservative hopefuls for the 2017 presidential ticket have tried to reach out to disillusioned voters by presenting their ideas to tackle mass unemployment and handle security and immigration.

Similarly, Clinton and Trump have also focused on these issues in all three of their televised debates. Trump accused certain countries of stealing U.S. companies and jobs, and insisted that a wall along the Mexican border should be built and paid for by Mexico to block the flow of illegal immigrants.

Populism has endangered the stable development of the global economy. According to the AFP, Brexit and the rise of Trump have exacerbated the global economic crisis.

During The G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting held on Oct. 6 in Washington D.C., trade protectionism and anti-globalization sentiments were identified as a big threat to the global economy.

Business and financial leaders worldwide also expressed concerns over rampant anti-globalization sentiments at the Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank held in early October.

One thing remains certain in today's uncertain world: unless underlying issues are addressed, the worst of populism could be yet to come.
TEHRAN, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday opposed the restoration of relations with the United States which were suspended in 1980, leader's official website reported.
File photo shows a nurse draws a blood sample from a young girl for the malaria test at the Mbale Regional Referral Hospital in Mbale, Uganda, April 26, 2014. (Xinhua/Daniel Edyegu)

KAMPALA, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's ministry of health on Tuesday said it will distribute some 24 million treated mosquito nets in the next five months in its continued efforts to fight malaria, the deadly disease that kills 70,000 to 100,000 citizens annually in the country.

Ruth Aceng, minister of health, told reporters that the nationwide Long Lasting Insecticide Net (LLIN) distribution campaign, dubbed "Areymo Malaria -- Sleep under a Mosquito net", kicks off on Dec. 9 until April next year, targeting about 36 million people.

"The campaign aims to ensure that 85 percent of targeted populations have access to a LLIN and 85 percent of all nets distributed are utilized. Under this campaign, one mosquito net will be given per two people in the household," Aceng said.

This is the third time Uganda is giving out mosquito nets as one of the measures to fight the disease.

In the first campaign between 2007-2010, it targeted women and children who are the most vulnerable group for malaria. Three years later, the ministry distributed over 21.5 million nets targeting over 35 million Ugandans across the country.

According to the 2015 Malaria Indicator Survey, malaria is endemic in approximately 95 percent of the country, affecting over 90 percent of the population. The remaining five percent of the country consists of unstable and epidemic-prone transmission.

Uganda is using LLIN as one of the national malaria interventions as the East Africa country prepares to reach the pre-elimination phase of three percent of the disease before 2020 as stipulated in 2012 Uganda National Reduction Strategy.

"Everyone in Uganda is at risk of malaria, although pregnant women and children under five years are mostly affected. The cost of treating Malaria is high, a single episode of malaria costs a family on average 9 U.S. dollars, or close to 3 percent of the household annual income of majority of families," said Aceng.

A recent study published by the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene indicates that malaria is still the major cause of death in Uganda with approximately 70,000 to 100,000 Ugandans dying each year.

Uganda has in the last five years intensified actions and interventions that include case management, indoor residual spraying, use of insecticide treated nets, advocacy, communication and social mobilization to bring malaria under control.

As a result of the interventions, the national prevalence levels of malaria have reduced drastically from close to 50 percent in 2011 to 27 percent, according to the 2015 National Malaria Indicator Survey.
TOKYO, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed on Wednesday to provide full support to Myanmar's new government.

"As a friend of Myanmar, Japan will give the new government our full support across the public and private sectors," Abe said when meeting with Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Abe said Japan will provide about 800 billion yen (7.73 billion U.S. dollars) over five years to aid the nation-building in Myanmar.

Suu Kyi, who is on a five-day visit to Japan from Tuesday, said she believed that Japan will walk alongside her country as a good friend and trusted partner as Myanmar is writing a new page in its history.

After the meeting, both countries signed an agreement on a framework for the dispatch of a group of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers to Myanmar.

This is Suu Kyi's first visit to Japan after her National League for Democracy party assumed power in April. She last visited Japan in 2013 as an opposition member of parliament.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd L, front) tries snacks upon his arrival in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Nov. 2, 2016. Li arrived here Wednesday for an official visit to Kyrgyzstan and the 15th prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).(Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

BISHKEK, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived here Wednesday for an official visit to Kyrgyzstan and the 15th prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

While hailing the healthy and stable development of China-Kyrgyzstan ties since the two countries established diplomatic relations 24 years ago, Li said on his arrival in Bishkek that he expects to exchange views with Kyrgyz leaders on deepening bilateral relations and cooperation in a variety of areas.

The premier said he is confident that the two sides can grasp opportunities and join hands to open a new chapter for China-Kyrgyzstan ties.

Li is expected to hold talks with his Kyrgyz counterpart, Sooronbay Jeenbekov, and meet Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev to exchange views on bilateral ties and cooperation in economic, security, cultural and other areas.

The talks, said Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Huilai at a press briefing in Beijing on Monday, will also cover the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and aspires to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient routes.

The two countries will issue a joint communique and sign a string of deals in such areas as economy and trade, production capacity, transportation, agriculture and intellectual property protection.

Regarding the SCO meeting, the premier said the SCO has been developing and growing since its establishment in 2001, playing an important role in safeguarding regional security and stability as well as promoting the development and prosperity of its member states.

Li expressed his willingness to reach new consensus with his colleagues from other SCO member countries on enhancing the converging of interests and unleashing potentials for cooperation.

He urged all leaders present at the meeting to work together to lift communication and cooperation between SCO members in security, economy and people-to-people exchanges to higher levels and enable the SCO to achieve sustainable development on a higher level.

At the SCO meeting, the Chinese premier will propose concrete initiatives to further deepen SCO cooperation in areas like finance, trade, science and innovation, according to Li Huilai.

The SCO members are expected to announce 38 measures designed to boost cooperation in areas such as transport, science and technology, infrastructure construction and environmental protection.

Established in 2001, the SCO is a regional political, economic and security organization that groups China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as full members.

India and Pakistan signed the SCO's Memorandum of Obligations in June, kick-starting the process of their accession into the group, which also has a number of observers and dialogue partners.

Kyrgyzstan is the first leg of Li's ongoing eight-day four-country tour, which will also take him to Kazakhstan, Latvia and Russia.
Rebel fighters ride a vehicle after they took control of Dahiyet al-Assad, west Aleppo city, Syria October 29, 2016. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

MOSCOW, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday a fresh pause of air strikes against militants in the Syrian city of Aleppo for 10 hours scheduled for Friday.

The humanitarian pause, to be introduced from 09:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m local time (0700 to 1700 GMT), is aimed at avoiding "unnecessary casualties," Gen. Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, said in a statement. He added that the decision has been agreed upon with the Syrian authorities.

The Russian military called on all the leaders of armed groups to cease hostilities and withdraw from Aleppo with their weapons.

Two corridors will be opened, one leading to the Syrian-Turkish border and the other to the province of Idlib, south west of Aleppo, while six more corridors will be kept to organize the exit of civilians and evacuation of the sick and wounded, the statement said.

A humanitarian pause, declared for eight hours from Oct. 20 and later extended, has barely held as militants in eastern Aleppo reportedly continued launching attacks.

Russia has not delivered any air strikes against rebels in Aleppo for 17 days.

On Friday, the Russian military asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to resume air strikes against militants in eastern Aleppo due to terrorist attacks, but the Russian leader turned it down, saying it is "inappropriate at the current time."
BEIJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee will send a team to explain the decisions of a key CPC meeting.

The team, consisting of senior Party and government officials, will explain the decisions and documents of the sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee to ordinary people across the country, and answer their questions.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said in a written instruction to the team that they should highlight strict governance of the Party while explaining the decisions.

The team should also explain the importance of the two documents on political life within the Party and strengthening intra-Party supervision, as well as requirements for CPC officials, Xi said.

Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, urged the team to lead all CPC members to closely unite around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, which is the common will of people of all ethnic groups and in the fundamental interests of the Party and the country.

The team should also help Party members implement the decisions of the CPC Central Committee, Liu said.

The team started preparing its lectures on Wednesday and will start work on Saturday.
Zhang Dejiang (C), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), attends the 2nd plenary meeting of the 24th session of the 12th NPC Standing Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 2, 2016. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese legislators have called for implementation of laws on protecting the environment and transforming scientific achievements into real benefits.

Legislators on Wednesday reviewed two inspection reports on the enforcement of the Environmental Protection Law and the law on promoting the transformation of scientific achievements at a meeting during the ongoing bimonthly session of National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, attended the meeting.

Senior legislators led work teams to inspect implementation across the country earlier this year.

The implementation of the law on scientific achievements turned out to be effective, but certain stipulations in the law have not been well practised in some institutions, said Wang Chen, vice chair and secretary general of the NPC Standing Committee.

Wang said financial investment in transformation is inadequate and the staff training needs to be improved.

Inspectors found problems in implementation of the Environmental Protection Law, such as slack supervision and low awareness of environment protection, said Shen Yueyue, vice chair of the NPC Standing Committee, in her report.

Shen urged authorities to take responsibility for law enforcement to resolve environment issues which widely concern the people.

Legislators also heard reports on NPC special committees' examination of bills put forward by NPC deputies during the Fourth Session of the 12th NPC.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (L) and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton participate in the third and final presidential debate at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) in Las Vegas, Nevada, the United States, Oct.19, 2016.(Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

By Chen Yanbei and Guo Shuang

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Data science tools are playing an increasingly important role in U.S. politics, not only in predicting the results of elections, but in actively helping the campaigns win.

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) system from an Indian startup company claimed that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is more popular in 2016 than Barack Obama in 2008, and predicted that Trump will go on to win the U.S. presidential election of 2016.

The prediction was made by MogIA, a software developed by the Indian startup company Genic.ai. The software gathered 20 million data points from public platforms including Google, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and made its prediction based on factors like the engagement of users with tweets or live videos of Trump.

"If Trump loses, it will defy the data trend for the first time in the last 12 years since Internet engagement began in full earnest," Sanjiv Rai, founder of the company wrote in a report.

He referred to the fact that the software was able to correctly predict the outcomes of the previous three presidential races, as well as the Democratic and Republican primaries.

"This appears to be a novel type of predictive model, based on analysis of sentiment from social media sites," said R. Michael Alvarez, professor of Political Science at the California Institute of Technology, in an interview with Xinhua.

However, Alvarez, an expert on elections, cautioned that there needs further study on such methods, warning that social media users are not representative samples of the American electorate, and that the opinions expressed online may or may not reflect their true preferences for the candidates.

"Extracting sentiment from social media data can be tricky, at best ... I don't think that we should just stop traditional opinion polling just yet," said Alvarez.

Another scholar of political science who refused to give his name commented that applying data science tools without actually understanding how politics works may lead to misguided results.

In the past decade, with the rise of social media, data science has been applied to politics, not only in predicting election results, but also in actively helping political campaigns win elections.

"The Obama campaigns in 2008 and 2012 used big data and machine learning tools in new and effective ways," Alvarez said. He went on to explain that, based on the massive data the campaigns collect on the preferences and behaviors of voters in the battleground states, they are able to identify specific voters, and target them with persuasive messages and motivate them to go vote. This allows the campaigns to most effectively allocate their resources.

Data science has become so important to politics that it is being incorporated into undergraduate political science curricula at universities. In 2015, Stanford University started offering a data science track for its political science majors.

Data science tools are not only an important part of presidential politics in the United States, they have also been used by federal and state legislative campaigns. In many states, like California, statewide campaigns use machine learning and sophisticated big data techniques to identify supporters, and to help connect with those supporters in cost-effective ways.

For smaller-scale campaigns which do not hire their own data scientists, a number of private firms are now providing modeling services. In many cases, organizations like the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee try to provide access to modeling services to Democratic congressional campaigns.
TEHRAN, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday opposed the restoration of relations with the United States which were suspended in 1980, leader's official website reported.

There is a discourse which endorses the relations with the United States based on the logic that "if we compromise with America, all the problems of our country will be solved."

"This belief is very dangerous," Khamenei said, arguing that "since there are accurate reasonings to prove that this (belief) is a lie, deceptive and wrong."

Khamenei's remarks come as the Iranians prepare to mark on Thursday the 37th anniversary of taking over the U.S. embassy by a group of Iranian students.

"An example to prove the falsehood of this belief is the attitude of the United States vis-a-vis Iran's nuclear deal," Khamenei said.

He mentioned his repeated comments on "un-trustability" of the United States, saying that "it is not only me who says they (the Americans) are insincere, even other Iranian officials and nuclear negotiators themselves are talking of insincerity of the United States" in the fulfilment of its obligations pertaining to the nuclear deal.

The deal, reached between Iran and world powers in July last year, was implemented in January. The deal saw Iran scrap major part of its nuclear program in return for the removal of western and international sanctions.

The United Sates still maintains sanctions on Iran over alleged violations of human rights and support of terrorism, which Iran denies.

On Wednesday, the Iranian top leader also refuted the demands for negotiations with the United States over domestic and regional issue.

"Is it possible for the U.S. government which uses every opportunity to antagonize Iranian nation to solve our problems?" he said.

"The main objective of the United States is to hinder Iran's progress, and the negotiations with the U.S. will not settle our economic problems," he added.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Two U.S. police officers were shot dead in their cars early Wednesday in what the police called ambush-style attacks in two separate locations in Des Moines, the largest city in the state of Iowa.

The officers "were gunned down when they were sitting in their cars," Sgt. Paul Parizek, spokesman for the Des Moines Police Department, said at a news conference. The second was fatally shot at a location about a five-minute drive from the first scene.

"There is a clear and present danger to police officers. There's definitely danger out there right now," said Parizek.

"It doesn't look like there was any interaction between these officers and whoever the coward is who shot them while they sat in their cars," the police spokesman added.

"We're developing some suspect information right now," he said. "There's nothing that we can share. As soon as we've got something that we can put out, it's coming out."

Killings of police, especially in apparent ambush-style, have risen in the United States this year. The country has also witnessed a higher level of tension between the black community and police.
Chinese State Councilor Guo Shengkun (R), also Chinese Public Security Minister, meets with Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 2, 2016. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua)-- China is willing to enhance cooperation with Myanmar in areas including anti-terrorism and drug prohibition, said Guo Shengkun, a Chinese State Councilor, on Wednesday.

Guo, Public Security Minister, made the remarks when meeting with Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, in Beijing.

"China hopes to work with Myanmar in maintaining security and stability of both the China-Myanmar border and the Mekong area," said Guo.

He also called for pushing forward the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar is willing to enhance communication and deepen cooperation with China.
MANILA, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday spat out curse words at the United States and even called the Americans "monkeys" as he reacted to news reports that the U.S. State Department is halting the planned sale of some 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippine National Police due to human rights concerns.

"Look at these monkeys. They're stopping the sale of 26,000 assault rifles to us. Son of a bitch. There are a lot of airguns. The Americans are fool," Duterte said in a speech during the send-off ceremony of 17 Vietnamese fishermen who were caught poaching in waters in September in Sual town, Pangasinan.

Again, Duterte slammed the U.S. for intervening in the Philippines' affairs, adding it was the Americans who started the verbal war.

"Son of a bitch! I'm fuming mad. They started it first," Duterte added, recalling how the Americans treated Filipinos like "a dog on leash" after "living in the fat" of Filipinos during their 50 years of occupation of the Philippines.

Duterte said that he has lost respect for America. "That's my problem with America. They are rude to us that's why I'm rude to them," he said.

He reiterated that the Philippines is a sovereign country and should not be treated like a colony, adding that the U.S. treats the Philippines like a dog on leash that is thrown food if it follows orders from its master. "In our case, it's in the form of (foreign aids)," he said.

Duterte cited how the U.S. "destroyed" Iraq, "undermined" Libya, and now trying to destroy Syria.

"If somebody here could tell me a good rationale, or rationale if you may, tell me if what the U.S. is doing is right. In the case of Iraq, you destroyed a country, killed the leaders. No weapons of mass destruction found," he said.

It was the first time that Duterte laced his speech with expletives again after vowing that he would stop swearing after he said God had told him to stop cursing while on a plane from a visit in Japan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Sochi, Russia, May 6, 2016. (Xinhua/EPA File Photo)

MOSCOW, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Moscow hopes Tokyo will consider lifting its sanctions against Russia that have hindered the development of their economic and trade cooperation, as the two countries are now trying to mend ties, a senior Russian official said Wednesday during a visit to Japan.

"We hope that Japan will consider lifting restrictions ... because it negatively impacts the development of our economic cooperation and constrains the buildup of mutual trade," Valentina Matviyenko, speaker of the Russian Federation Council, or the upper house of parliament, was quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency as saying.

Matviyenko said Tuesday that Russia was interested in joint projects with Japan in car manufacturing, pharmaceutics and the medical industry, as well as the high-tech sphere, particularly in developing its Siberia and the Far East region with Japanese investors.

She added that the Russian Federation Council is ready to provide necessary political and legal support for bilateral economic cooperation.

Japan, along with the United States and the European Union, has imposed economic sanctions on Russia since the Ukraine crisis in 2014, making their relations even colder amid the long-held territorial dispute over four Pacific islands.

Russian President Vladimir Putin postponed a planned visit to Japan in 2015 and high-level exchanges between the two sides stagnated for a time.

Bilateral ties appeared to begin to improve after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with Putin in the Russian city of Sochi in May.

In September, the two leaders held a three-hour meeting on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in the Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, during which the two sides reached an agreement on Putin's visit to Japan in December.
PRETORIA, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The High Court in Pretoria ruled on Wednesday that a report on the alleged "state capture" by the Indian Gupta family be released to the public.

The report compiled by former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela must be published by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, the court ordered.

The report relates to allegations that the wealthy Gupta family, which keeps close relations with President Jacob Zuma and his family, meddled in politics by influencing the appointment of cabinet ministers and directors of state-owned enterprises.

Zuma launched a court bid to interdict the release of the report. But earlier on Wednesday his legal team, in a dramatic about-turn, announced the withdrawal of the bid without giving any reason.

The court also ordered Zuma to pay the legal costs as demanded by opposition parties, which said the president had wasted state funds by bringing this matter to court.

The Guptas, along with Zuma, have come under fire after Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas and former Member of Parliament Vytjie Mentor said earlier this year that they were offered cabinet positions by the Guptas.

Madonsela had been expected to release the report on October 14, her last day in office, but it was put under lock and key in Parliament after Zuma indicated his intention to apply for the interdict.

Madonsela's successor Busisiwe Mkhwebane has said she would not release the report until the court delivered its ruling on Zuma's interdict case.
South African President Jacob Zuma delivers a speech during the commemoration of the Youth Day in Soweto, south of Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 16, 2016. In commemorating the Youth Day, South African President Jacob Zuma on Thursday called on his fellow countrymen to assist in ridding the society of the social ills affecting the youth. (Xinhua/DOC/Kopano Tlape)

PRETORIA, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The South African government on Wednesday called for peace and calm as thousands of people took to the streets in Pretoria to demand the resignation of President Jacob Zuma.

The government has noted the marches by members of the public, civic organizations and some political parties currently underway in Pretoria, said Donald Liphoko, Acting Director-General of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

The government calls on marchers to respect the rule of law and the paramountcy of the Constitution in guiding all public participation and active citizenship, he said.

The march took place as the High Court in Pretoria was hearing arguments over whether a report into "state capture" by the Indian Gupta family should be released to the public.

The report relates to allegations that the wealthy Gupta family, which keeps close relations with Zuma and his family, meddled in politics by influencing the appointment of cabinet ministers and directors of state-owned enterprises.

Zuma launched a court bid to block the release of the report. But in an about-turn on Wednesday, his legal team announced the withdrawal of the interdict, without giving any reason.

On Wednesday, hundreds of anti-Zuma protesters gathered outside the court vowing to protect the Constitution and calling for Zuma to resign.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema urged supporters to occupy the streets of Pretoria to let their voices heard. Thousands of people have answered his call.

Tension was running high as protesters were confronted by police.

Liphoko raised "serious concern" over utterances attributed to some political leaders to occupy the city centre of Pretoria.

The various voices and actions are reflective of a democratic and progressive society, and citizens have the right to march and voice their opinion, however it must be done peacefully, Liphoko said.

"No person should be coerced against their will. It is the responsibility of each citizen to play their part in protecting our hard-earned democracy," he said.

While every person has the right to protest as enshrined in the Constitution, the government encourages all people to protest within the confines of the law, and not destroy or damage property or infrastructure during their actions, Liphoko said.

He said the Security Cluster remains operationally ready to police all planned protest actions to ensure that they remain peaceful, and that the democratic rights of others are not trampled upon in the process.
KATHMANDU, Nov. 2 (Xinhua)-- Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, who arrived in Kathmandu on a three-day state visit on Wednesday afternoon, held a meeting with his Nepali counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari at the Presidential Palace.

Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the meeting between the two presidents had been warm and cordial.

"The two presidents exchanges views on ways to further strengthening political, social and cultural ties between Nepal and India. On the occasion, the Indian President congratulated President Bhandari, Nepalese people and the Constituent Assembly for the promulgation of constitution last year," Spokesman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bharat Raj Paudyal told Xinhua.

The spokesman said the Indian president reiterated an invitation to his Nepali counterpart Bhandari to visit India at a convenient time.

Nepali Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal paid separate calls on the Indian President in Kathmandu.

Earlier today, Nepali president Bhandari received Mukherjee at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation.

This is the first visit by an Indian president to the Himalayan country after a hiatus of 18 years. The last Indian president to visit the neighboring country was K. R. Narayanan in May 1998.

Nepal and India started formal diplomatic ties with the signing of the Peace and Friendship Treaty in 1950.
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro shakes hands with U.S. diplomat Thomas Shannon in Caracas, Venezuela October 31, 2016. (Xinhua/Presidencia de Venezuela)

CARACAS, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. help to hold a political dialogue between the Venezuelan government and opposition may hide its double agenda, a Venezuelan historian and international analyst told Xinhua recently.

"The U.S. plays for its own interests. It seems that this visit somehow sought the Venezuelan government's acceptance of a recall referendum (against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro)," Omar Galindez said.

He referred to the visit of U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon, who met with Maduro on Monday in Caracas on energy, oil and political negotiation with the opposition, among others.

Following the meeting, Maduro called on the United States to have "respectful relations" and a "permanent dialogue" with his country.

"Washington's true intention is for there to be a presidential recall referendum...immediately, under the conditions it proposes," Galindez said.

A woman holds a paper heart with the colors of Venezuela's national flag during a march in support of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, on Oct. 28, 2016. (Xinhua/Boris Vergara)

A recall referendum on whether to remove Maduro from power was originally planned on Oct. 26-28.

However,the National Electoral Council on Oct. 20 suspended signature collecting needed to start the referendum, citing alleged irregularities during the signature collecting process.

The impossibility of holding the referendum this year may lead Washington to try a "new strategy" against Venezuela, suggested the expert, pointing out that 2016 has seen "the worst year" for the Venezuelan economy as well as a political crisis.

"It must be pointed out that the Maduro government has repeatedly tried to get closer to the U.S. government and that the U.S. has not been willing to do so," said Galindez.

In March, U.S. President Barack Obama renewed an executive order which said Venezuela posed an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to national security.

Venezuela has urged Washington to cancel this order. Galindez said complying with this demand would be a good step toward normalizing relations.
People visit the 34th International Trade Fair of Havana, in Havana, Cuba, on Oct. 31, 2016. (Xinhua/Str)

HAVANA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Cuba presented on Tuesday its new portfolio for foreign investment, which includes 395 projects worth over 9.5 billion U.S. dollars, in its quest to attract external capital.

Cuba needs foreign investment to update its economy, which has been deeply affected by the crisis in Venezuela, its top trading partner and main oil supplier.

"This new edition of Cuba' s business portfolio adds 120 new proposals for investment in 15 key sectors of our economy," said Rodrigo Malmierca, Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment at the inauguration of the island' s first ever investment forum, held during the 34th Havana International Trade Fair.

Malmierca said Cuba is looking to attract around 2 billion U.S. dollars of foreign investment each year. However, that figure has not been reached in recent years and Raul Castro' s government is seeking more external capital.

"We must develop foreign investment in the country. This is a sovereign decision by Cuba that no-one is imposing on us, we do so because we are convinced it is necessary for the nation' s development," he said.

Presenting new investment opportunities to hundreds of businessmen from all over the world, Malmierca said the projects were located throughout the island, with 24 to be developed in the Mariel Special Economic Development Zone, Havana's flagship project for economic growth.

According to the minister, the tourism sector has seen most interest in investors and is the sector which has most opportunities within the business portfolio.

"We have taken a regional approach to new projects in the area of tourism by giving priority to less developed zones like Guardalavaca, St. Lucia beach and Covarrubias in the east, as well as Cienfuegos in the south," added Malmierca.

Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca (L) delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the 34th International Trade Fair of Havana, in Havana, Cuba, on Oct. 31, 2016. (Xinhua/Str)

Cuba is experiencing a tourism boom since it reestablished diplomatic ties with the United States with almost 4 million visitors expected to visit by the end of 2016.

Other priority sectors for the island include renewable energy, oil exploration, food imports and nickel development.

The Cuban minister added that some projects had been removed from the portfolio as they are already being negotiated with foreign partners.

A new feature in this year's business portfolio is that non-agricultural cooperatives may participate directly or indirectly in foreign investment projects by associating with a Cuban state company.

The banking and financial sectors are now included, allowing Cuba to develop its financing, management techniques and information analysis.

"We want to create economic bases to consolidate the development of our country and build a prosperous and sustainable socialism," said Malmierca.
The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) Secretary General Ernesto Samper speaks during a press conference in Quito on November 1, 2016. (AFP PHOTO / RODRIGO BUENDIA)

LIMA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The 24th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Peru would help the integration process in Latin America, as well as the broader integration across the Asia-Pacific, said Ernesto Samper, secretary-general of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).

In an interview with Xinhua, Samper said, "we hope that the results to be produced can be shared across the region."

The APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held on Nov. 19-20 in Peru.

Samper, who is also the former president of Colombia (1994-1998), said that UNASUR would carefully analyze the success of the APEC meeting. "We see the organization of this meeting very positively, especially in Peru, which has in some way become the capital of the Latin American Pacific."

For Samper, the integration of Latin America coincides with the goal to bring together economies across the Asia-Pacific.

"UNASUR has already discussed the possibility of a broader political and economic integration in the region," he pointed out, adding that the bloc supports initiatives which promote cooperation and commercial alliances around the world.

"China is a crucial player in the region today," he explained, saying that the direct commercial aid and investments from China have poured into the regional economy.

The Chinese market has increased its capacity to consume products from Latin America, said Samper about the commercial integration between both sides.

He added that the Asia-Pacific region has become a must for countries seeking to strengthen economic and trade ties.

"We see the Pacific as an area of opportunity for all the countries of South America," he said.

"China is, without doubt, one of the most important partners in the region, not only because of foreign investment but also for international cooperation," said the former president.

"China does not act only out of its own interests, but of friendship and solidarity," he said.

"For us, China is a big brother of countries in the South. We want to see it as a good brother, a trusted partner," he noted.
MOSUL, Iraq, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces on Wednesday continued their advance to the edges of the city of Mosul and freed 13 villages from the Islamic State (IS) militants, as part of a campaign to drive out the extremist group from its last major stronghold in Iraq.

The Iraqi and federal police forces made a significant advance south of Mosul when the troops recaptured eight villages and came closer to the town of Hammam al-Alil, some 20 km south of Mosul, a source form the Joint Operations Command (JOC) told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The paramilitary Hashd Shaabi units recaptured five villages as they advanced in southwest of Mosul toward the town of Tal Afar, some 100 km west of Mosul, the source said.

Three more villages were surrounded by the Hashd Shaabi fighters, the source said, adding that the villages are expected to be freed in the coming hours.

The paramilitary units fought fierce clashes with the IS militants during their advance, killing a large number of IS militants and destroying five car bombs, the source added.

The operation of the pre-dominantly Shiite Hashd Shaabi units was designed to recapture Tal Afar in order to cut off the supply lines between Mosul and neighboring Syria.

In eastern Mosul, the elite counter-terrorism forces did not advance further into the eastern side of the city, as their battles continued during the day to clear the eastern district of Gogjali from small pockets of IS militants, the source said.

On Tuesday, the counter-terrorism forces took control of the state television building after seizing Gogjali district the day before.

Wednesday's battles came after more than two weeks of a massive offensive to dislodge IS militants from Mosul.

On Oct. 17, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the start of a major offensive to retake Mosul, the country's second largest city.

Since then, the Iraqi security forces have inched to the eastern fringes of Mosul and made progress on other routes around the city, preparing for a major battle to storm the city and drive out IS militants.

Mosul, some 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when Iraqi government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- A suspect who may have gunned down and killed two U.S. police officers when they were sitting in their cars in central Iowa early Wednesday is now in custody, local police said.

Scott Michael Greene, 46, is the suspect in the two ambush-style fatal shootings, the Urbandale and Des Moines police departments said in a statement earlier, noting he was last seen driving a blue Ford F-150 with a silver-colored topper.

He was detained in Dallas County and will be returned to Des Moines for questioning, said the police.

Schools in the area are all closed on Wednesday due to the shootings while a sweeping search for the suspect was underway, involving law enforcement officers from multiple agencies.

The officers "were gunned down when they were sitting in their cars" in two separate locations in Des Moines, the largest city in the state of Iowa, Sgt. Paul Parizek, spokesman for the Des Moines Police Department, said at a news conference after the shootings. He also said there didn't appear to have been any interaction between these officers and the person who shot them.

"We're not anywhere close to that," he later said, referring to the suspect's motive. "We may never know what motivated this act."

One of the officers was fatally shot next to the Urbandale High School, the other was killed two miles away and 20 minutes later.

A video uploaded to YouTube last month by an account named Scott Greene was titled "Police Abuse, Civil Rights Violation at Urbandale High School" and appeared to show a person arguing with police officers asking him to leave the area, according to a Washington Post report.

In the video, the man recording the footage is heard telling the police that he was assaulted and almost mugged while "peacefully protesting" at what appears to be a high school. An officer is later seen explaining that the Confederate battle flag he was waving violated the school's code, said the report.

Killings of police, especially in apparent ambush-style, have risen in the United States this year that has also witnessed increasing tension between the black community and police across the country.
Image taken on Feb. 20, 2014 shows a man smoking cannabis beside of his outdoor crop at his home, in Montevideo, capital of Uruguay.(Xinhua/Nicolas Celaya)

OSLO, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian research results suggest that cannabis abuse triggers psychosis and not the other way round, Norwegian media reported on Wednesday.

Cannabis abuse can triple the risk of psychosis, according to a report by researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) who, together with U.S. colleagues, studied the abuse of cannabis and symptoms of psychosis among nearly 1,400 pairs of twins.

They have found a significant connection between the abuse of cannabis and symptoms of psychosis in general, something that had been proved before. The question was: what was causing what.

"The new discovery is that, among a pair of twins where only one smokes cannabis, that twin has a 3.5 times higher risk of developing psychosis," Eivind Ystrom, senior researcher from FHI, told Norwegian news agency NTB.

"We have also tested the hypothesis that symptoms of psychosis cause cannabis abuse, but that hypothesis was less suited to the data. It appears, therefore, that cannabis abuse is a cause of psychosis," he said.

According to Ystrom, the survey was done by direct interviews and diagnosing, not by filling in a questionnaire, which made it altogether "far more than a suggestion."

Both psychosis and cannabis use and abuse have high heritability. Therefore, it can happen that people who have developed psychosis would have done so anyway, only at a somewhat later stage of life. Previous research has shown that cannabis abuse can accelerate a hereditary psychosis for almost three years.

Ystrom thinks that these factors should be taken into consideration when evaluating the consequences of decriminalization or legalization of personal use of cannabis products.

"A basic question is about determining in what grade psychotic symptoms should be regarded as triggers of addiction," said Cecilie Hillestad Hoff, a specialist in clinical psychology who has worked with psychotic patients for nine years.

"An important question then becomes whether the individual patient has ingested cannabis to reduce internal, psychological pain, or whether cannabis smoking precedes the development of psychosis. Research that helps to point out the direction of causality is very helpful," she said.

Hillestad Hoff also emphasized the complexity of determining causality. "We still know very little about the reason some people develop a psychotic disorder," she said.
Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang (L) shakes hands with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin at the 20th meeting of the Joint Commission for the Regular Prime Ministers' Meetings of China and Russia in Moscow, Russia, on Nov. 2, 2016. Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin met here Wednesday on bilateral cooperation, and both sides vowed to continue making joint efforts to promote China-Russia relations. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

MOSCOW, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang and Russian Deputy Prime Minster Dmitry Rogozin met here Wednesday on bilateral cooperation, and both sides vowed to continue making joint efforts to promote China-Russia relations.

At the 20th meeting of the Joint Commission for the Regular Prime Ministers' Meetings of China and Russia, Wang said Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin four times this year, reaching broad consensus on deepening the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination under new circumstances, which has served as the guideline for bilateral cooperation.

This meeting, Wang said, was aimed at carrying out the consensus, summarizing the achievements made by the joint commission this year, and preparing for the upcoming 21st Regular Prime Ministers' Meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Russia's second-largest city of St. Petersburg.

As this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the joint commission, said Wang, the commission has contributed to the progressive development of all-round cooperation between China and Russia, which have built up mutual trust in all sincerity based on mutual benefits.

Meanwhile, Wang called for more joint efforts to consolidate the favorable trend in bilateral trade and further tap the potential in this regard in order to boost cooperation in strategic projects.

Rogozin, for his part, said that it is Russia's consistent foreign policy priority to further promote its partnership with China, as the two sides have supported each other in areas of core interests such as sovereignty, territory and security.

With a host of agreements clinched at the meeting in the fields of industry, nuclear energy, aviation and outer space, agriculture, finance, environmental protection as well as cross-border transport, Rogozin urged the joint commission to play a stronger role in advancing relevant cooperation.
BEIJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs chief on Wednesday hailed a meeting between the leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Kuomintang (KMT) Party in Taiwan.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, met with KMT leader Hung Hsiu-chu and her delegation in Beijing on Tuesday.

In a signed article published on Wednesday, Zhang Zhijun, head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said the Xi-Hung meeting is vital to exchanges between the two parties and the development of cross-Strait ties.

Xi's proposals on cross-Strait relationship will guide the development of the ties under the new situation, Zhang wrote.

Xi's remarks recognized the contribution by the KMT and the CPC in cross-Strait peaceful development, showcasing the mainland's will to deepen CPC-KMT exchanges and boost cross-Strait ties, Zhang said.

Xi pointed out the right direction for the development of cross-Strait relationship, and voiced resolution and confidence in defeating attempts of seeking "Taiwan independence," Zhang noted in the article.

In his remarks, Xi also stressed the mainland's unchanged policies of serving the people on both sides of the Strait, as he called on two parties to promote the integrated social and economic development across the Strait, and promised continued efforts to benefit Taiwan compatriots, Zhang added.
A Ghadr-F missile is displayed next to a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at a war exhibition to commemorate the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war at Baharestan square, south of Tehran on September 26, 2016. (AFP/Xinhua)

TEHRAN, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday opposed the restoration of relations with the United States which were suspended in 1980, leader's official website reported.

There is a discourse which endorses the relations with the United States based on the logic that "if we compromise with America, all the problems of our country will be solved."

"This belief is very dangerous," Khamenei said, arguing that "since there are accurate reasonings to prove that this (belief) is a lie, deceptive and wrong."

Khamenei's remarks come as the Iranians prepare to mark on Thursday the 37th anniversary of taking over the U.S. embassy by a group of Iranian students.

"An example to prove the falsehood of this belief is the attitude of the United States vis-a-vis Iran's nuclear deal," Khamenei said.

He mentioned his repeated comments on "un-trustability" of the United States, saying that "it is not only me who says they (the Americans) are insincere, even other Iranian officials and nuclear negotiators themselves are talking of insincerity of the United States" in the fulfilment of its obligations pertaining to the nuclear deal.

The deal, reached between Iran and world powers in July last year, was implemented in January. The deal saw Iran scrap major part of its nuclear program in return for the removal of western and international sanctions.

The United Sates still maintains sanctions on Iran over alleged violations of human rights and support of terrorism, which Iran denies.

On Wednesday, the Iranian top leader also refuted the demands for negotiations with the United States over domestic and regional issue.

"Is it possible for the U.S. government which uses every opportunity to antagonize Iranian nation to solve our problems?" he said.

"The main objective of the United States is to hinder Iran's progress, and the negotiations with the U.S. will not settle our economic problems," he added.
Iraqi army vehicles drive through the village of Gogjali, a few hundred metres of Mosul's eastern edge, on November 2, 2016, as they head towards the city during the ongoing operation to retake it from Islamic State group jihadists. (AFP/Xinhua)

MOSUL, Iraq, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces on Wednesday continued their advance to the edges of the city of Mosul and freed 13 villages from the Islamic State (IS) militants, as part of a campaign to drive out the extremist group from its last major stronghold in Iraq.

The Iraqi and federal police forces made a significant advance south of Mosul when the troops recaptured eight villages and came closer to the town of Hammam al-Alil, some 20 km south of Mosul, a source form the Joint Operations Command (JOC) told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The paramilitary Hashd Shaabi units recaptured five villages as they advanced in southwest of Mosul toward the town of Tal Afar, some 100 km west of Mosul, the source said.

Three more villages were surrounded by the Hashd Shaabi fighters, the source said, adding that the villages are expected to be freed in the coming hours.

The paramilitary units fought fierce clashes with the IS militants during their advance, killing a large number of IS militants and destroying five car bombs, the source added.

The operation of the pre-dominantly Shiite Hashd Shaabi units was designed to recapture Tal Afar in order to cut off the supply lines between Mosul and neighboring Syria.

In eastern Mosul, the elite counter-terrorism forces did not advance further into the eastern side of the city, as their battles continued during the day to clear the eastern district of Gogjali from small pockets of IS militants, the source said.

On Tuesday, the counter-terrorism forces took control of the state television building after seizing Gogjali district the day before.

Wednesday's battles came after more than two weeks of a massive offensive to dislodge IS militants from Mosul.

On Oct. 17, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the start of a major offensive to retake Mosul, the country's second largest city.

Since then, the Iraqi security forces have inched to the eastern fringes of Mosul and made progress on other routes around the city, preparing for a major battle to storm the city and drive out IS militants.

Mosul, some 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when Iraqi government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.
by Nemanja Cabric, Wang Huijuan

BELGRADE, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Improved bilateral relations between Serbia and China as well as successful projects in the past raise Serbian hopes that more investments and projects will be agreed at an upcoming summit in Riga, Latvia, Dragana Mitrovic, professor of political science at the University of Belgrade, told Xinhua here Wednesday.

Mitrovic, executive director and founder of the Centre for Asian and Far East studies at the university's faculty of political science, said Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Serbia in June 2016 "opened the door for much wider and deepened cooperation in all areas of economic and social interactions between the two countries and confirmed commitments of the two countries concerning the Belt and Road initiative," she said.

She estimated that the upcoming summit and the meeting of the 16+1 mechanism of China and Central and East European (CEE) countries would result in "more specific policies and measures as well as advancement of ongoing or planned projects and initiatives."

SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS BRING HOPE FOR MORE CHINESE INVESTMENTS

Mitrovic said the upgrade in relations came after several successful projects were achieved or are underway -- Kostolac thermal power plant revitalization, Pupin Bridge on the Danube, which was the first of such kind built predominantly by a Chinese company in Europe, and the purchase of Smederevo Steel Plant by HeSteel.

"Those examples of cooperation were mutually beneficial, especially as we look at them as the first ones supposed to open the door for more intense and coordinated cooperation," Mitrovic pointed out.

She estimated that Serbian public and business communities, and especially local communities, were now expecting to see more direct Chinese investments in the real economy of Serbia as "China has become the second biggest global investor, and as it has strongly increased its investment in Europe, but primarily in Western Europe."

"Strategically positioned along the Belt and Road initiative network pathway, with preferential access to the EU market and to the market of CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries, as well as the Turkish one, with a qualified work force, Serbia is waiting to see more direct investments coming from state and private Chinese corporations that would push its sustainable growth and create jobs," said the professor.

Mitrovic reminded that Serbia had its own traditional advantages in agricultural production, especially wheat, corn, sunflower, soybean, sugar beet, milk and dairy products and in fields like food processing, cattle breeding, as well as desalination processes and traditionally developed seeds for sunflower and wheat.

"All these sectors welcome strategic partners from China. Foreign direct investments from Chinese companies would be mutually beneficial if oriented towards the state-owned companies that our government listed for sale," Mitrovic said.

MANY PROJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED IN RIGA

She stressed the hope that Hebei Iron and Steel Group would invest its modern technology of light steel in Smederevo Steel Plant so it could compete in the global automobile industry.

Mitrovic added that the expected restoration of the direct flights between China and Serbia, together with a visa-free regime for short stays of Chinese and Serbian tourists, and opening a branch of Bank of China in Serbia would help foster people to people exchange, tourist industries and cooperation.

According to Mitrovic, these and other topics would be the focus of Serbia at the upcoming summit and leaders' meeting in Riga, Latvia.

"At the Riga Summit, we could expect the continuation of deepening and expending framework of cooperation within the new agenda of 'One goal and six priorities' adopted in Suzhou last year that put all the elements of mid-term cooperation into a time frame of five years as it could go along with the China's 13th Five-Year Plan and the Belt and Road initiative, as well as the European Commission's Investment Plan for Europe," she said.

She added that at the summit held last November in Suzhou, Latvia was given the responsibility of establishing a secretariat on logistics cooperation within 16+1 framework and organizing its first ministerial level meeting.

"Pushing for more infrastructure and logistic cooperation in the area of Baltic Sea is going to be seen as one of the areas the most important for the host and China. Other Latvia's priorities are direct flights between Latvia and China and hosting of the 16+1 Business Support Organizations Conference in Riga," Mitrovic concluded.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday appeared to criticize Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey's decision to disclose new development of FBI's probe into Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's email practices 11 days before the election.

In his first comments on the FBI's announcement that rocked the presidential campaign, Obama did not criticize Comey directly in his interview with NowThis News. However, Obama did not shy away from venting his frustration.

"I do think that there is a norm that when there are investigations, we don't operate on innuendo," said Obama in the interview released on Wednesday. "We don't operate on incomplete information. We don't operate on leaks. We operate based on concrete decisions that are made."

Comey informed the Congress last Friday that the FBI was reviewing new emails which may be relevant to Clinton's email probe.

However, Comey said the FBI "cannot yet assess whether or not this material may be significant," adding that he could not predict how long it would take investigators to complete the "additional work."

Local media reports later cited anonymous sources as saying that the emails were found on a laptop used by Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of Clinton's top aide Huma Abedin.

Weiner is currently under federal investigation for allegedly sending sexually explicit messages to an underage girl.
People queue to withdraw cash from a local bank in Harare, Zimbabwe, Nov. 2, 2016. Cash shortages worsen as Zimbabweans wait for bond notes which will be unveiled this month by the Central Bank. (Xinhua/Stringer)

HARARE, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has issued regulations to provide legal backing to the bond notes that the country intends to introduce this week to ease current cash shortages.

According to an extraordinary government gazette issued Monday night, Mugabe used the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act to amend the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act to designate bond notes as legal tender.

The bond notes will trade at par with the U.S. dollar, according to the notice.

The RBZ has said the bond notes will be backed by a 200 million U.S. dollars facility provided by the African Export Import Bank.

At least 65 million worth of bond notes in 2 and 5 dollars notes will be released on the market by December, according to the RBZ.

Nationwide awareness campaigns on the bond notes started on October 31.

Plans to introduce the bond notes have triggered panic and uncertainty in the market as Zimbabweans fear it may be a ploy by government to reintroduce the moribund Zimbabwe dollar.

Zimbabwe dumped its worthless currency in 2009 in favor of the U.S. dollar and eight other currencies that include the South African rand, British pound, Chinese yuan, Japanese yen and Australian dollar.

Zimbabwe has been facing a shortage of U.S. dollar notes, the main currency in circulation, since the beginning of this year due to a widening trade deficit and money laundering.

The shortages have worsened in recent weeks as skeptical Zimbabweans hold on to their U.S. dollar notes.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) holds talks with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Sooronbay Jeenbekov in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Nov. 2, 2016. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BISHKEK, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Kyrgyz counterpart, Sooronbay Jeenbekov, on Wednesday agreed to further boost cooperation between the two countries in a variety of fields.

Li is in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek for an official visit to the central Asian country and the 15th prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

China and Kyrgyzstan are friendly neighbors and strategic partners with solid mutual political trust, close high-level contacts, rapidly growing pragmatic cooperation and active people-to-people exchanges, Li said during a meeting with Jeenbekov.

China supports Kyrgyzstan's efforts in seeking a development path that is compatible with its national circumstances and in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.

He added that his country is also willing to translate the high-level mutual political trust with Kyrgyzstan into more substantial cooperation results, so as to promote sustained, sound and comprehensive development of bilateral ties and cooperation.

The two economies are highly complementary to each other with abundant points of converging interests and great potentials for cooperation, said the premier.

China is willing to conjoin the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative with Kyrgyzstan's development strategy, make earnest efforts to push forward production capacity cooperation, strengthen cooperation in transport and other infrastructure building, and conduct cooperation in agriculture as a whole and intensive processing of agricultural products, Li said.

The premier called upon the two sides to enhance cooperation in the fields of information communications, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Li also expressed his hope that Kyrgyzstan will further improve its investment environment, so as to make it easier for Chinese companies to invest and start businesses in the country.

For his part, Jeenbekov hailed the high-level bilateral relations between Kyrgyzstan and China, saying Kyrgyzstan is willing to further increase political dialogues with China and boost the building of the Belt and Road through bilateral economic cooperation.

Jeenbekov pointed to production capacity, investment, light textile, telecommunications, small and medium-sized enterprises, agriculture, water conservancy irrigation, air transportation, and emergency disaster relief as the areas where the two countries should conduct cooperation.

Kyrgyzstan is also willing to carry forward the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway project and highway projects in Bishkek, so as to lift the economic and trade relations between the two countries to higher levels and bring benefits to the two peoples, the Kyrgyz prime minister said.

Jeenbekov also said his country is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China within the framework of the SCO and other multilateral institutions.

After the meeting, the two leaders signed and released a joint communique between the two countries and witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation documents in such fields as economy, technology, production capacity, transport, agriculture and intellectual property rights.

Kyrgyzstan is the first leg of Li's ongoing eight-day four-country tour, which will also take him to Kazakhstan, Latvia and Russia.




Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) meets with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Nov. 2, 2016. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BISHKEK, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- China and Kyrgyzstan should beef up production capacity cooperation as well as collaboration in major infrastructure projects, visiting Premier Li Keqiang said here Wednesday.

Li made the remarks when he met with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev, during which he first conveyed to the president kind regards from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Against a sluggish global economy and the complicated regional situation, China and Kyrgyzstan also need to tap their potentials, be innovative and promote cooperation in security law enforcement, Li said.

The two sides should also promote the development of two-way trade and investment, while boosting regional inter-connectivity and safety as well as stability, so as to build a favorable environment for the realization of common development, said the premier.

China is willing to deepen political mutual trust, advance practical cooperation and strengthen people-to-people exchanges with Kyrgyzstan, and enhance coordination on global and regional affairs, Li added.

Hailing China and Kyrgyzstan as friendly neighbors bound by mountains and rivers, Li said the two sides have reached several important consensuses during the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held in June in Tashkent, capital city of Uzbekistan.

He further noted that China stands ready to jointly push forward the development of bilateral ties and cooperation to benefit the two peoples in a better way.

Calling China a sincere friend, Atambayev said Kyrgyzstan is deeply grateful to China's assistance, which has never had any political strings attached, to help his country maintain stability and achieve development.

With strong aspiration for broader practical cooperation from both sides, Kyrgyzstan is willing to make joint efforts with China to implement bilateral cooperative consensuses, strengthen cooperation in such fields as traffic, information, communication and finance, said the president, calling on the two countries to deepen their friendly cooperation in a firmly manner.

Li arrived here earlier Wednesday for an official visit to Kyrgyzstan and the 15th prime ministers' meeting of the SCO.

Kyrgyzstan is the first leg of Li's ongoing eight-day four-country tour, which will also take him to Kazakhstan, Latvia and Russia.




Dont drink, dont abuse your wife

Wahid Hosein, 45, stood before Acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Nanette Forde- John to answer the charge that he chopped the mother of his six children, Nadia Kissoon who almost have three fingers on her left hand severed. Hosein of Mungal Trace, Woodland was in jail on remand for the past five days awaiting his return to court after he pleaded guilty, at the initial hearing, to a charge of malicious wounding of 30-yearold Kissoon.

Hosein pleaded guilty to the charge which stated he attacked his wife on September 28 at their home. The couples children range in age from six to 15. PC Mohess of San Fernando CID investigated and charged Hosein. Yesterday, Kissoon sat in court when Hosein was brought in handcuffed before the magistrate.

Magistrate Forde-John enquired of Kissoon on Hoseins behaviour at home.

When he drink and come home, he does get on. When he is sober, he is normal, Kissoon said. Magistrate Forde-John proceeded to issue a stern warning to Hosein, telling him firstly, that he should seek help from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to end his drinking habit. The magistrate granted an Interim Order, telling Hosein he is not to go to the matrimonial home in a state of drunkenness and is not to abuse Kissoon and/or their six children.

You are not to go there and use obscene language to your wife and children. You are not to assault or beat anybody in the home.

So, I need to see what is going on with you and you are to come back to court on November 22, Forde-John ordered. She reiterated to Hosein that if he appears before her in court on any abuse charge drunk or no drunk, you would be immediately incarcerated! The magistrate granted Hosein own bail in the sum of $25,000 and ordered that he reappear in court on November 22
Student, 15, raped

According to reports a 3.15 pm on Monday, the student who lives in Northern Trinidad boarded a taxi in St James and asked to be taken to Port-of-Spain.

The driver instead drove to a bushy area in the vicinity of the Mucurapo mosque where he sexually assaulted her.

After completing the rape act the man ordered the student to remain in the vehicle but as he was driving away the victim managed to jump out of the car and escaped.

The girl went to the St James police station where she made a report and was medically examined by a District Medical Officer.

A description was given to the officers and a sketch of the suspect was circulated to police stations in the Western Division.

WPC Eccles is continuing enquiries.

A day earlier, a 16-year-old female walked into a police station in Central Trinidad accompanied by her mother and reported that she was sexually assaulted by a man known to her some time in August.

The girl told officers that in August she was at her home when she was accosted by the man who grievously sexually assaulted her.

She also claimed that the man attempted to sexually penetrate her but she managed to ward him off.

She said the attacker also attempted to sodomise her.

Officers of the Child Protection Unit were alerted and the schoolgirl was interviewed.

Newsday understands that an arrest is imminent.
Bring the money

I will encourage the private sector to get involved in helping to run these (fisheries) centres...

In Kingstown (St Vincents capital), I had asked the Chamber of Industry and Commerce let business people come...Nothing has happened there, so we have decided, in accordance with a proposal put to us by the State-owned Inputs Warehouse Company (IWC), as from January (2017), to transfer the management of the Kingstown Fish Market to the IWC...Trinidadian personalities and firms , if you come in, you have to come with some money.

You cant just come and want to run it because I remember an old Calypso between the Bajan and the Trini, If you eat out my rice, then I want to see you bring something to the table, if you want to still have any sensible conversation, Gonsalves stated.

The SVG PM was speaking yesterday at the Calliaqua Fisheries Centre, in the town of Calliaqua where a formal handing over ceremony took place for The Project for the Improvement of Fishery Equipment and Machinery in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The project, funded by Grant Aid from Japan, included the replacement of cooling equipment/ machinery at six fisheries where fish are stored before sale/export as well as two refrigerated vehicles (trucks) for the distribution of fish.

Japans non-resident Ambassador to SVG, Mitsuhiko Okada, revealed that the value of the grant for upgrades and new equipment at six main (fisheries) is US $4.6 million. Speaking with the TT media contingent in SVG for this and other handing over ceremonies of equipment and/ or upgrades funded by Japan, PM Gonsalves said the fisheries centres are not for purchase. Rather, private sector entities from TT, SVG and elsewhere would negotiate, lease arrangements, the length of which would be subject to discussion; what they bring to the table. Gonsalves took the opportunity yesterday to announce a total ban on turtle hunting and the eating of turtle eggs in SVG, effective January 1, in keeping with the mantra, No extinction in our generation (because) one species in particular, and another, are being depleted rapidly. He also said a project is, being devised for turtle watching in the parts of SVG where these turtles traditionally nest..
Energy chamber: New minister has to address issues

Khan was appointed Energy Minister following Mondays Cabinet reshuffle.

In a media release yesterday, Energy Chamber president, Dr Thackwray Driver, stated many important decisions were needed to be taken to secure the future of this key sector for the economy.

The Energy Chamber looks forward to working closely with Senator Franklin Khan to address the serious issues facing the sector, he stated, adding this included the shortfalls in gas production which have been severely impacting the sector over the past few years and can only be addressed though significant capital investment into the upstream gas industry.

The key issue for the new Minister of Energy will, therefore, be to ensure that investments in upstream gas do indeed take place. This means creating clarity about the investment climate and ensuring investors receive a return on investment commensurate with the risks that they are taking, Driver stated.

He noted the Minister would also need to tackle falling oil production as not only does falling domestic oil production impact on Government revenue but also impacts negatively on foreign exchange availability, as more foreign exchange has to be used to buy crude oil to put through the Point-a- Pierre refinery. Petrotrin has a very important role to play in reversing the decline in crude oil production and there any many important policy decisions that have to be taken with respect to the company and their valuable oil assets, he stated.

Driver also advised the new Minister to work closely with the Minister of Finance to complete the review of oil and gas taxation saying the IMF recommendations, as outlined by the Minister of Finance in his budget presentation, offer a good place to start discussions with the industry. There are also significant opportunities for the local energy services sector to contribute to diversification of our exports, especially through accessing opportunities in Guyana, where there has been a very significant new oil discovery.

The new Minister of Energy must work closely with the Minister of Trade to help local service companies take advantage of these opportunities, he added.
Judge calls for urgent action on street dwelling

Justice Eleanor Donaldson-Honeywell, in a ruling on the judicial review application of deportee Hugh Bernard, last month, said the lawsuit although having failed on its merits served as a clarion call for urgent action to be taken by the nation to address the issues of the socially displaced. In her ruling, the judge commended Bernard, who brought the action on behalf of other street dwellers at Tamarind Square, for bringing the lawsuit as it highlighted the need for scrutiny of the unacceptable conditions faced by the homeless.

The reasons for the plight of the persons reduced to living in such circumstances are many and varied. However, what is certain is that in a society as small as ours these persons are connected perhaps by less than six degrees of separation from each of us. Accordingly, this issue of street dwelling is a matter that requires urgent attention and it is a concern from which no member of society can feel absolved of responsibility.

A nations greatness, according to Mahatma Gandhi is measured by how it treats its weakest members, Donaldson-Honeywell noted in her ruling.

She dismissed Bernards lawsuit as he failed to show that judicial review was an appropriate remedy for the alleged breaches of his constitutional rights or that it had a realistic prospect of success.

Bernards application was dismissed with no orders for costs.

In her ruling, the judge described the claim as a novel one which was timely as the court took judicial notice of the acute crisis of socially displaced persons occupying the pavements and other public places with seemingly no place to call home.

It is not a new phenomenon.

However, for decades communities such as the City of Portof- Spain have been increasingly faced with the problem of homelessness.

Street dwelling is a concern not only for those unfortunate persons who, whether by choice or having suffered dire life experiences, seek to stake a claim to entitlement to reside in public places but also presents a threat to other members of the public whose freedom of movement, safety and enjoyment of public places may be adversely affected by such occupation, she said.

She added that there was a continued need to address the problem and seek workable solutions.

In the lawsuit, Bernard claimed the homeless were adversely affected by the corporations decision to place locks on the gates which denied them and other members of the public entry into the square.

In December of last year, the Corporation erected a fence around the perimetre of Tamarind Square, and towards the end of January, locks and chains were placed on the gates.

Four of the five gates around the square have been locked and the fifth gate has a padlock but has not yet been locked as the others.

The lawsuit contended that if this fifth gate to Tamarind Square was locked the socially displaced will have nowhere left to go.

Bernard argued that it was unfair to him and the other homeless people that they be denied entry into the square without any alternative arrangements being made to accommodate them. He also sought to have the court make an order requiring the City Corporation to leave the gates open until viable alternatives are made for them and that tents and portable toilets be placed in the square.
Acting CoP extension not unanimous

Last night, Newsday was told that the PSCs decision to give Williams an extension came after the Commission reversed its earlier decision to allow Harold Phillip to continue to act as CoP. Sources said the decision to give an extension to Phillip was agreed to by the PSC, by a margin of 3 to 2. However, sources said, that decision was set aside and the PSC instead gave an extension to Williams.

Sources last night said, The decision to reappoint (Williams) was not unanimous. Contacted for comment, PSC chairman Dr Maria Therese Gomes neither confirmed nor denied this information.

Gomes advised Newsday to verify the authenticity of this information. At a news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister on September 2, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley questioned whether there were deliberate efforts to obstruct the appointment of a CoP.

The Prime Minister had said, my understanding is that the PSC is attempting to get the process going but there are obstacles in the way. The Prime Minister continued, Those obstacles seem to multiply. Its like a Hydra... you cut off one head...another one comes on. He added, The Government is very frustrated on the fact that with all the will in the world...there seems to be no pathway towards a CoP who will effectively move on certain particular matters which are before the CoP. Rowley said he was, reluctantly coming to the conclusion that there are obstacles in our way which may have their root in a conflict of interest. He said, a nonsense which came to Cabinet from the Public Service, was a reluctance to move forward unless the Government provides $6 million to allow a local firm to commit to evaluate the applications. The Prime Minister explained this figure was, the cost of doing it through Penn State abroad and a whole set of hoops and costs...that was what we eliminated by changing the Order and confining the search to using a local firm and confining the search to nationals at home or abroad. The orders for the process for the PSC to begin the search for CoP were approved by Parliament last year, but Government had attempted to simplify the exercise with proposals of its own. A challenge was filed by a member of the public in the Port-of-Spain High Court, and in a ruling, in July this year, Justice Peter Rajkumar upheld the new selection process to appoint a CoP and Deputy CoP but struck down two aspects as unconstitutional.

The judge deemed as incursions on the PSCs autonomy, the fact that the Minister of National Security had to request the process to start as well as a stipulation that the PSC had to use State-owned Nipdec to recruit the candidate. However, at the time of the ruling, the PSC had already started the process under the terms of the partly-impugned order.
New TTUTA officials take office

The campaign rhetoric stops on the campaign trail, he said.

Sinanan, whose second, three-year term ended officially on Monday, advised the new members that they must get down to the task of managing the affairs of the union. Among those installed yesterday were new TTUTA President Lynsley A Doodhai; First Vice-President Marlon Seales; Second Vice-President Kyrla Robertson; Third Vice-President Darren Lee Him; General Secretary Fitzroy Daniel and Treasurer Gewan Durga.

Daniel and Durga also had served in the last executive.

The installation ceremony was administered by Chairman of the TTUTA Elections Commission Manchoon Sooknanan. In their oath, the officers pledged to function according to the associations constitutional guidelines and not bring the union into disrepute. Sinanan thanked the Elections Commission for conducting the election in a free and fair manner.

Once again, we engaged in a smooth transition of leadership in TTUTA. It has always been a proud tradition, he said.
New ministers take office

I came in this morning. We had a nice handover with former Minister of Works Fitzgerald Hinds. We met with the heads of all the sections and the chairmen of all the State boards under the ministry. We had a brief hello and met everybody, and I think we understand exactly what is required, and now its just to press on. My intention is to go to each State enterprise and to meet the entire board, but we want to try to clear up the desk here today and press on with the work (pointing to a row of several piles of documents laid out on his desk). So today was just more of a briefing and an understanding as to where we are, and things like that.

I dont like to leave anything until tomorrow, so I wont be leaving here until all these files are cleared (read). Told that he looked calm and focused, he replied, You have to be calm and focused or youll not get anything done. In a brief aside, he said he hoped to put a new system in place for anybody to be able to send in to his ministry a report on any road that needs fixing, so you dont have to know somebody to get results.

Yesterday also saw new ministerial portfolios being assumed by Khan as Energy Minister, and Hinds as Minister of Public Utilities.
Webster-Roy saddened by child suicides

We must ensure that our children have access to school counsellors, psychologists and social workers in order to prevent future incidents, she said.

Webster-Roy made the comments against the background of a 13-year-old schoolgirl of Tableland who was found hanging from the doorway of her home on Sunday and a 14- year old schoolboy of Arouca who was also found hanging at his home on Friday.

Noting in a release that she was deeply saddened by the reports, Webster-Roy said, Such troubling events are of great concern to the ministry, stakeholders in child development and certainly to parents and families everywhere. The reports, she said, highlight the need for even closer attention to be paid to children, who may be struggling in silence.

Calling for the creation of an environment of open dialogue for children, she said childhood should not be one of burden but it should be filled with love, happiness and a sure and certain hope for a bright future.

Adults were aware of the challenges of life and the struggles to cope, she said, so we can therefore only imagine how much more amplified challenges are to children. To help children and youths who may be feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope with challenges, she advised they talk to someone they can trust about the way they feel.

Call for help if you feel helpless or hopeless.

Surround yourself with positive and caring people.

Visit your school counsellor, she advised.

It was important to remember, she said, that people may dial 800-SAVE or 800-4321 hotline anytime to talk to someone.

They may also go to Childline at www.

childlinett.org for more information on how to access the right support.
Moonilal claims conflict of interest in appointments

In a television interview, Moonilal alleged there could be questions over a conflict of interest with Sinanan where future land acquisition involving the ministry is concerned. Moonilal refused to give any details about this alleged conflict of interest but said, matters will come to the fore, in and out of Parliament.

Moonilal said while he was a United National Congress (UNC) deputy leader while serving as Housing Minister in the former Peoples Partnership (PP) government, the issue is not party officials holding government posts.

He also questioned whether former San Fernando mayor Kazim Hosein was prepared to step into his new role as Rural Development and Local Government Minister on the eve of local government elections in Trinidad. In an earlier television interview, Sinanan said he will ensure that contracts awarded by the ministry follow proper procurement procedure.
Russia revamping Cold War-era military bases in annexed Crimea, setting up further tensions with the West

(NationalSecurity.news) Russias annexation of Crimea now appears to be a fait accompli and America  as well as the Ukraine, for the time being  appear willing to let it happen.

As reported by Reuters, the Russian military is now revamping several Cold War-era military bases that it will use as a sort of strategic defensive ring against naval attack. In addition to revitalizing the former Soviet bases, new ones are also being built:

The missile bunkers that dot the verdant hills along Crimeas southern coast are known locally as Object 100. Until recently, tourists paid $50 to visit the crumbling and abandoned former Soviet sites, which served during the Cold War as a defence against naval attack from the Black Sea.

Now the bunkers are coming back online. After Russia took control of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, signs went up in the woods around the sites warning visitors against entering a forbidden zone of the Russian Ministry of Defence. A resident of a nearby village who said he was employed at the base last year said Russian soldiers had re-occupied the sites and blocked roads leading into the area. He was unable to say when the Russian soldiers arrived.

It is a functioning military base with an anti-ship missile system, the villager told a Reuters reporter who visited the area in July.

The bunkers are just one small part of a new Russian programme to militarise the Crimean peninsula. Based on recent site observations by Reuters, accounts from locals, media reports and official Russian data, Moscow has reanimated multiple Soviet-built facilities in the region, built new bases and stationed soldiers there.

Meanwhile, NATO is also beefing up military assets in its neck of the woods. Poland and the Baltic States are seeing rises in military preparedness, with NATO in general  led by the U.S.  conducting more drills.

In one way a new cold war may be preferable to many insiders who crave the good ol days of actually knowing who your enemy was. And in the modern age of terrorism, where practically every Western nation in and out of NATO has a personal stake, cooperation may even be more practical (the Syrian mess aside).

Then again, this new militarism on the part of Russia and NATO cant really be good, either. The threat of nuclear annihilation was real back in those Cold War days, and now there are even more players, including an advancing (and belligerent China) as well as a nuclear-armed North Korea (and soon Iran, thanks to Obama).

More:

(c) 2016 USA Features Media.

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Centre puts on hold decision on Kerala dam

Tamil Nadu,National,Politics,Environment/Wildlife, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

Chennai, Nov 2 (IANS) The central government has stopped Kerala from carrying on activities to build a dam across Siruvani river, the Tamil Nadu government said on Wednesday.

In a statement issued here, the Tamil Nadu government said the central government has decided to keep in abeyance the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee to conduct environmental impact assessment for the dam.

"The matter has been examined in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and it has been decided to keep the recommendations by Expert Appraisal Committee in abeyance till the references filed in Hon'able Supreme Court against the order of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal are settled or get a positive consent for the ensuing Project from government of Tamil Nadu," the statement quoted a paragraph from the central government's letter.

On September 2, 2016, the Tamil Nadu assembly unanimously urged the central government not to accept recommendations for conducting an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a dam across Siruvani river in Kerala.

The state also urged the central government not to allow any projects by Kerala and Karnataka till the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee come into force and judicial references are finally settled.

The resolution was moved and passed following the recommendations made by the Expert Appraisal Committee for River Valley and Hydroelectric Projects of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The committee at its meeting on August 11 and 12, recommended grant of Standard Terms of Reference for conducting EIA to Kerala so it could build a dam across Siruvani river at Attappady.

Moving the resolution, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said Siruvani river is a sub-tributary of the Cauvery river which is an inter-state river.

She said the Cauvery Tribunal has taken the water available to Kerala from Siruvani river and has arrived at the sharing of waters between various states.

Jayalalitha said the central government has not informed Tamil Nadu about the proposal or that it would be considered at the Expert Appraisal Committee meeting.

--IANS

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Call farmers to tobacco control meet, government told

Delhi,National,Business/Economy,Health/Medicine, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Wednesday urged the health ministry to invite all stakeholders, including farmers, to the upcoming Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world's biggest conference on tobacco control policies.

CII said in a letter to the ministry that participation of the tobacco farmers was important during the conference as India was the world's second largest producer of tobacco.

"It provides livelihood to 4.6 crore people, including farmers, farm labour, rural poor, small self-employed retailers, women, more than 70 per cent of whom are engaged in the agricultural sector and have no other means of sustenance," said the letter.

The 7th Conference of Parties (COP 7) of FCTC is being hosted in Noida between November 7 and 12. As per the agenda, strict tobacco control policies are to be formulated during the convention.

According to CII, adequate participation of all stakeholders will help in arriving at a balanced and pragmatic position on various proposals and guidelines at the conference.

Earlier, the tobacco farmers in the country had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and World Health Organisation to let them participate in the conference.

--IANS

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Thailand's crown prince to be confirmed king Dec 1

Thailand,Politics, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

Bangkok, Nov 2 (IANS) Thailand is making preparations for Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to be named as the country's new king on December 1, a media report said.

Once confirmed as king, he is expected to endorse a new, military-drafted constitution and to start appointing his own team of senior royal officials, BBC reported on Wednesday.

His father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, died on October 13, aged 88.

King Bhumibol had served 70 years as head of state, and was seen as a stabilising figure, promoting economic development and social harmony in a country hit by coups.

The government has declared a year-long official mourning period.

Following King Bhumibol's death, Vajiralongkorn had delayed taking the crown in order to join the people in mourning.

The crown prince, 64, is much less well known to Thais than his father, and does not have his widespread popularity.

During the interim period, Prem Tinsulanonda, a 96-year-old former Prime Minister who was head of the privy council, is acting as regent. The council is a powerful body that acts to advise the monarch.--IANS

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Modi chairs meeting to reduce India's dependency on oil imports

Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a meeting to discuss a roadmap to reduce the country's dependency on import of oil and gas, sources said.

They said the Petroleum Ministry presented strategies at the meeting to achieve the objective of reducing oil and gas imports. The strategies included increasing production of crude oil and gas, promoting bio-fuels and renewables, energy efficiency and promoting conservation.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave attended the meeting.

Others present included NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha and senior officials from PMO, Petroleum Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, Home Ministry, Finance Ministry and Defence Ministry.

--IANS

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Simon Cowell would encourage son to leave school

United Kingdom,Cinema/Showbiz,Hollywood, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

London, Nov 2 (IANS) Music moghul Simon Cowell would encourage his son Eric to leave school at 16.

Cowell says if his two-year-old son with partner Lauren Silverman, isn't happy in the education system then he would tell him to quit and go and get a job, reports mirror.co.uk.

"I'd say to Eric, 'Leave at 16 if you want to work' - 100 per cent I would encourage him. I don't understand why you want to torture someone to be somewhere where they don't want to be," Cowell said on a radio channel.

Instead of working his way through higher education, including university, Cowell said that he would encourage Eric to work for him.

"I wasn't particularly academic, I found the whole process tedious, monotonous, too many rules, and I made up my mind then, when I'm 16, I'm out," the 57-year-old said.

--IANS

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Biggest telescope project likely to shift out of Hawaii

United States,Science/Tech, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

New York, Nov 2 (IANS) With the construction of the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), one of the world's biggest telescope projects, in Hawaii facing resistance from indigenous groups, the project's board has identified a site in the Canary Islands, Spain, as the primary alternative.

The TMT International Observatory Board of Governors met last week to discuss the progress of TMT in Hawaii and to consider potential alternate sites.

Hanle in Ladakh is also among one of the potential alternate sites for the project.

"The TMT International Observatory (TIO) Board of Governors has explored a number of alternative sites for TMT. Every site we considered would enable TMT's core science programmes," Henry Yang, Chair of the TMT International Observatory Board, said in a statement this week.

"After careful deliberation, the Board of Governors has identified Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos (ORM) on La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain as the primary alternative to Hawaii," Yang said.

Indigenous groups in Hawaii consider the proposed Mauna Kea site as sacred. The construction work had to be stalled due to revocation of permit by orders of the Supreme Court of Hawaii.

"Mauna Kea continues to be the preferred choice for the location of the Thirty Meter Telescope, and the TIO Board will continue intensive efforts to gain approval for TMT in Hawaii," Yang said.

Scientists believe that TMT will open up opportunities for revolutionary discoveries in essentially every field of astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology.

Enabled by a giant mirror and advanced adaptive optics system, TMT will see much fainter objects much more clearly than existing telescopes, according to a key TMT document known as the Detailed Science Case.

With these capabilities, TMT's science agenda fills all of space and time, from nearby comets and asteroids, to exoplanets, to the most distant galaxies, and back to the very first sources of light in the universe, it said.

"Hanle site has lower seeing values of 0.9-1.2 arc sec as compared to the alternate sites in Chile and Canary Islands of Spain (La Palma) which have seeing values of 0.55 arc sec. Thus, scientifically, Hanle has less advantageous characteristics for hosting a mega telescope like the TMT in comparison to the other alternate sites," India's Ministry of Science and Technology said in a statement on August 12 this year.

--IANS

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Ban Triple Talaq immediately: Women's group

Delhi,National,Politics,Religion,Immigration/Law/Rights, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) A women's organisation on Wednesday demanded an immediate ban on Triple Talaq since "it is not prescribed in the Quran".

The National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) also said that there was a design to push forward a Hindu agenda and that orthodox elements in all religions were coming together to deny women equal status.

"Triple Talaq in one sitting should be abolished with immediate effect. It is not prescribed in Quran. Anyone pronouncing or supporting it should be treated as instigating domestic violence," NFIW President Noor Zaheer told the media here.

"A woman should have the right to divorce/khula and say the word 'talaq' thrice in the same manner after a gap of one month and 10 days each time in the presence of two adult witnesses like her spouse," she added.

NFIW Executive Committee member Rushda Siddiqui asked why the issue of Uniform Civil Code was being linked only with the Muslim personal law in a deliberately misleading manner to polarise communities.

"Instead of talking about gender justice and protection of women rights, the Law Commission has floated a public questionnaire on the Uniform Civil Code. Why is the government trying to merge the two issues?" she asked.

NFIW General Secretary Annie Raja said: "This is nothing but an RSS-BJP design to push forward their Hindutva agenda. All the orthodox and fundamentalist forces of all religions are united in denying women equal status.

"At the present juncture, fundamentalists from the Muslim community are hand in glove with their counterparts in the Hindu religion," Raja said.

--IANS

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India summons Pakistani Deputy High Commissioner to protest border firing

Delhi,National,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Politics,Diplomacy, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) India on Wednesday summoned the Pakistani Deputy High Commissioner, Syed Haider Shah, to protest the escalation in ceasefire violations that has led to several fatalities and also over the mutilation of the body of an Indian soldier.

Shah was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs and conveyed "the Government's expectation that Pakistan will not take any step inimical to peace along the LoC and IB and to the security of India", the MEA said in a statement.

The Pakistani official was conveyed India's "grave concern and strong protest at the recent escalation in the incidents of ceasefire violations by the Pakistan side at the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), which have resulted into several fatalities and casualties on the Indian side among civilians and security forces personnel.

"The Government also registered its strong protest on the mutilation of the body of an Indian soldier by a terrorist who escaped across the Line of Control after committing the heinous crime," the statement said.

The summoning of the Pakistani official comes a day after the Pakistan Foreign Office summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad J.P. Singh to protest the firing on the border and civilian fatalities in Pakistan.

The development also comes amid reports that India has expelled some more Pakistani High Commission officials for alleged spying, and Pakistan has done likewise.

--IANS

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Will continue to serve humanity: Dalai Lama

Himachal Pradesh,National,Religion, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

Dharamsala, Nov 2 (IANS) Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on Wednesday said he will continue to serve all human beings and hoped to live another 25 years to this end.

"... there have been certain revelations that I will live for more than a hundred years," he told a gathering of Tibetans and devotees who had come to join in the prayer for his long life.

"Personally, I also pray and hope to live for the next 25 years or more to continue to serve the well-being of all sentient beings," he said.

The spiritual leader, respected by millions as a living god, also spoke about his scheduled visit to Arunachal Pradesh in March next.

The long-life prayer ceremony is one of the most poignant in Tibetan Buddhism. The ceremony is marked by an elaborate display of devotion, prayers and a procession of symbolic offerings towards a spiritual teacher.

The Dalai Lama, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, turned 81 in July.

He starts his day as early as three in the morning with prayers and meditation, say his aides.

After that, he takes a short morning stroll in his official residence or even loves to work on a treadmill to stay fit.

"He attends his office from 12.30 p.m. until around 3.30 p.m. He normally retires in the evening by 7," Tenzin Taklha, joint secretary at the Dalai Lama's office, told IANS.

The Dalai Lama has been living in exile in India since fleeing Tibet during a failed uprising in 1959.

--IANS

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Kejriwal detention unacceptable: Mamata

West Bengal,National,Politics, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

Kolkata, Nov 2 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday termed as "unacceptable" the detention of her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal for trying meet the family of a retired soldier who committed suicide.

"What's happening? Unprecedented. A CM is detained in his own state. He cannot moved about freely. Unacceptable," she tweeted.

The Trinamool Congress leader had earlier described as "unfortunate" the police decision to stop Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

She termed the suicide of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal over the OROP scheme as "sad".

--IANS

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SIMI man buried in Ahmedabad

Gujarat,National,Politics,Terrorism,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

Ahmedabad, Nov 2 (IANS) The body of Mujib Sheikh, one of the eight alleged SIMI members who were shot dead after fleeing the Bhopal Central Jail, was buried here on Wednesday.

The body of Mujib, who was charged with involvement in the 2008 serial bombings that rocked Ahmedabad and Surat, was brought to the city on Tuesday night by his family.

Mujib's family, which lives in Juhapura area, was questioned by the local police soon after the encounter with the Madhya Pradesh Police following the prison escape on Monday.

The family, relatives and some 300-400 people attended the last rites on Wednesday morning. Police were deployed to avoid any untoward incident during the burial.

--IANS

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Val Kilmer denies Michael Douglas's cancer claims

United States,Cinema/Showbiz,Hollywood, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

Los Angeles, Nov 2 (IANS) Actor Val Kilmer has denied that he has throat cancer after friend and actor Michael Douglas claimed he wasn't doing well.

Douglas claimed his friend Kilmer was on the losing end of a battle with throat cancer on Sunday. Now Kilmer, 56, has denied he has cancer in a lengthy Facebook update posted on Tuesday, reports dailymail.co.uk.

The actor let his friend and one-time co-star off the hook saying that last time he spoke to Douglas was two years ago when he was initially seeking a medical referral for a mysterious lump in his throat.

Douglas reportedly told the audience at an event in London over the weekend that Kilmer, his co-star in the 1996 film "The Ghost and the Darkness", is "dealing with exactly what I had", referring to oral cancer.

The Facebook post read: "I love Michael Douglas but he is misinformed. The last time I spoke to him was almost two years ago, when I asked him for a referral for a specialist to get a diagnosis for a lump in my throat, which prevented me from continuing a tour of my play CITIZEN TWAIN."

"I ended up using a team at UCLA and have no cancer whatsoever," he continued. "I still have a swollen tongue and am rehabbing steadily. I've made three films in the last year, one of which I directed and I am presenting as a personal appearance introducing it and then answering questions after. Come see me live and happy and in person in Westwood next week if you think I'm fibbing!"

He added: "Some fans have mistakenly thought my silence about my personal issues meant that somehow I wasn't being responsible to my health, because of my reliance on prayer and love. Nothing could be further from the truth. Although, I am very grateful for all the support from around the world, when people found out I had a physical challenge."

"Whatever led Michael Douglas to speculate about my health, he's a loving and devoted friend to a privileged group of talent people around the world, and I'm sure he meant no harm."

--IANS

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Lawyers tell media to leave court room again in Kerala

Kerala,National,Immigration/Law/Rights,Media, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

null

Kochi, Nov 2 (IANS) Around 10 journalists who had come to report the trial of the rape-murder of a Dalit law student in April at the Ernakulam district court on Wednesday were asked to leave the court room - as the tiff between lawyers and the media in Kerala continues.

The development came a day after the print media in Kerala in an open letter to the Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur published in their respective newspapers pointed out that the action of a section of the lawyers had affected relations between the judiciary and the media in the state.

One of the journalists who was turned out of Ernakulam district court, said: "A group of us, comprising three women journalists and seven male journalists, were in the court. At about 2.30 p.m. a group of lawyers asked us to vacate the courtroom saying 'you have no business to be here'. Soon a court official came to us and told us that there should be no problem here. We said that if the judge asks us to leave, we will, but the lawyers told us that the judge has no role in these matters. Then we decided to leave the court room."

Since July 19, there has been a virtual ban on the media by the lawyers in several courts in the state, including the high court.

Every attempt to bury the difference between the two sections, including at the highest level by judges from the Supreme Court and Kerala High Court besides intervention by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has failed to break the deadlock.

Representatives of media owners and journalists brought the subject to the attention of President Pranab Mukherjee last month.

--IANS

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India's 'biggest' drug racket busted, Bollywood producer nabbed

Delhi,National,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DIR) on Wednesday claimed to have busted India's biggest drug racket and recovered 23,500 kg of mandrax tablets (methaqualone) with an estimated value of Rs 4,700 crore in the international market. A Bollywood producer has been arrested in this connection, an official said.

"It is India's biggest drug racket busted by the DRI. I think it should also be the world's biggest, as the seizure is around 23,500 kg. Its international value is estimated between Rs 4,500-Rs 4,700 crore," DRI Director General Jayant Misra told IANS.

Misra said: "DRI's Mumbai zonal unit got the tip-off. It was further developed with the help of the Border Security Force. A warehouse in Rajasthan's Udaipur city housing the drugs was busted on October 28.

"In this connection, DRI arrested Bollywood producer Subhash Dudani from Mumbai on October 29," he added.

Officers of the DRI, an apex counter-smuggling agency of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), estimate the total number of mandrax tablets to be about two crore.

Officers investigating the case found that the major raw material for mandrax was acetic anhydride, which was manufactured by the syndicate at Shreenath Industries in Rajsamand district in Rajasthan.

Apart from acetic anhydride, the other raw materials for mandrax are anthranilic acid, orthotoloudiene, and caustic soda, the DRI DG said.

He said anthranilic acid was imported from Indonesia through Kandla Port in Kutch district of Gujarat by misdeclaring it as maleic anhydride while caustic soda was procured locally.

The officer further said "methaqualone is a depressant, overdose of which can lead to coma and death".

"It is used as a recreational drug in Africa and Asia. It is commonly known as mandrax, m-pills, buttons, or smarties and is usually smoked mixed with cannabis," he said.

The officer said the DRI had neutralised 10 other factories across several states in the recent past manufacturing various types of synthetic drugs like mephedrone, ketamine, alprazolam and precursor chemicals like ephedrine.

In the last five years, the DRI has seized more than 540 kg of heroin and 7,400 kg of ephedrine along with other narcotics and psychotropic substances, said the officer, adding that the agency has been in active liaison with international enforcement agencies for combating the menace of drug abuse.

--IANS

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Modi to inaugurate conference on disaster risk reduction

Delhi,National,Politics,Diplomacy,Environment/Wildlife, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Thursday inaugurate a three-day Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction 2016.

A two-member team from Pakistan will also participate in the conference, Home Minister Rajnath Singh told the media here on Wednesday.

About 4,000 representatives from 61 countries will participate in the event. Forty one countries have confirmed their participation, he added.

The event will help take the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 forward.

The visit of the Pakistan team to the event comes amid a sharp downturn in bilateral ties after India on October 27 asked a junior Pakistani diplomat to leave the country for running a spy ring.

Pakistan retaliated and declared Indian High Commission official Surjeet Singh as persona non grata and asked he leave the country within 48 hours.

Talking about the expected outcomes of the conference, the Home Minister said that New Delhi Declaration will be made, and roadmap for effective implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction will also be released.

Russia and the US will also be participating in the event, he informed.

On being asked how the government plans to handle the current situation on the India-Pakistan border, the Minister said the country's interests will be protected.

To another query on rising pollution levels in the national capital, the Home Minister said: "It's a challenge and something is to be done about it".

--IANS

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OROP scheme: Annual relook, top-of-scale pension major issues

Delhi,National,Politics, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) A day after a soldier committed suicide over One Rank-One Pension (OROP) issue, veterans protesting at Jantar Mantar for removal of anomalies in the scheme say the major point of contention is annual revision of pensions.

The ex-servicemen point to four main anomalies in the scheme as announced by the government.

The major sticking point is the time period for revision of pensions. While the government's version of OROP provides for revision every five years, veterans have demanded annual rationalisation of pensions.

If annual revisions do not happen, "it is one rank-five pension", Brigadier J.S. Sandhu (retired) told IANS.

The second major demand is fixing pensions at top of the scale against the current fixation of mean average.

In the current shape, the OROP scheme has a mechanism to fix pensions by calculating the average of highest and lowest pensions for a rank, with protection to those with higher pension.

"Annual revision and fixing pensions at top of the scale are the major issues," Brigadier Sandhu added.

Third demand is to implement the scheme w.e.f April 1, 2014, and not July 1, 2014, as provided for in the government version.

The government has said it has taken July 1 as the date of implementation as it came to power in May 2014.

The fourth demand is fixing 2013-14 financial year as the base year for implementation of the scheme and not on the basis of calendar year, as suggested by the government.

Wednesday was the second day of relay hunger strike by the United Front of Indian Ex-Servicemen at Jantar Mantar.

The ex-servicemen first started the relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on June 15, 2015. On August 17, 2015, two veterans started indefinite fast and they were subsequently joined by more ex-soldiers.

The government, in the meantime, announced the scheme on September 5, 2015, which treated 2013 as the base year to calculate pensions, and date of implementation was July 1, 2014. The period for review was kept at five years.

On September 6, 2015, the indefinite hunger strike ended, but protests continued along with the relay hunger strikes. A one-man judicial committee was also formed under the Chairmanship of Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, retired Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, to look ino the issue.

The committee finally submitted its report to the Defence Ministry on October 26, 2016.

Although on April 29, 2016, the relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar was called off after 320 days, it resumed on Tuesday and on Wednesday, 11 veterans and wives of former soldiers sat on hunger strike.

--IANS

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No one arrested, only detained for affecting orderliness: Police

Delhi,National,Politics, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) Delhi Police on Wednesday said no political leader was arrested but few of them were detained for affecting "orderliness" while attempting to meet the grieving family of the deceased ex-serviceman who committed suicide to demand implementation of the OROP scheme.

"During protest by political parties at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital today (Wednesday), none has been arrested. Only few of the leaders were detained," Joint Commissioner of Police Dependra Pathak told IANS.

"When leaders along with the crowd started gathering at RML, it affected medical services. The orderliness in the hospital also deteriorated due to their presence," he said.

Pathak said that the politicians and their supporters were asked to vacate the place but they didn't move and refused to follow the instruction after which they were detained.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was detained after he came out of the RML hospital after meeting with the grieving family of the deceased soldier Ram Kishan Grewal, who consumed poison and killed himself on Tuesday evening.

Grewal was demanding the full implementation of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.

Later in the day, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were also detained by police.

Gandhi was detained twice, first at Mandir Marg police station for over 70 minutes and secondly at Connaught Place police station from where he was shifted to Tilak Marg police station.

Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia was also detained with several party supporters.

Pathak appealed to people to help Delhi Police in maintaining peace and orderliness in the city.

--IANS

aks-rak/vd
'Grewal's pension delayed due to wrong calculation at bank'

Delhi,National,Defence/Security, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) Former soldier Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal, who committed suicide on Tuesday was entitled to OROP but his pension was delayed due to some problem in calculation by his bank, defence ministry sources said on Wednesday.

Sources from the ministry said Grewal served the Territorial Army for six years and 11 months after which he was serving in the Defence Security Corps and was entitled to OROP.

The delay in receiving the revised pension was due to problems in calculation by the State Bank of India bank branch in Haryana's Bhiwani district, said sources, adding that the matter was being looked into.A

"Like his other colleagues, he should have approached the ex-serviceman welfare cell. His case could have been resolved amicably like hundreds of others even if he had directly approached the ministry," said an official.

Sources also said that as per the register, he did not seek any appointment with the defence minister.

Parrikar was out of Delhi on Wednesday, as he was on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

"His (Grewal) letters dated October 31 and his suicide on November 1 raises several questions. It also demands serious investigation about who was with him when he took the extreme step, who provided the poison and if anybody may have taken advantage of his troubled mind to provoke him to take the extreme step," said an official who did not want to be named.

Parrikar on Wednesday condoled the death and said he has sought information on it.

"Saddened by the death of Subdr. Ram Kishan Grewal. I express my heartfelt condolences. I have asked for officials to provide me details," Parrikar tweeted.

The minister also posted a fact sheet on OROP figures by September 2016, which said so far Rs 5,507.47 crore have been disbursed under OROP.

It said there were 20,63,763 beneficiaries before July 2014, and 1,50,313 cases are pending verification and authentication of beneficiaries.

In the first installment, Rs 3,886.88 crore had been disbursed to 19,12,520 pensioners, while 11,33,100 have received Rs 1,604.59 crore in the second round.

An official added that the Defence Minister himself has solved around 500 cases of complaints which were sent to him directly through email or other means.

"These include cases of veterans of 1950-60s also. He continues to receive a least 10-15 emails which are forwarded to the right agency as soon as possible," said the official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

"Most complaints relate to problems with banks in calculations. A large number of pensioners live in remote corners of the country where banks are still coming to grips with the new calculations. Defence Ministry has now arranged for special officers in such branches to ease out the task.

"Furthermore, banks have also been directed to release the OROP of those pensioners whose papers are not totally in place. Their confirmation would be done in due time, it has been instructed," the official added.

--IANS

ao/vd/vm
Speed up customer service with Twitter's new features

United States,Technology,Business/Economy, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

New York, Nov 2 (IANS) Micro-blogging website Twitter has rolled out quick replies and welcome messages in Direct Messages to speed up customer service and to enhance conversational experiences between businesses and people online.

These features are designed to help businesses create rich, responsive, full-service experiences that directly advance the work of customer service teams and open up new possibilities for how people engage with businesses on Twitter.

"Welcome messages let businesses greet people and set expectations as they enter a Direct Message conversation without requiring people to send the first message," said Ian Cairns, Customer Service Product Manager, Twitter, in a blog post.

Businesses can create multiple welcome messages and deep link directly to a specific greeting from Tweets, websites, or apps.

Quick replies let businesses prompt people with the best ways to reply to a Direct Message, whether by choosing from a list of options or guiding users to enter specific text values.

"When quick replies and welcome messages are used together, businesses can reduce wait times and educate people on the best ways to interact with them," Cairns added.

People with the latest version of Twitter app can see these features in Direct Message conversations with accounts like @EvernoteHelps, @PizzaHut, @AirbnbHelp, @SpotifyCares, @NortonSupport, @Tesco, @TfLTravelAlerts, @WeatherNetwork, and @AirTailor.

--IANS

anuj/ss/vt
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Nokia (News - Alert) and Sonera recently announced their work on a NB-IoT trial running over the Finnish carriers 4G network.





The trial, running on the carriers Helsinki network, showed how companies can track their mobile assets by communicating such information as air pressure, humidity, and temperature. The trial also connected a roaming device using NB-IoT. Nokia provided base station technology for the trial; the equipment was operating at 800MHz and delivering 200kbps speeds.

NB-IoT stands for narrowband Internet of Things. Its one method for supporting IoT applications over cellular networks. According to the GSMA, this technology significantly lowers the power consumption of communications endpoints (allow device operation of up to 10 years), increases system capacity, allows for better spectrum efficiency, and enables deep indoor coverage.

Because NB-IoT is narrowband, it fits cleanly into the existing GSM channel allocations  allowing for simplified network planning and spectrum management. However, the fact that NB-IoT is narrowband limits it from supporting some use cases, notes LTE chip outfit Altair Semiconductor (News - Alert).

Meanwhile, LinkLabs in a July blog said that while NB-IoT has low power consumption costs when its operating, low component costs, and can handle wider deployment coverages than LTE (News - Alert)-M1, NB-IoT isnt part of LTE so needs to operate in a side band using different software, potentially has more front-end complexity, and may involve licensing costs from such companies as Ericsson (News - Alert) and Huawei.

The hype for NB-IoT is spectrum-driven, LinkedLabs continues. There are loads of 200-KHz GSM spectrum that isnt being used, and proponents want to see NB-IoT deployed on it. Politically, NB-IoT is a way for players like Huawei (News - Alert) and Ericsson  who havent been as prevalent in LTE IP development  to have more skin in the low power, wide-area game than they have previously.

The first NB-IoT pre-commercial launches are expected to take place later this year, and commercial launches are expected to happen globally early next year, according to the GMSA.

Edited by Alicia Young
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The October 22 DDoS attack on Internet company DYN by the Mirai malware wasnt the first cyberattack carried out using Internet of Things (IoT) devices, but it received widespread media attention because it had enormous impact. Internet services were disrupted for millions of users in many areas of North America for several hours. If there was a silver lining, it was that the spotlight finally shone on the insecurity of many IoT devices, a longstanding issue that has generally been ignored by the industry.





The culprit was, as usual, improper password management, but with a twist. It wasnt the users that were at fault, but rather, the manufacturer of generic networking components that had been integrated into several brands of digital video recorders (DVRs) and IP cameras. The manufacturer had inadvertently left a backdoor into the devices. While users could change the username and password, it was only at the user account level. The Mirai malware exploited an administrative username and password embedded in the firmware, which the users could not change. Using Telnet or SSH, Mirai bypassed user control and gained access to the root level of the device. The cameras and DVRs were then directed to carry out targeted DDoS attacks.

Figure: Nokia (News - Alert)s Threat Intelligence Lab: Spike in Telnet failed login attempts that coincided with Mirai botnet attacks in October, 2016

The incident has led to calls for more stringent standards in the industry concerning what devices can actually connect to the Internet and the minimum security standards they need to meet. But in the absence of any international agreements to regulate manufacturers on the near horizon, what can network operators do to protect themselves and consumers from similar attacks, and what tools do they have in their arsenal for combatting these threats?

From a network operations point of view, there are two dimensions: early detection of threats and short and long-term corrective measures.

Watch these on demand webinars to learn how Nokia can help secure, manage and connect IoT devices.

Device Management Webinar, Nokia Threat Intelligence Report Webinar

These IoT security solutions exist already for network operators to continuously monitor the network, and detect malicious traffic coming from IoT and other devices. While some malware can evade client-based anti-virus protection, it cannot modify the network communication patterns that a network-based endpoint security solution monitors. Such a security solution can analyze all infections as well as their impact on customers and the network, and initiate the right counter-measures within the shortest possible time.

In the terms of an immediate response to an attack such as Mirai, the embedded security solution in the network can identify, throttle and block the infected IoT devices from communicating with the malwares command and control server. This mitigates the worst effects of a DDoS attack, but it doesnt get rid of the root problem with hundreds of thousands of hijacked IoT devices, over half a million in the case of Mirai, still being vulnerable for future attacks.

There is one more step for network operators to re-secure their hijacked IoT devices once and for all. They will need to update the security flaw where it resides, on the firmware of the compromised or vulnerable devices. An industry-leading connected device platforms (CDP) can update the firmware remotely and close the backdoor access entirely. Moreover, a good CDP should secure, manage and connect IoT devices throughout their complete lifecycle before attacks happen, by providing the following functions:

Authentication of device credentials

Authorization/access control for all endpoints

Secure, encrypted communications with digital signatures

Ensure and test for data integrity

Protect data on the devices

Apply security fixes remotely.

SIM cards have long been used in the mobile industry to ensure the security of the devices connection. For IoT devices this isnt possible, since many of them do not connect over the mobile network and many of those that do are likely to be SIM-less. Fortunately, other methods are also available. Secure, encrypted communications with digital signatures are the starting point. These include certificate-based credentials for end-to-end encryption, securely-generated and regularly-changed passwords, and digital signatures. It is also important to ensure and test for data integrity and observe privacy restrictions concerning data on the devices.

Although it has already been with us for a while, the internet of things is set to take off in almost every aspect of our lives. The Mirai DDoS attack was a bit of a kick in the pants to the industry. We need to treat this area much more seriously. Network operators currently have advanced tools for managing security threats and securing end devices. If we want to enjoy the many benefits of IoT, we need to manage these devices with these tools as well.

Daisy currently leads the go-to-market strategy for Nokias flagship device management portfolio including the award-winning Motive Connected Device Platform with #1 market share globally. She is also representing Nokias interests in Industrial Internet Consortium to drive the 4th Industrial revolution with industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Daisy has conducted numerous customer workshops to help C-level leaders and senior managers mobilize the data-centric business models. Previously, she also represented Alcatel-Lucent (News - Alert) in GSM Association initiatives to drive market adoption of new technology and services. Daisy, an inventor with 3 United States patents, a co-author in the Bell Labs Technical Journal, and an author of various TechZine articles and blogs, has strong systems engineering experience in both the telecommunications and IT industries. Daisys been with Nokia for more than 16 years. She received her MS in Telecommunications from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, and her BS in Computer Science from the University of San Francisco in San Francisco, California.

Edited by Stefania Viscusi
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Former head of the Algerian government, Abdelaziz Belkhadem, expressed optimism regarding an eminent opening of the closed Moroccan-Algerian borders.

In a recent interview with CNN Arabic, Belkhadem, former Secreatry General of the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN), said that the opening of the land borders between the two north Africas most populous countries is inevitable.

The statement of Belkhadem marks a turning point in the attitude of several FLN leaders in breaking away with the anti-Moroccan rhetoric characterizing the Algerian political class.

Few months ago, in an interview with Ennahar TV, outgoing Secretary General of the FLN, Ammar Saadani, called for a review of Algerias blind support for the separatist Polisario militia with a view to reinvigorating the Maghreb union and paving the way for a reconciliation with Morocco.

Land borders between the two countries have been maintained closed since the bombings of Atlas Asni hotel in Marrakech in 1994. No visa is imposed on the two countries nationals, though traveling through the air remains the only option.
The general prosecutor has ordered the preventive detention of 8 individuals out of 11 people charged in the gruesome death on Friday of the fishmonger crushed in a trash truck as he attempted to save his confiscated merchandise.

The fishmonger, Mouhcine Fikri, 31, was killed when he jumped to save his swordfish, confiscated by the police. Fishing Swordfish, a protected species, is banned during the months of October and November.

Investigations are ongoing upon directives from King Mohammed VI who ordered a thorough investigation to bring those responsible for this horrendous act before justice.

In this regard, the general prosecutor referred to an investigating judge the 11 people, who include two interior ministry officials, two local fisheries officials and the veterinary chief in Al Hoceima on charges of involuntary homicide.

The general prosecutor established, as it came in a statement he released, that the killing of Fikri is an involuntary manslaughter as there was no order to kill.

The statement went on to explain the circumstances of the death saying that Fikri bought 500 kilograms of swordfish, whose sale was banned because it is a protected species and may not be caught between October 1 and November 30.

Authorities stopped the vehicle transporting Fikris merchandise and inspected it then the police informed the prosecutors office who ordered the confiscation of the fish. Afterwards, the swordfish was examined by a veterinarian who deemed it unfit for consumption on grounds that its origin cannot be determined.

These officials called the trash truck to destroy the catch, but a manager of the trash collecting company required a written document ordering the picking and destruction of the fish seized. The officials drafted a report on the destruction of the merchandise on the spot and sent the original to the head of the trash collecting company. The prosecution deemed the paperwork a forgery of public documents, the statement said further.

After confiscating and throwing the swordfish in the garbage truck, Fikri and other individuals jumped to the back of the vehicle in a desperate attempt to retrieve the merchandise. At that moment the compactor was activated causing the death of Fikri, the statement said.

Protests and sit-ins have been staged in several Moroccan cities with the largest held during the victims funeral, which drew thousands from across Morocco to Al Hoceima. The protesters chanted slogans venting anger against the abuse of authority and expressing solidarity with the family of the victim.

Meanwhile, the Interior Minister, as instructed by King Mohammed VI, asked the Minister of Justice and Liberties to open a thorough investigation in illegal fishing operations off Al Hoceima and to take the necessary measures in light of the results of these investigations.

The investigations are expected to shed light on how the merchandise was bought and taken out of the port without authorization.

Immediately after the incident last Friday, King Mohammed VI gave directives to the Interior Minister to travel to Al Hoceima to offer the Sovereigns condolences to the family of Fikri and also to conduct a full and thorough investigation of all matters related to the tragedy.
Photo: Irfan Khan/LA Times via Getty Images

To win on November 8, Donald Trump needs upscale Republicans to come home, while black Democrats stay at home  at least in higher numbers than they did in 2008 and 2012.

The past week has been kind to Trump on both of these fronts. As Election Day draws near  and the FBI draws the spotlight away from the moguls alleged sex crimes  skeptical conservatives are ending their flirtation with Gary Johnson and quietly coming aboard the Trump train.

If more and more college-educated Republicans decide theyd rather elect the madman than risk a tax hike, Democrats could get real nervous, real fast. Right now Hillary Clintons polling advantage in North Carolina is driven by support from diploma-bearing whites, whose aversion for Trump has compensated for a drop-off in African-American enthusiasm.

Concerns about the latter have been amplified by trends in early voting, where a combination of GOP suppression efforts and an apparent lack of excitement for Clintons candidacy has produced a sharp drop-off in black turnout. Per the New York Times:

In North Carolina, where a federal appeals court accused Republicans of an almost surgical assault on black turnout and Republican-run election boards curtailed early-voting sites, black turnout is down 16 percent. White turnout, however, is up 15 percent.



Democrats are planning an aggressive final push, including a visit by President Obama to the state on Wednesday. But in Florida, which extended early voting after long lines left some voters waiting for hours in 2012, African-Americans share of the electorate that has gone to the polls in person so far has decreased, to 15 percent today from 25 percent four years ago.

The Democrats problem extends to Ohio, where voter participation in heavily African-American areas near Cleveland and Columbus is also down, amid cutbacks to early voting.

What makes this trend somewhat alarming is that Clinton has lost ground with a less-appreciated segment of the Obama coalition  non-college-educated whites in the upper Midwest.

In 2012, 34 percent of Obamas votes came from white voters without a college degree, according to the estimates of the Upshots Nate Cohn. Clintons relative weakness  and/or Trumps relative strength  with that demographic has kept Ohio and Iowa light red, even as Trump has underperformed compared to Mitt Romney nationally.

So far, Clinton has more than compensated for these lost votes with gains among college-educated whites  for much of the race, shes been on pace to win the demographic, which has voted overwhelmingly Republican for decades.

But if right-leaning voters within this group allow their all-American propensity for short-term memory loss to smooth out Donald Trumps edges, Clinton could ostensibly lose this critical counterweight.

Add that to a drop-off in black turnout, a spike in participation among unreliable downscale whites, and one more round of bad Clinton email headlines, and youve got yourself the four horsemen of the Trumpocalypse.

But before liberals click out of this article to type how to get Xanax prescription into Google, there are a lot of reasons to doubt a perfect storm is coming.

First, the early-voting news isnt all bad for Clinton. Early returns from Florida suggest a surge in Latino turnout that could compensate for a drop-off among African-Americans. Second, the Democratic nominee still has a solid advantage in the polls, on the ground, and over the airwaves.

And finally, its far from clear that publicly available early-voting data is predictive of overall turnout. In fact, trying to predict Election Day outcomes from early-voting totals led some forecasters to wild misjudgments in past cycles, as Sean Trende notes for RealClearPolitics:

In 2010, analysts saw huge Democratic advantages in turnout in places such as Ohio and Iowa and thought that perhaps there was no enthusiasm gap in the election. In 2014, it was widely assumed that early vote totals were good news for Democrats in states including North Carolina and Iowa; Thom Tillis ended up winning in North Carolina on the back of strong Election Day turnout, while the 2014 Iowa Senate race was decidedly not close (as early vote analysts had suggested); Joni Ernst won by almost 10 points.

There are many reasons why early-voting numbers can fail as an indicator. For one, an increase in early turnout may reflect a spike in enthusiasm for a partys candidate among the broader electorate  or it may merely reflect a shift in that partys campaign strategy toward an emphasis on early voting. And then, early-vote totals give no indication of how independents are voting  extrapolations are drawn from turnout among registered partisans. A spike in independent early voting could signal a jump in casual voters heading to the polls to reject Trump, or it could mean that the GOPs populist nominee finally got his hand on those missing white votes.

Since African-American voters make up such an overwhelming portion of the Democratic base, their turnout in early voting may be more telling than that of other demographics. But as Trende argues, it still tells us nothing certain:

If African-American participation rates revert to their historic mean of trailing their white counterparts by six points, a lot of the polls are going to be off, including in places like Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin. But all of this is meaningless if African-American voters were uniquely motivated to vote for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, and so voted early in those years, but still opt to vote on Election Day of 2016 despite lower enthusiasm.

All of which is to say: Early voting is a less reliable indicator than polling averages. And polling averages show Clinton in solid shape.

Still, the way the Trump-Clinton race is shaking out may signal a long-term challenge for Democrats. Whether African-American turnout reverts all the way back to its historic mean this year  with a Republican as odious as Trump on the other side of the ballot  it would be strange if black voters didnt become significantly less reliable for Team Blue than they were in 2008 and 2012, when the partys standard-bearer was the audaciously charismatic first black president.

And with downscale whites turning rightward, in an apparent backlash to mass Latino immigration, its easy to imagine the GOP assembling a majority coalition behind a candidate capable of dog-whistling to the populist base while maintaining an image of civility for conservative suburbanites (which is to say, a candidate capable of not boasting about grabbing married womens genitalia on video tape).








So much for the effort to avoid the appearance of election meddling. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

By announcing on Friday that the investigation into Hillary Clintons private email server may not be over, James Comey made himself the most controversial FBI director since J. Edgar Hoover. Officials from both sides of the aisle have focused their ire on Comey, but the consequences arent just personal. In the fallout from Comeys reveal, the FBI has been dragged deeper and deeper into the nastiest election in recent memory  and it appears the bureau had actually been taking pains to avoid accusations of partisanship ahead of November 8.

As news outlets dug into the inner workings of the FBI in recent days, we learned for the first time that the bureau is investigating both the Democratic and the Republican presidential nominees. The bureau has been looking into allegations that Donald Trump has inappropriate ties to Russia, and part of the investigation focused on his former campaign manager Paul Manafort, who previously worked for Ukraines pro-Russian president. In addition to Hillary Clintons emails, the FBI was examining claims that the Clinton Foundation provided illegal political access to donors. Both investigations were in their preliminary stages, and on Tuesday the New York Times reported that much of the evidence in the Clinton Foundation case was pulled from news reports and Clinton Cash, the controversial book by former George W. Bush speechwriter Peter Schweizer.

The Justice Department successfully urged the FBI to put a hold on those probes to avoid accusations of influencing the election. While lawmakers were clamoring for investigations into the opposing party, during meetings in August the Justice Department and FBI decided not to take any major steps, like issuing subpoenas, until after the election. The probes were to be kept open, but officials would wait to determine if any further action was warranted.

The Justice Department has a longstanding policy of not taking any action that could interfere in elections, and it reportedly reminded Comey of this before he sent his letter to Congress on Friday. Comey said he felt an obligation to tell Congress his testimony was no longer accurate, and thought it would be misleading to the American people were we not to supplement the record. His allies tell the Times that he also felt he was the only official people trusted on the Clinton case because Bill Clinton had an ill-advised private chat with Attorney General Loretta Lynch this summer at a Phoenix airport.

Comey and Lynch talked after a meeting on Tuesday, and supposedly they still have a good working relationship. But at the same time, a new FBI controversy emerged when a relatively obscure FBI Twitter account announced the release of new documents from a 2001 investigation into Bill Clintons pardon of a Democratic donor:

William J. Clinton Foundation: This initial release consists of material from the FBI's files related to the Will... https://t.co/Y4nz3aRSmG  FBI Records Vault (@FBIRecordsVault) November 1, 2016

Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon said the release was suspicious:

Absent a FOIA litigation deadline, this is odd.

Will FBI be posting docs on Trump's housing discrimination in '70s?https://t.co/uJMMzX6rtI  Brian Fallon (@brianefallon) November 1, 2016

The FBI released a statement saying it was just a coincidence that the Marc Rich files were made public a week before the election:

The FBIs Records Management Division receives thousands of FOIA requests annually which are processed on a first in, first out (FIFO) basis. By law, FOIA materials that have been requested three or more times are posted electronically to the FBIs public reading room shortly after they are processed. Per the standard procedure for FOIA, these materials became available for release and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBIs public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures.

The release might have gone unnoticed were it not for the intense political controversy surrounding the FBI. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have released statements blasting Comey and demanding that he release more information. As the Washington Post notes, they wont actually call Comey to testify anytime soon because Congress is in recess and many members are busy campaigning in their home districts.

Some of the attacks on Comey may be for the benefit of the lawmakers constituents, and the latest twist in the Clinton email investigation has already made its way into political advertising. As the Huffington Post reports, National Republican Senatorial Committee points to the FBI investigation in its latest ad, saying, Its time to start asking why are Democrat Senate candidates still standing with Hillary Clinton.

Its unclear if more information about the Huma Abedin emails will be released in the next week, but the consequences of Comeys decision will likely be felt well beyond the election. Americans now look at the FBI and see a political entity, not a nonpartisan entity  and that has huge ramifications for the FBI and for all of us, Matt Miller, former chief spokesman for the Justice Department, told the Post. It sows disbelief in our system of government and is hugely toxic.
Photo-Illustration: Daily Intelligencer; Photos: Getty Images

On April 29, George F. Will, the high priest of the conservative temple, formally excommunicated Donald Trump from the movement. Wills judgment was as sweeping as it was certain. Should Trump win the nomination, a still-uncertain prospect at the time, conservatives must work to deny him the presidency, Will declared, ideally via a 50-state landslide. Will expressed his hope that a leading conservative, like Nebraska senator Ben Sasse, would lead a Republican party in exile through the election to defeat Trump. And then, afterward, Will pronounced any Republicans who had supported Trump would be ineligible to participate in the partys reconstruction.

Its instructive to read Wills column, brimming with ideological confidence and fervor, six months later. None of his expectations has remotely come to pass. There is no army following behind him. The notion that the anti-Trump wing could cast the pro-Trump wing out of the party is preposterous. The column today currently has less resemblance to the pronouncement of a conservative pope than to Will Ferrell in Old School, proclaiming that everybody is going streaking:

Conservative intellectuals took it as a given that Trump was alien to conservatism due to his history of on-again-off-again support for Democratic politicians and liberalish policies. Many of them referred to Trump as a man of the left  milquetoast Manhattan progressive, a liberal Republican, etc.  as though it were self-evidently correct that anybody lacking a lifetime commitment to conservative-movement principles must have liberal ones.

Conservative columnist Noah Rothman wrote an essay for Commentary in May describing Trump as the progressive heir to the Eisenhower/Rockefeller tradition. A key piece of evidence for Rothmans argument was Paul Ryans refusal to endorse the nominee, a fact in which Rothman invested enormous significance. Paul Ryan and his shrinking band of stalwarts appear willing to frustrate the GOP conference in Congress and his partys primary voters, he wrote hopefully, and even to jeopardize their careers and legacies to preserve the conservatism in which they believe.

Or maybe not. Ryan has since endorsed Trump and reaffirmed his decision repeatedly in the face of numerous revelations that might be considered disqualifying. As Ryan has repeatedly explained, mostly recently again this morning, Trump would sign rather than veto his bills. That is to say, on the issues conservative leaders care about most deeply, like tax cuts for high earners, repealing Obamacare, and deregulating finance and fossil-fuel emissions, Trump is in fact conservative.

It is not only conservative leaders like Ryan (and Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio) who have fallen behind Trump, but the followers, too. A recent Pew survey finds that three-quarters of conservative Republicans believe Trump represents their partys core principles, while only half of moderate and liberal Republicans agree. It is the GOPs tiny, withered left flank, not its bulging right one, that has put up the most resistance to the nominee. Among the rank and file, enthusiasm for Trump burns hot. Sean Hannity, who has positioned himself as among Trumps most obsequious defenders, has seen his ratings soar. Members of Congress like Joe Heck and Jason Chaffetz, who disendorsed Trump, have come crawling back. George P. Bush has declared his support for the man who viciously bullied his father, which is like Marty McFly voting for Biff Tannen. Almost everybody who craves a future in Republican politics has concluded that their career depends on endorsing Trump.

The point is not at all to gloat at the failure of anti-Trump conservatives, but to explain the source of their error. You cant heal an illness youve diagnosed improperly. Anti-Trump conservatives deluded themselves about the source of conservatisms electoral appeal. Trumps long list of deviations from party orthodoxy  on health care, abortion, support for the Clintons  would have destroyed a normal candidacy, the way Rick Perrys support for humane treatment of undocumented immigrants killed his candidacy in 2012.

Why did Republican primary voters forgive Trumps heresies? Because the power of the charge of un-conservative behavior is the implication that you are not really on our side. Trump proved to the party base he was one of them through his racism, sexism, and blunt nationalism. Those impulses are the essence of conservative political identity at the voting level. Political scientist Matt Grossman has a new poll of Michigan statewide voters. Look at the responses to the question of whether generations of slavery and discrimination have made it harder for African-Americans to rise, sorted by presidential-vote preference. People who like Clinton are the ones who acknowledge that black people face structural disadvantages, and people who like Trump are the ones who deny it:

Illustration: Institute for Public Policy and Social Research

The most important analytical failure of the anti-Trump conservatives is their blindness to the centrality of white racial backlash. They simply cannot imagine how movement conservatism could result in bigoted authoritarianism, and their confusion produces absurdity. Erick Erickson, the conservative pundit who has fiercely opposed Trump, today defends Rush Limbaugh, even though Limbaugh is defending the candidate. Erickson argues that Limbaughs brand of conservatism is exactly what the party needed all along. If Republicans lamenting Trump and hating on Rush had only listened to Rush and taken his counsel that he gives for free three hours a day, five days a week, the GOP would not be in this mess, he reasons. Yes  Trumps popularity clearly demonstrates that a racist, misogynist, conspiracy-mongering bully-entertainer has had too little influence.

Rothmans column, in May, told a story in which Trump was restoring progressive control of the Republican Party, after conservatives had seized it. Rothman correctly equated conservatism with the movement organized around Barry Goldwater. Rothman did concede that Goldwater opposed civil rights legislation, but he dismissed this as ancillary to his beliefs. (Goldwaters brand of conservatism  so doctrinaire that he opposed the Civil Rights Acts Sections II and VII because they would impose on the private sector racial quotas and could not be enforced but through a police presence.) And so, in Rothmans mind, Trumpism is the repudiation of Goldwaters conservatism. But if you acknowledge that Goldwaters rejection of civil rights was the basis of his electoral appeal rather than an extraneous detail, and that the conservative movement opposed liberal Republicans in the 1960s explicitly because the liberals favored civil rights, then you realize his narrative is upside down. Trumpism is not the revenge of the liberal Republicans against the Goldwater conservatives. Just the opposite: Its the natural outcome of the conservative movements domination of the party (as I argue at more length in the magazine.)

The conservative intelligentsia is right about one thing. Trump is not a committed ideologue but a grifter who decided to use their voters for his own ends. Trump grasped from the outset that the birther issue gave him a connection to the Republican electorate. The conservative intelligentsia ignored the birthers, the freaks, and the transparent racists because they were embarrassing. It was far more flattering and heroic to imagine the whole thing was about the Constitution. The con artist swindled the perfect mark.
Photo: Facebook

On Monday, officials released the chilling 911 audio of Orlando gunman Omar Mateen after he burst into Pulse nightclub and massacred 49 people. In it, he pledges allegiance to the Islamic State of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, one of many references to the terror group and radical ideology.

But his second wife, Noor Salman, said in an interview with the New York Times published on Tuesday, that she was unaware of everything about her husbands plans to attack the night club. I dont condone what he has done, she said. I am very sorry for what has happened. He has hurt a lot of people.

This is the first interview Salman  who married Mateen after meeting him through an online dating site in 2011  has given since the June 12 mass shooting. In it, she admits that she was aware Mateen watched jihadist propaganda videos, but, she says, The FBI let him go. (Mateen was investigated twice by the FBI in 2013 and 2014; both times federal authorities said he did not pose a threat.)

Shortly after the Orlando shooting, reports surfaced that Salman might have known about Mateens plan to attack Pulse, and even went with her husband to buy ammunition. That investigation is still ongoing, and Salman, who has a son, now 3, with Mateen, addresses some of those issues in the the Times interview. Here are a few of the things we learned:



Salman did go with her husband to buy ammunition, and she traveled with him to Orlando. Mateen bought ammunition with Salman while the two were at Walmart. Salman told the Times that Mateen, who was then working as a security guard, often went to the shooting range, so she didnt think anything of it. The entire family  Mateen, Salman, and their son  visited Orlando months before the shooting, but Mateen allegedly just told her, Lets go to Orlando for a drive.

Mateen was reportedly physically and mentally abusive toward Salman. Soon after the Pulse shooting, Mateens first wife, Sitora Yusufiy, who divorced Mateen in 2011, described her ex-husband as abusive. Salman echoed these allegations against her husband, saying he pulled her hair, choked her, and threatened to kill her. He manipulated her into silence; if she left, Mateen told Salman, hed get custody of their son.

What happened the night of the massacre. Mateen had finished work on Saturday, June 11, around 3 p.m., and allegedly told his wife he wouldnt be home for dinner. She went to bed, and was woken up around four in the morning when Salmans mother-in-law  Mateens mom  called, apparently worried. Salman tried to reach Mateen on his cell phone, but got no answer. From the Times:

Finally he sent her a text message: Did you see what happened? She texted back that she had not.



I love you babe, he responded, the last she heard from him.
If Trump had some ham, he could make a ham sandwich, if he had some bread. Photo: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images

No one expects a great deal of factual precision from Donald Trump by now. But during a rally with Mike Pence in Pennsylvania, he offered a real head-scratcher: I will ask Congress to convene a special session so we can repeal and replace, and it will be such an honor for me, for you and for everybody in this country because Obamacare has to be replaced, Trump said. Its a catastrophe.

Sounds dramatic, eh? But a moments scrutiny should tell you the special session stuff makes no sense at all.

The next Congress will convene on January 3, 2017, 17 days before the next president is inaugurated. If it is inclined to repeal and replace Obamacare, it wont need any special session for that. Indeed, the most likely scenario for that to happen, if and only if Republicans control both houses of Congress, is in a budget reconciliation bill that cannot be filibustered in the Senate and benefits from streamlined procedures generally. It wont happen overnight, but it certainly can be accommodated by the normal congressional schedule.

Perhaps Trump is talking about not waiting until next January, so urgent is the task of repealing and replacing Obamacare. But theres no need for a special session after the election; Congress is already scheduled to reconvene in November for a continuation of the current session in order to deal with the appropriations can that has been kicked down the road, and perhaps some other items.

But even if a special session was needed, Trump would have no power to call one for the obvious reason that he would not be president until January 20, 2017. Is he talking about asking Obama to call a special session (which isnt needed) to repeal the 44th presidents signature achievement and enact a yet-to-be-specified GOP replacement plan? (In case you hadnt guessed it, Trump and Pence did not offer a specific replacement plan in their Pennsylvania speeches today.) Thats probably not going to work.
Photo: Brian Blanco/Getty Images

For Hillary Clinton, the most damaging aspect of Emailgate Part 3: Revenge of the Weiner may not be the ugly headlines it generated so much as the ugly headlines it displaced.

Voters who find allegations of improper email use more offensive than allegations of serial sexual assault were never going to be a large part of Clintons coalition. Recent polls suggest the renewed attention on the Democratic nominees mishandling of classified information has cost her only a tiny fraction of her most casual supporters.

But while the FBIs late-October surprise doesnt seem to be (significantly) draining Clintons support, theres reason to think its boosting Donald Trumps  by diverting attention away from the moguls myriad political liabilities.

In our hyperpartisan era, the GOP nominees competitiveness has ebbed and flowed with his consolidation of the Republican vote  and throughout the 2016 race, his support among his co-partisans has gone up whenever hes been evicted from the media spotlight.

Ever since the final general-election debate, Trump has kept a relatively low profile, giving far fewer television interviews than he did earlier in the cycle, avoiding novel outrages, and even drifting off the campaign trail for a pair of dull photo ops at hotels he owns. And in that time, a significant number of Republicans started migrating back to his camp.

On the night of the third presidential debate, FiveThirtyEights national polling average had Clinton leading Trump 45.4 to 38.8 percent, with Libertarian Gary Johnson claiming 6.2 percent of the vote. Those numbers held nearly steady through the first round of post-debate polls. But as the spotlight on the presidential race dimmed with the end of debate season, Trumps support ticked up, while Johnsons declined. On Friday, FiveThirtyEight had Clinton at 45.7, Trump at 40.2, and Johnson at 5.1 percent.

Four days after Comeys letter forced new stories of Trumps affinity for sexual harassment onto the back burner, Clintons support has ticked down marginally to 45.3, while Trumps has jumped to 41.4, and Johnson has been left with a mere 4.5 percent of the vote.

Gary Johnson. Photo: Bill McCay/Getty Images for SiriusXM

Granted, there are other explanations for this trend. Third-party candidates have a habit of losing steam as Election Day approaches. And both major-party nominees are likely to see boosts in total support as undecideds finally commit. But Trumps consolidation of the Republican vote cant purely be a function of November 8s proximity. At various points in the campaign, Trump has gained  and then lost  a significant chunk of GOP voters. And often these ups and downs have corresponded to Trumps relative visibility in the media.

The Republican nominee has come within striking distance of Clinton twice this campaign  once, in the immediate aftermath of the Republican National Convention, and a second time right before the first debate.

The first case may seem to contradict the principle that the more Trump hides from attention, the better he performs. After all, a national convention is a multi-day media blitz for a candidate and their party. And there were, of course, a few conspicuous hiccups in the production that generated no small amount of comment. But there is a sense in which that shaky spectacle actually shielded Trump from press scrutiny: During the week of the RNC, the mogul had fewer opportunities to make headlines with high-profile gaffes than nearly any other week of the campaign. Every night, the political worlds attention was fixed on Clevelands carnival of Clinton hatred, where Trumps surrogates devoted far more attention to their enemys vices than to their standard-bearers virtues. And Trumps one turn in the spotlight, however terrifying for its authoritarian nationalism, was, nonetheless, tightly scripted.

After that infomercial was executed, the race was statistically tied  and Trumps campaign manager Paul Manafort advised the candidate to go into hiding.

The best thing we can do is to have you move into a cave for the next four months, Manafort told Trump during a summer meeting, Gabriel Sherman reports. If youre not on the campaign trail, the focus is on her, and we win. Whoever the focus is on will lose.

In hindsight, this advice looks more prophetic than hyperbolic.

Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Photo: Drew Angerer/2016 Getty Images

Clinton, predictably, regained her lead following her own partys convention. But Trump didnt lose significant support until the week after the Democratic nominees coronation, when he picked a loud, lengthy fight with the Muslim father of a fallen American soldier. By mid-August, Trumps average national support had fallen from a little over 40 percent to under 37. Its hard to imagine the mogul would have been worse off had he taken a post-convention vacation to the Galapagos.

A similar pattern played out the second time Trump made Clinton sweat, in the lead-up to the first debate, when stories about Clintons family foundation and bout of pneumonia were dominating the news cycle. On September 26, FiveThirtyEight had Trumps national support at 41 percent, a little over a point behind Clintons.

The debates were never going to be kind to Trump  in any 90-minute one-on-one discussion, the moguls ill-tempered incompetence was bound to be exposed  but the damage was almost certainly compounded by his decision to spend the ensuing week feuding with a former Miss Universe winner turned Clinton surrogate: The first round of post-debate polling showed Trump losing a half-point of support. By the eve of the Billy Bush tape revelation, his share of the vote had dipped below 40 percent.

Did Crooked Hillary help disgusting (check out sex tape and past) Alicia M become a U.S. citizen so she could use her in the debate?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2016

Donald Trump was always going to be a terrible candidate. The moguls recklessness and utter lack of policy knowledge caused him little trouble in the GOP primary, where he could market those qualities as fearless truth-telling and contempt for ineffectual experts.

Fortunately, that stuff doesnt sell as well with the broader public. And Trump proved himself incapable of pivoting to a more inclusive general-election message, as the GOP nominee simply couldnt help but betray his own ignorance and bigotry in nearly every extemporaneous remark.

Most college-educated Republicans just want to vote for the candidate who will cut their taxes without feeling embarrassed about doing so. If Trump had taken Manaforts advice and spent the general election attending to his family business  emerging once or twice a week for a carefully stage-managed photo op and/or tightly scripted speech  he would have made that task a lot easier for the socially moderate, fiscally conservative set. And it seems doubtful that hed have lost a significant amount of support from the base hed cultivated through the most widely covered primary campaign in history.

It remains unlikely that the latest installment in Clintons email nightmare will divert enough attention away from Trump to cost her the election. But if Trump had spent the past four months hiding from the cameras, avoiding any temptation to exacerbate his own liabilities  while cultivating an opaque image of success that low-information voters could project their own hopes onto  things might be different.

If Trump married a conventional Republicans support from college-educated whites with his strength among whites without college degrees, Clinton would be in a lot more trouble than she is today.

The danger to Clinton, IMO, is that well-educated, white, GOP-leaners come home  Nate Cohn (@Nate_Cohn) October 31, 2016

In the end, the insatiable hunger for media attention that propelled Trump to the summit of conservative politics may keep him from climbing any higher. The mogul could have had a clean shot at the nuclear codes, had he been willing to forfeit the spotlight.
Law-enforcement officials investigate at the scene of a shooting, Wednesday, November 2, 2016, in Urbandale, Iowa. Photo: Charlie Neibergall/AP

Police have reportedly arrested a suspect in the murders of two officers overnight. The alleged attacker has been identified as Scott Michael Greene, a 46-year-old white male from Urbandale, a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa.

Photo: WhoTV

Earlier, police warned of a clear and present danger to officers after two cops were shot and killed in their patrol cars early Wednesday in the Des Moines metro area. Authorities described both deaths as ambush-style attacks.

Officials launched a manhunt and warned the public that Greene was armed and dangerous before he was taken into custody around 9 a.m. local time. According to police officials, Greene was on foot when he flagged down a Department of Natural Resources employee while walking on a trail in Dallas County, the county adjacent to Polk County, where Des Moines is located. Greene reportedly pulled out his ID to show the employee and instructed him to call 911. Greene surrendered without incident. Des Moines police did not say what made them suspect Greene, and have not speculated publicly on his motive.

.@DMPolice crime scene investigators are at home on 70th Street in Urbandale. pic.twitter.com/wN06VKeH05  Grant Rodgers (@GrantMRodgers) November 2, 2016

About 25-30 law enforcement walking this field south of Redfield where suspect was taken into custody #fallenofficer pic.twitter.com/bLhvivUuEt  MacKenzie Elmer (@mckelmer) November 2, 2016

According to police, the two officers were shot in separate incidents. Urbandale cops, responding to reports of gunshots shortly after 1 a.m. local time Wednesday, found one member of the force dead in his patrol car near Urbandale High School. Less than a half-hour later, and about a five-minute drive away from the first crime scene, another police officer was discovered shot in his vehicle at an intersection in Des Moines. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The two officers killed have been identified as Urbandale police officer Justin Martin, who was apparently shot outside the high school, and 38-year-old Des Moines sergeant Anthony Beminio, the second victim found. Martin was a rookie, having joined the Urbandale force in 2015. Beminio is a more than ten-year veteran of the department.



Sergeant Paul Parizek, a spokesperson for the Des Moines Police Department, told reporters both officers were sitting in their cars when the suspect fired. It did not appear, he added, that there was any interaction between these officers and the coward who shot them. Officers on the force are now patrolling in pairs as a safety precaution.

The suspect, Greene, had a criminal record, including an April 2014 encounter with police where he refused officers attempts to pat him down near an Urbandale apartment complex, reports the Des Moines Register. The responding officer described Greene as noncompliant and hostile in the incident report. What called police to the scene that day is unclear, but two days later Greene was charged with first-degree harassment after shouting a racial slur and threatening to kill a man at that same location. He was reportedly sentenced to one year of probation.



Police are also investigating whether an October 14 incident at Urbandale High School  right where Officer Martin was fatally shot  possibly involved the suspect. According to the Washington Post, a YouTube user named Scott Greene uploaded a video last month entitled Police Abuse, Civil Rights Violation at Urbandale High School. The video runs about 11 minutes long and is apparently recorded by a man talking to police officers at a football stadium at the high school. The cops ask the man, who is recording, to leave the school property. The man repeats that he was assaulted and had his property stolen  almost like a mugging. The man recording the tape is escorted off the grounds, and additional officers eventually show up. Are you here watching a student, or did you just come to fly this flag tonight? a female officer asks man.

Well, I was using my constitutional rights, replies the man who is apparently recording.

After a quick back-and-forth, the officer explains: You have to understand that in the current social climate that were in when you fly a Confederate flag, standing in front of several African-American people, thats going to cause a disturbance. An image of that flag, which appears to have been returned to the man, is captured toward the end of the clip.

The murders of these Iowa officers come after a tense summer where police came under siege from sniper-style attackers in Dallas and Baton Rouge. In December 2014, two NYPD cops were ambushed and fatally shot while sitting in their patrol car in Brooklyn.

This post has been updated throughout.
Photo: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images

One of the ideas I tried to get across in my story for the magazine about the Trumpist transformation of the Republican Party, and that I think much of the analysis of Trump has not quite grappled with, is the reality that parties operate like herds. The focus on the individual is natural, and somewhat appropriate, given Trumps extraordinarily disqualifying combination of personal traits. Still, all of Trumps personal and ideological tics can be connected to decades-long trends within the Republican Party toward anti-intellectualism, white racial paranoia, and authoritarianism.

The herd quality of parties explains why the most pessimistic observers of the Republican Party during the Obama era have been right  indeed, Trumps rise has proven many of us to have been insufficiently pessimistic about the party  and the optimists wrong. The optimists have believed that the GOP could elide, or move beyond, its most fanatical and retrograde elements with some kind of killer app: Just the right kind of presidential candidate, or Speaker of the House, or domestic-policy innovation, could reposition Republicans as a serious, responsible governing force.

But it hasnt worked because the outliers in the party have a way of pulling the herd in their direction. The partys position will tend to reflect a congenial midpoint, or at least a lowest common denominator, that is acceptable to all its factions. So, given that a large segment of the Republican Party believes Barack Obama is a secret Muslim, a noncitizen, and plotting to undermine the United States intentionally, the party leadership is in no position to denounce these beliefs. Instead it will co-opt them. Republican leaders like John Boehner and Eric Cantor are not birthers, but they could not come out and call birtherism a nutty conspiracy theory. Instead, they elided the issue. The most extreme voices within the party dont always, or even usually, win, but they have to be accommodated and treated with some respect. Say, a Mitt Romney might pull off the 2012 primary, but hed need to accept the public endorsement of prominent birther Donald Trump.

Consider another example. Todays Wall Street Journal editorial page regularly publishes pseudoscientific screeds about climate change by kooks. Todays has an op-ed making the case that carbon-dioxide emissions are really good for the planet. Unlike many climate deniers published in the Journal and other right-wing organs, todays version does not deny that carbon-dioxide emissions trap heat in the atmosphere. Instead, the authors argue it causes a benefit to agriculture. Here in America, they note, In 2013 the level of U.S. farm output was about 2.7 times its 1948 level, and productivity was growing at an average annual rate of 1.52%. You dont need to know much about science or agriculture to realize that farms have grown more productive for reasons unrelated to the higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Or that scientific authorities agree that rising CO2 levels will have a dire, immensely costly impact on the climate.

Why does this matter? Its not that this op-ed will compel Republican elected officials to embrace the theory that CO2 is harmless. Indeed, Republican candidates have been slowly edging away from outright science denial and toward other rationalizations for permitting unlimited greenhouse-gas emissions. The point is that the kooks are an important part of the herd. They have a voice in the room. And theres simply no possible chance the Republican Party can even begin to craft a sane policy toward greenhouse-gas emissions if they need to satisfy a large contingent of science-doubting kooks.

Trump is certainly an outlier within the party. Republicans have never before nominated such a grotesquely ignorant and transparently dangerous figure for president, and may never again. But a party is defined by the bounds of what it considers acceptable. The contemporary GOP could not nominate a candidate who has a plan to raise the effective tax rate on the highest-earning one percent of taxpayers, but it could nominate one who thinks Antonin Scalia was murdered.

Parties evolve slowly and over a long period of time. The Democratic Party started moving left on civil rights during the New Deal, but, as late as 1960, Robert Kennedy was mollifying fellow Democrats who found even a symbolic outreach to Martin Luther King Jr. utterly outrageous:

Georgia Democrats furious over Robert Kennedy & JFK's calls about the arrest of Martin Luther King, Jr.... #MLK #otd (November 1, 1960) pic.twitter.com/mgl1ODnwJr  Jack Bohrer (@JRBoh) November 1, 2016

The alliance between Democrats and the white South is an unusual case. The party was torn between wings with utterly irreconcilable agendas. It couldnt contain Strom Thurmond and Martin Luther King forever, and it didnt. Yet it took decades, and transformative federal civil rights and voting-rights legislation to sever a part of the partys constituency. And even then, vestigial loyalties at the state and local level persisted so long that Alabamas state legislature remained Democratic until the 2010 elections.

And if you think even that extraordinary, elongated split provides a model for the GOP and Trumpism, keep in mind that the white racial conservatives who fled the Democratic Party had somewhere to go where they could have influence in the two-party system. The Trumpists do not. The Republican Party has absorbed Trump and his supporters, including his white nationalist backers. The dynamic that brought them together was set in motion decades ago. The notion that it will spit them out, or reorient itself in some fundamental way, is hopelessly unrealistic in the near term. Trump himself may or may not disappear, but the party he now leads will continue its long historical trajectory with or without him. The morning after the election will not be a cold dawn for the Republican Party. It will not even be midnight.
Kirsten Gillibrand, Claire McCaskill, and Ann McLane Kuster. Photo: Getty Images; Wikimedia Commons

If absolutely nothing else, Donald Trumps presidential campaign has brought the issue of sexual assault into the national spotlight. Trumps own words  and his subsequent denial that they were anything other than talk  drove more than a half-dozen women to publicly accuse him of sexually assaulting them.

And although the incidents occurred before Trump decided to run for president, his behavior is on par with that of many male politicians. In fact, the New York Times reports, sexism is so rampant in politics due to a unique combination of factors. At its core, sexual harassment is about power, and politics is the ultimate power profession, writes the Times Sheryl Gay Stolberg. It draws in young people who are eager to advance and reluctant to make waves. And political organizations rise and fall around the fortunes of one central figure, a hierarchy that discourages reporting of harassment, because if the boss gets in trouble, everyones job is at risk.

Thanks to the male-dominated environment, almost every woman whos worked in or near politics has a story of sexual harassment. These six female senators have gone public with theirs.

Claire McCaskill

In her 2015 memoir, Plenty Ladylike, Missouri senator Claire McCaskill told the story of asking the Missouri House speaker for his advice on getting legislation passed. She recounted it to the Times on Wednesday:

When she became a state legislator in 1983, the lessons became more explicit when she asked the House speaker on the dais his advice for getting legislation passed.



Claire, she recalls his saying in a tone-deaf attempt at humor, did you bring your kneepads?

Kirsten Gillibrand

New York senator Kirsten Gillibrand chronicled her sexual harassment in book form, too. In her 2014 book, Off the Sidelines, Gillibrand wrote that after she lost almost 50 pounds, one of her male co-workers (who she said was one of her favorite people in the Senate) came up behind her and squeezed her waist. Dont lose too much weight now, he told her. I like my girls chubby.

After the incident was publicized, Gillibrand was criticized both by those who accused her of making the incident up and those saying she shouldve gone a step further and named the senator in question.

Joni Ernst

In August of 2014, in the midst of her Senate run, Republican Iowa senator Joni Ernst told Time magazine that she was sexually harassed while she served in the military. I had comments, passes, things like that, she said without elaborating. Ernst used her personal experience to explain why she would vote for cases of sexual assault to be tried outside the chain of command  a position that broke with the Republican Partys stance.

Patty Murray

In the 1997 book Women on the Hill: Challenging the Culture of Congress, former Newsweek reporter Clara Bingham described an incident in which former senator Strom Thurmond tried to grope Washington senator Patty Murray in an elevator. According to the book, when Murray entered an elevator with Thurmond and an operator in 1994, Thurmond put his arm around Murrays shoulder, tried to fondle her breast and said, Are you married little lady?

California senator Barbara Boxer told Cosmopolitan that Murray approached her about the incident. I was distraught, and I said, Im going to have a press conference and tell them, this guys got to stop, Boxer said. And she said, Dont do it, I want to deal with this in a quiet way. And she did. She told [Thurmonds] staff he cant just wander around by himself  he needs to have staff people with him because he cant be going around attacking women in the elevator.

Barbara Boxer

Boxer is no stranger to sexism, either. She told Cosmo that when she was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, a fellow legislator responded to a speech she made by saying, Well, I want to associate with the congresswoman from California.

The appropriate thing to say is, I want to associate with the remarks made by, Boxer says. It was so embarrassing and everybody was laughing, and the chairman said, Well I want to associate with her too.



Humiliated and angry, Boxer approached the chairman and asked him to correct the record. He said, For what reason? We were just complimenting you, Boxer recalls.

Susan Collins

When Susan Collins was elected to the Senate in 1997, other female senators warned her about Strom Thurmond. Speaking to Politico, she recalled heading to the senators-only elevator, seeing Thurmond heading in the same direction, and promptly turning around. The reason I remember the incident so well is because it was observed by one of my Republican male colleagues, Collins said. He started laughing because he knew exactly why I was turning around and not getting on the elevator.


Jane Biddick, Nicole Martin, Merchon Andersen Photo: Benedict Evans

Last winter, in the weeks leading up to what would be a very long presidential-primary season, New York went to Iowa and New Hampshire to interview Republicans about their outlooks on the election. They opened up about their hopesbut especially about their fears. The biggest theme was a sense that the country was under siege, by threats both domestic and foreign, and needed the guidance of a tenacious leader.

At that time, there were 12 GOP candidates, and Ted Cruz was gaining momentum. The libertarians in New Hampshire favored Rand Paul; a lot of Evangelicals in Iowa wanted Ben Carson. Trump, who had just called for a total and complete shutdown of immigration by Muslims, was the most popular candidate in our sample of 100 voters, but also the most divisive.

Of course, this was months before 2005 audio surfaced of Trump talking about grabbing womens private parts and before women began coming forward with their own stories of being assaulted or harassed by the candidate. With those revelations in mind, we were interested to know how Trumps support had changed among women voters, particularly those who are generally loyal Republicans. So we reached out to ten of the women wed spoken with to see how they were planning to vote. In our by-no-means-scientific survey, almost everyone we contacted had doubled down on their support of Trump; just one woman had decided to cross party lines. Their distrust of Hillary Clinton proved to be the greatest unifier. Frankly, Debbie Eberly, a pastor from Iowa, said when asked about Clinton, I would rather be in a room with Trump alone any day of the week.

Related Stories Granddaughters of the Revolution

Tina Vondran

Then: Carson | Now: Trump

My faith will not allow me to vote for a candidate who believes abortion is right. I would love to see a woman president. Get Condoleezza Rice in there. Im telling you what, if she ran, I would campaign for her. But Hillary and I dont share the same values. I think we are all called to be good neighbors. But I do not believe the government has a right to tell me what I have to give to somebody else out of my own pocket. What ever happened to self-pride? If things get tough, maybe you get another little part-time job. Maybe you go to your boss and say, Hey, listen, things are hard. Can I work some overtime? What can I do?

Jane Biddick

Then: Trump | Now: Trump



I havent even gotten on to see exactly what Trump said, because I think thats stupid. Unless you want to write Jesus Christ in as your vote, you might as well forget it. There isnt any perfect person on the planet. I heard that he said something about groping women, and Im thinking, Okay, No. 1, I think thatd be great. I like getting groped! Im heterosexual. Im a woman, and when a guy gropes me, I get groping on them! I grope them back. Groping is a healthy thing to do. When youre heterosexual, you grope, okay? Its a good thing. Try it. I wonder if Nixon groped Pat. Since December, Ive done very little reading. Ive heard little snippets here and there on the radio, and I dont watch TV. Im just going on what I have at the gut. If Trump really did something that made me feel like he was compromising what I thought was good for the country, Id get right on and Id start reading. But all I hear is people are saying he likes to grope women. Im sorry, that just hasnt given me any doubt about my vote.

Valerie Still

Then: Trump | Now: Trump

If women grabbed men like that, it wouldnt be a big deal. But if men do that to women, they blow it out of proportion. It might be true, but it might not, because I think Hillary is crooked enough to pay women to talk badly about Trump. I dont understand how she can say she respects women when she doesnt respect herself. Take the Bill Clinton thing. If your husband is doing something to you, and you dont have enough respect for yourself to get out of that situation, how can you expect other women to go forward and talk about the issues they supposedly had with Trump? Because shes a woman, other people expect women to be for her. I dont think gender is that big of a deal. Its all about what they can do for the country. And she called us deplorable. I know she apologized for that, but if Trump apologizes for something that he says, hes not forgiven.

Debbie Eberly, Allison Doyle, Valerie Still Photo: Benedict Evans

Allison Doyle

Then: Trump | Now: Trump

I havent listened to the recording of what he said in 2005, because I feel like its so irrelevant. It was 11 years ago. Were not voting for someone based on their character. Were way past that in this election. I think its a disgrace to have Clinton as our first woman president. She does not represent women at all  or me, as a woman, at all. Im sorry. Her husband is such scum. Ive never heard about Trump cheating. I know hes had multiple marriages  which, in todays society, who doesnt?

Cindy Corson

Then: Fiorina | Now: Trump

I have not been a Trump fan in any form. I was a Carly supporter from day one and was very disappointed that it just wasnt meant to be. Its been a struggle to decide what to do, but I feel strongly that the Republicans need to be in office. We need to keep control in the House and the Senate. And the other big thing is the appointment of a Supreme Court justice. So I will follow the party line. I dont want to say its a resignation, but nearly. A lot of it is his manner. I agree with speaking the truth, speaking your mind, but the way he goes about it, the crudeness  I dont really want that in a president. I do blame the press, especially the broadcast news media, for a lot. Im of the era of the Vietnam War. Thats when it started: every night when they broadcast how many died. There are times when you know too much  too many details. I dont think thats good for anyone. I feel like that has a lot to do with this business of the last [few weeks]. If these allegations are true with these women, Im very sorry for that, but I cant justify swimming in that pool when we need to move along. We should have candidates of character, but I think its already established that neither one has a sterling character.

Merchon Andersen

Then: Trump | Now: Trump

We have become so wussified. Pretty soon, saying hello to someone is going to be considered harassment. I have a few friends who just want to believe whatever the liberal news media tells them. They dont want to get information on their own. Thats how I decided on Trump. I saw him in person and I was blown away. Hes a businessman, and I think thats what this country needs: someone to figure out what were going to do with our economy, because its tanking. Our medical system is making it virtually impossible for any of us. My son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law, they cant afford health insurance for themselves and their three kids. My parents are wondering how theyre going to not have to sell their home in order to have health insurance to pay for their medications. I just really wish the dirty politics would stop, so we could get it narrowed down to what matters. What are we going to do about all this brutality upon law enforcement that is going on? What are we going to do about our military that was supposed to have been brought home a long time ago? When are we going to become Switzerland and just tend to our own affairsinstead of always getting involved in stuff thats been going on for centuries, thats never going to get resolved? Were not taking care of whats happening in our own house. Thats my biggest concern.

Tina Vondran, Cindy Corson, Barbara Nicholson Photo: Benedict Evans

Nicole Martin

Then: Trump | Now: Trump

I knew when I voted for him that he came from Hollywood. We wanted something different. We didnt want the same stuffy guy. Those people arent reaching the working class. Its really ironic that someone as rich as him reaches out to the working class, but he does. You can look at a lot of people born into money who blew it away on drugs and partying, but he turned it into an empire. The working class relates to that. I honestly dont trust Hillary Clinton. I just feel like shes a liar. If I took her face out of the picture, I could say I love that we live in a country where a woman can reach that. Can I say I ever felt that with her? No.

Barbara Nicholson

Then: Carson | Now: Trump

Ive already voted for Trump. I support him because hes the only Republican running for president. I dont want to vote for Hillary, okay? I would not vote for a Democrat because of their platform, and especially I wouldnt vote for Hillary. Its especially the issue of abortion. I am a total pro-life person. Trump is not as well informed or well educated as he should be on the issue, but I have a feeling that he will have advisers that will help him so that he understands it better. I think he could do a good job if he gets the right people in his Cabinet. He could be fine.

Debbie Eberly

Then: Trump | Now: Trump

I settled on Trump at the beginning of the primary. I felt he was taking on the Establishment, which has grown very corrupt. I didnt have a problem with the Birther issue. Frankly, I was proud that he did that. And Im not going to look at something he said 11 years ago. Otherwise, theyd have to look at their own locker-room talk, and really, theres a finger pointing back at themselves. Weve taken quite a bit of time to pray for him. We believe that Trump has made some recent changes, growing stronger in his own Christian beliefs and putting Christian people around him. As a woman advocate, I still have no sympathy for Hillary Clinton. Im sure if a woman were a godly person, I could be proud of that. But I would never be proud of Hillary. Unless she totally recanted, repented  and frankly, if she did that, she would reveal whats shes done, and shed be in prison. She has a very dark side. I think Trump put it in good words, I just recently read, about a dark soul.

Claira Monier

Then: Kasich | Now: Clinton

What if I told you I am voting for the first Democrat Ive ever voted for for president? I was vacillating back and forth. Do I vote for Gary Johnson? Do I write in Mike Pence? I probably made up my mind when that tape was released of his conversation with Billy Bush on the bus. When I heard that, I said, No way. Hillary. Then the [second] debate confirmed it. His misogyny was not an issue for me in the beginning  it was more his lack of substance. But the first time I thought about it was when he went after

Carly Fiorinawhen he said, Look at her ugly face, or something like that. And shes smarter than he is. I remember the old days, when women were treated so badly. I wont go into the details of how many times Ive been assaulted, but it came out of the 40s and 50s. I just remember, as a 16-year-old, I had a job in the mill yard. All the guys would holler and whistle at you as you walked to work. You really felt assaulted. That was considered okay.

Its not only how he treats women, but also the way he treated the Khan family. Muslims. Or the way he talks about blacks. The way he talks about Mexicans. Its a culture of hatred rather than love or inclusion. You almost feel like taking down the Statue of Liberty, listening to him, because we are a country that wants immigrants. We need immigrants. If youre going to have people support us older folks and even support yourselves as you age, immigration is absolutely necessary for the survival of our economy. Trumps issues are not Republican issues. Republicans are pro-immigration. Republicans are profree trade. Trump doesnt stand for these things.

*This article appears in the October 31, 2016, issue of New York Magazine.
In 1985, a billboard in Times Square called Tommy Hilfiger the next big thing in American fashion, alongside ads for established brands like Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. Now, over 30 years later, the label has become a multibillion-dollar household name.

Hilfiger started his career as a scrappy entrepreneur and self-proclaimed dreamer. Originally known for modernizing quintessential button-downs and chinos, he has consistently taken a youthful approach to American classics  like this year, when he produced an Instagram-friendly capsule collection with Gigi Hadid that immediately sold out.

In his book American Dreamer: My Life in Fashion & Business, written with Peter Knobler, Hilfiger celebrates the brands history. Out today from Ballantine, the book chronicles never-before-told stories  everything from Hilfiger flunking his sophomore year of high school to dressing celebrities like Beyonce and Britney Spears.

Click ahead for a preview.
Photo: Mike McGregor/Contour by Getty Images

In 1998, having failed the LSAT twice, Sara Blakely was a 27-year-old Florida State graduate selling fax machines door-to-door in Clearwater, Florida. Blakely was good at her job  Danka, the company she worked for, promoted her to national sales trainer at 25  but she wasnt exactly passionate about hawking clunky office equipment in subtropical heat. I woke up one day and thought, Im in the wrong movie, call the director! What happened? This is not my life, Blakely, now 45, recalls. So I wrote down on a piece of paper the things that I was good at, and one of them was sales. I just started thinking about that, and I ended up writing down in my journal, I want to invent a product that I can sell to millions of people that will make them feel good.

At the time, Blakely owned some cream slacks shed never worn because she didnt have any underwear that wouldnt show through the light fabric. One night, eager to premiere the pants at a party, she had a revelation. Blakely grabbed a pair of the pantyhose she was required to wear for work  shed never liked how the seamed toes looked in her sandals, but she did appreciate what the control-top did for her butt  cut off the feet, and put them on under the pants. Though the edges of the hastily altered tights rolled up her legs all night, she was pretty sure that the smoothed-out, lineless look shed achieved was something that, with some perfecting, other women would happily pay for.

The company that resulted from that idea, Spanx, now offers more than 200 shapewear and other products. Its annual sales have been estimated at $400 million, making Blakely, who retains 100 percent ownership of the business, the youngest self-made female billionaire in the United States. But while the brilliance of Spanx now seems obvious to anyone whos ever wanted to immediately look, say, 10 percent better in a cocktail dress (and doesnt mind the occasional feeling of suffocation), it took Blakely two years to get anyone to see the value of her idea. For the most part, she was on her own.

I didnt realize that selling fax machines door-to-door was really laying the groundwork for me to be able to be an inventor and create a product that had never been done before and bring it to market, because doing something like that requires hearing the word no a lot, Blakely says. The cold-calling to sell fax machines was an amazing training ground for hearing no. I just learned that theres a formula, you have to go through a certain number of nos to get to a yes, so dont let it discourage you.

Sara Blakely in her fax-machine selling days Photo: Courtesy of Sara Blakely

With no design background or knowledge of how to start a business, Blakely began spending her nights and weekends doing research, going to fabric stores, assembling and testing prototypes, and even writing much of her own patent (she eventually gave a lawyer $750 of her $5,000 savings to hammer out some of the finer points). At first, she didnt tell anyone she knew what she was working on. No one told me to do this, but intuitively, I just felt I should keep my idea to myself and not seek validation from friends and family. By doing that, I didnt invite ego into the process early on. I didnt have to spend time defending or explaining my idea  I was just doing it, she says. I think that ideas are really vulnerable in their infancy.

Blakelys instincts turned out to be correct  her friends and family were, at best, doubtful of the Spanx concept. When I chose to tell everybody, I was a year into the process. And I did hear things that, if I had heard them the first day I had the idea, I may have just stopped and would probably still be selling fax machines today, she says. She remembers being asked, Sweetie, if its such a good idea, why hasnt somebody else done it? Others warned, Even if this is a good idea, youre gonna spend your savings on it and the big guys will just knock you off six months later and youll be done.

Blakely admits that she was rattled by the skepticism. I think anybody whos doing something or creating something has a lot of inner dialogue about it already. So, there were bouts of serious self-doubt and conversations that I would have with myself, like, Is this really a crazy idea? What am I doing? But, she explains, Because of all the time equity Id already put into it, I wasnt gonna turn back.

The response Blakely got from the people necessary to turn her idea into a reality wasnt encouraging, either. After learning that most of Americas hosiery is manufactured in North Carolina, she spent a week in the state cold-calling and showed up at factory doors hoping to find someone willing to produce a product based on her prototype. The mills were all owned and operated by men, and none seemed to understand Blakelys pitch.

It made me, as a consumer who had never thought about who was making my undergarments, abundantly clear on why they had been so uncomfortable, says Blakely, who was shocked to find that tights were tested on mannequins instead of living, breathing, sweat-producing, skin-and-fat-having women. It actually energized me even more. Because once I saw how little attention was being paid to how we felt in the garments, I kind of became a crusader in my desire to really show the industry that we could make things so much better for women with just a little bit of extra love and care and attention.

Early Spanx orders ready to be shipped out of Blakelys home Photo: Courtesy of Sara Blakely

But she still needed help getting to a place from which she could transform the industry  and she wasnt receiving it. At one point, feeling particularly frustrated by what seemed like endless rejection, Blakely says, I said to the universe, I just need a sign  give me a sign of whether Im supposed to continue this idea or not, because I was so at my wits end. Then, a couple of weeks later, I flipped on Oprah. She had cut the feet out of her pantyhose that day and lifted up her pant leg to show that she had done that to create a homemade version of my product! And I was like, not only is that the most clear sign ever, but it came from someone who meant so much to me in my life anyway. I had visualized that I was going to be on The Oprah Winfrey Show since I was in college, but I didnt know what wed be talking about. So it was just the whole, wide, full circle. Okay, the universe is speaking really clearly. Ive go to keep going.

A little while after her seemingly unsuccessful trip to North Carolina, Blakely received a call from the head of one of the manufacturers shed visited. He said hed be willing to produce a batch of what are now known as Spanx Original Footless Body-Shaping Pantyhose. He admitted to me that the only reason he did it was that he had three daughters, says Blakely. I dont know if he felt sorry for me, but he said he ran the idea by his daughters and they said, Dad, its a really interesting idea, you actually should give this girl a chance.

With the shapewear made and the distinctive red packaging designed, Blakely started looking for somewhere to sell her footless pantyhose. In 2000, she managed to find a Dallas-based Neiman Marcus buyer who agreed to a short meeting. She wasnt getting it at first, says Blakely, who sensed that she might be about to lose a major chance. So I stopped the meeting and asked her to come to the bathroom with me, and I showed her my own before and after in the white pants. Then she said, Oh, I get it! Its brilliant. Ill take it in seven stores. It wasnt until I did my own visual that I think it really clicked and registered for her.

Blakely says the buyers decision to put Spanx in a handful of Neiman Marcus stores was her nascent companys first defining moment. The second came a few months later, when Oprah Winfrey herself featured them  and Blakely  on her annual, mania-inducing Favorite Things episode. (One of Winfreys stylists passed a pair on to his boss after finding them in a box Blakely had sent in.) The Oprah spot led to 20,000 orders on the first day alone. It was very surreal, Blakely says. I finally got to fill in the blanks of what we were talking about. It was only then that she quit selling fax machines.

The next year, Blakely appeared on QVC with Spanxs second-ever product, the Power Panty. It was a shaper short that had no leg band on it, which no one had ever done before. We just sold so many of them on QVC, and we had women calling in who were giving testimonials because theyd already tried them at Bloomingdales and different stores. I just remember coming off the air and thinking, Oh my god, Im not a one-hit wonder, Im actually a company.

Asked if there was anyone to whom she ever felt the need to say I told you so, Blakely says, There were a lot of ex-boyfriends who dumped me, who I wanted to have my Pretty Woman moment with, to say, Big mistake, huge! But I think my success did that for me.
Call it dumb AF.

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This is ha ray of light era.....I can feel it

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what is this referencing?

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Madonna's Ray of Light album

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lmao

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lmao bye

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I know i need album LL3

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I've been listening to it for the last few day, never got why the title track's music video is so highly praised when it's just her in front of greenscreen

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I admire that she's a polyglot

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What the fuck even is it!?!?!? It's not even an english-speaking accent, which would at least make more sense .. but it's like a French person whose second language is English or something?



What a loon.

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I just posted the same thing! That's exactly it, like girl we know you've been speaking English your whole life what is this accent??

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i thought she was trying to sound like a russion person who is speaking english as a second language. honestly, it sounded like a mix of a bunch of english as a second language accents.

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she also sounds like she's asking a question after every few words, too. it's strange.

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tbh she sounds almost exactly like the majority of my greek family members who are esl or were raised by esl parents and are fluent in greek. my mother is also from greece, but for as long as i can remember she's never spoken with the upward inflection like my aunts and their children. the rest of her family is up north of us in canada and new york, and i think the upward inflection is more prominent around there.

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mte

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Lmao she can't speak French, u dumb hooker.

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Is there a reason to doubt her speaking french? in a lot of places -including my home country- learning multiple languages is just something you do. Intelligence isn't a factor.

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she lies. like a lot...



good for her if it's true but i can't tell anymore tbh.



Edited at 2016-11-02 04:15 pm (UTC)

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Not in america tho

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Yeah in the U.S ur lucky if you learn how to speak a language in HS at an elementary level.. and she obvs didn't go to university.. so NO she probably does not know french. I've been studying it for 6-7 years and still a little trouble so this heffa needa stop she can prob get by but is not fluent 

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lol NOT for people who speak english as their first language and don't have parents who are multi-lingual. Canadians, Americans, Australians, people from the UK/Ireland .. we don't learn multiple languages, unless maybe we have a parent whose ESL, etc. It just doesn't happen. In Canada you have a bunch of people who can spew basic French words, but that's it. In the US you're even less likely to know a second language if your 1st is English.

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It's not even just the accent or slightly affected way of speaking, she drops prepositions and articles as though English really is her second language or she's just now learning how to speak it. Learning new languages shouldn't suddenly impact the way she speaks English.

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Yeah, like she isn't even really speaking like she's picking up "true" pronunciations. She's mimicking people who speak languages other than English as a first language?

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lmaoooo

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ontd has a weird obsession with ppl changing accents tbh, the only other ppl ik who are so obsessed with this are ultra-nationalis immigrants who shame you for ~selling out/assimilating

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lol wat

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Your accent doesn't change with your native tongue

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Accents do change. Speech patterns and knowledge of your native language's grammar rules don't usually though.

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that is.... not true at all



I speak English. I grew up in Australia. I moved to the US a decade ago and my accent is totally Americanized per my family, though I personally don't notice it obviously and everyone here in the US thinks I sound like Crocodile Dundee still.

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me & other ppl with similar background must be geniuses then (which I'm ok with)

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lmao it does though. Call me privileged, but I've lived in 3 different countries and my accent goes to shit if I stay in a country for even a couple of months.

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People here act like an accent is carved into your dna.

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changing accents gets a bad rap in pop culture though. look at the well-known celebs who actually undergo accent changes because they lived in europe or whatever. they're folks like johnny depp and madonna, who are both super pretentious.

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time for us 2 have convos w her in russian, sis

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MFTE they just have a hate boner for her. This is so minimal for such attention yet here we are...

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But it's not her accent that's changed. Living in a different country with a different access wouldn't dilute her ability to speak English, which she's spoken for the first 30 years of her damn life. She's not just speaking with an accent here, she's speaking as if she doesn't completely know/understand English and that it's her second language or something. This isn't like Stephanie Pratt speaking with an English accent.

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Well as someone who speaks english, spanish, and is learning french.. i can guarantee that both the other languages are still in tact and havent affected the way i speak..

this has got to be the reach of year here. Try again..

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i'm sorely disappointed there has so far been no mention in this thread of :





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That's not how accents work.

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lmao omg bless ha soul

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her initiative to give energy drinks to refugees



Why isn't the UN doing this!? They could learn a thing or two from Lohan!

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Jesus, this is making me cringe. She reminds me of a white girl in High School who would pretend she came from Japan over the summer, and all of a sudden had a Japanese accent.

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So she didn't go to Japan over the summer?

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Not at all. That's what was so bizarre.

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yep, this is the real answer. its weird watching people like "you lose accents sometimes" or "idk she acts like its her second language"



no, she's mentally ill and has a drug addiction, and this is her delusional way of trying to be someone else/someone better. if she COULD actually speak another language (ofc she cant), she'd be doing that but of course she's putting it on.



Edited at 2016-11-02 05:41 pm (UTC)

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Yeah. Like, I know a lot of languages myself, worked hard at it, and I'm well aware that accents *can* shift if you spend enough time in another language or start living somewhere the accent/language pattern is different. It happens.



But that's not what's going on with Lilo. She's mentally ill and self-medicating with serious fucking chemicals.



I watched that and I could think was, "Girl, PLEASE do not get caught with hard drugs in Turkey. PLEASE."



She's so fucking ill, it's hard to watch her, at least for me. I feel like she was doomed from the start with that combo of awful parenting and child-stardom. Sane adults struggle to deal with fame and drug abuse. A kid who's known little else her whole life doesn't have many good examples to draw on.

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this shit again

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Lmao I got Starbucks yesterday and the cup was basically an after thought to. Idk why people care so much about their Holiday cup.



More importantly, they have egg nog now so I can overindulge in chai egg nog lattes from Nov-Dec!



God bless America 

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It's my seasonal Starbucks drink. It used to be a legit menu item, but now it's kind of a "secret menu" drink that only more seasoned baristas seem to know about.



If you order it and the barista is confused, specify it's a chai latte made with egg nog, and NOT an egg nog latte with chai syrup.

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I feel this way about most of their stuff, it's like dessert but I wouldn't have it after dinner because of the caffeine lol

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oh shit, I'm not ready for eggnog just yet. BUT I WILL BE

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oh my god it's eggnog latte season already!? :O Waiting for pumpkin spice to go by so I can get my eggnog is always agonizing.

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ah really?? I asked for an eggnog latte yday and they told me it's not available till Nov 10

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I've never tried an eggnog latte before and I can't wait

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I swear they changed the egg nog latte and it's not as good anymore :( When I discovered it a couple years ago, it was AMAZING. But then last year, and I think the year before, it was different, but I can't figure out how. It just doesn't taste the same to me anymore :(

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They just look for something to feel upset about so they can complain. *rolls eyes*



I've only ever had Starbucks once in my life. It was some kind of white mocha drink? It was nearly a decade ago so I don't remember. It was yummy. I wouldn't mind going again, but the nearest Starbucks is like an hour away and Sheetz is much closer and also good, so... *shrugs*

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chai egg nog lattes



ew that sounds vile

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The bigoted fuckwads are clearly the most in the wrong here.





but







Starbucks, can you fucking not?

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Mte its a fuckign cup

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I don't know if people actually care that much. The source has Twitter responses that sound like they're joking.

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Last year they were pressed because it was just red. Now they're mad because the cups aren't red? I wonder what it's like to live your life like this.

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This is actually not their holiday cup. This is another cup that they've brought out I guess due to the elections or something. I read a statement from the CEO. Their holiday cups will still be red.

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seriously, its a disposable cup ffs

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oh shit, this just reminded me I never tried their vampire drink :(

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We can still make it! Although we probably dont have the strawberry puree made anymore but we can still make it

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yes good. make me one now, Murdock.

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it's just okay.

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If you're in Europe: Order a Chocolate Cream Frappuccino with Strawberry Sauce in the cup & on top & you're good to go :)

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It was disgusting

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I adored it, to the point of obsession TBH. It is REALLY rich, which I don't mind. But I know a lot of people hate that

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People are offended over Happy New Year????????????

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It's the worst Holiday of the year.

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this is why i'm rly glad i do not work in retail anymore, tho i still have to see all the "keep the christ in christmas" signs around my republican ass town

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Lol at my boutique we decorate all the shopping bags ourselves and they usually say happy holidays with some little doodle of a snow covered tree or snowflakes. We do draw Christmas ones for the people who are like, "But I want to put the bag under the tree?!"

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the War on Christmas is my favorite war!



That's like my fave way to make fun of my gramps when he starts telling me facts about the Great War, because they still called it that when he was a kid.

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i always dread this time of year because it's a month and a half of a holiday i have never and probably won't ever celebrate being incessantly shoved in my face and down my throat

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I dread this time of year because I hate christmas and everything is encompasses...commercially and peoples entitlement over it.

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it's not that serious.



and the best part is these people who are so obsessed with Christmas but can't behave the way they should be behaving. not really the best Christmas spirit to be a crazy loon.

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People on a cup:



Conservatives: What kind of Liberal PC bullshit is this?!

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Lol I work for Starbucks and just wait and see until we release the red cups next week. They're red but they have coffee leaves/beans as the design. The white tears are going to keep coming! These cups were just suppose to send a positive message before we release the red ones but whatever, I've been working for the company for 9 years already. Just waiting for my 10th so I can get my plaque and bounce 

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#MAGA  first beyonce performing at the CMA's, now this?

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Congrats on 9 years!

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Thanks bb! I'm still amazed I have lasted this long. I've had another job in between but at this point I think after I graduate college, I'm gonna shoot for a corporate job in my major. It's definitely been a long road.

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I peeked.



Media orgs are writing articles about 5 twitter eggs yelling at a brand about a cup that isn't even the holiday cup smh I thought it was holly, but you're right, the leaves look more like a coffee plant! Anyway, yeah, the article has the picture of the actual holiday cups from an employeeMedia orgs are writing articles about 5 twitter eggs yelling at a brand about a cup that isn't even the holiday cup smh

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lmao i can't wait!!

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You weren't supposed to open the box until Nov 10!!!!!!!!!!

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I thought christians liked christmas because of jesus and stuff, what difference does a green or red cup from a coffee company makes to their christianity

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Jesus said in the bible that green was his least favorite color. You should read more, sis.

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lock ha up they're in the tank for Killary!lock ha up

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Keep fighting the good fight

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You're obviously a good American Christian, keep up the fight! #MAGA

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lmao trolls

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starbucks liberal trolling gives me life

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STOP DISRESPECTING MY RELIGION BY INCLUDING ALL OF THE LESSER RELIGIONS THIS TIME OF YEAR!!!!!!!!

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Yessssss

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omg that hashtag is excellentttt

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I've never been to Starbucks. I'm really curious tbh.

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I went to Starbucks for the first time when I traveled to the USA 15 years ago and became addicted to it. I missed it for years when I came back to my country, but it finally arrived a few years ago and I love it! Snobs here criticize it and say that if you like Starbucks, you don't like coffee, but I don't give a shit, I love their Frappuccinos!

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Coffee and beer snobs are the worst. But let's not act like Starbucks isn't legit. In my area they're cheaper than independent coffee shops and I'll always come back because of their stars rewards program.

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You don't go to Starbucks for the coffee. You go for the calorie laden lattes and fraps. I also like some of their baked goods.

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he's 32??????? why does he have a memoir??? it's like when miley and justin wrote memoirs like you're 2 why are you doing this

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Miley's was titled "Miles to go" and one of my frequent inner discussions is when I have to walk like two blocks and I'm like "ughhh I have miles to go" and then this little voice in my mind pops in like "...by miley cyrus" I hate it :(

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lmfaoooo

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Lmfaooo

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lmao horrible

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lmao

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Lmaoooo omg!!!

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usually I would agree but since he has personally experienced apartheid I think he has a lot more to speak about than Miley and Justin

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Memoirs are different from autobiographies though, they can focus on an experience rather than be about seone's whole life.

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But Trevor's life is actually interesting?

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32 is old enough to make a memoir if u havr something to say? Plus hes a celebrity

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,,,,

32 is a good age for people who usually do something with their lives...

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His memoir is a depiction of living in South Africa both under and after apartheid.



Wasn't allowed to play outside as a kid since his mother could be arrested for having a relationship with a white man.





that's not interesting to you???

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well this attempt at humor coupled with a desperate grab to be first comment backfired but i appreciate the effort

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his shows are a hit and miss, but mostly misses.

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hasan is so fucking hot and funny <333

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Hassan is hot

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don't forget ronnie chieng! he nailed it with the chinatown segment.

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and desai! so yeah, pretty much all of them

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I don't think i've ever seen his show, but I'm like 0% surprised at how liberals reacted to him.

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mte azula



i think there's still a general consensus that "liberalism" means being a white person who isn't a devout christian lol

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There was a little brouhaha over some old tweets of his when he was announced as the new Daily Show host: see here

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he's not funny. period.

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i like his show although I haven't watched as much. I find him really hot though.



Jon was Jon, but I think Trevor is decent. I really like Samantha bee and John Oliver too. I think they all do different types of political comedy.



He is so right about American racism.

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I do wish Jon had been more in the spotlight this election to troll trump. I don't think anyone can get under trumps thin skin like Jon can.

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I have to admit, I'm biased though--I can't resist a pretty face and a phat ass.











I love Trevor and the Daily Show is fine with him at the helm. Yeah, he's not Jon Stewart, but we were never going to get that, anyway.I have to admit, I'm biased though--I can't resist a pretty face and a phat ass.

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*heart eyes motha fucka*

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He clearly has practice sitting on things.



Wonder if he's hung.

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he can have an impotent micro-penis for all i care

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i want my face to live in there

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My dad keeps saying he likes John Oliver more and wishes he had taken the helm, and it's almost always after watching a Last Week Tonight episode like...... dad in what world is John Oliver not perfect where he is right now? And smh if you don't like Trevor by now get over it lol.

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wow <3

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Does he always do the brows furrowed/"who me?" face ala Bieber and Jayden Smith?

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lemme find out he got ass tho

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oh my

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lol I forgot one!

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He's dreamy

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Yeah I'd eat his delicious ass out.

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huh? Super confused that this post went through so quickly. I submitted another post a few hours ago and no word on that.

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Trevor's Daily Show has gotten a LOT better than when he started out. I don't tune in daily like I did with Jon, but I binge watch all 4 episodes on Friday @ work between calls.



Seriously miss The Nightly Show though

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I miss the nightly show too. I feel like Larry was finally hitting his stride. There were a couple episodes that grated on me though

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i find it funnier than colbert's new show

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Trevor's not that funny but I enjoy his show when I catch it. Shitty interviewer though.

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I actually really enjoy the show now, it's much better than in the beginning. Not surprised ppl have been completely racist assholes to him tho.

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Didn't some of that "liberal backlash" have to do with his shitty tweets?



Not saying that some people weren't racist bc I'm positive that some of them were but still.

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a huge part of that was also just different times. jon stewart's peak was 2003-2008, when there was little social media and just very different expectations with regard to diversity and awareness of race and gender. the daily show had all white male correspondents for years (and sam bee as the token woman). that would never fly today without criticism

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This is so true.



Look at the way people react to Anthony Mackie and Chris Evans. Both have said the exact same amount of dumb problematic shit yet any mention of Mackie gets reminders of that instantly and if someone mentions a white boy fave suddenly everyone else has to find the receipts for the original person who knew alllll about the black actor.



I dunno why I went on that spiel, just saying you're right about Trevor and Jon. It's no excuse, it's just funny how the white male celebs don't get the same kinda vitriol, a lot of times because of ~nostalgia~

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Tbf Jon was in play way before twitter & social media plus I've seen a lot of ppl be down on Jon after Wyatt said something.



I mean I get you & ia in general but I still think Trevor ain't shit

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THIS TO THE TENTH POWER

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Honestly I like it, not so funny sometimes but neither was Jon. I didn't get into to Jon until the last 1-2 years of his run same with Colbert, I would watch clips but never tune in like I do with Bee/Oliver/Colbert/Trevor and cancelled Wilmore.

aww his childhood I can't even imagine. :(

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I love him on the Daily Show, but some of that may be because I want him to fist my tight bussy.





There is most definitely going to be a break in the liberal/Democratic party and it's most definitely going to occur in Cali. The only proof of this I need is the fact we're the only state where two Dems are competing for a senate seat.

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all i know is he fine as fuck

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Thinks everyone lives in a bubble thanks to social media and that truth is only regarded as one of several opinions.



If this ain't the god-honest truth about stan/woke twitter lol

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Right now all over my twitter I'm getting my kicks from all the people with Gal Gadot or Scarlett Johansson in their icons calling Chloe Moretz a hypocrite every 2 seconds of every day lol.

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I been SAYIN this lmao.

All Facebook comments are the same

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He needs to make a sex tape. I'll pay for that (okay no I won't).

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Coal has gone from black sheep to red hot over the last month. With soaring prices prompting a sudden burst of optimism amongst miners globally.

Glencore, for instance, said this week it plans to reopen its Integra coal mine in southeastern Australia next year. Coming just days after the firm restarted output from its Collinsville mine in Queensland.

New supply coming online like this is a concern for prices. But an even bigger threat has emerged the last few days for this rallying market  in the worlds number-one coal consuming nation, China.

The South China Morning Post reported Monday that Chinese officials are worried about the recent strength in coal prices  with local costs for coal consumers having risen as much as 50% since the end of June.

And the Chinese government is asking producers to do something about it.

Coal mining companies across the country were reportedly called to an emergency meeting late last week by high-profile regulatory body the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). Where the Commission asked that they prevent any further rises in coal prices for the coming year.

Attendees at the meeting said that the NDRC asked producers to fix long-term 2017 prices at or below current spot levels. With the government citing concern about rapidly rising costs for residential energy users. Related: Saudi Aramcos Chief Sees Oil Rebounding In H1 2017

Such a move to cap prices would be a major dent in the current coal rally. Domestic supply in China would suddenly be very cheap on a global scale, likely discouraging imports of more-expensive foreign coal  and probably stunting further price appreciation.

The development also shows the turmoil in Chinas coal sector right now. With supply reeling after the government moved this past year to close small mines across the country.

That makes the outcome hard to predict here. On the one hand, high prices are needed to incentivize producers  yet the government seems unwilling to allow rates to move higher. Watch for the response from producers to the NDRC request, and the ensuing action in Chinese and global coal prices.

Heres to putting a lid on it.

By Dave Forest

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
BP and Royal Dutch Shell reported their latest financial figures for the third quarter and both companies showed some improvement, a sign that the oil markets are starting to find their footing.

A few days ago, some of the other oil majors released third quarter earnings, revealing the ongoing damage being done to the balance sheets of even the largest oil companies. But BP and Shell offered some reasons for optimism for the industry.

Shell said that its current cost of supplies  similar to net income  jumped to $1.4 billion, compared to a massive $6.1 billion loss in the same quarter in 2015. Much of that was due to some factors unique to Shell, namely, the integration of BG Group, which allowed the combined company to post higher oil and gas production under one roof. With the costs of acquisition increasingly behind Shell, the benefits are starting to be realized. Total liquids production for Shell climbed to 1.87 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in the third quarter due to the inclusion of BG, up from just 1.528 mb/d a year earlier. Additionally, Shell benefited from not having to write-down assets the way it did in 2015.

BPs replacement cost profit was $930 million, about half of what it was a year ago, but up 30 percent from the second quarter of 2016. As mentioned in a previous article, earnings took a hit this year because of lower refining margins, the one source of strength that the majors had been relying upon since the downturn began in 2014.

Both companies believe that things are turning a corner. BP said that it expects cash flow to improve by $2 billion to $4 billion in 2017 because of higher oil prices. The British oil giant also expects to see the full cumulative benefits of our cash cost reductions next year.

But there are some very worrying signs for Shell and BP, which are similar to the problems that the other oil majors face. Shells gearing  a ratio of net debt to total equity  jumped from 12.7 percent in the third quarter of 2015 to 29.2 percent by the end of September 2016. A higher gearing ratio is problematic because it points to a more indebted company that could have trouble paying back debt if market conditions remain poor, which also represents a threat to equity holders. BPs gearing ratio rose to 25.9 percent this past quarter, compared to 20.0 percent a year ago.

Since there is little to no chance of an issue with meeting debt payments, the likely casualty if oil prices remain low would be even deeper capex cuts, more layoffs, and deferred projects. After that, the next thing to be axed would be dividends. Related: Oil Tanks After API Reports Biggest Build To U.S. Crude Stocks Since March

Im always deeply suspicious about companies that are paying uncovered dividends and effectively paying today and not investing for tomorrow, which appears to be what is going on here, Charles Newsome, divisional director at Investec Wealth, told CNBC. We invest for the long-term. Thats what we look at, long-term quality businesses that are paying sustainable dividends. And clearly Royal Dutch isnt here; maybe less so BP. But overpaying dividends, I believe, is dangerous.

Jefferies Equities analyst Jason Gammel was more upbeat, citing Shells dramatic improvement in cash generation. Gammel said that with capex declining Shell has a lot more potential for cover on the dividend in 2017.

But much of that depends on oil prices continuing to rise. And on that front, the oil majors are not out of the woods yet. Despite their cost savings over the past two years, the companies cannot maintain such generous dividend payouts if oil prices fall much further than current levels. Related: Brazil To Boost Oil Output, Regardless Of OPECs Deal

Oil is facing a pretty significant downside risk should OPEC fail to come to an agreement at the end of the month. The inability of OPEC to make any discernable progress at its latest technical meeting in Vienna dimmed hopes of a substantial production cut deal, which has been hyped since the group met in Algiers a little more than a month ago.

The lack of progress on implementing production quotas and the growing discord between OPEC producers suggests a declining probability of reaching a deal on November 30, Goldman Sachs wrote in a note to clients on October 31. Goldman says that oil prices could plunged to the low-$40s per barrel if the OPEC deal falls apart.

That would erase the little bit of optimism that the top oil executives have exhibited in recent days, and it would call into question the sustainability of their dividend payments.

By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Rosneft and BP have finalized a joint venture for hydrocarbon exploration in northeastern and western Siberia that was signed in June this year. The company, named Yermak Neftegaz, is 51-percent owned by Rosneft and 49-percent by BP, and will focus on two so-called areas of mutual interest (AMIs) spanning 260,000 sq km.

BP will fund the venture with US$300 million to be paid in two tranches. Its official commitment to supply the money marked the finalization of the deal. Russian economic daily Kommersant noted in a June report of the JV plans that this was the minimum investment these projects would need, as estimated by Rosnefts head, Igor Sechin.

Rosnefts contribution will take the shape of exploration and production licenses and operational experience, as BP put it, in the two AMIs: West Siberia and the Yenisey-Khatanga basin in northeastern Siberia.

Work on the Yermak Neftegaz projects will begin this winter, with appraisal-well drilling at the Baikalovskiy field in the Yenisey-Khatanga basin. The joint venture will also carry out a seismic survey of another field, Zapadno-Yarudeyskoye in West Siberia, and will initiate geological exploration at two other license plots in West Siberia.

As UPI notes, BP has had mixed fortunes in Russia. The Britain-based company, which has been present in the country for over two decades, is the only foreign shareholder in Rosneft, with an almost 20-percent stake. It was also co-owner of TNK-BP, a joint venture with a consortium of local tycoons that was headed by BPs current CEO Bob Dudley.

The joint venture came to an end after a falling out between the partners, with Dudley fleeing the country in 2008, saying he was harassed. While the Russian partners of TNK-BP claimed Dudley was managing the company as a unit of BP, BP, for its part, expressed worry that those same Russian partners were getting uncomfortably influential in the company.

Eventually, BP sold its 50-percent TNK-BP holding to Rosneft in exchange for acquiring a stake in the state company.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
PART II of IV: How Guilt, Innocence & Facts Have Been Rendered Irrelevant

While covering the presidential campaigns of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton mainstream commentators and pundits have found to their mock surprise that facts just don't seem to matter. The candidates bob and weave and excoriate each other as unfit for the presidency. But neither has shown a genuine capacity for leadership or can explain exactly how they'll make the desperately needed course-correction Americans want, once they assume the White House in 2017. How could this have happened?

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1992 Paul Wolfowitz proposed a radical new national defense policy that rejected post-World War II collective internationalism in favor of a unilateral American dominance. Known forever after as the Wolfowitz Doctrine it would ultimately change the nature of America's relationship to the world by requiring that any and all of America's potential competitors either submit to America's will or have their countries invaded and their governments subverted and overthrown. The events of 9/11 enabled the U.S. to go to any lengths to enforce the plan, but the last fifteen years have been hard on "the dark force that orders the universe." Judging by the rise of ISIS, strategic failures in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Ukraine, the unravelling of the Post World War II NATO alliance and the fracturing of the European Union along nationalist lines, the rapid decline in America's Imperial power has become obvious to everyone. Even Zbigniew Brzezinski admits, the era of America's imperial expansion has ended and the time has come for a realistic realignment of U.S. goals and objectives. Yet, despite this overwhelming evidence that times have changed, the American government and its policy makers in Washington continue to steer a self-destructive course toward a nuclear confrontation with the Russians and Chinese.

In this twilight world where the traditional weapons of American power projection no longer guarantee the expected results, guilt and innocence and even facts have become irrelevant. By openly embracing the imperial agenda of the Wolfowitz Doctrine the U.S. left the realm of science and empiricism and entered an imperial realm populated by those who can neither be understood nor reasoned with outside the confines of their own internally consistent logic. It is a strange and shadowy world where reality is made by those in power and those in power can no longer tell the truth from their own fictions.

From its inception during World War II, America's military/intelligence apparatus has acted more as a cult drawn from America's ruling elite than a bureaucracy dedicated to the nation's security. It was said of America's first spy agency the OSS that its initials stood for Oh-So-Social because of its abundant staffing with New York's high society blue bloods. Victor Marchetti and John D. Marks even titled their 1974 book on their life in the CIA and Foreign Service as The CIA and the Cult of Intelligence.

But over the last forty years and especially since the events of 9/11, that "Cult," and its sister organizations in the military/intelligence community have emerged from behind the curtain to become a ubiquitous and forbidding presence.

In effect, Marchetti and Marks's cult of intelligence has grown to become the dominant American "Culture." But what that culture really is and where it's leading us remains a frightening proposition that each and every American needs to understand.

After 9/11 "national security" came to pervade all aspects of American life from the grocery store to academia to hotel check-ins to religion. This total militarization of American society helped to polarize the political process, obsolete diplomacy as a tool of American interests overseas and slowly and inexorably change the way Americans think about their country.

Although tapering off slightly from its early popularity, the celebration of mass murder in such games as Call of Duty after 15 years of budget-busting real war is a cruel reminder of the Orwellian illogic of life on the other side of the mirror. But the deeper and more disturbing problem now surfacing is that real war and the imagined war played out on the video screens of America's youth appear to have merged into one stark unreality as they bring the real war home.

Apart from the moral implications, the future of society and the very nature of who we are as human beings have been fundamentally altered by such technology. Recent studies indicate that heavy gaming may impact the integrity of the brain's hippocampus "which is associated with an increased risk of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease."

The altered states of awareness traditionally offered by drugs and mysticism, religion and meditation have been replaced by technology of all kinds and through technology real war and fantasy war have exchanged places. The tyranny of illogical thinking evidenced by the U.S. in its War on Terror can be traced most recently to the Cold War where it became necessary to throw out the burden of proof and invert the rules of logic in order to defeat Communism.

Our personal experience with this illogic came in 1982. In response to our PBS documentary on Afghanistan, Afghanistan Between Three Worlds we were informed by Major Karen McKay, a spokesperson for the right-wing Washington-based propaganda outfit Committee for a Free Afghanistan, that getting proof of Soviet guilt in Afghanistan wasn't necessary simply because "we know they're guilty."

Such faith-based assumptions were more the realm of medieval theologians than rational analysts and the late Senator J. William Fulbright said so in his 1972 New Yorker article titled, Reflections: In Thrall To Fear.

"The truly remarkable thing about this Cold War psychology," he wrote, "is the totally illogical transfer of the burden of proof from those who make charges to those who question them" The Cold Warriors, instead of having to say how they knew that Vietnam was part of a plan for the Communization of the world, so manipulated the terms of public discussion as to be able to demand that the skeptics prove that it was not."

Fulbright realized that "Rational men could not deal with each other on this basis," and arrive at anything resembling "truth." But this understanding quickly evaporated as the Vietnam era ended and the U.S. drifted into a realm governed by irrational men who believed their own illogic superseded the inconvenient facts and figures surrounding their failures. Guided by old ideologues who'd helped to create the Cold War like Paul Nitze, Leo Cherne, William Casey and General Danny Graham and leading neoconservatives like Richard Perle, Harvard professor Richard Pipes and Paul Wolfowitz, their group known as Team B guided the restructuring of American military policy towards the Soviet Union not on the basis of fact or proof, but only on what their biased minds could imagine. Team B set about to psychologically reverse the impact the Cold War and especially Vietnam had on Washington's ruling elites by accusing the CIA's analysts of "Mirror imaging," their own intentions as President Kennedy's science advisor Jerome Wiesner had claimed back in the 1960s. Only this time (in a further twist of Wiesner's logic) Team B claimed the mirror image was of American weakness and not strength reflected in the mirror of the Soviets' steely eyes.

At the time the idea that the Soviet Union could or should be judged solely based on an ideological perspective was rejected by Washington's more rational elite. "I would say that all of it was fantasy," said Anne Hessing Cahn who worked on the staff of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency from 1982 to 1988. "They looked at radars out in Krasnoyarsk and said 'this is a laser beam weapon' when in fact it was nothing of the sort" And if you go through most of Team B's specific allegations about weapons systems and you examine them one by one, they were all wrong" I don't believe anything in Team B was really true."

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From The Hill

Next Wednesday the world will turn its attention to the transition that will bring the peaceful transfer of power to a new president and Congress after a hard and bitter campaign in a deeply divided nation.

If Hillary Clinton is elected president, the transition will provide a golden opportunity for her to reach out to supporters of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, who have legitimate economic anxieties and grievances, and to members of both parties in a Congress, which suffers from disapproval ratings even higher than Clinton's.

Clinton should focus her closing campaign message, transition and first 100 days in office on achieving the dramatic enactment of major plans to create millions of new high-paying American jobs, achieve a higher minimum wage for workers, advance pay equity for women, and reduce income inequality with sufficient bipartisan support to achieve passage in Congress.

First, the plan to rebuild America's schools, roads, bridges, ports, airports, rail and other parts of America's decaying infrastructure would give a significant boost to the national economy by creating millions of high-wage American jobs. This has long been supported by big business, small business, organized labor and a majority of Democrats and Republicans in Congress.

In her outreach to the nation, Clinton would emphasize that the jobs created by rebuilding America, and the economic gains to America as a whole, would benefit supporters of Trump and Sanders as much as supporters of her.

Second, it would be fitting if the first female president would make equal pay for women an early priority of her presidency. As her beachhead for bipartisanship, beginning with pay equity, Clinton could promptly meet with, and build a special relationship with, the bipartisan group of female senators who provide a model for how elected officials can work together to get things done with mutual respect and collaboration.

When Clinton served in the Senate, she was a member of this group of female senators and has personal relations with many of them that cross party lines. In her outreach to Trump and Sanders supporters, a president-elect Clinton should emphasize that equal pay benefits women who supported them as much as women who supported her, and ask for their support.

Third, a president-elect Clinton should seek a personal audience with Pope Francis, the most revered public figure in the world, and meet with religious leaders of all American faiths and denominations. They would seek common ground to help the poor, heal the nation and elevate the tone of our political discourse.

Fourth, a president-elect Clinton could meet with House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to seek common ground to include the kind of creative conservative initiatives to help the poor and middle class pioneered by the late and great Republican Congressman Jack Kemp.

Fifth, for her nominee as Treasury secretary, Clinton could follow the excellent model of President Bill Clinton, who chose then-Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (D-Texas) to be his first Treasury secretary, which paved the way for the major economic success of his presidency.

Two possibilities for a Clinton Treasury secretary would be current Secretary of State John Kerry or former Sen. Bill Bradley (D-N.J.), to serve for at least the first two years of a Hillary Clinton presidency. They both possess presidential stature, extensive knowledge of domestic and global economics and finance, and would avoid potentially divisive controversies with progressives that other potential nominees could bring.

Whether Trump or Clinton is elected, the worst case for America -- which is the most likely outcome today -- would be continued gridlock, government dysfunction and endless partisan wars in Washington that would create even more public disgust toward business as usual in the capital.

If Hillary Clinton is elected, there is a better way, with historical precedent. When Bill Clinton was president, even at times of partisan conflict, he worked with political opponents, including then-Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), to cement his legacy and bring prosperity to the nation.
See original here

Former Democratic presidential candidate elevates stance against project as president says Army Corps considering pipeline "reroute"

By Jon Queally, staff writer

While President Barack Obama said his administration is willing to let "things play out" for a few more weeks when it comes to the escalating effort by Native American tribes to stop a pipeline in North Dakota, Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) offered a distinctly more urgent response on Tuesday by saying "Damn right" the project should be stopped immediately.

Though Sanders has made his opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) known for months, he reiterated his opposition during a campaign rally on behalf of Hillary Clinton at Plymouth State University on Tuesday.

"Stop the Dakota pipeline!" someone yelled from the crowd during the speech, to which Sanders quickly responded: "Damn right." He then added: "That is one of the issues, but there are many others."

Watch:

Sanders' strong stance against DAPL -- which has become a rallying point for native tribes and climate campaigners -- is sharpening the contrast offered by other Democratic leaders -- most notably Obama and Clinton.

Following escalating and violent tactics by police against pipeline opponents, who refer to themselves as "water protectors," Obama told Now This News in a Tuesday interview that while there is an "obligation for authorities to show restraint" against those trying to block the construction, he was willing to let events "play out for several more weeks."

With construction ongoing, however, tribal members have expressed serious concerns that in several more weeks the project would already be beyond the point of no return.

Obama did not say if or how he was willing to intervene further, but did indicate the Army Corps of Engineers, which controls easement rights where the pipeline would go beneath the Missouri River, is currently thinking about how the path could be "rerouted" in a way that would alleviate the concerns of the Standing Rock Sioux and other downstream residents.

"We're monitoring this closely," Obama said. "My view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans. And I think that right now the Army Corps is examining whether there are ways to reroute this pipeline."

The issue that remains, he added, is "whether or not this can be resolved in a way that I think is properly attentive to the traditions of First Americans." But when asked about the "shocking footage" showing abusive treatment of water protectors, Obama called it a "challenging situation" and said both sides have an obligation to refrain "from situations that might result in people getting hurt."

Watch here.

In response, Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Dave Archambault II, applauded Obama's remarks. "We applaud President Obama's commitment to protect our sacred lands, our water and the water of 17 million others," Archambault said.

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Thinking about the future.

(Image by Tyrone Daryl) Details DMCA



I think, for the sake of our youth, someone other than the two major candidates needs to be America's next president. Even if it's too late.

The things that have been said about Clinton and Trump, the memes that have been shared, the jokes that have been abused, are too cruel. At this point, if either one of them wins our children will have seen that winner - the next president - abused and represented in unprecedented ways.

Everyone will then have to define for themselves what that means about who we are. What that means about leadership and about America's leader. This can be done in a healthy way, even if Clinton or Trump win, but it won't be easy. And it's unlikely that we'll choose healthy, anyway.

If one of the third party candidates becomes the next president it will be easier to teach ourselves and our children valuable and healthy lessons about leadership, about ourselves, and about America. Honestly, I think it's easier to find a healthy answer to "Who's that?" when our kids and students ask about the new president than "Isn't that the one that's supposed to be locked up?" or "That's the guy that grabs vaginas, right?"

Policy matters. It does. But the message matters most. We tend to insist on policies that match the messages we have been taught or awakened to believe. We must focus on the message we're sending.

Full disclosure, I can't vote. I'm not American. So my thoughts are honestly an outsider's thoughts (albeit an outsider who has learned to love a lot of things about this country she now lives in). And of course, because I am me, my thoughts are slanted toward a parenting perspective. But the youth are the future. They are brilliant and creative and actively deciding who they are and what they want to become. They are our most valuable asset. It only makes sense to consider them most.

The message matters. We will weave reasons for how and why we choose our leadership based on who becomes the next leader. And if the next leader has been exposed as dangerous scum (whether warranted or not), well, the reasons we come up with for why they are the leader are more likely going to be dangerous, too.

I know it's likely too late. But I don't think we should let it be. It matters too much.

However, if the next president is either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, I invite all of us to work our best to create an emotionally healthy, forward thinking, connection oriented, respectful and encouraging message. It can be done, I'm completely confident that it can be done if we insist on it.

I'm exhausted and bruised from all the cruelty. My sons are, too. But it's them I worry about most because they are still deeply in that building themselves and their understanding of the world phase. Teens and young adults. Our youth needs us to step up right now.

Please, let's step up.
From The Guardian

Despite what they say, suffrage isn't universal. If you're privileged enough to be able to vote, don't waste the opportunity that not everyone is afforded

In an era of increasing dissatisfaction with and disengagement from governments, political parties, and much of the rest of the democratic establishment, it's more important than ever that you show up and vote.

Suffrage is not a right afforded to everyone. Rather, voting is a privilege in the United States -- and a hard-earned privilege at that.

At the beginning of the Republic, only those white men with land were allowed a hand in electing our leaders and lawmakers. Later, under President Andrew Jackson, that decision-making power was extended to most white men. After a lengthy civil war -- shedding a staggering amount of blood and treasure -- successive amendments to the US constitution granting broader voting rights followed. Women, at this time, were entirely disregarded -- until the 19th amendment passed in 1920.

Although some people of color were allowed to vote, many still faced disenfranchisement prior to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. With the recent gutting of that Act by the supreme court, the systematic disenfranchisement of people of color is alive and well today.

Progress on suffrage has always tended to be incremental. And, far from being a closed chapter in our history, the fight to keep things moving forward continues to this day.

For every thousand people living in the US, seven are incarcerated. That population consists disproportionately of black and brown people, whether accused and convicted of crimes or held by immigration authorities.

Even when the incarcerated leave prison, they often return to our communities without the ability to vote. That means the people most affected by our political institutions and processes today often have absolutely have no say in how they are run. This group includes me. In Maryland, my state of residence, for instance, I will not be able vote until the year 2045.

Disenfranchisement and legal exclusion -- whether by race, gender, class, immigration status, or otherwise -- from our democratic institutions is one of the most significant failures of American society today.

One of the most contentious general elections in modern US history is in front of us. Next Tuesday, if, instead of making your way to the booth, you decide to go shopping, out for lunch or dinner, stay at home, play a video game, or whatever, just remember that many of us cannot vote but would dearly like to.

While universal suffrage remains an ideal yet to be attained, if you're lucky enough to be able to vote, don't let that privilege go to waste.
"The people have the power, all we have to do is awaken that power in the people. The people are unaware. They're not educated to realize that they have power. The system is so geared that everyone believes the government will fix everything. We are the government."--John Lennon

How do you balance the scales of justice at a time when Americans are being tasered, tear-gassed, pepper-sprayed, hit with batons, shot with rubber bullets and real bullets, blasted with sound cannons, detained in cages and kennels, sicced by police dogs, arrested and jailed for challenging the government's excesses, abuses and power-grabs?

Politics won't fix a system that is broken beyond repair.

No matter who sits in the White House, the shadow government will continue to call the shots behind the scenes.

Relying on the courts to restore justice seems futile.

Indeed, with every ruling handed down, it becomes more apparent that we live in an age of hollow justice, with government courts, largely lacking in vision and scope, rendering narrow rulings focused on the letter of the law. This is true at all levels of the judiciary, but especially so in the highest court of the land, the U.S. Supreme Court, which is seemingly more concerned with establishing order and protecting government agents than with upholding the rights enshrined in the Constitution.

Even so, justice matters.

It matters whether you're a rancher protesting a federal land-grab by the Bureau of Land Management, a Native American protesting an oil pipeline that will endanger sacred sites and pollute water supplies, or an African-American taking to the streets to protest yet another police shooting of an unarmed citizen.

Unfortunately, protests and populist movements haven't done much to push back against an authoritarian regime that is deaf to our cries, dumb to our troubles, blind to our needs, and accountable to no one.

It doesn't matter who the activists are (environmentalists, peaceniks, Native Americans, Black Lives Matter, Occupy, or the Bundys and their followers) or what the source of the discontent is (endless wars abroad, police shootings, contaminated drinking water, government land-grabs), the government's modus operandi has remained the same: shut down the protests using all means available, prosecute First Amendment activities to the fullest extent of the law, and discourage any future civil uprisings by criminalizing expressive activities, labelling dissidents as extremists or terrorists, and conducting widespread surveillance on the general populace in order to put down any whispers of resistance before it can take root.

Thus, if there is any means left to us for thwarting the government in its relentless march towards outright dictatorship, it may rest with the power of juries and local governments to invalidate governmental laws, tactics and policies that are illegitimate, egregious or blatantly unconstitutional.

Just recently, in fact, an Oregon jury rejected the government's attempts to prosecute seven activists who staged a six-week, armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

In finding the defendants not guilty--of conspiracy to impede federal officers, of possession of firearms in a federal facility, and of stealing a government-owned truck--the jury sent its own message to the government and those following the case: justice matters.

Many other equally sincere activists with eloquent lawyers and ardent supporters have gone to jail for lesser offenses than those committed at the Malheur Refuge, so what made the difference here?

The jury made all the difference.

These seven Oregon protesters were found not guilty because a jury of their peers recognized the sincerity of their convictions, sympathized with the complaints against an overreaching government, and balanced the scales of justice using the only tools available to them: common sense, compassion and the power of the jury box.

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Introduction

Islam has laid the stones for equity-based society. This became possible when the holy Prophet PBUH declared; nobody is superior to others. All are born equal. Rationally, it was the result of Islamic teachings that the savage nomadic of Arabia became the champion of morality and succeeded in introducing a true welfare-state system where the AMIR was likely to be litigated by everyone who considered his basic rights at stake.

A state where the governors are annually being trialed at the eve of HAJ is a hallmark of an equity-based society. Plausibly, if a balanced, stable and socially justified society is required, the teachings of holy prophet PBUH, the foremost important source of guidance in Islam, are to be enforced.

In the essay, I have explained under the definition aspect, the social justice, the relevant features, the importance and the significant domains that discover the preservation of social justice in a particular culture. Subsequently, I have sought the sayings and teachings of the Holy Prophet PBUH that guides towards how to be socially justified and its subsequent fruits.

In the following part, I have investigated those spectrum that endorse the relevance of social justice for a community. Given the contemporary scenario regarding social justice, I have made plausible rationales and arguments on that unfortunately the Pakistani society in true sense lacks in the implementation of social justice. For the sake of averting these malpractices regarding injustice, brief suggestions have been made in the conclusion.

Definition Aspect of Social Justice

The central theme of the essay can be understood if the definition aspect of social justice will all its pros and cons is scrutinized. Accordingly, social justice consists of two words. Social means connectivity and relations with the fellow human beings. Justice means to respect the moralities and values in the people-to-people relation.

All societies consist of various individuals, differing from each other in social, economic and political entity. Under the said difference, the interaction of individual forms societal norms and makes cultural dealings. According to a source, "Allah, the Al-wise, has created all his creatures with differences when none of them had existed beforehand or had any claim or right. Allah SWT has established a system of life cycle with cause and affect and set a particular line of action for every creature." [1]

Thus, human with different social backgrounds strive to enhance their importance within the society. Each individual, enhancing social worth, influences other's heart and mind and coerces him to react accordingly. In this practice, the survival becomes the most significant objectives that individuals at all level assert to maintain. Peter agrees, "The basic problem to any society is to provide for survival and reproductive needs of its members." [2]

In the competition of survival, the dominant class attempts to maintain its supremacy through certain methods and schemes whereas the dominated working class strives to avoid from being exploited and also makes utmost efforts to seek a life, full of honor. In this competitive trend for respective objectives, the social justice by certain intellectuals is considered pertinent in the survival of a society. Therefore, in accordance with a report published by United Nations Organization, "The social justice emerged as an expression of protest against what was perceived as the capitalist exploitation of labor." [3]

The report also ascertains that social justice is faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the rights of men and women. The most important contribution made in this report is the demarcation of domains that determine the social justice being observed. Accordingly, the social justice ascertains mainly three domains; equity of rights, equity of opportunities and equity of living conditions.

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From Consortium News



Russian President Vladimir Putin, following his address to the UN General Assembly on Sept. 28, 2015.

(Image by (UN Photo)) Details DMCA



One trick of the original McCarthyism from the Old Cold War was to take some innocuous or accurate comment from a leader in Moscow -- saying something like "poverty is a cruel side of capitalism" or "racism persists in the U.S." -- and to claim that some American reformer who says much the same thing must be a Kremlin tool.

Now, in the New Cold War, we are seeing a similar trend in the way some Democrats and the mainstream U.S. media are citing accurate assessments from Russian President Vladimir Putin and claiming that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is somehow in league with Putin for observing the same realities.

A case in point is Tuesday's editorial in The Washington Post, entitled "The Putin-Trump worldview" (in print) and "Trump and Putin share a frightening worldview" (online). The editorial quotes Putin as "observing that Mr. Trump 'represents the interests of the sizable part of American society that is tired of the elites that have been in power for decades now ... and does not like to see power handed down by inheritance.'"

The Post's editorial writers then snidely note that "Mr. Putin and Mr. Trump have an uncanny way of echoing each other's words."

But that is a classic example of McCarthyistic sophistry. Just because some demonized figure like Putin says something that is undeniably true and an American sees the same facts doesn't make that American a "Putin puppet" or a "Moscow stooge" or any of the other ugly names now being hurled at people who won't join in today's trendy Russia bashing and guilt by association.

Putin is not wrong that many of Trump's supporters -- along with many Americans who backed Sen. Bernie Sanders -- are "tired of the elites" that have behaved arrogantly and stupidly for decades. Many Americans also don't believe that a family's name should decide who becomes the leader of the United States, whether that be the Bushes or the Clintons.

Indeed, what Putin is saying amounts to almost a truism, yet here is The Washington Post not only suggesting that because Putin is saying something that it must be false but then smearing Trump (or anyone else) who detects the same reality.

Double Standards

The same Post editorial also goes to great lengths to reject any comparisons between the Russian and Syrian government airstrikes on the Syrian neighborhoods of east Aleppo -- to root out Al Qaeda-connected jihadists and their supposedly "moderate" rebel allies -- and U.S. and Iraqi government airstrikes on the Iraqi city of Mosul under the control of Al Qaeda's spinoff group, the Islamic State.



U.S.-backed Syrian 'moderate' rebels smile as they prepare to behead a 12-year-old boy (left), whose severed head is held aloft triumphantly in a later part of the video.

(Image by [Screenshot from the YouTube video]) Details DMCA



Insisting that the two similar operations are nothing alike, the Post's editors white-out the central role of Al Qaeda in commanding the rebel forces in east Aleppo. While ignoring Al Qaeda's dominance of those neighborhoods and its terror rocket attacks on civilian areas of west Aleppo, the Post only says, "the rebel forces in Aleppo include Western-backed secular groups who seek only to overturn the blood-drenched Assad regime."

Note the Post's characterization that rebel forces "include Western-backed secular groups" rather than an honest admission that those supposedly "secular groups" have served mostly as cut-outs in diverting sophisticated U.S. military weapons, such as TOW missiles, to the jihadist cause, a reality recognized by U.S. military advisers on the ground. [See Consortiumnews.com's "How the US Armed-up Syrian Jihadists."]

Many of these supposedly "secular groups" have openly allied themselves with Al Qaeda's recently rebranded Nusra Front (now called the Syria Conquest Front). This so-called "marbling" of the "moderates" in with the jihadists was one of the sticking points in the failed limited cease-fire in which the Post's beloved "secular groups" rebuffed Secretary of State John Kerry's plea that they separate themselves from Al Qaeda.

An intellectually honest newspaper would have at least admitted some of these inconvenient truths, but that is not the modern-day Washington Post with its own "blood-drenched" editors who played a crucial role in rallying support behind President George W. Bush's 2003 invasion of Iraq under false pretenses.

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The election fever is here and a lot of debate is happening. The media attention showered on Trump is way beyond the narcissism-boost he would've anticipated. Acknowledging that the election is not just about the presidential candidates, and building upon stuff that has been said about them, let's get straight to 10 good things that came out of Trump.

Exposed the Republican party's ideological vacuum: The GOP has come far from being Lincoln's party to now having primaries with little substance and any meaningful discussion on the economy, healthcare, etc. Trump simply capitalized on this emptiness while Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz thought that the best strategy to win candidacy was to stop him. Should there have been a more substantive candidate or culture of discourse, would Trump have any place?

Explored the real message of today's GOP: Think of Trump as the outsider seeking attention and power with few ideas and much aggression. Where could he be best accepted? The Muslim-bashing didn't start with Trump. Two wars, prison tortures and the Patriot Act were all legacies he built on. Subtle racism, wealthy tax-cuts and denying police brutality are his amplification of already-existing ideas. His departure from the GOP shouldn't just give relief, but also awareness on the foundations he built his campaign on.

Created necessary cognitive dissonance for the average Republican: Everyday Republicans are not hate-mongers, racist or anti-immigrant nor are they opposed to meaningful change. However, they are protected from the effects of their party's corporate policies and prejudices through conservative huddles, in-group conformity and identifying a common political opponent. If an externally calmer candidate with similar policies would not have made one uneasy, then a more aggressive, mean Trump was necessary to ruffle some feathers. Hopefully, this self-introspection for the grassroots right-winger will go beyond Trump.

Shocked even the haters: Americans have diverse feelings towards minorities. Even if the average person's uneasiness towards some groups was 5 out of 10, Trump's hate expressions bumped it up to 8-9 leaving many simpler, sub-conscious, unintentional haters to question their own feelings. Many neutral Americans who may have had curious anger towards Muslims or blacks may now be wondering if they need to go so far. Love can heal hate, but sometimes observing more hate can heal one's hate too.

United decent people together: People of diverse backgrounds, global leaders in politics, religion, etc., came together in opposition to Trump's campaign acknowledging common-sensical ideas, our shared values and commitment to mutual respect and dignity. This may have otherwise only been assumed and dormant. The social consciousness that Trump raised in his opponents was one of the biggest positives of his campaign.

Exposed the political crises in Washington: Americans in general are tired of corporate-politics, abusive foreign-policy positions and absence of meaningful reform in education funding, healthcare and economy. Despite Obama's enthusiasm, people on the left sense a compromise of genuine liberalism by Democratic politicians while right-wing folks have their own view of regression and both are tired of partisan deadlocks. As much as it hurts to put Trump in the same bowl as Bernie Sanders, the crises that they both capitalized on are not to be ignored.

Can motivate anyone to believe in anything: Humanity always has an innocent hope even in the face of repeated failures. Whether it is an authentic Sanders or a loud, pointless Trump, people want to believe in radical, new ideas, in different ways. They are saying that the grass may or may not be green on the side they are rooting for, but it certainly is not green where they are now and they want to move on.

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HBO documentary Hacking Democracy. hackingdemocracy.com

(Image by hackingdemocracy.com) Details DMCA



Based on information released by BlackBoxVoting.org on October 31, 2016.

Yes, we know that the "deep state" - the un-elected oligarchs who control the planet - also falsify elections. We now know how they are doing it. New research from Bev Harris of Black Box Voting reveals that "fractionalized-voting programs" made by the GEMS program currently programmed into election computers in the following 27 states: Alaska, Connecticut, Georgia, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Utah and Vermont, and for counties in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. and delivered to one centralized computer delivers a pre-programmed percentage of votes to the selected candidates on the ballots, district by district. Naturally it produces fractions of humans, so it then eliminates the fraction to cover its tracks. It is nationwide. It is done by percentages - as observed and reported by poll workers nationwide in the Democratic primary and by presidential candidate Rocky de la Funte as reported to RT. Below is a video link showing how the program works - and proving that American elections are a sick joke. The only possible remedy is for all electronic voting machines to be trashed immediately, and all ballots nationwide to be cast by handwritten paper ballot and counted by hand with representatives from all candidates present to witness the vote count. Failing that, the US will be proven to be so hopeless and corrupt a nation that it is no longer deserving of global respect as the "land of the free" - and there is no longer any point to living inside its borders. In other words, move to Iceland.

Here is the proof:

Fraction Magic - Black Box Voting.Org blackboxvoting.org/fraction-magic-video/

Bev Harris explained the process on Alex Jones program. Yes, I know, Alex Jones has highly questionable connections. OEN will not link to any Jones site, but you can go there yourself if you want to hear Bev Harris summarize how the process works. It is also on youtube.

for more, go to blackboxvoting.org/

CORRECTION: According to Brad Friedman of the Brad Blog and others, and contrary to assertions that appear on multiple websites, George Soros "does not have and has never had any ownership stake in Smartmatic" or any other voting machine company to our knowledge. Why Mr. Soros has been accused of involvement in election theft is anybody's guess, but he is often under attack by conservative websites. The Smartmatic link is here:

http://www.smartmatic.com/case-studies/article/facts-about-smartmatic/

(Article changed on November 2, 2016 at 05:33)

(Article changed on November 2, 2016 at 05:58)

(Article changed on November 3, 2016 at 06:30)
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Money Is Not Safe In The Big Banks Most people think that money is safe in the big banks because the FDIC will protect the deposits. This assumption is not based on the facts. This video will show official government documents that describe the plans for confiscating deposits when, (not if) a big bank fails. Individual, as well as public funds from municipal, university, county deposits are at serious risk. YOUR taxpayer money will disappear in the next crisis! Friday, August 23, 2013Most people think that money is safe in the big banks because the FDIC will protect the deposits. This assumption is not based on the facts. This video will show official government documents that describe the plans for confiscating deposits when, (not if) a big bank fails. Individual, as well as public funds from municipal, university, county deposits are at serious risk. YOUR taxpayer money will disappear in the next crisis!

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How Many Warnings Do You Need? So you think your money is safe? Let's examine why that assumption could cost you all or part of your savings. The MF Global losses, the Cyprus confiscations, the Sentinel case, the FDIC/BOE Joint Paper, the plans in the European Union, Canada, New Zealand, and Spain to raid private accounts, and finally the information in this article should be raising all sorts of red flags. Sunday, June 30, 2013So you think your money is safe? Let's examine why that assumption could cost you all or part of your savings. The MF Global losses, the Cyprus confiscations, the Sentinel case, the FDIC/BOE Joint Paper, the plans in the European Union, Canada, New Zealand, and Spain to raid private accounts, and finally the information in this article should be raising all sorts of red flags.

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Media Supression of the Marches Against Monsanto Over 2 million people participated in the Marches Against Monsanto in 436 cities across the globe. Yet television coverage by the corporate media was nearly non-existent. Since most people depend on television for their news, as far as they are concerned, these events never happened. Thursday, May 30, 2013Over 2 million people participated in the Marches Against Monsanto in 436 cities across the globe. Yet television coverage by the corporate media was nearly non-existent. Since most people depend on television for their news, as far as they are concerned, these events never happened.

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Video of March Against Monsanto - Philadelphia The March Against Monsanto was held in hundreds of cities around the world. Here is a video showing the highlights of the one in Philadelphia. Monday, May 27, 2013The March Against Monsanto was held in hundreds of cities around the world. Here is a video showing the highlights of the one in Philadelphia.

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The Trillion Dollar Coin: What You Really Need to Know Think about this: if you had the LEGAL right to print your own money would you: 1. print your own money to pay your bills? 2. borrow money at interest from the private banks to pay your bills? Of course any sane person would print their own money. Here we have the unimaginable stupidity of a government with the ability to print its own interest and debt free money, yet instead chooses to borrow that money at interest. Tuesday, January 22, 2013Think about this: if you had the LEGAL right to print your own money would you: 1. print your own money to pay your bills? 2. borrow money at interest from the private banks to pay your bills? Of course any sane person would print their own money. Here we have the unimaginable stupidity of a government with the ability to print its own interest and debt free money, yet instead chooses to borrow that money at interest.

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A Thief Lurks in the Shadows: Stealth of the Trans Pacific Partnership There is a GLOBAL corporate coup that is getting to take place where the transnational corporations will usurp sovereign power from governments. This is not hyberbole, if the TPP agreement passes into law, it will give corporations full control of governments and encase this control in international law subject to external corporate run courts. This is so bizarre, that I could not make up what is really happening. Sunday, September 2, 2012There is a GLOBAL corporate coup that is getting to take place where the transnational corporations will usurp sovereign power from governments. This is not hyberbole, if the TPP agreement passes into law, it will give corporations full control of governments and encase this control in international law subject to external corporate run courts. This is so bizarre, that I could not make up what is really happening.

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If you Like NAFTA, You'll Love TPP The TPP represents a confluence of forces that has the potential to solidify a shift towards total global corporate control and to encase it in international law. Governments will merely be the tools of our corporations and will serve to provide a degree of separation between us and the masses when the inevitable police response will be needed to enforce this agreement. Saturday, August 25, 2012The TPP represents a confluence of forces that has the potential to solidify a shift towards total global corporate control and to encase it in international law. Governments will merely be the tools of our corporations and will serve to provide a degree of separation between us and the masses when the inevitable police response will be needed to enforce this agreement.

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A Better Way To Finance Public Projects When a municipality or school district wishes to do a repair, a capital improvement or infrastructure project, the money paid in interest costs to the financiers exceeds the amount of money paid to those who supply the materials and do the labor on the project. Most people should feel angered by this. Why should those who simply move money around, make more money than those who produce the material. There is a better way! Tuesday, July 17, 2012When a municipality or school district wishes to do a repair, a capital improvement or infrastructure project, the money paid in interest costs to the financiers exceeds the amount of money paid to those who supply the materials and do the labor on the project. Most people should feel angered by this. Why should those who simply move money around, make more money than those who produce the material. There is a better way!

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New World Order Blueprint Leaked The recently leaked details of the Trans Pacific Partnership "free trade" agreement should send a shiver of everyones' spine. This document masquerading as a "free trade" agreement is nothing less that a plan for total CORPORATE GLOBAL GOVERNANCE. It was negotiated in secret for 2-1/2 years with no public or congressional oversight. When combined with other recently passed legislation, the implications are ominous. Friday, June 22, 2012The recently leaked details of the Trans Pacific Partnership "free trade" agreement should send a shiver of everyones' spine. This document masquerading as a "free trade" agreement is nothing less that a plan for total CORPORATE GLOBAL GOVERNANCE. It was negotiated in secret for 2-1/2 years with no public or congressional oversight. When combined with other recently passed legislation, the implications are ominous.

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The Disease is our Monetary System Consider these questions: If you owned a printing press in your basement and could LEGALLY print your own money" 1. would you choose to pay your bills by printing the money you needed? 2. would you choose to pay your bills by going to the bankers for a loan? Of course you would print your own money. Our government is in exactly this same position. It can legally print its own money as stipulated by the Constitution Friday, June 1, 2012Consider these questions: If you owned a printing press in your basement and could LEGALLY print your own money" 1. would you choose to pay your bills by printing the money you needed? 2. would you choose to pay your bills by going to the bankers for a loan? Of course you would print your own money. Our government is in exactly this same position. It can legally print its own money as stipulated by the Constitution

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It has been sixteen years since the Clintons inhabited the White House. Time tends to dull our memories. But this past weekends events are a vivid reminder of what it was like during the eight years of President Bill Clintons administration  one scandal after another, one investigation after another, one denial after another, one lie after another, one stonewall after another, one perjury after another, one destruction or disappearance of evidence after another.

It wasnt just that Mr. Clinton and his wife, current Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, were corrupt, it was they corrupted everyone around them. For example, two of Ms. Clintons partners from the Rose Law Firm followed them to Washington, D.C.  Vincent Foster committed suicide during one of the scandals involving Ms. Clintons billing practices; Webster Hubbell was convicted of wire fraud and imprisoned for nearly two years in the aftermath of the Clintons Whitewater scandal.

There was Whitewater, Travelgate, the Lincoln Bedroom, Monica Lewinsky and an endless supply of sexual improprieties by Mr. Clinton, the cattle futures scandal (Ms. Clinton converted a borrowed $1000 to over $100,000 in the commodities market despite having absolutely no knowledge of the market or cattle futures trading), the Roger Clinton scandals, the Mark Rich pardon, Commercegate (selling seats for political donations for foreign trade meetings), the Pincus Green scandal, Nannygate, Hugh Rodham (Ms. Clintons brother), Tony Rodham (Ms. Clintons brother), Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Henry Cisneros, Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown, Wampumgate (denial of Indian casino license in exchange for political contributions by competing tribes), looting the White House (furniture, china, silverware, etc.) and the White House FBI files controversy (Filegate). And the impeachment. And, of course, there were never any indictments or trials of the Clintons because, like President Barack Obama, they controlled the Justice Department through highly political appointees  Mr. Clinton through Janet Reno and Mr. Obama through Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch (who was originally appointed by Mr. Clinton). No indictments of the Clintons while those around them were indicted, convicted and jailed  Mr. Hubbell, James and Susan McDougal, Bill McKeun, Jim Guy Tucker, David Hale, Stephen Smith, Robert Palmer, Neil Anley (embezzled bank funds for Clinton campaign), Mike Brown (son of Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown), Johnny Chun, Eugene Lum, Nora Lum, Roger Tamraz, Linda Jones and the list goes on forever.

In more recent years Ms. Clinton has corrupted Susan Rice regarding the Benghazi scandal, Huma Abedin and Cheryl Mills during the email scandal (along with a string of lesser lights who actually assisted in setting up the private email and server for Ms. Clinton and a similar group who assisted her in destroying 33,000 emails and bleaching the server to insure that nothing could be recovered from the server). She corrupted Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and Donna Brazile as chairwomen of the Democrat National Committee in her primary contest with Sen. Bernie Sanders (Socialist-VT). It now appears that Ms. Brazile, despite confusing denials, provided Ms. Clinton questions from CNN in advance of debates, townhalls and interviews. She corrupted other news organizations including print and broadcast media who have coordinated attacks on her opponents with her campaign staff. And this doesnt include the people who invoked their Fifth Amendment rights to avoid testifying, those who have been given immunity, and those in the FBI and Justice Department who agreed to destroy evidence (Ms. Clintons aides computers) or those who have shredded documents, destroyed Blackberries, removed files (including files at the FBI), and/or looked away when others have done so.

And, in a twist only Hollywood could conjure, Ms. Abedin is married to former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) who insists on displaying his private parts on the internet. But the incestuous relationships abound in the Obama/Clinton regime. Susan Rice is married to Ian Cameron, an executive with ABC. Ben Rhodes (Deputy National Security Advisor) is the brother of David Rhodes, president of CBS. Claire Shipman (ABC news correspondent is married to former White House press secretary, Jay Carney. And the list goes on and on. Like Oregon Democrats, these people all know each other, hire each other, marry each other, have affairs with each other and most importantly cover for each other.

Even the Clintons daughter has been corrupted. She held a $600,000 a year job at NBC with no specific assignments and even less production. By age 35 she had accumulated a net worth of $50 Million dollars and lives in a $10 Million penthouse in New York. In another Hollywood twist, it turns our she is married to the son of another corrupt Democrat politician  former Rep. Edward Mesvinsky (D-IA)  who was convicted of twenty-one counts of fraud and served five years in federal prison. And it wasnt campaign or political corruption. Mr. Mezvinsky was bilking the poor and elderly using artifices like the Nigerian scam  what a creep. Meanwhile the Wikileaks release of the John Podesta email indicated that Chelsea has treated the Clinton Foundation as a source of entitlement.

And we now know that the FBI has at least three and probably more investigations relating to Ms. Clintons corruption. There is the ongoing email scandal. There is an active investigation relating to the Clinton Foundation and Ms. Clintons conduct during her term as Secretary of State. There is an active investigation relating to Ms. Clintons possible perjury before various House committees. And the Weiner investigation now indicates that he had access to virtually all of the correspondence between Ms. Clinton and Ms. Abedin and Ms. Abedin and others (including the Clinton Foundation) during their times as the State Department.

All of this is a reminder of what the atmosphere will be like should Ms. Clinton be elected President  a fact which current polls seem to indicate will happen despite the unending scandals. And atmosphere counts. When the nation observes that the rich and powerful, the politically connected, can act in the most abhorrent manner with virtual impunity, the moral temperament suffers. We are a nation of laws that exists primarily through the voluntary efforts of our citizens to obey those laws. As it becomes apparent that the politicians are treated differently, the raison detre for voluntary conformance by the masses dissipates. This has been anticipated by those who predict the eventual ruin of Americas great democratic experiment.
The legend of Santa Claus lives on in many children, until the day where the false beard of uncle Thomas at Grandma's Swarovski earring catches. I remember knowingly, that Santa Claus for the first time with us at home showed up when I was four years old. For fantasy, a four has a lot of space in their heads, but in this case was the Santa Claus of flesh and blood. He stapfend came to the door, walked directly towards me, leaned down and asked me with a dark, sonorigen voice whether I've been a good child throughout the year. Because my parents and other adults also repeatedly told me that Santa Claus is not necessarily nice, but only if one is dear to himself, came to answer me, not in the sense I was not good. Like any kid, I was not so good as I sold it to the Santa Claus. I've bluffed so. Santa Claus will have didn't get sure about.



If so any off grid with would be incorporated in the assessment, which came over me, If it was about to go to bed, eat the plate, to clean up my room or not constantly away to take their toys in the kindergarten of the stupid Tina, then, then I had probably not so feistes grin from Santa Claus, like this evening. After I my poem that I had learned for this visit extra down had rattled in hectic tone, I got my gifts as a reward. Phew, that was easy. And this Christmas I had as a scared? Unintelligible in hindsight. My belief in Santa Claus stopped abruptly at the age of six. Who must see on Christmas Eve as Santa Claus all of a sudden is convicted, because a glued Wrinklies on the earring of the Grandma catches as his own uncle and slip, which is first shaken.



Something for all outsiders seems at first glance although unintentionally funny, but I could not laugh about it at all. With six years one is not clear, that one of the adults the last two months of the year when all Children are the Christmas fever - with the words if you're not good, then you get the rod to feel instead of beautiful gifts from Santa Claus"technical education being blackmailed is. If now fails this argument as a bargaining chip for the parents towards their children, well, then good night dear parents. Maybe I should have told all my friends about my experience, as revenge for the bullshit. I did not. It has remained very present this evening with me, I also realize I still know exactly what at the time were all for gifts under the Christmas tree. Me and my sister got bracelets by Swarovski, which of an array of different colour end passed rhinestones. For more information see Frank Fu. I recently saw the same bracelet at random in the Internet shop. Despite this disaster of Santa Claus, I carried it very much. My mother has received a two-week cruise through the Caribbean from my father. Since my parents have never really honeymoon, in the following was brought after summer. And all should Santa Claus really have these great things in your luggage? Eyes lock on honest children, then you are no longer open to blackmail.
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Today the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in SCA Hygiene v. First Quality with the following question presented:

Whether and to what extent the defense of laches may bar a claim for patent infringement brought within the Patent Acts six-year statutory limitations period, 35 U.S.C.  286.

Sitting in the background is the Supreme Courts parallel copyright decision in Petrella v. MGM (2014) holding that the doctrine of laches cannot bar a claim for legal damages brought within the three-year statutory limitations of copyright law. In its opinion, the Federal Circuit distinguished Petrella  finding that in this situation patents should be treated differently than copyrights.

Martin Black (Dechert) argued for petitioner-patentee SCA Hygiene and suggested that Petrella paves the way: There is nothing in the Patent Act which compels the creation of a unique patent law rule, and if the Court were to create an exception here, that would invite litigation in the lower courts over a wide range of Federal statutes.

According to Black, the focus should be on the statute  and the statute does not provide for laches. Further, section 286 is entitled Time Limitation on Damages  that is the section that should be applied when determining whether a patentee unduly delayed its enforcement.

Mr. Black: Laches has never been applied in the face of the Federal statute of limitations. The Court looked at that issue exhaustively in Petrella and could not find Respondents one single example.

Petrella was decided 6-3 and with Justice Scalias death the result would be 5-3. Justice Breyer dissented then and indicated in oral argument Just to repeat, Im still dissenting.

Mr. Waxman, representing the accused infringer in this case (who won on laches) began by highlighting the background of the 1952 Patent Act  This Court has repeatedly recognized that the 1952 Patent Act sought to retain and reflect patent law as it then existed. And, at that time (1952), laches was thought to be an available defense.

Mr. Waxman: The question in this case is what Congress understood the patent law doctrine was in 1952. And we think that there is a literal mountain of cases. Every single case that was decided in any court at any level from 1897 when the six-year damages cap was put into place until today, with the exception of one district court decision in Massachusetts which demonstrably misapplied the two authorities that it cited, every single case has recognized that  that laches was a defense in an appropriate case to claims for damages. And no case has ever said or suggested to the contrary. CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS: That mountain of cases were in equity, right? . . . thats where your mountain becomes a mole hill, right? . . . Mr. Waxman: But the point Im trying to make  and if I make no other point, please let me not be misunderstood here  Congress in 1952 simply continued in haec verba the statute that had existed on the books since it was put in on the equity side in 1897. And there were  whether it is a mountain, a mole hill, or a mesa, all of the  okay. Never mind. Ill just stick with mountain or mole hill. All of the  I mean, I  I dont think  I hope I live long enough to have another case where I can come to Court and say, all of the case law that decide  that examine this question, all of which was adjudicating the applicability of laches to claims of damages alongside the six-year damages limitation provision, all of them recognize that laches existed comfortably alongside that provision. And there is nothing really anomalous about that.

The difference then, according to Waxman, between patents and copyright is not really found in the statutory text itself but instead emanates from the history and congressional sense at the times of enactment. For patents, the background law allowed laches and congress intended to implement that background law in 1952.

Mr. Black disagreed with the state-of-the-law:

So it was in front of Congress in 1952 with three things. This Courts precedent that said that laches could not be used to bar legal relief. You had the merger of law and equity in 1938 which scrambled all the eggs. You had the 1946 Lanham Act, which also went through the committee on patents and copyrights where they specifically included the word laches in the statute. And you had the abolition of the remedy that parties had been seeking as the primary means of monetary relief in patent law for 60 years. There is no way that you can look at that, that fact, and get around it by pointing to a book, a treatise, which, by the way, does not have a section in it on unenforceability.

A practical problem with eliminating laches is the lying-in-wait scenario  do we allow a patentee to simply wait for years until the defendant is locked-in and then sue? Mr. Black argued that Congress offered a solution  concerned third parties can file a declaratory judgment action or else a petition for inter partes review. Black also argued that the lying-in-wait scenerio doesnt happen in practice because the patent term ends too soon (unlike in copyright law). The discussion also entered into patent trolls and the FTC recent report. Mr. Black argued that The companies that get hurt by [Laches] are operating companies who dont like to sue and therefore wait until they have to [while] patent trolls . . . have to sue to monetize.


"challenging fun"

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Dear Paul, I just dreamed of airships flying between raindrops. I just returned from 2042 CE, where I sold my hardcover copy offor seventy million Neo-Euros, because it had your response to this e-mail from way back in 2007 scotch-taped onto the inside of the cover. A Paul Levinson collector paid top Neo-Euro, because of the authentic archaic e-mail printout from you. It turns out that not many of your e-mails from before your tenure as CEO of HBO/Cinemax and terms as United Nations Secretary General will survive that far into the future. So, please respond to this e-mail, to help found my great-grandchildren's fortune. My Will will stipulate that they must share with your great grandchildren. Thanks! Tom
Of course. You would have to be be barking mad to want to bring this rabble to NZ. But then socialists are mad by definition. It's not as if we don't have...




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LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares?



























Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano...



Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos:



Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias.



Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera.



No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje.



En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio.



Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida.



Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella.



Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal.



Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista.



Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen.



Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che?



Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio.



Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora.



Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo.



Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo.



Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania.



No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar.



Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga.





Alguna duda?



Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino



Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia.



OZ1



OZ2



OZ3



OZ4



Homenaje a Jason Galarraga



La Victoria de Samotracia



Odalisca



Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008



























La Sierra Nevada de Merida



Nuestro precioso Churum Meru



Homenaje a Picasso



Autoretrato



Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola?

La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.

Mi profesion?

Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.

Sal en la Coca Cola?

A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.

De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:

Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto

Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)

azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)

Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas

Mucha Cafeina

Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio

Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe

Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion

El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.

Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.

Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.

En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).

Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.

La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.

Bebidas Light?

Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el

Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.



Publicado por loretahur



En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur

MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina:

1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias.

2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina.

3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard.

4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos.

5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla.

6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos.

Ahora... sobre la margarina:

1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) .

2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias.

3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno).

4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer.

5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna.

6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo.

7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina.

Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas:

* No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo).

* No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!!



No a la guerra, Si a la Paz



Misterios de la ciencia...



Los costos de la guerra



medicos y capitalismo...



Capitalismo...



medicos (2)



Quien educa a nuestros hijos?



Los Medios...



Sin Palabras...



Chistes feministas

- Cual es el problema, Eva?

- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz...

- Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.

- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...

- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.

- Que es un hombre?

- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.

- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.

- Cual es el truco?.

- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.

- Cual?

- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.





Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Ellas...



Ellas (2)...



Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1

Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije:

-Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro.

Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria.

Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre?

-Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa!



VENGANZA NUMERO 2

Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris.

A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita:

- Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!!

Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta.

La mujer paso quince dias en Francia.

El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla.

Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es:

- Y amor me trajiste mi francesita??

- Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina.



VENGANZA NUMERO 3

El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion.

- No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo.

- Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz.

Te quiero confesar algo.

- Esta bien, esta bien. Habla!

- He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga.

- Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!!



machismo y cibernetica



Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston.

-Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide.

-Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!.



.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti.

Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos.

Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco.

Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas



Gol !!!!



Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso!



Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy!


The Solomon Island Palm Frog (Cornufer heffernani) is uncommon and found only in pristine rainforest. Its chirping call is often heard after heavy rains. Credit: Scott L. Travers

The Solomon Islands in the southwest Pacific are best known as a locale for some of the most intense fighting of the Second World War, including the bloody Battle of Guadalcanal. But for nearly a century, the rich biodiversity of the islands has been instrumental to the study of evolution, including research by noted scientists Ernst Mayr and Jared Diamond.

"Leading ideas of how speciation happens and evolution occurs were formed based on birds and frogs in this region," said Rob Moyle, associate curator at the University of Kansas' Biodiversity Institute, who specializes in the evolution of birds. "The islands are incredibly beautiful places but also at times incredibly inhospitable, very hot with really rough terrain and torrential downpours."

Today, Moyle is leading a major research effort in the region supported by $1.3 million from the National Science Foundation to conduct fieldwork, collect museum specimens, record bioacoustics and sequence DNA of birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

"We want to go back to test hypotheses, fill in gaps in the data and revisit this with much more modern methods than they were using decades ago," Moyle said. "Some of the problems doing this work today are permitting issues and national boundaries. In the past, researchers just went island to island and collected what they wanted. It's difficult to do the same thing today, but that's what we're hoping to do."

The grant includes fieldwork spread across three nationsthe Solomon Islands, New Guinea and Vanuatu. Many islands in the region are remote and isolated, making travel difficult for the researchers hoping to follow up on work performed by earlier biologists.

"Getting there isn't simple," Moyle said. "From the U.S., you have to go through Australia and fly back several hours to get to the Solomons. Very few airlines go there, but the main islands have little airstrips you get to on a little Twin Otter prop plane. To get to most small islands, you take small outboard boats. That can be iffy, because you go across some pretty open ocean crossings. Then, sometimes we take a boat up the rivera year ago we took a helicopter to a site in Guadalcanal."

Moyle's colleagues include KU's Rafe Brown, who is in charge of amphibian and reptile work; Chris Filardi, senior scientist at Conservation International; Michael Andersen of the University of New Mexico; Tyrone Lavery of the University of Queensland, Australia; Jonathan Richmond of the U.S. Geological Survey; and many participants and collaborators in the Solomon Islands, including David Boseto, co-director of Ecological Solutions Solomon Islands, a group dedicated to environmental research and conservation.

In the field, biologists will camp in teams ranging from two to 20 people, performing their work in shifts that depend on the animals of interest.

"If you're studying birds, you're up early," Moyle said. "Our day starts before dawn, getting up, getting ready, getting tape recorders ready for vocalizations, getting nets readythat goes through mid-morning, then we have work back at camp to preserve and prepare specimens. If you study frogs, you go herping at night. Sometimes we overlap, the herpetologists get back late, and the bird people are getting up."

The teams will include many graduate and undergraduate students from KU and partner institutions.

"Graduate students will be heavily involved in fieldwork, lab work and publishing papers," Moyle said. "We'll also bring undergrads from the U.S. over to the Solomon Islands. They'll be paired with undergraduates from the Solomons to work on research projectsso there's both an international cultural experience as well as a scientific project."

Back at KU's specialized labs, researchers will conduct genomic sequencing of samples from the field to establish relationships between species and determine when separate species may have branched off from each other.

"Traditionally, scientists would collect bird specimens and their insights into what went on in a region came from looking at plumage color, the size and shape of the animal, and looking at maps of where they occurred on islands, but physical appearance can be very misleading," Moyle said. "Genomic sequencing opened up new realm of inquiry, not just for figuring out if specimens A and B are related, or if A is more closely related to C, but also figuring out how quickly they diversified or how long ago they arrived in the archipelago."

Moyle and his colleagues will use a process called "high-throughput sequencing" to trace how gene flow occurs between populations separated on isolated islands.

"Sometimes, we see there are populations on different islands that look or sound very different, and, so far, we actually can't tell them apart genetically," Moyle said. "We know there are differences in there, but it shows how little change there has to be in the genome to get something that sounds and looks very different. With some of this work, we're able to identify the specific genes for differences we're seeing among the species."

Moreover, the scientists are likely to identify species that are unknown to science and describe them for the first time.

In addition to the scientific value of the research, work performed under the grant will inform policymakers and conservationists looking to protect biodiversity in the region.

"These islands are under great threat from a variety of sources," Moyle said. "The most prominent threat is logging, but there are also some very aggressive resource extractions like gold, nickel, and bauxite mines and oil drilling. Some of these islands aren't that large, and there's not much forest left, so figuring out where species are and what's left of them can give conservationists and governments some data to work with to make informed decisions."
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

(Phys.org)A pair of researchers has found that birds with bigger brains are less likely to get shot by hunters than birds with smaller brains. In their paper published in the journal Biology Letters, Anders Pape Mller, with Universite Paris-Sud in France and Johannes Erritze with House of Bird Research, in Denmark describe a study they carried out on bird brain comparisons in hunted prey.

As the researchers note, hundreds of millions of animals are killed each year by hunterssome purely for sport, others for their meat. In this new effort, they sought to learn more about the possible evolutionary impact hunting might have on various species of birds.

To gather information, the team pulled statistics from a database used by taxidermists in Denmark to record animals they work withDanish law requires all such animals be logged. The dataset covered the years 1960 to 2015 and included 3781 birds among 197 species.

The researchers found that those birds with smaller brains (relative to the size of their bodies) were more likely to be shot and cataloguedas were males and larger birds in general. The team looked at a variety of factors such as organ size, body mass, gender, species, color, etc., and found one factor that stood out very clearly from the restbirds with larger brains were 30 times less likely to be shot and killed. This, the team suggests, indicates that hunting is very likely having an evolutionary impact on animals that are hunted by humans. They do not believe that hunters are specifically targeting smaller species, it's more likely that those with larger brains have learned to be wary of humans.

More research will have to be done, of course, before such findings can be accepted by the general science community; other factors must be testedfor example, such as whether birds with smaller brains happen to taste better and thus are targeted more often than those with larger brains, or whether the numbers of birds shot that show up at a taxidermy has any correlation with brain sizethose shot for show, for example, might be more likely to be stuffed and mounted.

More information: Anders Pape Mller et al. Brain size and the risk of getting shot, Biology Letters (2016). DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2016.0647 Abstract

Hunting kills hundreds of millions of animals annually, potentially constituting an important selection pressure on hunted species. We hypothesized that hunted individuals differing from survivors by having better ability to distinguish between dangerous humans and other human beings would be at a selective advantage. We tested whether shot individual birds had smaller brains than survivors, under the assumption that individuals with larger brains had superior escape ability. We used a large database on birds from Denmark to test whether getting shot was predicted by brain mass, while controlling statistically for the potentially confounding effects of age, sex, body mass and body condition. Analyses based on all species, or only species that were hunted, while controlling for differences in sampling effort in random effects models, showed consistently that shot individuals had smaller brains than survivors. Journal information: Biology Letters

 2016 Phys.org
Sixty-three per cent of young Australians rank climate change as the most serious issue facing Australia  three times the number in any other geographical area of the world, a global survey has found.

The World Economic Forum survey, conducted by their Global Shapers network, canvassed more than 26,500 millennials (people aged 20 to 33) around the world.

QUT student Nicholas Johnson, who leads the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Brisbane hub which administered the survey in Australia, said it showed young Australians were far more concerned with the effects of climate change in their region than the rest of the world's young people.

"In stark contrast, 57 per cent of participants in the rest of the world said their top regional concern was government accountability and corruption," said Mr Johnson, who is QUT Student leader of the Year and graduating from a Business/Mathematics dual degree.

"However, slightly more than 74 per cent of Australian millennials said they welcome refugees to the country and 34 per cent would welcome refugees into their home."

Mr Johnson said the survey showed young Australians, unlike their peers in many other places in the world, did not consider government accountability and transparency anywhere near the top of their list of pressing issues.

"For Australians participants, gender inequality was cited as the second most pressing issue but the rest of the world's young people's top regional concerns were lack of economic opportunity, lack of education, and poverty."

Mr Johnson said survey participants globally were also surveyed on their view of the most serious issues facing the entire world.

"Here, climate change came out as the main global challenge at 45 per cent, followed by large scale conflict/wars (38 per cent) and religious conflicts (34 per cent)," he said.

"The Global Shapers survey indicates many young Australians have a different view from the rest of the world about the severity of major global issues.

"It suggests our young people are sheltered from the practical, everyday difficulties facing much of the world's youth every day such as resource scarcity and conflict."

Mr Johnson said that, overall, the survey found young people viewed the world with optimism.

"An overwhelming majority of young people believe that technology is creating jobs (86 per cent) as opposed to destroying them (14 per cent).

"They believe the next big trends will be artificial intelligence/robotics and the internet of things.

"Where, globally, 73 per cent cited privacy and the protection of personal data as strong concerns, Australians were pretty relaxed about their privacy and data with only 2.2 per cent worried about loss of privacy through technology."

Mr Johnson said that four key observations stood out in the survey results:



a sense of optimism

unity and a sense of shared destiny that transcends borders

a desire for honesty, integrity and transparency

embrace technology with caution

"Young people comprise 50 per cent of the world's population but are typically under-represented in global affairs.

"This survey helps to narrow the gap between millennial perspectives and global governance. These survey results will feature at the World Economic Forum annual meeting of world political and business leaders at Davos in January 2017."

The survey was conducted in 171 countries by more than 450 World Economic Forum Global Shapers hubs working in collaboration, and is possibly the most comprehensive global opinion survey of people in their 20s and early 30s ever conducted.
A large herder family lives in a trio of traditional yurts on the Mongolian steppe. Credit: Duke University

The fortified Toyota Land Cruiser slipped and bounced in the muddy hollows of the rain-drenched Mongolian steppe. The driver, a native Mongolian man named Inka who spoke little English, slowly engineered the vehicle along what just two days earlier was a dusty pair of dirt tracks.

In the back seat of the Cruiser, Duke master of science in global health students Laura Pulscher and Thomas Moore braced themselves during the ride as best they could, relaxing when Inka stopped the vehicle to ask a goat herder for directions.

Pulscher, unfazed by hours of jouncing, said slowly with a matter-of-fact smile, "We're lost."

It's a commonly uttered phrase for visitors and natives alike. A meager 10 percent of Mongolia's road network is paved. The vast majority of travel in this vast, storied land of Genghis Khan is done on dirt trails and grassy paths.

"If you had asked me before beginning the global health master's program that I'd be coming to Mongolia, I would have laughed," Moore would say later at a campsite on the edge of a livestock pasture.

But Mongolia was the opportunity presented to Moore and Pulscher to conduct their field research projects, and they both barely blinked before saying yes.

"It's one thing to learn something in a classroom setting," Pulscher said, "but another to actually apply it to your field of study in a developing nation. I don't think it ever crossed my mind that I'd end up in Mongolia."

Yet, there they were for three months.

Early in their three-month stay in Mongolia, Moore and Pulscher spent three weeks traveling north from the capital of Ulaanbaatar toward the Siberian border. With them in a second vehicle were veterinarians Myagmarsuk "Myagaa" Yondon; Igori "Khatnaa" Khatanbaatar; and Purevdorj "Zula" Munkhzul from the Mongolian Institute of Veterinary Medicine, who collected blood samples from herders' horses, goats, and sheep. Moore and Pulscher captured small rodentsMongolian gerbils, Daurian ground squirrels, Siberian chipmunks, hamsters and field micein humane, live animal traps, and injected them with a mild sedative.

Thomas Moore and Laura Pulscher enjoy the hospitality of a Mongolian herder family, on whose land the students were trapping small mammals. Credit: Duke University

Pulscher collected blood and serum samples from the animals' tails and took small ear biopsies. Moore's work was far more tediouscombing the oft-matted fur of the rodents, in search of ticks.

Their individual projects differed, but the students' goals were the same: to detect in rodents' blood and ticks the presence of dangerous pathogensBorrelia (Lyme disease), Rickettsia (spotted fever), and anaplasma (blood disease seen mostly in livestock but can cause mild fever in humans)  and share lab results with local health officials and veterinarians who could take prophylactic measures, such as educating herders and their families about ways to protect themselves and their livestock.

In Mongolia, animals have near royalty status. It is a nation of just 3 million people and more than 50 million horses, camels, sheep, goats, and yaks, which are serious players in the economic cycle, and critical for the more than one million herder families who feed off their livestock and make a living selling animals for meat, hides or wool.

"Observing these diseases as they circulate throughout wildlife and livestock has a tremendous impact on the health and welfare of humans here," Moore said.

Mongolian Partners

Holed up for two days in the dome tent she shared with Sola as an atypical summer downpour drenched the steppe, Pulscher was confident the rain would subside and the rodent trapping continue. Moore entered the tent and announced, "My tent has turned into a swimming pool."

By afternoon the sun reappeared and the drying-out process commenced. The quest for rodents resumed about a half-hour from camp on a tract of land where a herd of horses grazed nearby. Small, rectangular, aluminum traps were set. When the researchers returned early that evening (the summer sun sets around 10 p.m.) the sound of scratching was heard coming from within several of them.

"It's great that we still have a project," Pulscher jested as she suited up in a full-body Tyvek suit to protect her from any pathogens the rodents might harbor. "I'm glad it stopped raining."

The veterinarian Khatnaa, with heavily gloved hands, cradled a Mongolian gerbil taken from one of the traps. Pulscherwith Khatnaa's guidanceinjected it with the mild sedative. It was Khatnaa, with his well-spoken English, who had baptized the students to rodent testing in the field. He taught them how to safely handle the animals, determine the correct dose of sedative, clip the tail and ear so as not to cause lasting injury, and collect the blood and tick samples.

Pulscher and Moore (right) work with Mongolian veterinarian Igori Khatnaa Khatanbaatar as they sedate a wild gerbil. Credit: Duke University

After four gerbils were tested and gear repacked inside the Land Cruiser, Moore considered the importance that the team of Mongolian vets played in the success of his and Pulscher's respective projects.

"They are a tremendous help to us," Moore said. "They not only teach us different tricks of the trade to catch rodents here, but they act as interpreters when we meet a herder family and provide us with local knowledge of the different species of animals."

This partnership between Mongolian vets and Duke Global Health students was forged by Gregory Gray, MD, MPH, a professor of global health and infectious diseases, who established a research relationship with Mongolia nearly 10 years ago. Gray, who also holds an appointment in the Nicholas School of the Environment, is a passionate disciple of the One Health concept of health care that champions the conviction that human health is intimately tied to veterinary and environmental health.

Grey, Moore, and Pulsher were part of a roughly 10-member Duke contingent that participated in the 5th Annual International Symposium on One Health in Ulaanbaatar prior to the students' embarking on their three-week fieldwork. Pulscher and Moore were presenters at an infectious disease workshop. It is rare, they said, for master's students to have the opportunity to present at an international symposium.

"It was a tremendous opportunity to collaborate with international leaders and share our upcoming research," Moore said.

Analyze, Synthesize, Share

The Institute of Veterinary Medicine in Ulaanbaatar is a 1980s-era Soviet-looking building that houses multiple labs with Mongolian scientists exploring various aspects of zoonotic diseasesthose that can or might some day jump from animals to humans. This was home base for Moore and Pulscher for the bulk of their three-month Mongolian stay. It was here that the blood and tick samples they collected in the field were analyzed for signs of the dangerous pathogens.

The Duke students extracted DNA from the samples using magnetic beads inside small test tubes. Because DNA has a charge, it is attracted to the beads, which are then separated from the rest of the sample and the DNA extracted.

Performing field and lab work is usually an either/or proposition for students interested in global health. Rarely do master's students have the opportunity to do both.

Laura Pulscher sets several humane traps near ground squirrel burrows. Credit: Duke University

"It's unique that we're able to collect our own specimens in the environment and bring them back and test them," Moore said. "This takes our education to the next level."

"It makes us more well-rounded individuals," Pulscher added. "A lot of people don't necessarily have both lab and field skills."

They worked in the lab with Myagaa, who accompanied them on their fieldwork. His own project involved collecting mosquitoes and testing them for West Nile virus.

Learning about his work, and watching the other Mongolian vets in the field lasso livestock and take blood samples was an unexpected, welcomed educational component, they said.

Lasting Memories

The fresh yogurt was great, the dried, fermented milk curds and mare's milk not so much, the students concluded. But that is the way one gets to know the culture of a people  through their food. The hospitality of the Mongolian herder families is a memory that won't soon fade, they said.

"It is amazing how welcoming they were to let us into their homes, feed us, let us get to know them, and let us camp on their land," Pulscher said.

On a cool summer night in one of those camps as he watched the sun slowly set over a verdant hillside, lighting the horizon in an indigo purple haze, Moore reflected on the allure of the landscape surrounding him.

"This place is beautiful," he said. "Being here has been such a privilege."
The effort to manage a fatal brain disease in deer and elk is taking significant steps forward thanks to a partnership between researchers, government experts, and American deer and elk farmers.

Researchers from Midwestern University, Colorado State University, the Colorado State Department of Agriculture, and the United States Department of Agriculture were part of a unique study aimed at managing chronic wasting disease (CWD) in ranched elk in areas where the disease is common in wild deer and elk.

The project, first reported during the 59th AAVLD/USAHA annual meeting in Greensboro, NC, received a major boost from deer and elk farmers, including the North American Deer Farmers Association (NADeFA), the North American Elk Breeders Association (NAEBA), and Whitetails of Wisconsin (WOW). Over the past few years, the groups have supported research into developing live animal tests - specifically relying on samples collected during herd depopulations. What has been lacking, until recently, is the application of those test developments towards solving real world problems.

The project, headed by Midwestern University's Nicholas Haley, D.V.M., Ph.D., focused on using conventional and experimental tests for CWD to identify and remove infected animals from a large elk herd living on thousands of acres of fenced property. The study provided a substantial body of samples that could provide for more sensitive tests than are currently available, but perhaps more importantly it has allowed insight into the genetic association between infection and disease resistance.

With the help of his collaborators, Dr. Haley been able to examine the links between infection and a number of genetic markers found in elk known as microsatellites, using techniques commonly known as "DNA fingerprinting" which assist in building a family tree for the ranch and may prove useful in any number of other species as well. "I am time and again fascinated with the wealth of genetic data we've been able to collect," Dr. Haley said. "Imagine being able to predict which animals may become infected next year, or identify branches of animals more resistant to disease than others, and ultimately using that information to manage the disease from purely an agricultural perspective."

The project would not be possible without the cooperation of deer and elk farmers and their representatives, Dr. Haley says. "This project has allowed the deer and elk farming industries to take ownership of CWD management and play a critical and prominent role in bringing it under control."

In areas where CWD is common, deer and elk farmers have the very realistic ability to manage their animals by identifying desirable traits and selectively breeding for them - in this case, resistance to CWD. "What would take Mother Nature thousands of years to do, deer and elk farmers can do in our lifetime," Dr. Haley suggests.

Although the concept of managing CWD on-site through live animal testing and selective breeding is a relatively new one in the deer and elk farming arena, Dr. Haley hopes that this project is able to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of such an approach, allowing future work to build off of the novel findings and ultimately stop CWD in its tracks.

Provided by Midwestern University
At 100 feet below the surface of the ocean bioluminescent organisms such as this one are the dominant light source. Credit: University of Delaware

A new study published today in Scientific Reports by University of Delaware researchers and colleagues reveals that 100 feet below the surface of the ocean is a critical depth for ecological activity in the Arctic polar nighta period of near continuous winter darkness.

It is at this depth, the researchers said, that atmospheric light diminishes in the water column and bioluminescence from marine organisms becomes the dominant light source. It also is the site of significant changes in the composition of luminescent organisms present in the water column.

"It turns out that approximately 100 feet in depth is an important transition zone," said Jonathan Cohen, a UD assistant professor in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment and co-author on the paper.

The research team has been studying how much biological activity takes place in the Arctic polar night since 2012, when UD's Mark Moline, director of the School of Marine Science and Policy and colleagues in Norway and Scotland began exploring how sea life copes with continuous winter darkness in Svalbard, Norway. Prevailing scientific thought until then was that the food web remained dormant during the polar night.

The researchers said that bioluminescence can help explain how some organisms feed and maintain activity during the polar night period and how light can still be involved in ecological processes even during a time of darkness.

Taking roll call

One interesting finding in the current study is that as depth increased, the amount of bioluminescence in the water column increased and the zooplankton community composition changed.

"As you go deeper into the water, we saw fewer dinoflagellates and more copepods, krill and ctenophores, which give off brighter bioluminescent light," said Cohen, who joined the research team in 2013.

This community change is not associated with any physical conditions of the water, the researchers said. Rather, it correlates to what the researchers term "bioluminescence compensation depth," the transition point at which atmospheric light diminishes in the water column and bioluminescence takes over.

"This points to the functionality of bioluminescence structuring the vertical distribution through behavior possibly independent of migration," said Moline.

This is an important finding as the Barents Sea south of Svalbard, Norway, is home to a large and globally important fishery. Fishermen in the region are tremendously interested in understanding how changes in zooplanktonlike copepodsand zooplankton availability will affect commercially important fish species like cod and herring.

The researchers knew from other studies that the distribution of zooplankton and krill in the water column increased at around 100 feet.

"When the sky gets brighter at midday during the polar night period there is more atmospheric light available underwater for predation than at night, so marine organisms like copepods retreat lower into the water column where it is darker. We wanted to know how this light interacted with bioluminescence to influence life in the water column," Cohen said.

Lead author Heather Cronin is conducting fieldwork in Norway's polar night. Credit: University of Delaware

The researchers first attacked this issue by taking atmospheric light measurements in 2014 and 2015, while also measuring bioluminescence in the water. This led to a more detailed study in 2015 of which planktonic species produced light. Finally, they put it all together to think about how bioluminescence can be a light source during the polar night.

Then UD graduate student Heather Cronin, working with Cohen and Moline, created what is called a photon budget, or light budget, to measure how much light comes from the atmosphere and how much light comes from inside the water itself with organisms glowing through bioluminescence.

To quantify the amount of bioluminescence and to identify what marine organisms were present, the researchers used a pumping system in the water column to drive the organisms into a specialized device equipped with a sensitive light meter.

As the organisms entered the device, turbulence created by the pump stimulated the animals to luminesce or glow. Using luminescence kinetics, or the time course of light production and dissipation, the researchers measured how the light intensity inside the pump changed with time in order to identify the marine species present.

"Luminescent marine organisms each have a unique light signature. By looking at the time series light generated by a flash within the instrument, we were able to determine who was there making the flash," Cohen explained. "It's a useful tool, particularly at this time of year when relatively few species are present."

Bioluminescence is known to play a critical role in helping marine organisms avoid predators and even hide themselves in plain site. At the same time, Cohen continued, it appears that krill and potentially fish are using the additional bioluminescent light from the copepods to find food.

"We know from analysis of gut contents that fish and seabirds are active and feeding in Svalbard fjords during polar night," Cohen explained. "Our research suggests that bioluminescent light may be one of the ways that they find food in the dark."

Climate change connection

One looming concern under climate change scenarios is the loss of sea ice.

According to Cohen, scientists are just beginning to appreciate that climate change will change the light environment, which will impact the timing of the ice algae and phytoplankton blooms that spur the spring growing season, maybe even causing it to occur earlier in the year.

In the Arctic, for example, sea ice is part of what makes the water column dark. So, if the depth at which atmospheric light transitions to bioluminescent light is important in structuring the zooplankton community and the ecological interactions among organisms, then understanding how much atmospheric light will be present in the water column with less sea ice is significant for understanding food web dynamics.

The novelty in the team's work is the focus on putting numbers and data to the processes that occur directly before the spring cycle begins. The next step is to make similar measurements further away from Svalbard to validate their findings in the open ocean.

"Being able to measure this transition depth gives us something to look at across seasons and across years that could have important implications for food web impacts in a rapidly changing Arctic," Cohen said.
Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the American Authors Association

Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the Military Writers Society of America.
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This has to be a record for the length of time to complete a Freedom of Information Law request.

I make several FOIL requests of state agencies to obtain information. This includes reports or records of one form or another. In mid-May, I made a request of the New York State Health Department for the water quality reports for municipal water supplies in The Post-Stars coverage area.

This was for the first part of a three-part series of concerns about drinking water quality. If you missed the story, click HERE.

I have received repeated extensions over the last few months from state health officials, asking for more time to fulfill the request. Luckily, the various towns, villages and cities had these reports on their websites, or were able to email or fax it to me upon my request.

I just dont understand what is taking so long. Granted, the state Health Department has been busy with the ongoing PFOA contamination in Hoosick Falls, and other parts of the state. This is slow, even for them.
I took a hike a couple of weeks ago up Tongue Mountain, setting out on a muggy morning from the trailhead in shorts and a couple of layers of Dri-fit type shirts. The trek up the mountain was nice, I had a good sweat going and it seemed like a nice mid-fall day.

Then I turned the corner on a ridge before as I headed to the top of Five Mile Mountain, and it was like I had stepped into another climate. The wind whipped along the ridge, my sweat turned to a chill in minutes and when I reached the peak I found a snow squall, wind that easily topped 20 mph and a dusting of snow. Thankfully I had an extra layer of clothes and a heavier sweatshirt, or it would have been a miserable walk down.

Tongue Mountain is not the High Peaks. It's a relatively easy climb, though its location above Lake George makes for some high winds at times. But the experience illustrated how quickly the weather can change, and how the snow, ice and wind this time of year is nothing to take lightly in the Adirondacks.

As the state Department of Environmental Conservation reminds us frequently this time of year, weather conditions at 500 feet or even 1,500 feet of elevation can be much, much different than those atop the mountains of the Adirondacks. The agency's weekly report of forest ranger rescues, pasted below, includes a cautionary tale about three young men who hopefully learned their lesson last week.

-- Don Lehman

Essex County

Town of North Elba

High Peaks Wilderness

Distressed hikers: On Oct. 25 at 7:05 a.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch was forwarded a call from Essex County 911 from a 29-year-old male from Schenectady, a 26-year-old male from Latham, and a 22-year-old male from Delanson, who were near the summit of Mt. Marcy. The hiking party had set out on an overnight camping trip but stated they were "very cold and unprepared for winter conditions." The trio requested assistance in finding a nearby shelter, indicating that they had awoken to find their gear, boots and clothing frozen in a whiteout. Essex County 911 provided coordinates that confirmed the group's location. Dispatch established text contact with the men. They were instructed to begin the descent while DEC Forest Rangers began to hike in. The Rangers traveled by all-terrain vehicle to Marcy Dam and then proceeded on foot. The Rangers located the men at 11:45 a.m. approximately three miles from Marcy Dam, warmed them, and assisted them off the mountain and out to the Adirondack Loj. They were advised to seek further medical care but declined. The incident concluded at 2:30 p.m.

Hamilton County

Town of Hope

Wilcox Lake Wild Forest

Overdue hiker: On Oct. 25 at 11:40 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a request for assistance from Warren County 911 for a 25-year-old female from Colonie overdue from a hiking trip. The woman had advised her family she planned to hike near Stony Creek in Warren County and return that day. Her family called 911 after she failed to return by that evening. DEC Forest Rangers and New York State Police Road Patrols were dispatched to look for her vehicle at trailheads in the Stony Creek Area and additional trails in Hamilton and Saratoga counties. Her vehicle was located at Hope Falls Trail in the town of Hope on Oct. 26 at 10:55 a.m. Additional Rangers were dispatched to Hope Falls, one Ranger responded from the Harrisburg entry point, one Ranger checked the Wilcox Lake area, and New York State Police Aviation assisted from the air. The woman was located at Wilcox Lake Outlet on the trail to Willis Lake. She and her dog were escorted out to Harrisburg Lake and shuttled back to Hope Falls, where she was reunited with family. She informed Rangers she had taken a wrong turn the day before and had proceeded in that direction for a few miles. She turned back once she realized her error. She made the decision to spend the night in the woods after being overcome by darkness. The next morning she continued to walk back out but at a slow pace as her dog was having trouble walking. The incident concluded at 9:30 p.m.

Ulster County

Town of Shandaken

Slide Mountain Wilderness

Injured hiker: On Oct. 30, a 67-year-old woman twisted her ankle while descending Slide Mountain. Her hiking companion sought help, and at 2:30 PM three Forest Rangers and emergency medical personnel from Shandaken and Pine Hill Fire Department hiked in to assist. The woman was brought out by ATV and transported to the Margaretville Hospital at 6:06 p.m.

Dutchess County

Town of Beacon

Lost Hikers: On Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. Central Office Dispatch received a call from Dutchess County 911 reporting that a 43-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman were lost on Beacon Mountain. Three Rangers were assigned to search for the hikers on the yellow trail. The lost hikers were located at 10:46 p.m. and escorted out of the woods.
Former state Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward, R-Willsboro, on Wednesday crossed party lines to endorse Hillary Clinton for President.

"Quite frankly, I think that Hillary has the background and the knowledge to serve as our president. She is smart. She is very involved with children and families, which I think is good," said Sayward, who retired from the Assembly at the end of 2012 after serving 10 years.

Sayward said she likes Clinton's stance on gun control

"That is not to take guns away, but make some reasonable changes," Sayward said in a telephone interview after the Clinton campaign announced the endorsement in a press release.

Sayward said she is concerned about Trump's reported connections with Russia and his remarks about women.

"I just can't go there. There is nothing presidential about him," she said.

It is not the first time Sayward has made a cross party endorsement.

In 2012 she endorsed and campaigned publicly with U.S. Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, and said she was leaning toward voting for President Obama.

Sayward said she is not endorsing in this year's 21st Congressional District race.

"I said I wasn't going to endorse anybody this year. I have a really, really dear friend who is a Hillary supporter down in Florida, and she talked me into it," she said.
In a span of five days, hundreds of volunteers, church and law enforcement leaders, M.B Kilmer Funeral Home staff and South Glens Falls village officials had to put together as big an undertaking as they will ever face -- a funeral for a police officer who died in the line of duty, a man who was not only beloved by his colleagues, but was an icon in the South Glens Falls area.

Having been peripherally involved with set up of the Post-Star's annual holiday parade, I have seen the work that goes into a procession that pales in comparison to one that would involve thousands of police officers and loved ones of a state trooper like Timmy Pratt. (We take weeks to put together that parade; the funeral was put together under duress in 5 days.)

What we saw Monday was a perfect sendoff for Tim, an event that seemed to go off without a hitch. It wasn't just a matter of getting everyone to St. Michael's church, there were procedures to follow and proper respects to be paid. Bus after bus filled with police officers rolled into the village throughout Monday morning, vehicles staged near the funeral home. Police agencies around the region kicked in to help South Glens Falls Police control traffic.

There were few dry eyes in that church parking lot as Pratt's longtime patrol car rolled into the parking lot, dozens of motorcycle officers from around the state accompanying it, and the fallen trooper's motorcycle -- its engine running -- was brought in on a trailer.

The ceremony inside the church was a perfect goodbye for Tim, a mixture of tears and laughter.

The sendoff for Pratt was befitting for who he was, a perfectly organized, emotional yet professional ceremony for a man who deserved nothing less.

-- Don Lehman
GLENS FALLS  U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, helped slay the Common Core test and punish beast of federal education policy, said Don Carlisto, an official with New York State United Teachers.

Im glad to stand with Elise Stefanik today because she has shown a willingness to work across party lines on behalf of public education and public employees, he said Wednesday at a news conference at Stefaniks Glens Falls campaign headquarters, reiterating NYSUTs endorsement of Stefanik in the 21st Congressional District race.

NYSUT, the states largest teachers union, endorsed two Republicans and 25 Democrats in New York House races this election.

The union is a strong backer of Hillary Clinton for president.

Carlisto said Stefaniks support of Donald Trump does not diminish her reputation as a willing partner with NYSUT.

There will never be a candidate with whom the organization has 100 percent agreement, he said. We have in Congresswoman Stefanik someone who was at the table with us well over a year ago, in the effort to reform education policy.

Stefanik is running against Democrat Mike Derrick, a retired Army colonel from Peru, in Clinton County, and Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello, a bread company owner and political activist from Hudson Falls.

Carlisto, a middle school teacher at Saranac Lake and a NYSUT board member, praised Stefanik for helping pass the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, a comprehensive elementary and secondary education policy bill that replaced No Child Left Behind and provided states with more flexibility on standardized testing.

This bill, which is yet to be fully implemented, clearly prioritizes teaching and learning above test prep, high stakes testing, and accountability based on high-stakes test scores, he said.

Carlisto praised Stefaniks support for childhood nutrition initiatives, vocational training and legislation to reinstate year-round Pell grants to provide grants for college students in summer and other nontraditional semesters.

Stefanik said she appreciates the unions support.

Education has been a policy priority of mine since Day 1 in Congress, she said.

Derrick, contacted later on Wednesday, said many teachers, including some that taught him years ago, are volunteering for his campaign.

Derrick criticized Stefaniks year-round Pell legislation because it is not specifically tied with increased Pell funding.

Awarding additional grants without increasing overall funding could cut in to funding available for other students, he explained.

Thats a significant source of support for some people up here who want to move to higher education, he said.

Stefanik has said the funding can be allocated separately from the legislation re-instating the program.

Funiciello said the Green Party supports free college tuition for everyone and believes all college employees should be allowed to organize in labor unions.

Stefanik has received stronger than usual support for local Republicans from labor unions this election.

As of Wednesday morning, Stefanik had received $53,000 in labor union contributions, compared with $3,500 she received in 2014.

Derrick had received $52,000 in labor contributions, as of Wednesday morning.

Derrick campaigned in Potsdam Tuesday with members of 1199 SEIU, the largest health care union in the Northeast.

Funiciello does not accept contributions from political action committees, including labor unions, but SEIU 200 United, which represents workers at Community Work and Independence in Queensbury, has endorsed him.
GLENS FALLS  A Fort Edward man was jailed Monday after he allegedly stole a badge from a security officer at Glens Falls Hospital and tried to use it to get through a locked door, police said.

Robert C. Murat-Hinton, 30, was charged with second-degree robbery, a felony, and misdemeanor criminal mischief for allegedly taking the badge by force from officer and trying to access an area that he was not supposed to access, police said.

Murat-Hinton was a patient in the hospital at the time.

He was also charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief for allegedly damaging hospital property, arraigned in City Court and sent to Warren County Jail for lack of bail.

Glens Falls Police officers John Norton and Zack Flewelling made the arrest.
FORT ANN -- Two men face felony drug charges for allegedly possessing crack cocaine in the parking lot of Great Meadow Correctional Facility, police said.

Michael L. James, 39, of Maysville, North Carolina, and Glenn Ford, 29, of Brooklyn, were charged Sunday afternoon with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance after an investigation by the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and State Police, records show.

State Police said they were in the front parking lot of the prison on Route 22 shortly after noon when they were discovered to have drugs.

Ford has a prior felony conviction for attempted criminal possession of a weapon in Brooklyn in 2008, for which he served more than 3 years in prison, corrections records show.

Both men were arraigned and sent to Washington County Jail for lack of bail.
GLENS FALLS  The Post-Star and WNYT are suing the city over a secret report that recommended firing city Assessor Lauren Stack.

The lawsuit says that Glens Falls improperly denied Freedom of Information Act requests for the report.

The requested report is of significant interest to the general public and respondents lack a reasonable basis in law for withholding the record, the lawsuit says.

The case is in Warren County state Supreme Court. Judge Robert J. Muller will rule after receiving written submissions from both sides, which are due Nov. 28.

At issue is a report on Stack, who was fired on Oct. 3. Prior to her termination, city officials learned in 2012 that she served four years in prison in Florida in the 1990s for four felony drug-related burglary convictions. She did not reveal that information to Glens Falls officials when she applied to be assessor here in 2009, but officials also say they never asked her about any criminal history.

She also didnt tell officials when she was charged with DWI in Lake George in 2014. It was only after she was charged with DWI again in 2015 that The Post-Star learned of the first DWI case, and the charges made headlines. She remained on the job with no disciplinary action taken. After she was convicted of driving while impaired, she was suspended from her job without pay.

City Clerk Robert Curtis held a hearing and then wrote a report, which Mayor Jack Diamond described as being a recommendation to fire Stack.

The Post-Star and WNYT filed Freedom of Information Act requests for the report. Glens Falls officials refused to make the report public, citing the city attorneys determination that any personnel issue can be kept secret.

That determination is wrong, according to Bob Freeman, executive director for the state Committee on Open Government. He is the top state official on Freedom of Information Act issues.

He said written recommendations must be made public once they are accepted by the decision-making agency, which was the City Council in this case. The council voted to accept the report, with its recommendation to fire Stack, on Oct. 3.

At that point, the recommendation became a public document, according to Freeman.

City officials refused an initial FOIL request, and then rejected an appeal. Thats when The Post-Star decided to sue.

Its unfortunate it has come to this, but if we dont fight for transparency for our readers, who will? said Editor Ken Tingley.

There has been no public discussion of the report. The only thing the public knows about it is the mayors description that it was a recommendation to fire Stack. Without being able to read the document, the public has no way to know how firm that recommendation was, or the rationale behind it.

We dont know why the citys holding back on that, Tingley said. We think thats wrong.

But City Attorney Ron Newell said the public wouldnt learn anything from the report.

Ninety percent of whats in the report has been made public, he said, citing Stacks criminal charges and convictions. I dont see where the newspaper is going to get any more.

He added that employees should be able to discuss personal issues without fearing publication.

I think its important employees feel comfortable that the issues that were present with Lauren Stack, and how the city dealt with them, remain confidential, Newell said. When you work for a municipality, and there are personal issues, I believe an employee should feel that these issues are confidential and will remain confidential.

Its highly unusual for the city to be sued over a FOIL request. It hasnt happened in more than 20 years.

Ive been clerk for 23, 24 years, and I dont remember its happened before, Curtis said.
KINGSBURY  Compost has turned into an expensive failure for Washington County this year.

Instead of turning sewer sludge into high-quality compost to sell, the county is paying to truck its compost to a landfill and throwing it away.

The county-owned facility, which is at the Kingsbury transfer station, opened in 2000 and has successfully been selling compost ever since.

This summer, something changed. At first, about 30 percent of the compost did not pass the test for fecal coliform. It must be thrown out if it doesnt pass the test.

Since August, virtually all of the compost has failed the test.

Throwing away all of the compost that failed will cost about $130,000, county Sewer District Executive Director Joe Brilling told Washington County supervisors at a meeting this week.

They were not impressed.

Make a motion to fire Mr. Brilling, said Hartford Supervisor Dana Haff. His motion was not seconded.

Other supervisors chuckled briefly, before Haff said, Youre laughing, but Im not. ... This is not being managed and the buck stops at the top. And thats you, Joe.

Haff said Brilling should have solved the problem when the first batches of compost failed this summer.

However, Brilling said he still has no idea why the compost isnt passing the basic health test. Hes worked with DEC and now wants to hire a consultant for help, he said.

The first failures cost $30,000. Now that bill has grown to $130,000, noted Hampton Supervisor Dave OBrien.

We still dont have the situation under control, OBrien said. It doesnt seem our actions are getting this under control.

Problems with co-generation for power also led to higher power bills than budgeted, forcing the supervisors to approve an additional $5,000 to pay the bills.

Some supervisors said its time to sell the compost facility.

We need to get out of the compost business, said Hebron Supervisor Brian Campbell. If we cant get it right, we need to get out.

Brilling isnt giving up. Among his problems: he has at least 200 truckloads of bad compost to haul to the landfill in Northumberland, which can only take a few shipments each week because it must mix the compost with other materials. It might take six months simply to remove the piles of compost that he has stacked up inside and outside the facility, Brilling said.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation recently sent him a notice of violation because he was storing material on site. Hes hoping the agency will allow him to remove the compost at the current slow rate, because it would be more expensive to dispose of it elsewhere.

Hes also looking for a new laboratory that can test the compost using a more expensive test. He found labs to retest 10 to 12 samples, and all but one of them passed, he said.

Not many labs use the more expensive tests and many labs cant take samples as often as his facility creates compost. So it has been a logistical nightmare to set up a new laboratory testing system.

Hes not blaming the current lab, which has been doing the samples the same way for years and had no problems until now. But he also doesnt think the problem is coming from his facility. The method for creating compost hasnt changed either, he said.

This is not the first time the facility has struggled to create safe compost. For years, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, some of its compost was not kept hot enough to kill off fecal coliform. The facility redid those batches and managed to resolve the problem. This time, Brilling said the compost has been kept hot enough and he does not think the operations are in error. If they were, he said, the compost wouldnt pass the more expensive tests.

All I know is when we retest with a different method, the results are different, he said.
The handwritten letter was the kind of note you dont see much anymore.

It was in a nice flowing script and easily readable and had the formality of another era with an introductory Dear Mr. Tingley.

It was old school.

So was the content.

The writer told me my column about the Catholic Churchs latest way of dealing with pedophile priests was old news.

Youre revisiting the sad and sordid details of a difficult event several years ago struck me as a cheap shot,  he wrote.

And here is the worst part: The writer was a retired priest.

My Oct. 23 column was about the Catholic Churchs latest attempt to buy the silence of victims while lobbying Albany legislators not to pass the Child Victims Act.

This is not old news.

The Child Victims Act would allow the statute of limitations to be expanded, and more importantly, one version of the proposed law would allow a one-year look-back so victims could sue the Catholic Church for past abuses.

Its about trying to right a wrong.

This is important, because victims of pedophile priests often dont come to terms with their assaults until decades later when they are in their 40s and 50s.

One victim I interviewed two weeks ago said he never came to terms with his own assault until his son was the same age as when he was assaulted  10. The victim was in his 50s.

Right now, the statute of limitations in New York is age 23.

The Catholic Church spent over $2 million lobbying the Legislature to keep it from becoming law last year.

When I asked Assemblyman Dan Stec last week where he stood on the Child Victims Act, he looked puzzled. He said he was not familiar with the legislation. Did it come up for a vote? he asked.

It did not.

Sen. Elizabeth Little was familiar with the bill. She is Catholic and went to school at St. Marys in Glens Falls.

She talked at length about the horrific nature of the crimes and the need to get victims compensation, but she wasnt taking a position. When pressed, she said she favored legislation like that passed in Massachusetts that only allows civil lawsuits after there is a criminal conviction.

Unfortunately, prosecuting cases 20 and 30 years after the fact is extremely difficult and rare.

Two more victims contacted me, too, wanting to tell me their stories in horrific detail.

Heath Bromley, the Queensbury man who testified about being abused by convicted former priest Gary Mercure, told me he was granted a meeting with the Albany diocese last week. He said he had been waiting years.

They promised him he could meet with the Albany bishop and Cardinal Dolan.

Earlier in the week, I got a call from the director of communications for the Albany diocese.

She told me my column was littered with errors.

It was not.

Just inside the entryway at St. Marys in Glens Falls is a plaque that reads:

In commemoration of St. Marys Parish and then it lists the names of five priests who served from 1948 to 1998. The fourth name is Rev. Gary J. Mercure.

Bromley told me that David Barbarian of the Albany diocese had promised to have the plaque bearing Mercures name removed.

If only the same could be done for the victims memories.
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, said she will introduce the House version of legislation that U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., introduced to increase federal funding for rural broadband infrastructure.

That is key to our economy, Stefanik said Tuesday in a meeting with The Post-Star editorial board. And that is an issue that when I have tele-town halls or when I have coffee with your congresswoman, I constantly hear about rural broadband.

The proposed legislation would double annual funding for a federal Department of Agriculture broadband infrastructure program from $25 million to $50 million, and increase in rural and high-need areas the amount of grant possible from 50 percent to 75 percent of a projects cost.

Stefanik said she learned about the legislation when she read news reports about a series of press conferences Gillibrand held across the region in October.

When I read about it, I got in touch with my legislative staff and said, We should carry the House version,  she said.

Derrick endorsed

Democratic congressional candidate Mike Derrick on Friday announced an endorsement from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2032.

The local represents upstate unionized employees of the New York Power Authority. Mike exemplifies the standard of excellence required to represent the hard-working people of the North Country, said William Brown, the unions business manager, in a news release. Mike has time and again demonstrated that he is a man of principle.Derrick, a retired Army colonel from Peru, in Clinton County, is running in the 21st Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, and Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello, a bread company owner and political activist from Hudson Falls.

TV ad spending

The political arm of the Assembly majority fueled the re-election campaign fund of Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, as she spent $259,021 on television advertising, competing with $270,834 a Republican political action committee spent on television advertising opposing her.

The Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee transferred $221,500 into Woerners campaign fund between Oct. 3 and Oct. 24, according to a new campaign finance report Woerners campaign filed with the state Board of Elections.

Woerners campaign spent $259,021 on television advertising during the period.

New Yorkers For Independent Action, a political action committee, spent $270,834 during the same time period on television advertising independently opposing Woerners re-election, according to a report the PAC filed with the state Board of Elections. The PAC spent a total of $3.2 million in advertising in 11 state legislative races during the period. Woerner is running in the 113th Assembly District against Republican Chris Boyark, who has not aired direct campaign television advertising.

Celebrating 1916

This is the latest in a series of posts about the 1916 presidential election between Democratic incumbent Woodrow Wilson and Republican challenger Charles Evans Hughes, a Glens Falls native.Part 2 from Womens Interest in the Big Issues of the Day, an essay Hughes wrote for the November 1916 issue of Womens Home Companion magazine.

The Mexican border conflict is a womens issue, according to Hughes.

In every home where son or husband was called away, the mother and wife left behind learned through actual experience more about the problem of our Mexican neighbors and more about the need for this country for adequate preparedness than they would have learned by reading a dozen books on these subjects, Hughes wrote. Deploying National Guard units instead of regular Army to the border illustrated the lack of military preparedness under the Wilson administration, Hughes suggested.It ought not to be necessary to summon our citizen reserve merely to protect our border from being overrun by bandits, Hughes wrote. We can have a regular Army large enough to meet such engagements without being in danger of militarism.
If you sit in a room with enough politicians enough times, you get used to the grand pronouncements of what is wrong with state government and what needs to be done to fix it.

Thats not the case with our longtime representative, Sen. Elizabeth Little.

She doesnt weigh in on ethics reform, repealing the SAFE Act, the vagueness of the budget process or campaign finance reform unless specifically asked.

Sen. Little seems to sense those are out of her control, and more importantly, a long shot to be fixed anyway.

Sen. Little is concluding her sixth two-year term in the state Senate. She had seven years in the state Assembly before that, making her one of the most senior members in the New York State Legislature.

She is also 76 and serving one of the largest districts in the state.

So when she starts telling you what she has been working on, it takes a bit of time to get through it. She generally goes county by county  there are six of them in her district  and her grasp of their needs and what she has been doing to help them is pretty impressive, considering the geographic diversity.

In Warren County, she talked about trying to get a study funded on Lyme disease.

In Washington County, she touted the $1 million in state funds she got for an upgrade in a commercial sewage system.

In Essex County, it was securing a constitutional amendment to finally get a land bank for the Adirondack Park.

In Clinton County, it was the addiction problem that was far worse than in any other parts of her district.

In Franklin County, it was getting a bed tax to help promote tourism.

But Sen. Little might have become most animated by her news that the Northway rest area between Exit 17 and 18 is going to not only be renovated, but become an Adirondack Welcome Center.

Her accomplishments are rarely front page news, but it is clear that Sen. Little knows how to get things done.

She is so highly regarded in her district, she rarely has an opponent.

While we believe voters should always have a choice, Green Party candidate Steve Ruzbacki has never run for public office and lacks the experience to fight with the big dogs in Albany.

Ruzbackis belief that all drugs should be made legal was something that gave us great pause as well. That pronouncement was followed several days later by him being ticketed for possession of marijuana.

We did get around to talking to Sen. Little about such issues as ethics reform and outside income, and we were a bit taken aback that Sen. Little felt that some smaller ethics measures were an indication that the Legislature was getting better.

We do not agree.

Little said that disclosure of finances was the key. In this area, Sen. Little walks the walk by releasing her tax returns each year for taxpayers to see. This should be the standard for all legislators in Albany.

She also continues to stand by the tax cap as one of the most important measures that the Legislature has enacted in recent years.

Several years ago, Sen. Little was leading the fight to get more schools to consolidate, but she was not winning many battles, so she moved on to other issues. It is an example of her pragmatic approach.

There are times when we would like to see a little more fire from Sen. Little, especially on the big issues, but we know that is not who she is.

Most importantly, she listens closely to what the people in her six counties need and more often than not, she delivers.
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This was revealed by the Deputy Minister of Petroleum, Mr Ben Dagadu who was addressing participants at a workshop on oil and gas.

The Deputy Minister said the further reduction will ensure the health of the general public is less at risk.

The Chief Executive of the NOA Moses Asaga explained that Ghana was not doing this alone but was rather following a road map that will help other countries in the ECOWAS sub-region to reduce the sulphur content to 50ppm by 2020.

He said the authority is committed to improving the quality of standard of fuel to ensure that the fuel supplied at final dispensing outlets is the right specification.
This is not hyperbole. Its backed up by universities experiences elsewhere in Africa. Once student protests and the politicisation of academia become the norm, quality suffers. Nigeria offers particularly chilling evidence of this, as Ill explain in this article.

South Africa must urgently come up with sustainable, reasonable solutions for dealing with student protests before it is too late to save the countrys universities from a quality crisis.

Students are political animals

No matter what happens in the coming weeks and months, I can say with certainty that student protests are here to stay.

Students constitute a vibrant part of civil society, a natural element of a democratic society such as South Africas. Today, the students concern is access to decolonised, free and quality education. Later students may turn their attention to something that doesnt directly relate to their own welfare but that of society at large.

History tells us that students can topple governments. They can drive regime change. In Indonesia, for example, the student movement played an instrumental role in Suhartos political manoeuvres and eventual takeover of power from President Sukarno in the late 1960s.

The students led protests against Sukarnos government, even fighting his loyalists on the countrys streets. This eroded public trust in the government, paved the way for impeachment and ushered Suharto into power. Later, students turned on the man theyd supported. Throughout the three decades of his rule, they took Suharto on about corruption and the state of the economy. Eventually students occupied the Indonesian parliament grounds in May 1998 demanding Suhartos resignation. He resigned a few days later.

This makes sense. Universities are training grounds for future leaders  and that includes political leaders. Its rather duplicitous to praise students when they demonstrate excellence in science, technology or business that promises a great future, but simultaneously condemn them for political engagement.

It is better to nurture them in the discipline and art of political engagement. They should be groomed for this sort of leadership. Formal classes  at all levels of education, actually  provide an opportunity through which democratic principles and values can be taught.

Other groupings like civil society organisations and political parties could get involved too. They could work with students both in and outside classrooms to impart lessons in political engagement and strategy. These engagements would benefit individuals and society as a whole, grooming a new, disciplined body of leaders.

The contagious effect of student protests

This work is urgent.

The longer that student protests remain unresolved, the more intractable their unintended consequences will become.

One looming crisis point is the future of South Africas academics. Some, especially those who are internationally competitive, may decide to take their services to countries with less volatile academic environments.

This could have negative consequences for the country in the long term. In fact, statistics and studies show that Africa is experiencing an alarming exodus of critical human capital that it needs for technological, scientific, and socioeconomic progress. The current protests and consequent suspension of classes or closures of universities will only exacerbate the situation in already-strained sectors such as health.

The flip side is that some academics see a genuine cause in students protests. This group is likely to stick it out and even to echo students demands. They risk being accused of fomenting trouble against the state; branded as elements that seek to disturb the peace and even dislodge the governing party from power.

Such a view of academics is not new to Africa. Take Nigeria, for instance.

Nigerias struggles

In the years following its independence from Britain, Nigeria enacted pieces of legislation that systematically suppressed free and independent thinking. In his first reign over Nigeria between 1983 and 1985 General Muhammadu Buhari banned the National Association of Nigerian Students. He oversaw the arrests and detention of university students and sympathetic lecturers after students protested about the removal of subsidies on food and accommodation for students.

Buharis government also dismissed many academics in Health Sciences faculties across the country for participating in a strike called by the Nigerian Medical Association.

Institutions of higher learning, often because of anti-government protests, were often closed during the 1990s.

The government created the National Universities Commission and tasked it with ensuring Nigerian universities were adequately funded as well as allocating grants from the Federal Government to federally controlled universities. Through a set of decrees passed from 1974 to 1988, the NUC ate away at university senates autonomy.

Government also appointed sole administrators in the place of vice chancellors to oversee public universities. A 1975 decree gave the Federal Government and head of state total power to appoint and remove vice chancellors.

These measures were at least partly based on government suspicions that universities were breeding grounds for secessionist ideas. The governments interventions robbed Nigerian universities of financial, academic and administrative autonomy. They also contributed to an exodus of academics from the countrys universities  and from Nigeria itself.

Politics is dangerous

The politicisation of academia, then, definitely contributes to a decline in academic standards. This is a situation South Africa must work hard and fast to avoid. Yet, South Africa seems utterly reluctant to look elsewhere on the continent for lessons or learn from others experiences.

Two things are needed now: serious engagement and real leadership. Meetings, no matter how heated they get, offer an important space to improve relationships, gain understanding and develop a common approach towards decisively tackling the issue.

The department responsible for higher education must take the lead. Universities, students, the business community, industry and civil society all have a role to play too if South Africa is to find sustainable solutions. After all, this crisis has implications for the whole of society, now and for the future.

By: Chris Changwe Nshimbi, Research Fellow & Deputy Director, University of Pretoria
According to him, they can always make peace but anytime they meet on stage, they will see each other as opponents just like the top two Ghana premier league clubs.

Samini told Pulse TV that We are like Kotoko and Hearts. No matter how cool we are, we will always clash on stage.

When asked whether fans should expect a musical collaboration between them, he said its possible. Never say never. Lets just watch what will happen, he added.

Shatta Wale and Samini have been at loggerheads for more than 5 years. Their unresolved beef was due to the Dancehall crown which was first claimed by Shatta Wale.

They have attempted on several occasions to unite but to no avail. Their latest reunion occurred on Twitter on Shatta Wales birthday. On Shatta Wales 32nd birthday, Samini wished him well on the special occasion and suggested his existence is never complete without the birthday celebrant.
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Back in 2013, I was one of them.

Propelled by boredom of my home, and the need to have fun adventures, I packed my bags and took a VIP to start my new life in Odorkor in Greater Accra.

I was lost, overwhelmed and surrounded by Gas and Fantes. Over the past three years Ive found my feet, had my adventures, by mostly, I have learnt to appreciate my region.

Born and schooled in Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region, I have always thought I was missing and wasting the greater part of my youthful days.

I thought that my age mates in other regions always had their groove on, going to beach parties, shopping at the mall and other fun trips.

Moving to the Greater Accra Region has been an eye opener for me. Never a day goes by without missing Oseikrom, my beloved city.

Ashanti Region is the hub city of all ethnic groups, we warmly accommodate people from other regions. In every constituency, people from different tribes and religions live in peace and unity. We believe relation is not only defined by blood.

From tuo zaafi to fufu, banku to fante fante, waakye to jollof rice, gari foto to gari and beans, food from all tribes in Ghana are prepared in a healthy environment and served in the high streets for my kingsmen. No wonder strangers find it difficult to leave whenever they visit because they enjoy their local favourite dishes with a different touch.

In Accra, the food is limited and expensive. There a lack of choice that I miss from my days in Kumasi.

When it comes to clothing, the quality and affordable ones can only be bought in Kumasi. From new clothes to secondhand ones, Kumasi girls always have a wide range of options to choose from.

Personally, in my three years in Accra, I have never purchased clothes here. Not even underwear!

Lake Bosomtwe, Manhyia Palace Museum, Komfo Anokye sword site, Kumasi Military Museum and others tourist sites can be found in the Ashanti Region.

As much as we have accepted modernization and technological advancement, we uphold our traditions and cultural heritage. Otumfuo, Ashanteman, subordinate chiefs and religious leaders are involved in decision making. We pour libations and perform certain ritual when necessary. Some of the powerful and spiritual pastors in the country are located in my region.

Lets face it: Aside the English Language, the most popular local language is Ashanti Twi. It is the most easy to learn and understand language regardless of your mother tongue.

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Prempeh College, Opoku Ware, Yaa Asantewaa, St. Louis and other award-winning school are located in the Ashanti Region. Almalters from such prestigious institutions are leaders and role models for the youth in Ghana and across borders.

The infrastructural developments are beyond measure, tarred roads, hospitals, shopping malls, market centers, clinics are all up to standard.

In my experience the price of commodities in Kumasi, even rent of houses is very affordable in Kumasi compared to some other regions.

Living in other regions is quite challenging for some of the Kumasi folks but we always find a way to settle peacefully.

For me, I moved to Accra basically to satisfy my curiosity. Life without adventures and risk taking can be considered boring. As they say, travel and see; travelling across Ghana exposed me to different cultures, different people. I had an in depth knowledge and experience of the way of life of people as I journeyed on.

Truly, I cant call myself a true Ghanaian if I restrict my movement to my region alone.
Over the years, has the Guild lived up to its mandate(s)? Absolutely not!

What it has been able to achieve over the years, however, is to have a group that doesnt realize the kind of power it wields, a group that is in a ramshackle mode and is filled with a bunch of disgruntled and disunited adults who have no focus, no direction and no ideas.

Nothing Is Working

Presently, theres no relevant and effective activity going on at the Guild, in fact, nothing has ever worked effectively for years; except for some selfish, confused and power-hungry folks who are willing to relegate the betterment of the Guild to the background just for their self-conceited interests.

The Guild, after so many years of existence, still choose to steer affairs in a stone age, refusing to align itself with the new, modern and technology-driven trends of the industry. It has no website or any social media platform. Which corporate entity or donor would take such a group seriously?

Its welfare system is higgledy-piggledy with floundering long-serving members seen begging all over the place. Pathetic! How long will veteran actors continue to beg?

This Guild has zero influence to the extent that, when political parties are putting out manifestos on the creative arts, they have no zest to even suggest, agree or disagree with policies that affects them.

Elections Still Pending

The elections for the new executives to take over the handling of the group should have taken place some months ago, a process which could have ensured that, some persons with some bright ideas could lead the group to a new phase.

That democratic and well-accepted process is in ruins because, the constitution, no wait, something like a constitution was not adhered to in preparations for the elections and of course; some persons who are not due-paying members of the group, persons who have not attended a single meeting at the Guild have disrupted the elections.

The Guild is now characterized by stagnancy and dormancy; theres no progress  because all energies are being exerted into trying to solve problems relating to the elections. These problems, which shouldnt have arisen in the first place, are the ones militating against the growth of the group.

Funding From Equity UK In Danger

Some probing into the functions of the Guild revealed that, the Ghana Actors Guild has been receiving some form of aid or support from Equity UK (formerly the British Actors Equity Association)..

Investigations show that, due to the delay in the elections which is resulting in a stall in the activities of the Guild, Equity UK has threatened to cut off any form of support to the group. What the UK guys are saying is very simple; the folks handling affairs in Ghana are a bunch of jokers who lack vision and love to plunge the Guild into chaos.

Dreading a situation where the only source of funding for the Guild could be scrapped, the Guild is now sending a high-profile representative to meet Equity UK and convince them that, the election would come on before the close of the year.

Ministrys Tepid Intervention

As a result of the melee that shrouded the elections, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts stepped in to help restore some calm. A committee involving the two feuding factions was setup to ensure that all grievances were addressed in order to pave way for the elections.

Unfortunately, the supposed deadline for the submission of a report to the Ministry has passed and no document outlining the problems and the way forward was presented by the committee per investigations.

The Ministry, which accepted to handle the issue, is not being proactive with regards to their approach to settling whatever impasse that pertains. It is heavily engrossed in campaign matters and electioneering activities, it has no time for any Actors Guild nonsense.

The Tomfoolery Must Stop Now!

To state it bluntly and be a little brusque, the folks scuffling over power at the Actors Guild are adults, highly accomplished individuals who are also learned. They should stop the infantile maneuvering and start acting right.

No person or Ministry can solve their matter better than themselves. This is their craft; for most of them, this is their livelihood and the lives and future of many film practitioners depend on them. They must sit up and act right!

They must be put their selfish interests somewhere and think about the progress of the Guild and its members. They either fix the mess or clear off!

Author: Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo
This saw 11 members of Christlicher Verein Junger Menschen (CVJM) in Rechtebach come to Ghana for two weeks to mark the celebration with their Ghanaian counterparts.

At a grand durbar to celebrate the partnership which the two groups like to describe as a family, the Guest of honour for the ceremony Mr Martin Schmidt mentioned that the partnership which exists between the two groups goes beyond the contractual agreement signed on a sheet of paper.

Schmidt who is also the Chairman of CVJM Rechtebach said: this partnership is more than a sheet of paper. It is for life. We have become a family and always believe we have family members in Ghana from Kpone Bawaleshie to be precise. We know that you also believe you have family members in Germany and Rechtebach for that matter.

During the partnership, there has been 73 Germans visiting Kpone Bawaleshie on 40 different tours while 30 people have visited from Ghana.

READ ALSO: Rotary Club of Accra Osu RE inaugurates water project for mangoase SHS

The President of the Kpone Bawaleshie YMCA George Nuertey Ahenguah expressed gratitude to their Rechtenbach partners for all the support they have given them over the years. He also praised the chiefs and people of the area for always being a part of this growing partnership which has brought a lot of development to the area.

The partnership agreement was subsequently renewed for another five-year term.
In a press statement, OccupyGhana said it was shocked, horrified and disgusted to discover that, as we suspected and feared, there is a current attempt by the Attorney-General of the Republic of Ghana to abandon or discontinue the current recovery steps being taken to compel Alfred Woyome to disclose where his assets are and possibly how he disbursed the GHS51, 000,000 of our money, so that it can be returned to Ghana.

"We have seen a Notice of Discontinuance filed by the Attorney-General on 26th October 2016, discontinuing the present application to orally examine Woyome.

The Attorney General, per an earlier notice, would have orally examined Mr. Woyome on November 10, 2016.

But a notice of discontinuance filed at the Supreme Court has indicated that: please take notice that the 1st Defendant Judgment Creditor [Attorney General] herein has this day [26th Day of October 2016] discontinued the present application to orally examine the 3rd Defendant Judgment Debtor [Alfred Agesi Woyome] with liberty to reapply.

OccupyGhana has subsequently accused the authorities of not showing commitment to retrieving the monies wrongly paid to the businessman due to the Notice of Discontinuance.

Mr Woyome has been in the news since 2012 for allegedly putting in false claims to defraud the state to the tune of GH51.2 million, but the High Court and the Court of Appeal have cleared him of any wrongdoing.

However, the Supreme Court has directed him to refund the money, following which the Attorney-Generals office put in processes to recover the money.

The businessman, however, in April 2016 resisted attempts by officials of the Attorney Generals department and the Lands Commission to have access to his Kpehe residence for valuation.

Mr Woyome argued that the planned valuation was illegal.

Below is the full statement from OccupyGhana:

OCCUPYGHANA PRESS STATEMENTOCCUPYGHANA SHOCKED AT ATTORNEY-GENERALS ATTEMPT TO LET WOYOME KEEP OUR GH 51M.OccupyGhana is shocked, horrified and disgusted to discover that, as we suspected and feared, there is a current attempt by the Attorney-General of the Republic of Ghana to abandon or discontinue the current recovery steps being taken to compel Alfred Woyome to disclose where his assets are and possibly how he disbursed the GH 51,000,000 of OUR MONEY, so that it can be returned to Ghana. We have seen a Notice of Discontinuance filed by the Attorney-General on 26th October 2016, discontinuing the present application to orally examine Woyome.It would be recalled that on 25th October 2016, we issued a statement pointing to the refreshingly far-reaching order of the Supreme Court directed at Woyome to appear and testify on his assets. On the basis of the application moved and the order given, Woyome would be compelled by the court to make the following disclosures:1. Whether there are any debts owing to him,2. Whether he has any property for satisfying the judgment,3. Whether he has any other means of satisfying the judgment, and4. Whether he used the monies paid to him by the Republic of Ghana in any investments within or outside Ghana.We can now reveal that we issued that statement because we had heard that after the order was obtained and served on Woyome, immense pressure was brought to bear on the Attorney-Generals Department to abandon that process. The key concern, we learnt, had to do with Woyome being compelled to disclose how he spent OUR MONEY, because the answer to that question would reveal the names of all the persons who benefitted from OUR MONEY. What we did not believe at the time was that on the very next day after our statement, the Attorney-General would so easily cave in to the pressure and abandon probably the only option left to Ghana to recover OUR MONEY from Woyome.It is clear to us that this Government and its Attorney-General are either scared of Woyome or do not have the moral courage to pursue him for OUR MONEY. We cannot forget that this Government deliberately bungled the civil case it reluctantly filed to claim the money from Woyome, and secretly paid the money to him at a time when that case was still pending, and when the court had allowed the Government to hold on to at least two-thirds of the money. We cannot forget that but for the admirable and sacrificial vigilance and work of Mr. Martin Amidu, Woyome might never have been compelled to refund OUR MONEY.

What we have seen, since that judgment, is probably the slowest, tardiest and most reluctant enforcement steps in this history of this nation. Ghanaians are now being told that the affluent Woyome, who took and splurged OUR GH 51,000,000 as if it was some pocket change, is now broke, has sold all his assets and there is nothing against which we can recover OUR MONEY. This farcical and ludicrous position confirms that this Government has no interest in recovering OUR MONEY. We suspect that any attempt to trace those monies would make some persons in this Government very uncomfortable.But if the Attorney-General thought that she had nailed this coffin and kissed OUR MONEY goodbye, she got this wrong; dead wrong. Three reasons:First, there is no pending application for one to be discontinued. That application has been moved and granted already. What there is now is a valid and subsisting order of the Supreme Court, which cannot be discontinued by any party. Until it is set aside or vacated by the Supreme Court itself, that order remains. We expect that on 10th November 2016, Woyome will still show up in court. If he refuses to show up, the Supreme Court could compel his attendance.Second, technically, Woyome is a witness of the court, having been summoned on the orders of the court. Thus, even if the Attorney-General refuses to attend the 10th November 2016 proceedings to examine Woyome, the Supreme Court itself has the power to ask those relevant questions, and Woyome would be compelled to answer them and provide all the information required.Third, and thank God, Mr. Martin Amidu is still alive and well, and is still a party to the court action. He has every right to appear in court on 10th November and seek the permission of the court to examine Woyome, whether the Attorney-General shows up or not.While expressing our disgust at this shameful tactic, we are confident that the Supreme Court, which has proven to be the last bastion in the fight against corruption, will not let the people of this country down. Although the Supreme Court may be our last hope, we encourage all well-meaning Ghanaians to make their voices heard on this. Ultimately, we own this nation and elect leaders to serve us.
But a notice of discontinuance has indicated that: please take notice that the 1st Defendant Judgment Creditor [Attorney General] herein has this day [26th Day of October 2016] discontinued the present application to orally examine the 3rd Defendant Judgment Debtor [Alfred Agesi Woyome] with liberty to reapply.

Woyome has been in the news since 2012 for allegedly putting in false claims to defraud the state to the tune of GH51.2 million, but the High Court and the Court of Appeal have cleared him of any wrongdoing.

However, the Supreme Court has directed him to refund the money, following which the Attorney-Generals office put in processes to recover the money.

The businessman, however, in April 2016 resisted attempts by officials of the Attorney Generals department and the Lands Commission to have access to his Kpehe residence for valuation.
The Communications Director in statement said, it is horrified and saddened by the report that the Attorney General is not able to pursue anymore the retrieval of taxpayers monies paid to Mr. Alfred Woyome, as far back as 2010.

The NPP has however, charged President John Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to account for monies paid to Mr Woyome or face series of street protests.

According to him, it will hit the streets with Ghanaians if government fails to do so.

"The NPP cannot let this corruption and wanton loss of taxpayers monies just go by. We demand that President Mahama and his government retrieve the full value of our monies otherwise the party intends to lead Ghanaians in street protests," he said.

But Mr Annan in an interview with Accra-based Class FM said, "We are going to take Nana Akomea to court for that press statement he has issued. There are couple of guys who are already facing contempt charges in court and actually Nana Akomea should have been the third respondent but for certain reasons we left him out of it but it looks as if he himself willingly included himself in a future court action and I can promise him, he can take that from me, he can take that to the bank that we will take him to court for the press statement and the words that he has put in that press statement."

"He is saying because a Supreme Court judge used the words create, loot and share that means that my client is guilty of corruption or some sort of robbery or some form of criminal act. It appears the NPP are determined to hang their coat on the peg of what the Supreme Court judge said. Now that case was a civil case, it had nothing to do with any criminal matter and therefore if you keep importing criminality into a civil matter, when the matter was decided on article 181 (5) and not on any provision on any criminal act, Act 29, what you are doing is courting trouble for yourself and we have made it quite clear to them several times that they should cease and desist. However it appears they intend to use this Woyome thing as a campaign strategy. Let me assure them it will fail. We will make sure the reputation of our client is adequately protected by the courts," David Annan stated.

Below is the full statement from the NPP:

PRESIDENT MAHAMA AND NDC MUST ACCOUNT FOR OUR WOYOME MONIES OR BE SHOWN THE RED CARD

The NPP is horrified and saddened by the report that the Attorney General is not able to pursue anymore the retrieval of taxpayers monies paid to Mr. Alfred Woyome, as far back as 2010.

The NDC government itself as far back as 2009 has admitted the payments to Mr. Woyome were wrong, unjustified and undeserved.

But no NDC official involved in this gargantuan loss of taxpayers monies has been punished or prosecuted.

Per the solo efforts of Mr. Martin Amidu, the Supreme Court in 2014 ordered that the monies should be retrieved, describing the payment as a scheme to create, loot and share taxpayers monies.

President Mahama and his government did not seek an order for payment with interest despite the Supreme Court ruling.

Despite this, two years after the order for even the greatly devalued ghc52.8 million, president mahama has not managed to retrieve even a PESEWAS of taxpayers monies from Mr Woyome.

What little hope Ghanaians have that our monies will be retrieved has been dashed by the withdrawal of the Attorney General from further pursuit of the retrieval of the monies.

The NPP cannot let this corruption and wanton loss of taxpayers monies just go by.

We demand that President Mahama and his government retrieve the full value of our monies otherwise the party intends to lead Ghanaians in street protests Create, loot and share cannot be rewarded President Mahama must account for our monies or be shown the red card.
President of a group known as International Standard Journalists Association, Dr Nana Oppong in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM dared the EC to take the next step since they will not pay the accreditation fee.

He said that journalists were committed to making this years elections a peaceful one but will not pay for accreditation.

Earlier this year the EC asked journalists in the Ashanti and Western Region to pay GHC 8 for accreditation before they were allowed to cover elections in their regions.

A statement signed by Eric Kofi Dzakpasu, Head of Communications at EC, Monday said: Accreditation tags will be given to only those who have formally applied for it and for a fee to be determined by the Commission.

Even though the amount to be paid is yet to be determined the statement added that media organisations have from Monday, 31st October to Monday 7th of November 2016 to apply for accreditation.

The statement further warned that any request submitted after the deadline of 7th November 2016 will not be considered.
The party has, however, stated that it might appeal the case after the December 7 polls.

READ ALSO: Election 2016

The PPP filed an interlocutory injunction seeking to restrain the Electoral Commission (EC) from going ahead with the receipt of filing fees from presidential and parliamentary candidates a day before the date scheduled for filing.

But at the hearing in court on October 7, 2016, the trial judge, Justice Daniel Mensah denied the application for the injunction and gave the EC the go-ahead to collect the filing fee.

The PPP's earlier injunction prevented the EC from receiving the filing fees of the various parliamentary and presidential hopefuls though it strangely accepted the filing fee of the PPP flagberer, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, who was represented by the partys Chairman, Nii Allotey Brew Hammond.

The party pursued a declaration that Regulation 45 of C.I. 94 is discriminatory, arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable.

That the entire C.I. 94 does not contain the appropriate relevant provisions that meet the intendment of Article 296 of the 1992 Constitution.
He said no amount of threats by members of the NDC would make him change his prophecy about Nana Addos 2016 victory.

Isaac Owusu Bempah in an interview on Metro TV said the NDC was trying to subvert the prophesied truth of Nana Akufo-Addos election by bringing in Prophet T.B Joshua.

He said Nigerian prophetT.B Joshua is on a mission to Ghana to subvert the will of God that Nana would win the election, but he said that will not work.

He added that he is more powerful than T.B Joshua.

"There's a man of God from Nigeria in town, he's here for nothing. The power he came with is too small, nothing he plans on doing here will work. If Ghanaians make a mistake and allow John Mahama to win this year's elections, the calamity that will befall the country will be unheard of. Mark it on the wall. God is angry with Mahama... he has blood on his hands," he said.

Owusu Bempah noted that God has rejected Mahama as leader of Ghana.

He said Nana Addo will be one of the best presidents in Ghana and that the country has a great future, warning calamity awaits the country if President Mahama rigs the election.
According to him, President Mahama's comments on Tuesday, November 1, whilst campaign in Abirem, in the Eastern Region, where he warned Ghanaians against continually changing incumbent governments to try new ones, saying such a situation stalls development, was truly unfortunate.

Read related: NDC sacks 23 parliamentary aspirants

"If changing governments was bad, why did he and his party agitate for the changing of the NPP government in 2008? Changing governments was good for him in 2008, but when the time has come for Ghanaians to change governments in 2016, it's now a bad thing", Akufo-Addo said

He continued, "I get sad listening to the President sometimes. It is heart wrenching hearing some of the comments he makes. Does he understand the tenets of democracy? If he understood democracy, he wouldn't be saying some of the things he says".

Nana Akufo-Addo was addressing residents of Denkyira Obuasi, in the Upper Denkyira West constituency, in the Central Region.

He explained that it was for a good reason why Ghana's Constitution directed that elections be held every 4 years.

"Why is that so? It's because when you come into office and do a poor job, Ghanaians have the opportunity of removing you from office. We (in the NPP) are coming to change this incompetent government and bring in a competent government."

More here: 57 Volta chiefs declare support for Nana Addo

Again, Nana Akufo-Addo indicated that President Mahama's issue with him begging for the votes of Ghanaians is, yet, another affirmation of the President's weak understanding of democracy.
Mr Julius Debrah goes to the region barely some days after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, ended his tour of the region.

Mr. Debrah's team is made up of old and new generation political politicians consisting of Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, leading member of the NDC and a veteran political strategist and local governance expert, former Minister for National Security, Kofi Totobi Kwakye, Faustina Nelson, member NDC national Campaign team, NDC deputy General Secretary, Koku Anyidoho, NDC National Communication Officer, Solomon Nkansah, and his deputy, Presidential Staffers Adu Asare and Emilia Arthur.

Mr. Debrah's campaign strategy involves engagements with grassroots supporters, former DCEs and Ministers, cadres, CDRs, mobilization, members of June 4, Non Formal, former members of 31st December Women's Movement, veranda boys and girls and other NDC groups.

Read related: Mahama is trustworthy

The Chief of Staff and his entourage will be on a five-day campaign tour of the region.
Standard Chartered Saadiq could enter at least one of these markets - Nigeria, Botswana and Zambia - as early as 2017, Mohammad Ali Allawalla, who is head of Islamic banking for retail clients at the bank, said on the sidelines of a media briefing on Tuesday.

The Muslim population in sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to more than double from about 250 million people in 2010 to nearly 670 million in 2050, according to Pew Research Center.

As well as talking to regulators in the three African countries, Standard Chartered Saadiq is also in discussions about gaining an Islamic banking licence in Brunei in South East Asia and working with the regulator there on guidelines for Islamic wealth management.

Standard Chartered Saadiq's core markets are Pakistan, Malaysia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Bangladesh and in 2014 it entered the Kenyan market, its first move into Africa.

"Nigeria is an interesting market in terms of size we are exploring and other markets like Botswana and Zambia, which are not big markets in terms of sheer size but in terms of pockets of customers they present a good opportunity," Allawalla said.

Nigeria, the continent's most populous nation, has around 77 million Muslims, according to Pew Research Center.

Allawalla said the country presented challenges for retail banking because of the gap between rich and poor.

Standard Chartered already operates in Nigeria, Botswana, Zambia and Brunei and Saadiq would only venture into them if there was a need for a alternative Islamic products, Allawalla said.
In partnership with the African Union Commission, AUC, and the support of the Official Host City, Lagos State,AFRIMA 2016 grand awards ceremony is preceded by The AFRIMA Music Village on Friday November 4, 2016, a non-stop music concert with over 40 African artistes performing live at the Waterfront, Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos in Nigeria. Thousands of guests expected in Lagos for the various events.

Tagged AFRIMA 3.0, the prestigious awards night will host over 352 African superstars including Kiss Daniel (Nigeria); Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania); Brymo (Nigeria); Wax Dey (Cameroon); Seyi Shay (Nigeria); Fally Ipupa (DRC), YemiAlade (Nigeria); Victoria Kimani (Kenya); Tiwa Savage (Nigeria); Aramide (Nigeria); Niniola (Nigeria); YCee (Nigeria); TJAN (Nigeria) and Flavour (Nigeria); multiple award-winning South African choral group, Soweto Choir among others.

This African music stars will come together to perform live on stage in honour of Manu Dibango, King Sunny Ade and late Papa Wemba, three of Africas renowned music legends.

Speaking about the purpose of the tribute, President and Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada said: Contemporary African stars will be pledging their loyalty to these grassroot legends of African music to show the beauty of their music through outstanding performances on stage during the AFRIMA awards. It is also a means of showing the younger generation that they can connect to music made by older generations of artistes and use this to unite the world through music.
Punch reports that the policemen who are from the Anti-Robbery Squad of the state police command, invaded the Ajibawo village in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area abducted the deceased, Segun Elegbede, a 42-year-old farmer, who later died in their custody from toruture.

Apart from the death of the victim, the policemen were also said to have looted shops in the community, stealing goods worth several thousands of Naira.

The victim, it was gathered, was abducted after he tried to find out what the villagers had done to deserve the invasion.

He was said to have been taken away to the Division and prevented from seeing friends and family members and after some days of being in detention, they called his family members to inform them that their brother was dead and they should go and collect his corpse from a morgue in the state.

A hairdresser who lives in the community, Modinat Akinola, told newsmen that no one could tell the reason for the attack, adding that the policemen also looted her shop.

On the day they came, I saw about four policemen around 3pm; they came in a commercial bus. Suddenly they started shooting, and everybody fled.

I tried to hide inside my shop with my two children. Other policemen later arrived in a patrol van. They broke into my shop and damaged my refrigerator and other electronics.

They took away my phones, recharge cards, ATM cards, money, canned malt, tin milk and bottled drinks, among others.

The value of everything is about N400,000. A man, who was sleeping in the house beside my shop, was attacked and taken away that day.

The wife of the murdered farmer, Fatimoh, said she was not allowed to her husband all the days he was in detention before he was killed by the police.

I was not around on the day the police came. When I got back to the community, everywhere was deserted. When I entered our house, I saw that it had been vandalised.

When I got to Magbon Police Division, I was not allowed to see my husband; they kept asking me to exercise patience.

After seven days, the police called my husbands sister that she should come for his corpse, she added.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Abubakar Ibrahim revealed that the police received a petition from Augustine Agum, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Zaria branch on behalf of the association on October 17 which bordered on impersonation, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

ALSO READ: Police nabs fake lawyer

The court heard that the accused was parading herself as a lawyer without being qualified or trained as one.

Ibrahim told the court that police investigation revealed that the accused is yet to affirm nor deny the allegation against her. The offence reportedly contravened Section 179 Penal Code.

NAN reports that Fatima later confessed to the crime adding that circumstances forced her into it.

However, the accused retracted her guilty plea after the prosecutor applied for her summary trial under Section 157 of Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

Fatima's counsel, Abdurrasaq Ahmed, later applied for bail, saying that the alleged offence was bailable.

ALSO READ: Fake lawyer who stole N6m from victims in police net

The Chief Magistrate, Auwal Musa, said, It is not an easy case because it tempers with the reputation and credibility of members of the bar profession, therefore, we are all affected."

He granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in the like sum adding that the sureties must present bank account statements, letter from a traditional ruler, authentic residential address and telephone number.
The suspect, Seun Badmus was sentenced on Wednesday, November 2, after being found guilty of a one-count charge of rape, Punch reports.

The Chief Magistrate who presided over the case, Mrs Helen Komolafe, however, gave him an option of fine in the sum of N200, 000.

Punch reports that the police Prosecutor, Cpl. Adebayo Ayorinde told the court that the suspect had carnal knowledge of the minor without her consent.

He added that the teenager who was hawking banana was lured by the suspect into his room where he raped her.

According to Ayorinde, the suspect committed the offence on Oct. 23, at about 4:30 p.m. at Owodunni St., opposite Lao Filling Station within the Akure metropolis.
ALSO READ: JTF prevents attempted abduction, frees victim

While speaking with newsmen at the Brigade headquarters in Bauchi on Wednesday, November 2, the Platoon Commander, Captain Harrison Chiagozie, said the incident occurred on Saturday, October 29.

Punch reports that the Commander who led the operation disclosed to journalists that N770,000 cash was recovered from the kidnappers.

The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of N1.6m from the victim's family but they were only able to raise N770,000.

We got a report of the kidnap of the boy, Muhammad Musa, on Saturday and immediately, we swung into action.

When we got to the bush, it was around 10pm and as soon as the family exchanged the N770,000 they had with them and took their son, our men who were hiding came out.

An exchange of fire ensued between us and the kidnappers and we killed two of them while the others escaped. There was no casualty on our side.

"They used torchlight to know where we were because it was very dark. And our aim was to rescue the boy alive, Chiagozie said.

The Platoon Commander explained that the operation was successful because it was carried out through teamwork between the Nigerian Army and a vigilante group in the area.

ALSO READ: 11 suspected kidnappers arrested after gun shootout with police

Speaking with journalists, one of the victim's uncles identified as Ali Umar, said that the kidnappers left a note after grabbing the boy, and asked them to call a phone number on it.

I have been the one speaking with the kidnappers. They demanded the sum of N1.6m from the family before the boy would be released to us; but we were only able to raise the sum of N770,000 and even that was borrowed, Umar said.
John Kojo was reportedly arrested on Saturday, October 29 when he was identified as the owner of the gun by a robbery suspect identified as Banhusa Abujuny, Punch Metro reports.

ALSO READ: Meet The Woman Who Supplies Guns To Robbers

The pair is reportedly being detained by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja.

According to Punch Metro, the police said the gun was stolen from another robbery gang.

Punch Metro reports that some armed robbers unleashed terror at Kojos area in Morogbo on Friday, October 7.

Following distress calls to the police from some of the residents of the area and the efforts of vigilante group members mobilised against the robbers, they fled the scene, abandoning the pistol.

Kojo who was around the area reportedly picked up the weapon and hid it.

The police disclosed that Kojo later rented the gun out to Abujuny to be used in a robbery.

However, Kojo told Punch Metro that he hid the gun because he was afraid to turn it over to the police.

Kojo claimed to have been unaware that his friend, Abujuny, took the gun from his house.

I got the gun after the robbers, who attacked Oko Afo, fled. The robbers came to our area and were moving from house to house. Some residents confronted them and they fled. I was one of those who chased the robbers.

As they fled, they left one of the guns by the roadside and I picked it. I brought the gun home and hid it. I did not give the weapon to the police because I was afraid. I did not show the gun to anyone.

Abujuny is my friend. He did not tell me that he had taken the gun. I was at home last week Saturday when SARS officers came and arrested me, he said.

ALSO READ: Armed robbery suspects implicates police officer as gun supplier

Meanwhile, Abujuny, claims to have been arrested in a street fight in the Alaba Market, Ojo, and that he had not robbed with the gun.

He said, I had yet to rob with the gun. There was a fight in the Alaba Market on Friday and I threatened someone with the gun.
According to him, the five deceased children were aged between nine and fifteen years.

Punch reports that the mother-of-three, a daughter and two sons, brought the cassava flour (white Amala) from her farmland at Ohuepe village on Sunday, October 30.

Salahudeen disclosed that she prepared dinner from the flour for her family and sent some to her neighbour.

The victims later developed a severe stomach ache after going to bed that night which resulted in the death of the woman and two of her kids.

Sensing that the sudden death might have been a result of the cassava flour, the neighbours rushed the remaining three kids to Okene General Hospital where they died on Tuesday.

Salaudeen revealed that the local government authority believes that the cassava flour was poisoned and the case has been reported to the police for follow-up action.

ALSO READ: Lady dies after eating mango
On Wednesday, November 2, the Association of Foreign Airlines' Representatives in Nigeria (AFARN), warned the Federal government that more of its member airlines could close shops soon.

The association said its members have not benefited from the concession granted to them to access foreign exchange at the inter-bank foreign exchange market.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, President of the association, Mr Kingsley Nwokoma, said the exchange rate is gravely affecting their operations.

"There are so many units that make up the industry and collaboration is key to moving the industry forward. We want performance but we must drive safety with it," Nwokoma said.

ALSO READ: Emirates to suspend Abuja operations
The truck loaded with improvised explosives was meant to be donated at a military checkpoint near Maiduguri, it was learnt.

According to army spokesman, Sani Usman, the explosion occurred when the terrorists were trying to escape.

"They attempted to detonate at a checkpoint but were denied access by troops and as they turned back, it exploded killing all the eight occupants," he said.

ALSO READ: Troops rescue 38 women, children in Borno
In a letter to both chambers of the National Assembly two weeks before, Buhari had written:

I wish to refer to the above subject and to submit the attached draft of the Federal Government 2016-2018 External Borrowing (Rolling) plan for consideration and early approval by the National Assembly to ensure prompt implementation of projects.

However, the Senate in a near unanimous voice vote during plenary on Tuesday, turned down the Presidents request.

ALSO READ:

Senate Majority Leader, Ali Ndume had moved the motion urging his colleagues to consider the Presidents loan request.

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (PDP, Taraba State) had seconded the motion.

But things got worse for the Executive when Senate President Bukola Saraki asked his colleagues for a voice vote.

The Nays had it, announced Saraki and the loan request was flatly turned down.

Ndume couldnt believe it.

I was shocked by the decision; my colleagues surprised me today. I was not expecting that, Ndume told journalists moments after his motion was defeated.

Ndume put it down to not doing his home work properly.

If I had a little inclination that such a thing was going to happen, I would have tried to market the request or at worse, I will not present it. Today, the senators had their way and I had my say.

Ndume also added that the loan request was turned down because the Executive failed to attach a detailed borrowing plan.

The bill was binned on the basis of technicalities, explained Ndume.

One of the technical things that was missing is that in the letter, if you read it, says: attached is a draft but there was no attachment.

So, these are some of the lapses that we will look at in bringing it back.

We were thinking that there were going to be details but there were no details of the borrowing plan.

However, lawmakers spoken to for this story told that the failure of the Executive to include how the loan request will add to their 'Constituency Projects', was the overriding reason why the bill was shot down.

All lawmakers spoken to craved anonymity for this story.

The Presidents letter stated that the N9trn loan was going to be used for infrastructure projects if approved. What we were expecting was a draft attachment detailing what projects will come to our constituencies. There was nothing like that, one lawmaker told .

Said another lawmaker who represents a State in the North of Nigeria: The Executive has to be a lot more transparent and accountable when it requests for a loan. Im sure that after today, President Buhari and his team will know what to do.

Constituency Projects allocation is considered the 'be all' by Nigerian lawmakers.

Public commentators often accuse legislators of cornering funds voted for constituency projects into their private pockets.

The budget padding allegation raised by Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin against the Speaker and other Principal officers of the House, stemmed from alleged misappropriation of funds meant for constituency projects.

Jibrin bagged a legislative suspensionfor his troubles.

In rejecting the Presidents loan request this week, the Senate alluded to the absence of constituency projects in the borrowing plan.

The Senators had said the Executive should present a clear framework that does not marginalize any segment of our society no matter where they may be in the country; and present the same to the National Assembly for passage into law.

Funds earmarked for Constituency Projects are the pork barrel in Nigerian legislative ecosystem. Lawmakers often lobby for Constituency Projects allocation for obvious reasons.

A subdued Executive took the rejection of its borrowing proposal in its stride. Not like it had that much of a choice.

Sen. Ita Enang who is the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on National Assembly Matters, told newsmen on Tuesday that the loan request will be resent to parliament once it had been reworked.

We are not disputing with the distinguished Senate, said Enang, as cool as you'd like.

There are certain information and details which will enable them to consider in detail, and appropriately the request of Mr. President.

So we are collating that information. The Budget Office of the Federation, the Debt Management Office, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Minister of Finance and the economic team are collating the information so that it can be submitted to the Senate to enable them take the appropriate decision.

We would be engaging the Senate. We will not be disputing with them but we will be engaging with them.
According to multiple reports, the matter was rejected by several Senators who voted Nay to the approval sought when it was brought forward.

It was further reported that the sole reason many senators turned down the external borrowing request was the lack of documents supporting the request as referenced in the letter by the President.

Though President Buhari had said that the need for the external loan was to promptly implement projects that cut across agriculture, health, education, and water supply, the Senate didn't seem convinced.

Last week, President Buhari had written to the Senate and House of Representatives in two separate letters seeking the approval for an external borrowing to ensure the prompt implementation of projects.

The total cost of the projects and programmes under the borrowing plan is 29.96 billion US dollars, made up of proposed projects and programmes loans of 11.274 billion US dollars, special national infrastructure projects of 10.686 billion US dollars, Eurobonds of 4.5 billion US dollars and federal government budget support of 3.5 billion US dollars, the letter read in parts.
In a report by Premium Times, the anti-graft agency's spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren discarded the tale saying it was a mere rumour.

Meanwhile Fani-Kayode's spokesman, Jude Ndukwe has said he is aware of the plans to re-arrest the ex-minister when he is arraigned for a charge of collecting N26m from ex-NSA, Sambo Dasuki.

Ndukwe claimed further that plans to re-arrest his principal for the third time by EFCC has been revealed to him.

He said: Yes, weve been hearing that they have several matters lined up for which they will use to continue to detain him indefinitely. Its a very dark moment for our country.

Continuing, he said: Dont forget that when he was re-arrested outside the court about two weeks ago, the EFCC did so without a warrant of arrest or any detention order.

Even if hes granted bail 100 times, the EFCC will rearrest him 100 times. Please let me repeat, the EFCC is a lawless organisation, Ndukwe said.
The mosque, named after the first Sultan of Sokoto, was the hub of the puritanical Izala movement anchored by late Sheikh Abubakar Gumi.

It had been enmeshed in leadership crisis since August 12, and the situation led to the expulsion of the Chief Imam of the mosque, Sheikh Balele Wali.

The appointment of Dr Khalid Abubakar as acting Chief Imam was staunchly opposed by some members of the mosque, led by Dr Ahmad Gumi.

A statement by Samuel Aruwan, spokesman to El- Rufai, however, said stakeholders at the meeting held in Kaduna, agreed to give peace a chance.

It said that the contending parties agreed to allow the Deputy Imam of the mosque to serve in acting capacity pending appointment of a substantive Chief Imam.

They mandated the management committee of the mosque, in collaboration with the Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris, Jamaatu Nasril Islam, Gumis group and other stakeholders to set up a committee for the appointment of a substantive Imam.

The meeting also resolved that the committee would have two weeks from first day of its sitting, to complete its assignment.

Stakeholder at the meeting were the Emir, Khalid, Gumi, members of the mosques management committee, and the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice.

The rest included the Director, DSS, Police Commissioner, and representatives of the Army, Air Force and other security agencies.

The statement said El-Rufai had earlier explained that government intervened in the crisis to avert break down of law and order.

I heard your submissions, but our interest as a government is to ensure security and contain threat to peace.

We will not tolerate break down of law and order; and we will not fold our arms and allow people to resort to self help.

I took oath to be fair and just and to protect all citizens of Kaduna State irrespective of their religious affiliations including those that dont believe in the existence of God.
It's okay, we've got broad enough shoulders for you to cry on.

Worse, if you are studying for an Engineering degree in a Nigerian University, you may want to consider a change of course while it is still day.

Sorry, we didnt make the rules, Fashola did.

A delegation of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) led by its President, Otis Anyaeji, paid the former Lagos State Governor a courtesy visit in his office this week.

ALSO READ: Minister explains why government does not patronize local contractors

It was all Fashola needed to unload on Nigerian Engineers.

And boy, did he come down hard!

1. The only reason why Government awards contracts to foreign investors is because Nigerian Engineers are a load of crap.

Hey! Not our words, Fasholas.

If homegrown Engineers were any good, the Federal Government wont be running after their foreign peers, says Fashola.

If there was no vacuum, there would not be foreign engineering consultants and contractors in Nigeria.

Unless we honestly stand up and accept that there is a vacuum, we look in the mirror and tell ourselves that we honestly do not like what we see, it will not change, said Fashola.

2. Local Engineering firms cant even put a bid together.

I can tell you from experience that when I was a State Governor, when I advertised for rail project, no Nigerian firm bidded for it, Fashola revealed.

Ouch!

What a shame!

3. Nigerian Engineers cant stop our shine

Government will not stop the development of the country, if local Engineers are not ready, Fashola said.

So, now that Fashola wants to transform our roads into the Autobahn, our power sector into an uninterrupted array of blinding lights and our housing sector into paradise on earth, hes got no patience for the Nigerian Engineer.

Amoshine when amoshine.

We are in tears right now.

4. Accept your deficiencies, guys.

Fashola also said Nigerian Engineers need to take a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror, accept that they are crap and then improve.

Nigerian Engineers should accept their deficiencies, Fashola pronounced.

**********

Postscript: So we are just here wondering, if our Universities and Polytechnics were any good; if government was up to its responsibilities in the education sector, would our Engineers be spoken of in this manner?

As Lagos Governor, did Fashola spare a thought for the Engineering Departments at the University of Lagos, Lagos State University and Yaba College of Technology?

Was there a deliberate policy in place by the former number one citizen of Lagos, to make Engineering undergraduates in his jurisdiction employable?

And does the Buy Nigeria to grow the Naira campaign adopted and pushed in our faces by the Buhari administration, not apply to homegrown Engineers?

Whatever happened to local content as a government policy?

If this government wants to create jobs locally like it trumpets it wants to do, should it overlook our homegrown Engineers?

Like seriously?

Is there a policy by the Buhari administration to make our Engineering undergraduates worth their calling, a few years from now?

This is all like the typical Nigerian leader and politician--sermonising about a problem but not lifting a finger in solution.
Fashola said this on Tuesday in Abuja when a delegation of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) led by its President, Mr Otis Anyaeji, paid him a courtesy visit.

He said that the failure of Nigerian engineering firms to bid for government projects was responsible for the patronage of foreign contractors.

Fashola said If there was no vacuum, there would not be foreign engineering consultants and contractors in Nigeria.

Unless we honestly stand up and accept that there is a vacuum, we look in the mirror and tell ourselves that we honestly do not like what we see, it will not change.

I can tell you from experience when I was a state governor, that when I advertised for rail project, no Nigerian firm bidded for it.

Government will not stop the development of the country, if you are not ready.

According to him, while we point a finger at government, we must also point the same fingers at ourselves because foreign companies doing business in Nigeria are privately owned.

He advised Nigerian engineers to accept their deficiencies and build their capacities to be able to compete with foreign firms.

Meanwhile the minister decried what he called the over legislation of procurement process and called for a review, to enhance speedy development of infrastructure in the country.

In a developing economy like Nigeria, I think that we have over-legislated our procurement process.

Some of the fast track procurement systems that we need, given also our weather circle, are still in the way of project intervention to deliver infrastructure.

Let us do a review and see what we have delivered and look back at 20 years ago when all these procurement laws were not there what we achieved and measure them.

I think that in my personal view, we have over-legislated procurement process to our detriment, he added.

In his remark, Anyaeji called for patronage of local engineers and the use of indigenous materials for the execution of government projects.
The Governor said I have nothing against you or any other ethnic group. Nobody should bring politics into this matter. If a Yoruba person destroys your property I will defend you too. It is people destroying other peoples farms that are causing this problem.

We have given lands to people to farm and they have paid, some for many years to use the lands and when somebody now comes and destroys their means of livelihood and make them suffer losses, we wont allow that. If anybody says Fayose is after Hausa or Fulani people, that person has no sense. During my first term, I appointed a man from Malunfashi as a Special Adviser. This term too, I appointed Musa Kanga into the Pilgrims Welfare Board.

In Oke Ako-Ekiti last May, two persons were killed, peoples wives raped by those hiding under the guise of rearing cattle. I have 83 cows too and I have told the person taking care of them that if he goes against the law and any of them is seized, he will be responsible for that.

Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, the Ekiti State Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Muhammad Nasamu, thanked The Ekiti Governor for being frank and open.

The group had earlier asked Fayose to tender an unreserved apologyand compensate its members whose cows were killed.
According to a report by SaharaReporters, Ibanga, the current Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom state, was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

It was further reported that EFCC sources said Ibanga was detained at the Zonal office of the EFCC in Port Harcourt for defrauding Honourable Robinson Uwak.

Operatives are also said to be investigating Ibanga for allegations of fraud and money laundering.
Williams/Young Family(NEW YORK) -- A little girl with a big heart gave up her birthday gifts this year for a premature baby shes never met.



In lieu of presents, Addison Williams, 7, asked her party guests to bring cash donations for Cooper Young--a NICU resident born just shy of 2 pounds.



On Oct. 23, Addison collected $307 for Cooper's parents to put toward his medical bills.



We gave her a call and wished her a 'Happy Birthday' and told her how honored we were that she selected Cooper, said Coopers dad, Philip Young of Chesterfield County, Virginia. For her to do that and sacrifice presents for Cooper, to us is quite a selfless act.



On Aug. 20, Young's wife April gave birth to their son Cooper 26 weeks into the pregnancy.



Cooper weighed 1 pound, 15 ounces when he was born at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Doctors told the family there were no indicators as to why April went into premature labor, Young said.



Since his birth, Cooper has remained in the NICU, but Young said the now 2-month-old is making strides.



"I'm hoping that we will spend our first Thanksgiving at home together," Young said. "We still have a couple of challenges to get over, but he's come so far that I'm extremely hopeful."



To share their son's journey, the Youngs created a Facebook page titled Cooper's Chronicles.



About an hour away, Addison Williams had been following Cooper's story. Addison's grandfather, Brad Williams, had previously worked with Philip Young, a firefighter medic, at the Spotsylvania County Fire Department.



In recent years, Addison had collected donations for the homeless and school supplies for children in need. With her seventh birthday approaching, Addison decided she'd raise money for Cooper instead of accepting gifts from her loved ones.



Addison's father, Josh Shade, had his daughter's special request printed on the party invitation.



"She just comes up with these things on her own," her mom Emily Williams told ABC News. "She's always said, she thinks people need stuff more than she does. She legitimately has a heart of gold. I don't even know how to explain it. She never ceases to amaze us."



Williams sent a message to the Youngs on Facebook about the donation. In turn, they called Addison to express their gratitude.



"With Cooper's dad being a firefighter and with Cooper's mom being a teacher, I understand that they'd want to give to their community more than asking for help," Williams said. "When I told them Addison was going to be raising money, they said they know people in the world needing more help than they do. So, they are very humble."



Addison hopes to inspire other children with her giving spirit, Williams said.



Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Dasuki is in custody of law enforcement for misappropriating a certain $2.2B meant for procuring arms for the military.

Jonathan has gone on the record to say Dasuki couldnt have stolen that much money.

You cannot say the National Security Adviser stole $2.2billion. It is not just possible, Jonathan said before the Oxford Union in the U.K.

They said the National Security Adviser stole $2.2billion. I dont believe somebody can just steal $2.2 billion. We bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the army and so on and so forth and you are still saying 2.2 billion, so where did we get the money to buy all those things?

For standing up for his former employee in this manner, Dasukis legal team has found in Jonathan a willing ally. They've tapped him up.

According to a report in The Nation, Jonathan has practically agreed to testifying that Dasuki never stole Nigerias money, according to a source in the Ex-NSA's camp.

So far, we have secured the consent of Jonathan to appear in court for Dasuki. This will make the trial worth it.

Ahmed Raji (SAN) who is one of Dasukis lawyers, was also quoted as saying Jonathan will be a key witness for Dasuki.

It will be desirable for Jonathan to testify for the ex-NSA. It will throw greater light into grey areas. And it will serve the interest of Justice.

It will be fantastic for him to go to court to testify. Dasuki is an agent of a disclosed and known principal.

Another member of the legal team was quoted as saying: With what Jonathan said in London, the only logical thing for him to do is to see it through.

We want Jonathan to follow-through. If he backs out, it will be bad.

Should Jonathan accept to do this, he will be putting himself forward as an accessory to alleged crime perpetrated on his watch.

It will also mean that Jonathan knows more than he is letting on, with respect to the disappearance of huge State funds on his watch.

That wont be anything new.

In December, Dasuki had said he disbursed some of the monies after receiving orders to do so from then Commander-In-Chief, Goodluck Jonathan.

Said Dasuki: I wish to state as follows: That I have been publicly indicted and any statement may jeopardise my defence. Having been briefed by the EFCC investigators on why I was invited, I will answer the charges in court. As such, I do not wish to make any further statement on the matter.

That I am aware in November (I cannot remember the exact date), my office requested the CBN to exchange N10billion from the account of the Office of National Security Adviser domiciled in CBN. The money was exchanged at $47m and some Euros which I cannot remember. The exact amount was delivered at my residence.

The money was for delegates that attended the nomination convention for the PDP Presidential nomination. The money was paid and sent to for distribution on the instruction of the President.

Dasuki is standing trial for illegal possession of firearms, money laundering and a host of other crimes against the State.

It will be fascinating to watch Jonathan take the witness box to say Dasuki is blameless in all or some of the charges, because that may invariably mean opening up himself for arrest and interrogation.

And if Dasuki was right about simply obeying orders from Jonathan, then this case is only just beginning.

It also means there are several more names involved here; and several more leads as well for investigators.

Because for all we know, Dasuki made sure the money went round.
Speaking at a meeting with the Ministry in Abuja, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said the police has all it takes to help achieve the campaign objectives.

He urged Officers to be committed and loyal in carrying out their duties with regards to the initiative.

Idris said: "We have decided, as the top management, to invite the minister to pass this message to the top officers of the Nigeria Police Force because we believe that the Nigeria Police Force is occupying a very critical stage in the life of this country.

"We have the widest spread and everybody knows that in democracy the police are very critical anywhere in the world.

"Police are very critical in the survival of democracy. We want him to share this message so that all of us will now cue into the current direction of this administration which is the change mantra which has been spreading all over the country."
Oyebade brokered the peace deal between the warring parties on Tuesday, November 1, 2016, Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Kachia.

While reading the resolution of the meeting to newsmen, the General said We agreed that there will be an immediate stoppage to all forms of violent activities from all the stakeholders. We want to encourage the setting up of peace and reconciliation committees at the ward level, district level and the local government level by the Fulani herdsmen, the locals and other critical stakeholders in the various communities.

It has also been agreed that children would stop grazing cattle in Kaduna State and in the North-West zone.

This is coming on the heels of the condemnation of the attacks by the Southern Kaduna Elders Consultative Forum, who called on the government to bring the menace of the herdsmen to an end.
A Federal High Court in Lagos found the companies, which were linked to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan's former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, guilty of money laundering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had frozen the accounts of the four companies and seized the $15 million while probing Dudafa for money laundering.

Following the temporary seizure, Mrs Jonathan sued the EFCC and Skye Bank, claiming ownership of the money.

Justice Babs Kuewumi on Wednesday convicted the four companies of laundering the money.

The EFCC had arraigned the companies on September 15, 2016, along with Dudafa, a lawyer, Amajuoyi Briggs; and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku.

The companies pleaded guilty to money laundering but Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku pleaded not guilty.

According to the EFCC prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, the money was stolen from the State House, Abuja.

He said: "The EFCC received an intelligence report showing vividly that the fourth to seventh defendants retained proceeds of crime.

"Our investigations showed that Fetus Iyoha admitted receiving the fund from the first defendant (Dudafa). Iyoha is a domestic staff at the State House.

"He admitted that funds credited into the accounts were given to him from the State House."

Oyedepo said Iyoha paid $3,096,377.38 into Plutos account; $3,410,534.71 into Seagates account; $3,765,711.87 into Trans Oceans account; and $250,000 into Avalon Globals account - all the accounts were domiciled in Skye Bank.

In his verdict, Justice Kuewumi said the EFCC has proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

"I am satisfied that the prosecution has proved its case. Ill exercise my discretion to suspend sentence until conclusion of trial," the judge held.

Oyedepo urged the court to order the forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government but the judge said the ownership issue is still pending.
Heres where the gist begins from:

Two States--Rivers and Anambra--have no representation in the National Assembly.

In the case of Rivers, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is scared of returning to conduct an election in a State where guns and bullets often drop like manna before and during elections.

ALSO READ:

The courts had nullified the 2015 National Assembly and State Assembly elections in Rivers State, citing a range of irregularities.

Rerun polls conducted on March 19 in Rivers to elect legislators, ended in violence.

INEC wasted no time in taking to its heels soon after.

The electoral commission, through its spokesperson, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, said it wouldnt return to Rivers until the safety of its staff was guaranteed.

While the Commission is committed to conducting free, fair, and credible elections, it hereby reiterates its resolve not to return to Rivers State (or anywhere else where there was a breakdown of law and order in the course of conducting elections) until there is a conducive atmosphere for the conduct of credible elections, INEC declared.

Anambras case was just as dramatic.

The Anambra Central Senatorial district rerun election was indefinitely postponed following a court ruling.

So, there we have it.

While all of Nigerias 36 States have representatives in the Senate, Anambra and Rivers are on the outside looking in.

Its a travesty which shouldnt have happened.

Our judiciary hasnt helped matters as well.

Courts of coordinate jurisdictions issue conflicting judgments on election matters, leaving INEC and voters in a state of perpetual confusion.

The Senate was right to have brought this issue up during plenary this week, but then it lost sympathy by declaring it will boycott sittings if parliamentary elections arent conducted in the two affected States.

Lawmakers think too highly of themselves when they threaten the citizenry with a boycott of plenary.

This class of Nigerian lawmakers is just as wasteful and rudderless as those before it. They have proven themselves to be self-serving and directionless.

They are opaque and corrupt; padding budgets left, right and center

We run an expensive bicameral legislature at the centerone which feeds and clothes 109 Senators and 360 House of Representative members.

We fuel their cars and pay for their expensive lifestyles whether they are on recess or chasing after prostitutes in the United States.

If these guys want our applause, they should follow through with this boycott threat for all its worthboycott their jumbo pay and allowances while INEC sorts out legislative representation in Anambra and Rivers.

Well wait. As patiently as possible.

If we dont pay the ridiculous salaries of these lawmakers for a few months, nobody will complain. Chances are, well get out of this recession in double quick time if we dont have to worry about feeding some 469 chaps who really don't care about us.

And if the Executive needs a bill considered, we can summon these guys from their various States and pay them for the hours they sit.

Trust me, we wont miss these guys.
Dickson told statehouse correspondents that the follow-up discussions had become imperative in order to achieve the objectives of the ongoing dialogue in the Niger Delta region.

The governor assured that his colleagues in the Niger Delta region were partnering with the federal government in addressing challenges in the region, including militancy and sabotage of oil installations.

But I said at the meeting we cannot discuss and agree on a master plan, moving forward in this meeting.

I believe that there will be follow-up discussions where some of these issues will be taken up and discussed in greater detail.

All the state governors are working in collaboration with the federal government and its agencies to ensure that these issues that we highlighted are addressed," he said.

Dickson commended the President Buhari-led administration for embarking on the clean-up of Ogoniland, saying the exercise would go a long way in addressing the issues of environmental protection.

He said The federal government has done well, working with its partners to begin the clean-up in Ogoni.

Florence Ita-Giwa, a former Special Adviser on the National Assembly, also called for speedy resettlement of people of Bakassi Peninsula.

She said that President Buhari commented on the issue, saying that they were not asking for the issue to be revisited but that of resettlement of the affected people.

The President commented even in the history of Bakassi. What we are asking for, we are not asking for the issue to be revisited.

What we are asking now is to be resettled in Nigeria as Nigerians that we have chosen to be. The President pledged that the government would look into it.
According to Punch, Fayose said Ibrahim can never become the Governor of Ondo state, adding that he is on a mission to cause confusion.

The Governor also said I want my people in Ondo State to stand by Jegede, they should not be distracted. I believe justice will prevail. This is a fight against democracy.

I dont know Jimoh Ibrahim, he is not a member of the PDP, and he is a spoiler. I dont know how Jimoh Ibrahim will rule Ondo State. Justice will prevail for Jegede, there will definitely be light at the end of the tunnel. I know it is going to be praises for Jegede and the people of the state at the end of the day.

Fayose also alleged that some people are using the crisis in the PDP to pave way for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu to win.

The Senator Ahmed Makarfi faction of the PDP has rejected the clearance of the businessman turned politician as the partys candidate for the Ondo governorship election.
Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, had on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 moved the motion to urge INEC to conduct the rerun elections as the state has no representation at the National Assembly.

The lawmakers observed that Rivers State and other affected states have no representation at the National Assembly, thus, denying the constituents of adequate representation in governance.

Arguing further, Ogor insisted that INEC's claims of insecurity as the reason for stalling the rerun is not acceptable as elections held in the dreaded North-East in 2015 despite Boko Haram activities.

ALSO READ: We will resist rigging -Wike

The Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, also supported the motion saying the country was under-represented, as a result of the inability of INEC to conclude the rerun polls.

The motion was widely accepted by members who endorsed it after Gbajabiamila and Ogor rounded off their speeches.
According to Daily Post, the spiritual leader is urging everyone to focus on the unity of the country, rather than focusing on their religion or political parties.

In his address to the National Assembly, he advised the members to make laws that promote unity, not disunity.

This country has gone through so much. We have shed so much blood. We are still going through the problem of Boko Haram. We are still going through the problems of Niger-Delta Avengers; we are still going through the problems of Biafra.

It saddens me to hear that politicians, again, are filled with the idea of Sharia law.

I want to call out to the members of the National Assembly. Nigeria does not belong to nobody. It does not belong to Christian. It does not belong to Muslim. It does not belong to APC, or to PDP. It belongs to all of us. Therefore, irrespective of our ethnicity, religion, social status, we all have a role to play in this country. Keeping this country united is paramount," he added.

ALSO READ: Reverend Matthew Kukah asks President to stop blaming GEJ for recession
In light of this huge accomplishment, the Sultanate Council of Sokoto and the Magajin Garin Sokoto are making a lot of arrangements for this day, Daily Trust reports.

ALSO READ: President Buhari congratulates Sultan of Sokoto at 60

Speaking to journalists at the palace, a Senior Counselor named Alhaji Hassan Danbaba said the Emir of Kano and Etsu Nupe are expected to send over 500 horses, while 700 are expected from the Emir of Argungu.

He also shared details on other arrangements, adding that new traditional title holders will be turbanned by the Sultan in March.

Danbaba went to pay his compliments to the Sultan, who he described as being very committed to unity and the cause of humanity.

One of the most tremendous achievements is unity of Muslim Ummah and Nigeria at large, he added.

The event is set to begin with a dinner on Wednesday, November 2nd, followed by a symposium on the Sultanates contributions to politics, economy, others on Thursday, November 3, 2016.

Special prayers for peace and unity will be held at the Sultan Bello Mosque, Sokoto, on Friday, November 4th, while the finale, slated for November 5th, will have a grand durbar, featuring thousands of horse riders.

President Muhammadu Buhari and other notable guests are expected to attend this last day of activities.
The disclosure was made on Tuesday, November 2, Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Adekunle Ajisebutu.

The classrooms were reportedly destroyed during a violent protest staged by the pupils over new government policies abolishing automatic promotion for secondary school students.

The students went on rampage in Oyo town and Ibadan, destroying school infrastructure, leading to the indefinite closure of five schools, Community Secondary School, Iyana Idi-Ose; Ojoo High School, Ojoo, Ibadan; Isale Oyo Community High School, Oyo; Anglican-Methodist Secondary School, Oyo; and Oba Adeyemi High School, Oyo.

Ajisebutu said that 25 of the erring students were arrested in Oyo, while another five were apprehended in Ibadan.

The police have arrested 30 pupils for their involvement in the protest and destruction of public property.

Those arrested in Ibadan have been charged to court, while their counterparts from Oyo will be in court before Thursday, He said

ALSO READ: Students burn classrooms over mass failure

Earlier, a Socio-Cultural group, Oyo Development Initiative, condemned the protest staged by the students describing it as sad while warning that those involved would be punished by the government.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday, November 2, by the boards Head of Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, in Lagos.

Benjamin said that JAMB was done with scratch cards and is switching to pin vending, Punch reports.

He said, Candidates, wishing to sit for the 2017 examination, should start getting themselves familiar with the newly adopted process of pin vending by the board.

We must make ourselves open to change like it is obtained in other climes.

We are no longer going back to the use of scratch card; that method is outdated.

Candidates wishing to register for the examination will just make online payment and get a pin with which they can upload their data.

This new pin vending will be accessible through the options of web payment, ATM issued cards like Visa, Verve, and Master card, online Quick Teller, mobile application and Bank Branch case/card.

According to Punch, Benjamin also said that the board was working towards redressing all the challenges candidates experienced during the 2016 UTME.

He said that everything is being put in place to make sure that the examination process will be conducted without any hitches.

Preparations are on to ensure that all the technical hitches that manifested in the 2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination do not arise again.

That is not to say that the examination will be completely hitch-free.

But we are deploying resources to correct the ones identified already.

In the course of the examination, should there be any other new challenges, we will act promptly," he said.

The spokesman also said that the validation of UTME centres across the country would begin soon.

We shall be going round to the proposed centres to check the state of their facilities and also to ensure that such facilities could accommodate a minimum of 250 candidates, he said.

Some challenges lamented over by 2016 candidates ranged from the incomplete upload of questions from servers to poor backup facilities in some centres among others.

The boards Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, first announced that scratch cards would be scrapped, calling the system outdated.
Linda Ikeji announced, back in August, that she would be branching out from her traditional Blogger platform to other forms of media with an online TV, an online radio station, a music website, and something she referred to as "LIS."

As would be expected, a lot of people wondered what "LIS" meant, and yesterday, Linda Ikeji confirmed that it means Linda Ikeji Social.

At the launch event, Linda confirmed that the site has been in testing some weeks, and it was launched officially yesterday, November 1, 2016.

On the website, users will be able to interact with other users, follow other users, send messages, get a direct feed of Linda Ikeji's blog, and post multimedia content as well.

Users will also be able to send in original articles - which Linda will pay for, along with access to an e-commerce bar and a wallet. Users with 50,000 followers or more will also get 20% of ad revenue from Linda.

On the site, LIS is described as a community where users can make friends, be the first to know when things happen, have fun, and get awesome rewards.

Users can either create a free account or sign up using their Facebook accounts. In Linda Ikeji's own words, social networking meets blogging meets classifieds ads/buy and sell all in one package.

However, a lot of users complained about being unable to access the site for several hours while others said they did not get their confirmation emails for many hours after attempting to sign up.
The US-trained economist was the driving force behind the new constitution that was overwhelmingly backed at a referendum on Sunday, according to official results.

Ouattara insists the changes will help cement Ivory Coast's recovery from years of conflict, but the opposition says it concentrates too much power in the executive and is mostly aimed at lining up a successor.

The new constitution's design bears American influences, perhaps a reflection of Outtara's years studying in Pennsylvania: a strong executive, a senate, fixed election dates and a vice-president picked by himself.

A former top official at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), 74-year-old Ouattara is credited with making good use of his contacts to pump investment into the war-scarred economy since taking office in 2011.

After a decade of unrest and a civil war that saw the once prosperous former French colony split in two, Ouattara has overseen major infrastructure works including new roads, bridges and dams.

He has pledged to press on with the development agenda since he was re-elected for a second term last year, despite questions over his methods, which have seen entire seafront communities and districts prone to landslides razed and residents evicted.

Deep wounds to heal

Known as a tireless worker who gets by on little sleep, Ouattara has also vowed to wipe out corruption.

But while Ivorians have cheered his efforts to boost the economy, he has come under fire on the judicial front.

Rights groups slammed the detention of opponents ahead of October's presidential vote, and campaigners say little justice has been meted out to members of his own camp since the deadly 2010-2011 post-election crisis that brought him to office.

Some 3,000 people were killed in the conflict, sparked when then incumbent Laurent Gbagbo -- now facing war crimes charges at the International Criminal Court -- refused to step down and cede power to Ouattara.

Ouattara has appealed to Ivorians to put aside religious and ethnic differences of the past, but to many the president -- who hails from the mainly Muslim north -- is a living reminder of the rifts that split the country between north and south in a 2002 civil war.

National identity questions

Known as "Ado" after his initials, Ouattara was born in Dimbokro in central Ivory Coast.

But his father was from Burkina Faso and Ouattara did most of his schooling there, feeding a controversy over his national identity that has repeatedly come back to haunt him.

After spending most of the 1970s in the United States working for the IMF and studying for his PhD, Ouattara was appointed vice-governor of the BCEAO in 1983 before serving as its chief.

He was Ivory Coast's prime minister from 1990-1993, and was considered a candidate for the 1995 presidential race -- until he was barred from running as his opponents accusing him of being of Burkinabe origin.

After another stint with the IMF, Ouattara returned to Abidjan in 1999 and was appointed head of the Rally of Republicans party, launching himself into the 2000 presidential campaign.

But his candidacy was rejected once again due to accusations that he was insufficiently "Ivorian", and Gbagbo won that election.

The repeated barring of Ouattara from running for the highest office is widely seen a trigger of the 2002 low-level civil war that split the country between the pro-Gbagbo south and pro-Ouattara rebels in the north.

The 2010-11 conflict fractured the nation along similar lines, with Ouattara finally taking power with the help of a major offensive from northern ex-rebels.

The new constitution aims to move on from the deadly divisions of the past, removing a contested clause stipulating that both parents of a presidential candidate must be born on Ivorian soil and that the candidate must not have sought nationality in another country.
Opposition activist Ildar Dadin, 34, alleged in a letter to his wife published Tuesday that he has been regularly beaten and threatened with rape and murder in prison, where he is serving a two-and-a-half year sentence for staging solo anti-government protests.

The letter prompted a wave of support from the human rights community and saw former Soviet-era political prisoner Lev Timofeyev launch a petition calling for the "immediate revision of his unprecedentedly unjust, unconstitutional sentence."

"I signed the petition because we are all waiting for some kind of change," Alexievich, who has often criticised authoritarianism in her native Belarus and neighbouring Russia, told AFP.

"Dadin was put in prison because he staged a solo protest. Let's all do like him (...) and do something worthy. It could change our lives."

Novelist Lyudmila Ulitskaya and a number of Soviet-era dissidents also signed the petition.

In his letter, Dadin said that on the second day of his detention in September, the prison governor and three other employees came to his cell and began beating him.

He also said that guards had hung him by his handcuffs for half an hour and pulled his underwear down, threatening him with rape if he refused to stop a hunger strike he had begun after being deprived of basic necessities such as soap and toilet paper.

Dadin was the first person to be imprisoned under a new law that punishes repeated participation in unsanctioned rallies with jail time.

Several international rights groups have also called for a thorough investigation into his allegations, as well as for his release.

"Dadin was convicted for nothing more than peacefully exercising his right to free expression, and that in turn has led to further serious physical abuse against him and even death threats," Yulia Gorbunova, a Russia researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement Wednesday.

Regional authorities said Tuesday they would probe Dadin's claims, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin would be informed of the situation.
"These two candidates (Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump) show the catastrophic reality which goes beyond what even we were saying," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech reported on his website.

"Their statements are proof of the destruction of human values in the United States," Khamenei said.

Khamenei's speech came as Iran marked the 37th anniversary of the storming of the US embassy in Tehran by radical students, who took more than 50 staff hostage for 444 days sparking a rupture of diplomatic relations that lasts to this day.

He said Iran's continued exclusion from the global banking system despite the lifting of international sanctions under a nuclear deal with world powers showed the United States could not be trusted.

"Some people try to develop this dangerous idea that if we compromise with the United States, the problems of our country will be solved," he said.

"The nuclear deal and the attitude of the United States are an example that shows this is not correct."

Although international sanctions were lifted in January, Washington has maintained its own sanctions related to human rights and Iran's missile programme -- effectively preventing Iran's return to the banking system.

Khamenei, who has the final say in all matters of state in Iran, said he saw no point in holding talks with Washington on the multiple conflicts gripping the region.

"Some say we should negotiate and compromise with the United States with regard to Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and even our internal affairs.
Saeed Mortazavi, a close ally of former hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, had also been accused of involvement in the deaths of three political prisoners under unclear circumstances but was acquitted of that charge.

However, Mortazavi is known to have targeted other government opponents as a prosecutor and ordered the closure of several reformist newspapers.

The report noted that in 2014, he was banned from serving in the judiciary following numerous accusations of human rights abuses.

It said that Mortazavi has also been linked to the death of an Iranian-Canadian photographer while in custody in 2003.

Zahra Kazemi was allegedly struck on the head during questioning led by the prosector and died of a brain haemorrhage as a result.
Gunfire echoed across the village of Gogjali on the edge of Mosul on Wednesday, as elite Iraqi forces nearby continued a push that had brought them to within a few hundred metres of the city's eastern edge.

Just over two weeks into the offensive to retake Mosul -- the last Iraqi city under the control of the Islamic State group -- Iraq's military said on Tuesday its forces had penetrated city limits by entering a southeastern neighbourhood.

But the Norwegian Refugee Council, one of the most active relief groups operating in Iraq, warned that a long-feared humanitarian crisis was closer than ever.

"We are now bracing ourselves for the worst. The lives of 1.2 million civilians are in grave danger, and the future of all of Iraq is now in the balance," NRC Iraq director Wolfgang Gressmann said in a statement.

'Terrifying nightmare'

"People in and around Mosul have lived for almost two and a half years in a relentless, terrifying nightmare. We are now all responsible to put an end to it," Gressmann said.

More than 20,000 people have already fled to government-held areas since the offensive was launched on October 17, according to the International Organization for Migration.

But civilians inside Mosul -- who according to aid group Save The Children include up to 600,000 children -- are trapped behind IS lines and the United Nations has said thousands are being held for possible use as human shields.

In Gogjali, fighters with Iraq's elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) were screening civilians for any remaining members of IS.

One government fighter carried a black IS flag, saying: "We removed it and planted the Iraqi flag instead."

Backed by air and ground support from a US-led coalition, Iraqi federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters are advancing on Mosul from the east, north and south.

Soldiers pushing down from the north have moved within two kilometres (1.25 miles) of Mosul, military officials say, while forces moving from the south are still some distance from the city.

Paramilitary forces from the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation), an umbrella organisation dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militia, also launched an assault at the weekend to cut off the jihadists' escape route to Syria to the west of Mosul.

IS is vastly outnumbered in the battle, with an estimated 4,000 to 7,000 jihadist fighters in Mosul and the surrounding area.

IS radio reveals tactics

But the jihadists have put up stiff resistance with suicide bombers, mortars and small arms fire as Iraqi forces advance.

On the southern front, where Iraq's elite Rapid Response Division is advancing towards the IS-held town of Hamam al-Alil some 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Mosul, a captured IS radio provided rare insight into how the jihadists operate.

An AFP journalist embedded with Iraqi forces was present on Tuesday as they listened to IS fighters plan tactics over the radio.

"Abu Dhiyab, let the istishhadi with you go," a jihadist who identified himself as Abu al-Layl said over the captured radio, using an Arabic word the jihadists use for suicide bombers.

Abu Dhiyab replied: "I brought the istishhadiyeen and left them behind the dirt berm. As soon as they (Iraqi forces) advance, they will go out to them."

A Rapid Response captain ordered two vehicles to approach the berm to draw the jihadists out, but the suicide bombers were hit by air strikes before that could happen.

jpegMpeg4-1280x720After seizing control of large parts of Iraq and neighbouring Syria in mid-2014, IS declared a cross-border "caliphate", imposed its harsh interpretation of Islamic law and committed widespread atrocities.

IS has been losing ground steadily in Iraq since 2015 and the outcome of the Mosul battle is in little doubt, but commanders have warned it could last months.
Results of a government inquiry into the incident showed between 50-100 South Sudanese soldiers had participated in the attack, said Martinson Mathew Otorumoi, who headed the investigation.

The attack occurred during several days of fighting between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former vice president, Riek Machar, who belong to different ethnic groups.

On Tuesday a separate U.N. investigation of the attack said that civilians at the hotel, who included aid workers, had been subjected to or witnessed murder, acts of intimidation, sexual violence and torture.

Speaking to reporters in Juba, Otorumoi said the government inquiry had also uncovered evidence of murder, rape, looting and vandalism.

Eight suspects have been detained on rape allegations and another eight on suspicion of stealing vehicles, he said. One other suspect has been accused of injuring his victim.

"A special court needs to be constituted to undertake trials of suspects implicated in ... acts committed at Terrain," Otorumoi added.

"Given the fact that most of the suspects are members of the military, the (investigation) committee proposed that the special court to be constituted should be a special military court."

The July fighting was the latest outbreak of major violence pitting forces loyal to Kiir and Machar, who hail from the Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups respectively.

Their political rivalry led to a civil war in 2013 that was often fought along ethnic lines. The two men signed a shaky peace deal in August last year but it was continuously violated.

Machar, whose sacking as vice president in 2013 triggered the war, was reinstated in his position earlier this year but again fled South Sudan after the July fighting and has since been replaced as vice president.
Most of the dead were government workers enjoying a staff party when the fire broke out Tuesday afternoon in the multi-storey building in Hanoi's commercial Cau Giay district and quickly tore through neighbouring buildings.

Inspectors picked through rubble in the charred building Wednesday, where broken beer bottles were scattered and several motorbikes burnt to a crisp.

"Hundreds of firemen and police officers were mobilised to extinguish the fire," The Chung, a ward official told AFP, adding that two police officers were being treated for injuries sustained while trying to put out the blaze.

State-run media quoted an official as saying 11 of the victims were government employees from a political training academy.

"They went out partying after finishing a test during a political training course," Hanoi's party chief Hoang Trung Hai said, according to Tuoi Tre newspaper.

He added trapped patrons likely suffocated inside the windowless karaoke rooms that spanned several floors.

All trainees from the academy have been ordered to seek approval from the director before joining social gatherings during or after work hours, according to an official document published in local media.

'I was terrified'

Reports quoted an official as saying the fire was likely sparked by welders working on a signpost at the bar -- which was unlicensed.

The national fire department has ordered a country-wide assessment of fire prevention measures at all karaoke bars, clubs and restaurants, and all karaoke venues in Cau Giay have been closed for inspection, according to state media.

Locals described scenes of chaos on Tuesday as firefighters battled to put out the blaze.

"I was carrying my stuff when I saw the fire suddenly started," said Do Thi Kha, 77, a food vendor in the area.

"The fire spread over to two or three neighbouring buildings before I saw fire trucks come in. It was terrible. I was terrified. They did not have enough water to extinguish the fire," she told AFP.

Another witness said the fire burned for more than five hours and worsened when it ignited fuel tanks in cars parked nearby.

"Trucks had to keep coming back and forth with water as there was not enough. That was why it took so long to extinguish," said 69-year-old Nguyen Dinh Sau.

Police opened an investigation after Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said authorities should "seriously punish" anyone responsible for the disaster.

Karaoke bars are popular hangouts in communist Vietnam, among government officials and young people alike, and Tuesday's fire was not the first of its kind in the capital.

In May 2014 five people burned to death at a karaoke bar in Hanoi after an electrical fault triggered a massive blaze.

Another karaoke venue in the city went up in flames in September this year, but no casualties were reported.
Mugabe is 92 and Africa's oldest ruler who has held power since the country gained independence from Britain in 1980.

But he is increasingly looking frail, stoking a scramble in his ruling ZANU-PF party to succeed him.

One faction is widely believed to be manoeuvring to impose his wife Grace as a possible successor, another backs Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has the support of war veterans.

While the two sides have traded barbs for months, Tuesday's comments by Jonathan Moyo, an outspoken higher education minister who is linked to the G40 group behind Grace, are the most overt attack on the man assumed to be her biggest rival.

Moyo, a senior ZANU-PF official, said in a public statement that Mnangagwa was illegally using the anti-graft commission to further his political career. Mnangagwa could not be reached for comment, and his aides said he was busy in meetings.

Moyo said the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission had on several occasions tried to arrest him on false graft charges at Mnangagwa's behest.

He said this was part of a plan "intended to secure that the political ends currently being pursued by the vice president are advanced in relation to what has become public knowledge about the desire to secure a front foot in succession politics".

The commission said last month it wanted to question Moyo on suspicion of abusing government funds, allegations the cabinet minister denies and says are a political plot against him.

The commission said it would study Moyo's statement and respond appropriately when it was ready, without specifying when that would be.
The unidentified woman sued Trump over five months ago for series of sexual assaults, which she said occurred at parties in New York in 1994.

The case was, however, not reported by mainstream media - which many find strange and unfortunate.

The accuser who goes by the pseudo name 'Jane Doe', claimed Trump raped her repeatedly at parties organised by Jeffrey Epstein, who was widely known to throw wild parties with young women and girls.

Epstein was convicted in 2008 of soliciting an underage girl for prostitution and served a small portion of an 18-year sentence, Huffington Post recalled in a report.

It was gathered that there were affidavits in the lawsuit against Trump from two anonymous women who say they were witnesses to the rape.

Reports say Jane Doe will speak at separate press conferences on Wednesday, November 2.

This allegation of sexual assault is the newest against the Republican nominee as about eight women have come forward with similar accusations in the past weeks.
Hundreds of people gathered at various points in the city. Some chanted outside a court where Zuma's application to delay the release of a report over allegations of political influence by his wealthy friends was due to be heard on Wednesday.

Since taking office in 2009, Zuma, 74, has survived several corruption scandals almost unscathed, with the backing of top echelons of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

But South Africa has had to bear the cost as the economy has stagnated and investors worry about its political stability, business climate and rule of law.

"South Africans must ... stand up against the anarchy of Zuma," the radical leftist party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which called for the marches as a show of force against Zuma, said on its official Twitter feed.

"Our supporters will make it loud and clear that we will not stand by and allow our hard-won democracy to be assaulted by Jacob Zuma," the opposition Democratic Alliance party said in a statement.

Paul Mashatile, chairman of ANC's Gauteng province which includes Pretoria and the economic hub of Johannesburg, said his group would take part in the marches, even without the blessing of the national party.

"I do not have the mandate to say the president must step down, but I can say we are against all the wrong things that are happening, including corruption," he told eNCA television.

The ANC's spokesman Zizi Kodwa said "we are not party to the marches". Zuma's spokesman was not available for comment.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation - set up to guard the legacy of the late Nelson Mandela - on Tuesday blamed Zuma for the "wheels coming off" Africa's most industrialised nation and urged a change in political leadership.
Turning the ship before it hits the iceberg
Podiatry Care at University of Iowa  Iowa River Landing welcomes Chester Pelsang, DPM SPECIALIZING IN COMPREHENSIVE PODIATRY SERVICES AND GENERAL FOOT CARE, INCLUDING        Plantar Fasciitis Ingrown toenails Bunions Hammertoes Foot injuries Heel and arch pain Foot ulcer care      Heel spurs Corns Athletes foot Diabetic foot care Plantar warts 80 ay Exit www.uihc.org/podiatry nue Parking Ramp Ave UI Health Care  Iowa River Landing 2nd 319-467-2000  855-467-3700 105 E. 9th Street in Coralville ti W se n Po IRL East NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS 1st Avenue 242 East 9th Street Podiatry Care at University of Iowa  Iowa River Landing
The Quad-Cities Manufacturing Innovation Hub is launching a second major study designed to help improve the competitiveness of the region's manufacturing and defense industries.

A supply chain diversification study will explore the capabilities and services of area manufacturers and defense contractors to develop a strategy for assisting those companies in diversifying the region's supply chain.

"As we look ahead through to the future of this region through Q2030, the Hub's role is to provide our largest employment sector  manufacturers  with the resources and competitive edge that they need to readily adapt to ever evolving technologies," said Tara Barney, the chamber's president and CEO.

The manufacturing hub is an initiative of the chamber.

Barney added the diversification strategy "will help small- and medium-sized manufacturers and defense contractors be more resilient to changes in the economic climate."

According to Bill Ratzburg, the Hub's interim director, much of the Hub's work has been focused on the non-defense sector to date. But with a $5.5 million DIA grant from the Department of Defense, the Hub is expanding its reach to also the 1,300 defense companies identified as doing some level of defense business in the Quad-City region. The chamber partnered with the University of Illinois to receive the grant.

Ratzburg said the defense companies include those with and without physical locations in the Quad-Cities. Of the identified companies, he said "40 to 45 percent have manufacturing contracts and 55 to 60 percent are service contractors."

Ratzburg, a loaned Deere & Co. executive, said the study and eventual strategy comes at a time when these suppliers are being hurt by a decline in defense spending.

"We want to identify the needs of the defense community and then we can develop a set of services," he said.

Ratzburg added many will need to replace the business. "A lot will probably need to develop new markets, and undoubtedly many will be developing new products."

The Hub is working with Strategic Decision Group, a regional economic development consultancy firm in Bloomington, Indiana.

Chamber leaders said the strategy will help the companies not only diversify their businesses but also anticipate disruptive technologies. A disruptive technology is one that materially changes one or more established technologies.

The supply chain study follows a study the manufacturing hub launched in May to identify the region's technology capabilities. That study is developing a technology roadmap and will outline which emerging technologies will have the greatest potential impact on the region's industry sectors.

Ratzburg said while the Hub's work, to date, has all been for the Quad-City region, "now the defense supply chain study is a statewide effort in Illinois."

He said the findings also will assist other regions with strong defense presences, including Great Lakes Naval Station in north Chicago; Scott Air Force Base, in the St. Louis region; Rockford and Peoria. "What we're doing for the Quad-Cities, we'll be doing for the others," he said.
Sept. 17

1. A credit card, debit card, drivers license, wallet and cash, valued at $31, were reported stolen in the 4600 block of Crow Creek Court.

2. Credit cards, an ATM card, a drivers license, wallet and cash, all valued at $180, were reported stolen at Crossfit, 3203 Devils Glen Road.

3. Laurie Michelle Schadler, 41, 4471 Milwood Lane, was arrested in the 5200 block of Blackhawk Trail Court on suspicion of simple assault.

4. Andrew Horvath, 50, 5374 Berkshire St., was arrested on the 5300 block of Berkshire Street on suspicion of violation of a no-contact protective order.

5. Joshua R. Dewald Sr., 38, no address given, was arrested in the 2400 block of Central Avenue, on suspicion of fifth-degree criminal mischief, public intoxication and on an interstate warrant.

6. A 2006 Ford Ranger and a 2004 Buick Rendezvous collided on the 600 block of River Drive, resulting in $2,200 in damage.

Sept. 18

7. A 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan and a 2005 Mercury Mariner collided on the 2800 block of East River Drive, resulting in $150 in damage.

8. Robert Wayne Coats, 45, 2715 Magnolia Drive, was arrested in the 2700 block of Magnolia Drive on suspicion of simple assault domestic abuse and interference with official acts.

9. Steven Wayne Dempsey, 41, and Kristi Sue Dempsey, 47, both of 2707 Magnolia Drive, were arrested in the 2700 block of Magnolia Drive on suspicion of interference with official acts.

10. Cash, a debit card and a drivers license, valued at $15, were reported stolen in the 2800 block of Hawthorne Drive.

Sept. 19

11. A 2010 Ford Expedition and a bicycle collided at 18th Street and Middle Road, resulting in $50 in damage.

12. A tablet, cell phones, cash, wallet, handbag and computer, valued at $2,680, were reported stolen in the 2900 block of Halcyon Drive.

13. A 1996 Chevrolet Suburban and a 1999 Chrysler Town & Country collided at 10th and Grant streets, resulting in $2,200 in damage.

Sept. 20

14. An unknown amount of money was reported stolen at 7-Eleven, 2620 Central Ave.

Sept. 21

15. A 2003 Toyota Corolla and a 2014 Nissan Altima collided on Middle Road and Stafford Boulevard, resulting in $500 in damage.

16. A 2010 Dodge Journey and a 2015 Nissan Rogue collided at Interstate 74 and Middle Road, resulting in $400 in damage.

17. James Kenneth Mahler, 51, 139 Elmhurst Lane, Riverdale, was arrested at Dollar General, 1224 State St., on suspicion of fifth-degree theft.

18. Keys, cigarettes, cash, prescription pills, a Social Security card, credit card, checkbook, purse and a drivers license, all valued at $117, were reported stolen on the 1000 block of Grant Street.

19. A 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and a 2011 Cadillac Escalade collided on the 3000 block of Windsor Drive, resulting in $1,300 in damage.

20. Teresa Dawn Richardson, 56, 4015 Greenview Drive, Urbandale, Iowa, was arrested at Isle of Capri, 1777 Isle Parkway, on suspicion of trespassing.

21. Pop cans and cash, valued at $90, were reported stolen in the 2500 block of Tech Drive.

22. A 2011 Ford Fusion collided with a building at 14th and Calvert streets, resulting in $13,500 in damage.

Sept. 22

23. A 2010 Ford Edge and a 1994 Mercedes C 220 collided at the intersection of Crow Creek Road and Crow Creek Court, resulting in $10,000 in damage.

24. Lisa Jean Dohl, 44, and Robert Joseph Eves Jr., 56, both of Twin Bridges, 221 15th St., No. 72, were both arrested in the 200 block of 15th Street on suspicion of second-offense consumption/intoxication.

25. Mark Allan Watkins, 46, 2550 Central Ave., was arrested in the 2500 block of Central Avenue on suspicion of drug possession and possession or distribution without tax stamp.

26. A hit-and-run crash was reported in the 2100 block of State Street.

27. Holland Lee Sullivan, 43, 2815 Tanglefoot Lane, Apt. 9, was arrested on suspicion of driving while license denied or revoked, violation of financial liability coverage, and driving with suspended, denied, or revoked license, during a traffic stop at the intersection of Middle Road and Parkway Drive.

Sept. 23

28. A 2005 Pontiac Vibe and a 2015 Ford F15 collided in the 2900 block of Middle Road, resulting in $3,800 in damage.

29. Fraud totaling $2,988.88 was reported at First Midwest Bank, 1975 Kimberly Road.

30. Fraud totaling $357.71 was reported on the 1300 block of Pinnacle Pines Court.

31. Rodneshia McBride, 26, 501 W. 3rd St., No. 210, Davenport, was arrested at Trinity Bettendorf, 4500 Utica Ridge Road, on suspicion of simple assault.

32. A hit-and-run crash was reported in the 2100 block of 53rd Avenue.

33. Fraud totaling $456.68 was reported in the 2800 block of AAA Court.

Sept. 25

34. A hit-and-run crash was reported in the 800 block of Middle Road, resulting in $800 in damage.

35. Alcohol, valued at $23.19, was reported stolen at Schnucks Grocery Store, 858 Middle Road.

Sept. 26

36. A 2003 Chevrolet Impala and a 2015 Hyundai Sonata collided in the 2300 block of Cumberland Square Drive, resulting in $1,700 in damage.

37. A 2011 BMW 128I and a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado collided at Brown and 13th streets, resulting in $10,000 in damage.

Sept. 27

38. A 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, valued at $25,000, was reported stolen in the 400 block of Grant Street.

39. A 2012 Nissan Sentra and a 2006 Mazda MZ5 collided at Devils Glen and Middle roads, resulting in $6,000 in damage.

40. A 2006 Kia Spectra and a 2014 Honda Odyssey collided in the 3500 block of Middle Road, resulting in $1,200 in damage.

41. A 2007 Chevrolet HHR and a 2006 Ford F350 collided in the 4700 block of Middle Road, resulting in $15,000 in damage.

 Compiled by Tracy Mesmer
Sept. 17

1. Frederick Lamont Gay, 36, 1014 14  St., Rock Island, was arrested in the 1100 block of Parkway Drive on suspicion of simple assault domestic abuse, trespass, and third-degree harassment.

Sept. 23

2. A 2016 Chevrolet Colorado and a 2014 Audi Q7 collided on the 2100 block of 53rd Avenue, resulting in $400 in damage.

Sept. 24

3. Sarah Lynn Smith, 37, 3208 Westmar Drive, was arrested in the 3200 block of Westmar Drive on suspicion of interference with official acts and third offense public consumption/intoxication.

4. Cathy Lynn Newman, 60, 2503 Crestview Drive, was arrested in the 3200 block of Westmar Drive on suspicion of interference with official acts and first offense public consumption/intoxication.

Sept. 25

5. Shalena Ann Carr, 29, 1137 E. 15th St., Davenport, was arrested at Ramada Inn, 3020 Utica Ridge Road on suspicion of interference with official acts, assault causing injury, assault on a peace officer and others, assault causing bodily injury, disorderly conduct and first offense public consumption/intoxication.

Sept. 27

6. Fraud, totaling $14672.12, was reported on the 400 block of 42nd Street.

Sept. 29

7. James Jerald Morehead, 35, 2317 Oak St., was arrested in the 2300 block of Oak Street on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and on an intrastate warrant.

Sept. 30

8. Christina Kay Gautreaux, 42, 30980 Scott Park Road, was arrested at Unity Point Trinity Hospital, 4500 Utica Ridge Road, on suspicion of assault causing injury.

Oct. 1

9. Patricia Ann Vandyne, 62, 1005 39th St., No. 1, was arrested in the 1000 block of 39th Street, on suspicion of harassment.

10. Money, padlocks and tools, valued at $2,270, was reported stolen at AAA Storage, 5900 State St.

11. A 2006 Harley Davidson XL883L was involved in a single vehicle crash in the 800 block of Middle Road, resulting in $6,000 in damage.

Oct. 2

12. Padlock hasps, valued at $120, were reported stolen from AAA Storage, 5900 State St.

Oct. 3

13. A 2000 Nissan Altima and a 2013 Volvo S60 collided at the intersection of 53rd Avenue and Devils Glen Road, resulting in $8,000 in damage.

14. A 2013 Ford Fusion and a 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee collided at the intersection of Tanglefoot Lane and Midland Hills, resulting in $2,500 in damage.

Oct. 5

15. A 2008 Honda Accord and a 2011 Honda CRV collided at the intersection of 18th Street and Central Avenue, resulting in $7,000 in damage.

16. Theft, totaling $1767.84, was reported at Hy-Vee, 2900 Devils Glen Road.

17. A 2011 Dodge Charger was in a single vehicle crash on Interstate 74 at mile marker 4.3, resulting in $8,000 in damage.

18. Photographs and a bag, valued at $180, were reported stolen on the 1200 block of Broadlawn Avenue.

19. As the result of a traffic stop from September on the 800 block of State Street, James Alan Ralfs, 30, 1599 W. 8th St., was arrested in the 400 block of W. 4th Street, Davenport, on suspicion of habitual offender driving while barred, theft of a motor vehicle, and operating a vehicle without interlock.

20. Criminal mischief, totaling $200, was reported in the 300 block of 8th Street.

21. Fraud, totaling $350, was reported on the 1700 block of Queens Drive.

22. A 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe collided with a pedestrian in the 2600 block of Central Avenue. The pedestrian was transported to Genesis East Hospital. The vehicle had $1,000 in damage.

23. A 1999 Isuzu NPR and a 2014 Dodge Caravan collided at the intersection of Grant Street and 6th Street, resulting in $7,600 in damage.

Oct. 6

24. Fraud, totaling $3,026, was reported on the 1700 block of Queens Drive.

Oct. 7

25. Electronics, valued at $600, were reported stolen at Bettendorf Middle School, 2030 Middle Road.

Oct. 8

26. Thomas Allen Smith, 56, 884 Atlantic Ave., Hoffman Estates, Illinois was arrested on the 1700 block of Isle Parkway on suspicion of fourth-degree theft.

27. Lori Ann Brown, 47, 1884 Providence Drive, was arrested in the 1800 block of Providence Drive on suspicion of domestic assault with injury.

Oct. 9

28. Trey R. Wampler, 21, no address given, was arrested at Dollar General, 1224 State St., on suspicion of fifth-degree theft.

29. An attempted burglary was reported on the 2900 block of Middle Road.

30. Shoes, valued at $175, were reported stolen on the 3100 block of Chateau Knoll.

31. Alcohol, valued at $647.69, was reported stolen from Schnucks Grocery Store, 858 Middle Road.

32. Money, valued at $2, was reported stolen in the 1700 block of Elmwood Drive.

33. Money, valued at $60, was reported stolen in the 3300 block of Chateau Knoll.

Oct. 10

34. Dewayne Anthony Clay Sr., 1408 W. 14th St., Davenport, was arrested at the intersection of 4th Street and River Drive on suspicion of eluding, violation of financial liability coverage, and driving while license denied, suspended, canceled or revoked.

35. Money, valued at $10, was reported stolen on the 1800 block of Elmwood Drive.

36. A Sierra truck and a black bag, valued at $14,000, was reported stolen on Oakbrook Drive.

Oct. 11

37. A 2006 Honda Accord and a 2013 Subaru Forester collided on Spruce Hills, 143 feet northwest from 18th Street, resulting in $1,400 in damage.

Oct. 14

38. A 2002 Saturn SL2 and a 2007 Honda Accord collided at the intersection of Falcon Avenue and 18th Street, resulting in $1,350 in damage.

 Compiled by Tracy Mesmer
ALEDO, Ill.  The man described as Mercer Countys best meth cook is back in custody again for a second probation violation.

Mercer County authorities announced Tuesday they were looking for Charles Peacock, 22. He was taken into custody Tuesday night by the Milan Police Department.

Peacock was placed on four-years probation last May for violating the terms of his probation in a 2015 meth manufacturing case.

The Andalusia man was originally placed on three-years probation for the Class 1 felony last February, but violated the conditions by visiting the co-defendant in the case and also failing to complete a drug evaluation.

The co-defendant, Erica Sandusky, 25, of Matherville, has a pre-trial conference scheduled for Nov. 22. She is facing Class X and Class 1 felony meth manufacturing charges.

A court date has not been scheduled for Peacocks latest probation violation.

-- J.C. Taylor
A Davenport man was in the Scott County Jail Tuesday after police say he broke into a Bettendorf home early Monday and assaulted three people inside.

Daniel Demar Webb, 41, faces charges of first-degree burglary, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison; willful injury, a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison; assault while displaying a weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison; two counts of assault with injury, a serious misdemeanor; and interference with official acts, also a simple misdemeanor.

Bond was set Tuesday at $100,000 cash or surety. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 11.

According to an arrest affidavit filed by Bettendorf police in support of the criminal complaint:

At 5:39 a.m. Monday, Webb forced his way through the back door of a home in the 1100 block of Grant Street. He was wearing a black stocking cap, dark bandanna over his face, dark sweatshirt and pants.

Once inside, he hit one resident in the face with a closed fist, causing a bloody nose. The resident screamed, waking up two other residents in the house.

Webb then grabbed a purse from the living room and tried to leave. A second resident tried to retrieve the purse. Webb then threw plates and a grate from the stove top at her, striking her in the hand and causing swelling.

Webb left the home and grabbed a four-pound hammer from a grill, went back inside and made threats to the effect of Im gonna kill all of you.

A third resident pushed Webb out the back door. Outside, Webb hit the resident in the face and on top of the head with the hammer before running away.

Webb fled from an officer who responded to the home. After a short foot pursuit, Webb was subdued with a stun gun and taken into custody.

While gathering evidence at the home, officers recovered a handgun with a silencer that was located where the first resident was assaulted.

The three residents said they did not see Webb with a gun and they do not own any guns. The handgun appeared to have been dropped by Webb while inside the home. The gun was later identified as a BB gun, according to the affidavit.

Bettendorf Police Capt. Keith Kimball said police also linked Webb to a burglary at Lourdes Elementary School, 1414 Mississippi Blvd., and a vehicle burglary at the Isle Casino, 1777 Isle Parkway, both of which occurred prior to the home burglary.

He faces charges of third-degree burglary, a Class D felony, and fifth-degree criminal mischief, a simple misdemeanor, in the school break-in. Bond in that case was set at $20,000 cash or surety.

He faces charges of burglary to a motor vehicle, an aggravated misdemeanor, and fourth-degree criminal mischief, a serious misdemeanor, in the car break-in.
UPDATED: DES MOINES  A white man with a history of racial provocations and confrontations with police, ambushed and fatally shot two white Des Moines area police officers in separate incidents Wednesday morning, police said.

Authorities took 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene into custody hours after the killings and less than three weeks after he argued with officers who removed him from a high school football game where he had unfurled a Confederate flag near black spectators.

Greene flagged down a state Department of Natural Resources employee in a rural area west of Des Moines, identified himself and asked that he call 911. Sheriff's office and state patrol officers responded and took Greene into custody.

He's suspected in the early morning killings of two officers, who were shot as they sat in their cars. Police identified the men killed as Officer Justin Martin, who had been with the Urbandale force since 2015, and Sgt. Anthony "Tony" Beminio, who joined the department in Des Moines in 2005.

Greene was taken to a hospital for treatment of unknown health issues and will be brought later to Des Moines police headquarters, where he will be questioned and charged, Sgt. Paul Parizek said.

Police responded to a report of shots fired at 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot. Authorities from several agencies saturated the area after that shooting, and about 20 minutes later discovered that a Des Moines officer who had responded to the initial killing had been shot in a patrol car at an intersection, Parizek said. The shootings happened less than 2 miles apart and both took place along main streets that cut through residential areas.

Urbandale Police Chief Ross McCarty said that in the first shooting, investigators believe the shooter walked up to the officer's car and shot without warning.

"I wouldn't call it a confrontation," McCarty said. "I don't think he may have even been aware that there was a gunman next to him."

The shootings follow a spate of police killings, including ambushes of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Five officers were killed in Dallas on July 7 and three were killed later that month in Baton Rouge.

Race has been an issue in those cases and others involving unarmed black men killed by officers.

Although Greene is white, as were the officers, Greene appeared to have issues with race.

In the confrontation at the Urbandale high school football game, which Greene videotaped and posted on social media, McCarty said Greene appeared to be trying to antagonize African American fans when he shook a confederate flag in front of them during the national anthem. In the video, officers can be seen asking Greene to leave, telling him that displaying a Confederate flag there was inflammatory. Greene meanwhile argues that his constitutional rights are being violated.

In other incidents, court records show Greene was jailed and charged with interference with official acts after resisting Urbandale police officers who tried to pat him down for a weapon on April 10, 2014. An Urbandale officer described him as hostile and combative. He entered a guilty plea and was fined.

Two days later Urbandale police were called to answer a complaint of harassment at the apartment complex where Greene lived. The complaint said he threatened to kill another man during a confrontation in the parking lot and yelled a racial epithet at the man. Greene was charged with harassment.

He pleaded guilty and received a suspended jail sentence and a year of probation. Court records show he completed a substance abuse and psychological evaluation.

Soon after the football game incident, on Oct. 17, a criminal complaint indicates Greene was involved in an altercation with his 66-year-old mother. Greene accused her of scratching and hitting his face. He captured the fight on cellphone video, which he used as evidence of the assault. A judge ordered Greene's mother to stay away from her son and she was released on $1,000 cash bond.

Des Moines and Urbandale Police later said they had identified Greene, of Urbandale, as a suspect in the killings through "a series of leads and investigative tips." It is unclear if either of the shootings was captured on police cameras.

The attacks on police this summer in Dallas and Baton Rouge came in the wake of several high-profile police shootings of black men, fueling a national debate about police use of force, especially against minorities  a frequent topic in the nation's presidential race.

Republican nominee Donald Trump has argued that police need the freedom to use greater force, while Democrat Hillary Clinton has supported officers while calling attention to what she and others have called examples of bias in policing.

Parizek said the officers' deaths are a blow to the city.

"They are our friends and co-workers," he said. "Des Moines is not a big city. We all know each other. We're heart broken."

EARLIER REPORT: Police say a man suspected in the killings to two Des Moines area officers surrendered to a state Department of Natural Resources officer.

Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek says Scott Michael Greene flagged down the officer Wednesday morning in rural Dallas County, west of Des Moines, and presented his identification.

He was taken into custody and is now being treated at a Des Moines hospital.

Greene is suspected in the shooting deaths of Urbandale officer Justin Martin, with the force since 2015, and Sgt. Anthony "Tony" Beminio, who joined the department in Des Moines in 2005.

Martin was single. Beminio was married with children.

Parizek says Greene is suspected in the killings but hasn't yet been charged.

EARLIER REPORT: DES MOINES  Authorities have apprehended a man suspected in the killings of two Des Moines area police officers who were shot to death early Wednesday in what authorities described as separate ambush-style attacks.

Officers from the Dallas County Sheriff's Office and Iowa State Patrol took 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene into custody and were taking him to Des Moines, police said. His arrest came about eight hours after the killings of the two officers. Police responded to a report of shots fired at 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot. Authorities from several agencies saturated the area after that shooting, and about 20 minutes later discovered that a Des Moines officer who had responded to the initial killing had been shot in a patrol car at an intersection, Des Moines Sgt. Paul Parizek said. The shootings happened less than 2 miles apart and both took place along main streets that cut through residential areas. "There's somebody out there shooting police officers. We hope to find him before somebody else gets hurt," Parizek said at an early morning news conference, during which he stopped briefly as he worked to control his emotions. The shootings follow a spate of police killings, including ambushes of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Five officers were killed in Dallas on July 7 and three were killed later that month in Baton Rouge. Des Moines and Urbandale Police later said they had identified Greene, of Urbandale, as a suspect in the killings through "a series of leads and investigative tips." It is unclear if either of the shootings was captured on police body- or dashcams. Parizek told CNN he had few details about the circumstances of Greene's capture, but that he was on foot on a roadway at the time and was alone when he was taken into custody. Greene is white. Parizek said the officers killed also were white. Asked at a news conference about a video posted on YouTube that appears to show a man identified as Greene being removed from an Urbandale High School football game, Parizek said he was aware of the video but hadn't seen it and couldn't comment. The video, dated Oct. 14, was posted by someone identifying himself as Scott Greene. It shows a confrontation with police who have removed him from a football game, apparently after he held up a Confederate flag near a group of African Americans. The person shooting the video, who is never seen, asks police to investigate an assault again him. The officers ask him to leave and tell him it's inflammatory to display a Confederate flag at such a setting. Urbandale Community School District spokeswoman Dena Soenke confirmed Greene was involved in an incident at a recent high school football game that drew police attention. She referred questions about the incident to the Urbandale Police Department. A criminal complaint indicates Greene was involved in an altercation with his 66-year-old mother Oct. 17. Greene accused her of scratching and hitting his face. He captured the fight on cellphone video, which he used as evidence of the assault. A judge ordered Greene's mother to stay away from her son and she was released on $1,000 cash bond. Court records show Greene was jailed and charged with interference with official acts after resisting Urbandale police officers who tried to pat him down for a weapon on April 10, 2014. An Urbandale officer described him as hostile and combative. He entered a guilty plea and was fined. Two days later Urbandale police were called to answer a complaint of harassment at the apartment complex where Greene lived. The complaint said he threatened to kill another man during a confrontation in the parking lot and yelled a racial epithet at the man. Greene was charged with harassment. He pleaded guilty and received a suspended jail sentence and a year of probation. Court records show he completed a substance abuse and psychological evaluation. The attacks on police this summer in Dallas and Baton Rouge came in the wake of several high-profile police shootings of black men, fueling a national debate about police use of force, especially against minorities  a frequent topic in the nation's presidential race. Republican nominee Donald Trump has argued that police need the freedom to use greater force, while Democrat Hillary Clinton has taken a more nuanced position of supporting officers while calling attention to what she and others have called examples of bias in policing. Urbandale Sgt. Chad Underwood said he believes no officer in his department has previously been shot in the line of duty. The Iowa Department of Public Safety said Wednesday marked the first time a Des Moines police officer has been shot and killed on duty since 1977, when two died within months. In 2016, 113 officers have died in the line of duty, according to preliminary data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Urbandale is a suburb of about 40,000 people in the Des Moines metro area with about 50 officers. Des Moines, a city of about 210,000, has about 375 sworn officers. Parizek said the officers' deaths are a blow to the city. "They are our friends and co-workers," he said. "Des Moines is not a big city. We all know each other. We're heart broken." EARLIER REPORT: DES MOINES  Authorities apprehended a man Wednesday suspected in the early morning killings of two Des Moines area police officers who were shot to death while sitting in their patrol cars in what authorities described as separate ambush-style attacks.

Officers from the Dallas County Sheriff's Office and Iowa State Patrol took 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene into custody and were taking him to Des Moines, police said.

His arrest came about eight hours after the killings to two officers.

Des Moines Sgt. Paul Parizek told CNN that he had few details about the circumstances of Greene's capture, but that Greene was on foot on a roadway at the time and was alone when we was taken into custody.

Police responded to a report of shots fired at 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot. Authorities from several agencies saturated the area after that shooting, and about 20 minutes later discovered that a Des Moines officer who had responded to the initial killing had been shot in a patrol car at an intersection, Parizek said. The shootings happened less than 2 miles apart and both took place along main streets that cut through residential areas.

"There's somebody out there shooting police officers. We hope to find him before somebody else gets hurt," Parizek said at an early morning news conference, during which he stopped briefly as he worked to control his emotions.

The shootings follow a spate of police killings, including ambushes of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Five officers were killed in Dallas on July 7 and three were killed later that month in Baton Rouge.

Des Moines and Urbandale Police later said they had identified Greene as a suspect in the killings, describing him as armed and dangerous.

Parizek said investigators determined Greene was a suspect through "a series of leads and investigative tips."

Police described Greene, of Urbandale, as white, 5' 11" and 180 lbs with brown hair and green eyes.

"There is a clear and present danger to police officers," Parizek said. He said officers were conducting patrols in pairs for protection.

Urbandale Sgt. Chad Underwood said he believes this is the first time an officer in his department has been shot in the line of duty.

Wednesday marked the first time a Des Moines police officer has been shot and killed on duty since 1977, when two died in separate incidents months apart, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety. With Wednesday's deaths, 113 Iowa officers have died in the line of duty in 2016, according to preliminary data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Fifty-one of those deaths were firearms-related, a spike from last year that the group has blamed on an uptick in ambush-style killings. That number has already surpassed the total number of officers fatally shot in each of the prior four years, but is on pace to fall short of the 73 fatally shot in 2011.

Urbandale is a suburb of about 40,000 people in the Des Moines metro area with about 50 officers. Des Moines, a city of about 210,000, has about 375 sworn officers.

Urbandale officers are equipped with body cameras, but they don't run constantly and it's unclear whether there was video of the shootings.

The attacks on police this summer in Dallas and Baton Rouge came in the wake of several high-profile police shootings of black men, fueling a national debate about police use of force, especially against minorities  a frequent topic in the nation's presidential race.

Republican nominee Donald Trump has argued that police need the freedom to use greater force, while Democrat Hillary Clinton has taken a more nuanced position of supporting officers while calling attention to what she and others have called examples of bias in policing.

Parizek said investigators have no idea what led to the killings, and he speculated that they may never be sure about the shooter's motivations.

He said the officers' deaths are a blow to all officers in the Des Moines area.

"They are our friends and co-workers," he said. "Des Moines is not a big city. We all know each other. We're heart broken."

Asked at a news conference about a video on social media that appeared to show a man identified as Greene being removed from a high school football game, Parizek said he was aware of the video but hadn't seen it and couldn't comment.

Court records show Greene was jailed and charged with interference with official acts after resisting Urbandale police officers trying to pat him for a weapon on April 10, 2014. An Urbandale officer described him as hostile and combative. He entered a guilty plea and was fined.

Two days later Urbandale police were called to answer a complaint of harassment at the apartment complex where Greene lived. The complaint said he threatened to kill another man during a confrontation in the parking lot. He was charged with harassment.

He pleaded guilty and received a suspended jail sentence and a year of probation. Court records show he completed a substance abuse and psychological evaluation.

EARLIER REPORT: Police say the suspect in the killings of two Des Moines area police officers is in custody. Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek says Scott Michael Greene was taken into custody without incident Wednesday morning.

Greene is suspected in the killing of a Des Moines police officer and an Urbandale police officer earlier Wednesday.

EARLIER REPORT: DES MOINES  Two Des Moines area police officers were shot to death while sitting in their patrol cars early Wednesday in what authorities described as separate ambush-style attacks, and police said they are searching for a known suspect.

Officers responded to a report of shots fired at 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot. Authorities from several agencies saturated the area after that shooting, and about 20 minutes later discovered that a Des Moines officer who had responded to the initial killing had been shot in a patrol car at an intersection, Des Moines Sgt. Paul Parizek said. The shootings happened less than 2 miles apart and both took place along main streets that cut through residential areas. "There's somebody out there shooting police officers. We hope to find him before somebody else gets hurt," said Parizek, who stopped briefly during a news conference as he worked to control his emotions. The shootings follow a spate of police killings, including ambushes of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Five officers were killed in Dallas on July 7 and three were killed later that month in Baton Rouge. Des Moines and Urbandale Police later said they have identified 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene as a suspect in the killings, describing him as armed and dangerous and urging members of the public to not approach him if they see him, but to call 911. Parizek said investigators determined Greene was a suspect through "a series of leads and investigative tips." Police described Greene, of Urbandale, as white, 5' 11" and 180 lbs with brown hair and green eyes, last known to be driving a blue 2011 Ford F-150 with Iowa license plate 780 YFR. "There is a clear and present danger to police officers," Parizek said. He said officers are now conducting patrols in pairs for protection. Urbandale Sgt. Chad Underwood said he believes this is the first time an officer in his department has been shot in the line of duty. Wednesday marked the first time a Des Moines police officer has been shot and killed on duty since 1977, when two died in separate incidents months apart, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety. With Wednesday's deaths, 113 Iowa officers have died in the line of duty in 2016, according to preliminary data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Fifty-one of those deaths were firearms-related, a spike from last year that the group has blamed on an uptick in ambush-style killings. That number has already surpassed the total number of officers fatally shot in each of the prior four years, but is on pace to fall short of the 73 fatally shot in 2011. Urbandale is a suburb of about 40,000 people in the Des Moines metro area with about 50 officers. Des Moines, a city of about 210,000, has about 375 sworn officers. Urbandale officers are equipped with body cameras, but they don't run constantly and it's unclear whether there was video of the shootings. The attacks on police this summer in Dallas and Baton Rouge came in the wake of several high-profile police shootings of black men, fueling a national debate about police use of force, especially against minorities  a frequent topic in the nation's presidential race. Republican nominee Donald Trump has argued that police need the freedom to use greater force, while Democrat Hillary Clinton has taken a more nuanced position of supporting officers while calling attention to what she and others have called examples of bias in policing. Parizek said investigators have no idea what led to the killings, and he speculated that they may never be sure about the shooter's motivations. He said the officers' deaths are a blow to all officers in the Des Moines area. "They are our friends and co-workers," he said. "Des Moines is not a big city. We all know each other. We're heart broken." Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad called the killings, "an attack on the public safety of all Iowans." "We call on Iowans to support our law enforcement officials in bringing this suspect to justice. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the police officers who were tragically killed in the line of duty as well as the officers who continue to put themselves in harm's way."

EARLIER REPORT: DES MOINES  Two Des Moines area police officers were shot to death early Wednesday in separate ambush-style attacks while they were sitting in their patrol cars, and police said they are searching for a known suspect.

Officers responded to a report of shots fired at 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot. Authorities from several agencies saturated the area after that shooting, and about 20 minutes later discovered that a Des Moines officer had been shot in a patrol car at an intersection, Des Moines Sgt. Paul Parizek said. The shootings happened less than 2 miles apart and both took place along main streets that cut through residential areas.

"There's somebody out there shooting police officers. We hope to find him before somebody else gets hurt," said Parizek, who stopped briefly during a news conference as he worked to control his emotions.

The shootings follow a spate of police killings, including ambushes of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Five officers were killed in Dallas on July 7 and three were killed later that month in Baton Rouge.

Des Moines and Urbandale Police later said in a statement that they have identified 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene as a suspect in the killings, describing him as armed and dangerous and urging members of the public to not approach him.

Police described Greene, of Urbandale, as white, 5' 11" and 180 lbs with brown hair and green eyes, last known to be driving a blue 2011 Ford F-150 with Iowa license plate 780 YFR. Police did not explain how they identified Greene as a suspect.

"There is a clear and present danger to police officers," Parizek said. He said officers are now conducting patrols in pairs for protection.

Urbandale Sgt. Chad Underwood said he believes this is the first time an officer in his department has been shot in the line of duty.

Urbandale officers are equipped with body cameras, but they don't run constantly and it's unclear whether there was video of the shootings.

The attacks on police this summer in Dallas and Baton Rouge came in the wake of several high-profile police shootings of black men, fueling a national debate about police use of force, especially against minorities  a frequent topic in the nation's presidential race.

Republican nominee Donald Trump has argued that police need the freedom to use greater force, while Democrat Hillary Clinton has taken a more nuanced position of supporting officers while also calling for restraint when dealing with minority communities. The most divisive general election in memory is just six days away.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad called the killings Wednesday, "an attack on the public safety of all Iowans."

"We call on Iowans to support our law enforcement officials in bringing this suspect to justice. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the police officers who were tragically killed in the line of duty as well as the officers who continue to put themselves in harm's way."

Urbandale is a suburb of about 40,000 people in the Des Moines metro area with about 50 officers. Officials in Urbandale cancelled school for the day. Des Moines has about 375 sworn officers.

EARLIER REPORT: 7:40 a.m.  Police say they have identified a suspect in the early morning killing of two Des Moines area police officers, warning he is likely armed and should be considered dangerous.

Police said in a statement Wednesday that they are hunting for 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene, of Urbandale.

He is described as white, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 180 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. He was last known to be driving a blue 2011 Ford F-150 pickup truck with Iowa license plates 780 YFR.

The truck is equipped with a ladder rack.

Investigators identified Greene as a suspect as they scrambled to respond to the killings of officers in Urbandale and Des Moines in separate shootings.

EARLIER REPORT: DES MOINES  Two Des Moines area police officers were shot to death early Wednesday in ambush-style attacks while they were sitting in their patrol cars, and police are searching for suspects, authorities said.

Officers responded to a report of shots fired at 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot. Authorities from several agencies saturated the area after that shooting, and about 20 minutes later discovered that a Des Moines officer had been shot in a patrol car at an intersection, Des Moines Sgt. Paul Parizek said. The shootings happened about 2 miles apart and both took place along main streets that cut through residential areas.

"There's somebody out there shooting police officers. We hope to find him before somebody else gets hurt," said Parizek, who stopped briefly during a news conference as he worked to control his emotions.

The shootings follow a spate of police killings, including ambushes of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Five officers were killed in Dallas on July 7 and three were killed later that month in Baton Rouge.

Authorities in Iowa are developing suspect information but they have nothing that they are ready to share with the public, Parizek said. Officers are now conducting patrols in pairs for protection, he said.

"There is a clear and present danger to police officers," Parizek said.

Parizek said he wouldn't release more information about the shootings.

Urbandale Sgt. Chad Underwood said Urbandale officers are equipped with body cameras, but they don't run constantly and it's unclear whether there was video of the shootings.

Urbandale is a suburb of about 40,000 people in the Des Moines metro area with about 50 officers. Officials in Urbandale cancelled school for the day.

Des Moines has about 375 sworn officers.

EARLIER REPORT: DES MOINES  Two police officers were shot to death early Wednesday in ambush-style attacks while they were sitting in their patrol cars, authorities said.

Officers responded to a report of shots fired at 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot. Authorities from several agencies saturated the area after that shooting, and about 20 minutes later discovered that a Des Moines officer had been shot in a patrol car at an intersection, Des Moines Sgt. Paul Parizek said. The shootings happened about 2 miles apart.

"There's somebody out there shooting police officers. We hope to find him before somebody else gets hurt," said Parizek, who became emotional at times during a news conference.

Authorities are developing suspect information but there was nothing that they were ready to share with the public, Parizek said. Officers are now doing patrols in pairs to better protect themselves, he said.

Parizek said he didn't have any more information about the shootings.

Urbandale is a city in the Des Moines metro area with about 50 officers.

EARLIER REPORT: DES MOINES  Police in Des Moines, Iowa, say two officers have been shot and killed in ambush-style attacks.

The Des Moines Police Department said in a news release that the shootings took place early Wednesday. Officers responded to a report of shots fired at about 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot.

Des Moines officers responded to assist. About 20 minutes later, a Des Moines officer was found shot. Both officers have died.

Police say the two officers were both shot while they were sitting in their patrol cars.

Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said this morning that authorities are developing suspect information but there was nothing that authorities were ready to share with the public.

Parizek was emotional during a news conference. He says there is "clearly danger" right now for police officers in the area because the officers were gunned down while sitting in their cars doing nothing wrong. He says the department has doubled up its officers to better protect them.

More to come.
A Scott County jury Tuesday listened to a panicked, yet coherent 911 call made by a 63-year-old Davenport man just moments after he had been attacked in his apartment.

I am I believe stabbed, Claude Hanson told a 911 dispatcher on the night of July 15, 2015. I have intestines coming out of my gut.

Im really hurt badly.

Hanson died from his injuries six days later. The short 911 call he made the night of the attack was played on the first day of testimony in the trial of his accused killer, Robert E. Carter.

Carter, 55, is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree burglary.

Hanson told the dispatcher on the 911 call that he was washing clothes in the laundry room of his apartment complex at 3831 Bridge Ave. The laundry room was a couple steps away from his apartment, and he left his apartment unlocked, he said on the call.

Obviously, somebody had been watching me go in and out, he said.

Hanson said he returned to his apartment and saw a man lying in wait. The man then whipped a blanket over him, got him down to the floor, demanded money and stabbed him.

The man left the apartment after the attack, Hanson said.

Assistant Scott County Attorney Blake Norman told jurors Tuesday that Hanson had been stabbed with a butcher knife that was in his kitchen. The knife was found on the couch near the front door.

Police and paramedics arrived to Hansons apartment about 11:45 p.m. He was taken to Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Davenport, and underwent two surgeries to stop the bleeding.

Several samples of blood were collected at Hansons apartment and sent to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation lab for analysis.

On Oct. 9, 2015, police received lab reports that indicated that some blood found at the scene did not belong to Hanson. The DNA profile developed from the sample was entered into a nationwide law enforcement database, Norman said.

Ten days later, results from the lab revealed that the DNA belonged to Carter, who lived two doors down from Hanson.

Claude never knew who attacked him, but DNA evidence told us who he (the attacker) was, Norman told jurors in his opening statement.

Mike Adams, one of Carters public defenders, urged jurors in his opening statement to look critically at all the evidence, including the DNA results, when determining a verdict.

Testimony continues Wednesday.

If convicted, Carter faces mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole on the murder charge and up to 25 years on the burglary charge.
If U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, can win the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Mark Kirk, she said she will have a chance to put into motion bipartisan plans that will support the economy, help make education affordable and support women in business.

The challenger in next Tuesday's general election laid out her plans at an economic roundtable held Tuesday at Laborers Local 309 in Rock Island, that included U.S. Rep, Cheri Bustos, D-Illinois, and 14 women in business and education.

Duckworth said if elected she would like to see that federal dollars going to Illinois for infrastructure building and repairs have a stipulation that a certain number of women- and minority-owned businesses must be included in the contracts.

Small companies may not be able to bid on a multi-million contract, she said, but they can bid on $500,000 contracts. And, she added, there are plenty of ways to include those businesses in the mix.

While many people think of infrastructure as roadways and bridges, Duckworth said it should include renovating the locks and dams on the Mississippi River, which would help farmers lower shipping costs and stay competitive worldwide.

Thats something that will take bipartisan action, Duckworth said. In addition to the locks and dams, she said there are hundreds of bridges that need repair in the state, as well as water and sewage systems that require upgrading. Women- and minority-owned businesses should be able to share in that, she added.

Among the ways to pay for the work is to lower the nations corporate income tax rate, a proposition that I support, Duckworth said.

Many American corporations are keeping billions of dollars overseas because they would be taxed heavily if they brought that money home, she said.

According to the website taxfoundation.org, the current U.S. corporate tax rate is 38.9 percent, among the top three in the world.

Dropping the corporate income tax rate would aid in bringing that money home where it can be used, she said.

I would rather have 15 percent of $1 billion than 38 percent of nothing, Duckworth said. But if the big boys get that kind of a break then it should be given to the small-business owners on Main Street.

It also is imperative that the U.S. make higher education affordable for everyone, she said, including making community college as close to free as possible.

One way is to provide funds so students can get paid tuition money for performing community service such as in AmeriCorps, Habitat for Humanity, or Teach For America, she said.

We could phase this in over a 10-year period and it will mean closing some tax loopholes for the nations top 1 percent, but we need to invest in higher education, Duckworth said. We are depressing our economy when we dont support education and make it affordable. Were hurting our country."
The Davenport City Council will return to approving appointments to boards, committees and commissions one more time before contemplating changes.

Mayor Frank Klipsch had tabled any future appointments at the council's last meeting until the council had the opportunity to discuss the function of these entities as well as the appointments themselves at its Tuesday management update.

Upon meeting, Klipsch and the council have decided to move forward with the latest appointments while the city attorney reviews the function and necessity of all the boards, committees and commissions.

Klipsch's proposed appointment to the Levee Improvement Commission, Mike Veal, has drawn scrutiny because of questions about the state's gender balance law.

City Attorney Tom Warner said appointments to the Levee Commission did not have to comply with the state law, but rather local ordinances per his interpretation.

Iowa Code 69.16A requires no one gender to be greater than half of membership for even-numbered boards, committees, commissions and councils.

The code allows for a plus one difference when there are an odd number of members.

Exceptions do apply when a "good faith effort" has been made, but a qualified candidate cannot be found within three months.

In Veal's case, he was the only applicant for the position and there were no questions of merit based upon his credentials.

Veal's experience includes leadership positions at HNI and project management at Stanley Consultants, where he worked with the Rock Island Corps of Engineer district and Mississippi Valley U.S. Army Corps of Engineers district.

"We want equity in our groups, but we want to balance that by having the best qualified people that we can representing the public on those committees," Klipsch said.

Alderman Mike Matson, 7th Ward, expressed concerns over what the gender balance law was intended for and said the city needs to do a better job trying to achieve it.

"I remember when the law became a big discussion in the state, but the intent was all commissions, all committees and all appointees," Matson said. "They weren't pulling strings with certain things. It was all and I'm nervous about what the intent was."

Matson said the city also needed to do a better job of informing people when there were vacancies, which was seconded by the other aldermen.

Agreeing with council members, Klipsch said equity on many fronts needs to be one of the priorities moving forward.

"Gender is not the only equity we want to deal with," Klipsch said. "I think it's important we look at a variety of ethnicities and a hard look at all of that so that we have better representation."

While the mayor's proposed appointment has drawn most of the attention, the city has wanted to review appointed entities for some time.

Warner said the aldermen had requested the city look at making its boards, committees and commissions more efficient.

Often times, many of these boards have a difficult time filling positions or coming up with even one agenda item.

"There are some that carry certain requirements and restrictions and some that don't," Klipsch said. "We want to make sure what those are, what are duplicate, and are there some that can be merged because they have similar purposes."

Warner said he has been tasked with going through the process of determining what boards, commissions and committees are mandated and where there are redundancies before reporting back to the council.
Grassley is seeking a seventh term this year and is being challenged by Democrat Patty Judge. She will be campaigning in Davenport on Thursday.

In remarks to about two dozen Republicans at county GOP headquarters, Grassley didn't mention her but instead criticized the Obama administration on health care and the economy, saying Clinton would continue the same policies.

He also said that although people voting for president often think of the next four years, he wanted them to focus on the impact a new president would have on the Supreme Court for decades to come.
DES MOINES  Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was the comfortable winner over Democrat Hillary Clinton among school students who participated in Tuesdays Iowa Youth Straw Poll organized by the Secretary of States office.

Trump polled 46 percent to Clintons 36 percent among the more than 57,000 students from more than 250 schools who participated in the poll. Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson garnered 7 percent support in polling that only listed candidates receiving at least 5 percent of the vote, according to the Secretary of States office.

I think it was a great opportunity for them to see first-hand how the process works. It also gives them a running start for the next election cycle and also receive a little tutoring at the same time, so theyll have a good base of knowledge for Iowas elections process, Pate said in a news release. I hope this fired them up and will also spur them to encourage their parents, neighbors and friends to get out and vote.

Here are the statewide results as of 6:45 p.m. Tuesday night, listing only candidates that received at least 5 percent of the vote total:

U.S. PRESIDENT

Donald Trump: 46%

Hillary Clinton: 36%

Gary Johnson: 7%

U.S. SENATE

Charles Grassley: 62%

Patty Judge: 25%

Charles Aldrich: 5%

Jim Hennager: 5%

U.S. HOUSE-DISTRICT 1

Rod Blum: 59%

Monica Vernon: 41%

More than 12,200 votes cast

U.S. HOUSE-DISTRICT 2

Dave Loebsack: 50%

Christopher Peters: 50%

Loebsack leads 3,234-3,230

Complete results are available at http://sos.iowa.gov/youth/poll/results.aspx

A Facebook Live video that included interviews with more than two dozen teachers and students from around the state is available on the Iowa Secretary of States Facebook page: facebook.com/IASecretaryofState
URBANDALE, Iowa  Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani told conservative Iowans on Wednesday that Democrat Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign is "sinking fast" and Republican Donald Trump can win next week's election by picking up some of the key swing states in play like Iowa.

Giuliani, one of Trump's leading surrogates and a long-time friend, told members of the Westside Conservative Club the presidential race in Iowa "is very close" and could help tip the balance for Trump's quest to be president if his supporters turn out in droves and bring others with them to the polls Tuesday.

"If we can pick up our fair share of the swing states, he's going to be the president," Giuliani told an overflow crowd. "We don't have to win all of these. We've got to win some of these and she's sinking fast. I don't know if she can hang on. Maybe we'll get one more flop, let's see."

The former New York mayor lambasted Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, as a "criminal family" with scandals dating back to their days in Arkansas through their White House years and now with allegations of wrongdoing related to Hillary's mishandling of sensitive documents via her private email server and revelations about the Clinton foundation's financial dealings.

During a question-and-answer session, Giuliani said he expects attempts at a November surprise with "all kinds of bombs coming out of the Clinton campaign in the next couple of days against Donald Trump - most of them I hope are going to explode in their hands." He also expects more developments about Clinton will be forthcoming from WikiLeaks and the FBI in the closing days before Tuesday's election.

"They're going to see it's a bunch of nonsense, a bunch of silly things in comparison to obstruction of justice, perjury, putting national security out there for people to see," Giuliani said of the Clintons, adding in response to a questioner that "I think if Clinton should get elected, I guarantee you in one year she'll be impeached and indicted. It's just going to happen. We're going to sort of vote for a Watergate."

If Trump is elected, Giuliani said he believes the New York billionaire will bring his business experience to run the federal government honestly, efficiently and effectively while getting the economy growing by cutting taxes and regulations that will generate jobs, renegotiating bad trade deals and treaties and rebuilding the military to strength America's position in foreign affairs.

"He does not want to go to war. He has no desire to send American troops into harm's way. But, by the same token, he will not hesitate to do that if our country's national interests are at stake or our very, very good allies are under attack. There will be no hesitation and he'll keep them guessing, as opposed to saying there's no boots on the grounds," Giuliani said.

"Hillary Clinton is walking around trying to scare people about Donald Trump having his finger near the nuclear button," he added. "What she should be afraid of is having helped to put the nuclear button in the hands of the ayatollah (in Iran) who has killed thousands and thousands of people. That's what she should be worried about."

Giuliani's campaign appearance came a few hours after the fatal shooting of two police officers less than 10 miles away. After a moment of silence, the former mayor said he did not want to politicize the tragedy but noted he did not understand "the anger toward police" and lamented that violence is going "up and up and up in this country."

Giuliani noted that police killings are up 45 percent while citing recent shootings involving police officers around the country and pointing to incidents of gun violence in Chicago that he said exceeds rates in Afghanistan and Iraq. "We're in a war zone and Chicago is the worst, but it's not alone," he said.
Members of Iowa Quad-City law enforcement community have released this statement about today's shooting of two Des Moines area police officers.

"It is with great sadness today that we learn of the shooting deaths of two Des Moines metro area police officers early this morning.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen officers and the brave men and women of the Des Moines Police Department and the Urbandale Police Department.

"We want to express our unified support for the courageous men and women within our local law enforcement agencies and around the country. We will continue our support for all law enforcement in our quest for peace and safety."

 Scott County Sheriff Dennis Conard

 Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorski

 Bettendorf Police Chief Phil Redington
WAPELLO, Iowa - There may be improved safety on local roads and a streamlined process for grant applications because of a recent road safety workshop held at the Louisa County Secondary Roads, county engineer Larry Roehl told the board of supervisors Tuesday.

Roehl said a consultant with the Iowa Department of Transportation met with local law enforcement, first responders and other interested individuals to review local roads and accident rates.

Ultimately the goal is to put together site specific (safety) measures on accident prone areas, Roehl told the board.

Those measures could include improved signage and other warning signals, education, training or other efforts that would aid in helping reduce accidents in those areas.

Eventually, the workshop could result in the development of a Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) that would help analyze risk; improve agency coordination; focus on the five Es of safety (Engineering, Emergency response, Education, Enforcement and Everyone who uses the roadways) and help leverage and apply for grants, a workshop flyer explained.

Roehl indicated the potential impact to road safety was a critical emphasis for the program, but the grant process support would also benefit the county. He said most safety grants are only awarded once a local government has identified a high risk area through the number of accidents that occur at that site.

However, once a consultant has assisted in identifying those areas and a LRSP is developed, that report can provide the foundation for seeking grant funding, Roehl explained.

Its more proactive, he said.

The review can also help identify sites where safety improvements can be made without grant funding, Roehl added.

No timeline was provided for when the LRSP would be completed or a final review made of other material collected during the workshop.

In other action during the supervisors meeting, Louisa County IT Director Chuck Borschel provided his monthly department update report to the board.

Borshel said most of the information systems work at the former Louisa County Jail Annex had now been completed. He said some work to set up a backup system for the General Assistance office remained, but he indicated that would likely soon be completed.

Borschel said some technology work that needed to be completed for the sheriffs office, but he anticipated being able to spend more time on that now that the Annex work was nearly over.

Auditor Sandi Elliott also reported absentee voting was continuing at her office.

Were up to about 1600, she reported, adding, every vote in the office is less chaos at the polls.

The board also approved a Sunday Sales permit for the Bryn Mawr Steakhouse, pending completion of its dramshop insurance.

In final action, the board approved $257,505 in claims.
Here's your afternoon weather forecast from the National Weather Service. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely with a high near 69 degrees. Northeast wind around 5 mph will become west in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 50 percent with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tonight there's a 50 percent chance of showers before 1 a.m. Skies will be cloudy then gradually becoming partly cloudy with a low around 47 degrees.

'Best meth cook' back in custody

The man described as Mercer Countys best meth cook is back in custody again for a second probation violation. Charles Peacock, 22, was taken into custody by the Milan Police Department Tuesday night.

Peacock was placed on four-years probation last May for violating the terms of his probation in a 2015 meth manufacturing case. The Andalusia man was originally placed on three-years probation for the Class 1 felony last February, but violated the conditions by visiting the co-defendant in the case and also failing to complete a drug evaluation.

The co-defendant, Erica Sandusky, 25, of Matherville, has a pre-trial conference scheduled for Nov. 22. She is facing Class X and Class 1 felony meth manufacturing charges.

Man sought in shooting deaths of 2 Des Moines-area cops captured

Authorities have apprehended a man suspected in the early morning killings of two Des Moines-area police officers who were shot to death while sitting in their patrol cars.

Officers from the Dallas County Sheriff's Office and Iowa State Patrol took 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene into custody. His arrest came about eight hours after the ambush-style killings to two officers. Read more.

Greatest Grains coming to Bettendorf

More development is on the horizon in Bettendorf after its City Council unanimously approved the site development plan for two projects Tuesday night.

One site plan approved was for the expansion of Greatest Grains to Bettendorf. The applicants, Clyde Mayfield and Julie Martens, have proposed placing the store north of Middle Road between Town Pointe Drive and Woodfield Drive. Greatest Grains' first store is located in Davenport. Greatest Grains is looking at a 12,000-square-foot store and there also remains space available for another store on the lot. Read more.
As tensions continue to flare over construction of an oil pipeline in North Dakota, a Davenport woman plans to leave this week for the Standing Rock Indian Reservation to support tribal members in opposition.

But protesting isnt Angie Carters MO.

They want people to come and follow their lead, so Im going to work, said Carter, an environmental sociology professor at Augustana College in Rock Island, which begins its fall break this week. Ill be going as an ally.

In the Quad-Cities, the Sage Sisters of Solidarity, a group of American Indians and other activists against the nearly 1,200-mile Dakota Access Pipeline, will gather Wednesday at Lafayette Park in Davenport. They hope to raise awareness about the issue and support demonstrators on the front lines.

Opponents led by the Standing Rock Sioux nation say the four-state, $3.8 billion oil pipeline endangers both the tribes water supply and sacred sites.

The pipeline is planned to run from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota through South Dakota and Iowa to Illinois, for refineries.

Q-C activists join fight

The protests to block construction began in April, and thousands of people from around the nation, including some from the Quad-Cities, have congregated in North Dakota and other areas along the pipelines path.

On Sept. 24, the Rev. Rich Hendricks of Davenport said he was arrested for trespassing on private land owned by pipeline developer Energy Transfer Partners in Sandusky, Iowa, about 115 miles south of the Quad-Cities.

Hendricks said he and others were zip-tied and driven in the back of a lockup van to the Lee County Sheriffs Office in Montrose, what he called a terrifying experience.

Crews, Hendricks noted, were preparing to break ground on the section of the pipeline set to cross under the Mississippi River in Lee County.

People in Iowa need to understand that it slashes diagonally across the entire state, said Hendricks, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad-Cities.

Construction in Iowa is "almost complete," according to Carter, an Iowa native, who helped found the Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition as a graduate student at Iowa State University.

While the Texas-based company building the pipeline insists its safe, Carter said Illinois and Iowa taxpayers will help foot the bill if something goes wrong.

We've seen pipelines break and leak all over the country, so if we can avoid that, we should try and avoid that," she said. "When theres a problem with this thing, its our county and state officials who will provide first responders to clean up."

In early October, Melisa Marroquin, a member of the Lipan Apache tribe who lives in Davenport, visited the reservation and dropped off donations.

The mother of three, who helped organize and promote Wednesdays event, used surreal and peaceful to describe the scene there about a month ago. She took two of her children with her, so she didn't join in on the protests.

I wanted to show my support and inhale what was happening there, Marroquin said. It was calm, but there was also this buzz all around us.

'Not just an Indian thing'

Last week, however, emotions boiled over when demonstrators, who call themselves water protectors and pipeline fighters, set up camp on land owned by Energy Transfer Partners.

According to reports, police made 142 arrests and used force to push violent protesters off the property, which the developer took control of through eminent domain.

Demonstrators said the acquisition violated the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851.

Energy Transfer Partners still needs a final easement from the Corps of Engineers to cross a piece of government land and build the pipeline under the Missouri River.

Regina Tsosie, a member of the Navajo tribe and president of the Native American Coalition of the Quad-Cities, said she fears the pipeline could eventually burst and contaminate the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

"This whole pipeline has not only affected Standing Rock Sioux nation or native people, it's affecting everybody  everybody who depends on clean water, said Tsosie, who also planned Wednesday's rally in Davenport. So its not just an Indian thing, its about human survival.

Meanwhile, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad along with the governors of North and South Dakota wrote commanders of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Oct. 25, supporting the agencys approval of the Dakota Access Pipeline so far. The letter also urged the Corps to issue the final permit to expedite work and the project's completion.

North Dakota leaders agreed Tuesday to borrow an additional $4 million from a state-owned bank to cover costs of policing the protests. The state already spent $6 million, which it borrowed in September.

As of Tuesday evening, more than 1.5 million people "checked in" on Facebook to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation page, in a show of support, but most of the "visitors" are not actually at the protest camp.

Carter plans to leave the Quad-Cities on Wednesday, attend a conference in Nebraska and arrive in North Dakota by Saturday. She and a friend will bring gift cards for camp supplies and fresh squash and potatoes. She plans to stay for about a week, until the end of Augustana's fall break.

As long as we can go and be helpful, well stay and do work," she said.
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Students of the Watergate era (or those old enough to have lived through it) will recall the "dirty tricks" played by Richard Nixon's henchmen, most notably Donald Segretti. Segretti, who was hired by Nixon's deputy assistant, Dwight Chapin, was tasked with smearing Democrats, including senator and 1972 presidential candidate, Edmund Muskie of Maine. Among several "tricks," Segretti composed a fake letter on Muskie's letterhead falsely alleging that Sen. Henry "Scoop" Jackson (D-WA) had fathered a child with a 17-year-old girl.

In 1974, Segretti pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of distributing illegal, even forged, campaign literature and served four months of a six-month prison sentence.

I mention this sordid history because some Democrats are playing similar "dirty tricks" on Donald Trump.

Videographer James O'Keefe and his Project Veritas and National Review columnist Stanley Kurtz have exposed Democratic dirty tricks in this presidential campaign.

O'Keefe's videos purport to show Democratic activists, allegedly hired by the party, describing tactics they use to deceive the public. The most notable comes in a clip in which Scott Foval, national director at Americans United for Change, tells of hiring people to demonstrate and even start fights at Donald Trump rallies. The objective was to encourage the media to treat the disturbances as spontaneous responses to Trump's rally rhetoric, which some lefties called "hate speech." Predictably, the media, especially CNN, which gave the disturbances nonstop and repetitive coverage, bought this narrative and willingly spread it without investigating the background of the disruptors. That's probably because the resultant free-for-alls fit the left-leaning media's narrative about Trump.

The equally predictable response from the left was that the videos must have been edited. Democratic Party operatives and Hillary Clinton deny any knowledge of such tactics. Do you really expect them to admit it?

In an Oct. 20 column for National Review, Kurtz reminds us that these tactics are straight from the mind of the late "Rules for Radicals" author and community organizer, Saul Alinsky, a Hillary Clinton pen pal.

Another of O'Keefe's videos is of Robert Creamer, an Alinskyite from Chicago, an experienced community organizer and a man who, according to Breitbart News, visited the White House 340 times and on 42 of those occasions met with President Obama. Creamer admits to being the brains behind hiring and paying for Trump disruptors. He was also sentenced to five months in prison for bank fraud and a tax violation.

While in prison, Kurtz writes, Creamer authored a book titled "Stand Up Straight! How Progressives Can Win." In it, he instructs his fellow lefties how to handle conservatives: "In general our strategic goal with people who have become conservative activists is not to convert them -- that isn't going to happen. It is to demoralize them -- to 'deactivate' them. We need to deflate their enthusiasm, to make them lose their ardor and above all their self-confidence. ... [A] way to demoralize conservative activists is to surround them with the echo chamber of our positions and assumptions. We need to make them feel that they are not mainstream, to make them feel isolated. ... We must isolate them ideologically ... [and] use the progressive echo chamber. ... By defeating them and isolating them ideologically, we demoralize conservative activists directly. Then they begin to quarrel among themselves or blame each other for defeat in isolation, and that demoralizes them further."

Creamer is not alone. George Soros has long funded various groups who engage in similar tactics of disinformation, even violent behavior. Neither the mainstream media, nor Republicans, have sufficiently exposed these dirty tricks and their intent to swing elections toward the Democratic candidate. Federal authorities -- from the compromised FBI, to higher ups in the Justice Department -- won't do anything about it either, mostly because they back Hillary Clinton's presidential candidacy.

And somewhere Richard Nixon is shaking his head.

(Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com.)

(c) 2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Lee Rude had hoped for a better per-acre price for his family's pasture land in southern Butte County that sold at auction earlier this month.

The land brought $1,126 an acre, about $290 above the per-acre average price for land in northwest South Dakota this past year.

But Lee, who was overseeing the sale of land owned by his dad, Maynard Rude, said an earlier sale in the area had led them to believe their land might fetch $1,500 to $1,600 an acre or more.

Still, agricultural land prices are in good shape in northwestern South Dakota, relative to the downtown trend in much of the rest of the state.

The per-acre land value in far northwestern South Dakota, which increased by 14.2 percent in a year, is bucking the trend for ag land values in the rest of the state, which are down on average 2.4 percent from 2015. This is the first time in at least a quarter-century that statewide ag land values have dropped.

Rude said the volatile cattle market had potential buyers on edge.

"They're more than a little skittish right now," Rude said. "Since we listed for sale in mid-August a lot has changed awful fast. People who've got money to invest, they've gotten nervous."

Ranchers and other livestock market experts said prices for calves coming off pasture in the fall are down at least 40 percent from two years ago.

"It was a respectable sale, but frankly I think we could have done a little bit better," said Martin Jurisch, whose auction company sold the Rude land.

Jurisch, too, believes a dip in livestock prices has producers tightening the purse strings.

Cautious buyers are reflecting the caution of their bankers, Jurisch said.

"Because they don't know what the marketplace is going to do, the bankers are tightening up on what they believe some of these land values are," he said. "You are seeing some caution in the banks, no question."

Chad Pelster, commercial/ag loan officer at First Interstate Bank in Belle Fourche, said it's the responsibility of the bank to make sure the producer pays a land price that reflects the fact that calves are bringing just $650 a head at the sale barn.

Jurisch said he doesn't believe banks are shutting down lending on ag land, but have backed off from the amount of lending they were doing five or six years ago.

"The banks are redefining what they internally value ag land at," he said.

In general, ag land between Brookings and Sioux Falls still draws seven times the sale price of ag land between Buffalo and Belle Fourche.

Jurisch said the increase in northwest South Dakota reflects ag land sales to out-of-area retirees whose stocks and bonds have matured and instead of paying taxes to the government, they invest in land.

"I've seen some individuals from Minnesota and eastern South Dakota who find themselves in that predicament. Rather than just give it to the government, they feel better about having that asset be land rather than stocks," he said.

A report from South Dakota State University said the average per-acre value of land dropped from $2,505 in 2015 to $2,444 in 2016 after averaging a 10 percent increase annually since at least 1991, when the university began its survey of experts across the state.

Lands are divided into two categories, non-irrigated and irrigated.

Non-irrigated, or dryland, makes up 99 percent of the acres used for crops and livestock pasture and hay, and 1 percent of the land is made up of irrigated, or wetlands.

The land's worth reflects the sharp declines in crop and beef cattle prices.

According to farmers, prices for corn, soybeans and wheat are down at least 30 percent from historic highs seen three and four years ago.

Usually the prices for livestock and crops counter each other. However, in the past five years prices for both have risen and dropped together.
Registration is closed; sample ballots were scheduled to run in this week's Butte County Post.

A school for poll workers in Butte County is this week as Butte County Auditor Elaine Jensen and her courthouse election day staff prepare for the Tuesday, Nov. 8 general election.

While Belle Fourche voters don't have county or legislative races to consider, voters in the eastern part of the county in Legislative District 29 have a state senate race.

Jensen said this year's ballot is much larger physically than in past years thanks to amendments and measures put before the people.

But, she said, said it's legal for voters to study and mark a sample ballot to take into the voting booth as their reference to speed the process on the official ballot.

Butte County has 6,648 active voters on registration lists.

There are 16 precincts with three poll workers assigned to each precinct.

Polling places are Belle Fourche Community Hall, Nisland American Legion Hall, Castle Rock-Moreau River Hall and Newell Community Hall.

Jensen said shut-ins may call her office to make arrangements to vote.

A pamphlet with information on the long list of measures for voters to consider is available at Jensen's office or online at the South Dakota Secretary of State's web site SDSOS.GOV.

On a statewide level, the Secretary of States office has compiled a list of answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

Since South Dakota protects against voter fraud on Election Day, Voter ID is a requirement to vote. Some type of government issued ID, such as a S.D. drivers license, a state issued non-drivers license ID, tribal ID, passport, regents university photo ID, high school photo ID.

If a prospective voter does not have an acceptable form of ID, that prospective must be presented with a personal identification affidavit to sign under the penalty of perjury in which the prospective voter states he or she is who they claim to be.

Anyone can be a poll watcher or poll observer.

South Dakota law allows poll watchers and observers to be present to observe the voting and counting activity and provides guidelines for poll watchers and observers. For more information visit SDSOS.GOV or contact your County Auditor. You will likely see poll watchers at your precinct on Election Day.

There is a voter Hotline.

Anyone who feels their voting rights have been violated may call the county auditor, the Secretary of State at 888-703-5328, or the county's state's attorney. That phone call should be made before leaving the voting precinct location. The number will be posted twice at all polling locations.

Any voter who shows his/her voted ballot to another person is in violation of South Dakota Codified Law 12-18-27.

Do not photograph a marked ballot for distribution on social media.

To view your sample ballot or find your polling place on your smart phone, download the VOTE 605 App on Google Play or the App Store. You can also view your sample ballot at SDSOS.GOV

If a voter is confined due to sickness or disability, that voter can use an authorized messenger to bring the ballot to them. There is a section on the application for absentee ballot where the voter will indicate who they want to bring their ballot to them. The deadline for this option is 3 p.m. on Election Day.
Nathan Juelfs, commander of the Belle Fourche-based VFW Post 3312 said that "We've commissioned a Vietnam War memorial to recognize the men and women who served their country in the cause of peace."

He said the post is tentatively planning for a dedication of the stone monument in the spring. The stone is currently in route and will be carved by Black Hills Monument of Belle Fourche.

"We have a donation account set up at Wells Fargo Bank under the name Post 3312 Vietnam Memorial Fund," he said. "Or donations may be made directly to VFW Post 3312, P.O. Box 276, Belle Fourche, S.D. 57717."

Juelfs said plans currently are to place the monument near the WWII and Korean War memorials near the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center.

Cost?

Juelfs said,"It's going to be just over $10,000, about the same size as the Korean War Memorial, but it will have a notch out of the side to give the shape of the country of Vietnam."

He said the announcement comes during the week of Veterans Day to remind people in the community that the post is working on the memorial and that Veterans Day is a good time to help the VFW post in our community's project for the memorial honoring veterans of the Vietnam War.
College students enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at a fully accredited college, university or technical college in an agriculture related degree program in Nebraska are encouraged to apply for the Larry E. Sitzman Youth in Nebraska Agriculture Scholarship. The deadline to apply is December 15th. Students may apply for the scholarship online by visiting the youth tab on www.nepork.org.

Larry E. Sitzman learned patriotism, service to our country, and respect for our leaders from his parents. While in high school he heard John F. Kennedys Inaugural Address, Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. This address increased his desire to serve.

Agriculture has been his passion. Throughout his life he has provided service in various forms and from different positions of leadership. Sitzman is known for sharing his voice defending perspectives and asking challenging questions. He served on many state and national agricultural boards before being named the Director of Agriculture for Nebraska in 1991. He ended his working role as Executive Director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association in 2016. Today, Sitzman serves as an active volunteer leader at the Veterans Administration in Lincoln.

Academics, agriculture, military, and other forms of public service have all improved in some measure due to the leadership, service, and voice of Larry E. Sitzman. Upon his retirement, the Nebraska Pork Producers Association established this scholarship in his honor.

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at a fully accredited college, university or technical college in an agriculture related degree program in Nebraska

Must have at least one full year of study remaining towards degree

Must have plans to work in the agriculture industry upon graduation

Selection will be based on qualities of leadership and participation in collegiate or extracurricular activities related to the agriculture industry.

The deadline to apply is December 15th.

The Larry E. Sitzman Youth in Nebraska Agriculture Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship that will be awarded to one deserving applicant each year.

If you have questions, please contact Kyla Habrock, Youth Education Director for the Nebraska Pork Producers Association at kyla@nepork.org or 402-472-2528.

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association is a grassroots, incorporated, non profit organization.
The presidential election is getting most of the attention this election season, but in South Dakota, voters are deciding much more.

Of course, South Dakota has general elections this fall for U.S. Senate, U.S. House and the Public Utilities Commission. We are also voting on ten ballot measures: constitutional amendments R, S, T, U and V; referred laws 19 and 20; and initiated measures 21, 22 and 23.

One of these measures, Constitutional Amendment R, was passed by the Legislature and is now before the people for ratification. Referred laws 19 and 20 were also passed by the Legislature, and then placed on the ballot by petition. The remaining amendments and initiated measures made the ballot through the petition process.

I encourage all South Dakota voters to study and thoroughly consider these ballot measures before voting this year. Information about all ten ballot measures is available on the Secretary of States website at https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/upcoming-elections/general-information/2016-ballot-questions.aspx.

Many of us have seen the paid television ads and received postcards in the mail. Those can be informative, but paid advertising only tells one side of the story. And while some ballot measures campaigns have backers who are willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to promote their view, other campaigns cannot afford much advertising.

With ten measures on the ballot, voting will take some time. Id encourage South Dakota voters to consider voting early to avoid the lines. Early voting is available at your county auditors office on any business day between now and the day before Election Day.

Its also a good idea to obtain a sample ballot before voting. Voters can study the issues at home, fill out the sample ballot and then copy their preferences onto the real ballot at the polling place. Sample ballots are printed in the newspaper and are available at the county auditors office, and you can also obtain one online from the Secretary of State at https://sos.sd.gov/Elections/VIPLogin.aspx .

Finally, I urge all South Dakota voters to show up and vote this fall. The tone of the presidential campaign can be disheartening, and the political advertisements can be irritating. But as Governor George S. Mickelson often said, Decisions are made by those who show up.

As Americans, we have a responsibility to study the candidates and the issues and to cast an informed ballot. We should never take that privilege for granted  not even in a tumultuous election year like this one. We owe it to our children and grandchildren, and to those who have defended our freedom, to show up on Election Day.
When Im home in South Dakota, I spend a lot of my time traveling the state to hear from farmers, ranchers, small business owners, and moms and dads about the issues important to them. Its the best way to cut through the noise and hear directly from the people who are impacted by the decisions made in Washington, D.C. I frequently hear about the mountains of federal regulations that are stifling growth for businesses and private landowners and how the governments out-of-control spending is saddling the next generation of Americans with unsustainable debt. And almost without fail, I hear about the federal governments takeover of the nations health care system and the financial strain its creating.

Obamacare is broken, plain and simple. I understand how difficult it is for Democrats to concede that point since they consider it one of their top accomplishments, but pretending that it isnt broken will only cause more pain for the American people in the future. Objectively speaking, it just didnt work. Democrats said it would lower costs, but premiums and deductibles are skyrocketing. Democrats promised that all Americans could keep their existing health care plans and doctors, but that wasnt true either. Obamacare had lofty goals, but Democrats overpromised and underdelivered, and the American people have been left holding the bag.

Democrats are quick to point out that millions more Americans are insured today than before Obamacare was signed into law  the result, in part, of a law that forced law-abiding Americans to purchase a product, whether they wanted it or not. Democrats conveniently forget to mention the nearly 30 million Americans who remain uninsured and the millions who lost the doctors and coverage they enjoyed before Obamacare became the law of the land. Today, some Democrats are slowly starting to admit Obamacares failures, primarily because the facts can no longer be ignored.

In a brief moment of candor, former President Bill Clinton recently called Obamacare the craziest thing in the world. Many South Dakotans would agree. And the Obama administration recently conceded that Obamacare premiums would rise by an average of 25 percent in 39 states across the country next year. Here in South Dakota, premiums will rise by 37 percent, according to a study by Congress Joint Economic Committee. Thats the eighth highest premium increase in the United States. South Dakotans cant afford such an extreme hike in costs.

The version of Obamacare that Democrats dreamt about seven years ago is just that, a dream thats unrecognizable to the American people today. Obamacare is the perfect case study in what happens when one political party ignores the other and implements a big-government takeover of a large portion of the U.S. economy. It didnt work, and something this broken cannot simply be repaired. The sooner my Democrat colleagues admit it, the sooner the two parties and a new president can get to work on policies that actually fulfill the needs of the American people by lowering costs and increasing access to care.
The Mount Rushmore State.

The Sunshine State.

The Swinged Cat State.

Of all the nicknames for South Dakota, perhaps none is more unusual than The Swinged Cat State.

This nickname originated from remarks made by South Dakotas first governor, Arthur C. Mellette, according to an article from the South Dakota State Historical Society  State Archives.

In 1890, South Dakota was in the midst of a drought. Mellette was doing everything in his power to help settlers and keep them from leaving the state. On a trip to Chicago for aid, Mellette was met by Moses P. Handy, a friend and newspaperman. Handy asked Mellette, Well, governor, how is South Dakota?

Mellette replied, Oh, South Dakota is a swinged cat, better than she looks.

By swinged, Mellette meant burnt or singed, according to the article.

The next day, the Chicago Inter Ocean newspaper had a story about Mellette, governor of the swinged cat State.

Coyote State might have been its first nickname, and while most people probably assume the nickname was inspired by the state animal, it may actually have been inspired by a horse.

According to Volume IX of South Dakota Historical Collections Compiled by the State Department of History, a race took place in October 1863 at Fort Randall between horses owned by two soldiers from Company A Dakota Cavalry and a major from the 6thIowa Cavalry.

The majors horse was badly beaten.

A soldier from the Iowa infantry remarked that the Dakota horse ran like a coyote. The owners immediately gave their horse that name, which became applied to the entire Dakota Company and to all residents of the state.

With a nod to the number of artesian wells in the state, another South Dakota nickname is The Artesian State.

With plains, hills, mountains, cities, towns, farmland, pasture, lakes, rivers, hot weather and freezing cold, South Dakota has also been called The Land of Infinite Variety and The Land of Plenty.

Weather is a factor in two of South Dakotas nicknames. As The Blizzard State, it shares anickname with Texas because of both states being subject to frequent storms.

And while The Sunshine State is Floridas official nickname, it was also South Dakotas slogan for decades.

In 1992, the sun set on The Sunshine State as South Dakotas official nickname. State Rep. Chuck Mateer, a Republican from Belle Fourche, introduced legislation that year to change the states nickname from The Sunshine State to The Mount Rushmore State.

Everybodys got a lot of sunshine, but were the only ones whove got Mount Rushmore, he was quoted as saying in an article in the Jan. 26, 1992, Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

Getting the bill passed wasnt all sunshine for supporters. Opponents argued thatdropping the nickname The Sunshine State would cause people to think the state was in a frozen tundra, according to Republican Rep. Mary Edelen of Vermillion in the Feb. 1, 1992, Argus Leader. Others in favor of keeping the sun shining on South Dakota said that the states American Indian population did not want South Dakota to be known as The Mount Rushmore State.

The legislation did pass and was signed into law by Gov. George S. Mickelson, who favored the new nickname.

Who knows what the future will hold for South Dakotas nicknames? While The Mount Rushmore State might seem set in stone, clearly nicknames come and go.

This moment in South Dakota history is provided by the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising partner of the South Dakota State Historical Society at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. Find us on the web at www.sdhsf.org. Contact us at info@sdhsf.org to submit a story idea.
STURGIS | With plans for an expansion of Sturgis Regional Hospital taking shape, the fate of the Nolin Monument that sits on city land adjacent to the hospital was in flux.

But Ross Lamphere, chairman of the Nolin Monument Revitalization Committee, said the monument will remain in its current location but be taken down for a time to be refurbished.

The monument honors a horseback mail carrier slain under suspicious circumstances in 1876.

"Fear No. 1 that everyone seems to have had was that it was going to be moved. It's going to stay where it's at," Lamphere said.

"The mortar has been there since 1932 and it's literally falling apart," he said.

Lamphere said the ground around the monument also is sunken as a result of water seeping in.

"We will take the monument down stone by stone and move it," he said.

Regional Health has agreed to build up the area to provide a solid foundation for the monument so it can be returned to its current location, Lamphere said. That will include a concrete pad, landscaping and electricity to the site so it can be lit at night.

"We will come back in next spring and rebuild it just like it is," he said.

Tom Hildebrand Construction of Sturgis will do the work on the monument.

"He does this kind of work. He's got a lifetime of experience doing it," Lamphere said.

The revitalized Nolin Monument will include not only the current cone-shaped main monument but also five kiosks describing historic events that help explain why the Nolin Monument is relevant to the Sturgis community.

Some of the events included in the historic perspective include the Fort Laramie Treaties, a biography of Charles Nolin, the establishment and construction of Fort Meade and when Sturgis was incorporated.

"Each of those will be similar to those that are down along Rapid Creek commemorating the flood," Lamphere said.

He said the Nolin Monument is a part of the community's history.

"This event took place prior to the establishment of Sturgis in 1876. It definitely adds to our cultural heritage in this community, and those things need to be preserved," Lamphere said.

Lamphere said the significance is not necessarily that a mail carrier on a pony was killed there or by whom, but what was going on in the summer of 1876.

"There was unrest on the reservations and Indians were leaving. But why were they leaving?" he said.

It was also the time of Custer at the battle of Little Big Horn and the fatal shooting of Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood. A day after Charles Nolin was killed, the Rev. Henry Weston Smith, better known as "Preacher Smith" was killed.

"There were a lot of interesting historical things happening at that time," Lamphere said. "We're going to try to tell that story as briefly as we can and as interestingly as we can."

The budget for the project is about $60,000, Lamphere said. The Revitalization Committee has received a $25,000 matching grant from the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission.

"We're looking at raising about $35,000 locally," he said. "With the groundbreaking we will now get started on the fundraising as well."
Four people were hurt, one critically, in a one-vehicle crash interstate crash west of New Underwood on Monday, according to authorities.

Douglas Wilson, 22, of Rapid City suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Rapid City Regional Hospital after the crash, according to Tony Mangan, public information officer with the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

Wilson was eastbound on Interstate 90 around 7:30 a.m. Monday, near Mile Marker 74, about four miles west of New Underwood, when the 2006 Saturn Vue he was driving entered the grassy median. Mangan said that Wilson overcorrected and the Saturn went across both eastbound lanes of traffic, entered the ditch and rolled.

Wilson was not wearing a seat belt, according to Mangan.

There were three passengers in the vehicle: An unidentified 17-year-old male, of Rapid City; 21-year-old Winnona Long, of Nemo; and 23-year-old Evan Sanchez, also of Nemo.

The 17-year-old suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to Mangan. Sanchez, who Mangan said was wearing a seat belt, also suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries.

Long suffered minor injuries. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to Mangan.

The three passengers were taken to Rapid City Regional Hospital. The Highway Patrol is investigating the wreck.
Businessman fights deportation from U.S., sues top Russian officials

MOSCOW, November 2 (RAPSI)  Igor Borbot, who was charged in Russia with embezzling over 4 billion rubles ($60.6 million), filed a lawsuit against several top Russian officials, including Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade, as he fights against his deportation from U.S.

The lawsuit was filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec Corporation, and Andrey Shishkin, Vice-President for Energy, Localization and Innovation for Rosneft, are named as co-defendants, according to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by RAPSI.

Borbot alleges that his prosecution in Russia and arrest in the US were a result of his refusal at one time to hand over to the defendants his assets, in particular his share in the Vladivostok Development Company (VDC) he founded in 1994, which invested in a number of profitable projects and was worth $350 million.

Borbot further claims that he was detained in New York since April because of the false and fabricated charges brought against him in Russia.

Aleksey Boytsov, a former Chief Operating Officer of the Vladivostok Development Company, was detained in California as well. He joined the lawsuit which lists seven counts.

Borbot and Boytsov challenge the lawfulness of their detention in the U.S. Both men claim infliction of emotional distress, violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) of 1970, defamation, unlawful conversion of property, as well as abuse of process in Russia and extortion.

Meanwhile, several criminal cases were opened in Russia over the alleged embezzlement during the construction of a shipbuilding complex, according to Kommersant newspaper. Borbot and some of his former colleagues are reportedly implicated in the probe. Borbot was put on the wanted list after he had left Russia.

The Russian Prosecutor General's office is seeking Borbots deportation since there is no extradition agreement between Russia and the U.S., according to Kommersant.
Russian antimonopoly agency fines Google $8,000 for compliance failure

Context Google appeals dismissal of lawsuit against antimonopoly watchdog

MOSCOW, November 2 (RAPSI)  Russias Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has held Google Inc. and Google Ireland Limited administratively liable for their failure to comply with the regulators order and fined the companies 500,000 rubles (about $8,000) each, FAS reports on Wednesday.

Yet in September, Igor Artemyev, the Head of FAS, stated that the agency was ready to fine Google every two weeks if the company failed to comply with the antimonopoly watchdogs orders.

In case we see the process is dragged out, we will meet every two weeks to impose new fines on them for failing to comply with the order, he said. It will continue until the final victory [is achieved - ed.] and final court judgement [is passed - ed.], according to Artemyev.

The deadline for Google to comply with the FAS order requiring the company to remedy the violation by refraining from installation of its products on mobile devices and allowing installation of applications developed by third parties expired on August 29. FAS has dismissed Googles petition to extend this term.

This Tuesday, the Moscow Commercial Court set the hearings of the Googles claim challenging the FAS order for December 8.

On August 17, the Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal filed by Google against a ruling that the US company had broken Russian anti-monopoly legislation by abusing its dominance on the Russian market of mobile applications.

In early August, FAS announced that it had fined Google 438 million rubles ($6.7 million) for violating administrative legislation.

On September 18, 2015, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) found Google guilty of violating the legislation.

On March 15, 2016, the Moscow Commercial Court dismissed Googles petition requesting to abolish the FAS decision and order issued in September 2015, which stated that the company had violated the Federal Law on Protection of Competition and accused it of abuse of dominance on the market of preinstalled applications in the Android operating system.
Seizure of assets owned by wife of Russian Komi Republics ex-head Gaizer upheld

MOSCOW, November 2 (RAPSI)  The Moscow City Court has upheld the seizure of assets belonging to the wife of Vyacheslav Gaizer, former head of Russias Komi Republic who stands charged with fraud and organized crime related violations, the court's press office told RAPSI on Wednesday .

The wife of Gaizer, Natalya, demanded to overturn the ruling on arrest of her property including apartments in Moscow and Syktyvkar and a garage as illegal. However, the court dismissed the appeal.

Earlier, the Investigative Committee reported about thwarting the activity of a criminal group led by the head of the Republic of Komi, Vyacheslav Gaizer.

Nineteen people are defendants in the case, including Gaizers deputy Alexei Chernov, Igor Kovzel, Chairman of the Republican State Council, and Konstantin Romadanov, Deputy Chairman of the Komi government. This August one of the people related to the case, Anton Faerstein, died in detention.

Gaizer pleads not guilty. Several high-ranking officials have been arrested in the fraud and organized crime case, as well as several business people that the Investigative Committee called finance technologists.

During 80 searches in Komi, St. Petersburg and Moscow, the Investigative Committee and the Federal Security Service confiscated over 60 kg of jewelry, 150 watches worth $30,000 to $1 million each, over 50 stamps and seals from offshore corporations, and financial documents legalizing over 1 billion rubles ($14 mln) in stolen money transferred to the offshore zone.

Investigators have also opened against Gaizer a criminal case on money laundering.

On September 30, 2015, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to relieve Gaizer of his duties because of loss of trust.
Turkey asks Russia to provide proof of guilt regarding alleged killer of Su-24 pilot

MOSCOW, November 2 (RAPSI)  The Turkish authorities have requested Russia to provide the proof of guilt with regard to Alparslan Celik, who had earlier claimed responsibility for the murder of Oleg Peshkov, the pilot of Russian Su-24 bomber downed by the Turkish Air Force in Syria, RIA Novosti news agency reports on Wednesday, citing Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

If Russia has any documents in its disposal, our prosecutors would ask to provide them, he said. According to Cavusoglu, this evidence, if presented by Russia, would form the grounds on which investigators could pursue the case.

The Minister added that Celik himself confirmed that he had murdered the pilot. Certainly, from a legal perspective that remains to be proved yet, he said, mentioning that at the moment Celiks lawyers denied the fact. Nevertheless, Cavusoglu maintained, Celik was detained in conjunction with the totality of charges brought against him and investigation of these charges was currently underway.

The incident occurred on November 24, 2015. The Russian plane was allegedly downed by an air-to-air missile fired by a Turkish F-16C fighter. Two pilots managed to eject from the plane. Peshkov was killed by ground fire from militants when parachuting, his navigator survived. Another serviceman, marine Alexander Pozynich, was killed during the rescue mission.

Celik, a fighter from a Turkish-backed Turkmen brigade in Syria, publicly admitted killing Russian pilot.

When he returned from Syria where he fought with militants against government forces, Celik was arrested in a group of 14 people in a restaurant in Izmir on March 30. One AK assault rifle, two pistols and ammunition were seized from them.

Later, Celik retracted his admittance of killing the pilot and sent a letter to Maria Zakharova, the official spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, asking to start a dialog with him. However, Zakharova refused to react on the basis of some unofficial communications published on social networks. She said that Russia is interested in Celiks clear statements with regard to the murder of the pilot and details of the incident based on proof.

Relations between Russia and Turkey became troubled after the incident. At that time, President Vladimir Putin described the murder of Russian pilot as a stab in the back delivered by accomplices of the terrorists.
Gaizer case defendant testifies against Renova Groups managers

MOSCOW, November 2 (RAPSI)  One of the defendants in a fraud case involving former head of Russias Komi Republic Vyacheslav Gaizer, has testified against Yevgeny Olkhovik, a co-owner of a top Russian group of companies Renova and Boris Vaynzikher, the CEO of T Plus Company, a subsidiary of Renova, RAPSI reported from the Basmanny District Court on Wednesday.

Vaynzikher and Olkhovik are charged with passing a bribe in the amount of more than 88 million rubles (approximately $1.4 million) to a person whose identity investigators do not disclose, their lawyers said earlier.

The court on Tuesday asked the Investigative Committee to provide additional evidence of guilt with regard to Olkhovik and Vaynzikher. On Wednesday, a record of questioning financier Demyan Moskvin was presented to the court. Investigators took into account his testimony when opened the case.

According to the defense, the record of interrogation does not contain families of the defendants and cannot prove the guilt of Olkhovik and Vaynzikher.

Investigative authorities in Russias Republic of Komi have initiated a criminal case against some former and acting managers of Kompleksnye Energeticheskiye Sistemy (KES) company, of which T Plus is the legal successor, on suspicion of large-scale bribery. At that time the offices of the companys parent holding Renova were also raided.

Three men holding CEO posts in the KES at different time, Mikhail Slobodin, Yevgeny Olkhovik, and Boris Vaynzikher are involved in the case. Vaynzikher and Olkhovik are currently in detention.

Investigators believe that in 2007 through 2014 the suspects bribed officials currently involved in the criminal case against the Republics ex-head Vyacheslav Gaizer with money and other assets.

Gaizer is a witness in this case.




Aum Shinrikyo included on terrorist list - FSB

MOSCOW, November 2 (RAPSI)  Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on its website on Wednesday that Aum Shinrikyo had been included on the list of terrorist organizations.

In September, the Supreme Court of Russia declared Aum Shinrikyo a terrorist organization and banned its activity in the country. The ruling took effect on October 25.

A case over illegal activities of the organization was launched in April. According to the Investigative Committee, searches were conducted in Moscow and St. Petersburg in order to identify individuals who could be involved in the sect activities and to find literature, documents and other evidentiary items that are germane to the case.

Aum Shinrikyo (Supreme Truth) was set up in 1987 by Chizuo Matsumoto (aka Shoko Asahara). It combined Buddhist and Hindu meditation practices and apocalyptic teachings and was believed to have between 30,000 and 50,000 followers, with more than 10,000 members in Russia, where Aum was engaged in missionary activity and economic enterprise. The sect was banned worldwide in 1995, with Russia leading the crackdown.

In 1994, Aum Shinrikyo members dispersed sarin gas in Matsumoto, Nagano, killing seven people. After the March '95 attack on Tokyo, police arrested about 30 of the sect leaders, some of whom, including Shoko Asahara, were sentenced to death.

Now operating under the name of Aleph, the cult is still in business and is believed to have between 1,000 and 2,000 members in Japan.




DARBY  In a world where the distractions are many, Tony Incashola knows that its an easy thing for people to forget where they came from and how they got here.

But the Salish-Pend dOreille Culture Committee director said people shouldnt forget the opportunities that they have today were created by those who came before.

On Tuesday morning, Incashola was preaching to the choir.

The Darby Club House was filled with men and women interested in developing a new initiative that would focus on the fact the Bitterroot Valley holds three nationally designated trails which offer the opportunity to link people to their past.

Representatives from the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail and the relatively new Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail would spend Tuesday and Wednesday collaborating with others on ways to tell the stories of those three significant trail systems.

One by one, they introduced themselves Tuesday and talked about what brought them to Darby.

Nearly every single one said they were interested in helping put together the stories that will help people from across the world learn about this area and maybe a little bit about themselves.

Our goal is to develop an outstanding project that will benefit people in so many different ways, said Kris Komar of the Bitterroot Cultural Heritage Trust, which hosted the event.

Heritage sites attract both national and local tourists, said Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation President Philippa Newfield.

Heritage tourists spend more time in an area and they spend more money, Newfield said.

Montana has the longest segment of the Lewis and Clark Trail.

The important thing to remember is that visitors see the trail as a corridor and are looking for interesting things to do on both sides of that line, Newfield said. Its important that communities are prepared to let them know where the best wineries, breweries, bed and breakfasts and other places of interest can be found.

The process of developing an interpretive plan through an initiative called Valley of the Three Trails is in its beginning stages.

The Oregon firm, Sea Reach LTD, has been hired help move the process forward. The firm works with the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service and has installed nearly 200 interpretive signs along the Lewis and Clark Trail.

Sea Reachs Peter Reedijk said fear is a not an option when moving forward in a process like this one.

Its going to be a very, very messy process, he said. What it will become, right now we have no idea.

But one thing is for certain, said Susan Jurase of Sea Reach. It will be all about the stories that this valley has to tell.

Stories are what really drive this, Jurase said. Theres something about a storyteller that makes us slow down and really listen.

Thats something Loren Flynn knows very well as manager of Travelers Rest State Park in Lolo.

He knows that if visitors cant connect on a personal level with the stories that a place has to tell, they wont take anything from their visit.

Flynn said hes often asked what he hopes visitors will say after theyve explored the state park.

What I want to hear them say is, I didnt know that I was going to learn that, Flynn said. Its those unexpected experiences that make the connections and can really change the world.

Ravalli County Museum executive director Tamar Stanley has seen the same thing happen as people wander through the exhibits of the museum in Hamilton.

In the historic courtroom that now serves as exhibit space, Stanley said shes seen people from varied backgrounds come together to talk about the history of the place they call home.

Interpretation is what its all about, Stanley said. If you cant tell the story, then people will walk away without learning anything. The story is everything.

Master storyteller and former journalist Dale Burk of Stevensvilles Stoneydale Press urged the group to choose their words carefully.

As an illustration, Burk recalled an interview he had with a CBS reporter on a street in New York City years ago.

She asked him: Mr. Burk, how long does it take for you to relax while fly fishing?

With a smile, Burk made the motion of casting a fly.

Somewhere between here and there, he said. When you tell a story, it needs to be that simple.
William Roberts sat inches away from his wife Lisa in their living room. Both were unsuccessfully holding back tears.

The reveal of a whole house transformation by countless volunteers, designers, and workers into a stunning showpiece would be enough to make anyone tear up.

But on that morning, nearly ten years ago, the couple seemed to look past all the bespoke details of their newly decorated Mountain Brook estate. Instead, they reminisced over times shared by family while touring the house room by room. They finally paused in the living room upon the realization that saying goodbye to a home full of memories is bittersweet, especially if it happens before you're not quite ready to let go.

Their Donnachaidh-Roberts Estate was designed by Warren, Knight & Davis, the architectural firm that designed many notable historic Birmingham buildings including the Swann residence, Bottega Favorita, the Alabama Power building, Norwood and Ramsay schools, and the demolished 1917 Birmingham News building. It's the same firm that designed Auburn's Jordan Hare Stadium, known as Auburn Stadium when it was constructed.

The English manor style home was built in 1926 on 2.9 acres near Jemison Park by a Mr. Donnachaidh. He never had a chance to move in due to losing money in the stock market while the home was under construction.

Decades later, Charles and Margaret Gaines moved in with their children. Their son, Charles Gaines, wrote the novel "Stay Hungry," that was later adapted into the 1976 movie of the same name. The movie was filmed in Birmingham and starred Jeff Bridges, Sally Field, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ed Begley, Jr., and Robert Englund (aka Freddy Krueger).

The Robertses purchased the historic estate in 1981 and moved in on Christmas Day. They made several renovations to the home and doubled its original footprint. They tripled the size of the kitchen and added a media room, great room with 16-foot ceilings, wrap-around terrace, and a master suite with a bedroom the size of a two-car garage. In all, the two-story home and two bedroom guest cottage encompass 10,000 square feet.

Step inside the main home today and you'll find the it still has many of its original architectural details including wide hand-carved moldings, hardwood floors, and solid mahogany doors with original hardware. The couple replicated some of the home's historic details in the addition. You'll also find cherished antiques throughout including a chandelier from the original Tutwiler hotel and a large 17th century French mantel.

Decorators transformed 48 areas of the home for the 2007 Decorators' ShowHouse. A few of those touches remain in the home today. The annual event is the largest fundraiser for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

When the Robertses first bought the estate, they thought it would be their final home. "We had anticipated that this would be permanent, our forever home. We still would like for it to be our forever home, but only if we are together," Lisa Roberts told the Birmingham News in 2007. Her husband passed away a few months later, 9 years ago today.

The home is listed for $3,195,000 with realtor Kerry Grinkmeyer. For more information, visit his website here.

William and Lisa Roberts comfort each other while overcome with emotion talking about memories of life in the house they were selling in this file photo from 2007. The Donnachaidh-Roberts Estate of Jemison Park was the site of the 2007 Birmingham Decorators' ShowHouse, and Lisa Roberts had just given her husband the first glimpse of the decor after it was finished. Because of complications from a knee surgery and Parkinson's disease, it was hard for him to maneuver in the house while work was going on. "This is where our heart is, and I'm sure that years and years from now, whenever my children drive down the street, they will point at that house and say, 'That's where I was born.' (Tamika Moore/tmoore@al.com)

Watch below as two Alabama residents recall what it was like to be an extra in "Stay Hungry" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
There are, of course, complicated contours to 2016s unusual politics. In Britain, immigrants from South Asia voted heavily to leave the European Union, citing hopes that curtailing European migration might open space for more people from Asia. In the United States, frustration with and alienation from status quo politics have helped drive Mr. Trumps rise.

There has also always been a certain fluidity to this concept of whiteness. Irish and Italian immigrants to the United States, and Jews in Britain, were once seen as separate from the white national majority, and are now generally considered part of it, benefiting from racial privilege. At the same time, Jews white skin did not protect them from being cast as outsiders by some of Mr. Trumps supporters who have circulated anti-Semitic memes on social media.

Still, experts see a crisis of white identity underlying much of the Wests current turmoil.

Its fundamentally about who are we? said Eric Kaufmann, a professor of politics at Birkbeck College, University of London. What does it mean to be part of this nation? Is it not our nation anymore, our meaning the ethnic majority?

These kinds of questions are really front and center, even though theyre not necessarily verbalized.

The questions can seem like a sudden reversal after decades of rising multiculturalism, through the civil rights movement in the United States and the European Unions opening up of borders.

In fact, academic research suggests that other economic and social transformations unfolding at the same time have led many people to anchor themselves more fully in their whiteness  even as whiteness itself has lost currency.

When I look at the data, I keep coming back to this issue that its really about identity politics, said Elisabeth Ivarsflaten, a professor at Norways University of Bergen who studies Europes far-right parties. This is the most powerful predictor of support for the populists.

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Gains and losses in a changing world

Identity, as academics define it, falls into two broad categories: achieved identity derived from personal effort, and ascribed identity based on innate characteristics.

Everyone has both, but people tend to be most attached to their best identity  the one that offers the most social status or privileges. Successful professionals, for example, often define their identities primarily through their careers.

For generations, working-class whites were doubly blessed: They enjoyed privileged status based on race, as well as the fruits of broad economic growth.

White peoples officially privileged status waned over the latter half of the 20th century with the demise of discriminatory practices in, say, university admissions. But rising wages, an expanding social safety net and new educational opportunities helped offset that. Most white adults were wealthier and more successful than their parents, and confident that their children would do better still.

That feeling of success may have provided a sort of identity in itself.

But as Western manufacturing and industry have declined, taking many working-class towns with them, parents and grandparents have found that the opportunities they once had are unavailable to the next generation.

That creates an identity vacuum to be filled.

For someone who is lower income or lower class, Professor Kaufmann explained, youre going to get more self-esteem out of a communal identity such as ethnicity or the nation than you would out of any sort of achieved identity.

Focusing on lost identities rather than lost livelihoods helps answer one of the most puzzling questions about the link between economic stress and the rise of nationalist politics: why it is flowing from the middle and working classes, and not the very poor.

While globalization and free trade have widened economic inequality and deeply wounded many working-class communities, data suggests that this years political turmoil is not merely a backlash to that real pain.

In Britains referendum on membership in the European Union, low education was a much stronger predictor of people voting leave than low income, according to an analysis by Zsolt Darvas , a senior fellow at the Bruegel research group.

A recent Gallup study found that Mr. Trumps supporters tend to earn above-average incomes for their communities, but also tend to live in majority-white areas where children are likely to be worse off than their parents.

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Her subjects felt like they were waiting in a long line to reach the top of a hill where the American dream was waiting for them. But the lines uphill progress had slowed, even stopped. And immigrants, black people and other outsiders seemed to be cutting the line.

For many Western whites, opportunities for achieved identity  the top of the hill  seem unattainable. So their ascribed identity  their whiteness  feels more important than ever.

Whiteness is becoming less valuable

Michael Ignatieff, a historian and former Liberal Party leader in Canada, said that in much of the West, what defined the political community for many years was the unstated premise that it was white.

The formal rejection of racial discrimination in those societies has, by extension, constructed a new, broader national identity. The United States has a black president; London has a Muslim mayor of Pakistani descent.

But that broadening can, to some, feel like a painful loss, articulated in the demand voiced over and over at Trump rallies, pro-Brexit events and gatherings for populist parties throughout Europe: I want my country back.

The mantra is not all about bigotry. Rather, being part of a culture designed around peoples own community and customs is a constant background hum of reassurance, of belonging.

The loss of that comforting hum has accelerated a phenomenon that Robin DiAngelo, a lecturer and author, calls white fragility  the stress white people feel when they confront the knowledge that they are neither special nor the default; that whiteness is just a race like any other.

Fragility leads to feelings of insecurity, defensiveness, even threat. And it can trigger a backlash against those who are perceived as outsiders.

Even some conservative analysts who support a multiethnic melting pot national identity, such as the editor of National Review, Reihan Salam , worry that unassimilated immigrants could threaten core national values and cultural cohesion.

The effect of rapid change

Social scientists, after crunching data from both sides of the Atlantic, have discovered something surprising: Its not the amount of racial or ethnic diversity in a community that predicts white resentment and support of anti-immigrant policies, but the pace of change.

Denmark, for instance, is 88 percent white Danish today  hardly a majority in jeopardy. But a generation ago, in 1980, it was 97 percent white. The anti-immigrant Danish Peoples Party is now the second-largest party in the Danish Parliament. In Germany, where the foreign-born population shot up by approximately 75 percent between 2011 and 2015, the anti-immigrant, populist Alternative for Germany party is now drawing record support.

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Britain saw a 66 percent increase in its foreign-born population between 2004 and 2014. Voters who chose leave in the recent referendum overwhelmingly cited immigration as their main concern.

Professor Kaufmann and a colleague, Gareth Harris, found that white Britons who lived in areas that are rapidly diversifying became more likely to vote for the right-wing British National Party. Daniel Hopkins, a professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania, found a similar pattern of ethnic change leading to anti-immigrant politics in the United States.

Immigrant populations in Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee have more than tripled since 1990, noted Lee Drutman, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation, in an analysis for Vox . Anxiety over those changes may explain why the Republican Party became so much more focused on limiting immigration over that period  and why white voters in those states overwhelmingly support Mr. Trump.

The whiteness taboo

For decades, the language of white identity has only existed in the context of white supremacy. When that became taboo, it left white identity politics without a vocabulary.

If you are a working-class white person and you fear that the new, cosmopolitan world will destroy or diminish an identity you cherish, you have no culturally acceptable way to articulate what you perceive as a crisis.

Some of these people have instead reached for issues that feel close to their concerns: trade, crime, the war on drugs, controlling the borders, fear of Islamist terrorism. All are significant in their own right, and create very real fears for many people, but they have also become a means to have a public conversation about what societys changes mean for white majorities.

Professor Ivarsflaten cited the U.K. Independence Party, whose official platform focused on Brexit but whose pitch to voters emphasized immigrants effects on the economy and culture, as an example of an effective hybrid populist pitch.

The approach has in some cases moved from the political fringes into the mainstream. Some leaders from Britains center-right, governing Conservative Party, for example, helped push a British exit, and since the referendum the new Conservative prime minister, Theresa May, has signaled sympathy with white identity politics.

Mrs. Mays government proposed a rule that would publicly shame employers who hired foreign workers. And her first major speech was full of barbs directed against multiculturalism, including a jab against people who claimed to be citizens of the world, whom she called citizens of nowhere.

But the struggle for white identity is not just a political problem; it is about the deep story of feeling stuck while others move forward.

There will not likely be a return to the whiteness of social dominance and exclusive national identity. Immigration cannot be halted without damaging Western nations economies; immigrants who have already arrived cannot be expelled en masse without causing social and moral damage. And the other groups who seem to be cutting in line are in fact getting a chance at progress that was long denied them.

Western whites have a place within their nations new, broader national identities. But unless they accept it, the crisis of whiteness seems likely to continue.
Dennis LeupoldShe's hugely famous in her home country of Sweden, but Zara Larsson's spent 2016 making inroads in the U.S., thanks to her first hit "Never Forget You" and her latest, "Ain't My Fault." As a result, she's been spending lots of time in America, but her favorite thing about the U.S. of A isn't a thing -- it's a concept.

"What I love about America, which is kind of a big paradox since I absolutely love how we're doing it in Sweden, is...y'know, the American Dream? That everybody can make it? I kinda like that idea," she tells ABC Radio.

Believe it or not, the idea that anyone can make it, no matter who they are or where they're from, is not actually a popular concept in Scandinavian countries like Norway, Sweden and Denmark. In fact, many people in those countries have a negative attitude towards individual achievement and success. But Zara says she's all for it.

"I think that's a big part of America because America...it's just a lot of different people in this country," she tells ABC Radio. "And, I mean, there's literally buildings in Stockholm that are older than the whole America. It's a new country. And it's based on immigrants, people who came here because they had a dream, and everybody CAN make it....maybe."

Meanwhile, Zara definitely is focused on making it in the U.S.: after spending most of 2016 telling people her album would be coming out "soon," she's finally announced that it will arrive in January.

"Thank you so much for sticking by my side and for being so patient," she tweeted to her fans. "I love you and I can't wait for you to listen to it."

Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Guwahati: Assam has paid rich tribute to Sardar Ballavbhai Patel on his 141st birth anniversary on Monday, which is observed as Rastriya Ekta Divas (National Unity Day) throughout the country.

Recalling Patelas contribution on this occasion in a programme held at Choukidingi Playgroun in Dibrugarh, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal urged the people of Assam to emulate his ideals for strengthening unity and fraternity in the state.

Sonowal said that the present mosaic of Indian democracy owe a lot to Patel.

The Iron Man of India was not only instrumental in the merger of princely and small states in Indian Republic but also the solid force behind the foundation of Indian Democracy,'A Sonowal said.

The Assam CM also evoked his apt handling of post partition migration, unification of states and his role in industrialization in the country.

Stating that the Union government pays due importance in promoting the ideals of great leaders like Patel for building a vibrant nation, Sonowal urged the people of Assam to imbibe such ideals for a resurgent state.

The Assam CM said that Assam has its own share of problems but the resources, possibilities and potentialities outshine those problems.

He further said that the Govt. of Assam will work harder for an amiable and unified Assam and will effectively safeguard the identity and culture of the indigenous people.

Sonowal further urged the people to keep strict vigil on the functioning of the state government and sought cooperation from all to solve their problems.

He said that the government is committed to ensure aSabka Saath, Sabka VikasaA by building the spirit of 'Team Assam' amongst the people of the state.

Noted litterateur Dr. Nagen Saikia speaking on the occasion lauded Sardar Petel's role in strengthening unity and to embolden integrity amongst the Indians.

Dr. Chandan Sharma, Associate Professor, Department of History of Dibrugarh University while delivering his keynote address on the occasion termed Sardar Patel as a farsighted practical person. Dr. Sharma also

highlighted Patel's contribution in nation building and his role as a parliamentarian.

On the occasion of Rastriya Ekta Divas, an oath was also administered to the gathering for upholding unity and integrity of the country.

Dibrugarh Deputy Commissioner Loya Maduri delivered the welcome address.

State Minister Pallav Lochan Das, MLA Dibrugarh Prashanta Phukan, MLA Lahowal Rituparna Baruah, MLA Moran Chakra Gogoi, MLA Chabua Binod Hazarika, Principal, AMCH Dr. Ratan Kakati were present among others in the programme.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Kathmandu, Nepal: Despite the tight security during the state visit of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, some people protested the state visit of Mukherjee, on Wednesday.

Nepal Police have arrested about a dozen people after they reportedly protested the state visit of Indian President Mukherjee.

With the aim to mention tight security during Mukherjees visit, Police had blocked vehicles as well as pedestrians from various roads of Kathmandu.
KATHMANDU, Nov 2: President Bidya Devi Bhandari and President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, had a meeting at the President's Office, Shital Niwas today.

In the meeting, President Bhandari and her Indian counterpart held discussions on the centuries-old Nepal-India relations and on various matters of mutual interest and concern, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

The Presidents of the two countries discussed on further strengthening the historic, cultural, social and people-to-people relations between Nepal and India in the meeting that took place in a cordial atmosphere.

Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bharat Raj Poudyal said that the talks between the President duo was focused on mutual interests. "The President of India congratulated President Bhandari, the Nepali people and the Constituent Assembly on the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal," Poudyal added.

Present during the meeting were Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jeevan Bahadur Shahi, advisors to the President and Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shanker Das Bairagi.

Also present on the occasion were the Minister of State for Defence of India Subhash Bhamre, lawmakers L Ganesan, Jagdambika Pal, Raj Kumar Singh and Bhubaneswar Kalita, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Indian ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae.

The Indian President arrived here today on a three-day state visit to Nepal at the invitation of President Bhandari.

Before going into the bilateral meeting, President Bhandari welcomed her Indian counterpart in her office chamber. Earlier, a contingent of the Nepalese Army played the welcome music.

The Indian President's visit is taking place after 18 years. Before this, the then President of India KR Narayanan had paid a state visit on 28 May 1998. RSS
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India is the world's biggest weapons importer, with the country's defense spending expected to cross a staggering $250 billion over the next decade. Russia expects to grab a sizable chunk of this pie by supplying high-performance fighter aircraft, submarines, missiles and aircraft carriers.

Meanwhile, China is also stocking up on advanced Russian weapons in its bid to match U.S. military power in the Asia Pacific . As Moscow exports increasingly powerful weapons to New Delhi and Beijing, it will have to strike a balance so that neither side feels threatened or weakened by these acquisitions. Failure to do so could mean the loss of these two lucrative markets.

To be sure, keeping the Asian giants happy won't be easy because both view each other as security threats. A 2014 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center showed 72 percent of Indians were concerned that territorial disputes between China and neighboring countries could lead to a military conflict. The majority public opinion in both countries is negative about each other.

In the backdrop of this Asian rivalry, there is a competitive aspect to big-ticket weapons purchases from Russia. Since India and China have large military forces as well as huge land masses and air spaces to defend, their defense requirements are similar.

Also, because the two have deep pockets they can afford to buy the very latest and most expensive weapons. The result is New Delhi and Beijing sometimes end up buying the same weapons such as the Sukhoi-27 jet fighter (and its variants), Mi-17 helicopter, Il-76 Ilyushin transport aircraft, and most lately the S-400 missile defense system.

The purchase of similar high-end weapons by rival nations is a relatively new phenomenon. During the Cold War, the West and its allies bought weapons from NATO countries, while the East European countries and others on friendly terms with Moscow acquired Russian weapons. This neat demarcation has now disappeared. In a bid to defeat the West's economic sanctions and protect its market share, Moscow is willing to sell the crown jewels of its defense industry to China.

Risk factor

Since India and China are buying billions of dollars worth of weapons from Russia, they will have legitimate concerns about the possibility of classified data breach. This is not a farfetched scenario. After the recent leak of classified information about the French Scorpene, India has shelved plans to expand the order for these submarines. Considering that virtually everything about the inner working of these subs is now an open secret, India had no other option.

With China and India now fielding the exact same Russian weapons, such fears will only grow. For instance, India has no guarantee that the strengths and weaknesses of its Sukhois haven't already been leaked to the Pakistan Air Force.

The sale of the Su-35, Russia's most advanced non-stealth jet fighter, to China is another huge disrupter as it is half a generation ahead of India's Sukhois. Although Beijing has only ordered 24 aircraft, the Su-35 with its greater range, extreme maneuverability, firepower and part stealth characteristics, has the potential to influence the outcome of air combat if there's a war between India and China.

Again, the announcement of the S-400 sale to India in October 2016 may have caused a lot of heartburn in Beijing. Two years ago, China had become the first export customer of the world's most potent air defense missile system. It is unlikely to view the Indian deal in favorable terms.

Custom solutions

In view of the Indian and Chinese fondness for its weapons, Russia can offer customized variants so both sides can sleep easy. Take the Su-27 (NATO code name Flanker). The super maneuverable aircraft is probably the most customized jet aircraft in history. China was the first foreign customer when it ordered the single-seat SK variant in 1992. In 2002, India placed the largest foreign order for 272 Su-30MKIs. These two-seat versions have greater combat range and superior payload.

The Indian Sukhois have very little similarity with those in the Chinese inventory. India builds bare-bones fighters then equips them with Indian, Israeli and French sensors and communications gear. Says Strategy Page: "In many respects, the Indian-made Su-30MKI is the most capable version available, due to its Israeli and European electronics, and the well-trained Indian pilots."

In fact, the Indian insistence on customizing advanced Russian aircraft has proved so successful that the Russian Air Force has based its latest Su-30SM on India's MKI derivative. Similarly, the air forces of Algeria, Malaysia and Vietnam have configured their jets as per local requirements and preferences, so each country has a customized Flanker fleet.

Russia was initially resistant when India wanted to customize its Sukhois because it meant Russian subcontractors would lose out. However, the Indian effort eventually resulted in multiple foreign orders, which provided a major boost to Russia's aerospace industry. The 'open source' model, which offers considerable leeway for customization should be the way forward.

No alternatives

India decided to buy the S-400 knowing that China will be getting its hands on the missile system soon. If New Delhi was overly worried  or worried at all  it would have opted for U.S. (Patriot) or Israeli missiles.

The key factor that would have influenced India is that the S-400 is the biggest and baddest air defense missile system in the world. Even if enemy pilots know its secrets, they still won't be able to evade it. (Its missiles travel at 10,000 mph, which is over eight times faster than the maximum speed of most fighter aircraft, giving enemy pilots very little time to react.) It is a measure of the fear these missiles evoke that the United States and Israel have urged Russia not to supply the much older S-300 system to Syria and Iran.

Weapons such as the S-400 are not available from the United States or other Western countries. They are also difficult to copy. China has had the older S-300 for years, plus in 2010 Russia delivered 15 more batteries in a deal worth $2.5 billion.

Reverse engineering being Beijing's stock in trade, it is an indicator of the complexity of the S-300 and China's inability to produce a decent knockoff of a three decades old Russian design. The fact that the Chinese have bought six S-400 systems for $3 billion suggests not all is hunky dory with the copycat HQ-9, which incidentally hasn't won a single export order.

Moscow should, therefore, offer weapons that are unmatched or unavailable elsewhere. It should be the market of first resort for India and China.

Upgrade options

The shelf life and performance capabilities of weapons can be increased with upgrades. This is another option Russia has offered its customers. The Indian Air Force has at least 272 Sukhois and the number could well touch 300 with locally built Flankers being inducted at the rate of 12-18 per year to replace retiring MiGs. This is an extremely large number for such a high-end aircraft, and China's 24 Su-35s may only make a marginal impact in the balance of air power over the Himalayas. However, India is now going for the Super Sukhoi upgrade, which will considerably enhance the lethality of its Su-30MKI jets. This should neutralize the induction of the Su-35 by China.

Rules of engagement

Once weapons are offloaded from Russian cargo aircraft or ships, Moscow has zero control over them or how they will be used. A key reason why Russian weapons are gaining popularity globally is that Moscow does not believe in exercising control over usage. This is a sensible policy, which is different from the policy of the United States, which first sells weapons and then imposes sanctions during a conflict.

Still, Russia can communicate privately that it will not sell weapons in the future if India and China use Russian weapons against each other. For instance, the S-400 is clearly intended to be used against American stealth fighters off China's east coast. It should not be deployed in the Himalayas against India. Secondly, Indian's S-400 batteries should only be deployed on the Pakistan border.

Of course, during wars such rules will not apply, but if these are practiced during peacetime then there is less chance of escalation in tension.

De-escalation

Finally, Moscow should never forget that without the support from the two Asian countries, its defense industry would have been a pale shadow of its former self. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the consequent collapse of its command economy, Russia had lost most of its international weapons markets, including the captive East European ones. It was first China and later India, which revived the Russian defense bureaus with large orders.

Looking at the larger strategic picture, Russia should get India and China to settle their border dispute so the two do not proceed on a collision course. Moscow has steered clear of the Himalayan standoff, perhaps because public opinion, especially in India, is not conducive for give and take on the border. But it can take baby steps in this area.

The stakes are huge. India is one of the few countries in the world where defense spending is increasing year-on-year. Similarly, China's appetite for weapons shows no sign of satiety. The Indian and Chinese markets are therefore only Russia's to lose.


Philippine fishing boats and a Chinese coast guard vessel can be seen around Scarborough Shoal in this satellite photo taken on Sept. 29. (Courtesy of CSIS/Amti Digital Globe).

The yellow dots are visual confirmation of a deal with real geostrategic significance. These are Filipino fishing boats, plying their trade in the rich waters around Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, their presence here proof of an agreement reached during President Rodrigo Duterte's recent visit to Beijing.

On that visit, Duterte announced his separation from the United States and his embrace of China: something that would amount to a significant strategic realignment for a key regional American ally.

In return, he won a pledge of Chinese investment to upgrade his country's infrastructure. He also, it seems, won permission for fishermen to return to these rich waters, around a shoal that China seized in 2012.

Philippine President Duterte in China: 'America has lost' Play Video 0:58 Philippine President Duterte in China: 'America has lost' (Reuters)

Yet there are reasons to question the limits of the concession that Duterte gained.

The first is the single red dot on the satellite image. It's a Chinese coastguard vessel, guarding the mouth of the lagoon and prevent Filipino fishing boats from entering, according to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

China's claim of sovereignty over the shoal, which it knows as Huangyan Dao, has not been relaxed, as Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying underlined on Monday.

The Chinese side has always been exercising normal jurisdiction over Huangyan Dao. The situation there is and will remain unchanged, she told a regular news conference on Monday.

We have seen all-round improvement of China-Philippines relations following President Duterte's visit to China, she added. Under such circumstances, the Chinese side makes proper arrangements based on the friendship between China and the Philippines in response to the issue of President Duterte's concern.

But how big a concession has Duterte really won from Beijing?

Was it a one time symbolic breakthrough or part of a longer-term provisional modus vivendi in the area? asked Richard Heydarian, an expert in politics and international affairs at Manila's De La Salle University. Will China continue to take a relaxed view of fishing in the area or will it one day cut access again?

This image, from September 2016, is typical of the period before Duterte's visit. Again, the Chinese coast guard show as red dots, (with one boat still guarding the mouth of the lagoon) and Chinese fishing boats as orange. There are no Filipino boats: China had been aggressively chasing them away.




With the Obama administration entering its last days of an election year, the Chinese have enjoyed an unhindered diplomatic ride over regional affairs and regained an upper hand in their bid to control the international waterways of the South China Sea.

This was highlighted by Beijings embrace of Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte who is delighting himself and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping with threats to spoil his countrys historical alliance with the United States and key allies like Japan and Australia.

His efforts in China even outshone the extra-judicial killings he initiated  now in the thousands  with a focus on drug dealers and offered some insight into his thinking. Old loyalties are not one of his strengths as he effectively sought to undermine Washingtons rebalance towards Asia.

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As a public relations stunt, it was an impressive performance. But as an exercise in thoughtful foreign policy  in a world bedeviled by dangerous and competing sovereign interests  Dutertes efforts were simplistic and self-serving at best.

But there are much bigger issues confronting Washingtons rebalance to Asia. According to a report by Professor James Petras of Global Research, those issues have been led by a failure to shift existing resources from regions like the Middle East towards East Asia.

Instead, President Barak Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton simply added military commitments to the region, while provoking more conflicts with Russia and China, he wrote in his latest report to the center.

"The entire US strategy of retaining global supremacy depended on securing and enhancing its control over its regional allies and proxies," he recently wrote under the banner Washingtons Pivot to Asia: A Debacle Unfolding.

"Failure of the Obama regime to retain Washingtons vassal states would accelerate its decline and encourage more desperate political maneuvers."

To be sure, "vassal" is hardly an appropriate description of bilateral, or multilateral, U.S. ties in the region. Japan to the United States is hardly comparable with Cambodia to China.

While Petras choice of words are on the undergraduate side of analysis and this report does read like it was written by a pro-Communist lobbyist at the height of the Cold War, his points should nonetheless be heard. There are deep ramifications for the next president of the United States.

Washingtons influence with Thailand has waned, while the election of Duterte has cast serious doubts over the alliance, which means both of the U.S. treaty alliances in Southeast Asia are in trouble. U.S. influence in aid-dependent Cambodia has been outbid by Chinese largesse, while Singapore  a key regional power broker  and Malaysia are hedging their bets.

Unity and military muscle going into 2017 will provide the biggest of headaches in Southeast Asia, where defense spending is at an historical low while Chinese money continues to pour in. An escalating arms race is looming for the next president, whether or not it is Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump who moves into the White House.

However, fresh alliances with the potential to reshape regional dynamics have also emerged from the shadows in recent times. These should aid freedom of navigation in the South China Sea while countering Beijings own military industrial complex.

Angered by Chinese encroachment across their maritime boundaries, and aided by a dose of traditional enmity  Indonesian and Vietnamese bilateral ties with the US will prove crucial, while the emergence of fresh leaders in Laos and Myanmar also bodes well for the United States.

As Petras correctly points out, efforts to build the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)  a trade bloc designed without Beijings involvement  is also flagging and the Chinese have also got the advantage, unlike the United States, of being in the region and involved in deals such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

But in a post-Brexit era such trade deals are losing their appeal, particularly in democratic countries where a popular backlash against globalization can be measured at the ballot box.

Still, the economic card, according to Petras, remains significant.

"The "pivot to Asia" meant that the United States was extending and deepening its regional military alliances in order to confront and encircle Russia and China. The goal would be to cripple their economies and foster social unrest leading to political instability and regime change," he insists.

Given the current state of the Russian and Chineseeconomies, the Americans may well have won the latest economic bout with its rivals  not unlike Washingtons defeat of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s  if indeed that is what it was.

However, U.S. economic might is also questionable. Its inability to resolve escalating debt and its use of quantitative easing policies to fund the Obama administration means it is hardly faring much better.

That also means that all three powers, going forward, will have to engage in tricky negotiations with their own people, asking how much are they willing to sacrifice in order to meet perceived threats in the South China Sea and East Asia, where Washingtons rebalance has stalled.

Luke Hunt can be followed on Twitter @lukeanthonyhunt
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As the curtain fell Saturday night on 2016, it also marked the conclusion of one mans five-plus-year term as one of the faces of the Lompoc Valley.
Children and families from throughout the Central Coast were able to get an up-close look at
17 photos of politicians kissing babies  and why they do it
What's concerns more to a teenager -- a family or personal identity? Anna Muylaert (Second Mother)'s new Brazilian drama, Don't Call Me Son, examines this conundrum and finds a good balance in an astonishingly swift 82 minute film.



Pierre (Naomi Nero), an eyeliner wearing 17year-old High Schooler is first seen flirting and making out with both sexes in a night club. His trousers are on the floor, revealing he is wearing a g-string and garter belts. He paints his nails and plays guitar in a rock band. He tries on lipsticks and dresses secretly in his tiny room.



Pierre lives with his busy single mom, Aracy (Daniela Nefussi) and his younger sister, Jaqeline (Lais Dias). But one day, their normal lives get turned upside down when Aracy gets arrested for child abduction. It turns out Pierre was stolen from his crib 17 years ago and his biological parents were searching for him ever since. Through well-meaninged, but ineffectual social workers, his well-to-do real parents are anxious to reacquaint with him and make up for lost times. It turns out Pierre, now Felipe, has a brother Joca (Daniel Bothelho), a well-adjusted, normal kid who seems a little lonely.



At first, the interactions between the real parents, Gloria (again played by Nefussi) and hot-tempered Matheus (Matheus Nachtergaele) and Pierre/Felipe are polite and awkward. But after the teen moves in to their opulent house, they realize that their long lost son is not what they imagined him to be. Gloria's constant mommying and pampering and Matheus' frustrations with the effeminate nature of Pierre/Felipe soon boil over.



There is a hilarious scene at the mall concerning Pierre/Felipe trying out clothes while Gloria, Matheus and Joca look on. The parents pick out clothes for him to try on - polo shirts and slacks, the usual stuff teens would wear. He comes out of the dressing room in a black and white, skin-tight frilly dress. They think it's a joke or perhaps a rebellious teen angst statement-- haha funny, now change back to your polo shirt. But Pierre insists the dress is what he wants and they will buy it for him.



The film's original Portuguese title is Mae So Ha Uma- There Is Only One Mother. But even though Daniela Nefussi plays both mothers, the films focus is exclusively on Pierre. Nero, with his good looks and natural performance, is magnetic as a teenager who is finding himself as an individual.



Don't Call Me Son doesn't dwell on nature vs nurture or rely on cheap sentimentality. The film doesn't even try to make any big statement on gender equality or social justice. It focuses on a young man who is very comfortable with his identity even though his life has become chaotic. But he's not a helpless victim who's unsure about his place in the world. And he also has a great, caring heart.



Beautifully acted and superbly written, Don't Call Me Son is a little gem of a film that needs to be seen widely.

Don't Call Me Son, has a two week exclusive engagement at Film Forum in NYC, starting 11/1.

Dustin Chang is a freelance writer. His musings and opinions on everything cinema and beyond can be found at www.dustinchang.com
If you recall this past Summer I met this absolutely charming filmmaker from Japan, Pablo Absento, at a local horror convention. We shared her previous short Shi with you not long after, a short film that the great Guillermo Del Toro reportedly lauded upon its release.

Absento has kept herself busy since Shi and began developing a new series called Japanese Legends.

Everybody loves a good scary story, but the Japanese have made it an art form. Everyone is familiar with J-horror entries "The Ring" and "The Grudge", yet Japanese culture is thick with some of the most terrifying supernatural tales ever told, and we're going to tell them as never before.

The first short in the series Slit had its world premiere in San Diego at the Horrible Imaginings Horror Film Festival and debuted online on Halloween. We are pleased to be able to share Slit with you now.

The film tells about a part of a famous urban legend, which is believed to be based on true events. A strange character walking around the empty streets was terrifying locals in 70s-80s of the last century. Rumors of alleged sightings began spreading around the Nagasaki prefecture, then spread throughout Japan and caused panic in many towns. Directors statement: People fear what they do not understand. Much like our character, whose origins spawn from being a victim of violent domestic issues, overlooked by a society more concerned with image and ideals than the people who create them. A monster to some, a reminder to others of the price we pay for apathetic attitudes towards others.

As far as the series goes since it played in San Diego the project has since caught a bit of steam. There is not much that we can share with you for the moment but Absento cannot wait to share any good news with you when she can.
 A timely (and heartwarming?) story of felon enfranshisement | Main | How should Californians, as taxpayers, think about the state's competing death penalty initiatives? 

Maurice Chammah has this effective new article at The Marshall Project taking a look at "Campaign ads in the age of criminal justice reform." Here are excerpts from how it starts and ends:

Its campaign season, which means the long shadow of Willie Horton is with us yet again. George H.W. Bushs 1988 attack ad, which blamed his Democratic opponent Michael Dukakis for releasing a man who went on to commit more violent crimes, has become shorthand for a style of political advertising that continues to reappear every cycle. This year is no different.

But there are a few new approaches to these ads that may reflect larger trends in the politics of criminal justice....

Most of these spots flinch when it comes to going for a pure fear appeal, a la Willie Horton, says Robert Mann, a journalism professor at Louisiana State University who wrote a book on the 1964 Daisy ad. Mann noted that an attack ad about Democratic Connecticut state Sen. Mae Flexer  which criticizes her vote to repeal the states death penalty and support an early release program  was careful to show several non-minority faces. The attack on Kaine also features primarily white criminals.

This year, many ads in the Horton tradition focus on the subject of rape, perhaps in an attempt to appeal to women voters. In Houston, Texas, an ad accuses the incumbent district attorney, Republican Devon Anderson, of jailing a rape victim to ensure she would testify. Republican ads against North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Roy Cooper and Catherine Cortez Masto, who is running for a Senate seat from Nevada, accuse each of them of putting a low priority on testing rape kits and solving rape crimes in general.

Ads in North Carolina are targeting Deborah Ross, the Democratic challenger to Sen. Richard Burr, for her efforts on behalf of a 13-year-old named Andre Green, who was charged with sexually assaulting his 23-year-old neighbor while the victims toddler was in the room. In 1994, as an ACLU lobbyist, Ross advocated against placing Green in an adult court. If Deborah Ross had her way, Green would be on our streets, the ad says. In response, Ross released her own ad attacking Burr for being soft on sex criminals. The ad points out that Burr voted against the Violence Against Women Act, which includes funding for rape crisis centers, and voted against funding the federal sex offender registry (in truth, his vote was against a much broader budget bill).

Jonathan Davis, a partner at Northside Research + Consulting, an opposition research firm in New York, sees the trend as a tactical appeal to women in an election where their votes are not as predictable. Hillary Clinton is poised to win a historic percentage of Republican women, he says. There is a large block of female voters in key states who know they're backing Clinton for president, but are still open to persuasion in down-ballot races.

Some of those down-ballot candidates, including district attorney hopefuls in Florida and Colorado, are also trying different strategies with their advertising: they are using the language of criminal justice reform, calling for rehabilitation rather than prison for minor crimes. Colorado Democrat Beth McCann is running an ad featuring Francisco Gallardo, a former gang-member who now works with at-risk youth. In the ad, Gallardo says, "We need something that's more comprehensive, that's not just about building jails, but promoting the front end, building more empathy, more education, more opportunities...the reason Beth [McCann] can make those hard choices is shes connected in the community."

But at the end of the day, despite these newer trends, the soft-on-crime attack endures. The best proof of its power is that even critics of mass incarceration are willing to use it. The most surprising Horton-esque attack this season comes from the suburbs of Denver, where a radio ad is targeting incumbent district attorney Peter Weir. The ad accuses Weir, a Republican, of signing off on a plea deal granting probation for Michael David Miller, a rapist with numerous alleged victims. (Weir told The Marshall Project that Millers crime would have been difficult to prove before a jury, and his office pursued Miller more aggressively than other jurisdictions where accusations were made.)

The ads were paid for by a political action committee linked to billionaire George Soros, who is actually trying to bolster the campaigns of reformers (Soros, through a spokesman, declined to comment). Soross chosen candidate, Jake Lilly, is running his own, separate ads promoting reform; he calls for treatment for people with addiction and mental health issues. Weir, the incumbent being attacked, is broadly in agreement; he has promoted the use of specialty courts to divert drug offenders from jail time. Lilly spoke out against the Soros-funded ads that were designed to help him. I dont approve of the tone, he told a local reporter. I dont approve of the negativity.
 Election 2016: astute views "this Years Soft-on-Crime Attack Ads" | Main | Advisory Nevada commission advises the creation of a sentencing commission to create advisory sentencing guidelines 

The question in the title of this post is prompted by this notable new Los Angeles Times article headlined "Will ending the death penalty save California more money than speeding up executions?". Here are excerpts:

Past efforts to repeal the death penalty in California have centered on moral or ethical objections. This year, proponents of Proposition 62, which would replace the punishment with life in prison without parole, are focusing on economics. Prominent supporters of the measure have repeatedly pointed out that the states taxpayers have spent $5 billion on the executions of only 13 people in almost 40 years. Online ads have urged voters to end a costly system that wastes $150 million a year.

Sometimes, something is so broken it just cant be fixed, a voiceover says in one commercial, as a blue-and-white china vase shatters to the ground. Lets spend that money on programs that are proven to make us safer, a crime victim pleads in another.

But as voters weigh two dueling death penalty measures on the Nov. 8 ballot  one to eliminate executions, another to speed them up  researchers are at odds over the actual costs and potential savings of each. Independent legislative analysts, meanwhile, believe Proposition 62 could save taxpayers millions, while concluding that the fiscal impact of Proposition 66s attempt to expedite death sentences is unknown.

Death penalty cases are often the most expensive in the criminal justice system because the costs associated with capital punishment trials and the incarceration of death row offenders are vastly higher. The expenses begin to accrue at the county level. Capital cases require two trials, one to decide the verdict and another the punishment. They require more attorneys, more investigators, more time and experts and a larger jury pool.

The costs grow as the state must pay to incarcerate inmates during a lengthy appeals process: The average cost of imprisoning an offender was about $47,000 per year in 2008-09, according to the nonpartisan state legislative analysts office. But housing a death row inmate can lead to an additional $50,000 to $90,000 per year, studies have found.

Paula Mitchell, a professor at Loyola Law School who is against the death penalty and has advised the Yes on Prop. 62 campaign, puts the cost of the entire death penalty system since 1978 at about $5 billion. That figure, updated from data compiled in a 2011 report, includes 13 executions since the death penalty was reinstated through a 1978 ballot measure and suspended in 2006 due legal challenges over its injection protocols. It also includes the cost of trials, lengthy appeals and the housing of nearly 750 inmates on Californias death row. The initial study estimated taxpayers spent $70 million per year on incarceration costs, $775 million on federal legal challenges to convictions, known as habeas corpus petitions, and $925 million on automatic appeals and initial legal challenges to death row cases.

Mitchell and other researchers said Proposition 62, which would retroactively apply life sentences to all death row defendants, would save the state most of that money. It is sort of a fantasy that this system is ever going to be cost efficient, said Mitchell, who has been named the universitys executive director of the Project for the Innocent.

But proponents of Proposition 66 argue the system can be reformed. The ballot measure would designate trial courts to take on initial challenges to convictions and limit successive appeals to within five years of a death sentence. It also would require lawyers who dont take capital cases to represent death row inmates in an attempt to expand the pool of available lawyers.

In an analysis for its proponents, Michael Genest, a former budget director for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, contends such changes would save taxpayers $30 million annually in the long run. Proposition 62, in comparison, would cost taxpayers more than $100 million due to this lost opportunity over a 10-year period.

But independent researchers with the legislative analysts office found plenty of factors could increase or reduce the chances of either ballot measure saving taxpayers money. Overall, they found Proposition 62 was likely to reduce net state and county costs by roughly $150 million within a few years.

The actual number could be partially offset if, without the death penalty, offenders are less inclined to plead guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence in some murder cases. That could lead to more cases going to trial and higher court costs, according the legislative office. Yet over time, the state could see lower prison expenses, even with a larger and older prison population, since the costs of housing and supervising death row inmates is much higher than paying for their medical bills, analysts said.

If Prop. 62 goes into effect, they can be housed like life-without-parole inmates, some in single and some double cells, legislative analyst Anita Lee said. It would fall to [the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation] to do an evaluation of risks.

Calculating the fiscal impact of Proposition 66 is much more complicated, the office found, as the measure leaves more open questions on implementation, such as how the state will staff up with additional private attorneys. Legislative analysts said the costs in the short term are likely to be higher, as the state would have to process hundreds of pending legal challenges within the new time limits. Just how much is unknown, but the actual number could be in the tens of millions of dollars annually for many years.

Also unknown, analysts said, is the propositions effect on the cost of each legal challenge. The limits on appeals and new deadlines could cut the expenses if they result in fewer, shorter legal filings that take less time and state resources to process. But they could increase costs if additional layers of review are required for habeas corpus petitions, the initial legal challenges in criminal cases, and if more lawyers are needed....

Mitchell said it was pretty much delusional to expect Proposition 66 to ever save the state money. For that to happen, she said, California would have to execute one person every week, 52 people a year for the next 15 years, assuming they are all guilty. But Kent Scheidegger, author of the proposition and legal director of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, argued the legislative offices numbers were skewed, while security costs for dangerous inmates would likely have to remain just as high. They dont become any less dangerous if you change their sentence from death row to life without parole, he said.
Halloween celebrations have come to a close, and, with your head still likely pounding from one too many orange Jello shots, you may be considering taking it easy this week. However, with great weather predicted and plenty of fun things to do, staying in would be a mistake. Here are some activities for those who still have a little bit of life left in them:

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

ROCK OPERA: For those who like their classics told with a decidedly modern twist, the rock opera Weightless showing at Z Space has your number. An adaption of a story taken from Ovids Metamorphoses, the performance deals with the love of two sisters separated against their will. The actors are also the musicians, and this show feels almost as much like a concert as it does a play. Z Space, 450 Florida Street, 7:00 p.m., $10

TOMB TALK: Have you always wanted to explore the hidden tombs of the world, but you're not Lara Croft or Indiana Jones (and also aren't an archeologist)? Well then, writer and photographer Douglas Keister has just the thing for you. He is giving a lecture on some of the most famous tombs of the world  e.g. the Pyramids at Giza, and the Taj Mahal  as well as some closer to home right here in California. Learn a little while you stay in that Halloween spirit just one day longer. SF Public Library Main Branch, 100 Larkin Street, Latino/Hispanic Rooms A & B, 6:00 p.m., Free

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: Day of the Dead is the traditional Mexican holiday dedicated to remembering deceased ancestors. Here it's celebrated in the Mission District with a parade that marches through the neighborhood and eventually ends up at Garfield Park. Everyone is welcome to attend, just be respectful. Procession begins at 22nd and Bryant, 7:00 p.m., Free

BALLET: To the unfamiliar, talk of ballet often calls to mind images from the Nutcracker. Alonzo King LINES Ballet is not that. This performance is part of his fall home season at YBCA, and features the Israeli mezzo-soprano Maya Lahyani. YBCA, 701 Mission Street, 7:30 p.m., $35 to $80

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

THEATER: Renowned playwright Tom Stoppard has written a new play, and, as his first new work in almost a decade, he has used the opportunity to address issues both timeless and of the moment. Sex, science, and supercomputers are all thrown in the mix in the drama that is The Hard Problem. ACT, 415 Geary Street, 8:00 p.m., $25 to $100

CINEMA: Barry Jenkins's Moonlight has been called possibly the best film of the year (by us, in fact), and now is your chance to go see it, distraction free, in a setting worthy of the film: Alamo Drafthouse. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 2550 Mission Street, 6:00 p.m., $13.25

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4

STAGED 90s SITCOM: Nostalgia for 90s television can be a troubling thing. As you go back and rewatch those TGIF sitcoms, you realize how awful they actually are. That's why TGIF'd is so great  it takes your favorites and puts them on stage with comedians reimagining new lines. It's the warm feeling of familiarity plus a modern sensibility. Also, you're now an adult, and can make use of the bar. PianoFight, 144 Taylor Street, 9:30 p.m., $10.00

THEATRICAL TRIBUTE: As the name would suggest, Rainbow Logic: Arm in Arm with Remy Charlip is a tribute to the queer avant garde artist Remy Charlip and a meditation on the dance, choreography, and childrens books he brought to life. The show itself uses dance, live action, video, and puppetry to tell its story. CounterPULSE, 80 Turk Street, 8:00 p.m., $24.99

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5

SEX WORKER STORIES: Listen to sex workers, phone sex operators, and strippers tell tales of working in the industry at TMI: Sex Worker Confidential. The event is kicked off by Sister Rose Mary Chicken from The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and promises to be both a heartfelt and eye-opening evening. Center for Sex and Culture, 1349 Mission Street, 8:00 p.m., $10

MICRO FEST: Six bands take over two stages this weekend for what event promoter Sea Witch calls a micro music festival. The Cool Ghouls and The She's headline the Wet Hot SF Summer festival, and Flaural, Down and Outlaws, Big Big Love, Vela Eyes are also on the bill. That is a lot of bang for your buck. Neck Of The Woods, 406 Clement Street, 8:30 p.m., $10 to $15

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6

TENDERLOIN DOCUMENTARY: The Tenderloin Museum is replaying a recently rediscovered documentary shot in the neighborhood in 1966. Drug users and the queer community are featured prominently in the doc, titled Drugs in the Tenderloin. Director Robert Zagone will be on hand after the showing to answer questions. Tenderloin Museum, 398 Eddy Street, 9:00 p.m., $20

VOLCANO DOCUMENTARY: Werner Herzog, much like volcanoes, is a powerful force of nature. With his documentary Into The Inferno, examining the science and mythology behind volcanoes, you have a chance to combine the two together on the same screen. Herzog himself is "expected" to attend. Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, 8:30 p.m., $15
The survivor of a high profile case of sexual assault at Stanford University committed by former freshman Brock Turner has exercised her right to anonymity, but she's been far from silent. Even if the sentence is light, hopefully this will wake people up," she said when her statement to the courtroom was published and widely circulated online. "I want the judge to know that he ignited a tiny fire," she said, referencing Judge Aaron Persky's shockingly lenient sentence for Turner, which he has already served. "If anything, this is a reason for all of us to speak even louder. Choosing to do so agin, she's written an essay in the pages of Glamour magazine under the pseudonym Emily Doe, a publication also recognizing her as a "Woman of the Year."

A recent college graduate in her early 20s visiting Stanford's campus to attend a party, Doe was assaulted by Turner after she lost consciousness. Her words in court directly addressed Turner, pulling no punches: "Future reference," she said, or rather, yelled according to the Glamour follow-up, "if you are confused about whether a girl can consent, see if she can speak an entire sentence."

With similar fortitude, Doe recalls in her recent essay that she was told her situation after the assault was actually a favorable one, considering the circumstances. "I thought, if this is what having it good looks like, what other hells are survivors living?" Doe also draws a clear, powerful distinction between terms like "victim" and "survivor," concluding that "victims are survivors, and survivors are going to be doing a hell of a lot more than surviving."

From Glamour:

The morning after the sentencing, my phone screen was stacked with texts and I turned it over saying, not today, on this day I deserve to sleep. My phone kept ringing and I learned that BuzzFeed was waiting for my permission to publish my court statement in full. As soon as it was posted, I remember thinking, what have I done, making myself exposed and vulnerable again. I texted my sister when it hit 20,000 views, thinking that was it, the comments were actually quite nice, and I closed my computer. I started getting e-mails forwarded to me from Botswana to Ireland to India. I received watercolor paintings of lighthouses and bicycle earrings. A woman who plucked a picture of her young daughter from the inside of her cubicle wrote, This is who youre saving. When I received an e-mail that Joe Biden had written me a letter I was sitting in my pajamas eating some cantaloupe. You are a warrior. I looked around my room, who is he talking to. You have a steel spine, I touched my spine. I printed his letter out and ran around the house flapping it in the air.

There were trolls, too, and one painful idea that Doe says she absorbed was the thought that she was being used as a cautionary tale. "I hope my daughter never ends up like her," were some words that stuck with her. But in her essay, Doe reconsiders those: "As if we end somewhere," she writes, "as if what was done to me marked the completion of my story. Instead of being a role model to be looked up to, I was a sad example to learn from, a story that caused you to shield your daughters eyes and shake your heads with pity. But when my letter was published, no one turned away. No one said Id rather not look, its too much, or too sad. Everyone pushed through the hard parts, saw me fully to the end, and embraced every feeling."

That leads Doe to the conclusion that "If you think the answer is that women need to be more sober, more civil, more upright, that girls must be better at exercising fear, must wear more layers with eyes open wider, we will go nowhere."

When Judge Aaron Persky mutes the word justice, when Brock Turner serves one month for every felony, we go nowhere. When we all make it a priority to avoid harming or violating another human being, and when we hold accountable those who do, when the campaign to recall this judge declares that survivors deserve better, then we are going somewhere.

Related: Victim Of Stanford Rape Releases Powerful Letter She Read In Court

Brock Turner Is Now The Literal Poster Child For Sexual Assault
A lawsuit filed by Washington, DC-based civil rights nonprofit Equal Justice Under Law almost exactly a year ago has a pretty good point about San Francisco's bail system - which many feel is unfair, concedes City Attorney Dennis Herrera, and he won't defend against the arguments of that suit. Those charges: San Francisco perpetrates a "wealth-based pretrial detention scheme, which operates to jail some of San Franciscos poorest residents solely because they cannot pay an arbitrary amount of money." The suit goes on to argue that that would constitute a violation of the 14th amendment and its legal assurances of due process and equal protection under the law.

The Equal Justice Under Law class-action suit was filed on behalf of two local women and named the state and the city as defendants, later adding Sheriff Vicki Hennessy, who was not yet at her current post. The claims against the city and state were dismissed, but those against Hennessy remained, and the City Attorney's Office acted as her legal counsel. The class-action suit was one in a series of several such legal actions aimed at reforming bail systems around the country. That push was successful in smaller cities within Alabama, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, and Louisiana, where municipal bail practices have been altered.

Keeping people locked up for no reason other than they cant afford to post bail can have far-reaching consequences, Herrera said according to a press release. People lose their jobs and their homes. Families fall apart. Taxpayers shoulder the cost of jailing people who dont need to be there. In other words, the current bail system is not just unconstitutional, its bad public policy.

Per Herrera's court filing today: This two-tiered system of pretrial justice does not serve the interests of the government or the public, and unfairly discriminates against the poor. It transforms money bail from its limited purpose in securing the appearance of the accused at trial into an all-purpose denial of liberty for the indigent. The sheriff is required to enforce the states law, and she will, unless and until its unconstitutionality is established in the courts. But she is not required to defend it, and she will not. In the past, Hennessy has observed that an estimated 80 to 85 percent of inmates in city jails are awaiting trial. Longer pre-trial periods are associated with unemployment, lost housing, and even considered a contributing factor to the nation's mass incarceration epidemic.

In his own reform effort, District Attorney George Gascon was trotting out an algorithmic approach this summer, a less arbitrary method intended to counterbalance a person's pending charges, age, rap sheet, and record of appearing in court. "When we talk about releasing people based on money, we are really ignoring the risk that that person presents or does not present to public safety," Gascon explained.

Previously: San Francisco's Bail System Is Unconstitutional, Says Class-Action Suit

Related: Algorithm Could Set New Standard For SF Bail System
 Expand Photo by Joan Marcus

When first hearing the premise of The Book of Mormon, a satirical musical about Mormon missionaries in Uganda, one might be skeptical about how successful a show like this can be. But the musical by comedy writers Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone been wildly successful, winning nine Tony Awards.

At a recent performance at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, the audience was already roaring in laughter at the first few sentences of dialogue. The musical began with a short, hilarious retelling of the origin of the Mormon religion. This soon transitioned into a look at the modern-day Mormonism many of us might be familiar with: a group of eager, young men dressed in crisp white shirts and slacks, ringing doorbells and asking to talk about the Book of Mormon. The first song, Hello!, is a catchy, upbeat and perfect way to introduce the characters. Witty and hysterical, Hello! set the tone for the rest of the musical.

The stage set was vibrant and colorful, always changing into something different and unexpected, much like the characters themselves in the story. Perhaps the most lovable character, Elder Cunningham (Cody Jamison Strand), was loud, nasally voiced, obnoxious yet endearing. He becomes one of the most caring characters. The audience quickly becomes invested in his relations with Elder Price (Gabe Gibbs) and Nabulungi (Candace Quarrels), whose name he is constantly mispronouncing.

The Book of Mormon is a wildly hilarious musical that manages to tackle often serious and taboo subjects.
Smoke Shack offers appetizers on their menusome really tasty ones, as youll see belowbut they dont really need to. Simply walking in to the small, rustically designed restaurant and breathing in deeply, catching the smoky, oaky smell of slow-cooked meats, is enough to make ones mouth water in anticipation.

In terms of those appetizers, their fried green tomatoes ($7.50) have an intensely bright, citrusy taste due to the one-two punch of lemon zest and cilantro, but its grounded by the earthy flavor of the tomatoes. The breading is dense but neither soggy nor greasy, creating an appetizer that is at once compact and heavy while not being overly filling. The chipotle aioli with which the tomatoes are served comes in handy as a nice dip for French fries, too. If their burnt ends ($13.50) are available, dont hesitate to order themthey have a consistency similar to burnt marshmallowscrunchy on the outside and the right kind of mushy on the inside.

In terms of entrees, youre going to be faced with a classic barbecue challenge: Do you want to get a sandwich or a big pile of meat and a side? As a native Kansas Citian, Im partial to barbecue sandwiches, but I was intrigued by Smoke Shacks two-meat combo platter ($16.50). From the options of 1/3 pound of pulled Amish chicken (wet rubbed with rosemary), a 1/4 pound house-made sausage link, 1/3 pound of pulled pork (smoked for 13 hours!), or 1/4 pound of tri-tip sirloin, I chose the pork and the sirloin.

So much of great barbecue is about texture, and both the pulled pork and the sirloin had it in spades. The pulled pork had a wonderful melt-in-your-mouth softness and a yielding quality that is exactly what youd expect from meat that spent over half a day in a smoker. Theres a garlicky quality to it as well. The sirloin, contrastingly, had a hugely oaky quality and was a bit firmer. Both played off of one another well. From the lengthy list of sidesnearly a dozenI chose their mac and cheese, but found it to be a bit bland without the addition of a forkful of pork and some of their house barbecue sauce.

Thats rightlike any good barbecue spot, Smoke Shack offers a variety of varying house-made sauces. I preferred their Texas barbecue, which had a juicy tomato flavor upfront that faded into a nice medium spicy kick, but others will be drawn to their Kansas City sauce, which is smoky, or their Carolina Gold, which is more on the acidic, mustardy end. I was underwhelmed by their House barbecue sauce, which tries to be a bit of everything and winds up generic, but thoroughly enjoyed their Kick-24 Habanero for a bit extra spice.

Smoke Shack

332 N. Milwaukee St.

414-431-1119

FB, SB, CC, GF, handicap accessible

$-$$$
Reading the headlines is a newscasters job, but every now and then, a newscaster becomes the headline. It happened in 1974 when Florida anchor Christine Chubbuck drew a revolver during her news program, saying: In keeping with Channel 40s policy of bringing you the latest in blood and guts, and in living color, you are going to see another firstattempted suicide. She succeeded.

Infamous for 15 minutes, the Chubbuck case receded into the memory pit of bad events but has been revisited here and there by writers and filmmakers. The latest is director Antonio Campos Christine, a fictionalized account of her final weeks with Rebecca Hall in the title role. Campos follows the generally accepted outline of what happened: Chubbuck was troubled by depression as well as the already declining content of broadcast news. Fender-bender reporting is demeaning, she tells her stations news director, a jerk in pursuit of ratings. If it bleeds, it leads, he insists. Chubbuck eventually chose to give him some of her own blood.

Christine sketches out the professional conflict zone in which Chubbuck found herself. She might be the smartest person in the room and her boss resents it. Chubbucks personal life was also unhappy, even aside from clinical depression. Approaching the perilous milestone of her 30th birthday, Chubbuck lives with her mom, whose hippy baloney she resents. She has had no meaningful romantic relations. She is a virgin. Her brusqueness is a brittle frame barely holding together a life about to come apart.

Campos gets the setting right. Chubbuck works in a newsroom where the weatherman points at a map painted on pasteboard; she lives inside an emotional world of lachrymose soft rock songs; the Watergate hearings drone on in the background. But there is no reason to suppose that something similar might not happen today in a society where depression is widespread and the pursuit of happiness often hits a dead end.

Christine

Rebecca Hall

Directed by Antonio Campos

Rated R
 Expand Photo credit: Dave Zylstra/Shepherd Express

Fake it til you make it, the old adage goes, and in no genre has that mentality taken root deeper than in hip-hop. Some artists take it to almost delusional extremes. The Internet is overrun by rappers with no production values and barely a couple dozen Soundcloud streams to their name rapping about themselves like theyre the biggest, most influential act in their city, if not the world.

Genesis Renji scuffs at that impulse. Its not that Renji is modest by any means. Far from it. The Milwaukee rapper regularly refers to himself as the G.O.A.T., and hes quick to brag about his accomplishments: the tours hes done, the tracks that have created local waves, the opportunities hes given other artists with his label, House of Renji. But he also doesnt shy from talking about what he hasnt accomplished, and he admits its a long list.

On Stressed Out, a track from Renjis latest release I Might Be Homea dense, soulful EP that often plays like a condensed, Milwaukee-centric counterpart to Kendrick Lamars To Pimp a Butterflyhe confronts his failures, including one that still haunts him. Imma focus on making sure Im stacking this paper so next time Dre is ever locked up Jaya aint gotta worry about waiting / Well actually bail him, he raps in his huffy, half-anguished, half-angered flow.

The verse, he says, refers to an incident where a friend got arrested on his birthday. Since it was a Friday he was stuck in prison all weekend. Bail was $2,000, Renji recalls, and I just remember thinking, Man, I should be famous right now, because two grand would be nothing. So that was one of the longest weekends of our lives, because we were waiting and there was nothing we could do. To not be able to provide or care for the people you care for, thats something I stress about.

Renji says the recent success of other Milwaukee rappers only heightens the pressure he feels to make his own mark. I got love for all these guysReggie, Ish, Web, Klassik, everybodybut when you see these guys pass you by, thats frustrating, he says. So I understand why some rappers have that mentality, What you think is what you become, Move like you made it, and all that, but at a certain point I feel like somebodys gotta be honest, because I envy some of yall sometimes! Its frustrating as shit! Its like, what am I doing wrong? Or am I doing all the right moves but at the wrong time?

For the new EP, Renji determined to open up more, to make his music more vulnerable. I think a lot of my past projects were vague, he admits. I was rapping about making it or wanting to be on. But on I Might Be Home it becomes more personal and specific.

Though Renji spent chunks of his formative years in Milwaukee, he grew up a military brat, and spent his youth bouncing around between Maryland, Arkansas and Alabama. He still moves around a lot, and reckons that he probably always will. The EP is a loose concept album about his recent return to Milwaukee, and those first few nights back in your old city, viewing familiar places and old friends through fresh eyes.

It takes place over just one or two daysits not a long project, but it gets at whats most important to me, the places and people that I wanted to revisit, Renji says. Im name dropping on it. Im giving you the actual names of people I know personally, the people I talk to and associate with, and the things Ive done with them. I think thats what helps the project come to lifeits just so much more vulnerable. I wasnt expecting people to relate to it as much as they have.

Renji says hes settled in Milwaukee for the time being, and predicts hell be here at least for the next year or soa long time for him, given his wanderlust. Even if he moves, though, he says hell never stop identifying with the city.

Milwaukee gave me perspective and culture shock, really, he says. When I first moved here I was 8 years old. I was an Oreo who had grown up in the suburbs and on military bases, and then I came here and saw the reality of everything that my family was dealing with. Gun shots were regular for them. One of my first memories here is hearing those gun shotsPop! Pop!and my mom screaming, Get on the floor!

So Milwaukee gave me an experience, and it gave me a story to tell, he says. If I didnt live in Milwaukee, I probably wouldnt even rap, to be honest. Id probably be a scientist, like my mom wanted me to be.

Genesis Renjis I Might Be Home is streaming on Soundcloud, Spotify and Apple Music.
The nations largest operating model train show will soon take over Wisconsin State Fair Park for Trainfest, which annually draws more than 22,000 model train fans from across the country. This years event will feature 120 vendors, 10 railroad historical groups and more than 70 fully operation model train displays. Ken Jaglinski has been the chairman of Trainfest since 2012 and has long been enamored with the hobby. Jaglinski recently sat down with Off the Cuff to talk about model railroading, keeping kids interested in the hobby and the role of local history in this years festival.

When did your interest in model trains begin?

Id say when I was a youngster9, 10, 11 years old. We would set up the train around the Christmas tree and that kind of stuff. At my Grandmothers house I had a place where I had a set that she bought and a board set up. Getting back into modeling at a high levelthat would have been in my early-20s.

Talk about the Milwaukee-specific displays that will be featured at this years event.

This is our second year of the Celebrate-a-Railroad theme. Last year, we did the Chicago and Northwestern, and this year is the Milwaukee Road. As part of the theme, we are producing a historical display in conjunction with the Railroad Historical Society, the Milwaukee County Historical Society, the Grohman Museum and the Wisconsin Southeastern Division of the National Model Railroad Association. There will be 32 panels in this display and, once Trainfest is done, the historical displays are available for other museums. In addition to the display, we have commissioned an acrylic painting by a famous railroad artist. This years painting is going to be a shot from the 35th Street arealooking down into the Menomonee Valley onto the old roundhouse and the shops and the tracks there. We have the Hiawatha coming into Milwaukee and the old 1265 going out.

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How does the hobby stay relevant to young people in the digital age?

This years show, we are going to have the winners of the Japanese high school railroad contest coming to the show. Working on the modules and creating the railroad is really a STEM project: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. All those things are involved as well as art and creativity. Since Ive taken over, weve instituted a junior engineer program geared at kids age 5-13. They come to a show and get a series of tasks they have to do; if they complete them, they get a card that entitles them to discounts at local hobby shops. If they come back the second year, we have second level. This gets kids out there interacting with the current set of hobbyists. That didnt happen for a long time; the show was look, dont touch. Now, were taking a hands-on approach. We also have the make and take program. Last year, kids made over 1,000 kits that were donated by [model railroad manufacturer] Wm. K. Walthers. By getting together and doing these things, hopefully we are going to put that spark back into the younger generation.

What is it about model railroading that continues to inspire people?

Its a hobby where if you have different interests, you can be served by it. Theres history, theres creativity, theres art, theres electronics. Whatever floats your boat. I think it has a wide appeal that way. Youll find that the hobbyists are very interactive with each other; theyll help each other out. I belong to a little round-robin group; five of us. My layout is pretty much done, but the other four guyswell go work on their layouts and do things together so you get the camaraderie as well.

Trainfest runs 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Nov. 12-13 in the Wisconsin Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave. For more information, visit trainfest.com.
As polls showed that the danger of the grossly unfit Republican nominee Donald Trump being elected president was plummeting, the biggest worry for Hillary Clintons supporters was some last-minute political dirty trick by the unethical Trump to sabotage the election.

No American ever should have expected that political sabotage to be committed by the director of the supposedly nonpartisan Federal Bureau of Investigation. Yet that is exactly what FBI Director James Comey chose to do 11 days before the election.

We now know that Director Comey was warned by U.S. Department of Justice superiors, in every sense of the word, that he would be violating long-standing department policy against commenting publicly on an ongoing investigation at a time when it could unfairly influence an election.

Jamie Gorelick and Larry Thompson, Democratic and Republican deputy attorneys general for President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush, co-wrote in The Washington Post that for decades, under both parties, the Justice Department has refrained from taking any public actions 60 days before an election that could be misinterpreted by voters to imply wrongdoing by a candidate.

Comey, a Republican, knew the rules he was breaking very well. Comey succeeded Thompson as deputy attorney general in Bushs Justice Department.

Former Democratic Attorney General Eric Holder calls Comeys violation a serious error with potentially severe implications.

Because, boy, are Trump and his supporters wildly misinterpreting Comeys pre-election interference as evidence of wrongdoing by a candidate. Theyre gleefully shrieking at rallies that Comey has evidence Clinton should be locked up, executed by firing squad and then hung in the streets.

Whats the head of the FBI doing inciting political mobs? He seems to be just like the demagogue lawmen Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, who was trotted out by Trump at his crazed Republican convention.

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The truth is Comey has no more evidence that Clinton has done anything wrong than he did in July when the FBI concluded its investigation into Clintons use of a private email server as secretary of state.

Comey publicly announced at that time that Clinton had been careless, but there was no evidence she intentionally put any classified government information at risk, no reasonable prosecutor would bring charges and that it wasnt even a close call.

So whats changed now? Absolutely nothing, except that Comey has irresponsibly announced publicly the FBI would be looking at emails that surfaced in another case. But get this. Comey says he cant yet assess whether or not this material may be significant.

Actually, its worse than that. Comey doesnt even know if they are new emails. They could be duplicates of the same emails the FBI already reviewed in determining Clinton had done nothing wrong.

Why would Comey send a letter vaguely suggesting to Clinton-hating Republicans in Congress that there could be new evidence in the email investigation when theres not at this point?

Comeys irresponsible public announcement is the classic definition of a political dirty trick. It casts suspicion on Clinton without any evidence whatsoever immediately before Election Day so there isnt enough time for her to refute whatever she is being accused of. Check.

Rule Forbids Late Revelations

In fact, Comeys statement was so vague there is no way for Clinton to defend herself at all. Comeys disingenuous cover story was he was trying to be transparent with Congress. But theres nothing transparent about Comeys letter; it simply inflames fact-free suspicion and innuendo.

The FBI discovered the emails in early October on a computer seized from former Congressman Anthony Weiner, who is separated from his wife, Huma Abedin, who was deputy chief of staff in Clintons State Department.

Why did Comey wait until a week and a half before the election to make his public announcement? Good question.

The FBI had authority to search Weiners computer for evidence regarding his possible sexting with an underage girl. It didnt even seek the necessary warrant to review emails on Weiners computer related to the Clinton case until two days after Comey went public.

Not only do voters have no idea whether the emails the FBI has just begun examining have any significance, they dont even know whether theyre personal or government emails or whether Clinton sent or received any of them.

One of the excuses Comey expressed within the FBI for revealing the emails was that their existence might leak to the media and Republicans would accuse him of a cover-up. So he leaked the information himself.

First of all, we should be able to trust Comeys FBI to keep its investigations secure, especially when they havent uncovered evidence of anything illegal. Secondly, who cares what highly partisan Republicans who want to destroy Clintons candidacy think?

The FBI is supposed to be nonpartisan. Thats why there should be a government rule against releasing preliminary information about investigations that can unfairly influence an election.

Oh wait. There is.
It would be very difficult for Democrats to gain a majority in the state Assembly after the Republican majorities in both houses of the Legislature and Gov. Scott Walker redistricted the state so unfairly after the 2010 election. In fact, even though Democratic candidates won more votes than Republicans for Assembly races in 2012, they are deep in the minority, thanks to the GOPs gerrymandered legislative map. Wisconsins districts are perhaps the most gerrymandered in the country and that is why a federal judicial panel is about to rule on a case before it that will probably end up with the U.S. Supreme Court deciding later this year or early next year whether these districts violate the U.S. Constitution. Unfortunately this is not the clean, honest, fair Wisconsin we grew up in.

The legislative districts are so tilted that most candidates in our areafrom both partiesdont have a challenger on this Novembers ballot. Their biggest challenges came during the August partisan primaries, where they competed with members of their own party for their nomination. These solid Republican or solid Democratic districts are probably the major reason our government has become so partisan. The majority of elected representatives dont worry about a challenge from the other party, they worry about a primary from the extreme right if they are a Republican and from the left if they are a Democrat.

That said, there are a number of qualified Democrats in serious Assembly races on the Nov. 8 ballot who have earned the Shepherds endorsement.

In the West Sides Assembly District 7, incumbent Democrat Dan Riemer is the best choice. He is smart, dedicated and very focused on developing a common-sense transportation policy and supporting our public schools. He is active in his district and has earned his constituents trust.

In the western suburbs Assembly District 14, we strongly support Democrat Chris Rockwood, who is attempting to unseat Republican Dale Kooyenga. Kooyengas problem is that he doesnt know what he doesnt know. As well-meaning as Kooyenga might be, there are issues in the City of Milwaukee that are much more complicated than he seems to understand, so his solutions to problems are often simplistic and a bit naive. If these urban issues were as easy to solve as Kooyenga thinks, we would have solved all of these problems decades ago, not only in Milwaukee, but across the country.

Take, for example, his plans to improve public education, which seems to be the central issue in this race. Kooyenga authored the disastrous MPS takeover plan, which ultimately failed but was a useless distraction and a waste of resources this past year. Some suburban residents may feel that this isnt important to them, but Kooyengas willingness to gut local control, undermine democracy and privatize locally controlled public schools and public assets that taxpayers have built up over the decades should concern them. That is setting a terrible precedent. The residents of Brookfield would not want the state coming in and overriding their local government on their local issues. Suburban voters should be very wary of what Kooyenga wants to doand destroynext, even if it is not in their neighborhood.

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Chris Rockwood, on the other hand, supports local schools and local control and wont waste our time and resources on pointless fights. Rockwood is more interested in listening to what constituents want instead of imposing top-down fixes on local communities. You can find Rockwoods answers to our candidate questionnaire at shepherdexpress.com.

In Racine Countys Assembly District 63, special education teacher Andy Mitchell is taking on one of the most powerful Republicans in the state, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. Mitchell is everything that Vos is not. Mitchell supports public schools, is more interested in fixing problems than fueling his political ambitions and actually listens to people. Vos, on the other hand, if re-elected will use his leadership position and much of his time crafting his plan through the state budget and legislative procedures to begin the battle with Walker for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2018. Constituents will be better served by Andy Mitchell in the next two years and beyond. You can find Mitchells answers to our candidate questionnaire at shepherdexpress.com.

In the City of Racines District 66, we support Democrat Cory Mason for re-election. His Higher Ed, Lower Debt bill needs to be taken up again in the next legislative session. The bill would allow those with student loan debt to refinance their loans, bringing great relief to students and families around the state.
We are strongly endorsing Hillary Clinton for president.

Hillary Clinton has a long record in public service and is well respected among her peers. In fact, when she left her position as secretary of state in 2013, she had an astonishing 69% approval rating.

So why is she such a lightning rod now?

Its fairly easy to explain. After leaving the administration, Clinton posed a serious threat to the Republican establishment. The GOP and the right wing correctly assumed that Clinton would run for president in 2016 and they knew that they had to take her down if they had any hope of winning the presidency in this election. So they threw everything they had at her to try to tarnish her image. No accusation was too wild for the right-wing radio talk shows, Fox News or right-wing blog echo chamber to believe.

Unfortunately for the Republicans, reality set in.

Weve all seen Clinton masterfully defeat Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in three highly contentious debates and a highly charged campaign. Those three debates proved why she had such unbelievably high approval ratings a few short years ago. Hillary Clinton is smart, strategic and cool under pressure. Theres no doubt that she could handle the demands of being the president of the United States and advance policies that serve the common good.

When you look closer, youll realize that Hillary Clinton has been a target for critics since she was her class spokeswoman at Wellesley Colleges 1969 commencement ceremony, where she articulated the hopes and dreams of her generation. Her detractors knew that she was a very smart young woman with a lot of promise who theyd have to reckon with in the future. In short, they knew she would work to change the system.

But Hillary Clinton has always worked to shrug off her critics and keep moving forward, as most women in a hostile workplace do. Contrary to Trump, when Clinton is faced with an obstacle, she doesnt complain, demean others or claim that the system is rigged. Rather, Clinton just works harder toward her goals.

Certainly, the decades-long target on her back has led her to become more secretive and stoicthats a natural human reaction to being criticized for threatening the establishment, especially when the establishment is the Republicans who believe they are entitled to a lock on power. But we have no doubt that as president Hillary Clinton will finally prove her critics wrong and lead the nation with energy, integrity and poise.

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Hillary Clinton is the Obvious Choice

That said, there are probably a few readers who are still undecided. You may not like Donald Trumpin fact, you may loathe Donald Trumpor you may have been Bernie Sanders biggest supporter and were crushed when he lost to Clinton in the Democratic primaries. Yet you are still hesitant about voting for Hillary Clinton on Nov. 8.

Lets face the facts: You only have two realistic choices, Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump on Election Day, if you want to participate in helping decide your future. Realistically, voting for a third party candidate is about the same as not voting at all. We dont have a parliamentary system where minority parties can play a very significant role in forming a coalition government. There are pluses and minuses in our system as there are in a parliamentary system but realistically right now we have a two-party system and one of the most important elections in the last couple of generations.

Hillary Clinton is the obvious choice for the next president.

Yes, Clinton has made mistakes along the way and has taken votes that shed like to take back in hindsight. Every longtime elected official has the same mixed recordClinton isnt some anomaly. You may disagree with some of her positions as being too centrist or too cautious, or even too liberal, but you cant deny that Hillary Clinton has devoted her entire career to advancing the causes of children, women, people of color, immigrants and, after the disastrous presidency of George W. Bush, the entire United States on the global stage. Her record overall is one created by a pragmatic leader who works well with others and learns from her setbacks to become even stronger.

Lets talk about the future. Theres no question that a Hillary Clinton presidency would be far better for Shepherd readers than a Trump presidency.

If you care about equal rights for women, including reproductive rights, you should vote for Hillary Clinton. If you want to close the income gap so that working and middle-income families have a fair shot at being financially secure, you should vote for Hillary Clinton. If you believe that climate change is a real and serious problem, you should vote for Hillary Clinton. If you want to respect the Constitution while reducing gun violence, you should vote for Hillary Clinton. If you believe in social justice and giving all Americans opportunities if they work hard and take advantage of them, you should vote for Hillary Clinton. If you believe in civil rights and civil liberties, you should vote for Hillary Clinton. If you believe higher education must become more affordable and accessible to all students, you should vote for Hillary Clinton. If you respect the rights of LGBT individuals and their families, you should vote for Hillary Clinton. If you want a common-sense immigration policy, you should vote for Hillary Clinton. If you dont want a president who is Russian President Vladimir Putins puppetor anyones puppet, for that matteryou should vote for Hillary Clinton. In short, if you care about this countrys future and want to see positive change, you should vote for Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
This is a very easy endorsement to make. Democrat Russ Feingold deserves your vote for U.S. Senate.

Feingold has a long history in public office, and hes been a principled, trustworthy and independent public servant throughout his career. We need more elected officials like Feingold to restore the publics faith in government.

Throughout his career, Feingold has taken stands on issues that are controversial at first but then are viewed as heroic in hindsight. He has a way of seeing how issues will play out and is quite aware of some dangers ahead. For example, Feingold voted against the USA Patriot Act because it threatened our civil liberties; he also voted against the Iraq War because it was a terrible mistake that would destabilize an entire region. Those votes were at odds with the Bush administration and public opinion at the time. Now, however, the public broadly supports Feingolds votes on those matters. Taking the hard and unpopular votes which you strongly believe are the right votes is what courage and leadership are all about.

As Feingold explained in our Q&A with him in last weeks issue, during his visits to all 72 counties, Wisconsinites have told him their most pressing concerns are pocketbook issues. Hes taken that to heart and is advocating for progressive, common-sense policies that will give working and middle-class families some relief and not put any small business out of business. Feingold is a strong supporter of raising the minimum wage to $15, enacting paid family leave, reducing income inequality and allowing those with student debt to refinance their high-interest loans at a much lower rate. These are precisely the policies we need to ensure that average families have some financial security and a chance to live out their version of the American dream. We want Feingold back in the Senate to fight for these goals.

In addition, Feingold is by far the superior candidate in this race. Sen. Ron Johnson, a tea party Republican, has been driven by ideological pettiness during his six years in the Senate. Johnson has voted against the interests of the vast majority of Wisconsinites, wants to privatize public assets and programs, filed a frivolous lawsuit over Obamacare, conducted a witch hunt against Hillary Clinton over Benghazi and continually embarrasses himselfand the statewhen he reveals his ignorance on big issues, including climate change. Johnson, just like Donald Trump, is a lucky, wealthy businessman who simply props up the agenda of wealthy corporate executives, not the average Wisconsinite. Trump was born into a very wealthy family and Johnson married into one. If Johnson is re-elected to the Senate, he will do everything he can to obstruct Hillary Clintons agenda if she is elected and play partisan games with Supreme Court appointments.

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We are asking our readers to vote for Russ Feingold on Nov. 8. Feingold has proven through the years that you can count on him to do the right thing. Feingold was viewed as one of the most ethical members of Congress who was also very willing work across the aisle without compromising his integrity. He and Arizona Sen. John McCain showed the world that by working together they could begin the process of campaign finance reform. Thats just one of the many reasons we are endorsing Russ Feingold for U.S. Senate.
Every election, we encourage you, our readers, to vote even if you are not in agreement with the Shepherds endorsed candidates because it is important for all Americans to be part of the process that selects its leaders. Voting is the buy in and its what makes for a healthy democracy.

In this election its even more important to vote because this presidential election is different from any election we have experienced in our lifetimes. Much more is at stake than any set of issues, such as the future of Obamacare, gun safety and the Second Amendment, or even the selection of the next justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Without exaggerating, our democracy may literally be on the line.

Currently, Americans trust in the federal government is at an historic low of 19%. Yes, fewer than one in five Americans trust their federal government. In the mid-1960s, before the war in Vietnam became so controversial, more than 75% of Americans trusted the federal government. We all know democracy only works if people feel they have a stake in the system and if they have a certain level of trust in it. Right now, the United States has some work to do to make sure all Americans have a real stake in our country and actually trust that the federal government is working in their interest.

These two elephants in the room came to the fore when one of the nominees of our two major political parties refused to say that he will accept the results of the election. Accepting the results does not mean he cant, for example, argue for a recount if there is a close race in a pivotal state, but what it does mean is that ultimately the losing candidate of any major political party in the United States accepts the results of the elections, after all the legal avenues of appeal have been exhausted, and participates in the smooth transition of power.

The fact that we have always had a smooth transition of power since our nations inception is one of the reasons that the United States is viewed as such a shining star for much of the world.

So if the losing candidate refuses to accept defeat and tells his followers that he definitely won, but that the election is rigged and that he got cheated, then what? If you dont have a smooth transition, then the end result of an election is decided in the streets and our 235-year experiment in democracy deteriorates into some form of mob rule where our more than two centuries of the rule of law are no longer in play.

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In this unusual year, most Republican operatives and party elders just assumed that Donald Trump was a short-term phenomenon and that their long primary season would slowly slide him off the political map. What they didnt realize is that Trump had staying power and would show himself to be a dangerous threat not just to the future of the Republican Party but to the country itself, and secondly, that a significant portion of their party is committed to Trumps main ideas, many of which are in direct conflict with traditional Republican Party values such as free trade.

Off the record, some of the Republican Party elders have speculated as to how a Donald Trump administration might have responded to the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. As you may recall, after 9/11 President Bush went to a mosque and spoke eloquently about Islam being one of the worlds great religions. In contrast, these Republican Party elders fear is that a President Trump would have declared martial law, suspended the Constitution and would have forever changed America.

As much as these lifelong Republican Party elders would love to see their party controlling the White Housebut not with a Donald Trump as presidentthey, instead, are putting their patriotism above their politics. We saw a somewhat similar moment in 2008, when the credit default swaps initially designed to lower risk in the financial markets got out of control and almost created a global economic meltdown.

During that crisis, Republican Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson brought together congressional leaders of both parties and major financial players and they set aside much of their ideology and did what they felt was necessary to save the world economic order. As unhappy as many people are with the fairness of the current world economic order and how critical many people were of how those in power in 2008 saved the systemand both, we believe, are legitimate issues to debatesaving the current system was imperative since a chaotic financial collapse was not the way to move things forward.

We understand that it is not easy for some Republican-leaning independents and even harder for lifelong Republicans to vote for Hillary Clinton, but many are realizing that it is the best course of action for our democracy and that it is better that the Republicans lose this presidential election than to have a President Trump.

After the election, the Republican Party will have to try to figure out how the traditional Republicans and the Trump followers can either work together as a party or get a divorce. In addition, after the election, Democrats, Independents and Republicans must figure out how to work together to rebuild the publics trust in our federal government.

So please take this election seriously because there may actually be more at stake than which party will occupy the Oval Office for the next four years. The question might be whether our democracy will be around for another 235 years.

 Louis Fortis, Publisher
With all of the changes surrounding voting requirements for the Nov. 8 general election, its easy to get confused or discouraged about your right to vote.

But remember: You have a right to vote and you should use it.

You do need to take a few steps to ensure that you are able to vote in this election. But it isnt that difficult and you can ask for help along the way. Here is what you need to ask before casting a ballot in this election:

Are you eligible?

If you are a U.S. citizen 18 or older on Nov. 8, 2016, and have lived in Wisconsin for at least 10 days, you are eligible to vote in Wisconsin. But, if you have been convicted of a felony and are still on probation or parole on Election Day, you cannot vote in this election. Once you are off probation or parole, you are fully entitled to vote. For more information about eligibility, go to elections.wi.gov/voters or myvote.wi.gov/en-us/ or call the states toll-free voter help line at 1-866-VOTE-WIS (1-888-868-3947). En Espanol: myvote.wi.gov/es-es.

Are you registered?

You can check your registration status at myvote.wi.gov (en Espanol: myvote.wi.gov/es-es) or by calling the states toll-free voter help line at 1-866-VOTE-WIS (1-888-868-3947).

In general, if you have previously voted at your current residence, you are registered to vote. If you have not voted at your current residence, which is defined as your place of residence for 10 days prior to the election, you must register. You can register to vote in advance of the election or on Election Day. You need to provide proof of residency, such as a current and valid Wisconsin drivers license or state ID, a utility bill sent to your current address, or a lease, bank statement or paycheck stub. If you have not lived at your current address for 10 days, you may vote at your previous Wisconsin residence.

If you have changed your name since you last voted and have IDs with your new name that you are going to use to votefor example, you got married, changed your name and updated your drivers license with your married namethen you need to register with your current name.

You can register to vote with the help of a special registration deputy, at your municipal clerks office up until 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, or at your polling place on Election Day. For more information about registering to vote, go to elections.wi.gov/voters or myvote.wi.gov/en-us/ or call the states toll-free voter help line at 1-866-VOTE-WIS (1-888-868-3947). En Espanol: myvote.wi.gov/es-es.

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Do you have an acceptable voter ID?

Unless you are specifically exempt from showing an ID to vote (for example, if you are casting an absentee ballot and live in a nursing home or if you are in the military or permanently live overseas), you must show an acceptable photo ID to cast a ballot.

Acceptable IDs include a Wisconsin-issued drivers license or ID card, a military ID card, a U.S. passport, an ID card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin and some university IDs. These IDs can be used if they are unexpired or have expired after Nov. 4, 2014. You can also use a certificate of naturalization that was issued within the past two years, or a driving receipt or ID card receipt issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (valid for 45 days) or a temporary ID card receipt from the state DOT through the ID petition process (valid for 180 days). For more information about photo IDs for voting, go to bringitwisconsin.com or call the states toll-free voter help line at 1-866-VOTE-WIS (1-888-868-3947). En Espanol: bringitwisconsin.com/informacion-en-espanol.

What if you dont have an acceptable ID to vote?

The good news is that you still have time to get one before the Nov. 8 election, but it would be smart to start working on that now. You can get a free ID card to vote at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office with just one trip to the DMV.

To obtain an ID, gather up some documents to prove your identity. Do you have a drivers license or ID card from another state? Your birth certificate? A certified copy of your marriage certificate or judgment of divorce? A Social Security card? A Medicaid/Medicare card? Military discharge papers? Employee photo ID cards? A paycheck, pay stub, utility bill or any other piece of mail with your name and address on it? If so, take as much documentation you have to the DMV office. To find a DMV office, go to bringitwisconsin.com or call 844-588-1069. En Espanol: bringitwisconsin.com/informacion-en-espanol. The state will give you a receipt when you apply for the ID, which you can use to vote if you dont receive the actual ID by Election Day. But dont wait until the last minute to obtain your ID.

For help obtaining an ID free of charge, contact Vote Riders at voteriders.org, call 414-882-8622 or 608-729-7720 or email info@voteriders.org.

Who is on the ballot?

You can check out a sample ballot at myvote.wi.gov. En Espanol: myvote.wi.gov/es-es.

When can you vote?

You can vote early by mailing in an absentee ballot or voting with an absentee ballot at specially designated locations. The City of Milwaukee is offering in-person absentee voting for all city voters through Friday, Nov. 4, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Registered voters may also vote on Saturday, Nov. 5, from noon to 5 p.m. The citys early voting locations are the Zeidler Municipal Building (830 N. Market St. for registered voters and 841 N. Broadway for registration and voting), Midtown Center (North 56th Street and West Capitol Drive) and the Forest Home Library (1432 W. Forest Home Ave.). For more details about voting in the City of Milwaukee, go to city.milwaukee.gov/election or call 414-286-3491. If you dont live in Milwaukee, contact your local municipal clerk for early voting details.

If you are voting absentee by mail, you must request a ballot from your local municipal clerk by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3. Contact your local clerk for more details.

Polls are open on Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can register to vote if you need to do so. Bring a photo ID to cast a ballot. You will also be asked to state your name and address and sign the poll book.

If you dont have an acceptable ID on Election Day, you can cast a provisional ballot but you will be required to provide an ID by 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, if you want your ballot to be counted.

What if Im feeling confused or intimidated at the polls on Election Day?

Poll workers will help you if you are confused about how to vote or whats on the ballot. But you cannot be intimidated or harassed by poll watchers or poll workers. If you have a complaint about whats happening at your polling place, report problems immediately at elections.wi.gov/complaints, or call 1-866-VOTE-WIS. Or you can contact the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Election Protection at 866ourvote.org or 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) or like them on Facebook. En Espanol: 866-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682). Asian languages: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683).
 Expand Photo credit: Ben Wick

It was in much the same spirit that Don Quixote donned knights gear after reading too many chivalric romances that Dan Bejar, his head filled with David Bowie and Lou Reed, became Destroyer, the vaguely defined alter ego he casts himself as on his records. Its not that Bejar needs a gimmick to write a good songhes one of the sharpest lyricists of his generation, a genuine savantbut theres something vaguely fantastical about his best work, which set his sly insights on art and romance against a backdrop of not only poets and rock n rollers but also kings, steeds and assassins, in adventures pitched somewhere between Renaissance England and 1970s New York. Without overselling the gimmick, or even conceding it is a gimmick, he juxtaposes the excitement of his heightened prose against the disappointing ordinariness of the real world.

That contrast was on full display Tuesday night, where Bejar performed his fanciful songs at the most pedestrian of settings, the backroom of a coffee shop, as part of a rare solo tour. On Destroyers heavily stylized records, Bejar supports his vision with aesthetic extremesthe rippling glam guitars of 2006s Destroyers Rubies, the schmaltzy soft-rock of 2011s Kaputt, the garish MIDI synths of 2004s Your Bluesbut here it was just the basics: Bejar, his guitar and his Ziggy Stardust sneer. In keeping with his private image, he limited his stage banter to a few polite comments, addressing the crowd just enough so it didnt seem like he was trying to make a statement by not speaking, but in a nod to showmanship he did end each song by taking a grand, swooping bow. Thanks, he told the clapping crowd after one number, That was a song called To The Heart of The Sun on The Back of The Vulture, Ill Go.

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Late in the show he quipped about having written only three songs that were actually meant to be performed on an acoustic guitar, but the format flattered him nonetheless, since it put his vivid, referential lyrics front and center. Oh life is bigger, he began one verse of Watercolours Into the Ocean, an obvious callback to the opening lines of R.E.M.s Losing My Religion that somehow Id never noticed until the song had been stripped of its electric guitars. Bejars songs are filled with Easter eggs like that, little references that show how deeply Bejar has internalized the popular songbook, and how rock music has shaped his view of the world. He ended the set with a number he said he considered as something of a theme for the project: Dont Become the Thing You Hated, a fitting takeaway from an artist who so trumpets the importance of following your own path, however esoteric it may be.
Besides getting out in the open air to rustle through the leaves on a perfect fall day, there is something both nostalgic and mysterious about wandering through a little cemetery. My favorites tend to be the ones with no gates or fences to keep anyone out any time of the day  or night  often in rural settings. Many of these little cemeteries have worn old tombstones  so old that often they are tipped over, or the sands of time have worn down the names so much that you can barely read them. Often Mother Nature takes over and moss starts to grow along their sides. One should always feel free to indulge, if out on a country drive and an open little cemetery beckons. Pull over along the side of the road near a farm, and take a stroll through time.

Here is but a sampling of some tiny gems just waiting to be visited.

Last year in November, I wrote about a great county park I discovered on the way back from NOLA, the Carver-Roehl County Park in Clinton, Wisconsin. It boasts two of the earliest Rock County settlers buried there of the William C. Chase family, dating back to 1843. If you're aware of the tiny house movement, this would qualify as a "tiny cemetery."

I also mentioned a sweet locale on the property of The Napping Farm in the Driftless Area this April. This was one that was definitely worth taking a long walk down the driveway to get to, preferably at sunset.

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Another worthwhile jaunt is the cute and unassuming Clay Banks Cemetery in Algoma. This is one of those graveyards that is quite enjoyable visiting in the evening as well as during the day. Be careful though, as there is a steep hill leading up to it, and you don't want to go tumbling down that head over heels in the middle of the night. One summer AJ Page and I were thoroughly spooked after wandering off the path in the dark, half-convinced some weird old guy was watching us in a nearby field. The next day, we cracked each other up realizing it was just a property post.

One last word of advice, please be respectful. If your loved ones were laid to rest there, you wouldn't want someone trashing their final resting place. As Depeche Mode once sang, "Enjoy the Silence."
There you are looking at the really cool and neat Crazy Horse. I think it is really cool and you should visit it if you get the chance. Crazy horse is crazy big; it is the 27th tallest mountain in all of South Dakota. The mountain was chosen by the sculptor and Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear for the memorial.The sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, began Crazy Horse but sadly he died in 1982 on October 20th. He has been dead for 34 years and they are still working on it, and his children are doing a lot of it. Crazy Horse is 6,532 feet tall; that is amazingly tall! It is a very amazing sight, and I hope you see it. They are supposed to get done in the next 15 to 20 years. But that might not happen because the government doesnt fund this monument. That is kind of sad because it is cool just like Mount Rushmore. If completed, Crazy Horse will be the worlds largest sculpture. It honors a leader of the Oglala Lakota people from the region.
Miraculous Monarch Migration Shared at Blank Zoo

A wonderful festival held Sunday, September 18th was a day to celebrate the monarchs migration from Canada through Iowa, to their final destination in Mexico. The festival was at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. Events included: a Bug Parade, monarch tagging, a puppet show, performances by Mexican dance group Los Ninos del Tepeyac and lots of activities.

My journey to Des Moines began early in the morning. It was a bright, sunny day with highs expected in the 90s. A perfect flying day for our migrating monarchs! About half an hour later, I began to see monarchs who were either beginning or continuing their journey south. As I continued on I-80, I kept seeing more monarchs. I held my breath each time one would near a semi. Fly high butterfly, I thought, because a butterfly doesnt stand a chance if they are hit by a moving vehicle.

Once I arrived at the Blank Park Zoo, I met Missy, Joe and their two daughters Kenzie and Mia. Missy and Joe are my niece and nephew. Kenzie and Mia were so excited to be attending the Monarch Festival and had dressed up for the Bug Parade! Kenzie had transformed into a ladybug and Mia was a beautiful butterfly! I shared with Kenzie that I was glad that she was dressed as a helpful bug for the monarchs! We bought tickets are were ready to go!

Next on our agenda was going to the monarch puppet show. The kids in attendance were invited to participate by holding a puppet and performing the action. As our storyteller began, our monarch was in Des Moines and was migrating to Mexico. Through her story, we learned many facts about the monarch butterfly: In Mexico, one tree can hold 2,000 butterflies! There is no milkweed in Mexico. The butterflies migrate to the fir trees. A monarch weighs less than a dollar bill. The monarchs were named for King William, Prince of Orange. The early settlers were impressed by the butterflies bright color and decided to name them monarchs in honor of King William. Golden rod is one of their favorite nectar plants.

We spent time at the Iowa State Universitys booth. We were able to see all the stages of the monarchegg, caterpillar, chrysalis and the butterfly! Kenzie and Mia were able to choose a caterpillar to take home with them. Kenzie named the butterfly Barbie! To learn more about the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium, go to monarch.ent.iastate.edu

Our last monarch adventure was catching butterflies and getting to tag them. Joe was a pro and was able to net two monarchs. One had an injured wing and wasnt tagged. We were told that because of his wing being damaged, he would not make it to Mexico. The second monarch had already been tagged.

Kenzie shared that her favorite part of the day was being able to take home a caterpillar. Mia liked the puppet show and getting to see the praying mantis.

Missy shared that when the girls got home, they found fresh milkweed for Barbie. As soon as they got home from school, theyd check Barbie and spend time watching her. They were amazed at how much she ate!

Missy shared, Unfortunately Barbie did not survive. Im not sure what happened. She was eating a lot and the girls loved watching her. The girls were pretty disappointed. We will have to try again next year as it definitely peaked their interest. We saw lots of monarchs for a couple of weeks after going to the zoo. The girls were really paying attention to them.

As I journeyed home, I reflected on what a great day it was! I was able to spend time with my family, learn more about monarchs and enjoy all of the zoo animals! Im making plans to return for next years festival!

Mary Siepker, Our Monarch Monitor and Retired Teacher/Lawton-Bronson Elementary
SIOUX CITY -- What's your idea of a big breakfast? Eggs, toast, sausage and a bit of ham... sure that's acceptable.

Well, what if a grilled slice of tomato, a few sauteed mushrooms and a crock of baked beans were added to the plate?

This is what Chef Nick Gunn calls an Irish Breakfast and it's the specialty of McCarthy & Bailey's Irish Pub's new breakfast menu.

The 423 Pearl St. bar best known for its fish and chips, bangers and mash, and Leprechaun Balls now opens its doors at 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

"We decided to test out a breakfast menu in the summer," Gunn said. "It's gone over pretty well and we already have quite a few regular customers."

Sensing a need for unique early-morning fare, Gunn set out to create imaginative meals that were a world away from typical fast food takeaway. In addition, he wanted McCarthy & Bailey's menu to reflect the pub's Gaelic roots.

In addition to the Irish Breakfast ("In Ireland, a side of beans often accompanies a big breakfast," Gunn said), McCarthy & Bailey's has a menu full of Dublin delights.

Gunn recommends the corned beef hash (topped with two eggs and tomatoes in place of the restaurant's usual cabbage and griddle potatoes) as well as a plate full of Irish pancakes.

"These are fluffy cream pancakes that are filled with bacon, sausage and onions," Gunn said.

For diners who prefer pancakes that are sweet and not savory, there is the Wexford Stack (three pancakes topped with whipped cream and seasonal berries) or the Belfast Stack (which is the same as the Wexford, only with five pancakes instead of three).

"You see, Belfast is a bigger city than Wexford," Gunn said. "That means it needs a bigger breakfast."

While some of McCarthy & Bailey's early morning menu items lean towards the typical (biscuits and gravy, fried egg sandwiches and French toast, for example), Gunn doesn't mind throwing a culinary curve ball on occasion.

After all, how many breakfast burritos come teeming with scrambled eggs, cheeses, onions and corned beef in a tortilla made with emerald green spinach and basil?

Gunn said he hopes McCarthy & Bailey's will become an early morning destination for business people as well as night shift workers who are finishing off their day.

For the people who are in the latter category, he has an unusual suggestion.

"As much as McCarthy & Bailey's is a place for great food, we're also primarily an Irish pub," he said.

The perfect liquid accompaniment for the stick-to-your-ribs Irish Breakfast: a nice, cold pint of Guinness.

"To my tongue, Guinness does have a slight coffee taste," Gunn said. "That would definitely pair well with a plate full of fried foods."

Perhaps, Gunn really does have the luck o the Irish on his side; the term "breakfast and beer" has a nice ring to it.

"Well, I prefer 'kegs and eggs' but I do see your point," he said with a smile.
SIOUX CITY | Leaders of Siouxland law enforcement agencies shared their condolences and feelings of disbelief Wednesday in response to the ambush-style shooting deaths of Urbandale police officer Justin Martin and Des Moines Police Sgt. Anthony Beminio.

The two officers were shot early Wednesday morning about 2 miles apart from each other as they were inside their patrol cars.

"Our sympathies go out to the departments and the families," said Sioux City Police Chief Doug Young. "Our entire police department is mourning the loss."

Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Drew said his department was heavy-hearted upon hearing the news.

"We really are praying for the departments and their families," Drew said. "Its a difficult time."

Young said the Sioux City Police Department had authorized officers to wear mourning bands across their badges Wednesday to show their solidarity. He said many were trying to understand why the ambushing of officers continues to happen throughout the country.

"To be targeted because of what we do, the uniform we wear -- its hard to fathom as police officers," he said.

Young said no matter whether aggression toward police officers is close to home or far away, all are affected by it.

"These assaults on law enforcement are not just assaults on individuals. These are assaults on the fabric that makes this country great," he said. "The whole country should be affected."

Drew pointed to the increase of ambush-style attacks on police such as the one in Des Moines Wednesday and attacks earlier this year in Dallas, Texas, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as a troubling trend.

"It's one of those things where enough is enough," Drew said. "I don't know if the distance matters. The numbers are up, ambushing of officers is through the roof, and its just a horrible trend."

Drew and Young said these circumstances remind officers to be vigilant and remember their training.

Drew said deputies are cautioned to be careful while in their patrol vehicles and always be aware. But in some circumstances, he said, "the best training you could have just sometimes doesn't matter."

Drew and Young both said the departments would offer support during the funerals of the two officers, as well as in any additional ways they are needed.

"We stand together in difficult times," Drew said.
SIOUX CITY | Former President Bill Clinton has canceled a campaign stop on Wednesday in Des Moines after the slaying of two metro police officers in Polk County, but will still hold a rally in Sioux City.

Clinton plans to campaign at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Anderson Dance Pavilion at the city riverfront. He is campaigning on behalf of his wife, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton,who is vying for the presidential position with Republican Donald Trump.

The two metro police officers were shot to death while sitting in their patrol cars early Wednesday in what police described as ambush-style attacks. A man has been arrested in the case.

Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said Scott Michael Greene was taken into custody without incident Wednesday morning.

People may arrive at noon for the Clinton event at the pavilion, which is located in Chris Larsen Park. Bill Clinton is also still holding an event in Waterloo.
SIOUX CITY | A Sioux City man who was fired upon by a Sergeant Bluff police officer has pleaded not guilty to numerous charges.

John McPherson, 47, entered his written plea Wednesday in Woodbury County District Court to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, drug tax stamp violation, assault on a peace officer and carrying a dangerous weapon.

Officers called to the Bridge Mobile Home Park in the 100 block of Eighth Street in Sergeant Bluff to serve an arrest warrant on someone else on Oct. 20 encountered McPherson, who was sitting in the driver's seat of a parked Jeep.

A Sergeant Bluff police officer approached McPherson, who "made furtive movements with his hands towards his waistline," according to court documents.

The officer then fired one shot, which went though the window of the vehicle, but did not strike McPherson. Police removed McPherson from the vehicle and found a .45-caliber handgun in the waistband of his pants, court documents said. Officers also found an ounce of methamphetamine.
ODEBOLT, Iowa | An Odebolt woman was flown to a Sioux City hospital after her car hit a semi on Highway 175 Sunday.

The incident occurred shortly after 8:30 a.m. on Highway 175 three miles east of Odebolt, according to a Sac County Sheriff's Office news release.

The release says 54-year-old Christen Zimbelman was driving a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix east on Highway 175 when she crossed the center line. A 2007 Peterbilt semi hauling a tanker trailer westbound on the highway attempted to avoid Zimbelman's vehicle, but the two vehicles collided and came to rest in the south ditch, the release said.

Zimbelman was transported to Loring Hospital, then airlifted to a Sioux City hospital.

Gary Bauer, 64, of Clear Lake, Iowa, who was driving the semi, was uninjured.

Fire departments from Odebolt, Lake View and Early and ambulances from Odebolt and Lake View assisted at the scene.
STORM LAKE, Iowa | A Storm Lake man and woman both face multiple charges after police say they threatened to kill each other while armed with knives during an ongoing domestic dispute late last week.

Police arrested 22-year-old Julius Blakely and 22-year-old Kyla Heath, both of Storm Lake, late Tuesday and charged them with going armed with intent and domestic assault while displaying a weapon. Blakely is also facing a charge for strangulation.

According to a news release from the Storm Lake Police Department, between Thursday and Saturday, the two were involved in an ongoing domestic dispute at a residence in the 1600 block of Maple Street. During the dispute, both of them assaulted each other, arming themselves with knives and threatening to kill one another. Police say Blakely also choked Heath during the assault.

Police arrested Blakely around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday and arrested Heath around 8:30 p.m. the same day. Both are being held in the Buena Vista County Jail on $5,000 bond.

Heath reported minor injuries, the release said, but did not need medical attention.

Police said during the ongoing incident, children had been present at the residence. A report has been filed with the Iowa Department of Human Services, according to the release.
SIOUX CITY | Republicans and Democrats were scurrying in early 2016 to get people to turnout in advance of the Feb. 1 Iowa caucuses, which was the first contest in the selection system for presidential nominees.

Now, Republican and Democratic leaders and staffers are also in a lather to motivate people to register and cast votes in the Nov. 8 election.

In first-of-the-month totals in February and November voter registration statistics, Republicans in Iowa overall and Northwest Iowa had more people with active voter registrations. The registration numbers are one way to gauge the strength of the political parties in Iowa.

The numbers from the Iowa Secretary of State office showed statewide there were 615,767 registered Republicans on Feb. 1 and 662,167 on Nov. 1. By comparison, there were 586,835 registered Democrats on Feb. 1 and 629,081 on Nov. 1.

That means the lead for Republicans has widened over the last nine months, from a margin of just under 29,000 to 33,086. University of Iowa Political Science Professor Tim Hagle said turning out those voters is another key component to the vibrancy of the political parties in Iowa as they support the campaigns of Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump.

"(Turnout) is more important than ever in an election where the two major party candidates have such high unfavorable numbers," Hagle said.

Clinton and Trump are down to the final seven days in the competition to win Iowa's six electoral votes, in the quest to get the winning combination of 270 electoral votes.

Iowa State University Political Science Professor Steffen Schmidt said the registration numbers look good for Republicans, in the quest to make the state more red than Democratic blue.

"The GOP has the tea party and Freedom Caucus, as well as Trump to drive lots of energy into the party. Their growing lead is an existential threat to Democrats," Schmidt said.

However, Schmidt cautioned that "there are many registered Republicans who may not vote for Trump," so thats big factor in which party's column Iowa goes in a week. He noted surrogates such as Republican Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and former Democratic Bill Clinton are making appearances.

Hagle said that while Clinton may win Iowa, Republicans will likely be victorious in other notable federal contests, such as the U.S. Senate seat, where 36-year incumbent Charles Grassley is vying with Democrat Patty Judge.

"Ive been telling folks for a while that Iowa is still purple. I will argue that even if Iowa goes for Clinton in the presidential race," Hagle said.

South Dakota Secretary of State Shantel Krebs on Tuesday reported the state has reached all-time high with voter registrations, with 544,402. That total includes Republicans leading in registrations with 252,102, Democrats at 170,711 and independents and other minor parties to get to that total.

Krebs in a release said that is fantastic news, showing South Dakotans are enthused to participate in an important election.

In Nebraska, voter registration also has reached an all-time high of 1,211,449, Secretary of State John Gale announced Tuesday. The total is 46,000 more than the state's primary in May.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced the state has gained almost 37,000 newly registered voters in the past month. The number is nearly 2 million active voters in Iowa (1,996,153) once other minor political parties and independents are added in. Iowa has a population of about 3 million, so roughly two-thirds of people are registered to vote.

The Iowa caucuses were narrowly won by Clinton on her way to nabbing the Democratic nomination and by Republican Ted Cruz, who ultimately lost the nomination to Trump. The caucuses are run by the Democratic and Republican parties, not the county auditors who have the duty to handle general elections.

In Woodbury County, there were 18,726 Republicans and 17,599 Democrats on Feb. 1. The updated Woodbury County statistics from Tuesday show 20,626 active registrations for Republicans and 18,247 Democrats, which indicates substantial growth for Republicans.

The last last month alone, the registrations of all parties overall in Woodbury County rose by 1,139 since Oct. 1.

Woodbury County Auditor Pat Gill is predicting a voter turnout typical to presidential elections, or about 45,000 ballots cast.
After posting Friday's column, "A Presidency from Hell," about the investigations a President Hillary Clinton would face, by afternoon it was clear I had understated the gravity of the situation.

Networks exploded with news that FBI Director James Comey had informed Congress he was reopening the investigation into Clinton's email scandal, which he had said in July had been concluded.

"Bombshell" declared Carl Bernstein. The stock market tumbled. "October surprise!" came the cry.

The only explanation, it seemed, was that the FBI had uncovered new information that could lead to a possible indictment of the former secretary of state, who by then could be the president of the United States.

By Sunday, we knew the source of the eruption.

Huma Abedin, Clinton's top aide, sent thousands of emails to the private laptop she shared with husband Anthony Weiner, a.k.a. Carlos Danger, who is under FBI investigation for allegedly sexting with a 15-year-old girl.

The Weiner-Abedin laptop contains 650,000 emails.

The FBI has not yet reviewed Abedin's emails, and they could turn out to be duplicates of those the FBI has already seen, benign, or not relevant to the investigation of Clinton.

But it does appear that Abedin misled the FBI when she told them all communications devices containing State Department work product were turned over to State when she departed in 2013.

Clinton, understandably, was stunned and outraged by Comey's letter. For it casts a cloud of suspicion over her candidacy by raising the possibility that the FBI director could reverse his decision of July, and recommend her prosecution.

By Monday, Oct. 31, new problems had arisen, some potentially crippling or possibly lethal to a Clinton presidency.

Reporters have unearthed a near-mutiny inside the FBI over the decision to shut down the investigation of the Clinton email scandal and Comey's recommendation of no prosecution.

Andrew McCabe, No. 2 at the FBI, has come under anonymous fire from inside the bureau as one of those most reluctant to pursue aggressively any investigations of the Clintons.

McCabe's wife, in a 2015 state senate race in Virginia, received $475,000 in PAC contributions from Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a longtime friend and major fundraiser for Bill and Hillary Clinton.

After the Senate race that McCabe's wife lost, he was promoted from No. 3 at the FBI to No. 2, where he has far more influence over decisions to investigate and recommend prosecution.

Justice Department higher-ups under Attorney General Loretta Lynch apparently disagreed with Comey notifying Congress, and the nation, to new developments in the email scandal. Yet Comey had given his word to Congress that he would do so.

In the Southern District of New York, which has jurisdiction over the Weiner sexting investigation, FBI agents have reportedly been blocked from opening an investigation into charges of corruption in the Clinton Foundation.

This follows revelations that corporate chiefs and foreign rulers and regimes, hit up for contributions to the Clinton Foundation, were then urged by an ex-Clinton aide to provide six-figure speaking fees for Bill Clinton.

This follows reports the Clinton Foundation took contributions for victims of natural disasters, and awarded multimillion-dollar contracts to contributors to do the work.

Still unanswered is what Bill Clinton and Attorney General Lynch discussed during that 30-minute meeting on the Phoenix tarmac, prior to the FBI and Justice Department decision not to indict Hillary Clinton.

The stench of corruption is reaching Bhopal dimensions.

What appears about to happen seems inevitable and predictable.

If Hillary Clinton is elected, the email scandal, the pay-for-play scandal involving the Clinton Foundation, "Bill Clinton, Inc.," the truthfulness of her testimony, and reports of Clinton-paid dirty tricksters engaging in brownshirt tactics at Trump rallies, are all going to be investigated more thoroughly by the FBI.

And if Clinton is president, there is no way her Justice Department can investigate the Clinton scandals, any more than this city in the early 1970s would entrust an investigation into Watergate to the Nixon Justice Department.

If Clinton wins this election, and Republicans hold onto one or both houses of Congress, investigations of the Clinton scandals will start soon after her inaugural and will go on for years. And the clamor for a special prosecutor, who will, as Archibald Cox did with Nixon, build a huge staff and spend years investigating, will become irresistible.

Realizing that this is the near-certain fate and future of any Hillary Clinton presidency, and would be disastrous for the country, Sunday night, Doug Schoen, who worked for President Clinton for six years, said he has changed his mind and will not be voting for Hillary.

Donald Trump says this is worse than Watergate. As of now, it is only potentially so.

But if Hillary Clinton, this distrusted and disbelieved woman, does take the oath of office on Jan. 20, there is a real possibility that, like Nixon, down the road a year or two, she could be forced from office.

Do we really want to go through this again?
WASHINGTON -- The evidence suggests that FBI Director James Comey is a decent man. The evidence also suggests that he has been intimidated by pressure from Republicans in Congress whose interest is not in justice but in destroying Hillary Clinton.

On Friday, a whipsawed Comey gave in. Breaking with FBI precedent and Justice Department practice, he weighed in on one side of a presidential campaign.

I don't believe this was his intention. But his vaguely worded letter to Congress announcing that the FBI was examining emails on a computer used by Clinton aide Huma Abedin accomplished the central goals of the right-wing critics Comey has been trying to get off his back.

Especially disturbing is that some of those critics are inside the FBI. As The Washington Post's Sari Horwitz reported on Saturday, "a largely conservative investigative corps" in the bureau was "complaining privately that Comey should have tried harder to make a case" against Clinton.

For a major law-enforcement institution to be so politicized and biased against one party would be a genuine scandal. If Comey acted in part out of fear that his agents would leak against him, it would reflect profound dysfunction within the FBI.

One measure of the damage Comey has done to his reputation is the praise Donald Trump showered upon him after months of trashing the director for not recommending Clinton's indictment. Winning favor from a politician who has described how he would use the government's instruments to punish his enemies is not something a professional like Comey will ever be proud of.

Far from cowering, Clinton and her campaign went on the offensive, demanding more clarity from the FBI director. In light of reports that no one in the bureau has even viewed the messages, Tim Kaine, Clinton's vice presidential running mate, said on ABC's "This Week" Sunday: "If he hasn't seen the emails, they need to make that plain." Clinton called Comey's intervention "unprecedented and deeply troubling." Indeed.

Comey's murky letter opened the way for Trump to level wild charges against Clinton and for congressional Republicans to engage in their own initiatives to twist the truth.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, chair of the Oversight Committee, quickly tweeted news of Comey's letter Friday and stated: "Case reopened."

This is not what Comey said (and technically the Clinton case was never closed). But many in the media bought Chaffetz's hype, especially in early accounts. That's what happens when an FBI director hands an explosive but muddled letter to a Republican-led Congress.

In fact, Chaffetz had already made clear that if Clinton wins, the GOP's top priority will be to keep the Clinton investigative machine rolling.

"It's a target-rich environment," Chaffetz cheerfully told The Washington Post's David Weigel last week. "Even before we get to Day One, we've got two years' worth of material already lined up. She has four years of history at the State Department, and it ain't good."

And on ABC Sunday, Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., chair of the Judiciary Committee, gave the Republicans' game away when he spoke of Clinton's "potential impeachment" before correcting himself. Note to reader: Inauguration Day isn't until January 20, 2017.

These are the people Comey has been trying to mollify ever since he decided that there was no way the evidence justified prosecuting Clinton. His first act of appeasement was his July news conference in which he announced his decision but also criticized Clinton and her aides for being "extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information."

Comey may have thought he had arrived at the Solomonic middle ground that would make everyone happy. But as Matthew Miller, a former Justice Department Official wrote in The Washington Post, when "the government decides it will not submit its assertions to ... rigorous scrutiny by bringing charges, it has the responsibility to not besmirch someone's reputation by lobbing accusations publicly instead."

Comey had entered the political fray, and there was no turning back -- especially since his Republican tormentors would not be satisfied until Clinton was brought down. As The Post editorialized, Comey had already gone "too far" in "providing raw FBI material to Congress." He allowed himself to be sucked into a dangerous and dysfunctional relationship with one political party that set him on the hazardous course to Friday's letter.

History shows that appeasing bullies never works. Maybe Comey has learned this lesson and will try to make amends in coming days.

As for the voters, my hope is that they reject this perversion of justice all the way down the ballot.
The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.
Most of us, including several democratic lawmakers, cringed when Obama inked the Iran deal but those of us who are familiar with the malevolent nature of the Iranian regime, recoiled in horror when we learned that Obama transferred $400 million to the Iranians in exchange for four American citizens held captive by the mullahs on trumped up charges. The $400 million was part of a larger installment totaling $1.7 billion, ostensibly to settle claims Iran had against the United States stemming from aborted Iranian arms purchases dating back to the Shah. Obama claimed that this was money that was owed to Iran and the settlement, which included $1.3 billion in interest, saved the U.S. taxpayer billions because the Iranians were demanding even more at the Hague tribunal, where the claim was being adjudicated.The timing and method of the cash transfers were disquieting to say the least and raised serious questions of legality as well as broader geo-political concerns. The Americans were freed only after Iran received its $400 million. The payment, which was airlifted in the dead of night in an unmarked cargo plane, was made in untraceable cash, stacked on wooden pallets. The Iranians demanded Swiss Francs and Euros rather than Dollars and a pliant Obama agreed to the Islamic Republics dictates. Gleeful Iranian leaders were quick to announce victory and claimed that the payment was indeed a ransom, contradicting the administrations adamant denials.Even within the administration there was confusion about whether the payment was in fact a ransom. State Department spokesman Mark Toner came very close to acknowledging this fact when he noted that the $400 million was used as leverage to ensure the Americans safe return. The White House however, quickly repudiated the State Departments characterization.Even if one were to believe the story peddled by the administration, the mere appearance of a quid pro quo payment potentially exposes the U.S. to extortion and hostage-taking. The Iranians certainly believed it was a ransom payment and more likely than not, every two-bit dictator on the planet saw it that way as well.But there are deeper more troubling aspects to this convoluted story. In his January 17, 2016 address to the American people, Obama tried to put a positive spin on his dealings with the Islamic Republic but as noted by Rick Richman in an excellent article featured in Mosaic, the deal struck with the Iranians was rotten to its core and the administration deliberately kept the American people in the dark about various aspects of the shady arrangement.The $400 million that the U.S. transferred to Iran came from Irans Foreign Military Sales (FMS) account with the Pentagon. The balance of 1.3 billion ostensibly represented interest accrued since 1979. But Obama neglected to note that when Iran filed its lawsuit, the U.S. filed counterclaim against Iran for $817 million for Iranian breaches of its obligations under the FMS program. The U.S. could have conceivably won that counterclaim which would have meant wooden pallets of cash for the American treasury, courtesy of the Islamic Republic.Moreover, American plaintiffs maintained sixteen U.S. court judgments against the Islamic Republic stemming from that regimes involvement in terrorist activities. Those judgments totaled $3.9 billion in compensatory and punitive damages.Some plaintiffs sought to recover their Judgments directly from Irans FMS account but their efforts were stymied by the Clinton administration. Instead, under a convoluted deal struck between Congress and the Clinton administration in 2,000, the U.S. treasury was to pay the holders of the judgments against Iran for the amount of their compensatory damages and 10 percent of their punitive damages up to the amount in the FMS fund. The judgments would then be subrogated to the United States, which meant that judgments became direct U.S claims against the Iranian government.Iran ignored the Judgments and never paid any of the plaintiffs. Under U.S. law, the $400 million sitting in the FMS account should have gone back to the U.S. treasury, which had already paid the judgment holders. But the U.S. treasury never collected a dime on the subrogated claims since Obama shipped the money off on wooden pallets to Iran. Essentially, the U.S. taxpayer ended up footing the bill for Irans terrorism while the Iranians were never held accountable for their maleficence.Obamas actions represented blatant disregard for the law, for the victims of terrorism and for the American taxpayer. His claim of saving the taxpayer billions represents the zenith of mendacity.Obama claimed that the payments had to be made in cash because existing sanctions prohibited normal banking procedures. But as noted by Richman, the sanctions regimen expressly permits payments made to settle Iranian claims instituted at The Hague, exposing yet another lie by the Obama administration.In addition to the $1.7 billion in cash, Obama also authorized the release of seven convicted Iranian felons and expunged warrants on 14 others. But this aspect of the transaction seems almost trivial when considering the sheer mendacity and illegality of nearly every other aspect of the deal.Lastly, the transfer of such a large sum to Iran in settlement of an alleged legal claim required the attorney generals approval but the administration has yet to produce any document bearing Loretta Lynchs signature authorizing such payment. On October 7, Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) and Rep. Mike Pompeo (R., Kan.) presented Lynch with a series of questions seeking clarification of various aspects of the deal. Lynch, whose tenure as attorney general is proving to be as corrupt and partisan as her predecessor, has inexplicably refused to answer the lawmakers queries.In a desperate attempt to establish a legacy, Obama pursued the Iran deal with reckless abandon, forfeiting positions previously regarded as red lines and signing the worst deal in U.S. diplomatic history. The ancillary deal struck with the Iranians concerning American hostages was laced with outright lies and enabled the Iranians to continue their reign of regional terror. More importantly, it may also have been in violation of existing U.S. law and Lynchs stonewalling only lends credence to that notion.
PRINCE FREDERICK, Md.

Teresa Hagy, 34, of Prince Frederick and Laura Hinchman, 28, of Lusby.

Frederick Donahue, 56, of Chesapeake Beach and Valerie Miller, 37, of Lothian.

Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: so.md/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at so.md/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at so.md/expungeme.

(Nov. 1, 2016)The Calvert County Sheriff's Office today released the following incident and arrest reports.WEEKLY SUMMARY: During the week of October 25 through October 31, deputies responded to 1,260 calls for service throughout the community.BURGLARY CASE #16-61409: On October 26, 2016, at 1:30pm, Deputy M. Naecker responded to a call for an attempted burglary at Rhett Butler Court, in Huntingtown. The complainant explained that around 1:20pm1:30pm, his dogs started barking so he went to investigate. He witnessed a white male attempting to pry open a window screen from a second floor window. When he shouted at the unknown male, he took off running. The investigation is still continuing.BURGLARY CASE #16-61741: On October 28, 2016, Deputy N. Barger responded to Emmanuel Church Road, in Huntington, for the report of a burglary and damaged property. The victim explained that their unlocked shed had been entered and a John Deere tractor was damaged. A plastic knob, which controls the mower deck, was broken off and was lying on the tractor. Also, a Trail Master 150XRS had several tires cut, a valve stem was damaged and the cloth roof was cut. This vandalism occurred between 3:00pm on October 25 and 8:45am on October 28.BURGLARY CASE #16-61977: On October 29, 2016, Deputy S. Moran was dispatched to Spruce Drive, in Lusby, for the report of a burglary. The victim explained he had been away from his home approximately two (2) weeks and upon returning, he discovered his front porch, shed, garage and cabin to his boat had all been forced open and entered. Stolen items include: two (2) crab (cooking) pots, crab net, Skil Circular Saw, Honda 5000 watt generator, Table Saw and a Ryobi String Trimmer.CDS VIOLATION CASE #16-61487: On October 26, 2016, at approximately 11:00pm, Deputy T. Mohler was on patrol near the Holiday Inn, in Solomon's, when he received a dispatch for a possible intoxicated driver. He conducted a traffic stop after observing a vehicle swerving in and out of the traffic lane and operating without the required registration plate lights. The driver was ultimately issued the appropriate traffic warnings and released on the scene. The passenger,, was found to be in possession of illegal drugs. She was arrested for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Narcotic (Oxycontin), CDS: Possession of a Synthetic Narcotic (Oxycontin) and Possession of Paraphernalia (cut straw).CDS VIOLATION CASE #16-61459: On October 26, 2016, Deputy R. Evans responded to a complaint involving a suspicious person seen on Cove Point Road, in Lusby. He made contact with a female,, after he witnessed Hinchman pass a sharp object to a male companion she was with. The sharp object was found to be a hollowed out pen containing a white powdery residue. Ms. Hinchman was arrested for Possession of a Dangerous Nonnarcotic Drug (Alprazolam) and for Possession of Paraphernalia (hollowed out pen).DAMAGED PROPERTY CASE #16-61450: On October 26, 2016, Deputy N. Buckler was dispatched to Pin Oak Court, in Prince Frederick, for the report of damaged property. The victim reported that sometime between October 12October 17 someone dropped a pair of scissors and several screws into their HVAC unit, causing it to jam and stop working. No known suspects at this time.DAMAGED PROPERTY CASE #16-61372: On October 26, 2016, Deputy S. Rediker was dispatched to San Angelo Drive, in Lusby, for the report of damaged property. The victim stated they were woken up by a loud bang between 4:00am6:00am. After looking outside they discovered their mailbox had been broken and parts of it were scattered across the roadway.DAMAGED PROPERTY CASE #16-61248: On October 25, 2016, at approximately 6:00pm, Deputy N. Barger responded to Calvert Avenue, in Chesapeake Beach, for the report of a destruction of property. The complainant explained that the windows of their camper, which is parked in their driveway, had been shot at with a BB gun. Several windows were shattered and areas around the windows were either dented or had paint chipped off. The last time the camper was seen undamaged was around 6:00pm on October 18. The damage was discovered around 10:30pm that evening.DISORDERLY CONDUCT CASE # 16-62095: On October 30, 2016, at approximately 12:30pm, Deputy J. Livingston was called to the area of the Prince Frederick WaWa for the report of a citizen pan handling (asking for money). Upon arrival he observed a white male stumbling through the parking lot, with mud covering his pants. When he approached and questioned, he noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his person. He was told to leave the property several times and to stop harassing people for money. He then approached a store employee and another citizen, loudly asking for food, causing others nearby to stop and look at Mr. Donahue. He was then taken into custody and charged with Disorderly Conduct, Fail to Obey a Reasonable/Lawful Order and Trespassing on Private Property.DISORDERLY CONDUCT CASE # 16-61865: On October 28, 2016, at approximately 9:00pm, Deputy D. Gatton responded to the Fastop, in Chesapeake Beach, for a disorderly complaint. On arrival he made contact with, who was sitting on the sidewalk and had a strong smell of alcohol emitting from his person. Deputy Gatton asked Donahue to leave the Fastop several times but would not cooperate. Donahue then turned towards a female employee and asked an inappropriate question. Donahue was then arrested for Failure to Obey a Reasonable/Lawful Order and Disorderly Conduct. As he was transported to the Detention Center, he was warned not to go back to the Chesapeake Beach Fastop or he would be charged with Trespassing.DISORDERLY CONDUCT CASE # 16-61942: On October 29, 2016, around 1:00pm, Deputy P. Aurich responded to the Dunkirk Plaza Drive parking lot for the report of a female urinating in public. As Deputy P. Aurich approached the area, he witnessed a female undressed and urinating next to a car. By the time he made contact with her, she had already gotten back into her vehicle. He approached, who was reclined back in her seat and "huffing" (inhaling) a can of DustOff cleaner. He discovered an empty can on the floorboard and four (4) full cans on the front passenger seat. She was placed under arrest and charged with Disorderly Conduct, Indecent Exposure and CDS: Inhale Harmful Substance.THEFT CASE #16-61957: On October 29, 2016, at approximately 2:30pm, Deputy Y. Bortchevsky responded to D Street, in Chesapeake Beach, for the report of a theft. The victim explained that two (2) of their unlocked vehicles, parked in their driveway, were ransacked. A prescription bottle and USB cable were both stolen.THEFT CASE #16-61809: On October 28, 2016, Deputy T. Holt responded to White Sands Drive, in Lusby, for the report of a theft. He made contact with the complainant who stated someone had entered his unlocked vehicle and stole a Dell Laptop. The last time the laptop was seen was around 7:30pm on October 27. He noticed the computer missing the next morning around 5:00am.THEFT CASE #16-61823: On October 28, 2016, Deputy S. Moran was dispatched to Parran Road, in St. Leonard for the report of a theft. Upon arrival he made contact with the victim who stated upon retrieving his mail today, he discovered an envelope was opened and money (cash) was removed.
Evan McMullin is only on the ballot in 11 states, but his Presidential campaign is sparking anger from supporters of Donald Trump.

Last week, a white nationalist Trump supporter unleashed a robocall attack against McMullin, claiming he is a closet homosexual. The man behind the calls, William Johnson, also outed McMullins mother.

Evan has two mommies. His mother is a lesbian, married to another woman, Johnson says in the call.

The robocall went out to more than 200,000 residents in Utah, a state where McMullin is performing well in polls. Analyst Nate Silver places McMullins chances of winning Utah between 18 to 25 percent.

Ive stood for liberty and equality in this race; its natural for @realDonaldTrumps white supremacists to attack me. A fight worth having, McMullin tweeted on Monday.

A retired Central Intelligence Agency officer, McMullin is running for President as an Independent. He is part of the fallout from a Republican Party wrecked by Trumps insurgency and yet the robocalls from Johnson may have done more good than harm in making the electorate more aware of third party options.

Another desperate attack from GOP nominee @realDonaldTrump and his racist supporters as he continues to lose ground in Utah, McMullin tweeted.

McMullin, 40, denies he is gay, but the robocall was correct about his mother. McMullin told the Salt Lake Tribune he believes in traditional marriage, but still loves his mother.

My mother has a different view. That is OK. I love her very much. And she is one of my best friends. She is a wonderful mother, McMullin told the newspaper.

As for Johnson, the man behind the robocalls, he has quite a dubious background. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Johnson believes in deportation of non-whites as a pre-emptive strike in defense of real Americans.
In a not-so-surprising 11th hour maneuver, the official newspaper of the Ku Klux Klan displayed its support for Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump.

The entire front page of the current issue of The Crusader, the KKKs quarterly newspaper, is devoted to Trump.

"While Trump wants to make America great again, we have to ask ourselves, 'What made America great in the first place?'" writes Pastor Thomas Robb. "The short answer to that is simple. America was great not because of what our forefathers did  but because of who our forefathers were. America was founded as a White Christian Republic. And as a White Christian Republic it became great."

The Crusaders show of support is nothing new for the Trump campaign, which has attracted several white supremacist organizations.

California white nationalist William Johnson, last week, launched a robocall effort on behalf of Trump against Independent candidate Evan McMullin. Johnson claimed McMullin was a closet homosexual with two mommies.

And in Louisiana, former KKK Imperial Wizard David Duke has appeared on numerous radio and television programs voicing support for Trump.

Vote for Trump for President and David Duke for Senate and lets take America back, says Duke, in a video for his U.S. Senate campaign.

As for the Crusader, Robb stopped just short of calling its latest issue an endorsement of Trump.

"Overall, we do like his nationalist views and his words about shutting down the border to illegal aliens," Robb told the Washington Post. "Its not an endorsement because, like anybody, there's things you disagree with. But he kind of reflects whats happening throughout the world. There seems to be a surge of nationalism worldwide as nationals reclaim their borders."

The Crusader bills itself as the Political Voice of White Christian America. The newspaper lists a P.O. Box in Harrison, Arkansas for an address.

Late Tuesday evening the Trump campaign issued a statement calling the newspaper "repulsive." Trump himself has repeatedly disavowed Duke.
Check out news from around the world!

Politics - Clinton Tells South Florida Crowd About Trump's 'Terrible' Record on LGBT Rights

(EDGE) Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton campaigned in South Florida on Sunday where she warned a largely LGBT audience in Wilton Manors that her Republican challenger would pose a threat to the advances made in LGBT rights under the Obama administration.



"Donald Trump has a terrible record on LGBT rights," she said. "This election determines whether we continue the progress we made or let it be ripped away."



She went on to warn the crowd that her opponent would nominate Supreme Court justices who would overturn the legality of [same-sex] marriage.



She further warned that the reality TV star turned politician would repeal President Obama's executive orders against LGBT discrimination should he be elected.



Clinton then went on to tell the crowd that if elected, she would call upon the congress to pass The Equality Act. The currently stalled legislation has overwhelming Democratic support with less than a handful of GOP lawmakers backing the bill.



"We will work together to achieve the AIDS-free generation," she told the crowd.



The Miami Herald reports that Clinton's visit to South Florida comes as she is in a dead heat in the state with Trump. Clinton was ahead by only a fraction of a percentage point according to a Real Clear Politics average of the polls through Thursday.

Politics - LGBT Law, Hurricane Jostle Close N. Carolina Governor's Race

(AP) Republican Gov. Pat McCrory has been unable to quash the firestorm over his signing of a law limiting protections for LGBT people, while trying to focus his re-election bid on North Carolina's economy, taxes, teacher pay and his recent response to historic flooding.

That legislation has reinforced this election as a referendum on North Carolina's conservative shift under McCrory and the Republican-led legislature. The gubernatorial contest is one of the nation's most competitive, with several polls showing McCrory and Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper in a statistical tie.

Cooper wants to repeal the law known as House Bill 2, which among other things directs transgender people to use bathrooms in schools and government buildings that correspond to the sex on their birth certificates. He also says he'll work to restore the state's progressive image if elected and has launched an ad blasting the LGBT law, saying it's "trashed our brand" and cost thousands of jobs.

"North Carolina is better than this. We always have been. We will be again," Cooper, the state's attorney general since 2001, told dozens of Democratic volunteers working for him in Greensboro.

McCrory got a shot at resetting the campaign narrative this month when flooding spread following flooding triggered by Hurricane Matthew, as he made near-daily appearances on the news leading response and recovery efforts. One of his recent ads shows footage from the storm and the riots sparked by the fatal shooting of a black man by Charlotte police.

"The last four years I've focused on my job as governor. The campaign has always been secondary," McCrory told The Associated Press in an interview, adding that with "any event that happens in a state ... you just do your job. But I assume if we didn't do it right, there would be political ramifications."

National - Anti-Trump Ad Features Mother of Pulse Nightclub Shooting Victim

(AP) The mother of one of the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting has made an ad asking how someone could vote for Donald Trump.



The digital ad was released Wednesday by the gay rights group, the Human Rights Campaign. It features Christine Leinonen, the mother of Christopher Leinonen, who was one of the 49 Pulse patrons killed during the massacre.

In the ad, Leinonen says, "We have to continue to moving forward as an inclusive society." She goes on to say, "If you love a gay person, if you know someone who's gay, and you truly love them, I don't know how you could justify a vote for Donald Trump."



She then encourages voters to pick Hillary Clinton.



View the video at http://bit.ly/2e5RU49.

Legal - ND City Approves LGBT Anti-Discrimination Resolution

(EDGE) City leaders in Bismarck have quietly approved a resolution condemning discrimination in housing, employment and services based on sexual orientation or gender identity.



It has no force of law, but members of the LGBT community are still pleased with the move in the wake of the Legislature's defeat last year of a resolution seeking the same rights statewide, The Bismarck Tribune reported.



"The city commission doesn't condone discrimination in any shape or form," said Mayor Mike Seminary.



Kevin Tengesdal, who served in a discussion on the issue in Bismarck, said he sees the resolution as a promising step for the city and that he hopes North Dakota pursues a nondiscriminatory effort statewide.



"This moves the issue and conversation forward where sometime it will go statewide," said Caitlin McDonald, program assistant at the North Dakota Women's Network, an advocacy group. "Bismarck stands with protecting LGBT, and discrimination is not part of its values."



Mathew Leidholm, a board member of LGBT advocacy group Dakota Outright, said the resolution is one of the most important steps Bismarck could have taken in protecting its citizens and creating a culture of acceptance.

National - Pulse Victim's Mom Says Calls' Release Would Be Traumatizing

(AP) The mother of a patron who was gunned down at a gay nightclub in Orlando says in a letter to a judge that the release of audio recordings of 911 calls from the club during the massacre would be "traumatizing."



Rosetta Evans wrote the letter to an Orlando judge ahead of a hearing next Monday on whether the 911 calls should be made public.



The city of Orlando and two dozen media groups have been fighting over the release of more than 600 calls dealing with the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.



The city made public around two-thirds of the calls.



But the city says releasing the remaining calls would violate a law prohibiting the release of recordings that depict a killing.

International - Romanian Man Asks Court to Recognize His Same-Sex Marriage

(AP) A Romanian man asked his country's Constitutional Court on Thursday to recognize his marriage to an American man, in a case that has pitted the nation's conservative majority against those who want to move into the European mainstream.



Adrian Coman, a 45-year-old Romanian gay rights activist, wants the court to rule that his 2010 marriage in Belgium to U.S. citizen Claibourn Robert Hamilton, also 45, is legal in the way it would be if the couple was not the same sex.



"Our values are no different from any other family in Romania," Coman said.



Romania and Belgium are both members of the European Union. Romanian law allows the family of a Romanian citizen to take up residence in Romania, regardless of their nationality.



But as the law stands now, Coman could marry a woman in Romania and not be found guilty of bigamy, his lawyer, Iustina Ionescu, told the court.



He and Hamilton, a graphic designer and San Antonio native, live in New York City and took legal action to get their union recognized in Romania in 2012. In an unusual move, court president Valer Dorneanu on Thursday thanked Coman for his sincere remarks.



Opposition to same-sex relationships is often fierce in Romania, where homosexuality was decriminalized in 2002. The Constitutional Court has postponed ruling on Coman's case twice before.



Religious groups want the national Constitution amended to define marriage as only the union of a man and a woman. Nearly 3 million people have signed a petition demanding a referendum to change the constitution, which currently states that marriage is a consensual act between spouses.



President Klaus Iohannis recently voiced his support for same-sex couples and warned of "religious fanaticism." Political leaders and some Romanians criticized his outspoken stance.
Wed, 26.10.22 - 12:09

Another blast of heat at the end of the month is likely to break the record in Spain With only a few days left in...
I meet Ralf Ruller at The Barns roastery, a soaring almost-gallery of a space with an L-shaped brew bar so long you could lap it. All the wood in the room is reclaimed, or at least looks the part, and there are these west-facing windows that light floods through before pooling all over the place. Its like, quite literally, someones transplanted the bones of a barn into the center of East Berlin.

For a long time, things in East Berlin were still bombed out, Ruller says. There was no gastronomy here after reunification, so it offered the most platform for change and for foreigners to move in and to find it interesting.

Ruller founded The Barn six years ago a few blocks away in a space far more like a shed in size. He still lives in the neighborhood and says he knows everyone who comes into the shop by name. But most of those customers have been and continue to be foreignerstransplants from other places more familiar with coffee like The Barns.

The coffee scene came with very strong international influxes. When I started, there was almost nothing as far as a community was concerned, just a few people starting out. All our reference points for quality and traceability and high-quality coffee were abroad.

But were not here to talk about his companys past, instead, were meeting about its future. Last month Ruller opened a pop-up in the basement of Japanese retailer Uniqlos Berlin flagship store.

I lived in Japan when I was in my early 20s, Ruller says. I still go there every other year to visit friends. So there are a lot of reference points for me from Japanour bar uses Hario equipment, and we make it a feature in all of our shops to really showcase brewing, slowing down. The Japanese element has always been there in all our philosophy and in everything we do.

And so, Ruller makes clear, first and foremost The Barns new pop-up is a collaboration with a Japanese clothing company. Its pared down to the nth degree: just an EK 43, a two-group La Morzocco Linea PB, two baristas, and a couple of Chemexes and V60s. But every detail seems streamlined and sharpened and very much deliberately The Barn, with a matte black espresso machine like something swiped from a Star Destroyer.

But more than being just another Barn, the pop-up represents an evolution for the company. In particular, by moving into West Berlin, which is predominately German in its makeup, Ruller is making a statement.

Im German and I feel like Im on German soil. I want to reach out to more German people. My goal as a German roaster is to have an impact on changing the roast scene and the coffee scene in Germany. I think West Berlin is giving us that.

As for plans to expand beyond the pop-up, which will be operational at least through the end of December, Ruller doesnt hesitate.

Were looking at spaces all the time.

Michael Light is a writer and editor originally from Ohio. Hes worked previously for Vice and Lucky Peach. Read more Michael Light on Sprudge.
Though it may be hard to believe, coffee  that thing youve probably described as life in your Instagram profile, along with illustration, kittens, and traveling  hasnt always been so widely accepted. In fact, according to Innovation and Its Enemies, the past 500 years of coffee history have been fraught with turmoil.

Though not specifically about the worlds most popular beverage, the new book by Harvard professor Calestous Juma follows the history of coffee, using its bumpy road to mass acceptance as a context for contemporary debates surrounding technologies like artificial intelligence, gene editing, and renewable energy. In a recent article, Business Insider highlights some of coffee historys more turbulent moments as they are described in Jumas book.

Possession of coffee punishable by beating:



You might have heard that the French Revolution was planned in coffee houses, where members of the so-called intelligentsia, the class of political thinkers and polemics, gathered to plot their rebellions. Coffee houses potential to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information scared leaders long before the French Revolution. In 1511, Khair Beg, a young governor of Mecca, called for the closure of all coffee houses, fearing theyd be centers of secular uprising. Anyone caught drinking or selling coffee at that time was beaten.

Phony science to deter coffee consumption:



Coffees critics likened the drink to wine and attempted to outlaw it on this basis repeatedly, Juma wrote. In fact, when the drink started spreading to Europe in the 17th century, the wine and beer industries attacked. One winemaker in Marseilles allied with a university student to write up a thesis titled Whether the Use of Coffee Is Harmful to the Inhabitants of Marseilles. Juma wrote: [The student] asserted that the burnt particles, which [coffee] contains in large quantities, have so violent energy that, when they enter the blood, they attract the lymph and dry the kidneys. The result, he claimed, was one of general exhaustion, paralysis, and impotence.'

Racism:



When coffee started arriving in England in the 1660s, the coffee houses that served it became go-to places for political conversation, socializing, and roughhousing. They started competing with taverns, and detractors came out of the woodwork. Some blamed the Turks for bringing the drink over. Juma wrote: A 1663 broadside entitled A Cup of Coffee: or, Coffee in its Colours, derided those who had turned into Turks by drinking coffee. These Pure English Apes, the author charged, might learn to eat Spiders.'

Violence, sanctions, junk science, xenophobia  all have been used to keep people from drinking coffee at some point in the last half millennia. It doesnt take too much racking of the brain to think of other parallel historical arcs  like, oh I dont know, a certain plant that many are fighting to legalize here in the US.

Its said that those who dont learn from history are doomed to repeat it, and Jumas new book seems to support that sentiment. But at least coffee has made it to the other side. With the massive amounts of caffeine we now freely consume each day, hopefully coffee will help us #staywoke.

Zac Cadwalader is the news editor at Sprudge Media Network.

*top image via Wellcome images
In the atrium of the recently renovated San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, visitors are greeted by a massive black-and-white mobile, an untitled work by famed American sculptor Alexander Calder. Its something elsehulking and friendly, familiar yet exciting.

Continue past the Calder, scale three flights of stairs, navigate through the museums permanent photography exhibition, and youll spy what to coffee fans might be an even more familiar vision: Sightglass Coffee. The fourth location in the city for the roaster, this cafe boasts the same irresistible scent, killer coffees, and San Francisco-chic lookthe design is by Boor Bridges, the architecture firm that also designed Sightglasss Mission and SoMa locationsas its siblings.

People are primarily going to the museum and then discovering us along the way, says Sightglass co-owner Justin Morrison, who adds the important point: Probably about 90 percent of the people who come through would not otherwise have come into one of our stores.

By replacing SFMoMAs pre-renovation Blue Bottle Coffee shop, Sightglass is now available to an entirely new clientele. The museum saw it as an opportunity to bring in some different amenities, says Justin Morrison, making it clear the museum simply wanted a fresh partner for its relaunch. It wasnt anything crazy.

The museum itself is such a destination, and people from all over the world are visiting, explains Justins brother and business partner, Jerad Morrison. That means we get to serve them our coffee, which is great. Its different.

Different is the operative word there. When I visited, I got an espresso that was, predictably, delicious. Like the majority of Sightglasss drinks, it was prepared by a barista with the intense concentration of a goth teen reading a Ouija board and made with the shops MoMA blend, one thats specific to this cafe. Its just a hair heavier than what you might get from the citys comparatively light roasters (such as Ritual), and darker than the espresso roast at the other Sightglass outpostsa very fine adjustment possibly put in place to appeal to the museums wide audience. It tasted syrupy, like super-ripe fruit, and I made a mental note to order a cappuccino next time: this was a shot that could handle a cup of milk.

So while it was a distinctly Bay Area, distinctly Sightglass espresso, the overall experience was a new one. In place of a baristas vaguely recognizable (but choice) soundtrack, the ambient noise of the museum cafe consists of patrons chatting about photography that looks vaguely recognizable. Instead of banter between baristas and regulars, theres a pack of German tourists softly, gutturally explaining the menu to their dad. Rather than a gritty alley, the shop backs up to framed Man Ray photos. Even the typical La Marzocco machines are replaced by new, foot-pedal-instead-of-steam-wand-dial Kees van der Westens.



But then theres the warm, familiar Sightglass espresso, meticulously sourced. There are the same Square cash registers, the same impeccable service. The cups and saucers are the same as the other branches too. (Although, in a museum of this caliber, you could be served a tepid expresso in a rusty tin can and it will usually at least feel more high-brow.)

The conclusion Ive reached is that theres a connection to be made about drinking a favorite brand of coffee in a new environment and seeing a well-known work of art in real life. So, in the spirit of observing art and enjoying it for what it is: its the same Sightglass. Its great. And it feels a little different. Familiar, yet pretty exciting.

Laura Jaye Cramer is a freelance writer based in San Francisco, and has written for SF Weekly, GOOD, and PAPER Magazine. Read more Laura Jaye Cramer on Sprudge.

Photos courtesy of Michael ONeal.
Industry consultations regarding a proposed long-term funding framework for horse racing have begun, with Ontario Racing making stops in Toronto and at Flamboro Downs this week.

You can view a full list of upcoming consultations here, with the next opportunity for in-person engagement taking place in Sarnia at Hiawatha Horse Park on November 9.

Wednesday, November 9 - 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Sarnia (Hiawatha Horse Park)

Sunday, November 13 - 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - London (Western Fair Raceway)

Wednesday, November 16 - 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Ottawa (Rideau Carleton Raceway)

Saturday, November 19 - 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Port Perry (Golfer's Dream Golf Club, Scugog)

Tuesday, November 22 - 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Milton (Gambrel Barn, Country Heritage Park)

Ontario Racing encourages all interested parties to submit their feedback about the future of our industry by accessing our online consultation portal here. The portal includes a series of questions and the option to attach a word document, for those who would like to share additional thoughts. The proposed long-term funding framework was outlined in a webinar, hosted on October 19, and can be viewed here.

Ontario Racing will collate industry feedback, and that perspective will inform next steps in negotiations with government on a path forward for a sustainable horse racing industry in Ontario.

(with files from OR)
The Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey today launched two commercials urging voters to Vote Yes for the public ballot question that would allow casino gaming outside of Atlantic City.

The farmers, breeders, and members of SBOANJ need to convince the public that new casino revenue in New Jersey will help protect the equine industry and our overall quality of life, said SBOANJ President Mark Ford. We cannot sit back and let outside casino interests spread misinformation.

If the ballot question passes, the New Jersey Legislature could authorize two new casinos to be built in northern New Jersey. A percentage of the state tax revenue collected from the new casinos would be dedicated to supporting the horse racing industry.

The first spot to air emphasizes that farms, open space, and thousands of jobs could be lost unless voters pass the ballot question. The second spot educates voters on the revenue that New York and Pennsylvania collect from casino patrons, thousands of which reside in northern New Jersey.

Although the polls show that passage of the ballot question is unlikely, the horsemen believe we still have to do everything we can to get our story out to the public, said TrotPAC President Anthony Perretti. We need financial support from various places to protect our industry.

The spots begin airing on Friday, October 28th on various cable networks and will continue through November 8th. To view the commercials, visit www.trotpac.org or request a copy through the SBOANJ.

(SBOANJ)
Racing Under Saddle will return to Meadowlands Racetrack on Saturday evening (November 5), as six trotters as set to face the starting gate in a late-season contest.

The $6,500 RUS America Trot, presented by Back on Track and Knutsson Trotting, will be contested as a non-wagering event immediately after the first race on the wagering card. Following the race, a meet and greet will be held near the winners circle where fans will be able to meet riders who will be signing autographs and answering questions about racing under saddle.

The RUS America Trot features a first-time starter, Modest Prince, who figures to be one of the main contenders in the one-mile contest based on his 1:58.2 qualifier this past Friday at the Meadowlands over a sloppy track. Looking to be the main challenger is Hyway Marcus, who came home a 1:59.1 winner at Tioga Downs in his last RUS start back on August 7.

A rundown of the field for Saturday evenings race appears below.

1  Bosak  A winner of his only start at Goshens Historic Track last year during the Grand Circuit meet, the five-year-old gelding by Crazed comes into the race off of a qualifier last week at the Meadowlands. With a tightener under his belt, he should be competitive. Boask is ridden by Vanessa Karlewicz, who has compiled a record of three wins, a place, and a show out of eight starts this year.

2  My Friend Charlie  Winless this year but always a threat on the RUS-NY fair circuit with four seconds out of eight starts this year, My Friend Charlie moves up to compete against tougher stock. The five-year-old altered son of RC Royalty will be ridden by his owner, Andrea Pratt, who has a .296 URR.

3  Funny Photo  The seven-year-old son of Classic Photo, who makes up one half of the Patti Harmon trained entry, has been one of the stars of the New York fair circuit with a record of 8-4-1-1. With a 1:59.1 mark at Vernon Downs, he should benefit from the mile oval. Sophie Engerran, the leading rider in North America in wins this year, once again has the ride.

4  Hyway Marcus  The other half of the Harmon-trained entry, Hyway Marcus finished second in the RUS America Trot conduced at Ocean Downs this past summer, and finished less than a length behind the winner, Mr Protab, who is the king of RUS at the Berlin, Maryland oval. The five-year-old gelding last raced in a RUS event at Tioga Downs and scored an easy victory in 1:59.1. Maria Buchanan, who has a win and a second-place finish this year from two starts, will once again get the ride.

5  One True Friend  The only mare in the race was defeated soundly at Saratoga in October. No doubt her connections are hoping for a better performance over the mile oval. Hillary Hartnett comes into the race with a UDR of .333.

6  Modest Prince  The Linda Toscano trainees first qualifying start in two years was an eye-opening one: a 1:58.2 mile over a sloppy Meadowlands oval that carried a two-second allowance. If he comes back with a similar race this week, he will be hard to beat. While having only one ride thus far this year, veteran Helene Gregory is a rider who must be feared.

With the Breeders Cup being simulcast to the Meadowlands, RUS America look forward to showing thoroughbred fans on-track the versatility of the Standardbred and a form of Standardbred racing which may be more familiar to them. RUS riders look forward to meeting with fans of all forms of horse racing after the race. RUS America concludes its season ten days later on November 15 at Rosecroft Raceway.

(RUS America)
Judicial Watch Asks Court to Compel Answers from Clinton IT Official Who Asserted Fifth Amendment

'Mr. Bentel has not demonstrated he has a legitimate fear that answers to all 87 questions present a danger to him.'  Judicial Watch Motion to Compel



Contact: Jill Farrell, Judicial Watch, 202-646-5172



WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2016 /Standard Newswire/ -- Judicial Watch announced that it filed a Motion to Compel former State Department Director of Information Resource Management of the Executive Secretariat John Bentel to answer 87 questions asked of him during his October 24 Judicial Watch deposition concerning former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's non-state.gov email system. At the deposition, Bentel answered each of the questions, "On advice from my legal counsel, I decline to answer the question and I invoke my Fifth Amendment rights." The deposition and yesterday's filing come in connection with a Judicial Watch Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit that seeks records about the controversial employment status of Huma Abedin, deputy chief of staff to former Secretary Clinton (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of State (No. 1:13-cv-01363 )).



Judicial Watch's court filing refutes Bentel's claim for Fifth Amendment self-incrimination protection, arguing:

To date, Mr. Bentel has not demonstrated he has a legitimate fear that answers to all 87 questions present a danger to him. Nor has he demonstrated any such fear is more than fanciful or merely speculative. Mr. Bentel therefore must answer all questions asked of him during his deposition



***



Mr. Bentel has invoked his Fifth Amendment rights without providing any justification whatsoever. He has not identified  let alone demonstrated  a fear of prosecution in answering any of the 87 questions asked of him during his deposition. Nor has he demonstrated any such fear is more than fanciful or merely speculative. Mr. Bentel has not provided Plaintiff or the Court with any pertinent information to allow it to assess the validity of the invocation for each of the 87 questions Mr. Bentel declined to answer.

On August 19, 2016, U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan granted Judicial Watch's request to depose Bentel, citing significant discrepancies in Bentel previous statements on the Clinton non-state.gov email system:

The Court is persuaded that Mr. Bentel should be deposed because the record in this case appears to contradict his sworn testimony before the [House Select] Benghazi Committee. . . . Specifically, Mr. Bentel testified that he was not aware that Secretary Clinton's email account was housed on a private server until media reports in 2015. . . . However, several emails indicate Mr. Bentel knew about the private server as early as 2009.

In ordering Bentel's deposition, Judge Sullivan also cited a May 2016 Inspector General's report that found:

Mr. Bentel told employees in his office that Secretary Clinton's email arrangement had been approved by the State Department's legal staff and also instructed his subordinates not to discuss the Secretary's email again:

MORE: www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-asks-court-compel-answers-clinton-official-asserted-fifth-amendment
A Child is Born Without Eyes, and Parents See God's Gifts

Lacey Buchanan's 'Through the Eyes of Hope' Debuts January 10, 2017



eyesofhopebook.com



www.facebook.com/LaceyandChristianBuchanan



Contact: Michael Conrad, 214-616-0320, Michael@Lovell-Fairchild.com



LAKE MARY, Fla., Nov. 2, 2016 /Standard Newswire/ -- From a combined birth defect so rare only 50 other cases exist in the world, Christian Buchanan was born without eyes. Now, in her new book, Through the Eyes of Hope, Christian's mom, Lacey Buchanan, tells the gripping story of how God helped two parents see the worst circumstances radiate with glory.



"When we choose to love others despite their differences, we glorify God in His creation," Lacey says. "Instead of hearing people say, 'I'm sorry,' as if Christian had died, I want to hear, 'Congratulations! Christian is learning to survive and thrive in this world.'"



Married to her childhood sweetheart at 21, and pregnant at 23, Lacey was a joyful expectant mom. Working in rural Tennessee, she also was about to start her first year of law school in Nashville.



Then Christian arrived, diagnosed with Tessier cleft lip and palate, a syndrome in which a baby's skull fails to knit together in the womb. Most visible were his severely cleft palate and missing eyes.



For his first four weeks, Christian's parents visited him in the neonatal intensive care unit. When he finally came home, all life intensified. Work, school, care for a severely challenged son, and a labyrinth of medical and insurance complexities also strained Lacey and Chris' marriage.



Meanwhile the Buchanans fielded remarks from well-meaning but uninformed friends, rudeness from strangers, and the vile comments of Internet trolls on Lacey's Facebook page.



The low point, as Lacey relates in Through the Eyes of Hope, was a woman's post: "You are selfish for letting him live just so you could have a baby. You are a pathetic excuse for a mother. He will have a miserable life."



On the contrary. Doctors worked wonders on Christian's cleft palate, and today he thrives at the Tennessee School for the Blind. Christian is a joy to his parents and inspires the millions around the world who follow his story.



"The most crippling disease is ignorance," Lacey says. "One day when Christian is old enough, I'll say to him, 'I loved you too much to give up on you. I love you too much now to give up on you. You are an amazing person who God chose to be my son, and I am thankful.'"



Through the Eyes of Hope is the arduous but uplifting journey of Lacey, Chris, and Christianthe years of medical procedures, battles with an often-indifferent health system, unexpected kindness and help, a viral video with six million views, a healed marriage, and most of all the unfailing love of parents for their child and God for His children.



"God doesn't guarantee a trouble-free life or a stress-free marriage," Lacey says. "But our experience has taught us that when life takes a dramatic turn, He is unchanging, even in the worst of circumstances."



From Charisma House publishers Through the Eyes of Hope debuts January 10, 2017.



For interviews, contact: Michael Conrad Michael@Lovell-Fairchild.com 214-616-0320



Visit Lovell-Fairchild.com for:

Media tip sheet

Q&A with Lacey Buchanan

Suggested interview questions



About Charisma House

Charisma House empowers people through Spirit-inspired resources. It is the leading publisher of diversified Christian resources that motivate people to fulfill God's purpose. For over twenty-one years, Charisma House has published books that challenge, encourage, teach, and equip Christians, including thirteen New York Times bestsellers.
On the face of it, efforts to explain the worldwide rise of Salafism in these terms, as the product of an extension of Wahhabi influence made possible by Saudi oil money, appear to offer an appealingly neat and compelling narrative. Yet on closer inspection, this narrative raises as many questions as it initially seems to answer. What exactly is the export version of Wahhabism and through what channels has it been disseminated to the wider world in recent decades?

Seen as an alien intrusion in many of the communities within which it has gained a foothold, it has come to be associated in the popular imagination with atavistic brutality, misogyny, sectarianism, anti-Semitism and political violence. In the clamor to understand the nature of this phenomenon and to explain how it has achieved such seemingly unprecedented momentum, it has become common to invoke a form of cultural imperialism emanating from Saudi Arabia. A 2012 article from France 24 , quoting an expert on the region as explaining that Salafism is an export version of Wahhabism and that the Saudis have been financing [Wahhabism] around the world, is emblematic of this line of thinking. Elsewhere, Saudi religious sway has similarly been identified as a source of social conflict across the Global South, from Indonesia to Kashmir. Meanwhile, alleged creeping Wahhabism in Muslim communities in Europe and the United States has time and again been condemned as  a Saudi export we could do without .

What exactly is the export version of Wahhabism and through what channels has it been disseminated to the wider world in recent decades?

In the last decades of the twentieth century, many Muslim communities around the world witnessed the growing influence of Salafism, a style of Islamic religiosity characterized by a distinctive set of creedal and legal principles which are understood by its adherents to reflect the beliefs and practices of the earliest generations of Muslims. The rise of Salafism, with its perceived rigidity, antimodernism and exclusivism, has been the cause of considerable anxiety on the part of Muslim and non-Muslim observers alike.

Wahhabism can be understood as a sub-tradition of Salafism, which in turn is itself a sub-tradition of Islam. Where the overarching Islamic tradition is lent coherence by such broad elements as belief in the oneness of God and the mobilization of arguments legitimated with reference to the Quran, the Salafi tradition is further distinguished by a more specific overlapping set of methodological principles, texts and practices. These include an emphasis on emulating the beliefs and praxis of the early Muslim community, the pious ancestors (Salaf al-Salih), and a particular commitment to rooting out illegitimate innovations (bida) understood to have corrupted Muslims engagement with their religion over the course of history. Operating within this framework, Wahhabism affords particular importance to the works of the eighteenth-century reformer Muhammad bin Abd al-Wahhab and a line of scholars from the Arabian Peninsula influenced by his writings.

Wahhabism can be understood as a sub-tradition of Salafism, which in turn is itself a sub-tradition of Islam.



Education has served as a tool for promoting Wahhabism ever since the inception of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhabs revivalist mission in the central Arabian region of Najd in the eighteenth century. However, this project underwent a pivotal transformation in the 1920s, with the assembling of a bureaucratized education system directly funded and administered by the Saudi state. As part of ongoing processes of state- and nation-building from that time onwards, material investment in this apparatus was employed as a means for systematically advancing Wahhabi influence across and ultimately beyond the Arabian Peninsula.

Within this new framework, certain state-funded Islamic educational institutions founded in Saudi Arabia in the twentieth century came to sit at the heart of cross-border circuits of students and scholars from all over the world. Migrants have for centuries traveled long distances in order to perform the hajj and to teach and undertake religious studies in the holy cities of the Hijaz, on what is now the western seaboard of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Building on that legacy, the Islamic University of Medina (IUM), was launched by the Saudi state in 1961 as an explicitly missionary venture. Since that time, the IUM has been distinguished from the kingdoms other Islamic universities by its goal of offering fully funded religious instruction primarily to young, non-Saudi men, who from the start made up over 80 percent of its student body. The expectation was that, after graduation, they would return to their communities of origin or travel on elsewhere as duat, or missionaries.

By 2001, nearly 11,600 non-Saudi students, hailing from virtually every country around the world, had secured undergraduate qualifications from the IUM, and a decade later its president declared that the university could boast over 30,000 graduates. Many of these alumni have become prominent religious figureheads in locations across the globe. A missionary project on this scale has been made possible by substantial state funding. (Rough calculations based on data published by the IUM itself suggest that even by the late 1990s, the universitys total running costs since the time of its founding had racked up to an amount equivalent to over 1,400 million US dollars at todays exchange rates).

State-funded Islamic educational institutions founded in Saudi Arabia in the twentieth century came to sit at the heart of cross-border circuits of students and scholars from all over the world



And yet the economic metaphor of common parlancethat Wahhabism is exported by the Saudi statefails to capture the nuances of the picture. It suggests the straightforward transposition of a pristine set of ideas and practices from one location to another, distracting attention from the complexity at stake in the ways in which projects like the IUM came into being and also in the ways in which audiencesin this case, migrant studentshave engaged with them.

It is certainly true that the missionary project institutionalized in the IUM may legitimately be described as Wahhabi, insofar as it was from the start managed by figures from the heart of the Wahhabi establishment and in that its syllabuses have long been rooted in principles in keeping with the Wahhabi tradition. However, in the face of a shortage of qualified Saudis in the early decades of the universitys existence, staff were recruited from across the Middle East and beyond. They included people with links to Islamist movements like the Egyptian Muslim Brothers and the Pakistani Jamaat-i Islami, and Salafi movements including the Egyptian Ansar al-Sunna al-Muhammadiyya and the South Asian Ahl-i Hadith.

It is also important to allow for the fact that students from a diversity of social and religious backgrounds have arrived at the IUM not merely as vectors of religious doctrine, but as creative agents with their own values, interests, and ambitions. The articulation of this range of actors into the IUMs missionary project over time had the effect of transforming it into something quite unlike the traditional, relatively parochial Wahhabi study circles of Najd in the preceding period. If one were to reach for a metaphor to describe what is going on here, the idea of expansion would be more apt than that of exportthis metaphor makes room for the fact that hegemonic expansion of the Wahhabi mission is a complex and multivalent process.

Circuits of Faith  considers the efforts undertaken by Saudi actors and institutions to exert religious influence far beyond the kingdom's borders.

Moreover, what emerges from studying the history of projects like the IUM with an eye to such dynamics is not a realist picture of a unitary state seamlessly extending its power outwards over an ever-increasing array of actors, according to some coherent grand design reflective of national interests. But neither is it a case of religious ideas and practices simply diffusing across borders through grassroots circulations of migrants and texts, at a remove from questions of state power.

Rather, in order to understand the nature of the IUM project, of Saudi state-funded religious mission writ large, it is necessary to forge a path between these two opposing styles of analysis. Non-state actors, including non-Saudi IUM graduates, have also had a certain amount of room for maneuver, in some instances even using resources acquired within these government-backed educational networks as foundations for vocal criticism of the Saudi state itself. By injecting new reserves of capital into a transnational religious economy, Saudi state actors have been able to exert influence within the territories of other states around the world, this is true; but, contrary to popular perception, that influence has not necessarily constituted control.

This post has been adapted from Circuits of Faith by Michael Farquhar.

Michael Farquhar is Lecturer in Middle East Politics at Kings College London and author of Circuits of Faith: Migration, Education, and the Wahhabi Mission.
The essential component of totalitarian propaganda is artifice (het toepassen van kunstgrepen. svh) . The ruling elites, like celebritie...
iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- Turnout among African-American voters in some key early-voting states may be cause for concern for Hillary Clinton.



Florida and North Carolina, which are both critical battleground states in this election, have released racial data on early voters showing that they have so far accounted for a smaller percentage of people who had voted at this point before Election Day 2012.



"The fact is that the overall rate of black participation is somewhat more disconcerting to the Clinton campaign" than the Trump campaign, University of Florida political science professor Daniel Smith told ABC News Wednesday. "The question is whether or not we'll see a final surge of black turnout this coming weekend."



In North Carolina, black voters represented 27.3 percent of all early votes four years ago, but 22.5 percent of the early votes cast to date this year.



In Florida, there is a small portion of the early voters whose race is unknown, but of those that are, 520,000 African-American voters have voted early either in person or by mail so far this year, out of the 4.43 million residents who have voted in the state, Smith said.



That means that 11.7 percent of early voters are African-American, down from the 15.9 percent of black Floridians who voted early at this point in 2012.



The early ballot numbers so far in this election should, inherently, be smaller than the overall total from all early voting in 2012 simply because Florida still has, depending on the county, at least three days of early voting left.



So far in 2016, 346,000 black voters in Florida have voted early in-person and 194,000 have sent their mail-in ballots. In 2012, there were 539,000 early in-person votes cast by black voters and 220,000 mail-in ballots, which were called absentee ballots at the time.



"There's a lot of time left if the Clinton machine can get rolling," professor Smith said, specifically citing the Sunday church "souls to the polls" drives.



The decline in African-American participation nationally should come as no shock, according to Bill Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.



"Black turnout rose enormously in the two elections where Barack Obama was on the ballot. In 2012, to the astonishment of just about everyone, it topped white turnout by 2 percentage points," Galston said of national voter turnout. "No sensible observer believes that Hillary Clinton can equal that so some decline in African-American turnout is just about inevitable."



One area of demographic interest in Florida has been the uptick in Hispanic early voting, Smith said.



While black voters are reportedly known to vote early -- with 64 percent of all black voters in Florida voting early in person and by mail in 2012 -- the same has not been true for Hispanics in the past, with only 50 percent of Hispanics voting early in person or by mail.



So far this year, "nearly as many Hispanics have voted as blacks," Smith said; 15.3 percent of early in-person voters are black and 14.6 percent are Hispanic.



There's a stark gap between those figures so far with the overall total early in-person numbers in Florida from 2012, where 22.4 percent were black and 11 percent were Hispanic.



"Part of this is just being driven by the enthusiasm of Hispanics and that could be a good sign for Clinton, but we're not seeing the same kind of front loading of early voters who are black," Smith said.



The Brookings Institutions Galston said the extent of either change is unknowable at this point in the race.



"I think it's reasonable to expect that African-American turnout will be down, [and] Latino turnout will be up, he said. Will those two forces counter-balance each other? No one knows.

Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Robert L. McKinney, the former general manager of the Cowlitz PUD whose high expectations set a new standard for the utility, died Sunday. He was 90.

McKinney was the utilitys top official for 26 years before he retired in 1991 at the age of 65.

He was a true leader in the Northwest power industry, PUD commissioner Ned Piper said Tuesday. He was the kind of guy, when he went to a meeting of public power people, they really listened.

McKinney was a former U.S. Navy ensign who served about the USS Boxer during WWII. He followed his service by graduating from the Oregon State University electrical engineering program.

Prior to joining the PUD, Mckinney worked as a consulting engineer to public agencies in the Pacific Northwest and Nebraska. He also worked for the Bonneville Power Administration, the federal agency that markets power from the regions hydroelectric dams. He served on the board of directors of the American Public Power Association and was the board president from 1983 to 1984. He received the Alex Radin Distinguished Service Award, APPAs highest honor, in 1987.

Piper remembered McKinney as a taskmaster whose focus seemed to be on having the lowest rates in the country, which we did have at that time.

McKinney entered the PUD during a time of controversy, amidst complaints that the agency was inconsistent in applying company policy. McKinney also steered the PUD through one of the biggest debacles in history, when a settlement over the Washington Public Power Supply System litigation ended up costing the agency more than $34.4 million. (WPPSS, pronounced whoops, defaulted on billions of dollars in bonds sold to build five nuclear power plants, only one of which was ever completed.)

During McKinneys 26-year tenure with the utility district, he saw the number of PUD customers grow from about 23,000 to more than 38,000 and the operating revenues increase from $6 million to more than $103 million per year.

Bob brought stability to the PUD, said Ron Worthington, former rate analyst and budget officer for the district who worked with McKinney for close to three decades. He turned it into the most respected PUD in the state of Washington. Thats just the caliber of manager that he was.

McKinney also had an excellent memory and was an expert on everything related to the district, according to Worthington.

Bob knew more about everybodys job than the people actually working the job, Worthington said.

McKinney was known for his attention to detail, including his adherence to the rules of spelling and grammar.

All my efforts were to develop a professional team, McKinney said in an interview with The Daily News about his retirement in 1991. Ive left all the red pencils at the office, and I hope someone uses them.

Bob McKinney is survived by Patricia, his wife of 67 years; three sons, Thomas (Linda), David (Dana) and Gregory (Stephanie); 5 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to the Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 1105, Longview, WA 98632, or to a favorite charity.
Love Overwhelming is on the hunt for a new location.

The shelter never countered Cowlitz Countys $250,000 offer on the Kelso building that currently houses the shelter, and the deadline for the shelter to exercise its right of first refusal expired quietly on Monday. The building, located at 304 Cowlitz Way, is owned by the Emergency Support Shelter, a battered womens shelter that once was located there.

Support Shelter board and county officials met Tuesday afternoon to discuss how soon the county can access the building.

Were working out the details with the Emergency Support Shelter on getting that free and cleared for the county, Cowlitz County Commissioner Mike Karnofski said. Were trying to be cognizant and respectful of them moving.

Still unknown is how soon Love Overwhelming must move and where it might go.

Love Overwhelming and Shekinah Christian Center officials have discussed the shelters move to the Shekinah Christian Center, located in a former warehouse at 1015 Third Ave. in Longview. They have hosted two meetings for neighbors and the public, during which nearby business owners overwhelmingly opposed the move, raising concerns about vagrancy, nuisances, vandalism and safety concerns for patrons attending their businesses.

Love Overwhelming does not require sobriety of its clients, though its policies prohibit drugs on shelter grounds. Love Overwhelmings opening in January 2015 was accompanied by widespread complaints about the clients from nearby residents, police and fire officials.

For Love Overwhelming to relocate to Longview, the City Council would need to amend city homeless policies. The citys temporary moratorium on emergency homeless shelters expires in April on any new locations for emergency shelters. Shekinah is allowed to open extreme weather shelters, City Councilman Scott Vydra said. But the Love Overwhelming shelter would be permanent.

Love Overwhelming Executive Director Chuck Hendrickson declined to say how much notice the shelter was given about the sale, but he said the building was never ideal and Love Overwhelming officials began discussions to move months ago.

Our intent all along has been to move our shelter, Hendrickson said.

Shekinah pastor Eric Munson has said he reached out to Hendrickson after starting its extreme weather shelter on cold nights when other shelters were at capacity. Hendrickson said Shekinahs weather shelter had worked well and that the centers large open room would improve monitoring of shelter clients, who now stay in separate, enclosed rooms.

If the shelter relocates to Shekinah, it would be open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., with transportation in the morning to take clients to services. The shelter would start with 45 people and could house up to 80 eventually.

The county may used the Cowlitz Way site for new 911 center or county morgue, which require the building to be demolished and replaced at a price of $1 million to $2 million. The county also is considering using the existing building for its public defenders.

This was an opportunity to buy the building and we took advantage of it, Karnofski said. We offered what we felt was a fair price.

Hendrickson said the organization has some options for new administrative offices, but that the shelter is the most difficult part of the relocation.

Anything that Love Overwhelming has been handed, weve been able to diligently take steps forward in collaboration and partnership with everyone around, Hendrickson said. Well just keep moving forward. Thats what we do. ... We know that were doing the right thing for the people that we serve.
The Longview Police Department is searching for two people in connection with the vandalism of two local churches that occurred early Monday morning.

Between 3 and 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 31, two people vandalized Trinity Lutheran Church and St. Rose Catholic Church with swastikas and other anti-Semitic and racist graffiti.

At St. Rose, the graffiti was spray-painted onto the church doors and the business office, as well as the car of a newly-hired priest from Africa. The church also has a guest priest visiting from Uganda.

At Trinity Lutheran, the graffiti was spray-painted onto the wooden doors of the main entrance leading to the sanctuary on the Southwest side of the church, and on the Northeast exterior of the church.

Longview Police said they believe the two incidents are related, but have no leads on suspects. Surveillance videos captured the vandals; one is believed to have been wearing a lighter colored hooded jacket or sweatshirt with a dark waistband, according to police.

A St. Rose teacher called Father Bryan Ochs, pastor at St. Rose, early Monday to report the graffiti.

He called Longview police and then had the graffiti removed.

Ochs said some of the schoolchildren saw the graffiti on their way to class, so the church has decided to use the incident to discuss racism and how to combat it.

Paula Stepankowsky, St. Rose middle school language arts teacher, is starting her unit on the Holocaust and Nazi Germany for the 7th graders. She said she took the graffiti as an opportunity to discuss how intolerance continues to exist in the world today.

This is not something we asked to happen, but what it does show the students in an immediate way is intolerance is not something that belongs to history, that intolerance exists today ... and we must be vigilant and be aware that it exists, Stepankowsky said.

She said her students were surprised to learn of the vandalism and many had questions about why someone would put up those kinds of messages.

Its very easy to think this kind of thing happens in other communities, somewhere else, on the other side of the world and not here in my community, but it can happen here, it has happened here in our community and to our church, Stepankowsky said.

Craig Hafterson, pastor at Trinity Lutheran, said in a statement that the images themselves were hurtful simply by their history, and that now is a time for prayer, teaching and conversations. The church prays that the people responsible will see the wrongness of their actions and that their hearts will be changed and that we all might have a deeper love for one another, the statement said.

Hafterson said the church has been tagged with graffiti before, but was surprised with the nature of the vandalism.

It happens every now and then, a little graffiti, but nothing like this, Hafterson said.

He said if the suspects are caught, Trinity Lutheran, like St. Rose, plans to press charges.

Charges for the vandalism could include malicious harassment, a felony, and/or malicious mischief, which is a misdemeanor. Malicious harassment carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Malicious mischief carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

The videos of the suspects can be viewed on the Longview Police Departments Facebook page. Police are asking anyone with information regarding these incidents to contact Detective Mike Bokma at (360)-442-5800.
A better way

Regarding the Oct. 20 article, "Methanol opponents file appeal," there must be some way to cover all safety issues without this constant cost increasing, time wasting, job destroying, ever present entanglements. Are families and jobs really less important than supposedly Mom Earth? Where have our values and sense of perspective gone? Do the NIMBYs (not in my backyards) really want to protect the environment? Or just put the methanol plant somewhere else? Do we really not care about our families, jobs and economic health?

Paul M. Shannon

Rainier

On point

In response to the two letters recently about Doctor Wendell Kirkpatrick's Letter to the Editor: Shame on you both! Doctor Kirkpatrick is a much loved and very respected doctor. I thought all of us were entitled to our own opinion. I think the doctor's letter was right on point.

Carol Ward-Johns

Castle Rock

Breaking the rules

According to the New York Times, the FBI is also investigating Trump and one of his top aides about his connections with Russia and how much Trump knew. Trump and his aide admitted on the news, the aide was involved in deals with Russia and Trump knew. It's interesting that the Republican FBI director didn't announce Trump's investigation. Also, the FBI director broke FBI rules, which are: the FBI doesn't announce what they are investigating unless, when it's over, there is an indictment; the FBI doesn't give its opinions; and the FBI doesn't talk about investigations before an election unless there are more than 60 days left. Many FBI agents from both parties have said they are disappointed in their director.

The FBI director said there might not be anything important in Hillary's aides' emails and most of the emails they are looking at, they most likely have already looked into.

K.D. Slade

Longview

Vote and pray

This election is probably going to go down in history as the most controversial one ever! When the country is controlled and becomes too one-sided, it breeds problems among the people. Therefore many people are trying to have a say in, stay or change, fear of the unknown is always in play when a new president is elected and rightly so. All changes eventually affect lifestyles for better or worse. Fear of politics is natural for some and exhilarating for others. All we the people can do is voice and opinion and vote and pray for the best for America. This is my thoughts anyway.

Ernie Gerald

Longview

Armed history

Here are a few examples of what gun control has done:

 Between 1915 and 1917, 1 to 1.2 million Armenians were exterminated by the Ottoman Turks.

 Between 1929 and 1953, the Soviet Union slaughtered 20 million disarmed anti-Communists, by the "people's government."

 Between 1939 and 1952, Nazi Germany killed more than 10 million disarmed Jews, Gypsies and anti-Nazis.

 Between 1948 and 1952, Communist China killed 20 to 60 million disarmed anti-Communists.

 Between 1960 and 1981, Guatemala killed 100,000 disarmed Mayan Indians.

 In 1970-71 in Uganda, 300,000 disarmed Christians and political rivals were murdered.

 Between 1075 and 1979 in Cambodia, 1-1.5 million "educated persons" were exterminated.

All those, these governments have killed between 60 and 100 million disarmed people.

Gene Hutchinson

Kalama
Xiaomi is expanding its product scope and kept on debuting in altered segments of the smart market of China. Last year, with Mi Air Purifier 2, Xiaomi took the Chinese market by storm and now it has come up with the upgraded variant of this non-smartphone gadget for its home-grown market. Named as Mi Air Purifier Pro, this air-purification device is the third edition of Xiaomis popular Mi Air flagship. Today, it has made its debut in Chinese market and will go on sale from 11th November. While the preceding edition of Mi Air flagship costs Rs. 9, 999, the recent one is tagged with CNY 1499 (around Rs. 14808) for its domestic market. a

The Mi Air Purifier Pro is much bigger and better than its forerunner Mi Air Purifier 2 and upgraded with OLED display and new air flow path. The screen integrated with the new Mi Air Purifier Pro shows real-time air quality, while the new pressure system makes it more capable of filtering air. With an OLED display at the facade part, Mi Air Purifier Pro evades the requirement to the open the app for checking the sterilizer. Enriched with the PM2.5 concentration scale, the OLED display represents the synchronized air quality for particulate substance, temperature, and moisture.

Along with this state-of-the-art display, the Purifier also has a coloured LED circle in the region of the screen, which keeps on altering on the basis of the air quality. As said by Xiaomi, the green circle indicates the good air quality, while the orange one will point out an acceptable air and red will be a sign of poor air quality. Apart from this, the display is also enhanced with the option for setting up the automatic brightness, which will enable the users to see the screen clearly, all through the day and night. Together with the display, one can also check the air quality on the Mi Home app.

Measuring 735 x 200 x 260 mm and weighing around 9.7kg, Mi Air Purifier Pro is quite larger than its previous model. As said by Xiaomi, the newly enhanced air flow path and pressure system are the exceptionalities of the Mi Air Purifier Pro. Air flow path, this latest product of Xiaomi with the air rate value of 500m^3/h will be able to cover 60 square meters indoor areas, which is 12 square meters more than the Mi Air Purifier 2. Moreover, it is able to perceive air particles of up to 0.3 microns in diameter.

Tagged with CNY 1499, Mi Air Purifier Pro will hit the retail outlets of China on 11th November.
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Investing in creativity pays off with tangible benefits -- from higher income to greater national competitiveness and productivity, a new Adobe report said on Wednesday.

The report, "State of Create: 2016", released on the eve of Adobe MAX 2016 creativity conference, revealed that people who identify as creators globally report household income that is 13 per cent higher than non-creators.

Globally, more than two-thirds believe that being creative helps make people better workers, leaders, parents and students, the report highlighted. It incorporates responses from more than 5,000 adults across five countries.

"Creativity and productivity go hand in hand, but investing in creativity isn't on the agenda for enough of today's leaders," Mala Sharma, vice president and general manager of Creative Cloud at Adobe, said in a statement.

"This survey provides a big wake-up call to businesses that they need to think differently and give employees the tools and freedom to be creative," she added.

According to the report, US respondents said that being creative is valuable to the economy (77 per cent) and society (82 per cent).

Only five in 10 respondents (55 per cent) describe themselves as creative and 44 per cent say they are living up to their creative potential, showed the survey that found US creators earning 17 per cent more than non-creators.

"Businesses benefit from prioritising creativity and good design. Nearly 88 per cent believe that businesses that invest in creativity are more likely to foster innovation and 89 per cent believe that those who have adopted creativity have satisfied customers," the report found.

The report pointed out that governments that invest in creativity are viewed more positively but agrees that there is a clear disconnect between the high value society places on creativity and the lack of investment in creative education.

Seventy-one per cent of respondents believe that creativity is being stifled by the educational system, and only 41 per cent feel that the government encourages schools to teach students to be creative.

The report also found that Japan is the most creative country and Tokyo the most creative city followed by the US and New York respectively.

IANS
tech2 News Staff

If someone tells a security enthusiast that an Android smartphone is more secure than an iPhone, there are chances that he or she may simply laugh it off.

For years, Android phones have been known to be vulnerable when it comes to security compared to the iPhone. But, folks at Android have been trying their best to shed off this tag of being a less secure platform. In a recent interview, talking about the level of security, Adrian Ludwig, the director of security at Android told Motherboard that the Google Pixel and the iPhone are equal when it comes to security.

He said that the security level is 'nearly identical' when it comes to 'almost all threat models'. He further went on to add that Android will soon be better.

In the long term, the open ecosystem of Android is going to put it in a much better place, he reportedly added further. But, hasn't Android been around for almost eight years already? The hiccups of openness and fragmentation continue to exist.

At the O'Reilly Security Conference, Ludwig also spoke about Android's built-in Safety Net that is capable of scanning 400 million devices per day and also check through 6 billion apps/day. He went on to say that very few Android devices have malware, rather he even said that the number is limited to less than one percent.

While some of the past reports also question the iOS security, Google's Android has more to worry about.
Aditya Madanapalle

Google publicly disclosed Adobe and Microsoft critical vulnerabilities in the Adobe Flash Player and the Windows Operating System versions prior to Windows 10. The disclosure was made after a 7 day period that Google gives to vendors to patch or advise users on a critical, actively used zero day exploit. Microsoft responded with a post in its Threat Research & Response Blog that called the public disclosure by Google, "disappointing." The vulnerability was apparently being used by a Russian government sponsored threat actor that is widely known as "Fancy Bear". Microsoft refers to the group as "Strontium".

The disclosure by Google and the Microsoft response comes in the backdrop of the US Government accusing Russia of sponsoring a hacking campaign aimed at sabotaging the 2016 US Presidential Elections. It is unknown if the particular vulnerability disclosed by Google was used by Russian hackers. However, both Google and Microsoft acknowledge that the vulnerability is being actively used. Microsoft has plans to release a patch to fix the vulnerability by November 8, which is election day.

Google and Microsoft are on opposite sides of a long running information security debate. The question is whether to publicly disclose an actively used zero day exploit. Publicly unknown critical vulnerabilities are often used by state sponsored threat actors, and such hacks can potentially affect a lot of people. Strontium for example is known to target government agencies, diplomatic institutions, the military and private defence contractors.

Google believes that publicly revealing a vulnerability puts pressure on the vendor to quickly patch the update. Every day a zero day exploit is unknown to the public, increases the incidences of the vulnerability being used to compromise critical systems. Microsoft holds that publicly disclosing a vulnerability only increases the incidences of the exploit being used by malicious entities. Since vulnerabilities involve multiple companies, the disclosure mechanism should focus on Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure (CVD), giving vendors enough time to comprehensively patch the affected products.

This is not the first time Google has publicly disclosed a Microsoft vulnerability before Microsoft patched the issue. In January 2015, Google publicly disclosed critical vulnerabilities just two days before Microsoft released a scheduled security update. The public disclosures by Google ultimately harm the consumers according to Microsoft. It puts unnecessary pressure on the process of patching the vulnerability. Even issuing a fix could provoke attacks on unpatched systems, so public disclosure of an unpatched vulnerability is that much more dangerous.

Chris Betz, senior director of the Microsoft Security Response Center, had called for Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure at that time, and had posted "Although following through keeps to Googles announced timeline for disclosure, the decision feels less like principles and more like a gotcha, with customers the ones who may suffer as a result. Whats right for Google is not always right for customers. We urge Google to make protection of customers our collective primary goal."

It is not as if Google is known for its high standards of security, considering the abysmal state of Android security. There are a steady stream of Android vulnerabilities including Quadrooter, Stagefright 2, Audio Effect and others.

There are several problems with Google's approach. Google has decided the appropriate response time that vendors have to fix critical issues. Microsoft competes and cooperates with Google in various areas, and such disclosures could easily derail an otherwise healthy relationship. Microsoft is a major vendor or technological products, and it seems petty for Google to call out Microsoft over security holes.

Google should respect the approach by Microsoft here, pre-empting the official moves by the vendor to fix their own security issues by a few days does not seem to be achieving anything. Google does not need to play the champion of information security here, an unwanted third party interference could easily jeopardise a process as critical as patching a zero day exploit. Google directly informing the affected vendors of previously unknown vulnerabilities is heroic enough.
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Professional networking website LinkedIn on Wednesday announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Human Resources Development Ministry to create more job opportunities for students across the country.

As part of the agreement, LinkedIn's recently launched "Placements" product will be adopted by all Indian colleges affiliated with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Placements provides a level playing field for all students, regardless of their location or college and allows them to take an online assessment test, which gives them direct access to thousands of openings in 35 top corporates in the country.

"Our objective with Placements is to help India's best talent get access to job opportunities, regardless of their location. With this partnership, we are excited to see our vision quickly become a reality," said Akshay Kothari, Country Manager and Head of Product, LinkedIn India, in a statement.

Placements was piloted in November 2015 and then LinkedIn opened the product in September 2016 to students at all colleges and universities in India.

In less than eight weeks from the launch, over two lakh students registered for the product and there were over 1.2 million job applications.

IANS
Aditya Madanapalle

Google disclosed a critical vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player and Windows that allowed malicious attackers to gain control of a system by escaping the browser sandbox. Google has a policy of disclosing critical zero day vulnerabilities if the affected companies do not issue an advisory or path the vulnerability within seven days of Google privately reporting its discoveries to the affected parties. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed by the Google Threat Analysis Group.

The Microsoft Malware Protection Center has responded with a post on the Threat Research & Response Blog, outlining the specifics of the vulnerability. The attacker sends a spoofed email to the target. The email exploits the adobe flash player to gain control of the browser. The privileges are escalated at this time for the malware to escape the browser sandbox. Finally, a backdoor is installed on the system of the target, that allows the hackers to remotely control the machine, and execute further attacks through the compromised computer.

"We believe responsible technology industry participation puts the customer first, and requires coordinated vulnerability disclosure. Googles decision to disclose these vulnerabilities before patches are broadly available and tested is disappointing, and puts customers at increased risk." Terry Myerson, Executive Vice President, Windows and Devices Group noted in the blog post.

The exploit was apparently used by a government sponsored hacking group known as Strontium. Strontium has used the most zero day vulnerabilities among all the threats that Microsoft has tracked over time. These are highly targeted attacks against government agencies, diplomatic institutions, the military, and private defence contractors. Strontium is known to have exploited the vulnerability in a spear phishing campaign. This kind of attack compromises targets by sending emails that appear to be from known sources. Strontium is known to doggedly stay on a target for months, persistently spreading from one compromised system to another.

Microsoft promised a security patch by November 8. The latest version of Windows 10 is not affected by the vulnerability. Microsoft is working with Adobe to path the previous versions. All versions from Windows Vista onward, except Windows 10 are affected by this zero day exploit. Microsoft recommends users switch to the latest operating system for the most secure usage experience.
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Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said on Tuesday it planned to invest more than $1 billion by the end of June 2017 to boost production of system chips at its Austin, Texas, facilities in the United States to meet growing demand.

The South Korean firm, the world's second-largest chipmaker behind Intel Corp, said in a statement its investment would boost output of chips for mobile and other electronics devices from its existing facilities in the city.

The investment comes after Samsung said last week its capital expenditure for 2016 would rise to a record 27 trillion won ($24 billion), with 13.2 trillion won earmarked for its semiconductor business.

While most of Samsung's semiconductor profits come from memory chip sales, it has been trying to boost earnings from other products including its own Exynos mobile processors and contract manufacturing deals with clients such as Qualcomm Inc and Nvidia Corp. Samsung did not give further details for its investment plans in Austin, such as how much production capacity would be added.

Reuters
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Telecom regulator Trai Wednesday directed operators to inform customers about the data usage limits of their broadband plans and the extent to which speed of connection will be reduced in case users breach the fair usage or data quota cap. Currently, under the fair usage policy if a consumer subscribes to an unlimited broadband plan with, say, over 2Mbps speed and his usage breaches a certain quota say 2GB before the billing cycle is over, the provider can reduce the data speed for the remaining period.

The move is aimed at improving transparency and helping customers keep a track of their consumption levels as companies will also have to notify users when their data usage hits 50, 90 and 100 per cent of the prescribed limit under their chosen plan.Trai also said that in

Trai also said that in case of fixed broadband services, operators will have to ensure that download speed for a user does not fall below 512 kbps (as stipulated under Telecom Department norms) under any Fair Usage Plan, even after the assigned data quota expires.

As per todays directive, broadband operators will have to provide alerts to subscribers through SMS on their registered mobile number/email each time their data usage reaches 50, 90 and 100 per cent of the said limit under their plan. Telecom service providers should also maintain a portal/website, so that users can check their usage at any point of time, it said.

Trai directive said for fixed broadband service users, companies under fair usage policy will have to specify data usage limit and the promised speeds, as well as speed of the connection after excess usage. Similarly, for mobile broadband service, operators will have to specify the technology used for providing the data services alongwith the usage quota, and the speeds offered after the such data limits are breached.

This information has to be provided on the telecom operators website as well as in advertisements, Trai said. Trai directive said that the move was aimed at ensuring transparency in delivery of internet and broadband services. (this will) protect interest of consumers of the telecom sector, and facilitate further growth of internet and broadband services in India, it said.

PTI
Chinese smartphone maker Gionee has not had a very good year. The company has been overshadowed by the number of brands populating the market. It has also seen a drop in sales which led to changes in its branding as well as marketing. The company still somehow hasn't been able to make a big impact. It does sell its budget handset, the F103, quite well in tier 2 and tier 3 cities but the rest of its lineup is still underwhelming.

This year they announced two new smartphones the S6 and the S6s, both of which didn't quite impress. Now comes the S6 Pro which sits right on the top. The smartphone is also the first offering from the company that supports VR. Better late than never I suppose. But is it worth buying the smartphone? Read on for more.

Build and Design: 8/10

A smartphone with a metal build is available in almost every price range today. Probably the only differentiating factor for me is how good the finish on the S6 Pro is and how practical it is to use. Gionee has done well here. If you compare the S6 Pro with another metal-clad smartphone priced at say around Rs 10,000, there might not be a huge visual difference. But you can feel the difference. The chamfered edges, the curved glass over the display and that golden colour make the smartphone attractive and worth the money.



The back has a brushed finish and it is slightly curved, both of which improve the grip. The edges are nicely polished, although it feels a little fragile. A few drops or bumps will definitely leave a dent. But that is true of almost all metal smartphones. The power button and volume buttons sitting on the right edge are quite solid. The bottom edge houses the USB type-C port with two speaker grills on either side. Only one of them is the actual speaker while the other is just there for aesthetic reasons.

The primary camera sits at the back and offers a slight bump. There is also a dimple under the camera lens which seems like the fingerprint scanner, however it only houses the Gionee logo. The fingerprint scanner is actually embedded in the home button sitting below the display.

Features: 7/10



The S6 Pro is Gionees most expensive offering this year for the Indian market, so I was expecting a feature packed device. However it doesnt sound very convincing on paper when compared to other smartphones in the range.

It comes with a 5.5-inch display with Full HD (1920x1080) resolution and a 2.5D curved glass on top. The handset is powered by a MediaTek Helio P10 chipset having an octa-core processor clocked at 1.8GHz with 4GB of RAM and a Mali-T860MP2 GPU. In the storage department there is 64GB of internal memory which can be expanded using a microSD card.

At the back there is a 13MP camera with an LED flash, f/2.0 aperture and phase detection autofocus. At the front there is an 8MP camera. Other features include a fingerprint sensor embedded in the physical home button, a 3,130mAh battery and dual-SIM card support.

In terms of connectivity features, the handset offers 4G LTE, VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and USB Type-C port. It runs on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with Amigo OS 3.2 UI. This is Gionees first VR enabled handset, and the company also announced a dedicated VR headset for the S6 Pro. However, we werent provided with a unit so we can't say much about it.

Display: 7.5/10



Gionee has used a 5.5-inch IPS LCD panel for the handset. With a Full HD (1920x1080) resolution, you get 401ppi which is pretty good in terms of sharpness. It is slightly curved all around the edges which gives it a nice finish. The screen to body ratio is almost 73 percent which means overall the handset doesnt feel huge, although I think the area above the display couldve been trimmed down a touch.

It isn't the most unique display, but the quality is satisfying. The tone is slightly towards the warm side and surprisingly, there are no options to adjust that manually. Colours are punchy, contrast is also under check. Even the brightness feels sufficient in almost all conditions.

OS and Software: 7.5/10

The handset runs on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with Gionee's own UI called Amigo OS. It's your usual Chinese styled UI with a missing app drawer and a variety of UI changes. The quick setting toggles for instance can be accessed by swiping from bottom up, while swiping down from the top brings in the notification shade. There is a theme app, a special dynamic lock screen wallpaper app and bunch of bloatware, including games, on the handset.

The fingerprint scanner embedded into the home button is impressive. Not only is it super quick but it's also really accurate. It managed to read my fingerprint from any position without any hesitation, something which my Nexus 6P can't do. It also offers a swipe gesture which brings up a special drawer from the left or the right (depends on what direction you swiped) that includes apps and settings.

Performance: 7.5/10

At the heart of the smartphone is a MediaTek MT6755 Helio P10 octa-core processor with four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8GHz and the other four Cortex-A53 cores at 1GHz. There is 4GB of RAM which is plenty for multitasking. Handling the graphics is a Mali-T860MP2 GPU. The P10 processor has proved to be one of MediaTek's more successful SoCs but it isn't a workhorse. Having said that I didn't face any performance issues. It managed to perform quite good actually, probably because of the optimised UI.

Gaming performance is pretty good. I played Asphalt Nitro for about 30 minutes and everything seemed to be in order. Yes, heat is there but to be honest the handset goes warm rather than boiling up.

In terms of raw benchmark performance, the handset is no match against any of its competitors. Be it the Xiaomi Mi5, LeEco Le Max 2 or the OnePlus 3, it can't catch up. In my opinion, the Helio P10 is made for handsets priced between the Rs 10,000-15,000 price range. Not that I am complaining about the overall performance, but Gionee could've used a more capable SoC.

No issues with call performance as the sound is loud enough and I didn't notice any disturbances. I tried a bit VoLTE calling through Jio as well which turned out be great.

Camera: 6.5/10

The smartphone features a 13MP primary camera with an f/2.0 aperture aided with an LED flash and a phase detection autofocus system. On the front there is an 8MP unit for selfie lovers.

The camera app is easy to use and quick on the response. There are a bunch of filters to play around with. You can also experiment with the variety of modes including panorama, slow motion video, time-lapse, HDR, GIF, barcode scanner and a special ultrapixel feature which bumps up the pixel resolution to 9312 x 6976. I fail to see what's the point of that? There is a manual mode which honestly improves the quality, but only if you know how to use the exposure settings properly.

The camera takes good looking pictures which seem sharp and colour rich. However viewing the pictures on a larger display reveals that the colours are a bit dull and the contrast is not up to the mark. Noise starts creeping in even when shooting in daylight. Also, some pictures seemed oversharpened. I did like the macro capabilities of the camera though. The front camera is also just average. It comes with a beauty feature to smoothen your skin.

In low light, the camera performance is just acceptable as there is a lot of noise and loss of details in the auto mode. You can however fine tune it using the manual mode which can still produce slightly better results.

Both the cameras can shoot 1080p videos, sadly there is no 4K support. Video quality is also pretty much acceptable.

Battery: 7/10

The battery is rated at 3,130mAh which is as good as most of the flagship smartphones. The battery easily lasts a whole day even if you use a 4G connection upon normal usage. Heavy usage would give you maybe half a day or even less. I got close to 4 hours of screen-on time which is not bad. The PCMark battery benchmark gave us 7 hours and 22 minutes, which is slightly lower than the OnePlus 3 and the LeEco Le Max 2.

Verdict and Price in India

I have seen and tested a number of smartphones. But the Rs 20,000-Rs 30,000 range has never been consistent. The Gionee S6 Pro is priced at Rs 23,999, but it is selling on Amazon India for around Rs 22,299. With the S6 Pro, Gionee's closest rivals would be the Lenovo Z2 Plus, Xiaomi Mi 5 or the LeEco Le Max 2, both of which are currently cheaper and offer better feature packages. On top of that, brands like Xiaomi and LeEco are offering decent support be it service or software.

The smartphone has an aesthetic value, a decent battery life and snappy performance for day to day usage. But that isnt enough to make it a hot seller in the highly competitive segment it is operating in. As it stands, there are better options than the Gionee S6 Pro on the market.

If you are looking for something in the sub-30k range, then I would highly recommend to spend your money on the OnePlus 3. Yes, it is priced higher than the S6 Pro, but that extra value will be worth. But if you are on a strict budget, then you should probably look the LeEco Le Max 2 or even the Lenovo Z2 Plus which is a way cheaper for the powerful features it offers.

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Man hacked, houses vandalised

Chittagong Correspondent :

A man was hacked and several houses were vandalised during a clash between two groups of ruling Awami League (AL) over establishing supremacy at CGS Colony in Agrabadh in Chittagong on Tuesday.

Both factions are supporters of Chittagong City Corporation mayor AJM Nasir Uddin.

The hacked man was identified as Md Jamshed, 24.

Witnesses said a faction backed by pro-AL local ward councillor HM Sohel and another group backed by suspended leader of AL's student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Saiful Alam Limon locked into the clash Tuesday afternoon.

The ruling party activists also exchanged gunshots during the clash.

The attackers cut two tin-roofed houses with sharp weapons and ransacked another house in the area.

Badamtali intersection of the port city turned into a battle ground during the clash.

Double Mooring police station officer-in-charge Bashir Ahmed Khan said the situation is now under control.
MP Bodi gets 3 years in jail in graft case

A special court here on Wednesday sentenced Awami League MP Abdur Rahman Bodi to three years` imprisonment in a case for accumulating wealth beyond his known sources of income.



Judge of Dhaka Special Court-3 Abu Ahmed Jamadar passed the order in presence of the accused.



The court also fined him Tk 10 lakh, and he will have to suffer in jail for another six months in case of failure to pay the fine.



Earlier on October 19, the court fixed November 2 for delivering verdict in the case after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.



On September 9, 2015, a Dhaka court framed charges against Bodi in the case.



On August 21, 2014, the ACC filed the case with Ramna Police Station accusing Bodi, an MP from Cox's Bazar-4, of amassing illegal wealth.



The Dhaka court sent Bodi to jail in the case rejecting his bail petition on October 12, 2014.



Later, the High Court granted a six months' anticipatory bail to the accused MP on October 27.--Dhaka, Nov 2 (UNB)
Seminar on cyber bullying at ULAB

Acting Vice Chancellor of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh Prof Imran Rahman distributes certificates among the winners of a presentation contest titled: \"What are the Psychological Benefits and Drawbacks of Social Media?\" held at the University Ca

Campus Report :

A seminar on cyber bullying was organized by the Student Affairs Office of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) on Monday in line with the Cyber Security Awareness Month. The chief guest Barrister Omar H Khan, Advocate of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, discussed cyber bullying in society and the ICT Act, with specific focus on the consequences for both the victims and perpetrators of cyber crimes.

Naima Alam, Lecturer in the ULAB School of Social Science, followed up with a presentation of the many forms of cyber bullying - including those of recent celebrities. She then explained the existing policies against cyber bullying at the university. The session was followed by a Q&A.

Juditha Ohlmacher, Member of the Board of Trustees, welcomed the participants with a strong emphasis on the need to raise awareness about the consequences of cyber bullying. Later in the program, ULAB's Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Imran Rahman awarded certificates to the winners of a presentation contest titled: "What are the Psychological Benefits and Drawbacks of Social Media?". The program was attended by the ULAB Registrar Prof Akhtar Ahmed, faculty and students.
Admission test at Maritime Univ

Campus Report :

The admission test to enroll in BSc (Hons) in Oceanography under the session 2016-2017 at the Faculty of Earth and Ocean Science (FEOS) of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University, Bangladesh was held on Tuesday at the university's temporary campus at Pallabi in the capital.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university Rear Admiral ASM Abdul Baten visited the exam hall where Dean of that faculty Commodore M Khurshid Malik was present. Besides, the university is going to launch honours programs on 'Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering', MBA, MMS (Nautical/ Engineering) and many other maritime related subjects in near future.


Security Printing Corporation gets new GM

Economic Reporter :

Md Murshid Alam, DGM of the Department of Security Management of central bank has been promoted to the post of General Manager and posted to 'The Security Printing' Corporation Ltd, said a press release.

Prior to his joining to the post, he has served the Department of Agricultur, International, Accounts and Budgeting, Foreign Exchange, International Audit, Law and in Bangladesh Bank Training Institute. He has acquired B. Com (Hon) and MA in Marketing from Dhaka University in 1984. Alam has joined Agrani Bank as Senior Officer in 1988. In 1989, he has joined the central bank as Assistant Director.




News in brief

Two police officers killed in Des Moines

BBC Online

Two police officers have been killed in "ambush style attacks" in the US state of Iowa, police say.

The first officer was found shot in the Urbandale area of Des Moines at 01:06 local time (06:06 GMT) on Wednesday. The second was found 20 minutes later several blocks away.



Ethiopia 'releases 2,000 detainees'

AP, Addis Ababa

Ethiopia has released around 2,000 people detained for partaking in recent anti-government protests, according to the country's defense minister.

The Ethiopian government imposed a six-month nationwide state of emergency on October 9 after months of protests by members of the country's two largest ethnic groups, the Oromo and the Amhara. Civilians are restricted from contacting so-called "outside forces" on social media and from organizing demonstrations at schools or universities, among other prohibitions.



Saudi Prince flogged in court-ordered punishment

Reuters , Jeddah

A prince of Saudi Arabia's ruling Al Saud family was given lashes in a prison in Jeddah as a court-ordered punishment, a Saudi newspaper reported on Wednesday, less than a month after the kingdom executed another prince for murder.

The brief report in Okaz daily did not disclose the offence for which he was being punished but said the unidentified prince was also ordered to serve a prison sentence.



Fugitive killed in Oklahoma gun battle

AP, Oklahoma City

A fierce gun battle with Oklahoma troopers left a homicide suspect dead and ended a weeklong manhunt for the man suspected in a string of violent crimes across the state, including the killing of two relatives and the shooting of three law enforcement officers.

After a tip from a farmer led authorities on Sunday to a camp site near Hammon in far western Oklahoma, the manhunt intensified for Michael Dale Vance Jr., who had posted two Facebook Live videos on Oct. 24 documenting his run from police, said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Capt. Paul Timmons.




Ctg RMG worker `raped on false wedding promise`

A Correspondent :

Shawkat Ali, a drugstore owner in the port city's Tigerpass area, "raped" a woman at different times in his shop, giving her a false wedding promise.

The victim, aged around 30, is a garment worker, who filed a rape complaint against Shawkat of Khulshi area with a Chittagong court on Tuesday.

The court fixed November 20 for hearing the complaint, said Mohammad Ershadul Islam, office assistant of District Legal Aid Committee.




Bank officials collude in granting loans against fake documents

AS media report Bangladesh Bank instructed all commercial banks, particularly the state-owned banks recently not to provide ample loans to any party only on the basis that they are not defaulters. From now it will be mandatory for the banks to evaluate carefully land documents, employees number, ledger, value of mortgaged land before sanctioning loan against land as security to such loans. The central bank has laid importance for extra care to minimize the risk of fraud in misusing land as collateral against loans.



As we see the initiative has come too late but nonetheless extra care has been demanded from commercial banks as the use of fake land documents for loans has become widespread to cheat banks under the influence of political quarters and powerful people closer to the government. It is no secret that business houses and individuals are robbing the banks and financial institutions taking loans for business projects. Most projects are fake and non-existent as it appears while borrowers have used fake land documents and the possibility of such loan recovery now stands slim. This is how Hall-Mark group and other big borrowers laundered Sonali Bank and some other banks. Since the land documents are mostly fake; loan recovery almost stands impossible. BASIC Bank is also facing similar bitter experience as many other such banks and utmost care and vigilance is therefore important to save banks from predators' hands.



Since there is no clear guideline how a bank should keep collateral, borrowers exploited the vacuum and bought the favour of senior bank officials to grant them huge loans. From Chief Executive Officer of the banks to advisers and senior managers, granting loans to their favourite parties was an otherwise brisk business. The ruling party cadres have taken control of most government owned banks and financial institutions as new recruit and their accountability appears nowhere.



The central bank's directive has come at no other time and we believe it will work as reminder to everybody in the banking and financial sector not to step into any trap of fraud land documents as collateral against bank loans. It is sad Sonali Bank and almost all other state-owned banks are now living on regular recapitalization of their capital. A large part of their defaulted loans remained stuck against fake land documents.



Corrupt bank officials are helping the looters by knowingly sanctioning loans against fake documents of land. Sometimes other peoples' lands are shown against loans creating problems for the innocent people. Corruption among bank officials goes scot-free, because banks are anxious to protect dishonest officials. It is easy to blame the loan takers as defaulters. The banks also try to hide the truth. Losing money from banks is considered normal.
Trump narrows gap with Hillary after FBI revelations

The Telegraph :

Polls are tightening as the race to become the 45th President of the United States enters its last week, with Donald Trump attempting to capitalise on Hillary Clinton's latest email scandal.

Until election day on 8 November, follow our poll tracker to keep up-to-date with who's on top. Based on polling data from RealClearPolitics, we have state-by-state predictions and an estimate of the overall electoral college vote. The news that the FBI has reopened its investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private server to send, receive and store government emails has handed Donald Trump an unexpected boost ahead of next Tuesday. The FBI has obtained a warrant to begin searching newly discovered emails belonging to Huma Abedin, a top aide of Hillary Clinton, with Clinton's use of emails also in the spotlight.

There is no sign that this new investigation will be completed by election day and it seems that Clinton will have to fight the final week of her campaign with unspecified allegations hanging over her.

This is ideal for Trump who was shown to be as many as 14 points behind Clinton in some polls before this latest scandal. Clinton has been ahead almost continuously in the Telegraph's poll of polls, which takes an average of the last five polls published on RealClearPolitics.

She still retains a lead, but this could change in the coming days with some polls now showing a far closer race.

The presidential campaign has seen Donald Trump, once a Republican outsider, close the gap on Clinton before falling back after a series of controversies.

Trump has briefly pulled ahead a couple of times - first on 19 May. His polling threatened to consistently overtake Clinton in September, but has since fallen back after a series of allegations of sexual assault were made against him.

Trump is prone to making gaffes and alienating key demographic groups with his comments. His comments on sexually assaulting women, as well as poor performances in the presidential debates, had seen Clinton extend her lead. However, with the news that the FBI is once again investigating Clinton, a lot could change between now and election day.

The New York Times has worked out that, even one week before previous elections, a simple polling average has differed from the final result by about four percentage points. With the polls being still close, anything could happen. Each of the 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, has a certain amount of electoral college votes to award a candidate, based on the number of members of Congress it has. This is roughly in line with each area's population. Except in Maine and Nebraska, the votes are given on a winner-takes-all basis.

This system matters, as the popular vote is less important than the electoral college vote. Clinton's campaign should be buoyed by big Democratic states such as New York, New Jersey, Illinois and California, and these populous states could lead her to victory with their large number of electoral college votes.

For example, in 2008, Barack Obama won 53 per cent of the vote - but this led to 68 per cent of the electoral college vote. Such highly populated states played a large role when they backed the current president.

States like Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia have the power to swing the election. So far, neither Trump nor Clinton has a significant lead in these crucial states.
6 Ansar members closed over `gang rape` at DMCH

Six Ansar members, deployed at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), were closed on Tuesday following the allegation of gang rape against them.

The six Ansar members-Ekramul, Aminul, Atiqul, Siraj, Babul and Minhaz-were withdrawn for their alleged involvement in the incident, said Ansar's Platoon Commander Zahid Hossain of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). A girl, aged about 20, hailing from Homna upazila of Comilla district, was allegedly gang-raped by them at a room of the DMCH outdoor section on last Thursday night.

Sources at the DMCH said the victim was admitted to the hospital on October 29, who alleged that she was raped by the Ansar members at a room of the outdoor section nearby the radiotherapy department on October 27. Later, she was referred to the one stop crisis centre (OCC) on October 30 where doctors conducted some forensic tests of the victim. OCC coordinator Dr Bilkis Begum said the hospital authorities informed the girl's family members about the incident and then her brother came to the hospital on Wednesday.

The girl was sent to the Department of Psychiatry, she said.
Jail Killing Day today

President, PM pay tribute to 4 national leaders

Staff Reporter :

The nation will observe the mournful Jail Killing Day today (Thursday) by paying rich tributes to four national leaders and Liberation War heroes, who were brutally murdered inside the Dhaka Central Jail in 1975.

On this day, November 3 in 1975, the four national leaders and heroes of country's Liberation War - Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Captain Mansur Ali and AHM Quamruzzaman- were assassinated inside the Dhaka Central Jail.

The four national leaders, who led the country's independence war when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was detained by Pakistani junta, were sent to jail after the gruesome killing of Father of the Nation along with most of his family members on August 15, 1975.

The ambitious but comparatively junior and mid-level military officials with the blessings of the then self-proclaimed President Khondoker Mushtaq Ahmed, the most hated betrayer member of the Bangabandhu's Cabinet, killed the four national leaders in cells of the Dhaka Central Jail.

The four celebrated sons of the soil were shot dead following repeated bayonet charges on the fateful day, less than three months after the August 15 massacre.

Syed Nazrul Islam was the Acting President of Bangladesh government in exile during the nine-month sanguinary battle as the Pakistani military junta arrested the country's founding father on the night of March 25, 1971 from his historic Dhanmondi residence.Being the prime minister of the government in exile, popularly known as the Mujibnagar government based in Kolkata, Tajuddin Ahmed played a key-role in materializing the dreams of millions of freedom-loving people to establish an independent Bangladesh.

A H M Quamruzzmaan and Captain Mansur Ali, close associates of Bangabandhu, were also in vital position to formulate the policies and strategies of the guerrilla warfare against the Pakistan Army equipped with modern weapons.

To mark the day, President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday urged all to work together for building "Sonar Bangla" as was dreamt by Bangabandhu, by turning the grief of Jail killing into strength. In a message on the occasion of Jail Killing Day, the President paid rich tribute to the memories of four national leaders Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Captain Mansur Ali and AHM Qamaruzzaman.

Abdul Hamid said anti-liberation forces killed the four national leaders as a continuation of the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members to create vacuum in the national leadership for jeopardizing the independence and sovereignty of the country. Terming jail killing as a black chapter of the country's history, the President said contributions of the four national leaders in the history of Bengali nation would be ever remembered.

The President also prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of the four national leaders.

In a separate message on the eve of the Jail Killing Day, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of the four leaders and said such killings in the safe custody of jail are unprecedented in the world.

She said the killings of the four national leaders were the sequel to the killing of Father of the Nation and his family members. Through these killings, the conspirators wanted to erase the name of Bangladesh Awami League, she added.

A vested quarter is conspiring to hamper trial process of war criminals, Sheikh Hasina said and urged the people to be united imbued with spirit of the War of Liberation to resist the conspiracy. She recalled the grenade attack on 21 August in 2004 and said, though she escaped the attack, 24 people, including Ivy Rahman, were killed in the carnage.

The Prime Minister said, "We have upheld democratic process and rule of law and no conspiracy could be able to divert us to establish truth and justice."

She hoped that the country would be freed from hunger, poverty and illiteracy by 2021 with united efforts of all.

Awami League, its associate bodies and other political parties chalked out elaborate programme to mark the day.

The programme includes hoisting of national flag half-mast and party flags, placing wreaths at the portrait of the Bangabandhu, offering fateha at the Banani graveyard and holding of a discussion at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh at 3 pm today. AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over the meeting. Wreaths will be placed at the graves of the martyrs of August 15 and the three national leaders Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed and Captain Mansur Ali at the Banani Graveyard in Dhaka city in the morning 8 am. Special prayers also be offered at that time. Wreaths will be also laid at the grave of A H M Quamruzzaman, the other national leader, at Qadirganj Graveyard in Rajshahi city.

AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader called upon the leaders and activists of all party units and associate organisations to observe the Jail Killing Day with due respect and solemnity.

Meanwhile, the 228-year-old Dhaka Central Jail on the Nazimuddin road, which is significant for many important historical events for the nation, is now open for all and will remain so until Saturday. People will be able to visit the jail by paying Tk 100 as entry fee from today.

In their political careers, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the four national leaders -- Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, Capt M Mansur Ali and AHM Quamaruzzaman -- spent many years in captivity in the jail.

The jail is historically significant as the four Liberation War heroes were brutally killed by some army officers inside it on November 3, 1975 after the assassination of Bangabandhu along with most of his family members on August 15 the same year. It is also where some of the top war criminals were imprisoned and hanged. The jail has been decorated with rare photographs of Bangabandhu, the four national leaders and some other political leaders.


HC bench embarrassed to hear Jobaida`s plea

Staff Reporter :

A High Court bench on Wednesday felt embarrassed to hear a petition of Jobaida Rahman, wife of BNP leader Tarique Rahman, seeking cancellation of a lawsuit filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on charge of concealing information about assets.

The petition was placed in an HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice J B M Hassan.

Deputy Attorney General Shaikh A K M Moniruzzaman Kabir told the journalists that one of the judges of the bench felt embarrassed to hear the petition. As the HC bench felt embarrassed to hear it, the documents of the petition would be sent to the Chief Justice who will constitute a new bench for hearing the petition.

ACC Counsel Khurshid Alam Khan said that the petition had already been sent to the Chief Justice. Barrister Ragib Rouf Chowdhury represented Jobaida Rahman.

ACC lodged a case against BNP's Senior-Vice President Tarique Rahman, his wife Jobaida Rahman and Jobaida's mother Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu on September 26 in 2007 with Kafrul police station.

Police submitted charge-sheet against them on August 31 in 2008. Jobaida filed a petition seeking cancellation of the case the same year.

High Court stayed proceedings of the case after primary hearing on the petition, which was placed in the cause list on Wednesday for its final hearing.
Independent body to monitor police activities needed

Staff Reporter :

The Anti-Corruption Commission [ACC], in its annual report -2015 submitted recently to President Abdul Hamid, has suggested to form an independent Judicial Commission to monitor police activities for making it a people-friendly force reducing public sufferings.

"There are a lot of allegations against police and these are nothing new. So, we [ACC] have suggested to form a Commission to monitor police activities. We think, if it is formed, the police will be more pro-people and public will get more service from them," ACC Chairman Iqbal Mahmood said.

He was addressing a press conference, the first ever after taking charge of the anti-graft body in March 14 this year, at ACC headquarters in the city's Segun Bagicha on Wednesday.

The ACC Chief said: "In the annual report, the ACC also suggested to fix the timeframe for investigation and trial of the cases under the Code of Criminal Procedure. Side by side, we've also proposed to fix the time limit for disposal of the cases under the Code of Civil Procedure."

Iqbal Mahmood said that the task of police is very important, as they solve problems. "We think if their activities are brought under the monitoring of an independent Commission, there will be a check and balance."

Expressing his determination to go tough against all sorts of corruptions, he said: "Not only the influential persons, everyone who is involved in the corruption will be brought to the book."

Replying to a query of newsmen over the latest punishment of ruling party lawmaker Abdur Rahman Bodi, he said: "I've no comment over the judgment of court. But we expect that the accused will be punished in each and every case."

Just an hour before the press conference, a Dhaka court awarded three years imprisonment and Taka 10 lakh fine to Awami League lawmaker from Teknaf and Ukhiya Constituency at Cox's Bazar Abdur Rahman Bodi for hiding information about his wealth.

Meanwhile, clarifying the stance of ACC, he said: "Several complaints are filed in the ACC. But all complaints are not enlisted in the schedule. For that reason, the degree of punishment stays lower in many cases after investigation."

"To increase the scale of punishment to the culprits, we've appointed a new lawyer changing the old one. Our main task is prevention of corruption. Clamp down of corruption is only a part of our whole tasks," he said.

Taking another question about the delay of cases relating to BASIC Bank scam, the ACC Chairman said: "It's a critical case. We're working over the matter.It is true that we've been facing manpower shortage."
Nasirnagar attack pre-planned : NHRC

OC suspended

Staff Reporter :

The attacks on several Hindu temples in Nasirnagar upazila were carried out as per a well-designed plan to grab lands belonging to the minority community, said National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday.



The country's top rights body said it after initial investigation into the attacks.



"Our investigation is still underway, but our initial findings suggest that an organised quarter carried out the attacks in a planned manner," Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Chief of the NHRC fact-finding committee and member of a probe panel, told media yesterday.



He said that near simultaneous attacks were launched at several temples and Hindu households at different locations in Nasirnagar to render police helpless.



"We are expecting to wrap up our investigations within the next two days," Enamul Haque said, adding, "The attack was launched to drive away the Hindus from their land.



The NHRC chief also blamed the local administration for the failure to prevent the mayhem.



Meanwhile, the authorities on Wednesday suspended the officer-in-charge (OC) of Nasirnagar Police Station Abdul Quader amid complaints of police inefficiency in containing the troublemakers.



Indian High Commission sent a delegation yesterday led by a First Secretary to the scene of the attacks. A five-member delegation of the ruling Awami League, led by the party's organising secretary Enamul Haq Shamim also visited the affected area. Hindu community leaders had also earlier said the attacks were carried out to evict Hindus from their own lands by creating fear.



Several hundred people attacked and ransacked at least 15 Hindu temples and over 20 households in Nasirnagar under Brahmanbaria's district after a Facebook post deemed offensive to Islam sparked massive outrage in the overwhelming Muslim-majority country. Brahmanbaria's Police Superintendent Mizanur Rahman said that police had arrested nine people who seemed to be directly linked to the attacks as temple authorities filed two separate cases.



A Hindu youth who allegedly posted the 'blasphemous' content on his Facebok account sparking the outrage was also arrested on charge of creating the unrest. However, media reports later suggested that unidentified miscreants had hacked his account and uploaded the controversial post.



Several priests of the temples suffered injuries in the attacks during the raids and were taken to hospitals for treatment. According to media reports, a little known outfit called Touhidi Janata called a protest rally on Sunday using megaphones over the Facebook post and the rampage on Hindus was carried out after that rally.
Maj General Abul Hossain new BGB Chief

Staff Reporter :

The government has appointed Maj Gen Abul Hossain as the new Chief of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

Maj Gen Abul Hossain, who was serving as Military Secretary to President Md Abdul Hamid, will replace Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued

an order in this regard on Wednesday. The order also said General Aziz will return to Bangladesh Army.

Fifty-four years old Hossain, commissioned in 1981, worked in the BGB earlier as a sector commander. He will now also have to serve as the ex-officio chairman of BGB Welfare Trust's 'Shimanto Bank', recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Before joining the Bangabhaban, he served the Army Headquarters as the engineer in chief. He was also the commandant at the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) and Bangladesh Ordnance Factory.

The former chief engineer of Dhaka City Corporation served in different Engineers Battalions including commanding 17 Engineers Construction Battalion and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion in Kuwait.

He did BSC in civil engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). He also obtained masters degrees in business administration and defence studies. The courses he received were followed in several countries including China, Turkey and the UK.
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who...
She obtained her juris doctorate degree, magna cum laude, and two bachelor of arts degrees from LSU in 2016 and 2013, respectively.

Attorney Briana L. Drescher has joined Preis PLCs Lafayette office.

Drescher obtained her juris doctorate degree, magna cum laude, and two bachelor of arts degrees from LSU in 2016 and 2013, respectively. She was elected to the Order of the Coif and was a member of Louisiana Law Review.

Her main areas of practice include automobile liability, civil rights, first party property and bad faith liability, general casualty, insurance coverage, law enforcement professional liability, products liability, property damage and redhibition.

Preis PLC is a regional defense law firm representing both domestic and international clients with offices in Lafayette, New Orleans and Houston.
A campaign poster for 3rd Congressional District candidate Greg Ellison, a Lafayette Republican, hangs along Jefferson Street in Downtown Lafayette.

Dear Editor,

I am a senior field grade U.S. Army Warrant Officer, still serving, now in my 36th year of service with numerous deployments; I offer this letter as a fellow American citizen. Recently returning to my homeland of Acadiana, I saw billboards for Louisiana House candidate District 3, Greg Ellison. Attention to a man in any U.S. military uniform must not be drawn to a political ad; such a self-serving act dishonors the selfless service for which our uniforms stand. Such a self-serving act deliberately intends to play upon the well-deserved endearment that the local Acadiana folk have for our military and Ellison should be ashamed of himself.

Acadiana, a community unfamiliar with military customs and regulations, needs to know that among those who wear the uniform daily, we separate ourselves from Ellisons exploitation of our uniform and his citing of a military career that ended more than 13 years ago. On the billboard, he is wearing the Army Mess Blue uniform, a formal uniform equivalent to the civilian tuxedo, rather than any of our operational, utility uniforms; and in that photo, his hair length appears to be outside of Army regulation.

His website opens to Lt. Col. Greg, with Ret. (retired) blended with the red color on the last line, notwithstanding that he uses the Air Force abbreviation for lieutenant colonel rather than the proper Army abbreviation of LTC. This is Ellisons clear assertion that his military record is to be considered forefront rather than anything hes done since; so Ill oblige in the examination of his website biography.

He asserts that he ..served in every level of command from platoon through Corps. Nothing is said about being a commander, at any time; ask him whether he has ever served as a commander, at any level, having sole responsibility for the care and welfare of soldiers. He next cites his noted thesis while a SAMS Army student; ask him if that thesis was and is a standing course requirement rather than anything selectively noted. He cites his combat experience as a staff officer in Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield/Storm. Saudi Arabia was the rear area replete with comforts unavailable to the warfighters looking down the barrels of the enemy in Kuwait and southern Iraq, well forward of Ellison. He then asserts that he planned and supervised the execution of nine artillery raids, forward of friendly lines into Iraq. This is more selective vocabulary. He was careful not to say that he led or commanded but supervised. Staff operations officers do not supervise any combat operation  commanders do. And any and all raids of any U.S. military nature are always forward of friendly lines, but Ellison apparently remained well to the rear in Saudi Arabia. As to the awarding of medals for this actions, it is unclear whether he is asserting that medals so high in hierarchy were both for actions in Saudi Arabia or were either associated with a remarkably common retirement medal award.

Ellison will likely defend his wearing of the uniform in support of his political campaign by citing Department of Defense Instructions; I am well familiar with those but no policy or instruction trumps a service regulation that makes it more stringent; that is a long-standing regulatory interpretive tradition and he knows it. Let me explain. DoD can issue broad regulatory guidance; a service such as the Army may then make it more stringent so as to promote its own sense of order. The current Army Regulation (AR) 670-1 at paragraph 3-7 expressly prohibits the wearing of Army uniforms in connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests. This same regulation also directs specific occasions upon which uniforms may be worn by retirees. Ellison will likely counter with asserting that he is not wearing the uniform for such but is rather providing a photograph of himself in uniform; I assume that depends on what the definition of is is.

Fairness compels me to provide more about myself. I am a registered Republican. I am a conservative slightly right of Attila the Hun. I do not vote in Louisiana as I am no longer a resident of my homeland. I was the last U.S. Special Forces commander out of the Anbar Province in 2011 and Ive seen combat from behind the windshields of Army helicopters and from behind the sights of my rifle. I would have nary an exception to Ellison, his political aspirations nor his campaign were it not for his exploitation of the U.S. Army uniform. I attempted to contact Ellis Roussell of the Ellison campaign by email and telephone clearly stating my concerns; to date, no one from the Ellison campaign had the courtesy to respond.

To Mr. Ellison directly: Please place that honorable uniform in your closet and move out upon what youve done lately and what you intend to do  period. American military service is a calling, but it is voluntary one.

Bryant Fontenot

Ozark, Ala.
Pre-purchase property inspection is a relatively new thing in the United Kingdom. Its not something that most people have heard about, but it has become increasingly popular over the last few years with the rise in property prices and increased demand for high quality homes.

What are the benefits of pre-purchase building inspection? What can you expect to find out when you pay someone else to inspect your home before you buy it? And what should you look for during an inspection?

Many people want to know if theyre buying a house thats been well maintained or if its had any serious problems. If youve found a place on the market that seems attractive, but then discover some issues after moving in, you may not be as excited about buying it as you thought you were.

Its important to do your due diligence when looking at properties. A lot goes into making a property appealing to potential buyers, from the landscaping to the flooring to the kitchen appliances. The same applies when inspecting a property  there are many things that need checking over to make sure everything is running smoothly.

Here are some of the benefits of performing a pre-purchase inspection:

You get to see exactly what will happen to your money

When you go shopping for a new car, youll probably be shown several different models. You might even be shown one that looks like a great value, but doesnt fit around all of the extra features that you want. When it comes time to actually buy the vehicle, however, you wont have seen how your money will be spent on it once you drive it off the showroom floor.

Likewise, when you shop for a new home, you dont really know what youre getting yourself into until you move in. In order to get a feel for whether the home youre considering is what you want, you normally have to spend quite a bit of time inside it. This allows you to learn more about everything that youre going to be spending your hard-earned cash on.

A pre-purchase building inspection gives you much the same kind of experience without having to spend thousands of dollars. Since youre paying for the service, you can expect to see exactly what youre paying for, instead of just seeing a vague idea of what you might end up with.

You find out about potential major repairs

Some buildings are very expensive to maintain, which means that owners often neglect them for the sake of saving money. While youre paying for a building inspection, youre also paying for a professional who knows how to spot signs of trouble and repair work that needs doing.

If you notice that a particular area of your new home needs fixing right away, you can call in an expert to take care of it quickly. If you find that theres something wrong with your boiler, you wont have to wait weeks for a plumber to come over and fix it. Instead, youll have access to a solution immediately.

You can save hundreds of pounds by finding out about potential problems early on

One of the biggest expenses when you first buy a home is the cost of moving in. Many people dont realize this until its too late. Buying a home involves not only paying for the actual house, but also for moving costs, furniture, and other items that have to be moved along with the home.

Having a good idea ahead of time of what youre likely to encounter can help you avoid these kinds of costs. If you know youll need to replace the plumbing system, for example, youll be able to put together a budget for the expense and plan accordingly.

You can protect your investment by finding out if the homes been well cared for

While there are plenty of people who think that houses always look better when theyre newly built, youd be surprised at how well maintained older residences can still look nice. Sometimes, though, those homes need some additional maintenance to keep them looking their best.

This could involve repairs that arent so noticeable or small improvements that you wouldnt consider otherwise. Even worse, some houses have fallen into disrepair without anyone noticing. This is why having a professional perform a building inspection prior to purchasing a home is such a big benefit.

Not only will it give you insight into the state of the property, but it will also give you peace of mind knowing youre not getting taken advantage of. As long as youre aware of the potential pitfalls, youll have less reason to worry about the state of your new home.

You can use information gathered during a building inspection to negotiate a lower price

If youre worried about buying a home because you suspect that it may need extensive renovation work, you may already have a rough idea of how much work youll need to do to bring it up to scratch. That knowledge can come in handy if you decide to buy the home.

You can use all of the details that you gather during a building inspection to present a realistic picture of what the home is worth to prospective buyers. If a potential buyer thinks that the home is worth more than what you paid for it, you can try negotiating a lower price.

You can sell your home faster and for more money

If you decide to list your home on the market soon after buying it, youll need to price it accurately in order to attract buyers. But if youve already done a thorough building inspection, youll know exactly what work is needed and what the current market conditions are.

In other words, youll be able to make a more accurate estimate of the amount of money youve invested in the home and how much its worth. If you find that youre selling your house for close to its full market value, you can use this information to convince the potential buyer that your home is worth the asking price.

Even if youre planning to stay in the home for a while before you decide to sell, the fact that you did a thorough building inspection will give you more confidence when listing it. Prospective buyers will know exactly what theyre paying for.

Your home will hold its value longer

As mentioned earlier, the value of a home depends heavily upon the condition of the building itself. If your home is in bad shape, potential buyers wont be interested in buying it. On the other hand, if youve performed a thorough building inspection and know what sort of repairs are necessary, you can offer your prospective buyer a compelling reason to invest in your property.

When you buy a home, youre essentially agreeing to have it inspected periodically to ensure that it stays in top shape. Not only does this allow you to avoid expensive repairs down the road, but it can also increase the value of your home.

You can make smart decisions about property investments

Buying real estate isnt as simple as just driving a couple of minutes to pick up a house. There are lots of considerations involved, ranging from location to cost. The same is true when youre investing in property.

If you find a house that meets all of your requirements, youll want to make sure that you have a solid understanding of where it stands with regards to the rest of the market. If you havent spent enough time researching the area, you could inadvertently end up with a bad deal.

There are lots of resources available online that can help you determine the overall level of competition in your area. They can also help you figure out if there are any properties that meet your requirements that you didnt know about.

If you own rental property, you can use the information to identify tenants who might cause damage

If you own rental property and youve noticed that certain tenants consistently cause damage, you can use the results of a building inspection to identify them. You can then contact them directly to let them know that youre watching them closely and that you dont appreciate the problem theyre causing.

They might start taking better care of their homes, which would be good news for everyone. It could also be the case that youll find out that theyre responsible for previous damages that werent caught during a previous visit.

You can make smarter decisions about hiring contractors

If youve hired contractors to build or repair your home, you might want to ask them for references. However, unless you perform a thorough building inspection, you might not know exactly what to look for.

For instance, maybe you only checked the roof for leaks or the walls for cracks. You might not have looked underneath the foundation for anything that could cause a future issue. By performing a building inspection, you can ensure that you hire reputable contractors who will be trustworthy with your money.

You can avoid purchasing a home thats in poor condition

Of course, the main benefit of structural inspections perth is that it helps you avoid purchasing a home thats in poor condition. Before you make the decision to buy a home, you should do whatever you can to find out about the state of the building.

You can also ask your realtor about what sorts of inspections are typically recommended. Some agents say that its standard practice to check the heating system, the roof, the electrical wiring, and the floors. Others will tell you that they recommend that you check the entire structure.

Either way, if you choose to hire an inspector, youll find out exactly what needs to be fixed and how much it will cost to do so.

As a result, it can be concluded that a pre-purchase building inspection is highly important for the buyers because it provides transparency regarding the current conditions of the structure. Additionally, the building owner is made aware of any upgrades or repairs that are required, which could lead to a fair deal throughout the purchasing and selling process.
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Schoolchildren jailed for building only white snowmen

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New York Times: Fidel Castro world's sexiest corpse

After years of trial and error, CIA finally succeeds with the "waiting it out" technique on Fidel Castro

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Democrats blame Hillary's criminal e-mail server for her loss, demand it face prison

Afraid of "dangerous" Trump presidency, protesters pre-emptively burn America down to the ground

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FBI director Comey delighted after receiving Nobel Prize for Speed Reading (650,000 emails in one week)

U.N. deploys troops to American college campuses in order to combat staggeringly low rape rates

Responding to Trump's surging poll numbers, Obama preemptively pardons himself for treason

Following hurricane Matthew's failure to devastate Florida, activists flock to the Sunshine State and destroy Trump signs manually

Tim Kaine takes credit for interrupting hurricane Matthew while debating weather in Florida

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Obama captures rare Pokemon while visiting Hiroshima

Movie news: 'The Big Friendly Giant Government' flops at box office; audiences say "It's creepy"

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White House edits Orlando 911 transcript to say shooter pledged allegiance to NRA and Republican Party

President George Washington: 'Redcoats do not represent British Empire; King George promotes a distorted version of British colonialism'

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As Obama instructs his administration to get ready for presidential transition, Trump preemptively purchases 'T' keys for White House keyboards

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Widows, orphans claim responsibility for Brussels airport bombing

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New Hampshire votes for socialist Sanders, changes state motto to "Live FOR Free or Die"

Martin O'Malley drops out of race after Iowa Caucus; nation shocked with revelation he has been running for president

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Obama stops short of firing US Congress upon realizing the difficulty of assembling another group of such tractable yes-men

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University researchers of cultural appropriation quit upon discovery that their research is appropriation from a culture that created universities

Archeologists discover remains of what Barack Obama has described as unprecedented, un-American, and not-who-we-are immigration screening process in Ellis Island

Mizzou protests lead to declaring entire state a "safe space," changing Missouri motto to "The don't show me state"

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State officials improve chances of healthcare payouts by replacing ObamaCare with state lottery

NASA's new mission to search for racism, sexism, and economic inequality in deep space suffers from race, gender, and class power struggles over multibillion-dollar budget

College progress enforcement squads issue schematic humor charts so students know if a joke may be spontaneously laughed at or if regulations require other action

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Virginia county to close schools after teacher asks students to write 'death to America' in Arabic

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ISIS releases new, even more barbaric video in an effort to regain mantle from Planned Parenthood

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Pope outraged by Planned Parenthood's "unfettered capitalism," demands equal redistribution of baby parts to each according to his need

John Kerry accepts Iran's "Golden Taquiyya" award, requests jalapenos on the side

Citizens of Pluto protest US government's surveillance of their planetoid and its moons with New Horizons space drone

John Kerry proposes 3-day waiting period for all terrorist nations trying to acquire nuclear weapons

Chicago Police trying to identify flag that caused nine murders and 53 injuries in the city this past weekend

Cuba opens to affordable medical tourism for Americans who can't afford Obamacare deductibles

State-funded research proves existence of Quantum Aggression Particles (Heterons) in Large Hadron Collider

Student job opportunities: make big bucks this summer as Hillarys Ordinary-American; all expenses paid, travel, free acting lessons

Experts debate whether Iranian negotiators broke John Kerry's leg or he did it himself to get out of negotiations

Junior Varsity takes Ramadi, advances to quarterfinals

US media to GOP pool of candidates: 'Knowing what we know now, would you have had anything to do with the founding of the United States?'

NY Mayor to hold peace talks with rats, apologize for previous Mayor's cowboy diplomacy

China launches cube-shaped space object with a message to aliens: "The inhabitants of Earth will steal your intellectual property, copy it, manufacture it in sweatshops with slave labor, and sell it back to you at ridiculously low prices"

Progressive scientists: Truth is a variable deduced by subtracting 'what is' from 'what ought to be'

Experts agree: Hillary Clinton best candidate to lessen percentage of Americans in top 1%

America's attempts at peace talks with the White House continue to be met with lies, stalling tactics, and bad faith

Starbucks new policy to talk race with customers prompts new hashtag #DontHoldUpTheLine

Hillary: DELETE is the new RESET

Charlie Hebdo receives Islamophobe 2015 award; the cartoonists could not be reached for comment due to their inexplicable, illogical deaths

Russia sends 'reset' button back to Hillary: 'You need it now more than we do'

Barack Obama finds out from CNN that Hillary Clinton spent four years being his Secretary of State

President Obama honors Leonard Nimoy by taking selfie in front of Starship Enterprise

Police: If Obama had a convenience store, it would look like Obama Express Food Market

Study finds stunning lack of racial, gender, and economic diversity among middle-class white males

NASA: We're 80% sure about being 20% sure about being 17% sure about being 38% sure about 2014 being the hottest year on record

People holding '$15 an Hour Now' posters sue Democratic party demanding raise to $15 an hour for rendered professional protesting services

Cuba-US normalization: US tourists flock to see Cuba before it looks like the US and Cubans flock to see the US before it looks like Cuba

White House describes attacks on Sony Pictures as 'spontaneous hacking in response to offensive video mocking Juche and its prophet'

CIA responds to Democrat calls for transparency by releasing the director's cut of The Making Of Obama's Birth Certificate

Obama: 'If I had a city, it would look like Ferguson'

Biden: 'If I had a Ferguson (hic), it would look like a city'

Obama signs executive order renaming 'looters' to 'undocumented shoppers'

Ethicists agree: two wrongs do make a right so long as Bush did it first

The aftermath of the 'War on Women 2014' finds a new 'Lost Generation' of disillusioned Democrat politicians, unable to cope with life out of office

White House: Republican takeover of the Senate is a clear mandate from the American people for President Obama to rule by executive orders

Nurse Kaci Hickox angrily tells reporters that she won't change her clocks for daylight savings time

Democratic Party leaders in panic after recent poll shows most Democratic voters think 'midterm' is when to end pregnancy

Desperate Democratic candidates plead with Obama to stop backing them and instead support their GOP opponents

Ebola Czar issues five-year plan with mandatory quotas of Ebola infections per each state based on voting preferences

Study: crony capitalism is to the free market what the Westboro Baptist Church is to Christianity

Fun facts about world languages: the Left has more words for statism than the Eskimos have for snow

African countries to ban all flights from the United States because "Obama is incompetent, it scares us"

Nobel Peace Prize controversy: Hillary not nominated despite having done even less than Obama to deserve it

Obama: 'Ebola is the JV of viruses'

BREAKING: Secret Service foils Secret Service plot to protect Obama

Revised 1st Amendment: buy one speech, get the second free

Sharpton calls on white NFL players to beat their women in the interests of racial fairness

President Obama appoints his weekly approval poll as new national security adviser

Obama wags pen and phone at Putin; Europe offers support with powerful pens and phones from NATO members

White House pledges to embarrass ISIS back to the Stone Age with a barrage of fearsome Twitter messages and fatally ironic Instagram photos

Obama to fight ISIS with new federal Terrorist Regulatory Agency

Obama vows ISIS will never raise their flag over the eighteenth hole

Harry Reid: "Sometimes I say the wong thing"

Elian Gonzalez wishes he had come to the U.S. on a bus from Central America like all the other kids

Obama visits US-Mexican border, calls for a two-state solution

Obama draws "blue line" in Iraq after Putin took away his red crayon

"Hard Choices," a porno flick loosely based on Hillary Clinton's memoir and starring Hillary Hellfire as a drinking, whoring Secretary of State, wildly outsells the flabby, sagging original

Accusations of siding with the enemy leave Sgt. Bergdahl with only two options: pursue a doctorate at Berkley or become a Senator from Massachusetts

Jay Carney stuck in line behind Eric Shinseki to leave the White House; estimated wait time from 15 min to 6 weeks

100% of scientists agree that if man-made global warming were real, "the last people we'd want to help us is the Obama administration"

Jay Carney says he found out that Obama found out that he found out that Obama found out that he found out about the latest Obama administration scandal on the news

"Anarchy Now!" meeting turns into riot over points of order, bylaws, and whether or not 'kicking the #^@&*! ass' of the person trying to speak is or is not violence

Obama retaliates against Putin by prohibiting unionized federal employees from dating hot Russian girls online during work hours

Russian separatists in Ukraine riot over an offensive YouTube video showing the toppling of Lenin statues

"Free Speech Zones" confuse Obamaphone owners who roam streets in search of additional air minutes

Obamacare bolsters employment for professionals with skills to convert meth back into sudafed

Gloves finally off: Obama uses pen and phone to cancel Putin's Netflix account

Joe Biden to Russia: "We will bury you by turning more of Eastern Europe over to your control!"

In last-ditch effort to help Ukraine, Obama deploys Rev. Sharpton and Rev. Jackson's Rainbow Coalition to Crimea

Al Sharpton: "Not even Putin can withstand our signature chanting, 'racist, sexist, anti-gay, Russian army go away'!"

Mardi Gras in North Korea: "Throw me some food!"

Obama's foreign policy works: "War, invasion, and conquest are signs of weakness; we've got Putin right where we want him"

US offers military solution to Ukraine crisis: "We will only fight countries that have LGBT military"

Putin annexes Brighton Beach to protect ethnic Russians in Brooklyn, Obama appeals to UN and EU for help

The 1980s: "Mr. Obama, we're just calling to ask if you want our foreign policy back. The 1970s are right here with us, and they're wondering, too."

In a stunning act of defiance, Obama courageously unfriends Putin on Facebook

MSNBC: Obama secures alliance with Austro-Hungarian Empire against Russias aggression in Ukraine

Study: springbreak is to STDs what April 15th is to accountants

Efforts to achieve moisture justice for California thwarted by unfair redistribution of snow in America

North Korean voters unanimous: "We are the 100%"

Leader of authoritarian gulag-site, The People's Cube, unanimously 're-elected' with 100% voter turnout

Super Bowl: Obama blames Fox News for Broncos' loss

Feminist author slams gay marriage: "a man needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle"

Beverly Hills campaign heats up between Henry Waxman and Marianne Williamson over the widening income gap between millionaires and billionaires in their district

Biden to lower $10,000-a-plate Dinner For The Homeless to $5,000 so more homeless can attend

Kim becomes world leader, feeds uncle to dogs; Obama eats dogs, becomes world leader, America cries uncle

North Korean leader executes own uncle for talking about Obamacare at family Christmas party

White House hires part-time schizophrenic Mandela sign interpreter to help sell Obamacare

Kim Jong Un executes own "crazy uncle" to keep him from ruining another family Christmas

OFA admits its advice for area activists to give Obamacare Talk at shooting ranges was a bad idea

President resolves Obamacare debacle with executive order declaring all Americans equally healthy

Obama to Iran: "If you like your nuclear program, you can keep your nuclear program"

Bovine community outraged by flatulence coming from Washington DC

Obama: "I'm not particularly ideological; I believe in a good pragmatic five-year plan"

Shocker: Obama had no knowledge he'd been reelected until he read about it in the local newspaper last week

Server problems at HealthCare.gov so bad, it now flashes 'Error 808' message

NSA marks National Best Friend Day with official announcement: "Government is your best friend; we know you like no one else, we're always there, we're always willing to listen"

Al Qaeda cancels attack on USA citing launch of Obamacare as devastating enough

The President's latest talking point on Obamacare: "I didn't build that"

Dizzy with success, Obama renames his wildly popular healthcare mandate to HillaryCare

Carney: huge ObamaCare deductibles won't look as bad come hyperinflation

Washington Redskins drop 'Washington' from their name as offensive to most Americans

Poll: 83% of Americans favor cowboy diplomacy over rodeo clown diplomacy

GOVERNMENT WARNING: If you were able to complete ObamaCare form online, it wasn't a legitimate gov't website; you should report online fraud and change all your passwords

Obama administration gets serious, threatens Syria with ObamaCare

Obama authorizes the use of Vice President Joe Biden's double-barrel shotgun to fire a couple of blasts at Syria

Sharpton: "British royals should have named baby 'Trayvon.' By choosing 'George' they sided with white Hispanic racist Zimmerman"

DNC launches 'Carlos Danger' action figure; proceeds to fund a charity helping survivors of the Republican War on Women

Nancy Pelosi extends abortion rights to the birds and the bees

Hubble discovers planetary drift to the left

Obama: 'If I had a daughter-in-law, she would look like Rachael Jeantel'

FISA court rubberstamps statement denying its portrayal as government's rubber stamp

Every time ObamaCare gets delayed, a Julia somewhere dies

GOP to Schumer: 'Force full implementation of ObamaCare before 2014 or Dems will never win another election'

Obama: 'If I had a son... no, wait, my daughter can now marry a woman!'

Janet Napolitano: TSA findings reveal that since none of the hijackers were babies, elderly, or Tea Partiers, 9/11 was not an act of terrorism

News Flash: Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) can see Canada from South Dakota

Susan Rice: IRS actions against tea parties caused by anti-tax YouTube video that was insulting to their faith

Drudge Report reduces font to fit all White House scandals onto one page

Obama: the IRS is a constitutional right, just like the Second Amendment

White House: top Obama officials using secret email accounts a result of bad IT advice to avoid spam mail from Nigeria

Jay Carney to critics: 'Pinocchio never said anything inconsistent'

Obama: If I had a gay son, he'd look like Jason Collins

Gosnell's office in Benghazi raided by the IRS: mainstream media's worst cover-up challenge to date

IRS targeting pro-gay-marriage LGBT groups leads to gayest tax revolt in U.S. history

After Arlington Cemetery rejects offer to bury Boston bomber, Westboro Babtist Church steps up with premium front lawn plot

Boston: Obama Administration to reclassify marathon bombing as 'sportsplace violence'

Study: Success has many fathers but failure becomes a government program

US Media: Can Pope Francis possibly clear up Vatican bureaucracy and banking without blaming the previous administration?

Michelle Obama praises weekend rampage by Chicago teens as good way to burn calories and stay healthy

This Passover, Obama urges his subjects to paint lamb's blood above doors in order to avoid the Sequester



White House to American children: Sequester causes layoffs among hens that lay Easter eggs; union-wage Easter Bunnies to be replaced by Mexican Chupacabras

Time Mag names Hugo Chavez world's sexiest corpse

Boy, 8, pretends banana is gun, makes daring escape from school

Study: Free lunches overpriced, lack nutrition

Oscars 2013: Michelle Obama announces long-awaited merger of Hollywood and the State

Joe Salazar defends the right of women to be raped in gun-free environment: 'rapists and rapees should work together to prevent gun violence for the common good'

Dept. of Health and Human Services eliminates rape by reclassifying assailants as 'undocumented sex partners'

Kremlin puts out warning not to photoshop Putin riding meteor unless bare-chested

Deeming football too violent, Obama moves to introduce Super Drone Sundays instead

Japan offers to extend nuclear umbrella to cover U.S. should America suffer devastating attack on its own defense spending

Feminists organize one billion women to protest male oppression with one billion lap dances

Urban community protests Mayor Bloomberg's ban on extra-large pop singers owning assault weapons

Concerned with mounting death toll, Taliban offers to send peacekeeping advisers to Chicago

Karl Rove puts an end to Tea Party with new 'Republicans For Democrats' strategy aimed at losing elections

Answering public skepticism, President Obama authorizes unlimited drone attacks on all skeet targets throughout the country

Skeet Ulrich denies claims he had been shot by President but considers changing his name to 'Traps'

White House releases new exciting photos of Obama standing, sitting, looking thoughtful, and even breathing in and out

New York Times hacked by Chinese government, Paul Krugman's economic policies stolen

White House: when President shoots skeet, he donates the meat to food banks that feed the middle class

To prove he is serious, Obama eliminates armed guard protection for President, Vice-President, and their families; establishes Gun-Free Zones around them instead

State Dept to send 100,000 American college students to China as security for US debt obligations

Jay Carney: Al Qaeda is on the run, they're just running forward

President issues executive orders banning cliffs, ceilings, obstructions, statistics, and other notions that prevent us from moving forwards and upward

Fearing the worst, Obama Administration outlaws the fan to prevent it from being hit by certain objects

World ends; S&P soars

Riddle of universe solved; answer not understood

Meek inherit Earth, can't afford estate taxes

Greece abandons Euro; accountants find Greece has no Euros anyway

Wheel finally reinvented; axles to be gradually reinvented in 3rd quarter of 2013

Bigfoot found in Ohio, mysteriously not voting for Obama

As Santa's workshop files for bankruptcy, Fed offers bailout in exchange for control of 'naughty and nice' list

Freak flying pig accident causes bacon to fly off shelves

Obama: green economy likely to transform America into a leading third world country of the new millennium

Report: President Obama to visit the United States in the near future

Obama promises to create thousands more economically neutral jobs

Modernizing Islam: New York imam proposes to canonize Saul Alinsky as religion's latter day prophet

Imam Rauf's peaceful solution: 'Move Ground Zero a few blocks away from the mosque and no one gets hurt'

Study: Obama's threat to burn tax money in Washington 'recruitment bonanza' for Tea Parties

Study: no Social Security reform will be needed if gov't raises retirement age to at least 814 years

Obama attends church service, worships self

Obama proposes national 'Win The Future' lottery; proceeds of new WTF Powerball to finance more gov't spending

Historical revisionists: "Hey, you never know"

Vice President Biden: criticizing Egypt is un-pharaoh

Israelis to Egyptian rioters: "don't damage the pyramids, we will not rebuild"

Lake Superior renamed Lake Inferior in spirit of tolerance and inclusiveness

Al Gore: It's a shame that a family can be torn apart by something as simple as a pack of polar bears

Michael Moore: As long as there is anyone with money to shake down, this country is not broke

Obama's teleprompters unionize, demand collective bargaining rights

Obama calls new taxes 'spending reductions in tax code.' Elsewhere rapists tout 'consent reductions in sexual intercourse'

Obama's teleprompter unhappy with White House Twitter: "Too few words"

Obama's Regulation Reduction committee finds US Constitution to be expensive outdated framework inefficiently regulating federal gov't

Taking a page from the Reagan years, Obama announces new era of Perestroika and Glasnost

Responding to Oslo shootings, Obama declares Christianity "Religion of Peace," praises "moderate Christians," promises to send one into space

Republicans block Obama's $420 billion program to give American families free charms that ward off economic bad luck

White House to impose Chimney tax on Santa Claus

Obama decrees the economy is not soaring as much as previously decreeed

Conservative think tank introduces children to capitalism with pop-up picture book "The Road to Smurfdom"

Al Gore proposes to combat Global Warming by extracting silver linings from clouds in Earth's atmosphere

Obama refutes charges of him being unresponsive to people's suffering: "When you pray to God, do you always hear a response?"

Obama regrets the US government didn't provide his mother with free contraceptives when she was in college

Fluke to Congress: drill, baby, drill!

Planned Parenthood introduces Frequent Flucker reward card: 'Come again soon!'

Obama to tornado victims: 'We inherited this weather from the previous administration'

Obama congratulates Putin on Chicago-style election outcome

People's Cube gives itself Hero of Socialist Labor medal in recognition of continued expert advice provided to the Obama Administration helping to shape its foreign and domestic policies

Hamas: Israeli air defense unfair to 99% of our missiles, "only 1% allowed to reach Israel"

Democrat strategist: without government supervision, women would have never evolved into humans

Voters Without Borders oppose Texas new voter ID law

Enraged by accusation that they are doing Obama's bidding, media leaders demand instructions from White House on how to respond

Obama blames previous Olympics for failure to win at this Olympics

Official: China plans to land on Moon or at least on cheap knockoff thereof

Koran-Contra: Obama secretly arms Syrian rebels

Poll: Progressive slogan 'We should be more like Europe' most popular with members of American Nazi Party

Obama to Evangelicals: Jesus saves, I just spend

May Day: Anarchists plan, schedule, synchronize, and execute a coordinated campaign against all of the above

Midwestern farmers hooked on new erotic novel "50 Shades of Hay"

Study: 99% of Liberals give the rest a bad name

Obama meets with Jewish leaders, proposes deeper circumcisions for the rich

Historians: Before HOPE & CHANGE there was HEMP & CHOOM at ten bucks a bag

Cancer once again fails to cure Venezuela of its "President for Life"

Tragic spelling error causes Muslim protesters to burn local boob-tube factory

Secretary of Energy Steven Chu: due to energy conservation, the light at the end of the tunnel will be switched off

Obama Administration running food stamps across the border with Mexico in an operation code-named "Fat And Furious"

Pakistan explodes in protest over new Adobe Acrobat update; 17 local acrobats killed

White House: "Let them eat statistics"

Special Ops: if Benedict Arnold had a son, he would look like Barack Obama







AD GOES HERE
The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now.

Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market.

In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender.

India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex.

Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted.

But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted?

Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner.

If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems.

I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now.

I want more variation in masturbation

I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own.

If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end.

What is sex toys for Indian?

Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation.

It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms.

They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable.

Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner.

The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner.

It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past.

In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping.

Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order.

In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing.

Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome.

Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own.

But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance.

More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around.

Sextoy situation in India

Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years.

In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India.

Mumbai

Kolkata

Bangalore

Delhi

Chennai

Hyderabad

These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India.

In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well.

If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too.

If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it.

What are Sextoys for beginner?

Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms.

Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy.

I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion.

I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy.

If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma.

Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it.

Advantages of using sextoy for Indians

There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians

You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways.

Can have stimulating sex

Can develop new sexual zones

If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern.

However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways.

You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation.

Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever.

There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure.

This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it.

When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems.

It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms).

For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles

[Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou...

Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India.

Sextoy for beginner men in India

So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners.

For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men!

The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men

Masturbator

Cock rings

Love Doll

Sex Lubricants

Toys for the prostate

Lets check each one in detail.

Masturbator

The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products.

It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands.

Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands.

They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.)

Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much.

Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! !

Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa   SEXToys India PR  (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018

Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood.

If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here

Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ...

[For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien...

Cock Ring

A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis.

It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow.

It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber.

In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection.

Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction.

It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it.

Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time.

Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function.

Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy.

You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect.

[Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat...

Love Doll

Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex.

There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women.

Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price.

The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true.

You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste.

There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice.

You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls.

If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here

Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to...

Sex lubricants

Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules.

It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution.

Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse.

There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent.

Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent.

If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here.

What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many...

Toys for the Prostate

Another sextoy for men is prostate toys.

The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line.

Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men.

Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm.

You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus.

By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms.

Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.)

The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation.

Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure.

sextoy for beinner women in India

The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy.

The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy.

Vibrator.

Dildo

Electric Masserger

Lets check out what each one is in detail.

If you want to check out womens toys, click here.

[BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm...

Vibrators

A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator.

Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy.

It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy.

Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women.

For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators.

Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex.

Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself.

This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual.

Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men.

When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons.

Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most...

Dildo

A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis.

It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass.

A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it.

They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well.

It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device.

A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo.

Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands.

For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis.

This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one.

To learn more about dildo, please click here.

What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th...

Electric Masserger

A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores.

It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low.

Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels.

Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation.

It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure.

For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm.

It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out.

If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager?

To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here.

What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th...

How to choose a sextoy for Indian

Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one.

Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points:  Does the size fit you (the partner)?

Does the size fit you (your partner)?

Is the environment able to produce sound without problems?

Price range

First of all, the choice of size is quite important.

Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women.

For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage.

Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems.

Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise.

If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level.

Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it.

Finally, there is the price range.

The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest.

Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy.

Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy?

I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance.

For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics.

If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out.

How to buy sextoys in India

The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping.

For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below.

Sextoy is one of them.

Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping.

SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India.

They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry.

Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card.

To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy.

ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal.

Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on.

Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture.

Cautions for Indians using sextoy

When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind

Keep sex toys clean

Watch out for electrical leakage

Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy

As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone.

Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there.

It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case.

In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness.

Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful.

If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it.

You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly.

Summary

What did you think?

In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India.

The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future.

As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values.

However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health.

If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try?

Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women.

I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it.
CARBONDALE  City leaders have approved a chronic nuisance ordinance that will fine landlords who fail to take corrective action with problem tenants.

The idea for the ordinance originated at a public forum about how to make Carbondale a safer and more welcoming place, held after the fatal shooting of Carbondale musician Tim Beaty.

Under the ordinance, a chronic nuisance residence is defined as a housing unit that experiences three unlawful activities within a 12-month period.

Those unlawful activities include such offenses as public urination, littering, alcohol sales without a license, blocking traffic, noise ordinance violations, assault and battery, fighting, intimidation and reckless conduct.

Several rental property owners stepped forward to speak out against the measure, saying they had little control over what their tenants did.

Jane Adams, a rental property owner and local resident, said she was in favor of the ordinance because she would like to be notified when her tenants are engaging in illegal activities.

As a landlord, I want to be able to enforce my lease, and therefore I implore you as the council to pass this ordinance so that the city will inform me if my tenants are violating the lease that I have written with them. I have no other way of knowing, unless the neighbors call me or tell me, she said.

The measure passed 5-2. Councilman Tom Grant and Councilman Navreet Kang voted no.

Although Im not overwhelmed with delight about the ordinance and even though I dont think this will solve all the problems were having, I think its one step, the first step, in the right direction, said Councilman Adam Loos.

He said he hoped to look at additional solutions in the future, such as required licensure of property owners.

Councilwoman Jessica Bradshaw initially expressed concerns about the measure and said she planned to abstain, but ultimately voted in favor.

Also at the meeting on Tuesday, the council unanimously approved a companys proposal to open a 97-bed drug and alcohol rehabilitation center inside a vacant nursing home facility in Carbondale.

The Chicago-based development team requested a special use permit, which would then allow an operator to seek state licensure to convert the facility at 500 S. Lewis Lane.

The co-owners of the company have said that the target demographic for the rehab center would be college students, municipal employees and other employed individuals.

Councilman Grant asked the applicants whether the building would be secured at all hours of the day. They said the intent was to keep the building fully locked down 24 hours a day and seven days a week; the outdoor areas would also be secured and under full supervision.
A suspect who is believed to be involved in a shooting last month in Murphysboro that left one man dead and another injured has been arrested, Jackson County State's Attorney Michael Carr said in a news release Wednesday.

Carr said Juwan K. Jackson, 26, of Murphysboro, has been apprehended on a warrant for aggravated battery with a firearm, armed violence and unlawful possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver in connection with a shooting incident in Murphysboro during the early morning hours of Oct. 24, 2016, the release said.

The shooting left one Murphysboro man, previously identified as Detrick Yurnell Rogers, 38, of Murphysboro, dead. Investigators said previously 27-year-old Cortez Lamont Turner, of Murphysboro, was injured in the same incident, but his wounds were not life-threatening.

Jackson was apprehended on Tuesday in Decatur, Carr said. He was arrested following a search involving the Murphysboro Police Department, the Jackson County Sheriffs Office, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Macon County Sheriffs Office.

The charge of aggravated battery with a firearm, a Class X felony, alleges that Juwan Jackson, while acting together and in concert with others, knowingly caused great bodily harm to another person, in that he knowingly discharged a firearm and shot that person in the head. The charge of armed violence, also a Class X felony, alleges that while the defendant was in the act of committing a felony, unlawful possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver, knowingly discharged a firearm that caused great bodily harm to another, according to the release.

A Class X felony carries a sentence of mandatory imprisonment of not less than 25 years to life.

Jackson is also charged with unlawful possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver in that he knowingly possessed with the intent to deliver more than 30 grams, but less than 500 grams, of a substance containing cannabis, a Class 3 felony, which carries a potential sentence of 2 to 5 years of imprisonment, the release said.

Jacksons bond is set at $1 million. He is in the custody of the Jackson County Sheriff and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, November 3, 2016, at 1 p.m.

The investigation is ongoing, Carr said, and is being pursued by the Murphysboro Police Department, the Jackson County Sheriffs Office and the Illinois State Police. Jackson County States Attorney Michael C. Carr and Assistant States Attorney Casey E.A. Bloodworth are handling the prosecution.
Medea Benjamin doesnt shy away from confrontation.

The political activist and co-founder of the peace group CodePink heckled President Barack Obama during a major foreign policy speech in 2013. More recently, she diverted cameras away from Donald Trumps acceptance speech at the RNC when she called him a racist, hoisting a sign that read, Build Bridges, Not Walls!

She applies that same unflinching defiance to the subject of her most recent book: the sticky alliance between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

It kind of seemed like the elephant in the room, that I had been skirting it for many years, probably not wanting to play into the spreading of Islamophobia, Benjamin said. But I realized that it was crazy, the U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia  especially now that were selling them such massive amounts of weapons that are being used for such destructive purposes throughout the Middle East.

Benjamin will give a talk on her book, Kingdom of the Unjust: Behind the US-Saudi Connection, at 7 p.m. Thursday in the SIU School of Law Auditorium, 1150 Douglas Drive in Carbondale. The lecture is part of the Margie Parker Teach-In for Peace.

Saudi Arabia is the worlds largest producer and exporter of oil. Its also the only country in the world where women cant drive.

Its a country that has no free speech, no freedom of assembly, no freedom of association, no political parties, no labor unions, where dissent is treated as treason, where people can be executed by beheading for nonviolent crimes such as insulting the kingdom, Benjamin said.

Saudi Arabian women live under a guardianship system, where they need a man to sign off on every major decision in their lives, she said. It's also illegal to build a non-Muslim place of worship in the country.

This extremist, fundamentalist version, or perversion, of Islam is then spread around the world, using Saudi oil revenues to create mosques and schools throughout the Middle East and North Africa and even Europe. That spreads this very narrow-minded view of the Muslim religion, which is not the version that the vast majority of Muslims in the world practice. And the Saudis not only spread their ideology, but they have been funding and supplying weapons to extremist groups, she said.

The origins of the U.S.-Saudi relationship date back to the early 1930s, when the countrys oil reserves were discovered, Benjamin said.

The U.S. government realized how vast this oil resource was and made a pact with Saudi Arabia that we would make sure their kingdom was maintained and not overthrown as long as they continued to sell us oil, and that pact of oil for security has endured for 12 administrations, both Democrat and Republican, she said.

But in recent years, the U.S.-Saudi relationship has moved beyond oil to the sale of weapons: Saudi Arabia represents a major revenue stream for the U.S. weapons industry. Under President Obama, $115 billion worth of weapons were sold to the Saudis, Benjamin said.

On the one hand, I think Obamas most significant positive foreign policy achievement was the Iran nuclear deal, something both the Israelis and the Saudis opposed, she said. But in return, the Saudis have been given even more sophisticated U.S. weapons as well as support for their disastrous war in Yemen.

Regarding the recent passage of a controversial bill allowing families of 9/11 victims to sue the Saudi government, Benjamin said she was in favor of the measure.

I think its great that the 9/11 families now have the right to sue the Saudi government, because I think that there are still relationships between the Saudi hijackers  15 of the 19 of them were Saudis  and people at various levels of the Saudi government. That information has never been revealed to the U.S. public, and I think its only through the discovery process in the courts that we might learn the truth, she said.

Benjamin, who ran for the U.S. Senate as a Green Party candidate in California in 2000, said theres no time like the present to reexamine our ties with Saudi Arabia.

 Now is certainly better than never, especially when Saudis are supporting Al-Qaeda-like groups in Syria, Iraq, Libya, and crushing democratic uprisings in Bahrain, and causing catastrophic war in Yemen. Its also a time when the Saudis are having economic problems because of the price of oil going down, she said.

Benjamin said that if Hillary Clinton is elected President next week, well most likely see continuity in U.S.-Saudi relations and continued support of the Saudi regime.

Lets remember that the Clinton Foundation got between $10 and $25 million from the Saudis, and while Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State, she authorized tens of billions of dollars of weapon sales to the Saudis. So my hope, and part of the reason I wrote this book, was to help to build up opposition to the U.S.-Saudi relationship and get more people not only aware, but angry, and activated to pressure their congressional representatives and the next administration.

If indeed were going to stop our military involvement in these never-ending wars in the Middle East, and the incredible drain of our resources and the blowback that comes from U.S. military intervention in the Middle East, if were ever going to see an end to the threats of terrorism against us, we have to reexamine our relationship with the very country most responsible for the spread of extremism, she said.

Benjamins speech will be followed by a reception and book signing. The event is free and open to the public.
As a Marine Corps veteran of the war in Iraq, Ive been on the edge of my seat following the Illinois Senate race between two veteran contenders. The number of veterans serving in the U.S. Congress is at an all-time low, so its refreshing to see veterans campaigning for an opportunity to continue their service to our country. But, Im increasingly dismayed by the track record of Sen. Mark Kirk and recent actions he and his billionaire backers have taken to try and secure his re-election.

Instead of sticking to the issues that matter to Illinois voters  including the more than 700,000 veterans who call Illinois home  Sen. Kirk is waging a smear campaign on the reputation and service of our fellow veteran, Rep. Tammy Duckworth. Its disgraceful.

Duckworth is a decorated combat veteran who has sacrificed greatly for our country. When a rocket-propelled grenade hit her helicopter in Iraq, she lost her legs and the partial use of one of her arms. But she didnt let it stop her service. During the year she spent recovering in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, she decided she was going to make it her mission to help her fellow veterans. Or, as she tells it, pay back the debt of gratitude she owes to her buddies who carried her bleeding from the battlefield.

She frequently says, "Every day, I try to live up to, and be worthy of, the sacrifice of my buddies and the courage they showed."

And shes never stopped serving  serving her fellow veterans, serving the people of Illinois, serving the United States of America. Im struck by that commitment.

Kirk is also a veteran. He served honorably and with distinction for 23 years in the United States Navy. But while representing Illinois in the U.S. Senate, he voted against funding for veterans education, job training and healthcare benefits. But my concern about him goes deeper than that.

Hes also  and this is something we in the veteran community take extremely seriously  been caught flat-out lying about his service on a number of occasions. He said he was Naval Intelligence Officer of the Year. He wasnt. He said he served in combat. He didnt. Mr. Kirk tries to sell himself to voters as a person of integrity. Hes not.

How can we trust a candidate who lies to us, and who has voted to undermine the very resources our countrys veterans and military families need to thrive?

We need veterans in the U.S. Senate. We need leaders in the U.S. Senate. We need Tammy Duckworth in the U.S. Senate.
Taking dual-enrollment courses through Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical Colleges Middle College program is one of the most rewarding experiences that ambitious local high school juniors and seniors can have. Dual enrollment in South Carolinas technical colleges has a long history of helping high school students be college-ready while reducing the financial burden of obtaining a post-secondary degree.

Middle College students often receive both high school and college credit for the same course, and can earn up to 24 college credits before they graduate. With this soft launch to college, Middle College students get to experience the rigor and expectations of college-level work while still receiving support and encouragement from their high school and at home.

OCtechs Middle College provides structured Career Pathways that help students select courses relevant to their chosen field or interest, offering them a seamless transition from high school academics to degree programs at OCtech and beyond. Due to the relationship with our four-year partners, many courses are accepted at public and private colleges/universities in South Carolina.

Middle College students save thousands of dollars in tuition costs, experience a smoother transition into college academics and take advantage of the small class sizes offered at OCtech.

The classes really prepared me for college, 2016 Lake Marion High School graduate Allen Taste said. Our school paid for us to take Middle College classes, so thats college credit hours we didnt have to pay for. Everybody should take advantage of the opportunity while you can.

Additionally, students who take Middle College courses often enjoy improved academic outcomes. The credits students earn while in high school can help them maintain their HOPE and LIFE scholarship eligibility during their freshman year of college. Students can also earn their degree or certification is less time.

Since I took classes at OCtech, I graduated in three years from the College of Charleston and was able to do it without taking any summer classes once I enrolled there, said former Middle College student Avigeet Gupta, who was just 20 years old when he entered the University of South Carolina School of Medicine last fall. I could focus on the courses specific to my major and better prepare myself for a medical career.

Middle College courses create a stronger pipeline for students to enter into high-wage, high-demand careers. For example, students can earn their certified nursing assistant credentials while still in high school.

I knew I wanted to go into the health care field  thats why I took Middle College courses at Cope Area Career Center, said Kelci Caruso, a registered nurse who works as the clinical competency coordinator at PruittHealth of Bamberg. Taking the anatomy and physiology course at Cope encouraged me to go into nursing, and becoming a CNA while at Cope helped me when I got into the Associate Degree Nursing program at OCtech.

For students interested in engineering and technology, OCtech participates in the Project Lead the Way program. PLTW allows high school students of any age to begin their college coursework toward degrees in engineering, manufacturing and related fields.

OCtech prides itself on a superior educational experience, both in the quality of the faculty and the quality of the educational programs we offer. As students make decisions regarding their future, we hope they consider OCtech as a place to begin their post-secondary education.

For more information about OCtechs Middle College, call Deborah Cooper-Davis at 803.535-1409, email davisdl@octech.edu or visit www.octech.edu/admissions/middle-college.
A Florida man was arrested Monday in connection with a 2014 shooting incident in Denmark, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Kevin Arturo Lopez, 21, of Kissimmee, Florida has been charged with attempted murder. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison.

SLED alleges Lopez shot a man several times during a drug transaction. The victim required immediate medical attention.

SLED investigated the case at the request of the Bamberg County Sheriffs Office.
James Clyburn is the lone Democrat that South Carolina sends to Washington in its congressional delegation. His position as assistant minority leader in the U.S. House makes him a figure of considerable influence. His re-election in a four-way race on Nov. 8 is practically a given.

But that does not mean Clyburn is not busy this political season, telling voters about his record and priorities, and focusing on what the election overall means to the nation.

Clyburn and other Democrats are counting on a Hillary Clinton victory in the presidential race. And in this very different election year, they have noticeably been pushing the idea that even a Republican-dominated state such as South Carolina could be won by Clinton.

Its not likely, despite Democratic polls that show the race between Republican Donald Trump and Clinton is closer here than previous presidential races. By advancing the idea that Democrats could actually win the states electoral votes for the first time since Jimmy Carter carried the Palmetto State in 1976, Clyburn wants to ensure heavy voter turnout on Nov. 8, particularly among African-Americans.

If the Democratic base vote were to cast ballots as in 2008 when then-Sen. Barack Obama got 45 percent of the tally but still lost to Sen. John McCains 54 percent, and GOP-leaning independents either dont vote for Trump or stay home, the race could be close. Clyburn is even hoping that could mean an upset by Democrats such as Fran Person in his congressional race against 5th District Republican Congressman Mike Mulvaney.

But while the congressman has great interest in advancing Democratic interests in his home state, prospects for the partys success are brighter on the national level. That too is important to a political leader who would be in a major position of leadership should Democrats retake the House majority in the voting a week from now.

In an interview with the McClatchy news service this past week (before the most recent headlines over Clintons emails), Clyburn urged the Clinton campaign to think beyond just winning the presidential race  and to concentrate on taking congressional races in five states.

Clyburn said winning back Congress is essential if a Clinton presidency is to have any chance of success  and the first two years would be crucial.

In 2016, a majority of contested Senate races are for seats held by Republicans, making the GOP vulnerable to losses. That will not be the case two years from now when more seats held by Democrats will be on the ballot.

Thus Clyburn advises that Clinton focus on Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Money and effort directed at those states, he suggested in the McClatchy interview, could result in a couple of Senate seats and a dozen House seats moving into the Democratic column.

There are going to be a lot of exposed Democrats in the Senate elections in two years, Clyburn said. The best way to insulate those senators is with legislative success.

And that legislative success cannot come without Democratic majorities in both houses, he said.

The Republicans in the House wont be working with her no matter how many states she wins, Clyburn told McClatchy.

So while Clyburn and Democrats would welcome success in South Carolina, their hope for a big voter turnout is as much about neighboring North Carolina and other states as here. They want to celebrate Clinton making history as the nations first female president  but they see the prospect of getting a whole lot more as an opportunity that, in Clyburns words, shouldnt be wasted.
COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Disaster Recovery Office will open mobile intake centers in The Times and Democrat Region and across the area on Nov. 7 to accept individual applications for housing recovery related to the October 2015 storm. The mobile offices will serve three counties each day and alternate locations to reach citizens around the state more effectively.

During November, the mobile intake centers will set up offices in the following counties or combined county areas: Bamberg, Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon, Charleston, Darlington-Florence, Dorchester, Georgetown, Greenville-Spartanburg, Horry, Kershaw-Lee, Marion, Newberry-Fairfield-Greenwood and Orangeburg. Each mobile office will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The mobile intake center schedule for The T&D Region the week of Nov. 7-12 is as follows:

Monday, Nov. 7

Andrew Chapel Baptist Church, 3670 Five Chop Road, Orangeburg

Tuesday, Nov. 8

Denmark Train Depot, 12 Baruch St., Denmark

Cross Community Center, 1690 Old Highway 6, Cross

Wednesday, Nov. 9

Quick Jobs Center, 900 FR Huff Drive, St. Matthews

Saturday, Nov. 12

Denmark Train Depot, 12 Baruch St., Denmark

SCDRO also operates two permanent intake centers located at 318 E. Main St. in Kingstree and 725 Broad St. in Sumter. The permanent intake centers are open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Citizens may make appointments for intake services at any office by contacting their case manager or contacting SCDRO directly. Residents may contact SCDRO by calling 1-844-330-1199 or visiting the SCDRO website at www.scstormrecovery.com.

The goal is to serve as many citizens as possible. SCDRO intends to repair or replace approximately 1,500 homes affected by the October 2015 storm. The program is designed to assist low- to moderate-income households and serve South Carolinas most vulnerable population.

The highest priority will be given to households with documented damage and homeowners who are 65 years old or older, persons with documented disabilities, or households with children 5 years old or younger.

The program focuses on the repair or replacement of homes for the most at-risk citizens who do not have the resources to repair or rebuild their homes.

SCDRO will provide eligible citizens with safe, sanitary and secure homes. Any previous funds for home repair received, such as homeowners insurance, FEMA or local charities, will be subtracted from the total. Households served by the program are required to accept a three-year forgivable lien.

Citizens applying for assistance should prepare by collecting the correct documents before visiting the intake center. Finding the required documents can be difficult after a devastating event. The SCDRO has a list of acceptable documents on its website.

The program does not apply to residents of Richland and Lexington counties or the City of Columbia, as these jurisdictions received separate grant money. The 22 counties served by the program include Bamberg, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dorchester, Fairfield, Florence, Georgetown, Greenville, Greenwood, Horry, Kershaw, Lee, Marion, Newberry, Orangeburg, Spartanburg, Sumter and Williamsburg counties.

For more information, visit the SCDRO website at www.scstormrecovery.com.
Recently, Dr. Thelma Sojourner, superintendent of Denmark-Olar School District Two, invited the public to visit the schools to experience their condition firsthand and gauge the need for new facilities. I took her up on her offer.

On Sept. 22, I visited the high school and on Sept. 23 I toured the elementary and middle schools. My findings were shocking.

First, let me point out that our faculty and staff are our true heroes. For more than 30 years, our district has been operating on extremely limited resources, finances and political support. School officials have been reduced to relying on mediocre patchwork that sucks up budgets like a parasite with no real results. Yet they have ensured that each school is performing at its highest potential to educate students.

If the halls of Denmark-Olar elementary and middle schools could talk, they would tell tales of those who walked through them from the early 1960s. Although maintained to the best of the districts abilities, the halls and classrooms look the same, with no changes besides superficial paint jobs and occasional patchwork. The same goes for lab stations for chemistry class, the cabinetry and stove in the old home economics class that now serves as the special needs class and other amenities.

The districts schools share common problems: leaks, inadequate handicap accessibility in bathrooms and classrooms, safety issues, infrastructure issues, mold and mildew problems, and a lack of updated technology. The poor technology causes problems when it comes to statewide testing; when servers go down it could potentially lead to low test scores because students arent able to finish testing properly.

One of the most crushing moments on my tours came during a conversation with a student at Denmark-Olar Middle School. As I spoke with him, I asked how he was doing in school and his response brought me to immediate tears inside my soul.

He said with excitement in his eyes, Well, I am doing horrible at school and I am glad!

Why would you say something like that and be so excited? What can we do to make your educational experience better? I asked.

There is no need, he said. I want to get kicked out and be sent to the alternative school because they have better schools over there. They have better food, they have better supplies, and I heard you learn more over there. Thats where I want to be because this school sucks. It doesnt have anything for us!

My heart sank. I told him of the plans for the new school and showed him the mock designs. His eyes lit up.

So this is the school I can go to?

Yes, but you have to work hard, turn your grades around and work toward getting better.

Hope filled his eyes. He skipped down the hall to his friends. Hey, yall, we are getting a new school, finally.

While touring the elementary school with Dr. Lorraine Peeples, it was heartbreaking to hear stories about the extent to which they must go to keep the crumbling school safe for students.

Peeples said it rained extremely hard around lunchtime one day. As the kitchen staff began to prepare to feed the children, the ceiling came through and water flooded the area where the children would get their lunch. So we made an executive decision not to alarm the students that the ceilings had caved in.

So, what did they do? Like waitresses at a restaurant, they served the students at their tables that whole week. They thought it was because it was Black History Month and they were being served as an honor, Peeples said. She and I laughed as she told the story. Then we cried.

I have a vested interest in seeing the district succeed. My children attend school in District Two and I serve as vice president of the School Improvement Council at Denmark-Olar High. I am a passionate supporter of the Nov. 8 bond referendum that would allow the district to construct a new school complex.

If everyone toured the schools they would see why we need to vote yes for the $38 million bond referendum.

Denmark-Olar Two is a jewel to Bamberg County. It is the diamond in the rough.

The school board, superintendent, principals, faculty, staff, parents and students are doing an impeccable job with limited resources. They are our heroes.

Now lets support them by voting yes to the new school complex and work hard to strengthen our communities and bring jobs to Bamberg County.
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By Azertac





National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of Azerbaijan Republic (ASK) will host a conference on promotion of investment opportunities in Iran and Azerbaijan in Baku on November 10-11. The conference will feature a number of panel discussions involving Azerbaijani and Iranian investors.





The conference aims to ensure the execution of bilateral agreements signed by the two countries and bring Azerbaijani and Iranian investors closer to each other. It will be organized in partnership with the Organization for Investment Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran, Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation, Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iran`s Embassy in Baku and Georgian International Academy of Science.
By Azernews





By Nigar Abbasova

Azerbaijans state oil fund SOFAZ, which accumulates and manages oil and gas revenues of the country, sold some $371 million at currency auctions in October 2016.

The Fund is expected to continue the sale of currency at auctions organized by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan. The sale of currency is implemented within the framework of transfers of SOFAZ to the state budget of Azerbaijan.

The transfers of the Fund are forecasted to hit 7.61 billion manat ($ 4.64 billion) in 2016, while the forecasted index for 2017 stands at 6.1 billion manat ($3.7 billion).

The CBA earlier switched to the definition of the manat rate through auctions. Thus, the average rate of manat is established based on inter-bank transactions in the foreign exchange market.

The official exchange rate on the next day is determined on the basis of the average exchange rate formed on contracts, conducted by commercial banks at auctions and interbank foreign exchange market.

On the days when no auction is held, official rate of the national currency against the US dollar is set based on the average rate formed in the currency market on the basis of the currency purchase and sale transactions between banks.

SOFAZ was established in 1999 with assets of $271 million.SOFAZ's primary objectives are to help maintain macroeconomic stability in the country and to generate wealth for present and future generations. The assets of the Fund currently amount to some $33.7 billion.
By Azernews





By Amina Nazarli

Russia and Azerbaijan, the two friends and neighbors, are looking for ways to expand the interaction in the tourism sphere.

The countries plan to start with expansion of the direct flights, which today is carried out in six directions between the two countries.

Head of the Federal Tourism Agency of International Cooperation Valery Korovin said that the level of tourism logistics between the two countries is below its real possibilities.



Currently, flights from Baku are performed to only six cities of Russia, despite the fact that there are 14 millionaire cities in Russia, and each of them is a potential base for tourists, Korovin said, summarizing the 7th Azerbaijani-Russian inter-regional forum held in Baku on November 1.

He added that detailed work will be implemented in this direction together with the air carriers of Russia and Azerbaijan.

Another problem is insufficiency of railway communication and the lack of sea links between our countries, Korovin noted. But the problem of the Caspian Sea is the complete absence of cruise vessels. We are aware of this problem and work on its solution. The issue of railway and air transport can be solved in the nearest future.

This summer several Russian air carriers received permission to perform flights to Baku from such Russian cities as Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Kaluga and Rostov-na-Donu.

Two other airlines received permission in fall to operate flights from Zhukovsky to the Azerbaijani city of Ganja several times a week. Moreover, Russian company Ural Airlines opened a new flight Gabala-Moscow-Gabala from July 31.

Azerbaijans tourism industry is growing rapidly year after year, and today Russian tourists make up more than 32 percent of the total number of tourists visiting the country.

However, Korovin believes that the number of tourists can be more if awareness of both Russian and Azerbaijani citizens about tourism opportunities of the neighboring country increases.

We are very glad that Azerbaijan has opened an information center in Russia, and we hope it will bring positive results, he said.

During the round table held within the Forum, the deputy head of Tourism Department of Azerbaijans Culture and Tourism Ministry, Rauf Pashayev, said that the ministry plans to hold a campaign on Russian television for the promotion of winter tourism in Azerbaijan

Pashayev noted that the ministry regularly organizes advertising on Russian television.

We broadcast a number of ads on Russian television in 2013, and we plan to promote winter tourism in Azerbaijan this year also, he said.

Tourism plays an important role in the economy of Azerbaijan, Pashayev said. "Last year the share of tourism in the country's GDP exceeded three percent, which is a good indicator for oil country, he said.

He further noted that the most promising areas of cooperation with Russia in the field of tourism are wellness and business tourism.



"Even in Soviet period, Naftalan resort, known for its healing properties, was very popular in Russia. And today, after restoration of Naftalan, citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan and the whole CIS are the main visitors of the resort. Another promising direction is cooperation in business-tourism sphere," he said.

Russians choose Azerbaijan as their travel destination for many reasons. First of all the Land of Fire does not require visa for Russian tourists to enjoy the country.

Azerbaijan is also a perfect destination for Russian tourists, because of its peoples very friendly attitude towards Russia. Here Russian-speaking tourists have no problem with communication, as Azerbaijanis speak Russian well enough to help with any difficulties.
By Azernews





By Nigar Abbasova

Tuesday was a big day for Azerbaijan, a groundbreaking ceremony took place for the Azerbaijani-Russian joint pharmaceutical plant.

The countrys first pharmacy plant will be built in the Pirallahi Industrial Park.

Today, Azerbaijan produces only a minuscule share of the medicines that it consumes, while the overwhelming majority of pharmaceutical production is being imported. The plant is expected to allow the country to develop the medicine sector and expand the non-oil production in the country.

Azerbaijans Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev, addressing the ceremony, said that the plant will allow the country to significantly reduce its dependence on the import of medicines, adding that the enterprise will produce some 80 types of medicines.

He said that it is planned to invest some $74 million into the project, while Azerbaijan will be able to manufacture high-quality medicines within two years.

During the ceremony, Russian private hi-tech pharmaceutical company R-Pharm, Azerbaijan Investment Company and Vita-A LLC (Azerbaijan) signed an agreement on the creation of Hayat Pharm Joint Venture.

The project envisages creation of a large logistics centre, covering an area of some 5,000 cubic meters in 2016-2018.

The formation of the industrial complex, which is to consist of two stages, namely, the establishment of an enterprise for packing the officinal medicines and production of medications (tablets, capsules and pharmaceutical substances) will begin in 2017-2020. A quality control laboratory will be established in the country in 2016-2020.

Hayat Pharms share in the Azerbaijani pharmaceutical market is expected to be 6 percent by 2025. The local production will account for $70 million or 0.15 percent of GDP by 2025.

This will allow saving budgetary funds worth $53.6 million thanks to import substitution in medications.

Mustafayev further said that the country will soon launch the construction of other pharmaceutical plants, mentioning that the talks on cooperation in the pharmaceutical sphere are currently underway with a number of countries, including Iran and Turkey.

Iran, which possesses modern pharmaceutical system and 100-year experience in the sector, is expected to build a pharmaceutical plant in Azerbaijans Pirallahi settlement. The enterprise is planned to manufacture dozens of essential drugs for the treatment of heart diseases, contagious diseases, non-communicable diseases, as well as various types of antibiotics and painkillers.

The necessary medicines will be imported from Iran to Azerbaijan within the first stage, while Iran will provide all necessary technology for the production of drugs in the second stage of the project, production of medicines will be launched at the third stage.

Moreover, Egypt, which has rich and ancient medicine traditions, earlier expressed its interest in opening the plant for the production of medical equipment and drugs in Azerbaijan.
Abdul Halim fled the northern city of Kunduz this month, after militants and security forces had been clashing for days.

Now hes 200 miles away in Kabul, sleeping in a tent and living on aid. He is part of a looming humanitarian crisis aid agencies here are struggling to contain.





Before the current crisis, more than a million people had already been uprooted. Now at least another million Afghans are on the move inside Afghanistan and across its borders, in what the United Nations warns is an alarming new wave of displaced people to which the government has struggled to respond.





Many, like Abdul Halim, fled violence or conflict; others escaped hardships such as poverty or drought. Still others were forced to return from Pakistan and Iran.





Even as the numbers grew, Afghanistan agreed to accept Afghan asylum seekers deported from the European Union. The deal, signed this month, could see the E.U. construct a separate terminal for deportations at Kabuls international airport, and as many as 100,000 Afghans could return.





This sudden increase [in the displaced] has put a lot of pressure on Afghanistan, which has had 30 years of war, said Nader Farhad, spokesman for the U.N. refugee agency in Kabul.





Its not easy to put together the infrastructure, to provide the services that are required, he said, adding that the displaced need everything from food and blankets to jobs and health care.





To the European countries, we say: Instead of investing in the return of Afghans to Afghanistan, tackle the root causes, Farhad said. If the United Nations and other aid agencies fail to provide emergency assistance, it will be a humanitarian crisis, he said.





Massive displacement has plagued Afghanistan for years, beginning with the Soviet invasion in 1979.





That conflict kindled two decades of war. When the United States invaded in 2001, some 4 million Afghans were living in Pakistan and Iran.





Many of those refugees
By Azernews





By Nigar Abbasova

Azerbaijan and Pakistan, the two strategic partners, intend to strengthen the bilateral relations in various fields and achieve strong economic partnership.

The opportunities for expanding mutually beneficial trade and economic relations between the two countries were at core of discussions during the meeting between Pakistan's Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan and Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Alizade.

The minister is expected to pay a visit to Azerbaijan in the near future and discuss further with te countrys authorities strengthening of ties between the countries.

Dastgir Khan hailed the existing great potential for development of economic cooperation saying that the social-economic development of Azerbaijan, favorable business sphere created for foreign investors in the country, transportation corridors, production enterprises and other economic and trade opportunities, make the country attractive to investors.

Moreover the sides discussed the possibilities of expanding the legal framework of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan cooperation.

The Baku-Islamabad cooperation extends to every sphere ranging from political, economic, technological, security to cultural arenas. The two countries do share common values in terms of culture and religion.

A unique attribute of Azerbaijan-Pakistan bilateral relations is strong support that both countries extend to each other on issues of mutual interest and international arena.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Pakistan amounted to $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2016.
By Azernews





By Laman Ismayilova

The Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall will host an evening with famous Russian film and theater actor, Emmanuil Vitorgan, Trend Life reported.

All theatre fans are invited to enjoy the artistic event scheduled for November 30.

Emmanuel Vitorgan is a frequent guest in Azerbaijan. In 2015, he performed in the play " King of Clubs - the card of love " staged at the Russian Drama Theatre.

Furthermore, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Tourism awarded the Russian artist with the badge "Honored Culture Worker of Azerbaijan".

Emmanuil Vitorgan is People's artist of Russia. He acted in over a hundred films, which include "King Lear ", "After wedding", "Black rose" and others.

Together with his wife I. Mlodik, Emmanuil had opened "Cultural Center of Emmanuel Vitorgan" in Moscow where he stages his plays, conducts recitals, concerts, etc.
By Azertac





President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today signed an Order providing additional funding for the construction of Noda-Shingadulan-Khanagah highway in Lerik district.





Under the presidential order, 6.6 million manats were allocated from the 2016 State Budget for the completion of the construction of the road, which links 50 residential areas with the total population of 30,000 people.
By Azernews





By Nigar Abbasova

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the key topics of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on important regional issues with his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who paid a working visit to Russia, on November 1 in Moscow.

The Russian president noted that "despite the known economic difficulties", the trade turnover between the two countries is growing, mentioning that the imports from Turkmenistan doubled in 2015.

But, of course, there is still work to do," the head of state added.

The Turkmen president, in turn, stated that the work of the intergovernmental commission is of great importance. "There is a lot of potential for both our countries. Remember our last meeting in Astrakhan at the Caspian summit - there was an idea to create an economic forum or a logistics center," RIA Novosti cited him as saying.

"You attach great importance to the development of transport and transit corridors," Berdimuhamedov told Putin, reminding that the Russian leader has supported these ideas.

Berdimuhamedov further invited the Russian president to participate in a global conference on transport, which will be held in Turkmenistan under the auspices of the UN on November 26-27.

In addition, he touched on cooperation between scientists of the two countries in the agricultural sector. "During the last five years, we have provided a good harvest for our country, our people, and even became the exporter," Berdimuhamedov said, further offering to hold the Science and Technology Forum in Ashgabat in 2017.

Highlighting the Turkmen President's role in the development of bilateral relations, Putin stressed that the relations between Moscow and Ashgabat will continue developing.

Turkmenistan and Russia have more than 100 agreements, covering all areas of cooperation. The main document between them is the agreement on friendship and cooperation dated April 23, 2002.

Russian companies operate in the Turkmen market in such areas as supply of machinery and equipment, telecommunications, oil and gas sector.

Russia holds leading positions among the biggest foreign trade partners of Turkmenistan. More than 190 companies with Russian capital implementing more than 240 investment projects have been registered in the Turkmen market.
By Azernews





By Gunay Hasanova

Following the recent working visit of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Russia, the revolved relations between Russia and Turkmenistan due to disagreements over price negotiations to gas exports seems moving to a more positive phase.

Russia has always been and will be a strategic partner of Turkmenistan, said Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who is on a working visit to Russia.

President Berdimuhamedov made the remarks at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on November 1 in Moscow.

Moreover, the two presidents discussed the key topics of bilateral cooperation and also exchanged views on relevant regional issues.

In addition, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov further invited his Russian counterpart to participate in the global sustainable transport conference to be held in Turkmenistan under the auspices of the UN on November 26-27.

"Russia and Turkmenistan have great potential, the Turkmen president added. The idea of creating the economic forum or a logistics center was voiced at the recent meeting in Astrakhan. Russia attaches great importance to the development of transport and transit corridors.

"Of course, Russias presence at the conference will give even greater impetus to the development of transport and transit corridors not only for Central Asia but also in the south-east direction," President Berdimuhamedov said.

In turn, highlighting the Turkmen President's role in the development of bilateral relations, Putin stressed that the relations between Moscow and Ashgabat will continue developing.

Turkmenistan and Russia have more than 100 agreements, covering all areas of cooperation. The main document between them is the agreement on friendship and cooperation dated April 23, 2002.

Russia holds leading positions among the biggest foreign trade partners of Turkmenistan.

Russian companies fruitfully operate on Turkmen market, especially, in the supply of vehicles and equipment, telecommunications, oil and gas fields. Around 190 companies with Russian share operate in Turkmenistan.

However, the chill in the relations between the countries happened when the Russian company suspended purchases of Turkmen gas entirely at the start of 2016. That came after Gazprom had reduced the amount of Turkmen gas it bought from more than 40 billion cubic meters [bcm] in 2008 to some 3.1 bcm in 2015.

Gazprom announced on January 4, 2016, that, rather than purchasing Turkmen gas, the company would instead buy 3.1 bcm of gas from Turkmenistan's neighbor, Uzbekistan.

Taking into account the current economic situation in Turkmenistan, the visit of Turkmen President is a rational step in order to improve the relations, which is in the interests of both sides, mainly of Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan, which has the fourth largest proven gas reserves in the world and produces about 70-80 billion cubic meters of gas a year, is actively implementing an energy strategy aimed at increasing exports of the blue fuel and diversifying its supply routes to the largest global markets, where the demand for energy resources is growing.

In 2015, Turkmenistan's natural gas exports amounted 48 bcm.

Experts consider that the biggest problem Turkmenistan faces from Russia stopping imports of Turkmen gas is that it leaves Turkmenistan with just the two customers  China and Iran.

Turkmenistan is exporting a large amount of gas, approximately 30 bcm, to China, the most important market where the demand for gas will only grow. For 10 years, the demand for gas in China increased by 4.5 times to 185.5 billion cubic meters in 2015.

However, the problem with sales to China is that some part of the gas Turkmenistan is exporting is counted as repaying multi-billion dollar Chinese loans to develop Turkmen gas fields and build the pipelines connecting Turkmenistan to China.

There is another export route passing via Iran. The Islamic State has huge gas reserves itself, which puts the country in the first place in the world.

It appears that soon Turkmenistan will only be exporting gas to China. That leaves Turkmenistan in a bad position to negotiate the price of its gas since China could simply refuse and then no one would be buying Turkmen gas.

However, according to many experts, in the light of lifting of sanctions on Iran, the country may soon begin development of new gas fields and change from a partner to a competitor of Turkmenistan. Hence, it is not the best idea to count on this route.

There is an alternative export route in the future - the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline started in December 2015, which will supply Turkmen gas to promising markets in South and Southeast Asia.

However, according to official statements, only the construction of this pipeline's Turkmen section will last for 3 years.

Experts consider that building plots in the transit countries, counting security problems in the region, may take even more time. Therefore, this export route can be beneficial for Turkmenistan only in the long-term.

Consequently, taking these challenges into account, at this stage, it is very beneficial for Turkmenistan to restore its relations with Russia and cooperate with it, especially in the energy sphere.
By Azernews





By Gunay Hasanova

Russia and Turkey may ink a free trade deal in 2017, said Turkish Trade and Customs Minister Bulent Tufenkci, RIA Novosti reported.



The Turkish minister stressed that Turkey could sign a pact on free trade with Russia as soon as next year and will hopefully see a rise in economic figures.

"Considering the process of normalization in our relations and the possibility of signing a free trade agreement in 2017, we expect a rise in indicators across all spheres of economy and trade with Russia," the minister added.

Tufenkci went on to say that the Turkish and Russian trade ministries are considering the issue of using their national currencies in bilateral trade, which will "give an advantage to our countries, reenergize bilateral trade and create new trade opportunities".

The minister added that Russia will soon take more Turkish-grown fruits and vegetables off its sanctions list.

"The Russian market has reopened its doors to us. We can already import oranges, tangerines, apricots, peaches, and plums. We are continuing talks with Russia and we know that Russia will soon allow sales of other crops," Tufenkci said.

We have carried out exports in the amount of $98.5 million to Russia, including the newly approved for import to Russia goods worth $12.6 million, between October 11-26, 2016After all the restrictions and other barriers lifted, it will give even a greater impetus to the development of our trade relations, " the Turkish minister said.

The Turkish trade minister said that prior to sanctions Russia imported around 40 percent of Turkeys fruits and vegetables.

Russia banned imports of bell pepper, pomegranates, aubergines, lettuce, Iceberg lettuce, marrows and pumpkins from Turkey due to phytosanitary considerations in spring 2016.

Prior to that Russia restricted imports of oranges, tangerines, grapes, apples, pears, apricots, peaches and nectarines, plums, wild strawberries, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, cauliflower, broccoli, yellow onions, as well as frozen turkey and chicken from Turkey starting January 1, according to the government decree on implementation of presidential decree on special economic measures against Turkey.



The Russian government has decided to allow on its market a number of Turkish agricultural products, including citrus, said Russian leader Vladimir Putin on October 10 after talks with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A day later, the government issued a decree authorizing the importation of certain fruits - the embargo lifted in respect of fresh and dried oranges and tangerines, fresh apricots, peaches and nectarines, plums and thorns.

Relations between Turkey and Russia broke down for about seven months after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane in November 2015. However, relations have improved since the August meeting of the two presidents.
By Azernews





By Amina Nazarli

Gazelles are considered one of the most beauteous animals in the world. Watching the speedy-running and high-jumping gazelles can give an aesthetic pleasure to everyone.

Azerbaijan has been a home habitat for these gentle, but nimble creations since ancient time. Their fossils are found in the South Caucasus in the upper Miocene period, aged about two million years ago.

Jeyran, as it is called here, is a symbol in the country of natural beauty, grace and purity. Today, the country together with nature lovers makes every effort to protect these charismatic species. Over the past decade, the area of protected territories in Azerbaijan has more than doubled to include the historical range of the gazelle, thus making the return of these beautiful animals a possibility.

However, the gazelle is a protected species in Azerbaijan and are still on the list of endangered species due to poaching.

A license for gazelle hunting in Azerbaijan is not issued even for 1 million manats ($603,000), the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry reported recently and warned poachers to refrain from hunting gazelles.

Azerbaijan included gazelles in the Red Book as endangered species in 1989, the ministry said, emphasizing that the hunting of gazelles either in protected areas (reserves, national parks) or in territories of general status is considered a crime.

 If all projects on protection of gazelles succeed and the number of gazelles exceeds the capacity of areas to feed, then necessary measures can be taken for the regulation of population, the ministry added.

Less than a century ago, numerous herds of gazelles were grazing in the valleys and foothills of the Southern Caucasus, however humans hunting and a large number of wolves have drastically decreased the number of these charming animals.

Gazelles were on the verge of extinction since the second of the 20th century, a significant increase was recorded in the number of gazelles as a result of activities carried out by the Azerbaijani government in cooperation with animal welfare organizations. The aerial survey conducted in 1960 found 131 gazelles in the territory of Azerbaijan.

Following the establishment of the Shirvan National Park in 2003, a significant growth was recorded in the number of gazelles and their number exceeded 7,000 in the short term.



"As a result of joint efforts of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the IDEA Public Union and the World Wildlife Fund, the project on the protection, reintroduction and restoration of historical habitats of gazelles in Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus is being implemented successfully," the ministry informed.



Within the framework of the project over the past six years, about 170 gazelles were caught in the territory of the Shirvan National Park and released into the Ajinohur-Sarija lowland, Bozdagh mountain range and Agggol and Gobustan plateau.

Being like a graceful porcelain figurines, gazelles are not spread throughout the world. They are mostly found in arid and semiarid regions of Iran, Afghanistan and western Pakistan, Mongolia and South China, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
A displaced Iraqi boy leads his animals to safety after escaping from the Islamic State controlled village of Abu Jarboa during clashes with IS militants near Mosul, Iraq : photo by Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters, 1 November 2016

A displaced Iraqi boy leads his animals to safety after escaping from the Islamic State controlled village of Abu Jarboa during clashes with IS militants near Mosul, Iraq : photo by Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters, 1 November 2016

A displaced Iraqi boy leads his animals to safety after escaping from the Islamic State controlled village of Abu Jarboa during clashes with IS militants near Mosul, Iraq : photo by Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters, 1 November 2016

A displaced Iraqi boy leads his animals to safety after escaping from the Islamic State controlled village of Abu Jarboa during clashes with IS militants near Mosul, Iraq : photo by Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters, 1 November 2016

A displaced Iraqi boy leads his animals to safety after escaping from the Islamic State controlled village of Abu Jarboa during clashes with IS militants near Mosul, Iraq : photo by Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters, 1 November 2016

A displaced Iraqi boy leads his animals to safety after escaping from the Islamic State controlled village of Abu Jarboa during clashes with IS militants near Mosul, Iraq : photo by Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters, 1 November 2016

Counterterrorism troops to the east of Mosul t ake shelter after a mortar shell hit. The elite units entered the city, Iraqs second-largest, on Tuesday in an attempt to reclaim it from the Islamic State. : photo by

Counterterrorism troops to the east of Mosul t ake shelter after a mortar shell hit. The elite units entered the city, Iraqs second-largest, on Tuesday in an attempt to reclaim it from the Islamic State. : photo by

Counterterrorism troops to the east of Mosul t ake shelter after a mortar shell hit. The elite units entered the city, Iraqs second-largest, on Tuesday in an attempt to reclaim it from the Islamic State. : photo by

Counterterrorism troops to the east of Mosul t ake shelter after a mortar shell hit. The elite units entered the city, Iraqs second-largest, on Tuesday in an attempt to reclaim it from the Islamic State. : photo by

Counterterrorism troops to the east of Mosul t ake shelter after a mortar shell hit. The elite units entered the city, Iraqs second-largest, on Tuesday in an attempt to reclaim it from the Islamic State.: photo by Bulent Kilic/Agence France-Press, 1 November 2016



People who fled areas held by Islamic State militants t ake shelter outside a mosque south of Mosul that was guarded by Iraqi soldiers on Tuesday: photo by

Felipe Dana/Associated Press, 1 November 2016





People who fled areas held by Islamic State militants t ake shelter outside a mosque south of Mosul that was guarded by Iraqi soldiers on Tuesday: photo by

Felipe Dana/Associated Press, 1 November 2016





#Iraq - Advancing Iraqi forces near Mosul city limits. By @Kilicbil: image via AFP Photo Department @AFPphoto, 31 October 2016 : image via AFP Photo Department @AFPphoto, 31 October 2016







#Iraq - Advancing Iraqi forces near Mosul city limits. By @Kilicbil: image via AFP Photo Department @AFPphoto, 31 October 2016 : image via AFP Photo Department @AFPphoto, 31 October 2016







#Iraq - Advancing Iraqi forces near Mosul city limits. By @Kilicbil: image via AFP Photo Department @AFPphoto, 31 October 2016

A member of the Iraqi armed forces kisses a local boy after entering the town of Shura, south of Mosul, on Saturday: photo by Marko Drobnjakovic/Associated Press, 30 October 2016



A member of the Iraqi armed forces kisses a local boy after entering the town of Shura, south of Mosul, on Saturday: photo by Marko Drobnjakovic/Associated Press, 30 October 2016



A man who just fled Bazwaia village carries a white flag as he arrives at a special forces checkpoint, east of Mosul, Iraq: photo by Zohra Bensemra/Reuters, 1 November 2016







A man who just fled Bazwaia village carries a white flag as he arrives at a special forces checkpoint, east of Mosul, Iraq: photo by Zohra Bensemra/Reuters, 1 November 2016





Stevie Smith: I Remembe r



UK - A couple kiss beneath a tree in St James's Park in London with the trees showing Autumn colours. By @photogator96 #AFP: image via Frederique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 1 November 2016

It was my bridal night I remember, An old man of seventy-three I lay with my young bride in my arms, A girl with t.b. It was wartime, and overhead The Germans were making a particularly heavy raid on Hampstead. What rendered the confusion worse, perversely Our bombers had chosen that moment to set out for Germany. Harry, do they ever collide? I do not think it has ever happened, Oh my bride, my bride. Stevie Smith (1902-1971): I Remember, from Not Waving but Drowning, 1967



SPAIN - A woman kisses a grave at a cemetery in Barcelona during the Catholic All Saints' Day. By Josep Lago #AFP: image via Frederique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 1 November 2016

People visit tombs of their loved ones ahead of the commemoration of All Saints day at Navotas Public cemetery in Manila, Philippines: photo by Damir Sagolj/Reuters, 1 November 2016








Trade exchanges between Iran and Belgium currently stand at $300-$400 million per year and attempts should be made to boost the figure to over $1 billion, a top official said.



Iran's Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mojtaba Khosrotaj was speaking at the recent Iran-Belgium Trade Conference in Tehran, Iran Daily reported.



Two Belgian banks expressed readiness to finance projects in Iran, Geert Bourgeois, minister-president of Belgium's Flanders Region was quoted as saying in the report.



Bourgeois added that no contract has yet been inked between the two countries but it is hoped that trade ties will be sustainable and long-term, the report said, citing Irna.




China State Construction Engineering Corporation (China Construction) has been awarded a Dh554-million ($148 million) contract by leading luxury property developer Damac to build the Paramount Residences at the Paramount Tower Hotel and Residences in Dubai, UAE.



As per the deal, China Construction will be the main contractor for the construction of 27 floors that comprise a collection of luxury residences on Paramount Tower Hotel & Residences, an 867-key luxury tower on Sheikh Zayed Road.



The residences are located on levels 37 to 63 of the 64-storey hotel and hotel residences project, which will offer a sky lobby with views across the Burj area, a private Paramount Pictures screening room, a rooftop infinity swimming pool with a terrace and a fitness and wellness centre with a hi-tech spa.

The project is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2020, said Mohammed Tahaineh, senior vice president (commercial), after signing the agreement with Yu Tao, the president and chief executive of China Construction (Middle East).

Tahaineh said Paramount Tower Hotel and Residences was one of Damac's prestigious branded projects in Dubai that will be strategically located in the Burj area.



"It is one of the four landmark hospitality projects we are developing in collaboration with Paramount Hotels & Resorts, featuring Hollywood-themed hotel rooms, hotel apartments and residential units in Dubai and Riyadh. It gives us great pleasure to appoint China Construction for the provision of contracting services and the delivery of this much-awaited property," he stated.



Yu Tao said this represents a significant contract for the Chinese company in one of the most prestigious hospitality and residential projects in the Middle East.



"We were appointed this year for the infrastructure works at Akoya Oxygen and this new contract only cements further our strong relationship with the real estate developer," he noted.



The residences at Paramount Tower Hotel & Residences feature hospitality units with separate living and dining areas, as well as two and three-bedroom arrangements in addition to exclusive penthouses, said the developer in its statement.



Combining the comforts of home with the Paramount Hotels & Resorts amenities, units are suitable for use by investors seeking a permanent or vacation home and also present a unique investment opportunity when away, reaping high returns and benefiting from hassle-free management and service by the operator, it added.



The architect on Paramount Tower Hotel & Residences is Lacasa Architects and Engineering Consultants.-TradeArabia News Service
GFH Real Estate (GFHRE), the real estate arm of the GFH Financial Group, said it has appointed Almoayyed Contracting as the main contractor of its Harbour Row project in Bahrain Financial Harbour.



As per the deal, all contracting works, including foundations, construction, mechanical, internal and external finishing works of the project, will be implemented by Almoayyed Contracting.



The $150-million development consists of 450 residential units, in addition to retail outlets with a waterfront view as part of the Bahrain Financial Harbour project, which is located at the heart of the capital Manama, said Majed Al Khan, the chief executive of GFHRE, after signing the deal with Hala Almoayyed, the executive director of Almoayyed Contracting.



The signing ceremony was attended by Laith Al Memar, the chief development officer at GFHRE, and a number of executive management members from Almoayyed Contracting Group.



"We are delighted to be associated with Almoayyed Contracting to execute this prestigious project of Harbour Row. We have envisioned this project to be a standard bearer in terms of quality and value and for that reason we have selected Almoayyed Contracting to lead in the projects execution and meet our unique and high specification requirement standards," stated Al Khan.



"They have the technical, financial and managerial strengths that give us confidence and that will ensure the Harbour Row project is delivered on schedule and to the highest quality standards," he added.



A specialist real estate developer, GFHRE manages up to $1 billion worth of end project value in GCC region.



Almoayyed expressed delight at having been awarded this milestone contract for execution of GFHREs Harbour Row project.



"Located in one of Bahrains most notable waterfront locations, this is an iconic project that requires the deep technical planning and execution that Almoayyed brings to each of our projects. We look forward to working closely with GFHRE on this project," she added.-TradeArabia News Service


Dubai-based global developer Emaar Properties has announced the appointment of Veresh Sita, an international technology professional with deep expertise in developing customer-oriented solutions and experiences, as its chief digital officer.



Sita joins Emaar from Alaska Airlines, where he was chief information officer (CIO), responsible for overseeing an organisation of 300 IT professionals and investing in the airlines infrastructure, enterprise systems and technical innovation, said a statement from Emaar.



Bringing nearly 25 years of experience in information technology, Sita is mandated with developing a new digital strategy that will drive Emaars growth. He will also prioritise Emaars technology roadmap to assure seamless customer service delivery and strengthen the companys agility and responsiveness in a fast-changing landscape, it stated.



Announcing the appointment, Mohamed Alabbar, the chairman of Emaar Properties, said: "We are moving into the next era of growth centred on the new digital ecosystem that is shaping customer outlook and preferences. In todays fast-evolving world, organisations that lead are the ones that can automate at scale, are agile and highly responsive to the needs of customers."



"With our strong international footprint and diversified business competencies, Emaars strategy to create long-term value will be led by innovative, tech-driven business and enterprise systems. Sita has proven its global expertise in re-engineering technology platforms that will contribute tremendously to the organisations growth," he stated.



Born and raised in South Africa, Sita has a bachelors degree in commerce/business information systems from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is involved in mentoring youth and business professionals.



He has also worked as director (global business systems solutions) at Starbucks Coffee Company.



In his new role, Sita will be responsible for developing systems that assure exceptional client service across multiple geographies. He will also work to deliver the highest level of IT services and availability on a day-to-day basis needed by the groups overall operation. He will also be a key contributor to the companys strategic business decisions.



"It is an honour to lead the technology and digital transformation for Emaar Properties, a developer of architectural icons, and the pioneer in developing integrated master-planned communities. It gives me the opportunity to be part of a global company with a truly global technology mandate," remarked Sita.



"Emaars success is led by its relentless focus on customer-service excellence that will continue to be the key objective of our new digital strategy. My focus will be on building high-performance teams that love working together and deliver digital transformation through customer-oriented digital platforms, automation at scale, product-based developments, and velocity and continuous service delivery," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Diyar Al Muharraq, one of the leading urban developers in the kingdom, is set to showcase its upcoming projects at the Bahrain International Property Exhibition (Bipex 2016) which opened in Manama on November 3.



The company has signed up as a diamond sponsor for the expo which runs until November 5 under the patronage of Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister at the International Exhibition and Convention Centre.



Bipex is an annual event that brings together major real estate developers, investors, private sector companies working in various real estate development activities as well as financial institutions.



It connects various real-estate game changers allowing them to exchange knowledge and collaborate in the future to develop projects in the kingdom.



Commenting on the expo, Dr Maher Al Shaer, the chief executive of Diyar Al Muharraq, said: "Our participation in Bipex comes in line with our commitment to support all events that play a key role in developing the real estate market, and highlight the most prominent projects in Bahrain."



"Diyar Al Muharraq will showcase its wide range of commercial villas, residential buildings, light industrial units, logistics and storage units as well as trade fair units. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our stand at the exhibition to learn more about the residential and investment opportunities," he added.



The Bahraini developer will be showcasing its residential and commercial offerings, providing visitors and investors both a comprehensive idea on the wide range of projects and their latest developments.

These include Diyar Homes, with its second phase expected to complete early next year, along with Deerat Al Oyoun Social Houses for the beneficiaries of the Ministry of Housing, as well as Qamra, the freehold residential community which has successfully sold all of its first phase units, in addition to Marassi Al Bahrain which is currently being constructed and the unique offerings of Dragon City, Dragon Mall and Dragon apartments.



Diyar Al Muharraq is a progressive master-planned city strategically designed to meet the future aspirations of Bahrains society and improve the quality of life.



Encompassing all the conveniences of a vibrant, thriving, all-inclusive community with quality leisure, recreational and auxiliary facilities such as educational establishments, medical centres, shopping malls, ample parklands, hospitality offerings and marinas, that will significantly contribute to the socio-economic development of the Kingdom of Bahrain.-TradeArabia News Service
GCCs successful record of overcoming extreme water scarcity in one of the driest parts of the world will be a cornerstone of the fifth International Water Summit (IWS), to be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE in January 2017.



All 21 countries in the Mena region are expected to fall below the World Health Organizations water poverty line of 1,000 annual cu m per person by 2030, according to a recent report by the World Resources Institute and GE.



Federal Electricity and Water Authority data shows that UAE per capita consumption is around 500 litres per day, around 82 percent above the global average. According to the Environment Agency  Abu Dhabi, consumption is around 26 times the natural supply.



However, the GCC region has consistently used innovative technology  particularly in its pioneering use of desalination  to ensure secure urban water supplies despite high levels of demand. As a result, the region has amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience in this vital area, at a time when water scarcity is recognised as one of the worlds biggest challenges. According to United Nations statistics, by 2025 two-thirds of the world's population could be living under water stressed conditions.



As demand for domestic, agricultural and industrial uses continues to grow, the UAE and other GCC states continue to offer a prime market for innovations that can increase supply and reduce waste, while also considering broader sustainability issues. These include more efficient desalination of seawater such as using solar energy to power desalination plants, reducing losses in the distribution network, improved irrigation methods for agriculture, and better treatment and use of recycled waste water.



IWS will support Mena water sustainability and business deals, running under the theme of Promoting Sustainable Water in Arid Regions, as a signature event of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2017. IWS is hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabis renewable energy company in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority.



Demand for energy and the pressing need for sustainable supplies of water are inseparable challenges, said Mohamed Al Ramahi, chief executive Officer of Masdar. This is particularly true in the Middle East, where substantial and increasing power capacity is required for seawater desalination. 



Masdar is at the forefront of innovation in clean energy and water, both as a founding member of the Global Clean Water Desalination Alliance, and through our direct investment in R&D such as the Ghantoot Desalination pilot project here in the UAE, which is testing energy-efficient, renewables-based technologies.



We believe industry collaboration and knowledge sharing are vital in order to drive progress and support widespread adoption of sustainable solutions. The International Water Summit has established itself as an outstanding platform for achieving this, and were looking forward to its fifth year in 2017, he added.



At the event, attendees can experience the latest solutions and industry insights in water efficiency and desalination, wastewater treatment, and managing the water demand in a largely arid environment among exhibitors, investors, contractors, and government agencies.



IWS 2016 hosted over 10,000 attendees and 185 exhibiting companies from 111 countries.



The IWS 2016 Conference programme saw 300 delegates and 75 expert speakers exchanging knowledge and best practices in finding solutions to the water challenges facing the region. The IWS Conferences cultivated dialogue across the public, private, and academic sectors through plenary presentations, workshops, debates, and forums.



Supporting home-grown entrepreneurs, the live competition [email protected] will return with a panel of distinguished judges awarding the most promising water technologies. Last editions winners included Echologics, which uses acoustics to pinpoint pipe leaks, Vienna Water Monitoring Solutions, which measures microbiological contamination in 15 minutes, and Savage Showers, which can save 90 percent of water and energy compared with conventional showers.



Exhibitors and attendees can find a dedicated networking forum at the IWS TechTalk stage, with over 40 expert presentations and case studies on the latest water sustainability technology.



The Business Connect programme will return to foster business development among the public and private sectors. At IWS 2016, Business Connect facilitated 1,530 meetings with 386 executives from 320 companies and 38 countries, including Egypt, India, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, and Pakistan.



IWS 2017 will be co-located with the World Future Energy Summit and EcoWaste exhibitions.  TradeArabia News Service
Emirates NBD, one of the leading banking groups in the region, has launched The Careers Network, an initiative to drive workplace inclusion for people with cognitive disabilities in the UAE.



Under its flagship #TogetherLimitless advocacy platform, the bank seeks to help people with cognitive disabilities find private or public sector employment and further their full inclusion into society.

The programme will also assist partners in the private sector with the selection, hiring and training of potential employees, said a statement from ENBD.



In collaboration with its strategic partners, the Community Development Authority, Manzil, and Sustainable Square, the Careers Network will enlist work-ready individuals from pre-existing work-training programs from centers, organisations, and schools, and aid them in taking on long-term employment positions with the programmes corporate partners in the public and private sector.



The process will include building a database of potential candidates, interviewing and assessing their readiness, assisting them in the placement process and shadowing them in the first months of their employment to ensure complete workplace integration and onboarding.



The launch was announced at the third edition of the #TogetherLimitless panel discussion where Dr Sheikha Alya Al Qassimi, the acting CEO of Social Care & Development Sector, Community Development Authority (CDA); Majid Abdulla Al Usaimi, the executive director for Dubai Club for the Disabled; Ahmed Altarawneh, the senior customer care specialist, Road Transport Authority (RTA); Maryam Bahlooq, executive vice president of Human Resources, Emirates NBD; and Reem Al Ghaith, General Manager, Enable and CSR Manager, Desert Group probed into the challenges that people with disabilities face while seeking employment and discussed potential solutions for these obstacles.



Opening the event with a welcome note, Husam Al Sayed, the group chief human resource officer at Emirates NBD, said: "As the largest bank in the UAE, we are setting an example by action. The careers network has come to realisation after several months of long, hard work by Emirates NBD and its strategic partners, to offer people with cognitive disabilities across the UAE an opportunity that most of us take for granted - the opportunity to work and contribute to society."



"We hope the Careers Network will receive active support and participation by the public and private sector in the coming months," he stated.



During the course of the discussion, Dr Al Qassimi said: "Moving towards a right-based approach for the employment of people with disabilities demands collaborative effort among all sectors, public, private and NGOs to ensure equity, accommodations and accessibility measures."



"The UAE has a clear legal framework to help achieve this target as detailed in Dubai Disability Strategy 2020," he added.



Majid Abdulla Al Usaimi, the executive director for Dubai Club for the Disabled, said: "The importance of bringing together government and private institutions to further the empowerment of people with disabilities in the UAE cannot be understated."



"An initiative of this stature by Emirates NBD will truly bring about a sustainable change in the mindsets and attitudes of employers towards people with disabilities. We look forward to working with The Careers Network to help transform the UAE workforce into a truly inclusive one," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
The Dubai-Denmark Maritime Symposium on Sunday highlighted the maritime potential and area of cooperation existing between Dubai and Denmark while promoting Dubai as one of the leading global maritime hubs in the region.



Organised by the Royal Consulate General of Denmark at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry premises, the symposium was attended by Majid Saif Al Ghurair, chairman, Dubai Chamber, Troels Lund Poulsen, Danish Minister of Business and Growth, Merete Juhl, Ambassador of Denmark to the UAE, Jenny Braat, managing director, Danish Maritime and over 40 visiting delegation and UAE businessmen.



In his welcome address, Al Ghurair stated that Denmark and Dubai are both maritime hubs for their respective regions and share synergies with long-standing shipping partnerships. This important symposium provides a fitting platform for Dubai-based companies to network with international maritime business leaders and expand their footprint abroad while laying the foundation of a strong business relationship with their Danish counterparts in the long run.



He highlighted the importance of the maritime sector to Dubais world trade, revealing that shipping accounted for 39 per cent of Dubais total foreign trade in 2015 with ocean freight trade value amounting to Dh501 billion ($136 billion). He added that Dubai is the worlds third largest transhipment hub after Hong Kong and Singapore, being home to some of the worlds best ports.



The emirate is also known for its expertise in shipbuilding, vessel servicing and container management as the establishment of the Dubai Maritime City, under the vision of the emirates wise leadership, has brought in a radical change to the industry and strengthened Dubais position as a first-class international maritime hub, said Al Ghurair.



He added, Dubai Chamber is supporting this strategy with a variety of initiatives aimed at expanding trade within the sector as the organisation is keen to encourage the adoption of the worlds best practices, and latest technological applications of environmentally friendly initiatives to facilitate the growth of the emirates maritime sector.



Poulsen said: Shipping and the maritime sector is the backbone of global trade. Therefore, we have to be vigilant as the international maritime sector faces a number of challenges. But with challenges also come opportunities and we have the opportunity to develop new sustainable solutions and be front runners in developing and using new digital solutions.



I truly hope that Denmark, Dubai and the UAE will benefit greatly from working closer together in the future as for both countries the maritime sector is important for growth and employment. Danish maritime exports today account for almost a quarter of total Danish exports which has led Denmark to become one of the largest maritime nations in the world. It is therefore vital that we continue to focus on improving the framework conditions for the industry in order to promote its competitiveness, added Poulsen.



Braat, managing director, Danish Maritime, said: The symposium marks the beginning of a stronger maritime cooperation between Denmark and the UAE. Danish expertise is strong in developing environmentally friendly maritime products and technology solutions. We deliver marine equipment and maritime services to the highest safety standards.



Therefore, the Danish expertise can significantly contribute to making the strategic vision for the maritime industry in Dubai a reality  a vision that puts strong emphasis on innovative green shipbuilding and maritime safety as important growth drivers for a dynamic maritime cluster in Dubai, she said.  TradeArabia News Service
Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT), Jeddah Islamic Port's flagship terminal, highlighted its support for the maritime industry at the 12th Trans Middle East 2016, a top annual container ports and terminal operations exhibition in the Middle East.



The two-day event which took place for the first time in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was hosted by Saudi Ports Authority and featured 30 world-class conference speakers addressing topical issues and challenges on global transportation and logistics attended by a gathering of 400 senior executives from countries throughout the GCC.



RSGTs managing director Jens Floe moderated the opening session, and general director and deputy managing director Hamdi Nadhrah delivered one of the key presentations at the conference titled, Setting a benchmark! Increasing existing port capacity volume and efficiency in operational handling, said a statement from the company.



Visitors to RSGTs exhibition booth were also provided with a unique opportunity of various information about RSGTs expansion project developments, top achievements and future plans.



Floe said: The event is an excellent opportunity for our company to showcase its regionally recognised prominence and achievements in the maritime industry, and to highlight the next plans in light of the National Transformation Program 2030 Vision.



Under the guidance and leadership of the government of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, we are committed to continue our role in supporting the industrys growth and development, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of ports and Khalifa Industrial Zone in the emirate, has announced the winners of the second cycle of its internal excellence award, Mafnood 2016.



Launched under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Mafnood (Arabic for distinguished) recognises excelling performers at Abu Dhabi Ports under three categories: Units and Divisions, which is Mafnoods main category, Projects and Outstanding teams, and Individuals, said a statement from the port operator.



Abu Dhabi Ports CEO Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi honoured the winners at a recent ceremony held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, it said.



A total of 10 winners were honoured in the Individuals category, while five projects were selected in the Projects and Outstanding teams category, and seven units were honoured in the main category, it added.



Al Shamisi said: The event comes in line with the vision of our wise leadership which aims to instil a culture of excellence within government entities and promote the values of quality and commitment.



The second cycle of the event was even more successful than last years edition as we received 85 submissions compared to 58 in 2014. This is a great positive indicator of the increased level of internal awareness about the culture of excellence we promote in Abu Dhabi Ports and the healthy level of competition between units, projects and individuals, he added.



As part of our commitment to excellence, we did not only launch Mafnood as our internal excellence scheme, but we have also created a dedicated quality assurance and excellence department within our organisational structure which has been instrumental in the success of the event and internal performance enhancement, he concluded.



Mafnood was designed in line with the Abu Dhabi Award for Excellence in Government Performance (Adaep). The winners of the event automatically qualify to enter the Adaep competition which will be taking place next year, said a statement.



Ahmad Alkhayat, senior quality assurance and excellence manager at Abu Dhabi Ports, said: We have conducted six knowledge sessions, and one more is planned this month, as part of the general secretariat of the executive councils series which aims to exchange knowledge between the different government entities.



Over the past few months, participants were highly engaged and actively working to improve their submissions which has resulted in the collection of more points in each category, he said.



This level of participation at the 2016 edition of Mafnood reflects the commitment of the team at Abu Dhabi Ports to maintain the highest standards of quality and excellence across the individual and corporate level, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
More than 30 Saudi Arabian exhibitors will showcase their latest offerings at the upcoming Gulfood Manufacturing, the regions top food manufacturing, processing and packaging, logistics and materials handling exhibition, in Dubai, UAE.



The event will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from November 7 to 9.



The exhibitors will be led by the Saudi Export Development Authority (SEDA), and 14 manufacturers will share a 240-sq-m pavilion  the largest in Saudi Arabias three-year participation in the show, said a statement from the company.



The Saudi Arabian line-up includes some the kingdoms most powerful producers of food packing, processing standards, food science, logistics analysis, storage and handling solutions, bakery and food processing, coding and traceability and product inspection, it said.



The countrys strategy aims to raise the share of the kingdoms non-oil exports from its current 16 per cent to 50 per cent and ensure the country rises up the international economy ranks moving from the 19th largest to within the top 15 by the end of the next decade, it added.



Saudi Arabia has built considerable expertise within the food manufacturing sector to serve its growing population and to safeguard sufficient strategic food reserves, said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president events and exhibitions, DWTC.



This expertise is now being harnessed in a major export drive through which the country looks to expand the gross domestic product (GDP) contribution of its private sector from its current 40 per cent to 60 per cent. Saudis Gulfood Manufacturing participation is visible evidence of the Kingdoms commitment to this drive, she said.



Saudi Arabia is now the worlds largest producer of dates with national production reaching 1.24 million tonnes, which is over 14 per cent of the international market. Research shows Saudi producers are investing heavily in improved technology, packaging and storage methods to boost competitiveness of its date exports, all of which will be in evidence at the event, he added.



Saudi Arabia is one of 29 official national pavilions at the event including production machinery leaders Austria, Germany, Italy, Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan and the UK. The show will also welcome first-time pavilions representing Indonesia, Ireland, Russia and South Africa, said a statement.



Gulfood Manufacturing 2016 is an impressive 20 per cent larger than last years event and will see 1,600 international food manufacturers, suppliers and industry service providers fill 13 DWTC halls.



The show will be split into three specialist areas across more than 77,000-sq-m of exhibition space: Ingredients Middle East featuring fine and functional ingredients and the latest bulk and commodity ingredients, innovations, tastes and flavours; ProPack Middle East covering automation, processing equipment and packaging machinery; and Logistics Solutions Middle East for firms involved in materials handling, transport, IT and technology solutions, warehousing and facilitators and service providers, it stated.



The event will feature exhibitors from 52 countries who will meet the shows largest turnout of hosted buyers in a programme be sponsored by Tetra Pak. More than 2,000 of the regions most prominent industrial buyers are being invited to the event and supported with complimentary flights, accommodation and transport to and from the show, it added.  TradeArabia News Service


Halul Offshore Services Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Milaha, was honoured with an award at the Seatrade Maritime Awards ceremony for the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa, which was recently held in Dubai, UAE.



For the second year in a row, the company won the Seatrade Offshore Marine Award for Owners and Operators at the event, said a statement from Halul.



The award comes in recognition of the companys performance and accomplishments in a year of turbulence for the maritime and marine offshore industries, it said.



Now in its 14th chapter, the event was held under the patronage of Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World and chairman of Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA).



Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai, president and CEO of Milaha, said: We are very pleased to see our hard work recognised by the judging panel of the event during a challenging year for the shipping industry.



This award is a strong motivation for us and our team at Halul Offshore and the rest of the Milaha group to give the best we can on a daily basis, he added.



Vivek Seth, CEO of Halul Offshore, added: I would like to dedicate this award to our fantastic team who worked day and night to provide safe and reliable operations throughout the year.



We saw many milestones happening this year with the delivery of the Milaha Explorer liftboat, the opening of our Singapore office, and the achievement of 5 million working hours without a major incident. We are very glad that to see this diligence recognised, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
Iraqi forces were on the eastern edge of Islamic State-held Mosul on Tuesday, encountering snipers, landmines and road-blocking boulders, a report said.



Troops came within hundreds of meters of Mosul on Monday evening and are now the closest they've been since launching an operation two weeks ago to reclaim the city from more than two years of Islamic State (IS) rule, the CNN report added.



Experts and officials have said that entering Mosul will likely trigger the fiercest fighting seen yet in the offensive and that the battle is expected to be fought street to street or even house to house.



The plan is to squeeze IS fighters from different directions, commanders say.



But reports that the militant group has brought thousands of civilians -- mostly women and children -- into Mosul as human shields raises serious concerns that there could be a high number of civilian casualties in the battle, CNN said.
The upcoming eighth edition of the annual International Perishables Expo Middle East (WOP Dubai) is expected to feature 235 exhibitors expected from 34 countries, representing growth of 15 per cent compared to last year.



In cooperation with Dubai Municipality, the event will be held from November 13 to 15 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.



The exhibition will coincide with the 11th annual edition of the International Plants Expo Middle East (IPM Dubai).



This year, 7,000 attendees and decision makers are expected to visit from 78 countries around the world. An extra hall was added to accommodate the increased demand, bringing the total footprint to 9,720 sq m. This represents a 30 per cent increase from last year, which reflects the significance of the event in this booming industry and secures Dubais position in the global marketplace.



India and Greece have, for the first time, joined the long list of countries choosing to promote themselves at the event with a Country Pavilion. Other countries include Australia, Belgium, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Italy, Kenya, Portugal, Turkey and Spain.



The largest Country Pavilion for the third year running will be Morocco, while China will host the second biggest pavilion this year. Despite its rapid growth and success, the event has maintained its reputation as a place to network with like-minded industry professionals, customers and traders.



Tarek Sibai, planetfairs project manager said: We are very proud that WOP and IPM Dubai have experienced such tremendous growth and established themselves as the most important industry exhibitions in the Middle East. We have worked closely with Dubai Municipality Fruit & Vegetables Department for eight consecutive years, which has contributed greatly to our success. Dubai Municipality and WOP Dubai share a common goal and will continue to work together to make Dubai a worldwide trading centre for fruit and vegetables.  TradeArabia News Service
Ford Motor Companys latest innovative steering technology that debuts on the all-new Edge CUV promises to redefine the idea of power steering, the company said.



Fords adaptive steering makes it easier for drivers to manoeuvre a vehicle at low speeds while making the vehicle more fun to drive and agile at high speeds. Adaptive steering is standard on the all-new Edge Sport, and available on Edge Titanium.



First and foremost, all Ford Motor Company products have to offer a great driving experience, said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. This new steering technology can help make vehicles easy to manoeuvre and fun to drive.



Adaptive steering changes the ratio between the drivers actions at the steering wheel  the number of turns  and how much the front wheels turn. In vehicles without the technology, this is a fixed steering ratio. With adaptive steering, the ratio continually changes with vehicle speed, optimising the steering response in all conditions, the company said.



At lower speeds, such as when pulling into a parking space or manoeuvring in tight areas, fewer turns of the steering wheel are required. Adaptive steering makes the vehicle more agile and easier to turn as it dials more steering into the road wheel.



At highway speeds, the system optimises steering response, letting the vehicle react more smoothly to each steering input. The system  created in collaboration with engineers from TKAG, a Germany-based automotive supplier  uses a precision-controlled actuator placed inside the steering wheel, and requires no change to a vehicles traditional steering system, it said.



The actuator  an electric motor and gearing system  can essentially add to or subtract from a drivers steering inputs. The result is a better driving experience at all speeds, regardless of vehicle size or class.



After rolling out on the all-new Edge, adaptive steering will be available for other Ford and Lincoln vehicles in the future, the company added.  TradeArabia News Service


The Masdar Institute of Science and Technologys Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC) will organise the first International Seawater Energy and Agriculture Forum 2016, which will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, tomorrow (November 1).



The event will run until November 2, at the Masdar Institute Multi-Use Hall.



SBRC is a non-profit consortium supported by founding members Etihad Airways, and Boeing, as well as Takreer, Safran and General Electric.



The event will include the forum and a workshop on aquaculture and halophytes, to be organised in collaboration with the University of Arizona, said a statement.



The forum will seek to create a knowledge-sharing platform for experts in aquaculture, halophyte agriculture and silviculture/agroforestry, and the integrated approach for the production of energy and biomass, it said.



During the forum the SBRC will present the work it has been doing over the past few years, especially on its flagship project - the Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS), it added.



The event will aim to strengthen the collaboration among public, private, and non-profit organisations in the field of bioenergy.



Dr Behjat Al Yousuf, interim provost, Masdar Institute, said: The forum is an excellent platform to discuss the Masdar Institutes contribution to the UAEs efforts on renewable energy and in helping address the need for local food production.



With the first research facility of its kind in the world, we are addressing energy, water and food-related issues through solutions from our own environment. We believe the SBRC will continue to carry out ground-breaking research work in the coming months, he added.



James Hogan, president and chief executive officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said, Our goal is to support and help drive the commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuel in Abu Dhabi.



The SBRC has made some important first steps in developing this innovative system for producing sustainable feedstock and we are pleased to support this important knowledge driven forum, he added.



The University of Arizona has been assisting Masdar Institute in the development of the Salicornia accessions, which the SBRC is currently using for the project.



The US university has also been supporting Masdar Institute with knowledge transfer in halophyte agriculture. The SBRCs SEAS initiative seeks to address the food security issues of the UAE through the development of an innovative practice of cultivating seafood and biomass for fuel using desert lands irrigated by seawater.



The launch of operations of the SEAS pilot farm is another strong step in the evolution of Masdar Institute. The worlds first research facility to grow both food and biomass for fuel, using desert lands irrigated by seawater, began operations in March on a two-hectare site in Abu Dhabi, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service


Royal Dutch Shell and BP posted better-than-expected third-quarter profits, making progress with efforts to stabilise profits even during a quarter when oil prices averaged less than $46 a barrel, a report said.



Shell returned to profit, posting the equivalent of $1.4 billion in net income for the third quarter of 2016 after reporting a net loss of $6.1 billion a year earlier, reported the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).



BP posted net earnings of $1.7 billion for the quarter, up 35 per cent from $1.2 billion a year earlier.



Both companies said they expect oil supply and demand to come back into balance after being glutted long enough to sink prices by more than 50 per cent.



Oil prices generally were lower in the third quarter of 2016 compared with the same time in 2015, averaging $45.86 a barrel for Brent crude, the international benchmark, the WSJ report said.



The prices are down more than 50 per cent from the heights of $100 a barrel or more they traded at for much of 2011 to 2014, it highlighted.



Shell said next year it expects to spend $25 billion on finding and developing new oil and natural-gas projects, at the lower end of a spending range it disclosed this year to investors.



BP said it planned capital spending in 2016 of $16 billion, down from the $17 billion to $19 billion previously forecast. Exxon slashed its capital and exploration spending 45 per cent in the third quarter from a year earlier.



BP is looking at advancing two new large oil and natural-gas developments this year, taking the total number approved in 2016 to five, chief financial officer (CFO) Brian Gilvary was quoted as saying in the report.



Shells CFO Simon Henry said: Were planning next year on $50 a barrel. Were planning the balance sheet for potentially even lower than that, and were building the portfolio to be robust at anything above $50 a barrel.
Smoke rise after an explosion at ship breaking yard in Gaddani, Pakistan on November 1. Reports state that at least nine workers were killed and more than 100 were wounded in the blast near Karachi. EPA/Rehan Khan


Dancers from the internationally renowned Bolshoi Ballet and classical superstar Katherine Jenkins staged the worlds first ballet and musical performance in the air, to celebrate the launch of British Airways Dreamliner flights from London Heathrow to Moscow, Russia.
the rest

The primates said TEC should "no longer represent us on ecumenical and interfaith bodies, should not be appointed or elected to an internal standing committee and that while participating in the internal bodies of the Anglican Communion, they will not take part in decision making on any issues pertaining to doctrine or polity."



Archbishop Okoh writes: "Many of us were therefore deeply disturbed that the Presiding Bishop of the American Episcopal Church, Michael Curry, was a prominent member of the Archbishop of Canterbury's delegation in Rome, despite the fact that the Canterbury meeting of Primates in January this year had resolved that, among other things, TEC should not be involved in representing the Anglican Communion in ecumenical or interfaith relations."

November 1, 2016Ruth GledhillThe evangelical Archbishop who heads the Anglican church's most conservative wing has condemned the inclusion of one of the most liberal bishops in a delegation to meet the Pope.He has also spoken of the growing pressure to "compromise" on the gay issue, which he describes as most intense in the Church of England.Archbishop of Nigeria Nicholas Okoh, chairman of the conservative Global South grouping GAFCON, says in his latest newsletter that he was "deeply disturbed" that the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church (TEC) had gone with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to Rome.Earlier this year, TEC was penalised by Anglican primates for its liberal stance over same-sex marriage and gay clergy.The church was told it must face the "consequences" of its actions.
One of Wyomings largest oil producers made almost $1 billion in the last three months, despite an overstocked market depressing prices.

Devon Energys Wyoming oil operations are centered in the Powder River and Wind River basins. Last year, Wyoming oil fields accounted for about 3 percent of the companys production.

News Wednesday of a record-high surplus in crude dampened hopes in an oil market that has struggled to come back from a stark dive in prices that led to layoffs and bankruptcies across the country last year. Large stockpiles, overproduction and a strong dollar continue to hobble the market as it fights to rebound.

However, the Oklahoma City-based company finished the third quarter, the period between July and September, with a gain of $993 million in net earnings, a strong turnaround from the dire conditions of the previous year when the companys losses exceeded $3 billion.

In contrast to Devons profitable three months, oil and gas giant Anadarko reported $830 million in third-quarter losses.

The strong quarter resulted from cost-cutting, asset sales and increased production in profitable plays in southern Oklahoma.

Devon ended the quarter with $2.4 billion in cash, thanks largely to the divestment of assets. Days after the third quarter ended, Devon closed on the $1.1 billion sale of its 50 percent interest in a Canadian pipeline. With the pipeline sale on Oct. 6, Devons available cash rose to $3.5 billion.

Most of the companys gains were due to activities outside Wyoming, as reported in a company statement released Tuesday. The pipeline wasnt the only asset the company shed in the last three months.

In Midland Basin, East Texas and Granite Wash, asset sales resulted in billions of dollars for the company.

The company still retains consolidated debt to the tune of $11.4 billion.

Devons cost cutting measures are projected to save $1 billion by end of year, according to the company statement.

Overall production was down 10 percent compared with the third quarter of 2015. The company is set to increase its rig activity from five in the third quarter to 10 by end of year.

Thanks to the practice of hedging, or fixing the price of a commodity to protect a company from price volatility, Devon has about 30 percent of its daily production in a more secure positions, with plans to have around 50 percent of its revenues secured by hedging in 2017, according to a company statement.

Hedging can be a boon to companies in the volatile oil market, securing prices for oil despite dips in the spot price. However, it can also block a company from the sudden gains made when the price spikes.

Companies third-quarter results continue to spill out day by day. The spot price of West Texas Intermediate, the national benchmark, has hovered near $50 a barrel through the last few months. However, many large companies are recording losses, and most companies are reporting on the ways they have saved money rather than the ways theyve expanded.

In Devons case, the company is planning to limit investments to where there is the most profitable return, the CEO David Hager said in a Wednesday call with analysts.

Its a lesson learned from oils boom two years ago.

Its my view that what got the industry in trouble at the higher commodity prices is that there are a lot of projects that were funded out there that were very marginal projects, he said. We didnt pay enough attention to the reservoir. We didnt pay enough attention to the fundamental economics.

Coal companies operating in Wyoming have so far fared well in the third quarter despite bankruptcies and layoffs early in the year. Coal is benefiting from more favorable market changes and increased production but is not expected to rebound to its former glory in the state.
Thursday support meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous: 6:30 a.m., 917 N. Beech; 8:30 a.m., 500 S. Wolcott; 10 a.m., 328 E. A; noon, 500 S. Wolcott; 2 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 5:30 p.m., 1124 Elma, Imitate the Image Church; 5:30 p.m., 328 E. A; 7 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, closed; 7 p.m., Shepherd of the Valley, public welcome; 8 p.m., 328 E. A; 8 p.m., 4600 S. Poplar, closed; 8 p.m., 917 N. Beech. Douglas: 7:30 p.m., 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back). Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are open. Casper info: 266-9578; Douglas info: (307) 351-1688.

Al-Anon: 7 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200; 7:30 p.m., 328 1/2 E. A (upstairs).

Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 8 p.m., 4700 S. Poplar (church basement). Web site: http://www.urmrna.org.

Caregiver support

Wyoming Dementia Care offers Alzheimers Caregiver Support Groups five times each month. The monthly schedule during November includes group sessions at 10 a.m. at the Senior Center. Drop-ins to the free group sessions are welcome and respite care is provided. The group sessions are limited to those who provide care for someone with dementia.

For information about Wyoming Dementia Care or the National Alzheimers Awareness Month activities and events, contact Dani Guerttman, 265-4678.

Veterans all-access pass

Attention all veterans, active military personnel and spouses. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Crawford Room at the Natrona County Library, several organizations will gather to provide you access to a variety of services in one location. Stop in any time during this two-hour period to access the information you are looking for. Are you looking for access to capital to start your own business or expand an existing business? Perhaps you are wondering how to access government contracting opportunities or specific veteran designations. Do you want to access information on employment and training opportunities? Or maybe you need access to benefits like medical and housing. Whatever information you are trying to access, one of the organizations at this free event will be able to assist you in finding what you need.

Registration is not required but is encouraged, please call 577-READ to register for this event. For more information, please call the U.S. Small Business Administration at 307-261-6500.

Book signing at

Wind City

Author Patty Pickett Scott will be at Wind City Books from 5 to 8 p.m. to sign copies of her new book, The Porcelain Rose and the Hidden Truths. Patty Scott grew up in Casper, and graduated from Kelly Walsh High School in 1972. Patty and her husband Jim Scott lived in Casper until 1984. The Porcelain Rose and the Hidden Truths, is about forgiveness and sharing some of lifes experiences and how God helps you get through some heart breaking events and turns something sad and hurtful into something warm and beautiful. Come visit and talk with Patty, it will be fun to catch up with old friends.

Post cards, ceramics at Art 321

Remember to stop by Art 321 during the Art Walk on Thursday, Nov. 3, 5 to 8 p.m. Exhibiting this month is our Post Card and Pint Sized Art Exhibit and also the 2nd Annual Ceramics Invitational Exhibit featuring Dandee Pattee and Ryan Olsen along with other local ceramic artists. It is a really great show.

Bidding on the post cards begins during the art walk. The post card auction evening event will be held on Friday, Nov. 18, 6 p.m. Tickets for that event are on sale now at Art 321. $45 for single/ $80 per couple. Auction Night features festive food, craft brews, cash bar, and live music! Its alway lots of fun and you wont want to miss it.

Please call if you have questions.

Casper Art Walk: Holiday book crafts

Stop by the Natrona County Library anytime between 5 and 8 p.m. during the Art Walk to transform old book pages into wrapping paper and festive artwork. Gift your masterpiece or use it to gift wrap a present for a loved one. Call 577-READ ext. 101 for more information.

Trails hosts temporary graves exhibit

The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (NHTIC) will be hosting a new temporary exhibit in November titled, A Trail of Graves. This exhibit opens on Nov. 3, and will run through Nov. 26. As of Oct. 1, the NHTIC has suspended its entry fee for the public. Members of the public are encouraged to come and enjoy the center free of charge.

The temporary exhibit will feature several photographs and images of pioneer graves which are still visible in Wyoming. Some are known and well documented, while others have been lost with time.

Thousands of pioneer graves still remain on the landscapes near the pioneer trails but their exact locations remain unknown or unidentified. The important few that have been identified, preserved and remembered are just a small portion of the tens of thousands of emigrants who lost their lives on the trails to Oregon, California and Utah.

For more information please contact the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center at (307) 261-7780.

Beekeepers meet

Thinking about become a beekeeper? Or you already have hives? Join us to learn about bees and meet area beekeepers. Natrona County Beekeepers Association will meet at 7 p.m., in the basement of College Heights Baptist Church, 600 W. 21st St.

Marrying Walt opens

Casper Theater Company and Greater Wyoming Federal Credit Union will present Marrying Walt, by James Danek from Nov. 3 to 13. This comedy will make you laugh, cry and pull at your heartstrings. Thursdays through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., 735 CY. Adults are $15, seniors $13. Tickets can be purchased at Greater Wyoming Federal Credit Union, Charlie Ts Pizzeria, Casper Senior Center, and at the door.

On Saturday, Nov. 12 only, we will have a dinner theater to Meet the Playwright. Tickets are by reservation only and MUST be made by Nov. 10, with seating limited to 30 people, at $30 per person for both dinner and play. Bullwhip Catering will provide the dinner. Join us at 6 p.m., for a fun filled evening enjoying a great play and a fabulous dinner! For your reservation, please call 267-7243.
They found the first bit of evidence before they left the parking lot. Flakes of rock and arrowheads littered the ground, easily missed by the casual observer but striking signs of prehistoric life to the trained eye.

Students from Central Wyoming College were buoyed by their finds on the 25-mile trek from a trailhead outside Dubois to the edge of Wyomings biggest glaciers. But then, at the top of the state, where harsh winds blow away deep snow and temperatures are often frigid, they discovered something none of them expected: a bison jump.

More specifically, the highest elevation bison jump ever recorded in North America.

The conventional wisdom 30 years ago was that Indians didnt go into the mountains, said Todd Guenther, a professor of anthropology and history at CWC who helped uncover the jump. Now Wyoming researchers have documented that yes, indeed, they did go in the mountains and spent a lot of time there and lived a pretty good life.

The group discovered the jump as part of CWCs new Interdisciplinary Climate Change Expedition, which takes students into the Wind River Range to study the mountains rapidly shrinking glaciers and their relationship with humans past and present. Guenther will discuss their archaeological findings Thursday at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody.

Historic find

Guenther knew the group of students would find signs of prehistoric life. His field school went in armed with a Forest Service archaeology permit planning to survey ancient campsites identified by past groups.

When they reached the toe of the Dinwoody Glacier, they began to find campsites dating back to 11,500 years ago.

What we have is this continuous record of human presence at high elevations  10,000, 11,000 or 12,000 feet above sea level, he said. It goes back to the first people who inhabited North America.

The group stumbled on signs of the bison jump  a cliff or precipice where native peoples drove the animals to their deaths  toward the end of their first session in the summer of 2015, said Morgan Robins, a Lander students now studying at the University of Wyoming. They found countless cultural material  arrowheads, stone tool fragments and hunting blinds  and then followed the material down to the Burrow Flats area for continued reconnaissance.

Another student found a cairn and then found another and another and followed it until Todd and the other student hit a precipice and thats when it hit Todd that it was something way more than they originally thought, Robins said. They went down into the possible butchering area and saw all the flakes and Todd realized it was a bison jump.

Lichen growth on the cairns  or rock towers  helped prove they were prehistoric.

The line of stacked cairns was about a mile long, and was dotted with hunting blinds where early people hid and pushed the animals forward, Guenther said.

Two shaman structures, which were holes in the ground surrounded by stones, rested near each end of the drive line. People used the pits to pray to spirits for a successful hunt, he said.

At the bottom of the precipice was an area with thousands of stone artifacts.

Its where we suspect the animals were butchered and processed, he said.

High altitude living

Discovery of the bison jump is also helping solidify a theory of Guenthers: early people lived at high elevations throughout the year. Up until now, most scholars believe early humans spent summers in the mountains and winters below in the plains.

The bison jump tells a different story.

People would have produced thousands of pounds of dried buffalo meat. Our question is did they winter up there? Would they have wasted weeks and weeks of work and expended thousands of calories carrying all the meat and pine nuts into the valleys below? I think not, he said. I think they could have wintered up there in the Burro Flats mountain area.

To begin to prove his theory, he took a group of students back up to Burro Flats in January when weather was cold and harsh. But instead of being covered in feet of powder and ice as some might expect, large portions of the Burro Flats area was blown open.

Springs flowed ice-free from the ground and nearby trees offered plenty of fuel for fires and shelter.

If you have food put up from the buffalo jump and pine nuts theres no reason to not stay right there instead of spending all the time and energy packing down into the valley, he said. I cant prove any of this yet. Were in the very beginning stages of the project.

Interdisciplinary studies

Guenther and his crew of students plan to keep visiting the bison jump each summer to collect more information and teach students how to complete field work.

Theyve already used the data theyve found to write papers and present at international high elevation archaeology conferences.

Students from other disciplines will also continue to attend the field schools. The next step is to start analyzing microbes and soil chemistry in dirt samples from the bison jump. Thin soil and harsh weather means no ancient bison remains survived, but microbes could prove that bison lived and were slaughtered in the area, said Jacki Klancher, associate professor of environmental health at CWC.

The trips into the glaciers were her brainchild in 2013, stemming from an environmental sciences class.

Students from CWC are now using the expeditions into the Wind River Range to explore hydrology, biology and geomorphology in addition to archaeology and anthropology.

Thats where the students heads are, in the clouds, thats where they want to be, Klancher said. If we can take them there and challenge them physically and academically and contribute positively to the scientific community its the dream.
Residential building permits in Wyoming are down nearly 13 percent compared to last year, driven by a dramatic 48 percent drop in Casper, according to Jim Robinson, an economist with the states Economic Analysis Division.

I still think theres probably some room for modest growth statewide for building, Robinson said. But in areas hit by the energy bust, like Natrona County, home construction wont return until industry does.

Robinson said housing numbers mirrored the overall economic shape of different regions of the state: Cheyenne has seen an 11 percent climb in new building permits over the last year.

Cheyenne has a diverse private sector built on transportation, financial services and high-tech whereas Caspers mainstays  energy and health care  have been hit in the downturn, Robinson said. The slowdown in mines has then spilled over into other sectors.

Tax collection in Natrona County remains down 21.7 percent over last year. Laramie County is down just 11.4 percent.

Jobs in the mining and logging industry, which Casper relies on, are down nearly 20 percent this year. Cheyennes job loss has remained essentially flat, insulated by positions in state government and from the F.E. Warren Air Force Base.

Cheyenne has less of the mining but they do have more of the government jobs so thats certainly a stabilizer, Robinson said.

In that sense Natrona Countys steep decline in new building permits is a reflection of larger economic trends.

You really get the tale of two cities right now, Robinson said.

The decline in residential construction came in new single family homes. Multifamily construction actually received slightly more permits  increasing from 132 in 2015 to 149 this year  but Robinson said a single project can often sway multifamily permit numbers.

There were 1,316 new residential building permits issued statewide through September this year compared to 1,507 permits issued at the same point last year.

The numbers were released last week.
A Canadian man who damaged an iconic Yellowstone National Park hot spring in May pleaded guilty to a pair of charges Thursday and agreed to pay more than $8,000 in fines and fees.

Hamish McNab Campbell Cross pleaded guilty to foot travel in a thermal area and disorderly conduct by creating a hazardous condition  both of which occurred when authorities say he and three other men left a boardwalk surrounding the Grand Prismatic Spring and took photos walking on the hot spring.

The judges decision today sends a very clear message about thermal feature protection and safety, Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Dan Wenk said in a statement issued by the park. Hamish Crosss egregious actions damaged a world-class hot spring and risked his own life coupled with the lives of responding rangers. We look forward to the outcome of the case regarding the three remaining defendants.

Cross will pay more than $8,000 in fines, restitution and community service payments. Hell also be on probation for five years, which includes being banned from public lands managed by three federal agencies, the park said.

Three other men face similar charges in connection to the May 14 incident. The men  Charles Ryker Gamble, Alexey Andriyovych Lyakh and Justis Cooper Price Brown  pleaded not guilty Tuesday.

A fifth member of the group, Parker Heuser, pleaded guilty to two violations in Death Valley National Park, including riding a bike in the wilderness, and will serve five years probation. He also agreed to pay fines related to violations at the Bonneville Salt Flats, according to the statement.

The men are part of a Canadian group called High on Life SundayFundayz. They document their travels with photos and videos and on social media.

A park visitor contacted authorities on May 16 after witnessing four people leave the boardwalk and walk on the Grand Prismatic Spring. The visitor took photos and a video of the incident.

Authorities say other people contacted park officials to report photos of the men on the hot spring that had been posted on the High on Life SundayFundayz Facebook page. The pictures were later deleted.

Based on tips from the public and social media, authorities conducted more investigations concerning the group and issued violation notices from Zion and Mesa Verde national parks and Corona Arch.

In a July 13 Facebook post, the group addressed the controversy that followed the Yellowstone incident.

We want you all to know, we take full responsibility for our actions, and will pay restitution for our poor decisions in the states ..., the group said. During the past 6 weeks, weve had time to reflect on our actions and understand that what we did was wrong and cannot happen again.

Grand Prismatic Spring is Yellowstones largest hot spring, measuring about 370 feet in diameter, according to the parks website. Its bright colors make it one of Yellowstones biggest tourist draws.

Walking on the colorful bacterial mats that surround the thermal features can damage the microscopic communities and leave behind footprints, according to the park. Fragile crust surrounds hot springs such as the Grand Prismatic Spring, and falling in can cause fatal burns.

In June, a tourist died when he fell into a hot spring at the Norris Geyser Basin.
RIVERTON  Authorities in Fremont County have dropped a second-degree murder charge against a man in the September shooting death of a woman in Dubois.

Chief Deputy Attorney Ember Oakley says Lance Clark was released from custody on Monday after the investigation failed to prove Clark was the person who pulled the trigger.

The conclusion was reached after new evidence surfaced recently.

Clark, of Dubois, had been arrested and charged in the death of his 49-year-old girlfriend, Laurie Margaret Thompson. Clark called police on the night of Sept. 25 and said he found her dead when he arrived home.

Oakley said the investigation remains open and investigators have not ruled out the possibility of an alternate suspect.
CHEYENNE  Activists may have protested their last federal oil and gas auction before such auctions go online but vow their keep it in the ground movement isnt going underground: Theyll protest at U.S. Bureau of Land Management offices on auction days instead.

The BLM auctions off the right to drill on federal land in Wyoming and other states four times a year. The agency has begun transitioning to an online format for such auctions.

A BLM auction at a Cheyenne hotel Tuesday  possibly the last to be held at a physical location  offered yet another sign of tough times for the oil and gas industry. Only 21 leases were offered across Wyoming, down from a couple hundred at a typical sale during boom times a decade ago.

The auction adjourned more than three hours early but not before police escorted out eight protesters who were chanting and carrying signs. Such scenes have become routine at BLM auctions in Western states over the past couple years.

Our message was really clear this morning. No new pipelines, no new leases, said Tess Geyer with the Rainforest Action Network.

No protesters were arrested.

Switching to online auctions will generate an estimated $2 million a year in additional revenue by encouraging more participation by petroleum developers, according to the BLM.

The change also will save the petroleum industry travel expenses, including gas, while removing a venue for disruptive protesters, said Kathleen Sgamma, vice president of government and public affairs for the Denver-based Western Energy Alliance, a petroleum advocacy organization.

Sgamma doubted the BLM intends to ignore protesters, saying the petroleum industry asked the agency to offer 140 leases at the latest Wyoming auction.

It is very common for parcels to be deferred based on public input. Thats part of the process, Sgamma said.

The BLM hasnt decided yet whether to hold Wyomings next oil and gas lease auction in February online but BLM offices elsewhere have completed the transition, BLM spokeswoman Kristen Lenhardt said Tuesday.

Participants will register to take part in the online auctions, another layer between the federal agency and protesters like Tim DeChristopher. The activist was convicted of two felonies and served 21 months in prison for driving up prices during a 2008 lease auction in Utah.

Still, demonstrators will find ways to make themselves heard such as by showing up at BLM offices on auction days, promised Geyer.

Just by moving these auctions online doesnt mean people arent going to be against what theyre doing, Geyer said.

The Western Energy Alliance shrugged its shoulders at the possibility of more protests.

If they have nothing better and productive to do, whatever, said Sgamma.
CHEYENNE  For all the bad things you could say about the 2016 election, theres been one bright spot: it has driven a massive surge in early voting, with more than 26 million Americans having already cast their ballots as of Nov. 1.

And while Wyoming, as the least-populous state, has only been a tiny contributor to that overall figure, its early voting numbers show that the trend is holding here as well.

According to Kai Schon, the state election director for the Wyoming Secretary of States Office, 62,554 voters had requested an absentee ballot in Wyoming as of Monday, including 12,451 in Laramie County alone. Of that total, 51,479 voters have already cast their ballot, either at an in-person early voting location, or by mailing or personally turning in their ballot to the local county clerk.

By comparison, only 53,865 absentee ballots had been requested as of Oct. 30, 2012  seven days before that years general election  and 43,173 ballots had actually been cast. In other words, early ballot requests this year are up 16.1 percent, and cast ballots are up 19.2 percent over 2012.

And there are plenty more to come, if the last general election was any indication. In the seven days between Oct. 30 and Nov. 6, 2012, another 23,837 absentee votes were cast, and if the same trend holds this year, 2016 will easily top 2012 for record early voting turnout.

It tells me theres an incredible interest in this election, as expected, and it lends me to believe we are on pace to see a record turnout this year, Schon said. Were certainly prepared for a record turnout. And looking at these trends, we may be on the way there.

Voter registrations are also proceeding at a faster rate than in 2008 or 2012, at least as measured by the number of new registrations between the primary and the first week of November. The actual overall number of voter registrations is down currently, but thats due mainly to voters from past elections either dying or being purged from the rolls if they failed to vote in the 2010 or 2014 midterm elections.

A lot of states only purge every four years, but Wyoming does it every two, said Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee. According to Wyoming statute, a registered electors registration shall be canceled  for failure to vote in any general election. Then what happens is the county clerk mails a notice of intent to cancel the registration to the voters address, and the cancellations shall happen within 20 days unless the elector says they want to remain on the list.

What that means is by the time the primary election rolls around, the number of registered voters has usually dropped from the previous general election, and the same is true this year. As of the Aug. 16 primary, the Secretary of States Office counted 210,465 registered voters in the state, down from the 237,857 voters registered as of Nov. 1, 2012.

Whats important is how quickly new registrations catch up between the primary and the general election. And according to the most recent numbers, this years catch up is going more quickly than it did in 2012 or 2008.

For example, between the primary and general elections in 2008, voter registrations grew by 10.6 percent in Laramie County and 9.2 percent statewide. In 2012, the registrations grew 11.2 percent in the county and 9.1 percent in the state.

This year, however, Laramie Countys voter rolls have jumped 13.9 percent since the Aug. 16 primary, while the states have grown 11.3 percent. So while the actual total of registered voters is still slightly below where it was in 2008, the tumult of the general election campaign appears to be getting them newly or re-engaged faster than before.

When broken down by party, Republicans continue to hold an enormous advantage over Democrats at both the local and state levels. But in Laramie County, Democrats appear to enjoy a slight edge over Republicans in terms of new registrations.

Since the primary, the GOP ranks have grown by 2,480 voters, from 20,349 to 22,829, a 12.2 percent increase. Democrats, meanwhile, have grown by 13 percent, adding 1,073 voters to the 8,261 registered as of Aug. 16.

But the fastest-growing group, discounting the tiny number of third-party registrants, are independents or the politically unaffiliated. As of Oct. 31, there were 4,583 unaffiliated registered voters in the county, an increase of 830, or 22.1 percent, since Aug. 16.

Unaffiliateds are also growing the fastest at the state level, jumping 16.7 percent over the same period versus 11.1 percent for the statewide GOP and 8.3 percent for Democrats.

As encouraging as it may be for so many people to get newly involved in the democratic process, there is one troubling statistic as far as Lee is concerned: the young adult vote.

In 2012, county residents ages 18 to 24 numbered just 5.4 percent of all registered voters, while those ages 65 and up comprised 26.4 percent of the electorate. In the four years since then, the young adult vote has shrunk even further, to a flat 5 percent, while the 65-plus group has only grown, now making up 31.2 percent of the registered electorate.

For comparisons sake, the most recent population estimates put the 18- to 24-year-old contingent at about 9 percent of the total county population, while the 65-and-older group comprises just 12.4 percent, showing the outsized influence they have on local elections.

That tells me, if Im a young person, I need to get involved, Lee said. The older generation are good voters; theyre taught from a very young age that this is what you do, and they do it. Its a habit, its a responsibility. And I dont see thats carried on for the young people.

Of course, theres still plenty of time for more young adults to register to vote  including on Election Day itself  provided they bring a photo ID.
The Ames Monument, a granite pyramid that towers over the plains east of Laramie, is among 10 sites nationwide being designated as historic landmarks.

The 60-foot pyramid, which was built by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1882, was among the properties recognized as having exceptional value to the nation. It and the other nine were announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service.

The Ames Monument is a pivotal and highly significant work in the career of Henry Hobson Richardson, the agencies said in their announcement. The simple massing and naturalistic materials of the Ames Monument, designed midway through his career, are a pure manifestation of a critical shift in his architectural design away from a reliance on references to historical stylistic motifs.

The monument memorializes Oakes and Oliver Ames, brothers who played important roles in the construction of the countrys first transcontinental railroad. It marks the highest point on the original rail route. The tracks were later relocated.

The other new sites are in Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Florida, New York and Ohio.

These 10 new national historic landmarks reveal important pieces of our nations diverse heritage through art, architecture and stories of community and identity, said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell from Washington, D.C. Todays designation ensures future generations can trace, understand and learn from these properties, which join more than 2,500 other landmarks nationwide.

Connecticut is home to two of the sites: the James Merrill House in Stonington and the Stewards House in Cornwall.

The James Merrill House was home to writer James Merrill, who won every major U.S. award for poetry and wrote about gay life.

The Stewards House, also called the Foreign Mission School, provided an evangelical education to students from about 30 countries in the 19th century and prompted debate about interracial relationships.

Other historic landmarks announced Wednesday are Athenaeum, also called Das Deutsche Haus, in Indianapolis; Gaukler Pointe, also called the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, in Macomb County, Michigan; Man Mound, in Sauk County, Wisconsin; the Mississippi State Capitol, in Jackson, Mississippi; the Norman Film Manufacturing Co., in Jacksonville, Florida; St. Bartholomews Church and Community House, in New York; and the Zoar Historic District, in Zoar, Ohio.
Every state has its iconic symbol. Cheese in Wisconsin, corn in Nebraska, Arnold Schwarzenegger in California.

In Wyoming, most of us would say our symbol is the cowboy  which we sport with pride on our license plates. To many the symbol might be Old Faithful, Devils Tower or the Tetons. In fact, on the home page of the State of Wyomings website, four of the five images are of our national parks, monuments and forests. So we might have two symbols: the cowboy and our public lands.

Proponents of a public land takeover have done a funny thing, however, when it comes to Wyomings symbols  theyve tried to co-opt the image of the cowboy as the front man of the land grab movement. One of the movements chief supporters, William Perry Pendlay, president of the Mountain States Legal Foundation, chose the image of Ronald Reagan in a cowboy hat for the cover of his book, The Sagebrush Rebels. And despite local ranchers speaking out against the occupation of Malheuer National Wildlife Refuge last January, supporters of the seizure of public lands painted Ammon Bundy as a sympathetic cowboy figure fighting against government oppression.

Neither could be further from the truth. Ronald Reagan was an actor and politician, and the majority of the occupants at the refuge had no ties whatsoever to agriculture. The truth is, the public land grab movement is driven by corporate interests with an eye toward privatizing these lands for development,and extraction. They then want to auction them off to the highest bidder. Its time they just come out and say it instead of meddling with, and soiling, the integrity of the cowboy hat.

The cowboy and public lands go together like hand in glove. The cowboy needs and thrives on wide open spaces for his livelihood, and time spent in wide open spaces cultivates the rugged and independent spirit of the cowboy. When my great-grandfather traveled to Wyoming in the late 1800s to throw his hat in the cattle industry, stockmen grazed all their livestock on public lands. And despite a small number of conflicts that grab a large amount of attention, most ranchers have continued to graze their livestock beneficially, collaboratively and without conflict on public lands.

At the Wyoming Wildlife Federation, we recognize the importance of both preserving public lands and helping our private land stewards to maintain and enhance healthy wildlife populations in the state. Both public and private lands provide open spaces and healthy habitat, and both public and private lands provide the livelihoods, economic benefits, and recreation opportunities that make Wyoming our home. We have a healthy balance of both in Wyoming, and we should focus our energy on collaborative efforts to help both agencies and landowners maintain and enhance wildlife stewardship practices on the lands they manage, instead of focusing on taking over our lands.

If you agree, please show your support and join the Wyoming Wildlife Federation and a host of other groups at a Rally for Public Lands from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Fort Caspar Campground, 4205 Fort Caspar Road. Itll be a lot of fun, and it will be a family-friendly event. We will have a great lineup of speakers, live music and food and beer. For more information and to sign our petition, visit http://keepitpublicwyo.com/.
Natrona County has two open state Senate districts in this election: SD28, represented by Republican Jim Anderson, and SD30, represented by Republican Charlie Scott.

Anderson, a one-term incumbent, has earned the chance to continue serving HD28, but in SD30, its time for a change in leadership. Fortunately, Scotts challenger, Democrat Bob Ford, has the potential to do the job ably.

Anderson, who is running against Democrat Kimberly Holloway, is a capable member of the Natrona County delegation to the Wyoming State Legislature. In the four years since he won the seat for the first time, he says hes acquired the experience he needs to begin making a difference for his constituents.

The longtime Republican is well-suited to do so. Andersons spending priorities include education, municipalities and health  all critical areas as the state faces a downturn in the energy industry. He says a state income tax isnt in the cards, but he has wisely refrained from signing any pledge that would keep him from fully considering changes to the states tax code, including ending exemptions or increasing the tax on optional items such as cigarettes or beer. He calls himself a proponent of study, not blinders  a welcome description in these polarized times.

To be as effective as possible, though, Anderson must get serious about health care. He does not support expanding Medicaid to some 20,000 low-income adults, and he has offered support for the approach introduced in the past by Sen. Charlie Scott.

Anderson must take a clear-eyed view of the health care landscape in the state. If he wont support Medicaid expansion, he needs to be part of the solution by proposing or building support for an alternative plan with strong prospects. We believe hes a thoughtful, skilled and compassionate state senator capable of doing so.

In Senate District 30, Scott is running for re-election against Democratic challenger Bob Ford.

The cost and delivery of health care is a tremendous problem across the nation. Scott is chairman of the Senates Labor, Health and Social Services Committee. Medicaid expansion is a part of the federal solution to address a very real nationwide problem in our health care system where, because everyone is not covered, those who are must carry the burden of those who arent. The system is big and clearly very complicated. Scott has said he opposes Medicaid expansion because, among other reasons, the federal government cannot be trusted to fund the program long-term.

The governor, the department of health and more than 30 Wyoming organizations including associations of hospitals, municipalities and business supported accepting federal Medicaid expansion. For some of these organizations, Medicaid expansion was not a best choice  it was the only choice besides doing nothing to remedy a very real problem. But the Legislature, led by Scott, appears to prefer no solution to one that risks rewarding some 20,000 uninsured Wyomingites while saddling the other 500,000 of us and the hospitals that serve our communities, to pay the tab.

Affording health care is a very real problem in many Wyoming households. If expanding Medicaid is not the solution, then what is? In 2015, Scott torpedoed any chance a seemingly reasonable, state-vetted SHARE Plan had of succeeding. Scott did propose a concept similar to the failed Healthy Frontiers plan  but at the end of the day, because of Scotts leadership, Wyomingites across the board are left without a solution to a pressing problem. Strident distrust of the federal government is not a good enough reason to find ourselves without a solution.

In many ways, Scott has been an excellent lawmaker for 40 years and deserves recognition, respect and appreciation for that time and service to constituents. Those constituents, however, should still expect a fresh approach to problems when needed.

Ford, a first-time candidate, has the convictions and temperament to represent his constituents well. Hes a proponent of expanding Medicaid, saying the state shouldnt pass up federal money that would otherwise go to other states. He also rightly points out that the issue of connecting these low-income Wyomingites with the health care they need isnt going away and that rejecting expansion hurts our economy, including the hospitals who treat people who cant pay, and that those costs are passed on to paying customers  in this case, patients who have to pay more than they normally would for procedures.

Ford, who said he was a career IRS collections agent, has the backbone and determination to get things done in Cheyenne but also supports a diversity of opinions, saying a variety of perspectives improves the final product. That means he would effectively communicate his views as a member of the minority party while working with his colleagues in a productive way, which is exactly what Wyoming needs to recover from the bust and plot a successful future.

Scott has been in the Legislature for decades  long enough to have learned how to be effective. But the results havent borne that out, and results matter. Voters in Senate District 30 have a good option in Ford.

We encourage Natrona County voters to send Anderson and Ford to Cheyenne. The Wyoming Senate is likely to be a better, more productive body if they are part of it.
SCOTTSDALE  When Kim Christiansen began regularly attending local craft shows this year as part of her new job, she was surprised by a trend she noticed among the many vendors of handmade goods.

Ill ask them, Are you LDS? and at least 50 percent of the time  at least in Arizona  they are, said Christiansen, who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons.

Christiansen, 57, works for the Pinners Conference and Expo, a Pinterest-inspired event that came to Arizona for the first time in October after three years of drawing do-it-yourself crowds in Utah. As the events only vendor recruiter in Arizona, Christiansen helps invite local businesses to sell their wares and online personalities to lead DIY and lifestyle workshops.

Roxanne Bennett of Bennett Events, the Utah-based company behind Pinners, said they estimate 9,700 people attended the expo.

Bennett is also Mormon, and she agrees with Christiansen.

A lot of times, the LDS community does participate in DIY, she said, adding that her faiths emphasis on the importance of learning is a big reason why she started Pinners.

Its an interesting phenomenon: Mormon community members newspapers and blogs have sought to explain the groups collective love of Pinterest. Search the DIY site and one can quickly find a flood of LDS-related pins, ranging from inspirational memes curated from the Mormon Churchs October 2016 General Conference, to pages upon pages of craft ideas for church-wide womens events called Super Saturdays. The LDS Church, based in Salt Lake City, has official Pinterest and Instagram profiles. And dont forget Etsy, where Mormon-themed goods include handmade scripture cases and LDS temple prints.

Cronkite News visited the Arizona Pinners Conference to ask several Mormon vendors why their faith often aligns with the DIY movement.

Ty Bowman

Lifetime Leather Co., Queen Creek, in business since 2013.

Short on cash, Bowman was looking for creative Christmas gift ideas for his family and friends in 2011 when he happened upon an abandoned leather couch. He remembered the talent for leather-working he had developed while in the Boy Scouts.

I got this idea: I bet I could make stuff with that,  Bowman said. And make stuff he did, gradually amassing orders, more sophisticated tools and newer leather along the way. Less than 12 months after officially becoming a company, the venture pulled in $1 million in sales.

Though the success was sudden, Bowman said his Mormon upbringing helped prepare him for the opportunity.

The Church trains you to be entrepreneurial, he said, adding that LDS Sunday School programs are structured to instill a lack of fear in children at a young age. He also mentioned LDS teachings that encourage self-reliance, such as keeping several months supply of food and water on hand in case of emergency. Hes noticed these and other teachings make Mormons people who like to do things.

So Pinterest fits really well, Bowman said. Theyre always wanting to craft, wanting to make stuff.

Kim Jackson

Jaxn Blvd, Mesa, in business since 2012.

Jackson, whose hand-crafted signs sell nationwide, said her business can be a form of ministry.

She started her handmade sign business by accident after she created a sign for her sister as a Christmas gift.

I started doing them at church functions with neighbors and then ventured out into my first boutique, called Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market, Jackson said. From there, it exploded.

Jaxn Blvd now occupies a 4,000-square-foot warehouse and has 20 designs featured in Hobby Lobby stores nationwide.

Ive been able to share a lot of words from the LDS community, from prophets and teachers throughout our church, and Ive been able to put them on wood and share them with the world, Jackson said.

Hobby Lobby carries one of her signs featuring words inspired by LDS Elder Daniel P. Hall, who gave a talk about the importance of the home.

I often refer to myself as a mompreneur. someone who can have a successful company but also be home with the kids, Jackson said.

Brandy Reed

The Polka Dotted Girl, Gilbert, in business since 2014.

Being a stay-at-home mom is integral to Brandy Reeds beliefs, but her DIY business also allows her to be a breadwinner.

Reed runs The Polka Dotted Girl out of her 1,600-square-foot home, where she lives with her husband and three children. She sells handmade home decor and DIY kits, travels around the Valley teaching crafting classes and strives to make her home a haven for her children.

Reed remembers honing her love of crafting with her mother at womens group gatherings sponsored by the church when she was growing up. The gatherings showcase the heritage of LDS women who bond through crafts, from scrapbooking to todays DIY projects.
Violinist William Hagen got a call from the Tucson Symphony Orchestra last week.

What was he doing the following weekend?

Apparently not much. The 23-year-old violinist hopped on a plane from Frankfurt, Germany, and headed stateside.

He will sub for violinist Timothy Lees and his violist wife Catharine Carroll Lees, who pulled out of their TSO MasterWorks concerts early last week after Timothy Lees was injured, according to the TSO. The pair were to perform Mozarts Sinfonia Concertante for Viola and Violin in three concerts this weekend.

So instead of Mozart, the ensemble, led by guest conductor Keitaro Harada, will perform Saint-Saens Violin Concerto No. 3 for the first time since 1962.

No pressure, Will.

It is short notice, but I find that really exciting, Hagen said Monday from New York City, a stopover before he arrives in Tucson. I like having to be ready in a short amount of time. Its fun to have to kick things into high gear immediately.

Besides, he is quick to note, he knows the piece pretty well. He performed it in 2015 at the prestigious Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition. He took third place  the highest finish for an American since 1985.

And he loves the piece. A lot.

Im so excited to play it. Its so accessible and beautiful. Its just beautiful music, he all but gushed. Its got drama and beautiful melodies. Its got flash and dash technique. Its got a little bit of everything. I think the audience is really going to like it. There are kind of moments in the second movement that kind of sound like a Disney soundtrack. Its really beautiful music, kind of nostalgic music.

The switch gives Tucson a chance to experience a rising young talent that the Dallas Morning News called a standout.

Even in an age when brilliant young violinists seem to grow on trees, Hagen, whose teachers have included Itzhak Perlman, is a standout. He tossed off the most virtuosic passages of the Saint-Saens with amazing precision, but he also made music  not mere whizzings of notes, the newspaper said. Both here and in the lyrical middle movement he always knew where the music was going and why.

Hagen has been playing violin since he was 4 and made his professional orchestra debut at 9 with his hometown Utah Symphony. At 10, he commuted weekly to Los Angeles to study with Robert Lipsett at the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts, where he eventually earned a performance degree. He also studied with Perlman at Juilliard for two years.

Hagen has performed on stages all over the world, from Beijing to Belgium and throughout the U.S. Hes even performed in Tucson in a chamber concert while he was attending Colburn.

Its as pretty as the desert can be, he recalled. Its a really scenic, beautiful place. I didnt have time to get Mexican food, but in Germany theres no Mexican food so I am really excited.

Hes also excited to see TSO Concertmaster Lauren Rustad Roth. Roth and Hagens new wife Andrea Ashdown  the couple married over the summer  were roommates at Cleveland Institute of Music.
Other Events

 St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave., will host an All Souls' Day memorial service 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2. Families can remember deceased loved ones by lighting votive candles on the altar, according to press materials. A reception will follow. Visit stphilipstucson.org or call 299-6421 for more information.

 Funeraria Del Angel South Lawn Mortuary and Cemetery, 5401 S. Park Ave., will celebrate Dia de los Muertos with an altar contest, mariachis, dance performances and a screening of the "The Book of Life."

Entrees in the altar contest have until noon on Wednesday, Nov. 2 to create their altars. All participants must register with the cemetery. The altar contest will be judged 3 p.m. Wednesday followed by a procession of mariachis at 4:30 p.m. and a rosary service at 5:30 p.m. The screening of the film "Book of Life" begins 6:30 p.m. according to press materials.

For more information, call 294-2603.

 Holy Hope Cemetery, 3555 N. Oracle Road, and Our Lady of the Desert Cemetery, 2151 S. Avenida Los Reyes, will both celebrate an All Souls' Day Mass 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2. A reception will follow the Mass at Holy Hope, along with the dedication of the new Good Shepherd Mausoleum by Bishop Gerald Kicanas.

For more information, visit dotcc.org or call 888-0860. Contact Our Lady of the Desert Cemetery at 885-9173.
Pima County residents buying insurance on the federal marketplace don't have to worry about being indecisive.

There's almost no choice, with Missouri-based Centene Corp. as the only company offering plans to all age groups under the name Ambetter. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is selling plans to Pima County residents, but only so-called "catastrophic" plans to people under 30.

Open enrollment to buy health insurance for the 2017 calendar year with federal subsidies made available via the Affordable Care Act began today and goes through Jan. 31. Consumers must enroll by Dec. 15 for coverage that begins Jan. 1.

While most headlines have focused on increased prices on this year's marketplace, Tucson insurance broker Raymond Magnuson says the biggest problem he sees is narrow networks that are forcing people to switch primary care doctors and in some cases lose specialists they are seeing.

"If you you have got cancer, chronic illness or a disease it is better than nothing. But put yourself in their shoes. It's all about access," said Magnuson, who owns the insurance brokerage firm Magnuson & Associates.

"Is that when you want to be changing physicians, when you have chronic illness or disease treatments?"

Federal officials are stressing the value of getting health insurance coverage and are urging consumers not to get scared away by news of premium hikes. An Associated Press analysis recently found that Arizona's premiums went up by 116 percent, for example.

"Our message to consumers is to come find out what your options there are and see what financial assistance might be available to you to help pay for the monthly cost of premiums," said U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services Region Nine director Melissa Stafford Jones, who helped kick off an enrollment event at Pima Community College's downtown campus on Tuesday. Federal region nine includes Arizona.

"We know that many uninsured adults assume that coverage is not affordable. But a lot what is discussed in the public domain is the sticker price of health insurance and it doesn't factor in that financial assistance is available that helps consumers pay for the cost."

At Tuesday's event, officials gave the example of a 27-year-old male Pima County resident who earns $25,000 per year and wants a benchmark silver level plan. That person paid $139 per month in monthly premiums for silver level coverage in 2016. For 2017, that same person at the same income and coverage level would pay $143 per month, Stafford Jones said.

The big sticker prices are faced by consumers who do not qualify for subsidies, which includes anyone earning 400 percent of the federal poverty level or more, which is $47,080 or more for a single person.

A 52-year-old female earning $60,000 per year in Pima County, for example, would pay at least $533.41 per month for coverage for silver level coverage or nearly $700 per month for gold level coverage.

Advocacy organizations say Arizonans should take advantage of the cost-free help that's available to explore their options.

"Our general position is that consumers always benefit when there are multiple options," said Diane E. Brown, executive director of the Arizona Public Interest Research Group.

"That said, it's important to recognize more than 400,000 Arizonans now have insurance due to the Affordable Care Act...Just because an individual may not have qualified for financial assistance in the past doesn't mean they won't this enrollment period."

Indeed, healthcare "navigators" and enrollment assisters aim to help people get insurance coverage, whether it's through Medicaid, KidsCare, Medicare, the marketplace or privately. There's a 1-800 number for Pima County residents to schedule free appointments  1-800-377-3536.

One of the points that often gets lost in political discussions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act is that it wasn't just about subsidized health insurance.

Most Americans get their health insurance via their employer or a government program and a minority need to buy it through the individual marketplace.

In addition to creating the insurance marketplace, the Affordable Care Act allowed Americans to stay on their parents health insurance until the age of 26; prevented companies from rejecting people from coverage due to pre-existing conditions; and and allowed many states, including Arizona, to expand their Medicaid programs through added federal funding.

In addition, women can no longer be charged more than men for health insurance.

Since October 2013, the uninsured rate in Pima County has dropped from 17 percent to 10 percent, the Pima County Health Department says.

Stafford Jones says that people who weren't eligible for financial assistance last enrollment season might want to check again. That can be easily done on one's own by going to healthcare.gov

The site now allows consumers to "window shop" for plans and compare prices without purchasing anything.

Stafford Jones cited federal data that shows an estimated 33,000 Arizonans who are buying private insurance off of the marketplace may be able to lower their monthly premiums because they qualify for subsidies.

"We really want to make sure that consumers know that every county in Arizona has a health plan that is available to them through the marketplace," Stafford Jones said.
What do you do when youre conflicted about how to vote?

Some people flip a coin.

Other people might consult with their spouses and maybe work a trade  one spouse voting each way.

I suppose dart-throwing could also work  if you get an early ballot and are really good at throwing darts.

Me? This year Im balancing my own votes with myself.

Both of the statewide initiatives, Prop. 205 and Prop. 206, have put me in dilemmas. Put those two dilemmas together  two choices times two different ballot measures  and you might call it a four-way dilemma. But Ive figured out a way to solve it, almost like untying your shoes with the pull of a lace.

Ive written extensively on Prop. 205, the measure to legalize the use and sale of marijuana for any adult 21 and over.

The reasons for the measure are obvious and have underlain the pro-legalization argument for years: Adults should be free to use cannabis if they want, legalizing should shrink the black market, and resources dedicated to stopping marijuana traffic could be diverted elsewhere.

Yes, the 15 percent tax on marijuana would also raise some money for education, but the possible benefit is so small as to be practically insignificant. If we pass Prop. 205, marijuana taxation is projected to raise $39 million for K-12 education in 2019. That compares to the approximately $4.6 billion the state spends on schools, and more than $10 billion that the schools get through all revenue sources.

So, there are good reasons to support Prop. 205, though education funding isnt much of one.

The problem is, the initiative sets up an unfair system for legalizing marijuana and, of course, enshrines it in a way that makes it almost impossible for us to change. The initiative puts the current medical-marijuana-dispensary owners in a near-monopolistic position for the first four years after it takes effect in 2017.

The proposition also fails to remove marijuana crimes in a sufficiently sweeping way, making it more of a niche legalization.

I also am uncomfortable with the marijuana industry that put this issue on the ballot. As legitimate as the industry is becoming, some parts still have problematic links to the addiction crisis and other seedy sides of the drug world. A more robust legalization effort would confront head-on the negative public health effects of cannabis.

So Im voting no, in the hopes that a better legalization scheme comes along sometime. In the meantime, recreational users can continue to take advantage of the medical-marijuana system the way they already are  as an expensive, de facto recreational marijuana system.

And Im doing so in spite of the fact that it means Im siding with Glenn Hamer and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has put almost $1.5 million into defeating Prop. 205.

I disagree most of the time with that chamber, but more than that have been disappointed in its sycophantic way of dealing with the Governors Office. This began for me in spring 2015 when the chamber took positions on all kinds of state issues but stayed silent on the most important issue of the day  one that everyone else was taking stands on  the state budget and its treatment of education.

Thankfully, the chamber has also put $25,000 into defeating the minimum wage initiative, Prop. 206. That means I have a second chance to fight the power structure in Phoenix and an opportunity to balance my votes.

That initiative would raise the current minimum wage, $8.05 per hour, to $10 in 2017, $10.50 in 2018, $11 in 2019 and $12 in 2020. It would also force employers to give employees one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to a minimum of 40 hours of sick leave per year.

I opposed that idea, mandatory sick leave, when it was proposed just for Tucson, but it seems workable to me if its applied statewide.

Its imperfect and would make things harder for some small business owners, as Jerry and Kathy Sullivan, owners of Sullivans Eatery and Creamery, explained in Tuesdays paper. Labor costs will rise for some businesses, and some low-wage jobs will dry up, as employers turn to automation or simply dont hire to keep costs down.

Some of that will undoubtedly happen if we pass Prop. 206.

But on the other hand, our economy has shown again and again that it adjusts relatively painlessly, on the macro scale, to increases in the minimum wage.

In a December 2015 paper, two researchers published a review of five dozen analyses of the minimum wage and its effect on employment. In other words, they looked at the last 15 years of research on the subject. Their conclusion:

As a whole, this literature provides no support for the position that minimum wage policy in the United States has had any detectable effect on employment, either negative or positive.

So Im voting yes on Prop. 206 and hoping that, despite the relatively steep increase in the wage, it wont have a significant negative impact.

And it will make a few tears trickle into a few Starbucks cups up in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley on Nov. 9.

Its an imperfect way to decide how to vote. But it definitely beats flipping coins and throwing darts.
PHOENIX  Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton took the first steps Tuesday to run against Michele Reagan as secretary of state.

In two years.

Stanton formed the legally required committee that allows him to start raising money for what could be a tough race against an incumbent. The mayor insisted, though, that he actually has not yet formally made up his mind.

But Stanton said he had to act now for financial reasons: A new law that takes effect Saturday will block local officials who have leftover funds in their campaign accounts from moving them to a statewide race. And he has more than $522,000 in that account.

In the coming months, I will take a serious look at the future opportunities to continue to serve the people of Arizona, Stanton said in a prepared statement.

Stanton is a registered Democrat.

Reagan, for her part, also has filed paperwork for the 2018 race.

The outcome of the 2018 race could hinge on how well  or poorly  Tuesdays election is handled.

Reagan has come under fire for a series of missteps in recent elections. That includes the failure of her office in the May special election to comply with state laws requiring voters to get ballot pamphlets explaining the two issues before they get their actual early ballots.

Attorney General Mark Brnovich launched an investigation not only about the failure to comply with the law but what he said was Reagans decision to hide the information from the public for so long.
Pima County residents buying insurance on the federal marketplace dont have to worry about being indecisive. Theres almost no choice.

Missouri-based Centene Corp., under the name Ambetter, is the only company offering plans to all age groups. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is selling plans to Pima County residents, but only so-called catastrophic plans to people under 30.

Open enrollment to buy health insurance for the 2017 calendar year with federal subsidies made available via the Affordable Care Act began Tuesday, Nov. 1, and goes through Jan. 31. Consumers must enroll by Dec. 15 for coverage that begins Jan. 1.

While most headlines have focused on increased prices on this years marketplace, Tucson insurance broker Raymond Magnuson says the biggest problem he sees is narrow networks that are forcing people to switch primary-care doctors and in some cases lose the specialists they are seeing.

Anything with Banner, St. Marys, St. Joes, is out of network. Cost is an issue, but the big problem this year is access to physicians, said Magnuson, who owns Magnuson & Associates.

If you have got cancer, chronic illness or a disease, it is better than nothing. But put yourself in their shoes. Its all about access. Is that when you want to be changing physicians, when you have chronic illness or disease treatments? he asked.

Working-age insurance

Affordable Care Act insurance on the marketplace is for working-age Americans and should not be confused with open enrollment for Medicare, which began Oct. 15.

The marketplaces are where consumers may buy private insurance and qualify for federal subsidies to help pay for it if they are eligible. Many people refer to the insurance available on the marketplace as Obamacare.

The fourth open enrollment season for the marketplace, created by the Affordable Care Act, is looking much different than the first when there were seven insurers offering more than 100 plans for Pima County consumers.

All the plans being offered this season are HMOs, which means consumers must use in-network providers or face higher out-of-network costs. The exception is if the service is not offered anywhere in network and is necessary. The burden is on the consumer to show thats true.

One issue of concern to some consumers is that Banner Health, which owns two local hospitals, is not in any of the networks being offered on this years marketplace for Pima County. Nor is the Carondelet Health Network, which also operates two local hospitals.

Not for everyone

Federal officials and advocates for the uninsured are asking consumers to explore their options and to not get scared off by headlines, as they stress the importance of getting covered.

It is also important to note that most Americans get their health insurance via their employer or a government program, and a minority need to buy it through the individual marketplace, which is also sometimes called the health insurance exchange. Some states have set up their own exchanges. Arizona uses the federal exchange.

Last year, for example, nearly 180,000 Arizona residents (including 31,161 Pima County residents) purchased plans on the federal health insurance marketplace and three quarters of them qualified for federal subsidies to help pay the cost.

The number of Arizonans on Medicaid, in contrast, is 1.9 million people, including 289,710 Pima County residents. Arizonas Medicaid program is called the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).

Rate hikes

An Associated Press analysis recently found that Arizonas marketplace premiums went up by 116 percent this year, but federal officials say that not all health-insurance consumers are going to see that kind of price increase.

Our message to consumers is to come find out what your options are and see what financial assistance might be available to you to help pay for the monthly cost of premiums, said Melissa Stafford Jones, regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who helped kick off an enrollment event at Pima Community Colleges downtown campus on Tuesday.

We know that many uninsured adults assume that coverage is not affordable. But a lot of what is discussed in the public domain is the sticker price of health insurance and it doesnt factor in that financial assistance is available that helps consumers pay for the cost, she said.

Avoid assumptions

Advocacy organizations say Arizonans should not jump to assumptions and should take advantage of the cost-free help thats available to explore their options.

Our general position is that consumers always benefit when there are multiple options, said Diane E. Brown, executive director of the Arizona Public Interest Research Group.

That said, its important to recognize more than 400,000 Arizonans now have insurance due to the Affordable Care Act. ... Just because an individual may not have qualified for financial assistance in the past doesnt mean they wont this enrollment period, Brown said.

Indeed, health-care navigators and enrollment assisters aim to help people get insurance coverage, whether its through Medicaid, KidsCare, Medicare, the marketplace or privately. Theres a toll-free number for Pima County residents to schedule free appointments  1-800-377-3536  or they can sign up for an appointment online at coveraz.org/connector

One of the first people with an appointment at an open-enrollment event at PCCs downtown campus Tuesday was Hannah Nielsen, who has been without insurance for about a month, when she turned 26. Shed been on her parents insurance until then.

In order to stay on her parents insurance, Nielsen was looking at paying $500 per month. She met with an enrollment assister to explore other options. Nielsen is studying to be a dental hygienist and does not have other income. Its possible she will qualify for AHCCCS.

Ive never had to get insurance for myself before, she said.

Cancer without insurance

One of the points that often gets lost in political discussions of the Affordable Care Act is that it wasnt just about subsidized health insurance. Its about getting affordable coverage for all Americans.

Hector Bandin was diagnosed with oral cancer in 2010, the year Congress passed the Affordable Care Act. At the time he was working as a waiter and living in Page, Arizona.

Due to Arizona budget cuts, single childless Arizonans were not eligible for AHCCCS at the time, and Bandin did not have any other insurance. He racked up $80,000 in medical bills he could not afford to pay.

I was running into a brick wall, said Bandin, who is 37. And I could hardly speak at the time, I had a tumor in my mouth. It was a lot of stress.

After a lot of digging, Bandin discovered he could ask for debt forgiveness from the hospital. Flagstaff Medical Center said yes, but Bandin said the process was long and emotional.

In 2014, Arizona expanded its AHCCCS program through the Affordable Care Act and at the same time restored childless adults to the program. Bandin is now enrolled in AHCCCS and is a student at PCC, with intent to transfer to the University of Arizona.

He met with enrollment specialists on Tuesday to confirm his insurance options.

The Affordable Care Act allowed Americans to stay on their parents health insurance until the age of 26; prevented companies from rejecting people from coverage due to pre-existing conditions; and allowed many states, including Arizona, to expand their Medicaid programs through added federal funding. In addition, women can no longer be charged more than men for health insurance.

Penalties

The Affordable Care Act seeks to have as many people insured as possible, which is why there are fines for people who are uninsured  2.5 percent of ones income, or $695 per adult and $347.50 per child, to a maximum of $2,085.

However, there are certain scenarios where people can apply for a hardship exemption and avoid penalties for not having coverage.

Since October 2013, the uninsured rate in Pima County has dropped from 17 percent to 10 percent, the Pima County Health Department says.

Stafford Jones says people who werent eligible for financial assistance last enrollment season might want to check again, at the healthcare.gov website. The site now allows consumers to window-shop for plans and compare prices without purchasing anything.

She cited federal data that show an estimated 33,000 Arizonans who are buying private insurance off of the marketplace may be able to lower their monthly premiums because they qualify for subsidies.

We really want to make sure that consumers know that every county in Arizona has a health plan that is available to them through the marketplace, Stafford Jones said.

We are in the fourth open enrollment  the fourth year, which is still relatively young for a marketplace. We expect that we will continue to see insurers coming in and out as the marketplace evolves and matures. We will continue to work on stabilizing the marketplace and working with all of the stakeholders, she said.
Help India!

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter

Hyderabad: Hyderabad-based human rights organisation, Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee has strongly condemned the Bhopal encounter in which eight under trial SIMI members were killed by Police.

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There are not enough words to condemn the brutality and inhuman act done by the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government by killing the eight under trial Muslim prisoners in the name of encounter, said CLMC in a statement.

Reprimanding BJP government, CLMC alleged that Bhopal fake encounter and the cruelty of the police personnel backed by the state government, it is clear that killing under trial Muslim prisoners in the name of encounter has become the policy of the BJP government.

Their trial was near to completion and they had chances of acquittal from the court, but the state did not want them to be acquitted so they chose them, made plans, scripted and staged drama, killed and then named it as encounter. On this whole episode of planned killing, humanity is hanging in

shame, CLMC said.

Comparing the Bhopal encounter with Aler encounter which happened in 2015 in Warangal district of Hyderabad in which five under trail Muslim youths were killed, CLMC alleged, The same has been repeated in Bhopal of Madhya Pradesh. In both the incidents youth were Muslims who were under trial prisoners, their trial had come to an end and they had great hopes and fair chances of acquittal from all the charges that were framed against them after which they wouldve lead a normal life as free men.

CLMC raised apprehensions about safety of under trial Muslim prisoners and termed them unsafe in Indian jails.

In the present era of BJPs Hindutva government, the sword of encounter always hangs over them; when and who will be encountered is matter of time suitable to the ruling fascist governments at centre and state levels. It is a matter of fact that killing of people in the name of encounter has

become a policy of the Indian government; instead of bringing them to justice the state is itself deciding who and when has to be killed sparing no space for the judiciary to provide justice.

Targeting judiciary, CLMC termed them deaf and dumb on the issues of encounters by the police.

When the under trials are killed by the state and police on the name of encounter, the It never makes the state and police neither accountable nor even questions as to how can the police kill the under trial prisoners who are in the judicial custody,CLMC said in the statement.

The judiciary never takes any such killing as suo motu and never runs any trial against the killers. Recently Chief Justice of India had cried on the large amount of cases pending & vacancies in the courts. But it is a matter of sad affairs that not even a single tear falls from his eyes or a single word from his mouth on the killing of human beings in the name of encounter, they added.

CLMC demanded that the Chief Justice of India to express minimum humanity and show the presence of judiciary in India by taking this case as suo motu* under section 302 of IPC against the security personnel who are involved.

The committee also made an appeal to all the citizens to pressurize the Indian ruling political classes to end the encounter culture and respect the right to life of the citizens of India.
What is the Movember movement?

Movember was first founded in 2003, when two friends Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, from Melbourne, Australia, decided to bring back moustaches. They found 30 men who were willing to take part in the trend. The campaign originated to raise awareness for men's health and prostate cancer.

In 2004, they registered a company and created a website, to help snowball their awareness campaign, referring to themselves as Mo Bros. It was agreed that their cause was to formally cover prostate cancer, however, as the years went by, and the campaign received more attention, their focus on awareness broadened.

It now covers four main men's health issues; poor mental health(depression and anxiety etc), prostate cancer, physical inactivity and testicular cancer.

Movemeber has raised over 730 million Australian dollars, or 430 million, proceeds of which have gone to fund over 1,000 men's health programs, and Movember has official campaigns in 21 countries. The Mo Bros and Mo Sista's have made an incredible difference, especially seen has how the original foundation of this idea started over a beer in a pub!

Their vision is simple, "to have an everlasting impact on the face of men's health", but it needs your help, to continue its journey.

It isn't all about growing a Moustache, there are many ways in which you can help to start make a difference today.

Getting involved

How can you get involved and make a difference? There are many ways that you can contribute to the significant scientific research, necessary for helping men in need, and raising awareness in order to help transform the way in which many talk about men's health.

You can donate money to the cause on their website, https://uk.movember.com/get-involved/donate, either to the Movember foundation or to sponsor someone's efforts for Movember, if they have a fabulous tash don't just compliment them, donate too!

You can be a grower and a shower. Sign up on Movember's website, https://uk.movember.com/register, and get growing your moustache! Keep it groomed, there are many different styles of moustaches that you could grow, the Movember website has inspiration to help you come up with something impressive, you have the entire of November!

And don't forget to get the word out that you are taking part, so friends and family can support you and donate to Movember.

If you can't grow a moustache, all my Mo Sista's out there, then there are other ways that you can get involved and raise awareness and money for this great cause. You can move for Movember, sign up and set yourself a challenge. This is a chance to get physically active, doing anything you like and beat your personal best. Don't forget to get as many sponsors as you can.

Alternatively, if you aren't up for growing or moving, you can host an event. The event can be anything you want, it's your event; from a classical party, to an open mic night, or perhaps you want to test your culinary skills and host a dinner party.

Whatever you decide, just remember to sign up on the Movember website and donate as much as possible.

As a further incentive to support Movember, there's also prizes and rewards to be won. What are you waiting for?

Oh, and one last thing, when fundraising for Movember, remember to have fun! Enjoy my fellow Mo Bros and Sista's!

For more information or further details on donating and signing up, visit https://uk.movember.com
BELGRADE - China's cooperation with Central and East European (CEE) countries advances rapidly and opens new opportunities for cooperation with China as well as among CEE countries themselves, stressed most participants of an international conference here on Tuesday.

The one-day conference under the name "The Belt and Road - Balkan Perspective" was opened at the Faculty of Security Studies in Belgrade by Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, Chinese ambassador to Serbia Li Manchang in presence of renowned experts from China and countries of the region, who gathered to discuss cooperation with China within the 16+1 mechanism before the upcoming forum to be held in Riga, Latvia.

Dacic said that 16+1 mechanism which he referred to as "a logical part of the concept of the Belt and Road" significantly expanded cooperation between 16 CEE countries and China in different areas.

He stressed that many new connections and relations in many areas were made since the mechanism was established - from economy, infrastructure and energy to medicine, culture, science, education as well as sports, tourism, regional cooperation, inter-party relations, cooperation and mutual support in international organizations.

Dacic summed up that 11 countries participating in the mechanism are EU members while the remaining 5 are in different phases of the EU accession, adding that "The EU is not completely happy because of their cooperation with China".

"Mechanism 16+1 includes several Balkan countries. Besides Serbia it includes Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania, as well as three EU member countries - Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria. It has proven to be a significant channel to expand cooperation, strengthen existing connections and establish of new ones -- among countries of the Balkans themselves, and with China," Dacic said.

Li said that in the essence of the Belt and Road initiative is an idea that people should work together disregarding their race and origin, as well as to develop and create better conditions for business and exchange between nations.

He reminded that China's excellent relations with Serbia resulted in signing comprehensive strategic partnership this June, as well as that in recent years many Chinese companies were appointed on different infrastructural projects in Serbia for the first time in Europe.

Dean of the Faculty of Security Studies Ivica Radovic who greeted the participants with words: "welcome to Serbia, welcome to the new silk road", said that China's cooperation with CEE countries are developing fast and offer huge potential for the future.

"Just several years after the start of the initiative 16+1, we can witness its rapid development from an attractive idea to an institutionalized reality. This form of cooperation already has concrete institutional mechanisms, such as regular annual summits, leaders' meetings, regular organization of economic and trade as well as meetings of national coordinators," he said, adding that this creates a bridge between Chinese and the EU market.

Radovic concluded that China represents a reliable partner to CEE countries whose infrastructural capacities and stable growth open possibilities for mutual economic cooperation, and an opportunity for 16 countries to overcome the effects of the global economic crisis.

Speakers at the international conference focused on the political and security aspects concerning the Belt and Road initiative, as well as economic, cultural and other aspects.

"All current security and political challenges in the Balkans cannot bring in question intention of these countries to cooperate with China, advance bilateral relations, realize projects in cooperation with member countries of the 16+1 mechanism and to find their place within the Belt and Road project," said Zarko Obradovic, MP and president of the parliamentary group for the cooperation between Serbia and China.

"If we look at the geographic dimensions and the space that this initiative covers, we can only imagine how many new infrastructural projects will be realized, how many new roads and railways constructed and how many countries will be connected. This presents a good foundation for new projects within the Belt and Road," Obradovic pointed out, adding that cooperation within the 16+1 mechanism accelerates development of both EU and non-EU countries that participate in it.

He stressed that Serbia is among countries who signed an agreement to participate in the construction of the Belt and Road and that it is ready to actively support the Chinese initiative.

"This is win-win cooperation. China presents no conditions, but only opportunities for economic growth and development of Balkan countries," Obradovic said and concluded that cooperation with China is in the interests of citizens of Balkan states and governments have to work in correlation with that.

"Central Eastern Europe is important not only because it is the gateway to Western Europe, final destination of the Belt and Road initiative, but also because it is an emerging market with increasing need for infrastructure, high-tech products and much more," said Long Jing, deputy director of the Centre for European Studies of the Shanghai Institute for International Relations.

"So it is necessary for China to take into consideration the interests of these 16 countries and keep the vitality of the mechanism," she said, stressing that the future of 16+1 mechanism is in multilateral projects and cooperation with sub-regions such as the Balkans or the Black-Sea region.
NORDSEE Chooses Mitel MiCloud to Boost Productivity

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By Alicia Young

Web Editor By Alicia YoungWeb Editor

Mitel (News - Alert) has been gaining a lot of positive attention lately. It was recently recognized as a Leader in a Forrester report and also received the 2016 TMC Labs Innovation award. And it seems like companies continue adopting Mitels MiCloud left and right. A few months ago, Bouygues Telecom chose to adopt Mitels MicCloud UCaaS, and now NORDSEE, a popular fish retailer in Germany and Austria, is doing the same.





NORDSEE has chosen to implement the MiCloud and MiCollab solutions because they are designed to connect multiple sites to achieve productivity gains. Given that NORDSEE is such a large retailer in multiple countries, its easy to see why it needs a system that can help it manage all its locations. By deploying MiCloud and MiCollab, NORDSEE hopes to streamline communications between its new headquarters in Bremerhaven, Germany, headquarters in Austria and over 300 restaurants. Thats a tall order to fill, but given Mitels previous successes, NORDSEE is confident in its choice.

NORDSEE can now gain a strategic advantage with time savings and simplified, collaborative communications for all of its employees, said Christian Fron, General Manager, Mitel Germany. As workplace demand for mobile-first interaction increases, Mitel, the world's fastest-growing provider of cloud business communications, can deliver the latest capabilities in an instant.

Adopting these systems will enable NORDSEE to consolidate collaboration efforts, mobility and messaging into a unified infrastructure with one corporate directory. This is expected to drive employee productivity through easier, more interactive communications. Some of these new ways of communicating include video conferencing and chat, which will offer new ways of working and cooperating between all of NORDSEEs sites. Mitel's real-time communications tools will also be available via a single smartphone app enabling staff to access company data from any device or location.

Sascha Detke, CIO at NORDSEE, discussed how Mitels tools meet a need in the workforce by saying, Mitel will enable us to perform at our optimal capability, bringing together NORDSEE's sales team and headquarters' staff through seamless communicationsMany of our employees also expect mobile-first technologies that we can now offer with full functionality via Mitel's smartphone app. Being able to work flexibly or hot desk are also important to our business and no longer a challenge.

NORDSEE may be a growing business with several locations, but the company is confident that Mitels solutions will help streamline its communications. The easier it is for its employees to communicate, the more productive these employees can be. If thats the case, NORDSEE will profit immensely and Mitel will continue its streak of providing satisfactory solutions.







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Edited by Stefania Viscusi
Michael Douglas threw a lit match in a powder magazine with claims that Val Kilmer is secretly battling tongue cancer. It reopened debate that the "Tombstone" actor was acting irresponsibly and praying away health problems in keeping with his anti-medicine religious beliefs. Kilmer's apparent weight lossmade cancer claims plausible. Kilmer opened up on cancer, Michael Douglas, accusations of ill health, Christian Science and his new play "Citizen Twain."

Val Kilmer throat cancer like Michael Douglas?

Douglas asserted that the "Top Gun" actor had cancer like his.

"The Streets of San Francisco" actor famously battled throat cancer--later revealed to be the more controversial tongue cancer. The Jewish Douglas, husband of the much younger Catherine Zeta-Jones, ignited speculation linking his kind of cancer to HPV and cunnilingus. His physician warned against telling people he had tongue cancer given it's negative association with oral sex.

Val Kilmer politely refutes Douglas

In a Facebook post, the "Batman" actor said that his friend is misinformed on any cancer diagnosis, throat or tongue. The last time the actors met was two years ago when Kilmer had asked the "Wall Street" actor for a physician referral. Val had a swollen tongue (and still does) and went to UCLA where a team of doctors cleared him of cancer.

He didn't address the tumor to which many attributed his sudden weight loss. The "Willow" actor earlier revealed a scar in his throat that may have explained why he always wears a neck covering.

Val Kilmer on Church of Christ Scientist

The director/ actor is an avid Christian Scientist (not to be confused with Scientology--the oneMariah Carey blames her split with James Packer on).

Kilmer's religion is known to avoid medical intervention and rely on prayer as much as possible. Kilmer is private about his health and when he mysteriously gained weight, lost it and kept his throat covered, folks assumed he was hiding something terrible. They criticized him for ignoring his health. But Christian Science, like the Louisiana Catholic traiteur of native Acadiana, works with doctors not against them.

They treat illness with prayer and laying on of hands but seek medical help when necessary.

Val Kilmer appreciative of concern

Kilmer isn't a social media climber like Kim Kardashian but neither is he a hermit as has been suggested. His Facebook post tactfully thanked folks for their worry but assured them that it is unnecessary. He is happy, healthy and very active. He's very excited about his play "Citizen Twain" in which he portrays noted Christian Scientist, author, humoristMark Twain and his link to church founder Mary Baker Eddy.
Convergence Ventures attracts Chinese investors to Indonesia Updated: 2016-11-02 10:10 (China Daily)

Convergence Ventures just closed its first fund, raising $30 million from investors, including well-known Chinese entrepreneurs, to place bets on Indonesia's burgeoning technology sector.

The Jakarta-based venture capital firm exceeded its fundraising target of $25 million, with financing from a diverse group that included Singapore-based gaming unicorn Garena and Indonesia's Emtek Group, according to Convergence managing partner Adrian Li.

Li, who started Convergence in 2014 after a stint as founder of Chinese online education startup Idapted, is tapping his network to increase bets on Indonesia, a country believed to be on the cusp of a technology boom as smartphone usage climbs and the middle class swells to an estimated 141 million by 2020.

In June, his firm organized a trip to Jakarta for prominent Chinese angel investors and founders, including Wensheng Cai, whose Meitu Inc is close to listing in Hong Kong; Kai-Fu Lee, chief executive officer of Sinovation Ventures; Xiaoping Xu, who started Zhen Fund and New Oriental Education and Technology Group; and Gavin Ni, founder of Zero2IPO Group.

"We see that there are similarities in what we experienced in China seven years ago," said Xu, who invested in Convergence's fund after the tour. "This represents a great opportunity to invest." Convergence's successful fundraising comes as venture capital investment cools in China after 2015's record pace. Early-stage venture fund 500 Startups closed a second Southeast Asian fund totaling $50 million last month.

Convergence, which plans to invest in 30 early-stage internet and mobile ventures, recently appointed Justin Kan, a partner at Y Combinator, and Manik Arora, founder of IDG Ventures India, to its advisory board.

Bloomberg
Chinese demand for iPhone 7 slowing in 2017: UBS report Updated: 2016-11-02 13:36 By Liu Zheng(chinadaily.com.cn)

A customer tries out an iPhone 7 smartphone at an Apple Store in Qingdao, Shandong province, Sept 16 2016. [Photo/IC]

Apple Inc's largest overseas market is exhibiting signs of softness in fiscal year 2017, and customers are showing lower interest in the 7 series than the previous generations of iPhones, according to CNBC reports on Tuesday, citing notes from UBS analyst.

Based on the financial service provider's latest Evidence Lab Global Smartphone Survey of almost 6,500 consumers, Steven Milunovich, an industrial analyst of UBS AG told investors that Chinese interest in the iPhone 7 is waning.

IPhone 7, 7 Plus are introduced on Sept 8, 2016 at Apple's products launch event held in San Francisco, California. [Photo by Liu Zheng/chinadaily.com.cn]

According to the report, Milunovich reiterated its buy rating on Apple shares due to its attractive valuation and strength in US demand.

He also reckoned that global smartphone penetration of 60 percent and high aspirations in the US and China mean that Apple could win new customers, and although Samsung's retention rate has improved, 30 percent of its customers were at least somewhat less likely to go with Samsung.

Competition for the iPhone in China tends to come from lower price domestic brands with localized android and improved features.

According to research firm Counterpoint Technology Market Research, the market share of iPhones in China slipped to 8.4 percent, lagging behind local vendors Huawei, Oppo and Vivo, which have won over customers with similar features at lower prices.

"The iPhone 7 series should help Apple regain lost (Chinese) 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."
China, Japan entrepreneurs call for better environment Updated: 2016-11-03 07:08 By ZHENG XIN and JING SHUIYU(China Daily)

Entrepreneurs from China and Japan have called for more cooperation in the trade, investment and financial sectors to build a better bilateral relationship.

"Business leaders should eliminate non-economic interference and further improve the business environment between the two countries," said Zhang Yansheng, chief economist of the China Center for International Economic Exchange.

"Further bilateral cooperation in economics and trade in China, Japan or in a third country will not only demonstrate a model but also realize substantial economic benefits for the two parties."

He made the speech during the Second Sino-Japanese Business and Former Government Leaders Dialog in Beijing, cohosted by the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, and the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.

Around 60 heads of major companies attended, including leaders from Canon Inc, Nomura Holdings Inc, Dongfeng Motor Corp and Bank of China Ltd, with the hope of gaining a better understanding of changes in the business climate in each country.

The two-day meeting that concluded on Wednesday reached the conclusion that strong cooperation between the world's second and third-largest economies is vital not only for their prosperity but also for that of the rest of the world.

Sadayuki Sakakibara, chairman of Keidanren, said the time is ripe for the two countries to have a "new dimension of industrial cooperation" and they have to increase exchanges to achieve that progress.

According to Muneo Kurauchi, counselor of Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc, China and Japan should deepen cooperation in the fields of the environment, medical care, logistics and e-commerce.

China and Japan need to control the negative factors while focusing on the positive aspects regarding reciprocity and mutual benefit, said Kurauchi, who is also managing director of the Institute for International Monetary Affairs.

He also called for deepening cooperation in third-party markets in the areas including infrastructure in Asia and the Belt and Road projects.
Scholars slam 'HK independence,' calling it 'a dead end' Updated: 2016-11-01 16:56 (Xinhua)

BEIJING - Scholars have condemned the activities of a handful of Hong Kong legislators-elect for propagating the idea of "Hong Kong independence," warning that such a notion will lead to nothing but "a dead end."



The oath ceremony for the sixth Legislative Council (LegCo) of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) convened on Oct. 12, with the legislators-elect being sworn into office.



Some legislators-elect, however, not only publicly advocated for "Hong Kong independence" but also insulted the Chinese nation when reading their oaths. The individuals in question later traveled to Taiwan, in what appeared to be an attempt to collude with "Taiwan independence" supporters. These activities have filled many Hong Kong citizens with indignation.



Guo Tianwu, a law professor with Sun Yat-sen University, said the relevant legislators-elect, by capitalizing on the exposure afforded to them because of the oath-taking ceremony, have challenged national sovereignty and security to advocate for "Hong Kong independence."



"They have seriously violated the Constitution of China and the Basic Law of Hong Kong SAR," Guo said.



Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China. As a member of the LegCo, one must act in line with the national Constitution and the SAR's Basic Law, Guo said.

"From their words and deeds, they give the impression that they neither love their country nor Hong Kong," he said.



Qiang Shigong, executive director of the Hong Kong and Macao Studies Center under Peking University, said, "Any one with a bit of common sense knows that 'Hong Kong independence' will lead to nothing but 'a dead end'."



"Their wanton behavior is actually tearing apart the seams of Hong Kong's society; threatening its harmony and stability, and intentionally provoking antagonism between the residents of Hong Kong and the mainland," Qiang said.



Qiang called on all the citizens of Hong Kong to unite and oppose "Hong Kong independence" for the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and the nation as a whole.
UK banker described as sadistic narcissist Updated: 2016-11-01 18:47 By JON LOWE(China Daily UK)

An expert witness testified on Monday that British banker Rurik Jutting, charged with the murders of two Indonesian sex workers, was a sadistic narcissist whose condition was exacerbated by cocaine and alcohol.

Richard Latham, a consulting psychiatrist, told the court Jutting suffered from at least four mental disorders.

Latham, who was called as a defense witness, said the mental disorders experienced by the former Bank of America Merrill Lynch employee did not meet the legal standard for mental illness but "at the moment of killing, the disorders combined to substantially impair his ability to control his behaviour".

Latham said Jutting claimed to have been sexually abused by another boy while at the UK's exclusive Winchester College.

Jutting is accused of murdering Sumarti Ningsih, 23, and Seneng Mujiasih, 26, who were found dead in Jutting's luxury fl at on Nov 1, 2014.

The 31-year-old Cambridge graduate has pleaded not guilty to murder but attempted to enter a guilty plea to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. The prosecution rejected the lesser plea and his trial continues.

Describing Jutting as highly intelligent, Latham said he began drinking heavily in 2010, often until he passed out. He began using cocaine intermittently in 2012 until his drug use escalated dramatically in the weeks prior to the killings.

Latham said Jutting became fixated on sexual violence and progressed from viewing extreme pornography to "acting out" fantasies with prostitutes. Then, the psychiatrist said, Jutting progressed to "non-consensual acts", culminating in what he described as "horrific acts".

The trial continues.
Gansu university sets up handicraft courses Updated: 2016-11-02 09:18 (People's Daily Online)

Lanzhou Jiaotong University in Gansu province has set up a number of practical courses on handicrafts in recent years, including classes on wire-pinched painting, wood-cut painting and scroll painting. The classes are intended to promote traditional culture and cultivate students' workmanship.

Creating wire figures and filling in the spaces between them with painted sand, a group of students transform a white ceramic plate into an exquisite work of art. Among them is a student named Guo Tianhui, who has been studying this handicraft for one month. Currently, Guo is still practicing sketching, pinching and attaching the elements. Her paintings mainly depict figures, and she hopes to study more about the Dunhuang culture from which this technique comes.

Guo also said she was thinking about adding some contemporary elements into her paintings, since she is more proficient with that type of workmanship. These elements would illustrate her aesthetic view, the enthusiastic art student stated.

Liang Yan, deputy professor at Lanzhou Jiaotong University, explained that this course mainly focuses on Dunhuang elements, aiming to uncover students' potential for both innovation and accuracy.

According to Liang, most of the courses at Lanzhou Jiaotong University focus on science; the university has not previously emphasized aesthetic education. However, university administrators are now making an effort to promote the university's art courses so that students can benefit from an education that goes beyond what they learn in their major courses.
Priceless Chinese sculptures on display in South Africa Updated: 2016-11-02 14:09 (CCTV.com)

Some of China's iconic terracotta warriors are on exhibition in cities across South Africa. The priceless sculptures are also historical relics, that are more than 2,000 years old.

It is considered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world, and one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century. These sculptures were discovered by accident in 1974. Now, for the first time, the most complete reproduction is in South Africa in the Terracotta Army Exhibition. More than 300 objects are on display offering a fascinating insight into ancient China and its cultural ideals.

"Like many stories told in the world, with an advent of phones and tablets, the opportunity of experiencing history in real life is incredibly important," said Nick Dreyer, exhibitor.

"We're trying to bring travel museum style exhibition to South Africa and to Africa and we think it's an important thing to do because as a opposed to looking at something on 2D screen there's an opportunity to walk around the objects and to learn about it."

The army was purpose built to defend and protect the emperor in the afterlife. The emperor believed that objects like statues can be animated in the afterlife, and he would have the same military power and imperial status he had enjoyed during his earthly lifetime.

"The warriors were built by hand. Of course, it was a very long time ago and what's interesting is the absolute attention to detail that the emperor exuded and to create a massive army like this meant new techniques that had to be used he was certainly a pioneer in terms of building on a large scale," Dreyer said.

"The attention to detailed was then manifested on these warriors, each specific soldier in its regiment, in its class and painted differently."

Researchers estimate that 720,000 men worked on this project over a period of 36 years. Two thousand two hundred years later, the Terraccota Army is still standing and more soldiers are still being found.

Although these are replicas, they are made from the very same mold used to cast the originals and the detail of each sculpture is unique. The exhibition will be in Cape Town in 2017.
Hung's visit bridges gap across Taiwan Straits Updated: 2016-11-02 07:34 (China Daily)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Taiwan's Kuomintang party leader Hung Hsiu-chu in Beijing on Tuesday. WU ZHIYI / CHINA DAILY

Hung Hsiu-chu, the leader of the opposition Kuomintang in Taiwan, has daunting pressures on her back while visiting the mainland.

Back home, her party, while struggling to survive merciless attacks by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, remains divided, not only over its strategy for survival, but even over her ongoing trip.

The KMT caucus in the Taiwan legislature has openly expressed doubts about the intentions behind her trip. Some KMT members voiced worries she would mention "reunification" to woo Beijing and consolidate her standing in the upcoming KMT leadership election in 2017.

The ruling DPP, too, is watching Hung vigilantly. The DPP caucus in the local legislature issued a warning, advising her not to step over "legal redlines", and cautioning her not to sign any agreement or consensus with the mainland.

Such pressure, coupled with the KMT's present role as the largest opposition party on the island, means Hung's trip, which she described as a "journey for peace", will not result in substantive political agreements, something the KMT under her predecessor successfully secured with the mainland while in power.

But the absence of the agreements feared by her opponents and rivals in no way compromises the significance of Hung's trip, which is a reassuring sign that communication and exchanges may at least be sustained at some level.

With official, even semi-official channels of communication severed since the DPP came to power, the prospect of ending the estrangement between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits is slight. Both Hung and her host, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, know that, but they obviously took rapprochement as a longer-term goal worth pursuing during their Tuesday meeting.

Even with no papers signed, Xi and Hung exchanged vows to safeguard the "one-China" principle, and oppose any secessionist forces and actions on the island. And Xi issued the inspiring message that the mainland would not let the deteriorating official ties take a toll on innocent compatriots in Taiwan.

Despite its repeated claims of willingness to preserve the previous status quo, the Tsai Ing-wen administration in Taiwan has appeared unwilling to try and reverse the downward spiral in cross-Straits official exchanges.

Hung's visit is thus a success already, since she said her mission was to preserve the semi-official channels of cross-Straits communication. It has once again demonstrated the KMT's essential function as a bridge between the two sides of the Straits.
Fruits harvested from seeds of trust Updated: 2016-11-02 07:34 By NAJIB TUN RAZAK(China Daily)

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in Manila, the Philippines on November 17, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

Forty-two years ago, in 1974, then Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Abdul Razak embarked on what he called a "journey into the unknown, to sow the seeds of mutual understanding and trust". He did so in the face of questions and criticism, as many thought that he was wrong to lead Malaysia towards becoming the first country in the region to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.

But Tun Razak, my father, was steadfast in his belief that the way of peace and cooperation among neighbours was the right path. When I asked him, as a young man at the time, why he was so sure, he replied: "Because Zhou Enlai is a man I can trust".

Decades later, my father's decision to place his trust in China has been validated, and we have harvested the fruits of his vision. Economic and trade relations between Malaysia and China have grown from strength to strength, helped by close political and business exchanges at the highest levels.

China was Malaysia's largest trading partner in 2015, a position it has maintained since 2009, with trade last year between our countries totalling approximately USD 100 billion. Malaysia is also China's eighth largest trading partner worldwide. And among ASEAN countries, we are China's largest trading partner, the largest source of imports, and its second largest export destination.

Over the past twenty two years, I have visited China in many different capacities, including as Defense Minister, Education Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Prime Minister. On each visit, I have been struck by the strength of our relationship, how it has grown over time, and the depth of future opportunities.

I have seen how China has retaken its place on the world stage as a great power, while in Malaysia we have progressed from being an agricultural based to an upper-middle income economy, well on the path to becoming a high-income developed nation.

Ties between our two countries are now set to reach new highs. Over the course of my visit, which will involve discussions with their Excellencies President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, we will sign many new agreements and memorandums of understanding that will elevate the relationship between our two nations even higher.

Joint ventures with Chinese companies have already led to the Qinzhou Industrial Park in Guangxi, and the Kuantan Industrial Park, creating new jobs and opportunities for our peoples.

Now we have the deepwater port at Melaka, a project that was inaugurated just last month. Plans for the futuristic underground metropolis of Bandar Malaysia-which will be the largest underground city in the world when it is built in Kuala Lumpurhave been unveiled. And we are delighted that Malaysia has been chosen to host Xiamen University Malaysia, the first overseas branch of any public Chinese university.

These are just a few of the partnerships across sectors as diverse as railways, real estate and energy that are on-going. Looking ahead, we are committed to expanding these, both bilaterally through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and as part of President Xi's visionary One Belt One Road initiative.

Furthermore, we are now taking new steps in military cooperation with China. Nearly two years ago, we undertook our first-ever bilateral military exercise, and last year our first joint live-troop exercise. Now we have agreed the first significant defence deal between our two countries, with Malaysia purchasing littoral mission ships from China-the first two of which will be built in China, then two in Malaysia, and further Malaysian-built ships subject to government financing. This deal will enhance the Malaysian shipbuilding and defence industry.

The relationship between China and Malaysia is based on mutual trust and respect. At the same time, we recognise that there can be issues where even the closest of friends may disagree. When it comes to the South China Sea, we firmly believe that overlapping territorial and maritime disputes should be managed calmly and rationally through dialogue, in accordance with the rule of law and peaceful negotiations.

More generally, we believe it is incumbent upon larger countries to treat smaller ones fairly. And this includes former colonial powers. It is not for them to lecture countries they once exploited on how to conduct their own internal affairs today. Malaysia and China are united in agreeing on the need to defend the sovereignty of the nation state and in the belief that the individual histories, values and governance systems of different countries must be respected.

This is particularly relevant as the world's fulcrum shifts East. It is crucial that global institutions reflect the legitimate desires and viewpoints of countries that were given no say in the legal and security infrastructure that was set up by the victors of the Second World War.

This is why we welcome China's initiative in creating the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. We need new institutions for a new era: of peaceful dialogue, not foreign intervention in sovereign states, and of "win-win" cooperation that benefits all, not just the few.

This will be the Asian Century, and few countries represent the potential of our region better than China and Malaysia. Working together, we must build on the partnership reforged by Tun Razak in 1974, which stretches back through the centuries to the early Ming Dynasty when the first Chinese trade envoys arrived in Melaka.

The opportunity is there-it remains only for us to take it. And in doing so, I am confident that we can transform the lives of our peoples and reshape the region and the world for the better.

The author is prime minister of Malaysia.
Vote of approval for China's rights record Updated: 2016-11-02 07:35 (China Daily)

WANG XIAOYING/CHINA DAILY

China once again regained its seat in the United Nations Human Rights Council with 180 votes on Oct 28. This is the fourth time China has become the member of the top UN human rights body with a high percentage of votes.

China played an active role in the negotiations and final vote on the establishment of the UNHRC on March 15, 2006; it became the human rights body's member for three years after winning 146 votes on May 9 in the same year. In May 2009, China regained its seat by winning 167 votes. Since UNHRC rules say a country can be a member for only two consecutive terms, China resumed its three-year membership again after winning 176 votes on Nov 12, 2013.

The number of votes won by China has steadily risen in the past decadeit is the highest among the Asia-Pacific group and the second-highest among all candidates. A country needs more than half of the UN General Assembly members' votes to become a member of the UNHRC, and China has gained more than two-thirds of the General Assembly's votes four times. This means China has won the recognition of most countries in the international community.

The 180 votes won by China this time indicates the international community is satisfied by China's performance during its third tenure in the UNHRC from 2014 to 2016. In the past three years, China has taken active part in the council's activities and fulfilled its due responsibilities.

That China has got a seat in the UNHRC for the fourth time also indicates the international community approves of China's measures to protect human rights, because candidate countries' records in human rights protection are important factors that influence voters' decisions. So China will use its fourth term as a member of the UNHRC as an opportunity to push forward international human rights causes.

Luo Yanhua is a professor of international relations at Peking University.
Scandal of S. Korean president's confidante to transform political landscape Updated: 2016-11-02 07:47 (Xinhua)

Choi Soon-sil (C), who is involved in a political scandal, reacts as she is surrounded by the media upon her arrival at a prosecutor's office in Seoul, South Korea, October 31, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

SEOUL - A political scandal surrounding a longtime confidante of President Park Geun-hye derailed South Korea, heralding a big upheaval in the political landscape and in the dynamics of presidential election scheduled for next December.

Choi Soon-sil, who is known to have called President Park "sister" thanks to their seemingly indestructible friendship for decades, is now being placed by prosecutors under an emergency detention on Tuesday for alleged charges of intervening in state affairs and privatizing two non-profit foundations.

The 60-year-old woman is suspected of having edited the most important presidential speeches, including the one made in Dresden, Germany, in 2014 that laid out a vision for reunification with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Alleged wrongdoings committed by Choi involve her interference with the appointments of ministers, the shutdown of the inter-Korean factory park in Kaesong, the privatization of two non-profit foundations and pressures on a prestigious university to get her daughter granted special treatment.

President Park apologized to the public on Tuesday, acknowledging she had received personal advice from Choi on speeches and other public relations issues during the 2012 presidential election campaign and during her initial presidency on which Park didn't elaborate.

Even a day hasn't passed without new allegations on Choi's past irregularities. Student unions and professor groups in universities as well as civic group activists have rallied and held press conference nationwide to protest against President Park and her confidante suspected of peddling influence and pulling strings behind the scenes.

ALTERING POWER STRUCTURE

As tens of thousands of outraged protesters took to the streets in capital Seoul and major cities nationwide on Saturday night, President Park overhauled her secretariat on Sunday by accepting resignations of her key advisors.

Among the dismissed staff were three presidential secretaries, described as three "knobs of a door" that leads directly into the president. They had worked as Park's staff since she went into politics in 1998 as an elected lawmaker of the Grand National Party, predecessor of the current ruling Saenuri Party.

One of the three secretaries is suspected of bringing the copies of confidential presidential reports, including Park's schedule for overseas trip and secret military contacts with the DPRK under former President Lee Myung-bak, daily to Choi for review.

Also on the dismissal list were senior presidential advisor on policy coordination, who is accused of pressuring conglomerates into donating tens of millions of U.S. dollars to the Choi-controlled foundations, as well as senior presidential secretary for civil affairs in charge of overseeing prosecutors, police and spy agency.

The presidential chief of staff and the press secretary for President Park stepped down, along with senior advisor for political affairs who is tasked with communicating with political parties.

Choi Soon-sil, who is suspected of standing at the pinnacle of the power structure next to President Park, unexpectedly returned to Seoul on Sunday and appeared in prosecutors' office on Monday before being placed under an emergency arrest. Prosecutors requested a warrant to formally detain her.

The senior presidential advisor on policy coordination was summoned by prosecutors for questioning on Wednesday, and behind-the-doors aides to Choi with no official position and security clearance have been, or would be, grilled, in the prosecutors' office.

Power vacuum, caused by the resignations en masse and Choi's arrest, was first filled by two new secretaries. Park named new senior advisor for civil affairs and senior press secretary.

The relatively-rapid staff alteration for President Park is being led by former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon and former deputy minister for economic affairs Choi Kyung-hwan, according to Chosun Ilbo newspaper citing a ruling party official.

Kim and Choi reportedly had a close relationship with Choi Jae-kyung, the new civil-affairs advisor for President Park. He is a former prosecutor famous for acquitting former President Lee Myung-bak of a charge of being involved in manipulating stock prices during the 2007 presidential primary of then ruling party.

DYNAMICS IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Outlook for next year's presidential election got blurred further as Saenuri Party lawmakers are raising different voices according to political interests. The non-President Park faction within the ruling party, composed of scores of lawmakers, has called on all of the party leadership to step down to take responsibility for the political crisis.

Five potential presidential hopefuls of the governing party, including former Saenuri chairman Kim Moo-sung, gathered on Tuesday to demand the resignation of the party leadership that was launched just around three months ago.

Kim, who led President Park's team for presidential election campaign in 2012 but is now categorized as a non-Park faction figure, said last Thursday that everyone did know Choi Soon-sil was close to Park when she was a presidential candidate in 2012. He said it was a lie to say that pro-Park figures didn't know the existence of Choi.

Expectations got high for forming a so-called "third playground", a claim that neutral political figures from both ruling and opposition parties gather in a third place for the 2017 presidential election. Possibility remains for part of Saenuri members to bolt from the embattled party and join the third bloc.

Traditional supporters for President Park are turning their backs rapidly. Park's approval rating dropped to a single-digit number for the first time during her four years in power. Most noticeable is an alienation of those in their 60s or above living in southeastern South Korea.

According to a Naeil Shinmun newspaper survey conducted on Oct. 31, Park's approval rating fell to 9.2 percent, down 25.0 percentage points from the previous month. Support for Park in the North Gyeongsang province tumbled from 44.3 percent to 8.8 percent.

Over 80 percent of respondents said the presidential personnel reshuffle will not contain public uproar, while about two-thirds of respondents agreed on the resignation of President Park.

Doubts remain about prosecutors' investigation into the Choi Soon-sil scandal as she was arrested belatedly. Many South Koreans still believe that time was enough for Choi to destroy evidence given that months have passed since allegations surrounding her surfaced in media reports.

Prosecutors raided the presidential office twice over the weekend, but they failed to enter inside the office for what the Blue House claimed was a possible leakage of classified documents. Instead, seven boxes of materials were voluntarily submitted to the prosecution.

When investigators stormed offices of the two foundations presumably controlled by Choi, the offices were almost empty, TV footage showed. All of computers in the K-Sports foundation were reportedly replaced, while email accounts of the employees were closed.
Realtors: No immediate impact from election either way Updated: 2016-11-02 10:57 By Amy He in New York(China Daily USA)

The outcome of the US presidential election will most likely not have a huge immediate impact on Chinese investment in the US real estate market, though a Hillary Clinton win could bring a continuation of current trends and a Donald Trump victory would be filled with unknowns, real estate professionals said.

"As a president, [Trump's] ability to impact the real estate industry I think is muted. There's one big area that he can potentially impact and that's how depreciation is dealt with, but I don't think anybody's going to touch that, so from the perspective of New York real estate, I don't think it's going to matter that much," said Joseph Yi, chief investment officer at Real Hospitality Group.

Yi said that there has been a lot of anti-China rhetoric - about lack of fair trade between the US and China, about currency manipulation - but that it's hard to tell how much of that will go away once either candidate is in office.

Jonathan Miller, president and CEO of Miller Samuel Real Estate Appraisers, said that the only impact will be a slight uptick in sales immediately following the election since the uncertainty of the presidential race will be over.

"I don't think the party or the candidate matters. It's the layer of uncertainty right now, because it's been a very contentious election. In 2012, a similar thing happened, but now it's more extreme," he said.

Miller said presidential candidates can't do 98 percent of what they're saying. So when it gets down to the actual "down and dirty of getting things done," he said doesn't see either candidate affecting huge change.

Yi, Miller and other real estate professionals spoke to China Daily on the sidelines of an Asia-focused real estate seminar held by the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) on Tuesday at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.

Their comments reflect similar responses made by Chinese investors and US-based real estate agents in a recent survey conducted by Asian real estate listings website Juwai.com. A majority of both groups of respondents said they don't expect any impact on Chinese investment strategies with either a Trump or Clinton presidency, though real estate agents were more likely to believe that a Trump presidency will lead to significant impact on Chinese investment.

The survey also found that the Chinese investors and the US real estate agents were almost equally divided on whether a Clinton or Trump presidency will better implement policies that benefit them: 55 percent of the agents said Trump will; 54 percent of the investors chose Clinton.

Real estate professionals interviewed by China Daily at the AREAA event said that a Clinton administration would have policies similar to those of the current Obama administration.

David Sturner, COO of MHP Real Estate Services, said Clinton could potentially implement policies that are beneficial to Chinese investors given her history in government.

"She approved the original trade deals and she'll be in a better position to change them in certain aspects that didn't work out as she had thought they would. And she's made that comment, that she would pull back in certain areas and put more restrictions," he said.

Trump is harder to pin down because his "business practices have not been in accordance with his policy," so it's hard to tell where he stands, Sturner said.

Arthur Hung, a broker with Sotheby's International Realty, said that investors want to invest in a market that they know and can predict, and that's what a Clinton presidency would bring.

amyhe@chinadailyusa.com

(China Daily USA 11/02/2016 page2)
Analysts to watch Alibaba's cloud computing, mobile results Updated: 2016-11-02 13:40 By PAUL WELITZKIN in New York(chinadaily.com.cn)

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding LTD reports fiscal second-quarter earnings on Wednesday, and analysts will be looking for further signs of growth in the company's cloud computing division and its ability increase profit from mobile users.

The Hangzhou, China, company will release results for the period ended Sept 30 and analysts surveyed by S&P Capital IQ are looking for earnings of about $1.04 billion. That would be down from the $3.57 billion in the year-ago period in which results were aided by a one-time gain of $2.93 billion from the revaluation of a stake in Alibaba Health Information Technology.

Analysts are forecasting revenue of about $5.1 billion, up sharply from $3.49 billion a year ago according to S&P Capital.

"We expect continued strength in the core commerce and cloud businesses to drive top-line growth and narrowing losses in the digital media business to partially offset some margincontraction from ongoing investments," analysts at Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc wrote in a research note.

Investors will be closely examining results from the company's cloud computing unit (AliCloud), which has grown to more than 500,000 users, according to The Wall Street Journal. The company has been pursuing international cloud expansion by opening new data centers in Asia, the US and elsewhere.

"We expectcontinued momentum in cloud revenue growth of 120 percent y/y (year-over-year) against difficultcompares,' said the Stifel analysts. They are forecasting cloud revenue of $215 million in the quarter, up from $98 million in the 2015 period and $187 million in the first quarter.

In the August quarter, Alibaba's monetization rate, a measure of how much it makes from sales on its platforms, was 2.79 percent, up from 2.33 percent a year earlier.

Alibaba's results have been buoyed by progress in making money off transactions on cellphones and other mobile devices. Mobile monthly active users rose from 410 million in March to 427 million in June  or about 100 million more mobile users than the population of the US.

Alibaba and its rivals like JD.com are gearing up for Singles Day on Nov 11, a major annual shopping spree in China. Last year Alibaba topped its own record for sales on Singles Day with 91.2 billion yuan ($14.3 billion), a 60 percent rise from 2014.

The company is also in the process of expanding its online payment capabilities globally. Recently Alipay, the mobile payment service of Ant Financial Services, an Alibaba spin-off, struck agreements with VeriFone Holdings and credit-card processor First Data Corp in the US.

Alipay has also been expanding into Australia, Germany and Thailand as well to build up a global network of retailers that accept its payment services. Although Alipay is targeting the rising number of Chinese tourists that are traveling overseas, the Wall Street Journal reports that the company could be establishing a strategy to eventually challenge US-based credit-card giants MasterCard Inc and Visa Inc.

paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com
Looking ahead - Nov 2 Updated: 2016-11-02 19:58 (China Daily UK)

Events and stories coming up in the next few days

Expert contends book had impact on civil war

The School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London is hosting a lecture about the War of Liberation (1946-49) on Thursday. Civil War China will be presented by Hans van de Ven, from the University of Cambridge, and is set for the university's Paul Webley Wing in Torrington Square, London. The talk will focus on military aspects and explore how the book On War by Prussian general Carl von Clausewitz may have been understood and developed by the Communists.

Ceramics characters make movie magic

The China Exchange will screen the short film Mr Sea between Friday and Nov 12. The film was created by Chinese artist Geng Xue, who adapted the story from The Tales of Liaozhai, a novel about ghosts set during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The story features a scholar and a prostitute who live in a wasteland. The film's characters are made from ceramics. The movie is being shown at 32a Gerrard Street in London.

Midlands opportunities on the table

The Birmingham China Business Forum will host Kicking Of : Chinese Real Estate Investment in the Midlands on Thursday. The event at Weightmans on Temple Row in Birmingham will include a discussion about the growing opportunities for companies in the Midlands to attract Chinese investment. The session is aimed at UK business people wanting to learn more about the Chinese market and Chinese entrepreneurs who would like to find out about property investment opportunities in the UK. Guest speakers will include property developer Richard Brown, entrepreneur Li Yifeng, and local lawyers who will speak about recent changes to the UK's property tax laws.
COPENHAGEN - China Classification Society (CCS) opened on Tuesday a new office in Copenhagen, Denmark, to provide services for the shipping, shipbuilding, offshore exploration and related industries.

Denmark has since become the third country after Sweden and Norway to have a CCS office in the Nordic region.

Sun Feng, vice president of CCS, said at the office opening ceremony that Denmark plays a key role in the shipping industry, with its shipping companies undertaking around one tenth of the overall world trade.

Meanwhile, Danish marine equipment rank high in the global market thanks to the emphasis on high-tech, eco-friendly and energy efficient solutions, Sun added.

"Maritime cooperation is certainly one of the key sectors in the bilateral exchanges," Sun said, noting that the Copenhagen office will strengthen cooperation and communication with Danish industries and provide better technical support and service to clients.

Founded in 1956, CCS is the specialized organization of China to provide classification services for the shipping, shipbuilding, offshore exploration and related manufacturing industries and marine insurance.

Andreas Nordseth, director general of Danish Maritime Authority, said China and Denmark have a long history in maritime cooperation and dialogue, and share common interests when it comes to environment protection and safety at sea.

"With the building of the new Copenhagen office, we are expanding our cooperation between our two nations," Nordseth said.

CCS is a full member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) and one of the major international classification societies. Headquartered in Beijing, CCS has about 4,100 employees and over 80 offices both at home and abroad.
The recent announcement on Japans three major ocean carriers  MOL, NYK Line and K Line  merging container operations has left the industry wondering if more consolidation is to come.



Earlier this week, Japans three major ocean carriers  MOL, NYK Line and K Line  jointly announced their plans to merge their container operations in mid-2017.

The combined companies would have a total operating fleet capacity of 1.46 million TEUs, making it the sixth largest carrier in the world, according to data from ocean carrier schedule and capacity database BlueWater Reporting.

All three of Japans Big 3 carriers are due to become part of the THE Alliance next year. THE Alliance will also include Yang Ming of Taiwan and Germanys Hapag-Lloyd, which UASC will be merging into.

Dirk Visser, senior analyst at the Netherlands-based consulting firm Dynamar, told American Shipper the joint venture between the three Japanese carriers was altogether a necessary but defensive move.

Unless regulators would be living under a stone, they will (should) agree upon this particular joint venture, typically one between (largely) culturally compatible parties, Visser said.

Looking ahead, Visser speculated alliances could shift even further. He believes Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) will end up acquiring the transpacific assets of Hanjin and join THE Alliance, despite HMM signing a memorandum of understanding with the 2M Alliance members  Maersk Line and MSC  earlier this year.

In regards to consolidation between the Taiwanese carriers, Visser said, I dont think that under the present circumstances, the 33.3 percent government share in Yang Ming would represent a problem, but yet, to my feeling, Evergreen/Wan Hai would be closer to each other than Evergreen to Yang Ming.

Visser also said its worth keeping an eye on Hamburg Sud, especially in the wake of the forthcoming UASC merger into Hapag-Lloyd. Since a while, Hamburg Sud and UASC are rendering each other access to the East-West and North-South trades, respectively, and joining Hapag -at last- would be the only means for Hamburg Sud to keep this, he said.

Meanwhile, others say that Hapag-Lloyds acquisition of Chiles CSAV has made such a merger unnecessary and that a merger between Hapag-Lloyd and Hamburg Sud might raise the hackles of regulators because it would be too dominant in South America. There have also been rumors about Maersk having a possible interest in Hamburg Sud.

Jonathan Gold, vice president for supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation (NRF), also believes consolidation in the container shipping industry will continue.

Our hope is that the merger will help the overall container industry become more cost effective and efficient, Gold said. It is too early to judge what kind of an impact this will have on NRF members or the rest of the industry, however, we believe it will be positive and hopefully improve the health of the overall industry. It is critical that the carriers communicate throughout this merger process with cargo owners so that there is full visibility into how the new entity will operate beginning in 2018.
During a recent World Trade Organizations Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices meeting, China and Russia questioned U.S. and EU measures for calculating dumping margins on their steel products.



During a recent meeting of the World Trade Organizations (WTO) Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices in Geneva, representatives from China and Russia went on the defensive, mainly against the United States and European Union, by questioning what they deem to be excessive dumping margins placed upon their cold-rolled and hot-rolled steel products during antidumping investigations.

Dumping occurs when foreign manufacturers sell their products overseas at less than fair market value.

The global oversupply in steel has been largely blamed on unbridled production of these products in countries such as China and Russia in recent years, triggering a massive worldwide slump in steel prices.

China and Russia representatives at the Oct. 27 WTO committee meeting questioned the justification for and methodologies behind the dumping margins set by the United States and European Union.

The EU said it disagreed with both Russia and China and that it was confident its investigations were fully conducted in line with WTO requirements, the WTO said in a statement.

On Dec. 11, Section 15 of its 2001 Protocol of Accession to the WTO relating to the surrogate methodology in antidumping investigations will expire. The WTO explained that according to these provisions, when Chinese producers cannot clearly show that market economy conditions prevail, an investigating authority may use a surrogate (or analogue) country methodology that, according to China, results in much higher prices than those reported by Chinese producers and thus higher antidumping duties.

After the protocols expiration, China said WTO members will no longer be allowed to use the surrogate methodology and must conduct their investigations in compliance with the general rule fixed under the WTOs Anti-Dumping Agreement and use Chinese prices or costs as the basis for calculating the dumping margin.

The United States said that contrary to Chinas assertion, the language in the protocol does not require members to stop using the analogue country methodology in [antidumping] investigations, the WTO said. The United States stated that China instead needs to step up its progress toward becoming a market-driven economy.
 The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens



The Cummer Museum of Art is one of Floridas favorite art museums that hosts one of the best art collections in the Southeast. Housed in a series of twentieth-century buildings that overlook the St. Johns River, the Museum has more than 6,000 works of art spanning the period between 2100 B.C. and the 21st century, with distinct genres of European and American paintings. The Museum also boasts the Wark Collection of Early Meissen Porcelain. The Museum is surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens, the oldest of which date back to 1903 and some of which have recently been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The 2.5 acres of gardens boast unique examples of early 20th-century garden design, featuring tranquil reflecting pools, ornate fountains, antique ornaments, and eye-catching sculptures. The gardens most famous resident is the majestic Cummer Oak, one of the oldest trees in Jacksonville with a broad canopy of more than 150 feet. The Cummer Museum of Art is one of the best things to do in Jacksonville, FL.

829 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32204, Phone: 904-356-6857





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Jaxport CEO Eric Green said the $23.5 million grant marks a milestone in our initiatives to build the port of the future and move cargo in the most efficient and eco-friendly way possible.
HA NOI  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has released a directive requiring ministries and relevant agencies to tighten State management of multi-level marketing (MLM) activities.

The directive aims to ensure social security and peoples rights while facilitating MLM companies ability to operate under a legal framework.

The PM instructs the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), in co-operation with the Ministry of Justice and relevant agencies, to review regulations that do not fit the current reality in multi-level marketing management.

Accordingly, the MoIT is required to uncover and strictly punish violations by multi-level marketing firms operating without business licences. The ministry will investigate, check and resolve violations by marketing companies with products beyond their granted business licences.

Check-ups ensuring the businesses food safety, promotions, advertisements and conferences will also be enhanced.

In addition, the ministry instructs market management departments to define goods origins, especially those that are domestically produced.

The Ministry of Police should quickly investigate and strictly punish organisations and individuals taking advantage of MLM committing tax evasion, commercial fraud, smuggling, counterfeiting, manufacturing poor quality products and illegal financial mobilisation nationwide.

The PM also asked the MoJ to co-operate with relevant agencies to study and propose supplemental criminal punishments for firms using multi-level marketing for illegal trading activities.

The Ministry of Health will investigate the production, processing, transport, import and export of food and cosmetics products of these companies.

The Ministry of Finance is required to quickly publish exact information on tax investigation results and check-ups on multi-level marketing businesses nationwide.

The Ministry of Science and Technology will be in charge of resolving violations of measurements, product quality and intellectual property rights of MLM companies.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will investigate and prevent violations of production, packaging, imports and advertisements - especially fertilisers.

The State Bank of Viet Nam has instructed credit institutions to follow regulations on deposit management of multi-level marketing companies according to a decree published on May 14, 2014. The institutions are required to quickly freeze businesses accounts to facilitate investigations and withdraw the assets of violated firms.

The PM asked provincial Peoples Committees to enhance management and investigate violations, while organising training courses to popularise legal regulations on multi-level marketing.  VNS

Box

The Department of Competition Management under the Ministry of Industry and Trade will give fines for violations by multi-level marketing firms, including the Absonutrix Viet Nam Joint Stock Company and Global Trade and Investment Corporation.

The Absonutrix Viet Nam Joint Stock Company in HCM City was fined VND350 million for failure to submit financial reports. The company required customers to buy a certain amount of goods to join their multi-level marketing network.

The department also revoked the Global Trade and Investment Corporations business registration licence and withdrew its deposits.

The ministry will also terminate operation of Thang Long Franchise Company Limited in Ha Noi, while requiring them to complete duties for people participating in the companys multi-level marketing network. -- VNS
Viet Nam and northern European countries have a potential for enhanced co-operation in trade and investment, according to speakers at a conference held yesterday by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ha Noi.  Photo baoquocte.vn

HA NOI  Viet Nam and northern European countries have a potential for enhanced co-operation in trade and investment, according to speakers at a conference held yesterday by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ha Noi.

Viet Nam and northern European countries had signed agreements on co-operation in economy, science-technology, trade, trade promotion and protection, and aviation transportation, creating legal frameworks for collaboration between Viet Nam and each nation, said the chambers vice chairman, oan Duy Khuong. In order to boost economic and trade ties between Viet Nam and these countries, a range of projects had been launched, Khuong added.

According to the official, when the Viet Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement takes effect, northern Europe will be a gate for Vietnamese enterprises to access the EU market and take full of advantage of the pact.

Viet Nam, for its part, could serve as a bridge between northern European enterprises and lucrative Southeast Asian markets with untapped trade and investment opportunities, Khuong said.

However, domestic firms should be more proactive in improving their market knowledge and sharpening their competitiveness if they wanted to effectively tap into European markets, he suggested.

Katja Majbom Goodhew of Denmarks embassy in Viet Nam said Danish consumers had high requirements of food safety and quality, environmental hygiene, and animal welfare. She advised Vietnamese producers and exporters to carefully study the demands of Danish consumers and make information about the ingredients of their products transparent.

Northern Europe, which comprises Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, is described as a lucrative market for Vietnamese exporters thanks to high per capita incomes and huge demand for items which Viet Nam has been promoting.

Despite the distance, two-way trade between Viet Nam and northern European nations reached approximately US$1.3 billion annually in recent years; about $500 million of that amount came from Vietnamese exports of raw materials, rubber, machinery, computers, electronics, textiles and garments.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nams textile and garment industry needs to create motivation itself and attract foreign investors to top ASEAN member states in the field, said the Chairman of the Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), Vu uc Giang.

Giang spoke yesterday in Ha Noi at a conference themed "Strengthening the supply chain in the ASEAN textile sector towards sustainable development."

Viet Nam has targeted an export turnover of US$29 billion this year, $2 billion higher than 2015, Giang said, adding that there were more than 6,000 textile and garment businesses operating in the country, creating stable jobs for more than 2.5 million workers.

The country is the largest exporter of textiles and garments in the region. This production sector developed thanks to its wide and deep integration into the region and the world. From a sector that mainly served domestic consumption, it has become a leading force in the countrys export turnover," said Giang.

It has also helped Viet Nam become one of the largest five exporters of textiles and garment in the world, he added.

Viet Nam has been a member of the ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX) since 2001. AFTEX has initiated two big programmes - the alliance of the ASEAN supply chain and the ASEAN professional skills standards - which have resulted in many advantages for the region. However, co-operation among Viet Nam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Myanmar in the supply chain has not developed as expected.

The export turnover of goods between Viet Nam and ASEAN countries increased from $15 billion in 2005 to $42 billion in 2015. However, the turnover of textiles and garments with ASEAN members has only increased moderately, from $451 million in 2005 to more than $1.73 billion in 2015, of which the export value was $965 million and the import value $767 million.

Giang said there was a big change in the business environment and a strong movement of global textiles and garment supply chains thanks to free trade agreements.

The AEC and the ASEAN one-door mechanism, which will be applied from 2017, will create new opportunities and challenges. Therefore, AFTEX activities in the future will create conditions for each ASEAN member to better take part in the sustainable textiles and garment supply chains for the region and the globe, said Giang.

To reach the above target, Giang said, Viet Nam needed to focus on developing textiles and garment as it had targeted in the textiles and garment development strategy by 2020 and in a vision to 2040.

Meanwhile each business needs to find its own characteristics to build up its own brand names, said Giang.

The conference was part of the meeting of the ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries 2016 (AFTEX) hosted by Viet Nam. The three-day AFTEX conference, which will end tomorrow, also focuses on sustainable solutions for the textile supply chain, sharing of experience in environmental management and strategies for seeking supply sources of international brands in Viet Nam.

On this occasion, an exhibition of textile raw materials is opened today. The event is held annually with the participation of over 190 companies from 15 countries and territories, such as Viet Nam, Germany, Japan, South Korea, as well as Pakistan, Thailand and China, at a 5,00sq.m area.  VNS
HA NOI  Shares tumbled yesterday on the two exchanges on rising investor caution, caused by uncertainties in global markets.

The benchmark VN-Index, a measure of 314 stocks on the HCM Stock Exchange dropped 0.8 per cent to close at 671.4 points after increasing 0.1 per cent on Tuesday.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index tracking 379 shares was down 1.2 per cent to 81.3 points. It had rose 0.1 per cent the previous day.

Overall market conditions were negative with 273 of total 693 stocks declining while 133 advanced.

Market sentiment weakened as global stocks kept falling amid anxiety of the outcome of the US presidential election among other things.

Although Viet Nams market typically lacks correlation with the world market, a solid trend may leave an effect, analysts at FPT Securities Co wrote in a note.

Blue chips led the downturn as 23 of the top 30 biggest shares by market capitalisation dropped while only three increased. The biggest losers included insurer Bao Viet Holding (BVH) and steelmaker Hoa Phat Group (HPG) each down more than 2 per cent. The second largest listed lender Vietcombank (VCB) and real estate giant VinGroup (VIC) both fell over 1 per cent.

Money focused on low-valued stocks as ten of the top 10 most active stocks on the two exchanges had value of below VN10,000 per share.

Realty firms attracted the most attention. FLC Group (FLC), Tan Tao Investment and Industry (ITA), Hoang Quan Consulting-Trading-Service Real Estate (HQC), Sacomreal (SCR), Tasco (HUT) and PetroVietnam Construction (PVX) all were among the most heavily-traded stocks.

Liquidity improved with a total of 175.2 million shares worth over VN2.7 trillion (US$121.1 million) exchanged in the two markets, up 13.3 per cent in volume and 22.7 per cent in value compared to Tuesday.

According to analysts at BIDV Securities Co, the VN-Indexs retreat to the support level of 670 points showed that the market is no out of a medium-term upswing.

Increased market risks can make the market adjust to lower support thresholds of around 660 points, they wrote in a note.

Foreign investors returned as net sellers in HCM Citys market yesterday after three consecutive net buying sessions, offloading shares worth a net value of VN46 billion. They also extended net selling in Ha Nois market to three days in a row with net sell value of VN6 billion.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam can enjoy increasing commercial transactions and exchange in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Ta Hoang Linh, the deputy director of Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), told the conference on improving Viet Nams export competitiveness capacity to ASEAN countries held in Ha Noi yesterday.

"The AEC has paid attention to narrowing the development gap among ASEAN countries. It will also help member countries promote their economic growth, creating jobs and attracting foreign direct investment as well as improving production and competitiveness capacity," said Linh.

Linh said last year the AEC was established following 10 years of preparation with a population scale of more than 600 million. The 10-country community has total annual GDP of some US$2 trillion. AEC was expected to create an economic area with high competitiveness and integration into the world economy.

Statistics from the ministry showed that ASEAN had been one Viet Nams most important trade partners following China.

Bilateral trade between Viet Nam and ASEAN rose 13 times from $3.3 billion in 1995 to $42.1 billion in 2015. The average growth rate of Viet Nams exports to ASEAN was 17.1 per cent per year. The countrys export turnover to ASEAN increased by 18 times from $1 billion in 1995 to $18.3 billion in 2015.

o Quoc Hung, deputy director of MoITs Asia-Pacific Department, said Vietnamese exporters would enjoy increasing trade exchange volume, changing the export structure and improving competitiveness, thus expanding market share.

However, Hung said Viet Nams goods would face fierce competition from ASEAN countries as it would have to open its market for imported products. In addition, Vietnamese exports to the region would see pressures of technical barriers.

He said local firms should renew their technologies, improving products quality and localisation rate to take advantage of opportunities to export to the ASEAN market.

The issue of building brand name based on quality and added value should also be given priority.

In addition, Vietnamese firms should build their own distribution channels in the export markets while enhancing studies and trade promotion activities to fully exploit the ASEAN market potential. -- VNS
TUYEN QUANG  Phuc Son Manganese, Mineral and Mechanics JSC, which was found to be polluting the environment while exploiting manganese for years in northern Tuyen Quang Province, has not reinforced the embankments and dredge sludge as directed.

In July, thousands of cubic metres of mud waste - a product of manganese mining and exploitation - had reportedly polluted the environment and threatened the lives of locals in the provinces Chiem Hoa District.

The mud waste came from Phuc Son Manganese, Mineral and Mechanics JSC. The company had been exploiting manganese mines for 13 years in the district.

Upstream reservoirs for post manganese production were filled with mud and containment dams for mud waste were poorly built, causing it to overflow onto the fields of residents when there were heavy downpours.

Wastewater flowing from the mine down to the hamlet had also annoyed residents.

One month later, the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment conducted an inspection of the company and found it to be flouting environmental regulations.

Phuc Son Companys mining licence, issued by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, expired three years ago. The companys licence to discharge wastewater, issued by the provincial Peoples Committee, expired at the end of 2015.

The company was forced to stop operation and ordered to reinforce the embankments of the mud waste reservoir and dredge sludge to avoid the mud from overflowing onto the fields of residents before August 20.

However, nothing has been done to improve the situation till today.

Vu Quang Vinh, resident of Phuc Son Communes Na Pet Hamlet, said his field was covered by mud whenever it rained hard.

Pham Thi Thanh, another resident, said the company told residents they had installed metal sheets around the reservoir and they would fix the problem soon, but nothing had changed.

Pham Van Luong, deputy director of the department, said it had asked a representative of the company to resolve the situation, but even that appears to have been delayed.  VNS
HCM CITY Artist Bui Cong Khanh of HCM City has been nominated for the 11th Benesse Prize in Singapore.

The prize was launched by the Japan-based group Benesse Holdings in co-operation with Singapore Biennale 2016 (SB2016). This year, it will award an outstanding artist who embodies an experimental and critical spirit through art.

Khanh and four artists, including Martha Atienza of the Philippines, Ade Darmawan of Indonesia, Qiu Zhijie of China and Pannaphan Yodmanee of Thailand, who are on the shortlist, are displaying their works at the Biennale 2016.

This years event, which features 60 artists from many countries, will run through February.

The winning artist will receive a commission to create a work to be exhibited at Benesse Art Site Naoshima in Japan, and US$25,000 in cash.

The winner will be announced at the Singapore Art Week at Singapore Art Museum in January.

Born in 1972 in a Nang Province, Khanh faces challenges in painting, sculpture, performance and installation art. His works feature Viet Nams traditional culture and history.

Khanh has organised solo and group exhibitions at home and abroad.  VNS
HA NOI  A campaign to boost Vietnamese business culture will be launched during a ceremony held at the Ha Noi Opera House next Monday.

The ceremony will include an art performance praising the importance of culture to the integration and development of Vietnamese businesses.

"Business culture determines how different levels of staff communicate with one another as well as how businesspeople deal with their customers," Ho Anh Tuan, chairman of the Viet Nam Association for Business Culture Development (VNABC), said.

Its time for us to build up a business culture without hesitation if we want Vietnamese enterprises integrate with world partners, he said.

The business culture should go with the traditional culture of the country go toward the communitys benefit. Enterprises with effective trading that do not harm the natural and social environment will be respected.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc declared November 10 as Vietnamese Business Culture Day. The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Trade will join hands in the campaign.  VNS
As'ad's Bio

As'ad AbuKhalil, born March 16, 1960. From Tyre, Lebanon, grew up in Beirut. Received his BA and MA from American University of Beirut in pol sc. Came to US in 1983 and received his PhD in comparative government from Georgetown University. Taught at Tufts University, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Colorado College, and Randolph-Macon Woman's College. Served as a Scholar-in-Residence at Middle East Institute in Washington DC. He served as free-lance Middle East consultant for NBC News and ABC News, an experience that only served to increase his disdain for maintream US media. He is now professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus. His favorite food is fried eggplants.
Poet and researcher Inrasara, a member of the 180,000-strong Cham minority, has spent his entire life researching its culture. The 60 year-old published his latest book entitled Minh Triet Cham (Wise Cham Culture) in mid-2016. He has published 40 books - including research books, poetry and novels - about the ethnic group that lives mostly in the central and south of Viet Nam, including Phan Rang, Phan Thiet, HCM City and An Giang.

He shares his views about Cham culture.

The Cham people have a very rich culture. According to you, what is most remarkable in this culture?

Its the language and literature of the Cham people.

An old and collapsed relic can be restored by talented experts. However, how can experts restore the language and the Cham literature, which reflect the depth of the soul of Cham people?

Fourty years ago, I read a book written by a French researcher, Paul Mus. He said there is not much to say about the literature of the Cham people, which could be summarised in 20 pages. I thought that an ethnic group which had its own script very early, since the 4th century, compared to other groups of Southeast Asia cannot be summed up in only 20 pages. I began to research Cham culture and 30 years after going to live in HCM City I published my first book, which was honoured by the Peninsula History Culture (CHCPI) Centre of Sorbonne University.

Cham literature, known for famous epic poems, reflects the soul of the Cham. We can use it to decode the secrets of ancient Cham architecture and sculpture.

What do you think of the way the literature of the Cham is preserved given that books have disappeared or are at risk of disappearing?

I think its very important to teach young people about Cham culture, about the important significance of preserving this culture and about the need for efficient solutions to preserve those old Cham books.

The Cham people are known as being very fond of learning. None of the Cham are illiterate.

In the old days, the Cham people used to preserve books by leaving them in bamboo baskets hung from the ceiling. Each month they used to worship the books (with a wine bottle and two eggs) and expose them to the sun to keep them dry. Books which were not worshiped and not read for a long time were called fallow books.

Books are made to be read. But the many young people of today do not appreciate the books. I know an old man who has three baskets of precious books. But his sons do not like them. According to a traditional belief, a family that wastes those books and lets them become fallow risks falling sick and has to make an offering to spare themselves a run of bad luck. They also have to throw them into the river. Its one of the reasons why books have gradually disappeared.

Why have the Cham managed to preserve their cultural identity over such a long period despite the influence of different religions and time?

The Cham are the only minority ethnic group in Viet Nam that does not live in the mountains.

They have lived together with the Viet (or Kinh) people for 200 years but their culture was not assimilated. They used to believe that there are four steps in life. First, learn from teachers; Second, become a master of a household (get married); Third, live in the forests and leave everything behind; and the last, live a free life among the trees and under the sky.

Nowadays no one follows these four steps. But husbands and wives remain very faithful to each to each other. I have lived in the Cham community for 60 years but have rarely seen divorced couples.

Do Cham festivals remain authentic or have they been commercialised?

Luckily, many of those festivals remain authentic. For example, the Rija Nuga festival which is held in April to welcome the New Year and the Ramuwan festival held in September to worship ancestors.

However, some have become quite commercial. The Kate festival, held at the Po Klaung Girai temple in October, has become the festival of all people. A parking lot and an exhibition house were built and the serene ambiance of the Po Klaung Girai temple disappeared.

Previously, this temple used to open its doors three times a year to welcome visitors. Buddhist priests entering the temple used to burn candles for only one hour each time, so the pink colour of the bricks of the tower was preserved. Now the tower is often open to tourists who burn a lot of incense, which turned the bricks black. I criticised this time and again but nothing changed.  VNS
The governments of HCM City and Seoul on October 31 signed an agreement to foster friendship and co-operative relations in multiple sectors.  Photo baocongthuong.vn

HCM CITY  The cities of HCM and Seoul on Monday signed an agreement to foster friendship and co-operative relations in multiple sectors.

Under the agreement, the two cities will co-operate in the fields of urban infrastructure, education, tourism, climate change and smart cities.

The two sides will also exchange views about economic and investment policies and create favourable conditions for their respective enterprises.

They will also share experiences in areas like culture, art and tourism and will promote cultural co-operation through visits and exchanges.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Le Van Khoa, vice chairman of the HCM City Peoples Committee, said the agreement was the beginning of joint projects between the two cities, contributing to the strategic partnership of the two countries.

HCM Citys government is calling for investment in key infrastructure projects such as the metro, monorail, flood control, pollution reduction and urban development in an effort to build a smart city model, Khoa said.

He said that he hoped Korean enterprises would invest more in these sectors in the city.

Liu He Gyoung-gee, Seouls first deputy mayor, said the agreement had created a foundation for the two cities co-operation in all fields.

Seoul would share the results of its experiences and solutions in dealing with issues arising during urban development, he added.

On the same day, a workshop was organised to promote co-operation between the two cities in urban transport construction and management.  VNS
HA NOI  The second session of the National Assembly yesterday continued with debates on a five year financial plan, targets and orientation for the mobilisation and use of loans as well as public debt management during 2016-2020.

Finance Minister inh Tien Dung presented a report on national public debt by providing data that shows the reality of public debts over the past five years.

Dung said public debt reached VN2.6 quadrillion (US$117 billion) last year, or an increase of 2.3 fold over 2010 and 14.8 fold over 2001. He said the annual growth pace of public debt in the 2011-15 was 18.4 per cent, or three fold over annual GDP growth rate, which was about 5.9 per cent.

Many deputies agreed with the reports assessment on the current situation of public debt saying that the mobilisation and use of loans and public debt management in 2011-2015 had been presented extensively.

The report revealed the soaring public debt had resulted in high repayment pressure and regulations on public investment were not strict enough to prevent violations, which led to the ineffective use of loans.

Tran Hoang Ngan, a deputy from HCM City warned public debts were on the rise and they would likely exceed the national red line of 65 per cent of GDP.

Ngan mentioned the law on public investment issued last year, saying that Article 75 assigned a role for the NA to adjust the Governments public investment plans.

Therefore, the deputy said, the Government should annually report on the process of implementing public investment plans to the NA so that the NA could advise on adjustments for them.

The adjustments might include changes for key investment sectors or changes of the project implementation duration.

In Viet Nam, public debt includes Government debt, debts underwritten by the Government, and debts incurred by provincial and municipal authorities.

Government debt alone, which is domestically and internationally incurred by the Government and the finance ministry, exceeded a cap of 50 per cent of GDP.

Public investment plan

At the meeting, deputies also heard Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung reporting on the medium-term public investment plan for 2016-2020 and the report on public investment in 2011-15

Deputy Nguyen Ngoc Phuong, from the central province of Quang Binh, said the Ministry of Finances report had shown the truth but did not provide details or the accurate number of ineffective projects, or those that were suffering from capital losses as well as reasons behind and solutions for them.

Phuong requested more specific figures for ineffective projects and a list of individuals or organisations that were responsible for the losses.

The deputy said there should also be strict punishments for such violations, so as to deter others.

Phuong cited five projects suffering huge losses of investments as examples, including the VN12 trillion (US$533.33 million) Ninh Binh fertiliser plant of the Viet Nam National Chemical Group in nothern Ninh Binh Province, which was struggling with annual losses of VN2 trillion, and the operations at the VN7 trillion inh Vu polyester factory, in which the Viet Nam Oil and Gas Group held a controlling stake, halted for more than a year after it went on stream in 2014.

He said such projects had caused huge economic losses worth over VN30 trillion ($1.3 billion), but did not specify the names of individuals who should be held responsible for the losses.

The need to clarify responsibility for the losses was the key factor in helping improve awareness of the management of public investment, according to Phuong.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Be, a deputy from the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, lauded the Governments middle-term plan of public investment for 2016-2020, as transparent and open, to avoid misspending while prioritising urgent projects and works.

Yet, others commented that the allocation of capital stated in the plan has yet to match with the investment distribution criteria mentioned in the report, as many urgent projects have yet to be included in the plan.

They pointed to the Mekong Delta region as an example. Two thirds of the region is forecast to be flooded and needs adequate investment to ensure production and national food security, but it will only receive investment for the building of several dykes to prevent seawater intrusion in the next five years.

They also proposed that the Government and the NA prioritise the building of infrastructure and irrigation systems for the region  which is dubbed as the rice bowl of the country.

The majority of deputies asserted that the plan should focus on agriculture and rural development, environmental protection, especially the cleaning up of the sea environment in four central provinces affected by the Formosa-caused environmental incident, as well as climate change and saltwater intrusion response, and transport systems in Northwestern and Central Highlands regions, and coastal roads connecting southwestern localities.

They also suggested resources be focused on the construction of the North-South Expressway and railway.

They also asked for further clarification of projects receiving investment and strict punishment on violations in public investment to enhance investment efficiency.  VNS
BINH DUONG  Hundreds of workers from a textile company in Thuan An town in Binh Duong Province were rushed to hospitals and clinics yesterday evening for suspected food poisoning.

The victims, all employees of Apparel Far Eastern Ltd Company, complained of headache, vomiting and stomach pain around 30 minutes after their meal at 5pm. Some are reported to have fainted. The meal, served before the night shift, included soup, fish, chicken and papaya.

Doctors at the general hospital in Thuan An said the hospital admitted more than 100 patients with similar symptoms around the time their shift ended. All doctors and nurses whose shifts had ended had to stay back to treat patients, they said.

The hospital ran out of beds and had to use a hall to accommodate the large number of patients coming in.

Several serious cases have been transferred to the provincial general hospital.

Investigations into the incident are underway.  VNS
HA NOI  Australian warship Hmas Warramunga docked at the Cam Ranh International Port in Khanh Hoa Province yesterday, starting a six-day technical visit.

The ships commander and crew will meet with senior officers of Naval Region 4 High Command of the Viet Nam Peoples Navy.

The visiting crew will also participate in friendly sporting activities with Vietnamese soldiers and explore local culture.

The visit is part of maritime security co-operation programmes implemented under a memorandum of understanding on defence co-operation signed by both countries in 2010.  VNS
HCM CITY  The life of a five-year-old child whose chest was punctured by a steel bar after he fell from the third floor of a building was saved by doctors last week who took part in HCM Citys Red Alert emergency procedure.

Doctors at Thong Nhat Hospital in the citys Tan Binh District provided emergency aid for the boy and then activated the Red Alert to ask for assistance from Paediatrics Hospital 1.

At Paediatrics Hospital 1, Dr ao Trung Hieu, the deputy head of the hospital, was alerted and immediately went to Thong Nhat Hospital to conduct surgery.

After the surgery, the patient was brought to Paediatrics Hospital 1 for further treatment and check-up.

A cardiovascular ultrasound detected an abnormal blood clot in the centre of chest, Hieu said, adding that a second surgery was performed to remove the clot.

The boy is now recovering in the hospitals intensive care unit.

Under the Red Alert procedure, which began in 2010 under the municipal Department of Healths requirement, doctors in the city cooperate to save the life of patients.

In late August, the Red Alert procedure helped save the life of a patient who had suffered electric shock.

Dr Tran Van Khanh, head of the District 2 Hospital, said the patient was admitted with severe bleeding, a heart rate disorder, and a damaged liver.

Khanh initiated the Red Alert process, with Gia inh People Hospital assisting.

Twenty minutes later, Gia inh People Hospitals surgeons and other doctors arrived at District 2 Hospital to perform surgery alongside Gia Dinhs doctors.

Without the Red Alert, the patient could have died on the way to Gia inh People Hospital, Khanh said.

At a Red Alert rehearsal at District 11 Hospital in late August, Dr Nguyen inh Phu, head of 115 People Hospital, said the procedure was necessary in emergency conditions because the skills of doctors in the city varied.

If doctors at a hospital do not have the capacity to treat certain patients in serious health conditions, then the Red Alert process should be activated.

Tang Chi Thuong, the Health Departments deputy head, said that it was critical to provide good first emergency aid.

Emergency ward doctors can evaluate the patients condition and then activate a Red Alert to seek help from doctors at another hospital.

Thuong said that a Red Alert steering board had been set up to improve implementation of the procedure.

Nguyen Tan Binh, head of the department, said that only several hospitals in the city were currently carrying out the Red Alert procedure.

In the future, the department will instruct all public and private hospitals in the city to use the Red Alert process when conditions require it.  VNS
CENTRAL REGION  Two people died and thousands of houses were inundated yesterday as floodwater continues to rise in the central provinces of Quang Binh and Ha Tinh. Flooding also occurred in late afternoon in Quang Tri.

In Quang Binh, Tran Minh Hoach, a resident of Quang Trach District, drowned while attempting to rescue his fishing boat while Du Van Thu, a resident of Ba on District, was swept away by strong currents when he was on the way to get donation food.

A report by the Quang Binh Centre of Flood, Storm Prevention and Rescuing said 4,000 houses, mostly in the low-lying areas of Ba on, Tuyen Hoa and Quang Trach districts were flooded.

According to authorities of Quang Trung Commune, floodwater has engulfed houses, reaching up to a half of their height. Meanwhile, residents rushed to move their belongings, cattle and poultry to safe places in the mountains to avoid a repeat of the damage that occurred in early October.

Life for the locals has been very difficult, as they have had to work quickly to deal with the second flood to hit them within a month.

Fortunately, 19 people were rescued successfully from boat and car wrecks. Strong flood flows upturned two fishing boats when they were travelling near Giang Rivers estuary. In another case, a truck carrying six people on board was turned over, but those passengers were saved.

Meanwhile, a whirlwind occurred early yesterdays morning in Quang Binhs Le Thuy District, blowing away the roofs of some 100 houses and damaging hundreds of hectares of rice and vegetables.

In Ha Tinh, local authorities in the districts of Huong Khe and Ky Anh deployed community security men to assist residents in transferring cattle and poultry from flooded areas to safer places.

A report by the local education sector said 30,000 students of 84 schools in the province were forced to stay home.

A total of 2,700 houses in five districts of Ha Tinh soaked 1.5m in floodwater, with some lying in the lower part of Ke Go Reservoir and Rac River inundated in higher water level. According to Nguyen Van Viet, deputy chairman of Huong Khe District, a house collapsed from floodwater has blocked roadway traffic entirely at the locality.

In Quang Tri, a strong, swift flood came suddenly yesterday morning and soaked 2,000 houses in Cam Lo District in water. Ngo Quang Chien, the district chairman said the flood appeared so fast in within 15 minutes, shocking local residents.

None were able to rescue their belongings while some others were forced to climb up trees to save their lives from 3m high strong current. Local public security deployed their staff urgently to the site to assist affected residents.

Local people suspected that the flood caused by unannounced water release from power reservoirs.

Heavy rainfall also continued in the provinces, and the Ho Ho power plant, which is located between Quang Binh and Ha Tinh, has not stopped releasing water.

The latest forecast report by the National Centre for Meteorology and Hydrology Forecast has warned of a flood risk in the central provinces from Quang Tri to Phu Yen, with heavy rains continuing to pour down in the region in the next three days. It also forecast swift and higher water levels in Ha Tinhs Ngan Sau and Ngan Pho rivers, Quang Binhs Gianh and Kien Giang rivers, and Quang Tris Thach Han river.  VNS
HA NOI  A north-south train crashed into a motorbike last night in the capitals Thanh Tri District, killing two people.

Witnesses said the motorbike, coming from Alley 48 on Ngoc Hoi Street, was crossing the railway line when train No. SE3 collided with it.

The crash threw the victims some 10m away and destroyed the motorbike.

The two victims are Nguyen Khac Tuyen, 40, from Thanh Hoa Province, and Nguyen Minh Thang, 32, from Ha Noi.

The automatic warning devices on the railway line were reportedly working properly before and after the accident occurred.

The crash is under further investigation.  VNS
BA RIA - VUNG TAU  A chemical processing and trading workshop in Phuoc Lap Hamlet, Tan Thanh District of southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province is affecting peoples health.

Dozens of households in the area have complained to the local authority about the workshop, which has been operating for more than five years, but the local authority has been ignoring it.

Every day the workshop is always busy, even until midnight. Trucks come to get foul-smelling chemicals," Pham The Hung, a local, said.

Besides this, wastewater from the workshop is discharged directly into the sewage system and canals, he said.

At present, many locals, especially aged people and children, are suffering from breathing-related diseases, Hung said.

We complained to the local authority several times, but the situation hasnt been resolved yet, he said.

Online newspaper vov.vn reported that the workshop has no name and is located in a 2,000sq.m- area with a makeshift house fenced by a low wall. In the workshop area, there are hundreds of containers of toxic hydrocloric acid.

Nguyen Thanh Dieu, head of My Xuan Commune, said the local government has inspected and checked the workshop for violations.

Colonel Truong Van Nghi, from the Economic, Drug and Environment Police of Tan Thanh District, said the workshop belonged to the Chan Tin Company, which specialised in chemical trading.

The company has been fined for environment protection violations, the colonel said.

The workshop just reopened after operations were halted in late 2014. However, the companys head did not inform the local government.  VNS
CENTRAL REGION  Residents in central provinces of Ha Tinh and Quang Binh said they are fed up with the repeated floods, with one occurred in October and another repeated from Monday. Floods also happenned in Quang Tri on Tuesday and in Thua Thien - Hue today.

Nguyen Viet Minh, a resident of Hoa Hai Commune in Ha Tinh, told a local newspaper that water engulfed his house just as he was bringing down his belongings from the attic after the October floods. We are exhausted from hunger and from rushing around trying to save our belongings, he said.

Luong Thanh Tan, an official from Van Hoa Commune in Quang Binh, said he has spent no time with his family for almost three weeks now. I had to take care of households in the commune during the October floods, then coordinate for the post-flood donation work, and now once again the commune has flooded. I am so tired, he said.

Tu Thi Hoa, chairman of Father Front Committee in Ha Tinhs Huong Khe Commune, is worried that locals dont have the strength to cope with this November flood.

People living in the four provinces have had a tough few months now. Before the flooding, in April, the four provinces were affected by Formosas toxic waste spill, which caused massive fish deaths, destroying the source of food and livelihood for millions of residents.

Incessant rainfall continued in Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue today. Several localities have got cut off because of the high levels of floodwater.

In Ha Tinh, more areas continue to flood as heavy rainfall has forced seven local reservoirs to release water. Local authorities said at least 1,080 houses have flooded, and some areas in Huong Khe District have become unreachable even by boat because of powerful floodwaters.

District authorities evacuated 47 families from Phuong My Commune after floodwaters rose to rooftops and water levels rose as high as three metres.

Once again, Quang Binh is the worst hit among the four provinces. Water has flooded 15,062 houses in three days, swept away 3,280 cattle and poultry, and damaged 200ha of rice and vegetables. Two people have died and another was reported missing on Tuesday. Six reservoirs in the province continue to release water with rain showing no signs of abating.

In Quang Tri, a sudden, swift flood swept away 3,200 cows, pigs and chicken on Tuesday. One person has been reported missing, while five others were injured. A bridge has also collapsed, leaving 100 families in Dakrong District stranded.

At noon on Wednesday, all reservoirs in Thua Thien-Hue began to release water, three hours after they announced their plan to do so. Floodwater is expected to inundate low-lying areas in the Phong ien, Quang ien, Huong Tra and Phu Vang districts.

The National Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention today deployed teams to the central region to monitor disaster prevention operations.  VNS
HA NOI  Fish sauce made in the country is generally safe for consumption despite recent public confusion and apprehension about its ingredients, a new report says.

The report, submitted to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Monday by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), also says that a clear delineation of what constitutes traditional and industrial fish sauce will help clear the air.

Reputed international food safety research organisations and institutions have documented that arsenic occurs in both organic and inorganic forms, the report said.

Organic arsenic compounds are not harmful to humans, so theres little need to assess a safe limit for them, especially in fish sauce, which is not consumed in large amounts.

However, safe limits have to be established for inorganic arsenic, which is highly toxic.

Under current national regulations on heavy metal contamination of food products issued by the Ministry of Health, the allowed maximum amount of inorganic arsenic in sauces is 1mg/kg.

Number plaques are attached to barrels of traditionally-made fish sauce on Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province.  VNA/VNS Photo

On October 22, the health ministry had announced that all 247 fish sauce samples  randomly collected from markets and supermarkets  of 210 brands from 82 manufacturers were tested and no amount of inorganic arsenic was detected.

The MARD report said Viet Nam and Thailand had jointly submitted a proposal to the Codex Alimentarius Commission (under the Food and Agriculture Organisation  FAO) on setting an international standard for fish sauce.

Under this proposal, 17 additives were deemed safe for use in fish sauce production.

A health ministry circular that lists 400 additives permitted in food production also mentions 17 that are allowed in fish sauce production, the report noted.

Fish sauce, a staple in Viet Nam, is traditionally made by letting a mixture of fish and salt ferment. It can be made with a variety of fish including anchovies, scads, herrings and mackerels.

However, the product has become more diverse of late, the report said.

Besides the traditional fish sauce, many products involve mixing the traditional fish sauce with colours, additives, sweeteners, flavour enhancers and preservatives.

The report said existing rules and standards for fish sauce are quite comprehensive, as are national technical regulations on fish sauce production and product labeling.

However, they do not differentiate clearly between traditional and industrial sauce (derivatives of traditional fish sauce), and this has led to some public confusion, it added.

The MARDs inspections found that some manufacturers only state the total amount of nitrogen (grams per litre) contained in their products on the labels.

They do not carry any information on amino acids or ammonia nitrogen  which decides the quality/grade of the fish sauce, the report said.

It also said some fish sauce makers dont mention the additives they are using, and such deliberate withholding of information robs consumers of the ability to make well-informed buying decisions.

The MARD said it would carry out a thorough review of national fish sauce standards in order to better suit current production and business practices, ensure consumers rights and interests, and facilitate the work of management agencies.

The report said the differences between traditional fish sauce and its derivatives will be made more transparent, and specific regulations issued on classification and labelling, among other things, to ensure that local products comply with CODEX STAN 302-2011, the international standard for fish sauce.

The controversy, which was ignited by a Viet Nam Standards and Consumers Association (VINASTAS) report, had prompted the Prime Minister to direct relevant agencies to make official announcements and allay widespread concerns over toxicity in traditionally-made fish sauce.  VNS
Michael J. Friedlander, Virginia Techs vice president for health sciences and technology and the executive director of the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, will highlight neuroscience doctorate training at Virginia Tech at this years Society for Neuroscience annual conference on Nov. 12 in San Diego.

A stellar experience as a graduate student in neuroscience must first include a dedicated and accomplished neuroscientist as a mentor. But, it must also include a nurturing environment, a community of scholars who have additional breadth in other fields and the opportunity to be integrated into a larger learning community, Friedlander said. It is important that the mentors also have had rich training experiences and are committed to the education and career success of their students beyond their simply helping the mentors lab be productive and get the next grant.

With more than 30,000 attendees expected from more than 80 countries, the conference is the world's largest source of emerging ideas and tools on brain science and health, according to the Society for Neuroscience.

Friedlander will join a panel of neuroscience leaders in a workshop to discuss, Diverse Career Trajectories in Neuroscience: Helping Trainees Chart a Course for Success.

Additional panelists will include Walter Koroshetz, the director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health; and Edda Thiels, who directs the National Science Foundations program on Integrative Organismal Systems.

The workshop will focus on how to best prepare the next generation of neuroscience trainees with the skills and expertise necessary for diverse career opportunities.

Its a follow-up discussion to an October 2014 workshop on developing the next generation of scientists to advance neuroscience. Panelists from that workshop published a paper in the journal Neuron, summarizing that conversation on how to best train and retain a talented work force to ensure the continued growth in the field of neuroscience.

In the upcoming workshop, Friedlander and his colleagues will build upon these ideas with a focus on how to prepare mentors to provide the necessary support doctoral students and other trainees in the field of neuroscience.

Friedlander will share his experience with Virginia Techs Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health (TBMH) doctoral program, which emphasizes the concept of translational science across multiple levels of inquiry. The program brings together an interdisciplinary curriculum of life, behavioral, physical, engineering, and computational sciences designed to balance breadth and depth as it prepares the next generation of scientific leaders to make and translate discoveries into preventions, diagnostics, treatments, cures, and healthier behaviors.

TBMH has won national recognition as one of the nations most innovative graduate programs from the Association of American Medical Colleges is a wonderful example of contributing to the VT-shaped student, said Friedlander.

While students study a variety of areas including cancer, cardiovascular science and infectious disease, the TBMH neuroscience Ph.D. is the largest component of the program.

The TBMH neuroscience program represents a very broad base from across the university including over 140 faculty from six Virginia Tech colleges in addition to leading neuroscientists from other partner institutions including the Childrens National Medical Center, the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, George Washington University, and Wake Forest University.

Students have opportunities to learn about some of the most important challenges in modern neuroscience.

For example, the 2016 entering class members, who are currently enrolled in the programs introductory gateway class, are studying the molecular biology, genetics, physiology, behavior, translational advances in therapy, clinical care and health system aspects of Down syndrome , Parkinsons disease and Alzheimers disease.

In each case, in addition to studying the underlying background, basic mechanisms and recent scientific advances, the students also meet with patients whose cases are presented by physicians from Carilion Clinic including neurosurgeons, psychiatrists and pediatricians.

This is a unique Ph.D. program, said Friedlander, where neuroscience is presented from molecules to patients, including companion animal patients from the College of Veterinary Medicine as well as human patients, through translation to treatments and heath care policy.

In addition, Friedlander will discuss how Virginia Techs BEST program  an educational guide funded by the National Institutes of Health and aimed at Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training  contributes to the preparation of doctoral students planning careers in neuroscience, as well as other areas of biomedical and health sciences.

Students and fellows in the BEST program have had the opportunity to complete internships at a major pharmaceutical company, and to network with leaders from industry, government, and health systems, according to Friedlander.

He also noted that students have developed individual career development plans and participate in national workshops to broaden their experiences and knowledge base for career advancement.

"The TBMH Ph.D. program not only prepares thought leaders and future academic leaders in neuroscience but, coupled with the BEST program, provides a base for jobs and diverse real world careers," he said.
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WATERLOO  Police continue to investigate a Tuesday morning shooting that sent a Waterloo man to the hospital.

Darrell Deshay Lanier, 22, was taken to Unity Point Health-Allen Hospital after he was found on the ground in the 400 block of Rhey Street around 10:20 a.m. He underwent surgery Tuesday, but his condition wasnt available.

No arrests have been made in the case, police said.

Police collected spent shell casings in an alley between Franklin and Fowler streets, which is around the corner from where Lanier was found.
CEDAR FALLS  Three people were detained after a bike theft investigation led to a half-hour chase through rural roads and farm fields.

The pursuit came to an end when the fleeing truck plunged into a creek in a field near Westbrook Drive and North Butler Road.

The suspects abandoned the truck and took off running but were caught a short distance away. One of the suspects had an outstanding arrest warrant, police said. One was transported to a hospital as a precaution, said Jeff Olson, chief of the Cedar Falls Police Department.

Brandon Avery Samuel Proctor, 35, Matthew David Miller, 33, and Cody Davis Brown, 33, addresses unavailable, were arrested for interference. Other charges are pending.

The pursuit started around 7 a.m. Wednesday when University of Northern Iowa police received a complaint about a possible bicycle theft, said Scott Ketelsen, UNI spokesman. When officers approached to investigate, the truck sped away and immediately left campus, heading north, he said.

Officers from Cedar Falls Police, Iowa State Patrol and Black Hawk County Sheriffs Office became involved in the pursuit.

They ended up going north on Center Street in Cedar Falls out into the county onto Cedar-Wapsi (Road) and all over Gods green acre out here, said Sheriff Tony Thompson.

He said the chase lasted around 30 minutes.

He saw my unit with Stop Sticks at first on Butler (Road), and he took a right and started westbound. Then he went northbound into fields, and thats when he committed to fields to get rid of us, Thompson said. The chase crossed a set of railroad tracks and apparently went through a barbed wire fence before the fleeing truck landed in Hammers Creek.

There were three suspects. They all took off on foot. They were all caught, Olson said.

A bike was discovered in the back of the truck.

Two Cedar Falls Police Department squad cars suffered minor damage in the chase.

The truck had been reported stolen, and the plates were stolen from another vehicle, Olson said.
DES MOINES (AP)  A white man with a history of racial provocations and confrontations with police ambushed and fatally shot two white officers Wednesday in separate attacks as they sat in their patrol cars, authorities said.

Police took 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene into custody hours after the killings and less than three weeks after he argued with officers who removed him from a high school football game where he had unfurled a Confederate flag near black spectators.

Greene flagged down an Iowa Department of Natural Resources employee in a rural area west of Des Moines, identified himself and asked that the employee call 911. Sheriff's deputies and state patrol officers took him into custody.

He's suspected in the early morning slayings of 24-year-old Justin Martin, who had been with the force in the Des Moines suburb of Urbandale since 2015, and 38-year-old Sgt. Anthony Beminio, who joined the Des Moines department in 2005.

Greene was taken to a hospital for treatment of unknown health issues and was to be questioned later at Des Moines police headquarters, Sgt. Paul Parizek said.

Police responded to a report of shots fired shortly after 1 a.m. and found the Urbandale officer. Authorities from several agencies soon saturated the area. About 20 minutes later, they discovered the Des Moines officer, who had responded to the first shooting, Parizek said.

The shootings happened less than 2 miles apart, and both took place along main streets that cut through residential areas.

In the first shooting, investigators believe the gunman walked up to the officer's car and fired more than two dozen rounds.

"I wouldn't call it a confrontation," Urbandale Police Chief Ross McCarty said. "I don't think he may have even been aware that there was a gunman next to him."

The shootings follow a spate of police killings in recent months, including ambushes of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Five officers were killed July 7 in Dallas. Three more were killed later that month in Baton Rouge.

Race was an issue in those cases and others involving unarmed black men killed by officers. Greene is white, as were the officers.

Greene appeared to have issues with people of other races.

In the confrontation at the Urbandale High School football game, which Greene videotaped and posted on social media, he appeared to be trying to antagonize African-American fans when he shook a Confederate flag in front of them during the national anthem, McCarty said.

In the video, officers can be seen asking Greene to leave school property while he insists he was assaulted and his flag stolen. He demands officers file theft and assault charges, saying someone hit his head and grabbed the flag.

In a back-and-forth with officers that lasts for nearly 11 minutes, officers said they could take a report but they cannot let Greene back inside the stadium because the school has banned him from the property. They also note they were returning his flag and ask if he purposely wanted to create a conflict by displaying it near African Americans.

"I was peacefully protesting," he responds. "That's my constitutional right."

The video ends with Greene promising not to "set foot on" school property and officers saying they will take down his information.

Ardis Gardner of Des Moines told The Associated Press he was at the Oct. 14 football game to watch his teenage son play.

Gardner, 47, who is black, sat with a group of other friends and family members when Greene, who was dressed in Army fatigues, approached them within a few feet and waved the flag at them during the national anthem.

"I was angry," said Gardner, who typically sits during the national anthem and prays. "It was senior night, and the spotlight should have been on those senior players. This was calculated for him to do it at that moment."

A week later, Gardner said, Greene followed him and a group of black parents into another football game with a dog that was wearing a gun holster and a Confederate flag vest. Greene sat nearby again.

After the video was posted on YouTube, someone identifying himself as Scott Greene commented, "I was offended by the blacks sitting through our anthem. Thousands more whites fought and died for their freedom. However this is not about the Armed forces, they are cop haters."

In other incidents, court records show Greene was jailed and charged with interfering with official acts after resisting Urbandale police officers who tried to pat him down for a weapon on April 10, 2014. An Urbandale officer described him as hostile and combative. He entered a guilty plea and was fined.

Two days later, Urbandale police were called to answer a complaint of harassment at the apartment complex where Greene lived. The complaint said he threatened to kill another man during a confrontation in the parking lot and yelled a racial slur used against blacks. Greene was charged with harassment.

He pleaded guilty and received a suspended jail sentence and a year of probation. An officer wrote that Greene had complied with the terms of his probation, noting that he had obtained a mental health evaluation and "reports to have complied with the medication recommendations." The officer did not elaborate.

Soon after the football game incident, on Oct. 17, a criminal complaint indicates Greene was involved in an altercation with his 66-year-old mother. Greene accused her of scratching and hitting his face. He captured the fight on cellphone video, which he used as evidence of the assault. A judge ordered Greene's mother to stay away from her son, and she was released on $1,000 cash bond.

The Urbandale police chief said Greene was well-known to officers.

Most officers in the city "have some understanding of Mr. Greene," McCarty said. "They've taken trips to his house, delivered service to him  never anything to this extent."

It was unclear if either of the shootings was captured on police cameras.

Greene has a daughter who attends Urbandale High School. The Urbandale shooting occurred near the school, and the city's entire school district closed for the day.

The attacks on police this summer in Dallas and Baton Rouge came in the wake of several high-profile police shootings of black men, fueling a national debate about police use of force, especially against minorities. It has been a frequent topic in the nation's presidential race.

Republican nominee Donald Trump has argued that police need the freedom to use greater force. Democrat Hillary Clinton has supported officers while calling attention to what she and others have called examples of bias in policing.

Parizek said the officers' deaths are a blow to the city.

"They are our friends and co-workers," he said. "Des Moines is not a big city. We all know each other. We're heart-broken."
DES MOINES  Early voting in Iowa continues to lag behind the pace set in the 2012 presidential election, more so for Democrats than Republicans.

But Iowa Democrats are rapidly closing the gap with their 2012 numbers.

A week from the Nov. 8 election, early voting  a combination of in-person early voting and absentee ballots returned by mail  is down almost 10 percent from the same point in 2012, according to the most recent data from the Iowa Secretary of States Office.

Iowa Democrats lead Republicans in early voting, but they are farther behind their 2012 pace than Republicans are from theirs.

Democrats had cast 198,736 early votes as of Monday. Thats down 10 percent from the same point in 2012.

Republicans had cast 155,425 early votes as of Monday; thats just 3 percent off the GOPs pace in 2012. And Republicans are ahead of their 2012 pace in absentee ballot requests.

Republicans have made strong gains in early voting this election cycle, while Democrats continue to see a clear lack of enthusiasm for (presidential candidate) Hillary Clinton, Lindsay Jancek, a spokeswoman for the national Republican Party, said in an emailed statement. Compared to where we were this time in 2012, Republicans have closed the gap and Democrats are way behind.

A spokesman for the state party said Republicans are confident they will deliver the state for GOP candidates spanning the ballot, from presidential candidate Donald Trump to the state Capitol.

Democrats, however, are picking up steam. Early this month, they had cast only half the number of early votes compared to the same point in 2012; now they are just 10 percent off that pace.

Hundreds of thousands of Iowans have cast their ballots early for Hillary Clinton because they want a country with a strong, steady leader who will create an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top, Kane Miller, the Clinton campaigns state director, said in an emailed statement. Donald Trump has made a career of demeaning and bullying women and we are winning early vote across the board because Iowans are rejecting his divisive campaign.

Voters who claim no political party are voting early at an even slower pace: 17 percent fewer than in 2012.

In the 2012 election in Iowa, Democrats cast roughly 31 percent more early votes than Republicans; thus far in 2016, Democrats have cast roughly 28 percent more early votes than Republicans.

Early ballots counted by party do not take indicate a vote for that partys candidates. Such tallies do not account for crossover votes - Democrats who vote for Republican candidates, and vice versa.

Iowa voters still may vote prior to Election Day at satellite voting sites through Saturday, depending on schedules established by each countys auditor and at the county auditors office through next Monday, Nov. 7. Polls will be open in Iowa on Election Day, Nov. 8, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
[File photo]

China's cultural relics watchdog has established a regulation banning the auction of stolen, smuggled and looted cultural relics nationwide. The regulation was issued by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.

Other types of relics that are banned from being auctioned are those that have been legally confiscated by the government, those that are owned or stored by government sectors, and those belonging to State relics shops, national enterprises, the military and private museums. The regulation also stipulates that the State Administration of Cultural Heritage retains purchasing priority and the right to set prices for artifacts that do make it to legal auction.

Cultural relics from China have been auctioned many times in recent years, upsetting both the Chinese government and the public. In 2009, two bronze sculptures, representing the heads of a rabbit and a rat, were auctioned in Paris. These relics were looted when the Old Summer Palace of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795) was burned down by Anglo-French allied forces during the Second Opium War in 1860.

Though the new regulation has been warmly welcomed on Chinese social media, many Internet users have also expressed concern, pionting out that the regulation has no authority in overseas markets, which is where most looted cultural relics end up.
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Is Louie Anderson Gay And What Is His Net Worth? Louie Anderson has one of the most abstract faces in the industry and equally knows how to use it to his advantage. He is not only a stand-up comedian but also an actor and television host who is known for his distinctive comic wits. Some of his notable projects include Family Feud, where he was ...

Is Don Lemon of CNN Gay, Who is His Partner and What Is His Salary? Don Lemon has risen to become one of the most recognizable faces on CNN over the past few years. The fiery journalist, who anchors CNN Tonight with Don Lemon, is liked and somewhat disliked for his strong and candid opinions on a variety of matters that do not just include politics but also race, significantly, matters that ...

Is Rachel Maddow Gay, Who is the Wife and How Much Does She Earn in Salary? Rachel Maddow is an award-winning American journalist, political commentator, and television news anchor. She is best known for hosting the popular nightly TV show The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. Prior to this, she hosted a talk radio program on Air America Radio from 2005 to 2010. As of now, the TV sensation co-anchors MSNBCs ...

Demystifying Pokimane  Her Real Name, Ethnicity & Boyfriend Like most social media celebrities in this digital era, Pokimane Thicc is one of those stars who took advantage of the internet to make a name for herself. Given the unlimited potentials which the social media space offers, many people have been instantly propelled to fame just by posting creative online contents. Not only has ...

A Breakdown of Kris Jenners Net Worth, Sources Of Income and Relationships Over The Years Standing outside and looking in, Kris Jenner looks like the oil that greases the wheels of the entire Kardashian/Jenner machine. She has been dubbed a momager and rightfully so because she seems to have had a part to play in the trajectory of each and every one of her daughters individually and the Kardashian brand ...

Pursuits That Brought Liza Koshys Fame To its Zenith and Her Love Life Since David Dobrik Liza Koshy is an American actress who has leveraged YouTube as a platform to promote her comedy while also serving as a television host on occasions. She is talented and funny and has gathered a lot of fans from around the world. Koshy started on Vine in high school and was able to get millions of ...

Alex Aiono Biography  Inside The Life Of The American Singer Not everyone who started from the streets has attained the heights where Alex Aiono is currently. His story could be referred to as the perfect definition of rising from Grass to Grace. He came into the limelight after he started out as a YouTuber, singer, and producer. One fascinating thing about the young YouTuber is ...

Virginia Vallejo Biography And Her Love Story With Pablo Escobar Virginia Vallejo can be referred to as one of the oldest whistleblowers in history after her involvement with Pablo Escobar which made her famous. Over the years, many questions have been raised about her relationship with the drug lord and why she endangered her life to be with him despite his notorious acts. The death ...

Princess Love Bio  Ethnicity, Real Name & Parents For many people, Princess Love is simply Ray Js wife but there is so much more to this feisty lady than meets the eye. She is a star in her own right and has many feathers on her cap. Princess Love is a reality TV star, a model, video vixen, and fashion designer. She and her ...

Who is Papa Franku Also Known As Filthy Frank or Joji, Where is He Now? The social media as we all know today has given people the opportunity to be creative and innovative and at the same time, make something of themselves. YouTube is one of the known social platforms we have today that makes it possible for people to express their God-given talents and post videos they created to ...

Who Is Molly Qerim, How Did She Become a Famous Sports Anchor and Who Is Her Husband? Molly Qerim is an American sports anchor popularly known for moderating First Take, a highly rated sports talk show, on ESPN. Prior to joining ESPN, Qerim hosted Fantasy Live and NFL AM on NFL Network. It is quite obvious that the widely acclaimed television personality is in a class of her own when it comes ...

Safiya Nygaard  Height, Parents & Net Worth Safiya Nygaard is an American YouTuber, writer, content producer, and director who is popular for posting makeup, beauty and fashion videos on YouTube. Her videos regularly top at least one million views, thanks to her lively character as well as her willingness to experiment with outrageous outfits and different beauty products. Here are the things to ...

The Rigors of Sunlen Serfatys Career Journey Until CNN and Fun Facts About Her Personal Life CNN correspondent, Sunlen Serfaty is an Emmy Award-winning journalist known for covering a broad range of breaking news stories, national news, and Washington politics. She has been able to garner widespread recognition for herself which even goes beyond the sphere of her work. Her profile also increased with the extensive work she did in covering ...

Demystifying Jazz Jennings Real Name, Boyfriend & Family Of One The Youngest Transgenders Jazz Jennings is an unusual personality who became famous as a transgender activist and was recorded as the youngest documented public figure to be seen as transgender. She is also a YouTube personality and spokesmodel for brands, her fans, and other transgenders. She fought for acceptance in her high school with her super supportive family for over ...

Inside Fred Armisens Life  Ethnicity, Romantic Relationships and Gay Rumors Fred Armisen is an award-winning American comedian, he is also a writer, an actor as well as a musician. He was a cast member of the legendary comedy show, Saturday Night Live for 13 years and also one of the brains behind the successful satirical show Portlandia. Find out more about this incredibly talented guy ...

Ed and Lorraine Warren Biography: Cases, Kids, and Family Life Have you ever woken up with fear you could not explain, or felt a strange presence that made the hair at your nape rise or even experienced strange occurrences around you? Well, these were some of the promptings that made the well-known paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren delve into trying to explain the ideas ...

Truth About Tony Romos Wife, Kids and Life Since His NFL Retirement Tony Romo grew from the field as a quarterback to the screens as an American Football Analyst. He was a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the richest football league in the world (NFL) before retiring. As a junior, he was honored as an All-Ohio Conference Member, an Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and ...

Who is Brittany Venti, The Controversial Game Streamer and YouTuber? In recent times, many people live stream themselves playing video games. This has become a popular pastime on the internet and many highly skilled gamers have become internet celebrities through this means. However, some of them rather than becoming renowned for their gaming skills and great commentary, have become controversial and infamous. A good example ...

Rob Dyrdeks Family: His Kids And Relationship With Wife Bryiana Noelle Flores A multi-talented star and an elite pro skateboarder, Rob Dyrdeks success story began at a remarkably young age. Yet another proof that schooling doesnt always correlate with success, Rob has established himself not just as a phenomenal sportsman but also as a successful entrepreneur. Besides perfecting his skill as a natural talent on the board, ...

xChocobars  Biography and Everything You Should Know About Her Having distinguished herself and recorded massive successes in an industry notably dominated by men, it is very safe to say that Xchocobars deserves all the attention and cash she makes from her career. A household name on Twitch (a smart live streaming video platform), the online-gamer is popularly known for streaming classic games such as Stardew ...

Everything To Know About Mary Padian, Her Boyfriend and Net Worth Mary Padian is a famous American television reality personality best known for her involvements on the Reality show Storage Wars. She also has her own shop called Mary finds where she displays her antique collections. Since her childhood, Padian has been a creative learner. At the time, she used to create new items out of reusable ones and ...

Betsy Woodruffs Family Life: Is She Married or Related To Bob Woodruff? An old name in the world of journalism, Betsy Woodruff has warmed her way into the hearts of many with her impressive talents. Through hard work, Woodruff has carved a niche for herself in a very competitive field. Betsy has strong family and work values and is also an advocate for equal opportunities for everyone ...

Matpat (Matthew Patrick)  Wife, Height & Net Worth As far as internet business is concerned, Matpat remains one of the most dynamic and seasoned figures. He boasts a wealth of experience that has helped him in growing his business from one level of greatness to another. Like most successful people, MatPat started out small but today, he makes millions of dollars from his ...

Facts About Ricegum  His Girlfriend, Real Name & Net Worth Ricegum is an online gamer and YouTube sensation who ditched college; took advantage of the digital era, and made a name for himself on the internet. Though he began as a gaming YouTuber, Ricegum soon gained recognition as a controversial internet star following his many diss tracks. Here is everything you need to know about the youngster ...

Joy Taylor Once Married MLBs Richard Giannotti  Inside Look At Her Love Life and Family The erosion of the sexist idea that women have no business in sports broadcasting created a host of women celebrities who attained fame outside of modeling and acting. One of them, Joy Taylor, a radio personality and TV host for Fox Sports 1, has been in the industry since 2009, becoming one of the most ...

What To Know About Conan OBriens Wife, Kids & Family Today The name Conan OBrien is one that jumps right at you almost immediately you start talking about the most popular television hosts in the USA and this is no surprise because the man behind that name has risen to become one of the most admired men in the business. Known for hosting the late-night talk ...

David Letterman  Net Worth, Wife & Son In all of American, one man whose face has been seen frequently by late night TV talk show lovers is none but David Letterman. The comedian and TV show veteran has been hosting late night talk shows for more than three decades. His Late Night with David Letterman show began on February 1st, 1982 aired ...

Demystifying Sssniperwolfs Family Background And The Boyfriends Shes Had Since she launched her eponymously named channel in 2013, Sssniperwolf has been on the rise when it comes to video game influencers. She is one of the biggest names in the online gaming subgenre of YouTube videos. Real name Lia Shelesh, she started with Call of Duty: Black Ops II but has diversified with other ...

Lester Holt  Wife, Family & Net Worth Lester Holt is a multiple award-winning journalist, newscaster, reporter, and actor who has worked for notable media houses like WCBS TV, CBS, MSNBC and among others. His remarkable feat in journalism has endeared him to the hearts of many and earned him some awards and recognitions. Read on to get acquainted with his biography, ethnicity, ...

What Is Louis C.K. Doing Now, Where Are His Family And How Much Is His Net Worth? It is not easy to make it in comedy. It takes more than a funny bone and the ability to elicit a few giggles from a listening audience. For all the complexities that go into making a successful career in comedy, Louis C.K, the Washington D.C-born comedian, did it. For years, he was at the ...

The Progression of Hoda Kotbs Career, Her Ancestry and Family Life Hoda Kotb gained fame as a television host and news anchor for NBC. She anchors the shows signature show Today, and it has been an excellent vehicle for her skills in front of a camera. Kotb has won several awards, including Daytime Emmys and Peabody Awards. Simply put, she is one of the most successful ...

Jerry Seinfelds Family: All About The Amazing Comedians Wife and Kids Apparently one of the highly important entertainers in America, Jerry Seinfeld is a man of many talents. A very funny man, he is considered to be one of the most successful comedians in the USA who has been in the business as a professional rib-cracker for more than 40 years. As an actor, he has ...

The Rigors Of Sarah Silvermans Rise To Prominence And Rundown Of The Men She Has Dated A comedian, writer, and actress, Sarah Silvermans art and craft is as unique as you would ever find. Her poignant use of comedy to discuss social issues such as race, sexism, politics, and religion has gained her an impressive following. As unorthodox as her style is, so is her life experiences. She previously suffered from epiglottitis ...

Who Is Hannibal Buress, Does He Have A Wife or Girlfriend & Why Was He Arrested? Making people laugh when they are tense or not in the mood is a tough order and to ply the trade, it must indeed take some guts and expertise, this is what the humor maker, Hannibal Buress has been able to achieve and sustain after his inital teething process. The African-American is a screen writer, stand-up ...

The Success of John Mulaneys Career Efforts Since His Work On Saturday Night Live and Facts About His Wife John Mulaney had been working as a professional comedian for years before Saturday Night Live changed his status for life and like many who are now his fans, you probably did not know of him then. However, that changed when he joined the sketch comedy show in 2008. Since then, he has been one of ...

Jeff Dunham  Wife, Children and Net Worth Ventriloquism is a very subtle method of making an inanimate object (like a puppet, doll or dummy) appear to be saying words which are actually coming from the person (holding the inanimate object). In effect, the individual throws his/her voice to the puppet and can even appear to be having a conversation with it. Not ...

Ellen DeGeneres  Net Worth, Wife  Portia de Rossi & Parents Ellen DeGeneres is an American female standup comedian who has proven that whatever a man can do, a woman can also do. Since her journey as a standup comedian started in 1981, she has held swirl as one of the finest comedians America and the world at large has seen. She is often referred to ...

Revisiting Joan Rivers Death  The Daughter, Husband & Net Worth She Left Behind Joan Rivers was a renowned American comedian, TV host, writer, and actress. Her brand of comedy consisted of scathing one-liners and no individual or topic is spared. She hosted her own talk shows in the 80s and 90s and was a pioneer for women in stand up comedy. She was the first woman to host a late night ...

The Struggles of Margaret Chos Childhood, How It Influenced Her Career Growth and Love Life Margaret Cho is best described as a comic star who knows how to maneuver everything related to life into a rib-cracking joke. She is also known to criticize every social and political problem, especially those involving race and sexuality. Apart from her talents as a comic actress, she does amazingly well as a singer and ...

Where Is Eric Bolling Today? Who Is His Son & What Is His Net Worth? Eric Bolling who was once a notable figure on Fox News, is an American TV personality, an author, and versatile Journalist. As a political and financial analyst/commentator, he anchored discussions bothering on finance for Fox Business Channel. Here is everything there is to know about his career, family, and allegations that led to his exit ...

Who Is Chelsea Handler and Does She Have A Husband or Boyfriend? Chelsea Handler is one of Americas top female comedians. She is also an actress, writer, television host, producer, and activist. She is known to be very outspoken even with things that are very personal. In separate interviews with The New York Times, Handler revealed that she had an abortion twice when she was 16. She has authored five books ...

How Did Laura Lee Achieve Fame, How Much is She Worth and Who is Her Husband? Laura Lee is a popular American YouTuber, make-up artist and beauty blogger. From posting videos of her makeup routines on Instagram, Lee has transformed into a beauty influencer and a YouTube sensation. Today, her YouTube Channel has over 630 million views and 4.5 million subscribers. Asides having millions of followers across all social media platforms, ...

Madison Gesiotto Bio  Ethnicity, Parents & Measurements Madison Gesiotto is no ordinary woman; although she excelled in quite a number of pageants and competitions while she was in school, it is her views on politics and issues in America that has made her name known to most people. She possesses beauty and intelligence in a seemingly equal measure and has been able ...

Who Is Lil Tay? Parents, Brother, Sister, Age, Net Worth, Ethnicity Child stardom is nothing new in the entertainment world. With the advent of social media, we have seen more stars made from the internet than ever before, and Lil Tay is one of them. Her uploaded rap videos trademark is cursing, swearing, cash-throwing, and use of obscene languages. Her fame went wild after she dropped ...

What To Know About Tig Notaros Wife, Kids and Family Today Tig Notaro is an American stand-up comic star, writer, actress, and radio analyst. Since she started her career in 2001, she has become one of Americas best comedians, particularly when it comes to observational comedy. One prominent aspect of her routine involves her family, which includes a wife and two children. Interestingly, Tig Notaro is part ...

Who Is Chantel Jeffries? What To Know About Her Age, Ethnicity & Net Worth Chantel Jeffries is a lady of many talents. Beyond being celebrated as a DJ, she has fared well as a model, an actress, musician, and as an artist. She first rose to fame on Instagram where she has a large following. However, in recent times, she has hit the spotlight for her rumored relationships with some ...

Is Ellen DeGeneres Married, Who Is The Brother  Vance DeGeneres and Family Members? Ellen DeGeneres is one of a kind celebrity in todays world as she has used her wealth for the greater good for many people. She has served a host of famous awards shows like the Grammy, Primetime Emmy and Academy Awards. Moreso, she is probably one of the most decorated entertainment personalities around the world and ...

Carli Bybel Bio  Height, Boyfriend & Net Worth Video blogging is now on the rise and YouTube is the place where most of it happens. If you are a lady who cares about her looks or a guy who likes to help his woman out with her looks, then one person whose name rings a bell when it comes to giving beauty tips ...

Who Is Lexy Panterra? What To Know About Her Ethnicity, Boyfriend & Net Worth Lexy Panterra is one of the YouTube personalities whose breakout came through the Twerk dance videos she posted on her social media handles and YouTube which has so far generated over 13 million views for her. From there on, she created her LexTwerkOut workout program in 2014. She is sure very talented as she as moved ...

Who Is AnneMunition? What Is Her Ethnicity & Does She Have A Girlfriend or Boyfriend? AnneMunition is a professional gamer and content creator of American origin. She is one of the most sought-after streamers on Twitch  a popular online platform for watching and streaming videos, especially video games. AnneMunition has almost half a million followers on Twitch and her channel has accumulated at least 13 million views. Her favorite games ...

Norm MacDonald  Former Wife, Son & Net Worth Recently, 59-year-old former Saturday Night Live stand-up comic Norm MacDonald caused a not-so-funny stir when he expressed his personal opinion about the #MeToo movement speaking in defense of Louis CK and Roseanne Barr. Following the backlash of his actions, he is diligently doing damage control for his questionable opinion by posting a public apology on ...

Inside Iliza Shlesingers Life With Husband and How Much She is Worth Now Witty, spontaneous, and truly humorous, Iliza Shlesinger is an American comedian who is clearly proving that the stereotypical claim that women are not really funny is not only incredibly wrong but completely outrageous. Having been in the game for more than 10 years, Shlesinger has grown bigger with each step, stunning fans with her incredible ...

Who Is Nessa Diab? Details of her Parents, Ethnicity & Relationship With Colin Kaepernick Nessa Diab has gained more fame as the girlfriend of different footballers than in her career. She is currently with the popular National Football League (NFL) player, Colin Kaepernick, and has stood by his side during his most trying times. Also known for her mononym, Nessa, she recently engaged in a tweet battle with the ...

Samantha Bee  Inside the Life of Full Frontal Comedian and Presenter We have over the decades seen various brands of humor and personalities who have walked the ropes. One of the formidable forces in the world of comedy is no other than the iconic Samantha Bee of the Daily Show who now runs her own television show on TBS channel. She is a Canadian-American political commentator, ...

What Happened To Jessica Williamss Boyfriend And Which Are Her Best Works? Jessica Williams is a woman who has a lot of feathers in her cap  and keeps acquiring more. The former senior political correspondent of the comic Daily Show, who is also a comedian and actress whose recent movie appearance include starring as a playwright just recovering from a recent split with her boyfriend, Damon, and ...

Who is Nicole Byer? Here are 5 Facts You Need To Know About The Comedian Nicole Byer, an American comedian, actress, and writer, made a name for herself after she played supporting roles on MTVs prank show Ladylike and the reality show Girl Code. The latter was a series that featured comedians who analyzed in minute details, all the issues that young women deal with daily, from period to dating, to weird friendship dynamics and questions about sex. Currently, ...

A Closer Look At Bart Kwans Ethnicity, Height & Personal Life Bart Kwan is one of few Asians who is known for being successful in the comic industry at an international level. His fame broke out after the YouTube channel which he created with his close pal Joe Jo garnered up massive followings. The talented duo has been running the channel since 2007 and their success ...

Heres How VanossGaming Achieved Fame Online, His Worth and Other Facts About The Gamer For many years, the decision to drop out of college to pursue an online career was considered to be foolish and self-destructive by conventional wisdom. It was no different when Evan Fong, popularly known as VanossGaming, dropped out of college to pursue a YouTube career. However, that radical move paid off, and he stands shoulder to ...

Desi Perkins  Ethnicity, Net Worth & Husband YouTube is littered with videos of makeup tutorials by different people but if you are interested in learning how to do your makeup like a pro, there is just one person on that platform who you must follow. She is none other than Desi Perkins! She is a popular make-up artist, Instagram star, and vlogger. Desi, ...

The Phases of Casey Neistats Pursuits and His Love Story With Candice Pool YouTuber, vlogger, filmmaker, and creator extraordinaire; these are just a few hats that Casey Neistat wears and the story of how he got here is incredible. A native of Connecticut, Neistat started out by making refreshingly-authentic short films and videos that featured content that was based on everyday life and called attention to serious issues. He ...

Connor Franta  Inside The Life of American YouTuber YouTube has produced a lot of young celebrities in modern times and Connor Franta happens to be one of them. Apart from being a YouTuber, the young American is also an entrepreneur, entertainer, and writer. His journey to fame began almost a decade ago when he started a self-named YouTube channel where he uploads content ranging ...

Rhett and Link  Bio, Who are Their Wives, Net Worth and Family Facts Rhett and Link refer to an American comedy duo who are very popular on YouTube. They are known for their comic songs, viral commercials, skits and the daily show, Good Mythical Morning. Good Mythical Morning is the most watched daily show online, averaging 100 million views in a month. The show has featured guests such ...

A Walk Through The Maze of Ryan Higas Career Pursuits And Relationship With Arden Cho Ryan Higa is not only celebrated as a YouTube star, but he is also famed for appearing on television screens as an actor and comedian. Nigahiga, his Youtube channel, has gathered over 20 million subscribers and billions of views with his different comic acts, short films, and music videos uploads. With the rise in his career, ...

What to Know About The Shows That Made Craig Ferguson a Star and His Family Ties Rising to the top of your profession can sometimes be a hard and difficult process. It requires days and nights of working consistently hard to be better than what you were yesterday. It requires not giving up when all of your experiences seem to be pushing you to quit. It is because of these challenges ...

David Dobrik Married Liza Koshy for One Month  Inside His Family and Relationships David Dobrik is a YouTube sensation who has garnered fame not just for his vlogs but his love life too. Given his career as a YouTuber, his channel is one place where he shares his romantic escapades. With a cute boyish look like his, this Slovakian young man is definitely a good catch, and not ...

Merrell Twins Bio  Ethnicity, Parents & Boyfriend One of the beautiful things about modern life is social media. As rudimentary as it might seem, it could turn out to be the greatest thing that would be invented in the next 50 years because of its impact on human life. Very few tools have revolutionized human behavior and culture as much as social ...

Who Is Bunny Meyer, Is She Married & What Is Her Net Worth? Bunny Meyer is a YouTube celebrity who has amassed over 8.8 million subscribers with 1.5 million viewers on her channel. She is popularly known as Grav3yardgirl and is one of the highest-paid YouTubers in the world. She initially started out as a fashion designer and later chose the path of a YouTuber. Grav3yardgirl has used her knowledge on fashion, makeup, ...

Ninja  Inside The Life of The American YouTuber and Internet Personality Ninja is a talented video game player known for his mastery of Fortnite and other seemingly difficult games he plays with ease. The video gamer made a career out of what is ordinarily the hobby of many people and has since then amassed a huge online following. Find out about him here, including the controversies that ...

What Is Eva Gutowskis True Sexuality and How Did She Rise So Fast As an Influencer? Ever since Eva Gutowski joined YouTube in 2011, it has been an interesting journey for her, moving from one milestone to the other. Backed by an army of young women and teenage girl fans known as Evanators, she has risen to become one of the most-talked-about personalities in the digital stratosphere. She has also leveraged ...

Emma Chamberlain Biography  Age, Height & Net Worth Before now, people in the entertainment industry could only achieve popularity after many years of dedication and hard work but since social media came into the scene, massive success and overnight popularity became possible. That is the story of Emma Chamberlain who encountered fame as a fifteen-year-old. Emma is one of the many young people who became ...

Anna Akana  Ethnicity, Boyfriend & Net Worth There is a new crop of YouTubers known by their different contents with a very strong uniqueness that stands every one of them out, some upload video games, some fashion while some others have comedy video contents to showcase on their channels. Anna Akana has used her platform to showcase her comedy contents to the ...

Revealing Truths About Lilly Singhs Ethnic Background, Family and Her Relationship With Yousef Erakat Lilly Singh is an Indian-Canadian YouTube personality, actress, and comedian also known as Superwoman. She kicked off her YouTube career in 2010 with the launch of her channel IISuperwomanII and followed it up with a vlog channel in 2011. This paved the way for her fame and success which led to a world tour. The ...

Who Is Andrea Constand, Is She Married and What Is Her Connection With Bill Cosby? Many people got sexually molested but could not voice out due to the stigma victims suffer and what will become of them thereafter. Very few of the victims danm every consequence to seek justice and bring the perpetrator to the book, like Andrea Constand. She never got any media buzz, not until her friend cum molester; ...

Who Is Lazarbeam (Lannan Eacott)? Here Are Facts You Need To Know Lannan Eacott became a person of interest after his YouTube channel, LazarBeam pulled him to the limelight. Initially, he started with uploads of Madden Challenge videos before deciding to build his own channel in January 2015. Within the space of three years, his YouTube channel had gathered over 7 million loyal subscribers. Today, he has not ...

Puzzling Facts About Wengies YouTube Success and More About Her Fiance Among the many YouTubers who have succeeded in winning the hearts of millions of people is Wengie. She is a Chinese-Australian YouTube personality, vlogger, singer, and voice actress. Wengie is famous for a lot of things, from her simple life hacks, DIYs, craft ideas to fun experiments, tricks and pranks. Her content portfolio also includes hair tutorials, diet & fitness tips, lookbooks, ...

Is Jeffree Star A Billionaire and How Much Does He Make On YouTube? If looks can be deceptive then theres no other person who proves this maxim better than Jeffree Star. A quick look at Stars pictures would likely leave you wondering whether or not to tag him a male or female. But who says being controversial has to be a curse? For Star, his looks have caught ...

The Place of Rosanna Pansinos Career Hats In Her Rise To Fame and Facts About Her Personal Life There are a few phrases that could summarize Rosanna Pansinos rise to fame. None of them can do it better than the famous axiom, no knowledge is lost. Her popularity YouTube comes out of her foray into other professions, specifically acting. Although acting now occupies one of the major professional hats in Rosannas resume, it was ...

Muselk (Elliott Watkins) Biography  Age, Girlfriend and Net Worth The new and best in-thing in terms of career is video gaming and we have over time seen young men and women make massive income from an activity that was purportedly designed to serve as a hobby or a relaxation activity. One of such individuals is the Australian-born YouTube Celebrity and Twitch streamer, Muselk, whose ...

PopularMMOs Biography: 5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know We have over the years seen social media millionaires, especially on the YouTube social platform. These celebrities cum millionaires have made names for themselves after carving out niches on the internet, and a typical example of one of such exciting media personality on the YouTube is American Minecraft gamer and YouTube star, PopularMMOs whose channel ...

Jason Nash Once Married Marney Hochman  What To Know About His Ex-Wife and Kids The now-defunct video-sharing app Vine was the path that led Jason Nash to fame. With it, he built an audience of over two million followers, which he parlayed into a significant YouTube career. That move has seen him become one of the most popular personalities on the internet, with the cash income to go with ...

Where Does Dantdm Live? What Do We Know About His Net Worth, Wife and Brother? Most parents buy video games for their kids to occupy their time leisure, while other parents frown at their kids when they play video games. Despite the disparity, every parent would be proud of their child if he/she eventually turns a celebrity or millionaire through playing video games like Dantdm. Biography of Dantdm Dantdm was born Daniel ...

LaurDIY  Biography: 5 Facts You Need To Know About The YouTuber LaurDIY is the YouTube channel of Lauren Riihimaki which she created on December 1, 2011, when she was still a college undergrad with the sole aim of giving Do It Yourself (DIY) as well as practical fashion and beauty tips to her followers. She has used the channel to establish herself as a YouTube personality ...

Lachlan Ross Power  Bio And Family Life Of Australian The YouTube Star It is amazing the varied sources of income that the internet has made possible in this day and age. Internet fame can get its holder a whole lot of monetary and social benefits, but it must be noted that it does not come easy or cheap. For those who desire fame, content is the sacrifice ...

Alfie Deyes  Bio and Net Worth: Everything You Need To Know Alfie Deyes is one internet personality you definitely would like to know about. He boasts of over 10 million subscribers on three of his YouTube channels and has three bestseller books to his name. He is probably the most renowned young personality on YouTube today and his vlogging empire continues to grow by the day. ...

Colleen Ballingers Love Story With Husband Erik Stocklin and How Much She Is Worth Now Colleen Ballinger is an American comedian and YouTuber who is a very funny, adventurous, and highly talented woman. She is also an actress, singer, and writer. Collen is widely known for her work on YouTube where she posts content on her channel, Miranda Sings. The comedian has gained many subscribers over the years and has ...

Who Are The Dude Perfect Members and How Much Are They Worth? Entertainment in the 21st century can be digested in many forms and with platforms like YouTube, the creators and purveyors of entertainment have been democratized. Today, one of the most popular platforms to exhibit ones creative talents is YouTube, even though there are other platforms like Twitter, Facebook, who suffer in comparison to YouTube because ...

Who Is Rudy Mancuso, What Is His Earning Power and What Do We Know About His Girlfriend? Rudy Mancuso started his internet journey on Vine. He would later transition to YouTube where he solidified his place among the internets most beloved comedic creators. He is now regarded as one of the renowned internet personalities in the world, with a presence in mainstream TV and film projects like Comedy Centrals Drunk History and ...

Vsauce (Michael Stevens) Biography and Net Worth: All You Need To Know The advent of YouTube and the internet as a whole revolutionized how human beings consume information. With each passing year, the percentage of learning that is done in a traditional classroom decrease as a seismic shift to internet-based learning happens in our education industry. From open courses online to YouTube classes and videos, there are ...

How did Jake Paul Make His YouTube Big Break and Who is His Wife? One of the most interesting Social Media personalities of the 21st century is the young and popular Jake Paul whose elder brother is the famed Vine star, Logan Paul. Jake has utilized the power of the internet to bring himself to the limelight with a channel named JakePaulProductions that has amassed up to six billion ...

5 Facts You Need To Know About Reaction Time (Tal Fishman)  The American YouTuber Before 2015, the leading meaning of reaction time was the amount of time it takes to respond to a stimulus, until Tal Fishman started his channel, Reaction Time on YouTube and the dominant meaning changed. Today, a google search of Reaction Time would deliver Tal Fishmans videos and YouTube channel link with a few physics ...

Grace Helbig  Net Worth, Boyfriend and Family Life of The YouTuber Grace Helbig is an American internet personality, comedian, actress, and writer. She became popular due to her daily vlog series, DailyGrace, which ran on My Damn Channel from 2008 to 2013. Helbig is also popular for her own indie series on YouTube, ItsGrace, which she launched in 2014. Her vlogs which feature random stuff such as ...

Mark Wiens Bio  Ethnicity, Wife and Parents Food is a great way to connect with people. We all love to eat, if not for the pleasure of food, the satisfaction of quenching hunger, and the very process of providing and sharing that food is part of the strongest bonds that bind humanity together. Maybe it is our historical connection to food, where ...

Is Filthy Frank Dead, What Happened To Him and How Much Is He Worth? As George Kusunoki Miller, he was a nobody. However, as Filthy Frank, George was one of the most famous internet personalities on the planet. The Filthy Frank Show, a sketch series on his YouTube channel, TVFilthyFrank, was one of the platforms most influential creations. He is the reason a crazy dance song, Harlem Shake, made it ...

CaptainSparklez Bio  Net Worth, House and Cars of The Famous YouTuber Sometimes, what society wants from its citizens is quite different from what the citizens want for themselves. This is evident in the life and career of video blogger and American YouTube personality, Jordan Maron famous for his YouTube channel CaptainSparklez. He dropped out of school after discovering his talent in playing an online game called Minecraft. ...

Who is Simply Nailogical (Cristine Rotenberg)? Here are Facts You Must Know Canadian Youtube personality, Simply Nailogical (Cristine Rotenberg) originally started out polishing and designing nails even before it became a trendy culture in the social media. Simply Nailogica started out her showbiz career in her early days as a child actress, acting in commercials for game and toy companies. Aside from acting, she is blogger, vlogger, specializing ...

5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know About Huda Beauty In the world of entrepreneurship, it is interesting when an individual has a mentor who he/she looks up to, this yield more productivity on the part of the individual. The iconic and rich American beautician and makeup artist Huda Kattan nicknamed Heida is the founder of the Huda Beauty blog which is number one Instagram beauty blog ...

Is Dino MasterChef Gay? Details About His Ethnicity, Girlfriend, Where He Is Now Food, for the better part of the early years of human life, was nothing more than what we needed for survival. There was no artistry or curation to the method of cooking. The scarcity of food left no room for artistic expression until we figured out agriculture and we could make as much as we ...

Who Is Gabbie Hanna And How Did She Become Famous? As the world shifts to digital media and depends more and more on streaming services for its news and entertainment content, YouTubers have become one of the leading creators in the new media world. Their understanding of the online audience: how to create, maintain, and increase followers, are all handy skills that have primed them ...

Jacksepticeye  Height, Girlfriend & Net Worth Jacksepticeye is a YouTuber and actor who gained popularity with a series of gaming videos he uploads on his channel to the delight of millions of his subscribers. He is Known primarily for his comic video game series titled Lets Play and his vlogs. His channel was formerly ranked 46th in the list of most subscribed ...

Chris Heria Personal Details: About His Wife, Height & Ethnicity Background In this generation, keeping fit has become one of the major criteria for being hale and hearty. In fact, most occupations these days are majorly concerned with ones body mass, weight and looks. Unlike the past where most people have to register in a gym to keep fit, social media has made it quite easy ...

Everything You Need To Know About Game Grumps Gaming is becoming incredibly popular on YouTube these days with game vloggers make millions of dollars out of them yearly. One of the most popular up-coming gaming YouTube channels is Game Grumps. The Lets Play series was created in 2012 and celebrated its fifth anniversary on July 18th, 2017. In six years of its existence, the ...

Daithi De Nogla Biography, Girlfriend and Net Worth YouTube has created an avenue for many to make wealth and become famous from the comfort of their homes while having fun. Many have built a career out of the platform, uploading numerous videos that have earned them the admiration of viewers across the globe. For Daithi De Nogla, he is loved for his humorous commentary on ...

Does Phoebe Robinson Have A Boyfriend or Husband and What Do We Know About Her Family? Phoebe Robinson is a New York-based comedian, writer, and actress. She is best known as the co-creator and co-host of the WNYC Studios podcast 2 Dope Queens. Just like some other female comedians, she never had any original plans of becoming a stand-up comedian even though, according to her, she took a class on a whim at Carolines on Broadway. After ...

Who Are Lex and Alana from Listed Sisters? What Is Their Ethnicity & Is the Show Cancelled? America is a country built on diversity. Everywhere you look all over the country, a countless number of immigrants or children of immigrants have become an integral part of the fabric of the country. From entertainment to business, immigrants are creating a niche for themselves and climbing to the summit of their respective professions. One ...

Riveting Facts About Danielle Lombard And What She Is Best Known For The American entertainment industry is one that provides many avenues for aspiring hopefuls to express their talents and become famous. From films to television shows and game shows, there is no shortage of ways for men and women who desire fame to pursue and earn it in the United States of America. Another tested medium ...

Unearthing New Details About The YouTube Success And Personal Life of Alex Burriss of Wassabi Productions Wildly hilarious and truly audacious, Alex Wassabi is an American YouTuber who has become a very popular face on the video-sharing platform after having garnered millions of subscribers over the years by keeping people glued to his channel with his witty parody video releases. If you have always loved parody videos, there is every chance ...

Everything You Need To Know About H2O Delirious H2O Delirious whose full birth name is reported to be Jonathan Gormon Dennis has successfully kept himself mystified by hiding his face behind the masks leaving his loyal fans speculating who he really is for many years. The American YouTube star is easily identified by the Jason Mask Style with make-up which he wears on his ...

Who Is HolaSoyGerman and What Happened To Him? German Garmendia has certainly seen it all when it comes to internet success. His channels, HolaSoyGerman and JuegaGerman are in the top twenty most subscribed channel on YouTube. The Chilean YouTuber found a way to tap into one of the worlds greatest inventions and make a living from it. He has been able to build ...

Who Are Glenn Becks Family, What Is His Net Worth And What Happened To Him? The American political commentary space is filled with different personalities. A few of them, through their rhetoric, charisma, and resources have been able to build a large following of men and women who listen to them for insight and direction for various political and social issues in the United States. For Conservatives, the story is ...

Following Charissa Thompsons Rise Through The Ranks Of Sports Casting and All About Her Boyfriend Superstar TV host and sportscaster, Charissa Thompson, has been hailed as one of the highest-profile women journalists in America, and the reason is there for all to see. She has worked for popular establishments such as Versus, Yahoo! Sports, ESPN, GSN, and Big Ten Network. She currently hosts the popular pre-game show, Fox NFL Kickoff, ...

Is Chris Kattan Gay or Does He Have A Wife? What Is His Net Worth? Chris Kattan is a popular American comedian and actor. He has appeared in several comic movies and TV series such as The Middle, A Night at the Roxbury and Bunnicula. Kattan is, however, most popular for his six-year stint as a cast member of Saturday Night Live. During his time on the legendary show, he ...

Everything You Should Know About the Rise of Insta Star Claire Abbott and Why She Gave It All Up A lot of young Americans have shot into the limelight for uploading different kinds of videos on YouTube. Some of these young stars include Connor Franta, Desi Perkins, Emma Chamberlain, the Dolan Twins (Ethan and Grayson), and Claire Abbott. The latter became a social media celebrity for uploading sexy bikini pictures of herself on social media. Apart from ...

5 Facts You Need To Know About The YouTube Channel  h3h3Productions H3h3Productions is a YouTube channel that specializes on Comic responses or reactions of other contents or trendy stories. The celebrity couple that created the channel has over time racked up sizable views for their commentaries and contents. Even though they had their own fair share of copyright cases, thankfully they scored an unprecedented victory in all ...

Lilypichu Bio  Height, Brother and Love Story With Albert SleightlyMusical Chang Like most popular internet celebrities, Lilypichu is one of those Twitch streamers who spend their lives on camera. From daydreaming about the possibility of becoming a full-time professional streamer, she grew to live out her dreams on the popular live streaming platform where people play games, make crafts, and showcase their day-to-day activities. Given the rise of ...

KSI  What To Know About His Girlfriend, Brother  Deji Olatunji & Net Worth Assuredly, when Internet inventors Vint Cerf and Bob Khan created the technological masterpiece, they probably did not know how massive the creation will be harnessed by many for different purposes including as a platform for earning money through content creation. One of such person who smiles to the bank regularly today for spending time creating ...

The Interesting Progression and Highlights of Carrie Keagans Career as a Host and Actress Carrie Keagan has garnered huge fame through her various stints on television. She is not just your regular TV host but one with a difference. Keagan has hosted several high profile events and TV shows, including VH1s Big Morning Buzz Live and Fox News Channels Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld. However, not many know she ...

The Gist On Elise Jordans Marriages And Her Rise To Prominence Political commentaries tend to be boring when it is handled by someone who does not have a knack for it. However, when you see the likes of Elise Jordan run the same commentary, you will have a lot of reasons to look forward to watching her again as the journalist is well-versed in the field ...

What Is Timmy Thick Best Known For and How Successful Is The Star? Thanks to the internet, many people whose talents would have ordinarily gone unnoticed have become famous. A very good example of this modern-day internet celebrity is Timmy Thick, an American social media star. He became popular on Instagram due to his penchant for posting raunchy pictures of himself. He also often posted videos of himself ...

What Does Heather Storm Do For a Living and Who Is She Dating? Reality Television is a great way to make a name for oneself as well as amass a fortune. Heather Storm can attest to this as she is one of those who have made a name and earned a lot from reality TV. She made her name appearing on shows like Car Fanatics, Awesome Autos, and, ...

Matt Carriker Biography  Net Worth, Wife & Height Unlike your regular veterinary doctor next door, Matt Carriker chose to spice up his noble profession with the unusual. Though he is known to many as a medical practitioner, Carriker is better renowned as a YouTube star and an animal lover. Having recorded huge successes on his various YouTube channels, the vet doctors name and ...

Jillian Mele of Fox News Career Achievements, Husband & Measurements There are quite a good number of presenters on radio and television who listeners and viewers may never wish to miss any of their shows because of their sensational golden voice, beauty or the special way or artistry they anchor their shows. Jillian Mele is one of such. She has been at the top of ...

Who is Gillian Turner of Fox News? Her Fiance or Husband and Net Worth Gillian Turner is well-known as a news correspondent for Fox News Channel but before she became a TV personality, she built an intimidating resume working for different institutions, including the American government. She served in different capacities at the White House National Security Council during the administration of former US Presidents  George W. Bush and Barack Obama. ...

Gloria Govan Bio  Age, Ethnicity & Height Even as Gloria Govan is famous as an American actress, author, a TV host, and reality television star, shes more popular as the wife of the former NBA player, Matt Barnes. She became known after appearing on the Florida version of the reality television series, Basketball Wives and later, Basketball Wives: LA  after Matt was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Sadly, ...

Michael Fishmans Interesting Start as an Actor and Why He Divorced His Wife of Many Years When one door closes, another one opens. As silly as that axiom may seem, it is the story of the resurgence of Michael Fishman, who plays D.J Conner on the popular show, Roseanne. Having played the character for several years as a child actor into his teenage years; when the show originally ended, Michael did ...

Who Is October Gonzalez  Tony Gonzalezs Wife? All You Need To Know October Gonzalez is a popular American TV host and media personality. Additionally, she is also a model. Gonzalez has hosted several TV shows such as Beat Shazam, Entertainment Tonight, and Rachel Ray. She has also featured in several reality TV shows. Gonzalezs fame is not just due to her profession but also because of her ...

Who Is Tony Berlin  Harris Faulkners Husband: His Children and Family Facts Tony Berlin is a popular American media guru. He has variously worked as a reporter, anchor, and producer for some of the biggest TV networks in America. They include CNN, CBS, NBC, and ABC (where he hosted the popular Good Morning America). Berlin has now diversified into public relations and owns his own PR firm. ...

The Progression of Gianna Tobonis Journalism Career and Details About Her Marriage to Kyle Buckley Gianna Toboni may not be your ideal newscaster but her unusual reporting is what made her a household name. The American journalist is renowned for her hard-hitting and authentic reportage. A motivator and activist for total press freedom, Gianna loves to explore pervasive cultural issues. Not only does this unique and ambitious journalist call for all ...

Dog The Bounty Hunters Family Including Details of His Late Wife and Kids Popularly known as Dog, a name which he got from the television series, Dog The Bounty Hunter, Duane Chapman, an American bounty hunter, and one-time bail bondsman, went from being convicted for a felony to being a reality TV star. He was brought to the limelight following the capture of the convicted criminal, Andrew Luster in 2003 and this eventually made ...

Vicky Karayiannis, Chris Cornells Wifes Bio, Children and Family The world of showbiz is made up of different people who serve different roles, and function in a variety of capacities, and one of the most important people are those in the background. Publicists are undoubtedly one of these background people yet they are vital to the life and fame of most of our favorite ...

Joe Rogan Has A Step-Daughter and 2 Other Kids With Wife Jessica Ditzel  Meet His Family Joe Rogan is a popular American stand-up comedian and TV host. His journey to stardom began in the late 80s and has seen him host several shows, the most popular is the game show titled Fear Factor. The exciting show dares contestants to face some of their greatest fears and embark on challenging stunts. The ...

Josh Gates and Wife Hallie Gnatovich Have 2 Kids But Who Has the Higher Net Worth? Best known for his explorations and adventures, Josh Gates, is a television presenter with a voracious appetite for seeing the world and the beauties in it. Some of that beauty, however, is in his home, in the form of two children he shares with his wife, Hallie Gnatovich. Not excluded is their marriage which has lasted ...

Holly Sonders Wiki, Plastic Surgery & Why She Divorced Her Husband  Erik Kuselias After trying everything within her capacity to have a low key wedding, Holly Sonders was drawn to the public because of her husbands controversy at his workplace. Well, the two are rumored to be divorced but the article below will give more light on how true these rumors are. Meanwhile, Holly Sonders is yet to ...

Nadeska Alexis Bio  Age, Boyfriend & Net Worth Journalism is one diverse profession that allows the practitioners to choose their area of specialty, build a career on it by reporting the truth and facts which in the long run will distinguish them as deserving commendation and recognition among their peers. Some choose to specialize in political journalism, while to others it is sports ...

Media Platforms Charlamagne Tha God Has Explored and All The Controversies He Has Courted Charlamagne Tha God is an American on-air personality, radio presenter, and more recently, author. He is popularly known as a co-host on New York radios nationally syndicated show, The Breakfast Club, a program he has been hosting alongside DJ Envy and Angela Yee since 2010. However, his early years had no connection to his current career ...

A Look At Jimmy Fallons Net Worth and Family Including His Wife & Kids Sometimes, a childs passion for something is a pointer to what he/she would become in the future. As a child, Jimmy Fallon was literally obsessed with watching the late-night comedy program, Saturday Night Live (SNL). Then, his parents would tape the clean parts for him to watch and later, he and his sister would re-enact sketches from the ...

Kay Adams Biography  Does The Sportscaster Have A Husband or Boyfriend? When you hear the phrase sports enthusiast, women are hardly the first group that comes to mind. Well, thats changing pretty fast. Especially with the rise of female sports analysts and broadcasters like Kay Adams who is famed for knowing more about sports than most men do. And why not, shes paid handsomely for it ...

Ben Shapiros Family  Meet His Wife, Kids and Sister Who is Popular for the Wrong Reasons A multi-talented man, Ben Shapiro is a man of controversial nature, an attribute that has made him an unusual public figure. An intellectual whose career path was clearly defined even before he became a man, the Jewish conservative commentator has always had his way with words. He became popular by sharing his critical and often ...

QVC Shawn Killinger Bio  Husband, Net Worth & Facts To Know Shawn Killinger is a prominent TV personality who has worked her way to the top. Though not initially a journalist by training, she defied the odds and today has established herself as a household name, as well as, worked alongside some industry legends. More than just being a reporter, newscaster, and anchor, heres all you ...

Liv Lo  Dissecting the Ethnicity, Parents and Personal Life of Henry Goldings Wife While many are aware that Liv Lo is the better half to Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding, only a few understand why his beautiful wife appears increasingly endearing to fans. A former model turned TV personality, and fitness star, Liv has an impressive resume which when combined with that of her statuesque spouse is considered a perfect ...

Stpeach Age, Husband and Other Facts About The Twitch Streamer Lisa Vannatta, famously known by her online alias, STPeach is a Canadian video game streamer cum vlogger who has garnered fame through her appearances on different video-sharing/social networking platforms such as Youtube, Instagram, Twitch, Reddit, and Twitter. The beautiful lady got her career to a start in August 2015 when she joined the live streaming video platform, Twitch. She rose to ...

Insights into Seth Meyers Wife, Family and What His Net Worth Is Celebrities are mostly remembered and known for the work they do. For Seth Meyers, his career as a comedian, writer, actor, TV host, and producer is his biggest identifier. He was on Saturday Night Live SNL show as a head writer and cast member for more than ten years during which he built a reputation ...

Who Is Jessica Gadsden  Age, Net Worth & All About Charlamagne tha Gods Wife Jessica Gadsden is an American fitness coach as well as a personal trainer. She is better known as the spouse of popular American media personality, Charlamagne Tha God. Charlamange Tha God is a well-known TV and radio personality in the U.S. He has featured in several shows (both on the radio and TV) and is ...

Who Is Collins Tuohy  Michael Ohers sister ? Her Wedding, Husband & Net Worth Collins Tuohy is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, blogger, and social media personality. She is also better known as the adoptive sister of NFL player, Michael Oher, whose life story inspired the Hollywood blockbuster The Blind Side. The Blind Side tells the true life story of Oher who grew up in an impoverished background consisting of a ...

Eye-Popping Facts About The Personal Life And Career Success Of Sportscaster Heidi Watney Heidi Watney is a media personality who has created a niche for herself as a sportscaster. Starting out as a radio presenter, the brilliant young lady has gone on to work for several prominent sports networks, and currently, she is with the MLB. The sportscaster is also known to have been an avid sports lady right ...

Marty Lagina Bio  Siblings (Martina and Rick Lagina), Net Worth and Wife Marty Lagina is an American engineer and businessman who has risen to fame as a reality TV star. This is thanks to his involvement in the adventure TV series, The Curse of Oak Island. The Curse of Oak Island is a long-running TV series which airs on the history channel. The show aims to solve ...

Is Jordan Schlansky Just A Character or a Real Life Person and What Does He Do? The world of late-night television is an interesting one. Shows during that time are geared towards giving viewers comedic relief from a long day at work through interviews and comedy sketches. The often charismatic host of this show requires the balancing talent of a producer whose primary job is to deliver great episodes. It is ...

Heres How Wealthy Jimmy Kimmel Is From All The Phases of His Career, Marriages and Sons Health Jimmy Kimmel is a renowned late-night talk show host known for his charm, wit, and the A-list guests he features on his show. As the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! On ABC, Jimmy has been serving comedy to television viewers for years which played a pivotal role in launching him into mainstream fame and enabled ...

Natasha Bertrand Biography  Is She Married? Who Is the Husband & What Is Her Age? Natasha Bertrand is not just a young prominent journalist but a first-rate investigative reporter. With her natural beauty and smile, Natashas sharp, insightful political commentary also makes her a thorough reporter. Her sound political perspective and coverage in the country have made her a force to be reckoned with in the profession. Renowned for her ...

What Happened to Shane Kilcher? His Injury Update, Net Worth and More Shane Kilcher is well-known thanks to the Discovery Channel series Alaska: The Last Frontier. It is a show that documents the daily lives of the extended Kilcher family, people who live without plumbing or modern heating. The episodes follow their routines as they rely on hunting and farming for their nutritional needs as well as ...

Is Stephanie Gosk Gay or Lesbian, Who is the Wife or Partner  Jenna Wolfe? In August 2013, NBCs Today viewers were greeted with two shocking news. Today weekend anchor, Jenna Wolfe, announced that she was as a lesbian, introducing her partner as NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk, and said the two are expecting their first child. A long time has passed since then and certainly, a lot of things ...

Nikki Mudarris  Bio and Net Worth: 5 Interesting Facts You Need to Know Nikki Mudarris, also known as Miss Nikki Baby, is a reality television star, model and fashionista. Shes best known for VH1s reality TV series Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood. Her entrepreneurial skills enable her to create and run a successful lingerie line Nude by Nikki. Not only that, but Nikki has also successfully run the Las ...

5 Interesting Things You Need To Know About Kelly Nash Ever heard of the lady who gained national prominence for taking a selfie with a dangerous ball just a few inches away from hitting her? Its no other person than Kelly Nash, an American sports broadcaster currently working as host of The Rundown show which airs on MLB Network every weekday at 2 pm ET. ...

Understanding The Height of Fame John Oliver Achieved With The Daily Show and How He Met His Wife Without knowledge of who he is and his exemplary career, John Oliver cuts an unassuming figure of a regular man but he is one of the most influential personalities in America, especially on television. Since he began his career in 1998, he has been a loud and unapologetic agent of change, using his wit and ...

Why Did Big Chief Leave Street Outlaws, Where Is He Now And Why Did He Divorce His Wife? Justin Shearer, otherwise known by his professional name Big Chief is a famous street racer and television personality. He is famously known for being one of the main characters on the racing reality television series, Street Outlaws. Justin, who had been a significant part of the show since its premiere in 2013, appeared in a ...

Who is Josina Anderson of ESPN? Her Husband and Family Facts There has been a gradual paradigm shift in the world of sports which has today produced the likes of Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, and other female athletes that are pulling great feats in different sporting fields. Their achievements have also been followed by the emergence of female sports journalists such as Jillian Mele, Eboni Williams, ...

Is Brittany Wagner Married, Who Is The Husband, How Old Is She? Brittany Wagner has been an inspiration to a lot of sports youngster. She has won the hearts of many athletic students with her role as a life coach and an academic counselor. She is well groomed in her career and has worked over a decade for The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and The National ...

Tati Westbrook Bio  Age, Husband & Net Worth With five videos dished out every week, alongside running her own brand, beauty guru, and YouTube superstar Tati Westbrook has proved to the world that theres utterly no impossibility or limit to whatever one is passionate about. Tati is best known for being the owner and manager of the worlds most-viewed beauty and lifestyle YouTube channel, ...

Cathy Areus Long Road to Becoming a Freelance Journalist and What to Know About Her Kids An American freelance journalist, news analyst, and author, Cathy Areu has built a lasting reputation for herself on cable television. Popular for her skillful and sassy presentation of professional views on varying topics including cultural and feminist issues, Cathy is an inspiration to many women across the globe. In addition to being a journalist, she ...

Tucker Carlsons Love Story With Wife Susan Andrews, their Children and Net Worth Today On the TV screens, Tucker Carlson is that fiery fellow who passionately dishes out his conservative and often controversial views on issues of national importance. Such brazenness has fetched him many enemies, especially on the left-wing, but it has also helped him cement a reputation as one of the foremost broadcast journalists in America. His ...

Paige Wyatts Net Worth, Boyfriend and Where She Is Now Paige Wyatt became popular after the Wyatt family began running the reality television show, American Guns. The Wyatt family comprises Rich Wyatt (father), Renee Wyatt (mother), Paige and Kurt Wyatt (children). Rich Wyatt originally ran a gun shop, the Gunsmoke Guns in Wheat Ridge, Colorado which is outside of Denver. The business which he ran together ...

The Progression of Howard Sterns Career As A Media Personality And Why He Divorced His First Wife Howard Stern is a legendary American radio host, who has also done some notable work as an actor, producer, author, as well as photographer. The radio personality achieved worldwide fame as a result of his self-titled radio program, The Howard Stern Show. As a professional radio personality, he has worked in different radio stations. Since 2006, ...

Lisa Joyners Biography  Ethnicity, Net Worth and Other Key Facts Lisa Joyner is an American Journalist, TV talk show host, and actress. Some of her well-known works are her correspondences for the Los Angeles based TV KCBS, inFANity show, Find My Family Show including her film and television appearances in Brimstone, American Sweetheart, The Bold and The Beautiful among others. Lisas passion for reconnecting people with their biological families ...

Amanda Balionis Rise Through the Ranks of Sportscasting and the Identity of Her Boyfriend Amanda Balionis is an American sportscaster currently working as a golf broadcaster for CBS Sports. Among so many of her works in the field of sports reporting, Amandas PGA Tour coverage seems to be the most popular so far. She covered the Super Bowl working with CBS Sports social media team in Atlanta, where she ...

Dissecting Charles Paynes Sexual Allegations, Its After Effects and More About His Wife Charles Payne had a respectable career as an analyst on Wall Street before he made the transition to television and became a contributor and later a host on Fox. In that time, his expertise has come under scrutiny, and he has been at the center of at least one major controversy. The major controversy in question ...

Erik Asla And Tryra Banks Split: Everything You Need To Know Tyra Banks and Erik Asla have called it quits! The couple, who began dating in 2013 and have a son named York Banks Asla, has decided to end what everybody taught was the perfect relationship. Neither person has come out to give a reason for the breakup, but what is obvious right now is that ...

What to Note About Dr Terry Dubrows Qualifications, TV Works and Marriage to Heather Kent In the realm of people that we expect to see regularly on our screens, medical doctors are closer to the bottom of the list. Aside from the fact that their work has little correlation with TV, they are presumably too busy to pursue life as TV personalities. Yet, a few of them have usurped this ...

Jessica Goch  Bio: 5 Things You Didnt Know About Ninjas Wife Jessica Goch is the Schofield-born American Social Media Influencer who has worked as a model but is now better known as a host and interviewer of prominent Electronic sports celebrities at popular gaming events/tournaments. The screen queen also serves as the manager of her famous husband Ninja aka Tyler Blevins whose exploits on Twitch and Fortnite has ...

CNNs Chris Cuomo Biography  Wife, Family & Net worth Chris Cuomo needs no elaborate introduction as he has starred graced many prominent Television cable networks and his voice has been heard through acknowledged radio shows. He is a television journalist and Lawyer who has previously worked for ABC News as Chief law and justice correspondent as well as a co-anchor on 20/20. If you still ...

Neil deGrasse Tyson  Family, Religion & Net Worth Neil deGrasse Tyson is a distinguished American astrophysicist and author who has been able to achieve so much after falling in love with astronomy at the age of 9. He has since attended and become an alumnus of prestigious universities such as Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia, and also recorded numerous achievements in his field of ...

Is Simon Cowell Gay? Does He Have A Wife or Girlfriend and Why is He Famous? Simon Cowell is a well-known talent show judge, TV producer, entrepreneur and one of the most popular TV personalities that Britain has ever produced. In conjunction with his company, Syco, Cowell is the brain behind hugely successful talent hunt shows such as The X-Factor UK, The X-Factor US, Britains Got Talent, Americas Got Talent and ...

Everything To Know About Joanna Gaines Life With Chip Gaines, Their Business Pursuits and Kids Joanna Gaines and her husband Chip Gaines became celebrities after their television show Fixer Upper began airing back in 2013. The show which was about home renovation and decoration ran for about 6 seasons with a total of 79 episodes before the couple bade farewell to it in April 2018. Apart from their appearances on ...

Who Is Larry The Cable Guy? What To Know About His Wife And Net Worth Larry the Cable Guy is a self-professed country kid renowned for his trademark Southern accent and sensational catchphrase Git-R-Done! The famous comedian who talks about anything under the sun has gone on to become one of the most memorable characters in comedy history. Join us in unearthing lesser-known facts about the former on-air-personality, standup comedy superstar, movie ...

Who Is Patrick Starr, What Is His Net Worth and Gender? The make-up industry over the years has grown to become a billion dollar industry not just because there are probably more women wearing make-up but because a whole lot of men, especially the young ones, have become bold enough to wear it unlike before. A few of these men, like Patrick Starr, have even gone ...

How Did Chris Jansing Become a Senior Correspondent at MSNBC and Who Is Her Husband? An award-winning American television news reporter and journalist, Chris Jansing has succeeded in carving a spectacular niche for herself in the field of TV journalism. Outstanding for not just her excellence in journalism, Chris is also cherished for her incredibly gorgeous looks post 60! For close to four decades, Jansing has continued to soar in her ...

Jaclyn Glenn Biography  Age, Height & Ex-Boyfriend American Youtuber, Jaclyn Glenn, rose to prominence through her self-titled YouTube channel Jaclyn Glenn. She has remained an acclaimed atheist and continues to air her views on hot issues from politics, religion, animal rights, to atheism. During the heated 2016 US Presidential elections, Glenn featured in Hump Trump: Official Donald Trump Song. Her parallel acting career ...

Is Pat Sajak Married to a Wife or is He Gay With a Partner? Pat Sajak is one of the most popular TV game show hosts in America. He commenced his career as a radio disk jockey as well as a TV weatherman before being tapped to host Wheel of Fortune, the longest-running syndicated game show in the United States. Sajak has hosted the popular game show from 1983 ...

Nayyera Haqs Bio  What To Know About Her Husband, Parents And Family Nayyera Haq can take anyone on political debates as well as discussions on social issues affecting many. Her ability to masterfully deliver her stance on every issue or political debate has made her a regular face in morning and evening news media platforms. This is not a common feat especially for someone from her kind ...

Inside Guy Fieris Family With Wife, Kids and Sister Who Died of Cancer Over the years we have seen men dominate the kitchen and churn out amazing delicacies from it. Some do it way better than their female counterparts and one of such men is Guy Ramsay Fieri  an American TV host, celebrity chef, restaurant owner, bestselling author of four culinary books, and game show host. His ...

Meet Phil Mudd of CNN  The Former CIA and FBI Exec, Is He Married, Who Is The Wife? When it comes to discussing issues surrounding terrorism, American Counterterrorism and National Security Expert, Phil Mudd, occupies a globally significant position. He has voiced his interest in the fight against terrorism and insecurity on many popular media platforms, both print and broadcast, such as CNN, BBC, CBS, MSNBC, al-Jazeera, ABC, NBC, Fox, The New York Times, ...

Jim Hoffer: Biography, Wife  Mika Brzezinski, Children and Net Worth Jim Hoffer is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who works as an investigative reporter for Eyewitness News, New York City. In his over two decades of investigative journalism, Hoffer has been at the front lines of several crucial stories from the 9/11 attack to the crash of American Flight 587 to the 2003 Blackout. On top of ...

The Ups and Downs of Erin Mcpikes Journalism Career and Other Facts About Her Personal Life Erin McPike is a journalist working for the Independent Journal Review (IJR) as a White House Correspondent but she gained widespread recognition for her coverage of general news. Whether its breaking news or some mainstream story, McPike has a reputation of baring the facts. As a journalist, her work as a White House Correspondent for Independent ...

Bert Kreischer Is Married To LeeAnn Kreischer With 2 Kids  Meet His Family Those familiar with Bert Kreischer mainly have the image of a large-bellied party man whose college life inspired the National Lampoon film, Van Wilder. It is an image that one would not naturally associate with a wholesome family. The standup comedian still maintains his wild party animal image on stage. But, back at home, he is ...

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Vote for Kressig

MIKE DARGAN

CEDAR FALLS -- I support State Rep. Bob Kressig, District 59, because he is a hardworking, caring, and dedicated person. Bob is also a team player! Look at his Facebook page and you will see photos of him with other area legislators like Timi-Brown Powers, Jeff Danielson, and Bill Dotzler. Bob listens and speaks up for us in Des Moines. We are fortunate to have him! Bob knows our community: He graduated from Waterloo West, attended Hawkeye Tech, and worked at John Deere before going to UNI. He retired from John Deere and is active in the community, serving on several area Boards. Bob is concerned about access to quality health care, including mental health. He has worked on funding K-12 education and making higher education more affordable because he sees this as the key to having the highly skilled workforce we need today and tomorrow. Bob is a champion for vocational training and our community colleges. He is also concerned with the environment and wants to protect our soil, water, and air so that future generations can be healthy and enjoy the outdoors. Please join me in voting for Bob!

Against Hillary

MAXINE WEBER

WATERLOO --- To all the voters out there who are considering voting for Hillary, you better think again.

She says she's for children and families, but she doesn't seem to care about the millions of innocent babies being aborted each year. She supports Planned Parenthood where they perform abortions. They should be put out of business. They don't do women any favors at all.

Trump might use some vulgar talk, but what's worse, vulgar talk or killing innocent babies by abortion?

If you're Christian, you should not be voting for Hillary. She says she doesn't want to rip families apart, but she doesn't mind ripping babies apart. What a disgrace.

Anyone but Clinton

BOB KAISER

CEDAR FALLS -- If you don't agree that both of our presidential candidates are terribly flawed, then don't read this. While Hillary was Secretary of State, we had our share of scandals --- Fast and Furious, IRS, FBI, NSA -- and 45 million on food stamps, Obamacare in shambles with insurance companies bailing out, a horrible Iran deal, ransompaid regardless of what it's called, mideast in turmoil. And then she says Trump is not fit to be president.

You saw what the FBI didn't do. Thousands of emails missing and the government destroyed her devices. Now we hear some locker room bragging and we have some really hard choices to make.

Do you want someone that lies (remember Nixon) to the American public and says we are despicable, or do we want some different ideas for running the country? Do we want someone who will provide cradle to grave, or someone that will make opportunities available? Someone who has created jobs or someone who just talks a good line? And do you think her body guards carry water pistols? She want to take your guns by executive order.

Vote the ABC rule, Anyone but Clinton.

A product of the Beltway

JACK DARLAND

CEDAR FALLS -- Lost in the todays surreal world of political hatreds are clear facts. The president of the United States has offered a candidate to fill the vacant Supreme Court seat. That is the job he was elected to do. That is the job his Oath of Office demands. Our own Senator Grassley took the same oath, to protect and defend the Constitution yet now refuses to hold a hearing until after the election. This action has no precedent. (The, Joe Biden said is a red herring; the Senate held hearings and confirmed the nominee.)

Never has the chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee flatly refused to hold a hearing. Senator Grassleys inaction is unconscionable for he is neither protecting nor defending the Constitution. Hes attempting to protect and defend the political agenda of the Republican Party. No other logical argument can be posited. The proof: If the nominee had been appointed by a Republican President, would there have been a hearing?

Shame on Senator Grassley for this blatant refusal to honor his Oath of Office. Shame on anyone who supports their political party above the U.S. Constitution.

Vote for Jacob Hackman

JUDY BABCOCK

NEW HAMPTON -- The voters for 3rd District Supervisor have a unique opportunity to elect a new supervisor for fair and honest representation and guiding our future. Only one candidate has a history of being completely honest within his professional career.

Candidate Jacob Hackman jeopardized his future career and placed his life on hold while he took the controversial road of exposing misconduct in a taxpayer funded public work place. Candidate Jacob Hackman has a verifiable record of integrity toward taxpayers for safeguarding the public trust by putting his honesty ahead of his personal gain.

Voters for 3rd District Supervisor can count themselves privileged to have Jacob Hackman as a candidate for Supervisor. Let's put him to work for us, and count ourselves fortunate to elect a supervisor with proven upstanding public service, honesty and integrity, as well as a commitment to serve the taxpayers of Chickasaw County. Jacob will be a supervisor we can count on to represent our future interests best. I strongly and whole heartedly endorse Jacob Hackman as my choice for 3rd District supervisor.
Obamacare costs

PAUL LENTFER

WATERLOO -- Everybody is talking about how the Obama care insurance is going to go up over 25 percent, but nobody is talking about the elephant in the room.

The deductible for these so-called insurance policies is more than $6,000 a year and in some cases more than $10,000 a year. The White House claims there is not enough participation to bring cost down and most HealthCare.gov policies are subsidized anyway. But what good is an insurance policy you cant afford to use? How many people spend $6,000 on medical care? This is out of pocket expenses before your insurance pays a dime.

Between the costs going through the roof, insurance companies dropping out and doctors quitting because of the low reimbursements the government pays out, Obama Care is a train wreck waiting to happen and needs to be tossed out completely. You cant just tweak it here and there, it needs to go.

None of the promises the president made have come true. The cost didnt go down, you cant keep your policy and you cant keep your doctor. Remember there is not a single Republican who voted for this.

Death of clarity

HERB WELLS

CEDAR FALLS -- Once upon a time writers found a way to save time and space by reducing the long names of countries, companies, organizations and actions to an abbreviation or acronym. The device worked well as long as the reader understood what the acronym stood for, so there was an unwritten rule the writer must spell out the name before using the acronym. This ensured the elimination of misunderstanding or confusion of the facts in the story. If a writer forgot to follow the rule, there was an editor standing by to rap the writer's knuckles and remind him.

But, increasingly, over the years, writers have become sloppy, lazy or dumb. Maybe all three. And where the hell are the editors? When a writer makes the terrible assumption they know what an acronym means then everyone knows it, and the editor is fast asleep, we get a sentence like "BDIX strongly denies the accusations of fraud brought by the RDT." So much for clarity.

The acronym ball is rolling downhill so fast we may not be able to stop it, but we can try. Complaining is a good first step.

2nd Amendment

KENT GUILD

WATERLOO -- A brief civics lesson: To change an existing constitutional amendment, the following must occur: 67 of 100 senators and 290 of 435 representatives must pass a revision of an existing amendment with no presidential involvement. Additionally, 38 of 50 state legislators must vote to pass the revision. The revised amendment could start with 34 state legislatures calling for a constitutional convention.

A call for a constitutional convention has never occurred. To Second Amendment supporters: Given this information, the Second Amendment will never be changed. Your rifles, shotguns and pistols will never be taken away. As a moderate, I agree rifles, shotguns and pistols should never be taken away from responsible gun owners. Iowa's existing laws prohibiting felons and domestic abusers from owning firearms are reasonable.

But why does anyone need to own a "dangerous and unusual" weapon that did not exist under the Second Amendment at the time of the Constitution's ratification? This is the issue Justice Scalia was struggling with at the time of his death. He was a staunch "constitutional" justice who supported the Second Amendment but was apprehensive with average, law-abiding citizens owning assault (dangerous and unusual) weapons which could fire hundreds of rounds per minute.

We the people

PAUL HIGGINS

WATERLOO -- In our United States, seldom more divided in 50-plus years, folks viewing the federal government as doing their job might as well stay home, relax and expect more of the same.

However, for taxpayers righteously doubting "our" government is operating capably, efficiently and effectively with honesty and integrity, its probably the most important vote until 2040. Exhausted from the traditional empty political rhetoric, media bias, dubious poll influences and hundreds of millions of horribly wasted dollars, voters really owe ourselves an honest evaluation of the unbleached performance record of our Congress and our president on countless critical matters.

To name a few, consider our stagnant economy, promises vs. realities of "Obamacare," border security, respect among long-term allies, a highly-questionable justice system, vastly diminished race relations, personal responsibility levels, reprehensibly unjust 73,000-plus page tax code and an astounding doubling of national debt in just one administration!

PACS and Super-PACS have destroyed the constitutional premise of "For The People," most incumbents could seemingly give a damn and Congress enabled these corrupt, unconstitutional and totally unacceptable influences.

"We the people" simply must demand an appreciably higher standard from those elected to represent the U.S. Vote wisely please.
Vote Danielson

CEDAR FALLS -- I support Sen. Jeff Danielson, candidate for the Iowa Senate. Jeff is an outstanding, hardworking, dedicated and approachable public servant. His support for increased funding for public education, the University of Northern Iowa and all of our citizens health care needs is important to all of us.
Vote Trump

MARCELLA GRUVER

WATERLOO  So you have decided not to vote this year? Shame on you. Have you forgotten the large numbers of men and women who have died in order for you to have this privilege?

Who to vote for should be decided by their record and platform.

Hillary Clinton as secretary of state refused to send out military aid when John Christopher Stevens, our American Ambassador to Libya, sent out frequent SOSs at least three weeks prior to the Benghazi tragedy, which resulted in his death plus the death of three valiant Marines.

Hillary Clinton also has approved the U.S. Iranian Nuclear Treaty wherein we will send $150 billion to Iran, leaving four American hostages incarcerated in Iran. We had to negotiate another treaty to secure the release of these hostages.

Hillary Clinton has had no qualm about using her private cell phone while talking about classified information.

Couldnt any one of the three actions above be considered as a potential act of treason? Treasons definition is a betrayal of ones country to an enemy.

Yes, Donald Trump has said many wrong and foolish statements, but remember this Donald Trump has not committed even one single act of treason.

Vote for Donald Trump. Vote Republican.
Paid political letter





Vote Danielson

CEDAR FALLS  I support Sen. Jeff Danielson (District 30) because he has demonstrated his commitment for the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Jeff grew up here, attended our schools, including Hawkeye Community College and UNI, and he works as a firefighter when he is not in the Legislature. Jeff is one of the most accessible public servants we know: Hes out in the community. He also is a valuable member of the Cedar Valley team of legislators, working with Bill Dotzler and Brian Schoenjahn in the Senate. He cares about growing jobs, making health care more affordable, taking care of our veterans and making sure our children get good educations.
I've written a lot about how Latin America has remained very hands-off with regard to Venezuela, which in my opinion has exacerbated the crisis. One vocal president has been Peru's Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who has called for invoking the OAS' Democratic Charter. In return, Venezuela's Foreign Minister argues that he is a tool.



In an official response to the statements last Sunday, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry accused its Peruvian counterpart of obeying the interventionist rulebook of Washington to justify intervention in Venezuela, in concert with opposition groups.

The communique also stated that Rodriguez had demanded respect from Kuczynski during the summits closed door lunch, while reminding the Peruvian government that mutual respect, sovereign equality amongst states and non-intervention in the internal matters of another state are some of the cardinal principles of international law.

As always with Venezuela, there is a contradiction between one function of the OAS--protecting and promoting democracy--and "non-intervention." For Venezuela, recognizing there is a dire crisis is intervention, and certainly calling for multilateral solutions is as well. Too many Latin American leaders are too intimidated to do anything.Latin American dithering, however, has prolonged the crisis. Non-intervention now means watching countries fall apart while you stand around. Or dance , as the case might be.
Kentucky voters asked whether there's a right to an abortion
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Hillary Clinton email and it explains in cold hard facts what we did to Libya and Syria. I am not happy about this

Proof to much for you and you will still vote for her? Still think our government is wonderful? Time for a change and show the world we are number one and we care for the world and not just ourselves

Everything is a lie and all the lies were used to destroy other countries

You can find tons of proof and facts right here https://wikileaks.org/

WtR

https://www.wikileaks.org/clinton-emails/Clinton_Email_November_Release/C05794498.pdf

https://wikileaks.org/clinton-emails/emailid/18328
Part 1

The very first day I met Jacqui and Pepe in the staff room, I knew we would be friends. Jacqui taught Russian and Pepe, from Cadiz, taught Spanish. They had a wide open, exuberant embrace of life. We became friends immediately.

I would spend the occasional rumpled weekends at their tumbled, messy home, drinking Spanish wine, cooking together, reading poetry and raucously discussing politics and effete philosophical concepts that would change the world if only we could figure out how! Disagreements were liberally coated with affectionate fun. The concept of intellectual argument was the ethic that held the grip on our discussions, with a goodly dose of relaxed living-in-the-moment.

So in the summer when asked if Id join them in driving to Pepes family home near Cadiz, I jumped at it with wide-winged wonderment at the ongoing happy miracle of friendship.

I asked if I could invite my boyfriend Craddock too. Of course! Open, friendly, smiling, enthusiastic approach to all things unexpected and different were welcome.

But with three adults and a toddler there was no room for another bod in the car or the tent when we stopped to camp overnight. We were driving from London to Dover taking the ferry to Calais, then driving down through France to San Sebastian, through Burgos, Victoria, Valladolid, past Madrid, on down through Almaden, through Sevilla and on to Cadiz. A journey that would take us three days and two nights.

No problem  Craddock would fly in two days after we arrived and wed pick him up from Seville. Craddock was cool even before it was cool to be cool. All the girls fell for his movie star looks, enviable locks, and slow smile approach. It wasnt love but I liked him and it was fun.

The drive through the countryside of France was a summer delight, stopping at road stands to pick up fruit, cheese and bread to eat while driving. After dinner at a bistro and a wander around the little town, we piled into the same room at a B&B, which made things feel even more like family. I enjoyed practicing my dilapidated French as our journey progressed.

Cross the French border at San Sebastian into Spain and almost immediately everything changes: the weather, scenery, layout of the towns, and the fumble of little shops on the streets are still small but somehow different. And the language! I had insisted that Jacqui and Pepe speak Spanish in my company in the few weeks-in-waiting before our travels, so I was becoming confident that I could function my way through quotidian life in Spain, even perhaps striving to follow an interesting conversation in different tenses.

I was in awe of the wondrous olive groves we drove through. How could trees that bear fruit grow in this apparently arid ground! I was entranced by the farmers toiling and disturbed by the occasional dead animal thrown into a trench by the road. Intellectually, I knew this was a different country, but not until I was brushing up against it with my instincts and ignorance did I sense the wonderment of new awareness and learning. I was brought back to a child state: learning as young children do through observation and acute necessary understanding. It was glorious!

Night camp was an adventure. Jacqui and Pepe had done this many times. I tried to make myself useful by taking care of baby Miranda while they unpacked and pitched the tent in a small encampment. Then off to the little town for dinner and a wander. Pepe, the gentleman, decided to sleep in the car and left the tent to the girls. I felt I was eight years old at a sleep-over again, telling stories to Miranda till she fell asleep.

The last leg of the journey took us through vineyards growing grape varieties I had never heard of and yet to drink, like Tempranillo, Mencia and Manto Negro. Though not wine-world-widely known then, we now know they make some of the most prized wines in the world like Rioja and Valdeorras

Finally, tired but excited we arrived in the small town of Puerto Real, within walking distance from the shoreline. One of the delights of some older Spanish homes is the hidden promise. The outside of the houses are wrapped alike in the same smooth sand colored stone with no hint of what is beyond the door.

We gathered all the luggage at the door step and Pepe opened the unlocked door . . .
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), in cooperation with the Architecture Committee of the Supreme Council of Culture, announced a call for the 2016 Hassan Fathi Award for Architecture, earlier this year, addressing the following topics: Projects of Recreational Buildings and Shopping Malls and Projects by Egyptian Architects Living Abroad.



The jury members in the international competition included: Prof. Suha Ozkan, Founder and President of World Architecture Community, (Chair), Dr. Ashraf Botros, Architectural Committee, Supreme Council for Culture, Dr. Ashraf Salama, University of Strathclyde, UK, Dr. David Gloster, RIBA, Dr. Heba Abul Fadl, Architectural Committee, Supreme Council for Culture, Mr. Ivan Blasi, Mies Van Der Rohe Foundation, Eng. Magued Samy, Architecture Division, Egyptian Syndicate of Engineers, Eng. Mohamed Abou Seada, National Organization for Urban Harmony, Dr. Mohammed Awad, Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Dr. Rasem Badran, Architect, Eng. Seif Abul Naga, Society of Egyptian Architects, Dr. Tarek Farghaly, Alexandria University, Dr. Salah Zaki, Award Coordinator.

The winners announced today as part of a seminar entitled The Future of Architectural Education in Egypt at the BA and Al Qurainah farmhouse in Al-Qurainah, KSA designed by Mohamed mokhtarMRafei wins 1st prize, and Amr Hosni Soliman is announced as joint winner with German School in Geneva. Qasr Al Wadi in Morocco designed by Shams Essawy Naga has won Honorable Mention and Academy of Architecture in Switzerland by Amr Hosni Soliman has won the 2nd Honorable Mention.

You can see all winners below with jury comments:

Winner 1: German School in Geneva by Amr Hosni Soliman

Jury comments: The school is such a fundamental part of human experience that any architectural approach to redefining its architectural potential is always likely to be controversial. The jury were however extremely impressed by the clarity of the plan the architects had developed for this scheme, and the awareness that circulation space in education buildings is always a strong vehicle for social interaction.

The German school achieves this by creating an uncompromisingly elegant and spare architecture, where the virtues of structure as space are demonstrated through the ingenious use of a room height truss. The project reflects the clear message for social betterment through architecture that Hassan Fathi espoused, but does this in manner that encourages contemporary technologies to address this crucial issue.

Winner 2: Al Qurainah farmhouse in Al-Qurainah, KSA designed by Mohamed mokhtarMRafei

Jury comments: Although treating the conventional programme of the single family house, the jury considered this scheme to have significantly progressed this typology by developing architecture with an exceptionally strong contextual fit, and exemplary observation of the landscape around the building complex.

The ambiguity of what constitutes an internal or external space is continuously questioned in this project, leading to a delightful dialogue between land and architecture. Additionally, there is a refined regard for the progressive use of traditional construction technologies reflecting the contemporary context, but echoing the beauty of the landscape in which the house is so artfully located. It is this masterful combination of sensibility to both the past  and the future  that made the project a clear choice for the Hassan Fathi award 2016.

Honorable Mention: Qasr Al Wadi, Morocco by Shams Essawy Naga

Jury comments: The jury were impressed by the expansive and confident treatment of integrating an ambitiously conceived family house in a complex, undulating landscape, and commended the clarity of the sectional design in providing a diverse series of external spaces perfectly complementing the internal functional programme.

Honorable Mention: Academy of Architecture in Switzerland by Amr Hosni Soliman

Jury comments: The rigorous and robust architectural strategies of this school at Mendrisio were commended by the panel as providing a wonderful context for the study of architecture.

There was particular praise for the quality of the interiors which skillfully captured views of the surrounding landscape, at the same time as filtering light to create a series of intimate and very pleasurable spaces.

All images courtesy of The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA)

The BA has announced the winners in the award ceremony of the 2016 Hassan Fathi Award for Architecture, taking place on Wednesday, 2 November 2016. The BA has also inaugurated the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Presidents Medals Award Exhibition 2015 alongside the award ceremony.

The exhibition showcases the works of the winners and a selection of entries submitted to the RIBA competition. The ceremony will be followed by a seminar titled The Future of Architectural Education in Egypt.

The winner in each of the competitions main categories is awarded a golden medal bearing the name of the Hassan Fathi Award for Architecture and a certificate of appreciation. This ceremony is considered one of the most important architectural events to take place in Alexandria, as it aims to improve contemporary Egyptian architecture, spread cultural awareness about the importance of architecture in society, and encourage and honor Egyptian architects.

> via The Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Canl Bahis siteleri sektoru son derece onu ack ve farkl ozelliklere sahip bir sektordur. Elbette bahis secenekleri arasnda yuksek kazanc getiren alan kuskusuz canl bahistir. Peki, canl bahis nedir?

Canl Bahis Nedir?

Canl bahis adndan da anlaslacag gibi devam eden musabakaya bahis yapmaktr. Bu bahis musabaka devam ederken de yaplabilir olmasdr. Basta futbol olmak uzere voleybol, tenis, hentbol, basketbol, buz hokeyi ve masa tenisi gibi spor organizasyonlarna canl bahisler yaplabilmektedir. Canl bahis siteleri bu oyunlarn hepsine yuksek oranlara bahis yapmanza imkan tanr. En fazla tercih edilen futbol canl bahisleri diger alanlara gore daha fazla on plandadr. Siteden siteye degisen sartlar ve uygulama esaslar soz konusu olsa da kurallar sabittir.

Canl bahisi populer klan ve heyecan katan en onemli ozellikle musabakann basladg ana dek bahis yapabilmedir. Canl bahis icerisinde yer alan secenekler kazanma sansnz da dogrudan arttrmaktadr. Ilk korneri kim kullanr, ilk tac, gol, sar kart, krmz kart gibi futbol musabakas icerisinde olabilecek hemen hemen her seye bahis yaplabilmektedir. Normal bahisegore de son derece yuksek oranda olmas avantajl yonlerini ortaya koymaktadr. Nitekim dogru secenek ksa surede kazancl ckmanza etki edecektir.

Strateji ve dogru analizle 90 dakika gibi bir surede anaparanzkatlayabilirsiniz. Tabi bunu basarabilmek icin mutlaka musabakaya dair ayrntlar iyi degerlendirmek gerekir. Soz konusu musabakann detaylarn inceleyip, cezal, sakat oyuncu veya performans dusen takm oyunu gibi detaylar bilmek canl bahiste kazanc belirleyen onemli unsurdur. Guvenilir Canl bahis hem heyecanl zaman gecirmeyi hem de musabakalar takip ederken para kazanmay saglamaktadr.

Canl Bahis Nasl Oynanr?

Bahislerinizi guvenilir sitelerden gerceklestirdiginiz zaman herhangi bir sekilde para cekme de sorun yasamazsnz. Guvenilir bahis siteleri tespit edip sonrasnda da uyelik islemlerini tamamlamanz gerekmektedir. Belirlenen uyelik sartlarn yerine getirip hesabnza da paray aktardktan sonra bahis islemlerini sorunsuz yapabilirsiniz. Peki, canl bahis nasl oynanr?

Oncelikle bahis konusunda mutlaka dogru site arastrmas yapmalsnz. Yapacagnz arastrma neticesinde buldugunuz site uzerinden canl bahisislemlerini gerceklestirebilirsiniz. Bunun icin uye olup, hesaba para atp, canl bahis bolumune girmelisiniz. Sonrasnda dahil olmak istediginiz musabakann saatini ogrenip, gerekli analizleri yapmalsnz. Tahminlerinizi belirledikten sonra karsnza ckacak olan bahis sayfasndan istediginiz hamleyi yapmalsnz. Bahis tutarn belirledikten sonra musabaka baslayacaktr.

Canl bahis diger normal bahis esaslarna gore farkllklar icermektedir. Bunlardan en onemlisi musabakann gidisatna gore islem yapabilir olmaktr.Ayrca musabakann 2. Yarsna gore hamle yapp ayr bir bahisin soz konusu olmas da ciddi avantajdr. Dogru hamle ile sizde istediginiz bahisi yapp kazanc elde edebilirsiniz. Nitekim canl olarak yapacagnz bahis icin mac oncesi raporlara gore hareket etmek onemlidir. Cunku takmlarn durumlarn analiz etmek tahmin gucunu arttracaktr. Misal tamnn en iyi oyuncusu sakat ya da kart cezals ise takmn performansnda dusus yasanacaktr. Buna ek olarak takmn deplasman performans ile evinde ki performans ayr olacaktr. Burada da takmn musabakay nerede yaptgna bakmak gerekir. Bu ayrntlar da iyice analiz ettikten sonra bahsinizi yapp kazanmann keyfini yasayabilirsiniz.

Canl Bahis Siteleri

Son derece yuksek getiriye sahip bahis sektoru uzun zamandr faaliyet gostermektedir. Cok ciddi rakamlarn soz konusu oldugu bu sektor zamanla sanal ortamlara donusmustur. Elbette guvenli ve bir o kadar da avantajl olan bu siteler cok yonlu frsatlar sunmaktadrlar. Canl iddaa siteleri gerek yeni uyelere gerekse de hali hazrdaki uyelerine bolca bonus frsatlar vermektedir. Yatracagnz tutara gore belirlenen bonuslar site icerisinde rahat hareket etmenizi de saglayacaktr.

Canl bahis sitelerini kullanmadan once mutlaka guvenli olup olmadgna goz atmalsnz. Zira baz kullanclar guvenli olmayan sitelerden yaptklar islemlerden dolay magdur olmaktadrlar. Nitekim guvenli ve sorunsuz hizmet sunan yurt ds site tercih etmek en dogru secenektir. Sektorde uzun yllar faaliyet gosteren siteleri tercih edebilirsiniz. Bu alanda yer alan yabanc siteler musteri memnuniyetine onem vermektedir. Oncelik site kullanclarn sorunsuz sekilde bahislerini yapabilir olmasn saglamaktr. Bahis sitelerinde amac hem daha fazla kullancya hizmet vermek hem de sektorde emin admlarla ilerlemek onceliklidir. Dogru site tercihi ile sizde canl bahislerinizi sorun yasamadan gerceklestirebilirsiniz. Sizler icin hazrlams oldugumuz canl bahis siteleri listesi su sekildedir;

Mobilbahis Tempobet Bets10 Bahigo 1xbahis Betboo Youwin Superbahis

Sralams oldugumuz bu siteler sektorde basarl islere imza atms sitelerdedir. Canl bahis konusunda beklentileri karslayacak olan bu siteler sizlere kolaylk sunmaktadrlar. Bol bonuslu secenekle de sizlere farkl bahis yonlerini sunacaklardr. Sistemsel etki icerisinde her zaman etkin sonuc alabilmek icin surekli olarak faaliyet icerisindedirler.

Canl Bahis Taktikleri

Bahis sektorunun en fazla dikkat edilmesi gereken hususu dogru taktik ve dogru tahmindir. Elbette dogru tahmini yapabilmek icin analizi cok iyi yapmak gerekir. Canl bahis taktikleri arasnda ilk sra analiz gelmektedir. Analiz yapamadgnz zaman basarl tahminlerde bulunmanz pek de mumkun degildir. Cunku bahiste onemli olan konu musabakann analizini cok iyi yaplmas gerektigidir. Canl bahisin ozelliklerini iyi bilmek ve nasl bir hamle yapacagnz bilmek gerekir. Ozellikle riskli maclarda yaplacak degerlendirmeler cok daha onemlidir.

Canl bahis yapacaklarn takip edecegi degerler takmlarn durumlar ile alakal olmaldr. Performans uzerine kurulu bahis sisteminde takm degerlendirmesine iyi bakmak gerekir. Iki takmn son 5 macta nasl bir sonuc ortaya koyduguna bakarak hareket etmek onemlidir. Ayrca hangi takm evinde daha iyi performans sergiliyor diye de ayrca bakmak gerekir.

Analizlerle alakal puan durumlarna da goz atmak cok onemlidir. Puan degerlendirmesinde oncelikle takmlarn ihtiyaclar ile dogru orantl hareket etmek gerekir. Cunku olusturulan performans takmn da durumunu ortaya koymaktadr. Nitekim istenilen sonucu elde edebilmek icin tum ayrntlar bilmek gerekir. Takm ici duzenden tutunda da takmn son durumuna kadar her ayrnt onemlidir. Iki takmn birbirleri arasnda ki sonuclar da incelemek gerekir. Burada dikkat edilecek detaylarn basnda maclarda kac gol oldugu ve gollerin hangi dakikalarda atldgdr. Cekismeli gecen musabakalarda bazen goller ilk yarda daha fazla olurken baz maclarda da ikinci yarda daha cok gol olmustur. Iki takm arasnda ki maclarda gollerin cogunlugu ilk yarda geliyorsa buna gore bahis yapabilirsiniz.

Canl Bahis Siteleri Bonuslar ve Kampanyalar

Bahis yapanlar veya yapmay dusununler sitelerin sunmus olduklar frsatlar merak etmektedirler. Cunku siteler daha fazla kullancya erismek icin her donem kampanyalar duzenleyerek kullanc odakl hamleler yapmaktadrlar. Canl bahis bonuslar ve kampanyalar oldukca populer olup, siteler bu konuda adeta birbirleri ile yarsmaktadrlar. Birbirinden farkl ozelliklere sahip olan kampanyalar size frsatlar sunmaktadr. Daha cok kazanma ihtimalinizi arttran bu bonuslar daha cesur olmanza da dogrudan etki edecektir. Nitekim bonuslar sitelerin cekiciligini ve avantajlarn arttrmaktadr. En cok kazandran canl bahis siteleri bedava bonuslar ve kampanyalar icin http://www.milano2018.com/canli-bahis-siteleri-2022/ linkinden yardm alabilirsiniz.

Hos geldin bonusu ile baslayan ve sonrasnda para yatrdkca bonus veren cok sayda site bulunmaktadr. Canl bahis bonusu veren siteler yeni uyelere sunduklar frsatlar farkl kampanyalarla mevcut uyelerine de sunmaktadrlar. Hali hazrda siteyi kullananlarn da bonus frsatlarndan yararlanmalar icin donemsel kampanyalar olusturmaktadrlar. Boylece baska sitelere gidisler olmayacag gibi site de daha keyifli zaman gecirmek mumkun klnmaktadr. Bu tur eklentiler yapan sitelerde musteri memnuniyeti daha fazladr.

Bahis siteleri ozellik ve uygulama bakmndan farkllklar bunyelerinde bulundurmaktadrlar. Verilen bonuslarn olusturulmas ve kullanclar aktarlmasnda yatrlan para miktarlar belirleyici olmaktadr. 1.000 TL yatran bir kullanc yuzde 20 bonus frsat olan bir kampanyadan 200 TL bonus kazanabilmektedir. Yatracag tutar 10.000 TL oldugunda bu bonustutar 2.000 TL olabilmektedir. Gerceklesen ve uygulanan esaslar tamamen donemsel olarak yaplan kampanyalarla alakaldr. Iyi Canl bahis siteleri bonuslar ve kampanyalar icin sitelerin vermis oldugu oranlar takip edebilirsiniz.

Canl Bahis Siteleri Para Yatrma

Online Canl bahis yapacaklarn merak ettigi konulardan bir digeri de para yatrma islemleridir. Oldukca onemli olan bu konuda hata yapmamak cok onemlidir. Canl bahis sitelerine para yatrma islemi sanlann aksine son derece basittir. Oldukca basit ve uygulama esas dogru etki olusturan bu yapda sizde islemi rahatca tamamlayabilirsiniz. Para yatrma konusunda su yolu izleyebilirsiniz.

Guvendiginiz ve herhangi bir sekilde aklnzda soru isareti kalmayan bahis sitesine uye olmanz gerekmektedir. Uyelik islemini sorunsuz sekilde tamamladktan sonra para yatrma islemine gecebilirsiniz.

Kullanacagnz siteye uye olduktan sonra karsnza kullanc ad ve sifresini gireceginiz yer gelecektir. Buraya giris yaptktan sonra site icerisine islemlere devam edebilirsiniz.

Sitede yer alan para yatrma sekmesine tklayp sonrasnda karsnza gelen sayfay inceleyebilirsiniz. Para yatrma bolumunde yer alan ksma ne kadar para yatracagnz yazp devam tusuna basmalsnz.

Yatrmak istediginiz tutar girip sonrasnda da devam tusuna bastktan sonra karsnza kart bilgilerinizi gireceginiz sayfa gelecektir. Kredi kart kullanarak para gondermek isteyenlerin tercih ettigi bu sayfa tum bilgiler girilip islem onaylanmaldr.

Canl bahis sitelerine para yatrma islemini gerceklestirmek icin hesaba havale secenegini de kullanabilirsiniz. Site icerisinde musteri hizmetleri ile iletisime gecerek banka hesap numaralarn ogrenebilirsiniz. Belirtilen IBAN numarasna istediginiz tutar havale edebilirsiniz. Havale ederken acklama ksmna yazlacak bilgilere dikkat etmelisiniz.

Kredi kart veya banka havalesi ile gerceklesen para yatrma islemi sonucunda site hesabnzdan bakiyenize bakabilirsiniz. Bakiyenize gore dilediginiz sekilde bahislerinizi gerceklestirebilirsiniz.

Canl Bahis Siteleri Para Cekme

Canl bahiste dogru hamleler ve dogru tahminler sonucunda kazandgnz bedeli geri almak isteyebilirsiniz. Kazanclarnz istediginiz banka hesabnza cekebilmek icin uymanz gereken kurallar soz konusudur. Oncelikle bahis sitelerinden para cekebilmeniz icin uye olurken dogru bilgi paylasmnda bulunmanz gerektigidir. Cunku canl bahis sitelerinden para cekme islemi icin kullanc hesab ile talep edilen banka hesap bilgilerinin ortusmesi gerekir. Yani uye olurken verilen bilgi ile banka hesab kime ait ise o bilgiler ayn olmaldr. Bu uygulama sitenin hem kullancsn hem de kendisini guvene alma politikasdr. Ayrca frsatclarn onune gecerek yeni bir uye olusumunun da onune gecmek amac gutmektedir. Uye olan kisi farkl para cekilme talebi verilen hesap farkl oldugunda para cekme islemi gerceklesmeyecektir.

Bahisleriniz sonucunda kazanc elde edebilir ve bu kazancnz da hakknz olarak almak isteyebilirsiniz. Burada son derece basit uygulama soz konusu olurken siteler aras farkl gorunumler soz konusu olabilir. Fakat yine de tum sitelerde uyenin site icerisinde para cekme bolumune girmesi yeterlidir. Burada cekilecek olan tutarn belirlenmesi ve hesap numarasnn girilmesi ile birlikte islem onay gerekecektir. Para cekme taleplerinde sizden gerekli bilgiler istenmekte ve havale islemi istenilen bilgiler esliginde yurutulmektedir. Dogru bilgi paylasmak sorunsuz para cekebilmeniz en onemli kuraldr. Istenilen bilgiler girildikten sonra site sorumlular gerekli kontrolleri yapp herhangi bir sorun yoksa ksa surede hesabnza gerekli paray aktaracaklardr.

Canl Bahis Sitelerinden Para Cekmek Icin Istenen Belgeler

Bahis sitelerine uye olduktan sonra baz kullanclar para cekme taleplerinin karslanmadg konusunda sikayetlerde bulunmuslardr. Bu sikayetlersektorde uzun zamandr bulunan guvenilir bahis siteleri de yer almaktadr. Fakat sikayetlerin dayanaklarna bakldgnda ise islerin tamamen farkl oldugu gorulmektedir. Yasanan bu durum kullanclarn hatal bilgi girmesi ve uyelik bilgileri ile banka bilgilerinin uyusmamas ile dogru orantldr. Birde canl bahis para cekmek icin istenen belgeler eksik ya da hatal olarak sunulmus olabilir. Ortaya ckan karsklar neticesinde para cekme talebinde bulunan kisi istedigini alamadg icin sikayetci olmaktadr. Oysa ki istenilen bilgiler dogru ve istenilen evraklar eksiksiz sunulsa para cekme islemi sorunsuz olacak.

Sitelerin para cekme konusunda dikkatli hareket etmesi hilelerin ve illegal faaliyetlerin onune gecmek adnadr. Cunku baz kullanclar farkl bilgiler vererek ikinci hesap acabilmektedirler. Bazen de bilincsizce hatal bilgi girilebilmektedir. Hatal islemlerin cozumu konusunda islem yaptgnz sitenin musteri temsilcileri ile gorusebilirsiniz. Talepleriniz dogrultusunda para cekme islemlerinde ki sorunlar giderilecektir. Canl bahis para cekmek icin istenen belgeler listesi su sekildedir;

Kullanc bilgileri ile banka bilgilerini karslastrmak icin kimlik fotokopisi

Banka hesap bilgileri

Ikametgah ve kisiye ait herhangi bir fatura.

Kacak Iddaa

Turkiyede dogrudan bahis yapmak icin resmi kanallar kullanlabilmektedir. Fakat tercih edilen ve oran olarak cok daha fazla frsatlar sunan kacar iddaasiteleri bulunmaktadr. Bu siteler kanunlara aykr sekilde yaplmakta olup, yasal bir dayanag yoktur. Elbette bu sitelerin kurulus merkezi Turkiye olmayp, ds ulkelerdedir ve faaliyetler belirlenen siteler uzerinden yaplmaktadr. Kacak Iddaa oldukca riskli olup, cok dikkatli olunmas gerekir.

Kacak Bahis

Kanunlar cercevesinde istediginiz gibi bahis yapamayabilirsiniz. Bahis yapabilmek icin ya kanuni olarak sorun olmayan ulke dsnda ki kumarhanelere gitmeniz veya kacak bahis sitelerinden islem yapabilirsiniz. Zira bu durum tehlikeli olsa da cok sayda site guvenli sekilde bu alanda hizmet vermektedir. Kacak bahiste oldukca fazla secenek bulunurken yuksek oranda kazanc sunuyor olmas da ragbeti arttryor.

Illegal Bahis

Bahisin bircok alanda yasak oldugu Turkiyede bu alanda cok sayda yabanc merkezli siteler hizmet vermektedir. Illegal bahis sektorunde faaliyet gosteren siteler guvenli hizmet anlays ile kullanclarna frsatlar sunmaktadr. Yurt ds merkezli bu siteler sorunsuz sekilde hizmetlerini surdururken bulunduklar ulkelerde kanunlara uygun sekildedir. Elbette faaliyet noktasnda bulunduklar ulkelerde sorun teskil etmese de Turkiyede faaliyet gostermeleri kanunin yasaklanmstr.

Yasads Bahis

Gerek olusturulan etkenler gerekse de ortaya konulan riskler yasads bahis de oldukca tehlikelidir. Kanunlarn mudahil olduklar bu alanlar da hem kullanclar hem de populer bahis yaptranlar tum riskleri goze almaktadrlar. Fakat yasaklardan uzak sekilde guvenli hizmet sunan siteler de bulunmaktadr. Takipler neticesinde kapatlan sitelerin muhakkak alternatifleri kurularak yollarna devam etmektedirler.

Canl Iddaa Siteleri Nelerdir?

Dunya genelinde kabul gormus cok sayda guvenli hizmet veren populer bahis siteleri bulunmaktadr. Elbette bu siteler dunyann bircok ulkesinde faaliyet gosterse de Turkiyede yasaktr. Sektorde yer alan cok sayda legal iddaa siteleri bulunmaktadr. Herhangi bir kanunsuzlugun olmadg bu sitelerden hzl ve guvenli islem yaplabilmektedir. Tabi bu sitelerde uygulanan oranlar yasal olmayan sitelere gore daha dusuktur. Illegal sitelerin tercih edilme sebeplerinin en onemli etkeni de olusturulan oranlardr. Peki, Iddaa siteleri nelerdir? Faaliyetleri ve uygulama esaslar nelerdir?

Turkiyede faaliyet gosteren yasal iddaa siteleri listesi su sekildedir;

Iddaa

Bilyoner

Tuttur

Birebin

Oley

Nesine

Misli

Iddaa

2004 ylnda hizmet vermeye baslayan Iddaa Spor toto tarafndan kurulmus olup, ilk etapta bayilik seklinde calsmaya baslamstr. Elbette zamanla gelisen teknolojiye ayak uydurarak internet uzerinde de populer bahis severlerin hizmetine sunulmustur. Kuruldugu donemde devletin resmi kurumu olarak faaliyet gosterirken gelinen yeni donemde ozellestirilmistir.

Bilyoner

Turkiyede faaliyetine 2006 ylnda baslayan Bilyoner ilk ozel yasal bahis sitesi olma ozelligine sahiptir. Guvenilir bahis siteleri Turkiyede bunlardr. Ksa surede populer olan site halen faaliyetlerini sorunsuz sekilde surdurmektedir.

Tuttur

Ksa surede adndan bahsettirmeyi basaran Tuttur 2009 ylnda faaliyetlere baslamstr. Guvenilir bahis siteleri arasnda yerini almstr. Gunumuze dek bircok alanda populer bahis yapanlara frsatlar sunarken avantajlar ile de begeni toplamstr.

Birebin

Kullanc odakl calsmalar surdurse de 2011 ylnda sektore giren Birebindiger sitelere gore daha az ragbet gormektedir. Bahis oynamak ise bu sitede oldukca kolaydr. Elbette farkl yaklasmlara sahip olmasndan dolay ilerleyen sureclerde adndan sklkla bahsettirecek gibi gorunuyor.

Oley

2009 ylnda Dogus yayn gruplarnn istiraki olarak kurulmus olup yasal olarak herhangi bir sorunu olmayan sitelerdendir. Bahis siteleri arasnda hzl cks yapms bir sitedir. Oley yapms oldugu yenilikler ile kullanclarn da dikkatini ksa surede cekmeyi basarmstr.

Nesine

Birbirini takip eden surecte Nesine de yine 2006 ylnda hizmet vermeye baslamstr. Yasal bahis siteleri arasnda yerini almay basaran firma ksa surede sevilen ve ragbet goren bir site olmustur.

Misli

2009 ylnda sektore cok hzl giris yapan Misli cok sayda reklam filmi ile on plana ckmay basarmstr. Internet uzerinden hem yasal hem de sorunsuz hizmet veren bahis sitelerinden bir tanesi olmustur.

Canl Bahis Siteleri Kayt ve Uyelik Islemleri

Her zaman populerligini koruyan ve surekli gelisim gosteren canl bahis gun gectikce daha da gucleniyor. Bahis oynamak icin ise sitelere uye olunmas gerekir. Yuksek getirisi ve begeni toplayan faaliyetleri ile cok sayda site bu alanda faaliyet gostermektedir. Elbette sorunsuz sekilde uye olmanz ve faaliyetler gostermeniz de oldukca kolaydr. Canl bahis siteleri kayt ve uyelik islemleri dakikalar icerisinde gerceklestirilecek yapya sahiptir.

Uye olacagnz siteyi belirledikten sonra siteye girmeniz gerekmektedir. Girdiginiz sitenin ana sayfasnda uye ol ya da kayt ol bolumu bulunacaktr. Siteler arasnda degiskenlik gosteren bu alanda temel unsurlar bulunmaktadr. Elbette farkllklar olsa da temelinde benzer bilgiler uye olmak isteyen kisilerden talep edilmektedir.

Uye ol bolumune tkladktan sonra karsnza uyelik bilgi formu ckacaktr. Bu formda sizin kim oldugunuzu ogrenmek ve sitenin guvenligini saglamak adna islemler yaplmaktadr. Uyelik formunda yer alan ad soyad bolumunu eksiksiz ve dogru sekilde doldurmalsnz. Sizden bu formda istenen bilgilerin tamamn girmeniz istenecektir. Istenen bilgiler mutlaka dogru ve eksiksiz sekilde olmaldr. Eksik veya hatal bilgi uyelik islemlerinde sorun teskil edebilir. Yine de yanls bilgi girisine ragmen uyelik islemleri tamamlanabilir. Fakat boyle bir yol izleyenler sonrasnda buyuk skntlarla karslasabilirler. Bu skntlarn basnda da para cekme islemlerinde yasanan sorunlardr.

Uyelik islemleri dikkatli ve ozenle doldurulmas gereken yapdadr. Canl bahis siteleri kayt ve uyelik islemleri gerceklestirilirken verilen bilgiler site yonetimi tarafndan muhafaza edilmektedir. Herhangi bir sekilde 3. Sahslarla paylaslmas gibi bir durum soz konusu degildir. Bu faaliyetleri surduren sitelerin guven unsurlar arasnda bu nokta onceliklidir.

Bahis sitelerine uye olurken hatal bilgi paylasmnda bulunmak size faydadan cok zarar verecektir. Diyelim ki bilgileri hatal girdiniz ve uyelik onayland. Uyelik tamamlandktan sonra siteye para yatrdnz ve kazanc elde ettiniz. Kazancnz sonrasnda hesabnza almak istediginizde karsnza banka bilgileri bolumu gelecektir. Para cekme talebi gerceklestikten sonra site uyelik bilgileri ile banka hesap bilgileri ortusmez ise paranz alamazsnz. Boyle bir durumla karslasmamak adna bu hususa ayrca dikkat etmelisiniz.
Jennifer Ouellette in Quanta Magazine:

The mere mention of quantum consciousness makes most physicists cringe, as the phrase seems to evoke the vague, insipid musings of a New Age guru. But if a new hypothesis proves to be correct, quantum effects might indeed play some role in human cognition. Matthew Fisher, a physicist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, raised eyebrows late last year when he published a paper in Annals of Physics proposing that the nuclear spins of phosphorus atoms could serve as rudimentary qubits in the brain  which would essentially enable the brain to function like a quantum computer.

As recently as 10 years ago, Fishers hypothesis would have been dismissed by many as nonsense. Physicists have been burned by this sort of thing before, most notably in 1989, when Roger Penrose proposed that mysterious protein structures called microtubules played a role in human consciousness by exploiting quantum effects. Few researchers believe such a hypothesis plausible. Patricia Churchland, a neurophilosopher at the University of California, San Diego, memorably opined that one might as well invoke pixie dust in the synapses to explain human cognition.

Fishers hypothesis faces the same daunting obstacle that has plagued microtubules: a phenomenon called quantum decoherence. To build an operating quantum computer, you need to connect qubits  quantum bits of information  in a process called entanglement. But entangled qubits exist in a fragile state. They must be carefully shielded from any noise in the surrounding environment. Just one photon bumping into your qubit would be enough to make the entire system decohere, destroying the entanglement and wiping out the quantum properties of the system. Its challenging enough to do quantum processing in a carefully controlled laboratory environment, never mind the warm, wet, complicated mess that is human biology, where maintaining coherence for sufficiently long periods of time is well nigh impossible.

More here.
Lauren Morello in Nature:

The presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is dominating the discussion about the upcoming US election, but its not the only contest to watch on 8 November. Choices that voters make will influence other levels of government  and some of these decisions will steer the course of science and science policy.

Will Congress change hands?

Winning the White House is only half the battle for the next president. The political balance of the two houses of Congress  the US House of Representatives and the Senate  can determine whether a presidents policies become law or die on the vine. The Republican Party currently controls both houses. But on 8 November, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for grabs, as are 34 of the 100 seats in the Senate. Although the House seems likely to remain in Republican hands, a Democratic take-over of the Senate is possible. That would benefit Clinton  a Democrat  if she prevails over Trump: the latest polls suggest she has a narrow lead. A Democratic Senate would be more likely to back her funding and policy priorities, such as increasing science spending and fighting climate change, and to approve her nominees for government posts at NASA, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other agencies key to science. And if the Senate ends up split with 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans, the vice-president  who is also president of the Senate  would break the tie, handing control to the party that wins the White House.

Individual House and Senate races  and retirements  are set to change the political landscape for US science agencies in subtler ways.

More here.
Matt Feeney in The New Yorker:

Theres a sort of ideal figure that conservative intellectuals conjure when they want to argue about the essence of their ideology. This figure is a dreamy quietist of peaceable disposition, who savors apolitical friendship, nurses a skeptical outlook, and looks to an anti-theoretical politics of homey tradition and humane, but chastened, sentiment to guide him. The political scientist Corey Robin argues in his 2012 book, The Reactionary Mind, that this ideal is more like a myth. Conservatism, Robin says, is always inherently a politics of reactionusually also populist, often also violent. From Robins argument, we could predict that a conservative party would be unlikely to nominate the idealized conservative as its standard-bearer, but that it would absolutely yoke itself to a populist nut job like Donald Trump.

Robins argument about why this happens is a little too sweeping at times, too reliant upon convenient factoids for its historical-theoretical linkages. For example, he dubiously establishes that libertarians are secret heirs to Hobbesian absolutism by noting that the free-market economist Milton Friedman was an adviser to the Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. And conservative readers would surely grind their molars on seeing John Calhoun and Ronald Reagan blithely summoned as members of the same political team. By the same token, this bold and maddening connection between a notorious slavery apologist and a beloved Republican provided a polemical charge that was no doubt central in turning the book into an unexpected publishing hit among progressives still energized by the Occupy movement.

More here.
Robert McCrum in The Guardian:

According to Robert Byrons Oxford contemporary Evelyn Waugh  never the most reliable witness  the future author of The Road to Oxiana used to delight in shouting Down with abroad. Typical in striking a pose, Byron was an aggressive Oxford aesthete of the Brideshead generation, a homosexual wanderer whose precocious career as a travel writer and art historian can be traced through a succession of prewar gems. (Robert Byron by James Knox, published by John Murray in 2003, remains the principal biographical source.) Byron wrote The Station, aged 22, after a visit to Mount Athos on a mule, Fortnum & Mason saddlebags bursting with a soda siphon and chicken in aspic. This was followed by The Byzantine Achievement (1929) and The Birth of Western Painting (1930). In 1933, the publication of First Russia, Then Tibet confirmed Byrons reputation as a traveller and connoisseur. In the same year, accompanied by his friend Christopher Sykes, but tormented by his unrequited love for Desmond Parsons, Byron set out on a journey to Persia and Afghanistan, by way of Jerusalem, Damascus and Baghdad, in search of the origins of Islamic architecture. After many vicissitudes, The Road to Oxiana (the remote northern borderland of Afghanistan) became the record of his 11-month journey, a fabulous and intoxicating weave of surreal vignettes, journal entries and odd playlets. In these gorgeous pages, poetry, gossip and scholarship become braided into an exotic tapestry that dazzles as much today as it did on publication. As many critics have noted, unlike his contemporaries, such as Peter Fleming and Norman Douglas, Byron has not dated.

An enthusiastic literary critical response ranged from Graham Greene, who admired Byrons demotic, conversational brilliance, to the rivalrous Evelyn Waugh, who had to concede the books high spirits, via the Sunday Times, which linked Byron to his namesake (no relation) and declared him the last and finest fruit of the insolent humanism of the 18th century. Today, widely considered to be Byrons masterpiece, The Road to Oxiana stands as perhaps the greatest travel book of the 20th century.

More here.
Colin Dickey at The New Republic:

Artistic considerations of death and mayhem were De Quinceys bread and butter. De Quincey, she writes, gorged on scenes of violence, but unlike others he was able to transmute this passion into high art, particularly in his Macbeth essay and the satiric tour-de-force, On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts. Everything in this world has two handles, the anonymous narrator tells the assembled Society of Connoisseurs in Murder. Murder, for instance, may be laid hold of by its moral handle (as it generally is in the pulpit, and at the Old Bailey); and that, I confess, is its weak side; or it may also be treated aesthetically, as the Germans call itthat is, in relation to good taste. Long before Hollywood began catering to our innate fascination with murder, De Quincey was, like no one else before him, plumbing the depths of our darkest humanity, eschewing morality in favor of that second handle. It was De Quincey who legitimized the luxurious excitement of murder, Wilson reminds us, just as he legitimized, in his most famous work, Confessions of an English Opium-Eater, the pleasure of opiates.

It is that most famous work, the opium essay, which has paradoxically stood in the way of properly appreciating De Quinceys many other contributions to literature. InRebecca Solnits biography of Eadweard Muybridge, she describes how the photographer undermined his vast output of good work with his great work. Had he never done his excellent Yosemite studies, he might have been known for his less ambitious San Francisco cityscapes, and the Yosemite photos, in turn, have been all-but-forgotten by the later motion studies that changed the world.

more here.
There are two types of people in this world: people you want to drink with and people you hang out with that make you want to drink.  @BillMurray fan page





Tiki Night at Wildhawk

Recent wet weather has us fantasizing about cocktail umbrellas instead of the practical versions we've been carrying around. That's why you'll find us at Wildhawk early next week, kicking off Rum Mondays. The inaugural event will feature a welcome punch and Caribbean-style cocktails made with Plantation Rum. Guests can even rub elbows with Michael Goldman, brand ambassador for the blended Caribbean spirit. The monthly tiki night starts November 7th and repeats the first Monday of each month. // 3464 19th St. (Mission), wildhawksf.com





Anchor Unveils 42nd Annual Christmas Ale

It may be too early for Christmas music and holiday decorations, but the timing is perfect for Anchor Christmas Ale. Released every year in early November, this year's winter warmer is the 42nd iteration for Anchor Brewing Company. The ale features aromas of fruitcake, molasses, and fresh cut wood, and tastes of a roasted caramel malt, with notes of spiced chocolate and nuts, according to Anchor Brewmaster Scott Ungermann. You can find it in six packs, magnum bottles, and on tap through mid-January at numerous locations , including The Yard and Anchor Brewing Taproom. // 100 Terry A Francois Blvd. (Mission Bay); 1705 Mariposa St. (Potrero Hill), anchorbrewing.com





Learn the Art of Low-Proof Cocktails

Fans of Nico's low-proof cocktails can learn to make their own next Wednesday, November 9, at 6pm. Beverage director Maz Naba will be teaching a low-octane cocktail course, leading students through the making of three of Nico's popular cocktails which feature sake fortified with grain alcohol. Tickets are available online for $45 per person, including supplies, samples, and small bites. // 3228 Sacramento St. (Pacific Heights), nicosf.com



New Happy Hour at The Ramen Bar





Dip your toe into Japanese culture without getting soaked at The Ramen Bar's new happy hour, weekdays from 4pm to 7pm. The special happy hour menu features Miller High Life Ponies and furikake popcorn for a buck each, sake bombs for $4, and sake carafes for $6 with the purchase of a pitcher of Kirin. Pair the cheap drinks with $3 bites, including okonomiyaki tots, pork gyoza, and garlic-chili edamame. Kanpai! // 101 California St. (Financial District), theramenbar.com



Taste an Award-Winning Cocktail at Laszlo





The talented Nicky Beyries, bar manager for Laszlo and Foreign Cinema, just won a California cocktail competition in Los Angeles. Her award-winning cocktail, The Serpent's Kiss, is currently available at Laszlo for $14. The tropical concoction features rum and arrack mixed with passionfruit, orange, lime and mint. Breyers beat out ten other bartenders from the Bay Area and Southern California in the Diplomatico (Rum) World Tournament. In February, she will compete for the US title, followed by a global competition in London, if she wins. // 2526 Mission St. (Mission), laszlobar.com




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If you've ever had a brilliant idea for an invention, you've probably wondered if you could get a patent and make some money from it. Here's how to go about it.

Get money and investment savings tips in the AARP Money Newsletter

Get inspired

For Saul Palder, frustration was the mother of invention.

"One day, I was making a big pot of soup," recalls Palder, 90, an accomplished home cook. "I like to give things away, so I went to the cupboard to find containers. It was a mess."

That mess gave rise to his big idea: a spinning organizer that holds 24 containers and 24 lids, which he would dub the Smart Spin. He quickly got to work creating a prototype at a nearby carpentry shop and applied for a patent, which he received in 2003. The entire process, from initial idea to patent, took just over 12 months.

"I went from bum to hero in one year," says Boston-based Palder, who launched Smart Spin in his late 70s. Once he found a company to license the product, he stepped back from manufacturing and marketing efforts. His invention went on to sell more than 7 million units for about $20 each. Inventors' royalties are usually between 3 and 7 percent of wholesale revenues.
Get to know the candidates seeking three spots on Brown Co. Commission

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Newton dental Group in Newton, MA is owned by dentist, and local Tufts graduate, Dr. Brendon Chiou who is completing an environmentally friendly renovation of his dental practice at 290 Centre Street. His progressive emphasis on Green products and equipment has been applauded by patients and town alike. With LED bulbs being 500% more efficient than incandescent bulbs and lasting up to 50000 hrs/bulb, Massachusetts State Environmentalists praise Dr. Chious efforts.

Dr. Chiou hopes that other local businesses will also consider the environmentally friendly changes such as energy efficient LED lighting, water efficient plumbing and recycled patient goody bags.

The cost benefits may also persuade local businesses to consider the switch as an average business will save approximately $880.00/yr by switching 20 bulbs.

Dr. Chiou has been practicing since 2004. He is a Massachusetts State Police Surgeon, a member of the Massachusetts Dental Society, The American Academy of General Dentistry and a Member of the American Dental Association.

For more information, visit: www.newtondentalgroup.com

Media Contact

Company Name: Newton Dental Group

Contact Person: Dr. Brendon Chiou, DMD

Email: newtondentalgroup@gmail.com

Phone: 617-332-3100

Address:290 Centre St.

City: Newton

State: MA

Country: United States

Website: www.newtondentalgroup.com
Denison Mines Corp (TSE:DML) (NYSEMKT:DNN) is a uranium exploration and development company with interests focused in the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan. Including its 60% owned Wheeler River project, which hosts the high grade Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits, Denison's exploration portfolio consists of numerous projects covering over 350,000 hectares in the infrastructure rich eastern Athabasca Basin. Denison's interests in Saskatchewan also include a 22.5% ownership interest in the McClean Lake joint venture, which includes several uranium deposits and the McClean Lake uranium mill, which is currently processing ore from the Cigar Lake mine under a toll milling agreement, plus a 25.17% interest in the Midwest deposit and a 61.55% interest in the J Zone deposit on the Waterbury Lake property. Both the Midwest and J Zone deposits are located within 20 kilometres of the McClean Lake mill.

Denison is also engaged in mine decommissioning and environmental services through its Denison Environmental Services division and is the manager of Uranium Participation Corp., a publicly traded company which invests in uranium oxide and uranium hexafluoride.


Flexiroam Partners With Singapore Airlines Staff Union

Perth, Nov 2, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Flexiroam Limited ( ASX:FRX ) is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary Flexiroam Asia Limited ("Flexiroam") has signed a partnership agreement with Singapore Airlines Staff Union ("SIASU").



SIASU is an organisation established in Singapore to represent the employees of Singapore Airlines Limited and a number of its subsidiaries, and represents more than 10,600 members.



In the partnership agreement, Flexiroam and SIASU will collaborate to co-market and coordinate sales of Flexiroam services to SIASU members for a period of two years. Flexiroam has made an exclusive Flexiroam X offer to SIASU members, offering them complementary data upon the purchase of Flexiroam X membership with one gigabyte of data packages.



SIASU will promote Flexiroam X product through sending Electronic Direct Emails (EDMs) to all its members. SIASU will also feature Flexiroam and the exclusive Flexiroam X offer in the official SIASU website.



Flexiroam X is an ideal solution to users such as Singapore Airlines staff who travel frequently and across many countries. Flexiroam X allows users to roam in over 100 countries when the thin microchip is applied onto the existing SIM card.



General Secretary of SIASU, S. Rathakrishnan said "Our partnership with Flexiroam provides SIASU members great benefits with exclusive offers and reassurance to stay connected in over 100 countries. Flexiroam X is an excellent product for SIASU members especially for Cabin Crews who travel frequently as they can access data roaming and stay connected whilst overseas without having to switch SIM cards."



Managing Director of Flexiroam, Jef Ong added "This is a strategic partnership as Flexiroam benefits from increasing sales whilst SIASU members can benefit from the exclusive Flexiroam X offer. Flexiroam is determined to enhance the development of its market and increase its customer base through strategic partnerships."



About Flexiroam Ltd





FLEXIROAM Limited (ASX:FRX) is a leading telecommunications company offering universal voice and data services for mobile users globally. Its flagship data roaming product, FLEXIROAM X has coverage in over 100 countries with 4G speed in over 56 countries. FLEXIROAM is an asset light telecommunications company that does not own physical infrastructure yet is able to connect to around 580 network operators globally. FLEXIROAM aspires to be a household name in borderless mobile broadband service in Asia and beyond. Please visit https://www.flexiroam.com
Associated Press The Ecuadorean national flag flies outside its London Embassy, where WikiLeaks found Julian Assange has sought refuge since 2012. Assange says his hosts have cut him off from the internet.

SHARE A woman walks past the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016. Midway through releasing a series of damaging disclosures about U.S. presidential contender Hillary Clinton, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says his hosts at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London abruptly cut him off from the internet. The news adds another layer of intrigue to an extraordinary campaign. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

By Gonzalo Solano, Associated Press

QUITO, Ecuador  WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is finding himself in open conflict with his Ecuadorean protectors as the group's latest dump targeting Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign runs afoul of the South American government's goal of warming up to Washington.

Ecuador's move to cut off his internet access at its embassy in London was a stinging rebuke from leftist President Rafael Correa, who in 2012 heralded Assange as a digital-age Robin Hood and granted him asylum over protests from the United States, the United Kingdom and Sweden, where he faces allegations of rape.

Correa's government said Tuesday that WikiLeaks' publication of a trove of damaging emails from Clinton's campaign had impacted the U.S. election in violation of Ecuador's traditional respect for other nations' sovereignty.

Analysts say Correa is unlikely to now kick Assange out into the streets of London where he faces certain arrest. But allowing him to keep leaking secrets from the embassy risks putting the small Andean nation unwittingly on Russia's side of a brewing cyber-battle with the United States, Ecuador's top trade partner, at a time of deep economic stress.

"Before, the costs for Ecuador of hosting Assange were minor," said Santiago Basabe, a political analyst at the Latin American School of Social Sciences in Quito. "But they are growing bigger now because they involve questions of U.S. national security, its tense relations with Russia and the presidential elections."

The cascade of disclosures of Democratic operatives' hacked emails, including this week's publication of Clinton's speeches to Wall Street investment bank Goldman Sachs, has been hailed by Republican candidate Donald Trump as evidence of his rival's dishonesty. However, U.S. intelligence agents say the hack is the work of the Kremlin, although it's not clear how the files ended up with WikiLeaks.

Regardless, Ecuador has plenty of reasons to try to curry favor with Washington.

The oil-dependent, dollarized economy is fighting a recession made worse by low crude prices, a destructive earthquake in April and a strong U.S. dollar. Adding to the uncertainty is Correa's imminent departure from office after a decade in power that provided a sense of stability after years of coups and revolving-door presidencies.

Analysts say whoever wins February's election  Correa's preferred successor currently leads polls  is almost certain to turn to the International Monetary Fund for a bailout. In such a scenario the support of the Washington, the biggest shareholder in the IMF, will be key in determining how severe an austerity program is required.

"Assange has inserted Ecuador in the U.S. presidential campaign and exposed it to retaliation in case Clinton wins," said former Foreign Minister Mauricio Gandara, adding that the publication of stolen documents is considered a crime in Ecuador.

Correa, who in 2009 closed the only U.S. military base in South America and two years later expelled the U.S. ambassador, still peppers his speeches with anti-Yankee harangues in the mold of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

But with Venezuela in economic free fall and ideological allies losing power in countries like Argentina and Brazil, Correa has quietly extended an olive branch to the Obama administration and sought to deepen commercial ties. This week he's hosting a U.S. trade delegation.

Correa also praised Clinton in an interview last month with Moscow-based broadcaster RT.

"For the good of the United States and the world, and for my personal appreciation of her, I'd like to see Hillary win," he said.

Tensions between Assange and his hosts have surfaced before. In 2013, Correa criticized him for shooting a video from the embassy mocking Australian politicians during a political campaign.

On Tuesday, Ecuador said WikiLeaks' "journalistic activities" would not be affected by the "temporary restrictions" on Assange's communications.

Assange accused Ecuador of bowing to U.S. pressure and alleged that Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the issue with Correa last month in Colombia, something both Washington and Quito deny.

It seems unlikely he will submit to the internet ban quietly. Over the weekend WikiLeaks released three lines of code it described as "pre-commitments," labeling them "John Kerry," ''Ecuador," and "FCO"  an apparent reference to Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Pre-commitments are cryptographic functions that can be used to verify the integrity of material released subsequently.


Presentation to Tin Conference

Sydney, Nov 2, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Thomson Resources Ltd ( ASX:TMZ ) is pleased to provide the company's latest Presentation to Tin Conference held in Melbourne.



Investment Highlights



- Bygoo North discovery:



-- high grade, shallow tin deposit



-- multiple wide drill intercepts with grade above 1% Sn



--- 10m at 2.1%, 8m at 2.1%, 9m at 1.4%, 7m at 1.0%, 4m at 2.4%, 5m at 1.7%, 6m at 1.3%



--- all estimated true widths



-- simple mineral assemblage: cassiterite, quartz and topaz



-- one continuous zone and potential for repeats



- Tenement surrounding a historical world class tin mine



- Other tenements in highly prospective regional setting



- TMZ leveraged to both exploration success and tin prices



- Tightly held capital structure



Tin Mine Supply



- Inventories close to all time lows



- Prices are reacting to lack of supply



- Chinese tin imports increasing



- Indonesia production decreasing



- Myanmar production has limited capacity to expand



- No significant investment in new mines



Historical Tin Prices to 2016



- Price up 43% this year



- Very low inventories



- Current price A$27,500/t (A$12.50/lb)



- US$20,800/t (US$9.40/lb)



To view the presentation, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/20XUBR6L





About Thomson Resources Ltd





Thomson Resources Ltd (ASX:TMZ) is an NSW active mineral explorer. Thomson has several tin projects (including an advanced project near Ardlethan), as well as gold, copper and zinc targets in a range of settings. Thomson has a good record of discovery, with multiple new Intrusion-Related Gold (gold with copper, lead, zinc, molybdenum, tungsten) systems discovered in the Thomson Fold Belt in the NW of the state.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani forces violated the ceasefire regime around 40 times in the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact, the Defense Ministry of Nagorno Karabakh told ARMENPRESS.

The ministrys announcement reads: Overnight November 1-2 Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire regime in the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact around 40 times, firing more than 560 shots from various caliber small arms at Armenian positions.

In addition to small arms, Azerbaijani forces fired RPG 7 anti-tank (5 projectiles) and GP-25 (3 projectiles) under-barrel type grenade launchers in the northern direction of the line of contact.

The Defense Army forces maintained the ceasefire regime and took countermeasures only in case of strict necessity.
Humans settled Australia's arid zone 49,000 years ago

Thursday, 3 November 2016







New findings published today, involving University of Adelaide researchers, prove that humans occupied Australias arid interior and began developing sophisticated tools 10,000 years earlier than previously documented  around 49,000 years ago.



Published in Nature, the findings from the Warratyi Rock Shelter in the desert region of northern South Australia, show it to contain the oldest evidence of Aboriginal occupation in South Australia. Humans arrived in Australia about 50,000 years ago but the timing of their settlement in arid regions and cultural innovation have been uncertain.



This evidence reveals new insights into modern human colonisation of Australia, unique cultural innovation and interaction with now-extinct megafauna.



The project was led by arid zone research archaeologist Giles Hamm, an Honorary Fellow of the South Australian Museum and La Trobe University PhD candidate, working with geochronology specialists at the University of Adelaide Dr Lee Arnold and Professor Nigel Spooner, along with geomorphologist Dr Peter Mitchell, and other researchers from Flinders University and the University of Queensland. They have worked for the last nine years with the Adnyamathanha people in the Flinders Ranges.



The study suggests that people settled in the arid interior within a few millennia of arriving on the continent and shows that they developed key technologies and cultural practices much earlier than previously thought for Australia and Southeast Asia.



The team show that humans occupied the site from 49,000 to 46,000 years ago and that objects recovered from the various layers of sediment represent the earliest-known use in Australia of various technologies including: worked bone tools (40,000-38,000 years ago), stone tools modified for attaching to a handle (30,000-24,000 years ago) and the use of red ochre as pigment (49,000-46,000) and gypsum (40,000-33,000 years ago).



The University of Adelaide researchers  Dr Arnold, Adjunct Professor Nigel Spooner and Ms Daniele Questiaux  undertook the geochronology (dating) aspects of the study.



One of the key strengths of this study is the chronology, which has typically proved to be a contentious issue at early archaeological sites in Australia, says Dr Arnold, ARC Future Fellow with the University of Adelaides Environment Institute. We have used a range of complementary dating techniques and targeted different types of materials to ensure that the age of the site is reliably known.



The team applied a novel sediment dating technique known as single-grain optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating to determine when the fossil and artefact bearing sediments were deposited. Combined with statistical techniques, they were able to determine a precise occupation history for the archaeological site.



The OSL dating research was conducted at the University of Adelaides Prescott Environmental Luminescence Laboratory  one of the largest and best equipment dating laboratories in the world in this field.



The Warratyi Rock Shelter is a remarkable discovery, showing aboriginal settlement of the Australian arid zone long before the last ice age and contemporaneous with iconic Australian megafauna, and revealing an innovative material culture, including the utilisation of ochre pigments, much earlier than previously recorded for Australia and Southeast Asia, says Professor Spooner.

Contact Details











Media Release
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Nov. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Farmers Insurance, one of the nation's largest multiline insurer groups, today announced the launch of an innovative food truck insurance policy in North Dakota, marking the company's first official foray into the growing food truck insurance marketplace. Through its new offering, Farmers has begun to offer licensed food truck owners a single policy that combines commercial automobile coverage for their truck with a restaurant business owner policy.

North Dakota is one of the 28 states where the policy is now available to food truck entrepreneurs and restaurateurs.

"At Farmers, we understand that consumer preferences and the needs of business owners are constantly evolving, and we are continuously looking for new ways to meet these changing demands for our customers," said Jake Rothfuss, head of business insurance for commercial auto at Farmers Insurance. "The increased popularity of food trucks is an example of the impact of shifting consumer preferences and it's important for Farmers to be able to provide our business owner customers with the insurance they want to continue to be successful in this constantly changing economy."

The innovative Farmers food truck policy will offer food truck owners the option to obtain coverage for their truck or a truck attached to the stand-alone store. Currently, food truck owners are often left to work with a complex mixture of separate policies, including commercial auto, business owner and restaurant policies provided by different insurers. By combining these disparate coverages into a single food truck policy, mobile food entrepreneurs now have the option to select one policy for their food business on wheels.

With this new policy offering, Farmers aims to solve the growing need for a single food truck policy that combines the elements of a restaurant, business owner and commercial auto policy into one.

Farmers is making it simple for food truck owners to quickly and easily select the coverage they want by calling their local Farmers agent. Additionally, food truck entrepreneurs currently insured with other carriers can contact Farmers at the following toll-free number: 1-800-FARMERS, as well as visit Farmers.com to learn more about this innovative coverage through Farmers.

About Farmers Insurance

"Farmers Insurance" and "Farmers" are tradenames for a group of affiliated insurers providing insurance for automobiles, homes and small businesses and a wide range of other insurance and financial services and products. Farmers Insurance is proud to serve more than 10 million households with over 19 million individual policies, across all 50 states, through the efforts of more than 48,000 exclusive and independent agents and approximately 21,000 employees. Farmers Insurance Exchange, the largest of the three primary insurance insurers that make up Farmers Insurance, is recognized as one of the largest U.S. companies on the 2016 Fortune 500 list.

For more information about Farmers Insurance, visit Farmers.com, Twitter and Instagram, @WeAreFarmers, or Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance.

Contact: Farmers Insurance

Media Relations

(818) 965-0007

mediarelations@farmersinsurance.com

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130731/LA56061LOGO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/farmers-insurance-offers-innovative-new-food-truck-insurance-product-in-north-dakota-300355447.html

SOURCE Farmers Insurance
The leader in intelligent business applications offers free training to a new generation of engineers that will help meet market demand in machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies

Wizeline, the leading provider of digital product and customer experience solutions powered by artificial intelligence, today announced the launch of Wizeline Artificial Intelligence Academy, or Wizeline AI Academy for short. The program, which will matriculate its first classes starting in December 2016, offers qualified applicants tuition-free coursework on artificial intelligence, machine learning and other advanced software engineering skills and technologies. The courses will be given at Wizelines office campus in Guadalajara, Mexico. Interested candidates can apply by visiting AI Academys website.

With its main software engineering campus in Guadalajara, Wizeline has more than tripled in size in the past year. In addition to launching its AI Academy, the company plans to hire one hundred artificial intelligence engineers across its Guadalajara and Vietnam offices before March 2017. The company aims to address customer demand for AI-powered business applications while grooming talent to excel at the cutting edge of technology. Wizeline anticipates its AI Academy will bridge the gap between engineering talent today and the competitive hiring and product development demands facing the technology industry.

The goal of AI Academy is to prepare talented engineers for the massive growth in demand for artificial intelligence skillset, which has recently just begun, said Dr. Matt Pasienski, Wizelines Head of Growth and AI Academy Director. AI and machine learning today are what distributed systems and cloud-computing were about ten years agowhich means were poised for massive growth in demand for engineers with pertinent skillsets.

Wizeline AI Academy will offer two course tracks. The Machine Learning Intensive and the Data Science Intensive are designed for aspiring experts in advanced machine learning, data analysis, and other technologies. Wizeline AI Academy will also offer a number of weekend crash courses designed for students from a broader set of backgrounds who are looking to gain baseline familiarity with subject areas such as data science, natural language processing (NLP) and chatbots. After completing their chosen track, students with a background in computer science or engineering will be prepared to take on full-time artificial intelligence development work.

"Wizeline's work fostering startups, entrepreneurs and engineers has transformed Guadalajara and is creating new possibilities for the future of Mexico," said Jaime Reyes, Jalisco's Secretary of Innovation, Science and Technology. "We are excited to see talented Mexican technologists explore new frontiers and master the latest technology."

Wizeline AI Academy builds on the previous successes of the Wizeline UX Academy, which enrolled its first students in August 2016. Artificial intelligence already powers tools like IBMs Watson and Amazons Alexa, but there are many frontiers yet to explore using AI, machine learning, NLP, and other data analytics tools. By offering free courses designed to empower new generations of engineers, the Wizeline AI Academy will prepare its students to master these techniques. Graduates will not only solve world-class engineering challenges, they will have the expertise to explore new possibilities in technology.

Mexico, specifically Guadalajara, has all the ingredients for scaling AI software engineering: many great technical universities, a high-density of talented and creative engineers, said Bismarck Lepe, Wizeline founder and CEO. Even its moderate climate is conducive to scaling high-tech growthit literally feels like Silicon Valley, said Lepe.

Through AI Academy, Wizeline aims to encourage engineers who are curious about artificial intelligence to gain critical skills. To qualify for Wizeline AI Academys intensive course track, students must have a degree in computer science or applied mathematics, or have at least two years of experience developing software. To qualify for crash courses, students should know basic computer programming. To learn more and request more information, visit AI Academys website.

About Wizeline

With decades of experience building disruptive technology in the heart of Silicon Valley, Wizelines team shares a proven track record of enabling companies to achieve breakthrough results with software and services.

Customers of Wizeline include some of the fastest-growing software companies, as well as many of the worlds most established brands, including News Corp, Yahoo!, Sparkcentral, Nuance and many others. The company is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Guadalajara, Mexico and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. For more information, please visit www.wizeline.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005703/en/

Wizeline

Maddie Summa

maddie@wizeline.com
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "World: Artificial Joints For Orthopedic Purposes - Market Report - Analysis and Forecast to 2020" report to their offering.

From 2007 to 2014, global exports of artificial joints for orthopedic purposes showed steady growth, increasing more than twofold over that period. However, it flattened in the last year, amounting to 8,253 million USD in 2015. There was an annual increase of 9.5% throughout the analyzed period.

USA continued its dominance in the global supplies of artificial joints for orthopedic purposes. In 2015, exports of artificial joints for orthopedic purposes from USA totaled 1,655 million USD, which accounted for a 20% share of global exports. Belgium, Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland were the other key global suppliers of artificial joints for orthopedic purposes in 2015, with a 55% combined share of global exports.

Belgium (+45.1% per year) and Germany (+13.3% per year) were the fastest growing exporters from 2007 to 2015. Belgium significantly strengthened its position in the global export structure, growing its share from 2% in 2007 to 17% in 2015.

On the other hand, USA (22%, based on value terms), Germany (10%), France (7%), Belgium (7%), and the UK (6%) were the leading destinations of imports of artificial joints for orthopedic purposes in 2015. Imports to Belgium grew at a rapid pace of +20.9% per year from 2007 to 2015. By contrast, the UK contracted its share of imports by -4 percentage points over the same period. Meanwhile, Belgium's share of global imports increased by +4 percentage points.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction

2. Executive Summary

3. Market Overview

4. Production

5. Imports

6. Exports

7. Profiles Of Major Manufacturers

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ptw7qm/world_artificial

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005827/en/

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Related Topics: Orthopedic Devices
Tens of thousands of border villagers in Jammu and Kashmir have been forced out of their homes to take shelter in makeshift accommodations after shelling from across the border with Pakistan killed at least 19 people, including 11 civilians, in the past few weeks.

Some 25,000 villagers are estimated to have left their houses in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch districts close to the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC)  the de facto border that divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

Residents of 120 villages along the IB and 47 villages along the LoC have left for safer places, a divisional administration officer said. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to the media.

However, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal described the migration of villagers as temporary and said they leave their homes during the day and return by night.

Kotwal, however, admitted that the civilian authorities have closed, as a precaution, nearly 300 schools in villages and towns along the IB till further orders after Pakistan started targeting civilian areas.

The mass exodus comes even as the government has not ordered evacuation despite the tension between the two countries that escalated after 19 Indian soldiers were killed on September 18 in an attack by militants on an army base in Uri.

India in a retaliatory action launched surgical strikes across the LoC, destroying seven terror launch pads and killing an unknown number of terrorists and their sympathizers in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Since then the two sides have been regularly shelling each other and violating a 2003 ceasefire agreement to maintain peace at the 230 km border and 740 km of the LoC between them.

The raining mortar shells have turned life into a nightmare for these villagers. Many of them told IANS that the army and paramilitary forces have asked them to leave their homes for safety.

Jasbir Singh, 40, a medical assistant in a Ramgarh health centre, said he shifted along with his father, an ex-serviceman, to nearby Vijaypur area.

It is suicidal to continue living in our village where fire rains from the sky, said Jasbir Singh, whose village lies close to the border in Samba district.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has promised to rebuild the region devastated by an earthquake earlier this week. He also urged wary residents to accept relocation and leave their damaged homes, Deutsche Welle reported.

Renzi, who was visiting a quake-flattened area around the medieval town of Norcia, warned that the reconstruction effort would take time, but he vowed it would be thorough.

"I'm here to say that it won't be easy, it will take a long time... but little by little everything will be rebuilt," Renzi told residents as he visited the village of Preci.

Although it did not cause any deaths, Sunday's 6.6-magnitude earthquake was the most powerful to hit Italy in 36 years, leaving some 22,000 people homeless.

Renzi urged people to accept offers of relocation and temporary housing, stressing the police presence had been increased to avoid looting. He said tents were not a long-term solution in winter.

Thousands are presently sleeping under canvas or in emergency shelters, with others living in cars and aboard trains.

Many have refused to leave damaged villages and towns, despite numerous aftershocks and the risk of another large earthquake. Farmers have said they do not want to abandon their livestock, while many in more built-up areas are afraid their damaged empty homes might be burgled.
A speedboat carrying 93 Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia sank off an Indonesian island on Wednesday, killing 17 of them, Indonesias national disaster agency said.

The boat set sail from the southern Malaysian state of Johor and was headed towards Indonesias Batam island, just south of Singapore, the Indonesian national disaster mitigation agency said in a statement.

The boat crashed into a reef after being hit by big waves and strong wind, and sank at around dawn, the disaster agency said. About 39 people were evacuated and a search and rescue team was looking for the rest.

Zainul Arifin, one of the survivors who worked at an oil palm plantation in Malaysia, said he was sitting at the back of the boat when sea water started coming aboard.

I had to jump off and start swimming, Arifin said in the port town of Nongsa on Batam.

Many Indonesians work in Malaysian factories and plantations.

Boat accidents are common in Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago of more than 17,000 islands.
In a scathing attack, Congress city unit chief Sanjay Nirupam today alleged that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was encouraging corruption and that his clean image was a sham.

He alleged that certain land deals under the NDA government in the state were suspicious.

Fadnavis is encouraging corruption. His clean image is just a sham. Baba Ramdevs Patanjali (Group) has been given 230 acres of land in Nagpur for Rs. 25 lakh per acre whereas, the actual cost (of land) is Rs one crore per acre. Fadnavis is the Chairman of Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) which has approved the land deal. MADC had to suffer a loss of Rs. 170 crore, he said.

Nirupam said MADC was planning to compensate these losses by charging other companies at a rate which was 15 per cent higher for land.

MADC has also given 111 acres of land at Rs. 56 lakh per acre to Anil Ambani s Reliance Aerospace, a defence manufacturing company. The company is to get 468 acres of land, despite lacking in experience in defence production, he said.

The former MP also alleged that British rock band Coldplay has been given an MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) land at BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex) here at a 70-per cent discount for its upcoming performance.

The rock band has only been charged for the stage, while it is getting the ground (for the concert) for free. (Though) MMRDA has objected (to this move), but the decision (to give the land at a discounted rate) has been taken due to pressure from the Centre, Nirupam alleged.

He said the Congress will go alone in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls scheduled for early next year.

We are not thinking of and neither are we ready for an alliance with the NCP for the polls. This decision has been taken at the local level, Nirupam said.

He also accused the Fadnavis-led NDA government in the state of failing to deliver on its promises regarding building the Coastal Road, bullet trains and other infrastructure projects.
Ram Kishan Grewal, a former Army jawan, who was protesting over the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday. He was angry over the delay in the implementation of OROP scheme. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday were detained by Delhi Police when they visited RML hospital to meet ex-servicemens kin.

Grewals son Jaswant urged the Modi Government to look into the matter.

My father sacrificed for the nation. He was demanding the One Rank, One Pension. The Modi Government should think about this, he said.

Grewal, who was protesting at Jantar Mantar, called his family on Monday night and informed them that he was committing suicide as the government has failed to fulfill their demands related to OROP. He is believed to have consumed some poisonous substance to commit suicide.

A native of Bhiwani in Haryana. Grewal left behind a suicide note in which he expressed extreme displeasure over being denied benefits of 6th and 7th pay commissions.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in an emotional video message, said that the Narendra Modi government had deceived the soldiers of the nation.

It is very sad that on Tuesday evening, a former soldier of our country Ram Kishanji committed suicide over the implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, Kejriwal said.

His Deputy Manish Sisodia was dragged away and later detained by the police when he attempted to talk to Ram Kishans son. Sisodia and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Delhi Cantonment Commando Surender were detained by the police.

A furious Rahul Gandhi, Congress vice President said, Naya Hindustan ban raha hai bhaiya. He was prevented from entering New Delhis Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

Why I am not being allowed to meet them? What new India is this, Gandhi asked the police officers manning the gate of the hospital in central Delhi. Later, he was also detained by the police.

OROP scheme has been a long-standing demand of nearly three-million ex-servicemen and war widows in the country.

It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel, who retire at the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement.
[dropcap]R[/dropcap]am Kishan Grewal, a former Army jawan, who was protesting over the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, finally committed suicide when government started ignoring them. Grewal was protesting at Jantar Mantar and had then proceeded to meet the Defence Minister with a group of fellow protesters where he consumed poison.

The OROP scheme was announced by the Modi government on September 6, 2015 but ex-servicemen say it has failed to address their concerns. The scheme has been executed but still controversies remain within many defence personnel  both serving and retired  feel that their contribution to the nation and to the society is not adequately recognised or appreciated by the government. Their terminal benefits bear no resemblance to the realities of life in the civilian world. A nation cannot allow its soldiers to feel that it does not care for them. OROP is essentially an obligation of the Indian nation towards its soldiers and the price it must pay for maintaining a standing Army. OROP would send a strong emotional signal to soldiers and veterans.

The scheme, implemented after more than 40 years, promises equal pension to military personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of the date of retirement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently said the first installment of nearly Rs. 5,500 crore was paid towards OROP.

So what has been implemented if it is not OROP then the answer is one-time increase in pensions. If the anomalies are not removed, senior Defence personnel will start drawing fewer pensions than their juniors, a system unacceptable constitutionally, fairly and justifiably. The scheme is effective since July 1, 2014, with 2013 as the base year. The veterans wanted OROP from April 1, 2014 and 2015 as the base year. Around three million military personnel are covered under the OROP scheme. The arrears are to be paid in four half-yearly installments and all widows, including war widows, will get arrears in one go. First installment has been paid and second is on the way. The estimated cost to exchequer is expected to be Rs. 8,000 to 10,000 crore and will increase in future. The government has proposed a review every five years. The veterans want an annual review. Their contention is that a senior officer can never receive a smaller pension than a junior officer. The government initially said soldiers who took voluntary retirement would not be entitled to OROP. This hit a raw nerve as at least 40 per cent of servicemen retire early. Only those who retired before the plan kicked in would be entitled to OROP, the government has said. A single-member judicial panel set up by the government to look into various aspects of OROP, including inter-services matters, has submitted its report, which is yet to be made public.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has completed his two and half years of lavish government, in this tenure he hyped more and actually delivered less. Social network campaign, full-page newspaper ads marking the anniversaries of Prime Minister Narendra Modis government are visible. They spent crores of rupees in publicity campaigns. Religious programmes were heavily funded by the government on this occasion whereas country is grappling with crucial issues like poverty, famers suicide, unemployment. Unfortunately, the BJP under Modi has only done things that appeals to its core, committed base and has virtually forgotten the large section of moderates who voted for development not for division. Modis biggest promise to the young voter was to create two crore jobs each year. However, he failed to deliver that promise.

Modi Government announced old Congress policies with new name branding them as his original. However, those policies already existed. They are claiming that lot of reforms have been done through these policies. Real Estate regulation is just an eye wash as these regulations nowhere are in favour of the common man. Yoga Day event publicity has consumed crores of rupees; however this same amount could have reached for hospital reforms. For Yoga Baba Ramdev is there. He is promoting Yoga and using it for commercial purpose.

Hardly anyone listens to another crap Mann Ki Baat. No one listens to what PM is saying on radio, its only media who wanted to make news out of Mann ki Baat. Anyway, many times what PM talks never matches to what he implements. This radio programme is for promoting only Narendra Modi and nothing much constructive comes out of it yet.

Digital India (limited to twitter), Jan Dhan Yojana, LPG subsidy reforms, Swachh Bharat Mission (Big Flop), India-Bangladesh land boundary agreement, Pathankot attack, Uri attack, Ghar Wapsi, Beef & Murders, Masood Azhar, India-Pak relations, hate and divide, Dissidence in Central Universities, Black Money (15 lakhs jumla), Land ordinance, Uttarakhand fiasco, Womens Bill, Silence on fringe right-wing groups, Make In India (confused status), EPFO reforms, OROP, NITI Aayog, Ganga rejuvenation and too much nonsense as history books being changed, corruption had increased not decreased. No one is happy with this government and its false promises. A party which came to power by politicising #OROP, now says dont politicise the issue. What a farce.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com)
Tukaram Mundhe has been granted one months time by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for expressing his point of view against the no- confidence motion.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has suspended the no-confidence motion passed against Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Chief Tukaram Mundhe and has granted him one months time for putting forward his point of view. Thus Mundhe can heave a sigh of relief atleast for the time being as he was fighting a lone battle against corruption prevailing in Navi Mumbai. The stalling of the no-confidence motion against Mundhe is seen as a huge setback for Shiv Sena and NCP as these parties had voted against him. Sena also was trying to gain an upper hand over its alliance partner BJP through this act. Earlier Fadnavis had refused to meet the all-party delegation seeking to remove the IAS officer from his post. Sena had said that Fadnavis must respect the decision taken by corporators against Mundhe. The chief minister had termed Mundhe as very efficient officer and said the state government cannot allow such resolutions to be implemented.

Targeting an officer for doing his duty, exposing irregularities and preventing wrong happenings is absolutely wrong. Residents of Navi Mumbai still need him and state should support honest officials, Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis has asked Mundhe to improve his communication skills with public representatives.

RTI activist Anil Galgali said, If the Chief Minister comes forward to support honest officials like Tukaram Mundhe then it will send across a good message to citizens. It will help restore peoples faith in democracy.

Mundhe had justified the action taken by him against illegal constructions in Navi Mumbai hence the CM had given him 30 days time to express his viewpoint. He also added that he will continue to work for the welfare of citizens.

Last week, the corporation controlled by NCP passed a no-confidence motion against Municipal Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe with a vote of 105-6 at a special meeting convened by the corporation that was chaired by Mayor Sudhakar Sonawane. This is perhaps the first time in the civic bodys history that such a motion has been passed against the commissioner. Political parties had also accused Mundhe of acting in an authoritarian manner, not respecting their elected representatives and taking arbitrary decisions. A delegation of corporators had met at Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray to pressurise Fadnavis for ousting Mundhe.

On the other hand, residents of Navi Mumbai have come forward in support of Mundhe as they posted messages expressing their solidarity for him. They have also started a campaign called Save Tukaram Mundhe Citizens have lauded the good work performed by him such as taking action against illegal encroachments and hawkers.

Mundhe has been known for following transparency and accountability while discharging his duties. He had maintained a record of every letter received by the corporation and ensured that reply is sent to the citizens in a time bound manner. He is also known for being accessible to citizens and interacts with them in the evening.








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Date: 30 October, 2016.

Place: Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba, Canada.

One of the most prominent UFO investigators in North America, 57-year-old Chris Rutkowski, is of the opinion that UFO events and extraterrestrial encounters are a real phenomenon which is worth scientific study.

In an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Mr Rutkowski expressed a very rational view of the alien issue.

It's something I think people should be talking about. It's a wonderful way to think of the universe, our place in the universe, he said.

The Canadian researcher affirmed he became fascinated by the UFO phenomenon when he was studying astronomy in the 1970s. My colleagues in astronomy were simply not interested. They thought it was simply pointless, or hallucinations, or people were just seeing things, spots before their eyes, he commented. However, I was curious what people were actually seeing and experiencing so I took the calls, he continued.

According to him, UFO sightings have been increasing over the last years. There are more than 1,000 UFO reports in Canada a year, he said. Nevertheless, he argues that there's no incontrovertible evidence that aliens are visiting us, although it's a wonderful theory.

Mr Rutkowskis search has lead him to rummage through hundreds of military and government documents in order to provide a scientific support to alien theories. He believes that people are always looking for someone (or something) to believe in, but it sometimes is not the right thing. That's wonderful wishful thinking, but it's not really helping the scientific analysis of this phenomenon, he manifested.

The CBC article stated that most UFO reports come from big population centres, but a statistically disproportionate amount tend to come from the North and the Maritimes. In reference to this trend, it says, Rutkowski doesn't know why that is  perhaps an avenue for future research.

Finally, the Winnipeg-based UFO researcher opined that the alien issue should be deeply analysed by science from different points of view. If there isn't a physical phenomenon, there's at the very least a psychological or a sociological phenomenon, and in any of those cases, science really should be taking a closer look at the UFOs, he affirmed.

Draw your own conclusions

For further information: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/chris-rutkowski-canada-ufo-guy-1.3828208

'Canada's UFO guy' long fascinated by mysterious lights in the sky

Chris Rutkowski has long been fascinated by reports of mysterious lights and unusual objects in the sky

WINNIPEG  After three decades being known as one of Canada's top UFO experts, Chris Rutkowski doesn't mind a bit of good-natured ribbing now and then.

"People will sometimes give me Marvin the Martian toys for Christmas," says Rutkowski, who researches unidentified flying objects in his off time from his day job as a University of Manitoba's communications co-ordinator.

Rutkowski, who is with Winnipeg-based Ufology Research, has long been fascinated by reports of mysterious lights and unusual objects in the sky that defy easy explanation.

"There is a real phenomenon I think is worth scientific study," he says.

"It's something I think people should be talking about. It's a wonderful way to think of the universe, our place in the universe."

His interest was first sparked in the 1970s when he was studying astronomy and calls came in about UFO sightings.

"My colleagues in astronomy were simply not interested. They thought it was simply pointless, or hallucinations, or people were just seeing things, spots before their eyes.

"I was curious what people were actually seeing and experiencing so I took the calls."

Eventually Rutkowski, 57, came to be considered "Canada's UFO guy," giving lectures and penning several books about the phenomenon.

Recent reports of alien sightings

He says there are more than 1,000 UFO reports in Canada a year.

He figures about 95 per cent of the sightings he investigates can be explained. The strange objects often turn out to be airplanes, satellites, fireballs or  more recently  drones.

For the rest, there's nothing to suggest that otherworldly visitors are responsible  as tempting an explanation as that may be for some.

"There's no incontrovertible evidence that aliens are visiting us, although it's a wonderful theory."

Lately, Rutkowski has been hearing more reports from people claiming they've been in contact with aliens.

"There's no proof of that and it's very, very prevalent that people are believing things that seem very, very far-fetched."

Rutkowski says those sorts of claims tend to spike during tumultuous times in world history  amid mounting Cold War anxieties in the 1950s, for instance.

"The world seems so overwhelming and life seems so impossible. People are worried about what will happen in their lives ... (so) they're looking for creatures from elsewhere to come and save them," he says.

"That's wonderful wishful thinking, but it's not really helping the scientific analysis of this phenomenon."

Rutkowski's current work delves into historical UFO sightings. He's been digging into government, police and military documents from the last half century.

'Physical phenomenon'

The 50th anniversary is coming up next year for two of the best-known unexplained Canadian cases: accounts of an unusual, lit-up object crashing into the water off Shag Harbour, N.S., and a prospector who suffered burns during a reported encounter with mysterious discs in Falcon Lake, Man.

Most UFO reports come from big population centres, but a statistically disproportionate amount tend to come from the North and the Maritimes.

Rutkowski doesn't know why that is  perhaps an avenue for future research.

He says the snapshot it provides of society is almost as fascinating as the UFO phenomenon itself.

"If there isn't a physical phenomenon, there's at the very least a psychological or a sociological phenomenon, and in any of those cases, science really should be taking a closer look at the UFOs."








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Date: 18 May 2015

Place: not mentioned.

On 18 May 2015, the polemical internet site Wikileaks.org released a series of secret documents that demonstrate that the United Nations are keen to investigate the existence of UFOs and extraterrestrial life.

According to an article published on 28 October 2016 by Lee Spiegel, writer and editor of the online news site The Huffington Post, WikiLeaks posted more than half a million U.S. State Department diplomatic documents from 1978 detailing Americas interactions with countries all around the world, the article stated. These interactions, it says, included Grenada Prime Minister Eric Gairys efforts to organise a United Nations-based committee to research and investigate global UFO reports.

In his writing, Mr Spiegel expresses that many of the documents, written by American UN officials, indicated how closely they were monitoring Grenadas UFO-related activities .

One document, from 18 November 1978, revealed my involvement in helping Grenada to produce a credible UFO presentation, Mr Spiegel affirms.

I had an opportunity in early 1978 to meet [Grenadas Prime Minister] Gairy in New York to present an idea about how I thought the UN would pay attention to his UFO crusade, he stated. Through his ambassadors, I gave him a copy of a documentary record album, UFOs: The Credibility Factor, that I produced for CBS Inc. in 1975, he continued.

The writer explained that after this first meeting, he made efforts to bring the UFO issue to the United Nations, with the help of Mr Gairy. Gairy and I met, and after I convinced him I could bring a very credible group of speakers to the UN, he agreed to sponsor my proposal, he related. Shortly after a handshake deal, he made me a temporary delegate-adviser of Grenada and the rest was, well, history, he added.

According to another document from 24 November 1978, US Ambassador Richard Petree had an encounter with delegates from Grenada to discuss their UFO resolution. And, a few days after, on 08 December, another cable from the UN stated: the General Assembly invites interested member states to take appropriate steps to coordinate on a national level scientific research and investigation into extraterrestrial life, including unidentified flying objects, and to inform the secretary-general of the observations, research and evaluation of such activities.

However, all these activities unfortunately did not produce significant results, since Grenadas Prime Minister was overthrown in 1979.

Nevertheless, Mr Spiegel is of the opinion that these actions show how the subject of UFOs wasnt merely officially ridiculed or slapped aside. He believes that there was, and perhaps still is, some interest there, just waiting to emerge.

Draw your own conclusions

For further information: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/wikileaks-ufos-united-nations_us_5813aa17e4b0390e69d0322e

WikiLeaks Documents Reveal United Nations Interest In UFOs

An international UFO committee almost became reality.

Revelations in a set of hacked emails released by WikiLeaks earlier this month have sparked new conversations about UFOs and speculation that extraterrestrials have been visiting Earth. But a very significant  and possibly overlooked  group of WikiLeaks items relevant to the topic was released on May 18, 2015.

WikiLeaks posted more than half a million U.S. State Department diplomatic documents from 1978 detailing Americas interactions with countries all around the world  including Grenada Prime Minister Eric Gairys efforts to organize a United Nations-based committee to research and investigate global UFO reports.

Many of the documents, written by American UN officials, indicated how closely they were monitoring Grenadas UFO-related activities.

One document, from Nov. 18, 1978, revealed my involvement in helping Grenada to produce a credible UFO presentation.

I had an opportunity in early 1978 to meet Gairy in New York to present an idea about how I thought the UN would pay attention to his UFO crusade. Through his ambassadors, I gave him a copy of a documentary record album, UFOs: The Credibility Factor, that I produced for CBS Inc. in 1975.

Gairy and I met, and after I convinced him I could bring a very credible group of speakers to the UN, he agreed to sponsor my proposal (see image below). Shortly after a handshake deal, he made me a temporary delegate-adviser of Grenada and the rest was, well, history.

Another cable posted on WikiLeaks, from Nov. 24, 1978, refers to Ambassador Richard Petrees meeting with Grenada representatives to discuss their UFO resolution. Ambassador Petree acknowledged the high level of interest in UFOs among some elements of the private sector and scientific community ... and pointed to the budgetary impact as a major concern of the U.S. and other countries.

On Nov. 28, 1978, the day after our presentation at the UN, this document was sent through official channels, detailing the actual UFO event, describing what each of the invited scientific and military speakers had to say to the member nations.

A few days after that, on Dec. 2, 1978, a follow-up cable was transmitted, including the following:

Subsequent to the introduction of the Grenadian UFO resolution, Misoff [Mission Officer] has engaged in two separate informal negotiating sessions, which included representation from Austria, USSR and Grenada, in an attempt to arrive at a mutually acceptable compromise solution to the problem.

A draft decision to be taken by the Special Political Committee (SPC) has been agreed upon by the participants in the informal negotiations, subject to concurrence of their respective capitals. We think referral of the [UFO] matter to the Outer Space Committee (OSC) without a preordained mandate as to what action is to be taken, provides the flexibility the OSC needs to take whatever action it deems appropriate.

It will also obviate the need to vote on a resolution (and gamble on the results).

The following week brought forth another document, on Dec. 8, 1978, which stated:

The General Assembly invites interested member states to take appropriate steps to coordinate on a national level scientific research and investigation into extraterrestrial life, including unidentified flying objects, and to inform the secretary-general of the observations, research and evaluation of such activities.

It was further suggested that Grenadas views on UFOs could be discussed in 1979. Unfortunately, that didnt come to pass, as Grenada Prime Minister Gairy was overthrown in a 1979 coup.

Needless to say, without the Gairy-based initiative on UFOs, it was quietly relegated to Grenadas back burner.

This is the tip of the UFO-UN iceberg. It shows how the subject of UFOs wasnt merely officially ridiculed or slapped aside. There was, and perhaps still is, some interest there, just waiting to emerge.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Alabama governor Robert Bentley has declared a month-long state of emergency after a pipeline explosion in Shelby County that killed one and injured six workers, RT reported.

The state of emergency came into effect on Tuesday, and will last until December 1 unless the governor decides to end it sooner.

On Monday, construction crews working on the Colonial Pipeline in the area just south of Birmingham accidentally hit a transmission pipe, causing an explosion in which seven workers were injured, one of them fatally. The explosion also started a fire. The contractors were attempting to repair the pipeline segment that was damaged in September, spilling gas into the countryside.

An extended shutdown could cause fuel shortages and higher gas prices in Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee, similar to what happened after the September accident.

An accident of this magnitude is tough for any community to deal with, and I want to personally thank the local first responders for their immediate assistance to this accident, as well as the first responders from surrounding counties. They all provided resources and support to the help Shelby County in their time of need, Bentley said, announcing the emergency declaration.

The state of emergency will enable Alabama to obtain a waiver from the federal government for transporting gasoline through the state, and avert fuel shortages caused by the pipeline disruption.

Aerial surveillance of the explosion site shows that the fire continues to burn. The gasoline line will remain out of service at least for the rest of the week, Colonial Pipeline said. The secondary pipeline  which transports diesel, jet fuel and other petroleum products, was returned to service Tuesday morning.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2016 - The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to increase the number of states where Enlist Duo can be used and add genetically engineered cotton to the label, which already allows use on GE corn and soybeans.





The proposal follows a review of new data submitted by registrant Dow AgroSciences. The data confirm EPAs initial findings of no synergy in the Enlist Duo formulation, EPA said today in announcing a public comment period that will end in 30 days.

After discovering in the middle of litigation brought by environmental groups that Dow patent applications had made claims of synergy between 2,4-D and glyphosate, the two active ingredients in the herbicide, EPA asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last year to vacate the registration. The court rejected that request, but remanded the registration to EPA in January.

These data demonstrate that the combination of 2,4-D choline and glyphosate in Enlist Duo does not show any increased toxicity to plants and is therefore not of concern, EPA said.

Dow AgroSciences applauded the proposal, saying Enlist Duo offers a much needed solution for growers, who are struggling with resistant weeds.

The proposal would expand the number of states where Enlist Duo can be used from 15 to 34. It is currently registered for use on GE corn and soybean crops in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

The proposal would allow use on cotton in those states and extend use on GE corn, soybean and cotton crops to include Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Keep up with news in the world of agriculture as it happens. Sign up for a four-week free trial of Agri-Pulse.





The herbicide was approved for use in October 2014, but environmental groups sued, claiming that EPA had not properly studied its effects on endangered species.

One of those groups, the Center for Biological Diversity, said today that EPA had conducted only a cursory review and that allowing increased use is a mistake.

We're disappointed that EPA has doubled down on Enlist Duo rather than pulled its registration of this hazardous pesticide. Unless EPA makes substantial changes to its previous registration of Enlist Duo, we remain confident it violates the law, said Paul Achitoff, a managing attorney at Earthjustice.

#30

For more news, go to www.Agri-Pulse.com.
WASHINGTON, Nov 1, 2016  The National Cattlemens Beef Association and the Public Lands Council, along with other industry and municipal stakeholders, filed their opening brief Tuesday in a lawsuit asking that the controversial waters of the U.S. rule be invalidated.

In a joint release, NCBA and the PLC said the brief details how the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers disregarded the statutory and constitutional limits of federal authority, lobbied on their own rule-making, and failed to craft a rule that meets the rigors of the law.

Cattlemen and women have long asked for clarity in the Clean Water Act, yet this rule adds subjectivity, NCBA President Tracy Brunner said in the release. By violating fundamental tenets of administrative law and expanding jurisdiction well beyond the text and structure of the Clean Water Act, it is very clear the WOTUS rulemaking was flawed from start.

Other groups signing the brief, which was filed with the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, include the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Corn Growers Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a long list of farm and commodity groups.

Stay afloat on Waters of the U.S. concerns and other hot ag and rural policy issues. Get your Agri-Pulse four-week free trial subscription.





PLC President Dave Eliason said WOTUS is just one example of the onslaught of regulations that rural America is facing.

Regulatory overreach is becoming the norm for farmers, ranchers and small businesses across the country, hampering economic growth and threatening the stability of many rural communities, said Eliason. Unfortunately, because Congress has repeatedly failed to act on this issue, we are fighting the legal battle to keep this rule from being implemented.

#30

For more news, go to: www.Agri-Pulse.com
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Taiwan's Kuomintang party leader Hung Hsiu-chu in Beijing on Tuesday. WU ZHIYI / CHINA DAILY

Hung Hsiu-chu, the leader of the opposition Kuomintang in Taiwan, has daunting pressures on her back while visiting the mainland.

Back home, her party, while struggling to survive merciless attacks by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, remains divided, not only over its strategy for survival, but even over her ongoing trip.

The KMT caucus in the Taiwan legislature has openly expressed doubts about the intentions behind her trip. Some KMT members voiced worries she would mention "reunification" to woo Beijing and consolidate her standing in the upcoming KMT leadership election in 2017.

The ruling DPP, too, is watching Hung vigilantly. The DPP caucus in the local legislature issued a warning, advising her not to step over "legal redlines", and cautioning her not to sign any agreement or consensus with the mainland.

Such pressure, coupled with the KMT's present role as the largest opposition party on the island, means Hung's trip, which she described as a "journey for peace", will not result in substantive political agreements, something the KMT under her predecessor successfully secured with the mainland while in power.

But the absence of the agreements feared by her opponents and rivals in no way compromises the significance of Hung's trip, which is a reassuring sign that communication and exchanges may at least be sustained at some level.

With official, even semi-official channels of communication severed since the DPP came to power, the prospect of ending the estrangement between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits is slight. Both Hung and her host, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, know that, but they obviously took rapprochement as a longer-term goal worth pursuing during their Tuesday meeting.

Even with no papers signed, Xi and Hung exchanged vows to safeguard the "one-China" principle, and oppose any secessionist forces and actions on the island. And Xi issued the inspiring message that the mainland would not let the deteriorating official ties take a toll on innocent compatriots in Taiwan.

Despite its repeated claims of willingness to preserve the previous status quo, the Tsai Ing-wen administration in Taiwan has appeared unwilling to try and reverse the downward spiral in cross-Straits official exchanges.

Hung's visit is thus a success already, since she said her mission was to preserve the semi-official channels of cross-Straits communication. It has once again demonstrated the KMT's essential function as a bridge between the two sides of the Straits.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. German Justice Minister Heiko Maas announced that the German side will not make extraditions within the framework of the politically motivated investigations in Turkey, Deutsche Welle reports.

In terms of serious crimes, premeditated murders and similar other crimes committed in Turkey, then we will discuss the issue in case of an extradition demand. However if the judicial procedure is based on political motivations, there cannot be a discussion on extradition whatsoever, he said.

The Minister condemned the arrests of journalists in Turkey, and the police operations against the Cumhurriyet news agency.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Police divers in Bulgaria have discovered about 13m (11.7m) in fake banknotes hidden in a reservoir, BBC reported.

Officials said bundles of counterfeit 500 notes were found after a tip-off.

The exact size of the haul will not be known until the notes are fully dried.

Three Bulgarians have been arrested and a number of weapons seized. One of the people arrested, the owner of a printing company, had already been sentenced to six years in prison for counterfeiting money.

Chief prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov said the find was "one of the largest amounts of counterfeit euros ever encountered".

He said the fakes were "of an extremely high quality".

But another official said some of them did not carry holograms.

It happened at the Mechka reservoir near the town of Purvomai in southern Bulgaria.

The European Central Bank is due to phase out the 500 note because of fears that it helps criminal activities.
Assyrian Leaders on ISIS Fight: We Want to 'Save and Secure Our Heritage'

The United States "should prioritize" providing military support to Iraqi Christian militias that have joined forces to retake their homeland in northern Iraq from the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL), urges Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE). Fortenberry, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, spoke to Breitbart News on Tuesday, a day after the Chaldean Syrian Assyrian political parties, backed by their religious leaders, reached an agreement to unify their armed groups in an effort to seize and secure their homeland in Iraq, which was captured by the ISIS in 2014. That means all Christian armed groups in Iraq have come together as an integrated force to combat ISIS. "Even if we have different views or different ideas, we all agree with the goals to save and secure our heritage and region and strengthen our faith for the next generations," Ashur Eskrya, the president of the Assyrian Aid Society who worked along with other Iraqi Christian leaders to make the unification of the militias a reality, told Breitbart News. The United States should prioritize providing the integrated security forces of communities that have been victimized by [ISIS perpetrated] genocide, including Christian and Yezidi groups, with the military support they need to enable internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their homes in safety, added Fortenberry. The Nineveh Plains, a region outside Mosul in northern Iraq's Nineveh province, is the historical homeland of the region's Christian community. Iraq's Nineveh province was once home to the largest concentration of Christians and other ethno-religious minorities in Iraq, such as the Yazidis. Christian political leaders and militia have praised the unprecedented pact, telling Breitbart News it is essential to ensure the ongoing existence of the Iraqi Christian community, one of the oldest in the world. Yacoob Yaco, the political coordinator for the Nineveh Protection Units (NPU), an anti-ISIS Christian militia recognized and supported by the central Iraqi government in Baghdad, told Breitbart News:

The unity statement issued by the Chaldean Syriac Assyrian parties, is a positive step towards uniting and coordinating all of our military efforts to avoid security gaps in the future. Ultimately, we want to direct our own security efforts to protect our people in the Nineveh Plains. The indigenous people of the region no longer trust other groups, so its important for them to have their own role in protecting themselves. This role can be achieved through the Nineveh Plain Protection Units as an official force in the country in addition to other forces.

At this time when their indigenous peoples face a number of grave challenges in the region -- most pressing among them the re-securitization, repatriation, and revitalization of the Nineveh Plain -- one important outcome is the decision to work to unify all Christian security forces operating in the region. It is a little known fact that Christians, Yezidis, and other minorities are fighting for their homeland.

Rep. Fortenberry has also commended the decision by Assyrian Chaldean Syriac political parties and religious leaders to integrate all the Christian militias in Iraq. He told Breitbart News:In large part due to efforts by Rep. Fortenberry, the United States has officially acknowledged that Christians, along other minorities in Iraq, have been victims of genocide at the hands of ISIS. Earlier this year, the congressman introduced a bipartisan resolution to officially recognize the ISIS atrocities against Christians and other minority group as "genocide." The resolution was overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives. "This legislative maneuver was critical to further policy considerations that will end the horror of ISIS, provide justice for the minorities, and restore pluralism to a fragile Middle East," Fortenberry told Breitbart News. "As a next step, in September I introduced another resolution in Congress that follows on the government of Iraq's own initiative to create a province in the Nineveh Plain region, with the goal of restoring the ancestral homeland of so many suffering peoples. The European Parliament last week passed a similar resolution," he added. On Monday, various political leaders of the Assyrian Chaldean Syriac signed a joint statement announcing the integration of the various Christian militias in Iraq. "The signing of the joint statement is a very important first step to establishing the future of Nineveh Plain and opens the doors for the indigenous people to protect themselves without influence of others," Eskrya told Breitbart News. Emmanuel Khoshaba Youkhanna , one of the Christian leaders who signed the statement, explained, "This is the first step to unify all our forces under one leadership." Youkhanna, who also serves as the commander of the independent Christian militia known as Dwekh Nawsha ("self-sacrifice"), noted that the unified Christian force is seeking official recognition from the U.S.-backed, Shiite-led Iraqi government in Baghdad, emphasizing, "We don't want to be an outlaw militia."
Mosul Battle is Bringing Sectarianism in Iraq to an End

It has been more than two years since Mosul fell under the control of Isis, the terrorist organisation that has falsely sought to portray itself as the defender of Sunni Muslims throughout Iraq and Syria. Since the fall of Mosul began we have seen a stream of analysts emerge who seek to explain what is happening in Iraq through the lazy framework of sectarian conflict, a position that is frankly offensive to most Iraqis. That is not to say there haven't been cases of sectarian abuse within the country and pressure must be constantly exerted on the Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, to take action to address it where it occurs. But what is very promising for the future of Iraq -- and is missing from the perspective of so-called experts on the nation -- is the qualitative change that is emerging from Iraqi society. We are seeing, from the military, media, government and civilians, a unified effort to counter the false image of division. Nothing has brought the people of Iraq together like the desire to rid their land of Isis. This unity of peoples in Iraq has manifested itself most recently with the launch of the campaign to liberate Mosul. This is a significant operation as Mosul has thus far been Isis's de facto capital in Iraq within their so-called Caliphate, in addition to being the place of residence of top Daesh leaders including Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. For the first time in Iraqi history, we are seeing a coordinated effort from the Kurdish Peshmerga forces and Iraqi Security Forces. The significance of KRG president Masoud Barzani coming to Baghdad for a joint press conference with PM Haider al-Abadi, his first visit to Baghdad in five years, cannot be underestimated. Further promising signs emerged when Barzani announced the start of Mosul operations from the Khazir front stating, "This is the first time the blood of the Peshmerga and the Iraqi forces are mixed. We hope it's a good start to create a bright future for both sides." Perhaps most importantly, the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) involved in liberating Mosul have been drawn primarily from local Sunni tribesmen and Assyrian groups such as the Nineveh Plains Unit, uniting of different social factions, including Sunni and Shia groups. Assyrian villages such as Bakhdida, which have been under Isis control for the last two years, have finally been liberated with the help of local resistance forces such as the Nineveh Plain Protection Units in conjunction with Iraq's broader security forces, again revealing expanding levels of trust and cooperation. However, though the unity we are seeing today is cause to celebrate, it is inevitably fragile. Sustaining this unity after the liberation of Iraq's land from Isis militants will be a defining challenge for the people of Iraq. With the vast swathes of displaced peoples from Nineveh seeking to return home, it is crucial that the government has a clear and implementable plan to resolve the refugee crisis within Iraq. Questions arise, for instance, about children who have been affected by Isis social should be rehabilitated and reintegrated back into Iraqi society. Other questions also emerge around reconciliation. How will Iraq ensure that reprisal attacks do not arise between various tribal groups that may feel betrayed? These questions are certainly sobering food for thought. However, the liberation of Mosul is a major step towards defeating Isis and it brings new hope for the future of Iraq. Reconciliation is possible.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund has begun construction on a new kindergarten in Aghdzk, a community in Armenias Aragatsotn province, the Fund told Armenpress.

The project is sponsored by the British-Armenian community.

The future kindergarten will be a two-story structure featuring a full complement of amenities and comforts. In addition to bright, spacious classrooms and naprooms, the facility will have a gym, a game hall, a computer room, and a sizeable playground, all of which will make for an enriching educational and leisure environment. The kindergarten will accommodate up to 90 students.

As our old kindergarten had to be shut down three years ago because the building was no longer safe, the fact that our British-Armenian compatriots are now sponsoring the construction of a new kindergarten is a source of great joy to our community, said Aghdzk mayor Arsen Avdalyan.

With an abiding commitment to the education and healthy development of children in the homeland, the British-Armenian community sponsors projects mainly in the education and health fields.

In recent years, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund has implemented several major projects through British-Armenian support, including the construction of a kindergarten in the village of Sasunik, Armenia; and the reconstruction of the boarding kindergarten of Yerevans Shengavit district.
November 1, 2016

Arabs distrust US interventionism in the Middle East but want to see the next president play an active role in helping solve the regions problems.

Those are the ambivalent results of a telephone survey of 3,200 people in eight countries released Nov. 1 by Arab Center Washington DC. The Tunisia-based public surveying company One-2-One conducted the poll Oct. 21-31.

In keeping with previous polls, a large majority  67%  of respondents had a negative view of US foreign policy in the region. However, they favored Democrat Hillary Clinton, one of the architects of that policy, by a whopping 70% to 13% over Donald Trump as the better option for their country  a remnant of the widespread anger at Trumps anti-Muslim rhetoric during the campaign.

Arabs are particularly torn over US involvement in the region. While 26% of respondents said the United States should not intervene in the affairs of Arab countries, overlapping numbers of them also say that combating the Islamic State, bringing peace to Syria and ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should also be US priorities.

The Middle East is conflicted right now. There is a lot of talk about the need for the US and the need for the international community to weigh in, said Arab Center executive director Khalil Jahshan. But there is also a lot frustration in the Arab world for either the lack of sincerity or the lack of quality in the attempts by countries like the United States in trying to mediate objectively and fairly.

For Arab Center guest contributor Imad Harb, founder of the political research firm Quest for Middle East Analysis, the takeaway for the next president is, Dont leave the Middle East to its own fortunes.

Tellingly, the polls show wide variations within the region, depending largely on their own recent experience with political upheaval.

Tunisians, for example, seem ecstatic about the prospect of a Clinton presidency. Some 65% of respondents there reported having a very or somewhat positive opinion about Clinton, who was at the helm of the State Department during Tunisias transition to democracy.

Those numbers are even higher in Morocco, where more than 70% of respondents shared a positive impression. Clinton has long been close to the monarchy and is seen as favorable to Moroccan claims over the disputed Western Sahara.

Saudis are more likely to seek a US role in Yemen. And Tunisians want to see more support for democratic transitions.

The Iraqis, meanwhile, are the most likely  28%  to believe that President Barack Obamas successor will bring about significant change to US foreign policy. They also have the highest expectations from a Clinton presidency and the least negative expectations from a Trump victory, suggesting widespread disappointment with Obama.

All these live conflicts right now create that contradiction, that sentiment in a divided public opinion in the Arab world, said Jahshan. On the one hand, they want help to stop the bloodshed and these conflicts; on the other hand, they are not very pleased with past experience of US intervention.

Egyptians, by contrast, are among the least inclined toward Clinton, who supported the ouster of longtime dictator Hosni Mubarak and the subsequent election of the Muslim Brotherhoods Mohammed Morsi. The Arab Centers poll showed that only 56% of Egyptian respondents favored Clinton over Trump, while only about 20% of them thought US foreign policy had been positive for the Middle East.

Palestinians are equally despondent. Only 20% or so of them think US influence in the Middle East has been positive, while 34% thought neither candidate would have a positive impact on US foreign policy regarding their country.

Also of note, most respondents think Congress  not the executive branch  is the most influential force shaping US foreign policy. The pro-Israel lobby came in third.
November 1, 2016

One of them was Syriac, the other was Chaldean. The Syriac speaks Arabic but understood my conversation with his comrade in English. The Chaldean is a member of the Kurdistan parliament who speaks in perfect, fluent English. Among the three denominations that constitute one of the oldest Christian communities in Mesopotamia, only a representative of the Assyrian community was not present.

Syriacs, Assyrians and Chaldeans are ethnically and linguistically the same people. They take pride in speaking Aramaic, the language Jesus Christ spoke. Generally, they do not like to be asked whether they are Syriac, Assyrian or Chaldean. They insist that they are all the same and that such a question is of a divisive nature.

Nevertheless, I asked and found that one of them is Syriac, belonging to the Orthodox church, and the other one Chaldean, connected to the Vatican.

It was the Syriac who asked me what I consider to be the fate of the Christians in Iraq  whether I think that one of the oldest Christian communities on this earth might perish and be uprooted from their homeland.

On the 12th day of the operation to liberate Mosul, many districts and villages of Ninevah province were freed by the Iraqi army and the Kurdish peshmerga forces of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), who are acting in coordination under the American military baton. Many see US involvement  perhaps a bit over-optimistically  as a hopeful development for unity in Iraq in the post-Islamic State (IS) era.

For the Christian minority residing in its historical homeland  constituting a majority in some parts of it  the future is uncertain. That is why I am asked whether Christians will be able to survive in their homeland.

I responded bluntly: Look at the situation in Jerusalem and more importantly in Bethlehem, in the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Bethlehem was an overwhelmingly Christian-populated town; now there is hardly a Palestinian Christian living there. Do not forget the fate of the Christians of the Asia Minor, what kind of catastrophe has befallen on them. 

He interrupted me and spoke about what is happening in Syria and the gradually changing demographics of the Christians in Lebanon. Yet the emphasis, naturally, is on the fate of Iraqi Christians. It is their homeland, and they are not only the indigenous people of the land but one of the oldest  one of those rare communities in the world who have been in living in perpetuity on their land.

Dr. Soory Maqdassy took over the conversation from his compatriot and set forth an Iraqi Christian demand for the post-IS era. He said, We cannot live as we used to live until IS is eliminated and Mosul is declared liberated. We must have an autonomous region in the Ninevah Plain, in the north and south of it. Now, the north of it with the district center of Bashiqa and settlements such as Bartella, Karakush, etc., are liberated. They were all Christian centers. Only in Bashiqa, half the population were Yazidis, while the other half were Syriacs. The Ninevah Plain, south and north, has been an extraordinary region for all the minority faiths only to be found on the territory of Iraq, from Christians to Sabians, from Shabeks to Yazidis. They lived in coexistence throughout history. However, unfortunately, after 2003  the so-called liberation of Iraq  both the Baghdad central government and the Kurdish government in Erbil overlooked and undermined us and did not respect minority rights. Iraq is constructed on Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish components, and the product of it has become the cleansing of our population from the Ninevah Plain with the arrival of Daesh [IS] and the declaration of the Islamic state. We cannot trust Baghdad or Erbil anymore. We need to have an autonomous region in the Ninevah Plain, after the liberation of Mosul.

His Syriac companion, Sami Supania, was nodding to every word Maqdassy uttered as if to emphasize once again the common position of the Christian minority of Iraq.

While some former Christian localities of the Ninevah Plain were liberated by the Iraqi army  such as Bartella  and some by Kurdish peshmerga  such as Bashiqa  the Christian interlocutors are insisting with pride that in the Iraqi army and the peshmerga there are armed Christian units who spearheaded the attack against IS to liberate their towns and villages.

For them, this is an encouraging sign that they can take care of their affairs in terms of the administration and defense of the Ninevah Plain, once IS is removed.

They speak of figures: Since the arrival of IS in 2014, the number of displaced people from the Ninevah Plain grew to around 250,000. Almost 40% of this number has moved to Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and beyond. The Christians said that nearly 120,000 are ready to return to the towns and villages they evacuated.

I reminded my Christian interlocutors that the operation to liberate Mosul may take weeks and even months and could be very messy and bloody.

For them, repopulating the region does not need to wait for the liberation of the western bank of the Tigris River, where the Arab heart and the city center of Mosul is. They said that if allied forces liberate the eastern bank  which is mainly populated by the Kurds and has a Christian hinterland, the Ninevah Plain  then the Christians will start to return and Christian survival in Iraq will be possible.

With their understandable lack of trust in Muslim Arabs and Kurds alike, they want to rely on what they term the international system or the outside world, meaning the combination of the United States and the countries of the European Union. In Iraqi Christian eyes, after all, these countries are Christian nations who should be protecting the Iraqi Christians.

There was mention of Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, which has not been implemented. Article 140 involves resolving the conflicts pertaining to the disputed territories between Baghdad and the Kurds and territories from Sinjar on the Syrian border to Kirkuk and to Khanaqin, relatively close to Baghdad at the Iranian border. The last advances of the Iraqi army and the Kurdish forces with their Christian units in the opening battles of the liberation of Mosul involve the disputed territories.

I listened to KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil, who, when the Brookings Institution's Kenneth Pollack asked whether the Kurds would wait for 11 more years to resolve the issue of the disputed territories after the liberation of Mosul, responded with an outright No!

Barzani implied that Kurds would go on their way if Article 140 is not implemented in the post-IS period.

But now the Iraqi Christians want to enter the field when it comes to the implementation of Article 140 with a demand for Christian autonomy. They say the first step involves normalization  the return of the displaced Christians back to their homes  and then a census, to be followed by an autonomous region to be established for Christians in the Ninevah Plain.

It is a dream they want to make possible. If they cannot succeed, then another tragedy in the Middle East might lie in wait.
November 2, 2016

BEIRUT  The role of Daraa in Syrias uprising is now part of Arab Spring lore. In March 2011, a group of schoolboys were arrested, interrogated and tortured by security services after spraying anti-government graffiti on a wall. Soon enough, a national protest movement fanned out from the southern city and engulfed several major Syrian cities.

Nowadays, though, Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions from the Southern Front  once feted as the best hope for a moderate fighting force against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad  increasingly appear on their back foot in Daraa. They have faced competing threats, including the emergence of Islamic State-linked groups near Syrias southwestern borders with Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Priorities have also changed within the Military Operations Center (MOC), an Amman-based coordinating body said to include the CIA as well as Jordanian and Gulf intelligence that has backed the Southern Front for the past two years.

Despite relative calm on rebel-government front lines since Februarys cessation of hostilities, the Syrian army, supported by Lebanese Hezbollah on the ground and Russian jets in the skies, is now piling pressure on several towns in the Daraa countryside. A large-scale offensive has been expected since the breakdown of the last nationwide cease-fire in mid-September.

Southern Front spokesman Issam al-Rayes argued that despite losing a former military base between Daraa and government-controlled Sheikh Maskin on Sept. 2, rebels have held their ground.

The regime started an offensive by taking back al-Mahjoura base  aiming to control Dael and Abtaa [because of] their strategic position, to strengthen their areas or territory and strengthen the security of the main highway and main reinforcement road between Damascus and Daraa, Rayes told Al-Monitor.

This week, an ambush by government forces killed dozens of rebel fighters in the same area as al-Mahjoura, an out-of-use air defense base in the countryside just southeast of Abtaa. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group, 43 fighters were killed when regime forces were able to besiege them and cut the roads they prepared for [escape].

But rebels are increasingly eyeing internal threats as well. Because the government has until now failed to actually retake Dael or Abtaa by force, Rayes said, [They] started to target civilians in these towns to pressure them to submit  [and] were able to recruit some of them as agents.

That pressure has included truce offers, as well as threatened or actual bombardments. Thousands of civilians have fled Dael and Abtaa since September, according to residents and local activists.

There is a mood of uncertainty  paranoia even. Rebels talk of sleeper cells and spies.

On Oct. 22, FSA rebel factions in Dael announced the arrest of a four-man sleeper cell working on behalf of the regime in the city. Pro-opposition outlets reported that the men had been found with radios used to communicate with government forces.

Sheikh Esmat, a Dar al-Adel (House of Justice) official from the Daraa countryside, told Al-Monitor that the men were guilty of spying for Assads forces and  notifying regime forces about the whereabouts of rebel groups. Rebel fighters had died as a result, he said.

Two of the arrested men died shortly after their arrest when they tried to overpower guards and grab a weapon, the rebel statement said. The remaining two men, Fayez Mahmoud Qatlish and Palestinian national Hussein Ali al-Nasser, were handed over to Dar al-Adel officials in a nearby town.

The statement from rebel factions followed with a threat, promising to strike with an iron fist all those found to be dealing with the criminal regime, either directly or indirectly.

And yet there are signs that creeping government offensives and truces offered at gunpoint may be pushing some within local communities toward reconciliation agreements with Damascus.

On Feb. 28, the state-run news agency SANA reported that 1,200 community leaders and civilians attended a reconciliation meeting. Similar meetings have been held in the province since.

The Southern Fronts Rayes argued that truce negotiations are being facilitated by agents within opposition-held areas and that they will ultimately spell disaster for the southern rebellion.

We consider most civilians are against these truces, but those people who are pro-truce are agents of the regime, he told Al-Monitor. We dont differentiate between ourselves and civilians; the civilians are our families. There is no difference in our views.

A schoolteacher who did not want to reveal his name for security reasons believes that the mood among some civilians has started to change. He told Al-Monitor, Some groups of civilians and Syrian citizens tried to go to reconcile [with the government], but the FSAs leaders stopped them. Still, some people  like [state] employees  went and reconciled with the regime in the interests of their wages and to be able to continue working.

He added, People are scared of becoming like Ghouta and the evacuation operations that have moved people from one city to another," referring to the kind of siege, truce and evacuation deals seen recently in Daraya and Moadamiyeh near Damascus, and that have been long expected in eastern Ghouta, also near Damascus.

That's another reason the schoolteacher said people are leaning toward truces, adding, Civilians are scared of being displaced away from Daraa.

The Dael arrests come shortly after a monthslong investigation by the UK-based Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), released Oct. 10, accused a Southern Front rebel faction of forcibly disappearing and torturing to death an army defector who had been negotiating a local truce with government representatives.

Shabab al-Sunna, an FSA faction affiliated with the Southern Front, allegedly tortured to death army defector Zeidan al-Nseirat in March. At the time, Nseirat had been part of a committee in his hometown, Abtaa, tasked with negotiating a truce that would purportedly see an end to bombardments and eased humanitarian access. Nseirat had been selected by local community leaders for the task, according to SNHR.

But Nseirats involvement appears to have angered local rebel factions who saw him as anything from a nuisance to a regime spy.

Shabab al-Sunna leader Ahmad al-Oudeh last week called Nseirat an agent of the regime, while denying any role in Nseirat's death. Oudeh claimed Nseirat had died from a longstanding heart condition.

Recordings leaked by disgruntled Shabab al-Sunna fighters, following an internal military coup in August, appear to validate claims that Oudeh personally led the violent interrogation of Nseirat. His voice is audible in the background, in between the sounds of shouts and beatings.

Analysts have been warning for months about the possible disintegration of the Southern Front  not least because southern rebels face threats on two fronts: from IS to the west and the government to the north and east, and more limited support from the MOC in Amman.

But more and more, rebels in the spiritual birthplace of the Syrian uprising may be fighting a new and very active front: one for legitimacy and support among beleaguered, bomb-weary civilians in opposition-held areas.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan on November 2 received President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Belgium Christine Defraigne who is in an official visit to Armenia, press service of the Government told Armenpress.

PM Karapetyan welcomed the Belgian delegations visit to Armenia and expressed confidence that the visit will contribute to further developing and strengthening the Armenian-Belgian relations.

Karen Karapetyan stated that the Armenian Government is interested in intensifying the political dialogue with Belgium, making the trade-economic relations more diversified and deepening the cooperation in educational and cultural spheres. The PM said the Government is going to present a package of investments programs to the international partners through various circles, including the Embassies, and added that he attaches importance to the activity of Armenia-Wallonia Export agency and the Armenian-Belgian Chamber of Commerce on expanding the business ties.

Karen Karapetyan highly appreciated Belgiums financial, professional and technical assistance to Armenia on establishing modern Oncology Center of Excellence which will serve not only the people of Armenia, but also those of the region.

The Belgian Senate President stated that despite the perfect relations of Armenia and Belgium, it is necessary to comprehensively expand the bilateral cooperation in different sectors, including economy, IT, healthcare, culture and education. Christine Defraigne expressed Belgiums support to expanding Armenia-EU ties and emphasized that the doors of Europe are widely open for further developing and strengthening the cooperation with Armenia.

The sides underscored the entrance of Brussels Airlines to the Armenian market and expressed confidence it will boost the bilateral ties and tourism between the two states.

Karen Karapetyan and Christine Defraigne talked about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement and the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

PM Karapetyan appreciated Belgiums balanced stance over the NK conflict in line with the EU common approaches, as well as welcomed the Belgian parliamentarians visit to the NKR.

Karen Karapetyan highly appreciated the fact that in 1998 the Belgian Senate adopted the Armenian Genocide recognition resolution and added that by the adoption of the resolution by the House of Representatives in 2015 the process of Armenian Genocide recognition by Belgium became more complete.

Christine Defraigne said Belgium is ready to show its support to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed at peacefully settling the NK conflict and attached importance to the provision of lasting peace and security in the region.
November 1, 2016

Tunisia is once again embroiled in the controversy about housing a secret US military base. A report by The Washington Post Oct. 26 claimed that the United States has deployed unmanned aircraft to a facility in Tunisia  without specifying the exact location  to conduct spy missions in neighboring Libya.

Air Force Reaper drones began flying out of the Tunisian base in late June and played a key role in an extended US air offensive against an Islamic State [IS] stronghold in Libya, the newspaper said.

The report has again sparked the controversy about the US intentions to establish a military base in Tunisia that first emerged in November 2013, following the visit of Gen. David Rodriguez, the commander of the US forces in the US Africa Command to Tunis at that time. The controversy further renewed debates about national sovereignty and the goals behind the US-Tunisian cooperation and bilateral relations in terms of the war on terrorism.

According to The Washington Post, the unmanned aircraft flying out of the Tunisian facility are conducting spy missions on IS strongholds in the Libyan city of Sirte.

However, according to another report by Reuters Oct. 26, quoting sources in the US government, the Tunisian military base was used as a launch pad for strikes against IS, as part of the US offensive to support the Libyan forces fighting to expel IS from the city of Sirte.

The Tunisian Ministry of Defense, however, denied that Tunisian soil is being used to launch strikes against Libya. In a statement Oct. 26, the ministry said, We refute what has been circulated in a number of foreign news outlets claiming the presence of US military bases in Tunisia and that the Tunisian soil is being used to strike targets in Libya.

The ministry had announced in March that the bilateral military cooperation between Tunisia and the United States [is limited] to training at the hands of two US military men for Tunisian armed forces in terms of the use of sophisticated military equipment, security intel and surveillance systems that the Tunisian army had acquired to enhance its border surveillance system in order to detect any suspicious movements on the border.

Tunisian Defense Minister Farhat Horchani announced Oct. 27 that his country has recently received from the United States reconnaissance planes and unmanned drone systems for training and to monitor the southern borders and detect any suspicious movements.

Noteworthy is that the Tunisian government declined to make further comments to the media on the issue, contenting itself with the Defense Ministrys statement.

This comes in the context of US President Barack Obamas policy. Obama designated Tunisia in May 2015 to be a major non-NATO ally during a visit by Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi to the United States. During the same visit, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding providing for strengthening cooperation in the military and security sphere and the fight against terrorism.

In November 2015, US Secretary of State John Kerry visited Tunisia and participated in the US-Tunisian strategic dialogue sessions, which are part of a mechanism aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the United States and Arab Maghreb countries at high-level periodic meetings.

In March, Tunisian media leaked reports on said dialogue session, revealing that Tunisia agreed to receive US troops on its territories and a memorandum was signed under the title Draft agreement on the US forces legal status in Tunisia.

Ahmed Mannai, the head of the Tunisian Institute for International Relations, considered the article in The Washington Post to be an affirmation of the US intentions to gain a foothold in Tunisia even though this is limited to military personnel offering training for Tunisian forces or advisers.

It is unfortunate that the Tunisian government is not dealing with enough transparency with the public opinion in regard to cooperation with the United States in the fight against terrorism, Mannai told Al-Monitor.

He said, The content of the bilateral agreements signed between the two countries in November 2015 during Kerrys visit to Tunisia has yet to be revealed. However, according to media leaks, these agreements allow the deployment of US forces in Tunisia. The question is why the [Tunisian] authorities did not talk about them and submit them to parliament for discussion. They called them a memorandum instead of agreement so as to not bind themselves to obtain parliamentary approval. All this indicated that the state is seeking to hide some dangerous aspects in this mysterious cooperation. The Washington Post said that the Obama administration has kept the negotiations about the secret base a secret for over a year, so as to not embarrass authorities.

Mannai added, The United States is using the war on terrorism as a pretext to ensure its military presence in Tunisia. It is true that the current US presence [in Tunisia] is limited to military trainers and unmanned aircraft, but it is obvious that things will develop later on under the same pretext. History tells us that the United States  once it is present in an area  is there to stay without any excuse. This is the case in the Gulf, Japan, South Korea and Cuba. However, the Tunisian authorities are to blame here as they have undermined the countrys sovereignty. They could have preserved cooperation with the United States without direct military presence that might compromise the independence of the country.

In contrast, writer Munzer Badyafi told Al-Monitor, I dont believe the United States needs direct military presence in Tunisia to fight against terrorism or for other goals. The direct military presence and military bases are something long overdue and an expensive logistics process to no avail in comparison with the new technologies that are more effective and less costly. This is especially true for a country that possesses enormous information capabilities and sophisticated satellites. This is not to mention that the concepts of national sovereignty and independence have lost their connotation especially since the world has turned into a small village. We cannot understand the fast changes in the world and where we stand vis-a-vis this change if we are still basing our understanding on expired concepts and convictions.

It appears that the controversy on the extent of the US-Tunisian cooperation is likely to gain more steam as a large portion of the Tunisian elite, young people and leftist forces are strongly against the US presence in Tunisia under any circumstances whatsoever. This is while Tunisian officials, namely Essebsi, are banking on the United States militarily and economically as evidenced during his last visit to Washington in May. The United States, on the other hand, is going through its own policy serving its interests on Tunisian soil, shrugging off any criticism by the parties in Tunisia.
November 2, 2016

What is Turkey up to? The question gained fresh urgency today as Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik and Land Forces Commander Gen. Zeki Colak inspected troops in Hatay near the Syrian border a day after Turkish forces backed by tanks and other combat vehicles massed near the town of Silopi on Turkeys border with Iraq. In a related development, Turkeys chief of general staff, Hulusi Akar, flanked by the countrys powerful spy chief, Hakan Fidan, met with his Russian counterpart, Valery Gerasimov, in Moscow to talk about Syria.

Turkey may start a series of shocking interventions, predicted Ibrahim Karagul, the editor-in-chief of the pro-government Yeni Safak, in a column today.

"Turkey is preparing itself for all contingencies with regard to the developments in the region, said Isik Nov. 2. Turkey respects Iraqs territorial integrity, but [Ankara] is determined to ward off any terror threats arising from Iraq, he added.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi reacted harshly to the Turkish moves. We do not want war with Turkey," he said Nov. 1. But if a confrontation happens we are ready for it. We will consider [Turkey] an enemy and we will deal with it as an enemy.

Pouring oil on the flames, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu addressed Abadi, saying, "If you have the strength, why did you surrender Mosul to terror organizations? If you are so strong, why has the [Kurdistan Workers Party] occupied your lands for years?

A Western official told Al-Monitor on strict condition of anonymity that the possibility of a military confrontation between the members of the anti-IS coalition was being treated seriously. While we still view it as unlikely, Turkeys increasingly erratic and unpredictable behavior means that we cannot rule it out, the official said. All of this conflict is draining energy away from what should be the anti-IS coalitions main focus, the battle for Mosul.

Abadi is said to be urging Washington to flex its military muscles to deter a Turkish incursion. But doing so would thrust the United States into the awkward position of treating a critical NATO ally as a hostile force. It would also add to existing tensions with Ankara over Washingtons support for the Syrian Kurdish militia known as the Peoples Protection Units (YPG). Turkey denounces the group as terrorists over its tight links with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Turkey already has several hundred elite troops stationed in Mosul and insists that it must take part in the ongoing campaign to retake the city. Abadi rejects Turkeys participation and wants its troops to leave immediately.

Turkey refuses to budge on several counts. It believes its military presence gives it leverage over future governance plans for Mosul. More immediately, though, Turkey frets that the Shiite Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) may target Sunni Turkmens in neighboring Tal Afar over their role in expelling  and killing  thousands of Shiite Turkmens when IS took Tal Afar in 2014.

Turkey also believes that several hundred PKK fighters based in the nearby Yazidi stronghold of Sinjar may collude with the PMU to further entrench itself in the area, creating a strategic bridgehead from Iraq to YPG-controlled territories in Syria. Echoing the prevailing view in Ankara, Karagul argued that this is all part of a broader Iranian scheme to cement its own influence along Turkeys borders.

In an editorial for the Woodrow Wilson Center, British academic Gareth Stansfield agreed that the PKK would wade into Tal Afar because they could be encouraged by the [Shiite] militias leadership to further antagonize Turkey, and that there is no better way of challenging the Turkish state than with the PKK.

Turkeys hawkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly vowed to resort to military means to prevent such a thing from happening if need be. Turkeys incursion into northern Syria in August was as much to uproot IS from its borders as to prove that when it comes to the PKK, Turkey is willing to put its boots where its mouth is.

Washington is scrambling to head off a dust-up in Iraq. But its efforts to get the PKK to move out of Sinjar have met with stiff resistance from the PKK leadership. It remains unclear whether Washington would be prepared to use its leverage over the YPG to get the PKK to be more cooperative at a time when it needs the Syrian Kurds' participation in a planned offensive against IS Syrian stronghold, Raqqa. Stansfield concluded that with the PMU now pushing toward Tal Afar, the scene is set for an extremely dangerous episode to unfold.
November 1, 2016

Last year, a close friend advised me to stop trying to make a meager living by writing articles. Instead, this friend said, I should take up firearms training for all the senior Turkish bureaucrats who have been rushing to buy guns. The problem, he said, was that these new gun owners had no idea how to use their weapons. My friend said that's why he began offering private training on how to care for, load, conceal and carry guns. The last phase of training is target practice at a range.

The same friend called me again recently, saying, The demand is through the roof. They are now issuing carry permits to all AKP [Justice and Development Party] members, and journalists and celebrities. We are short on instructors. We pay $200 an hour  join us.

His words came back to mind  front and center  on Oct. 23, when Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu announced that AKP members from Turkey's restless east and southeast regions will be given gun permits. "They will be given police protection as well," he said. "We will make sure they are defended by long-range weapons. After his statement, a social media frenzy broke out, with several hashtags calling on AKP members to arm themselves, and opponents questioning if this was the prelude to a civil war in Turkey.

The personal armament trend is not new. In the first six months of 2016, Turkey jumped from No. 25 to No. 8 among the top countries buying weapons from Germany, according to a report prepared for the German Council of Ministers.

This data is just the tip of the iceberg. Gun aficionados are easy to spot because only a few of those who carry weapons know how to conceal them properly. Especially in Ankara and Istanbul, in restaurants and cafes frequented by senior bureaucrats and AKP elites, one will see many of them pulling up their belts with one or even two guns holding them down. Indeed, the scene could get quite worrisome, as sometimes the newfound hobby of carrying a gun becomes overwhelming for the owner. For example, an amateur concealed-gun carrier might be seen dropping a magazine, touching their weapons frequently and forgetting to adjust them properly before exiting a car, restroom or simply getting up from a chair.

Waiters in the most popular tavern in Ankara spoke with Al-Monitor about the proliferation of gun-toting politicians. One waiter said, AKP bureaucrats hang out here almost every night. They do not drink, but this is a place for them to see pretty women and to be seen. We observe that more of them are armed now." This is especially true, they said, if a bureaucrat is having a personal or discreet meeting and has released his bodyguard for the night. "They will be armed and wearing a bulletproof vest.

These gun owners pose an imminent threat to themselves and those around them, and their numbers are increasing.

Another example that speaks volumes can be found in the pro-AKP Islamist newspaper, Yeni Akit daily. Since 2010, the paper has run front-page ads for pump-action shotguns. In the aftermath of the July 15 coup attempt, the ads have advanced to automatic and semi-automatic guns and shotguns, under the slogan Permits on us.

In Turkey, if you have money it is easy to buy a gun, get a permit and even trade guns online. Yet, prices are quite high compared with those in the United States. Imported guns that are registered are especially expensive, and if you are in the southeast  where guns are in high demand  the prices soar. However, you can get your hands on a 3- or 4-year-old black-market Glock or Smith & Wesson M&P (military and police) pistol for $500-$600. Brand-new models go for $2,000-$4,000. If Turkish-made handguns are acceptable, they can be had for $100-$400. In a country where every social media post and action is monitored, isn't it odd that the websites for trading guns or purchasing bullets operate freely? Plus, if the highest-paid bureaucrats salary is around $4,000 per month, who can afford these guns?

For decades, Turkish Islamists prided themselves on not carrying arms. But that has changed, especially since the coup attempt. Prominent Islamist columnists such as Abdurrahman Dilipak have openly advocated that those who have weapons with permits should carry them. If someone is shooting at me, would I reply by screaming slogans? Dilipak has said. This sentence has resonated among Islamists and ultranationalists strongly since July.

Several factors have contributed to the fast-paced arming of the AKP. Al-Monitor had a recent chat with three senior AKP officials. At the time, they were carrying weapons and each official had at least two magazines  all of it US-made and the latest models. These men offered three reasons for arming: fear of attacks by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which Turkey considers a terrorist group; the clandestine activities of the Gulen movement; and the limited number of bodyguards government can provide. Only the head of every department gets protection. For the rest of us, it's each man for himself, one of the AKP officials said.

In recent months, the PKK and its offshoots have carried out several targeted assassination attempts on AKP members in the Kurdish-majority southeast region. Several AKP members have been killed.

Since the July 15 coup attempt, Turkish Islamists have become more scared of such assassinations. Many believe Gulenists would employ anyone to kill them. Hence, less than 48 hours after the coup attempt, the senior adviser to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Seref Malkoc, appeared on live television announcing that the Interior Ministry would allow permits for citizens to own guns. He said, There are obstacles for citizens to own guns [right now]. If you look at all these shootings, they are carried out by guns without legal permits. Malkoc was clear that mafia members, gangs and murderers would somehow get their hands on smuggled weapons, so for the sake of citizens' honorable right to defend the nation, permits should be issued without any hassle.

So on Oct. 23, Soylu announced what is being dubbed "Texan law"  that AKP members will be provided with permits to buy and carry guns. The new statutory law has not been issued yet. Soylu has explicitly stated the law is for AKP members who feel their lives are in danger in Kurdish-majority towns, but AKP officials and sympathizers are confident that the declared state of emergency will facilitate pro-AKP factions, nationalists and Islamists to also get gun permits.

One might wonder, is it really that difficult to get a permit? Not at all. Indeed, in Erdogans hometown, Rize, the government is providing gun permits to anyone who donates to a foundation designed to provide services to villages. Now, the demand is overwhelming. The governor also told Rize residents, If there is another coup attempt like July 15, I will hand out guns to you myself.

So, it is easy to get a permit to carry a gun, and one does not have to worry in Turkey about concealing weapons. As a journalist told Al-Monitor in an upscale Istanbul cafe, men never have to hide their weapons. "Now, as pious women, we have access to self-defense for the first time, she said while resting her engraved Sig Sauer P226 pistol on the table in broad daylight. Turkey is becoming quite a scary place even for those who are trained to handle guns for a living.
November 1, 2016

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues to respond to calls from his supporters for the plotters of the July 15 attempted coup to receive the ultimate punishment, and he is signaling his keenness on seeing the death penalty reinstated in Turkey.

It is not clear, though, whether he is doing this for its own sake or if he is using the topic to increase his support base as the debate on changing Turkey from a parliamentary system to an executive presidency gathers steams.

Turkey, a Council of Europe member and a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights, abolished the death penalty in 2002, except in times of war. It subsequently abolished it in times of war in 2003, under Erdogan as prime minister, which is ironic from todays perspective.

Responding to supporters chanting We want the death penalty during the Oct. 29 inauguration of Ankaras new fast-speed-train station, Erdogan said, It is close, God willing. Dont worry."

He said the government would bring it to parliament soon, and he expressed his belief that it would pass. And when it comes before me, I will endorse it. Why? Because the people will get what they want, he said, adding, Sovereignty belongs to the people.

Responding to journalists later in the day, during his Republic Day reception in Istanbul, Erdogan reiterated his support for the death penalty.

I believe it is not right to delay this any longer, because there is a demand from the nation, he said. I believe parliament will pass this in the most appropriate manner, because we know that the death penalty is implemented in the larger part of the world.

When the topic first came up after the July 15 coup attempt, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that reinstating the death penalty would end Ankaras EU membership negotiations.

When asked about this, Erdogan signaled his indifference toward the EU. He questioned whether the EU could give back the 246 people killed by the coup plotters or those killed fighting terrorism.

Decisions by the EU are not unalterable for us. Lets first look to see how much of the world the EU corresponds to, Erdogan said, citing the United States as an example of a country where the death penalty exists.

Talking to reporters during the Republic Day reception, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim was more cautious. He said the Justice and Development Party (AKP) could not reintroduce the death penalty without a broad consensus in parliament. He nevertheless acknowledged that there was a public demand for this penalty and said the AKP would make an effort to secure this consensus.

Murat Yetkin, the editor-in-chief of Hurriyet Daily News, detects a shift in Yildirims position on the topic, despite his apparent lack of enthusiasm immediately after the failed coup attempt for reinstating the death penalty.

This shows that the death penalty was discussed at the highest level in the AKP, and like other topics, such as introducing a presidential system, Erdogan emerged victorious from the debate, Yetkin argued in his column.

Yetkin also referred to claims in Ankara that Erdogan was pursuing this matter for tactical reasons. There are claims that Erdogan is trying to make the death penalty an article of the new constitution, which will also enable the transition to a presidential system, and is trying to guarantee the support of the Nationalist [Movement] Party [MHP] [for a presidential system], Yetkin said.

The right-wing MHP wants the death penalty to be reinstated, especially against members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and its leader, Abdullah Ocalan, who is in prison in Turkey. Ocalan received the death sentence after his arrest in 1999, but this was commuted to aggravated life imprisonment when the death penalty was abolished.

The MHP, which was a member of the ruling coalition at the time, was forced by political circumstances to accept the lifting of the death penalty, but this never sat well with its ultra-nationalist constituents.

Addressing his partys parliamentary group Oct 31, MHP leader Devlet Bahceli reiterated that they were more than ready to support the AKP if it was genuinely serious about bringing back this penalty.

Detecting in Bahcelis words a political challenge to his party, Yildirim told his own parliamentary group the next day that the matter was a constitutional one that required the cooperation of all parties in parliament.

We are not in a position to close our ears to demands [for the death penalty], but it has to be known that we cant do this on our own, and that if reintroduced, it will not be retroactive, Yildirim said.

The main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) and the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party remain staunch opponents of the death penalty.

There have been calls from other groups to reinstate this penalty, especially in cases involving child abuse, honor killings or the killing of women, but these have not translated into a coordinated campaign. Many seem satisfied with life imprisonment without parole for such crimes.

At any rate, no executions took place in Turkey after 1984, even though the death penalty was in force. Executions required parliamentary approval, and many deputies were reluctant to provide this after the return to civilian rule following the Sept. 12, 1980, coup. Courts under the tutelage of the ruling junta then had executed 50 people, mostly on political grounds.

However, government supporters believe that there is a need for this penalty today in order to deter backers of the PKK and Fethullah Gulen, the Islamic cleric accused of masterminding the July 15 plot.

Bulent Orakoglu, a former police chief who headed an anti-terror squad in the 1990s, goes a step further and claims that the West forced Turkey into abolishing the death penalty in order to protect its interests.

It is clear that Europe and the US, who openly support terrorism, forced the Human Rights Convention on other countries in order to protect their agents, Orakoglu reasoned in his column in daily Yeni Safak, which is pro-Erdogan and staunchly anti-Western.

Yetkin declared that reinstating the death penalty would place Turkey politically and economically in a different and qualitatively lesser league of nations. We dont deserve this, he argued.

Riza Turmen, a former judge on the European Court of Human Rights and a current CHP deputy, said bringing back the death penalty would not only end Turkeys EU bid, but also endanger its 67-year Council of Europe membership.

Moving in that direction will raise questions about Turkeys commitment to Western values, Turmen told Al-Monitor. It will also mean Turkey is severing its ties with the West, he added.

Echoing Yildirim, Turmen pointed out that even if the death penalty was brought back, it would not be retroactive. It would not apply to those arrested for allegedly planning and executing the July 15 attempted coup.

Under the European Convention and our own constitution, a new law cannot apply to crimes committed before its introduction. To make a new law retroactive is inconceivable, Turmen said.

Turmen said Erdogans legal advisers know this and argued that Erdogans support for the death penalty is, at the end of the day, no more than cheap populism.
The Boeing Company is responsible for more than $2 billion in economic impact to Alabama, according to a study from the University of Alabama's Center for Business and Economic Research.

Jim Chilton, president of Boeing's Network and Space Systems, speaks to the media Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016.

That figure, coming in the company's 100th year of business, is just the surface, however. Jim Chilton, president of Boeing's Network and Space Systems, said Boeing has made a longterm investment in Alabama and Huntsville.

"We have a talent base and a set of facilities that have a role in almost anything Boeing chooses to do nationally," he said.

Approximately 54 years after its first plant in Alabama opened, Boeing is still the state's largest aerospace company. Its impact is being felt through weapons systems in use throughout the world, and in modules that have housed astronauts on the International Space Station for the past 16 years.

Huntsville's Boeing presence has a hand in space exploration technology, research, strategic defense and intelligence systems and other arenas, Chilton said.

The study gathered the company's impact according to 2015 figures and was assembled over a six-week period.

By the numbers, Boeing:

* Has $2.255 billion business sales impact, contributing $1.062 billion to the state's gross domestic product, and $565.1 million in household earnings. For a little perspective, Alabama's total GDP is $204 billion.

* Purchased $532.3 million through suppliers and vendors in Alabama.

* Employs 2,750 workers in Alabama on a $264 million payroll.

* Is responsible for 8,393 direct and indirect jobs.

* The company made in-state non-payroll purchases and expenditures of $748.7 million.

*Generated $53.9 million in state and local tax revenue.

And those numbers don't tell the full picture. Joseph Addy, an associate dean for economic development outreach at the University of Alabama Center for Business and Economic Research, said that doesn't include all the associated industry located in Alabama because of Boeing's presence.

For every job at Boeing, another three jobs exist in the Alabama economy, he said.

"You've made us a better place," Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battles told company officials at a gathering at the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce this morning. "Boeing keeps America safe through weapons systems, and they make America dream through space exploration."

Chilton said one exciting aspect of the company is its Research and Technology center, which supports commercial airplanes, defense, space and enterprise projects.

"That's the company saying we're here for the long haul," he said. "That's the future."
power crane NEW.jpg

Power Inc. Crane and Rigging Services of Daphne, Ala., recently added this eight-axle Liebherr LTM 1500-8.1 all-terrain telescopic mobile crane to its fleet. (Courtesy Power Inc.)

Since it was delivered at the Port of Mobile last week, a massive, 490-foot-tall crane has been stationed along I-10 off Rangeline Road in Theodore, causing some drivers to slow down as they marvel at its stature.

"We've had cars driving in off and on for the past week just wondering what it is," said William Dickerson, chief executive officer of Daphne-based Power Inc. Crane and Rigging, which recently acquired the crane. "There are only three anywhere in the Southeast and just a couple dozen in the entire country. A crane like this isn't something you see every day."

"A crane like this isn't something you see every day," said William Dickerson, chief executive officer of Power Inc. Crane and Rigging, who is pictured in front of the new, 37-story crane at the company's Theodore branch. (Photo by John Estes)

Manufactured by Liebherr in Germany, the all-terrain telescopic mobile crane is the largest ever owned and operated in Alabama, Dickerson added. It is equipped with multiple video cameras and sensors.

To put its size in perspective, the crane is 37 stories high, which is 66 feet taller than the RSA Trustmark Bank Building in downtown Mobile. Its 1.189 million-pound lifting capacity means it's strong enough to lift -- at one time -- eight U.S. Army M1A2 Abrams battle tanks, their crews and nearly two tons of equipment each.

Later this week, the crane will be transported to Alabama Power's Barry Electric Generating Plant along the Mobile River in Bucks, Ala., for its first project. To transport the 775,000-pound crane, it must be disassembled and loaded onto 18 full-size tractor-trailer rigs.

The $4.5 million state-of-the-art machine reflects a significant investment and addition to the company's fleet. "We can achieve the heaviest, highest and most distant lifts at this point," said Dickerson. "This crane means an entirely new capacity for our clients around the Southeast. We'll be able to lift and move bridge sections, railing and structures of almost any size."

Future plans include other industrial projects in other locations served by the company's Theodore and Tuscaloosa branches.
For many years, the horrific fate of the crew of the World War II cruiser USS Indianapolis was largely forgotten by the general public. Then the movie "Jaws" brought the story of the world's deadliest shark attack to a new generation with a monologue performed by the gravel-voiced Robert Shaw. Here is a condensed version:

"Japanese submarine slammed two torpedoes into her side, Chief ... We'd just delivered the bomb. The Hiroshima bomb. Vessel went down in 12 minutes ... Didn't see the first shark for about a half-hour. Sometimes that shark looks right at ya. Right into your eyes. And the thing about a shark is he's got lifeless eyes. Black eyes. Like a doll's eyes. When he comes at ya, he doesn't even seem to be livin'... 'til he bites ya, and those black eyes roll over white and then ... ah, then you hear that terrible high-pitched screamin.' The ocean turns red, and despite all your poundin' and your hollerin' those sharks come in and they rip you to pieces. So, eleven hundred men went into the water. Three-hundred-and-sixteen men come out. The sharks took the rest... Anyway, we delivered the bomb."

Richard Rionda Del Castro was among those audience members in 1975 blown away by Shaw's chilling speech, and now Del Castro says he is proud his production company, Hannibal Pictures, is bringing the story of the brave survivors of that very real tragedy to the big screen in "USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage."

With a few exceptions, the monologue was an accurate and hair-raising description of the events of July 1945, he said. Of the 1,196 men aboard when the Indianapolis was struck, 900 made it into the water alive and 317 were rescued. The movie depicts the start of the ship's mission to deliver components for the bomb that would destroy Hiroshima, the subsequent torpedo strike, the ship's sinking and the days and nights the men spent in the ocean awaiting rescue, as one-by-one, their friends were eaten by the hundreds of sharks surrounding them.

"The movie has drama, action, suspense, emotion, all of that, because these men spent hours and days in the water, in pitch black, with sharks attacking," Del Castro said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles. "Nine hundred jumped into the water and 317 were rescued five days later. These days, when someone is bitten by a shark, it makes national news. But nearly 600 men were eaten by sharks in five days and few people remember it."

Alabamians 'can all be proud'

The $40-million movie was filmed entirely in Alabama with the exception of a few days of shooting, Del Castro said. It stars Nicolas Cage, Tom Sizemore, Thomas Jane and Matt Lanter. It was filmed in 2015 aboard the USS Alabama, a battleship museum docked in Mobile, as well as at the Battle House Hotel, Mobile County Courthouse, a rig in the Gulf, Wolf Bay and a few private homes, according to Kathy Faulk with the Alabama Film Office.

"USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage," directed by Mario Van Peebles, will be in theaters Nov. 11. It was released in October on-demand and is available on iTunes, Apple TV and Spectrum where it "is over performing," Del Castro said. He previous efforts to make the film failed but he was able to "make it happen because of Alabama."

"You can all be proud," he said of Alabamians. "This movie is one of the best ambassadors for Alabama ever made."

The film includes numerous Alabama residents as extras, he said. Stan Houston, a Dothan resident who portrayed Sheriff Jim Clark in the film "Selma," has a small credited role in "USS Indianapolis."

Cage portrays Capt. Charles B. McVay III, the commander of the Indianapolis who survived the ordeal only to be accused of contributing to the ship's sinking and court-martialed. He committed suicide in 1968 and was posthumously exonerated by Congress in October 2000. Del Castro said McVay's granddaughter will attend a premiere of the film to be held in Mobile on Nov. 12.

In addition, Cage spent time on the set with 88-year-old Navy veteran and Alabama native Richard Stephens, who survived the Indianapolis tragedy. At their meeting, Cage asked about the experience and Stephens responded: "I haven't thought about it in a good while. I tried to get it out of my mind. Death is not a pretty thing and I saw too much of it."

Del Castro said it was his fourth movie to be filmed in Mobile, including the 2014 Cage thriller "Rage."

"We had a marvelous adventure shooting in Alabama," he said "All the people from Mobile and Orange Beach, the mayors and the film commission, everybody has been so great. My team and I, we can't wait to come back. We really had a good time. It will always stay in our heart."

An Oct. 28 article in "Variety" said Alabama is luring more large productions and smaller films thanks to its diverse locations and government incentives for filmmakers. "It's easy to see why Alabama is a popular destination for filmmakers. It easily doubles for multiple North American locations," Terry Flores wrote in the article.

The story lists some recent projects with portions filmed in Alabama: "Vice" (2015), "Extraction" (2015), "Heist" (2015), "Convergence" (2015), "Rage" (2014), "Selma" (2014), "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (2014), "42" (2013) and "Oculus" (2013).

Legacy of the USS Indianapolis

A 2013 article in "Smithsonian" magazine described the Indianapolis tragedy: "Shortly after midnight, a Japanese torpedo hit the Indianapolis in the starboard bow, blowing almost 65 feet of the ship's bow out of the water and igniting a tank containing 3,500 gallons of aviation fuel into a pillar of fire shooting several hundred feet into the sky. Then another torpedo from the same submarine hit closer to midship, hitting fuel tanks and powder magazines and setting off a chain reaction of explosions that effectively ripped the Indianapolis in two. Still traveling at 17 knots, the Indianapolis began taking on massive amounts of water; the ship sank in just 12 minutes. Of the 1,196 men aboard, 900 made it into the water alive. Their ordeal--what is considered the worst shark attack in history--was just beginning."

Del Castro said the movie tells this incredible true story of survival in a way he hopes will draw attention to the sacrifice of the crew.

"Basically, these men have been forgotten," Del Castro said. "They survived against all odds. Many of them did not make it, many of them died, and this tragedy could have been avoided. I hope that this movie is going to somehow bring for these men the respect of this young generation, the respect of this incredible nation that we have."

He recounts a story of how the men were found. Because the ship's mission was secret, no rescue party was sent. Instead, the pilot of a plane on a mission to find a Japanese submarine had a feeling he should look into the water.

"He was by himself in the cabin and he heard a voice saying he needed to look down," Del Castro said. "He felt pressure on his left shoulder and again a voice said, 'Look down, look down.' So he took the plane lower and one of men in back spotted the men in the water. They didn't even know where these men came from but they called for help. Basically, God talked to him and told him to go down. The survivors called it the angel from the sky."

Del Castro met two survivors of the Indianapolis and some relatives of crew members while in Alabama filming the movie. He said their input and their response was important to him.

"Many of the family members have watched the movie and said they were really very pleased with the outcome," he said. "I know their children and grandchildren are all very proud of them."

One of the survivors described the emotional impact of the event, which traumatized many of the men throughout their lives. He said the average age of the men on board was 21.

"We met with a survivor who told us, basically, when he came back home, he had his life jacket with him and he put in the basement," Del Castro said. "Several times a week, he was going down to basement and putting the life jacket on. He would leave it on for hours."

Cast member Matt Lanter, who stars in the NBC series "Timeless," had a personal connection with the movie. "His grandfather was a survivor of the Indianapolis," Faulk said. "His dad, Joe Lanter, is very involved with remaining survivors and joined him on set. This film is very personal to them both."

Click here to read about a scholarship program for Indianapolis survivors.

Watch the trailer here:
Alabama Death Row inmate Tommy Arthur on Tuesday was still waiting for the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and Alabama Supreme Court to rule on whether it will grant a stay of execution.

Arthur is set to die by lethal injection at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

If the appeal is granted, it would be the seventh time the 74-year-old's execution has been halted. Six other times, within days or hours of the appointed time, his execution was stopped. And other than a month on the lam after shooting a jailer in a 1986 escape, the second oldest inmate on death row has spent the better part of his last 33 years in a small cell on death row.

Arthur denies he was paid to kill a sleeping Muscle Shoals man, Troy Wicker, in 1982.

"I didn't no more kill Troy Wicker than you did," Arthur told AL.com in a recent telephone interview from his cell.

Three different juries in trials in 1983, 1987 and 1991, however, thought otherwise and found him guilty. The victim's wife, Judy Wicker, was also convicted of the murder and spent a decade in prison. She testified at one trial she paid Arthur $10,000 of the insurance money for the killing. Judy Wicker and Arthur, who was on work release at the time, were in a romantic relationship, court records show.

Wicker's family has always felt Arthur was guilty, Janette Grantham, executive director of the group Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL) said this week.

"There's no doubt he's guilty," Grantham said. "He deserves to be held accountable."

"They all called him 'Houdini' because he always seems to slip away. But hopefully he won't this time," Grantham said.

Efforts to reach members of Wicker's family were unsuccessful.

Grantham, who once worked with victims in the Alabama Attorney General's Office, said one of Wicker's sisters, Peggy Jones, who had closely followed the case won't be at the execution because she is dealing with breast cancer.

"They waited so long for this ... I just hope they can all find some kind of peace," Grantham said.

Besides seeking a stay of execution, Arthur's legal team is also appealing to the 11th Circuit to overturn a federal judge's ruling that denied his claims challenging Alabama's new three-drug lethal injection combination.

His attorneys on Tuesday also appealed to the Alabama Supreme Court asking it to vacate or stay his execution. That appeal challenges the state's death penalty sentencing law as unconstitutional, saying it is similar to Florida's former law that was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in January. The Alabama Attorney General's Office has argued that it isn't similar and the Alabama Supreme Court in a recent case ruled that the state's law is constitutional under the Florida ruling.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley also has not said whether he would grant clemency to Arthur, although the governor has yet to grant clemency for an inmate in the past. Arthur recently wrote Bentley seeking a stay of his execution, help in getting a new hearing, and a moratorium on all executions.

If the 11th Circuit denies his request for a stay of execution, then he could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Arthur was moved Tuesday into a holding cell by the execution chamber.

Here are the highlights of Arthur's case:

-- On Feb. 1, 1982, police found Troy Wicker of Muscle Shoals shot to death in his bed - a gunshot wound to his right eye.

-- Arthur was convicted of capital murder in 1983.

-- At the time of the Wicker murder, Arthur was serving at a Decatur work release center for a conviction in the 1977 murder of his sister-in-law, Eloise West, in Marion County. Having two murder convictions in that short a span made him eligible for the death penalty.

-- In 1985, Arthur's conviction in the Wicker case was overturned because details of the earlier murder had been introduced at his trial.

-- On Jan. 27, 1986, while awaiting retrial, Arthur escaped from the Colbert County jail by shooting a jailer in the neck with a .25 caliber pistol and forcing another jailer to open his cell. He was caught a month later by FBI agents in Knoxville, Tenn., after robbing a bank.

-- Arthur was retried for the Wicker murder in 1987, with the case moved to Jefferson County because of publicity. He was convicted, but the conviction was again overturned.

-- Arthur was tried again in Jefferson County and convicted in 1991. That verdict was upheld.

-- Before he was sentenced, Arthur asked jurors to recommend the death penalty. He said that he did not have a death wish, but that the sentence would provide more access to appeals. A lawyer for the state at that time said Arthur "knows how to work the system."

-- Tuscumbia attorney William Hovater, who was appointed to defend Arthur after he fired his first two attorneys and later escaped from the Colbert County Jail, told a reporter after one trial that he had worked a plea agreement for Arthur to be sentenced to life without parole, if he pleaded guilty. Arthur declined. "He never admitted that he did it," Hovater told a reporter.

Arthur has come close to execution six previous times - within days or even hours. They include:

-- April 27, 2001. A federal court issued a stay two days before the scheduled execution because of an appeal that was later dismissed.

-- Sept. 27, 2007. The day of the planned execution Gov. Bob Riley granted a 45-day reprieve so that the state could develop an assessment of whether inmates are unconscious after the first drug in the three-drug protocol is given.

-- Dec. 6, 2007. One day before, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay pending its decision in a case challenging Kentucky's method of lethal injection. The court later upheld Kentucky's method as constitutional.

-- July 31, 2008. Two days before, Arthur filed a petition that he was innocent based on an affidavit from another inmate that asserted that the inmate, not Arthur, had killed Wicker. The Alabama Supreme Court issued a stay to allow investigation of the claim. A Jefferson County judge later found that Arthur had helped the other inmate to make the claim and said the two inmates had tried to defraud the court.

-- March 31, 2012. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay March 28 and ordered the district court to hear Arthur's claims that Alabama's lethal injection method violated his right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment and his due process rights. Alabama later changed its drug combination because one of the drugs was no longer available.

-- Feb. 19, 2015. Watkins ruled two days before the scheduled execution that the 2012 stay remains in place and allowed Arthur to file an amended complaint challenging the new drug protocol.

Current appeal

Arthur's current appeal to the 11th Circuit says the district court judge improperly denied Arthur's request to amend his complaint to request the firing squad as an alternative execution method. When challenging a method of execution, inmates must suggest another form of execution under a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Arthur's attorneys argue that the judge erroneously ruled that the alternative method must be expressly permitted by state law.

The judge also rejected Arthur's claim that pentobarbital is a feasible and readily implemented alternative execution drug. An Alabama Department of Corrections official testified at Arthur's hearing earlier this year that the state couldn't find a supply of that drug.

Among the other arguments, Arthur's attorneys claim that the judge erroneously rejected their arguments that the first drug in the lethal injection protocol - midazolam - would cause him to suffer a painful heart attack before being sedated.

Arthur and his attorneys have also said there was never any physical evidence, such as fingerprints or DNA, linking him to Wicker's death. Arthur said that not all the evidence has been tested that might point to another person.

Arthur also points to Judy Wicker's testimony at her murder trial in which she claimed a burglar raped her and killed her husband. Wicker, after her conviction, testified at one of Arthur's later trials that she had given Arthur $10,000 - part of the insurance money - to kill her husband.

Arthur and his attorneys say the rape kit performed on Judy Wicker is missing.

Arthur in June asked AL.com to conduct a videotaped in-person interview at Holman prison. But prison officials said that is not allowed under the law.

Arthur claimed prison officials and the Attorney General's Office didn't want publicity. "They don't want a face, they don't want a personality to reach the public. They want to portray me as a mad dog foaming-at-the-mouth heathen killer," Arthur said in one telephone interview with AL.com. "They don't want the public to see that I'm a human being, that I'm not an idiot. They don't want to put what I'm saying with a voice where the general public can see."

Efforts to reach Arthur's daughter, Sherrie Author Stone, who at one time had a website for her father to support his appeals, were unsuccessful for this story.

But she did talk to reporters with the Times Daily newspaper in Florence for a story on Sunday.

"My heart goes out to the families of those he killed and to the families of those he injured in some way. I am so sorry for your loss and pain. I pray you find peace if you have not been able to. There are probably many others we do not know about," Stone told the Times Daily.

Stone, who has a brother, also talked to the newspaper about how abusive her father was to their mother.

"He beat and shot my first stepmother. He beat my second stepmother, and shot and killed her sister and almost killed her cousin," Stone told the Times Daily.

Updated at 10 a.m. to include information about appeal to Alabama Supreme Court

Note: AL.com is participating in "The Next to Die" with The Marshall Project to track and provide information on scheduled executions
Alabama Department of Corrections officials report a stabbing of a corrections officer today at the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility in Bessemer.

The stabbing happened about 12 a.m., said ADOC spokesman Bob Horton. The corrections officer, who is not being named, was conducting a search of an inmate's cell and found contraband.

When questioned, inmate Shawn Baker stabbed the officer with a makeshift knife he was concealing, Horton said. The officer received a head wound and defensive wounds to his hands. He was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

The 32-year-old Baker will be charged in the attack. He already is serving life without parole for a 2007 attempted murder conviction out of Madison County.

There were no other injuries, and the prison wasn't placed on lockdown.
The Alabama Supreme Court this morning denied death row inmate Tommy Arthur's request for a stay of execution.

Arthur is set to be executed at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore for his conviction in the 1982 contract killing of Troy Wicker.

Arthur's attorneys on Tuesday had appealed to the Alabama Supreme Court asking it to vacate or stay his execution. That appeal challenged the state's death penalty sentencing law as unconstitutional, saying it is similar to Florida's former law that was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in January. The Alabama Attorney General's Office has argued that it isn't similar and the Alabama Supreme Court in a recent case ruled that the state's law is constitutional under the Florida ruling.

Arthur also is waiting to hear back from the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals for his request to stay the execution.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley also has not said whether he would grant clemency to Arthur, although the governor has yet to grant clemency for an inmate in the past. Arthur recently wrote Bentley seeking a stay of his execution, help in getting a new hearing, and a moratorium on all executions.

Tommy Arthur Order by KentFaulk on Scribd

Note: AL.com is participating in "The Next to Die" with The Marshall Project to track and provide information on scheduled executions
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan addressed a congratulatory message to Michel Aoun on being elected as President of Lebanon, the Presidents Office told ARMENPRESS.

I am sure your long experience and deep devotion for ensuring a prosperous and safe future for Lebanon will best serve their goal.

I am convinced, that during your tenure, the centuries old friendship of the Armenian and Lebanese peoples will deepen even more and will receive new qualities.

I wish you health, strength and stamina for the realization of all your goals and programs, the message reads.
wardynski lee

Former Huntsville superintendent Casey Wardynski and fiancee Karen Lee, CEO of Pinnacle Schools, both testified in a hearing to determine whether the court should prevent the school system from terminating its contract with Pinnacle. (File)

Former Huntsville superintendent Casey Wardynski and his fiancee, Pinnacle Schools CEO Karen Lee were called to testify in court today about the relationship between the school system and Pinnacle.

That relationship has been a source of controversy in recent months, culminating last week when Pinnacle sued the school system for breach of contract and non-payment.

Late last week, Pinnacle requested a hearing to ask for a temporary restraining order that would reinstate its contract with Huntsville City Schools to operate the RAISE alternative school program. A few weeks ago, the Huntsville school board voted to terminate the contract effective Oct. 28 and bring its Pinnacle students in-house.

Madison County Circuit Judge Alan Mann listened to two hours of testimony from Wardynski and Lee, and heard arguments from attorneys for Pinnacle and for Huntsville City Schools. He said he would review the evidence and take it under advisement.

He did not give a timeframe for his decision.

Encouraged to stay

Pinnacle attorney John Wilmer asked Wardynski about the nature of several programs Pinnacle operated for Huntsville City Schools that were outside the scope of its written contract, which was for the RAISE alternative school program.

At one point, Wilmer asked Wardynski why he resigned abruptly in September. Wardynski gave the school board and the public less than 48 hours' notice of his intention to resign.

Wardynski said he'd been considering resigning since his wife died last December, but school board members urged him to stay so he could help the system navigate through updated desegregation guidelines, as the system had entered into a new consent order with the Department of Justice.

He told board members again in August that he was considering resigning because at that point he was in a romantic relationship with Lee that he believed might be heading toward marriage. He said board members again told him to stay and that the relationship "wasn't a big problem."

He said when it became apparent to him in September that the problem could not be worked out, he decided to resign and told the board the next morning. He said board members again encouraged him to stay another six months, but he thought that wasn't a good idea.

After Wardynski's resignation, the school board canceled a Pinnacle program called the Assignment for Positive Progress (APP). An invoice for APP had been on the agenda for the board meeting the week Wardnyksi resigned.

That APP invoice eventually kicked off an investigation by the school system into what Interim Superintendent Tom Drake later called overbilling, which resulted in Pinnacle suing the school system for breach of contract and for not paying for services rendered.

Discipline problems led to APP

At today's hearing, Wardynski testified that APP was created as a direct result of the highly publicized discipline problems the school system faced last year.

APP was originally named the "Transition from Pinnacle" program. Wardynski said in the years before the desegregation consent order, the school system could leave students at Pinnacle until school officials felt they were ready to come back.

But under the updated consent order, students could only stay at Pinnacle about a semester, because keeping them out of school could constitute the practice of segregation, as black children were expelled at a rate 6 to 8 times greater than white children.

"As they started coming back after only a semester, you saw the implications on the news last year," said Wardynski. "School fights, a lot of information on the news about disruption in the schools.

"We were concerned about the stability of the school system."

The solution was the APP program, which would allow the school to place students returning from Pinnacle into a separate classroom at their zoned school. The APP classroom would have resources that an average classroom could not provide, including therapists, interventionists and social workers. Wardynski said the program was designed to help 200-300 students.

He said when discussions about an in-school program first began in the summer of 2015, he said he decided he'd be willing to spend about $1 million to address behavioral problems created by students returning from Pinnacle.

He met with school administrators multiple times in January, February and March of 2016 before the APP pilot program launched in April.

Wardynski said once the APP program was developed in the early months of 2016, he did not want to take it to the school board for approval because it had not yet been approved by the Department of Justice.

"We pushed this support into high schools as insurance so we'd be ready in the coming school year" to address behavioral problems, he said, "and we wouldn't have, as (school board member) Mr. McGinnis said, another fiasco."

Wilmer asked about the approval of the APP program's cost. Wardynski said Lee presented the plan to him, deputy superintendent Dr. Barbara Cooper and others at a meeting where Wardynski said he "grilled" her on the program's costs. School administrators and Lee eventually negotiated down to the rate of $25,000 per classroom per month for five classrooms.

"To be ready for the August school year, I directed folks to go forward," with implementing the program in each high school, said Wardynksi.

The total cost per school year for APP would have been $1.125 million. Wardynski said Taylor told him the school system could not provide that program more cheaply. He asked Taylor to include enough money in the upcoming school year's budget to pay for the APP program.

Some students cost more

Wilmer asked Wardynski why some Pinnacle programs, such as the High Five program for special needs students and High Priority program for students who were deemed dangerous, had a different cost model than the one for the RAISE program that was outlined in the written RAISE contract.

Wardynski said he believed the programs represented "a good value" compared with their cost to the school system. He said children in those programs had more needs than could be accommodated in the RAISE program, so they were billed as costing three or four "seats" in a classroom, rather than the one seat per student outlined in the RAISE contract.

He said the additional Pinnacle programs like APP, High Five, High Priority and others helped decrease discipline problems in the schools and increase graduation rates.

After Wardynski was dismissed, Karen Lee took the stand to explain how the APP program was created.

She said meetings took place "almost daily" with Pinnacle staff and Huntsville City Schools administration to iron out the details of the APP program in its development stage.

She said attorneys were present at every meeting. At no point did anyone from the school system tell her she needed a written contract for the APP program.

Lee testified that Pinnacle had self-funded the entire APP program, from its development through the end of September when the school board canceled the program. She said she hired 31 additional Pinnacle staff to run APP: state certified and highly qualified teachers, 12 licensed therapists, six trained interventionists and some administration to help run the program.

Lee said once the school system began investigating its claims of overbilling, Pinnacle was in contact with parents of its students "all along," telling them it was unclear how long Pinnacle would be able to remain in business.

Headed for bankruptcy

Lee also talked about the hardship her business would face if the judge does not grant the injunction that would force the school board to reinstate its contract with Pinnacle for the RAISE program.

Wilmer did not ask her about her relationship with Wardynski.

She testified that since the termination of the RAISE contract and the extra programs, she has used her own money and money from her former husband to keep Pinnacle running and to pay the salaries of a skeleton crew. She's laid off 50 employees so far and will likely have to let another 25 go this week.

If the injunction is not granted, she said, "We'd probably go bankrupt."

Lee also accused the school system of hiring her employees and attempting to hire her administrators. Drake has said at a recent board meeting that the school system was hiring some former Pinnacle employees to run its replacement alternative school program.
Interest from far and wide as Standing Rock protest grows

Cousins Jessica and Michelle Decoteau, of Belcourt, both enrolled members in the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, don slogans opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, in Bismarck, N.D. The pair, who participated in a peaceful protest outside the North Dakota state capitol, say they stand in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux. (AP Photo/John L. Mone) ORG XMIT: RPJM102

(Lynda V. Mapes Tribune News Service)

The first time Tara Houska heard about the Colonial Pipeline blast in Alabama, she was checking her emails Monday afternoon at a casino not far from the Dakota Access Pipeline protests at Standing Rock, North Dakota.

Without access to Wi-Fi or a reliable cell service at the protesters encampment, Houska was one of the first to deliver news to the thousands who have for seven months demonstrated against the construction of a gas pipeline that will pass through the heart of a Native American reservation in the state.

"I saw the Facebook livestream of the pipeline explosion and I was like 'wow, this is happening right now," said Houska, who is a citizen of Couchiching First Nation and National Campaign Director at Honor the Earth, a Minnesota-based environmental group that supports Native communities. "That explosion is case in point that pipelines are extremely dangerous and when they leak or explode, we're not just talking about an isolated incident that can be fixed quickly, it can be hundreds of thousands of gallons of gasoline that can seep into the ground and into the drinking water."

Within hours, the news of the pipeline explosion in Shelby County, Alabama, had spread throughout the camp and on social media, giving credence to an environmental campaign that has been waged by Native Americans and people sympathetic to their cause.

But even before people at Standing Rock found out about the explosion nearly 1,500 miles away, tens of thousands of posts began to pop up on popular social media sites, one of the main battle grounds against the pipeline, said Sarah Sunshine Manning, a reporter for the Indian Country Today Media Network. "Many of the folks that are here, many of the environmental organizations, non-profit organizations, they continue to do their research and find information of current breaks, so there's really an effort on social media to share articles that show the dangers of this pipeline," said Manning, a Shoshone-Paiute and Chippewa-Cree national. "For this pipeline, slated to go under the Missouri river, there's not the slightest bit of confidence, that number one, it won't break, but secondly, that the detection systems will be able to detect a burst in time."

But the #DAPL is going to be safe 



Alabama declares emergency over pipeline explosion https://t.co/fE3dFH4Lkz  mikee dee (@uncleblabby) November 1, 2016

The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), if constructed, will deliver up to 570,000 gallons of light sweet crude oil 1,170 miles from the Bakken region of North Dakota through four states and down to Patoka, central Illinois, according to details provided by the Energy Transfer Crude Oil Company, the organization responsible for the project.

Detractors of the $3.8 billion pipeline, which was approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to cross under the Missouri River a mile north of the reservation, argue that it would cause immediate harm to the 8,000 residents that currently live in the Standing Rock reservation, a 3,500 square mile area of land that straddles the border between North and South Dakota.

Pipeline planners have been accused of double standards by tribal elders, who have pointed out that the pipeline's original route, across the Missouri river north of Bismarck, was changed after powerful opposition from residents who said it would threaten their water supply.

Such is the national outcry over the proposed pipeline, President Barack Obama broke his silence on the issue during an interview Wednesday, suggesting that his administration would consider intervening and rerouting the pipeline away from Native American lands.

"We're monitoring this closely," Obama said. "My view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans. And I think that right now the Army Corps is examining whether there are ways to reroute this pipeline. We're going to let it play out for several more weeks and determine whether or not this can be resolved in a way that I think is properly attentive to the traditions of First Americans."

However, Obama's message of compromise does not sit well with Houska, who said that his words, which comes in the final months of his presidency, is a "slap in the face" and that waiting a few more weeks will only see more people hurt in the protests.

"There are people hurt, I've seen teenagers being maced, elders being arrested while they are praying," said Houska. "This is happening in real time, this isn't several weeks away. These are life-altering things happening to people as we speak. So the answer of 'let's give it several weeks' is quite frankly disappointing."
Governor Bentley

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley speaks at a Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County update luncheon at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville Wednesday April 13, 2016. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@AL.com)

(Bob Gathany)

Education and elected officials disagree with Gov. Robert Bentley's public remarks that "Our education system in this state sucks."

One lawmaker has called upon the governor to apologize to teachers and students, while other state and education officials called Bentley's choice of words unfortunate, unconstructive, and demoralizing.

Bentley made the comments while addressing the Alabama Association of Regional Councils Conference.

Bentley followed his remark by saying: "I don't use that term very much, but let me tell you. I wanna tell you this: When we are 51st on our NAEP scores in 4th grade math in this state...51st? And we ain't got but 50 states? That's pretty sad. And it's intolerable. And we're gonna do something about it."

Education leaders and politicians weren't pleased.

Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, today released a statement calling on Bentley to apologize and to retract his comments.

Standridge said Alabama schools could improve, but "it is totally and wholly unacceptable for the governor to slam both hard working teachers and students with a blanket statement of disapproval."

Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, said she was saddened by Bentley's view. "To simply say everything sucks, to me, is not a good representation of the excellence that we have in some places."

State school board member Mary Scott Hunter said Bentley sounded frustrated. She said his choice of words wasn't constructive. But she also said Alabama needs to raise expectations.

But Dr. Eric Mackey, Executive Director of the School Superintendents of Alabama, said the governor's comments were demoralizing. "It's unfortunate that the governor would insult our teachers and educators who work hard everyday to the great benefit of our state's children.

The new state superintendent, Michael Sentance, seemed to understand Bentley's concern, saying: "But we have to improve. I certainly share Gov. Bentley's passion about the urgency to make every aspect of public education in Alabama better - including its performance on national assessments."

State board of education member Mary Scott Hunter, R-District 8

Mary Scott Hunter (AL.com file photo)

"He's obviously frustrated, and his word choice isn't constructive. But, if he's speaking to anyone it's me and my elected official colleagues. We have dedicated teachers who want their students to learn at the highest levels and parents who want so much more for their kids. But, we've had too many elected officials who, for decades, didn't expect and empower academic achievement. Today we have low household net worth, skyrocketing social services costs, crowded prisons and many other problems as a result. Those of us in elected office now didn't create the problems that do exist nor can we take credit for all the successes. But, we can, today, have higher expectations and fight for resources to strengthen our delivery of public K-12 education."

Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, Chair of the House Education Policy Committee

State Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur

"I'm saddened that is Gov. Bentley's view. I see pockets of excellence all across the state. That's where we want all of our schools to go. There are pockets also where there is desperate work to be done. We need to know where those pockets are and we need to look at that and do the hard work of getting it right. That's one of the reasons why I've been wanting to implement the grading system, so we can identify those pockets. And I know that we can do that as a state. In some of our deep pockets of poverty are some of our Blue Ribbon schools that are having amazing success with students. We need to find ways to replicate that with excellent leadership and excellent teachers. And they are out there. To simply say everything sucks, to me, is not a good representation of the excellence that we have in some places."

Dr. Eric Mackey, Executive Director of the School Superintendents of Alabama

"It's unfortunate that the governor would insult our teachers and educators who work hard everyday to the great benefit of our state's children. His comments are certainly demoralizing, but I can assure you that local superintendents in counties and towns large and small all across this state will not be dissuaded in our efforts to provide the best education possible everyday for every child. We know that we have a long way to go to reach the upper tier of achievement and we have been the leading voice calling for the policy decisions to move this state's schools forward. The governor's comments are just unfortunate and deflating...much like when he told the PARCA meeting a few years back that we should quit teaching calculus and physics and other subjects the he suggested kids didn't need. Nevertheless, he is entitled to his opinion. Those of us doing the work don't have time to deal with this distraction."

State superintendent Michael Sentance

Alabama Superintendent Michael Sentance

"Alabama's education system, like every public education system in America, has its fair share of challenges. When I visit classrooms, I find an enormous commitment by educators and administrators to our children and the future of Alabama. But we have to improve. I certainly share Gov. Bentley's passion about the urgency to make every aspect of public education in Alabama better - including its performance on national assessments. I hope to make our hopes a reality in the coming years."

Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, Chairman of the House Rural Caucus

"As the husband and father of trained educators, and the grandfather of public school students, I am deeply troubled by Governor Bentley's recent comment that our state's 'education system sucks.'

Rep. David Standridge

"Are there things that we could improve in our education system? Of course. Do we need to do more to ensure that teachers have the resources they need and that students are being challenged to reach greater heights of achievement? Absolutely. However, it is totally and wholly unacceptable for the governor to slam both hard working teachers and students with a blanket statement of disapproval.



"Most of Alabama's teachers love their students, work hard at their jobs, and are taking money out of their own pockets to better equip their classrooms. Many Alabama students want to work hard and do better for themselves and their families and they aspire to realize the American dream. For Governor Bentley to disrespect both teachers and students with foul language, language which would be unacceptable in the same schools he is demeaning, is unbecoming of the Office of the Governor of Alabama. Accordingly, I am calling on Governor Robert Bentley to immediately retract his statement and to apologize to the educators and students of this state."

Sally Smith, executive director of the Alabama Association of School Boards

Sally Smith

"The governor's remarks today regarding Alabama's education system are unfortunate to say the least. While he may not have intended to insult the thousands of educators in this state who are in the trenches each day, working with extremely limited resources to provide a quality education for our students, the choice of words was regrettable and disheartening. Overcoming the challenges that exist in our educational system requires a spirit of cooperation and shared accountability from leadership at all levels. Alabama's students deserve no less."

Dr. Joe Morton, president of Business Education Alliance and former state superintendent

"Being last in the nation in 4th grade math is 'sad and intolerable' , but all segments of education and all teachers are not failing. The Business Education Alliance (BEA) has provided three thorough research reports to Alabama's leaders on how to dramatically improve education. In 2011 our 4th graders were reading at the national average; today in the bottom 10 states. The answer is not to cut funding to the Reading Initiative as was done for FY 2017 (a $7.4 million decrease in funding). We must focus our scarce tax dollars on programs that research indicates will show educational gains. Reinvent the Reading Initiative, focus on Mathematics and Science, continue support for PreK, Career Tech, Distance Learning, Advanced Placement, Teacher Quality and collaborations with our two- and four-year colleges--these and more found in our 3 research reports will move Alabama up in the rankings and not give economic recruiters in other states ammunition to use against us as we pursue more jobs for our citizens."

UPDATED 7:16 p.m. with Dr. Joe Morton's response.
In this craziest of election seasons, it seems almost normal that some people are looking to a 16th Century seer to help them navigate the political waters between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

The internet is abuzz with theories that Nostradamus, famed for intricately worded prophecies that many swear have come true, predicted the 2016 presidential election. The most commonly cited passage from Nostradamus related to the election - Century I, 40 - seems to refer to Trump, proponents claim:

"The false trumpet concealing madness

will cause Byzantium to change its laws.

From Egypt there will go forth a man who wants

the edict withdrawn, changing money and standards."

Believers point to the "false trumpet" mention as proof Nostradamus saw the rise of Trump, a controversial businessman turned politician, comparing it to the seer's reference in another passage to "Hister," which many say predicted the rise of German dictator Adolph Hitler.

The reference to "Trumpet" shows up in a couple of references by Nostradamus:

"The trumpet shakes with great discord.

An agreement broken: lifting the face to heaven:

the bloody mouth will swim with blood;

the face anointed with milk and honey lies on the ground.

The great Senate will ordain the triumph

For one who afterwards will be vanquished, driven out:

At the sound of the trumpet of his adherents there will be

Put up for sale their possessions, enemies expelled.

The republic of the great city

Will not want to consent to the great severity:

King summoned by trumpet to go out,

The ladder at the wall, the city will repent."

Conspiracy theorists like to point out, the old word for "trumpet" is - you guessed it - Trump. And then there are the references to "agreements broken" (as in Trump's comments related to ending US treaties); and "the wall" (the GOP's nominee's plan to build a wall at the US/Mexico border.)

And of course, there are those who look to other prophecies that seem to point to Clinton, who if elected will become the country's first female president. (You can sort those out here.)

Not everyone is buying the Nostradamus/Trump/Clinton link of course. As Science/HowStuffWorks.com said, you shouldn't read too much into the French seer's words or his purported accuracy.

"The most compelling argument against Nostradamus' powers is that his apparent "hits" are the result of random chance and creative interpretation. There are about a thousand quatrains, most containing more than one prediction and all but a few described in vague, obscure terms. Over the course of hundreds of years, it's certainly possible that some events would line up with some predictions, simply by coincidence," it noted.

In other words, the "trumpet" references could be just trumped up interpretations.

And, as Snopes has consistently pointed out, "new" Nostradamus predictions - including some bogus ones - have been rolled out for just about every presidential election.

If Nostradamus didn't foretell Trump, who did? That would be the Simpsons of course, way back in 2000. Speaking from the Oval Office as the first female president, Lisa Simpson says "As you know, we've inherited quite a budget crunch from President Trump."

You can check it out yourself below - no French translations needed.
Officials have identified the man who was killed while working on a gasoline pipeline that exploded Monday in Shelby County, Alabama.

"We can confirm the decedent is [48-year-old] Anthony Lee Willingham," Shelby County Deputy Coroner Lina Evans said via email Wednesday afternoon.

The Heflin resident was the lone member of a nine-person crew that was present at the scene of the explosion, which state officials and Colonial Pipeline - the company that owns the line - have said was instigated by a piece of excavation equipment striking the pipeline.

Little about the 48-year-old pipeline worker has been made public, and a call to his wife, Beverly Willingham, went unanswered Wednesday. The couple was married for more than 25 years and had two daughters and multiple grandchildren.

One of Anthony Willingham's daughters told WSFA Wednesday that her father was a welder and heavy machinery worker for L.E. Bell Construction of Heflin for more than two decades.

Including, Willingham, eight of the nine workers who were at the work site in Shelby County where the Monday explosion happened were employed by L.E. Bell, and one was employed by another company, Colonial told AL.com Tuesday. Four other workers who were injured in the blast were transported Monday to UAB's burn unit for treatment. Willingham's body was recovered from the blast site Tuesday morning.

David York, a spokesman for Colonial, said Tuesday that the needs of the workers who were present at the explosion site and of their family members were the company's highest priority in the initial aftermath of the blast.

"Our focus right now is the care and comfort of the injured and the family of the gentleman who died in this event," he said. "It a devastating event, not only for the company, but also for those families, and we've got to jointly get through that."
IMG_9917.JPG

Sec. Jeana Ross speaks to statewide ESSA implementation committee on Nov. 1

Alabama's plan for implementing the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is one step closer to completion despite the fact that the final rules haven't been released yet.

ESSA is supposed to give states more flexibility than its predecessor, the No Child Left Behind Act, did. States are now charged with designing plans around how federal funds are spent and how schools and districts will be held accountable for student outcomes.

Today in Montgomery the 27-member statewide implementation committee finalized the plan they have been working on since May.

One of the most controversial aspects is the accountability plan. ESSA requires states provide a summative rating for each school, but doesn't mandate a particular method to do so. States are allowed to establish their own ratings and method for how those ratings are calculated.

Report cards for Alabama's schools are expected to be released next month, though the state board of education did not approve proposed state rules for those report cards at October's board meeting. State superintendent Michael Sentance said he plans to follow state law, and state law requires the state board to adopt those rules.

The state committee's work so far is chronicled on Gov. Bentley's official web site. Bentley created the committee through Executive Order in March. About 60 people attended today's meeting.

Seven subcommittees focused their work over the past few months in these areas: accountability, district and school improvement, English language learners, standards and assessments, direct student services delivered through federal Title programs, data collection and reporting, educator effectiveness, and early learning.

Some details in the state's accountability plan were left blank, as Alabama waits on the final federal rules.

Final rules are expected in December, but states across the country have been working on their plans since draft rules were released this summer. Arizona released their draft ESSA plan in September and is working on a second draft now.

Secretary of Early Childhood Education Secretary and committee co-chair Jeana Ross opened the meeting, saying the plan is considered a draft, as it still has to be approved by the State Board of Education before being sent to the U.S. Department of Education.

Though no hard and fast deadline for states to submit their final plan has been set, the window is open for March and July 2017. States are expected to fully implement the new plans beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

Ross said the draft plan presented today will be cleaned up and posted online. At that point, the public will have another chance to submit their comments. The first official comment period ended Sunday.

Ross said she expects this next comment period to remain open until the state board of education votes to approve the plan.

The plan created by the ESSA committee is a starting point, Ross said. And though many of those key decisions have been made, they could be overturned if final rules require changes or the state board votes to change them.

In regard to accountability, the ESSA committee recommended that a single system be used for both state and federal purposes.

Key elements of the accountability plan decided on are:

The minimum number of students in a subgroup remains at 20

Student achievement and learning gains will both be used

Four- and five-year graduation rates will be factors in the plan

Attendance will be included

College and career ready indicator attainment for schools with a grade 12 will be used

The accountability subcommittee recommended some elements in the plan be put on hold until final regulations are released by the U.S. Department of Education. Specifically, those are:

How to hold schools accountable when less than 95% of students participate in state assessments

How and when to measure progress for English Language Learners

How to "meaningfully differentiate" among public schools statewide

How much weight each measure (e.g., student achievement, learning gains) is given

What "underperforming" means, as in what time frame and on which factors

Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, expressed concern about waiting for final rules to make decisions on the state plan. Collins co-chaired the accountability subcommittee and said she wanted the subcommittee to define more of the measures themselves or they risk having the federal government define it for them.

"Let's present what we want to present and see if [the federal government] goes with it," Collins said.

Alabama State Department of Education Director of the Office of Student Learning Shanthia Washington co-chaired the statewide committee. Washington said she would have liked the accountability subcommittee to define more elements, even if they had to come back and change something after final rules are released.

"Why are we waiting on federal guidelines when this is supposed to be a state plan?" committee member Shag LaPrade asked during the meeting.

Mobile Superintendent and committee member Martha Peek responded that some of the details in the measures could end up being changed. "This is like Swiss cheese right now. There are still a lot of holes," Peek said.

The school and district improvement subcommittee recommended measures to be used to identify schools for additional support, including whether student achievement is in the bottom six percent statewide, which is the measure used to identify "failing schools" in the Alabama Accountability Act.

Committee members were clear that no additional data on students should be collected outside of what the federal government requires.

Additional public reporting on public school expenditures, professional qualifications of teachers, and achievement measures for students is required under ESSA. The ALSDE has worked on that platform and will make it public in fall 2017.

The committee recommended sticking with Alabama's educator effectiveness plan, which currently is being implemented in districts across the state.

The full plan will be posted online as soon as possible, Ross said, to allow for more input.

Washington said the ALSDE is still working to share the information with parents and educators. Some schools and districts are holding meetings with parents to ensure as many people as possible know they have a voice in creating the ESSA plan, Washington said.

ALSDE spokesperson Malissa Valdes-Hubert said nearly 650 people attended the ESSA Community Engagement Tours held in eight cities across Alabama in August and September. Here's the information given to Tour attendees.

After the meeting, committee members questioned whether ESSA really gives all that much control to the states.

"ESSA is not providing flexibility to states that's been represented to the public and educators around the country," Alabama Eagle Forum Executive Director and committee member Deborah Love said.

"I think there is too much centralized control over the plan. For example, all of the guidelines we've been using have been coming from the U.S. Department of Education," Love said, adding the plan is being written by the ALSDE and the committee is seeing the plan after it's been written, instead of the other way around. "That's a problem," Love said.

Washington said the law itself does provide that flexibility, but the regulations could end up being overly prescriptive.

Ross said she hopes the state board of education will review the plan at their Nov. 10 work session and vote on it at their December board meeting. The plan could then be delivered to the Governor who could sign off on it before the State of the State Address in January.

Though ESSA calls for a state's plan to be developed in consultation with the state's governor, it does not require the governor to sign it. However, in Alabama, Bentley is the President of the state board of education, the body that has final approval authority over the state's plan.

ESSA Presentation from the Alabama State Department of Education by Trisha Powell Crain on Scribd
Flomaton Police are investigating two separate deaths Tuesday night.

Authorities said a woman in her 40s was found dead at a home on Evelyn Street. A man in his 40s was found dead three miles away from the first victim at a home on College Street. The case has been handed over to the State Bureau of Investigations as requested by Police Chief Brian Davis, according to Trooper Kevin Cook.

As of Tuesday night, authorities are not sure if the deaths are related to each other.

The cause of the deaths have not been released yet.

No more details were released about the incident.
The Mobile Police Department arrested and charged 30-year-old Reginald Blevins with murder on Tuesday (Nov. 1).

The Mobile Police Department arrested and charged 30-year-old Reginald Blevins with murder in connection with the killing of Joseph O'Brien in 2013.

Mobile jail records show that Blevins was taken into custody on October 27 for safekeeping and he was charged with murder on Tuesday.

MPD Spokeswoman Charlette Solis confirmed that new evidence presented to police revealed that Blevins committed the murder.

Back in October of 2013, 48-year-old Joseph "Joey" O'Brien was found fatally shot on Spring Hill Avenue near a post office. The case generated unusual public interest because the shooting apparently was random.

O'Brien was a regular at Little Flower Catholic Church and had been a member for at least seven years. Hundreds of people turned out for a vigil in his honor a few days later.

At the Little Flower Catholic Church, Pastor John Lynes said the news of an arrest being made doesn't bring him any joy.

"We're glad that maybe this coming to an end and maybe no one else will really suffer because this really hurt a lot of people," said Lynes.

Back in October of 2013, 48-year-old Joseph "Joey" O'Brien was found fatally shot on Spring Hill Avenue near a post office.

As he spoke, he took a second to reminisce on the type of person O'Brien was before his sudden death.

"He was a big life of a party he was just great," said Lynes.

About two weeks ago the church celebrated O'Brien's life with an annual party at the church. It takes in the third week of October each year coinciding with his untimely death.

"It's called the Joy O'Brien Great Ball Drop," said Lynes "It's a family event we hold it here we have a lot of fun here and kind of remember him in that way."

The Mobile Police Department arrested and charged 30-year-old Reginald Blevins with murder in connection with the killing of Joseph O'Brien in 2013. A $5,000 reward sign for information on the crime still sits at the U.S. Post Office on Springhill Avenue.

Near the sight of his murder a sign put up by O'Brien's family offering a $5,000 reward for information on the crime still sits inside the gates of the U.S. Post Office on Springhill Avenue. After the announcement of the arrest his family issued a statement:

"The O'Brien Family would like to express our gratitude to the Mobile Police Department for its persistence in working to make an arrest in Joey's murder. It has been three years since we received the tragic news and we are grateful for those who have surrounded us with love and prayers. Please continue to pray for our family as well as all the families in our community that have fallen victim to violent crime."

A bond hearing for Blevins has not been set at this time.
The victims involved in a murder-suicide in Flomaton on Tuesday afternoon have been identified.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reported that 43-year-old Cory Blackmon Cole and 47-year-old John Mitchell Cole were involved in a domestic altercation that took place on Evelyn Street within the Flomaton City Limits.

On Tuesday at approximately 1:45 p.m. police arrived at the location and found the body of Cory Blackmon Cole at her residence. Moments later the body of John Mitchell Cole was discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his residence on College Street in Flomaton.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Spokesman Kevin Cook released a statement saying that at the request of Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis, agents with ALEA's State Bureau of Investigation are assisting investigating a murder-suicide.

The SBI's findings will be turned over to the Escambia County District Attorney when the investigation is completed. At this time no more information is available as the investigation is ongoing.
John Merrill.jpg

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill says the state has 3,330,802 registered voters, which if true, would mean as many as 99.9 percent of eligible voters are in the system.

(file)

According to the Alabama Secretary of State's office, Alabama set a new record for voter registrations ahead of the 2016 presidential election next week.

The total number of registered voters: 3,330,802.

That's a lot of voters, especially in a state not exactly known for being voter-friendly.

"Thanks to initiatives like online voter registration, the ERIC mailing, a new partnership with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and many more, Secretary Merrill's team has collaborated with the people of Alabama to register the largest number of new voters in state history," John Merrill said in a press release.

Before we get to the victory celebration, I should take a moment here to point out that much of what Merrill brags on -- allowing people to register to vote at the driver's license office and online voter registrations -- are things that many other states were doing in the 20th century.

I know how to register more voters -- the Internet!

In fact, all that business about new partnerships with ALEA -- that was required by federal law 23 years ago with the passage of the Motor Voter Act. Alabama just refused to comply with that law until the Justice Department threatened last year to sue. Thankfully, the state relented without fighting an expensive and hopeless court battle.

According to Merrill's press release, Alabama added 584,252 newly registered voter since Merrill took office in 2015, bringing the state up to the new record number of 3,330,802. Merrill has bragged about the new number on TV, touting it as evidence nothing screwy is going on in Alabama elections.

In Alabama, that counts as progress, if only we didn't have problems counting. Motor Voter compliance and online registrations should be good for improving voting numbers in Alabama, but not that good.

I'm about to throw a lot of numbers at you. But don't worry. They won't be on the test.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2015 there were 4,858,979 people living in Alabama. That's only an estimate, extrapolated from the last head-count in 2010, but it's the best made-up number we've got.

According to those same estimates, 1,102,988 of those residents were under the age of 18, and therefore ineligible to vote.

That leaves us with 3,755,991 potential voters. Again, it's an estimate, but it should be close.

Of those, as many as 286,000 have felony convictions, which could bar them from voting.

Now we're down to 3,469,991 potential voters.

Head-counts of undocumented immigrants in the state range from about 65,000 to 121,000, but the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are about 137,000 non-citizens (legal and illegal immigrants, neither of whom can vote) living in Alabama.

Now we're down to 3,332,991 potential voters ...

Of whom, the Alabama Secretary of State's office now says, 3,330,802 are registered to vote.

If the Secretary of State's office is correct -- Alabama has registered 99.9 percent of all eligible voters.

If only we could still get that last 2,189 we could have 100 percent.

That would really be something.

Even if you throw all the felons and immigrants back in the mix, Alabama would have an 89 percent voter registration rate, using Merrill's latest figure.

According to the Census Bureau data, the national voter registration rate in 2014 was 64.6 percent ...

And the highest state registration rate then was Maine, with 76.5 percent ...

And Alabama then -- just two years ago -- had registered just 67.2 percent of its voters.

And somehow since then we've leapfrogged over Maine and 18 other states and put more than 20 percentage points between us and second-place?

Something doesn't add up, which brings us to the real question: The Census Bureau might be using estimates and extrapolations, but who's really using the made-up numbers?

A spokesman for Merrill says that the Census Bureau numbers are just estimates and the Secretary of State's office stands by the count of registered voters.

As I promised, none of this will be on the test, and it's a good thing, too.

Because if it were, Alabama would fail.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Gazprom Armenia presented the main goals and factors of tariff revision for consumers of gas in Armenia, the Press Service of Gazprom Armenia told ARMENPRESS.

The statement of Gazprom Armenia reads:

Gazprom Armenia CJSC has submitted a tariff revision request for consumers of gas to the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia, aiming at preventing the general decline of gas consumption of the recent years, creating favorable conditions for the stabilization of the natural gas market and growth of consumption volumes, as well as encouraging the expansion of operations of gas consuming companies. The company also took into consideration the following main factors:

Decrease of transit price for natural gas in the territory of Georgia

The deadline of the transit agreement of natural gas supplied to Armenia is nearing its end in the end of 2016 and a new agreement must be signed between Armenian natural gas supplier Gazprom Export and Georgias Gas-transportation company. Taking into consideration this fact, the Government of Armenia initiated talks between Gazprom Armenia, Gazprom Export and the Georgian side, with the aim of possible reduction of transit of natural gas.
Three words for Alabama's Congressional Delegation.

Are. You. Sure?

Are you willing to bet the future of your kids and mine? Are you sure enough to risk the planet on the word of a few status quo-backed scientists? Are you willing to go down in history - if there is to be such a thing -- as leaders who had power to save so much, but instead turned away?

Turned away, as the story will be told, to count pieces of silver from energy interests?

Are you sure?

A group that monitors the politics of climate change - the Center for American Progress Action Fund - this year created a list of 182 "climate change deniers" in Congress. Alabama Sens. Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby were on the list. So were Reps. Robert Aderholt, Mo Brooks and Gary Palmer. That's 55 percent of the state's delegation.

I wanted to know what they really thought, so I asked the whole delegation to explain their positions on climate change. Only the named "deniers" got back to me. Only Brooks got back in person.

Brooks said he does not deny that climate changes, because earth has always changed. He said there are many factors, and humans are one. But he questions past data, argues that public opinion is tainted by faulty "climate scares," and recommends more study because action must be balanced against cost.

Does he worry that he could be - dare I say it -- wrong?

"I worry about a lot of public policy issues," he said. "The climate change issue is on the list. But it's a long list."

Aderholt's office referred me to an op-ed the congressman wrote for the Jasper Daily Mountain Eagle - a newspaper in coal country - way back in 2010.

"I fall into the second group of people who believe, as do many very credible scientists, that the earth is currently in a natural warming cycle rather than a man-made climate change," he wrote.

Denier.

Congressman Gary Palmer's office issued this statement: "I am a firm believer in sound science. There have been new findings that clearly show the science is not settled on climate change."

U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Equivocator.

Shelby's office said "the Senator's position is that any action on this topic must follow a robust economic analysis and have the consent of Congress to ensure the appropriate balance between protecting our environment and the effects on our economy."

I don't even know.

And Sessions' office referred me to his statements in the Congressional Record from 2015, which questioned models used by "global climate change advocates."

The models "predict not only increasing temperatures but increasing droughts, increasing flux - droughts and flux - increasing severe weather events such as hurricanes and tornadoes," Sessions said then. "These models have long predicted this. ... A critical measure of the validity of any model is how well it compares to actual data. So the actual weather data, I tell my colleagues, is proving that the models have not been accurate."

Which might sound better if we weren't in the throes of the second hundred year drought in a decade, if the world weren't in a wash of fires and storms that many scientists believe were triggered by climate change.

Temperature is objectively rising, carbon dioxide is definitively increasing in the atmosphere, trapping warmer temperature on the planet, and we produce the carbon dioxide by burning all the fuels we burn.

Scientists overwhelmingly agree that climate change is caused in part by humans, yet - according to that "Climate change denier" study - some 60 percent of Americans are represented by politicians with their heads stuck in the sand.

Because the science is "not settled."

What is settled is where Alabama's congressional delegation's bread is buttered.

The Southern Co., the parent company of Alabama Power, is by far the leading contributor to Alabama campaigns for Congress, having given $825,458 to current senators and representatives, according to Opensecrets.org. Add other energy interests - and lawyers who represent them -- and the number tops $2 million.

Alabama Power Spokesman Michael Sznajderman said his company has worked to reduce greenhouse emissions, lowered its use of coal and is embracing more use of solar power. But he defended the political contributions.

"We believe it is important to be involved and engage with our public officials when there are issues on the table that can affect our customers, potentially affect the energy prices our customers pay, or affect Alabama's economy," Sznajderman said.

Which is all well and good.

As long as Alabama's public officials can forget about the cash when they look at their children. As long as they can look their grandchildren in the eye and honestly say to themselves:

"I'm sure."

Are you sure?
education graphic.jpg

(Courtesy)

Samantha Rudelich

By Samantha Rudelich, a senior at UA majoring in Business Management who spent the summer in Washington, DC, researching the Every Student Succeeds Act

Recently, NPR released an article describing the disparities between neighboring school districts entitled "The 50 Most Segregating School Borders in America". While Detroit secured the top spot, few people were surprised that Alabama made the list multiple times. This served as a reminder to us that, as a state, our education system deserves our attention.

We are failing our students. Not each student and not in every situation but by insufficiently meeting one student's needs, we fail them all. We rob our students of a diverse education that gives them the tools necessary to succeed in life. Unrealistic standards we require students and teachers to hit contribute to a nationwide state of miseducation. However, this does not grant us silence as the problem continues. We further underserve our students by letting this injustice occur while we watch, unwilling to step in and demand better.

President Obama recently signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015. This law, which goes into effect the 2017-2018 academic year, gives Alabamians the opportunity to reform and revolutionize our education system. Still requiring states to assess students, this new law allows us to come up with a state-specific plan of action to assess, identify, and improve struggling schools.

Governor Bentley put together the Every Student Succeeds Implementation Committee to create the plan for our state. The committee's sole purpose is to devise a transition plan to enact this new legislation. They spent time meeting and touring schools around the state to observe the state of education.

Though the Department of Education praised him for taking the initiative, this committee means nothing without the input of the public. Not just the educators, students, and members of the committee, but anyone in the state of Alabama that possess an opinion on education reform should engage in this conversation. Mostly comprised of those directly involved in education, such as education officials and teachers, it could use input from parents and citizens further away from the issues to offer perspective. There's value in every experience with the education system and the only way to gather these experiences to create change would be through reaching out to the committee. I strongly urge anyone with the slightest idea for reform to reach out to the committee and let their voice be heard.

The power of public comment cannot be understated. I spent this summer interning for the Department of Labor and I saw the direct impact of public comment on many occasions, including the closing of a Job Corps location. It's easy to feel distant and disengaged with the work of public servants, but it helps to remember that their job is to serve the community and that includes listening to concerns of all citizens.

We all know that there's much to be done as a state to provide quality, equal education to our students. This is our opportunity to tackle the education inequality issue head-on and decide where our educational priorities lie. Regardless of your stance on education policy, this is the moment for us to all speak up to promote lasting change in the way our state functions. Think about the students on that NPR list and countless others in the state of Alabama that are ill-prepared for the future because we refuse to speak up.
Democratic candidate seeks to shift questions of judgment away from her own campaign and focus instead on Donald Trump.

There is less than a week until Americans vote for their next president.

That is why Denny Gibbs, of Sanford, Florida, is doing all she can to help Hillary Clinton. She works in a full-time job, but when she is not working, she is posting on social media, to try and convince undecided voters to support the Democratic presidential nominee.

Im an active poster. I try to correct facts that are wrong and challenge with articles from fair websites, Gibbs said.

At a Clinton rally, Gibbs expressed frustration with campaign discourse and how she believes voters focus only on the latest media sound bite, and not what she called real facts.

A number of regional polls now show Trump with a narrow lead in the swing state of Florida. One national poll released on Tuesday shows Clinton and Trump virtually tied.

Enthusiasm for Clintons candidacy has waned among some of her supporters following the announcement by the FBI director, James Comey, on Friday, that the agency was investigating hundreds, perhaps thousands of Clinton emails uncovered in an unrelated investigation.

The Clinton campaign has assailed Comey for a pronouncement they have called unprecedented so close to an election. It is demanding answers as to why the FBI isnt also updating American voters on the status of an ongoing investigation into the hacked emails published online by WikiLeaks, belonging to Democratic Party members, including Clinton campaign chairman, John Podesta.

Its totally unfair and breaks all the rules of law and ethics, J Gabriel Puyana, of Orlando, said, as he waited hours for Clinton to appear at her second Florida rally of the day in the town of Sanford.

The Clinton campaign has repeatedly suggested that Russia is behind the hacks, in an effort to influence the outcome of the US election in favour of her Republican opponent, Donald Trump.

READ MORE: 10 juicy and quirky emails from the WikiLeaks dump

Orlando voter Frank Kane fears that the renewed investigation into Clintons emails will energise her critics.

Im concerned this will mobilise Trump supporters. Now, they have something new to be angry about.

Clinton was also eager to change the conversation. Speaking in Sanford, she sought to shift questions of judgment and character away from her own campaign and focus instead on Trump. She questioned why he has still not released decades of tax returns, as she insists is customary for presidential candidates. She called his business practices to pay as little tax as possible dubious.

Clinton told her supporters Trumps efforts to pay as little federal tax as possible has hurt Americans she believes need the most support, such as those in the military and also those in need of better education.

He took everything our country has to offer and scooped it up with both hands, she said.

But, even as the Clinton campaign attempted to shift the spotlight off their candidate and on to Trump, some of her supporters said that they dont believe the latest development in the ongoing Clinton email controversy will hurt turnout for Clinton on Election Day.

People have already made up their minds, said Puyana.

Kane added that he was not worried. The polls are all over the place. They favour a different candidate every week.

And, he hopes come Election Day on Tuesday, they will still favour his candidate of choice  Hillary Clinton.
Filmmaker John Dickie traces the journey of Dreamer Moms, a group of women separated from their families in the US.

Mexico City  Until the mid-1990s, there was barely a fence separating the US and Mexico on the beach in Tijuana. People could stroll freely along the shore, into California and back again.

Today, with immigration and border security at the forefront of the political conversation, a six-metre-high, triple-layer steel barrier crowned by security cameras divides the two countries. The wall cuts across the beach in Tijuana, extending 100 metres into the ocean.

For a few hours every Sunday, people on both sides of the border are allowed to interact through the fence, under the watchful eyes of US Border Patrol guards, at the spot known as Friendship Park, dedicated in 1971 by First Lady Pat Nixon.

The only form of physical contact that is allowed is the touching of fingers through the wire mesh, known as the Pinky Kiss.

Such restrictions only increase the frustration and sadness of the people who gather there.

Most of those who come to Friendship Park are families and friends who have been separated by the border. Many on the Mexican side have been deported, while others simply come to visit migrant relatives who they cannot legally visit because of lack of papers.

The park has also become a meeting place for deported mothers who come to spend a few precious hours with their children, many of whom are undocumented in the US and therefore cannot leave the country.

It makes me feel like an animal in a cage. All we want is to be able to hug our families. I havent held my daughter in my arms for five years, says Yolanda Varona, a deported mother and co-founder of the Dreamer Moms support group, whose journey we follow in my film. She doesnt come to the fence because she feels like she is visiting me in prison.

In April 2015, Yolanda and the Dreamer Moms, working with other migrant groups such as Border Angels and with support from Tijuana City Council, managed to persuade the US authorities to open the emergency door of the fence at Friendship Park so that deported parents could hug their families for Childrens Day. Five families were each allowed a two-minute reunion. The door was opened again this April. It was a huge achievement for the group, but the mothers want more. Together with community group Friends of Friendship Park, they recently started a campaign called Let Them Hug, to demand that the door be opened every weekend so that all families get a chance to hug.

I first heard about Yolanda and the Dreamer Moms when I saw a television report about the door opening. It was a powerful scene: the big graffitied steel door creaking open  an emotional child on one side, an overjoyed parent on the other.

There on television was Yolanda, wearing her bright pink Dreamer Moms T-shirt, hugging her granddaughter Frida. It had been five years since theyd last held each other.

You hear a lot about immigration and deportation in the news, but this was the first time it hit me that mothers get deported too. What happens to a mother when she gets deported? What happens to her children? These were the questions I was asking when I started making this film.

READ MORE: US immigration policy  To build walls or bridges?

A model US citizen

Yolanda lived in California for 17 years. As a single mother, she worked hard to support her family, eventually becoming the manager of a fast food restaurant. She paid her taxes and raised two good children. She was a model US citizen, except that she did not have the right papers.

On New Years Eve in 2010, in what she suspects was part of a wave of deportation of women at the time, Yolanda was detained and deported for working on a tourist visa.

I remember when I emerged from the tunnel in Tijuana, she says, I was in a state of semi-madness. I couldnt digest what had happened. I stayed next to the border and just started walking round and round in circles.

I worried about a million different things: I still had the key to the safe at work  who would cover my shift the next day? Who would make my kids breakfast?

From one day to the next, her life was torn apart: Yolanda was banned from returning to the US for life.

Her children, Alberto, who is 30, and Paulina, 19, have their papers in order and can stay in the US.

Yolanda decided to stay in Tijuana because its the closest she can be to them.

I was depressed for a long time, she says in the film, but one day I woke up and thought, I have to do something.

So she started looking for other deported mothers in Tijuana. Friendship Park, where seperated families gather, was the natural place to start. She soon discovered that there were many other women with similar stories. In May 2014, Dreamer Moms was founded with about 30 women.

WATCH: Fault Lines  Children at the border

Targeting mothers

There are 11 million undocumented people living in the US, and the spectre of deportation hangs over every one of them.

In 2010, talk among migrant advocacy groups was that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had begun implementing a new policy actively targeting women for deportation, although this has never been confirmed or denied by the US authorities. A similar series of raids, reported by Reuters, occurred in the first half of 2016, when ICE launched a 30-day wave of arrests, targeting Central American mothers and children.

Alicia Frausto, one of the early members of the Dreamer Moms group, believes she was caught in the 2010 crackdown.

It was strange. I went to settle a traffic violation and they took me into custody, saying I would be held in a detention centre for five days. I thought, for a traffic violation? They never mentioned anything about immigration, she says. Then suddenly ICE appeared and said they would be deporting me to Mexico.

Alicia had lived in California for more than 30 years and both her children are US citizens. She was deported on July 4, 2010, Independence Day.

READ MORE: Alicia and her son Edssons story

Allegedly, targeting women was two-birds-with-one-stone logic: if mothers were deported, their children would automatically follow. But as I discovered when I started making this film, this was rarely the case.

If the children are very young, and happen to be with the mother at the moment of the arrest, then the mothers would normally take them out of the country. Often, however, when an undocumented person is detained, their basic rights are rarely respected and usually they are neither allowed to contact anyone nor collect their children or any belongings, before being taken to the border.

In some cases, mothers make the ultimate sacrifice and decide to leave their children behind with family members in the hope of giving them the best opportunity for a good life in the US. Some end up in foster care, where some have been sexually abused, as Susana Vasquez, a deported mother, explains in the film.

If the children are adults, they invariably choose to stay in the US, the country they grew up in. Alicias son Edsson, for example, had just started studying at university, and despite his love for his mother, was not about to follow her to Mexico, a country that was alien to him. By deporting mothers, it felt as though the US was separating families, who loved the US and felt like American citizens, but simply didnt have the papers to prove it. Ultimately, as I saw in Friendship Park, mothers, fathers and children were suffering.

While their parents, having entered illegally, struggle to attain legal residency status, the children of undocumented immigrants born in the US automatically become US citizens. So it begs the question: How could the US government be deporting the parents of US citizens?

As Emma Sanchez, a Dreamer Mom featured in this film whose husband and three children are US citizens, angrily asks: Dont my children have the right as US citizens to be with their mother?

Its a large grey area in US immigration law  a black hole that many women have fallen into.

President Obama had tried to find a solution with an executive order  called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans  giving amnesty to children who arrived undocumented and to parents of US citizens, a total of five million people. But both initiatives were shut down by the Supreme Court in June 2016.

Millions of undocumented immigrants wait with bated breath to find out what the next presidents line will be on immigration.

OPINION: Immigrants and Donald Trump  Its a complicated story

A legal victory: the first Dreamer Mom returns to her family

For a time, Yolanda felt that she would never be able to legally return to California. Banned for life, she thought she had no options. She was ready to risk everything and cross the desert to enter the US illegally.

But in the back of my mind, I knew I had to find a legal way of returning, she says, or I would just allow history to repeat itself and put myself and my family through the same misery again.

Finding legal solutions is at the core of the Dreamer Moms work, and when Yolanda started educating herself about immigration law and talking to lawyers, she discovered a glimmer of hope in the form of the U visa, which provides a path to residency for victims of serious crimes.

She had suffered domestic violence in the US, and, fortunately, she had filed police reports  a crucial requisite for applying for the U visa. Only 10,000 are given out each year, and there is a long waiting list, but the U visa is one of the few realistic options deported mothers have to try and return to the US.

At the time of writing, Yolanda had received certification from the district attorney and begun the process of applying for the U visa.

Emma Sanchez, who was deported in June 2006, was banned from returning to the US for 10 years. After a decade of waiting, she began her application process in June this year and is waiting on a consular appointment.

Alicia Fraustos case was taken up by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) because she qualified for an appeal against her deportation as it was deemed that she had submitted herself to voluntary deportation. In mid-2016 she won her appeal, and on October 27, in what Yolanda calls the miracle of the ACLU, Alicia crossed the border and became the first Dreamer Mom to return to the US legally and rejoin her family.

There is surely no greater pain than that of a mother being separated against her will from her children. This pain was what united all the deported mothers I met in Tijuana. But, as Yolanda says, it is the love for our children that drives us on.

Thanks to her tireless work as leader of the Dreamer Moms, Yolanda has managed to open not only a door in the border fence, but also a legal window for deported parents to be able to return to the US and reunite with their children.

From the Witness documentary Dreamer Moms. Watch the full film here.
When I was a child growing up in a Gaza refugee camp, I looked forward to November 2. On that day, every year, thousands of students and camp residents would descend upon the main square of the camp, carrying Palestinian flags and placards, to denounce the Balfour Declaration.

Truthfully, my giddiness then was motivated largely by the fact that schools would inevitably shut down and, following a brief but bloody confrontation with the Israeli army, I would go home early to the loving embrace of my mother, where I would eat a snack and watch cartoons.

At the time, I had no idea who Balfour was, and how his declaration all those years ago had altered the destiny of my family and, by extension, my life and the lives of my children as well.

All I knew was that he was a bad person and, because of his terrible deed, we subsisted in a refugee camp, encircled by a violent army and by an ever-expanding graveyard filled with martyrs.

Decades later, destiny would lead me to visit the Whittingehame Church, a small parish in which Arthur James Balfour is now buried.

While my parents and grandparents are buried in a refugee camp, an ever-shrinking space under a perpetual siege and immeasurable hardship, Balfours resting place is an oasis of peace and calmness. The empty meadow all around the church is large enough to host all the refugees in my camp.

The British government remains unrepentant after all these years. It has yet to take any measure of moral responsibility, however symbolic, for what it has done to the Palestinians.

Finally, I became fully aware of why Balfour was a bad person.

Once Britains Prime Minister, then the Foreign Secretary from late 1916, Balfour had pledged my homeland to another people. That promise was made on November 2, 1917, on behalf of the British government in the form of a letter sent to the leader of the Jewish community in Britain, Walter Rothschild.

At the time, Britain was not even in control of Palestine, which was still part of the Ottoman Empire. Either way, my homeland was never Balfours to so casually transfer to anyone else. His letter read:

His Majestys government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.

He concluded, I should be grateful if you would bring this declaration to the knowledge of the Zionist Federation.

Ironically, members of the British parliament have declared that the use of the term Zionist is both anti-Semitic and abusive.

The British government remains unrepentant after all these years. It has yet to take any measure of moral responsibility, however symbolic, for what it has done to the Palestinians. Worse, it is now busy attempting to control the very language used by Palestinians to identify those who have deprived them of their land and freedom.

But the truth is, not only was Rothschild a Zionist, Balfour was, too. Zionism, then, before it deservedly became a swear word, was a political notion that Europeans prided themselves to be associated with.

In fact, just before he became Prime Minister, David Cameron declared, before the Conservative Friends of Israel meeting, that he, too, was a Zionist. His successor, Theresa May, even celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Balfour declaration, with pride.

To some extent, being a Zionist remains a rite of passage for some Western leaders.

Balfour was hardly acting on his own. True, the Declaration bears his name, yet, in reality, he was a loyal agent of an empire with massive geopolitical designs, not only concerning Palestine alone but with Palestine as part of a larger Arab landscape.

Just a year earlier, another sinister document was introduced, albeit secretly. It was endorsed by another top British diplomat, Mark Sykes and, on behalf of France, by Francois Georges-Picot. The Russians were informed of the agreement, as they too had received a piece of the Ottoman cake.

The document indicated that, once the Ottomans were soundly defeated, their territories, including Palestine, would be split among the prospective victorious parties.





The Sykes-Picot Agreement, also known as the Asia Minor Agreement, was signed in secret 102 years ago, two years into World War I. It signified the brutal nature of colonial powers that rarely associated land and resources with people that lived upon the land and owned those resources.

The centrepiece of the agreement was a map that was marked with straight lines by a china graph pencil. The map largely determined the fate of the Arabs, dividing them in accordance with various haphazard assumptions of tribal and sectarian lines.

Once the war was over, the loot was to be divided into spheres of influence:

France would receive areas marked (a), which included: the region of south-eastern Turkey, northern Iraq  including Mosel, most of Syria and Lebanon.

British-controlled areas were marked with the letter (b), which included: Jordan, southern Iraq, Haifa and Acre in Palestine and a coastal strip between the Mediterranean Sea and the River Jordan.

Russia would be granted Istanbul, Armenia and the strategic Turkish Straits.

The improvised map consisted not only of lines but also colours, along with language that attested to the fact that the two countries viewed the Arab region purely on materialistic terms, without paying the slightest attention to the possible repercussions of slicing up entire civilizations with a multifarious history of co-operation and conflict.

The agreement read, partly:

 in the blue area France, and in the red area Great Britain, shall be allowed to establish such direct or indirect administration or control as they desire and as they may think fit to arrange with the Arab state or confederation of Arab states.

The brown area, however, was designated as an international administration, the nature of which was to be decided upon after further consultation among Britain, France and Russia. The Sykes-Picot negotiations finished in March 1916 and were official, although secretly signed on May 19, 1916. World War I concluded on November 11, 1918, after which the division of the Ottoman Empire began in earnest.

British and French mandates were extended over divided Arab entities, while Palestine was granted to the Zionist movement a year later, when Balfour conveyed the British governments promise, sealing the fate of Palestine to live in perpetual war and turmoil.

INTERACTIVE: A century on  Why Arabs resent Sykes-Picot

The idea of Western peacemakers and honest-brokers, who are very much a party in every Middle Eastern conflict, is not new. British betrayal of Arab aspirations goes back many decades. They used the Arabs as pawns in their Great Game against other colonial contenders, only to betray them later on, while still casting themselves as friends bearing gifts.

Nowhere else was this hypocrisy on full display as was in the case of Palestine. Starting with the first wave of Zionist Jewish migration to Palestine in 1882, European countries helped to facilitate the movement of illegal settlers and resources, where the establishment of many colonies, large and small, was afoot.

So when Balfour sent his letter to Rothschild, the idea of a Jewish homeland in Palestine was very much plausible.

Still, many supercilious promises were being made to the Arabs during the Great War years, as self-imposed Arab leadership sided with the British in their war against the Ottoman Empire. Arabs were promised instant independence, including that of the Palestinians.

The understanding among Arab leaders was that Article 22 of the Covenant of the League of Nations was to apply to Arab provinces that were ruled by the Ottomans. Arabs were told that they were to be respected as a sacred trust of civilisation, and their communities were to be recognised as independent nations.

Palestinians wanted to believe that they were also included in that civilisation sacredness, and were deserving of independence, too. Their conduct in support of the Pan-Arab Congress, as voting delegates in July 1919, which elected Faisal as a King of a state comprising Palestine, Lebanon, Transjordan and Syria, and their continued support of Sharif Hussein of Mecca, were all expressions of their desire for the long-coveted sovereignty.





When the intentions of the British and their rapport with the Zionists became too apparent, Palestinians rebelled, a rebellion that has never ceased, 99 years later, for the horrific consequences of British colonialism and the eventual complete Zionist takeover of Palestine are still felt after all these years.

Paltry attempts to pacify Palestinian anger were to no avail, especially after the League of Nations Council in July 1922 approved the terms of the British Mandate over Palestine  which was originally granted to Britain in April 1920  without consulting the Palestinians at all, who would disappear from the British and international radar, only to reappear as negligible rioters, troublemakers, and obstacles to the joint British-Zionist colonial concoctions.

Despite occasional assurances to the contrary, the British intention of ensuring the establishment of an exclusively Jewish state in Palestine was becoming clearer with time.

The Balfour Declaration was hardly an aberration, but had, indeed, set the stage for the full-scale ethnic cleansing that followed, three decades later.

In his book, Before Their Diaspora, Palestinian scholar Walid Khalidi captured the true collective understanding among Palestinians regarding what had befallen their homeland nearly a century ago: The Mandate, as a whole, was seen by the Palestinians as an Anglo-Zionist condominium and its terms as instruments for the implementation of the Zionist programme; it had been imposed on them by force, and they considered it to be both morally and legally invalid. The Palestinians constituted the vast majority of the population and owned the bulk of the land. Inevitably, the ensuing struggle centred on this status quo. The British and the Zionists were determined to subvert and revolutionise it, the Palestinians to defend and preserve it.

In fact, that history remains in constant replay: The Zionists claimed Palestine and renamed it Israel; the British continue to support them, although never ceasing to pay lip service to the Arabs; the Palestinian people remain a nation that is geographically fragmented between refugee camps, in the diaspora, militarily occupied, or treated as second-class citizens in a country upon which their ancestors dwelt since time immemorial.

While Balfour cannot be blamed for all the misfortunes that have befallen Palestinians since he communicated his brief but infamous letter, the notion that his promise embodied  that of complete disregard of the aspirations of the Palestinian Arab people  is handed from one generation of British diplomats to the next, the same way that Palestinian resistance to colonialism is also spread across generations.

In his essay in Al-Ahram Weekly, entitled Truth and Reconciliation, the late Professor Edward Said wrote: Neither the Balfour Declaration nor the Mandate ever specifically concede that Palestinians had political, as opposed to civil and religious, rights in Palestine.

The idea of inequality between Jews and Arabs was, therefore, built into British  and, subsequently, Israeli and US  policy from the start.

That inequality continues, thus the perpetuation of the conflict. What the British, the early Zionists, the Americans and subsequent Israeli governments failed to understand, and continue to ignore at their peril, is that there can be no peace without justice and equality in Palestine; and that Palestinians will continue to resist, as long as the reasons that inspired their rebellion nearly a century ago, remain in place.

One hundred years later, the British government is yet to possess the moral courage to take responsibility for what their government has done to the Palestinian people.

One hundred years later, Palestinians insist that their rights in Palestine cannot be dismissed, neither by Balfour nor by his modern peers in Her Majestys Government.

This page was first published at the 99th anniversary of the Balfour declaration and has been updated since.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), expressed grave concern over statements by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the countrys government would soon introduce a bill to reinstate the death penalty, and that he would sign such a bill into law, the OSCE Office told Armenpress.

President Erdogans stated readiness to back the reintroduction of the death penalty in Turkey is alarming, given that most countries in the OSCE region have recognized its inherently cruel, inhuman and degrading nature and no longer impose this punishment, Director Link said. Rather than reversing their course, I call on the Turkish authorities to continue to advocate for the global abolition of capital punishment, as they have in the past.

Michael Georg Link recalled that OSCE countries have all agreed that no circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture or other ill-treatment, or to undercut fundamental fair trial standards.
Despite numerous visits by candidates, many in crucial swing state struggle to make up their minds in the 11th hour.

Iowa, United States  As the US presidential campaign heads into its final stretch, neither the Democrat nor Republican parties show any signs of letting up.

Across the Midwestern state of Iowa, TV and mail ads are everywhere. Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and their vice presidential candidates are making their case in person at rallies  sometimes in the same city, within hours of one another.

In unprecedented numbers, celebrities  mostly Clinton surrogates  are canvassing the battleground state, and volunteers are remaining persistent on the phones, urging people to get out and vote.

At events in cities such as Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, committed supporters show up and cheer  imagining what a scary place the United States will be if the opposing candidate wins.

But for many others, the decision of whom to for vote has proved a difficult one.

After more than a year and a half of political campaigning, 7 percent of Iowans still do not know for whom they want to cast a vote, according to the latest Quinnipiac University poll.

This is despite the role of Iowans in hosting the nations first caucus, which has given residents more chances to interact with the candidates than anyone else in the US.

Well informed but unenthused

Here in Iowa, we get to see every candidate three or four different times. If you want, you can go ask the next leader of the free world a question or two, said Pat Rynard, a former Democratic campaign staffer and founder of the political news site Iowa Starting Line. Iowans are very, very well informed.

In that sense, many undecided voters are more apt to refer to themselves differently. Entrepreneur Neil Jirele, a resident of Iowa City, said he has struggled with his decision, not because he does not know enough, but because he sees both of the main candidates as extreme.

A better term to describe himself, he said, would be unenthused.

Although Iowa has voted Democrat in five out of the past six presidential elections, an average of polls now shows Trump ahead at 46.3 percent to Clintons 44.3.

That means undecided voters have the potential to swing the state red or blue  if they turn up to vote.

These people are probably considering whether or not theyre even going to vote, Rynard said. Theyre frustrated with the candidates.

While Clinton has been able to sway some suburban, conservative-leaning women to her side, she has not yet convinced many former Democratic Bernie Sanders supporters and young people.

Rynard noted how Sanders messages of anti-establishment and critique of Clinton resonated well in Iowa during the caucus earlier this year.

Theyre not happy with Hillary. They dont think shes progressive. So theyre just sitting out, Rynard said.

READ MORE: Most US voters disgusted with presidential race

For Bryan Branscomb, an IT specialist, this is certainly the case. He said he is still disheartened over the way the Democratic caucuses and primaries played out. If he could vote for Sanders, he would.

Honestly, Im a little lost, Branscomb said. I feel both would be a detriment to the country.

Rather than turning to Jill Stein, who ideologically more closely aligns with Sanders platform, the Iowa City resident said he is leaning towards Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson, partly because he is polling much higher than Stein.





I want my vote to mean something, Branscomb said. Ive been studying up on Gary Johnsons stance, and Im closer to him than anybody.

Republican ideals

While Trump has been able to make unprecedented inroads with working-class men, his rhetoric about women, immigrants and people of colour and disabilities has pushed many other traditional Republicans away.

Steven Hartzler, a college student who usually votes Republican, said he was dissatisfied with his partys candidate, but could not support Clinton.

Both the Democratic and Republican parties in the primaries had better options, Hartzler said, adding that he would have voted for any other Democratic candidate against Trump and vice versa.

Still, Hartzler plans to vote  as do Branscomb and Jirele.

The presidential candidates are not the only ones on the ballot, and Hartzler wants to ensure the right local and state representatives are elected. If he does end up voting for Trump, he says it will be a sacrifice in service of ensuring Republican ideals are better supported across the board.

To the polls

Both Republican and Democrat staffers at the local level recognise the necessity of securing undecided and independent voters. At this late stage, however, the focus has shifted to ensuring supporters show up to the polls.

They hope rallies featuring key speakers might tempt any hold-outs.

As for undecided voters themselves, many seem doubtful much can happen before November 8 to decidedly swing their vote. After decades of being in the public eye, the impressions of both Clinton and Trump  good and bad  are pretty cemented.

But Rick Kadlec, an inventory planner who remained committed for almost a year to not voting for either Clinton or Trump, swung in one direction only recently. Upset by what he saw as the depth of corruption surrounding the Clintons, he decided to take a stand and attened a Trump rally in Cedar Rapids.

Im not a Trump guy. Im an anti-Mrs Clinton guy, Kadlec said.

Im not saying the bar has been lowered. Im saying its been knocked to the ground and stepped on.

Equally unenthusiastic about the choice he has to make on Election Day, Jirele, the entrepreneur, says: I hope Jesuss name comes up on the ballot.
As the battle for Mosul rages, in Sulaimania, there is a growing sense of despondency and apathy.

Sulaimania, Iraq  For the Kurds of the northern Iraqi city of Sulaimania, the word qayran  shortage  has become something of a mantra these days.

They use it for just about any inconvenience, any frustration, brought on by the ongoing war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, whether its the repeated delays in civil servant wages, the absence of customers in the bazaar or the loss of jobs.

Touted as the final showdown between the coalition forces and ISIL, the battle for Mosul rages while in Sulaimania there is a growing sense of despondency and apathy. Child beggars, allegedly part of an organised network, swarm the streets. Vehicle after vehicle bears a number plate from a war-ravaged Iraqi province.

The gloom and doom drives in daily from Anbar, Salahuddin, Diyala or Mosul.

Flanked by hills and mountains, Sulaimania residents dont sense an imminent threat from the spillover of hostilities in Mosul, or even from the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, about 100 kilometres away.

READ MORE: KRG  Mosul victory depends on ISIL fighters morale

Of greater concern is the stagnant economy and the imminent arrival of 5,000 internally displaced families from a liberated Mosul. The city is also gripped with rumours of the possible infiltration of wolves in sheeps clothing  that is fighters belonging to ISIL, also known as ISIS, entering the city in the guise of displaced people.

We have seen many reports on Kurdish TV that the Peshmerga have caught ISIL fighters at checkpoints, trying to escape wearing ladies abayas, says Galawizh Hussein, an office manager in private sector.

Its not so easy to roll a tank into Sulaimania because of the mountains, she says. What worries many people here is that we are under pressure by the international community to compromise our security.

Iraqs Kurdistan Region has maintained near fortress-like control over who enters the cities under its jurisdiction since a no-fly zone was applied after the first Gulf War in 1992. Aside from a period of infighting among the two Kurdish factions  the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party and the Kurdistan Democratic Party  which ended in 1996, the semi-autonomous region has not seen war for two decades.

It's not so easy to roll a tank into Sulaimania, because of the mountains. What worries many people here is that we are under pressure by the international community to compromise our security. by Galawizh Hussein, office manager

With the growing refugee crisis following decisive battles such as Mosul, the Kurdish authorities are pressed to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people fleeing hardship and persecution elsewhere in Iraq.

There are currently about 1.5 million internally displaced people (IDPs) living throughout the Kurdistan Region and that is in addition to the 250,000 Syrian refugees it has taken in since 2012. But the Kurdistan regional government has come under fire for applying what some aid groups have called discriminatory measures in vetting the IDPs.

You have to understand; some of these people fleeing, they dont even claim to be fleeing ISIL, they say they are fleeing the Shia militias, says Hussein. For these people, ISIL isnt the enemy.

There is also the fear that this war will never end. Some worry that, whatever the outcome of the Mosul showdown, the Kurds stand to lose.

If ISIL is defeated, there will be another even angrier force that comes to fill the vacuum, says another Sulaimania resident.

READ MORE: Sulaimania and all that jazz

At Chalaks Place, where Sulaimanias artists and bohemians gather nightly to talk politics, life and arts, the chic cafes proprietor is pessimistic.

As scenes from the 1942 film Casablanca flicker on a giant screen behind him, Chalak Salar, 43, says he has never seen a nation so depressed. He accuses the Kurdish regional government for incompetency and blames it for stripping the Kurds of their passion and spirit.

The regional government has mismanaged things so badly that theyve made us forget about our Kurdish soul  People here once had the passion to die for their homeland, but today they have become apathetic, said Salar.

I see it on every single face I see every day. They come to my cafe, artists, filmmakers and teachers. They are all depressed. The ones who have money, theyre lucky. They used to travel once a month, but now they travel twice a month, maybe even three times a month  just to get out. I am losing money big time. We are earning 50-60 percent less than last year, he added, channeling Humphrey Bogarts Rick Blaine.





Chalaks Place habitue, Bavi Yassine, a 28-year-old filmmaker, has been working on a documentary for the past three years on home, identity and illusions. She says the ongoing Mosul offensive has compelled her to hold off on the completion of the film.

As a people, we are not in a very healthy state of mind  We are losing out on our identity because of the many illogical wars going on. In 2003, people expected great liberation and a great state for the Kurds. But now you see the young generation  those born in the 70s, 80s and 90s  thinking of leaving this country at a time when this country is building camps to welcome IDPs, said Yassine.

Shwan Attoof, 44, an actor and filmmaker from Sulaimania, says there is always a madman or group of mad men whom the West backs for its own interests and turns a blind eye to their atrocities.

Before it was Saddam Hussein  they said it was Iraqs internal affairs when he gassed the Kurds at Halabja in 1988 and the West did nothing to intervene, says Attoof whose short film Mal oo kleel (Home and key) was screened at Cannes last year. Then came al-Qaeda and now its ISIL. Its no different.

He adds: Today we are in the worst position ever  our situation, our economy. If you say anything about what the Iranians are doing, they close the border with you. Same with Turkey. And if you start talking about Kurdish independence, the Iraqi central government starts to cut your budget. And in all this, we are the ones doing the fighting on the ground with ISIL, and still the West tells us you have to go through Baghdad for your weapons.

Is it qayran  shortage? Not quite for Attoof.

The worse it gets, the more productive we are as artists, he says, half-joking. His next project is a film about Yazidi women. Its the best time to be creative.
The more than 100,000 deaths in a decade cannot be blamed just on Mexicos drug cartels.

Every November 2, Mexicans mark the Day of the Dead by honouring deceased loved ones.

Given the disproportionate number of deaths produced by Mexicos US-backed drug war, officially launched in 2006, it is starting to seem like an ever-more tragically appropriate tradition.

In a recent investigative piece for The Nation, Dawn Paley details the spectacular violence that has accompanied the drug war project.

In 2014, Mexico ranked as the country with the third-most civilians killed in internal conflict, after Syria and Iraq. Bodies have been buried, burned, displayed in public places, hung from bridges and overpasses or beheaded and left at city hall.

Estimates vary as to the total number of deaths since the start of the war, but many observers put it at above 100,000.

And this isnt even counting the more than 27,000 Mexicans currently missing or disappeared  by most objective accounts an underestimate  or the 70,000-120,000 Central American migrants estimated to have disappeared while travelling through Mexico since 2006.

According to the state-sanctioned narrative, the violence is the fault of Mexicos drug cartels, period.

But this alibi is more than slightly defective. For one thing, as Paley notes, the cartels are often indistinguishable from local and state police, and form networks dedicated to extortion, kidnapping, and killing, all of which increases social control and helps to suppress dissent.

Isolated incidents?

In one of the better-publicised collaborative efforts between local Mexican police officers and drug gangs, 43 students from the rural town of Ayotzinapa were forcibly disappeared on the night of September 26, 2014.

The New York Times specifies that the federal police and military stood by.

And while Mexicos government has endeavoured to write off the incident as an isolated one, it happened to come on the heels of a Mexican military massacre of 22 people in the town of Tlatlaya.

If you're looking to protect rather than kill people, the last thing you do is inject a bunch of money and weapons into a landscape of lethally corrupt impunity. by

In 2015, Amnesty International reported that more than 40 people were killed in May during a police operation in Tanhuato in the state of Michoacan, and that journalists had also alleged that 16 unarmed people were killed by federal police officers and other security forces in Apatzingan, Michoacan, in January.

The list goes on.

And there arent many indicators that it will stop, particularly given the climate of institutionalised impunity and corruption.

A report at The Intercept last year noted that in Mexico 98.3 percent of crimes [went] unpunished in 2013, according to Mexican government statistics.

OPINION: In Latin America, people disappear but crimes remain

If the governments wilful disregard for human rights, decency, and accountability werent apparent enough, it has also proved decidedly unhelpful in excavating mass graves and identifying the remains found in them. In some cases, citizens themselves are now taking to the fields to excavate.

An October Los Angeles Times article quotes Basilia Bonastre, mother of a nursing student working in Veracruz who disappeared in 2012, and a member of a collective that works to identify clandestine graves.

The drug war, Bonastre says, wasnt really against trafficking  it was against our children, against professionals, students, all the young men and women whom they took away and were never seen again.

Killings in context

Of course, blame for the situation in Mexico extends far beyond the cartels and the government.

Zoom out to the big picture and you run smack into Mexicos northern neighbour, the United States, the source of both the demand for drugs and the drug criminalisation policies that make the whole trafficking business so lucrative in the first place.

The US is also the force behind things like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which  having failed miserably in its promise to reduce poverty in Mexico  is responsible for destroying the livelihoods of millions of Mexican farmers and forcing many people into involvement in the drug business to survive.

OPINION: El Chapo proves Mexico is failing

Then there is the essential criminalisation of incoming migrants, a result of the apparent US opinion that only American people, products, and armies should be able to penetrate global borders at will.

This arrangement ensures high returns on human-smuggling operations that also contribute to cartel coffers.

Finally, as The Intercept explained last year, billions of dollars in drug war assistance continue to flow with few exceptions to Mexico despite US government documents  demonstrat[ing] that the United States is well aware that its support is going to Mexican authorities connected to abuses.

The article went on to comment on the fact that Mexico had recently surpassed Colombia to become the largest customer for US weapons in Latin America.

Objectively, if you are looking to protect rather than kill people, the last thing you do is inject a bunch of money and weapons into a landscape of lethally corrupt impunity.

But hey, whatever is good for the arms industry is good for America, right?

In a September article, the Los Angeles Times quotes another mother participating in the excavation of clandestine graves around Veracruz: We are in the governments sights, but we have no fear  because of the disappearance of my son, I am already dead in life.

This Day of the Dead, while much of the truth remains buried, one crucial fact emerges: a lot of people are getting away with murder in Mexico  the US included.

Belen Fernandez is the author of The Imperial Messenger: Thomas Friedman at Work, published by Verso. She is a contributing editor at Jacobin magazine.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Ilan Pappe is the Director of European Center of Palestine Studies at the University of Exeter.

November is a painful month in the Palestinian calendar. It is dotted with commemorative days that have one theme in common: the partitioning of Palestine.

Today is the 99th anniversary of the Balfour declaration. Although it did not offer partition, it sowed the seeds for it, which eventually allowed the Zionist movement to take over Palestine.

On November 15, we commemorate the Palestinian Declaration of Independence (issued by the Palestinian National Council (PNC)), which was a reluctant national Palestinian consent to partition, notwithstanding the injustice and criminality involved in such an act.

At the end of the month, on the 29th, we commemorate the UN General Assembly Resolution 181, which recommended in 1947 the partition of Palestine into two states.

Put into the right chronological sequence, we can see a direct line between the 1917 Balfour Declaration, the 1947 UN partition resolution and the 1988 PNCs document. It is worth our while to re-read Edward Saids wise words about the Balfour Declaration.

What is important about the Declaration is, first, that it has long formed the juridical basis of Zionist claims to Palestine, and second, more crucial for our purposes here, that it was a statement whose positional force can only be appreciated when the demographic, or human realities of Palestine are clearly understood. For the Declaration was made (a) by a European power (b) about a non-European territory (c) in a flat disregard of both the presences and the wishes of the native majority resident in that territory, and (d) it took the form of a promise about this same territory to another foreign group, that this foreign group might, quite literally, make this territory a national home for the Jewish people.

In fact, it was more than that: It allowed a settler colonial movement, appearing very late in history, to envisage a triumphant project even before it set proper foot in the land or had a meaningful geographical and demographic presence there.

The logic of the elimination of the native

The native population in Palestine was much better equipped than the American Indians or Aborigines to deal with the danger of Zionism when it had just arrived.

They also had far better understanding of self-determination and nationhood than any of the other indigenous people at the time.

In 1917, the Palestinians inhabited their homeland almost exclusively and possessed most of its lands. Only with the help of British bayonets could the settler colonial project of Zionism survive in its early stages through the Palestinian uprisings of 1920, 1921, 1929 and, in particular, 1936.

The British army employed immense force, which included the Royal Air Force, to quell the 1936 Palestinian uprising. It lasted for three years and ended with the British elimination of the Palestinian national leadership, either by killing or by exiling.

This was the main legacy of the Balfour project: not its hallowed text but the policy that ensued in its wake, leading eventually to the catastrophe of 1948.

There were British officials at home and on the ground who had second thoughts and qualms about the alliance with Zionism. They had their say when the British government despatched a Royal Inquiry Commission to examine the origins of the 1936 revolt.

The commission hoped to rectify some of the injustice by suggesting partition between the settlers and the native population.

The Zionist leadership urged the British to transfer the Palestinians from any area that would be accorded to the Zionist settlers, but this was something London refused to do.

However, by legitimising partition in Palestine as a solution with international credibility, Britain associated this geographical arrangement clearly with the basic impulse of any settler colonial movement, the one so brilliantly defined by the late Patrick Wolfe as the logic of the elimination of the native.

The Arab world supported the Palestinian rejection and hoped at first through diplomatic means to change it. When it became clear during the first of months of 1948 that the ethnic cleansing of Palestine began in earnest, Arab public opinion demanded more from its governments. by

With such a blessing, no wonder that, henceforth, partition and ethnic cleansing in Zionist thought and practice went hand in hand.

When the British cabinet announced its decision to leave Palestine at the beginning of February 1947, and referred the future of the country to the UN, the historical opportunity arose to fuse once more partition with transfer of population.

This time, the Zionist leadership did not seek international legitimacy for the transfer; they sought it only for the partition. It assumed correctly that partition, in particular two years after the Holocaust, would be accepted internationally as a just, moral and reasonable solution.

A European crime

The natural Palestinian rejection of the notion of dividing their homeland with settlers, the majority of whom had arrived only few a years earlier, fell on deaf Western ears.

Locating the Jews in Palestine, without the need to come to terms with what Europe did to them in World War II, became the easiest corridor out of Europes ugliest historical moment.

As is clear today from the documents, the Zionist leadership regarded the partition resolution as both international legitimisation for a Jewish state in Palestine, and the Palestinian rejection of it as a valid pretext for the ethnic cleansing of the native population.

OPINION: Israel-Palestine  A way to end the occupation

The Arab world supported the Palestinian rejection and hoped at first through diplomatic means to change it. When it became clear during the first of months of 1948 that the ethnic cleansing of Palestine was beginning in earnest (by the beginning of May, most Palestinian towns were depopulated and some wiped out entirely by the Zionist forces), Arab public opinion demanded more from its governments.

The last straw was the Deir Yassin massacre of April 1948. In its wake, the Arab League began to coordinate a large-scale military operation to stop the destruction of Palestine.

Not all the Arab leaders were genuinely interested in this goal, and not one of them was willing to throw into the campaign a meaningful military force.

The result was a total defeat by the Israeli forces, which continued, without any international rebuke or intervention, the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians.

Occupation

Two areas remained outside Israels reach: the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Not because Israel at the time lacked the power to occupy them, but because its leaders decided that the West Bank was a demographic liability and the Gaza Strip could serve as a huge receptor for the hundreds of thousands of refugees Israel pushed out south of Jaffa and Jerusalem.

However, ever since 1948, a lobby had been operating in Israel demanding the occupation of these last bits of Palestine. The opportunity came in 1967.

Soon after it became clear that, at least for some of the Israelis, this was not a welcome development: Occupying the lands of millions of Palestinians proved an unexpected political headache and for a while a financial burden.

Thus the Israeli peace camp was born wishing to control these two areas from the outside and grant them autonomy, and later some members of the movement were even willing to call the areas a state.

At the same time, settlers, with and without government blessing, began to colonise the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

As in 1936, so in 1987, an oppressed people tried to shake off the colonial project. This time there was some positive international reaction which the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was hoping to galvanise for the cause. It seemed that even the US in the post-Cold War era might change its attitude.

Substituting presence with absence

American blessing came with a price  a demand that the PLO would acknowledge the partition of Palestine and accept the loss of almost 80 percent of the homeland.

The Declaration of Independence navigated between the pragmatism required and loyalty to the moral and basic principles of the liberation movement. Partition was recognised both as a crime and a fait accompli.

Despite the historical injustice done to the Palestinian Arab people in its displacement and in being deprived of the right to self-determination following the adoption of General Assembly Resolution 181 (II) of 1947, which partitioned Palestine into an Arab and a Jewish State, that resolution nevertheless continues to set preconditions to international legitimacy that guarantee the Palestinian Arab people the right to sovereignty and national independence.

READ MORE: How Britain Destroyed the Palestinian Homeland

This might have worked had partition been a genuine strategy or vision of the settler state of Israel. However, conceding demographic exclusivity and total geographical ownership is an unthinkable scenario for any settler colonial project. The aim is to displace the natives and replace them; or, as Edward Said put it so well, substituting presence with absence.

From the Israeli/Zionist perspective, partition can only be a means of completing the project of settler colonialism; it can never be used for limiting or forsaking the project.

Thus, the Declaration of Independence did not affect the reality on the ground, and neither did all the next international, regional or local attempts to resell the idea of partition as a two states solution.

The discourse on partition continued, while the reality of settler colonialism covered now almost every inch of historical Palestine.

November is a good month to ponder why partition, described in American parlance as the best way of keeping neighbours happy, equates occupation, colonisation and ethnic cleansing.

The seeds were sown in 1917, reaped in 1947 and poisoned the country ever since. It is time to adopt a fresh moral and political view on this history for the sake of a better future.

Ilan Pappe is the director of the European Center of Palestine Studies at the University of Exeter. He has published 15 books on the Middle East and on the Palestine Question.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Report finds possible evidence of government corruption and recommends a commission of inquiry be set up.

Protesters in South Africa have called for President Jacob Zuma to resign after the release of a report that found possible evidence of corruption at top government levels.

The long-awaited report was published on Wednesday after Zumas lawyers made a surprise U-turn earlier in the day and withdrew an application seeking to delay its release.

It probed accusations that the president allowed the Guptas, a wealthy Indian business family, undue political sway, including letting them choose some cabinet ministers.

INSIDE STORY: Should Jacob Zuma step down?

In the report, Thuli Madonsela, South Africas former public protector, recommended that an independent commission of inquiry headed by a judge be set up within 30 days to investigate the issue fully.





Basically the report implicates President Zuma, the Gupta family and other senior officials, said Al Jazeeras Haru Mutasa, reporting from Pretoria.

But the public protector admitted in the report that she didnt have enough resources to further investigate the issue, so she is recommending that president Zuma sets up a commission of inquiry headed by a judge within 30 days.

Madonsela, a constitutionally mandated anti-graft official, said that the commission should present its findings and recommendations to the president within 180 days.

Some people feel that the president has been given more time to look into the matter, but on the whole the opposition seems for now to be satisfied with the report, said our correspondent.

The president wont choose the judge himself. So the opposition feels, or at least hopes, that the judge will be fairly independent.

Unfair advantage

The carefully worded report stopped short of asserting that crimes had been committed, saying the watchdog lacked the resources to reach such conclusions.

But the 355-page report called for additional investigation into potential conflicts of interest, including a case surrounding a mining company called Tegeta, co-owned by the Guptas and the presidents son Duduzane Zuma.

The report says Tegeta was given lucrative government contracts to finance its expansion, claiming that the company may have been officially supported by a government minister in its bid to purchase a mine.

It raised questions whether Mining Minister Mosebenzi Zwane travelled to Switzerland with the Guptas last November to help them seal the deal for Tegeta to buy a mine from commodities giant Glencore.

If Zwane travelled in his official capacity to support Tegetas bid to buy the mine, his conduct would give Tegeta an unfair advantage over other interested buyers, the report said.

It is potentially unlawful for the minister to use his official position of authority to unfairly and unduly influence a contract for a friend or, in this instance, his bosss son, at the expense of the State. This scenario would be further complicated if his actions were sanctioned by the President, it added.

Zuma denies providing special favours for wealthy friends.

Anti-Zuma protests

South Africas ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), said on Wednesday that it was studying the report and would comment on it on Thursday.

Zuma, 74, has survived a string of damaging controversies, but faces increasing criticism as the economy stalls and after his party suffered unprecedented losses in local polls.

Some factions of the ANC, former anti-apartheid activists and business leaders have all recently called for him to stand down before his term ends in 2019.

Earlier on Wednesday, thousands of opposition party supporters, unions and civil groups marched through Pretoria to protest against Zumas presidency.

Police fired rubber bullets and used water cannon to disperse protesters who tried to storm Zumas office in the city. Outside the High Court, demonstrators carried Zuma must go placards.

The marches were originally planned to show support for Pravin Gordhan, the finance minister, who was due in court on Wednesday on separate corruption charges that many analysts see as an attempt by Zuma loyalists to remove him.

But prosecutors dropped the charges on Monday in another twist to a power struggle that has exposed deep tensions in the ANC.

READ MORE: South Africas Zuma denies rich family influencing him

The ANC, the party that Nelson Mandela led in the fight against apartheid, has held power since white-minority rule ended in 1994.

The Gupta family  brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh  built an empire in mining, transportation, technology and media after arriving in South Africa from India in the early 1990s.

Early this year, Mcebisi Jonas, South Africas deputy finance minister, accused the Gupta family of offering him the job of finance minister, something he said he rejected.

Zuma last month said he was not given enough time to respond to the watchdogs questions and blocked the release of the report.

Earlier on Wednesday, the presidency released a statement saying Zuma had withdrawn his application to delay the release of the report in the interests of justice.

In the interest of justice and speedy resolution of the matter, the president decided to withdraw his application, the presidency said.

The president will give consideration to the contents of the report in order to ascertain whether it should be the subject of a court challenge.
A watchdogs report into corruption allegations against President Zuma must be released on Wednesday, a court ruled.

A potentially explosive report into corruption allegations against President Jacob Zuma must be released on Wednesday, a South African court has ruled, after his lawyers dropped a bid to block its publication.





The courts order came as thousands of people took to the streets of the administrative capital Pretoria to demand that Zuma resigns.

The report by the Public Protector, the countrys most senior watchdog, probed accusations that Zuma allowed a wealthy Indian family undue political sway, including letting them choose some cabinet ministers.

The Public Protector is ordered to publish the report forthwith and by no later than 17:00 hours (15:00 GMT), judge Dunstan Mlambo told the High Court in Pretoria.

Former public protector Thuli Madonsela concluded her report into the influence of the Gupta family last month, shortly before the expiry of her seven-year term.

READ MORE: Controversial family linked to Zuma leaves South Africa

It was due to be released on October 14  until Zuma moved to block it.

Zumas lawyers dropped their bid to block the report earlier on Wednesday.

My instructions are to withdraw the application, Anthea Platt, Zumas lawyer, told the High Court in Pretoria.

Later in the day, the presidency released a statement saying Zuma had withdrawn his application to delay the release of the report in the interests of justice.

In the interest of justice and speedy resolution of the matter, the president decided to withdraw his application, the presidency said.

The president will give consideration to the contents of the report in order to ascertain whether it should be the subject of a court challenge.

Mmusi Maimane, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, hailed the court order to publish the report as a turning point in South Africa.

He added: Today is a historic day  Jacob Zuma must be held accountable.

There are some people in this country who are convinced that if Zuma is convicted, he must step down, said Al Jazeeras Haru Mutasa, reporting from Pretoria.

That is going to be a process, of course. Some opposition leaders are saying that they will drag him to court, some say they want parliament to have a vote of non-confidence and some want him to be impeached.

It will be a process, but people are waiting to see what is going to be in this report, how damaging it will be to the president.

The president, 74, has survived a string of damaging controversies, but faces increasing criticism as the economy stalls and after the ruling ANC party suffered unprecedented losses in local polls.

Some factions of the ANC, former anti-apartheid activists and business leaders have all recently called for him to stand down before his term ends in 2019.

Protests against Zuma

On Wednesday thousands of opposition party supporters, unions and civil groups marched through Pretoria to protest against Zumas presidency.

Protesters have managed to march to the Union Building, but police fired rubber bullets and used stun grenades to push the people back, said Al Jazeeras Mutasa.

We are actually here to defend our democratic constitution and our democratic state. We cannot live in a country where some things are hidden, a protester told Al Jazeera.

We are very happy that the court went on the side of the opposition and decided to release this report, he added.

The marches were originally planned to show support for Pravin Gordhan, the finance minister, who was due in court on Wednesday on separate corruption charges that many analysts see as an attempt by Zuma loyalists to remove him.

But prosecutors dropped the charges on Monday in another twist to a power struggle that has exposed deep tensions in the ANC.

READ MORE: South Africas Zuma denies rich family influencing him

The ANC, the party that Nelson Mandela led in the fight against apartheid, has held power since white-minority rule ended in 1994.

The Gupta family  brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh  built an empire in mining, transportation, technology and media after arriving in South Africa from India in the early 1990s.

One of Zumas sons, Duduzane, is their business partner.

Early this year, Mcebisi Jonas, South Africas deputy finance minister, accused the Gupta family of offering him the job of finance minister, something he said he rejected.

Zuma last month said he was not given enough time to respond to the watchdogs questions.
Russia says aid corridors to stay open on Friday for longer hours and fighters have two routes to leave eastern Aleppo.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered a new humanitarian pause in Syrias Aleppo, urging opposition fighters to use it to leave the besieged eastern districts.

Russias defence ministry said Putin ordered that the aid corridors  which Russia had opened earlier  will also be open on Friday, for longer hours, from 9am to 7pm, along with two new exit routes for the fighters to leave eastern Aleppo.

The ministry announced Putins new gesture in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement said that the exits will be open on Friday for both civilians and rebels in order to prevent a senseless loss of life.





It also said that the opposition offensive on the Syrian government-held districts in western Aleppo that was launched last week had failed to break through the siege.

Elaborating on the developments from Moscow, Al Jazeeras Rory Challands said two humanitarian corridors would be set up and the Syrian army would pull back, allowing the fighters to leave eastern Aleppo.

The unusual thing about this statement is that the Russian defence ministry appealed to the rebels directly, he said.

The Russians are saying, Your offensive on western Aleppo has been unsuccessful. Syrian government forces have beaten you back. And now is time to leave, giving them 10 hours to do so.

Humanitarian pauses in the past have been largely unsuccessful, both in getting aid into eastern Aleppo and getting residents out of the city, our correspondent said.

Salvos of rockets

Fighters launched a major assault on Friday, backed by car bombs and salvos of rockets, to break through government lines and reach the 250,000 people besieged in Aleppos east.

Since then, opposition factions have amassed on Aleppos western outskirts in a bid to end Bashar al-Assad governments three-month encirclement of the citys eastern districts.

Aleppo has been hit by some of the worst violence in Syrias five-year conflict, turning the once-bustling economic hub into a divided and bombed-out symbol of the war.
Authorities move over 1,600 unaccompanied children to sites across France, days after the Jungle camp was destroyed.

France has moved more than 1,600 unaccompanied child refugees from the demolished Jungle refugee camp in Calais, as a feud with Britain dragged on over who takes care of the youths.

According to local officials, 1,616 children, mainly teenagers who had been living in shipping containers after the camp was razed late last month, had been transferred to processing centres across France on Wednesday.

More than 5,000 refugees had been transferred from Calais last week, but the fate of the children had remained unclear until Wednesday.
Deployment of Turkish military near border elicits warning from Iraqs PM, but Ankara says the move is a precaution.

Iraqs prime minister has warned Turkey against provoking a confrontation while saying he does not want war.

Haider al-Abadi made the comments after Turkey deployed tanks and artillery near the Iraqi border and insisted that any Turkish involvement would be a violation of national sovereignty.

Turkey wants a a role in the battle to retake Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, by virtue of being a member of the anti-ISIL coalition.





However, Abadi rejected this assertion and repeatedly called on Turkey to withdraw troops it has deployed near the northern city.

The invasion of Iraq will lead to Turkey being dismantled, Abadi said in a televised news conference on Tuesday.

We do not want war with Turkey, and we do not want a confrontation with Turkey.

But if a confrontation happens, we are ready for it. We will consider [Turkey] an enemy and we will deal with it as an enemy.

Turkish reaction

Ini response, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said on Wednesday the military build-up on the border with Iraq was a precaution, not a threat, and called on Abadi to lower tensions.

We recommend that Abadi sees the big game, as well as the big picture, he told Turkish private news channel NTV.

I regard Abadis words as overstepping the mark, he added.

Making Sunni and Shia forces clash against each other in this region [] means fanning the flames of ethnic and sectarian unrest in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.

Abadi must make statements lowering the tension. This is for the benefit of Iraq, Turkey and the region.

On Tuesday, Turkish military sources said that tanks and artillery were being sent to southeastern districts near the Iraqi border.

The 30-vehicle convoy left Ankara for Silopi, the sources told AFP news agency, adding that it was now close to Adana province in southern Turkey.

Fikri Isik, Turkeys defence minister, said the deployment was part of Turkeys preparation for important developments in the region, referring to Kurdish fighters inside the country and events in Iraq.

Turkey is preparing in advance for whatever happens [and] this is one element of that, he was quoted by the official Anadolu news agency as saying.

Just over two weeks into the ongoing offensive to retake Mosul, ISILs last major stronghold in Iraq, soldiers managed to push within city limits.

The Iraqi army said its forces have advanced to the eastern edge of Mosul for the first time since the ISIL, also known as ISIS, overran the city more than two years ago.

The countrys Joint Operations Command said in a statement on Tuesday that its forces had entered Judaydat al-Mufti, an area on the outskirts of Mosul, about 3km away from the citys airport.

Meanwhile, Iraqi State TV reported that the 9th armoured brigade had entered the district of Dweikhlah, in an attempt to open up a separate front in the battle against the armed group.

Biggest prize

Mosul was the biggest prize captured by ISIL when it swept through much of Iraqs north and west in the summer of 2014 and declared a caliphate across those lands and the ones it captured in Syria.

Estimates of the number of ISIL fighters in Mosul vary from a few thousand to not more than 10,000, according to the Iraqi government and the anti-ISIL coalition.





The Mosul offensive involves tens of thousands of Iraqi government soldiers, federal police, Kurdish fighters, Sunni tribesmen and Shia militias.

Many of the militias  considered to be backed by Iran  were originally formed after the 2003 US-led invasion to fight American soldiers and Sunni armed groups.

They were mobilised again, and endorsed by the government, when ISIL swept through Iraq in 2014, but they also have been repeatedly accused of human rights violations against the countrys Sunni minority.

The United Nations forecasts that up to one million people risk being uprooted by the fighting, which UN aid agencies say has so far forced about 17,500 people to flee, a figure that excludes those taken into Mosul by the retreating fighters.

In a monthly report released by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, 1,792 people were killed in violence in Iraq in October, up from 1,003 the previous month.

An estimated 1,120 of the dead were civilians.
Kenya has said it is withdrawing its troops from the United Nations mission in South Sudan, a day after Ban Ki-moon sacked the Kenyan commander of peacekeeping forces in the country for failing to protect civilians.

In an angrily worded statement, the Kenyan ministry of foreign affairs said on Wednesday that it was dismayed by the UN secretary-generals decision to dismiss Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki.

Continued deployment of Kenyan troops in South Sudan is no longer tenable, the ministry said, saying Kenya would withdraw, immediately its forces there.





Kenya has more than 1,000 troops deployed in South Sudan.

The ministry said the UN mission in the country, known as UNMISS, suffered from systemic dysfunctionality and that Ondieki was not to blame for violence that killed dozens of people.

What is clear is that UNMISS suffers from fundamental structural and systemic dysfunctionality, which has severely hindered its ability to discharge its mandate since its inception, it said.

Regretably, instead of addressing these shortcomings directly, the United Nations has instead opted to unfairly attribute them to a single individual, in the name of the Lieutenant General Ondieki.

A special UN investigation released on Tuesday blamed Ondieki and a lack of leadership in UNMISS for the chaotic and ineffective response to the violence in the capital Juba in July.

The damning report also accused UN peacekeepers of abandoning their posts and failing to respond to pleas for help from aid workers under attack in the Terrain Hotel, less than a mile from a UN compound.

Dozens of people were killed between July 8 to 11, and at least five foreign aid workers were raped when between 80 and 100 uniformed soldiers overran the hotel.

In the weeks following the violence, UNMISS also struggled to send out armoured or foot patrols. During this period, large numbers of South Sudanese women were raped by soldiers from President Salva Kiirs Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA).

In September, following the threat of an arms embargo, South Sudan agreed to allow 4,000 additional UN peacekeepers to enter the country, after first rejecting the regional protection force as a breach of national sovereignty.

READ MORE: The UN has failed its peacekeepers in S Sudan

Thousands of UN peacekeepers have been deployed to South Sudan since the country gained independence from Sudan in 2011.

A political rivalry between Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar sparked a civil war in 2013, when the president accused Machar of plotting a coup.

Since then, tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict and hundreds of thousands have been left without food.

The rivals signed a peace agreement late last year, under which Machar was once again made vice president, but renewed fighting has seen Machar go into hiding, and a member of his opposition  Taban Deng Gai  take his place as First Vice President.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Nov 2 Trade is growing between Britain and Iran and the government is working to resolve banking sector concerns which are limiting its further expansion, British trade minister Liam Fox said, reports Reuters.

Despite the removal of international banking restrictions in January, Tehran has secured ties with only a limited number of smaller banks as U.S. sanctions remain in force and large foreign institutions still fear potential fines.

"Slowly but with increasing enthusiasm, British companies are starting to do business with Iran again ... we are seeing the first signs of growing trade between the UK and Iran", Fox told a City and Financial Global conference.

"The banking sector's ongoing concerns about facilitating payments or providing financial services means that the benefits of sanctions relief are not yet being fully realized, resolving these problems remains a priority for this government".
FBI investigating whether any civil rights crimes were committed after sanctuary was vandalised in Mississippi.

A black church in Mississippi has been burned and spray-painted with Vote Trump on an outside wall, according to US authorities.

The fire in the city of Greenville comes less than a week before a presidential election that pits Republican Donald Trump against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Fire Chief Ruben Brown told the Associated Press news agency that firefighters found flames and smoke pouring from the sanctuary of the Hopewell MB Church just after 9pm on Tuesday.

This is so heartbreaking. Not so much for the message on the building, but this is a church that's been around for so long in the community. pic.twitter.com/h8hJqoOgpH  Angie Quezada (@AngieQ_tv) November 2, 2016

Brown said the sanctuary sustained heavy damage, including in the kitchen and pastors office. He said investigators do not know yet if it is a case of arson.

In a statement, the FBIs office in Jackson, the state capital, said it was working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to determine if any civil rights crimes were committed.

There were no reports of injuries.

Hateful and cowardly act

The mayor of Greenville, Errick Simmons, described the incident as a hateful and cowardly act.

He said local officials consider the fire a hate crime because of the political message he believes was intended to interfere with worship and intimidate voters.

The act that happened left our hearts broken, Pastor Carolyn Hudson told a news conference, noting that the church has a 111-year history.

OPINION: Black lives  and churches  matter

A donation drive on a crowdfunding website raised more than $41,000 for repairs of the church within six hours on Wednesday.

The animus of this election cycle combined with the potent racial history of burning black churches as a political symbol makes this event something we must not ignore, the fundraiser said.

Last year, there were several fires at predominantly black churches in southern states following the shooting at a black church in Charleston, South Carolina, in June. Nine people were killed.

The trial for the suspect in that case, Dylann Roof, is scheduled to begin on Monday.
Sharbat Gula, who became iconic photo of her countrys conflict, is accused of using fake ID cards to stay in Pakistan.

A Pakistani court refused bail to an Afghan woman who became famous for her portrait on the National Geographic magazine cover 35 years ago, after she was arrested in Pakistan for using fake identity cards.

Pakistan last week arrested Sharbat Gula, whose haunting green eyes, captured in an image taken in a Pakistan refugee camp by photographer Steve McCurry in the 1980s, became one of the most recognisable photos of Afghanistans decades-long conflict.

She was accused of living in the country on fraudulent identity papers after a two-year investigation into her and her husband, who has absconded.

READ MORE: Sharbat Gula  The iconic face of the refugee struggle

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Pakistans interior minister, said on Sunday that the country would review her case on the grounds that she is a woman and the government should see it from a humanitarian angle.

However a judge in the northwestern city of Peshawar rejected bail for Gula, saying she had failed to make her case.

She got both a computerised ID and a manual ID, Judge Farah Jamshed said in a written judgment, meaning that on both occasions she impersonated herself as Pakistani citizen without legally adopting the status of same.

Officials say Gula applied for a Pakistani identity card in Peshawar in 2014, using the name Sharbat Bibi.

Serious crime

Al Jazeeras Osama Bin Javaid, reporting from Islamabad, said Gulas lawyer intends to challenge the decision in a higher court.

It is a serious crime in Pakistan to be in possession of fake identity cards. It carries a 14-year-term in jail and on top of that a heavy fine, our correspondent said.

However, her case is being pursued by the Afghan embassy in Pakistan.

The Pakistan government has stepped up its crackdown on Afghan refugees, insisting that many attacks in the country had links with Afghanistan and therefore the refugees must now go home.

Gulas arrest highlights the desperate measures many Afghans are willing to take to avoid returning to their war-torn homeland as Pakistan cracks down on undocumented foreigners.

READ MORE: Afghan returnees from Pakistan endure dire conditions

Pakistan has for decades provided safe haven for millions of Afghans who fled their country after the Soviet invasion of 1979.

Until recently the country had hosted up to 1.4 million Afghan refugees, according to UNHCR, making it the third-largest refugee-hosting nation in the world.

A further one million unregistered refugees are also believed to be in the country.

But since July hundreds of thousands have returned to Afghanistan in a desperate exodus amid fears of a crackdown, as even Pakistans famed hospitality has run out.

Last month UNHCR said that more than 350,000 Afghan refugees, documented and undocumented, had returned from Pakistan so far in 2016, adding that it expects a further 450,000 to do so by the years end.
Philippine president suggests he may turn to Russia and China for weapons after the US halts sale of 26,000 rifles.

Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte has lashed out at the United States for halting a planned sale of 26,000 rifles to his country, calling those behind the decision fools and monkeys and indicating that he might turn to Russia and China for the weapons instead.

Duterte said in a televised speech on Wednesday that he had lost respect for Washington.

Look at these monkeys, the 26,000 firearms we wanted to buy, they dont want to sell, he said.

He added that Russia and China had shown a willingness to sell arms to the Philippines, but he would wait to see if his military wanted to continue using US weapons.





Russia, they are inviting us. China also. China is open, anything you want, they sent me brochure saying we select there, well give you.

But I am holding off because I was asking the military if they have any problem. Because if you have, if you want to stick to America, fine.

But, look closely and balance the situation, they are rude to us.

The US State Department halted the sale of the assault rifles to the Philippine police after staff from US Senator Ben Cardins office said he would oppose it, Senate aides told Reuters news agency on Monday.

Aides said Cardin, the top Democrat on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was reluctant for Washington to provide the weapons given concerns about human rights violations in the Philippines during Dutertes bloody, four-month-old war on drugs.

More than 2,300 people have been killed in police operations or by suspected vigilantes as part of Dutertes anti-narcotics effort, which was the linchpin of his election campaign.

Duterte has vented his anger at the US for raising concerns about the extra-judicial killings.

Thats why I was rude at them, because they were rude at me, he said.

According to procedures in Washington, the State Department informs Congress when international weapons sales are in the works.

Aides said the State Department had been informed that Cardin would oppose the deal during the pre-notification process, thus effectively halting the sale.

Committee staff told State that Cardin would block it if it was sent forward. They havent sent it. Does that mean it has been stopped? I guess that depends on your definition. It would be highly unusual for State to move it forward with explicit opposition, a Senate aide said on Wednesday.

Committed to Phillipines alliance

On Tuesday, State Department spokesman John Kirby said he was barred from commenting on the status of the sale, while stressing that the US commitment to the important US-Philippines alliance.

The department is restricted under federal regulations from commenting on the status of commercial export licence approvals of proposed commercial defence sales, Kirby said at a daily news briefing.

So were going to stay also committed to working closely with members of Congress to deliver security assistance to our allies and partners worldwide, including the Philippines, he said.

Since becoming president in June, Duterte has had an uneasy relationship with the US as well as with President Barack Obama, and has declared intentions to bolster relations with China and Russia as he revamps Philippine foreign policy that has long leaned on Washington.

Last month, Obama cancelled a planned first meeting with Duterte on the sidelines of an Asian summit in Laos after the Filipino leader blurted out son of a bitch in warning the US leader not to lecture him on human rights ahead of their meeting.

Duterte later expressed regrets over his remarks.
Rebel official says it is completely out of the question for them to withdraw from the divided city in northern Syria.

Syrian opposition fighters have rejected Russian demands that they withdraw from the northern city of Aleppo by Friday evening, according to an official in one rebel faction.

This is completely out of the question. We will not give up the city of Aleppo to the Russians and we wont surrender, Zakaria Malahifji, of the Fastaqim rebel group, told Reuters news agency on Wednesday.

READ MORE: Battle for Aleppo  Russia offers humanitarian pause

Earlier on Wednesday, Russia had told rebels in Aleppo to leave by Friday evening, signalling it would extend a moratorium on air strikes against targets inside the city.

The Russian defence ministry said opposition fighters would be allowed to exit Aleppo unharmed and with their weapons between 9am and 7pm via two special corridors.

President Vladimir Putin had ordered the pause in fighting to avoid senseless victims, the ministry said, saying that Syrian authorities would ensure that Syrian troops pulled back from the two corridors designated for rebels.





However, Malahifji said there were no safe exit corridors, as Russia had stated.

Its not true. Civilians and fighters are not leaving. Civilians are afraid of the regime, they dont trust it. And the fighters are not surrendering, he said.

Aleppo has been hit by some of the worst violence in Syrias long-running conflict, turning the once-bustling economic hub into a divided and bombed-out symbol of the war.

At the moment, Aleppos frontline runs through the heart of the city, dividing rebels in the east from government forces in the west.

Humanitarian pauses in the past have been largely unsuccessful, both in getting aid into eastern Aleppo and getting residents out of the city.

Rebel offensive

Fighters launched a major assault on Friday, backed by car bombs and salvos of rockets, to break through government lines and reach the 250,000 people besieged in Aleppos east.

Since then, opposition factions have amassed on Aleppos western outskirts in an effort to end Bashar al-Assad governments three-month encirclement of the citys eastern districts.

Russia halted its air strikes on Aleppo in mid-October to allow a humanitarian pause for civilians and rebels to leave the city in safety, said Al Jazeeras Mohammed Adow, reporting from Gaziantep, on the Turkish side of the Syria-Turkey border.

But Syrian government jets and helicopters have their raids on the city, dropping barrel bombs, cluster bombs and bunker busters.

The latest attacks have been on neighbourhoods in western Aleppo recently taken by the rebels, our correspondent said.

May God punish them for the air strikes that keep targeting us around the clock, Abu Ahmad, a western Aleppo resident, told Al Jazeera.

The artillery and tank shells do not stop day and night, but we have no plans to escape.
A group of artists is battling the city of St. Augustine to take down signs with UFs name on them.

On Oct. 19, Loring Park, a public park east of Flagler College, had signs reading No Trespassing put up in an area used by street artists and musicians in the past. The artists are arguing that the space is public and that their First Amendment right to free speech is being violated.

Ed Poppell, a UF manager of the property, said UF leases more than 30 properties from the state of Florida, including Loring Park. The signs were part of establishing the UF-leased land as a non-free speech zone, he said.

We just wanted to make sure the same rules that apply to the main campus in Gainesville apply in St. Augustine, he said. Certain sections of campus are designated free speech zones, including Plaza of the Americas.

The signs have been a deterrent to visitors in St. Augustine, but Poppell said this was not the goal. The university wants people to continue visiting the park but not use it as an area to sell artwork or assemble crowds.

Attorney Thomas E. Cushman, who is representing the artists, said the group feels the signs are targeting them.

Cushman said he has worked for artists with similar cases for more than 20 years. Often, he said, the city of St. Augustine has tried to push its artists out of public areas.

Painting and drawing and creating art is public expression, he said. For some unknown reason, the city thinks it scares the tourists.

Recently, when the signs were placed on the perimeter of the park, the city said it didnt have any prior knowledge as to why the signs were put up, Cushman said.

But Cushman said he submitted a public records request, which revealed that the city attorneys office had emailed UF officials requesting the implementation of signs to keep artists out.

John Regan, the St. Augustine city manager, said UF has been managing Loring Park since 2010.

He said the park should stay accessible to the public despite UFs management.

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We understand the university wanted to control the property, he said, but it belongs to the state of Florida.
UF Student Body President Susan Webster took the University Auditoriums stage alone to give the State of the Campus Address on Tuesday night.

In the address, Webster outlined Student Governments accomplishments over the last year and its future plans. Beforehand, UF President Kent Fuchs, Provost Joseph Glover and Vice President of Advancement Tom Mitchell spoke during a Panel on Preeminence, during which they described UFs plan to be a top-10 public university to about 100 students and faculty members.

During the address, Webster spoke about the opening of the Field and Fork Pantry, which provides free canned goods to anyone with a Gator 1 Card, and the Gator Career Closet, where students can borrow professional clothes and get free headshots.

My job tonight is to educate you and update you on our Student Body, Webster said after she opened her speech with a moment of silence for Abigail Dougherty, a UF student who was killed Friday.

Webster said SG plans to urge state legislatures to fund 23 full-time mental-health professionals for UF.

Mental-health initiatives are also at the forefront of what we do as students, she said. Right now, students have to wait months sometimes to see a mental-health professional.

SG will expand the UF Safe Rides program to give students discounted Uber rides five days a week over a larger area, she said.

Webster also announced SGs goals, including a program to cover textbook fees for general education classes and an SG-sponsored bus to airports before academic breaks.

For the textbook program, SG would purchase books for large general education classes, such as What Is The Good Life, and make the codes available online for student use. The bus program would target international students, she said.

Prior to the address, Fuchs, Glover and Mitchell outlined plans to make UF one of the best public universities in the nation. To do this, Fuchs said the university will improve the Gainesville community, lower the student-to-faculty ratio and hire expert professors.

We want to hire faculty in those areas who are, or will be, the very best in their fields, Fuchs said.

Glover addressed UFs graduation rate, as 67 percent of students graduate in four years and 87 percent in six. He said although its a good rate nationally, he wants to increase it.

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The state of Florida would like to see students move through a little faster, he said.

The administrators also answered pre-submitted student questions including how students can best contribute to UFs preeminence.

I would say graduate on time and get a good job or go to a good graduate school, Glover said.

UF Student Body President Susan Webster speaks to students and faculty members in the University Auditorium during the State of the Campus Address on Tuesday night. Webster outlined Student Governments recent accomplishments and goals.
As another West University Avenue business prepares to close its doors for good, long-time customers reminisced Tuesday about the sense of community the shop helped create.

Know Where Coffee, located at 1226 W. University Ave., announced Tuesday that today would be its final day of business, a decision that followed months of mounting debt and a lack of interest from investors.

Id understand if it was a case of not being able to sell coffee, but that wasnt the case, said Juan Diaz, the shops manager. We were doing good business and we were loved, and the community did like us here.

About nine months ago, after more than a year in business, the coffee shop  which prides itself on locally sourced artisanal coffee  underwent several renovations and a three-month hiatus, putting it about $30,000 in debt, Diaz said.

Coupled with a slow summer of sales, paying back a loan with limited income dug the shop into a deeper hole.

A few months ago, owner Alfonso Guerrero, a UF alumnus, began soliciting for potential investors. When no one came forward, it was the beginning of the end, Diaz said.

Juanita Pedraza, a 21-year-old UF microbiology and cell science senior, said the announcement didnt come as a surprise. A few weeks ago, members of the staff told her about the possibility of closure.

Shes been going to Know Where Coffee, a short walk from campus, for the two years its been open, she said.

The staff has always been hardworking and very invested in their products, she said. Guerreros personal philosophy, she said, was that in order to truly love coffee and have a real experience with it, you have to understand how it is made.

The name, Know Where Coffee, is a play on words based on that very philosophy: Customers should know where their brew comes from.

Their name is what theyre about, Pedraza said. Theyre really passionate about what they do.

The feel and style of the coffee is based off of a coffee shop that Guerrero would visit every day while working in Miami, Diaz said. At some point, the financial adviser fell in love with the process of coffee and knew he had to open a shop in Gainesville, where he spent his college years.

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He wanted to bring the Miami experience to Gainesville since it didnt have anything like it, Diaz said.

Over the years, Pedraza said she came to consider the coffee shop staff to be her close friends.

Last year we had a Thanksgiving, she said. It became about more than the coffee.
A UF student said she was turned away from voting Thursday for wearing a sweatshirt.

At about 10 a.m., Megan Morey, a UF finance freshman, had stood in line for about 15 minutes at the Tower Road Branch Library when a poll worker told her she couldnt wear her hoodie while voting.

After returning home to change, the 18-year-old cast her vote about an hour after the incident. The grey hoodie bears the letters C.H.W.C, which stands for Catholic Heart Work Camp, a religious service organization, Morey said.

Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Pam Carpenter could not be reached for comment, but in a statement to TV20, Carpenter said if someone was turned away, the incident was a worker error, adding that shes investigating the matter to make sure it never happens again.

Florida law does not limit what can be worn to the polls. Political T-shirts and buttons can be worn so long as votes arent solicited within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling location.

Theres no legitimate reason why I was turned away, Morey said.
As sexually transmitted diseases increased to record levels across the U.S. in 2015, Alachua County was no exception.

Following a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention annual STD surveillance report, which was released Oct. 19, a spokesman for the Florida Department of Health released the countys updated numbers for cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia and infectious syphilis, the most common STDs in the U.S.

Last year, the county saw the highest single-year rate of these STDs in the past 20 years, according to FDOH figures released Oct. 26. There was an increase of 434 cases from 2014 to 2015.

Nationwide, reported cases of primary and secondary syphilis rose by approximately 19 percent, gonorrhea cases rose by 13 percent and chlamydia cases rose by 6 percent from 2014, the CDC reported.

Dr. Guy Nicolette, the director of the UF Student Health Care Center, said the center has not seen a significant increase in any specific STD or in the total number of diagnosed students this year.

The health care center offers students that need screenings an inexpensive solution, Nicolette said.

We are partnered with the Alachua County Health Department to provide extremely low-cost, sometimes free, (STD) screenings, available to any student by appointment in our Get Yourself Tested Clinic, he said.

Brad Dalton, the deputy press secretary for the FDOH communications office, said the state is very involved in addressing the surging numbers.

More people need to know their status, he said. If you are sexually active, you should be taking proper precautions, but regardless, you should be getting tested regularly.

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YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Nature Protection hasnt documented any violations in the Amulsar mine, minister Artsvik Minasyan told reporters in the Parliament.

This is a project with 400 million USD worth of investments. It requires cautious approach especially from the point of view of investors. I am not in favor of pushing emotional announcements at any cost, he said.

He noted that any economic project should become subject of discussion with an alternative. If there is no alternative project, turns out often announcements arent grounded approaches.

If there is no alternative project, no damages are presented, then what are you comparing it with, the minister said.

He added that a part of environmentalists dont feel any responsibility at all, rather an attempt is made to speculate everything.
At the end of Tuesday nights Student Senate meeting, Senator Alyssa Bethencourt (Impact, Sophomore) announced a future resolution honoring Abigail Doughertys life.

I think it would be a really nice way to keep her memory alive here at the University of Florida, she said.

Bethencourt announced the resolution for Dougherty at the end of the meeting, after senators struck down the only bill on the agenda and voted on a graduate replacement seat. Bethencourt said the resolution should be ready for next weeks meeting.

Dougherty was killed Friday when a garbage truck struck her while she was riding her bike near University Avenue, according to Alligator archives. Bethencourt said she reached out to Doughertys roommate to write the resolution, and Bethencourt and other senators will edit it.

We felt like she would be the most raw person to get that information from, Bethencourt said.

During the meeting, a bill that would have given $2,170 to the Jamaican Student Association was removed from the agenda. It was struck down due to minor issues with the organizations constitution, said Janae Moodie, the allocations committee chairwoman.

The bill was approved in the allocations committee but didnt pass through the replacement and agenda committee, Moodie said. There was no issue funding the organization, which wants to use the money for its second annual Mr. and Miss Jamaican Student Association Pageant.

They need to add certain clauses, she said.
Fintech is reaching a new level of maturity, and it is showing in the money backing it.

The technology movement that promised to displace  or at least challenge  the norms of banking is moving beyond the garage stage and is being taken seriously, but investors are getting choosier, too.

The $2.5 billion in venture capital investments in the second quarter were nearly half of what they were in the first quarter and a year earlier, according to a report issued Wednesday by KPMG and CB Insights titled "The Pulse of Fintech."

Here are a few takeaways from the report, along with commentary from leaders in the sector.

The Drop

Given the strong first quarter, 2016 is still on track to top the $14.6 billion raised last year. Yet CB Insights and KPMG say the second-quarter drop is a mix of macroeconomic issues and sector-specific growing pains.

"Given global market uncertainties associated with the U.K. Brexit vote and its initial impact, the approaching U.S. presidential election, ongoing concerns about valuations and significant headwinds in the marketplace lending space, it was not surprising to see VC investors taking a pause, particularly from making significant fintech mega-deals," wrote the leaders of the KPMG fintech practice leaders in the report.

Additionally, others say that although venture capital investors remain fixated on fintech, they are tightening their standards. "VC has become more realistic about what to expect from startups, it seems," said Manuel Silva, a partner at Santander InnoVentures. "Investment goes to companies that share a similar vision, understand how to execute on their business plan and manage resources adequately,"

Matt Wong, a senior analyst at CB Insights, agreed.

"We are definitely seeing venture capital paying closer attention to plans. There is more scrutiny," Wong said.

Wong also noted that a lack of exit avenues  such as initial public offerings or acquisitions  might be clogging the system. Essentially, VCs might be waiting to read the tea leaves on a major cash-out.

The Suits Save the Day

While venture capital investments are down, the share of the pie coming from corporate venture capital sources, such as those funded by banks, increased to the highest point since CB Insights began tracking such corporate investments, Wong said.

From the second quarter of 2015 through the first quarter of this year, the money coming from corporates was less than 25% of the total. In the second quarter of this year, that figure increased to almost a third.

Both supply and demand could be fueling that, observers say. More banks are funneling money to fintech as they look for potential strategic advantages. For instance, Santander recently added $100 million to the fund it began in 2014.

"There is more money available from corporate VCs," Silva said. "Firms that might find less receptiveness with traditional VC funds are also appreciating more what corporate VCs bring to the table."

With 11 fintech investments between the second quarter of last year and this year, Goldman Sachs is the most active bank investor. Santander and Citigroup follow with seven investments each.

David Sica, a principal at Nyca Partners, the third-most-active venture capital firm globally according to the KPMG/CB Insights study, says the increased involvement from corporate investors speaks to the evolution of fintech.

"Two years ago the dialogue was very much about bank replacements," Sica said. "For bitcoin, robos, marketplace lenders it was about 'the new place you're going to bank,' 'the replacement,' 'the-bank-killer.' Now the market is interested in newer types of products [and] how they can partner with banks to deliver that. You're also seeing a very different attitude from the banking side. They're paying attention, knowledgeable about areas, allocating to make venture investments with the intent of partnering and building products with these new companies."

Fat in the Middle

It is tough out there for new entrants. The study found that seed capital deals as a percentage of the total deals hit a five-quarter low with 29%. In previous quarters, it had ranged from 32% to 35%.

Silva said that decline likely related to the increased focus on "companies that are more proven."

"In fintech, 'proven' doesn't just mean the ability to generate revenue," he said. "It also means understanding the unique challenges of the financial services industry: understanding sales cycles, having the right processes, or having a sound regulatory strategy. Industry experience matters."

The flip side of that, Wong said, is that more investors are eyeing early-stage companies. For instance, he noted that the microinvesting platform Stash announced Wednesday it had raised $9.25 million in series A funding, about six months after it announced $3 million in seed funding. Both rounds were led by Goodwater Capital, Valar Ventures and Entree Capital.

"It shows that certain early-stage fintech companies still have the ability to raise capital relatively quickly," Wong said.

Sica said that early-stage interest is still strong because there are entrepreneurs and investors eyeing the space. But later-stage investments are increasingly prevalent because "these themes have played out," he said.

"We know who's going to be around in a few years and we know who's not," Sica said. "The way I personally view it is you'll have a few big brands created out of this fintech boom. They'll be the exception to the rule. The majority of the others will find partnerships with financial institutions or insurance companies."


Antony Jenkins, the former chief executive of Barclays, has formed a startup with the aim of offering API-driven, cloud-based core processing services to banks. His first client has a brand associated with disruption: Richard Branson's Virgin Money.

The new vendor, called 10x Future Technologies, aims to provide banks with a new core digital banking platform that allows them to unify their wide array of "often complex, cumbersome data systems," according to a press release Monday announcing the venture.

Based in London, 10x Future Technologies joins a growing list of startups aiming to redefine the core systems marketplace with cloud and API-based offerings, such as Thought Machine, also in London; Nymbus in Miami Beach, Fla.; and Corezoid of Redwood City, Calif.

The day after announcing its formation, 10x Future revealed it is building a digital banking platform for Virgin Money in the U.K. The vendor will be "providing us with advanced technology to build a truly digital banking platform and provide an even better banking experience that will be faster, easier to use and more cost efficient," said Jayne-Anne Gadiha, Virgin Money's chief executive, in a press release. Virgin Money, part of Branson's diversified portfolio of companies, was founded in 1995 and offers financial services in the U.K., Australia and South Africa. (Its brief attempt to shake up consumer finance in the U.S. was cut short by the financial crisis.)

Jenkins' company said it will use application programming interface (API) technology that will allow banks to access data from disparate systems into one network. This, the company said, will give banks greater access to customer data and insights into customer behavior. For example, a bank could anticipate when a small business owner might need a more flexible line of credit, or what the best financing options are for a couple looking to buy a house.

"Our core digital banking platform, based on advanced data modelling and database design, will allow financial services providers to develop a much deeper understanding of their clients, cut costs and deal with regulation," Jenkins, whom Barclays fired last year, said in the release announcing 10x's formation.
In venture capitalist Scott Tobin's chats with fintech startups, one name kept coming up: Cross River Bank in Teaneck, N.J.

The $467 million-asset Cross River has positioned itself as one of the go-to banks to help fintechs make their business go.

Many bank chief executives worry nowadays about being relegated to the back end of the customer experience, but Cross River thrives in that position.

"I don't care to own the consumer, it's not my endgame," said Gilles Gade, Cross River's CEO. "We just want to be the infrastructure bank, the plumbing."

That's a sweet spot for Tobin and his Boston-based firm Battery. While the firm has placed many bets on individual companies trying to change the world, some of its marquee deals involve going after the guts of the system, such as its 2000 investment in the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange.

On Tuesday, Battery led a $28 million investment round in Cross River, betting that the company's acumen in working with fintech companies, specifically its regulatory know-how, can be leveraged. The round also included Silicon Valley luminaries Andreesen Horowitz and Ribbit Capital.

"Financial services is not going away. It is the underpinning of the global economy and regulation is part of the defensive moat," Tobin said in an interview. While fintech companies are looking to disrupt the industry, "all roads lead back to a regulated bank and there is an emerging group [of banks] that is a little bit more innovative and a little bit more forward-thinking."

In some ways, the deal is also a read on how Silicon Valley views the value of traditional banking, the regulatory environment and the possibility of a fintech charter and what it might look like. Tobin declined to comment specifically on a special-purpose charter for fintechs.

But he said there is exceptional value in the expertise existing banks have in navigating a highly regulated industry.

"The best way for regulation to evolve is for traditional institutions to evolve over time. It shouldn't be revolutionary," Tobin said. "From our point of view, the way to invest is to pursue revolutionary young companies that take off when they partner with more traditional entities."

Observers, however, see the investment in an existing bank working with fintechs as a safer bet than waiting to see what a fintech charter, such as the one being mulled by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, would look like.

"The special fintech charter right now is like [Hillary Clinton's] 33,000 missing emails. What's in there? We don't know," joked Lawrence Kaplan, a partner at Paul Hastings. "Maybe it's wonderful. Maybe it's terrible."

Cross River currently has partnerships with more than 15 online lending companies and originated more than $2.4 billion in aggregate loans last year. It has also partnered with companies like Coinbase and TransferWise on the payments side.

Gade said that Cross River is not a conduit for fintechs. Instead, Gade referred to the model as "banking as a service."

"We have so much control and oversight of those businesses that we adopt them as ours. Underwriting guidelines, compliance management, AML oversight  we redo every single step of the compliance component at a low level," he said. "We put our balance sheet to work. If we were just a charter rental place most of our partners would just have the loans with us for two or three days and then we would move on."

The additional capital will help Cross River "perfect" how to operate in the marketplace lending and payments space, Gade said.

"We need to continue working on our compliance management system ... our goal is to be a leader on how to operate this industry, how to regulate it, how to build oversight," he said.

That means much of the money will likely be used to invest in compliance technology.

"Compliance is one thing, but the technology wrapped around compliance is what will help us scale it," Gade said. "The only way for this model to be scalable is to develop a compliance management system that makes sense and then create technology to automate some of those processes."

When that is in place, Gade said the bank's regulatory framework could help pursue businesses that have been pushed out of banking because of compliance.

"Instead of de-risking, something large banks have been conducting for eight years, we want re-risk," Gade said. "We want to cater to money service businesses, money transfer processors, remittance companies. The big term four or five years ago was 'disintermediation.' We want to re-mediate. These services belong in the banking system  that's what we're defending. We want to bring them back to probably the most scrutinized industry on earth: the banking environment."

In a broader scope, others say that the investment is a clear indication that investors see the future as one of convergence  where banks provide the regulatory wrapper and fintech provides the user interface.

"This is a really big development for the fintech ecosystem because regardless of what you're doing, whether you're Stripe or Wealthfront or Betterment, you need to partner with the existing financial system, with a bank," said David Sica, principal at the venture capital firm Nyca Partners. "You're not going to do a seed deal right now and give a startup team capital to go build a new bank."

The investment points to the increasing "crossover" between banks and fintech, said Brennan Ryan, a partner at Nelson, Mullins.

"This [deal] could be highlighting the recognition on the part of VC investors that in the long run, the banking and fintech industry will become closer together and incorporate the best of both worlds," he said.

Bryan Yurcan contributed to this article.
OptimumBank Holdings in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has appointed a former Florida credit union CEO, John H. Clifford, to its board.

The $123 million-asset holding company said Clifford, former president and CEO of Coastline Federal Credit Union in Jacksonville, Fla., was also named a director of its OptimumBank unit.

Clifford became Coastline's president and chief executive in January 2012, according to Credit Union Journal. Previously he was president of Bank of Fall River in Massachusetts.

"The appointment of Mr. Clifford is an important step towards our commitment to strengthen the directorates of both the company and the bank," Moishe Gubin, the company director and bank chairman, said in a press release Monday.

Clifford was appointed after Norman Ginsparg resigned from the bank's board "for personal reasons," the company said.
The former chairman of the failed Premier Bank in Wilmette, Ill., was sentenced to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to defrauding the Treasury Department's Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Zulfikar Esmail, 73, pleaded guilty to one count of financial institution fraud of more than $100,000 and an amended count of theft from Tarp of more than $100,000 at the Cook County Circuit Court on Tuesday. Esmail's wife, Shamim, 68, who was a senior executive at the bank, pleaded guilty to the same counts and was sentenced to probation for two years and 250 hours of community service.

The Treasury Department provided Premier Bank with about $7 million in bailout funds in the wake of the financial crisis, according to Crain's Chicago Business.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation closed Premier Bank in March 2012 and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was named receiver. The bank then had about $268.7 million of assets and $199 million of deposits. The International Bank of Chicago purchased all of the assets and assumed all of the deposits of the failed bank.

According to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, the Esmails schemed to defraud Tarp out of $6.8 million and covered up the poor financial condition of the bank by using money from third parties to make up payments on numerous past-due loans. The couple concealed the bank's finances from state regulators until the bank failed, which cost the FDIC about $64.1 million. The bank officers during that time submitted numerous fraudulent reports to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation that misrepresented the condition of the bank's loans and lines of credit.

"This couple fraudulently secured Tarp funds at a time when the country's economy and its major financial institutions were on the brink of disaster," Madigan said in a press release. "Their illegal scheme ultimately resulted in the failure of a bank at a great cost to the bank's customers and American taxpayers."
Fifth Third Bancorp in Cincinnati has named Aravind Immaneni chief operations and technology officer.

Immaneni is currently head of retail distribution strategy and operations at TD Bank Group, where he oversees infrastructure and technology for the Toronto company's 1,280 U.S. branches. He joined TD in 2011 and previously held senior-level roles at Capital One Financial.

In his new role at Fifth Third Immaneni will be in charge of information technology and back-office systems. He will join the $143 billion-asset company on Nov. 14 and will report directly to Chief Executive Greg Carmichael, the company said in a news release Tuesday.

He will also hold the title of executive vice president.

Immaneni succeeds Joseph Robinson, who is leaving Fifth Third after 12 years to work with two tech startups, "both from a management and investor standpoint," a company spokesman said in an email. No additional details were provided about the startups.
As a coalition of disparate forces  including the Iraqi military, Iranian-supported Iraqi Shiite militias, Kurdish forces, Turks, and Iranian militias  closes in on Mosul, Iraq, ready to oust ISIS from the capital of its self-proclaimed caliphate, it is easy to overlook events hundreds of miles away in Beirut. But events in both places are related.

At only half the size of Israel and with half the population, it is easy to overlook Lebanon altogether. Once a sophisticated, cosmopolitan, and diverse country  Beirut was called the Paris of the Middle East  it broke down into its constituent parts decades ago and now lives in sulky (if no longer generally violent) enclaves. Christians are separated into Protestant, Orthodox, and Catholic; Muslims into Sunni and Shiite; and the Druze are a separate entity. In theory, the president, chosen by Parliament, is always a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of the Parliament a Shiite Muslim. In practice, Hezb'allah owns the south (including approximately 130,000 rockets and missiles aimed at Israel) and now, apparently, the government in Beirut.

After 45 rounds of balloting beginning after the election of 2014, the Lebanese Parliament has chosen retired Maronite General Michel Aoun as president. An enemy of Syria during the Lebanese civil war, in 2005, he made peace with Assad in Damascus and then forged an alliance with Hezb'allah at home. His ascension to the post  over Maronite Suleiman Franjieh, favored by Saudi Arabia  puts a point on Iran's influence in Lebanon, and Iran cheered. Ali Akbar Velayati, Ayatollah Khamenei's top foreign policy adviser, said, "The election of Michel Aoun as president shows new support for the Islamic resistance [against Israel]."

Perhaps, but it was at least as much a cheer for nailing down the eastern end of the long sought Shiite Crescent and enhancing Iran's reach across the region.

Iran established Hezb'allah in 1983 as the anchor of the Crescent. It has financed the organization and supplied weapons and training, including those missiles in the South. Iran has taken more and more direct control of Hezb'allah activities and pulled it into the Syrian civil war, where it has taken tremendous casualties and lost some of its luster at home. (Even Shiite Lebanese object to their sons dying in Syria; they prefer the anti-Israel "resistance" meme.) In response to Iranian and Hezb'allah warfare against Sunni Muslims in Syria, as well as Iran's role in the Houthi uprising in Yemen, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League, led by Saudi Arabia, labeled Hezb'allah a terror organization and cut off aid to Lebanon in March.

This, as much as anything, may have tipped the scales in favor of Iran's candidate.

Because everything in the Middle East is connected, the election of Gen. Aoun should be considered in the context of a regional map. Far from the Mediterranean Sea, Iran has long coveted direct  or relatively direct  access. Rather than sailing through the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal to reach the Med, Iran has sought air and land access across Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon: the Shiite Crescent.

Sunni, nationalist, and aggressive, Saddam Hussein was the first impediment to post-revolutionary Iran's regional ambition. His ouster in 2003 opened the door to Iranian troublemaking in the form of Shiite militias, terrorism, and illegal economic activity. While Iraq was fairly stable with a large American presence by 2007 after the "surge," after the 2010 election, President Obama supported Iran's candidate Nouri al-Maliki for prime minister despite fact that Ayad Allawi's coalition Iraqiya Party had more seats. In 2011, the removal of all U.S. forces  including Air Force assets  increased Iran's influence.

Without the U.S. Air Force between Iran and Syria, weapons shipments to Damascus by air, which had been difficult to impossible, have flourished, although not on a regular basis. Emanuele Ottolenghi, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, keeps track of Iran's Mahan Air and its stops between Iranian military bases and Syria. Mahan has been under U.S. sanctions since 2011 for "shipping arms to the Syrian government; ferrying members of Iran's elite military unit, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; and providing transport for the Lebanese militia Hezbollah," according to The Wall Street Journal. It hasn't stopped them.

ISIS, Sunni and radical, is a problem for Iran, so Iranian-sponsored Iraqi militias as well as Iranian-owned Iranian troops have been key to the ground game in Mosul. While the U.S. is flying bombing runs  important, but without an American presence in the Iraqi villages on the ground  Iran is taking full credit with the liberated Iraqis, further cementing its control of Iraqi territory, even in largely Sunni areas. Iranian media is bragging about the role of IRGC Quds Force commander Qassam Soleimani in organizing the battle for Mosul. Soleimani is under both U.S. and U.N. sanctions for exporting terrorism, and Secretary of State Kerry announced that those sanctions "will stay forever." The general appears not to notice.

Iran also brags about Soleimani's operations in the battle for Aleppo. Because one of the main reasons for ousting ISIS from Iraq is to clear the path across northern Iraq into northern Syria and defeat the Sunni opposition to Bashar Assad  which will clear the path to Lebanon from the east.

Lebanon is where we started. The U.S. State Department welcomed "Lebanon's formation of a new government, subject to the confidence of parliament. We have long said that the people of Lebanon deserve a government that responds to their needs and protects their interests." Perhaps, but this government, run by Hezb'allah, is more likely to respond to the needs and protect the interests of Iran than the people of Lebanon. Iran's Shiite Crescent has become a reality with an Iranian victory in Lebanon's election.
Its no news that Hillary Clinton is against guns (except those in the hands of people who protect the high and mighty) and enthusiastically in favor of restricting gun owners. When it gets down to specifics, her position does become vague, with some exceptions. One of those exceptions stands out only because of its obscurity.

Hillary really, really, wants to repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. The PLCAA essentially protects gun manufacturers and gun dealers from being sued unless, well, they have done something wrong. Its a perfectly simple standard that would apply in any other field of human endeavor.

The reason for the PLCAAs enactment was simple. As law professor Timothy Lytton wrote, before PLCAA was enacted: By 2000 gun litigation was regularly front-page news, and manufacturers faced potentially bankrupting industrywide liability exposure as a result of suits by dozens of individual victims, over thirty cities, and the State of New York. These suits were based upon various elaborations of the argument that guns are used in crime, and so gun manufacturers should pay for what criminals have done. Some sought to impose liability even where no one could prove what gun criminals had used: the theory was that all gun makers should pay for all gun crime, in proportion to their annual production level.

Hillarys focus on repealing the PLCAA seems strange: its been on the books for eleven years, it was passed by 2-1 bipartisan majorities (65-31 Senate, 283-144 House), and every suit it has blocked is one that should never have been filed. Yet oppose it Hillary does. Her campaign webpage proposes to Take on the gun lobby by removing the industrys sweeping legal protection for illegal and irresponsible actions (which makes it almost impossible for people to hold them accountable), and revoking licenses from dealers who break the law. She told the Bridgeport News that as president, I would lead the charge to repeal this law. In Iowa, she called the PLCAA one of the most egregious, wrong, pieces of legislation that ever passed the Congress.

But, even given her anti-gun beliefs, why does Hillary place so high a priority on repealing some eleven-year-old statute?

The papers found in her husbands presidential archives in Little Rock show why the lawsuits that the PLCAA stopped were so important to his anti-gun plans. A January 2000 question and answer document, probably meant to prepare Bill Clinton for a press conference, asks about his involvement in the lawsuits against the gun industry. It suggests as an answer that he intends to engage the gun industry in negotiations to achieve meaningful reforms to the way the gun industry does business. The memo suggests he close with We want real reforms that will improve the public safety and save lives.

This is noteworthy: the Clinton White House did not see the lawsuits purpose as winning money, but as a means to pressure the gun industry into adopting the Clinton reforms. What might those reforms have been?

The Clinton Presidential Archives answered that question, too. In December 1999, the Office of the Deputy Secretary (presumably of Treasury) had sent a fax to the fax line for Clintons White House Domestic Policy Council. The fax laid out a proposed settlement of the legal cases. The terms were very well designed. They would have given the antigun movements all the victories that it had been unable to win in Congress over the past twenty years! Moreover, the terms would be imposed by a court order, not by a statute. That meant that any violation could be prosecuted as a contempt of court, by the parties to the lawsuit rather than by the government. A future Congress could not repeal the judgment, and a future White House could not block its enforcement. The settlement would have a permanent existence outside the democratic process.

The terms were extensive and drastic:

Gun manufacturers must stop producing firearms (rifle, pistol, or shotguns) that could accept detachable magazines holding more than ten rounds. In practice, since there is no way to design a detachable-magazine firearm that cannot take larger magazines, this would mean ceasing production of all firearms with detachable magazines. No more semiauto handguns. The manufacturers would be required to stop production of magazines holding more than ten rounds. Manufacturers must also stop production of firearms with polymer frames. All handguns made must meet importation standards (long barrels, target sights, etc.). After five years, manufacturers must produce nothing but smart guns (that is, using authorized user technology). But those conditions were just the beginning. The next requirement was the key to regulating all licensed firearms dealers, as well. The manufacturers must agree to sell only to distributors and dealers who agreed to comply with the standards set for distributors and dealers. Thus dealers would were not parties to the lawsuits would be forced to comply, upon pain of being unable to buy inventory.

The dealers in turn must agree:

Theyd make no sales at gun shows, and no sales over internet. Theyd hold their customers to one-gun-a-month, for all types of guns, not just handguns. They would not sell used or new magazines holding more than ten rounds. They would not sell any firearm that fell within the definitions of the 1994 assault weapon ban, even if the ban expired. They must prove they have a minimum inventory of each manufacturers product, and that they derive a majority of their revenue from firearms or sporting equipment sales. No more small town hardware store dealers, and no more WalMarts with gun sections. The manufacturers would be required to pay for a monitor, a person to make sure the settlement was enforced. The monitor would create a sales data clearinghouse, to which the manufacturers, distributors, and dealers must report each gun sale, thus creating a registration system, outside of the government and thus not covered by the Privacy Act. The monitor would have the authority to hire investigators, inspect dealer records without notice, and to conduct undercover sting operations. The monitor would thus serve as a private BATFE, without the legal restrictions that bind that agency, and paid for by the gun industry itself. The manufacturers must cut off any dealer who failed to comply, and whenever BATFE traced a gun to a dealer, the dealer would be presumed guilty unless he could prove himself innocent. (BATFE encourages police departments to trace every firearm that comes into their hands, including firearms turned in, lost and found, and recovered from thieves. As a result, it performs over 300,000 traces a year. Thus, this term would lead to many dealers being cut off and forced to prove their innocence on a regular basis).

Gun registration, one gun a month, magazines limited to ten rounds, no Glocks, no guns with detachable magazines (in effect, no semiauto handguns), no dealers at gun shows, an assault weapon ban in perpetuity, no internet sales. In short, the movement to restrict gun owners would have achieved, in one stroke, every objective it had labored for over the years -- indeed, it would have achieved some that (a ban on semiauto handguns) that were so bold it had never dared to propose them. All this would be achieved without the messy necessity of winning a majority vote in Congress.

Bill Clinton knew he had the gun manufacturers on the ropes: the legal costs merely of defending the lawsuits were enormous. If, in addition, just one of the suits succeeded (and many suits had carefully been brought before known anti-gun judges), manufacturers would be filing for bankruptcy. Then came the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, and Clinton could no longer dictate the terms of surrender to the firearms industry and to gun owners.

That tells us why Hillary Clinton now considers repeal of a seemingly obscure, eleven-year-old statute a major objective of her campaign. Shes picking up where Bill left off, in an effort to impose draconian standards on gun owners, without engaging in the democratic process.

David T. Hardy is a pro-gun lawyer and author, who blogs at www.armsandthelaw.com.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. By the assistance of the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, Economic diplomacy seminar-discussion was held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia on November 1-2, reports Armenpress.

Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Harutyunyan said the topic is quite important, and it is necessary to clearly understand the issues for the development of the sector.

The MFA is trying to considerably increase the economic component through its diplomatic representations, Embassies. The discussions are mainly directed towards listening the international experience of our partners of the World Bank in this field, discuss the issues faced by Armenia, understand what the system is in itself, what we understand by saying economic diplomacy in Armenia, and how the structures and Ministries operating in this field must cooperate for achieving significant result, the Deputy FM said adding that a serious approach is needed for carrying out the works.

Within the framework of the seminar we held a discussion over what expectations our partners have from the Foreign Ministry, what tasks must be given to the Embassies and diplomatic representations, what are the challenges from this perspective. The first issue to be solved is for our diplomatic representations to have a concrete perception on the economy, market of the country where they are working that can become possible investors for us. The adoption of sectoral approach is an important step, in other words, we can suggest the Embassies to adopt respective international or economic relations with concrete companies in those sectors, the Deputy FM said stating that the Development Fund will also carry out works on developing investment ideas.
The engines of anti-democratic subversion have been grinding away for decades. The signs and portents all around us. The emergence of the scourge of political correctness and the lockstep leftist agitprop of the mainstream media, for example, are sure indicators of advancing democratic collapse. According to Reporters Without Borders, Canada ranks 18th and the U.S. 41st in its World Press Freedom Index -- a rather shabby performance for ostensibly enlightened democratic nations. Political disinformation has come to supplant journalistic integrity in a sustained effort to steer the electorate toward the socialist agenda of anti-individualism, bigger government, state welfarism and bureaucratic expansion.

Another important way of facilitating the leftward drift is to mutilate the historical archive or reject the value and influence of history altogether. The historical register which binds a nation to its past and creates a holistic sense of national identity thus becomes a non-factor in the political and cultural zeitgeist. In Canada, for example, we have a postcolonial prime minister who believes that Canada is not determined by its history -- There is no core identity in Canada, Justin Trudeau bloviates, ignorant or dismissive of the institutions developed by classical British liberalism in the country, namely freedom to associate, speak, create, and to be entrepreneurial. Similarly, Title IX in the U.S. has materially watered down school curricula to the extent that students no longer have a secure grasp of their countrys history, or any grasp whatsoever -- although the process of epistemic decay dates back many years.

In line with this movement of social engineering, importing third-world refugees with no experience of democratic institutions, particularly from the Islamic Middle East and North Africa, and seeding these immigrants in vote-sensitive regions guarantees loyalty to the progressivist, anti-democratic project and renders the eventual destination of one-party rule increasingly probable. The Hart-Celler 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, promoted by Ted Kennedy, and Canadas policy of multiculturalism, adopted by former PM Pierre Elliott Trudeau in 1971, opened the floodgates. The flood is now in full tide.

There is yet another weapon in the ideological arsenal of the left which has been extremely effective in forcing compliance with and muzzling opposition to its homogenizing diktats. Official and quasi-official bodies that purport to defend human rights and that enjoy legal recourse to implement their decisions are perhaps the most potent agencies enforcing conformity to the prevalent ideology. This is because they have the power to levy onerous fines and judgments sufficient to damage and even lay waste the lives and careers of those who run afoul of their manifold proscriptions. They are the ringwraiths of the dark kingdom. Their websites, however, are golden; after all, protecting human rights sound like a noble endeavor. But there is a clandestine flavor to them too. Few know the trivial nature of many of the complaints and the drastic penalties levied for even inadvertent misdemeanors or honest mistakes. Passive or unsuspecting individuals will feel the wrath of these ersatz magistracies. At the same time, those who are cognizant of their sway and peremptory intent make sure to keep their heads down and act as they are expected to, cowering beneath the shadow of punitive reprisal. Compliance with the progressivist orthodoxy is thus assured.

We see how these bodies work in the preponderance of evidence clause in Title IX with respect to university adjudication of sexual misconduct claims. The model discards the burden of proof/presumption of innocence core in civil justice proceedings and, as Joseph Cohn writes in FIRE, reduces evidentiary standards, failing to take into account many due process protections [that] ensure the basic fairness of trials. It all comes down to what seems likely instead of beyond a reasonable doubt as the warrant for judicial miscarriage gradually enters the mindset of our cultural authorities. The latitude for abuse is chasm wide.

This powerful bureaucratic adjunct to the progressivist war machine in my country goes by the name of Social Justice Tribunals, within which operates the Human Rights Tribunal, a quasi-judicial, provincially based Star Chamber in which designated victim groups -- racial minorities, Muslims, women, female students, misgendered people, former criminals, social outliers, disabled persons (which could mean anyone suffering from stress, dyslexia, memory problems, etc.) -- are pro forma prioritized and the most frivolous and untenable suits filed by malcontents are favorably adjudicated. In a typical instance, a prospective renter felt so broken and alone when he was turned down by the landlord that he won substantial monetary compensation from the unsuspecting offender. In truth, it is the respondent who is alone and the system that is broken. $5000 plus prejudgment interest for feeling hurt seems like a profitable exchange and a tantalizing incentive for others to invest in the complaint industry.

According to the Human Rights Legal Support Centre, perceived negative treatment involving personal characteristics is enough to prove discrimination under the Code. The list of such personal characteristics protected under the code is daunting. Nor is there any way of knowing what punishments will be inflicted upon the accused since there are no sentencing guidelines. The whims of the tribunal are decisive and, as weve seen, the monetary penalties it habitually imposes are exorbitant. The accused know they had better extend their line of credit. As one adjudicator reasons (article 77 of the judgment in question), Economic interests and rights do not trump human rights...

Ay, theres the rub. Human rights, of course, are anything the tribunal wishes to regard as such, and rarely if ever apply to the defendant, whose freedom of speech and source of income are at the mercy of immoral and avaricious accusers. And they are myriad, as are the decent and bewildered objects of the tribunals legalistic depravity. I have surveyed many cases of outrageous decisions manifesting arbitrary rulings and outright bias on the part of the adjudicators. The fact that the complainant is generally provided with free legal counsel, a privilege not afforded to the defendant, in itself tells us all we need to know about the skewed and appalling nature of this kangaroo court. (Full disclosure: I have a personal stake in the matter, as someone dear to me -- I have been advised to refrain from explicit comment -- is now being summoned before the tribunal in a case resting on subjective feelings and a series of wholly provable misrepresentations.)

Given this penumbral courts record, the verdicts handed down are pretty well predictable. The plaintiff, no matter how absurd or extortionate or false the suit, almost invariably wins. Even his or her withdrawal from a case is a form of victory as the defendant is saddled with prohibitive legal costs. In Shakedown: How Our Government Is Undermining Democracy in the Name of Human Rights, Ezra Levant reports on innumerable such suits. Those who put up principled resistance are more than likely to find that the Social Justice tank will roll right over them. Levant himself has had to pay over $100,000 in legal fees for defending his right to publish the Danish cartoons and lost his print newspaper the Western Standard into the bargain. What we are remarking is an ancillary, though critical, formula for the advancement of social despotism, the ideological crux of the leftist agenda that functions under the sign of justice. But as historian Curtis McManus asks in Clios Bastards, what kind of Justice is it that tells us there are only certain things that human beings can say, think, and feel? Such purging and cleansing are intellectual crimes and cultural degradations, starting points for tyranny.

It is impermissible to say this in the current cultural milieu, but we are moving by seven league strides toward a dispensation, as beleaguered University of Toronto professor Jordan Peterson explains, in which the weaker members of society -- the low achievers, the dysfunctional, the comparatively unsuccessful, the resentful -- eventually replace their betters in the seats of preference. They cannot tolerate the inexorable lottery of life, that is, the hierarchical structures in which the talented or fortunate rise to the top rungs and the less talented or less fortunate huddle in the bottom percentiles. The hierarchical structures do not, obviously, disappear, but are inverted. We subsequently find ourselves constrained or governed by societys former losers, incompetents, maladroits or moral idiots -- in the etymological sense of the word idiot, the Greek : private; enclosed; shut in; i.e., self-encapsulated power mongers and career narcissists.

It comes as no surprise, then, that our social justice types present themselves as paladins fighting for the downtrodden; in reality, they are unaccountable partisans and well paid drones in thrall to the Dunning-Kruger syndrome, a condition in which the intellectually and ethically defective overestimate their level of competence and intelligence. It shows. In accordance with leftist doctrine, the outcome of their efforts is to make the productive strata of society falter and decline. Businesses, which supply the tax base from which tribunal remoras draw their salaries, can be forced into failure as a result of preposterous and unjust claims. Meanwhile the hundreds of millions of dollars wasted annually to maintain this parasitical institution constitute a blight on the fiscal conscience of the nation.

No matter. The Human Rights juggernaut persists in carrying out its mandate. By brandishing the cleaver of ruinous fines and professional umbrage that can seriously disable or even destroy a person, family, or business, Social Justice casts its real victims into a social or economic oubliette from which there is little chance of escape. Tyrannical regimes ensure their rule over their citizenry by violent means, including summary execution. Here, no need to deprive people of their lives; their livelihoods will do.

Unfortunately, the organizational dynamic of the left is difficult to resist as shifting coalitions among allied groups -- what Samuel Eldersveld in Political Elites in Modern Societies called stratarchy -- inevitably cohere around a strong conventual leadership and a sense of cultural momentum initiated by that leadership and its affiliates and subsets. Camouflaging its true nature -- the practice of legislative coercion, the crushing of dissent by the threat of social ostracism, job termination, and crippling financial deprivations, and the advancement of bureaucratic collectivization at the expense of individual self-reliance and enterprise -- the progressivist consortium flourishes under the rubrics of freedom, compassion, social responsibility and Human Rights.

Ironically, what are lost in the process are human rights. And once human rights grow extinct, the left will have consolidated its political hegemony.
The re-opening of the investigation into Hillarys unsecured email server and associated corruption has produced some interesting counter-attacks from the Clinton camp. They primarily revolve around a supposed alliance between Russia and Trump and the purportedly unprecedented move by FBI Director Comey to continue the email investigation so close to the election (can anyone in the media say Lawrence Walsh?) But the revelations about Comeys deliberate mishandling of the Emailgate investigation are a stunning indictment of not only the Clintons and Comey, but they also open a window into the corruption of our intelligence community and the DC power elite of both parties. But lets tackle the Russia issue first.

The New Carpetbaggers

As I detailed in an earlier article, the nearly 25 years of corrupt dealings by the Clintons concerning Russia, uranium, and the coopting of selected intelligence assets have come back to bite them in the behind -- thanks to Putin. To understand the deception and the ridiculous Clinton claim of Putin cooperating with Trump, a recap of the uranium scheme is in order.

When the Clintons first took power in the 90s, a dissolving Soviet Union had plenty of fruit ripe for the picking. The first step was to designate weapons and materials as the enemy, so as to justify retaining some manner of intelligence and military assets to track and counter WMDs and the materials used to make them. Counter-proliferation measures, however well-meaning and necessary, allowed the Clintons to capitalize on the real fear of bad actors getting the material. So Hillarys first real intelligence surge had been already been implemented in the 90s to track technologies and substances. And, of course, Russia had the lions share of the stuff.

During the Bush 43 administrations, the Clinton era holdovers in national security positions didnt just go away. On GWs watch, it took five years to get Saddams 550 tons of yellowcake out of Iraq. Then in 2007, the Russians started shipping uranium fuel elements to Iran as part of a contract with Rosatom to refurbish the civil power reactor at Bushehr. The flawed 2007 National Intelligence Estimate soft-pedaled Irans nuclear ambitions and likely gave what was then a seemingly detached Bush administration room to shrug its shoulders rather than push back against the Iranians.

In 2009, Obama announced the Global Nuclear Lockdown Initiative to ostensibly secure and account for all nuclear materials everywhere. Wasting no time to further strengthen her intel assets, SecState Clinton continued to put high powered donors and investors in high-level intelligence positions regardless of their qualifications. One was Rajiv K. Fernando, who was placed on the International Security Advisory Board (ISAB), whose purpose was to advise Hillary Clinton on the use of tactical nuclear weapons and on other crucial arms control issues. Ultimately,

Fernandos lack of any known background in nuclear security caught the attention of several board members, and when ABC News first contacted the State Department in August 2011 seeking a copy of his resume, the emails show that confusion ensued among the career government officials who work with the advisory panel.

The most recent example concerning Russia was the blatant disregard for security procedures during then-SecState Clintons visit to Moscow when a staffer left a classified document in Clintons hotel room. Not only was this a serious security violation, but the Diplomatic Security Service (DS) response was perfunctory at best. The staffer got a slap on the wrist, and publically the DS or the US Embassy in Moscow avoided the obvious question: Why did the SecState stay in a hotel room with classified information, when Clinton and the briefing book would be infinitely more secure by staying at the embassy? Clearly, elements of our security services and the intelligence community (IC) have repeatedly ignored violations of US Code and in fact, some have enabled the Clinton/Obama financial and political agendas.

Heres the kicker to all of these maneuvers. If the power elite in DC have top level security clearances and access to classified systems, then not only are highly classified matters available to them, but the secure communications means exist to coordinate their activities while shielding them from public scrutiny. Conversely, the intel community itself has a habit of monitoring not only foreign targets of interest, but may legally collect on US citizens who hold security clearances. At this stage, the fact that Hillary had her own server is irrelevant. Plenty of information was likely held somewhere in the ICs classified files  well come back to that later.

From Hillarys and her insiders point of view, the deception of a Russian-Clinton adversarial relationship, while concurrently promoting the theory that Trump is allied with Putin to hack a server, is laughable. Hillary is delusional to cite US intelligence agencies that conclude that Russia is doing this to affect a US election on behalf of Trump. Sure, she can find some sympathetic members of the sisterhood to draft an assessment stating as such, much as Obama went analyst shopping for justification for Fast and Furious. But the reality is that her Russia problem is the result of a decades-long business arrangement wherein Putin, as the smarter and more streetwise adversary, patiently has waited a few decades to expose the Clintons and Obamas graft and corruption to his advantage. This is what happens when rank amateurs play the money game with a seasoned KGB operative.

Enter Snowden

Regardless of whether one views Snowden as a sinner or a saint, the real issue has gone unexamined. That is, what did Snowden have on the stolen laptops and thumb drives? Keep in mind that despite the lying and obfuscation from IC leaders during the post-Snowden testimonies, the NSA does pick up on Americans while collecting on legitimate foreign targets. If a few guys next door are telephoning foreign bad guys, so are the political and military beltway elites  likely their staffers for purposes of plausible deniability.

(Back to the 2013 incident with the classified materials in the Moscow hotel room: Was this incompetence on the part of staffer Monica Hanley, or an intentional message drop intercepted by Diplomatic Security Services?)

The aftermath of the Snowden episode shows how protection of the power elite by some elements within the IC is of prime concern and why the investigation of Snowden has been one of the most underwhelming in history; at least up until the just released report by the House Intelligence Committee. And for three years, the press seemed singularly uninterested in the Snowden-Manning-Assange Wikileaks axis.

Thanks to Snowden, Putin has had the goods on our leadership, our intel apparatus, and politicians for at least three years even without hacking into anyones server. AT contributor James Longstreet confirms the context for this controversy. That is, Hillarys defenders maintain her unsecured servers were recently hacked by Russia with encouragement from Trump. This is nonsensical because not only were the servers non-operational, at least some of the info gleaned by the Russians and sent to Julian Assange had to have happened in the past; way in the past. I am not saying that Hillarys servers werent ever hacked, but in light of these previous events, Putin already had the goods on a lot of insiders, including Hillary.

Comeys other dilemma

By the time of the FBI investigation into Hillarys unsecured server, she had deep sixed a lot of her emails, especially the ones concerning the Uranium One deal and the Clintons long relationship with Russias oligarchs. But because of the NSAs monitoring, it and other intelligence agencies already have all of those emails, as stated by William Binney, who it should be noted first revealed NSAs spying activities on US citizens way before Snowden did, and he didnt have to steal classified laptops and thumb drives to do it.

So, if the emails are available, why didnt the FBI get them? As I stated last January, not only was the FBI investigating the classification level of the emails, but was going to the originators to determine how highly classified material could jump from a classified system to an unclassified one. The short version is someone in the IC would have to deliberately manipulate the documents to make that jump. In fact, the FBI itself said that it does not waive primacy in espionage cases. Ultimately, that angle to the investigation was in my opinion, deliberately short-circuited by Comey.

The focus on Comeys July 5th press conference was on how he could make a case for prosecution, then not recommend prosecution. But little noticed was this statement:

Where an e-mail was assessed as possibly containing classified information, the FBI referred the e-mail to any U.S. government agency that was a likely owner of information in the e-mail, so that agency could make a determination as to whether the e-mail contained classified information at the time it was sent or received, or whether there was reason to classify the e-mail now, even if its content was not classified at the time it was sent (that is the process sometimes referred to as up-classifying)

This was a real sleight of hand from Comey. Only going to the owners (originators) of the classified assessments to confirm the classification and nothing else is frankly stunning. That this was not chased down the rabbit hole in terms of controls established by the owners of the original document is ignoring the obvious breaches of security, which would certainly warrant an espionage investigation. Somebody enabled those documents to "jump" from the secure email system to Hillary's unsecure one. And nobody seems to be checking who that was.

Comey buckled to pressure from the Hillary camp concerning his personal well-being and ties to the Clinton Foundation. But if he had pursued the espionage angle it could point to co-opted intelligence personnel at the end of the Clinton rat line. That is, information on who provided the access to highly sensitive material, and what controls were circumvented would reveal another huge scandal in our national security agencies. This would be unacceptable to Hillarys Praetorian Guard. After all, if the former Deputy Director of the CIA who whitewashed Hillarys Benghazi scandal is still hanging around, why wouldnt others as part of her informal intel network still be active?

There are three competing theories as to why Comey reopened the investigation. Here is the fourth theory: Comey and his agents had to have known the serious nature of the situation and the scale of the corruption was way beyond the investigation of an unsecured email server or Clinton Foundation criminal activities. Whether an FBI investigation or an internal IC investigation is ongoing on these espionage matters will probably not be known for many years -- if at all. Yet, the FBI field agents know the score, and they are not only standing up for their profession, but they may be fighting to return our security apparatus to serve the public interest rather than to support the corrupt Clinton machine.

John Smith is the pen name of a former US intelligence officer.
President John and Mrs. Adams moved into the White House on this day in 1800.

It was actually still under construction and the Adamses had to endure some of the inconveniences of an unfinished home:

Adams had been living in temporary digs at Tunnicliffes City Hotel near the half-finished Capitol building since June 1800, when the federal government was moved from Philadelphia to the new capital city of Washington, D.C. In his biography of Adams, historian David McCullough recorded that when Adams first arrived in Washington, he wrote to his wife Abigail, at their home in Quincy, Massachusetts, that he was pleased with the new site for the federal government and had explored the soon-to-be Presidents House with satisfaction. Although workmen had rushed to finish plastering and painting walls before Adams returned to D.C. from a visit to Quincy in late October, construction remained unfinished when Adams rolled up in his carriage on November 1. However, the Adams furniture from their Philadelphia home was in place and a portrait of George Washington was already hanging in one room. The next day, Adams sent a note to Abigail, who would arrive in Washington later that month, saying that he hoped none but honest and wise men [shall] ever rule under this roof. Although Adams was initially enthusiastic about the presidential mansion, he and Abigail soon found it to be cold and damp during the winter. Abigail, in a letter to a friend, wrote that the building was tolerable only so long as fires were lit in every room. She also noted that she had to hang their washing in an empty audience room (the current East Room).

The Adamses moved back to Massachusetts after his defeat to Thomas Jefferson. They spent the rest of their lives there until Mr. Adams, as well as Mr. Jefferson, died on July 4, 1826.

John and Abigail Adams left us some great letters, a window into those those early days of the Republic. Later, Adams and Jefferson reconciled their differences in a collection of amazing correspondence.

President John Adams left us an important message about living in what they called then the President's House. He said this in a letter to Mrs. Adams:

....he hoped none but honest and wise men [shall] ever rule under this roof.

Mr. Adams's message sounds louder today than ever, especially in light of the Clintons and their total disregard for the rule of law.

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.
The ascendancy of Michel Aoun, a former Christian general who once served a disputed term as prime minister of Lebanon in the 1980s, to the Lebanese presidency marks a milestone in the country's long national electoral nightmare. There have been over 40 failed attempts alone at selecting a successor to the previous president, Michel Suleiman, since he stepped down in May 2014.

While Beirut may not be in the global headlines every day, regional trends indicate a potentially dangerous turn of events in Lebanon for three reasons: the new president's alliance with Hezb'allah, Lebanon's shared border with Israel, and the mainstreaming of Iran's political power in the neighborhood.

Aoun has been a longtime ally of Hezb'allah  a sanctioned, terrorist organization  for years. Back in 2012, when asked about Israel, he told Al Manar, a Hezb'allah media mouthpiece, "To Sayed Nasrallah, I say we are in the same path until securing victory in the end." In fact, Hezb'allah catapulted Aoun into the presidential palace. When Sunni leader and former prime minister Saad Hariri proposed another Christian leader and Hezb'allah ally for the position, Hezb'allah chief Hassan Nasrallah doubled down on Aoun, dubbing him "the obligatory path" to the presidency.

Despite the fact that Lebanon's president has traditionally been branded a figurehead alongside the other centers of power  the prime minister who is by law required to be a Sunni and the speaker of the parliament who must be Shiite  the office provides a powerful platform in maintaining the country's fragile political balance. In 2013, then President Michel Suleiman called on Hezb'allah to pull out of Syria because its actions were wreaking havoc in Lebanon, warning that a new Party of God-backed offensive to recapture Aleppo would lead to more tension at home. Fast-forward to today, given that Aoun made a vow on Monday to continue to support Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad  whom Hezb'allah is propping up  his election empowers the organization at a critical time, with Assad and his Iran-backed clients yet again trying to reclaim Aleppo.

Lebanon's shared border with Israel also makes Michel Aoun's new role all the more threatening. In his first public remarks upon assuming the post, Aounpledged to "release what is left of our lands from the Israeli occupation." The tenor of his comments stands in contrast to the tone once used by his predecessor, Michel Suleiman, who, in 2012, during talk of a pre-emptive Israeli military strike on Iran's nuclear program, stated in reference to Hezb'allah, "Should Israel strike Iran, it will not be attacked with missiles from Lebanon[.]  No one has the right to act without the Lebanese government's authorization." Given his record, it may be unlikely that Aoun, who owes a great debt of gratitude to Hezb'allah for his political fortunes, would be ready to effectively buck his political patron when violence is rapidly spilling across national borders.

Aoun's appointment also comes on the heels of Hezb'allah targeting Israeli forces at the Lebanese border in January, bombing an Israeli military convoy near Shebaa Farms; an attempt in July of a Hezb'allah cell to plant bombs in the Haifa area; reports in September that a large contingent of Hezb'allah fighters have been preparing to move into southern Syria  particularly at the Quneitra passage  bordering Israel; and Jerusalem's alleged assassination of multiple Hezb'allah operatives  for example, the targeting of Samir Kantar in an airstrike in Damascus last December  as the mayhem in Syria has enflamed this old rivalry.

Lebanon represents the linchpin in the Iranian regime's designs to terrorize Israel. And Aoun's dependency on Hezb'allah in this regard should be deeply concerning to the international community.

Lastly, Aoun as president represents the effective mainstreaming of Iran as a political kingmaker. Not only will Aoun carry the Hezb'allah imprimatur, but Nabih Berri, the Shiite speaker of Lebanon's parliament, received the political party's endorsement to continue in his current position. Despite Berri's initial opposition to Aoun and his own tensions with Hezb'allah in the past, these developments demonstrate the power that Iran  vis-a-vis its proxy Hezb'allah  wields in the internal political dynamics of yet another country in the Middle East. With Saudi Arabia dramatically pulling out from Lebanon in April after cutting $3 billion in military aid and $1 billion in assistance to Lebanese security forces, the country has become yet another destination in an Iranian sphere of influence, comprising Baghdad, Damascus, Sanaa, and now Beirut.

Only time will tell if the violence enveloping Iraq, Syria, and Yemen will soon follow in Lebanon's Mediterranean enclave. But Beirut matters  politically and geographically  and the country's new power lineup is bound only to add to the regional powder keg.

Jason M. Brodsky is the policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran.
NPR had a broadcast yesterday about Jose Alvarez, a "non-violent drug offender" who was deported from the U.S. He says America cruelly divided his family by deporting him.

You may wonder what his nonviolent drug offense was.

So unimportant was his conviction that some articles about his case like this one will not tell you what his crime was. But NPR and other sources reluctantly admit that he was a crystal meth dealer. That's nonviolent, right?

Alvarez was deported from Long Beach to Tijuana after being pulled over in February by the Cal State Long Beach Police Department for a broken headlight. The officer discovered Alvarez had an immigration detainer request placed on him in relation to a nonviolent drug charge 21 years ago. His wife, Infa, is a naturalized citizen. Alvarez has six U.S.-born children[.] ... Infa said her husband is the breadwinner of the family. "He's not a criminal," she said. Alvarez said he was in fact deported, twice: The first time was from San Francisco after he was detained by police shortly after his arrival to the U.S. in the 1970s, and again in 1999 after serving his time in prison. "I had to come back," he said. "My kids were young."

There was no other way to live with his children.. or was there?

Last month Alvarez's wife, sons, daughters and grandchildren went to visit him in Mexico. Alvarez, meanwhile, isn't sure what he'll do. He's frightened for his safety; violence from drug cartels prevented him from returning to his native Michoacan. "You can't live there," he said of his hometown. "It's ironic. I thought serving the country would be good for me. I did so much and now they're separating my family," [his son] Jorge Alvarez said.

Questions for discussion:

1) Is it cruel to deport a convicted drug dealer back to a place with violent drug cartels?

2) If Alvarez can't come to the United States to be with his family, is there any other way his family can be reunited?

3) What do you make of it when NPR moves the goal posts to promote not merely amnesty for illegals in general, but amnesty even for illegal alien drug dealers?

Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com.
On Ocober 31, 2016, The FBI released information on its investigation of Bill Clinton's pardon of March Rich on January 20, 2001, his last day as president, that focuses attention on Clinton corruption and pay for play. While the documents do not contain much information, the release reminds us again of the sordid facts about the pardon and the Clintons.

Anyone who reviews the facts has to question why the Clintons would pardon Rich. The answer is one and half million dollars to the Clintons. Hillary is upset because the FBI disclosure reminds everyone of another sordid bit of Clinton corruption.

Rich and his business partner, Pincus Green, were indicted in 1983 for wire fraud and racketeering, with some charges relating to doing business with Iran during the hostage crisis when there were restrictions on doing business with Iran.

Denise Rich, wife of Marc Rich, gave $450,000 to the Clinton Library and donated over one million dollars to Democratic Party campaigns during the Clinton era. The Clintons pardoned Rich.

Peter Schweizer reported on January 17, 2016:

Rich made a large part of his wealth, approximately $2 billion between 1979 and 1994, selling oil to the apartheid regime in South Africa when it faced a UN embargo. He did deals with Khadafy's Libya, Milosevic's Yugoslavia, Kim Il-sung's North Korea, Communist dictatorships in Cuba and the Soviet Union itself. Little surprise that he was on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted.

Paying the Clintons a million and a half was chump change for Rich, who made $2 billion selling oil to our enemies. The Clintons did not have a problem accepting money that was made by Rich selling oil to Libya, North Korea, South Africa, and Cuba. The Clintons did not have any problem accepting millions from Saudi Arabia, which treats women as second-class citizens.

Mary Jo White, then U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, convened a grand jury to investigate whether Rich's ex-wife, Denise, illegally obtained the pardon by making donations to Democratic Party accounts and the William J. Clinton Foundation. The investigation was completed by Comey, White's successor as U.S. attorney. Comey did not recommend any charges.

The pardon request for Marc Rich did not go through normal channels at the Justice Department but was sent directly to the White House by Rich's attorney Jack Quinn, former Clinton White House counsel. The Clinton machine at work.

On Monday, October 31, 2016, the FBI posted:

This initial release consists of material from the FBI's files related to the William J. Clinton Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The bulk of these records come from a 2001 FBI investigation into the pardon of Marc Rich (1934-2013), aka Marcell David Reich, by President Clinton in 2001; it was closed iin2005. The material is heavily redacted due to personal privacy protections and grand jury secrecy.

Hillary and her lapdogs in the MSM are upset that the FBI posted this in response to a FOIA request. Hillary does not question the facts of the pardon; she is upset that it was posted now, because it reminds us about the sordid corruption of the Clintons, which is clearly exemplified by selling a pardon to a fugitive who sold oil to our enemies and did business with Iran when it was illegal to do so. Dealing with the likes of Rich did not bother the Clintons, provided there was money to make.

Hillary does not mention that Comey was the U.S. attorney who declined to prosecute over the pardon. Comey let the Clintons off the hook in 2005 and again on July 5, 2016, but Hillary thanked Comey by unleashing the Clinton Smear Machine, led by crazies Harry Reid and James Carville, to attack Comey because he reopened the email investigation. Comey has to bat 1,000% to satisfy Hillary.

Paying over one million dollars to the Clinton campaigns and $450,000 to the Clinton Library is just another example of the pay for play that was perfected at the William J. Clinton Foundation when Hillary was secretary of state.

The Rich pardon also focuses attention on the probability that Obama will pardon Hillary if Hillary loses the election.

Hillary is upset because the Marc Rich pardon and the reopening of the email investigation focus the election on her corruption. She is losing support every day, and her only response is to attack the messenger, Comey.

The Rich pardon is so bad that even the New York Times editorialized on January 24, 2001:

Bill Clinton's last-minute pardon of Marc Rich, the shadowy commodities trader who fled to Switzerland in 1983 to avoid American justice, was a shocking abuse of presidential power and a reminder of why George W. Bush's vow to restore integrity to the Oval Office resonates with millions of Americans who otherwise disagree with the new president's politics. Unchecked by any other branch of government, the president's authority under the Constitution to pardon anyone charged with federal crimes is meant to be exercised with great restraint to correct an injustice or to further some societal good. Bestowing undeserved beneficence on a fugitive accused of evading $48 million in taxes and illegally trading with Iran in oil during the hostage crisis is hardly what the Constitution's framers had in mind.

The Rich pardon is the poster for Clinton corruption.

Hillary and her attack dogs should read the New York Times editorial instead of attacking Comey.
It has been taken as a given that the Hillary Clinton campaign has been withholding a devastating negative story about Donald Trump until just days before next Tuesday. After all, the Clintons have been masters of digging up dirt on people who get in their way. And Donald Trump is not known for reticence, especially where the ladies are concerned.

So we wait. But what if the cupboard is bare? There is reason to think that might be what is going on.

The Access Hollywood tape of the private conversation between Billy Bush and Donald Trump in 2005 would have been the perfect surprise for release the Friday before Election Day.[*] It is the capstone of a narrative that the Hillary campaign has carefully built about Trump: that he abuses women. That narrative was chosen because it targets Trumps Achilles heel, as seen by the Hillaryites: female voters.

Had it been released this Friday instead of on October 7, it would have amounted to a confession by Trump to the charges of various women dug up to accuse him of sexist behavior and worse. They way it worked out, they went public after the Access Hollywood tape was hastily released to counter the WikiLeaks onslaught. If the orchestration had been optimal, they would,have made their charges first, in mid-October. Then the release of the Access Hollywood Tape would have absolutely closed the case that they were telling the truth.

There also would have been too little time left for the Trump campaign to develop alterative narratives in response. Fresh in mind as the remaining half of the voters go to the polls on Tuesday, the story would have had far more impact than it will after a month of reflection, softening, and attention to other issues.

Something else happened on October 7, 2016: the release of the first WikiLeaks tranche of emails from John Podestas hacked email account. Coincidence? The actual publication of the tapes first came from the Washington Post. Was there enough lead time for the tapes to be leaked by oppo reserachers to the WaPo? I dont know. But it is an awfully startling coincidence. And, in fact, the tape did drive out discussion of WikiLeaks from the mainstream media for about a week, as intended.

The problem is that so far there have been 24 other WikiLeaks dumps, and more promised. The news, by definition, has to be new. And WikiLeaks has new material coming out daily. Trump boasting about his celebrity power over women is old. We have heard it over and over again.

The most powerful evidence that the Hilary campaign has already expended its best ordnance is that yesterday, in the face of a vanishing lead in the polls, the best that Hillary could muster was an appearance by a noticeably pudgy Alicia Machado before a heavily Hispanic audience in Dade City, Florida.

Reruns versus breaking news is not a contest they can win.

I might be surprised with something in the next few days. I hear that it is very difficult to construct anything out of concrete in New York City without paying off dodgy characters, for instance. But to be successful, a revelation has to play off a pre-existing worry or doubt about the opposition candidate. Weve seen nothing from Hillary charging Trump to be a womanizer, brute, and tax evader. But about the Mafia, weve heard nada.
To say the 2016 presidential election is dramatic would be an understatement. Never before have we had so many revelations, leaks, and shocking moments in an election. The revelation that Hillary Clinton consigliere Huma Abedins estranged husband Anthony Weiner would be the reason why the FBIs criminal investigation would be reopened will make a great movie plot twist someday.

Now, Abedin has every reason to tell investigators what she knows about Hillary Clintons illegal use of a home email server to transmit classified materials. She may have already lied after being granted immunity, and Team Clinton should be nervous about what happens next.

Recently, Hillarys poll numbers are plummeting while alternative media sources scan through thousands of Democrat-insider emails published by WikiLeaks. Once the job of the mainstream media, the American public has to find the truth on a bizarre foreign website with a fugitive publisher hiding in Londons Ecuadorian embassy.

Even if Hillarys campaign chair John Podestas emails came from Russian intelligence, no one is denying their validity. These electronic revelations are devastating, especially when it comes to the issue of immigration.

In a paid, private speech to a Brazilian bank on May 16, 2013, Clinton said, My dream is a hemispheric common market, with open trade and open borders[.] This transcript is proof that Hillary and her campaign has deliberately misled Americans about her elitist private views.

Now we know exactly why Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wanted Hillarys private speech transcripts released during the Democratic presidential primary. Hillarys open borders dream is a nightmare for American workers.

In the past year, the number of jobs held by recent immigrants (legal or otherwise) has increased more than five times faster than American-born workers. At rapid speed, companies are laying off American citizens and shipping jobs overseas  sometimes requiring American workers to train their foreign low-wage replacements before getting the axe.

Since late 2007, the number of jobs held by American-born workers has declined by 1.5 million, but jobs held by immigrants (legal or otherwise) are up by 2 million. Immigration has a downward pressure on wages for struggling minorities, especially high school dropouts. Expanded immigration also negatively affects the wages of skilled technicians and mid-level computer workers.

Hillary privately shares the views of her mega-donors, such as technology moguls who want expanded issuances of H-1B visas and green cards. They ultimately want completely open borders.

In addition, Hillarys dream of open borders appears to include voters without borders. In an email on February 3, 2015, Podesta described the process in which illegal aliens with a drivers license can vote, as long as they lie to election workers. Twelve states and the District of Columbia grant drivers license to illegal aliens. Following Podestas guide for lying on Election Day would have an especially large impact in California, as almost half of their drivers licenses were issued to illegals.

Relaxed immigration laws and the growth of the welfare state mean more votes for Democrats. Then Hillary Clinton simultaneously receives more pro-amnesty contributions from corporate titans who consider themselves global citizens.

As U.S. Border Patrol agent Chris Cabrera recently explained on The Laura Ingram Show, the Obama administration treats immigration violations like a traffic ticket, even for aliens with extensive criminal records. Hillary wants to take it to the next step by making the borders entirely open.

For the sake of Americas workers and fair elections, Hillarys dream must be stopped.

Ken Blackwell, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, is a senior fellow at the Family Research Council and the American Civil Rights Union.
I dont like royalty. Never did, never will. Youll never hear me referring to anyone as Prince This or Queen That. I just dont buy it. Folks from other countries might choose to anoint others as their betters and then bow down before them, but not me. I dont care if it is governmental royalty, celebrity royalty, or political royalty; you wont see me on bended knee before them.

Perhaps its because Im just some schmoe from flyover country, but the concept of royalty and me just dont mix. Royalty is based on an ancient, wrongheaded belief that its in the blood. This is patently offensive as well as being quite provably false.

This sick and twisted thinking is what drove and continues to drive the racial and ethnic stupidity that flows throughout this country.

I am a proud American. Perhaps I am naive, but I profoundly believe in the creed that all people are created equal. Not as in the novel Animal Farm, where some are more equal than others (thats royalty by another name), but that at our most basic level, every single one of us has equal standing simply by our existence. Ill leave it to God to make judgements about our individual moral standing  for me, we are all equal. And please, this doesnt mean we are all equal in our various abilities; that is a spurious argument at best.

One of the most profound moments in human history was the founding of this country on the premise that all people are created equal and that no royalty or ruling class was required; individual citizens could do just fine running their own country. It was the people who had a government, not the other way around.

And a foundational belief in this equality is the absolute need for all citizens to be equal under the law. Rich or poor, powerful or powerless; all are to be treated equally under the law. If this is cast aside, then so must be the concept that all people are created equal.

If this is cast aside, then we really do have royalty, whether termed that or not. If we allow this to be, it unravels the entire basis for this country. The concept of equal justice under the law is not just important; it is fundamental. Without it, the words of our Constitution are simply a sad joke for those silly enough to believe them. Is this where we have arrived, where only saps like me are duped by this quaint notion?

How am I supposed to sit on a jury and decide my fellow citizens fate when I know that our political royalty are held to a different and almost always lower standard? How can I demand that my fellow citizens tell the truth under oath when no such demand is made of our royalty? Why should I participate in any system whereby my fellow citizens are held to a higher standard than our political royalty?

I refuse. Others in this country seem bent on anointing politicians as their betters and then rushing to bow down before them. Screw that. Although others might be quite ready to freely cast aside the fundamental notion of our individual equality and bow before their betters, I will not.

John Conlin is president and founder of E.I.C. Enterprises, www.EICEnterprises.org, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to spreading a fact-based paradigm here and around the world primarily through K-12 education. He is an expert in organizational design and change.
You're sitting at home watching TV, and you see Charles Manson come to the door. Of course, you don't answer it, so he reaches back and throws a package through your window.

You're hesitant to open the package; after all, it's Charles Manson. However, eventually your curiosity overwhelms you, and you open it and...wow! Pictures of your spouse in flagrante delicto with someone else!

If you are a loyal Democrat, the emails are the pictures. And James Comey, the Russians, and WikiLeaks are all Charles Manson. Ignore it because of whom it came from. Or whom it came from means it shouldn't "count."

These are symptoms of Ostrich Syndrome  sticking one's head in the sand. Or maybe O.J. syndrome  refusing to believe the obvious facts right in front of your face. L.A. cops are crooked, so the DNA can't be trusted. Or Fuhrman said the "n"-word, therefore everything he said is a lie, and the DNA was changed. The Russians hacked Podesta, so the emails shouldn't be believed. Or shouldn't count.

Sure, we all do this. If Pelosi says a hurricane is coming, many conservatives would immediately venture outside to get a tan. If Ted Cruz said gasoline is not good for you, loyal Dems would make a bananagas smoothie (with plant protein, of course) their favorite morning treat.

Most of us will, eventually, face the facts. Going forward, we might dislike Charles Manson even more, but eventually we will question the spouse. It will be difficult to convince us that the pictures don't mean anything regardless of who sent them.

Of course, some people still believe that O.J. was innocent.

Charles Manson might be at my door someday. But right now I am looking at what's important  the pictures. Only the criminal blames the snitch.
HAVANA - Cuba presented on Tuesday its new portfolio for foreign investment, which includes 395 projects worth over 9.5 billion US dollars, in its quest to attract external capital.

Cuba needs foreign investment to update its economy, which has been deeply affected by the crisis in Venezuela, its top trading partner and main oil supplier.

"This new edition of Cuba' s business portfolio adds 120 new proposals for investment in 15 key sectors of our economy," said Rodrigo Malmierca, Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment at the inauguration of the island' s first ever investment forum, held during the 34th Havana International Trade Fair.

Malmierca said Cuba is looking to attract around 2 billion US dollars of foreign investment each year. However, that figure has not been reached in recent years and Raul Castro' s government is seeking more external capital.

"We must develop foreign investment in the country. This is a sovereign decision by Cuba that no-one is imposing on us, we do so because we are convinced it is necessary for the nation' s development," he said.

Presenting new investment opportunities to hundreds of businessmen from all over the world, Malmierca said the projects were located throughout the island, with 24 to be developed in the Mariel Special Economic Development Zone, Havana's flagship project for economic growth.

According to the minister, the tourism sector has seen most interest in investors and is the sector which has most opportunities within the business portfolio.

"We have taken a regional approach to new projects in the area of tourism by giving priority to less developed zones like Guardalavaca, St. Lucia beach and Covarrubias in the east, as well as Cienfuegos in the south," added Malmierca.

Cuba is experiencing a tourism boom since it reestablished diplomatic ties with the United States with almost 4 million visitors expected to visit by the end of 2016.

Other priority sectors for the island include renewable energy, oil exploration, food imports and nickel development.

The Cuban minister added that some projects had been removed from the portfolio as they are already being negotiated with foreign partners.

A new feature in this year's business portfolio is that non-agricultural cooperatives may participate directly or indirectly in foreign investment projects by associating with a Cuban state company.

The banking and financial sectors are now included, allowing Cuba to develop its financing, management techniques and information analysis.

"We want to create economic bases to consolidate the development of our country and build a prosperous and sustainable socialism," said Malmierca.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei warns that compromise with the United States will not resolve the countrys problems as Washington has not set aside its hostilities towards the Iranian nation, Armenpress reports, citing PressTV.

In a Thursday meeting with a group of Iranian students in Tehran, the Leader warned that the Americans and certain parties seek to persuade the Iranian society that compromise with Washington would settle the countrys issues.

This mindset, which is very dangerous, says if we compromise with the United State, all of the countrys problems will be resolved, said Ayatollah Khamenei.

The meeting comes as Iran prepares to commemorate on Thursday the anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the US embassy by Iranian students in the capital, Tehran.

The 13th day of the Iranian calendar month of Aban, which falls on November 3 this year, is known as the Student Day in Iran, marking National Day of Fight against Global Arrogance.
In Southern Maryland, about thirty miles south of Washington, D.C., the Potomac River forms a shallow bulge called Mallows Bay. Its an incredibly scenic place full of wildlife such as water fowl, heron and bald eagle. The adjacent land is a county park with hiking trails, picnic areas and a launch for small boats and paddle craft. But the central attraction of Mallows Bay is its so called "ghost fleet" consisting of the rotting and rusting remains of nearly 230 ships.

The ghost fleet was part of an unprecedented shipbuilding program undertaken by the U.S. to assist its European allies during the First World War. When America entered the war, the allies had an acute shortage of vessels. Nearly half of all ships leaving for combat were getting sunk by German torpedoes. And not just military vessels; even merchant and passenger ships were targeted.

Photo credit: Don Shomette

In April of 1917, American President Woodrow Wilson set up an Emergency Fleet Corporation and ordered a thousand steamships to be built under a pressing deadline the ships were to be readied in only 18 months. At once, a million men went to work cutting timber, expanding shipyards, laying rails and building machinery. It was a huge undertaking, and for a short time, the US became the largest shipbuilding nation.

But no matter how hard they tried, the targets proved to be unrealistic, and by the time Germany surrendered, only a few hundred vessels were completed. None of them ever set sail, because it was discovered that the long transatlantic journey required so much coal that the ships could not carry much cargo. Besides, steamships were slowly becoming obsolete.

For a few years, the ships wallowed in the James River before the government sold them to the Western Marine & Salvage Company. The company towed the ships to Mallows Bay with the intention of scraping them for valuable parts and metals. But before they could do that, Western Marine went bankrupt. In the 1940s, another shipbuilder took over operations but the profits were so low that the ships were left behind again.

Over the decades, the wrecks constituting what has been called the largest collection in the Western Hemisphere has been slowly reclaimed by nature, creating a new wetland ecosystem supporting diverse life forms. The hulls have sprouted trees and shrubs which now host fishes, turtles, otters, ospreys and eagles.

In 2015, Mallows Bay was declared a National Marine Sanctuary, and listed as an archaeological and historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

An enhanced satellite image of the wrecks in Mallows Bay.

Wooden steamers put to the torch in Mallows Bay on November 7, 1925. Photo credit: National Archives

Photo credit: National Archives

Photo credit: Joel Kinison/Flickr

Photo credit: alliecat1881/Flickr

Photo credit: Joel Kinison/Flickr

Photo credit: Joel Kinison/Flickr

Sources: Wikipedia / Bay Journal / CNN / Nature
It could be said that Samsung is handling the rollout of its Gear S3 smartwatch in a rather unconventional manner. After announcing the wearable on August 31st, the South Korean tech giant has been rather tight-lipped regarding official release dates and only dropped one so far  November 4th. However, it soon became apparent that the said date wont mark the global release of Samsungs latest smartwatch. That situation became all the more confusing when the Gear S3 became available for pre-orders in the UK a few days ago, only to promptly go out of stock with an expected release date of November 11th. Looking at the other side of the pond, the device is yet to debut in the US. None of the retailers in the country are currently offering pre-orders though Best Buy did finally list the Gear S3 on its website.

The listing states that Best Buy will soon start taking orders for the Gear S3, but doesnt elaborate on how quickly can we expect that to happen. On the brighter side, Samsung recently confirmed that its new Tizen-powered smartwatch will launch in the US during November, so we wont have to wait much longer to get our hands on it, or better said, get it on our hands. While this hasnt been officially confirmed, Best Buys listing could indicate that the Minnesota-based company will be the first US retailer to start shipping the Gear S3.

As for the specifics of this offering, ordering Samsungs latest smartwatch from Best Buy will set you back $349.99. That price applies to both version of the watch, i.e. the Gear S3 Classic and the Gear S3 Frontier. Both models boast a circular 1.3-inch display protected with Corning Gorilla Glass SR+ and featuring a resolution of 360 by 360 pixels. Other than that, theyre both powered by the dual-core Exynos 7270 CPU clocked at 1GHz, 768MB RAM, and a 380mAh battery in addition to offering 4GB of internal storage. There are a few differences, though; the Gear S3 Frontier will be a tad bit heavier at 62g and come equipped with an LTE/3G adapter in some territories. With a price tag of $350, the Gear S3 doesnt come close to being the most expensive Android smartwatch ever, but its still aimed at people who want more than just a simple notification display for their wrist.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received on November 2 US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Carpenter.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, greeting the guest the President of the Republic recorded with satisfaction that Armenian-US relations have constantly developed since the establishment of diplomatic relations and the two friendly nations approach the 25th anniversary of those relations with serious achievements reached during the last 1-2 years. Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude to the US government for supporting Armenia in economic development, reforms in various spheres, establishment of democracy and civil society and highly appreciated the role of the USA in preserving stability in South Caucasus.

The President of the Republic attached great importance to Armenian-US defense cooperation, particularly the support of the USA in defense reforms of Armenia, as well as development of Armenias capacities in humanitarian mine clearance and peacekeeping missions. President Sargsyan hoped that Michael Carpenters visit will further foster the development of Armenia-US relations.

The interlocutors noted with satisfaction that the current high level relations between the two states are based on mutual trust between the two peoples and today Armenia and the US have firm partnering relations in both bilateral and multilateral platforms.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Carpenter expressed gratitude for Armenias contribution to peace-keeping operations.

President Sargsyan and Michael Carpenter discussed issues of future development of relations in defense and for regional and international security.
Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, is a festival to celebrate three days of remembering the dead. Todays costume parties and trick-and-treating trips is believed to stem back from pagan rituals, which were adopted by Western and Christian nations and amalgamated into existing festivals. Today for many people it means an opportunity to dress up, perhaps as something scary or perhaps as something we might never ordinarily get away with, and go about our day as normal. For many workers in the retail and customer services industries, this is an opportunity to have some lighthearted fun with customers  even if sometimes people can take offense at our costumes.

And so it is the case with Southwest Airlines, where as many readers will remember, this is where one one of the first recalled Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices started smoking. The incident happened whilst a Southwest Airlines aircraft was still taxiing in preparation for takeoff and the Galaxy Note 7 was one that had been replaced by Samsung, so at the time was believed to have had the battery defect issue resolved. Although at the time of writing, Samsung have not confirmed the exact underlying issue with the Galaxy Note 7s battery, the problem with the device is that the separate battery components were being mixed and this was causing a thermal runaway: in other words, an internal short circuit within the device was causing a chemical reaction, which in turn was causing an explosion or fire. Ultimately, a small number of days after the Southwest Airline incident occurred, Samsung pulled the Galaxy Note 7 from sale around the world, stopped production and started the process or recalling all devices. Following this, Samsung has a 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 stockpile to be recycled.

It seems that the smoking Galaxy Note 7 made a mark on at least one Southwest Airlines employee, and she decided to dress up as the smoking smartphone to celebrate Halloween. At least some airport visitors found this amusing and a photograph was tweeted by Twitter user and presumably Southwest customer @heathwblack, showing the fancy dress costume. Its not known if airline staff allowed the lady onto the flight, remembering that the Galaxy Note 7 has been banned from all flights (passenger and freight) and rail travel (AMTRAK have also banned the Galaxy Note 7) and is instead condemned to ground shipping and travel only. Currently, Samsung do not appear to have responded to this story and there remains the risk that they will contact news websites carrying the story to have it taken down, although perhaps the costume was in reality to raise awareness of the dangers of the Galaxy Note 7?
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM

Available for both Canon and Nikon cameras, this option from Sigma is a fairly competitive option for those on a budget. The focal range of 18  250mm will instantly give any DSLR a lot more versatility, and will make for a great travel lens without adding too much bulk to the camera. There could be a wider aperture here to let more light in, but given the price and its versatility, theres little to complain about here.

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Fujinon XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR

A good option for our FujiFilm friends, this Fujinon XF lens has a great focal range from a wide 18mm all the way to a telephoto 135mm. Fujis lenses usually excel with wider apertures than this has to offer, but the Japanese brand has a reputation to uphold and this is one lens that wont disappoint. A great way of adding some more versatility to a FujiFilm Mirrorless camera, without adding too much bulk or adding yet another Prime lens to someones kit, this is a pricey yet competitive option.

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Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM

Prime lenses like these can often be pricey additions to anyones camera arsenal, but this option from Canon is a pleasant exception to that rule. Its 50mm focal length and wide, fast f/1.8 aperture are features that should make any photographer excited, especially when its under $200. A perfect gift for someone that keeps on jabbering about how good fast primes are, as well as a great portrait lens, the Canon 50mm STM is well worth considering, perhaps even just on account of its low price.

Sony SEL1018 10-18mm

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In the Mirrorless world, things are a little different, and its Sony that mostly rules the roost. This 10  18mm wide-angle lens is an excellent E-mount addition to anyone with an NEX or more modern Alpha camera. For taking breathtaking landscapes, as well as getting up close to your subject, this is a great lens that adds something of a fast prime to a Mirrorless setup, it just needs a wider aperture, which is sadly stuck at f/4.0. Few lenses will offer this wide a focal length at this price, and to get it from Sony is of course, something of a bonus, too.

Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2

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Another excellent option for Fujifilm users, the Fujinon XF 56mm is an absolute gem. The super-speedy f/1.2 aperture and Prime 56mm come together to make this a real dream to shoot with. Bokeh and excellent portraits are what this lens was made to achieve, and for the majority of users, this is what theyll be expecting. Of course, Fuji are more than happy to make users pay for this great experience, and the Fujinon XF 56mm is not cheap, but then neither are many lenses with this sort of specification and the results to go with it.

Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3

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Another E-mount option for those with a Sony Mirrorless camera, this one is all about adding some zoom options to your camera. With a focal range of 55 to 210mm, and an acceptable aperture range to match, this is a nice and versatile lens for anyone to have at their disposal. Its also available in a silver color as well, which will appeal to Sony fans with one of the few options that came in silver. While this does add some bulk to a Sony Mirrorless camera, it doesnt hurt to have a little more heft when trying to get that perfect shot.

Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X116

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Available in both options for both Canon and Nikon cameras, the Tokina 11-16mm is a great wide-angle lens for DSLRs. It takes in a huge amount of information, and the results look good, too. With a speedy autofocus motor and a price tag that isnt too high, this is a great option for someone that has just started out and in need of some more lenses, but doesnt have the budget to support pricey options just yet. A good-looking lens thats versatile and well worth looking into, this option from Tokina wont let you down.

Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D

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This is a rare treat for Nikon fans here, a quality first-party Prime lens that doesnt cost the earth. At under $200, this is a great option for both FX and DX format DSLRs, and its a nice and compact lens, all the while offering autofocus. Perfect for travel photography as well as close-ups and portraits, the Nikkor 50mm here is well worth considering, regardless of whether or not the person youre buying for has a newer or older Nikon, as this is a lens that will work with the majority of Nikon cameras out there.

Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ

Olympus might not be at the top of the camera tree any more, but they have a lot going for them where glass is concerned, with this lens being a great example of that. This 12  50mm is a really versatile option to look out for. It has great macro performance as well as wide-angle support, making this a sort of double-duty pulling lens for an Olympus or compatible micro four-thirds camera.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED

Nikon cameras are well-known for their dominance in the wildlife world, and having a telephoto lens is a crucial part of getting shots like that. This 55  300mm telephoto lens from Nikon is exactly the sort of thing any budding wildlife photographer will need in their arsenal. With vibration reduction and autofocus, this is the sort of lens that will give budding wildlife photographers, as well those in need of another lens a lot to write home about. Its not too expensive either, which makes a change for a first-party lens such as this.
Not too long ago, Chinese TV giant LeEco made a big deal about landing in the US, and while they had plenty to announce, they didnt have anything to sell to customers just yet. Thats because the firm decided to wait until today to open the doors to the US branch of their own LeMall site. As theyre doing for their Le Pro3 and Le S3 smartphones, the Chinese brand is opening a flash sale for their range of Super 4 X Android TVs as well as the massive, 85-inch uMax85, all of which are 4K TVs with some of the best features available on the market.

The Super4 X line of TVs come in 43, 55 and 65-inch models, all of which are Android TVs with 4K resolutions and powered by 64-bit Quad-Core CPUs. Available today from the LeMall website, the line starts at $649 for the Super 4 X43, moves up to $899 for the Super 4 X55 and then tops out at $1,399 for the largest 65-inch Super4 X65 model. All of these will come with an instant rebate of $200, bringing the initial price down somewhat, but users will need to sign up to LeEcos LeRewards program ahead of time if they want to get this instant rebate refunded to them. As for the larger than life uMax85, the 85-inch 4K monster is priced at $4,999, which might seem like a steep price to pay, but given the amount that other brands charge for a similar spec sheet, the uMax 85 is arguably worth the extra, and it does also come with a $1,000 instant rebate, too.

All of these TV models feature sound from Harman Kardon, and they all run Android TV, with a few tweaks here and there meaning that users can easily install and set up services like Kodi, Netflix and Hulu without having to jump through any hoops. Those interested in purchasing a new TV running Android TV with a sizable footprint should take a look at the source link down below and be prepared to part with some serious cash. Buyers should be aware however, that the sale will last until 11:59PM PDT today, November 2nd, or until stocks run out.
It was rumored some time back that Microsoft was hard at work on its own Slack competitor which was initially expected to be called Skype Teams. Today, Microsoft has finally confirmed its service, though it goes by a more global name, Microsoft Teams. The new product is essentially a web-based chat service that, just like Slack, is aimed at businesses that have groups of people working on different projects at different times. Just like its rival, the new service features group chats, known as channels, as well as private messages and support for up to 150 bots at launch, such as Asana, Hootsuite, Intercom, and Zendesk.

Where things start to differentiate are with the integration of Microsofts other services. Skype, for example, is one of the many integrated services and allows users to have video and audio calls with other users. In addition to this, the chat service is fully integrated with Office 365, allowing seamless sharing of Word, Excel or even PowerPoint files, which can also be uploaded to OneDrive from within the Microsoft Teams app. Also included is Twitter integration, allowing users to post a Tweet into any chat, alongside the ability to create polls. One last feature that gives Microsoft Teams a significant edge over Slack is its support for threaded conversations, allowing users to reply to a specific message and create a conversation underneath it, while the overall conversation can carry on as usual without needing to be interrupted.

Regarding how businesses can sign up to the newly announced service, it is currently available in preview form in 181 countries, and Microsoft has added in support for 18 languages currently, with the final version of the product being released sometime early next year. Right now, though, the service is only available to users of Office 365 Bussiness Essentials, Business Premium, and Enterprise E1, E3, and E5, with no plans for a free or consumer-level version of the service. The release of Microsofts workspace communication tool doesnt come as much of a surprise, with the software giant constantly increasing its business offerings. Its clear that Microsoft is serious about its latest service, though its interesting how the company has avoided creating a direct competitor to Slack by removing the free version of the product. Itll remain to be seen which of the two services will end up being the more popular over time, but with Slack already having a significant lead, Microsoft will have some serious catching up to do once Teams sees its final release on various platforms.
This Fall has been an interesting time in the mobile world, not least due to the fact that Samsungs Galaxy Note 7 has given the media plenty to write about, but also because we said hello to a new range of smartphones from Google, the Pixel and Pixel XL which  depending on your outlook  represent the first smartphones from Google. Given the way that the Pixel and Pixel XL are being marketed and sold to customers, its not all that difficult to become confused with Googles limited approach. Sure, partnering with arguably the biggest network in the United States is a sound business move, but the Nexus never became popular with a mainstream audience because the average user was unsure of purchasing a device they had never heard of before and didnt have the opportunity to get face time with. If the Pixel and Pixel XL represent Googles first foray into the world of mainstream devices, perhaps its time for Google to open retail stores.

The elephant in the room whenever we talk about retail stores in the technology world is of course, Apple, and for good reason. Apple have turned running your own retail chain into a fine art, and while their devices are available from Best Buy as well, the majority of users buy their Apple products from Apple, via an Apple Store. The first Apple Store was opened towards the end of 2001, and 15 years ago Apple was a very different company back then. Much like Google is doing now, Apple in 2001 became focused at designing and selling products of their own direct to consumers. With the new iMac and iPod putting the firm back on the map after an abysmal period throughout the 90s, the Apple Store first opened doors with few first-party products to offer buyers. The amount of different products didnt really matter all that much, it was Apples way of saying that they were all about the consumer, and providing the customer service themselves, as well as selling directly to them was all part of that. While Google doesnt seem like a company thats all that consumer-focused, the firm is very much becoming one. The majority of their online products are all geared towards the consumer, such as Gmail, the Play Store, YouTube and yes, Search. Now though, Google sells more hardware than most people realize, and with the launch of the Pixel and Pixel XL as well as the Google Home speaker, Google is starting to craft and sell their own experience.

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To sell such an experience to customers, a retail store is often a sound business decision. Opening thousands all over the world is something that might not be advisable, but everyone has to start somewhere, and its about time that Google opened their first. Many will wonder just what a Google Store has to offer to buyers off of the street, and its not just about selling the Pixel and Pixel XL. Google has the Chromecast range of devices, they have Chromebooks, Android tablets and Google Home to name just hardware. On the software side of things, Google has a myriad of products that the average consumer would love to sign up to, including Google Photos, the new Google Assistant, the Play Store and Android TV. All of these products could be easily demonstrated to users in these stores, and even if someone walks into such a store and doesnt walk out with anything, they will have been exposed to the Google Experience, shown what these products and services mean firsthand, and then perhaps be converted from an Apple or otherwise option.

Google is not a name that you would instantly expect to see hanging atop the entrance to a retail space, but neither was Apple back in the early 2000s, they were a company that sold fancy computers and the best MP3 player on the market. The Apple Store, along with key products like the iPhone and the MacBook, arguably turned Apple into the consumer company they are today. Nobody thinks of Apple as just a computer company any more, and it would be wrong to think of Google as just an Internet company in this day and age. Microsoft has tried this as well, and while they only have 114 more stores throughout North America, thats 114 more stores than Google has open right now. Microsoft has, for the past few years now, been selling their own hardware under the Surface brand, and along with the Surface Pro, Surface Book and new Surface Studio, the company has a decent selection of products to show off and sell buyers. They also have the Xbox line of products, and can easily use these stores to show off the upcoming Holo Lens technology. All of this hardware needs one important thing that both the Apple and Microsoft stores supply in abundance; support.

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Google is looking to sell the Pixel and Pixel XL to average consumers as well as those that have been on the Nexus train for years, but where the latter is happy to accept being without their phone for a while, the former isnt. Programs where a new phone will be sent out prior to you returning the old phone as well as courtesy phones might be in place, but ultimately, having to do a return online is still a daunting task for some people. It can be confusing and frustrating to explain the problem to someone on the other end of a phone, or online chat, and while driving to a store nearby can also be an inconvenience, its all one more part of the experience. I know countless people who say to me that they stick with their iPhone because if something goes wrong, I can just drive to the Apple Store. My nearest Apple Store is 45 minutes away. The idea of taking an hour and a half out of my day just to get there and back for a phone sounds ridiculous even to me, but there are average users out there that are more than happy to take this time on the weekend to drive over to the store and spend time getting to know new products while getting the help and support they need.

Some will feel that all of this is too soon for Google, and theres definitely an argument for that, but then when is it ever too early for something like this? Pop-up stores arent the same thing, and while the NYC store is a good effort from Google, its ultimately a forgettable experiment that will fade away in a city thats forever moving. Not only that, but pop-up stores are notorious for appealing to an already-captive audience, rather than bringing in new customers. They are an event, and events like these are for enthusiasts not for the average user. The Best Buy side of things is also another admirable effort on Googles part, but again a flawed experiment. Being able to go to a Best Buy and have a look at the phone is great, but then to find out that you can only walk away with one if theyre willing to sign up to Verizon or already a Verizon customer. This is a poor decision, why they couldnt also sell the unlocked version in Best Buy is probably due to the deal Verizon presented Google with, but its a choice that will no doubt confuse and upset a number of willing buyers.

It is early days for the Pixel and Pixel XL, and early days for the Google Home and other Google hardware, all of which lends credence to the argument that stores are perhaps too early a move for Google, but everyone has to start somewhere, and if Google really want a successful first-party hardware platform, they will need to start playing by the same rules everyone else does, and take leafs out of Apple and Microsofts books.
Considering the failure that was the Galaxy Note 7 for Samsung, its no surprise that the industry as well as Samsung themselves are looking ahead to the Galaxy S8 line of devices. With no fresh device for them to sell at this time of year, leaving the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge to pick up the slack, the Galaxy S brand could become more important than even before for Samsung. The Galaxy S8 is sure to be a big release for them, and if the rumors and leaks concerning the internals are anything to go by, a big release is all but confirmed from Samsung at this point. One thing that might shock users, should Samsung have it ready in time, is their own personal assistant to rival the likes of Cortana, Siri and of course, Googles own Assistant. Now, a new report could have given away the name of this virtual assistant as Bixby.

As is usually the case here, this report comes from South Korean media, which has spotted Samsung filing for a trademark in their home country for Bixby which is, according to the trademark filing, a computer application software for smartphones, mobile telephones, portable computers and tablet computers, Namely, software used to operate voice recognition system. The trademark filing goes on to state that Bixby is a trademark for a computer application, for smartphones as well, that features voice recognition as well as hands-free operation, all of which sounds like some sort of assistant a la Siri and Cortana. Samsung recently purchased Viv Labs earlier this year, a firm that specializes in artificial intelligence as well as virtual assistants like these and its very possible that Bixby is to be the name of Samsungs first virtual assistant, to ship with the Galaxy S8 next Spring.

The Galaxy S8 is slated to land on shelves next Spring, shortly after its February reveal, which doesnt seem like a long time for Samsung to make sure that such a product as this is ready on time. It is, however, possible that Viv Labs already had a product similar to this in the works, and Samsung and their team are simply reworking it for inclusion inside of the Galaxy S8 and to work better with other Samsung products. As Samsung has become a big name in the world of the Internet of Things, offering a number of smart appliances and such, a virtual assistant to bring all of this together wouldnt be a bad thing, and will give them yet one more thing to compete against Apple with.
To say it has been an eminently forgettable couple of months for Samsung Electronics would be an understatement. As if the scrapping of the Galaxy Note 7 wasnt enough of a public relations disaster for the South Korean firm, what has followed in the aftermath has made matters even worse. With many people expressing serious concerns over how the company is handling all the returns and refunds, Samsung is probably spending way more time, money and energy on the discontinued handset than it would want to. From the U.S. to South Korea, from Europe to China, Samsung has been trying to get back as many Galaxy Note 7 units from the public as possible so as to prevent any more incidents. Even then, some are proving very hard to please. Take the Chinese, for example.

Samsungs smartphone market share in the country has been on a downward spiral over the past few years, and if the exploding phones werent bad enough for Samsung, the companys local executives now seem to have irked many in the country by an action that may not necessarily strike people everywhere as particularly offensive. In an effort to show their gratitude towards Samsungs business partners in China for sticking with the company in its hour of crisis, around 20 South Korean and Chinese Samsung executives decided to kneel down on the stage and bow their heads at an event in Shijiazhuang, Hebei, on October 29th. It is this seemingly harmless  if admittedly, a bit over-the-top  gesture that has now reportedly infuriated many commentators on Chinese social media, who are interpreting it as yet another proof of Samsungs arrogance and lack of respect for the Chinese culture.

According to some of the posts on popular Chinese social media sites, such as Weibo and Zhihu, Samsung executives should have been more aware of the cultural difference between South Korea and China before resorting to kneeling in front of an audience. Thats because kneeling is apparently a practice not to be taken lightly in the country. It is generally associated with feudal societies of the past, and is strictly reserved for parents, teachers, heroes, martyrs and virtuous ancestors in modern-day China, according to at least one social media commentator. That being the case, Samsung Electronics once again finds itself in fire-firefighting mode, and is already trying to wash its hands off of the curious incident. The company released a statement to the media, saying that the gesture was a spontaneous one from its employees who were just overwhelmed by the response they got from the distributors at the event.
In the wake of recent crises, Samsungs competition in the mobile field, and even outside of it, has been given a chance to eclipse the South Korean giant. Samsung is having none of that, and has doubled down on most of their efforts in response. In the field of semiconductor manufacturing, like others they dabble in, the nigh-unrivaled South Korean firm is far from content to sit on their laurels. In total, Samsung reportedly plans to spend around $24 billion this year, and almost half of that is set to be on semiconductor manufacturing operations. In order to get their Austin facility up to par with others for manufacturing under modern processes, and to bolster the local economy, Samsung will be throwing a little over $1 billion extra into their Austin, Texas chip factory.

The chip factory in Austin is one of Samsungs larger operations, and is a cornerstone of the local economy in Austin. According to data from Impact Data Source, Samsung is responsible for about 10,755 jobs in the area, and has pumped some $3.6 billion into the local economy, making them a valued partner to the economic authorities of the Austin metro. The jobs and economic boost granted by Samsungs operations are a big part of what makes Austin the type of area that it is, and Austin Mayor Steve Adler readily acknowledges as much.

This is the latest in a string of efforts by Samsung to beef up their manufacturing processes on various levels. This investment, among other things, will boost the output capacity of the facilitys current manufacturing offerings, though Samsung did not go into too much detail about exactly where the money would be going, or what, if any, special plans they had for the Austin facility. Being among Samsungs largest factories in the US and the centerpiece of its host communitys local economy, the Austin factory is already fairly special. Samsungs recent focus on contract manufacturing and bringing margins up in the field of flash memory paints a bit of a picture of how the facility may put its investment from Samsung to use, but with Samsung being tight-lipped on the matter, there is no real way to gauge the potential impact of the investment at this time.
The Unity engine has been practically synonymous with mobile gaming for quite some time now, and it seems that the people behind the ubiquitous game engine want to set the standard and become a mainstay of the new age of VR gaming that were easing our way toward, too. Their Unite conferences, held all over the world, arent just about developer advocacy; much like Google I/O, these conferences are also opportunities for Unity to announce their own latest and greatest tools and tech. The conference in Los Angeles for this year, starting on Tuesday and going through Thursday, is no different. Within the first days keynote, they have unveiled a few new tricks to help developers create VR content more easily, as well as native support for Googles new Daydream ecosystem.

For starters, announcements included news that native support for Google Daydream will begin with Unity version 5.6. The feature is currently in a technical preview status, but once it lands, anybody who can use Unity to develop normal 3D content will be able to create content for Daydream, and of course, VR content in general. Unity was touted as a partner for Daydream from the beginning, but the platform finally rolling out native support will make it easier for Daydream to grow as an ecosystem. This goes hand in hand with news that the Daydream Home market will support deep linking for preview content, and that a VR-compatible Play Store is in the works.

To make developing VR content even easier, Daydream is announcing an upcoming official release for their EditorVR tool. The special tool is tailor-made for VR content, and also happens to be open-source, with fully open APIs. This means that any developer can add to the project or fork it, creating specialized builds for certain types of VR content or adding in features as needed to the base build. To cap off the announcements from Unity, a new talent marketplace called Unity Connect was revealed. Currently in open beta, the market is geared toward not only Unity experts, but game developers, AR and VR developers, and other related fields. Users can set up a profile with their portfolio free of charge.
Xiaomis Redmi-branded smartphones have been extremely successful for the company. The companys Redmi line consists out of mid-range smartphones, at least for the most part, and Xiaomi had introduced quite a few such smartphones this year, including the Redmi 3, Redmi Note 3 and the Redmi Note 4. That being said, the Redmi 4 has been leaking for a while now, and the device got certified by TENAA (Chinas equivalent to the FCC) a while back. We were wondering when will the phone launch, and it seems like have our answer now, read on.

Xiaomi has just confirmed that theyll introduced the Redmi 4 on November 4th in China. The company did this by sharing a teaser image on Weibo (Chinese social network). The Redmi 4 actually got certified alongside the Redmi 4A, a slightly less powerful variant of the Redmi 4, so well probably get to see both of those variants announced on November 4th, which is in two days. If you take a look at the provided image, youll get to see a part of the upcoming smartphone, its upper left corner that is. It seems like the Redmi 4 will sport a metallic frame, and chances are its back side will also be made out of metal, at least based on the images TENAA provided a while back. The device will sport a 2.5D curved glass on top of its display, as you can see in the provided image, and the antenna lines will be implemented on the phones frame which goes around the device, and well probably get to see some antenna lines on the back as well. Based on this image, the phones side bezels (black bars) wont be that pronounced as well, at least it seems like it.

The Xiaomi Redmi 4 is expected to ship with a 5-inch fullHD IPS display, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of native storage. Qualcomms Snapdragon 625 64-bit octa-core SoC will fuel this smartphone, and youll get a 4,000mAh battery as part of this package as well. On the back of this device, youll be able to find a 13-megapixel snapper, while a 5-megapixel camera will be available up front. Android 6.0 Marshmallow will come pre-installed on the Redmi 4, and on top of it, youll get Xiaomis MIUI 8 OS.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Expert of World Bank Group emphasizes Armenias competitive advantage in the region. A seminar-discussion was held at MFA Armenia entitled Economic diplomacy with the assistance of member of WB Group International Finance Corporation (IFC). The issue of supporting Armenia in attracting investments was touched upon during the event.

Armenia seeks to attract more foreign investments by using different tools and we wish to assist Armenia in that issue. There are a number of factor based on which we try to solve that issue through the Government and the Ministry: technical support, improvement of investment environment aimed at strengthening the business atmosphere, Armenpress reports Head of Vienna Office, World Bank Group, Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice, Investment Climate Ivan Nimac said.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received on November 2 the delegation led by President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Belgium Christine Defraigne.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, the President of the Republic greeted the guests and highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy in developing relations between the two states. You are hosted by a country where Belgium is perceived as a friendly state and reliable partner the relations with which are based on historically cordial interactions, mutual trust and a common value system and development vision.

Mrs. Defraigne, its a great pleasure for us to welcome you in Armenia, since you are a figure who is constantly engaged in issues of Armenian concern. For years you spared no efforts to deepen Armenian-Belgian relations. You are always welcome in Armenia, President Sargsyan said.

The President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Belgium thanked the Armenian President for the cordial words and reception, mentioning that she shares the assessment of Serzh Sargsyan over the relations between Armenia and Belgium. Referring to one of the evidences of our common values I have to mention that back in 1998 the Belgian Senate was one of the first European countries that adopted a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide, a powerful resolution that was followed by the resolution of the Chamber of Representatives and the speech of the Prime Minister of the country Charles Michel that left no room for misunderstanding. And that is of key importance, since we have to transfer the legacy to the future generation, Christine Defraigne said.

The parties also discussed the opportunities to develop relations and cooperation in all spheres of mutual interest, as well as touched upon regional challenges and issues, including the settlement process of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES has issued a flash flood watch for low lying areas for Anguilla valid until 10 am tomorrow.

A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to moderate to major flooding in low lying and flood prone areas.

A low pressure area in the vicinity is expected to cause further instability across the region.

Precautions should be taken to safe guard life and property. Some houses in low lying and flood prone areas may require evacuation. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and move quickly to higher ground if flash flooding is observed or imminent or if a flash flood warning is issued. Note, just one foot of flowing water is enough to sweep vehicles off the road. When encountering flooded roads, be extremely cautious, and if in doubt, make the smart choice, turn around dont drown, move to higher ground. Source: http://antiguamet.com/

The Department of Disaster Management will continue to monitor conditions. Residents and visitors should listen to Radio Anguilla, local Radio and Television Stations for any changes in the forecast.

If you require additional information please call the Department of Disaster Management on 476-3622.
Some thirty (30) members of the Royal Anguilla Police Force on Sunday 30th October, 2016 participated in the weekly Sunday morning worship service at the Kingdom Vision Apostolic Church in the Farrington. This was as a result of an invitation by the pastor and members of the church in order to recognize the hard and often times thankless work of the police. They also used the opportunity to anoint and offer prayers for the entire organization.

Apostle Elmead Allen who is the senior pastor of the church welcomed the Commissioner and other officers to the service and lead in the various prayers and intercessions that were said for the management of the RAPF as well as the various departments that are often times not seen. He was assisted by Pastor James Harrigan and Minister Anthony Thomas.

Commissioner of Police Mr. Paul Morrison who was the Guest Speaker during the service spoke about the need for Community Policing and the role the church can play.

The Churches are focal points for many communities said Commissioner Morrison. It serves as a gathering place to meet and to worship. Congregations give support to each other and others who may be on hard times. We the police and church can work together with those who may be victims of crime where the church can provide listening ear when the Police are unable give the extra time have not the time to stay that extra hour.

Pastor Allen who gave a brief exhortation to the officers encouraged them by using the acronym STAND. He encouraged them to be sincere, thankful, have a positive attitude, never give up and to be determined at all times as they carry out their job as law enforcement officers.

Stand for personal and moral integrity, said Pastor Allen. Stand for the oath of office you took as well as for your commitment in the words of your mission statement. Stand when others choose to give up and bend and most importantly in a world where everything is shaking I challenge us this morning to stand.

During the service the police department was presented with a plaque of appreciation for the work that the organization continues to do with in the Anguillian Community. The longest servicing member of the RAPF, Acting Superintendent of Police Sylvia Hodge was also recognized and presented with a plaque for her commitment and dedication to the RAPF with over 33 years of service.

In accepting the prestigious award Ag. Superintendent Hodge said, Being an officer is a job which requires strength, diligence and a keen disciplined eye and demeanor. It is a job where sometimes you receive resistance and no thanks or praises for doing the right thing.

The service was well received by all the officers who attended.
THE VALLEY, ANGUILLA  Ms Susan Hodge President of the Anguilla Civil Service Association (ACSA) and President of the Caribbean Public Services Association (CPSA), presided over her first Executive Council Meeting as President of the CPSA 11-14 October in Grenada.

Hosted by the Grenada Public Workers Union the Executive Council of CPSA met to discuss a number of regional public service union issues, the one and a half day council meeting was preceded for the first time by a one and a half day workshop facilitated by regional trade union leaders. The diverse topics discussed included:

Legal options for dealing with Trade Union disputes: A review of recent experiences and lessons learnt;

Yes! Climate change is a trade union issue;

The global/local connection;

Threats to the employment of Public Officers  Constitution reform in Grenada;

Partisan Trade Unionism  public service sector union perspectives;

The workshop culminated in a panel discussion on Industrial Relations in the Caribbean: Current and future trends.

Ms Hodge then presided as Chairperson over the Executive Council Meeting to discuss the business of the CPSA, with her General Secretary Brother Thomas Letang, from the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) and Sister Sandra Williams-Braithwaite, 1st Vice-President, from the Antigua & Barbuda Public Service Union (ABPSA), joining her at the head table.

The 2nd Vice-President John Pinder of the Bahamas Public Service union was unable to attend as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Matthew in Bahamas.

Eleven (11) public service unions were in attendance for the meeting from Bermuda, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Montserrat, Dominica and host country Grenada.

The next CPSA ExCo meeting will be held in mid-February in Jamaica. The 47th CPSA Annual Conference will be held in Anguilla July 2017, hosted by the Anguilla Civil Service Association.

The CPSA is a grouping of public sector trade unions in the Caribbean which aim to promote and strengthen unity among public service trade unions, provide technical assistance to member organizations as they continue to protect the rights and privileges of their members, coordinating the education and training of members and/or associations in the Caribbean region.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. The delegation led by the President of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Andrej Danko arrived in Armenia on November 2. Vice President of the Armenian National Assembly Eduard SHarmazanov met the delegation at Zvartnots airports.

As Armenpress was informed from the staff of Eduard Sharmazanov, during the conversation the sides highlighted the deepening of relations between the parliaments, as well as cooperation on international platforms. Referring to the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide by the Slovak Republic, the Vice President of the Armenian National Assembly noted, The condemnation of the Armenian Genocide by the Slovak Republic reaffirmed that crimes against humanity have no time limitations. We are obliged to carry out a unified struggle against the Turkish denialism and for the sake of protecting human rights. In this context, your efforts aimed at Armenian Genocide condemnation can be exemplary for many European parliamentarians.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. The Holy Bible in Armenian language is already available in an electronic form. Over 8 thousand users have already downloaded it, Spokeswoman at Ararat's Patriarchal Eparchy of the Armenian Apostolic Church Elza Manukyan told Armenpress. The initiator of the project, who preferred to remain unidentified, currently works on making the grabar (Western Armenian language-edit.) version of the Bible available on the internet, she said.

Elza Manukyan informed that the project initiator works on volunteering basis.
Brexit balls: ersatz Liberal Nick Clegg says Leavers have ruined your pork pies

Nick Clegg is a LibDem MP. You need to carry that idea in your head as Clegg talks about Brexit in the Guardian:

Melton Mowbray pork pies, stilton cheese and British-made chocolate such as Cadburys could be under threat from Brexit, the former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has warned.

How so?

Speaking to a food and drink industry conference on the impact of leaving the European Union, Clegg said it was possible that European rivals would start producing lookalikes to British foodstuffs if they lost the legal protection from imitation offered by EU rules.

The French will start producing fake bars of sugar-rich CHOMP in a devious Brexit-fed plot to wean their population off delicious chocolate and onto junk food. Bulgarians will be free to make blue cheeses and serve them in bell-shaped pots.

Its carnage, readers!

Outside the EU they wont enjoy the appellation bestowed on those products and I would have thought other countries would take advantage of that pretty quickly and put products into the European market that directly rival those protected brands, Clegg said.

And sell them to, what, holidays Brits? Maybe Bulgarians can cook up a Marmite copy and sell it back to us cheaper.

Clegg the liberal!

Anorak

Posted: 2nd, November 2016 | In: Broadsheets, Politicians, Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
687 | October 29, 2022 11:04 The statement of the President of the Russian Federation inspires certain hopes. We anticipate that the vital interests of the Artsakh Republic will be fully protected. President Harutyunyan

675 | October 28, 2022 16:52 Zatulin: West seeks to push Russia out of negotiation process at any cost

667 | October 28, 2022 17:40 Putin to have private talks with Pashinyan and Aliyev

635 | October 26, 2022 17:43 10 residential buildings built in Ivanyan with the funds of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund will soon be put into operation

630 | October 26, 2022 16:27 Pediatric neurologists from Yerevan conduct free exainations in Stepanakert

619 | October 28, 2022 17:54 Power supply may be restored, if Kiev recognizes Russias new regions  Medvedev

589 | October 28, 2022 15:51 Garo Paylan arrives in Armenia

586 | October 28, 2022 16:05 Next meeting of Council of CIS heads of government to be held in Bishkek
Media balls: Manchester City could have had six against Barcelona and stupid Messi

Media balls: a look at reporting on last night Champions League match between Manchester City and Barcelona, which City won 3-1.

The Times says Manchester City werebrilliant. The BBC says Manchester City were outstanding.

In Spain, Mundo Deportivo says Barca ran out of batteries and watched as De Bruyne, Silva, Gundogan flew past them. It was ablackout. SPORT says Barcelona were tangled, caught in the City trap. LEsportiu says City smelled blood in the second half.

The Manchester Evening News says: City absolutely HAMMERED Barcelona  Messi and co were lucky to escape without more of a hiding.

James Robson reports for the MEN:

It is no exaggeration to say City could have scored six or even more against the Spanish champions. Raheem Sterling should have won a first half penalty and wasted a golden chance shortly after Kevin de Bruyne fired City ahead in the second half.

It is an exaggeration. Sterling should have had a penalty instead of a yellow card for diving. But Robsons monocular report makes no mention of Barcelona chances. The Guardian does, however:

65 min: So close from Barcelona, as Andre Gomes rattles the crossbar from just outside the penalty area with a free shot on goal. Luis Suarez nutmegs John Stones, advances and squares the ball for Gomes who really should have scored.

Had he scored, that would have made it 2-2.

Sky notes that after Barcelona opened the scoring:

Barcelona then began to dominate, missing several chances to double their lead as Citys defence opened up.

And (wrongly):

Busquets then hit the bar with a left-footed effort which seemed destined for the goal, but City got their two-goal cushion with 16 minutes left.

City were terrific. But to claim it was one-sided affair is absurd.

By way of a footnote, Marca says Messi was involved in a post-match incident in the tunnel, in which he responded to something by calling a City player stupid.

Such are the facts.

Mike Kritharis

Posted: 2nd, November 2016 | In: Back pages, Manchester City, Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
(ANSA) - Rome, November 2 - Aftershocks continue to keep people on edge in the areas of central Italy devastated by a series of recent earthquakes, including Sunday's 6.5-magnitude quake near Norcia.

On Tuesday a 4.8-magntiude tremor again caused panic in parts of regions of Umbria, Marche and Lazio.

The quakes, which started with one on August 24 that claimed almost 300 lives, have caused huge damage to many priceless artworks and Medieval churches and buildings and to the area's economic fabric.

Norcia, for example, is famous for its fabulous cured meats and the local livestock farmers have been hit particularly hard.

Around 22,000 people are homeless after Sunday's quake.

"We'll rebuild everything," Premier Matteo Renzi said via social media on Tuesday after a private visit to Preci, one of the towns affected.

"It'll take time and tenacity, but we'll do it. We won't leave anyone alone".

Italian President Sergio Mattarella is expected to visit Norcia and Camerino on Wednesday after returning from a State visit to Israel.

Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti has said 500 extra soldiers are being sent to the area to watch over houses and prevent looting. On August 24 a 6-0-magnitude tremor killed 298 people. On October 26 two more quakes hit, one measuring 5.4 in magnitude and the other 5.9. Then on Sunday came the 6.5-magnitude quake, the biggest since 1980.


(ANSAmed) - Rome, November 2 - Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni has expressed satisfaction after representatives of Libya's interim government of national accord and the central bank reached an agreement to resume domestic funding in order to meet basic urgent needs. Under the agreement reached at a meeting in London on Monday, the Libyan central bank will make the equivalent of nearly seven billion euros available to Presidency Council Chairman Faiez Serraj to deliver essential services to the population.

The accord is "a first step forward in stabilising the economy and realising priority programmes for the country, including the provision of essential services and security," Gentiloni said in a statement. During the meeting Libyan government and bank representatives also defined a link mechanism between the two institutions to make the application of economic policy measures swifter and more effective. To this end, the presidency council has pledged to nominate a deputy economy and finance minister.

The representatives will meet again in Rome on November 17 to examine the technical details of the agreement.


(ANSA) - Erbil, November 2 - Italy can be "proud and satisfied" with its work to support the offensive against ISIS in Iraq, General Angelo Michele Ristuccia, the head of the Italian contingent in Kurdistan, has said. "As the commander of the men and women who have trained over 6,000 troops in Kurdistan, I can only be proud and satisfied with the work done," Ristuccia told ANSA. "The training, particularly concerning home-made explosive devices, has helped create the conditions to tackle Daesh decisively and to save many lives," continued the brigadier general amid a raging battle to free Mosul from ISIS control. The 950 Italian troops under Ristuccia's command are engaged in various activities in Iraqi Kurdistan, from training Peshmerga soldiers in locating ISIS bombs to command and control procedures.

The overall aim of the mission is to provide "the necessary operational support to defeat" ISIS, "secure the borders, restore state sovereignty and train armed forces and police so they are able to guarantee security," Ristuccia said.


Libya's GNA, central bank agree to resume domestic funding 'First step forward in stabilising economy,' Italian FM says

(ANSAmed) - ROME, NOVEMBER 2 - Representatives of Libya's interim government of national accord and central bank have reached an agreement to resume domestic funding in order to meet basic urgent needs.



Under the agreement reached at a meeting in London on Monday the Libyan central bank will make the equivalent of nearly 7 billion euros available to Presidency Council chairman Faiez Serraj to deliver essential services to the population.



The accord is "a first step forward in stabilising the economy and realising priority programmes for the country, including the provision of essential services and security," Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said in a statement. During the meeting Libyan government and bank representatives also defined a link mechanism between the two institutions to make the application of economic policy measures swifter and more effective. To this end, the presidency council has pledged to nominate a deputy economy and finance minister.



The representatives will meet again in Rome on November 17 to examine the technical details of the agreement. (ANSAmed).




All children transferred from Calais migrant camp 1,500 moved to reception centres

(ANSAmed) - PARIS, NOVEMBER 2 - French officials have completed the evacuation of 1,500 children and unaccompanied minors from the Calais 'Jungle' migrant camp on Wednesday and the children have been moved to reception centres throughout the country, according to the Le Figaro website, citing a justice source. The operation of evacuation and transfer to 60 migrant reception centres throughout France began on Wednesday morning, while a bitter negotiation is still underway with Great Britain to proceed in family reunifications.(ANSAmed).




Gentiloni hails resumption of domestic Libyan funding 'First step forward in stabilising economy' says foreign min

(ANSAmed) - ROME, NOVEMBER 2 - Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni has expressed satisfaction after representatives of Libya's interim government of national accord and the central bank reached an agreement to resume domestic funding in order to meet basic urgent needs. Under the agreement reached at a meeting in London on Monday, the Libyan central bank will make the equivalent of nearly seven billion euros available to Presidency Council Chairman Faiez Serraj to deliver essential services to the population.



The accord is "a first step forward in stabilising the economy and realising priority programmes for the country, including the provision of essential services and security," Gentiloni said in a statement. During the meeting Libyan government and bank representatives also defined a link mechanism between the two institutions to make the application of economic policy measures swifter and more effective. To this end, the presidency council has pledged to nominate a deputy economy and finance minister.



The representatives will meet again in Rome on November 17 to examine the technical details of the agreement.




JERUSALEM - Italian President Sergio Mattarella expressed "concern" at the "dangerous" deadlock in negotiations between Israel and Palestine during a meeting with Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Wednesday. "The scourge of terrorism must be fought with determination and Italy clearly feels involved in the security of Israel," Mattarella said.



"For this reason also the deadlock in negotiations with Palestine is of concern as it augments the danger and radical Islam," he continued.



"The 'two-State solution' must be pursued with determination," Mattarella concluded. "The good news is the incredible shift in position of many Arab states: a change of stance that gives us hope," Netanyahu said. Now "many Arab states no longer see Israel as an enemy but as an ally in the fight against Islamic extremism," he added.


ROME - Representatives of Libya's interim government of national accord and central bank have reached an agreement to resume domestic funding in order to meet basic urgent needs.



Under the agreement reached at a meeting in London on Monday the Libyan central bank will make the equivalent of nearly 7 billion euros available to Presidency Council chairman Faiez Serraj to deliver essential services to the population.



The accord is "a first step forward in stabilising the economy and realising priority programmes for the country, including the provision of essential services and security," Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said in a statement. During the meeting Libyan government and bank representatives also defined a link mechanism between the two institutions to make the application of economic policy measures swifter and more effective. To this end, the presidency council has pledged to nominate a deputy economy and finance minister.



The representatives will meet again in Rome on November 17 to examine the technical details of the agreement.
Little more than a decade ago, Turkey appeared to be an emerging democracy with vibrant civil society and somewhat independent media. No longer. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has abandoned democracy and is building a strongman cult of personality.

November 2, 2016, 12:20 A cult of personality dashes Turkeys democratic dreams  Washington Post

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 2, ARTSAKHPRESS: The latest descent came Monday when police detained the editor and senior staff of a leading opposition newspaper, Cumhuriyet, one of the few media outlets still critical of Mr. Erdogan. Arrest warrants were issued for about a dozen journalists, of whom seven were taken into custody, including editor in chief Murat Sabuncu. Those targeted also include Can Dundar, the newspapers previous editor, now living in exile abroad, as well as several officials in the foundation that owns the newspaper. The arrests are part of a broad media crackdown to silence dissent after a July 15 coup attempt against Mr Erdogan. On Sunday, 15 media outlets, mostly Kurdish, were closed; by some accounts, as many as 195 have been shut and 140 journalists remain imprisoned. Turkey ranks 151st out of 180 countries on Reporters Without Borderss World Press Freedom Index, between Tajikistan and Congo.

The prosecutors office said Cumhuriyet is suspected of supporting Kurdish militants and backing the coup attempt, which Mr Erdogan has blamed on Fethullah Gulen, a Pennsylvania-based cleric, who denies any involvement. Mr Erdogan, once an ally of Mr Gulen, has seemed intent on crushing any remnant of the Gulen movement in Turkey. But that cannot explain the move against Cumhuriyet, which has been critical of Mr. Gulen and his movement for years.

Rather, Mr Erdogan is constructing a kind of authoritarianism centered on his personal power, replacing critical media with mouthpiece organs, suffocating independent civil society organizations and summarily dismissing thousands of academics without due process. Overall, more than 110,000 people have been sacked or suspended and 37,000 arrested since the coup attempt; just over the weekend, 10,000 more civil servants were dismissed. This is a colossal purge, tearing the heart out of any remaining hope for a democracy that depends on independent voices and unfettered political competition.

The United States and Europe have been far too quiet about this. Mr. Erdogan is holding back a tide of Syrian war refugees from Europe, and Turkey is critical to the U.S. campaign against the Islamic State. These are real concerns but should not prevent the United States from speaking out against arbitrary detention, persecution of civil society and suppression of free speech in Turkey. The United States often describes freedom of expression and human rights as universal values when they are trampled in China and Russia. They are no less universal when trampled in Turkey.
New Renzi position on UNESCO resolution appreciated Israel at first disappointed by Italys abstention&

(ANSAmed) - Jerusalem, November 2 - Israel "greatly appreciates" the new position adopted by Premier Matteo Renzi concerning the October UNESCO resolution calling on Israel to stop excavating near holy sites in East Jerusalem, Premier Benjamin Netanyahu told Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Jerusalem on Wednesday.



The UNESCO resolution was "absurd" because it certifies "the non-existence of links between the Jewish people and Temple Mount", Netanyahu added. Italy abstained from voting on the resolution, which was backed by 24 countries including China and Russia, prompting disappointment from Israel.



However, Renzi subsequently changed his position, describing the provision as "unreal".



Italy's abstention had been based on "a position taken years ago (but this) doesn't mean the time hasn't come to change it," he said at the time. "(The resolution) is an attempt to cancel the history of the Jewish people and a decision that also creates problems for the peace process in the Middle East," Netanyahu told Mattarella. (ANSAmed).




Russia urges 'terrorists' to leave Aleppo Two corridors opened towards Turkish border, Idlib

(ANSAmed) - MOSCOW, NOVEMBER 2 - The "terrorists" in Aleppo have "failed" in their "attempts to break through the blockade" around the besieged city, General Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the Russian General Staff, said on Wednesday.



They have "suffered heavy losses" and lost "weapons and military equipment", Gerasimov added, calling on all leaders of the armed groups" to end combat and leave Aleppo with their weapons by way of two special corridors.



One leads towards the Turkey-Syria border and the other towards Idlib. (ANSAmed).




On October 26, Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Board Member Annie Totah and Executive Director Bryan Ardouny attended the Marshall Legacy Institute's (MLI) 19th Annual Clearing the Path Gala where they met with officers, supporters, and activists dedicated to the K9 Demining Corps Campaign.

November 2, 2016, 14:46 Armenian Assembly of America committed to demining initiatives in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 2, ARTSAKHPRESS: The Assembly invited guests from the Embassy of Armenia to the United States, including Deputy Chief of Mission Hratchia Taschian, Second Secretary Nazeli Hambardzumyan, and Special Assistant Anita Issagholyan to the event. Armenian Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Hratchia Taschian and his wife Bella Tashchian, Armenian Embassy Special Assistant Anita Issagholyan, MLI Founder and Chairman General (Ret.) Gordon R. Sullivan, Armenian Assembly of America Board Member Annie Totah, Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Armenian Embassy Second Secretary Nazeli Hambardzumyan, and Leo Sahakian.

United States National Security Advisor Ambassador Susan Rice delivered the keynote address and National Public Radio (NPR) News Correspondent Tom Gjelten emceed the event, with presentations from U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Mrs. Diana Enzi, MLI Founder and Chairman General (Ret.) Gordon R. Sullivan, and Embassy of Sri Lanka Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam.

"As a beneficiary of the Marshall Legacy Institute's demining project, the Assembly is committed to help with demining initiatives in Armenia, seeking a safer future for our people in the homeland. We appreciate the ongoing support and dedication of MLI, especially the additional six mine detection dogs (MDDs) that were sent to Armenia over the past year," Totah stated.

"The accomplishments of the Assembly-sponsored MDDs include clearing landmine areas in Armenia along its border with Azerbaijan, so that more land is released for farming, grazing, for transportation needs, as well as for infrastructure projects," she added.

MLI is a non-profit, humanitarian organization founded in 1997 on the 50th Anniversary Year of the Marshall Plan. MLI works to continue the legacy of U.S. statesman George C. Marshall into the 21st century by providing war-torn, landmine-affected countries with the tools and training they need to help rebuild. Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
In support of the recent appointment of David Lewis, chief technical officer, the first of the technical services engineers, Jason Tan, has been appointed in Singapore. His role will focus on liaising with customers in Asia, providing the region with greater access to data and technical expertise. He will be responsible for monitoring the reliability of component supply and repairs to ensure work is carried out in line with customer expectations.

Tom de Geytere, managing director, AJW Singapore, said: Asia is a key growth market so it makes absolute sense to invest in additional technical expertise and quality management systems. This will enable us to better understand our customers objectives and challenges, and help them improve their operational performance.
Etihad Airways flight EY604 took off from Abu Dhabi at 10.15am and arrived on schedule at 4.45pm local time. The return flight EY603 departed Johannesburg at 7.50pm last night, touching down Abu Dhabi on schedule at 6.10am this morning, 2 November.



Operating daily on the route, the two-class B787-9 Dreamliner features Etihad Airways next-generation Business and Economy Class cabins. Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said the decision to upgrade to the Dreamliner aircraft on the Johannesburg route was to meet the needs of growing numbers of business and leisure passengers travelling to and from South Africa.

Todays modern traveller is constantly searching for comfort, innovation and convenience, and we aim to provide the highest standard of hospitality and technological advancements to make any journey a memorable one, said Baumgartner.

John Friel, Etihad Airways general manager South Africa, added: The introduction of the Boeing 787 is a welcome development that will further enhance our guests experience on this route.

Our luxurious Dreamliners offer a best-in-class experience, and attention to every last detail.
Pauline Smith comes with over 25 years of experience within the Industry. In her past role at Marshall Aerospace she held the role of head of customer services and terminal manager for four years, where she was responsible for establishing a new Marshall branded FBO at Birmingham Airport and created and designed a bespoke commercial passenger terminal for business passengers at Cambridge Airport.

Pauline started her career with Harrods Aviation, where she oversaw all aspects of VIP aircraft handling. In 2008 she joined ExecuJet Middle East where for two years she worked as FBO Manager, responsible for VIP aircraft handling, including flight operations, customer service and marketing.

She then joined Al Bateen Executive Airport, where she held the role of Senior FBO Manager, responsible for the setting up and the day to day running of the award winning DhabiJet FBO at the UAEs first exclusive business aviation airport.

Joining in advance of the launch of Falcon Aviations new FBO in Al Maktoum International Airport, Pauline can continue her success under the Falcon Aviation umbrella.

Smith said: I am excited to start a new challenge within Falcon Aviation and look forward to working with the team to further develop this new and exciting project. I am fortunate to be joining such a respected company that prides itself on top quality service.
Honeywell is proud of its history and even more proud of what it is bringing to the market over the next few years.

The chances are that, if youve flown on an aircraft, it had Honeywell technology on it, from auxiliary power units, engines, glass cockpits, advanced avionic safety systems and now broadband connectivity.

And it relishes telling you little-known facts.

Did you know, for example, that Honeywell has had systems and equipment flying on both the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station? Or that Captain Chesley B Sully Sullenberger was only able to control his A320 aircraft and land on the Hudson River in New York after losing power from both engines by using hydraulic power from a Honeywell auxiliary power unit, which could be started in flight?

But Honeywell isnt resting on its laurels. This year sees the launch of Inmarsats broadband Global Xpress (GX) Ka-band satellite system that is being enabled by Honeywell equipment. It is producing the two JetWave fuselage-mounted and tail-mounted antennas for GX and it says the connectivity will open up new markets that havent even been thought of yet.

Carl Esposito, Honeywells vice president strategy, marketing and product management, says it is working on supplemental type certifications (STCs) for 20 different aircraft types. There isnt a product in our portfolio that doesnt or couldnt have a connectivity component, he added.

GX opens up a whole new avenue for ideas. For example, we are working on crowd sourcing the weather radar data from our RDR-4000 system.

This could allow you to see what the pilot in an aircraft 200 miles ahead of you is detecting, before you get to the same point.

We are also working with manufacturers like Rolls-Royce and Gulfstream to see what real-time engine or other technical data could be transmitted back to the ground.

This could be used for future fault detection or to help prepare ground crews before an aircraft lands.

Honeywells GoDirect has a number of tablet-based applications available or in development, including My Maintainer, which offers maintenance crews a wireless link with the aircraft for diagnostics and in-flight reporting, and Flight Preview, which gives pilots the opportunity to fly an approach before getting on the aircraft.

Honeywell takes future technology very seriously. It already offers its SmartView synthetic vision system, which fuses data from multiple sources with the mapping database from its enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS). The result is a pilot display that gives an arcade-like view of the world outside the aircraft, whatever the weather or visibility.

Coming up in synthetic vision systems (SVS) 2.0, currently set for launch in 2018, is a new 3D airport map upgrade that can help pilots navigate when they are on the ground.

Tom Lawler, Honeywells Primus Epic product line director, said: Weve already mapped 300 airports and plan to get that up to 500 by the time the system is certified in 2018. We expect to have up to 700 by the end of the decade.

SmartView has taken the world by storm, he added. Once pilots have flown with SVS they dont want to fly without it again.

Honeywell also shows it isnt a one-trick pony with its gas turbine engine designs  so much so that its compressor technology, honed using computation fluid dynamics software running on one of the world's biggest supercomputers, is used in the automotive sector to make turbocharged cars even more efficient and reliable.

The companys work on the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAAs) continuous lower energy emissions and noise (CLEEN) programme is also looking at new combustors, fuels, components, coatings and seals for its engines.

Honeywells acquisition last year of software company, Aviaso, is also helping in the fields of fuel economy and emissions.

Aviasos software products gather data on aircraft usage and identify and communicate the ways airline customers can save on fuel consumption. Even single-digit per cent efficiency improvements can save airlines tens of millions of dollars.

Or what else? Well, what about the companys new runway overrun alerting and awareness system (ROASS) that knows whether an aircraft is capable of safely landing on a runway and issues warnings if it isnt? Try to land too fast or too steep on a short runway and its voice will alert you before it is too late.

Honeywell is also leading the field in new additive manufacturing technology, known more popularly as 3D printing.

The company has taken this to a whole new level, using electron beam and laser fusion technology to produce metal components and moulds.

The process of direct metal laser sintering, or powder-bed laser fusion, builds components a layer at a time, using a yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) solid-state laser or high-power electron beam to weld and fuse microscopic metal particles to a computer-generated design.

The results look like cast or forged parts, but the level of fine detail that can be achieved verges on science fiction.

Donald Godfrey, a Honeywell engineering fellow, says it has spent millions developing the technology, but is now reaping the rewards.

We can now prototype metal parts in days rather than months, he said. Or make intricate moulds for traditional metal castings by fusing silica.

One recent casting project was completed in four days  previously that would have taken 10 months.

Honeywell says it is just scratching the surface of what additive manufacturing can do and is furiously filing patents.

The possibilities are only limited by our imagination, said Godfrey. We can now alter the porosity or density of just one small part of a metal component, or produce 20 different prototype parts, each with a slightly different electron beam signature, to see what works best.

Honeywell sees itself using the technology for producing non-safety critical, non-rotating new parts. But it has also successfully used the system to repair wear on the edge of a gas turbine blade.

This technology is only a few years old and is developing all the time. Who knows what we will be able to do in 20 years, mused Godfrey.

Some of Honeywells other research work looks like it belongs in a Star Wars movie. How about thought-controlled flight, where your brain waves are monitored to decide if you want to turn or climb? Honeywell already has it working.

Or speech recognition systems that can understand air traffic control radio commands and display them on an iPad? Yes, that too is already working  with uncanny accuracy.

Then theres software modelling to predict what the impact of a sonic boom from future supersonic aircraft would be on the ground so that pilots could avoid built-up areas or slow down to minimise their impact?

The difficulty with writing this feature has not been deciding what to put in, but what to leave out.

Honeywell is also pushing the boundaries of gas turbine design, operating metal parts beyond the point at which they should melt. Craig Balls, VP engineering, Honeywell Transportation said it uses 1,000 degree Fahrenheit (538 degrees C) air to cool the turbine.

Running a gas turbine at very high temperatures makes it the most efficient, but NOX emissions can then be worse. Hence, Honeywell is doing even more research into advanced, alternative fuels and combustion processes to minimise emissions.

But the last word is a look at how future automotive technology could spill back into the aerospace sector. Honeywell has designed a new turbo-powered hydrogen pump that is being used in a fuel cell aboard the new five-seat Honda Clarity electric car. The car may have a range of 300 miles and be capable of being refuelled in just three-five minutes.

The technology could see small hydrogen fuel cells being used on business aircraft instead of batteries.

The truth is, at the moment the company doesnt know whether it is feasible or desirable. But that isnt stopping it from taking a good look, with its what if approach to aerospace technology development.


The partnership with Air Botswana, the national airline of Botswana, will provide Qatar Airways passengers with connections to the Botswana cities of Gaborone, Francistown and Maun via Qatar Airways South Africa gateway Johannesburg. Qatar Airways operates double-daily flights between Johannesburg and its state-of-the-art hub, Hamad International Airport in Doha, with onward flights to more than 150 destinations worldwide.

The new code-share agreement allows business and leisure travellers fast and convenient access to the home of Botswanas rich mineral industry, abundant game reserves, and luxury safari lodges. Botswanas luxurious tourism experiences are complemented by Qatar Airways ultra-modern fleet of aircraft featuring the worlds best Business Class on services to South Africa.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: Our new code-share agreement with Air Botswana will offer even greater opportunities for passengers from across our global network, especially from key markets in Europe and Asia to easily connect with popular destinations in Botswana, to take advantage of exclusive leisure experiences.

Code-share partnerships and airline alliances continue to play an important role for Qatar Airways. We are committed to serving the travel needs of the African market and the addition of Air Botswana flights to Qatar Airways route network is an important expansion of our network.

The Southern African region is an important market for Qatar Airways, with three destinations in South Africa including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, and on the east Maputo in Mozambique. Expansion in this region is a key focus for Qatar Airways, having launched services to the Namibian capital Windhoek on 28 September, with Lusaka in Zambia to follow, and the resumption of services to the Seychelles in December 2016.

Air Botswanas acting general manager, Agnes Khunwana, said: We are delighted to join forces with a renowned global airline like Qatar Airways to launch code-share services to a number of Botswana cities. This partnership provides Qatar Airways passengers with easy and direct access to a number of key business and high-end leisure destinations across Botswana while providing easy access to Qatar Airways global network for the people of Gaborone, Francistown and Maun when booking directly with Qatar Airways. We look forward to working closely with Qatar Airways into the future.
STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 2, ARTSAKHPRESS: Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan on November 2 held a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Armenia Judith Margaret Farnworth, press service of the Ministry reported.

Judith Farnworth congratulated Vigen Sargsyan on his appointment as Defense Minister and wished him success in his working activity.

In his turn Vigen Sargsyan said Armenia and the United Kingdom carry out productive cooperation in the defense sector and expressed confidence that the relations will further expand and deepen.

The sides discussed issues related to the Armenian-British cooperation in the defense sector, as well as other regional and security issues during the meeting.
The agreement allows Royal Jordanians frequent flyers  Royal Plus members  the chance to obtain free miles against the money they spend at IHG hotels, which are InterContinental Resort Aqaba, Crowne Plaza Hotel Amman, Crowne Plaza Resort Dead Sea, Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea and Holiday Inn Amman.

According to the agreement, Royal Jordanian's Royal Plus members get three miles accrued to their accounts against each Jordanian dinar spent at IHG hotels.

To get the free miles, RJs frequent flyers should show their Royal Plus cards at the reception counter upon checking in at the hotel, upon ordering at any of these hotels' restaurants and cafes or at the spas, gyms and other facilities of the hotels in Jordan.

RJ President/CEO Captain Suleiman Obeidat said: We are glad of this partnership with five of the IHG hotels. Such a partnership with a big business group like IHG will meet the satisfaction of the clients of both companies while enhancing their commercial benefits. It is also bound to stimulate the customers to enjoy the privileges of the frequent flyer programme, which witnesses growing demand."

Massoud said: Our customers now get extra benefits when they are using any of our hotels and facilities. We are proud to be the first hotel group in Jordan that signs an agreement of this kind with a leading carrier in the Middle East like Royal Jordanian. Such partnerships mirror our keenness to offer the best to our guests, meeting their expectations and enriching their travel experience.
Newly elected Lebanese president Michel Aoun sits on the president's chair inside the presidential palace in Baabda, near Beirut, Lebanon October 31, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council on Tuesday welcomed the election of Michel Aoun as the new president of Lebanon as "a critical step to overcome Lebanon's political and institutional crisis," and urged the swift formation of a unity government in the Middle East country.

"The Security Council urges the new president of the Republic of Lebanon and Lebanese leaders to build on their efforts thus far by continuing to work constructively to promote the country's stability, and by swiftly forming a government," the 15-nation UN body said in a presidential statement issued here.

"The Security Council stresses that the formation of a unity government and the election of a parliament by May 2017, in accordance with the Constitution, are critical for Lebanon's stability and resilience to withstand regional challenges," the statement said.

With little consensus in the country's political landscape, the process of forming a government is likely to be long and arduous.

"The Security Council encourages all parties in Lebanon to demonstrate renewed unity and determined to that end, in order to ensure Lebanon's ability to address the growing security, economic, social and humanitarian challenges facing the country," said the statement.

The Security Council affirms that the preservation of Lebanon's stability is essential to regional stability and security, the statement said. "The Securtiy Council underscores its previous calls on all Lebanese parties to recommit to Lebanon's policy of dissociation and to cease any involvement in the Syrian crisis."

Meanwhile, the council statement called on the international community, including the international organizations, to ensure continued support to Lebanon in addressing the economic, security and humanitarian challenges facing the country.

On Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement issued here by his spokesman, welcomed the election of the new president in Lebanon.

Former army chief Michel Aoun, an 81-year-old Christian, was sworn in as Lebanon's 13th president on Monday, ending the country's presidential vacancy that lasted almost two and a half years.

Lebanon had been without a president since May 2014, when former president Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended. Since then, the parliament had held 45 failed sessions to elect a successor, each time failing to make quorum.
If Putin sees his mighty army collapsing, his desperation to retain power may lead to more of the bad decision-making that has been the hallmark of the Russian conduct of the war so far. The use of tactical nuclear weapons may become his last resort

Ukraine troops advance on Kherson and other Russian-occupied areas

CHRIS OVERLAND

ADELAIDE - Since I wrote this piece (Sachs & the New Appeasers have it wrong, 20 July 2022), the appeasers have become silent.

The appalling atrocities committed by the Russians in Ukraine have revealed the true nature of the Russian regime.

Vladimir Putin is not a wronged and misunderstood man.

He is an old school imperialist of the worst kind.

You do not do deals with such a man and expect them to be honoured.

At present, the Ukrainians continue to advance in the Donbas and near Kherson.

They appear to have mastered manoeuvre warfare, something the Russian army seems incapable of replicating.

Strategic and tactical ineptitude by the Russians, combined with severe logistical and personnel problems, renders the Russian army highly vulnerable to a fast-moving enemy force.

As of today, Ukrainian troops had retaken more territory in regions illegally annexed by Russia, and continue to advance near the southern city of Kherson.

They were also moving towards Russian-held Luhansk in the east.

"There are new liberated settlements in several regions," said president Volodymyr Zelensky.

While it is too early to be sure, there are clear signs the Russian army is crumbling in the face of the better led, better armed and better motivated Ukrainians.

The implications of this are profound, both for Ukraine and Russia as well as for the rest of the world.

If Putin sees his mighty army collapsing, his desperation to retain power may lead to even more of the very bad decision making that has been the hallmark of the Russian conduct of this war so far.

Colonel Markus Reisner has emerged as one of the most credible experts analysing the Russia Ukraine War

The use of tactical nuclear weapons may become his last resort.

Consequently, whether we have fired a bullet or not, we are all invested in the outcome of this appalling conflict.

For readers interested in military matters who want an objective and dispassionate assessment of events in Ukraine, I recommend the commentaries posted on YouTube by Colonel Markus Reisner PhD, commander of the Austrian Army's principal staff training college and its elite Vienna Guards Regiment.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The FBI gave the US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton campaign another unpleasant surprise Tuesday, this time releasing 129 pages of documents from a 2001 investigation into Bill Clinton's controversial presidential pardon of fugitive Marc Rich, USA Today reports.

The bureau initially released the heavily redacted files on Monday, but drew more attention to the documents in a tweet Tuesday. The Clinton team questioned the timing of the release, which comes one week before the election and just days after Director James Comey's stunning announcement that the FBI was looking into newly discovered emails related to its investigation of Hillary Clinton.

"This initial release consists of material from the FBI's files related to the William J. Clinton Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization," reads a statement on the FBI records vault website. "The bulk of these records come from a 2001 FBI investigation into the pardon of Marc Rich (1934-2013), aka Marcell David Reich, by President Clinton in 2001; it was closed in 2005. The material is heavily redacted due to personal privacy protections and grand jury secrecy rules."

Rich, who died in 2013, was a financier who fled to Switzerland after being indicted on multiple federal charges, including tax evasion, in 1983. Clinton's motive for pardoning Rich on his last day in office was questioned because Rich's ex-wife, Denise Rich, was a wealthy Democratic donor who made a $450,000 donation to Clinton's presidential library foundation and more than $100,000 to Hillary Clinton's Senate campaign.

In a statement, the FBI said that any material requested three or more times under the Freedom of Information Act is automatically made available to the public online on a "first in, first out basis."

"Absent a FOIA litigation deadline, this is odd," Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon tweeted before the FBI released its statement. "Will the FBI be posting docs on Trump's housing discrimination in '70?"

The FBI actually did release a file on Donald Trump's father, Fred, on Oct. 8. The bureau also tweeted a link to those documents, along with links to files from 20 other cases  including the investigation into Hillary Clinton's email server  from its Records Vault account on Sunday. Prior to that, the last tweet from that account was in October of 2015.

David Axelrod, a former adviser to President Obama, said the document release is another case of the FBI intervening in the election.

"Whatever the reasoning behind it, this latest release further brands the @FBI as the Federal Bureau of Intervention," Axelrod said in a tweet. "It's a head-scratcher!"

The majority of the pages in the documents are completely redacted and they do not appear to shed any new light on the case. Comey took over the FBI probe into the Rich pardon in 2003 and the case was closed in 2005 with no charges filed
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan on November 2 held a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Armenia Judith Margaret Farnworth, press service of the Ministry told Armenpress".

Judith Farnworth congratulated Vigen Sargsyan on his appointment as Defense Minister and wished him success in his working activity.

In his turn Vigen Sargsyan said Armenia and the United Kingdom carry out productive cooperation in the defense sector and expressed confidence that the relations will further expand and deepen.

The sides discussed issues related to the Armenian-British cooperation in the defense sector, as well as other regional and security issues during the meeting.
Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu asked Australia to pass on a message to Solomon Islands and other Pacific states that they should not invite West Papua to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

FIRTH: These are sovereign states and in particular in the case of Solomon Islands, the Solomon Islands has a right to do that as a sovereign country and Australia is not in a very good position to tell them differently. In fact, the one thing that Pacific island countries really value is their sovereignty, so it is not as if Australia can just tell them what to do.

BLADES: In the Defence Minister's statements to Indonesian media about passing this message on, he mentioned that Australia has a big aid package in Solomon Islands (RAMSI - Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands), suggesting that could be used as leverage. This is a bit unusual?

FIRTH: I think so and in fact as we all know RAMSI has run down a lot. I mean it has really almost come to an end except for the police partnership, and that will finish in the middle of next year. Of course there has continued to be big bilateral aid, with New Zealand as well. But that doesn't mean you can then determine a country's foreign policy, there may be some whisperings behind the scenes and so on, but in the end it is going to be determined by the national interests of these countries.

In the case of Papua New Guinea, O'Neill sometimes comes out with statements which seem to favour a better deal for the West Papuans but in the end, there is no way in which Papua New Guinea can ever really take anything other than a pro-Indonesian position because here they are eight million people with a border with a country of nearly 260 million.

Indonesia is a giant compared with PNG and therefore PNG has to take into account what Jakarta thinks. It is just a question of ordinary border diplomacy.

BLADES: We have seen (Solomons PM) Sogavare really step into the role as MSG (Melanesian Spearhead Group) chair but he has done a number of other things. Like he has got this quasi-government NGO coalition up and running, which is where a lot of the action is taking place. He must be the key figure in some ways.

FIRTH: I think that is true but of course you have got to then ask what these memberships and things amount to. It's very hard to see what Indonesia's associate membership actually is. We know what an observer membership is, and that's what the United Liberation Movement for West Papua has, it has an observer membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

What's worrying Indonesia is the way in which this whole question of membership of the MSG has assumed a kind of symbolic political value to West Papuan independence activists and earlier this year we saw major demonstrations in a number of towns in West Papua, which had people arrested and so on, because they were demonstrating in favour of West Papuan membership of the MSG.

Whether that actually amounts to much or not is less important than its symbolic significance.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan assigned the Police Chief of Armenia and offered Yerevan Mayor to negotiate with the consortium of Security Dream" LLC Parking City Service" and "Locator" CJSC and elaborate relevant legal mechanisms within 10 days to transfer their ownership functions, including management of financial flows to state and local institutions.

Armenpress reports President Sargsyans assignment and suggestion were made during a consultation over traffic issues and charged parking lots.
Last year, President Hollande asked the president of the Louvre, Jean-Luc Martinez, to prepare a report for protecting heritage in areas of conflict after the destruction of the ancient site of Palmyra in Syria by Isis last year. Martinez subsequently devised a 50-point plan, including establishing a single European database of seized or stolen cultural property. In 2018, Louvre is due to start moving more than 250,000 works of art and artefacts from Paris to the 23,500 sq. m, 60m store in Lievin, a move which has enflamed some of the museums curatorial staff.
Vladimir Zeldin was called back from the front in World War II by Stalin himself, because a film Zeldin was shooting wasnt finished yet. He went on to join the company of the Red Army Theatre in Moscow, where he performed for 71 years.
AUBURN  Assemblyman Gary Finch and Democratic challenger Diane Dwire came to debate, but then a funny thing happened.

They agreed on (almost) every issue.

The 126th Assembly District candidates participated in a televised forum Tuesday at Cayuga Community College in Auburn. The hour-long discussion was moderated by Guy Cosentino. The Citizen Executive Editor Jeremy Boyer asked questions during the debate.

On ethics reform, both candidates agreed that public corruption is a problem in Albany. Finch, R-Springport, called for more transparency and Dwire, D-Camillus, embraced the role of outsider by suggesting that Albany needs new faces.

Both also agreed that banning outside income may not be the best solution. Legislators earn $79,500 a year, but some have other jobs that allows them to supplement their income.

Dwire, a retired nurse and public health professional, said she would be a full-time legislator. If elected, she plans to accept her legislative salary and donate her pension to local non-profit organizations. She wouldn't have any outside income.

Finch said prohibiting outside income could discourage prospective candidates from seeking state office.

"I don't think that's in the best interest of the people," he said.

The only major disagreement between the two candidates came when Dwire was asked about support she's received from Assembly Democrats. The Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee has provided financial assistance to her campaigns this year and in 2014.

When asked if she would still be able to maintain her independence from Assembly Democratic leadership, Dwire said she would remain loyal to her constituents.

"I've never believed that my life rises and falls with being re-elected," she said.

Other issues covered at the debate included:

 The Interstate 81 viaduct project in Syracuse. Local leaders are concerned that the boulevard option, which is one of two alternatives the state Department of Transportation is considering for the project, could lead to increased truck traffic on Cayuga County roads. Dwire and Finch both said they were in favor of a tunnel. But transportation officials determined that a tunnel alternative would be too costly.

 The heroin epidemic. Dwire called it a "devastating" problem in central New York. As a nurse who once worked in a detox facility, she said it's important that addiction be treated as a disease. Finch said the state Legislature has provided more funding to combat the epidemic and praised Michelle Gentile and Kevin Jones, who co-founded the Heroin Epidemic Action League, for their work raising awareness about opioid abuse in Cayuga County.

 Owasco Lake. With Cayuga County officials concerned about blue-green algae in the lake, Dwire and Finch said it's important to have all levels of government involved. Finch touted his role in securing two state grants for watershed projects. Both stressed that more needs to be done to protect the lake, which provides drinking water to approximately 45,000 residents.

Dwire and Finch also agreed on a question about whether more stringent regulations of agricultural practices are needed within the Owasco Lake watershed. Supporters of more regulations have mentioned the rules in place for Skaneateles Lake. But the candidates think that would be too costly.

Finch noted that Owasco Lake's watershed is much larger than Skaneateles Lake's. Dwire said funding should be available for farmers to implement measures that would prevent runoff.

The 126th Assembly District includes parts of Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland and Onondaga counties. The race is a rematch of the 2014 campaign. Finch won that race by 10 points.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Celebrating Mass at Romes Prima Porta cemetery, Francis said "We walk on the path" that Jesus undertook for first and "opened the door for us to get to where we shall contemplate God".

Rome (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis travelled to the Roman cemetery of Prima Porta, where he marked All Souls Day with a Mass.

Cemeteries are places of sadness because they remind us of those who left us and of the death that awaits all, but it is also a place of hope. "We walk on the path" that Jesus undertook for first and "opened the door for us to get to where we shall contemplate God," Francis said in his homily.

Speaking without a written text, the pontiff turned to Book of Job who was in darkness, right at the door of death. Yet, in his moment of anguish, pain and suffering, Job proclaims hope: I know that my vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust. I will see for myself, my own eyes, not anothers, will behold him.

The commemoration of the dead has this dual meaning, the Holy Father explained. It is A sense of sadness. A cemetery is sad and reminds us that our loved ones are gone. It also reminds us of the future, death. But in this sadness, we bring flowers as a sign of hope, even celebration one might say, later, not now. Sadness is mixed with hope and this is what we all feel today, in this celebration.

The memory of our loved ones, in front of their remains, and hope. But we also feel that this hope can help us, because we have to undertake this journey. All of us shall undertake this journey. Sooner or later, everyone. With pain, with greater or lesser pain, but everyone. Yet, with the flower of hope, with that strong thread that is anchored to the afterlife. Thus, this anchor does not disappoint; [it is] the hope of the resurrection."

"The one who undertook this journey first is Jesus, he said. We walk on the path that he has undertaken. Jesus is the one who opened the door for us. With his cross he opened the door of hope; he has opened the door for us to get where we shall contemplate God.

I know that my vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust. [And] I will see for myself, my own eyes, not anothers, will behold him.

Let us go home today with this dual memory: the memory of the past, of our loved ones who are gone; and the memory of the future, of the path we shall take. With the certainty, the sureness, that certainty that came from the lips of Jesus: I shall raise him on the last day."

After returning to the Vatican, Francis will visit the Caves of the Vatican Basilica for a moment of private prayer for the repose of the popes buried therein and for all the dearly departed.
by Purushottam Nayak

Prayer for the deceased bishops and for the victims of persecution. "Do not hesitate to help those who have died, and offer up prayers for them."

Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar (AsiaNews) - Today the Catholic Church celebrates All Souls Day during which people remember the faithful departed. In Bhubaneshwar, capital of Orissa, Mass was celebrated in the Pro-Cathedral of St. Vincent by Msgr. John Barwa, Archbishop of the diocese. In front of over 300 faithful, he said: "When we say prayers for the souls of the departed, we receive grace. Jesus, one God, died, rose again and lives with us in every moment of our lives. "

The bishop prayed for the eternal repose of his predecessors Msgr. Henry Sebastian D'Souza, the first archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar, who died in June this year, and Msgr. Raphael Cheenath, who died recently in Mumbai, considered a great defender of the martyrs of Orissa.

Msgr. Barwa recalled the importance of the commemoration of the dead: "We must never forget the infinite grace that flows from the sacrifice of the Eucharist, which produces benefits for all." "Do not hesitate - he added - to help those who have died, and offer up prayers for them."

The bishop stressed that "praying certainly brings beneficial fruits. These fruits fall on the Church in general for the faithful, as well as for the poor souls in purgatory. This is why the Eucharistic celebration is a special mention for the souls of the living and the dead. "

Raju Digal, executive member of the Society of St. Vincent de 'Paul, said: "Let us pray especially for the souls of the victims of sectarian violence [of 2008, carried out by radical Hindus against Christians in Kandhamal district, ed], our relatives, our loved ones, that they are forgiven by God and are rewarded with eternal happiness. "

Fr. Joseph Kalathil, former vicar general of the archdiocese, said that "Christians can be separated from the physical point of view from the barrier of death. Despite everything, they remain united with each other in the Church and support one another with prayer.
GEDDES  Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state officials are moving forward with the second phase of the New York State Fairgrounds transformation project.

During an event Wednesday at the fair's Empire Room, Cuomo announced that he has appointed a task force to recommend additional improvements. He asked for the group to deliver recommendations to him by the end of December so he can include the ideas in his 2017 State of the State address.

The goal, Cuomo said, is to establish the fair as a premier year-round exposition site. He wants the task force to examine several areas, including improving transportation between the fairgrounds and the nearby Lakeview Amphitheater and better highlighting New York-made beverages and food products.

Cuomo also wants the panel to look at addressing public transportation needs and parking around the fairgrounds. Parking was an issue during the 2016 fair. With record attendance levels, parking lots filled up. That led to long lines on State Fair Boulevard, Route 695 and Interstate 690.

The 21-member task force will be led by Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney and state Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball. Seven state legislators, including Senate Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco, will serve on the panel.

Along with the creation of the task force, Cuomo said he will advocate for an additional $50 million to invest in the second phase of the fairgrounds improvement project. That will build on the state's $50 million investment in 2015 for the first phase, which allowed for the construction of a new 313-site RV park, the expansion of the midway, a new main gate and changes to Chevy Court.

"Yes, it's a lot of money," Cuomo said Wednesday. "Yes, it was a lot of money last year. But it's an investment. It's an investment in upstate New York."

Ball delivered a presentation touting the improvements made to the fairgrounds. Fairgoers offered positive reviews of the changes in surveys conducted on behalf of the state.

A vast majority of attendees surveyed  87 percent  said they believe the changes to the fairgrounds were positive. Most respondents  70 percent  said the improvements were very positive.

The new midway was a popular attraction. Nearly all fairgoers surveyed  97 percent  said they had a positive or very positive experience at the expanded midway.

The 2016 fair drew 1,117,630 visitors during its 12-day run to break the all-time attendance record.

Mahoney said the state's investment has not only benefited the fair, but all of central New York.

"We saw the results of that in what was a record-setting year for the state fair, and that means great things for us here in Onondaga County," she said.
About half of Chinas weapons systems went on display yesterday at an Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, including the J-20 stealth fighter jet, which closely resembles Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. This fact casts some light on Su Bin, a Chinese national convicted of spying against the United States.

Zhuai (AsiaNews)  The 20th edition of Chinas largest air show began yesterday in Zhuai (Guangdong) with about half of its weapons systems on display for the first time for the benefit of buyers, sellers and others.

One of the highlights of the show is Chinas next generation J-20 fighter jet, the first public showing of the warplane.

According to the Shanghaiist blog, the J-20 jet fighter is thought to be based on blueprints for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.

Last July, 51-year-old Chinese national Su Bin was convicted in the US for hacking US defence contractors to steal trade secrets on Beijing's behalf.

Bin admitted to conspiring with People's Liberation Army officers to acquire plans for the F-35, the most expensive in US history.

Beijing has denied the hacking allegations. Still, it hopes that the new jet will narrow the military gap with Washington.

A two-minute demonstration by two J-20 stealth fighter jets took place, but spectators were not able to see them from the ground.

Two minutes is too short, but I understand the J-20 should remain a mystery because its not ready for mass production for service in our air force, a delegate from the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force said.

Another official in the Peoples Liberation Air Force staff department, who would not give their name, said: It is because the J-20 contains many of Chinas top technologies in stealth aircraft plus other military secrets. The secrets include the J-20s body shape, the proportion of its wing and body and other secrets as aircraft experts can easily calculate its stealth parameters from its exterior.

Some of Chinas most advanced radar technology  the SLC-7 mobile surveillance radar system  will also be on display at the show when it fully opens to the public on Friday.SLC-7 radar equipment on display. Its developers claim it can detect targets within 300 km to 400 km.

The SLC-7 is the export model. We are going to target potential clients such as Pakistan, Egypt, Iran and some Middle East countries that see the US Air Force as their enemy. Of course, the same model used by the PLA Air Force is much more advanced than the SLC-7, the official said.

Experts with the China Electronic Technology Group Corporation radar system refused to confirm whether the advanced SLC-7 system had been deployed on Yongxing Island in a disputed area of the South China Sea.

According to the Stockholm International Research Institute for Peace report (SIPRI), Chinese arms sales have grown considerably in the past five years, reaching second place in the world. With a 25 per cent drop in imports and an 88 per cent increase in exports, China can regain its autonomy and achieve competitiveness.

Although the Chinese military spending is up sharply, US$ 215 billion in 2015, it stills lags behind the United States, which are respectively 13 and 36 per cent of the total.
The eastern gate to the city is liberated. Several jihadists killed in battle, no losses among government ranks. An estimated 3 to 5 thousand fighters still in the area; civilians used as human shields. Local sources speak of mass murder and forced displacement imposed by ISIS. Tensions between Ankara and Baghdad.

Baghdad (AsiaNews) - The Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga militia, engaged in the offensive against the Islamic State (IS) in Mosul, have broken the jihadi front line without suffering any losses.

Military spokesman Sabah al-Numan told the BBC that several jihadist fighters died in the clashes. This has allowed government forces to return to the outskirts of the city, the northern metropolis and the second most important in the country, for the first time since June 2014, after it fell into the hands of the so-called "Caliphate".

"We broke the front line in the center of Mosul - said al-Numan, the Anti-Terrorism Department (Cts) - We had a very tough fight with ISIS in this area and we could liberate it very fast and also without any casualties, in front of many dead and executed from ISIS".

In its 17th day, the offensive launched against the Islamic State seems - at least so far  to have been a military success. About 50 thousand men are engaged in the operation, including Kurdish Peshmerga and Sunni tribal militias.

Last week government troops ousted the jihadists from several towns and Christian villages in the Nineveh plain, including Bartella and Qaraqosh. The Christian community celebrated with Masses and prayers of thanksgiving, waiting to return to their homes.

Yesterday the offensive targeted the eastern district of Mosul, where the government had reassumed control of the buildings that once housed Kukjali State TV. The military then went on to break through the front in the outlying district of Karama.

Independent witnesses following the Iraqi army describe a "weak" jihadist resistance to the advance of government troops, supported by US-led coalition air raids.

Despite the rapid advance, the military leaders continue to maintain a cautious attitude. The common opinion is that the mission will take months to fully complete. However, the liberation of Mosul remains the primary objective of this war.

In recent days the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had stated that there would still be between 3 and 5 thousand jihadists in Mosul; the head of government addressed them saying that "you have no escape routes" and the choice is "surrender or die." At least a thousand of these jihadists are believed to be foreigners, mostly from Uzbekistan, Turkey and other nations.

In view of the escalation of the fighting, the leaders of the United Nations renewed the alarm for the safety of the more than 1.5 million civilians stuck in Mosul. IS militiamen are reportedly using them as "human shields" to stop the advance of government.

Added to this are reports of mass killings and forced displacement perpetrated by jihadists against civilians. According to latest figures 1792 people died in the month of October in Mosul, including 1,120 civilians.

Meanwhile, the verbal war continues between the Iraqi Prime Minister al-Abadi and Turkey on the Ankara army role in the Mosul offensive, already recently the subject of a series of tension. Yesterday the head of the Baghdad government once again warned Turkey, after it allocated tanks and trucks near the border.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists that Ankara has a major role in the offensive against the Islamic State in Mosul; a position rejected by Baghdad which has renewed its request for Turkey to withdraw troops from its territory. "We do not want a war with Turkey - said al-Abadi - but if you trigger clashes, we will respond. We consider them enemies and treat them [the Turks] as enemies. "

This latest round of tension between Ankara and Baghdad was sparked by the words of Turkeys President Erdogan who claimed Mosul for only "Arabs and Sunni Kurds, along with the Turkmen". Added to this is the partition plan between Kurds and Turks in areas east and west of Mosul.

Chaldean Patriarch Mar Raphael Louis Sako has frequently spoken out against the partition plans to divide Mosul and the Nineveh Plain, which would include the elimination of the Christian presence. He has roundly affirmed that these are "Christian lands".
Two workers survived and were saved yesterday. According to official statistics there were 598 mining deaths in 2015. But human rights groups suspect a much higher figure. Coal is the most important energy source for China. There is a plan to close at least 1000 mines for overproduction.

Chongqing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The bodies of 33 miners trapped in a coal mine near Chongqing were recovered this morning. The victims had been trapped underground on 31 October after a gas explosion in a tunnel. The Jinshangou coal mine is located in Laisu (Yongchuan District, Chongqing) and produces 60 thousand tons of coal per year.

Two miners survived the explosion and were rescued yesterday morning. The emergency teams, despite working day and night, were unable to save the others. To honor the victims, rescue teams stopped in silence, taking off their helmets and bowing (see photo).

The State Administration for Work Safety has ordered an investigation of the incident and promised that the perpetrators will be punished. The government of Chongqing has decreed the temporary closure of some coal mines.

China is the largest producer of coal in the world and the ultimate consumer: at least 70% of its energy comes from coal. But the safety standards are low. Official statistics say that 598 workers have been killed in the coal mines last year. Although the number of victims in the official statistics are falling, many human rights groups believe the real figure to be much higher, since many incidents are not reported for fear of mine closures.

Corruption is often the cause of accidents: the owners of the mines - and often the owner is the state itself - seek profit margins at the expense of safety for miners. Due to the overproduction of coal, the government is planning to close at least 1,000 mines among the most obsolete.
by Christopher Sharma

The celebration of the lighted candles ended yesterday. The festival is celebrated by all family components in the Asian nation even those who have converted to other religions. Local expert: "More than a Hindu tradition, it is a common culture."

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - In the Hindu tradition, the festival of Diwali (festival of lights) has become an integral part of Nepalese culture, and is shared by the faithful of all religions.

In Nepal the celebrations help to bring the members of the families together, who often have embraced different religions. The festival of lights, say representatives of different faiths to AsiaNews, "is useful to give continuity to family relationships. It is a way to support each other, respecting the faith and culture of the other ".

Diwali (or Deepawali) lasts around five days and ended yesterday in Nepal. For the Hindu tradition, it symbolizes the victory of truth over untruth, light over darkness, of life over death, good over evil. In recent days the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue sent a message to Hindus for their holidays, stressing the need to support marriage and family life.

In the Himalayan country the festival is a moment of joy and sharing among families, during which the sisters mark their brothers foreheads with "tika" (a colored) and adorn them with garlands of flowers.

It is a popular holiday for faithful of all religions, so much that Diwali is no longer considered exclusive of the Hindus. Laxman Bista, a Hindu married to a Christian woman, said: "The lights are used by all religions. My family respects this feast, even if my wife converted to Catholicism shortly before our marriage. I respect her choice and she also respects my Hindu practices. Our two children have decided to embrace the Catholic faith. We share the celebrations without any disturbance.

Rajan, Catholic activist, confirmed: "The Deepawali is not tied to a single faith." Karma Lama, a Buddhist leader, explains: "Deepawali means 'light' and we light candles and other bright objects. So we celebrate this anniversary with different lights. "

Bishnu Pravat, a local expert, reports that "the festival is celebrated especially in India and Nepal, where there is a Hindu majority. For a long time the latter tried to tie by force the Hindu culture, but many minorities have adopted the anniversary. More than a religious celebration, is an expression of a common culture. "

Nazrul Hussein, an Islamic leader and secretary general of an interfaith group, says: "Deepawali has deep cultural roots and reflects the importance of colors and changing seasons. For this reason the lights have nothing to do with matters of faith, since all religions make use of lights ".
by Luca Bolelli

Fr Luca Bolelli, a PIME missionary in Cambodia for nine years, talks about his experience with American and Korean groups: their "missionary style" and misunderstandings; common prayers and positive experiences. "There is sympathy between our communities." The meeting of the Pope with the Lutherans is "a milestone in the ecumenical journey".

Phnom Penh (AsiaNews)  Speaking about Pope Franciss visit to Sweden, Fr Luca Bolelli  a missionary with the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) in Cambodia for nine years  told AsiaNews about his meeting with the countrys Protestant communities. Amid biases and misunderstandings, one can experience a healthy inspiration for unity.

In my own small way, I have been trying to live the ecumenical journey that we hope will take us back to the visible Unity of the Church. One of the milestones of this journey, for me, was the ecumenical celebration of Vespers by Pope Benedict in the Gutenberg church. Now comes Pope Franciss visit to Sweden.

Here in Cambodia, we Catholics, who before the war represented the majority of Christians, have become less visible in the past few years with the arrival of numerous Protestant communities (first from the United States, and now especially from Korea). Cambodians first come into contact with Christianity through these groups. Generally, we are perceived as a single religion, Mormons (who are growing in Cambodia) included.

Ordinary people do not see much difference, like in Italy where, mutatis mutandis, people often se no difference between various Muslim denominations and certainly not with respect to Buddhism. Although this can favour a certain ecumenism, it leads to lumping everybody together. Even here, "fundamentalists" become the poster boys of Christianity, from whom one has often to differentiate oneself by giving explanations that are not always understood.

When I started my service as parish priest in the community of Kdol Leu, I had a somewhat abrupt impact with the place. At that time, fluorescent yellow signs could be seen everywhere with inscriptions in Cambodian saying Jesus is your saviour or Jesus saves you from sin. They were made of tin, preferably nailed to trees. There was more. Some jeeps went around with megaphones repeating messages of this type, from village to village, showing movies about the life of Jesus.

I remember one morning, when I was in the street, I saw one of those vehicles drive into the compound of the elementary School. The school had been built by our Christian community more than 20 years earlier. Ours is in fact a Catholic village.

When I saw the car, I rushed too to see what they were going to do. I arrived when they were leaving the school holding posters showing the history of salvation and booklets with the same pictures.

I introduced myself and asked what they were doing, and they told me they were helping poor children by distributing notebooks. In fact, they had handed out a notebook to each, but the notebook came with booklets. In the meantime, they showed the posters, saying in a few minutes how we got from Creation to Redemption, and how we were bound for Judgment Day.

This type of evangelisation in public places is strictly banned by the government and every Church must sign a declaration of assent. When I pointed this out, I was told that they were simply proclaiming the Gospel.

The discussion went on like this, until I realised that we were not going to get very far. I tried to end in a fraternal manner the discussion to avoid causing a commotion in front of the (Muslim) headmaster and the (Christian and Buddhist) teachers watching the scene. A well-dressed Korean man was behind the wheel of the car. I later found out that they too ha been involved with putting up the yellow signs, which the kids used for target practice with their slingshots. Some adults removed the signs (as I did myself) because we could not bear seeing the name of Jesus shot at.

It is easy to see why this way of doing things is very irritating to other religious groups, in particular to Buddhists (90 per cent of the population) whose faith is the state religion. They feel attacked by Christians. I had further confirmation of this feeling a few weeks ago when, on a visit to a pagoda, I stopped to talk to a Buddhist monk, who repeated to me, in a very quiet way, that itis not appropriate to propagate ones religion by forcing others (Christians are often accused of buying conversions, and more than once I was asked: "How much will you give me if I become a Christian?"), and much less to speak ill of other religious proposals (which is one of the charges more or less levelled against us).

Nevertheless, there are also positive experiences. For example, some time ago a meeting was held with the (Cambodian) pastor of the Stung Trong Church (an independent church, supported by Australian friends), located in the town where we have our Student Centre. The meeting had both unpleasant and comic elements.

I had met with the pastor to arrange a-get-acquainted visit and show fraternity so that we could recognise that, despite history and differences, we had a single faith. On the afternoon of the meeting, I came to his church along with members of my pastoral council, and what did I find on the pastor's table? A set of photocopies titled All the mistakes of Catholics.

At that moment, the pastor was on the phone, and I took the opportunity to peek at the papers. They had just been printed, with no signs of having been read, and this reduced my anger mixed with bitterness. When the pastor finally came to meet me, I pointed out to him that the papers were not exactly the best way to start an ecumenical meeting. He responded by saying that he had not yet read them and that if I wanted I could take them. I joked that I knew my mistakes all too well!

The next meeting went well: we read, prayed and commented together 'one Lord, one faith', a passage in Ephesians 4. But even then, there was a small unpleasant moment for me, but comical on the whole. When the pastor introduced the passage, his Protestant believers, each with his or her own Bible, quickly found the passage; the members of my Catholic pastoral council, holding the Bible I had handed out just before the meeting (I had put a marker on the right place, naively hoping that that would be enough ...), did not know how to find it. One even asked aloud: "Old or New Testament?". In front of me, she justified herself by saying that "there is the New and the Old Testament". Another one asked me in a very distinct voice: "What page, Father?" Amen!

However, the meeting proved fruitful, because it generated sympathy between our communities, which continues to this day. The pastor once told me that he envied Catholics ability to stand together (his community has had two small schisms in recent years), I confessed to him that I envied their missionary zeal. Once he got to me when he told me that he is happy because, thanks to their efforts going from village to village, everyone was able to hear about Jesus in the district. It is must be noted that this pastor is a Buddhist who converted to Christianity who, a few years after his adult baptism, decided to come to Stung Trong knowing that at that time there was not yet a Christian community. In reality, we were already there, but only with a few students living together.

The meeting with Tim and Barbara was instead a success. The US couple arrived in Cambodia about six years ago, in the footsteps of a dynamic Italian-American Baptist missionary who for several years has worked evangelising among the Cham (a large Muslim ethnic group). After trying unsuccessfully in a Cham village, Tim and Barbara settled among ethnic Khmer not far from Stung Trong.

We met them and I invited them to speak to the youth of our Student Centre. They attended one of our regular dinner and evening prayer, and at the end they told us their story and why they came to Cambodia. Our young people were very attentive and asked several questions. The atmosphere was very fraternal, and there were no frictions, on the contrary. They left us with a desire to continue this kind of meetings, maybe just the three of us, reading the Gospel together. I experienced this during my second year of language study, when I lived in Prey Veng with Fr Alberto Caccaro. Every month, we tried to take part in an ecumenical moment organised by an Englishman.

Finally, two days from now I shall take part in a seminar organised by the Bible Society on Translation of the Scriptures and the Khmer language. In the various contacts I have had with the Bible Society I experienced a healthy inspiration for unity. The Asian administrator, Rev Arun, a Cambodian, was one of the people behind the new ecumenical translation to which Fr Ponchaud, a Catholic missionary with the Missions etrangeres de Paris, made a considerable contribution.
by Mathias Hariyadi

The Rev. Henriette Hutabarat-Lebang, president of the Indonesian Synod of Protestant Churches (PGI), reflects with AsiaNews on the meeting between the Pope and the Lutherans. The Protestant leaders intervene Assembly of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference: "It is a dialogue that has continued for decades, and that enriches us."

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis visit to Sweden "is good news that comes from the Vatican. It is an important moment for the Catholic Church and for the Protestant Church, the Pope shows his magnanimity and humility in going to Lund after being invited by the Lutheran World Federation", says Rev. Henriette Hutabarat-Lebang, president of the Indonesian Synod of Protestant Churches (PGI), commenting to AsiaNews on the journey of Pope Francis to Sweden, to attend the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation.

She continues I am very moved by the Popes decision and his actions that relentlessly seek reconciliation, good relations and cooperation with other Christian communities. His actions are a good example for us and we have to follow them. " As for the words uttered by the Pope during the trip, "I was struck when he said: 'Let us abandon the language of condemnation and embrace that of mercy'."

Henriette Hutabarat-Lebang, a native Toraja (South Sulawesi) graduated from the School of Theology of Central Jakarta and obtained a master's degree in theology at Richmond University. She was director of the Theological Institute of Toraja Churches from 2006 to 2010 and general secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia.

The spirit of unity among Christians, says the Protestant leader, is exemplified in Indonesia by the relationship between the Catholic Bishops Conference (KWI) and PGI. Hutabarat-Lebang was invited to attend the 31 October opening of the KWI assembly. On that occasion she says: "I had the strong impression that this kind invitation was a good sign for both sides, to achieve a more effective and fruitful cooperation ".

The common path between Catholics and Protestants, said the woman, "is a step forward in spreading the Good News to the world, in a situation in which people stay in their respective corners and look with suspicion and in an increasingly hostile manner at one another. "

Cooperation between PGI and KWI, recalled the Protestant leader, has continued for decades and every year the two bodies publish a joint message for Christmas and for the New Year: "I am personally enriched by dozens of meetings and discussions I have played a part in with commission of the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian unity, as well as the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC). " This ongoing joint work, "has meant that PGI and KWI share in the search to find a solution to Indonesia's social problems".
by Wang Shiqian

Originally from mainland China, she was born into a family without religion but now everyone is Catholic. She works for Magis, a global network of young people linked to the spirituality of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. World Youth Days strengthened her personal faith and joy of belonging to a community with young people from every continent.

Taipei (AsiaNews) - Young, dynamic, attentive to the demands of the young people entrusted to her, Wang Shiqian (  ) was born in Taipei in a family that gradually became Catholic. She has an older brother; her father worked for the government; her mother worked as a clerk. Both of her parents were born in mainland China and neither came from a Christian family. Here is her story.

My mother came to Taiwan when she was five. In Keelung (), her family became interested in the Catechism proposed by a Catholic priest who also hailed from mainland China. Thus, the whole family was baptised.

My dad was not Catholic and did not follow any particular religion. After he married my mother and under the influence of myself and my brother, he to came to Catholicism and chose to be baptised.

My brother was baptised at birth, but I was when I was four years old. My mother even asked me if I wanted to be baptised.

When I was little I started attending the Holy Family parish in Taipei. It was fun to take part in parish activities. There were many parties and many tours. There were also many Masses for children and teenagers that were fun. The catechists knew how to communicate the faith in a spontaneous manner, suited to our age.

I and my friends liked to help those who were lonely or sick. I remember Ms Sun and the parish priest who made us understand the importance of being together with lonely people.

In the Christian community, thanks to the presence of many people from other parts of the world, we also had an opportunity of meeting people from different cultures and countries, like all the missionaries and their friends.

Then I grew up and attended Fujen University ( ) where I studied sociology. My first job was in the parish, only for six months, helping Father Gino Picca ( ) re-organise the parish office.

After that I worked in other companies. I was always interested in working in an atmosphere of friendship and dedication. I never chose a position for the salary or benefits that it could bring. In my view, the greatest advantage is to help each other and feel like a community, creating solid and lasting friendships.

At one point, I accepted an offer to lead Magis youth, here at Sacred Heart Parish, putting young Taiwanese online. This gave me the opportunity of working at the international level, with the Ignatian spirituality-related Magis network of young people. Magis is the movement for teens and young tied to the Jesuit global network and is present in almost every parish and school that belong to the Society of Jesus.

Most of the young people we approach are not Catholic, but have Buddhist or Taoist backgrounds, or have grown up in families with no particular religious sensitivity. This allows us to offer our message in a selfless manner.

What I like the most are prayer activities because one can see the depth of children and young people who discover a new dimension, that of prayer and dialogue with God. Often young people come with a lot of suffering and are unable to find solutions other than in a relationship with God who is the only one who can heal them.

In the recent past, it became increasingly clear that for young people knowing themselves is the most important thing. After meeting them many times, I realised that when they encounter God a whole new world opens up for them, a world of hope opposed to the cul-de-sacs to which they are accustomed, or the world of competition that often generates dissatisfaction. God comes to answer the deepest questions and meet the thirst for answers that everyone has within him or herself.

I would say that, of all the people who have accompanied me in my growth of faith, from my youth to my marriage, Father Paul Sun (  ) stands out. He was very important for me. We were very young, and he was not yet a priest and attended my own parish. He helped me understand even more the meaning of our faith, and the aspirations I had inside of me. He accompanied me in the discovery of the source of freedom generated by the Christian faith.

When I was little, Ms Sun also () also accompanied me with enthusiasm.

Everything has grown on the foundations my mom and my grandmother set by experiencing with simplicity the Christian faith. For them, following Jesus and experiencing the parish activities was a natural thing. They passed on to me and my brother the passion for belonging to a community.

When my mother got sick, my dad began to question even more the meaning of life and chose to be baptised.

One of the experiences that I remember with the most gratitude is the sense of belonging and celebration that we experience in the Christian community. I had the good fortune of participating five World Youth Days with our youth.

The first time was in Rome for the Jubilee of 2000, then it was in Germany, then the last three with Magis in Australia, Brazil and this year in Poland. Experiencing the journey of faith with young people from every continent accompanied by the pope himself strengthened every time my life of faith and the union of our community.

(Xin Yage contributed to this article)
Photo caption: This is me at two or three. Maybe four. I had nicer bangs than Dawson Leery. (Photo: Russell Sabio)

By Russell Sabio,

to The post

My parents never told me they were proud of me as a kid -- not in those words at least.

I knew it was something parents said to their children, a thing friends said to each other, and I wanted someone to say it to me.

I remember seeing it happen on Dawson's Creek once, and subsequently crying the ugly cry. It was a scene in season four when Dawson tells Pacey he's proud of him after his friend decides to run away and work on a boat.

I watched the scene unfold on the playground, too. The mother of Julie*, an old classmate, whispered the words "I'm proud of you" to her once as they embraced over the wired fence of our school's parking lot. It was sweet and I was jealous.

Act 1, Scene 4, Line 45: A shy 10-year-old boy stands in the middle of an asphalt playground, listening to the foreign slogan boom in his ear like beats on a drum.

Russell: "Why aren't my parents proud of me?"

Dark storm clouds collect above him, in the most pathetic instances of pathetic fallacy. Curtain.

I'm being dramatic, but it's the way smaller, more-naive Russell viewed his life at times -- as if he were a character on Dawson's Creek.

I thought that love had to be shouted from the rooftops; that fights ought be resolved with deep conversations about feelings -- and so I craved that type of relationship from my parents.

But here's a thing that children of Filipino immigrants understand: this type of emotion sharing isn't the norm in most households. It's uncommon for parents to tell their children they're proud of them; in fact, the language doesn't even really support the phrase.

If you put the slogan "proud of you" in Google Translate, you'll get "proud ako sayo" returned to you in Tagalog, the language most Filipinos speak.

You'll notice that there's no translation for the word "proud." Here's the thing, Google, there technically is -- but you are right in knowing that the word got lost as the language became anglicized. Taglish, the integration of English in Tagalog, is common in many areas of the Philippines and is the language most often heard in the media.

"It's not heard or said often, but there is a direct translation (for the phrase)," Felicitas Santos-Vargas says. She's on the board of directors of the Filipino Heritage School of Saskatoon and teaches Tagalog language classes through the organization.

It's "Ipinagmamalaki kita" -- two words I've never heard in my life and a phrase even my mom struggled to derive when I asked her to translate it for me.

Vargas says that in many instances, Filipinos choose to use English words in place of their Tagalog replacements, and "proud" may be an example.

"The history of our language is very much anglicized... People in the Philippines will say 'I'm proud of you' even if there is a direct translation for the word."

But if you ask Caroline Mangosing, co-founder of the Kapisanan Philippine Centre For Arts And Culture, a youth-focused organization that frequently hosts Tagalog language classes, she'll tell you a direct translation of the word doesn't exist.

"Ipinagmamalaki kita" is rarely used in conversation with kids. When it is, it's most often said on a larger scale, she says -- in the instance of a politician speaking to his constituents, for example.

Santos agrees that the phrase has a deeper, more emotional connotation when it's said in Tagalog. As if it were poetry or lyrics in a song.

But here's another thing -- it's not culturally acceptable to emote to children, Santos and Mangosing say. Filipino kids know this, and I know this.

There are many reasons this may be the case, experts say. It's possibly an after effect of colonization, a result of a strict "respect your elders" upbringing where the reciprocal respect isn't guaranteed or another sort of deep-rooted sociological finding from Freud or Jung.

All of it is really negligible when you note Pacey's (my) epiphany: A parent can't tell you they're proud of you if the word doesn't actually exist in their mother tongue and if the culture they were brought up in doesn't support it.

How can Dawson tell you he's proud of you when he doesn't even know how the words sound?

My parents didn't call me on the pier as wind swept through their bangs, but it didn't mean they didn't feel pride.

Here's what I now know to be true.

I felt my mother's pride for me every time she bid me farewell at the crosswalk by my school. I would kiss her goodbye, take in her sweet scent and give her a big hug before walking towards the brick building.

Some days I would run back into her arms -- too afraid to leave her side -- but on days when I felt like all I needed was to see her rose-blushed cheeks at a distance, she would be there looking at me, encouraging me with a confident smile. Smiling because she knew that her son was facing his fears -- that her son made further to school than he did yesterday.

I realized my dad was proud of me when he admitted that he searched my name online to watch a show I was co-host on. He said it in front of dinner guests as he queued the video on his laptop screen so that they could watch said show.

So there I was, watching my parents watch me on a computer screen with a room full of strangers, arriving at a very Dawson's Creek realization. Every kiss, every backhanded compliment and every tear my parents tried to hide on birthdays and graduations were indications of my parents' love for me.

It wasn't anything like a Capeside scene or anything Julie's mom would have done -- these are more vivid than that, iterations of pride that almost seem tactile. My parents never told me they were proud of me, but I know that they felt it. The words for it were simply lost in translation.

*Name has been changed

Russell Sabio is the Branded Content Editor for Huffington Post Canada. Follow him on Twitter @russellsabio

This piece is reprinted from The Huffington Post Canada's Born & Raised series on second-generation Canadians.

To read more stories from the born and raised series visit www.huffingtonpost.ca/news/born-and-raised/

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/news/born-and-raised/
Very Polite (And Hungry) Burglar Leaves Note After Stealing Kit-Kat From Car

Trending News: If You're Going To Steal Candy From A Car, At Least Leave A Note

Why Is This Important?

Because some robbers have a guilty conscience, even when committing light-hearted crimes.

Long Story Short

A college student was shocked to find a note from a Kit-Kat thief who stole the popular chocolate bar from his automobile parked outside of his dorm. The note proclaimed that nothing else had been stolen besides the Kit-Kat. The thief also apologized and explained that he was hungry and that is why he took the candy bar.

Long Story

Every car owner has had that moment where they ask themselves, do I put this in the trunk or leave it visible in the front seat? We all know that when possessions are visible in the front or back seats of a car, we risk theft and possible damage to our vehicles.

But one college student was surprised to find that his Kit-Kat had been stolen from the cup holder of his car, and the perpetrator felt as though the crime deserved a written confirmation and explanation of what had happened.

Hunter Jobbins, a Kansas State University student found a note in his car over the weekend left by an anonymous chocolate bar thief. The Kit-Kat thief didnt break into the car per se to obtain the chocolate bar; he simply saw the break-time snack, discovered that the car door was unlocked, stole the popular candy and then left a note for Jobbins.

Left my car for maybe 15 minutes in front of the dorms and I come back to this. College man pic.twitter.com/KlDx5BtXLX  Hunter Jobbins (@jabbins) October 30, 2016

Saw Kit-Kat in your cup holder I love Kit-Kats so I checked your car door and it was unlocked. Did not take anything other than the Kit-Kat. I am sorry and hungry.

The incident is reminiscent of the premise of Victor Hugos Les Miserables, where Jean Valjean steals bread to feed his sisters children during an economic depression and goes to jail for it. Except luckily for the now infamous Kit-Kat thief," the college student did not press charges but simply shared the photo on social media.

The photo of the note has been retweeted more than 79,000 times and liked over 200,000 times on Twitter alone. Multiple accounts on Instagram have also posted memes of the photo.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question

Did the man who stole the Kit-Kat really commit any sort of crime or did he just teach the college student the valuable life-long lesson to lock his car doors?

Disrupt Your Feed

This kid got lucky by learning in a low-cost way to always lock your car doors.

Drop This Fact

According to Compassion International, 11% of the world is undernourished and close to 20% of children under the age of 5 years-old worldwide are undernourished.
Floyd Rayburn wants to take on the establishment in Albany.

His first attempt at that goal didn't have a good outcome. He mounted a primary bid against the Republican Party's endorsed candidate, Canandaigua Supervisor Pam Helming, in the 54th Senate District race.

Helming, who had the backing of the state Senate Republicans, won by 210 votes.

The defeat isn't stopping Rayburn. He won the Reform Party primary with a write-in campaign and secured a spot on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.

After initially saying he wouldn't actively campaign for the 54th District seat, Rayburn said at a recent forum in Auburn that he would go "all out" in the final days of the election.

The major reason why Rayburn, 61, is running for state Senate is based on his experiences as owner of F.G. Rayburn Mason Contractors in Canandaigua. He said regulations coming out of Albany are hurting employers throughout the state.

"Albany is handcuffing businesses," he said in a phone interview. "If Albany would close for six months, nobody would notice. I think it's time they took a step back."

Rayburn also was motivated to run after a slew of corruption cases involving state legislators, namely ex-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos.

If elected, Rayburn pledges to draft legislation that would require legislators convicted on public corruption charges to serve a mandatory two-year jail sentence. He also supports a constitutional amendment working its way through the state Legislature that would strip pensions from corrupt lawmakers.

Rayburn hopes to get support for his legislative proposal if he's sent to Albany. But what if fellow legislators don't?

"They must have something in their closet they're afraid to bring out," he said.

RAYBURN ON THE ISSUES

Economic development: Rayburn supports eliminating most regulations. He also questioned why the state Senate needed to act on 1,822 bills this year. He wants the legislative session to be shortened to three months.

Education: He wants to see an aid formula based on how many students are in a school district. He also wants more equal funding for upstate school districts. These districts are surviving, he said, but they're not getting ahead.

One idea he proposed: Establishing countywide superintendents of schools. Instead of each school having their own superintendent, each county would have one top education administrator.

Taxes: Rayburn supports slashing the state's corporate tax. He also believes the state needs to help address property and school tax levels. "The way we fund our schools is not sustainable," he said.

He would advocate for tax credits to businesses that would help fund public schools. He wants to cut school taxes and unfunded mandates.

Owasco Lake: The recent issues affecting the lake is a "huge concern," he said. He thinks each of the Finger Lakes should have its own watershed committee. He also believes the state needs to play a bigger role and provide funding to help pay for water testing and other initiatives.
After a flurry of negative ads released by both campaigns and outside groups over the past month, U.S. Rep. John Katko shifted to a much more positive tone in his latest television commercial.

As he did in his first ad of the 2016 campaign, Katko, R-Camillus, touts his independence and his legislative record in Congress in the new commercial, which is airing on Syracuse-area broadcast and cable stations.

"I put central New York families first working to grow our economy and fighting to keep our families safe, like I've done for two decades," he said, referring to the 20 years he spent as a federal prosecutor. "I brought our upstate values to Washington, and it worked. By being independent I became the most productive first term legislator in 27 years. Together, there's even more to accomplish."

The ad's release comes on the same day as the second televised debate in the 24th Congressional District race.

Katko will participate in the CNYCentral debate with Democratic challenger Colleen Deacon. The debate will air at 7 p.m. tonight on channel 3 and at 8 a.m. Sunday on channel 5.

The final debate is scheduled to air at 7 p.m. Sunday on WSYR channel 9.

A Time Warner Cable News/Siena College poll released nearly two weeks ago found Katko leading Deacon, D-Syracuse, by 23 points, 54 to 31 percent. The poll led political forecasters to shift the 24th Congressional District's race ratings from "toss up" to "leans Republican."

The 24th Congressional District is comprised of Cayuga, Onondaga and Wayne counties, plus the western portion of Oswego County.

Election Day is Tuesday.
Fresh Tasmanian milk to flow to China from early 2017





Fresh Tasmanian milk to flow to China from early 2017

Moon Lake Investments, the Chinese owner of Australias biggest and oldest dairy farm, Van Diemens Land Farms, will begin early in 2017 to export 10 million litres of fresh VAN Milk from Hobart airport to Ningbo in China.

Australian Food News believes this fresh milk deal will be Tasmanias first regular international air freight route into Asia.

Subject to ongoing negotiations, the operation will begin with weekly round trips, with a view to increasing flights to thrice weekly. Other cities will be targeted across China after Ningbo.

According to an ABC News report the milk will be packaged in 1 litre and 600ml cartons and the range is hoped to expand to yoghurt and other dairy products.

Sean Shwe, managing director of Moon Lake, has hinted that this venture could readily grow to include Tasmanian fresh seafood, fruit and vegetables.

While Ningbo is Mr Shwes home town, the destination is believed to have been selected for far more hard-nosed reasons:

Mr Shwe has established distribution networks in the city,

Ningbo has among chinas highest average incomes, and

it is less saturated than Shanghai with western products

Even before shipping has commenced, Moon Lake has forward-sold more than AUD $2.88 million of VAN Milk.

Moon Lake says it intends to use social media marketing that will include offers of consumer rewards such as the opportunity to visit Tasmania.
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Gilbert + Tobin advised Trustpower on its demerger into two new listed entities  Trustpower and Tilt Renewables  in a complex transaction that closed on Monday.The deal was completed after it was temporarily put on ice by Trustpower at the start of October as a result of the South Australian wholesale electricity market being suspended following a state-wide outage in September.The demerger results in two entities: Tilt Renewables and Trustpower. Tilt Renewables Limited holds Trustpower's Australian and New Zealand wind generation assets and its wind and solar development projects while Bay Energy Limited (New Trustpower) which will retain Trustpower's name and brand continues to operate Trustpower's New Zealand and Australian hydro generation assets and its multi-product New Zealand retail business.Gilbert + Tobins role in the transaction involved advising on all aspects of the $800million debt financing package for Tilt Renewables, together with a detailed asset level due diligence of their existing renewable portfolio, to ensure its financing structure gives the company flexibility for future project developments and growth in the competitive Australian renewable market.Banking + Infrastructure partner John Schembri said despite the current political uncertainty surrounding the renewables energy target, the deal signalled a positive outlook for renewable energy growth in Australia.The move allows Tilt Renewables to focus on projects to meet Australia's renewable energy needs and reflects the significant interest we are still seeing in the market, Schembri said.Were really proud to have partnered with the team at Tilt Renewables to put together this outstanding financing package which provides the business with a terrific platform going forward.The package also includes the continuation and transfer to Tilt Renewables of core facilities guarantees by EKF Danmarks Eksportkredit (the Danish export credit agency), which sit alongside the bank facility debt package.The Gilbert + Tobin team was led by John Schembri and Alexander Danne, who were assisted by lawyers Adela Smith, Sachini Mandawala, Rob Scutella and Luca Del Ciotto. Regulatory partner Simon Muys and Energy + Resources lawyer George Salter also provided support to Trustpower and Tilt Renewables.
A Central London Employment Tribunal has ruled that Uber drivers in the UK are employees of the San Francisco, California-based company, entitling them to minimum wage, sick days and holidays.Uber, however, is standing firm on its usual claim that drivers are self-employed contractors connected by the platform the US company operates.In an email sent to drivers, Ubers UK manager, Jo Bertram, said that the company believes the decision applies only to the two drivers  James Farrar and Yaseen Aslam  who brought the case against Uber on behalf of 19 drivers.As you may be aware, earlier this year a small number of London partner-drivers brought a claim to challenge their self employed status with Uber, read Bertrams email, according to The Guardian.Although we have today heard that this challenge has been successful at this first stage, it's very important to note that today's decision only affects two individuals and Uber will be appealing it, she wrote.There will be no change to your partnership with Uber in light of this decision and we will continue to support the overwhelming majority of drivers who tell us that they use the Uber app to be their own boss and choose when and where to drive, she added.In the decision , the Tribunal said that Uber had employed fiction, twisted language, and brand new terminology to fool drivers and passengers.It also said that the notion that Uber in London is a mosaic of 30,000 small businesses linked by a common platform is to our minds faintly ridiculous. Drivers do not and cannot negotiate with passengersThey are offered and accept trips strictly on Ubers terms.The lawsuit is supported by the GMB, a general trade union in the UK with almost 619,000 members.
Simmons & Simmons has secured regulatory approval for a Joint Law Venture (JLV) with its partner boutique firm in Singapore.The approval officially creates Simmons & Simmons JWS Pte Ltd. which gives the UK-headquartered firm the ability to offer clients both foreign and Singapore law advice save for Singapore court litigation.The firm which has offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia developed a best friends relationship with JWS Asia Law Corporation in 2015.The JLV  which began operations Tuesday, 1 Nov  responds to the growing financial services industry in Singapore, the firm said.Simmons & Simmons, which has been active in Asia for over 30 years, will offer an integrated service to clients across its key areas of focus, particularly asset management & investment funds, and financial institutions  the specialisation of the three-partner boutique JWS.The JLV targets the fast expanding Asset Management and Investment Funds sector in Singapore, servicing both Singapore clients with international portfolios and international clients based in Singapore.It combines local Singapore expertise on investment funds and financial regulation with a clear sector focus on the asset management industry with leading asset management & investment funds capability in London and Hong Kong and an alliance for fund and asset management work with leading US firm Seward & Kissel in New York.We are very pleased that our application to form a joint law venture with JWS has been approved. After launch, Simmons & Simmons JWS will be one of the few leading full-service law firms to be able to demonstrate true sector focus on asset management, investment funds and financial institutions, providing Singapore and international clients with specialist advice in relation to capital markets, commodities, employment, investment funds, international arbitration, investigations, transactional and regulatory matters, said Simmons & Simmons Jeremy Hoyland.Given Singapores increasing importance as a commodities, asset management and financial institution hub, we are excited about the opportunities this brings to further expand our leading practices in each of these areas, the managing partner added.He continued, Simmons & Simmons JWS will form an integral part of our business in Asia alongside our offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo, and will work closely with our lawyers from right across our network.Simmons & Simmons is a multinational law firm with nearly 900 lawyers in fully-integrated teams who specialise in the Asset Management & Investment Funds, Financial Institutions, Life Sciences and Telecoms, Media & Technology (TMT) and Energy & Infrastructure industries.
By Martin Tomitsch, Associate Professor and Head of Design, University of Sydney

Apples MacBook Pro series is back in the media thanks to the comanys announcement of the new Touch Bar.

Announced last Thursday, the Touch Bar uses retina display and multitouch technology to replace the MacBook Pros top row of static function keys.

It might seem like a simple idea, but it builds on a long history of research on what is referred to as humancomputer interaction.

The feature deserves the attention its receiving as it provides a glimpse into how we will be interacting with computers in the not so distant future.

Its not a new idea, but once again Apple has managed to bring an innovation to the mass consumer market.

The origins of touch

Using touch for interacting with computers became commonplace with the advent of the iPhone in 2007.

But touch-based consumer devices have a long history and include the Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) that were popular through the late 90s and early 2000s. PDAs used a stylus pen along with a touch-sensitive screen.

This form of interaction was first proposed in 1963 by Ivan Sutherland at MITs Lincoln Labs as part of a new man-machine interface called Sketchpad.









Screen grab/YouTube





Being able to directly tap on a button with a pen offered a much more intuitive way to interact with computers compared to moving a mouse and clicking on menus and icons.

But it felt constrained due to the requirement of using a pen, and its limitation of reading only one input at a time. Using a pen didnt quite match the way we interact with objects in the physical world and made tasks such as typing slow and cumbersome.

The breakthrough of multitouch

This limitation was lifted when Jeff Han, who at the time was a research scientist at New York University, presented his vision of an interface free computer at the TED conference in 2006.

In his talk, Han demonstrated moving, zooming and manipulating virtual objects on a multitouch tabletop computer using both hands.









The original TED video of his talk went viral, receiving more than 4 million views and inspiring researchers around the globe.

But attempts at bringing multitouch tabletops to the mass market such as the Microsoft Surface  a 30-inch tabletop computer interface (now known as PixelSense to distinguish it from their tablet product)  eventually failed.









Ergonomidesign/Wikimedia





Yet, many of the interaction concepts developed for tabletop computers, such as the now ubiquitous pinch-to-scale gesture, set the foundation for how we interact with smartphones today.

Bringing touch to the keyboard

While multitouch provides an intuitive way for manipulating virtual objects, a recurring challenge is the lack of tactile feedback. Typing on typewriters a generation ago and computer keyboards today works so well because of the physical shape and mechanics of their keys.

Indeed, Apple is putting a lot of effort into retaining the tactile feedback of its laptop keyboards while reducing their height.

Approaches to making keyboards smaller and portable, such as laser projection keyboards, remain neat gimmicks, as typing on flat surfaces that dont provide any sense of feedback feels unnatural and slow.









Flickr/Br3nda, CC BY





Apples new Touch Bar is therefore taking a strategically sensible approach by only replacing one row of keys on its new MacBook Pro keyboard. Typing on this new bar will feel unnatural - more like tapping a button on an iPhone than using a keyboard.

By retaining the tactile feel of the main keys, users will barely notice this shortcoming. Indeed, those who were already able to get their hands on the new Touch Bar have described it as very, very cool.









The user-centred thinking behind the Touch Bar

Many of the function keys in the top row of current MacBook keyboards are rarely used. So replacing the keys with a dynamic touch display, makes it possible to provide function keys that are relevant to the users context.

For example, the Touch Bar displays a reply button when the user is in Apples Mail application.

This not only makes the function keys more meaningful, but it also makes interacting with applications easier.

There is a principle in humancomputer interaction research known as Fittss law, which describes that the smaller and further away an object is, the more difficult it is to click on it.

Tapping a reply button in the Touch Bar will therefore feel much easier in many situations, compared to painfully moving a mouse cursor across the screen.

Where to from here

What makes the Touch Bar an exciting innovation is that it blurs the boundary between physical buttons and digital touch displays.

It has its shortcomings, such as the lack of tactile feedback, but its a first attempt at bringing fully customisable or adaptive keyboards to the mass market.

Apple has learnt its lesson from introducing innovations too early. Products such as its first personal computer with a graphical user interface, the Apple Lisa, and its attempt at launching a PDA with the Apple Newton, were too expensive to be successful.

Producing fully customisable keyboards for a mass market is still a cost issue. But its only a matter of time until they will become the standard for interacting with personal computers.

As more and more digital devices become part of our everyday lives and activities, we will see a further diversification of means for interacting with computing devices.

We might type emails on an e-ink keyboard, touch, swipe, shake and squeeze to view digital content on mobile devices, use our minds to navigate virtual environments, and talk to our personal home assistant about the weather forecast.

Martin Tomitsch does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond the academic appointment above.

Originally published in The Conversation.
By Matthew Bailes, ARC Laureate Fellow, Swinburne University of Technology., Swinburne University of Technology

In light of the fact that the Australian government has announced its intention to place a lifetime visa ban on boat people who arrive here, and that in America one of the candidates for the US Presidency is revelling in denouncing the science behind climate change, a speech I gave to ANU graduates earlier this year seems as relevant as ever.

It isnt hard to see the dangerous parallels between Donald Trumps America and the Cultural Revolution, so here I offer an edited version of that speech.

I first came to ANU in the summer of 83/84 in search of a home for my PhD as a vacation or vac scholar.

A year and a bit later I returned, armed with a PhD scholarship and all my worldly possessions, to work at Mount Stromlo and Siding Springs Observatories, Australias premiere astronomical research institute.

Id like to discuss two important events that occurred during my time here at ANU that had a significant impact on me and have a message for today. The first concerns an epidemic and Australias reaction to it.

HIV and Australias reaction to it

Bob Hawke was our Prime Minister when HIV had just emerged in Australia. The virus was particularly prevalent in the gay and later intravenous drug user communities.

Neither of these communities were particularly valued in 1980s Australia.

Just a few hundred metres from here I went to a debate between the president of the gay businessmans luncheon society and the Reverend Fred Nile about AIDS. Fred seemed convinced that AIDS was divine retribution for a sinful lifestyle and his opponent was promoting safe sex practices as a way of maintaining a promiscuous lifestyle.

When asked if God was so angry at gay men why had lesbians had been spared the virus, Fred responded that he didnt believe lesbians actually existed  a novel retort.

Our governments response to the virus was multi-faceted and highly effective. It was based on science and the best epidemiological practices.

It employed some particularly terrifying commercials that involved a grim reaper hurling giant bowling balls at frightened citizens. The narrator warned that the virus could kill more Australians than World War II unless we engaged in safe sex practices.





Although viewed as comical by some older Australians I know these advertisements changed attitudes among my peer group.

Governments also targeted the communities most at risk, by providing needle exchange programmes, safe injecting rooms and free condoms.

Our social welfare and health-care system provided care for the sick, and we invested in research aimed at limiting the effect of the virus.

Thirty years of bipartisan support for this effort defeated the virus. I read that the number of AIDS-related deaths is now so low in Australia that it is no longer recorded.

Id like to think that the approach to this virus was what should be typically Australian. Based upon science and compassion, and the desire to avoid the development of an underclass.

On Tiananmen Square

My PhD took me to China for the first international astronomical conference in the country. I remember two things vividly from this experience. The first was that many of the academics had been victims of the cultural revolution, a government-sponsored attack on knowledge and the universities.

Many of the astronomers had been sent to the fields for many years and bullied for promoting knowledge. Although it was officially over, many aspects of the cultural revolutions bureaucracy were still in place.

When I entered China I had to formally agree not to give any Chinese person a gift of any Bible, calculator or pornographic magazine. Fortunately I only had one of these three items with me, my beloved CASIO FX calculator.

Today, China possesses the two most powerful supercomputers on the planet, one of which is 18 billion times faster than the VAX I used for my PhD at ANU. The architects of the cultural revolution would be horrified!

The second thing I remember was the incredible enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge of the Chinese students about the West. I befriended many of them, but was unable to ever contact them again as email was still many years from China.

For this reason I found the 1989 massacre of the pro-democracy Tiananmen Square students particularly depressing. I had no idea whether the students Id met had been butchered by their own army, but figured that if it wasnt them, it was students just like the ones Id met.

We had a friend from China who was one of the first PhD students at the ANU to study astronomy. She led the students from Mount Stromlo on the memorial march through the streets of Canberra, and we went to Parliament House to hear leaders from both sides of politics condemn the massacre.

Our government offered the students asylum in Australia because it was the compassionate thing to do. In 1980s Australia asylum was not a dirty word.

My Vietnamese banquets were courtesy of a Let in the Boats policy from a Liberal government a decade before and my Chinese friend didnt need to return to face the totalitarian regime afraid of democracy because of a Labor government policy.

On science

My profession is a highly competitive global endeavour, and rather ruthless in its application of the scientific method. Theories and discoveries are challenged and tested in the most rigorous way. Science is not without politics, but its foundations are exceptionally pure. To challenge orthodoxy requires data or theories that meet peer-reviewed analysis.

The scientific method spans all areas of academia, and has delivered amazing technological advances that continue to improve our standards of living and understanding of the Universe.

Your ANU education is built upon these foundations. I trust that it has taught you to question everything, examine evidence and apply proven techniques to come to conclusions without being afraid to imagine new ways to advance the sub-discipline and society.

But were living in a world where it has become increasingly fashionable to applaud and embrace ignorance, arguing that one of our rights is to believe whatever we want, and for governments and large media organisations and companies to control information.

China may be an emerging supercomputing powerhouse but its citizens cant access Facebook or the Wikipedia entry on Tiananmen Square.

In parallel to Wikipedia, there is now Conservapedia, a website that not only argues against any link between CO 2 and temperature, but also that Einsteins theory of relativity has never been properly verified  something that I have dedicated much of my scientific career proving.

Australian tax-payers are funding research into whether windmills make you sick and also weve just elected a senator who wants to teach climate-skepticism in schools and thinks climate scientists are part of a UN-sponsored conspiracy to defraud citizens.

In closing, I would implore you, our future scientists, engineers and doctors to mercilessly use your education to fight ignorance and research solutions to the problems the world faces.

Retain your objectivity and treat every decision as if you were entering an examination where you will be marked upon the integrity of the evidence presented, and the rationale for your decision-making.

We cant afford to worship the God of Ignorance, as the founders of the cultural revolution once did, nor ignore the lessons of history. Congratulations on your achievements, welcome to the ANU Alumni, and go forth and prosper.

This article was updated to clarify some points made in the first paragraph.

Disclosure

Matthew Bailes receives funding from the Australian Research Council.



Originally published in The Conversation.
All visas, including tourist and business visas will not be granted to anyone who has tried to enter Australia by boat since 2013, it has been confirmed.Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said that the decision is in keeping with Australia's international obligations relating to refugees and he will retain the right to allow people into the country if it is in the public interest. He explained that the Migration Act will be amended to ensure that asylum seekers who try to come to Australia by boat are forbidden from the country for life. It will 'prevent irregular maritime arrivals' taken to a processing country from making a valid application for an Australian visa, including those found to be refugees.The move comes at a time when immigration is a major topic in Australia with surveys suggesting that a large percentage of the population is against certain groups of immigrants. But human rights advocates have criticised the decision.The opposition leader Bill Shorten said his party had yet to decide whether to back the visa ban and wants to see more details but believes that in some terms it sounds a 'ridiculous' policy.'It seems ridiculous to me that a genuine refugee who settles in the US or Canada and becomes a US or Canadian citizen is banned from visiting Australia as a tourist, businessman or businesswoman 40 years down track,' he said.'Refugees like Frank Lowy, Gustav Nossal and Hieu Van Le have made a huge contribution to Australia. As an Australian, that's something I'm very proud of,' he added.Meanwhile, former Immigration Minister Chris Bowen who is now the Labour Party's Treasury spokesman has confirmed his party is in favour of continuing high immigration intakes.He said in a speech that support for closed borders are gaining ground in the United States, Britain, France, Austria and Scandinavia and increasingly in Australia, but he believes that this ignores the belief that much of Australia's economic success over 26 years is explained by openness to trade and immigration.'Migration has also delivered an economic boost, with migrants on average being more productive and raising productivity more rapidly than the native born population,' he added.
A clear majority of people in Australia support Muslims and asylum seekers being granted visas to come to the country, according to a new poll, but there is a shift in opinion.Much has been made of recent research suggesting that many Australians are against Muslim immigration, but the new survey from Roy Morgan research shows that 58% are in favour and 33% against. However, support for Muslim immigration is down 7% from a year ago. The poll also shows that 66% are in favour of asylum seekers while 25% are opposed and Australians also support both family reunion immigration with 74% in favour and 21% against while 77% want skilled immigration and just 18% opposed.The poll also asked what people thought of current immigration levels and found that 40%, a rise of 3%, support it remaining about the same. Some 21%, a fall of 11%, want to see immigration levels increased.This constitutes a clear majority of Australians at 61%, down 8%, who support immigration remaining the same or increasing while 34%, up 8%, want immigration levels reduced and 5% (unchanged) can't say.Australians are split on the effect of immigrants on Australia's culture and way of life, but the research shows that there has been a negative shift in the last year, back to lower than recorded in 2010.Some 32% of Australians believe immigration has a positive effect on Australia, down 5%, while 32% believe immigration has a negative effect, up 1% and 25% believe immigration has little effect, up 6%.Most Australians want relatively moderate population growth with 34% in favour of a population of under 30 million by 2046, up 2%, while only 24%, down 6%, want a population of 35 million or more.This is a shift away from growth levels that were seen as acceptable a year ago but nowhere near the 2010 levels when 56% wanted a population under 30 million in the year 2040.Spokesman Gary Morgan said that the research makes it clear that the majority of Australians have not been affected by recent rhetoric calling for Muslims to be refused the right to live in Australia and even larger numbers support asylum seekers, family reunion and skilled workers.The results of the poll are in stark contrast to a survey published in September by Essential Research which showed that 49% of Australians would support a ban on Muslim immigration.Morgan pointed out that previous Roy Morgan surveys have consistently showed a majority of Australians support Muslim immigration. Some 65% of Australians supported Muslim immigration a year ago compared to 28% that opposed and in July 2010 54% of Australians supported Muslim immigration compared to 35% that were opposed.'However, across a number of questions relating to immigration, and the ideal size for Australia, there has been a shift away from supporting growth and immigration over the last year. This is not back to the levels recorded in 2010 but does give a clear sense that Australians are becoming less open to immigration,' he explained.
AUBURN  An Auburn man scheduled to be sentenced for possessing more than a pound of marijuana has made a motion to withdraw his guilty plea after learning the district attorney was accused of withholding evidence in several drug-related cases.

Earlier this year, Timothy Williams, of 1 Mundt Ave., pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal possession of marijuana in May 2015. But at his sentencing before Judge Mark Fandrich Tuesday, the 42-year-old asked to adjourn the matter and withdraw his plea in light of recent allegations against Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann.

And Williams was not alone.

Defense attorney Rome Canzano asked to postpone both Williams' case and the matters of Karl Diggs, another Auburn man accused of possessing and selling drugs in the county.

"I ask that we take a step back on these cases," Canzano said in court Tuesday morning. "I need to rest any concerns regarding the dissemination of information to assure that all evidence has been or will be provided."

These concerns came after former Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Domachowski filed a notice of claim stating that Budelmann withheld "exculpatory 'Brady' material in several existing cases."

According to Sherry Levin Wallach, the chair of the New York State Bar Association's Criminal Justice Law Section, while 'Brady' material is often an issue taken up in court, she had not heard of cases in which fellow prosecutors file suit for withholding evidence.

"More often it's the defense attorney arguing that the district attorney did not provide 'Brady' material," Wallach said in a phone interview with The Citizen Tuesday. "There is often conflict as to what 'Brady' material is. ... So this type of lawsuit could provide amazing insight into analysis of the Brady issue."

In general, Wallach said 'Brady' material is any evidence that is "favorable to the defense," evidence that may show inconsistencies or prove the defendant is innocent of the charges. However, it is up to each district attorney's office to decide what is and is not 'Brady.'

"Many district attorneys offices have very different views on what Brady material is so it's not consistent on what should be turned over and when it should be turned over," she said. "It's a very, very broad definition and I think that's where everybody gets caught up."

For Budelmann, that material is any "exculpatory or impeachment information."

"Brady material is evidence that can determine the guilt of innocence or the punishment of the defendant," he said in a phone interview Tuesday. "Basically we turn over things that show the person didn't commit the crime or that there are defects in our case in some form. ... What is considered Brady is only slightly discretionary."

In response to Canzano's concerns Tuesday morning, Budelmann referenced his open-file policy, in which defense attorneys can visit his office to read reports, access audio and video recordings and discuss "what is or isn't there."

"Open file means open file," he said, noting that his office switched to an open file policy several years ago after drug defendants shared information in attempts to uncover the identity of confidential informants. "I'm not really selective in what I include. I'm not going to tell them who the informant is, but short of that they pretty much get everything.

"They can look at anything they want, they just don't walk out the door with it until the time of trial or shortly before that," he added.

Still, Wallach said the evidence that is included in an "open file" largely depends on the office.

"In some offices, 'open file' is truly an open file," she said. "Some offices err on the side of caution and provide everything. But then there are others that make the determination of what is considered 'Brady' ... what they believe is discoverable."

In the end, both Budelmann and Fandrich agreed to adjourn Canzano's cases involving Williams and Diggs  cases that Canzano noted were first handled by ADA Domachowski before his termination in June.

Williams will return to court Dec. 6 while Diggs will appear again Nov. 15.
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If any one have suggestion please share regarding work in Australia
The Creta has proven to be a very popular small SUV and we take a look at what it offers.

Hyundai entered the small SUV market with the launch of the Creta in July 2015. In just one year, the small SUV recorded sales of over one lakh units, and also saw a waiting period of up to 10 months.

To mark its first anniversary, Hyundai rolled out a limited-run First Anniversary Edition of the small SUV as well. The automaker also rolled out newer variants of the Creta including a petrol automatic and a more affordable diesel automatic to further bolster its position as one of the best selling SUVs in the country.

Hyundai Creta engines

The Creta is available with a choice of one petrol and two diesel engines. The petrol motor on offer is a 123hp 1.6-litre unit. Of the two diesel motor on offer, the first is the 90hp 1.4-litre unit also found in smaller Hyundais like the i20. The second diesel is a significantly more powerful 128hp 1.6-litre unit. A six-speed manual gearbox is offered as standard though the petrol and more powerful diesel engine also get the option of a six-speed automatic unit.

Hyundai Creta features

The Creta offers quite a bit of luxury, especially in its top trims. The automaker has also focused on safety with dual airbags and ABS offered as standard, and the top trim additionally getting side and curtain airbags. Available in seven variants, the top-trim Creta gets equipment such as ESC, parking sensors and camera, diamond-cut alloy wheels, leather upholstery, key-less entry and go, and a 7.0-inch Audio/Video/Navigation system that is also available on select lower variants. A smaller 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is offered on select variants as well. It must be noted that the top-trim Creta is a diesel-manual only, while lower variants get the option for diesel and petrol automatics.

Hyundai Creta price (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Petrol

1.6L Dual VTVT E M/T Rs 9.22 lakh

1.6L Dual VTVT E+ M/T Rs 9.99 lakh

1.6L Dual VTVT SX+ M/T Rs 11.91 lakh

1.6L Dual VTVT SX+ A/T Rs 12.93 lakh

Diesel

1.4L CRDi E M/T  Rs 10.05 lakh

1.4L CRDi S M/T  Rs 11.27 lakh

1.4L CRDi S+ M/T  Rs 12.18 lakh

1.6L CRDi VGT SX M/T  Rs 12.44 lakh

1.6L CRDi VGT SX+ M/T  Rs 13.44 lakh

1.6L CRDi VGT S+ A/T  Rs 13.64 lakh

1.6L CRDi VGT SX (O) M/T  Rs 14.50 lakh

1.6L CRDi VGT SX+ A/T  Rs 14.57 lakh

Hyundai Creta rivals

The Creta sits in the competitive small SUV segment and rivals the likes of the Maruti S-cross, Honda BR-V and the Renault Duster.

Hyundai Creta review

You can read our detailed road test of the Hyundai Creta here and watch the video here.

Also read:

Hyundai Creta petrol automatic review

Hyundai Creta 1.4 diesel review
We compare two of the most exciting diesel compact sedans you can buy today.

If the diesel versions of the Volkswagen Ameo and Ford Figo Aspire are the top contenders on your compact sedan shopping list, theres a good chance power and performance are high on your list of priorities. Because with 110hp and 100hp from their respective 1.5-litre diesel engines, the Ameo and Aspire are the most powerful diesel compact sedans on sale, and for many, thats a major point of distinction in what has become a crowded segment. Before you ask, weve given the 100hp Honda Amaze a miss because its a car that does little to stir up emotions for the driver. For this duo at least, its the experience behind the steering wheel that gets more weightage than overall practicality. Yes, well be going over their practical bits too but today the drivers seat is the one in focus. Here goes.

110 on 100

Do a cursory brochure-to-brochure comparison, and youll know the Ameo is the more powerful car here. Its 110hp and 250Nm easily betters the Aspires 100hp and 215Nm. Dig a bit deeper though and a figure that should stand out is these cars kerb weights. Weighing in at just 1,048kg, the Figo Aspire is a full 115kg lighter than the Ameo! How do all these numbers translate to real-world performance? Theres only one way to find out and that is to bring out our trusty Vbox timing gear. True, the conditions arent ideal (we tested on a damp road), but the performance figures are still telling. The Ameo gets to 100kph from a standstill in 10.74 seconds, or 0.4 seconds quicker than the Aspire. But its the in-gear timings that give the Ameo the clear edge. It is good at low revs but VWs latest tweaks to the 1.5 engine seem to have added more punch in the mid-range. Sure, power delivery has become spiky but its quite exciting to see how readily and quickly revs rise from 2,000rpm to 5,000 and beyond. The Ameo feels genuinely powerful and what only adds to the experience is the crisp-shifting five-speed gearbox.

Both models are near identical to their hatchback siblings until the B-pillar.

The Aspire may be the slower car here but it is still quick as small diesel cars go. Its just that the power delivery is more linear and the engine isnt as quick revving as the Ameos, and this tends to mask its performance. Power does come in nice and early making the Ford a bit friendlier to drive at lower town speeds, but press on and you dont get that meaty mid-range surge the Ameo provides. Further, the Aspires rubbery gearbox also doesnt like being hustled. The Ford motor does run quieter for the most part (the VW has the busier sounding idle too), but cross 3,000rpm and the decibel levels go up drastically. Whilst the Ameos powertrain pushes you to drive with more vigour, the Aspires inspires you to adopt a more relaxed driving style.

Left, right, left

You may not expect family-oriented compact sedans to shine on your favourite set of twisty roads but both still do a good enough job. The Ameo feels very Germanic, very Volkswagen in the sense theres a good feeling of control at all times, but you know there are some electric motors involved between the steering and the front wheels, and this takes away some connection with the car. The VW does turn in well though and the slightly firmer setup helps to this end. The Aspire is clearly the more agile of the two with a sharper turn-in and a quicker steering. A fly in the ointment is a bit of un-Ford-like looseness in the steering at the straight-ahead position and a bit of body roll too. Also, the Aspire isnt quite as adept at dealing with mid-corner bumps as the Ameo.

Even out cruising on straight highways, its the Aspire that moves around more. Not uncomfortably so, but it doesnt feel as planted as the Ameo at triple-digit speeds. However, again, its when you tone things down that you see the best of the Aspire. Its got the more absorbent low-speed ride and rounds off bumps really well, despite running on smaller 14-inch tyres. The Aspires lighter steering also calls for less effort in town.



The right environment

Powertrain and suspension settings aside, these cars are identical to their petrol-hearted versions which we compared only a few months ago. And just as we stated back then, well say so again  the Ameos great cabin quality truly sets it apart. Right from that nice thunk on door shut, theres a sense of robustness in the Ameos cabin that you just dont get in any other compact sedan. Agreed the dashboard looks a bit boring but there are more than a few feel-good elements in the cabin that enhance the ambience. The flat-bottomed steering wheel for one looks really special. Additionally, the front seats are nice and large, theres a dedicated dead pedal, and what further aids comfort for drivers is that the steering adjusts for both rake and reach.

If the Ameo cabins highlight is its quality, the Aspire cabins highlight is space. Theres more room between the front seats, and the large windows and low dash only enhance the sensation of space further. The dash has an interesting look thanks to the spread-out centre console but the numerous buttons for the audio player are hard to navigate through on the move. Whats also a disappointment is the boring instrument cluster that oddly has same-sized dials for the tacho and fuel gauge. The bigger issue though is quality that is good in places and average in others. For instance, as rich as the knurled climate control dials look, the door handles look cheap and flimsy. The leather seats on the top-spec Aspire Titanium+ do help the overall look and are really well cushioned too.

Ameo cabin has typical VW attention to detail and feels far more premium.

Over to the equipment on board, and whats worth highlighting is the safety kit top Aspires get in addition to the usual creature comforts like steering-mounted audio controls, Bluetooth-ready audio system and automatic climate control offered on both these cars. Titanium+ Aspires get six airbags, Ford MyKey that lets you set speed limits for programmable driver profiles and also Emergency Assistance that can automatically alert emergency services in the event of an accident using a synced phones mobile network. Unfortunately, Fords Sync infotainment system itself isnt particularly nice to use and its dot-matrix display looks small and outdated.

Fully loaded Ameos get only two airbags and theres no option for leather seats, but otherwise VW has gone to town with the equipment. Theres a nice touchscreen for the infotainment system, MirrorLink (it replicates your smartphone screen), reverse camera, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, one-touch operation for all four power windows, a front-centre armrest and even an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. Quite something from a carmaker not known to be generous with equipment.

Practically speaking

Bring the rear seats into the picture and suddenly the Aspire begins to shine. Its got the larger rear doors, significantly more legroom and generally feels roomier. Theres also a well-positioned rear-centre armrest so two, if not three occupants can sit in good comfort in the back. The Ameo feels tight in comparison despite VWs best efforts of squeezing out vital few millimetres of kneeroom by scooping out the front seat backrests. For what its worth, there is a rear air-con vent but it does eat into the already limited legroom for the middle passenger.

Aspire is the car to buy if rear-seat space is a priority.

The Ameo also has the marginally smaller boot (330 litre to the Aspires 359 litres) but it is better-shaped and a slightly more usable space. Its also better finished and whats more, the Ameo gives the option to fold the rear seat forward (not flat though) to make space for odd-shaped items.

Price possession

So which one should it be? Its quite simple really. If you are looking for a practical family car and have regular use for the rear seats, its got to be the Aspire. Its the more spacious car and the more rounded package. The Aspire also makes for a good city car thanks to its light controls and absorbent ride. And post Fords recent price revision, its become more affordable and is the model here with the lower price tag. But for all its strengths, the Aspire doesnt leave a lasting impression. It doesnt excite for a relatively powerful car nor does it drive with the same slickness as older Fords; you could even say it feels a bit pared down in places.

Incidentally, it is these very areas where the diesel Ameo feels special. The engine is strong, performance is good and there is a degree of fun to be had behind the wheel. Its also solidly put together and feels like the German car it is. Yes, the Ameo is undeniably down on rear seat space to most rivals, but if thats not a deciding factor for you, the VW offers enough and more to win you over, and for not too much more money than an Aspire. Crucially, it is overall a nicer car to drive and that seals the deal for the Ameo.
It's not vehicles holding you the traffic today it's the animals #pigonmotorway pic.twitter.com/Amkf2Do3ad  Phil Wratt (@PhilWratt) November 2, 2016

While the human need for transportation and infrastructure is essential for the development of society, animals must also be protected. Some highways have animal passages, which are specially designed to allow a safe cross of the high-speed road, but implementing it in remote areas is not cost effective.Because of the reason presented above and a poor maintenance of guardrails, animals can enter the road, and this leads to disastrous situations from time to time.From the sad cases that involve protected species getting hit by cars, to the other tragic moments when people die in a crash caused by someone trying to avoid hitting an animal.This story is a fortunate one, because nobody was injured after a relatively large animal entered a highway in New Zealand . It happened on the Northwestern Motorway, which is the major western route out of Auckland, which had traffic interrupted by a pig.Two people eventually cornered the animal, and then it was restrained until police crews arrived. Afterward, the swine was taken into custody and delivered to the Henderson Animal Shelter in New Zealand.According to Stuff , the pig has a few scrapes and is a bit frightened, but is in good condition. Its potential owner has not been found, but it may come from a larger farm that didn't keep track of all of its animals. In either case, this is a happy story about a big and confused animal going through traffic and nobody getting hurt.If you look closely at the photos of the Northwestern Motorway in Auckland, you will observe that it had guardrails and cemented lane splitters, which makes us wonder how the hog managed to enter the highway.We often see pigs on the freeway, but they are usually driving cars in a reckless manner. Animal Management officials at the Auckland Council believe that the animal might have escaped from a vehicle that was transporting it.
Statistics are to blame, and this happens across the world because young people tend to be less careful than elder drivers anywhere you look.An insurance company in Great Britain has proposed a change that may bring them a ton of customers, but it might also cause havoc if their calculations are not correct.They are called Admiral Insurance, and The Guardian describes them as one of the biggest insurance companies in Britain . Since we are referring to a big company, this is not a new player that is attempting to gain free advertising through media appearances with wild claims.Big enterprises have tried things like these in the past, but people expect them to put their money where their mouth is when claims are made, so that will not fly for a big enterprise.In the case of Admiral Insurance, they have announced a new type of insurance policy , which is designed for first-time car owners and new drivers.The initiative was supposed to be launched this week, but was delayed at the last moment. We are writing about a scheme named first car quote, which was meant to bring deductions instead of price increases for people who were interested in accepting an analysis of their Facebook profile.The cunning plan made by the company would have given them the chance to test its data analysis solutions and their prediction software. It is worth noting that the scheme would have only involved reading posts and likes made by Facebook users , while photos would not have been included.The users that would have received a discount were those who are considered more organized, as well as conscientious. Other personality traits linked to safe driving would have been searched through profiles to determine if the person is a responsible human or a careless individual. The maximum discount could have reached 350 pounds a year, which is something that nobody would throw away.From our point of view, this move would have allowed the insurance company make a trial run of its systems see if they could be applied to the rest of its customer base.Several elements should be covered on top of Facebook accounts if you ask us - Snapchat and Twitter activity. If all of those result in a decent person, why would you not offer a discount?On the other hand, the companies risk giving discounts to people who have polished accounts, where they only post responsible things to maintain a particular public image.We have been contacted by a Facebook spokesperson after this article was published, and they had a few things to add to the story.One of the representatives of the American social network asked us to explain that no app is permitted to access Facebook user data to assess eligibility. The company has strict guidelines for apps, and these prevent other people from obtaining information from someone elses Facebook data.In the case of the Admiral Insurance app, it came to their understanding that the Facebook accounts will only be used for login and verification purposes. From there, users that sign up for the Admiral platform would be asked to answer questions.Furthermore, the Facebook representative underlined the fact that all apps are subject to a final review before "going live," and that the Platform Policy used on the social network has strict rules and guidelines on how to use the information shared by people with developers.Among those guidelines is a precept that prohibits the use of data gathered from Facebook when considering someones approval/rejection for an application, as well as the interest charged for a loan, just to name a few examples.We must also note that Facebook puts great focus on self-regulation, so users are urged to report any breaches they spot or feel on the platform regarding apps and pages.
Starting this month, which is the Military Appreciation Month, the Thank A Hero program benefits Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), an organization committed to providing support and resources to the newest generation of US veterans.For each and every appreciation note the public posts, Victory Motorcycle will donate $100 to IAVA on the heros behalf. When posting, the Thank A Hero notes will have the option to get shared on Facebook and Twitter so more people will know about the campaign and participate.IAVA is proud of our partnership with Victory Motorcycles thats helped us raise awareness for our community from Washington, D.C. to Sturgis, SD, said Anthony Pike, IAVA Chief Programs Officer and USMC and Iraq War Veteran. Victorys Thank a Hero initiative will take that effort one step further and will help IAVA achieve its goal this Veterans Day of uniting Americans behind our veterans. We cannot thank Victory Motorcycles enough for their continued dedication to the Post-9/11 generation of veterans and generosity that supports IAVAs work on behalf of our over 400,000 members.The Thank A Hero program is just one of the ways Victory Motorcycles and Victory riders and dealers are saluting military veterans and those currently serving. Additionally, on Saturday, November 19, the public is invited to visit their local Victory Motorcycles dealer for a charity ride in honor of the IAVA.A 2017 Victory Gunner will be auctioned off at the annual IAVA Heroes Gala fundraiser on Nov. 10 in New York City  with all proceeds going to IAVA.Any individuals who have served in the military, police, or fire department will receive $1,000 off the purchase of any new Victory heavyweight bike and $500 off the purchase of a new Victory Octane. Log on to Victory Motorcycles webpage for more details
From the moment that exhibit was revealed, the rumors regarding a modern P1800 successor from Volvo have come back to life with something to back them up.The senior vice president of the Swedish brands design department, Thomas Ingenlath, has told journalists at the time that there will be a Coupe in the 90-series, but it will come to market at a later date.The Volvo 90-series range was planned from the start to have three body styles, and the CrossCountry variants do not count , and neither does the XC90.With a bit of guesswork, one could estimate that the Swedish brand could launch a large coupe based on the SPA platform of the 90-series in five years time.The potential Coupe in the Volvo S90 range should be called C90, if we were to use the companys naming strategy. Its place would be above the C70, which has long been discontinued, and it would help the brand compete with its German and Japanese competitors.The best part about Volvos potential Coupe model is that the company already has a concept that would fit the bill, and it is already a beautiful vehicle. The Concept Coupe from Volvo managed to stir the imagination of many car fans, and the resulting S90 sedan did not disappoint in appearance.All the automaker has to do is develop a business case for this coupe, which would then allow for the project to receive a green light for production.It is worth noting that sedans are not that popular as they once were, and three-door hatchback are also experiencing a drop in popularity, but flagship coupe models have remained relevant and desired.With the latest shift in Volvo production , the Swedish company might have room to build the C90 without too much hassle. All we can hope is that it will look as close to the 2013 Volvo Concept Coupe exhibited at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
The most recent and best-known example of globalization is how Buick decided to make the Envision in China. Thats right, ladies and gents! GMs compact luxury crossover is imported into the United States. After Buick , Volvo is the next passenger car manufacturer to make such a move. Volvo spokesperson told autoevolution that the XC90, V90, and V90 Cross Country would continue to be built at the Torslanda plant in Sweden. The S90, including the U.S.- and Euro-spec models, is going to move production to China in the near future. The question is, why did Volvo do it?The answer will come as a surprise to some of you. This decision comes courtesy of rising demand for the S90 on a global level. Considering that Volvos plant in Sweden now makes four different models (XC90 crossover, S90 sedan, V90 wagon, and V90 Cross Country), this facility is nearing its maximum annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles. The Daqing plant is relatively new and it had a production capacity of 80,000 vehicles per year in 2014.China will play an increasingly important part in our global manufacturing ambitions. Our factories here will deliver world-class products for export across the globe in coming years, contributing to our objective of selling up to 800,000 cars a year by 2020, declared Volvo's Hakan Samuelsson.Vector in Volvos 2020 goal of selling 800,000 cars per year and it all becomes very easy to understand why the manufacturer took this decision. Beyond Torslanda and Daqing, Volvos passenger vehicles division also operates a manufacturing facility located in Gent, Belgium. Whereas Torslanda will focus on SPA-based vehicles (i.e. the 90 series and next-gen 60 series ), Gent will handle production of CMA-based nameplates ( next-gen XC40, V40, and S40 ).Volvo highlights that part of the 60 series production will be handled by the Chengdu plant in China. On that note, part of the 40 Series production will be taken over by a plant in Luqiao, a Chinese district where Volvo Cars parent company has its biggest manufacturing base. Also in Luqiao, Geelys brand Lynk & Co will manufacture the production version of the 01 Concept
Graphic of Toyota's Mobility Services Platform courtesy of Toyota.

Toyota has formed a partnership with carsharing provider Getaround that could eventually find a place in commercial or government fleets that manage a portion of their vehicles as an in-house rental fleet, a company spokesman said.

Toyota is offering its Smart Key Box that enhances carsharing on Toyota's Mobility Services Platform by working independently of telematics hardware. The box is GPS enabled, according to Brian Lyons, a Toyota spokesman.

Toyota plans to offer business services such as vehicle management systems, leasing programs, and insurance with the platform. When the box is in place, users can lock and unlock doors and start the car's engine with the Getaround smartphone app.

With other carsharing services, users use shared keys via a vehicle's console box or a dedicated communication device that's connected with the Controller Area Network (CAN).

Toyota's partnership with Getaround will begin in January in San Francisco. Toyota's investment fund provided funding to the carsharing provider this month.

The program could find use in utility fleets or government fleets that operate rental fleets as part of their motor pools, Lyons said.

In a related move, Toyota Financial Services Corporation will develop a new financial product where a lessee is able to use the income generated from carsharing to pay for leasing charges. The aim is to increase the number of vehicles for sharing in a more convenient manner, and to attract new users to mobility services.

Toyota is considering using the platform for other mobility services in Japan such as unmanned rent-a-car businesses.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet
A user requesting a ride through the Uber mobile app platform. Photo courtesy of Uber.

In the third quarter 2016, ride-hailing services (Uber, Lyft) gained an additional 6% in total share of rides from second quarter 2016 (46%).

According to the Certify SpendSmart Report for Q3 2016, ride hailing now accounts for 52% of all ground transportation transactions  car rental, taxi, and ride hailing. Car rental accounts for 36% of transactions while the taxi industry only takes 12%.

The SpendSmart Report analyzes the latest data and analysis of U.S. business travel expense spending trends.

While ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft have been steadily taking share from car rental and taxi, Q3 marks the first time that ride hailing made up the majority of expenses and receipts for business travelers, according to the report.

Uber takes the top spot in the ride-hailing category with 48% of ground transportation transactions. Lyft accounts for 4% in ride hailing, according to the report.

The taxi industry has been hit the hardest when it comes to the corporate travel ride-hailing trend; its down more than 63% since first quarter 2014. According to the report, taxi can cost as much as 65% more than ride hailing per transaction.

Some of the top cities for ride-hailing services include San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Boston, and Los Angeles. New York is the most popular city for business travelers to use taxis.
The Korean carmaker has made its mark on the automobile industry as one that constantly developed their vehicles. Recent reports revealed the 2018 Hyundai Cars franchise along with their respective enhancements, add-ons, and improved quality.

With the recent announcement as to the official line-up for 2018 Hyundai cars, the company has revealed that they will add two new models to the franchise. On top of which, all of these cars have been installed with improved specifications and other features that increased their quality.

Brand New Models

The Korean carmaker has decided to bring the 2018 Hyundai Genesis into the 2018 franchise with a new twist - the vehicle will be an all-luxury sub-brand, according to Hyundai Blog.

Prevailing Models

At present, here are the 2018 Hyundai Cars:

Hyundai Small Crossover

It was announced that the company would produce a small SUV which was already taken for a test drive in the U.S. Although no official announcements were made as to the name of the vehicle, it was said to be expected to enter the U.S. market by the second half of 2017.

Hyundai Azera

This vehicle is a premium sedan that went through a massive makeover with improved exterior design and enhanced powertrain. It was announced that the model would be on sale in Korean by next month, according to Auto Spies.

Hyundai Elantra

This 4-door 2018 model is a sedan which already underwent a full redesign earlier. The new model was inspired by the European i30 model.

Hyundai Accent

The latest version of the model would have the latest styling, updated technology, and improved safety mechanisms. It was speculated to arrive at the U.S. market by the end of 2017.

Other models which will include the 2018 Hyundai cars lineup are Hyundai Ioniq, Hyundai Sonata, and Hyundai Santa Fe along with the Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup.

These are the complete lineup for 2018 Hyundai cars which will be released in the U.S. market at different dates.
The 2017 Toyota Yaris Hatchback has been spotted testing showing that the much-delayed new generation of the model will arrive soon and is set to compete with the likes of Nissan Micra and Ford Fiesta. The current generation of the Yaris was introduced late 2011 and it is now a necessity launch a revamped model with improvements in all aspects. Check out the spy photos of the might be new Yaris here.

2017 Toyota Yaris Hatchback Spy Photos

Although the spy photographers have had to "hunt" from a long distance and only a few quite blurred photos were published online by AutoExpress, one can say that the development of the new generation of the Toyota Yaris enters a phase that will allow it to be photographed more often in the next few weeks.

What to expect with the new 2017 Toyota Yaris Hatchback? First, although in these spy photos, one can see a Yaris excessively camouflaged, it can know that the next generation will leave its lighthearted image to adopt a new design forward with more aggressiveness and new equipment. In the front, we see a new look. It released headlights, the last grill mark and other features of the most recent releases of Toyota.

Moreover, the new Toyota Yaris 2017 will be available in two types of bodies: three and five doors. Although three-door utility sells less, the Japanese brand will continue to pursue this option. If we look at the spy photos, it also gives us the feeling that the new generation Yaris will grow in size. As a result, it will have more cabin space and luggage compartment will have a greater capacity, according to Yahoo.

And although the details about the mechanical is still a secret, a hybrid version will definitely be on the way and the new Yaris will also continue to pursue front-wheel drive.

2017 Toyota Yaris Hatchback Other Information

Inside the new Yaris, quality is expected to be improved and we could even see interior design influences from the all-new C-HR crossover, which goes on sale at the end of 2016. Toyotas Touch 2 infotainment system could also make its way into models further down the range, as it is currently reserved for marque's higher-end cars.

Engine-wise, the next-gen Yaris could come with a small capacity naturally-aspirated petrol, to furnish the lower end of the car's price span. As is the trend in small cars at the moment, we could also see the Yaris demonstrate the use of turbocharging with an engine to rival the new 1.0-litre turbo unit that will soon make its way into the Honda Jazz. A smaller version of the 1.2T seen in the Auris family hatch would be a possibility. Plus, as its Toyota, therell undoubtedly be a hybrid model in the future.

The launch of the 2017 Toyota Yaris will take place sometime next year 2017 and may reach dealerships late 2017 or early 2018.
ADS-B technology will help air traffic controllers to implement a new NASA system called Flight Deck Interval Management, which aims to make aircraft arrivals more efficient, NASA said this week. NASA now is planning a field test of the system early next year, above Seattle. The cockpit-based technology combines NASA-developed software with off-the-shelf hardware and connects the system to the aircrafts onboard information and navigation systems. [Interval Management] allows controllers to deliver the aircraft more precisely and more predictably, which is a huge advantage that helps the airlines and airport operators more efficiently manage air traffic to minimize delays, said William Johnson, project manager at NASAs Langley Research Center in Virginia.

The technology is expected to enable air traffic controllers to predict aircraft arrival times within about 5 to 10 seconds, NASA said, a major improvement over the current average of about a minute. Heres how it will work: Air traffic controllers will determine the ideal goal for spacing aircraft as they approach the airport. A controller then contacts a flight crew, relaying the spacing goal, the trajectory the aircraft should fly, and the ID of an aircraft ahead of them. The pilots then enter all this information into the Interval Management system, which computes a solution with the help of the airplanes ADS-B unit. The result is a number displayed on a cockpit screen that tells the crew what speed to fly so they can follow the specified aircraft in front of them all the way down to the runway, at a safe distance.

The field demonstration will be flown by a Falcon 900and Boeing 757 supplied by Honeywell, and a Boeing 737 provided by United Airlines, NASA said.
No rise in salaries, pensions and social benefits is planned for next year, Finance Minister Vartan Aramian told reporters on Wednesday.

He said the most important thing for the government now is to ensure economic growth, which will eventually contribute to the rise in pensions and benefits. Before that, however, the minister recommends that people live with hope.

Having hope is not a bad thing. Hopeless people, desperate people are inefficient. Generally, if society is desperate, it has fewer chances to make progress in the future, but hope without action is also problematic. Thats why we will be taking action and, I think, our societys hopes will be fulfilled, said Aramian.

The finance minister acknowledged the need to increase pensions and benefits, which are generally at a low level in Armenia. An average pensioner in Armenia, for example, receives a monthly pension equivalent to about $85. Asked about how pensioners can live off such a meager amount of money, Aramian said: I dont want to feed the public only with hopes. But its only been one months since we got down to work. Lets live and see.

Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artem Asatrian, meanwhile, believes that while pensions and social benefits will not be raised in 2017, peoples living standards will still rise because natural gas and electricity prices will be reduced.

The official referred to yesterdays application by Russian gas monopolist Gazproms Armenian subsidiary to the Public Services Regulatory Commission to lower tariffs for households and businesses by over 5 percent and provide special tariffs to socially vulnerable groups of the population as well as some types of businesses. If approved, lower tariffs may become effective as early as January 1.

MP Aram Manukian, of the opposition Armenian National Congress party, believes that the governments failure to raise peoples incomes next year will result in a demographic disaster, implying that such an approach will only spur further outmigration of the working-age population that opposition groups in Armenia already claim looms large.

The number of pensioners will increase, but budget revenues will fall, the oppositionist concluded.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  The entire political world is in a swivet. Worst election ever. Horrible candidates. Shameful dialogue. Awful conduct. What a disgrace.

Hard to argue with any of that. But years from now, when this election is either a colorful or horrifying anecdote, history may look back on it as an important moment in the American passage, and a consensus may emerge  as it has about other difficult episodes, such as the confrontations of the civil rights movement, now embraced as a shining American moment  that some substantial good came of the collision of forces in the 2016 election.

So as Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton bring their campaign ballistics to their welcome conclusion, we can hope that this election may be remembered for more than their caustic comments and their insults, and that the last several months will be redeemed because this election prompted some of the following:

 A searing examination of the relations between the sexes and a national condemnation of sexual harassment, in its subtle as well as overt forms.

Not since the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Clarence Thomas has there been such intense attention on this issue, which has simmered on campus and in the workplace, but exploded earlier this month onto the political stage. The video of Trump's casual conversation of sexual adventures focused the nation on his behavior, to be sure, but also on the broader question of the treatment of women.

Trump and his most ardent supporters brushed aside his remarks as locker-room banter, but the very act of attempting to dismiss his comments carried with it, and then prompted, a vigorous denunciation of the attitudes and actions they expressed.

 A painful appraisal of the character of the two major political parties.

With the Democrats flirting with becoming the party of the national elites and the Republicans attracting support from blue-collar voters, the two parties are unmoored from their nearly century-old roots. This has prompted an identity crisis in two dimensions, with the parties exchanging constituencies and even, on occasion, talking points.

The remarks of two veteran political observers underline the crisis that both parties share.

"We don't know who we want to be  and we have lost our 20th-century values," says former Democratic Rep. Michael J. Harrington of Massachusetts, who entered Congress in 1969 on the strength of his opposition to the Vietnam War.

"Main Street Republicans are worrying that their party is coming off the rails," says Robert P. Strauss, a Carnegie Mellon University professor who was a treasury official in the Richard Nixon administration.

This has produced a serious case of political vertigo in the body politic. Two parties that once had both liberal and conservative wings moved two decades ago into more ideological identities, producing gridlock in Washington. Then, during the past year, conservatives fled the Republican Party they had built even as liberals questioned whether their party, whose nominee had a weakness for Wall Street values, was abandoning its New Deal roots and its commitment to working Americans.

 A fresh assessment of the place of immigrants and minorities in American life.

The election coincided with the publication of Tyler Anbinder's stunning new book, "City of Dreams," an epic history of immigration in New York that celebrates the role immigrants have played in the United States and chronicles the obstacles they have faced.

The election also coincided with a new Harvard Institute of Politics Poll of Americans ages 18 to 29. Their view of race relations is sobering if not discouraging. Some 85 percent of young blacks, 72 percent of young Hispanics and 45 percent of young whites believe that "people of (their) own racial background are under attack in America."

 A national debate about responsibility, loyalty and manners.

These issues are usually reserved for the family dinner hour, but it was in the Bill Clinton years, themselves marked by questions of sexual behavior and meditations about redemption, that they first moved into the political realm. They receded during the George W. Bush and Barack Obama years, in part because the men who followed Clinton were conscious of their public responsibilities and resolutely traditional in their lifestyles and behavior.

Bush and Obama opponents may have railed against their policies but hardly anyone assailed their personal conduct. Much of the 2016 campaign has revolved around the twin questions of whether Clinton belongs in jail and has a history of mendacity and whether Trump avoided taxes and is a social menace.

The country is tired of this campaign, and for good reason. A remarkable poll, conducted this month for Colby College and The Boston Globe, found that nine Americans out of 10 agree that civility  "general politeness and respect"  is an important element of American life, with three Americans in four believing civility has eroded in the past decade.

The rate of Americans over 65  some of whom first voted in the 1972 election, experienced the divisions of the Vietnam War and then witnessed Watergate  believing that presidential campaigns are worse than in the past is 97 percent.

"We are very aware of behavior right now," said Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert who operates the Protocol School of Texas, based in Austin. "This has been a contentious campaign, and we live in a civil world and have certain expectations and standards. Every campaign has issues, but in this one, reasonable manners, civility and standards haven't been met. We usually don't talk politics in our social lives, but I think we are going to use this as an opportunity to say that certain behaviors are not acceptable, and that manners and civility simply have got to be restored."
2 November 2016 10:28 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

The National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of Azerbaijan will host a conference on promotion of investment opportunities in Iran and Azerbaijan in Baku, Azertac reported.

The conference scheduled for November 10-11 will feature a number of panel discussions involving Azerbaijani and Iranian investors, Azertac reported.

The conference aims to ensure the execution of bilateral agreements signed by the two countries and bring Azerbaijani and Iranian investors closer to each other.

The event will be organized in partnership with the Organization for Investment Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran, Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation, Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iran`s Embassy in Baku and Georgian International Academy of Science.

The volume of trade turnover between the two countries soared by 70 percent over the first seven months of the current year.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Iran amounted to $105.7 million in January-July 2016, more than $77 million of which accounted for imports from Iran, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee. Azerbaijan's exports to Iran almost doubled to $14.4 million in the first quarter of 2016, while imports increased from $19.4 million in 2015 to $27 million in 2016.

Agriculture, banking sector, pharmaceutics, as well as cooperation in the international North-South transport corridor are the main areas that the two states are focused on.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
2 November 2016 11:50 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Azerbaijan and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam intend to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in the spheres of energy, transport, trade, and agriculture.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Vietnam Anar Imanov told Trend that the Vietnamese government has certain proposals in this regard.

The proposals are expected to be discussed during the first meeting of the Azerbaijan-Vietnam Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, planned to be held in the near future.

Imanov mentioned that a specific date for the meeting is currently being agreed by the sides.

Energy Minister Natig Aliyev is the co-chair of the commission from the Azerbaijani side, and Industry and Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh is the co-chair of the commission from the Vietnamese side, while various agencies are represented in the committee at the level of deputy ministers.

The Azerbaijani diplomat mentioned that the format of intergovernmental commissions is an exception to rules for Vietnam. He clarified that intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation of Vietnam with different countries, as a rule, headed by the countrys deputy minister of industry and trade, while different agencies are represented in these commissions only at the level of directors or deputy directors of departments.

Imanov underlined that higher level of representation for the commission with Azerbaijan shows the importance the Vietnamese side attaches to the cooperation with Azerbaijan.

He expressed confidence that significant positive developments in the trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation between the two countries will take place with the start of work of the intergovernmental commission, mentioning that intergovernmental commission will be an excellent platform to discuss ways to promote bilateral cooperation between our countries.

The trade turnover between the countries totaled $51.9 million in the first half 2016, with some $47.4 million accounting for the Azerbaijani side, and $4.5 million for Vietnam.

The envoy mentioned that the two countries spare no efforts to increase the turnover and develop the bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

The cooperation between the countries is developing steadily in all spheres. Memorandum of understanding, signed by Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR and Vietnam Oil and Gas Group Petrovietnam, contributes to the development of energy cooperation between the sides.

The countries also have a potential for cooperation on alternative and renewable energy sources. Moreover, Vietnamese market is attractive for the export of Azerbaijans non-oil products.

The diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Vietnam were established on September 23, 1992. Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Vietnam in 2013.

Currently, the bilateral relations are coordinated by the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia, which is also accredited in Azerbaijan.

But the Vietnamese government is considering opening an embassy in Baku with a view to give additional impetus to the development of the bilateral cooperation.

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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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2 November 2016 15:40 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Tuesday was a big day for Azerbaijan, a groundbreaking ceremony took place for the Azerbaijani-Russian joint pharmaceutical plant.

The countrys first pharmacy plant will be built in the Pirallahi Industrial Park.

Today, Azerbaijan produces only a minuscule share of the medicines that it consumes, while the overwhelming majority of pharmaceutical production is being imported. The plant is expected to allow the country to develop the medicine sector and expand the non-oil production in the country.

Azerbaijans Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev, addressing the ceremony, said that the plant will allow the country to significantly reduce its dependence on the import of medicines, adding that the enterprise will produce some 80 types of medicines.

He said that it is planned to invest some $74 million into the project, while Azerbaijan will be able to manufacture high-quality medicines within two years.

During the ceremony, Russian private hi-tech pharmaceutical company R-Pharm, Azerbaijan Investment Company and Vita-A LLC (Azerbaijan) signed an agreement on the creation of Hayat Pharm Joint Venture.

The project envisages creation of a large logistics centre, covering an area of some 5,000 cubic meters in 2016-2018.

The formation of the industrial complex, which is to consist of two stages, namely, the establishment of an enterprise for packing the officinal medicines and production of medications (tablets, capsules and pharmaceutical substances) will begin in 2017-2020. A quality control laboratory will be established in the country in 2016-2020.

Hayat Pharms share in the Azerbaijani pharmaceutical market is expected to be 6 percent by 2025. The local production will account for $70 million or 0.15 percent of GDP by 2025.

This will allow saving budgetary funds worth $53.6 million thanks to import substitution in medications.

Mustafayev further said that the country will soon launch the construction of other pharmaceutical plants, mentioning that the talks on cooperation in the pharmaceutical sphere are currently underway with a number of countries, including Iran and Turkey.

Iran, which possesses modern pharmaceutical system and 100-year experience in the sector, is expected to build a pharmaceutical plant in Azerbaijans Pirallahi settlement. The enterprise is planned to manufacture dozens of essential drugs for the treatment of heart diseases, contagious diseases, non-communicable diseases, as well as various types of antibiotics and painkillers.

The necessary medicines will be imported from Iran to Azerbaijan within the first stage, while Iran will provide all necessary technology for the production of drugs in the second stage of the project, production of medicines will be launched at the third stage.

Moreover, Egypt, which has rich and ancient medicine traditions, earlier expressed its interest in opening the plant for the production of medical equipment and drugs in Azerbaijan.

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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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2 November 2016 17:23 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

The Russian Ministry of Economic Development considers it expedient to establish Azerbaijani-Russian Fund to finance joint projects.

Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia, Alexander Tsybulsky said that the creation of a specialized fund can and should be considered.

Such funds are always enhancing the feasibility of special projects. If such an initiative has been expressed by the head of Dagestan [Ramazan Abdulatipov], I think that it will be worked out and, if there are interested parties then such proposals needs to be implemented and put into practice," Tsybulsky said.

Head of Dagestan Ramazan Abdullatipov, addressing the 7th Azerbaijani-Russian Inter-regional Forum, said that Azerbaijan and Russia should establish a special fund to finance joint projects and agreements, which are realized within the framework of the Forum.

The forum saw signing of 12 documents, although, according to Abdulatipov, the list of these documents is too short.

"Each of sub-federal units of Russia and regions of Azerbaijan may sign dozens of such agreements, but most importantly, that such agreements were supported by specific projects. It's possible even to hold a special selection of interregional projects and form a foundation for their financing within the framework of the Forum," he said.

Azerbaijan is interested in enhancing business cooperation with Russian regions, by means of increasing the number of mutual agreements and business entities. Bilateral agreements on trade-economic, scientific-technical, and cultural cooperation were signed with a number of Russian regions at the intergovernmental level till now.

Two regions of Russia, Dagestan and Tatarstan, have representative offices in Azerbaijan.

The trade turnover between Dagestan and Azerbaijan amounted to $161.1 million in 2015, including imports from Azerbaijan worth $140.3 million, according to the North Caucasus Customs Directorate of Russia.

As part of the recent Forum, Azerbaijan and Dagestan have agreed on interaction in development of foreign economic relations and inked a relevant Memorandum of Cooperation between the Agency for Entrepreneurship and Investments of Dagestan and the Foundation for Export and Investment Promotion in Azerbaijan.

The parties agreed to collaborate on the development of foreign economic relations, including assistance in organizing and holding business forums, business meetings, exchanges of delegations to familiarize businesses with economic opportunities in both countries.

The two countries will also contribute to searching potential partners and attracting investments for their businesses.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli



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2 November 2016 18:14 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Russias Tyumen region has offered Azerbaijan to build a wholesale trade and distribution complex to simplify the export of agricultural products.



This was announced by Governor of the region Vladimir Yakushev during a meeting of the Caspian-European Integration Business Club (CEIBC) on November 2.

Construction of the complex will cost nearly 3 billion rubles ($47 million), said Yakushev. We are ready to provide construction sites for the complex, tax and other benefits to entrepreneurs.

He also believes that the projects payback period will be less than seven years.

Yakushev noted that the complex may be used not only for the supply of Azerbaijani fruits and vegetables to Tyumen and other regions of Russia, but also for the export of grain and potatoes from the Tyumen region to Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, Tyumen region also intends to increase the supply of equipment for the oil and gas industry of Azerbaijan, according to Yakushev.

"To date, the oil engineering industry and our companies are actively cooperating with all Russian oil companies. But we would like to have more to deepen and expand these positions. Therefore, our task is to expand our presence in the market of Azerbaijan," said the governor.

He emphasized oil and gas engineering companies of Tyumen region supply products such as fence fittings, submersible cables, pumps used in oil production, and so on to Azerbaijan.



"This is a wide range of equipment necessary for the production of hydrocarbons and its transport," said Yakushev.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli



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2 November 2016 15:13 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

The Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall will host an evening with famous Russian film and theater actor, Emmanuil Vitorgan, Trend Life reported.

All theatre fans are invited to enjoy the artistic event scheduled for November 30.

Emmanuel Vitorgan is a frequent guest in Azerbaijan. In 2015, he performed in the play " King of Clubs - the card of love " staged at the Russian Drama Theatre.

Furthermore, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Tourism awarded the Russian artist with the badge "Honored Culture Worker of Azerbaijan".

Emmanuil Vitorgan is People's artist of Russia. He acted in over a hundred films, which include "King Lear ", "After wedding", "Black rose" and others.

Together with his wife I. Mlodik, Emmanuil had opened "Cultural Center of Emmanuel Vitorgan" in Moscow where he stages his plays, conducts recitals, concerts, etc.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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2 November 2016 17:05 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Since ancient times, the Caucasus was home to many ethnicities. Hundreds of myths and legends have made this mountain region of Eurasia well-known and famous to the world.



Given its difficult geopolitical, geo-strategic and geo-economic characteristics the Caucasus region was always in focus of interest of many powers. With the relocation of Armenians to this territory, it became the object of endless and baseless territorial claims. Complicated approaches to the problem and clash of interests, unfortunately, turned the region into a war-torn area, with many bloody conflicts awaiting for their resolution.

Despite many historians and sources prove that Armenians are not the native people of Asian continent, Armenians try to falsify the history and historical facts to present themselves as the native population of South Caucasus.



Yagub Mahmudov, Director of the History Institute of ANAS said that Armenians are not indigenous population of Caucasus, but they migrated to Asian continent from the Balkans.

"According to father of history Herodotus, the territory where Armenians live in mass was the Balkans. They are related to the Phrygia ethnos and their language was also very close to them. That's why they are not the native population of Asian continent, and even are not the population of Asia Minor," he said in an interview with Azernews.

Even, "Armenians" is a wrong definition for this people, according to the historian, as when they migrated from the Balkans they were called Phrygia. Then, they migrated to eastern Anatoly to the province called "Armina" and adopted the name of this territory, however, they have nothing common with this name.



Mahmudov emphasized that there is evenno grounds for their desire to appropriate Turks lands. "They were displaced in the Caucasus region and this was connected with the policy of Peter the Great. The throne wanted to establish a foothold for its further occupation policy. The goal was to resettle Armenians in the Caucasus on the Azerbaijani lands to use them against Qajar dynasty in Iran and the Ottoman Empire," the historian explained.



The first "Armenian province" in the Caucasus, and Azerbaijani lands was established in 1828 by the order of Russian Emperor Nikolai, according to Mahmudov, adding that following this the mass resettlement of Armenians in the South Caucasus and Azerbaijan started.

Until 1918, there was neither Armenia, nor a state called Armenia, in the South Caucasus. But the demographic situation was forcibly changed to the benefit of Armenians in the Irevan khanate of Azerbaijan, where the current Armenia is situated, as result of occupation of the khanate by Russia.

By the conquest of Irevan khanate by tsarist Russia and signing of the Turkmenchay (1828), and Adrianople (1829) treaties, the policy of mass resettlement of Armenians from Iran and Turkey on the territory of modern Armenia was carried out.

The director of the Institute said that until May 29, 1918 no Armenian state existed in this territory. Armenians created their state in our land, in the territory of Irevan khanate, said the historian.



The year of 1918 is the year of establishment of the first Armenian state in the South Caucasus, he said, noting that until this date, there was no Armenian state in this territory.



"Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, under pressure from the great powers ceded ancient Azerbaijani city of Irevan with adjacent approximately 9,500 square meters km area to Armenians on May 29, 1918." he said.



Modern Yerevan has no Armenians inherent historical and cultural monument aged over 200 years. Its because Armenians were resettled there from Iran and Turkey in the beginning of the 19th century after the occupation of Irevan khanate by Russia.

Famous Russian scientist Nikolay Shavrov, who studied the process of resettlement of Armenians to the South Caucasus, and determined the number of Armenians placed in these lands wrote in 1911: From 1.3 million Armenians living in the South Caucasus more than one million is not an indigenous population of this territory and were relocated by us.

Thus, the research of many scientists and researchers argue that the modern Armenia and its capital Yerevan (Irevan) are not native Armenian territory, but since ancient times belongs to the Oguz Turks.

With the arrival of Armenians to this territory, they cannot get along with their neighbors.

With respect to conflict of Armenians with their neighbors based on territorial claims Mahmudov said that Armenian historians propagate fiction history. "That's why they will never be able to live in harmony with its neighbors," Mahmudov noted.

"To live in harmony they need to abide friendly policy, to accept other peoples and not to claim for others land not having own," he said.

Mahmudov said that Armenians claim that, allegedly, they are the most ancient settlers of Anatoly. "They also claim for Azerbaijani and Georgian lands. As they have not their own lands, Armenians they are not satisfied with the areas they are settled and try to occupy more territories by relying on powerful countries," he said.

To achieve their aims their historians came up with "Great Armenia" fiction. This, in turn, always put Armenian ethnos face to face with disasters.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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2 November 2016 09:50 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

November is already here, while meteorologists continue to study the weather anomalies observed in the country last month.

In October, snow fell in Azerbaijan's Aran region (lowland) for the first time in 44 years. Similar case occurred in the Imishli region back in October, 1972.

The head of the Geography Institute at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Maharram Hasanov, told Trend that this year the snow covered only areas that are 2,000 meters above sea level.

"In October, snow also fell in the country's mountain regions. That is an anomaly. Above-average precipitation was also observed throughout the country. The monthly exceeds the norm, he said.

Hasanov stressed that this occurred because of climate change, which hugely affect the weather conditions globally.

The weather will be rainy and windy on November 2. That is unfavorable for weather-sensitive people but oxygen and clean air is a positive factor.

The intermittent rain is expected in Baku and Absheron peninsula. North-west wind will blow.

The temperature is expected +6-8C at night, +8-10C in Absheron peninsula and Baku in the afternoon. Air pressure records 772. Relative humidity will be around 85-95%.

In the regions of Azerbaijan, intermittent rain is expected, sleet and snow is observed in mountainous and foothills areas. West wind will blow. The temperature will be +2-6C at night, +7-11C in the daytime, 1-6 degrees of frost in mountainous areas, 0-5C in the daytime.

On November 3, weak and mild hesitation of the meteorological factors will be useful for those people with health problems.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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2 November 2016 09:52 (UTC+04:00)

A new print edition of the AZERNEWS online newspaper was released on November,2

The new edition includes articles about: Baku hosts Azerbaijani-Russian Interregional Forum; Azerbaijan recognized best at Expo 2016 Antalya; Baku Port, Djibouti Ports &Free Zones Authority sign MoU; Industrial development remains priority, etc

AZERNEWS is an associate member of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA).

The online newspaper is available at www.azernews.az.
2 November 2016 09:51 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev signed an Order on November 1 providing additional funding for the construction of Noda-Shingadulan-Khanagah highway in Lerik district, Azertac reported.

Under the presidential order, 6.6 million manats were allocated from the 2016 State Budget for the completion of the construction of the road, which links 50 residential areas with the total population of 30,000 people.

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Considering the longevity that many members of the state Legislature enjoy, the choice of a new representative for the 54th Senate District, being vacated by longtime state Sen. Michael Nozzolio, is one that could have consequences for many years to come.

Wayne County Democrat Kenan Baldridge is the current supervisor for the town of Rose. He previously served for more than a decade on his local school board and has been a volunteer firefighter since the 1970s.

Baldridge is a Democrat in a Republican area, which has given him a lot of experience in reaching compromise. He even sounds a bit like a Republican with his critiques of the approaches the Democratic administration in Albany has taken on education and economic development. He believes that Common Core needs to be rebuilt, with more control given to local school districts, and he disagrees with the current tactic of having municipalities compete for state economic development funding.

Baldridge may be correct in his assertion that government can't prevent people from wanting to get high, but his view of drug addicts as people who simply made bad choices rather than neighbors who need assistance battling a disease comes across as callous and uninformed. He does, however, articulate an understanding that the fight against heroin will require funding for the unmet needs of prevention and treatment.

His decades in emergency services give him a unique perspective on the needs of local fire and EMS volunteers, and his years on the school board have given him a solid understanding of the relationship between Albany and the work being done on the ground in communities.

Republican Pamela Helming is supervisor for the town of Canandaigua and serves on a number of community boards. She envisions a line item in the state budget dedicated to the Finger Lakes and says that, should it become a reality, the money shouldn't go to state or federal agencies but be used by local clean-water advocates such as the Finger Lakes Institute. She insists that bills being considered in Albany should all be available for public consumption long before they are voted on.

Helming is acutely aware that heroin is destroying families from all walks of life and supports a comprehensive approach encompassing prevention, law enforcement, in-patient treatment and rehabilitation. She understands the need for more local and regional treatment centers for people suffering from drug addictions.

Helming says that one of her top issues in Albany would be job creation and retention, and we agree with her when she says that too many small communities have been left out in the cold when some municipalities won big lump sums of state grant money targeting economic development.

Ontario County businessman Floyd Rayburn, running on the Reform Party line, did not actively campaign  at least not until the last minutes of the general election campaign  after losing a close Republican primary to Helming. He did not respond to requests for an interview with The Citizen editorial board, a key barometer for our endorsement of candidates, so we're reluctant to trust that he could effectively represent a Senate district.

We give Helming credit for having a more in-depth understanding of the heroin epidemic than Baldridge, but her talking points this fall have sounded too scripted, and we worry that she is too closely aligned with her party's bosses to be a true independent thinker in Albany.

There's clearly been plenty wrong with how state Senate Republicans have run their house; corruption convictions are a testament to that. But Helming nonetheless seems to be reluctant to take on her party's bosses, and the significant campaign funding they've directed her away gives us great concern about her independence.

Because of his common-sense approach, broad experience and independent stances, Baldridge would be the best representative for the 54th Senate District, and we endorse him for that office.
2 November 2016 11:25 (UTC+04:00)

A Turkmen delegation led by Deputy Speaker of the Majlis, Gurbangul Bayramova visits Azerbaijan to discuss the intensification of the inter-parliamentary ties of the two countries and other issues.

During the Baku visit, the delegation met with the deputy speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament Valeh Alaskarov, who spoke of the traditional deep relations between the two countries that enable to support each other on the international arena, Azertac reported.

Bayramova, in turn, said the visit was carried out within the UN project and is connected with the land reforms.

The Turkmen side would like to acquire the experience of Azerbaijan in the field of land management, she underlined.

The Turkmen deputy speaker highlighted the structure of her countrys legislative body, stressed the neutrality policy of Turkmenistan.

The sides exchanged views on a number of other issues, including activation of the inter-governmental commission, the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the steps taken for its settlement.

The same day, Turkmen parliamentarians met with members of the Family, Woman and Child Affairs Committee, then, with members of Standing Committee on Agricultural Policy of the Azerbaijani Parliament.

The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on June 9, 1992. Over 40 documents were signed between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

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2 November 2016 12:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Gazelles are considered one of the most beauteous animals in the world. Watching the speedy-running and high-jumping gazelles can give an aesthetic pleasure to everyone.

Azerbaijan has been a home habitat for these gentle, but nimble creations since ancient time. Their fossils are found in the South Caucasus in the upper Miocene period, aged about two million years ago.

Jeyran, as it is called here, is a symbol in the country of natural beauty, grace and purity. Today, the country together with nature lovers makes every effort to protect these charismatic species. Over the past decade, the area of protected territories in Azerbaijan has more than doubled to include the historical range of the gazelle, thus making the return of these beautiful animals a possibility.

However, the gazelle is a protected species in Azerbaijan and are still on the list of endangered species due to poaching.

A license for gazelle hunting in Azerbaijan is not issued even for 1 million manats ($603,000), the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry reported recently and warned poachers to refrain from hunting gazelles.

Azerbaijan included gazelles in the Red Book as endangered species in 1989, the ministry said, emphasizing that the hunting of gazelles either in protected areas (reserves, national parks) or in territories of general status is considered a crime.

 If all projects on protection of gazelles succeed and the number of gazelles exceeds the capacity of areas to feed, then necessary measures can be taken for the regulation of population, the ministry added.

Less than a century ago, numerous herds of gazelles were grazing in the valleys and foothills of the Southern Caucasus, however humans hunting and a large number of wolves have drastically decreased the number of these charming animals.

Gazelles were on the verge of extinction since the second of the 20th century, a significant increase was recorded in the number of gazelles as a result of activities carried out by the Azerbaijani government in cooperation with animal welfare organizations. The aerial survey conducted in 1960 found 131 gazelles in the territory of Azerbaijan.

Following the establishment of the Shirvan National Park in 2003, a significant growth was recorded in the number of gazelles and their number exceeded 7,000 in the short term.



"As a result of joint efforts of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the IDEA Public Union and the World Wildlife Fund, the project on the protection, reintroduction and restoration of historical habitats of gazelles in Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus is being implemented successfully," the ministry informed.



Within the framework of the project over the past six years, about 170 gazelles were caught in the territory of the Shirvan National Park and released into the Ajinohur-Sarija lowland, Bozdagh mountain range and Agggol and Gobustan plateau.

Being like a graceful porcelain figurines, gazelles are not spread throughout the world. They are mostly found in arid and semiarid regions of Iran, Afghanistan and western Pakistan, Mongolia and South China, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli



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2 November 2016 10:39 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

The interconnecting gas corridor between Macedonia and Greece will use the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) for supply of natural gas from Azerbaijan, CEO of Macedonian Energy Resources Skopje company Krste Miladinov told Trend.



TAP envisages transportation of gas from the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas and condensate field to Europe.



The 870-kilometer pipeline will be connected to the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, run through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Italy's south.



Macedonian Energy Resources (MER) and DESFA, the natural gas transmission system operator in Greece, signed a memorandum of understanding in mid-October for the construction of a 160-kilometer-long gas interconnecting pipeline.



"he signing of the MoU is primarily in line with the realization of the project for construction of interconnection for transmission of natural gas that should connect the national gas pipeline systems of Macedonia and Greece," said Miladinov.



The construction of this gas interconnection will enable supply of additional quantities of natural gas, as well as possibility of using natural gas from many sources and global projects, for example natural gas from Russia and Azerbaijan, then the possibility for direct connection to the existing LNG Terminal Revithoussa in Greece and other sources that will be available through Greece, he added.



Miladinov pointed out that this project is very significant for the EUs energy security, as it will enable transmission of additional quantities of natural gas which will be intended for the EU countries.



As for the projects implementation process, he said that MER JSC Skopje and DESFA S.A. are in stage of preparation of the study for realization of the project.



"After the completion of the study, the realization of construction shall start. The realization is planned to begin in 2017 and finish in 2020 at the latest," he said.



By connecting MER JSC Skopje and DESFA S.A., Macedonia will be able to use all natural gas sources that are available for Greece, thus providing greater security of the country in supply of this energy fuel and of course transit of additional quantities in the EU countries, added Miladinov.

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2 November 2016 12:08 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Azerbaijans state energy giant SOCAR has agreed to extend a term of a letter of guarantee under the tender on the acquisition of a share in the Greek gas network operator DESFA.

The Azerbaijani company agreed to extend the term for another month, a source from the energy market told Trend.

Reportedly the sides are now seeking to come to a mutually acceptable decision. The Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) earlier applied to SOCAR with a request to extend a term of a letter of guarantee. This is the second consecutive extension of a term while the guarantee letter was due to expire on September 30 and October 31.

The cost of the share in DESFA, that SOCAR is aimed to acquire, remains to be a stumbling-block between the sides. SOCAR won a tender in 2013 on the purchase of the stake in DESFA for 400 million, with some 31 percent being acquired from the government of Greece and 35 percent (full share package) from Hellenic Petroleum.

The acquisition was stalled, when SOCAR faced EUs anti-trust concerns and was ordered to sell 17 percent of DESFA to a third party so that its stake drops to 49 percent and satisfy EU competition authorities.

Italian gas grid operator Snam is interested in buying the 17 percent DESFA stake that SOCAR has to sell to satisfy EU conditions.

Later in July 2015, Greece passed a law, which raised DESFA's gas tariffs, further complicating the sale. SOCAR had previously said it would only go ahead with the deal if the cost was cut significantly, given that a number of snags had emerged since it first agreed to buy DESFA in 2013.

Sale of DESFA is part of a privatization program required under Greece's three international bailouts since 2010.

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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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2 November 2016 13:47 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Energy-rich Kazakhstan may start transportation of oil from its major Kashagan field through Azerbaijan when it launches the next stage of the fields development.

The Kazakh Energy Ministry told Trend that the need to transport oil through the territory of Azerbaijan will emerge as Kazakhstan starts Phase 2 of Kashagan development. The second phase is expected to take several years, the exact period, however, is not yet known.

Currently, the phase is at the stage of the initial designing.

Currently, the Kashagan oil is exported via pipelines of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium and the Kazakh national company KazTransOil. The increasing volumes of Kazakh oil are expected to be exported by means of the planned Kazakhstan Caspian Transportation System (KCTS) in the future.

The KCTS, which envisages construction of Eskene-Kuryk-Baku pipeline, will consist of oil-discharge terminals located at Kazakh coast of the Caspian Sea, tankers and vessels, oil-discharge terminals on Azerbaijan's coast of the Caspian Sea and connecting facilities to the oil pipeline system Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan.

The system is expected to ensure the export of Kazakh oil to international markets mainly from the Kashagan field (second and third phase) via the Caspian Sea, through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and other oil transportation systems both in Azerbaijan and other transit countries.

Energy Minister Natig Aliyev earlier said Kazakhstan will be able to daily export 150,000 barrels of Kashagan oil through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.

The Kashagan field, which has earned the unfortunate nickname cash-all-gone due to a series of expensive overruns, finally started up in October 2016.

The field, first discovered in 2000, is developed by Kazakhstans state oil company, KazMunayGas, and a consortium of some of the worlds biggest oil companies, including ExxonMobil and Royal Dutch Shell.

Kashagan is considered to be the world's largest discovery in the last 30 years, combined with the Tengiz Field. The reservoir lies at the depth of some 4,200 meters below the shallow waters of the northern part of the Caspian Sea.

Kazakhstan is seeking to produce the volume ranging from 500,000 to 1 million tons of oil till late 2016, while the expected figure for 2017 ranges from 4 to 7 million tons.

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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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2 November 2016 14:07 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

The Southern Gas Corridor project is running in very professional manner, European Commission Vice President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic told New Europe.

He made the remarks during the press conference at TATRA Summit in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Sefcovic said that the competition is very tough but he is confident that the Caspian gas would reach Europe before 2020 via the Southern Gas Corridor.

An enormous investment was made. The project is running in very professional manner and, of course, the business scale is clearly there and is based on the timely conclusion of the construction of the Southern Gas Corridor and there are already agreements of purchase signed. So I believe that before 2020 we will have the Caspian gas in the European Union, Sefcovic said.

The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority energy projects for the EU. It envisages the transportation of 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas from the Caspian region to the European countries through Georgia and Turkey.

At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor project. Other sources can also join this project at a later stage.

As part of the Stage 2 of the Shah Deniz development, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of TANAP and TAP.

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2 November 2016 13:06 (UTC+04:00)

By Gunay Hasanova

Following the recent working visit of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Russia, the revolved relations between Russia and Turkmenistan due to disagreements over price negotiations to gas exports seems moving to a more positive phase.

Russia has always been and will be a strategic partner of Turkmenistan, said Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who is on a working visit to Russia.

President Berdimuhamedov made the remarks at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on November 1 in Moscow.

Moreover, the two presidents discussed the key topics of bilateral cooperation and also exchanged views on relevant regional issues.

In addition, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov further invited his Russian counterpart to participate in the global sustainable transport conference to be held in Turkmenistan under the auspices of the UN on November 26-27.

"Russia and Turkmenistan have great potential, the Turkmen president added. The idea of creating the economic forum or a logistics center was voiced at the recent meeting in Astrakhan. Russia attaches great importance to the development of transport and transit corridors.

"Of course, Russias presence at the conference will give even greater impetus to the development of transport and transit corridors not only for Central Asia but also in the south-east direction," President Berdimuhamedov said.

In turn, highlighting the Turkmen President's role in the development of bilateral relations, Putin stressed that the relations between Moscow and Ashgabat will continue developing.

Turkmenistan and Russia have more than 100 agreements, covering all areas of cooperation. The main document between them is the agreement on friendship and cooperation dated April 23, 2002.

Russia holds leading positions among the biggest foreign trade partners of Turkmenistan.

Russian companies fruitfully operate on Turkmen market, especially, in the supply of vehicles and equipment, telecommunications, oil and gas fields. Around 190 companies with Russian share operate in Turkmenistan.

However, the chill in the relations between the countries happened when the Russian company suspended purchases of Turkmen gas entirely at the start of 2016. That came after Gazprom had reduced the amount of Turkmen gas it bought from more than 40 billion cubic meters [bcm] in 2008 to some 3.1 bcm in 2015.

Gazprom announced on January 4, 2016, that, rather than purchasing Turkmen gas, the company would instead buy 3.1 bcm of gas from Turkmenistan's neighbor, Uzbekistan.

Taking into account the current economic situation in Turkmenistan, the visit of Turkmen President is a rational step in order to improve the relations, which is in the interests of both sides, mainly of Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan, which has the fourth largest proven gas reserves in the world and produces about 70-80 billion cubic meters of gas a year, is actively implementing an energy strategy aimed at increasing exports of the blue fuel and diversifying its supply routes to the largest global markets, where the demand for energy resources is growing.

In 2015, Turkmenistan's natural gas exports amounted 48 bcm.

Experts consider that the biggest problem Turkmenistan faces from Russia stopping imports of Turkmen gas is that it leaves Turkmenistan with just the two customers  China and Iran.

Turkmenistan is exporting a large amount of gas, approximately 30 bcm, to China, the most important market where the demand for gas will only grow. For 10 years, the demand for gas in China increased by 4.5 times to 185.5 billion cubic meters in 2015.

However, the problem with sales to China is that some part of the gas Turkmenistan is exporting is counted as repaying multi-billion dollar Chinese loans to develop Turkmen gas fields and build the pipelines connecting Turkmenistan to China.

There is another export route passing via Iran. The Islamic State has huge gas reserves itself, which puts the country in the first place in the world.

It appears that soon Turkmenistan will only be exporting gas to China. That leaves Turkmenistan in a bad position to negotiate the price of its gas since China could simply refuse and then no one would be buying Turkmen gas.

However, according to many experts, in the light of lifting of sanctions on Iran, the country may soon begin development of new gas fields and change from a partner to a competitor of Turkmenistan. Hence, it is not the best idea to count on this route.

There is an alternative export route in the future - the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline started in December 2015, which will supply Turkmen gas to promising markets in South and Southeast Asia.

However, according to official statements, only the construction of this pipeline's Turkmen section will last for 3 years.

Experts consider that building plots in the transit countries, counting security problems in the region, may take even more time. Therefore, this export route can be beneficial for Turkmenistan only in the long-term.

Consequently, taking these challenges into account, at this stage, it is very beneficial for Turkmenistan to restore its relations with Russia and cooperate with it, especially in the energy sphere.

---

Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
2 November 2016 12:17 (UTC+04:00)

By Gunay Hasanova

Turkey has sent units of its armed forces to the city of Silopi in south-eastern Sirnak province bordering Iraq, Turkish newspaper Haberturk reported on November 1.

Tanks, armored vehicles and other military equipment were sent to Silopi, the newspaper said.

Silopi is located 100 km to the north of Iraqs Mosul, where a fight against the Islamic State (aka IS, ISIS, ISIL or Daesh) terrorist group is taking place.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously announced preparations of the Turkish Armed Forces for ground operations to liberate the IS-held Mosul in Iraq.

An operation of Iraqi government troops to regain control over Mosul began on October 17. In addition to Iraqi government forces, the operation involves local Peshmerga militia (Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq).

The attack is supported by the international Anti-Terrorism Coalitions Air Force.

The terrorist organization "Islamic State" considers Mosul as its main stronghold in Iraq.

Being one of the key oil centers of Iraq, the city of Mosul went entirely under the control of the IS terrorists in June 2014. It is the second largest city of Iraq with a population of 1.3 million people. The number of IG militants concentrated in Mosul is more than 6,000 people.

The UN informs that more than 3.4 million people are now displaced in Iraq -- more than half of them children, while more than 10 million are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.

---

Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
2 November 2016 16:15 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

The second main suspected plotter of July 15 failed coup attempt in Turkey, who collaborated with coup mastermind Adil Oksuz, has been identified as Kemal Batmaz, Sabah newspaper reported on November 2.



According to the reports, Batmaz was one of the people who accompanied Adil Oksuz during his trip to the US to visit Fethullah Gulen in Pennsylvania in June, July and March 2016.



Batmaz is currently held in custody, under the scope of a probe by Ankara Public Prosecutor's Office, which issued detention warrants for a total of 12 suspects who allegedly participated in the coup attempt.

Earlier, it was reported that Turkeys Interior Ministry announced a reward of nearly $1 million for the information about whereabouts of Adil Oksuz, a member of the movement of Fethullah Gulen and its mastermind, who is accused of involvement in the July 15 coup attempt.

Oksuz was arrested at the Akinci air base immediately after the failed coup attempt July 16. However, he was released after the first interrogation.

On July 15 evening, Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country. Meanwhile, a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them. However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed.

Previously Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246 people, excluding the coup plotters, and over 2,000 people were wounded.

He also declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20. It was decided to prolong the state of emergency for 90 more days on October 3.

--

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
2 November 2016 14:51 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Russia and Azerbaijan, the two friends and neighbors, are looking for ways to expand the interaction in the tourism sphere.

The countries plan to start with expansion of the direct flights, which today is carried out in six directions between the two countries.

Head of the Federal Tourism Agency of International Cooperation Valery Korovin said that the level of tourism logistics between the two countries is below its real possibilities.



Currently, flights from Baku are performed to only six cities of Russia, despite the fact that there are 14 millionaire cities in Russia, and each of them is a potential base for tourists, Korovin said, summarizing the 7th Azerbaijani-Russian inter-regional forum held in Baku on November 1.

He added that detailed work will be implemented in this direction together with the air carriers of Russia and Azerbaijan.

Another problem is insufficiency of railway communication and the lack of sea links between our countries, Korovin noted. But the problem of the Caspian Sea is the complete absence of cruise vessels. We are aware of this problem and work on its solution. The issue of railway and air transport can be solved in the nearest future.

This summer several Russian air carriers received permission to perform flights to Baku from such Russian cities as Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Kaluga and Rostov-na-Donu.

Two other airlines received permission in fall to operate flights from Zhukovsky to the Azerbaijani city of Ganja several times a week. Moreover, Russian company Ural Airlines opened a new flight Gabala-Moscow-Gabala from July 31.

Azerbaijans tourism industry is growing rapidly year after year, and today Russian tourists make up more than 32 percent of the total number of tourists visiting the country.

However, Korovin believes that the number of tourists can be more if awareness of both Russian and Azerbaijani citizens about tourism opportunities of the neighboring country increases.

We are very glad that Azerbaijan has opened an information center in Russia, and we hope it will bring positive results, he said.

During the round table held within the Forum, the deputy head of Tourism Department of Azerbaijans Culture and Tourism Ministry, Rauf Pashayev, said that the ministry plans to hold a campaign on Russian television for the promotion of winter tourism in Azerbaijan

Pashayev noted that the ministry regularly organizes advertising on Russian television.

We broadcast a number of ads on Russian television in 2013, and we plan to promote winter tourism in Azerbaijan this year also, he said.

Tourism plays an important role in the economy of Azerbaijan, Pashayev said. "Last year the share of tourism in the country's GDP exceeded three percent, which is a good indicator for oil country, he said.

He further noted that the most promising areas of cooperation with Russia in the field of tourism are wellness and business tourism.



"Even in Soviet period, Naftalan resort, known for its healing properties, was very popular in Russia. And today, after restoration of Naftalan, citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan and the whole CIS are the main visitors of the resort. Another promising direction is cooperation in business-tourism sphere," he said.

Russians choose Azerbaijan as their travel destination for many reasons. First of all the Land of Fire does not require visa for Russian tourists to enjoy the country.

Azerbaijan is also a perfect destination for Russian tourists, because of its peoples very friendly attitude towards Russia. Here Russian-speaking tourists have no problem with communication, as Azerbaijanis speak Russian well enough to help with any difficulties.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli



Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi met with US National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Secretary of State John Kerry in New York on Tuesday, where they discussed how to implement the consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama at the G20 Summit in September, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

They also exchanged views on China-US relations and other issues of concern. The two sides agreed to continue to maintain communications at the highest and other levels.

Both sides agreed to expand practical cooperation and properly manage their differences to steadily push forward bilateral relations, according to the ministry's press release.

The White House also issued a similar statement on Tuesday.

Reuters said on Tuesday that the meeting coincided with a Fox Business Network report that cited two unidentified US officials as saying that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is preparing to launch an intermediate-range ballistic missile in the next three days.

The launch would be the latest in a series by Pyongyang this year in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions that ban all ballistic-missile related activities by the DPRK. The DPRK conducted its fifth nuclear test on Sept 9.

US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited China, the Republic of Korea and Japan last week when the DPRK's nuclear issue was a key topic.

The UN Security Council has been discussing a new draft resolution on additional sanctions on the DPRK.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying reiterated on Monday the Chinese stance of reaching denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, safeguarding its peace and stability, and resolving relevant issues through dialogue and negotiation.

"It serves the interests of all," she said.

"We maintain that actions by the Security Council should help realize the aforementioned goals without impeding normal business cooperation and exchanges between all parties and the DPRK," Hua said.

Reuters contributed to this story.

chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com


An Interview with Mr. Cornelius Fricke, Vice President Asia Pacific, Federal-Mogul Corporation.

Gasgoo.com: Congratulations for winning TOP 100 Most Competitive Auto Parts Suppliers Award 2010.

Mr. Fricke: Thank you very much.

Gasgoo.com: Would you please briefly introduce Federal-Moguls businesses in China as a global leading supplier for powertrain and safety technologies?

Mr. Fricke: Federal-Mogul has in China manufacturing bases and a technical center to serve our customers. We have overall 11 manufacturing bases here for pistons production, rings, bearings, sealing, gaskets, friction material, systems protection and so on, together with our 18 technical centers in the world and more than 100 manufacturing plants all over the world. Were capable together with them to serve our customers here in China in a best possible way what is expected. Our growth in this year has grown by 78%, much faster than the Chinese market production growth of 33% during the same period. And this gives us the confidence were successful in this market and well stay successful in this market.

Gasgoo.com: What are the main functions of Federal-Moguls technical center in China? And what do you plan to add the function into it in the next three or five years?

Mr. Fricke: The Federal-Moguls technical center here in Shanghai has the ability to develop and perform all of our customers products or what is necessary to serve the market. Together with our worldwide network of 18 technical centers in the world, were capable to deliver the highest and best performance of the customers can get from Federal-Mogul all over the world same here in China.

Gasgoo.com: How do you define this technical center in Federal-Moguls global R&D system?

Mr. Fricke: We have the strategy to bring the most current and advanced technology here to China. We did this with the technical center. We have equipment here what is absolutely state-of-art. Weve employed high-qualified local Chinese engineers, which surely needs some additional training. But were looking for gathering market to achieve more market shares with this technical center by serving the customer in a fast way as we did in the past. And the target is to have mainly local Chinese staff here who can deal with our customers.

Gasgoo.com: Would you please introduce some new technology and product that Federal-Mogul has introduced in China or plans to launch in China that will help the car manufacturers to produce safer, more energy efficient and more environmentally friendly cars?

Mr. Fricke: Actually the Chinese automotive market is very similar to the automobile market in the rest of the world. What we are introducing here is the highest technologies in China what we already introduced in Europe, North America and other high-developed countries. It would be definitely all the services for the customers concerning reducing fuel consumption to reduce weight, to reduce emissions and so on. Everything what is for the necessary to fulfill the requirements whats already standard in North America or Europe. And this will also happen here in China. And we will serve our customers to achieve that.

Gasgoo.com: Can you give us some examples?

Mr. Fricke: Well, in the piston area we have Durabowl and EcoTough as examples. These two piston technologies are focused on the light vehicle engine market and they support customer requirements to enhance durability in an increasingly punishing combustion chamber environment and at the same time reduce overall friction. The new Magnum Monosteel piston is designed for heavy duty truck engines, and it will reduce friction and to reduce the mass, thereby increasing fuel economy and reducing emissions, off course. We have further new technologies in the sealing market, piston ring market, fiction market and all other areas of our product portfolio.

Gasgoo.com: With regards to cost-reducing and price-fixing to meet the Chinese customers demand, what are the initiatives that Federal-Mogul has taken?

Mr. Fricke: Federal-Mogul has high technology products that deliver value to the customers as they seek to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. We do not product simple commodity products that fall under extreme cost pressure. We have a lean global organization and maintain a competitive cost structure that enables us to win market shares in China. As I mentioned we have increased our sales in China by more than double to overall production growth rate.

Gasgoo.com: Can you tell us something about Federal-Moguls localization in China, especially in the area of competence development? And whats your future plan?

Mr. Fricke: We are making excellent progress in our localization plans. We have established local engineering, manufacturing and support competencies with extensive use of Chinese employees. Our local workforce with a few expatriates who are focused on developing Chinese nationals are the target to replace them in a few years. We are proud of our local workforce and believe it is very effective in offering local support to customers based in China. We would like to accelerate our materials and purchasing from Chinese sources. This is the area where the biggest gap exists and we are working to develop additional Chinese sources for materials and other products.
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Sunshine this morning. Becoming mostly cloudy with showers developing this afternoon. High 73F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Cloudy with rain ending overnight. Low near 50F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Volvo Car Group will move production of its S90 flagship model to China from Sweden and export the sedan to global markets including Europe and the U.S. from its factory in Daqing, the automaker announced here today.

The move is a key part of Volvo's effort to lead the way among premium automakers in establishing a global manufacturing and export hub in China.

Volvo was the first Western automaker to export a China-made premium car to the U.S. with the long-wheelbase S60 Inscription in 2015.

Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson told Automotive News Europe on the sidelines of the event here today that S90 output at the automaker's plant in Torslanda, near Gothenburg, would be progressively reduced this year. Just a limited number of S90s will be made in Sweden in the future, he added.

Along with the European versions of the S90, which are also referred to as the regular-wheelbase variants of the car, the Daqing plant will build the long-wheelbase S90 for China and export to the U.S. starting this year and produce the S90 Excellence top-of-the-line variant for global export starting next year, the automaker said.

The China-made cars will have their public debut at the Guangzhou auto show on Nov. 18.

Volvo also announced today that current and new-generation 60-series midsize models will be built at its plant in Chengdu, western China, while its new-generation 40 series of compact vehicles will be made at a plant that is currently being built in Luqiao, which is 350km (218 miles) south of Shanghai. The automaker declined to say whether it will export it China-made 60-series and 40-series cars.

The massive increase in Volvos presence in China  six years ago it had no production in the worlds largest auto market -- is part of the automakers $11 billion revival under China owner Zhejiang Geely Holding, which bought the company from Ford Motor in 2010.

With three plants  and the designation of one car line for each plant  Volvo creates an efficient production structure ensuring future capacity for growth, Samuelsson said when introducing the cars today.

Volvo needs the additional output in China to reach two key goals: increasing its sales in the country to 200,000 by 2020 from 81,588 last year and boosting global vehicle sales to 800,000 by the same year from 503,127 last year. The large majority of those half-million units were made at Volvos plants in Torslanda, near Gothenburg, Sweden and Ghent, Belgium.

Volvo declined to provide production figures for its China plants, but Samuelsson said today that he wants about one-third of the 800,000 units it plans to sell in 2020 to be made in China.

Volvo S90 vehicle line director Kent Falck told Automotive News Europe in June that it would be difficult for the automaker to fulfill forthcoming orders for the S90 and its sibling model, the V90 station wagon, because of strong demand for its award-winning XC90 crossover.

Those three models -- as well as the high-riding V90 Cross Country wagon -- are made in Torslanda. Falck told ANE that it is a weekly challenge to get enough material from suppliers to keep pace with orders for its 90-series vehicles. Thats one of the reasons he provided a conservation global sales forecast of 40,000 for the V90 and 20,000 for the S90. "Do I think we can sell more? Yes," Fakck said.

Volvo dealers in Germany are telling customers that it will take three to four months to get the S90 because of the high demand. Volvo declined to give the current average waiting in Europe or to speculate on the how much quicker it will be able to fill orders once China production of the S90 starts. The automaker did, however, confirm its supply chain has been strained by the demand but that it is working to make deliveries as quickly as possible.

Volvo has spent the past year getting the Daqing factory ready to make vehicles that use its new scalable product architecture (SPA), which underpins the S90 as well as the V90 and V90 Cross Country station wagons and the XC90 SUV. Volvo would not comment on whether production of the S90s sister model would be added in China. The Daqing plant previously produced the XC Classic, a China-only version of the first-generation XC90. The Chengdu plant also will make cars that user Volvos SPA underpinning.

The Luqiao plant, which is owned by Zhejiang Geely but operated by Volvo, will make cars based on the compact modular architecture (CMA) that was co-developed by Volvo and it sister brand, Geely Automobile. Geely will use the CMA to underpin vehicles from it new global brand, Lynk & CO, which plans to start sales of its first model in Europe -- the 01 compact crossover developed with Volvo -- in late 2018. That is the same time the brand plans to debut in the U.S. and a year after Lynks introduction in its home market. Lynk unveiled the 01 in Berlin last month.




The Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday to decide whether to lift the temporary injunction blocking the state's controversial 24-hour abortion waiting period law.

Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments on abortion waiting period law

Court issued temporary injunction earlier this year



The high court issued the injunction earlier this year. A lower court overturned a separate injunction granted shortly after the law took effect in July 2015.

The outcome of Tuesday's case will determine if the waiting period will be enforced while its constitutionality is being decided in a separate legal challenge.

Abortion rights activists contend that by requiring pregnant women to make two separate trips to an abortion clinic, once for a consultation and again to have the procedure performed 24 hours later, the law imposes an undue burden that violates federal law.

In a telling aside during the arguments, Justice Barbara Pariente - a prominent voice on the court's dominant liberal wing - suggested that mandating a waiting period for abortions but not other medical procedures presents another legal problem.

"This means two in-patient, I mean, physical visits to a doctor at an abortion clinic," Pariente said. "So, therefore, it's not neutral, and that's my concern."

Republican lawmakers crafted the waiting period requirement to comply with a finding by the United States Supreme Court that state-level abortion restrictions should help, not hinder, a woman's right to choose.

"Women that are going into a clinic are just confirming that they're pregnant, are receiving this huge data dump, are undergoing an ultrasound and given the opportunity to view the image, and are asked on the spot for a decision. And it's reasonable to conclude that perhaps informed consent may not be instantaneous," Florida Deputy Solicitor General Denise Harle told the court.

Both sides predicted that regardless of the outcome of the case heard Tuesday, the legal challenge of the waiting period law could take years.

The number of abortions subject to possible enforcement of the law during that time could be significant, making the court's ruling a consequential one.
Top notch chefs from downtown St. Petersburg's most popular restaurants created a free culinary program with a mission to train young adults from the city's southside for a career in the food service industry.

St. Pete Culinary Center will begin hosting classes soon

The newly formed school is geared at educating young adults



A dozen students nominated by local chefs and city officials will be the first class



This is one of those trades that you can go anywhere in the world and do," said Chef Ted Dorsey, co-owner of The Mill. The end-all goal is job placement.

The not-for-profit organization is called the St. Pete Culinary Center and will begin offering a 16-week course in January at the Childs Park Recreation Center. Michael Lynch, PhD, the former executive director of The Art Institute in Tampa, developed the curriculum that will focus on the background of food, nutrition, sanitation, basic kitchen skills and specific cooking techniques.

Class [is] five days a week," said Dr. Lynch. "We have a lecture in the morning. We also have slides and videos. In the afternoons, well actually go into the kitchen. We have guest chefs who come, who have volunteered throughout the community, to come and demonstrate the different techniques.

Chefs Tony Mangiafico of Grattzi Italian Grille, Jason Esposito of Engine No. 9, Tyson Grant of Parkshore Grill, Jeffrey Hileman of Farm Table, Jason Cline of Poke Rose and Ted Dorsey of The Mill, are all volunteering.

Mangiafico said he encourages his dishwashers to become chefs, and didn't think twice about getting involved.



"I tell them this is your job now, but if youre willing to learn and youve got an interest and I see that youve got skills," he said. "I see that you really want to put yourself to it, then you can move up.

Dorsey said the first class will be made up of 12 students who were nominated by the chefs, community activists and the mayor's office.

Its an organization that weve developed for southside St. Pete residents," he said. "Were trying to target young adults, at risk adults, 16-26 is our age range.

Jerald Jones, 25, said he feels lucky to be in the inaugural class.

Having this opportunity to join this school and be one of the first students is really exciting," said Jones. This is an art. I look at it like that. So, I really want to be able to do more with it.

In order to offer the program free of charge, the St. Pete Culinary Center will be hosting a fundraiser called 'A Chef's Tale' at the Mahaffey Theater on November 17. Tables cost $5,000 and individual tickets are $225.

"Weve sold eight now out of 20 tables," Dorsey said Weve got some great community support from HSN, Smith & Associates. Everybody is really stepping up for the cause and its nice to see.

Dorsey said he hopes to raise $140,000 at the gala fundraiser.

Its just about a way to give back to our community," added Dorsey. "All of us as chefs we dont make millions and millions of dollars. But we have a trade and we have a skill that we can teach these young adults and hopefully they can have a productive and successful life for themselves.

The St. Pete Culinary Center website will track success stories in real time and will detail the donation use.
A new advertisement for Hillary Clinton hit the radio on and around the Navajo Nation Tuesday, featuring Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye encouraging Native American people to cast their early ballot for the Democratic nominee.

In the ad, Begaye said the differences between Clinton and Trump require that I speak out as the leader of the Navajo Nation.

Begaye goes on to say he does not trust Trump to respect treaties and tribal sovereignty.

We hold our women sacred, Begaye said in the advertisement. I cannot stand by any candidate who denigrates and belittles women.
Voting officials plan to remain vigilant to prevent intimidation or fraud at Coconino County polling places this Election Day.

Its not going to be happening here, said County Recorder Patty Hansen. We take the security of the elections very seriously.

Hansen oversees elections in Coconino County. As in every election, she said, one election worker at each polling location will be designated as a marshal Tuesday, Nov. 8. Their job will be to keep the peace at the polls and ensure all election laws are followed.

That includes making sure there is no electioneering  actively working to secure votes for a candidate or ballot measure  within 75 feet of the entrance at any polling place. Electioneering is a Class 2 misdemeanor

We have touched base with law enforcement, Hansen said. In the past, the problems weve had are people that are a little bit too enthusiastic about their candidates trying to get closer than the 75 feet.

Voters are allowed to wear a shirt or button in support or opposition of a candidate or proposition when they enter their designated polling location to cast their ballots, but they cannot linger there. They also are prohibited from trying to verbally influence anyone elses vote within 75 feet of the entrance.

This year, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has spent the final leg of his campaign recruiting supporters to become poll watchers to prevent his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton from rigging the election. Hansen said Coconino Countys polling place marshals will enforce the 75-foot rule for those people, too.

The one thing I am concerned about is theres talk of people saying they are going to go observe at the polling place, she said. The only observers that are allowed within those 75 feet are those officially appointed by the Democratic or Republican parties and they have to have the official appointment papers from the county parties to do that. You cant just decide yourself, Im going to go sit at my polling place.

The Arizona Democratic Party sued the states Republican Party and the Trump campaign in federal court Monday claiming both are directing their unofficial election observers to harass and photograph people outside minority-heavy polling places to suppress Democratic voters.

Last week, the Office of the U.S. District Attorney for Arizona announced that assistant U.S. attorney Todd Allison of Phoenix will work with the U.S. Justice Department in Washington to handle complaints of election fraud and voter rights abuses as the district election officer for the District of Arizona. It also announced that the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency to take complaints of election fraud and abuses.

In the press release announcement, U.S. Attorney for Arizona John Leonardo mentions federal prohibitions against voter impersonation, buying or selling votes, altering vote tallies, ballot box stuffing, and bribery or intimidation of voters.

For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law, according to the press release.

Hansen said anyone planning to police the polls on behalf of a candidate this Election Day needs to know the laws.

Ive read some articles that evidently people are saying they are going to be asking voters questions and trying to get their name if they bring in more than one early ballot, Hansen said. You cant interfere with people coming in and leaving the polling place, ingress and egress.

No cameras are allowed in the polling locations or within 75 feet of the entrance, but the Arizona Legislature passed a law in 2015 legalizing ballot selfies.

They cant be taking pictures of other people there but our state law did change so that you can take a picture of your ballot and post it on social media, Hansen said.

As far as voter fraud is concerned, Hansen said there are a lot of measures in place to prevent anyone from casting multiple ballots.

A lot of people dont realize that we check the signature on every early ballot against the signatures we have on file for our voter registration records or even past signature rosters, Hansen said.

There are also precautions that prevent anyone who received an early ballot in the mail from voting twice.

If weve mailed you an early ballot and you go to the polling place, its going to show (in our records) that you were mailed an early ballot, Hansen said. Then, you have to vote a provisional ballot, which means that your ballot is going to be kept in an envelope until we make sure that you did not mail in your early ballot.

Early voters can call or email the County Elections Office to verify that their ballot has been received.

Trump has warned his supporters that Clinton supporters could rig the election in her favor by casting ballots for deceased people, a Class 6 felony. Hansen said that is highly unlikely.

In Arizona, for people that have passed away, we get automatic notices from the state health department, we go through obituaries in the newspaper and a lot of times voters will just let us know, she said. The poll workers let us know, too, if they see names of somebody who has passed away.

Each polling place and every place where ballots are handled must have both Democratic and Republican election workers to prevent either of the major parties from having an unfair advantage. Some locations will also have independents as poll workers.

Hansen said her office works hard to update the Coconino County voter rolls. Every two years, the County Recorders Office sends out mailers to all registered voters to verify their addresses.

If it comes back that youve moved then we make you inactive and then if you dont show up to vote for two years, we cancel you, she said.

Hansen also said it would be tough to impersonate a deceased person.

At the polling place, youd have to have that persons identification to be able to vote for somebody who has passed away or youd have to be able to sign their name exactly, she said.
The attorney for a man accused of purchasing a cellphone for an imprisoned drug cartel leader in Beaumont is asking a judge to allow him to withdraw from the case, citing a disagreement with his client.

Darwin Deon Barlow, 40, is charged in federal court with providing a prison inmate with a prohibited object, aiding and abetting bribery of a public official and giving a false statement to federal agents.

Barlow is one of three co-defendants to plead not guilty since the Oct. 5 indictment related to prison guards accepting bribes from Juan Saenz-Tamez, a Gulf Cartel leader.

One of the guards, Donald Ray Turk, has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

Co-defendants Barlow, Donald Kelly, and Ledarris Limbrick are scheduled for trial Dec. 12.

"This withdrawal is not sought for delay, but that (Barlow) might be represented by counsel of his choice," attorney James Makin wrote Tuesday in his motion to withdraw from the case.

Saenz-Tamez, 25, pleaded guilty to drug distribution and money laundering on Jan. 13, 2015, 10 days before he was found trying to flush a cellphone down the toilet of his prison cell, court records show.

Barlow is accused of buying the cellphone at Kelly's request, according to court documents supporting Turk's guilty plea.

Kelly, now jailed at the same LaSalle-run corrections facility in downtown Beaumont where he was once a supervisor, arranged to make millions off planning the inmate's escape, court documents allege.

Kelly is charged with providing an inmate with a prohibited object and two counts of bribing a public official.

He waived an in-person appearance at his Oct. 20 arraignment and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Barlow did the same two days earlier.

Limbrick, 28, accused of arranging payments for the bribes with Saenz-Tamez's wife in Mexico.

Limbrick appeared in court Oct. 11 and pleaded not guilty to bribing a public official.

BScott@BeaumontEnterprise.com

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Captive insurance, while commonly used in industries outside of healthcare to manage risk in-house, is an opportunity for ASCs to insure their center while capitalizing on associated economic benefits.

As a self-funded or in-house type of risk management, captive insurance shields company leaders from high-intensity but low-frequency liabilities resulting in higher premiums than they purchased commercial insurance to cover. For ASCs, such risks could include earthquakes or cyber terrorism, among others. Instead of paying premiums for coverage to commercial insurers, business owners pay premiums to their in-house captive. Pre-defined risks are underwritten with the help of an outsourced actuarial team, and any reserves remaining in the captive are shielded from creditors and available for investment.



Captive insurance is not a new or unlawful form of risk management, Larry Anders, chairman and CEO at Dallas-based Summit Alliance Companies, said at the Becker's ASC 23rd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs. Rather, captive insurance is a strategy used by more than 90 percent of every Fortune 500 company and one ASCs should consider.



Here are three reasons why it is advantageous for ASCs to use captive insurance.

1. Captive insurance covers risk ASC owners may not think about. High-impact low-probability risks such as earthquakes are not common issues ASC leaders mull over. However, captive insurance allows an ASC to set aside funds in case unlikely risks surface.

Mr. Anders said one risk  cyber terrorism  is becoming more common. "As medical professionals, you're guarding very confidential information. If that information were to fall into the wrong hands, it could be disastrous not only for the patient but disastrous for you financially," he said.

2. There are tax incentives available under a captive insurance structure. While some ASC owners may wonder why they should be motivated to implement an in-house insurance captive, Kenneth Kotch, principal at Dallas-based tax services firm Ryan, said captive insurance should be seen as a gift from Congress to convert ordinary income to a qualified dividend.

Owning a self-funded captive insurance company could allow an ASC to receive tax benefits outlined in 831 (b) or small property and casualty captive IRS tax code. The code allows captive insurance companies to receive up to $1.2 million in tax free premiums per year.

While regulation requires the insurance captive to be in tact for a year and operate under federal insurance regulations, at the end of the year premiums put into the captive turn into surplus. If a company chooses to end the captive, business owners convert what would have otherwise been taxable income into surplus and take a tax deduction for it.

Mr. Kotch added that Congress is essentially giving businesses an incentive for "setting aside a rainy day fund that in the event there is a high-severity low-frequency event like HIV exposure among medical employees or litigation defense," companies are prepared.

3. Captive insurance is most efficient when supplementing commercial insurance. Mr. Kotch said captive insurance is effective when a company keeps its commercial insurance and uses the captive to augment or supplement commercial insurance.

"The captive is never designed to create more exposure," Mr. Kotch said.

In addition, Mr. Kotch said that while there is no regulatory minimum amount needed to establish a captive, the most cost effective amount begins at $250,000 or $300,000 paid each year in premium.

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A surgery center's staff is integral to its success as a dedicated staff can bolster efficiency and deliver superior care. During Becker's ASC Review's 23rd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs on Oct. 29, experts seasoned in the ASC industry discussed key strategies for finding and maintaining staff members during a panel titled, "How to Recruit and Retain Great Staff."

Here are six considerations:

1. Using tools to find the best fit. Getting the right people through the door for an interview can be a challenge for many centers. However, some have found success through certain online platforms as well as networking.

Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Doctors Outpatient Center for Surgery needed to fill a surgery scheduler position and the center had limited qualified applicants. Michael Sengmanivong, the ASC's administrator, said he employed various tactics including cold calling other physician offices and surgery centers to see if they knew of someone looking for a job.

A center's current staff may also know of viable candidates for a position. Robert Haen, executive director of CenterOne Surgery Center in Jacksonville, Fla., noted his surgery center provides employees a recruitment bonus if they recommended someone who stayed at the center passed the probationary period.

Headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla., Cancer Treatment Centers of America also relies heavily on staff referrals to fill positions. Nancy Hesse, MSN, RN, interim president and CEO of Cancer Treatment Centers of America, said 65 percent of their employees resulted from other employees referring them. She did note, however, social media is an avenue for filling positions, as well.

"The power of social media is upon us," she said. "Millennials want to talk to you in snip bits, or tweets, if you will."

2. Asking the right questions during an interview. The in-person interview is crucial, as this may be the last step before onboarding a new employee. Therefore, understanding who a potential employee is as a worker is a critical part of the interview process. During interviews, Mr. Haen seeks to primarily discover their relevant experience, flexibility with their hours and their attitude, which is of the utmost importance.

"We all have had employees with bad attitudes and you can't change attitudes," he said. "You can only work around it."

A potential employee's attitude should fall in line with your ASC's culture, as a contrasting mentality or conflict of values may detract from the center's overall mission. To ensure a person is a solid fit, Cancer Treatment Centers of America's candidates undergo a series of phone interviews. Ms. Hesse noted, "If they don't pass the culture tests, they don't get into the doors for an interview."

When seeking candidates from within the Bradenton, Fla., market, Jacqueline Gonzalez, director of business for Musculoskeletal Ambulatory Surgery Center at Coastal Orthopedics, said due to lack of numbers, relevant work experience may not be the primary deciding factor when hiring someone. Therefore, personality comes heavily into play as she seeks someone "that has that spark and grit."



Diversity amongst staff memebrs is vital, so administrators should know what type of personality their center needs. Mr. Sengmanivong explained not every staff member can be a 'type A' personality, as someone has to be the organizer or the worker or the integrator.

3. Evaluating wages and benefits. When Doctors Outpatient Center for Surgery opened its doors, it did not offer its employees a benefits package. Coming from H&M, Mr. Sengmanivong molded the center's benefits around what he had learned from years in retail. Currently, the center gives its employees four weeks of vacation and staff members share in profits. Birthdays and Black Friday also constitute as holidays at the surgery center.

To remain a contender in the competitive Florida marketplace, CenterOne Surgery Center offers packages that are equal or surpass those of hospitals. Mr. Haen talks with the other 10 or so surgery centers' administrators in Jacksonville about what they offer to ensure CenterOne Surgery Center falls in line with those benefits and wages.

"Large health systems have strong benefit packages and you are fighting that battle [to offer similar packages]," Mr. Haen said. "Hospitals offer a competitive package so it is good to have relationships with other administrators. It doesn't have to be a dog eats dog relationship."

Cancer Treatment Center of America has employees spanning five hospitals across the United States. The health system spends a great chunk of time analyzing regional wages and has a corporate compensation committee dedicated to gauging these regional differences and determining the appropriate salary for staff members.

4. Giving out bonuses. Musculoskeletal Ambulatory Surgery Center at Coastal Orthopedics uses a bonus incentive program based on five criteria when determining how hefty a bonus to allot each staff member. The five criteria include:

 Performance

 Teamwork

 Attitude

 Communication

 Customer satisfaction

"This model allows employees to strive for an increase compared to how they did last quarter," said Ms. Gonzalez. "They become more efficient."

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America, the system treats all their employees as stakeholders and the system holds each stakeholder to key performance indicators. Additionally, colleagues can nominate each other for a spot bonus.

CenterOne Surgery Center typically provides bonuses of 10 percent to 15 percent of their wages, if the center meets its profit goals for the year. Mr. Haen said, "There is a significant amount that comes out of our doctors' pockets. It is very effective and gets the attention of the staff. They are very appreciative of it."

5. Balancing full-time and part-time personnel. For many centers, success is due to both full-time and part-time staff members. The make-up of a workforce is contingent on a center's needs and capabilities.

CenterOne Surgery Center doesn't allow for overtime, so the center employs 22 full-time nurses and 20 part-time nurses to keep the operating room running. Part-time nurses get five dollars more an hour, on average, as they don't get benefits. If a part-time nurse commits a certain number of hours to the center, CenterOne offers an increased hourly salary of $7 or so.

It is essential to also treat part-time employees equal to that of full-time employees, to ensure everyone is dedicated to a center's success, Mr. Sengmanivong noted.



6. Managing a disruptive employee. Sometimes, the vetting process doesn't always show an employee's true colors and you could have a toxic personality at your center. Ms. Hesse says Cancer Treatment Center of America has a zero-tolerance policy as "once you are disruptive, you are gone."

Mr. Haen's center gives employees a probationary period, modeled after a traditional disciplinary process. He said, "It is important to not let behavior fester because staff will pick it up."

Ms. Gonzalez added, "Whenever [you] have a toxic employee, they fire themselves. It shouldn't take more than two weeks to get them out of there if you document their behavior well."
Physicians Practice released its annual list of the best states for physicians to practice.

For 2016, they used objective datasets that assessed metrics including:

 Residency retention rates

 Cost of living

 Physician density

 Tax burden per capita

 Malpractice paid loss

The top five states based on these criteria include:

1. Texas

2. Idaho

3. Mississippi

4. Utah

5. Georgia

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CMS has awarded the next round of contracts for Medicare recovery audit contractors.

The contracts were issued to Performant Recovery, Cotiviti and HMS Federal Solutions. The contractors will perform post-payment review to correct Medicare claims that contain overpayments or underpayments. The contractors will review Medicare Part A and B fee-for-service claims for all provider types other than home health/hospice, prosthetics, durable medical equipment, orthotics and supplies.

Performant Recovery will also perform post-payment review of home health/hospice and DMEPOS claims nationally, according to CMS.

With the award of the new contracts, CMS will be able to implement improvements to the Recovery Audit Program announced in 2015.

"These awards continue the implementation of many of the Recovery Audit Program enhancements designed to reduce provider burden, enhance program oversight, and increase transparency in the program," said CMS.

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Woodlands, Texas-based The US Oncology Network took over management, collections and IT services for Cincinnati-based Oncology Hematology Care, Cincinnati Business Journal reports.

OHC consists of 45 physicians, 15 advance practice registered nurses and a number of clinical support staff. Under terms of the agreement with The US Oncology Network, OHC will remain an independent practice.

"We are basically engaging US Oncology to run the business side of our practice," Randy Broun, MD, chairman of the board at OHC, told Cincinnati Business Journal. "They will do our payroll, collections and run the IT side of things."

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
During tumultuous times, the media is far more likely to point fingers when a company CEO is a woman than a man, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Roughly 80 percent of digital and print media stories covering companies in crisis cited the CEO as a source of blame when the leader was a woman, compared with 31 percent of stories pointing the finger of blame at male CEOs, according to a study by the Rockefeller Foundation and public relations and research firm Global Strategy Group, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The research is part of the Rockefeller Foundation's 100x25 campaign, which aims to further the goal of having 100 female CEOs in Fortune 500 companies by 2025. According to Catalyst, a nonprofit dedicated to women's workplace inclusion, there are currently 23 women CEOs in S&P 500 firms.

"Women are still a rarity at the top and they get more attention when they fail," said Judith Rodin, president of the Rockefeller Foundation.

Researchers reviewed more than 100 news articles about 20 CEOs who were either in the midst of a crisis, ousted, newly appointed or hired from within the company. The stories covered a range of 15 years. While 4 percent of the articles explicated pointed out the CEOs gender when the leader was a man, 49 percent did when the story was about a female CEO, according to the report.

Among the stories on female CEOs, 16 percent discussed the leader's personal life and 78 percent mentioned her family and children. In comparison, 8 percent of stories about male CEOs discussed the leader's personal life, and none of them mentioned family or children, according to the report.
New Bedford, Mass.-based Southcoast Health System has filed plans with the state to sever its ties with Boston-based Tufts Medical Center's physician network, according to the Boston Globe.

According to Southcoast's filing with the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission, it plans to leave Tuft's network by the end of 2016 to start an independent physician group. Southcoast said launching its own physician group will help with efficiency and coordination of care, according to the report.

Regarding the change, Tufts spokeswoman Brooke Hynes told the Boston Globe, "We look forward to continuing our relationship until the end of this year and wish [Southcoast] much success in the future."

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Physician group merger and acquisition activity fell by 17 percent to 30 transactions in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the previous quarter, according to data from Irving Levin Associates.

Although deal volume was down from the previous quarter, the 30 transactions represent a 58 percent increase over the third quarter of 2015 when 19 deals were announced.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Mednax was the most active buyer in the third quarter of 2016 with five acquisitions, according to the report. During the third quarter, Mednax acquired Florence, S.C.-based Medical Anesthesia Consultants; Anesthesia Associates of Naples, Fla.; Maternal Fetal Medicine of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers; Pediatric Cardiology Associates in Fairfax, Va.; and Associated Anesthesiologists of Reno (Nev.).

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As of Wednesday afternoon, all prescribed burn activities planned on the Coconino National Forest have been canceled for the rest of the week due to forest rain and shifting winds.

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Tuesday 9:45 a.m.  Fire managers are planning several prescribed burn projects this week across the Coconino National Forest that will produce visible smoke around Flagstaff, Stoneman Lake and Clints Well. Some of the projects could begin as early as Tuesday.

Smoke impacts from one of the projects near U.S. Highway 180 north of Flagstaff also will cause traffic on the highway to be restricted to one lane near Kendrick Park Tuesday and possibly Wednesday. If conditions warrant, ADOT may temporarily close U.S. Highway 180 in that area.

All of the prescribed burns are dependent upon weather and wind conditions, and some could be canceled if conditions aren't suitable.

HORSESHOE-KENDRICK PROJECT (near Kendrick Park area)

When: Ignitions planned for Tuesday starting around 9:30 a.m. The burn is expected to last one day, but could continue through Wednesday.

Where: Approximately 17 miles north of Flagstaff near Kendrick Park, along U.S. Highway 180.

Size: Approximately 3,200 acres.

Closures/Restrictions: U.S. Highway 180 near the Kendrick Park area will be restricted to one lane on Tuesday and possibly Wednesday.

Smoke Impacts: This is an initial entry burn, meaning that specific area has not had fire on the landscape in a long time and forest fuel accumulation will produce heavy smoke during the burn. For Tuesday, the wind is expected to ventilate the smoke toward the northeast, so smoke will impact motorists along U.S. Highway 180 and could impact U.S. Highway 89 northeast of the burn. Smoke will settle in the Kendrick Park area during the cooler evening hours, so motorists are cautioned to drive slowly and abide restrictions along the highway. For Wednesday, the wind is expected to shift and ventilate smoke toward the southwest and could impact communities such as Williams.

EASTSIDE PROJECT (Pine Canyon)

When: Ignition planned for Thursday or Friday starting at 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. and duration is expected to be one day.

Where: Near Pine Canyon subdivision and the Heckethorn community; approximately two miles south of Little America.

Closures/Restrictions: None.

Size: Approximately 300 acres.

Smoke Impacts: This is an initial entry burn. If winds flow toward the east and northeast Thursday and Friday, smoke will be visible to motorists along Interstate 40, as well as residents of Flagstaff. With the smoke traveling toward the east/northeast, it may impact the following subdivisions in and around Flagstaff: Harold Ranch, Continental, Pine Canyon, Heckethorn and Walnut Canyon. During the evening hours, smoke usually settles in low-lying areas and may impact communities and roads near the burn area. Fire managers will reassess ventilation on Wednesday and Thursday, and may cancel this burn if conditions are not favorable for venting.

MORMON LAKE BASIN

When: Ignition planned for Thursday or Friday with duration expected to be one day.

Where: Approximately one mile west of the Mormon Lake community.

Size: Approximately 1,500 acres.

Closures/Restrictions: None.

Smoke Impacts: This is an initial entry burn, meaning that specific area has not had fire on the landscape in a long time and forest fuel accumulation will produce heavy smoke during the burn. Smoke may impact Mormon Lake communities and Stoneman Lake, Rattlesnake Canyon and Forest Highway 3 (Mormon Lake Road). Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause smoke to settle and drain down nearby canyons, potentially impacting the Village of Oak Creek. Fire managers will reassess ventilation on Wednesday and Thursday, and may cancel this burn if conditions are not favorable for venting.

UPPER BEAVER CREEK PROJECT (Stoneman Lake area)

When: Planned ignition will be Tuesday (Nov. 1) as weather and conditions allow. Ignitions typically begin between 9-10 a.m. and duration is expected to be one day.

Where: Approximately 13 miles west of the Village of Oak Creek and just south of Stoneman Lake.

Size: Approximately 870 acres.

Closures/Restrictions: None.

Smoke Impacts: Smoke may impact Stoneman Lake and Mormon Lake communities to the north, and the Discovery Channel Telescope to the east. Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause smoke to settle and drain down nearby canyons, potentially impacting the Verde Valley and the Village of Oak Creek.

BLUE RIDGE URBAN INTERFACE PROJECT

When: Planned ignition will be Tuesday.

Where: Approximately eight miles northeast of Clints Well.

Size: Approximately 1,000 acres.

Closures/Restrictions: None.

Smoke Impacts: This is a maintenance burn, which means fire has been on the landscape within the last few years and this burn is conducted to maintain the area and keep it from building large amounts of forest fuels. Smoke during a maintenance burn is typically less dense than an initial entry burn. Good ventilation is expected to push smoke to the north/northeast during the day and may be visible to Happy Jack visitors, Clint Wells residents, others along the rim country, along with motorists on Forest Service Road 300, Arizona Route 87 and Lake Mary Road (Forest Highway 3).

MANAGED FIRE

The Mogollon Rim Ranger District is currently monitoring and managing a lightning-caused wildfire called the Poverty Fire, which began Oct. 25 and is located six miles directly south of Clints Well. Fire managers will be using road systems to contain the fire today and back-burning from those roads, so smoke will be visible to those near Happy Jack, Clints Well and other surrounding Blue Ridge communities. Smoke will move toward the northeast and likely impact motorists on state Route 87, Lake Mary Road and forest roads in the area of the burn.

The public and media can get quick notification of when a prescribed burn or any other activity is happening on the Coconino National Forest by following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF.
Twenty-one physicians in Tennessee filed a federal lawsuit Monday against CMS to stop the agency from recouping $2.3 million in Medicaid payments.

The payments were made in 2013 and 2014 to physicians serving in rural communities and disadvantaged populations to help them expand their practices and provide more services in areas with limited care. However, CMS required TennCare, the state's Medicaid program, to audit the physicians to ensure they are either board certified or bill 60 percent or more of their Medicaid codes within certain billing code categories. More than 100 physicians across the state did not meet these requirements, so TennCare is now seeking repayment.

According to a press release from Bass, Berry & Sims, the attorneys who filed the lawsuit, one of the plaintiffs reportedly used the funds to open an outreach clinic for bilingual uninsured patients, expanded hours and upgraded other services, and another plaintiff hired a bilingual nurse and an internal medicine specialist.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court of the Middle District of Tennessee. Bass, Barry & Sims predicts physicians who received similar payments in other states may eventually face similar repayments, according to a press release.

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Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based Adventist Health System is accused of underfunding its pension plans by $134 million, according to Bloomberg BNA.

The federal lawsuit, filed Oct. 28, alleges Adventist improperly classified its pension as a "church plan" exempt from the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act, which requires pension plans to have adequate funding to pay their promised benefits.

The Adventist lawsuit is the latest in a string of cases filed over the way religiously affiliated hospitals fund their pension plans.

In late October, Renton, Wash.-based Providence Health & Services agreed to pay nearly $352 million to resolve claims it misclassified its pension plan. St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Conn.; Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health; and St. Louis-based Ascension have settled similar suits in recent years.

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The federal government has secured a $1.2 million civil judgment against Tariq Mahmood, MD, the former owner of several Texas hospitals, according to the Department of Justice.

From January 2010 to April 2013, Dr. Mahmood and others participated in a fraud scheme that involved changing, deleting and incorrectly sequencing diagnostic codes in a way that did not reflect the actual diagnoses and conditions of patients. Dr. Mahmood and others submitted the fraudulently coded claims to government and commercial payers.

In July 2014, after a four-day jury trial, Dr. Mahmood was found guilty of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, seven counts of healthcare fraud and seven counts of aggravated identity theft. He was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $599.1 million in restitution to Medicare, Medicaid and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.

Following his conviction, the federal government brought a False Claims Act case against Dr. Mahmood. The court issued its final judgment in that case Oct. 28. The judge ordered Dr. Mahmood to pay $1.2 million to the federal government, which includes $288,414.50 in damages and an additional $935,000 in civil penalties arising from the submission of 85 false claims, according to the DOJ.

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The fourth open enrollment season for Arizona's insurance exchange boasts health plans with noticeably narrower provider networks than in previous years, reports Arizona Daily Star.

Many insurance companies that incurred significant losses on the ACA exchanges last year slimmed down their provider network in 2017 to cut expenses and better manage spending. That means a greater number of people who purchase plans on the exchange may lose in-network access to their preferred primary care physician.

In Arizona, for instance, two major healthcare providers  Phoenix-based Banner Health and Tucson-based Carondelet Health Network  are not considered in-network by any health plan offered on the state exchange in 2017.

Nationally, the number of healthcare providers planning to accept new patients with insurance purchased through ACA exchanges has declined. A recent survey of Sermo  a physician social network  users also found 57 physicians said they will accept new patients with coverage under the ACA next year, compared to 61 percent of physicians in 2015.

"[Insurance] cost is an issue, but the big problem this year is access to physicians," Tucson-based insurance broker Raymond Magnuson told Arizona Daily Star.
Since it opened its doors nearly 10 years ago, Warsaw, Ind.-based OrthoPediatrics has been dedicated to furthering pediatric orthopedics and developing products in this service line, according to medGadget.

Here are six key notes on OrthoPediatrics:

1. The company has developed products for spinal correction, long bone trauma and deformity as well as ACL reconstruction since 2006.

2. A remodeled car dealership houses OrthoPediatrics' offices in Warsaw. Inside the office, a photo of the Chief Medical Officer, Peter Armstrong, MD, with one of his patients, adorns the wall. Dr. Armstrong performed surgery on the patient to give him hands, as he was born without arms and two clubbed feet. The picture of the patient's transformation speaks to OrthoPediatrics' overall mission of improving the lives of their young patients.

3. OrthoPediatrics collaborates with almost 3,000 orthopedic surgeons around the globe to help surgeons meet their clinical needs for pediatric patients. OrthoPediatrics obtained exclusive rights to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History's Hamann-Todd Human Osteological Collection to help with research and design for the company's products. The collection is the world's largest academic repository of human bone.

4. Over the past 10 years, the company has worked to create innovative products that surpass their existing devices' advantages. The company's newer products have lower profiles, such as their new ACL reconstruction system that surgeons can use on young patients.

5. OrthoPediatrics is working on devising products for osteogenesis imperfecta. Currently, the company is in the process of developing an implant that would give patients with this genetic disorder long-term tibia support, while also allowing the tibia to expand by itself while the leg grows.

6. OrthoPediatrics works with pediatric surgical centers around the globe and has put on more than 240 workshops within the last year at different hospitals. The firm also sponsors CME courses.
Neurosurgeon Robert Nugent, MD, passed away in his home on Oct. 31, 2016.

The 95-year-old retired neurosurgeon joined the West Virginia University Medical Center in Morgantown, in 1961. By 1970, the center appointed him the chairman of neurosurgery, a role he served in until 1985.

He performed more than 1,600 procedures utilizing small, angled electrodes for control triennial lesion  a technique which he developed. In 1994, he earned WVU's Order of Vandalia award, which represents the highest university honor.

Dr. Nugent served as founding president of the West Virginia Neurosurgical Society as well as vice president of the Southern Neurosurgical Society.
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Chancellor Philip Hammond is reportedly unveiling the new framework in his autumn statement on November 23

Chancellor Philip Hammond is reported to be planning to adopt a new "flexible fiscal framework" to give him the ability to respond if the economy is hit by Brexit.

The Financial Times said Mr Hammond would unveil the new framework in his autumn statement on November 23, when he will formally abandon predecessor George Osborne's target to run a surplus by 2019/20.

The Chancellor is expected to seek to shore up the economy with new infrastructure spending, but he told Cabinet colleagues on Tuesday to expect only a "modest" stimulus running into the low billions of pounds a year, said the paper.

But it quoted an unnamed official as saying that the new fiscal plan would provide him with the freedom to step up stimulus if economic growth faltered.

"The goal is to create some headroom so it can be deployed if necessary," the anonymous official said. "The Chancellor made it clear we face an unprecedented level of uncertainty."

According to the FT, the plan aims to achieve a balanced budget during the next Parliament, which is due to run from 2020 to 2025.

Mr Hammond's decision to brief Cabinet three weeks ahead of his first major fiscal statement marks a sharp departure from the practice of predecessors Mr Osborne and Gordon Brown, who preferred to keep their plans strictly under wraps until the day of the announcement.

A Treasury spokesman declined to comment on the contents of the autumn statement.
In the trading room at Queens University Management School are (left to right) Alastair Hamilton, CEO Invest Northern Ireland; Nichorra McKenna, QUB student from Tyrone; Brian Conlon, CEO of First Derivatives plc; Janine McNeill, QUB student from Magherafelt; and Queens University President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Peter Gregson

Newry financial software firm First Derivatives is aiming to boost future sales by adapting its technology to new uses, the company said. And the plc, which has locations around the globe, vowed it's braced for any impact from Brexit as it unveiled a 52% increase in profits to 7m for the first half of the year.

First Derivatives, which employs around 1,700 people worldwide - including around 900 at its Newry headquarters - said revenue grew 34% in the first half to reach 72.4m.

Sales in its consultancy arm were up 21% to 43m, while software sales rocketed 60% to 29.4m.

Around 250 other staff are employed by First Derivatives in Belfast, while the rest of its workforce is scattered around its global premises in locations from Singapore to Toronto.

And chief financial officer Graham Ferguson told the Belfast Telegraph the company was hoping to increase sales by adapting its technology to new, 'vertical' markets.

It's already in a partnership with the US firm Utilismart, which provides meter data management and analytics to more than 100 utility companies in the US.

First Derivatives' know-how allows for the analysis of fast flows of data - including data gathered from smart meters installed in homes.

The company said development work was taking place with a view to launching its Utilismart product early next year.

And Mr Ferguson added: "We are actively talking to utility companies in the UK and Europe, and further afield, though the US and Canada are ahead of us in the use of smart meters."

And he said the technology could also be adapted for use in the pharmaceuticals sector.

But its foray into smart metering with Utilismart was "our first stake in the ground and something we'd like to expand".

And Mr Ferguson said that whatever Brexit might bring, the company was operating on a global basis, and its core bank clients would continue to need its services.

"We had a collapse in the global banking system in 2008 at a time when First Derivatives was beginning its strongest growth, so we feel we are equipped for what Brexit can bring," he added.

In a statement accompanying the half-year results, company chairman Seamus Keating said: "The weakness of sterling has been a net benefit to the group's operating results.

"Our business is well geographically diversified, with over 60% of revenue generated outside the UK. Looking ahead, we have consistently demonstrated is ability to adapt and grow as business conditions evolve, and we are confident in our ability to assist our clients through whatever transitional change may be required when the effects of Brexit become clear."

Chief executive and founder Brian Conlon added: "Following a strong performance in the first half of our financial year and continued investment in our technology and consulting offerings, the group is well positioned for growth in the second half and beyond."

First Derivatives describes itself as the biggest recruiter of graduates on the island of Ireland.

In 2013 it announced it would be sponsoring a trading room at the Queen's University Management School to educate students about market trading.
Nissan has committed to build the new Qashqai and X-Trail SUV at its Sunderland plant

Nissan's decision to invest in its Sunderland factory is not likely to be repeated by other Japanese companies, according to a business guru involved in advising the car giant to come to north-east England in the 1980s.

Renowned management theorist Kenichi Ohmae said he was advising clients to hold fire on investments until it became clear what deal Britain would get from Brexit.

Prime Minister Theresa May hailed Nissan's announcement that it would build the new Qashqai and X-Trail SUV at Sunderland as "fantastic news" which showed that Britain was "open for business" following the vote to leave the European Union.

But Professor Ohmae told BBC2's Newsnight that it was "a very very minor one-company decision" and that other Japanese firms would not "follow suit". Instead, he expected them to wait to see agreements on post-Brexit tariffs and migration before making decisions on future investment.

Nissan's announcement has sparked controversy after ministers refused to reveal the nature of the Government's "support and assurances" offered to the company.

Asked what advice he was giving companies considering investing in Britain, Prof Ohmae told Newsnight: "Hold. We don't have enough information to make a prudent judgment."

Companies needing to make a swift decision "would prefer a larger market, which is the market of 27 countries rather than one country", he said.

He said he was advising executives to consider not only whatever assurances the Government was offering about the post-Brexit future, but also what the EU was saying.

"The answer from the UK government is that the conditions after the Brexit, as far as the automobile export from Sunderland, is going to be the same as now," said Prof Ohmae.

"The European Union hasn't said that. The European Union has said that 'We will not give UK any preference', and therefore that's just a statement by the UK government which will have to wait and see."

He added: "It is true that Nissan have said they will continue producing the two types of models after Brexit. That's a very very minor one-company decision, I don't think other companies will follow suit.

"I don't think that you can say for sure that the condition afterwards is going to remain the same as now and therefore I think it's a very special case, maybe Nissan had already made up their mind beforehand."

A tariff of 2%-3% on exports from the UK to the remaining EU "would not hurt the current traffic of goods and supply chains", said Prof Ohmae.

But he added: "If the migration of people - particularly the expert people - is hindered by the Brexit, then that's a more serious problem. Current operations in the UK can move people from anywhere in the EU to UK operations which is wonderful, because they love it, it works well. Therefore the migration of people is an equally important decision."
East Africa Business Council calls on member states to deepen cross border investments

East Africa Business Council has called on East Africa Community countries to deepen cross border investments for better and quick businesses development and promotion of integration.

The Chairman the Council, Mr Felix Mosha,Mr Mosha said that focusing on cross borders investments was vital in the EAC common market development as it would help gather sources familiar to the EAC economic. Tanzania and East Africa should collectively direct their focus towards cross border investments, which have so far made Kenya the third or fourth largest FDI investor in Tanzania, he said.

Mr Mosha called on Tanzania Private Sector to ensure SMEs are fully informed about conditions for their effective trading opportunities within EAC. Mr Mosha said SMEs are not sufficiently informed about EAC Common market which denies opportunities in EAC. Trade expansion in the East African integration should not be left to depend on large corporations.

From the experience of EABC, SMEs are not sufficiently informed about conditions for their effective trading opportunities within the EAC, he said stressing the need for TPSF to put more efforts and ensure SMEs are fully involved. Meanwhile, TPSF commended the governments effort in the elimination of non-tariff barriers in the EAC market.

TPSF Consultant Mr Salum Awadhi said a research carried out indicate that the government has reduced the Non-Tariff Barriers from 10 to 6. He pointed out one of the areas as delay in borders where the days have been reduced from 38 to six, saying the move was recommendable and constructive to the businesses development across the borders in EAC.

Mr Awadhi pointed some of the challenges in the EAC Common market as lack of awareness where he said the report indicate that only 33 per cent of business community in Tanzania are aware of the protocol. Another challenge is access to market information where 58.8 per cent of business do not receive any kind of information including the SMEs.

www.eabc.info
Gluten-free bakery New Found Joy has secured a listing from Tesco that brings six of its traybakes to shelves in a number of Northern Ireland stores.

The Lurgan-based business company is tapping growing demand from consumers for free-from foods.

This listing with Tesco Northern Ireland has moved us into another new realm altogether, owner Carol Little told the Belfast Telegraph.

As a retailer, they dont come much bigger or better with regards to support for small, local companies. We are a small, agile team with big ambitions. Tesco Northern Irelands support has been invaluable on this next stage of our business journey.

New Found Joy previously operated a coffee shop in Lurgan, and opened a commercial bakery in 2014.

Little decided to focus on gluten-free baked goods after customers told her how frustrating it was to give up the foods they liked due to intolerances.

Tesco Northern Ireland commercial manager Sean Largey said he has backed the move to support artisan firms and the free-from market.

"Free-from foods are becoming much more sought-after by consumers and, as a retailer, its great to be able to offer our customers more varieties, especially from local companies, he added.
The UK must set its sights on boosting trade with emerging economies as it leaves the European Union, Theresa May said after talks with Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos.

The Prime Minister restated her ambition of the UK being a "global champion of free trade" as it prepares for Brexit, with countries like Colombia offering new opportunities.

Following the talks with Mrs May in Downing Street, Mr Santos said Colombia was ready to "pursue new opportunities" with the UK as the Brexit process unfolds.

Mrs May said the UK has been the third largest foreign investor in Colombia over the past decade and the trading relationship was worth 1 billion last year.

She said: "As the UK prepares to leave the EU, I am determined that Britain should become the global champion of free trade, and that means boosting trade with fast-growing economies like Colombia.

"I want to see even more British companies and investors taking up the opportunities that Colombia offers.

"And I want Colombian businesses to see the UK as a leading hub for finance, innovation, research and development."

The talks at Number 10, on the second day of Mr Santos's state visit to the UK, saw the announcement of a new oil and gas partnership.

The two leaders also announced a new double taxation agreement to help businesses and employees in both countries.

And the Prime Minister promised 1 billion in UK export finance to encourage investment in healthcare and energy projects.

Bringing together the cities of Aberdeen and Barranquilla, the new oil and gas partnership will share best practice in areas like regulation, supply chain development and training.

The Prime Minister and president also discussed how the UK can support efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement in Colombia, following last month's referendum which narrowly rejected Mr Santos's deal to end conflict with Farc guerrillas.

Mrs May promised a further 7.5 million to support efforts to remove landmines and the international monitoring mission in Colombia. The UK will also invest up to 25 million in urban development, agriculture, services and transport, which Mrs May claimed could improve the lives of more than three million people affected by the conflict and create export opportunities worth around 6 billion for British firms.

She also promised advice on the peace process, based on the UK's own experiences in Northern Ireland.

Mr Santos, who welcomed the "key role" played by the UK in the search for peace, highlighted the business opportunities available in his country.

Colombia, along with Chile, Peru and Mexico, is in the Pacific Alliance free trade bloc and represented "a huge opportunity for British business".

"As the UK negotiation process with the European Union unfolds, we stand ready to pursue new opportunities to consolidate our status as trading partners," he said.

Energy Minister Nick Hurd signed an agreement with Colombia for a 20 million joint-funded bio-economy research programme to develop new drugs, medicines, fertilisers and pollution-tackling products.

Mr Hurd described the agreement as "a significant moment in our relationship giving our world-leading researchers and scientists the opportunity to work closely with Colombian counterparts tackling global challenges, addressing developmental issues and unlocking the full potential of Colombia's biodiverse geography".

The Colombia Bio programme will tap into economic and scientific opportunities in isolated regions affected by the long-running conflict with guerrilla groups in the country, he said.

The UK has already pledged to provide 45 million to tackle deforestation in Colombia.

Following the signing ceremony at London's Natural History Museum, the Colombian delegation was presented with a picture of a new species of ringlet butterfly discovered in the Amazon by a team led by the museum's Bianca Huertas and named the Peace Butterfly - Magneuptychia pax - in recognition of the country's ongoing peace process.
Hollywood star Michael Fassbender has ruled himself out of becoming the next James Bond - suggesting a woman should play a female 007.

The 39-year-old X-Men actor had been tipped as a favourite to land the plum movie role and is rumoured to be on a shortlist of actors in the running to take over from Daniel Craig, 48.

But Fassbender told the December issue of British GQ that the film franchise needed a new spin as Craig had already excelled in 007's tuxedo and that nobody of Craig's age could improve the Spectre star's performance.

Asked whether he would sign up as Bond, the Irish-German star said: "To be honest, no.

"As an acting role, I think Daniel has done such a cracking job in this age group ... I think the franchise needs something new."

Fassbender suggested that an actress should play "Jane Bond" or a young actor such as Unbroken star Jack O'Connell, 26, could take the famous character back to his roots.

"What about we start the film back in Sandhurst, Army training rather than on a yacht, or he's in the Middle East on an op and gets thrown in the brig for insubordination? He's going to get court-martialled... I have thought about it a lot," he said.

Fassbender told the magazine he is a huge fan of the Bond films.

"I just love Bond. Doesn't everyone? I grew up with him," he said.

"It's always a fun conversation to have. But Bond should be someone in their early 20s ... I always thought Bond should be British, but let's get an American in o r maybe someone like Jack O'Connell would be good?

"Or even better, how about Jane Bond? A woman. One thing is for sure, it won't be anyone on the bookies' lists. It never is."

Luther star Idris Elba, 44, The Night Manager's Tom Hiddleston, 35, Poldark's Aidan Turner, 33, Welsh actor Luke Evans, 37, Victoria star Tom Hughes, 30, and War And Peace's James Norton, 31, have all been tipped for the role.

Craig, who has played Bond in Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre, is also rumoured to be considering returning for a fifth instalment.

But reports that the actor had been offered 120 million to play the role in two more films were reportedly denied.

Fassbender also spoke about his relationship with Oscar-winning actress Alicia Vikander, 28, after the pair met on the set of romantic period drama The Light Between Oceans.

The star said that the couple's relationship did not influence the film, directed by Derek Cianfrance.

"Derek was trying to create an environment where the actors can be as real as possible. You service the characters," he said.

"You use elements of reality but also the imagination. The relationship myself and Alicia went on to have did not pollute the journeys of Tom and Isabel, the characters. Not for me, anyway."

He also voiced his opposition to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, calling him part of the problem.

"I think people are angry and that's why Trump got such a huge following," he told GQ.

"They feel disenfranchised and this is their way to strike back. But is he the answer they are looking for?

"Feels to me like he's someone who got us into this mess in the first place, with the bankers and so on - he's just part of the problem."
There are a thousand love stories in which one partner dies young. Think of Love Story itself, which started as Erich Segal's novel and then became a film and a song, a paean to a perfectly intelligent and beautiful young woman who died of cancer.

'Where do I begin', starts the song, 'to tell the story of how great a love can be..?

Poet Katie Donovan (54) has a similar story to tell but she tells it differently.

She was a journalist on the Irish Times and a published poet and her relationship with the talented American cellist Stephen Sensbach started when his publisher invited her to dinner to meet him.

Stephen played for the National Symphony Orchestra and had just published a book on French cello sonatas.

There were already soft echoes of Erich Segal's classic novel. Oliver Barrett, had been to Harvard, Katie had studied at Berkeley. Jenny Cavilleri had been the musician in the novel. Stephen was the musician in Katie's story, recounted in her latest poetry collection, Off Duty.

And it was Stephen, the musician, who would die of cancer.

"I just happened to get chatting to Stephen and we clicked. Later our friends said they had sort of 'set us up'."

They moved quickly.

She says: "We decided we were both middle aged and didn't have an awful lot of time to faff around about whether we'd have a family or not so quite quickly, about two years after we met, our daughter Phoebe was born and then two-and-a-half years later our son Felix arrived."

During her first pregnancy she left the Irish Times and sustained herself with a mix of teaching and practising a form of Japanese physiotherapy called Amatsu.

They lived in a tower.

"It's an old mews in Dalkey, tall and thin, buffeted by winds and has a great view."

They converted a barn so that they had separate working spaces.

Then Katie's father died, a little after Felix was born, and a little while later, Stephen was diagnosed with throat cancer.

He went to Heidelberg in Germany for treatment, expecting better outcomes there than he might have got in Ireland. He believed he had a better chance of saving his salivary gland.

"It was difficult for him. He was there on his own," recalls Katie. "We just went over to visit. He became very thin and lost part of his hearing which never came back and he found it difficult to eat."

But he was given the all clear.

"It took him months to regain his weight and get back to his old self. There was a great sense of we've had this great reprieve, we can get on with our lovely life and we had about a year and then it was clear that the cancer was back.

"He tried for different complementary therapies and remedies but then he had a haemorrhage, quite a bad bleed from his throat which scared him.

"His surgeon said, you really need to have surgery; you need to have this thing out. Which he did. And again that was very rigorous, a long operation that lasted 12 hours."

They had faced the fear that he might die on the operating table.

"He made it through," she adds. "But there was a longer process of recuperation after this one. He couldn't speak for quite a long time. And he had a huge scar. He had had some of his teeth removed. And he slowly again became the person he wanted to be and not an invalid any more. It just took longer this time and he was, in his personality, scarred by the experience. He really retreated into his own shell and then a year later he got the terrible news that the cancer had returned again."

She explains: "All this time I was writing poems, initially poems of delight at having a young family and this new phase in my life and then poems about this difficult journey I was going through with him."

Those are the poems which have been published as Off Duty. They are candid poems about the difficulty of caring for a dying partner while caring for children and keeping a household together.

"They are also about the reality of falling out of love with Stephen while he was dying.

"I had always had this idea that I would find my big romance and certainly after having two children the idea of a big romance changes to being parents and having a lot of responsibility so you have to adapt to a more everyday type of relationship, which I think in itself is quite a challenge.

"We were meeting that challenge but then the illness put a huge strain on that sense of it being a man woman relationship and it became more that I was the carer and he was the one who was trying desperately to stay well."

She says Stephen withdrew from the children "which I found heartbreaking because, to me they were everything. And yet, I didn't know what it was like to be dying".

When caring for him became difficult and fearful, Katie persuaded Stephen to go into the hospice for two weeks.

"At this point he had one last phase of palliative chemo that hadn't done more than just maybe stop the tumours growing. There were several tumours at this stage, one of them a very large open neck tumour which smelled very bad and needed daily dressing.

"And after he came out of that two-week stint at the hospice we just couldn't function at home any more.

"It was too frightening for me. There was a chance that he could haemorrhage at any moment and bleed out, in our home where we had two small children.

"So eventually he went back to the hospice and he stayed there for the final five weeks of his life and had a stable, contented period where he didn't feel like he was dying."

She says their relationship had become one in which, "I had to really dig deep to have compassion for him, and that is what he needed, simple compassion".

Katie says: "All I could think of was cancer when I looked at him.

"It wasn't really until after he died that I began to recover some of the happier memories of our early time together."

She knows that this is not how such tragedies are often recounted in fiction. "I don't go along with the soaring violins and the thought that this can be in anyway romantic in a relationship with someone who has a terminal disease, like in some Hollywood movies. The Fault In Our Stars is the most recent one."

She points out: "He was difficult. He wouldn't address the fact that he was ill. Even when he was in the hospice he wouldn't countenance any talk of him dying. He wouldn't speak to the children about what was going to happen so that was all on me."

She told Phoebe and Felix that their father would soon be dead. The hospice helped. A psychotherapist got them to do art therapy. She helped them get used to the idea.

"I felt at the end that romantic love had gone but there was deep compassion there. I was still able to give him a foot rub every day, which was what he liked.

"I was still able to take his hand the last time I brought him to the hospice. He had a day out, the day before he died. He came to the house. It was just into the new year and we still had a Christmas tree and he sat by the tree and the fire and had the afternoon at home with us.

"And then it was hard to bring him back to the hospice. He didn't want to go. But I held his hand and somehow we made it across the threshold and the next day the dying process began."

Katie adds, heartbreaking though it was, Stephen, now 57, was philosophical. "He was ready, and to be brutally honest, I was ready too because I had done everything I could and I had nothing left to give."
Enda Kenny said Britain's decision to leave the EU was the most significant economic and social challenge to hit Ireland over the last half a century

Theresa May could trigger Brexit within weeks as she faces "quite vicious" leaders around the European table, Enda Kenny has warned.

The Taoiseach also cautioned Europe against "losing the plot" over the UK's decision to leave the EU.

In unscripted remarks before a conference in Dublin on the impact of Brexit on Ireland, Mr Kenny said the UK prime minister had indicated she will trigger Article 50 - the mechanism for leaving - before the end of March.

"That doesn't mean it mightn't be triggered in December ... or January, or February," he added.

Mr Kenny suggested some European leaders would become very hostile to Britain.

"The other side of this argument may well get quite vicious after a while, because there are those around the European table who take a very poor view of the fact that Britain decided to leave," he said.

"That argument, I think, will be fought very toughly, in a really difficult negotiating sense."

The issue of access to the single market being wedded to freedom of movement would be critical, he suggested.

Europe also has to decide for itself where it wants to be in the years ahead, he added.

"If it becomes obsessed with what the UK might or might not get, then Europe itself loses the plot," he told the All-Island Civic Dialogue, a specially convened forum of politicians, business leaders, community representatives and others from both sides of the border.

Northern Ireland's main unionist parties, the power-sharing Democratic Unionist Party and the Ulster Unionist Party, both snubbed the talks.

Earlier, Mr Kenny told the gathering people will be able to travel freely between the UK and Ireland after Brexit.

The Taoiseach said he has agreed with Mrs May that the "benefits of the Common Travel Area" between both countries should be preserved.

The deal, which dates back to the 1920s, secures freedom to travel between Britain and Ireland.

"I have agreed with the prime minister that there will be no return to the borders of the past," he said. "Therefore, the retention of an open border is critical.

"Neither I, nor the prime minister, desire to limit the freedom of people on both sides of the Irish Sea to trade, to live, to work, to travel freely across these islands.

"Therefore, we have agreed that the benefits of the Common Travel Area be preserved."

He said Northern Ireland and the peace process would be central to Dublin's priorities in the negotiations between Britain and the remaining 27 EU leaders over the terms of Brexit.

"I also acknowledge that the electorate in Northern Ireland did not vote to leave the European Union," he said.

Mr Kenny added that the Government remained fully committed to the Good Friday Agreement, pointing out it was a co-guarantor along with the British government of the 1998 peace deal.

He said Britain's decision to leave the EU was the most significant economic and social challenge to hit Ireland over the last half a century.

Micheal Martin, leader of Fianna Fail - whose support is needed by the minority government - attacked British government ministers for pushing a "crude and chaotic" Brexit agenda.

Urging Ireland to attempt to soften Britain's exit from the EU, he said June's "divisive and damaging" referendum result had profound short, medium and long-term implications for Ireland.

"Our agenda is the clear one of wanting to minimise the damage and division of Brexit and to maximise progress for all parts of this island," he told the forum.

"Let's explore radical ways of softening Brexit, but we also have to talk about the crude and chaotic Brexit which some in the London cabinet appear to be advocating.

"Unlike the foreign secretary (Boris Johnson), we don't have the luxury of being pro having the cake and eating it."

Mr Martin said Brexit negotiations must lead to a specific package which recognises the unique economic and social impact on Ireland.

"And, of course, we have to respect the will of the majority in Northern Ireland and equally the majority in this jurisdiction which voted overwhelmingly for a political settlement which sets a shared European context for overcoming the legacy of sectarianism and violence on this island," he added.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said his party wanted a referendum on Irish unity.

But he also suggested a "designated special status" for Northern Ireland, citing other unique EU arrangements such as Denmark/Greenland.

"That threatens no-one's constitutional preference and this state, as a continuing member of the EU, has the right, and in our view the obligation, to bring forward such a proposal," he said.

"The EU has proved itself capable of accommodating unique circumstances."

A Downing Street spokesman later said it remained Mrs May's position that Article 50 would be triggered by the end of March 2017 but not before the end of this year - leaving January, February and March as the only possible dates.

On the issue of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, the Number 10 spokesman added: "We have been very clear we don't want to see a return to the borders of the past. Nobody does.

"The arrangement that currently exists has served both sides of that border extremely well and we've no desire - and neither does the Irish Government - to change it."

Asked whether Mrs May expected "vicious" talks with EU partners, the spokesman said: "We've been very clear that we want to have constructive dialogue with all the member states, a mature debate about the key areas both for Britain and the other 27 member states as we negotiate an exit from the European Union.

"What's important for us is to make that as smooth a transition as possible."

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Dave Anderson said: "Enda Kenny's comments on Brexit show the huge level of concern in both the North and South of Ireland.

"Any hardening of the border will hurt the Northern Ireland economy, but it will also disrupt the lives of the many people who live and work in border areas."
An appeal to grant Northern Ireland women NHS-funded abortion care in England will be heard by the Supreme Court today.

The case was brought by a young woman and her mother from Northern Ireland but it was unsuccessful at the High Court and the Court of Appeal. They were then given permission to appeal at the Supreme Court.

When the young woman was 15 years old, she and her mother had to travel to Manchester in order to terminate her pregnancy in 2012. The treatment cost 900 and in 2014, the mother and daughter brought a case that the treatment should have been funded by the NHS.

The mother and daughter will be supported by several charities, including Alliance for Choice, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), Birthrights, the Family Planning Association (FPA) and the Abortion Support Network.

They will be arguing that the ban on NHS-funded abortions violates Articles 8 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which cover the right to private and family life as well as the right to not be discriminated against.

Because abortions are illegal in Northern Ireland except under exceptional circumstances, women have to travel to other parts of the UK for procedures.

They are also ineligible for NHS-financed abortion treatments in England, so have to pay for private procedures as well as their travel costs and other associated costs. These private procedures can cost up to 2,000. Ann Furedi, bpas chief executive, said until women are legally allowed abortions at home in Northern Ireland, they should be allowed to have NHS-funded care in England.

"It is simply unjust that women from Northern Ireland are forced to pay for healthcare that is provided free of charge to women resident in all other parts of the UK."

The costs of travelling to England and receiving private care can be too expensive for some women, so Ms Furedi said these women end up purchasing abortion pills illegally online and "risk criminal punishment".

FPA chief executive Natika H Halil said the current laws in Northern Ireland regarding abortion were a "failure to women's reproductive health".

"It's a disgrace that women are still forced to travel, and this injustice is only compounded by the high cost of private procedures that women from Northern Ireland have to pay."

Ms Halil added: "Women who have used early medical abortion pills bought online have been criminally prosecuted, which is effectively a punishment for not having financial means or resources to travel to England."

Rebecca Schiller, CEO of Birthrights, said she hopes the outcome of the appeal will be the "beginning of Northern Irish women's human rights being upheld". "It is unacceptable that women must choose between keeping an unwanted pregnancy, risk prosecution by buying illegal abortion pills or spend significant sums to travel to England."

In 2015, 833 women travelled to England and Wales for abortion treatments, according to Department of Health statistics.
Almost 600 people sought emergency housing in the last year because of intimidation, shocking figures have revealed.

The vast majority of cases - three in every four - involved paramilitaries.

Statistics from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) paint a terrifying picture of the extent of intimidation in Northern Ireland.

In the past 10 years, a total of 6,261 people told the NIHE they were homeless through intimidation, with 3,720 of these accepted as homeless.

Every year the number one reason given by applicants is paramilitary intimidation.

Other reasons included disability, sectarianism, race, sexual orientation and anti-social behaviour.

The details were disclosed after an Assembly Question by Green Party MLA Claire Bailey.

In the 12 months to April this year, NIHE revealed 582 people claimed they were homeless through intimidation.

These included:

433 because of paramilitary activity

77 because of anti-social behaviour

39 because of sectarianism

And 23 due to racial abuse.

The organisation said 414 of those claims were accepted as genuine.

Read More

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Ms Bailey, the deputy leader of the Green Party, said the figures were staggering.

These figures show that intimidation causing people to present as homeless to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive is still an ongoing issue in Northern Ireland.

People present as homeless due to intimidation on a range of grounds; anti-social, racial, paramilitary, sexual orientation and disability.

Paramilitary intimidation still accounts for the majority of cases. Given recent gun attacks, in Belfast in particular, the Assembly needs to act as a matter of urgency on addressing paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland.

The south Belfast MLA said she intended to drill down into the figures to establish whether intimidation was clustered in certain areas of Northern Ireland.

She felt that the issue of intimidation in housing was so serious it should be dealt with under the Assemblys Fresh Start plans.

We have a shortage of social housing. We need to look at whether the system is just moving people around. Are we just moving people from area to area? Have any of them had to leave the country? These are huge numbers for a small area, Northern Ireland is not that big.

I would encourage anyone experiencing intimidation on any of the grounds, to report it to the police and housing executive and seek relevant support.

Nobody in our society should have to experience intimidation.

A NIHE spokesman said: The Housing Executive has had to directly deal with the consequences of community conflict in Northern Ireland since it was created in 1971.

As the figures show, the number of people who have presented and been accepted as homeless due to intimidation has remained at a fairly constant level over the last decade. We have a statutory duty to provide housing for people who find themselves in this situation.

It is obviously very concerning that in 2016 many families are still coming to us for help because they feel insecure in their own homes.
Belfast Magistrates' Court heard police had erected large signs to warn bands of restrictions imposed on that section of the route.

Four members of a flute band were each fined 250 for knowingly breaching a ban playing tunes outside a Catholic church in Belfast.

A judge was told Bangor Protestant Boys had defied the restriction in a conscious act of protest against the Parades Commission.

The body had ruled that only a single drum beat could be played as bands passed St Patrick's Chapel on Donegall Street during an Apprentice Boys demonstration in August last year.

The church has become a flashpoint for parading controversies in recent years.

Belfast Magistrates' Court heard police had erected large signs to warn bands of restrictions imposed on that section of the route.

Prosecutor John O'Neill said the band marched into the restricted area on the return leg and played a hymn tune in breach of the determination as it passed the chapel.

The incident occurred just before evening mass was due to start.

Mr O'Neill disclosed that the band later published a statement online saying it had taken a conscious decision to breach the determination in an act of peaceful protest.

It also called on other bands to take a stand against Parades Commission rulings.

Four members of Bangor Protestant Boys were prosecuted after being identified as playing the tune.

They are: Ryan Campbell, 22, of Ganaway Walk; Corey McNabb, 20, from Birch Drive; Hugh Mills, 51, of Abbots Walk; and Craig Winters, 24, from Cranley Avenue - all in Bangor.

All four admitted a charge of knowingly failing to comply with a condition imposed by the Parades Commission.

Defence lawyers said their clients wished to apologise for their actions.

Imposing a 250 fine on each defendant, Dstrict Judge Ken Nixon gave them six months to pay the penalty.
Deputy First Minster of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams at the All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit

Brexit is potentially bigger than the peace process for Ireland, Martin McGuinness has warned.

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, a former IRA commander and central figure in negotiating landmark peace deals, said the UK decision to leave the EU is the "major crisis of our time".

"I've been involved in some of the most historic and important negotiations that this island has seen in 100 years, more particularly the Good Friday Agreement and the St Andrew's Agreement," he said.

"What we are facing into now, in my opinion, is just as big as that - maybe even bigger."

The stark outlook is not helped by a British government which is "all over the place" on the UK's future, he added.

Speaking to an all-island Brexit forum in Dublin, Mr McGuinness said unionists - who have snubbed the gathering - were shocked by the outcome of the June referendum.

Although Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU, the region's biggest party, the Democratic Unionists - who share power with Mr McGuinness's Sinn Fein, had campaigned for a Leave vote.

"I know for a fact that unionists were shocked by the outcome of the Brexit referendum," Mr McGuinness said.

"I know one particular unionist who lost a fortune because he backed Remain. That's absolutely true."

Mr McGuinness said the British opt-out has "profound implications" for the entire island of Ireland.

Read more

Brexit could be triggered within weeks, warns Irish premier Enda Kenny

It will impact on hugely sensitive issues, including politics, social interaction, the business community, the peace process and the island's entire future, he said.

But he added that he was optimistic that leaders in both Northern Ireland the Republic of Ireland could come together to negotiate with the British government and the European Union.

Mr McGuinness was speaking before the the All-Island Civic Dialogue, a specially convened forum of politicians, business leaders, community representatives and others from both sides of the border.

Northern Ireland's main unionist parties, the Democratic Unionists and the Ulster Unionist Party, both declined to attend.
Liang Zhao Zhangs job is to clean up BART stations in downtown San Francisco and clean up he does: He swept in $162,000 in overtime pay last year, records show.

Call Zhang the super janitor, an extraordinarily high earner in a field where the beloved school custodian rarely brings home more than $50,000 a year.

Zhang grossed $235,000 in 2015, four times more than his base pay as a janitor. Benefits brought his total cost of employment at the rail agency to more than $270,000. And records show this isnt the first time he raked in six-figure compensation at BART. Zhang received a combined $682,000 in pay and benefits over the last three years.

Where do I sign up? joked Lionel Hsu, a BART rider on Tuesday.

But Hsu, who commutes by BART from his home in Contra Costa County to Oakland, said he doesnt fault workers who take advantage of OT shifts to make more money. Its BARTs fault too, he said. Its poor management, its poor financial planning.

The eye-popping figures are featured in a new report from the Las Vegas based nonprofit Transparent California, which released records Tuesday showing the pay of special district workers across the state.

It would be great if all janitors were paid $200,000, said Transparent California Research Director Robert Fellner. But I seriously doubt BART riders  who must pay for this excess  are ever afforded that opportunity.

The groups report comes a week before voters in Alameda and Contra Costa counties and San Francisco vote on a ballot measure that if passed would allow BART to borrow $3.5 billion by selling bonds to begin a long-awaited system overhaul.

BART salary data that this news organization obtained shows Zhang was one of 35 workers at the agency whose overtime pay exceeded their base salaries in 2016.

But dont blame Zhang, said BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost.

He works almost every day of the year cleaning our stations, she said.

He is signing up for time that is also available to others  if he doesnt take them, someone else will. Station cleanliness is a priority for us.

An opponent of the ballot measure, Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, said Zhangs overtime was outrageous but not a surprise. Overtime at BART remains rampant, he said. There are so many examples like this.

Acknowledging that BART needs the makeover, Glazer said hes urging voters to reject the bond question. We cant reward bad behavior.

BART board President Tom Radulovich and Vice President Gail Murray did not return phone calls Tuesday.

Glazer said he didnt blame Zhang for working as much as he could. It goes so far beyond this guy.

Compensation data collected by this news organization shows that many other janitors at public agencies across the region are paid far less than Zhang.

Of 474 janitors who worked at the Oakland, San Jose and Antioch school districts in 2015, only two exceeded $100,000 in salary and benefits combined, the news organization found. The most overtime paid to a custodian was $22,000.

However, a maintenance worker at the Port of Oakland also topped $200,000 in pay and benefits last year, Transparent Californias data showed.

Trost did not respond to requests to make Zhang available for an interview. He could not be reached.

A spokeswoman for the Service Employees International Union, Cecille Isidro described his work as backbreaking. It involves cleaning up after the hundreds of thousands of riders that rely on BART to get to and from work every day.

But another BART rider said it was just too much.

I am stunned, said Debra Flinker, of Walnut Creek, as she waited for a train to arrive in Oakland on Tuesday, after hearing about the overtime pay. Actually, Im appalled.
Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos poses for a formal photograph with her husband and the Royal Couple before a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace

Colombia's first lady will today visit a London nursery, founded by actress Vanessa Redgrave, with the Countess of Wessex.

Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos and Sophie will tour the Vanessa Nursery School and Cathnor Park Children's Centre in Shepherd's Bush, West London after meeting the award winning celebrity.

Mrs Rodriguez de Santos has joined her husband, Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, on his historic three-day trip to the UK, the first state visit by a leader of the South American nation.

While her husband attends a breakfast business meeting at Buckingham Palace the First Lady will be travelling to the nursery.

Mrs Rodriguez de Santos is interested in the early development of children and has dedicated her charitable work towards the expansion of early childhood care, nutrition, health and education, with a strategy called De Cero A Siempre - Zero to Forever.

The first lady, known to her family as Tutina, is the mother of their three grown-up children Martin, Maria Antonia and Esteban.

Vanessa Nursery School was established in 1973 by the Vanessa Redgrave Educational Trust and offers high quality, child-centred early education to local children aged three to four years old.

Last night during a glittering Buckingham Palace banquet the Queen paid tribute to Mr Santos who has helped broker an historic deal with left-wing Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) rebels which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.

During the day the Colombian leader will hold talks at Downing Street with Theresa May, in what is the first state visit since she became Prime Minister.

The president will also travel to Northern Ireland on Thursday to meet community leaders in Belfast and discuss the challenges of community reconciliation post-conflict.
The family of Disappeared victim Columba McVeigh say they need just one last piece of information to find his remains.

Choking back tears as she laid a wreath on the steps of Stormont, Dympna Kerr pleaded for someone to help end their 41 years of torment.

She said: "It is hurtful.

"We have had information and we have had digs but there is something missing.

"All we want is somebody to just make that phone call and give us that last little bit of information."

Columba McVeigh, from Co Tyrone, was kidnapped in Dublin in November 1975.

Despite extensive searches at Bragan Bog in Co Monaghan, including a five- month excavation in 2013, his body has never been found.

Ms Kerr added: "Forty one years ago on Halloween night Columba was taken out of a pub in Dublin.

"And that's it, he has never been seen since.

"It is the not knowing that is the worst. Everybody has lost a close relative in their life - you grieve them and bury them and then you move on with your life. But we can't move on because we haven't buried him yet.

"If he was buried it would bring some completeness.

"We just want to get the last bit of crucial information over to the people who will do the dig and go out and find him.

"We want a Christian burial for him in the grave with my mum and dad. That was my mum's wish."

Ms Kerr was among dozens of Disappeared relatives who took part in the annual All Souls' Day silent walk to remember the 17 people who were abducted, killed and secretly buried by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles.

The solemn procession and wreath laying ceremony, now in its 10th year, aims to highlight the cases of those still to be found.

They walked from Carson's Statue to the steps of Parliament Buildings where Ms Kerr laid a black wreath, with attached white lilies representing those still missing.

Among the sombre crowd walking in the autumnal sunshine were some of the 10 children of Jean McConville, who was snatched from her home in Divis flats in 1972.

The sisters of Brian McKinney who vanished in 1978 also took part for the first time.

Their mother Margaret, now 84 and too frail to walk, first raised the plight of the disappeared when she met US president Bill Clinton at the White House in 1998.

A transcript of a telephone conversation between Clinton and the then prime minister Tony Blair released earlier this year revealed the former president had been so moved by her story that he pushed for the Disappeared to be key focus for the peace process.

Mr McKinney's remains were found in Co Monaghan in 1999.

Linda Pywell, who travelled from England for the event, said it was important to continue the campaign for those who have yet to be found.

She said: "I know their families' first thoughts every morning are "will today be the day?"

"So, we are definitely here to support them and will continue to do so. Mum is in failing health and is unable to take part but I will be happy to come over."

Of the 17 Disappeared victims, some 13 have been recovered by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) - a body set up by the British and Irish governments during the peace process.

As well as Columba McVeigh, the remains of Seamus Ruddy, cistercian monk Joe Lynskey and SAS-trained Captain Robert Nairac have not yet been located.

Last June Kevin McKee and Seamus Wright were found in a shallow grave in Coghalstown, Co Meath.

An inquest into their deaths is due to be held in Dublin later this month.

In an address ahead of the walk, Kieran Megraw, whose brother Brendan was found in 2014, stressed the importance of the annual walk.

He said: "For many years we held out little hope that we would be able to lay our brother Brendan to rest. Thanks to the dedication of the ICVLR and to the person or persons who provided the final piece of information we were finally able to bring Brendan home for a Christian burial to the family grave.

"It is impossible to over-estimate the impact on the families of having their mother or father, brother or uncle taken from them in this way.

"If we have learned anything about dealing with the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland it is that time and mortality will not resolve it."

Meanwhile Geoff Knupfer, who leads the ICLVR investigations, said work was continuing on all four outstanding cases.

"We are hopeful that in the future we will recover some if not all the victims in the outstanding cases but we can't do that without help and I would appeal to anybody who has information on these cases to get in touch because we can't do it alone.

"We rely entirely on information," he said.

They are also working with the French authorities in the hope of returning to the country to conduct more searches for the remains of Mr Ruddy, he said.

"We are also pursuing lines of enquiry in relation to the other three," added Mr Knupfer.

"We would hope that one day we achieve success."

Anyone with information about the Disappeared should contact the ICLVR's confidential telephone number on 00800 5558 5500 or write to them on ICLVR, PO BOX, 10827, Dublin 2.
An Armagh woman was stunned to discover in her attic photographs of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini after his execution.

The six photos - which show the dead fascist leader hanging by his ankles from a steel girder - were discovered by Helen McComb at her home in Glenanne earlier this year.

She found them in a biscuit tin along with photos of her great uncle, his parents and their birth certificates, the Ulster Gazette reported.

"I thought: 'Oh goodness, what's this, with all these people hanging and bodies lying at the bottom'?" said Ms McComb (56).

She showed them to her friend Eric Nesbitt, who immediately realised what they were.

But she said she only realised their historical significance when she took them to a coffee morning at Glenanne Orange Hall last month, where there was a display of First World War memorabilia to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

There, local solicitor Hilary Singleton told her that they were originals and could be valuable.

Miss McComb is hoping that a historian will be able to shed more light on where they came from.

"I would like to get them looked at but I don't have a clue where to go or what to do," she said.

Il Duce, who was dictator of Italy from 1922 until his downfall in 1943, was executed by partisans in northern Italy on April 28, 1945, after a failed attempt to flee the country with his mistress, Clara Petacci.

Their bodies, along with those of other fascists, were taken to Milan and left in Piazzale Loreto to be abused by the public. They were then hung upside down on meat hooks above a service station on the square.

This is the second historical discovery made in Miss McComb's home.

Earlier this year she came across a diary belonging to her great uncle Private Thomas Chambers, who was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme at the age of 17 while fighting with the 36th Ulster Division.

Pte Chambers - known as Tommy - was among almost 20,000 British soldiers killed on July 1, 1916, little more than three months after he had arrived in France from Ireland on what he described as his "adventures".

Speaking at the time, Miss McComb said she had been moved to tears by the diary, which had been kept in a box under a bed.

"I got goosebumps reading it. I just felt really emotional," she said.

"I actually cried reading the last page." The leather-bound 16-page diary is currently on display at the Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum in Armagh as part of its Somme exhibition.

Miss McComb suspects there may be more historical artefacts in her home.

"There's lots more stuff in the attic - I don't know what I'm going to find next!" she said.
A 38-year-old man has been arrested by detectives investigating loyalist paramilitary activity in Carrickfergus

A 38-year-old man has been arrested by detectives investigating loyalist paramilitary activity in Carrickfergus.

He was detained in the town by officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's reactive and organised crime branch and has been taken to Belfast for questioning.

Detective Inspector Heather Whoriskey said: "Officers carried out searches in the Castlemara area and another part of the town.

"A number of items have been removed for further examination.

"The 38-year-old suspect has been taken to a police station in Belfast for questioning."
Northern Ireland's police chief has warned politicians it would be a "huge mistake" to stall progress on new structures to deal with the legacy of the Troubles.

George Hamilton stressed the need for resolution as he addressed a seminar in Belfast marking the 15th anniversary of the formation of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Proposed mechanisms to address the needs of victims, and an accompanying multimillion-pound Government funding package, are stuck in the starting blocks due to a political wrangle linked to the potential non-disclosure of state papers on national security grounds.

The package agreed by Stormont leaders and the UK and Irish governments, which includes a new investigations unit, a truth recovery mechanism, an oral history archive, and enhanced funding for Troubles related inquests, will not become reality until the logjam is overcome.

The national security dispute is primarily between the UK government and Sinn Fein. However, the Democratic Unionists are refusing to sign off on the funding boost for legacy inquests until all the other issues are sorted.

A number of Stormont Executive ministers, including Justice Minister Claire Sugden, were in the audience of the seminar at Queen's University as Mr Hamilton emphasised the need to find a way forward.

"Work continues on the Historical Investigations Unit and the other mechanisms for dealing with the past which were laid out in the Fresh Start Agreement," he said.

"So there are signs of optimism as we refocus to the future, but it will be a huge mistake - and I say this with Executive ministers present - it will be a huge mistake to stall progress on these proposals - a mistake that neither policing nor our society can afford."

Mr Hamilton said current public confidence ratings in the PSNI of over 80% would have been "unimaginable" during the Troubles.

However, he highlighted that there remained some communities where trust in policing "remains some way off".

"By far and away, the greatest erosion of community confidence in policing relates to a series of well-known, but unresolved post conflict issues - dealing with the past; parades and protests; and flags and symbols," he said.

The region's top officer added: "In the absence of any alternative political and societal resolutions, these issues continue to be left at the door of policing and the broader criminal justice system. They sap community confidence and drain budgets."

During his address, Mr Hamilton also pledged to do more to attract more recruits from the Catholic community. He also stressed the need for more female officers within the ranks.

"Like all other Police Services the PSNI still faces challenges in achieving a Service that is truly representative of the community," he said.

"Women, young people and members of the Catholic community continue to be under-represented in PSNI.

"I am committed to doing all that I can to resolve these challenges."

The Reflecting And Refocusing: 15 years On seminar was jointly hosted by the PSNI and its oversight body, the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

Policing Board chair Anne Connolly said: "Fifteen years on policing remains a key part of the fabric of our society and continues to progress and evolve. Within the now established policing architecture we have a model of accountability that has stood the test of time and provides an oversight framework that remains essential for confidence building in the community.

"Whilst we must protect the fundamentals of our policing reforms into the future, we must also adapt to the ever-changing policing landscape. There are factors that focus our minds now that we hadn't even comprehended 15 years ago or thought would shape or impact our society.

"Changing crime, changing policing demands, changing technology and most importantly changing budgets. There are also new opportunities to work more collaboratively but we must also make sure that policing is properly resourced to meet the demands now being faced so that our community is safe and protected from harm."

Sinn Fein Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard and DUP Junior Minister Alastair Ross also attended the event at the Riddel Hall.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny opens the All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin

Theresa May could trigger Brexit within weeks as she faces "quite vicious" leaders around the European table, Irish premier Enda Kenny has warned.

The Taoiseach also cautioned Europe against "losing the plot" over the UK's decision to leave the EU.

In unscripted remarks before a conference in Dublin on the impact of Brexit on Ireland, Mr Kenny said the UK Prime Minister had indicated she will trigger Article 50 - the mechanism for leaving - before the end of March.

"That doesn't mean it mightn't be triggered in December... or January, or February," he added.

Mr Kenny suggested some European leaders would become very hostile to Britain.

"The other side of this argument may well get quite vicious after a while, because there are those around the European table who take a very poor view of the fact that Britain decided to leave," he said.

"That argument, I think, will be fought very toughly, in a really difficult negotiating sense."

The issue of access to the single market being wedded to freedom of movement would be critical, he suggested.

Europe also has to decide for itself where it wants to be in the years ahead, he added.

"If it becomes obsessed with what the UK might or might not get, then Europe itself loses the plot," he told the the All-Island Civic Dialogue, a specially convened forum of politicians, business leaders, community representatives and others from both sides of the border.

Northern Ireland's main unionist parties, the power-sharing Democratic Unionist Party and the Ulster Unionist Party, both snubbed the talks.

Earlier, Mr Kenny told the gathering people will be able to travel freely between the UK and Ireland after Brexit.

The Taoiseach said he has agreed with Mrs May that the "benefits of the Common Travel Area" between both countries should be preserved.

The deal, which dates back to the 1920s, secures freedom to travel between Britain and Ireland.

"I have agreed with the Prime Minister that there will be no return to the borders of the past," he said. "Therefore, the retention of an open border is critical.

"Neither I, nor the Prime Minister, desire to limit the freedom of people on both sides of the Irish Sea to trade, to live, to work, to travel freely across these islands.

"Therefore, we have agreed that the benefits of the Common Travel Area be preserved."

He said Northern Ireland and the peace process would be central to Dublin's priorities in the negotiations between Britain and the remaining 27 EU leaders over the terms of Brexit.

"I also acknowledge that the electorate in Northern Ireland did not vote to leave the European Union," he said.

Mr Kenny added that the Irish government remained fully committed to the Good Friday Agreement, pointing out it was a co-guarantor along with the British government of the 1998 peace deal.

He said Britain's decision to leave the EU was the most significant economic and social challenge to hit Ireland over the last half a century.

Micheal Martin, leader of Ireland's main Opposition party Fianna Fail - whose support is needed by the minority government - attacked British Government ministers for pushing a "crude and chaotic" Brexit agenda.

Urging Ireland to attempt to soften Britain's exit from the EU, he said June's "divisive and damaging" referendum result had profound short, medium and long-term implications for Ireland.

"Our agenda is the clear one of wanting to minimise the damage and division of Brexit and to maximise progress for all parts of this island," he told the forum.

"Let's explore radical ways of softening Brexit, but we also have to talk about the crude and chaotic Brexit which some in the London Cabinet appear to be advocating.

"Unlike the Foreign Secretary (Boris Johnston), we don't have the luxury of being pro-having the cake and eating it."

Mr Martin said Brexit negotiations must lead to a specific package which recognises the unique economic and social impact on Ireland.

"And, of course, we have to respect the will of the majority in Northern Ireland and equally the majority in this jurisdiction which voted overwhelmingly for a political settlement which sets a shared European context for overcoming the legacy of sectarianism and violence on this island," he added.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said his party wanted a referendum on Irish unity.

But he also suggested a "designated special status" for Northern Ireland, citing other unique EU arrangements like Denmark/Greenland.

"That threatens no-one's constitutional preference and this state, as a continuing member of the EU, has the right, and in our view the obligation, to bring forward such a proposal," he said.

"The EU has proved itself capable of accommodating unique circumstances."

A Downing Street spokesman later said it remained Mrs May's position that Article 50 would be triggered by the end of March 2017 but not before the end of this year - leaving January, February and March as the only possible dates.

On the issue of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, the Number 10 spokesman added: "We have been very clear we don't want to see a return to the borders of the past. Nobody does.

"The arrangement that currently exists has served both sides of that border extremely well and we've no desire - and neither does the Irish Government - to change it."

Asked whether Mrs May expected "vicious" talks with EU partners, the spokesman said: "We've been very clear that we want to have constructive dialogue with all the member states, a mature debate about the key areas both for Britain and the other 27 member states as we negotiate an exit from the European Union.

"What's important for us is to make that as smooth a transition as possible."

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Dave Anderson said: "Enda Kenny's comments on Brexit show the huge level of concern in both the North and South of Ireland.

"Any hardening of the border will hurt the Northern Ireland economy, but it will also disrupt the lives of the many people who live and work in border areas."
At the awards last night (from left) Ryan Morris (Young Achiever Award), Marianne Blaney (Enterprise Award), Ryan Lennon (Rising Star Award), Mark Dougan (Director of Princes Trust), John Devlin (Young Ambassador Award), Shannon Connor (Education Award), Gearoidin Barr (Breakthrough Award); and Aimee Kelly from Sacred Heart College (Community Impact Award)

Young people in Northern Ireland who have overcome serious problems in their lives were celebrated last night at the Prince's Trust Celebrate Success Awards.

The glitzy ceremony at Titanic Belfast recognised the remarkable journeys of disadvantaged young people who have triumphed over issues such as homelessness, abuse, drug addiction, depression and unemployment.

"I'm incredibly proud of our young people tonight," said Mark Dougan, director of the Prince's Trust in Northern Ireland.

"When you look behind the figures of people currently unemployed to one person and their story, you begin to realise there's a lot of barriers that have held them back, whether they're single mothers or homeless young people with addiction issues, it's about removing those barriers to help them succeed. The personal stories really keep me going. It's about changing lives for the better."

With the awards enjoying their 13th anniversary in Northern Ireland, Mr Dougan said the Prince's Trust was now helping 6,000 young people a year in Northern Ireland.

Among the seven winners last night was John Devlin (23) from Belfast who took home the award for Young Ambassador of the Year.

Drugs, gangs and crime had made him feel trapped in his own life. The possibility of prison and the suicide of a close friend made him realise he needed to change. After community service in a youth centre and joining the Prince's Trust team programme, he became inspired to follow a career as a youth worker.

Taking home the Breakthrough ward was Gearoidin Barr (23) from Belfast.

The death of her father in her teenage years caused serious problems with her mental health, forcing her to drop out of school and feel so worthless she felt unable to leave her home for a full year.

With help from her family and adult support services, she rebuilt her confidence and is studying for a level 2 BTec in childcare

Ryan Lennon (22) from Portstewart was the winner in the Rising star section. Having spent much of his childhood in care, he developed anger issues and after the death of his best friend found himself constantly in fights.

Leaving school before his GCSEs, he sought escape with drugs and self-harm. After help from the Prince's Trust to get a work placement in a hotel, he's now a married father and works full-time in catering. He is also studying youth work and sees his future helping young people.

Speaking at the ceremony last night, the Education Minister Peter Weir said: "There has been great work done by the Prince's Trust over the last 40 years.

"It just shows the difficulties some young people have had to overcome.

"I think there's a tremendous inspiration out there among the young people who were nominated, they're all winners in my eyes."
An inmate, known only as Mr I, collapsed and died after taking painkillers at Maghaberry prison

Prescribing of painkillers such as tramadol should be overhauled in Northern Ireland's prisons, a medical expert said.

A prisoner who had taken significant quantities of the commonly abused tablets during the lunchtime lock-up at Maghaberry died from a heart attack and drug poisoning, a review by Prisoner Ombudsman Tom McGonigle found.

In some prisons tramadol is not prescribed. A leading doctor in Northern Ireland has previously said it should be upgraded to a Class A drug and pathologist Professor Jack Crane has also expressed concerns.

Dr Rob Hall, who reviewed the case for ombudsman, noted there were some prisons, such as HMP Parc in Wales, where tramadol and pregabalin were not prescribed.

The ombudsman's report said: "In relation to prescribing of tramadol, pregabalin and mirtazapine - all of which are known to be abused in prisons - Dr Hall said this review should be the trigger to overhaul prescribing in Northern Ireland prisons.

"He acknowledged that it will not be easy but advised there is sufficient evidence that alternatives to pregabalin, tramadol and mirtazapine can be safely used."

Dr Hall, a retired GP from Suffolk, said the prisoner's non-attendance at a neurologist following an earlier collapse had not been followed up. There were also missed opportunities to be seen by a doctor after he complained of chest pains.

The inmate, known as Mr I, collapsed in his prison cell and was taken to an outside hospital but never regained consciousness. His life support machine was turned off two days later. The post-mortem examination reported his death was due to a heart attack and tramadol toxicity.

The Ombudsman said he had a long-standing history of abusing prescribed medication and illicit drugs.

His eligibility to hold his own medication was not reviewed when it should have been, which led to him being allowed to retain his medicines for four weeks before his death.

Mr I had previously complained of chest pains and had collapsed in the past.

However, the causes of his chest pains and collapses were not diagnosed even after hospitalisation and ECG tests.

Dr Hall said aspects of Mr I's care were better in prison than they would have been in the community - he was seen regularly by a psychiatrist and his mental healthcare was regularly reviewed.

While in the Care & Supervision Unit (CSU), he had daily access to a nurse, was seen frequently by a GP and nursing records were detailed and of high quality.

The ombudsman said: "Dr Hall's fundamental conclusion was that Mr I's death was not foreseeable. However, it may have been preventable had the causes of his chest pains and collapses been diagnosed."

He also said some aspects of the resuscitation attempt were well-managed. Others could be improved, in particular the maintenance of emergency equipment, although this would not have affected the outcome for Mr I.

The report made 11 recommendations for improvement, all of which have been accepted.
Geraldine with her brother Raymond and his wife Fiona in New York

The sister of IRA supergrass Raymond Gilmour has said that her family won't be attending his funeral.

Geraldine Dametz said that she was devastated by his death but she feared that going to the service would cause trouble for relatives living in Derry.

Speaking exclusively to the Belfast Telegraph, Geraldine, who now lives in the US, said that while she was proud that her brother had saved lives in Northern Ireland, his recruitment by the security services had destroyed her family.

She described how her dying mother prayed that Gilmour would come out of hiding in England and return home to see her one last time.

"Mammy thought that Raymond might visit the hospital dressed as a cleaner, or in some other sort of disguise. I didn't want to shatter her hopes and tell her that wouldn't happen," Geraldine said.

She stressed that she had never stopped loving her brother whose badly decomposed body was found in his Kent flat last Thursday.

It is understood he had been lying there for a week before he was discovered by his 18-year-old son. Gilmour had given evidence in one of Northern Ireland's best known supergrass trials in 1983.

Speaking from New Jersey, Geraldine said: "When I heard Raymond was dead, it was like they put a knife through my heart. I want to go to his funeral but the family has agreed that it is best for all relatives living in Derry that we stay away. That's the decision, although I'm pulled in so many directions over it."

She recalled how the Gilmours had faced relentless abuse after her brother turned supergrass, and she said that she didn't want to bring any new trouble to anybody's door.

She also revealed that some relatives had stopped talking to her after she was reunited with him in 2010.

"Some of the family were more accepting of my contact with Raymond than others," she said.

Gilmour (55) was deeply depressed and suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism. He was living on disability benefit at the time of his death. His sister accused the security services of treating him disgracefully.

"Raymond was only 16 years old when he was recruited as an informer. That was far too young.

"After they had used him, they turned their back on him. They caused all this upheaval, and then abandoned him. His death is on their hands. What happened is abominable. I don't know how these people can sleep at night," she said.

"I hope MI5 never does this to another kid again. It just shouldn't happen to anybody else's brother or son.

"By working for the security services, Raymond didn't just destroy his own life, he destroyed our family too."

After he fled Derry, she believed she'd never see him again - "he became the living dead".

Gilmour testified against 31 men and women in one of the best known supergrass trials. "The last time I saw him in Northern Ireland, he was in court giving evidence," she said.

"I was crying because I wanted him to retract for the sake of our family. It was another 27 years before I would see or speak to him, but not a day passed that he wasn't in my thoughts. I didn't know if he was alive or dead, if the IRA had caught up with him. It was absolute torture."

When Gilmour turned supergrass, the IRA abducted his father in an attempt to force him to retract. He refused to do so.

"If they wanted to pressurise Raymond, they abducted the wrong person," Geraldine said.

"Had they taken away my mother, he would have retracted his evidence in a heartbeat. As a child, he was like mammy's shadow, he went everywhere with her."

Even though Gilmour stood firm, the trial judge threw out the case anyway. Geraldine said that life became impossible in her native city.

"A few weeks after the trial collapsed, I moved to the US with my two children. I couldn't stay in Derry. Friends I'd grown up with snubbed me. The hostility was so strong I was scared I'd get attacked," she said.

Other siblings escaped to England, as did her elderly parents. They lived there for six years until Mrs Gilmour insisted on coming home. Geraldine returned from America to be with her mother when she was dying. "I nursed her for three months. All she did was talk about Raymond. She wanted to see him one last time. It broke our hearts to see her so unhappy."

When Gilmour heard his mother had died, he sent a wreath. He wrote on the card, 'From your loving son' but thought it would be thrown in the bin.

"That card was placed in mammy's hands in the coffin," Geraldine said.

For 27 years, Gilmour had no contact with his family. Geraldine was so desperate to find him that she had her three children in New Jersey carry out regular internet searches for their uncle.

In 2010, one of her sons found an article written by this reporter. He asked that his mother's contact details be passed onto her brother.

Gilmour dismissed concerns that it could be a false trail laid by republican paramilitaries looking to find him. He phoned the number immediately.

"He said 'Geraldine, do you know who this is?' and I said 'It's you Raymond'. I'd have known his voice anywhere. We talked for six hours," she recalled. "It was like we had never been separated."

Despite the security risks, Gilmour (left) was determined to see his sister again. He won 2,000 on the horses and booked flights. Geraldine said: "I didn't recognise him at the airport. The last time I'd seen him he was a young lad, and here was this guy with grey hair standing in front of me. I hugged him longer and harder than I've hugged anyone in my whole life."

During a 10-day trip, Geraldine took him to all the sights in New York and to Atlantic City. "I was losing in one casino but he played my hand when I went for a smoke. He won me over $1,000," she laughed. But it was quieter, more private moments which made the trip precious.

Geraldine recalled how one night they had sat up chatting for 14 hours. "We talked about mammy lighting the wee fire at home every evening and polishing our shoes until they shone so brilliantly even though the soles were full of holes.

"I played a video of mammy and daddy and all my brothers and sisters at home in Derry years earlier. My daddy was singing 'James Connolly' and other Irish songs. We are all singing 'A Mother's Love's A Blessing' to mammy. It was very emotional for Raymond watching it," his sister said.

He had left Derry with not a single photograph of his family. Geraldine had copies made of hundreds of pictures from her album. Her most treasured possession was the little blue bible that her mother had read every day. "I gave that to Raymond before he left America," she said.

Geraldine believed that if old enemies back home, like the DUP and Sinn Fein, could make a kind of peace, then her family should be able to do the same with their brother. But she recognises how hard it is for those who remain in Derry. She has suffered other losses recently too. Her husband Billy died in July, and her best friend passed away last week.

She is angry that Gilmour is demonised by some people who "put Martin McGuinness on a pedestal". The Sinn Fein politician has "more blood on his hands" than her brother, and "he turned his back on his republican politics when he shook hands with the Queen", she claimed.

Geraldine is "proud to be Irish" and marches in the St Patrick's Day parade on Fifth Avenue. She said it is not her role to judge her brother.

"If he saved the life of one Catholic, one Protestant, one British soldier or one policeman that is good," she said, "but Raymond, and our whole family, paid a terribly high price for what he did."
The IRA couldn't believe their luck when they met Mike Logan. A millionaire Ferrari-driving stockbroker, he started sending arms to the Provos in 1995 in a dangerously effective one-man US operation.

Third-generation Irish, he made friends with prominent republicans during his visits to Ireland. From the US, he posted guns hidden in children's toys - mainly fire engines. "I'd go to gun shows across the US with pocketfuls of cash and buy whatever I wanted for Spike," he told me.

Along with more than 200 handguns, Logan also sent the IRA powerful munitions capable of bringing down military helicopters and penetrating PSNI Land Rovers, killing all personnel inside.

"I sent them .50 calibre shells called Raufoss rounds," he boasted. "They were used to annihilate miles of Saddam Hussein's tanks in Iraq. They penetrate the vehicle they're fired at, then explode and ignite. They can incinerate everything and everybody inside."

"I sent (20 of) them to Spike. He was delighted with them," Logan claimed. "He told me he'd personally tested one on a scrap car down South. He said, 'Wow, they're good. They really do the business.' There are still 19 of these rounds out there. Somebody in Ireland has them."

Logan began visiting Ireland after the 1981 hunger strike. He started gunrunning aged 40. He admitted to getting a buzz from his deadly activities. "I liked living on the edge. People have always said that about me," he said.

In what appears to be a major security lapse, he never came to the security forces' attention. "I would go to riots. Spike wouldn't be pleased because he wanted me to keep a low profile. He'd say disapprovingly, 'I hear you were in Ardoyne last night'."

Logan said that Murray presented him with a huge Celtic harp made by IRA prisoners as a token of the Provos' gratitude. His gunrunning ended after his accomplices were caught.

Murray had sent west Belfast man, Conor Claxton, to join the operation. Claxton recruited three other people in Florida but was careless in his methods and the Florida Four were arrested by the FBI.
Supreme Court justices are hearing the challenge against a ruling at the Court of Appeal last year

Women and girls in need of abortion services in Northern Ireland are being treated as "second-class citizens", the UK's highest court has heard.

Supreme Court justices were told of their "healthcare plight" at the start of the latest round of a legal battle by a teenager and her mother for those resident in Northern Ireland to receive free abortions on the NHS in England.

Stephen Cragg QC, for the mother and daughter, told the court at a hearing in London on Wednesday: "Women and girls in need of abortion services in Northern Ireland are in an anomalous position.

"They live in the UK, but - unlike all other women and girls in the UK - they are at risk of the most serious criminal penalty if they procure an abortion in their own area."

He pointed out that, "unlike all other women and girls in the UK", they "cannot access abortion services through the NHS free of charge".

The QC added: " In terms of reproductive rights, they are second-class citizens."

He said abortion has remained unlawful in Northern Ireland "in all but a tiny number of extreme cases".

The young woman at the centre of the case was 15 in October 2012 when she and her mother travelled from Northern Ireland to Manchester and was told she had to pay hundreds of pounds for a private termination because she was excluded from free abortion services.

The teenager and her mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons and are referred to as A and B, originally lost their action in the High Court in London in May 2014 when a judge ruled that the exclusion was lawful.

He concluded that the Health Secretary was entitled to adopt a residence-based system so that women resident in Northern Ireland are not entitled to benefit from NHS abortion services in England, even though they are UK citizens.

The High Court judge declared that A had no right under Article 8 (right to privacy and family life) of the European Convention on Human Rights to a state-funded abortion, and there was no breach of anti-discrimination laws under Article 14.

The teenager, now 19, and her mother, then suffered a further defeat at the Court of Appeal last year.

Lord Justice Elias, announcing the Court of Appeal's decision, said: ''There was nothing irrational in the approach of the Secretary of State.

"It is entirely logical to provide a range of NHS services throughout the UK on the basis of local residence requirements.''

The Supreme Court's deputy president Lady Hale and four other justices are being asked to rule on a challenge against the Court of Appeal's decision.

Mr Cragg argued that the stance of the Health Secretary, that abortion services should not be made available for women from Northern Ireland, was "unreasonable and at odds with international norms requiring the UK as a whole to ensure access to safe abortion and post-abortion care services".

The "healthcare plight of a section of the UK population" was being ignored, he submitted, arguing that the Court of Appeal "erred" in its conclusions.

Contesting the challenge at the Supreme Court, Jason Coppel QC, for the Government, submitted that it was not irrational for the provision of non-emergency healthcare to be divided between the different countries of the UK according to the place of residence of the patient.

Before the proceedings began, Angela Jackman, a partner at law firm Simpson Millar, who has been representing the girl and her mother throughout the legal process, said: "For women in Northern Ireland who are pregnant and seek a termination, the status quo is almost unbearable.

"I believe the legal arguments of the Secretary of State are perverse and contrary to its international obligations.

"Many women face the choice between an unlawful termination using dangerous and illegal pills, with the prospect of prosecution to follow, or a costly journey to England where they must pay privately for an abortion. For many women, those costs are prohibitive."

At the completion of the legal argument the justices reserved their decision to be given at a later date.
Noirin O'Sullivan said a walkout planned for this Friday and the three subsequent Fridays will hit public confidence and jeopardise respect that the rank-and-file Gardai have earned

The Garda Commissioner has warned strike-threat officers that they risk irreparably damaging the authority of the force as she cancelled leave and ordered them on duty.

Noirin O'Sullivan said a walkout planned for this Friday and the three subsequent Fridays will hit public confidence and jeopardise respect that the rank-and-file Gardai have earned.

The Commissioner wrote to every member of the force as both the Garda Representative Authority (GRA) and Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) rejected pay deals from Government.

Tanaiste Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said she hoped the threatened repeat of the 1998 blue flu, when gardai called in sick en masse, will not materialise.

And she warned that officers who do not turn in will not be paid and could face sanctions.

"Breaches of discipline can arise if people fail to obey the directive from the Garda Commissioner," she said.

In a stark warning to about 12,500 officers Commissioner O'Sullivan gave them 24 hours to confirm they will show up for work on Friday and the subsequent three Fridays this month when strikes are planned.

She said the prospect of a policing crisis with only the top brass and armed response units on duty was unprecedented.

"In particular, the action proposed for Friday 4th November and subsequently is without precedent and is gravely damaging for the delivery of a policing and security service for this country as well as for An Garda Siochana as an organisation and each individual member," she said.

Garda management in each district will be asked to direct officers to their duties on each day of the threatened strike.

The letter ratchets up an already deeply divisive dispute over pay restoration and equal rates for newly graduated officers.

The offer of a revival of the 4,000 euro rent allowance and a fee to cover the 15-minute shift changeover for gardai was rejected by the garda representative bodies but contacts with government were ongoing in the hope that the Labour Court could be asked to adjudicate.

Gardai are barred from striking under law.

But the Commissioner's letter contained no indications about possible sanctions for officers who do not meet her demands for the 24 hours from 7am on Friday.

The Garda chief said: "An Garda Siochana has a long-established and proud tradition of placing our communities at the heart of everything we do.

"In order to maintain this position it is obligatory that we ensure public safety and protection by providing a guaranteed policing service and maintaining the security of the state at all times.

"I am confident of your support in these difficult circumstances and I remain confident that the professionalism, dedication and commitment of the members of An Garda Siochana will prevail in the face of these challenges."

The Tanaiste and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe urged the garda representatives to meet them, but warned that any deal would have to be agreed with the limits of the public sector pay plans set out in the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

Discussions are also continuing on contingency policing plans in the event that large numbers of officers do not show up for work on Friday.
Use of cannabis oil is permitted in parts of the US, Australia, Brazil and Columbia

A young mother launched a 300km walk to Dublin to personally plead with Irish health minister Simon Harris to fast-track cannabis-based drug treatment for Irish children facing potentially life-threatening seizures.

Vera Twomey-Barry decided on the desperate action after her daughter, Ava (6), had to be rushed to Cork University Hospital (CUH) again last month with another bout of violent seizures.

On Tuesday evening, Ava suffered another major seizure after she had been battling an ear infection.

Vera warned the family cannot wait and need urgent action on reform of vital medicinal treatment regulations.

It was the latest emergency hospitalisation for Ava who suffers from Dravet Syndrome, a rare condition where she suffers from virtually uncontrollable epileptic seizures.

The little girl suffered 16 seizures alone over one 36 hour period.

Children with Dravet eventually reach a point where normal medications become increasingly ineffective in controlling the seizures - with medicinal cannabis oil the only known treatment option.

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"Please, Mr Harris, my daughter is extremely ill. She is having seizures every day and they are getting worse," she said.

"She desperately needs this treatment and we desperately need your help," she said.

Vera will now walk from her home at Aghabullogue in Cork to the Dublin offices of Mr Harris - a 300km trek.

The mother of four pleaded with the Wicklow TD to use his influence to fast-track a situation where doctors in Ireland can legally use cannabis-based medicines for the treatment of children facing life-threatening illnesses.

"A lot of politicians have told me that the situation is very complicated. I fully accept that."

"But I am afraid that if Ava suffers something like 22 seizures, will she have another heart attack and will she be gone? There have been four or five children since the start of the year and they have passed away."

"You are looking to the future and wondering is that going to happen to us?"

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Also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), Dravet affects just one in 60,000 children in its most catastrophic form.

With Dravet Syndrome, a sufferer can initially have their seizures treated by normal epilepsy medicines.

However, over a short period of time, the seizures become immune to the medications and increase both in their frequency and severity.

The only known long-term treatment for Dravet Syndrome involves the use of a medicine called Epidiolex used to treat rare but serious forms of epilepsy in children.

The active ingredient in Epidiolex is known as Cannabidiol (CBD), and it is sourced from a nonpsychoactive variety of the cannabis plant family, specifically bred for medical purposes.

Last month it was announced that British Sugar will be begin growing marijuana plants, of a non-psychoactive variety after signing a long-term contract to supply the crop to drugs company GW Pharmaceuticals.

The plants will be grown at British Sugars 18-hectare glasshouse in Wissington, Norfolk.

However, the controversial product is not licensed in Ireland or other EU member states.

Its medicinal uses, in specific cases, has led to it being permitted in parts of the US, Australia, Brazil and even Columbia.

That is the only hope that Ava now has, Vera explained.

I dont want to be forced out of Ireland with my family to get treatment for Ava.

We want to stay in Ireland and raise our children here  but what choice do we have if Ava needs the treatment and the only place she can get it is overseas?

All we are pleading for is a little commonsense. If cannabis oil or medicinal marijuana can help Ava, why cant she be allowed benefit from it in her own country?

Vera and her husband, Paul, have launched a campaign to help children like Ava in Ireland.

There are five people with Dravet Syndrome in Ireland  and all would likely benefit from treatment with cannabis-based medication.

One trial in the US indicated that a person with Dravet Syndrome who was suffering 300 seizures every day managed to reduce those to just two seizures a month thanks to cannabis oil.

All we are asking for is a little commonsense. That and the realisation that children like Ava dont have any other alternatives, Vera said.

It is heartbreaking to have to take Ava to an emergency department when she gets severe seizures despite knowing that there is nothing they can do for her.

The couple, who are based in Aghabullogue in mid Cork, have three other children, Sophia (4), Michael (3) and Elvera-Mae (14 months).

All we are asking is that Ava has some chance of a normal life. Surely every Irish child has that right, she said.

Details of Vera and Pauls campaign for Ava is available from Facebook on  CBD For Ava Support. A petition has been created on Change.org.

The Republic's Department of Health and Irish medicines chiefs (HPRA) are currently reviewing the medical evidence for allowing cannabis oil to be used as a treatment option in Ireland.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority said that cannabidiol is not a controlled drug according to the Republic's Misuse of Drugs Act but that Epidiolex is not authorised for use in Ireland.
The shell of US celebrity gossip site Gawker has settled with Hulk Hogan for 31 million dollars (25 million), ending a long-running court saga over a sex tape which saw Gawker.com shut down.

The legal battle with the wrestling star led to the media company's bankruptcy and the sale of Gawker's other sites to Spanish-language broadcaster Univision.

Gawker founder Nick Denton said in a blog post said that the "saga is over".

Denton filed for personal bankruptcy because of the 140 million dollar verdict won by the former professional wrestler in a Florida court over a sex tape.

Denton said that as part of the settlement, three of the company's stories - about Hogan and two others who had also filed suit - are being taken offline.

The Gawker vs Hogan invasion-of-privacy case became even more notorious when it emerged that Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel had bankrolled the lawsuit.

The settlement instead means Hogan will get 31 million dollars (25 million) as well as 45% of the proceeds from potential sale of Gawker.com, said Elizabeth Traub, a spokeswoman for Hogan's lawyer, David Houston. Gawker.com is dormant but its archives remain online.

Mr Houston said in an emailed statement that "all parties have agreed it is time to move on".

Denton said in the Wednesday post that he was confident that an appeals court would have reduced the 140 million dollar verdict, but "an all-out war with Thiel would have cost too much, and hurt too many people, and there was no end in sight... Gawker's nemesis was not going away." Mr Thiel has said he would support Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, "until his final victory".

Denton also said on Wednesday that as part of the settlement, three "true stories" - about Hogan and two others who had also filed suit - are being "removed from the web".

Univision, which bought Gawker Media's other sites for 135 million dollars (109 million), has already deleted several posts from the properties it now owns, which include tech blog Gizmodo and women-oriented site Jezebel, because they were tied to litigation.

Denton himself also had to file for personal bankruptcy because of the Florida court's verdict.

Court documents filed on Wednesday said there have been settlement talks between Gawker and Denton as well, although they have not reached a final settlement.

AP
Chelsea Clinton, daughter of Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton watch during the second presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at Washington University in St. Louis, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. (Jim Bourg/Pool via AP)

The FBI has dropped the documents related to controversial pardoning by Bill Clinton of fugitive financier Marc Rich at the moment he left office.

The Clinton campaign is once again fuming after the agency posted a Twitter message on Tuesday advertising a dump of 129 pages of records.

The action came just four days after FBI Director, James Comey, caused an earthquake in the race for president by announcing steps to examine a huge new trove of emails that may or may not have some bearing on an earlier investigation into Ms Clintons use of a private email server.

Democrats noted that the Twitter account where news of the document release was posted, called @FBIRecordsVault, had been dormant for over a year before being reactivated just on Sunday.

However the new documents, which detail what steps were taken to investigate Mr Clintons decision to pardon Marc Rich, a fugitive financier who had fled to Switzerland after being convicted of massive tax evasion in the US, were released response to a Freedom of Information Act, FOIA, request. Such releases are automated, it said.

But the timing - both of the reactivation of the Twitter account that was used and of the release itself - clearly creates additional doubts about the agencys commitment to keeping itself out of the political fray and at sufficient distance from the presidential election so as not to influence it, as required by law.

While at first glance there did not appear to be anything fresh in the Marc Rich documents, they inevitably will serve as a reminder of one of the darkest blots on Mr Clintons reputation that came at the moment he left office.

William J. Clinton Foundation: This initial release consists of material from the FBI's files related to the Will... https://t.co/Y4nz3aRSmG  FBI Records Vault (@FBIRecordsVault) November 1, 2016

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The pardon got so much attention because Mr Richs wife, Denise Rich, had become a major donor to the Democratic Party and to the Clinton family, giving generously, for instance, to Ms Clintons successful 2000 campaign for the US Senate in New York.

The newly disclosed documents made clear, in fact, that within the agency the investigation, which was only wound up in 2005 without any charges being filed, had concerned possible public corruption surrounding the pardons granted by former president William Clinton.

That is language hardly likely to be helpful to Ms Clinton in the ebbing days of a campaign that has been marked by public distrust of her and her family.

In a statement defending its latest dump-surprise, the FBI said the documents were published after Freedom of Information Act requests and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBIs public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures. This happens, the statement said, on a first-in, first-out basis. Officials added that the agency had been working to upgrade a website in recent months and the completion of that work was the reason the Twitter account had come back to life at the weekend.

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The storm created by Mr Comeys decision to make public the discovery of a new cache of emails possibly pertaining to Ms Clintons emailing habits while Secretary of State - they were found on devices belonging to Anthony Weiner, the former Congressman and estranged husband of Clinton top aide Huma Abedin - continues unabated, meanwhile.

While there is still no evidence to suggest that the new materials contain anything that would persuade the FBI formally to re-open the investigation into Ms Clintons server which it closed in July, it has sent shockwaves through the campaign with Mr Trump using it to double down on his contention that Ms Clinton is crooked and deserves to be in jail.
French authorities transferred more than 5,000 adult migrants out of Calais last week as the camp was demolished

French authorities have moved all unaccompanied children - 1,616 of them - out of Calais' sprawling migrant slum, taking them to special processing centres in one of the final steps to empty the notorious "Jungle" camp.

The underage migrants climbed into to 38 buses in a day-long operation that began just under a week after adult migrants were cleared out of the camp and sent to refugee centres around France.

In the government's final move, women and their children - slightly more than 300 people - in the Calais camp were to be transported to family centres on Thursday.

"Then there will be no one at the end of the day," said Steve Barbet, spokesman for the Pas-de-Calais region.

Last week's operation to evacuate and demolish the makeshift camp - whose population soared to more than 10,000 two months ago, aid groups said - was a mammoth logistical task rushed to completion after fires engulfed large swaths of the slum. Clean-up crews finished pulling down shelters on Tuesday.

Two agents from the Home Office travelled on each bus, said Mr Barbet. They will study files of the underage migrants, who often have family members in the UK, to see who might qualify for transfer to Britain.

Since October 17, Britain has taken in slightly more than 300 Calais migrants. France is pressing Britain to do more.

Most of the youths lined up calmly to board the buses, though one grabbed on to a fence, begging British officials to take him to the UK.

Migrants from the Mideast and Africa had converged on the Calais camp over the past 18 months. The site had become a symbol of Europe's migrant crisis and a source of shame for France.

The child migrants were taken to 60 dedicated centres scattered around France until British officials decide their cases. Those refused access to Britain will be put under the care of French child welfare services.

The operation rekindled tensions among some youths, who feared it means the end of their dream of reaching Britain.

"They are saying 'you are young, we can help you'. But they are not helping me," Carlos Osma, a 16-year-old from Sudan, said before boarding a bus.

Four people were injured when clashes broke out Tuesday night between Afghan and Eritrean migrants in the camp, and police used tear gas to separate them.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd told Parliament last week that several hundred more child migrants would be brought in soon.

"We are absolutely committed to safeguarding and protecting children in Calais and have been working very closely with the French to ensure the camp is cleared as safely as possible," Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill said on Wednesday.

AP
It was a random dark thought that flashed through Eva Reilly's mind as she watched her daughter Lynette and her husband John depart on their honeymoon. She thought of the murder of another Northern Ireland bride Michaela McAreavey who was killed on her honeymoon. It was a tragic premonition, for Lynette and John drowned while swimming shortly after their arrival in South Africa.

To this day Eva still struggles to come to terms with the couple's deaths. Her only consolation is that their bodies were found and that their deaths were accidental. But only those who have suffered the same loss can truly feel her grief.
Arlene Foster, in her speech to the DUP conference, had this to say about the Irish government: "While they seek to take the views of people of Northern Ireland on the issue of Brexit at home, their representatives are sent out around the world to talk down our economy and to attempt to poach our investors." (News, October 29).

In relation to poaching "our" investors, they only become our investors when they sign on the dotted line. There is no entitlement in a competitive global market, and the Irish Development Agency (like most regional investment agencies across the rest of the UK) has always pressed its offer worldwide. Similarly, investors do not owe Northern Ireland any special favours, and they will simply go where the best deal is offered. Perhaps it's more a case of our own Invest NI trying harder and doing better.

To be fair, there is not much more that Invest NI can do, given that Northern Ireland has virtually no control of taxation beyond local rating and is reliant on a 10bn block grant to keep functioning.

The promise of corporation tax reduction in 2018 will not change this, because the Irish government has many more fiscal levers and incentives to offer investors, driving an effective rate of tax well below our much-vaunted rate of 12.5%.

Similarly, Brexit has brought talk of a UK corporation tax rate dropping as low as 10% - completely eroding the rate advantage in Northern Ireland should it happen.

Blaming others for our troubles is a sign of political desperation, rather than economic leadership. We deserve better from our First Minister.

OBSERVER

By email

Ashers writer needs to get facts straight

Shelley Leggett (Write Back, October 30) makes at least three wrong assumptions in her reply regarding Ashers Bakery.

1. Ashers did not turn away the client, as they had served him at various times before. And orientation did not come into the picture. They politely refused to fulfil an order with a political slogan that went against their conscience.

That is where free speech and conscience come in, and the State has no right to legislate what people believe if it does not lead to violence. The State has overreached itself here, and when rights are pushed, there will inevitably be times when they clash. That is why common sense should still be used in law, as it used to be.

2. There is no such thing as "equal marriage". Marriage can only between a man and a woman, as only in that way is the complementarity of the two sexes truly fulfilled, as intended. To change the meaning to include anyone else means it is no longer marriage. And, of course, as we are already seeing elsewhere, once a change is made, it renders it open to anything else a pressure group, or even the state, decides.

May I remind Ms Leggett that when civil partnerships were introduced, we were assured by Tony Blair and others that nothing else would be introduced. So much for assurances.

3. The claim that Jesus Christ said nothing about homosexuality has been refuted by others, but let me just say that (a) as a devout Jew, Jesus would have believed homosexuality to be totally outwith God's plan as His laws stated and (b) what He did do was emphasise that marriage from the beginning was between a man and a woman and anything else was sinful.

As for "hurt feelings", the McArthurs acted politely, as they have done all through this case, but feelings are being emphasised far too much these days in the search for grievances.

STELLA WILSON

Tandragee, Co Armagh

Europe trade deal is nothing to celebrate

Sunday, October 30 will go down as a dark day for what remains of democracy in Europe. It was when CETA (the Canada/EU so-called trade deal) was signed.

The media said that it has been seven years in the making - and yet they only bothered to report on it when Belgium tried to block it at the last moment.

The reason why the region of Walloon, and millions of others across Europe, opposes CETA is because it threatens our working conditions, food standards, environmental protections and public services, and allows foreign corporations to sue our Government.

In short, corporations (or those who own them) will have almost total control over our lives. In light of these very serious concerns, you need to ask yourselves why the public were not informed about this by the Government and our media.

COLIN CRILLY

By email

God brought animals to the Ark, not Noah

In my letter (Write Back, October 26), I commended Believer in Science for the accuracy of most of his quotations from the Bible.

But Honest Man (Write Back, October 28) belies his chosen pen-name and builds his argument on two errors.

Firstly, he misquotes my reference to 16,000 animals and translates that into 16,000 pairs of animals.

But secondly - and much more significantly - he ignores the fact that the Bible says that God brought all the animals to Noah.

So his wonderfully reasoned argument about the problems there would have been to get the animals to the Ark falls flat. It is he who has gone to great lengths "to fabricate and concoct evidence" to suit his own argument - not me.

NORMAN CAMPBELL

Bangor, Co Down

Revel in awe-inspiring beauty of our autumn

"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, close bosom-friend of the maturing sun."

Isn't this time of the year so charming? Tree leaves bedecked in a glorious golden hue. Air crisp and fresh. A walking wonderland of enchantment. The wood so quiet, as she prepares for her long winter sojourn.

Squirrels busy stashing away nuts for retrieval. Some of our little friends already hibernating in anticipation of spring. Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

When the first frost arrives the wood will be covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon. Crunchy leaves under foot.

The leaves are all falling and they're falling like they're falling in love with the ground. Autumn, you are so beautiful.

ANTHONY WOODS

By email
In the summer and autumn of 2000, during the vicious feud between Johnny Adair's 'C' company of the UDA and the UVF that tore the greater Shankill area apart, a curious thing happened during the loyalist in-fighting.

While the lower Shankill under Adair and the middle Shankill under the UVF's leadership became war zones against each other, there was virtually no violence on the streets in areas such as Highfield and the West Circular Road.

This was because the UDA leadership of 'A' company in its so-called "west Belfast battalion" refused to take part in Adair's war to seize supremacy of loyalism across Northern Ireland in a shaky alliance with the LVF.

The UDA's 'A' company in the west of the city let it be known to the UVF brigade staff that it was not interested in joining Adair's struggle with the older paramilitary group.

Indeed, one senior figure in 'A' company even tried to persuade a prominent UVF member to "pretend" that there was an actual feud in Highfield by agreeing to breaking the windows of a couple activists on the estate on each side of the loyalist divide. (The UVF leader laughed off such a suggestion as ludicrous and sent the UDA 'A' company character away with a flea in his ear).

Nonetheless, it was true that, during those bloody months of internecine fighting, areas such as Highfield, the West Circular and Ballygomartin were relatively quiet compared to the chaos and instability further down the Shankill. East Belfast, too, was hardly affected by the feuding, similarly loyalist redoubts in the south of the city.

Jackie McDonald's UDA battalion in south Belfast avoided all conflict with the UVF. Members of both organisations were still socialising and talking to each other when they met up in areas like Sandy Row and Donegall Pass - even while parts of the Shankill burned.

The confinement of the feud to a few crucible areas of loyalist paramilitary influence was further evidence of the dangers of generalisations about Ulster loyalism in its entirety.

As with the war on the Shankill and beyond 16 years ago, so it goes with the different ways loyalists behave, depending on the areas where they sprung from during the Troubles.

This writer has before, several times, pointed to the good example of Lisburn, where ex-UDA activists have helped combat the rise of racism and xenophobia - not with simplistic slogans and protests, but through a practical programme of absorption for the new communities that are coming into the city.

There are other parts of Northern Ireland - notably on the east Antrim coast (and Carrickfergus, in particular) - where other ex-UDA members are behaving in a disgraceful fashion during the slow-burning, low-intensity feuding between two warring factions of the same loyalist movement.

Meanwhile, in parts of east Belfast, individual UVF bigwigs are influential in the illegal drugs trade - even while the organisation's Shankill-based leadership is vehemently opposed to any role in the illicit narcotics business.

The picture is more complex and mixed than news reports would have you believe - even if the Press still does a sterling job in exposing individual loyalist hard men, who use their paramilitary muscle to control the supply of drugs in Protestant working-class communities.

All of this is highly relevant, given the current row over Dee Stitt's controversial role as CEO of Charter NI, the charity doling out funds from the Northern Ireland Executive aimed at regenerating both republican and loyalist working-class communities.

In a film for the news organisation I work for on a daily basis, the Guardian, Stitt described his North Down Defenders flute band as "our Homeland Security" - adding: "We are here to defend North Down from anybody."

These comments have put his 35,000 post as Charter NI's CEO in jeopardy, with Stitt even threatening to stand down from his position last week.

They were, of course, injudicious remarks - which Stitt no doubt regrets - but it could lead to him losing his job and plunging the charity into a political crisis.

Regardless of the fate of Dee Stitt, the controversy does raise bigger questions again about the efficacy of channelling public/taxpayers' money into projects under the control of former paramilitaries.

Do they constitute, in effect, a "bribe" by Government (either devolved or national) to win loyalists away from crime? Or are they genuine attempts to bring loyalist activists in from the cold and help them contribute positively to a post-Troubles society?

Charter NI was originally established to help former UDA prisoners get re-educated, re-train in employment skills and generally re-integrate into society as law-abiding citizens.

The UDA, in the same area of north Down, has been blamed for the hammer attack on Aaron McMahon, who opposed the building of an illegal paramilitary bonfire in the area. Yet, not everyone connected with loyalism in north Down (or elsewhere) can be tarred with the same, broad brush.

Just because there is controversy over one, single project doesn't mean there aren't others where loyalists play a central role in improving their communities - just as many ex-IRA and ex-INLA members are doing all over Northern Ireland in nationalist working-class areas.

The issue has been one of the most controversial of the post-peace process era in terms of demilitarising Northern Ireland society.

Among many of the former republican and loyalist paramilitaries I have met over the years, I find few of the veterans with any appetite for ongoing illegality - let alone a return to armed campaigns.

The overwhelming majority appeared - and still appear - to be relieved that that part of their lives is long over and, hopefully, gone forever.

Ironically, it is those who "signed up" long after the shooting and bombing had stopped who seem the most enthusiastic for bombastic, quasi-military swaggering and exuding an air of menace as the "made men" of their communities.

These are the "ceasefire soldiers", who continue to prop up their power behind the flags of convenience of the three capital letters of the UDA, or UVF.

And the best force to counteract them is actually those from these organisations in the past who lived, killed, were imprisoned and morally damaged by 25 years of pointless conflict.

The projects and funding that enhance this latter group's status in communities alienated from the political process at Stormont are still worth supporting.
Victim: The tribunal said that John Ferguson had been subjected to bullying simply because he was gay.

A gay man has been awarded more than 16,000 by a tribunal after his fellow director at a private ambulance firm repeatedly called him gay boy and made grossly offensive jokes about his sexuality.

John Ferguson claimed that Lars Stuewe made offensive comments about him daily for three years in what the Belfast tribunal said was unrelenting homophobic bullying.

Stuewe had even implied that Mr Ferguson might be at risk of transmitting HIV because he was homosexual and used needles in his work, the tribunal was told.

Mr Ferguson took a case last month claiming harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation against Limavady Concierge Practitioners NI Ltd and CPNI Ambulance Services Ltd, of which Stuewe is the largest shareholder.

Mr Ferguson was a director and shareholder of both firms from 2012 until he left in September 2015.

Details of Lars Stuewes behaviour were given in the published tribunal judgment including two incidents in June and September 2014.

On both those occasions Stuewe implied that because Mr Ferguson used needles in his work he carried the risk of transmitting HIV as he was homosexual.

After he levelled the slur against him for a second time, Mr Ferguson reminded Stuewe that he was tested annually for the disease.

The tribunal accepted that following these remarks, Mr Ferguson felt he was under pressure to reassure colleagues he was tested for HIV on a yearly basis.

On a number of occasions Stuewe also made remarks about Mr Fergusons previous partner, who was then in a relationship with a woman, mocking Mr Ferguson by suggesting he had turned him from gay to heterosexual.

Stuewe also made daily throwaway negative comments regarding homosexuality with particular reference to Mr Fergusons body hair and one remark about bum fun.

The tribunal heard he also made hand and verbal gestures mimicking nausea, gagging, vomiting and shivers across his spine when talking about homosexual acts.

Mr Ferguson tried to reduce his contact with Stuewe until he saw him just once each week and raised the matter with another director, but nothing was done. In its judgement, the tribunal said it was satisfied that Stuewe made grossly offensive homophobic remarks and gestures at Mr Ferguson over a lengthy period of time.

The tribunal said the campaign of bullying made Mr Ferguson feel useless and worthless and affected his self-esteem.

Employment Judge Murray awarded him 15,000 for injury to feelings with a further 1,600 in accumulated interest from the date he left the firm until the date of the hearing.

Since the judgement, Lars Stuewe vehemently denies Mr Ferguson's allegations, claiming he did not have an opportunity to give evidence in his defence at the tribunal hearing.

Concierge Practitioners NI was the first private ambulance firm in Northern Ireland when it launched in August 2013, covering the area of the Western Health Trust.

The company, based in Limavady, provides non-emergency and private event services.
Defiant terror boss Dee Stitt has helped set up two new businesses - in spite of pressure for him to quit the government funded Charter NI group.

Stitt has set up a cleaning firm and a catering firm in the last few weeks while he has been at the centre of a political storm.

The cleaning business is called NI Centurion which shares an address with his current employer - Charter NI.

The second firm is NI Angel Ltd of which Stitt is the sole director and shareholder and is registered to his home on a private estate in Bangor.

Other NI Centurion directors include Drew Haire, the chairman of Charter NI, and Caroline Birch - Charter NI's head of operations and wife of UDA east Belfast leader Jimmy 'Millions' Birch who sits on Charter's board.

Charter NI head of finance, Charlene Sheridan, who joked on Facebook about her children being pictured in front of a UDA flag, is NI Centurion's fourth director.

Read More

It is understood the firm, which is only four weeks old, has been earmarked to benefit from the 1.7m of Social Investment Fund (SIF) cash controversially handed to Charter NI by the Executive Office.

A portion of this money is to be used to help create jobs for the long-term unemployed in east Belfast.

The cleaning firm is a Community Interest Company (CIC) and Companies House records show Charter NI is the subscriber.

A CIC is required to make benefiting the community its primary focus, with its assets only being used for social objectives. Directors can be paid or unpaid.

SDLP MLA Nichola Mallon repeated her call for an immediate suspension of all funding to Charter NI, saying the UDA-linked charity had "gone beyond the point of having any credibility" given the current controversy over its chief.

"There are too many unanswered questions," said the politician who believes the public deserve answers.

"Public funding to Charter NI must be immediately suspended pending a full and thorough independent investigation into this organisation's governance arrangements, legal structures, associated companies and all of these issues and evidence now emerging."

Ms Mallon also called on both the DUP and Sinn Fein to state whether they are prepared to stand over millions of pounds of public cash being used to fund Charter NI.

She added: "As custodians of the public purse are they really prepared to put up with hospital waiting lists of two years while a group surrounded in controversy gets almost 2million?"

Read More

Cleaning firm NI Centurion is not the only company Charter NI's under pressure chief executive and UDA boss Dee Stitt has set up in recent weeks.

On October 10, the 45-year-old convicted armed robber registered the catering firm NI Angel Ltd, of which he is the sole director. He is also the director of an Newtownards Road ice cream shop.

UDA insiders believe it is only a matter of time before Stitt leaves his role as Charter NI's 35,000 per year chief executive.

The loyalist had been set to resign last Thursday, but when details of the announcement were leaked to the Belfast Telegraph he dug his heels in.

Read More

A UDA source said: "Stitt is just being petulant. He knows his time is up and that he has to resign from Charter NI."

It was senior figures in the terror gang who sealed the shaven-headed thug's fate during a series of meetings last weekend.

They told Stitt's east Belfast UDA boss Jimmy 'Millions' Birch that his continued involvement with Charter NI "tainted" the charity, and put at risk other UDA-linked projects that had received SIF cash.

Birch defended his old school pal, insisting he had his full support as Charter NI chief executive.

But when the DUP's Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said last Monday that Stitt should not lead the charity the writing was on the wall for the notorious loyalist.

Without the DUP's support Charter NI would not have been selected to manage the 1.7m SIF east Belfast cash fund.

Read More

Sir Jeffrey's comments came after footage emerged of Stitt giving an agitated interview to the Guardian newspaper during which he described his North Down Defenders loyalist flute band as "homeland security".

The sun-bed loving UDA boss laughed: "It says it in the name, we are here to defend North Down... from anybody."

Before that, he accused the British government of not giving "a f*****g f**k about us".

Stitt also said loyalist groups were doing "brilliant work, they are involved in community running flute bands."

Stitt's toe-curling interview was made public just days after Sunday Life revealed tragic homeless teen Nathan Ritchie fell to his death after being hounded by the UDA.

The 19-year-old was at first ordered out of Bangor by members of Stitt's gang, and then told to leave east Belfast by members of Birch's UDA.

This is just one of the many shocking incidents that the east Belfast UDA has been involved in during recent years.

The gang is notorious for involvement in drug dealing, racketeering and intimidation, particularly in Dee Stitt's Bangor stomping ground.

With pressure mounting on the UDA boss he has taken leave from Charter NI and last Tuesday failed to show at a SIF steering panel meeting in Newtownards.

Stitt was also absent from a community conference in Bangor on Thursday.

A loyalist insider said: "Dee Stitt has single-handedly destroyed all the good work Charter NI has done during the past few years.

"As long as he continues to be associated with the charity it will be tainted. He has no other option but to resign."

Stitt served a five-year prison sentence in the 1990s for involvement in a UDA attempted armed robbery and weapons possession.

He was kneecapped by the terror gang a decade ago during a power struggle, before finally being put in charge of Bangor when his good friend Jimmy Birch became east Belfast 'brigadier' in 2007.

Since then the pair have forged close links to the DUP, talking about this in a 2013 radio interview during which they both confessed to being senior members of the UDA.

cbarnes@sundaylife.co.uk
A bid from Pulte Homes to rezone and add 465 residences and possibly a school near Sandy Run Creek on Jedburg Road wasn't met with open arms at a Oct. 26 community meeting on the part of local homeowners seeking to preserve the area's rural characteristics. Read moreJedburg Road residents tell Pulte Homes: 'Keep it rural'
Julie R. Smith, who definitely contributes to the crazy, can be reached at widdleswife@aol.com.
David Kennard is the executive editor of Summerville Communications, which publishes the Berkeley Independent, Goose Creek Gazette and Summerville Journal Scene. Contact him at dkennard@journalscene.com or 843-873-9424. Follow him on Twitter @davidbkennard.com.
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First up, Joe Biden is thinking about dropping tariffs against China. But theres a spy in prison this morning that helps us understand why he shouldnt. Ill explain.





Your second brief, If youre looking for a good paying job, you might consider being a CEO for a health insurance company. One executive made $142M dollars last year. Let's talk about that.





And as always, Im keeping an eye out for developing stories. Put this one on your radar. Mexican cartels are grooming American kids online and paying them cash to traffic illegals or run drugs across the border. Ill share details.





If you enjoyed this episode of the President's Daily Brief, remember to subscribe and listen daily at podfollow.com/pdb.

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For Immediate Release, November 1, 2016 Contacts: Nate Donley, Ph.D., Center for Biological Diversity, (971) 717-6406, ndonley@biologicaldiversity.org

Paul Achitoff, Earthjustice, (808) 599-2436, achitoff@earthjustice.org

George Kimbrell, Center for Food Safety, (971) 271-7372, GKimbrell@CenterforFoodSafety.org

Marcia Ishii-Eiteman, Ph.D., Pesticide Action Network, (415) 728-0175, mie@panna.org After Cursory Review, EPA Proposes Dramatic Expansion of Toxic Pesticide Blend Enlist Duo Agency Ignores Legal Requirement to Fully Consider Impacts to Environment, Endangered Species WASHINGTON The Environmental Protection Agency today reapproved and proposed a dramatic expansion of the use of the toxic pesticide Enlist Duo after only a cursory review of troubling data showing the two chemicals in the pesticide combine to have synergistic effects that are potentially harmful to endangered species and the environment. If approved the pesticide cocktail could be used on corn, soy and cotton in 34 states  up from 15 states where the product was previously approved for just corn and soy. The rush to expand the use of Dow AgroSciences toxic chemical concoction of glyphosate and 2,4-D for use on the next generation of genetically engineered crops comes only one year after the EPA asked a court to revoke its previous approval. That request, filed in response to litigation challenging Enlist Duos approval, resulted from the agencys discovery that Dow AgroSciences had filed patent applications for the product filed with the U.S. Patent Office claiming synergy. EPA believed the product therefore could have significant and unknown environmental impacts. Today the EPA announced it does not believe the product has synergistic effects, despite Dows claims to the Patent Office. EPAs sudden about-face on this product is just astounding, said Dr. Nathan Donley, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. Just last year the EPA asked a court to cancel registration of this product due to the unknown risks it posed, and now it suddenly wants to more than double the number of states where the pesticide can be used? This proposal ignores the available data and will potentially harm our environment. We're disappointed that EPA has doubled down on Enlist Duo rather than pulled its registration of this hazardous pesticide. Unless EPA makes substantial changes to its previous registration of Enlist Duo, we remain confident it violates the law, said Paul Achitoff, a managing attorney at Earthjustice. EPA's decision is a capitulation to the agrichemical industry, said George Kimbrell, senior attorney with the Center for Food Safety. We will continue to protect farmers, consumers, and the environment from this toxic crop system, and are exploring all legal options. Once again, EPA has failed to protect the health, well-being and livelihood of Americas farmers and rural communities. The agencys decision dramatically increases the risk of pesticide drift causing severe crop losses and harms to human health, said Marcia Ishii-Eiteman, Ph.D., a senior scientist with Pesticide Action Network. Background

Dow created Enlist crops as a quick fix for the superweed problem created by Roundup Ready crops that were genetically engineered to withstand what would otherwise be a toxic dose of the herbicide glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsantos Roundup herbicide. Just as overuse of antibiotics has left resistant strains of bacteria to thrive, repeated use of Roundup on those crops has resulted in the proliferation of glyphosate-resistant superweeds across millions of acres of U.S. farmland. Farmers are already reporting that some weeds have now also developed tolerance to 2-4, D. This means this next generation of new herbicide-tolerant crops will result in massive increases in pesticide use and perpetuate the pesticide treadmill. The EPAs negligence in evaluating the potential harms of new pesticides is not a new development. Earlier this year the Center released a groundbreaking report, Toxic Concoctions, finding that more than two-thirds of new pesticides registered in the past six years by the four major pesticide companies had patents demonstrating their new products synergistic effects with other pesticides  effects the EPA failed to consider. Synergism can greatly increase the harm of the pesticides to nontarget species such as bees and butterflies. Prior to 2016 the EPA had not considered patents showing pesticide synergy or incorporated the publically available patent information into their analyses of these new pesticides. The Center followed this report with a petition to the EPA asking that it require information on pesticide synergy in pesticide-registration applications. The EPA has yet to act on that petition. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.1 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. www.biologicaldiversity.org
Archived Results for Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016

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For Immediate Release, November 1, 2016 Contact: Natasha Leger, Citizens for a Healthy Community, (970) 399-9700

Diana Dascalu-Joffe, Center for Biological Diversity, (720) 925-2521

Nathaniel Shoaff, Sierra Club, (415) 977-5610

Laura King, Western Environmental Law Center, (406) 204-4852 Groups Call on Obama to Align Public Lands Management in

Western Colorado With U.S. Climate Goals DENVER Conservation groups today called on the Obama administration to align public lands management with U.S. climate goals, in response to a draft proposal that would intensify fossil fuel extraction on 1 million acres of public land and mineral rights in western Colorado. Local groups want to shift their economy away from coal, oil and gas, and toward sustainable organic agriculture and recreational tourism. The groups submitted a letter as the public comment period closes on November 1. Photo of Colorado's North Fork Valley by Rita Clagget. The North Fork Valley is not only one of the most beautiful places in the world, but it is home to the largest concentration of organic farms in Colorado. This draft resource management plan is a road map to destroying all of that, and turning this special place into an industrialized fossil fuel extraction zone, said Natasha Leger, interim executive director for Citizens for a Healthy Community, a front-line concerned citizens group protecting the community from the impacts of fossil fuel development. This draft plan isnt just about us, its about everyone who loves our rural community, clean delicious food, to hunt, fish, hike, mountain bike, and to just savor the tranquility that comes with being in the mountains. In addition to the letter, the groups sent an approximately 200-page technical comment to the Bureau of Land Management urging the agency to prohibit new federal coal, oil and gas leasing in the Uncompahgre planning area. To date more than 37,000 citizen comments have been submitted to the BLM on the draft plan. The area encompasses 675,000 acres of public land and 1 million acres of federal fossil fuels in a scenic swath of western Colorado that includes burgeoning recreation and organic agriculture economies vulnerable to the effects of fossil fuel industrialization and climate change. Science and common sense tell us that the time for action on climate change is now, yet BLMs draft plan proposes to expand the exploitation of fossil fuels at the expense of local communities, said Laura King, an attorney with the Western Environmental Law Center. BLM cannot solve the pressing problem of climate change with its head in the sand. In an era of climate change, our public lands must be managed to ensure the resilience of our communities and the air, water and landscapes upon which they rely. The Bureau released a draft plan this summer for the area and omitted any planning scenario that would reduce climate pollution, opting instead for a range of scenarios that would expand fossil fuel development above previous levels. For example, the plan anticipates that over 1,200 fracked gas and oil wells could be developed under the agencys preferred development scenario. Those scenarios are clearly out of step with the U.S. commitment under the Paris Agreement to limit warming to below 2 degrees Celsius. Recent studies project that meeting that goal is incompatible with expanding fossil fuel development beyond that which is already under production. Our public lands should be managed to help prevent, rather than cause, climate disruption, said Lena Moffitt, director of the Sierra Club's Dirty Fuels Campaign. Opening up enough coal, oil and gas to unleash more than half a billion tons of greenhouse gases over the next two decades is inconsistent with the urgent need to fight climate change and meet our Paris commitments. Todays letter and formal comment call on the administration to analyze an alternative that serves U.S. climate goals by prohibiting new fossil fuel leasing, thereby also protecting western Colorados ecosystems and communities from the impacts of new fossil fuel industrialization and climate change. Those impacts include air and water pollution, reduced snowpack and river flows, forest die-off, and the industrial conversion of natural ecosystems and wildlife habitat. Its time for the Obama administration to stop wasting and polluting precious western water resources and endangering the fish that live there to produce fossil fuels that we cannot afford to burn, said Diana Dascalu-Joffe, a senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. We cant meet our climate goals if we continue to exploit our public lands in search of more dirty energy. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.1 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. Citizens for a Healthy Community is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the people and environment in the Delta County Region of Southwest Colorado from the impacts of oil and gas development. The Western Environmental Law Center is a public-interest, nonprofit law firm that provides clients and partners with pro bono legal services to safeguard the wildlife, wildlands, and communities of the American West.
The African Women Innovators Network has partnered Women in Tech Africa to launch the Business Innovation Lab in Ghana, which will see 30 female innovators undergo a programme aimed at providing them with the tools and opportunities to work together to develop their startup ideas.

The Business Innovation Lab, for which applications are open here, will take place between January and March next year, with a two-day bootcamp followed by a six-week mentorship period in which participants will have a unique opportunity to work with other founders and tech enthusiasts across the world.

It will culminate in a Demo Day on March 8, where the female-run startups will have an opportunity to pitch their ideas for a chance to win seed funding and three months of dedicated support to help them launch their business.

Eunice Baguma Ball, founder of the Africa Technology Business Network (ATBN), which is behind the African Women Innovators Network, said African tech was a rapidly growing sector, with an emerging innovation-driven ecosystem a growing consumer base and helping to create local solutions to social challenges.

The Business Innovation Lab will put women at the forefront of contributing to innovation on the continent and empower them to building a better future not only for themselves but also for other women and girls in Africa, she said.

Ethel Cofie, founder of Women in Tech Africa, said supporting women entrepreneurs was imperative for economic growth in Africa.

We are therefore delighted to be part of this collaboration dedicated to supporting female entrepreneurs to succeed across Africa, she said.
Howard ("Sam") T. Huxham died last week of heart failure. He was 78 years old.

Although many in the industry will deeply mourn his passing, it is particularly distressing for me as he was a dear friend for many, many years.

I first met Sam when he was traffic manager at VZ in about 1974. I'd just moved up to Johannesburg to become a media planner. I didn't know many people but Sam and I became friends almost immediately.

He had a spare room at his flat in Yeoville and I moved in to share it with him.

They were very wild days. A gang of us from VZ used to drink rather a lot at the Sterling Hotel. Mostly it was Joy Walmsely (RIP), Natalie Wilks, Phyllis vd Walt (RIP) Sam, Ian Snelling, John Turvey (RIP), John Charter, Jeff Schur, Geoff Roberts, Simon Hyde-Jones and Nigel Twidale, amongst many others.

Everyone throughout the industry knew Sam. He had a big belly and laughed a lot. He was also remarkably popular with girls at that time (and for some time after that, too) and this was because he was such entertaining company and they found him irresistible.

He was also a highly talented cook and used to whip up exotic (and some not-so-exotic) dishes, inviting friends around for dinner where everyone always had a great time. His culinary skill was even featured in a book by a French author who met him on a visit to South Africa, in a chapter entitled Fat Sam.

When he was politely asked to leave VZ he had the brilliant idea of opening up a courier business. which specialised in getting agency advertising material to publications all over the country  quickly and efficiently. He called it Adfreight.

In fact, when I moved back to Cape Town he let me use one of the rooms in his office at no rent at all, which helped me no end.

Eventually Adfreight was squeezed out of business by larger companies and peculiar new SAA rules and tariffs.

But you could never keep Sam down.

At one point he had a farm not too far out of town and he told me one day that he was going to make a fortune out of growing garlic. He was absolutely convinced of it! But to get a good crop you need frost and then regular watering. The frost was no problem but his water pump had broken and he couldn't water  so he prayed for rain and watched the soil (and shoots) dry out in the blistering heat. Then, one day, the heavens opened and Sam danced around like a madman in the rain assuming this would mean his crop would be saved. Unfortunately, his soil had become so dry and the rain was very hard.

He phoned me to ask: Do you know anyone who will buy brown garlic?

Anyway, after many hare-brained schemes, he set up shop as a bookbinder and Haste Bookbinders was soon in high demand.

His network of friends always supported him.

We stayed in touch regularly and for many years I travelled to Johannesburg a great deal and we'd play dominoes  sometimes for very high stakes and often through the night. It was invariably Ian Snelling, myself and Sam. We even had an annual trophy! I think that's still on one of Ian's bookshelves because he won it more often than us. Sam was a better player than me but it's hard to beat Snelling who has a calculator built into his brain.

The advertising business is a fickle one, as anyone who's retired will tell you, but when Sam retired the drinks and parties didn't stop. We'd still all have riotous lunches with John Farquhar (RIP) and so many others.

I really cannot think of any time when he wasn't full of cheer  except for the last couple of years when his health deteriorated rapidly. As is often the case, he probably knew the end was near and no doubt that was of some relief for him.

I will miss you so much Sammy and the world has lost a happy soul, a kind, loving and gentle man.

He's survived by his brother, Neville, sister Twizzy and daughter, Andrea.
More than 25% of recipients classify direct mail as junk. And, according to research commissioned by Ricoh, 6 out of 10 consumers would no longer support brands if communications from those brands were poor.

In addition, two-thirds feel less loyal and would spend less with brands that send them irrelevant information. Nearly one-fifth of consumers said they have actually taken their custom elsewhere after being spammed by irrelevant material from product and service providers.

In South Africa, Warren Moss, chairman of the Direct Marketing Association of South Africa in 2015, said during a 702 interview: Postal direct marketing are on the rise overseas. Digital media has freed up more space for post. Responses from post are very good. He added: SMS is annoying unless the content is useful and timeous. Financial services dominate this type of direct marketing. And: Leaflets have the lowest response rates, because its the least targeted.

No wonder then that a staggering 70% of consumers want digital communications to serve the majority of purposes. However, print and more traditional methods of communication still have their place. Perhaps not in leaflets but documents perceived as having more importance, such as contracts, are wanted in a digital format by 45% of consumers. More than half want those important documents in hard copy. Brands need to offer communications in a range of formats, both print and digital, suitable to their purpose and the wants of the individual consumer.

Figuring out what, when, and how to communicate with existing and potential customers can be a perilous process. The good news, however, is that eight-in-ten consumers are willing to share personal information to ensure the messages they receive from brands are relevant to them. Starting with the information they already have available, for example in billing, about their customers individual demographics, businesses should look to connect these pools of data to build a picture detailing each customer's full range of needs. Using the knowledge you already have about the customer to learn how, and when, to communicate is crucial to its effectiveness and in securing repeat business. And it will demonstrate a willingness to be responsible with customer data that will have them divulging more for businesses to use.

But gathering pools of data from across the business implies that there needs to be some high-level coordination of the data. Tying together customer data from across silos sheltered in divisions, departments, business units, and group companies, can be a difficult process at best. When top executives shuffle it to the bottom of their priority list its doomed before it begins.

But if you dont tie your data sources together then you risk alienating customers. And that can have an immediate impact on a companys revenue and cash flow, while irritating potential customers erodes pipeline. It takes a long time to gain a customers trust, but generic and impersonal communications can destroy that trust almost instantly. For example, a bank regularly contacted a colleague of mine. It routinely offered him membership to the same rewards programme he had already declined more than 10 times. It got to the point where he no longer entertained the idea of the rewards programme, even if it could prove beneficial, simply because the bank had eroded all trust. That poor use of their customer data systems, right alongside a competitors much more effective use, saw my colleague ultimately switch banks. They had a loyal customer but poor communication and poor use of data drove the customer into the open arms of their competitor.

Customers are often bombarded with information because printing and mailing material is rarely co-ordinated. So its important that all data be digitalised because that makes it easier to quickly analyse to effectively tailor communications. And proper upfront analyses can often inform companies which customers will be receptive to their message and medium, eliminating the need to print copies for people who wont use them.

And, finally, businesses shouldnt be afraid to ask their customers for feedback on the communications they receive. Knowing where to make improvements is critical, considering 57% of people claim the quality of printed materials they receive directly impacts their perception of a company. Setting up a simple feedback system online, in-store or in-branch, goes a long way to helping customers feel valued and get repeat business.
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) South Africa has set 11 November 2016 as the deadline for entries to the Special Honours category of the IAB Bookmark Awards 2017. The awards recognise excellence in the digital industry.

We are delighted to present a comprehensive range of Special Honours categories that are reflective of the evolving digital landscape, says Josephine Buys, IAB SA CEO. "This year we have introduced Best Chief Technology Officer; for any individual at brand level who most supports, encourages and succeeds using digital channels. Pixel for a Purpose; in this age of purpose driven marketing, any digital mechanism that made a positive social impact qualifies to enter. And my personal passion - Best Contribution to Transformation in the Digital Industry; open to any organisation that has made a convincing contribution to growing diversity in digital in line with the overall goal of an integrated South Africa."

We encourage marketers, builders and publishers to put their best talent forward for recognition. We are cognisant that it is not just the technology, but also people with passion for their craft that remain the driving force behind the advancement of digital as a discipline.

The Special Honours category comprises of the following subcategories:

Best Digital Student Best student studying a digital course at an institution, including marketing and related disciplines such as UX. Think top students at AAA or UJ. Best Digital Youngster Best person under 28 who has made a significant contribution to digital this year through their work - can be agency, publisher or other. Brand of the Year Company most supportive or innovative in the digital marketing space. Best Marketer Individual in a brand who most supports, encourages and succeeds using digital channels. Best CTO Individual in a brand who most supports, encourages and succeeds using digital channels. Best Contribution to Transformation in the Digital Industry Organisation who has made the most convincing contribution to growing diversity in the digital industry in line with overall goals for an integrated South Africa. This could be through any meaningful mechanism ranging from ownership to participation. Pixel for Purpose Awarded to a piece of work (site, app, publication or any other digital piece) that made a significant positive social impact. The winner will have conclusively proven that the idea worked. Best Publisher What more is there to say. This is based on performance in the 2017 Bookmarks and does NOT require a Publisher to enter. Best Digital Agency What more is there to say. This is based on performance in the 2017 Bookmarks and does NOT require an agency to enter. Best Individual Contribution to Digital Person who has made the greatest contribution to the digital industry in SA, agency, publisher or other. IAB Chairperson and CEO not eligible.

Entries close 11 November 2016. For more information on the entry categories, rules and entry tips visit thebookmarks.co.za.
South Africa's cabinet is to consider a proposal that a mooted nuclear power deal for the country be financed through the state-owned power utility Eskom. This is the latest twist in South Africa's controversial efforts to expand its nuclear power capability by commissioning up to 9.6GW of energy from six nuclear power stations. The decision has been mired in controversy and still hangs in the balance and the offer by Eskom to foot the bill raises more questions than it provides answers.

Recent claims by Eskoms management fail to adequately address any of the fundamental criticisms of the proposed nuclear programme.

Statements that Eskom can finance nuclear on its own, or absorb the risks from an incorrect decision, dont add up economically or financially, and are misleading.

Furthermore, changes in Eskoms rationale for justifying nuclear procurement over the last two years call into question the merits and motives of these arguments. Its claims about financing also raise serious questions about the arguments it presented to Parliament last year to justify a R23 billion cash injection and writing off a R60 billion loan.

The right decision would be for cabinet to defer further consideration of the programme for at least two years. In addition Eskom should account to Parliament on discrepancies in its statements about its financial situation.

The fundamental flaws in the case for nuclear

The three main problems with the case for nuclear procurement are well-established.

The actual power probably will not be needed. Recent trends in economic growth and electricity demand are much lower than the original forecasts on which the supposed need for nuclear power were based.

The programme is also likely to be very costly although there are still no credible, government cost estimates in the public domain. Many energy experts have argued that even if additional capacity was needed, other energy sources may be cheaper or more appropriate.

Finally, the combination of insufficient demand and costly supply means that nuclear poses a serious threat to the future stability of the countrys public finances and economic growth.

Eskoms shifting arguments

An indicator of problematic motives behind the push for nuclear is the way in which the arguments made for it keep shifting.

Late last year Eskom CEO Brian Molefe told parliament that procurement of nuclear was urgent and feasible. Molefe argued that nuclear costs are lower than critics imply and concerns about financing reflect a pedestrian attitude.

Subsequent to this Eskom decided on a new line of attack: trying to limit procurement of power from independent renewable energy producers. In a letter to the minister of public enterprises Eskom questioned the merits of renewable energy programmes that had been approved and were already proceeding. It has subsequently become clear that Eskom is defying national policy decisions by not signing renewable energy agreements.

In doing so Eskom is attempting to obstruct the procurement of other forms of energy to create a need for nuclear.

Eskoms finances

Eskoms statements about independent financing are similarly misleading. Eskom has been, and continues to be, heavily reliant on government support. As of February 2016, Eskom held R350 billion of debt guarantees from the National Treasury, of which it had used R168 billion.

Worse, in 2015 Parliament approved a R23 billion cash transfer to Eskom and an eight-year-old R60 billion loan was written off. One estimate of the additional cost of foregone interest payments is a massive R82.6 billion.

Eskom won the concessions because it claimed that it needed support to stabilise its balance sheet. And its CEO accepted a large bonus for the improvement in Eskoms finances.

Yet Eskom now claims it will have an excess of R150 billion in cash, and can borrow to fund the nuclear build programme. The appropriations committees of Parliament that approved the 2015 financing for Eskom should demand an explanation for this apparent contradiction.

Threat to the economy

Even if Eskom was not receiving government support, procurement of nuclear would still be a threat to the economy and an indirect threat to public finances. As the latest medium term budget showed, a decline in economic growth has a knock-on effect on government revenue.

The dynamics that would unfold have been experienced in the country before following the introduction of e-Tolls. The costs were passed onto motorists who then refused to pay, requiring significant financial intervention by the government. The danger is that this could happen on a much larger scale with the nuclear build.

In essence, having financed the procurement of costly, unnecessary energy capacity using power-purchase agreements, Eskom would have to pay for the energy even if consumers do not need it. If tariffs are insufficient then Eskoms balance sheet would be compromised and national government would have to step in. And it would, because Eskom is too big to fail.

Alternatively, if higher tariffs are approved  in advance, or at the time  by the regulator, these will have a very negative effect on citizens welfare and on economic growth. At best this would reduce government revenue and compromise efforts to improve the lives of all citizens.

At worst, it could lead to social instability and a refusal to pay exorbitantly high tariffs, leading to a collapse in Eskoms finances and the government  again  having to step in.

It should therefore be clear that the case for proceeding with the procurement of nuclear power at this point, whether through Eskom or another mechanism, is fundamentally flawed. The rational and responsible decision by Cabinet would be to halt the process.

If economic growth and energy demand increases significantly over the next few years the matter could be revisited based on an appropriately updated Integrated Resource Plan that uses credible forecasts of future energy needs.


A newly-signed power purchase agreement marks the first step in Mozambique's plans to add renewable energy to its power mix.

Scatec Solar and Norfund have signed the deal with the state-owned utility, Electricidade de Mozambique (EDM), securing the sale of solar power over a 25-year period.

The 40MW plant is located close to the city of Mocuba in the Zambezia Province, and is expected to deliver 77,000MWh per year of much needed electricity to the northern regions of Mozambique.

The plant will deliver power to the national grid and produce enough energy to serve about 175,000 households.

A shareholder agreement was also signed between KLP Norfund Investments AS, Scatec Solar and EDM. The required project investment is estimated at $80m. Scatec Solar (52,5%), KLP Norfund Investments (22,5%) and EDM (25%) will provide equity, while IFC, the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund intend to provide project finance debt. The parties are targeting financial close and solar plant construction start in the first quarter of 2017.

This is an excellent example of how private public partnerships can deliver renewable energy and support further economic growth in Mozambique. EDM and the government of Mozambique have demonstrated strong leadership in taking this project forward and it paves the way for further investments in renewable energy in the country, says Scatec Solar CEO, Raymond Carlsen.

Access to reliable energy is a prerequisite for development. Only 3% of the worlds electricity is generated in Africa, although 15% of the worlds population lives here. Clean energy is a focus investment area for Norfund, and we appreciate being a partner in this first independent solar power producer project in Mozambique together with EDM and Scatec Solar, says Norfund CEO, Kjell Roland.
Conservationists have been celebrating the creation of the world's largest marine park , covering 1.55 million square kilometres of the Ross Sea off Antarctica.

The agreement, brokered at last weeks annual meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in Hobart, will enter into force on December 1, 2017  thanks in large part to China ending its resistance to the proposal.

For the next 35 years, fishing will be totally banned in a no-take zone covering 1.12-million square kilometres (72%) of the marine park, with exceptions for krill and toothfish in specially designated research zones.

The marine parks creation follows years of often frustrating negotiations. The United States and New Zealand brought the idea to the 2012 CCAMLR meeting, but were met with concerns, particularly from Russia and China.

At the 2014 meeting, China set out the reasons for its opposition. Its delegates argued that the term conservation should balance protection and rational use of marine living resources; that marine parks should not be set up in the Southern Ocean without convincing data showing they will work; and that the CCAMLR has already adopted a wide range of successful conservation measures in the seas around Antarctica.

A year later, China once again looked set to block the issue, posing a series of questions about the proposed marine park. How could marine parks allow rational use of marine living resources? How could they facilitate scientific research? How would they be monitored and regulated, and how long would the protections last?

Nevertheless, China surprisingly supported the Ross Sea proposal at the end of the 2015 CCAMLR meeting, paving the way for this months decision.

Why the turnaround from Chinas previous opposition? And what does this mean for its growing and changing influence on Antarctic diplomacy?

Global influence

There are three key reasons that explain Chinas shifting position. First, China is a latecomer to the current global ocean governance regime. When the Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959, China was still relatively isolated from the international community. It was not until 1978 that it opened its doors to the world and engaged with the current international legal system, and as such it had little influence on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

It has taken time for China to develop the necessary diplomatic and scientific expertise to become comfortable in this space. As a historic rule-taker rather than rule-maker, its government may need to overcome a natural mistrust of many existing regimes.

This issue is not unique to marine parks. Such hesitation was also evident when China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001 and when it started engaging with UN climate change negotiations in 1994. But China now uses the WTO dispute settlement body as frequently as other members, and ratified the Paris climate agreement at Septembers G20 summit which it hosted for the first time  another sign of its increasing diplomatic engagement.

Second, China became a party of the CCAMLR in 2007. As the worlds second-largest economy and largest fishing nation, China has global fishing interests, including off Antarctica. Chinese Krill fishing in Antarctica has grown significantly since 2009, reaching 54,300 tonnes in 2014. This partly explains Chinas concerns over proposed no-take zones.

There is, however, a deeper philosophical concern, which might be described as anxiousness for commons. While Chinas Antarctic fishing interests account for only a very small share of its global catch, they are highly symbolic because Antarctic fishing showcases Chinas quest for freedom in the global commons.

Third, the international community is currently developing a new global ocean governance regime. By coincidence, negotiations on the regulation of fishing in the Central Arctic Ocean and other international areas of the high seas have been going on at the same time as the discussions about the Ross Sea. In the Northeast Atlantic, the OSPAR has already established a network of high sea marine parks.

As a rising power, China would not be happy to face constraints or bans on its activities at a time when its rising status gives it access to places like the high seas, the ocean floor, the poles, and outer space. It would be a shame if China were to remain silent on those issues, and it probably wont  Chinas 13th Five Year Plan (2016-20) clearly says the nation would like to take a more active role in global ocean governance.

In the foreseeable future, we could possibly see China become more comfortable and active within the CCAMLR as well as the Antarctic Treaty System. Although generally being supportive, China would not keep silent. Rather, it would speak up more openly for its Antarctic interests, and have more intensive engagement with the Antarctic Treaty System.

One challenge for China would be how to enhance its capacity and expertise so as to provide high-quality proposals, which could not only pursue its own interests, but as an important global player, also help to make a concrete contribution to achieving sustainability in the Southern Ocean.


Now is the time to hear the song of the wild geese in flight. Leaves are hinting in subtle ways that their glory days are not far off and the chill in the wind causes me to consider the condition of the wood stove. It is also the time when fields lay golden until evening, when they become an expanse of warm russet. In either state, a field says it is autumn.There is something therapeutic about looking at large open spaces.. It rests the mind and can provoke us to have the deep thoughts we have been putting off. This may be the longing people answer when they are drawn to the ocean or the vistas of the mountains.Yesterday, I left for Elizabeth City, the minute school was out. At that time, it was a warm October day. It was a lovely drive past pumpkin stands and houses with chrysanthemums on porches. There is about a mile that the drive takes me past fields that are vast. The late day sunshine fell on them and lit them up . Now and then, leaves took to the air and it felt at those times like I was driving in a parade that celebrated October.It was still dark, when I woke up. I went out anyway armed with coffee. There was a cold wind blowing and rain had fallen in the night. There was no evidence of the squirrel community, but a cardinal showed up and did great justice to his species, as he was a very bright red.I did not feel inclined to tarry, as the cold wind was steadily blowing. I went in to read. At some point, there was light and everybody was awake and hungry. After breakfast, Jenny and I took Lyla to a farm that had a pumpkin patch, a corn maze and several small animals. The wind had settled to a light breeze and the morning had warmed to a bright and beautiful day. Lyla came home with a small pumpkin and I had several ears of bright yellow corn to contribute to Will and Jennys' new porch. It was a good way to spend a morning.We ate lunch outside in the fresh October air. Afterwards, Lyla and I took a walk, as is our habit. I have learned a fair amount of new street names, though I can't yet remember their exact location. I do know, that on Raleigh Street, there is a rose bush with a very sweet scent. A friendly little boy with a dog, named Noah, live on Woodruff, and play under a huge old magnolia tree. We walked an hour and went down many little streets, but not for love nor money, can I tell you the name of the street with the big yellow cat that lays under a dogwood.Jenny got a lot of things in their place, and Will worked in the yard again, while Lyla and I were sauntering through the village-like community. It is a beautiful thing to watch a young family "setting up housekeeping" and even more endearing, when they are your own. More than dishes, go into a new home. Maybe the hopes and dreams of the young couple, outnumber the furnishings.In the last light of the day, a flock of wild geese flew over the laughing river and filled the air up with the sound of autumn... for when fields lay golden, the first frost is no longer a fortnight away.
During the 15th annual Skal International Sustainable Tourism Awards, held in Monaco, Africa's greenest hotel, Hotel Verde situated at Cape Town International Airport, was voted the global winner in the Urban Accommodation category. Skal is a professional organisation of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship.

The Skal International Sustainable Awards global winners were announced by the President of Skal International, Nigel Pilkington and the judging panel made the following comment about Hotel Verde, the winner in the Urban Accommodation category:

Hotel Verde is outstanding in their efforts and their consistent dedication to creating the least environmental impact on the local community. Their LEED certification, and various investments to ensure that their infrastructure, maintenance and operations are green - something that made them very notable among other submissions. Theyre highly innovative and appear to have a good grasp of how to create a project that will enable a long-term positive difference.

Hotel Verde, in Cape Town, South Africa, serves as a good example to other hotels in the world, providing a role model for a higher ecological hotel management.

The panel concluded with "Hotel Verde, in Cape Town, South Africa, serves as a good example to other hotels in the world, providing a role model for a higher ecological hotel management.

A leader in energy and environmental design

Hotel Verde is the first hotel in the world to be certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum for both Design and Construction, as well as Operations and Maintenance, from the United States Green Building Council. The LEED certification, developed by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) and administered and audited by the GBCI (Green Building Certification Institute), is considered globally as the premier mark of accomplishment in green building and provides independent third-party verification that a building was designed, built and/or operated sustainably.

Sustainable, in this sense, refers to a comprehensive list of factors including, but not limited to, energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 and other greenhouse and harmful gas emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

Carbon neutral auditable certificates

In addition to the LEED certification, Hotel Verde has brought a number of firsts to the African continent: carbon neutral auditable certificates for either guest or conferences held at Hotel Verde. Guests and conference delegates receive a carbon offset certificate after their stay or conference with the hotel, stating the amount of carbon (in kg) that they have personally offset by choosing the hotel.

This is an auditable and trackable certificate which is emailed to the guest, can be shared on social media and can be used directly towards sustainability and integrated reporting. These certificates are provided at no extra or hidden cost to the guests.

Other initiatives included the installation of an industrial scale vertical geothermal loop system, the first hotel carbon management initiative of its kind, the installation of regenerative drive elevators and power generating gym equipment.

Hotel Verde is managed by Verde Hotels, Africas very first responsible hotel management operator. The group take on the retrofitting of existing properties and the constructions of new developments and delivers a turn-key hotel management model based on the principles of Thrivability, extending the conventional borders of sustainable and responsible tourism.

Verde Hotels integrates Thrivability into the design, construction, refurbishment and operations of their hotels, in order to showcase social, environmental and economic best practice. In 2015 Hotel Verde teamed up with the Green Building Council of South Africa, to assist in piloting the Existing Building Performance toolkit. The hotel was subsequently certified as the very first, six-star Green Star SA Project, based on this tool. This provided yet another third party verification of Hotel Verdes status of world leadership in green building operation, ensuring the hotel is continually operated with stringent efficiency and sustainability targets.

In three years, Hotel Verde has become known locally and internationally, not only for its sustainable design, construction, and operational practices; but also for being one of Cape Towns most quirky and creative hotels.

We are proud that our aim to be a Thrivable environmentally protective hotel has been recognised by our industry peers, on a global level. My team at Verde Hotels is committed to ensuring we operate hotels for the future benefit of the planet and its people, yielding a thrivable business for owners and investors, on an international level, said a very proud Samantha Annandale, CEO of Verde Hotels, during the awards ceremony.

Striving for greater sustainability

In conclusion the Minister of Tourism for South Africa, Derek Hanekom had this to say, Hotel Verde, managed by Verde Hotels, and others in the tourism sector who are striving towards greater sustainability, are maintaining our country's competitive edge in the global tourism market. Their success comes from taking a responsible approach right from the start of their planning, and then ensuring that all their products, services, and activities are socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable into the future.

We must now spread these world-leading responsible tourism practices throughout the entire tourism industry. Tourists are becoming increasingly concerned about social and environmental issues, and they want to support destinations and products that take responsible tourism seriously."
South Africa's National Assembly has formally approved the country's ratification of the Paris Agreement reached at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

 Ahmad Zaihan Amran  123RF.com

This means that the country will formally join the ranks of those that have ratified the Paris Agreement and will ensure that the country has a seat at the negotiation table at the first meeting of these parties in Morocco this month.

Urgency to act

WWF South Africas CEO Dr Morne du Plessis commented: It is a great moment to see South Africa join the ranks of countries that have ratified the Paris Agreement. We know that there is incredible urgency to act on climate change.

By ratifying this global agreement within one year of its negotiation, South Africa continues to show its leadership on the international stage and ensures that its voice will be heard as governments pursue further discussions at the upcoming 22nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention.

As South Africa is now a formal party to the Paris Agreement, we also have an even higher responsibility to fight climate change and build a low carbon future.

This will require an even faster roll-out of renewable energy systems, transitioning to low carbon transport alternatives and putting in place the policy frameworks required to drive private sector investment in the right direction.

Onus on all of us

However, the onus is not just on government but on all of us to ensure a better future.

Many global businesses have already started lowering their climate footprints while progress in South Africa is lagging behind with only a few companies committed to action in line with climate science.

South Africas ratification of the Paris Agreement is paving the way for us all to unlock the benefits of a low carbon economy but everyone has to play their part.

This also requires citizens to make the necessary lifestyle adjustments while holding our government and corporate leaders accountable for delivery on their promises.
The Nigerian federal government has ordered superstore operators in the country to withdraw all genetically modified (GM) products from their shelves or face sanctions from the regulatory body.

According to a statement made available by head of press Ovuakporie Efe, the warning was issued by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) director-general Rufus Ebegba, in a meeting with representatives of superstore operators in Abuja.

Ebegba said that the meeting was aimed at creating awareness among the operators on the biosafety regulations guiding the importation of GM products into the country. The director-general also stated that the agency had received complaints from Nigerians that some of these stores may have been selling GM foods.

He said the warning became imperative because most of the superstores get their supplies from countries that have long adopted the production and sale of genetically modified foods. Ebegba added that the consequences of continuing to sell GM products after the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum may be very dire as the warning is not without legal backing.

There is a law in place. We will not want any segment of the society out of ignorance to act in manners that will infringe on the existing law. The Act establishing the NBMA empowers the agency to regulate the activities of modern biotechnology and the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs,) he stated.

African Farming
This article examines the legal rights of property owners and occupiers when dealing with illegal buildings, which are buildings that are built contrary to the approved plans on file at the municipality, or buildings that are built in contravention of any zoning, town planning, or title deed condition or restrictive covenant.

The law

This issue is regulated by the National Building Regulations and Building Standard Act 103 of 1977 (NBS), the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000 (PAJA), the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (as amended) 108 of 1996, and our common law (made up of judgments).

Responsibility for enforcement

In terms of the NBS, it is the responsibility of the local authority (i.e. the municipality) to enforce compliance with the relevant statutory building laws. This essentially means that when you are faced with a situation where you would like to prevent the continued construction of an illegal building, or obtain demolition of that illegal building, you should first approach the building department at the applicable municipality for assistance. It is its duty to enforce the relevant statutory laws and ensure that illegal building is dealt with in terms of same. If the illegal building continues despite warnings given by the municipality to stop (or to demolish), then the municipality is empowered to approach a court for a demolition order or an order preventing further illegal building.

To the extent that the municipality fails or refuses to take action, or is simply not taking adequate action, or is too slow in taking that action, it is legally possible for owners to approach a court themselves for an order enforcing compliance with the building legislation.

Regardless of whether the local authority or the neighbour personally approached the court, the type of order normally sought would be either an interdict preventing the offending builder from continuing to build illegally, or an order requiring the demolition of the illegal building works. It has been assumed for many years that courts are reluctant to grant demolition orders on the basis that it will cause severe financial harm to the owner of the property being demolished. Van der Walt , however, argues that from an analysis of the relevant case law it appears that this is not true, and more often than not when a proper case is made out for a demolition order of illegal building works, the court will grant these types of orders. Van der Walt explains that similarly, the idea that a court will not grant a demolition order of an illegal building that has already been completed has not found favour in our law; and in fact was expressly struck down by our courts. There is thus good reason to believe that where you are seeking a demolition order, provided you are legally entitled to same, you should be able to obtain it from the courts.

What if I am unhappy with the approved building plans?

If you only become aware of building works that you believe violate your rights as a neighbour after the plans for those building works have already been approved, and the offending builder is building in accordance with the approved plans, your only recourse is to approach the courts for an order declaring that the municipalitys decision to approve those building plans was legally flawed and should be set aside. When the plans are set aside as having been wrongfully approved, there will be no approved building plans in place for the building in question, which will render it an illegal building in terms of which you can seek a demolition order.

What if I am happy with the approved building plans, but the building is not built in line with them?

If there are approved plans but the building is not being built in accordance therewith, or has already been built contrary to these plans, you would complain to the municipality and require it to enforce the relevant building laws to deal with the illegal building, failing which you would approach a court for an interdict to stop the illegal building (if construction is ongoing) or to demolish the illegal works.

An amicable alternative

It is possible to approach the builder or owner of an illegal building with a view to coming to an agreement that measures will be put in place to relieve the impact of the illegal building. Where this happens the aggrieved neighbour may be satisfied that he is no longer being affected by the illegal building works; but this does not change the nature of the illegal building works  they remain illegal because they are not compliant with the relevant building laws. The neighbours consent to the illegal building works does not render those building works lawful. It is thus no defence to claim that building works are not illegal because the neighbour knew about them and consented to them, or knew about them and did not complain about them.

Enforcing compliance with building and town planning laws can be tricky if the municipality does not come to your aid satisfactorily. In this case you will need the assistance of an attorney to advise you on the matter and to guide you to the best solution for your particular needs. There is no one size fits all solution and every case must be dealt with on its unique facts. Approaching a court for relief is often your only viable option, and it is necessary to ensure that when doing this you are obtaining the best legal advice as court action can be very expensive and in order to be successful it is necessary for your legal representative to be well and truly versed in all of the laws pertaining to the topic.
Not exactly known for his shy and retiring demeanour, Sir Richard Branson made an entrance for the launch of Virgin Money's new insurance product at Shimmy Beach Club in Cape Town...In a teeny green car driven by a leggy blonde.

Virgin Money Insurance (VMI) is a re-gig of the companys product offering, in partnership with AIG, and will provide car, household and funeral cover with a focus on customer-centricity.

To become truly customer-centric means understanding the customers time and needs. VMI will meet the first requirement through digital environment it has developed, allowing them to receive a binding quote in under five minutes, it said in a statement.

As a value-add, policyholders also have access to Virgin Money Insurance Assist, a call-centre service for motor and home emergency situations regardless of the cover they have.

VMIs intent is to match insurance solutions to customers life stages. And given his age, adding the funeral policy option to the product offering made sense, Branson joked.

This is not VMIs first foray into the South African insurance market, having had a partnership with the Telesure Group since 2010. When that agreement ended, VMI cast around for a new partner, and decided on the American company.

Branson says part of the reason for choosing AIG as a partner was because he was impressed with the way in which the company dealt with the Virgin Galactic Spaceship crash in 2014.

He then met up with the chairman of AIG to discuss ways they could do business. "Virgin has one of the best consumer brands in the world and AIG is one of the biggest insurance companies in the world. So we thought let's get married..."

Although Branson is in Cape Town on holiday, the maverick business managed to launch an insurance product, visit the new Virgin Active on the Foreshore and the local branch of the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in one day. No rest for the wicked, it would appear.
Speaking at the launch of the Kai Garib Caravan Park in Keimoes, Northern Cape, Deputy Minister Tokozile Xasa said "Tourism brings entrepreneurship opportunities, creates employment and has the potential of alleviating poverty in rural communities." More than five hundred members of the local community and tourism business owners attended the event to witness the ribbon cutting ceremony and the official handover of the Caravan Park to the Kai Garib Municipality.

Andrew Hall via Wikimedia Commons - Waterwheel, Keimoes

The Caravan Park is a Social Responsibility Implementation (SRI) project funded by the Department of Tourism under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). It is envisaged that the park will create employment opportunities and develop a vibrant, equitable and sustainable economy that will assist the local community to share in the benefits of tourism.

Some of South Africas top tourism destinations, national parks, and cultural sites are located in rural areas and yet these areas are the hardest hit by poverty and unemployment. When we invest in infrastructure projects such as this park, it is with the view of bringing tourism closer to rural communities, boosting the local economy and ultimately creating jobs that will alleviate poverty, said Xasa.

Through SRI, the Department promotes the growth of tourism products through infrastructure developments in rural tourism nodes to ensure economic empowerment, sector transformation, and the transfer of skills to local communities.

41 people from the surrounding communities were employed and paid stipends during the construction of the park. The construction includes perimeter fencing, paved pedestrian walkway, ablution blocks, conference hall, reception, caretaker office and tuck shop, landscaping, water supply and reticulation, 36 parking bays, swimming pool and area lighting and recreation equipment.

Kai Garib mayor, Marius Louw, thanked the Department for bringing tourism closer to the people of Keimoes. We are honoured to have been bestowed as custodians of this tourism facility. We will embrace it and utilise it to advance tourism in our area, said Louw.
"Africa needs to think 'out the port', we need to develop the entire value chain, including the hinterland infrastructure, and customs need to see themselves as trade facilitators," said Erik Kok, CEO of DSM Corridor Group from Tanzania, speaking at African Ports Evolution 2016 . African Ports Evolution is the largest African gathering for maritime and logistic industry professionals to think out the box, and beyond the port, to devise solutions to the multiple challenges this sector faces.

Sani Umar Galadanchi, the director of maritime services from the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Transportation discussed these challenges in his keynote address, most ports are facing major challenges such as congestion, sustainable growth and lack of investment. We need to consider the interests of all port stakeholders.

Another speaker at the event, Barbara Mommen, CEO, Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative (MCLI) stated that we need to use forums like these where we can take advantages of the networking opportunities. African Ports Evolution is an excellent meeting place for the different entities in the entire supply chain.

Pursuing export-led growth

Karl Socikwa, the CEO Transnet Port Terminals advised the delegates in the audience that businesses in Africa should be pursuing export-led growth economy. At 11%, intra-African trade is the lowest in the world. Localisation is a key issue and its important to encourage local manufacturing."

Increasing competitiveness, attraction foreign investment

Finance and investment was another hot topic at African Ports Evolution. The Development Bank of South Africa hosted a Finance and Project Preparation Master Class where three DBSA speakers discussed DBSAs approach to project preparation focusing on funding available and selection criteria. Thabadiawa Mufamadi, the chairman of the Ports Regulator of South Africa commented that we need to make South Africa a destination for foreign investment and that there needs to be a deliberate commitment to increasing competitiveness.

According to Deanne de Vries, who is the senior vice president of Agility Africa, based in Mozambique, there need to be win-win partnerships between the private and public spheres."

Making ports more reliable and effecient

Mixo Mayemele, the general manager of the Southern African Netherlands Chamber of Commerce asked an important and key question: As ports are the catalyst for growth and social change, how do we make them more reliable and efficient? William Petty, the head - Regional Committee for Africa, International Road Transport Union (IRU), from Switzerland suggested that time and cost are not always the most important considerations, its predictability thats key and must be built into the business model.

Ports of the future

In his keynote, the German Ambassador Walter Lindner, stated, Deep sea ports are the way of the future. Not only was the Africas future development of hard infrastructure addressed, but future technology was a key theme in the Ports ICT Summit, a breakaway track, where topics included demystifying the concept of Smart Ports and the understanding how best to combat cyber-crime.

Speaking at the African Ports Evolution 2016 Conference, Ristha Joga, information, management and services manager at Transnet National Ports Authoritys Port of Durban said: a Smart Peoples Port will result in an efficient data-rich and information-rich eco-system connecting port assets, port employees, terminal operators and the port community including road and rail.

Women in Transport

The networking highlight of the forum was the glamorous Mayoral Cocktail Function that hosted the Women in Transport Awards, where the Deputy Minister of Transport, Lydia Sindisiwe Chikunga, addressed the audience and presented awards that recognised dynamic and inspirational women in the transport sector.

The next African Ports Evolution will take place from 4 - 5 October 2017 at the Durban International Convention Centre.
We had another super exciting and engaging digital marketing boot camp at Momentum offices in Centurion. About 20 insurance SMMEs from all over Gauteng were in attendance. Our mission was simple. We were expected to help them understand the digital marketing ecosystem and how they could leverage inbound methodologies to generate leads, increase sales and retain their existing customers.

The boot camp was held as part of our ongoing partnership with incubation hubs in South Africa through which we provide digital marketing training to SMMEs. It is a transformative agenda that we are proudly pursuing after recognising that digital marketing skills are in short supply. In fact, the SMME sector is of great importance to us as it is a key driver of the economy. The statistics speak for themselves.

A 2010 study conducted by Abor and Quartey estimates that 91% of the formal business entities in South Africa are SMMEs and they contribute between 52-57% to GDP. Additionally, SMMEs account for approximately 61% of employment in the country.

Our interaction with the Insurance SMMEs was insightful insofar as it revealed to us the state of digital marketing within that sector as well as the attitude of the entrepreneurs towards online marketing.

Below are the key things we learnt:

Most entrepreneurs currently run digital marketing campaigns but most lack the requisite knowledge

Digital marketing works differently from its traditional counterpart. Entrepreneurs have to deal with new tools and radically different approaches to marketing. This is a completely different universe to them and it is not surprising that most feel like a fish out of water.

However, whilst most have added digital to their marketing mix they are not getting the anticipated benefits and they are also losing money in the process from poor strategies and bad execution.

Ignorance is very expensive in digital marketing. Fortunately, our boot camps are structured to equip entrepreneurs with the right skills.

Entrepreneurs are eager to learn

Most of the entrepreneurs exhibited a hunger to master the craft. This is a positive thing because digital marketing is not a function or department. It is a way of doing things and covers every aspect of the organisation from customer service management to product/service development. When entrepreneurs buy into it then it becomes easy for digital marketing to be adopted by SMMEs.

There are lots of impostors in the industry

Plenary discussions revealed the depth of abracadabra techniques that are being peddled by pseudo-digital marketers. This group preys on unsuspecting entrepreneurs to whom they offer often dubious but expensive services that are built to fail. Our mission is to provide enough knowledge that will flush them out.

What gives us confidence in what we do is the fact that we are skilled and experienced in managing digital marketing campaigns. We have a solid track record of managing campaigns for brands like MTN, Standard Bank, Telkom, Lexus, Land Rover, Savanna, Eskom, Sanral and Audi, just to name a few.

Digital marketing is the present and future of marketing

The more we interact with SMMEs the stronger our conviction grows that digital marketing holds the key to their growth. Our confidence is based on its traits as outlined below:

Digital marketing is extremely targeted. Businesses can reach the right person, at the right time and in the right context.



It is cheaper in comparison to other forms of marketing. This is a big plus as most SMMEs do not have big advertising budgets.



Its performance can be measured.



It has a wide reach. The internet has changed the way customers look for information or kill their time. Most spend their time online and this represents an engaged and addressable audience.

Our mission is to ensure that SMMEs in South Africa become literate in digital marketing. There's an old African proverb that says If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. We would like to go far and thus are calling on all incubation hubs to partner with us in this great cause.

For more information on our small business marketing solutions email moc.acirfakcilcda@ofni or call 011 704 2641.




The CEO of the Office of the Public Protector, Louisa Zonda, has resigned from her position, just months after being appointed.

Public protector spokeswoman Kgalalelo Masibi confirmed on Wednesday, 2 November 2016, that Zondo was leaving, and had cited "personal reasons" for her decision.

She was not able to give further information.

Newly appointed Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane is currently in Durban attending a conference.

"She will be serving notice throughout November. We wish her all of the best for the future," Masibi said.

The news emerged as President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday withdrew his application to interdict former public protector's Thuli Madonsela's state capture report.

New Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane recently told Parliament that there is low staff morale in the head office.

Source: BDpro
The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) president, Jonathan Ortmans, will be visiting South Africa for the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2016. GEN focuses on connecting global ecosystems comprising of startups, entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, educators, investors, government leaders through networking events, mentoring sessions, competitions and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Jonathan Ortmans

GEW is the largest gathering of innovators and job creators, who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. Each November, a week is dedicated to inspire millions of people from more than 160 countries through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as entrepreneurs and innovators.

This year, GEW South Africa will launch on Friday, 11 November 2016, at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in Sandton. The launch will be hosted by Ortmans, the Minister of Small Business Development Lindiwe Zulu, Deputy Minister of Tourism Tokozile Xasa, and Premier of Gauteng Province David Makhura.

The schedule for Ortmans visit in South Africa includes meeting with GEN partners, key ecosystem players, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem knowledge experiences.

The Global Entrepreneurship Network continues to expand its involvement in Africa in support of connecting the next generation of entrepreneurs to global markets and to rebrand the continent and permanently shift perceptions, Mr Ortmans said. "Startups are critical to every economy in the world. Not only do startups create almost two thirds of all jobs in the domestic economy, they are hotbeds for innovation and are increasingly important to larger corporations and multinationals.

Kizito Okechukwu, the Executive Head of SEA Africa, believes that public and private partnerships established within the ecosystem highlights a new chapter in the growth of South Africas entrepreneurship sector and in alignment with the Africa Union 2063 agenda and the National Development Plan of South Africa.

Entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders within the entrepreneurship ecosystem will have the opportunity to attend the launch by registering at www.za.gew.co. The GEW launch ceremony is supported by the Department of Small Business Development, Gauteng Provincial Government, City of Johannesburg, Absa, Transnet, Hollard, Seda, Sefa, Shanduka Black Umbrellas, SABS Design Institute, Microsoft, IDC, Telkom, Edcon and SEA Africa.

Organisations within the entrepreneurship space are encouraged to register their GEW activity on www.za.gew.co.




Governor McCrory Announces Mafic USA to Create 113 Jobs in Cleveland County

Press Release:



U.S. unit of international manufacturer will invest more than $15 million

Raleigh, N.C. Governor Pat McCrory, N.C. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina announced today that Mafic USA LLC will launch a 113-job manufacturing operation in Cleveland County. The advanced materials company plans to invest more than $15 million in a production facility in Shelby.



"Mafic USA brings an impressive track record of innovation and industry leadership to Cleveland County," said Governor McCrory. "Nothing speaks more powerfully to the quality of our workforce, market access and business climate than when a global company like Mafic chooses to invest and hire in North Carolina."



Since Governor McCrory entered office in January of 2013, North Carolina's economy has generated more than 300,000 jobs.



Mafic USA is the U.S. unit of privately-held Mafic Inc. The parent company, founded in 2012 and based in Ontario, Canada, is a part of a global producer of continuous and chopped basalt fiber as well as long fiber thermoplastic resins. Mafic products are shipped to buyers in the automotive, aerospace, alternative energy and numerous other industries. The company currently produces its basalt fiber products in Ireland and its long fiber thermoplastic resins in Canada.



"We make things in North Carolina, so Mafic is a great fit," said Commerce Secretary Skvarla. "Manufacturing is among our largest industry sectors, accounting for nearly 20 percent of our gross domestic product, and it extends into every corner of our state."



The company's new operations in Shelby will employ skilled operators, engineers, sales staff and other personnel. The company's presence will add nearly $3.6 million in annual payroll impact to the local economy.



"We considered a number of locations across the U.S. for our first American manufacturing facility, said Mafic CEO Mike Levine. "North Carolina and Cleveland County had been under consideration from the start, due to its network of specialized suppliers and wide-range of potential B2B customers and strategic partners. What sealed the deal for us was the multifaceted support from all levels of government; the state, county and city. In particular, the Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership went way beyond what was expected."



Mafic USA's arrival in North Carolina was made possible in part by a performance-based grant of up to $225,000 from the One North Carolina Fund. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance in support of local governments in creating jobs and attracting economic investment. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for grant funds. All One NC grants require a local government match.



A $500,000 grant from the state's Building Reuse Program, which provides grants to local governments for building renovations that lead to job growth, will also assist the company. An outdated and abandoned building will now be converted into a modern state-of-the-art facility suited to Mafic's very specific requirements.



"Cleveland County has become a hub for international manufacturers, and we appreciate Mafic USA joining our ranks with its first U.S. manufacturing facility," said N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore. "Congratulations to the company and to all our economic development partners for their success in bringing 113 new jobs to our community."



"We welcome Mafic USA and the job opportunities it brings to Cleveland County," said N.C. Senator Warren Daniel. "Their investment will bring valuable benefits to our community and economy."



In addition to North Carolina Commerce and EDPNC, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority, Cleveland County, the City of Shelby, Duke Energy and the Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership.


In light of continued developments, primarily since 2008, there exists in these United States a Legal System which operates on a proved Two Tiered approach to justice rendered, which primarily benefits Democratic Elites and Woke Ideological Virtue Signalers, representing their co-dependent wards, to the expressed exclusion of normal hardworking American citizens: What is your suggestion in remedying this widespread injustice and, if not corrected, its existential outcome for our Constitutional Republic?

Complete overhaul of the Department of Justice and their enforcers - the FBI - to reflect a far more honest justice system to keep patriots remaining calm.

Disband the FBI, and request that congress investigate all unethical and non patriotic practices to partially right the wrongs of a distrusted and politically weaponized "Department of Justice."
Contact: Kami Mueller

Kami Mueller Kami.Mueller@ncgop.org

Raleigh, NC Cooper's extremist front group, Planned Parenthood, is caught lying to potential voters in order to recruit workers. Nick Ochsner of WBTV reports below.said Chairman Robin Hayes, NCGOP.By Nick OchsnerWBTVCHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - An On Your Side investigation has uncovered a political group affiliated with Planned Parenthood that is posing as an anti-tolls group to recruit campaign workers.Our investigation started after a man called our tip line with concerns about the organization, Community Outreach Group. The caller said he applied for a job but grew concerned after realizing the group supported only Democratic candidates.According to paperwork filed with the North Carolina Secretary of State, Community Outreach Group is governed by the leaders of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, which is based in Washington, D.C.But in an ad posted online-including on Craigslist and Indeed.com-Community Outreach group claimed to beThe post portrayed COG as a group working against tolls.both ads said.The ad promised to pay workers $15 an hour to campaign against the tolls.But a visit to the Community Outreach Group office in Charlotte by On Your Side Investigates revealed a group working to advocate for a different cause entirely.Instead of tolls, the Community Outreach Group office was filled with signs and literature for Democratic candidate like Roy Cooper and candidate for North Carolina House of Representative Chaz Beasley and Mary Belk. Other signs opposed HB2, the so-called "bathroom bill" that requires people to use the bathroom corresponding to the gender listed on their birth certificate.An On Your Side Investigates producer visited the Community Outreach Group office with a hidden camera and asked if the group focused its campaign efforts on opposing tolls on I-77.an office worker said.Ultimately, though, the office worker told our producer the group wasn't affiliated with any anti-toll group and, instead, was a part of Planned Parenthood.one office worker said when asked by our producer what organization Community Outreach Group was affiliated with.a second worker said from another room.The job posting from Community Outreach Group drew a strong response from Kurt Naas, who founded Widen I-77, a non-profit dedicated to opposing the I-77 toll lanes.Naas said.Naas' group is a non-profit and does not endorse political candidates. But a separate group, I-77 Business Plan, has endorsed a slate of candidates-including both Republicans and Democrats.Naas said.On Twitter Monday afternoon, I-77 Business Plan called the job ads from Community Outreach Groupregarding I-77 tolls.The job ads recruiting outreach workers to work against I-77 tolls were removed by Community Outreach Group less than a day after On Your Side Investigates sent links to the ads to a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood.A URL for the Craigslist ad claiming to be from an anti-tolls group shows the post has been deleted. The ad on Indeed.com shows the job isPrior to the ads being removed, though, a spokeswoman defended them with the following statement:Later, the spokeswoman said Community Outreach Group was looking for workers who oppose the I-77 tolls as part of a collaboration with a separate group called Aim Higher Now.the spokeswoman said.Aim Higher Now is a project of North Carolina Citizens Protecting Our schools, a non-profit advocacy group.Most Recently, Aim Higher Now has focused on education-related issues but has broadened their issue portfolio as election day approaches, an attorney representing the group told On Your Side Investigates.attorney Michael Weisel, General Counsel for North Carolina Citizens for Protecting Our Schools said.Weisel provided two versions of a campaign door hanger that includes mention of I-77 tolls along with other issues. The campaign material provided by Weisel was paid for by Aim Higher Now, not the Community Outreach Group.Separate campaign door hangers obtained by On Your Side Investigates that is labeled as having been paid for by Community Outreach Group does not make any mention of tolls.Watch WBTV News on Tuesday at 6:00 to see footage from our hidden camera visit to the Community Outreach Group office in Charlotte and see what happened when investigative reporter Nick Ochsner showed up with a camera and microphone to get answers.Copyright 2016 WBTV. All rights reserved.
Considering that Hillary Clinton, from the recently concluded email investigation, is charged with gross negligence, dereliction of duty, was recommended that she lose her security clearance, while pathologically lying to congress, the press and the American People; and even though she was not referred for indictment because she is a Clinton: Will you? 11.84% Vote for Hillary 78.78% Vote for The Donald 9.39% Vote for none of the above 245 total vote(s) Voting has Ended!

And now for your additional voting pleasure:

What should be the priority of the Federal Government after the "Pulse" massacre: Should we turn our attention toward destroying, earadicating ISIS as Candidate Trump suggests, or, as Democrats' President Obama suggests, broaden our efforts to effect stricter Gun Control laws to limit "Gun Violence?" 88.24% After many years of trying to degrade and contain the murderous ISIS, we should make it the nation's policy to destroy ISIS immediately. 3.68% Gun Violence in America can be eliminated by limiting access to guns for all American citizens. 8.09% I don't care either way; I just live here. 136 total vote(s) Voting has Ended!

Should Americans be thankful for North Carolinians setting precedent in taking a stand for their state's right to manage the safety of their public facilities, where separation of the sexes remains, or should they follow Bruce Springsteen's lead and boycott the state as bigots since they will not allow grown Transgender men to use the same bathrooms /locker rooms as pre-pubescent girls? North Carolina is right to control the separation of the sexes as a matter of decorum and safety. North Carolina is a bigoted state to not require that children of opposite sexes share the same public facilities with adults of the opposite sex, although misidentified - the Transgender. I generally prefer the natural environs of the vacant, although rather public, large tree. 236 total vote(s) What's your Opinion?



Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn has had a long and distinguished intelligence career. His bio-sketch could easily run longer than this interview. His relentless, no-nonsense approach to innovation, an approach that at times cost him political capital, is well-known. But his chutzpah is what caused GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump to recruit Gen. Flynn as a national security adviser.He retired from his position as the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency . His critics can point to a rocky tenure at DIA but they will have missed the point. Flynn chose his battles,fought them with integrity, and rose to the top of his profession.He sought profound change and constant improvement in environments known for resisting both. It has been incredibly interesting to watch it all unfold from the sidelines. I am deeply appreciative of his willingness to speak to Blogs of War readers directly.Jihadist movements are expanding. Terrorist attacks, while mostly regional, also continue to rise . Looking at these trends, looking at the explosive success of groups such as ISIS (now the Islamic State ), and looking at the ongoing destabilization of the Middle East and Africa how would you describe the United States' current position in this conflict?I would say that the scale of threats that we face around the world are unprecedented, certainly in my 30-plus years of being an intelligence officer, and I think what we face in the years ahead will be even more staggering.However, I think that our ability to be able to monitor and manage strategic surprise actually has been pretty good, not great, but I would tell you that we have a dedicated workforce of men and women that are on 24/7, 365 days a year, protecting the United States from these threats.Still, in the Middle East there will always be best-case scenarios and worst-case scenarios. Honestly, I can't sit here today and tell you that there are any really good scenarios especially for Syria or Iraq. I believe that we are in a period where options are becoming fewer and fewer and I think the longer that we wait the cost of those options certainly increases. It increases financially, it increases in terms of human lives, and the risk to peace in the Middle East certainly increases.What the United States has to do is work with our international partners to shape the outcome of these events into what is in the best interests of the region, and for our regional allies and partners. We have to shape it so they're secure in their own ability to continue to contribute to greater good of the region. Our international partnerships are key to this process.The U.S. intelligence, special forces, and law enforcement communities have developed successful strategies for knocking jihadists down on the battlefield but at times we seem to lack the deep strategic understanding that would come from significant human intelligence programs. Is there broad understanding at the policy and intelligence community leadership level that human intelligence is lacking or that we need to do more to better understand our enemies?The Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Intelligence Community as a whole, has men and women all over the world working every day to understand exactly what is happening on the ground. We provide strategic warning; some strategic space to begin to think about the likely scenarios that the United States will be facing - political scenarios, economic scenarios, military scenarios.We do pretty well with strategic warning. Tactical warning-exact timing, specific places-is much more difficult. Our enemies frankly don't want us to know those things. In the intelligence community we work to forecast what is likely to happen. We have to be right all the time, every time; sometimes it's very difficult.Recent betrayals by contractors and military personnel have exposed significant intelligence programs. The vulnerabilities inherent in phone and internet communications have never been more widely understood by your targets. Are we seeing signs that groups like the Islamic State are benefiting from these disclosures and does this also underscore the need for enhancing our human intelligence capabilities?It is absolutely essential to maintain a diverse, highly agilehuman intelligence capability in any case given the number of conflicts and hotspots we're going to continue to deal with into the foreseeable future. In terms of maintaining a capability that is diverse, we need a multitude of people from different backgrounds, who speak different languages, and understand the cultures in areas where the conditions are set for potential conflict. So really, this is something we need regardless of the exposure of other intelligence programs.You have championed integration and broader sharing of information inside the intelligence community. While there is no doubt that breaking down silos can enhance analysis, the integration of networks and data stores seems to have vastly eased collection for insider threats such as Edward Snowden. Is the intelligence community going to seriously re-think the technical architectures and security models at the heart of its networks in an effort to balance effectiveness and security?Data security is a problem everywhere these days-not just in the IC. So I think we need to all rethink it in terms of who needs what and monitoring. That said, there is no turning back on breaking down silos and integrating both people and information. This is becoming even more critical due to the sheer growth of data, as our people are facing the prospects of not having the time or tools to go through it all. So despite the inherent risks that come with it, we're going to continue focusing on making the right data available to the right people at the right time. Integration is the cornerstone of this strategy. To do otherwise would mean for us to be irrelevant in the 21st Century.Prior to the rise of Wikileaks, and disclosures by people like Edward Snowden, the U.S. intelligence community seemed to be making significant progress in winning the hearts and minds of hackers. Much of that progress has been lost thanks to these events. How does the intelligence community win back a much needed resource and how can it win back the trust of the general public it protects?Unfortunately, trust of the US intelligence community has ebbed and flowed throughout its history. All I ask is for the American people-and people everywhere-to remember what the U.S. intelligence community spends most of its time on: providing intelligence to policymakers so they can make key decisions. We do strategic warning. While it is much easier to see when the U.S. IC fails to spot a problem in advance, it is much more difficult to see all of the work we do on a daily basis to inform U.S. leaders from the Secretary of Defense through the President. We spend a lot of our time identifying where the conditions for conflict and instability are occurring and in turn warning our leaders. That strategic warning then enables them to pick up the phone, call foreign leaders, and work to broker peace.You famously advocated for intelligence community innovation in your 2010 white paper Fixing Intel: A Blueprint for Making Intelligence Relevant in Afghanistan. Following the report you were catapulted into a senior leadership role that, on paper at least, seemed to be a platform that would allow you to implement your vision. But innovation in a bureaucracy is difficult (whatever your title) and your time at DIA has been challenging. As your time at the agency winds down where do you feel that you made the most progress? How would you characterize your tenure?Coming into the agency, I was given two objectives, if you will. The first was dealing with skyrocketing intelligence requirements with an increasing scale of threats to cover. The second was facing a fiscal crisis in the coming years ahead. Given those two conditions, DIA needed to take a hard look at how it incorporates what we have learned in the last 10-plus years of war inside of DIA in order to make it more operationally focused and more capable given significant reductions, and reductions that we actually have taken in the last couple years.So the biggest thing for me was to try to the key lessons that we learned from the last decade and incorporate them in how we are organized and how we operate. I would say the number one success is integrating our capabilities out in the battlefield, and we created fusion cells that integrated operations and intelligence elements. We created interagency task forces that brought together multiple organizations and agencies from across the U.S. government and made them to work together, and it succeeded.So what we've done in DIA is to create these conditions inside of DIA by forming integrated centers that are inside of our organization that then reach out to the 11 four-star commands that we support around the world, our combatant commands. The integration inside of DIA and then externally integrating with our combatant commands, our supported war fighters, was really important, and I think that's probably the single biggest initiative that we took on, and the most successful.Lastly, what is on the agenda for you personally and professionally after DIA?I'm at a place where I feel very good about the 33 years that I've served, five of the last ten in combat, and I feel really good about where the Defense Intelligence Agency is in right now. I think it's very well-postured for the future, and we have a highly skilled workforce and even better talent that will come in behind me.As for me, I don't know yet and that's part of the excitement, I think. It's part of the uncertainty. You know, we've been dealing with uncertainty for a long time, and certainly in my career, uncertain environments that I've had to deploy to, uncertain periods of time when I've been apart from my family. So we're going to be together a lot more. We'll make some decisions here in the next couple months, but I do want to continue to contribute to the national security of the United States.Still, most importantly, I'm going to focus on my family. It's a vital part of what I've done over the years and who I am as a person. I cannot thank them enough for their sacrifice and the love they've shown me over the years.
Photograph: Look at how much corruption the Clinton family brought to just one government department when Hillary was Secretary of State. Imagine how much they will bring to the entire federal government if Hillary is elected President.

said former Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew McCarthy on Friday.he added since a breaking news story about FBI Director James Comey has him reopening the Hillary Clinton email case.noted the retired federal prosecutor who investigated and tried the case of the terrorists who attacked the World Trade Center in 1994, killing six and injuring over 100 workers.Mrs. Clinton appears overall to have turned the office of secretary of state - a vital function - into a racketeering enterprise. This would be a violation of the RICO law - the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act of 1971 (codified in the U.S. penal code at sections 1961 et seq. ).Earlier in Hillary Clinton's march to the White House's Oval Officer, another former Department of Justice prosecutor, now heading a public-interest watchdog group, filed a RICO-related civil lawsuit against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Bill Clinton and their lucrative family foundation. The lawsuit filed on March 24 before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida alleges that the Clintons and their foundation committed criminal violations under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).The attorney, Larry Klayman , reported that the RICO lawsuit accuses the Clintons of engaging in a criminal enterprise during the last 10 years with the goal of enriching themselves personally. Klayman and his organization Freedom Watch alleges that the Clintons - through mail and wire fraud, and various fraudulent statements - misappropriated government documents to which Klayman and Freedom Watch were lawfully entitled to receive and possess under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Specifically, the documents sought involve allegations that Hillary Clinton released Israeli war and cyber-warfare plans and practices.Klayman's complaint accuses then Secretary Hillary Clinton of being behind the release of documents to a reporter in order to thwart Israel's secret military plans to preemptively attack Iranian nuclear sites to stop the Islamic nation's march to producing atomic weapons. Another Klayman/Freedom Watch FOIA request was submitted for Mrs. Clinton's and her underling's records linked in any way to theIn essence, they allegation is that Hillary Clinton knowingly undermined U.S. economic sanctions on the terrorist-sponsoring, nuclear-weapons-seeking nation of Iran.Klayman alleges that these acts are the result of the Clintons and their foundationIt's also alleged that the Clintons were paid exorbitant speaking fees and money was transferred to them by other means.Klayman maintains that the current EmailGate scandal was basically a part of the scheme to cover up evidence of these and other related crimes by hiding emails that would incriminate the Clintons and their foundation.said the former DOJ attorney.This is not the first time that a reputable attorney has made allegations about the Clintons. Even Bill Clinton's own FBI director, Louis Freeh , wrote about how Clinton let down the American people and the families of American victims of the Khobar Towers terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia during the Clinton administration. After promising to capture the Islamic terrorists responsible for the bombing at Khobar Towers - a bombing that killed 19 and injured hundreds - Freeh said that Clinton refused to telephone Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah to urge him to allow the FBI to question bombing suspects the kingdom had in their custody. Freeh writes in his book , My FBI:Freeh said he was determined to stay on as FBI director until Bill Clinton finished his term so that he could not appoint Freeh's successor.Freeh told Mike Wallace of CBS' 60 Minutes.
Czech racists verbally attacked women wearing a hijab at court

2. 11. 2016

cas cteni 1 minuta

District Court for Prague 10 started to deal with a complaint made by a student with Somali roots who was ordered not to wear a hijab during classes at her Czech secondary school. Dozens of people came to give support to Ivana Kohoutova, the headmistress of the Secondary Health Service School in Ruska Street in Prague, who issued the order forbidding the student to wear a hijab. There were also dozens of people supporting the student.

Two representatives of the Czech right wing Civic Democratic Party, former secondary school headmaster Vaclav Klaus junior and former dissident Frantisek Starek protested against the students complaint. "When a child is from a minority, it is immediately defended by activists and by state authorities who terrorise the headmaster of the given school. I fully support the headmistress in this case, hijabs do not belong to Czech schools," said Klaus junior in front of the court.

Supporters of the school headmistress verbally assaulted the student who lodged her complaint. "Why are you wearing a scarf, since you are a Czech?" yelled one of the present women at the student. Other demonstrators shouted at the student that she should "go back to where she has come from". The student was born in the Czech Republic.

Two students left the Secondary Health Service School in Ruska Street in 2013 because the headmistress banned them from wearing scarves.

According to the headmistress Kohoutova, the School Regulations do not allow the wearing of scarves on the premises of the school.

The Czech Ombudsman Anna Sabatova pointed out that the student has been the subject of discrimination. The School Regulations are in conflict with the constitution of the Czech Republic, the Czech Education Law and the Czech Anti-discrimination law. Her comments have been met with strong protests.

Source in Czech HERE

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The protesters held banners urging the Kachin Independence Organisation/Kachin Independence Army (KIO/KIA) to immediately halt its offensives against local militias and to sign the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA). The protesters also voiced support for the Burma Army policy of clearing people from land in northern Burma.

The protest was led by the northern Burma Shan Tribes Committee.

Of the 1,000 or so protestors the majority were from the Shanni (Red Shan) ethnic group, thought there were also people from the Lisu, Rawang and Lachik ethnic groups taking part.



People protesting against the KIO/KIA in Myikyina

One of the protest leaders, U Tuu Mai, said that the Burmese Government had instructed protesters at a previous protest against the fighting, held in Shwe Gu, southern Kachin State on 29 October, to hold placards saying All Ethnic Armed Groups Need to Sign the NCA.

U Baran Jar, the leader of an anti-civil war protest held by Kutkai residents in northern Shan State on 31 October, claimed that around 40 people from the Burma Army Office of the Chief of Military Security Affairs participated in the Myitkyina protest and held a sign saying We Dont Want [the] KIA. We Dont Want [the] TNLA [Taang National Liberation Army].

On 3, 6 and 10 October tens of thousands of people took part in protests in Myitkyina and called on the Burma Army to halt its offensives and solve its disagreements through political means rather than violence.

Despite such protests the Burma Army has continued to attack KIA camps in Nhkram Bum and Lai Hpawng Bum in Waingmaw Township every day using heavy artillery, said the KIO Information officer Lieutenant-Colonel Naw Buu.

In a 25 October speech made on the 56th anniversary of the founding of the KIO the groups chairman, Lanyaw Zawng Hrar said that the KIO had tried to hold political discussions with successive Burmese governments, but the group could not see a way of ending the fighting through political means, even now, with the new NLD government in power.

Translated by Thida Linn

Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
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Incumbent Republican touts fiscal conservatism; Democrat Morris champions higher state spending while attacking H.B. 2

The power of incumbency is on display in the Senate District 19 race between Republican state Sen. Wesley Meredith and Democratic challenger Toni Morris.Meredith has served in the Senate since 2010, and he has the experience of fending off well-financed challengers. Two years ago he spent more than $1 million to retain his seat, though it doesn't appear this race will be so costly. Nevertheless, as an incumbent Meredith raised more than $235,000 through the June reporting period, compared with about $20,000 for Morris.Meredith is part of a veto-proof supermajority that Republicans hold in the Senate, where they hold a 34-16 advantage.Neither Meredith nor Morris were available to talk about their campaign stances, but their respective websites offered some stark contrasts.Morris has tried to capitalize on the negative economic effects of House Bill 2 while Meredith lauds the security and protections it affords women and children. Morris has put repealing H.B. 2 at the top of her political agenda; Meredith's website fails to mention the law, which requires people to use bathrooms corresponding to their birth anatomy.Instead, Meredith focuses on job creation, taxes, education, and what he sees as foolish spending.As a business owner for more than 20 years, on his website Meredith says he has experienced many of the same struggles as other small businesses, including making payroll and dealing with state regulations. He cites the tax cuts enacted during this past session as a factor in lessening those struggles.Meredith claims he has voted against every tax increase that has come up while a member of the Senate. He's also proud of reductions in wasteful spending and debt during his time in office.When it comes to education, Meredith touts increases in teacher pay and the need to raise student standards as ways to improve classroom results. Better teachers should be rewarded with better pay, according to his website.Morris is a licensed professional counselor in Fayetteville and past president of the Licensed Professional Counselor Association of North Carolina. She served on the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Human Relations Commission. As a member of the Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Morris is active in several ministries, according to her website.Morris wants to reinstate the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program and increase classroom funding to reduce class size and bring back teaching assistants.On the environment, Morris wants businesses to bear the cost of cleanups rather than customers, and she would like to promote investment in renewable energy sources. Regarding health care, Morris would like to see the state expand Medicaid to take full advantage of the federal subsidies offered under the Affordable Care Act.The popularity of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in and around Fayetteville is a plus for Meredith. Trump has made several trips to Fayetteville and has drawn raucous crowds, which are filled with people seemingly motivated to vote.Democrats have tried to blunt Trump's rise by registering more voters and getting them to the polls early.
Disclaimer: This article is not to encourage anyone to use these instructive methods to actually commit voter fraud. Voter fraud in No. Carolina is a felony. Voter fraud is wrong. Rather, this article is written to expose what has been done, and will continue to be done, to steal elections in our state and to demonstrate how simple it is to commit in a state with few, if any, safeguards to protect the integrity of its election process.

They are virtually undetectable at the time the crime is committed, rendering the crime nearly riskless to the perpetrator. If you are caught, there is only a tiny chance anyone will prosecute you. If you are prosecuted, your low-level felony will almost certainly be plea-bargained to a non-felony "misdemeanor." Effectively, there is little, nearly nothing, to deter voter fraud for those who wish to commit it, under the current No. Carolina laws

Non-citizen voting Same Day registration/vote Impersonation voter fraud

1)HOW TO VOTE IF YOU'RE NOT A U.S. CITIZEN

2) HOW TO CONDUCT SAME DAY REGISTRATION/VOTER FRAUD

3) IMPERSONATION FRAUD

CONCLUSION

FINAL DISCLAIMER

REMEMBER. VOTER FRAUD IS A CRIME. NEVER DO IT.

To illustrate how serious this problem is and how pervasive it can be, I will present examples of several voter fraud methods I believe are in wide use, including the one which likely has the greatest impact on elections around this nation; namely, votes cast by non-citizens. Every such vote negates or suppresses the vote of an American citizen.As an example of how significant non-citizen voter fraud can be, let's look at the 2008 presidential race in No. Carolina.Mr. Obama took the state's 15 electoral votes in a close victory of14,000 votes (out of approximately 4,500,000 cast). This is easily within the "margin of fraud" presented by non-citizen voting, as you will see in the table which follows.The following table [right] is taken from a joint study prepared by the Political Science Departments of the George Mason and Old Dominion Universities. The study, "Do non-citizens vote in U.S. elections?" by J. Richman, G. Chattha and D. Earnest, 2014The full report can be accessed here The study found that up 16% of non-citizens are voting depending on the contest and location, and therefore if only 5% of the non-citizens in No. Carolina voted, it is likely that John McCain was in fact the victor, not Barack Obama, as history records. If you believe the ends justify the means, you might be happy about that.In 2013, No. Carolina passed an election law reform package named the "Voter Information and Verification Act." This law had provisions that would have reduced, but not eliminated, voter fraud in the state. The key provisions that would have accomplished this feat included the requirement a photo ID (with some circumstantial exceptions allowed), a reduction in the number of early voting days (from 3 weeks to 2 weeks) and elimination of something aptly named "Same day registration/vote."These changes in the state's election laws were challenged by the NAACP, acting as a surrogate for the Democratic Party, and the US DOJ, acting in a similar capacity. After a lengthy trial at the Federal District Court in Greensboro, No. Carolina, the law prevailed as written and was wholly sustained. By provision, the first year that election law reforms were to be fully implemented was to be this year, 2016, and the law was finally in effect for this year's primary elections.Despite the primary argument used by the NAACP/DOJ that the black vote would be "suppressed," the opposite occurred during the March and June primaries, thereby validating the original District Court judge decision to let the law stand.However, The NAACP/DOJ appealed the decision of the 4th Circuit District Court Judge and the case was subsequently heard by a three judge panel of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond comprised of one Clinton appointee and two Obama appointees. They promptly overturned the District Court decision and obliterated the law in its entirety. Instantly, the state of No. Carolina was back to being the same fraud-friendly place it became in the early 2000's. That's "progress" for you.So, with that as a backdrop, I intend to show you "how it's done".There are many ways that voter fraud takes place. For this article, I will not discuss voter machine fraud because I know very little about it. I do know that machines which do not have paper ballot backups are especially dangerous because the vote accuracy CANNOT be determined after the fact. Paper ballots can be used validate the accuracy of the machines via a recount audit. Always resist electronics-only machines for voting in your jurisdiction.This article will focus on just three common voter fraud techniques. There are other less common ones which will be ignored. All three methods have some common denominators:The three "how-to" voter fraud methods I'll describe to you are:If you're a non-citizen living in No. Carolina, but you wish to vote like a citizen, you will need to lie and claim you're a U.S. citizen. You can do so by simply checking the "YES" block on the voter registration form where it says "Are you a US Citizen?" and then sign the form.The state considers your signature as a personal 'attestation' and after you sign the form no one will question you or challenge you about it. You'll also need a document that shows your local address. It must be a residence. You cannot register your post office box as a residence, or a place where you work. A mailing from your bank, a utility bill, or a pay stub with your residential address will suffice. You'll be asked for a driver's license number or the last four digits of your SSN. Not to worry, if you don't yet have a driver's license, just make up 4 digits, any 4 digits, and claim them as the last four digits of your non-existent SSN. It works like a charm! Welcome to the world of US voting, just like the citizens do!This one is a bit "hairier" than non-citizen voting because you not only have to lie, you have to lie "in person." The risk remains low because at any point during the sign-up process you can terminate it and walk out the door. Same day registration/vote is effective as a voter fraud method because by the time the Board of Elections gets around to sending out your new voter registration card to your fake name and address and has it returned as "undeliverable" your vote was counted weeks earlier and the contest is long over. What's really cool about this is that even though your registration card is returned to the Board of Elections, by law you will remain on the voter roll as an "inactive" voter. If you wait until the next election and show up to vote again you can simply say you moved and give them a new fake address (but you may need another fake bank statement or utility bill to make it count). In fact, after you've moved, your fake name/address can be given to someone else. If that someone is keeping a list of such fake registrations, then a new person can be assigned to impersonate you, the original imposter, so it becomes a case of imposter-impersonation, lol.To do this one, you will need a utility bill, easy to fake with a tablet or a laptop, or a phony bank statement, or a pay stub to establish your address. A little white-out and a scanner will allow you to create as many as you wish. You can make up your name but not your residential address; the Board of Elections can identify a fake residence so make sure it really exists or your registration will be denied. You could use information you know about someone who has never registered to vote, but that would be identity theft, a more serious crime, so it's best to avoid it.Every polling place in No. Carolina has a table ready for you to be registered. Look serious, don't fidget and remember if you get too nervous, just excuse yourself and leave the polling place and perhaps go to another polling place. In fact, you can do this all day, every day, setting up new/phony voter registrations in as many counties as you choose. You can later give or sell the fake registrations to whoever would be interested in voting with those names at a subsequent election.This one is REALLY SIMPLE. Who says you always have to be yourself? Don't you have any friends or relatives that have moved from No. Carolina? If you do, just go to any early voting polling place and announce the name and address of the person you know will not be voting in No. Carolina anymore. You don't even need to memorize the names and addresses, you can simply write those on a piece of paper and read the name and address from that paper when you get to the polling place so you can get "your" ballot and vote. You can also try this with recently deceased people you know. Newspaper obituaries also work for this purpose. Try not to use the name and address of anyone deceased longer than 3 months as they have likely been removed from the voter roll by then.If it happens that you try to vote for a deceased person who has already been removed from the voter roll, the poll worker will likely point out that you're deceased but even then, will offer you the chance to cast a "provisional ballot" anyway. Don't take it. Smile. Just leave and move on to your next targeted polling place. At all times, remember the poll workers are not allowed to ask you any questions or challenge you no matter how different you appear than the person you claim to be. So you can be a blue-eyed blonde woman in your early 20's impersonating a 74 year old black man. No worry, no one will question you.But what do you do if you run out of friends and relatives who've moved and/or recently deceased people? Things may get a bit tougher, but it's still relatively easy. If you're operating solo, hoping to increase the votes for your favored candidate(s) by voting as many times as you can for them, then it's best to vote early in the early voting period. If you do this in the first week of early voting there is a very high probability that you can go to the NC State Board of Elections web site and take random names from a download of your county's voters. Chances are they haven't voted yet, especially if they're white, and the older the better, because older white voters strongly prefer voting on Election Day. This is why hundreds of No. Carolinians are forced to cast "VAV Provisional" ballots in federal elections. "VAV" is a NC code for "Voter Already Vote." These are people who waited in line and when they presented themselves at the polling place they were told, "Sorry, you can't vote because you already voted" Of course, if the person you're impersonating beat you to the polling place, don't accept the offer of a provisional ballot and on one will be the wiser. Just smile and leave.Better yet, find a 'vote bundler.' You can even make money while voting for your favored candidate. It's a win-win! A vote bundler can do things you can't because they are linked into the party apparatus and they know on a daily basis throughout the early voting period who has voted and who has not voted (yet). They can also query the state's public database to identify voters who are listed as "inactive" and select those that haven't voted in 10+ years through a simple data sort.Obviously, it's really unlikely that they are suddenly going to resume voting. More than likely, they have moved away from the state or died. There are now more than 1,000,000 "inactive" voters to choose from in No. Carolina if/when you choose to vote in someone else's place. Tens of thousands haven't voted for many years. That is enough names that you and your friends can vote all day, every day, throughout the 3 week early voting period.The bundlers will give you a list of names and addresses and again, you can vote as often as you want, in as many places as you want. Even as late as the 2012 presidential election, there were reports of busloads of people moving around the state doing this; of course, this type of vote fraud is not restricted to No. Carolina. It has been reported in states far removed from No. Carolina. Likely, the buses will be back this year because our common sense election reforms that would have kept them in the garage has been removed in the interest of a particular political party.The people of No. Carolina voted, through their legislature, to stop this voter fraud.BUT, three liberal activist judges apparently knew better and in a highly questionable and partisan decision, No. Carolina has again become one of the most voter fraud-friendly states in the entire nation; possibly, the most fraud friendly. These judges reversed a one week reduction in early voting weeks from three to two. They said it was racist to do so. However, it is apparently NOT racist to have NO early voting in states like New York and New Jersey, as well as a number of others. How can they justify such a patent absurdity? Oh, that's right, they don't have to.Those same miscreant judges reinstated "Same Day Registration/Vote" which the reform law had eliminated. This will prevents any verification of new voter registrations until after the person has voted and their vote can no longer be retrieved if the registration was bogus. This happened thousands of times in the 2008 general election. Considering that Same Day Registration/Vote is already prohibited in 42 states, why did the 4th Circuit Appeals judges insist it be reinstated in No. Carolina - and just in time for the 2016 presidential election?If your mind wanders to judicial conspiracy, you may be headed in the right direction.With respect to illegal aliens and green card permanent legal residents voting as though they are citizens, we await a national solution. A few states have tried to require documentation of citizenship for the purpose of voting. This is a routine requirement for obtaining a driver's license, but the federal courts have ruled it is singularly "verboten for votin'". Why? Why is citizenship verification critical for driving but not for voting? Is protecting the "right to cheat" in elections more important to certain powerful interests in the federal government? There is truly is no other explanation that makes sense.This may seem like a "how to manual" but it is quite the opposite. It is meant to inform the uninformed about how easy it is to conduct voter fraud in the state of No. Carolina. We had our legislature close off some of these ways to cheat, but the 4th Circuit court of Appeals decided it was more important to help "their side" to a victory, no matter how unjust that decision was.With Justice Scalia gone, a new president will get to appoint his replacement and likely, one or more additional justices. Will these new justices of the Supreme Court be willing to go along with increasing access to voting without providing, at the same time, any safeguards against fraud? Will we find ourselves in a situation where our votes are not worth the paper they are no longer written on, as there will be a push for unverifiable internet voting in the near future. Like everything else, voter fraud evolves to meet changing circumstances!For any additional information or for exchanging comments, you may reach me at: fraudhunter63@AOL.COM


An internet imagery.

BEIJING (PTI): China om Tuesday unveiled its J-20 stealth fighter jet at its biggest air show which will have major implications for India as it is the first indigenously-made fifth-generation Chinese aircraft which Pakistan has shown interest in acquiring.



Two J-20 aircraft which made waves in the Chinese media in the last few years flew at the Zhuhai city air show where the Pakistan Air Force is also taking part flying with its J-17 Thunder jets which are jointly manufactured with China.



This is the first, public show of the J-20 warplane.



Pakistan, the largest importer of Chinese arms has said earlier that it is in talks with China to buy the FC-31 - an export variant of the same aircraft. The FC-31 was briefly flown in the 2014 Zhuhai airshow.



The stealth aircraft is regarded as major breakthrough for China which is otherwise mostly reliant on Russian aircraft including advanced versions of Sukhois.



India is yet to make stealth aircraft which can penetrate through enemy radars.



The J-20 aircraft will fly over the weeklong show each day after taking off from an airfield in nearby Foshan, but visitors will not be able to view the aircraft close up on the ground.



An official in the People's Liberation Air Force (PLAF) told media in Zhuhai the aircraft will not be displayed in public because the "J-20 contains many of China's top technologies in stealth aircraft plus other military secrets".



"The secrets include the J-20's body shape, the proportion of its wing and body and other secrets as aircraft experts can easily calculate its stealth parameters from its exterior," Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post quoted the unnamed PLAF official as saying.



The J-20 earlier made waves earlier as its picture covered in tarpaulin at an airport in Tibet. The J-20 has already created a buzz about its likely deployment on the India-China border though Chinese experts say it is unlikely.



A write-up in the China Military Online in September stated that "it is said that J-20 will be put into service soon but the China-India border is apparently not the ideal place for its deployment".



"In addition, the world's highest airport there does not have a complete set of supporting facilities and such shortage will impede the function of J-20".



Experts added that if China is to deploy J-20 targeting India, it will do that only when the maintenance and operation of the aircraft in plain bases becomes mature.



J-20 will not be deployed in Daocheng Yading airport (Tibet) as it is too close to the border, and it is vulnerable to India's first-wave hit.



"If India is to deploy the BRAHMOS missile on the China-India border, then the Daocheng Yading airport will likely become its target," the write up said.






KATHMANDU (PTI): Seeking to boost their defence ties, India and Nepal have commenced their 10th joint military exercise here which will be held over two weeks with emphasis on counterterrorism in mountainous terrain.



The Indo-Nepal Joint Military Exercise, Surya Kiran-X, commenced at Army Battle School, Saljhandi in Nepal.



"The Surya Kiran series of exercises are being conducted annually, alternatively in Nepal and India. Notably in the series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries, Surya Kiran series with Nepal is the largest in terms of troop's participation," the Indian Army said in a statement on Monday.



While Indian Army is represented by the elite Kumaon Regt, Jabar Jung Battalion of Nepal Army is participating in this edition of the joint exercise on behalf of Nepal Army, it added.



"The aim of this exercise is to conduct battalion level joint training with emphasis on Counter Terrorism in mountainous terrain. Aspects of Disaster Management have also been included in the exercise. The Joint Battalion Level Exercise will enhance defence co-operation and relations between the two nations.



"It is an ideal platform for the contingent of both nations to share their experience and gain mutually. The Exercise will be yet another step towards taking traditional friendship between the two nations to greater heights," the statement said.


Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 02/11/2016 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Police are urging parents to check their childrens Halloween candy after a syringe was found in one treat bag in Brandon.

Police say on Monday at 8:30 p.m., officers responded to a report that a syringe was located in a bag that was used by kids to trick-or-treat.

A 13-year-old girl and 15-year-old girl told officers that they found the unused syringe in a treat bag after returning home on Halloween.

The syringe, which according to police was an unused needle with a cap on it, was found loosely in the candy. It wasnt concealed within any treats.

The children were trick-or-treating in the south-central part of the city.

Brandon wasnt the only community to report hazardous materials in candies, either. Halifax police opened an investigation in a case where a razor blade was reportedly found in a candy bar in a boys treat bag.

Police say the 12-year-old was trick-or-treating at about 150 residences in Halifax.

Investigators say the boy was going through his Halloween candy when he cut his finger on the blade, which was stuck in the bar.

Police say the boy went through several streets seeking candies, and cannot say conclusively where the blade came from.

Const. Dianne Woodworth, a spokeswoman for Halifax police, said the sharp object was sticking out of the bar when the boy cut his finger.

She says such cases are very difficult to investigate and past cases have had to be dropped due to a lack of forensic or other evidence.

 The Brandon Sun, with files from The Canadian Press
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This article was published 02/11/2016 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg man is humiliated after he claims he was the victim of racial profiling when a employee at a Brandon business accused him of stalking a female employee.

Prince Cooper was leaving Shoppers Drug Mart on Victoria Avenue in the late afternoon on Oct. 24 when a employee told him to never come back.

The woman told Cooper that a staff member identified the 39-year-old, who is originally from Liberia, as the man who had stalked and sexually harassed her in the past.

Charles Tweed/The Brandon Sun Prince Cooper said he was intimidated and ashamed when he was confronted at a Brandon business and falsely accused of harassing a woman. The store admitted its mistake that day, but no apology was provided, Cooper said. The business has since called him to apologize.

Cooper pleaded with the woman that he was not the accused, producing his identification to convince her otherwise.

I told her, Listen, my name is Prince Cooper. I dont live in Brandon. I only come here to work and go home. Im not talking to any woman in Brandon here since I started a year ago, so I dont know what youre talking about, he told the Sun yesterday.

Everybody was looking at me, I was so frustrated.

Cooper said the employee wouldnt hear him out.

My head pounded, being accused, he said. I couldnt even look back to the people (in the store because I was ashamed).

After a few minutes, Cooper returned and asked to speak to a manager. The same employee who initially confronted him came back and acknowledged he was not the person she accused him of being.

Though vindicated, Cooper said the woman didnt even apologize for the outburst that left him hurt.

I feel like she has racism towards blacks the way she was talking, not even apologizing, he said. She just said it was a misidentification and she turned around and walked away.

As he was about to leave the store for a second time, he saw several customers around the cashiers looking at him and he explained he was falsely accused.

The next day, Cooper called Shoppers corporate office to file a complaint.

On Saturday, he heard back from a woman from the Victoria Avenue store who apologized. She offered to do whatever she could to make up for the mistake.

I told her I dont think theres anything else you can do for me, he said. I cannot get it out of my head what happened to me in this store, in this beautiful country.

Somebody just pointed out a black man and accused him because theyre black  every black man looks the same.

The store owner confirmed an incident took place, but failed to elaborate. She said she called him to apologize before directing further questioning to the companys head office.

In a written statement, the company said it is very sorry for what happened and completely understands the customers concerns.

We are open to continuing a dialogue with him to see how we can further address his concern, it read.

Cooper said he contacted the Sun in an effort to combat the discriminatory attitudes some people hold.

Although he has come across people in his lifetime who he believes are racist, those incidents dont bother him like this does.

In this one Ive been confronted, intimidated and shamed. Im humiliated.

A social worker during his eight years in Canada, Cooper said the accusation clashed with the man he is.

I work with youths. I work with children. I work with the young girls. I work with the little babies. Just to come out and have somebody attack me like that, thats why I feel pain.

Cooper said he can relate to children who do not have a family.

When he was 13 years old in Liberia, rebels barged into his home during a political war to find his father, who worked in the ministry of justice. They brutally murdered him, his mother and sister.

He said he was the only person in his family able to hide in time and thats why he survived.

He ran away with other refugees to Guinea-Bissau and then moved to the United States on his own in his 20s before arriving in Canada eight years ago.

Growing up without his parents inspired him to help others, he said.

Without people, I wouldnt be alive today, he said. People had to feed me, people had to make sure Im all right. Other people took the job of my parents.

 ifroese@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @ianfroese
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This article was published 02/11/2016 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A man accused of stabbing his cousin in the back has won bail.

At this point, there is no clear reason why the stabbing happened in the first place.

It really makes not a great deal of sense, Crown attorney Brett Rach said during a bail hearing in Brandon provincial court on Monday.

The victim was hospitalized on Oct. 2 with two stab wounds to his back and two more to his shoulder.

He needed immediate surgery for a collapsed lung.

Following surgery, he told police that he was at a Sioux Valley Dakota Nation apartment when his intoxicated cousin arrived in search of a bottle of liquor.

He said they then got in a scuffle and he was stabbed, but doesnt remember seeing a knife.

Defence lawyer Ryan Fawcett said his client denies the allegations.

The victim was also intoxicated, Fawcett said, and told police that one of his cousins may have stabbed him but he wasnt sure who did.

Police seemed to have questioned the victim as he lapsed in and out of consciousness and winced in pain, Fawcett said.

Rach said a second cousin was in the apartment, but he and the victim told police that he was asleep at the time and didnt see the assault.

Bradley James Williams, 33, is charged with aggravated assault. He was granted bail and will appear in Sioux Valley court later this month.

 ihitchen@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @IanHitchen
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 02/11/2016 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon is a hotbed of contraband cigarette use, according to a study conducted by Niric Analytics, and released yesterday by the Western Convenience Stores Association.

And this citys close proximity to the Trans-Canada Highway is to blame, according to WCSA president Andrew Klukas.

Typically townships, and municipalities that are along the Trans-Canada Highway, the corridor, thats how the product is shipped, Klukas told the Sun yesterday. Its not coming from the (U.S.). Its coming from Central Canada. And so typically, you know, Manitoba  also Saskatchewan and Alberta. Medicine Hat is also high.

Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun A cigarette butt lies on the ground in front of the Brandon City Hall building on Tuesday morning. The Western Convenience Stores Association says the area around Brandon's city hall is the worst in Manitoba for finding the remains of contraband cigarettes.

Its because products are being transported along the Trans-Canada Highway. Its a matter of access, primarily. Its more available.

The WCSA commissioned a contraband tobacco study that examined discarded cigarette butts at 30 sites across Manitoba to determine if illegal cigarettes were being purchased and smoked. The study was repeated in other provinces across the country.

The results showed that Brandon had the highest average in the province with a rate of 20.2 per cent at the six sites tested. Of the top 10 locations for contraband butts in Manitoba, researchers found the largest percentage on the grounds of Brandon City Hall  27.2 per cent of all butts collected were illegally sold and distributed. Thats a significant increase from a 2015 study, in which 18.4 per cent were contraband at the same location.

I find it surprising, Brandon Mayor Rick Chrest said when reached by the Sun yesterday. Its not been a thing that weve had on our radar as a significant problem.

Chrest  who was upset with the wording of the report that seemed to insinuate city hall officials were involved in the contraband tobacco trade  said there is a very small percentage of staff within the building who smoke. Instead, he pointed to the fact that the space around the building is open to the public. Brandon City Hall offers citizens a public park-like setting on the south side of the structure, where residents are free to walk, rest  and smoke  at their leisure.

We make the grounds inviting and welcoming, he said. Were downtown in a high traffic area  a lot of people come there and linger and have a smoke. That would be a contribution to these butts kicking around.

Cigarette samples were gathered by researchers with Niric Analytics at each location between Sept. 25 and Oct. 8 of this year. Approximately 5,000 cigarette butts were collected in Manitoba alone for this study.

Theyve been doing these studies right across Canada for the last several years, and we tend to use them for consistency, Klukas said.

First, the company will identify sites typically places of high traffic that attract a broad spectrum of people, including schools, government buildings, hospitals and shopping centres. During the study window, the researchers pick up cigarette butts from each location, obtaining a minimum sample size to ensure adequate confidence levels  between 120-200 butts at each location.

Health Canada mandates that cigarettes have the brand marking right near the butt, Klukas said, adding that contraband tobacco products produced on First Nations in Ontario and Quebec will have a different brand marking from those sold legally to non-status individuals. You look at them, and you compare, they send them to a lab and do a comparison.

Overall, the study suggests that the illegal tobacco rate in Manitoba is growing. Of all the cigarette butts collected in this province by researchers, 14.7 per cent were illegally purchased and distributed. The illegal tobacco rate in 2015 was 12.7 per cent.

Most concerning to Klukas was the fact that six of the top 10 locations named in the report are at Manitoba high schools, including Brandons Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School (3), Vincent Massey High School (4) and Ecole secondaire Neelin High School (10). Dauphins Regional Comprehensive Secondary School (5) also made the list, alongside two other locations in the city  the Dauphin branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (6) and Dauphin City Hall (8).

Of the 11 schools tested, the illegal tobacco rate at high school sites was 17.8 per cent, up from 13.2 per cent for the same sites tested last year. According to the report, no high school in 2016 had less than a 10 per cent illegal tobacco rate. In 2015, four high school had less than 10 per cent. That average, he says, is the highest in the country.

We dont see that in any other provinces, Klukas said. For retailers, their job is to prevent access to youth. Thats quite frustrating for us. But (students) are good communicators and they know where to find this stuff.

Contraband tobacco is sold without mandated health warnings on packages and without age-verification checks. And on the black market, these cigarettes are sold at a huge markdown.

We can buy a bag of 200 cigarettes a carton  for $20-$25, Klukas said.

In its press release, the WCSA has called upon the Manitoba government to beef up enforcement to keep illegal tobacco off the streets and out of the hands of youth. Klukas suggests that illegal tobacco is also linked with organized crime.

Contraband tobacco  is an easy way for a gang to create a distribution network. The penalties are quite lenient. Theyre not enforced. You get fined, you dont get a record at the provincial level. So you get a slap on the wrist. Once you have that distribution channel open, you find evidence of other products as well. Narcotics, drugs, sometimes even guns and evidence of other illegal activities, Klukas said.

But on the tail end of it you have people who are not gang members  just citizens who are surprised to find that its middle-aged and elderly getting into it now.

When reached by the Sun, a provincial spokesman for the RCMP said they would be able to comment further on the influx of contraband cigarettes later today.

 mgoerzen@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @MattGoerzen
Jim Kouri, CPP, is founder and CEO of Kouri Associates, a homeland security, public safety and political consulting firm. He's formerly Fifth Vice-President, now a Board Member of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, a columnist, and a contributor to the nationally syndicated talk-radio program, the Chuck Wilder Show.. He's former chief of police at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at St. Peter's University and director of security for several major organizations. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country.

Considering that Hillary Clinton, from the recently concluded email investigation, is charged with gross negligence, dereliction of duty, was recommended that she lose her security clearance, while pathologically lying to congress, the press and the American People; and even though she was not referred for indictment because she is a Clinton: Will you? 11.84% Vote for Hillary 78.78% Vote for The Donald 9.39% Vote for none of the above 245 total vote(s) Voting has Ended!

And now for your additional voting pleasure:

What should be the priority of the Federal Government after the "Pulse" massacre: Should we turn our attention toward destroying, earadicating ISIS as Candidate Trump suggests, or, as Democrats' President Obama suggests, broaden our efforts to effect stricter Gun Control laws to limit "Gun Violence?" 88.24% After many years of trying to degrade and contain the murderous ISIS, we should make it the nation's policy to destroy ISIS immediately. 3.68% Gun Violence in America can be eliminated by limiting access to guns for all American citizens. 8.09% I don't care either way; I just live here. 136 total vote(s) Voting has Ended!

Should Americans be thankful for North Carolinians setting precedent in taking a stand for their state's right to manage the safety of their public facilities, where separation of the sexes remains, or should they follow Bruce Springsteen's lead and boycott the state as bigots since they will not allow grown Transgender men to use the same bathrooms /locker rooms as pre-pubescent girls? North Carolina is right to control the separation of the sexes as a matter of decorum and safety. North Carolina is a bigoted state to not require that children of opposite sexes share the same public facilities with adults of the opposite sex, although misidentified - the Transgender. I generally prefer the natural environs of the vacant, although rather public, large tree. 236 total vote(s) What's your Opinion?



While the American news media - the majority of whom are allegedly "in the tank" for Hillary Clinton - are either ignoring or dismissing the latest report of Hillary Clinton's disregard for national security, European news outlets are reporting a still shocking revelation: Clinton's "Girl Friday" Huma Abedin worked for a radical Muslim magazine during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. GOP president candidate Donald Trump had been warning about Abedin's ties to radical Islam and voiced his concerns over her access to U.S. classified material thanks to his opponent Hillary Clinton and her boss President Barack Obama.The Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, which listed Abedin the wife of disgraced Democratic politician Anthony Weiner as an editorial staff member, published articles that pushed the narrative that the U.S. deserved the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The magazine also opposed the human rights of women.said former police counter-terrorism unit member Kevin McGrory.Abedin's mother's journal advocates the treatment of women in Muslim countries as second-class citizens and basically the property of Islamic men. Ironically, the rights of women is the primary issue being argued by Clinton and her minions, although it's been ascertained she takes millions of dollars in donations from countries that oppress women and even murders them for minor indiscretions.Mrs Clinton's long-time aide Huma Abedin's name appeared listed as the magazine's assistant editor while her mom ran the magazine. The magazine carried several stories revealing radical Islamic narratives such as an editorial arguing that women's rights harm Muslim women.Huma Abedin, worked with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as her closest associate - with access to classified documents and information - and she is now the vice-chairwoman of the Hillary for President campaign.Clinton has gone as far as saying Abedin is as close as ato her.While the spokesperson for the State Department claimed he was certain that people who had been hired with Abedin's clearance level underwent a pre-employment background investigation, numerous intelligence and police investigators say that considering Clinton's lack of national security conscientiousness, they don't believe Abedin underwent a bona fide vetting process.said Michael Snopes, a former military intelligence officer and police detective.During this time, the hardline Muslim magazine argued that single mothers, working mothers and gay couples with children should not be recognized as families, something Clinton claims she believes..The Abedin magazine also blamed violence towards women and rape of women on their wearing of revealing attire. Ms Abedin's mother also complained that Mrs Clinton was advancing a "very aggressive and radically feminist" agenda that was un-Islamic.Questions also linger about Ms. Abedin's alleged connection to the Muslim Brotherhood's women's auxiliary while having access to classified information and documents. Equally disturbing is the fact that she worked for both the State Department and for the Clinton Foundation and was apparently the conduit between the two entities especially in the Clinton pay-to-play scam.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 02/11/2016 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

We, once again, have been subjected to the views of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (A Carbon Tax Will Cost Canadians Billions. What Will We Get For It?, Nov. 25).

In fact, it is displayed as a National Viewpoint. That all sounds very official and therefore must be right!

Let me remind everyone that the Canadian Taxpayers Federation is an extreme right-wing organization that is 1) against government intervention, such as regulations and standards; 2) against taxes; 3) pushes for privatization of public activities; 4) feels that the economy should be left in the hands of the free trades/

capitalism system. They are very much friends of big business.

So, when Aaron Wudrick is making a point, such as his views on a carbon tax, remember it will be a viewpoint that will favour the interest of big business. So why is big business against a carbon tax? Aarons column seems to imply that it will be the average taxpayer who will take a big tax hit, but quite the opposite  it will be businesses involved in the carbon trade who will pay the most. Now we see the concern?

Lets have a look at the CTF column published on Oct. 25. Aaron comments that sacrifices must indeed be made in the service of an important objective. Important objective? This refers to the concerns about climate change and what could be more important than the survival of the Earth? He is right. Countries like China look west and want to have what we have  raising the living standard of its people.

But the reason that the standards are still a problem is that Aarons friends  big business  have been able to make huge profits by moving their factories to a country, i.e. China, that has very, very low wages and no regulations or unions to protect the workers. Did you know that the average wage in Vietnam is 59 cents per hour?

The CTF column really points the blame finger at China. What they dont talk about is that other countries have been big polluters in the past. How do they pay for their past misdeeds? Did you know that half the rivers in the U.S. are polluted? Think Flint, Mich.!

The CTF column seems to imply that our country and its genuine efforts to decrease carbon emissions is in a competition with other countries, so if they do that, then what is the point of us doing anything? That is flimsy logic. Every little bit will make a difference  we are doing our part. Take pride! Any change has impact and truly sets a good example.

What Aaron should do  unless he is a climate change denier  is talk to his big business friends and suggest that they shut down their factories in China. Fewer factories, less coal burning to run those factories, less carbon emissions.

The CTF column says, Were simply too small a country to have an impact. I couldnt disagree more. Canada should be very proud of its place in the world.

Canada has always been a country that champions social causes such as Aarons concern about Chinas living standards. It is flimsy logic for Canada not to do something because of what any other country in the world is doing. I look forward to the CTF column that compares Canada and Sweden

The CTF column states: Canadas decision to impose a hefty (his word) tax on its own people is unlikely to change its mind. Sorry, Aaron, once again flimsy logic. Canadas decision is based on it being the right thing to do.

Lastly, CTF takes a potshot at the governments decision to tax Canadians into submission. What he really means is that because big business pays little  if any  tax and demands tax breaks, the rest of us pay more. I challenge the word devastating. How dramatic! Did Aaron mention that the carbon tax monies would be plowed back into local economies? Not so devastating after all!

Scott Blyth

Chairman

Brandon/Westman chapter

Council of Canadians
North Carolina Citizens See Healthcare Costs More Than Double

Contact: Kami Mueller

Kami Mueller Kami.Mueller@ncgop.org

RALEIGH, NC - Democrat candidate for North Carolina's 13th Congressional district, Bruce Davis, continues to praise Obamacare and bolster his support while premiums more than double and hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians are now without care. Alternatively, Republican candidate Ted Budd has committed to repealing Obamacare due to the heavy financial strain it has placed on those in the 13th Congressional District.said Kami Mueller, spokeswoman for the NCGOP.Background:"The move leaves Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina alone in selling marketplace policies to residents of all 100 of the state's counties. A company spokesman says a final decision on 2017 policies is pending. The state's largest health insurer is seeking Goodwin's approval to raise premium costs by an average of almost 19 percent." (The Associated Press, August 16, 2016 - Aetna Pullout Leaves Fewer Obamacare Options for NC)"The cost of health insurance will likely increase even more for 2018 not just because Blue Cross and Blue Shield will be dominating the individual insurance market, but also because the company will be absorbing more high-risk policyholders who originally purchased plans from either United or Aetna. As of now, Blue Cross and Blue Shield is waiting approval by the Department of Insurance (DOI) to raise premiums by an average of 18% for 2017 plans." (Katherine Restrepo, Sept. 1, 2016, Forbes .)"Health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act will increase as much as 50 percent for some plans in January under newly approved rates released Friday by the N.C. Department of Insurance. ... Strictly in terms of percentage, North Carolina's increases are among the highest in the nation." (John Murawski, "ACA Premiums In NC To Rise Sharply In 2016," The News & Observer , 10/30/15)"North Carolina's $371 premium cost was the highest in the Southeast, which had a regional average of $284, up 9.5 percent from 2015. Tennessee had a 38.6 percent increase from 2015, going from $199 to $275." (Richard Craver, "N.C. Listed Among Premium Hike Leaders In Health Insurance Marketplaces," Winston-Salem Journal , 5/24/16)"As the Affordable Care Act lurches toward its fourth year in 2017, health insurers in North Carolina are proposing another round of big rate increases to pay for insuring people who for years couldn't get health coverage. In filings made public Tuesday, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina said it wants to raise rates by an average of 18.8 percent, and Aetna is looking to increase premiums by 24.5 percent on average." (John Murawski, "NC Health Insurers Propose ACA Rate Increases For 2017," The News & Observer , 5/31/16)From 2015-2016, average deductibles across all ACA plans and metal levels per enrollee increased by $601.81, (19.55 percent) and the average deductible across all bronze metal plans per enrollee increased by $764 (15.6 percent).("HIX Compare 2015-2016 Datasets," Robert Wood Johnson Foundation , 5/2016)(Cynthia Cox & Ashley Semanskee, "Preliminary Data On Insurer Exits And Entrants In 2017 Affordable Care Act Marketplaces," Kaiser Family Foundation , 8/28/16)"Blue Cross Blue Shield is the only insurer continuing to provide Affordable Care Act coverage in all 100 counties. Cigna will offer plans only for residents in certain parts of Wake County." (Sam Killenberg, "Aetna And United Healthcare To Leave State Affordable Care Act Exchange," The Daily Tar Heel , 8/29/16)"In North Carolina, this year's plans on the ACA marketplace are marked by higher deductibles and premiums and so-called "narrow" networks, which limit the doctors patients can visit...Two lower-priced BCBSNC plans are available in northern Mecklenburg County, where Pollack lives. To her frustration, her family practice recommended against both plans, because the plans force patients to choose between either Novant Health doctors and hospitals or providers from Carolinas Healthcare System...These 'narrow' networks are how insurers negotiate deeper price discounts with doctors and hospitals, explained UNC-CH health economist Mark Holmes." (Rose Hoban, "2015 Marketplace Plans Feature Higher Premiums, Less Choice," North Carolina Health News , 11/18/15)
Businesses exporting to Britain have been detailing their losses in the wake of Britains decision to leave the EU in June.

Business groups, human rights campaigners and academics were among those attending the first all-island civic dialogue in Dublin today.
Ryanair has seen its traffic grow 13% in its October traffic statistics.

The budget airline flew 10.9m customers last month which saw their load factor rise 1% to 95%.

It means their rolling annual traffic up to October went up 16% to 114.4m customers.

Ryanairs Kenny Jacobs said: "Customers can look forward to even lower fares when they make advance bookings for summer 2017."
Irishman Aidan Shiels was the talk of the Melbourne Cup thanks to his ecstatic celebrations when French horse 'Heartbreak City' came second in the prestigious race.

Mr Martin, who co-owns the French horse, began leaping around the place, hugging anyone in proximity, including Channel 7 reporter Neil Kearney who was bewildered by the man's joy.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny is today hosting all-island discussions on the fallout from Brexit.

About 300 politicians, business people, community representatives, academics, civil servants and trade union figures are to take part in the day-long conference at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin.

Billed as the All-Island Civic Dialogue, Mr Kenny has said the event aims to hear from those affected by Britain's departure from the European Union and to map out the challenges and potential impact on different parts of society.

It will focus on the potential impact on the economy and trade, the peace process, the UK-Ireland common travel area, the border and the future of the EU.

A report and recommendations are to be drawn up following the meeting to advise the Government on issues related to the UK's negotiations with Brussels.

All of Northern Ireland's main unionist parties snubbed an invitation to the event.

Stormont First Minister and Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster said she had better things to do than listen to a lot of "grandstanding remoaners" and she described the forum as a talking shop.

Relations further soured after Ms Foster, who campaigned for Brexit, also accused Irish officials of poaching investment from Northern Ireland.

A majority of voters in Northern Ireland sought to remain in the EU.
One of the men accused of walking on the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park in May pleaded guilty Tuesday to the charges against him while three other defendants pleaded not guilty.

Appearing before U.S. Court Magistrate Judge Mark Carman, Hamish Cross pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct by creating a hazardous condition and foot travel in a thermal area.

Cross was ordered to pay more than $8,000 in fines, restitution, community service payments and fees, according to a news release from Yellowstone National Park. He will be on probation for five years and will also be banned from public lands managed by the U.S. Government for the duration of his probation.

Cross has a New Zealand passport, the complaint against him stated.

The three other defendants, Charles Ryker Gamble, Alexey Andriyovych Lyakh and Justis Cooper Price Brown pleaded not guilty Tuesday. In addition to the charges of disorderly conduct and walking in a thermal area, the Canadian men face a charge of taking a motion picture or television recording without a permit.

On May 16, someone reported to Yellowstone National Park rangers that they had seen the men walking on the thermal feature, according to the news release. Through videos posted on the group High on Life's social media accounts, rangers identified the individuals involved.

Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Dan Wenk said Cross' sentence was a "very clear" message about the need to protect thermal features and follow safety precautions. Bacterial mats that give the Grand Prismatic its coloring can be damaged by people walking on them, according to the news release.

Cross' actions endangered his life and the lives of the rangers who might have needed to rescue him, Wenk said.

"We look forward to the outcome of the case regarding the three remaining defendants," Wenk said.

In June, a man died at the Norris Geyser Basin after he walked off the designated boardwalk, slipped and fell into a hot spring, according to the news release.
A vigil is underway outside Leinster House in a bid to raise awareness of the hundreds of refugee children stranded in France.

Earlier authorities confirmed the last unaccompanied minors have been bussed out of the Calais jungle camp in northern France.
US president Barack Obama has said army engineers are examining whether the Dakota Access oil pipeline can be rerouted in southern North Dakota to alleviate the concerns of Native Americans.

Mr Obama said his administration is monitoring the situation closely but will "let it play out for several more weeks".

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe claims that the 3.8 billion dollar pipeline from North Dakota to Illinois will threaten its drinking water and destroy sacred sites.

Protests which have included clashes with police have gone on for several months in North Dakota.

Mr Obama called it "a challenging situation", saying there is an obligation for protesters to be peaceful and for authorities to show restraint.

The 1,200-mile pipeline is largely complete outside of North Dakota.

Meanwhile, documents have revealed that Native American artefacts found last month in North Dakota along the route of the pipeline were not reported to state regulators for 10 days.

Public service commissioner Julie Fedorchak said she is disappointed regulators were not notified earlier. The matter is to be discussed during a commission meeting later.

North Dakota chief archaeologist Paul Picha said he was notified of the discovery in a timely manner but did not report it to the commission because he thought the pipeline company would. He added that the site was properly handled.

In an October 27 letter, Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners detailed the finding of stone cairns and other artefacts.

Consultants for the pipeline company determined there was "a low likelihood" of buried artefacts, but recommended avoiding the site.
Vladimir Putin has offered a new humanitarian pause in Aleppo, urging rebels to use it to leave besieged eastern districts of the Syrian city.

The Russian defence ministry said the president has ordered that the aid corridors, which Moscow opened earlier, also be opened on Friday - for longer hours, from 9am to 7pm - along with two new exit routes for the rebels to leave eastern Aleppo.
To accommodate a budget shortfall of $3.5 million, the State Office of the Public Defender will no longer be contracting cases with local attorneys.

Instead, the office will hire a total of 62 attorneys in offices across the state to handle cases previously assigned to outside counsel, OPD Chief Administrator Scott Cruse said Monday.

This plan was projected to save the office $2.2 million in fiscal year 2017, according to the OPD's mitigation plan.

On Wednesday, Interim Director of the Billings' office Doug Day said the office would no longer contract out cases to local lawyers.

Since the state office was created in 2006, the state public defender office has contracted out cases that could not be handled by the local offices, whether because of too many cases or conflicts within the office. On average, OPD paid these attorneys about $62 an hour for their work, Day said.

Now, instead of contracting cases, the public defender office will be employing attorneys part time to handle the cases. These attorneys will be eligible to the same state benefits as a full-time employee, but will be paid between $37 and $48 hourly, Cruse said.

The main difference between these and other full-time employees is that the modified positions will not be permanent, Cruse said. If the 62 attorneys are not enough to cover all the cases, then the public defender commission will revisit the plan, Cruse said.

In most Eastern Montana public defender offices, this change in hiring contract attorneys will apply only to lower court cases. Contract attorneys will no longer be used for felony cases in five regional offices: Kalispell, Missoula, Great Falls, Helena and Billings.

Billings lawyer and Public Defender Commission member Mark Parker said the commission struggled over how to reduce costs and how to fulfill the mission of representing people who cannot pay for an attorney. This measure was the best way to do that, Parker said.

"I don't see any drawbacks," Parker said. "I really don't. Any change will generate noise and discontent."

Contract attorneys at the Wednesday meeting with Day voiced concerns over whether or not they will be able to support their private practices without the contract cases the OPD provides.

The hope is the part-time positions will allow the contract attorneys to get benefits and maintain their private practices, Cruse said.

Montana American Civil Liberties Union Legal Director Jim Taylor said if supplemental funding for the OPD is not approved by the 2017 Montana Legislature, the OPD's office will "crash."

OPD isn't the only part of the criminal justice system facing a shortfall, Taylor said. He noted the findings of the Legislative Audit Division, which said that a rising adult inmate population created the need for additional housing, which the DOC found at two youth facilities.

Costs in all aspects of the criminal justice system will continue to rise if the State of Montana continues to incarcerate more and more people, Taylor said.

A lawsuit filed by the ACLU in 2002 sought reform of the states public defense system. The lawsuit was settled when legislation was passed in 2005, creating a statewide public defense system. The ACLU continued to monitor the funding and resources given to the Office of the State Public Defender.
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A 13-year-old boy caught fire Tuesday night, and three neighbors who heard his screams helped put out the flames, according to the Billings Fire Department.

The boy was taken to St. Vincent Healthcare where police spoke with him and his family, said Billings Police Department Sgt. Jason Gartner. The boy had burns on the lower part of his body and was being prepared to be sent to the University of Utah Burn Center in Salt Lake City, Gartner said.

The firefighters responded to a call about a boy on fire at about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday.

When firefighters arrived at the 700 block of Anchor Avenue in the Heights, they found three men who had used their shirts to put out the flames, Billings Fire Department Captain Mike Martin said.

One of the men who helped the boy was 21-year-old Tanner Schilling, who lived across the street from the field where the boy was found. Nathan Pierce, 38, and Pierce's 16-year-old son, William Pierce, were at Schilling's house when they heard screams across the street.

"We covered him with our shirts," Nathan Pierce said. "His whole lower half was on fire. It looked like a stunt."

When the three men arrived, there was another boy in the field who seemed to be a friend of the boy who had caught fire, Nathan Pierce said. Once he saw the fire was out, he told the men he was going to get help and ran from the scene.

The flames had burned away the boy's pants, Schilling said, and his shoes looked melted.

"These men went above and beyond," Martin said.

Gartner said police are trying to identify the other boy who was at the scene to determine what happened. It is unclear how the fire started, but police believe gasoline was involved, Gartner said.

The field the boy was found in appeared to be somewhere kids had gathered in the past, Gartner said. Several bean bag chairs were found near where the boy caught fire.
A national party committee led by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., hasnt decided what to do with campaign donations from a law firm embroiled in political controversy.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, DSCC, is a major funding source for Democrats running for the U.S. Senate. Like many of the candidates it supports, DSCC received significant amounts of money from Boston-based Thornton Law Firm, which is under scrutiny for allegedly reimbursing its attorneys for campaign contributions.

Such reimbursement is illegal if a single donor is exceeding campaign limits and using employees as a cover. A Sunday report by the Boston Globe and the Center for Responsive Politics concluded that Thornton Law Firm may have broken the rules.

You can note that the DSCC is reviewing contributions we have from the law firm at this time, said DSCC spokeswoman Sadie Weiner.

This election cycle, DSCC has accepted more than $200,000 from Thornton Law Firm.

Tester on Monday donated the $51,800 the law firm contributed to his campaign from 2010 to 2012. The senator hasnt accepted money from Thornton since.

Tester was among several Democrats who released amounts equal to what they had received from Thornton.
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Billings Central students used Day of the Dead-themed coloring book pages to help Head Start students learn about Latino culture this week.

Lisa Skov, a Spanish teacher at Billings Central, said that local Head Start educator Karin Fitzgerald reached out to see if the Catholic school might be interested in participating in her organization's Latino cultural awareness education week. It's one of four such weeks Head Start holds for various cultures throughout the year.

Day of the Dead began Tuesday and continues through Wednesday. Skov said she saw the holiday as an opportunity for her students to volunteer and maybe even pass along some knowledge.

"Really for 3- and 4-year-olds it's just about exposure," Fitzgerald said. "A little bit of a connection to different kinds of foods, music."

The holiday is sometimes misunderstood as scary or grim, Skov said, when it's actually often more of an upbeat and family-oriented holiday.

The classroom was full of plenty of smiles Tuesday as the high school students worked with the 3- and 4-year-olds in the child development program for low-income families.

The students worked on color-by-numbers printouts written in Spanish with animal names featured atop the pages. Head Start teacher Lisa Wight encouraged the younger students to ask the high-schoolers, mostly sophomores, how to say the words in Spanish.

The students learned the words "mother" and "father," and at the end of the coloring session the Head Start students learned about numbers.

"I think it's good to submerge them in other cultures," Wight said. "The kids soak this up, they love it."

Adding to the value of the experience was the fact that one of Wight's new students just arrived from Mexico and speaks mostly Spanish.

Billings Central sophomore Sarah Kincy joked that the girl might have taught her a thing or two about the language.

"The one little girl I was with was actually better at speaking Spanish than I am," Kincy said, laughing. "It was really awesome hanging out with them."

Though the Head Start cultural celebration is weeklong, a fiesta for Head Start children and families will take place at the North Park location in Billings on Wednesday night.
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A man who admitted distributing meth for firearms pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to drug and gun violations on Tuesday.

During a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn Ostby, Dustin Steward Brusse, 37, admitted two counts as part of a plea deal to have other crimes dismissed at sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich said agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the state Division of Criminal Investigation worked with a confidential informant who said Brusse was willing to sell meth and trade firearms.

Beginning in March, the source and an undercover agent bought meth from Brusse four times, Rubich said.

During one of the deals, Brusse told the undercover agent he was interested in trading meth for firearms and requested stolen firearms that his associates could use as throwaways, the prosecutor said.

During a deal in April, the informant and undercover agent met with Brusse to exchange a .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol and $700 for one ounce of meth. Brusse arrived at the deal in a vehicle driven by his co-defendant, Krista Martinez.

Officers arrested Brusse after the undercover agent got the meth in exchange for the firearm.

Martinez pleaded guilty last week to a conspiracy count.

Brusse has a previous felony conviction for child endangerment in Phillips County in 2014 and is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Ostby said she would recommend Brusses plea be accepted by U.S. District Judge Susan Watters, who will sentence Brusse. A date has not yet been set. He remains in custody.
Magistrate Beth Campbell said the message to the community should be that even if you are nearly 50 and have never done this kind of thing before, you will not get off on only a good behaviour order.

On Wednesday in the ACT Magistrates Court, he was sentenced to multiple 12 month good behaviour orders, fined $2000 and ordered to complete 80 hours of community service.

He filmed more than a dozen women in this way.

Zaal pleaded guilty to 19 charges of "upskirting" or taking photographs in an invasion of privacy, a relatively new kind of offence introduced last year.

He was found out at about 12pm on December 20, 2015, when a woman wearing a summer dress and shopping at a Big W at the Hyperdome Shopping Centre, leaned over and then felt a black bag, partially unzipped, against her ankle.

Concerned about both the bag and Zaal's behaviour, she called a friend outside the shop, who followed Zaal from the Big W to another shop. He saw him watching a video on his mobile phone that he believed to be of his friend.

In an interview with police, Zaal admitted to filming multiple women between December 5 and December 20, 2015. He later pleaded guilty.

"I need help" were the man's first words to his wife following the arrest, his defence barrister Alyn Doig told the court on Wednesday, and while no one seemed sure why he had done it, Zaal was "committed to ensuring it doesn't happen again".
The Greens plan for a specialised drug court would require significant funding boosts for Canberra's already-stretched rehabilitation services, the sector says.

Greens leader Shane Rattenbury has taken a keen interest in bringing a specialised drug court to the ACT, similar to those operating in most other states, and overseas.

Rehabilitation services would require more resourcing for the drug court plan to be effective, the sector says.

The court aims to stop reoffending by sending certain categories of drug-dependent defendants to intensive, court-monitored rehabilitation, instead of jail.

It aims to address the underlying cause of an individual's offending, while subjecting them to a strict regime of community-based supervision.
When Wendy Crosland was hunting for a job, she did not wait by her phone or computer to hear if her applications had been successful.



Instead she travelled regularly on a bus to the closest job network, where she could access phone and internet services, two "essential services" she couldn't access from home at the time.

"I have definitely struggled with the cost of phone and internet services," Ms Crosland said. "Quite often I've gone for a week or two without a phone, living pay-to-pay just to get credit."

Ms Crosland's experience is all too familiar to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) and the South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS), who today released a report highlighting the financial strain of telecommunications services on low-income consumers.

The report, Connectivity Costs: Telecommunications Affordability for Low-Income Australians, was based on focus groups and a survey of more than 500 Centrelink recipients and low-income Health Care Card holders.
Households and industry are braced for a possible spike in electricity prices with the confirmation the aging Hazelwood power station in Victoria's Latrobe Valley is to close by March expected imminently.

In its wake, the prospects for the Alcoa aluminium smelter at Portland are looking increasingly grim following the end of government subsidy earlier this week, and with little clarity on the status of negotiations with its power supplier, AGL, over electricity prices for the smelter.

Hazelwood is controlled by French group Engie with Japan's Mitsui and Co holding a minority 28 per cent stake. Engie , formerly known as GDF Suez, has been openly discussing the closure of the plant for several months.

Mounting speculation of the closure of the power plant pushed futures prices up a sharp $5 to $71 a megawatt hour for the June 2017 contact in both Victoria and NSW earlier Wednesday, with Victoria's prices moving in line with NSW.
A decade of increasingly disturbing treatment of Australian military women presented the army with a stark choice by the time another scandal broke in 2013:

"We could either put another bandage on and hope the bleeding would stop, or we could rip the bandage off, have a look at the wound and triage," Brigadier Peter Daniel recalls.

"But we could no longer avoid it."

Army leaders had already begun identifying that bullying, sexual harassment and a culture of drugs and alcohol were on the rise, and having a noticeable impact on recruitment and retention rates.
A woman arrested after a traffic stop in Billings has admitted to federal meth charges.

Keriann Ruth Reed, 27, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute during a hearing Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn Ostby.

Prosecutor Zeno Baucus said a Montana Highway Patrol trooper stopped a vehicle for speeding on Airport Road in Billings on Oct. 26, 2015. Reed, a passenger, initially lied about her identity, and it took law enforcement officers about three hours to correctly identify her, he said.

Officers arrested Reed on a warrant from Sweet Grass County and took her to the Yellowstone County jail. Reed told officers she had a firearm in her purse, he said.

During a search of her purse at the jail, officers found two cellphones, multiple zip-close bags, a firearm and at least five grams of meth, Baucus said.

Reed was sentenced in state District Court in January to 18 months with some time suspended with the Department of Corrections for a criminal endangerment conviction in Sweet Grass County.

Reed was arrested in Sweet Grass County after an incident on Aug. 18, 2015, in which the sheriff fired a shot at a Dodge pickup after it went around a law enforcement road block and headed at the sheriff at a high rate of speed.

Sheriff Dan Tronrud shot at the vehicle in an attempt to disable it. The vehicle crashed into a fence on Howie Road, and a suspect, identified as Reed, ran into a field where she was arrested.

Reed faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison and a maximum $5 million fine on the meth count. A second charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking is to be dismissed at sentencing under the terms of a plea agreement.

Ostby said she would recommend Reeds plea be accepted by U.S. District Judge Susan Watters, who will set a date to sentence Reed. Reed remains in custody.
In NSW the Baird government is set to give the green light to land clearing that will increase our greenhouse gas emissions just as the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 2 degrees and pursue a more ambitious 1.5 degrees limit comes into effect on Thursday. Premier Baird is going rogue on climate.

As the world meets in Morocco for COP22, Australia will be under scrutiny as never before. Not only have we not ratified the Paris Agreement, we are increasingly being seen as cheating the process with rubbery figures. To meet the Paris Agreement objectives, negative emissions will be required. That is pulling CO2 from the atmosphere at the same time as reducing emissions from all sources. The Baird government is doing the opposite, increasing emissions from coal and coal seam gas at the same time as pushing up emissions from land clearing.

The federal government has spent more than $1 billion paying farmers not to clear or to regrow forests. Credit:Brendan Esposito

The rest of the world is sick of Australia's creative accounting using land use, land use change and forestry, or LULUCF, as a "get out of jail free card" to "offset" its rising greenhouse gas emissions from industry. Australia has argued that while its emissions from coal-fired power stations, industries, cars and transport fleet vehicles and fugitive emissions from gas are rising, they are offset by our forests.

That is the basis of the Turnbull government's Emission Reduction Fund. It has spent over $1 billion paying farmers not to clear or to regrow forests so polluters can keep on polluting. People think the fund must be invested in upgrading industry. Wrong, it has been overwhelmingly paid to farmers.
The Abbott government approved Bob Day's potentially unconstitutional office deal against the advice of its own bureaucrats, who raised specific concerns about his financial stake in the building.

Government documents reveal the Department of Finance initially rejected Mr Day's request to relocate his electorate office from downtown Adelaide to a building he owned in the suburb of Kent Town.

But Mr Day - who resigned from the Senate this week after his national building empire collapsed - refused to take no for an answer and put the request to then-special minister of state Michael Ronaldson.

Mr Ronaldson sought a briefing from the department, which advised him in no uncertain terms to reject the proposal.
A new report by Australian investigators into the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 suggests the aircraft's flaps were not extended when it crashed, effectively ruling out the possibility of a controlled descent into the Indian Ocean.

An analysis of data associated with the plane's final communications to and from the satellite was also "consistent with the aircraft being in a high and increasing rate of descent at that time", the Australian Transport Safety Bureau advised.

It came as experts met in Canberra to decide the future of the Australian-led search effort, which is expected to be extended to the north in a final attempt to locate the missing wreckage that could provide answers to the 32-month-old mystery.

The findings, presented in a report released on Wednesday, are significant because they cast doubt on the "controlled descent" theory being pushed by some observers and elements of the media. Instead, they support the theory that the plane entered an uncontrolled dive when it ran out of fuel over the Indian Ocean. However, some aviation experts have already questioned the usefulness of the report.
Gang-raped and paraded naked in public 14 years ago, Mukhtar Mai has walked the fashion runway during Pakistan's fashion week.

A red-carpet reception in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, attended by the country's fashion elite, served as the forum for Mai's symbolic fashion debut - something she said she's doing as a model of courage and hope for other Pakistani women.

'We will get justice one day for sure," said Mukhtar Mai. Credit:AP

"If one step I take, if that helps even one woman, I would be very happy to do that," Mai said.

In 2002, Mai was sentenced by a local council of tribal elders to be gang raped and publicly humiliated as punishment for her brother's perceived insult to a rival family.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has called on Bill Shorten to condemn the actions of a Young Labor president who scaled the roof of his Brisbane office.

Police have charged three women who climbed onto the roof of Mr Dutton's electorate office in Strathpine on Wednesday. Two onlookers were also charged.

Protesters climbed onto the awning of Immigration Minister Peter Dutton's office to denounce the government's new immigration policy.

As the protest got underway, one of the women told reporters they were not representing any particular group.

Scarlett Squire said she and her friends Purnell and Ellen Sargent wanted answers from Mr Dutton about his government's proposed life-time ban on refugees arriving by boat.
Thanks for all the lols and for following along on my first Hey QT blog, everyone.

Up next, is debate on the Major Sports Bill and later on the agenda is the Adoption Bill, which deals with same-same adoption.

Thanks to the delightful Danielle Cronin for producing. I'll see you all here again on Thursday morning!
Palaszczuk government ministers have defended embattled Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe amid calls for him to fall on his sword.

Mr Hinchliffe has faced mounting pressure from the opposition to resign over the handling of the Queensland Rail driver shortage fiasco.

Queensland Rail's chief executive officer, chair of the board and the head of train service delivery have all gone so far.

While Mr Hinchliffe and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk were unavailable for radio interviews on Wednesday morning, acting chief executive officer Neil Scales fronted up to Steve Austin's 612 ABC Brisbane program.
Queensland's Transport Minister says he found out about mass cancellations on the train network via Twitter.

Stirling Hinchliffe said he found out that 50 services were cancelled on September 30 on social media.

"On the 30th of September, this is when we saw that very large number of cuts to services and that happened with no notice to myself and to my office," Mr Hinchliffe told Parliament during question time on Wednesday afternoon.
A Tyrannosaurus rex is supposed to be "big and scary," said Bitterroot Elementary third-grader Sophia Keippel. That's what dinosaur movies like "Jurassic Park" and "The Land Before Time" have taught kids.

Turns out, dinosaurs might have been more flamingo than fearsome.

"I think you could even have a pink T. Rex," paleontologist Jack Horner told students Tuesday at Beartooth Elementary. Horner, a well-known Bozeman-based palentologist, taught students that Hollywood doesn't always portray history accurately.

Speaking to a packed gymnasium, Horner walked students through why dinosaurs have "accoutrements"  the extra stuff, like horns, frills, shields and spikes.

There likely hasn't been a kid who played with a triceratops model who didn't try to crash its horns into another dinosaur.

"Any time you see dinosaurs fighting, especially horned dinosaurs fighting, that was probably all wrong," Horner said.

Shield fossils from the animals show that blood vessels ran through the shield and horns, making them a poor battering ram. And they'd have likely been a poor weapon, leaving a triceratops in danger of being crushed by a falling opponent.

Instead, Horner said, paleontologists have looked to dinosaurs' direct descendants for answers.

"When we're thinking about dinosaurs, we have to think about what birds do and how birds act," Horner said. And several birds have "extra stuff" in their skulls that's made of a same fingernail-like substance as triceratops' horns.

The protrusions often serve a more decorative purpose in mating dances or displays between males.

"We think dinosaurs danced as well," Horner said. And many dinosaurs also probably had vibrant feathers.

But what about "Jurassic Park"?

"I tried to get him to make (dinosaurs) colorful and feathered," said Horner, who consulted on the "Jurassic" movies. "Steven Spielberg said colorful feathered dinosaurs are not scary."

"(The dinosaurs) are wrong, but I guess they're scary," Horner said.

Beartooth students also used Periscope, a live-video service, to stream Horner's talk on Twitter.

"We've got a lot of local schools here from Billings and Laurel (watching)," said Beartooth principal Travis Niemeyer.

Questions for Horner ran the gamut, but several focused on his movie work.

One student asked about velociraptors, central characters in several "Jurassic Park" films. But the dinosaur on the screen isn't actually a velociraptor, which only stood about half as tall as a human.

"(Spielberg) didn't like the fact that the velociraptor was really little," Horner said. Michael Crichton, who wrote the original "Jurassic Park" book, also drew inspiration from a book written by a paleo-artist who grouped the velociraptor with the larger Deinonychus, a dinosaur whose bones have been found near Bridger.

Recently, Horner has been an advocate for a paleontologist's view of the world.

Politics didn't come up Tuesday, but Horner has appeared in third-party television ads criticizing Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte, saying that Gianforte would use taxpayer money to fund private schools that teach creationism.

Gianforte's foundation has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to a Glendive museum that holds the creationist view that humans and dinosaurs coexisted.

"He'll say I'm attacking his religion  I'm not," Horner said in the ad. "We just need to make sure that our kids learn the truth. I'd think twice about voting for Greg Gianforte."

Gianforte has largely refused to talk about his religion on the campaign trail. In response to the Horner ad, spokesman Aaron Flint said Gianforte does not have an opinion on the Earth's age. Regarding Gianforte's views on evolution, Flint forwarded a comment made last year by Gianforte in which he said, "I believe young people should be taught how to think, not what to think, and a diversity of views are what should be presented."
Same sex couples have won the right to adopt in Queensland under new laws passed in parliament on Wednesday night.

The Adoption and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 passed the Queensland Parliament overnight, with the laws also allowing singles and people undergoing fertility treatment to adopt.

Same sex couples will be able to adopt in Queensland, after legislation passed parliament on Wednesday night.

The opposition voted against specific clauses that sought to expand the eligibility criteria for adoption to single people and same sex couples.

Independents Rob Pyne and Billy Gordon voted in support of sections of the bill that expanded eligibility criteria, but the two Katter Party MPs voted against them.
A four-year-old boy was "covered in bruises" and vomiting "green slime" before he died on the Gold Coast more than seven years ago, a court was told.

Tyrell Cobb was found unconscious at a Biggera Waters home on May 24, 2009 and was later pronounced dead in hospital.

His mother Heidi Strbak, 33, and her ex-partner Matthew Scown, 33, appeared at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday for a committal hearing charged with murder.

Tyrell's uncle Danial Allan said he was "just not well" and "covered in bruises" on his head and arms the day before he died.
A Victorian Aboriginal corporation that incurred a financial loss of almost half a million dollars has been told it must demonstrate why it shouldn't be placed under special administration.

A report leaked to The Age outlines a damning investigation into the affairs of the Gunaikurnai Land & Waters Aboriginal Corporation, which represents traditional owners in Gippsland.

Metung, near Bairnsdale, where the Gunaikurnai Corporation is located. Credit:Simon Johanson

Problems allegedly include financial mismanagement, a dysfunctional and divided board, an impending court action, industrial relations disputes and financial losses in the past year of $481,674.

The losses included "extraordinary" expenses of $377,000 for consultancy fees, $128,000 for redundancies and $244,200 for meeting costs, according to a report by an examiner from the Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations.
A man has been charged with murder over the stabbing death of a man in a Springvale boarding house on Wednesday morning.

Gary Sean O'Connor, 53, who has been charged with one count of murder and one count of breaching a community corrections order, appeared before an out-of-sessions hearing on Wednesday night.

The home in Peter Street, Springvale, was a half-way house for men fresh out of prison or hospital. Credit:Penny Stephens

Detective Senior Constable Christopher Saulle of the homicide squad told the hearing that Mr O'Connor had admitted during a police interview to twice stabbing his 47-year-old housemate, Michael Barnicoat.

Mr O'Connor was found at the scene of the stabbing, at a house in Peter Street, Springvale, with blood on his hands and clothing, and had an injury to his arm, the hearing at Melbourne West police station was told.
It took time for Ken Mahlab to find his voice as a child abuse victim advocate. The Melbourne businessman and father of two preferred to keep his sexual abuse out of the spotlight.

But the former Geelong Grammar student is coming forward to tell his story, after learning that his abuser could evade criminal charges due to an extraordinary inter-agency blunder.

Victim advocate Ken Mahlab gave testimony to the Royal Commission into child abuse. Credit:Penny Stephens

Fairfax Media revealed in September that Victoria Police was set to charge a 74-year-old paedophile with abusing students at the elite school between the late 1960s and mid-1970s, and in 1980. However, the man, who was an Irish citizen, was deported by the Australian Border Force to Ireland before facing charges under tough new laws introduced in 2014.

Australian Border Force have said they were not aware of the police investigation. It is understood that Victoria Police did not know the man was deported until it was too late.
Caveat emptor - buyer beware - should be the first principle of anyone buying a second hand car.

But a classic car mix up in regional Victoria that's left a man $110,000 out of pocket and facing legal bills for failed court appeals seems to have shot that timeless warning full of holes.

The 'Ford 1970 XW GTHO Falcon' that turned out to be just a regular old Ford. Credit:Border Mail

Glen Sell from Wodonga in regional Victoria had no reason to doubt the vehicle he had owned for 30 years was an original Ford 1970 XW GTHO Falcon - one of the rarest and most valuable vintage Fords on the market.

The car had a letter from Ford confirming its identity, which had been based on its Vehicle Identification Number.
Fort Lauderdale: A week before the election Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has revealed her closing argument is to be simple, ruthless and overwhelmingly negative - vote for me, because I am not him.

In a three-city swing through Florida on Monday, Clinton launched a series of savage attacks on Republic presidential candidate Donald Trump, describing him as a sexist serial harasser of women.

Her strategy to overcome damage to her campaign caused by the renewed FBI investigation into her emails now relies on a direct appeal to American women to install her in the White House, even as the majority of men back Donald Trump.

"He sure has spent a lot of time demeaning, degrading and assaulting women. ... I would rather be here talking about nearly anything else," Clinton said at a rally in Dade City, Florida. "A lot of his supporters don't like to hear this. I don't blame them. If I were supporting him, I wouldn't want to hear it either."
Good news for Montanans who receive health care from VA Montana: Dr. Kathy Berger was appointed permanent director last week, so the system that served 36,365 veterans last year has a new leader who has the potential to make changes that will sustain and improve services.

Time will tell how good this appointment will be. Berger is the latest in a series of directors. Her two predecessors' tenures ended in less than two years. While Berger, who holds a doctorate in nursing, has plenty of work to do in Montana, fundamental change is needed in how the VA health care system recruits, promotes and retains leaders. The revolving door in the directors office is a problem nationwide. Even at the highest VA executive levels, turnover is rapid and acting officials are in key posts too long.

The need for stability at the top is a precursor for recruiting and retaining sufficient numbers of the highly qualified health care professionals needed on the front lines  in VA hospitals, clinics and skilled nursing homes.

Montana veterans generally report being satisfied with the quality of VA care. The Gazette receives letters praising VA clinical staff for their good work.

However, access to care is a continuing frustration with waiting times that are often too long. Some of that could be relieved with increased efficiency and more timely referrals to community health care providers outside the VA system. But a large part of the VA access problem is lack of staff: not enough doctors, nurses, other licensed professionals and even clerical staff to care for veterans.

Its outrageous that Congress continues to delay action on legislation that would more effectively address access and staffing shortcomings that affect veterans in Montana and across the nation. Veterans health care policy must be high on the priority list for the lame duck session that will convene after Election Day.

In news releases last week, both of Montanas U.S. senators, Jon Tester and Sen. Steve Daines, and U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke expressed optimism that Berger will serve veterans well.

Tester, who is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, noted that leadership vacancies across the VA have served as a major barrier to care for veterans across the country. These vacancies are often due to an increasing pay disparity between the VA and private sector pay scales.

Tester is sponsoring legislation to fill leadership vacancies at the VA. That measure has been passed out of committee, but not brought to the Senate floor. Tester proposes to:

 Establish a defined appointment and compensation system for state VA directors that will help recruit experienced medical directors like Berger to VA leadership positions.

 Require an assessment of the VA's leadership succession plan to address management and speed up appointment of permanent directors.

Berger was director of the Sheridan, Wyo., VA Health Care System when she was tapped in June as interim director of VA Montana. She replaced Johnny Ginnity, who resigned barely more than a year after his appointment as director, after serving 240 days as interim director. His resignation coincided with a former VA nurses complaint about retaliation from a supervisor after she reported an operating room error. In September, an administrative law judge ruled in the whistleblowers favor.

Bergers Montana appointment creates a vacancy in Sheridan, where both Wyoming and Billings-area veterans receive health care. In a system that functions well, the VA would have a new director for Sheridan on the job by years end. The VA cut the Montana appointment time in half with Berger; maybe it can be halved again.
"Vote Trump" is spray painted on the side of the fire-damaged Hopewell MB Baptist Church in Greenville, Mississippi. Credit:AP Trump has repeatedly urged his followers to monitor polls, claiming that rampant electoral fraud, which is virtually non-existent in the US, could rob him of victory. His associates and others on the far right have responded that they will have thousands of monitors at predominantly black precincts - and, because this is America, many can be expected to be armed. Arguably the biggest self-promoter in living memory: Donald Trump. Credit:AP Some claim to be freelancing, others that they are liaising with the Trump campaign.

Funnily, with millions of early votes already cast, there has been just a single report of attempted voter fraud - by a Trump supporter in Iowa, who was arrested after she attempted to vote a second time. Residents use an electronic voting machine at a polling location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Credit:Bloomberg If on the morning of Election Day it turns out that we have white supremacists standing around looking threatening at polling places, I think it would arouse anger. Mark Potok, Southern Poverty Law Centre "The possibility of violence is very real," Mark Potok, of the Southern Poverty Law Centre, which monitors race and hate groups, told reporters. "Donald Trump has been telling his supporters for weeks and weeks and weeks now that they are about to have the election stolen from them by evil forces on behalf of the elites."

John Olsen, of Ankeny, Iowa, left, and Mark Cooper, of Des Moines, Iowa, race to be the first to submit their ballot in Des Moines. Credit:AP Describing some who are making the threats as "serial exaggerators", Potok warned that if the activist turnout eventuated it might backfire - because of the absence of fraud. "If on the morning of Election Day it turns out that we have white supremacists standing around looking threatening at polling places, I think it would arouse anger," he said. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton greets employees at the Mirage in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Credit:AP "People would vote just to prove they're not being intimidated by these radical racists."

Andrew Anglin, a leader in the neo-Nazi movement, spoke of distributing liquor and marijuana in what he called the Philadelphia "ghetto", and a group that hosts a website called The Right Stuff claims to be setting up a network of hidden cameras to record people making more than a single visit to a polling place. San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon, left, and elections director John Arntz, discuss election security in San Francisco. Credit:AP Anglin, who edits the neo-Nazi Daily Stormer website, claimed he would be sending "an army of Alt-Right nationalists" to watch the polls. The Oath Keepers, made up of thousands of former police, military and security types who often go heavily armed in public, is reportedly urging members to conduct "undercover intelligence-gathering". Attempting to justify their activity, an unnamed representative of The Right Stuff rather stupidly told Politico magazine how secret cameras would be installed.

He said in an email: "Many polling locations are in schools, and black schools are so disorderly that pretty much any official-looking white person with a clipboard can gain access to them ahead of time and set up a hidden camera. You don't really ever even have to speak with an adult. Simply walk in like you belong there and no one even asks you why you are there. "So we usually go in teams of two, one person driving and one person dressed as a blue-collar worker with a clipboard, and we set up a hidden camera in the school cafeteria. Go during lunchtime and the teachers are all so busy trying to contain the kids that no one says anything. We already have a few set up." Trump adviser Roger Stone has set up Stop the Steal and claims he has a force of "monitors" who will watch at 7000 precincts, almost a third of them in Philadelphia, where he claims Democratic control of the city will allow electoral officials to rig the result. William Johnson, chairman of the American Freedom party, which advocates deporting non-whites from the United States, said his members were responding to the Trump campaign's call for volunteer monitors. Court actions to date suggest smaller operations than the boasts by Trump's various supporters - a Democratic action in Arizona mentions 93 people who had signed up with Stone's Stop the Steal; and in Ohio, there's mention of Stone having "dozens" of volunteers.
Its election season and the health of Montanas economy is at the forefront of debate. How our state nationally ranks in unemployment, entrepreneurship, and overall tax climate help attract opportunity to the Big Sky. However, not all of our rankings are favorable, and your local hospital is committed to improving one in particular: population health.

Montana barely ranks in the top half of the U.S. when it comes to the overall health of residents, according to Americas Health Rankings. To improve this status, the Montana Hospital Association has launched the MHA Montana Health Improvement Initiative. Our goal is to create healthier communities and ultimately a healthier state of Montana by supporting hospitals and health systems in their efforts to transform the way care is delivered.

As a statewide membership association of hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health, hospice and other critical service providers, MHA is uniquely positioned to support the advancement of population health by strategically selecting priority areas that can be dramatically improved through state and community partnerships.

Over the past year, MHA has engaged in extensive collaboration with health experts from a variety of settings to identify the key issues that may have the greatest impact in improving the health status of our state. Taking into consideration two nationally recognized programs around which to build a framework for assessing health  Americas Health Rankings, an annual report produced by United Health Foundation, and County Health Rankings, a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The 2016 MMHII priority health focus areas are:

Increasing access to health care

Increasing child and adolescent immunizations

Decreasing the prevalence of obesity

Decreasing premature deaths linked to motor vehicle injury, suicide and other lifestyle factors.

To make meaningful improvements in the established priority areas, MHA recently launched a preliminary plan that includes 2017 legislative efforts and support for new programs and best practices for health care providers and patients. The plan includes, among other actions:

Securing graduate medical education funding for in-state rural residencies

Advocating for full scope of practice for physician assistants and nurse practitioners

Promoting provider adoption of federally recommended immunization schedules and statewide reporting

Supporting a statewide primary seat belt law

Promoting healthy food programs, physical education and classroom behavior management methods in schools

The priorities and directives will evolve over time as the initiative advances. To stay up-to-state on our progress, visit the MHA website at www.mtha.org.

The MMHII vision is a healthier Montana by 2020. With active community support, we can make Montana a Top 10 Healthy State that supports future economic development, business recruitment and access to quality health care.
Latest News Reserve Bank decides on interest rates How November call will affect borrowers

Property investors abandon Queensland market Government laws threaten investor control, says industry body

The Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia ( MFAA ) has brought in an improved suite of loan calculators which feature more aesthetic designs and mobile-friendly interfaces.Including 24 calculators, the suite now comes with four additional options for both residential and commercial sectors. These include a Year-to-Date (Income Annualisation) calculator, Rent vs Buy calculator, Mortgage Switch (Refinancing) calculator and Income Gross-Up calculator.According to a recent industry presentation by Google, 60% of all Google searches [in the home loan space] are for mortgage calculators, said Stephen Hale, head of marketing and communications at the MFAA. More than half these users are accessing them to work out their repayments, which makes it crucial for our brokers to use digital tools to drive the online and offline loan application experience.Hale said the Association was working with brokers, using feedback to increase the value of its services. He hoped this would offer tangible gains to broker businesses via cost-saving measures and improved business practices.Dylan Salotti, managing director of Divitis Finance & Mortgage Broking, said he found the MFAAs Stamp Duty calculator the most useful as it allows him to instantly calculate the cost of stamp duty while workshopping options for clients.The most popular calculator on my website is the Borrowing Power calculator for clients. Everyone is always curious to know how much they can borrow from the banks, he said.These tools can increase the likelihood of your clients and prospects revisiting your website to engage with you for your services. You want to be giving your clients useful tools as it is another opportunity to separate yourself from the other businesses in the industry.Hundreds of members are already using these calculators, according to the MFAA, with all digital tools designed for both desktop and mobile use. Once purchased, the calculators can be embedded directly on a brokers website.The full suite of 24 loan calculators are crucial online tools that can help you address complex mortgage and investment related scenarios during the initial consultation and post settlement process, said Hale.The calculators are available for $99 a year with the MFAA saying this represents a considerable saving from the typical $400 to $1,000+ per year that members may now be paying for similar online tools.
Latest News Reserve Bank decides on interest rates How November call will affect borrowers

Property investors abandon Queensland market Government laws threaten investor control, says industry body

Yellow Brick Road has brought in $3.9 billion of loan settlements in the first quarter of FY2017, bringing its loan book to a total value of $39.4 billion.This is a 24% increase from the previous corresponding period last year with the current total representing the third highest quarter of settlements since the group was established.Loan applications increased by 17% from the first quarter of FY2016 thanks to a greater number of leads generated through YBRs stronger digital campaign.Although settlements through YBRs aggregator Vow Financial were down, the number of applications actually went up last quarter which demonstrated a recovery of momentum in that business, said chief financial officer, Richard Shaw.A significant majority of the loans settled through YBR are residential mortgages. Most of these come through the Vow aggregation platform which works with more than 1,000 independent brokers.YBR also brought in a $980,000 deficit for the first quarter, a strong result in a period where cash inflows are typically low, said Shaw. Of this, $800,000 was made up of acquisition and integration costs for the purchase of non-bank lender Loan Avenue leaving the total cash loss at approximately $160,000 for the quarter.To continue turning the company around, a massive focus on productivity had been planned, Lyndsey Douglas, manager of external affairs, told Australian Broker.Weve got more than 160 Yellow Brick Road branded branches and weve just today appointed a general manager of lending, Andrew Rasby, for that network. His job is to drive productivity of our lenders and brokers. Similarly, weve got our general manager of wealth, Adam Youkhana, and his job is similarly to grow wealth and drive productivity.This combination will allow the franchise to bring its branches to their fullest potential while expanding out into more than 100 regions countrywide.We know exactly where those markets are. We know where there are commercial viable opportunities for branches across Australia and were very much focused on finding the right people to fill those.The combination of driving productivity and continuing to grow the network base will see YBR reach market expectations, Douglas said.
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Hell be pushing Buttons!

A Park Slope comic book writer will launch his collection of autobiographical stories, titled So Buttons, at the Comic Arts Brooklyn Festival in Williamsburg on Nov. 5. Writer Jonathan Baylis has spent 10 years working with different artists to create his stories, and he is excited to finally be behind the table at the boroughs biggest comics fest.

It feels great  I wasnt sure that I would ever get to this point, said Baylis. Ive pretty much attended every year to go see new comics and see friends but Ive never exhibited before, so Im very excited to exhibit in my hometown.

The funny true stories in the 200-page collection come from every period of Bayliss life, he said.

I was trying to find the funny and significant moments in my life. Each issue has just bounced around different periods of my life  teenage years, childhood years, and just this past year, he said.

The stories include family events, an ode to his beloved Boston terrier, and his career in comics. One of his favorite stories, So Mighty, deals with his teenage internship at Marvel Comics, when he had to deal with legendary Spider-Man artist John Romita, Sr.

Its about having to tell an artist, an absolute legend, that they need to tweak their artwork, he said. And what happens after that.

More than 100 comics creators will join Baylis in presenting work at the eighth annual Comic Arts Brooklyn Festival, including local artists Leslie Stein and Jeremy Nguyen, and national figures Adrian Tomine and Noah Van Sciver, who contributed art to So Buttons. The event attracts more than 2,000 visitors each year for its celebration of sequential art, said its organizer.

The glory of the festival is just getting all the artists and fans in the same room at the same time, said Gabe Fowler, who also owns the comic store Desert Island. Modern life is so fragmented, and cartooning is a solitary activity, but when everyone can meet and greet and just have a three-day party its great.

In addition to Saturdays main event, the Festival will also feature art exhibits on Thursday and Friday, and an animation screening, titled Color Giants on Nov. 6. Fowler said that he cannot choose a favorite among the four days of events.

The whole thing excites me so its hard to specify, I love all my babies equally, he said. Thats part of the fun of the festival, all of these different aspects equal the festival in total.

But the most important part of the fest is making sure that artists get the recognition they deserve, he said.

Its an opportunity for me to shine a light on their work  elevate these things to a higher level and make sure people know who these people are, said Fowler.

Comics Arts Brooklyn at Mt. Carmel Gymnasium (12 Havemeyer St. between N. Eighth and N. Ninth streets in Williamsburg, www.comic artsb rookl yn.com ). Nov. 5, 11 am7 pm. Free.
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Famed Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei clashed with a fellow creative-type during a discussion between the pair at the Brooklyn Museum on Saturday, defending his right to recreate a photo of a dead Syrian toddler in a heated exchange.

Ai told Cuban artist Tania Bruguera he didnt give a damn s about those who criticized him for posing for a photo imitating 3-year-old refugee Aylan Kurdi  whose body was photographed after washing up on Turkeys shores last year  arguing that his job is to raise questions, not please others.

I am an artist, I am not a priest, he said to applause from the crowd. If I cared like everybody else cared, I wouldnt be an artist.

Bruguera  an installation and performance artist who, like Ai, has been arrested and censored in her communist-led homeland  pushed him further on the question, but Ai fired back by quizzing her on just how many people died in the Mediterranean Sea this year. After a few incorrect guesses, Bruguera protested that she mostly focuses on Cuba, and the cantankerous Ai accused her of not being a real political artist.

Exactly  you dont know the number, because you are not a full political artist, he said, eliciting audible gasps from audience members. You are only a Cuban political artist.

Ais appearance at the Prospect Heights gallery was his first appearance at the gallery since the Chinese government threw him behind bars for 81 days and seized his passport in 2011. The museum hosted an exhibition of his work in 2014, but had to organize it by phone and e-mail.

The artist lived on Lorimer Street in Williamsburg for a period in the 80s while studying at the Parsons School of Design, and reflected on the how much the neighborhood has changed during the 90-minute conversation.

At that time the area was very quiet, there was no artists, he said.

Audience members said it was a blast seeing and hearing the superstar artist in person, and one said seeing him in the flesh showed him that Ai is a regular human being and gave him hope that he can achieve the same levels of success.

It was thrilling. To see someone like that whos been such a hero for so long and to see him kind of living and breathing and not this faraway figure is a reminder that hes a person and this is doable, said Julian Hornik, who travelled from Connecticut for the talk. This is a person who did this and not some god-like entity.
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84th Precinct

Brooklyn HeightsDUMBOBoerum HillDowntown

Knocked out

A teen thief broke into a seniors Sands Street apartment while she was knocked out on sleeping pills and stole $2,640 cash, a cell phone, and laptop on Oct. 30.

The 67-year-old victim was fast asleep in her residence near Gold Street at 4:30 pm after taking sleeping medication for her insomnia and awoke to find the bandit rifling through her drawers. Upon seeing her wake up, the delinquent fled down the stairs with her belongings, according to a report.

The woman told cops she had the door chain on, but the intruder had broken it.

Bagged it

Some fancy-pants filcher stole a $1,095 Gucci bag from an Albee Square store overnight on Oct. 22.

The store owner told cops the thief removed the bag from the shop near Fulton Street at some point between 11:55 pm and 8 am by cutting the wire to the display case.

Wigging out

Police arrested a woman who they say tried to steal fake hair from a Fulton Street store then attacked a worker who confronted her about it on Oct. 25.

The worker saw the suspect taking the hair off the store shelves and placing it into her bag, and when she confronted the suspect about it, the suspect allegedly tried to push her way to the exit by punching, slapping, and spitting on the employee, according to a report.

Late-night train

A trio of troublemakers pinched a guys phone and punched him in the face as he was riding the Manhattan-bound F train at York Street station on Oct. 29.

The victim was on the locomotive at 3:15 am when he saw the three punks walking between train cars. Upon arrival at York Street, one of the snakes held the train door open while another grabbed the victims phone from his hands and bashed him several times before fleeing, authorities said.

Klein and dash

Cops cuffed a guy who allegedly stole $1,700 worth of Calvin Klein apparel from a Fulton Street store on Oct. 28.

The suspect allegedly took two pairs of gloves, three hats, and seven coats before cops arrested him, police said.

 Lauren Gill
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68th Precinct

Bay RidgeDyker Heights

Unsafe

A burglar ransacked a womans 77th Street apartment and made off with a safe full of jewelry on Oct. 28.

The woman came home to her flat between Sixth and Seventh avenues at 9:30 am and discovered that someone had turned the place upsidedown and made off with a safe from a hallway that contained $27,000 worth of jewels, including a Cartier watch, diamond earrings, and sapphire earrings, police said.

The jewel thief entered the apartment by forcing open the back kitchen door, and cops conducted a canvas but did not find the burglar, officials said.

Beat up car

A brute busted into a mans car on Narrows Avenue on Oct. 28.

The victim told police he parked his black Cadillac Escalade between 81st and 82nd streets at 7:30 pm and left it there overnight. But when he returned in the morning, he noticed the rear passenger window was shattered, the dashboard and steering wheel were smashed, and the navigation system and radio were gone, said officials.

Car heist

A thief broke into a car on 85th Street and made off with designer sunglasses and checks on Oct. 24.

The owner told police that he parked overnight in front of his home between 11th and 12th avenues. But when he came back the next afternoon, the drivers side door was open, the glove compartment was broken, and three pairs of Ferragamo sunglasses and two payroll checks totalling $1,800 were gone, said police.

 Caroline Spivack
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78th Precinct

Park Slope

Slapped

Police arrested a 20-year-old man for allegedly touching a teen girls butt inside a Seventh Avenue high school on Oct. 21.

The 14-year-old girl told police she was in the hallway between classes at the school between Fourth and Fifth streets at 9:50 am, when the suspect slapped her rear with an open hand.

The suspect is not listed as a city employee, nor was he trespassing, making it likely he was student held back several years, according to a police spokesman.

Bad turn

Cops busted a man for allegedly driving drunk after he made wild U-turn on Sixth Avenue on Oct. 23.

The arresting officer was near Flatbush Avenue at 3:45 am, when he spotted the suspect veering into oncoming traffic as he made the turn in his 2005 Nissan Sedan, according to police.

The patrolman pulled over the driver to find that his breath allegedly reeked of booze and he blew a Breathalyzer over the legal limit at the scene, cops said.

Doh!

A man used a counterfeit $50 bill to make purchases at a Third Avenue doughnut shop on Oct. 20.

A store rep told police that the forger bought about $15 worth of fried dough with the bogus bill at the store between 14th and 15th streets at 6:39 pm, before walking away with $35.45 in legitimate change.

Track attack

Cops collared a 60-year-old man for allegedly going on a berserk tirade during which he slugged a man twice and threatened him with a glass bottle after screaming at straphangers inside a Flatbush Avenue subway station on Oct. 20,.

The 54-year-old victim was inside the station near Grand Army Plaza at 8:16 am, when he spotted the suspect acting wacky and bellowing at commuters, cops said.

The victim did his best to ignore the suspect and walked past him without a second glance, but the older man whacked him once on the shoulder and then again in the face, police said.

The suspect then brandished a glass bottle and waved it about like a weapon, according to police.

Teen terror

Cops arrested a 14-year-old boy after they say he tried to rob a guy on Flatbush Avenue on Oct. 19.

The 53-year-old victim told police he was near Atlantic Avenue at 10:25 pm when the suspect walked up and allegedly said, Empty your pockets. If you dont, when I see you I will hurt you.

The suspect then motioned like he had a weapon tucked in his drawers, but the could-have-been victim wasnt buying it, and casually walked away without consequence, cops said.

 Colin Mixson
The continued unfair and dishonest bashing of RightNow Technologies, as a way to try to undercut Greg Gianforte, needs to stop. This has created huge buzz in the technology and business communities. The bashing is being perceived as anti-business, and, in our view, it is damaging to the business climate in Montana. Democrats, the Bullock campaign, and much of the media are at fault.

Gianfortes successful business career and the creation of an outstanding tech company in Bozeman is an amazing story against all odds. It is probably the biggest tech success story ever.

Led by Gianforte, RightNow became the leading in-the-cloud customer service company in the U.S., creating a large number of high-paying jobs in Montana, opening sales and service offices to support its customers worldwide, and attracting many Montanans and others to move to Montana. It did not become successful by outsourcing jobs (sending U.S. jobs overseas) as many other tech companies have done.

Gianforte started the company in Bozeman in 1997 with zero employees and little initial capital. When acquired by Oracle 15 years later, RightNow had grown to about 1,100 employees with more than 500 in Montana. They also had several thousand customers all over the world in every imaginable industry. An amazing outcome against long odds. What was difficult?

A miniscule percentage of technology startups exit for more than $1 billion. Those that achieve this incredible wealth creation milestone are called unicorns. A $1 billion-plus exit for a Montana-based company needs a new name because it is even more rare than a unicorn sighting.

RightNow competed in the customer management space. There were and are dozens and dozens of companies worldwide competing in this space. It is quite large and there have been a wide range of successful outcomes. Only RightNow was built in a rural and lower income state where almost 100 percent of the customers were out of state.

Montana has very few computer science graduates and experienced software engineers. Montana had almost no experienced software sales, marketing and business development talent before RightNow. RightNow is the only company that created this at any scale in Montana. Bozeman is now the main Montana location for a growing technology industry built around the RightNow ecosystem of talent and experience. More than two dozen companies have been founded or are significantly supported by former RightNow employees.

We are proud Montanans. However, we know Montana is remote and cold in the winter. Do a simple Google search of flying to and from Bozeman on direct flights from any major city. Then compare that to San Jose, San Francisco or Seattle. Its daunting to think of the challenge the RightNow team faced in simple air travel to sell and support customers. Google the average daily temperatures in winter months in Bozeman compared to the leading software cities in America. Google the number of available job openings in software companies in Bozeman versus the leading software cities. Its extremely difficult to recruit talent and build software companies in the leading software cities of America. This management team did it in Bozeman  against all odds.

Montana is one of Americas lower income states. Montana is in desperate need of better paying jobs and a robust and growing economy. Montana needs to improve its business climate, not hurt it with selfish political smears. We also need strong growth after the last decade of the worst growth rate in Americas history.

Montanas incumbent state politicians have not gotten the job done. Greg Gianforte would be terrific for Montana and is a one-in-lifetime candidate, in our view. He has special knowledge, skills and drive that would translate well into multiple aspects of State government. He should be elected as Montanas next governor.
A man who admitted federal charges on Wednesday said he blacked out from alcohol and had no memory of hitting a person over the head with an ax in a December 2015 attack that caused the victim to lose consciousness and fall into a fire.

The victim suffered multiple serious injuries, including burns to his leg. After being treated at a Billings hospital, the victim was transferred to a long-term care facility where he stayed until April 8.

David Andrew Walksalong Jr., 18 of Lame Deer, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury and to assault with a dangerous weapon during a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn Ostby in Billings. There was no plea agreement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sullivan said the assault happened in the early morning on Dec. 29, 2015, near a residence outside of Lame Deer. Walksalong and the victim, identified as D.W., were drinking alcohol around a fire, and D.W. began talking about Walksalongs mother.

Walksalong got angry, and an argument escalated into a physical fight between Walksalong and the victim, the prosecutor said.

Witnesses, Sullivan said, saw the pair wrestle on the ground for a few minutes. Walksalong went into the nearby residence while the victim remained outside by the fire.

Walksalong came back outside later and got into another fight with the victim, Sullivan said.

One witness saw Walksalong punching and kicking the victim and then hitting him over the head with an ax, he said.

After Walksalong hit D.W. several more times, the victim lost consciousness and fell into the fire, he continued. Another person ran outside, pulled the victims leg from the fire and covered it with snow.

Walksalong left the residence on foot.

A short time later, an ambulance arrived and took D.W. to the Indian Health Service clinic in Lame Deer. D.W. was transported to Billings where he was treated at St. Vincent Healthcares emergency room before being admitted to the intensive care unit, Sullivan said.

D.W. was diagnosed with an occipital hematoma, which is a brain injury at the back of the head, several fractured ribs, a lacerated liver, a collapsed lung and first and second degree burns to his leg, Sullivan said.

In a recorded interview on Jan. 6, Walksalong said he was blacked out during the assault but admitted he beat the victim and put him in the hospital, the prosecutor said.

Responding to questions from the judge, Walksalong said he was sitting round the fire and drinking a lot, to the point where he blacked out and had no memory of what happened.

Walksalong said he believed he was guilty because, My family told me what I had done.

Assistant Federal Defender Steve Babcock also told the judge that witnesses who were sober and on the scene related the same information as what the defense had received from the prosecution in the discovery process. There was no reason to believe the witness statements were inaccurate, he said.

Walksalong faces a maximum 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each assault.

Ostby said she would recommend that Walksalongs guilty plea be accepted by U.S. District Judge Susan Watters, who will conduct the sentencing. A date has not yet been set.

Ostby remanded Walksalong to tribal custody. He is facing other charges in tribal court.
Why do people keep leaving their cars unlocked in NJ? We asked
CHEYENNE, Wyo.  The search for the remains of a missing 13-month-old Wyoming boy started Tuesday at a northern Colorado landfill.

Authorities have charged a Cheyenne man with manslaughter in the death of Silas Anthony Ojeda. They're searching the landfill near Ault, Colorado, because investigators say the suspect told them he disposed of Ojeda's body in a trash container.

Capt. Linda Gesell of the Laramie County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that officers from her department, the Wyoming Army National Guard and other agencies are participating in the search. About 30 people a day from her department and the Wyoming Army National Guard will continue working on the search with the expectation that it may take weeks, she said.

Searchers will focus on an area 25 yards wide and 100 yards long where the trash is about 15-feet deep, she said.

"We have a 1 percent chance of finding something. So the odds for us aren't good, but we're going to do this," Gesell said on Monday. "We'll probably re-evaluate after a couple of weeks."

Gesell said her department bases the 1 percent chance of success on statements from experts who have done similar searches, as well as from landfill managers who know firsthand how much trash is piled there.

Searchers will remove trash with a frontend loader and a backhoe and examine each bucketful, Gesell said. The search promises to be difficult both physically and emotionally for those involved, she said.

"Most of us are parents, and anyone who's a parent  I don't want to outlive my kids," Gesell said. "That's just a nightmare for a parent, but it's especially a nightmare for this little guy. It's tough. We know it's part of our job, but it's never easy."

A criminal complaint released Monday charged Logan Hunter Rogers, 23, of Cheyenne with involuntary manslaughter and child endangering with a controlled substance in Ojeda's death. A judge has set a Nov. 9 hearing to decide whether he will stand trial.

According to a detective's statement filed in court, Ojeda's mother was Rogers' girlfriend. Police started looking for the boy after Richard Ojeda, his grandfather, reported him missing last Wednesday.

"He was perfect. All grandchildren are perfect," Ojeda said of his grandson in an interview on Friday. "We just want him home so we can give him a decent burial."

Rogers first told investigators that he had given the boy to another man to take him fishing, but he later said that members of a motorcycle club had taken him, according to the detective's statement. The child endangering count alleges that Rogers took the boy before his death to a house where people were smoking methamphetamine.

Rogers finally told investigators that Ojeda had died after falling at the family home and hitting his head. Rogers said he disposed of the boy's body in a trash container at a local community college.
Fresh from a turnaround, (HPL) is set to post a three-fold jump in revenue for 2015-16 at Rs 10,000 crore.



It is also on course to diversify into petrol retailing. Earlier this month, the Centre granted it a fuel retailing licence. We wont have to procure petrol (motor spirit) from elsewhere, as it is a by-product which is produced from our plants, a top company official said.



HPL, a joint venture with the participation of West Bengal government, among others and promoted by The Chatterjee Group (TCG), has for long been selling pyrolysis gasoline or motor spirit in bulk to oil marketing (OMCs). The new licence enables it to retail directly. Earlier, the company had appealed to the government to allow it to retain the sales tax imposed on fuel sales to OMCs; it was, it said, losing Rs 300-350 crore a year by not retaining this. Annually, the company produces 25,000 kilolitres of motor spirit.



After the deregulation of petrol and diesel prices, Reliance and Essar had begun to vie for the retail market but the slide in global crude oil prices had halted this. In mid-2014, a barrel of crude was priced at $115; this fell below $30 by January 2016. HPL will be setting up around 100 petrol stations in phases, mainly in eastern India, to begin with. The project, whose investment estimates are yet to be worked out, will partly be funded from internal accrual; the majority of the funds needed will be taken as a bank loan. The grant of the licence requires the licensee to invest at least Rs 2,000 crore.


Homegrown FMCG major today said it will acquire the personal care, hair care and creams businesses of the South African based-CTL group of in a deal valued at $1.5 million (Rs 10 crore).

The acquisition will mark Dabur's entry into the South African personal care market, the company said in a statement.

South Africa (PTY), has entered into an agreement to acquire the South African business of development, manufacturing, packaging and sale of personal care products of CTL Contracting Proprietary Ltd, it added.

In addition to that, South Africa (PTY), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dabur International, would also acquire certain equipment of Carbotec Laboratories Proprietary Ltd and immovable property from CTL Management and Personnel Services Proprietary Ltd.

"The acquisition of the businesses of CTL Group is an important step towards further consolidating and expanding Dabur's already substantial presence in Africa," the company said.

Commenting on the development, Dabur India CEO Sunil Duggal said: "With this acquisition, Dabur has consolidated its position as a leading player in the global personal care products market. This acquisition represents a significant step for Dabur in our strategy to accelerate growth in the international market, particularly Africa.

He further said: "The strategic acquisition, which will help advance our personal care business in Africa, ushers in a new and exciting era of robust growth at Dabur. We expect this transaction to provide a tremendous platform for value creation in Africa."

In July this year, Dabur had announced to acquire South African cosmetics manufacturing and trading firm Discaria Trading for an undisclosed amount.

Later, it had renamed Discaria Trading (PTY) Ltd to Dabur South Africa (PTY) Ltd in August, 2016.
Cyrus Pallonji Mistrys near unceremonious removal as chairman of the of companies is now set to turn into an extended legal battle.
Besides the Nano, among the most noted car brands Tata Motors rolled out in the recent decade were Manza and Vista. After the initial pull, demand for both brands (known formerly as Indigo Manza and Indica Vista) nose-dived just like the Nano. After years of sustained poor performance, the company was forced to pull out both models from the production lines. Nanos production, though, continues unhindered despite mounting losses.
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With four days to go for the Summit from November 7 to 9 here, much of what is to come is shrouded in mystery. The biggest question mark is on the leadership of the CEO forum, which will be part of the summit when UK Prime Minister Theresa May visits India from November 6 to 8. While Cyrus Mistry, who was replaced as chairman of Tata Sons last week, has been head of the CEO forum from Indias side, a decision has been taken to make a change.
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The National Aluminium Company (Nalco) is likely to keep in abeyance its plans to put up a greenfield smelter in Iran. had planned to establish a 0.5 million tonne per annum (mtpa) smelting facility in the West Asian nation, banking on cheaper natural gas supplies.
India has come to be known as the fastest growing market for smartphones, with usually doing better than other categories, but September quarter was different. Shipment of smartphones priced above Rs 30,000 fell 59 per cent year-on-year, data from Counterpoint Research show.
At a time when questions are being raised on corporate India's track record in succession planning and transfer of power, late Brijmohan Lall Munjal (B M Munjal), the founder of $6-billion Hero Group and the two-wheeler major HeroCorp, could give a lesson or two on how to go about any succession transition.
Former Tata Sons chairman had kept Ratan Tata, then chairman emeritus and current interim chairman, in the loop about the sale of sagging European operations, a director on the board said.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's largest IT Services provider on Wednesday said that University of New South Wales (UNSW) Australia and have signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue technology research collaboration.



The agreement will enable the University and to work together in areas of common interest such as machine learning, virtual reality, robotics, data analytics and cloud computing.
Zensar Technologies, an RPG Company, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Foolproof Ltd. along with its two wholly-owned subsidiary in UK and one wholly-owned subsidiary Company in Singapore for an undisclosed sum.
United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck is hosting Prayer for Peace event Friday to call for peace in the Dakota Access Pipeline debate.

Native and non-native people are invited to the the colleges wellness center to "unite in prayer for a peaceful resolution," according to a news release from UTTC, 3315 University Drive.

The event will be held at 5 p.m. A free meal will be provided, and there will be a screening of the documentary, Awakened: The Spiritual Destiny of the First Americans."

For more information, contact Sacheen Cross at 701-255-3285, ext. 1796.
An allegedly committed suicide over the issue of One Rank One Pension scheme (OROP) in the capital, police said on Wednesday.
Congress Vice President was on Wednesday stopped outside Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital while trying to meet the family of the ex-servicemen who allegedly committed suicide.
India- diplomatic relations slid further on Wednesday when pulled out six officials at its high commission in New Delhi, days after a mission staffer Mehmood Akhtar was expelled by India over alleged espionage. India also protested Islamabad putting out names and details of eight Indian diplomats in the public domain.
The longer Prime Minister Modi governs the nation the more does it become apparent that he is heeding no advice from anyone in his government but himself. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the changes he has wrought to India's relations with its largest, and potentially most dangerous neighbour, China.



For it is absolutely inconceivable that a Foreign ministry headed by an official who had been India's Ambassador to China till as recently as 2013, will not have cautioned him against inviting the US Ambassador to India to visit Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
Leading global professional network on Wednesday said it has signed an agreement with the Human Resource Development Ministry to create more job opportunities for Indian students.
Team Indus, the Bengaluru space startup that is aiming to send a lander and rover to the moon, has confirmed a slot on India's PSLV rocket for its mission in the last quarter of 2017.

The Indian team, backed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, is among the three top contenders for the Google's Lunar XPRIZE competition, looking to win $30 million cheque for the first mission to land on the moon. In addition, the lunar rover has to travel 500 metres on the moon's surface while transmitting high resolution images to earth.
Law enforcement is calling an armed man involved in a standoff with Dakota Access Pipeline protesters on Thursday a "victim," and no charges have been filed.

Protesters ejected from the "front line" protest camp accused the man of driving recklessly along N.D. Highway 1806 and putting people in danger.

In a press release, law enforcement said it has conducted interviews and reviewed video from the incident that occurred near the Backwater Bridge in Morton County, just north of where pipeline protesters are camping.

"While law enforcement detained an individual, it has been determined that person is the victim in the case," the Morton County Sheriff's Department statement said of the incident, which remains under investigation.

According to police, the man, an employee for one of the contractors who is working on the construction of the pipeline, was checking on equipment parked near the Dakota Access Pipeline contractor entrance, east of Highway 1806.

The man told police he was instructed to get pictures of construction equipment, though Morton County Sheriff's Department spokesman Rob Keller said investigators have not yet confirmed who gave the man those instructions.

The man told police he disguised himself so he would be able to gain access without being singled out as a construction worker, but protesters ordered him to leave.

Dallas Goldtooth, a protest organizer, says a lot of questions remain.

"Why drive through an area where vehicles are traveling through at 5 to 10 miles per hour? Why drive more quickly and hold an assault rifle in the air where people can see it?" Goldtooth said.

While leaving the area and driving south on Highway 1806, the individual's truck was hit by another vehicle, forced through a fence and got stuck. It was eventually burned.

"I was asked if I could get pictures of some equipment that was on fire so I attempted to go and do just that, nothing more nothing less," the man wrote in a Facebook post.

The man told police he saw five individuals coming at his truck and could see large knives in their possession.

"A few had knives and were dead set on using those knives," he said in a post on Facebook.

He said he grabbed a rifle to defend himself, retreated toward the Cannonball River and was pursued. It is confirmed that no shots were fired from his weapon.

"No charges will be filed against this man as he was using the weapon to protect himself," the sheriff's department statement said.

Goldtooth said one of the protesters who approached wore a Leatherman utility tool containing a knife. He said when the man raised his gun, the protester put his hand on the Leatherman and opened it up.

"I think, of course, he might have been scared. Anyone would be in that situation," Goldtooth said. "I think it just speaks to the irresponsibility of Dakota Access to hire an individual like that."

Goldtooth also criticized Dakota Access for denying that the man was working on the pipeline's construction.

"It disturbs me that he got released so quickly," said Goldtooth, adding that, to his knowledge, no protesters have been interviewed as part of the investigation to date and called the investigation "one-sided."
The United States on Wednesday asked its citizens in India to keep high level of vigilance citing reports indicating that terror outfit Islamic State desires to attack "targets" in India.

An advisory issued by the American Embassy here warned its citizens of an increased threat in places frequented by Westerners in the country.

"Recent Indian media reports indicate ISIL's desire to attack targets in India. The US Embassy warns of an increased threat to places in India frequented by Westerners, such as religious sites, markets, and festival venues.

"All US citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as detailed in the State Department's Worldwide Caution of September 9, 2016," the advisory said.

An earlier advisory, under 'Worldwide Caution' section on the US state department's travel website, says that India continues to experience terrorist and insurgent activities which may affect US citizens directly or indirectly.

"Anti-Western terrorist groups active in India include Islamist extremist groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihad-i-Islami, Harakat ul-Mujahidin, Indian Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e Tayyiba.

"Past attacks have targeted public places, including some frequented by Westerners, such as luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas, mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas," the worldwide advisory, last updated in September, says.
The Home Ministry has issued a showcause notice to controversial preacher Zakir Naik's NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). The Ministry has initiated the process for the cancellation of IRF's Foreign Contribution Regulations Act registration, they said.
The Home Ministry has issued a notice to close down the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) run by Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, and the government is mulling a bigger crackdown on his broadcasting operations. Company documents from the UK and India show that Naik has been funding his broadcast operations from both countries and transmitting them across the world.
The (GST) Council will meet on Thursday to iron out differences on two key issues  rates and dual control  that could potentially delay the April 1 roll-out of the uniform indirect tax. Although the Centre is likely to stick to its guns on the four-slab GST rate, it will try to get states on board over the issue of administrative control by proposing an audit and scrutiny formula.
Domestic makers have asked the government not to impose anti-dumping duty on metallurgical coke (met coke), imported mainly from Australia and China. The commerce ministry had recently recommended a $25 per tonne levy on such imports.
Government schools are churning out hundreds of pass-outs every year but quality leaves a lot to be desired. Selection of teachers is often on criteria other than merit. In this environment, is there any real movement on the ground? Central Square Foundation (CSF) is involved with the government's efforts to improve the quality of primary- and secondary-level education. In an interview with Anjuli Bhargava, CSF's founder and chairman, Ashish Dhawan, tells what has been done and what remains undone in the education sector. Edited excerpts:



Does the central government seem serious about trying to improve primary and secondary education?



The government is serious about improving quality of education. They get the message that access and equity have been solved.
India-Bangladesh joint military exercise SAMPRITI-2016 to commence from 05 Nov

As part of the ongoing India Bangladesh defence cooperation, a joint military training exercise SAMPRITI 2016 is being conducted at Tangail, Dhaka, Bangladesh from 05 to 18 November 2016. Exercise SAMPRITI is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour between India and Bangladesh and will be the sixth edition of the exercise which is hosted alternately by both countries.

The joint exercise SAMPRITI 2016 will simulate a scenario where both nations are working together in a Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism environment under the UN Charter. The exercise curriculum is progressively planned where the participants will initially get familiar with each others organizational structure and tactical drills.

Subsequently, the training will advance to joint tactical exercises wherein the battle drills of both the armies will be practiced. The training will culminate with a final validation exercise in which troops of both armies will jointly practice a Counter Terrorist Operation in a controlled and simulated environment.

Col Rohan Anand, SM

PRO (Army)
The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh briefed the media here today on the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction,2016. Shri Rajnath Singh shared the following information with the journalists in addition to answering their question: -.

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The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) 2016 here tomorrow. This is the first major inter-governmental event after the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR). Scheduled to be held from November 3-5, 2016, this Conference will pave the way towards implementation of this Framework in the Asian region. It will also devise a mechanism for monitoring its progress. .

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The Sendai Framework, adopted at the third UN World Conference in Sendai, Japan in March, 2015, is the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda and identifies targets and priority action areas towards reducing disaster risk. India is committed to address issues concerning DRR and strengthen resilience to disasters. To realise this, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched India's first National Disaster Management Plan, designed in line with the priorities defined in the Sendai Framework, earlier this year. The hosting of the AMCDRR 2016 reaffirms India's commitment to the cause of DRR. .

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The Conference will discuss issues related to DRR in 6 technical, 22 thematic and 3 featured sessions during the Conference. The technical events will be broadly based on themes related to Risk Sensitive Development for Community Resilience. All the three featured events - Risk Resilient Infrastructure for Sustainable Development, Application of Science and Technology for prevention of new risks and Regional Cooperation - will be chaired by India. Led by governments as well as NGOs, academics and other stakeholders, the thematic sessions will be held in parallel on 3rd and 4th November. These sessions will dwell on issues such as Gender sensitive DRR, Child-centered DRR etc., at length. .

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Various DRR-centric activities will be organised during the Conference to spread awareness about disaster risk reduction and its role in safeguarding lives, livelihoods and infrastructure. These activities include a national-level painting competition for schoolchildren aged 10-14 years, a short films competition and an exhibition to showcase best practices in DRR. While the winners of the painting competition will be felicitated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju on 3rd November, the winners of the Short Film Festival will be felicitated during the closing of the Conference. .

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Various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), government and UN bodies are participating in the DRR exhibition. With a thematic focus on 'Make in India', the exhibition will showcase good practices in Disaster Risk Management. The exhibition area will be open for the public from 6-8 PM on 3rd and 4th November. On 5th November, the exhibition will be open from 3-6 PM. .

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The commemoration of the first World Tsunami Awareness Day, to spread awareness about the dangers of tsunami and the importance of early warning systems in mitigating its impact, will also be held on 5th November. .

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On the closing day, the Conference will adopt the New Delhi Declaration, a political commitment of participating governments towards preventing and reducing disaster risk. It will also adopt the Asian Regional Plan for Implementation of the Sendai Framework. Voluntary statements of action of stakeholder groups towards a shared responsibility approach in implementation of the SFDRR would also be adopted. .

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Pre-Conference events have been organised by interested governments, Inter-Governmental Organizations (IGOs), partners and stakeholder groups today to forge common positions that will feed into the Conference deliberations. .

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Three events were organised by the School of Planning and Architecture (22nd October), Indian Institute of Technology (26th October) and National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (27th October) in Delhi as curtain raisers to the AMCDRR 2016. Centered on the priorities underlined in SFDRR Students, these events were aimed at reaching out to students, academicians and professionals who may be able to integrate the concepts of DRR with their areas of expertise, such as financial planning, technology and architecture. .

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Senior-level governmental delegations from Asian countries are participating in the Conference. Besides these, many other stakeholders international agencies, civil society organizations, academic institutions, private sector will also participate. Nearly 4,000 persons, including about 1,100 foreign nationals, are expected to attend the Conference. .

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Established in 2005, AMCDRR is a biennial conference jointly organized by different Asian countries and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). So far, six AMCDRR conferences have been organised. India had also hosted the second AMCDRR in New Delhi in 2007." .

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The Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju and Members of NDMA, Shri R.K.Jain and Shri Kamal Kishore were also present in the briefing. .

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This piece is part of The Conversation Globals The View From  series, explaining how governments and citizens in key countries worldwide view the US election. Today, Richard Maher explains why Europe is so afraid of Donald Trump, and how it all comes down to Russia, NATO and trade.



As the US presidential election enters its final week, most poll-based models show Democratic nominee and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in front of Republican challenger, Donald Trump.
A Mandan voting precinct is the place for potential voters at protest camps in Morton County to cast their ballots if theyre qualified voters, the countys auditor said Monday.

Voting precinct 18, located at Midway Lanes, 3327 Memorial Hwy. in Mandan, was where Morton County Auditor Dawn Rhone said Monday would be the voting precinct for such potential voters.

Forms of ID required under North Dakota law include a current drivers license, a state-issued ID card or a tribal ID with a current address on it. People without an ID but meet residency requirements can sign an affidavit, Rhone said last week. Affidavits are a sworn statement by a voter that he or she is a qualified voter in the precinct.

Fraudulently claiming residency in order to vote is a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of up to one years imprisonment, a $3,000 fine or both.
A former fund manager at the London division of asset manager Inc on Wednesday pleaded guilty to two counts of insider dealing in a London court.

Mark Lyttleton, 45, admitted buying shares shortly before public announcements about EnCore Oil Plc and Cairn Energy after working on deals or on the basis of conversations with colleagues, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Lyttleton, who had been charged in September with three counts of insider dealing after being arrested in 2013, dealt through an overseas asset manager trading on behalf of a Panamanian registered company.

He will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on December 21.

Lyttleton worked at Investment Management (UK) Ltd between 2001 and 2013, according to the FCA's register of financial appointments.

Blackrock, the world's largest asset manager, reiterated that it had been told by the FCA that the charges related to alleged actions carried out for personal gain, while off its premises. There was no impact to any of its clients, it said.

Insider dealing is a criminal offence in the UK and is punishable by a fine and up to seven years in jail.

The markets regulator has secured 30 insider dealing convictions since starting to prosecute the crime in 2009.
Islamic State chief has been trapped by Iraqi Army, which entered the terrorist group's stronghold of Mosul for the first time in more than two years for a final assault, a report has claimed.

The battle for Mosul, where the self-declared caliph of IS is believed to be hiding, is likely to end in a decisive defeat for the terrorist group, the Independent reported.

Fuad Hussein, chief of staff to Kurdish President Massoud Barzani, told the daily that his government had information from multiple sources that "Baghdadi is there and, if he is killed, it will mean the collapse of the whole [IS] system."

Baghdadi has kept himself concealed for the last eight or nine months according to Hussein, who added that the caliph had become very dependent on IS commanders from Mosul and Tal Afar, a city just to the west of Mosul.

Other senior and better-known figures in IS, particularly those from Syria and other countries, have been killed since their initial triumphs in the summer of 2014 when they took over much of northern Iraq and eastern Syria.

The presence of Baghdadi in Mosul may complicate and prolong the battle for Mosul as his surviving adherents fight to the death to defend him.

If he is killed, IS would have to choose a new caliph in the middle of a battle, but no successor would have the authority and prestige of Baghdadi, the leader who surprised the world by establishing the caliphate after capturing Mosul in June 2014.

Hussein said, "it is obvious that they will lose, but not how long this will take to happen."

He said Kurdish Peshmerga forces had been impressed by the extraordinary number of tunnels that Isis had dug in order to provide hiding places in the villages around Mosul.

On Tuesday, Iraqi Special Forces advanced into Mosul, which once had a population of two million, seizing the state television on the east bank of the Tigris River that divides the city in half.

Hussein said the speed of the fall of Mosul would depend on many factors especially whether or not IS "is going to destroy the five bridges over the river."

Iraqi troops entered Gogjali, a district inside Mosul's city limits, and later the borders of the more built-up Karama district, according to Major General Sami al-Aridi of the Iraqi special forces.

"Daesh (IS) is fighting back and have set up concrete blast walls to block off the Karama neighbourhood and [stop] our troops' advance," General Aridi said.

The anti-IS offensive is dependent on US-led air strikes and the presence of US special forces.
Whats in your jeans? A rogues gallery of unpronounceable chemicals whose effects on humans are suspect. Perfluorochemicals, phthalates and azo dyes are among the substances that are widespread in making clothes. Under pressure from consumers demanding safer alternatives to harmful chemicals, American companies including Levi Strauss & Co are taking a more European approach. The European Union has banned or restricted more than 1,000 chemicals; in the US, fewer than 50. Consumer demand for safe products has global companies scrambling for greener ingredients, but ...
Missing Malaysian Air flight appeared to be out of control when it plunged into the ocean, with the wing flaps not prepared for landing, a new report said on Wednesday.
Some of the highest rates of impunity in the murders of can be attributed to killings by Islamist militant groups, CPJ found in its latest Global Impunity Index, which spotlights countries where are murdered and their killers go free. The worst country for the second year in a row is Somalia, where the militant group al-Shabaab is suspected in the majority of media murders, followed by Iraq and Syria, where members of the militant group Islamic State murdered at least six in the past year.
Crude prices fell for a fourth day on Wednesday, as jittery investors awaited official US stockpile figures later in the day after industry data showed a surprise build in inventories, underlining a persistent global glut.

The American Petroleum Institute said crude stockpiles rose by 9.3 million barrels in the week to October 28, more than nine times the amount expected by analysts polled by Reuters.

US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 40 cents, or 0.9 per cent, to $46.27 by 0337 GMT. On Tuesday it dipped 19 cents to $46.67. Brent crude was down 32 cents at $47.82, near a one-month low of $47.72 hit in the prior session.

Prices have slumped in recent days as hopes have faded that producers would settle their differences and agree to output cuts when the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meets on November 30.

"Those who were hoping for some upside from any sort of production agreement appear to have their hopes dashed," said Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC in Sydney. "It looks like there are speculative longs quitting the market."

Indications of higher-than-expected US stockpiles is also dragging on sentiment.

The API report typically comes a day before official inventory data from the US government's Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The API bases its numbers on voluntary reporting by members, while the EIA uses a bigger sample. Traders say prices could drop further if the government data confirms the large build.
Canada's said on Tuesday it is in talks with third parties to sell its Salix stomach-drug business and other assets.
Sunday mornings are hectic for the young scion of one of the largest business conglomerates in South India. He wakes up well before his regular hours and heads out to the scenic East Coast Road in Chennai where he meets up with a band of super bikers; riders of Harley Davidsons, Yamahas, Triumphs and such other iconic brands as they spin their wheels around the city. For brands such as Harley Davidson, Triumph, MV Agusta, Aprilia, Yamaha, Suzuki and others, such clubs are letting them tap into the passion that their brands evoke and build on it. Companies are investing in such clubs and creating an experience around their brands to push their high-end bikes to a larger number of consumers.
Microsoft-owned social network for work has signed an MoU with the Ministry of Human Resource Development for all colleges affiliated with the All India Council for Technical Education to use its platform for their placement process.

Placements, a product that has built for India, allows students and placement officers at colleges maximise their reach when searching for prospective jobs. Students will also be able to take an online assessment test which will give them access to openings in partner corporates.
The market has not factored in a victory in the US elections, since he has been trailing Hillary Clinton in most opinion polls. But the latest Washington Post-ABC Tracking Poll says 46% of likely voters are supporting Trump while 45% are behind Clinton. If he wins US polls, the global would see short-term volatility,

say experts.
Law enforcement did the right thing last week when they removed protesters from private land. They couldnt allow the protesters to establish a camp on private property and block a highway. There were obvious violations of the law.

Officials gave the protesters ample warning that they were coming and they had an opportunity to withdraw, but many didnt do so. To the outside world it may have appeared like a military operation, but law enforcement needed to protect themselves. Overall, the operation went smoothly with no serious injuries. Its unfortunate the situation came to this, but some of the protesters refused to back off.

There seems to be some discontent in the camps with dissatisfaction growing over the more militant factions. Some would like to see them evicted. Part of the problem is the reluctance of the protesters to admit to any wrong. They dont want to concede that law enforcement encountered resistance, not just verbal but physical. During Thursdays removal of protesters, Tribune video captured protesters arguing over tactics. One was trying to put out a fire while encouraging others to retreat. Another urged protesters to stand their ground and force the issue. He wasnt seeking a prayerful response.

As the camps begin to settle in for the winter its important they decide on their objectives. Are they fighting the Dakota Access Pipeline because they see it as a threat to their water supply or do they want to stop oil development? Has the protest morphed into battle for indigenous rights. The claim of eminent domain over the Dakota Access land based on the 1851 treaty was a stretch. Its an issue that needs to be resolved in court, not by occupying land. Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II seemed to shift the issue back to water on Saturday during a press conference. He asked that the pipeline be rerouted, though he didnt suggest a new route. At the same time, the chairman said hes considering a class action lawsuit against the state and law enforcement over the use of force.

The chances of an agreement between the different sides appears unlikely. As the Tribune noted before, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers needs to decide on the easement for Dakota Access to go under the river. Until that decision, everything remains in limbo. Dont expect a decision from the corps until after next weeks election. That means we can expect action of some kind by the protesters. Whether its just the continued use of social media to paint law enforcement and the state as heavy-handed aggressors using police state tactics on those arrested or the occupation of more land remains to be seen.

The state, rightfully, has made it clear that the law will be enforced. Civil disobedience comes with consequences. If you are arrested you can expect to spend time in a holding cell, especially if a large number of arrests have been made. It takes time to deal with dozens of people. Strip searches, while not pleasant, are part of the process to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Going to jail isnt something anyone should want to experience. However, if protesters continue to defy the law thats what they can expect.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has tightened the rules for export houses which wish to import in their capacity as a nominated agency.
Public sector is exploring a tie-up with a stressed asset fund to tackle big-ticket non-performing loans. An executive said while NPA restructuring was a continuous activity, the focus was now shifting to resolution of six large cases.
The stock fell sharply on Wednesday as opinion polls predicted a close finish in the US presidential election.



The 30-share benchmark Sensex fell the most in three weeks to a near four-month low. The India VIX index, a gauge for market volatility, soared nearly seven per cent as investors feared an upset by Republican nominee Donald Trump.



The political uncertainty saw overseas investors pulling out Rs 667 crore from stocks.



The Sensex fell 349.4 points, or 1.25 per cent, to end at 27,527.22, its lowest level since July 8. The Nifty gave up 112.25 points, or 1.3 per cent, to end at 8,514, its lowest close since July 21. Both indices posted their biggest single-day losses since October 13.



Most Asian ended over 1 per cent lower while European were trading 0.5 per cent lower on opening. The sentiment saw crude oil dropping over one per cent and gold gaining around 0.8 per cent.



There might be excessive volatility if Trump comes to power. There is a possibility of a huge sell-off in the US. For the Indian markets, too, this might be uncharted territory as we are likely to follow global cues. If Hillary Clinton wins with a significant majority, we can expect a good up-move, said Raamdeo Agrawal, co-founder, Motilal Oswal Financial Services.



The financial markets were jolted after an ABC News-Washington Post poll released on Tuesday showed Trump with 46 per cent support to Clintons 45 per cent. The first ever lead in the poll saw unwinding of bets on Clintons victory.



There might be a lot of volatility and uncertainty if Trump comes to power and it will take some time for market participants to digest his policies. Inflows into markets like India will be impacted if foreign funds want to reduce allocation to riskier assets, said UR Bhat, managing director, Dalton Capital Advisors.



Central bank policy meetings also weighed on sentiment. The US Federal Reserve was to review its monetary policy later today, while the Bank of Japan kept its stimulus programme unchanged at its meeting yesterday.



The broader BSE Smallcap and Midcap indices fell 1.84 per cent each. There were two declining stocks for every one advancing on Wednesday.



Among Sensex companies, ONGC, fell 4.1 per cent and Reliance Industries declined 2.3 per cent as oil prices continued to slide. Tata Motors and the State Bank of India were among the other major losers, declining 3.2 per cent and 2.75 per cent, respectively.




has rallied to its fresh 52-week high of Rs 384, up 6% on BSE in an otherwise weak market, after the company hiked prices of various grades of manganese ore with effect from November 1, 2016.
To prevent an order to exit, the Ahmedabad-based (NMCE) wishes to merge with an existing bourse in the segment. It has to do so before before May 5, 2017, the deadline for meeting the minimum net worth criteria.
Expressing concern over the killings of civilians in the ceasefire violations by Pakistan, defence expert P.K. Sehgal on Wednesday said the political class in India needs to act together to restore normalcy in Kashmir.

Sehgal told ANI, "We have to make sure that we try our best to strengthen the civil dispensation by whatever means at our disposal, keep Pakistan involved in an internal strife in each of its provinces. In addition we have got to make sure that Pakistan is punished appropriately, and every time they do some sort of mischief, the retribution from our side must be very swift and very punitive, and the third thing what we got to do, is to hold the valley together."

Sehgal was speaking even as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti appealed for immediate political dialogue between India and Pakistan to de-escalate the situation in the valley.

"I am deeply pained over the fresh spate of civilian killings, including children and women, in border shelling and urge the political leaderships in New Delhi and Islamabad to take effective and urgent measures to de-escalate the situation and bring an end to the miseries of the hapless people of Jammu and Kashmir who are caught in this deadly crossfire," Mehbooba said.

She said the unabated border shelling has seen a tragic humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, where innocent civilians and their properties are being targeted.

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday targeted around 14 Pakistan posts along the International Border (IB) in response to the unprovoked firing and shelling of Pakistan Rangers in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramgarh and Arnia sectors.

Yesterday, a 19 year old girl was killed and three civilians were injured after the Pakistan troops violated ceasefire in the Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A senior leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Wednesday claimed that an anxious Samajwadi party and Congress party are keen to stop his party in the 2017 assembly election polls, because they want to continue their reign of plunder.

"Samajwadi party, Congress and BJP are anxious from the growing power and popularity of BSP in Uttar Pradesh and because of that they are getting together. Their intention is not to work for the welfare of the people but is to plunder and hence they will not get support from the public," BSP leader Sudheendra Bhadauria told ANI.

Bhadauria said both the Samajwadi Party and the Congress have lost ground and the people of Uttar Pradesh are aware of the facts.

Bhadauria statement came after Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh met Congress election strategist Prashant Kishor on Tuesday, apparently to discuss the possibility of forming an alliance before poll dates are announced.

Last week, Mulayam's younger brother and state Samajwadi Party chief Shivpal Singh had met JD(U)'s K. C. Tyagi and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Ajit Singh to invite them to the party's 25th anniversary in Lucknow on November 5.

Shivpal had said Lohiaites and followers of Charan Singh should join hands to beat the BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

The Samajwadi Party, which was initially part of Bihar's grand alliance, had walked out after it was offered only a handful of seats to contest the assembly elections there.

The grand alliance of the JD (U), RJD and Congress scripted a glorious electoral victory last year defeating the BJP-led NDA.

Shivpal had recently blamed his estranged cousin Ram Gopal Yadav for the Samajwadi Party's decision to walk out of the alliance in Bihar.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday blamed the Centre for the prevailing tension in the Kashmir Valley.

"Since the NDA came to power from that time the people living on the borders in the Line of Control (LoC) suffered the most. NDA is responsible for this and that simply means that their foreign policy has failed," Azad told ANI.

He said that NDA government only speaks, but the end results are never visible on ground.

Azad said "It is very surprising that nobody has yet been caught red handed in this issue. Sometimes other people do all this and blame it on militants. Investigation as to who is burning these schools should be done," he said.

In past two months, around 25 schools have been set on fire in the Kashmir Valley.

Earlier on Sunday, a Higher Secondary Kabamarg School in South Kashmir's Anantnag was set on fire by unidentified people.

A Jawahar Navodya Vidyalaya school in Aishmuqam was also set on fire the night before.

Schools in Kashmir valley have been closed due to a shutdown call by the separatists. Dozens of schools are also still occupied by security forces deployed to contain the unrest, which began after the July 8 killing of 22-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

So far, the efforts to reopen schools have failed as both government and separatist groups are levelling accusations against each other of playing politics over education.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shanta Kumar has called on the Centre to honour Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, with the country's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.

Speaking at the release of his book 'Himalaya Par Lal Chaya' at Tsuglagkhang, at the main Buddhist temple in Dharamsala,Kumar said," "I strongly urge the Indian government to confer the prestigious Bharat Ratna Award on the Dalai Lama. It would be a great example of India's faith on Tibet."

The 14th Dalai Lama also launched another book, 'If Autumn Comes', written by Kumar's wife.

Kumar added that many countries have already awarded the leader for his promotion of peace, and India should not lag behind.

The Tibetan administration-in-exile is based in Dharamsala and over one lakh exiled Tibetans live there.

The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 after fleeing a Chinese crackdown in Lhasa. Thousands of Tibetans have followed him to India, where they live in 50 settlements spread across the country.

China has ruled remote and mountainous Tibet with an iron hand since the People's Liberation Army marched into the region in 1950.

Critics accuse China of repressing Tibetans' religious aspirations, especially their veneration for the Dalai Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi was on Wednesday not allowed to meet the kin of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly committed suicide over the delay in implementation of the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme, at the RML Hospital here.

Gandhi was not allowed to enter the hospital premises by the security personnel deployed at the entrance gate.

"Naya Hindustan ban raha hai bhaiya (New India is in making)...This is Modi ji's India," the Congress-vice president said after he was denied entry.

Grewal consumed poison last afternoon. However, the cause behind Grewal's suicide is yet to be ascertained.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be visiting Grewal's family in Bhiwani in Haryana later in the day.

Grewal's son Jaswant urged the government to look into the matter.

"My father sacrificed for the nation. He was demanding the One Rank, One Pension. The Modi Government should think about this," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while celebrating the Diwali with the army and ITBP personnel in Sumdo, Kinnaur, had said that the first instalment of nearly Rs. 5,500 crore has been paid for implementing the OROP scheme.

The Prime Minister also asserted that he has "fulfilled the promise" which he made to ex-servicemen on the issue that has been hanging fire for the last 40 years.

OROP scheme has been a long-standing demand of nearly three-million ex-servicemen and war widows in the country.

It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel, who retire at the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
GRAND FORKS - Doug Burgum, the Republican candidate for North Dakota governor, said Tuesday he may be open to reauthorizing the states Medicaid expansion, a key provision of the Affordable Care Act.

The North Dakota Legislature passed a Medicaid expansion bill in 2013. The program is available to people between the ages of 19 and 65 years old with household incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, according to the North Dakota Department of Human Services.

But the section of the law creating the Medicaid expansion program expires Aug. 1, 2017. The Legislature will meet again in Bismarck in January.

In a Grand Forks press conference Tuesday afternoon, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Marvin Nelson said the loss of Medicaid expansion would be devastating to North Dakotas rural hospitals.

Almost none of the hospitals in the rural areas will be able to survive, he said. Its just too big of a part of their revenue stream.

Nelson, a state representative from Rolla, said his local hospital relies heavily on Medicare and Medicaid.

They cant take these big hits, he said.

Burgum, a Fargo businessman, often criticized what he characterized as Attorney General Wayne Stenehjems support of the Affordable Care Act during their heated primary battle, although Stenehjem denied he had supported the law.

Burgum said there are many benefits to expanded Medicaid in North Dakota, such as the 20,000 people who have health insurance. But he said its part of a larger problem.

And its part of a larger problem called Obamacare, he said before door-knocking in a Grand Forks neighborhood.

Still, Burgum signaled he was open to reauthorizing Medicaid expansion.

This isnt about a simple vote in the state Legislature about, Do we reauthorize for another two years? We very well may choose to do that, he said. We may say thats the best decision for right now for North Dakotans.  But when we vote to reauthorize for another two years, we will be participating in a program thats not actuarially sound.

Currently, the federal government pays 100 percent of the cost to cover Medicaid expansion enrollees, said Maggie Anderson, the DHS executive director. But North Dakota will begin paying 5 percent of the cost on Jan. 1, and that share will gradually increase to 10 percent by 2020.

Burgum said the bigger challenge for North Dakota leaders will be figuring out a health care system that actually works.

The role of a state should be to be a platform for innovation, he said. The role of a state shouldnt be to rubber-stamp federal programs that just dont work.
Ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal allegedly committed suicide at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi over the delay in implementation of the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme.

He consumed poison last afternoon.

However, the cause behind Grewal's suicide is yet to be ascertained.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be visiting Grewal's family in Haryana's Bhiwani later in the day.

Dubbing the incident as 'unfortunate', Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Commando Surinder Singh alleged that the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre was indulging in politics over the Indian Army.

"A very unfortunate incident has taken place with this family. For the last one day, Grewal and 50 other ex-servicemen were sitting on strike. They wanted to present their memorandum to the Defence Minister. He had to wait for two days for the Defence Minister. When he was going to meet him, he faced many hurdles. In his memorandum he wrote that he is sacrificing his life for the nation and for the soldiers," he told the media.

Singh further said the salary that the soldiers get is not enough for living.

"On one hand, the government is doing politics over the Indian Army and on the other hand, the soldiers are forced to commit suicide today. The salary that a soldier gets is not enough for living. I condemn this incident," said Singh.

The AAP leader also used the occasion to target Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and accused the latter of indulging in petty political gains over the sacrifice of soldiers.

"I want to tell the Defence Minister to wake up...you are the Defence Minister of the nation...you do politics in the name of the soldiers. You try to take votes in the name of the soldiers. You don't even meet the soldiers. The soldiers have to commit suicide to even present a memorandum," said Singh.

"Today, the entire nation and all the ex-servicemen are standing with the family. His sacrifice won't go in vain. We will meet with the Defence Minister with this demand," he added.

Grewal's son Jaswant urged the Modi Government to look into the matter.

"My father sacrificed for the nation. He was demanding the One Rank, One Pension. The Modi Government should think about this," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while celebrating the Diwali with the army and ITBP personnel in Sumdo, Kinnaur, had said that the first instalment of nearly Rs. 5,500 crore has been paid for implementing the OROP scheme.

The Prime Minister also asserted that he has "fulfilled the promise" which he made to ex-servicemen on the issue that has been hanging fire for the last 40 years.

OROP scheme has been a long-standing demand of nearly three-million ex-servicemen and war widows in the country.

It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel, who retire at the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A delegation-level meeting of fishermen associations of India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to be held in the capital today.

An 11-member delegation of Sri Lankan fishermen yesterday reached the capital to have talks with its Indian counterpart from Tamil Nadu on resolving of fishing issues.

The meeting, fourth in the series, has been called to work out a sustainable solution for trouble-free fishing in the Palk Bay, separating the two countries.

It comes few days before foreign ministers of the two countries are to chair meeting of all stakeholder in New Delhi on Saturday to sort out the issue. The fishing issue was mentioned by Sri Lankan Prime Minister during his meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi last month and both sides had agreed for a high-level meeting.

It is reported that Tamil Nadu fisheries Minister Jayakumar will be attending the talks, along with fishermen representatives from Nagapattinam and Ramanathapuram.

Fishermen from Tamil Nadu are urging the government to secure the release of 115 fishing boats detained by Sri Lanka and fellow fishermen languishing in Lankan jail.

The local fishermen want a lasting solution to the problem of Sri Lankan Navy apprehending them whenever they are fishing near international maritime boundary line. They want to secure the rights to fish in traditional fishing zones near Kachatheevu and Palk straits. The fishermen talks will give stress to avoid bottom trawling with Irattamadai nets which will destroy fish resources.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi [India], Nov. 2 (ANI): Fish is synonymous with Bengal, its cuisine, its culture. The fish markets in cities, towns and mohallas across the state reverberate with a kind of energy, a joie de vivre that reflects the pride of place it has in Bengali homes and establishments. But what of the enormous waste material that fish markets produce, the piles and pieces that are inedible and thrown away, such as volumes of fish scales?

To the gourmet, of course it is only the fish that matters, but to Pushpa Bhakat, a diminutive figure, about 34 years old, gracefully flitting in and out of fish markets in Nutanganj, Burdwan district, it is fish scales that are a draw.

Coming from an impoverished family, this talented young woman secured a degree in Visual Art and Craft from the University of Burdwan in 2007.

She looked forward to her life and career, full of hope and confidence. Her father having passed away at an early stage, she knew she had to take care of the family, including her mother and younger siblings -three sisters and two brothers.

However, she soon discovered that life was not a bed of roses. Opportunities to pursue her talent and earn a living looked bleak.

It was at that time that she became conscious of the immense potential of an unwanted, by-product of the Bengali's favorite food- fish scales.

The variety corresponds to the variety in fish itself- Rui Maach, Katla.

The shopkeepers in her mohalla know her well and though some of them charge her a nominal amount for the stuff, most are happy to let her have it. And from this emerged her unique art form - fish scale art!

There has been no looking back for Pushpa. Jumping into the fray with a passion, she has allowed her imagination to soar, experimenting with products and styles to convert the diverse material to an array of products including jewellery, lamps, wall hangings and decorative items.

Combining an artistic eye with nimble fingers, she tenderly examines the particular characteristics of scales from a wide variety of fish.

The process is an excruciating one involving a thorough washing using acid to soften the scales, rubbing sandpaper to make them pliable and moulding, shaping them by hand -giving rise to myriad designs she first draws on paper.

One of the exhibits is the chariot of Arjuna with Krishna as the Charioteer.

It is detailed, delicate in ivory white and resplendent. Then there are long stalks of roses made from fish scales, elegant, each petal taut. Each stalk she says takes four days to make but rues that the market price just about covers costs.

Despite the seeming delicacy of the products, she smiles, "You can bathe with it, sleep with it on and go about your day's routine without a problem" and adds "And what is best is that it is made of natural material, not the plastic that you see around."

Pushpa is a State Award Winner in 2012 and 2014 given by the Government of West Bengal.

Her work has caught the notice of Development Commissioner (DC) Handicrafts, Burdwan, opening avenues to exhibit her work in the state and outside such as Goa, Bihar and metros including Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.

Yet it has been a lonely climb. Despite all her efforts to provide for her family, settle her siblings, while opting to remain single, Pushpa feels a lack of understanding and empathy.

The family faced a tragedy recently when their mother diagnosed with cancer passed away.

Pushpa who has spared no effort in getting her treated and caring for her mother in every way-- feels bereft today.

She recalls, her voice quivering, "Even when I was travelling to participate in the prestigious Surajkund International Craft Mela in Delhi in February this year, no one from the family came to drop me at the railway station."

It was a particularly nightmarish experience because several of her products were damaged in transit. Although a setback, she quickly rallied round and on reaching Surajkund, piece by piece, scale by scale, she carefully recreated the works of art.

What was heartening was that she did a fairly brisk business at the Mela!

Along with a creative mind, Pushpa has honed a sound business sense.

Conscious of moving with technology, she first invested in a laptop and went on to develop her website (http://fishscaleproducts.tradeindia.com/).

She is now keen to get a Barcode for her products, saying "With a Barcode, a product that is now sells for Rs.250 can easily fetch Rs.700".

Pushpa is conscious that packaging is central to display, visibility and ultimately to better sales.

In addition, packaging can act as a protective cover to her hand-crafted products. She is keen to enroll for a course by the Indian Institute of Packaging, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Further, she is keen to get insurance for her products -- small, steady steps to ensure that she is able to pursue her creative work while securing her products.

As she gently and yet persuasively caters to a customer, a young college lecturer choosing from a stunning array of long earrings, Pushpa's eyes light up and she talks with an unmistakable passion for her work.

This is the life that she has chosen and this is her journey towards creative fulfilment, personal commitment and professional achievement.

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Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh on Wednesday accused Pakistan of violating the Geneva Convention and called on the global community to take notice and act to end this reign of terror.

Singh told ANI, "Today the firing is comparatively less and the farmers are ready to harvest their crops. Farmers want to cut their crops and animals are being killed. Almost 100 animals have been killed so far. Many people have been injured are being treated in the hospitals."

"The way Pakistanis recently mutilated the body of our soldier, is basically violating the Geneva Convention.

Pakistan is a rock state and is encouraging terrorism and is supporting them through cover firing. Today, the international community should take a cognition, and ultimately, Pakistan is the mother of terrorism, and in the entire world, the epicenter of terrorism is Pakistan. This is a challenge for the entire civilization and the world community will have to give them a befitting reply," he added.

"We have migrated a lot of people to safer places and are also providing all the basic requirements," he said.

On Tuesday, eight people were killed and 22 were injured when Pakistan troops heavily shelled border hamlets and posts with mortar bombs along the International Border (IB) and the LoC in Samba, Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Two women were killed and 13 others injured during shelling with 82 and 120 mm mortar bombs in Rajouri, Jammu, Poonch districts. Army sources said two Pakistani soldiers have been killed opposite to Noushera sector along the LoC in Rajouri district.

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With eight people being killed and 22 injured by shelling and firing in Jammu and Kashmir from across the border, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday warned Islamabad that it faces the risk of confronting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong political will and force.

BJP leader Shaina NC told ANI, "Our only reply to Pakistan would be that if they have forgotten the surgical strikes, they better be prepared to see the political will and conviction of Prime Minister Modi who will not take this lightly."

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said "I am deeply pained over the fresh spate of civilian killings, including children and women, in border shelling and urge the political leaderships in New Delhi and Islamabad to take effective and urgent measures to de-escalate the situation and bring an end to the miseries of the hapless people of Jammu and Kashmir who are caught in the deadly crossfire."

She said the unabated border shelling has seen a tragic humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, where innocent civilians and their properties are being targeted.

Eight people, mostly children and women, were killed and 24 injured when Pakistan troops resorted to heavy shelling on border hamlets and military posts with 82 and 120 mm mortar bombs along the IB and LoC in Samba, Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

Six civilian casualties took place in Ramgarh area of Samba while two women were killed in Manjakote sector of Rajouri.

Pakistani mortar shells have been landing in residential areas causing civilian casualties.

The BSF along the International Border (IB) and Army along the Line of Control (LoC) have been giving befitting replies to Pakistani firings.

Yesterday, the BSF destroyed 14 posts of Pakistani Rangers in retaliatory action along International Border (IB) in Ramgarh and Arnia sectors of the Jammu region.

Nearly half a dozen people and four BSF soldiers have been killed so far and over 30 others injured in the recent skirmishes along the international border.

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A joint military training exercise called SAMPRITI 2016 will be undertaken between Indian and Bangladeshi troops in Tangail, Bangladesh, from November 5 to 18.

Exercise SAMPRITI is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour between India and Bangladesh and will be the sixth edition of the exercise which is hosted alternately by both countries.

The joint exercise SAMPRITI 2016 will simulate a scenario where both nations are working together in a counter insurgency and counter terrorism environment under the UN Charter.

The exercise curriculum, according to Colonel Rohan Anand, spokesman of the defence ministry, is progressively planned where the participants will initially get familiar with each other's organizational structure and tactical drills.

Subsequently, the training will advance to joint tactical exercises wherein the battle drills of both the armies will be practiced.

The training will culminate with a final validation exercise in which troops of both armies will jointly practice a counter terrorist operation in a controlled and simulated environment.

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India on Wednesday summoned Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan, Syed Haider Shah to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and registered a strong protest over the mutilation of the body of an Indian soldier by a terrorist who escaped across the Line of Control.

Shah was conveyed the Government's grave concern and a strong protest was lodged at the recent escalation in the incidents of ceasefire violations by the Pakistan side at the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), which have resulted into several fatalities and casualties on the Indian side among civilians and security forces personnel.

The Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan was conveyed the Government's expectation that Pakistan will not take any step inimical to peace along the LoC and IB and to the security of India.

This development comes after the Centre had assured that the MEA will take cognisance of this heinous development, while adding that nothing could be more atrocious than this.

"Nothing can be more atrocious than this. The human rights of soldiers should enjoy precedence over the human rights of anybody else," Minister of State (MoS) Jitendra Singh said.

Speaking to ANI, the Union Minister stated that the barbaric killing of the army jawan is an eye opener for all those who keep raising the bogey of human rights, especially in Kashmir and added that the MEA and the Defence Ministry will take cognisance of the sequence of events.

On October 28th, in an encounter close to the Line of Control in the Machhal sector, an Indian Army soldier lost his life and a terrorist was neutralised.

The Indian Army promised retribution after the terrorists mutilated the jawan's body, apparently beheading him, before fleeing back into Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir under the cover of firing provided by the Pakistan Army.

"One militant was also killed in the gun-battle. But the despicable act of mutilating the jawan's body reflects the barbarism pervading in official and unofficial organisations in Pakistan," said the Army spokesperson.

"The terrorists managed to escape due to the covering fire provided to them from the Pakistan Army posts. The incident will be responded to appropriately," he added.

The soldier was identified as Manjeet Singh of 17 Sikh Light Infantry.

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Indian Naval Ships Tir and Sujata, along with Indian Coast Guard Ship Varuna, comprising the 1st Training Squadron are visiting Yangon, Myanmar from November 2 to November 6 as part of their Overseas Deployment during Autumn Term 16.

Senior Officer of the 1st Training Squadron, Captain D J Revar, is embarked on board INS Tir. The Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba is also on an official visit to Myanmar during the visit of the training squadron.

India and Myanmar have a close, long-standing relationship covering a wide spectrum of activities and interactions, which has strengthened over the years. Visits by ships to each other's countries as well as Co-ordinated Patrols (CORPATs) provide opportunities for extensive operational and training engagements and contributes to the maintenance of good order at sea.

The present deployment of the training squadron to Yangon would further cement the close relations between the two nations and the two navies.

The First Training Squadron forms part of Southern Naval Command (SNC) and comprises Indian Naval Ships Tir, Shardul, Sujata, ICGS Varuna and two Sail Training Ships Sudarshini and Tarangini, all of which have been built in India.

The primary aim of the squadron is to impart training to naval and coast guard trainees, with a 24 weeks ab-initio sea training being imparted.

Training is imparted in seamanship, navigation, ship handling, boat work and technical aspects, etc whilst being exposed to the rigours of life at sea, so as to earn their 'sea legs'.

The Southern Naval Command is the Training Command of the Indian Navy.

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Microsoft, the American multinational technology giant, on Tuesday warned that a group of hackers linked to attacks on the Democratic National Committee had exploited a vulnerability in all Windows PCs and that it would not be able to fully mend this for another week.

The flaw was disclosed publicly on Monday by Google, provoking a sharp rebuke from Microsoft about the dangers of revealing flaws like this before fixes are available.

"Hackers that Microsoft researchers call "Strontium" launched a low-volume spear-phishing campaign aimed at a specific set of people", Windows and Devices Group executive Vice President, Terry Myerson said, reported by AFP.

Spear phishing is an e-mail spoofing fraud attempt that targets a specific organization, seeking unauthorized access to confidential data. Spear phishing attempts are not typically initiated by "random hackers" but are more likely to be conducted by perpetrators out for financial gain, trade secrets or military information.

The vulnerability exposed this week let hackers slip into computers through web browsing software, eventually installing "back doors" through which they could enter as they please.

Strontium, given an array of names by cyber security researchers, has been described as a sophisticated hacking operation with ties to Russia.

The group has also been suspected of involvement in hacks of political parties in the US presidential race.

In a threat report, Microsoft described Strontium as having the markings of being backed by a nation state, but did not conclude which one.

The US technology titan did take aim at Google, saying that a "responsible" member of the industry would have put users first and waited for a patch to be ready before making the vulnerability public.

"Google's decision to disclose these vulnerabilities before patches are broadly available and tested is disappointing, and puts customers at increased risk," Myerson said.

Google gave Microsoft seven days to fix the flaw, as per its policy regarding critical flaws, before making it public on Monday.

"This vulnerability is particularly serious because we know it is being actively exploited," threat analysis group, Google, Neel Mehta and Billy Leonard said, reports AFP.

Google said it told Microsoft and Adobe about the vulnerabilities on October 21, and an update to Flash addressing the weakness was released five days later.

Microsoft said people using the Edge browser on fully updated Windows 10 operating systems should be protected from the attack.

"We have coordinated with Google and Adobe to investigate this malicious campaign and to create a patch for down-level versions of Windows," Myerson said.

A Microsoft threat report described Strontium as a group that usually targets government agencies, diplomatic institutions and military organizations, as well as affiliated private sector organizations such as defense contractors and public policy research institutes.

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Condemning the brutal act of schools being burnt in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said Pakistan is following a suicidal method by promoting terrorism, adding this will eventually harm the hostile Asian neighbour.

"It is unfortunate that the terrorists, separatists and their supportive have taken to this heinous act of torching the schools in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan should realize that they are following a suicidal method and terrorism will eat the one who encourages it," said Naidu.

Naidu further said Kashmir is an integral part of India, adding Pakistan should focus on its welfare and development rather than indulging in unwarranted acts.

"There are so many problems in the internal front in Pakistan, they are trying to divert the attention to borders and are intentionally raking up the Kashmir issue," he said.

In past two months, around 25 schools have been set on fire in the Kashmir Valley.

Earlier on Sunday, a Higher Secondary Kabamarg School in South Kashmir's Anantnag was set on fire by unidentified people.

A Jawahar Navodya Vidyalaya school in Aishmuqam was also set on fire the night before.

Schools in Kashmir valley have been closed due to a shutdown call by the separatists. Dozens of schools are also still occupied by security forces deployed to contain the unrest, which began after the July 8 killing of 22-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

So far, the efforts to reopen schools have failed as both government and separatist groups are levelling accusations against each other of playing politics over education.

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ST. PAUL -- Minnesota deputy sheriffs are back home after aiding North Dakota law enforcement officials at an oil pipeline protest.

While Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith said on Facebook that she opposed sending Minnesota officers to North Dakota, where American Indian and other protesters have objected to building a new pipeline for months, Gov. Mark Dayton said he has no problem with it.

"I do not object," Dayton said Tuesday when asked by Forum News Service.

Dayton said all governors have signed a compact to send law enforcement officers to other states to help in an emergency. North Dakota officials have declared the protest an emergency and asked Minnesota for help.

"They went and they served that purpose," Dayton said. "I commend them putting their lives and well being on the line. It sounds like they conducted themselves very professionally."

Dayton's state emergency manager authorized sending Minnesota deputies, who returned to Minnesota Monday. North Dakota is to cover the cost of sending personnel and equipment.

Hennepin County sent 29 personnel, Anoka County six and Washington County five. The Minnesota Public Safety Department reports their mission began Oct. 23.

Video from Morton County shows what was described as Hennepin County, Minn., deputies on the front line of Thursday's clashes with protesters, using batons and pepper spray.

Smith said she has no control over sheriffs' actions, but she thinks it is wrong to send them to North Dakota.

"I strongly support the rights of all people to peacefully protest," she wrote on Facebook about the coalition of protesters at the Dakota Access Pipeline resistance camp.

Hundreds of people protested in Minneapolis last week after they discovered that Sheriff Rich Stanek sent deputies to North Dakota.

Several Democratic legislators met with Hennepin County, Minn., Sheriff Rich Stanek, a Republican, on Monday.

"Reports as to the level of force utilized by law enforcement personnel at this protest are extremely troubling, and my colleagues and I have many questions about the Hennepin County sheriffs involvement in this activity," Rep. Karen Clark, D-Minneapolis, said.

Minneapolis is home to a large American Indian community, and Rep. Peggy Flanagan, D-St. Louis Park, said Stanek's decision to send deputies could hurt relations. She is a member of western Minnesota's White Earth Nation.

"Law enforcement is not taking sides on this issue," Stanek said. "Our decision to help Morton County was operational, not political. We were there to assist maintaining public safety, preserving the peace and protecting the constitutional rights of all parties involved."

Added Washington County Sheriff William Hutton" "When it comes to public safety, we received a call for help, and we responded to it."

The coalition of Minnesota protesters, known as Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, plans to continue protesting how law enforcement officers are treating North Dakota protesters. They will gather in Minneapolis at noon Thursday to sing, pray and hear poems from several faith traditions before delivering letters to Stanek.

Even though his deputies are back home, the group announced Tuesday that it will deliver letters to Stanek "asking him to take responsibility for his action in deploying deputies and equipment to North Dakota and a guarantee that he will not send them again."
Retorting to the reports of civilians being killed in the cross-border shelling, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Tuesday said Pakistan is post surgical strike hell bent in proving that it is a more powerful military entity than New Delhi.

Swamy predicted the downfall of Nawaz Sharif rule in Islamabad and asserted that the Asian neighbour would very soon have a Prime Minister of its army's choice, adding this will give rise to warlike situations.

"Pakistan is now a crazed nation they have been humiliated internationally they kept on irritating us causing cuts in body of India by killing a solider here and there, entering audaciously in our country and trying to create terrorist attacks. We somewhere that that they might be rational intelligent people and that if we show them our power they will become reasonable but they apparently have lost their mental balance and now are out to prove to the world that they are a superior military power than us by doing such things," said Swamy.

"As I predicted that Nawaz Sharif is on his way out, soon he will have to step down. Then the army will appoint a not a elected dummy Prime Minister like Nawaz Sharif but appointed by the Pakistan Army and then the army will literally take over the country. So these are indications that we have to prepare for war," he added.

Swamy further said it is time that India responds appropriately to Pakistan.

"This time we should deliver such a blow that instead of Pakistan in 1971 becoming two countries it should now become four countries, with all that will be left with Pakistan is the west Punjab," he said.

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President Pranab Mukherjee accompanied by a high-level delegation departed for his three-day state visit to Nepal this morning.

During his visit, President Mukherjee will hold talks with political leadership there besides visiting historical temples of Pashupatinath and Ram Janki.

This is the first visit by an Indian head of the state in 18 years to Nepal.

The President's visit is seen as a "goodwill friendship visit" on the invitation of Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

During the visit, he will hold talks with the President, Prime Minister and other leaders of Nepal.

President Mukherjee is likely to have discussions on various bilateral, regional and international issues of significance like post-earthquake reconstruction projects, concerns of Madhesi community among others.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Pranab Mukherjee will embark on a three-day state visit to Nepal from today, accompanied by a high-level delegation.

This is the first visit by an Indian head of the state in 18 years to Nepal.

The President's visit is seen as a "goodwill friendship visit" on the invitation of Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari

During the visit, he will hold talks with the President, Prime Minister and other leaders of Nepal.

President Mukherjee is likely to have discussions on various bilateral, regional and international issues of significance like post-earthquake reconstruction projects, concerns of Madhesi community among others.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Expressing disappointment over the postponement of the November 2 "lockdown" of Islamabad, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers have said that their efforts have been wiped out by the party high command.

The local party leadership returned to their homes soon after the decision was made to avoid questions from the workers and supporters about the protest morphing into a thanksgiving event or youm-e-tashakar, reports the Dawn.

Rawalpindi district's five MPAs and PTI office bearers confined themselves to their homes and switched off their mobile phones.

PTI worker and Dhoke Hasu resident, Mohammad Abbas said, "After over a week of drama, the party wasted the time and efforts of active workers in the garrison city and suddenly changed the plan."

Asserting that the party had disappointed its workers with its decision, Abbas said that next time a call with a clear vision for the future should be given by the party leadership.

Earlier on Monday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had asked the PTI to hold its planned protest at the 'Democracy Park and Speech Corner', located near Parade Ground in Shakarparian and ordered party chief Imran Khan to appear before it.

The order came after the PTI chief asked the Supreme Court to take suo moto notice of the arrests of his party workers.

Maintaining that if asking for justice from the courts regarding a government crackdown on his party workers is tantamount to pressurising the judiciary, Khan yesterday asked, "Is asking for justice pressurising the courts?"

The PTI chief asked as to what crime they have committed that his party workers are being arrested. He also expressed his ire over the decision of the authorities to put him under house arrest.

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Dimapur (Nagaland) [India] Nov. 2 (ANI): The remote village of Longwa, with Myanmar's dense forests on one side and India's rich agricultural lands on the other, is home to the fierce Konyak Naga tribe, one of the largest of 16 tribes living in Nagaland. As such, Konyak villages are situated on ridge tops, so they can easily monitor and pre-empt an enemy attack.

But with time, things have changed.

A newly constructed Longwa Angh's house was recently inaugurated by Nagaland Governor PB Acharya. Former Nagaland chief minister and parliamentarian from Nagaland Neiphiu Rio who adopted Longwa village on the lines of MP model as per the guidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present on the occasion.

Longwa village is also one of the international trade centres set up by the Indian government.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a guideline. And, he says India belongs to the villages. Every MP must visit at least one village in a year and make it a MP model. I congratulate Rio for implementing the guidelines and shown it to the rest of the nation," said PB Acharya, Governor of Nagaland.

Chief Angh's house signifies a tri-junction of Arunachal, Nagaland and Myanmar.

"I feel proud more because the Naga masons, carpenters, they did the work day and night. And you have seen the people how happy they are in the inauguration today. Representatives from Myanmar, MLA and the Anghs' and the cultural troupes from Arunachal and host of Angh and leaders have come here to celebrate," added Neiphiu Rio, Lok Sabha MP from Nagaland.

Representatives from Arunachal, Myanmar and other Naga inhabited regions witnessed the inaugural of Longwa Angh house and the guest house.

Dance troupes from Arunachal, Longwa and Myanmar left the audience enthralled.

Their presence signified unity among the Naga, though they are separated by boundaries.

"It is a symbol of unity and the significance of this Angh house is the tri-junction of Arunachal, Nagaland and Myanmar. So, I hope, this will send a positive message that Nagas known as tribals living in villages are now recognized as the people," Rio added.

Various skulls of the ancient battles are beautifully intact in each of the wooden pillar highlighting the rich heritage of ancient Konyak tribe.

Bones of buffaloes, deer, boars, hornbills and mithun-a bovine species found in northeast India and kongs and elephant tusk decorate the walls of Angh house showcasing the prizes from generations of hunting.

The Angh house consists of a huge kitchen with a firewood place in the centre signifying that the family used to gather around the fire place during council and administrative meetings.

The pillars of Angh house also showcase the characteristic of strength and unity of the people.

However, the most stand alone piece is a wooden log with a lion head shape on it that signifies the region's bravery.

Visitors are awestruck by the nature made look alike wild boar at the main entrance.

"Fifty percent of my village is in Burma and another 50% is in India so also, half of my house is in India and another half in Burma. However, both sides are under my control. Earlier, my people from both sides used to build my house bringing every material that is needed and cultivate my fields. I am happy that MP Saab has built an RCC house. Now my people don't have to build my house every year and therefore everybody is happy too," said Tonyei Phawang, Chief Angh of Longwa Village.

Such projects will not only help promote the rich culture and heritage of the region but will also boost development.

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Former Mumbai Police Commissioner and now Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Satyapal Singh on Wednesday praised the Centre for sending a notice to controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's NGO, Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for cancelling its Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license.

Singh told ANI, "This decision is good. In 2008, when I was Pune police commissioner, I had reported that Zakir Naik's organization and Zakir Naik himself is indulging in communal work and no organization can receive foreign funding."

"If they are indulging in religious conversion as well as his actions, speeches inspire terrorists to carry out terrorists attacks, I would appreciate and congratulate the Government of India for taking this action," he added.

On Tuesday, Naik's counsel Mubin Solkar said the notice did not contain violations relating to terrorism or any terrorist activity alleged against the preacher.

"There are certain violations which are mentioned in that. We are still studying the notice, will give reply to it within a stipulated period," Solkar told ANI.

"There was no mention of any kind of violations relating to terrorism or any terrorist activity alleged against Naik," he added.

The MHA had issued a show cause notice on Tuesday to Naik's NGO thereby initiating the process for cancellation of its FCRA licence.

MHA sources further state that the process for putting Zakir Naik's educational trust in prior permission category has also been initiated.

The Centre had time and again asserted that Zakir Naik's IRF is maligning India and, therefore, on several occasions advocated for a ban.

Naik came under the scanner after the Bangladeshi newspaper 'Daily Star' revealed that one of the perpetrators of the July 1 terror attack in Dhaka, Rohan Imtiaz, was inspired by Naik.

Naik is banned in both the U.K. and Canada for his alleged hate speeches aimed against other religions.

He is among the 16 banned Islamic scholars in Malaysia. He is also accused of radicalizing and attracting youth for terror acts and has come under the scanner of the security agencies.

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Inspector General, Border Security Force (BSF) D.K. Upadhyaya on Wednesday said the BSF has retaliated very accurately to ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

"The BSF retaliation was very accurate and measured. Our accurate and co-ordinate firing on various posts has resulted in very heavy damage to a number of their posts," said Upadhyaya.

He further said that the BSF only targets militants and is very particular and sincere about safeguarding human rights.

"We are fully prepared to give a befitting reply to any such attempt and we have already failed number of infiltration attempts by the terrorists trying to get into the Indian side," he said.

Upadhyaya however, declined to comment on the number of injured on the Pakistan side, but said certainly the number of causalities are very high.

The BSF on Tuesday targeted around 14 Pakistan posts along the International Border (IB) in response to the unprovoked firing and shelling of Pakistan Rangers in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramgarh and Arnia Sector.

Earlier, a 19 year old girl was killed and three civilians were injured after the Pakistan troops violated the ceasefire in the Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistani forces started unprovoked shelling targeting posts as well as civilian areas in Ramgarh and Arnia areas at around 6 a.m.

On Monday, an army soldier and a woman were killed as the Pakistani troops resorted to heavy mortar shelling along the LoC in Rajouri and Mendhar sectors.

Nearly half a dozen people and four BSF soldiers have been killed so far and over 30 others injured in the recent skirmishes along the international border.

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The bail plea of Nat Geo's famed 'Afghan Girl' Sharbat Gula was rejected by a special court on Wednesday.

Gula was arrested from her Peshawar residence by the FIA for alleged forgery of a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) on October 26 and since then has been in the custody of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) since October 26.

According to Sharbat Gula's lawyer, she was on her way to Afghanistan when she was arrested.

Gula's lawyer during a bail hearing on Tuesday told the court that his client is currently suffering from Hepatitis C and is the sole bread winner of her family.

Earlier in the week, a local court had sent her to prison on judicial remand.

The court observed in its order that she replied in negative and refused to confess her guilt when asked whether she wanted to record her confession

The court then sent the suspect on judicial remand for 14 days to Peshawar central prison.

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Expressing ire over not being allowed to meet the kin of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly committed suicide over the delay in implementation of the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over this strange behaviour.

"Let's see how long I have to wait here. I am certain that I will talk to the family. This is a strange behaviour. This is Modi's ji's country," he told ANI after being denied permission to visit the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

Meanwhile, Special Commissioner Mukesh Kumar Meena told the media here that Rahul Gandhi has been detained for trying to enter the hospital despite being advised otherwise.

"It is a hospital and not a place for demonstration. Rahul Gandhi detained at Mandir Marg Police Station for 'disruption of duty'. Democracy doesn't mean creating obstruction. Leaders must also understand that hospital is not the place to hold any demonstrations," he added.

Grewal consumed poison last afternoon. However, the cause behind Grewal's suicide is yet to be ascertained. RGandhi detained at Mandir Marg PS for 'disruption of duty'after he wasn't allowed to enter RML hosp to meet ex-serviceman's family

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be visiting Grewal's family in Bhiwani, Haryana, later in the day.

Grewal's son Jaswant urged the government to look into the matter.

"My father sacrificed for the nation. He was demanding the One Rank, One Pension. The Modi Government should think about this," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while celebrating the Diwali with the army and ITBP personnel in Sumdo, Kinnaur, had said that the first instalment of nearly Rs. 5,500 crore has been paid for implementing the OROP scheme.

The Prime Minister also asserted that he has "fulfilled the promise" which he made to ex-servicemen on the issue that has been hanging fire for the last 40 years.

OROP scheme has been a long-standing demand of nearly three-million ex-servicemen and war widows in the country.

It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel, who retire at the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement.

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Social Activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday said that the Centre's betrayal to the nations' ex-servicemen over the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme resulted in the suicide of Ram Kishan Grewal, and threatened to restart his agitation on the implementation of the scheme.

"Earlier the government had promised that the OROP will be implemented and we trusted them, which is why we stopped our protest," Anna said.

Stating that it was unfortunate that an ex-serviceman committed suicide over the failure of the scheme's implementation, the activist stated that on one hand the government glorifies soldiers and on the other hand doesn't fulfill promises.

Speaking to ANI here, Anna further said that armed forces put themselves on the line of fire in testing conditions to protect the country, yet their very right has been denied to them.

"No harm in fighting for your own right and we are not begging in front of anybody," Hazare said on launching a protest again.

Earlier today, ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison at Delhi's Jantar Mantar area, over the issue of One Rank One Pension scheme (OROP)

In his suicide note, he said that he is taking such an extreme step for the sake of the soldiers.

The Police said that he along with some other ex-servicemen were in the process of submitting a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP.

Grewal was a resident of Bumla village in Bhiwani, Haryana.

Ex-servicemen have been protesting over the OROP scheme introduced by the government.

Earlier, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who was detained today after he tried to meet the kin of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, lashed out at the Delhi Police for arresting the former jawan's family besides himself.

Rahul Gandhi was stopped close to the gates of the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital here when he went to meet the family of the victim Grewal.

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was also 'forcibly removed' from the hospital premises after he went to meet the grieving family. He later tweeted, "I had gone to the hospital to meet the family of the ex-serviceman, not to launch a dharna. What mistake have I done?"

The police also detained Jaswant Grewal, the son of Subedar Grewal, after he joined AAP workers in impromptu protests outside the hospital. Gandhi called Jaswant's detention a "shame."

The Trinamool Congress also joined the beeline stating that its representative is on his way to the capital to chime in the developments.

Subedar Grewal's family wants the government to fulfill the demands that he made in a petition that he planned to hand over to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar later on Tuesday.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has sought details of the incident.

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MINOT -- Questionnaires are being sent to potential jurors in an upcoming murder trial for Richie Edwin Wilder Jr., 30, who is accused of murdering his ex-wife, Angila Wilder, about a year ago, and in a separate case trying to escape from the jail in Minot.

The murder trial, expected to last two weeks, has been set for Dec. 12.

There will be a 12-member jury with two alternates. Judge Gary Lee said he anticipates that 100 questionnaires will need to be sent out to help select potential jurors. A large potential jury pool is needed because the trial will be held close to Christmas and some people might be dismissed for various reasons. Some potential jurors might know people associated with the trial.

Angila Wilder, 30, was found dead in her home at 519 16th Street NW in Minot last Nov. 13. A memorial service for Angila Wilder was held last Nov. 21 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Minot. She had attended schools in Alabama and was a student in the nursing program at Minot State University. She had three children.

Richie Wilder has lived in Minot for six years and is remarried.

All court records in the case have been sealed. Wilder faces a life sentence without parole if he is convicted of murdering his ex-wife.

Wilder is also charged separately with trying to escape from the Ward County Jail on Aug. 25.

Wilder is charged with escape, a Class C felony, and possessing a weapon in a correctional facility, a Class B felony. If convicted of both charges, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
In one of the biggest seizure of Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances, the officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), apex counter-smuggling agency of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), have seized about 23.5 metric tonnes of Mandrax Tablets (Methaqualone), a banned psychotropic substance under Schedule I of NDPS Rules, 1985. Active assistance of officials of Border Security Force at Udaipur has been taken by the officers of DRI for the operation.

Information was received that huge quantities of Mandrax Tablets have been concealed in a premises at Udaipur (Rajasthan) by one Mumbai-based mastermind. On 28th October 2016, a team of officers of DRI raided the premises of M/s Marudhar Drinks, Bhamasha Industial Area, Kaladwas, Udaipur.

During the search, DRI officers detected a hidden room filled with cartons of Mandrax tablets. The total number of tablets are estimated to be about 2 crore in numbers with a weight of about 23.5 metric tonnes (23500 kgs). The international market value of seized tablets is estimated to be over Rs. 3000 crores.

This is one of the largest seizures of Methaqualone not only in India but also in the world. The mastermind of the syndicate has been arrested by DRI and follow-up operation is underway to nab others involved with the drug syndicate.

The major raw material for Mandrax is acetic anhydride which was manufactured by the syndicate at Shreenath Industries, Rajsamand. The other raw materials for Methaqualone, apart from acetic anhydride (manufactured at Shreenath Industries) are Anthranillic Acid (which was imported from Indonesia from Kandla Port by misdeclaring it as Mallic Anhydride), ortho toloudiene, phosporous trichloride, caustic soda (procured locally).

Methaqualone is a depressant, overdose of which can lead to coma and death. It is used as a recreational drug in Africa and Asia. It is commonly known as Mandrax, M-pills, buttons, or smarties and is usually smoked mixed with cannabis.

Relentless efforts put in by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has resulted in neutralizing 10 other factories across several States in the recent past manufacturing various types of synthetic drugs like Mephedrone, Ketamine, Alprazolam and precursor chemical like Ephedrine.

In last five years, DRI has seized more than 540 kgs of Heroin, and 7400 kgs of ephedrine along with other narcotics and psychotropic substances under NDPS Act 1985. DRI has been in active liaison with international enforcement agencies for combating the menace of drug abuse.

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On 11 November 2016

Haryana Capfin will hold a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company on 11 November 2016, to consider and approve the Un-audited Financial Results of the Company for the Quarter ended 30 September 2016.

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NTPC rose 1.45% to Rs 157.20 at 9:55 IST on BSE after the company said it signed a pact to induct joint venture partners in Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayn.

The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 1 November 2016.

Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was down 245.18 points, or 0.88%, to 27,631.43.

On BSE, so far 1.35 lakh shares were traded in the counter, compared with average daily volume of 4.39 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock hit a high of Rs 157.85 and a low of Rs 153.95 so far during the day. The stock hit a 52-week high of Rs 169.95 on 19 August 2016. The stock hit a 52-week low of Rs 116.80 on 25 February 2016. The stock had outperformed the market over the past 30 days till 1 November 2016, rising 2.96% compared with 1.30% decline in the Sensex. The scrip had, however, underperformed the market in past one quarter, falling 1.40% as against Sensex's 0.65% rise.

The large-cap company has equity capital of Rs 8245.46 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

NTPC announced that a supplemental joint venture agreement (JVA) was signed on 31 October 2016 between NTPC, Coal India (CIL), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Fertilizer Corporation of India (FCIL) and Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation (HFCL) in order to induct IOC, FCIL and HFCL, as joint venture partners and shareholders in Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayn (HURL). HURL is a joint venture company formed between NTPC and CIL.

As per the latest JVA, CIL, NTPC and IOC each will hold 29.67% shares and FCIL & HFCL together will hold remaining 10.99% shares.

Now, HURL shall also take up revival of Barauni plant of HFCL in addition to revival of Gorakhpur and Sindri plants of FCIL by setting up ammonia urea plants at each locations, NTPC said in a statement.

NTPC's net profit declined 17.87% to Rs 2495.97 crore on 8.41% rise in net sales to Rs 19241.47 crore in Q2 September 2016 over Q2 September 2015.

NTPC, India's largest power company, has presence in the entire value chain of power generation business.

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W.e.f. 01st November 2016

Oil India has appointed S.K.Senapati as Company Secretary and Compliance Officer W.e.f. 01 November 2016 in the place of S R Krishnan who has superannuated from the services of the Company after close of office hours on 31 October 2016.

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Target Corporation (Target) the second-largest discount retailer in the United States terminated its contracts with Welspun India (WIL: 'IND AA-'/Stable) which may result in a one-time hit to profitability in FY17, however the long term credit profile of the company remains stable, says India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra). WIL has initiated the review of the entire supply chain and processes through Ernst &Young and is in the process to strengthen its end to end systems for specialised products, namely from cotton procurement to spinning to processing and finishing.

As per discussions with the management, there will be a one-time impact on profitability in FY17, in case WIL bears the cost of the product recall and replacement or discounting. Ind-Ra believes that the one-time cost will not materially impact the credit profile of the company in the long term. The management has confirmed to Ind-Ra that other customers have continued their relationship / contracts with WIL.

Ind-Ra estimates that WIL's credit metrics will not breach the negative triggers, namely the net debt/EBITDA being sustained above 3.0x in FY17-18, even after factoring in the one-time payouts and the loss of revenues from Target. Ind-Ra draws comfort from WIL's strong liquidity, with cash and cash equivalent of INR6.26bn as at end September 2016 and low debt maturity of INR710m and INR1,990m in 2HFY17 & FY18 respectively.

WIL's interest out go is also low since most of the term debt drawn in the past is for capex which is covered under the Central and State Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme. WIL also has adequate access to fund based lines of bank facilities to support its working capital requirements.

The reason for Target terminating the contract with WIL was following a product specification issue with respect to provenance of Egyptian cotton in bedsheets. Target contributed to around USD90m of WIL's revenues in FY16 (around 10% of WIL's revenues). The quality issue was with respect to Egyptian cotton in one of the program of bedsheets valued at around USD8.50m in FY16. WIL's overall shipment to Target under the said programme was around USD19m during the period July 2014 to August 2016. In FY16, the US geography contributed 70% of WIL's revenues, including sales through Welspun Global Brands Ltd (WGBL; 'IND AA-'/Stable) its sales and marketing arm (Ind-Ra has taken a consolidated view of WIL & WGBL).

Ind-Ra will continue to monitor the development and outcome of Ernst &Young's review and any other action that may impact the credit profile of the company.

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Tata Motors lost 2.58% to Rs 517.25 at 13:25 IST on BSE after Jaguar Land Rover reported a 7% growth in US sales at 8,751 units in October 2016 over October 2015.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 255.04 points or 0.91% at 27,621.57.

On BSE, so far 5.57 lakh shares were traded in the counter as against average daily volume of 7.90 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock hit a high of Rs 526.50 and a low of Rs 515.70 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 266 on 11 February 2016. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 598.60 on 7 September 2016. The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till 1 November 2016, sliding 0.71% compared with 0.04% rise in the Sensex. The scrip had, however, outperformed the market in past one quarter, advancing 4.5% as against Sensex's 0.45% fall.

The large-cap company has equity capital of Rs 577.44 crore. Face value per share is Rs 2.

Jaguar US sales jumped 226% to 3,219 units in October 2016 over October 2015. Land Rover US sales declined 23% to 5,532 units in October 2016 over October 2015.

Tata Motors' consolidated net profit declined 57% to Rs 2260.40 crore on 10.1% rise in net sales to Rs 64940.12 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015.

Tata Motors is a market leader in commercial vehicles in India. The company's British unit JLR sells premium luxury cars.

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The French government on Wednesday began the evacuation of some 1,500 minors who were living in the remains of the Calais migrant camp known as the "Jungle".

The camp, where up to 6,000 people had sought refuge, had already been demolished by the authorities, Efe news reported.

According to a spokesperson of the Pas-de-Calais prefecture, it is expected that 1,500 unaccompanied minors will be relocated to some of the over 400 provisional relocation camps (CAP) on board 30 buses departing from Calais, located some 300 km to the north-east of Paris.

French authorities are to evaluate the cases of the minors, mostly Afghan, Sudanese and Eritrean, although many of the migrants seek to cross the English Channel to join their families who are already there.

--IANS

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After RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday demanded a high-level impartial probe into the killing of eight SIMI undertrials in an alleged gunfight with police in Madhya Pradesh.

"A probe is a must into the killing of the SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) activists as several questions have been raised," Nitish Kumar told the media here.

He said the Madhya Pradesh government should order the probe by an independent agency.

"There are many unanswered questions regarding the gun battle and some videos have also surfaced that question the encounter. The state government should explain it," Nitish Kumar said.

Earlier, former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad said only a high-level probe would clear the suspense over whether it was a real or fake gun battle with police that followed the alleged escape of the eight men from the Bhopal Central Jail.

"Going by several reports, it appears that the killings by the police raised several unanswered questions," he said.

--IANS

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A lawmaker from the ruling Bangladesh Awami League party was on Wednesday jailed for three years for concealing information in his wealth statement to the country's anti-graft body.

Judge Abu Ahmed Jomadar of Special Judge's Court in Dhaka handed down the verdict in presence of Abdur Rahman Bodi, the first Bangladeshi lawmaker in power facing such punishment, Xinhua news agency reported.

Upon hearing the verdict, the lawmaker, who will have to serve in jail for three months more if he fails to pay a fine of 1 million taka ($12,772), burst into tears.

His lawyer Mahbuba Ahmed told journalists that his client will move the upper court against the verdict.

Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on August 21, 2014, filed a case against the lawmaker in Dhaka, accusing him of amassing huge wealth illegally and concealing information in his wealth statement.

According to his wealth statements submitted to the Election Commission in 2008 and 2014, his yearly income was only 200,000 taka ($2,554), which increased to 1.5 million taka ($19,158) in 2014 and his property value surged to about 28 million taka ($357,628) from 4.7 million taka ($60,030) in just five years.

--IANS

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The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Wednesday urged the health ministry to invite all stakeholders, including farmers, to the upcoming Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world's biggest conference on tobacco control policies.

CII said in a letter to the ministry that participation of the tobacco farmers was important during the conference as India was the world's second largest producer of tobacco.

"It provides livelihood to 4.6 crore people, including farmers, farm labour, rural poor, small self-employed retailers, women, more than 70 per cent of whom are engaged in the agricultural sector and have no other means of sustenance," said the letter.

The 7th Conference of Parties (COP 7) of FCTC is being hosted in Noida between November 7 and 12. As per the agenda, strict tobacco control policies are to be formulated during the convention.

According to CII, adequate participation of all stakeholders will help in arriving at a balanced and pragmatic position on various proposals and guidelines at the conference.

Earlier, the tobacco farmers in the country had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and World Health Organisation to let them participate in the conference.

--IANS

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Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II said he applauds President Barack Obamas commitment to protect the tribes sacred lands, water and water downstream of the Sioux reservation, but said work should stop on Dakota Access Pipeline while a possible reroute is being considered.

Obama, in a widely shared interview with NowThis, said Tuesday that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is looking into whether the Dakota Access Pipeline can be rerouted away from a planned crossing of the Missouri River/Lake Oahe just north of the Sioux reservation boundary.

My view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans. Were going to let it play out for several more weeks and determine whether or not this can be resolved in a way that I think is properly attentive to the traditions of First Americans, Obama said.

Archambault said the tribe wants Obama and the corps to issue an immediate stop work order on the pipeline and repeated his call for a full environmental impact study.

The nation and the world are watching. The injustices done to native people in North Dakota and throughout the country must be addressed, Archambault said.

The presidents remarks came several days after a militarized police force led by Morton County Sheriffs Department, armed with Tasers, rubber bullets, tear gas and batons, pushed back an encampment on the pipeline route about 1 mile from the reservation boundary.

The encampment was on private land and more than 140 people were arrested during a violent clash that spilled over into the weekend and continued Wednesday.

Hundreds of protesters are camped near the route of the $3.8 billion pipeline in hopes of moving or stopping the Bakken crude line, which would carry up to 570,000 barrels from near Williston to Illinois.

North Dakota Public Service Commission chairwoman Julie Fedorchak said the corps has not contacted the state regulatory office about any possible reroute and said that request  if one were ever made  would have to come from Dakota Access, if it had to realign the pipe to meet a new river crossing location.

Neither Dakota Access nor the corps returned calls for comment.

However, others are reacting to Obama's remarks, his first public response to the pipeline issue.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Democrat, said Obama should suspend all federal permits for the project pending a full cultural and environmental review. Sanders said he wrote to the president last week urging him to stop the pipeline to protect the future.

"We should be transforming our energy system away from fossil fuels and toward sustainable sources of energy. This pipeline, if completed, will do the exact opposite. It will lock us into burning more and more fossil fuels for generations to come, Sanders said.

North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven, a Republican, said he and North Dakota Stockmen's Association director Julie Ellingson met Wednesday with Interior Secretary Sally Jewel and corps officials, asking the agencies to issue a river-crossing easement and end the pipeline protest unrest.

The corps has yet to issue an easement allowing Dakota Access to cross the Missouri River and has said that easement wouldn't be signed until all its earlier decisions are reviewed. The company says the delay will make it miss oil delivery contracts that are scheduled to start next month and could eventually cost up to $1.4 billion.

Ellingson said cases of killed and butchered livestock, trespass, theft and fire have created a siege-like environment for local farmers. "We're hopeful the federal agencies acknowledge...their inaction leaves farmers, ranchers and their property in a compromised and sometimes dangerous position," Ellingson said.

A spokesman for the MAIN Coalition  Midwest Alliance for Infrastructure Now  said a reroute would be difficult, if not impossible, now that the project is 75 percent complete at a cost of $3 billion so far.

"Even if possible, rerouting the line would require years to complete, new easements, new environmental and cultural studies and cost hundreds of millions of dollars," besides harming future investments in American infrastructure, said MAIN's Craig Stevens.

CREDO, a political activist group, called Obama's "wait and see" approach a recipe for disaster.

The groups's deputy political director Josh Nelson said indigenous water protectors and the First Amendment are under assault in North Dakota and the president should not only intervene, but stop the pipeline now. CREDO says it has collected more than 370,000 signatures opposed to the pipeline.
The central government has stopped Kerala from carrying on activities to build a dam across Siruvani river, the Tamil Nadu government said on Wednesday.

In a statement issued here, the Tamil Nadu government said the central government has decided to keep in abeyance the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee to conduct environmental impact assessment for the dam.

"The matter has been examined in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and it has been decided to keep the recommendations by Expert Appraisal Committee in abeyance till the references filed in Hon'able Supreme Court against the order of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal are settled or get a positive consent for the ensuing Project from government of Tamil Nadu," the statement quoted a paragraph from the central government's letter.

On September 2, 2016, the Tamil Nadu assembly unanimously urged the central government not to accept recommendations for conducting an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a dam across Siruvani river in Kerala.

The state also urged the central government not to allow any projects by Kerala and Karnataka till the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee come into force and judicial references are finally settled.

The resolution was moved and passed following the recommendations made by the Expert Appraisal Committee for River Valley and Hydroelectric Projects of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The committee at its meeting on August 11 and 12, recommended grant of Standard Terms of Reference for conducting EIA to Kerala so it could build a dam across Siruvani river at Attappady.

Moving the resolution, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said Siruvani river is a sub-tributary of the Cauvery river which is an inter-state river.

She said the Cauvery Tribunal has taken the water available to Kerala from Siruvani river and has arrived at the sharing of waters between various states.

Jayalalitha said the central government has not informed Tamil Nadu about the proposal or that it would be considered at the Expert Appraisal Committee meeting.

--IANS

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An uneasy calm prevailed at Khambhat town in central Gujarat following communal clashes on Tuesday, forcing police to impose overnight curfew.

Police sources said the trouble began after two groups from different religious communities had heated arguments over an incident of alleged eve teasing.

The groups resorted to stone-throwing and arson, leading to the burning of three shops, a residential premises and vehicles at Peeth Bazaar.

Except a police sub-inspector who sustained minor injuries while controlling the clashing groups, nobody else was injured, police said.

Police imposed curfew at 9 p.m. but lifted it on Wednesday morning. There was tension in the town and police patrolling had been stepped up.

The government has pressed four teams of the State Reserve Police to bring the situation under control. No arrests have been made been so far.

--IANS

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Investing in creativity pays off with tangible benefits -- from higher income to greater national competitiveness and productivity, a new Adobe report said on Wednesday.

The report, "State of Create: 2016", released on the eve of Adobe MAX 2016 creativity conference, revealed that people who identify as creators globally report household income that is 13 per cent higher than non-creators.

Globally, more than two-thirds believe that being creative helps make people better workers, leaders, parents and students, the report highlighted. It incorporates responses from more than 5,000 adults across five countries.

"Creativity and productivity go hand in hand, but investing in creativity isn't on the agenda for enough of today's leaders," Mala Sharma, Vice President and General Manager of Creative Cloud at Adobe, said in a statement.

"This survey provides a big wake-up call to businesses that they need to think differently and give employees the tools and freedom to be creative," she added.

According to the report, US respondents said that being creative is valuable to the economy (77 per cent) and society (82 per cent).

Only five in 10 respondents (55 per cent) describe themselves as creative and 44 per cent say they are living up to their creative potential, showed the survey that found US creators earning 17 per cent more than non-creators.

"Businesses benefit from prioritising creativity and good design. Nearly 88 per cent believe that businesses that invest in creativity are more likely to foster innovation and 89 per cent believe that those who have adopted creativity have satisfied customers," the report found.

The report pointed out that governments that invest in creativity are viewed more positively but agrees that there is a clear disconnect between the high value society places on creativity and the lack of investment in creative education.

Seventy-one per cent of respondents believe that creativity is being stifled by the educational system, and only 41 per cent feel that the government encourages schools to teach students to be creative.

The report also found that Japan is the most creative country and Tokyo the most creative city followed by the US and New York respectively.

(Sourabh Kulesh is attending Adobe Max 2016 creative conference in San Diego at the invitation by Adobe. He can be contacted at sourabh.k@ians.in)

--IANS

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In an attempt to encourage young talent in the field of Ayurveda, Dabur India has launched AyurMedha scholarship, a company statement said on Wednesday.

Through this initiative, the company plans to reach out to India's top 50 Ayurveda medical colleges and select three meritorious students for the scholarship prize.

"AyurMedha scholarship programme will help us instill importance of Ayurveda knowledge among Young Ayurvedic Doctors. The scholarship would be open to students at all leading Ayurveda medical colleges in the country," Dabur Head (Ethicals) Durga Prasad said in a statement.

Introduced in 2012, this initiative has facilitated around 300 students till now and endeavours to reach out to more colleges each year. This platform encourages young professionals to practice Ayurveda and take Goodness of Ayurveda across, he added.

--IANS

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There should be an internal mechanism to curb triple talaq, like naming and shaming the man who arbitrarily divorces his wife, Muslim scholars have said, emphasising that the government must stay out of the community's personal laws.

They termed the government's raking up the issue at this time as an election gimmick, and pointed out that there were several misconceptions about triple talaq, or talaq-e-bidat.

Notwithstanding their dogmatic differences, the Muslim scholars IANS spoke to -- from Hanafis to Ahle Hadith and from Deobandis to Barelvis and even Shias -- categorically decried any interference by the government in matters "which are purely religious", calling any such attempt "unconstitutional".

However, they agreed that there must be a mechanism to protect women against the arbitrary behaviour of men who are prone to pronounce talaq "without valid reasons".

"Such men must be punished, and the community should evolve a mechanism, including boycotting them socially. Nobody should get his daughter married to that man ever again," Maulana Abdul Hameed Naumani of the Jamiat Ulema Hind, told IANS.

He said that although triple talaq, or pronouncing the equivalent of "I divorce thee" thrice in one sitting, is haraam (prohibited and sinful) the divorce is anyway effected.

According to Muslim Personal Law, if a husband utters only two talaqs, his wife can continue to stay with him, but after the third talaq the divorce comes into effect immediately. The husband can neither stay with his wife nor remarry her until the nikah-e-halala is done.

A nikah-e-halala is one where the woman is required to marry another man (as and when that happens) and if the second husband divorces her willingly (not under coercion or as an understanding) after consummation of marriage, only then can the first husband remarry the woman.

"This condition was set as a punishment for those men who would pronounce talaq arbitrarily," Naumani explained.

A Barelvi cleric, Maulana Ansar Raza, too, agreed there should be some checks against men divorcing their wives without legitimate reasons. "But triple talaq cannot be wished away. You cannot alter the law of Allah," he added.

Milli Council General Secretary Manzoor Alam, however, spoke in favour of triple talaq. "What if a man finds his wife in a compromising position with another man, or gets evidence of her extramarital affair? Generally, a person would be enraged in such a situation and may take the extreme step. So, instead of killing the woman or killing oneself, there is the easy way out of marriage through triple talaq," Alam argued.

Kamal Farooqui, a vocal Muslim and member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said that he is not surprised at the Narendra Modi government trying to politicise the issue of talaq in the garb of social reform.

"It is part of their communal agenda. They are trying to create all sorts of misconceptions," Farooqui said, adding that divorce is a most unpleasant word for Allah.

He suggested that to curb triple talaq, conditions can be set in the nikahnama, or the contract of nikah. "In Islam, marriage is a social contract. The woman and her guardians have every right and liberty to set the conditions of the nikah as per their convenience," he said.

Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Sadiq echoed Farooqui's stand. "In Shia jurisprudence, there is no concept of triple talaq. But in sections of Muslim society where this practice is prevalent, the ulema should sit together and decide what they can do to curb it," Kalbe Sadiq said.

However, he added, there is "no scope for the government's interference" in the matter.

Ahle Hadith cleric Maulana Asghar Ali Salafi, too, agreed with Kalbe Sadiq. "There is no concept of triple talaq in our jurisprudence. But those practising it are doing so according to their belief system and their interpretation of the Islamic fiqh (jurisprudence).

"Nobody, including the government, has any business interfering with it, most certainly not for votes," Salafi said.

Muslim scholars also rejected the contention that triple talaq be banned as it is in several Muslim countries.

"Suppose it is banned in 22 countries. But there are 52 Muslim countries, which means it is still in practice in the majority of Muslim countries," said Manzoor Alam.

"We live in India, not in Saudi or Pakistan. We are bound by Indian laws, not of any other country, and the Constitution of India guarantees us freedom to profess and practise our religion," Raza said.

(Asim Khan can be reached at mohd.a@ians.in <mailto:mohd.a@ians.in>)

--IANS

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The ex-servicemen protesting at the Jantar Mantar here over the 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP) issue on Wednesday expressed sorrow over the suicide by retired Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal, but clarified that he was not a part of their agitation.

"The incident is very sad. He belonged to the ex-servicemen fraternity; we are with the family. But suicide is a crime in the Army," Major General Satbir Singh (retired) said.

The defence force veterans also observed a minute's silence as a mark of respect to the deceased soldier.

Major General Satbir Singh said: "He was not our representative. He did not come here, nor was he a part of any of our negotiation teams."

The army veteran also slammed political parties for politicising the issue.

"The issue should not be politicised. Why should they stop (Congress Vice-President) Rahul Gandhi from meeting the family. Did Sushma Swaraj (External Affairs Minister) not meet Hemraj's family in Mathura," Singh said while referring to Lance Naik Hemraj, who was beheaded by Pakistani soldiers in 2013.

Swaraj had met the family of the soldier at his village in Uttar Pradesh at that time.

Major General Satbir Singh slammed Manohar Parrikar as the "weakest Defence Minister".

"I can say that he is the weakest Defence Minister we ever had. He is a good person, but a total failure. He has given us an OROP full of anomalies," he said.

The United Front of Indian Ex-Servicemen on Tuesday resumed their relay hunger strike at the Jantar Mantar here in support of their demand for the removal of anomalies in the OROP scheme implemented by the Centre.

On Wednesday, 11 former soldiers and the wives of veterans sat on a daylong hunger strike.

--IANS

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India and Bangladesh will undertake a joint military exercise in Bangladesh from November 5, the Defence Ministry announced on Wednesday.

"As part of the ongoing India-Bangladesh defence cooperation, a joint military training exercise 'Sampriti 2016' will be conducted at Tangail near Dhaka in Bangladesh from November 5-8," the Defence Ministry said in a release here.

The exercise is likely to include counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, it added.

According to the release, army personnel from both countries will also be "familiarised" with each other's organisational structure and tactical drills.

This year's joint exercise is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour between India and Bangladesh and will be the sixth edition of the same, hosted alternately by the two countries.

Last year, India hosted 'Sampriti 2015' at Binnaguri, West Bengal.

The first exercise in this series was conducted in 2010 at Jorhat in Assam.

--IANS

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Indonesia and the US have begun military manoeuvres, the first such joint combat drills after 19 years, according to authorities on Wednesday.

The Cope West exercises, which will be carried out until November 11 in Manado, Sulawesi Island, will involve six US Marine Corps and the Indonesian air force, the US Embassy in Jakarta said.

The exercises are aimed at boosting inter-operability between the armed forces of the two countries, improving exchange of techniques related to combined air operations and promoting cooperation, the embassy added.

"US-Indonesia defence cooperation has never been stronger or more comprehensive than it is today," Brian McFeeters, spokesperson of the US embassy, said.

"We are proud to be Indonesia's top defence partner in joint exercises and other engagements," he added.

In recent years, the US has strengthened military cooperation with several Southeast Asian countries to support them in the fight against terrorism and counter China's rise in the region, where territorial disputes in the South China Sea have led to an escalation of tension.

--IANS

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Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been hiding in the group's besieged stronghold of Mosul, encircled by the Iraqi army and allied militias, a senior Kurdish commander told the Independent daily.

In an interview published on Wednesday, Fuad Hussein, the chief of staff of Iraqi Kurdistan's head Massoud Barzani said that though he has been lying low for the past eight or nine months, Baghdadi is most likely still alive and in the city.

"Baghdadi is there and, if he is killed, it will mean the collapse of the whole IS system," Hussein said, pointing to the vulnerability of Islamic State's command structure, which has no suitable replacement for Baghdadi.

According to Hussein, the IS leader has had to completely rely on other militant commanders in Mosul and the nearby city of Tal Afar, a largely Turkmen-populated city in the Nineveh Province.

While Hussein believes that Baghdadi's demise will speed efforts to retake the country, his presence in the IS capital in Iraq may result in the jihadists resorting to desperate tactics to protect their kingpin.

"It is obvious that they will lose, but not how long this will take to happen," he said, adding that the timeline of the battle for Mosul will be determined by several variables.

On Tuesday, soldiers from Iraq's elite Counter Terrorism Service seized control of the state television station in the Gogjali neighbourhood, making it the first major building in the city to be recaptured from IS.

--IANS

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Former Scotiabank Vice Chairman Sarabjit Singh Marwah has become the first Sikh to be appointed to the Canadian Senate.

Toronto-based Marwah, who retired as from Scotiabank in 2014, is among six people from Ontario who have appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In appointing him to the Senate, the Canadian Prime Minister has lauded Marwah for his efforts "to showcase the rich diversity of Sikh and South Asian art and culture". Marwah is one of the founders of the Sikh Foundation of Canada that promotes Sikh culture and art among the diaspora community.

Marwah, who was born in Kolkata in 1952, did his his schooling from St Xavier's School. He is an alumnus of Delhi's St Stephen's College and the Delhi School of Economics and holds an MBA degree from the University of California in Los Angeles.

Marwah joined Scotiabank in Toronto as a financial analyst in 1978. Rising through the ranks, he went on to become the Chief Financial Officer (COO) of the bank in 1998. In 2002, he was made the bank's senior executive vice president and chief financial officer.

In 2005, he was elevated as the vice chairman and chief administrative officer. In 2008, he was re-designated as vice chairman and chief operating officer of the bank - the positions he held till his retirement in 2014.

He has served on the boards of many famous Canadian institutions such as the Toronto Star, the Toronto International Film Festival, the C.D. Howe Institute, the Royal Ontario Museum, the United Way Campaign, and the Hospital for Sick Children.

Marwah joins two other turbaned Sikhs - Defence Minister Harjeet Sajjan and Science Minister Navdeep Bains - in the Canadian parliament. While Marwah will be the only Indian-origin member of the Senate (upper house), there are over 20 MPs of Indian origin the Canadian House of Commons (lower house).

(Gurmukh Singh can be contacted at gurmukh100@gmail.com)

--IANS

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday rejected the Madhya Pradesh police claim that eight Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) activists who escaped from the Bhopal Central Jail were killed in a gun battle with the police later.

"We do not agree with the so-called 'encounter' theory. Many unanswered questions arise in the minds of the people," Banerjee tweeted.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, the ruling party in Madhya Pradesh, on Tuesday hit out at the Congress and other opposition parties for raising doubts over the killing of eight SIMI activists in a gunfight with the police. The opposition was demoralising security forces, the BJP said.

Madhya Pradesh Police and their Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) gunned down the eight SIMI undertrials after they allegedly broke out of Bhopal Central jail early on Monday morning. However, the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and the Left parties raised serious questions pointing to the possibility of a staged gunfight.

Banerjee saw political vendetta behind the deaths of SIMI undertrials.

"This is all happening in the name of political vendetta. Issues like these make me deeply concerned about the unity and national integrity," she said.

--IANS

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The missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 descended rapidly before crashing and finally plunging into the Indian Ocean on March 8, 2014 with 239 people on board, Australian officials announced on Wednesday.

In a new report, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), which leads the search in the Indian Ocean,said that the plane was not in a configuration for landing when it crashed, Efe news reported.

The study was based on satellite data, analysis of the various debris found, including a flaperon wing part, and analysis on where the various aircraft parts were found.

According to the ATSB's report, the additional satellite data from the aircraft "was consistent with it being in a high and increasing rate of descent" prior to crashing.

It also reported that the additional analysis of wing flap debris showed that the aircraft was not configured for a landing.

The findings support the official investigation which said that the plane would have descended after running out of fuel.

According to this research, MH370 disappeared 40 minutes after taking off from Kuala Lumpur bound for Beijing after someone shut off the aircraft's communication systems and had been in control of the plane.

"(It) means the aircraft wasn't configured for a landing or a ditching - you can draw your own conclusions as to whether that means someone was in control," the bureau's director of Flight 370 search operations Peter Foley said.

The report added that MH370 crashed somewhere in the "seventh arc", the Indian Ocean region where the search operation is currently carried out, which was determined from signals generated by the aircraft, data from satellites and a ground station in Perth, in western Australia.

"This report contains important new information on what we believe happened at the end of MH370's flight," said Australia's Transport Minister Darren Chester at the start of a three-day meeting in Canberra where the experts will assess the information related to the disappearance of MH370 and plan the final stages of the search.

Australia leads the search operation which also includes Malaysia and China. The operation is looking for the wreckage in an area of 120,000 sq.km in a remote area of the Indian Ocean, of which 10,000 sq.km are still left to be searched.

It is estimated that the operation will take until January 2017 to complete.

So far, pieces of plane debris were found on Reunion Island beaches, Mozambique, Mauritius, South Africa and the French island of Rodrigues, places that match with the pattern of currents in the Indian Ocean and where the search is carried out now.

The publication of the report and the start of the expert meeting coincided with the decision of Malaysia Airlines to yield all the information available on MH370 to Australian families of passengers on that flight who litigate to obtain compensation.

The documents include the most recent medical certificates of pilots and cabin crew, operations manual for the plane, procedures for carrying dangerous goods and procedures for loss of radio contact.

--IANS

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Amidst uncertainty of repatriation of over 31,000 Reang tribal refugees, living in Tripura for the past 19 years, Mizoram government officials on Wednesday began their identification.

"A 30-member team of Mizoram government officials led by the state's Mamit district Deputy Commissioner Lalbiaksangi arrived in north Tripura on Tuesday, and from today (Wednesday) they started the identification process," Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Kanchanpur Sub-Division Santosh Deb told IANS over phone.

He said: "The identification process would continue till November 21. After that the schedule of repatriation of refugees from Tripura to Mizoram would be finalised."

About 31,300 Reang tribals, who locally call themselves 'Bru', have been living in seven makeshift camps in North Tripura's Kanchanpur and Panisagar sub-divisions adjoining Mizoram since October 1997 after they fled their homes in western Mizoram following ethnic violence in the northeastern state.

Despite several initiatives by the Mizoram government to bring them back, the refugees have been reluctant to go back to their villages unless their demands for food and security are met.

Refugees' apex body, Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF), has been insisting that three teams of their organisations want to visit three Mizoram districts -- Mamit, Lunglei and Kolasib -- to see the situation there as the tribal refuges would be rehabilitated in these three districts after the repatriation.

"We have sent a letter to Union Home Ministry's Special Secretary (Internal Security), Mahesh Kumar Singla, on October 18 to ask the Mizoram government to arrange the visit of the MBDPF leaders.

"We are yet to get any response from the MHA. How can the refugees return to Mizoram without seeing the local situation in those villages," MBDPF general secretary Bruno Msha told IANS.

He said the MBDPF has submitted 14 points demands to the MHA. The demands include allotment of five hectares of land to each tribal family, undertake special development plan for the backward tribals and provide adequate security to the repatriated refugees.

The refugee leader said the Home Ministry agreed to give each refugee family housing assistance of Rs 38,500, cash assistance of Rs 41,500, free rations for two years, blanket and utensils, while Mizoram would reimburse their transportation cost.

The ministry also verbally agreed to extend Rs 1.3 lakh housing scheme under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to each family, said the MBDPF leader, but added he was doubtful about the repatriation in the near future.

Kanchanpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate said that the Tripura government would provide the logistical support when the repatriation of refugees starts.

A high-level meeting held on October 17 at the Union Home Ministry in New Delhi, discussed in depth the repatriation of the tribal refugees.

MHA's Special Secretary (Internal Security) Mahesh Kumar Singla presided over the meeting where senior officials from the MHA, Tripura and Mizoram government and MBDPF leaders were present.

A Tripura government's official said that the Mizoram government officials wanted to start the repatriation from January 2017 instead of pre-scheduled November as the Union government had urged.

The Mizoram officials also remained non-committal to the refugee leaders' desire to visit the proposed sites where the tribals would be rehabilitated after being repatriated.

The MHA officials recently visited Tripura and Mizoram and held a series of meetings with the officials of both governments and tribal leaders over the repatriation.

The measures came in wake of the Supreme Court's directives about the repatriation, and the roadmap submitted by Mizoram on how it plans to rehabilitate the displaced people.

Mizoram Home Minister R. Lalzirliana said in Aizawl earlier this week that the state government would not concede the demands of the MBDPF as a pre-condition of the refugees' repatriation.

"It would also be impossible for the state government to allot the five hectares of land to each repatriated tribal family. Authority to allot land is not vested with the state, but with the village councils.

"The repatriated refugee families also would have to wait for allocation of land for construction of houses and for farming in accordance with the guidelines of their respective village councils," the minister said while addressing a meeting of ruling Congress party workers.

Meanwhile, the Tripura government has been asking the Union and Mizoram governments to repatriate the refugees at the earliest as serious socio-economic and law and order problems have cropped up in the state.

(Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in)

--IANS

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Prime Minister on Wednesday chaired a meeting to discuss a roadmap to reduce the country's dependency on the import of oil and gas, sources said.

They said the Petroleum Ministry presented strategies at the meeting to achieve the objective of reducing oil and gas imports. The strategies included increasing production of crude oil and gas, promoting bio-fuels and renewables, attaining energy efficiency and promoting conservation.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave attended the meeting.

Among the other dignitaries present during the meeting were NITI Aayog's Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya and its Chief Executive Officer, Amitabh Kant. Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha was also attending the meeting.

Senior officials from various ministries, including the Prime Minister's Office, Petroleum Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, Home Ministry, Finance Ministry and Defence Ministry were also present.
Daughter of actor Johnny Depp and his former wife Vanessa Paradis, Lily Rose Depp says her parents were never strict.

The 17-year-old shared that Paradis and Depp have always let her make her own decisions, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"My parents weren't very strict. They've always trusted me to be independent and make my own decisions. There wasn't really anything to rebel against," Lily-Rose told Vogue magazine.

Lily-Rose also shared that she is strict when it comes to her own Instagram use.

"I've really stopped using it in a personal way. I never like revealing too much about myself. Once you start giving people that look into your life, then they just want more and more," she said.

Talking about growing up in the spotlight, Lily-Rose said that "it is a small price to pay".

"It is delicate being my age, and trying to do all the regular teenager stuff, and then having that in the spotlight. But I am grateful for what it brings and it is honestly a small price to pay to get to do what I want to do - I am very happy about that," she said.

--IANS

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NASA has sought information from the scientific community and industry on small lunar payloads that could fly aboard commercial spacecraft to the moon as early as 2017.

"The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) is seeking information on the availability of small payloads that could be delivered to the Moon as early as the 2017-2020 timeframe using US commercial lunar cargo transportation service providers," NASA wrote on its Request for Information on Tuesday.

It stated that multiple US companies are developing robotic lunar landing capabilities and have expressed plans to provide commercial cargo delivery services to the Moon in the near future.

"Information on lunar payloads that could be launched as early as 2017 would be valuable to NASA as it works to understand the potential role of the Moon in future exploration activities," it stated.

Responses are sought broadly from US industry, universities and non-profit organisations, NASA Centers (including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory), and other US government agencies, and these will be used by NASA for planning and acquisition strategy development.

--IANS

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Washington, Nov 2 (IANAS) A sensing technique that the US military currently uses to remotely monitor the air to detect potentially life-threatening chemicals, toxins, and pathogens has inspired a new instrument that could "sniff" for life on Mars.

The Bio-Indicator Lidar Instrument, or BILI is a fluorescence-based lidar, a type of remote-sensing instrument similar to radar in principle and operation.

Instead of using radio waves, however, lidar instruments use light to detect and ultimately analyse the composition of particles in the atmosphere.

Although NASA has used fluorescence instruments to detect chemicals in Earth's atmosphere as part of its climate-studies research, the agency so far hasn't employed the technique in planetary studies.

"NASA has never used it before for planetary ground level exploration. If the agency develops it, it will be the first of a kind," said Branimir Blagojevic, a NASA technologist at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Blagojevic, who formerly worked for Science and Engineering Services, LLC, that developed the sensor, has applied the technology to create an instrument prototype, proving in testing that the same remote-sensing technology used to identify bio-hazards in public places also could be effective at detecting organic bio-signatures on Mars.

The beauty of BILI is its ability to detect in real-time small levels of complex organic materials from a distance of several hundred meters, Blagojevic added in a NASA statement.

Therefore, it could autonomously search for bio-signatures in plumes above recurring slopes -- areas not easily traversed by a rover carrying a variety of in-situ instruments for detailed chemical and biological analysis.

Furthermore, because it could do a ground-level aerosol analysis from afar, BILI reduces the risk of sample contamination that could skew the results.

"This makes our instrument an excellent complementary organic-detection instrument, which we could use in tandem with more sensitive, point sensor-type mass spectrometers that can only measure a small amount of material at once," Blagojevic said.

"BILI's measurements do not require consumables other than electrical power and can be conducted quickly over a broad area. This is a survey instrument, with a nose for certain molecules," Blagojevic noted.

With such a tool, which also could be installed on an orbiting spacecraft, NASA could dramatically increase the probability of finding bio-signatures in the solar system, he added.

"We are ready to integrate and test this novel instrument, which would be capable of detecting a number organic bio-signatures," Blagojevic said.

--IANS

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Skills and talent development company NIIT has entered into two strategic tie-ups with Yinchuan City Economic and Technology Development Zone and Ningxia University to develop a pool of IT professionals in China, the Indian multi-national said here on Wednesday.

NIIT said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Yinchuan City Economic and Technology Development Zone to train 2,500 learners from universities, colleges and enterprises in the next five years with financial support from Ningxia provincial government.

"These agreements are in line with our vision to develop a globally competitive IT talent pool in China, armed with futuristic skill-sets aligned to the requirements of the fast-evolving digital economy," said Rahul Patwardhan, CEO, NIIT Ltd, in a statement.

According to the MoU, NIIT will establish a training base in public-private partnership model to conduct IT training in Digital Transformation technologies.

The company also joined hands with Ningxia University to provide IT training through 'NIIT Inside Model'.

'NIIT Inside Model' is a unique curriculum integration model for co-operation with universities and colleges in China where NIIT programmes will be embedded in university/college IT curriculum, the company said.

--IANS

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President Barack Obama has suggested that Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton faces a double standard as the first female presidential nominee of a major party against an outlandish opponent whose rhetoric and behaviour were being normalised.

"I saw her as my Secretary of State. I saw her in the Situation Room making arguments to go after (Osama) bin Laden even though it was risky, tirelessly circling the globe as Secretary of State, respected around the world," Obama said on Tuesday during a rally in Columbus, Ohio.

"Her efforts are not always flashy and they're not always appreciated here at home, but she made me a better president and she didn't ask for credit."

Pitting Clinton against Republican rival Donald Trump, Obama argued that the choice to succeed him is not even close, Politico reported.

It's Clinton, he stressed, who has the experience, intelligence, temperament and heart to occupy the Oval Office.

The President even swatted down the "I love you" that was shouted from the crowd so he could continue making his case, remarking that "I love you back, but I want talk about Hillary for a second."

"You know, we always want to see the new shiny object, and if you get beat up enough in this political environment that's so toxic, after a while people start believing stuff. Hillary Clinton is consistently treated differently than just about any other candidate I see out there," Obama said.

Obama challenged men specifically to look in the mirror and ask themselves why, exactly, they may be feeling so much discomfort with Clinton, Politico reported.

"I want every man out there who's voting to look inside yourself and ask yourself," he said, adding "When a guy's ambitious and out in the public arena and working hard, well, that's OK. But when a woman suddenly does it, suddenly you're all like, 'Well, why is she doing that?' I'm just being honest."

Obama railed against the Republican nominee, casting Trump as an atypical candidate who is "uniquely unqualified" for office and would erase the progress of his administration if elected.

Clinton, he said, summarising his position, "is so much better qualified than the other guy. She has conducted herself so much better in public life than the other guy. That this notion that somehow, you know, it's hard to choose - it shouldn't be."

--IANS

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Positive school climate helps students not just to achieve academic excellence but also improve outcomes for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, according to a new study.

Researchers found substantial evidence that schools with positive climates can narrow achievement gaps among students of different socioeconomic backgrounds and between students with stronger and weaker academic abilities.

"Our analysis shows that schools do matter and can do much to improve academic outcomes. Our findings suggest that by promoting a positive climate, schools can allow greater equality in educational opportunities, decrease socioeconomic inequalities, and enable more social mobility," said Ron Avi Astor, professor at the University of Southern California, in the US.

For their study, published in the Review of Educational Research, the researchers analysed 78 studies that focused on the relationship between school or classroom climate, academic achievement, and socioeconomic status.

In their analysis, the authors found great variation in the school climate definitions and measurements used by researchers, reflecting the absence of clear and uniform standards.

The analysis also found no correlation between socioeconomic status and perceptions of school climate. This suggests that schools serving students of lower socioeconomic status do not necessarily have poor climates and that positive climates can be nurtured in these schools.

"Positive school climate has the potential to break the negative influences that stem from poor socioeconomic backgrounds and to mitigate risk factors that threaten academic achievement," said Ruth Berkowitz, assistant professor of social work at the University of Haifa, Israel.

--IANS

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Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday blamed the Narendra Modi government for what he said was "detention" of the kin of an ex-serviceman who committed suicide and said "it is not the way to govern the country".

Gandhi, who was released from the Tilak Marg police station after his detaintion twice during the day, said he wanted to meet the bereaved family of Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal (retired) to share their pain but was not allowed to do so.

"It was the most difficult day for the family (of the Army veteran) but they were detained by the police for the entire day. I tried to meet the family but all four gates of the (Ram Manohar Lohia) hospital were closed," he said.

"The government must apologise to the family for its action (of detaining them). This is not the way. And this is not the way to govern India," the Congress leader said.

Gandhi said the detained family members were manhandled and beaten by police before they were whisked away to a police station.

"I said to police: If you arrest me I don't have any problem, but why detain the family members of the ex-soldier?" Gandhi said.

Delhi Police reports to the Home Ministry.

Grewal, 70, formerly of Rajputana Rifles, allegedly took poison at a park here on Tuesday evening over the demand for the immediate implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme.

--IANS

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Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi was released after one and a half hours from his second detention at a police station on Wednesday amid high-voltage protests over the suicide of an ex-serviceman.

Gandhi was released from Tilak Marg police station where he was shifted after his detention at Connaught Place police station in the heart of the city for obstructing "orderliness".

Earlier, Gandhi was detained for around 70 minutes at Mandir Marg police station while trying to meet the grieving family of the dead soldier Ram Kishan Grewal, who killed himself after consuming poison on Tuesday evening, at the RML Hospital.

--IANS

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Police on Wednesday prevented Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi from meeting the family of a retired soldier who committed suicide demanding OROP's implementation.

Police closed the gates of the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital here when Gandhi went to meet the kin of Ram Kishan Grewal.

An upset Gandhi told the media: "It is an undemocratic mentality. A new kind of India is being created. It is Modiji's India."

Grewal killed himself at a park here on Tuesday, police said.

---IANS

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Shattered by his suicide, the family of ex-army man Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal is ruing the being played over the death of the army veteran.

In Grewal's Bamla village, his son Kulwant said that the politicising of his father's death should be stopped.

"I don't understand why they are playing over our father's death. He was deeply committed to all causes with which he was associated with. He should be declared a martyr as he gave his life for the OROP cause. He should be cremated with full military honours," Kulwant said on Wednesday in Grewal's native village.

He said that his brother and other relatives had been illegally detained by the Delhi Police, beaten up and were being harassed after Grewal committed suicide on Tuesday evening.

Grewal, 70, formerly of Rajputana Rifles, allegedly consumed poison at a park in New Delhi on Tuesday evening and died demanding the immediate implementation of the 'One Rank, One Pension' scheme.

Before dying, he telephoned his son Jaswant and told him that he was committing suicide as a "sacrifice" for the nation, his family told the media.

Grewal was a prominent person in his village and was associated with a number of development projects in and around the village.

The police had detained Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday when they tried to meet the grieving family in a Delhi hospital.

Gandhi, detained twice during the day, was let off at night.

Grewal's son Jaswant said he, his younger brother and brother-in-law were beaten and taken to a police station when they tried to meet Gandhi. Demanding justice, he said he had never witnessed such police conduct vis-a-vis veterans' families.

As the tug of war played out, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Gandhi and Kejriwal of politicising the OROP scheme announced last year.

Retired soldiers have been alleging that the government has not addressed their concerns fully about disparity in pension payments.

They resumed a relay hunger strike on Tuesday for rectification of anomalies in the OROP, which, among other measures, is meant to ensure equal pension to retired soldiers who served with the same rank and for the same duration, regardless of the year of retirement.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Madhya Pradesh's anti-terror squad chief Sanjeev Shami on Wednesday stood by his earlier statement that the eight SIMI activists shot dead in Bhopal on Monday were not armed when they were killed.

"It is well settled in law when police can use force and take life. These men were dreaded criminals. If the police sees the possibility that such men can escape, they can use maximum force... Even if the police are not being fired at," Shami told NDTV.

On Tuesday, Shami was quoted by media as saying that the eight Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) men were unarmed when they were killed.

"I stand by my earlier statement," Shami told the TV channel when asked for his comments.

The eight undertrial activists of the banned SIMI were shot dead in an alleged gun battle, hours after they escaped from a high-security jail here.

The police had said that the accused were armed when they were cornered and asked to surrender.

The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had called for a probe, alleging that the "encounter" may have been staged to kill the accused.

--IANS

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After hours of detention, police on Wednesday night freed Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who alleged that an "undeclared Emergency" had been imposed in the capital.

Speaking to the media after walking out of the Parliament Street police station, Sisodia hit out at the central government for detaining him and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"When a former soldier commits suicide in Delhi, is it not my moral and administrative duty to go and meet the family?" the Aam Aadmi Party leader asked. "What is wrong with that?

"Why were we detained? For what? This is an undeclared Emergency," he added.

Sisodia was the first to be detained after he went to meet the family of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who committed suicide on Tuesday evening demanding implementation of the OROP scheme.

Kejriwal and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi were detained later. Gandhi has since been released while Kejriwal is still detained at a police station in south Delhi.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Thailand is making preparations for Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to be named as the country's new king on December 1, a media report said.

Once confirmed as king, he is expected to endorse a new, military-drafted constitution and to start appointing his own team of senior royal officials, BBC reported on Wednesday.

His father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, died on October 13, aged 88.

King Bhumibol had served 70 years as head of state, and was seen as a stabilising figure, promoting economic development and social harmony in a country hit by coups.

The government has declared a year-long official mourning period.

Following King Bhumibol's death, Vajiralongkorn had delayed taking the crown in order to join the people in mourning.

The crown prince, 64, is much less well known to Thais than his father, and does not have his widespread popularity.

During the interim period, Prem Tinsulanonda, a 96-year-old former Prime Minister who was head of the privy council, is acting as regent. The council is a powerful body that acts to advise the monarch.--IANS

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An uneasy calm prevailed on the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Jammu on Wednesday, a day after eight civilians were killed and 24 injured in Pakistan targeting of civilian facilities.

Eerie silence ruled the villages close to the IB in Ramgarh, R.S. Pura, Hira Nagar and other sectors in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts during the night as guns fell silent on both sides.

Firing was also not reported from the LoC in Naushera sector of Rajouri district on Wednesday.

"There was no crossborder shelling or firing anywhere on the IB or the LoC during the night," police said.

While six civilians were killed in Ramgarh sector, two others were killed in Naushera in the indiscriminate targeting of civilians areas by Pakistani troops on Tuesday.

Border Security Force officials said on Tuesday that in a counter offensive, it destroyed all 14 outposts of Pakistan from where shelling and firing on civilian areas were carried out.

--IANS

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The Venezuelan government released four political activists while the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) suspended a political trial in Congress against President Nicolas Maduro, a sign showing both sides may be willing to negotiate.

The opposition on Tuesday welcomed the freeing of the prisoners but warned more needed to be done for the negotiations to move forward, Xinhua news agency reported.

The MUD has made clear that, despite its participation in talks with the government, it will not stop pressuring the government in other ways to restore the derailed referendum to recall Maduro.

MUD's Executive Secretary Jesus Torrealba called the releases "important but insufficient".

"The releases need to continue. They should reinstate the recall referendum or, failing that, advance presidential elections," he said.

Venezuelan Vice President Aristobulo Isturiz said on Tuesday that the recently begun dialogue process between the government and the opposition would promote development and peace in the country.

"Dialogue is crucial for acknowledgement between diverse political sectors," said Isturiz in an interview with the state-owned Radio Nacional de .

Envoys from Maduro's government and the MUD met late Sunday. The two sides agreed to discuss four central topics  how to bring about peace and justice, making amends to victims and reconciliation, social and economic stability, and setting a general election date.

Isturiz said the first of these topics  peace and justice  was particularly important.

The Vatican, along with former heads of state from Panama, Dominican Republic and Spain, as well as the regional bloc Unasur are trying to bring the adversary parties of to the negotiating table, in a bid to avoid further chaos and bloodshed in the country.
The wife of Omar Mateen who gunned down 49 people in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida said that she knew her husband had a dark side, but did not know the depths of his evil.

Mateen's second wife Noor Salman, 30, said in an interview with the New York Times published on Tuesday, that she was "unaware of everything" about her husband's plans to attack the Pulse night club on June 12.

"I don't condone what he has done," she said, adding "I am very sorry for what has happened. He has hurt a lot of people."

She also denied any involvement in the attack or any knowledge of what her husband was going to do. Salman described him as someone who angered easily, beat her often and lived his life in secret.

This is the first interview Salman - who married Mateen after meeting him through an online dating site in 2011 - has given since the mass shooting.

Mateen, the son of Afghan immigrants, never told Salman that his first wife left him after he began beating her. They were engaged shortly after meeting online and married soon afterward. In the interview, Salman admitted that she was aware Mateen watched jihadi propaganda videos, but, she said, "the FBI let him go".

Mateen was investigated twice by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2013 and 2014; both times federal authorities said he did not pose a threat.

Her husband's crime, Salman said, has left her shattered and afraid. She lives in fear of turning on the television and hearing Mateen's name.

She often cannot get out of bed and depends on members of her family to take care of her son.

Salman has moved three times since the attack, hoping to avoid the news media.

According to the New York Times, Salman lives in legal limbo, with prosecutors weighing charges that could include lying to the FBI.

Her lawyers, Linda Moreno and Charles Swift, has said that their client did nothing wrong.

They declined to let Salman, dislose about her discussions with the FBI during the interview, but Swift said she had told investigators "everything she knew to the best of her ability".

In the interview, Salman said she had a reason for talking publicly now: "I just want people to know that I am human. I am a mother."

On the day of the attack, Mateen came home from work around 3 p.m. He told Salman about the trip to California to visit her mother for the first time in years. He gave her $500 for the trip, and drove her and their son to McDonald's. They stopped at a bank, where Mateen withdrew another $500 for his wife. Then he left.

At home that night, Salman filled out a Father's Day card she had bought for her husband and went to bed. At about 4 a.m., Mateen's mother called, worried and looking for him. Salman tried calling him on his cellphone but got no answer.

Finally he sent her a text message: Did you see what happened? She texted back that she had not.

"I love you babe", he responded, the last she heard from him.

Later that morning, she learned from the FBI that her husband had died in a shootout after carrying out the mass murder.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US-based on-demand streaming website Netflix, which opened its gates for Indians in January, is focussed not only on winning the business game in this country but also on giving Indian stories and talent a global platform, a top company executive has said.

Cindy Holland, Vice President, Original Series, Netflix, believes that the Indian stories which they plan to launch over a period of time will win hearts around the world.

"We are definitely looking at India as a very important market where we will be commissioning a number of series specifically for the Indian market, and we also expect that they will be quite popular around the world," Holland told IANS in an exclusive interview over phone from Los Angeles.

Holland said the Netflix team can foresee a bright future for the platform in India.

"We are very excited. We don't have a set number of projects that we will undertake and create for the Indian market in mind. It is quite an important market for us and we are really excited to bring the best of Indian talent to viewers around the world," she said.

Since its launch, Netflix announced its first original series from the country, based on the best-selling novel "Sacred Games" by Indian author Vikram Chandra.

Shot on location in India, this Hindi-English series will be produced in partnership with Phantom Films, one of India's leading production houses, and will be available to Netflix members globally upon completion.

Actor-comedian Vir Das also booked his own slot on the streaming media and video-on-demand online platform with his own 'Netflix Original' comedy special. Vir's special entertainer is to be filmed in India in his hometown Delhi, and it will be streamed on Netflix in over 100 countries.

Talking about the comedy special, Holland said Netflix "has been very successful at developing long-term relationships with comedians and storytellers of different countries and bringing their stories to the world". They hope to spin the same magic in the country using a "desi" touch.

For now, Holland says they are on a quest to find a "new series to create for India".

Operating in over 190 countries, Netflix has nearly 34 million international subscribers against 47 million in the US.

"What we have discovered so far is that Indian viewers are really interested in discovering our original series. They are really anxious to watch the series at the same time as the people in the other countries are watching them.

"So that makes us very motivated to not make viewers in India wait until a series is a hit in the US or elsewhere before streaming into India," she said.

Holland says the key point for any story to make it to Netflix is an "exciting and special idea".

"Then we want to understand that if it is a long-lasting story that people will fall in love with over many seasons. We also look how expensive will it be and if we can find an audience large enough for member-base to support the economics," she said.

(Sugandha Rawal can be contacted at sugandha.r@ians.in)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"You have no shame?" Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday asked a police officer for detaining the family of a retired soldier who committed suicide here.

Seated on a chair at the Mandir Marg police station, Gandhi threw the question at a visibly uncomfortable police officer who was trying to explain the reason why the Congress leader had been detained after he tried to meet the family of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal.

Gandhi asked the officer if the police did not feel ashamed to detain Grewal's family, which alleged that they were manhandled by policemen at the hospital before being brought to the same police station.

"If you can arrest a veteran's family, arrest me also," Gandhi said. "How can you arrest a veteran's kin?"

At a later stage, Gandhi told the officer to "at least let the veteran's family go".

Grewal committed suicide here on Tuesday evening demanding the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
On Tuesday, the central government ruled against its own reported objections and appointed five serving judicial officers as judges in the Delhi High Court. But it is clear that the government and the Supreme Court of India are still far from agreement on the question of judicial appointments. A bench led by Chief Justice T S Thakur has yet again expressed concern that the government had moved too slowly to fill up vacancies in the judiciary, asking if it wished to scuttle the working of the institution. The government has responded sharply by claiming that the rate of appointments has not slowed down particularly, and that, in fact, more posts have been created. What underlay the judges concern is the worry that the government is going slow on the appointments process in order to gain bargaining power in its tussle with the judiciary over the mechanism by which such appointments are made.
Let me now turn to the final, but to my mind, the most important reform in the Indian fiscal federal framework. This relates to the successful implementation of the GST... The recent passage of the GST Constitutional Amendment [and] the ratification by 17 states have demonstrated the ability of our political parties to be bipartisan. The GST Council so created by the constitutional amendment is a landmark event in the history of Indias fiscal federalism.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) recently warned investors about the legality of crowdfunding. "Electronic platforms facilitating fundraising on digital platforms are neither authorised nor recognised under any law governing the securities market," said the Sebi note. According to the market watchdog, such platforms, which are open to all investors registered on these, amount to a contravention of the Securities Contract Act and the Companies Act. In fact, it has also asked some companies to stop onboarding of new investors.
Meenakshi Saxena, proprietor of M/s Creations, used to export handloom goods. The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) had accorded approval for export of these goods to the Society Ivoirienne de Commerce et de Representation (SICOREP) up to a sum of Rs 64.86 lakh ($135,125).
Maharashtra Chief Minister has asked ally Shiv Sena to stop attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cautioning that it will only boomerang on it.

However, he asserted that their alliance is intact and the government will complete its full term, despite frequent taunts and digs from Sena.

"Speaking about Modiji will only put the Shiv Sena in bad light and people do not like it at all. As far as I am concerned I am ready to face and give them a proper reply. So I do not care.

"Governance and are two different things. The Sena should refrain from criticising the Prime Minister, but I am ok with their criticism," Fadnavis told PTI in an interview.

Fadnavis (46), who heads the first BJP-led Government in Maharasshtra which has sailed into its third year, also dwelt on other current issues like the campaign by the Maratha community for reservation, the Vidarbha issue and the controversy regarding his intervention in defusing the stand-off over Karan Johar's film "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'.

On the film row, the Chief Minister said that in hindsight, he feels the issue could have been handled in a better way.

In a veiled dig at the previous Congress-NCP regimes, he said the "established leadership" in the state are trying to use peoples' anger that has now spilled on to the streets in the form of silent protests by Marathas to carry out their agenda against him either directly or by "proxy" means.

Fadnavis, however, rejected the apprehension voiced by observers that the Maratha morcha and reaction to it from the OBC and Dalit outfits, could cause caste tensions in the state.

He noted that the Maratha community had only raised its demands without seeking to upset the benefits of other social segments and the same is the case of OBCs and Dalits.

He said the Government has already stated its commitment to meet the genuine demands of the Maratha community. The fee waiver scheme announced recently is an initiative that will benefit a large number of students from the community.

Expressing confidence that the BJP and Sena will complete the full term of the government, he said, "We are two different parties and there is bound to be some friction owing to different ideologies in matters of policy implementations and style of governing.

"But I can claim that we have been able to run the government successfully where all major policy decisions have been undertaken by a unanimous vote," he said.
Janata Dal (United) President and Bihar Chief Minister will not attend the silver jubilee celebrations on Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) in Lucknow on November 5. He also expressed his displeasure over the on-going internal dispute in the SP.

Last week, SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's younger brother and Uttar Pradesh Party Chief Shivpal Yadav had met JD (U) leaders Sharad Yadav and K C Tyagi to invite them to the anniversary bash over the weekend.
The portents of a smooth winter session of Parliament, scheduled to begin on November 16 and slated to take up the goods and services tax (GST)-related Bills as its major legislative agenda, look doubtful with each passing day.
The ABA adds Hawaii  Now What?

At the ABAs annual membership meeting at the organization headquarters in Delaware City, Delaware, last week, the ABA membership officially voted to include Hawaii in the ABA Area by a significant margin. About 80% of the ballots received were in support of this change, and wed like to thank all members who cared enough to return their proxy ballots and make their voices heard. We recognize that this issue is felt strongly by many in our membership, and skeptically by others, but we feel that our mission  to inspire people to enjoy and protect wild birds  is better served with Hawaiian birds and birders in the fold, and were excited to welcome both.

All that said, there are clearly some logistical questions that come from adding an entire states avifauna to what has generally been a steadily, but slowly, growing list. I hope that this post will help answer some of those questions.

So Can I Count Hawaiian Birds Immediately?

No. Officially the ABA Checklist Committee (CLC), with input from the Hawaiian Bird Records Committee, will address which birds will be included on the ABA Checklist. We expect this process to take a few months, and hopefully no longer than a year. The updated ABA Checklist, including all countable Hawaiian birds, will be included in the next issue of Birders Guide to Listing & Taxonomy. We estimate that Hawaii will add something on the order of 100-115 species to the ABA Checklist. Of course this doesnt preclude anyone from making provisional estimates now, based on what is likely to be included. All native birds, for instance, are shoe-ins.

What About the Exotics?

Incorporation of Hawaii also means incorporating the established populations of introduced exotics on the islands. In fact, upwards of 30% of the new species added to the ABA Checklist will be introduced, and its figuring out which ones will count and which ones wont that will be the biggest challenge. In 2014, the ABAs Recording Standards and Ethics Committee (RSEC) clarified that an exotic species on the ABA list can be counted if it meets the CLCs standard for established. This standard intentionally does not set any threshold for range. That standard is determined by the individual birder. For instance, a birder could conceivably count a Muscovy Duck away from Texas or Florida if they wanted to (though few likely would), though the CLC has stated that creating a list of places where certain introduced species are established is a priority.

What this means for Hawaii is that there are a number of species that are well-established on the islands but not established, even if present, on the mainland. Determining how to handle those species will be the work of both the RSEC and the CLC in the coming months.

What About the Ongoing Big Years?

John Weigel, Olaf Danielson, Laura Keene, and Christian Hagenlocher will not need to immediately make plans to travel to Hawaii before the end of the year. Until the birds are officially included on the ABA Checklist, they do not officially count for any Big Year. The final totals of the current Big Year birders will stand in the new ABA-Continental category. Time will tell whether birders will choose that as the gold standard as opposed to a Big Year that includes Hawaii.

What about Midway?

Technically a US unincorporated territory, Midway Atoll lies between the main Hawaiian Islands and Kure Atoll, which is politically part of the State of Hawaii. This makes Midway an enclave, as are the District of Columbia, St. Pierre et Michelon, and the Canadian Territories, all of which the ABA considers part of the ABA Area. We will likely follow the lead of the Hawaiian birding community, which includes Midway as part of the state for listing purposes. This allows us to be consistent in saying that the ABA Area includes all US states and Canadian provinces, plus territorial enclaves.

Will ABA Rarity Codes Change?

Possibly. There are a number of seabird species that are common on the Hawaiian Islands, but still quite rare on the mainland  Laysan Albatross, Hawaiian Petrel, and Red-tailed Tropicbird, to give a few examples. While the ABA Codes are little more than useful shorthand to determine the relative rarity of a species, people enjoy using them. The decision as to what bird deserves which code is made by ABA CLC, and these codes will be evaluated before Hawaiian birds are included on the ABA Checklist. Whether this means that there will be separate Hawaii and mainland codes, incorporation into the existing rarity code structure, or elimination of the code system completely, is entirely up to the CLC.

=====

I hope that this helps clarify some of the outstanding questions regarding the inclusion of Hawaii. If there are any other questions that youd like covered, but which arent included here, please let us know in the comments. We welcome questions about how this process will unfold, but we kindly ask that commenters not rehash this settled issue as we work on moving forward.

Welcome Hawaii, and welcome Hawaiian birds!
Congress today suspended two local party leaders who were named as accused in a case of alleged abduction and assault of a trade union worker here. Marad Municipal Vice Chairman Antony Asanparambil and councillor Jinson Peter were suspended from the party following the directive of state Congress chief V M Sudheeran, Ernakulam District Congress Committee president V J Poulose said.

Antony Asan parambil was also serving as the President of the Marad Mandalam Congress committee.

Kochi city police had yesterday arrested four men on the complaint from a trade union worker that he was assaulted after being abducted in connection with a land case. Police probing the case said the gang had acted at the behest of Antony, named as the key accused in the case. Antony, however, has rejected the allegations and alleged that he was being framed in the case.

Both Antony and Jinson are absconding after the police registered case against them.

According to the police, the arrested gang members were allegedly linked with the land mafia operating in the city. The police move came within a week after they booked a ruling CPI(M) functionary here in connection with alleged threatening of a man over a business deal. Police have registered a case under non-bailable offence against CPI(M) Kalamassery Area Secretary Zakir Hussain, who is absconding, on a complaint sent to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by the victim, Jube Poulose, that he was threatened by Hussain and his gang over a business deal. Vijayan, who also holds the Home portfolio, had said in the Assembly on October 25 that his government would not protect those people who indulge in criminal activities such as extortion racket.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Government officials who neglect their duties and shut their eyes on rioters should be declared an accessory to violence, former Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court Justice Anil Dev Singh said on the 32nd anniversary of the 1984 Anti-Sikh pogroms.

Speaking at a panel discussion on 'The legal aftermath of 1984 and the way forward' organised by the Sikh Forum to commemorate the riots, Justice Singh, who had enhanced the compensation to the riot victims during his tenure as a judge in the Delhi High Court in 1996, also termed as "unfortunate" that witnesses of the massacre were not given any protection.

"It is unfortunate that no protection has been given to the witnesses of '84 riots. There is a need to strike terror in perpetrators and they must be punished.

"Government officials who neglect their duties and close their eyes on rioters, should be declared an accessory to riots," he said.

Expressing similar views, senior advocate H S Phoolka, one of the panelists and a crusader of the anti-Sikh riot victims, said, "We will not give up till we bring perpetrators to books and will fight for justice so that no political leader misuses his powers. No one is above the country and its law."



The senior advocate also said that the massacre cannot be forgotten as similar riots have been repeated in later years as perpetrators have gone unpunished.

"Had the perpetrators of the riots been punished instead of victims being compensated, the '84 riot like situation wouldn't have repeated in the the form of 1993 Babri Masjid, 2002 Godhra riots and 2014 Muzaffarnagar violence," Phoolka said, adding, "We will not give up till we bring the criminals to book and will fight for justice so that no politician misuses his powers."



Urging for a stringent law to hold government officials responsible for acts of violence, senior advocate Vrinda Grover said, "Public servants commit crimes but due to the loopholes in the system they are not held liable.

Grover, a human rights lawyer, also called for an



alliance cutting across communities to push the government for an Act that holds public servants accountable for their negligence during such situations.

Throwing light on the CBI's apathy in the matter, Justice Singh and Phoolka said the agency has not done enough and there have been shortcomings on its part and called for an independent and fast-track probe.

"The CBI has not done much in the matter. We can ask the government to create a commission for prevention of riots and an independent probe into the anti-Sikh pogroms.

"The '84 riots cases should be tried in special fast-track courts and properties of political leaders involved in the massacre, who think their careers are sealed, should be confiscated," the former judge said.

Phoolka, while elaborating on certain ongoing cases related to '84 riots, pointed out the CBI's lapse in a case against former MP and accused Sajjan Kumar in which a 1992 charge sheet against him for murder never reached the court.

During the discussion, stipends were distributed by the panelists among 18 students belonging to the '84 riot-affected families.

Other panelists included the Sikh Forum Vice President A S Narang, Srinivasan Raghavan, President of Lok Raj Sangathan, Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, journalist and Uma Chakravarti, Human Rights activist.

Raghavan, who has been organising rallies on November 1 every year for the past decade in memory of riot victims, called for a National Genocide Act to execute the principles of UN Convention on Genocide.
On the first day of the repatriation process today, over 40 Bru families came forward for identification at the Kaskau relief camp in North Tripura before the Mizoram government officials who are there to identify the bona fide residents of the state.

Deputy Commissioner of Mamit district in Mizoram bordering Tripura, Lalbiaksangi, who is heading a team of 30 officials, told PTI over phone from Kaskau camp that the identification process was undertaken peacefully.

Brus, who were enrolled in the 1995 Mizoram voters' lists and their descendants were accepted as bona fide residents of the state, she said.

Around 500 families were lodged in the Kaskau relief camp and the task became difficult as the Tripura government did not have any proper record of those lodged in the six relief camps and deaths and births were also not registered, she added.

The identification process was the beginning of the proposed eighth phase physical repatriation of 3,445 Bru families lodged in the six relief camps in North Tripura district and is scheduled to continue till November 21.

As per the schedule of the Road Map-V for Bru Repatriation, the physical repatriation was to commence from November 30.

As per the proposal, 2,594 repatriated families would be resettled in Mamit district while Kolasib district bordering Assam and south Mizoram's Lunglei district would host 628 and 223 Bru families respectively.

Thousand of Bru left Mizoram and migrated to Tripura en-masse after Bru militants gunned down a forest guard near Persang hamlet inside the Mizoram-Bangladesh-Tripura border Dampa Tiger Reserve on October 21, 1997.

The Brus were lodged in six relief camps at the Kanchanpur Sub-Division of North Tripura, of which 1,686 families have been repatriated since 2010 till date.

The efforts to repatriate the rest of the community in the relief camps during June one to September four last year was unsuccessful as not a single Bru came forward for identification before the Mizoram officials in the relief camps.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Five fishermen from Tamil Nadu, arrested by Sri Lankan Navy last month, were today set free by a court in the island nation, a fisheries official said.

The fishermen from Pudukottai District were arrested on October 5 on the charge of fishing in Sri Lankan waters and remanded to judicial custody.

The five were produced before a Sri Lankan court which ordered their release, Pudukottai Assistant Director of Fisheries Sekar said.

Some other fishermen from Rameswaram, arrested by Sri Lankan Navy, were expected to be released in a day or two, officials here said.

The releases of five fishermen coincided with the talks between fishermen associations of India and Sri Lanka in New Delhi today on the vexed issue of fishing rights in the Palk Strait.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An eight-year-old girl was today mauled to death by a leopard at Vadi village in Umarpada tehsil of Surat district, a Forest Department official said.

Nikita Vasava was attacked by the big cat at around 7 am when she was out to attend to nature's call, Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF), Surat range, JH Rathod told PTI.

"She was attacked by the leopard early this morning when she was out to attend to nature's call. She was dragged for nearly 500 metres into the forest and was killed by the time the villagers could rescue her," he added.

Her body was recovered by the Forest Department personnel who rushed to the spot after being informed about the incident, Rathod said.

"We have conducted a post-mortem and will hand over the compensation amount of Rs 4 lakh to her family tomorrow," he added.

According to the official, two days ago, a 10-year-old boy, Mehul Vasava, was also attacked and injured by a leopard in the same village which falls under Vankal forest range.

"We had laid a trap and rescued a leopard who was then taken into the forest. This leopard appears to have come from Netrang forest as the village is located on the border of Surat and Bharuch districts," he said, adding that five traps have been laid in and around the area to catch the big cat.

Gujarat Tourism and Tribal Development Minister Ganpat Vasava, who was at his home town in Umarpada, met the victim's kin. The village is part of Mangrol constituency which is represented by Vasava in the Assembly.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Being appreciated for one's work is an excellent motivator that can stem attrition and improve employee morale as 88 per cent employees are willing to stay longer if appreciated at work, says a study.

According to a TimesJobs study, a majority of employees feel under-appreciated by their bosses and feel that with a little more acknowledgments, they would happily work harder and stay on longer in their current jobs.

"A happy employee is the best brand ambassador for a company. Companies should ensure this by appreciating, recognising and rewarding employees. It is a highly effective and proven strategy for improving employee engagement and business output," Nilanjan Roy, Head of Strategy, Times Business Solutions, said.

The study further noted that only 41 per cent employees feel they are appreciated at their current place of work.

An industry-wise analysis shows that 87 per cent IT, telecom, ITeS and Internet employees do not get much appreciation from their bosses while the figure is nearly 75 per cent in the auto sector and 70 per cent in the BFSI vertical.

However, things are better in manufacturing and retail, with 52 per cent of the staff claiming there is enough appreciation from their higher-ups.

"Open, transparent and responsive communication both on formal and informal channels is key to success - active use of digital media, social networks and company review sites all play a major role in ensuring an attractive employer brand," Roy added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Nine al-Qaeda terrorists, plotting to attack intelligence agencies offices here, were today killed in Pakistan's Punjab province by counter-terrorism police and seized explosives and arms from their possession.

Punjab Police's Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) said it received intelligence reports that some terrorists were hiding in Kheru Ki Malian in Sheikhupura district (some 50 kms from here) and planning to attack offices of intelligence agencies here.

"A CTD team along with police surrounded the hideout of the terrorists in early hours of today and asked them to surrender. The terrorists instead opened fire on the raiding team. It returned the fire and in the shootout all nine terrorists present in the hideout were killed," a CTD official said.

The terrorists belonged to Al-Qaeda, he said.

The CTD said sixkgs explosives, five Kalashnikov, five motorcycles, pistols and scores of bullets have been from the hideout.

A few days ago, the CTD had killed five members of al-Qaeda in Gujranwala district, some 80 kms from here.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
AIADMK today slammed VCK for extending support to Congress for the November 19 bypoll in Nellithope constituency in Puducherry, saying it showed the party's double standards and political opportunism.

Referring to Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi's (VCK's) Tamil nationalist moorings and its vehement criticism of Congress over the Sri Lankan Tamil's issue, AIADMK said that by extending support to the "same Congress party" in Nellithope constituency, VCK has shown duplicitous double standards.

In a write up in AIADMK mouthpiece Dr Namadhu MGR, the party said VCK, which has strong pro-Tamil leanings, remained part of the DMK-Congress Front despite the alleged killings of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka in the last phase of the civil war in 2009.

Following such a "gimmick", AIADMK said, VCK has shown "pucca (real) opportunism" by extending support to Congress. "He (VCK chief Thirumavalavan) says he will uproot Congress party in Tamil Nadu and support it in Puducherry. Is it right, Thirumavalavan?" the party asked.

On October 31, VCK had pledged its support to the Congress party's nominee and Chief Minister V Narayanasamy in Nellithope constituency.

Narayanasamy is contesting election to win and become an MLA so that he could continue as Chief Minister.

This is in keeping with the stipulation that if non-members of the Assembly assume office as a minister they should get elected to the House within six months.

VCK had said it was "to protect the secular fabric" of Puducherry and to pave the way for development of the union territory.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Seeking to give a tough fight to Chief Minister V Narayanasamy in the crucial November 19 by-poll to Nellithope Assembly constituency, both the opposition parties, AINRC and BJP, today decided to support AIADMK.

On a day when Narayanasamy, heading the Congress government in the union territory with the DMK's backing, filed his nomination papers, both AINRC and BJP announced support to AIADMK nominee Om Sakthi Segar, making it virtually a direct contest.

Narayanasamy, along with Congress and DMK functionaries, came in a procession to file his nomination before Returning Officer (RO) G Malarkannan.

The by-poll was necessitated after A John Kumar of the Congress quit the post of MLA on September 15 to enable Narayanasamy, a non-member of the House, seek election.

The Left parties have opted out of the by-poll, while the VCK has pledged its support with the Congress.

AINRC founder and Leader of Opposition N Rangasamy had earlier alleged that the by-poll was "imposed" on the people.

He said his party had decided to support the AIAMDK in view of several instances of "misuse of power" by the Congress and because of "money-power reigning supreme" in the run-up to the by-poll.

He added that the AINRC had written a "detailed letter" to the Election Commission (EC), drawing its attention to the situation.

BJP's local unit general secretary Ravichandran told PTI that his party had taken the decision to ensure the victory of the AIADMK in the by-poll.

He accused Narayanasamy of "having failed the people" by not procuring any developmental projects for Puducherry, in spite of being a Union minister during the UPA rule at the Centre.

The BJP leader said all of Narayanasamy's claims of implementing various schemes since assuming office on June 6 were only "enforcement of the NDA government's schemes", and there was no new scheme evolved by the Puducherry government.

A total of 11 candidates were in the fray on the last day of filing nominations.

Scrutiny is slated for tomorrow, while November 5 is the last day for withdrawal of candidature.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Security deployment in the country's civil airports will be beefed up and abandoned installations around these facilities will be sanitised as part of some new counter-terror measures being undertaken to enhance security measures at these locations by the CISF.

Officials said a host of airport security issues were discussed threadbare during a high-level meeting chaired by CISF Director General O P Singh with all his airport security commanders here yesterday.

The government has also recently underlined the requirement of security audit of nearly 100 civil airports, in the wake of growing threat of terror attacks, and it was proposed that all such facilities should be brought under the cover of Central Industrial Security Force gradually.

Officials said the CISF, along with other stakeholders vital for airports security, will also seek to deploy additional manpower and gadgets to check intrusion from the perimeter walls and towards the air side, where the tarmac is located for aircraft to take off and land.

They said the force will also enhance security deployment and maneuverability of its quick reaction teams on the city side, from where fliers get inside the airport. All the abandoned installations in the vicinity of these facilities will either sealed, demolished or security personnel deployed there.

Issues related to better training of CISF security personnel deployed at airports, enhancement of leadership skills of contingent commanders and seamless flow of command and communication will also be enhanced, they said.

While sources said airport security paraphernalia is a 'dynamic system' and no one solution fits all the cases, the element of promptness and secrecy on part of security agencies is the key and that is what is being looked into.

The force is also increasingly trying to bolster its presence and numbers from the present about eight cargo terminals at airports to a few more, they said.

The force, which at present secures 59 airports, is also introducing new modules to keep abreast its personnel and commandos to understand the changing modus operandi of terrorists who target these installations thronged by lakhs of people everyday.

Issues related to strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) vis-a-vis airport entry and exit by passengers and official staff and further easing of security procedures for differently-abled fliers is also understood to have been reviewed during the meeting.

"All the measures discussed during the meeting are for strict and quick implementation," a senior official said.

(REOPENS DEL 94)



Issues related to airport security were recently discussed during a high-level meet chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the aftermath of the terror attack on Brussels' Zaventem airport where terrorists blew explosives inside the airport terminal, much before the 'security hold' area, where passengers and luggage are checked.

The Home Ministry discussed the move to bring 98 civil airports in the country under the security cover of the CISF, the specialised force for airport security.

Out of the total 98 functional airports in the country, 59 are under CISF cover, leaving out 39.

Among 98 airports, 26 airports, including Delhi and Mumbai, are considered hyper-sensitive. Of these hyper-sensitive airports, 18 are under CISF cover while six like Srinagar and Imphal are being guarded by CRPF, the state police or by other paramilitary forces.

Under the sensitive category, there are 56 airports out of which only 37 have CISF cover and amongst 16 other airports, only four have CISF security.

Reports of security audit being conducted by a team of experts from Ministry of Home Affairs, Intelligence Bureau and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security were also discussed the meeting, they said.
Raising questions of sexual perversity against a husband amounts to mental cruelty and justifies the grant of divorce, the Delhi High Court has said while upholding a lower court order dissolving a marriage.

The high court also dismissed the allegations of a woman that her husband was indulging in immoral act by compromising with the privacy of the bedroom with their eight-year-old daughter.

Dismissing the allegations, a bench of Justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Pratibha Rani said the wife had damaged the very basic fabric of marital bond beyond repair and maligned the "pious relationship" between a father and a daughter.

"It sounds paradoxical that wife was not letting the husband to have physical contact but the husband was blamed for keeping condoms accessible to their eight years old daughter and also for waking up the daughter in the midnight to witness their sexual activity.

"The allegations of sexual perversity against the husband amounted to mental cruelty, justifying a decree of divorce," the bench said in its judgement.

The court's verdict came on a petition by the woman who had approached the high court challenging a trial court order of July this year dissolving the marriage on a plea filed by her husband.

While upholding the trial court's decision, the high court observed that she had levelled "baseless and unsubstantiated" charges against her husband and "no spouse can swallow such filthy allegations and also continue with the marital tie."



"The pious relationship between a father and a daughter has been maligned by the wife to such an extent that the wife is guilty of treating the husband with the worst form of mental cruelty.

"The nature of allegations made against the husband which remained unsubstantiated, must have left an indelible mark on the mind of the husband," the bench said.

The couple had married in February 2005 and the marital discord between them started in 2005. They lived together till October 2012. In December 2012, the man filed a plea before the trial court seeking dissolution of marriage.

The trial court granted divorce on the ground that the husband was subjected to mental cruelty by her.

The high court, in its judgement, noted that the wife, "inspite of making serious allegations against the husband impacting his moral character with perverse sexuality, did not even try to prove such allegations while tendering her affidavit by way of examination-in-chief. This leads to the inference that such allegations were baseless".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Several prominent streets in central Delhi were today choked owing to the high political drama that unfolded at various places in the national capital following the alleged suicide of an ex-serviceman over OROP issue.

Vehicular movement was thrown out of gear at Gol Dak Khana roundabout, Outer Circle of Connaught Place, Panckuian Road, Ashoka Road, Baba Kharag Singh Marg, Kali Bari Marg, Mandir Marg, Tilak Marg and ITO, a senior traffic police officer said.

Commuters had a harrowing time as thick layer of smog coupled with bumper-to-bumper ride made situation worse.

The alleged suicide of the army veteran today snowballed into a huge political showdown in the capital with Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal being detained by police separately amid high drama.

Gandhi and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia visited RML Hospital earlier in the day to meet the family of the deceased. However, the Congress vice president's attempts to enter the premises went in vain as heavy security restricted his entry.

Gandhi, Sisodia and other AAP and Congress leaders were detained and taken to different police stations in Lutyens' Delhi.

A couple of hours later, Gandhi was detained again and taken to Tilak Marg police station triggering traffic congestion on the already busy ITO intersection and neighbouring roads.

The situation started worsening from late afternoon when the leaders were detained and the street chaos heightened due to protests by various parties and office-goers returning home.

Kejriwal was stalled by police at Lady Hardinge Hospital for over four hours leading to traffic coming to a standstill on Panchkuian Road, Connaught Place and neighbouring streets.

"Traffic in central area was the worst hit as it is most frequented by commuters travelling to other parts of the city. The protests and the detentions of leaders coupled with onlookers gathering on streets added to traffic woes," added the officer.

The Twitter handle of Delhi Traffic Police kept posting update about roads that were closed and the diversions that were put in place owing to the congestion and protests.

Traffic movement was restricted on Talkatora Road and Baba Kharag Singh Marg.

"Obstruction in traffic in the carriageway from ITO towards ISBT due to breakdown of two DTC buses on Hanuman Setu," the traffic police tweeted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bangladesh police today suspended a senior officer for negligence of duty in Bramhanbaria temple demolition incident, as the top counter-terrorism unit began probing the origin of a controversial Facebook post that sparked the communal violence against Hindus this week.

Brahmanbaria district's Nasirnagar police station Officer- in-Charge Md Abdul Kader was suspended for negligence of duty in the temple demolition incident, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

The suspension order was issued today, Assistant Police Commissioner (Headquarters) Razon Kumar Das said.

About 3,000 people gathered in Nasirnagar upazila on Sunday to stage a protest against the Facebook post. The rally organised by radical Islamist groups resulted in the violence against the minority Hindus and the demolition of temples.

More than 100 people were injured, hundreds of families were left homeless and more than 10 temples vandalised in the nearby villages, the paper said.

The Facebook account was owned by 30-year-old Rasraj Das - an Awami League supporter. Rasraj, who had deleted the post on early Saturday. He was taken into custody the same day.

The Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit has started the probe into the origin of the Facebook post.

Alimuzzaman, deputy commissioner of the CTTC unit's cyber crime team, told the paper they have already started gathering information during the primary stages of the investigation.

Another cyber crime team under the Criminal Investigation Department is also helping with the probe, CID sources said.

A top police official said they have formed a four-member team to probe the matter. Committee members are on the spot to investigate the incident.

Meanwhile, the Hindus in the area who had chosen not to flee despite massacres committed against them during the 1971 Liberation War are now thinking of it to save their life.

At least six Hindu families have crossed over to India after Sunday's attacks, the paper said.

"Many Hindu families have left their houses and are afraid of coming back to the village. I came here to observe the situation and will go back to my relative's house in the night," the paper quoted an elderly Hindu person as saying.

He said at least five families had crossed the border in the last two days.

Locals say that around 33 per cent voters of Nasirnagar are Hindus and they have always favoured the Awami League.

A four-member team of the Awami League led by Organising Secretary AKM Enamul Haque Shamim visited the affected temples and houses yesterday and assured the Hindus of apprising the prime minister about the situation.

The affected Hindus had complained to them against the officer-in-charge of Nasirnagar police, Abdul Kader, for his indifference to protect them and the temples.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The attacks on several Hindu temples in Bangladesh were carried out under a well orchestrated plan aimed at grabbing lands of the minority community, the country's top rights body said today.

The statutory National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said their initial investigation into the attacks on several Hindu temples and households in the central Brahmanbarhia district's Nasirnagar indicated that they were pre-planned.

"Our investigation is still underway but our initial findings suggest that an organised quarter carried out the attacks in a pre-planned manner," Enamul Haque Chowdhury, NHRC member and chief of a three-member fact-finding committee of the rights panel, told PTI.

He said near simultaneous attacks were carried out at several temples and Hindu households at different locations in Nasirnagar area to render police helpless.

"We are expecting to wrap up our investigations within the next two days," Chowdhury said.

"The attack was carried out to drive away the Hindus from their land," Chowdhury told The Daily Star.

Chowdhury's remarks came as authorities today ordered the withdrawal of the officer-in-charge of the nearby police station amid complaints of police inefficiency in containing the troublemakers.

Indian High Commission here sent a delegation today led by a First Secretary to the scene of the attacks.

A five-member delegation of the ruling Awami League, led by the party's organising secretary Enamul Haq Shamim, also visited the affected area.

Hindu community leaders had also earlier said the attacks were carried out to evict Hindus from their own lands by creating fear.

Several hundred people had attacked and ransacked at least 15 Hindu temples and over 20 households in Nasirnagar after a Facebook post deemed offensive to Islam sparked massive outrage in the Muslim-majority nation.

Brahmanbaria's police superintend Mizanur Rahman had said that police had arrested nine people who seemed to be directly linked to the attacks as temple authorities filed two separate cases.

A Hindu youth who allegedly posted the 'blasphemous' content on his Facebok account sparking the outrage was also arrested over causing the unrest.

However, media reports later suggested that unidentified miscreants had hacked his account and had uploaded the controversial post.

Several priests of the temples suffered injuries in the attacks during the raids and were taken to hospitals for treatment.

According to media reports, a little known outfit called Touhidi Janata had called a protest rally on Sunday using megaphones over the Facebook post and the rampage on Hindus was carried out after that rally.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
UN chief Ban Ki-moon has sacked the head of the world body's mission in South Sudan, citing "lack of leadership and prepardeness" which led to conflicting orders to troops from India, China, Nepal and Ethiopia in tackling violence around its premises in Juba.

Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at the daily briefing here yesterday that the Secretary-General has asked for the "immediate replacement" of UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Force Commander Lt Gen Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki.

The UN chief had received the report of the independent inquiry into the response of the mission after violence broke out in an around its premises in the capital Juba in July.

Ban said he is "deeply distressed" by the report's findings, including that UNMISS did not respond effectively to the violence, which erupted in early July, due to an overall "lack of leadership, preparedness and integration" among the various components of the mission.

"On the uniformed side, the Force did not operate under a unified command, resulting in multiple and sometimes conflicting orders to the four troop contingents from China, Ethiopia, Nepal and India, and ultimately underusing the more than 1,800 infantry troops at UN House," the report said.

India, among the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping, had over 2,000 troops based in the UN mission in South Sudan during the time.

The incidents occurred during a spate of clashes between rival forces -- the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) loyal to President Salva Kiir and the SPLA in Opposition backing First Vice-President Riek Machar -- that broke out in and around Juba on July 7, close to the fifth anniversary of the country's independence.

UN compounds and UNMISS-managed civilian protection sites were attacked during the fighting and, according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, a separate preliminary UN investigation into the violence and its aftermath revealed that government security forces carried out killings and rapes, and looted and destroyed properties.

The special investigation commissioned by the Secretary- General, led by a retired UN peacekeeper, Major General Patrick Cammaert, found that "UNMISS did not respond effectively to the violence due to an overall lack of leadership, preparedness and integration among the various components of the mission" and that "command and control arrangements were inadequate, while peacekeepers maintained a risk-averse posture".

"These factors contributed to the failure of UNMISS to respond to the attack by Government soldiers on the Terrain camp on 11 July and protect civilians under threat," the report said.

The UN Chief vowed to "ensure that the necessary steps are taken to enable UNMISS to protect civilians more effectively, including through greater accountability of the mission's civilian and uniformed leadership.

(Reopens FGN 26)



The report noted that during the three days of fighting, according to some conservative estimates, at least 73 people were killed, including more than 20 internally displaced persons.

Two peacekeepers were killed and several more were injured.

In addition, 182 buildings in the UN House compound were struck by bullets, mortars and rocket propelled grenades.

"(Ban) reiterates his outrage over the acts of violence committed in Juba in July and the continuing betrayal of the people of South Sudan by too many of its leaders," a statement issued by Ban's spokesperson had said.

South Sudan has faced ongoing challenges since a political face-off between Kiir and Machar erupted into full blown conflict in December 2013.

The crisis has produced one of the world's worst displacement situations with immense suffering for civilians.
A Bangladesh police team quizzed five members of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) terror group, arrested by NIA in 2014 Burdwan blast case, to find if any of them were involved in the conspiracy hatched to overthrow democratically elected Sheikh Hasina government in the neighbouring country.

Official sources said a team of Bangladesh police arrived here last month and questioned Moulana Yusuf, alleged to be the second-in-command of JMB's West Bengal unit and one of the main accused in the Burdwan blast, Jahidul Sheikh alias Zafar alias Jabirul, Mohammad Rafique, Shahidul alias Shamim and Abdul Kalam alias Kalim.

The Bangladesh police and NIA have been cooperating on reciprocal basis on various issues including the role of banned JMB and flow of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) into India.

The Bangladesh team quizzed the five to know whether any of them were involved in the conspiracy hatched to overthrow a democratically elected Sheikh Hasina government there and ensure rule of 'Shariyat' (Islamic law) in that country.

The five were arrested from Assam by Special Task Force of Kolkata Police in the last week of September for allegedly conspiring to carry out blasts in the country and also striking a deal with Bodo militants. Later, NIA took their custody.

Out of the five, Yusuf and Kalam had been charge-sheeted by the NIA in abstentia while the role of other three would be defined in a fresh charge sheet, to be filed in due course of time, sources in the anti-terror probe agency said.

On October 2, 2014, a blast had occurred in a house at Khagragarh in Burdwan district of West Bengal in which a man identified as Sakil Gazi died on the spot, while another man named Sovan Mandal died in hospital. Both of them were suspected of having terror links.

NIA later discovered that Mondal was Karim Sheikh and he had misled West Bengal police about his identity.

The agency later filed a charge sheet against 30 people in March last year. Some others were added in supplementary charge sheets in which the NIA alleged that the JMB members wanted to establish Sharia rule by overthrowing the democratically-elected government in Bangladesh.

JMB's activities in India primarily included recruitment, radicalisation and training of vulnerable youths in a systematic and organised manner and, in pursuance of the conspiracy, they had established organisational bases in certain districts of West Bengal like Nadia, Burdwan, Murshidabad and Birbhum as well as in Sahebganj district of Jharkhand, the NIA said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The war of words over the killing of eight SIMI activists in Bhopal after the jail-break escalated today with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleging "political vendetta" and that many questions remained unanswered while the BJP hit back at Congress.

The lawyer representing the families of the eight activists, meanwhile, claimed that all the deceased sustained gun shots in the head and chest above the waist in the alleged police encounter on Monday, hours after they escaped from the Bhopal Central Jail.

"They were fired upon from the front and all of them sustained injuries in their head and chest above the waist," lawyer Parvez Alam told PTI claiming that he has seen the postmortem report of the deceased.

Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief, said her party did not agree with the "so-called encounter theory".

"We do not agree with the so-called encounter theory. Many unanswered questions arise in the minds of the people," Banerjee said in a tweet.

"This is all happening in the name of political vendetta. Issues like these make me deeply concerned about national integrity & unity."



At a press conference in Hyderabad, BJP national secretary Siddharth Nath Singh took on Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh for raising questions about the genuiness of the alleged police encounter.

"They (SIMI men) must have thought the Congress was a safer place than the jail (and hence escaped). By speaking in support of the terrorists, Congress leaders seem to be trying to protect them," Siddharth alleged.

"It is unfortunate that the Congress is seeking to link terrorism with religion. The Congress leaders are expressing sympathy towards the slain terrorists. Why are they not talking about the police constable who was killed in the encounter?," he questioned.

Referring to Digvijaya's poser why only Muslims escaped from the prison, the BJP leader remarked that they might have felt the Congress to be a safer place for them.

Bhopal police has dismissed criticism over the encounter killing, saying there was heavy exchange of fire in which they were felled after which four countrymade guns and some sharp-edged weapons were recovered from them.

The mother of Mujeeb Sheikh, one of the slain SIMI activists, alleged that his killing was a conspiracy. Sheikh was buried in Ahmedabad amidst tight security.

Talking to mediapersons after the burial, Mumtaz Sheikh said her son was not a terrorist, and that she will continue to fight for justice.

"My son is not a terrorist, his crime has not been proved, and his murder is a conspiracy. I will continue my fight under law and I believe I will get justice," she said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary in Tripura, the country's only natural breeding centre of bisons, could be developed as a major tourist spot, a forest official said today.

The sanctuary located in Belonia subdivision of South Tripura district, around 100 km from here, boasts of many resident and migratory birds, Divisional Forest Officer (South) Harsha Kumar said.

"Two watch towers to see the animals and a butterfly park were developed recently and the vast lake in the sanctuary was renovated with boating facilities. The area could easily be developed as tourist hotspot if the department ropes in the Tourism department," he said.

According to the last census conducted in 2013, around 130 bisons were found in the two blocks of the sanctuary.

The official was upbeat that the animal's population was on the rise as newborn calves of bisons have been spotted grazing in the sanctuary.

However, their current population could not be ascertained till a fresh census was conducted, Kumar said.

"This is a well managed sanctuary. A grass land was also developed in the core area, so that the animals need not come out of the area in search of food," the official said.

Besides creating proper habitat for the animal, he said awareness about bisons have also increased among nearby villagers following campaigns.

As the sanctuary is located near the Indo-Bangla border, poaching by hunters from Bangladesh had been rampant, but with the erection of barbed wire fencing on the border last year, poaching has come to zero, Kumar added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The woman's wing of BJP today questioned Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's "silence" on the attack on a woman officer, allegedly by the ruling BJD's MLA Prashant Jagdev.

Demanding action against the erring legislator, the activists of BJP Mahila Morcha launched a protest against the assault of the Bolgarh woman tehsildar. The members of the Morcha covered their mouths with black cloths and carried out a silent march.

"Why chief minister, who is also in-charge of the home department silent over the matter. A woman officer has openly through television media has said that the MLA assaulted her. But, still the chief minister is silent," BJP Mahila Morcha state president Pravati Parida said.

The Morcha also ridiculed the BJD's popular slogan on "women empowerment". If an on-duty tehsildar is not secure, how a common woman can be safe? actor-turned politician Pinki Pradhan wondered.

Meanwhile, Jagdev, who has denied charges against him, is finding it difficult to cope with the situation as members of the ruling party also do not support him.

BJD Spokesperson Samir Dash said the issue has come to the notice of the party president.

Though the woman officer was yet to lodge any complaint at the police station, a delegation of the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Association met her at Bolagarh.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Today at Mere Orthodoxy, I argue that

the duty of the Christian statesman (or stateswoman) to the poor requires defending human rights, supplying urgent needs, reducing barriers to market entry, and guaranteeing access to the institutions of justice, seeking realistic, gradual reform as possible and prudent.

Of particular interest to readers of the PowerBlog, I dedicate substantial space to explaining and advocating for free markets:

Jobs are what the poor need, and jobs are created by businesses. People settle for bad jobs only when good ones arent available. Thus, eliminating barriers to market entry ought to be of primary concern to the Christian statesman, combatting the unjust inequality created by closed markets. Barriers to entry include onerous occupational licensing and patent laws, high corporate taxes, zoning laws, overregulation, and subsidies. These things close markets to new competitors because, even though it might seem against their interest (except for subsidies), large, established firms are more likely to benefit from them and lobby for them (which is called rent seeking). In free markets, properly understood, these barriers are kept to a minimum, increasing competition and wealth creation. The more businesses there are looking for workers, the more demand there is for labor. Thus, not only will there be more jobs, but wages will be higher as well. It should be no surprise that the decline in American entrepreneurship has coincided with wage stagnation. Beyond wages, an additional benefit of increased competition is that it also drives down the price of consumer goods, thus lowering the cost of living for everyone as well. Free markets help the poorand everyone elsein terms of production (labor), distribution (wages), and consumption (lower cost of living).

This essay will be the first in a series. As Jake Meador, editor of Mere O (as the kids call it), noted as a preface:

Over the next week well be running pieces multiple pieces on political economics. The chief question we are addressing is What duties a Christian magistrate has to the poor? In todays post, Dylan Pahman of the Acton Institute is giving a classical liberal answer to that question. Tomorrow we will be running a response to the same question written by a Christian socialist.

It is my understanding that we will then respond to each others essay and end with a statement of common ground.

So, if you ever wondered what hath Christian classical liberalism to do with Christian socialism? (other than not much), you can find out this week at Mere Orthodoxy.

Read the whole essay here.
The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) today held a protest against Pakistan for targeting civilians along the International Border and Line of Control, at Kachi Chawni area of the city.

State president BJYM Suresh Ajay Magotra said the country was behind the brave soldiers who were guarding the borders and "teaching Pakistani Rangers a lesson".

Later, the protestors burnt the effigy of Pakistan and raised slogans against the neighbouring country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 35-year-old brick kiln worker was killed allegedly by his co-worker in Ambarnath town in the district, police said today.

Suresh Kusha Khutare, a resident of Shahapur was working with a brick kiln in the district. He along with his co-worker Shatrugana Sahu were consuming alcohol on the night of October 31 at the kiln, Police Inspector (Crime) S K Jadhav of Hill Line Police Station said.

An altercation broke out between the two over some petty issue. Following this, Sahu (40) hit Suresh with a brick. The victim was was killed on the spot, said the officer.

The accused, who works as a dumper driver, was apprehended last night, he said.

A case under section 302 (murder) of IPC was registered in this regard and a probe was underway, Jadhav added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A cyber crime cell official of Jaipur police, who was arrested for alleged involvement in illegally procuring and selling mobile phone call details records (CDR) of businessmen and corporates, has been granted bail by a Delhi court.

Metropolitan Magistrate Rajani Ranga enlarged Mukesh Kumar Meena (38), a sub-inspector in the cyber cell of Jaipur Police, on bail, saying no fruitful purpose would be served by keeping him jail but warned that he should not commit similar offence again.

"A perusal of the record reveals that all the five co-accused have been released on bail and charge sheet has been filed. In these circumstances, I am of the view that no fruitful purpose would be served by curtailing the liberty of the accused person by keeping him behind bar," the magistrate said while granting him bail on furnishing of a personal bond of Rs 20,000 and surety of like amount.

The court directed Meena to appear before it on every date of hearing, not to commit similar offence again and not to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.

Meena and five others were arrested in July following raids in cities, including Mumbai, Pune and Jaipur, on the basis of a complaint by a Delhi resident whom the accused had allegedly approached and provided him with his son's CDR in exchange of Rs 8,000.

Advocate Pradeep Rana, appearing for Meena, sought bail claiming he was falsely implicated by officials of the crime branch and the complainant, and that the cop had a bright future.

The counsel said Meena was in custody since July 17 and his bail was dismissed thrice and was no more required for investigation purposes.

The bail plea was opposed by Delhi Police on the ground that the allegations against him were serious and the probe in the case was still going on.

"From the investigation conducted so far, it has come out that a big racket is involved in procuring CDR illegally all over India which have link with the accused persons... Meena in his official capacity was entrusted with the passwords of government emails for procuring CDRs but he indulged in selling CDRs for his personal monetary benefit in connivance with other accused...

"He misappropriated the valuable documents i.E. CDRs and cheated his senior officers as well as mobile service providers," the police said.

Besides Meena, the other accused in the case included



Aniket Prakash Dhamle (25), who claims to be an ethical hacker by profession and runs a detective agency in Pune, Abhinav Kumar (35), who heads a detective agency in Mumbai, Gajraj Singh (23), a cyber expert who was helping Jaipur Police for the past two years.

Police has booked all the accused under various sections including cheating by impersonation, cheating, criminal breach of trust by public servant, criminal conspiracy under the IPC and under the Indian Telegraph Act.

Police said Meena allegedly sent over 2,000 CDRs to Gajraj Singh through official links under the National Informatics Centre (NIC) domain for around Rs 1,500 each, which Singh used to resend to the detective agencies for anything around Rs 3,500. The detective agencies used to sell the same to their clients charging between Rs 5,000-12,000, police said.

The agencies associated with the racket allegedly catered to clients who sought CDRs for clues in matrimonial disputes, financial enquires of their rivals, love affairs, civil disputes, legal disputes and match-making, it said.
China launched its 33rd expedition to Antarctica as its research vessel and icebreaker Xuelong (Snow Dragon) left Shanghai today on a 161-day voyage to build a new base on the white continent.

A 256-member team has embarked on their trip of 31,000 nautical miles, Sun Bo, deputy director of the Polar Research Institute of China, who leads the team said.

They will visit the Zhongshan, Kunlun, Taishan and Changcheng stations, performing various research tasks.

The team will also carry out environmental clean-up around the stations. It is scheduled to return to Shanghai on April 11 next year.

The expedition has a list of 72 tasks to perform including preliminary site selection for China's new base on the Ross Sea and work on fixed-wing aircraft, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

Xuelong will arrive at the Zhongshan station in eastern Antarctica in early December. After unloading at Zhongshan, Kunlun, and Taishan stations, the ship heads to Chile to resupply.

In late January it will survey the Ross Sea, returning to the Zhongshan station in late February before departing home early March.

China currently has built fourAntarcticresearch stations - Taishan, Great Wall, Zhongshan and Kunlun.

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Climate change is the biggest challenge for humanity and all nations will have to adopt policies to face and address it, Norway's ambassador to India, Nils Ragnar Kamsvag said here today.

"Not many have understood the seriousness of climate change. As a nation, Norway is a witness to extreme weathers but during last few years the extreme weathers have become more extreme. Areas that were once felt as a safe zone are no more a safe zone.

"The drain systems which were designed to deal with limited rainfall are choking up because of increase in rainfall and the areas which were considered safe are getting submerged due to heavy rainfall," Kamsvag said.

He was delivering inaugural address at the two-day international conference on "Climate Change, Water, Agriculture and Food Security" at ICRISAT here.

The conference is organised by a consortium of institutes, including the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, and Water and Land Management Training and Research Institute (WALAMTARI).

The objective of the conference is to better understand and synthesise the biophysical, technological, institutional, social, economic and political drivers for future agricultural development and food security.

The conference has been planned across 15 themes and 70 papers.

On the occasion, Kamsvag called upon various nations to come forward and join hands and address the challenges properly.

He said Norway was contributing to the extent of USD 25 billion to countries which are limiting deforestation and trying to have programmes for forestation.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of the conference, Kamsvag said that he was hopeful of a "positive outcome" from the Conference of Parties (COP 22) and the forthcoming 12th session of COP 22 serving as the meeting of parties to Kyoto Protocol (CMP 12) which will be held in Marrakech in Morocco next week.

"A lot depends on US elections," he said, adding that he was hopeful of a positive outcome.

In his address, Central Water Commission (CWC) chairman G.S.Jha said climate change was an issue of concern.

"At Central Water Commission, we have taken up measurements and study of glacier lakes and are trying to analyse them. As per the finding, some lakes are shrinking while some are increasing in size," he said.

Jha said there was a rainfall of increased intensity but



it cannot be established whether the change was due to change in weather cycle or other factors.

CWC has taken up some irrigation projects in different regions and found that irrigation projects are running at low efficiency due to the lack of maintenance as the prime reason, he said.

"There are instances where canal (system) has lost its design capacity, there are erosions and it does not run full as a result of which the tail-end areas suffer. There is no association to manage water and ensure equitable distribution of water. Huge investments made on dams are not giving commensurate benefits," Jha said.

He further said the "attitude" of farmers was to look up for everything to government, but there is a need to generate local investment to have a sense of belonging among farmers.

On the occasion, posters were released on ultrasonic sensors developed by WALAMTARI besides a book on climate change and agricultural development, published by Earth Scan London. The book is authored by Dr Udaya Sekhar Nagothu of the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research.
Claiming that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is now investigating inner circles of Hillary Clinton, her Republican presidential rival on Wednesday said that the election of the former Secretary of State as the next President would create an "unprecedented and protected constitutional crisis".

"If Hillary Clinton were to be elected, it would create an unprecedented and protracted constitutional crisis," Trump told his supporters at an election rally in Miami.

"Haven't we just been through a lot with the Clintons, right? Remember when he (Bill Clinton) was impeached for lying? He can't practice law. He doesn't have the right to practice law. Didn't we just go through this? And the last thing we need is another four years of Obama," Trump said as the audience booed Clinton.

Trump claimed his campaign is on the cusp of an incredible historic change that transfers power from a failed political establishment and returns that power to the families, communities and citizens.

"The system is rigged, remember that. The system is rigged. Right now, it's rigged. We're going to change it," he said.

The Republican presidential nominee said that the "spread of political agendas" into the Justice Department had "never been a thing like this that has happened in our country's history -- is one of the saddest things" that has happened to the country.

"But with your vote you can beat the system, the rigged system, and deliver justice. So, show up early and vote. Show up early. You know, the lines are incredible," he added.

"The polls are all saying we're going to win Florida. Don't believe it. Don't believe it. Get out there and vote. Pretend we're slightly behind. You got to get -- we don't want to blow this," he said.

"This is the one chance we have, it'll never happen again. It's not going to happen. In four years, it's not going to happen... It can't happen again. This is a movement like we have never seen in this country before. These crowds, the enthusiasm, the love," he said.

The audience erupted into wild cheer as he referred to the re-opening of the Clinton' FBI investigation.

"They're re-opening the investigation into Crooked Hillary Clinton. Crooked Hillary, she's crooked," he said as the audience booed and shouted aloud: "Lock her up! Lock her up!"

"Crooked Hillary, you know that term has really stuck, everyone's calling has anyone seen Crooked Hillary today? That's going to be a great term for a president. What a mess. This is the biggest scandal since Watergate," he said.

"And now it's been reported that there are FBI enquiries probing virtually all of Hillary's inner circle and many of the things she's done over the years," Trump said.

Trump is scheduled to address a number of rallies in Florida over the next two days.

"She wants to blame everyone else for her mounting legal troubles, but she really has no one to blame but herself. Hillary is the one who set up the illegal private e-mail server to shield her criminal activity," Trump said.

"Hillary is the one who endangered national security by sending classified information on an insecure server. Hillary is the one who lied so many times to Congress and the FBI. Hillary is the one who made 13 phones disappear, some with a hammer," Trump said.
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have launched aggressive advertisement campaigns running into millions of dollars, with the two rivals virtually carpet bombing key battleground states with their election rallies a week ahead of the US presidential polls.

The advertisement blitz came as the Clinton campaign battles to contain the fallout from her latest brush with the FBI after the investigating agency revived questions about her use of a private email server as secretary of state.

Latest polls have shown Trump gaining in the opinion polls he trailed until before the announcement by the FBI. Trump and Clinton now are neck-and-neck in several national polls, and in such a situation, the swing states hold the key for them.

Given the schedule of Clinton and Trump, along with President Barack Obama, Ohio and Florida states have emerged as the nucleus of the November 8 presidential elections.

On the first day of the last week before the elections, Clinton addressed three rallies in Florida, while Obama campaigned for her in Ohio. Trump campaigned in Pennsylvania and will address three rallies in Florida over the next two days.

Obama would hit the ground in Florida with a series of rallies until tomorrow.

The two rival campaigns have said new meetings would keep adding to their leaders' schedule even till the last minute.

The two campaigns yesterday released video commercials. According to an estimate, the two campaigns and their supporting groups are expected to spend a whopping USD 42 million on commercial advertisements.

Trump's campaign released a television commerical titled "Choice", which outlines a clear choice voters have between Clinton's "future of stagnation, and Trump's vision for a better, stronger, and more prosperous America."



The commercial serves as Trump's closing argument to the American people, and will air in major markets across the country. "At the end of the day, this election is simply a choice between the stale, failing policies of the past, and Mr Trump's bright, positive vision of the future," said Jason Miller, senior communications advisor to the Trump Campaign.

"The overwhelming majority of Americans believe our country is headed down the wrong path, and this is the direct result of eight years of failures both at home and abroad by the Obama-Clinton administration," he said.

'Hillary for America' is also airing a series of new ads in which Republican voters explain their decision to support Clinton after a recent video showing Trump's revolting views on and actions toward women.

Since the tape was released, 12 women have come forward to confirm Trump engaged in the type of behaviour he had boasted about and then denied.

In Dade City, Florida, Clinton continued outlining the choice in this election, including Trump's views, rhetoric and action that show how bad his presidency would be for women and girls.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Throwing his weight behind NMMC commisioner Tukaram Mundhe, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today suspended the no-confidence motion passed by the NCP -ruled body against the IAS officer popular among the public for his firm stand against illegal constructions.

"The no-confidence motion has been suspended by state government and the (Navi Mumbai) Mayor has been asked to submit a response in 30 days as to why the civic body took such an action," an official in the Chief Minister's Office said.

Even as the suspension of motion is viewed as the CM's endorsement of the officer who had ruffled feathers of corporators in the satellite city, it's also aimed at sending the message that BJP stands for transparency. BJP is facing forthcoming local body polls on the 'clean image' of Fadnavis.

The motion, passed 105 to 6 on October 25, was sent to the Urban Development department headed by Fadnavis.

While BJP corporators had opposed the motion, its ally in the Maharashtra government Shiv Sena had joined hands with NCP and Congress and supported it.

Terming the government's decision as "extremely unfortunate", Navi Mumbai Mayor Sudhakar Sonawane said, "This decision was definitely avoidable by the government as this clearly violates the provisions of Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporations Act (BPMCA). The elected representatives across the party lines voted against him."



He alleged that the IAS officer has been exercising his executive powers "absolutely autocratically" and almost all the decisions taken by him have landed in controversy and therefore court have given stay in many of them.

Sonawane had earlier sought removal of Mundhe from his post and even met Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray for the demand.

The development is also viewed as a snub to Sena which had voted against the officer.

Thackeray had said, "If the CM does not want to respect majority and the decision taken through a democratic way, then he should change rules and withdraw the right of passing of a no-confidence motion from corporators and act according to his own will."



When asked what would be his further course of action, Sonawane said, "There are several ways available in democracy. We resorted the first one (bringing no-confidence motion) and the second one is to challenge it in court as major provisions of BPMCA have been violated. We would definitely think about the second option.

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The BJP today hit back at the Congress in the wake of alleged encounter of eight SIMI activists by Madhya Pradesh police, saying the latter was ostensibly seeking to protect the terrorists.

"They (SIMI activists) must have thought the Congress was a safer place than the jail (and hence escaped). By speaking in support of the terrorists, Congress leaders seem to be trying to protect them," BJP national secretary Siddharth Nath Singh alleged at a press conference here today.

He was countering Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh's attack on BJP in the wake of the alleged encounter that took place in Bhopal on October 31.

"It is unfortunate that the Congress is seeking to link terrorism with religion. The Congress leaders who are expressing sympathy towards the slain terrorists...Why are they not talking about the police constable who was killed in the encounter," Siddharth said.

Referring to Digvijaya's poser why only Muslims escaped from the prison, the BJP leader remarked that they might have felt the Congress to be a safer place for them.

Siddharth said that BJP will organise a rally at Tadepalligudem in West Godavari district on November 26 to highlight farmers' issues.

BJP chief Amit Shah will address the rally.

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On the day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 16th Foundation Day celebrations in Chhattisgarh, thousands of workers on Tuesday courted arrest at various places in support of their party's 20-point demands including minimum Rs 300 bonus to farmers for paddy.

State unit chief Bhupesh Baghel alleged that Modi has "broken" the faith of farmers hit by "economic crises" in the state.

spokesperson Sushil Anand Shukla claimed that over one lakh party workers courted arrest across the state as part of the 'Jail Bharo Andolan'.

Around 18,722 Congress workers, including leaders, courted arrest at different police stations in Raipur district alone, he said.

Besides Baghel, the Leader of Opposition T S Singhdeo, Rajya Sabha MP Chhaya Verma, MLA Satyanarayan Sharma, senior leader Mohammad Akbar was among those who participated in the protests at various places in the state capital.

Similarly, 11,865 workers in Sarguja district and 12,346 workers in Bilaspur courted arrest. However, they were later released unconditionally, Shukla added.

Baghel alleged that Chhattisgarh did not get anything out of the Prime Minister's visit.

"He (Modi) has once again broken the faith of farmers who have been bearing the brunt of economic crises in the state. Neither Modi nor Chief Minister Raman Singh said anything about raising the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy. They were also silent over the bonus to farmers," he said.

Among the prominent demands of Congress are payment of Rs 300 bonus and MSP (minimum support price) of Rs 2,100 to farmers for each quintal of paddy, distribution of 35 kg rice to every ration card holder family and a judicial inquiry into "fake Naxals encounters" in Bastar.

The Congress leaders also demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the 2013 Jiram Valley massacre, in which a number of Congress leaders were killed allegedly by Naxals, and to discourage outsourcing in local jobs.
 Palestinian Peace Negotiator and Media Favorite Honors Terrorists | Main | UAE Supported Film That Demonizes Israel Shown at Museum of Fine Arts in Boston 

November 01, 2016

Kudos to the Boston Globe on UNESCO Commentary





The malice and lies about Israel that emanate from the United Nations and its various bodies are endless and frequently ignored by the media as well as officials and pundits. Last week's Arab/Muslim-led resolution effectively negating Jewish religious and historical ties to the Temple Mount touched a nerve -- perhaps because the lie is so bizarre.

A November 1 Boston Globe editorial strongly denounced the assault on history and Israel's legitimacy, saying:

The United Nations animus toward Israel took a truly deplorable turn last week with the passage of a resolution implicitly denying the Jewish peoples historic connection to the holiest site in Judaism. That site is Jerusalems Temple Mount, so named for the two Jewish temples that stood on the site for almost nine centuries  the first built by King Solomon nearly 3,000 years ago, the second destroyed by the Roman legions under Titus in 70 A.D. One neednt be a Bible scholar or a historian to know that the cultural, religious, and emotional bonds that link the Jews to Jerusalem are unparalleled. For millennia, Jerusalem and the Temple Mount have been central to Jewish self-awareness  and thus to Christianity as well, since the Temple figures prominently in the Gospels account of the life of Jesus.

The Globe further noted:

Malicious distortions of history are not trivial. In the Middle East as elsewhere, such falsifications have triggered wars and incited bloodshed. So it is reassuring that the UNESCO resolution has been vigorously denounced, and not only by Israel. Crystal Nix-Hines, the US ambassador to UNESCO, slammed the organizations pronouncements on Jerusalem as continuously one-sided and inflammatory? and regretted that the latest resolution wasnt defeated. In Prague, Czech parliamentarians voted overwhelmingly to repudiate the UNESCO resolution. Even Ban Ki-moon, the outgoing UN secretary-general, issued a rebuke, warning that dishonest revisionism will only feed violence and radicalism.?

The Globe did its own important part too in reiterating for readers the facts -- and the immorality of using lies to harm and isolate Israel.



Posted by AL at November 1, 2016 10:42 PM

UNESCO now says the Mona Lisa is a self-portrait of Arafat.

Look at picture.

https://twitter.com/DanKelso1/status/788800653690896384

Posted by: Barry Meridian at November 4, 2016 03:50 AM

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Congressmen on Wednesday staged a dharna on the last day of filing nomination to the November 19 bypoll to Hayuliang constituency protesting against the Arunachal Pradesh government's alleged "deliberate attempt" to curtail the democratic right of a candidate by not yet giving its approval to the nominee's VRS request.

The party also submitted representation to the Election Commission for its intervention on this issue.

Hundreds of Congressmen led by Arunachal Pradesh Committee (APCC) President Padi Richo, holding placards and banners, staged the dharna in front of the state civil secretariat in the morning accusing the Peoples' Party of Arunachal (PPA)-led Democratic Alliance (NEDA) government of curtailing the democratic right of a candidate.

Public Health Engineering and Water Supply (PHE&WS) department chief engineer Lapalum Kri, who is official candidate of for the by-poll, had applied for Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) on September 5 last but till date the state government was yet to give its nod, the party alleged.

Richo said that the Congress high command had approved the candidature of Kri and accordingly he had applied for VRS on September 5 last requesting the state government to accept it with effect from September 30.

"Surprisingly, the state government is yet to approve the VRS of Kri, in spite of getting all clearances including vigilance. On the other hand, resignation of Dasanglu Tulang Pul, the NEDA candidate contesting on BJP ticket, who is a government employee working as WC Meter Reader in the power department was readily accepted by the government," Richo alleged.

Today being the last date of filing nominations, the party has served an ultimatum to the state chief secretary to accept the resignation of Kri and threatened to organise hunger strike for two days from tomorrow at Indira Gandhi Park here.
Courts must exercise the power of contempt to punish offenders if there is a "calculated effort" to undermine the judiciary, the Supreme Court has ruled.

"Every citizen has a fundamental right to speech guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. Contempt of Court is one of the restrictions on such right. We are conscious that the power under the Act has to be exercised sparingly and not in a routine manner.

"If there is a calculated effort to undermine the judiciary, the Courts will exercise their jurisdiction to punish the offender for committing contempt," a bench of Justices A R Dave and L Nageswara Rao said.

The observation came in a verdict in which the apex court upheld the Rajasthan High Court finding in a contempt case.

The High Court had awarded two months jail term to four activists of Marxist Communist Party for making "scandalous statements" against the judiciary after some accused in a 2001 case of murder of a trade union leader were granted anticipatory bail.

The apex court, while concurring with the findings of the High Court, modified the sentence taking note of the peculiar facts of the case, saying the contemnors would be liable to pay a fine of Rs 2,000 each only and not serve the jail term.

The case pertained to the murder of a trade union leader of Sri Ganganagar district in Rajasthan on December 18, 2000 and some accused being granted anticipatory bail by the High Court in February 2001.

The contemnors, while addressing a gathering of party workers in front of the Collectorate at Sri Ganganagar on February 23, 2001, had made "derogatory and scandalous statements" which were published in a vernacular newspaper.

"We approve the findings recorded by the High Court that the appellants have transgressed all decency by making serious allegations of corruption and bias against the High Court. The caustic comments made by the Appellants cannot, by any stretch of imagination, be termed as fair criticism," the apex court bench said.

It said the apology tendered by the contemnors and affidavit filed in the apex court does not inspire any confidence that the apology is made bona fide.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The death toll from explosions and fire on a decommissioned oil tanker at a ship-breaking yard in Pakistan's Balochistan province rose to 20 and officials say the casualty figure could go up if the 25 to 30 missing workers are not found.

Firefighters belonging to the Pakistan Navy and other services were still trying to douse out the fire which broke out on the tanker at the Gadani ship-breaking yard after a series of explosions took place on it yesterday morning.

The 22,000-tonne oil tanker was tugged at the ship- breaking yard some 10-days ago but work on dismantling it began yesterday when the tragedy occurred in which around 60 workers have been injured and shifted to hospitals while 25 to 30 are feared missing.

A senior labour official confirmed that some 250 labourers had signed on for the dismantling operation.

Ship Breaking Mazdoor Union president Bashir Mehmoodani told PTI the death toll could rise if the missing workers were not found.

"The tanker is still on fire and there have been several explosions in it since Tuesday. Apparently there was some stored oil remaining in it as well," he said.

Mehmoodani said that safety measures for workers at the ship-breaking yard were more or less zero and they had been protesting over this for years now.

"Labourers here are treated worse than animals. I demand that the government hold a proper inquiry and take action against those who run this shipyard and the owners of the oil tanker," he said.

A top government official said that around 20 dead bodies had been recovered so far from the oil tanker and sea as many of the workers jumped into the open sea to save their lives.

"Many of the labourers have been rescued and are safe now. But some are still missing maybe around 20," he added.

Labour unions in Pakistan generally complain about lack of safety and health measures at worksites and in September, 2012 a fire broke out at a garments factory in Karachi's Baldia town in which around 257 people were killed and at least 600 injured.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The death toll from a series of explosions that rocked an oil tanker at a ship-breaking yard in Pakistan's southern Balochistan province rose to 18 after more bodies were recovered, officials said today.

Four more bodies were retrieved late yesterday, hours after at least 14 people were killed and more than 50 others injured in the blast at Gadani ship-breaking yard, Geo reported, quoting officials.

More than 100 people were working on the 8-foot-high ship at the time of the explosions.

Many were reported trapped inside the vessel moored in Gadani, 45 kms northwest of the port city of Karachi.

An official of Edhi Trust welfare foundation had said a loud blast rocked the ship docked in the shipbreaking yard, setting the ship on fire and that more than 25 people have been rescued.

About eight explosions occurred in the oil-tanker due to gas-welding work.

Gadani is world's third-largest shipbreaking centres - after Alang and Mumbai - where more than 15,000 workers are directly employed while another two million indirectly earn their livelihoods from it.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident. Sharif has also ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Area SSP Raja Ashfaq had said yesterday that most of the dead were those workers who had tried to jump into the sea and drowned or were burnt alive.

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today had to cancel a Cabinet meeting which was scheduled to deliberate on measures to control pollution, following the detention of his deputy Manish Sisodia when he was going to meet the family of an ex-serviceman who committed suicide over the issue of One Rank One Pension (OROP).

All the Cabinet ministers were scheduled to discuss a plan to deal with air pollution at 4 PM, but the meeting had to be cancelled in view of the situation that prevailed following the suicide of the 70-year-old ex-serviceman.

Kejriwal said, "We are having to postpone the Cabinet meeting. Why? Because the Centre has resorted to hooliganism."



The entire day witnessed a high drama when the Deputy CM went to meet family members of Ram Kishan Grewal at RML Hospital here and was detained by the police.

AAP volunteers later staged a protest against his detention outside Parliament Police station.

In the evening, police had to detain Chief Minister Kejriwal when he was going to Connaught Place Police station, where, according to him, Grewal's son was detained.

Three days after Diwali festivities, the national capital remained shrouded in a cover of thick smog, laden with high level of pollutants which kept air quality in the 'severe' category.

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Calling for an immediate political dialogue with all stakeholders to resolve the present unrest in Kashmir, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury today demanded that farmers who have been asked to evacuate their homes in the bordering districts be given compensation for their harvested corp.

He also advised the Centre not to be "myopic" by using the unrest in the Valley for political dividends in the upcoming UP Assembly elections.

"After the all party delegation went to Kashmir under Home Minister Rajnath Singh, it was suggested that a political dialogue with all stakeholders should be initiated to resolve the crisis.

"But, till now nothing has started. The situation in the Valley is worsening with every passing minute. Immediate initiation of a political dialogue with all stakeholders in Kashmir is required. Why is the alienation of people of Kashmir deepening? The government needs to find out," Yechury said on the sidelines of a programme here.

He said all political parties were united on the issue that cross-border terrorism was being imported from Pakistan.

"All of us are united on the issue that cross-border terrorism is being imported from Pakistan and the neighbouring country is adding fuel to the fire. But, we should not let Pakistan capitalise on this issue by letting Kashmir burn," he said.

Yechury demanded that farmers in the bordering Jammu and Kashmir villages, who have been asked to evacuate, should be compensated properly for the crops they have harvested in the last one year.

"There was a rainfall deficit for three years. This year the farmers managed to grow good crops, but when the harvesting season came, they are being asked to evacuate due to cross-border shelling and firing.

"We feel they should be adequately compensated by the government. And my advice to the government is, it should not be myopic and use the situation in Kashmir for their political benefits in the forthcoming UP elections," he said.

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"Do you not feel ashamed? He is a son of an army veteran... And you are arresting them?" an angry Rahul Gandhi told a group of Delhi Police, slamming detention of family members of an ex-serviceman who allegedly committed suicide over the OROP issue.

In a video shot inside Mandir Marg police station, where Rahul was taken following his detention after he tried to enter the RML hospital to meet the deceased Ram Kishan Grewal's family, the Congress leader was seen lashing out at a group of Delhi Police personnel for taking into custody some relatives of Grewal.

Pointing to Grewal's father and brother, Rahul demanded their release and termed their detention as "shameful"



"What is your name? You think the family of India's martyr should be arrested? Do you not feel ashamed?," Rahul asked one senior police official when he turned down Congress Vice President's request to release the family members of the deceased.

Grewal, an ex-serviceman from Haryana's Bhiwani district, ended his life yesterday by allegedly consuming poison on the lawns behind a government building in Janpath, the central area of the capital. Grewal, who was a familiar face of OROP agitation, left behind a suicide note, his son said.

A family member of Grewal alleged that police manhandled them when the family was in trauma.

Rahul was not allowed to enter Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where Grewal's body is kept while Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was detained outside the hospital.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal too reached RML hospital and lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he was lying on the 'One rank, One Pension' issue.

"The Prime Minister says OROP has been implemented, and soldiers are dying demanding it to be implemented. It means the PM is lying across the country.

"Then why did he commit suicide? The Centre is deceiving the army. I have come to meet his family. If anyone commits suicide in my state, should I not meet the family?



"BJP is doing politics. They have detained the Deputy CM. We will have to postpone the Cabinet meeting. Why? Because the Centre has resorted to hooliganism," Kejriwal told reporters outside the hospital.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Early voting, a unique feature of the American democracy, is gaining popularity in this presidential election as nearly 28 million voters have already cast their ballots in the polls scheduled for November 8.

This was evident at an election rally addressed by former US President Bill Clinton in St Petersburg in Florida, where most of the attendees raised their hands in unison when asked by the state's governor Charlie Crist: Who have already voted?



Stephens Richard is among the 28 million Americans (as of yesterday) who have cast their vote in the 2016 presidential elections, which is scheduled to be held on November 8.

"It makes sense. Why should I wait for the election day, when I already know, who I will be voting for. I can choose the time and day of my convenience to exercise my right to vote," Richard told PTI last night after waiting for a few hours to listen to his favourite leader Hillary Clinton at Sanford in Florida.

In Florida, one of the key battleground states, some four million people have already exercised their right to vote.

As per some estimate in some of the key states before November 8, between one third to half of the voters would have already cast their votes.

Early Voting, is a unique feature of the US democracy wherein a voter has the option to exercise their right to vote sometime even a month before the actual day of election. Over the past few election cycle, early voting has gained pace.

The 28-million figure for early voting this year is quite impressive given that in 2012 presidential election an estimated 126 million people had exercised their right to franchise. In both 2008 and 2012 more than 30 per cent of the people cast their ballot through early voting.

"Early voting is convenient," Clinton told her supporters at Sanford.

Clinton is a strong advocate of early voting. Exit polls suggests that she is leading in early voting.

The Democratic presidential nominee has a huge team of staffers and volunteers across the country who are pushing people to go out and vote early. "You can go to early vote in this county, in every county, and you can do it between now and the end of business next Sunday. I hope on the way over here or on the way somewhere tomorrow you'll go to the nearest early voting site. Not far from here is the North Branch Library, one block away, on North Palmetto Avenue," she said.

But for her Republican rival Donald Trump people going out



to vote early is not good. Since he trailed badly till last week, Trump's supporters believe early voters are Clinton backers.

The Republican establishment's nervousness was visible when Trump raised the issue during an election meeting in Wisconsin.

"This is a message for any Democratic voter who has already cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton and who are having a bad case of buyer's remorse, in other words you want to change your vote: Wisconsin is one of several states where you can change your early ballot if you think you've made a mistake," Trump told his supporters at a rally in Eau Claire.

Referring to the recent decision of the FBI to reopen its investigations into the alleged email scandal, Trump said a lot of stuff has come out since they voted.

At least three states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Minnesota give people an option to change their early voting.

"Early voting has also fundamentally changed campaigns in other ways. Campaigns now run voter mobilisation efforts during the entire early voting period. This gives them a chance to ask more voters to support their candidate, and these contacts have been well-established to increase turnout," said Michael McDonald, a political science professor at the University of Florida.

A well-known expert on early voting, McDonald attributes the rise in early voting to two phenomenon.

"More states are offering early voting options, and once a state adopts early voting more people vote early a part of their election regimen," he said.

Agreed Sambhu Banik, an eminent Indian-American from Maryland. "This is the first time in our over 40 years of voting we witnessed such a huge line to cast vote. But we feel very good that we have exercised our citizenry obligation as each vote counts," said Banik after casting his vote at the Potomac Community Centre, in Potomac, Maryland last week.

McDonald said early voting has changed how elections are run.

"Fewer people voting on Election Day means shorter lines and a better voting experience for voters. Election officials track early voting and share this information with the campaigns. An election pro-tip: if you vote early, the campaigns stop sending you mail, calling you, or knocking on your door," he said.
The Aam Aadmi Party government today told Delhi High Court that there was more than adequate number of teachers in schools aided by it.

The Delhi government told a bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Ashutosh Kumar that the prescribed student- teacher ratio was 35:1, but in schools aided by it the ratio was 33.9:1, which was much better.

The submission was made in an affidavit filed by the government stating that for 2015-16, the total number of students in aided schools was 1,60,909 and the total number of teachers was 4,745.

"This means that ratio of students to teachers was 33.9:1 which is better than the prescribed ratio of 35:1," the court noted.

The bench also noted that the issue of post fixation, which is necessary for distribution of teachers in various government schools to maintain the prescribed student-teacher ratio, has also been addressed by the government.

The Delhi government told the court that earlier the exercise of post fixation was not being done, but since 2014 it was being carried out and would continue to be done in future as well.

In view of the submissions made by the government, the bench disposed of a PIL which had claimed that there was inadequate number of teachers in government aided schools and post fixation exercise was not being carried out.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Foreign diplomats visited flashpoint areas of Myanmar's strife-torn Rakhine state today, authorities said, as pressure mounts on the government to address accusations of rights abuses in a region home to the Muslim Rohingya minority.

The military has heavily restricted access to the state's northwestern strip, which abuts Bangladesh, since surprise raids on border posts left nine police dead on October 9.

The hunt for the culprits, who the government says are radicalised Rohingya Muslims, has seen more than 30 people killed, dozens arrested and 15,000 flee their homes in fear.

The government has denied allegations that security forces have raped villagers, looted towns and torched homes belonging to the Rohingya and is keen to show that its operations to flush out the attackers were proportionate.

The ambassadors of China, the United States and United Kingdom were among diplomats and UN officials who arrived in the area on Wednesday morning, Myanmar's Ministry of Information said on its website.

They were joined by a high-level Myanmar government delegation "to study villages in Maungdaw district... From November 2nd to 3rd" the ministry added.

The surge in violence, in a state that has seen repeated rounds of religious unrest since 2012, has renewed international pressure on Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi to tackle the conflict and probe allegations of army abuse.

Those reports are difficult to verify with the army barring journalists from some areas of the remote region.

The violence has also raised a question mark over the extent of her leverage over an army that dominated the country for decades until her pro-democracy party was swept to power by elections a year ago.

A local policeman, requesting anonymity, said the ambassadors began the day by "checking the area around Wapaik village near Kyikanpyin BGP commanding office," referring to the Border Guard Police post hit by the attack on October 9.

Later a hundreds-strong group of Rohingya met their convoy as it toured the area.

"We told them we were kicked out from our village. We hope they can do something for us," Aung Thura, a Rohingya man who fled his village as it was engulfed in violence, told AFP.

Most of the one-million strong Rohingya are denied citizenship in Myanmar and tens of thousands have been trapped in grim displacement camps ever since religious violence tore through Rakhine in 2012.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An ex-serviceman allegedly committed suicide over the issue of One Rank One Pension scheme (OROP) here, police said today.

The 70-year-old ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal committed suicide by consuming poison at a park in New Delhi area yesterday evening.

Police said he along with some other ex-servicemen was in the process of submitting a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP.

According to his friends, Grewal had been upset over the issue for sometime.

Ex-servicemen have been protesting over the OROP scheme introduced by the government.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A farmer was injured after being shot at by his cousin over a property dispute at Gogna village in Shamli district, police said today.

The incident took place yesterday when Yogender Kumar (40) and his cousin Vishal confronted each other over a boundary dispute, SP Ajay Pal Sharma said.

In a fit of rage, Vishal shot at Yogendra, he said.

"The injured has been shifted to a hospital," police added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The FBI has once again courted controversy as it released heavily redacted files from its 2001 investigation of President Bill Clinton's pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich, just one week from Election Day.

The bureau yesterday posted 129 pages from its 2001 investigation of Rich, a former hedge-fund trader who had been indicted on multiple counts of tax evasion.

The release -- issued by an automated FBI Twitter account -- quickly drew complaints from Democrats who have assailed FBI Director James Comey for his decision last week to tell Congress the bureau was reviewing emails potentially related to Hillary Clinton's private server.

The bureau has been accused by some of meddling in the final days of a hard-fought US presidential election on November 8.

Hillary Clinton's supporters were already fuming after Comey revived the specter of her email scandal in the tense final days of the presidential election, a move that played right into Donald Trump's hands, CNN reported.

But their frustrations -- and suspicions -- intensified yesterday when the FBI suddenly released redacted files about its 2001 probe into President Clinton's pardon of Rich, it said.

"In an election hinging on voter perceptions of character and trustworthiness, the move revived memories of yet another political fracas surrounding the Clinton family," the network commented.

The FBI's tweet led some to conclude the documents were related to the Clintons' charitable foundation, but the tweet was referring to Bill Clinton's presidential library, which is governed by the William J. Clinton Foundation.

Bill Clinton pardoned Rich on his last day in office, one of his most controversial decisions as president. The FBI closed its investigation of Clinton's pardon for Rich in 2005 and no charges were filed against the former president.

"Absent a (Freedom of Information Act) litigation deadline, this is odd. Will FBI be posting docs on Trump's housing discrimination in '70s?" tweeted Brian Fallon, a spokesman for Clinton's campaign.

The FBI defended its actions in a statement yesterday.

"The FBI's Records Management Division receives thousands of FOIA requests annually which are processed on a first in, first out basis," the bureau said.

"By law, FOIA materials that have been requested three or more times are posted electronically to the FBI's public reading room shortly after they are processed. Per the standard procedure for FOIA, these materials became available for release and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBI's public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures.

The release was posted on Twitter by @FBIRecordsVault, an



account that posts material from FOIA requests on subjects of public interest.

Prior to Sunday, the account had not tweeted since October 2015. A law enforcement official told CNN that the Twitter account is an automatic feed and the tweets are not done manually.

The official said the feed was down for a year until Sunday, when it was fixed and then began tweeting automatically.

The account has recently released documents related to Donald Trump's father, Fred Trump, and the report on Hillary Clinton's email use at the State Department.

Comey, who was once a registered Republican, has been criticised by both Democrats and Republicans during the presidential campaign.

Republicans had ripped him when he recommended the Justice Department not pursue criminal charges over Clinton's use of a private server, a decision he announced in the days after Attorney General Loretta Lynch met with President Clinton on a tarmac in Phoenix.

He has also come under fire in the last week for his donations to the 2008 and 2012 Republican nominees, John McCain and Mitt Romney.

Previously, Comey had enjoyed broad bipartisan support throughout his career. In 2001, he was nominated to be the federal prosecutor for Manhattan by President George W. Bush and was backed by Senator Chuck Schumer, who is currently in line to become the Senate's top Democrat after the election.

Comey's pursuit of Rich while he was a fugitive living in Switzerland was cited in media reports from 2001 as part of his record which ultimately led to the high-profile job as New York City's top federal prosecutor.

The case was closed in 2005 without federal charges. Rich died in 2013.
A fire in the main branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) complex today damaged a structure housing residential quarters and three security barracks but timely action saved the main building of the bank, officials said.

The fire was caused by a short circuit and was noticed by security guards at the complex around 0300 hours at Residency Road in the heart of summer capital Srinagar, a spokesman of the Fire and Emergency Services department told PTI.

He said timely action by the department restricted the fire to a building housing the residential quarters. The blaze was doused within an hour.

"We pressed 17 water tenders, one sky lift and 13 fire engines to put off the fire under the joint supervision of Joint Director R K Hak and Deputy Director M A Dar," he said.

The spokesman said the roofing, bedding and furniture in the first floor and attic got damaged due to fire while the ground floor was mostly damaged due to water.

He put the estimated loss in the fire at Rs 2 crore.

Three security barracks also suffered damages in the fire, he said, adding that no one was hurt in the incident.

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French authorities today started moving out the remaining 1,500 unaccompanied children living next to the razed "Jungle" migrant camp in Calais to shelters around the country.

A first bus carrying 43 minors left the area around 8:30 am (0730 GMT) for the southwest, rapidly followed by a second one.

More than 30 buses have been deployed to transfer the minors to 60 centres nationwide.

The dismantling of the informal part of the camp that once housed up to 10,000 migrants, most of whom hoped to reach Britain, was completed on Monday night.

Over 4,000 adults who had been living in tents and shacks - mainly Afghans, Eritreans and Sudanese - were moved to reception centres across France last week, before the bulldozers moved in.

That left nearly 1,500 underage migrants, who stayed behind in a secure container park run by an NGO, and around 400 women and children living in a separate care facility a few hundred metres away.

The plight of the unaccompanied children has been the subject of testy exchanges between France and Britain.

France is hoping that Britain will take in most of the unaccompanied minors who travelled alone across the Mediterranean and up through Europe, in the hope of stowing away on trucks crossing the Channel to England.

After initially dragging its heels on the issue, Britain in mid-October speeded up the transfer of child refugees.

In the past two weeks it has taken in around 300 children with family or contacts across the Channel and promised to take hundreds more.

Some aid agencies have warned that scattering the children around France could hold up that process.

French authorities have assured that the minors still be able to pursue their dream of Britain from the far-flung shelters to which they are sent.

"No further transfer applications will be handled in Calais," an official document circulated among the teens yesterday read.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Goa Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar today escaped unhurt even as a tourist bus hit his official vehicle, police said.

"The mishap occurred in the afternoon at Agassaim village on the national highway. We have registered a case against the driver of the bus with a Maharashtra registration number as he banged his vehicle into the official car of the minister from behind," Agassaim police inspector Uday Parab told PTI.

The accident occurred at a place around 10 km from here as Parulekar was on his way back from his official visit to south Goa.

The minister was seating on the front seat, Parab said.

He said traffic was affected for a few minutes due to the accident but the police rushed to the spot and managed the situation well.

"Later, the minister left for his office in the same official vehicle," the inspector added.

(REOPENS CAL 1)



The BJP and NDA made it clear that they would accept



nothing less than sacking of the minister, while the ruling Grand Alliance leaders including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, said the matter is closed after the minister has said sorry.

Bihar Congress president and minister Ashok Choudhary told reporters that "first BJP should take resignation from its MP Subramaniam Swamy for making objectionable comments on Congress President Sonia Gandhi in the past."



Deputy Chief minister and RJD Legislature party leader Tejaswi Prasad Yadav pointed towards utterances of Union Minister of State Giriraj Singh against RJD President Lalu Prasad and asked BJP to give him a marching order first.

Mastan's issue continued to disrupt proceedings in both Houses of state Legislature.

In state Legislative Assembly, Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar raised the demand for sacking of the minister in the beginning of Question Hour.

Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary's repeated appeal to maintain order in the House and give a chance to the minister to speak on the issue did not move BJP and NDA MLAs who trooped into well of the House and raised anti-government slogans.

Some Grand Alliance MLAs rose from their seat to shout down NDA members. Amid din the House was adjourned till 2 PM.

The scene was no better in state Legislative Council, where NDA members led by Sushil Kumar Modi raised Mastan's issue and forced adjournment till 2:30 PM.

Mastan, who is in the eye of storm, was present in Council but was not allowed by NDA to speak.

Tejaswi Yadav attacked BJP for refusing to give a chance to the minister to make a statement. Talking to reporters outside Assembly, he also sought action against opposition MLAs who overturned Reporters table during stir yesterday and threw chair.

Parliamentary Affairs minister and JD(U) leader Shrawan Kumar also hit at BJP for not allowing the minister to speak.

Sushil Modi told reporters in his Council chamber that its not only a matter of use of "unparliamentary and uncharitable" comments on PM but more than that a heinous act of inciting crowd to hit a photograph of PM kept on stage with shoes.

Questioning the silence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the demand to sack Mastan from Cabinet, Sushil Modi asked why an FIR has not been registered into the incident so far and action taken against Circle Officer and Station House Officer who were present at the place when the protest programme took place in Purnea.

(REOPENS CES 2)



Meanwhile, Abdul Jalil Mastan today said he has



already expressed regret for the February 22 incident.

"I have already expressed sorry for the incident than why BJP is insisting on my resignation and making all sorts of allegation against me," Mastan told reporters outside Assembly premises.

(REOPENS CES 3)



As soon as the House resumed in the post-lunch session at 2 pm, agitated BJP members led by Prem Kumar continued with their demand for sacking of Prohibition, Excise and Registration department Minister Abdul Jalil Mastan for his undignified remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"What problem the Chief Minister has in taking action against the minister when Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi have also supported action against him. The CM says he neither protects nor implicate anyone, then why he is not taking action against the minister who made undignified statement against the PM," Prem Kumar said.

The BJP members rushed to the well and sat on dharna raising slogans against the government demanding Mastan's sacking.

Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary tried to pacify the BJP members with his repeated request to them to take their seats and participate in the debate on Budget 2017-18 but they did not relent and continued with their sloganeering in the House.

The Speaker, who initiated the debate on Budget, adjourned the proceedings till 3:30 pm after 20 minutes of din and uproar in the House.

Even RJD MLA Rajendra Kumar spoke on Budget amid uproarious scenes.

In the din, the Finance minister Abdul Bari Siddiqui read out his reply amid din, pandemonium and sloganeering when the House met at 3:30 pm again.

In his reply, Siddiqui rebutted the opposition's claim that it is a lacklustre Budget with no focus - spelled out his government's priority saying that the Grand Alliance government has put "development, poverty alleviation and financial stability" in the foreground of its agenda. Siddiqui, who could not complete his reply, tabled his written reply on the floor of the House.

In the end, when the House was about to be adjourned, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar made a comment in lighter vein over opposition members staging sit-in in the well requesting Speaker "These members are sitting in the well of the House. They have parched throat (due to slogan shouting). Please get them water.
The Centre, along with state-run power entities NTPC, REC and PFC, will soon launch a USD 2 billion clean energy equity fund to support the government's ambitious target of adding 175 GW renewable energy generation capacity by 2022.

"New and Renewable Energy Ministry has already processed the proposal and sent it to the Finance Ministry to initiate a USD 2 billion clean energy equity fund to push renewable energy capacity addition as envisaged by the central government," a senior official in the know said.

"The fund should be launched soon, within this fiscal, as all the spadework has been completed by the New and Renewable Energy Ministry after discussing it at a length with NTPC Ltd, Rural Electrification Corp (REC) and Power Finance Corp (PFC)," he said.

Ahead of the Paris climate talks in November last year, Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal had said that the central government is planning a USD 1 billion private equity fund for the renewable energy sector.

"We are planning a USD 1 billion private equity fund for renewable energy sector, initially seeded by government companies," Goyal had said during the 'Talkathon' event on the Paris conference.

"The government is also seeking to collect USD 4 billion per year in the next 3-4 years for a clean energy fund," he had said.

The official further said: "Initial seed funding will be done by the central government to set up this fund from the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund.

"The state-run NTPC, REC and PFC will also pitch in to create the fund.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With tension along the Indo-Pak border escalating, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the NDA government will do everything possible to counter the shelling and do the needful to protect the honour of the country.

"We will do whatever necessary action should be taken to protect the honour and prestige of the country," he told reporters when asked about the continuous shelling from across the border in Jammu region.

Asked about the strategy to counter the Pakistani shelling towards civilian areas, Singh said he has already spoken to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti about the safety of people living along the border.

"Strategy is strategy. It cannot be disclosed," he said.

Asked how India was retaliating to Pakistani firing, the Home Minister said "ask the neighbour".

On the possibility of revival of hotline between Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers to de-escalate tension along the border, Singh said "Let them (Pakistan) be prepared first for that".

A total of 18 people, including 12 civilians, have been killed and more than 80 suffered injuries in Pakistani shelling and firing along IB and LoC in Jammu since Indian Army carried out surgical strikes against terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on September 27.

BSF had yesterday said that 14 Pakistani Posts were destroyed in retaliatory action by its troops along International Border (IB) in Ramgarh and Arnia sectors of Jammu frontier.

In view of the relentless shelling, the Jammu and Kashmir government has closed over 400 schools along the IB and LoC in the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav today attacked the Centre for the alleged suicide committed by ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal over the OROP issue, saying the NDA government's "inaction" with regard to implementation of the scheme impelled him take the extreme step.

"I am deeply saddened on the demise of (ex-serviceman) Ram Kishan Grewal who committed suicide against inaction of the Government, and I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family," he said.

The JD(U) leader observed that not only ex-servicemen, but people in general including farmers, were feeling "helpless and unsecured" in the regime of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Rajya Sabha member claimed that people of the country have started losing faith in the democracy with the government actions allegedly reflecting dictatorial tendencies.

"Not only this person (the ex-serviceman) but when I meet general public daily at my residence in Delhi, and whenever I tour outside Delhi, people show their displeasure and unhappiness, especially the middle and poor class of the country," he said.

70-year-old Grewal allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison over the issue of OROP here last evening.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Police today detained Congress workers who blocked a road here to protest the detention of party vice-president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, where he tried to meet the family of an ex-serviceman who allegedly committed suicide over the issue of OROP.

Seven Congress workers, including Leader of Opposition in Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) Chandrakant Bhatthu, were detained when they were staging protest near Khanderao market, a party leader said.

"As part of the protest, party workers enforced 'chakka jam' (road blockade) on Rajmahal Road for 30 minutes before the police detained them," Prashant Patel, president of city unit of Congress, said.

The protest was organised to condemn Gandhi's detention when he went to meet the family members of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly committed suicide yesterday over the issue of One Rank One Pension.

He was released by the Delhi Police late in the evening.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi High Court has rejected the plea of an RTI activist challenging a trial court order rejecting his plea to lodge a graft case against AAP MLA Akhilesh Pati Tripathi for allegedly incurring expenses more than the prescribed limit in the 2013 assembly polls here.

The high court refused to interfere with the findings of the trial court that there was no infirmity with the election law on the spending for the 2013 Assembly elections, saying there was no substance in the petition.

"This court does not find any infirmity, illegality, impropriety or incorrectness in order dated April 29, 2016, passed by the Special Judge....This court does not find any substance in the present petition. There is no merit in it. The same is, accordingly, dismissed," Justice P S Teji said.

The high court order came on a plea by one Vivek Garg, who had challenged the trial court's April 29 order rejecting his complaint against Tripathi, a legislator from Model Town constituency in North Delhi, for allegedly spending over the prescribed limit of Rs 14 lakh in the 2013 election campaign.

Garg, also an advocate, in his complaint filed in 2015 had alleged that the AAP MLA, in collusion with unnamed officials of the Election Commission, had manipulated the account of expenditure on the campaign and understated it by about Rs nine lakh.

The complaint had also sought lodging an FIR against some officials of the Election Commission (ECI), Delhi Chief Electoral Office (CEO) and some officials of Delhi government, for allegedly colluding with Tripathi to manipulate account of expenditure incurred by him.

The high court, while dismissing his appeal, observed that "no specific allegation against any such officials was made in the complaint".

"If for the sake of argument, it is presumed that the officials did not scrutinise the final account of expenditure submitted by the candidate and did not take any action against him, the same does not fall within the meaning of criminal intent and there does not lie any criminal action against them.

"Since the allegations against the officials are alleged to have been committed during the discharge of their official duty, the submission of the petitioner that no sanction for lodging prosecution against such officials was required, holds no basis," Justice Teji noted in his 13-page judgement.

The petitioner had sought prosecution of the MLA for the alleged offences punishable under sections 420 (cheating), 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant) of the IPC and under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

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: The Madras High Court has dismissed a petition alleging encroachment by a private star hotel at nearby Mamallapuram and directed revenue authorities to make necessary changes in the village records expeditiously.

The Court had recently dismissed the PIL filed by the District Deputy Secretary of Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi, V Kittu against GRT Hotels and Resorts(P) Limited.

"In view of the conspectus of the facts and circumstances of the case, we do not find any force in the allegations of the petitioner and that too styled as a PIL," it said.

The Court then directed the Village Administrative Officer of Thirukazhukundrum Taluk to make necessary changes in the revenue records as per the order of senior revenue authorities dated January 23, 2003.

"The affidavit of government authorities clarifies the position so far as the land records are concerned and show that what India Tourism Development Corporation Limited, New Delhi, owned has been passed onto GRT Hotels and Resorts (P) Limited, which they must be allowed to enjoy, utilize and unhindered by any obstructions."



The matter relates to the alleged impingement of 9.99 acres of land in Mamallapuram Village by GRT hotels.

The petitioner had alleged that the land used by residents of Mamallapuram had been encroached by GRT Hotels and that the hotel building was constructed in violation of the rules and regulations.

Moreover, bogus pattas were obtained by the Hotel, which were used to avail loans, he alleged.

After perusing all records and affidavits filed by the government, the Court said "ITDC had acquired the lands together with buildings, free from all encumbrances and has been absolute owner of the alleged land with clear title over the properties."



Noting that the Tahsildar of Thirukazhukundrum Taluk, after perusing all the documents of GRT Hotels, had issued patta in their favour, it directed the subordinate revenue authorities to make necessary entries of changes in the revenue records, vide letter dated January 23, 2003.

But apparently no changes were carried out in village records," it noted.

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A high-alert has been sounded in Vizag Agency area of the district in the wake of Naxals' call for a five-state bandh tomorrow to protest the encounter on Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border last month.

Naxals have called for bandh in Andhra, Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra to protest the 'fake' police encounter in Malkangiri district of Odisha in which over two dozen rebels were killed last month.

Superintendent of Police (Visakhapatnam rural) Rahul Dev Sharma said apart from deployment of additional security forces in the sensitive areas, local political leaders of all parties who were known to be on hit-list of the ultras had been moved to safer areas.

Security had been intensified at all the 17 'sensitive' police stations in Vizag Agency area and at government establishments and the police had set up over 50 check posts on roads, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mizoram Governor Lt Gen (retd) Nirbhay Sharma today pitched for promotion of Hindi in northeastern states, saying the language will strengthen the process of integration of the region with the national mainstream.

"Hindi language will strengthen the process of integration of the northeast region with the national mainstream," he said after releasing a Hindi-Mizo dictionary published by the Central Hindi Institute here.

"The growing popularity of Hindi globally has facilitated socio-cultural connectivity. With improved relations with Bangladesh now, Mizoram is on its way to play more significant role in future," the Governor said.

Stressing that development of the state was vital for India as it bordered several countries including Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, Sharma said "post independence, there was just 50 kilometre of rail network in the state, but now better rail-road connectivity has led to efficient mobility and opening up more prospects for development of the entire region."



Director of the Central Hindi Institute, Nand Kishor Pandey said "work was going on to publish 40 dictionaries in different languages, of which 10 have already been published."



He said more students from non-Hindi speaking areas were joining various courses to learn Hindi, which was growing globallyand becoming a language of the market.

"Mizoram students were keen to learn Hindi and demanded that the state-run Hindi Training College in Aizawl be taken over by the central government to provide better teaching facilities," he added.

Students from northeast, Orissa, southern states and more than 35 countries were studying Hindi at the Central Hindi Institute here.

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Actress Jessica Chastain does not understand why some Hollywood stars say they don't get the privacy they want as she says she can control her fame and keep a low profile if she wants to.

The "Zero Dark Thirty" star insists there is a way for Hollywood stars to "set their own privacy" in the film industry by not attending popular celebrity haunts, reported Female First.

"In this industry you can set your own privacy. If I go to certain restaurants with my boyfriend I know we're going to get photographed," she said.

"But when the public is involved in your relationship... they can demand or ask questions because they feel like they have an ownership of it, because you sold it. That means they have a say in your private life."



The 39-year-old actress also opened up about what she looks for in each movie role she takes on.

"My experience with making movies is that I want to walk away from each role, and each set, having learned something and grown as a person.

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India and China today held the third meeting of the Joint Working Group here to explore ways to encourage investment in setting up industrial parks in India under the 'Make in India' initiative.

The Indian delegation was led by Ravneet Kaur, Joint Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry while the Chinese delegation was headed by Li Shaotong, Deputy Director General, Department of Outward Investment, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, an Indian Embassy press release said.

The Indian delegation also called on Vice Minister of Commerce, Gao Yan.

The joint group was set up as pat of MOU to promote Chinese investment and setting up of Chinese industrial parks in India signed in Beijing during the visit of Vice President Hamid Ansari in 2014.

Two meetings of the Joint Working Group, (JWG) have already taken place with the last one being held in February 2016.

The third Joint Working Group Meeting on 'Cooperation on Industrial Parks' focused on enhancing cooperation in Industrial Parks with Chinese investment in India.

During today's meeting presentations were made on investment opportunities available under Make in India and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, the press release said.

The JWG assessed progress made in existing and proposed Chinese investment projects and explored further steps to encourage more investment in setting up industrial parks in India.

India has been scouting for Chinese investments in Make in India programme, including in the industrial parks.

After the meeting, the Indian delegation also visited the China Fortune Land Development Industrial Park in Gu'an, Hebei Province later in the day.

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India has made a strong pitch for Chinese investments under the Make in India initiative in a range of sectors like infrastructure development and solar energy at two events in the booming eastern Zhejiang province.

Nagaraj Naidu, Director-General of Investment Trade and Promotion Division of Ministry of External Affairs, introduced the overall investment environment and guidelines for benefit of companies from Huzhou city at the India-China Business and Investment Forum and India Week celebrations.

A 60-member Indian business delegation headed by Prakash Gupta, Consul-General of Indian Consulate in Shanghai, took part in the events from October 31. The events were jointly organised by the consulate and the local Huzhou government.

The cooperation with Huzhou was a unique initiative bringing together economic, commercial and cultural aspects and intends to transport a truly Indian experience, said a statement from the consulate today.

India's strong pitch for Chinese investments at the two events was mainly directed towards infrastructure development, solar panels, roads, smart cities, urban transportation and power sectors.

Huzhou - located at an hour's drive from Shanghai - has been a key business partner for India in the Eastern China Region, and the city firms have shown a keen interest in investing in India under Make in India initiative, it said.

There was also considerable interest amongst the Huzhou people to know about the Indian culture, films and art forms and given this context, Huzhou was chosen as the second city in Zhejiang Province after Wenzhou to launch the India Week celebrations, it said.

Huzhou Communist Party of China Secretary Qiu Dongyao assured them of Huzhou companies' strong interest in investing in Make in India projects pertaining to infrastructure and smart cities.

The India Week Celebrations commenced with a cultural dance performance 'Rhythms of Rajasthan' by the Kalbelia dance troupe.

Additional presentations covered possible collaboration in banking, IT, e-commerce and medical tourism into India. A series of B2B meetings were also organised for participating Indian companies with their Huzhou counterparts.

An MoU was signed between Indian Confederation of Indian Industry - Shanghai Rep Office and China Council for Promotion of International Trade - Huzhou for future collaboration in promoting bilateral commercial exchanges between India and Huzhou, the statement said.

An Indian food festival was also organised showcasing the best Indian culinary experience, it added.

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For the first time in 30 years, an Indian-American monthly publication has endorsed a US presidential candidate as it asked its readers to vote for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

India Currents, a monthly publication from Bay Area, said in an editorial yesterday that it endorsed Clinton as it felt "intense outrage" after the resurfacing of an old video of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

"For the first time in thirty years, we are endorsing a presidential nominee-Hillary Clinton to be the next President," said in a joint editorial written by the magazine's editor Nirupama Vaidhyananthan and publisher Vandana Kumar.

Founded in 1987, the monthly is also being published from Washington DC for the past few years.

According to the editorial, the magazine decided to endorse a presidential candidate after a 15-year-old video of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump resurfaced in which he is seen making lewd remarks about women.

"The right to vote is both a duty and a privilege, and is especially so in this election which I am dubbing the -ism election. Racism and sexism have been in full display," the editorial said.

"Even Mr and Mrs India would have heard about the video this election cycle - the one where Trump bragged about making unwanted sexual advances," it said.

"Before the video surfaced, India Currents had planned the November cover to feature photos of both candidates-Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, with a headline "Vote!". After seeing the video, the intense outrage we felt prompted an editorial decision to carry only Hillary Clinton's image on the cover," the editorial said.

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A delegation of Indian officials and businessmen dealing in tea is visiting Egypt to participate in an exhibition here as part of efforts by the government to enhance trade relations with the Arab country.

The delegation for the October 29-November 3 visit is headed by Joydip Biswas, Deputy Director of the Tea Board of India, who is accompanied by Rishit Ravindra Patel, Ganesh Moorthy Lingan, Don Bosco Yasudass and Anil George Joseph.

The delegation held an interactive session with Egyptian Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Mohamed Ali El Sheikh and Indian Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya.

The session witnessed the participation of around 45 Egyptian officials and businessmen dealing in tea who discussed the trade relations between India and Egypt in the field of tea commerce.

"I discovered in my travels around Egypt that more popular than Bollywood among Egyptians is 'Chai', of course it is not a surprise at all because that's the major beverage in Egypt," Indian envoy Bhattacharyya said.

"Also I found that most people are aware that India used to be a provider for Chai," he added.

He also said that India already has a very great economic presence in Egypt. About 50 Indian companies are investing in Egypt with about USD 3 billion.

The Tea Board of India is a government body tasked with the regulation of tea cultivation and promotion of tea.

Biswas, showed a presentation entitled "the India tea industry at a glance" and gave info about the cities famous in tea industry in India and the types of tea.

"There is a growing demand on tea here in Egypt. The volume of the annual consumption of tea in Egypt is about 90 thousand tons. So the Egyptian market is number one in the Arab world in tea consumption," said Sameh Zaki, deputy chairman of the Board of Cairo Chamber of Commerce adding that Egypt imports tea because the climatic conditions here are not conducive to grow tea.

In recent years, the Egyptian tea market has seen changes that have favoured the expansion of Indian tea exports.

However, India's tea exports to Egypt have not been consistently going as high as 13 million kgs in 2008 and have reduced to 3 million kgs last year.

The government aims to promote Indian tea, which is already quite popular among the Egyptian people, through efforts such as this event where members of the Egyptian tea industry can meet with their Indian counterparts to explore ways to enhance cooperation.

India is the second largest producer of tea in the world and in the last financial year, India registered a record-high tea production of 1,233 million kgs with exports crossing 230 million kgs for the first time in 35 years.

On the other hand, Egypt is one of the top consumers of tea in the world with an annual consumption of over 1 kg on average per person.

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The 141st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was observed in the UK as hundreds of people of Indian-origin gathered here to pay tributes to the veteran leader and freedom fighter.

India's acting High Commissioner to the UK, Dinesh Patnaik led yesterday's proceedings which will now be marked as National Unity Day in London annually.

"Sardar Patel was known more for his role in unifying India post-Independence but his achievements before 1947 were equally great. He was among the great heroes of our freedom struggle and National Unity Day will now be celebrated every year in his memory," he said, addressing guests in the Gandhi Hall at the Indian High Commission in India House.

The event included the screening of a documentary on the life of Patel, tracing his humble origins in Gujarat before he went on to qualify as a barrister in England and then chose to sacrifice all to join Mahatma Gandhi in his struggle for Indian independence.

"Sardar Patel paved the way for modern India. He was considered the Iron Man of India and it is only right that his birth anniversary be celebrated as a mark of national unity and celebration of India's diversity," said NRI businessman Rami Ranger.

The event came after union minister Ram Vilas Paswan led the 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' pledge at the high commission on Monday.

He had hailed Patel as the "architect of a unified India", who ensured that the dream of an "undivided India" could be achieved.

This is the first year when the birth anniversary of Patel has been marked by two special events at India House with floral tributes paid to a statue of the freedom fighter that was unveiled at the Indian mission back in 2002.

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An Israeli military court has sentenced a Palestinian minor to life in prison for killing an Israeli woman, the army said.

"The Judea military court sentenced the assassin of Dafna Meir, who was killed by stabbing on January 17, 2016, to life in jail and to fines of 750,000 shekels" (about USD 196,000/178,00 euros), the army said in a statement yesterday.

The 38-year-old Israeli nurse and mother of six died of her wounds after she was stabbed at her home in the Jewish settlement of Otniel in the occupied West Bank.

The statement did not mention the name of the attacker because he was a minor.

It said the army would "continue dispensing justice with the greatest of severity against those who carry out terrorist acts".

A wave of Palestinian knife, gun and car-ramming attacks began a year ago, but the violence has significantly declined in recent months.

Since October last year, the violence has claimed the lives of 237 Palestinians, 36 Israelis, two Americans, a Jordanian, an Eritrean and a Sudanese, according to an AFP count.

Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out attacks, according to Israeli authorities. Others were shot dead during protests and clashes, while some were killed in air strikes in the Gaza Strip.

Most of the attacks were by lone-wolf assailants, many of them young people, including teenagers.

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Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Minister Bali Bhagat today visited Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital here toenquire about the health of the persons seriously injured in cross border firing.

The minister visited emergency, disaster, orthopedic, surgery and other units of the hospital and assessed the medicare being provided to the patients, an official spokesman said.

He interacted with the patients and enquired about the treatment facilities being provided to them at the hospital.

Eight civilians were killed and over 20 were injured, of which 15 were seriously wounded including 14-month-old girl Pari who was shifted to GMC late last night, in the cross border firing yesterday.

The minister informed that a control room has been established in the CMO office in the GMCbesides 58 ambulances have also been pressed into service to cater to the requirement of people of affected border areas from Kathua to Poonch.

Also, round-the-clock healthcare services are being ensured by the District and Sub-District hospitals as well as primary healthcare centres.

Earlier, the minister chaired a meeting of GMC hospital administration to review the overall functioning of the hospital besides taking stock of emergency services.

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Jet Airways today witnessed disruptions in its flight schedules leading to some cancellations apparently due to technical issues in the airline's rostering system.

Some flights from the National Capital, Mumbai and other places were cancelled.

Sources said some issues with the airline's crew optimiser software, used for rostering, resulted in disruptions of flight schedules and a few cancellations.

Besides, the disruptions were reported as pilots adhered strictly to the roster and refused to operate extra flights in view of the ongoing flight safety week, sources added.

There were no immediate comments from Jet Airways.

It could not be ascertained immediately the exact number of flights that were disrupted today.

The leading carrier, which has a fleet of 117 planes, flies to 67 domestic and international destinations.

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Later in a statement, the airlines said the issue occurred as high number of pilots had reported sick.

"Jet Airways is pleased to announce that operations across its network have returned to normal, following the resolution of issues caused by the non-availability of an unusually high number of pilots who had reported sick.

"This had resulted in the disruption of certain flight schedules, causing inconvenience to the airlines' guests, the statement said.

"The airline remains committed to maintain the sanctity of its flight schedules," it added.
Naresh Goyal-owned is facing acute shortage of pilots amid the airline increasing its capacity in the fast growing domestic market, according to sources.

A number of flights have got delayed in the recent past as the airline has failed to provide pilots due to paucity of the flight crew, they said.

The Mumbai-headquartered full service carrier is second largest airline in terms of number of domestic operations after no-frills IndiGo.

As part of the winter schedule, which is effective from late last month, plans to operate 3,010 flights per week while its subsidiary JetLite 507 flights per week.

"Jet Airways is facing shortage of pilots for quite some time now. While the airline has been increasing the number of flights in its both winter and summer schedules each year, the number of pilots is not increasing in the same ratio, leading to shortage of flight crew," a source said.

Jet Airways requires at least 200 more pilots to carry out its operations in a seamless manner, the source said, adding "shortage is more in narrow body, Boeing 737 fleet."

The airline currently has around 1,200 pilots to operate its fleet of 102 aircraft comprising Boeing 777s, B737s, Airbus A330s and ATRs. Almost two-thirds of its fleet consists of B737s.

Response to queries sent to Jet Airways in this regard was awaited.

Significantly, as many as 18 per cent of Jet Airways flights from four metro airports  Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru  failed to either arrive or depart on time in September. A major chunk of its flights are from its two hubs - Mumbai and New Delhi.

Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan had hit out at the airline after his flight to Chennai from Mumbai last week was allegedly delayed due to non-availability of flight crew.

"Flying to Chennai. Baggage, check. Board flight on time, check. Seat belt fastened, check. Only thing we need now are our pilots!!...Well done Jet Airways!!! Entire plane boarded without any pilots on board. Still waiting and hoping...," he had said in a series of tweets over the nearly none-and-half- hour delay of his flight.

For the last almost two years, India has been the fastest growing air traffic market in the world. In September, the domestic air passenger traffic registered a robust growth of about 23% as compared the same period last year.
Former Haryana minister Gopal Kanda's Golden Globe Hotels Private Limited today gave an undertaking to the Goa bench of Bombay High Court that it would not operate its off shore casino till the next hearing even if it was granted a licence by the state government.

The matter came up before a vacation bench of Justice Mahesh Sonak today when the government advocate informed the court that no renewal licence has yet been issued to the off shore casino run by Golden Globe Hotels.

Social activist Aires Rodrigues had earlier petitioned the Goa bench against renewing licence to Golden Globe Hotels, as the state Cabinet has already resolved not to give any more licences or renewals.

After hearing the government advocate, the High Court adjourned the matter to November 15.

Rodrigues, in his petition, alleged that the move of the state government to renew and grant off shore casino licence to Kanda's company was illegal and high-handed.

The petitioner had drawn the High Court's attention to a Cabinet decision taken by the Goa government in 2013 not to renew the expired licences of casinos.

The HC had last week issued notices to Goa government and the hotel company owned by Kanda on the plea challenging the state government's decision to renew the licence to the firm which owns an off shore casino anchored near here in Mandovi river.

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A gunman who killed 10 people in an attack on a police station in Kazakhstan's largest city Almaty this summer has been sentenced to death, a court said today.

Ruslan Kulekbayev, 26, had confessed to killing 10 people including eight police in July in a rampage that rocked the traditionally stable ex-Soviet republic.

Although Kazakhstan has had a moratorium on the death penalty since 2003, the constitution still allows it to be used in exceptional circumstances, including over terror attacks.

After the Almaty attack, Kazakhstan's national security service said that Kulekbayev had been exposed to radical Islam during previous stints in jail for armed robbery and other crimes.

In June, four civilians and three soldiers were killed in the western Kazakh city of Aktobe when assailants attacked gun shops and tried to storm a military base in a bus they had hijacked.

President Nursultan Nazarbayev said the Aktobe attackers were followers of the ultra-conservative Salafi strain of Islam.

Nine men are currently standing trial over the attacks, while 21 people were arrested in August in the same part of the country for plotting terror attacks in public places.

Kazakhstan is a vast, energy-rich Central Asian state whose economy has been battered by low oil prices and Western sanctions against neighbouring Russia.

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today tore into the Centre over the alleged suicide by an ex-serviceman here, holding it guilty of "deceit" and indulging in "lies" over the OROP issue.

Kejriwal asserted that Ram Kishan Grewal's "martyrdom will not go in vain" and emphasised on the need to take his struggle forward, saying a country where soldiers and farmers commit suicide have no future.

"The Prime Minister is lying to the entire country claiming that OROP has been implemented. If it was implemneted then why Ram Kishan had to commit suicide? The extent of the deceit of the BJP government over the issue is unprecedented," Kejriwal said in a video message.

Kejriwal also used the occasion to take swipe at the BJP over the issue of surgical strikes and the recent controversies on 'downgrading' of military ranks and the 'cuts' in disability pension of defence personnel.

"The day after the surgical strikes, government brought huge cuts to army's disability pensions. Then, ranks of the military officers were lowered. These are big deceits. And they go about town tomtomming the surgical strikes. The army is being deceived and misused for political gains," the AAP chief said.

He demanded that the Centre implement the Delhi government's compensation policy of Rs 1 crore to the families of martyrs across the country and that OROP be implemented in toto.

"Disability pension should also be increased and their (military officers') ranks should be taken to the previous status. And there should be an end to the politicization of the surgical strikes. Stop putting up hoardings everywhere," he said, referring to the banners put up by BJP hailing the cross-border assault by the army.

The AAP leader also rued that it was "very sad" to see that soldiers have to fight against external enemy along the border and "within" for their rights.

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After more than four hours of detention, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal left the R K Puram police station around midnight, following his detainment as he tried to meet the kin of an ex-serviceman who allegedly committed suicide over the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) issue, police said.

"Kejriwal was detained from Lady Hardinge Hospital around 7.45 pm and brought to the RK Puram police station in south district since there was no media or presence of political leaders there," police sources said.

Police had asked him to go at around 8.45 pm but he refused to leave the police station.

Kejriwal left the police station accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other senior Aam Aadmi Party leaders. After coming out of the police station, he vented out his ire against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

However, Kejriwal had claimed that he was still being held in detention after he expressed his desire to meet the family of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly committed suicide over the OROP issue.

Sources close to the chief minister said that the police initially allowed him to leave but detained him again.

"The police allowed us to leave but the chief minister expressed his desire to meet the family of the deceased ex-serviceman. He also told the pilot of the police patrol that he was proceeding to the Connaught Place Police Station, but he was again detained," a Kejriwal aide said.

Kejriwal tweeted from the police station saying that Sisodia, who was detained at Parliament Street police station for close to ten hours and later released, had come to meet him.

"Manish reaches here at RK Puram PS where I am still detained," he had tweeted.

The suicide by an army veteran over OROP on Tuesday snowballed into a huge political show with Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal and other opposition leaders attacking the Modi government on the issue while there was high drama after police detained and prevented them from entering a hospital.

The Congress vice-president was detained twice and was finally released late in the evening as restrictions were put on Kejriwal's movements before he was detained. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was kept in custody for close to 10 hours.

Meanwhile, the ex-serviceman's body was sent to his home town Bhiwani in Haryana after the postmortem.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today said he is willing to face a probe in connection with a scam over Central Bank bonds.

"I will be happy to go and give my statement if I am asked to appear before the commission," Wickremesinghe said.

He was responding to an opposition complaint against him yesterday after parliament's Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) found Wickremesinghe's nominee, Arjuna Mahendran had facilitated big profits made by Perpetual Treasuries, a Central Bank primary dealer firm linked to Mahendran's son-in-law.

It was alleged that the firm had benefited from Mahendran's position as the Central Bank chief.

"We have ordered investigation into a complaint against myself. This is the good governance we pledged. I allowed an opposition member to head COPE," Wickremesinghe said.

He said the government did not want to suppress the investigation.

The joint opposition led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has called for Wickremesinghe's resignation saying he was responsible for what they termed the biggest scam in the country.

"We urge the President to take the Central Bank away from the Prime Minister's control," G L Peiris, a leading opposition leader said.

Wickremesinghe said the Attorney General has been instructed to institute legal action as appropriate.

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Sri Lanka today sacked its spy chief amid suspicions that a notorious sword-wielding gang operating in the northern Jaffna peninsula was being backed by a section of the military, creating unrest in the Tamil-dominated area.

The Defence Ministry announced the removal of head of military intelligence Suresh Sallay and replaced him with Brigadier Vijendra Gunatillake.

The move came amid suspicion that the military was backing the terror group named 'Ava Group' operating in the northern Jaffna peninsula.

Addressing reporters, Cabinet spokesman and Minister of Health Rajitha Senaratne said the Ava Group was a creation of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's regime.

"They formed this group to counter the LTTE and other armed groups in the north," he said.

Senaratne said former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who was also Mahinda's brother, was responsible for the creation of Ava Group.

"Some retired military officers and the former defence secretary think they can create problems for the government by causing unrest in the north," Senaratne said, adding that the government was capable of cracking down onthe group and eliminating their threat.

Jaffna residents have been complaining of violence by the sword-wielding group. They were charged of attacking state intelligence operatives two weeks ago in Jaffna.

Acts of violence by Ava group have recently increased in Jaffna suburbs such as Manipay, Kopay and Chunnakam.

It is believed this group was being backed by some politicians and former members of the LTTE. The group is also said to draw inspiration from South Indian films.

The group has been accused of murder, plunder of property and assault. People are in fear due to its attacks which have caused serious injuries to the victims.

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Bringing children closer to books through storytelling, dramatised readings, theatre, poetry, art and craft, a two-day-long children's literature festival will be held here this weekend.

Bookaroo, India's largest dedicated-to-children literature festival, will be taking place in Kolkata for the first time on November 5 and 6 at the Indian Museum.

Festival director Jo Williams said their mission is to bring children and books together to celebrate the joy of reading through storytelling, dramatised readings, theatre, poetry, art and craft.

The carnival will have 50 speakers from all over India who will enthral kids with sessions ranging from 'Goopy Gyne' to 'Amar Chitra Katha' tales, from 'Patachitra' (scroll paintings) to puppetry, from Shakespeare to Tagore, from clay modelling to an art walk.

Meant for children in the age group of 4 to 14, Bookaroo is a non-ticketed festival and open to all on a first come first served policy.

At the end of every session, children will have the opportunity to speak to the writers, illustrators, poets and storytellers and have books signed personally to them.

This will be Bookaroo's 20th edition overall as earlier editions have been held in cities like Delhi, Srinagar, Pune, Goa, Ahmedabad and Jaipur.

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In a scathing attack, Congress city unit chief Sanjay Nirupam today alleged that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was "encouraging" corruption and that his clean image was a "sham".

Addressing reporters here, he alleged that certain land deals under the NDA government in the state were "suspicious".

"Fadnavis is encouraging corruption. His clean image is just a sham. Baba Ramdev's Patanjali (Group) has been given 230 acres of land in Nagpur for Rs 25 lakh per acre whereas, the actual cost (of land) is Rs one crore per acre. Fadnavis is the Chairman of Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) which has approved the land deal. MADC had to suffer a loss of Rs 170 crore," he said.

Nirupam said MADC was planning to compensate these losses by charging other companies at a rate which was "15 per cent higher" for land.

"MADC has also given 111 acres of land at Rs 56 lakh per acre to Anil Ambani's Reliance Aerospace, a defence manufacturing company. The company is to get 468 acres of land, despite lacking in experience in defence production," he said.

The former MP also alleged that British rock band Coldplay has been given an MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) land at BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex) here at a 70-per cent discount for its upcoming performance.

"The rock band has only been charged for the stage, while it is getting the ground (for the concert) for free. (Though) MMRDA has objected (to this move), but the decision (to give the land at a discounted rate) has been taken due to pressure from the Centre," Nirupam alleged.

He said the Congress will "go alone" in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls scheduled for early next year.

"We are not thinking of and neither are we ready for an alliance with the NCP for the polls. This decision has been taken at the local level," Nirupam said.

He also accused the Fadnavis-led NDA government in the state of "failing" to deliver on its promises regarding building the Coastal Road, bullet trains and other infrastructure projects.

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Maharashtra government will construct 29,000 houses for police officials and personnel and invite a bid for it after elections to local governing bodies next year are over, state Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil said today.

"Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has recently took the review of the condition of houses for police and decided to go for construction of houses," Patil told PTI.

He said that Guardian Ministers of each district in the state should personally visit the residential colonies of police staff and provide necessary facilities to them.

"The housing projects are carried out by Maharashtra State Police Housing and Welfare Corporation Ltd. Once the local elections are over, the corporation would undertake the housing works," the minister added.

The elections to 192 municipal councils and 20 nagar panchayats spanning 25 districts of the state will be held in four phases, between November 27, 2016 and January 8, 2017.

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Prime Minister Theresa May will raise with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi the issue of six former British soldiers lodged in a Tamil Nadu jail during her upcoming visit to India.

A UK Foreign Office spokesperson today confirmed to the families of the ex-soldiers sentenced for carrying arms on a commercial shipthat the issue will feature in May's bilateral talks during her three-day visit to New Delhi and Bengaluru starting this Sunday.

"We recognise what a difficult time this is for those involved and we have taken significant action on this case. The Prime Minister has been clear that she intends to raise it with Prime Minister Modi during her visit next week," the spokesperson said.

The Foreign Office also highlighted that the Indian-origin Foreign Office minister for Asia, Alok Sharma, had also "pressed for progress" on the issue during his first official visit to India in July, and again last month.

Earlier this year, the then-Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire had travelled to India to meet the men personally.

The Foreign Office said it continues to provideongoing support to all six men and their families and is "working to make sure the men's welfare is protected in prison".

However, LisaDunn, the sister of NickDunn -- one of the jailed men, said May must not "waste" all her time talking about trade deals while in India.

"Theresa May has the power to end this now, and that's what we want her to do. She cannot waste this opportunity face-to-face with Modi, she has six British men at her mercy, and can't just waste it talking about her trade deals," Dunn told BBC.

"These were six British soldiers who served this country and they need help. It's an absolute travesty if she fails to raise it. The power is in her hands and we're begging her for help," she said.

The men were arrested in 2013 among 35 crew members and sentenced by a Tamil Nadu court to five years in prison in January this year for carrying unlicensed firearms.

An appeal has been lodged against their sentences, but a judge in Chennai ruled the men cannot be released on bail.

They were held while working for an anti-piracy security company protecting commercial ships off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. All six men have consistently maintained their innocence.

Joanne Tomlinson, the sister of another jailed ex-soldier -- John Armstrong, said that while the men have had consular support from the Foreign Office, "we feel there is so much more they can do".

"They have spent more than 18 months in prison now, and we feel there must be more diplomatic pressure that can be put on (India). Six of our veterans are imprisoned there. They should be speeding the legal process up," she said.

The men -- Dunn, Armstrong, Billy Irving, Ray Tindall, Paul Towers, and Nicholas Simpson -- have been backed by more than 20 British MPs, including former British Premier David Cameron.

(Reopens FGN 19)



A petition calling for their release in the UK garnered thousands of signatures and was delivered by the families of the six former soldiers to Downing Street in August.

The sailors were aboard the American-owned Seaman Guard Ohio, which offered armed protection to vessels sailing through an area known as "pirates' alley" between the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.

Customs officials and police found 35 guns, including semi-automatic weapons, and almost 6,000 rounds of ammunition on board the ship, which did not have permission to be in Indian waters.
Canadian media giant Quebecor announced today it is cutting 220 jobs, or eight percent of its workforce, including at its flagship TVA television network.

"In Quebec as elsewhere in the world, our industry is facing ongoing disruption," said chief executive Julie Tremblay, adding that the company, which began restructuring two years ago, must "further adjust structural costs and become more agile."



The slashed positions are mainly managers, professionals and administrative support staff, the company said.

At TVA Group, 125 positions will be abolished. This is not expected to impact coverage, Tremblay said.

Two local Quebec magazines -- Chez Soi and Tellment bon -- will also no longer be published.

TVA last Friday announced a third-quarter loss of Can$32.5 million.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A medical student allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling of his residence in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan, police said today.

19-year-old Janved Raigar was a first year MBBS student in a medical college in Jhalawar.

He was suffering from depression due to low marks and hanged himself in his house last night, SHO of Gangdhar police station, Banna Lal said.

Raigar's body was shifted to the district hospital and handed over to family members after postmortem, he said, adding that the matter was under investigation.

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Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 was likely out of control when it plunged into the ocean with its wing flaps not prepared for landing, a new report said today, casting doubt on theories a pilot was still in charge.

The Boeing 777 disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014 carrying 239 passengers and crew.

The report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found the plane's final satellite communications were "consistent with the aircraft being in a high and increasing rate of descent" when it vanished.

Analysis of the right outboard flap -- which was found off Tanzania -- showed it was "most likely in the retracted position", suggesting the plane was not configured for landing before it smashed into the ocean.

The new finding casts doubt on theories proposed by some analysts that a pilot had been flying the plane when it landed in the sea.

"You can draw your own conclusions," the ATSB's head of MH370 search operations Peter Foley told reporters, adding that the new findings showed "we're looking for an aircraft that's actually quite close to the seventh arc."



The search zone -- defined under the "most likely" scenario that no one was at the controls as the jet ran out of fuel -- is a thin, long stretch of water within the so-called seventh arc, where the plane was calculated to have emitted a final satellite "handshake" showing its location.

"This report contains important new information on what we believe happened at the end of MH370's flight," Australia's Transport Minister Darren Chester said at the start of a three-day meeting in Canberra where experts will plan the final stages of the search.

Despite a massive underwater hunt far off Western Australia's coast, no trace of the jet has been found.

Investigators have however confirmed that three pieces of debris recovered along western Indian Ocean shorelines came from MH370.

More than 110,000 square kilometres (42,470 square miles) of a 120,000-square-kilometre search arc have been scoured so far and the operation is due to wrap up in early 2017.

Experts at this week's meeting will "review all the available data and analysis associated with the search to date", Chester said in a statement.

Their findings will "inform the remainder of the search effort, and develop guidance for any future search operations."



"There are currently more than 20 items of debris of interest to the investigation team which have been located on the coasts of Africa, Madagascar, the islands of Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues," he added.

Ongoing drift analysis also suggested the search focused on the right place, the ATSB said, noting it was "unlikely debris originated south of the current search area.

"The northernmost regions were also found to be less likely," it added.

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Senior AAP leader H S Phoolka today alleged that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and SAD of trying to save those accused, including Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, in the 1984 anti-Sikh riot case.

"There are clear indications that on the pattern of Congress the Modi-led government is also trying hard to save the accused Congress leader Jagdish Tytler and others," he alleged.

It is evident from the last two-years of the NDA government that it is "deliberately delaying" investigations in the case against the accused involved in the "massacre of Sikhs", he said.

"In December 2015, the Supreme Court had instructed the CBI to complete the investigations within two-months. However, instead of acting on the instructions of the apex court, the Modi government not only delayed investigations but has recently demanded an extra four months time," he alleged.

"Eyeing the Punjab elections the BJP and SAD do not want to take-up cases against the accused and take it to its logical conclusion," he said.

Training his gun on Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh, he alleged, "To get himself declared as the Congress' chief ministerial candidate in Punjab and to continue as Punjab Congress chief, he is busy distributing clean chits to the key accused of the 1984 anti-Sikhs riots, Jagdish Tytler and Kamal Nath."



"Had the accused of the 1984 riots been given exemplary punishment at an appropriate time, nobody could have dared to engineer such riots in any part of the country, which takes place so often now," Phoolka claimed.

Meanwhile, AAP leader Kanwar Sandhu demanded all the closed cases pertaining to the 1984 anti-Sikhs riots to be "re-opened and re-investigated".

"Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should be given all rights to open and get all the cases investigated," he said.

"AAP assures the nation that all cases will be taken to its logical conclusion within six months, if the Delhi government is allowed to re-open and re-investigate them," Sandhu claimed.

Although the Modi government had constituted a Special Investigating Team (SIT) in 2015 to probe the 1984 riot cases, not take a single step has been taken to deliver justice to the victims, he claimed.

The AAP has decided to sit on a one-day hunger strike in front of Gurudwara Shri Amb Sahib in Mohali tomorrow on the issue, he added.

On the Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal issue, the AAP leaders alleged that both Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Amarinder have "committed fraud" with the people of Punjab.

The AAP leaders alleged, "In the presence of union minister Arun Jaitley and BJP National President Amit Shah, Badal declared Punjab would not accept any order of the Supreme Court against it on SYL."



"While, Amarinder has declared that he and all Congress MLAs would resign in case of an adverse order by the Supreme Court on the issue," they added.

"Whom are they trying to fool. If Amarinder would have been serious on the SYL issue, he should have resigned as CM, when Congress-led UPA government referred the issue to Supreme Court for presidential reference," the AAP leaders said.

He added even Badal was shedding "crocodile tears" on the SYL issue, as he should have opted out of NDA, when Solicitor General of India took an anti-Punjab stand in Supreme Court on SYL.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Pune on November 13 has come under the scanner of the Election Commission of India as the model code of conduct is in force due to the Legislative Council elections.

The Prime Minister is to attend International Conference on Sugar at Vasantdada Sugar Institute at Mangri Budruk in Pune district on November 13. On the same day he would also address BJP workers at a public gathering.

When asked about the poll code in force for the November 19 Legislative Council elections, an ECI official said it had asked the PM's office and BJP only to follow the model code of conduct, i.E., not to make any announcement that will influence the voters.

Pune Collector Saurabh Rao has instructed the Election Returning Officer (ERO) for Pune Local Authorities Constituency to follow the poll code provisions.

In his letter, the Collector has drawn the ERO's attention to the provisions of the poll code that entail that - "ministers, whether central or state (including Chief Minister) can make official visit to any district(s) in which any biennial/bye-election from a council constituency is being held subject to the following conditions - official visit shall not be combined with the election related work/tour."



The ERO had sought clarification on whether permission could be granted for PM's public meeting.

District Guardian Minister and state Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Girish Bapat and Pune BJP chief Yogesh Gogawale too had on October 28 sought permission from the Collector for the public address by the PM.

The ECI official said the poll body merely drew attention to the requirement that the code of conduct is not violated by making any announcements amounting to inducement to voters.

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Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh today said the SIMI activists who were gunned down in an encounter with police on October 31 after a jail-break were armed, contradicting the state ATS chief's statement that they had no weapons.

"According to the police's official report to us, the SIMI activists were armed during the encounter and they fired first," Singh told PTI.

When it was pointed out that Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Sanjeev Sami had told a TV channel that the SIMI activists were unarmed, Singh said, "I have been informed officially that they were armed."



Asked if he was going to have a word with Sami over the issue to clear the air, the minister replied in negative.

"The SIMI men were dreaded (criminals) and they fired first at the police. Police fired in defence, in which SIMI men were killed," Singh added.

"The SIMI terrorists were expert in making weapons. They slit the throat of a guard in the jail after making a knife out of a plate which they left behind," the minister said.

"They might have procured arms in the jail or outside after fleeing. All this is being thoroughly probed," Singh said.

ATS chief Sami could not be contacted for his reaction.

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President Pranab Mukherjee today held talks with his Nepalese counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari to strengthen Indo-Nepal relations that had been strained over the issue of promulgation of the new Constitution.

Mukherjee, who arrived at the Tribhuvan International Airport, was received by President Bidya Devi Bhandari and later the two leaders had a meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhawan at Sheetal Niwas.

"The bilateral meeting was warm and cordial," Foreign Ministry officials here said.

"The Indian President also congratulated President Bhandari and the people of Nepal for the promulgation of the Constitution through the Constituent Assembly last year," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bharat Raj Paudyal said.

The promulgation of the Constitution last year had led to a strain in ties with Madhesis, who are largely of Indian-origin, leading a nearly six-month-long protest over better representation in the Parliament and the federal structure of the new Constitution.

Their blockade had caused strain in bilateral ties, with Kathmandu accusing New Delhi of imposing an "unofficial blockade" which India had categorically denied.

The two leaders, during the meeting, focused on matters relating to bilateral relations and they stressed on the need to strengthen friendly ties between the two countries, according to Paudyal.

Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minister for Tourism and Culture Jeeban Bahadur Shahi and Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi were also present during talks.

Meanwhile, Mukherjee also attended a reception hosted by India's Ambassador Ranjit Rae at the Indian Embassy premises.

Vice president Nanda Bahadur Pun, ministers, top leaders of various political parties, lawmakers, senior government officials, members of civil society and journalists were also present during the function.

President Mukherjee is here on a three-day visit -- the first by an Indian President in 18 years.

Before this, the then President K R Narayanan had paid a state visit in 1998.

President Mukherjee will visit Pashupatinath Temple tomorrow morning and also meet Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda". He will also visit Ram Janaki in Janakpur on November 4.

The Nepal government declared a national holiday today to welcome Mukherjee and stepped up security around the capital.

The President is accompanied by Minister of State for



Defence Subhash Bhamre, Members of Parliament Bhubaneswar Kalita, L Ganesan, Jagdambika Pal and R K Singh. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar is also accompanying the delegation.

On November 3, the President will offer prayers at Pashupatinath temple, a UNESCO heritage site. Later, he will be conferred with an honorary degree from Kathmandu University followed a civic reception in Kathmandu in his honour.

The President will also address a seminar of Niti Anusandhan Pratisthan Nepal and India Foundation.

On November 4, a civic reception has been scheduled in his honour at Janakpur, epicentre of protests by Madhesi community, where he will interact with local people. He will also meet leaders of Madhesi community.

The President, who is the supreme commander of the armed forces, will also visit Pokhra on the same day where he will interact with ex-servicemen of Indian Army from Gurkha community.
President Pranab Mukherjee today held talks with his Nepalese counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari and other top leaders to strengthen Indo-Nepal relations that had been strained over the issue of promulgation of the new Constitution.

Mukherjee, who arrived at the Tribhuvan International Airport here, was received by President Bhandari and later they had a meeting at the Sheetal Niwas or Rashtrapati Bhawan.

"The bilateral meeting was warm and cordial," Foreign Ministry officials here said.

"The Indian President also congratulated President Bhandari and the people of Nepal for the promulgation of the Constitution through the Constituent Assembly last year," Nepal's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bharat Raj Paudyal said.

The promulgation of the Constitution last year had led to a strain in ties with Madhesis, who are largely of Indian-origin, leading a nearly six-month-long protest over better representation in the Parliament and the federal structure of the new Constitution.

Their blockade had caused strain in bilateral ties, with Kathmandu accusing New Delhi of imposing an "unofficial blockade" which India had categorically denied.

The two leaders, during the meeting, focused on matters relating to bilateral relations and they stressed on the need to strengthen friendly ties between the two countries, according to Paudyal.

Mukherjee invited Bhandari to visit New Delhi at the time of her convenience which she accepted, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar told reporters.

"From the Nepalese side the term that was used was it is a historical visit and not just in terms of a visit there was visible appreciation of the personal standing of the President that he was seen as a senior statesman in the region," he said.

Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minister for Tourism and Culture Jeeban Bahadur Shahi and Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi were also present during talks.

Nepalese Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun also called on President Pranab Mukherjee, who is here on a three-day visit -- the first by an Indian President in 18 years.

During the meeting, the Vice President expressed Nepal's keenness to develop water connectivity with India through Kosi and Ganga rivers which will connect the Himalayan nation with ports in West Bengal.

"All aspects of connectivity were discussed but one interesting thing that came up during this time and this was raised by the Vice President and that was connectivity by water. He was talking about connectivity from Kolkata through Hubli, the Ganga and the Kosi and this can come about if Kosi project develops," Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae said.

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Congress in Mumbai today burnt photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protest the detention of party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi by Delhi Police, accusing him of functioning in an "autocratic" manner.

"We seems to be living in a democracy where there is no room for a dialogue and any citizen can be put behind bars and punished for merely speaking against policies of the Government," senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Minister Arif Naseem Khan told reporters here.

"If PM Modi does not change his autocratic style of functioning soon, world leaders will start comparing him with North Korean despot Kim Jong-un," he added.

Khan, along with Mumbai Congress President Sanjay Nirupam and other leaders and workers, staged protest against Modi outside the party office in South Mumbai. Congress workers also burnt pictures of Modi.

Rahul was today detained twice by Delhi Police after he tried to meet the family members of the ex-serviceman who allegedly committed suicide over the One Rank One Pension (OROP) issue.

Ram Kishan Grewal, the 70-year-old ex-serviceman from Haryana's Bhiwani district who yesterday consumed poison, was apparently upset over implementation of the OROP policy.

Top Congress leaders in the national capital flayed the action of Delhi Police, which comes under the Union Home Ministry. Rahul said the police action was symbolic of "undemocratic" mentality of the Modi Government.

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Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today asked NDMC to convert Connaught Place and Khan Market as 'No Vehicle' zones through various initiatives as he expressed concern over air pollution and traffic congestion in the city.

The minister also urged New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to ensure implementation of the whole smart city plan, entailing an investment of Rs 1,900 crore, by June 2018 with "visible impact" of the development by middle of next year.

The Minister gave these direction while reviewing the progress of implementation of smart city plans in NDMC area.

"Naidu expressed concern over air pollution and traffic congestion and asked NDMC to convert Connaught Place and Khan Market as 'No vehicle' zones through necessary planning for traffic management, parking and last mile connectivity," an official said.

Among other suggestions, Naidu also mooted setting up of digital display screens at all major locations to provide information on traffic flows including jams, suggested traffic diversions, weather, pollution and other public information.

Highlighting poor maintenance of road from airport to Connaught Place, Naidu directed the local bodies to undertake necessary interventions to make this section a 'smart road' with all necessary features like pathways and landscaping.

NDMC Chairman Naresh Kumar informed that so far, smart city projects worth Rs 650 crore are under implementation and work on the remaining would start in the next few months.

He said about 25 projects that would be completed by June next year which include conversion of all 444 class rooms in NDMC areas into smart ones, digital information panels/kiosks at prominent places with high speed internet, provision of 60 water ATMs at public places, 59 open gyms and Charkha Museum at Connaught Place.

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Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar, who is to demit office on November 4, was today given a farewell by Information and Broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu.

Sircar had written to the I&B minister that he would like to quit Prasar Bharati by November 4 and his request was accepted.

Member (Personnel) Prasar Bharati S C Panda will now take over as the interim CEO, it is understood.

Sources said, Naidu gave a "touching farewell" at his residence to Sircar over breakfast, during which Minister of State for I&B Rajyavardhan Rathore, Chairman Prasar Bharati A Surya Prakash and others were also present.

In his remarks, Naidu recounted the efforts put up by Sircar during his long career in the government and as CEO of Prasar Bharati and wished him healthy, productive and meaningful post-retirement life, an official said.

The minister also said that Sircar may now use his creativity and valuable experience in the areas of writing, cultural and literary activities as well as any other areas of his interest, he added.

Sircar, in his remarks, thanked the minister for his "touching" gesture and mentioned that it was for the first time in his 42 years of association with the Government that he had witnessed such a warm gathering during a farewell, the officials said.

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The apex consumer commission has dismissed a revision petition in a 22-year-old case in which vehicle companies had charged extra for a truck on grounds of price escalation, saying it involved a "very paltry" sum and did not have any serious question of law.

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) dismissed the plea of the Allahabad office of Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company Ltd and Motor and General Sales Ltd and directed them to refund UP native S K Singh an amount of Rs 14,500, charged by the firms claiming an escalation in the price of a truck he had purchased in 1994.

"I have gone through the record. Further, the amount involved is very paltry sum of Rs 14,500 and this litigation is going on for more than 22 years. Therefore we are not inclined to entertain this revision petition (filed by the firms)," NCDRC Presiding Member Rekha Gupta said.

The commission, while referring to a Supreme Court verdict on litigation in trivial matters, rejected the revision plea saying there was no serious question of law.

It upheld the district consumer forum's decision asking the firms to refund the Rs 14,500, which they had charged claiming escalation in the vehicle's price, and held that it was clear-cut deficiency in service.

According to the compliant, Singh had purchased a truck for Rs 2,67,322 on January 29, 1994 and was assured of its delivery within a week.

However, Singh received a letter on February 7, 1994 regarding the escalation in the price of the vehicle by Rs 14,500 and saying that it would be delivered only after he paid the additional amount.

Singh deposited the extra amount on February 17, 1994 and immediately received the vehicle.

He claimed that the immediate delivery of the vehicle after payment of the additional amount proved that the firm had kept a ready stock of the vehicles and had deliberately delayed delivery for illegal gains.

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President Pranab Mukherjee today said Nepal can look at India's experience of Constitution making but it is for Kathmandu to decide if any lessons can be drawn from it.

Mukherjee, who earlier arrived at the Tribhuvan International Airport here for a three-day state visit -- the first by an Indian President in 18 years, told his Nepalese counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari that Nepal can "look at Indian experience at Constitution making but it is for Nepal to draw lessons from it," Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said.

Mukherjee also appreciated that Constitution amendment process has progressed in Nepal, Jaishankar told reporters.

Confirming that the issue of Nepalese Constitution was discussed during Mukherjee's meeting with Bhandari, Jaishankar said: "Essentially what the President said during these meetings was look at India's experience. India's experience was to take an inclusive approach towards Constitution making and to carry all sections of the population and that this is a painstaking process.

"It takes a lot of effort, it takes a lot of debate, it takes a lot of consultation."



The promulgation of the Constitution last year had led to a strain in ties with Madhesis, who are largely of Indian-origin, leading to a nearly six-month-long protest over better representation in the Parliament and the federal structure of the new Constitution.

Their blockade had caused strain in bilateral ties, with Kathmandu accusing New Delhi of imposing an "unofficial blockade" which India had categorically denied.

Jaishankar said India is supportive of the proposed amendments in the Constitution to meet the grievances of a section of population which perhaps feel their interests are not being fully taken care of.

"As a neighbour, as a well wisher, as a unique partner what we are saying is this is our experience please look at it and if you feel there are lessons to be drawn that is something the Nepali side needs to reflect on," Jaishankar quoted President Mukherjee as saying during his meetings with Nepali leaders.

Earlier, Mahendra Prasad Yadav, a prominent Madhesi leader said the community has hopes that India will help in implementing the accord signed between the community and Nepal government in 2008.

Nepal had adopted a democratic Constitution in September 2015 in which four major demands of Madhesis--seats in the Parliament based on population, their representation in government proportional to their population, provincial demarcation, and equal citizenship for women marrying Nepali men were not included, he said.

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Nepal today expressed its keenness to develop water connectivity with India through Kosi and Ganga rivers which will connect the Himalayan nation with ports in West Bengal.

The issue was raised by Nepalese Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun during his meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee, who is here on a three-day visit -- the first by an Indian President in 18 years.

India has an open border of 1,850 kilometers with Nepal spreading across five states -- Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim.

"All aspects of connectivity were discussed but one interesting thing that came up during this time and this was raised by the Vice President and that was connectivity by water. He was talking about connectivity from Kolkata through Hubli, the Ganga and the Kosi and this can come about if Kosi project develops," Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae told reporters after the meeting.

Kosi development project has been pending for over 60 years because of land issues and displacement of people from building dams on the river.

The connectivity project now being brought up by Nepal's Vice President can see the light of the day only when dams are built on the river and Kosi Development Project is started, the sources said.

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said the Detailed Project Report of Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project which is worth over Rs 30,000 crore for producing 5000 mega watt of electricity is likely to come up this month.

The project is on 20 per cent equity and 80 per cent loan with India and Nepal sharing the 20 per cent equity on equal basis, Rae said.

Earlier, Mukherjee held talks with his Nepalese counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari who described the visit as coming at an auspicious time.

Mukherjee invited Bhandari to visit New Delhi at the time of her convenience which she accepted, Jaishankar said.

"From the Nepalese side the term that was used was it is a historical visit and not just in terms of a visit there was visible appreciation of the personal standing of the President that he was seen as a senior statesman in the region," he said.

Quoting Prime Minister Prachanda, Jaishankar said the President has been on Nepal's side at the important historical moments.

When asked whether there was a discussion on SAARC and terrorism, he said bulk of the discussion was focused on the bilateral relations.

India was the first and largest responder after the 2015 earthquake which had caused havoc in Nepal.

Assistance of worth USD one billion was pledged for Nepal by India which includes grant of 250 million while Line of Credit of 750 million USD. India has committed to rebuild 50,000 homes for which the process has been started from Nepalese side, he said.

An oversight committee has also been formed under Indian Ambassador to see the progress of the work, he said.

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The famous 'Baliyatra' festival slated to begin from November 14 at the Mahanadi riverbed here has run into rough waters with the National Green Tribunal asking the state administration to refrain from allowing traders from erecting makeshift stalls on the riverbed.

"The Tribunal has ordered us to avoid allotting plots on the riverbed for makeshift stalls," said Cuttack District Collector N C Mishra, quoting the NGT order passed yesterday.

Mishra, however, said the state government was planning either to move the Tribunal to review its order or to appeal against the order in the Supreme Court.

The East Zone bench of the Tribunal, adjudicating over an original application, had asked the district administration in July this year not to use the riverbed as a dumping ground.

The Tribunal had also asked the administration not to have any permanent construction on the riverbed.

Ensuring that the NGT order was not violated, the district administration was going ahead with its plans to allow temporary structures for the week-long festival and accordingly had allotted at least 45 plots yesterday to traders for erecting temporary stalls.

There were plans for further allotments, but after receiving a copy of the Tribunal's order, the plot allotment has been kept in abeyance by the local Tehsildar, officials said.

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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today favoured an independent probe into the Bhopal jail break by SIMI activists and their subsequent killing by the police for "clarity" on what had happened.

"Some striking pictures have emerged on the event and hence there is a need for clarity on the event," Kumar told reporters here.

He said he knew his Madhya Pradesh counterpart Shivraj Singh Chouhan and expressed confidence that his government would explain "the entire event with clarity."



"All (8 SIMI inmates) fled together and joined later on and the video shot on encounter also creates doubt in the minds of people," he said and advised the MP government to go for an independent probe into the episode.

He said he was not in favour of a probe conducted by a central agency which was under control of the ruling party at the Centre and suggested one by an independent agency.

RJD President Lalu Prasad has also demanded a high level probe into the incident.

"Why BJP is not getting the event probed?...BJP is known for 'dhong' (pretence) in the name of nationalism," the RJD chief said.

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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today dismissed speculations of the state moving back on the new liquor law and asserted that there is no question of "diluting" after advertisements of excise department appeared seeking public opinion on it.

Kumar categorically said there was no question of going back on prohibition or "diluting" the liquor law. "Prohibition has been enforced and will continue with all strength," he said.

His remarks came in the wake of excise department's advertisment in newspapers seeking opinion of the public, particularly that of critics of the new Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016 notified on October 2.

Kumar said the government has invited suggestions till November 12 as to how to make the liquor law "non-draconian and non-Talibani".

"People will be invited on November 14 for suggestions which I myself will hear," he said.

Kumar had gone to Delhi yesterday to discuss the appeal filed by Bihar government in Supreme Court against quashing of the Prohibition of Liquor Act by Patna High Court with senior lawyer Gopal Subramaniam.

He said he had discussed every aspect of the anti-alcohol law with him.

"Gopal Subramanium has fully supported prohibition and is arguing for the state in Supreme Court at a token fee of Re 1 only. I had talks with him over telephone and I decided to meet him and discuss every aspect of the Excise Act with him," Kumar told reporters.

Principal Additional Advocate General Lalit Kishore, Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh and Principal Secretary to Home and Excise Department Amir Subhani had accompanied him, the chief minister said.

The Bihar Chief Minister said a study on social and economic dimensions of prohibition is being conducted.

Referring to allegations that he has no other work than prohibition, he said his Grand Secular Alliance government in the state had launched 'seven resolves' which started "20-25 new schemes for welfare of people".

Kumar launched a skill development scheme for youths to provide them better prospects in jobs.

A total of 74 courses have been decided for sharpening skills of youths and would be implemented by different departments, he added.

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Nepal today condemned terror in all its forms and asserted that no country should let its territory be used against any other state as it acknowledged that Indo-Pak tensions were harming SAARC.

In an interaction with the media at a reception hosted in the honour of President Pranab Mukherjee by Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae in the sprawling laws of India House, Nepal Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat said Nepal is against terrorism in all its forms.

He was responding to a question on terror perpetrated by Pakistan in India despite condemnation from international community.

"We are against terrorism in all forms. No matter what causes terrorism. Terrorism is terrorism. We condemn that and we will like to work together against terrorism. No country should let its territory to act against any other country. It should totally be discouraged and those who process terrorism be eliminated," he said.

When asked whether the tensions between India and Pakistan are affecting South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) of which Nepal is presently the Chair, he said "definitely" because SAARC works on consensus.

When two countries do not agree on something and major bilateral issue arises it definitely harms SAARC, he said.

Recently, SAARC summit scheduled in Islamabad was cancelled following the attack by terrorists on Uri Army camp in which 19 Indian soldiers were killed.

Nepal as the Chair of SAARC had issued a stern statement condemning cross border terror.

When asked whether there is any move to shift the venue of SAARC, Mahat said, "We need to discuss. Even Pakistanis agree that current situation is not conducive. Everybody has to agree. It is still not mature...No decision to shift SAARC venue. We have had discussions with Pakistan, India and other countries and everybody feels time is not right for the Summit."



When asked about China, he said there are many facets of relations with India and there is "no need to compare".

"We want to have good relations with both our neighbours," he said.

President Mukherjee is on a three-day visit -- the first by an Indian President in 18 years.

He was received today at the Tribhuvan International Airport by his counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari. The two leaders later went to Shital Niwas -- official residence of the Nepal President.

The experts see this visit as a "goodwill visit" as Mukherjee in his different capacities in the Indian government closely saw "evolution of democracy" in Nepal.

(Reopens FGN 21)



"We have lot of hopes from him. He was the Foreign Minister of India when I was the Prime Minister. It is after 18 years that an Indian President has come here. I am really happy," former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Dueba, who came to meet Mukherjee at the reception said.

Deuba also condemned terror in all forms.

"We respect India's security and we will not let Nepal's territory to be used against it. We condemn terror in all its forms," he said.
Confirming his party's stand, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) President Nitish Kumar today said he is not going to Lucknow for the November 5 Samajwadi Party foundation day function.

"I will not be able to go to Lucknow for the function (of SP) due to Chhath festival. Chhath is observed in my house and 'Kharna' (an auspicious part of the festival) falls on November 5. In such a situation it will not be possible for me to go there," Kumar told reporters.

JD(U) had made it clear yesterday that the party president would not be able to make to the SP programme and Kumar himself made it public today.

Its ally RJD's President Lalu Prasad has confirmed his participation in the function but Kumar's absence is bound to weaken Mulayam Singh's efforts to cobble up a broad coalition of socialist and secular forces ahead of the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh early next year by parading prominent leaders on one platform.

Kumar, who returned to Patna last night from Delhi where he led talks with JD(U) veteran Sharad Yadav, said a Bihar-like 'mahagathbandhan' is possible in UP only on the condition of SP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) joining hands, which is, however, not seen anywhere.

Otherwise only 'gathbandhan' (alliance) is possible in the crucial assembly poll in UP. "However, all paths are open for a tie-up as much time is left for UP poll," he said.

Kumar, who scripted victory in Bihar together with RJD and Congress, said during his stay in Delhi he had telephonic talks have been held with RLD chief Ajit Singh but no discussion had taken place with Congress.

While Kumar attributed his non-participation in the Lucknow function to Chhath, Bihar JD(U) President Basistha Narayan Singh had said yesterday the party does not wish to be seen standing with any one group in view of the raging feud between Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle and SP state president Shivpal Yadav.

"There is fight within Samajwadi Party family and we do not want to be seen with any one side in this feud."



Some JD(U) leaders even said the invitation for the function came from Shivpal Yadav and not from SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

They also vented their anger at the role played by SP chief in foiling attempts of merger of six parties of Janata Parivar and the party entering the Bihar poll against the Grand Alliance.

(REOPENS CAL6)



The chief minister said he had received a letter from



Shivpal Yadav inviting him to the Lucknow rally. "Whether somebody from JD(U) will go to participate in the Lucknow rally or not will be discussed," Kumar, who formally took over as party president at the party national council meet at Rajgir in October, said.

He asserted that he was "very much" in favour of unity among secular and socialist forces and recalled past efforts for merger of the six parties of Janata Parivar.

"We had made sincere efforts for the merger and had unanimously chosen Mulayam Singh Yadav as its leader, but things did not materialise somehow," Kumar said.

On the raging feud within SP, Kumar said it as an "internal matter" of that party and he was not interested in meddling in it.

Asked about talks with Congress for the UP assembly poll, he said no parleys have been held with it so far.

"Congress has to take an initiative ... It is a big party."



"The election in Uttar Pradesh is a matter of a specific state. JD(U) will fight poll there but what kind of participation it will have is not yet decided," he said.

In reply to a question on formation of a non-BJP front in the country, Kumar said "I am always in contact with Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. My relationship with Odisha CM Navin Patnaik is also cordial."



Lalu Prasad had said he has been invited by his SP counterpart Mulayam Singh Yadav for the November 5 and he is going there to take part.

His son and Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav told reporters "He (Nitish Kumar) has his own party and it is the decision of that party (not to go to the SP function) ... As far as RJD is concerned our top leader Lalu Prasad is going to the foundation day function of Samajwadi Party in Lucknow."



RJD national vice-president Raghubansh Prasad Singh, however, described Kumar's decision as "wrong" and said this would give advantage to BJP.

"Nitish Kumar should go in SP function to strengthen socialist and secular forces ... His not going there is wrong," Singh, whose hard-hitting comments on Kumar had recently triggered a tiff between RJD and JD(U) told
Hitting back strongly at Pakistan, India today said its citizens have faced repeated "inhuman" terror attacks by "proxies" of Pakistan, which continues to abuse the concept of self-determination to bolster territorial aggrandizement against it.

"Pakistan, whose own people have been deprived of their democratic rights for most of its history and which continues to illegally occupy a part of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and rules it as a virtual colony, repeatedly indulges in the abuse of the concept of self-determination to bolster its agenda of territorial aggrandizement through terrorism against India," Counsellor in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN Mayank Joshi said at a General Assembly session here on the 'Right of people to self-determination'.

Strongly rejecting Pakistan's "ritual propaganda" on the right to self-determination and the "baseless allegations" made by it, Joshi said India is the world's largest democracy and free and fair elections are held regularly in Jammu and Kashmir meeting the aspiration of its people.

"The truth is that thousands of innocent citizens of India, including women and children, continue to fall victim to the repeated inhuman terrorist attacks committed by proxies of the State of Pakistan in our region," Joshi said.

He stressed that India has repeatedly pointed out that Pakistan would serve its people better if only it could introspect about the challenges faced by its society "instead of setting sights on territories of their neighbours in flagrant violation of all international norms of behaviour".

"By now the international community has seen through these misleading attempts by Pakistan. We therefore do not intend to engage any further on this issue," he said.

Joshi asserted that the right to self-determination has been recognised for long as applicable to the peoples of non- self-governing colonies and trust territories.

"This concept cannot become an instrument to promote subversion and erode the political cohesion or territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Member states of the UN," Joshi said.

He emphasised that Palestine remains the "unfinished task" in the realization of the right of peoples to self- determination and reiterated India's "unwavering solidarity" for the people of Palestine to attain their inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination.

"My delegation has reiterated its full support for the Peace Process and the Qaurtet Roadmap which would realise the dream of the peoples of both Palestine and Israel to live in peace, side by side within recognised and secure borders," he said.

He said escalation of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance continues to lead to gross violations of human rights of national, ethnic, cultural and religious minorities, and of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.

Earlier raising the issue of Kashmir, Pakistan's envoy to the UN Maleeha Lodhi said peace in South Asia cannot be achieved without "urgent" solution to the Kashmir dispute.

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A Pakistani court today denied bail to an Afghan woman who was immortalised on the cover of National Geographic magazine in the 1980s and arrested last week on fraud charges, days after the Interior Minister indicated she may soon be released on humanitarian grounds.

Sharbat Gula, who attained fame on the cover of an issue of the National Geographic magazine, has been in police custody since October 26 for allegedly having obtained fake identity papers to stay in Pakistan as a refugee.

The special court in Peshawar had reserved its verdict a day earlier and today rejected her bail application citing a lack of evidence to prove her Pakistani citizenship.

The green-eyed Gula was arrested from her Peshawar residence for alleged forgery of a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC).

During the bail hearing yesterday, Gula's lawyer had told the court that his client is the sole bread earner of her family and is suffering from Hepatitis C.

Earlier in the week, Gula was sent to prison on judicial remand by a local court. She faces up to 14 years in jail.

Her arrest highlighted the plight of millions of Afghan refugees staying in Pakistan.

For decades, Pakistan has provided safe haven for millions of Afghan refugees who fled their country after the Soviet invasion of 1979. It hosts more than 1 million registered Afghan refugees, according to United Nations Refugee Agency.

The agency also estimates a further one million unregistered refugees staying in the country.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had on Sunday indicated that Gula may be released on humanitarian grounds. Khan had said Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) should arrange bail for her as soon as possible.

Gula's haunting photo, taken in a refugee camp in Pakistan in 1984 by Steve McCurry, was one of Nat Geo's most famous covers.

She surfaced in Pakistan in 2014, but had gone into hiding after authorities accused her of buying a fake Pakistani identity card.

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A Pakistani court today rejected the bail plea of an Afghan woman who was immortalised on the cover of National Geographic magazine in the 1980s and arrested last week on fraud charges.

Sharbat Gula, National Geographic magazine's famed 'Afghan Girl', has been in the custody of the Federal Investigation Agency since October 26 for having obtained fake identity papers.

The special court in Peashawar had reserved its verdict a day earlier and today rejected her bail application.

She faces up to 14 years in jail.

Gula's arrest highlighted the plight of millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

Pakistan has for decades provided safe haven for millions of Afghans who fled their country after the Soviet invasion of 1979. It hosts more than 1 million registered Afghan refugees, according to UNHCR.

The agency also estimates a further one million unregistered refugees are in the country.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on October 30 had indicated that Gula may be may soon be freed on humanitarian grounds.

The haunting photo of a green-eyed, Afghan girl named Sharbat Gula, taken in a refugee camp in Pakistan in 1984, was one of National Geographic magazine's most famous covers.

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BSF today said Pakistan's border guarding force was deliberately targeting civilian areas and its Army directly supporting the troops in the shelling on these areas and Indian posts along the International Border.

Addressing a press conference, Inspector General of BSF D K Upadhyay said Pakistan Army is giving full support to Pakistan Rangers, which have violated ceasefire "countless" times in recent past.

"Pakistani forces are firing heavy mortars deliberately towards Indian civilian areas. BSF never fires towards any Pakistani civilian area. We fire only towards military bunkers from where Pakistani forces fire. We have inflicted heavy damage on 14 Pakistani bunkers," he said.

However, he ruled out use of artillery by Pakistan troops in shelling on Indian areas.

"There is no proof of artillery being used by the Pakistani forces", the Border Security Force IG said.

Upadhyay said Pakistan has violated the "human rights and international norms," by targeting civilian areas.

BSF has foiled 5 infiltration bids along IB in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district since October 20-21 night.

"Since the forced infiltration was foiled on the intervening night of October 20 and 21, five infiltration bids have been foiled and a total of 14 infiltration bids were foiled this year...Out of them, three bids have been made close to Diwali night", he said.

But Pakistan is continuously making efforts to help the terrorists to enter into Indian side, the IG said adding "BSF is fully prepared to give a befitting reply to any such attempt".

Upadhyay said if there was any civilian casualty in the Pakistani side, it was because the civilian population live very close to the military bunkers that might have resulted in "collateral" damage.

He also showed images of BSF's firing which targeted only military bunkers in Pakistan.

In an escalation on the tension along border, eight people, including two children and four women, were killed and 22 injured yesterday as Pakistani troops targeted civilian areas in Jammu region inviting strong retaliation by Indian forces who killed two Pakistani soldiers and destroyed their 14 posts.

In view of increased shelling and firing by Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered closure of all the 400 schools along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC).

With cross-border firing escalating, Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation at a meeting in Delhi which was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag and other top officials.

Tension along the IB and LoC escalated since the surgical strikes by army targeting terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on September 29.

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Pakistan today pulled out six of its officials in the wake of a spy scandal involving staffers of its High Commission here even as India was mulling withdrawal of eight of its diplomats from Islamabad as their security has been "completely compromised".

The six Pakistani officials, including four senior diplomats, named for spying for a High Commission staffer, who was arrested and expelled last week for espionage, left India for home as bilateral ties continued to slide.

India was also planning to "eventually" withdraw eight of its diplomats from Pakistan after their names and photographs were published and broadcast in the media there, sources in the External Affairs Ministry said.

Pakistan pulled out the six officials days after a mission staffer Mehmood Akhtar was expelled by India over alleged espionage.

Though there was no official announcement here about Pakistan withdrawing its diplomats, according to Pakistani sources, six mission officials have returned home.

The officials, who left India, included commercial counsellor Syed Furrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal whose names were referred to by Akhtar during his interrogation in connection with the spying scandal, according to sources in the Pakistan High Commission.

"The decision has been taken after it became impossible for the officials to work in this vitiated atmosphere.

"Indian government is threatening and blackmailing our diplomats. So, in this condition, it is impossible for us to stay in this country and work," sources alleged.

The development comes days after India declared Pakistani official Akhtar persona non-grata for espionage activities, triggering a tit for tat action by Islamabad, which also expelled an Indian High Commission official posted there.

Earlier, media reports emerging from Islamabad said Pakistan may ask at least two officials of the Indian High Commission to leave the country for their alleged involvement in subversive activities.

The two officials were identified and their photographs were being flashed by different TV channels in Pakistan.

Geo TV reported that commercial counsellor Rajesh Agnihotri and press counsellor Balbir Singh may be expelled. Indian officials said because of such media reports the security of these diplomats has been "hugely compromised".

Citing sources, the channel claimed that Agnihotri was directly linked with RAW, while Singh was working for Intelligence Bureau (IB). The duo, it was alleged, were using their positions in Pakistan as cover to hide their real identities.

It claimed Singh was also running a network of militants in Pakistan and expelled High Commission official Surjeet Singh was also part of his network.

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Violating the ceasefire, Pakistani troops today shelled areas along the LoC in Bhimber Gali sector of Rajouri district.

The latest ceasefire violation comes a day after eight civilians including two children were killed and 22 others injured in heavy shelling by Pakistani troops.

The Defence PRO said, "There was unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army in BG sector from 1230 hours today."



They fired from automatic weapons and lobbed 82 mm mortar bombs, he said, adding that the Indian troops gave a befitting reply.

Along the International Border (IB), there were no reports of firing and shelling during the night.

"No firing incident was reported on IB of Jammu since night," PRO BSF said.

In view of the relentless shelling, the Jammu and Kashmir government has closed over 400 schools along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region.

A total of 18 people, including 12 civilians, have been killed and more than 80 suffered injuries in Pakistani shelling and firing along IB and LoC in Jammu since surgical strikes against terror launch pads by the Indian Army in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

BSF had yesterday said that 14 Pakistani Posts were destroyed in retaliatory action by its troops along International Border (IB) in Ramgarh and Arnia sectors of Jammu frontier.

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KILN, Mississippi -- A Kiln man is accused of biting off a piece of someone's ear and then bragging about it on Twitter.

The Sun Herald reports Hancock County sheriff's deputies say 21-year-old Michael Cuevas was arrested Thursday on an aggravated assault charge.

Authorities began investigating after a man went to a hospital Sept. 25 with part of his ear missing and underwent surgery. Sheriff's investigator Gary Hudgens says the victim told deputies a man bit his ear during a fight at a Kiln bar.

During their investigation, detectives discovered someone had posted a tweet, bragging about biting a man's ear off during a fight. Detectives traced the tweet to Cuevas, who the victim positively identified in a lineup.

It's unclear if Cuevas has an attorney.
Pakistani business leaders today complained of losing millions of dollars to the government's novel way of containing protesters: by confiscating thousands of shipping containers, many still full of goods, to block roads.

Transport operators complained that up to 4,000 containers had been diverted from their usual route between the southern port city of Karachi and Islamabad to block the capital's roads this week, as opposition leader Imran Khan threatened a million-strong demonstration to lock down the government.

By yesterday Khan had called the protest off, but the containers -- many carrying medicines, perishable goods and other costly cargo -- had not yet been returned.

"A great injustice is being done to us as authorities have seized more than 4,000 containers carrying goods," Chaudhry Saeed Iqbal, vice chairman of the Karachi-based Pakistan Transport Federation, told AFP.

Zafar Bakhtawri, vice president of the Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries, estimated the losses at "millions" of dollars.

He pointed out that the move also brings factories, where storage space is limited when production cannot be shipped out, to a halt.

Babar Chaudhry, a local transport operator, said he had to pay fines each time his shipments fall behind schedule. "We have been urging government and held several meetings with authorities... But so far they have not stopped this practice," Chaudhry told AFP.

Government officials were not immediately available for comment.

The sight of containers in the streets have become an ubiquitous sign of stirring unrest in major cities since the tactic was first used in Karachi in 2007.

Then, the government of military ruler General Pervez Musharraf sealed the megacity with containers to stop sacked chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry from addressing fellow lawyers.

The next "containerisation", as the tactic is becoming known, came later that same year, when current Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tried to return from exile in Saudi Arabia. He landed at Islamabad airport but was deported immediately on a special plane.

The city of Rawalpindi, where Islamabad airport is situated, was locked down with containers in preparation.

Since then containers have been freely used to control crowds, even those on routine religious marches.

Containers are also used to create stages at political rallies and temporary residences and offices for leaders -- though in those cases they are usually paid for by the parties concerned.

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Pakistan may ask at least two officials of the Indian High Commission to leave the country for their alleged involvement in subversive activities, a local media report said today.

The two officials were identified and their photographs were being flashed by different TV channels.

Geo TV reported that commercial counsellor Rajesh Agnihotri and press counsellor Balbir Singh may be expelled.

Citing sources, the channel claimed that Agnihotri was directly linked with RAW while Singh was working for Intelligence Bureau (IB) and they were allegedly using their positions in Pakistan as cover to hide their real identities.

It claimed Singh was also running a network of militants in Pakistan and expelled High Commission official Surgeet Singh was also part of his network.

The development came after reports that Pakistan may call back at least four officials at its High Commission in India after they were named in a recorded statement of Mehmood Akhtar who was briefly detained and then expelled by India.

They include commercial counsellor Syed Furrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal.

There were no immediate comments from the Indian High Commission about the reports.

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Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar is scheduled to visit Uri, where militants had attacked an army camp last month, and also pay homage to the country's first Param Vir Chakra recipient Major Somnath on his 69th death anniversary during his two-day visit to Kashmir beginning on Wednesday.

The Defence Minister is scheduled to arrive here later today and will visit Brigade headquarters, an army official said.

He said Parikkar will be briefed by army officials on the situation along the Line of Control arising due to the ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the wake of last month's surgical strikes and the anti-militancy operations in the hinterland.

Militants had attacked an army base in on September 18, killing 19 soldiers and injuring several others.

The attack led to the army carrying out surgical strikes against militant positions in Pakistan occupied Kashmir on September 29.

The Defence Minister will join senior army officers and other ranks in paying tribute to Major Somnath near the Srinagar Airport in Budgam district, the official said.

Major Somnath was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, the highest military honour.

He was awarded the medal posthumously for his bravery in the Kashmir operations in November 1947.

He laid down his life while evicting Pakistani raiders from Srinagar Airport during the war with Pakistan in 1947-48 in Kashmir. He belonged to the 4th Kumaon Regiment.
The city may run short of fuel tomorrow and on November 15 as the West Bengal Petroleum Dealers' Association has called a strike to protest against the rising expenditure and declining profit margin.

The Association's move is part of a nationwide strike called by the All India Petroleum Dealers' Association (AIPDA).

As part of their continued agitation demanding change in dealers' commission formula, around 3,000 petrol pumps in West Bengal, including 53,500 across the country has decided to go in for a strike on November 15.

"We are doing business on a very low margin and it is difficult to manage expenses. Our business is at stake at the moment. We want to increase the profit margin, which is our major demand.

"Tomorrow we will not procure fuel oil marketing companies (OMCs) and on November 15, we will neither buy nor sell fuel... This may trouble customers, but we have no other options. If issues are not resolved, many of us have to leave the trade," state Association president Tushar Kanti Sen told reporters here today.

Incidentally, petrol pumps on October 19 and 26 undertook a token "blackout" protest for 15 minutes from 7PM.

"Tomorrow we will sell fuel till stocks last. But generally a day's stock does not last long, This might cause a dry spell in the second half of the day," Sen said.

"All petrol pumps would be closed. This will leave 3,000-odd pumps shut on November 3 and 15. In Kolkata, nearly 180 petrol pumps will be participating in the protest.

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Irish actor Pierce Brosnan, best known worldwide for his turn as James Bond in blockbusters including "Goldeneye", "Tomorrow Never Dies" and "The World Is Not Enough", will receive the achievement in world cinema award from the European Film Academy.

Brosnan, 63, will be honored at the 29th European Film Awards in Wroclaw, Poland, on December 10, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In addition to his role as 007, Brosnan has carved out a position somewhere between leading man and character actor with numerous roles in independent and studio productions, including starring roles in John McTiernan's "The Thomas Crown Affair", John Boorman's "The Tailor of Panama" and Roman Polanski's "The Ghost Writer."



Not renowned for his singing voice, Brosnan nevertheless also charmed audiences worldwide with his turn as one of Meryl Streep's suitors in Abba musical "Mamma Mia". He revisited comedy with "Love Is All You Need" from "The Night Manager" director Susanne Bier.

Brosnan has remained active both as an actor and as a producer through his Irish Dreamtime shingle. Currently, he is co-starring in Marc Webb's "The Only Living Boy in New York" alongside Jeff Bridges, Kate Beckinsale and Callum Turner.

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An Indian-origin academic today warned the UK politicians that invoking Article 50 will only be the start of a long process of extricating Britain from the EU and establishing new relationships with other member states.

A new report by an independent group of academics called 'The UK in a Changing Europe' found that identifying and transposing legislation to be included in a new repeal bill will be a daunting task for civil servants.

"Brexit has the potential to test the UK's constitutional settlement, legal framework, political process and bureaucratic capacities to their limits - and possibly beyond," said Prof Anand Menon, who heads the group.

"An irritating aspect of the current debate is the tendency of Brexiters to accuse those who warn of difficulties of 'talking Britain down'. It's a good line but a pathetic argument. Since when was rational debate a bad thing? Forewarned, surely, is forearmed, and this report will help identify potential stumbling blocks ahead," Menon, professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King's College London, told the Guardian.

The group of academic experts have been commissioned by the UK's Political Studies Association to study the implications and future course after Britain's historic vote to leave the 28-member bloc in a referendum on June 23.

The UK in a Changing Europe has pitched itself as an "authoritative source for independent research on UK-EU relations".

They warn that while Article 50, as set out in the Lisbon treaty, concerns the terms of a divorce with the rest of the EU - including what share of EU liabilities the UK should take on, for example - it is unclear whether the process can allow for parallel negotiations on Britain's future status.

British Prime Minister Theresa May had said last month that she plans to trigger the article to kick-start the two- year process of negotiating a separation from the EU by the end of March 2017.

The government will also publish a great repeal bill, which will transfer all EU-originated laws into British law, so that MPs can decide how much they want to discard.

The Opposition Labour party will support the final vote



on the bill but will try to amend it, including calling for a "meaningful vote" on the final Brexit deal.

The bill will now return to the Commons next week for the committee stage, when Opposition parties will try to push through these amendments.

The bill was tabled last week after the Supreme Court ruled that MPs and peers must have a say before Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty could be triggered. It rejected the UK government's argument that May had sufficient executive powers to trigger Brexit without consulting Parliament.
Enforcement Directorate (ED) was today directed by the Delhi High Court to respond to the plea filed by an LIC agent seeking bail in a money laundering case involving Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and others.

Justice Vipin Sanghi issued notice to the agency on the bail plea of accused Anand Chauhan, who is in judicial custody since his arrest in July this year.

Accepting the notice for ED, its counsel Amit Mahajan said they will file their response to the accused plea before the next date of hearing, December 2.

The accused had approached the court challenging the trial court's August 20 order dismissing his bail plea, saying there was "more than sufficient material" to show his involvement in the alleged offence.

Chauhan was arrested from Chandigarh on July 9 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after ED alleged that he was not cooperating with its probe.

During the hearing on his bail plea before the trial court, ED had claimed that there was ample evidence against him and there was serious apprehension that he could tamper with evidence if released on bail.

Chauhan had sought bail on the ground that the case against him was documentary in nature and there was no need to keep him in custody. He had said that he had joined and cooperated in the probe.

The ED has alleged that Virbhadra Singh had "invested huge amount in purchasing LIC policies in his own name and his family members through Chauhan.

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Andhra Pradesh Police today informed the Hyderabad High Court that joint teams of AP and Odisha police had to "fire in self-defence", which resulted in the death of 24 Maoists in Malkangiri district of Odisha area on October 24.

AP Police, which filed a reply in the high court, in response to a PIL submitted by Civil Liberties Committee, said that the incident of firing took place outside of the territory of Andhra Pradesh, in Odisha.

In the reply, Visakhapatnam Rural District Superintendent of Police Rahul Dev Sharma said that on October 24, they got information about the presence of Maoists in the AOB (Andhra-Odisha Border) and police parties of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh reached the forest area of 'Ramagurah'.

"On seeing the police parties, the Maoists, who were armed with latest automatic weapons, opened fire on the police parties resulting in injuries to two Greyhound Commandos, and one of them died. Despite the police calling upon the Maoists to surrender, they did not pay heed to the warning and continued firing, constraining the police parties to retaliate by counter-firing in self-defence," the SP said.

As a result of this firing incident, some Maoists died and some more escaped. The incident was reported at Chitrakonda police station of Malkangiri district and a case was registered, which is under investigation by the Odisha Police. On ascertaining from the Chitrakonda police, it was revealed that they found 24 bodies at the scene of offence (13 men and 11 women), the SP added.

Civil rights activists had earlier moved the high court and filed a PIL seeking a thorough judicial probe into the incident. Advocate V Raghunath, on behalf of Civil Liberties Committee, had filed the litigation and demanded registration of murder cases against the AP Police.

Seeking dismissal of the petition, Sharma said in the reply, "Police have not violated the law and the incident of firing has taken place in Odisha and is being investigated into. The writ petition seems to have been filed by twisting the facts of a legitimate joint-combing exercise and the counter-firing in self-defence."



The court posted the matter for further hearing to November 8.

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An FIR has been lodged against two policemen for allegedly beating-up members of Rihai Manch, who were staging a protest against the encounter of SIMI activists in Bhopal, today at the Hazratganj crossing here.

Rihai Manch members in their FIR accused Sub-inspectors Omkarnath Yadav and Vijay Kumar Pandey of beating up their activists while they were staging the protest in front of the Gandhi statue, police sources said.

Manch members claimed Rajiv Yadav was severely injured in the police action and had to be admitted to the Trauma Centre, police said.

An inquiry has been initiated against the accused policemen, who are posted at the Hazratganj police station, they said.

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The Delhi Police today said that they had to detain political leaders and their supporters as they were "disturbing" medical services at RML Hospital, refuting allegations that family members of ex-serviceman Ram Singh Grewal were manhandled by their personnel.

"We detained political leaders because they and their supporters were hampering medical services at RML hospital. Based on a complaint from hospital's deputy director, we requested them not to gather at hospital premises.

"As they did not relent, we had to detain them," Rajan Bhagat, Delhi Police's spokesperson said.

Bhagat said that police has released all political leaders including Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and their supporters who were detained earlier in the day.

He said that family members of Ram Singh Grewal are still in a state of shock that's why police did allow anyone to meet them.

Asked about allegations of Grewal's son that he was manhandled by police personnel, Bhagat refuted it.

"Police has not manhandled anyone from Grewal's family members. If there is anything like that, we will examine the matter," he said.

He further said that police is in touch with family members who were cooperating with police in the investigation.

According to police, Grewal had come to Delhi with three of his friends from Bhiwani in the intervening night of October 31 and November 1.

"Yesterday, Grewal had consumed poisonous tablets. One of his friends called 100 and police personnel immediately took him to RML hospital. Unfortunately, he died after few hours," police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "Fat may be the new normal in America," write the authors of a newly-released study on the nation's most obese states.

Fat certainly is the norm in Mississippi, which once again came in ranked as the nation's fattest state -- ranking first in several categories, including percentage of children who are obese, percentage of residents who are physically inactive and percentage of residents with diabetes.

The study, compiled by online financial site WalletHub, compared data from the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 17 key metrics of weight-related problems.

The individual categories were grouped into three major rankings from which the overall rankings were gleaned:

Obesity & Overweight Prevalance: Mississippi ranked 1st

Unhealthy Habits & Consequences: Mississippi ranked 4th

Food & Fitness: Mississippi ranked 12th

While Mississippi ranked at the top, six more of the nation's fattest states were from the Deep South, with Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama joining Mississippi in the top 10.

Among the individual categories, there was little in the way of good news for the Magnolia State:

Adults who are overweight: 28th

Adults who are obese: 3rd

Children who are overweight: 5th

Children who are obese: 1st

Residents who physically inactive: 1st

Residents with high cholesterol: 3rd

Adults eating less than one serving of fruits/vegetables per day: 1st

Residents with diabetes: 1st

Residents with hypertension: 1st

One bit of good news: Apparently Mississippi's continued status as the nation's fattest state has given medical professionals ample opportunity to gain experience in treating obesity-related issues. As a result, the state only ranks 23rd in obesity-related deaths.

Data used in the WalletHub report was obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Conference of State Legislatures.

The entire report can be read here.
President Pranab Mukherjee today arrived here on three-day state visit to Nepal, the first by an Indian Head of State in 18 years, to hold talks with the top leadership on ways to boost bilateral ties especially after the formation of a new government.

Mukherjee, who arrived at the Tribhuvan International Airport, was received by President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

He will hold talks with the political leadership here besides visiting historical temples of Pashupatinath tomorrow and Ram Janaki in Janakpur on November 4.

A formal meeting between the two Heads of State has been lined up at the official residence of Bhandari - Shital Niwas.

Bhandari will host a state banquet in Mukherjee's honour. Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' will also host a dinner in his honour.

"India is giving particular focus on our ongoing development, connectivity and economic projects as well as number of projects under the lines of credit...India has committed USD one billion assistance to Nepal," Joint Secretary (North) Sudhakar Dalela had said ahead of the visit.

Nepal Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun and the Prime Minister will also call on Mukherjee - whose visit comes in the backdrop of Nepal, as SAARC chair, issued a strong statement condemning terror in all forms in the aftermath of the Uri terror attack.

The President is accompanied by Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, Members of Parliament Bhubaneswar Kalita, L Ganesan, Jagdambika Pal and R K Singh. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar is also accompanying the delegation.

The leaders "will discuss the full range of issues covering bilateral, regional and international issues and I am sure regional cooperation issue will figure in the talks," Dalela had said.

On November 3, the President will offer prayers at Pashupatinath temple, a UNESCO heritage site. Later, he will be conferred with an honorary degree from Kathmandu University followed a civic reception in Kathmandu in his honour.

The President will also address a seminar of Niti Anusandhan Pratisthan Nepal and India Foundation.

On November 4, a civic reception has been scheduled in his honour at Janakpur, epicentre of protests by Madhesi community, where he will interact with local people. He will also meet leaders of Madhesi community, mostly of Indian-origin, besides offering prayers at the Janaki temple.

The President, who is the supreme commander of the armed forces, will also visit Pokhra on the same day where he will interact with ex-servicemen of Indian Army from Gurkha community. During the visit, the emphasis of the Indian side is to see the implementation of agreements which have already been entered in both sides.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actress Priyanka Chopra is looking forward to the release of her maiden Marathi production "Ventilator" and she said she is very proud of the film.

The film is directed by Rajesh Mapuskar, who previously directed "Ferrari Ki Sawaari". The movie stars actor-turned-filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker alongside several veteran Marathi film and theatre actors. It releases this Friday.

"#Ventilator, my first Marathi venture, is a film I'm truly proud of, and I can't wait for you guys to see it! #Nov4," Priyanka tweeted.

The film had its world premiere at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival this year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rahul Gandhi and top Congress leaders were today detained twice as a high-voltage political drama unfolded here following the alleged suicide by a former soldier over OROP, prompting the party vice president to demand an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The least this government can do is to apologise to the family of the deceased soldier for making them suffer," said an angry Gandhi after being finally released at night amid strong protests by party leaders.

At a joint press conference at the AICC headquarters, former Defence Minister A K Antony warned that "things will be difficult" if the government did not implement the OROP in toto immediately and remove the pay commission anomalies.

Holding the Modi government responsible for the suicide of Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal (70), a resident of Bhiwani district in Haryana, Antony and party chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala demanded that Prime Minister apologise to the nation and the armed forces for "misleading them" that OROP has been implemented.

"The present government is responsible for this suicide. Modi government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister, is talking for last one year that they have implemented OROP fully, but have not yet done so. They have diluted the OROP as implemented by UPA.

"Government must implement OROP in toto at the earliest and remove all pay commission anomalies otherwise things will be difficult," Antony said, adding had everything been implemented fully this tragedy would not have happened.

He added, "If is government has any kind of loyalty left for armed forces, my humble request to Prime Minister is please apologise to the nation and the families of soldiers for misleading them that OROP has been implemented. Such action has been unheart of in the history of India."



Rahul Gandhi after his release said, "The minimum that government should do is to apologise to the family of the deceased ex-serviceman."



The family has made a sacrifice and what has happened to them (their detention) is wrong, he added.

The Congress immediately latched on to the issue after reports of the suicide came in the morning with party leaders taking to the streets. Rahul Gandhi went to RML Hospital to meet the bereaved family and express his condolences, but was taken into custody and kept at Mandir Marg police station. He was again detained at the Tilak Marg police station and released late at night.

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia also met similar fate.

Striking a defiant note, Congress declared that Rahul Gandhi will agitate for the cause of soldiers no matter how many times he has to go to jail.

"Rahul Gandhi is unfazed and no matter how many times he has to go to jail, he will continue to agitate for the cause of soldiers," said Surjewala.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi Congress "strongly condemned" the detention of party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi by police today, terming it an "attack on democracy".

Gandhi was detained twice by Delhi Police while trying to meet the family members of ex-servicemen Ram Kishan Grewal who allegedly committed suicide over then One Rank One Pension (OROP) issue yesterday.

"Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee strongly condemns the illegal detention of Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi by Delhi Police. In an unprincipled Goondaraj, it's a blatant attack on democracy," chief spokesperson of Delhi Congress Sharmistha Mukherjee told reporters.

She alleged that Rahul was prevented from meeting the sons and family members of Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital today and was "illegally" detained by the police.

"This act of the Delhi Police is not only an attack on democracy but also shows how the dictatorial Modi government at the Centre is destroying democratic principle and values," she said in a statement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Amid high drama, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia were today detained at the RML Hospital here after they tried to meet the family of an ex-serviceman who allegedly committed suicide over the OROP issue.

The Congress Vice President was not allowed to enter the premises of the Centre-run hospital. His repeated attempts were stonewalled by the heavy posse of security personnel, drawing angry reaction from the leader who lashed out at the Modi government.

Speaking to reporters, Rahul wondered whether democracy works in this fashion.

Senior police official MK Meena said they will not allow obstruction of health services.

"We will not allow any kind of politics inside hospitals in Delhi. Democracy does not mean obstruction of health services. Rahul Gandhi has been detained at the Mandir Marg police station," he said.

Earlier, Sisodia managed to enter the hospital premises and meet the family members of the deceased, before being detained by police.

Eyewitnesses said Sisodia could enter the premises as he came in a civilian car, which went undetected by the security.

A senior official of the hospital said the deceased, Ram Kishan Grewal, was "brought dead to the hospital at 1.45 AM last night".

"His body was sent for post-mortem to Lady Hardinge at 7.30 AM in the morning today," the official said.

Vehicular movement ouitside the hospital was thrown out of gear as Rahul's presence led to chaos.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee today criticised the move to prevent Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia from visiting the hospital to see the body of the ex-serviceman who allegedly committed suicide in Delhi.

"It is very sad that one of our former jawans committed suicide. Very unfortunate that Rahul Gandhi and Manish Sisodia were stopped from visiting the bereaved family," she said in a tweet.

"They should be allowed to offer their condolences," Banerjee said, adding, "our representative Derek O'Brien is also on his way to Delhi".

An ex-serviceman allegedly committed suicide in Delhi over the issue of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, triggering a political row with Gandhi and Sisodia rushing to the hospital where they were prevented by securitymen from seeing the body of the deceased.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today vent profound anger at policemen over the detention of the family members of an army veteran, who allegedly committed suicide over OROP, calling it "shameful" and symbolic of "undemocratic" mentality of the Modi government.

"Do you not feel ashamed? He is a son of an army veteran, he is his father... And you are arresting them?" a livid Rahul told policemen pointing towards the deceased soldier Ram Kishan Grewal's son and father.

"What is your name? You think the family of India's martyr should be arrested? Do you not feel ashamed?," Rahul asked a senior police officer at Mandir Marg police station where he was taken following his detention after he was denied entry into RML Hospital to meet Grewal's family.

"A martyr's family is arrested. This is Modi ji's India," he earlier told reporters outside RML Hospital.

"How can you arrest the son and father of martyr? And if you have not arrested them, then why are you not letting them go," he said after his request for releasing Grewal's family was turned down.

"A new India is in the making, you have to identify it. What is happening in India today, you have to identify it. It is a result of their mentality. It is a particular type of mentality. It is an undemocratic type of mentality."



Rahul, who was keen to meet the ex-serviceman's family, was requested by a police officer to leave the place in view of his security. He, in turn, demanded that the official tell the media what orders he had received.

"They are telling me to go away from here and leave. I told you, a new India is being formed," he said as high political drama unfolded outside the hospital.

"Modi ji is so scared that he has ordered his Police to beat families of martyrs and detain political opponents," Congress said on its website after Rahul's detention.

Party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala, who was also detained along with Haryana CLP leader Kiran Chowdhury, dubbed the action as "naked goondaism" of the Modi government.

The Congress vice president earlier said, "My heartfelt condolences to the family of Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal. Extremely sad to learn of his death."



Gandhi also asked the Prime Minister to implement One Rank-One Pension scheme in a meaningful way in the wake of the alleged suicide by Grewal. He said soldiers should not have to struggle to claim what is their due.

"I urge the PM once again: soldiers should not have to struggle to claim what is their due. OROP must be implemented in a meaningful way!," he said on twitter.

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel said, "Suicide of a jawan on issue of OROP is tragic. My condolences to the family. The government has lots to answer."



"The way Govt is working since day 1 is anti-democratic, they have one agenda to stop Rahul Gandhi wherever he goes," Patel said.

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma alleged, "Police used force against family members (of Ram Kishan Grewal's) who were dragged on the ground and beaten up.

Patel, political secretary to Congress president Sonia



Gandhi, said Rahul wanted to meet Grewal's family as a humane gesture.

"What crime was he committing in doing so," he said, adding the "government has been functioning undemocratically from Day 1. This is a well thought out conspiracy to stop Rahul Gandhi."



Sharma said Rahul had not violated any law in visiting RML hospital as there were no prohibitory orders in place. "In any case, Rahul Gandhi had gone alone. There was no violation of any law. It is illegal detention."



Rahul Gandhi along with other Congress leaders were later released by the police from Mandir Marg police station.

Inside the police station, Rahul questioned the cops as to why the family of the martyr was detained. He asked if they had been arrested he should be arrested too. If not, they should be let off with him.

Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar claimed Ram Kishan did not commit suicide but was murdered as circumstances were created which led to his death.

"Shame shame shame..... Govt attitude toward Defence people led to death Ram Krishan ji.. And Govt has locked his family to shut them.

"If this isn't fascism, what is ?," he said on twitter.
Telecom operator Infocomm will install around 45,000 mobile towers in the next six months to boost its 4G network.

" in meeting with Telecom Minister (Manoj Sinha) has committed to installing (rpt) installing 45,000 mobile towers in next six months to further strengthen its network. The company has said that it has plans to invest Rs 1 lakh crore over a period of 4 years and the new towers are part of this investment," an official source told PTI.

No immediate comments were received from Infocomm Limited (RJIL) on the matter.

The source said that RJIL informed minister that it has already invested Rs 1.6 lakh crore in the networks and installed 2.82 lakh base stations across the country covering 18,000 cities and 2 lakh villages.

"Jio said that it has made all effort to provide good consumer experience but non-availability of point of interconnection from Airtel, Vodafone and Idea has led to high call failure rate on its network. Minister (Sinha) then directed telecom operators to resolve PoI issue among themselves at the earliest," the source said.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has recommended to impose Rs 3,050 crore penalty on Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular holding them responsible for congestion in RJIL network.

Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Reliance Jio attended a meeting called by Trai on Tuesday to resolve interconnection issue.

The meeting, which lasted for more than two hours, was attended by Bharti Airtel MD and CEO Gopal Vittal, Vodafone India MD and CEO Sunil Sood, Idea MD and CEO Himanshu Kapania and Reliance Jio Director Mahendra Nahata.

Trai Chairman RS Sharma asked them to mutually resolve interconnection issue at the earliest and warned action against those found liable for poor service quality benchmark around network congestion, call drop etc.

The incumbent operators received no respite from Trai on penalty of Rs 3,050 crore recommended by it.

According to sources, Sharma asked them to look at present and future plan of action to resolve quality issue in networks.
An Indian-origin Democrat running for a local office has been targeted by Florida Republicans in an unusual attack -- a flyer saying he has a lot in common with their own presidential nominee Donald Trump like "scandal, dirty deals and disdain for women".

Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh, seeking re-election against Republican Edward DeAguilera, was the subject this week of another mailer to Orange County residents painting him as corrupt.

"Rick Singh=Donald Trump," reads the mailer currently being distributed in the Orlando area by Leadership for Florida's Future political committee, a group partly funded by the state Republican party, Florida Politics reported.

One side of the mailer features half of Singh's head next to half of Trump's, and the other declares that "Like Trump, Singh is simply unfit for public office".

He has also been targeted in internet and social media advertising by outside groups.

This mailer, from the Michael Millner-chaired Leadership for Florida's Future political committee accuses Singh of scandals including funneling money from his public position to his family's charity, and of belonging to a Facebook group that demeans women.

"Rick Singh has a lot in common with Donald Trump, Scandal. Dirty Deals. Disdain for Women," the mailer reads.

Unlike several previous anti-Singh mailers, this one's sources of backing are publicly documented and therefore clearly legal, and significantly Republican -- Trump's party.

Singh told ThinkProgress that he finds the strategy bizarre, desperate, and offensive.

"I'm the complete opposite of Donald Trump. I was raised by a single mother who worked three jobs as a maid to make ends meet...I find it humorous that the Republican Party of Florida would compare me to Donald Trump," he was quoted as saying.

Singh also noted that he views the advertisement as racist, given that many Orlando voters are Latino citizens who may not understand the nuances of the attack on first glance.

"I find the targeting very racist. They're targeting Hispanics who just moved to this part of the country, and English is perhaps a second language. So they're really predators on those new members of society who will see a picture of Donald Trump, see a picture of me, and react to it," Singh said.

"Even members of the Republican Party have come to me and said they're insulted and ashamed of this type of attack coming from their party," he said.

"I'm holding big businesses accountable and I've held big businesses accountable. A lot of the larger entities don't like paying their fair share, and this is essentially why I'm getting attacked by the Republican Party," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An ex-serviceman allegedly committed suicide over the issue of One Rank One Pension scheme, triggering a political row with Rahul Gandhi and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia rushing to hospital where they were prevented from seeing the body.

The 70-year-old ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal from Haryana's Bhiwani district ended his life yesterday by consuming poison on the lawns behind a government building in Janpath, the central area of the capital.

Grewal, who was a familiar face of OROP agitation, left behind a suicide note, his son said.

Police said he along with three of his companions had come to the city apparently to submit a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP. However, Defence Ministry sources said as per records, no request for appointment with Parrikar was made.

Congress and AAP launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the OROP issue.

Rahul was not allowed to enter Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where Grewal's body is kept while Sisodia was detained outside the hospital.

"I urge the PM once again: soldiers should not have to struggle to claim what is their due.OROP must be implemented in a meaningful way! My heartfelt condolences to the family of Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal. Extremely sad to learn of his death," he tweeted.

When he was not allowed to meet the family of the deceased, Rahul wondered whether democracy works in this fashion.

Slamming the Prime Minister and BJP on OROP, the Delhi Chief Minister said Modi was "lying" when he said OROP was implemented and termed it as a "major deceit" with the veterans.

"He is lying to the entire country. If it was implemneted then why Ram Kishan had to commit suicide? The extent of the deceit of the BJP government over the issue, don't think it has happened before. The army is being deceived and misused for political gains. His martyrdom should not go in vain," the Delhi Chief Minister said.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said he was saddened over the death of Grewal.

"Saddened by the death of subedar Ram Kishen Grewal. I express my heartfelt condolences. I have asked officials to provide me with details," Parrikar said in a tweet.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
MP City Hall

Moss Point City Hall

(Tyler Carter)

MOSS POINT, Miss. - The Moss Point Board of Aldermen decided Tuesday night that the city is ready to seek new law enforcement leadership, voting 5-2 to advertise for a new police chief to head up the Moss Point Police Department.

At their Oct. 19 meeting, the aldermen had decided to table the discussions regarding their search for a new police chief because they needed more time to discuss the future of the police department.

Turmoil within the police department reached its peak after Pascagoula police dash cam footage was released of former police chief Art McClung allegedly driving 109 mph on U.S. 90 between the Gautier bridge and the Pascagoula bridge in his city-assigned police SUV. Officers' conversation on the footage indicated that McClung had been drinking, but on the instructions of Pascagoula Police Chief Kenny Johnson he was taken home without charges and no report was filed. He later resigned after the board of aldermen voted to dismiss him.

The city also recently found out that incidents of potential fraud and misappropriation of funds had been discovered in the Moss Point Utility Department and police department.

According to Mayor Billy Broomfield, Interim Chief Brandon Ashley inquired about bank statements related to an account set up by the Moss Point Police Department for use in events such as "Night Out Against Crime" and other police functions. Discrepancies were found and the city immediately alerted District Attorney Tony Lawrence, who in turn contacted the State Auditor's office.

The two votes in opposition to seeking a new police chief came from Ward 5 Alderman Linwood Grierson and Ward 6 Alderman Gary Wayne Lennep.

Lennep told the Mississippi Press that his suggestion would be to retain Brandon Ashley for the current board's administration, which will expire in June 2017.

"I think it is best for the next administration to select a new chief. This, in my opinion, would be best for the city, new administration, and the new chief," Grierson said.

On Tuesday morning, Lennep took to the Ward 6 Community Connection Facebook page to give his thoughts on the state of the police department. Among other points, he said that leadership turnover has been a long-term problem for the department, and that he favored keeping Ashley in the interim position while the city reviews the department's structure and budget and comes to agreement on the qualifications it wants in its next chief.

Lennep's post in its entirety can be read here.

When the item came up for discussion at Tuesday evening's meeting, minimal discussion was exchanged by the aldermen and Mayor Broomfield. When asked if there were any additional questions in regards to discussion for advertising for a new police chief, Lennep posed a question to the mayor, as well as the board.

Lennep had also sent his Facebook comments to his fellow board members and Mayor Broomfield via email. Lennep asked Broomfield if he received his email to which Broomfield responded that he did. A brief back and force ensued and Broomfield then told Lennep that he could have a conversation with him in private in regards to the contents of Lennep's email.

Lennep said the police department has been in disarray and thinks stability is needed to bring peace of mind to the community and its citizens.

"I just wanted to have discussion among the board as what's the best way for us to move forward," Lennep said. "Right now, we're in an interim situation and we can continue to do the same thing and continue to get the same results or decide to do something different."

The City of Moss Point will be on its third police chief since 2014 and its seventh since 2000.

"I feel that there are a lot of things that we need to consider that might help us make a better decision to improve the department as well as the whole situation surrounding the chief," Lennep said. "I really don't understand the stonewalling by the mayor."
An Andhra Pradesh- based human rights outfit today demanded judicial probes into the last month's encounter in Malkangiri where over two dozen Maoists were gunned down, as well as the Bhopal jail break by SIMI activists and their subsequent killing by the police.

Both probes should be headed by sitting Supreme Court Judges, the Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Association (APCLA) said here.

"The State Government should order a probe by a sitting Supreme Court Judge into the Malkangiri encounter (on Andhra-Odisha border). A similar probe should be conducted into the encounter of eight SIMI activists after they escaped from the Bhopal Central Jail on October 31," APCLA President Muppala Subba Rao said in a statement.

He claimed top Maoist leader Ramakrishna was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh police after the October 24 gunbattle in Malkangiri and said he should be produced before court.

Police have, however, denied capturing Ramakrishna.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Russia's foreign minister accused other countries involved in Syrian peace negotiations of having "sabotaged" the process with continued backing of militant groups intent on toppling President Bashar Assad.

Sergey Lavrov made the remarks today on a visit to Greece, a NATO and European Union member that has maintained close ties with Russia.

He didn't name any countries. Peace talks have involved US Secretary of State John Kerry and the foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran.

"Unfortunately on many occasions, efforts for a political resolution have been sabotaged. That is not in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions . Some parties are backing extremists aimed at removing the Assad regime," Lavrov said.

"If those resolutions had been carried out in an honest way, the situation in Syria would have already improved." Lavrov met with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, as part of a friendship initiative between the two countries that included multiple cultural exchanges and a visit to Greece in May by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Over the weekend, the Russian navy destroyer Smetlivy reached Greece's main port of Piraeus before sailing onto the east Mediterranean to join warships backing government forces in Syria's five-year-old civil war.

Russia's relations with the US and its allies came under further strain after Moscow used airpower to back a Syrian government siege of Aleppo, Syria's second largest city. Peace talks resumed after Russia halted the airstrikes last month.

"We have seen that after every humanitarian pause, the opportunity is used by the terrorists to strengthen their manpower and weaponry," Lavrov said.

Athens is keen to maintain close ties with fellow-Orthodox Christian Russia, despite its participation in EU sanctions against Moscow, and a gas pipeline project designed to limit Russia's regional energy dominance.

Russia is one of Greece's main trading partners, but business has been hit by the sanctions and a drop in commodity prices.

Lavrov's trip comes less than two weeks before a visit to Greece by President Barack Obama.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
South African President Jacob Zuma today abandoned a court bid to block a watchdog's report into corruption allegations against him, as calls grew for him to stand down.

Zuma's surprise move came as thousands of people took to the streets of the administrative capital Pretoria to demand that he leaves office.

It paves the way for the release of the probe into accusations that he allowed a wealthy Indian family undue political sway, including letting them choose some cabinet ministers.

"My instructions are to withdraw the application," Zuma's lawyer Anthea Platt told the High Court in Pretoria at the start of the second day of the hearing.

Former public ombudswoman Thuli Madonsela concluded her report into the influence of the Gupta family last month, shortly before the expiry of her seven-year term.

It was due to be released on October 14 until Zuma moved to block it.

The president, 74, has survived a string of damaging scandals, but faces increasing criticism as South Africa's economy stalls and after the ruling ANC party suffered unprecedented losses in local polls.

Some factions of the ANC, former anti-apartheid activists and business leaders have all recently called for him to stand down before his term ends in 2019.

Today, thousands of opposition party supporters, unions and civil groups marched through Pretoria to protest against Zuma's presidency.

"I spent the whole night here," Dominic Khulube, 30, an unemployed man from Tembisa, a township outside Johannesburg, told AFP after a vigil by the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party.

"Zuma must step down and the Guptas must leave the country. If he does not step down today we will be here until he steps down.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
South Korean President Park Geun-Hye replaced her prime minister and finance minister today, as she scrambled to contain a damaging scandal over a close friend accused of meddling in state affairs.

The top-level reshuffle, which also saw a new public safety minister, was the latest attempt to appease growing public anger with the president and her administration.

Park has been engulfed in a political storm over allegations that she allowed long-time friend Choi Soon-Sil, who holds no political position, to vet her speeches and have a voice in policy decisions - including cabinet appointments.

Choi is currently being detained and questioned by prosecutors over her links to Park and other allegations of influence-peddling and embezzlement.

A spokesman at the Seoul Prosecutors Office said a formal request had been made today to a local court to issue an arrest warrant for Choi on charges of fraud and abuse of power.

The fraud relates to allegations that Choi - who is already in emergency detention - used her friendship with Park to strongarm companies like Samsung into donating large sums to non-profit foundations Choi set up and used for her personal gain.

The spokesman said the "abuse of power" charge - usually restricted to government officials - was based on allegations that Choi worked with one of Park's top presidential aides, Ahn Jong-Beom, to secure the corporate donations.

Ahn, who was forced to resign at the weekend, presented himself for questioning by prosecutors earlier Wednesday.

A presidential spokesman said Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-Ahn had been replaced "in connection with the current situation."



The new premier was named as Kim Byong-Joon, a former top aide to the late liberal president Roh Moo-Hyun.

The prime minister is a largely symbolic post in South Korea, where power is firmly concentrated in the presidency.

It is the only cabinet post requiring parliamentary approval. Opposition parties said the reshuffle was a smokescreen and suggested they would block Kim's nomination.

"People demanded that the president get rid of the Choi Soon-Sil-controlled cabinet, but this is just a second Choi Soon-Sil cabinet," a spokesman for the main opposition Democratic Party said.

The media has portrayed the 60-year-old Choi as a Rasputin-like figure, who wielded an unhealthy influence over Park that continued after her presidential election victory in December 2012.

Suggestions that she interfered in government policy and was given access to classified documents have exposed Park to public anger and ridicule and, with just over a year left in office, seen her approval ratings plunge into the single digits.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
regulator has reorganised the committee that advises it on matters related to secondary market, including suggesting steps to improve market safety, efficiency and transparency.

The Secondary Market Advisory Committee is chaired by IIM Ahmedabad Professor and former whole-time member of Sebi, Jayanth R Varma.

Besides Varma, the expert panel consists of 19 members, including top executives of nation's leading bourses - NSE, BSE and Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India Ltd (MSEI) - as well as government representatives.

Members of the committee include BSE's Ashish Kumar Chauhan, NSE's Chitra Ramakrishna, and MSEI's Udai Kumar. All of them are Managing Directors and CEOs of their respective stock exchanges.

Managing Director of ICICI Securities Anup Bagchhi and Kotak Mahindra Bank Joint MD Dipak Gupta are also members of the committee.

Apart from them, Rose Mary K Abraham from Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and some officials are also part of the panel.

The committee is mandated to review the developments in secondary market, recommend measures for changes and improvements in market structure in view of the impending changes, look into investor protection measures in the stock exchanges and suggest improvements.

Moreover, the expert panel also suggests on measures for reducing the transaction costs, changes if required in the risk management and regulatory framework in secondary market, among others.
An SIT formed by Madhya Pradesh Police today inspected the site of alleged encounter where eight SIMI men were gunned down on Monday while a separate investigation began into the jailbreak by extremists by recreating the scene.

The CID team led by SP Anurag Sharma also examined some people about the encounter, which has come under scanner with opposition parties and the lawyer of the slain SIMI activists pointing to several alleged smoking guns to claim that it was fake.

Former Director General of Police Nandan Dubey, assigned by the state government with the task of investigating the daring jail break, visited the Central Jail here. The jail break scene was recreated as part of the probe and Dubey examined some prisoners also.

"Yes I spent more than three hours in the jail. I have started the investigation," Dubey told PTI.

Asked about the lapses that led to the SIMI activists' escape, he said it was too early to jump to any conclusion.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also inspected the Central Jail here and directed strengthening of security measures.

The lawyer of the eight SIMI activists today claimed that they had sustained gun shots in the head and chest. He claimed that he had seen the autopsy reports of the slain men.

"They were fired upon from the front and all of them sustained injuries in their head and chest, above the waist," lawyer Parvez Alam told PTI.

Repeating his claim that it was a fake encounter, he said that according to a Supreme Court ruling, police should fire below the waist.

The SIMI activists were killed on the city outskirts at Malikheda following their escape from the high-security jail after slitting the throat of a security guard and scaling the 32-ft wall using bedsheets in the wee hours of October 31.

Meanwhile, state Home Minister Bhupinder said any video or evidence about the encounter should be submitted to the SIT.

The minister said the slain men were dreaded terrorists who had killed policemen earlier.

"The swiftness with which the police acted against then should be appreciated," he said, adding that, "Ending terrorism is a pripority for our government. We will not compromise at any cost when dealing with terrorism."



On claims that the SIMI men were unarmed, he said, "It could have been so when they escaped from the jail. But they had lot of time after that (to get hold of weapons)."



ATS Chief Sanjeev Shami maintained that the police was well within the law "to resort to maximum force" if they see the possibility that dreaded criminals who are a threat to society may escape.

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In New Delhi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh did not specify when the National Investigation Agency would conduct a probe into the case.

"We have not yet received anything (from the state). The Madhya Pradesh government has already ordered an investigation," he said.

Chouhan had earlier said that NIA would probe the case.
Manipuri rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila today for the first time attended the anniversary programme to commemorate Malom Massacre which had prompted her to go on a 16-year-long hunger strike demanding the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state.

Today's event marked the 16th anniversary of the massacre in which 10 civilians were gunned down by the security forces at Malom in Imphal West district.

Addressing the gathering at the memorial, Sharmila, co-convenor of newly-floated political party Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) said this was the first time she took part in the programme as she was kept in custody for more than 15 years.

Paying tributes to the 10 victims, she said laws were framed to protect the people and her entry into politics was the "first step" to bring in changes under a democratic system.

Sharmila (44) had ended her 16-year-long fast in August and formed the new political party to contest the state Assembly election due early next year.

She had also declared that she would be contesting against Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh at his home turf of Thoubal.

Today's event was organised by the relatives of the 10 civilians killed on this day, said PRJA convenor Erendro Leichombam, who will be contesting the upcoming Assembly election.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The burial of one of the SIMI activists killed in an alleged encounter in Bhopal was held here today amidst tight security, even as his mother claimed that he was not a terrorist and his killing was a conspiracy.

Mujeeb Sheikh, who was arrested by Jabalpur police in June 2011, was a key accused in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts. In the attack, 21 blasts had rocked the city on July 26, claiming 56 lives and leaving hundreds others severely injured.

Mujeeb's body was brought here from Bhopal by his family members late last night and he was buried this morning at a cemetery in Juhapura area as a large number of people turned up to participate in the procession.

Mujeeb was arrested by Madhya Pradesh Police for being an active member of the banned organisation--Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). He belonged to Juhapura area of Ahmedabad city.

He was also accused of planting bombs in Surat and participating in jihadi training camp in Halol area of Panchmahal district and training youths for jihadi activities.

Police made tight security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident. The personnel of Special Operations Group (SOG), Crime Branch, State Reserve Police and local police were present at the procession which was monitored by the police through CCTV camera.

"Mujeeb's body was buried in Juhapura locality where his family resides. We had deployed tight police security to ensure nothing untoward took place. Everything went off peacefully," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone VII) Vidhi Chaudhari said.

Mujeeb was among the eight operatives of SIMI who were killed in the alleged encounter on the outskirts of Bhopal on Monday after they escaped from the city's central jail by killing a security guard.

Talking to mediapersons after his burial, Mujeeb's mother Mumtaz Sheikh said her son was not a terrorist, and that she will continue to fight for justice.

"My son is not a terrorist, his crime has not been proved and his murder is a conspiracy. I will continue my fight under law and I believe I will get justice," she said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Deputy Chief Minister and AAP MLA Surinder Singh were on Wednesday detained by Delhi Police when they were going to meet the family members of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal who allegedly committed suicide over the issue of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.

Police claimed both Sisodia and Delhi Cantt MLA had gone to protest at the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, and said they were detained just to contain the situation.

Later, they were taken to Parliament Street police station.

Sisodia said he had just gone to RML Hospital to meet the family members of Grewal, where his was kept.

"Due to the Centre's attitude, an ex-serviceman had to commit suicide and I was detained when I wanted to talk to his family," Sisodia tweeted.

Reacting to the move, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wondered what's wrong with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

" detained? He had gone to meet family of deceased Ram Kishanji. He is elected Dy CM. Whats wrong wid u Modiji? So insecure?," Kejriwal tweeted.

The Chief Minister wondered whether Deputy CM going to offering condolences to family members in his state will be arrested.

"If Deputy Chief minister goes to offer condolence to family, will he be arrested? There is limit to thuggery, Modi ji," he tweeted.

The 70-year-old ex-serviceman allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison at a park in New Delhi area on Tuesday evening.
Fishermen associations of India and Sri Lanka today held talks in which the visiting delegation rejected demands for relaxation of norms for Tamil Nadu's fishing trawlers, making it clear that their country will not allow foreign fishermen in its waters "even for a minute".

The 15-member Sri Lankan delegation from four coastal districts said that the Indian association had made an "implict" demand for a three year phasing out period from the neighbouring country's waters.

The demand that they be allowed to fish in Sri Lankan waters for 83-85 days per year for the next three years, especially in seas of Mannar and Palk Strait, was rejected, the Sri Lankan delegation said.

Today's talks come ahead of a meeting between Ministers of External Affairs and Agriculture with their Sri Lankan counterparts on Saturday.

The delegation from Jaffna, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts of Sri Kanka also demanded compensation for "ecological and economical damages" incurred due to Tamil Nadu fishermen.

The Indian side comprised fishermen from Tamil Nadu, senior officials from the Centre and Tamil Nadu government.

This was also one of the first high-level delegation talks on the issue between the two sides.

"We have conveyed to the Indian side that their fishermen should not cross the International Maritime Boundary Line. No Indian fishing trawler should enter the Sri Lankan waters and any illegal poaching will not be tolerated.

"We have also made it clear that fishermen straying in Sri Lankan waters would be arrested and later released, but their trawlers would be confiscated, said V Subramaniam, former president of Jaffna District Fishermen Association Federation and the leader of the delegation



"The Sri Lankan fishermen are not in favour of giving any kind of permits to fish in our waters. These are pre requisites for talks," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The eight activists killed in an alleged encounter on Monday sustained gun shots in the head and chest, their lawyer claimed on Wednesday citing the postmortem reports.

"They were fired upon from the front and all of them sustained injuries in their head and chest, above the waist," lawyer Parvez Alam told PTI claiming that he has seen the postmortem reports of the slain men.

Repeating his claim that it was a fake encounter, he said that according to a Supreme Court ruling, police should fire below the waist.

Alam said that he will petition the local court for medical examination of the remaining members of the banned organisation lodged in the jail here and alleged they were assaulted. He also claimed that there was threat to his life.

The activists were killed on the city outskirts at Malikheda following their escape from the high-security jail after slitting the throat of a security guard and scaling the 32-ft wall using bedsheets in the wee hours of October 31.

"I am going to move the Bhopal Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court today seeking to conduct medical examination on 20-odd so-called members in jail," he said.

"I have learnt that they have been brutally beaten," he alleged.

"Besides, I am going to meet MP Director General of Police and seek security for myself," Alam said.

"As I am openly speaking against the encounter, now I fear for my life and family members after the cold-blooded murder of my clients," he added.

Yesterday, bodies of seven of the eight SIMI activists, who were killed in the encounter, were buried in different parts of Madhya Pradesh amid tight security.

While the last rites of Amjad Khan, Zakir Hussain, Mohammad Salik, Sheikh Mehboob, Aqueel Khilji, Mohammed Khalid and Abdul Majid were conducted in the state, the body of another deceased Sheikh Mujeeb was taken to Ahmedabad by his family members.

All the bodies were handed over to the kin after post-mortem here. While taking custody of the bodies, the relatives questioned the genuineness of the police encounter.

However, police has dismissed criticism over the encounter killing of the SIMI activists, saying there was heavy exchange of fire in which they were felled and four countrymade guns and some sharp-edged weapons were recovered from them.

IG Yogesh Chaudhary has maintained that all questions

raised over the encounter were a matter of investigation as the series of events over seven hours between their escape and killing were still being probed.

This came soon after a controversy raged over the police action following the daring pre-dawn jail-break, as TV channels showed footage purportedly from the encounter site in which a policeman is seen pumping bullets into a man from close range after some unidentified person takes out what appears to be a knife said to be in a plastic cover and places it back.

Besides the veracity of the video, police is also probing how the SIMI terror suspects could lay their hands on weapons after their escape.

Alam had yesterday said that the families of the accused have decided to move the Madhya Pradesh High Court for a CBI probe into entire episode as well as the killings what they called a "fake" encounter.
Veteran star Kamal Haasan today claimed that a statement issued in his name, about his split from partner Gautami Tadimalla, did not belong to him.

"At this point of time, I am not issuing any statement," he said, in an apparent reference to his split with Gautami.

The 61 year-old actor also said that someone was "playing" by issuing a statement in his name.

"It is indecent that someone is playing by issuing a statement in my name," the actor-producer said in a Tamil tweet.

Haasan's response came in the wake of a statement doing the rounds in the social media in his name on the pair's split.

Gautami yesterday announced she was parting ways with Haasan, her partner for 13 years, terming it as "one of the most devastating decisions that I have ever had to make in my life."



She did not specify any reason for the separation.

Meanwhile, Haasan's daughter Shruti, who reportedly had a showdown with Gautami a few months ago, chose not to comment on the matter.

"Shruti has never commented on anyone's personal life and their decisions. For her, what matters most is standing by, loving and respecting her family - her parents and her sister (Akshara), no matter what," a statement from her office said.

Earlier, there were reports that Shruti wasn't happy with Gautami's choice of clothes for her character in her father directed trilingual "Sabaash Naidu" and had brought in her own outfits.

The film will see the actress share screen space with her father for the first time. Shruti, however, had refuted the reports.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least 100 people, including a Superintendent of Police (SP) and 35 other security personnel, were injured today in clashes between stone-pelting mobs and law enforcing agencies in different parts of Kashmir valley, officials said.

The intense clashes took place in Soura area in the outskirts of Srinagar after police tried to arrest some youth allegedly involved in disturbing law and order, leaving 80 people including SP Hazratbal and 35 other securitymen injured, they said.

Among the civilians injured, three received pellet injures while another was hit by a tear-smoke shell during the clashes which continued throughout the day, the officials said.

The clashes broke out when police, assisted by paramilitary forces, launched a cordon and search operation to nab some youth in Anchar locality of Soura, they said.

Commenting on the incident, a police spokesman said "miscreants in large numbers pelted stones heavily upon the deployments at Anchar-Soura resulting in grievous injuries to SP Hazratbal and 35 other police and security forces personnel.

"While dealing with the law and order in the area, three civilians who were part of the mob also sustained injuries. They were shifted to SKIMS Soura for treatment. The condition of all of them is stated to be stable," the spokesman said.

He said a Deputy Superintendent of Police was injured during another clash which took place between stone-pelting protesters and security forces at Tarzoo village of Sopore township in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

However, officials said 15 people were hurt in the clashes during which police fired dozens of teargas shells and used batons to restore law and order.

In Shopian district of south Kashmir, the spokesman said miscreants pelted stones on police and security forces deployed at Dachoo, Rabben, Nagbal and Sugan during the day.

Police chased the protesters, using mild force, he said.

However, officials said at least five persons sustained minor injuries in the clashes.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Call it a showdown or a show of strength, the stage is set for Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's 'Vikas Rath Yatra' to be flagged off tomorrow by SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, where Shivpal Yadav is likely to be present to send a message of unity in the ruling party.

"All arrangements have been made. The yatra will be flagged off by 'Netaji' (Mulayam) and senior party leaders, party state president Shivpal Yadav will also remain present," MLC Sunil Yadav Sajan, who is close to Akhilesh, told PTI.

Sajan, who is also incharge of first leg of the yatra, said at every second kilometre, the CM will be welcomed and he will also address gatherings at various locations.

Last month, Shivpal had expelled Sajan, considered close o Akhilesh, from the party.

The supporters of both Akhilesh and Shivpal factions are keeping an eye on the development and the entire route of yatra is dotted with hoardings, banners and colourful arches to welcome the 'Vikas Sey Vijay Tak' rath yatra starting from here.

A hoarding put up by a youth leader close to Shivpal says "Shivpal kahey dil se, Akhilesh ka abhishek phir se" (Shivpal says from his heart to make Akhilesh CM again), while some others only highlight Akhilesh's achievements.

"The hoardings put up by the leaders show the state of confusion in the party. It's visible on roads. We wish this confusion to end with the start of this yatra," a senior SP leader said.

A cavalcade of over 5,000 SUVs and trucks will seek to send a message to the party leadership that 43-year-old Akhilesh is the "most acceptable" face of SP.

The pro-CM camp, which has expelled SP leaders, is working overtime to make it one of the biggest political shows of recent times, coming close on the heels of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's month-long Deoria-to-Delhi 'kisan yatra'.

Another gala event is scheduled for Saturday to mark SP's silver jubilee.

Seeking to cobble together a 'mahagathbandhan', Mulayam



has sent out invitations to all "secular and like-minded" leaders of various parties like RJD and JD-U.

But, chances of these leaders making it to the event appeared remote since the date clashes with 'Chhath Puja', a major festival in Bihar.

Last week, Mulayam's younger brother and state SP chief Shivpal had met JD(U) leader K C Tyagi and RLD chief Ajit Singh to invite them to the anniversary bash in Lucknow.

Shivpal had said Lohiaites and followers of Charan Singh should join hands to beat BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

Samajwadi Party, which was initially part of Bihar's grand alliance, had walked out of it after it was offered only a handful of seats to contest the assembly elections there.

The grand alliance of JD(U), RJD and Congress had, however, scripted a glorious electoral victory, defeating the BJP-led NDA.

Shivpal had recently blamed his estranged cousin Ram Gopal Yadav for Samajwadi Party's decision to walk out of the alliance in Bihar.

Ram Gopal, a Rajya Sabha member, has been backing Akhilesh in his fight against Shivpal. Ram Gopal was recently sacked from the party amid escalating tension between the rival camps.

Given the unusual belligerence shown by Akhilesh, the party apparently wants to fortify its position by bringing in new friends.

SP's main aim in the polls is to prevent split of Muslim votes for which it is looking for an alliance with "secular" parties.

Congress' poll strategist Prashant Kishor yesterday held a two-hour meeting with Mulayam, who is trying to cobble together an alliance of like-minded parties.

Kishor, along with SP leader Amar Singh, met Yadav at his Delhi residence, apparently to discuss the possibility of an alliance before the poll dates are announced.

Akhilesh, who ruled out parting ways with Samajwadi Party in the wake of the unprecedented family feud, has said he will participate in the silver jubilee event, though a large number of his loyalists are likely to boycott the show in view of the strife in the party.

(Reopens DES-25)



During the yatra, dozens of roadside meetings and a few rallies would be held at different places between the two districts, a SP leader said.

The state capital is already splashed with colourful posters, banners and hoardings even as finishing touches are being given to the hi-tech bright red 'rath' having a cabin, a collapsible stage, video screen, Wi-Fi and hotline, besides top class acoustic facilities.

Akhilesh had decided to embark on the yatra solo, saying he could not wait longer for a green signal from his father as his political opponents had already hit the roads to woo the electorate.

SP's rivals are trying to cash in on the feud in the Yadav family ahead of the polls and through the yatra the CM would try to send across the message that he was in the driver's seat, notwithstanding all the hue and cry within the party.

The virtual showdown between the father-son duo came to the fore with Akhilesh calling a meeting of party legislators a day ahead of the one convened by Mulayam.

Akhilesh sacked his uncle Shivpal and three others from his Cabinet and in a tit-for-tat action, Shivpal on orders from Mulayam expelled pro-Akhilesh SP MP Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years. Ramgopal is another uncle of Akhilesh.

As loyalties appeared divided between various members of the Yadav clan, Akhilesh has made it clear that he was in no mood for a rapprochement by keeping away from two crucial meetings--one of the party's district chiefs and the other of the SP's state executive--despite an invitation from Shivpal.

On the other hand, Mulayam refused to relent when senior party leaders, including Rajya Sabha MPs Beni Prasad Verma and Naresh Agarwal, Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey, and party vice-president Kiranmoy Nanda, met him to douse the flames.

The Akhilesh camp also suffered a jolt with Shivpal sacking heads of various front organisations and soon filling up top vacancies in the SP's youth wings, effectively slamming the door on the re-entry of Akhilesh's close associates.

Akhilesh has asked the party's youth leaders not to waste any more time and take a plunge into the upcoming electoral battle.
Ullhas Prabhakar, the prime accused in the multi-crore 'StockGuru' scam related money laundering case, and his wife have been denied bail by a special court, maintaining that the charges against them were grave.

Special Judge Gurdeep Singh denied the relief to Prabhakar alias Lokeshwar Dutt and his wife Priyanka Saraswat Dev, who are currently in judicial custody



In its order, the court noted that since 1999, the accused couple has been moving from place to place including Bangalore, Lucknow, Bhubaneshwar, Dehradun, Delhi, Goa and Ratnagiri (Maharashtra), assuming different identities.

"The accused applicants are the initial directors of M/s SGI (Stockguru India) and, thereafter, of five companies incorporated by them, being directors. They have played an active role in cheating the investors and also acquired huge movable and immovable properties as a proceed of crime and were found in possession of proceed of crime," it said, adding it was their duty to prove that the money was not tainted.

"Admittedly, accused persons acquired many identities by creating several bank accounts and also absconded and lived in assumed names from where they were arrested by police," the court said.

The charge sheet was filed by Enforcement Directorate (ED) against the couple and six others for alleged money laundering.

The other accused are Nitin Sinha and five companies -- SGI Research and Analysis Ltd, SGI Securities Pvt Ltd, SGI Beverages Ltd, G3 Commodities Pvt Ltd and SGI Buildtech Ltd.

In its complaint, ED had alleged that properties in the name of these accused were "proceeds of crime" and claimed that probe had revealed that 2,05,062 investors had invested a total of about Rs 493.94 crore in M/s Stockguru India.

Both the accused were arrested by Delhi Police in November 2012 where they were living by the name of Maya Marathe and Siddharth Jay Marathe. Later, the ED had lodged a separate money laundering case against them.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Utter confusion prevails in ruling Samajwadi Party camp over presence of SP supremo and his brother Shivpal when Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav embarks on his highly-publicised 'Rath Yatra' tomorrow.

Seen as a showdown or show of strength just two days ahead of another gala event to mark SP's silver jubilee, all eyes are on party patriarch Mulayam and Shivpal, the state unit chief, as their presence or absence would reflect as to how far SP was united before UP Assembly polls early next year.

When Shivpal was specifically asked whether he would be present at the rath yatra flagging off event, he ducked the question adding to the suspense.

"I am engaged in preparations for silver jubilee celebrations. If there is yatra on November 3, there is silver jubilee show on November 5," he said, leaving everyone guessing about his participation.

There was no categorical word either on reports that Mulayam will flag off the 'Vikas Sey Vijay Tak Yatra'.

To a question, Shivpal said, "Party workers should read history of socialism. There is importance of discipline in the party. You have seen that on October 24 those who were not invited, also came to the party meet."

In the light of the statement, Mulayam's presence at the 'rath yatra' will be keenly observed.

"It depends on to what extent Akhilesh is able to convince his father Mulayam to attend the yatra," an SP leader said.

Expelled SP MLC Sunil Yadav Sajan, who is close to Akhilesh, told PTI that all arrangements have been made.

"The yatra will be flagged off by 'Netaji' (Mulayam) and senior party leaders including party state president Shivpal Yadav will also remain present," he said.

Sajan, who is also incharge of first leg of the yatra, said at every second kilometre, the CM will be welcomed and he will also address gatherings at various locations. During the yatra, dozens of roadside meetings and a few rallies would be held at different places.

A cavalcade of over 5,000 SUVs and trucks will seek to send a message to the party leadership that 43-year-old Akhilesh is the "most acceptable" face of SP.

The over 60-km yatra route from Lucknow to Unnao is dotted with hoardings, banners and colourful arches to welcome the chief minister.

A hoarding put up by a youth leader close to Shivpal says "Shivpal kahey dil se, Akhilesh ka abhishek phir se" (Shivpal says from his heart to make Akhilesh CM again), while some others only highlight Akhilesh's achievements.

"The hoardings put up by the leaders show the state of confusion in the party. It's visible on roads. We wish this confusion to end with the start of this yatra," a senior SP leader said.

The yatra comes at a time when Mulayam is seeking to cobble together a 'mahagathbandhan' and has sent out invitations to all "secular and like-minded" leaders of various parties like RLD, RJD, and JD-U.

Last week, Mulayam and Shivpal had met JD(U) leader K C Tyagi and RLD chief Ajit Singh to invite them to the anniversary bash in Lucknow.

Shivpal had said Lohiaites and followers of Charan Singh should join hands to beat BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

Congress' poll strategist Prashant Kishor on Tuesday held a two-hour meeting with Mulayam, who is trying to cobble together an alliance of like-minded parties.

Addressing a meeting at SP office, Shivpal on Wednesday said, "After Bihar, the party had planned a 'gathbandhan' in Odisha also but some people in our party did a conspiracy...I can tolerate my insult but not of 'Netaji' (Mulayam)".

Shivpal said that former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, Ajit Singh, and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav will attend the silver jubilee show.

He cautioned those workers "who want to break the party" but did not take any name.

Samajwadi Party, which was initially part of Bihar's grand alliance, had walked out of it after it was offered only a handful of seats to contest the assembly elections there.

The grand alliance of JD(U), RJD, and Congress had, however, scripted a glorious electoral victory, defeating the BJP-led NDA.

Shivpal said the party organisation in bigger than the government.

"I have given place in the organisation to workers who struggled for the party and were sidelined in the government," he said, an apparent snipe at Akhilesh.
President Pranab Mukherjee today said terrorism poses the most serious threat to the world's peace and security and asked the international community to work together to eradicate the menace.

"Terrorism today poses the most serious threat to our peace and security. The International community will need to work together. We will need to foster tolerance and understanding in all societies and eradicate the scourge of terrorism," said Mukherjee, who is here on a three-day visit -- the first by an Indian President in 18 years.

In his speech at the State Banquet given in his honour by President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Mukherjee said the common challenges that we face in the 21st century will necessitate an environment of peace and security in our region and beyond.

Mukherjee said India remained committed to promoting regional and sub-regional cooperation.

"India was honoured to welcome Prime Minister Prachanda and other leaders from the BIMSTEC countries to the BRICS-BIMSTEC leaders' outreach Summit in Goa to discuss ways to enhance regional cooperation," he said.

Nepal as SAARC chair had condemned attack in Uri wherein 19 Indian soldiers were killed by terrorists from Pakistan.

While cancelling the SAARC Summit scheduled in Islamabad, Nepal had issued a stern statement condemning all forms of terror.

The views were echoed by leaders of Nepal today when Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat said no country should allows its territory against another country and condemned all forms of terrorism.

Former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said Nepal was aware of India's security concerns and condemned terrorism.

Meanwhile, underlining that India attaches the highest priority to its relations with its neighbours particularly Nepal with which it has closest fraternal ties, Mukherjee said as sovereign nations both countries have ensured that the partnership is based on utmost trust and respect for each others "interests and concerns".

"The People of Nepal are engaged in historic undertaking of consolidating the gains of democracy, achieving progress, and ensuring that benefits reach each and every citizen," Mukherjee said.

He commended the commitment of Nepalese people in their quest for peace, stability, progress and all round development. "They seek to accomplish a Constitution that responds to the needs of their diverse social fabric. This is not an easy task," Mukherjee said.

He said destinies of two countries are inter-linked with vital stakes in each others' well being and prosperity.

"The rapid economic transformation that is taking place in India present unprecedented opportunities for the people of Nepal. We invite them to be a part of India's growth story. Together, we can and we must achieve the full potential of our ever expanding mutually beneficial cooperation," he said.

He said both sides have prioritised some areas of common interest which includes trade, mutual investments, defence and security, agriculture, hydro-power, infrastructure development, and connectivity projects.

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The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday extended till December 23 the interim bail given to Rajya Sabha MP Kunal Ghosh, an accused in the multi-crore .

A division bench comprising justices Ashim Kumar Roy and M M Banerjee extended bail to Ghosh, who was granted interim bail by this court on October five.

The division bench had granted interim bail till November 11 to Ghosh, suspended by Trinamool Congress for alleged anti-party activities, after more than two years in custody following his arrest by CBI.

Ghosh, who headed the Saradha Group's media business, was released on a bail bond of Rs two lakh, which were to be of two sureties of Rs one lakh each.

The bench had directed that Ghosh would not leave the jurisdiction of Narkeldanga Police Station in the metropolis except for attending court proceedings or meeting the investigating officers.

It had further directed Ghosh to meet the investigating officer once a week and if necessary, CBI shall have liberty to call him to its office for the purpose of investigation.

Ghosh's counsel claimed that he had been in custody for over two years and 10 months counting his total days in custody since his arrest by West Bengal Police in connection with other related cases of .

He has been charged under IPC Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by merchant or agent), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating) and 120B (conspiracy), besides relevant sections of the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Act, 1978.

Ghosh, a former editor of a vernacular daily, had become the CEO of Saradha Media, an arm of the Saradha Group owned by Sudipta Sen.

Ghosh was arrested on November 23, 2013 by Bidhannagar Police after the broke out in April that year.

He was suspended by the Trinamool Congress in September, 2013, which had given him the Rajya Sabha ticket, for anti-party activities after he had started making allegations of involvement of some party leaders in the scam.

He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in April, 2012.
Intensifying her attack on Donald Trump, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has said her Republican rival is "unfit" and "unqualified" to become the next US president.

A week ahead of the next general election, Clinton, 69, made a strong case for her presidency citing her work experience over the last three decades.

"One week from today, we will be choosing our next president and commander-in-chief of the United States. I don't think the choice could be any clearer," Clinton said in Dale City, some 70 miles west of Orlando in Florida, which is a key battleground State for the November 8 general elections.

Clinton spend her entire day in Florida yesterday campaigning and also addressed three rallies in the State.

"I have spent my career fighting for children and families. I have served in the United States Senate, served on the senate armed services committee; I was in the situation room when we brought Osama Bin Laden to justice," she said.

"I represented you as your secretary of state, going to 112 countries, negotiating with friend and foe alike. I am ready to serve, if you give me the great honour of being your president," Clinton said as the crowd chanted Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!

"If you think about all of the issues that separate Donald Trump from me, it could be his dangerous statements about nuclear weapons. When a journalist told Donald Trump that people were worried about how causally he talks about nuclear weapons, he said 'well then why are we making them?" she said.

This is a man who thinks that he is better than President Reagan, better than President Obama, literally better than anybody I guess. And when you think about it, what he said at the convention, I alone can fix it runs counter to who we are as Americans, Clinton said.

"We work together. So there are many reasons why I think it is fair to conclude that Donald Trump is unqualified and unfit to be president," she asserted.

"For my entire life, I've been a woman. When I think about what we now know about Donald Trump and what he's been doing for 30 years, he sure has spent a lot of time demeaning, degrading, insulting, and assaulting women. And I got to tell you, some of what we've learnt  some of this stuff is very upsetting," Clinton said.

She said Trump called women "ugly", "disgusting" and "nasty" all the time.

"He calls women pigs, rates bodies on a scale from one to ten. We just heard from Alicia, she was Miss Universe when Donald Trump owned the pageant. Well, he said she put on some weight," Clinton alleged.

"It made him angry, so he called her Miss Piggy, called her Miss Housekeeping because she's a beautiful Latina. He brought a bunch of reporters to a gym to watch him order her around to exercise. Can we just stop for a minute and reflect on the absurdity of Donald Trump finding fault with Miss Universe?" she asked.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu accused Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi of weakness as tensions rose today after Ankara deployed tanks and artillery near Iraq.

Abadi had warned Ankara not to provoke a confrontation and said any invasion would see Iraq's northern neighbour repelled after Turkey sent the 30-vehicle convoy to the southeastern district of Silopi yesterday.

The two countries traded barbs last month over Ankara's military presence in Iraq's north and its insistence that it would play a role in the offensive to retake Mosul, Iraq's second biggest city, from the Islamic State group.

"If you have the strength, why did you surrender Mosul to terror organisations? If you are so strong, why has the PKK occupied your lands for years?



"You cannot even fight against a terror organisation, you are weak," Cavusoglu added, quoted by the official agency Anadolu.

The Turkish foreign minister was referring to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) which is waging an insurgency inside Turkey and has bases in northern Iraq.

Ankara claims its artillery hit IS positions in Iraq during the Mosul operation but Baghdad denies any Turkish involvement and has called for Turkish troops training fighters near Mosul to be withdrawn.

Iraqi forces fought their way into the northern city that has been held by IS since June 2014 in the third week of the operation.

Turkey also fears that the northern district of Sinjar could become another base for the PKK which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week he would not allow.

As the Turkish convoy made its way, Abadi said Iraq was "ready" for a confrontation with Ankara even though he insisted he did not want to go to war with Turkey.

Referring to Abadi's comments, Cavusoglu said it was "not right to make flippant remarks", adding that Iraq was trying to "play tough" with empty rhetoric.

Cavusoglu's remarks were in stark contrast to those made during a visit to Doha on Tuesday where he said the Turkish troops' presence in northern Iraq's Bashiqa camp had created "unnecessary tension" between the two countries.

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Two people were injured today when Pakistani troops resorted to shelling and firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Two civilians have been injured in Pakistani shelling along LoC in Mendhar sector of Poonch district today," Inspector General of Police Johny William said.

He said the injured have been hospitalized.

There was firing and shelling along LoC in Balakote and Mankote areas of Mendhar tehsil late in the afternoon, he said.

Earlier, Pakistani troops resorted to shelling along LoC in Bhimbher Gali sector of Rajouri district today.

"There was unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army in BG sector from 1230 hours today," Defence PRO said.

They fired automatic weapons and 82 mm mortar bombs, he said, adding it was responded to befittingly by Indian troops.

Along International Border (IB), there was no reports of firing and shelling during the night.

"No firing incident was reported on IB of Jammu since night", PRO BSF said.

Yesterday, in the worst-ever Pakistani shellingtargeting civil population on a single day, 8 people, including 2 children and 4 women, were killed and 22 others injured along IB and LOC in 5 sectors.

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Britain and Colombia announced a new oil and gas partnership today during the state visit to the UK by President Juan Manuel Santos, as Prime Minister Theresa May hailed "one of Britain's most important partners in Latin America."



Santos, who received the Nobel Peace Prize last month for his efforts to end Colombia's civil war, met May at 10 Downing St. On the second day of his three-day trip.

It's the first UK state visit by a Colombian leader, and is being used by UK officials to highlight Britain's international focus as it prepares to leave the European Union. Britons voted in June to leave the 28-nation bloc.

May said she was "determined that Britain should become the global champion of free trade, and that means boosting trade with fast-growing economies like Colombia."



The energy deal announced today will see the two countries share information in areas such as regulation, supply-chain development and training.

May also announced a tax agreement with Colombia and 1 billion pounds (USD 1.2 billion) in export financing to encourage investment in rural health care and renewable energy projects.

Yesterday, Santos and his wife Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos dined on Dover sole and pot-roasted pheasant at a Buckingham Palace banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II.

Tomorrow Santos will visit Northern Ireland, Ireland, where a decades-long civil conflict was ended through political negotiation in the 1990s.

Santos won the Nobel Prize for striking a deal with Colombia's main rebel group to end Colombia's long civil war, which has killed more than 200,000 people. But the peace pact with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia was narrowly rejected by voters.

May said Britain would support Colombia in its efforts to "secure a final and lasting peace agreement.

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The UN Security Council will travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo next week to gauge tensions over the holding of presidential elections.

The 15 council envoys will visit Kinshasa, Goma and Beni from November 10 to 14 for talks with President Laurent Kabila, opposition leaders and civil society.

"We are in a very tense pre-election context," Senegalese Ambassador Fode Seck, who holds the presidency of the council this month, told reporters yesterday.

"The council considers that it would be useful to go to DRCongo to speak to all the players as part of its prevention role," he told reporters.

Anti-Kabila demonstrations in Kinshasa in September turned violent, killing some 49 people.

Last month, a political deal was reached between Kabila's party and some fringe opposition groups to delay the presidential election due to have been held this year, until April 2018.

The opposition rejected the deal, with the main dissident coalition -- "Rassemblement" (Gathering) -- branding it a ploy by Kabila to stay in power beyond the end of his term.

One of Africa's biggest, resource-richest countries, the DR Congo has been ruled by Kabila since 2001, when his father Laurent was assassinated.

He was elected in 2006 to his first five-year term under a constitution that sets a two-term limit for presidents.

France has said the political deal does not fully address the crisis and has called on Kabila to announce that he will not run for office.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has said Kabila should set a date for the election.

US Ambassador Samantha Power has said elections should be held in 2017.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon last month said he hoped the deal would help improve human rights and lead to a credible vote.

Ban urged opposition groups to resolve differences peacefully.

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The United Nations has officially set up UNESCO Chair for gender equality and women's empowerment at Amrita university, the varsity said in a statement.

The official bestowing of the UNESCO Chair took place during a spiritual programme of the university's chancellor Amritanandamayi Devi in Paris on October 30, the statement reads.

Ambassador and India's Permanent Representative to UNESCO Ruchira Kamboj and the international body's chief of higher education section Dr Peter Wells attended the event.

Terming girls' education as the "greatest" force for development and peace in the world, Wells said the chair will be at crossroads of research and action with the ambition to develop toolkits focusing on vital areas including skills, health and climate change.

The varsity's vice chancellor, P Venkat Rangan, said the Chair will identify vulnerabilities of women and girls in India and ways of addressing them over the next four years.

"The focus will be vulnerability mapping as a result of security, education, and skill-development, social and cultural environment, climate change, disaster risks and health and sanitation," the statement quoted him as saying.

Launched in 1992, the UNESCO Chairs Programme comprises a global network of more than 700 universities, across 128 countries.

It promotes international inter-university cooperation and networking to enhance institutional capacities through knowledge sharing and collaborative work, the statement said.

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Taking strong exception to the detention of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi today, Congress staged protest dharnas and burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.

On the instructions of UPCC president Raj Babbar, the ongoing 'Rahul Sandesh Yatras' were converted into dharnas at different places in the state where party workers protested against the detention of their leader, chairman of party's communications department Satyadev Tripathi said.

Youth Congress (Central) activists led by media chairman Anshu Awasthi burned the prime minister's effigy near the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters here, a party release said.

Speaking on the occasion, Awasthi hit out at the central government's alleged efforts to crush democracy and vowed to continue the struggle against it.

"The country today witnessed the atrocities of the Modi government which created hurdles for Rahul Gandhi in taking up fight for soldiers....Our leader has always stood for the rights of those suffering and will continue to do so," he alleged.

Earlier in New Delhi, Gandhi was detained after he tried to enter RML hospital to meet the family of Ram Kishan Grewal, an ex-serviceman who allegedly committed suicide over the OROP issue.

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Unlike in India, there is no national uniform policy on voter's identification requirement in the US, where it varies from state-to-state and in some states voters are not required to show a photo identity card.

For millions of Americans who plan to vote on Tuesday, the identification required for them to cast ballot would depend on the state they live in.

In a majority of the states they would be required to show a photo identity card, but in some they do not need it at all.

As per the available information, about 60 per cent of US voters live in the 32 states that require a voter at a polling station to produce an identification document (ID) before casting their ballot.

Among those states, 19 permit voters without an ID to cast a ballot through alternative means, such as signing an affidavit; 13 strictly enforce the ID requirement.

The other 18 states and the District of Columbia have a range of non-document requirements instead.

Georgia and Indiana were the first states to enact strictly enforced photo ID requirements, in 2003 and 2005, respectively. The most recent such requirement is that of North Dakota, enacted in 2015.

Amidst increasing allegations of voter's fraud, over the last two decades, the number of states requiring voter IDs have tripled.

"The stringency of those requirements is controversial," the independent Congressional Research Service (CRS) has said in a report.

States vary substantially in the range of IDs accepted, the information they must contain, and the ease with which a voter can procure an ID.

Although all states requiring voter ID accept a local driver's license, no two states have the same overall requirements.

"Among states with voter ID laws, 18 require photographic identification (photo ID), while 14 permit a non-photo ID. In addition, eight states require ID for voters casting absentee or mail-in ballots," said the CRS report.

Like India, there are sharp differences between those who support and those who are against voter identification requirement.

Supporters of the more stringent requirements often emphasise the need to prevent voter fraud, while opponents emphasise the need to avoid disenfranchising legitimate voters who do not have ready access to an accepted ID.

The CRS report said polling data suggest that most voters



and most local election officials support a voter ID requirement but that many are also concerned about the risk of disenfranchisement.

"Both voter fraud and disenfranchisement pose potential risks to the integrity of the electoral process, but the policy debate is being conducted in the absence of a consensus about the evidence pertaining to those risks, with available studies producing a broad range of results," the report said.

US lawmakers differ on voters ID requirements as well.

Several bills introduced in the current Congress contain provisions pertaining to voter ID. Some of those bills contain provisions would promote or protect voter ID requirements, while provisions in others would modify, restrict, or eliminate the use of such requirements.

Interestingly, Oregon and Washington conduct elections entirely by mail. Both states also permit voters to cast a ballot in person during a designated voting period that ends on Election Day.

Washington requires either a photo ID or signature declaration for in-person voting. Oregon uses signature verification for both mail-in and in-person ballots, it said.

Some states in the "strictly enforced" category also provide exceptions or other recourse to a restricted group of voters.

All but one state (North Dakota) accept a US passport or other federal photo ID, although some states stipulate that a voter produce an ID showing the voter's address (eg Arizona, Ohio), in which case a second ID might be necessary.

Other IDs are specified as acceptable by several states.

For example, tribal IDs are explicitly mentioned by 16 states.

Overall, while the requirements in some states, such as Alabama and Mississippi, appear to be similar overall, no two states have clearly identical requirements, it said.

Five of the photo ID states where the requirement is not strictly enforced permit a voter without ID to cast a regular ballot after signing an affidavit (Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, and South Dakota), CRS said.

The other four permit the voter to cast a provisional ballot, which will be counted after confirmation of a signature match (Florida and Washington) or information provided in an affidavit (Rhode Island and South Carolina).

The voter's eligibility may be challengeable or subject to subsequent investigation to verify eligibility, it said.

Also unlike India, there is no universal voter ID that is used in the US (including the voter registration card, which is mostly used to provide information for the voter rather than for identification).

Acceptable forms of identification differ by state and may be obtained from agencies or other entities that vary among the states.
Many Muslim Americans cringe at the way they have been portrayed by candidates during the presidential campaign - either as potential terrorists or as eyes and ears who can help the government's counterterrorism efforts.

Those descriptions, offered by Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, respectively, are troubling to Muslims who complain they are being pigeonholed and their concerns on other issues ignored.

"I think that there is some level of dismissiveness about Arab-Americans and American Muslims that allows candidates to talk about us, not really to us," said Omar Baddar, a political analyst and media producer based in Washington.

Chaumtoli Huq, a lawyer from the New York City suburb of Yonkers, agreed. "We're not able to talk about issues that impact us as citizens - education, jobs, things that any other voter would care about," she said. "It's a really demoralising way to be seen to be part of this country."



One of the campaign's more memorable moments for Muslim Americans unfolded at the Democratic National Convention in July, when a grieving Khizr Khan addressed delegates about his son, Humayun, an American soldier who was killed in Iraq. The Republican candidate soon pushed back against Khan's anti- Trump comments, setting up an almost unprecedented episode in which a presidential nominee criticised a military family that lost a loved one in a war zone.

Huq and others said Trump's campaign has clearly been the more negative one, starting with his call to ban foreign Muslims from entering the US as an anti-terrorism measure.

In the second presidential debate in St. Louis, Trump answered a question about how to stop Islamophobia in America by saying American Muslims must report other Muslims who are engaging in dangerous behavior. He also repeated the false claim that neighbors of the San Bernardino, California, shooters saw bombs all over the floor in the shooters' home last year but did not report it.

That led to a widely retweeted comment from Brooklyn College professor Moustafa Bayoumi, who posted, "I'm a Muslim, and I would like to report a crazy man threatening a woman on a stage in Missouri." By the time the debate ended, his retort had been retweeted more than 32,000 times and "liked" more than 43,000 times.

Speaking to The Associated Press, Bayoumi said Muslim Americans "get exceptionalised to such a degree that their average Americanness disappears in the wind."



But Hillary Clinton did not escape censure from Muslim Americans, who said that the Democratic nominee's public remarks have primarily revolved around recognising them for what they could do to support counterterrorism efforts.

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A United State (US) drone strike in Syria last month killed an Al-Qaeda member with ties to the organization's senior leadership, the said on Thursday.

The October 17 strike near Idlib north western Syria killed Haydar Kirkan, who "was intent on plotting and carrying out attacks against the West," spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said.

"He was a long serving and experienced courier for Al-Qaeda in Syria. He had ties to Al-Qaeda's senior leaders to include Osama bin Laden himself, and he was Al-Qaeda's senior external terror attack planner in Syria," Davis said, without describing any of the purported plots.

In recent weeks, the has targeted other Al-Qaeda members.

On October 23, US drone strikes targeted two top Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan.

While officials have not confirmed any deaths, they are privately confident the strikes killed Farouq al-Qahtani, Al-Qaeda's emir for northeastern Afghanistan, and his deputy Bilal al-Utabi.

On October 21 in Yemen, five Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) members were killed in a US air strike, including local AQAP leader Abu Hadi al-Bayhani, Davis said.

"Al-Qaeda doesn't recognize borders when they conspire to commit terrorist attacks against the West, and we will continue to work with our partners and allies to find and destroy their leaders, their fighters and their cells that are planning attacks externally," Davis said.
The US has asked all parties in Pakistan to refrain from violence even as it reiterated its support to freedom of expression and right to peaceful protest.

"The United States will continue to support freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. It's well documented that we do that. We talk about it every day, including the right of peaceful protest," State Department Spokesman John Kirby told reporters at his daily conference.

Noting that the right to protest must be exercised responsibly by following the rule of law, Kirby said, "all parties should refrain from violence and exercise restraint."



He was responding to a question on the ongoing protests in Pakistan.

Kirby refused to comment on changes in military leadership in Pakistan.

"The specific decisions about who leads the military in Pakistan ... That's for the Pakistani Government to decide as those are sovereign decisions that I'm not going to comment on," he said.

"Obviously, we're aware of the reports about protest activity, bans on protest activity, decisions to protest or not to protest. Again, those are questions that are better answered by Pakistani authorities," Kirby said.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan yesterday called off anti-government protest to be held today and instead announced celebrations after the Supreme Court ordered a probe against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family over the Panama Papers scandal.

PTI chairman Khan had threatened to lockdown the capital today by mobilising a million supporters to force Sharif to step down over corruption allegations against him and his family.

Earlier, Pakistan high court had barred Khan's planned lockdown of the capital and ordered it to hold a sit-in at the designated place here instead, as authorities arrested at least 1,500 party activists in a crackdown.

"If any attempt to block or lockdown the capital is made, the district administration shall act in accordance with law," Justice Shaukat Siddiqui had said.

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The White House is not in loop of sensitive probes conducted by career prosecutors with the FBI's assistance, a top US official has said.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the White House stays out of providing any guidance or influencing any sort of criminal investigation.

His remarks came in the wake of FBI Director James Comey's decision to re-open investigations into the alleged email scandal of Democratic presidential nominee .

For the past few days, Comey is under fire from the ruling Democratic party for his decision.

"There's a reason he was appointed. Obama continues to have confidence in his ability to do that job," Earnest told reporters while travelling with Obama from Washington to Ohio for various election rallies in support of Clinton.

Asked what advice Obama will eventually offer to his successor, Earnest said he cannot say right now.

"The president's not just having a good time, he looks like he's having a good time. I think he's mindful of the fact that over the course of this week this will essentially be the last big campaign swing of his political career," he said.

"So I think he's looking forward to making a spirited case on behalf of Secretary Clinton as well as Democrats up and down the ballot. Part of this is an indication of exactly how big he thinks the stakes are in this election," Earnest said.

In the last week of the presidential election to elect his successor, Obama is on a campaign blitz addressing rallies in key battleground States like North Carolina, Ohio and Florida.

On reports of an FBI investigation into Trump's connection to Russian associates, Earnest did not confirm the probe.

At the same time he reiterated the importance of the White House staying out of the Department of Justice and FBI's way in their prosecutorial and investigative decisions, whether there's an election around the corner or not.

Earnest brought up the recent intelligence findings about Russian involvement in cyber breaches, but did not connect them to Trump.

"The president is certainly mindful and monitoring threats to our political system that could be emanating from Russia," he said.

"But any sort of criminal investigation that is conducted is one that is led by career prosecutors with the assistance of the FBI, they are going to follow the facts where they lead, they will carefully examine the evidence, and they will make the prosecutorial and investigative decisions that are required to reach a conclusion. That is something that they will do without any guidance or influence by the White House," Earnest said.

On the release of FBI information on the Clinton-era pardon of Mark Rich, Earnest said he did see the tweet from the FBI records vault.

"I did see the tweet from the FBI Records Vault. That's the first time I've ever noticed a tweet from the FBI Records Vault," he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Taiwan's opposition leader yesterday, underscoring Beijing's message to the island's independence-leaning administration that it won't have access to the mainland's highest levels of power if it doesn't accept that Taiwan is part of China.

Xi's meeting with Nationalist Party Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu at the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing comes months after China cut off communication and exchanges with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's administration. Diplomatically, China has also sought to isolate the island even more by having its representatives barred from international gatherings.

While Xi referred to neither of those issues in his opening remarks before the media, he reiterated the importance of the "one-China principle" and the "'92 consensus," referring to an agreement reached that year reinforcing the principle.

Beijing says the agreement forms the basis for all future contacts and exchanges and insists Tsai explicitly endorse it.

"To ensure that the country can't be separated and ensure the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation is the common will of all Chinese people," Xi said, according to footage shown by Hong Kong's Phoenix TV.

The meeting marked Xi's highest-profile talks with a Taiwanese political figure since he met then-President Ma Ying-jeou in Singapore late last year for a one-day summit.

Xi said China "resolutely opposes" Taiwan's formal independence and that the sides should "continue to push forward the cooperation in all fields, and continue to improve the sentiment for the benefits of the peoples, and strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."



Although the Communists and Nationalists were once bitter foes, they have found common cause in recent years in opposing Taiwan's independence and embracing closer economic ties.

Underscoring those ties, hundreds of people from the two sides will gather today at a forum to discuss issues from politics to economics, culture, social issues and youth.

In her remarks to Xi, Hung noted that while more formal channels for communication are currently blocked, the Nationalists "cannot shirk its responsibility to help civil society though the communication channels between the Communist Party and the Nationalists" to solve problems.

She said the Nationalists wanted to help maintain communication to facilitate economic, cultural, social and other exchanges and explore the possibility of a peace settlement.

Hung said efforts should be made to eliminate the "dangerous turmoil" caused by the independence-leaning government to "preserve the hard-won harmony" between the two sides.

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Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) today urged the Mizoram government to operate commercial helicopter service between Aizawl and Churachandpur in neighbouring Manipur.

A press statement issued by ZNP said that the Aizawl-Imphal Air India flight was discontinued since Sunday last inconveniencing people of both the neighbouring states.

"The people of Mizoram and Manipur can now visit each other only by flights via Guwahati," the statement said, adding that the people of Mizoram and Mizo tribal community in Manipur could no longer visit each other.

The statement also said that students from Manipur in the Mizoram University, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry and Regional Institute of Para-medical and Nursing Sciences in Aizawl were facing extreme hardships due to discontinuation of the flights as also medical students from Mizoram studying in the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal.

The ZNP urged the state government to approach the Civil Aviation Ministry and Air India for expeditious resumption of the Aizawl-Imphal flights and demanded that helicopter service be commenced immediately between Aizawl and Churachandpur.

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Japan's Ajinomoto and are among bidders seeking to buy a stake in African dairy and drinks company Promasidor in a deal that would give them access to its distribution network across the continent, sources told Reuters.

A deal could value Promasidor at roughly $1 billion, said the sources. The interest from the Japanese food maker and US drinks giant shows how multinationals based in mature markets are looking abroad for growth and betting that Africa's expanding middle classes will buy more packaged food and drinks.

The deal could be announced as soon as this week, according to the several sources familiar with the matter, who declined to be named as the talks are confidential.

A third bidder is involved in the process, said two of the sources, but its identity was not immediately clear. Ajinomoto was seen as more likely to clinch a deal than .

One of the sources said the deal was for a third of South Africa-based Promasidor, which sells Cowbell milk, Top Tea and Yumvita infant cereal. That would mean an investment of more than $300 million, based on valuations in the sector and Promasidor's estimated earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of about $100 million.

Promasidor and declined to comment, while Ajinomoto could not be reached outside Japanese business hours.

The owners of Promasidor are looking for an investment from an industry player that would benefit from selling its own products through Promasidor's distribution network in more than 30 African countries, the sources said.

Ajinomoto, which sells MSG and other seasonings as well as frozen foods, has been vocal about its ambitions, as its home market of Japan suffers due to an aging population and a faltering economy. Its president told Reuters last year that it could spend up to $1.7 billion by the end of 2016 on deals to help it become a top-10 global food maker.

AFRICAN DEALS

Promasidor was founded in 1979 by Robert Rose, who left Britain in 1957. He began selling milk powder in small, affordable sachets in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the company has since grown to include a range of brands, with a strong presence in West Africa and growing business in East and Southern Africa.

Investment fund Tana Africa Capital  founded by E Oppenheimer & Son and Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek  owns a minority stake in the company and is looking to exit, according to three of the sources.

The source who said the deal was for 33 per cent of the Promasidor added that this comprised a 25 per cent stake owned by Tana and the rest by some members of the founding Rose family who want to cash out of the business.

Promasidor is being advised by Nomura, according to the sources. Ajinomoto is being advised by Goldman Sachs while PepsiCo is being advised by UBS, according to one of the sources.

Tana, Nomura, Goldman and UBS all declined to comment.

Africa's food and drink market have seen several deals in recent years. Coca-Cola invested in Nigerian drinks firm Chi Ltd in January, Kellogg bought a stake in Nigerian food company Multipro last year, and Danone has made several stake acquisitions in Africa over the past three years.
The US Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin Corp ended negotiations on their ninth contract for F-35 fighter jets after 14 months of negotiations on the more than $6.1 billion deal, people familiar with the talks said on Wednesday.

The unilateral agreement is for 57 of the new war planes in the F-35 programme, the Pentagon's costliest arms programme.

The people spoke under condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the negotiations on the record. Representatives for the Pentagon and Lockheed did not immediately return requests for comment.

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Capital market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), on Tuesday tightened disclosure norms for Indian credit rating agencies in a bid to boost transparency and accountability after a number of sudden sharp corporate rating changes created concern among investors.

Credit rating agencies will be required to publicly provide more details of the criteria and process behind rating changes and review each criteria periodically, SEBI said.

Agencies will also have to disclose details of ratings even if a rating is not accepted by a debt issuer, or if a review is not made by the time an updated rating is due, SEBI said, adding the new guidelines need to be implemented by the agencies in the next 60 days.

SEBI said in cases where a debt issuer did not co-operate with an agency by withholding information or not paying fees, the agency would continue to rate the instrument based on the best available information and disclose the situation.

India has a handful ratings agencies, including local arms of the big global operations. They mainly blame debt issuers for not cooperating with them and cite the fact that they can only give ratings based on what they know.

Some agencies said the tighter guidelines were largely in line with expectations.

"There was a lot of talk about rating agencies being given the option of suspending ratings due to non-cooperation, but the guidelines don't say so, which is a very good development," said a senior official at a rating agency, who declined to be identified because he was not authorised to talk to the media.

The tighter regulations follow sudden sharp downgrades debt securities of auto parts maker Amtek Auto Ltd and Jindal Steel and Power Ltd last year that hurt investors.

The system of rating has long been challenged as agencies are paid by the companies whose securities they rate. Since the companies benefit from higher ratings, there is a direct conflict of interest between the rating agency and the issuer.

Global regulators have been cracking down on credit rating agencies in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, which many say was a result of inflated ratings assigned by agencies on complex mortgage-backed securities.

SEBI on Tuesday made it mandatory for agencies to assign an outlook for each rating that has to be disclosed in a statement to media.

The regulator also said that anyone with a business responsibility in an agency cannot be a part of the rating committee - expect the managing director or chief executive officer but only if the majority of the rest of the members are independent.

Sharp changes in rating and ones assigned in cases of non-cooperation from the issuer will be reviewed by the chairperson of the committee annually and presented to the board, SEBI said.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 23.5 metric tonnes of party drug Mandrax, worth Rs 3,000 crore from Udaipur,Rajasthan. This is the biggest haul of banned psychotropic substance by the agency ever, Najeeb Shah, chairman, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CEBC) said. DRI is the apex counter smuggling agency of the CEBC.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi today, Shah said that the Mumbai-based mastermind of the illegal activity has been arrested and follow-up action is underway to nab others involved with the drug syndicate. The banned sustances were expected to be smuggled to African countries, he added.

While the major raw material for Mandrax (methaqualone), acetic anhydride, was manufactured by the syndicate in Rajasamand, other ingredient (anthanillic acid) was imported from Indonesia through Kandla Port.

Methaqualone, overdose of which can lead to coma and death is used as a recreational drug in Africa and Asia.

Shah said that DRI has neutralized 10 such manufacturing facilities, across the country, during the year.

In the past five years, DRI seized more than 540 kgs of Heroin, and 7400 kgs of ephedrine along with other narcotics and psychotropic substances under NDPS Act 1985.
Everybody loves an underdog. In the unsavoury turn of events since the mighty $103-billion Tata Group ousted its celebrated CEO Cyrus Mistry in a boardroom coup at group holding company Tata Sons, Mistry has unwittingly emerged as that underdog, garnering public empathy at the expense of Tata Group's carefully crafted reputation over 148 years.

First, through his stony silence for 30-odd hours after his ouster. And then, as the David fighting the Goliath, with a dignified - yet explosive - email sent to Tata Sons' board members and Tata Trusts' Trustees, which has since leaked to the public at large. An email, whose collateral damage is still to be managed in its entirety by India's biggest private sector group. Besides defending himself against allegations of non-performance with facts, figures and data, knowingly or unknowingly, Mistry exposed more than a few skeletons in the cupboard, questioned corporate governance standards and high-cost acquisitions during Ratan Tata's tenure, and stated that he had been reduced to a "lame duck" chairman due to constant interference by his predecessor and Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata. The allegations have since been refuted by different companies.

But the letter sent the Tata Group scurrying for cover. It imposed an information lockdown. Confirmed media briefings were cancelled at the last moment as group executives went into a huddle to devise a credible strategy against what Twitterati calls Mistry's "letter bomb". The new tactic is simple: avoid provocation. For, the more you provoke, the stronger will be the blowback and more dirty linen will get washed in public.

Still, over the next few weeks, the group that prides itself on ethics, highest standards of corporate governance and social change, has a lot of explaining to do for the issues raised to contain further reputational damage. Domestic stock exchanges BSE and NSE have already sought clarifications from Tata Group companies Tata Teleservices, Tata Steel, Indian Hotels and Tata Power, who Mistry said would have to go through a write-off totalling `1.18 lakh crore. Tata Sons has hit back in a statement calling the leak "unforgiveable". Next what?

At least, Mistry is keeping everyone guessing by keeping his own counsel. In an unexpected move, two days after his ouster as group chairman, Mistry chaired the board meeting of Tata Global Beverages for over four hours at Bombay House. He also continues to remain chairman of other listed companies TCS, Tata Steel and Tata Motors.

NEVER HIS OWN MAN?

"Be Your Own man"- that's the advice Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group, gave to his successor Cyrus Mistry while handing over the baton in 2012. It was an elderly statesman's generous counsel. After all, Tata had built the group from Rs 11,000 crore in revenue in 1991 to over Rs 5,26,000 crore in his 21-year reign.

It was an advice Cyrus Mistry took literally. Perhaps, too literally.

As he went about directing, chopping and changing the 148-year-old group, he was to discover that the advice came with riders he failed to read. He failed to read the extent of powers vested in him; he failed to read the power play and the equations within, despite being an 'insider' for nearly a decade; he even failed to read that he was not meant to tinker with the legacy Ratan Tata left him with (let's dive into this later), especially any tinkering that would show Tata in bad light. It all came to haunt him on Monday, October 24.

At 2 pm that day, two months and five days short of his fourth anniversary at the helm, Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry left his corner room on the fourth floor of Tata Group headquarters at Bombay House. He walked across the corridor to the iconic board room at the other end of the floor for the board meeting of group holding company Tata Sons.

What followed shook the corporate world like never before. Though Mistry should have had an inkling. Tata Trusts' legal counsel Mohan Parasaran told Business Today Ratan Tata and independent director Nitin Nohria had a private meeting with Mistry hours before the board meeting and asked him to resign in no uncertain terms. Mistry declined, saying he would test the board instead. After all, as Mistry says in his letter: "?Vijay Singh, Farida Khambata and Ronnen Sen, independent directors, had only recently lauded and commended my performance". If he had expected support in the board, he misread that, too. When it came to the crunch, the board sided with Ratan Tata. For, Tatas had already planned the boardroom coup.

Directors representing Tata Trusts - the 66 per cent shareholders in Tata Sons - obviously wanted to catch him by surprise. Right at the start of the meeting that lasted over an hour, a resolution was moved to oust him as group chairman (read what transpired at the meeting on page 46). It was kept a secret from Mistry by proposing the resolution under "any other business", which didn't need to be circulated beforehand. Mistry was offered the option to resign. He declined, saying he hadn't been sent a notice as per contract. But before he knew, the resolution was passed by voice vote by the full-strength board with six in favour of removal and two abstentions (Ishaat Hussain and Farida Dara Khambata, Tata Sons' first woman director appointed in 2015).

"I was 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," says Mistry in the email to directors and trustees.

Half an hour later, Ratan Tata signed on a letter as interim chairman saying the board had "replaced Mr Cyrus P Mistry as Chairman, with immediate effect." Mistry made his way out of Bombay House between 4 pm and 4.30 pm.

The man (only the second non-Tata name to be group chairman, besides N. Saklatwala, 1932-38), whose tenure began with the promise of decades-long reign, had been cut to the shortest in the group's 148-year history. Tata Sons is emphatic there was no breach of corporate governance norms in his replacement.

IT'S PERSONAL NOW

But the groundwork for his removal had been more than a month in the making, in fact, right after the previous board meeting on 15 September where Mistry presented 'Strategy 2025'. The vision statement was rejected by the board for over-dependence on TCS to achieve a $250-billion valuation goal; lack of a roadmap for growth and lack of an investment plan for Tata Sons. However, the distrust of Mistry had been building for at least a year, if not more, over various issues. We will come to those circumstances in a bit.

"After September 15, they decided to take a call. They asked, what are the procedural formalities to be followed in the event if we take a call (to remove the Tata Sons chairman)," India's former Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran told Business Today. Parasaran was among the five lawyers, including P. Chidambaram and A.M. Singhvi, whose legal opinion was sought between September 15 and the next board meeting on October 24. "(They) sought specific queries with regard to the Articles of Association of Tata Sons with regard to the position of the chairman and the process of the removal of chairman by the board or by the general body and the nitty gritties."

Reading between the lines, the extent of bad blood between Ratan Tata and Cyrus Mistry towards the end is apparent in the text and tone of the letter he wrote to the board at 22:05:41 hours on October 25, more than 30 hours after his ouster. Mistry, who was extremely careful about referring to Tata with a prefix 'Mr' in every possible public and private fora, refers to him as "Ratan Tata" without the prefix in the letter. At one point, he calls him "The previous chairman?".

At another point, he refers to him as Mr Tata but alleges a conflict of interest in the context of any decision to shut down the bleeding Tata Nano project whose losses have exceeded Rs 1,000 crore. "Another problem 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." The company has denied it uses gliders from Tata Motors.

As far as Mistry was concerned, clearly the gloves were off. And he made no bones about the fact that he was taking on the septuagenarian chairman emeritus in a no-holds-barred battle with seven other specific allegations in the letter: Airline tie-ups with Air Asia and Singapore Airlines were thrust down his throat by Ratan Tata himself; costly global acquisitions under Ratan Tata's tenure had left him with a debt overhang; Indian Hotels acquired Searock hotel at a "highly inflated price" leading to a write-down of its entire net worth over three years; exit or closure of Tata-Docomo would cost $4-5 billion, besides $1 billion to be paid to ntt docomo; aggressive bid for Mundra had cost nearly Rs 1,500 crore; Tata Motors Finance extended credit with lax risk assessment resulting in Rs 4,000 crore of NPAs; and finally, "legacy hotspots" such as Indian Hotels, Tata Motors PV, Tata Steel Europe, Tata Power Mundra and Tata Teleservices could potentially result in write-down of Rs 1,18,000 crore.

The only allegation of wrongdoing is also against Ratan Tata's former executive assistant Ramachandran Venkataramanan, who is currently managing trustee of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust with responsibility for management and oversight of all Tata Trusts. Mistry alleges Venkataramanan strongly recommended Tata Capital to loan to Siva group, which turned bad.(Tata Capital and Siva both confirmed the loan to Siva was settled in 2014).And that Venkataramanan - who is a shareholder and a director on the board of Air Asia India - tried to overlook fraudulent transactions worth Rs 22 crore until the board filed an FIR at the instance of an independent director who had resigned.

On his part, in a Samurai-like action, one of Ratan Tata's earliest decisions after sacking Mistry was to disband the group executive council (GEC), which was increasingly being seen as Mistry's coterie within the group. Only two members of the GEC - both old Tata Group hands - Harish Bhat and Mukund Rajan - were retained, their roles to be decided in the future. That left the other GEC members - chief human resources officer N.S. Rajan, strategist Nirmalya Kumar and business development officer Madhu Kannan - out in the cold. The GEC's page was promptly removed from tata.com. Rajan has since quit.

PERFORMANCE NOT THE REAL REASON

So, what brought Mistry and Tata to such a pass? Such, that far from its publicly stated policy of treating the lowest of its employees in a humane and dignified manner, it had to humiliate the group's chairman by unceremoniously replacing him in a boardroom coup, dealing a blow to his status, reputation and respect.

While directors at the Tata Sons board meeting noted no specific reason - except loss of confidence - for his removal as chairman, in private Tata executives confided that he was removed for non-performance.

Is performance really the reason for Mistry's ouster? Not exactly. Group market cap was up nearly 80 per cent since he took charge, growing at a CAGR of 15.1 per cent against 14.3 per cent in the Ratan Tata years. Revenue had grown at a CAGR of 8.5 per cent against 19.2 per cent during the Ratan Tata years. But remember, a bulk of the revenue spike during Tata's regime was due to the burst of foreign acquisitions between 2005 and 2012 when market cap more than doubled and revenue went up 5.5 times thanks to the $12.1 billion Corus acquisition and the $2.3 billion Jaguar-Land Rover buy, besides nearly 40 other smaller acquisitions.

Mistry even writes in his letter that during his tenure, group cash flows rose at 31 per cent CAGR, group valuation grew 14.9 per cent per annum (against Sensex growth of 10.4 per cent). And, despite impairments, holding company Tata Sons' net worth rose from Rs 26,000 crore to Rs 42,000 crore. "I cannot believe that I was removed on grounds of non-performance," writes Mistry.

He clearly misread the amount of freedom he was granted as chairman. Specifically, on tinkering with Ratan Tata's legacy. Tata executives say over a period of time, Mistry began acting more like the owner/promoter than as the CEO, the job he had been hired for. Often keeping the man who represents the group's primary shareholder - Tata Trusts, which own 66 per cent of Tata Sons against Mistry family's 18.4 per cent - Ratan Tata, out of the loop. Though in Mistry's mind, perhaps, being 18.4 per cent owner of Tata Sons, his family had the most to lose.

"Before the board meeting both Mr Tata and Nitin had a private talk with him. He was told in no uncertain terms that he should quit. He declined. He said that he will test the board."

Specifically, they cite Mistry's decision to sell Tata Steel's UK business; his decision to take on ntt docomo in a legal battle despite Ratan Tata's personal assurance to protect the company's investments in India; sale of Indian Hotel's foreign properties; and, lately, acquisition of Welspun's renewable energy assets (though Mistry has issued a statement with details of how Tata Sons and Ratan Tata were in the loop) as examples of unilateral decision-making without consulting the principal shareholder. Clearly, the distrust had been growing for over a year.

Tatas also cited the fall in group revenue from $108 billion to $103 billion in the past year. Remember, the Tata Group is extremely sensitive about its undisputed status as India's largest private sector group. It has held that spot for decades on end. About the time Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery nearly doubled its revenue, Tata Group went on a global acquisition binge, including the very pricey Jaguar-Land Rover and Corus (won through an expensive bidding war with Brazil's Companhia Siderurgica Nacional or CSN, which raised the valuation by nearly 50 per cent). It helped Ratan Tata leapfrog from Rs 97,000 crore in group revenue to Rs 3.27 lakh crore between 2006 and 2009, bang in the middle of an extended tenure enabled by Tata Sons raising the Chairman's (Ratan Tata) retirement age from 70 years to 75 years.

Tata executives give yet another reason: that he was chosen as Tata's successor on the basis of a new group structure he presented to the Tata selection committee. The plan envisaged the chairman being supported by two vice chairmen at Tata Sons - who would be represented on the various Tata companies for effective succession planning in the future. It also suggested an advisory board to Tata Sons with specialists such as HR, strategy, business development, etc. (Instead, Mistry set that up as Group Executive Council attached to his office. Vice chairmen were never appointed, instead Mistry himself became chairman of all operating companies.) Also, that the vision statement was brought to the board nearly at the end of the fourth year of his five-year contract as chairman while the Articles of Association specifically called for a five-year strategy and an annual roadmap along with it.

But a bigger reason, perhaps, was that the Tata Group feared Mistry's actions of sale of Tata Steel's UK assets, face-off with ntt docomo and alleged unilateral actions were showing the group and Ratan Tata-led decisions in bad light, and were meant to tarnish his haloed reputation. For instance, in putting Tata Steel's UK assets on the block, Mistry was essentially sending out a message that it was a bad business call by his predecessor. Akin to Ratan Tata's famous statement "a promise is a promise" with reference to the promise of the Rs 1 lakh car, the price at which Nano was originally launched. Ratan Tata is believed to have made a personal commitment to ntt docomo to protect its interests and investments in India. Something that was evident in the group's offer (that was struck down by the RBI). Effectively, Mistry was breaking Ratan Tata's promise to ntt docomo.

Mistry even misread the equations within the group. For instance, the removal of Indian Hotels CEO Raymond Bickson, appointed in Tata's tenure, may not have gone down well with Tata. "I had to ease out hangers-on who are prone to flaunt their proximity to power," says Mistry in his letter.

The empire struck back in the surprise eviction termed "shock and awe" in military parlance, which was intended to give him little time to react.

HUMILIATION MAKES SITUATION UNTENABLE

The unceremonious manner of his removal makes his continuation as a director on the board of Tata Sons or even any other group company untenable. Though he is yet to resign from chairmanship of other group companies, Mistry's image, respect and reputation in the group have taken an irreparable hit, which may prevent him from taking any active managerial or directorial role in the group. The humiliation of the ouster now pits the largest shareholder (Tata Trusts with 66 per cent holding in Tata Sons) and the second largest shareholder (Mistry family with 18.4 per cent holding) in an open war against each other.

If he chooses to stay as chairman of the other listed companies - Tata Motors, Tata Steel, IHCL, Tata Power, among others - his removal would be tougher and requires a shareholders' meet rather than a board resolution alone.

The only other such removal in recent memory was the sacking of Tata Finance managing director Dilip Pendse way back in 2001 for 'illegal' trading and running Tata Finance aground. The group charged him with criminal offence. Pendse spent time in jail before getting bail. Sebi barred him from accessing capital market for two years for illegal trade.

The Tata and Mistry families have shared an uneasy relationship since 1936 when Mistry's grandfather Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry acquired FE Dinshaw & Co. which owned 12.5 per cent equity in Tata Sons, the group holding company, right after its founder F.E. Dinshaw passed away. Dinshaw was a lender to the Tata Group through the 1920s and 30s. The loans were converted into Tata Sons equity. Later, it acquired Forbes Gokak from the Tata Group.

If the relationship was on the mend - first by Ratan Tata's half brother Noel Tata's marriage to Pallonji Mistry's daughter and Cyrus' sister Aloo - and later by the appointment of Cyrus as the group chairman, it is now on the brink yet again. While the Mistry family has issued a restrained statement stating it is mulling its options, the Tata Group has already filed caveats in courts against any unilateral hearing on the issue of Mistry's removal.

Several names are doing the rounds as possible successors to Mistry. A familiar one is current PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi. Even Noel Tata, who has remained in the shadows but has always been considered a contender not just for his Tata surname but also for administrative abilities. Ratan Tata has famously commented that lack of group-wide exposure has been Noel's personal choice. Those within the group believe that TCS CEO & MD Natarajan Chandrasekaran has a reasonable chance.

"In L'Affaire Mistry, so far, it's been a battle of half-truths. If Tata Group's contention that Mistry was removed for non-performance is half-truth, so is Mistry's contention that he was not put on notice."

A long-time Tata hand says that the four-month deadline to find a successor is a huge give-away. "The successor has already been chosen. The announcement is a formality," says the person. Especially since the previous selection committee plodded for over 15 months and returned empty-handed in 2011, authorising Ratan Tata to choose his successor.

That points to an insider. Who else, but Chandrasekaran? He has the backing of the company that accounts for nearly two-thirds of the group's market cap and has been its cash cow for decades. And he has worked with Tata long enough.

MISTRY'S OPTIONS

'Replaced' versus 'removed'. The reason the terse statement by Ratan Tata says Mistry is being "replaced" rather than "removed" is because he is being replaced as chairman while he retains his spot as a director. "Removed" would have implied removal as chairman as well as director. Removal of chairman being the prerogative of the board leaves him with few options to contest.

All Mistry can fight for is his and his family's honour through a civil suit. That would have to claim damage to "reputation" under civil laws. But reputational damage is among the hardest things to prove in a Court of law.

Especially, since the Tata Group has neither given any reasons for his removal nor listed any charges against him except "loss of faith".

A leading Delhi-based corporate lawyer says the Mistry family missed a chance to intervene when Tata Sons changed the Articles of Association granting greater representation to Tata Trusts, thereby enhancing its powers, around the time Mistry was appointed as chairman. This was the first time the chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Trusts was different. The Tata Trusts wanted to ring-fence their interests. And it may have been prophetic of Ratan Tata and his legal advisors to strengthen Tata Sons' Articles of Association in their favour. As for the Mistry family, perhaps, they didnt consider it necessary since Cyrus was already being offered the chairmanship.

In L'Affaire Mistry, so far, it's been a battle of half-truths. If Tata Group's contention that Mistry was removed for non-performance is half-truth, so is Mistry's contention that he was not put on notice. A lot is left unsaid behind those public postures. That Tatas panicked. Particularly, when despite being nudged, Mistry didn't toe their line. "I believe I had to be true to myself and the best interests of the organisation," he tells the directors in his letter. But his added status as the member of a family that owns 18.4 per cent of the group holding company probably amplified the largest shareholders' suspicion that the Tata Trusts were losing control over the group despite being its majority owner. Tatas had to exercise their control emphatically. And they did. That explains the harsh, drastic and unprecedented action against Mistry.

But this saga isn't ending yet. Especially, with Tata Sons saying the allegations will be responded to in an appropriate manner. Nor is the underdog done yet. Watch out.

@rajeevdubey
The smartphone industry has been abuzz lately with the launch of flagship phones from Apple, Samsung and Google. Samsung's Note 7, a promising smartphone that could have been a worthy competitor to Apple's iPhone 7 Plus, is now grappling with handset recalls subsequent to battery issues. The smartphone wars took an interesting turn with the launch of Pixel XL from Google in October. Coming from the creators of the Android operating system, this high-end 'made by Google' (outsourced to HTC for production) smartphone, many believe, is poised to take on the current superstar, the iPhone 7 Plus. But will it really?

Brace yourself as we evaluate the two phones on key parameters and rate them on a scale of one to 10.

DESIGN: In the looks department, both the iPhone 7 Plus and Pixel XL score well - the iPhone 7 Plus's classy black finish and the Pixel XL in quiet black look resplendent. The build quality, too, is excellent. The iPhone has a metal unibody with IP 67 certification, which makes it water and dust resistant, and gives it a definite edge over the Pixel XL, which is IP 53 certified making it resistant only to water sprays. Apple has done away with the antenna lines at the rear, awarding the iPhone 7 Plus a more premium look. The keys and ports continue to be at the same location, minus the 3.5-mm jack. The clickable home button with fingerprint sensor has been replaced with a pressure sensor with haptic vibrations, which blends seamlessly with the design. Pixel XL, on the other hand, has a two-tone glass aluminium body with a smooth surface and curved edges. The fingerprint scanner has been added to the rear. Antenna lines run through the top, side edges and at the bottom rear. Google has added a Type C charging port at the bottom, volume control and power key on the right edge, and a 3.5-mm jack at the top. The battery is nonremovable and the SIM slot tray sits on the left edge.

APPLE IPHONE 7 PLUS: 10

GOOGLE PIXEL XL: 10

DISPLAY: When looked at individually, both the phones, with their 5.5-inch screens, offer bright and crisp display. However, when kept next to each other in full brightness, the Pixel XL scores over the iPhone 7 Plus. The former has a display resolution of 2,560x1,440 pixels with 534 ppi density, making it brighter and more colourful. iPhone 7 Plus has a 1,920x1,080 pixel resolution with 401 pixel density.

APPLE IPHONE 7 PLUS: 9

GOOGLE PIXEL XL: 10

CAMERA: Without getting into the megapixel count, let's evaluate the camera capabilities in depth. Known to offer the best camera optics, Apple set a new benchmark by offering a 12-MP wide angle lens and a 12-MP telephoto lens - with f/1.8 aperture for wide angle and f/2.8 for telephoto lens. It also offers 2x optical zoom, bokeh effect (blur, out of focus effect) and portrait mode for depth in images. Google Pixel XL has a 12.3-MP camera with f2.0 aperture. While both the cameras are blazing fast while capturing images, the shots captured from the iPhone 7 Plus looked far more natural. It also captures finer details such as flare of sunlight. The images shot on the Pixel XL were impressive, too. The shots taken outdoors looked richer and brighter. But a close examination revealed that the Pixel was overprocessing the colours, making the images look unnatural. The Pixel offers a slightly wider angle over the iPhone, which can be a plus point while capturing landscapes. Low-light imaging on both these smartphones is worth applauding, though the iPhone 7 Plus's accuracy in this regard is higher. The depth effect on the iPhone works flawlessly. In portrait mode, to attain the blur effect on iPhone, the subject has to be placed within 2.5 metres. The Pixel XL captures a much wider shot, thereby diluting the blur effect.

APPLE IPHONE 7 PLUS: 10

GOOGLE PIXEL XL: 9

PERSONAL ASSISTANT: Here are two assistants you can rely on...mostly. Pixel XL is the first phone to come with built-in Google Assistant. And it works really well. Apple's Siri, too, has evolved and understands the Indian accent well. From answering queries to checking the weather, calculating the distance between two places or booking an Uber ride, both the phones were able to handle most of the tasks. There were a few hiccups, though. At times Siri failed to pick up locations, and Google Assistant had difficulty identifying certain names from the phonebook.

APPLE IPHONE 7 PLUS: 9

GOOGLE PIXEL XL: 9

USER INTERFACE, PLATFORM AND PERFORMANCE: The iPhone 7 Plus runs on iOS 10, which is not only utility-driven, but also the best iOS update with features such as Raise to Wake, Revert to Notifications from the locked screen, widgets and camera access from the home screen. There is no app tray; all the apps are placed on various pages across the homescreen, which can be easily added to folders. Apple's 3D Touch offers options when an app icon is long-pressed on the home screen. For instance, long pressing the camera app throws four options open - take photo, record slo-mo, record video or take selfie. The fingerprint sensor works seamlessly, even with slightly wet hands. The iOS ecosystem has evolved over the years, and many of the new apps come to the Apple App Store before the Android Play Store. The iPhone 7 Plus runs on the all new A10 fusion chipset with four cores, of which two are low-power cores, contributing towards better battery back-up. The performance of the iPhone 7 Plus is top notch, without any heating issues - be it while streaming videos, playing games or capturing images and videos. The battery lasts a day easily despite heavy usage, with close to 15 per cent charge still left. The first phone to be running on Android 7.1, the Pixel XL is bereft of bloatware. By default, the lock screen gives access to voice assist and camera. The homescreen has a 'G' icon on the top left for Google Search and Google Cards. An arrow above the icons at the bottom opens the app tray. Within the app tray, at the top is the search icon followed by a row comprising the most used apps - apps are placed alphabetically. Just like Apple's iMessage and FaceTime, Google has added the Allo and Duo apps. Long-pressing an app icon on the homescreen shows quick actions; for instance the camera app shows two options - take a video or take a selfie. The settings have been completely revamped to display storage, battery, average memory used of the 3.7 GB, etc. The Pixel XL is a super quick device that boasts top-of-the-line specifications - Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chipset paired with 4 GB of RAM. When the camera is used for a long duration, the camera module starts heating a bit. The Pixel XL lasts over a day and, unlike the iPhone 7 Plus, supports quick charging.

APPLE IPHONE 7 PLUS: 10

GOOGLE PIXEL XL: 9

OTHER FACTORS: The Pixel XL is priced at Rs 67,000 for 32 GB, whereas the Apple iPhone 7 Plus is priced at Rs 72,000 for 32 GB. At an additional Rs 5,000, the iPhone 7 Plus is a better phone, although by a thin margin. Another plus point with Apple is its strong after-sales service network - no other phone company has been able to match it. Pixel XL, on the other hand, comes with a dedicated Phone support across 56 walk-in service centres, in 30+ cities in India. Google has partnered with HTC India for after-sales support. However, Google is not known to be consistent with its devices - its Nexus range of phones has been discontinued and Project Ara (modular phones) has been scrapped. It's difficult to ascertain the future of Pixel phones. In toto, more than being a threat to the iPhone 7 Plus, Pixel XL emerges as a strong contender in the flagship Android smartphone space and as a formidable threat to Samsung's dominance.

@nidhisingal
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has a solution to reduce the bad debt problem in the Indian banking system. He wants well-performing public sector enterprises in steel, power and shipping - sectors that are under severe stress - to manage the operations of private companies that have defaulted on their loan payments.

Central PSUs, such as NTPC and SAIL, were among those nominated for the purpose. Considering that over 90 per cent of bad assets are with public sector banks, it is not difficult to understand that the PSUs will, in effect, have to bail out their counterparts in the financial sector - putting an end to their perennial and ever-ballooning non-performing assets problem.

On the face of it, the plan seems to be borne out of desperation than logic. Else, how can one expect to see PSUs nurturing troubled private companies back to health when they themselves are not in the pink of health? SAIL, the government's flagship PSU in the steel sector, registered net losses of Rs 4,137 crore in 2015/16. Its market capitalisation dropped 34 per cent to Rs 18,780 crore between October 2015 and September 2016, against the Rs 28,577 crore in the year-ago period. In fact, the Ministry of Steel had in December last year appointed an external consultant to help the company improve its performance.

In a little over one year after coming to power, the Narendra Modi government had launched an 'Indradanush' package to recapitalise PSU banks that were reeling under bad debts. Alongside, the Reserve Bank of India floated a strategic debt restructuring (SDR) scheme, and a scheme for sustainable structuring of stressed assets (S4A) earlier this year, to allow lenders to convert their debts into equity and even take over management control of defaulting entities. The banks were to find buyers for such 'acquired' assets to clean their books. They were also permitted to explore the possibility of preparing a panel of management firms or individuals having expertise in running such companies to manage acquired assets till the ownership was transferred to the new promoters.

The schemes did not take off. There were few 'buyers' or 'managers' who came forward. Of the 21 companies that were brought under SDR, only one or two attracted buyer interest. One cannot blame the investors either. Stressed assets do not come unencumbered. They are not clean from litigations and it is natural for anyone to think twice before putting money into such companies or assets.

By asking PSUs to play the interim operators' role, Jaitley is trying to fix this 'lack of interest'. By turning bad debt into equity, the NPA burden might reduce, but if the acquired assets underperform, and banks fail to find new promoters, it will be a recipe for disaster.
As the US presidential elections inch closer with the exit polls favouring Donald Trump, investors have began rethinking their long-held bets on a possible Clinton victory.

Shares fell in Europe and Asia as jitters over the US presidential election and weaker oil prices shook investor confidence.

The Indian market too felt the impact with the BSE Sensex closing the day at 27,527, down 349.39 points while the broad-based 50-share index ended just above its 8,500-mark, down 112.25 points.







ALSO READ: SBI cuts home loan rate; ICICI offers overdraft The Nifty IT index dropped more than 1 per cent to its lowest in more than two years. Tata Consultancy Services fell 1.84 per cent, Wipro lost 0.64 per cent while Infosys dipped 0.78 per cent. Energy company ONGC was the top loser on BSE and Nifty index. Auto makers Tata Motors Hero MotoCorp lost 3.19 per cent and 1.38 per cent respectively. Mahindra & Mahindra was the top gainer on the BSE, up 3.54 per cent due to rise in tractor sales for October, posting a 61 per cent growth in domestic market.

ALSO READ: Bajaj Auto sales rise marginally, stock falls nearly 2 per cent



European markets

Germany's DAX dropped 0.8 percent to 10,444.91 and the CAC 40 of France lost 0.6 percent to 4,443.96. Britain's FTSE 100 lost 0.3 percent to 6,894.17. U.S. markets also looked likely to open lower, Dow futures down 0.2 percent and S&P 500 futures also off 0.2 percent.

Asian markets

Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell 1.8 percent to 17,134.68 as the yen rose against the U.S. dollar. The Hang Seng of Hong Kong dropped 1.5 percent to 22,810.50 and South Korea's Kospi dropped 1.4 percent to 1,978.94. The S&P ASX/200 of Australia sank 1.2 percent to 5,229.00 and the Shanghai Composite lost 0.6 percent to 3,102.73. Shares also fell in Southeast Asia and Taiwan.


In Tennessee, elementary schools spend as little as a half hour or as much as 90 minutes a day studying social studies , according to the Tennessean. But some districts dont quantify the amount of time spent on the subject at all, as it is sometimes entwined with lessons in English/language arts or other subjects.

A history education nonprofit in the state, Tennessee History for Kids, is concerned that changes to the states standards might lead teachers to spend even less time on social studies.

In some quarters, theres been hope that the time spent on social studies will be on the upswing.

For nearly three decades, the amount of time spent on social studies at the elementary level has been, in general, dwindling. A 2011 study from the Fordham Institute found that instructional time spent on social studies in elementary schools each year had dropped by 18 hours between 1987 and 2003. The No Child Left Behind Act , which encouraged states to create accountability systems that put significant weight on standardized test scores in reading and math but not social studies, led social studies groups to raise concerns about how much time would be devoted to their subject. (Science and arts groups raised similar concerns.)

As recently as 2014, the National Education Association included social studies as part of the disappearing curriculum  that was losing out due to the emphasis that policymakers and, thus, schools were placing on tested subjects.

The Every Student Succeeds Act, which replaced the No Child Left Behind Act late last year, offers more funding for social studies and civics classes. The laws emphasis on providing a well-rounded education, which includes social studies and a number of other subjects, has been heralded as a potential boon for the disappeared subjects.

But those changes wont likely have trickled into schools yet. Teachers are still sharing strategies for covering anything of substance in science and social studies when the subjects are allotted just 30 minutes each day.

So, are the proposed content standards in Tennessee likely to change the amount of time that individual schools are spending on history? The state has been embroiled in debate over the standards, which drop some details about religion and the states history, including the origins of the Grand Ole Opry and the rise of Elvis Presley . The Tennessee History for Kids groups executive director, Bill Carey, is concerned that decreasing the amount of content that teachers are asked to cover will give teachers an excuse to spend even less time on the subject.

But the new standards are in line with a national trend toward emphasizing students skills rather than specific items of content in social studies standards, as the chairman of the standards review committee, John Roach, told the Tennessean: It is not about students memorizing trivia. We want to give students the skills to be historians, he said .

And in the meantime, as the Tennessean reported, many schools are increasingly teaching literacy skills like reading and writing within history class, which may make it harder to track. (You can read more about it in this weeks print edition of Education Week.)

The proposed standards in Tennessee are still open for comment, so we likely wont see how theyll actually affect time spent on the subject for years to come.

Related stories:


Ryanair have today released figures which show that traffic grew 13% to 10.9m customers in October. Load factor rose 1% point to 95% and rolling annual traffic to Oct grew 16% to 114.4m customers.

Ryanair will start flying from Frankfurt airport to tourist destinations in Spain and Portugal, the airline and airport operator Fraport said on Wednesday.

The once-daily flights to Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Malaga and Faro will start from the end of March, they said, in a move flagged by Reuters on Tuesday.

The news will provide a further headache for Fraport's main customer Lufthansa, which has slowed growth at its main brand and has faced strikes while it tries to lower costs and expand its own budget unit Eurowings. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie

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A University College Dublin (UCD) health technology spin-out today announced that it has closed its first investment round and secured 590,000 to expand global sales of its intelligent health diagnostic devices.

Kinesis Health Technologies funding has been raised from a consortium of private investors alongside a High-Potential Start-up (HPSU) investment from Enterprise Ireland.

Kinesis is focused on developing products that provide greater clinical insights into the assessment of a patients movement using wearable sensor-based technologies. Kinesis proprietary technologies are used by healthcare professionals to improve their ability to identify those patients at risk of falls and in need of help and intervention, to quantify a patients response to therapy and rehabilitation and to assess patients for neurological disorders.

Falls in older adults are a major problem worldwide with an estimated 30% of adults, over 65 years of age, falling at least once each year. The direct and indirect societal costs of falls in older adults are enormous and in the US alone, such costs have been estimated to be in the region of US$20 billion per year.

Kinesis QTUG, a registered medical device, utilises body-worn sensors combined with signal processing and machine learning methods to provide a quantitative assessment of a patients mobility, frailty and falls risk, plus statistical comparisons against population averages for age and gender.

The technology has been scientifically validated through an extensive programme of top-tier internationally peer-reviewed research in falls prevention over the past eight years, based on a large patient dataset.

Kinesis has already secured customers in Ireland, UK, US, Canada and Australia and aims to expand commercial activities in these countries, and in new territories, over the next 18 months.

Kinesis was founded in 2013 by Seamus Small and Dr Barry Greene as a spin-out company from the Technology Research for Independent Living (TRIL) Centre, a large ageing research programme, at UCD. The company is currently headquartered at NexusUCD, the Universitys Industry Partnership Centre.

CEO and Co-Founder of Kinesis Health Technologies, Seamus Small today commented, "We are delighted to announce our first investment round from a consortium of private investors and Enterprise Ireland. This funding will enable us to expand our engineering and commercial teams and grow sales of our intelligent health diagnostic devices which are addressing a major problem in the global health industry, in the area of mobility and falls risk assessment and gait assessment in older adults. The funding will also enable us to develop and to enhance our technologies further."

Source: www.businessworld.ie

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Councilman Andy King partnered with Black Nurses Rock and The Nutressence Network to raise money for families in Haiti affected by Hurricane Matthew.

Matthew struck parts of the Caribbean and the southeastern part of the United States in early October.

As of this article, in Haiti, there are approximately 900 people reported dead because of the hurricane. The storm left much more homeless.

King and Joanne Sylvestre, chief financial officer for Black Nurses Rock and founder of the Nutressence Project, joined together at Kings offices on Tuesday, October 25 to address media and garner support for the fundraiser.

As a multi cultural rich district, said King, we join with our Haitian family and neighbors in mourning the hundreds of lives that were lost and much more who have survived who are going through tremendous challenges recovering and rebuilding.

If people want to contribute they can bring nonperishable goods, canned goods, toiletries, school supplies, shoes, sandals, baby formula, blankets, baby bottles, baby diapers and wipes, socks, first aid supplies and aspirin, water, combs, blankets for children and adults and sanitary napkins.

The council member has instructed interested parties to bring any of these goods to his office at 940 E. Gun Hill Road.

King and Sylvestre said these are things people may take for granted but the supplies are items people in Haiti desperately need.

King added, For all our brothers and sisters who are struggling abroad, you have our support and your have our prayers.

Sylvestre stressed the importance of working together in the efforts to help families in Haiti.

One of the key things that I want everybody in the community to understand is that its all about collaboration, said Sylvestre.

She said those working on the local level are currently in communication with the Haitian consulate in Washington D.C.

She added once the goods are collected they will be shipped to the consulate.

Sylvestre said the idea to begin fundraising for victims in Haiti stemmed from a recent Real Men Wear Pink event.

Real Men Wear Pink is the American Cancer Societys movement to make sure men are supporting breast cancer patients and also conscious of their own breast health.

According to Sylvestre and King, people at the event were discussing additional ways in which they could help the community before landing on the idea for the Haiti fundraiser.

The weeks fundraising was culminated in a community event Friday, October 28 from 8 to 11 p.m.

The event will take place at the Where Its At Activity Center and include music by DJ Falkon and DJ Melvy Hype.

Attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable in order to enter.

King said residents can continue to support the fundraiser and bring donations to the event until 11 p.m.

For more information on the fundraiser you can contact Councilmember Kings office at (718) 684-5509.

For more information on Black Nurses Rock and the Nutressence Network visit black nurse srock.com and the Nutressesnce Network Facebook page.

Reach Reporter Robert Christie at (718) 260-4591. E-mail him at rchri stie@ cnglo cal.com .
LOGAN  A 35-year-old Logan man has pleaded guilty to shooting at another man outside an apartment building in August. Luis Alvarez accepted a plea deal from prosecutors, pleading guilty to half of the charges he was facing. As part of the deal, state attorneys also agreed to drop charges against his wife, an alleged accomplice.

Alvarez entered his plea during what was supposed to be a preliminary hearing, Tuesday morning in 1st District Court. He pleaded guilty to felony discharge of a firearm and obstructing justice, both second-degree felonies, also possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony.

State attorney Spencer Walsh told the court how on the morning of August 23, the victim went to a Logan apartment near 255 West 300 North. Alvarez came to the door holding a 9 mm handgun and chased after the victim.

As the two men ran down the street, Alvarez fired a single shot, missing the victim and striking a nearby building. SWAT Teams surrounded the apartment and later found him at a relatives home, two-blocks south. He was arrested and booked into the Cache County Jail, where he remains held on $55,000 bail.

Prosecutors later charged him with six felonies and one misdemeanor. The charges were enhanced because the shooting took place within 1000 ft. of Ellis Elementary School.

Walsh said officers found two guns that Alvarez had allegedly tried to hide in a field behind the family members home. They also found drugs and paraphernalia inside his residence.

Defense attorney Bryan Galloway said he didnt want to make excuses for what happened but said there was a lot of things that led up to the shooting. He explained how the victim had reportedly broken into Mendezs apartment previously, vandalizing it and terrorizing her.

Walsh didnt dispute the allegations, explaining a warrant had been issued for the victim as police continue to investigate.

Alvarez was ordered to appear December 12 for sentencing. He could face up to fifteen-years in prison.

<hr /><p style=text-align: center;>will@cvradio.com
Current and former English-language-learner high school students are less likely to take advanced classes than their native English-speaking peers, a Regional Education Laboratory Northwest study finds .

Based in Washington state, the researchers examined barriers that prevent English-language-learner students from taking more college-preparatory courseworkfinding that academic preparation accounts for much of the difference in participation and performance.

English-learner students face multiple obstacles to taking advanced courses. They divide their time between acquiring English proficiency and learning academic content, creating a challenge for them to keep pace with native English-speaking students, the researchers write.

Even if English-learner students demonstrate academic readiness, their status as English-learners may limit their access to accelerated and advanced coursetaking through tracking policies and practices at their schools.

In the study, honors and Advanced Placement classes, along with dual-credit courses that offer the opportunity to earn college credit, are listed as examples of advanced courses.

The researchers also found that current and former ELL students are less likely to complete Algebra I in middle school. Students who pass the course in high school are less likely to take higher-level math courses such as trigonometry, statistics, and calculus.

To address the issues, the researchers recommend:

Providing English-language assistance in advanced classes for students who are otherwise qualified to take the courses. That support could include teaming bilingual teachers with advanced class teachers to deliver the lessons and provide support in more than one language.



Communicating clearly, perhaps in multiple languages, with families to explain what students must do to enroll in advanced courses, especially in schools with higher percentages of English-learners.



Examining whether the types of advanced courses they offer limit English-learners ability to participate. Advanced classes in English language arts and social studies often require advanced academic English ability; courses in science, world languages, and fine and performing arts are less reliant on that.



The research does have a silver lining: when current and former ELLs are equally prepared to take advanced coursesas measured by their grade point averages and standardized test scores in math and readingthey enroll in more college-level courses than their native English-speaking peers with similar prior academic performance. On average, the current and former ELLs also earn better grades.

Heres a look at the report .
| BY Ricki Green |

IPG Mediabrands has appointed Lisa Gray as a senior member of its national talent team. She takes the title of talent director and joins Mediabrands reporting to chief talent officer Efi Richter.

Gray has more than 20 years experience at all levels of recruitment and people retention programs in the media industry. Prior to joining Mediabrands she was director of people and culture at Starcom Australia.

Says Richter: Lisas qualifications and experience in attracting and developing talent are ideal for the programs we are running across Mediabrands nationally. We have close to 700 people in the group and Lisa will be key to the development and implementation of broader talent initiatives.

The Mediabrands talent team works from offices in Melbourne and Sydney, also resourcing offices in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
| BY Ricki Green |

Generation NOW has deemed the currency of communication to be digital. From YouTube, Instagram, Vines, Snapchat and social channels that dont even have a name yet, everyone wants engaging and entertaining content, fast. Its a race between brands to see who can develop timely, strategic and snackable content that is shared and liked around the world.

Over the last ten years the media, marketing and advertising landscape has changed rapidly and professionals now need to be multi-skilled more than ever. Thats why in 2017 Macleay College is introducing Digital Media courses to take the digitally savvy generation and teach them the skills and know- how to succeed in the digital age.

Says Chantal Abouchar, founder and CEO of Australias first Media Accelerator THE STUDIO: In the future, every business will need to have a person who can create digital content.

Likened to the modern day arts degree, the Digital Media course is designed to create well-rounded graduates who are highly employable.

With job titles being created almost daily, Digital Media graduates have unlimited career options.

Says Ian Thomson, head of faculty, Macleay College: Career paths are no longer linear. We need to be developing creative thinkers, strategists, problem solvers who can apply a concept to any form of media and are not limited by the media they have training in.

Its not enough to have a piece of paper; graduates need to have relevant work experience to set them apart.

Says Kim Chatterjee, UX specialist: In the future we will need graduates who can solve problems no matter what their nature. Then as they gain more industry experience they can move into strategic roles.

Macleay College has a long history of collaborating closely with industry: from working on client briefs to completing internships, students are exposed to the real working world from day one.

More about Digital Media at Macleay College:

 Diploma of Digital Media- 1 year

 Bachelor of Digital Media- 2 years

 Available in Sydney & Melbourne

 Study full-time or part-time
| BY Ricki Green |

Steinlager Tokyo Dry, the iconic brewers newest beverage and biggest launch since Steinlager Pure hit shelves 10 years ago, was unveiled to the public today. The new brew takes the best of New Zealands raw ingredients and combines them with Japanese brewing mastery to produce Steinlager Tokyo Dry.

In launching this product, Lion and DDB New Zealand has demonstrated what happens when you take the best of New Zealand and transport it to one of the worlds most cutting-edge cities.

The launch campaign brings together some of New Zealands top talent, pairing them with Japanese masters.

Headlining this is a 90 film exploring another side of dance, combining World Champion New Zealand hip-hop dance group, The Bradas, and the Japanese disciplines of origami, bonsai, sushi, pottery, Japanese calligraphy, robotics and neon lighting to produce a unique music video.

DDB executive creative director, Shane Bradnick, says the film captures the vital essence of the two countries in eye-catching fashion.

Says Bradnick: Its a collision of the vitality and energy of New Zealand  one of the worlds youngest nations  with the mastery and futuristic vision of one of the most ancient cultures on the planet.

In the film The Bradas dance in various locations around Tokyo. Using motion capture and dynamic simulations, they change into different CGI avatars as their dance evolves to capture all the different types of Japanese mastery.

Lion marketing manager, Michael Taylor, says he is excited to see how the public react to both the campaign and the product.

Says Taylor: Its been awesome being involved in a project that breaks a number of conventions for beer and beer advertising. Were excited to see what people think of the liquid and how they respond to an amazing piece of film that brings our two cultures together.

Rupert Price, chief strategy officer at DDB, says the launch of Steinlager Tokyo Dry represented a rare opportunity to collaborate on a brand from its inception.

Says Price: Instead of starting with what the client already had, Steinlager Tokyo Dry gave us the opportunity to begin with a blank sheet of paper and be guided by consumers every step of the way. Through working with our target audience, putting them in charge and co-creating throughout, we built a brand from the bottom up.

Price says this approach has resulted in a product designed for its drinkers, by its drinkers.

In partnership with Vice, the campaign has also been extended into an online documentary series that explores the other side tattoo, illustration and food. Each of the online documentaries will see talented young kiwis teaming up with Japanese masters to capture the magic that happens when New Zealands raw ingredients meet Japanese mastery.

National Marketing Director: Craig Baldie

Category Marketing Director  Beer: Ben Wheeler

Marketing Manager  Premium and Craft Beer: Michael Taylor

Brand Manager  Premium and Craft Beer: Benafsha Hajati

Creative: DDB

Chief Creative Officer: Damon Stapleton

Executive Creative Director: Shane Bradnick

Creative Director: James Conner

Creative Director: Christie Cooper

Lead Business Partner: Scott Wallace

Senior Business Director: Jenny Travers

Business Manager: Michael Doolan

Planning Director: Lucinda Sherborne, Rupert Price

Planner: Jack Murphy

Senior TV Producer: Rosie Grayson

Agency Producer: Andy Robilliard

Production Company: Goodoil

Executive Producer: Sam Long

Production Producer: Llew Griffiths

Director: Joel Kefali

DOP: Lachlan Milne

Tokyo Service Company: Dictionary Films

Post Production Company: The Palace

Online: Mat Ellin

Offline Editor: Levi Beamish

Soundtrack/composer/Music: Cam Ballantyne, Beatworms.

Sound Mix: Jon Cooper

Media: Zenith Optimedia

General Manager: Stuart Rutherford

Business Manager: Kate Gamble

PR: PR Shop

Managing Director  Pippa Lekner
| BY Ricki Green |

Global production company The Sweet Shop has announced the appointment of Kate Neill to the newly created position of director of communications.

Neill will lead The Sweet Shops editorial voice globally, both internally and externally across all marketing touch points, media and social media, to further strengthen the companys reputation for providing the highest levels of client and agency service.

Based in Melbourne, Neill joins as part of the companys global team and will report directly to Paul Prince, CEO and founding partner of The Sweet Shop.

Says Prince: Kate brings a huge amount of experience and expertise to this new role. Her strategic vision, coupled with her track record of creativity and obvious passion for The Sweet Shop made her the clear choice for this prominent role.

With 15 years of experience, Neill joins from creative agency DDB, where she spent five years as director of communications for the Asia Pacific region. She began her career in her hometown of London, UK as a reporter at Campaign, before moving to Hong Kong where she was deputy editor at Campaign Asia Pacific, among other roles.
| BY Ricki Green |

Independent creative network ZOO Group has opened a game changing new office for its Canberra agency that will encourage staff to work where and when they want with the aim of improving overall productivity and quality of work.

The new office is a departure from the traditional corporate office, to a more informal work environment that incorporates various spaces to collaborate, including outdoor work benches, lounge and bar areas and quiet work stations.

Says Pawl Cubbin, founder, ZOO Group: The new office is like a cross between the foyer of a boutique hotel and a business lounge  it has a completely different feel to any creative agency Ive ever been in. Before opening our Singapore agency, we spent about 12 months researching innovative work practices and how they would work for a creative agency.

We believe that people do their best work where and when they work best, and the new office was designed to activate this thinking. We have five different spaces  both indoor and outdoor  that our staff can utilise depending on how they like to work and what they are doing.

The new office is located in the bustling suburb of Kingston, above the pub, Little Brooklyn, in a space that was once a restaurant.

Says Cubbin: It has the feeling of a clubhouse that gives it a unique personality and a creative air. Weve kept some of the characteristics of the former restaurant, and the connection to what it once was makes it feel quite unique  it has soul.

Being located in Green Square means our team has even more options for where they work, with an abundance of nearby cafes and the pub downstairs, perfect for informal meetings or just to have a change of scenery.

ZOO Group Canberra team members moved into the office in September and initial feedback has been positive.

Says Cubbin: The team loves the new office. Theyre finding it easier to get in the zone and collaborate with each other, and were starting to see that reflected in the work. Weve also had feedback from our clients that it feels much more like us than our previous space.
Nebraska's hereditary billionaire GOP governor Pete Ricketts is furious that the state legislature keeps overriding his vetos  that is, the elected lawmakers pass laws, he tries to block them, and they overturn him  so he's made an election issue of the state's dormant death penalty, spending $400K to put it on the state ballot next week.

Nebraska has a single-house, nonpartisan legislature called the Senate, and the senators who received support from the Republican party have refused to toe Ricketts' line. Ricketts and his father, Republican megadonor Joe Ricketts, are spending big to discredit these GOP lawmakers so they can be replaced with more pliant ones who'll only vote for laws that the Rickettses support.

Ricketts apparently sees the senate reversals as a blot on his political record, and thus an impediment to his national ambitions  to become a federal Senator and then run for president.

Nebraska hasn't executed a prisoner in decades, but still spends $14.6M/year on its death rows. Lawmakers very reasonably decided that this money could be better spent elsewhere and so introduced legislation to formalize the state's de facto abandonment of the death penalty. Ricketts seized on this as a good hearts-and-mind issue for the GOP base in the state, and vetoed the law.

If the death penalty referendum is carried, it will consolidate Ricketts' power. If it fails, it will be a serious blow to his political future  especially if Trump loses as well, as Ricketts has broken with his family to endorse Trump's campaign.



The second big question is turnout. Nebraska does not have a governor's race or a US Senate race this year, leaving the presidential race as the main draw for voters to get to the polls. But Nebraska, though deeply conservative, is not exactly Trump territory. Ricketts endorsed Trump after his first choice, Ted Cruz, dropped out of the primary, but he has not donated to Trump's campaign; his wife, meanwhile, registered as a Democrat and is supporting Hillary Clinton. Both of the state's Republican US senators have spoken out against Trump: Ben Sasse is perhaps the most prominent Never Trump Republican in the country, while Deb Fischer unendorsed him after the infamous 2005 Access Hollywood video was leaked in early October. (She later re-endorsed him.) "I think there's a legitimate chance that the Legislature will be held up," Coash says hopefully. "It all comes down to turnout." Most politicians and analysts predict the repeal will be overturned because Nebraska is such a conservative state. "I would be absolutely shocked if the voters basically supported to keep the repeal of the death penalty," says Aaron Trost, a Republican operative who ran Fischer's campaign in 2012. In August, the pro-death-penalty group released a poll showing that 2 out of 3 Nebraskans support the death penalty. Dan Parsons, the spokesman for the anti-death-penalty group, has argued that the poll was "flawed." Unlike the poll, the referendum states that if the death penalty repeal stands, defendants who would otherwise have received a death sentence would instead get life in prison. Previous polling has shown that when life without parole is mentioned as the alternative to the death penalty, some Americans switch from death penalty support to opposition.

A Republican Governor Is Using His Own Money to Reinstate the Death Penalty

[Pema Levy/Mother Jones]





(via Super Punch)

(Images: Red Hat Death Chamber, Lee Honeycutt, CC-BY-SA; Pete Ricketts, Ammodramus, CC-0)
Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 9:46PM

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Google has released a lot of new hardware, including the impressive Pixel smartphone with the new Assistant software, Google Home, Google Wi-Fi, Daydream View VR headset as well as a bevy of Chromecast devices plus Chromebooks which have become the darling of the educational market.

The best way to get these products into the hands of customers is to properly demonstrate them in a retail store environment. While Google isn't opening its own stores (yet), it's made some moves to have a retail presence to show off all this neat stuff. They had a pop-up store in NYC and coming this month, they will invite Canadian customers to sample first-hand the new products and services that they just launched.

Google is opening 'a shop within a shop' in four Canadian Best Buy branches. These include on at the Heartland Best Buy in Mississauga, ON and three other ones in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

While a move into retail may seem like something new for Google, the company has some experience with the boutique approach which they used when allowing people to try out Google Glass. Expect Google to dress up the Best Buy stores within stores with the same playful and quirky vibe that the company demonstrates in its websites. For Canadians, it is a great opportunity to get hands-on the product, demo experiences as well as purchase products directly from Google specialists.
But he said that, in developing party policy on horse racing, it might be important for Mr Parton to abstain from decisions on any parts of the policy that could potentially impact their ownership interest, although in opposition he "would have little if any opportunity to exercise influence to secure a personal benefit".Mr Parton said he had set up the syndicate through social media about two years ago. There were 20 owners, including him, each with a 5 per cent share and each paying $50 a week to lease the horses, Cynthius and Agrionius.
Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Access unlimited news content and The Canberra Times app. Premium subscribers also enjoy interactive puzzles and access to the digital version of our print edition - Today's Paper.
A coalition government, in theory at least, is a closer, more integrated relationship between two or more parties than mere power-sharing. But there are no strict rules to this effect. A coalition doesn't have to look just like the federal Liberal-National Coalition, with the junior partner filling the job of deputy prime minister. Don't tell some Nationals members that they are fully integrated into the federal Coalition. They fight to preserve the independent apparatus of separate parties, including independent party rooms, and may see their situation as power-sharing. But they have given away a lot of that independence in return for the Coalition.
The proceedings brought by Mr Bell were, he said, "based on an allegation that, at the time of the last election, Senator Culleton had been convicted of an offence punishable by a sentence of imprisonment for one year or longer, and was therefore 'incapable of being chosen' as a senator under section 44(ii) of the constitution".
One user from regional NSW who did not wish to be identified, told Fairfax she was astonished to find eight pages of email addresses attached to what should have been a routine email from Human Services and to realise her own contact details had been shared.
The new cable systems will avoid the Indian Ocean and Singapore, and interconnect the Gulf to Africa (G2A) and Silk Road Gateway  1 (SRG-1) cable systems through an undersea connection.

SRG-1 connects Oman to Pakistan, with onwards connectivity to Afghanistan, China, Iran, Tukmenistan and Tajikistan. G2A runs from Oman to Somalia, with onwards routes to Ethiopa. This is set to be extended to Kenya, Mogadishu and South Africa in future developments.

Omantel Wholesale claims the interconnection will create a new ultra-low latency route options for its customers, supporting economic growth in Central Asia and Africa.

We are the only provider in the world that is able to offer rapid access between Asia and Africa via geographically diverse routes. The development and interconnection of G2A and SRG-1 demonstrates our commitment to delivering ultra-low latency networking in unique and challenging markets. We are supporting the growth of trade between China and Africa with new diversity and high performance networks, said Talal Said AL Mamari, CEO of Omantel.

Both cables add to Omantel Wholesales undersea investments, now numbering more than 20 overall. Oman is one of the most connected places on the planet, with five redundant landing stations and four terrestrial networks connecting it, Omantel added.

Users in high-growth markets in Central Asia and Africa gain access to global connectivity. End users will experience more robust and reliable communications services, accelerating local development and support the growth of their digital economies, said Sohail Qadir, VP of Omantel Wholesale.

Were excited to be a part of delivering greater connectivity to these regions and changing how they experience mobile, broadband and other communications services. This is a big step forward.
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Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

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Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication (SIMC) Pune has invited applications for its MA in Mass Communication programme for 2017-19. Interested candidates can apply for the same. The following details would help the candidates to apply properly.

Eligibility Criteria for MA (Mass Communication):

Applicants should be a graduate from a recognized university with 50% (45% for SC/ST) aggregate

Even those applicants who are expecting their final year results can also apply. But their admission will be provisional and they should produce proof of graduation with 50% by the beginning of the second semester.



How to apply?

Candidates have to register online by visiting www.simc.edu

Once on the application page, candidates need to fill in the following details

Programme and Personal Details

* Educational Details

* Family Details

* Experience Details

Applicants can make payment using the following modes:

a. Online Payment through Credit Card

b. AXIS Bank Easy Payment System: After registering online, pay Rs. 2500 in cash at any Axis Bank branch in any preferred city (refer to the list of branches on the website). You will receive two stamped parts of the 'Axis Bank Challan' from the bank. Please keep the Student copy as a payment receipt. You need to sign the stamped 'SIMC PUNE Copy' of the ' Axis Bank Challan' and send it to -

Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communicatiion,

Symbiosis Knowledge Village (PG),

Gram: Lavale, Taluka: Mulshi,

Pune - 412115, Maharashtra,India

c. Candidates can pay the fees through Net Banking

d. Candidates can take a Demand Draft (DD) of Rs. 2500 from any Nationalized Bank (in favour of "Director, Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication", payable at Pune). Fill DD details in the DD payment option in the online application form given on SIMC website (www.simc.edu) and take a print out of the 'Payment Advice' form for DD and send it along with the DD to the SIMC Pune on the following Address (candidates have to keep the photocopy of the Demand Draft for future reference):

Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication, Symbiosis Knowledge Village (PG), Gram: Lavale, Taluka: Mulshi, Pune - 412115, Maharashtra,India

The next step in the application procedure is appearing for the SIMC MA (Mass Communication) Entrance Test. It is compulsory for anyone who wants to apply for the MA in Mass Communication programme.

How International Students can apply for the programme

International students who want to apply for the programme can take help of Symbiosis International University (SIU), which takes care of admission process for International students.

The candidates can use the following contact details:

E-mail:

www.scie.ac.in

intadmissions@symbiosis.ac.in

By Post:

The International Office,

Senapati Bapat Road, Pune - 411 004, Maharashtra, India.

Landline numbers:

+91 20 25671905

+91 20 25659209

Important Dates MA in Mass Communication programme:

Phase I

MA (Mass Communication) programme online registration begins - 19 September 2016

MA (Mass Communication) programme online registration closes - 03 January 2017

MA (Mass Communication) Last Date of Payment - 06 January 2017

SIMC MA (Mass Communication) Entrance Test - 15 January 2017

SIMC MA (Mass Communication) Entrance Test Results - 03 February 2017

Phase II

Shortlisting Candidates for Panel Interview and Written Ability Test (PI-WAT) - 08 February 2017

PI-WAT Test (PI-WAT) - 25-26 February 2017

Announcement of First Merit List - 14 March 2017

Last Date of Fee Payment of First Merit List (1st installment) - 24 March 2017
With an aim to promote skill development in the country and to start a new skill development centre at the new campus of IIS at Challakere in Chitradurga, Karnataka, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, Karnataka have entered into a collaboration.

Financial assistance for the construction of the centre at the new campus of IIS in Chitradurga, Karnataka is being provided by the HAL, and the centre will offer skill development programmes for the benefit of the local community.

Skill Assessment for a Better Tomorrow

According to the director of IISc, C. Anurag Kumar, the construction of the centre will be completed in 24 months and from March 2019 he is expecting that training programmes shall be started at the centre.

According to chief managing director at HAL T. Suvarna Raju, the centre will provide skill training in line with the Skill India Initiative of the government of India and will also go a long way in providing employable skills to the youth of the country.

The aim of the centre is to ensure that the students who join it are able to get jobs in the job market.

Government to bring in an ambitious plan that aims to impart skill training to more than 10 lakh people. The training will be provided by faculty of engineering colleges to unemployed youth with a vision to make them employable in the next 3 years. The scheme- 'PMKVY by Technical Institutions', comes under the larger umbrella of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, officials in the HRD ministry told PTI. Read the key aspects of the programme here.
Education has always been a dynamic field especially when it comes to studying abroad. The recent development in this field is that the favourite hub of higher studies for Indian students is New Zealand. Gone are the days when UK and USA used to be their favourite spots.

New Zealand has started receiving many students from across the world for higher studies. And Indian students alone form 23% of these foreign students. So what led to the change in the interest of Indian students? UK has tightened its visa norms for foreigners and universities in the US have introduced rigid rules and regulations with regard to foreign students.

The above stated reasons made UK and USA face decline in the number of their foreign students. Whereas, New Zealand gained more number of foreign students. According to a DNA report, UK witnessed a massive decline in the number of Indian students; the number reduced from 38, 500 in 2009-10 to 19, 700 in 2013-14. On the other hand, New Zealand witnessed the rise from 11, 791 in 2010 to 29, 235 in 2015.

Let us look at the key points that led to the shift in Indian students' interest:

New Zealand provides quality education and it has liberal approach towards foreign students

"Additionally, New Zealand offers work rights during the course of study as well as post-study for students who meet certain criteria, which attracts students," says McPherson, Chief Executive, Education New Zealand.

UK is not providing post-study-visa to Indian students

Ranks matter - University of Auckland in New Zealand is listed among the Top 100 universities in the world. There are many private educational institutions also that are open to admitting international students.

Right now, New Zealand's education industry is worth $3 billion due to increased number of international students and the government of New Zealand has plans to expand it up to $5 billion in the next ten years.

Read: Study in Sweden
The HRD Ministry recently constituted a committee on question paper design for Class 12 board exams which was headed by E P Kharbhih, Executive Chairman of the Meghalaya Board of School Education, over a year ago.

The committee has come up with a suggestion on avoiding Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) from the Class 12 question paper. The committee instead suggests to have internal choice in long answer type questions and no choice should be given in very short answer type questions.

In the list of suggestions submitted months back, the panel seems to have suggested that open book exams may not be considered at Class 12 level.

The committee has also suggested to provide extra 15 minutes to students for reading question papers.

Maharashtra Board SSC Exam Time-table 2017

Few others changes suggested and implemented by the HRD in the recent weeks are as follows:

The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has advised CBSE, CISCE and NCERT boards to follow percentile methodology in awarding marks, to bring equality among the candidates at the plus two level. Read the complete story here.

With an aim to ease the burden of high cut-offs in university admissions across various colleges in the country, the HRD Ministry has come up with a new idea of implementing a common entrance examination for all central universities. This attempt comes with a hope of providing equal opportunities to students seeking university admissions despite the differences in the qualifying scores of the students. Read the complete story here

The HRD Ministry has agreed to set up state-of-the-art research laboratories to match international facilities. Project Vishwajeet is the mission of HRD Ministry to fast forward 7 IITs into top global academic rankings. Read the complete story here.

The Madhya Pradesh government headed by education minister Vijay Shah has decided to scrap the no-detention policy of the HRD Ministry. The no-detention policy is a mandatory provision under the Right to Education (RTE) Act which will let students get promoted until Class 8 however be their performance in the academia. Read the complete story here.
Top global universities like UC Berekley, Northwestern and Purdue partner with Educational Initiatives to offer programs for ASSET Talent Search students



Top students to get an opportunity to participate in ASSET Summer Programs



Over 6320 students across 573 schools spread across 150 cities enrolled for ASSET Talent Search in 2015

Bangalore, November 2016: India's leading Research-Based Products Company in the Education industry, Educational Initiatives (EI), has begun its search for India's brightest young minds again this year through ASSET Talent Search (ATS) 2016. The test scheduled for 27th November 2016 will be held at various centres across India and the UAE. Students who top this test will get an opportunity to enrol for the 3-week residential ASSET Summer Programmes in India and well known universities in the U.S. Last year, ASSET Talent search saw over 6320 enrolments from 573 schools across 150 cities in the country.

ASSET (Assessment of Scholastic Skills through Educational Testing) as an initiative was launched to identify, analyse and measure various parameters related to the learning abilities of students after research done by Educational Initiatives across the country proved that children used to rote-learning failed to answer unfamiliar or application-based questions due to lack of conceptual clarity.

Today, ASSET is a market leader in school assessments in India, with over 4 million assessments in the last decade. It was with a view to make the ASSET project more holistic and integrated that Educational Initiatives introduced the ASSET Talent Search (ATS) last year to identify extraordinary academically gifted students in India.

Students from classes V to VIII are eligible to apply. Students can register online at http://www.ei-india.com/asset_talent_search/



How ASSET Talent Search works:

Grade-level tests may not always challenge academically gifted students sufficiently and reflect their true potential. The ASSET Talent Search (ATS) seeks to identify academically talented students from grades V to VIII and then provide them recognition, guidance and opportunities to help them reach their true potential.

Only those students who score 90% and above in ASSET at their grade level or are in the 10% of their grades in Maths, Science and English can participate in the ASSET Talent Search. For students and parents who feel their children are academically exceptional, this test can be a starting point to validate their belief and help them suitably plan the academic future of their children.

Last year, over 12000 students qualified to be a part of the ASSET Talent Search across India. They were selected from over 3 lakh students who appeared for ASSET.

Speaking about this initiative, Mr Srini Raghavan, CEO, Educational Initiatives said, "The ASSET Talent Search provides participants a unique platform for gifted children to stimulate and challenge themselves at the level of their peer group, with the aim to realize their true potential."

Educational Initiatives is the first organization in India that is effectively addressing the needs of parents and teachers to help talented students find an outlet for their advanced skills. Mr. Raghavan adds, "Educational Initiatives works with schools to deploy its scientifically designed program, the ASSET Talent Search to handpick such children across India. We believe that India is a treasure trove of talent and are happy to see so much enthusiasm among parents and teachers for this program."

Benefits of participating in ASSET Talent Search for children:

Students scoring exceedingly well in the ASSET Talent Search will be certified as "ASSET Talent Scholars" and, the toppers as "ASSET Talent Scholar Gold". ASSET Talent Scholars get an opportunity to enrol for the 3-week residential Summer Programmes in well-known universities in the U.S. such as the UC Berekley's ATDP, Northwestern University's Centre for Talent Development, Purdue University and EI's customized ASSET Summer Programme in India.

In the Summer Programme students are trained across various subjects and introduced to a discovery pattern of thinking rather than just acquiring bookish knowledge. These programmes provide a unique learning environment to the students and are thoughtfully designed to also teach topics that are not covered in the regular school curriculum.

It is a creative residential experience devised to nurture teamwork, leadership and camaraderie among students with an aim to develop leaders of tomorrow. Participating in the international programmes based on their interests can open opportunities for students at a global level.

About Educational Initiatives:

Established in 2001, Educational Initiatives (EI) provides technology-based solutions to enable children to learn with understanding through Assessments, Benchmarking and Adaptive Learning. EI products - ASSET, Mindspark and Detailed Assessment, have been appreciated by over 3,000 schools and over 4 million students in India and abroad. Additionally, EI partners with Corporate CSR bodies, International Foundations and Governments to conduct Large Scale Education Programs on learning outcomes, capacity creation and educational research.

EI participates in various national policy advisory boards and has received multiple national and international awards on innovation in education. For further information, please visit www.ei-india.com.
Bangalore, 2nd November, 2016 - Valuepoint Academy, a premier institution in teaching English Language, Effective Communication Skills and Personality Development has become the first Indian educational institution to sign an agreement with Oxford University Press, to offer a host of educational services, as part of the Oxford Quality Programme.

The Oxford Quality Programme is an agreement between Oxford University Press and selected schools worldwide who share a commitment to excellence in the teaching of English. Over a period of 2 years, Valuepoint Academy will work in collaboration with Oxford University Press to ensure the highest quality of curriculum, assessment materials and teacher training. This partnership will offer the students of Valuepoint Academy enhanced learning experience and access to world class content that include print based course and digital learning tools.

This partnership will also introduce a 6 month diploma course which is supported by Oxford University Press course material. On completion of this course, the learner will receive a joint certificate from Valuepoint Academy and Oxford University Press.

Speaking on this occasion, Rajan Sood, MD of Valuepoint Academy said, "We, as an institution are delighted to be working in collaboration with Oxford University Press. Our aim in partnering with one of the most prestigious organisations is to provide our students the best facilities possible, right from textbook materials to teaching methods. We feel that our students can gain advanced learning through this partnership".

Recognized as the "home of the English language" because of its famous dictionaries, Oxford University Press publishes high-quality English Language Teaching materials. As a department of the University of Oxford, it furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide.

About Oxford University Press

Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide. OUP is the world's largest university press with the widest global presence.

It publishes thousands of new publications a year, has offices in around fifty countries, and employs over 7,000 people worldwide. It has become familiar to millions through a diverse publishing programme that includes scholarly works in all academic disciplines, bibles, music, school and college textbooks, children's books, materials for teaching English as a foreign language, business books, dictionaries and reference books, and academic journals.

About Valuepoint Academy

Valuepoint Academy is a premier institution in teaching English Language, Effective Communication Skills and Personality Development. It is located in Bangalore and Pune, India. This prestigious academy was founded in 1996.

The main aim of its founders, Mr. Rajan Sood and Ms. Meenu Sood, has been to impart comprehensive and practical training for effective communication in English Language.
Derek L. Barnett, 32, and Samantha L. Powell, 29, both of Delphi. Jason M. McKoon, 35, and Trisha M. Caputo, ...

Police reports are gathered from available records on file at local police departments. This information is a matter of public ...

- Judge Troy Hawkins

New filings are from public records available in the Carroll County Clerks office on the second floor of the courthouse,...
*M*ake what you will of this. In the modern era of partisan polarization, which can be dated back to the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, only the presid...
No matter where it was sold, Subaru used to make every single Impreza at home in Japan. That came to an end yesterday, when the first Impreza rolled off the assembly line at the companys factory in Indiana.



Backed by eight consecutive years of sales increase in the US, Subaru has added assembly of its compact model to the plant that already produces the Legacy and Outback.

The facility in Lafayette, Indiana, has been in operation for nearly 30 years now, and is set to add production of a new three-row crossover as well sometime in 2018. To accommodate, the plant will nearly double its overall annual capacity from 218,000 to 394,000 units by the end of this year and to 436,000 by March 2019.

Imprezas built there are earmarked primarily for the US and Canadian markets. So far this year, the company has sold 48,080 Imprezas in the United States, making it only Subarus fifth most successful model line out of the seven it offers. The Forester and Outback are its most popular at around 145,000 sold so far this year, followed by the Crosstrek at 77k and the Legacy at over 53k.

Photo Gallery
With sales of the Focus and C-Max Hybrid on the decline, Ford has decided to idle their production for two weeks at the Wayne, Michigan plant, by the end of the year, to adjust supply with demand, according to Autonews.



The Blue Ovals latest move follows the suspension of production of a series of other models for the same reason, including the Mustang, the Kansas City-made F-150, the Lousville plants Escape and Lincoln MKC, and the Mexican-assembled Fiesta, Fusion and MKZ.

Additionally, the brands CFO, Bob Shanks, revealed that one of the three shifts at the Kansas City Assembly Plant, where the F-150 is put together, is being dropped this week, so that the Blue Oval can manage the inventory.

Initial data shows that suspending production of the aforementioned cars affects approximately 13,000 employees, out of which some 9,000 are in the United States. Ford, though, plans to compensate those whose work experience in the field exceeds one year by paying roughly 80 percent of their normal paychecks. In Mexico, on the other hand, its unknown whether the companys workers will receive their salaries during the production halt.

PHOTO GALLERY
An Indian businessman has shelled out 33 million dirhams ($9 million USD) for a license plate in Dubai.



Balwinder Sahani paid the hefty sum for the D5 plate at a government auction last month, reports the Independent, adding to the O9 license plate he bought last year for 25 million dirhams ($6.8 million).

As with other countries around the world, short license plates are particularly popular in the United Arab Emirates and used as a status symbol among the nations wealthy.

The most expensive license plate sold in the country was 1, which shifted hands for 52 million dirhams ($14.2 million) back in 2008.

Sahani says he will put the license plate on his Rolls-Royce Phantom.

#Dubai D5 number plate sold to Balwinder Sahani for Dh33 million at car plate auction in #UAE @7DAYSUAE pic.twitter.com/58pNxkL68A

 Shoshana Kedem (@B_shosh) October 8, 2016

This guy was so happy after winning at an auction for license plates. It cost 33million dirhams.. And he was happy with the win. pic.twitter.com/rD1IyATV5c

 104.8 Channel 4 (@channel4dubai) October 9, 2016

PHOTO GALLERY
Photo: Getty Images

Youth mental health services  who should be responsible?

Even in the best circumstances, with healthy kids, a great support network and high functioning parents, there are times when it can be very difficult.

When children are facing mental health challenges, the difficulties often expand exponentially.

One of the most challenging and frustrating parts of raising a child with a mental-health issue is simply navigating the available care, services and resources intended to help.

First, parents need timely and appropriate education about mental health symptoms and appropriate interventions.

Next, they need to know how and where to access these supports and how to incorporate them into their life for the sake of their child.

Unfortunately, B.C. does not have an excellent track record in this area.

Less than a third of B.C.s children and youth with mental illness find the help they need. This is unacceptable. Can you imagine if the statistic were the same for children experiencing diabetes or cancer?

Part of the problem is the way our mental-health services are split for our young citizens.

Currently, responsibility for youth mental-health services is split between the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the Ministry of Health.

Whether a child is seen first in a hospital or community setting is how the split in responsibility is determined, but there are serious problems in its execution.

Having the responsibility for care split between two ministries means resources and staff are not coordinated.

When dealing with separate ministries, there are different sets of priorities and separate personnel and locations.

Communication between the two is often fragmented and sometimes conflicting. What results is families who have to work a lot harder to get care.

It's navigating a maze: meeting different doctors and counsellors, travelling to different buildings, telling and re-telling about symptoms and events, and keeping track of directions and advice.

When in a crisis, this is not just frustrating, but can be debilitating.

Not only that, but when children turn 19, they are suddenly an adult and no longer under the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development. That means figuring things out again.

A little over a year ago, the B.C. Psychiatric Association joined a call from the Select Standing Committee on Child and Youth Mental Health to improve care by returning responsibility for youth mental health services to the Ministry of Health.

We need to offer a well-coordinated continuum of care for our youngest and most vulnerable citizens that can support them through all stages of life.

We need to remove barriers so that every child with mental health challenges is able to get appropriate intervention when it is needed.

Not only is this the right thing to do simply because it is the best way to care for people, but it will also prove to make sense financially as well.

Most mental illness starts in childhood and adolescence. Children left untreated grow up to be adults with chronic mental and physical illness, more problems with addiction, less success in jobs and relationships, more poverty and more likelihood of involvement with the criminal justice system.

Many of these adult problems could be greatly reduced with appropriate care early in life.

Investing in youth is an investment in the future of our province and society in general.

I applaud the call for action in this area and hope we can all be advocates for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: UBC Okanagan

Research at UBC Okanagan could help police nab predators in the real world.

Using anonymous police case files and court records, researchers uncovered new subtypes of high-risk sexual offenders that could give police insight into the behaviour of convicts released back into the community.

These are offenders who have an extremely high probability of reoffending, but they have timed out of the system and are released, said PhD student Kimberly Kaseweter.

Kaseweter and psychology Prof. Michael Woodworth worked with former RCMP Staff Sgt. and psychologist Matt Logan, who helped facilitate access to the classified files.

Using details from the crime scenes, Kaseweter and Woodworth uncovered three distinct groups of offenders: coercive child molesters, sadistic rapists and stranger-focused offenders.

Kaseweter says they used details of the crime scene and statistical models to reveal profiles police can use to help identify the type of offender they are looking for.

Then, by using additional variables, such as use of a weapon, violence or sadism, police can narrow the search for probable suspects.

Categorizing these offenders will have a real-world impact for front-line workers in the Canadian justice system and help in investigations, said Kaseweter, noting 44 per cent of sexual offences against women remain unsolved. This will also have a major influence on treatment and will also hopefully reduce recidivism.

Woodworth said the information can be used to predict characteristics of the offender, and their behaviour before a crime takes place.

In addition to helping law enforcement, this could also be a valuable tool for mental health professionals who may eventually work with these offenders, he said.
Four years in the making, and local cinematographer Travis Lowe is finally ready to reveal his full-length feature film, Finding Fontinalis.

He shot 1,000 hours of footage and travelled from Argentina to to Thunder Bay to reel in what might be the biggest fish tale hes ever told.

The original idea behind the film was to follow four anglers down to Argentina and see if they could catch a world-record brook trout.

What really happened was they became aware of what was going on in this place, explained Lowe. The film changed gears, and it became more about saving the place, and it goes on from there to see one mans journey and how he contributes to the conservation of (Patagonia).

That man is Bart Bonime, an executive of outdoors outfitter Patagonia, which produced the film.

Bonime narrates the documentary of his own personal calling to conservation.

He reveals that he was a person who admired the work of others, but basically sat on the sidelines of conservation, said Lowe. What he finds in Argentina causes him to think about that, to change his mind and become actually involved.

Lowe also discovered the story of J.W. Cook, who caught a brook trout whose record stood for 100 years. That story took place in Nipigon, Ont., and we go to Nipigon to find the back story .... what we find there is maybe a bit of a white lie, a mystery.

Lowes film premiers Saturday in Kelowna at the Laurel Packinghouse. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door or at Trout Waters Fly and Tackle.

The event starting at 5 p.m. is the eighth annual Okanagan Chapter Trout Unlimited Fly Fishing Film Festival. Proceeds from the film will go to preserving rivers and creeks in the Okanagan.

Finding Fontinalis Official Trailer from Cinema Digital Productions on Vimeo.
'You will cease to exist' Florida - 7:45 am
Movember has officially kicked off for 2016.

The Movember foundation tackles mens health on a global scale, year round, addressing some of the biggest health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

It's as simple as signing up at www.movember.com, shaving your face and getting people to support you while you grow the best mustache you can.

From humble beginnings back in 2003, the Movember movement has grown to be a truly global one, inspiring support from over 5 million supporters in 2016.

It's not too late to get started, so what are you waiting for?
Photo: Contributed

Todd Ross, 47, came out as gay to a stranger.

It was no ordinary stranger, either, but a military interrogator grilling him about his sexual orientation, with Ross strapped to a polygraph machine, seated in a chair facing a two-way mirror, a recording device capturing his confession.

"I had not even come out to myself," Ross, who became suicidal as a result of the 1990 incident, said Tuesday as he began to cry.

"I knew an injustice was done. I knew it was not right."

The story of how Ross was given an honourable discharge  the result of an ultimatum  from the Canadian Armed Forces, where he had served as a naval officer aboard HMCS Saskatchewan in the late 1980s, is contained in the statement of claim for one of two class-action lawsuits being brought against the Liberal government on behalf of LGBTQ people who say they were persecuted and forced out of their military and civil servant jobs.

"We have been waiting patiently for the federal government to take action to address these grievances, but so far we have just had kind words and no action," Doug Elliott, a Toronto-based lawyer and veteran gay rights activist, said Tuesday.

"Our clients are crying out for justice and we can wait no longer."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to make a formal apology to people in the LGBTQ community for past discrimination sanctioned by the state, following a government-wide review of the related issues.

That is likely to include those who suffered after the military and federal government began pushing members of the LGBTQ community out of their jobs in the 1950s.

That "purge," as Elliott called it, continued even after homosexual acts were decriminalized in 1969, following a Criminal Code review that saw Pierre Trudeau, who was then justice minister, famously declare: "there's no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation."

The military did not end its policy banning gay and lesbian people from service until 1992.

It remains to be seen, however, whether the apology will be accompanied by compensation, although the Liberal government has not closed the door on the possibility.

Elliott said the two lawsuits, filed Monday in Montreal and Toronto, are one way to push that conversation along should a negotiated settlement not arise.

The Ontario lawsuit is asking for $600 million in damages, while the Quebec statement of claim does not specify an amount.

Elliott said many of the people who would fall under the lawsuits, which have yet to be certified by a court, are getting older.

"I'm not going to have Mr. Trudeau apologize to a cemetery," Elliott said. "We want people to get help now, and so we can do it in a nice way  in a negotiated settlement  or we can do it in a not-so-nice way, in court."

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan did not directly address the compensation issue when asked about the lawsuit Tuesday.

"Diversity is an operational necessity in the Canadian Armed Forces and we are looking at a wider departmental initiative as a government in terms of how to address this concern, but a lot more work that needs to be done."

Elliott had noted a 2015 report by retired Supreme Court justice Marie Deschamps on sexual misconduct in the Canadian military had said there are still "strains of homophobia" affecting the culture.

"That culture has not changed enough in the military today," he said.
Photo: Contributed

Police are investigating after a man's body was found in Maple Ridge.

Homicide investigators say the 53-year-old's body was found on Tuesday.

The man's identity has not been released because police say his family has not yet been informed.

A cause of death hasn't been released.

Police say it appears the man was targeted, but his death wasn't related to gang activity.
Photo: Getty Images

Kamloops residents looking for a doctor can now get on a waiting list set up by the Province.

Those without a family doctor can now call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 to be placed on a waitlist for a primary care provider.

In October, Health Minister Terry Lake announced a four-point action plan to address patient access to primary health care in the community by leveraging multiple health professional resources. Primary care is typically the first and main point of contact a patient has within the health-care system  usually care from a family doctor or nurse practitioner.

HealthLink BC is a trusted source of health information, advice and assistance navigating the health system, said Lake. While a waitlist is not a solution to the overall issue in Kamloops, it helps to mitigate the frustration residents feel when they dont know where to turn. Having a central place where people without a family doctor can put their name will ensure that they can be connected with primary care practices as soon as more doctors and nurse practitioners become available.

In addition, HealthLink BC will connect callers from Kamloops who are frail elderly, have complex medical needs, or have moderate to severe mental-health and substance-use concerns to appropriate Interior Health community care services. As well, if a caller is experiencing symptoms, they can also speak to a HealthLink BC nurse who will be able to provide health information and advise them on appropriate next steps for addressing their health concern.

This primary care waitlist is for Kamloops residents only. Callers will have to confirm their address using their postal code.

The four-point action plan to address patient access to primary health care in Kamloops includes:

Taking immediate steps to increase capacity at walk-in clinics and existing doctors offices through the use of locum family doctors over the next six months.

Increasing existing ongoing practice capacity through targeted recruitment of family doctors and a new nurse-in-practice program.

Establishing and recruiting practitioners to new practice ready primary care centres, including placing internationally educated doctors from the Practice Ready Assessment program and recruiting nurse practitioners.

Setting up specialized community care teams for the frail elderly, patients who are medically complex, and people with mental health and substance use concerns.




Photo: Parks Canada

Work continues to clear a rock slide on the Trans-Canada Highway that closed the route for days near Field.

The road has since reopened to single-lane alternating traffic, but will be closed for two hours today, starting at noon, for rock blasting.

In addition, expect periodic closures of up to one hour between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Two workers were injured the slide last week in Yoho National Park while drilling holes to place explosives during rock scaling work, and two pieces of heavy equipment were partially buried in the rubble.

An alternate route to Alberta is available via Highway 95 and Highway 93, and a local paved detour is in place with a reduced speed limit, DriveBC reports.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Executives at a pipeline company say their goal is to restart the line as early as this weekend after an explosion and fire shut down gasoline shipments to millions across the South.

The deadly explosion sparked a geyser of fire Monday and closed off the vital pipeline, raising fears of another round of gas shortages and price increases. It's Colonial Pipeline's second accident and shutdown in two months.

Continuing fires in the drought-stricken area of central Alabama hampered officials' efforts to fully assess the damage Tuesday afternoon, and firefighters built an earthen berm to contain the burning fuel.

The accident happened when a dirt-moving machine struck the pipeline, ignited gasoline and sparked a blast Monday, killing one worker and injuring five others, the Georgia-based company said.

Four of the injured remained hospitalized, Colonial spokesman Bill Berry said Tuesday afternoon in nearby Helena, Alabama. UAB Hospital, where the injured were treated, declined to release information on them, citing requests by their families for privacy.

Another worker was treated for less severe injuries and released from a hospital, Berry said.

As much as 168,000 gallons of gasoline could have burned, spilled, evaporated or remained in the pipeline, the company said.

The explosion happened a few miles from where the pipeline sprung a leak and spilled 252,000 to 336,000 gallons of gasoline in September. After the leak, the company used one of Colonial's two main lines to move gasoline as it made repairs, but it still led to days of dry pumps and higher gas prices in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas while repairs were made.

Contractors were working on repairs related to the September leak when gasoline ignited and spread fire to the pipeline, the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration said Tuesday.

The nine-member crew was using a track hoe to excavate the pipeline so permanent repairs from the September leak could be made, Colonial Pipeline executive Gerald Beck said.

The pipeline provides nearly 40 per cent of the region's gasoline and usually runs at or near full capacity. Together, Colonial's two lines carry more than 2 million barrels of fuel a day.

By mid-day Tuesday, Colonial Pipeline said it was able to restart the second of its two main lines, which carries diesel and jet fuel.
Photo: Facebook

A Washington state mother is charged with giving her three small children heroin after a boy told investigators his mother used a needle to inject him and his sisters with "feel good medicine" to help them sleep.

State Child Protective Services investigators became involved after receiving a report of heroin use at the Spanaway home 24-year-old Ashlee Hutt shared with the children's father, Mac Leroy McIver. The children, ages 6, 4 and 2, were removed from the home last year.

The Pierce County Prosecutor's Office says Hutt was charged Monday with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance to a child, criminal mistreatment and child assault. McIver was charged with the same crimes in September.

Online court records show both Hutt and McIver remain in custody. Their lawyers didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A Pakistani prosecutor says a court has dismissed a bail plea from National Geographic's famed green-eyed 'Afghan Girl,' arrested a week ago over allegedly forged ID papers.

Sharbat Gulla has denied the charges, insisting she didn't fraudulently obtain Pakistani nationality.

Prosecutor Mohsin Dawar says the court dismissed the plea Wednesday, citing lack of evidence to prove Pakistani citizenship.

Gulla gained worldwide fame in 1984 as an Afghan refugee 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 Afghanistan in 2002.

She surfaced in Pakistan in 2014, but went into hiding when authorities accused her of buying a fake Pakistani identity card.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has promised to release Gulla on bail.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A speedboat carrying Indonesian workers home from Malaysia capsized in stormy weather on Wednesday, and police said at least 20 people were killed.

About 90 people were on the boat, which capsized off the Indonesian island of Batam at about 5 a.m., said the island's police chief, Sambudi Gusdian. He said searchers had rescued 39 people, and a child under the age of 5 was among the bodies taken to a local hospital.

Police suspect the trip was illegal and the workers were undocumented because of the high fares that passengers said they paid.

Gusdian said an Indonesian woman believed to be responsible for the voyage was arrested as she tried to leave Batam for nearby Singapore.

Haryanto, a 51-year-old survivor, said the boat capsized in heavy rain and high waves about two hours after it left Johor Bahru in Malaysia. He also said the boat was overcrowded.

"It was so crowded, some of us could not sit," said Haryanto, who was saved by fishermen after swimming for about two hours. Like many Indonesians, he goes by one name.

A police helicopter and more than a dozen boats were involved in the rescue effort.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Nevada already has legal brothels, round-the-clock casinos and a coy catchphrase declaring that "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." If voters approve, the state could soon add another vice in the form of recreational marijuana.

A proposal on the Nov. 8 state ballot would legalize pot, and entrepreneurs hope its passage could someday allow the drug at Las Vegas' glamorous nightclubs and perhaps provide the framework for a future Amsterdam-style cannabis district.

"I really think this would be the third-largest market in the country," said Derek Peterson, whose company operates marijuana dispensaries called Blum. He predicts that only California and New York would offer a bigger customer base than Las Vegas and its 42 million tourists a year. "I think it should be able to fit in really well with the whole dayclub/nightclub thing."

Nevada has allowed medical marijuana since 2000, and Peterson sees recreational pot as an alternative for visitors tired of cocktails that can top $15 apiece and inflict hangovers. But before waitresses begin delivering high-grade marijuana at clubs along the Las Vegas Strip, weed proponents will have to win over not just voters, who narrowly support the initiative in polls, but a risk-averse casino industry.

The Nevada Resort Association came out against the measure, pointing to an opinion from gambling regulators that casino owners should avoid the marijuana industry because the substance remains illegal under federal law.

In spite of its libertine reputation, the rigorously regulated casino industry is known to err on the conservative side to avoid scandalizing the middle-aged tourists who are its bread and butter.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Authorities apprehended a man Wednesday suspected in the early morning killings of two Des Moines area police officers who were shot to death while sitting in their patrol cars in what authorities described as separate ambush-style attacks.

Officers from the Dallas County Sheriff's Office and Iowa State Patrol took 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene into custody and were taking him to Des Moines, police said.

His arrest came about eight hours after the killings of the two officers.

Des Moines Sgt. Paul Parizek told CNN that he had few details about the circumstances of Greene's capture, but that Greene was on foot on a roadway at the time and was alone when he was taken into custody.

Police responded to a report of shots fired at 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot. Authorities from several agencies saturated the area after that shooting, and about 20 minutes later discovered that a Des Moines officer who had responded to the initial killing had been shot in a patrol car at an intersection, Parizek said. The shootings happened less than 2 miles apart and both took place along main streets that cut through residential areas.

"There's somebody out there shooting police officers. We hope to find him before somebody else gets hurt," Parizek said at an early morning news conference, during which he stopped briefly as he worked to control his emotions.

The shootings follow a spate of police killings, including ambushes of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Five officers were killed in Dallas on July 7 and three were killed later that month in Baton Rouge.

Des Moines and Urbandale Police later said they had identified Greene as a suspect in the killings, describing him as armed and dangerous.

Parizek said investigators determined Greene was a suspect through "a series of leads and investigative tips."

Police described Greene, of Urbandale, as white, 5' 11" and 180 lbs with brown hair and green eyes.

"There is a clear and present danger to police officers," Parizek said. He said officers were conducting patrols in pairs for protection.

Urbandale Sgt. Chad Underwood said he believes this is the first time an officer in his department has been shot in the line of duty.
Environment Canada has issued a heavy snowfall warning for the Rogers Pass.

The warning is in effect on Highway 1 between Eagle Pass and Rogers Pass with meteorologist predicting 15 to 20 centimetres of snow.

Environment Canada writes that a pacific frontal system is expected to bring snow, heavy at times, to the area.

The snow is expected to change to rain this afternoon with total accumulation of 10 to 20 cm forecast, writes Environment Canada.

Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions. Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.

For more information on driving in winter conditions, click here.

For up to date details on highway conditions and road closures check DriveBC.

You can also monitor Environment Canada for alerts, warnings and updated forecasts.

For your local weather forecast click here.
Photo: CTV

Classes are cancelled today at Abbotsford Senior Secondary and will remain closed until further notice, following a stabbing incident Tuesday that killed one student and injured another.

The Abbotsford School District released a statement Tuesday night saying teams have been deployed to provide support for staff and students.

"We are a very caring community and when one of us hurts, we all do," the statement said.

Provincial Education Minister Mike Bernier and B.C. Premier Christy Clark also shared their condolences online.

"This is so heartbreaking. Thinking of the families and friends of those involved tonight," Clark tweeted.

One female student is dead, and another in hospital in stable condition.

Abbotsford police Chief Bob Rich says a young man is in custody, and it appears he is not a student at the school.

Officers were called at 2:05 p.m. Tuesday and arrived at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School to find two female students with stab wounds.

School staff had subdued the suspect while teachers and other students were administering first aid to the victims, Rich said.

"I am so sorry to tell you now that one of the students has succumbed to her injuries," Rich told media Tuesday night.

Both Abbotsford Senior Secondary and Abbotsford Middle Secondary School were locked down while police searched for additional suspects, but none were found.

Police have not yet confirmed the suspect's identity and it's not yet clear whether the suspect knew the victims, Rich says.

"Who he is, what was driving him, is very much a matter for investigators at this time," he says.

The Integrated Homicide Investigations Team is taking over the case.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Bill Cosby's eyesight has deteriorated to the point where he can no longer identify his accusers in photographs or otherwise help with his own defence, his lawyers said Wednesday as they waged a multipronged effort to get the sexual assault case against the 79-year-old comedian thrown out.

His attorneys also portrayed Cosby as political pawn who is being prosecuted only because a suburban Philadelphia district attorney used the public furor over the comic to get elected last year.

And they renewed their argument that Cosby's lurid 2005 deposition from a related lawsuit should not be admitted at his trial, saying he answered questions under oath only after being assured he would not be charged with a crime.

Cosby leaned back in his chair as his lawyers made their case to a judge at the pretrial hearing.

The "Cosby Show" star once known as America's Dad is scheduled to go on trial in June on charges he drugged and molested Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee, at his home in 2004. He could get 10 years in prison.

Cosby has said the encounter was consensual. He is free on $1 million bail.

Dozens of additional accusers have come forward, including 13 women whom prosecutors want to call as witnesses at the trial to show that they were drugged and molested in similar fashion. Cosby's lawyers are fighting that strategy.

Defence attorney Angela Agrusa argued that prosecutors unfairly prejudiced Cosby by waiting a decade to pursue Constand's complaint. Agrusa said the comic has vision and memory problems.

"In the materials they turned over, the photographs, Mr. Cosby cannot look at a photograph or any evidence and help his counsel or explain who those people are," she said.

Prosecutors have said they are not yet sure of the extent of Cosby's vision problems. But the defence calls him legally blind.

Prosecutors reopened Cosby's case last year after portions of his deposition from a lawsuit brought by Constand a decade ago were made public. In them, Cosby acknowledged a series of extramarital affairs and said he had obtained quaaludes in the 1970s to give to women he wanted to have sex with.

Cosby's lawyers said he underwent questioning only after then-District Attorney Bruce Castor promised he would never face arrest in the Constand case.

Cosby's attorneys are using that supposed promise to try to get the case thrown out or, failing that, to keep the deposition from being used at his trial.

They are also focusing on the campaign battle between Castor and the current district attorney, Kevin Steele, in last year's election in Montgomery County. Steele ran press releases and TV commercials attacking Castor for not prosecuting Cosby.

Steele made Cosby a "pawn in that election," Agrusa argued.

"His cause celebre became attacking Mr. Cosby, stating publicly that his opponent had not been aggressive enough, had not done his job," she said. "And now he's in a situation where he's got to act on it."
Charges of murder and aggravated assault have been laid against a man in his early 20s over a stabbing attack at an Abbotsford high school that left one girl dead and another injured.

Court records show Gabriel Klein has been charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault.

Klein appeared in Abbotsford Provincial Court on Wednesday.

Police and school-district officials have said they believe the attack was a random act of violence against the two teenage girls and they don't believe the victims knew their attacker.

Police said a barefoot man walked into the school on Tuesday afternoon while classes were in session and attacked the girls.

School district Supt. Kevin Godden said there's no indication the accused knew the teenage girls.

"What I can tell you is that he is not a student of this school now."

The site of the stabbing, Abbotsford Senior Secondary School, remained closed Wednesday so police could maintain the integrity of the investigation, Godden said.

He praised the school's staff for their actions under a very difficult situation.

"What I will say was in the middle of this horrific situation they stopped this individual, first by just yelling at him and then the staff converged on him and got him. The knife fell from his hands and they got him to take a seat while they held him in some restraint and then provided first aid to the students, who were obviously hurt."

Every school in the Abbotsford district had locked all but one of its doors on Wednesday, in what Godden called a precautionary measure.

Officials were expected to make a decision later in the day about when the school would reopen.

There is a video circulating of the stabbing, and Godden asked those sharing it to please stop.

"This video is a trigger to trauma, not only for our students and our community but for any person that has been involved in a traumatic incident."

Police also asked that the video not be shared further.
Photo: The Canadian Press

The shell of Gawker has settled with Hulk Hogan for $31 million, ending a years-long fight that led to the media company's bankruptcy, the shutdown of Gawker.com and the sale of Gawker's other sites to Spanish-language broadcaster Univision.

Gawker founder Nick Denton in a Wednesday blog post said that the "saga is over."

The invasion-of-privacy case, which revolved around a sex tape posted on Gawker.com, resulted in a $140 million verdict won by the former professional wrestler in a Florida court. It became even more notorious when it emerged that Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel had secretly bankrolled the suit. Thiel was outed as gay by a Gawker-owned website in 2007.

The settlement instead means Hogan will get $31 million as well as 45 per cent of the proceeds from potential sale of Gawker.com, said Elizabeth Traub, a spokeswoman for Hogan's lawyer, David Houston. Gawker.com is dormant but its archives remain online.

Houston said in an emailed statement that "all parties have agreed it is time to move on."

Denton said in the Wednesday post that he was confident that an appeals court would have reduced the $140 million verdict, but "an all-out war with Thiel would have cost too much, and hurt too many people, and there was no end in sight...Gawker's nemesis was not going away." Thiel has said he would support Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, "until his final victory."

Denton also said Wednesday that as part of the settlement, three "true stories"  about Hogan and two others who had also filed suit  are being "removed from the web." Univision, which bought Gawker Media's other sites for $135 million, has already deleted several posts from the properties it now owns, which include tech blog Gizmodo and women-oriented site Jezebel, because they were tied to litigation.

Denton himself also had to file for personal bankruptcy because of the Florida court's verdict. Court documents filed Wednesday said there have been settlement talks between Gawker and Denton as well, although they have not reached a final settlement.
Photo: Google Street View

One man has been seriously injured in a stabbing on Vancouver Island.

RCMP say the 51-year-old Port Alberni man was in a McDonald's restaurant in that city about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday when he was repeatedly stabbed.

The unnamed victim has been airlifted to a hospital in Victoria and is listed in serious but stable condition.

Cpl. Amelia Hayden says the 25-year-old suspect escaped, but was taken into custody about two hours later.

He is expected to appear in court on Thursday.

Hayden says investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the stabbing or whether the two men knew each other.
Photo: Google Street View

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team will lead the investigation into the death of a 53-year-old man in Maple Ridge, Tuesday.

The body, identified as Bradley Allan Nielsen of Maple Ridge, was discovered inside a scrap yard on Lougheed Highway.

Police say he suffered injuries consistent with foul play. They wouldn't elaborate as to the extent of those injuries.

He was last seen alive about 6 p.m. Halloween night.

Police have yet to determine a motive, but said evidence indicates it was a targeted act.

One lane on Lougheed Highway remains closed to maintain the security of the crime scene. The scrap yard is large in size, and it's not known how long it will take for investigators to process the scene.

We need to identify Mr. Nielsens associates to establish more background knowledge ... and ask that anyone who knew Mr. Nielsen, or may have information about Mr. Nielsens murder to contact police," said Cpl. Meghan Foster.

Anyone with information is asked to contact IHIT at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448), or by email at mailto:[email protected] Remain anonymous by calling CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Photo: The Canadian Press

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says home sales plunged 38.8 per cent last month compared with October 2015.

The board said 2,233 properties were sold in October of this year, down from the 3,646 home sales recorded in the same month last year.

Board president Dan Morrison said changing market conditions combined with a series of government interventions in the real estate market contributed to the decline.

"Potential buyers are taking a wait-and-see approach to try and better understand what these changes mean for them," he said in a statement Wednesday.

"While sales are down across the different property types, it's the detached market that's seen the largest reduction in home buyer demand in recent months," Morrison said.

Both the B.C. and federal governments have brought in a number of measures to address soaring housing costs, particularly in Metro Vancouver.

In August, the provincial government implemented a 15 per cent tax for foreign nationals buying residential property in Metro Vancouver in a bid to stabilize the area's housing prices, which have been among the highest in North America.

Last month, the composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver was $919,300  a 24.8 per cent increase compared to October 2015, but a 0.8 per drop from September of this year.
These days the idyllic setting of the Okanagan's many orchards belies the turmoil bubbling just below the surface of the Okanagan fruit industry.

After a dispute broke out between Kirpal Boparai, President of the BC Fruit Growers Association (BCFGA) and the Okanagan Tree Fruit Cooperative (OTFC), membership from both sides appear to be split, along with the many growers they represent.

Photo: Grant Scott Apple growers in the Okanagan expect to benefit from this year's crop failure in Eastern Canada.

On Thursday, November 1, the Okanagan Tree Fruit Cooperative's new board of directors named Alan Tyabji as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Tyabji replaces Gary Schieck, who was abruptly removed from the post, along with Operations Manager Rod Vint prior to the announcement.

"It's a board decision," says Tyabji. "I was asked whether or not I would step in because Gary was leaving the organization."

He held various positions within the cooperative including General Manager from January 1995 until 2008, when the two existing cooperatives in the Okanagan amalgamated and Tyabji was appointed joint Chief Executive Officer of the OTFC.

The change at the top was preceded by the OTFC AGM on October 23, which saw Vice President Jack Machial and board member Sam Di Maria fail in their re-election bid.

Instead, Gordon Hahn, a Grower from Oliver and Kamlesh Parmar, a Grower in Kelowna, were elected to the board.

Rob Dawson was re-elected as President, a position he has held since 2011. Colin Pritchard, who has served as a board director since 2011 was elected as Vice President for the North Region. Nirmal Dhaliwal, a board member since 2010 is now the Vice President of the South Region.

The AGM also heard from orchardist and former director Glen Cross, who urged the organization to take action against the BC Fruit Growers Association (BCFGA) and stop funding the organization until president Kirpal Boparai is removed from his post.

Photo: Grant Scott Some orchardists claim they have not a profit in recent years.

Tyabji says that issue was not discussed at Thursday's meeting because it wasn't on the agenda.

On Thursday October 4, the OTFC announced that Boparai no longer has a contract or membership with the cooperative and that they will not accept any of his fruit.

At the time, Boparai argued that he and other growers are fed up with OTFC and that he has no choice but to sell his fruit where he sees fit.

It was Boparai's decision not to honour the contract with the OTFC that led to the decision to cut ties with the BCFGA President.

The job of mending this rift now falls to Tyabji, who started with the Okanagan Similkameen Cooperative in December 1985.

He aims to do that by taking a grass roots approach through regionalization.

"The benefit of going to regionalization is you get more of a grass roots connection. One of my key priorities is grower relationships. (They) are best achieved when you have a senior person closer to the grower bodies, as opposed to centralized."

Tyabji says he will seek the input of his membership to discover the best way to solve the problems they face.

"I've already put out a letter to all of my growers encouraging them to use a website that I set up called [email protected] I'm soliciting their comments about things they have a concern with and also I'm asking them for their solutions to the problem."

Tyabji says he will use the information to identify the issues facing growers and determine a solution to them.

One of those issues is the growers ability to make a profit, something many orchardists say they haven't done in the last few years.

"Our objective there is to reduce overhead costs. That happens in many areas. We have properties that are currently being positioned for sale. When they sell, not only do you bring capital in, which then reduces your interest costs, but it also reduces things like property taxes and insurance."

Higher returns are another key element and Tyabji says that will happen this year because of the crop failure in Eastern Canada.

"It has resulted in a high demand for western fruit, so prices and returns to growers will be quite good. I can't take credit for that but there's tremendous reason for optimism."
If you have just started your journey in an online casino or are looking for a new site to play,...
News / Africa

by Xinhau

KIGALI - Rwanda has released a list of 22 senior French military soldiers it accuses of aiding the planning and execution of the 1994 genocide that claimed about 1 million lives in the central African country.A statement containing details of the alleged French army officers was released on Monday by the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG), in the wake of the reopening of investigations by France into the shooting down of a plane carrying the then president Juvenal Habyarimana, an event widely seen as sparking the genocide.The release of names is likely to further strain the already tense relations between Rwanda and France, according to analysts. In a detailed report issued Monday, CNLG alleges that the named senior French officers were operating in Rwanda at the time of the genocide and reportedly had a direct hand in the killings.Jean Damascene Bizimana, executive secretary of CNLG, said the commission released the dossier following a persistent dissimulation of French responsibility in the genocide."The analysis of the report facts demonstrates that senior French officers and politicians committed very serious crimes in Rwanda. The refusal to end the judicial investigation and pronounce a dismissal against Rwandan leaders who ended the genocide is an attempt of concealing their responsibilities," he said in a statement released to reporters. Earlier this month, Rwandan President Paul Kagame warned that revisiting the case of the plane crash would lead to diplomatic standoff between Rwanda and France and that it would be a "showdown". France's role in the 1994 genocide has for years been the subject of intense scrutiny and much controversy, with both Paris and Kigali trying to pin responsibility of the genocide on each other. Between 2006 and 2009, bilateral relations were completely broken off after a French judge Jean-Louis Bruguiere claimed that top Rwandan officials were involved in the downing of the Habyarimana's plane.While Rwanda has repeat
Opinion / Columnist

BRIEF PREVIEWApparently Africa is not conscious of the global political change processes transitioning in the world. Similarly, just as North America is blind to people behavioural change manifesting inside their countries. These change-factored challenges are by and from angry masses whose anger is on the manner and way the political establishments, namely parties and personalities influential, are and have been blind to common people and middle classes needs over a time period.Whereas North America is supposedly a mature democracy, the tendency for some Banana republican replica is typical in the 2016 American Presidential elections. An unpreceded derogatory verbiage and un forgiving personal attacks have thrown American politics into the substandard level of growing economies where focus is vindictive driven, threat for political punishment on the opponent predisposing countries into political instability and uncertainty unlike a mature democracy. Incidentally it would seem, in the eyes of a novice, as though Russia's Putin is scoring good grounds as a very sober politician directing new world order beginning with the 2016 Presidential electoral processes.Obviously Africa has been less of a headache when it comes to political dictation influence from Russia since she meanders on themes of none-alignment and political freedom from western bondage together with the Russians. Africa has walked through one plight into another with eyes open for lack of understanding international political preferences of her so-called new friends. Africa as a continent does not have stable relationship where candid talks take place except for ingratiation seeking of one leader to another at the expense of good governance and freedoms of citizens in those countries. This is not politically correct in the language of colourful political struggle against the west, which I have ironically grown to label a 'struggle against self discovery'.When Africa at independence drove hard her citizens into literally worshipping so-called liberation heroes and/or nationalists it has and is becoming sickening in every sense of political freedom to reflect and/or think the harm it has cost Africa in terms of lives wastage. This reality is less talked of in the African corridors of power but intensity of control and domination persists. Universities are worst enemies of newly established governments after independence. Opposition political parties are labelled stooges of the west, simply because they propose a difference in approach to political processes, thinking and handling of other people/citizens. There has not yet been a success in changing African political culture into respect for freedoms and accepting change through the power of a ballot box vote. It will finally register to dictators that voting is the most powerful lobbying instrument in a democracy.With China proving to be an up coming economic force in less developed, therefore, politically unstable states of the world, it threatens democracy and human rights compliance in unprecedented ways for African people. Africa due to her inefficiency when it comes to poor employment of resources and less contrivable corruption will be a loser in this game of the Sino-African economic bondage and legal treaties. Yes, Africa could receive much aid from China but that will not change efficiency and transparency which lacks due to encouraged corruption among the top hierarchy in ruling political parties. Poor governance at its worst is always justified as gainful fruits of independence and freedom. Human rights abuse is taken as necessary teething problems in learning to respect black leaders from previous colonial masters. These are just excuses of complete failure and incompetence that saddled African governance legacy.THE CASE FOR PEOPLE CHANGING FROM NATIONALIST POLTICAL CULTURE OUTLOOKAfrican political culture takes off from three traditional premises and dimensions. The first is the assumption that Nationalism was the best weapon to bring smooth changes for political gains for the majority. The second is that where Nationalism failed the employment of a scudo revolutionary approach when liberation fronts are paraded as a success story was accepted as the victory of conquering colonial powers. The third perspectives are that of military coups coming up to replace corrupt political leaders with some equally corrupt military leaders who do not understand the meaning and application of constitution, let alone, the effect of presidential terms as a requisite to fulfilling tenets of democracy.Much of African nationalism borrows from the African traditional systems of Kingdoms and Chieftains. In short, it is not so transparent that African nationalists loved African tradition since they did not follow it religiously and used it only as a convenient. That most post colonial era elections were done prior to having someone appointed as a Leader, in itself alters tradition. Tradition had it that leadership was by virtue of birth in a clan of royalty. The system assumed that the people were subjects to the Chief and showed allegiance and loyalty to him. The electoral systems gave freedom of association and does not condemn opposition as a sign of showing no loyalty or lacking in patriotism. The arresting and detaining therefore of opposition by so called democratically elected leaders, remains a novelty born on a mixture of tradition and extreme individualism based on failure to understand the constitutional parameters.To date, we have political parties and leadership who do not believe that a leader can be picked from a person at the party cell level to assuming national responsibilities. It would appear that the consideration of education, experience and intelligence to master, articulate and translate issues into policies that empathize with the people is least acceptable. A change from mind set of ingratiation and hero worshipping has to be radically applied by reversing trends in grooming of leadership so as to cut our nurturing a mind set of corruption. A language polite and yet friendly to able performers need be encouraged in order to come up with a skills-set appropriate to lead and /or follow yet able to participate in open debate that can contribute to growth and development than retrograding political naivety that lends itself to fertile ground for corruption. To institute controls to a system that has origins of corruption inherent in culture of a people can be hard and torturous.The change in the mind set among Zimbabweans as in Africa is needed to understand leadership from a performance and delivery of issues and policy execution stand point by leadership at any section of the ladder in the community where ever they are. Zimbabweans need now to uncheck the system of seniority in matters of public service where vote is used based on performance and capacity of an individual than loyalty to party affiliations irrespective of incompetence and lacking in performance.No doubt we may be good talkers but not necessarily executors of practical policies on good human relations, ability to tolerate without being upset and give up as though there it is promised that someone else would repair the damage and further exacerbate social harmony for disunity, blame and lack of cooperation. Tolerance is an important tool for democracy as it is to the rule of law in order to achieve and allow for execution of justice. Tolerance is a tool borne on skills-set and knowledge of leadership among and with the people apart from having an understanding of the constitutional rights citizens have before the court of law.Unlike in Zimbabwe and many other African countries as well as in some developed countries too,where jury by default rests with the police officer hence the culture of corruption, Zanu government appeased voters at the expense of the application of the rule of law in the delivery of justice to every citizen irrespective of their status. Implicitly Mr. Mugabe, the Executive President, is the supreme constitution in Zimbabwe. He can rule without questions from the legislature or from the Judiciary except ineffective noise by some opposition individuals. Beyond Mr. Robert Mugabe is none other practically who can untie certain judiciary decisions turned political. Even though the law refers to national courts as final abettors when it comes to legal proceedings and verdicts, it is common sense that Presidents in Africa become everything and often judges cannot reach a decision without reference to the presidents. Read the Human Rights writings on Zimbabwe and all the crimes that evaded courts but were passed to the President of the country who warned against violation of the same by any judge. Judiciary interference is a rampant act of the presidency in Zimbabwe so is the appointment of judges and some positions within the civil service.Zimbabweans outside the country must now grapple with the narrative of substituting fear of Mr. Mugabe as a dictator and as a system, replacing it with the need to find freedom and express it openly in order to liberate others by seeing liberation actions. That radio and TV stations are guarded against what they can broadcast signals decay and a political rot that should be taken out of the heart and minds of citizens replacing it with the passion of what is right based on understanding of the constitution and simple rules of law and order. The privilege of being abroad for those abroad is to learn from seeing fairness served at its best as justice delivered without interference from any institutions within the separation of power framework, namely, from either the presidency or the legislature.Countries where Zimbabweans preside offer the best practices in learning by observing how social justice is delivered. It begins with how we are inducted into citizenship and/or granted refugees status in these nations. Learning by doing or being in the act teaches far greater than how we may have been treated in our countries of birth. But then it should teach us to be better people who aim to fine tune governance practices in Zimbabwe. Inevitably we see the gross negligence the government of Zimbabwe has done and the miscarriage of justice meted upon many citizens of Zimbabwe by the hierarchy of Zanu Political party while prophesying to be a people liberation movement party. We see the contrast between buttering people with sticks and the discipline given through the processes prescribed in statutes books. We learn first hand differences between abuse and torture from uncompromising regimes of terror. We cannot deny the fear trauma that sits in many people of African originWe have to learn the language of building cooperation among ourselves distancing ourselves from the oldest culture of despising others through words reconciliatory seeking friendship encouraging cooperation and harmony as people with a common cause. We are yet to learn communicating to find a solution than communicate to find fault. One cannot say that we should not make observation on what is wrong, but to caution that good leadership need to be encouraging others on best methods of condemning that are educational and corrective than impunitive. We concede to the fact that Mr Mugabe regime has taught youth to be provocative to the elderly using their position of trust from the party which is abuse than instructional. Mr. Mugabe's party has emphasised the use of force to invite cooperation for survival sake than for the love and passion of what is being offered. Wrong approaches to people who claim superiority by virtue of holding a Zany political party card has evoked bad feelings and at worst anger.While outside the scene of hate action and abuse by Mr. Mugabe police force, we urge each other to learn to forgive and take on to the best methods of politicizing a situation for the good of everyone in the community irrespective of political or religious and tribal affiliation and heritage. The concept of the flag is one good example any Zimbabwean can use to see common good that should get us united together and see common good for willingness to sacrifice. Creation of jobs is a skill that require government broad policy blessings as motivation to many more doing the same. Learning each other even though we are from the same country takes time, so encouraging people to talk to each other in order to learn values in each other helps destroy bridges built on tradition of tribal animosity, as an example. Denial of the fact that these negatives exist can be an enemy from within the destroys our efforts to form common ground for the common good.Common good when it reaches maturity level through interactive social fellowship it removes fear of who we are and contributes towards the goodwill of being able to sport talents among each other irrespective of one traditional beliefs, tribe or colour. There is no short cut to knowing each other as the cement that builds foundation for social harmony and political trust required among people of one country, not only one political party. It is a fact that Zanu itself was born on divisive tendencies that broke it several times, without a through strategy for correction, resulting in the nasty fracture in the party in 2014. No doubt Mr. Mugabe by his failure to be transparent on issues such as succession had sown seeds of doubt and bad faith. The language in a democracy is for Presidential terms which schedule duration of one staying in power grooming others to prepare for take over through simply a campaign moderated by votes.Teaching people to respect law and follow rules is both an act of teaching and through observation. Mr. Mugabe and his surrogates unbeknown to them taught more of fear since they forced people to support Zanu and say only good thing about Zanu and all Party leaders especially on Mr. Mugabe himself. This has taught both grown ups and young growing the spirit of anger from frustration of failing to express an opinion unless you leave the country. Political reprisals of ordinary people made the ordinary people lose their faith in the party and the good will in the liberation struggle or at least those who claimed to have championed it. These are strong pillars in our building a communication narrative that Zanu abused resulting at where we are today. We have to begin by acknowledging the wrongs in order to correct them. Zanu has failed to be a judge and a jury at the same time and therefore needs to be open to debate and open to transparent voting which she has resisted with every measure of force and sawing violence in youths.While common ground on wrongs exists by majority looks of anxiety inside Zimbabwe there is extreme hardships to get common language narrative that goes beyond individuals to seek people performances and competencies. Mitigating against this good will development is the fear factor based on the callous abuse of people, abduction and beatings that occur openly in police video that have had their circulations on the U-tube. Without denial, Zanu is paranoid about opposition and opposition is paranoid about survival tactics from Zanu. The solution lies in the Diaspora learning the common language narrative so home can clandestinely emulate and take a position to act on it and not bound by who should lead but by common narrative in our defining of an enemy of the people within and without our camps and existence.Our narrative has to be so strong that people can resonate to when they are alone at their rural homes far away from civilization of town lights therefore oppression of the regime Control over rural is possible through ignorance and fear from lack of information by either both radio and news paper media circulating. Zanu stopped circulation of newspapers in rural areas almost thirty years ago. In town people cannot gather in groups without attracting law enforcement agents. We are like deranged people without a language except rely on fear in order to remain safe. Zanu carrying random beatings of people especially during elections is an experience that drive many more and more people leaving the country in thousands year in and out.We have built resilience to survive and not to fight back, not as yet because of Zanu surrogates they have tried even planting abroad. But abroad they have no force of legitimacy except threatening to take rehearsals on relations back home. In deed such strategy worked at the beginning but it is wearing out. Faith in who we are and how to communicate is picking up. Increasing efforts at structuring a common language narrative beyond artificial boundaries is emanating strong, no doubt we are counting on time. People no longer fear from abroad to talk against ills perpetrated home by a sick regime. This would not happen ten years ago.As we get to know each other so shall we be able to select men of goodwill who will take the country back to the people of Zimbabwe. Tis is a conscious effort on the part of all of us, even members of Zanu or members of the army or police because evil is a cancer, soon you will be a victim.SUMMARY OF CONCLUDING REMARKS.The traditional political culture abuses the patriarchal system and uses it for the benefit of incompetent corrupt leaders who neither follow the constitution nor know what it spells out in how to handle matters of grievances in governance. Subsequently we have a system that prophesie to be a democracy while never allowing open debate or choice of the people on leadership except persons verted by the hierarchy in the political leadership.Two things remain a constraint to the smooth operational strength of multi parties on the African continent. Firstly, the lack of understanding and conceptualizing of the constitutional limits and strength therefore having no faith in leadership concepts like succession, conceding defeat during and after elections. Secondly, the failure to accept rigorous debate openly to influence decision making among the masses is rife contributing to fears of governments rigging of the elections. Even abroad you rarely hear of a retired official refugee from Africa speaking strong on execution of justice.Tradition has been used as an excuse by tyrants who do not want to allow peace on the continent but want to retain power for the duration of their life. Education on human values and sensitivity of life have to be taught from primary schooling to University education coupled with the justice of knowing rights of people by the people. Rule of law associated with the Magna Carta in anxiety British historical times has not been properly digested by many Africans scholars and leaders to deserve dying for defending it when they assume leadership, hence the too much experimentation with matters central to good governance collapsing governments into reign of tyranny by tyrants.A new crop of people is born out of frustrations of establishments' insensitivity to law and order and rule of law in bringing about good governance to a country and her people uplifting it. The purpose of this article is to encourage learning of a new language not by accident from force of external threats but by volition to bring an amicable ending transitioning a democracy. I have faith in the case of Zimbabwe that learning to move from current brutality mentality to orderly government need a transitional arrangement based on the fact than love for life than for riches run the hold on any new governmentZimbabwe like many of her sister African states need to be born again. What are you doing to lay down a brick in the new building process soon to begin? Think deep and strong to be part to the solution irrespective of your location.
Cemtech's 25th Anniversary Conference & Exhibition

ICR Research By

Published 02 November 2016

Cement professionals from over 40 nations gathered at The Westin Palace, Madrid, to celebrate Cemtechs 25th Anniversary on 18-21 September. Following major events staged in Dubai and Manila earlier this year, this final celebration marked another successful year of growth for the industrys leading independent cement conference.

Cemtech conferences now span the globe, with annual events in Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia and the Americas. Yet the world into which Cemtech was launched in Prague, back in 1991, is almost unrecognisable to the one we live in now: politically and economically so much has changed and the last decade especially has radically reshaped the cement industry.

Welcoming delegates to Cemtech, Thomas Armstrong, managing editor of International Cement Review (ICR), addressed the last 25 years of change in the cement sector, contrasting the formidable growth of China and Asia with the turn in fortune for Europe, notably since the global financial crisis.

Western Europes share of world consumption, which stood at 16 per cent back in 1991, has now fallen to just three per cent, while volumes have contracted by 46 per cent over the same period. These changes have had profound consequences for a number of countries and transformed the international corporate landscape.

In his opening address to the conference on behalf of the Spanish Cement Association (Oficemen), Isidoro Miranda, CEO of LafargeHolcim Espana, went on to describe the grave challenges facing the Spanish cement sector, which saw its own construction sector free fall from 2008. Cement consumption has subsequently dropped from 49Mt in 2008 to 11.5Mt in 2015.

Were not looking for a future, were looking for a present. Were in a struggle to survive, explained Mr Miranda. The situation remains challenging with a lack of government investment still insufficient to offset the weakness of the private sector.

Nevertheless, the industry is taking steps to counter the situation. Exports have steadily risen to nearly 10Mta, helping to sustain domestic utilisation rates. Furthermore, according to the next speaker, Cesar Bartolome Munoz, R&D manager at the Spanish Institute of Cement and its Applications (IECA), the industry has launched a new initiative to support the cement sector entitled Crecimenta 2030. The plan provides recommendations for promoting national consumption and hopes to persuade the government to raise infrastructure investment levels and lift cement demand to 30Mt in the long term. Even so, it will still be necessary for the industry to restructure and rationalise the existing production base.

The deep structural changes that Spain is facing as a country are also being reflected in the corporate landscape. Jean-Christophe Lefevre-Moulenqs review of the sectors main European corporates argued that the industry is now in a period of major consolidation and rebuilding from top to bottom, as evidenced by the previously-unthinkable merger of Lafarge and Holcim and acquisition of Italcementi by HeidelbergCement. Its possible, argued Mr Lefevre-Moulenq, that future deals could involve the creation of medium-sized and agile consolidators to counter the super-giants, with Buzzi Unicem, Titan and Cementir identified as potential consolidators.

Global outlook  signs of growth

In a wide-ranging presentation on global consumption trends, John Fraser-Andrews of HSBC expressed a note of optimism in his analysis that many leading indicators in emerging economies have turned positive in 2016, benefitting from an upturn in the commodity cycle and rising oil prices. In the US the market has experienced a mid-digit increase resulting in a positive pricing environment. In Europe the outlook is also positive, as demand growth looks set to exceed capacity growth in 2017 for the first time since 2013, which will sustain the first meaningful increase in capacity utilisation since 2010.

Extending this coverage, Hina Choksy Evans, ICRs senior economist, presented ICRs new global forecast model and how it could be used to forecast consumption in countries experiencing crises, including Britain after Brexit and post-coup Turkey. On a global level, sub-Saharan Africa was identified as one of the key future growth regions going forward.

Addressing climate change

The keynote presentation at Cemtech was delivered by Bernard Mathieu, head of sustainability at LafargeHolcim and representative of the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI). Taking the theme Addressing climate change Mr Mathieu argued that reducing carbon emissions remains a key priority for the cement industry, but that efforts will need to be intensified going forward. At the recent Climate Change conference in Paris in 2015 the cement industry committed to new targets to continue reducing CO 2 emissions, with the overall objective of carbon neutrality by 2050. For LafargeHolcim this means accelerating the rate at which it reduced CO 2 /t cementitious product from 0.95 per cent to 1.1 per cent per annum.

Carbon pricing will play a major role and is expected to rise steeply: in France the current government is pushing for a price trajectory starting at 30/t CO 2 in 2020 and rising to 100/t CO 2 in 2030.

Looking towards new markets

The fall in consumption in Europe has caused regional cement players to look further afield for new areas of growth. A presentation by Francesco Brambilla, HeidelbergCement (Germany), explored the pros and cons of Africa, where high growth potential and elevated prices are balanced against the emerging threat of overcapacity in a challenging business environment.

One company that has committed to Africa in recent years is Limak Group (Turkey), which has commenced cement production in Mozambique and is in the process of setting up a grinding mill in Cote dIvoire.

According to Limaks Business Development Director, Erkam Kocakerim, the groups activities on the continent are not just about penetrating the cement sector, but vertically integrating into infrastructure investments, including energy and transportation. Mr Kocakerim has high hopes for the sub-Saharan Africa region, believing it will contribute 10 per cent of incremental global cement demand growth until 2030.

Trade and distribution

Given the growing role of Europe as a major exporter of clinker and cement, with significant flows of product moving from countries such as Turkey, Greece and Spain to north and west Africa, the afternoon session focussed on trade and distribution of cement.

Joel Grau, Marmedsa Chartering, spoke about dry-bulk freight rates, which in 1Q16 were at their lowest level ever, so low in fact that they are hardly covering operating expenditures for shipowners. The situation is, however, helping to maintain lower delivered costs for clinker, cement and inputs such as coal and petcoke.

How to achieve a low-cost terminal design was the topic addressed by Javier Martinez, CEO of GlobBulk Consulting (Spain), an independent company specialised in terminal design and construction formed from what was previously Holcim Tradings projects division. A case study of Cementos Colon in the Dominican Republic illustrated how a cement import operation was progressively upgraded into a bulk cement import terminal (capex: US$1.8m) and then a 0.45Mta clinker grinding station (capex: US$30m).

Karsten Horn of Inform (Germany) concluded the session with a presentation on the role of scheduling software for optimising cement deliveries by rail and road. Such systems can drastically reduce costs as well as provide opportunities for offering premium services to specific customers.

Exhibition

Running throughout the event, the Cemtech Exhibition provided delegates with full access to a range of equipment and service suppliers, while in the evening the exhibition space became the venue for the cocktail reception, offering entertainment and a more relaxed setting for delegates and exhibitors to interact.

Production technologies

The second day of the meeting focussed more intensively on technical themes relating to the manufacture of cement. The keynote technical presentation was provided by Andreas Halbleib, head of cement industrial performance, LafargeHolcim (Switzerland), and was a highlight of the conference.

Mr Halbleib provided a fascinating window into the approach taken to merge the technologies of both companies and ensure that the best practices of each were successfully transferred into the unified LafargeHolcim group, which now counts 213 integrated plants and 100 grinding units in its global portfolio.

Mr Halbleib explained how a Synergy Acceleration Task Force was set up to identify the technical strengths of each group, select the best technology at every stage of the manufacturing process and incorporate the findings within one best practice philosophy. One key deliverable was the creation of a new plant-operating model containing a clear vision of how a plant should be run on a day-to-day basis. Another achievement was the creation of a new advanced process control system, merging the Holcim and Lafarge (LUCIE) systems into an entirely new platform.

Other presentations delved further into specific manufacturing categories. Stefan Seeman, head of grinding at KHD Humbolt Wedag (Germany), investigated the advantages of roller press and ball mill combination grinding systems for energy efficient fine grinding of clinker, limestone and slag. Matthias Dietrich, Sika Services AG, Switzerland, argued for the use of grinding aids to enhance the performance of vertical roller mills. Tests have shown a reduction in specific energy consumption (-4.9 per cent) at the same time as an increase in production (+4.5 per cent) along with other benefits including reduced vibration and water consumption. Fernando Duenas introduced Cemengals newest addition to its portfolio of modular grinding mills, ranging in size from the original 25tph concept to the 100tph mill known as the Extreme Plug&Grind.

Miguel Angel Sanjuan of Spains IECA explored how coal bottom ash generated in coal-fired power plants performs in a similar way to coal fly ash and can be used as a new constituent of common Portland cement.

Carsten Wiedmann, ThermoFisher Scientific, provided an overview of X-ray diffraction and application of combined XRF and XRD technologies in the cement industry, while Fabio Chignoli presented Bedeschis technology for crushing and handling moist and sticky materials, illustrated with a case study from Slantsy cement plant (Russia).

Dean Tosic of Climeon AB, Sweden, presented a new modular and scalable waste heat power generation system, specifically designed for generating electricity from low temperature gases (70-200C) from the preheater and cooler, with a potential application in the European cement sector. A trio of presentations focussed on alternative fuels, including Sharad Thattey, Birla Cement Corp (India), who shared a report on the companys use of alternative fuels, which include rice husks, municipal waste, saw dust, residual fuel oil and carbon black, along with initiatives by the company to ensure sustainable biomass generation to support a targeted TSR rate of 15 per cent at the plant. Neville Roberts, N+P (UK), described the advantages of co-milling Subcoal pellets with bituminous coal or petcoke in a vertical roller mill which is fed direct to the kiln  a convenient solution for producers wishing to burn alternative fuels without capital investment.

Michail Akritopoulos, Cinar (UK), presented alternative fuel case studies illustrating how computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be successfully applied to kiln and calciner design to create optimal combustion environments of enhanced AF utilisation for solid recovered fuels. Meanwhile, Joel Maia of FCT Combustion showed exactly why CFD can be a powerful tool for solving combustion issues in a calciner that was switching its fuel mix from fuel oil to gas.

Peter Hoddinott (UK), independent consultant and former CEO of Lafarge Africa, presented a thought-provoking and inspiring presentation on the long-term challenges facing the cement industry, where the emerging low-carbon economy and public opinion will force the industry towards a more rapid pace of technological innovation. He highlighted evolving mechanical performance of materials, such as ultra-high performance fibre-reinforced concrete, as important developments which will offer society the opportunity to build stronger structures while reducing CO 2 .

Plant tour to Morata de Tajuna (Portland Valderrivas)

Delegates visited the integrated cement plant of Morata de Tajuna, located near Madrid. Owned and operated by Cementos Portland Valderrivas, this large integrated plant produces both grey and white cement. The tour showcased the plants two 3500tpd grey production lines, alternative fuels facilities and impressive restored quarry. Delegates were also given the rare chance to witness a blasting in an active quarry.

Plant optimisation workshop

Enhancing its reputation as the leading provider of technical information to the sector, Cemtech also included a three-day workshop on cement plant optimisation. Led by Dr Michael Clark, ICRs technical consultant, this course took participants through the entire production process from raw material preparation to clinker production and finish grinding, exploring techniques for optimising processes and raising efficiency. Participants received a certificate of completion, as well as a complimentary copy of ICRs Cement Plant Operations Handbook.

25th Anniversary Gala Dinner

Cemtechs 25th Anniversary year was marked by a sumptuous Gala Dinner in the Ballroom of the iconic Palace Hotel. Fine dining with entertainment from some of Madrids leading flamenco groups provided a hugely enjoyable conclusion to Cemtechs 25th Anniversary year.

Visit Cemtech Conferences on Flickr for the full 25th Anniversary gallery
My Tribal Area App: Preview the U.S. Census Bureaus new interactive web tool that provides easy access to tribal and reservation data. My Tribal Area gives demographic and economic statistics, including data on population, jobs, housing, economy and education, on our nations 618 tribal areas using statistics from the American Community Survey. The full launch of the application is tentatively scheduled for this winter.

You can use the feedback form that's available in the app to provide comments and suggestions. An updated release scheduled this winter will make My Tribal Area even more comprehensive, with map images and descriptive legends for each tribal area, as well as estimates that include the years 2011 to 2015. The full launch of the application is tentatively scheduled for this winter.
Study Suggests The Human Brain Is Wired To Negative Stereotypes

Trending News: The Closest We'll Get To A Scientific Explanation For Racism

Why Is This Important?

Because this may lead to a scientific explanation for racism.

Long Story Short

A scientist from University College London has suggested that humans are naturally pre-conditioned to learn negative stereotypes due to the way the human brain is wired after a study that showed prejudices being formed by the anterior temporal pole region of the brain.

Long Story

A fascinating new study has given an insight into how our brain learns prejudice and how easily it can spread.

Research printed in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience by Hugo Spiers, a neuroscientist at University College London, has revealed that the brain reacts more strongly to information about groups that are generally portrayed negatively.

A group of 22 participants were told stories about two fictional social groups  one was generally presented positively and one negatively and two thirds of the information they were given fit the stereotype.

The volunteers brains were then scanned and researchers were able to see frenzied activity in a region of the brain known as the anterior temporal pole as the brain linked news of undesirable traits with a group it already thought of as bad.

However, when the participants were told stories about the group they thought were good people, the anterior temporal pole eased off its activity and another part of the brain, which is used for processing contradictory information started to act.

Hugo Spiers told the Guardian: "Its a bit like learning there are some really nice people working in ISIS. We found a very strong activity in a network of brain areas, in particular the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in detecting anomalies in the world.

The results seem to suggest that humans find it easier to process negative information about groups they already see negatively, and are in fact pre-disposed to think badly of certain groups rather than others.

This, inevitably, leads to a vicious cycle in which people tend to only process bad things about groups they already feel negatively towards  a response that may have started as a protective instinct.

Spiers explained: The negative groups become treated as more and more negative. Negative information may have been more important for your own survival in ancient times. It might be more important to store that in your brain.

The study seems to back up the view that all humans are naturally prone to racism, sexism and other discriminatory behaviors because of the way the brain is wired. It also means that the medias portrayal of certain social groups can have a devastating effect on the way the public see that group.

The intriguing prospect is that we may one day be able to influence that process by interacting with the parts of the brain that make us discriminate, but whether thats a good thing or a creepy road towards mind control is another debate.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question

Could we one day cure prejudice medically?

Disrupt Your Feed

Its good to research the scientific causes of prejudice but very important not to use science as an excuse.

Drop This Fact

According to Stanford University about 75% of whites and Asians demonstrate an implicit bias in favor of white people compared to black people.
Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.

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..Opinion/Wall St. Journal..31 October '16..The Middle East has few bright spots these days, but one is the budding rapprochement between Israel and its Sunni Arab neighbors, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, thanks to shared threats from Iran and Islamic State. Now the Obama Administration may have plans to wreck even that.Israeli diplomats gird for the possibility that President Obama may try to force a diplomatic resolution for Israel and the Palestinians at the United Nations. The White House has been unusually tight-lipped about what, if anything, it might have in mind. But our sources say the White House has asked the State Department to develop an options menu for the Presidents final weeks.One possibility would be to sponsor, or at least allow, a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement construction, perhaps alongside new IRS regulations revoking the tax-exempt status of people or entities involved in settlement building. The Administration vetoed such a resolution in 2011 on grounds that it risks hardening the position of both sides, which remains true.But condemning the settlements has always been a popular way of scoring points against the Jewish state, not least at the State Department, and an anti-settlement resolution might burnish Mr. Obamas progressive brand for his post-presidency.Mr. Obama may also seek formal recognition of a Palestinian state at the Security Council. This would run afoul of Congresss longstanding view that Palestine does not have the internationally recognized attributes of statehood, including a defined territory and effective government, though Mr. Obama could overcome the objection through his usual expedient of an executive action, thereby daring the next President to reverse him.Both actions would be a boon to the bullies in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, while also subjecting Israeli citizens and supporters abroad to new and more aggressive forms of legal harassment. It could even criminalize the Israeli armyand every reservist who serves in iton the theory that it is illegally occupying a foreign state. Does Mr. Obama want to be remembered as the President who criminalized Israeli citizenship?The worst option would be an effort to introduce a resolution at the U.N. Security Council setting parameters for a final settlement between Israel and the Palestinians. The French have been eager to do this for some time, and one option for the Administration would be to let the resolution pass simply by refusing to veto it. Or the U.S. could introduce the resolution itself, all the better to take credit for it.As the old line has it, this would be worse than a crimeit would be a blunder. U.S. policy has long and wisely been that only Israelis and Palestinians can work out a peace agreement between themselves, and that efforts to impose one would be counterproductive. Whatever parameters the U.N. established would be unacceptable to any Israeli government, left or right, thereby destroying whatever is left of a peace camp in Israel.The Palestinians would seize on those parameters as their birthright, making it impossible for any future Palestinian leader to bargain part of them away in a serious negotiation. Arab states would find their diplomatic hands tied, making it impossible to serve as useful intermediaries between Jerusalem and Ramallah. It could refreeze relations with Israel even as they finally seem to have thawed.President Obama may be the last man on earth to get the memo, but after decades of fruitless efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict it might be wiser for the U.S. to step back until the Palestinians recognize that peace cannot be imposed from the outside. If Mr. Obama is still seeking a Middle East legacy at this late stage in his presidency, his best move is do nothing to make it worse.
16 years and counting of talking about whatever catches my fancy. Mostly comics, books, and movies, but there can always be surprises.
Within days of its grand opening on Oct. 27, the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute (TNACI) invites high school science teachers to its new flagship conservation science facility on Thursday, Nov. 3 to share their ideas on how to partner with TNACI to create educational opportunities that complement traditional classroom learning.

During the open house, area educators are invited to meet TNACI staff and tour the conservation institutes sustainably designed building, which is equipped with a teaching lab that can seat up to 48, as well as dedicated laboratories for freshwater research.



Teachers also will be able to participate in a couple of hands-on projects, including activities from Georgia Adopt-A-Stream and Project WET, both of which are interdisciplinary, environmental education programs focusing on innovative, experiential activities encompassing themes of water's physical and chemical characteristics, quantity and quality issues, aquatic wildlife, ecosystems, and management strategies.

TNACIs 14,000-square-foot facility is located on the banks of the Tennessee River just downstream from downtown Chattanooga. In addition to serving as a hub of active conservation efforts to safeguard the Southeasts ecologically rich  yet imperiled  rivers and streams, the new building will serve as a one-of-a-kind science mentoring facility to help inspire and educate the next generation of conservation leaders.

We have so many scientists working with us who can take our educational programs to the next level and provide resources for high schoolers to do in-depth, scientific work, said Erin Durant, TNACIs watershed educator. This new facility gives us the space and the technological resources to be able to do that.



Getting teachers involved

In the months since the groundbreaking for the new building in October 2015, TNACI staff have tried to think of ways to encourage teachers to take advantage of it as an educational resource.



We want to bring all of the areas high school science teachers together at the new TNACI facility to showcase the work we're doing, show them our resources, and let them meet our staff, said Ms. Durant. Then wed like to know how we can work together with teachers to complement what theyre doing in the classroom so that all of the regions students learn about the amazing life found in our rivers.



The hope is that, by showing the full extent of TNACIs work and capabilities, teachers will be inspired to draft coursework that builds upon and is enhanced by the facilitys ongoing conservation initiatives.

Thanks to its connection to EPBs high-speed, Gigabit network, scientists at TNACIs facility and in the field will be able to live stream on-site and interact with students. Durant predicts that functionality will be especially appealing to the visiting instructors.

There are a lot of schools out there that don't have the resources to actually physically come out to the conservation institute facility, she said. I think there will be plenty of opportunities for educators to utilize the live streaming option to interact with TNACI while still being in their home classrooms.



The open house will take place from 2 until 6 p.m. and is free to area educators. Pre-registration is requested at community.tnaqua.org/events/me mber-programs/fall/2016/tnaci- teachers-open-house .

Preserving freshwater: A multi-generational challenge



The rich biodiversity of Southeastern rivers and streams is unparalleled in the temperate world, with more than 1,400 aquatic species  including the vast majority of North Americas fishes, mussels, crayfishes, turtles and salamanders  living within a 500 mile circle of Chattanooga.



That ecological wealth isnt just underwater, though, its also under the radar for many who live here, especially younger residents, Ms. Durant said.



We hope that they learn that this richness is in their backyard and part of their heritage. Then we hope that we both inspire and prepare them to do something to protect it, she said. That's a huge part of our mission  to mentor the next generation of freshwater scientists.



During the first annual Freshwater Youth Summit on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, 40 area high school students will meet with experts from throughout the region, who will teach them about issues such as climate change and poor waste-water treatment that are imperiling the Southeasts treasure trove of aquatic biodiversity. TNACI director Dr. Anna George will deliver a keynote address.

Participating students will receive tutorials in social media promotion, team building, fund raising and other skills directly related to planning and executing a community freshwater conservation program. Theyll also hear from other teens who have completed conservation projects.



By the time they leave, students will have developed a plan for a program that they can put into action in their own communities.



Theyre the next generation of environmental stewards, Ms. Durant said. They won't take care of these natural treasures if they don't know about them, and they wont know how to take care of them if we dont provide the encouragement and leadership.



The summit will last from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pre-registration is required and will be available starting in December. Each student will receive lunch and a swag bag with reusable items as part of their admission packet.

For more information about TNACI, its new facility and its conservational initiatives, visit www.tnaqua.org/protect-freshwa ter . Follow the institute on social media via www.facebook.com/TennesseeAqua riumConservationInstitute or www.twitter.com/tnacigogreen.


For the third year in a row, the estimated number of uninsured people in Tennessee dropped, according to a report released today by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research, which is housed in the Haslam College of Business.

The percentage of uninsured people in Tennessee5.5 percentis the lowest in the past 20 years.

This year's survey shows that the uninsured rate for adults decreased from 8.2 percent in 2015 to 6.6 percent in 2016.

The numbers are part of the "The Impact of TennCare: A Survey of Recipients, 2016," a report authored by LeAnn Luna, a Boyd Center and accounting professor, and Angela Thacker, a Boyd Center research associate. The annual report looks at the health insurance status of Tennessee residents, and collects information about recipients' use of medical facilities and gauges the extent of their satisfaction with services received.

This year's survey indicates that 92 percent of respondents reported satisfaction with the TennCare program. This marks the eighth year in a row that satisfaction levels have exceeded 90 percent.

"We are pleased to learn that the satisfaction rate continues to reflect the mission of our organization which is to improve lives through high-quality cost-effective care," said Dr. Wendy Long, deputy commissioner of Health Care Finance and Administration and director of the Bureau of TennCare. "The results of this annual study show a general improvement in access to health care across the state but we know that more work can be done."

A 5 percent decrease in the percentage of people who cited affordability as a reason for not obtaining health insurancefrom 90 percent in 2015 to 85 percent in 2016. A notable increase in uninsured respondents reporting that they do not need health insurancefrom 19 percent in 2015 to 30 percent in 2016. A decrease from 6 percent to 3 percent among TennCare heads of households who first sought treatment at a hospital rather than a doctors office or a clinic. Other highlights from this years survey include:

The survey, which interviewed approximately 5,000 heads of households by telephone between May and July 2016, is a regular follow-up to previous surveys conducted since 1993.

The Boyd Center conducted the survey under contract with the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration.
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...
Rhonda Crawford

The state Supreme Court late Monday afternoon suspended the law license of former law clerk and current Cook County judicial candidate Rhonda Crawford and enjoined her from taking the oath of office should she win her election.

The high courts order is final until the justices say otherwise  meaning Crawford will be unable to practice law or serve as a circuit judge until the proceedings before the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission run their course.

The one-page order from the Supreme Court is brief, saying Crawford is being suspended under Rule 774. That rule allows for interim suspensions of attorneys and judges while criminal or disciplinary charges are pending.

The court may make such orders and impose such conditions of the interim suspension as it deems necessary to protect the interests of the public and the orderly administration of justice, the rule says in part.

The move is a complete rebuke to Crawford, who only days ago asked the high court to give her 14 more days to show cause after she masqueraded as a judge and ruled on three traffic cases in August.

Alternatively, Crawford proposed keeping her license active but prohibiting her from joining the bench right away.

Crawford is facing professional discipline and criminal charges after allegedly donning a robe and adjudicating traffic cases as a judge during Markham Courthouse proceedings in August.

Crawford is set to formally respond to the ARDCs charges by Thursday. ARDC Chief Counsel James J. Grogan said as of this morning, she has not requested additional time.

The Supreme Courts order came in response to a petition the ARDC filed last month requesting Crawfords suspension and prohibition from taking judicial office.

Crawford argued there was no precedent in this state for an interim suspension being ordered based upon conduct akin to that involved here.

The ARDC signaled it was amenable to Crawfords proposal, saying it would agree to an extension of time so as long as she could not take the judicial oath when newly elected judges are sworn in Dec. 5.

Grogan declined to comment on the high courts order.

At this point, Crawford will still be on next Tuesdays ballot for the 1st Judicial Subcircuit Hopkins vacancy, and votes will still count for her. She faces no Republican opposition.

But Cook County Circuit Judge Maryam Ahmad, who has mounted an independent write-in campaign for the seat, has attempted to cite Crawfords ongoing disciplinary matter to have election officials revoke her candidacy. Ahmads petition is pending before the state Supreme Court.

For her part, Crawford is also trying to invalidate Ahmads write-in candidacy ahead of the election after a Cook County judge ruled she was cleared to run for the seat. Her appeal of that ruling is pending in the 1st District Appellate Court.

Crawford was fired by Cook County Chief Circuit Judge Timothy C. Evans office in August for wearing Circuit Judge Valarie E. Turners robe and adjudicating at least three traffic cases at the Markham Courthouse. Turner allegedly oversaw Crawford as she handled the cases.

Meanwhile, the Cook County States Attorney Office has charged Crawford with official misconduct by a public employee who knowingly performs an illegal act, a Class 3 felony, and false personation of a public employee, a Class A misdemeanor. Crawford has pleaded not guilty.

The ARDC has charged Crawford with dishonesty as a result of handling cases on a judges call while dressed and seated like one; criminal conduct of official misconduct and false personation of a public officer; and giving false statements in a disciplinary investigation.

Crawford is being represented in her ARDC case by Mary T. Robinson, a former ARDC administrator and a partner at Robinson Law Group, and Adrian M. Vuckovich, a partner at Collins Bargione & Vuckovich. They did not return requests for comment.

The ARDC case is In re Rhonda Crawford, No. 2016 PR 115.
Welcome back to our roundup of the things that were fake on the internet this election, a frequently recurring series documenting the fake stories, misleading articles and hoaxes that have circulated online this election season.

Below are four of those misleading stories. Enjoy  but also, don't share these fake news items as real. Please.

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1. Michelle Obama, Barack Obama and Elizabeth Warren didn't scrub references to Hillary Clinton from their Twitter accounts

Sean Hannity fell for this one on Tuesday, repeating an easily disproven internet rumor on his radio show claiming at two different points that Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., had removed all references to Hillary Clinton from their Twitter accounts, after the FBI's surprise entrance into the last weeks of the 2016 campaigns.

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"That means they know it's huge. You know why? Because Obama's implicated!" Hannity said, according to a CNN write-up of the whole thing. "He's implicated here, and he's pissed. You know what his legacy might be? Jail."

Hannity has since issued a correction on Twitter. He told CNN that the fake story he mentioned twice on air was "brought up in an insignificant way" and that he "was dealing with more important issues like HRC crimes and lies and how CNN has been colluding with the Clinton campaign and CHEATING Bernie Sanders."

Not only is it simple to verify that the alleged Twitter scrubbing didn't happen (by, er, searching Twitter), but it also appears that the rumor itself has mutated from its original form. The initial article making this claim mentions only Michelle Obama's alleged scrubbing of all Clinton references (also untrue; Snopes has a more detailed breakdown). That claim was then aggregated by Gateway Pundit, a right-wing news site that has made multiple appearances in our election hoax roundups, which is how it found its way to Hannity.

2. The Amish didn't just swing the election for Trump.

A couple of hoax news sites have published identical stories claiming that Donald Trump is now "mathematically guaranteed" a victory because all of the Amish in America have pledged to vote for him. The story has been widely shared on Facebook over the past week, despite multiple debunkings.

There is no real organization called the "American Amish Brotherhood," as the fake article claims. A 2012 census counted about 250,000 Amish in the United States, and not the 20 million claimed in the hoax story. The U.S. Amish population is indeed growing, but not by that much.

In any case, this article  by noted fake news creator Paul Horner  does make more of an effort to fool its readers than a lot of the other hastily cobbled-together blog posts we've been seeing in Election Fake Land this year. It's long, it has a fake "man on the street" reaction, a fake Nate Silver quote about the importance of the Amish vote, and fake statements from the Clinton campaign.

If you're interested, there really was an effort to get out the Amish vote for Trump, but at this point it doesn't appear that it has worked terribly well.

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3. These Trump- and Hillary-referencing virus warnings are just copy-paste spam.

A pair of memes that trick people into sharing them by warning about a computer virus (that doesn't appear to actually exist) are making the rounds again this week. The older one, called "Dance of the Hillary," and the newer one, "Donald Trump arrested," are both very similar to each other.

As Snopes notes, it's not true that Trump has been arrested, but even more than that: There's zero evidence that there are actual viruses connected to either of these phrases.

4. #StopthePot isn't a Hillary Clinton campaign initiative.

Like #DraftOurDaughters, #StopThePot is an alt-right meme that basically involves creating fake Hillary Clinton campaign material of varying degrees of ridiculousness, and seeing if anyone actually thinks it's real.

#StopThePot, I guess, is supposed to be a hilarious attempt to dissuade progressives and minorities from voting for Clinton by making her seem aggressively for a War on Drugs-style approach to criminalizing pot users. Another fake campaign image claims that Trump wants to "decriminalize" marijuana while Hillary wants "tougher marijuana laws/Enforced on a federal level."

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In fact, both candidates hold somewhat moderate positions on marijuana, although Clinton's stated approach is much more thorough than Trump's. She has said that if elected, her administration would reschedule marijuana from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2, work to reduce sentence lengths for nonviolent drug offenses, and allow states with existing marijuana laws to act as "laboratories of democracy" on the issue. Both candidates have said they support state-level legalization of medical marijuana.
A lesbian couple who claimed 15 years ago they were discriminated against by a South Side condominium association are entitled to have their legal costs paid, an appeals court has ruled. (Getty Images/Caiaimage)

A lesbian couple who claimed 15 years ago they were discriminated against by a South Side condominium association are entitled to have their legal costs paid, an appeals court has ruled.

In 2001, Pat Gilbert and Vernita Gray filed a complaint against 7355 South Shore Drive Condominium Association with Chicago's Commission on Human Relations. Gilbert alleged she was prevented from buying a unit in the building because she was white and a lesbian. Gray, who was Gilbert's then-girlfriend and lived in another unit in the building, said she was harassed because she was a lesbian.

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Gray, a gay rights activist, alleged that she was, among other things, subjected to derogatory comments, and evicted when she got behind on her assessments while heterosexual unit owners who were delinquent in their payments were allowed to stay, according to commission records.

The commission issued a final ruling in 2011 in favor of Gilbert and Gray, finding the condo association violated Chicago's Fair Housing Ordinance. The association, including its president, was ordered to pay a total of $3,300 for emotional distress, compensatory damages and fines to the couple and to the city of Chicago, as well as to cover attorney fees, which amounted to $68,109.05. The commission said, however, there wasn't enough evidence to support claims of racial discrimination.

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In 2012, the condo association filed a petition in Cook County Circuit Court, arguing that its right to due process was violated because "the final recommended decision was issued by a hearing officer who didn't preside over the administrative hearing." It also said that, given the small award for damages, Gilbert and Gray shouldn't have been entitled to attorney fees.

The circuit court affirmed the commission's decision in 2014, and the condo association appealed.

On Friday, the Appellate Court of Illinois upheld the lower court's decision.

Gilbert and Gray "were entitled to attorney fees, and the commission didn't abuse its discretion in awarding the fees," the 13-page order of the 1st Judicial District said.

The women "prevailed on a significant legal issue, and the litigation served an important public purpose," the appellate court order said. "The record shows that considerable work was performed in pursuing this case over a course of at least five years."

The women's law firm was Foley & Lardner, which said it represented Gilbert and Gray pro bono. Its co-counsel was the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Gray died in 2014 at age 65.

The condo association's lawyer couldn't be reached for comment.

byerak@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @beckyyerak
Staples announced Wednesday that it will provide $100 a month for up to 36 months to new sales associates and "high potential" and "top performing" employees who are paying off student loans or in the process of earning a degree. (Lynne Sladky / AP)

Staples has become the latest company trying to attract and keep young workers who are fretting about how they will pay their college student loans.

The company announced Wednesday that it will provide $100 a month for up to 36 months to full-time sales associates and "high potential" and "top performing" employees who are paying off student loans or in the process of earning a degree.

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With unemployment low, many companies are struggling to pull in and retain dedicated young workers with good skills, and increasingly they are eyeing help with student loans as a means to stand out as an employer, said Gary Kushner, president of Kushner & Co. a Michigan-based benefits consulting firm.

While large companies such as Fidelity Investments and PriceWaterhouseCoopers have received national attention for providing the new benefit, small and medium-size companies are especially interested in it as a retention tool, he said.

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"If you are fortunate enough to get skills and the right cultural fit, you want to hold onto the person as long as you can," said Kushner. He noted that retailers especially face a struggle.

About 4 percent of employers have been offering student loan repayment help this year, according to a Society for Human Resource Management survey of employers.

Americans have about $1.2 trillion in student loan debt and about half of those with loans have monthly payments that are excessive based on their incomes, according to a study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Academic research has shown the pressure of college loans is causing some millennials to delay marriage, children and home purchases.

Economists have worried about the impact on the economy as loans bog down spending and also about the potential impact on the federal budget. According to federal figures, about 40 percent of the 22 million Americans with federal student loans are behind in paying their loans.

Staples announced its loan repayment plan along with an effort to add 1,000 people to its sales force of 74,000 associates. In a news release Regis Mulot, executive vice present of global human resources, said Staples is "enhancing its recruitment efforts while strengthening employee retention."

The company also is offering a tuition reimbursement program for some employees who pursue education while working and gives 30 college scholarships of $3,000 each to children of employees.

Helping employees pursue education while on the job is not a new benefit. In contrast to the new perk aimed at new workers with student loans, the old programs were designed to increase skills of existing employees.

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, tuition reimbursement programs for employees who go to undergraduate or master's programs have been cut back in recent years. In 2012, 58 percent of employers were offering the benefit to employees going to graduate school. In 2016, that had dropped to 52 percent. For undergraduate tuition, 61 percent were giving benefits in 2012, but that had dropped to 55 percent in 2016.

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Tanya Mulvey, researcher for the human resources group, said that employers have been looking for ways to cut some benefit costs to make up for the extra cost of health insurance. The average tuition reimbursement per employee per year was $4,442 in 2016, she said. Companies offering tuition reiumbursements can receive a tax deduction.

As companies face recruiting difficulty  especially among millennials  help with student loans may become an increasingly attractive benefit, Kushner said. But the future may depend on whether the U.S. government institutes some kind of relief  a topic in this year's election politics, he said.

Fidelity's Jennifer Hanson, who is head of associate experience and benefits, said that when the company came out with its offer to pay $2,000 a year, up to a total of $10,000, toward employees' student loans, it was the first time workers were greeting her with high-fives in the hall.

Fidelity's program is being administered by Tuition.io, the same firm that will be handle the Staples program.

gmarksjarvis@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @gailmarksjarvis
Looking very much like the CTS coupe's brother, Cadillac's upscale variant of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid offered better furnishings but identical performance to the Chevy. Despite its stunning looks, consumers wouldn't pay more for style over substance. It's not returning for 2017. (GM)

It happens every year.

Come the dawn of the new model year, various automobiles pass away. Some are fondly remembered, while others go out being ridiculed and reviled.

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The time has come to mourn a few of the vehicles that graced us with their presence but won't be gracing showrooms anymore.

Cadillac ELR: Looking very much like the CTS coupe's brother, Cadillac's upscale variant of the Chevrolet Volt offered better furnishings but identical performance to the Chevy. Despite its stunning looks, consumers wouldn't pay more for style over substance.

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Cadillac SRX: While the name disappears for the new model year, a redesigned and re-engineered midsize Cadillac crossover debuts for 2017 wearing the XT5 name. Think of it as a third-generation SRX and you wouldn't be wrong.

Chrysler Town & Country: While Chrysler will continue building minivans, none will wear the Town & Country name, and the move makes good sense. The name conjures images of Chrysler's wood-clad wagons of yesteryear, making it more an anachronism than attraction. The new Chrysler minivan is the Pacifica.

Dodge Dart: Dodge's first compact since the ill-fated Neon may have been a compelling sedan, thanks to its modified Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform, but buyers never warmed to its design, which recalled the unloved Neon.

Honda CR-Z: Although the CR-Z hybrid channeled the looks of the late, great Honda CRX, its reason for being, fuel economy, wasn't good enough for hybrid buyers. And its sporty styling was a misnomer given its meager 130 horsepower.

Hyundai Equus, Genesis: These upscale models will no longer wear the Hyundai nameplate. Instead, the Hyundai Genesis will now be known as the Genesis G80, while the Hyundai Equus has been replaced with all-new sedan branded with the name G90.

Lincoln MK-S: Lincoln's version of the Ford Taurus was a large car with a large trunk that suffered from its undistinguished styling and surprisingly cramped interior. Its ride and handling weren't great, either.

Mini Paceman: Introduced for 2013, this cousin of the five-door Countryman crossover SUV offered less utility by offering three doors instead of five. Since buyers choose these vehicles for their usefulness, it's little wonder the Paceman found few buyers.

Scion: The brand has been axed, as its mission of attracting new buyers to the Toyota family never went anywhere.The brand has been axed, as its mission of attracting new buyers to the Toyota family never went anywhere. A few Scion models will live on as Toyotas: FRS becomes the 86; iA becomes Yaris iA and the iM becomes Corolla iM; the C-HR concept will be a Toyota production model.

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Volvo XC70: In an era when everyone has been racing to bring out new crossover SUVs, Volvo increased the ride height of its V70 wagon and added some accouterments to quickly create the XC70. With the V90 on the way, the V70 and XC70 have been consigned to history.

Larry Printz is an automotive editor.

TheDrivingPrintz@gmail.com.
Gus and Allison Murray with their dog, Leroy, stand outside the Ravenswood home they purchased quickly with a broker's help. (Carolyn Variano / Chicago Tribune)

Buying a house can be stressful. Really stressful.

You have to, first of all, find a home  preferably a home you like in a neighborhood you like with neighbors you like at a price you like. This, as many readers know, is no easy task.

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And then the real fun starts. Haggling! Mortgages! Inspections! Initialing and signing until your hand hurts!

"It's a lot of paperwork; it's a lot of back and forth; it's a lot of waiting for the appraisal," said Gus Murray, 25, a Navy officer who recently moved to Chicago from Maryland.

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This whole whirlwind will typically take about six to 10 weeks, according to some Chicago realty agents. And those weeks can be hectic.

So what happens if you need to accelerate this timeline dramatically? Then the process can go from merely hectic to hair-on-fire crazy. But it's not impossible, and there are steps you can take to ensure that your sped-up home-buying process is just as satisfying and successful as a typical one.

"Most clients want to take their time and make the right decision," said Joanne Nemerovski, a real estate broker manager for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices who works on Chicago's North Side.

But sometimes life throws homebuyers a curveball.

"Maybe they have a family member that lives in Chicago that's ill and they want to be close to them," Nemerovski said. "Or maybe they are getting a job that they need to start right away and they need to focus on work the minute they get here."

This rush isn't typical, but it happens more often than you might think.

"Usually once or twice a season I get somebody who's like, 'OK, we sold our house; we have to find a place now," says Connie Abels, the managing broker at Re/Max NorthCoast in the city's Edgewater neighborhood.

Sometimes it's Uncle Sam facilitating a rushed move, such as when Murray's Navy orders in Maryland were expiring and he was due to change duty stations to Naval Station Great Lakes, giving him only three free days to house-hunt in Chicago. "It's a stressful situation, especially when you have no choice," Murray says.

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Sometimes it's children. "'We're having triplets,'" Abels listed as one such example, "or, you know, 'We're having a baby and we're in a one-bedroom apartment.'"

Or, in decidedly less joyous scenarios, a family might move here for a child's medical needs. Nemerovski noted a couple of clients with ill infants who sought care at Lurie Children's Hospital. "They moved their whole family here to make sure that they got the services that are available here that aren't available in other neighboring states," she said.

While the reasons for moving quickly may be myriad, the timeline is the same: ASAP. So what's a frantic homebuyer to do?

"The first thing you do is get your financing in order," Abels said.

Unsurprisingly, money is essential. "You cannot get a property if you do not have either cash or a lender that's been through all your finances that is ready to give you the loan," Nemerovski said.

The next step: Find some homes of interest that you would like to visit. So fire up the ol' Google machine. Using websites like Zillow or Redfin, and working with brokers who can send specific web listings, homebuyers can identify neighborhoods and properties that catch their eye. And thanks to some technological innovations, they can get glimpses into homes like never before.

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Real estate broker Jonathan Missirlian, who works with @properties in the Lincoln Park office, relies on video to make the home-buying process smoother.

If an out-of-town client expresses interest in 20 properties, Missirlian could send her walk-through videos of all 20 properties via Facebook Live. Based on these videos, the client can determine which homes fit her desired specifications and can narrow her choices down to three that she would like to visit in person when she comes into town.

"It only takes three hours of our time instead of 20 hours," said Missirlian. "She can make way more of an educated decision; she has so much of a better use of time."

Matthew Stock, whose Lakeview neighborhood home is currently listed by Missirlian, says the Facebook Live tour of his house has helped garner more interest from buyers. "I think it's generated a real buzz," Stock said. "There's several thousand views."

For showing off her listings to interested clients, Nemerovski favors video tours captured by camera-wielding drones and uploaded to YouTube. "You can really get a feel for the house," she said.

So after you've chosen a home you would like to purchase, what can you do to make sure you can move in quickly? Not much, as it turns out. Just sit back anxiously and rely on your real estate agent or broker.

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"I have to make sure that the closing is scheduled right away," said Missirlian. "I have to make sure that the inspection is ordered as soon as possible."

Oh, and about that inspection: Don't skip it. No way, no how.

"I would never recommend skipping an inspection," said Nemerovski, "but I can get an inspector within 24 hours to show up."

Real estate agents can tentatively promise to get you into a home within one to three weeks, so long as you have your finances set and everything goes smoothly.

Of course, this isn't exactly what's recommended, for obvious reasons. When Murray purchased his Ravenswood home, he had never even seen the place. He and his wife relied on Abels to know what they needed and get the deal done.

But just because speedy home-buying isn't the conventional approach doesn't mean you can't end up with a place you love.

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"It wasn't, like, the most relaxing and dream home-buying experience," said Murray. "But for what it's worth, it actually worked out perfect. We really enjoy the place and couldn't be happier where we live now."

Nicholas Padiak is a freelance writer.

ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com

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Ecologist Jim Boone leads a hike through the Gold Butte wilderness in Nevada. President Barack Obama is planning to designate the 350,000-acre desert area as a national monument. (Ronda Churchill / For The Washington Post)

BUNKERVILLE, Nev.  Less than a week after being acquitted for his role in last winter's armed occupation of an Oregon federal wildlife refuge, Nevada rancher Ryan Bundy said another protest action will be justified if President Barack Obama goes ahead with plans to create a huge national monument abutting the Bundy family's ranch here.

"Absolutely! That's the best thing in the world for [people] to do," Bundy said Monday in a telephone interview from an Oregon jail, where he is being held pending a February trial related to a separate armed standoff in 2014 with federal agents at his family's ranch.

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"Read the Declaration of Independence," he said. "It says right there that if the government becomes abusive, it's our right and our duty to abolish that government. If the government won't restrain itself, whatever happens is their own fault."

The suggestion of a potential uprising underscores the extent to which two competing political movements - defiance of federal authority, and Obama's determination to permanently protect vast federal lands - could collide next in this arid patch of land 110 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

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Jose Witt, southern Nevada director of Friends of Nevada Wilderness, points out petroglyphs while leading a hike Sunday in Gold Butte. (Ronda Churchill / For The Washington Post)

Federal officials were alarmed by the jury's decision to acquit Bundy, his brother Ammon and five others who staged a 41-day occupation early this year at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in remote eastern Oregon.

While supporters of the Bundys hailed the surprise verdict as a victory against what they see as federal overreach, federal officials said it could embolden anyone with a grievance to take over government property and endanger federal workers.

Ryan Bundy is angry that Obama, before he leaves office, may use his executive power under the 1906 Antiquities Act to impose new restrictions on Gold Butte, a 350,000-acre parcel of pristine desert wilderness just south of the Bundy family's ranch.

Obama administration officials said federal officials were rattled by the Oregon verdict, but individuals briefed on the process say the White House is pushing ahead with plans to create a monument that would permanently preserve a federally owned tract filled with soaring peaks, exotic red sandstone formations, an imperiled desert tortoise population and thousands of ancient Native American rock etchings called petroglyphs.

In Bunkerville, Angie Bundy speaks with her husband, Ryan Bundy, who is calling from an Oregon jail. He is being held there as he awaits a February trial in a case related to a 2014 standoff with federal agents at his family's ranch. (Ronda Churchill / For The Washington Post)

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, who has worked to protect the area for years, has described a monument designation as one of his final goals before retiring this year.

Bundy, 44, wouldn't say whether he and his family would encourage some kind of anti-government action over Gold Butte, because "I never say what we will do." But asked whether violence was ever justified against an abusive government, Bundy said: "Ask George Washington."

Repeating an argument common in the West but disputed by most mainstream constitutional scholars, Bundy said the Constitution does not grant the federal government power to own large tracts of land, nor does the president have legal authority to create national monuments. Bundy said that creating the Gold Butte monument would be an abuse of presidential power and a valuation of tourism and endangered species over the economic needs of struggling communities.

"The government should be scared. They are in the wrong. The land does not belong to the government. The land belongs to the people of Clark County, not to the people of the United States," said Bundy, who spoke over the phone as his wife, Angie, sat nearby beneath a shady mesquite tree at the family's 160-acre ranch on the parched banks of the Virgin River.

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"The only peaceful resolution to all this is for them to obey the Constitution," he said. "Read it, understand it, abide by it. There doesn't have to be violence. None of that has to happen if they would just abide by the Constitution."

That kind of talk is exactly what officials have worried about after the Oregon verdict. They fear that a potential flash point for anti-government action could be Obama's fast-paced creation of national monuments where grazing, timber-cutting, mining and other commercial activities are generally prohibited. Obama has already created or expanded 27 national monuments, more than any other president since Franklin D. Roosevelt.

For many generations, ranchers in Bunkerville have paid a fee to graze their cattle on the Gold Butte land, but nearly all of them allowed the Nature Conservancy and other groups to buy out their permits years ago. The Bundy family, which has fewer than 600 head of cattle, is the last full-time ranching family in the area. Their animals still graze for free, as they have for years, in defiance of federal courts twice ordering the Bundys to desist. The family has refused to pay more than $1 million in fees and fines.

When officials from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Park Service tried to finally remove the cattle in 2014, they were met by the Bundy family and hundreds of armed supporters.

Fearing bloodshed, authorities eventually retreated. Earlier this year, family patriarch Cliven Bundy, along with sons Ammon and Ryan, and 16 others, were charged with an array of federal firearms, conspiracy and assault counts in the 2014 incident. They face trial in Nevada in February.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell has called the Nevada standoff the worst moment of her tenure. And after last week's acquittal in Oregon, she warned her employees, including those at the BLM, to "take care of yourselves" and "remain vigilant."

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A coalition of environmentalists, tribal groups, academics and some business owners eagerly support the Gold Butte plan.

"Gold Butte has captivating landscapes that Americans across the country would love to explore," Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune said in an interview. "But it's also home to thousands of archaeological sites that currently have no protection and that could be enjoyed and studied for future generations."

Reid has been the highest-profile advocate for the project. He has devoted much of his career to brokering such deals: During his 34 years in Congress, the amount of federal land off limits to development in Nevada has grown from 67,000 acres to 4.8 million acres.

Speaking on the Senate floor just after Bundys were arrested this year, Reid said: "I've tried to protect Gold Butte for a long time. And the reason we haven't been able to do anything to this point is the Bundy boys and their pals. So that's why I'm grateful for the Antiquities Act. Because of this legislation and because of the fact that the Bundys are in jail, I'm going to reach out to the White House."

As he has lobbied the administration, Reid has framed the issue as a test of federal will. "Let's tell others how important this is," he said during a news conference in August, "and tell people to keep their damn hands off public lands."

Republicans have opposed Obama's use of "unilateral" executive power to create national monuments. "The establishment of any new national monument in the State of Nevada, regardless of location, ought to be considered in the public Congressional process," Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nevada, wrote in an April letter to the president.

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On the Bundy ranch, Angie Bundy said that "Harry Reid has no right to be saying those things." She said she suspects that the federal government is trying to claim more land to keep control of uranium and other minerals. She said federal officials should respect local ranchers more and recognize that they are far more effective stewards of the land than "bureaucrats from back East."

"They should let people who have been protecting this land for generations take care of it," she said. "And they shouldn't be sending in heavily armed military forces to point weapons at a rancher who hasn't paid his taxes."

On Monday, Reid said in a statement that the Gold Butte monument would not be derailed by threats of resistance from "radicals . . . intent on using public lands like Gold Butte for their own selfish purposes."

That kind of talk infuriates Duane Magoon, a rancher and Bunkerville town official who was raised by the Bundy family. He said he doubted that local people would rise up against the government over Gold Butte, as they did in Oregon or at the Bundy ranch in 2014. But, he said, "you never know."

"Why would the feds even want to find out? Is the government stupid?" he said. "They are aware that we are upset. Why would they rock that boat? If something happens, it's because of them."

Deep in the heart of Gold Butte one hot afternoon this week, Jim Boone hiked among the otherworldly swirling and jagged sandstone formations known as Little Finland. He admired petroglyphs carved into black stone and salt formations that turned the rock a vibrant shade of blue.

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Bunkerville, Nevada, town official Duane Magoon said that federal officials "are aware that we are upset" about a potential national monument at Gold Butte abutting the Bundy family's ranch. "Why would they rock that boat?" (Ronda Churchill / For The Washington Post)

Boone, an ecologist and writer who chronicles Gold Butte's wildlife and history, said lush vegetation covered this area thousands of years ago. But over the centuries, the land has dried out, and today the vegetation is mainly prickly brush and creosote bushes.

Not far from the Bundy ranch, Boone pulled off the gravel road to look at about 20 of the family's cattle grazing on the parched land.

"In a way, you can understand the Bundys," he said. "The world is changing all around them, the environment and the politics, and all they want to do is have the world stay the same and let their grandchildren do exactly what they did."

- - -

Eilperin reported from Washington.
This petit pinotage from Ken Forrester Wines in South Africa is among the bottles you'll want to try. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)

What do you get when you cross pinot noir with Hermitage? Pinotage.

It's not a joke  it's what really happened in South Africa in 1925. A professor at Stellenbosch University named Abraham Perold came up with the idea to genetically cross the two grape varieties and create an entirely new one. It worked, and to this day, South Africa claims the grape as its own.

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To be quite specific, the cross was between pinot noir and the red blending grape cinsault. But South Africans referred to cinsault as "Hermitage" back in professor Perold's day, and that is why the new grape was dubbed pinotage. I think it was a good call because "pinsault" would have been a pretty lame word.

To say pinotage correctly, pronounce the final syllable as if it were the first word in Taj Mahal. Unlike that revered building in India, though, pinotage has its detractors. Some are right; not all bottles drink well. But there are perfectly good examples of pinotage mingling with the bad.

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When pinotage is good, it can offer a wild array of aromas and flavors, from raspberry, strawberry and cherry to plum, vanilla and coffee, with herbs, minerality, earth, spice, mushrooms, marshmallows and grill smoke also in the mix. Some pinotage bottlings send forth aggressive tannins, while others verge on silky. And colors range from deep crimson to see-your-fingers-through-it pink-ish. (And we're not even talking about pinotage rose; we're talking about the straight-up red stuff.)

Prices range vastly too. This is not necessarily a bargain wine. But it is also not prohibitively expensive, even at the higher end of its price spectrum. Three of the best, most interesting bottles in a recent tasting retailed for about $40 each. That's not cheap, but it's also not out of the question, especially considering that the bottles would do fine aging in your cellar for several years.

When you pull one out of storage (or open it three hours after you purchase it), drink it with grilled meats, lamb, venison, a hearty stew or burgers. South African pinotage can express itself slightly more Old World than New World in some cases, but there are plenty of others that offer brighter New World fruit and freshness. The grape is grown and vinified in other parts of the world  from New Zealand to California to some degree  but South Africa is where winemakers know it best.

You could safely put pinotage in the same category as some other wines that people reject wholesale (chardonnay and merlot spring to mind), instead of considering them bottle-by-bottle, glass-by-glass. So here's what you do. Look past the reputation, put aside the prejudice, forget what you've heard about the funky pinotage aromas of yore, and explore a wine style from a faraway land. Track down some pinotage, assemble a group of loved ones (or liked ones), taste and discuss. You might be surprised.

Below are some notes on nine South African pinotage wines from a recent tasting. They're listed in ascending order, according to price. Each is composed of 100 percent pinotage.

2012 Fairvalley Pinotage Fair Trade-certified grapes went into this wine, which was aged for six months in French and American oak. Smoky, spicy and earthy, this wine leaned more toward savory than fruity. It offered a pleasant freshness, though, due to its bright acidity. Plus it's immensely affordable. $11

2015 Ken Forrester Wines Petit Pinotage Black cherries and a whiff of smoke sum up this easy drinker from the Stellenbosch region. With no exposure to oak, the wine had a soft and round mouthfeel, and would be a nice match for foods with a bit of spice. $12

2014 Backsberg Pinotage This winery celebrates its centennial this year, and this wine, made of grapes from both the Paarl and Wellington regions, offered a hint of strawberry along with damp earth, minerality and smoke. At 14 percent alcohol, it was among the more potent bottles. $16

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2014 Lammershoek Winery LAM Pinotage Looking at this one, you would swear that it's pinot noir, not pinotage. But it is the latter. Light in color and alcohol (11.5 percent), this unfiltered wine offered notes of orange zest, cranberry, herbs and crushed rock, all leading to a clean finish. $16

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2014 Warwick Estate Old Bush Vines Pinotage This single-vineyard Stellenbosch bottling delivered smoke and cedar, red fruit, clove, vanilla and crushed rock. With bright acidity and 13.5 percent alcohol, the wine could age in the bottle for up to eight years. Pair it with stew or curry. $20

2013 Beaumont Pinotage From the cooler Bot River region, this medium-bodied wine offered bright cherry notes kissed by vanilla and leading to a refreshing, clean finish. Pinotage was the first style of wine this winery made two decades ago, and this one is worth a try. $33

2011 Simonsig Redhill Pinotage Raspberry, plum, vanilla, forest floor and savory backyard grill smoke characterize this nicely structured wine from the Stellenbosch region. Aged for 15 months in French and American oak barrels (71 percent of them new), this wine comes from a renowned producer. $38

2013 Bosman Family Vineyards Pinotage Full of raspberry, baking spices, floral notes, dark fruits, anise and vanilla, this wine was elegant, lively, mouthwatering and rich all at once. It is proof that good versions of pinotage do well after a few years of bottle aging. $42

2013 Kanonkop Pinotage From one of South Africa's most legendary and respected producers, this full-bodied, brightly acidic beauty offered plum, blueberry and other dark fruits, plus more savory notes of mushroom and earth. This is a complex wine that would be great with grilled meats. $42

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Twitter @pour_man
As the days become cooler and shorter, you want food and drinks that warm you up  soup and red wine among them. But this butternut squash soup has some surprise pairings: a zippy, high-acid sauvignon blanc and a ripe arneis, a white wine from Italy. "Pairing a fresh, bright wine with rich fall flavors helps keep the meal from becoming too heavy," says sommelier Nate Redner. If you can't break out of red mode, he has one pinot noir that will fit the bill too.

MAKE THIS

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Squash soup with sausage

Cook 1/2 cup orzo pasta in a large saucepan of well-salted boiling water until al dente. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven; add 1 small onion, chopped, and 2 links precooked chicken sausage, sliced. Cook until onion has softened and sausage has lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon chopped thyme; cook, stirring occasionally, 1 minute. Deglaze the pan with 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar. Pour in 1 carton (32 ounces) butternut squash soup; cook until warmed through, stirring occasionally, 7-10 minutes. Drain pasta; add to soup. Makes: 4 servings

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Recipe by Renee Enna

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DRINK THIS

Pairings by sommelier Nate Redner, of Oyster Bah, as told to Michael Austin:

2014 Alice et Olivier De Moor Saint-Bris, Burgundy, France: Sauvignon blanc from just outside of Chablis seems like a misnomer, but it's true. This wine is grassy and herbaceous with notes of tarragon, bright lemon zest and a slight smoky character, plus taut and zippy acidity to cut through the richness of the dish.

2015 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis, Piedmont, Italy: Arneis is weighty and unctuous by nature, showing notes of ripe apple, pear, savory herbs and sweet white flowers  a nice partner for the autumn flavors of this dish. Many aromas in this wine mimic those in the dish itself, including sage, thyme and cooked apple. Arneis grown in Roero tends to be ripe and full while still maintaining freshness and lift, and this wine fits that description perfectly.

2013 Cristom Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon: Deep ruby color and flavor to match. Ripe red fruits are evident right upfront, leading to the more compelling spice characteristics that make this wine a great match for this soup. The wine's star anise, clove and black pepper will complement the squash, while its dark fruit core will tackle the pairing challenge that balsamic vinegar presents. Both the wine and the soup are velvety, smooth and comforting.

food@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @pour_man
Christmas came early for some of Chicago's top restaurants, as today the Michelin Man doled out gifts like a steel-belted Santa Claus.

Two three-star designations, five two-star awards and 19 one-star nods gave Chicago its best-ever harvest of Michelin stars since Michelin published its first Chicago Guide in 2011.

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There were no surprises at the three-star level, where Alinea (for the seventh year) and Grace (for the third) took home Michelin's top rating.

Things were considerably more exciting at the two-star level. Acadia, 42 Grams and Sixteen were repeat winners, but they were joined by newcomer Oriole (which is less than a year old) and the surprise promotion of Tru, which had received a single Michelin star in each of the past six years.

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"That's not something you see very often anywhere," Michelin director Michael Ellis said of Tru's promotion, "and it's a testament to how we work. We watch our one-stars very closely; we went back a number of times, using different inspectors from different countries, and we noticed that (chef Anthony Martin) had upped his game. The food was fresh and exciting, combining great flavor combinations with technical mastery; we were thrilled to give it to them."

The rest of Chicago's one-star restaurants held onto their ratings, except Moto, which closed. They were joined by four first-time winners: Band of Bohemia, the beer-focused Ravenswood restaurant; GreenRiver, the cocktail-centric restaurant in Streeterville; Roister, the Alinea sibling featuring Andrew Brochu's open-fire cooking; and Smyth, the fine-dining restaurant by John B. Shields and Karen Urie Shields.

The inclusion of Smyth was a mild surprise, only in that the restaurant opened in late August, and it was uncertain whether the Michelin inspectors would have time to visit.

"We have known the Shieldses for some time," Ellis said, "and we've been waiting for the fruition of this project for some time. Townhouse, their Virginia restaurant, was very much terroir-based cooking, and they've brought that approach here. Dishes, such as the foie and Dungeness crab, the squab with squid reduction -- that is ambitious, envelope-pushing cooking, but they just get it right."

The star recipients, along with scores of other Chicago restaurants and hotels, will be published in the Michelin Guide Chicago 2017, which will be in bookstores Dec. 7.

The list:

Three stars

Alinea

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Grace

Two stars

Acadia

42 Grams

Oriole

Sixteen

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Tru

One star

Band of Bohemia

Blackbird

Boka

Dusek's Board & Beer

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EL Ideas

Elizabeth

Everest

Goosefoot

GreenRiver

Longman & Eagle

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Naha

North Pond

Parachute

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Roister

Schwa

Sepia

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Smyth

Spiaggia

Topolobampo

Phil Vettel is a Tribune critic.






Flutist Nicole Mitchell has a laugh while performing at the MCA Chicago on May 2, 2015. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Two years ago, flutist Nicole Mitchell and poet Haki Madhubuti collaborated on a world premiere as thrilling as it was frustrating.

Thrilling because the pairing of Mitchell's searing music and Madhubuti's soaring words enriched the communicative power of each. Frustrating because the performance at La Follette Park, on North Laramie Avenue, was acoustically challenged, the over-reverberant room swallowing up some of Madhubuti's inspired text as he performed it.

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Fortunately, Mitchell and Madhubuti will perform the work under decidedly more promising circumstances when they present an encore performance of "Liberation Narratives" on Nov. 10 in the Performance Hall of the University of Chicago's Logan Center for the Arts. The event will kick off a fall residency by Mitchell, a singular flutist who left Chicago in 2011 to teach at the University of California at Irvine but has performed here regularly ever since.

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The prospect of hearing every syllable of Madhubuti's "Liberation Narratives" poems in the Logan Center, while Mitchell leads her Black Earth Ensemble alongside him, will be tantalizing to anyone who values both artists' groundbreaking work.

For even at the 2014 performance, the potential of "Liberation Narratives"  named for an anthology of Madhubuti's poetry  was unmistakable. Conceived as a kind of concerto for poet and orchestra, the featured Madhubuti "delivering his street-savvy text like a jazz soloist, while Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble played softly shimmering music alongside him," I wrote in my review.

The staged work's eloquence derives, in part, from the long friendship between Mitchell and Madhubuti, who more than two decades ago had hired her to work various jobs at Third World Press, which he founded in 1967.

"In a sense, he's been a kind of cultural father to me," says Mitchell, who will be recording "Liberation Narratives" with Madhubuti and her Black Earth Ensemble in advance of the concert and during the performance.

"To create music for his words  it was kind of something that I really wanted to do. And then to find out that he is equally enthusiastic about collaborating  that's a really special thing.

"He's a history maker.  The poetry is important because this book that I'm pulling from reflects his whole history, from the '60s all the way till now.

"And some of those older poems are still so relevant about the issues that we're dealing with right now."

That's tragically true. Consider Madhubuti's poem "Too Many of Our Young Are Dying," which laments that "our children, in the millions/are dropping from the trees of life too soon."

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To hear Madhubuti read those words while Mitchell and the Black Earth Ensemble played slashing melodic phrases and dirge-like rhythms was to understand the purpose and promise of this venture.

For Madhubuti, working with Mitchell in bringing some of his "Liberation Narratives" poetry to the stage held deeply personal and professional meanings.

"I consider Nicole my daughter," he told me as they were preparing the world premiere performance.

"We have a saying in the black community: What goes around comes around.

"Nicole has done well nationally and internationally.  I've been in a struggle trying to build these institutions. We keep doing this kind of work, with all the problems, all the corruption in Illinois and all the incompetence in Illinois, we keep on going.

"So Nicole is a product of all that. She never wavered."

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Following the "Liberation Narratives" concert, Mitchell will present Voices Heard: Expressions of Visionary Black Women at the Logan Center Performance Penthouse in a free performance 3 p.m. Nov. 20. The concert will feature multi-instrumentalist Shanta Nurullah and vocalist Dee Alexander in duets, plus video footage of women musicians expressing the challenges and triumphs of their work. That event will serve as a kind of curtain-raiser for Voices Heard: Black Women in Creative Music, a festival running Dec. 10-11 at The Promontory on South Lake Park Avenue.

"In jazz, and in creative music, women in general are not really in the spotlight in the way that I would like to see them," says Mitchell.

"So this idea of a Voices Heard festival is to put them front and center."

As for "Liberation Narratives," Mitchell says she has altered the instrumentation this time around. For starters, she has added piano (played by Miguel de la Cerna), which she calls "an essential change. I'm looking for a warmth and also a bigger range of expression. I think I can do that with piano."

There will be no saxophone this time, but with flutist Mitchell, trumpeter Pharez Whitted, violinist Renee Baker, cellist Tomeka Reid, bassist Harrison Bankhead and drummer Tomas Fujiwara, there should be plenty of music.

"People don't read as much as they used to," says Mitchell.

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"This is another way we connect to the power of what (Madhubuti) is saying."

Bravo for that.

Howard Reich is a Tribune critic.

When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10

Where: University of Chicago's Logan Center, 915 E. 60th St.

Tickets: $20 general; $5 students and children; 773-702-2787 or arts.uchicago.edu/loganjazz

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Cavalia's "Odysseo" herd of 65 horses was flown in Monday to Chicago OHare International airport aboard a 747 jet and then transported to a farm in Bristol, Wisc. (Travis Schoening photo)

More than 65 horses will walk, trot, canter and gallop on the south parking lots of Soldier Field next spring, as the international equine extravaganza called "Odysseo" makes its Midwest premiere.

"Odysseo" is the work of the Montreal-based company Cavalia, known for its high-tech, large-scale shows in a tent that celebrate the relationship of horse and rider. The company, which flies horses around the world on a special jumbo jet, last performed in Chicago in 2009 on a vacant lot tucked away in the West Loop. The name of that show, "Cavalia," became the name of the company.

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But given the visibility from Lake Shore Drive, Soldier Field is a far superior location.

"Everything has become much more sophisticated," said the founder of the company, the former Cirque du Soleil co-founder Normand Latourelle, saying that Mayor Rahm Emanuel had been "very helpful" in securing the new location. "'Cavalia' was probably the biggest touring show in the world at the time, but it also was the first show to integrate the arts and the equestrian world. For this one, I wanted to create an even grander theatrical experience. We have a real merry-go-round on stage and, at the end of the show, the stage is filled with 40,000 gallons of recycled water. The horse is still the center piece of the show, but this time we are trying to recreate nature on stage. It is much more spectacular. And you have the feeling that you are there."

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"Odysseo" previously has toured to Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Mexico City and several other cities. The show showcases Iberian, Arabian and American quarterhorses. Latourelle said he hoped to be in Chicago for a couple of months, at least, although only three weeks' worth of tickets will go on sale Wednesday.

For tickets and more information, go to www.cavalia.net.
The writers for "Parks and Recreation" weren't Ray Kurzweil futurists whose jobs required them to make accurate predictions of the future. They didn't bring crystal balls to work or hire psychics to forecast the 2016 presidential election race.

It only feels that way.

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"I really am wary of claiming any kind of prescience or anything in terms of the way this election has played out," the sitcom's co-creator Michael Schur said in an interview. "We were drawing on contemporary examples of women in politics and government coming up against (different) kinds of obstacles."

Yet it is impossible not to draw parallels between the sitcom's storylines and the political landscape of the United States in 2016. Several of the scenes during the beloved six-season series that aired on NBC from 2009 to 2015 have foreshadowed this year's presidential campaign.

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And while Amy Poehler's character Leslie Knope, a fast-rising small town Indiana politician with a long career in public service, was an amalgam of different female politicians, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton served as one of the character's major inspirations.

"In the pilot, (Knope) mentions a bunch of female politicians that were role models for her," Schur said. "Hillary was a sort of role model just for the way she gutted things out and sort of forged on in the face of adversity."

Schur, a 41-year-old television producer and writer who follows politics closely, also noted that Knope was "far more to the left than Hillary" when the character was created. He said that Knope was "probably closer to an Elizabeth Warren" and that the writers worked in the personalities and political careers of former secretary of state Madeleine Albright and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, among others.

In the fourth season of the show, Knope runs for a spot on the city council against Bobby Newport, a wealthy, clueless heir of a candy company who is uninterested in the actual work of being a city councilman.

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Despite her qualifications and experience, Knope struggled in her campaign against Newport, whose money and fame were enough to gain supporters. Schur said he sees some similarities between Newport and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump but added that none of the characters on the show were based on Trump, who officially announced his campaign in June 2015, a few months after the show had ended.

"It's not a very good analogy, in my opinion," Schur said. "Bobby Newport was much more benign than Trump is."

The show also makes it clear that as a woman, Knope faced hurdles and assumptions that male politicians often do not.

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Voters simply did not like Knope for her wonkish personality ("Bowling for Votes"), and she was expected to play traditional gender roles by competing in a pie-baking contest to support her husband's congressional campaign ("Pie-Mary"). Plus, she and Rashida Jones' character were called "pains in the ass" for being proactive ("Ann and Chris") - a scene that recalls Trump's "nasty woman" comment toward Clinton during the third presidential debate.

In an earlier episode ("Flu Season"), Knope catches the flu but insists on giving her public presentation - reminiscent of when Clinton continued campaigning while ill with pneumonia.

Schur said the storylines would not have been much different had the show continued into this year's presidential election, but added that he feels somewhat glad that it concluded when it did.

"To some extent, I have certainly had the thought, as I'm sure many writers have, is that if you wrote this (election) nobody would believe it," Schur said. "Very frequently it doesn't feel real. You kind of can't focus your eyes or your brain on whatever has happened before something else crazier has happened. I actually think if the show was still on the air, we might be sidestepping this stuff.

"I think it would be enormously difficult to write a show about government in the aftermath of this election because I think everybody has tremendous fatigue," he continued with a laugh. "I don't think anyone is going to want to think about politics for two years."

As for the show's finale, Schur and his writing team intentionally left in a bit of mystery.

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After becoming the Midwest regional director of the National Park Service, Knope is elected the governor of Indiana in the year 2025. In one of the last scenes, Knope and her husband, Ben Wyatt, are approached by a man who appears to be a Secret Service agent. The implication is that either Knope or Wyatt have become the president of the United States, but Schur would not confirm that was the case. ("We didn't want to say explicitly one way or another what were Leslie and Ben's ultimate spot.")

Schur also made sure that when the show time-jumped into the future, there was no reference to who the U.S. president will be in 2017, the year in which the majority of the final season takes place.

"The vagaries of presidential politics, as we've now seen, (are) impossible to predict," he said, without any trace of irony.

had at the time. We're not like wizards."

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
The Field Museum of Natural History hosted its annual gala Oct. 29, this year celebrating two milestone anniversaries. The formal evening attracted 630 guests who paid tribute to the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Women's Board and Marshall Field V's 50-year tenure on the board of trustees.

Under a canopy of twinkling lights and amid tables topped with white orchids and candlelight, master of ceremonies Bill Kurtis and Field Museum President/CEO Richard Lariviere led the tribute to the Women's Board. A video informed the crowd that the WB has raised over $100 million to date through 49 galas, events and programs, as well as personal philanthropy from board members and their families.

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Other Women's Board initiatives include Field Dreams, which has raised over $500,000 in direct support for museum scientists and educators, and the Women in Science Luncheon, which has underwritten 18 graduate fellowships and 22 internships to date.

The tribute to Marshall Field V included remarks from Constance Keller, board chair, and Lariviere. Several of Field's family members, friends and Chicago notables appeared in a video presentation sharing their thoughts on the honoree, a devoted environmentalist.

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Daughter Abby Gerry said, "He's inspired by a legacy of giving back that was created decades ago in his own family." Fellow board member Ron Gidwitz said, "Here's a man who was born on third base and who could steal home any time he wanted, but he works like a dog for causes he believes in. You have to admire someone like that."

Keller, along with Lariviere, presented Field with the award newly established in his honor. She said, "This award will be bestowed upon those who demonstrate your exceptional combination of service and philanthropy to the Field Museum." The bronze award is a replica of Fighting African Elephants, a popular exhibit in Stanley Field Hall created by Carl Akeley. The song "Happy" by Pharrell Williams played following the presentation as the crowd stood to applaud.

Marshall Field V is honored for his 50 year tenure on the Field Museum's Board of Trustees by Richard Lariviere, Field Museum President/CEO, and Constance Keller, Women's Board president. The newly established award is an exact replica of "Fighting Elephants," a famous exhibit in Stanley Field Hall. (Chicago Tribune)

After dinner, two exhibits were opened for viewing, "Tattoo" and "China's First Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors," a display that features more than 170 objects, including 10 life-size clay figures associated with the reign of Qin Shihuang more than 2,200 years ago. DJ Felix Cartal pumped up the music during an after-party that also attracted members of the museum's young professionals group, the Field Associates.

The gala was the same night as Game 4 of the World Series, so thoughtful event organizers arranged to have the Cubs game broadcast on multiple screens throughout the evening. Table host Stephanie Harris gave guests Cubs caps and jerseys.

Chaired by Women's Board member/trustee Caryn Harris, the event raised more than $2.15 million to support the museum's education initiatives, exhibitions and research.

Lariviere added, "Marshall has a rare and special gift. He mobilizes and inspires people through different organizations, countries and political parties to work together to accomplish truly important conservation outcomes. It's my hope that all future conservationists and young people in our city will learn from this remarkable man's example of civic leadership."

Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.

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Find more photos and events at www.chicagotribune.com/candidcandace. Visit Candid Candace's website at www.candidcandace.com, or follow her on Twitter @CandidCandace.

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Thank God we're hearing from Emily Doe.

Doe is the anonymous survivor of a January 2015 sexual assault at Stanford University that drew international attention and sent perpetrator Brock Turner to jail for a mere three months.

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Her "victim impact statement," which she read at Turner's June sentencing, was gut-wrenching and beautiful. It was later read aloud on the floor of Congress and on countless news outlets, inspiring an outpouring of support from around the world, including an open letter from Vice President Joe Biden that was, I want to believe, a game-changer.

Now, Doe has been named one of Glamour Magazine's 2016 women of the year. She hasn't spoken publicly since that impact statement, but she broke her silence with an essay in the November issue that lays bare her pain upon learning Turner's ludicrous sentence and pushes back powerfully against the notion that assault survivors need anybody's pity.

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It ought to be required reading.

"I was excited to finally be given a chance to read my statement and declare, I am here," she writes of Turner's sentencing. "I am not that floppy thing you found behind the garbage, speaking melted words. I am here, I can stand upright, I can speak clearly, I've been listening and am painfully aware of all the hurt you've been trying to justify."

Turner's sentence left her stunned.

"Immediately I felt embarrassed for trying, for being led to believe I had any influence," she writes. "The violation of my body and my being added up to a few months out of his summer."

She writes about learning of Biden's letter. ("I was sitting in my pajamas eating some cantaloupe.") She mentions emails and tokens sent from around the world  watercolor paintings, photos of people's daughters.

And she writes about the comments she encountered.

"In the very beginning of it all in 2015," she writes, "one comment managed to lodge harmfully inside me: Sad. I hope my daughter never ends up like her.

"I absorbed that statement," she continues. "Ends up. As if we end somewhere, as if what was done to me marked the completion of my story. Instead of being a role model to be looked up to, I was a sad example to learn from, a story that caused you to shield your daughter's eyes and shake your heads with pity."

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Survivors deserve better, she writes.

"To the one who said, I hope my daughter never ends up like her, I am learning to say, I hope you end up like me, meaning, I hope you end up like me strong," she writes. "I hope you end up like me proud of who I'm becoming. I hope you don't 'end up,' I hope you keep going. And I hope you grow up knowing that the world will no longer stand for this. Victims are not victims, not some fragile, sorrowful aftermath. Victims are survivors, and survivors are going to be doing a hell of a lot more than surviving."

In her introduction to Doe's essay, Glamour editor Cindi Leive writes this:

"It was Doe's take-no-prisoners telling of what happened afterward  the relentless victim-blaming; the favoring of Turner, a student athlete  that changed the conversation about sexual assault forever. ... Rape hotlines experienced surges in both calls and offers of volunteer help. And importantly, California closed the loophole that had allowed lighter sentences in cases where the victim is unconscious or severely intoxicated.

"We all know the statistics," Leive writes. "One out of every six females will have someone rape her  or attempt to. Doe sent those women a message: I am with you."

We should all be.

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hstevens@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @heidistevens13

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Safaris and wild game are often the draws for visitors to Africa. But art is the focus of an eight-night package being offered by Extraordinary Journeys. The Art of Travel: South Africa is scheduled for February to coincide with the fifth annual Cape Town Art Fair. The itinerary divides time between a four-night stay in Cape Town's Ellerman House, a former mansion that's home to one of the most important private collections of modern South African art, and four nights at Delaire Graff Estate in the Cape Winelands. The art fair is Feb. 17-19, and those on the tour will have the opportunity to experience the city's art scene with Talita Swarts, a native of South Africa and a fine arts major able to arrange visits to artists' studios. The package is priced at $8,600 per person, double occupancy, including lodging, some meals and various tours to the region's wineries. International air is extra. 212-226-7331, http://tinyurl.com/hgbu8zn

South Africa fandom

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On the topic of traveling to Africa in search of big game, South Africa dominated the continent's rankings for top resorts and safari camps by readers of Conde Nast Traveler. Twelve of the 20 camps listed in the magazine are in South Africa, headed by Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in the Sabi Sand region of the country. The list also included four camps in Kenya and one each in Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania and Botswana. Check them all out at http://tinyurl.com/jbe4pvj.

World War II tour

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The National WWII Museum in New Orleans is a treasure trove of World War II history and memorabilia. But it also gives further context to the war by hosting historical tours to Europe. The Rise and Fall of Hitler's Germany tour May 18-29 next year will visit significant sites in Germany and Poland accompanied by historian Alexandria Richie, an expert on World War II in Europe. The tour begins in Berlin. Highlights in Poland include a visit to Oskar Schindler's factory, which now contains a museum commemorating his efforts to save Jews from extermination. Thirty miles west of Krakow is the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp. There will also be a visit to Wolf's Lair, Hitler's Eastern Front command post, and to key sites relating to the Warsaw Uprising. The tour is priced at $6,495 per person, double occupancy, which includes 11 nights' lodging, most meals, an internal flight, tour manager and more. International airfare is extra. Info: 877-813-3329, http://tinyurl.com/z96aoss

Phil Marty is a freelance writer.

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The Rev. Greg Dell in the santuary of Broadway United Methodist Church in 2007. Dell was suspended from his duties at the church for performing a gay union in 1998. (Charles Osgood / Chicago Tribune)

On days when it seems that the world is tumbling backward, it helps to remember how far we've come.

The death of the Rev. Greg Dell on Sunday, at the age of 70, is one reminder.

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Dell was once the pastor of Broadway United Methodist Church in Chicago's Lakeview East neighborhood. If you'd passed him on the street  a middle-age man, compact, quiet dresser  there was nothing about him to make you think, "There goes a revolutionary."

But he was a revolutionary, willing to lose his job in the name of justice.

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I met Dell in December 1998, shortly before he was to go on trial in a Methodist church court. I can still see the cool, dark sanctuary, the sunlight filtering through the stained glass windows, as he pulled open the wooden door and said, "The scene of the crime."

The crime was officiating at a "service of holy union" ceremony for two gay men.

It may be hard in this era of legal gay marriage for young people to fathom how radical and controversial Dell was.

"He was one of the most powerful allies our community has had in the 32 years I've been covering the community," says Tracy Baim, publisher of the Windy City Times. "He was inspirational in doing what was right despite the forces against him."

By the mid 1990s, when Dell and his wife, Jade, came to Broadway United, the rhetoric of gay rights had penetrated American culture, but gay marriage wasn't high on the agenda, and although some denominations had welcomed gay people, the Methodist church was resistant.

But Dell believed he was there to serve his congregation, and his congregation included many gay people.

"Our church attracted a lot of what I describe as 'wounded birds,'" said Jim Bennett, a longtime congregant who met his husband at the church, "people who had been kicked out of their churches and their families. Every denomination was represented. He felt a responsibility to help them restore their faith."

Restoring faith meant helping people who loved each other commit to each other as a couple in the embrace of the church community.

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Dell grew up in the white, blue-collar suburb of Midlothian, the son of a police officer, which may not seem like fertile ground for activism, but the 1960s put him on alert. Racism. Sexism. The world needed changing.

He was at Duke Divinity School when Martin Luther King Jr. was shot to death, an event he called his "faith conversion experience."

"I realized then there was something more powerful than the power of death," he said the day we talked. "If you played it safe, stayed out of the issues, you could never experience the full life. But if you took on the full life, you'd experience loss and hurt."

He chose the full life.

Dell had officiated at unions for gay couples for many years, quietly, before publicity caught up with him. When it did, the news was national. So was the abuse.

After learning about Dell's pending church trial, Fred Phelps, the head of a Kansas-based church opposed to homosexuality, led a small band of picketers to Broadway United. They clogged the sidewalk pumping signs: "Fags Die God Laughs," "Methodist Fag Church," "False Prophet Dell."

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A few months later, in March 1999, a jury of Methodist ministers voted to suspend Dell indefinitely from his job for violating church law.

"It was horrible," says Bennett. "I'm fairly confident Greg always believed that they wouldn't find him guilty because he truly believed that his moral obligation was to serve the people of his church."

Eventually, the suspension was limited to a year, and Dell returned to his church to preach for a while longer. In 2006, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which crippled, among other things, his ability to speak.

"It was like he'd been kidnapped," Bennett said. "He is not a person who was supposed to be silent."

But as Dell struggled with Parkinson's for the past decade, he didn't abandon his causes. In the Chicago nursing home where he lived for a while, Bennett said, he was trying to organize the workers to demand better pay.

At the time of his death, Dell and his wife lived in Raleigh, N.C. The weather was easier.

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"He's Chicago through and through," Bennett said, "but it provided a good place for them and even a good place for them to protest."

A few months ago, Bennett said, Dell, in a wheelchair, attended a protest on behalf of transgender rights.

When he died Sunday, Greg Dell left a world that was better than the one he was born into. He helped make it that way.

A full life.

mschmich@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @MarySchmich
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle had a pithy put-down for Chicago's former top cop Garry McCarthy this week, calling him "a racist bully boy."

Preckwinkle has made no secret of her disdain for McCarthy in the past  she was among the first elected officials to call for his firing following the release of the Laquan McDonald video last year.

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But her blunt comments about the former police superintendent during an onstage interview at a "First Tuesdays" event at the Hideout bar in the West Town area were harsher than any she has previously made in public.

Speaking before an audience of mostly sympathetic listeners, she responded to journalist Mick Dumke's suggestion that McCarthy acted as if he had been personally elected by Chicagoans by calling McCarthy "a racist bully boy" and being highly critical of what she called the policy of the "hyperpolicing of black and brown neighborhoods."

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That policy has resulted in black and Latino defendants who stand accused  but not convicted  of nonviolent offenses filling Cook County Jail, unable to afford bail while they await trial for "penny ante anti-social behavior" such as "shooting dice in the alley or having a couple of joints in their pocket," Preckwinkle said.

She repeated her oft-used phrase that the jail represents "the intersection of racism and poverty" but said she has worked with other county officials to reduce the jail population from 10,000 to 7,500 and added that she believes 6,000 is possible.

And she noted that her daughter had returned from a recent trip to the Northwestern University campus in Evanston shocked to tell Preckwinkle, "Mom, you won't believe it these kids are walking up and down the street smoking weed and they don't get arrested."

McCarthy, who recently made headlines for a public speech slamming what he hinted was a new de-facto soft-touch policing policy in Chicago, wrote in a text message Wednesday to Chicago Inc.: "That's pathetic and typical of a politician looking to avert blame for their own failures. Maybe she should explain her plans to the more than 600 families of her constituents who have been murdered this year."

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Preckwinkle said her policies had no bearing on the increase in homicides this year. She said statistics show that the reduction in the jail population didn't lead to an increase in people failing to show up for court appearances or to any increase in crime.

Preckwinkle  a longtime Chicago alderman and critic of Mayor Richard M. Daley before she was elected County Board president  also made some intriguing comments about how easy it is for the executive branch to keep legislators in the dark about government budgets.

"You're never going to figure out what they're really doing, which is what I thought when I was on the legislative side and I surely know it in spades, now."

Asked what, then, she was doing that county legislators can't see, she pivoted, speaking instead about the disaster she'd inherited in county government from Todd Stroger's administration.

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Preckwinkle spokesman Frank Shuftan said Wednesday that transparency was one of Preckwinkle's "guiding principles" and noted that she had again on Tuesday encouraged the public to get involved in local government, but added that "the sausage of government is made in many different ways, and that about two decades of service in City Council brings with it much experience and knowledge."

kimjanssen@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kimjnews
A 26-year Chicago police officer paid for sex with underage teen runaways at parties, in his apartment and even in his vehicle while riding around with his partner, federal prosecutors say.

Officer William Whitley took graphic photos of many of the girls on top of his leopard-print bedspread and had their numbers stored in his phone under names such as "Bunny" and "Mocha" and "Jasmine."

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One girl, who was just 14 and wore braces, told authorities Whitley had sex with her while his Chicago police uniform hung on his bedroom door and his handgun was under the pillow, according to prosecutors.

Whitley was arrested Tuesday afternoon on his way to work at a police non-emergency call center, where he'd been reassigned to paid desk duty amid the ongoing probe. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years behind bars and as much as life imprisonment if convicted of sex trafficking of a minor. He was also charged with production of child pornography stemming from an investigation first revealed by the Tribune more than a year ago.

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While Whitley was not accused of pimping any of the girls, a 21-page criminal complaint unsealed Wednesday alleged Whitley had attended parties as part of a sex ring arranged by an acquaintance where numerous older men would pay teen runaways for sex.

Sources told the Tribune that a former Chicago police officer  identified in the complaint only as Individual B  is still under investigation for participating in the scheme.

Whitley, 60, appeared in court Wednesday dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit and thin spectacles, his hair graying at the temples. After prosecutors raised concerns he could flee if released from custody, U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez ordered him held without bond pending a detention hearing at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse next week.

Whitley, who worked for years as a patrol officer in the Wentworth District on the city's South Side, was stripped of his police powers in September 2015 amid the federal probe.

Police complaint data released by the city show Whitley has at least 28 complaints against him dating to 1991 for violations ranging from use of profanity to neglect of duty. The department ordered a suspension in seven of the cases, although it's unclear from the data whether Whitley wound up serving the punishment.

According to federal court records, Whitley has been sued twice in the past six years for wrongful arrest. But he was dismissed from one case before trial, and a jury found in his favor in the other case, records show.

The sex trafficking investigation began in September 2015 when an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a john contacted the 14-year-old victim, identified in the complaint as Minor A, who had posted a sex ad on the classified website Backpage.com, according to the complaint.

The girl was arrested at a location on West 15th Street in Chicago after agreeing to have sex for $160, according to the complaint. She agreed to cooperate with law enforcement.

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The girl told authorities she had been introduced to Whitley by Individual A  later identified as the woman who hosted the sex parties. She said Whitley, whom she knew as "Will," had paid her at least five times for sex in his apartment over the past several months, the charges alleged.

She initially lied to Whitley and told him she was 23, though at the time she had "metal braces on her teeth," the complaint alleged. Although he initially hid the fact that he was an officer, Whitley eventually bragged about it, showing her a gold chain around his neck with the department logo on it, prosecutors said.

Data recovered from the girl's phone showed Whitley had called or texted her hundreds of times, including one exchange Sept. 17, 2015, when Whitley asked her in a text to come over for sex "B4 I gotta work," according to the complaint.

"What time you gotta go to work cause im bout to jump in the shower now," the girl texted back, according to the complaint. "2:00p." Whitley allegedly replied.

Authorities also found six photos on the girl's phone depicting her and another girl naked on Whitley's bed in compromising positions. The leopard-print bedding seen in the photos was the same pattern found in Whitley's apartment during a search in October 2015, records show.

Interviews with the 14-year-old girl led authorities to another victim, identified in the complaint as Minor B, who said she met Whitley at a sex party hosted by Individual A shortly after she ran away from home at age 15. Whitley paid to have sex with Minor B at the party, and soon he was one of her regular customers, according to the complaint.

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One day, Minor B was walking with a friend in the Englewood neighborhood when Whitley pulled up in a vehicle and asked if she wanted to take a ride with him and "his partner," prosecutors alleged. While they rode around, she performed a sex act on Whitley for about $65. Over the next few months, she gave Whitley's number out to other girls who also charged him for sex acts, the complaint alleged.

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Minor B said she never talked about her age with Whitley but believed he "knew she was young" in part because she was inexperienced, the charges alleged. The first time he paid her for a sex act, Whitley "had to guide her," the complaint alleged.

Whitley told agents who searched his apartment in October 2015 that he didn't know Minor A's age and that he'd only had sex with her once. He denied knowing Minor B, according to the complaint.

Chicago Tribune's Jennifer Smith Richards contributed.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

jgorner@chicagotribune.com

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Andre Cummings was sentenced to 12 years for stealing a gun that was later used to shoot three police officers. (Cook County sheriff's office)

Andre Cummings presumably didn't know that the gun he stole from a suburban home while working as a cable TV technician belonged to a cop.

Cummings also said he didn't know how that weapon ended up in the hands of someone who used it to shoot three Chicago police officers, authorities said.

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But a Cook County judge questioned what authorities say Cummings told them: that the gun he stole was then stolen a second time from his work truck.

"We don't know if that is true or if he sold it to someone," Judge James Karahalios said Tuesday as he handed the 21-year-old first-time offender a 12-year sentence.

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Cummings told authorities he took the weapon  a .40-caliber Glock 22 collector's item signed by a famous actor  to use as a prop in a video.

"I had a moment of weakness," Cummings, of Villa Park, told the court. "I'm not a bad person. I'm a working college student and my family misses my financial input."

But citing the gun violence sweeping Chicago, the judge told Cummings that the gravity of the consequences of his actions overshadowed his lack of criminal history. Cummings was convicted of residential burglary in the case.

"He may have stolen the gun to use it in a rap video, but that's not what it was used for," Karahalios said. "The defendant is the one who put that gun into the stream of illegal weapons flooding the streets of Chicago."

Whatever the path of the handgun, on March 14 it was in the possession of 29-year-old Lamar Harris. Authorities say tactical officers investigating drug activity in Chicago's Homan Square neighborhood exchanged gunfire with Harris that night. Three officers were wounded in the shootout; Harris was killed.

The handgun was recovered at the scene and traced back to Daniel Kallman, a former Chicago police officer who had months earlier joined the Lake County sheriff's department. Kallman was fired as a sheriff's deputy after the Homan Square shooting.

Authorities determined the weapon was removed from the home of a relative of Kallman in the northwest suburbs. They said Cummings, while working for Comcast in October 2015, was there to upgrade service but left after three hours, saying he was unable to complete the job. Authorities say he took the gun from a closet shelf. Neither Kallman nor the relative knew the weapon had been stolen until being contacted by authorities in March, officials said.

Kallman, 28, submitted a victim impact statement that was read at Cummings' sentencing hearing in Rolling Meadows branch court Tuesday.

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"My life has been turned upside down," Kallman wrote. "I was fired from the Lake County sheriff's department and my financial situation is difficult. I've had to postpone my marriage."

Reached later Tuesday, Kallman's attorney, Martin Dolan, said Cummings' conviction "corroborates what (Kallman) has said from day one."

Dolan called the theft of the weapon "an unfortunate event" that was, unfairly, "very damaging" to Kallman's career.

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"He's a good police officer and has an excellent resume," Dolan said. "Dan and his family are satisfied with the conviction and the sentencing. He's just sad he's lost his job over the situation."

A Lake County sheriff's representative could not immediately be reached for comment.

A Cummings supporter said the young man, too, is suffering unfair consequences from the chain of events.

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A woman who declined to give her name but was described as Cummings' surrogate mother decried the relatively lengthy sentence, noting he could have received probation for the first-time offense.

She called the sentence "terrible" and "outrageous" and said Cummings was "railroaded."

Cummings' lawyer, Dave Peilet, said he will appeal the sentence because it was handed down as a result of what happened with the gun, rather than Cummings' conduct in stealing it.

George Houde is a freelance reporter.
A damaged "Photo Enforced" red light camera sign lies at an underpass at the intersection of Western Boulevard and Pershing Road in Chicago, Friday, March 13, 2015. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

A Cook County judge approved class-action status Wednesday for a lawsuit over the city's failure to give adequate notice to red light camera and speed camera violators, substantially increasing the city's potential liability.

The lawsuit contends that Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration broke state law when it shortened the time that ticket holders had to contest their violations or pay their fines.

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The decision by Judge Kathleen Kennedy to approve the proposed class-action means as many as 1.5 million motorists could have a stake in the outcome, not just the two plaintiffs who were named when the lawsuit was first filed.

The development came as no surprise to city lawyers, who have been working to stave off the onslaught of claims. In September, the Emanuel administration moved to pass an ordinance that gives those ticket holders affected by the errors a second chance to challenge their tickets retroactively, in some cases years after they had already paid their fines and late fees.

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Lawyers for the Emanuel administration have tried to downplay the significance of the case, arguing that accelerating the time that people have to pay fines does not change the fact they were speeding or running a red light.

But plaintiffs' attorney Jacie Zolna argues that the tickets themselves are fatally flawed because the administration violated due process and should not be allowed a do-over. He is suing to recover all fines and late fees associated with those tickets.

"It's big," he said after court Wednesday. "It essentially means that every ruling in this case could affect millions of people."

Kennedy's ruling was just the latest blow in a lucrative automated camera enforcement program mired in corruption and mismanagement since it began almost 15 years ago.

Later this month, the former CEO of Chicago's original camera vendor  Redflex Traffic Systems Inc.  is set to be sentenced for her role in a decadelong $2 million conspiracy to bribe a City Hall insider for every new red light camera that went up throughout the city.

A red light camera keeps watch over the intersection at Western Avenue and Van Buren Street Tuesday, March 10, 2015 in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)

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At its peak, the program  still the largest in the nation  peppered the city with 384 cameras that have raked in more than $600 million in fines.

A Tribune investigation found tens of thousands of tickets were issued improperly at malfunctioning cameras, where yellow lights were too short or city oversight was lacking. In addition, a Tribune-sponsored study found no reduction in injury-related, right-angle crashes at nearly 40 percent of camera locations, while the cameras caused a 22 percent increase in injuries from rear-end collisions throughout the city.

Emanuel and his transportation officials insist the program is designed to keep the streets safer  not to raise revenue for a cash-strapped city.

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Wednesday's ruling affects drivers who were ticketed through May 2015 who were issued a "notice of final determination" before the 21-day window required by law and those who failed to get a second notice and were assessed late fees before the required 25 days had passed.

Zolna said that anyone who believes they may fall into this class does not need to take any action at this time. They will be identified and notified of their involvement in the case, he said.

If the Emanuel administration gets its way, they will be offered another chance to contest their violation. If Zolna wins, each of them would get a full refund.

dkidwell@chicagotribune.com
Perhaps the biggest Illinois political story of the fall election is the pitched battle between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Madigan, and, to a lesser extent, Democratic Senate President John Cullerton.

There are district-by-district battles in state House and Senate races in the suburbs and Downstate. Rauner's Republicans and their deep-pocketed, pro-business allies have contributed tens of millions of dollars to try to cut into supermajorities held by Madigan and Cullerton. In turn, the veteran Democratic leaders, riding a wave of political money from labor unions and personal injury law firms, are trying to keep what they have and maybe pick up some seats.
An airplane takes off over the main parking lot at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago on Thursday, May 28, 2015. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Most parking rates at the city's two major airports would rise next year under Mayor Rahm Emanuel's 2017 budget proposal.

The increases were contained in a pair of ordinances the mayor introduced at Tuesday's City Council meeting. The money from the parking fee increases will pay for airport operations and upgrades. The city also taxes airport parking, and the higher fees mean the city will get more money from that tax as well. That extra cash will help cover day-to-day city operational costs.

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At Midway Airport, maximum hourly parking rates would increase to $50 per day from the current $46.75; daily rates to $32 from $24.75; and overflow parking to $11.50 from $5.50. Long-term, economy and valet rates would remain the same.

At O'Hare International Airport, there's a more complex set of parking options, with nearly all the rates increasing. The hourly maximum per day would increase to $59 from $46.75; daily rates to $32 from $24.75; valet to $54 from $41.75; and overflow to $30 from $21.75. Some, but not all, remote parking rates also would increase.

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The city also would double the rates of 670 parking meters around Soldier Field to $4 an hour for seven hours, starting two hours before the start of a game or event. The same rate hike also would play at 820 meters around Wrigley Field on game and event days. Soldier Field was added to the surge-pricing plan at the suggestion of Ald. Pat Dowell, whose 3rd Ward includes the venue, Budget Director Alex Holt said.

In addition, the ordinances would extend a city contract with Interstate JCDecaux LLC, an international conglomerate, to put up digital billboards on city property by four years through June 2036. That's being proposed because it took longer to get the signs up than expected, so the city at best would get a slight bump in its share of the revenue, city Chief Financial Officer Carole Brown said.

The ordinances also make some changes to city code, including a new city ban on sprinkling lawns on consecutive days from May 15 to Sept. 15 unless it's new turf, and tighter restrictions on the types of water pipes that can be installed  all in keeping with state and federal regulations.

hdardick@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @ReporterHal
U.S. Senate candidates Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth and Republican Sen. Mark Kirk debate Oct. 3, 2016, in front of the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)

Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield.

Topspin

Newly filed campaign finance paperwork shows Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk raised less than $300,000 during the first 19 days of October, leaving him with $576,279 for his re-election effort's final push.

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That contrasts with the Democratic challenger, two-term U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates. Duckworth's pre-election report for the same time period showed her raising $860,559, with $2.5 million left ahead of Tuesday's election.

That comes after the two candidates released third-quarter fundraising numbers last month. Kirk reported raising nearly $1.2 million for his re-election bid from July through September, compared with $4.1 million for Duckworth during the same time period.

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Kirk had more than $3.1 million in July but spent almost $3 million during the third quarter, leaving him with nearly $1.4 million to start October. Duckworth had more than three times that amount at $4.3 million.

Duckworth has outraised Kirk over five consecutive quarters, including the April-through-June period this year when she raised $2.7 million to just more than $1 million for Kirk.

Kirk is viewed as the most vulnerable Republican U.S. senator seeking re-election, notably due to Illinois' traditional heavy Democratic voter support in presidential election years. (Rick Pearson)

What's on tap

*Mayor Rahm Emanuel will speak at a U.S. Commercial Service conference in Chicago.

*Gov. Bruce Rauner has no public schedule.

*Chicago City Council Committee on Workforce Development and Audit has a 10 a.m. hearing on the Chicago-Cook workforce partnership.

What we're writing

*How the money war between Gov. Bruce Rauner and Speaker Michael Madigan is playing out in suburban, Downstate districts.

*The longer web version of the cash war in those House and Senate races.

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*Mayor Rahm Emanuel won't return a $50,000 Trump campaign contribution (includes City Council meeting roundup).

*Emanuel wants to raise O'Hare, Midway parking rates.

*Chicago Teachers Union votes on new contract.

*Sentencing memos out in federal case against politically connected Chinatown chef.

*City permit reveals cost of new Apple store along Chicago River.

What we're reading

*Much of Chicago holds its breath tonight, hoping for an end to an ignominious streak.

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*Leader of the free world sings song about oddly hued precipitation to trick-or-treater dressed as recently deceased rock star.

*Weird-looking superhero movie gets good review.

Follow the money

*Quote of the week: It's only Wednesday, but I think it's safe to proclaim this the quote of the week in Illinois politics. It comes from Democratic comptroller candidate Susana Mendoza in an overview story on the campaign.

"I'm running against (Gov. Rauner), and when this election is over and I beat him on Nov. 8, he's not going to be able to hide behind some story that he got beat by the big powerful Irishman named Mike Madigan from the South Side," said Mendoza, who faces Rauner appointee Leslie Geissler Munger. "I'm going to make sure he owns the fact that he lost to a little 5-foot-3 Mexican woman called Susana Mendoza from the city of Chicago. So he'll know my name then."

*Emanuel, Cupich and the Cubs (and cardinals): New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd related a story about Mayor Emanuel and Archbishop Blase Cupich.

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Here's a summary: At Sunday night's game Emanuel was sitting three rows away from Cupich, who was wearing a Cubs hat. The mayor is part of the delegation headed to the Vatican this month when Cupich gets elevated to cardinal.

Emanuel to Cupich: "Your Eminence, aren't your prayers getting answered? What's going on here?"

Cupich replied: "I need to pray a little harder."

Emanuel warned the archbishop to hurry up and show that he had the heavenly juice or "that Cardinal thing" might not happen. As fans nearby laughed, Emanuel and the cleric high-fived.

Follow the money

*In a late move, Speaker Michael Madigan's Democratic Majority fund poured more than $500,000 into the Lake County House race of Democratic Rep. Sam Yingling and Republican challenger Rod Drobinski, which is now the second-most expensive House race at more than $4.5 million.

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*Senate Democrats are in with another $200,000 for Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant of Shorewood, who faces a challenge from Republican Michelle Smith of Plainfield.

*Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here.

Beyond Chicago

*John Podesta paid $7,000/month by major Clinton donor in latest WikiLeaks revelation.

*Donald Trump used legally dubious method to avoid paying taxes, NYT finds.

*Hillary Clinton momentum slows, confidence remains, according to NYT.

*Revived Clinton email probe gives GOP candidates something to talk about other than Trump.
DES MOINES, Iowa  A white man with a history of racial provocations and confrontations with police ambushed and fatally shot two white officers Wednesday in separate attacks as they sat in their patrol cars, authorities said.

Police took 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene into custody hours after the killings and less than three weeks after he argued with officers who removed him from a high school football game where he had unfurled a Confederate flag near black spectators.

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Greene flagged down an Iowa Department of Natural Resources employee in a rural area west of Des Moines, identified himself and asked that the employee call 911. Sheriff's deputies and state patrol officers took him into custody.

He's suspected in the early morning slayings of 24-year-old Justin Martin, who had been with the force in the Des Moines suburb of Urbandale since 2015, and 38-year-old Sgt. Anthony Beminio, who joined the Des Moines department in 2005.

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Greene was taken to a hospital for treatment of unknown health issues and was to be questioned later at Des Moines police headquarters, Sgt. Paul Parizek said.

Police responded to a report of shots fired shortly after 1 a.m. and found the Urbandale officer. Authorities from several agencies soon saturated the area. About 20 minutes later, they discovered the Des Moines officer, who had responded to the first shooting, Parizek said.

The shootings happened less than 2 miles apart, and both took place along main streets that cut through residential areas.

In the first shooting, investigators believe the gunman walked up to the officer's car and fired more than two dozen rounds.

"I wouldn't call it a confrontation," Urbandale Police Chief Ross McCarty said. "I don't think he may have even been aware that there was a gunman next to him."

The shootings follow a spate of police killings in recent months, including ambushes of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Five officers were killed July 7 in Dallas. Three more were killed later that month in Baton Rouge.

Race was an issue in those cases and others involving unarmed black men killed by officers. Greene is white, as were the officers.

Greene appeared to have issues with people of other races.

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In the confrontation at the Urbandale High School football game, which Greene videotaped and posted on social media, he appeared to be trying to antagonize African-American fans when he shook a Confederate flag in front of them during the national anthem, McCarty said.

In the video, officers can be seen asking Greene to leave school property while he insists he was assaulted and his flag stolen. He demands officers file theft and assault charges, saying someone hit his head and grabbed the flag.

In a back-and-forth with officers that lasts for nearly 11 minutes, officers said they could take a report but they cannot let Greene back inside the stadium because the school has banned him from the property. They also note they were returning his flag and ask if he purposely wanted to create a conflict by displaying it near African Americans.

"I was peacefully protesting," he responds. "That's my constitutional right."

The video ends with Greene promising not to "set foot on" school property and officers saying they will take down his information.

Ardis Gardner of Des Moines told The Associated Press he was at the Oct. 14 football game to watch his teenage son play.

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Gardner, 47, who is black, sat with a group of other friends and family members when Greene, who was dressed in Army fatigues, approached them within a few feet and waved the flag at them during the national anthem.

"I was angry," said Gardner, who typically sits during the national anthem and prays. "It was senior night, and the spotlight should have been on those senior players. This was calculated for him to do it at that moment."

A week later, Gardner said, Greene followed him and a group of black parents into another football game with a dog that was wearing a gun holster and a Confederate flag vest. Greene sat nearby again.

After the video was posted on YouTube, someone identifying himself as Scott Greene commented, "I was offended by the blacks sitting through our anthem. Thousands more whites fought and died for their freedom. However this is not about the Armed forces, they are cop haters."

In other incidents, court records show Greene was jailed and charged with interfering with official acts after resisting Urbandale police officers who tried to pat him down for a weapon on April 10, 2014. An Urbandale officer described him as hostile and combative. He entered a guilty plea and was fined.

Two days later, Urbandale police were called to answer a complaint of harassment at the apartment complex where Greene lived. The complaint said he threatened to kill another man during a confrontation in the parking lot and yelled a racial slur used against blacks. Greene was charged with harassment.

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He pleaded guilty and received a suspended jail sentence and a year of probation. An officer wrote that Greene had complied with the terms of his probation, noting that he had obtained a mental health evaluation and "reports to have complied with the medication recommendations." The officer did not elaborate.

Soon after the football game incident, on Oct. 17, a criminal complaint indicates Greene was involved in an altercation with his 66-year-old mother. Greene accused her of scratching and hitting his face. He captured the fight on cellphone video, which he used as evidence of the assault. A judge ordered Greene's mother to stay away from her son, and she was released on $1,000 cash bond.

The Urbandale police chief said Greene was well-known to officers.

Most officers in the city "have some understanding of Mr. Greene," McCarty said. "They've taken trips to his house, delivered service to him  never anything to this extent."

It was unclear if either of the shootings was captured on police cameras.

Greene has a daughter who attends Urbandale High School. The Urbandale shooting occurred near the school, and the city's entire school district closed for the day.

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The attacks on police this summer in Dallas and Baton Rouge came in the wake of several high-profile police shootings of black men, fueling a national debate about police use of force, especially against minorities. It has been a frequent topic in the nation's presidential race.

Republican nominee Donald Trump has argued that police need the freedom to use greater force. Democrat Hillary Clinton has supported officers while calling attention to what she and others have called examples of bias in policing.

Parizek said the officers' deaths are a blow to the city.

"They are our friends and co-workers," he said. "Des Moines is not a big city. We all know each other. We're heart-broken."

Associated Press
Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign rally at Pasco-Hernando State College East Campus on Nov. 1, 2016, in Dade City, Florida. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

Reporting from Washington  Even if FBI agents discover classified information on a newly seized laptop, Hillary Clinton is unlikely to face criminal charges, according to legal experts and former federal prosecutors.

That's largely because the Justice Department and FBI Director James B. Comey have already declined to prosecute based on a legal conclusion that there was no evidence that Clinton and her aides intended to violate laws governing the handling of classified information, a key element of such a criminal offense.

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To change the calculus, the FBI would have to find correspondence that clearly demonstrates Clinton or her aides knowingly broke the law, exchanged materials they knew to be classified or attempted to interfere with the investigation by withholding or destroying evidence, according to former federal prosecutors and legal scholars.

"Such an email itself would have to be one of those things you would be saying, 'I can't believe you wrote that down,'" said Roscoe Howard Jr., a former federal prosecutor and U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia during the George W. Bush administration. "I would be shocked if they found such a thing."

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The chances of the bureau missing such evidence after what Comey had described as a comprehensive inquiry would appear to be slight, former prosecutors said.

"Short of a truly inculpatory email, the existence of which I find hard to fathom, I don't see a situation that comes out of this that justifies the hoopla," said Stephen Vladeck, a law professor at the University of Texas.

The analysis comes as federal agents and analysts are scrambling to review emails found on a laptop used by former Rep. Anthony Weiner and his estranged wife, Huma Abedin, one of Clinton's closest aides. Agents came across Abedin's correspondence while searching the computer for evidence that the disgraced former lawmaker may have violated federal laws when exchanging sexually explicit messages with a 15-year-old girl.

Huma Abedin, longtime aide to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press)

During its nearly yearlong probe, the FBI interviewed dozens of witnesses, conducted forensic tests and examined tens of thousands of messages that passed through the private email server used by Clinton and some of her aides while she was secretary of State. In the end, agents uncovered classified information in 193 emails that were part of 81 email chains, though none of the emails were marked with a classified header. Of those chains, the department concluded that eight should have been treated as top secret, the highest level of classification, the FBI reported.

"So if there were 100 examples of classified information before and now they find 10 more, how is that going to change the analysis?" asked Peter Zeidenberg, a former federal prosecutor who signed a public letter critical of Comey's decision last week to publicly reveal the new inquiry. "It's the same question. It's the same issue. That's even assuming the emails they find on the laptop are classified emails. There may all be duplicates, or emails that don't have any classified information. We don't know."

And even if agents discover evidence that warrants an indictment, Comey's past public statements could undermine a future prosecution, legal experts said.

Defense lawyers would certainly seek all records associated with his public announcement in July, when he declared Clinton's actions were "careless" but not criminal.

An about-face by the FBI would permit defense attorneys to attack the thoroughness of the entire investigation, pointing out that it failed to turn up Abedin's emails on a laptop she shared with her husband.

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"A classic defense in any criminal case is to accuse the investigating law enforcement agents of 'shoddy police work.'" said Mary Pat Brown, a former federal prosecutor. "When there are inconsistencies in the evidence itself, or any delays or missteps in collecting evidence, the government's case is vulnerable to attack."

Comey's unusual move to publicly discuss the case with reporters and Congress in July was in part to demonstrate that the bureau's inquiry was meticulous and independent.

But Vladeck agreed his action could now backfire. "Those statements make it difficult for there ever to be a prosecution,'' he said. "Comey laid a trap for himself in July."

Perceptions that the new emails won't dramatically change the case are part of the reason Clinton supporters were so incensed by Comey's surprise and vague announcement last week that the bureau would examine the materials over the coming weeks.

Agents are hoping to have a preliminary assessment of the Abedin emails completed by election day, though it remains unclear whether the FBI will make a further public statement about the case, despite calls for more information from both Democrats and Republicans.

Agents will need to sort out Abedin's emails, discard duplicates and then examine what's left to see if anything is relevant to the Clinton inquiry, a federal law enforcement official said.

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The laptop contains hundreds of thousands of emails  most of them Weiner's  and it will take weeks to fully vet them, the official said.

@delwilber

del.wilber@latimes.com
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Eau Claire, Wis. (Evan Vucci / AP)

WAUKESHA, Wis.  Donald Trump got the big October surprise. The momentum seems to be going his way. Hillary Clinton is again on the defensive, again over her emails. But in this enclave of white, upper-middle-class Republicans, the party's presidential nominee still faces a barrier that will be difficult to clear.

"It's a moral choice," Dick Radder, a 68-year-old Republican, said as he cupped a black coffee outside a Starbucks here Tuesday. "I can't get there. I can't get to Trump. I'm a husband and a father. And I can't convince myself to vote for a person who is weakening the fiber of the country."

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Most of the well-kept lawns here are dotted with signs for Sen. Ron Johnson, the incumbent Republican, and for other down-ballot candidates, but support for Trump is less evident.

"You're in a town that's about going to college and raising a family. People are polished and hardworking. He's not one of us," said Andy Schwichtenberg, a 28-year-old stockbroker.

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"I did try," Schwichtenberg added with a sigh. "I went to a rally." But he was not swayed and he was turned off by the crowd, which he noted was packed with men and women "who came there on Harleys."

In the last days of a presidential race where Trump is targeting traditionally Democratic states to try to forge a path to victory, holding together Republicans who have reservations about him remains a vexing challenge for a candidate who has repeatedly clashed with his own party.

Nowhere has that been more true than Wisconsin, a state that celebrates civility and is the historic home of the Republican Party, which was founded in Ripon in 1854.

Trump lost Wisconsin's April GOP primary by 13 percentage points to Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas), and he lost in Waukesha County by 39 percentage points. More recent polling has shown lingering unease about his character in this small city and other Milwaukee suburbs, long a hub of deeply conservative Republicans - and where strong turnout will be necessary for Trump to win.

"They have just never been comfortable with Trump," Charlie Sykes, a popular talk radio host, said in an interview Monday night. "The only question, the only thing people are talking about, is whether they'll come home."

Sykes, who has been a leader of anti-Trump efforts within the Wisconsin right, said Trump's chances will come down to what are called the "wow" counties - Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington - that need intense GOP participation to offset the heavy Democratic numbers coming out of Milwaukee, Madison and other liberal parts of the state.

Trump, who rallied Tuesday in northwest Wisconsin, is intent on making a late play, pitching himself to independents and working-class voters as someone who channels their economic frustrations.

Trump's push is reminiscent of how previous Republican nominees have tried with little success in past frenzied final weeks to score blue state upsets when other battlegrounds started to look less likely to go their way. Mitt Romney, for example, drew huge November crowds in Pennsylvania in 2012 but lost the state by five percentage points.

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Still, Trump's advisers hope that the FBI's announcement last week that the agency is resuming its investigation of Clinton's emails could be enough of an impetus for Wisconsin Republicans to finally decide to vote a straight party ticket, even if they will never warm up to him.

The campaign's view, voiced in several interviews, is that if Trump can spark Republicans in the suburbs and rural regions, the party organization here is ready to gin up turnout.

"You do have a bit of a feathered nest," Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said, noting that Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, who is from Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker have built a robust state party over the past decade that has made significant gains in non-presidential years.

"I tell people to remember that we're not hiring a pope," Laurie Bujack, 57, said as she made calls at a bustling county GOP field office decorated with a crucifix, posters of Ronald Reagan and a life-size cutout of the local GOP hero, House Speaker Paul Ryan (Wisconsin).

Nearby, Chuck Bloom, a retired 73-year-old salesman in a Trump T-shirt, said he identifies with those who were not with Trump at the start - he certainly was not. But now, he said, is "no time to be on the fence" or have "your nose out of joint."

"It could be Hillary, God forbid," he said.

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Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, campaigned Tuesday alongside Walker, who lives in the Milwaukee suburbs and who clashed with Trump in the primaries. Republicans are hoping his more recent support will help rally wavering voters.

"The message his being there with Trump sends is: Trump is the Republican candidate. Get behind all of our Republicans," said Candee Arndt, a veteran activist and longtime friend of Walker. "This is about the Supreme Court and the federal courts. It's about more than Trump."

Wisconsin Democrats, meanwhile, are busy rousing their coalition, dubious but slightly unnerved about Trump's foray into a state that they have won, at times narrowly, since 1988.

"I know what it was like during the times Trump says were 'good.' We're not going back, and I'm trying to tell the young people what's at stake," Alma Johnson, 74, said Monday at a phone bank in Milwaukee with dozens of African American Democrats.

In another sign that Clinton is not taking Wisconsin for granted, her campaign last week reserved television advertising time in the state. Her running mate, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, appeared at Wisconsin college campuses Tuesday, and her daughter, Chelsea, will make three stops Wednesday.

Clinton, who lost the Wisconsin primary handily to Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, is getting help from her onetime rival, who will be in Madison and Green Bay on Wednesday to campaign for Clinton and former Democratic senator Russell Feingold, who is locked in a hotly contested race with Ron Johnson.

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The polling average in Wisconsin shows Clinton up by nearly six percentage points. President Barack Obama won Wisconsin by about seven percentage points over Romney and by 12 percentage points in 2008. President George W. Bush came far closer in 2000 and 2004, losing both times by a few thousand votes.

By Tuesday afternoon, more than 518,000 early votes had already been cast, according to the state's elections commission. For Democrats, the data was seen as favorable since about 30 percent came from the urban part of Milwaukee and the Madison area - more than the 26 percent of statewide ballots those counties provided in 2012.

Making calls Monday night with Democrats, Hazel Frazier, 65, argued that working-class whites are not sure bets for Trump for reasons different from why many wealthier conservatives are averse to him.

"I used to work at General Motors, which has left. When those jobs go, it leaves black people and it leaves white people without what they had," Frazier said beneath a poster that read in part, "Don't get frustrated!"

"I'm an old bird, and I don't buy that working-class folks are going to go for Trump," she said. "We see through men like him, and we're sick of the damn emails."

Early voting is up by similar margins in the "wow" counties - providing 16 percent of the absentee ballots. Four years earlier, those counties counted for 12 percent of the vote.

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"You couple the FBI announcement with the organization we've built, we feel very good," said Mike Duffey, the executive director of the Wisconsin GOP. He said there are more than 30 offices in the state prepared to meet new and nontraditional voters who may come out on Election Day to register and vote for Trump.

As Robin Moore, 53, president of the Republican Women of Waukesha County, said Monday, "Republicans here have moved from lesser of two evils to one evil. That's progress."

"It's been hard for some women, and those tensions [with Ryan] didn't help," Moore said. "At the end of the day, we have to save the Supreme Court and we have to stop her."
Professor John Dundurs, who taught civil engineering at Northwestern University for 36 years, was a specialist in the elasticity of materials.

Elasticity refers to the ability of materials to return to their original shape and size after stress, according to retired professor Leon Keer, a friend and former Northwestern colleague of Dundurs. Considerations of elasticity figure into calculations involving mechanical devices and civil engineering structures, including bridges and tall buildings.

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"You would have to say he was an exceptional researcher and an exceptional teacher," Keer said. "He had an unusual ability to make a complex subject understandable to his students, both undergraduate and graduate."

Dundurs, 94, died of respiratory failure Sept. 21 in Evanston Hospital, according to his daughter, Nora Dundurs. He had lived in Evanston for many years.

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Dundurs was born and grew up in Riga, Latvia. He began his engineering studies in Latvia, but continued studies in Europe were interrupted by World War II. He came to the United States in 1950, initially supporting himself and helping his parents with a series of menial jobs while completing his studies in mechanical engineering at Northwestern, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1952.

He worked as a diesel engine engineer for International Harvester for a time before returning to Northwestern to work as a research engineer while continuing his studies there, according to family members. After earning a master's degree in 1955, he began teaching basic mechanics. In 1958, he became an assistant professor of civil engineering. He completed work on a Ph.D. and became a full professor in 1966.

Iwona Jasiuk studied with Dundurs, was a teaching assistant with him, and later wrote several joint papers with him on elasticity and composite materials.

"Just a fresh mind and always very interested in science," said Jasiuk, now a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Jasiuk noted that Dundurs found what are now commonly called Dundurs constants, mathematical factors used in many computations of stress in composite materials.

Keer said the Dundurs constants allow clear illustration and categorization of the behavior of materials and have been adopted worldwide as a de facto standard.

Dundurs also had a gift for getting complex ideas across to students.

"He was just a wonderful teacher," Jasiuk said. "Beautiful writing, so easy to take notes, and a lot of wonderful examples. The topic is quite difficult, but he made it really crystal clear."

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Jasiuk said she still has her notes from classes taught by Dundurs. "I've been using them for 30 years."

The work Dundurs did brought him a number of honors, including a "symposium in Honor of John Dundurs," held at the 1988 winter meeting of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He received the von Karman Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1990, the Nowinski Lectureship in 1994, the American Academy of Mechanics Outstanding Service Award in 2003 and was named honorary member of ASME in 2000.

A special issue of the International Journal of Solids and Structures was published in his honor in 1995. An acknowledgment to his research accomplishments was given during special sessions at the 12th U.S. National Congress of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics in 1994. This symposium went under the title, "Multiphase Elasticity and the Dundurs Parameters," according to Keer, who said it is rare for an individual to be honored by name in this way by a symposium at a U.S. National Congress.

Dundurs "loved his research," said Keer, noting that Dundurs published his last research paper in 2014, long after his 1994 retirement.

Dundurs, who published over 150 research papers, also served as editor or associate editor of a number of scientific journals.

"He had a tremendous ability to communicate," Keer said. "He had an exceptional wit and a unique way of stating things."

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Dundurs is also survived by his wife of 64 years, Valda; his other daughters Renate Dundurs Daly and Ilse Dundurs Kellow; and six grandchildren.

A service will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 26 in Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston.

Megan is a freelance reporter.
The late Associate Justice Antonin Scalia's chair in the courtroom of the U.S. Supreme Court is draped in black following his death on Feb. 13, 2016. (Handout, AFP/Getty Images)

When you can't win a fair contest, you have a few choices. You can gracefully accept the loss and try to do better the next time. Or you can flip the board over and stomp away.

Sen. Ted Cruz and some other Republicans are set on the latter course. Since the February death of Justice Antonin Scalia, the GOP-controlled Senate has refused to vote on the nominee to replace him, Merrick Garland. Republicans argued that because the vacancy occurred in an election year, the seat should not be filled until 2017. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

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Now, however, some Republicans think the American people should take a long walk off a short pier. With a likely Hillary Clinton victory looming, these senators vow to spurn anyone she might choose for the court, as many times as they have to.

"If Hillary Clinton becomes president," Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., promised, "I'm going to do everything I can do to make sure that four years from now, we've still got an opening on the Supreme Court." Cruz said, "There is certainly long historical precedent for a Supreme Court with fewer justices."

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There is also a historical precedent for trying to change the number of justices to achieve outcomes desired by one political party. But it's not what you would call an auspicious one.

In 1937, fresh off a landslide re-election, President Franklin Roosevelt was unhappy with the court, which had struck down several New Deal initiatives. In his first term, he hadn't been able to appoint a single justice. He saw little chance of getting to put his stamp on the court.

But Roosevelt was not resigned to letting mere Supreme Court justices impede his ambitions for a more powerful federal government. Because he couldn't get rid of the conservative justices, he came up with another idea: add more seats, which he would gladly fill. He proposed to expand the court by one justice for each sitting justice who was over age 70, to as many as 15 members.

As historian David Kennedy notes in "Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945," Roosevelt insisted the change would equip the court better to deal with an evolving nation, because older justices might "avoid an examination of complicated and changed conditions."

True, he acknowledged, the court had been made up of nine justices since 1869, but that was no reason to keep the number there. Earlier, it had been set lower or higher. But Roosevelt's plan was so transparently dishonest and political that it blew up in his face.

He not only failed but also alienated many voters and gave credence to the Republican claim that he was a dictator in the making. "Roosevelt was proposing to fiddle with one of the most respected and immutable American institutions, one designed by the Founders and enshrined in national mythology as the ballast whose unshifting weight could be counted upon to steady the ship of state," wrote Kennedy.

Cruz, Burr and other Senate Republicans ought to heed that infamous episode. There is nothing sacred about the number nine. But changing the size of the court in an attempt to influence how it decides future cases would be a cynical assault on the judiciary and republican government  as it was seen to be in 1937.

To say that a duly elected president should be endlessly resisted on Supreme Court nominations is to insult the electorate that chose the president. One tradition that makes our system of government work is that while the Senate advises and consents on judicial nominations, it does not presume to choose nominees. Another is that it does not treat Supreme Court vacancies as opportunities for mischief and manipulation.

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Intractable obstruction invites Democrats to respond in kind, upending conventions for their short-term advantage. Should they gain control of the Senate, they could jettison the filibuster rule  a product of custom, not the Constitution  to allow Supreme Court nominations to proceed to a vote without the approval of 60 members. On what principle could Republicans object?

If you don't like the Supreme Court nominations a president makes, the appropriate remedy is to win the next election and install a president whose choices will suit you better. And if you don't win, remember that the health of democracy depends not on the winners accepting the results, but on the losers.

Download "Recalculating: Steve Chapman on a New Century" in the free Printers Row app, available at www.printersrowapp.com.

Steve Chapman, a member of the Tribune Editorial Board, blogs at www.chicagotribune.com/chapman.

schapman@chicagotribune.com

Follow Steve Chapman on Twitter @SteveChapman13 and Facebook.
Quinn Chapel AME Church in Chicago's South Loop is slated to receive a grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places to help it with building improvements. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago's trove of historic churches is a thing of wonder, but the bills for maintaining these aged landmarks are high and an exodus of worshippers has turned many into white elephants. Every month, it seems, another is threatened with demolition.

An exception sits a couple of blocks west of McCormick Place: Quinn Chapel AME Church, a Victorian Gothic edifice at 2401 S. Wabash Ave. that houses Chicago's oldest African-American congregation. Presidents (McKinley and Taft) have spoken there. So have Kings  the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his father. The church was completed in 1894, a year after Chicago's World's Columbian Exposition. Its pipe organ was purchased from the fair's German pavilion.

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Over the last decade, the church has cobbled together funds for projects costing a combined $2.2 million  a new roof, a new boiler, plumbing and electrical repairs and a restoration of its handsome fellowship hall. On Wednesday, those efforts will get a boost with the announcement of a new national fund that provides grants and other aid for houses of worship in need restoration and repair.

The program, called the National Fund for Sacred Places, is organized by three groups with intersecting agendas. The Philadelphia-based Partners for Sacred Places supports the upkeep of aging religious buildings. The Washington-based National Trust for Historic Preservation seeks to preserve all sorts of historic buildings. The Indiana-based Lilly Endowment Inc., a philanthropy, aims to enrich the lives of American Christians. It is backing the sacred places fund to the tune of nearly $14 million.

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About $10 million of that will go to building improvements, with the rest supporting technical assistance and other related initiatives. Individual houses of worship will be eligible for up to $250,000 in capital grants  a relatively small amount but one that can be multiplied with matching grants. At least 50 congregations "from a diversity of faiths" will receive the grants over four years, the participating organizations said in a news release.

The 14 historic houses of worship that will receive grants in the first round include two architecturally notable structures in the Midwest: North Christian Church, a modernist edifice designed by architect Eero Saarinen in the small-town architectural mecca of Columbus, Ind., and Christ Church Lutheran in Minneapolis, another revered mid-20th-century modernist building, which was shaped by Saarinen and his father, Eliel.

Quinn Chapel's leaders won't know the amount of their grant until Wednesday, when the sacred places fund is formally announced at the church. But they plan to use the money  and the matching funds they'll need to raise to get the grant  to repair the building's colorful stained-glass windows. Many of the windows have an abstract, curving geometry that reveals the influence of the art nouveau movement that flowered at the turn of the last century.

"Some of those windows may have to be removed and re-leaded," said the Rev. James Moody, the church's pastor. "Some of their frames will have to be reworked."

Designed by architect Henry Starbuck, with an interior by Charles McAfee, the church is named for William Quinn, who served in the 1840s as the bishop of the Midwest diocese of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Founded in 1844, 11 years after Chicago was incorporated as a town, the church had several locations before its current home.

The building's spiritual heart, a second-floor two-level sanctuary that seats about 1,200, is currently not in use, partly because of leaks. Paint is peeling from the sanctuary's tin ceiling. Yet it remains a spectacular space, with richly carved wood pews. The congregation, which now worships in the first-floor fellowship hall, eventually plans to return there.

The area around the church has changed markedly in recent years as residential towers have risen in the South Loop and public housing projects along State Street were demolished. "Now it's very chic to say 'South Loop,' " said Corlis Moody, the pastor's wife. "That's not the way it was." Some of the stained-glass windows have holes in them, apparently from gunshots.

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The initial estimated cost for restoring the windows was $1.3 million, Rev. Moody said, but he thinks that number can be reduced and that the congregation can raise another $500,000 for window repair on top of the grant from the sacred places fund.

The church is also expected to receive more than $370,000 from Chicago's adopt-a-landmark program, which allows developers of nearby properties to help pay for renovations of landmarked buildings in exchange for the right to build more square footage. The church was named an official city landmark in 1977. The adopt-a-landmark money would go to cleaning and tuck-pointing the facade's gray stone. "It has to be done before the windows," Moody said.

The church now has 450 members, a big jump from when Moody arrived in 2002. Back then, he would say (with the clerical equivalent of artistic license) that 35 people were attending services. "We used to see 10 (people) at the 8 o'clock service and 25 at the 11 o'clock service," Moody joked. "But some of those were the same folks."

bkamin@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @BlairKamin
A Cuban repairs his car in a street of Havana, on Oct. 26, 2016, in Havana. The U.S. last week abstained for the first time in 25 years from a vote at the United Nations calling for an end to the U.S. embargo against Cuba. (Yamil Lage, AFP/Getty Images)

In growing numbers Americans are invading Havana's Malecon  jogging, strolling and dancing to rumba buskers as waves pound the seawall. Cohibas clenched in teeth, they're toting away bottles of Havana Club rum, filling up Airbnb rooms and flying back to the states on JetBlue. U.S. hotel chains are planting stakes, as trade missions staffed by politicians and businesspeople stream in and out.

Momentum is building in the ongoing detente between the U.S. and Cuba. Yet, something still isn't right.

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The economic embargo that the U.S. imposed on the Castro regime more than five decades ago remains in place. It's an anachronism that simply doesn't make sense to enforce any more, a formidable barrier to unfettered trade between two nations normalizing a once frozen relationship.

Last week, the U.S. abstained from an annual United Nations resolution condemning the embargo, the first time in 25 years that Washington has not voted against the resolution. The U.N. vote has always been a nonbinding, symbolic gesture that essentially allowed Cuba to show how alone America is in its policies toward Cuba. In the past, only Israel has joined the U.S. in its opposition to the resolution.

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The abstention falls in line with a series of groundbreaking moves that President Barack Obama has made over the past two years to resurrect diplomatic ties with Cuba. Those moves include the reopening of embassies in each other's countries, the resumption of commercial flights, an easing of restrictions on U.S. computer and telecommunications technology to Cuba, and even an end to limits on Cuban rum and cigars Americans can bring back from Cuba.

Obama has done all this through his executive powers, but that's as far as he can go. The embargo falls under purview of the Republican-controlled Congress. The GOP has insisted the embargo will be lifted only after Cuba's government has been ousted and its leaders held accountable for human rights violations. The embargo is 55 years old now, and it hasn't loosened the Castro government's grip on Cuba at all.

A remnant of the Cold War, the embargo has no place in a Cuba today on the cusp of transformation. At the core of Obama's policy toward Cuba is this choice: Engage rather than alienate. It's true, the Castro regime continues to trample human rights and stifle dissent, but the Castro brothers and their lieutenants are growing old. A new generation of leaders will take the helm in Havana, and a policy of isolation by the U.S. doesn't make sense when the rest of the world trades freely with Cuba. Economic engagement is the better tack.
Chicago Police detective Dante Servin during his trial on manslaughter charges in the shooting death of Rekia Boyd, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on, April 9, 2015. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago police Detective Dante Servin was cleared of involuntary manslaughter last year when a Cook County judge threw out the charge on a baffling technicality. Rekia Boyd, 22, was an innocent bystander who died when Servin fired his gun into a crowd in an off-duty encounter near his home. Servin  who quit his job to avoid being fired  now wants to collect disability pay from the city. He says he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the shooting and its aftermath.

It's up to the city's police pension board to rule on Servin's request. It's an easy call: no.

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There's no need to debate the PTSD claim. To qualify for disability, Servin must show that he became disabled "in the performance of an act of duty," even though he wasn't working at the time. Cops are authorized to carry out police duties even when they're off duty. Servin's attorney says the officer believed he was responding to a crime in progress.

Servin's actions on March 21, 2012, cannot, however, be construed as performance of police duty. Servin, 48, was making a late-night burger run in his personal car when he came upon a noisy group of people in the alley behind his home. Servin rolled down his window and yelled, "Hey, keep it down, people live here!" according to a report by the Independent Police Review Authority, which investigates officer-related shootings.

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One of the men yelled back at Servin. What happened next is disputed. Servin said Antonio Cross pulled out a gun; Cross and his friends said he had a cellphone in his hand. No gun was found at the scene. Servin fired five shots out the window at the group, and one of the bullets struck Boyd in the back of the head. She died two days later.

Servin was charged with involuntary manslaughter, but in an April 2015 decision, Judge Dennis Porter said Servin's actions were not reckless  the standard required for a conviction  but instead were intentional. The judge said the charge against Servin should have been first-degree murder. He issued a directed verdict of not guilty.

That's right: Servin was acquitted because the judge said prosecutors aimed too low.

Six months later, IPRA recommended that Servin be terminated, saying he violated departmental policy by firing into the crowd and made inconsistent statements to investigators. IPRA's report noted that Servin could have avoided the confrontation entirely. Then-Superintendent Garry McCarthy moved to fire him last November.

"Without identifying yourself as a police officer, you inserted yourself into and/or intervened in a situation, thereby escalating or increasing the risk of confrontation, which led to your discharging your weapon and killing an innocent bystander," the department's administrative charges read.

In May, before the Chicago Police Board could act, Servin quit.

If the pension board grants Servin's request for disability pay, he could get as much as 75 percent of his former $104,000 salary until his police pension kicks in at age 50.

It's important to remember the incalculable trauma that Boyd's family has endured. "Based on the experience I went through  we have to deal with this mental beating on our own and find our own way through it," Boyd's brother, Martinez Sutton, recently told the Tribune. "And yet still, they go and hug their officers and make sure they are OK."

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Does Servin suffer from PTSD? That's a medical question the pension board needn't answer. The discussion begins and ends with whether Servin was disabled in the line of duty. He wasn't.
Donald Trump "thanked" Anthony Weiner during a campaign rally in Las Vegas on Oct. 30, 2016. He also said the Department of Justice is "trying so hard" to protect Hillary Clinton. (C-SPAN) (Chicago Tribune)

Friends, our nationwide plague of scary clowns has subsided only to be replaced by something every bit as terrifying: mouth-frothing, reality bending Haters of Hillary Clinton, or HHC.

Known by the species name Hillaryclintonus asininus, this subset of humanity specializes in finding deep-rooted, brooding evil in everything the Democratic presidential candidate has ever done. Genetically predisposed to ignore evidence or the outcomes of millions of dollars worth of investigations, the HHC go through life convinced that the next piece of information uncovered  even if they don't know what that information is  will be the long-sought-after smoking gun that ends Clinton's decades of perceived criminality.

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The HHC walk among us  male and female, educated and uneducated  and are prone to spontaneous outbursts of "Lock her up!" and "Benghazi!" They speak a language in which the phrase "un-indicted felon" actually makes sense and practice a religion that centers around the faith that crimes can be believed into existence.

The motto of the HHC criminal justice system is: "You're innocent until proven Hillary Clinton." That motto has been put to use since last Friday, when the never-ending controversy over Clinton's use of a private email server during her tenure as secretary of state continued to never end.

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FBI Director James Comey told Congress that some Clinton-related emails had been found on a laptop belonging to disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner, whose estranged wife is one of Clinton's closest aides. The FBI's investigation into Clinton's email system was never formally closed, but seemed to end in July with justifiable criticism of the carelessness of the whole arrangement and the political skulduggery that followed but no recommendation of criminal charges.

The existence of more emails ignited a fire among the Hillaryclintonus asininus, leading them to conclude she was now, absolutely, for sure, without question, 100 percent ineligible to be president of the United States because the emails were undoubtedly so hideously sinister they would prove she is a socialist-demon-murderer-lesbian.

Irrelevant were the facts that: Comey hadn't seen the emails; nobody had ruled out whether they were just duplicates of previously reviewed emails; Comey's letter to Congress said "the FBI cannot yet assess whether or not this material may be significant"; and Clinton called on the FBI to "release all the information that it has," which doesn't sound like something a socialist-demon-murderer-lesbian would do if she knew it would out her as a socialist-demon-murderer-lesbian.

But facts are mere distractions when you're trying to believe a crime into existence. So the Haters of Hillary Clinton, to borrow a line from F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," took the news and "beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

Donald Trump supporters protest near a campaign rally of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at the Pasco-Hernando State College in Dade City, Florida, on Nov. 1, 2016. (Jewel Samad, AFP/Getty Images)

Ah, the past. That's where the HHC really learned to hate HC and honed their ability to fail at bringing her down. She had the gall, as the wife of a powerful man, to chart her own course to power. That course involved questionable decisions and dodgy maneuvering and changing policy stances and the kind of ugliness that infests our politics. It's the kind of stuff that makes even the non-HHC  also known as Hillaryclintonus pragmaticus  squirm.

But none of it  None. Of. It.  has been criminal as defined by America's actual justice system. There is no such thing as an un-indicted felon. That exists only in the minds of those who think they can wish and hope and pray and spew enough vitriol to magically teleport Clinton behind bars.

It hasn't worked yet, but nothing slows the HHC's weaponized indignation.

Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina was recently recorded saying he was "a little bit shocked" that a National Rifle Association magazine featuring a picture of Clinton "didn't have a bull's-eye on it." He later apologized, a strict violation of HHC code.

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On Tuesday, a tweet from Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller  a vocal fan of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump  referred to Clinton using the vulgar c-word, a popular term among the Hillaryclintonus asininus and one routinely spouted at Trump rallies and in the tweets of Trump supporters. Miller first claimed his Twitter account had been hacked, then blamed the tweet on a staffer. But among HHC, there was surely no-harm, no-foul.

Foster Friess, a billionaire backing Trump, was asked recently on CNN how Christians like himself can support a man who spoke openly about sexually abusing women.

"I don't think they should be conflicted if they really embrace their Christian values," Friess said. "One of the greatest gifts Jesus gave us was forgiveness."

Someone has apparently been hiding that biblical fact from the HHC. Clinton, unlike Trump, cannot be forgiven.

She has trespassed against the Hillaryclintonus asininus. Her lack of guilt only makes her more infuriatingly guilty. Her perceived crimes are overshadowed only by the crimes the HHC have yet to perceive.

There is not an assumption of guilt, there is a certitude of guilt, and it will and it must  and by God it has to  bring her down.

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The HHC are out there, roaming the country and seething, scarier than a clown in the bushes.

Watch out for them.

Because if Clinton wins on Nov. 8, the Hillaryclintonus asininus will run wild with rage.

And if she loses, everything will still be all her fault.

rhuppke@chicagotribune.com
Two people were home early Wednesday morning when a house on Aurora's East Side was hit by more than one round of gunfire, according to police.

The house, on the 100 block of North State Street, sustained an undetermined amount of damage when it was shot at about 2:40 a.m. Wednesday, police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said in an email.

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An 18-year-old man and 40-year-old woman who are relatives were home at the time of the shooting, Ferrelli said.

No one in the neighborhood, including the home's occupants, gave police any information that would lead to a suspect description or determine whether the shooting occurred by someone on foot or in a vehicle, Ferrelli said.

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Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call Aurora police investigators at 630-256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and qualify for a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to any arrests.

People also can submit tips through the Aurora Police Department's free My PD mobile app.

hleone@tribpub.com

Twitter @hannahmleone
The race for the 50th District Illinois House seat has incumbent Republican Keith Wheeler, who has served one term in the Illinois General Assembly, against Democrat Valerie Burd, the former mayor of Yorkville.

Both candidates say property tax relief is a big issue for voters as they go to the polls Nov. 8.

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Keith Wheeler

Wheeler said major issues he believes are important in the district include property tax relief, managing state finances, creating economic growth which Wheeler believes is tied to job growth, and reforms including school funding, workman's compensation lawsuits, pension, and independent mapping.

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"In Kendall and Kane counties, which I represent, Kendall has the highest property taxes in the state, and Kane has the seventh highest. I hear about this every single day," Wheeler said. "State finance is another huge issue that affects our local area because nobody understands why we can't get a state budget together and they're all frustrated about it."

Regarding growth and job creation, Wheeler said they are tied together and "there are still people out of work in our area, and the line at the Kendall County Food Pantry hasn't dwindled down to nothing yet."

"We still have work to do there, and school funding is another issue because people wonder how we can possibly lower our property tax bills," he said. "One of the things I bring up all the time is the reforms we're trying to get done in Springfield that haven't taken place yet including workman's compensation reform, pension reform, lawsuit reform and the independent maps and how we draw our legislative districts."

Wheeler said he is the best qualified candidate because he is a 25-year business owner who can "steer through the red tape" and whose work in the General Assembly shows he "can reach across the aisle."

"We don't make starting a business very easy in Illinois and I've spent years being a member of the National Federation of Independent Business," he said. "I guarantee I will not vote for Mike Madigan as Speaker of the House. We need new leadership. I've proven I can work across the other side of the aisle."

Valerie Burd

Burd supports change in real estate taxation, solidifying the annual state budget which she says also affects funding of universities and colleges, a progressive income tax, and wants to see work continue to bring Metra service to Kendall County as well as work to conserve its water supply.

"The biggest issue is our real estate taxes. Illinois is the worst in the nation for using property taxes to fund government, and it's one of the main reasons people are leaving the state," she said. "Being the worst is not a good place to be. We need a solid, annual budget because it's hurting our schools and universities all across the state. We have to find alternate revenue sources.

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"People don't like to talk about this, but I am for a progressive income tax," Burd added. "We need a constitutional amendment to make that happen, but in the meantime there are other ways to work on this problem. One of them would be to reinstate the 5 percent income tax."

"Another issue in Kendall County is to support Metra coming into our county to increase economic development and I want to continue as I did when I was mayor in trying to conserve our water," she said. "We're still facing issues with Lake Superior and Michigan going down."

Burd believes she is the best qualified candidate because of her knowledge which includes a degree in journalism and an advanced degree in political science and "covering local governments for many years" as a journalist.

"In 1998, I became an alderman with the city of Yorkville, and I continued that for nine years and then became the mayor for four years," she said. "Over the years, I've learned a lot about government and about laws and working with people on both sides of an issue."

David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News
Barbara Jones, mother of Donte Jones, surrounded by family and friends, Monday, Oct. 3, 2016 in Maywood, talks with media and pleads for answers to the polic-iinvolved shooting of her son, Donte Jones. (Antonio Perez/ Chicago Tribune) (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

An Oak Park man fatally shot by police last month outside a Markham nightclub was struck five times, including once in the back, an autopsy found.

Donte Jones, 36, was shot in the chest, right upper back, right thigh, right upper arm and left hand, according to an autopsy performed by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office and reviewed by the Daily Southtown.

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Jones, a father of four, had been out celebrating a friend's birthday at the Stadium nightclub, 16300 Dixie Highway, in the early morning hours of Oct. 2 when a fight erupted in the club's rear parking lot.

Police responded to calls about the fight and arrived on the scene to hear a single gunshot ring out that dispersed the crowd, according to a case report included in the autopsy filings.

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The case report states that security cameras then picked up Jones walking north of the building carrying a handgun.

Exactly what followed is unclear, but the report states that police confronted Jones out of range of the cameras and shot him multiple times.

Markham Police Chief Mack Sanders said immediately after the shooting that Jones had moved "in close proximity" to an officer, who in fear for his safety, opened fire "to stop the threat."

The Markham Police Department has neither body cameras nor dashcams, and thus there is no police footage of the fatal confrontation, he said.

Police recovered a .45-caliber Taurus handgun from Jones and discovered one shell casing from the gun, according to the autopsy case report.

Toxicology results showed that Jones had a blood-alcohol level of .042  below the .08 legal limit to drive  and no sign of cocaine, fentanyl or opiates in his blood.

The autopsy findings confirm what members of Jones' family had heard from witnesses  that he had been shot in the back  but don't clarify the circumstances under which he was shot, the order of the shots or which of the shots proved fatal.

Greg Gilbertson, an expert in police practices and procedures who teaches criminal justice at Centralia College in Washington state, said that without more information from police, it is difficult to ascertain whether police were justified in shooting Jones in the back.

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He speculated there could have been multiple officers who shot Jones from different directions or that he was hit in the front initially, turned to run away and was shot again as he spun around.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Gilbertson said there are limited instances when police are authorized to shoot a fleeing suspect.

The 1985 Supreme Court Case Tennessee v. Garner holds that police may only use deadly force against a fleeing suspect if "the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others."

At the time of the shooting, Markham police said that a single officer, a four-year veteran, had shot Jones. That officer was placed on modified duty pending an investigation into the shooting, Sanders said.

The status of that investigation and the officer's current job status are unclear, as Markham Police have not responded to requests for comment in recent weeks.

Neither the Illinois State Police, whose Public Integrity Task Force is investigating whether the shooting was justified, nor a lawyer hired by Jones' family could be reached for comment Tuesday.

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zkoeske@tribpub.com

Twitter @ZakKoeske
Robert Reilly, "Bagpipes and Drums of the Emerald Society Chicago Police Department," played music Friday for Orland Park Police Commander John Keating. (Erin Gallagher / Daily Southtown)

After more than 29 years with the Orland Park Police Department, Commander John Keating retired on Friday.

Keating was greeted by colleagues, village officials, and extended family when he returned to the station from his last ride on duty.

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"We're losing our commander of investigations, one of our most experience officers," said Chief Tim McCarthy. "He's made unbelievable contributions to the department his entire career."

Keating joined the force in 1987, and served as the first bicycle patrol officer in the village, as well as on the special response team, the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, and the Southwest Major Case Squad before being promoted to rank of commander in 2j010.

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"He's a larger than life figure in Orland Park," said police Lieutenant Tony Farrell, who joined the force the same day ask Keating.

Keating is retiring from the police force to take an investigations position in the private sector, he said.

His wife, Darlene Keating, watched his last ride in as a cop, calling the moment "sad."

"I always felt that he was born to do this job," she said. "It's just who he was, and he did it so well, it's sad to see it come to an end."

His children returned to Orland Park from college to witness his last ride in at the station.

"It's really rewarding, actually, just to see his years here touched so many hearts," said his son, Michael Keating, who is also studying criminal justice.

Keating's daughter, Samantha Keating, said it "means everything" that so many people came to the police station to watch his last ride in.

A couple hundred police colleagues, along with members of the Orland Park Fire Protection District, village officials, out-of-state family, and friends lined the police department parking lot Friday afternoon.

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Farrell will replace Keating as commander of investigations.

"I'm going to try to follow in John's footsteps, but he's been a tough act to follow, let me tell you," Farrell said.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

As his squad car pulled into the parking lot, the fire engine hung the American flag overhead.

Retired police officers Michael Shaugnessy, of Oak Forest, played a bagpipe, as Robert Reilly, from Orland Park, followed with a drum.

Both officers belong to "Bagpipes and Drums of the Emerald Society Chicago Police Department."

Shaughnessy called Keating "a policeman's policeman, a good cop."

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"It's really heart warming to see people show their support for me," Keating said, calling it a "fulfilling career."

"Good luck John," people hollered.

Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
A doctor Wednesday faced the man accused of stealing his identity to fraudulently offer psychological therapy to patients.

Dr. Julian Lopez-Garcia, who's completing a fellowship at Stroger Hospital in Chicago, told a jury inside a Dirksen Federal Building courtroom that a Google search in February of his own name brought up a website biography page for a psychiatrist at a clinic in Chicago's River North neighborhood.

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But the person pictured in the Clarity Clinic biography was actually Scott Redman, a Hammond man accused of using the stolen identity to see patients and prescribe medications, federal prosecutors alleged.

He was charged with wire fraud, stealing the identity and license number of a physician, providing false information on a Drug Enforcement Agency application and distributing a controlled substance.

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On Wednesday, prosecutors showed the real Lopez-Garcia, who was born and educated in Colombia, a photo of doctored medical licenses that they alleged was recovered from Redman's laptop.

The Illinois licenses were made out in his name and his license number, though a decimal point was in the wrong place, Lopez-Garcia testified.

"It's my number, but the rest of the document is not related to me," he said.

DEA agents arrested Redman in February at the clinic.

Redman's defense attorney has argued that the patients Redman saw over the months he worked there enjoyed the therapy he offered and that he never intended any harm.

In October, Redman pleaded guilty in Cook County court to one count of misdemeanor practicing psychological therapy without a license in the south suburbs.

At least five former patients of Clarity Clinic are suing the facility for failing to properly investigate Redman's background.

Much of Wednesday's federal trial testimony focused on what DEA agents recovered from the laptop and a cellphone belonging to Redman.

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Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Emails from January showed Redman communicated with a hacker to have phony medical school and hospital residency records created at the University of Connecticut and an associated hospital, according to DEA testimony. Redman also asked if it would be possible to darken his hair in a recent photo that would have been included in the fraudulent student information.

According to prior testimony, Redman claimed to have graduated from and completed a medical residency at a Connecticut school on a resume and application used to get a position as a contractor with Clarity Clinic.

Redman also reached out in emails from October 2015 to a website that provides fake identification cards, according to testimony.

"This new identity is for a new job and need everything to check out," one email allegedly from Redman reads.

According to testimony, Redman was interviewed that fall and was hired at the clinic in December. He saw patients for months and wrote prescriptions for medication to both adults and children.

Redman's trial continues Thursday morning.

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Nick Swedberg is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Can someone please tell me why so many people feel that it's OK to not use turn signals? Is it that hard to pull the lever up or down? It's the law, and can get you a ticket. It is also nice to know which way you are going when it's not obvious. I'm also seeing more people driving at night without their headlights on. They are almost invisible even on a well-lit street. You are not using any more gas by using turn signals or headlights.

Don, Burbank

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Why doesn't someone say the real reason for the problems at the Oak Lawn Chuck E. Cheese begin and end with those who patronize the restaurant? The latest "security" problem began with a woman spitting into another woman's face, and then that woman's boyfriend head-butting the first woman. What kind of people think this is normal behavior? It seems to me that a restriction on the number of adults attending children's parties would do more to make it a safe environment for children than all of the enhanced lighting and increased security personnel combined.

Red, Chicago

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If all the junk exposed about Hillary Clinton doesn't cause pro-Hillary voters to reconsider, there is virtually nothing nefarious that she can do that would sway these "tunnel vision" voters. That would be a sad statement concerning the lack of virtue on behalf of a segment of the American public.

Tom, Evergreen Park

I, for one, will not watch any of these games. I am amazed that these fans who stood behind this team for over a 100 years of mediocrity are now being financial raped at every opportunity. Even more sadly, they are standing in line wanting it to happen. To all of you loyal fans, you are finally getting what you deserve.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

J.K.

Take it from sellers who have learned the hard way. When you're selling a home, agree to pay compensation to the agents on the net, not the gross, sale price. After an agent chisels away at what you think you're selling for, with closing credits and other costs potentially racked up by the buyer, you'll cringe at your final payout. The only ones who will walk away smiling are the Realtors.

The resulting presentation of Tinley Park's "branding" $85,000 consultant was interesting. It showed a pathetic, lack of cohesive marketing expertise by the village and its previous mayor and board of elected officials. In addition to trustees being voted out of office next April, the entire village marketing department needs a complete overhaul starting with firing and replacing the leaders of that department.

Give taxpayers the credit they deserve. They know exactly what's going on here. Yes, Mayor Daniel McLaughlin and your trustees have done a fabulous job building Orland Park into what it is today. But isn't that what they were elected to do and staff was hired to do? Your mayor may have saved the village a bundle in salaries, but awarding him a huge salary bump now will inflate his pension and cost every taxpayer in the state for years to come. If you wanted to thank him, you should have done it post retirement with your checkbook, not ours. Who's taking bets he will be retiring in four years?

Tinley Park

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In Monday's Daily Southtown, it was reported that if the Democrats pick up even just one or two seats, they can override any veto from any governor's office. They'd become veto-proof. Michael Madigan, his cronies, the unions would have even more power. They'd run the state and have absolute rule over all our futures. They could do anything. Any person with any common sense knows and should be able to see that what he and they've done over the last decades and have brought us to where we are now. Bankruptcy. If you vote and give them the margin they need to become "veto-proof," you are abetting Illinois' complete collapse.

Bob, Oak Forest

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Neither is a candidate to make us proud, but if Hillary Clinton wins the presidency, she should send the finest chocolates, a basket of flowers, and an exquisite thank you card to Donald Trump. If another Republican candidate had won the nomination, her future address would not be on Pennsylvania Avenue. Come to think of it, he should do the same if he wins. The same could apply on the Democratic side.

Tinley Park

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Thanks to a Southtown article, we now know why the mayor of Orland Park favored a pay raise for himself from $40,000 to $150,000. His pension will be based on the highest three years of salary. So, this increase guarantees a huge pension hike. He is an example of political greed, claiming the village is like a large corporation...really? A corporation is efficient and profit-based, answering to stockholders. He says his job as mayor is to "meet people" as the village manager runs the village. He is very greedy, and will have a hard time getting re-elected.

Let's just call Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin's salary increase from $40,000 to $150,000 a reward for past accomplishments. He supposedly will be taking on additional duties as a second village administrator and as a full-time economic development coordinator. How can anyone be expected to perform the duties of 1 full time and 2 part-time positions in an effective manner? That's assuming the mayor and second village administrator positions are both part-time. Also, Orland Park will not be saving money in the short term because they will have to pick up the employer difference between a pension based on $40,000 and $150,000. This cost may equal or exceed the cost of the new positions the mayor will be taking on. And when McGlaughlin retires in a few years all three positions will have to be filled with pensions for each position. Only in Illinois can taxpayers be taken advantage of in such an obvious way.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Jay, Tinley Park

I grew up in Oak Lawn, and I also wonder why the mayor there seems to blame Chuck E. Cheese for the bad behavior of certain patrons at that restaurant. There are other Chuck E. Cheese restaurants in this area, and they don't have this problem. Could it be that the people in Oak Lawn no longer know how to behave? Or could it be that the problem patrons live somewhere outside of the village?

Sean, Homewood

With a municipal election only six months away, you'd think the staff our elected officials have kept in place would be working overtime to make our village look like a community worth our ridiculously high property tax bills and their generous pay packages. Instead, we continue to see the same displays of decline and deterioration with no evidence of urgency to do anything about it. Is the power of incumbency that impervious that they don't have to care?

Tinley Park

What's Speak Out?

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Speak Out allows readers to comment on the issues of the day. Email Speak Out at speakout@southtownstar.com or call 312-222-2427. Please limit comments to 30 seconds or about 120 words and give your first name and your hometown.
After 50 years with WRMN-AM in Elgin, Rick Jakle is selling the station, as well as WBIG-AM in Aurora and a station in Las Vegas and retiring from broadcasting. (Rick Jakle / handout)

Anyone who has been to the WRMN Radio studio in downtown Elgin can tell you it's a bit of a walk up the steep stairway.

So it's not much of a stretch  and a fitting pun  to say that Rick Jakle will be stepping down in a few months as the station's longtime owner: He is selling WRMN-AM (1410), WBIG-AM (1280) in Aurora/Naperville and KSHP-AM (1400) in Las Vegas to William Pollack of Memphis, Tenn.

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"I spent almost all my professional life in Elgin, and I've been able to do what I love to do. So you could say I've never worked a day in my life," Jakle said. "Now it's time to bring in someone new who will continue the legacy of the station. Bill is the round peg for a round hole."

"I love the communities where the stations are  they're great growth communities," Pollack said. "And I have a lot of respect for Rick's operation and for his people."

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One of the accomplishments of which Jakle said he is most proud is "recruiting and retaining some remarkable people."

"I'll have some big shoes to fill. Rick is one of the most respected and most brilliant people I know," Pollack said.

Pollack has owned radio stations in the "boot heel" part of Missouri for 20 years, ABC television affiliate KLAX in Alexandria, La., for 30 years, and NBC affiliate KIEM in Eureka, Calif., for 20 years. Since 2005, Pollack has owned cinemas in Arkansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

"Rick has always upheld the highest of standards as a person and as a broadcaster, for as long as I have known him," Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain said.

Jakle has been involved with radio since he was 14, and came to WRMN as a 24-year-old broadcaster on Dec. 26, 1966.

"Bill also started in radio at 14, so there is a lot alike about our careers," Jakle said. "A difference is he is 20 years younger. He can pick up the stations and move them to the next level."

Jakle might be best-known in radio circles for coming up with the Radio Shopping Show, which first aired in 1982 and which has versions now on all three Jakle-owned stations for six to eight hours a day. On it, listeners call in to buy gift certificates at value prices for anything from hamburgers at local restaurants to vacations at resorts in Mexico, Europe or Wisconsin.

Jakle has licensed the concept, and Pollack was one of the first to use it, Jakle said.

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As such, Pollack said he intends to run the stations pretty much as they are now, with the Radio Shopping Show remaining a key feature and one that he intends to build. The station also features brokered programming slots.

"We will also remain as community-oriented as possible, supporting local causes and offering local news," Pollack said.

The men expect the deal to close in February, pending FCC approval. Jakle previously sold his namesake WJKL-FM to Contemporary Christian music network EMF/K-LOVE in 2007.

Upon retirement, Jakle intends to travel with his wife, Sharon. The couple has two grown children and three grandchildren and intend to call Elgin home for most of the year and Las Vegas for the rest.

"We're usually in Elgin for 20 days, then Las Vegas for 10," Jakle said of where he and his wife spend their time.

In addition to his career in radio, Jakle has been a banker since 1970 and once was president of the National Speakers Association.

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He was the board chair of Sherman Hospital for 20 years and remained on a board after Sherman's merger with Advocate Health Care. He has served on several bank boards and is one of the founding directors of First Community Bank.

First Community Bank CEO and President Tom Johannesen has known Jakle for more than three decades and considers him a friend.

"Rick is a great guy with lots of energy," Johannesen said. "He put his heart and soul into radio for 50 years and has a quality product.

"Rick is a tremendous volunteer, having been active with the Elgin Area Chamber pretty near the time he came to Elgin and remaining active with us today," Chamber President Carol Gieske said. "He has been the emcee of the Chamber's annual meeting for more than 40 years, too."

"For years, Rick has generously given me a live monthly broadcast on WMRN where I lead discussion on local business and economic development activity through the Chamber and our Elgin Development Group," Gieske said. When Gieske was president of the United Way of Elgin, Jakle donated a lot of air time, allowing volunteers to do a live call-in with daily campaign totals for the eight weeks of the fall campaign, as well as a monthly broadcast about the human service agencies in the community.

"He really cares deeply for this community, as he says that this community has given so much to him," Gieske said.

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While Jakle intends to remain involved in the community and as a speaker, he won't be missing the 47 stairs in WRMN's downtown building. Over his 50 years at the Elgin radio station, Jakle guesses he has taken about 3,510,000 steps up and down that staircase.

mdanahey@tribpub.com
Citing "logistics," Leyden Township committeeman Brad Stephens is moving his political office at 14 Conti Way in Elmwood Park to Rosemont Village Hall, where he already has an office as Rosemont's mayor.

Stephens is looking to sell his office at 14 Conti Parkway. He then plans to relocate his political office to the village-owned office building at 9501 W. Devon Ave. in Rosemont, where many village departments are located on the second floor.

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Stephens said his offices will be kept separate, though, because of laws prohibiting the mixing of village and political business. The new arrangement "makes it easier logistically for me to do my regular job here, to have offices in the same building," he said.

Stephens and Angelo "Skip" Saviano, the Elmwood Park village president who continues to have his offices in the downtown Elmwood Park building, indicated it still may be used for political meetings.

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Stephens owns the building, which was funded through his campaign fund. The building had previously been owned by his dad, he said. Saviano said he plans to rent out Stephens' space until the building is sold.

He said it was understandably "burdensome" for Stephens, riding between Elmwood Park to Rosemont on a daily basis in his split duties. For Saviano, it's a little easier maintaining two offices, with Elmwood Park's village hall just a few doors away.

"I can do political work, go back and do village work," he said.
West Ridge Park in Highland Park. The park district recently announced a new foundation that will help fund initiatives for the district. (Karen Berkowtz / Pioneer Press)

The Park District of Highland Park has created a charitable foundation to raise funds and tap into new sources of funding.

Park officials announced the new Parks Foundation of Highland Park in mid October after the foundation received its tax-exempt status.

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"It's something we've talked about for years, but we felt it was really connected to GreenPrint," said Liza McElroy, executive director of the park district.

GreenPrint 2024 is the district's 10-year master plan outlining major planning initiatives.

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"Now we can literally point to projects and say, What about this? or What about that?," she said. "We are always open to an individual who might want to make a donation to something that is near and dear to them."

The foundation was identified as a priority during GreenPrint planning, and it is the first initiative to come to fruition.

The park district received assistance from the National Association of Park Foundations. According to the organization, there are about 1,900 foundations nationally and an estimated 200 local park foundations in Illinois.

The new foundation is seeking volunteer board members for the independent and community-led effort.

McElroy noted people look at a resource-rich community like Highland Park and wonder why a foundation is needed.

"That's one of the challenges we face," she said. "The reality is that we are tax supported and there is always discussion of tax freezes. In the State of Illinois, all of our grant opportunities through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the OSLAD fund have pretty much dried up."

OSLAD stands for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development.

McElroy said one obvious cause that private donors may wish to consider is the SMILE Grant-In-Aid program that enables families in need of financial assistance to participate in park district programs. SMILE stands for Scholarships Mean Involvement in Leisure for Everyone.

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"We want to do major renovations at Sunset Park which is in the heart of the community. That might be an example of something of interest to the community at large," McElroy said.

She noted that foundations can seek funding from other foundations, which the park district cannot do.

Further information is available at www.pdhp.org/parks-foundation-highland-park.

kberkowitz@pioneerlocal.com
Hinsdale Village Trustee Robert Saigh announced Tuesday he is stepping down from the Village Board.

Saigh said his house on Lincoln Street near downtown Hinsdale, which had been for sale, sold and he and his wife, Patti Whitten, will be moving to Arizona by the end of the month.

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Saigh, 70, was first elected to the Village Board in 2009 after serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Village President Thomas Cauley, Jr., said he plans to appoint someone to fill Saigh's seat until the term expires in April 2017.

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The members of the Village Board expressed their appreciation for Saigh, whom Trustee Laura LaPlaca called "a champion of all that is good about Hinsdale."

Saigh took his role on the board seriously and made decisions in a thoughtful and collaborative way, LaPlaca said.

Trustee Luke Stifflear said Saigh was never afraid to speak his mind, even when no one else on the board agreed.

Cauley said Saigh is a gentleman, although he has seen him lose his temper.

"He beats the drum for historic preservation more than any other trustee," Cauley said.

In 1999 and 2000, Saigh and others worked to preserve Immanuel Hall and the Hinsdale Theater. The village bought Immanuel Hall, a historic church at 302 S. Grant St., in 1999 and donated it to the Hinsdale Historical Society.

The Hinsdale Theater Foundation hoped to convert the theater, at 29 E. First St., into a performing arts center with more than one screen, restaurants and other amenities. That did not materialize and for a time the theater was used for stores and offices.

The building now houses Cine, a Mexican restaurant.

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"I think Cine has proven itself a good addition to downtown Hinsdale," Saigh said.

After his 23 years in the village, Saigh said Hinsdale still is a hugely desirable place to live.

"People generally appreciate what they have here," he said. "I had a full and rewarding experience here."
A defendant arrested and charged with a Waukegan murder last month had been charged in 2011 with attempted murder for allegedly shooting a man twice in the face in North Chicago.

Undra Bailey, 30, who authorities described as homeless, was arrested by Waukegan police Oct. 24 and charged in the Oct. 22 shooting death of John Collins, 28, of North Chicago. Collins was fatally shot in an alley on South Jackson Street in Waukegan.

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Bailey, who is charged with two counts of murder and is being held on $2.5 million bail in Lake County Jail, was released from prison in February 2015 in connection with a previous North Chicago shooting, according to the Lake County State's Attorney's Office and Illinois Department of Corrections records.

In the new case, Waukegan police said it is believed the shooting of Collins resulted from an argument between Bailey and Collins.

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At about 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, Waukegan patrol officers responded to the 800 block of South Jackson for a report of a shooting in the rear alley. On arrival, officers located Collins, who was transported to Vista Medical Center in Waukegan, where he was pronounced dead.

Waukegan Police Cmdr. Joe Florip said Bailey was arrested after he was located on foot in the area of routes 137 and 41 in North Chicago on Oct. 24 and was taken into custody without incident.

In the previous case, Bailey was charged on May 21, 2011, with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, according to Lake County Circuit Court records.

Cynthia Vargas, communications manager for the state's attorney's office, said the charges resulted from a May 20 argument in which Bailey allegedly shot a man twice in the face following an argument in North Chicago.

Vargas said that after the victim recovered, he said he couldn't remember the shooting and that he would not testify at trial, and a plea deal was negotiated in which Bailey pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and was sentenced to 8 years in prison, which under statute for that charge was served at 50 percent.

Bailey also received credit toward his prison term for 788 days spent in Lake County jail after his arrest, leading to his release on parole from prison on Feb. 10, 2015.

Bailey is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Nov. 17 in Lake County Circuit Court on the new murder charges.

Collins was one of two homicide victims in Waukegan on the weekend of Oct. 22-23. On that Saturday evening, police responded to a report of shots fired on the 1500 block of 11th Street. While en route, Florip said, another call came in that a victim was shot and lying in the street. The victim, identified as Michael Q. Sierra, 23, of Beach Park, was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead.

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Investigators believe the shooter knew the victim, and the shooting was not random, according Florip, who said it appeared to be an encounter that "escalated to the shooting."

Florip said Wednesday that police are still seeking a man who is considered a "possible suspect." The man is described as black in his late teens or early twenties who was sporting a short dreadlock hairstyle and was last seen wearing a dark-colored winter coat.

Anyone with information about this homicide is asked by Waukegan police to call the department's Tip Line at 847-360-9001.

jrnewton@tribpub.com

Twitter @jimnewton5
A Libertyville attorney has been appointed as the newest associate judge in Lake County Circuit Court.

Stacey L. Seneczko, a partner in the firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in Lake Bluff, was elected by a vote of the circuit court's full circuit judges, according to Chief Judge Jorge Ortiz.

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Seneczko will fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Associate Judge Sarah P. Lessman.

"Ms. Seneczko's breadth of experience, organizational skills, professional demeanor, fair-mindedness, and extensive knowledge of complex areas of the law are but a few of the attributes that will serve her well in her position as a judge," Ortiz said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. "We congratulate Stacey and look forward to her joining the 19th Circuit in the very near future."

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Seneczko, one of two finalists selected from a pool of over 20 applicants by the circuit judges, received a rating of "highly recommended" from members of the Lake County Bar Association, who review all judicial applicants.

Admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989, Seneczko served as a judicial law clerk in the state's Second District Appellate Court prior to her current practice, where she has litigated civil matters.

She is a current member of several bar associations and legal organizations including the American, Illinois State, and Lake County bar associations, the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County, and the American Inns of Court.

Seneczko is expected to begin as an associate judge later this month.

Twitter @NewsSun
Next year, Warren Township High School seniors will have the chance to take a class specially designed to help them skip remediation math courses at the College of Lake County that don't earn them any college credit, District 121 officials said.

The course was one of three new offerings approved by the Gurnee-based district's school board last week and set to be rolled out for the 2017-18 school year, Superintendent John Ahlgrim said in an email.

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The board also approved a theatre design and technology course designed to provide students hands-on experience in behind-the-scenes theater technician work in lighting, sound and set design as well as make-up and costuming; and a material science course exploring polymers, crystals, ceramics, metals and composites in both lecture and lab settings for students interested in going beyond basic chemistry or physics, according to synopses provided by the district.

The district gets its ideas about potential new courses from students, parents and staff, said Wileen Gehrig, the district's assistant superintendent of instructional services and personnel. The goal is to fill in the gaps that might be missing in its curriculum, while keeping in mind how the courses will fit into the district's goal of making its students more college and career ready.

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The theater course, for example, had been proposed by Adam Miller, an English and theater teacher, who saw that most of his students who were entering the theater world were working behind the scenes, not acting on stage, she said.

While the new theater and science courses expect to draw a section or two of students, Warren Township is estimating 200 to 300 students  based on the number of College of Lake County-bound students with ACT scores between 17 and 22, though the class will be open to anyone  will opt to take the new transition class instead of the trigonometry and statistic courses they would otherwise take senior year, according to district documents.

Because Warren Township opted to keep the course open to anyone, students headed to CLC will still have to take the placement test, but the hope is fewer students will have to take remediation courses, sometimes called developmental, that don't earn them college credit and are designed to prepare them for entry-level courses, Gehrig said.

More than 60 percent of Warren Township students who attended the College of Lake County had to take at least one remediation class, she said.

Nearly 70 percent of community college students nationwide take at least one such class, according to a 2014 report from the Community College Research Center at Columbia University. And of those students, only 28 percent go on to earn a degree within eight years, compared to 43 percent of students who don't have to take those courses.

The College of Lake County has "been very focused on college readiness," considering it a cornerstone of the work being done within its High School Alliance, said Ali O'Brien, the college's assistant vice president for educational affairs, in a statement. A recent meeting focused on Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act, which was signed into law by the governor this past July, which gives community colleges and high schools to ways to partner on transition courses.

The High School Alliance is made up of the 11 districts  including Warren Township  that send CLC more than 75 percent of its incoming students each year.

The college is pursuing grant funds being offered in conjunction with the new law to help fund work in this area, O'Brien said, adding that at this point, she didn't know how many other Lake County high schools would be ready to offer transition courses next fall.

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How transition courses are designed can have a significant impact on whether they help or hurt students, a March 2016 working paper from the Community College Research Center concluded after looking at the rollout of transition courses in West Virginia.

The paper's authors, Lara Pheatt, Madeline Joy Trimble and Elisabeth A. Barnett, found that students who scored right below the threshold and were directed to the transition class actually fared worse than the students who scored right above and didn't take the class.

They raised concerns that the transition course was less rigorous than the math courses students would otherwise be taking their senior year, and because transition courses by design group lower performing students with other lower performing students, students were potentially missing out on the benefits of being in courses with their higher-performing peers.

"These findings should not dissuade schools, states, or districts from implementing transition courses but instead should encourage them to invest in areas that might strengthen the effectiveness of the course," they wrote.

Gehrig is optimistic that Warren Township will avoid some of the pitfalls encountered in West Virginia because the district decided to merge the concepts being taught in its introduction to statistics and trigonometry courses with the concepts that CLC has highlighted in its placement test.

That should help keep the rigor high, she said. The district also made the conscious decision to not pigeonhole the class to ensure that a mix of students take it.

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The district intends to track how students do on the placement test and make adjustments if needed, Gehrig said.

emcoleman@tribpub.com

Twitter @mekcoleman
A Zion family was displaced from their home Monday night after a kitchen fire in a duplex in the 3000 block of 30th Street.

Zion Fire Department Lt. Rick Reich said the call came in just before 9 p.m. and there was smoke coming from one side of the duplex. The fire was contained in the kitchen area around the stove and kitchen cabinets, but there was heat and smoke damage in the home, he said.

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Crews were able to protect some of the contents of the home from damage, Reich said, adding that the family members were able to evacuate themselves, and there were no injuries. There was no damage to the duplex next door, he said.

Firefighters from Gurnee, Newport Township, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, Winthrop Harbor and Beach Park assisted in overhauling the fire scene.

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Reich said there were no working smoke detectors noticed inside the home during the fire. He said residents need to practice fire drills in the home with their family and check the batteries in smoke detectors.

Reich said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but he cautioned that people should "always pay close attention while cooking in your home."

Zion Emergency Services helped the family find temporary lodging.

fabderholden@tribpub.com

Twitter @abderholden
Lake Forest officials and residents are scrambling to respond to the proposed construction of a side train track of at least 10,000 feet near the Academy Woods subdivision.

Amtrak wants to increase service on its Hiawatha line between Milwaukee and Chicago from seven round trips a day to 10 round trips a day.

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The additional trips will allow the Amtrack Hiawatha service to attract an additional 100,000 passengers per year in 2019, according to an environmental assessment by the Illinois and Wisconsin departments of transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration, the agencies involved in the project.

To make that possible, Amtrak has proposed five projects along the mainline tracks that would allow trains to increase speed and reduce travel times. One of those projects would involve building a side track near the Academy Woods Subdivision, located north of Kennedy road between Waukegan Road and Interstate 94, that is long enough to hold a typical freight train.

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An environmental impact study was released to the city of Lake Forest in mid October, said City Manager Bob Kiely during a town hall meeting Tuesday. The city hired Hanson Engineering to evaluate the study and make a presentation during the Nov. 7 city council meeting.

The public comment period on the projects, however, ends on Nov. 15. That concerns JoAnne Desmond, president of the Academy Woods Homeowners Association.

Desmond passed out sheets expressing concern over potential noise, vibrations and air pollution from idling trains along with concerns over how the project could impact the ecosystems of the Middlefork Savanna and wetlands.

Mayor Don Schoenheider said that the city government and residents are together in responding to the proposed project.

mlawton@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter: @reporterdude
A convicted thief was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison for burglarizing a medical building in Naperville twice in less than two years.

The man, Samuel J. Flores, originally served 162 days in DuPage County jail for looting the building. His most recent arrest for burglarizing the building was in mid-June.

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DuPage County Circuit Court Judge Robert A. Miller Tuesday sentenced Flores to concurrent, three-year prison terms for the Aug. 2, 2014, and June 14 burglaries to Advanced Behavioral Health Services, at 1952 McDowell Road on Naperville's far northwest side. Miller also ordered Flores to pay $1,089 in legal costs and spend two years on mandatory supervised release after completing his prison time.

Flores, 25, most recently lived in the 1800 block of Cherrywood Lane in Sycamore. He formerly lived in Naperville and Wheaton, and reportedly at one time was an Advanced Behavioral Health Services client.

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Police and court records indicated Flores in early August 2014 was found with three prescription pill bottles containing amphetamine salts, oxycodone and alprazolam. He also had eight, legally-filled prescription medication forms, 34 blank prescription forms and a stolen laptop computer and set of headphones, police said.

A judge that October convicted Flores of a misdemeanor charge of theft, sentencing him to jail and placing him on two years of probation, according to court records. Flores also was ordered to undergo substance abuse counseling and pay $1,332 in court costs, records showed.

In the June burglary, police were waiting as Flores tried to flee via the building's back door. He was carrying a laptop computer, blank prescription drug forms and a medical book, all of which had been stolen from the building, authorities said.

wbird@tribpub.com
A Naperville woman accused of murdering her young son and a child she was babysitting may be ready to stand trial this spring, attorneys said Wednesday.

Elzbieta Plackowska, 44, appeared at a status hearing in DuPage County court, almost four years to the day that she made her initial appearance for the alleged first-degree murders of her son, Justin Plackowski, 7, and Olivia Dworakowski, 5.

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Her attorneys from the public defender's office and the prosecution team headed by State's Attorney Robert Berlin told Judge Robert Miller that the case may be ready for trial in April, depending on the outcome of an ongoing, additional mental health review requested by the defense.

Plackowska's attorneys plan to mount an insanity defense, and they have hired an additional expert to review the work of the psychiatrist who evaluated Plackowska. Berlin said he hoped the new expert's report could be completed quickly. The initial evaluation took more than three years to complete, and additional testing took more than a year.

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"I hope we're not looking at that kind of delay in a case that's 4 years old," Berlin told the judge, whose courtroom observers included Olivia's mother, Marta Dworakowski.

Both sides will return to court Dec. 2 for an update, and a trial date may be set then.

Plackowska has been in the DuPage County Jail since she was taken into custody on the night of Oct. 30, 2012, when, prosecutors allege, she stabbed her son; Olivia; and two dogs to death at the Dworakowski residence on Quin Court in Naperville.

Plackowska was babysitting Olivia, whose mother worked as a nurse. According to police, she told her son and Olivia to kneel and pray and then stabbed them dozens of times with a kitchen knife. Plackowska then drove to a Naperville church and then to another residence where her adult son was staying. He phoned police.

Naperville's police chief called the scene of the stabbings the "most horrific and gruesome" he had witnessed.

Plackowska's mental state at the time of the stabbings will be the key evidence at trial. If she is found to be not guilty by reason of insanity, then she would be confined to a mental hospital. If the insanity defense is rejected and she is found guilty of two first-degree murders, she would face an automatic sentence of natural life in prison.

Phillip Resnick, a noted psychiatrist who has been involved in several high-profile cases, examined Plackowska for the defense. His report has been tendered, though, like other trial evidence, it is not public. The Ohio-based psychiatrist has consulted in the cases of Theodore Kaczynski, known as the "Unabomber"; Jeffrey Dahmer; and Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, among others.

According to authorities, Plackowska said she killed the children to "drive the devil out of them." But she also said she was angry with her husband, a long-haul trucker who was frequently away from home, and that she killed their son to hurt her husband. Olivia Dworakowski was killed because she was a witness, Plackowska allegedly told police.

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Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter.
Naperville residents will be allowed to keep between three and 10 honeybee hives in their yards, depending on their lot size, under new rules approved by the Naperville City Council Tuesday. (Jordan Nailon / AP)

The Naperville City Council Tuesday established limits on the number of honeybee hives residents can keep in their backyard based on the size of their property.

Under the new regulations, properties under a quarter acre in size quarter can keep up to three hives, residents with between a quarter acre and half acre can have up to six hives and residents whose property is acre or larger can have up to 10 hives.

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The council agreed to change the setback for the hives from the originally proposed 15 feet to five feet at the behest of former Councilman Robert Fieseler, who addressed the council after distributing honey made by his own bees and granola made with the honey to council members.

"A honeybee doesn't care whether they're 15 or five or zero or 50 feet away from a property line," Fieseler said. "They're going to move just as quickly into wherever they want to forage."

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Councilmen John Krummen and Kevin Coyne voted "no" on the ordinance. Both said they saw no reason to regulate hives.

"I don't understand why we're getting into this," Coyne said. "All we're doing is adding bureaucracy."

In accordance with state of Illinois regulations, residents keeping beehives are required to register their hives with the state. The annual registration is free and, once approved, applicants receive a certificate.

Including the required state registration as part of the city ordinance means Naperville can enforce it, Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico said.

The original proposal council members reviewed in October would have limited the number of hives to two regardless of lot size, and would have required residents to install fencing and post signage notifying neighbors of the hives. After hearing comments from several people, including beekeepers, council members questioned if the originally proposed restrictions were too stringent.

Naperville residents who are already keeping honeybees have six months to bring their hives up to code. Honeybee keepers who violate the new rules will be fined between $100 to $500 for each offense.

Councilwoman Patty Gustin asked whether the regulations would keep residents from taking up beekeeping as a hobby.

Fieseler said he does not think the regulations will keep people who are not yet keeping honeybees from wanting to do so.

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He added that honeybees often get a bad rap because people confuse them with wasps.

"Most of the time when you see a bee, it's a wasp," Fieseler said. "Bees tend to keep to themselves, they just want pollen and nectar."

ehegarty@tribpub.com
Jen Eisner co-founded House 406, 1143 1/2 Church St., Northbrook, in July 2014. She calls it "A comfortable neighborhood spot with elevated food and drink." Her partner in the "farm-to-table, New American steakhouse" is her husband, Chef Eloin Amador.

Q: Where did you grow up?

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A: In Northbrook. I still live in Northbrook. My whole family's here. We're all really close.

Q: As child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

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I went through phases, probably everything out there. When I got little older, I was going to be a school nutritionist. But while studying for the Medical College Admission Tests, I decided to got to culinary school. I realized my favorite part of studying was taking a break to make dinner.

Q: What was your first job?

A: I was a Little League umpire. I started doing it when I was 9. We did the real little kids. I don't think an umpire was really needed.

Q: Do you have any pets?

A: I do have two cats. They're my favorite things in the world. He was 11 and she was 9 when we adopted them from Orphans of the Storm. We fell in love with them, and we're weird cat people now.

Q: Do you play any musical instruments?

A: I'm not musical at all. If you asked me to sing, you'd regret it.

Q: What's your favorite restaurant?

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A: I love my restaurant, of course, but if I go out to eat I always go to Tocco, in the city on Milwaukee just north of Division. Pizza and pasta and just amazing things. The guy imports everything from Italy, he's totally hands-on. So delicious.

Q: What's your favorite charity?

A: We do a lot with Orphans of the Storm. And with kids' charities, it's easy to do things in a restaurant, and we've worked with Share our Strength (an anti-kids' hunger group) in the past, and Common Threads. That's by Art Smith, who used to be Oprah's chef. It's a charity that teaches kids how to cook healthy, and they take it home and teach their families.

Q: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

A: I would love to go to Greece, and stay on the beach and look at the ocean for a couple of days.

Q: Do you have any words of wisdom?

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Never say to no to an opportunity, but be careful about the people you surround yourself with.

Shout Out is a weekly feature helping us get to know and introduce our readers to their fellow community members and local visitors throughout suburban Chicago. Check out more online at ChicagoTribune.com/ShoutOut

ileavitt@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @IrvLeavitt
Isiah Barker has been charged in the death of his pregnant girlfriend, Cynthia Funches, of Highland. (Lake County Sheriff's Department / Post-Tribune)

Lake Superior Court jurors hearing evidence in the killing of a pregnant Highland woman heard a Chicago police detective describe how the woman's body was found by a man renovating a home in the city.

The investigator's testimony and a photograph of the body, which was found stuffed in a plastic storage tote, came during the second day of the trial of Isiah L. Barker, 32, of Chicago, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and feticide in the 2011 death of his girlfriend, Cynthia Funches, 26.

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Chicago police Detective Stan Kalicki said he was called to a residence near 138th and Normal Street, where the homeowner who was rehabbing a residence found a plastic storage bin inside the garage behind the residence on June 22, 2011. The man had screwed shut the side door to the garage the night before. The next morning, the owner discovered the frame was damaged and a padlock that wasn't his securing the building, Kalicki said.

A tentative identification of the body was made through a tattoo on the victim's forearm, he said. Kalicki said he noticed the woman was wearing a uniform for a nearby rehabilitation center. A phone call there revealed that Funches hadn't been at work that day. A computer search led to Funches' home address at an apartment at 9509 Southmoor Ave., Highland, in the Hampton-in-Highland complex, where Highland police had been involved in a welfare check on Funches and discovered the apartment in disarray.

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Highland police Cpl. Brandon Norris said when he went to check on Funches' well-being, he found carpet and padding pulled up in the living room, dining room and bedroom, furniture piled in the kitchen, the mattress and box spring missing from the bedroom, and stains that appeared to be blood on walls, floors and elsewhere. Questioned by deputy prosecutor Reginald Marcus, who is presenting evidence with deputy prosecutor Infinity Baulos, Norris said he felt like the apartment was a crime scene and notified his supervisor.

Norris said the apartment had a strong smell of bleach or cleaning products.

During cross-examination, Indianapolis defense attorney Angela Trapp noted that Norris had no warrant to enter the apartment and no reason to believe that somebody inside was in imminent danger.

Testimony is expected to resume Wednesday before Lake Superior Court Judge Samuel Cappas.

Ruth Ann Krause is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Valerie Martinez, a friend of the family of homicide victim Koreena Ramos, holds a photo of Ramos as she speaks about her life on Thursday. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Koreena Ramos loved driving around in her car, whether it was spending time with friends or giving people rides to work, her grandmother, Athie Ramos, said.

"She could drive all day long if you gave her enough gas money," Athie Ramos said, chuckling.

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An employee working at a Gary food market found Koreena Ramos and her boyfriend, Zantrell Collins, both 18, unresponsive Oct. 13 in her silver Chevrolet outside Family Food Discount on 49th Avenue. The Lake County coroner's office ruled the two deaths homicides and said each had suffered gunshot wounds.

Just over a week later, Gary police found 25-year-old Devita Scott and 27-year-old Christopher J. Clark shot to in a car late Oct. 21 in the 2000 block of Industrial Boulevard.

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Since the beginning of October, there have been nine homicides, according to Lt. Dawn Westerfield.

Investigators are working "tirelessly" to solve these cases, and they do not currently believe there is a connection between the two double homicides, said Westerfield. Charges had not been filed in either case, she said.

Athie Ramos, grandmother of Koreena Ramos, who was one of two victims of a shooting outside of a Gary grocery store two weeks ago, takes a moment to compose herself as she speaks about her granddaughter's life on Oct. 27, 2016. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

The Ramos family is puzzled by her death.

"I promised her, when I went and rubbed her hand in the coffin, I said, nobody will ever forget you," Athie Ramos said. "I don't want people to forget her because she mattered."

Upcoming birthday

Koreena Ramos was with her grandmother just a couple of hours before police found her outside the Gary market, Athie Ramos said.

She was about to turn 19 on Oct. 16, and she went to her grandmother's Merrillville home at about 6:15 p.m. to pick up a straightener her grandmother had bought her as a birthday gift and to eat some lasagna she made.

After saying goodbye, Athie Ramos said she tried to get in touch with Koreena a little later with no response, but her grandmother said she didn't think anything was wrong.

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"I wouldn't have let her leave if I thought something was wrong," Athie Ramos said.

Koreena Ramos went to spend time with her boyfriend, Collins, as they had many times before, including at the market they were found at by police near Collins' home. The two had met at Merrillville High School, Athie Ramos said, and they had been dating more than a year.

"She was crazy about him, and he was crazy about her," she said.

Bryan Ramos, father of homicide victim Koreena Ramos, shows a picture of him and his daughter on his phone on Oct. 27, 2016, as he talks about her life. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Athie Ramos' feels people should wary of pointing fingers when trying to figure out how and why the two teens died.

"I'm tired of people saying things, 'Oh you have to watch the company you keep.' I never think a victim should be to blame for their death," she said.

It's easy for people to become desensitized, hearing about young people dying every day in Chicago, never learning their names or about their lives, she said.

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"Every one of those kids have mothers and fathers and grandmothers and siblings and friends," she said. "It has to matter."

'Really special girl'

Koreena Ramos grew up in Merrillville, and she was a student her teachers praised about to her family, Athie Ramos said.

Ramos loved bowling, and she participated in a youth league at Camelot Lanes in Portage for a handful of years.

"The day she bowled a 203 game was one of the proudest days of her life," her obituary read.

Her father, Bryan Ramos, her grandmother and her grandfather, Emilio Ramos, remember her as someone who cared about others and couldn't carry a grudge. Bryan Ramos has two teenage daughters, and like any teenager, parents and children argue, he said, but with Koreena, it never stuck.

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"Everytime I argued with Koreena she was always there to make sure you were OK," he said.

Athie Ramos, grandmother of Koreena Ramos, who was one of two victims of a shooting outside of a Gary grocery store two weeks ago, speaks about her life on Oct. 27, 2016. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Valerie Martinez, a family friend, said Koreena Ramos "never tried to be the center of attention.  She was always really quiet and just there to support other people."

Athie Ramos, who saw her granddaughter just about every day, said Koreen was her "sunshine."

"I think everybody who knew her felt that way," she said.

Athie Ramos has a habit of telling her family "God be with you" when they leave her home, and Koreena Ramos mimmicked the sentiment growing up, even saying it to a pizza delivery person one time, Bryan Ramos said.

"She was just a really, really special girl. She was beautiful inside and out," Athie Ramos said.

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rejacobs@post-trib.com

Twitter @ruthyjacobs
The Highland Fire Department on Wednesday continued to investigate a garage fire that killed a young woman Tuesday afternoon, but no cause has been determined so far.

Representatives from the Indiana Fire Marshal's office, along with representatives from the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Division, were on hand to sift through the remains of the garage in the 9300 block of O'Day Drive, Fire Chief Bill Timmer said. Sara Smith, 21, of Highland, died as a result of the fire.

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There's "nothing blatant" about what happened to cause the fire so far, however, Timmer said, and the ATF's presence in the investigation is "standard."

"So far, there's nothing to indicate a bigger issue, but we have a pretty good team here investigating," Timmer said.

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Timmer said the fire was "pretty significant" when firefighters arrived at the blaze Tuesday afternoon, and the Munster, Griffith and Lake Ridge departments were called in to assist.

Smith had been pulled out of the structure and into the front yard by bystanders by time firefighters arrived, he said. No one else was at home at the time.

Paramedics worked on reviving her for about 20 minutes before she was pronounced dead, according to a Lake County Coroner's Office report. She was later taken Methodist Hospital's Northlake campus in Gary.

Smith's manner of death is pending, according to the coroner's report.

The garage suffered the brunt of the damage, Timmer said; the house to which the garage belonged as well as houses on either side also experienced some exposure to the fire, mainly damage to vinyl siding.

Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Job seekers wait for their interviews with Methodist Hospitals during the Indiana IMPACT program in Gary. (Jim Karczewski / Post-Tribune)

Demire Lee sat anxiously in the corridor waiting for her job interview to begin.

"Ms. Lee?" the employer from Hospitality Services Group said as she poked her head out the door. With a warm smile and no resume, Lee entered the room. Less than 20 minutes later Lee emerged from the room as the newest hire for Hospitality Services Group.

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"Unfortunately, I didn't bring my resume but she said she liked my personality," Lee said. "I came here hoping for the best and now I start orientation for my new job (Wednesday)."

Job seekers wait their turn to interview with Hospitality, Inc during the Indiana IMPACT program in Gary. (Jim Karczewski / Post-Tribune)

Lee was one of the hundreds of patrons attending the State of Indiana's Indiana Manpower and Comprehensive Training (IMPACT) job fair Tuesday in Gary.

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IMPACT is a program administered by Indiana's Division of Family Resources that help recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) prepare for and search for employment. But this job fair was open to the public.

Renard Pulliam of Chicago reviews his application while waiting for an interview with Hospitality, Inc during the Indiana IMPACT program in Gary. (Jim Karczewski / Post-Tribune)

"We work with those that are receiving benefits from the state, such as food stamps and Medicaid," Carolyn Shotwell, Business Service Representative for IMPACT and coordinator of the job fair, said. "But our biggest thing is employment," she said. More than 15 companies attended the job fair looking for employers including Methodist Hospital, Majestic Star Casino, Speedway, Albanese Candy Factory, Luke, Franciscan Communities and Geminus.

"That's what really drove me here was the diversity of companies that were here actually hiring," Beverly Jones, of Gary, said. Shotwell said that her goal is to have people leaving the fair with jobs.

DeAndre Sledge of Gary talks to a representative from UNG while submitting his job application during the Indiana IMPACT program in Gary. (Jim Karczewski / Post-Tribune)

"I don't want anybody just leaving with information and business cards," she said. "The only information I want them leaving with is the day of their second interview or the day they start."

Deandre Sledge, of Gary, said this is the third month in a row he's attended a job fair but he's determined to get a job.

"I'm not working right now but that doesn't get me down," he said. "I figured if I come to a job fair that'll increases my chances of getting a job. I have a daughter so finding a job is pretty important."

Demire Lee discusses her new job after being hired at the Indiana IMPACT program held in Gary. (Jim Karczewski / Post-Tribune)

Sledge is one of the several thousand Lake County residents that are facing the daily struggles of unemployment.

Lake County has a 6 percent unemployment rate, the highest among Indiana's 92 counties, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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"That's why getting people employed is so important to me," Shotwell said. "The numbers don't lie."

Indiana's unemployment rate has steadily declined throughout the year. In September, Indiana's unemployment rate slid nearly half a percentage point to 4.2 percent, which is lower than the national average of 4.8 percent.

Indiana added more than 11,033 jobs in September. The state's August unemployment rate was 4.6 percent.

Despite a slight decrease in the Indiana's jobless rate, cities within the county continue to have alarming unemployment statistics.

In cities and municipalities with a population over 25,000 Gary, East Chicago and Merrillville has the highest unemployment rate in the state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Gary is ranked No. 1 in the state with an unemployment rate of 9.5 percent, followed by East Chicago at 8.6 percent and Merrillville at 6.5 percent.

With Lake County reporting the highest unemployment in the state, Shotwell said it's her duty to help remedy the problem.

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"I'm putting my heart and soul into this," she said. "We see the need of IMPACT. There's generational poverty, people who were never told how to be successful and go to college. Most of them were never given that option."

Shotwell added that she loves seeing the effort and persistence of the people attending the job fair.

"When I look outside and see a line waiting to come in that makes me happy," she said. "That means they want it, they got up this morning, dusted themselves off wanting to change their lives."

jaanderson@tribpub.com

Twitter @JavonteA
An East Chicago water tower overlooking an unused ballfield at Carrie Gosch Elementary School in East Chicago but a sign warns people not to play in the dirt or mulch. (Joe Puchek / Post-Tribune)

Three members of Indiana's U.S. congressional delegation on Tuesday asked a federal housing agency to review and approve emergency funds for the lead and arsenic-contaminated properties in East Chicago.

Sen. Joe Donnelly, Sen. Dan Coats and Rep. Peter Visclosky, D-Merrillville, sent a letter to the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department to expedite its review of East Chicago's request for emergency funding to help address the issues of lead contamination at the West Calumet Housing Complex and surrounding neighborhood.

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"As you are aware, the City of East Chicago recently submitted an application for emergency capital funds to ensure the safety and security of the site and, ultimately, the demolition of the housing structures," the trio wrote in the letter to HUD. "It is evident from our weekly discussions with HUD and the City that these funds are central to providing a long-term solution to address the public health crisis."

HUD officials said the East Chicago Housing Authority submitted its request for emergency capital funds on Oct. 27. That request is still being evaluated.

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Since the announcement came from Mayor Anthony Copeland in July that the residents of the West Calumet Housing Complex must relocate, federal and state officials have kept pressure on HUD and the EPA to have plans in place to deal with the contamination issues in East Chicago.

Donnelly spoke with Castro in August to ensure that the federal housing agency provides relocation services for residents of the West Calumet Housing Complex in the safest and least taxing way possible.

The call followed a letter Donnelly and Visclosky sent to the EPA and HUD, urging the agencies to devote appropriate resources to working the city to find a solution for the relocation of residents and the West Calumet Housing Complex and the clean up of the former U.S.S. Lead site.

Coats sent a request to the White House for it to intervene in the ongoing clean up and relocation efforts at the lead-contaminated sites in East Chicago and ensure federal agencies have a clear plan moving forward.

Coats sent a letter to President Obama in August, asking the administration focus the efforts of the EPA and HUD to quickly resolve the clean up of the former U.S.S. Lead Superfund site and relocation of residents affected by contaminants in the area.

Gov. Mike Pence, in a letter to HUD Secretary Julian Castro, requested the federal housing agency answer if relocation and moving expenses are available for all residents; if officials will work with residents who are unable to find affordable housing option; if a plan exists for large families unable to find housing; and what the plan is find housing solutions for families given the price difference between affordable and market rate options.

Castro, in response to Pence's Sept. 20 letter to HUD, said the federal agency provided the East Chicago Housing Authority with housing counselors, worked to provide portability for residents and gave $1.1 million in capital funds to help with the relocation.

clyons@post-trib.com

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Indiana voters can write-in Mickey Mouse on their ballot, but it won't count, an election official said. (Paul Hiffmeyer / Disney Enterprises)

If you're dissatisfied with Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton or Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson in this year's presidential presidential election you have other options. Fifteen to be exact.

While Hoosiers are free to vote for "Chuck Norris" or "Jesus Christ" only write-in votes for the eligible 15 candidates will be tallied.

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"If they write-in as an example Mickey Mouse we accept it on the keyboard but when it prints at the end of the night we reject it because Mickey Mouse is not a declared candidate," Patrick Gabrione, assistant director of the Lake County Board of Elections and Voter Registration, said.

Although write-in votes will have little to no impact on the outcome of the presidential election, Gabrione said Americans have the right to vote for whomever they want.

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"It doesn't necessarily matter if whom you vote for wins," he said. "It's their constitutional right to vote for whomever they want as long as that candidate is eligible."

Out of the 2.6 million Hoosier votes in the 2012 presidential election, there were only 993 write-in ballots, according to the Federal Elections Commission. In Lake County there were 389 write-in ballots in the presidential election and 29 in the governor's race. Porter County had 297 write-in ballots in the presidential election and 30 in the governor's race.

Valerie Warycha, director of communication for the Indiana Secretary of State, said she urges voters to know the 15 candidates eligible for a write-in ballot. But if a voter writes in a name for someone that is not an eligible candidate, that vote would be disregarded, but the rest of their ballot will count, Warycha said.

There are 43 states that allow write-in ballots for the presidential election. Thirty-five of which, including Indiana, require candidates register with the state to be an eligible write-in candidate on the ballot. The filing deadline for potential write-in candidates was July 5.

Gabrione and Kathy Kozuszek, Democratic director of voter registration in Porter County, said they have only received a handful of calls from citizens inquiring about how to cast a write-in ballot.

Despite only receiving a few calls about write-in ballots, Gabrione said after this year's primary the Lake County received a lot of calls from Bernie Sanders' supporters asking how to vote for him in November's general election.

Sanders, however, is not an eligible write-in candidate in Indiana.

jaanderson@tribpub.com

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Indiana write-in candidates:

Darrell L. Castle: The Constitution Party, from Memphis, Tenn.

Jill Stein: Green Party

Ray C. Brown: From Evansville, Ind.

"Rocky" Roque De La Fuenta: Businessman, San Diego, Calif.

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Richard Duncan: Independent. According to his website, the Ohio man also ran for president in 2008 and 2012.

Cherunda Fox: Independent. Retired protective service worker from Michigan.

Tom Hoefling: America's Party, from Lohrville, Iowa.

Denny C. Jackson: Independent, Mayor of Milton, Ky., population 574.

Melissa L. Kelly: Independent, from Mishawaka, Ind.

Laurence Kotlikoff: Boston University economics professor

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Joseph Maldonado: Independent, from Oklahoma, owns an exotic animal park; also known as Joe Exotic, according to theblaze.com.

Ric Mullis: Independent

Matthew (None of the Above) Roberts, Independent from Kentwood, Mich.

Emidio "Mimi" Soltysik: Socialist Party USA

Monica Moorehead: Workers World Party
Thomas Jefferson Middle School eighth grader Precious Harvey uses a website to vote for candidates on Monday as students participate in the National Mock Election. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

It's not just adults lined up at the Porter County administration building who are voting early.

On Tuesday, a week before Election Day, students at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Valparaiso cast their ballots, too, and even got "I voted" stickers for their effort, much like their adult counterparts.

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Through collaboration with the middle school's social studies teachers, students participated in a mock election, with results forwarded on to the Indiana Kids Election and the National Mock Election. Their ballots also included county races, which were being tallied locally but not sent on for the state and national elections.

Thomas Jefferson Middle School eighth grader Mia Garcia votes using a website Tuesday as students participate in the National Mock Election. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Even though the kids knew they didn't have a real say in this year's election, the exercise was fun because they'll know the results from having their say, said sixth-grader Maci Colb, 11.

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She plans on voting for real when the time comes.

"It tells the government where we are as a country and what we look for in a president or a candidate," she said. "Plus it will tell the next generation that wants to run for president if they have any chance or are just wasting their money."

Thomas Jefferson Middle School eighth grader Gianna Burns uses a website to vote for candidates Tuesday as students participate in the National Mock Election. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

The students have participated in mock elections in the past two presidential election years, said eighth-grade social studies teacher Molly Joll, adding the eighth-grade curriculum includes the election process.

This year, that included watching the presidential debates at home and clips of it at school, and students talking about why they were voting for a particular candidate after doing their research, Joll said, adding students didn't have to mention which candidate was getting their vote.

"If you're going to vote, what are your reasons?" she said. "They have to give specific issues, not just 'because I like them.'"

Thomas Jefferson Middle School eighth grader Ella Nizam uses a website to vote for candidates Tuesday as students participate in the National Mock Election. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

The classroom lessons didn't include allegations made against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump or his Democratic counterpart, Hillary Clinton.

"We focused on issues," Joll said. "What's come up is the lack of transparency on both sides, the lack of honesty by both candidates."

Voting is important, said sixth-grader Steven Mowbray, 12, who liked getting to cast a ballot.

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A Thomas Jefferson Middle School eighth grader fills out his voting form on Monday as students participate in a mock national election. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

"I think it was great. It gave people the chance to express who they want to vote for," he said.

Fellow sixth-grader Connor McCall, 11, liked seeing all the people running for office on the ballot, and said he watched some of the presidential debates.

"I didn't really like how the candidates go off-topic and tell the other candidate what they've done wrong," he said, adding he'll likely vote when he's older because it's important "to show who you are and to show what you support."

While the teachers brought in a voting booth provided by the county's Voter Registration Office for students to check out, they did their voting electronically.

At the end of the school day, teachers tallied the results for their students. Polls close for the National Mock Election on Nov. 3, according to that organization's website, nationalmockelection.org. Most Indiana schools will participate in the Indiana Kids Election on Nov. 8, though Valparaiso students are off that day.

According to the Indiana Kids Election website, inkidselection.com, under state law, schools must give instruction on the election process two weeks before a general election for all students in grades six through 12.

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In a state where voter participation is low without the boost of a presidential election, one of the goals of the program is encouraging civic engagement.

"It takes some of the fear away from the process," Joll said, adding Valparaiso High School also has an election curriculum. "They need to engage them because they might not think their vote matters, but it does."

Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
A 33-year-old La Grange man was killed in a one-car accident in Western Springs early Wednesday.

Western Springs police said Matthew Talley was killed after he struck two utility poles in the 4400 block of Gilbert Avenue.

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Police responded to the accident at 12:18 a.m. and found a man unresponsive in the driver's seat of the 2014 Ford Focus. It was apparent that he had life-threatening injuries, police said.

Talley was transported to Loyola Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

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Several pieces of utility poles that had been on the west side of Gilbert Avenue and downed wires were found in the roadway, police said.

Police said several residences in the area lost power and ComEd continued to work Wednesday afternoon to restore power.

Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to call the police at 708-246-8540.

amannion@tribpub.com

Twitter @triblocalam
A post by Fliggy's offical Sina Weibo account announcing the name change. [Sina Weibo]

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba changed the name of its travel website to cater to the younger generation, its primary customer group, the company announced on Tuesday.

The group announced last week that it was rebranding its travel portal, changing the name of the website from Alitrip.com to Fliggy.com. The new name is feizhu, or "flying pig" in Chinese. The company also introduced a cartoon-like image of a pig as its new logo.

"A key goal of the rebranding is to appeal to a younger demographic that accounts for more than 80 percent of our customer base," Alibaba said in a statement.

About 80 percent of the users of Fliggy.com are born after 1985, and the company will aim to provide services for the group in the future, Li Shaohua, CEO of Fliggy.com, told National Business Daily on Tuesday. The new name is more identifiable and easier to remember, the report said.

The decision sparked heated discussions in the past few days, especially among Muslims, who consider pigs unclean.

Adili Maimaititure, a Uyghur food industry entrepreneur in Changsha, Hunan province, said on Friday on Sina Weibo that he used to support Alitrip, as it makes booking train or air tickets for people of ethnic groups more convenient, but he will choose to delete the app as the name has been changed to feizhu. He said pigs are taboo for Muslims, and Alibaba should have considered this before changing the name. He said he believes that other Muslims would also take the same action.

Peng Gaocheng, a retired ethnic studies expert in Shanghai, said Maimaititure's concern is reasonable. "I think Alibaba should be more cautious about changing its name in case some Muslims feel offended," Peng told Sixth Tone, an English website owned by ThePaper.con.

Alibaba said in its statement: "We embrace diversity, and respect all creeds and religions. The name change is meant to reflect the demographic's aspirations to pursue dreams, sit back and enjoy life."

A netizen named Han Dongyan said on Sina Weibo, "Alibaba has the right to change a name, and it is wrong to call on others to boycott it just because of a symbol."

Later, Maimaititure said on Sina Weibo that he apologized for his "improper expression" over the name change.

Feizhu is just a name and it has no substantial meaning," another netizen said. "It is nonsense to boycott the company just for changing its name."
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Tuesday underscored the importance of adherence to the 1992 Consensus and called for maintaining the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

Xi Jinping (R), general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with a delegation led by Hung Hsiu-chu, leader of Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) Party, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi made the remarks while meeting with a delegation led by Hung Hsiu-chu, leader of the Kuomintang (KMT) party in Taiwan.

"To ensure national integrity and protect the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation is the common will of all Chinese people," Xi said.

Xi made a six-point proposal on cross-Strait relations.

UPHOLDING 1992 CONSENSUS

Xi said that hostility across the Taiwan Strait should end, and a peace agreement be reached through talks based on the one-China principle.

The CPC and KMT, the mainland and Taiwan, still have some complicated political disagreements, which will have to be eventually solved in a phased manner, Xi said, adding that with resolve and sincerity, solutions would be found.

"We have always advocated talks, on the basis of the one-China principle, to put an end to hostility across the Strait and reach a peace agreement," Xi said, suggesting the CPC and the Kuomintang have discussions in this regard..

Xi said that the one-China principle is at the core of the 1992 Consensus, which affirms that both sides of the Strait belong to one and the same China.

"Changes in Taiwan's political landscape cannot change the historical underlying facts or the core connotation of the 1992 Consensus," he said.

"Whether the 1992 Consensus is acknowledged or not raises the essential question of whether the mainland and Taiwan belong to one country or two.

"When it comes to this cardinal issue of right or wrong, not the slightest obscurity or wavering is allowed in our stand."

Xi pledged resolute opposition to forces supporting "Taiwan independence" and their activities.

"Safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the core national interest, and it is a line that cannot be crossed," Xi said.

The idea of "Taiwan independence" compromises national sovereignty and territorial integrity, incites antagonism between the two sides, and poses the greatest challenge to cross-Strait peace and stability, according to Xi.

"It will bring nothing but serious disasters to compatriots in Taiwan," he said.

All Chinese people will resolutely oppose separatist activities implemented by any political parties or individuals at any time, Xi stressed. "We have the will, confidence and ability needed to contain 'Taiwan independence.'"

Xi proposed better communication and cooperation between the CPC and KMT, saying the two parties should jointly shoulder the responsibilities of opposing "Taiwan independence," and safeguarding cross-Strait peace and stability.

Pang Jianguo, a professor with Chinese Culture University in Taiwan, said the mainland has ample confidence to take the initiative in cross-Strait relations given its preeminence in economic and social development.

Pang said Taiwan's ruling party should be aware that there will be no way out if it does not recognize the 1992 Consensus.

CLOSER CROSS-STRAIT TIES

Xi urged the two parties to serve as channels of communication to improve cross-Strait trade ties and industrial cooperation, as well as support the cooperation between mainland and Taiwan enterprises in innovation, brand development and market expansion.

He also called for greater cooperation in agriculture and fisheries, and on small and medium-sized enterprises.

Promoting the integrated social and economic development of cross-Strait societies, which is based on mutual benefit, serves the interests of people on both sides, Xi said.

He called for creating a better environment for the education and growth of the younger generation on both sides, encouraging them to engage in early contacts and frequent exchanges, which will help them feel kinship with each other.

The mainland will share its development opportunities with Taiwan, Xi said, promising that policies and measures will be rolled out to better help people from Taiwan to study, work, start businesses and live on the mainland.

Xi also called on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to carry forward Chinese culture.

The brilliant traditional Chinese culture is deeply rooted in the minds of compatriots on both sides, constituting their "root" and "soul", Xi said, adding that compatriots on both sides are heirs of Chinese culture.

Both the CPC and KMT should advance cross-Strait cultural exchanges to carry forward the fine traditions of Chinese culture, interpret the zeitgeist in Chinese culture, strengthen spiritual bonds and heart-felt connection between compatriots on both sides, and boost confidence in Chinese culture as well as the Chinese nation, Xi said.

He called for boosting the well-being of people across the Taiwan Strait.

The more complicated cross-Strait relations get, the more imperative it is for both the CPC and KMT to seek welfare for the people, Xi said. He called for the needs of compatriots on both sides to be addressed, especially ordinary people in local communities, and the mobilizing of more people to join cross-Strait exchanges.

"We will, as always, address the actual needs and seek benefits for Taiwan compatriots," Xi said.

The CPC and KMT should make utmost efforts to pursue causes that will boost the blood connection of compatriots on both sides, improve their welfare, promote peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, as well as uphold interests of the entire Chinese nation, Xi said.

CPC-KMT COOPERATION FOR NATIONAL REJUVENATION

Xi called for dedication in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with concerted efforts.

"Compatriots from both sides are participants, a driving force and beneficiaries of national rejuvenation," Xi said. "Only if the two parties have ideals for national rejuvenation with support of compatriots from both sides, can the peaceful development of cross-Strait peace and stability be maintained."

Although there were sometimes feuds between the CPC and KMT in history, they cooperated with each other at critical stages for the overall interests of the nation, Xi said, adding that the cooperation played an important role in ethnic and national development.

In 2005, leaders of the two parties initiated "a shared vision for cross-Strait peaceful development" and pointed the direction for cross-Strait relations.

The CPC and KMT, together with people from both sides, embarked on a path of peaceful development of cross-Strait relations since 2008 that has brought practical welfare to compatriots on both sides, he said.

Hung said KMT and the CPC should continue promoting economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges on the basis of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence."

She said the KMT will actively discuss and push for the "institutionalisation" of cross-Strait peace, jointly maintain the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties and bring more wellbeing to the compatriots.

"The meeting between Xi and Hung is pragmatic and has far-reaching significance," said Wang Kunyi, a professor with Tamkang University in Taiwan.

Wang added that Xi's six-point proposal expressed the goodwill to the Taiwanese people and echoed Hung's idea, which both oppose "Taiwan independence" and are committed to promoting peaceful cross-Strait relations.
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Two bronze heads looted from the Old Summer Palace by Anglo-French allied forces during the Second Opium War in 1860 is on exhibition at China National Museum in 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

The State Administration of Cultural Heritage has released a regulation on relic auction, which stipulated that stolen, excavated and smuggled cultural relics or looted Chinese cultural relics that had been specified in history cannot be auctioned.

The "Cultural Relics Auction Management Regulation" also says that the state has a priority to purchase rare cultural relics.

In China, auctions targeting the following fit the regulation:

All kinds of artwork, handicraft articles from before 1949;

Documentation, manuscripts and books with historical, artistic and scientific value from before 1949;

Representative relics related to all ethnic social systems, production and life from before 1949;

Representative entities related to events and notability after 1949;

Representative relics reflecting all ethnic production activities, customs and culture, cultural art and religions after 1949;

Artwork listed as forbidden to leave the country of deceased calligraphers, painters and artists after 1949;

Other relics regulated by law and regulations.

The regulation emphasizes that the State Administration of Cultural Heritage could assign preemption rights to state-owned relic collection units. Purchase priority can be carried out in the way of negotiating pricing or by directional auction.

A porcelain pot looted from China's Old Summer Palace was auctioned for the sky-high price of $12,142,380 at the Sotheby's autumn sale in Hong Kong in 2014.
Discipline watchdog of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Tuesday pledged intensive efforts on strict governance of the Party.

The Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the CPC on Tuesday convened a meeting to study and implement the spirit of the sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee held last week.

Two documents on the discipline of the Party were approved at the session, namely the norms of political life within the Party under the new situation and a regulation on intra-Party supervision.

Presided over by Wang Qishan, secretary of the CCDI, the meeting urged the CCDI to take a leading role in implementing the two documents, and better address problems existing in Party governance, according to a statement released after the meeting.

The discipline inspection organs must strengthen self-building and self-restriction, avoiding violations within themselves, the statement stressed.

The meeting called on discipline watchdogs at all levels to enhance supervision on the implementation of the spirit of the key CPC meeting, and uphold the CPC Central Committee's authority, said the statement.

The discipline watchdogs should be aware of their responsibilities in promoting strict governance of the Party, and improve the supervision and accountability mechanisms, according to the statement.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping called for solid implementation of reform measures at a high-level meeting on Tuesday.

Xi asked officials to comprehensively follow the communique released after the sixth plenary session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and unwaveringly carry out reform policies.

Xi made the comments at the 29th meeting of the central leading group for deepening overall reform, which he heads, according to a statement issued after the meeting.

Given complex circumstances, the reform requires concerted efforts and differentiated, targeted measures, the statement said.

Guidelines and plans on green agriculture, environmental protection, new circuit courts and construction of credit systems were approved at the meeting.

Policymakers agreed that agricultural subsidies should be made with regard to environmentally-friendly concerns, and should help guarantee national grain security and improve farmers' incomes.

China should make more efforts to promote Chinese culture in the world and improve its national soft power, the statement said.

The current evaluation system of professional titles will be further enhanced, with more incentives for researchers making great contributions, and favorable policies for those working in poor, remote areas.

Environmental protection should be emphasized in planning, with strengthened control from the government.

New circuit courts were approved in Chongqing, Xi'an, Nanjing and Zhengzhou, on the basis of current ones in Shenzhen and Shenyang.

College graduates will be encouraged to seek employment in grassroots units.

The government will improve credit systems in government affairs, individuals and the e-commerce sector, setting up credit records and creating punishments.

The meeting also discussed Party building in state-owned enterprises, ownership registration in natural resources and real estate, and the protection and utilization of wetland and the coastline.

Over the course of the 29 meetings convened by the leading group since December 2013, hundreds of measures have been designed to address various issues, including urbanization, poverty alleviation, innovation and the market's role in resource allocation.

The latest emphasis on reform came three years after the key third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee in 2013, which featured a comprehensive reform package covering 15 areas and 60 tasks.
A file photo shows the annual matchmaking festival in Shanghai. [Photo/CRI]

The Shanghai Matchmaking Association has recently released a survey report, outlining the trends and struggles that dominate the city's single individuals' attitudes in dating and marriage.

Based on research of some 2,000 singles aged between 10 and 40 years old in Shanghai, the survey results highlight only 3 percent of the interviewees have expressed the willingness to accept a partner from the Northern provinces.

Over 77 percent of single Shanghai interviewees want to marry local people, while 19 percent hope their partner could be from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, or even from overseas, data shows.

A single, 28-year-old advertisement company employee Lily Wan explained people's different living habits, life styles, and temperament in south and north regions is the major reason leading to this preference.

In addition, most interviewed single individuals said, if they could not find a local partner, a person from neighboring provinces is also acceptable.

The emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) is another key factor valued by those surveyed in finding an ideal partner, although details of desirable characteristics are varied between men and women.

The top priority that men considered before rushing into a relationship is appearance, which is followed by personalities, age, living habits and family background, based on the research findings. While the preference order for women is personalities, economic conditions, living habits, capability or potential, and appearance.

Another dilemma that grabs the limelight in the report is careers' influence on single people's dating experience.

According to the survey, respondents who work in areas such as technology and research and development, seems to have less love experience and narrower social circle than those involved in the communication industry.

The report further indicated, nearly 91 percent of respondents claimed a different view of the world, philosophy of life and worth of action is the major cause of a divorce.
Xi Jinping (R), general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with a delegation led by Hung Hsiu-chu, leader of Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) Party, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Hung Hsiu-chu, the leader of the opposition Kuomintang in Taiwan, has daunting pressures on her back while visiting the mainland.

Back home, her party, while struggling to survive merciless attacks by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, remains divided, not only over its strategy for survival, but even over her ongoing trip.

The KMT caucus in the Taiwan legislature has openly expressed doubts about the intentions behind her trip. Some KMT members voiced worries she would mention "reunification" to woo Beijing and consolidate her standing in the upcoming KMT leadership election in 2017.

The ruling DPP, too, is watching Hung vigilantly. The DPP caucus in the local legislature issued a warning, advising her not to step over "legal redlines", and cautioning her not to sign any agreement or consensus with the mainland.

Such pressure, coupled with the KMT's present role as the largest opposition party on the island, means Hung's trip, which she described as a "journey for peace", will not result in substantive political agreements, something the KMT under her predecessor successfully secured with the mainland while in power.

But the absence of the agreements feared by her opponents and rivals in no way compromises the significance of Hung's trip, which is a reassuring sign that communication and exchanges may at least be sustained at some level.

With official, even semi-official channels of communication severed since the DPP came to power, the prospect of ending the estrangement between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits is slight. Both Hung and her host, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, know that, but they obviously took rapprochement as a longer-term goal worth pursuing during their Tuesday meeting.

Even with no papers signed, Xi and Hung exchanged vows to safeguard the "one-China" principle, and oppose any secessionist forces and actions on the island. And Xi issued the inspiring message that the mainland would not let the deteriorating official ties take a toll on innocent compatriots in Taiwan.

Despite its repeated claims of willingness to preserve the previous status quo, the Tsai Ing-wen administration in Taiwan has appeared unwilling to try and reverse the downward spiral in cross-Straits official exchanges.

Hung's visit is thus a success already, since she said her mission was to preserve the semi-official channels of cross-Straits communication. It has once again demonstrated the KMT's essential function as a bridge between the two sides of the Straits.
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At least eight civilians were killed and 22 others wounded Tuesday in deadly skirmishes between troops of India and Pakistan on Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Kashmir, officials said.

The two sides fired mortars and resorted to heavy firing in Samba and R S Pora sectors along the IB, and Manjakote and Nowshera sectors on the LoC in Rajouri district.

"Six civilian casualties have taken place in Ramgarh area while two women were killed in Manjakote sector of Rajouri district," an official said. "Besides this 22 people are reported to be wounded in the shelling. Exact details are yet to be known as reports of human loss can be complied only after the firing comes to halt."

The slain included four women and two children.

According to officials heavy exchange of gunfire was going on between Indian border guards belonging to Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistani Rangers. Indian Defense officials said they were adequately retaliating to the firing from Pakistan.

The past several weeks have seen a surge in skirmishes on IB and LoC between the two countries. Apart from troop casualties, the firing has claimed civilian lives on both sides, besides prompting migrations of residents from frontier areas. Officials have ordered closure of 174 schools in these areas in wake of shelling.

On Monday a trooper and an elderly woman were killed in the similar exchange of fire in Rajouri and Poonch.

Both New Delhi and Islamabad accuse each other of resorting to unprovoked firings and violating cease-fire agreements. And both sides maintain that their troops gave befitting reply.

The troops of India and Pakistan intermittently exchange fire on 720 km-long LoC and 198 km IB in Kashmir, despite an agreement in 2003 to observe a cease-fire. Though some violations have been reported on both sides, the cease-fire however remains in effect.

Reports said more than 60 cease-fire violations were recorded in the past several weeks.
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Somalia's Al-Shabaab militants have beheaded five civilians, whom they accused of "spying" for the Somali government and Ethiopian troops, in Tiyeglow town of the southwestern Bakool region, an MP said Tuesday.

Member of Federal Parliament Mohamed Hussein Isak told reporters that the militants arrested these men from the town on Oct. 27 after Ethiopian troops, which is part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops, quit from the town, and killed them on Monday evening.

Al-Shabaab militants took the town after Ethiopian troops left there last week, citing a lack of support for their operations against the militants.

"The situation in Tiyeglow town is very terrifying, five innocent civilians including businessmen and scholars were beheaded outside the town by Al-Shabaab militants... Their dead bodies were found from outside the town," Hussein said, adding the relatives of the deceased had been missing since Oct. 27.

Hussein said hundreds of families fled Tiyeglow to Hudur, the capital of Bakool. "There are efforts to retake control of the (Tiyeglow) town at the moment," he added without giving details.

AMISOM troops are helping the Somali government battle the Al-Shabaab Islamist group, but the European Union earlier this year announced a cut in its funding for the troops.
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China and Malaysia on Tuesday signed agreements on railways, energy, defense, and joint development of Malaysia's naval ships, during Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's visit to Beijing.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) holds a welcome ceremony for visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

The deals were signed after talks between Premier Li Keqiang and Najib. They covered areas ranging from infrastructure, agriculture, education, tax, quality inspection to customs and defense.

Describing China and Malaysia as good neighbors, partners and friends, Li said China is willing to work with the Southeast Asian country to boost neighborly cooperation, stability, development and prosperity.

China will link the Belt and Road Initiative with Malaysia's development strategies and build pilot programs for industrial cooperation, Li said.

"China and Malaysia can enhance cooperation in railways, including high-speed rail to strengthen regional connectivity," Li said.

He also called for further cooperation in finance, law enforcement, security and culture, particularly the operating of Xiamen University Malaysian campus.

Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters after the talks that China plans to join the construction of railways in Malaysia's east coast, and oil and gas pipelines in Sabah.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue, and ASEAN will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2017.

Premier Li said China staunchly supports the building of the ASEAN community and its central role in regional cooperation.

China is willing to enhance communication and collaboration with Malaysia for better China-ASEAN relations and regional peace and stability, he said.

Najib said Malaysia-China ties are in the best period in their history, pointing to smooth progress in the joint industrial park in Kuantan and Malacca.

Malaysia will work with China to boost cooperation in trade, investment, railway construction, finance, education and defense to advance relations, Najib said.

He said Malaysia will also enhance relations between ASEAN and China for the development of the region.

Also on Tuesday, China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang met with Najib, who is on an official visit to China from October 31 to November 6.
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Iraqi security forces took control of the state television building after seizing an eastern district of the city of Mosul on Tuesday.

Iraqi counter-terrorism forces advance in Gogjali district of Mosul in northern Iraq, on Nov. 1, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

The victory came after more than two weeks of a massive offensive to dislodge Islamic State (IS) militants from their last major stronghold in Iraq.

"The Iraqi counter-terrorism forces, backed by international coalition and Iraqi aircraft, managed to seize Gogjali district on the eastern edge of the city and took control of the state TV building," Lieutenant General Abul-Amir Yarallah said in a statement issued by the Joint Operations Command (JOC).

The troops are in heavy clashes with IS militants as they are trying to extend foothold inside the part of the city on the eastern side of the Tigris River, according to the statement.

The latest advance came one day after the Iraqi forces began their final push to enter the urban areas in Mosul with the support of artillery attacks and airstrikes on IS positions.

Security forces also freed two villages and nearby Shalalat area, some 7 km northeast of Mosul, a security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Other troops are coming closer to the southeastern edge of Mosul after clearing the villages of Twila and Sharezad, the source said, adding that they could make a new push in the coming hours into the Jadidat al-Mufti district in the southeast of the city.

IS militants, however, have been fighting off the offensive with mortar fire, rocket bombs, sniper attacks and suicide car bombs, the source said.

On Oct. 17, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the start of a major offensive to retake Mosul, the country's second largest city.

Since then, the Iraqi security forces have inched to the eastern fringes of Mosul and made progress on other routes around the city, preparing for a major battle to storm the city and drive out IS militants.

Mosul, some 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when Iraqi government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.
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Nigerian troops have rescued 38 women and children held hostage by terror group Boko Haram in the northeastern state of Borno, the Army headquarters said on Tuesday.

The troops also neutralized six Boko Haram fighters, while others fled with gunshot wounds during the rescue operation in Dumba village of Borno State, said a statement signed by Sani Usman, spokesman of the army.

The 19 women and 19 children rescued have been taken into custody by the army, according to the statement.

Troops of 8 Task Force Division of the Nigerian Army have commenced an operation code-named "Operation Hardknock" to clear pockets of Boko Haram terrorists hiding in remote areas of Borno, along Nigeria-Niger borders, the statement said.

"As the operation progresses, troops have cleared pockets of insurgents from their hideouts in Momo and Tunshe villages around Marte general area of Borno State," it added.

The Nigerian government has launched several military operations over the past months to eliminate the terror group, which emerged in northeast Nigeria's Borno region.
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Terrorist acts, violence and armed conflicts killed 1,792 Iraqis and wounded 1,358 others in October across Iraq, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said on Tuesday.

Smoke rises from oil wells, set ablaze by Islamic State militants before fleeing the oil-producing region of Qayyara, Iraq, November 1, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

The figures included 1,120 civilians killed and 1,005 wounded, with 672 security members killed and 353 wounded, the UNAMI said in a statement.

The casualties in Iraq's western province of Anbar were excluded, as the casualty figures there for the month were unavailable due to the volatility of the situation on the ground and the disruption of services, the statement said.

"The casualty toll among civilians continues to rise and the civilians continue to pay the ultimate price," the statement quoted the UN envoy to Iraq and the UNAMI chief Jan Kubis as saying.

"With the military operations in Mosul and other areas of Nineveh (province) underway while Daesh (Islamic State group) continues to apply its terrorist tactics using civilians as human shields and executing those that resist," Kubis said.

He also said that the United Nations emphasises that "all actions necessary must be undertaken to ensure the protection of the civilian inhabitants from the effects of armed conflict and violence," according to the statement.

UNAMI statement came as the Iraqi security forces backed by anti-IS international coalition are carrying out a major offensive to drive out the IS militants from its last major stronghold in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq.

Iraq has witnessed intensifying violence since the IS extremist group took control of parts of its northern and western regions in June 2014.

Many blame the current chronic instability, cycle of violence, and the emergence of extremist groups, such as the IS, on the U.S. that invaded and occupied Iraq in March 2003, under the pretext of seeking to destroy weapons of mass destruction in the country.

The war led to the ouster and eventual execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, but no such weapons have been found.
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A group of experts from think tanks of ROK and China exchanged their views on the Korean nuclear issue during a roundtable in Beijing on Nov.1. [Photo/China.org.cn]

A group of experts from think tanks of ROK and China exchanged their views on the Korean nuclear issue and discussed the problems affecting trust between China and the ROK during a round table in Beijing on Nov.1.

All the experts agreed that countries should continue to honor the guidelines of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), and that DPRK's nuclear development activities are in violation of international law.

Further to this consensus, Cho Seoing-Ryoul, senior research fellow from the Institute for National Security Strategy in South Korea, said that a nuclear North would have a big impact on Northeast Asia. It could trigger a domino effect. He attributed ROK's recent frequent engagements with Japan and the United State as a nuclear deterrent to the DPRK's.

Why does the DPRK resort to nuclear development in defiance of the international community?

Liang Yabin, associate professor from the Institute for International Strategic Studies of the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC [Photo/China.org.cn]

Liang Yabin, associate professor from the Institute for International Strategic Studies of the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC, said that the DPRK's nuclear and ballistic missile development programs are a rational judgment that suits its own interests.

"Since the DPRK is far behind the ROK in so many ways, in order to realize its dream of becoming a 'great' country; nuclear is the only game chip that it may use to outperform the South," Liang said. "Moreover, through nuclear development, the current DPRK government has effectively united its people. In this regard, the DPRK's nuclear development is in line with its own interests."

He added that as the two most important neighbors of the DPRK, China and the ROK should play their due roles because "other countries can step aside while we cannot."

However, Cho didn't agree with the idea. He said that although DPRK leaders might consider it a rational choice, the international community does not think the same. In order to unite its people, the economically backward North should work on developing its economy rather than desperately developing its nuclear ability. Despite the 1953 armistice, the North continues engaging in nuclear development as an excuse against the threat from the United States.

Cho is also the president of the Korean Association of North Korean Studies (KANKS).

Whether the DPRK has already become a nuclear country?

According to Cho, most people in ROK believe that the DPRK is not a nuclear country, though they consider this scenario to be just around the corner. Without effective counter-measures, the situation will over time advance further in the DPRK's favor.

Liang said that opposing conclusions will result in two different approaches: taking the DPRK as an irrational country and shutting it away from other countries; or, taking it as a rational country and dealing with it through repudiations, of which there are two methods - namely military strikes and sanctions. Liang further discussed China's concerns over the issue.

"Though the DPRK lacks the ability to project military power, as long as it can detonate a nuclear device, northeast China will bear the brunt of the nuclear catastrophe. And the refugee problem is another concern for China. Once the North collapses, most of the refugees will head towards northeast China. The current Syrian refugee issue is a contemporary comparison. It remains to be seen whether China has the ability to handle such a tricky issue," Liang continued.

Kim Sangsoon, president of the Korea-based East Asia Peace Research Association and a research fellow at the Charhar Institute [Photo/China.org.cn]

Kim Sangsoon, president of the Korea-based East Asia Peace Research Association, believes that China and the ROK must work out the correct direction of their plans.

"A priority is to identify common ground," Kim said. "As long as each side gains a deeper understanding towards the other, the differences can be overcome." Kim is also a research fellow at the Charhar Institute.
BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday leaves for Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Latvia and Russia for a week-long trip aimed at promoting China's relations with the four countries, boosting development of regional mechanisms and enhancing cooperation in production capacity.

During the visit, he will also attend the 15th prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek and the fifth leaders' meeting of China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries in the Latvian capital of Riga.

As the four countries are all located along the ancient Silk Road, analysts believe Li's Eurasia tour will boost the joint implementation of China's Belt and Road Initiative, which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and aspires to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient routes.

Enhancing mutual trust

Regular bilateral and multilateral meetings will highlight Li's visit. Such arrangements are of great significance as they help enhance strategic mutual trust between China and the relevant countries and regions, ensure a systematic and steady policy implementation, and beef up bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Sun Zhuangzhi, secretary-general of the SCO Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the China-Russia premiers' regular meetings, which focus on specific projects, are crucial to bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

Held on an annual basis, such high-level direct talks help resolve issues in bilateral economic and trade cooperation in a timely manner, and provide platforms for one-on-one cooperation between government departments of the two countries, particularly in economic and cultural fields, Sun said.

The Chinese expert deems China's cooperation with the four countries as exemplary, creative and pioneering, adding that China's cooperation with them will better support the construction of the Belt and Road.

Deepening cooperation in production capacity

Production capacity cooperation is top of Li's agenda during the four-nation visit. A host of deals are expected to be signed on deepening practical cooperation.

The China-led international cooperation on production capacity has yielded initial results over the last two years.

Chen Yurong, a senior researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, praised this approach as being well-targeted and specific, citing China-Kazakhstan cooperation in manufacturing sectors such as cement and flat glass.

"It marks a new pattern of economic and trade cooperation that moves with time, by meeting partners' needs in the systemic transformation of their economies and being future-oriented at the same time," she said.

Facing the sluggish global economic recovery, China has proposed to strengthen production capacity cooperation with these countries, which in fact represents a new type of economic cooperation, Chen added.

Such a type of innovation, she said, will enable the relevant countries to tap the potential of their economies and realize sustainable development, and will meanwhile drive bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

Prmoting regional cooperation

The regular leaders' meetings of the SCO and the China-CEE framework show the importance China attaches to the role of regional mechanisms as well as Beijing's determination to enhance cooperation and safeguard regional peace and stability.

As shown in the two regional mechanisms, Sun said, China develops a pattern of regional cooperation that is different from those led by the West in that it better meets the interests of the countries concerned.

The SCO and the China-CEE framework are both new types of regional cooperation initiatives, Sun said, noting that such arrangements take into full consideration the realities of the relevant countries and are intended to realize mutual benefit on the basis of equality.

Fifteen years after its founding, the China-initiated SCO has borne rich fruit, among others, in trade, security cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

In the Central Asian region, the role of the SCO has proved irreplaceable in maintaining stability and significant to driving growth.

During his visit, Li is expected to propose more measures to deepen SCO cooperation in all fields, promote implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, increase international cooperation in production capacity and facilitate trade and investment.

CEE countries have also witnessed tangible benefits from the win-win cooperation with China and showed growing interest in further boosting collaboration with the Asian country.

During the visit, Li will seek new consensus with CEE leaders on promoting cooperation between their countries and pursuing common development.
Two employees weigh products at a Zhouheiya store at a railway station in Wuchang, Hubei province. [Photo / China News Service]

Despite lower valuation there, companies seek to avoid long IPO queue in the mainland

The initial public offering of Zhouheiya, a Hubei province-based fast food chain known for its spicy-braised duck neck and other ready-to-eat snacks, opened for subscription in Hong Kong on Tuesday, looking to raise up to HK$3.3 billion ($425.7 million).

The braised food producer and retailer, scheduled to make its trading debut on Nov 11, will sell 424 million shares at an indicative range between HK$5.8 and HK$7.8 apiece.

Founded in 2002 in Wuhan, Hubei province, Zhouheiya beefed up its business footprint in 38 cities across 12 mainland provinces with 715 self-operated retail stores.

Executive Director Hao Lixiao told a news conference in Hong Kong on Monday that the company is always looking to expand into the Hong Kong and Macao markets. However, he didn't reveal a detailed timeline, adding that the firm still deals with the local licenses, not to mention that product research and the buildup of sales networks also takes time.

Zhouheiya's Hong Kong IPO highlighted an industrywide trend of mainland duck-food manufacturers floating public shares. Competitors like Jiangxi Huangshanghuang Group listed in Shenzhen back in 2012, while Hunan Juewei has been stuck for more than two years in the Chinese mainland's clogged pipeline of IPOs.

"Such a trend indicates that growth of mainland duck-food chains has somewhat run into a bottleneck which pushes them to raise capital via public listings as a growth booster," said Zhu Danpeng, a researcher at the China Brand Research Institute.

With rival Hunan Juewei being trapped in a big logjam of mainland IPO filings, Zhouheiya's decision to join in a cluster of mainland food companies floating in Hong Kong appears to be a time-saving move.

Pedestrians walk past a store of Zhouheiya Food in Wuhan city, Central China's Hubei province, August 24, 2014.[Photo/IC]

The IPO logjam that has long beset mainland catering companies accessing mainland capital markets was spotlighted when high- and mid-end restaurant chain Xiao Nan Guo Restaurants Holdings, and hotpot chain Xiabu Xiabu turned to Hong Kong to list in 2014.

Choosing Hong Kong as a listing destination helps companies jump the long IPO queue in the Chinese mainland, but low valuation in the Asia's financial hub remains a sure thing. In particular, Hong Kong investors still view food stocks listed there as generally expensive options, which may explain why some believe shares of Zhouheiya are priced a bit too high, said Hannah Li, a Hong Kong-based strategist with UOB Kay Hian.
Jetstar Japan Co's first Airbus SAS A320 aircraft sits in a hangar at Narita Airport in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Provided to China Daily

Jetstar Japan, the largest low-cost carrier in Japan by sales revenue, announced on Tuesday in Shanghai that it will launch direct flights between the city and Tokyo as a part of its effort to expand its international footprint and meet surging travel demand from Chinese tourists.

The new route, which offers 1,440 seats weekly between Tokyo's Narita airport and Shanghai's Pudong airport, gives travelers a low-fare option with prices that can be as low as 198 yuan ($30).

Masaru Kataoka, chairman and representative director of Jetstar Japan Co Ltd, said the fast growing numbers of Chinese tourists visiting Japan will ensure there is stable demand for this new route.

"We also see more Chinese tourists are visiting Japan repeatedly. In September alone, Chinese visitors arrivals grew 6.3 percent to 522,300. Tourism arrivals from China totaled 5 million in the first nine months of 2016, exceeding the full-year record of 4.99 million in 2015. At the same time, Shanghai continues to be a top regional draw for Japanese travelers and the new route will attract price-conscious business travelers," said Kataoka.

Jetstar Japan has the capacity to offers low-fare options to travelers by cutting costs through scaling up and enhancing efficiency, said Kataoka.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China has called for the development of low-cost carriers in the country.

Market analysts said that low-cost carriers see great growth potential in the China market given its surging number of travelers heading to domestic destinations and overseas. In China, more than 392 million flights are taken every year, with annual growth of 10 percent in 2015, according to China's civil aviation authorities.

"Low-cost carriers, which have a combined market share of less than 10 percent, are expected to double their market share in the next decade, but competition is going to be fiercer at the same time. The market will become more consolidated," said research note from Haitong Securities.

Strong capacity in operation management and financial planning are the key issues for low-cost carriers if they wish to fly safer and at lower costs, said a market report by the Beijing-based Bosi Data Research Center.
Francois Gamet, CEO of Standard Bank China [Photo provided to China Daily]

Standard Bank, Africa's largest lender, aims to become a bridge between China and Africa and its committed loans to Chinese companies together with local partner are set to hit the $2-billion mark this year.

To better serve both the Chinese and African markets, it has formed a strategic partnership with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, one of its major shareholders, said Francois Gamet, CEO of Standard Bank China.

Gamet said that the partnership means the bank can "operate on both sides of any trade", noting that "with ICBC, we have committed and syndicated loans to Chinese companies for a total project size of $3.8 billion in Africa this year, as well as another $5 billion in the short to medium term."

Gamet said that the huge scale of bilateral trade between China and Africa, as well as the continent's open business environment, offers Chinese firms a great many opportunities.

In the meantime, "China is also the most consequential market for Africa and has the biggest impact," said Gamet.

"Work on the yuan's internationalization and helping Chinese companies transform from engineering, procurement and construction contractors to investors or both investors and contractors will be our opportunities."

Gamet said Standard Bank's yuan settlement business had increased 180 percent year-on-year in the first eight months of this year. Standard Bank is encouraging African importers to pay in renminbi and Chinese exporters to receive renminbi.

Standard Bank also has helped China General Nuclear Power Corp acquire the Husab Uranium Mine in Namibia for around $2.5 billion, which is expected to reach an output of around metric 6,500 tons next year.

According to the 47-year-old CEO, besides State-owned enterprises, China's private enterprises are also becoming more positive about Africa, and Standard Bank will help Chinese entrepreneurs seek investment opportunities in areas such as retail.

Fan Bing, Asia head of coverage at Standard Bank, said the lender serves 150 major Chinese clients, including China Railway Group Ltd, Sinohydro Group Ltd and China Investment Corp.

Fan said the bank set up different teams to provide consulting and financing services in relation to the development of projects for their clients in Africa.

Jay Ireland, CEO of General Electric Africa, said earlier that one-third of Chinese engineering, procurement and construction companies' equipment orders with GE this year are destined for projects in Africa.

Alan Wang, a Freshfields partner based in Beijing and Shanghai, said that the main challenges facing Chinese investors in Africa include a lack of understanding of local laws, particularly related to labor, environment and taxes; inadequate infrastructure, particularly power supply, transport and logistics; and a lack of political stability, as well as bureaucracy and corruption.
Convergence Ventures just closed its first fund, raising $30 million from investors, including well-known Chinese entrepreneurs, to place bets on Indonesia's burgeoning technology sector.

The Jakarta-based venture capital firm exceeded its fundraising target of $25 million, with financing from a diverse group that included Singapore-based gaming unicorn Garena and Indonesia's Emtek Group, according to Convergence managing partner Adrian Li.

Li, who started Convergence in 2014 after a stint as founder of Chinese online education startup Idapted, is tapping his network to increase bets on Indonesia, a country believed to be on the cusp of a technology boom as smartphone usage climbs and the middle class swells to an estimated 141 million by 2020.

In June, his firm organized a trip to Jakarta for prominent Chinese angel investors and founders, including Wensheng Cai, whose Meitu Inc is close to listing in Hong Kong; Kai-Fu Lee, chief executive officer of Sinovation Ventures; Xiaoping Xu, who started Zhen Fund and New Oriental Education and Technology Group; and Gavin Ni, founder of Zero2IPO Group.

"We see that there are similarities in what we experienced in China seven years ago," said Xu, who invested in Convergence's fund after the tour. "This represents a great opportunity to invest." Convergence's successful fundraising comes as venture capital investment cools in China after 2015's record pace. Early-stage venture fund 500 Startups closed a second Southeast Asian fund totaling $50 million last month.

Convergence, which plans to invest in 30 early-stage internet and mobile ventures, recently appointed Justin Kan, a partner at Y Combinator, and Manik Arora, founder of IDG Ventures India, to its advisory board.

Bloomberg
KIEV - Ukraine plans to launch a cargo train from its south-western port of Illichivsk to China via the rail-sea Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) in 2017, Ukrainian Deputy Infrastructure Minister Viktor Dovgan said on Tuesday.

"We expect to launch two ferries at the beginning of the next year," Dovgan was quoted as saying by the press service of Ukraine's Association of Ports.

The main challenge for launching the new train service is its low competitiveness on the global freight transit market, Dovgan said, noting that the current shipping cost of one container on the TITR route is some 6,000 U.S. dollars while on traditional routes it is about 30 percent lower.

The Ukrainian side is ready to reduce port charges and increase the number of operators to make the service cheaper, he emphasized.

In January this year, Ukraine launched a test run of cargo train consisting of 20 containers to China via the TITR, traversing Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

However, the establishment of the regular service was postponed to make the route more attractive to businesses.
ISTANBUL - Turkish and Chinese companies on Tuesday held business talks here and signed 36 deals worth nearly $300 million.

The agreements cover Turkey's featured products like marble, chrome ore, soybean oil, flaxseed oil, clean wool, hazelnut, pistachio nut and cotton linter.

China is currently Turkey's second largest trading partner. A business delegation sent by China's Ministry of Commerce is in Turkey for talks about advancing bilateral economic and trade exchanges, boosting practical cooperation between Chinese and Turkish businesses and promoting bilateral trade in a balanced way.

Addressing the business talks in Istanbul, the Chinese speakers referred to the fact that China's imports stood at $1.68 trillion in 2015, making it the second largest importer in the world for seven years in a row.

While China is set to continue its proactive importing policy and expand market opening to the world, the country will optimize continually the sources of its imports as well in the process, offering better opportunities for Turkey and others, as Beijing has been actively advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, the Chinese speakers said.

The Turkish side lauded the visit by the Chinese delegation, calling it a practical measure to boost bilateral trade.
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NAIROBI - A bypass in the south of the Kenyan capital Nairobi was officially launched on Tuesday at a ceremony attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart John Pombe Magufuli.

China's Exim Bank provided 85 percent of funding for the Nairobi southern bypass. The work was carried out by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, which is building a modern railway line in Kenya.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Kenyatta said the 28-km bypass, which links two major highways, will offer a durable solution to traffic congestion in Nairobi.

"The southern bypass will help unclog traffic congestion in Nairobi's central business district that is created by trucks originating from the port of Mombasa and destined to western Kenya and large swathe of east and central Africa," Kenyatta said.

Kenyatta said the modern road network would unleash economic and social benefits in Kenya and the wider eastern African region.

"The Nairobi southern bypass will create new economic opportunities along its route. It will boost regional integration through faster movement of people and goods," said Kenyatta.

The president lauded China's financial and technical support that has accelerated the modernization of transport infrastructure in Kenya.

He added that Kenya would strengthen cooperation with China as it embarked on large-scale infrastructure development to hasten industrialization.

Magufuli, who is also the current chairman of the East African Community, hailed China's contribution to infrastructure development in the region.

"China has lent significant financial resources to expand and upgrade roads in this region. We look forward to fruitful engagement with China as we embark on a path of economic renewal," Magufuli said.
View of a logo of Evergrande Group on a high-rise office building in Shenzhen city, South China's Guangdong province, August 20, 2016. [Photo/IC]

China Evergrande Group, China's second-largest property developer, is in "early stage" talks to buy Cala Homes, a person familiar with the upmarket British housebuilder told Reuters.

Edinburgh, Scotland-based Cala Homes, which is owned by insurer Legal & General and real estate managers Patron Capital, was being advised on the offer by investment bank Lazard, its long-term advisor, the person said.

Sky News, which first reported on the approach, said Evergrande's offer could be worth close to 700 million ($857 million) pounds.

Cala, which builds large, high-end homes across affluent areas of Britain such as around the M25 motorway which circles London, in the Midlands and Scotland, reported revenue of 587.1 million pounds for the year ended June 30, 15 percent higher than a year earlier. Net bank debt stood at 123.9 million pounds at end-June.

In its results statement in October, Cala said it had a contracted land bank with gross development value of 4.7 billion pounds as of end-June and that enquiry levels and reservation rates had risen in the 13 weeks after the EU vote on June 23.

"From time to time we may find ourselves the subject of speculation but from our perspective it is very much business as usual," a Cala spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

Legal & General, Patron Capital and Evergrande declined to comment.

The approach comes as recent mortgage data and statements from housebuilders have indicated that the UK housing market is recovering somewhat from a sharp downturn in activity that followed Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

The Brexit-induced pound slide has fueled foreign demand to invest in the sector, especially from Chinese buyers keen to diversify away from a slowing home market.

China Vanke confirmed in September that it had bought a London office property.

For Evergrande, one of the most indebted companies in the industry, the purchase of Cala would mean access to the UK housing market as developers benefit from a chronic supply shortage. Britain launched a 5 billion-pound homebuilding stimulus package last month.

Evergrande has been aggressively investing in other companies as it looks to lift some of the pressure of having amassed some $57 billion in debt, almost six times its market value, on land acquisitions and corporate mergers.
HANOI - The ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) will offer zero-percent tariff for goods from China and ASEAN into Vietnam, according to Vietnamese government's decree on Wednesday.

According to the decree on special preferential tariffs for ASEAN and Chinese products during 2016-2018 period, hundreds of goods from China and ASEAN will enjoy zero-percent import tax to Vietnam.

The goods include vegetables, fruits, processed or preserved fish and other kinds of seafood, as well as cacao and cacao products, cereal, flour and meat.

Following the commitments at ACFTA, Vietnam will abolish tax or reduce it to zero percent for 90 percent of existing tariff lines by the end of 2018, while the remaining 10 percent of tariff lines will be reduced by 2020.

Statistics by the General Statistics Office (GSO) showed that in the first ten months of 2016, Vietnam had the highest import of goods from China, with total import value at 40.3 billion U.S. dollars.

ASEAN ranked third among major suppliers for Vietnamese imports with revenue of $19.1 billion.
The model of a wide-body commercial jet to be built by China and Russia was unveiled at the Zhuhai air show on Wednesday. It will compete with Boeing and Airbus. Yin Liqin / For China Daily

A wide-body commercial jet being developed by China and Russia is expected to be delivered in 10 years, as early as three years after its first test flight, according to a timetable announced by domestic plane manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corp of China.

COMAC, which based its prediction on past research and manufacturing experience, issued a statement on Wednesday saying that the company and Russia's United Aircraft Corp have set up a Shanghai-based joint venture to develop the jumbo jet. The company is expected to start operating by year's end.

The project signals the two countries' ambitions to compete in the wide-body market, dominated by United States aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co and Europe's Airbus Group. Research and development for the new jet will be conducted in Moscow, with assembly in Shanghai.

"It is hoped the development of wide-body aircraft will drive the growth of many related aircraft manufacturing sectors like building engines. China will be able to learn and apply the experiences of Russia, enhancing the manufacturing level of the nation's aviation industry," said Li Xiaojin, a professor at the Civil Aviation University of China in Tianjin.

"China is about to start manufacturing wide-body aircraft, which have high standards in terms of aircraft engine technologies and aircraft materials," he said. "China and Russia still face some difficulties in making competitive wide-body jets given their current manufacturing levels."

Witnessed by President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, COMAC and UAC signed a pact in June to co-develop a wide-body jet.

The 280-seat wide-body jet would have a range of 12,000 kilometers. It would be an economical and efficient jet incorporating heavy use of composite materials, according to COMAC and UAC. They also plan to develop longer and shorter series of wide-body jets to complement the basic version.

"The direct costs of our wide-body jet will be 10 percent lower than those of peer aircraft. That's among our research and development goals," said Guo Bozhi, director of wide-body project at COMAC.

The company targets the global market and will boost competitiveness in a fragmented market, Guo added.
A stand of a Chinese exhibitor at the Hannover Messe 2016 in Germany. Provided to China Daily

Call came after Berlin withdrew its approval of takeover of chip equipment maker

The Ministry of Commerce hopes the German government's recent investigation on a cross-border acquisition by a Chinese company is "an exception" and doesn't represent its economic policy against Chinese businesses, said the ministry's spokesman on Wednesday.

Shen Danyang, the spokesman, said even though Chinese investment in Germany has grown rapidly in recent years, the total volume is still relatively small. It is unnecessary for German officials to worry that German technology and jobs will be lost as a result of Chinese investment.

His comments came after Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy withdrew its approval of Fujian-based Grand Chip Investment Fund LP's takeover of German chip equipment maker Aixtron SE late last month, throwing up an unexpected hurdle for the 670-million-euro ($728 million) deal on the home stretch.

The German government said it had information indicating that Aixtron had technology that was relevant to security, especially to the defense sector, which could be exposed in a takeover. The deal was cleared by German government on Sept 8.

China and Germany should firmly push forward with liberalization of trade and investment, as well as oppose protectionism, Premier Li Keqiang said, according to a government statement released on Wednesday.

Li made the comments on Tuesday when he met German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel in Beijing.

China and the United States remained Germany's two biggest investors in 2015, with projects numbering 260 and 252 respectively. Chinese companies mainly invested in Germany's machinery manufacturing, electronics and semiconductor, automotive, information communications and software sectors, according to data from Germany Trade and Invest, Germany's official investment promotion agency.

Shen called for equal treatment of Chinese companies in Germany, because it would affect Sino-German business ties.

"The future of China-Germany business ties will be decided on trade in high-end goods, and investment in infrastructure projects, high-tech manufacturing and multi-model logistics services," said Li Guanghui, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing,

Li said despite both the Chinese and German economies having been affected by the global economic downturn, the degree of interdependence between the two remains stable in bilateral cross-industry investment and trade.

Chinese home appliance manufacturer Midea Group offered to take a 95 percent holding in German robotics manufacturer Kuka AG in August, and the German government said it would not block the acquisition as it would not endanger the German national security.
Entrepreneurs from China and Japan have called for more cooperation in the trade, investment and financial sectors to build a better bilateral relationship.

"Business leaders should eliminate non-economic interference and further improve the business environment between the two countries," said Zhang Yansheng, chief economist of the China Center for International Economic Exchange.

"Further bilateral cooperation in economics and trade in China, Japan or in a third country will not only demonstrate a model but also realize substantial economic benefits for the two parties."

He made the speech during the Second Sino-Japanese Business and Former Government Leaders Dialog in Beijing, cohosted by the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, and the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.

Around 60 heads of major companies attended, including leaders from Canon Inc, Nomura Holdings Inc, Dongfeng Motor Corp and Bank of China Ltd, with the hope of gaining a better understanding of changes in the business climate in each country.

The two-day meeting that concluded on Wednesday reached the conclusion that strong cooperation between the world's second and third-largest economies is vital not only for their prosperity but also for that of the rest of the world.

Sadayuki Sakakibara, chairman of Keidanren, said the time is ripe for the two countries to have a "new dimension of industrial cooperation" and they have to increase exchanges to achieve that progress.

According to Muneo Kurauchi, counselor of Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc, China and Japan should deepen cooperation in the fields of the environment, medical care, logistics and e-commerce.

China and Japan need to control the negative factors while focusing on the positive aspects regarding reciprocity and mutual benefit, said Kurauchi, who is also managing director of the Institute for International Monetary Affairs.

He also called for deepening cooperation in third-party markets in the areas including infrastructure in Asia and the Belt and Road projects.
A customer browses the site of US home-sharing giant Airbnb Inc on a tablet in Berlin. [Photo/Agencies]

US short-term rental company Airbnb Inc has told Chinese users that it will store their personal data. The firm said in an email sent to Chinese users on Tuesday that personal data will be "transferred to, stored, used and processed by Airbnb China... in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations."

The comments follow a blog post last week in which Airbnb announced the launch of a separate Chinese entity which will oversee the management of local data from next month.

Along with the launch of the new Chinese entity, Airbnb also announced a series of agreements with local city authorities, including Shenzhen, Chongqing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Airbnb is not the only company to proactively move user data to local servers. Consumer electronics giant Apple began using servers provided by China Telecom Corp Ltd on Chinese soil from August 2014.

Airbnb saw a fivefold increase in outbound customers from China in 2015, making it one of the company's fastest-growing markets.

Airbnb is facing a handful of highly-funded rivals in the local Chinese market, including Tujia.com, which raised $300 million in August 2015, valuing the home-rental site at over $1 billion.

Xiaozhu.com, often dubbed China's Airbnb clone, also raised fresh funding in the third quarter of 2015, taking in $60 million at a valuation of over $300 million.

That is small compared with the fund raising for Airbnb in September that give it a valuation of $30 billion.

Chinese short term rental services also include value added services, including Tujia's cleaning services for high-end listings.

Xiaozhu offers a service where users can have a staff member visit individual houses and offer tips for improving listings.
By Tian Xuefei in Harbin and Liang Shuang in Beijing | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2016-11-01 17:29

Sun Yixiao is pictured studying at his classroom, Oct 29, 2016. [Photo by Tian Xuefei/China Daily]

A teenager in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, has been praised for keeping his cool and getting on with his homework despite being trapped in an elevator for five hours.

Sun Yixiao, who is in his third year of junior high school, became trapped after the elevator in his apartment building shuddered to a stop around the fourth floor.

He tried all the buttons and called for help, even pushing a note through a gap in the door  but no one responded "probably because the other elevator was functioning normally and there is only one resident on the fourth floor," he said.

Realizing he might be trapped for some time, Sun took out his homework and began working on his assignments by the still-functioning light inside the elevator.

"Frankly I'd done all that I could do," he said. "All there left for me was to wait."

He started with mathematics, then completed his Chinese and physics homework, before moving on to some recitation assignments.

By the time he was rescued after five hours in the elevator, he had finished all his work.

His mother, noticing his absence, had organized a search party along with his teachers and friends.

Soon, news of Sun's ordeal began to spread across social media, and he was dubbed "Brother Calm".

But he said he wouldn't do his homework if he became trapped in an elevator again.

"I was too immersed in my work to notice my mother yelling for me," he said. "I would focus on getting out earlier next time."

His mother, Sun Hongyan, was relieved. "Perhaps he get his calmness after me," she said.

The boy's teachers said he has always been a good student and praised his time-management skills. "He's a very positive boy with good organizational abilities," said Cong Lin, Sun's class monitor.

Sun sees the incident as a chance to know himself better. "I realized something I didn't know about myself  I am practical, which makes sense as I also like physics experiments," he said.

"I'll try to take advantage of my practical abilities. Maybe one day I can study physics at Harvard."
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba changed the name of its travel website to cater to the younger generation, its primary customer group, the company announced on Tuesday.

The group announced last week that it was rebranding its travel portal, changing the name of the website from Alitrip.com to Fliggy.com. The new name is feizhu, or "flying pig" in Chinese. The company also introduced a cartoon-like image of a pig as its new logo.

"A key goal of the rebranding is to appeal to a younger demographic that accounts for more than 80 percent of our customer base," Alibaba said in a statement.

About 80 percent of the users of Fliggy.com are born after 1985, and the company will aim to provide services for the group in the future, Li Shaohua, CEO of Fliggy.com, told National Business Daily on Tuesday. The new name is more identifiable and easier to remember, the report said.

The decision sparked heated discussions in the past few days, especially among Muslims, who consider pigs unclean.

Adili Maimaititure, a Uyghur food industry entrepreneur in Changsha, Hunan province, said on Friday on Sina Weibo that he used to support Alitrip, as it makes booking train or air tickets for people of ethnic groups more convenient, but he will choose to delete the app as the name has been changed to feizhu. He said pigs are taboo for Muslims, and Alibaba should have considered this before changing the name. He said he believes that other Muslims would also take the same action.

Peng Gaocheng, a retired ethnic studies expert in Shanghai, said Maimaititure's concern is reasonable. "I think Alibaba should be more cautious about changing its name in case some Muslims feel offended," Peng told Sixth Tone, an English website owned by ThePaper.cn.

Alibaba said in its statement: "We embrace diversity, and respect all creeds and religions. The name change is meant to reflect the demographic's aspirations to pursue dreams, sit back and enjoy life."

A netizen named Han Dongyan said on Sina Weibo, "Alibaba has the right to change a name, and it is wrong to call on others to boycott it just because of a symbol."

Later, Maimaititure said on Sina Weibo that he apologized for his "improper expression" over the name change.

Feizhu is just a name and it has no substantial meaning," another netizen said. "It is nonsense to boycott the company just for changing its name."

Ma Si contributed to this story.


The 1 jiao coin features a chrysanthemum on one side. Ren Weihong / For China Daily

One series of the 1 jiao coin (0.15 cents) was to be removed from circulation starting on Tuesday, making the coin more valuable for collectors, according to a report by Modern Express.

People's Bank of China, the central bank, has called on banks nationwide to hand over all that series of 1 jiao coins, adding that no new such coins are to be distributed, the newspaper reported.

The coin, minted mainly from 1991 to 1999, is among the fourth series of renminbi coins. It features a chrysanthemum on one side and the National Emblem of the People's Republic of China, the full title of the state in Chinese and pinyin on the other side.

The fourth series of notes were introduced in denominations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100 yuan. Coins were introduced in denominations of 0.1, 0.5 and 1 yuan.

The report cited a collector as saying that the coin is favored by collectors because of its design, which features nonagon inside edges on both sides of the coin.

"A 1994 edition of the coin is worth about 30 yuan, while a set of nine coins from 1991 to 1999 is worth about 200 yuan," the collector said.

The coin was also minted in 2000, but that edition was never distributed to the public. It was only included in a collection album and is said to worth about 1,000 yuan.

However, a single coin wouldn't have much value in terms of collection. In addition, few buyers would purchase oxidized coins, according to the collector.

"Therefore, there is little point in searching for an old coin in attempts to make a profit from selling it," the collector added.
Developed countries asked to maintain commitments to fight climate change

China on Tuesday called for countries who signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change to build political trust and take real measures to implement relevant agreements.

"This is our hope," Xie Zhenhua, China's special representative on climate change, told a news conference ahead of the new round of global climate change talks in the Moroccan city of Marrakech, scheduled for Nov 7 to 18.

Xie said participants in the Paris meeting late last year had played a constructive role in pushing the global initiative as they sought cooperation in the negotiations. "We hope such a tone continues at the Marrakech talks."

He said concerned countries must meet their promises to lay a solid foundation for future talks. For example, developed countries should maintain their commitment to jointly provide $100 billion a year by 2020 for programs to help developing countries gain capital, technology and capacities to cut emissions, Xie said. "The sum should continue to increase after 2020."

If developed countries are not capable of providing the promised funding, they should give a clear timetable and road map on aiding developing countries' efforts to fight climate change, Xie said. "Some developed countries, such as the UK and Australia, have expressed their confidence in meeting and even exceeding the $100 billion assistance target."

"The global financial crisis eight years ago and the ensuing economic downturn have put financial pressures on the developed world and some developed nations might find it difficult to earmark such large sums of money for helping the emission-cutting initiatives of developing countries," said Liang Haiming, chief economist of China Silk Road iValley Research Institute, a Beijing-based think tank. "They might prioritize domestic economic growth instead of the global reduction of emissions. China should play a leading role in pushing the global initiative."

The Paris Agreement, a global accord negotiated by more than 190 governments to fight climate change, will take effect on Friday.

China has made headway in meeting its emission and energy-use reduction targets, Xie said. Its energy use per unit of GDP, for example, dropped by 5.2 percent in the first three quarters compared with the whole of last year, already exceeding the whole-year target of 3.4 percent for this year, he added.

China also plans to launch a national carbon trading scheme next year, Xie said, adding that pilot programs of the scheme have already traded 120 million carbon allowances, with total transactions reaching 3.2 billion yuan ($472.7 million).

China will soon release its low-carbon development strategy for the upcoming years until 2050, Xie said.


A CG image of the Hongshan internet of things town. Provided To China Daily

The city of Wuxi in Jiangsu province will build an internet of things town, the first of its kind in China.

According to a plan released on Tuesday at the World Internet of Things Exposition, an entire IoT industrial chain will be developed in Hongshan, a township of about 60,000 people, including IoT research and development, production and innovative applications.

Meanwhile, Hongshan will develop tourist attractions, and urban and business areas, taking IoT development into consideration.

Feng Xiaochun, governor of Wuxi's Xinwu district, said that the government will develop intelligent systems for industries such as tourism, medical care and transportation.

Hongshan will become China's first town built entirely with a network capable of delivering mobile broadband data at up to 1,000 megabits per second, Feng said, adding that a data center will also be created in the town to optimize allocation of resources.

An intelligent tourism system will be built at Hongshan's main tourist attractions, including Lianghong Wetland Park, China Rock View Park and Hongshan Site Museum, and the township will utilize car networking, self-driving and eye-tracking technologies to develop new types of intelligent transportation systems, Feng added.

The new system will be capable of interactions between visitors and scenic spots utilizing technologies such as virtual reality, sensors and radio frequency identification devices, Feng said. Such technologies can be used to manage information about tourist attractions and hotels, as well as provide electronic maps.

Feng said that Hongshan was chosen because of its convenient transportation routes, long history, beautiful natural scenery and the strong foundations of its IoT industry.

There are more than 50 IoT companies in Hongshan, including Amway (China) Plant Research and Development Center, Wuxi Hodge Co and Wuxi Shennan Circuits Co.

The number of IoT firms based in Xinwu district grew to more than 1,000 last year from only 160 in 2010. Their businesses are from almost every sector of the IoT, ranging from intelligent sensors to cloud computing and big data.

Wang Jian, chief technology officer of China's e-commerce giant Alibaba, said that Wuxi could play a key role in the development of the IoT industry, due to the number of people in the city dedicated to it.

Wang Quan, mayor of Wuxi, said that the IoT industry is a driving force behind a new round of innovation, and building an IoT town in Hongshan is a strategic choice for the city.

"I believe more IoT businesses and professionals will be attracted to Hongshan and Wuxi to promote IoT development," he said.

The World Internet of Things Exposition was held from Oct 30 to Nov 1 in Wuxi, the largest scale national-level exposition in the sector.
An East China boy who piled on 11 kilograms in a month to save his sick father could soon finally be jetting off on his dream holiday to Australia.

Cao Yinpeng, 8, was hailed by family and friends as a hero in the summer after he gained the weight so he could donate bone marrow to his father, Cao Lei, who was diagnosed with leukemia.

Now, the family from Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, is planning to re-book the holiday Down Under they had to cancel to cover medical bills.

Zhang Lin, the boy's mother, said the family was also forced to sell their apartment and now share a home with her parents and in-laws.

However, thanks to donations from generous well-wishers, the family is back on its feet.

More than 5,300 people have donated a total of almost 200,000 yuan ($29,500) since Cao Lei underwent a hematopoietic stem cell transplant at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University on July 6.

"Many strangers visited the hospital to see us, bringing us fruit and flowers," she said. "They've given me the strength to face this difficulty. We're thankful that so many people offered to help us."

Cao Lei, 35, was diagnosed with leukemia in January, but by the time he had finished his fourth round of chemotherapy in the spring, the only suitable donor was his son. However, the child's weight was still far short of the minimum 45 kg required to safely extract the vital cells.

"It wasn't an easy decision to allow him to be a donor," Zhang said. But she knew he was her husband's only hope for survival, she added.

Doctors had said Cao Lei's parents, in their 60s, were too old to be donors, while a nationwide search by the China Marrow Donor Program found no other matches.

So, like a boxer, Cao Yinpeng began bulking up to reach the required weight.

Despite potential health risks, Zhang said the boy stuffed himself at every mealtime, and that she encouraged him by making all kinds of dishes, telling him, "You need to have more to save your father."

He also spent more time exercising to build his strength. Every night, he would walk for at least an hour around his residential community.

By mid-June, Cao Yinpeng had gained 11 kg, which meant doctors could begin preparation work for a transplant. Nurses extracted 700 to 800 millimeters of blood every week in the run-up to the operation, leaving the boy sluggish and pale, Zhang said.

"The father is recovering well so far," said Sang Wei, one of the doctors treating Cao Lei. He added: "The boy impressed medical workers a lot with his optimism."
A police dog inspects passenger baggages along a road in Huangshi city, Central China's Hubei province. It takes five to 10 months to train a police dog, which then serves up to eight years. The post has more than 40 dogs that can assist in diverse tasks including patrolling and searching for explosives or drugs.[Photo/Ecns.cn]
Despite the initial success of the debtors' blacklist, legal professionals have warned that it's too early to say if the system will prevail.

At present, most of the restrictions target individuals, not corporate debtors. "It's hard to control or limit businesses if they refuse to comply with verdicts," said Lin Xiao, a deputy judge in the enforcement department at Beijing No 1 Intermediate People's Court.

Although he favors the restrictions as indirect economic pressures that can persuade defaulters to clear their debts, he said that the measures are far from sufficient.

"When a company refuses to repay money, we can ban its chairman from travelling overseas, but other related individuals can still travel overseas and the company may still refuse to pay," he said.

Moreover, if prosecutors use banks' networks to research debtors' assets, they can only access records related to savings and ownership of property, stocks and cars, according to Lin.

"Given China's rapid economic development, the list should include much more than just those four items," he said. "Also, some of the information is inaccurate, so we can only use it as a clue to locate other assets."

In Lin's opinion, defaulters should not be restricted in every aspect of their lives: "A person's right to earn a living is the most important priority."

Cheng Lei, an associate law professor at Renmin University of China, said restrictions should not be imposed until a person's human rights and basic lifestyle have been protected.

"Asking people in contempt of court to return money is necessary, but it does not mean we should impoverish them," he said.

By contrast, Chen Wei, a civil and commercial lawyer in Beijing, felt the system should be tougher and called for a wider range of restrictions.

"There is no conflict between protecting debtors' rights and imposing restrictions on them," she said. "Their rights should be protected when they make good on their obligations, but we urgently need to set limits for different restrictions and make them easy to use."
China and Malaysia have agreed to jointly develop and build a littoral mission vessel for the latter's naval forces, signifying deeper defense cooperation between the two Asian nations.

The deal, witnessed by Premier Li Keqiang and his Malaysian counterpart, Najib Razak, was signed on Tuesday in Beijing.

According to Najib, the first two of the littoral mission ships Malaysia purchases from China would be built in China, with two then built in Malaysia. Further Malaysian-built ships would be subject to government financing. "This deal will enhance the Malaysian shipbuilding and defense industry," he said in a written article.

The ships are considered fast patrol vessels primarily used for coastal security, which can be equipped with a helicopter flight deck and missiles, Reuters reported.

Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said the agreement would be conducive to the peace and stability of the South China Sea.

"Both China and Malaysia are countries surrounding the South China Sea, and the strengthening of their naval cooperation will enhance mutual trust," he told reporters.

It would mark Malaysia's first significant defense deal with the country, Reuters reported.

Jia Duqiang, associate researcher at the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Malaysian purchases of LMVs from China will send a clear signal across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. "After all, arms trade is always a sensitive issue, and it requires a strong, mutual political trust to execute," he said.

Military relations between Beijing and Kuala Lumpur have grown recently, with the first joint military exercises held last year in the Strait of Malacca.

The naval deal is just one of 28 agreements signed by the two countries on Tuesday, covering areas like infrastructure and finance.

Another major bilateral deal was that China would provide loans to Malaysia for construction of the planned East Coast Rail Line.

Malaysia's transport minister was quoted in earlier reports as saying the loan amount is 55 billion yuan ($8.1 billion), the biggest single deal Malaysia is to sign with China.

Chinese companies also are investing more in Malaysia, said Jia. Telecommunication giant Huawei recently established a new research center in Malaysia.

The week-long stay is Najib's third official visit to China. Premier Li Keqiang recalled the frequent exchanges between the leaders in the recent years. "I recalled the historical contribution your father made to improve bilateral ties," Li said.

The late Tun Abdul Razak  Malaysia's second prime minister and Najib's father  was remembered for his vision in 1974 when he decided that Malaysia would become the first ASEAN country to establish diplomatic ties with China.

Contact the writers at qinjize@chinadaily.com.cn
Leaders of CPC, KMT emphasize opposition to forces supporting "Taiwan independence"

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Taiwan's Kuomintang party leader Hung Hsiu-chu in Beijing on Tuesday. WU ZHIYI / CHINA DAILY

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Hung Hsiu-chu, the visiting chairwoman of Taiwan's Kuomintang party, and called for officials on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to remain committed to the one-China consensus.

Holding talks with a delegation led by Hung at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday, Xi said ensuring national integrity and protecting the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation is the "common will of all Chinese people".

Xi stressed the importance of the 1992 Consensus, essentially a commitment to the one-China policy, which official delegates from both sides of the Straits agreed upon in November 1992.

Xi made a six-point proposal on cross-Straits relations, including adhering to the 1992 Consensus, resolutely opposing forces supporting "Taiwan independence", promoting social and economic cooperation between the two sides and working together to carry forward Chinese culture.

"Two parties' contributions to the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations has been written in history," Xi added. "The two sides across the Straits have become an integral whole with a common destiny."

It is Hung's first trip to the mainland since she became head of the KMT on March 30. It also marks the first visit by a KMT leader since the party lost Taiwan leadership and a legislative majority to the Democratic Progressive Party in the January elections.

During her meeting with Xi, Hung said that CPC and KMT should expand exchanges between the two sides, including economic cooperation and interactions among young people.

She also stressed her stance on opposing "Taiwan independence" during her meeting with top political adviser Yu Zhengsheng on Tuesday.

Hung arrived in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, on Sunday to start a five-day visit, making her first stop the Mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the KMT.

On Wednesday, she will attend a forum on peaceful development of cross-Straits ties.

The meeting between Xi and Hung is the most significant event since the DPP took Taiwan's leadership in May, said Ni Yongjie, deputy director of the Shanghai Institute of Taiwan Studies.

"Cross-Straits relations have entered a cold period since the DPP takeover. The interaction between KMT and Communist Party of China, however, helps to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," said Ni.

In addition of talks with high-level leaders of the CPC, Hung's visit also has led to exchanges among people from both sides, according to Ni.

"Her visit to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and a technology hub in Beijing has drawn the public's attention and reminded people of the positive side of cross-Straits relations. Despite the difficult political situation, the exchange and mutual trust among people from two sides still exists," he said.

Highlights

Xi Jinping's six-point proposal on cross-Straits relations:

- Adhering to the 1992 Consensus, which affirms the one-China principle;

- Resolutely opposing forces supporting "Taiwan independence" and their activities;

- Promoting the integrated social and economic development of cross-Straits societies;

- Working together to carry forward Chinese culture;

- Boosting the well-being of people across the Taiwan Straits;

- Dedication to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in concerted efforts.
After being diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer, 23-year-old Liu Yuan made two decisions. First, she planned for a series of portraits to be taken of her and her family, so she could always be with them in some capacity. Next, she decided that her organs should be donated and her remains used for medical research.

Liu, from Siyang County, Jiangsu province, received her diagnosis after returning home from university for summer vacation. On July 6, Liu noticed that her abdomen felt uncomfortably swollen. She tried to ignore the discomfort, but her parents convinced her to go to the hospital. Two days later, Liu was told by doctors that her stomach was filled with fluid caused by late-stage stomach cancer. To her family's shock and dismay, the disease was pronounced terminal.

Following the diagnosis, Liu requested just one thing from her family. Before her disease got even worse, she wanted to take a series of photos with her parents and elder brother. These, she hoped, would help them to remember her once she was gone. So, between treatments, Liu and her family went to a studio to have their first and last set of photos taken together as a family. The once-lively Liu worked hard during the photo shoot to make sure her inner sorrow wouldn't show on her face.

On Sept. 28, Liu returned to the hospital, well aware that her time was short. It was then that Liu made her second request. She said to her parents, "My disease is incurable; after I die, I want to donate my body to medical research. If any of my organs can help someone else to live, then I want them to live on in that capacity." Liu asked her doctor to help make the arrangements.
The Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the CPC on Nov 1, 2016, convened a meeting to study and implement the spirit of the sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Discipline watchdog of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Tuesday pledged intensive efforts on strict governance of the Party.The Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the CPC on Tuesday convened a meeting to study and implement the spirit of the sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee held last week.Two documents on the discipline of the Party were approved at the session, namely the norms of political life within the Party under the new situation and a regulation on intra-Party supervision.Presided over by Wang Qishan, secretary of the CCDI, the meeting urged the CCDI to take a leading role in implementing the two documents, and better address problems existing in Party governance, according to a statement released after the meeting.The discipline inspection organs must strengthen self-building and self-restriction, avoiding violations within themselves, the statement stressed.The meeting called on discipline watchdogs at all levels to enhance supervision on the implementation of the spirit of the key CPC meeting, and uphold the CPC Central Committee's authority, said the statement.The discipline watchdogs should be aware of their responsibilities in promoting strict governance of the Party, and improve the supervision and accountability mechanisms, according to the statement.
Xi proposes talks to end cross-Straits hostility

Xinhua | Updated: 2016-11-02 08:56

BEIJING - Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Tuesday said that hostility across the Taiwan Strait should end and a peace agreement be reached through talks based on the one-China principle.



Xi made the remarks while meeting with a delegation led by Hung Hsiu-chu, leader of Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) Party.



The CPC and Kuomintang, the mainland and Taiwan, still have some complicated political disagreements, which will have to be solved eventually in a phased manner, Xi said, adding that with resolve and sincerity, solutions would be found.



"We have always advocated talks, on the basis of the one-China principle, to put an end to hostility across the Strait and reach a peace agreement," Xi said, suggesting the CPC and the Kuomintang have discussions in this regard.



Xi said the one-China principle is at the core of the 1992 Consensus, which affirms that both sides of the Strait belong to one and the same China.



"Changes in Taiwan's political landscape cannot change the historical facts underlying, and the core connotation of, the 1992 Consensus," he said.



"Whether the 1992 Consensus is acknowledged or not raises the essential question of whether the mainland and Taiwan belong to one country or two," Xi said. "When it comes to this cardinal issue of right or wrong, not the slightest obscurity or wavering is allowed in our stand."
Lanzhou Jiaotong University in Gansu province has set up a number of practical courses on handicrafts in recent years, including classes on wire-pinched painting, wood-cut painting and scroll painting. The classes are intended to promote traditional culture and cultivate students' workmanship.

Creating wire figures and filling in the spaces between them with painted sand, a group of students transform a white ceramic plate into an exquisite work of art. Among them is a student named Guo Tianhui, who has been studying this handicraft for one month. Currently, Guo is still practicing sketching, pinching and attaching the elements. Her paintings mainly depict figures, and she hopes to study more about the Dunhuang culture from which this technique comes.

Guo also said she was thinking about adding some contemporary elements into her paintings, since she is more proficient with that type of workmanship. These elements would illustrate her aesthetic view, the enthusiastic art student stated.

Liang Yan, deputy professor at Lanzhou Jiaotong University, explained that this course mainly focuses on Dunhuang elements, aiming to uncover students' potential for both innovation and accuracy.

According to Liang, most of the courses at Lanzhou Jiaotong University focus on science; the university has not previously emphasized aesthetic education. However, university administrators are now making an effort to promote the university's art courses so that students can benefit from an education that goes beyond what they learn in their major courses.
BEIJING -- Legislators discussed a draft decision on amending the law on private education Tuesday.

A draft amendment to the law is up for a third reading at the ongoing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, which proposes banning for-profit private schools from engaging in the 9-year compulsory education that covers the primary and junior high school phases.

The proposal is consistent with a stipulation in the Law on Compulsory Education, which says compulsory education is a free, charitable cause with national financial support, said legislator Wu Heng at Tuesday's panel discussion.

The compulsory education is a legal obligation of governments at various levels, said law professor Feng Liucai, who is also deputy head of Taizhou municipal education bureau in Jiangsu Province, in an interview.

If the law is revised, some for-profit private schools may choose to become non-profit, which means they will no longer charge the students and have their revenue reduced, according to legislator Wang Gang. The government should help and support them during their transformation, Wang said at the panel discussion.

Legislators agreed that the new draft defines clearly for-profit and non-profit private schools and specifies different supportive measures for them, which is expected to promote the healthy development of the private education cause.

They agreed that the draft is feasible and "mature," suggesting it be passed at the ongoing NPC session.
A file photo shows the annual matchmaking festival in Shanghai.[Photo/CRI]

The Shanghai Matchmaking Association has recently released a survey report, outlining the trends and struggles that dominate the city's single individuals' attitudes in dating and marriage.

Based on research of some 2,000 singles aged between 10 and 40 years old in Shanghai, the survey results highlight only 3 percent of the interviewees have expressed the willingness to accept a partner from the Northern provinces.

Over 77 percent of single Shanghai interviewees want to marry local people, while 19 percent hope their partner could be from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, or even from overseas, data shows.

A single, 28-year-old advertisement company employee Lily Wan explained people's different living habits, life styles, and temperament in south and north regions is the major reason leading to this preference.

In addition, most interviewed single individuals said, if they could not find a local partner, a person from neighboring provinces is also acceptable.

The emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) is another key factor valued by those surveyed in finding an ideal partner, although details of desirable characteristics are varied between men and women.

The top priority that men considered before rushing into a relationship is appearance, which is followed by personalities, age, living habits and family background, based on the research findings. While the preference order for women is personalities, economic conditions, living habits, capability or potential, and appearance.

Another dilemma that grabs the limelight in the report is careers' influence on single people's dating experience.

According to the survey, respondents who work in areas such as technology and research and development, seems to have less love experience and narrower social circle than those involved in the communication industry.

The report further indicated, nearly 91 percent of respondents claimed a different view of the world, philosophy of life and worth of action is the major cause of a divorce.
Another disturbing case of indecent pranks being played on newlyweds recently occurred at a scenic spot in Dali, Yunnan province. In a 40-second online clip, Internet users can witness the groom stripped of his clothes, sitting on a tricycle with only a red cloth covering his body. The local government has issued a ban on such pranks, which has spawned a heated public debate over the government's right to intervene.

This is the second such prank that has attracted public attention in the past two months in Dali. In the first case, which happened in September, two naked men were tied to a tree while their friends and family members threw eggs and ink at them. To deal with the growing phenomenon, local officials officially prohibited indecent behavior carried out in conjunction with wedding ceremonies. The ban covers "indecent" performances, nudity, weird costumes, throwing food and other unruly behaviors. Those who do not obey the rules are subject to prosecution.

Public opinion is quite split, with proponents claiming that the ban will improve the overall atmosphere of weddings. Opponents, meanwhile, believe that even though such behaviors can sometimes go too far, government intervention is not the solution. Wang Xu, an associate professor at the law school of Renmin University, emphasized that the ban should be viewed from the perspective of reason and legality.
Zookeepers take care of an abandoned chimpanzee cub in Taiyuan, capital of North China's Shanxi province on November 1, 2016. The cub is here because her mother, Laoqi, turned her back on her baby after giving birth on May 2, 2016.[Photo/Ecns.cn]
Guangdong uncovers dozens of online fraud gangs

Xinhua | Updated: 2016-11-02 16:20

GUANGZHOU - Guangdong Police announced that they had disbanded 60 online-fraud syndicates in the last five months.



In what has been described as an "intense crackdown" on online fraud in over 21 cities and counties in Guangdong, police say they have apprehended more than 480 suspects.



The fraudsters invented new schemes to capitalize on the wide-use of virtual money, often requesting money in the guise of "charity work." The schemes were estimated to have swindled people out of over two billion yuan (about 300 million U.S. dollars).



The five-month investigation included the discovery of two major fraud gangs, according to police.



From January to September, Guangdong police handled 680 cases related to illegal fund-raising and pyramid schemes online, up 24 percent year on year. More than 1,370 people have been apprehended in the period, up 71.3 percent year on year, it said.



The police promised that the campaign will continue unabated, but reminded the public to be wary when approached by people with unsolicited money requests.
Six Chinese teachers jailed for gaokao cheating

Xinhua | Updated: 2016-11-02 16:20

SHENYANG - Six teachers have received jail terms for helping students cheat in last year's national college entrance examination (gaokao) in northeast China's Liaoning Province.



The teachers were sentenced from one year to 26 months in prison by the Intermediate People's Court of Shenyang City after being convicted of "illegally obtaining state secrets," according to a court statement on Monday.



In April 2015, two months prior to the gaokao, Chen Jun, a middle school teacher in Shenyang, colluded with Yang Zhiqing, an unemployed local, to cash in on the cut-throat test.



Chen, along with five other teachers, found more than 20 students whose parents paid for their services. Yang bought test answers, as well as nine emitters, 60 receivers and 60 earphones.



However, their plan was detected by police when they were setting up electric gadgets at the exam site.



The court defines organized cheating in national examinations as illegal trade in state secrets.
China will dispatch a new infantry battalion and army engineers in December to aid the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan and Sudans Darfur region, according to the Ministry of Defense.

The third batch of 700 peacekeeping infantry personnel from the 54th Combined Corps will arrive in Juba, capital of South Sudan in mid-December to replace the battalion stationed there. The thirteenth batch of 225 army engineers from the 65th Combined Corps will arrive in Darfur mission zone in late-December.

Both combined corps fall under the Peoples Liberation Army Central Theater Command. The peacekeeping mission will last for 12 months.

Key personnel for the mission had undergone pre-deployment training from Oct 26 to Nov 1 at the Peacekeeping Affairs Office under the Ministry of Defense in Beijing, the ministry said.

Ninety military personnel studied 27 courses on United Nations Memorandum of Understanding, operation manuals and other UN guidelines, covering topics from practical skills to refugee protection. Twenty-nine scholars from various military commissions, customs, research institutions, and army academies had taught in the program.

China has 1,056 peacekeepers in South Sudan; 700 from infantry units, 268 engineers, 63 medical staff and 25 officers and military observers, ministry spokesperson Wu Qian told the regular October press conference.

"They will be responsible for patrols, defense and protecting civilians, UN personnel and humanitarian aid workers," Wu said.
Many countries reach out as China prepares to put permanent station in service in 2022

Many nations have reached out to China, seeking to play a part in the country's future manned space station, a senior space industry official said Wednesday.

"We believe there is a wide range of fields suitable for such international collaboration and these prospective cooperation projects will have huge potential," said Fu Zhiheng, vice-president of China Great Wall Industry Corp, a State-owned enterprise that is the nation's only authorized firm for international space collaboration.

"In fact, we are in talks with some foreign countries in this regard," said Fu, who spoke with China Daily on the sidelines of the 11th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai of Guangdong province.

"My company's Manned Space Cooperation Center works with the China Manned Space Agency and has been pushing forward with related efforts," he said. Fu did not name any of the nations involved.

China will start launching parts of its permanent manned space station starting in 2018 and put the space station into service around 2022, according to previous reports.

It will consist of three parts  a core module attached to two space labs, each weighing about 20 metric tons. A scaled model of the space station is on display at the six-day air show that opened on Tuesday in Zhuhai.

Meanwhile, the heavy-lift carrier rocket developed to launch the space station's modules, the Long March 5, is standing at Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in Hainan province waiting for its first trip into space.

China's manned space station is likely to become the world's only space station after the International Space Station is retired in 2024, Chinese space officials have said.

The International Space Station has worked in part as an orbiting laboratory for multidisciplinary research in areas including physics, medicine and space sciences.

China currently is conducting some cooperation projects with foreign space agencies, mainly concerning scientific and technological experiments onboard China's Shenzhou XI spacecraft and Tiangong II space laboratory, according to Fu. He did not say which agencies are involved.

Two Chinese astronauts are now aboard the combined Shenzhou XI-Tiangong II on a monthlong mission in space that started in mid-October.

Fu also noted that his company has received requests from other nations that hope China will help them train astronauts. He did not name the nations.

Yang Liwei, deputy director of China Manned Space Agency, previously said that China is open to cooperation with other nations in its future manned space station.

Chinese scientists have designed a number of devices or instruments in the planned space station that can be used for international cooperative projects. They also developed adapters to permit docking with other nations' spaceships, according to Yang, China's first astronaut in space.

In addition, he said China would be happy to help train astronauts from other countries and organizations and would also be glad to provide rides to foreign astronauts. Foreign astronauts who will have undergone training by Chinese experts will be welcome to work in the space station, he added.

"The result of including foreign participants in our space programs is not only that these nations can send their people to space but also that they will be able to develop their own space projects," Yang said.
China's first lady Peng Liyuan and her Malawian counterpart, Gertrude Mutharika, both known for their devotion to charity, agreed on Tuesday in Beijing to work together to fight AIDS in Africa.

China and African countries have made progress in fighting AIDS with their joint efforts, and China would like to share experiences with African countries including Malawi, Peng told Mutharika, who is also vice-president of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV and AIDS.

China will enhance communications with regional organizations including the OAFLA to provide help in the fight against AIDS and to benefit public health in African countries, Peng said.
Convergence Ventures just closed its first fund, raising $30 million from investors, including well-known Chinese entrepreneurs, to place bets on Indonesia's burgeoning technology sector.

The Jakarta-based venture capital firm exceeded its fundraising target of $25 million, with financing from a diverse group that included Singapore-based gaming unicorn Garena and Indonesia's Emtek Group, according to Convergence managing partner Adrian Li.

Li, who started Convergence in 2014 after a stint as founder of Chinese online education startup Idapted, is tapping his network to increase bets on Indonesia, a country believed to be on the cusp of a technology boom as smartphone usage climbs and the middle class swells to an estimated 141 million by 2020.
Expo aims to ease creation of new intl opportunities

By Zhou Mo in Dongguan, Guangdong | China Daily | Updated: 2016-11-02 07:27

In the Sabah pavilion at the 2016 Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo, Ming Lee is introducing the eastern Malaysian state's tourism products in detail to a Chinese visitor.

It is the first time she has attended the event. As a sales and marketing executive of Sabah-based travel agency Kayworld Travel and Tours, Lee believes attendance at the expo will help her company gain better access to the Chinese market, which has already become the world's largest source of outbound tourists.

"The number of Chinese tourists to Sabah is growing very quickly. China has become our company's main target market for the coming years," Lee said.

"Previously, we could only answer inquiries from Chinese customers through email or our WeChat account. Now, by exhibiting our tourism products at the expo, people can gain better knowledge of our company and products, which will help boost our business."

The expo, held in Dongguan, Guangdong province, from Oct 27 to Oct 30, is a platform for countries and regions along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road to explore business opportunities and increase cultural exchanges. Exhibitors from 52 countries and regions attended this year's event, with 39 setting up their own pavilions.

The expo aims to promote opening-up and transformation of foreign trade in Dongguan and across the country, Dongguan Party Chief Lyu Yesheng said at the opening ceremony of the annual event.

Economic and trade cooperation between Dongguan and countries and regions along the maritime route has been expanding over recent years.

Export and import trade volume between the two sides reached $29.12 billion last year, representing 18.1 percent year-on-year growth, according to official statistics.

Known as China's manufacturing hub, Dongguan exported a total of $16.73 billion worth of products to maritime road countries and regions in 2015, rising 25.2 percent compared with a year earlier.

Meanwhile, $12.39 billion worth of commodities were imported to Dongguan from maritime route countries and regions in the same year, a 9.6 percent yearly increase.

The expo not only attracted a large number of business people who hope to showcase their specialties, but also buyers from all over the world.

"By gathering products and services from around the world at a single place, the expo enables us to find what we need easily," said Chama Chisenga, a buyer from the government of Lusaka, capital city of Zambia.

"Through the expo, we managed to contact several companies producing machinery used in construction and agriculture and will make further exchanges with them for cooperation after the event."

(China Daily 11/02/2016 page15)
Hsing Yun, founder of the Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Taiwan, writes one verse of the Heart Sutra at the Nanjing forum. Photo by Guo Shasha/Provided to China Daily

Tang Dynasty (618-907) monk Xuanzang made overland trips to India along the ancient Silk Road in the 7th century to collect Buddhist sutras.

He later translated hundreds of the scriptures from Sanskrit to Chinese, contributing to the popularity of Buddhism in China and its proliferation in East Asia.

Containing around 260 characters, the Heart Sutra is a summary of the key doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism, one of the main existing branches of Buddhism. In Sanskrit, the title literally means the center of the "perfection of wisdom".

Xuanzang's version of this sutra is revered by Buddhist scholars and common people.

On Thursday, some 240 Buddhist monks and scholars from 30 countries and regions gathered in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province, for the first Cultural Forum of the Heart Sutra. It was also held for countries that are looking with interest at China's Belt and Road Initiative.

The participants shared their views on the sutra and its implication on cultural exchanges.

Buddhism has deep roots and a long tradition in countries along the Silk Road, Xincheng, vice-president of the Buddhist Association of China, told the forum.

"We shall follow in the footsteps of master Xuanzang, using the wisdom of the Heart Sutra to resolve modern-day problems, and contribute to a world of peace and harmony," Xincheng said.

"Buddhism teaches humans the highest morality - to love people, have compassion, show kindness and tolerance," Prakrit Ranjan Barua, vice-president of the Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar Sangha, a Buddhist platform in Dhaka, said at the forum. "It's a religion, a spiritual science and a way of life."

After the opening ceremony, 30 monks and scholars together wrote the Heart Sutra on a long scroll, each writing one verse in his or her own language.

A point the sutra strongly makes is about the connects that exist among different things in the world.

"Through the overland and marine Silk Road, Buddhism connected Asia with Europe in the past," says Hsing Yun, 89, founder of the Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Taiwan.

This will help the ongoing revival of Chinese culture, he adds.

"I think the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping will make a great contribution to world stability and people's unity."

Naresh Man Bajracharya, vice chancellor of Lumbini Buddhist University in Nepal, recounted the many connections between Nepal and China, including a Nepali artist being invited by China to build the White Pagoda in Beijing during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). It still stands today.

Maha Vihara, the chief high priest of Malaysia, talked about teaching Buddhism to the younger generations who are consumed by technology.

"We must create some new programs to reach out to young people without changing the basic teachings of the Buddha," he says.

The forum's attendees also visited the Niushoushan Temple in Nanjing, where a rare relic of the skull of the Buddha Sakyamuni has been enshrined since last year.
Wu Gencun, owner of the legendary Ada Scallion Pancake, works in front of the grill to serve the morning crowd on Nov 2, 2016 at the shop's new location on Yongjia Road in Shanghai. [Photo/IC]

Shanghai's Ada Scallion Pancake shop reopened on Yongjia Road on Friday after owner Wu Gencun reached a cooperative agreement with an online food ordering company. A month before that, his old location was forced to shut down because of licensing issues.

Wu's scallion pancake, which is said to have followed the same formula in the 34 years since the shop opened in 1982, has been dubbed the most authentic of its kind in Shanghai. The shop caught more attention after it was featured on a BBC food show, which brought a surprisingly big crowd of new customers earlier this year.
At a meeting of the State Council, China's Cabinet, on Monday, Premier Li Keqiang once again stressed that the governments should disclose information in a timely manner. He chaired a discussion on specific ways to achieve this.

Greater openness is a necessary step to increase the credibility of governments at all levels.

A lack of transparency in public affairs results in public mistrust, as indicated by people's rush to buy foreign brands following a quality scandal involving domestic infant milk powder.

Considering any government policies and measures are usually related to the vital interests of the public, timely, accurate and full disclosure is necessary to satisfy people's right to know. Full government information disclosure can guarantee the rights of citizens, civic groups, industry associations and grassroots organizations to participate in governance and supervise governments.

Nowadays, the transparency of government affairs and the willingness of governments to voluntarily reveal to the public what they are doing is considered an indispensible part of modern governance. The State Council's effort to push for government information disclosure thus marks its fresh effort to follow the trends of the times and actively respond to people's expectations.

The government should get accustomed to making public its affairs, rather than making this an exception. Bringing government decision-making and the use of power into the sunshine will help reduce the space for irregularities and corruption. Without offering the public an open and transparent decision-making process, any efforts at self-defense in the event of an emergency will fail to gain the public's trust.

Given that making public government affairs is an important institutional guarantee for the building of a law-based government and thus rule of law, it is necessary to ensure that where there is power, there is also transparency and public supervision.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in Manila, the Philippines on November 17, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

Forty-two years ago, in 1974, then Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Abdul Razak embarked on what he called a "journey into the unknown, to sow the seeds of mutual understanding and trust". He did so in the face of questions and criticism, as many thought that he was wrong to lead Malaysia towards becoming the first country in the region to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.

But Tun Razak, my father, was steadfast in his belief that the way of peace and cooperation among neighbours was the right path. When I asked him, as a young man at the time, why he was so sure, he replied: "Because Zhou Enlai is a man I can trust".

Decades later, my father's decision to place his trust in China has been validated, and we have harvested the fruits of his vision. Economic and trade relations between Malaysia and China have grown from strength to strength, helped by close political and business exchanges at the highest levels.

China was Malaysia's largest trading partner in 2015, a position it has maintained since 2009, with trade last year between our countries totalling approximately USD 100 billion. Malaysia is also China's eighth largest trading partner worldwide. And among ASEAN countries, we are China's largest trading partner, the largest source of imports, and its second largest export destination.

Over the past twenty two years, I have visited China in many different capacities, including as Defense Minister, Education Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Prime Minister. On each visit, I have been struck by the strength of our relationship, how it has grown over time, and the depth of future opportunities.

I have seen how China has retaken its place on the world stage as a great power, while in Malaysia we have progressed from being an agricultural based to an upper-middle income economy, well on the path to becoming a high-income developed nation.

Ties between our two countries are now set to reach new highs. Over the course of my visit, which will involve discussions with their Excellencies President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, we will sign many new agreements and memorandums of understanding that will elevate the relationship between our two nations even higher.

Joint ventures with Chinese companies have already led to the Qinzhou Industrial Park in Guangxi, and the Kuantan Industrial Park, creating new jobs and opportunities for our peoples.

Now we have the deepwater port at Melaka, a project that was inaugurated just last month. Plans for the futuristic underground metropolis of Bandar Malaysia-which will be the largest underground city in the world when it is built in Kuala Lumpurhave been unveiled. And we are delighted that Malaysia has been chosen to host Xiamen University Malaysia, the first overseas branch of any public Chinese university.

These are just a few of the partnerships across sectors as diverse as railways, real estate and energy that are on-going. Looking ahead, we are committed to expanding these, both bilaterally through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and as part of President Xi's visionary One Belt One Road initiative.

Furthermore, we are now taking new steps in military cooperation with China. Nearly two years ago, we undertook our first-ever bilateral military exercise, and last year our first joint live-troop exercise. Now we have agreed the first significant defence deal between our two countries, with Malaysia purchasing littoral mission ships from China-the first two of which will be built in China, then two in Malaysia, and further Malaysian-built ships subject to government financing. This deal will enhance the Malaysian shipbuilding and defence industry.

The relationship between China and Malaysia is based on mutual trust and respect. At the same time, we recognise that there can be issues where even the closest of friends may disagree. When it comes to the South China Sea, we firmly believe that overlapping territorial and maritime disputes should be managed calmly and rationally through dialogue, in accordance with the rule of law and peaceful negotiations.

More generally, we believe it is incumbent upon larger countries to treat smaller ones fairly. And this includes former colonial powers. It is not for them to lecture countries they once exploited on how to conduct their own internal affairs today. Malaysia and China are united in agreeing on the need to defend the sovereignty of the nation state and in the belief that the individual histories, values and governance systems of different countries must be respected.

This is particularly relevant as the world's fulcrum shifts East. It is crucial that global institutions reflect the legitimate desires and viewpoints of countries that were given no say in the legal and security infrastructure that was set up by the victors of the Second World War.

This is why we welcome China's initiative in creating the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. We need new institutions for a new era: of peaceful dialogue, not foreign intervention in sovereign states, and of "win-win" cooperation that benefits all, not just the few.

This will be the Asian Century, and few countries represent the potential of our region better than China and Malaysia. Working together, we must build on the partnership reforged by Tun Razak in 1974, which stretches back through the centuries to the early Ming Dynasty when the first Chinese trade envoys arrived in Melaka.

The opportunity is there-it remains only for us to take it. And in doing so, I am confident that we can transform the lives of our peoples and reshape the region and the world for the better.

The author is prime minister of Malaysia.
The Republic of Korea has been taking heavy economic blows following the dramatic collapse of its largest shipping company, Hanjin Shipping Co, and Samsung Electronics Co's decision to stop the production, sales and replacement of its fire-prone Galaxy Note 7 smartphones.

Hanjin, the world's seventh-largest container shipper, had a debt of more than $5.9 billion when it filed for bankruptcy protection at the end of August. Shares of Samsung, which accounts for nearly 17 percent of the country's GDP, plunged after it stopped the sales of Note 7, which cut $17 billion from its market value. And recent strikes at Hyundai Motor Co, the country's largest automaker, might deal another blow to the already struggling ROK economy.

On Oct 13, the ROK's central bank revised down next year's growth forecast from 2.9 percent to 2.8 percent. Its unemployment rate rose year-on-year to 3.6 percent in September because of a slowdown in manufacturing and export. Factory output in August, too, fell 2.4 percent from July, the fastest decline in 19 months.

The crisis haunting the ROK's leading enterprises, however, did not break out overnight. It was evident in the economic growth trajectory of the country, which has been struggling to pick up speed since 2012.

Exports, which make up more than half of the country's GDP, reportedly fell 5.9 percent year-on-year to $40.9 billion in September. The slow economic recovery in the West and China's slowing growth have prompted some ROK enterprises to put extra efforts into maintaining their global presence, but Samsung went a little too far and has learned a lesson in quality control.

The hurdles also include a government-led restructuring of enterprises and an anti-corruption law that some argue will hurt retailers and food producers. While seeking new economic drivers amid global economic woes, Seoul has taken measures to regroup enterprises at home to avoid more financial shocks. Getting rid of heavily indebted enterprises, which accounted for over 10 percent of the country's enterprises in 2014, is a step that has to be taken.

Moreover, plutocrats like Lotte Group conglomerate, whose chairman Shin Dong-bin was questioned by prosecutors on suspicion of embezzlement and breach of trust, are under stricter restrictions, as the ROK government has doubled its efforts to fight corruption. Plutocrats' total wealth made up about 84 percent of the ROK's GDP in 2012; the figure was just over 48 percent in 2003.

Worse, top positions in these "too-big-to-fall" giants are hereditary, which could lead to corruption, rigged competition and excessive expansion. The power and longevity enjoyed by industrial tycoons have greatly marginalized small and medium-sized enterprises, triggering increasingly bitter complaints against the plutocratic economy. The ROK government has thus rightly taken steps to change the situation, even though the magnates have made sizable contributions to the country's growth.

The crisis, however, can be turned into an opportunity for future industrial upgrade that could put the country in a better position to deal with economic turbulence. To begin with, the crisis should serve as a wake-up call for the ROK that addressing domestic economic problems is more important than deploying the United States' Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system on the country's soil.

Also, deepening economic ties with Beijing is more than necessary for Seoul, especially because the ROK economy is highly linked with the Chinese market. So it is wrong for some ROK politicians to overstate China's slowing growth and underestimate the significance of the bilateral economic partnership.

The author is a researcher at the Northeast Asia Studies Institute at Jilin Academy of Social Sciences.
Iraqi families displaced by the ongoing operation by Iraqi forces against the Islamic State group to retake the city of Mosul, are seen near Qayyarah on Saturday.Bulent Kilic / AFP

Four months after the Iraqi government retook control of Fallujah, the Iraqi military and Kurdish militias, backed by international coalition airstrikes, launched a large-scale military offense on Oct 17 with the aim of restoring government control over Mosul, once Iraq's second largest city, now de-facto capital of the Islamic State militants in Iraq.

"The hour has come and the moment of great victory is near," Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in a speech broadcast on state television, striking an optimistic note ahead of the operation to retake the last stronghold of the IS terrorists in Iraq.

He has grounds for optimism. Although it has held Mosul since they seized it in June 2014, the jihadi group has been struggling with short-ages of funds, combat personnel and equipment recently thanks to anti-terror efforts from the international community.

The IS has also lost large parts of the territory it held in Syria in recent months as the Syrian government, supported by Russian airstrikes, has intensified its efforts to counter both the terrorist group and rebels forces in Aleppo.

A report released by the European Parliament Subcommittee on Security and Defense earlier last month estimated the IS group had suffered between 12,000 to 15,000 casualties in Iraq and Syria.

All this seems to indicate the world's deadliest group of terrorists is facing defeat. However, it is still too early to claim victory.

The humanitarian crisis is obviously getting worse in Mosul.

Up to 1.5 million civilians remain in the city, according to the United Nations, which fears that as a last resort IS terrorists might use them as human shields. According to United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, IS operatives have forced thousands of families from four separate sub-districts of Mosul to move to its "strongholds".

The battle to recapture Mosul means further suffering for its residents, who have already suffered so much. Measures must be taken to address the humanitarian crisis in Mosul.

On the other hand, while much headway has been made in the fight against the IS group, speculation is rife over the future of Iraq in the post-IS era. Whether the fall of the IS terrorists in Iraq will bring peace to the country is a question whose answer remains to be seen.

Before the rise of the terrorist group, Iraq had been mired in factional squabbling. At present, the major factions in Iraq have temporarily put aside the grudges and feuds they hold with one another in order to deal with their common enemy, the IS terrorists.

After the fall of the group in Iraq, if a national reconciliation process cannot be started in time there is no guarantee that the Middle East country will not slip into further chaos and internal fighting.

How has Iraq ended up like this? In the final analysis, the United States bears the responsibility. After it toppled the Saddam Hussein regime in 2003, the divide between the Shiites and the Sunnis in the country deepened, and the US failed to address it. Iraq's factional rift is a major reason behind the rise of IS terrorists in the country.

Now that the war against the world's deadliest terrorist group has come to a critical moment, the different forces in Iraq should concentrate on their anti-terror efforts while at the same time thinking about the future of their country.

The author is deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific. jasmine@chinadailyhk.com
Choi Soon-sil (C), who is involved in a political scandal, reacts as she is surrounded by the media upon her arrival at a prosecutor's office in Seoul, South Korea, October 31, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

SEOUL - A political scandal surrounding a longtime confidante of President Park Geun-hye derailed South Korea, heralding a big upheaval in the political landscape and in the dynamics of presidential election scheduled for next December.

Choi Soon-sil, who is known to have called President Park "sister" thanks to their seemingly indestructible friendship for decades, is now being placed by prosecutors under an emergency detention on Tuesday for alleged charges of intervening in state affairs and privatizing two non-profit foundations.

The 60-year-old woman is suspected of having edited the most important presidential speeches, including the one made in Dresden, Germany, in 2014 that laid out a vision for reunification with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Alleged wrongdoings committed by Choi involve her interference with the appointments of ministers, the shutdown of the inter-Korean factory park in Kaesong, the privatization of two non-profit foundations and pressures on a prestigious university to get her daughter granted special treatment.

President Park apologized to the public on Tuesday, acknowledging she had received personal advice from Choi on speeches and other public relations issues during the 2012 presidential election campaign and during her initial presidency on which Park didn't elaborate.

Even a day hasn't passed without new allegations on Choi's past irregularities. Student unions and professor groups in universities as well as civic group activists have rallied and held press conference nationwide to protest against President Park and her confidante suspected of peddling influence and pulling strings behind the scenes.

ALTERING POWER STRUCTURE

As tens of thousands of outraged protesters took to the streets in capital Seoul and major cities nationwide on Saturday night, President Park overhauled her secretariat on Sunday by accepting resignations of her key advisors.

Among the dismissed staff were three presidential secretaries, described as three "knobs of a door" that leads directly into the president. They had worked as Park's staff since she went into politics in 1998 as an elected lawmaker of the Grand National Party, predecessor of the current ruling Saenuri Party.

One of the three secretaries is suspected of bringing the copies of confidential presidential reports, including Park's schedule for overseas trip and secret military contacts with the DPRK under former President Lee Myung-bak, daily to Choi for review.

Also on the dismissal list were senior presidential advisor on policy coordination, who is accused of pressuring conglomerates into donating tens of millions of U.S. dollars to the Choi-controlled foundations, as well as senior presidential secretary for civil affairs in charge of overseeing prosecutors, police and spy agency.

The presidential chief of staff and the press secretary for President Park stepped down, along with senior advisor for political affairs who is tasked with communicating with political parties.

Choi Soon-sil, who is suspected of standing at the pinnacle of the power structure next to President Park, unexpectedly returned to Seoul on Sunday and appeared in prosecutors' office on Monday before being placed under an emergency arrest. Prosecutors requested a warrant to formally detain her.

The senior presidential advisor on policy coordination was summoned by prosecutors for questioning on Wednesday, and behind-the-doors aides to Choi with no official position and security clearance have been, or would be, grilled, in the prosecutors' office.

Power vacuum, caused by the resignations en masse and Choi's arrest, was first filled by two new secretaries. Park named new senior advisor for civil affairs and senior press secretary.

The relatively-rapid staff alteration for President Park is being led by former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon and former deputy minister for economic affairs Choi Kyung-hwan, according to Chosun Ilbo newspaper citing a ruling party official.

Kim and Choi reportedly had a close relationship with Choi Jae-kyung, the new civil-affairs advisor for President Park. He is a former prosecutor famous for acquitting former President Lee Myung-bak of a charge of being involved in manipulating stock prices during the 2007 presidential primary of then ruling party.

DYNAMICS IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Outlook for next year's presidential election got blurred further as Saenuri Party lawmakers are raising different voices according to political interests. The non-President Park faction within the ruling party, composed of scores of lawmakers, has called on all of the party leadership to step down to take responsibility for the political crisis.

Five potential presidential hopefuls of the governing party, including former Saenuri chairman Kim Moo-sung, gathered on Tuesday to demand the resignation of the party leadership that was launched just around three months ago.

Kim, who led President Park's team for presidential election campaign in 2012 but is now categorized as a non-Park faction figure, said last Thursday that everyone did know Choi Soon-sil was close to Park when she was a presidential candidate in 2012. He said it was a lie to say that pro-Park figures didn't know the existence of Choi.

Expectations got high for forming a so-called "third playground", a claim that neutral political figures from both ruling and opposition parties gather in a third place for the 2017 presidential election. Possibility remains for part of Saenuri members to bolt from the embattled party and join the third bloc.

Traditional supporters for President Park are turning their backs rapidly. Park's approval rating dropped to a single-digit number for the first time during her four years in power. Most noticeable is an alienation of those in their 60s or above living in southeastern South Korea.

According to a Naeil Shinmun newspaper survey conducted on Oct. 31, Park's approval rating fell to 9.2 percent, down 25.0 percentage points from the previous month. Support for Park in the North Gyeongsang province tumbled from 44.3 percent to 8.8 percent.

Over 80 percent of respondents said the presidential personnel reshuffle will not contain public uproar, while about two-thirds of respondents agreed on the resignation of President Park.

Doubts remain about prosecutors' investigation into the Choi Soon-sil scandal as she was arrested belatedly. Many South Koreans still believe that time was enough for Choi to destroy evidence given that months have passed since allegations surrounding her surfaced in media reports.

Prosecutors raided the presidential office twice over the weekend, but they failed to enter inside the office for what the Blue House claimed was a possible leakage of classified documents. Instead, seven boxes of materials were voluntarily submitted to the prosecution.

When investigators stormed offices of the two foundations presumably controlled by Choi, the offices were almost empty, TV footage showed. All of computers in the K-Sports foundation were reportedly replaced, while email accounts of the employees were closed.
BEIJING - China and Malaysia on Tuesday signed agreements on railways, energy, defense, and joint development of Malaysia's naval ships, during Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's visit to Beijing.

The deals were signed after talks between Premier Li Keqiang and Najib. They covered areas ranging from infrastructure, agriculture, education, tax, quality inspection to customs and defense.

Describing China and Malaysia as good neighbors, partners and friends, Li said China is willing to work with the Southeast Asian country to boost neighborly cooperation, stability, development and prosperity.

China will link the Belt and Road Initiative with Malaysia's development strategies and build pilot programs for industrial cooperation, Li said.

"China and Malaysia can enhance cooperation in railways, including high-speed rail to strengthen regional connectivity," Li said.

He also called for further cooperation in finance, law enforcement, security and culture, particularly the operating of Xiamen University Malaysian campus.

Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters after the talks that China plans to join the construction of railways in Malaysia's east coast, and oil and gas pipelines in Sabah.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue, and ASEAN will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2017.

Premier Li said China staunchly supports the building of the ASEAN community and its central role in regional cooperation.

China is willing to enhance communication and collaboration with Malaysia for better China-ASEAN relations and regional peace and stability, he said.

Najib said Malaysia-China ties are in the best period in their history, pointing to smooth progress in the joint industrial park in Kuantan and Malacca.

Malaysia will work with China to boost cooperation in trade, investment, railway construction, finance, education and defense to advance relations, Najib said.

He said Malaysia will also enhance relations between ASEAN and China for the development of the region.

Also on Tuesday, China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang met with Najib, who is on an official visit to China from October 31 to November 6.
A riot policemen patrols close to where some 1,500 migrant minors are being housed temporarily in converted shipping containers in Calais, France, November 1, 2016.[Photo/Agencies]

French authorities will on Wednesday begin transferring about 1,500 unaccompanied migrant minors to reception centers across the country, officials said on Tuesday, as a standoff with Britain over who takes care of the youths drags on.

The minors have been housed temporarily in converted shipping containers in Calais.

Demolition teams finished tearing down unoccupied shacks and tents in the northern seaside town on Monday after last week's evacuation of thousands of migrants from the "Jungle" camp where more than 6,000 people were living, most in the hope of making it across the Channel to Britain.

Tensions between London and Paris have mounted in recent days after President Francois Hollande urged British Prime Minister Theresa May to accept Britain's share of responsibility for the minors.

Britain is obliged under EU rules to take in minors with verified family ties.

"The minors will be taken by bus to reception centers for minors across France throughout the day," said Stephane Duval, who heads a state-run shelter built with shipping containers within the camp. "There will be no departures to Britain for now. Their applications will be studied at a later stage."
SYDNEY - A new report into missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 says that additional analysis of satellite communications from the aircraft was consistent with it being in a "high and increasing rate of descent" when it vanished.

The report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), which is leading the search for MH370, said additional analysis of wing flap debris found the aircraft was not configured for a landing.

Both pieces of information support the agency's long-held view that an unpiloted MH370 descended rapidly after running out of fuel with no human intervention.

The 28-page report released on Wednesday, containing new end-of-flight and drift simulations, coincides with the start of a three-day meeting of international experts to develop potential plans to continue the search for MH370.

The Boeing 777 disappeared on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March 2014 with 239 passengers and crew on board, sparking a two-and-a-half year search that has focused on the Indian Ocean.

Authorities from Malaysia, Australia and China initially expected to finish searching a 120,000 sq km (46,000 sq mile) target area by the end of 2016, but bad weather has delayed the probe by another two months.

Australian Transport Minister Darren Chester, who is chairing the Canberra meeting of experts, said the group would review all available data and analysis associated with the search.

"The experts will also inform the remainder of the search effort and develop guidance for any future search operations," Chester said in a statement.

The ATSB report suggests that experts believe the current search area is the most likely to contain the crash site.

In a separate development, a lawyer for the families of four Australian victims told Reuters that Malaysia Airlines has agreed to release information about the missing plane as part of a compensation case.

John Dawson, a partner at Carneys Lawyers, said he had been advised he would receive the information by the end of the month. The information is to include medical certificates held by the flight crew.
Donald Trump could draw the United States into nuclear war, Hillary Clinton warns. Clinton would plunge the country into a constitutional crisis, he says.

With six days until Election Day, each candidate is aggressively casting the other as a catastrophic choice for the White House. Making a case about their own qualifications and vision has become a secondary priority.

It's an ugly conclusion to a contest featuring two of the most unpopular presidential candidates in modern American politics.

The sexual assault accusations that have trailed Trump in the race's closing weeks and a new Federal Bureau of Investigation probe of Clinton's email use could reinforce the public's negative perceptions, leaving the candidates to argue who is the better of two unappealing options.

The revelation by FBI Director James Comey that the agency was investigating emails found on a computer belonging to Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of close Clinton aide Huma Abedin, jolted the presidential race on Friday.

The FBI has not publicly provided information about what the files contain or how they may relate to the earlier investigation into Clinton's use of a private email system while she was secretary of state.

During a rally at Kent State University on Monday, Clinton said many are questioning "why in the world the FBI would decide to jump into an election with no evidence of wrongdoing with just days to go. There is no case," she said.

On Tuesday, during a rally in Florida in which she criticized Trump, Clinton said: "I would rather be here talking about nearly anything else. But I can't just talk about all of the good things we want to do."

On Monday, she warned against giving Trump the authority to order a nuclear attack, bringing along a former nuclear launch officer to bolster her point.

"Imagine his advisers afraid to tell him what he doesn't want to hear, racing against his legendarily short attention span to lay out life-and-death choices too complex to be reduced to a single tweet," Clinton said. "Then imagine him plunging us into a war because somebody got under his very thin skin."

After spending much of the summer and fall tearing Trump down, Clinton had planned to close the campaign on a more positive note. She talked about giving Americans something to vote for, not just against. And when public opinion polls showed her with solid leads in most battleground states, she started talking about healing divisions and unifying the country.

But her advisers say they saw polls tighten even before the FBI launched its new email investigation. The campaign now believes she needs to make a last push to define Trump as unacceptable to voters.

On Tuesday, Clinton focused on Trump's aggressive comments about women, calling him a "bully". This time she brought with her former Miss Universe Alicia Machado. Trump criticized Machado for gaining weight after winning the 1996 contest.

Trump's campaign rhetoric has depicted a crumbling nation, and he has not hesitated to go negative on Clinton. He routinely calls her "Crooked Hillary" and "the most corrupt person ever to run for the White House".

Trump stepped up his broadsides after he recently received a pair of potentially potent political gifts: the projected "Obamacare" premium-rate increase and Comey's letter about the emails.

Trump's campaign sees the latter as an opportunity to reinforce questions about Clinton's trustworthiness and remind voters that sending Clinton to the White House could lead to the return of the scandals that trailed Bill Clinton's presidency in the 1990s.

"She would be under protracted criminal investigation and probably a criminal trial," Trump said during a rally in Michigan on Monday. "So we'd have a criminal trial of a sitting president."

President Barack Obama went to Ohio on Tuesday to campaign for Clinton and avoided mentioning the email probe.

"There's noise and there's distractions," Obama said at a rally near Columbus. "I want you to tune all of that out."

The White House has sought to distance itself from top Democrats' attacks on Comey. Obama's press secretary, Josh Earnest, said repeatedly on Monday that he would "neither defend nor criticize" Comey's decision.

He called Comey a "man of integrity" but said his letter informing Congress of the emails "had the opposite of the intended effect". Obama does not believe Comey is trying to influence the election, Earnest said  a charge first leveled by Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid on Sunday.

Trump campaigned on Tuesday in Pennsylvania, a state in which he has directed an abundance of time and resources. He and running mate Mike Pence delivered their loudest takedown yet of Obama's healthcare law.

Though barely mentioning Clinton's name, Trump somberly warned that electing Clinton would "destroy American healthcare forever".
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding LTD reports fiscal second-quarter earnings on Wednesday, and analysts will be looking for further signs of growth in the company's cloud computing division and its ability increase profit from mobile users.

The Hangzhou, China, company will release results for the period ended Sept 30 and analysts surveyed by S&P Capital IQ are looking for earnings of about $1.04 billion. That would be down from the $3.57 billion in the year-ago period in which results were aided by a one-time gain of $2.93 billion from the revaluation of a stake in Alibaba Health Information Technology.

Analysts are forecasting revenue of about $5.1 billion, up sharply from $3.49 billion a year ago according to S&P Capital.

"We expect continued strength in the core commerce and cloud businesses to drive top-line growth and narrowing losses in the digital media business to partially offset some margincontraction from ongoing investments," analysts at Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc wrote in a research note.

Investors will be closely examining results from the company's cloud computing unit (AliCloud), which has grown to more than 500,000 users, according to The Wall Street Journal. The company has been pursuing international cloud expansion by opening new data centers in Asia, the US and elsewhere.

"We expect continued momentum in cloud revenue growth of 120 percent y/y (year-over-year) against difficultcompares,' said the Stifel analysts. They are forecasting cloud revenue of $215 million in the quarter, up from $98 million in the 2015 period and $187 million in the first quarter.

In the August quarter, Alibaba's monetization rate, a measure of how much it makes from sales on its platforms, was 2.79 percent, up from 2.33 percent a year earlier.

Alibaba's results have been buoyed by progress in making money off transactions on cellphones and other mobile devices. Mobile monthly active users rose from 410 million in March to 427 million in June  or about 100 million more mobile users than the population of the US.

Alibaba and its rivals like JD.com are gearing up for Singles Day on Nov 11, a major annual shopping spree in China. Last year Alibaba topped its own record for sales on Singles Day with 91.2 billion yuan ($14.3 billion), a 60 percent rise from 2014.

The company is also in the process of expanding its online payment capabilities globally. Recently Alipay, the mobile payment service of Ant Financial Services, an Alibaba spin-off, struck agreements with VeriFone Holdings and credit-card processor First Data Corp in the US.

Alipay has also been expanding into Australia, Germany and Thailand as well to build up a global network of retailers that accept its payment services. Although Alipay is targeting the rising number of Chinese tourists that are traveling overseas, the Wall Street Journal reports that the company could be establishing a strategy to eventually challenge US-based credit-card giants MasterCard Inc and Visa Inc.

paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com
Willem Bestbier (L) and Wang Junbing sign the Memorandum. Photo by Liu Jian for China Daily

China and South Africa signed a memorandum of Understanding on Oct 31 to broaden the fruit trade between the two nations.

In the memorandum, China Entry-Exit Inspection Authority and Quarantine Association (CIQA) and FruitSA have agreed to exchange information on quarantine and inspection, regulatory matters, market access, market improvement and development, technologies and other issues related to the fruit industry.

It will also help to create a favorable environment to promote the development of horticultural trade between the China and South Africa in the future, and to establish an effective cooperative mechanism between CIQA and FruitSA.

"The fruit industry in South Africa may have gone in the wrong direction for some time due to the lack of authoritative information from the Chinese government and market," says Wang Xin, CIQA vice chairperson.

It normally takes about 20 days to ship fruits from South Africa to China. With such a long distance and with the language barrier, insufficient information made it difficult for South African fruits farmers to understand the Chinese market.

"The Memorandum allows CIQA to act as the bridge linking the Chinese government and fruit industry associations in South Africa," Wang said. "We will try to make sure they can acquire authoritative information from both the government side and the local market side in time, so they can avoid the wrong approaches."

For the 2015 - 2016 season, South Africa was the world's second largest exporter of citrus, commanding a 28% export share, with the European Union and the United Kingdom being the biggest consumers. Together, Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland imported 39% of all South African citrus fruit exported to Asia.

However, the memorandum only "indicates a new start," said Willem Bestbier, the Chairperson of FruitSA, a non-profit organization focusing on addressing common issues related to all aspects of the fruit industry of South Africa.

"We need to make it possible to implement and think about how to promote cooperation in the future," Bestbier said.
China-Japan ties are gaining momentum with increasing exchanges in all areas, yet "the basis remains unstable", Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday.

There is still lots of work to put the China-Japan relationship back on track, Li told Chinese and Japanese entrepreneurs and former senior officials, including Japan's former prime minister Yasuo Fukuda and China's former vice-premier Zeng Peiyan.

The businesspeople and former officials, from China, the world's second-largest economy, and Japan, the third-largest, were part of the second round of dialogue in Beijing following the first one held last November in Tokyo.

The Premier called for the sustainable improvement and development of bilateral ties along the spirit of "using the history as a mirror and facing the future".

Li spoke positively of the efforts made by businesspeople and former officials to push forward China-Japan communications and cooperation, saying such dialogue mechanisms were expected to decrease uncertainty factors of bilateral ties and strengthen the public will of improving ties.

The Japanese representatives said that Li has pointed the direction of improving and developing Japan-China ties, and both sides will make joint efforts to boost mutual understandings and cooperation.
Events and stories coming up in the next few days

Expert contends book had impact on civil war

The School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London is hosting a lecture about the War of Liberation (1946-49) on Thursday. Civil War China will be presented by Hans van de Ven, from the University of Cambridge, and is set for the university's Paul Webley Wing in Torrington Square, London. The talk will focus on military aspects and explore how the book On War by Prussian general Carl von Clausewitz may have been understood and developed by the Communists.

Ceramics characters make movie magic

The China Exchange will screen the short film Mr Sea between Friday and Nov 12. The film was created by Chinese artist Geng Xue, who adapted the story from The Tales of Liaozhai, a novel about ghosts set during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The story features a scholar and a prostitute who live in a wasteland. The film's characters are made from ceramics. The movie is being shown at 32a Gerrard Street in London.

Midlands opportunities on the table

The Birmingham China Business Forum will host Kicking Of : Chinese Real Estate Investment in the Midlands on Thursday. The event at Weightmans on Temple Row in Birmingham will include a discussion about the growing opportunities for companies in the Midlands to attract Chinese investment. The session is aimed at UK business people wanting to learn more about the Chinese market and Chinese entrepreneurs who would like to find out about property investment opportunities in the UK. Guest speakers will include property developer Richard Brown, entrepreneur Li Yifeng, and local lawyers who will speak about recent changes to the UK's property tax laws.
(Photo : Getty Images) In this handout image supplied by Host photo agency / RIA Novosti, Ka-27PL helicopters during a rehearsal of the military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War, May 7, 2015 in Baltiysk, Russia.

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Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary unit of Russia's state technology holding Rostec, has closed a deal with China, selling at least 18 helicopters including Mi-171s, Ka-32s, and Ansat.



Russian Helicopters revealed that China availed two of its light Ansat medevac helicopters, two Mi-171s, and one Ka-32 with an option of 13 more aircraft, the company said on Tuesday during the signing ceremony between Russian Helicopters Deputy CEO Alexander Shcherbinin and the president of Wuhan Rand Aviation Technology Service Co. Ltd. at the sidelines of Airshow China 2016, according to Sputnik News.



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The first helicopters will reportedly arrive in 2017, while the remaining are expected by the end of 2018, RT reported.



"At the moment, there are more than 300 Russian helicopters of various type in China. We hope to attract interest from Chinese airlines with the first contract of Ansat helicopters," Alexander Mikheev, Russian Helicopters' CEO, said.



The Mi-171A2 is the company's most recent release of the medium twin-turbine helicopter Mi-171. The Ka-32A11BC is designed for fire extinguishing, emergency relief operations, and construction works on challenging situations. And the Anset is a light multi-purpose helicopter and its recently obtained versions feature a medical module and VIP cabin, the Aviation Pros noted.



Meanwhile, Russia and China have also reportedly worked on implementing plans to jointly develop a heavy civilian helicopter under an inter-government agreement signed by both nations' leaders President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.



Under the deal, Russian Helicopters will invest its technology and develop technical offer, while China is tasked to organize and execute the program including designing; creating a prototype; and testing, obtaining certification, preparing, and launching for mass production, according to Aviation Pros.



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TagsRussian Helicopters, helicopters, china, Wuhan Rand Aviation Technology Service, Rostec, Mi-171s, Ka-32s, Ansat, airshow china, China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition
(Photo : Getty Images) A pilote walks up the gangway of the new Airbus A350X WB passenger plane as he stands on the tarmac at Munich Airport during a presentation of the new plane by Airbus officials on February 27, 2015 in Munich, Germany.

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Aircraft maker Airbus Group revealed on Tuesday its 20-year forecast for China's aircraft demand, with the country estimated to need about 6,000 aircraft worth $945 billion, the company said at the Zhuhai air show.



The European aircraft maker increased its previous prediction by nearly 500 more aircraft, thanks to the growing demand of air travel from China's middle class, with overall air traffic growth of more than 500 percent between 2000 and 2014.



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Airbus said it is anticipating a total demand of 5,970 passenger jets from China in the next two decades, including 4,230 medium-haul, single aisle jets such as its A320 or Boeing Co's 737, according to Reuters.



By that time, China will top not only the aircraft market but also the air traffic source, the company said during its 2016-2035 Global Market Forecast.



"Domestic passenger traffic in mainland China has quadrupled over the last 10 years and is set to become the world's number one aviation market," John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operation Officer Customers, said.



China accounts for about 25 percent of Airbus's sales, with 158 units delivered to China in 2015. Its market for international air travel is forecasted to increase at an average of 6.7 percent every year for the next two decades, Airbus said as reported by the Economic Times.



Airbus and Boeing are in a head-to-head competition for China market share. Boeing also announced its plan to set up a completion facility and delivery center in China for its highly demanded 737 jetliners. The finishing facility is a joint venture between Boeing and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, while the delivery center is solely owned by the company.



The move aims not only to increase its 737 production capacity but also prevent layoffs or reduce employment for the 737 Program.



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(Photo : Getty Images) President Xi Jinping and wife Peng Liyuan visit Manchester Town Hall on October 23, 2015 in Manchester, England.

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Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, said on Tuesday that China is willing to work with African countries to prevent HIV and AIDS.



China's first lady told Malawi's first lady Gertrude Mutharika that the China-African collaboration against HIV and AIDS has made a significant progress. She continued that the country is ready to continue its work on providing assistance in fighting the deadly diseases in Africa and developing health services as well, the Global Times reported.



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Peng also said China will share its own experience in preventing the diseases in Malawi as well as other African countries. She also committed to improve regional cooperation among institutions such as the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS, according to People's Daily China.



On the other hand, Mutharika commended China's contribution in Africa's public health, not only on HIV and AIDS prevention but also on the welfare of its women and children.



Meanwhile, a report from China's Health and Planning Commission revealed an increasing number of cases of HIV/AIDS cases particularly among college students and gay men. The growth rate among students surprisingly surpassed that of other group, and an estimated 81.6 percent of these affected gay men.



The country has launched several campaigns to prevent or help people suffering with HIV/AIDS. It announced that it will start offering free antiretroviral therapy and make HIV self-test kits more accessible for the public.



Also, a vending machine in a Chinese university also started selling HIV kits. Aside from making it easily within students' reach, the kits were also sold more than nine times cheaper than the similar ones sold on online platforms.



On the other hand, the World Health Organization has called on the Chinese government to increase security of health information and eliminate stigma for people with HIV/AIDS.



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TagsHIV, AIDS, Peng Liyuan, China first lady, Malawi, Gertrude Mutharika, China-African collaboration against AIDS, OAFLA, HIV self-test kits
(Photo : Royal Navy) HMS Queen Elizabeth being towed.

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The first of two Queen Elizabeth-class supercarriers for the Royal Navy will be commissioned into service by early 2017, making the legendary Royal Navy that ruled the waves in its heyday a force to reckon with on the world's oceans once again.



The HMS Queen Elizabeth, which is named after the reigning monarch, will be the Royal Navy's first aircraft carrier in over 30 years. She's also the largest warship ever built for the Royal Navy.



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The HMS Queen Elizabeth is a few months from sea trials and is expected to be fully operational by 2020.



Her sister ship -- the HMS Prince of Wales -- is scheduled to be launched around 2017. She will be commissioned in 2020 and enter service thereafter.



Together, both supercarriers will restore the Royal Navy to her proud place as an arbiter of the oceans. With them, the United Kingdom will reclaim a powerful capability to fight at sea and attack targets under water and on the ground.



The sharp end of both supercarriers will be their squadrons of Lockheed Martin F-35B Joint Strike Fighters purchased from the United States. These supersonic stealth jets will take-off from a ski jump on the port side of the flight deck.



The F-35B is a Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) configuration of the original F-35. The ski-jump will allow F-35B's to do rolling takeoffs with heavier weapon loads and achieve greater ranges.



The HMS Queen Elizabeth and the HMS Prince of Wales can each carry up to 40 aircraft: 36 F-35s and four helicopters. The F-35Bs are expected to begin flying from Queen Elizabeth in 2018 with a carrier air wing fully operational by 2020. Their pilots will come from the Fleet Air Arm.



During normal operations, however, the HMS Queen Elizabeth will carry 12 F-35Bs plus a number of AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin medium-lift helicopters for anti-submarine and utility duties.



Both supercarriers will also have the ability to launch and recover Royal Army helicopters for air strikes and air assaults, including WAH-64 Apache attack helicopters; CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters and AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat anti-submarine warfare helicopters.



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TagsQueen Elizabeth-class supercarriers, Royal Navy, HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Prince of Wales, United Kingdom, Lockheed Martin F-35B
(Photo : Getty Images) Rescue workers carry a body of a victim killed by an explosion at Xishui Colliery on March 21, 2005 in Shuozhou of Shanxi Province, northern China.

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All 33 miners who were trapped after an explosion occurred in Chongqing, China, have been found dead, state media reported on Wednesday.



According to People's Daily China, all the remains of the victims have been pulled out from the Jinshangou mine and were being identified. Of the 35 miners working that day, only two managed to escape alive.



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Since the accident took place on Monday morning, more than 400 rescue personnel have conducted a round the clock search operation, shifting turns on going down the shaft to look for victims, the BBC reported.



After the operation, rescuers were seen bowing down their heads in memorial for the dead, according to the LA Times.



Investigation about the cause of the explosion is still underway. However, such accidents usually result when a flame or electric spark ignites leaking from the coal seam. An effective ventilation system is supposed to prevent gas from being trapped.



Meanwhile, following the deadly accident, which took place at 11:30 a.m. on Monday at the Jinshangou Coal Mine in the town of Laisu, Chongqing officials have implemented a strict safety overhaul. It temporarily shut down smaller mines with less than 90,000 tons of yearly output. The Jinshangou mine has a 60,000 annual output, according to its license.



The State Administration of Work Safety has also launched an investigation, adding that "those responsible must be strictly punished."



China's mining industry has long been known as the most deadly in the world, according to The Wall Street Journal. Earlier this year, the head of the State Administration of Work Safety said that struggling coal mines might have most likely overlooked maintenance.



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TagsGas Explosion, China coal mine, China coal mine explosion, Chongqing explosion, Jinshangou coal mine, gas explosion China
(Photo : Pixabay) Democratic presidential candidate Hilary Clinton has been accused of mishandling sensitive information.

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A senior aide to then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is believed to have left classified documents behind in a hotel room during a 2010 trip.



The information comes on the heels of various lapses made by Clinton aides. Hillary Clinton is now the Democratic presidential candidate and is battling with the charges of mishandling sensitive information.



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According to Fox News, the identity of the aide responsible for the lax approach has not been revealed. State Department spokesman John Kirby told Fox News that during a May 2010 visit to China, Diplomatic Security agents identified classified documents in one of the staff member's suite. However, Secretary Clinton had already departed by that time. The statement was released in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.



The incident was recorded by Diplomatic Security on a Form 117. Diplomatic Security is entrusted with protecting the Secretary of State in the United States and abroad. The incident was also included in a separate formal report by the Marine Security Guard.



House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) has approached the FBI for further information. In his request, Nunes cited a whistleblower claiming that the documents were left by Clinton.



The incident came to light during the FBI's investigation into the possible violation of the US Espionage Act by Clinton and her staff. The investigation seeks to establish whether Clinton or her staff mishandled top secret and classified information.



Hillary Clinton is currently at risk of a probe from FBI as it was revealed that some of her emails were found on a computer shared by her closest aide Huma Abedin and her estranged husband, Anthony Weiner.



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(Photo : Russian Army) A pair of Ka-52 Alligators.

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Russia claims to have begun manufacturing the first foreign orders for its two-seat Kamov Ka-52 "Alligator" scout-gunships and will be able to deliver these helicopters in 2017.



The helicopters are being made for the Egyptian Air Force and the Egyptian Navy, the first foreign buyers of the Ka-52 and the only other operators of this heavily armed gunship after the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The Egyptian Air Force has 46 Ka-52s on order.



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The gunships now in production, however, are the Ka-52K, the naval version of the Ka-52. The Egyptian Navy has asked Russian Helicopters, makers of the Ka-52, to speed-up the delivery of their order. The Egyptian Navy will become the first operator of the Ka-52K.



It plans to deploy the Ka-52Ks on its two new Mistral-class helicopter carriers (or amphibious assault ships) originally built for Russia.



France, however, rescinded the sale to punish Russia for its invasion of Crimea in March 2014. The Mistrals were later sold to Egypt where they now serve as the ENS Anwar El Sadat (L1020) and the ENS Gamal Abdel Nasser (L1010).



The Egyptian Navy plans to deploy eight Ka-52Ks on each of these helicopter carriers in addition to other types of Kamov helicopters such as the Ka-27P.



Russian Helicopters Deputy CEO Igor Chechikov claims the first batch of Ka-52Ks will be delivered to Egypt within 2017. He also claims their factory "is booked with export orders until 2020."



There is no word when Russia will deliver the 46 Ka-52s ordered by the Egyptian Air Force. The deal for this contract was clinched in December 2015 through Russian state weapons trading company, Rosoboronexport.



The Russian Armed Forces plan to operate a fleet of over 146 Ka-52s by 2020. The Russian Navy is considering acquiring Ka-52Ks.



A Ka-52 mounts a Shipunov 2A42 30 mm cannon and has six hard points for a combination of weapons such as anti-tank missiles, unguided rockets and iron bombs.



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Tagsamov Ka-52 "Alligator", Russia, Egyptian Air Force, Egyptian Navy, Ka-52K, Mistral-class helicopter carriers, Russian Helicopters
(Photo : PLAAF) CH-5.

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China has agreed to export its CH-5 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can be used for both reconnaissance and ground attack missions. It claims this drone is superior to the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, generally considered the best combat drone in the world.



The CH-5 "can perform whatever operations the MQ-9 Reaper can, and is even better than the U.S. vehicle when it comes to flight duration and operational efficiency," claims Shi Wen, chief designer of the Caihong, or Rainbow series of UAVs designed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics in Beijing.



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The China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (part of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation) is China's largest military drone exporter in number of products sold overseas. Its CH-series drones have been sold to military users in over 10 countries.



"Another advantage is that the CH-5 is capable of making a joint strike together with its predecessors, the CH-3 and CH-4, because they can share the same data link and control system. Therefore, it is very easy for current users of the CH-3 and CH-4 to introduce and integrate the CH-5 into their drone network."



The CH-5 can carry an airborne early warning system to act as a platform for regional surveillance, and battlefield command and control. It also can carry electronic warfare instruments to collect electronic intelligence and to jam enemy communications or radars.



The CH-5 made its first flight in August 2015, becoming the best military drone in China in terms of operational endurance and payload.



The drone is made of composite materials and has a wingspan of 21 meters. Twice as big as its predecessors in the CH family, the drone can stay aloft for 60 hours and operate at an altitude of up to 10 km.



Its current maximum range is 6,500 km but a future upgrade will enable it to fly as far as 10,000 km.



The CH-5 can carry 1,000 kg of equipment and weapons. It can mount 16 air-to-surface missiles, a number that can be increased to 24 missiles in a single sortie.



Shi said designers plan to develop a CH-5 capable of missions lasting up to 120 hours and flying 20,000 km.



The China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics is willing to transfer technologies to users, an attraction Western suppliers don't offer.



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TagsCH-5 series, unmanned aerial vehicle, General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, china, Shi Wen, China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics
Prominent scholar fears 'lame duck' Obama will betray Israel by strong arming peace through United Nations 02 November, 2016 by Gregory Tomlin , |

WASHINGTON (Christian Examiner)  President Barack Obama may attempt to force Israel and the Palestinians to the negotiating table at the United Nations during his final days in office and, if he does, the results will be disastrous.

But that is exactly what advisors to the president are suggesting, sending "strong signals" that it intends to ignore Israeli desires for direct negotiations with the Palestinians and put the dispute before the world to resolve, writes Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz in a column for the Gatestone Institute.

Dershowitz is a staunch defender of Israel, as is the Institute headed by former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton.

Already on the table at the U.N. is a French proposal in the form of a resolution in the Security Council. It calls for borders based on Israel's 1967 lines with land swaps, security agreements on the "sovereignty of the Palestinian State and guaranteeing the security of Israel," a refugee resettlement program and Jerusalem as a dual capital for the two states.

Dershowitz writes that this resolution should be rejected, even though its guidelines seem "reasonable" and strikingly similar to those Israel and President Bill Clinton offered Palestinian leaders in 2000-2001, as well as those offered to the Palestinians by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in 2008.

It would be wrong  and undemocratic  for Obama to unilaterally reverse decades of U.S. foreign policy during the lame duck period. After all, in 2011 his administration vetoed an almost identical Palestinian proposal that called for Israel to 'immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.' Similarly, until now, Obama has repeatedly pressured the French and other European nations not to put forward any proposal related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, on the grounds that such initiatives discourage bilateral negotiations.

The Palestinians rejected both. There is no indication the U.N. would do any better, Dershowitz writes.

"Recent attempts by the U.N. to intervene in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have produced unmitigated disasters. The so-called Goldstone Report, which sought to investigate allegations of war crimes committed during the 2009 Israeli intervention in Gaza, was so blatantly biased against Israel that Richard Goldstone himself had to retract some of its key findings in 2011," Dershowitz claims.

"Since then, the U.N. has done nothing to reassure Israel that it is capable of offering an unbiased forum for negotiations. In the past year alone, the U.N. has singled out Israel for special criticism on issues like health rights, and most laughably, women's rights, while failing even to mention regimes whose record on these issues is truly abominable.

Last year alone, at least twenty separate resolutions were adopted by the U.N. General Assembly, which singled out Israel for special criticism. Most recently UNESCO attempted to erase millennia of Jewish history with regard to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. In light of such behavior, the U.S. should not trust that Israel would receive a fair hearing at any U.N. sponsored peace conference."

The only way forward, Dershowitz writes, is allowing the Israelis and the Palestinians to conduct the peace negotiations themselves with each making "mutual sacrifices" and "painful compromises." This is a fact Israel already recognizes, he contends.

"As Netanyahu said in his most recent speech to the U.N. General Assembly, 'The road to peace runs through Jerusalem and Ramallah, not through New York.'"

The Palestinians, however, do not feel the same way and view the U.N. as the leverage needed to push Israel into giving up land it won during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.

That the Palestinians can win at the U.N. is proven. They pushed for recognition of Palestinian statehood at the U.N. for years. In 2012, "Palestine" was granted non-member observer status at the assembly. Only nine nations, including the U.S., voted against the move.

The one-sided position of the U.N. would make any future negotiations unrealistic, Dershowitz writes.

"It is for these and other reasons that American policy has long been to veto or otherwise derail U.N. attempts to interfere with the Israeli-Palestinian peace process even when it is stalled. As President Obama said in 2013:

'We seek an independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian state as the homeland of the Palestinian people. The only way to achieve that goal is through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians themselves.'"

Dershowitz also points to past statements from Democrat presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump that support bilateral negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Still, the U.S. approach may be about to change, he writes.

According to Dershowitz, several high-level advisors to the president have encouraged him to support  or at least not veto on the Security Council  the French plan for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. They have also suggested he should side with the U.N. push to declare Israeli settlements illegal (the president has already expressed "concern" about them).

"It would be wrong  and undemocratic  for Obama to unilaterally reverse decades of U.S. foreign policy during the lame duck period. After all, in 2011 his administration vetoed an almost identical Palestinian proposal that called for Israel to 'immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.' Similarly, until now, Obama has repeatedly pressured the French and other European nations not to put forward any proposal related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, on the grounds that such initiatives discourage bilateral negotiations. This is surely the view of the majority of the Senate, which has its own constitutional authority to participate in foreign policy decisions. In fact, 88 senators signed an open letter to Obama in which they called on the President to veto any Security Council resolutions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," Dershowitz writes.

That letter refers to the U.S. as the sole, trusted mediator between the two parties and argues that placing the peace process before the U.N. will only lead to chaos.

"The only way to resolve the conflicts between the two is through direct negotiations that lead to a sustainable two-state solution with a future state of Palestine living in peace and security with Israel. This outcome would provide Israel with greater security and strengthen regional stability. We remain optimistic that, under the right circumstances, Israelis and Palestinians can successfully resume productive negotiations toward this goal," the letter said.

Dershowitz said that, should the president act by punting the negotiations to the U.N., he will be tying the hands of his successor.

"The period between the election and the inauguration is the only time a president can act without the checks and balances of American democracy," he writes.

"Obama must realize that no lasting peace can be achieved in the remaining months of his presidency: there are a multitude of complex and contentious issues  most notably the status of Jerusalem, the rights of so-called Palestinian refugees, and the situation in Gaza  that must be thoroughly addressed in order to achieve a lasting peace. Our next president will undoubtedly have to wade into the Israeli-Palestinian peace process again. The new administration  with the agreement of the Senate  should have full latitude to do what it deems most appropriate. It should not be stuck with parameters bequeathed to it by a President desperate to secure a short-term foreign policy 'victory' that in the long term will make a resolution of the conflict more difficult to achieve," Dershowitz writes.
TSA inspects Texas pastor's BIBLE Guest Columnist | 02 November, 2016 by Todd Starnes / Fox News

ARLINGTON, Texas (Christian Examiner)  The pastor of a Texas megachurch said he was stunned when a government agent stopped him at a TSA checkpoint so his Bible could be inspected.

"I couldn't believe it. I literally couldn't believe it," said Gene Lingerfelt, the pastor of Faith Christian Center in Arlington, Texas.

Click here to join Todd's American Dispatch: a must-read for the Conservative Resistance!

The pastor and his wife were on their way to Cancun for vacation when he was stopped Monday in the TSA Pre-Check line for a "bag check."

Brief aside: Your friendly neighborhood columnist has TSA Pre-check, too  and I can't tell you how many times I've been pulled aside for additional screening. So now we're literally getting charged to get manhandled by the TSA  although we do get to keep our shoes on.

At first, the pastor was not terribly surprised by the disruption.

"That particular bag was filled with all of my cords  charger cords, computer power cords  in some airports like Heathrow  I always get stopped," he said.

But what he thought was a routine search through his technology devices, was anything but.

"This very nice young man starts going through and pulling out my computer, iPad, paperback books and then he came to my Bible," he said.

At that point, the government agent set aside all the tech gadgets and began rifling through the pastor's Bible.

"I thought it was so strange," Dr. Lingerfelt told me. "He fanned through the entire Bible and very nicely explained to us that we got stopped because of the Bible."

Let that thought linger for just a moment  an American pastor on American soil was stopped by a government agent because of a Bible.

Did the TSA suspect the Lingerfelts were smuggling the Good Book through its checkpoint?

"We've never had that kind of experience before," Mrs. Lingerfelt told me. "I was dumbfounded. I stood there and watched as he rifled through the pages."

"We always travel with our Bibles to read on trips or vacations," she said. "This was the first time something like this has ever happened."

Dr. Lingerfelt said he was not sure what the TSA agent was looking for.

"There was nothing in it except book marks and notes," he said.

The pastor should've directed the government agent to the Gospel of John, chapter three and verse sixteen.

After it had been inspected, the TSA returned the pastor's Bible and he was allowed to continue his journey. For the TSA's sake, it's a good thing they did.

"If they had confiscated my Bible, I'd be in jail," Dr. Lingerfelt said.

Folks, you don't tug on Superman's cape and you never take a preacher's Bible  especially a preacher from Texas.

This article appeared first at ToddStarnes.com and is used with permission.
Washington D.C. is moving forward with a bill to legalize assisted suicide.

According to RelevantMagazine.com, the bill passed the D.C. Council yesterday by a vote of 11-2. It now goes before Mayor Muriel Bowser who can either approve or veto it.

Although Bowser has not indicated whether she will approve or veto the bill, her spokesman said Bowser expects the bill to become law.

If Bowser signs the bill into law, D.C. will be only the sixth place in the U.S. to allow medically-assisted suicide.

The D.C. bill has been especially controversial since it is the first to be proposed in an area with a large African-American population.

Black activist Leona Redmond stated, Because of Jim Crow laws ... we didnt have the opportunity to have the same jobs to have the same insurance, the same retirement benefits ... Its really aimed at old black people. It really is.

We believe in life until natural death and that there is a racist component to it, she continued. Its eugenics being dressed up to look like its the best thing since gravy, Redmond said. They have been soft killing us for couple of decades now by not providing certain people in the community with what we need to live wholesome lives. They are doing everything to send blacks away.

A final vote on the bill will take place as soon as two weeks from now.

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: November 2, 2016
Since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, courts have struck down many attempts by state governments to regulate the abortion industry. Just this past summer a Texas law requiring abortion-providing facilities to meet the same health and safety standards as outpatient surgical clinics was declared an undue burden. Those who claim to be the champions of womens health cheered the decision.

By allowing abortion for any reason during all nine months of pregnancy, the United States is part of a select club with the fewest restrictions on abortion in the world. The other members of our club are Canada, China, and North Korea. The laws of socially liberal countries like France and Sweden are more life affirming than ours. We joined this club when the Supreme Courtconsisting only of mentook on two cases that were initially expected to result in rulings that would apply a previous precedent narrowly, having little effect on debates in state legislatures about the abortion issue. In the depths of the Supreme Court, four justices expanded the scope of the cases beyond the wildest dreams of those who worked to abolish legal restrictions on abortion. When considered together, as was intended by the justices, the rulings on Roe V. Wade and Doe v. Bolton were so broad they immediately vacated the abortion laws of all 50 states and have made any regulation of the abortion industry, however sensible, close to impossible.

It was the Roe decision that judged abortion to be a constitutional right. The Doe decision allowed abortion throughout pregnancy by making abortion legal, even after the baby could survive outside the womb, if a womans emotional health would suffer by giving birth, as determined by her physician. That physician, however, is not typically the womans primary-care physician who knows the patient well and would continue to care for her, but an abortion provider with a financial interest in carrying out the abortion. That physician is thus also one who would be spared working with his client should she have any adverse emotional reactions to aborting her child.

Did the high court even understand the consequences of making any state law, including health and safety regulations, subject to challenge as being unconstitutional because such laws make it harder for abortionists to provide their services?

How did all of this happen?

In his book Abuse of Discretion: The Inside Story of Roe V. Wade, Constitutional scholar Clarke Forsythe uncovers the inside story of the Roe and Doe cases, examining the justices personal notes and notes of the justices clerks. The clarity of Forsythes sometimes technical account of the legal process of bringing cases before the Supreme Court yields a compelling narrative even for non-lawyers. Forsythe also considers the legal and social history of abortion going back as far as the Common Law. Readers may be surprised to learn, for example, that shortly prior to the Roe decision several attempts to liberalize state abortion laws failed, as did two statewide referenda to repeal laws restricting abortion. The American people did not support abortion without limits in 1973.

Beyond detailing the inside history of Roe, Forsythe considers what would happen if the Supreme Court overturned the decision. The immediate effects would be far less dramatic than abortion advocates suppose, as no more than 10 states have laws prohibiting abortion that would suddenly go into effect. Most Americans support abortion under some circumstances, but they also view the lives of the unborn as worthy of protection. Forsythe writes, Thirty-eight states have wrongful death laws that protect the unborn child. Juries have consistently enforced these and convicted perpetrators.

Gradually, says Forsythe, we would return to the world before Roe. A world in which politically accountable state legislatures would enact laws with differing restrictions and regulations. This would satisfy neither ardent prolife advocates, nor those who advocate for no restrictions on abortion, but the results would reflect the middle ground of popular opinion.

The political, social, and medical turmoil caused by the decisions [Roe and Doe] has lasted for 40 years, writes Forsythe, and shows no signs of abating. For those who desire to understand the origins and consequences of this turmoil, Forsythes Abuse of Discretion is a must read. Those who advocate for life must understand this history that is compellingly explained by Forsythe. Ultimately, the story is about activists, including Supreme Court justices, who successfully supplanted the democratic process by creating the right to an abortion at any time, for any reason.

The high court, having taken jurisdiction over abortion from democratically elected representatives, is the only institution that can return jurisdiction to the people.

Dr. Joseph J. Horton is professor of psychology at Grove City College and the Working Group Coordinator for Marriage and Family with The Center for Vision & Values. He is also a researcher on Positive Youth Development.

Photo courtesy: flickr.com

Publication date: November 2, 2016
Religious beliefs are play a significant role in the formation of people's preferred candidate for the next President of the United States, according to a new study by Barna Group.

Even though there has been a consistent decline in the church-going population, religious convictions still fare highest among all the factors which influence voters this election.

The Barna Group conducted an online survey of 1,023 US adults from a nationally representative sample in September, out of whom 908 were registered voters and 627 were likely voters.

About 18 percent of the participating adults said that their religious beliefs mattered 'a lot' in making their decision about voting for the next president, followed by 10 percent who said that their family members primarily influenced them in their choice.

Only 8 percent attributed their decision to media in shaping their opinion on the candidates, while others mentioned friends (7 percent), campaign advertisements (7 percent), political commentators on TV (6 percent), radio (6 percent), social media (5 percent) and publications (5 percent), and church's pastor (7 percent) as having influenced their voting decision.

Among those people who listed religious convictions as a major motivator in coming to a voting decision, evangelicals (75 percent) were most likely to agree that religious beliefs influenced their opinion 'a lot.' Evangelicals also highly regarded their church pastor (22 percent) and family members (21 percent) in forming their views on electoral candidates.

Religious conviction was also on top of the list for non-evangelical born again Christians (30 percent), while some 10 percent from among this group did not cite any other factor as having influenced their decision.

Non-Christians' opinion on the political candidates was shaped most by news media (18 percent), followed by their respective religious beliefs (15 percent) and political analysts on TV (12 percent).

Born again Christians' opinion varied among different age groups.

About half of the born again Christians under the age of 50 said that their religious convictions mattered a 'a lot' in their voting decisions, while only about 30 percent of those over the age of 50 considered religious beliefs as supremely important.

Religious convictions were also important to more Protestants (36 percent) than Catholics (10 percent).

People with different political leanings were markedly divided in the role religious beliefs played in their voting choice. Conservatives (38 percent) were more likely than moderates (9 percent) and liberals (6 percent) in citing religious convictions as having mattered 'a lot' in their voting decisions. Opinion of pastors mattered little for moderates (3 percent) and liberals (4 percent), but mattered significantly more for conservatives (14 percent).

George Barna, a special analyst for the Barna Group's 2016 election polling, noted that the research shows that churches do have political influence on people, especially evangelicals.

"Pastors and people's religious beliefs had the most prolific levels of influence on the political choices of evangelicals," Barna said. "The influence of the two religious inputs examined was four times greater on evangelicals than it was on all other people associated with the Christian faith. Evangelicals take a lot of criticism for their blending of faith and politics, but they believe that their faith is meant to be integrated into every dimension of their life. The research shows that they are following through on that belief."
Living under anti-Christian hostility is a paradox of tensions. Global Christians suffer not only as friends of God but also as enemies of the people.

A Christian brother in a difficult region recently shared with me that while Christians in his culture may endure police brutality and unjust arrest, anti-Christian hostility hasnt necessarily been marked by the violence we see in the Middle East. Anti-Christian hostility is more social than physical. Conversion to Christ is taboo. Christians are ostracized, cast out of their families, and, in his words, seen as worse than drug addicts.

They answer to this hostility with what I describe as productive perseverance working through community. They are filled with a deep hope in Christ that drives out fear of man, and their lives are often marked by radical personal transformation and a communal discipleship that it is so attractive, others risk stigmatization to know it.

Christians there establish new families by welcoming young converts into their homes for several months. These young believers are protected from social pressure and prepared to face negative public opinion once they return to society. They also learn agricultural or trade-oriented skills as well as biblical business principles. These skills help them make a living if they cant obtain work due to their faith. In addition, such mentoring enables these men and women to bring a life-affirming influence into the broader stream of everyday life. That witness is more than countercultural; because of its biblical orientation, it is other-cultural.

When we read the biblical epistles in the context of anti-Christian hostility, passages like Galatians 6:10 jump to life: ...

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I had the privilege or reading a pre-release version of "God Shines Forth: How the Nature of God Shapes and Drives the Mission of the Church." Here are 20 quotes from the book, which you should pick up.
Corrupt Clinton Foundation's Partnership with Planned Parenthood Promotes Abortion Around the Globe Contact: Troy Newman, President, 316-683-6790 ext 111; Cheryl Sullenger, Senior Vice President, 316-516-3034; both with Operation Rescue, info.operationrescue@gmail.com



BOSTON, Mass., Nov. 2, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- Recent headlines discussing an open FBI investigation into the Clinton Foundation have referred to it as a "money laundering scheme" where influence within the American government can be purchased - for a hefty price.



But there is also a lesser discussed aspect of the Clinton Foundation - one that is literally costing innocent lives. This Clinton Foundation program works to promote and expand abortion in third world countries in formal partnership with abortion supplier Planned Parenthood.



"While the Clinton Foundation doesn't seem to actually do much but enrich the Clinton family, it does do one thing, and that is abortion," said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue.



On the Clinton Foundation payroll is at least one Planned Parenthood abortionist. Nicola Moore calls herself a "fly-in abortionista." Based in Massachusetts, this traveling abortionist has spent stints working at Planned Parenthood abortion facilities across the country, wearing a mask in the likeness of one of the Three Stooges to conceal her identity.



But now, in addition to her job as an itinerant "abortionista," Moore has landed a job with the Orwellian-sounding Clinton Health Access Initiative, according to documents obtained by Operation Rescue.



The Clinton Health Access Initiative was founded by President Bill Clinton in 2002, for the stated purpose of combating HIV/AIDS on a global scale. Since then, it has expanded to include other health-related issues.



In 2012, the Clinton Health Access Initiative began a partnership with Planned Parenthood to help distribute birth control and address "young people's access to sexual and reproductive health care," especially in Africa and Latin America.



Of course, in liberal-speak, "reproductive health care" means abortion.



Now, with the hiring of Moore to serve as "Women's Health Clinical Advisor" for the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Planned Parenthood has embedded one of its abortionists directly into the Clinton organization.



"It really comes as no surprise that the Clinton Health Access Initiative would seek out Planned Parenthood and one of their abortionists to spread their abortion gospel throughout the world," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "Frankly, with the ever-shrinking market for abortion in the U.S., Planned Parenthood's survival as an organization may depend on expansion overseas where they have new populations of vulnerable women to exploit."



With Hillary Clinton making a bid for the White House, Planned Parenthood stands to profit handsomely from its partnership with her.



"President Obama has been the most extreme abortion president in history, but a Hillary Clinton administration would far exceed that," said Newman. "Clinton's cozy partnership with Planned Parenthood should be a clarion call to pro-life supporters to strongly stand against Clinton's White House bid where, if elected, she would surely work to roll back the pro-life advances of the past few years and expand abortion world-wide."



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home US Black church leaders call out Hillary Clinton on abortion and religious freedom

Twenty-five African-American church leaders and activists have written a letter to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton regarding how she will address issues such as abortion and religious freedom if she is elected president.

The letter was delivered to the Clinton campaign headquarters in Brooklyn on Monday, according to The Christian Post.

The church leaders voiced out their concerns for Clinton's staunch support for abortion and cited her 2015 speech at the National Organization of Women where she said that "deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed."

"For political leaders to call for changes in citizens' beliefs is reminiscent of totalitarianism. In our view, such a proposal constitutes a denial of our religious freedom," the religious leaders argued.

"For the same reasons that we as black Christian leaders oppose racism, unjust wars, capital punishment and euthanasia, we oppose the violent denial of life to the unborn through abortion. It is our view that human life is a gift of God that we are called upon to protect, nurture and sustain, because we are created in God's image," they continued.

The church leaders decried the normalization of "immoral sexual behavior" and claimed that there is a well-financed war being waged by the gay and lesbian community against people of faith.

The signatories of the letter also asserted that there are efforts by members of the Democratic party to criminalize certain bibilical texts as hate speech.

They also asked Clinton how she plans to address the issue of the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.

Apart from abortion and religious freedom, the church leaders also voiced out their concerns regarding education, employment and violence in the African-American community, including the killing of innocent unarmed black men by police officers.

The religious leaders asked Clinton to schedule a meeting to clarify her position on the said issues in the event that she wins the presidency.

The signatories of the letter include Rev. Dr. Jamal H. Bryant of the African Methodist Episcopal church in Baltimore, Rev. Vernard Coulter of Missionary Baptist Church in Boston, Bishop Tyrone L Butler from the Church of God in Christ in New York and Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson of Church from the Church of God in Christ in Columbia.

The letter was initiated by Dr. Jacqueline C. Rivers of the Seymour Institute in Boston.
home World Christians gather near Mosul to pray for embattled city

As the battle to recapture the city from ISIS persists, a group of Christians have gathered just a few kilometers away from Mosul to pray and worship God.

The group was led by a team from Burn 24-7, a U.S.-based movement founded by Sean Feucht that focuses on organizing worship gatherings all over the world.

Kelsie, a woman who works with the team in Kurdistan, told Christian Today that the prayer and worship events called "burns" can last from 12 to 100 hours. She said that the teams try to hold events in a city once a month with the aim of gathering Christians of different backgrounds and denominations to worship and exalt God together.

"It's missional, too a it's not just to worship and pray but from that place we have teams going out to evangelize and share the love of Jesus, [and] heal the sick. The heart is seeing people ignited with a first love for Jesus, to gather together in unity to see his presence established in a place," she said.

Burn 24-7 sends its volunteers to countries where Christians have encountered difficulties in living out their faith. Short-term teams have been deployed to Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Paraguay, China and Russia.

Kelsie and her team decided to go to Iraq after learning that ISIS took over the Nineveh Plains in Northern Iraq in 2014 because they saw a "need for hope."

In January this year, the team took part in "Light a candle" project. The group partnered with a local House of Prayer to organize monthly "burns" which usually involved 12 hours of prayer and worship.

Last year, the team assembled a group composed of Jordanians, Arabs, Kurds, Iranians, Americans, British and Canadians. In one of their monthly "burns," the group ended up praying for ISIS fighters.

Kelsie said praying for ISIS from afar is a different experience from praying near the base of militant group.

"That is quite powerful. Every time we pray for ISIS it's a powerful time. To see people who have lost everything as a result of ISIS, praying for them, is a beautiful thing," she remarked.

Kelsie and her team regularly work to aid 11 Yazidi families living in an abandoned building. Aside from providing practical and financial support, the group also uses music and art to share God's love to the families.

"For us, worshipping Jesus is one of the most effective ways to see change. When we are worshipping Jesus, we get his heart for the poor, for refugees... the best place is to be spending time with him," she said.
home US Donald Trump reveals how he changed from pro-choice to pro-life

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has revealed in an interview how he changed his mind on abortion.

In an interview with Raymond Arroyo from EWTN, Trump explained that the biggest influence on his decision to become pro-life was his encounter with a "magnificent person" who was almost aborted.

Trump said that he knew a couple who argued over a pregnancy because one was pro-choice and the other was pro-life.

"One wanted to abort. And the other said, 'We can't do that. We're not going to do that.' Anyway, they had the baby. It was a long time ago. And the baby is such a magnificent person, who I know, a magnificent person. And the person that was actually pro-choice is now pro-life because of it, and it had a big effect on me," he recalled.

Trump has told the same story to CBN News' David Brody back in April 2011. The report from CBN noted that he has already considered running for president at the time.

The candidate noted that former President Ronald Reagan also changed from being pro-choice to pro-life.

Trump has made several promises to pro-life groups during his campaign. Last September, he wrote a letter to pro-life leaders urging them to join his campaign's Pro-Life Coalition.

He vowed to appoint pro-life justices to the Supreme Court and defund Planned Parenthood. He also promised to sign the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act into law.

Trump also wrote that he is committed to making the Hyde Amendment, which prevents federal taxpayer money from funding abortions, into a permanent law.

In another part of the interview with Arroyo, Trump reiterated his promise to get rid of the Johnson Amendment, which prevents members of the clergy from endorsing political candidates in the church.

The Republican candidate also expressed his concern about ObamaCare. "Obamacare is killing our country. It's killing our jobs. It's a disaster. I've been saying it for a long time. I've been talking about it for a long time, before it was even approved," he said.
home US Federal judge questions the lack of Syrian Christian refugees entering U.S.

A federal judge is asking for an explanation from the Obama administration regarding the lack of Syrian Christian refugees being admitted to the U.S.

Judge Daniel Manion posed the question about Syrian immigrants within the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals opinion on a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit filed by The Heartland Alliance's National Immigrant Justice Center. The organization, which provides legal services to immigrants, is seeking information on certain terrorist groups.

In a section of the opinion, Manion expressed his concern about the lack of Christians among the Syrian refugees who entered the U.S. in 2016.

He asserted that 10 percent of the Syrian population is Christian but less than half a percent of Syrian refugees admitted to the U.S. in 2016 were Christians.

He noted that the Obama administration has reached its goal in admitting 10,000 Syrian refugees in August. Around 11,000 had entered the U.S. by September but only 56 were Christians.

"To date, there has not been a good explanation for this perplexing discrepancy," he wrote.

According to Daily Signal, Heartland Alliance claimed in the lawsuit that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) refused to release the identity of Tier III terrorist organizations.

The government said that Tier III terrorist organizations are exempt from FOIA disclosures because it would reveal "techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations."

Manion noted that groups may fall in and out of its Tier III organization because the government stated that previous allies may become enemies in the future and vice versa.

The judge wonders whether ties to Tier III groups might be a criteria in denying entry to refugees in the U.S.

"Because none of this is public, it is impossible to know if this is the major reason for the lack of Syrian Christian immigrants to the United States," he said.

"It is at least possible that incidental affiliation with some Christian militia could lead an immigration officer to deny entry to Syrians on this basis. That would be a dubious consequence," he added.

In September, a State Department spokesperson told Fox News that religion is only one of the criteria in determining a refugee's viability for entry in the U.S.
home US Franklin Graham invites Christians to pray with him on the eve of the elections

Samaritan's Purse CEO Franklin Graham is asking Christians to join him in prayer on Nov. 7, the eve of elections. This also happens to be the 98th birthday of his father, Billy Graham.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Franklin assured his followers that prayers to God can really make a difference. He cited several verses from the Bible that highlighted the effectiveness of prayer.

"The Bible tells us that 'The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much' (James 5:16). Jesus also tells us to 'keep asking' and gives us an example in a parable in Luke chapter 18 of a widow who repeatedly went to a judge asking for justice, and finally the judge responded because of her persistence," the younger Graham wrote.

Franklin mentioned that he had traveled to all 50 states and prayed with tens of thousands for the future of the U.S. He encouraged Christians to continue praying as election day draws near.

"The evening of November 7, on my father Billy Graham's 98th birthday and just before Election Day, will you join me and others across the country in praying? I will be LIVE right here on Facebook at 9:00 PM ET, so don't miss it. Let's bow together and again ask for God's help," he said.

Franklin concluded the Decision America tour on Oct. 13 in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he prayed with 14,000 people and led some of them at the rally to Christ.

The evangelist has not endorsed a presidential candidate and has repeatedly stated that there is no hope for both the Republican and Democratic parties. However, the younger Graham still encouraged Christians to vote so that their voices will be heard in the coming election.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association released the 2016 presidential election guide to highlight the differences between the platforms of the major political parties as well as their candidates.

The guide summarized the positions of the Republican and Democratic parties on several issues including the sanctity of life, marriage, religious freedom, immigration and terrorism.
home US Obama may veto defense bill over provision protecting religious freedom

White House officials have indicated that President Barack Obama might veto the defense authorization bill if its final version includes a religious freedom amendment that protects faith-based contractors and other religious institutions.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the fiscal year of 2017 includes a provision introduced by Rep. Steve Russell that would apply the religious exemptions under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act to federal grants and contracts.

In an article for the Daily Signal, Roger Severino wrote that the provision would prevent the government from canceling contracts and grants from faith-based organizations with hiring policies that are based on its religious beliefs.

Roll Call reported that senior administration officials have said that President Barack Obama is prepared to veto the bill if it includes the provision.

Critics are concerned that the amendment would allow religiously affiliated contractors that transact with government agencies to discriminate against employees based on religious views.

Russell argued that the amendment only ensures that the contractors would not have to violate their beliefs to be in business with the government.

"We are accused of hatred, called out as shameful, and enjoined to use the whole Constitution to support an opposing view that embodies behavior, mores and outcomes that not only violate our conscience, but have been prohibited under the laws of nature and nature's God," he said in a May House floor speech.

A letter signed by 42 Senate Democrats was sent to Armed Service leaders calling on them to make sure that the Russell provision is excluded from the conference report.

It warned that the provision would allow religiously affiliated organizations "to engage in discriminatory hiring practices" while using taxpayer dollars.

"This provision would also allow religiously-affliliated contractors and grantees to inquire about and discriminate against employees or potential employees based on an individual's religion. No one should be disqualified from a taxpayer-funded job based on their religion," it stated.

Justin Johnson, who specializes in defense budgets and policies for the Allison Center for National Security and Foreign Policy, noted that Obama vetoed the NDAA last year because he did not want to increase the defense budget without increasing funding for other priorities unrelated to national defense.
home World Pope Francis calls for unity with Lutherans on 500th anniversary of the Reformation

Pope Francis encouraged Catholics and Lutherans to move together towards unity and let go of the controversies that divided Christianity in the past.

"We Christians will be credible witnesses of mercy to the extent that forgiveness, renewal and reconciliation are daily experienced in our midst," the Pope said in an ecumenical prayer service at the Lutheran's Lund cathedral in Sweden on Oct. 31, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation initiated by Martin Luther.

The pope stated that the anniversary should be commemorated by Catholics by focusing on ways to communicate and strengthen the doctrinal agreements attained by Catholic and Lutheran theologians in the past five decades, the Catholic Herald reported.

Pope Francis also said that the event should be celebrated with common prayer and renewed commitments to work together toward alleviating poverty and promoting justice.

Lutherans saw the commemoration as an indication that there is a possibility of expanding the occasions when the Eucharist is shared. However, the Catholic Church insisted that it would only be possible if the Christians are fully united.

Rev. Martin Junge, secretary general of the Lutheran World Federation, is hoping for a shared Communion in the near future.

"Jesus Christ calls us to be ambassadors of reconciliation," Junge said in his homily at the Lund Cathedral.

"We acknowledge that there is much more that unites us than that which separates us. We are branches of the same vine. We are one in baptism," he added.

Pope Francis stated in his homily that Catholics and Lutherans must "look with love and honesty at our past, recognizing error and seeking forgiveness." He warned that the division among Christians veers away from Christ's will for his disciples. He added that it causes others to doubt that Christianity is a religion of peace and fraternity.

Lutheran World Federation President Bishop Munib Yunan and the Pope signed a joint statement to commemorate the anniversary.

"We pray to God that Catholics and Lutherans will be able to witness together to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, inviting humanity to hear and receive the good news of God's redeeming action," the statement declared.
Archbishop Of Canterbury Slams 'Shocking Blight' Of UK Hunger

The Archbishop of Canterbury slammed the "shocking blight" of hunger in the UK on Tuesday.

Justin Welby backed a 1.3million campaign to cut down on food waste in London as part of a drive to tackle hunger in Britain. The Evening Standard's initiative was also supported by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

"I welcome the Evening Standard's campaign on tackling food poverty and waste," said Welby. "Hunger is a complex, widespread and shocking blight on our country and more needs to be done to highlight this issue."

Caroline Lucas, co-leader of the Green party, was among a number of other MPs to back the issue. She said: "The Evening Standard Food for London campaign has highlighted the shockingly low levels of food waste being redirected to those in need and it is great to see the press holding big business to account."

Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, said waste was a "shameful reminder" of inequality.

The Archbishop's intervention is part of his longstanding support for food banks and tackling hunger in the UK.

He was asked to be President of Feeding Britain in 2014, the campaign behind the all-party parliamentary group on hunger and food poverty. Welby spoke at the APPG's report launch in December 2014 and again at its second report launch a year on in 2015.

He said it was "tragedy" that hunger still exists in the UK and blamed the government's welfare reforms for causing "unnecessary problems" in beaucracy.
Britain And France In 'Major Violations' Of Calais Children's Rights  UN

Britain and France have been savaged in a statement by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which accused them of falling "seriously short" of their legal obligations in their treatment of children at Calais.

France is evacuating the last of 1,500 migrant and refugee children from the Calais Jungle, with buses ferrying them to reception centres around the country.

Since the demolition of the camp began they have been living in converted shipping containers on the site. Their applications to travel to Britain will be processed by UK officials, but Britain is resisting taking in large numbers of children.

The statement said: "The events of the past week have shown clearly that political and other considerations prevailed over the initial promises by both Governments that the situation of unaccompanied children would be their priority. The best interests of the child have been completely disregarded."

It said disagreements between Britain and France over who should take responsibility for the children had led to "major violations" of their rights. "Hundreds of children have been subjected to inhumane living conditions, left without adequate shelter, food, medical services and psychosocial support, and in some cases exposed to smugglers and traffickers."

It said neither government could claim it was caught off guard by the situation, adding: "The failures regarding the situation of children in Calais are not isolated events but highlight the shortcomings of a migration system built on policies that are neither developed nor implemented with child rights in mind."

Faith leaders have been calling on the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, to resume the transfer of unaccompanied children to the UK. More than 200 leaders  including around 130 Baptist ministers  signed a letter printed in The Times calling for the programme to resume.

One of them, Baptist minister Juliet Kilpin, told Christian Today the children had been treated "abominably". She said they had been left behind when adults were moved off the site and that many of them had been refused the opportunity to register as children because police had taken arbitrary decisions about their age. The result was that as many as 60 had been forced to sleep in the open, with no food or shelter.

"There is no reason more planning and preparation couldn't have been done," she said. "If not, there's no reason there couldn't have been a delay in the demolition. It baffles me."

She said all of the 1,500 children should be offered asylum in Britain or France. "Vast numbers have family in the UK and they have every legal right to be here  Britain is dragging its feet in implementing their legal rights. This last week has seen serious breaches of human rights."

Kilpin was in the Calais Jungle last week and witnessed the demolition of the camp. She was critical of way the children had been left until last, saying: "To leave children as the very last people in the camp, with no community leaders, no faith leaders, with the camp on fire and looking like a war zone, is abhorrent."
Campaigners Challenge Ban On NHS Funding For Abortions For Northern Ireland Women

Abortion campaigners will today call on the Supreme Court in London to allow state funding for women from Northern Ireland who travel to England for terminations.

Northern Ireland is exempt from the 1967 Abortion Act under which the National Health Service (NHS) provides free abortions to women in the UK.

Between 1,000 and 2,000 women from Northern Ireland are believed to travel to England for abortions each year but they have to find their own funding.

Last year, there were 16 legal abortions in Northern Ireland where they are permitted only when a woman's life is at risk or if there is a risk of permanent and serious damage to her mental or physical health.

Campaigners say that banning NHS abortions for women from Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, is discrimination that violates Articles 14 and eight of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Ann Furedi, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, told Reuters: "It is simply unjust that women from Northern Ireland are forced to pay for healthcare that is provided free of charge to women resident in all other parts of the UK."

Political parties in Northern Ireland are divided on the issue.

The case is at the Supreme Court after being rejected by the Appeal Court last year, Irish News reported.

The applicant in the case, now 19, was herself just 15 when she went to Manchester in October 2012 with her mother and had to pay hundreds of pounds to have the abortion done privately. She is bringing the case with her mother.

Last November, Belfast High Court ruled the ban against abortions in Northern Ireland is "incompatible with human rights".
Cardinal Nichols Vows To Work With Government Over 'Scourge' Of Homelessness

Cardinal Nichols has vowed to work with Theresa May's government to tackle the "scourge that is homelessness".

The Archbishop of Westminster welcomed what he said were "considerable amounts of money" announced by the minister for homelessness Marcus Jones at a reception in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon.

"One homeless person is one too many," said Nichols, who is head of the Catholic Church in the UK. "Obviously when the government gets behind this kind of effort it is really helpful," he told Christian Today.

"We in the Catholic community are well placed to act in partnerships."

The number of people sleeping rough in England has doubled since 2010 and rose by 30 per cent in the last year alone. An estimated 3,569 people sleep on the streets on any one night, official figures have revealed.

Homelessness charities called the figures "scandalous" and "shocking" and have written to the Prime Minster to urge a new national rough sleeping strategy.

Cardinal Nichols refused to pin the blame solely on government cuts and told Christian Today there were "a whole range of complex reasons" why people end up on the streets.

"An awful lot of this begins with the breakdown of relationships," he said, but acknowledged "the patterns has been of decreased funding given to local authorities".

Cuts had meant the work had fallen to local charities, said Nichols, adding it was "a great tribute to the charities they have risen to this challenge".

"This is love in action," Nichols said at a reception in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon organised by the Catholic network CSAN.

"Caring for those who fall victim to economic and social systems that can so easily remain heartless unless they are enlivened by a sense of moral purpose and generosity."

Last week the government said it would support Bob Blackman MP's homelessness reduction private member's bill.

Nichols said the move was "helpful" and welcomed the announcement of several funds from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to tackle homelessness.

Marcus Jones, a junior minister in DCLG, said 250m was being given to local authorities for homelessness prevention programmes and a further 100m for more affordable homes.

He also announced a 40m package charities could apply for to fight rough sleeping.

"While we have, compared to some other countries, a very strong safety net in this country, there is still far more we have to do," he said

"I can assure you this government is determined to tackle the scourge that is homelessness and improve the lives of the most vulnerable."
Children Who Fled ISIS In Mosul 'Too Terrified To Speak'

Children fleeing Mosul have arrived in camps too terrified to speak, according to aid workers on Wednesday.

More than two years under ISIS occupation followed by intense dangers while fleeing, such as landmines, snipers and fighters, has taken a toll on children's physical and mental health, World Vision staff said in Northern Iraq.

More than 20,000 people have already been displaced fleeing Mosul and up to 700,000 more could leave the city which has been under ISIS control since June 2014. Many will head to camps around the city struggling to cope with the influx of more refugees.

"Many children have been stuck in their homes while bombings, sniper fire or chaos rules around them. Others have witnessed the death of family members," said Aaron Moore, World Vision's programs manager in Northern Iraq.

"We are working with children who have arrived from Mosul in the last few days that are showing the crushing impact of being trapped in a city that was taken over two years ago."

The few children who have made it to camps are deeply traumatised and unable to communicate properly.

"In the camps, many children don't want to play," Moore said. "When painting, they have been recreating war scenes with tanks and war planes."

The campaign to retake Mosul is led by Iraqi troops with the backing of US airstrikes. Local militia secured a foothold in the city on Wednesday and are reported to be moving forward slowly for fear of ambushes, booby traps and landmines.

A spokesman for the Norwegian Refugee Council warned the lives of 1.2 million civilians are in "grave danger".

World Vision joined several other NGOs in urging for a safe passage out of Mosul for all civilians.

"Humane treatment by all parties at every stage of the Mosul operation must be a priority," a statement read on Wednesday.
Christian Militias Unite To Fight ISIS In Iraq

Christian militias fighting to defeat ISIS in Iraq will work together to end the atrocities being committed by jihadists, it has been announced.

In a statement released on Monday, representatives from a number of Assyrian, Chaldean and Syriac political parties said they would "unite the efforts of the military and security coordination in the Nineveh Plain areas in order to enable the people of the region to management the security file" [sic].

The statement also said the parties had agreed to "keep Nineveh Plain areas out of any future political conflicts, especially since the region and its inhabitants suffered greatly as a result of these conflicts that have no legitimacy among the dominant political forces".

The head of the Assyrian Patriotic Party, Emmanuel Khoshaba Youkhanna, who signed the document, told Breitbart News: "This is the first step to unify all our forces under one leadership."

He added that the unified militia wants official recognition from Baghdad.

Until now, only the Nineveh Plains Protection Units (NPU), an Assyrian militia, has been officially recognised and supported by the Iraqi government. Its soldiers were alongside the Iraqi special forces and Iraqi military when they liberated Qaraqosh  a majority Christian town near Mosul  almost two weeks ago.

NPU spokesperson Athra Kado told Christian Today earlier this week that liberating the Christian towns on the Nineveh Plain was "one of my life goals" since ISIS took over, and that his fellow soldiers are desperate to free the area from militant control.

"It [the Nineveh Plain, before ISIS] felt like the only place in the word that we were safe, but even that place was taken from us," he said. "Now, we're trying to get it back."
Christian University Wins Legal Battle Over Ban On Sex Outside Heterosexual Marriage

An evangelical Christian university in Canada has won a decision by the Appeal Court of British Columbia (BC) in favour of its 'community covenant' that bans its students from having sexual relations outside of heterosexual marriage.

The Appeal Court of BC yesterday released its decision in favour of Trinity Western University, describing efforts by BC's law society to deny accreditation to the school's future lawyers as "unreasonable."

In a unanimous decision, a panel of five judges invoked religious freedom.

"A society that does not admit... and accommodate differences cannot be a free and democratic society, one in which its citizens are free to think, to disagree, to debate and to challenge the accepted view without fear of reprisal," says the 66-page judgment, according to Canadian newspaper The Star.

"This case demonstrates that a well-intentioned majority acting in the name of tolerance and liberalism can, if unchecked, impose its views on the minority in a manner that is in, itself, intolerant and illiberal."

The law society has argued that the controversial code of conduct discriminates against gay people hoping to enter the legal profession.

But the Appeal Court decision found that denying approval to Trinity Western would not enhance access to law school for gay people and so wouldn't help the law society meet its public-interest objectives.

"While we accept that approval of [Trinity Western's] law school has, in principle, a detrimental impact on LGBTQ equality rights, because the number of law school places would not be equally open to all students, the impact on applications made... by LGBTQ students would be insignificant in real terms."

Both Nova Scotia and Ontario's law societies have challenged the school's push for recognition.

The Nova Scotia (NS) Court of Appeal has denied the NS Barristers' Society's attempts to prevent the school's law graduates from receiving accreditation in that province, and Ontario's Appeal Court upheld a ruling against Trinity Western, approving the law society's attempt in that province to deny recognition to the university's future law graduates.

But law bodies elsewhere have mostly approved accreditation, including in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and the Federation of Law Societies of Canada.
God's Storehouse: Feeding The Hungry In One Of Britain's Poorest Cities

The UK sends 11m tonnes of food a year to landfill  we're the most wasteful country in all of Europe  and yet millions of people are also going hungry. It is an injustice that spurs us on to act  but to do what, exactly?

Most of us will have donated to a food bank, given our time (or needed its help), but Juli Thompson went one step further.

She set up a scheme in Yorkshire that, in its first year, has managed to redirect 74 tonnes of food from its path to the tip and into the hands of people in need. That's the equivalent of 150 pallets of food.

The Storehouse, half-a-mile from Bradford city centre, followed from the success of Inn Churches, a project to turn church buildings into temporary homeless shelters to ensure no one in Bradford need sleep on the street in Winter. An army of 850 church volunteers run the service, but Thompson believed more could be done.

"We just wanted to provide practical support to people in need, not replicating any other service, but by being a resource for other organisations and charities. We looked for opportunities to support the community," she says.

"An amazing landlord said we could have these premises rent-free for the first year and we began.

"I didn't know what to call this new place so I prayed and God gave me Malachi 3:10, 'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house... see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing there will not be room enough to store it'."

The large premises with several offices included a former staff canteen on the first floor, so a pay-as-you-feel cafe opened upstairs, while downstairs a food storage warehouse was created. Early into the scheme, Bradford Council's Public Health department was so impressed it donated a 7,000 walk-in fridge.

Another charitable gift has brought a van, enabling efficient transport.

The Storehouse now has agreements to collect food that is past its sell-by date from Morrisons, Marks & Spencer and local St James' market with negotiations in place with other big names. The project is on a vast scale, and is evidently set to grow.

"It costs 75 for supermarkets to throw away a tonne of food so we're helping them as they help us," Thompson explains. "As the verse said, we are able to give from our plenty and we've been so massively blessed."

Each item of food is weighed and packaged for various uses with the intention of it leaving the building as soon as possible. Dry goods are given to 21 local food banks or community groups, supplemented by mobile pay-as-you-feel mini-markets (stacked wheeled crates) bringing much-needed cheap fresh fruit and vegetables to hard-up families in locations across Bradford.

There is even a social enterprise group which arrives one evening a week to make jams and pickles from anything left over.

"It's just morphed, really. If God had shown me a year ago what he had in mind, I would have run in the opposite direction. It's a good thing he doesn't show you everything in one go," Thompson laughs.

A small team of paid staff are funded thanks to charitable trusts, and six regular volunteers ensure the team can react quickly when a food supplier says it has a surplus. This week has been big on potatoes, apparently  vital, but perhaps less fun than the pallets of ice-cream cones that arrived one week in August.

As we talk, the cafe is a busy mix of people: those needing a hot budget meal; people supporting the venture; staff from the nearby trades centres or workers from the supermarkets who give. Every morning is a real-life game of Ready, Steady Cook with unknown ingredients creatively turned into a delicious hot menu. Payment is discreetly made through small brown envelopes given with each meal. In the room next-door, clothes, bedding and shoes are available for those in need where they can make their selections in private. Dignity is key.

"We began helping homeless people but, more and more, those who we are helping are in-work, not being able to make ends meet. We are seeing a next level of people really struggling with the unpredictability of zero-hour contracts," Thompson says.

"Of course, we can point a finger at the Government but as we do so, there are three fingers pointing at ourselves to do something."
How Can Christians Recognise the Time of Jesus' Second Coming? Billy Graham Says 'Various Signs Will Point to It'

People all have their theories as to when Jesus Christ will make His second coming. Some people don't believe it will happen, while others think it's going to happen soon because the world has grown so wicked and dark.

World-renowned evangelist Billy Graham said whatever people think, one thing's for certain: Jesus will be back to establish His Kingdom of perfect righteousness and justice. The Bible verse Titus 2:13 calls His return as "the blessed hope  the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ."

No one really knows when Jesus would decide to return. Mark 13:32 said, "About that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven."

However, Graham wrote for the Bowling Green Daily News that "various signs will point to it as the time approaches  but the precise date is hidden from us."

"Jesus also said that just before He returns, Satan will lash out in every way he possibly can, opposing Christ and seeking to turn people against God by bringing great evil and death upon the earth," said Graham. "Remember: Satan tried to keep Jesus from fulfilling God's plan during His first coming  but Satan failed, and by His death and resurrection Christ defeated Satan's plans."

Graham warned that Satan will try again. In fact, Satan has been doing so through the ages, and his attacks will increase as Jesus' return draws near.

The evangelist added that Jesus could come tomorrow or a century from now. Whenever that may be, Graham hopes people have already given their lives to God and are prepared for Jesus' coming.

"Even if His return is delayed, are you ready to meet Him when you die?" he asked. "You can be, by turning to Jesus  repenting of your sins and by faith committing your life to Him. Don't delay, but put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation today."
Justin Welby: Christianity Is Threatened As Never Before In Middle East

Christianity has never felt so threatened as it does now in its historic birthplace of the Middle East, the Archbishop of Canterbury has warned.

Christians have recently been on the receiving end of persecution both from militantly atheist and religiously intolerant regimes, Justin Welby said today.

"It would not be over-stating matters to say that Christianity is both the numerically largest faith and the most persecuted.

"The historic centre of the Christian Church in the Middle East has never felt so threatened, but is also under attack in countries as diverse as North Korea and Eritrea, where Christians are harassed, imprisoned, persecuted and killed."

Sixty eight years after the United Nations agreed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this situation is intolerable, he said.

"As faith communities we must step up and hold governments to account. This is a challenge for us all everywhere but none-more-so than in countries where faith communities have serious power through numerical, political or civic strength."

In the UK, he added, the Church of England is at the fore in advocating the rights of Muslims to set up schools, madrassahs and mosques across the country.

"But the increasing integration of Muslim communities within British society, in which we rejoice, is in stark contrast to the increasing marginalisation of and outright hostility to Christian communities within many parts of the world, not least in significant parts of the Middle East."

The Archbishop of Canterbury also condemned the definition of British values given by Ofsted, Britain's education inspectorate, as a recipe for tyrrany.

Welby was addressing the "Council of the Wise" in Abu Dhabi, where Christian worship is allowed to flourish and grow, unlike other Muslim-majority Middle Eastern countries.

The council was debating integration and religious freedom.

Welby said: "In the UK we find British values, so called, defined by Ofsted as belief in democracy, in the rule of law and in mutual respect of faiths, or for those of no faith.

"This approach is good, but entirely inadequate as a foundation for a healthy society. Democracy without fundamental values around the value of the human being, and, I would say, without the understanding of God's grace and love for the humanity God created, is a recipe for majority tyranny."

The two-day event was organised by the Muslim Council of Elders and included Christian leaders from the Anglican Communion.

Welby described the world as "beset by a crisis of confidence" in the rights it pledged to uphold in the aftermath of the Second World War.

"The crisis is affecting all faith groups, deepening nationalist tensions, and leaking across from the approach to faith into the most acute challenges to international law, human flourishing and stability."

He said the crisis had given "permission" for those in political campaigns to condemn all Muslims, or other groups they dislike, and compared this to the pre-war mood in Hitler's Nazi Germany.

"The impact of such tyranny was seen in the 1930s, when the law enacted by democratically elected government began the process of the holocaust.

"Six million Jewish people were to be systematically slaughtered and millions more displaced in the most brutal antithesis of religious freedom."

In Christian tradition, he said, it is understood that an evil society makes it very hard for individuals within it to live well.

"This truth about the need for a righteous society has led and still leads many churches to advocate law as about morality, because bad morality leads to bad societies."

He warned: "There is a real danger of societies legislating against their ideological opponents through fear and ending up compromising their own moral and spiritual integrity by committing acts of evil against the very people they thought they were protecting the rest of society from."

Dr. Edward Kessler, founder-director of the Woolf Institute based in Cambridge, told Christian Today: "Christianity has been part of the essential fabric of the Middle East for two thousand years. Far from being a Western import as some, now seem to suggest, Christian communities have been intrinsic to the development of Arab culture and civilisation.

"This central role is why it is abhorrent to see Christianity and Christians under assault across the Middle East. Specifically this impact on people is shocking but also will mean Christianity will be lost from its birthplace, destroying the richness of the tapestry of the Middle East.

"The importance of interfaith dialogue in the Middle East cannot be understated. It is only through dialogue, knowledge and understanding built between faiths that these issues can be overcome and the heritage of the Middle East can be not only preserved but for diversity to continue to flourish."
Nigeria Bishop Hits Out At 'Endemic' Corruption In Churches

Corruption is "endemic" in Nigeria's churches, according to the general secretary of the Anglican Consultative Council, Rt Rev Josiah Idowu-Fearon.

According Nigeria's Guardian, Idowu-Fearon urged President Muhammadu Buhari to extend his campaign against corruption to include places of worship and religious institutions.

He was speaking in Kano State at a day conference on the role of religious leaders in combating corruption, organised by the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training and the US Embassy in Nigeria.

Nigeria is known for its prosperity preachers who teach that God wants Christians to be financially successful, many of whom lead conspicuously affluent lifestyles. Idowu-Fearon hit out at such pastors, saying: "The men of God have lost all because of their love for material value. Men of God want to live the extravagant lifestyle of the politicians. Corruption is endemic in places of worship because our pastors and other leaders want to ride big cars, live in big houses and in the process they lost the prophetic value of the Church and compromise their position as spiritual guides."

He said that if the war on corruption included places of worship it would have more success in other areas of society.

Idowu-Fearon, formerly Bishop of Kaduna, said traditional denominations were not exempt from the temptation. "Yes, I do believe there is corruption in the places of worship and I have seen it," he said. "I have been a bishop for 25 years before I took up the position I hold presently and I know corruption contributes to our national burden. But the belief is if the head is rotten, the whole body is not spared and so the move to start from clergymen is a good development."
Residents of Largest Christian Town in Iraq Pick Up Pieces after Being Freed from ISIS

Residents of Qaraqosh, the largest and oldest Christian town in Iraq, have begun returning to their hometown and picking up the pieces after the Iraqi army backed up by a Christian militia liberated the town from the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group.

Among those who have returned to Qaraqosh was Father Cherbel. According to a report from France24.com, the priest could not hide his joy as he greeted an Iraqi army commander and his soldiers at the church gate while donning his white soutane and a cross around his neck.

Behind Father Cherbel's smile, however, is a sad truth: The town he called home was left in ruins by the ISIS militants, with buildings either completely collapsed or peppered with bullet holes.

Although most of the extremists have already left the area, firefights still happen from time to time as Iraqi troops conduct house-to-house operations in an attempt to hunt down remaining members of the terror group. The troops are also detonating explosives left behind by the militants to ensure the safety of returning residents.

"It's the first time I'm returning to Qaraqosh. I don't feel very free  not yet anyway," said Father Cherbel, who fled the Christian town two years ago to escape from ISIS rule.

Also among the buildings damaged during the ISIS' conquest of Qaraqosh were a number of ancient churches, chapels and monasteries.

For instance, one of the monasteries in the Christian town was severely desecrated, with images and statues of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary defaced. At another chapel in Qaraqosh, Christian texts have been replaced by the sacred Muslim book, the Quran, and other materials put out by the ISIS propaganda unit.

"Their behaviour dishonours Islam," an unnamed Iraqi soldier was quoted as saying.

Earlier this month, Qaraqosh was freed from ISIS rule by the Iraqi army's 9th Armoured Division and a Christian militia known as the Nineveh Protection Unit. Some Christians chose to take up arms to oust the Islamic militants from their area.

Around 1.5 million Christians were estimated to live in Iraq during the early 2000s. As conflict tore the Middle Eastern nation, this number is estimated to have dwindled to 500,000 or less.

In Qaraqosh, in particular, 50,000 Christians were estimated to have lived before the ISIS takeover. It remains uncertain how many will return after the town's liberation from the terror group.
Rival Terror Groups  ISIS and al-Shabaab  Descend on Somalia, Making Life Even More Perilous for Christians

Darkness is growing in Somalia.

Last week, the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group gained its first foothold in the country located in the Horn of Africa, according Mission Network News.

The al-Shabaab, another Islamist militant group, has likewise reportedly taken over parts of the country.

"These are perilous times" for Christians in Somalia, said Voice of the Martyrs, Canada's Greg Musselman.

"Yet, in the middle of all that, we do hear these many stories of Muslims having visions and dreams of Jesus. They need that, really, in order to stand for their faith," he revealed.

Last week ISIS militants entered Qandala, a small coastal town in northern Somalia, which is al-Shabaab territory. According to Reuters, the ISIS fighters flew their flag over a government building but then withdrew to nearby caves a day later.

"The militants left town early this morning but they are not far away," Abdiweli Adan, an elder in a town close to Qandala, told AFP. "Some fishermen saw them staying close by in mountainous enclaves."

Just like ISIS, al-Shabaab is also in the territory-grabbing business. Its militants reportedly seized several towns in Somalia after Ethiopia pulled out its peacekeeping troops from the country..

Although ISIS and al-Shabaab, which is allied with al-Qaeda, are both considered terrorist organisations, the two oppose each other.

"The Shabaab decided to kill anyone suspected of supporting ISIS," an al Shabaab defector recently told The New York Times. "The fighting between them is a struggle over power, not principle."

Somalia is "one of the most difficult places in the world" for Christians, Musselman said. In recent weeks, the terrorists "have been attacking Christian areas along the Kenya and Somali border in retaliation for the Kenyan government saying they were going to 'stomp out'...al-Shabaab," he said.

Somalia is ranked number seven on Open Doors USA's World Watch List of the world's 50 worst places to be a Christian.

It has been on the World Watch List since 1993. Open Doors USA says since the downfall of Ziad Barre in 1991, Somalia has become a safe haven for Islamic radicalism.

It says life for former Muslims who converted to Christianity is much more difficult in Somalia compared to other countries known for persecuting Christians.
Shocking ISIS Pamphlets Detail Horrific Treatment Of Sex Slaves

Shocking new ISIS propoganda shows in detail the group's strict teaching on issues from beard length to how to treat women taken as sex slaves.

The documents obtained in former ISIS-held villages in Northern Iraq show in minute detail the jihadis' rules. The colourful posters and pamphlets with the group's logo were found by Reuters in offices allegedly used by the militants until just a few days ago.

The question of how to treat female captives was answered by 32 questions and answers on one pink and red leaflet with another green insert showing how to pray properly.

The documents reportedly taught that "non-Muslim women can be taken as concubines" and senior ISIS clerics have the authority to distribute female slaves among fighters.

Militants can own two sisters as concubines but only have sex with one, the pamphlets said.

"Pre-pubescent girls can be taken as concubines. You cannot have penetrative sex but you can still enjoy them," they added.

Another leaflet states: "Wearing beards is compulsory, shaving is prohibited'' and defines a beard as "hair that grows on your face and your cheeks."

When Islamic State swept through the north of Iraq in 2014, it announced a self-proclaimed caliphate, which appealed to some fellow Sunnis who felt marginalised by the Shi'ite-led central government.

But that appeal faded as Islamic State enforced its medieval thinking with brute force, beheading anyone deemed an opponent.

Slick, colorful posters, pamphlets and documents highlight Islamic State's intense focus on dictating what it called proper Islamic behavior for the citizens of its caliphate.

Violations of its rules meant punishment such as public whipping or being hauled off to Mosul for execution, according to several villagers who recently escaped from Islamic State areas.

A US-led coalition has forced ISIS to retreat and a largescale campaign by Iraqi troops looks set to push the group of their stronghold in the northern city of Mosul.

Additional reporting by Reuters.
The Cross Is Back: Iraqi Priests Raise Symbol Of Hope In Shattered Christian Villages

Iraq's Christian priests are returning to the villages from which they were ejected by Islamic State, according to World Watch Monitor.

The Iraqi push toward Mosul, which has already seen special forces enter the outskirts of the city, has seen many villages like Karamles and Qaraqosh released from ISIS control.

In Qaraqosh, Father Ammar visited his old church and reinstated the cross there helped by Christian soldiers guarding the village.

"I praise God for this wonderful day," he said. "Yes, they destroyed and burned some houses and churches, but we can rebuild them. What counts is that we have prayed here and have put up the cross.

"After being away for exactly 811 days, after being attacked by the forces of darkness and evil, we have come back to worship in freedom."

He also found 40 ancient documents overlooked by ISIS and took them back to Erbil. "For us those documents are our link with our history and are therefore very important," he said.

Another priest, Father Thabet, who lives with his congregation in a complex for internally displaced people in Erbil, brought a cross covered with flowers with him when he returned to his home village of Karamles.

"I am so happy I can do this. I'm smiling from cheek to cheek and I weep tears of joy at the same time," he said. "This is the trip I have been praying for, for two years now."

He climbed Barbara Hill, next to his village, and planted the cross in the ground overlooking Karamles.

"My dream is to bring all the Christians back to this village. Then we will worship outside on Barbara Hill; we will have the Eucharist in the open air," he said. "Everybody will see that this is the Church; this is the Body of Christ; this is Christian land. That is my dream  to give a testimony to the world."

The church in Karamles has been badly damaged by ISiS, but is repairable.

ISIS overran the Nineveh Plain, home to most of Iraq's Christians, in 2014 after a surprise assault saw the collapse of the Iraqi army's resistance. The battle for Mosul, Iraq's second city, is continuing, and the villages are not yet safe enough to inhabit. World Watch Monitor cited a Christian photographer who just returned from Qaraqosh and who estimated that 30 per cent of the houses have been severely damaged or destroyed.
'The Pope Is A Catholic': Cardinal Nichols Reacts To Ban On Women Priests

Cardinal Vincent Nichols has said Pope Francis' ban on women ever becoming priests shows that he's a Catholic.

The Archbishop of Westminster and head of the Catholic Church in the UK dismissed outrage from women's campaign groups as he backed Francis' straight out refusal to ever ordain women.

"If Pope Francis has said we'll never have women priests I think it shows the Pope is a Catholic," Nichols told Christian Today.

The Pontiff told reporters aboard the papal plane on Tuesday that the ban on women entering the priesthood would remain forever.

"On the ordination of women in the Catholic Church, St Pope John Paul II had the last word on this and it stands," he said referring to an apostolic letter written by Pope John Paul II in 1994. The letter holds that ordaining women was not possible because Jesus chose only men as his apostles.

"This remains," he added.

When pressed on whether the ban would be in place "forever" Francis said: "If we read carefully the declaration by St John Paul II, it is going in that direction."

The declaration does not change the Argentine's stance and he has always said women could not be priests.

But pressure groups voiced their outrage at Francis' confirmation of John Paul's teaching. Women's Ordination Worldwide (WOW) said it showed he had a "blind spot as regards women".

A statement early on Wednesday morning read: "The oppression and poverty of women and girls around the world is reinforced when women and men are not seen as equally imaging God and this inequality in leadership, governance and ministry is reflected in our Church.

"It is long past due for the Church to rid itself of the sin of sexism and to welcome women as equal partners in all realms of ministry and leadership."

Catholic Women's Ordination added it was a "dangerous, untheological blind spot".

"The damage of this blind spot carries with it a tremendous responsibility on being a primary cause of the terrible violence and poverty that many women suffer on a daily basis; they are seen as second class and inferior to men," a statement read.

"Erroneous teachings in any church are highly dangerous as they tend to influence young, unformed minds, and are hard to shake off in adult life. This leads to a twisted formation of conscience and reducing people to a lesser understanding of their own personal dignity and a fear of an overarching demanding God rather than the true nature of the Goodness of God."
The Remarkable Impact Of London's Flourishing Megachurches

London's megachurches are thriving and most are growing in size, in spite of overall decline in churchgoing in the UK, because of their "deep and passionate commitment" to living out their relationship with God, a new report has found.

There are fewer than a dozen megachurches in England's capital but the biggest have more than 2,000 worshippers every Sunday. Some have thousands more than that.

Two Church of England churches, Holy Trinity Brompton, or HTB, and All Souls Langham Place are included in the megachurch report because they have more than 1,000 worshippers. Both are evangelical and HTB is home to the worldwide phenomenon of the Alpha Course.

The report says: "Megachurch leaders and members believe wholeheartedly in the existence of a God who wishes to engage with the world and see their reason for existence as being to testify to that world of God's existence by representing his presence."

Megachurches believe they are prospering "because of their deep and passionate commitment to prioritising what they see as a universal need for relationship with God above all other concerns," the report says.

The report, Megachurches and Social Engagement in London, is an initial policy document from research at the University of Birmingham aimed at investigating the contribution of these churches to London's spiritual and social well-being.

One key to their extraordinary success, the report suggests, is that God and not church membership is seen as the means of transforming lives.

Researchers looked at five case study megachurches: Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), New Wine Church (in Woolwich), Jesus House, Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), and All Souls Langham Place. This study will be published soon.

They also identified other megachurches in London: Hillsong, Glory House, Ruach Ministries, Kensington Temple, Winner's Chapel, Victorious Pentecostal Assembly.

The biggest was KICC with 5,500 people. Ruach has 6,000 but this includes their Birmingham church. Holy Trinity Brompton has 4,500, Jesus House has 3,000, New Wine has 2,000 and All Souls has 2,300.

Launching the report, East Ham Labour MP Stephen Timms, who attends a Church of England parish with about 20 souls, said of megachurches: "They are remarkable phenomena."

Crucial to their appeal was the sense of "belonging" Timms said.

He added: "We are forever hearing reports of church attendance falling but in London church attendance is not declining it is going up. The Church of Engand is having to build its first new churches in london since the 1950s. My guess is we are going to see more and more of this growth going on outside london as well."

He described attending the Redeemed Christian Church Of God Festival of Life last weekend with 45,000 people, an all-night event

At the same event in Nigeria, a million people turn up.

The previous time he went, David Cameron was there for the Conservatives. The Labour leader had also been invited but Timms went on his behalf.

Timms said the 45,000 Christians were were delighted to have the Prime Minister there  and this might have had something to do with the fact that the Conservatives did so much better than Labour in the last election.

This time he went on behalf of Traidcraft and was given three minutes to speak. The church's Presiding bishop from Nigeria began speaking at midnight  and spoke for two and a half hours.

Timms said big churches in Newham in his constituence  not megachurches but of about 1,000 people such as Glory House  have a "significant" impact. They do things such organise health open days with the NHS. One of them was the first to operate a Trussell Trust food bank in the area

"My goodness what a difference they have made," he said.

"A lot of people in statutory services are inclined to think of megachurches and other religious institutions as inherently divisive."

In fact the opposite is the case.

One of the "significant contributions" they are making is "simply providing people a chance to belong."

Belonging to one of these churches gives people a sense of belonging to a wider community, he said. That contributes to the wider sense of cohesion.

Timms said the role of faith in Britain still not sufficiently recognised

"The assumption is that faith is on the way out. The reality is the opposite."

The report's co-author Dr Andrew Davies of the University of Birmingham, who grew up in an Assemblies of God church in the 1970s, said: "For these and many other large and growing British churches, Christianity is about relationship with God and is not reducible to a set of beliefs, rituals or values or to historic institutional culture."

He acknowledged recent figures showing decline in the Church of England but said there was also significant growth of completely new churchgoers, with 38,000 joining last year alone: "The people going to church now, go because they really believe in what they are doing."

He said he did not believe religion in Britain was under threat but it needed more recognition in public life.

"Christians believe that putting God into the picture is a fundamental part of the solution. One of the things we found quite remarkable about the megachurch approach is the breadth of offerings they have available."

Megachurches help people connect with others, often new arrivals to the city and to the country, and make friends. They also offer services in leadership, public speaking, food hygiene, teaching and many other areas. They can also help create an entrepreneurial culture in communities. However, they are not doing much to tackle "big" issues such as race and social justice, the report found.

Sarah Greenwood, London area manager for the Trussell Trust who looks after nearly 40 food banks, said megachurches could use their resources to do far more in terms of social action: "Although some of the megachurches do have foodbanks under their umbrella they are not carrying them forward, they are not very involved."
Pablo Picasso: A thirst for innovation

Offered in the Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale on 16 November in New York, six works that explore the artists major themes, varying styles and his many muses

1

1899

Seventeen years old and just returned from a stint at the prestigious but stiflingly traditional Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid, Picasso became involved with a group of young mavericks in his home city of Barcelona. Often found in the cabaret Els Quatre Gats, the modernistas were revolutionary in Spanish art of the time, and Picassos work modernised rapidly in this atmosphere of eclecticism and innovation. Although the modernistas soon began to seem stuck in their one revolution, and Picasso quickly outgrew it, they bequeathed to him what Patrick OBrien calls a generalised anarchism that remained with him throughout his life. Even here in Portrait de Renart (above), painted when he was just 18, the hallmarks of mature Picasso are clearly present: the ingenuity, the irreverence, the great, bold insight into his subject. Barcelona would not be the last place that failed to hold Picasso, but it would be the first. In 1900 the artist moved to Paris, and the 20th century began.

2

1935

Open a larger version of this image Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), La Minotauromachie, 1935. Etching and engraving with scraper on montval paper, baer's seventh (final) state, image size: 19 x 27 in (50 x 69 cm), sheet size: 22 x 30 in (57 x 77 cm). Estimate: $1,000,000-1,500,000. This lot is offered in Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale on 16 November 2016 at Christies in New York, Rockefeller Plaza

In 1933 Fernande Oliviers memoirs, Picasso et Ses Amis, were published and serialised in magazines and newspapers. Olivier had been Picassos mistress between 1904 and 1912. She had lived with him at the famous Bateau-Lavoir, inspired Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (1907), and witnessed his invention of Cubism. Now, however, the artists closely guarded private life became public. While the revelations were not absolutely damning, it marked the start of a difficult few years. Picasso had married Olga Khokhlova, a dancer with the Ballet Russes, in 1918, but the marriage broke down entirely when she discovered his eight-year affair with a young French woman named Marie-Therese Walter in early 1935. Picassos work in these years is marked by potent unhappiness. Yet Marie-Therese had fallen pregnant with Maya, who would be born in September 1935, and in La Minotauromachie  the great masterpiece of Picassos printmaking  the calming presence of the flower girl holding out a candle, despite the raging bull menacing her, hints at a change in the weather.

3

1938

In 1935, while sitting at the cafe Les Deux Magots with Paul and Nusch Eluard, Picasso saw a striking, dark-haired figure across from him. In one delicate hand she held a knife, and kept stabbing it into the table between the fingers of her other gloved hand. Sometimes she missed, and blood would soak into the glove between the appliqued roses. This was Dora Maar. Eccentric and independent, she had posed for Man Ray and Brassai, photographed Yves Tanguy, had Georges Bataille as her lover, and was deeply involved with the Surrealist movement. Enigmatic, worldly and in possession of strong political convictions, to Picasso she was the antithesis of the feminine, luxuriant Marie-Therese, and inspired a new burst of creativity in him. Buste de Femme (Dora Maar) epitomises this fresh direction in Picassos work with its contrasting, turbulent colours and jagged, sometimes violent distortions of Doras face. Relishing the two womens physical and psychological difference, he painted both compulsively.

4

1943

On 14 June 1940, German troops entered Paris. Picasso decided to remain, occupying a large, unheatable studio in rue des Grands Augustins. As his great friend and rival Henri Matisse wrote: If everyone who has any value leaves France, what remains of France? Amid the oppression, seizures of property and persecution, Picasso continued painting and sculpting, sourcing bronze for casting on the black market and enduring harassment from German soldiers, who would aggressively search his apartment on the pretext of looking for the sculptor Jacques Lipchitz. Yet in 1943 things were looking up. The Germans were in full retreat in Russia, the Allies were advancing in Italy, and one evening in May, at his local restaurant The Catalan, Picasso introduced himself to a young, glamorous student named Francoise Gilot. She would be his next mistress. In Tete de Femme, this potent mix of joy and great anxiety is visible in Dora Maars face, suffering under the weight of the occupation and Picassos dominant personality. In 1945 she suffered a nervous breakdown and became a patient of Jacques Lacan, described as the most controversial psychoanalyst since Freud.

5

1955

Buying La Californie  a huge Art Nouveau villa built around 1900, overlooking Cannes and the Mediterranean  was a turning point for Picasso. His relationship with Francoise Gilot had by now disintegrated and she had returned to Paris with their two children. In November 1954 Matisse died in Nice, and in February 1955 Olga Khokhlova died in Cannes. When Picasso moved into La Californie with his soon-to-be second wife, Jacqueline Roque, in the autumn of 1955, he wanted a clean break with the past. He also gave up his two Paris flats. The visual tributes Picasso paid to Matisse in the work of the second half of the 1950s are in some respects a form of mourning, John Golding has written, and Picassos great Atelier series is the first example. Inspired by Matisses Vence interiors, painted between 1946 and 1948, LAtelier de la Californie is Picassos eulogy to his old friend and erstwhile rival, and the beginning of the last phase of his work.

6

1969
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Lorenzo Simonelli, a 43-year-old GE executive, may soon lead one of Houston's seminal oil and gas companies, if GE succeeds in its $32 billion bid for Baker Hughes next year.

Once the deal closes, Simonelli would replace Martin Craighead as chief executive of the world's No. 2 oil field services firms, the companies said Monday. He would be taking the reins of a company still smarting from the worst oil downturn in a generation.

It's a big change for an American company that sells drill bits to wildcatters. His his lexicon includes things like "the digital age" and "intelligent ecosystems." His sales pitch revolves around bringing digital technologies into the oil patch, a transition that GE has pushed for years.

"Every industry and company that is not bringing software to the core of their business will be disrupted," Simonelli told a crowd of investors at GE's annual meeting this year.

Simonelli may seem unlike many of the executives Texas oil companies are used to dealing with, but he has won accolades within his company. GE CEO Jeff Immelt once praised him for building the company's North American rail business into a global transportation company, according to The Wall Street Journal.

In 2009, when Simonelli was 36, Fortune noted he was the youngest executive to ever run a division within the company. According to media accounts, some have speculated his rise to the rank of president and CEO of the $16.5 billion GE Oil & Gas, previously one of the company's fastest-growing units, is a sign the company is grooming him to one day replace Immelt.

"I'm fortunate that I've been given the opportunity within GE to grow with exciting assignments and also move around and get the experience in multiple businesses," Simonelli said in an interview at Baker Hughes offices on Monday, shortly after announcing the deal.

Born in Italy and educated in the United Kingdom, Simonelli has spent 22 years navigating the sprawling corporate world of the industrial conglomerate, moving from the GE's transportation and manufacturing businesses to its oil and gas segment.

Just in the United States, his career has taken him to roles in Ohio, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Chicago. He's based in London now, but he joked he spends 70 percent of his time on airplanes, and that he's looking forward to getting acquainted with Houston.

When he joined GE more than two decades ago, the company had recently acquired Nuovo Pignone, an Italian company that marked GE's entrance into the oil and gas industry.

"It's a core industry that GE is in," he said. "We've been investing significantly, and this (Baker Hughes deal) is a further testament to our investment."
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Attention military veterans: Polish up those entrepreneurial ideas. There's a chance a good business plan could score some capital investment.

The 2017 EO-Houston Veterans Business Battle, a chance for veteran entrepreneurs to win seed money for business ideas, has been announced. This will be the third year for the competition, which is sponsored by Entrepreneurs Organization Houston and the Rice University Veterans in Business Association.

"Several of the veterans who competed in our first event two years ago are now successful business owners with products on the market and employees on their payroll," competition Chairman Mark Martin said in a statement.

"We are eager to continue our mission of helping veterans become entrepreneurs and see what new ideas come forth this year," Martin added.

RELATED: Vets impress financiers to the tune of $865,000

All types of businesses are encouraged to enter the competition. To be eligible, honorably discharged U.S. veterans must have majority ownership of a business.

A business plan must be submitted online by Jan. 8. Finalists get to make their pitch in late February at Rice University.

In its previous two years combined, the competition has earned winning participants more than $1.7 million in investment.
Buying a house zoned to a good public school often means paying more than you would for a similar house that feeds into a less desirable school.

A new report shows by just how much.

Specifically, for every percentage point increase in high school graduation rates, housing value in that zone is predicted to increase by $7,945, data collected and analyzed by Rice University's Shell Center for Sustainability show. The research found that school performance "significantly impacts" housing values in Houston's neighborhoods and hence where Houstonians choose to live.

The study estimated that the graduation rate explained 17 percent of the variance in housing value. Other contributing factors include characteristics of the house, neighborhood and local socieconomics.

The report also questions the Houston Independent School District policy of relieving overcrowding in schools by redrawing zoned attendance boundaries.

Residents near a school they are not zoned to are not likely to feel heavily invested in that school, said Lester King, the report's lead author and urban sustainability fellow with the Shell Center.

"If these geographic boundaries do not correspond with our communities, it is difficult for us to consider ourselves stakeholders," King said.

School performance also influences people's decisions on where to live. More than 50 percent of the jobs in Houston are held by people who don't live within the city limits, King said.

"The performance of our public schools forces people outside the city," he said.

Graduation rates across Houston communities range from a high of 86 percent in the Museum Park near Hermann Park and a low of 56 percent in the lower-income Settegast in northeast Houston, the data show.

The sixth "Houston Sustainability Indicators Report: Sustainable Communities and Public Education" report is being used to support Mayor Sylvester Turner's "Complete Communities" initiative that focuses on improving areas that lack things like infrastructure, development and transit.
A video released by United Kingdom police in West Midlands County shows a teen shooting fireworks at a moving police van in the middle of the street - occasionally hitting buildings and other cars, as well.

The police responded to an anti-social behavior call at local park Balsall Heath Park at 8:22 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, according to police. When a police van full of officers arrived at the scene, several rounds of fireworks and eggs were aimed at the van.
HACKSAW RIDGE: Mel Gibson's first outing as a director since 2006's "Apocalypto" tells the true story of an American soldier (Andrew Garfield) who saved 75 men without firing or carrying a gun during one of World War II's bloodiest battles - emphasis on the bloody. (R)

DOCTOR STRANGE: The Marvel Comics Universe takes a step into fantasy with this first installment in the adventures of the Greenwich Village neurosurgeon (Benedict Cumberbatch) who defends our realm from otherworldly evil. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams and Tilda Swinton co-star for director Scott Derrickson ("Sinister," "Deliver Us from Evil"). (PG-13)
Before he decided to bring his casual ramen restaurant concept to Houston, Hisahi Uehara did his homework. He already knew Houston was a dedicated restaurant-going community; and his Houston friends extolled the virtues of the city not just for its multi-cultural makeup but its potential for business growth.

But Uehara had to see for himself. He scheduled trips to Houston intent on visiting existing ramen shops. And then he made his decision to dive into the Houston restaurant scene. With a splash: Uehara is opening three ramen shops this year and has plans for another four.

"I wanted to challenge myself and bring very authentic ramen to Houston," said the chef/owner of Agu Ramen, a quick-growing, five-store brand based in Hawaii.

Uehara is even moving to Houston for the next eight months to oversee his ramen-ization plans for Houston. His first store, 1809 Eldridge Pkwy., is scheduled to open before Thanksgiving. The second, at 9310 Westheimer, will follow immediately. And the third, at 7340 Washington, is slated to open Christmas week.

Uehara opened his first ramen restaurant in Oahu in 2013, and his expansion was swift. He said the key to his business is twofold: first making superior ramen broth; and making that broth at a central commissary location that services all his restaurants in Hawaii. In Houston he plans the same approach: the central kitchen making the broth for all stores will be at the Westheimer store.

"A restaurant fails when it is inconsistent. We get to open new locations because the product comes from one location. It's consistent," he said.

As for the bowls of his ramen soup, it's all about the broth, he said. "My ramen is very simple. My technique is very old school," he said. "There is no shortcut. I just use the best product and cook it a long time."

He's referring, of course, to the tonkotsu pork broth that is the stuff that ramen soup fans judge by. Uehara's pork broth made from pork bones, he said, is about a 22-hour proposition; his chicken broth (the other he offers), is made from organic, cage-free chicken cooked for about nine hours. His ramen noodles are made fresh daily from a special house recipe.

"When you see it you will know  the color and the flavor," he said. "It's a lot of work. It's a lot of time. There's a way to make ramen soup in two to three hours. That's not my ramen."

In addition to dozens of ramen soup bowl options, Agu Ramen offers a menu of small plates (gyoza dumplings; arancini-like "Agucini" rice balls; Kurobuta pork sausage; fried pig ears; Japanese-style fried chicken; pork belly; fried octopus balls; breaded fried pork) and larger plates (char siu donburi; ground chicken and ginger sauce donburi; and Japanese pork curry with rice). The Washington and Westheimer locations will offer a full bar while Eldridge will serve beer and wine only. The Houston menus also will add items such as poke and salads not found on the Hawaiian menus.

Uehara, who was born and grew up in Okinawa, Japan, moved to Hawaii in his teens. He named his ramen business "agu" which means "fellowship" or "best friends in Miyako, his native Okinawan dialect.

He calls ramen "Japan's soul food. And sometimes good soul food cannot be rushed. He likened his ramen to Texas barbecue  another food that is many hours in the making.

"I love Houston barbecue," he said. "I think Houston people will know the real ramen and appreciate it."
The annual International Quilt Festival is not a weekend looking at your great-grandmother's bedding.

No, it's a collection of 1,700 of the most beautiful quilts that are works of art. Many are machine made, but some are still hand quilted the old fashioned way. All of them are works of art made by quilters using much more than fabric, needle and thread. There are trims and hand painting and all sorts of artistic treatments in many of the pieces.
San Antonio's "Maid of Mischief" is now a matron following the DC-themed marriage of Harley Quinn and Joker in the King William area on Halloween night.

Nicole and John Fowler dressed as the two villains for their wedding at King William Park, surrounded by a their loved ones, also dressed as comic book characters.
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MD Anderson Cancer Center will partner with San Antonio's Cancer Therapy & Research Center, part of an ongoing effort to extend its brand around the nation.

The two University of Texas system cancer centers Tuesday announced the collaboration, which will create a more advanced program in the state's second most populous city. The Cancer Therapy & Research Center, part of the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, has been struggling with market share in recent years as many potential patients travel to MD Anderson for care.

"Beyond all of the obvious advantages is that we will be able to offer our region the very best care close to home," said Dr. William Henrich, president of the UT Health Science Center. "I know firsthand what it is like to leave my home for treatment, away from family and friends at a crucial time. This is why we want this affiliation for South Texas."

The new program, to be named the UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, will launch in mid-2017.

The partnership is MD Anderson's sixth around the nation. It has similar affiliations with Banner Health in Gilbert, Arizona; Baptist Health in Jacksonville, Florida; Cooper University Health Care in Camden, New Jersey; Scripps Health in San Diego; and Summit Medical Group in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.

MD Anderson also has partnerships with medical centers in Spain, Turkey and Brazil. Those are considered looser than the U.S. affiliations.

MD Anderson and San Antonio health science center officials have been exploring a relationship for months. In July, the San Antonio Express-News reported on a partnership's appeal given the Cancer Therapy & Research Center's issues with flat patient volumes, despite an increase in the area's cancer diagnoses.

Under the partnership, the center will provide increased access to MD Anderson's model of care and extensive clinical trials. It should allow the center to expand cancer services in the region and to recruit faculty approved by MD Anderson.
For the eighth year, residents from the Humble, Kingwood, Atascocita and surrounding communities will Walk by Faith to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

Held at the Sam Houston Race Park at 7575 N Sam Houston Parkway, the Addi's Faith Foundation will host its eighth Walk by Faith 5K on Saturday, Nov. 13, from 7 to 10 a.m. where funds will go directly toward the nonprofit's mission of funding childhood cancer research and helping families who have a child with cancer.

"We love that community continues to rally around AFF and our mission to end childhood cancer," said Amber Bender, mother to the namesake of AFF, Addison Faith Bender. "The support is overwhelming and very much appreciated. We love that the walk by faith has become an annual tradition for many families."

AFF was first founded in Addison's memory by her parents, Tony and Amber Bender, to honor their daughter who died of a cancerous brain tumor at 2 years old.

"When we lost Addison, we quickly discovered two things that immediately led us to create this charity," Bender said. "First, only 4 percent of funding is directed to childhood cancer, and second that having a child with cancer is emotionally and financially draining for the family involved. It literally turns your world upside down. Through Addi's Faith, we've been able to help so many people over the last nine years and because of the generosity of our sponsors, friends and participants in our annual Walk by Faith 5K, we continue to make a difference in so many people's lives. Tony, myself and our group of volunteers are convinced a cure can be found and we won't stop until the cancer is erased forever."

This year they will honor young cancer survivor Hailey Renee, who was diagnosed with leukemia at 2 years old.

"Hailey has spent the past two-and-a-half years fighting this disease and has just recently finished her treatments," Bender said. "Her family and friends have created a team, Hope for Hailey, and have participated in the race for the past several years. This year will be the first time that Hailey is well enough to attend herself and we are thrilled to have her. Another cool connection is that our honoree last year, Ethan, raised money to purchase and donate a bell to Texas Children's Hospital. Kids get to ring the bell signifying the end of their treatments. A couple months ago, Hailey just got to ring this bell that Ethan donated."

Besides the kids' run and 5K run around the track at Sam Houston Race Park, guests will also have the chance to enjoy an obstacle course to the 1K for children ages 5-15 to have a blast crawling through nets, walking beams and sliding down inflatables. They will also enjoy the kids' zone; food donated by Bahama Bucks, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Pei Wei, Panera Bread, Kind Bars and fruit from Kroger; festive music; and auction items.

The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children (17 and under). Each participant who registers online will automatically have their own fundraising page and anyone who uses their personal page to raise $300 or more will have their registration fee refunded. The race day schedule begins with a 7 a.m. Worship Service, followed by the 1K Kids Obstacle Course at 7:45 a.m. The 5K Race/Walk will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the Awards Ceremony beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Major sponsors of this year's Walk by Faith 5K include Shamrock Marine, Hines Furlong, The Shop/G&S, Jeffboat, Buffalo Marine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Insperity, Falcon, Vital Allergy & Asthma, Alspaugh's ACE Hardware, Coating Systems & Supply, Southwest Shipyard and Christ The King Lutheran Church.

Online registration ends at midnight Nov. 9. Walk up registration will be available on race day for those who miss the deadline and the auction is online and available for anyone to bid on items; check it out here at www.qtego.net/qlink/wbf.

More than 2,000 participants are expected to participate in this year's race, which will be held Sunday, Nov. 13, at Sam Houston Raceway Park. Registration is underway now at www.walkbyfaith5k.org. People unable to attend are encouraged to visit the website and make a donation.
A man was shot late Saturday shortly after he dropped off his family at their home in Pasadena, authorities said.

On Tuesday, Pasadena police said they were continuing to search for the assailant who shot the man shortly before midnight at an apartment complex along the 900 block of Austin.
Houston Police Department officers were already at the scene when a fatal gunshot rang out Saturday night in the 3500 block of West Orem.

A man was reportedly shot at 8:25 p.m. inside a business at 3504 West Orem in southwest Houston. The identity of the victim is pending notification to family members by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
A New York-based private equity firm has acquired Stewart Tubular Products, a Houston manufacturer of tubing and accessories for oil and gas wells.

An unnamed affiliate of Aterian Investment Partners acquired the company, the equity firm announced Wednesday. A price was not disclosed.
A record turnout at the Eighth Annual Treat Street came as a surprise to organizers who had been anticipating 3,500 children. By the end of the night, an estimated 4,500-5,000 children had made their way through the 70 or so booths that lined Crockett St. in Cleveland. The total attendance, including parents, dancers and booth sponsors, put the final attendance tally at 6,500, organizers said.

With such a high level of participation from local residents, the event was extended by a half-hour to give late-comers an opportunity to gather treats and candies at the booths that still had something to offer the children. Fortunately, many of the vendors came prepared and the children all left with a bag or bucket full of candy.
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Fulshear police who answered a call about two young men in dark clothes jumping fences ended up helping a lucky dog named Hunter

While searching a backyard on Monday, the officers noticed a yellow Labrador retriever with a bleeding shoulder, according to the Fulshear Police Department's Facebook page.

Since they were worried about the dog and couldn't find its owner, they took it to Fulshear Animal Hospital, after Dr. Marne Baird volunteered to treat the dog on an emergency basis.

READ MORE: Man to be charged in Houston dog park shooting

"The Fulshear Police Department would like to thank Dr. Baird with Fulshear Animal Hospital for helping Hunter out during a very traumatic situation," the department said on Facebook.

Baird said the dog was lucky to be alive, with a bullet that came to rest near his spine. He's expected to heal without complications.

The officers eventually tracked down Hunter's owner, who met them at the vet clinic.
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This week alt-weekly the Dallas Observer picked a fight with restaurant chain Chilis about its current claim that in 1984 they made history by introducing fajitas to the world.

Now here in Texas we hold the spiritual copyrights to a number of things, like the frozen margarita, breast implants, Liquid Paper, Fritos, the ATM, handheld calculators, Dr Pepper and chili.

RELATED: A few things invented in Houston (and a few we're pretty sure should have been)

Chilis, founded in 1975 in Dallas inside an old postal station, is definitely a Texas thing, but many forget that as it has been woven so tightly into the greater chain restaurant landscape. Theyre still headquartered in Dallas as part of the Brinker International restaurant giant. The empire includes Maggianos Little Italy.

A Chilis menu reads that In 1984, we made culinary history by introducing millions to a sizzling delicacy from the heart of south Texas, adding that they have led the way in fajita science.

But how can someone really claim they invented the act of grilling strips of meat?

The Dallas Observer notes that fajitas as we know them debuted in the Rio Grande Valley in the '30s, concocted by Mexican ranch hands.

RELATED: The best places to get your taco fix in Houston

A lengthy piece in the Austin Chronicle in 2005 tells the tale in similar words, explaining the origin.

During cattle roundups, beef were butchered regularly to feed the hands. Throwaway items such as the hide, the head, the entrails, and meat trimmings such as skirt were given to the Mexican vaqueros (cowboys) as part of their pay, Virginia B. Wood wrote, noting that barbacoa and menudo both came from this practice.

A guy named Sonny Falcon came along in the 60s and began selling them in Kyle, Texas at a taco stand, doing it so well that he became known as the Fajita King, which is a title everyone should envy.

By the early 70s Houstons own Mama Ninfa Rodriguez Laurenzo was selling fajitas in the Bayou City off Navigation.

In the '80s a German-born chef named George Weidmann at the Austin Hyatt Regency kitchen introduced the dish and it became a menu staple. Sales of that signature dish made it the most profitable restaurant in the Hyatt chain.

RELATED: Where to get your Mexican food fix in Houston

So whats at issue here for the Dallas Observer is that Chilis is claiming theyve invented fajitas. To us it seems that they have more than likely just introduced the dish to people in middle America and beyond (nearly 1,600 locations) that otherwise wouldnt have had the pleasure of tasting delicious, grilled skirt steak.

Chilis locations see something called the fajita effect wherein once one diner receives their plate of loudly steaming fajitas, a few more orders are surely soon to follow.

According to its stats, the company sells some 60 million pounds of fajitas a year, so they are doing something right. It just so happens that here in Texas we dont have to depend on Chilis as our sole fajita pusher.

If someone is going to say they boosted fajitas into the public consciousness at least its a Texas company that is doing it.

On the company's official site they say that fajitas in the early '80s could only be found in a few Mexican restaurants in Texas and that when they rolled out the product in its 23 nationwide locations they essentially wrote everyone a ticket to flavor town.

Now if Taco Bell decides to take responsibility for tacos, it will be war.
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FBI agents joined local police raiding a Katy-area home Wednesday morning as part of an investigation into alleged schemes to steal money from bank accounts and file false tax returns to collect the refunds, authorities announced Wednesday.

Six people were arrested and charged based on a 32-count indictment that alleges wire fraud, theft of public money and aggravated identity theft, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas.

Several of the people arrested were apprehended in an early-morning raid in the Katy area.

A neighbor, Bud Willoughby, said he heard two small explosions -- possibly "flash-bangs" used by law enforcement -- about 6 a.m. and heard police shouting for the house's occupants to come out. He said he counted eight adults leaving the house, six men and two women.

Willoughby said renters had lived there for about a year and only exchanged greetings in passing. He said he never saw any children there.

The U.S. attorney's office identified the six people arrested: James Michael Curtis Johnson, 31; Donald Ray Perry, 26; Enitra Shante Pickett, 28; and D'angela Devonne Domio, 26, all of Houston; Joshua Jacquez Britton, 28, of Richmond; and Joseph Edward Johnson, 44, of Katy.

All six face "theft of public money" charges for allegedly conspiring to file false tax returns using other people's personal information and stealing the tax refunds the government issued.

James Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Pickett and Britton are also charged with wire fraud for allegedly stealing money from bank accounts. The U.S. attorney's office alleges they posed as accountholders, created fake bank accounts online and then moved money from victims' bank accounts or home-equity lines of credit.

A federal grand jury on Oct. 26 approved the indictment, which was unsealed today after the arrests.

According to the U.S. attorney's office, "The charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud each carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, while a conviction for theft of public money is punishable by a maximum of 10 years imprisonment. Each defendant also faces a maximum of five years in federal prison upon conviction of the conspiracy. Each conviction also carries a possible $250,000 fine.

"The FBI Houston Cyber Task Force and IRS-CI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Chu is prosecuting the case."

Jon Shapley contributed to this report.
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A federal judge in Houston on Tuesday ended a chapter of Sandra Bland's family's struggle to shed light on her arrest on a rural roadway in July 2015 and subsequent suicide three days later in a Waller County jail cell.

In a terse one-page ruling, U.S. District Judge David Hittner accepted the mediated $1.9 million settlement Bland's mother Geneva Reed-Veal made with Waller County officials and the state trooper who arrested her.

The trooper, Brian Encinia, was fired from the department and faces a criminal charge of perjury for how he handled the case.

Bland's arrest and death became a focal point of the Black Lives Matter movement, focusing on police officers' treatment of African-Americans.

In mid-September, Bland's mother announced the parties had reached the $1.9 million settlement of the suit. County officials agreed to make steps toward improving how inmates are booked and supervised at the jail and other rural facilities that lack medical services on site.

Bland, who was from Chicago, had just relocated to Waller County and gotten a job at her alma mater, Prairie View A&M University, when she was stopped by Encinia for failing to signal a lane change.

Encinia, on a dash-cam video that went viral after Bland's death, ordered Bland to get out of the car and after a scuffle off camera, arrested her.

Bland told officials at the jail she had previously attempted suicide but was not suicidal. The medical examiner ruled she died by hanging in her jail cell three days later. Her family said communications broke down over the weekend and they were unable to get her bonded out.

When she announced a settlement was in the works in the wrongful death suit, Bland's mother, Reed-Veal, said she thought the resolution would have "a rippling effect across the country."

"I'm hopeful there won't be any more unlawful arrests. I'm hopeful with this spotlight and this settlement that others don't have to receive a call from 1,000 miles away that their child is on the way to the morgue," she said.
AUSTIN -- The Texas Education Agency said Wednesday that it will stop penalizing school districts for giving special education services to more than 8.5 percent of their students.

In a letter to the U.S. Department of Education, state officials vigorously defended a policy that arbitrarily set 8.5 percent as the ideal number, saying the policy was not a "cap," was not meant to save money and did not seriously punish school districts that failed to comply.

Still, the officials said they would suspend the 2004 policy and, eventually, end it altogether.

HoustonChronicle.com Denied is a Houston Chronicle investigation into Texas' special education enrollment target. Part 1 examines how tens of thousands of disabled kids have been prevented from receiving services. The report prompted federal action. Part 2 examines how Texas school districts pushed students out of special education to meet the state limit and the impact it had on families with autistic children See More Collapse

LEADERS REACT: Straus asks TEA to suspend use of special education enrollment target

"TEA has been engaged in consistent conversations over the last four years to adjust and eventually eliminate this indicator," wrote Penny Schwinn, the agency's Deputy Commissioner of Academics. "We would like to highlight again that TEA will send a letter to all school districts in the state reminding them of the requirements of (federal law). In addition, TEA will ... not use (the policy) for the purposes of interventions staging moving forward."

"If some district staff erroneously viewed the indicator's lowest performance range as a target rather than a data point and felt discouraged to initiate special education referrals, we believe the actions that we outline in this letter will address that," Schwinn added.

The letter came in response to a U.S. Department of Education directive to end the policy or prove that no children with disabilities have been deprived of special education services.

CONCERN BUILDS: Patrick expresses concern over Texas' special ed efforts

The federal government's involvement followed a Houston Chronicle investigation that exposed the unannounced policy and found that it had led schools to keep out of special education classes tens of thousands of kids with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, epilepsy, mental illnesses, speech impediments, traumatic brain injuries, even blindness and deafness.

In the 12 years since the implementation of the policy, the percentage of Texas students receiving services such as tutoring, counseling and therapies has fallen from near the national average of 13 percent down to exactly 8.5 percent. That is the lowest rate of any state in the country, by far.

The Chronicle investigation quoted dozens of current and former school officials who said they viewed the 8.5 percent as a strict cap. Many of those staffers admitted that they delayed or denied special education services to children who desperately needed services.

IT'S PERSONAL: School official fights to restore special ed for autistic son

The Texas Education Agency's letter said it did not have "any specific evidence indicating there has been a systematic denial of special education services to eligible students with disabilities."

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Education said the department was reviewing the TEA letter.

"The Texas Education Association today responded to an Oct. 3 letter from Acting Assistant Secretary Sue Swenson about the significant decline in the state's identification rate for children with disabilities over the last ten years," the spokeswoman said. "In its response, Texas addressed multiple questions and issues and included a number of attachments. The Education Department will carefully review the state's response and, after the review is concluded, determine appropriate next steps."
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Poisoned Halloween candy may sound like an urban legend, but in 1974 Houston parents had good reason to double check their kid's Halloween treats.

On Oct. 31 in 1974, 8-year-old Timothy O'Bryan of Deer Park died after eating a Pixy Stix laced with cyanide. Timothy's father Ronald Clark O'Bryan had volunteered to take him and his friends trick-or-treating in nearby Pasadena. Later that night, Timothy died after eating the poisoned candy.

READ MORE: Accused serial killer William Reece indicted in deaths of Cain, Smither

Four of Timothy's other friends were given poisoned candy but none of them ingested it.

The elder O'Bryan was accused of giving his son the poison candy as part of a scheme to collect a $20,000 insurance policy. O'Bryan's wife Daynene testified for the prosecution and he was sentenced to death. On March 31, 1984, O'Bryan was killed by lethal injection.

"He's the man that ruined Halloween for the whole world," Mike Hinton, the prosecutor who secured a guilty verdict and sent O'Bryan to death row, told the Chronicle in 2003.

READ MORE: Condemned Texas inmate gets hearing before high court

During the trial, it was discovered that O'Bryan pushed his son into eating the candy before he went to bed Halloween night. Timothy complained about the taste, vomiting after he ate it. The boy had died by the time he arrived at a nearby hospital.

Two days after his son was buried, an insurance agent discovered O'Bryan had put a $20,000 insurance policy on Timothy 30 days before Halloween. Investigators found out O'Bryan had a clause in the policy that would get him $40,000 if Timothy died.

Investigators also found O'Bryan's car was about to be repossessed and he was defaulting on several bank loans. His bosses at TSO eyeglass store in Sharpstown wanted to fire him for theft. The $40,000 payout would have alleviated O'Bryan's money problems.

READ MORE: Disney star cast as Jeffrey Dahmer has 'uncanny' resemblance to serial killer

Clues that O'Bryan poisoned his son came together when a chemical salesman, also a TSO customer, testified that O'Bryan asked him about poisons and where to buy them. Police found a pocket knife with candy residue at O'Bryan's home. The evidence was enough for the jury to find him guilty in less than an hour.

Bill Lanier, a former Pasadena police officer who investigated O'Bryan, told the Chronicle in 2003 that O'Bryan never confessed to his son's murder. Even in his last statement before his execution, O'Bryan said he was innocent.

"He was a wolf in sheep's clothing," Lanier said in 2003. "He was hiding behind religion and giving this image that he was a pillar of the community. It was all a sham, all a lie."
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AUSTIN  Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller first blamed a hacker and then a staffer before deleting a tweet that used a vulgar term for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton Tuesday, igniting a social media firestorm of condemnation from all political corners, including a rebuke from Gov. Greg Abbott.

Miller said a staff member on his campaign team copied and pasted a tweet from another twitter account, but missed the reference to Clinton as a "c--t."

"We screwed that. We made a mistake," Miller said by phone late Tuesday.

He said his staffer did not read the message closely before posting the tweet. He said his team took it down when they realized what it said. By that time, however, the tweet already had been noted and screen-shot by political reporters who retweeted it across the country.

"It's disrespectful and not something I would want my name attached to. We apologize for that," Miller said.

READ MORE: Miller posts fake shot of Obama with Che tee

Miller, a Republican and avid Trump supporter, added the tweet "was not done maliciously" and the staffer "has been dealt with," but declined to go into further detail.

The tweet referenced a Pennsylvania poll from the New Auto Alliance, and read: "Trump 44, C--t 43. Go Trump Go!"

An account with an anonymous identity tweeted a similar message to Miller's four minutes before his went out.

Texas Democrats pounced, using it in a fundraising pitch less than an hour after the tweet was posted.

"It's not about one tweet," said Crystal K. Perkins, executive director of the Texas Democratic Party. "It's about a consistent pattern where the Republican Party fails to show even the most basic sense of human decency."

Abbott blasted Miller for the tweet, calling it "reprehensible" and "an embarrassment" to the Lone Star state.

"No true Texas gentleman would ever talk this way," Abbott said in a statement.

As the genesis of the tweet unfolded on Twitter, it sparked criticism on social media of Miller who has found himself immersed in controversy since he first took the office in 2015.

Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, said he hoped the tweet was the work of a hacker: "This better be the case. If not, it is outrageous and has no place in our public discourse."

Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas tweeted, "Deserve each other: Sid Miller calls woman c-word/ Trump say grab em by the p-word."

Tuesday's tweet taps into the sometimes coarse nature of the political discourse in this year's presidential election that has included Trump calling Clinton a "nasty woman" and revelations he bragged about grabbing a woman by the genitals.

"When you have Republican office holders using that kind of language, it's very misogynistic," said Rep. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place. "It's definitely damaging to the Republican Party in general, speaking about women that way or a particular woman, Hillary Clinton, that way. It does nothing to promote conservative principles at all and it alienates Republican women, as well as independent women. It's not a good way to grow the party and to grow our base."

Rep. Poncho Nevarez, D-Eagle Pass, scoffed at the initial defense by a Miller spokesman who said the commissioner's Twitter account had been hacked.

"I call bull," Nevarez tweeted. "Look at his tweets before it was same vein w out obscenity. He cutting pasting Pr Trump stuff w out care."

Since his election as agriculture commissioner in 2014, Miller has drawn criticism for a host of actions, including a Facebook post comparing Syrian refugees to rattlesnakes, his travel to receive a so-called "Jesus shot" to alleviate pain while on a state-funded trip, and used state and campaign funds to compete in an out-of-state rodeo. He agreed to refund the money from his trips and was not charged with any wrongdoing.

Tuesday was not the first time Miller has had to pull down a message on social media. Last summer his team shared a Facebook post depicting an atomic bomb blast, saying, "Japan has been at peace with the U.S. since August 9, 1945. It's time we made peace with the Muslim world." That post was taken down the next day after sparking outrage on Miller's Facebook page. At the time, Miller's office said future posts that do not reflect the commissioner's views would not be posted.

READ MORE: Miller shares Facebook post about nuking the Muslim world

Miller tweeted as recently as last Friday that he tweets for himself. The comment came as he took a jab at Clinton's emails, after it was revealed that several members of her staff would check certain tweets. "#CrookedHillary needs a dozen people to check her tweets. My thoughts are my own," he said on Twitter.

The agriculture commissioner's campaign consultant, Todd Smith, originally blamed the tweet on a hacker and said the campaign asked Twitter to investigate.

"It's just unconscionable and we would never, ever, ever, ever, ever post anything as disgusting and filthy as that and obliviously this is someone attempting to make Commissioner Miller and Donald Trump look bad," Smith said.
Drive-by shootings have long been a threat in neighborhoods since cars offer cover and a quick get-away for the suspects, but one man chose to go a different route in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Police Department are searching for a man seen on surveillance video riding a bike while shooting a gun.
United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit. Diane Bolderson Plaintiff - Appellant v. City of Wentzville, Missouri Defendant - Appellee No. 15-3846 Decided: November 01, 2016

Before WOLLMAN, ARNOLD, and KELLY, Circuit Judges.

This case involves an employment dispute between the City of Wentzville, Missouri, and its former building commissioner, Diane Bolderson. Bolderson's employment proceeded without incident for about twelve years, but significant difficulties arose when she criticized changes to the city's building code, requested an advisory opinion on the bidding process for purchasing computer equipment, and asked for an audit of the city's procurement department. Difficulties came to a boil when Bolderson criticized the city's handling of an aquatic-center project. She sent a memo voicing her concerns to the city administrator, the mayor, her immediate supervisor, and others. About two weeks later, Bolderson forwarded a formal report to the mayor, city attorney, and others, accusing the city's board of aldermen, the city administrator, and the city's procurement director of fraud and acting with conflicts of interest. The city administrator fired her four days after she submitted the report. He gave Bolderson a list of reasons for her termination, which included her disparagement of city officials, criticism of the board's decisions, insubordination by communicating directly with the mayor, baseless accusations of fraud, misuse of work time, and disruption of city operations.

Bolderson sued the city under 42 U.S.C.  1983, alleging, as relevant here, that it fired her in retaliation for engaging in protected speech. The district court granted summary judgment to the city, holding that, though Bolderson spoke on a matter of public concern, she did so in her official capacity as building commissioner and not as a private citizen. See Garcetti v. Ceballos, 547 U.S. 410, 424 (2006). The district court also concluded that, even if Bolderson had spoken as a private citizen, her claims would have failed the Pickering balancing test. See Pickering v. Bd. of Educ. of Twp. High Sch. Dist. 205, Will Cnty., Ill., 391 U.S. 563 (1968). The district court noted alternatively that the city would be able to demonstrate that it would have terminated Bolderson anyway, even if she had not engaged in the allegedly protected speech. See Mt. Healthy City Sch. Dist. Bd. of Educ. v. Doyle, 429 U.S. 274, 287 (1977). Bolderson appeals the district court's decision to grant summary judgment to the city.

We can affirm the grant of summary judgment for any reason supported by the record, including a reason different from the one that the district court gave, Bishop v. Glazier, 723 F.3d 957, 961 (8th Cir. 2013), and we conclude that the present record simply cannot support a conclusion that the city is liable. A municipality cannot be held liable under  1983 solely because it employs a tortfeasor, Monell v. Dep't of Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 691 (1978): Liability for a constitutional violation will attach to a municipality only if the violation resulted from an official municipal policy, an unofficial custom, or a deliberately indifferent failure to train or supervise an official or employee. Atkinson v. City of Mountain View, Mo., 709 F.3d 1201, 1214 (8th Cir. 2013). Bolderson maintains that the city is liable because her harm stemmed from an official municipal policy or an unofficial municipal custom.

An action can constitute official municipal policy only if the decisionmaker in question possesses final authority to establish municipal policy with respect to the action ordered. Hess v. Ables, 714 F.3d 1048, 1054 (8th Cir. 2013). We look to applicable state and local law to determine where final policymaking authority rests. Davison v. City of Minneapolis, Minn., 490 F.3d 648, 662 n.9 (8th Cir. 2007). A single decision by a municipal authority can in some circumstances constitute official policy, see Pembaur v. City of Cincinnati, 475 U.S. 469, 48081 (1986), and Bolderson argues that the city administrator's decision to fire her necessarily constituted official city policy because the city administrator is the highest-ranking official over employment matters under applicable state and local law.

We disagree. The applicable Wentzville ordinance shows unquestionably that the city administrator is not the final municipal authority for present purposes: The ordinance provides that [t]he City Administrator shall be the chief administrative assistant to the Mayor, and shall have general superintending control of the administration and management of the government business, officers and employees of the City, subject to the direction and supervision of the Mayor. Wentzville, Mo., Code  120.180. That the city administrator is deemed an administrative assistant to the Mayor who acts subject to the direction and supervision of the Mayor shows that it is the mayornot the city administratorwho has ultimate authority to hire and fire employees.

We note further that we have adopted the distinction between final policymakers and final decisionmakers that a Supreme Court plurality drew in Pembaur: The fact that a particular officialeven a policymaking officialhas discretion in the exercise of particular functions does not, without more, give rise to municipal liability based on an exercise of that discretion. Davison, 490 F.3d at 660. So possessing discretion to hire and fire does not necessarily include responsibility for establishing related policy. Id. Therefore, the city administrator's power to hire and fire employees, assuming that power existed here, could not transform him into a policymaker.

Bolderson also contends that the mayor's delegation of authority to the city administrator to address Bolderson's criticisms and the mayor's alleged tacit approval of the city administrator's decision to terminate her establishes municipal liability. We disagree again, because, as a plurality of the Supreme Court stated in City of St. Louis v. Praprotnik, 485 U.S. 112, 130 (1988), Simply going along with discretionary decisions made by one's subordinates  is not a delegation to them of the authority to make policy. See also Williams v. Butler, 863 F.2d 1398, 1402 (8th Cir. 1988) (en banc). Bolderson therefore has not shown that the mayor's delegation of authority or tacit approval of the city administrator's decision was the moving force behind her termination. See Bd. of Cnty. Comm'rs of Bryan Cnty., Okla. v. Brown, 520 U.S. 397, 404 (1997). In fact, Bolderson says that the city administrator was the sole decisionmaker with regard to her termination. Without a showing that the mayor played a more active role in Bolderson's termination, she cannot demonstrate that the city is liable; otherwise the city could be liable solely as an employer of an alleged tortfeasor.

Bolderson further maintains that the mayor and city administrator each violated the city's anti-fraud policy in the way that they handled her report. We cannot see how officials' deviation from established policy itself constitutes official municipal policy. If it did, the concept of official municipal policy would be turned on its head.

We also reject Bolderson's contention that an unofficial municipal custom led to a violation of her constitutional rights. To trigger municipal liability based on unofficial municipal custom, the custom must be so pervasive among non-policymaking employees of the municipality that it effectively has the force of law. Ware v. Jackson Cnty., Mo., 150 F.3d 873, 880 (8th Cir. 1998). The custom must be demonstrated by a continuing, widespread, and persistent pattern of unconstitutional misconduct. Id. An unconstitutional custom or usage cannot arise from a single act. McGautha v. Jackson Cnty., Mo., Collections Dep't, 36 F.3d 53, 57 (8th Cir. 1994).

Bolderson maintains, finally, that her harm stemmed from an unofficial municipal custom of discouraging reports of misconduct or corruption by city officials. It is difficult to see exactly how Bolderson can rely on such a custom to support her claim, unless she is insinuating that the custom is proof that she was retaliated against for exercising her First Amendment rights. The inference she asks us to draw is weak at best. The fact that an employer does not like complaints is not much evidence that it fires people for making them. Bolderson's evidence that there was such a policy, moreover, is similarly weak. She says that the city did not intend to investigate her complaint, but this single act could not show a continuing, widespread, and persistent pattern of unconstitutional misconduct. Bolderson tangentially refers to other evidence of the custom that she claims victimized her, but the materials cited reveal only unsubstantiated suspicions. Bolderson is obligated to meet proof with proof at the summary-judgment stage, Conseco Life Ins. Co. v. Williams, 620 F.3d 902, 909 (8th Cir. 2010), and the material offered falls short of demonstrating a reasonable dispute about the presence of a continuing, widespread, and persistent pattern of unconstitutional misconduct that led to her termination. No reasonable jury could conclude otherwise. See Rohr v. Reliance Bank, 826 F.3d 1046, 1052 (8th Cir. 2016).

Affirmed.

FOOTNOTES

. The Honorable Carol E. Jackson, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri.

ARNOLD, Circuit Judge.
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Rice University researchers are at work on a medical application that shows promise for healing injured spinal cords.

James Tour, chemistry professor, heads a research group that has developed a process to make long, ultra-thin strips of pure carbon known as "graphene nanoribbons."

Tour's laboratory has spent a decade working with the nanoribbons, putting them to use in such tasks as de-icing aircraft wings and storing natural gas, according to a Rice news release.

READ MORE: Top Rice scientist doing big things in nanotechnology

Now, the group has come up with a material they're calling Texas-PEG (polyethylene glycol), a polymer gel used in surgery.

In a statement, Tour said Texas-PEG's potential to help patients with spinal cord injuries is too promising to be minimized.

"Our goal is to develop this as a way to address spinal cord injury. We think we're on the right path," he said.

READ MORE: 'Nanotechnology' could revolutionize construction, medicine, electronics

One of Tour's graduate students, William Sikkema, customized graphene nanoribbons for medical use and is the co-lead author on a research paper published Sept. 13 in the journal Surgical Neuroloy International.

As described in the paper, the researchers cut the cervical spinal cord on lab rats and then later applied PEG on the severed part. The results showed electrophysiological recovery of the reconstructed cervical spinal cord at 24 hours after surgery within the experimental group but no recovery in the control group.

In a separate study performed at Konkuk University in South Korea, Texas-PEG succeeded in restoring function in a rodent with a severed spinal cord. Tour said the material reliably allowed motor and sensory signals to cross the gap 24 hours after complete transection of the spinal cord and almost perfect motor control recovery after two weeks.

READ MORE: Robotic exoskeleton allows patients with spinal cord injuries to walk again

Graphene nanoribbons that are customized for medical use are highly soluble in polyethylene glycol and, after manipulation in the lab, form an electrically active network that helps the severed ends of a spinal cord reconnect, the release stated.

"Neurons grow nicely on graphene because it's a conductive surface and it stimulates neuronal growth," Tour said.
United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, ET AL., APPELLEES v. PHILIP MORRIS USA INC., FORMERLY KNOWN AS PHILIP MORRIS INCORPORATED, APPELLEE R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY, APPELLANT BROWN & WILLIAMSON TOBACCO CORPORATION, DIRECTLY AND AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY, ET AL., APPELLEES No. 15-5210 Decided: November 01, 2016

Before: TATEL, Circuit Judge, and EDWARDS and SENTELLE, Senior Circuit Judges. Jeffrey A. Mandell argued the cause for appellant. With him on the briefs were Noel Francisco and Peter J. Biersteker. David M. Bernick entered an appearance. Lewis S. Yelin, Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, argued the cause for appellee United States of America. With him on the brief were Benjamin C. Mizer, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, and Mark B. Stern and Alisa B. Klein, Attorneys. Melissa N. Patterson, Attorney, entered an appearance. Howard M. Crystal and Katherine A. Meyer were on the brief for plaintiff-intervenors-appellees Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund, et al.

TATEL, Circuit Judge: This is the latest appeal in the government's long-running RICO case against the nation's major cigarette manufacturers. Ten years ago, the district court issued a comprehensive remedial order, which included a requirement that defendants and their successors televise corrective statements about the dangers of smoking. Eight years later, one defendant, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR), sought to dissolve that order as void under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b)(4) and unjust under Rule 60(b)(6). The district court denied RJR's motion, and we affirm. As the Supreme Court made clear in United States Student Aid Funds, Inc. v. Espinosa, relief under Rule 60(b)(4) is available only in the rare instance where a judgment is premised either on a certain type of jurisdictional error or on a violation of due process. 559 U.S. 260, 271 (2010). None of those defects exists here. And although RJR could have challenged its remedial obligations under Rule 60(b)(6), its failure to do so in a timely manner dooms its motion now.

I.

In 1999, the United States sued RJR, Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, and several other cigarette manufacturers under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U.S.C.  196168, alleging a conspiracy to deceive the American public about the dangers of cigarettes. The history of this case is described in our many prior decisions. See, e.g., United States v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., 566 F.3d 1095, 110510 (D.C. Cir. 2009) (Remedial Opinion) (affirming most aspects of the district court's liability finding and remedial order); United States v. Philip Morris USA Inc., 801 F.3d 250, 25256 (D.C. Cir. 2015) (Corrective Statements Opinion) (largely upholding the content of the corrective statements). For purposes of this appeal, the relevant facts are as follows.

Prior to trial, Brown & Williamson merged its domestic tobacco operations with RJR and reconstituted itself into a passive holding company called Brown & Williamson Holdings (BWH). The district court then conducted a nine-month bench trial followed by a two-week remedial hearing. In 2006, the court found defendants liable and ordered a complex set of remedies, including a prohibition on the use of misleading terms such as ultra light and low tar, a ban on deceptive statements about the addictiveness of cigarettes, and the remedy at issue here: a requirement that each defendant televise corrective advertisements about the health consequences of smoking. United States v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., 449 F. Supp. 2d 1, 93845 (D.D.C. 2006). The remedial order required the ads to be run in primetime on one of three major television networks at least once a week for a year. Id. at 941. Central to this case, the order expressly stated that the injunction applied to each of the Defendants, except [three], and to each of their  successors. Id. at 937.

The tobacco manufacturers appealed, challenging many aspects of the order, including the corrective statements remedy and its application to BWH. Relying on an earlier opinion in which we held that RICO's remedial provision, 18 U.S.C.  1964(a), authorizes only forward-looking remedies aimed at preventing future violations of the Act, the manufacturers argued that the district court lacked authority to require corrective statements. They also argued that the district court had no basis for subjecting BWH to the remedial order given its status as a passive holding company. In 2009, we upheld the corrective statements remedy and remanded for fact finding on the extent of BWH's control over tobacco operations and its current capabilities to commit future RICO violations. Remedial Opinion, 566 F.3d at 1135, 1140. On remand, the parties agreed that BWH was not a defendant and thus not subject to the injunction, including the obligation to televise corrective ads. See United States v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., No. 99-2496, ECF No. 5846 (D.D.C. Dec. 22, 2010) (approving the parties' agreement concerning BWH).

Two years later, the district court issued an order setting forth the final text of the corrective statements, which the manufacturers appealed. See United States v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., 907 F. Supp. 2d 1, 27 (D.D.C. 2012). While that appeal was pending, the parties began to negotiate how the statements would be disseminated. Although they agreed on most issues, they disagreed about whether RJR had to televise two sets of ads, one as an original defendant and another in its capacity as Brown & Williamson's successor. In RJR's view, requiring it to run two sets of ads exceeded the court's remedial authority. For its part, the government insisted that double ads were required because the injunction, by its plain terms, applies to each of the Defendants  and to each of their  successors. See Philip Morris, 449 F. Supp. 2d at 937. In June 2014, the district court entered a consent order outlining the implementation plan and explaining that by agreeing to the order RJR had not waiv[ed] [its]  challenge to the requirement that it publish Corrective Statements on television in its capacity as successor to Brown & Williamson. United States v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., No. 99-2496, 2014 WL 2506611, at *10 (D.D.C. June 2, 2014).

Shortly after entry of the consent order, RJR filed a Rule 60 motion seeking relief from those provisions of [the remedial order]  that require corrective statements on behalf of [Brown & Williamson]. Philip Morris, No. 99-2496, ECF No. 6103, at 1 (D.D.C. June 11, 2014). Specifically, RJR invoked Rule 60(b)(4), which allows courts to reopen final orders that are void, and Rule 60(b)(6), which allows courts to revisit final orders for any other reason that justifies relief. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 60. In other words, RJR sought to modify the injunction so that it would have to run only one set of ads. In May 2015, we largely upheld the order specifying the text of the corrective statements. Corrective Statements Opinion, 801 F.3d at 25262. A week later, the district court denied RJR's Rule 60 motion, prompting this appeal.

RJR argues, as it did in the district court, that the order requiring it to run ads as Brown & Williamson's successor is void under Rule 60(b)(4) because it is punitive rather than preventive, and thus exceeds the district court's RICO authority. RJR also argues that the double-ad requirement is unjust under Rule 60(b)(6).

II.

We begin, as we must, with our jurisdiction. Steel Co. v. Citizens for Better Environment, 523 U.S. 83, 94 (1998) (On every writ of error of appeal, the first and fundamental question is that of jurisdiction  (quoting Great Southern Fire Proof Hotel Co. v. Jones, 177 U.S. 449, 453 (1900))). Invoking 28 U.S.C.  1292(a), which authorizes review of orders refusing to dissolve or modify injunctions, RJR argues that we may hear this appeal because the district court denied its request to eliminate the double-ad requirement. Although the government agrees, intervenors, a group of six public health organizations, question our jurisdiction on the ground that the district court's denial of RJR's Rule 60 motion did not change [RJR's] relationship to the injunction. Intervenors' Br. 18 n.7.

Section 1292(a) creates an exception to the general rule that appellate courts may review only final decisions. Salazar ex rel. Salazar v. District of Columbia, 671 F.3d 1258, 1261 (D.C. Cir. 2012) (quoting Carson v. American Brands, Inc., 450 U.S. 79, 83 (1981)). This circuit construes section 1292(a) narrowly in order to avoid the debilitating problems engendered by piecemeal appeals. Id. (quoting Coopers & Lybrand v. Livesay, 437 U.S. 463, 471 (1978)). As we explained in a 2012 decision in this very case, section 1292(a) jurisdiction exists in only two circumstances: where the district court order clearly grants or denies a specific request for injunctive relief, such as a request to dissolve an injunction; or, if the order does not clearly grant or deny such relief, where the appellant can show that it has the practical effect of doing so. United States v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., 686 F.3d 839, 844 (D.C. Cir. 2012); see also Salazar, 671 F.3d at 126162. In the latter situation, the appellant must show that the order might have a serious, perhaps irreparable, consequence and can be effectually challenged only by immediate appeal. Philip Morris, 686 F.3d at 844 (quoting Salazar, 671 F.3d at 1262) (internal quotation marks omitted). An order that merely clarifies an injunction fails this test and is therefore unreviewable. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission v. Reliable Limousine Service, LLC, 776 F.3d 1, 9 (D.C. Cir. 2015).

Intervenors contend that the district court's Rule 60 order merely clarified RJR's existing obligations and thus lacks the practical effect required for appellate jurisdiction. But this argument overlooks the first step of section 1292(a) analysis. Although it is true that the denial of RJR's Rule 60 motion left its remedial obligations intact, an order's practical effect comes into play only if it is unclear whether the order denied a specific request for injunctive relief. Philip Morris, 686 F.3d at 844. Here, the remedial order expressly applies to each of the Defendants  and to each of their  successors, Philip Morris, 449 F. Supp. 2d at 937, RJR sought to dissolve its successor obligations, and the district court refused to do so. Because the district court clearly denied a specific request to dissolve an injunction, Salazar, 671 F.3d at 1261, we have section 1292(a) jurisdiction.

III.

Rule 60(b)(4) authorizes relief from a final order if the judgment is void. Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(b)(4). We review a district court's Rule 60(b)(4) decision de novo. Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. v. Islamic Republic of Iran, 734 F.3d 1175, 1179 (D.C. Cir. 2013).

The Supreme Court addressed Rule 60(b)(4)'s scope in United States Student Aid Funds, Inc. v. Espinosa, 559 U.S. at 260. That case concerned a provision of the Bankruptcy Code that permits discharge of student loan debts only after the bankruptcy court finds that failure to discharge the debt would impose undue hardship on the debtor and his dependents. Id. at 263 (citing 11 U.S.C.  523(a)(8), 1328). In Espinosa, the bankruptcy court discharged a student debt without making the requisite undue hardship finding. Id. at 265. Holding that this error did not render the confirmation order void, the Supreme Court explained that Rule 60(b)(4) applies only in the rare instance where a judgment is premised either on a certain type of jurisdictional error or on a violation of due process that deprives a party of notice or the opportunity to be heard. Id. at 271. Although the Court did not specify which types of jurisdictional infirmities make a judgment void, it did cite a First Circuit case and two treatises limiting voidness to defects in personal jurisdiction, subject matter jurisdiction, and due process. Id. None of those defects is present here. As RJR concedes, the district court had subject matter jurisdiction in this action, Appellant's Br. 1, and RJR neither challenges personal jurisdiction nor asserts a due process violation.

Instead, RJR contends that the injunction is void because it exceeds the district court's remedial jurisdiction. Appellant's Br. 26. In support, RJR notes that both RICO's remedial provision, 18 U.S.C.  1964(a), and our prior opinions speak in terms of the district court's jurisdiction to prevent RICO violations, see, e.g., Corrective Statements Opinion, 801 F.3d at 256. RJR also points out that the Court in Espinosa nowhere limited jurisdictional error[s] under Rule 60(b)(4) to subject matter and personal jurisdiction. 559 U.S. at 271. This is true. Indeed, Espinosa contains a footnote in which the Court declined to decide whether other errorsspecifically, the discharge of certain tax and child support debts, which the Bankruptcy Code prohibitsmight also render a judgment void for Rule 60(b)(4) purposes. Id. at 273 n.10. Espinosa thus left the exact boundaries of voidness uncharted.

In our view, however, mere use of the word jurisdiction is insufficient to turn a remedial error into a basis for Rule 60(b)(4) relief. As the Supreme Court has made clear, jurisdiction is a word of many, too many, meanings, Steel Co., 523 U.S. at 90a proposition all too evident in this case. In section 1964, the term jurisdiction refers to a court's authority to impose certain remedies. 18 U.S.C.  1964(a). That authority is fundamentally different from a court's subject matter jurisdiction over a case and from its personal jurisdiction over the parties, both of which concern the power to proceed with a case at all.

Extending Rule 60(b)(4) relief beyond such fundamental infirmit [ies], Espinosa, 559 U.S. at 270, would raise serious finality concerns. Because remedial authority is by nature broad, allowing Rule 60(b)(4) challenges to allegedly unauthorized remedies could produce an endless series of interlocutory appeals, especially in complex, long-running cases. Under RICO, for example, even though district court remedial authority is limited to preventing and restraining violations of the statute, courts nonetheless retain expansive power to craft remedies within that stricture, as the comprehensive injunction in this case well illustrates.

This finality problem, moreover, is not limited to RICO cases. The Sherman Act, like RICO, grants district courts jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of the Act. 15 U.S.C.  4. Under RJR's conception of voidness, litigants could upend complex remedial orders in any antitrust case years or even decades after those orders became final. The same holds true for litigation arising under any statute that grants courts remedial jurisdiction. See, e.g., 15 U.S.C.  378(a) (granting jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of cigarette tax laws); 31 U.S.C.  5365(a) (granting jurisdiction to prevent and restrain internet gambling violations). And if remedial overreach renders an order void, a statute need not even say jurisdiction for remedial errors to trigger Rule 60(b)(4) relief. Complex remedial schemes in voting rights, securities fraud, affirmative action, prison conditions, and scores of other cases could all be challenged on the ground that the remedies imposed were, in one litigant's view, unauthorized by the statute at issue.

This is precisely the outcome the Supreme Court in Espinosa warned us to avoid. Although the Court never delineated the precise limits of voidness, it did make clear that the list of defects that render a judgment void must be exceedingly short, lest Rule 60(b)(4)'s exception to finality  swallow the rule. 559 U.S. at 270. Heeding that guidance, we hold that Rule 60(b)(4) does not permit relief where a court has exceeded its remedial authority. Cf. United States v. Boch Oldsmobile, Inc., 909 F.2d 657, 662 (1st Cir. 1990) (Consent decrees that run afoul of the applicable statutes lead to an erroneous judgment, not to a void one.). Such errors are simply not the type of fundamental defects the Court had in mind in Espinosa.

Nothing in our prior opinions forecloses this understanding of Rule 60(b)(4). Invoking law of the case, RJR points out that our rulings in this case establish that RICO constrains the district court's remedial jurisdiction. Appellant's Br. 26. But as we have just explained, remedial jurisdiction differs significantly from subject matter and personal jurisdiction. Although we have confined district court remedial jurisdiction to remedies that prevent and restrain violations of the Act, see Corrective Statements Opinion, 801 F.3d at 256, we have never held that an order exceeding the court's section 1964 authority falls within Rule 60(b)(4).

RJR also leans on Karsner v. Lothian, 532 F.3d 876 (D.C. Cir. 2008). In that case, the district court denied a state Securities Commissioner's motion to intervene in an action to confirm an arbitration proceeding. Id. at 879. On appeal, the Commissioner asserted that if the case were remanded to the district court she would move under Rule 60(b)(4) to void the confirmation order on the ground that the district court had confirmed an arbitrator's recommendation when the statute authorized it to confirm only arbitration award[s]. Id. at 886. In response, we observed that before a judgment may be deemed void  it must be determined that the rendering court was powerless to enter it. Id. (quoting Combs v. Nick Garin Trucking, 825 F.2d 437, 442 (D.C. Cir. 1987)). We also noted that if the Commissioner successfully move[d] under Rule 60(b)(4) to void the district court's confirmation order, the court would need to identify a source of authority for its revised order. Id. at 887. Seizing on this dicta, RJR contends that voidness applies any time a court has acted outside of its authority. Appellant's Br. 18. Karsner concerned the erroneous denial of a motion to intervene. Although the court discussed Rule 60(b)(4) and even implied that such relief might be available, it never held that Rule 60(b)(4) relief was warranted on remand. In any event, Karsner preceded Espinosa by two years.

Our conclusion, which flows from Espinosa's instruction that voidness is rare, 559 U.S. at 271, does not leave parties unable to challenge remedies that exceed a district court's remedial authority. They may do so by filing a motion to alter or amend the judgment under Rule 59(e) and they can appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C.  1291 (authorizing direct appeal of final decisions). See Fed. R. Civ. P. 59(e). They may also seek relief under Rule 60(b)(6)the issue we address next.

IV.

Rule 60(b)(6) grants federal courts broad authority to relieve a party from a final judgment upon such terms as are just. Salazar ex rel Salazar v. District of Columbia, 633 F.3d 1110, 1116 (D.C. Cir. 2011) (quoting Liljeberg v. Health Services Acquisition Corp., 486 U.S. 847, 863 (1988)). To obtain relief under this provision, a party must file its motion within a reasonable time and demonstrate extraordinary circumstances justifying the reopening of a final judgment. Id. (quoting Gonzalez v. Crosby, 545 U.S. 524, 534 (2005)). In this case, the district court determined that RJR failed on both counts. We review its decision for abuse of discretion. Id. at 1119.

Although this circuit has rejected a strict limit to the reasonable time requirement, id. at 111819, we have held that in a long-running institutional reform case  it would be an abuse of discretion to rule that a Rule 60(b)(6) motion is not filed within a reasonable time without finding that the movant's delay has prejudiced the non-moving party, id. at 1119. The district court made no such finding in this long-running, complex case. That, however, does not end the matter, as the district court also denied the motion on the ground that the circumstances presented in [RJR's] Motion [were] not extraordinary. Philip Morris, No. 99-2496, ECF No. 6147, at 3 (D.D.C. May 28, 2015); see also Salazar, 633 F.3d at 1122 (affirming the denial of a Rule 60(b)(6) motion for lack of extraordinary circumstances notwithstanding the district court's failure to address prejudice).

Extraordinary circumstances is a high bar. We explained in Kramer v. Gates that Rule 60(b)(6) cannot be used to rescue a litigant from strategic choices that later turn out to be improvident. 481 F.3d 788, 792 (D.C. Cir. 2007) (quoting Good Luck Nursing Home, Inc. v. Harris, 636 F.2d 572, 577 (D.C. Cir. 1980)). As the district court in this case observed, RJR failed to raise the double-ad issue in its 2006 appeal of the remedial order. Moreover, when appealing the order specifying the text of the corrective statements, RJR chose not to challenge the double-ad requirement; instead it merely mentioned its Rule 60 motion in a footnote. Under our precedent, failure to raise a ripe issue precludes a finding of extraordinary circumstances unless that failure was essentially involuntary. Salazar, 633 F.3d at 1121 (quoting Twelve John Does v. District of Columbia, 841 F.3d 1133, 1141 (D.C. Cir. 1988)).

RJR believes it meets this standard. It argues that the earliest opportunity to challenge its successor obligations came in 2014 when, during the parties' negotiations over how to disseminate the corrective ads, the government took the position that the injunction required RJR to run double ads. This argument suffers from a fatal flaw.

Recall that we have section 1292(a) jurisdiction because the district court denied RJR's request to dissolverather than clarifypart of the injunction. See supra Part II. Indeed, RJR conceded in its Rule 60 motion that the 2006 remedial order requires it to run two sets of ads. See Mot. for Relief, Philip Morris, No. 99-2496, ECF No. 6103, at 1 (D.D.C. June 11, 2014) (asserting that RJR, in its capacity as successor to Brown and Williamson, sought to dissolve those provisions [of the remedial order]  that require corrective statements on behalf of [Brown & Williamson]  in addition to publication of the corrective statements by [RJR]). Given the standard for appellate jurisdiction, supra Part II, this was a wise concession. But it undercuts RJR's assertion that its remedial obligations were unclear until 2014 and undermines its argument for Rule 60(b)(6) relief. Simply put, RJR cannot have it both ways. Either the remedial order imposes a double-ad requirement, in which case we have appellate jurisdiction but RJR has no excuse for its untimeliness, or the order is unclear, in which case we would lack jurisdiction to entertain this appeal.

Having failed to challenge its successor obligation at any earlier stage of this litigation, RJR now finds itself trapped between this circuit's narrow construction of section 1292(a), which prevents piecemeal appeals, and the high bar for Rule 60(b)(6) relief, which protects the finality of judgments. Together, these settled principles compel the conclusion that RJR's challenge to the double-ad requirement comes too late.

V.

For the foregoing reasons, we affirm.

So ordered.

Opinion for the Court filed by Circuit Judge TATEL.
A Houston-area teacher accused of punching a second-grader in the face has been tossed out of school and hit with a felony charge.

"I'm tired of you," Lisa Allison, 48, allegedly told the child, according to court documents.

On Monday, prosecutors filed a felony injury to a child charge for the Oct. 12 incident caught on camera at Landis Elementary School.

Court documents say the footage shows the young student sitting on the floor in a hallway as the teacher bends over him and tells him something.

Then the boy stands up with his backpack and walks away - and the teacher snatches him as he tries to leave.

The two struggle down the hallway and then the teacher punches her pupil in the face, according to the probable cause statement.

The wayward instructor forces the student to the ground and sits on his back, according to the documents.

Eventually administrators arrive and tell her to get up.

The student later told campus police it all started when Allison tossed him out of the classroom. As he gathered his backpack, the teacher allegedly came out and told him, "I'm tired of you."

Allison offered a different recollection of the day's events, according to authorities.

When questioned, she told police the boy was thrown out of class for making noise and that he'd begun kicking lockers in the hallway. She said she only went out to escort him to the office and didn't remember hitting him, but did admit to holding him down on the floor.

"The Harris County District Attorney's Office has charged Alief employee Lisa Allison with injury to a child following an investigation by Alief ISD Police and district administrators," the district said in a statement.

"Allison was immediately placed on leave when allegations were brought to the attention of campus and district administrators and will not return."

Allison could not immediately be reached for comment.
Houston police arrested a man and a woman Tuesday night, after finding them passed out in a car with two young children in the backseat.

A patrol officer drove up behind the pair around 11:35 p.m. on Tuesday night at the intersection of Parana Drive and Neuens Road in west Houston, according to Houston police. The car wasn't moving, so the officer investigated and found Dickison San Juan, 22, asleep at the wheel and Jessica Bello, 20, also asleep.

RELATED: Another parent's overdose, another child in the back seat

Two young girls, age 1 and 2, were in the backseat. Both suspects failed a field sobriety test and were taken into custody by police. The children were released to a family member.

There were no drugs found in the vehicle.

San Juan was charged with driving while intoxicated with a child and child endangerment. He currently is in held in Harris County jail with a $30,000 bond.

Bello was charged with endangering a child and is currently in Harris County jail with a $15,000 bond.
GOP nominee Donald Trump rants about a "rigged" election, prompting fears among conspiracy theorists about voter fraud, despite multiple studies showing it to be the equivalent of a political unicorn - almost non-existent.

But, one Texas Republican consultant has taken it upon himself to set up a hotline and offer a $5,000 reward for tips leading to a felony conviction.

Vote harvesting, a form of voting which is largely unwatched  (has been) growing in the last few cycles, Aaron Harris, a Republican political consultant from North Richland Hills told The Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

READ MORE: Democrats outnumber Republicans in Harris County early voting

Harris is mostly focused on mail-in ballots - which account for a small number of votes cast in Texas, roughly .06 percent of the 3.4 million votes from the state's 15 largest counties in 2012.

State election officials and Democrats are not amused.

This is a systematic and deliberate attempt to suppress votes in the Latino community, specifically attacking the elderly, said Democratic state Rep. Ramon Romero, D-Fort Worth.

READ MORE: Early voting allows voters to react quickly after debates

The hotline comes on the heels of minor issues being reported during early voting in Tarrant County and The Woodlands in Harris County.

Officials chalked those problems up to voter error.

But, time will tell if Harris' hotline finds that gaggle of political unicorns.
A Texas-based group that once called Houston's first openly-gay mayor a "sodomite" has decided to get involved with a Georgia preacher and doctor suing over religious discrimination.

Eric Walsh's sometimes fiery sermons came to the attention of Georgia public health officials after he was conditionally offered a job in May 2014. During his time there, one of Walsh's supervisors asked for links to a few sermons.
DALLAS -- Baylor University's former Title IX officer Patty Crawford went on the offensive Wednesday by shedding light on the university's efforts to sideline her from effectively handling sexual assault cases on campus, claims that now are the subject of a federal civil rights investigation of the school.

At the same time, Crawford went on defense to combat the university which has launched a website that contends she is spreading "false and misleading claims."
-- CPS BACKLOG GROWS despite extra effort to see at-risk kids, reports the Houston Chronicles Mike Ward: State officials confirmed Tuesday that 258 additional top-priority cases involving reports of children who are most likely to be in danger have come in to Child Protective Services in the past six days, as the task force located 328 children.

-- With a team like this, Sid Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller first blamed a hacker and then a staffer before deleting a tweet that used a vulgar term for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton Tuesday, igniting a social media firestorm of condemnation from all political corners, including a rebuke from Gov. Greg Abbott, per the Chronicles Andrea Zelinski.

-- Dem primary voters outnumber GOPers in Harris County early voting, by the Chrons Rebecca Elliott & Matt Dempsey

More than a quarter of Harris County's 2.2 million registered voters cast a ballot in-person or by mail last week, a 36 percent increase from 2012 and part of a statewide surge in early voting.

Roughly 36 percent of those voters participated in at least one of the last three Democratic presidential primaries, a Houston Chronicle analysis of voter history shows, while 32 percent voted in at least one of the last three Republican presidential primaries. Another 19 percent only had general election voting history, and 14 percent had no Harris County voting history in recent presidential election years.

>> What might it mean? We're seeing many of the most active partisans come out earlier than normal," Rice University political scientist Mark Jones said. "There are some new voters, as we would expect based on overall population growth. But we're not seeing a dramatic groundswell of turnout from people who either were registered and didn't vote in the past or (registered recently).

-- ALSO, Harris Co. early voters greeted with incomplete ID instructions, per the Chrons Blake Paterson & Andrew Kragie: Election clerks at polling places across Harris County on Tuesday, however, still were greeting voters with the familiar welcome: Have your photo IDs ready.  That instruction may not violate the letter of the law, but county and state officials have said it is incomplete. The county clerk's director of logistics and training, Judy Owens, sent a memo to the election judges who oversee the polling locations on Monday, clarifying the proper language.

>> Trump surges to 12 point lead in Texas, CBS DFW

-- The family that doesnt vote together: George P. Bush says he's the only member of his powerful political family who will be voting straight-ticket Republican and says his grandfather and uncle, both former presidents, could potentially cast ballots for Hillary Clinton. Bush was addressing a small Republican rally in San Marcos, Texas, Tuesday night. He was pressed later by The Associated Press to clarify his remarks. He said then of George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush: I don't know how they voted. I'm speculating, to be honest. Asked if either could vote for Clinton, Bush answered: Potentially. But hard to speculate. (AP)

-- Per the Statesmans Chuck Lindell:  Defense lawyers have dropped pretrial efforts to dismiss criminal charges against Attorney General Ken Paxton, ending his appeals and moving Paxton one step closer to trial.

-- The Texas Education Agency told 11 school boards and superintendents they must take special training because their plans for fixing underperforming schools haven't made the grade, reports the Texas Tribunes Aliyya Swaby.

>> Intense power struggle likely awaits Texans returning to Congress, The Texas Tribune

CAPITOL DAYBOOK - No meetings

SPEED READ

If its election season, things are getting nasty in Windcrest, San Antonio Express-News

Cornyn raises $18M for GOP candidates, Politico

Austin paper (still) not endorsing candidates in Nov. elections, PolitiFact Texas

Note to capitalists: Cuba is still communist, Houston Chronicle

North Dakota officials borrow $4M, slam feds on protest cost, AP

Religious Freedom is Only for Christians in Texas, The Texas Observer

Sid Millers Twitter Implosion, Texas Monthly

What Not To Do On Election Day in Texas, Texas Monthly

Travis County candidates offer different ideas on transportation fixes, Austin-American Statesman

Austin police could use Dallas lab to address DNA test backlog, Austin-American Statesman

Former Dallas federal prosecutors join bipartisan criticism of FBI director Comey over Clinton announcement, The Dallas Morning News

Parents say kids are being mistreated at one of Dallas' biggest charter schools, The Dallas Morning News

RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE

-- 5 DAYS  Hillary Clinton is pressing into reliably red Arizona as she tries to steal a Republican state away from Donald Trump. Her rival, reinvigorated by the FBI's new email review, is laser-focused on Florida, a marquee battleground state he can't win the White House without.  (AP)

-- Where things stand: Trump claims momentum but data favor Clinton, per Politico

As Clintons team continues to methodically hammer away at FBI Director James Comey in a strategic effort to shift the medias focus away from the renewed investigation into her emails, Trump has shown uncommon discipline, stopping himself from saying anything outlandish enough to step on the current news cycle. But he also did Clinton a favor on Tuesday by failing to mention the email investigation during his morning speech  a speech his campaign billed as an address on Obamacare, an issue Trump alighted on for just five minutes.

>> October surprises muddy House landscape, Politico

-- Is the FBI on the ballot?  Dont miss this Washington Post story: After another release of documents, FBI finds itself caught in a partisan fray

For the second time in five days, the FBI had moved exactly to the place the nations chief law enforcement agency usually strives to avoid: smack in the middle of partisan fighting over a national election, just days before the vote.

The publication of the files related to the Marc Rich pardon inquiry, which agency officials said was posted automatically in response to pending public records requests, came as the Clinton campaign and Democratic lawmakers continued to fume over FBI Director James B. Comeys decision with less than two weeks before the election to announce that he was effectively resuming a review of Hillary Clintons email practices.

>> Black turnout falls in early voting, boding ill for Clinton, The New York Times

>> How do you say vote for Clinton in Spanish? Ask the abuelas, The New York Times
The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p.
The rest of the story; River Valley board president explains discipline controversy CORRECTIONVILLE - Theres more to the story regarding the recent resignation of a River Valley school secretary over alleged violation...

City tweaks bridge funding The City of Cherokees proposed East Willow Street bridge replacement project utilizing FEMA funding was rescinded and replaced with a...
Canada Set to Repeal Conditional Permanent Resident Provision for Certain Sponsored Spouses/Partners CIC News Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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Proposed change would eliminate the cohabitation requirement, granting full permanent resident status to successful spousal sponsorship applicants.

A planned change to spousal sponsorship regulations demonstrates the government of Canadas ongoing commitment to the successful integration of newcomers. By spring 2017, it is expected that the conditional permanent residence provision  which subjects certain sponsored spouses/partners to a cohabitation requirement of two years before full Canadian permanent residence may be granted  will be repealed.

Under the current regulations, if a couple applying for spousal sponsorship has been together for two years or less, and has no children in common, the sponsored spouse may receive conditional permanent resident status. Consequently, the couple must live together for two years following the sponsored spouse/partner obtaining conditional permanent residence, or the sponsored spouse/partner risks losing that status.

This planned change has been expected for several months. In May 2016, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) informed provincial governments of its intention to change the regulation. In its Forward Regulatory Plan released in mid-October, IRCC stated its intention to [change] those provisions with the objective of addressing concerns that have been identified, such as the vulnerability of sponsored spouses.

If the change is approved, it will apply to sponsored spouses and partners who are currently in Canada with conditional permanent residence, as well as to applications currently in process and future applications. Consequently, a sponsored spouse or partner who currently has conditional permanent resident status in Canada would have full permanent resident status after the change takes force, regardless of when he or she obtained conditional permanent residence.

Planned change aimed at supporting vulnerable newcomers

The conditional permanent residence provision was introduced on October 25, 2012. In the three years following the introduction, 58,128 spouses/partners, along with their children, were granted conditional permanent residence in Canada, representing almost half of all sponsored spouses/partners.

In a statement outlining the change, released by the government of Canada, it is explicitly acknowledged that this residence requirement can lead to sponsored spouses/partners remaining in abusive or neglectful relationships. While the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) allow for an exception to the residence requirement for sponsored spouses/partners in abusive relationships, the sponsored spouse must apply for this exception. The governments statement recognizes that many spouses may not know about this exception, or may be reluctant to seek an exception.

Of the 58,128 sponsored spouses/partners who obtained conditional permanent resident status, 307 applied for an exception to the residence requirement due to abuse or neglect. Three-quarters of these applications came from women. So far, the government states, 260 of these applications have received a decision  205 of them were approved. IRCC states that data indicates that a number of sponsored spouses likely suffered abuse and neglect before they were granted an exception to the cohabitation requirement.

Under the definition to be added to the IRPR, abuse may be physical, sexual, psychological, and/or financial.

Addressing doubts of program integrity

Conditional permanent residence was introduced as a safeguard against fraudulent spousal and common-law partner sponsorship applications. However, IRCC believes that its numerous other measures that are designed to identify fraudulent applications are sufficient. Moreover, the department states that it is not possible to determine whether the provision was successful in deterring fraudulent applications.

On balance, the program integrity benefits of conditional permanent residence have not been shown to outweigh the risks to vulnerable sponsored spouses and partners subject to the two-year cohabitation requirement, IRCC states.

The proposed repeal of conditional permanent residence recognizes that the majority of relationships are genuine, and the majority of applications are made in good faith. Eliminating conditional permanent residence would facilitate family reunification, remove the potential increased vulnerability faced by abused and neglected spouses and partners, and support the Governments commitment to combatting gender-based violence.

IRCCs attitude receives praise

It is commendable that the government of Canada is actively working to ensure the comfort and safety of new permanent residents, says Attorney David Cohen. Immigration to Canada is a process that does not end upon landing at the airport. Settlement and integration is an exciting journey for many thousands of newcomers.

Unfortunately, however, this is not the case for everybody. By eliminating the conditional permanent resident provision, IRCC is taking concrete steps towards reducing power imbalances in the spousal sponsorship system that disproportionately affect those newcomers who may otherwise feel trapped in abusive or neglectful relationships. The rationale behind IRCCs action says as much as the action itself  this is a department which is continuing to show its commitment to building a stronger Canadian society.

Find out more about spousal/common-law sponsorship.

To find out if you are eligible to sponsor your spouse/partner for Canadian permanent residence, fill out a free assessment form today.

 2016 CICNews All Rights Reserved
Caritas Cehia in cautarea unui expert/unei experte sau unei echipe de experti in prestarea serviciilor de consiliere psihologica (pe segmentul burnout) pentru echipa mobila de prestare a serviciilor psiho-sociale pentru refugiatii ucraineni
On election nights past, ProPublica staffers were more likely to be found at home watching the results roll in on TV or online than in the newsroom. The nonprofit, public-interest journalism outfit isnt in the business of tracking the vote. But this year, its trying something new. Working out of a temporary newsroom setup at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism in New York, it will be the hub of a country-wide network of journalists, journalism students, and concerned citizens tracking and reporting on problems that prevent people from voting. Amid Donald Trumps cries of a rigged election and a crooked news media, more than 300 newsroomsat least one in every statehave signed on to participate in the Electionland project to ensure voter problems are surfaced, reported, and rectified by the time the polls close on Election Day, when it counts.

The Electionland coalition, which also includes Google News Lab, WNYC, CUNY, First Draft, Univision, and USA Today, will be monitoring social media feeds and Google searches to identify locations where voters are having problems, and it will have access to reports phoned into the Election Protection Voter Hotline, which is run by a national, nonpartisan coalition of volunteers. Claire Wardle, Research Director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism and founding member of First Draft, is overseeing the training of some 550 students at 14 journalism schools around the country who will help monitor and verify social media posts. Electionland has recruited everyday citizens to report problems via text message. When a tip comes in, the story will be assigned to a partner news outlet via email or through a dedicated Slack setup reporters can monitor. Stories will also be published on the Electionland website.

The subject of voting issues often inspires thoughts of voter fraud. Indeed, last Wednesday three people were reported to police in Polk County, Florida on suspicion of voter fraud, and one of them was arrested for allegedly voting twice for Donald Trump (she claimed due to fears the election would be rigged).

Derek Willis, the news apps developer at ProPublica who helped build Electionland, has first-hand experience of voter fraud. In 2005, he moved from Washington, DC, to Maryland, and assumed his name had been scrubbed from the DC electoral roll. But two years after the 2012 election, officials from the Office of the State Prosecutor showed up at his door and questioned him about a dodgy vote someone else had cast in his name.

In-person voter fraud does happen, he says, but he points out that its rare. Academic reviews have tallied up maybe a few dozen cases in the past 10 years or so. The likelihood of widespread voter fraud occurring in US elections is low because of the way the system is designed, says Willis. Its one of these things where its theoretically possible, but actually doing it would require an incredible set of circumstances and coincidences.

The more common problems prevent or deter people from voting: excessively long queues, changes to voter ID laws that block people from casting ballots, problems with voting machines, and cases where polling places have changed their location or hours, or dont have enough workers on hand. Those are the kinds of issues the Electionland project will highlight. Presidential elections bring out voters who dont vote in other elections, says Willis. Well be reporting on issues with people who are infrequent voters and not as familiar with how elections are run in their areas.

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Willis anticipates the main action will take place Nov. 8, when more than a dozen ProPublica staffers will be hunkered down at CUNY, but the team has already begun its work. Early voting began in Texas last week, and Twitter immediately lit up with reports of incorrect voter ID information displayed on posters in Bexar County. Texas requires voter ID, but it recently changed the types of IDs that are required, says Willis. We saw a social media post that said, Hey, theres this sign in the polling place that lists the acceptable forms of ID, but its the wrong one. They took a picture of it. We were able to flag that and then asked the Secretary of State about it and they were like, Yep, this is not the right poster, its being removed, and were going to replace it with the right one. Thats kind of the thing that were looking for.

poll workers still using old sign the federal judge ruled against, officials telling everyone they need a photo ID @TexasTribune @TexasYDs pic.twitter.com/llS9Q4IWST  Molly E Neck (@MollyENeck) October 24, 2016

ProPublica posted about the incident on the Electionland website, and the problem also was reported in the Texas Tribune and The New York Times. On top of these kinds of reports, the Electionland site also is publishing guides to early voting along with smackdowns of myths that are circulating about the prevalence of voter fraud and whether George Soros owns voting machines to rig the election (Spoiler: he doesnt).

Willis describes the first-time project as an experiment. We dont know how the voting experience is going to be nationwide. We also arent totally sure that the system that were setting up is the absolute best, right way to do this, he says. Were testing it out and seeing how it goes.

Prior to joining ProPublica in August 2015, Willis spent seven years as an interactive news developer at The New York Times. Over that time, he has seen the possibilities for covering elections expand in concert with the amount and type of data available. Ten to 15 years ago it would have been very difficult to do this kind of project, or even to prepare for it, he says. But now theres data out there, not just in real-time on social, but also about how elections are conducted, what voters do, which voters participate. To me, if we dont do something with that then were not really capturing a part of the election that we should.

According to Willis, every Election Day is a special snowflake with its own weird circumstances, but he hopes by Nov. 8, the team will have enough experience under its belt that it will be up for the challenge. Ideally were able to find out where we have flaws or problems in the voting process and then local news organizations can report on them as quickly as possible on Election Day and make it easier for people who are eligible to vote, to actually cast a ballot, he says. If all goes well, ProPublica will consider whether the project can be replicated on a smaller scale for gubernatorial, state, and local elections in the future.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Shelley Hepworth , formerly a CJR Delacorte Fellow, is Technology Editor at The Conversation in Australia. Follow her on Twitter @shelleymiranda.
Wide swaths of the country, both geographically and demographically, dont believe us. They see us as tools of some amorphous establishment, and have turned for their news of the world to alternate channels, to put it politely.

To them, corporate media is of a piece with government insiders and self-dealers who, to paraphrase the tagline of one of this years attack ads, make government workfor them.

Dont make the mistake of thinking that these folks are only angry white people on the right. There are plenty of young people and people of color who dont connect to journalism as weve done it. Many supporters of Bernie Sanders felt the media lined up with the Democratic Party to assure Hillary Clinton the nomination. That kind of suspicion dies hard.

In Flint, Mich., a largely African-American community where lead got into the water supply as a result of apparent government malfeasance, there was a skeptical view of national news sources that now seems justifiable. That view can be boiled down to, Where have you been?

A lot of the country could rightly ask us that, as well. The University of North Carolina describes the rise of what it calls news deserts, communities left with no effective local news source as a result of the destruction of local newsrooms, according to the author, Penny Muse Abernathy. (Disclosure: she was a trusted colleague when we both worked at The New York Times.)

In general, the coverage of local communities and state government has been most severely damaged by the disruption of our industry. The gridlock in Washington has increased the importance of state government even as the number of journalists covering state government has plunged.

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We have the power to actually introduce Americans from different backgrounds and points of view to each other. We can, in the popular phrase, be a convener of important conversations.

Thats just one example of the link between our journalistic crisis and the democratic challenge the country is struggling through. The glue holding us together as a country has become unstuck. I wrote a book about that 10 years ago and I wish I could say things have improved. They havent.

Mistrust is deeper. Estrangement is greater.

Journalism is only one part of the problem. But it can and in my view should be part of the solution. We can help provide the country with a common basis of facts and a common vocabulary to discuss our challenges. We have the power to actually introduce Americans from different backgrounds and points of view to each other. We can, in the popular phrase, be a convener of important conversations.

We can shape our actions around the great Pat Moynihans old saw that everyone is entitled to their own opinion but they arent entitled to their own facts. We can be the independent and fair-minded providers of the facts a country needs to make democratic choices.

But to be credible at this we must first establish trust. We have to fight off the idea that we serve sections or segments of the public. Or that we have a partisan interest in the outcome. We need to be open and available to everyone. We need to replace anger with empathy and strife with reason. Nichefication may strengthen the business prospects of news companies, but it weakens their ability to serve the public.

How to get from where we are to where the country needs us to be is the conversation we might have been having this election year. But it wasnt. Instead, we argued about how to characterize a truth-challenged candidate or whether it was our job to stop authoritarianism when we saw it.

The challenge isnt to lecture them. The challenge is to engage them across the spectrum of views and backgrounds. Making our journalism sound more opinionated wont help. It places the emphasis in the wrong place.

Behind the questions was a premise that the answers mattered. That they might change the course of the election.

That missed the larger point. For our views to matter to the public  which is broad, diverse and skeptical  the public needs to believe in us.

The challenge isnt to lecture them. The challenge is to engage them across the spectrum of views and backgrounds. Making our journalism sound more opinionated wont help. It places the emphasis in the wrong place.

To build, or rebuild, bonds of trust we need to be a lot more thoughtful about what political journalism needs to look like. But you cant can do that in the heat of an election. You cant, in fact, do it around political journalism at all, at least not national political journalism. We have to be there the rest of the time, too. That means stronger roots in communities, both geographically and in terms of affinities. To rebuild trust, we have to start showing up in communities where we havent been much seen in recent years.

Listening will help. Younger news audiences also demand greater transparency and independence. We need to respond to all that.

But we also should reaffirm that some of our most basic values remain not only sound but central to why what we do is distinctive and vital to a healthy democracy. Fairness remains fundamental. So do accuracy and a commitment to reporting (it is the reporting that lets you decide what to think about the candidate).

Fear is a bad motive for changing long-standing practice. Panic is worse and political pressure from a like-minded audience is the most corrosive of all. But thats what a lot of this years debate about journalism felt like.

All those heated tweets about how Trump required us to cut down the old rules of journalism struck me very much like that conversation between Thomas More and William Roper in that great moral parable, A Man for All Seasons.

Roper wants to know why More wont just fulfill the kings wishes. The law prevents him, More says, and the law is our protection.

So youd give the laws protection even to the devil? Roper asks.

Yes! More replies. What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?

Yes, Id cut down every law in England to do that! Roper replies

Oh? More says, mustering the moment, And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, Mans laws, not Gods! And if you cut them down, and youre just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, Id give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safetys sake!

Standards and practices define and distinguish us. They are what make journalism journalism. Without them we are just content and opinion and we would quickly vanish in the mix. Losing journalism would be a long-range disaster for the country, worse than anything imagined out of this election.

This years presidential campaign has provided a great opportunity to show how important we can be. Independent, fair-minded journalism is desperately needed. We need to find out how to rebuild it everywhere. Thats something we can ask the public to believe in.

We did not have that conversation during the election. We need to have it now.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Michael Oreskes is the former head of NPR News. He was national political correspondent and Washington bureau chief of The New York Times, among other posts, and is co-author of The Genius of America: How the Constitution Saved Our Country and Why It Can Again.
Italys premier pledged Monday to find temporary housing for all those displaced by a series of powerful earthquakes in a central mountainous region, as the nations strongest temblor in 36 years pushed those needing assistance to more than 15,000.

Some communities, however, resisted relocation.

Sunday mornings quake with a magnitude 6.6 caused no deaths or serious injuries, largely because most fragile city centers had already been closed because of previous damage and many homes had been vacated.

But it did complicate quake relief efforts in a zone still coping with the aftermath of an August earthquake that killed nearly 300 and a pair of powerful aftershocks last week that claimed no lives. Civil protection authorities are still providing housing to 2,000 people displaced from the August quake.

The premiers pledge for housing comes amid increasing reports of residents resisting relocation, either because they have businesses to tend to, not infrequently involving livestock, or in the belief that if their homes are still standing they remain the safest place to be.

Civil protection officials said they expect the number of people needing assistance to continue to rise, as it doesnt count the many people who slept in vehicles or made other arrangements and are likely to seek help. Temperatures overnight reached near freezing, and officials have expressed concern for the many elderly residents of these mountain communities.

We cannot have tents for some months in the mountains, under the snow, Premier Matteo Renzi wrote in a message on Monday. There are enough hotels for everyone. But many of our compatriots dont want to leave their lands, not even for some weeks.

Civil protection authorities have urged people to move out of the quake zone, citing the difficulty of putting up tent cities in the mountainous region and the onset of winter. Many people have been moved to coastal areas, where summer resort hotels are mostly idle, and other zones away from the hardest-hit areas.

The mayor of Preci, a town of some 700 people 60 kilometers southeast of Perugia in Umbria, appealed to authorities to send campers, tents or containers, saying people did not want to leave their homes and businesses. He said up to 400 people preferred to brave the cold in tents rather than move.

Many people have their roots here, their businesses, agricultural activities, have shops, Deputy Mayor Paolo Masciatti told Sky TG24. The houses are uninhabitable and some are destroyed. They have livestock.  We dont want to go anywhere. We are born here. Our roots are here.

Masciatti stood against the backdrop of the abbey of Saint Eutizio, which crumbled under the force of the last weeks double jolt despite reinforcements made after a 1997 temblor.

As you see, our history, our culture, has collapsed, he said.

Residents of Tolentino, where three people were pulled from the rubble after new collapses, told SKY they had no intention of moving on.

In the town of Norcia, closest to the epicenter, firefighters were taking people back to their homes early Monday to retrieve belongings. Small groups were taken in, and were given helmets as protection. The ground continued to shake overnight with at least two jolts above magnitude 4.

We were inside our home and luckily the house handled it, said Emanuela Spanicciati, a resident of Norcia. And that allowed us to get out into the streets. There were various injured people, but in the end we were lucky.

The mayor of Norcia, Nicola Alemanno, said tents that can house a couple of thousand people had been erected, while 500 have moved to hotels.

Renzi expressed enormous relief that no one was killed.

But the damage to the housing stock, as well as economic, cultural and religious treasures is impressive. These villages are the identity of Italy. We must reconstruct them all, quickly and well, Renzi said.

Many of the towns struck are of historic significance, including Norcia, where a Benedictine cathedral collapsed, leaving just the facade.

Norcia wont die, the mayor told ANSA. It will be reborn on the house of St. Benedict, the basilica that came down in the earthquake yesterday.

In Rome, about 110 kilometers southwest of the epicenter, authorities closed a bridge over the Tiber River for inspection after showing signs of damage. Also the church of SantEustachio near the Pantheon was closed after cracks were detected in its dome, the news agency ANSA reported.

(Colleen Barry reported from Milan.)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Robusto To Assume Role Of CNAs Chairman And CEO

CNA Financial Corporation announced that Dino E. Robusto will assume the role of chairman and chief executive officer on November 21, 2016, succeeding Thomas F. Motamed, who is retiring after eight years at the helm of CNA.

Last November CNA announced that Robusto would be joining the company in late 2016.

Willis Towers Watson Confirms Departure of Casserley as President, Deputy CEO

Willis Towers Watson, a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, confirmed that Dominic Casserley, president and deputy CEO, will be leaving the company when his employment agreement ends on December 31, 2016.

Casserley joined the Willis Group in January 2013 as CEO, a position he held until January 2016, when Willis and Towers Watson merged and he took on his present position. From 2013 to 2015, Willis advanced the core organic Analytical Broker and Connecting Willis strategies, introduced industry specialization, deepened its broking capabilities and re-engineered many core processes. In parallel, the company expanded inorganically further into healthcare advisory and brokerage, executed the ground breaking partnership with Miller in London, and completed the acquisition of Gras Savoye to create the leading franchise in France and Africa.

During the three years when Casserley was CEO, the total return to Willis shareholders was 58 percent. From January this year, at the newly merged Willis Towers Watson, Casserley was a member of the Board, co-led the integration process and was head of one of the global business segments, Investment Risk and Reinsurance (IRR).

Donegan Joins NCCI as Chief Regulatory Services Officer

NCCI, a source of workers compensation insurance information, announced that Susan Donegan has joined the company as the new chief regulatory services officer.

Donegan, who assumed the position on September 19, succeeds Helen Westervelt, who announced her retirement in January of this year. Westervelt remained at NCCI through the end of September to ensure a smooth transition.

Donegan and her team are responsible for developing companywide strategies to secure timely approvals of filing requests and workers compensation pricing programs in order to achieve corporate goals relating to loss costs adequacy, cost containment, residual market operating loss, Workers Compensation Insurance Plan filings, and regulatory customer satisfaction.

Most recently, she served as the commissioner at the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, the state agency that supervises the insurance, captive insurance, banking and securities sectors in Vermont. Her career includes various leadership positions including counsel to the commissioner of insurance in Massachusetts and positions in the private practice of law in Boston and Amsterdam.

She has served on numerous insurance regulatory committees at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors. She was a member of the executive committees of both those organizations and held other committee leadership positions.

Donegan graduated from Vermont Law School with a JD and holds two L.L.M. masters degreesone in banking and financial services law and the other in European Union and international trade law.

RMS Strengthens Executive Team with Appointment of Steel

Catastrophe modeling firm RMS announced the appointment of Michael Steel to its executive team in the position of global head of Solutions. He will also chair the companys Europe Leadership Council, and provide overall regional leadership to the RMS London and Zurich offices. His appointment reflects the companys increased commitment to its clients in the global risk and insurance industry. He will lead teams with deep knowledge of insurance and reinsurance risk management practices to define and deliver high-value solutions.

Steel has more than 25 years of experience in risk and capital management gained in the insurance industry. Prior to joining RMS, he was the group chief risk officer at AXIS Capital. He joined AXIS Capital in 2008 following 12 years at Benfield (now Aon Benfield) where he had been a firector with Benfield Ltd and Benfield Advisory, chairman and founder of the ReMetrics team, global head of the Capital Markets Group and head of the Structured Products team. Prior to his tenure at Benfield, he was a leading member of Instrat, Sedgwick Groups Analytics and Structured Products team. Steel currently serves as chairman of the Geneva Associations CRO Network.
Trapped in a walk-in hotel freezer with subzero temperatures, Carolyn Robinson Mangham knocked so desperately on the door that the skin on her knuckles had worn away, her husband said in a lawsuit.

When the door finally opened 13 hours later, the coroner said, the 61-year-old kitchen worker was lying on the metal floor, wearing her black shoes and pants, a white cooks shirt and a black apron. Her head and eyes were frozen solid.

Mangham, who died in March in Atlanta, was among a handful of workers who, in the last 15 years, were found dead in freezers, federal records show. Some were trapped by broken doors and either froze to death or were overcome by lethal fumes.

Experts say the deaths are preventable, but its not likely the federal government will draw up any specific regulations dealing with freezers. One reason: Theyre more inclined to enforce broad rules for employers, such as making clear exits available.

This should never happen. Its tragic, and the families are left with devastation, said Kim Bartels, whose brother Jay Luther died in a walk-in freezer in 2012.

Luther, a 47-year-old chef and co-owner of a cafe in Nashville, Tennessee, went into his restaurants freezer and the door shut behind him. For reasons not explained, there was no release mechanism to open the door, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration concluded in its report. Luther suffocated from breathing carbon dioxide vapors that came off dry ice inside the freezer, a medical examiner found.

Theres no question that technologies exist  old and new  that could address this issue, said David Ringholz, chairman of the industrial design department at Iowa State University.

Motion sensors, for instance, could disable doors anytime movement is detected inside a large walk-in freezer, he said. Other experts suggested alarms, a cellphone or even an axe kept inside to help someone get out.

Some safety upgrades would cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, and that expense can be a big obstacle to improvements.

Adam Finkel, a former OSHA regional administrator for the Rocky Mountain states, recalled when a 55-year-old woman died inside a freezer at a lodge in Colorado in 2002.

That one really struck me as a terrible way to go, said Finkel, now executive director of the Penn Program on Regulation at the University of Pennsylvania.

There had been problems with the freezer door at the Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel in Atlanta, according to the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages. Several months before her death, an exit mechanism failed inside the 12-by-10 freezer, and a hotel employee had to beat on a back wall in order for someone to let her out, the medical examiners report states.

When Mangham died, the medical examiner, OSHA and a representative of an equipment servicing company performed more than 30 tests on the doors exit device, and it opened properly each time, hotel spokeswoman Sally McDonald said.

However, three weeks later, the exit button malfunctioned during a follow-up inspection, this time trapping two people, who had to beat on the door to alert others outside to free them, the autopsy report states.

OSHA found that the hotel exposed workers to hazards, and levied a fine of more than $12,000 in Manghams death. The hotel agreed to frequent and regular inspections of its freezers, including the door-release mechanisms, the agency said.

After Manghams death, her co-workers and their union, UNITE HERE, demanded that emergency buttons be placed inside the freezers so that if someone becomes trapped, that person can alert building security or the fire department. So far, the hotel hasnt said whether they plan to have the buttons.

Such devices would be similar to those already in most elevators, said Lee Gray, an architectural historian at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte who wrote a book about the passenger elevator.

Westin Peachtree Plaza workers are also pushing for a better way of tracking employees, so that if someone disappears as Mangham did, others will know to look for them. The hotel has agreed to develop a procedure for workers to check in and out with others when they enter remote areas, OSHA said.

The hotel and its parent company, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, have not said whether they are considering changes at any other hotels in the company. Starwood was acquired this year by Marriott International for $13 billion, creating the worlds largest hotel company.

In the wake of Manghams death, the government could draft new rules and regulations or issue a bulletin or safety alert about the dangers of becoming trapped in freezers, which could raise awareness, said Celeste Monforton, a former OSHA official now with Texas State University.

But creating new, overly specific regulation is sometimes not helpful, said Wayne Li, director of the Innovation and Design Collaborative at the Georgia Institute of Technology. If regulations are too specific, they dont account for new technological advances and can become outdated and stifle innovative approaches, Li said.

Aaron Rabinowitz found his father dead inside the freezer of his familys San Diego cafe nine years ago. He said he thinks that some type of alarm would be a good idea, though it may not have helped his father because he was quickly overcome by the dry ice fumes.

Im in there myself daily, said Rabinowitz, who now runs the cafe. There are safety latches. They can freeze up where you have to give it a really good kick. Somebody who is not strong enough might have trouble with it, so I think that (the alarms) would be a nice extra level of safety beyond a safety latch.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Electromyography (EMG), a diagnostic procedure used to assess muscle and nerve damage, has become a major area of concern and a potential gateway for medical fraud and abuse, particularly in auto insurance.

Dr. John E. Robinton, medical director of Neurodiagnostics at One Call Care Management, presented on this topic of EMG Fraud and Abuse at the New Jersey Special Investigators Associations meeting in October.

Several factors have made auto insurance susceptible to EMG fraud and abuse, said Dr. Robinton. Results may be inaccurate or even fabricated, which then exposes the claim to more extensive medical fraud. For example, the test results in question could lead to unnecessary procedures, such as surgery and epidural injections, which are not only expensive to cover, but also invasive and painful for unsuspecting claimants.

For its Neurodiagnostics program, the company admits neurologists and physiatrists into its provider network to perform these types of exams only after they undergo a rigorous credentialing process. Providers are required to meet and continually adhere to stringent EMG quality standards, providing workers compensation payers with confidence in the accuracy and medical usefulness of test results.

While progress has been made in workers compensation, auto insurance still lacks safeguards in relation to quality and costs, said Dr. Robinton. On average, reimbursement for an EMG in auto insurance is 10 times higher than it is in a typical group health or Medicare claim. Lucrative fees combined with lax standards draw the type of practitioners who may be looking to take advantage of the system.

Dr. Robinton, who has long served as a consultant to New Jerseys attorney general regarding EMG fraud, highlighted inconsistencies that could alert investigators and lawyers to potential red flags.

An auto accident could be relatively minor in nature, but the claimant is being treated for a long-term, debilitating injury. Attorneys may also unearth discrepancies in the claimants examination under oath (EUO). For example, a male claimant might say hes being treated once a week, but unbeknownst to him, the insurer is being billed for therapy several times a week, said Dr. Robinton.

The goal is to get EMG providers with dubious practices out of play, said Dr. Robinton. Fraud and abuse hurt the legitimate providers, who are dedicated to quality but may be experiencing financial hardship as a result of unqualified and unscrupulous providers lowering overall standards of care, as well as reimbursement rates across the field of neurodiagnostic medicine.

Source: One Call Care Management
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Even with a transition fee tacked on to their monthly bills for the next five years, most residents can expect to pay less in 2017 once the switch made over to the Cleveland Water Department.

"We will work hard to make this as smooth and seamless of a transition as possible," Cleveland Water Division Commissioner Alex Margevicius said Saturday (Oct. 29) during a well-attended public informational meeting at the Cleveland Heights Community Center.

Cleveland Water will also be making a big overall change of its own next year by converting from quarterly to monthly billing.

"Moving from quarterly is going to be a big issue for us," Margevicius said.

Monthly water bills will be nothing new for Cleveland Heights customers, the difference being that they will also receive another monthly bill from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, rather than staying on the current quarterly cycle.

Cleveland Heights Utilities Commissioner Collette Clinkscale said at the outset of Saturday's meeting that the city started negotiating with Cleveland Water a little over a year ago to take over its ailing water system.

This was after city officials explored the possibilities of going with a performance contract to have a consultant help fix its leaking system, or entering into a public-private partnership last year with Aqua Ohio. Both ideas were scrapped.

A deal was reached about six months ago to move to "direct service," as opposed to remaining a "master meter community," buying water wholesale from Cleveland but managing its own system.

"That means the City of Cleveland Heights is getting out of the water business," Clinkscale said, "And on Jan. 3, 2017, that relationship becomes effective."

And there will be some changes in store. For one, Cleveland Heights residents will no longer be able to pay their bills at City Hall.

Also, in the second quarter of 2017, they will start changing out water meters in Cleveland Heights, in order to provide "fixed network automated meter reading."

"When your 'drive-by' meters were installed about 15 years ago, that was 'state-of-the-art,'" Margevicius said. "But with those, you've just been getting one reading a month."

With computer tracking, any continual flows of water showing during abnormal consumption times will be detected and if need be, fixed.

The metrics of the billing will also be changed, in terms of moving over the decimal point.

Up to now, Cleveland Heights customers' water consumption charges have been billed in units of "CCF" or 100 cubic feet, or roughly 750 gallons.

Cleveland Water bills customers by "MCF," or 1,000 cubic feet, which works out to nearly 7,500 gallons.

With Cleveland's rates remaining frozen through 2018, a water bill using a standard rate of 1 MCF would add up to about $96 a month, although Margevicius pointed out that the average household consumption is less than that, at 0.8 MCF.

And working on the MCF model, Margevicius noted that Cleveland Heights customers are now paying about $98 a month.

A five-year "transition charge" of nearly $39 per MCF will run through 2021 to recover various costs, including some of the $5 million debt that Cleveland Heights had run up on a water system operating in the red since 2009.

But Cleveland Water officials noted that Cleveland Heights' transition fee disappears from billing after five years, taking more than one-third off the average bill after that.

This announcement was met with a collective sigh of relief from the audience on Saturday.

At the initial residential meeting held on Oct. 26, some customers asked why Cleveland Heights residents were paying more than triple the transition fee of the 800 University Heights households that are part of the overall 16,000 customers in the current system.



While University Heights customers will pay about $12 a month in a transition fee, that will be extended over 10 years through 2026, with the city also kicking in a subsidy to help cover the costs.

"There were some discussions with Cleveland Heights along those lines, taking the transition charge out for 7-10 years," Margevicius said. "You don't want to make it too high, but at the same time, you want to make it disappear."

And for the monthly fixed charge on the smallest-size water meter (up to 1-inch), Cleveland Heights residents will see a $1 drop on their bills from $10 to $9 a month through the end 2019, when the rate goes up to $9.20.

While there were roughly 100 people turning out for each of the two residential meetings, Cleveland Water spokesman John Goersmeyer said there were also about six to eight representatives from local businesses at a meeting for commercial customers.

During the early going of the changeover, Margevicius advised residents to protect themselves from any scams and fraud. Look for embroidered Cleveland Water logo, along with white or blue marked vehicles.

"And we never come to your house asking you for a water payment," Margevicius said. "If someone does, close the door and call police."
A federal appeals court threw out a lawsuit by three death-row inmates challenging Ohio's laws regarding execution secrecy.

(cleveland.com file photo)

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Three Ohio death-row inmates facing execution within the next year lost their appeal Wednesday for a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Ohio's execution secrecy law.

Inmates Ronald Phillips, Raymond Tibbetts and Robert Van Hook argued that the law, which shields the identities of most participants in Ohio's execution process, violates their First Amendment and other constitutional rights.

A federal judge in Columbus dismissed the case in 2015, agreeing with the state's arguments that the rules would not infringe on free speech and that the plaintiffs' case was "based on conjectural or hypothetical" injuries. The majority of a three-judge panel from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the lower court's decision.

The inmates' suit challenged the constitutionality of House Bill 663, signed by Gov. John Kasich in 2014. It says Ohio must keep secret the names of people involved with executions, other than top officials.

It also protects the identity of small-scale drug manufacturers called compounding pharmacies if they make lethal-injection drugs for the state.

The law was passed in the wake of a lethal injection cocktail the state used on Preble County murderer Dennis McGuire in January 2014. Witnesses said he gasped, choked and clenched his fists while taking an unexpectedly long 25 minutes to die.

Proponents of the rules say they are needed to protect people involved in the execution process from harassment and potential harm.

The state will resume executions in January using a new cocktail.

Phillips, of Akron, was convicted of the 1993 rape and beating death of a 3-year-old girl. He is scheduled for execution Jan. 12.

Tibbetts and Van Hook, both convicted of aggravated murder in Hamilton County, are scheduled for execution on Feb. 15 and July 26, respectively.

Senior Judges Eugene Siler and Alan Norris, who voted to affirm the lower court's ruling, were appointed by Republican presidents. Judge Jane Stranch, appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama, dissented and had harsh words for Ohio's law.

"There can be no doubt: HB 663 will obstruct scrutiny of Ohio's execution protocol," Stranch wrote. "I find this deeply troubling."
premature

Cuyahoga County's preterm birth rate remains very high-- 11.8 percent-- earning the county another "F" grade this year on the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card. Ohio's rate of 10.3 percent earned a 'C' grade, and the state had one of the worst racial disparities in preterm birth in the country. Preterm births are the biggest contributor to infant deaths.

(Jennifer Coate, AP, File, 2006)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Women giving birth in Northeast Ohio continue to deliver premature babies at a higher rate than average, a problem that is fueling the region's infant mortality crisis.

Cuyahoga County's premature birth rate of 11.8 percent, highest of the six largest Ohio counties measured this year, earned it a failing grade on the annual March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card. Lucas County also earned a failing grade, and none of Ohio's six largest counties were graded higher than a 'D.'

Ohio was the only state this year whose largest counties received such uniformly low marks. The grades are based on 2014 preterm birth rates from the National Center for Health Statistics.

Ohio's grade remained steady this year at a 'C', reflecting no change in the state's 10.3 percent overall preterm birth rate from the previous year. The March of Dimes report grades are calculated by comparing a state's rate against the national goal of 8.1 percent.

The current national rate is 9.6 percent, and Ohio ranked 40th in the measure. Only four states received an 'A' grade in the report this year -- Washington, Oregon, Vermont and New Hampshire.

Preterm births occur before 37 weeks of pregnancy. A pregnancy is considered to be at term after more than 39 weeks.

The problem is even worse in the city of Cleveland. Last year, the city ranked 98th of 100 U.S. cities with the largest birth rates in the March of Dimes report, with a preterm birth rate of 13.7 percent. The rate earned Cleveland an overall "F" grade on the report card. Two other large Ohio cities also earned an "F" -- Cincinnati (11.8 percent) and Columbus (11.6 percent).

The March of Dimes report did not rank cities this year. The report, first offered in 2008, measures the country's progress in reaching the goal of a national preterm birth rate of 8.1 percent of all births by 2020.



Lauren Henderson, maternal and child health director of the March of Dimes Northeast Ohio Division, said efforts are under way that can make a big difference in bringing down the preterm birth rate, including reducing smoking rates, cutting down on unnecessary C-sections and increasing the use of progesterone, a hormone therapy that can help prevent women from going into labor too early.

None of these efforts are new, however. And a lot of money locally and across the state has been allocated to programs designed to implement them.

In 2013, the March of Dimes committed $10 million over five years for its Ohio Collaborative, one of five prematurity research centers across the country, a partnership of Case Western Reserve University, the MetroHealth system, UH MacDonald Women's Hospital and Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. And last year, the March of Dimes awarded more than $163,000 to statewide community programs aimed at preventing preterm birth.

Locally, more than $3 million in county and state funds have been pledged to the First Year Cleveland initiative, aimed at reducing the region's high infant mortality rate.

Cuyahoga County's premature birth rate has fallen in recent years. It was as high as 13.3 percent in 2006. The county suffers in comparison to other parts of the country that have improved more quickly.

Henderson said she's optimistic that the rates will come down in Cuyahoga County, though. Statewide initiatives aimed at reducing the preterm birth rate have only recently been targeted to the counties and cities with the worst infant mortality rates, she said.

"I'm absolutely confident that we'll have a breakthrough given all the work that's going into this," Henderson said.



The causes of preterm birth are numerous and often not fully understood. Risk factors include stress; maternal age younger than 17 or older than 35; high blood pressure (preeclampsia), diabetes and a family or personal history of preterm birth; infection; and having late or no prenatal care. Black women in the U.S. have a higher risk of preterm birth than white women, and researchers don't yet understand why.

In Ohio, the preterm birth rate among black women is 45 percent higher than the rate among all other women, according to the March of Dimes report. The state ranks 40th in this measure of racial disparity, which is an average percent difference in the preterm birth rate across all groups compared to the group with the lowest rate in the state.

In Ohio, Asian/Pacific Islander women have the lowest preterm birth rate, at 8.7 percent. Among black women, the rate is 13.9 percent.



Preterm birth is the biggest contributor to infant deaths across the country. The leading causes of infant death in Ohio are prematurity and preterm births, sleep-related deaths and birth defects.



The March of Dimes report also graded five other Ohio counties with high numbers of births:

Franklin: 10.4 percent -- 'D'

Hamilton: 10.8 percent -- 'D'

Lucas: 11.6 percent -- 'F'

Montgomery: 11.0 percent -- 'D'

Summit: 10.4 percent -- 'D'
While Ohio is busy celebrating the Cleveland Indians for making it to the World Series, little attention is being paid to what is happening right now to real Indians, the Native American people, just outside the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota.



As we watch our beloved team, most are blissfully unaware of the historic events occurring there. I'm not surprised, as the media has completely ignored it. I guess the largest gathering of tribes to ever occur in this country isn't worth mentioning. I guess hundreds arrests for peacefully protesting an oil pipeline across the Missouri River, threatening the water of millions, just isn't newsworthy. I guess journalists being arrested isn't worth covering in a country where freedom of the press is a Constitutionally protected right. I guess that attack dogs that bit men, women and children trying to stop the destruction of sacred cultural sites by private security is too boring in light of all the "real news."



So as millions watch the World Series as if it were a life and death matter, and Clevelanders cheer for their Indians, thousands of true Native Americans will be ignored and trampled over by a country that only wants its Indians packaged as smiling mascots.



Steve Plummer,

Akron
Heritage_Logo_College.png

Heritage College abruptly closed all 10 campuses, including one in Middleburg Heights.

(Heritage College )

MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio - Heritage College, a for-profit school that offered health care programs, suddenly closed all 10 campuses, including two in Ohio, on Tuesday.

The doors were locked at the college's Middleburg Heights location at 18780 Bagley Road. A campus in Columbus also closed.

The college, which opened in 1986, posted a notice on its website that it had permanently closed.

"The reason for the campus closures is that Heritage does not have the cash to continue to run its business," the notice said. "Numerous factors contributed to the circumstances including declining student population and a continued, decreased demand for the services of for-profit schools. Heritage did not close due to wrongdoing or a forced closure by a regulatory body, and we did explore a range of options that would have enabled the campuses to remain open serving students. Unfortunately, the options were not viable and our efforts proved unsuccessful."

Heritage, which had an unknown number of students, is the second for-profit college to close in recent months.

ITT Tech, which nine campuses in Ohio, including at Warrensville Heights, Strongsville, Akron and Youngstown, closed Sept. 6 after it was told by the U.S. Department of Education that it could no longer enroll new students who needed federal financial aid.

Local community colleges offered to help the 3,200 students who attended ITT in Ohio.

At the Middleburg Heights campus programs were offered in dental assisting, fitness training, massage therapy, medical administrative specialist, medical assisting and pharmacy technician.

The company also had campuses in Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and California.

Students can send inquiries to: heritage.info@heritage-education.net.
kit kat thief.jpg

A hungry thief decided to take a Kanas State University student's Kit Kat bar, but he or she did leave behind an apology note.

(From Twitter)

MANHATTAN, Kansas -- Who could pass up a Kit Kat bar?

That seems to be the case for some hungry thief, who apparently spotted an unattended Kit Kat in a Kansas State University student's car and decided to take it, UPI reports.

But the thief had a conscience, leaving behind a note written on a napkin apologizing for taking the student's wafer-and-chocolate treat.

"Saw Kit Kat in your cup holder. I love Kit Kats so I checked your door and it was unlocked," the note says. "Did not take anything other than the Kit Kat. I am sorry and hungry."

The student, Hunter Jobbins, posted a photo of the note on Twitter after returning to his car to find the Kit Kat bar missing.

"Left my car for maybe 15 minutes in front of the dorms and I come back to this," Jobbins says on the Twitter post. "College man."

The company that makes Kit Kat spotted the Twitter post and offered to send him a replacement, fox4kc.com reports.
Cleveland police car 2.jpg

Cleveland police are searching for four men accused of shooting into a car, injuring a 19-month-old girl and a 19-year-old man.

(File photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A man wearing a Joker mask on Halloween was among a group who fired several shots that injured a 19-year-old man and a toddler despite warnings that young children were inside the car, police reports say.

No arrests have been made in the incident, which happened about 4:45 p.m. Monday on Harvard Avenue and East 177th Street.

The victims were riding in a car that afternoon when the assailant in the Joker mask pulled up beside them, according to police.

Both cars pulled in to the Shell gas station on Lee and Harvard, police reports say. The driver of the car the victims were in told police "he exchanged words" with the four men in the other car.

One of the men got out of the car and had what appeared to be a handgun in his sweatshirt pocket, police reports say.

The victims' car sped away and the other car gave chase and eventually pulled up next to the other car. The four men in the car ordered the other driver to pull off onto a side street near East 177th Street, according to police.

Along with the driver and the victims, a 3-year-old boy and his mother were also in the car. The woman -- who is also the mother of the injured 19-month-old girl -- told police she shouted at the other car that she had young kids in the car.

The men in the other car, including the man wearing a Joker mask, fired several gunshots at the car.

Bullets ripped through the car and hit the 19-year-old man in the chest and back. Another bullet grazed the shoulder of the 19-month-old girl. Both were sitting in the backseat of the car, police reports say.

The driver went to nearby South Pointe Hospital. Both the victims were flown via emergency helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center, police reports say. The man was listed in critical but stable condition and the girl was in stable condition.

The three others inside the car were not injured.

Police searched the car at South Pointe Hospital and found it with multiple bullet holes in the trunk and the rear passenger door.

To comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments page.
Oil Pipeline Protest

Protesters against the construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline block a highway near Cannon Ball, N.D., on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Law enforcement officials have asked people protesting the Dakota Access oil pipeline to vacate an encampment on private land, and the protesters said no. Protesters are trying to halt construction of the pipeline they fear will harm cultural sites and drinking water for the Standing Rock Sioux. (AP Photo/James MacPherson)

(James MacPherson/Associated Press)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Three dozen State Highway Patrol troopers are in North Dakota to offer mutual aid during protests at the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Activists have gathered for months at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in hopes of stopping construction on a 1,200-mile pipeline intended to carry oil from western North Dakota to Illinois. Opponents argue the $3.8 billion project could endanger water supplies and disturb Native American cultural sites, according to the Associated Press.

The 37 Ohio troopers in North Dakota are providing support through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The state-to-state mutual aid agreement lets states share resources during natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina or large-scale events such as the recent Republican National Convention in Cleveland, State Highway Patrol Lt. Robert Sellers said.

"We're there in a support role," Sellers said. "We're there to support the people of North Dakota and our law enforcement partners."

The Ohio troopers -- who left Saturday for an indefinite stay in North Dakota -- are on hand to assist law enforcement and "protect the rights of all involved," Sellers said.

The protests have grown contentious in recent days, with law enforcement officers arresting 141 activists late last week, a spokesman for the Morton County Sheriff's Department told the Associated Press.

The Emergency Management Assistance Compact, established in 1996, has been ratified in all 50 states and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to its website. Its function is similar to how local police and fire departments offer mutual aid to surrounding communities, Sellers said.

All EMAC agreements constitute binding contracts that make a requesting state responsible for all costs. That means Ohio taxpayers are not paying troopers' wages or travel expenses for their assistance in North Dakota, Sellers said.

The troopers remain under the command of a State Highway Patrol supervisor, but will assist in any way they are needed in North Dakota, Sellers said.

Ohio is not the sole state assisting in North Dakota. The Nebraska State Patrol is also providing aid, according to the Lincoln Journal-Star.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments section.
trump clinton

Donald Trump leads Hillary Clinton by 5 points in a new Ohio poll.

(Left: Gerald Herbert, Associated Press, Photo; Right: Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Donald Trump leads Hillary Clinton in Ohio by 5 points, according to a new poll released less than a week before the election.

The Quinnipiac University poll found Trump up 46 percent to 41 percent among Ohio likely voters, with third-party candidate Gary Johnson pulling 5 percent. The university's last poll, released on Oct. 17, had found the race tied at 45 percent.

While Trump's lead is within the poll's margin of sampling error, it also parallels two other recent public polls conducted by Republican-aligned firms that also found Trump with a 5-point lead here.

The Quinnipiac poll was conducted between Oct. 27 and Nov. 1, which means it captured whatever political fallout may have resulted from the Oct. 28 news that the FBI had discovered additional emails that could have relevance to their previous investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server. While it's not clear what significance the emails may have, they nonetheless have renewed interest in a politically damaging subject for Clinton.

Live interviewers surveyed 589 likely Ohio voters, using a mix of landlines and cell phones. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

The poll found that among those who said they've already voted, 58 percent backed Clinton, versus 32 percent for Trump.

Polls in recent months have shown control of Ohio swinging back and forth between Clinton and Trump, a hallmark of a close race, although Trump seems to have taken a narrow lead since mid-October.

Ohio is a swing state that holds particular strategic importance to Trump. Both candidates apparently continue to view the state as being in play -- Clinton has publicly announced stops in Ohio on Friday and Sunday. A top Trump campaign aide told reporters on Tuesday that Trump plans to visit the state before Election Day on Nov. 8, but no date has yet been announced.

Quinnipiac on Wednesday also released three other polls, conducted during the same time period, that showed Clinton leading in the swing states of Florida, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
drainswamp.jpg

A supporter of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump holds a "Drain The Swamp" sign during a campaign rally at the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on Tuesday. Brent Larkin writes that Trump's threat to deny the validity of the Nov. 8 election if he loses and some of his supporters' threats of insurrection and even violence against Hillary Clinton if that happens represent a dangerous moment for the republic.

(Evan Vucci, Associated Press)

CLEVELAND -- Our long national nightmare should be about over.

Instead, it may be just beginning.

As more controversy over Hillary Clinton's emails roils the presidential campaign's final days, it's now a given that millions of the crazies who reside in Trump Nation will reject a Clinton victory Tuesday - even if Donald Trump is dealt the Electoral College landslide defeat he has worked so hard to earn.

Former President Gerald Ford's soothing words, delivered from the Oval office on the night of Aug. 9, 1974, just hours after Watergate drove Richard Nixon from office, no longer apply.

"My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over," began the new president. "Our constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not men."

To many of those who live in Trump Nation, and to the demagogue they so frighteningly admire, this is not a government of laws.

And if Tuesday doesn't work out the way they want, some Trump Nation residents have a remedy.

As the election neared, New York Times reporters put their lives on the line by wading into the angry crowds at Trump rallies to get a sense of how a Clinton victory might be viewed.

A man from Green Bay predicted "another Revolutionary War," adding people will "do whatever needs to be done to get her out of office."

In southwest Florida, another Trump Nation resident promised, "There will be a large amount of people that are terribly upset and may take matters into their own hands."

When the FBI is done poring through Clinton's old emails, maybe a few agents should find time to speak with the many Trump supporters who have openly suggested it may be appropriate to murder her.

These false patriots, who wrap themselves in the flag and believe it's permissible to hate, with a passion, about 30 percent of the people who live under that flag, blindly follow their leader in his utter disregard for the Constitution.

Donald Trump is yelling fire in a crowded theater. And his repeated insistence the election has been rigged is the clear product of a troubled mind incapable of acknowledging failure.

If Trump were viewed as sane - and more than a few prominent Republicans have insisted throughout the campaign he is not - his refusal to acknowledge the legitimacy of the election would be considered an attempt to undermine democracy and an invitation to violence on the part of the many fringe groups that support him.

"This is the stuff that we see in Russia and Venezuela and Azerbaijan and Malawi and Bangladesh, and that we don't see in stable democracies anywhere," Harvard professor Steven Levitsky told The New York Times.

Trump's ignorance is on display every single time he talks about the economy and foreign policy. And he almost never talks about one of the most important issues of our time - issues related to children, things like infant mortality and quality preschool.

All Trump knows about children is his role in the process of creating them.

His 30-year history of degrading and advocating violence against women has already set a horrible example for the nation's young.

What's more, the singularly vulgar nature of his campaign and his appeal to the worst common denominator in people have helped fast-forward the dumbing-down of a nation.

Since 1970, my various jobs at two Cleveland newspapers have at times required predicting election outcomes - the first of note coming 39 years ago, in one of the most dramatic campaigns ever waged for mayor of Cleveland.

Brent Larkin's 1977 prediction in the Cleveland Press of Dennis Kucinich's Cleveland mayoral victory

Having been lucky enough to guess right a whole lot more often than not, it is almost impossible to imagine Hillary Clinton losing - despite the ongoing problems that damage her reputation.

But even with the October surprise of an FBI investigation related to her sloppy email habits, too many thoughtful Republicans will refuse to put the future of their children and grandchildren at risk by voting for such a dangerously unfit man.

News media endorsements don't mean a whole lot in presidential campaigns. But the number of conservative Republican newspapers that have endorsed Clinton's candidacy is unprecedented.

But by far the most powerful and eloquent endorsement of the entire campaign came from The New Yorker magazine, writing of Trump in its lengthy Oct. 31 endorsement of Clinton: "It is a convention of our quadrennial pieties to insist that this election is singularly important. But Trump really does represent something singular.

"The prospect of such a president - erratic, empty, cruel, intolerant and corrupt - represents a form of national emergency."

Millions of Trump's supporters have legitimate grievances. What they fail to grasp, however, is that Trump would aggravate, not alleviate, them.

A vote for such an inhuman man would be no ordinary mistake.

For some, it might just be the mistake of a lifetime.

Brent Larkin was The Plain Dealer's editorial director from 1991 until his retirement in 2009.

To reach Brent Larkin: blarkin@cleveland.com

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The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be collecting deer biological data on the opening day of muzzleloader season, Nov. 5 and the opening day of the rifle season, Nov. 19 at various locations across East Tennessee. Data to be collected will include deer age estimates, antler measurements, and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance samples at select locations.

With the advent of Internet checking and the TWRA On The Go mobile device application, fewer hunters are physically bringing deer to the traditional check stations. These newer methods for big game checking has made the process easier for hunters, but more difficult for TWRA to collect much needed data from harvested animals.

The data collected is important in aiding TWRAs deer management decisions across the state. Many times, deer management recommendations and decisions are made using data collected from hunters and it is especially important when any buck restrictions are being considered. This also provides the opportunity to test deer for the presence of a neurological disease known as CWD, which is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy known to infect white-tailed deer, mule deer, and Rocky Mountain elk. The disease attacks the central nervous system and causes small holes to form in the brains of infected animals and is always fatal. While CWD is similar to scrapie and mad cow disease in cattle, there is no evidence that humans can contract the disease by coming into contact with infected animals or by consuming the meat from infected animals. However, TWRA still recommends that hunters take precautions to limit risks, including the use of latex gloves when field dressing deer.

Fortunately, CWD has not been detected in Tennessee but TWRA is increasing its monitoring program to ensure that the disease has not been introduced into the state. Historically, TWRA has targeted 200 deer per year for sampling but intends to collect 1,500 samples this year. To date, 80 free-ranging elk and 9,394 free-ranging deer have been tested for the disease in the state with all the results coming back negative.

Hunters are also reminded of the restriction that bans the importation of deer, moose, and elk carcasses from any state not bordering Tennessee that has found a positive case of CWD. It also includes states bordering Tennessee if that state has a CWD-positive county within 150 miles of Tennessees border. The restriction prohibits deer carcasses being brought into Tennessee from the CWD-positive states unless it is deboned meat, antlers, antlers attached to a clean skull, a clean skull (no meat or tissue), cleaned teeth, finished taxidermy products, or hides and tanned products. A list of states and Canadian provinces that are included in the restriction can be found a t http://www.tn.gov/twra/article /cwd-carcass-importation-ban .

For more information about checking stations in East Tennessee, contact TWRA Biologist Sterling Daniels at 423-522-2445 or Sterling.Daniels@tn.gov.
pope.promised.jpg

In this 2000 file photo, the late Pope John Paul II stands on top of Mount Nebo, west of Amman, Jordan, where tradition says Moses first glimpsed the Promised Land. The Rev. Tim Ahrens writes that the quality of Moses' leadership was such that he could pass the mantle to Joshua -- a lesson for Donald Trump and his threat to reject the voters' choice this electoral season.

(Arturo Mari, Pool via AP, File, 2000)

The Rev. Tim Ahrens of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Columbus

COLUMBUS, OHIO -- Moses gave one of the first concession speeches known to humanity. After leading his people through the desert, in a campaign slog that would put today's politicians to shame, Moses was denied entry into the Promised Land.

He knew it was coming - even without any polls. But he did not complain, or question the decision. Instead, he gathered the 12 tribes of Israel on the banks of the Jordan River, reiterated God's laws, and handed his authority over to Joshua. He conceded his leadership to the next generation of leaders.

It could not have been easy. But Moses was a leader and, after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, he knew the consequences if his people questioned or doubted God's word. To do so would be to destroy all they had managed to build together along the way.

Contrast Moses' willingness to accept the fate before him with that of the candidate for president who has said that if he does not win - if he does not make it to his own promised land - he may not accept the outcome of the election. He will keep us "in suspense."

I believe the word the other candidate used was "horrifying."

As for me, I would add terrifying.

Here's why: A democracy is only as strong as the agreement of the governed to accept the outcomes of elections. Each time power is transferred between presidents, we stand on the banks of the Jordan together.

Perhaps a better analogy is that every fourth year on Jan. 20, it's as though we are all standing on the side of a cliff. Some of us want to celebrate. Others are disappointed, perhaps angry. But at noon we all turn around, walk back from the edge together and move forward. We accept it, because to do otherwise would tear apart our institution of democracy itself.

This acceptance is in itself something of a religious act. The faithful understand that struggling with God, with fate or with the ultimate outcomes before us has value, that questioning has merit. In the end, though, the faithful also recognize that acceptance of the end result is what is needed in order to gain peace - spiritual peace in the face of personal tragedy and, in the case of a democracy, actual peace.

This is one of the many great ironies of this stranger-than-fiction electoral cycle. The self-proclaimed "law and order" candidate, the candidate who promises to keep America safe from violent extremism, could himself incite an ultimately violent breakdown of law and order the likes of which we have not seen since the Civil War. We have to return to 1860 to see losing candidates for president and their followers refusing to accept the outcome of our presidential election.

Perhaps that historic reminder will help convince those last few Christians, Jews and people of other faiths and of no faith who are still struggling with their vote to come to a resolution that they believe honors both their faith and their understandable concerns about security.

As for me, I am not struggling. I will vote according to a simple but important tenet of my faith: the Golden Rule. I would like to live in a country where my religion or ethnicity are not publicly denigrated, where my family is able to make ends meet, where my daughters have a voice in who puts their hands on them, and my sons grow into men who respect and honor the women of their lives. So I will vote to ensure others have the same opportunity to live in that country.

If, however, my choice does not win the election, I will accept the outcome, as must we all. This is not about any single one of us, after all, but rather about our democracy and the Promised Land we have begun to create here and the work we must all continue to do to achieve the promise of country.

The Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens is senior minister at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Columbus.

******

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SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- More than five years after the controversial "Citizens United" decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, local voters have the opportunity to push for a constitutional amendment to attempt to strike it down with Issue 95.

Having collected 1,575 signatures from residents to get the "Move to Amend" initiative on the Nov. 8 ballot, Shaker Heights could join about 500 other communities in what organizers call "a grassroots effort to reclaim democracy."

A similar measure is also on the ballot next week in South Euclid, and it's already passed in neighboring Cleveland Heights, as well as Brecksville, Chagrin Falls, Mentor, and Newburgh Heights.

At the state and federal levels, Ohio Rep. and former Cleveland Heights Councilwoman Janine Boyd and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur have each introduced legislation to establish that:

-- Corporate entities should no longer be classified as having the same constitutional rights as people;

-- "Money" should no longer be equated with "free speech." And therefore, it can be regulated in political campaigns.

Back in 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled otherwise in the "Citizens United" decision, which effectively lifted restrictions on political spending by corporations, labor unions and other associations.

The Supreme Court followed this up in 2014 with the "McCutcheon vs. FEC" ruling that in turn lifted aggregated spending limits.

While Shaker Move to Amend treasurer Bruce Ente acknowledged the uphill battle faced in getting a Constitutional amendment passed, organizers pointed out that the Constitution has been amended 27 times, often through grass-roots efforts.

If passed at the local level, as was done in Cleveland Heights in 2013 with 78 percent of the vote, those efforts would continue with a public hearing hosted every two years by Shaker City Council, beginning next fall.

There, citizens will be allowed to speak for five minutes each on the political influence of corporate entities.

That testimony will be placed in the public record and a summary will be sent to state and national legislators.

Petitions would call for a Constitutional amendment declaring that "only human beings -- not corporations -- are legal persons, with Constitutional rights," and further, that "money is not the equivalent of 'free speech.'"

That is essentially the ballot language that will be appearing in Shaker Heights' Issue 95 on Nov. 8.

Other neighboring cities listed as "prospects" for future "Move to Amend" efforts include Lyndhurst and University Heights.
Wednesday, Nov. 10 a.m.1 p.m. at the Brainerd BX located at 400 Belvoir Ave. Area residents seeking employment or a career change are invited to attend to connect with more than 40 employers seeking to fill hundreds of job openings within the Greater Chattanooga/ NW Georgia area. The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga is hosting its annual Fall Job Fair onfromat the Brainerd BX located at 400 Belvoir Ave. Area residents seeking employment or a career change are invited to attend to connect with more than 40 employers seeking to fill hundreds of job openings within the Greater Chattanooga/ NW Georgia area.

The companies who are planning to attend this years job fair are:

Prologistix

NewsChannel 9

Advance Financial

Chattem

McKee Foods

T-Mobile

Siskin Steel

Sears

Orange Grove

NSM Seating

Erlanger

Tennessee Valley Authority

Convergys

EPB

TN Career Center

Walden Security

UNUM

ERMC

Integrity Staffing

Keithcare

Scenic City Staffing

Aerotek

Chattanooga State

Regions Bank

Chattanooga Police Department

Durham Transportation

Belhaven University

Coca-Cola Refreshments

Roadtec

FedEx

Koch Foods

City of Chattanooga

CBL Properties

Hamilton County Sheriff

Wilkins Research

United Testing and Balancing

XANITOS

Olin Chlor Alkali Products

Advance Financial

Tennessee Valley Credit Union

Tennessee College of Applied Technology

Army and Army Reserves

The Urban League Job Fair is free and open to the public; however, registration is required. Job seekers are encouraged to wear business attire and bring multiple copies of their resumes.
The shipping industry, long plagued by overcapacity, will benefit from the consolidation and government-led financing solutions currently afoot in Asia. But the reprieve will be temporary at best.

Japan's three biggest shippersNippon Yusen KK , Mitsui OSK Lines and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha announced a merger of their container shipping businesses on Monday in an attempt to stay competitive amid the industry's sharp downturn. The new entity would be the world's sixth-largest player, yielding $1.05 billion in annual cost benefits and $19.1 billion in combined revenues, according to an official statement.

A Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) container ship at a shipping terminal in Tokyo on Oct. 31, 2016. Japan's three biggest shippers agreed to spin off their container operations and merge them to create the world's sixth-largest box carrier as the global container-shipping industry continues to shrink. Akio Kon - Bloomberg - Getty Images

"The aim of becoming one this time is so none of us become zero," said Nippon Yusen president Tadaaki Naito at a news conference. A mix of slow global trade, increased shipping freight capacity and record-low freight prices have hit the industry, producing a wave of consolidation this year. In June, CMA CGM SA, the world's third-largest container shipper, assumed control of Singapore's Neptune Orient Lines in what was the industry's biggest acquisition ($2.5 billion) in nearly a decade. Hapag-Lloyd and United Arab Shipping agreed in July to merge to become the fifth-largest container shipping company. And last year saw China Ocean Shipping Group and China Shipping Group combine to create China Cosco Shipping Corp. With current conditions unlikely to change in the near-term, more deals are widely expected. "While freight rates have been (recently) trending upwards, research shows the gap between supply and demand is going to persist for at least the next two years," said Greg Knowler, Asia editor of maritime and trade at IHS Markit. He believes Taiwan's Evergreen Marine and Yang Ming are potential M&A targets given their poor operating margins. But corporate coupling can only do so much in the face what experts anticipate is a long-term issue of low demand. Mergers created a stabilization base through economies of scale and efficiency, but they were no silver bullet, warned Trinh Nguyen, senior economist at Natixis.



watch now
Don't say you haven't been warned.

A record number of people are expected to fly during the 12-day period surrounding Thanksgiving, as they look to take advantage of carriers' low fares.

Airlines for America, an industry trade group, estimates 27.3 million people will fly worldwide on domestic airlines between Nov. 18 and Nov. 29. That equates to an average 2.27 million people every day  up 2.5 percent from last year.

The current peak years for Thanksgiving travel are believed to be 2006 and 2007, when 26.2 million travelers flew on U.S. airlines each of those years, according to the trade group.

"Airlines are adding capacity to accommodate the increased demand," said John Heimlich, Airlines for America's vice president and chief economist. "While more people will be flying, there will be more than an adequate number of seats available."

The most recent data from the U.S. Department of Transportation show the average domestic airfare in the second quarter was $352  the lowest price since 2011. Coupled with a stronger economy and relatively high consumer confidence, these low fares have contributed to greater demand among travelers.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is expected to be the busiest day for air travel that weekend, according to the forecast. If you're looking for a little more elbow room in the airport and on the plane, Thanksgiving Thursday is expected to be the lightest travel day.
With the final countdown to the election in hand, an 'ugly period' for the market is drawing near, says one economist.

"Clearly what we have right now is a market that is finally realizing that this could be a repeat of what we saw in the U.K. in terms of Brexit  not necessarily meaning that Trump will prevail, but certainly that it will be much tighter come election day," Steen Jakobsen of Saxo Bank told CNBC's "Futures Now" on Tuesday. "That's really the theme of the week, and that of course is coming in the form of increased volatility."

The CBOE Volatility Index, or , surged above 20 for the first time since September 12 on Tuesday, while the S&P 500 fell to its lowest level in four months. The move comes as data compiled by RealClearPolitics shows that Hillary Clinton's lead over Donald Trump is narrowing.

"This is about much more than Clinton and Trump. Even if Clinton wins, I believe there will be more volatility post-election, because this is not about [the candidates], it's more about [Americans being fed up with the status quo]," he said.

For Jakobsen, the volatility will continue through December as investors weigh a potential Fed rate hike, regardless of who wins the White House next Tuesday. But the odds of a recession will increase sharply if the incumbent party prevails.

"It's almost guaranteed that a Clinton victory is 'safe' and the Fed will move in December. And, in my opinion, that will increase the probability of a recession in the U.S. to something like 60 to 70 percent," he said.

Jakobsen believes the Fed will opt to move next month in order to "regain credibility" with the market, but he does blame the U.S. central bank for manipulating equities in order to mitigate declines.

"That's what a lot of investors are missing ... since Greenspan the Fed has changed policy. Not from a dual mandate, but to actually steering the stock market in a direction that is supportive," he added.



Jakobsen advised investors to embrace the volatility and play defensively as a stronger U.S. dollar limits equity returns.

"If you come into this both as a trader and as a server of the market, I think you will do really well, because the volatility has nothing to do with Trump or Clinton, it has to do with a model that is preempted and trotted out by monetary policy that doesn't work and the lack of fiscal stimulus," he concluded.
Scott Michael Greene, 46, was captured in nearby Dallas County amid a manhunt following the early-morning shootings, Des Moines Police Lt. Chris Scott told NBC News. He was being transported back to Des Moines for questioning.

A suspect was arrested Wednesday morning in the killing of two Des Moines-area officers slain in separate "ambush-style attacks" while sitting in their cars, Iowa authorities said.

Earlier, police described Greene, of the Des Moines suburb of Ubrandale, as armed and dangerous, and said he posed a "clear and present danger to police officers."

Sgt. Paul Parizek, a Des Moines police spokesman, said there did "not appear that there was any interaction between these officers and the coward who shot them."

Parizek, who said the officers "were gunned down when they were sitting in their car," added that his colleagues were travelling in pairs for their own safety.

Their names were not immediately released.

"These were our friends. They were our co-workers," said Parizek, adding, "We're heartbroken."

In an earlier statement, the Des Moines Police Department said the first officer was found dead at around 1:06 a.m. CT (2:06 a.m. ET) in Urbandale, which also has its own force.

A second officer's body was located in Des Moines at 1:26 a.m. CT (2:26 a.m. ET), it added. The officer died shortly after being taken to hospital.

"The shootings appear to have been ambush-style attacks," the statement said.

It added that "suspect information is being developed at this time."
The admission season for the 2017-18 academic year is underway at St. Nicholas School, and registration for campus tours is open. The next one is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 10. Additional tour dates are:

Dec. 1, 2016

Jan. 5, 12 & 26, 2017

Feb. 2 and 9, 2017

March 16, 2017

All group tours are on Thursdays from 8:25 a.m. until approximately 10 a.m. and are designed for parents only  children will be invited at a later date. Visits begin with chapel and include meeting the head of school and touring classrooms.

The deadline for submitting applications for the Early Learning Center (pre-k and kindergarten) is

Wednesday, Feb. 15, with individual assessments scheduled for Feb. 21-24 and group assessments on Fri., March 3, and Mon., March 6.

St. Nicholas School offers a unique educational program designed to foster a love of learning, and its students consistently meet or surpass national standards and benchmarks. Visitors should not expect to see neat rows of desks as in a traditional setting. Instead, they will see students actively engaged in their work and participating in stations set up throughout classrooms.

Founded on the principles of the Episcopal Church, St. Nicholas emphasizes love and respect for all humans, moral integrity, spiritual growth, compassion, and responsibility. Students of all religious and cultural backgrounds are welcome.

To register for a tour or for more information, contact Cori Hasden at chasden@stns.org or 423-899-1999.
With the election just days away, small-business owners are increasingly concerned about which candidate will secure the presidency and how that might impact their future.

Data released Tuesday from the Los Angeles-based Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management finds that, by a nearly 2-to-1 margin, 38 percent of small-business owners are "very concerned" about the impact of a new president on their business, compared with 19 percent who say they are "not at all" concerned. This finding comes as Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton focus on different battleground states in an increasingly tight race.

"We saw the same thing in 2012, right before the election, a lot of trepidation with business owners concerned about the future and staying on the sidelines a bit," says Craig Everett, assistant professor of finance at Pepperdine. "It is concerning that they don't seem to be seeking capital quite as much nor are they pursuing aggressive growth strategies."

A second poll from the National Federation of Independent Business echoes that theory. The NFIB saw its own uncertainty index hit a 42-year high Wednesday. Political uncertainty continues to be a key reason small-business owners are choosing not to expand right now, the conservative lobbying group finds in its monthly report on small-business optimism.

"Small-business owners who cannot reasonably anticipate government policies or economic conditions are unwilling to deploy capital, hire new employees, borrow money, or make any long-term financial decisions," said the NFIB's president and CEO, Juanita Duggan, in a release. "Uncertainty is a drag on the economy, and the nature of this campaign is creating record levels of anxiety among small-business owners."
Alibaba on Wednesday rejected a report that claimed a "high-up" whistleblower in the company is working with U.S. authorities to investigate its accounting practices.

The New York Post reported Tuesday that an insider at the Chinese e-commerce giant is helping the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate "controversial accounting practices" related to transactions between its Cainiao logistics arm and several other business affiliates.

Alibaba disclosed in May that the SEC was looking into this and also the way it reports its annual "Singles' Day" shopping festival.

The Post said a "high-up official" helped the SEC investigate, citing a source close to the situation. It's unclear whether that person is still at Alibaba. The source said that the investigation could take "another several months," according to the newspaper.
The number of Americans searching for jobs in Canada has increased a whopping 58 percent since last year. And some are speculating it's because of the especially rough election season.

Jobs posting platform Monster Worldwide saw 30,296 job queries on its website using the keyword "Canada" between January and October of this year, a jump from the 19,693 in all of 2015.

The job title most searched for by Americans looking to work in Canada was engineers. American job seekers were looking in Ontario, specifically the city of Toronto, followed by the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia.

The authors of the Monster report set out to explore the hypothesis that the scandal-ridden presidential election cycle was actually driving citizens, especially white-collar workers, to consider moving up north.

Their numbers support it.
Shen Danyang also said China hopes Germany can be calm and create a fair environment for investors. The German government has withdrawn its approval for a Chinese takeover of chip equipment maker Aixtron , citing security concerns.

China hopes Germany's recent security investigations into proposed acquisitions by Chinese companies are "an exception", a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

It has also reportedly turned down a Chinese request for approval of a takeover of Osram 's light bulb unit Ledvance pending a review of the deal.

"China hopes Germany's security re-investigation into the case is only an exception, not meaning that Germany will change its economic policies, because it will be bad for China and German's trade development and outlook," Shen told a regular news briefing, without specifying a particular case.

Shen said concerns from some German officials that China's acquisitions will take away technology and jobs are unnecessary.

China's investment in Germany "is not very large" despite rapid growth in recent years, he said.

Germany's economy minister Sigmar Gabriel made plain his concerns about Beijing's trade policies in talks with Chinese government officials on Tuesday marked by tensions over corporate takeovers.

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Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell:

Alibaba  The China-based online operator beat estimates on the top and bottom lines in its latest quarter, with revenue rising 55 percent over a year earlier.

Time Warner  Time Warner earned an adjusted $1.55 per share, beating estimates of $1.37 a share. Revenue also exceeded forecasts and the media giant also raised its full-year forecast. Time Warner recently announced a deal to be acquired by AT&T .

Allergan  The drugmaker missed estimates by 24 cents a share, with adjusted quarterly profit of $3.32 per share. Revenue also missed forecasts, despite good sales numbers for its glaucoma treatment and Botox treatments. Allergan also announced a $10 billion stock buyback and a first-time quarterly dividend of 70 cents per share.

Brocade Communications  The maker of networking equipment will be bought by chipmaker Broadcom in a deal worth $5.5 billion excluding debt or $12.75 per share in cash.

Estee Lauder  The cosmetics maker came in four cents a share above estimates, with adjusted quarterly profit of 84 cents per share. Revenue came in below analysts' forecasts. The company said it is pleased with its results in the face of macroeconomic challenges such as lower U.S. retail store traffic and slower overseas markets.

Clorox  The household products maker fell six cents a share shy of estimates, with quarterly profit of $1.36 per share. Revenue was very slightly above forecasts. Clorox has been helped by price increases and lower commodity costs, but it has also spent more on advertising and on research and development.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals  The drugmaker confirmed that it is in talks to sell its Salix stomach drug business. Earlier stories had pegged the price at about $10 billion, with Valeant saying it was in talks about various divestitures including but not limited to the Salix unit and that the talks may or may not lead to an agreement.

Square  Square reported a quarterly loss of nine cents per share, two cents a share smaller than expected. The mobile payments company's revenue exceeded forecasts. Square also raised its full-year guidance as it processes more transactions.

Gilead Sciences  Gilead fell 11 cents a share shy of estimates, with adjusted quarterly profit of $2.75 per share. Revenue did slightly exceed forecasts. The drugmaker's results were pressured by lower-than-expected sales of its hepatitis C drugs.

Zillow Group  Zillow beat estimates by four cents a share, with adjusted quarterly earnings of 17 cents per share. The real estate website operator also saw revenue come in above Street forecasts. Zillow raised its revenue outlook for the full-year as the number of users increases.

Etsy  Etsy lost two cents per share for its latest quarter, matching estimates, with revenue for the online handmade goods marketplace slightly above forecasts. Etsy also raised its full-year guidance and announced that CFO Kristina Salen is leaving the company in March to pursue other opportunities.

Electronic Arts  Electronic Arts reported adjusted quarterly profit of 56 cents per share, 13 cents a share above estimates. The video game maker's revenue also exceeding consensus. However, its sales forecast for the holiday shopping season is below what analysts had expected, with competition increasing from other companies introducing new games.

Herbalife  Chief Executive Officer Michael Johnson will step down next year after 13 years on the job, to be replaced by Chief Operating Officer Richard Goudis. Johnson will become executive chairman of the nutritional products maker.

Tesla  Tesla said its planned merger with SolarCity will add $500 million to the automaker's balance sheet over the next three years, while contributing more than $1 billion in revenue next year.

Tableau Software  Tableau came in nine cents a share above estimates, with adjusted quarterly profit of 16 cents per share. The business software company's revenue was below estimates, with the company citing extended sales cycles on certain U.S. deals, as well as softness in emerging markets.

US Steel  US Steel reported adjusted quarterly profit of 40 cents per share, half of what analysts were projecting. Revenue also missed forecasts. The steelmaker said operational issues "remain a headwind" for the company.

Match Group  Match beat estimates by four cents a share, with adjusted quarterly profit of 23 cents per share. The operator of dating websites saw revenue come in above forecasts on an increase in paid users.

Microsoft  Microsoft plans to release a new patch for its Windows operating system on November 8, following news that Russia-linked hackers were exploiting a Windows flaw.

WageWorks  WageWorks bought ADP 's consumer health spending account business for an undisclosed amount, with the deal expected to close by the end of the month.

Avianca Holdings  The airline operator is considering various options including the sale of a controlling stake, according to Bloomberg. The airline operator is expected to get bids from Delta and United Continental .
Media mogul and Hillary Clinton supporter Robert Johnson told CNBC on Wednesday the revelation about the FBI's renewed interest in her emails threatens to set a dangerous precedent.



"You can't have a democracy determined by a leak. You just can't," the founder of BET said on "Squawk Box." "If you do that, ... you're setting up ... a process of leaks get[ting] reward due to partisan politics."

The "leak" Johnson is referring to was a tweet on Friday by House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, a Republican from Utah.



Chaffetz quoted from a letter he and other committee heads received from FBI Director James Comey: "The FBI has learned of the existence of emails that appear to be pertinent to the [Clinton email] investigation."



It was later learned the FBI obtained a warrant to search emails related to the investigation of Clinton's private server that were discovered on disgraced ex-congressman Anthony Weiner's laptop, Weiner is the estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin.



Abedin has told the FBI she was unaware that any of her emails were on the laptop authorities seized as part of their investigation into Weiner's latest sextexting scandal, this time allegedly with a 15-year-old girl.

In July, Comey, a registered Republican, had recommended against bringing charges against Clinton for mishandling classified information, a recommendation the Justice Department later followed.

Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies, still predicts Clinton will win next week's election over Donald Trump, but said she needs to move to the center because he sees the GOP keeping the House and the Senate.



"That's the only way she'll be able to find sympathetic Republicans, like [House Speaker] Paul Ryan and some of the others in the Senate who will say, 'Hillary let's sit down and cut a deal as to how to deal with some of the issues facing the country," said Johnson, a Clinton friend for 30 years.

Johnson also reflected on his support of Clinton over then-Sen. Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic primaries. "The campaign ... was tough. For an African-American to be on Hillary's side at a time when most African-Americans were enamored with President Obama ... that was a big point."


European shares ended lower on Wednesday as the race for U.S. presidential election intensified and investors reacted to a slide in oil prices while keeping a close eye on the Federal Reserve announcement.

Italian banks fall

European markets



The Stoxx 600 was down 1.13 percent. All sectors closed in negative territory at the end of European trading with Autos leading the slide having dropped more than 2.5 percent. The banking sector was also one of the poorest performers on Wednesday, falling 2.3 percent. Italian banks struggled significantly after media reports that the government could delay the upcoming referendum on constitutional reform. However the news reports were quickly denied by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's office. Shares of Banco Popolare were down 7.04 percent and Banca Pop Milano were down 7.69 percent.

Meanwhile, the Dow Jones industrial average and the broader S&P 500 index continued to trade lower as markets prepared for the Federal Reserve's statement on Wednesday.





US election in focus

Investors are reconsidering their bets on a Clinton victory as opinion polls show the gap between the Democrat and the Republican candidates narrowing. A broad benchmark for Asian shares fell to a seven-week low overnight on the news.

The Clinton campaign is asking the FBI to disclose information on any ties between her opponent, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, and Russia. The Democrats blame the FBI for "unfair" publicity too close to election day. Oil prices, meanwhile, were contracting for a fourth consecutive day. Brent was trading at $46.61 a barrel, falling 3.18 percent and WTI was at $45.23 dropping 3.09 percent after a bigger-than-expected build in U.S. crude inventories.



Lufthansa, Hugo Boss, Persimmon earnings

In Europe, data released by the British Retail Consortium showed that U.K. prices have not increased for consumers in the fallout of the Brexit vote. A Nationwide index showed on Wednesday that house prices remain steady in the U.K. during the month of October, with a year-on-year growth rate of 4.6 percent from 5.3 percent in the previous month. The euro area's October final manufacturing PMI index came in at 53.5, compared to 52.6 in September, growing close to a three-year high. In terms of corporate earnings, Germany's Lufthansa announced its adjusted earnings before interest and taxes fell 6.5 percent in the third quarter. Its shares were down 2.5 percent by the close. Hugo Boss also reported a drop in third-quarter profits, but the numbers were better-than-expected. Its shares rose 4.2 percent on Wednesday. Persimmon saw its second-half operating margin improving from the first half, with private sales going up 19 percent and its shares 0.8 percent in the black. Moller-Maersk Group saw a slump in third-quarter profits due to low freight prices which it said were down 16 percent year-on-year. The world's largest shipping company reached the bottom of the Stoxx 600 in morning trade, with shares falling more than 9 percent. However the stock managed to recover slightly, closing 7.1 percent lower at the end of the trading day.
Increasing ad load  the number of ads on the website  has been one of three main factors of Facebook's growth, along with user growth and increasing time spent on the platform, Facebook's chief financial officer David Wehner said on Wednesday. But ad load could "come down meaningfully" after mid-2017, Wehner said, reiterating last quarter's comments, and revenue growth could decline in the fourth quarter.

Facebook showed Wall Street that even with over 1 billion users, it can still post blockbuster growth. But one of the main drivers of its expansion will taper off next year, an executive said.

"We continue to see good opportunities to grow time spent. We see good opportunities to grow users. We continue to see good opportunities to grow advertiser demand," Wehner said. "Really, the mix of ad units is part of what we're doing, I think, really well. We're developing a number of new ad products as well as enhancing the ad products that we have out in the market today, so we're taking what is a great mobile ad product on Facebook and Instagram and making it even better."

Wehner said that investments in new ad products will continue to enable more advertiser appetite.

The company also said it would alter its tax approach to its employee equity awards in 2017  a method that would have increased cash outflows by $1.8 billion through September if it had been used in 2016.

"Adding top engineering talent remains one of our key investment priorities as we continue to execute on our three, five and 10 year roadmaps," Wehner said. "In addition, we expect to grow capital expenditures substantially."

"We expect revenue growth rates will decline as we lap strong quarters," Wehner said in a conference call with investors. The company also said it would be hiring aggressively and investing in data center expansion, even as it reached a limit on how many ads it can show on its properties.

Facebook reported quarterly earnings and revenue that beat analyst expectations on Wednesday, as it added more users than Wall Street expected.



The social media giant posted adjusted earnings of $1.09 per share on revenue of $7.01 billion, up from the comparable year-ago figures of 57 cents per share, adjusted, on $4.5 billion in revenue. Analysts had expected earnings of 97 cents per share, adjusted, on $6.92 billion, according to a Thomson Reuters consensus estimate.

The most optimistic estimate for the September quarter listed in FactSet was $1.03 per share, adjusted, from RBC Capital Markets. It marks the fourth straight quarter that Facebook has pummeled Wall Street's projections, after beating in January, April and July.

Beating by 12 cents per share, the results were one standard deviation from the mean. In the past five years, there have been only three other times when Facebook has beat by an above-average magnitude. In the week following, Facebook is up 67 percent of the time, according to Kensho data.

But shares of the stock wavered after hours, briefly rising before dropping nearly 7 percent after hours.

"Perhaps one of the reasons [why] the stock was down initially was people are waiting for the engagement score for the U.S. and Canada," JMP analyst Ron Josey said.

Advertising revenue hit $6.82 billion, above the $6.71 billion estimated by StreetAccount. Monthly active users rose to 1.79 billion, above the more than 1.75 billion expected. For the first time, more than 1 billion users were active only on their phones every month.

Average revenue per user was $4.01 in the third quarter.

"We had another good quarter," Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg said in a release. "We're making progress putting video first across our apps and executing our 10 year technology roadmap."

Investors are banking on Facebook's executive team to continue to grow revenue from core Facebook with new ad products and overseas margin expansion and to monetize Oculus, WhatsApp and the Facebook Messenger platform. User engagement is another thing investors watch very closely.

The social media company notched major milestones this year, reaching 1 billion monthly users on messaging apps WhatsApp and Messenger, and 500 million monthly Instagram users. Shares of Facebook's stock hit an all-time intraday high last week. It has also launched services to boost its presence in commerce and has beefed up Snapchat-like offerings.



But the company has also faced challenges. In September, the company said it made an error in estimating a key video metric.

Zuckerberg said that Facebook plans to make some key improvements to become a video-first platform, after experiments with creative tools its in-app camera functions across its apps. One change will be a separate video experience, and another will be investing in infrastructure to deliver the best videos quickly.

"Fundamentally, the mobile networks are getting to a point where a margin of people around the world can have the experience of watching a video," Zuckerberg said. "If you go back a few years and you tried to load a video in Newsfeed, it might have to buffer for 30 seconds before you watched it, which wasn't a good enough experience for that to be the primary way that people shared....it's just much more intensive technically. There aren't very many companies that can do this at the scale that we're talking about. That's an advantage for us."

Chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg said she believes that ad dollars shift with eyeballs  and Facebook wants to be the best ad dollars that businesses spend in videos.

"It's definitely true that most of our advertisers are advertising on TV and advertising with us on mobile  and they should be," Sandberg said. "And we've done studies with Nielsen that show our ads can be a good complement to TV, particularly enabling you to reach people who really aren't on TV ... the power of what we're able to really goes to the targeting."

Zuckerberg has also been mired in political news amid a contentious election cycle, having reportedly weighed in on posts from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Zuckerberg has advocated on behalf of PayPal co-founder and Facebook board member Peter Thiel, who supports Trump.

Two-thirds of Facebook users  66 percent  get news on the site, according to the Pew Research Center, up from 47 percent in 2013.



Zuckerberg estimated that Facebook's "Register to Vote" link helped more than 2 million people register to vote, some for the first time.

"Facebook really is the new town hall," he said.

 CNBC's Harriet Taylor and Julia Boorstin contributed to this report.
The increase in supply comes after several weeks of draw downs and a sharp drop in inventories of 14 million barrels in early September, which was blamed on Hurricane Matthew and other storms.

The U.S. government's Energy Information Administration Wednesday reported the record inventory increase in its weekly report for Oct. 28. The number is volatile, but there was also a two million barrel increase in U.S. imports to 9 million barrels, the highest since 2012.

"In the absence of stronger statements or better weekly stats, you'll see it trending down. The problem is the market is really long at this point," said Helima Croft, head of global commodities strategy at RBC.

Oil prices plunged after a record 14.4-million barrel jump in U.S. crude supply, and they could continue to fall toward $40 a barrel or lower, unless OPEC and global producers make progress on a production deal.

I think what it points to is how much the market is relying on the expected growth in demand in the next year. If you start to change expectations on that, and you don't get the OPEC deal hammered out, it seems like it's a really clear case of we're going to be testing that $40 mark.

But bottom line, the U.S. data show a world that is still oversupplied with oil. Production in the U.S. held steady at about 8.5 million barrels a day, and refinery utilization fell by 0.4 percent.

Crude has been weak since the prospects of an OPEC deal to limit production have faded. Over the weekend, discussions led to no agreement, though there could still be one by the time the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries meet at the end of the month.

"I think what it points to is how much the market is relying on the expected growth in demand in the next year. If you start to change expectations on that, and you don't get the OPEC deal hammered out, it seems like it's a really clear case of we're going to be testing that $40 mark," said Gene McGillian, manager market research at Tradition Energy.



He said if demand expectations shift and there is no OPEC deal, oil could continue to dive. "It's a pretty clear case of where we're going to be testing the $40 mark," McGillian said. He said, however, that oil's fall could prompt OPEC to make moves that would support the price, and surprise the market, as it did before.

West Texas Intermediate crude futures for December were down 3 percent at midday Wednesday, trading at $45.20 after falling briefly below $45 per barrel. Brent crude was at $46.70, down about 3 percent.



"There's obviously another leg lower. It found some support for the moment, but we're down over 10 percent from the highs," said John Kilduff of Again Capital. He said oil imports had been running below the five-year average, but the 9 million barrels a day was shockingly high, above the more normal level of about 8 million barrels.

"I think the market is in the process of calling (OPEC's) bluff, and you'll see these prices lower and lower into the meeting, forcing them or daring them into doing something," said Kilduff.



The next WTI level he is watching is $44.20, then $43.24, and if it breaks that it could go to $39.25. According to analytics firm Kensho, oil has seen a similar 10 percent decline in a short six day period 18 times since 2010.

A week after the initial decline, crude continued to move lower and ended the week negatively 72 percent of the time with an average loss of 1.7 percent, according to Kensho.

"You have a very visible double top on the chart. The high from June of $52, and the high of last month of $52," said Kilduff.



"This is the wake up call for OPEC," he said.

Croft said OPEC's ability to reach a deal is being stymied by Iraq. The country has said it produces 4.7 million barrels, between 200,000 and 400,000 more than some analysts expect, and it does not want to reduce the number. But Croft said Iraq has been counting Kurdish oil along with the oil from its own fields, leading to a double counting of the oil.

"I think Iraq will have to take a look in the mirror and say what does $40 crude do to our finances," she said.

She said Russia will be on board with a plan, and President Vladimir Putin has called his oil companies together right around the meeting.

."Getting close to $40 gives OPEC a gut check, but I think the biggest question is can Iraq temper their rhetoric," she said.

Disclosure: NBC Universal, parent of CNBC, owns a minority stake in Kensho
Following a series of outrageous price hikes in April, a popular fitness club service has once again shocked its loyal customer base  this time, ClassPass is discontinuing its most popular membership option: the monthly-unlimited plan.



When Google-backed ClassPass first launched in May of 2013, users flocked to the fitness start-up, which offered $99 monthly unlimited plans, allowing them to take as many classes as they wanted at various boutique workout studios in their region.

But unluckily for those consumers, the plan was just too good to be true. Throughout the last three years, ClassPass has struggled to sustain its business model, hiking prices to $125, $190 and finally to its most recent rate increase of $200 for the unlimited membership plan.

Although the company has been backed by Google Ventures, who funded it with $30 million last year, the venture capital was just not enough to continue its current business model.

Members of the fitness class subscription service were less than thrilled Wednesday to wake up to an email from ClassPass CEO Payal Kadakia. In the open letter, Kadakia wrote that the decision to do away with the unlimited option "did not come easy."

ClassPass tweet: An important company update from our CEO.

"When we launched Unlimited two years ago, we saw a magical thing happen: You began taking more classes, exploring new studios and falling in love with fitness," Kadakia wrote. "Unfortunately the plan simply didn't work."

Starting Nov. 3, new users will only be able to sign up for ClassPass's Base and Core plans, which offer five or 10 classes per month, respectively. Current members can access their Unlimited membership plans until the end of the month, but will be automatically enrolled in the Core plan beginning in December.

And if you thought users were angry about the price hikes back in April, expect customers to be outraged by the company's decision to remove its most popular service.

Many turned to social media to rant about the shocking changes. Several unlimited plan users expressed their disagreement and took to Twitter to vent about their frustrations.

Macy Hurwitz tweet: Y'all. @classpass. just. broke. my. heart. No more unlimited memberships, AND the price is staying the same for limited # of classes.

Nakesa Kouhestani tweet: UGH. Hearing the news that #classpass is getting rid of their unlimited plan broke my heart. WHY?!

LCHR tweet: #classpass won't grandfather in customers who have been loyal clients? RUINED the business ONLY 10 classes? Not even 20? @classpass

LCHR tweet 2: OH MY GOD #classpass BACKSTABBED the most loyal customers! I stuck with you thorough price raises. Taking away unlimited? @classpass

Elizabeth Tilis: I'd hate to be person behind @classpass' Twitter feed today but damn this sucks. Fundamentally misreading of customers. Probs the end.

Kadakia did write that the company expects to roll out new features in the coming months, including "on demand video, 'out of studio' experiences like group runs and social features that will enhance your membership."



Now, clients will have to decide if they want to continue using the subscription service, or give the traditional gym and alternatives like FitReserve a try.
Lee Universitys Department of History, Political Science & Humanities hosted the Maryville-Lee Symposium on faith and liberal arts. The weekend-long event took place in the Math and Science Complex on Lees campus.

The symposium welcomed over 50 guests from five different states including professors and students from the Lee campus and professors from other universities. The event was organized by Dr. Jason Ward, associate professor of history at Lee.

The annual symposium invites Christian scholars to discuss faith and the liberal arts. This year focused on the common good, what it is, and how we can work to achieve it. The first evening was dedicated to a philosophical discussion of the definition and parameters of the common good, followed by a more practical discussion of application and vocation on Saturday morning, said officials.

Each speaker was followed by a response, the purpose of which was to provide two scholarly perspectives of the issue at hand. Attendees were then invited to discuss the topic before dispersing for a break.

For more information about the symposium, visit https://sites.google.com/site/leesymposium/home.






With the presidential race tightening ahead of the Nov. 8 election, NBC has released its newest version of the battleground map.

As it stands, states likely to vote for Hillary Clinton and those leaning toward the Democratic nominee total 274 electoral votes  slightly surpassing the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House.

Six states look to be election toss-ups, according to NBC: Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, New Hampshire, Arizona and Utah. Importantly, even if Republican nominee Donald Trump wins every single toss-up contest, he'd still lose.

That map helps explain why Trump visited Michigan earlier this week: He needs to pick off one of the "lean Democrat" states in order to win the presidency.



Here's the latest NBC map:
That's just what the pair did, along with their friend Michael Meldman.

"As you do when you're in Mexico, you drink a lot of tequila," Gerber tells CNBC. "After a couple of months trying a lot of different tequilas, George turned to me and said, 'Why don't we just make our own? One that's perfect for us to drink?'"

While building their side-by-side vacation homes in Cabo San Lucas , the long-time friends were spending a lot of time in Mexico  and consequently, drinking a lot of tequila.

The team found a distiller in Jalisco, Mexico, and explained exactly what they were looking for. "It was important that it tasted great and didn't burn going down," Gerber explains. "We wanted one that we could drink straight or on the rocks. One that we could drink all day and all night, and not be hungover in the morning."

After months of back-and-forth with the distiller, and tasting and developing their tequila, the duo found the perfect product, Gerber recalls: "George opened the sample, poured one for me, poured one for him, and we tasted it. We both looked at each other, had another taste of it, and we were like, 'This is it. It's perfect.'"

Casamigos, which loosely translates to "house of friends," was never meant for the public. For two years, it was served exclusively among Gerber and Clooney's friends and family.

"It was just for us," Gerber says. "We didn't really want to be in the business. We figured, George is an actor and a director. I own restaurants and bars and wasn't looking to get in another business.

"But then the distiller called and said, 'Hey guys, we have a little problem: In the past two years, we've been sending you about a thousand bottles a year. Either you're selling it or you're drinking way too much  either way, we can't keep calling it samples. You guys have to get licensed and do this right.'"

The celebrity entrepreneurs, who brought Casamigos to the public in 2013, figured they didn't have a choice. "We wanted to keep drinking it," Gerber says.
Donald Trump campaigning in California, May 27, 2016 Spencer Platt | Getty Images

Even with the presidential race tightening, one issue in a drought-parched region of California has remained constant  water and the lack of it. "Water right now is the number one issue for us in the Central Valley," said Republican Rep. David Valadao, whose congressional district includes some of the state's largest agricultural production but has been hit hard by the 5-year-old drought. The drought impact goes beyond agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley. Water tables in rural communities in parts of Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern counties have dropped and residential wells are running dry. Compounding the problem, the concentration of contaminants in the water is rising in some areas.

"We do believe it was a man-made drought," said Valadao. He contends federal and state government agencies are unfairly reducing water supplies to farmers and residents and are instead trying to protect fish such as the Delta smelt.

San Joaquin River in California Robert Galbraith | Reuters

Valadao is facing a tough re-election fight in a congressional district where more than a quarter of the families are below the poverty level. His Democratic challenger, Bakersfield attorney Emilio Huerta, concedes water is the top priority even as he tries to taint Valadao by linking him to GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump. "There is no drought," Trump declared in May at a rally in Fresno. Counters Huerta, "There is very much a drought in California, and it's been going on for approximately five years. It doesn't look like there's an end in sight." Moreover, Huerta said there's "a fear of cancer clusters and people being exposed to dangerous toxins" in the water supply. Yet it's the "farmer-versus-fish" conflict that draws the biggest reaction. In May, Trump played up the water politics when talking about the lack of water pumped to local farmers and used the Delta smelt fish as a villain. "They're trying to protect a certain 3-inch fish," he said, which prompted friendly boos from a crowd that included numerous people holding placards "Farmers for Trump." "He's not the first person to politicize this," said David M. Kennedy, a Stanford University professor emeritus and Pulitzer Prize-winning American historian.

Blaming 'liberal environmentalists'

Last year, then-presidential hopeful Carly Fiorina weighed in on the water issue and termed it "a man-made disaster" and pinned the blame on "liberal environmentalists." "This is sloganeering," said Jeffrey Mount, a senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California's Water Policy Center. "In fact, the environmental allocation during the drought has been tiny. The environment takes a bigger cut than everyone else." Valadao has tried to distance himself from Trump. The Republican lawmaker, who was first elected to Congress in 2012 with nearly 58 percent of the vote, represents a district where more than 70 percent of the residents are Latinos.

"I've not gotten involved in that Trump campaign at all," said Valadao, who comes from a dairy farming family and is the son of Portuguese immigrants. Huerta was endorsed on Friday by President Barack Obama. The congressional candidate is the son of Delores Huerta, a labor and civil rights leader who co-founded what later became the United Farm Workers.

Indeed, the Democratic Party is hoping to pick up House gains in Tuesday's general election and believes Valadao's seat may be more vulnerable this year.

"Donald Trump is the leader of the Republican Party and he (Valadao) failed to distance himself from Trump early on," said Huerta, who went on to criticize Trump for making negative remarks about Mexican immigrants. Meantime, Valadao last year introduced a House bill (HR 2898) that would have eased the environmental rules. The bill passed the Republican-controlled House but hasn't been approved by the Senate, where Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein  the two Democratic senators from California  oppose it. Prior to that, Valadao had a 2014 water bill that cleared the House but didn't pass the Senate. "His bill hasn't gotten anywhere," said Huerta. "It failed to get approval from the Senate so now he's blaming the California senators. Whereas two years ago he was blaming the Democratically elected Senate."



No quick fix for drought in Congress
Irish politicians and businesses have started preparing for the "biggest" challenge their economy has faced in over 50 years. The U.K. has yet to negotiate with the EU the terms of its departure from the bloc, but officials from Northern Ireland and the Republic gathered in Dublin on Wednesday to discuss ways to offset the impact of Brexit.



A scrabble board spells out Brexit in Dublin, Ireland May 4 2016. Clodagh Kilcoyne | Reuters

Philip O'Sullivan, chief economist at Investec in Ireland, described Wednesday's meeting as a "good dialogue" to find a "common strategy."

Speaking at the event, Enda Kenny, the Irish prime minister, said that Brexit was the "most significant economic and social challenge of the last 50 years" and, thus, it was an issue with "potential to impact on everybody on the island, north and south," the BBC reported. The Irish concerns range from the high level of trade with the U.K., to potential job losses and higher prices, as well as the future of the land border with the Northern Ireland and the peace process.



Busiest air route in Europe

Overall, the U.K. accounts for a sixth of Irish exports, Sullivan told CNBC over the phone. It is the biggest market for Irish food exports and the U.K. also plays a crucial role for the Irish tourism sector. The Dublin to London pair - flights between all airports in London and Dublin Airport - is the busiest air route in Europe and the second busiest international air route in the world.

Irish businesses share such concerns. "Brexit is going to be an issue for us as we look forward," Tony Smurfit, chief executive officer at Smurfit Kappa, told CNBC on Wednesday. The head of the world's leader in paper-based packing, headquartered in Dublin, added: "I think right now we aren't seeing any particular demand issues, but when you look at our Irish business, when we export from Ireland into the U.K. that's going to affect us, unless we get price increases."
Add J.C. Penney to the list of retailers that will be open for business on Thanksgiving Day.

The department store chain will once again begin its Black Friday deals at 3 p.m. that Thursday, a spokeswoman told CNBC.

That's two hours earlier than competitor Macy's , which said last month that it would open at 5 p.m. on the holiday. In 2015, Macy's opened at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

The companies' decisions come as several industry players are changing their approach to Thanksgiving openings, which many argue simply spread out sales over a longer period of time.

Minnesota's Mall of America, along with 73 centers operated by CBL & Associates , said earlier this fall that they would keep their doors closed this Thanksgiving, following years of being open.

Individual retailers including HHGregg have also shifted their approach, in what over the years had become a new tradition of ever-earlier hours.

"We think that for our employees and for the store employees, they deserve the day off and to be able to spend the day with their families," CBL CEO Stephen Lebovitz told CNBC last month.



It doesn't make sense for CBL's centers to be open on Thanksgiving, given they're often the only game in town, Lebovitz said. That means the additional hours were not accretive to their sales.

Yet many expected the major department stores to stick with their Thanksgiving hours, as a means to compete against online and bricks-and-mortar players. If Macy's didn't open on Thanksgiving, for example, shoppers could go to Penney's  meaning Macy's missed out on sales.

While many blame these earlier openings for eating away at Black Friday's excitement, they're also a way for retailers to tap into the nostalgia of in-store shopping at the holidays. Using seasonal decor and special events to drive foot traffic is becoming even more critical as consumers buy more of their Christmas gifts online.

"For them, it is important to be able to have people enjoy that experience," Deloitte's Rod Sides said.

Deloitte said shoppers expect to spend 47 percent of their holiday budgets online this year  which means this could be the first holiday where shoppers split their spending equally between bricks-and-mortar and e-commerce retailers.

Target and Wal-Mart have not yet announced their Black Friday plans, but are widely expected to once again kick off their sales on Thanksgiving Day.

Also Wednesday, Penney's said it would expand its holiday price-match guarantee, and start teasing its Black Friday deals earlier in the month, beginning Monday.
Microsoft on Wednesday announced a new chat-based workspace, Teams, in a move that will integrate Office into a Slack-like product.

"We see an opportunity to build a more open, a more fluid environment," said Kirk Koenigsbauer, corporate vice president of Office 365 client apps and services. "One that helps build a team culture that is both fun and inclusive, so everyone has a voice."

The application, which lets users talk to their co-workers, supports tabs for other Microsoft cloud services, like access to files and Skype video-conferencing. Teams also offers multifactor authentication and encryption. It works on desktop, Windows phone, iOS and Android, and is available Wednesday as a customer preview, or widely in the first quarter of 2017.
is working on a feature that will let you watch movies while not connected to the internet, but the company's biggest market of the U.S. might not be the first to receive the update.

Speaking to CNBC ahead of the premiere of Netflix's new show "The Crown", the streaming giant's Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos, said an offline mode could appeal to areas where high internet speeds are not present.

"We have talked a lot about this over the years and our belief is that broadband and Wi-Fi become more and more ubiquitous, available in more and more places that you are, more and more minutes of the day," Sarandos told CNBC.

"Now as we've launched in more territories  They all have different levels of broadband speeds and Wi-Fi access. So in those countries they have adapted their behaviors to be much more of a downloading culture. So in those emerging territories it starts to become a little more interesting. We still think for the developed world our thesis has been true but I think as we get into more and more (of the) undeveloped world and developing countries that we want to find alternatives for people to use Netflix easily."

When asked if this feature will come to Netflix soon, Sarandos said the company is "looking at it now, so we'll see when". Sarandos did not give any more details. The idea will be that users of Netflix's app will be able to download movies to watch offline.
Oil prices could be heading lower as OPEC dithers, the election raises fears and traders stand on the sidelines.

OPEC will dictate where oil prices head for the remainder of the year and into 2017 and the organization's failure to come to an agreement at its recent Vienna meeting is telling - the major sticking points are the same ones that have been in contention since negotiations began.

Everyone wants to boosts prices by cutting production but no one wants to actually cut. Iran wants to return to pre-sanction production levels, Iraq claims it needs the funds to help fight its war with ISIS, Nigeria along with Venezuela are facing economic hardship and in both places are trying to replace production lost due to conflict or lack of resources to maintain equipment.

At the last meeting, the consensus was that if any production cuts are to be made, the Saudi's will have to do the majority of the lifting, and they are not ready to commit to that because they face their own budget issues and dwindling cash reserves.

If OPEC fails to reach an agreement before or at their formal meeting at the end of November, then oil prices will fall to the low 40's and possibly the mid 30's. Driving this drop will be the factors that drove it lower at this time last year: too much supply and falling demand as we head into winter and the fallout from a potential Fed rate hike, which will mean a stronger dollar and lower equity prices.

Many traders are taking a pause for the remainder of 2016, anxious not only about OPEC's moves but also about the presidential election. Both candidates' policies could prove negative for oil prices.
Although OPEC is pumping record amounts of crude oil, an expected new dip in prices may not last long, energy analyst Matt Smith told CNBC on Wednesday.

The director of commodity research at ClipperData predicted a price drop following Tuesday's American Petroleum Institute report that indicated a build in inventory.

That build is likely to be mirrored in more comprehensive data coming Wednesday from the Energy Information Administration.

But Smith said other factors could spark market volatility.



With Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Libya and Nigeria all "pumping, pumping, pumping," Smith told "Squawk Box" that the market is under stress and "still out of wack."
The Friends of Moccasin Bend would like to announce the third speaker in our three part series, Sam D. Elliott, local attorney, historian, and author. His lecture is:



"Ten Little Known Facts about the Civil War in Chattanooga"



The Friends of the Bend welcome Mr. Sam Elliott! Whether you're a Civil War buff or just learning that an epic battle took place here in Chattanooga, this lecture will deliver an in-depth and fascinating perspective about the Battles for Chattanooga and how they shaped the course of American history in 1863.



Doors Open 6:30 PM

Lecture Begins 7:00 PM



The Friends are excited to partner with The Camp House to present this year's lecture series in a new and informal setting.



Sam Elliott is a member of the Chattanooga law firm of Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott and Cannon. A graduate of the University of the South and UT College of Law, Elliott is past president of the Tennessee Bar Association. He participates in several historic preservation and/or research organizations, including serving currently on the board of the Friends of Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park. Elliott has authored books, essays and articles on Tennesseans during the Civil War era, including Isham G. Harris of Tennessee: Confederate Governor and United States Senator in 2010 and Soldier of Tennessee: General Alexander P. Stewart and the Civil War in the West in 1999. He is working on a biography of Confederate general and Tennessee Governor John C. Brown.
All over the world stock markets have wobbled as investors seek the best place to put capital should Donald Trump become the next U.S. president. But, one analyst has explained to CNBC a simple short term trading strategy in the event of a Trump win.

"You think about where the (Mexican) peso goes. You buy Swiss francs and gold if you think Trump's going to win. It's a really easy strategy, actually," according to Peter Toogood, managing director of investment at consultancy The Adviser Centre. The Swiss currency being seen as a safe haven in times of economic stress.

"Short the peso, go long gold and Swiss franc  you've got your perfect 'Trump is elected' strategy," he told CNBC Wednesday.

Toogood also advised that short term investors could prefer to just hold cash and stay on the sidelines while the election unfolds.

On a (Hillary) Clinton victory, Toogood said when an incumbent party wins the U.S. election, markets do tend to move higher but this time could be different.

"There is a myth running around that lots of people aren't in equities, there is a myth running around there is lots of cash hanging around on the sidelines," he said.

"Neither of those two factors are true," he added.
Noon Development welcomes two new tenants, American Exchange and Russ Blakely & Associates, to the renovated Fleetwood Building, completed earlier this year.

The mixed-use space at The Fleetwood Building offers a prime spot in the Innovation District, said Andrew Hetzler, COO at American Exchange. "We believe this location and space will help us attract and retain talented employees.



Industry leader American Exchange offers free health insurance and Medicare enrollment services. Russ Blakely & Associates offers comprehensive guidance to employers for benefits selection and employee coverage.



The Fleetwood Building, originally home to Fleetwood Coffee Company, is at 232 E. 11th Street. The building offers rental apartments and more than 15,000 square feet of commercial space.



There are 4,500 square feet of space still available for lease, including first floor availability with a variety of customization options.



We are very pleased to have two more local companies in the building, said Hodgen Mainda, vice president of NoonDevelopment.

Interested parties should contact Mainda at 423-531-1330.


Aaron Harvey isn't like most bosses. The executive creative director and founding partner of Ready Set Rocket, a digital marketing agency in New York, lets employees have side projects.

In fact, he encourages them.



The company has been ranked along side Squarespace and AOL as a top place to work, and Harvey's leadership style probably has something to do with it.

"If at the end of the day you're trying to cultivate leaders who are going to make change in your company," Harvey tells CNBC, "it's really important that you encourage them to find that inspiration, which in reality is going to come both inside and outside of the office."



Harvey, who is 35 years-old, is fine with his employees having a side hustle, so long as there's open conversation about it and it doesn't interfere with work.



"People need to explore the ideas in their head," he says. "Otherwise it's going to be a stifling environment."

The company offers employees a dollar-for-dollar matching program to take classes related to learning a new skill. Harvey says he also gives employees the option of some schedule flexibility to learn those skills or launch a side project.



One of the company's copywriters learned how to be a user experience designer, which helps the company when it comes to digital storytelling. A graphic designer took a long photography class and is now able to assist on client photo shoots.
Nora Levinson is a mechanical engineer who lived and worked in China for about five years helping consumer brands including Jawbone, Skullcandy, and Incase design and manufacture their products. It was stressful. Really stressful. She was almost always working. And so when Levinson watched the first generation of wearable technology come into the marketplace, all largely designed to count steps and track various fitness metrics, she didn't see what she was looking for. She wanted a product that would help her deal with her elevated levels of work-induced anxiety. Moderating "stress was definitely a very personal need for me," says Levinson, in a conversation with CNBC. "Living and working in China before I moved back to the states, it was a 24-7, always on at the factory, and that was something that I struggled a lot with."

She and her then colleague and now co-founder, David Watkins, decided to build the wearable they wanted. Called the Sona, the stylish bracelet has an accurate heart-rate monitor built in. The accompanying iPhone app takes users through paced breathing and meditation exercises, and measures their ability to calm their heart-rates and stress levels in real time. It's designed to help keep the type-A, productivity-obsessed mind from wandering. Sitting in a quiet space and trying to find zen on command can be a real challenge for modern workers. "All of a sudden, your to-do list comes up, you start thinking about all the emails you have to answer," says Levinson. "This is a very focused technique to learn and had very quantifiable feedback in the moment as well as, over time, to show progress." Levinson has been able to significantly improve her own ability to focus by using the bracelet and learning how to use her breath to control her heart rate. When she first starting wearing the Sona bracelet, she could only focus at about a level "20," as measured by the app. Now she can pretty consistently get up to a level of focus measured at "70 or 80."

The Sona bracelet. Courtesy of Caeden

Learning to control stress through breathing has made it easier for Levinson to make decisions efficiently. "[If] I am in a stressful meeting or there are a lot of opinions, I can navigate that in a way that is very calm and rational. It is easier to concentrate as well without getting distracted or anxiety about other things I need to work on," says Levinson. "I can definitely count myself as someone who is a poster child for someone who has been rehabilitated."

The path to breath control by way of the Russian cosmonaut program

Levinson and Watkins's first company together, ADOPTED, manufactures luxury cases and accessories. In 2014, they founded Caeden, the New York City-based company that manufactures the Sona bracelet. Their first product on the market was a stylish set of headphones called the Linea.

When the pair decided to start thinking about a wearable device that would help them manage stress, Levinson started reading research papers voraciously. One pair of names kept coming up over and over again: a husband and wife team Dr. Evgeny Vaschillo and Dr. Bronya Vaschillo. Levinson reached out to the Vaschillos who, it turned out, were working at Rutgers University, very close to New York City. They met and started what would turn out to be the collaborative partnership to launch Sona. Dr. Evgeny Vaschillo was a leader within the Saint Petersburg Board of Public Health through the 1960s and 1970s and Dr. Bronya Vaschillo is a physician.

The Sona bracelet has a hyper-sensitive heart rate monitor. Courtesy of Caeden

Dr. Evgeny Vaschillo spent decades researching heart rate variability, which is the time in between the beats of your heart. The pace of your breath in and out directs the speed of your heartbeat, so by controlling your breath, you can control the speed of your heart and therefore affect your body's response to stress. Vaschillo researched the science of heart-rate variability on behalf of Russia as a way to monitor the stress levels of cosmonauts, since their EKG reports were sent down from space. The heart-rate variability research developed for the cosmonauts was eventually used in military applications by fighter pilots and submarine pilots. It was also eventually used as a stress reduction and recovery mechanism by the Russian Olympics team. To be sure, there is no way to avoid stress. Whether you are under a tight deadline at work or running away from a predator, the body will get stressed. That's normal. The problem, explains Levinson, is in remaining in a state of high stress for prolonged periods of time. That will do damage to your body on a physical level.

Confronting wearable fatigue

Levinson is aware that she is getting into a crowded space and coming up against some consumer fatigue. Who wants another wearable device that only sort of works and will eventually end up in a junk drawer when it gets dusty? Do anyone really need another app on their phone that gives more data that they don't know what to do with?

But to hear her tell it, for the wearables industry, 2016 is still early days. And while the novelty factor of getting a piece of wearable tech may have faded, there is still excitement for wearables that make a real difference in a user's quality of life.
Time Warner stock was flat Wednesday after the media and entertainment conglomerate reported quarterly earnings and revenue that beat analysts' expectations.



Less than two weeks after the announcement of a merger with AT&T, the company reported third-quarter earnings of $1.83 per share on revenue of $7.2 billion.

Analysts had expected earnings of $1.37 per share on revenue of $6.98 billion, according to Thomson Reuters consensus estimates.

Shares of Time Warner were unchanged in early trading Wednesday. Shares had climbed as much as 2 percent in premarket trading. (Click here for the latest price.)

"We had a strong third quarter, which keeps us on track to exceed our original 2016 outlook and underscores our leadership in creating and distributing the very best content," Chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes said in the earnings release.

The Time Warner chief cited Primetime Emmy Awards for its HBO network, success in CNN's election coverage, milestones for its cable networks, and a strong quarter for films led by "Suicide Squad."

Time Warner said its adjusted operating income grew 12 percent to $2.1 billion from increases at all its "operating divisions and lower intercompany eliminations." Free cash flow totaled $3.3 billion, up 15 percent this year.



Last month, AT&T announced an $85.4 billion deal to buy Time Warner, one of the largest proposed media mergers in years. The decision  unanimously approved by both boards  would give the telecom giant control over cable TV channels such as CNN, HBO and TNT, film studio Warner Bros, and other media assets.



"The agreement we announced on October 22 to be acquired by AT&T represents a great outcome for our shareholders and an excellent opportunity to drive long-term value well into the future," Bewkes said. "Combining with AT&T is the natural next step in the evolution of our business and allows us to significantly accelerate our most important strategies."



After the deal was announced, AT&T Chairman and CEO called it a "perfect match" and said both companies assets could bring a "fresh approach to how the media and communications industry works for customers, content creators, distributors and advertisers."

Bewkes said he would stay at the company for one or two years if all goes according to plan.

The deal is expected to face challenges from regulators and has already received scrutiny from politicians. Sen. Bernie Sanders has asked the Justice Department to block the deal, saying in part the merger could be a "gross concentration of power" in the news media. GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump said he opposed the deal and, should he win the White House, his administration would not approve it. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said the proposed merger should be "closely scrutinized" by regulators.

Stephenson told CNBC, however, that the megadeal is "pure vertical integration," and the two companies do not compete anywhere. Bewkes said in the same interview that consumers will end up with more choices because of the deal.
"We're going to rebuild our inner cities because our African-American communities are absolutely in the worst shape that they've ever been in before, ever, ever, ever," Trump said at a rally in North Carolina. "You take a look at the inner cities, you get no education, you get no jobs, you get shot walking down the street. They're worse, I mean honestly, places like Afghanistan are safer than some of our inner cities."

Facing a narrow path to electoral victory, the New York businessman has made overtures to the African-American community  a constituency that tends to vote Democratic.

Donald Trump has claimed that African-Americans should vote for him because their communities are in economic disarray, and while many have dismissed his "what do you have to lose?" pitch as cynical and misleading, the Republican nominee has occasionally recognized real problems, experts said.

Over a hundred supporters of Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump rallied on the sidewalk in front of Trump Tower on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue.

Building on these comments during the presidential debates, Trump added that African-Americans "are living in hell," and reiterated that "they have no education" and "they have no jobs."

Experts told CNBC Trump's analysis contains a grain of truth, but totally lacks in necessary nuance and historical context.

"It is absolutely false to say that things are the worst that they have ever been," said Valerie Wilson, director of the Economic Policy Institute's program on race, ethnicity and the economy.

"We know that there are definitely communities in this country with excessively high rates of unemployment and poverty for African-Americans," she added. "But that by no means can be applied to the African-American experience in general."

But that's not to say the economic picture for African-Americans isn't lagging and deserving of focused attention.

In comparison to other demographics, Wilson notes, African-American communities face a racial disparity "that doesn't seem to change."

In recent decades, racial achievement gaps have remained stubbornly wide. Black unemployment has persistently been twice the national average and income inequality has actually widened, Wilson said, citing her own studies.

"We find that these wage gaps have actually gotten larger over the last 40 years," she said. "A big driving factor for that trend is racial discrimination, and that is something that we are less willing to address in a frank and straightforward manner."

However, Wilson also said that black Americans' economic reality mirrors the rest of the country in that it ranges from people with advanced degrees to those who did not graduate high school. She argued that a framework more nuanced than Trump's would acknowledge this kind of economic diversity without ignoring racial inequality.

In fact, Wilson said economic performance for black people is "without a doubt" improving, noting that the last few years have offered African-Americans a strengthening labor market.

Government data supports Wilson's statement. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the black unemployment rate has been cut in half since 2011 from its post-recession high of 16 percent to a just over 8 percent today.

Wilson recommends that if lawmakers care about addressing the economic issues black people face, they should continue to push to get the American economy to full employment and vigorously enforce antidiscrimination laws. While working to ameliorate racial inequality, she said, it's important to remember that African-Americans are not monolithic.
Moody's Analytics found that we are headed straight for a major recession if Donald Trump is elected, and its prediction looks more and more valid as the election approaches. A recession would mean a loss of business for entrepreneurial companies and jobs for millions of Americans. There are already estimates that a Trump presidency could cost the U.S. economy $1 trillion and 4 million jobs by 2021.

At first glance, some of Trump's policies sound like they could help entrepreneurs. Cutting taxes on businesses and repatriating monies that firms have parked overseas could bring needed investment into America.

Those aren't bad ideas, but many fellow business owners and clients tell me all bets are off if Trump wins. They don't want to make investments in hiring, expansion and equipment when recession looms. In fact, they would likely cut jobs.

Trump's refusal to acknowledge the fact that we are an important part of a global economy would have such a sweeping, ongoing effect, it would cancel out any good his policies would do. His rejection of the idea of a more global world is not only ignorant and bizarre  given his own global sourcing for his ties, steel and suits  but threatening to America and its allies' security, creating dangerous instability.

Yes, many jobs have been lost to overseas workers, but they are not returning. And many Americans have not been fully briefed on the fact that embracing global markets help bring jobs to the United States. Exports continue to be a big engine of our economy, helping many of our manufacturing plants stay alive.
watch now

U.S. crude oil in storage rose by the largest amount on record on Wednesday, and analysts are looking overseas for answers. The stunning 14.4 million barrel weekly increase was underscored by a rise in crude imports of 2 million barrels a day. Traders scrutinize the weekly data from the world's biggest oil consumer, because falling stockpiles will play a big part in balancing the market and boosting depressed crude prices following a prolonged supply glut. The jump in imports is partly seasonal. Refineries are once again taking in crude following the post-summer maintenance period.



But this is not simply a demand story, according to Matt Smith, director of commodity research at ClipperData. Global crude loadings for export were at a record in October, he noted. "Most of the large exporters in the world have all been increasing exports in the last month, and this crude has to go somewhere. Even though U.S. production is ticking higher again, we're still seeing strong imports," he told CNBC. The U.S. import increase came after weekly OPEC exports hit an all-time high of 29 million barrels a day, according to ClipperData.



Higher exports from Iran are to be expected as it returns to the international oil marker, but top exporter Saudi Arabia also dialed up its shipments to 8.4 million barrels a day, while Libya's exports doubled from levels seen in recent months. Outbound flows from Nigeria also continue to recover following a series of outages, and Angola's exports have rebounded from a brief dip in September. In just four weeks, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will attempt to hammer out production limits as members seek to stabilize the oil market. The increase in exports ahead of the meeting does not bode well, according to Again Capital founding partner John Kilduff. "It means there's no deal. Everybody's racing to produce as much as they can. The battle for market share persists and the glut's going to be with us for a while," he said. Even if U.S. crude imports normalize, refinery activity remains too low in the near term, making it likely traders will see more inventory builds, Kilduff said.



Pipelines and oil storage tanks in Cushing, Okla. Justin Solomon | CNBC
November 2, 2016

 Twenty five years after Canada's first woman lifted off into space, the nation has launched a new coin honoring astronaut Roberta Bondar's historic mission.



The Royal Canadian Mint's "View of Canada From Space" $25 coin features a photoluminescent illustration of North America that reveals city lights as they are seen from orbit when the coin is placed in the dark. The commemorative is the world's first curved and glow-in-the-dark silver coin.



"The Mint is proud to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Dr. Bondar's historic mission with a coin as innovative as what she achieved for women and all of Canada," said Sandra Hanington, the president and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "This new silver coin captures yet another story of a Canadian reaching for the stars and accomplishing things that will inspire us for generations to come."







Illustration showing how the "View of Canada From Space" curved silver coin looks in the light and in the dark. (Royal Canadian Mint)

Bondar, who was also the world's first neurologist to fly in space, launched as a payload specialist aboard the space shuttle Discovery on its STS-42 mission. For eight days in January 1992, Bondar and her six U.S. and German crew mates worked in a Spacelab module to study the effects of weightlessness on living organisms and materials as part of the International Microgravity Laboratory-1.



"We need to celebrate our milestones and pioneers as we push the frontiers of discovery," said Bondar, who attended the coin's unveiling at Sault College in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on Tuesday (Nov. 1). "Glowing in the dark, the coin represents inspiration and hope for the future and it is an honor to have my role in human spaceflight recognized in this meaningful way."



"My view from [aboard space shuttle] Discovery 25 years ago forever changed my view of Earth and instilled in me a commitment to protect this magnificent planet. This special coin symbolizes the beauty of Earth from space," she said.



As designed by Canadian artist Alexandra Lefort, the outer band framing the coin's central design features Bondar's name and text highlighting the anniversary of her mission, as well as a miniature depiction of space shuttle Discovery as it appeared on the STS-42 mission patch.



"As the first Canadian woman to fly in space, Dr. Bondar will always be remembered as a pioneer among Canada's modern-day explorers," stated Terry Sheehan, member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. "The government of Canada is pleased that her achievement of 25 years ago and ongoing dedication to science have been honored by the Royal Canadian Mint."



"Dr. Bondar has done so much to make her hometown of Sault Ste. Marie and the rest of Canada proud," Christian Provenzano, Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, stated. "My fellow citizens and I are delighted that the Royal Canadian Mint has honored Dr. Bondar's remarkable achievements with this impressive silver coin."







The "View of Canada from Space" $25 coin. (Royal Canadian Mint)

The 2017 "View of Canada from Space" $25 coin is limited to a mintage of 8,500 and retails for $159.95 CDN (about $120 U.S.). It is available from the Royal Canadian Mint, through its online store, as well as in the Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver, or from authorized dealers, including participating Canada Post outlets.



The new coin is the latest to honor Canada's astronauts.



The Royal Canadian Mint previously issued coins in 2006 that featured a holographic portrait of Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian astronaut to walk in space. Eight years later in 2014, the Mint released a coin featuring an astronaut in its design to celebrate the Canadian Space Agency's 25th anniversary.



Canada's $5 bill also features the illustration of a Canadian astronaut on a spacewalk, as well as the Canadarm2 and Dextre robotic arms.
If you ask car shoppers in the Chattanooga area to name the most important features they look for in a new or used vehicle, fuel efficiency will likely rank as high as price, performance and style. Much like car shoppers compare miles-per-gallon (mpg) estimates, an increasing number of home buyers compare the energy-efficiency ratings of new homes. A nationally recognized system for measuring a homes energy performance is called the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index, which can determine a homes overall efficiency with a score between 0 and 150.

A score of 100 indicates the home meets the industry standard of energy efficiency. The closer a score is to 0 the better, as a 0 ranking would mean the home produces as much energy through renewable resources, such as solar panels, as it consumes (also known as net zero).



The energy efficiency of homes has dramatically changed in recent years with new developments in a wide array of green building techniques, materials and products. And as demand for these products has grown, new standards of energy efficiency have evolved.



For instance, the days of new homes that have incandescent lights are almost completely gone. Todays homes predominantly feature either LED or CFL lights which are much more efficient.



Other examples of features youre more likely to find in a new home include:

 Double-pane windows  Having two layers of protection in your homes windows provides a noticeably stronger barrier to help prevent outside temperatures (and noises) from affecting the inside of your home, resulting in significant energy savings.



 Water-saving features  Low-flow bathroom faucets can have a big impact on conserving water, but not quite as big as low-flow commodes. Conventional toilets use 5-7 gallons per flush, which really adds up over time. But low-flow toilets typically use as little as 1.6 gallons per flush.

 Energy-efficient appliances  More than 30 percent of a homes energy consumption can be attributed to the kitchen appliances, and that number swells for homes with appliances that are more than 10 or 15 years old. Having newer appliances inside and outside the kitchen with Energy Star ratings can have a noticeable impact on your monthly utility bills.



 Spray foam insulation  Traditional fiberglass insulation is still used in the majority of homes, however, spray foam is becoming increasingly popular because it provides a tighter seal, lasts longer and protects better against pests and mold.



 Hard-surface flooring  Less than 20 years ago, it was common for new homes to have carpet covering 80 percent or more of the floor space. These days, carpet is typically reserved for bedrooms (if its used at all). The wide variety of hard-surface flooringshown to improve energy efficiency and air qualityhas become much more appealing to the large majority of consumers.



The status quo is changing as consumers are becoming increasingly educated about the benefits of green building products like these. Home owners recognize that energy-efficient features are more than simply methods of cutting down on utility costs; they are investments in the homes long-term value and overall comfort.

To learn more about specific green building techniques and to locate skilled home builders in your area, visit the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga at www.HBAGC.net.


It is unbelievable that one blink of an eye can drastically change the rest of your life. It certainly did for me. My mother was diagnosed with both dementia-like and Alzheimers-like symptoms, all resulting from the probable root cause of a benign brain tumor. Because my mother was cognitively impaired and at risk of harming herself, the doctor required 24/7 monitoring. As a result, I willingly became her care provider.I honestly thought that the benefits of having her live with me would outweigh any detriments.Why not? I would ensure that her every need would be instantly met. I would provide a healthy environment, healthy meals, administer her medicines, accompany her to doctor's appointments, and watch as she improved. Despite having the best intentions of being her devoted advocate, there was so much I didn't know. So much that I wished someone with more experience had shared with me. I dont want any caregivers, especially new ones, caring for an elderly parent to endure the mistakes I made. Therefore, I am offering the following nine critical tips:1). Embrace change. No matter how organized and balanced you may be, your life will critically change from day one. Let go and embrace the change. Although I retired early about a year prior to my mothers diagnosis, I enjoyed a flexible schedule to do whatever and whenever I pleased. I made the mistake of thinking I could balance my life and my mothers life.I quickly discovered that I couldnt plan and expect my plans to be executed as usual. I had to live in my mothers world as opposed to bringing her into my world. Like me, you will have to plan for the unexpected every given second when taking care of your loved one. A quick trip up the street to the store to get a missing ingredient for your prized casserole dish could translate into an unexpected one hour of getting your loved one ready. You must embrace the notion that your changing parent will force a change in how you live and respond to your life as an adult-child caregiver.2). Provide fewer choices. My mother, who had always been an independent woman, was suddenly vulnerable in a way I had not previously known or ever expected. Surprisingly, her ability to make routine and sound decisions diminished quickly. Decision-making can be overwhelming. My mother had a closet peppered with outfits for weeks. However, choosing from the countless number of pants, dresses, sweaters, and underwear was literally too much to think about for her. Providing your parent with fewer choices will make things easier for both of you.3). Be patient. When asking mother questions, she sometimes would not respond immediately. Through the thickness of much-controlled frustration, I would repeat the question. What I didnt realize is a cognitively-impaired individual often need times to process the information. Ask yourself a question and silently watch the clock for thirty seconds. It will seem like eternity. Well, it can sometimes take longer for your loved one to respond because they are processing the information at a slow pace. Be patient and recognize that your parent is doing the best he or she can. This realization will help curb any frustration you may experience.4). Be prepared to make difficult choices. Making medical decisions, daily activity decisions, financial decisions, and simple quality-of-life decisions never cease. Nevertheless, they have to be made. Sometimes what your elderly parent wants will be at odds with what you believe is the best. The difference in opinion can cause frustration and resentment.You will never stop making important decisions and there is no status of limitation for every decision you make. A change in health, a side effect from a medication, or changes in healthcare insurance can render yesterdays best decisions useless. As painful as it can be, it is a great idea to sit down and address end-of-life issues if your parent can still make rational decisions. Discussing a medical directive, along with a power of attorney to cover both financial and medical decisions, is challenging. Sit down with an attorney to figure out what other documents are needed, such as a Will and Living Revocable Trust.5). Be prepared for strained relationships with family and friends: I duly provided my three brothers, who lived in another state, with updates about my mother. Eventually, I appealed desperately to them for help. I was initially verbally given the support and encouragement to do what was necessary to ensure my mothers health. However, as time progressed the relationship with my brothers became strained.A caregivers perspective will, at times, be challenged by his or her family members. As a caregiver, you simply cant predict how your close family members and friends will react in times of crises. Bottom line, you cant always expect family or friends to behave or react in a matter that makes sense to you. Sometimes family and friends are not equipped emotionally, mentally, and spiritually to provide additional support. Eventually I released my brothers, which enabled me to pursue other useful resources in the local community.6). Find passion in the middle of chaos. You have to find the glue that will hold you together when everything else fails. Find a hobby or a pastime that allows you to escape and/or become re-energized. For me, my escape was writing. Find your passion to give you a temporary escape from madness in order to regain your balance, energy, and sanity.7). Be prepared for embarrassing and uncomfortable moments. I never knew what mother would say or do when in public. In many respects, my love for mother and genuine gratitude that she was alive and reasonably in her good mind allowed me to never become ashamed of what she said or did. While others may have become embarrassed or uncomfortable, I couldnt help but stand proudly for the woman who always stood up for me.There may be episodes that will make you cringe, such as moments related to a loss of modesty and increasing difficulty with bodily functions. Remember that during these moments, your reaction can regain your parents dignity and reinforce trust. Its never your elderly parents choice to cause you any embarrassment, rather its his/her diminishing ability to maintain control.8). Seek help. Some people are ashamed to ask for help or believe that they can be a Lone Ranger of care. Find community resources and support groups. I joined the National Family Caregivers Support Programs support group meetings and it literally changed my life. Not only was the organization a bridge to discovering other resources in my local community, but the monthly meeting allows me to confidentially share my experience with fellow caregivers whose collective experiences save me time, money, and energy.There are so many community organizations and resources that will help you with nearly every decision-making opportunity in your life as a caregiver. Need a doctor referral, input about a particular procedure, or just advice on how to cope every day  you can get these and many more answers. Also, there are specific resources and organizations for specific medical concerns, such as Alzheimers, dementia, and brain tumors, just to name a few. I recommend having a few connections with local organizations as part of your care network. Connecting with the local Alzheimers Association and the Aging Council can help you discover what specific resources are available for your specific caregiving needs.9). Treat your parent as the respected adult he or she is. Caring for an elderly parent is not like caring for another child. Parents lived a whole life before their adult child caregiver was even born, meaning they are very set in their ways. A toddler in pampers is learning to become an adult someday. However, an aging parent who requires the attention of a caregiver is an individual who is learning to cope with life today. A toddler can be taught reasoning. However, a cognitively-impaired parents ability to reason is compromised. As a result, care is needed to manage medicines, doctor visits, and day-to-day activities. Unlike a toddler or child, an elderly parent is most likely capable of having an adult conversation with adult feelings. An elderly parent should always be regarded and treated as an adult, despite the behavior they may display.The journey of a caregiver is a difficult one, but youre not alone. Use these caregiver tips to help make the journey a little bit easier. You can learn more about these tips and other resources in my new book, Mama Peaches and Me, launching during Caregivers Awareness Month of November. For more information or to contact me directly visit www.AuthorChristopher.com Dont miss Chattanoogas National Caregivers Awareness events:Caregivers Book Reading Event- Friday, Nov. 4National Family Caregivers Support MeetingThe Health Center at Standifer Place2626 Walker Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 3742110:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.423-424-4288Caregivers Radio Broadcast -Sunday, Nov. 6Caregivers Connection Live Radio Show  93FMwww.groove93.com12:30-1 p.m.Call in number: 423-642-9393Caregivers Book Signing- Thursday, Nov. 10Barnes and Noble BookstoresHamilton Place, 2100 Hamilton Pl Blvd #315Chattanooga, Tn. 374216-8 p.m.423-893-0186Caregivers Conference -Friday, Nov. 18Alzheimers Associations Fall Caregivers ConferenceOoltewah United Methodist6131 Relocation Way, Ooltewah, Tn. 373639 a.m.-4 p.m.
About the UM System and the president

The University of Missouri was founded in 1839 as the first publicly supported institution of higher education to be established in the Louisiana Purchase territory.

The university had a single campus until 1870, when the School of Mines and Metallurgy was established in Rolla.

In 1963, the university again expanded to better serve Missouri by founding a new campus in St. Louis and through acquiring the University of Kansas City, creating the present four-campus University of Missouri System.

Today, the system has more than 77,000 students.

The UM System president is the leader of the four campuses and MU Health Care.

The job description, approved by the presidential search committee in May, was for a president who could create a vision for the system, assemble a leadership team, lead a statewide conversation about diversity inclusion, equity and respect, establish relationships with Missouri officials and promote the system's mission in a way that's valuable to Missouri taxpayers.

Source: UM System website
The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form
MoDOT seeks more public input on 70/63 connector plans

A public meeting from MoDOT seeks more information from the public regarding plans for the I-70/U.S. 63 connector in Columbia.
Donna James Leads a Bold Plan to Revive Victorias Secret

James has a proven record as a C-suite executive and adviser. Now, shes guiding the lingerie giant toward a more inclusive, financially sound future.
Things to See and Do in and Around Columbus in November
The following companies are subsidiares of Quanta Services: (De) Lazy Q Ranch LLC, 1 Diamond LLC, 1Diamond AS, 618232 Alberta Ltd., 8246408 Canada Inc., Advanced Electric Systems, Advanced Electric Systems LLC, Advanced Utility Testing & Maintenance LLC, Alexander Publications LLC, Allteck GP Ltd., Allteck Limited Partnership, Apprenticeship Programs Inc., Arby Construction, Arcanum Chemicals LLC, Arnett & Burgess Oil Field Construction Limited, Arnett & Burgess Pipeliners (Rockies) LLC, Arnett & Burgess Pipeliners Ltd., B&N Clearing and Environmental LLC, Banister Pipelines Constructors Corp., Banister Pipelines Constructors GP Ltd., Banister Pipelines Limited Partnership, Brent Woodward Inc., Brink Constructors Inc., Brink Constructors Inc. A Corporation Of South Dakota, Brown Engineering and Testing, CAT SPEC Ltd., CAT-SPEC Limited Partnership, CAT-SPEC Limited Partnership (Regd Name) CAT SPEC Ltd., CAT-Spec Limited Partnership, Canadian Utility Construction Corp., Cat Spec Limited LP, Cat Spec Ltd, Cat Spec Ltd. L.P., Cat Spec Ltd. LP, Cat Spec. Ltd. LP, Cat-Spec Ltd (A Domestic limited Partnership), Cat-Spec Ltd LP, Cat-Spec Ltd., Cat-Spec Ltd. L.P., Cat-Spec Ltd. LP, Cat-Spec Ltd. Limited Partnership, Catalyst Changers Inc., Chatham Electric, Citadel Industrial Services L.P., Citadel Industrial Services Ltd., Citadel Industrial Services Ltd. L.P., Citadel Industrial Services Ltd. Limited Partnership, Coe Drilling Pty Ltd., Computapole, Conam Construction Co., Consolidated Power Projects Australia Pty Ltd, Conti Communications Inc., Crux Subsurface Canada Ltd., Crux Subsurface Inc., Cutting Technology - 1 Diamond LLC, DB Utilities Inc., DE Lazy Q Ranch LLC, DNR Pressure Welding Ltd., Dacon Corporation, Dashiell (DE) Corporation (Dashiell Corporation), Dashiell Corporation, Dashiell Corporation DBA Dashiell (DE) Corporation, De Mears Group, De Mears Group Inc., Delaware Quanta Technology LLC, Delaware Underground Construction Co., Didado Utility Company Inc., Digco Utility Construction L.P. Digco Utility Construction Limited Partnership, Dorado Specialty Services L.P., Dorado Specialty Services Ltd., Dorado Specialty Services Ltd. L.P., Dorado Specialty Services Ltd. Limited Partnership, Dorado Specialty Services. Ltd. L.P., Driftwood Electrical Contractors, EHV Power ULC, ELITE PIPING & CIVIL L.P., ELITE TURNAROUND SPECIALISTS LTD, Elite Fabrication Ltd. Elite Fabrication LP, Elite Piping & Civil Limited Partnership, Elite Piping & Civil Limited Partnership, Elite Piping & Civil Lp, Elite Piping & Civil Ltd L.P., Elite Piping & Civil Ltd., Elite Piping & Civil Ltd. L.P., Elite Piping & Civil Ltd. Limited Partnership, Elite Piping and Civil L.P., Elite Turnaround Specialists L.p., Elite Turnaround Specialists Limited Lp, Elite Turnaround Specialists Limited Partnership, Elite Turnaround Specialists Limited Partnership, Elite Turnaround Specialists Ltd Lp, Elite Turnaround Specialists Ltd., Elite Turnaround Specialists Ltd. L.P., Elite Turnaround Specialists Ltd. LP, Elite Turnaround Specialists Ltd. Limited Partnership, Energy Consulting Group LLC, Enscope, Enscope Pty Ltd, FIC GP LLC, Field Personnel Services LLC, First Infrastructure Capital Advisors LLC, First Infrastructure Capital GP L.P., Five Points Construction Co., G-Tek, G-Vac, GEM Engineering Co., Grand Electric Inc., Great Lakes Line Builders, Grid Creative Inc., Grid Manufacturing Corporation, Grid Training Corporation, H.L. Chapman Pipeline Construction Inc., Haverfield Aviation, Haverfield Aviation Inc., Haverfield International Incorporated, Heritage Midstream LLC, IM Electric Inc., IUC ILLINOIS LLC, IUC Nebraska LLC, InfraSource Construction LLC, InfraSource Field Services LLC, InfraSource Services LLC, InfraSources Construction LLC, Infraestructura ETP de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V, Infrasource Engineering Company PC, Infrasource Iowa Underground LLC, Infrasource Of Pa LLC, Integracion Tecnologica del Peru SAC, Intermountain Electric Inc., Intermountain Electric Inc. A Corporation of Colorado, IonEarth LLC, Irby Construction Company, Irby Construction Company Inc., Iron Mountain M.J. Electric LLC, Island Mechanical Corporation, J.C.R. Construction Co. Inc., J.C.R. Utility Construction Co., J.W. Didado Electric Inc., J.W. Didado Electric LLC, J.w. Didado Electric, JBT Electric LLC, Kingston Contracting Inc., Lazy Q Ranch LLC, Lazy Q Training Center LLC The Lazy Q Lineman School, Legend Foundation Services, Lex Engineering Ltd., Lindsey Electric L.P., Logical Link, Longfellow Drilling, M. G. Dyess Inc., M. J. ELECTRIC LLC IRON MOUNTAIN, M. J. Electric LLC, M. J. Electric LLC - Iron Mountain, M. J. Electric LLC DBA M. J. Electric Iron Mountain LLC, M.J. Electric LLC DBA M.J. Electric Iron Mountain, M.J. Electric LLC Iron Mountain, MTS Field Services, MTS Field Services (Richmond Co), MTS Quanta LLC, Manuel Bros. Inc., Marathon Construction Services, Mears Canada Corp., Mears Equipment Services LLC, Mears Group Inc., Mears Group Pty Ltd, Mears Installation LLC, Mearsmex S. de R.L. de C.V., Mejia Personnel Services LLC, Mercer Technical Services, Microline Technology Corporation, Mid America Energy Services Inc., NACAP Niugini Ltd., NC Northstar Energy Services Inc, NGI Construction, NGI Construction Inc., NGI Construction Inc. (FN), NLC CA. Inc., NLC FL. Inc. Northwest Lineman Center, NLC ID. Inc. Northwest Lineman College, NLC TX. Inc., NPC Energy Services LLC, Nacap Australia, Nacap PNG Limited, Network Communication Services, North Houston Pole Line L.P., North Houston Pole Line Limited Partnership, North Sky Communications, NorthStar Energy Services Inc., Northern Powerline Constructors Inc., Northstar Energy Solutions LLC, Northwest Lineman Center, Northwest Lineman College, Northwest Lineman Training Center, Northwest Lineman Training Center Inc., Nova Constructors LLC, Nova Constructors LTD, Nova Equipment Leasing LLC, Nova Group Inc, Nova Group Inc (CA), Nova Group Inc., Nova Group Inc. DBA NGI Construction, Nova NextGen Solutions LLC, O. J. Pipelines Canada Corporation, O. J. Pipelines Canada Limited Partnership, O.J. Industrial Maintenance, O.J. Pipelines Canada, One Call Locators Canada Ltd., P.D.G. Electric, PAR Electrical Contractors Inc., PDG Electric Co., Par Internacional S. de R.L. de C.V., Performance Energy Services Guyana Ltd., Performance Energy Services L.L.C., Phasor Engineering Inc., Phoenix North Constructors Inc., Phoenix Power Group Inc., Potelco Inc., Potelco Incorporated, Power Delivery Program Inc., Price Gregory International Inc., Price Gregory Services LLC, Probst Construction Inc., Probst Electric Inc., QEPC, QEPC Power Solutions LLC, QES GP LLC, QP Energy Services LLC, QPS Engineering LLC, QPS Engineering LTD., QPS Engineering PLLC, QPS Environmental, QPS Flint Construction, QPS Flint Tank Services, QPS Global, QPS Global Services, QPS Global Services (Richmond Ci), QPS Professional Services, QPSE, QS Mats, QSI Engineering Inc., QSI Finance (Australia) Pty Ltd., QSI Finance (Cayman) Pvt. Ltd., QSI Finance Canada ULC, QSI Finance GP (US) LLC, QSI Finance I (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., QSI Finance I (US) LP, QSI Finance II (Australia) Pty Ltd., QSI Finance II (Lux) S.a r.l, QSI Finance II (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., QSI Finance III (Canada) ULC, QSI Finance III (Lux) SARL, QSI Finance IV (Canada) ULC, QSI Finance IX (Canada) Limited Partnership, QSI Finance V (US) L.P., QSI Finance VI (Canada) ULC, QSI Finance VII (Canada) Limited Partnership, QSI Finance VIII (Canada) ULC, QSI Finance X (Canada) ULC, QSI Inc., QSN Lux Holdings I SCSp, QSN Lux Holdings II SCSp, QSN Lux Holdings III SCSp, QSN Lux Holdings IV SCSp, QTSL LLC, QUANTA FOUNDATION SERVICES, Quanta APL GP II Ltd., Quanta Asset Management LLC, Quanta Associates L.P., Quanta Aviation Services LLC, Quanta Canada GP ULC, Quanta Canada Holdings III Limited Partnership, Quanta Canada Holdings LP, Quanta Canada III GP Ltd., Quanta Capital GP LLC, Quanta Capital LP L.P., Quanta Capital Solutions Inc., Quanta Cares, Quanta EPC Services, Quanta Electric Power Construction LLC, Quanta Electric Power Construction Management Inc., Quanta Electric Power Services LLC, Quanta Electric Power Services West LLC, Quanta Energized Innovations Ltd., Quanta Energized Services U.S. LLC, Quanta Energized Services of Canada Ltd., Quanta Energy Services LLC, Quanta Environmental Solutions, Quanta Equipment Company LLC, Quanta Government Solutions Inc., Quanta Holdings I (Netherlands) B.V., Quanta Holdings II (Netherlands) B.V., Quanta Infraestructura de Chile SpA, Quanta Infrastructure Services LLC, Quanta Infrastructure Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Quanta Inline Devices LLC, Quanta Inspection Services, Quanta Insurance Company Inc., Quanta International Holdings (US) LLC, Quanta International Holdings II Ltd., Quanta International Holdings Ltd., Quanta International Limited, Quanta Kingsvale LP Ltd., Quanta Lines Pty Ltd., Quanta Maine Services LLC, Quanta Middle East LLC, Quanta Pipeline Services Inc., Quanta Power Australia Pty Ltd, Quanta Power Generation Inc., Quanta Power Inc., Quanta Power Solutions India Private Limited, Quanta Resource Development, Quanta Services Africa (PTY) Ltd., Quanta Services Australia Pty Ltd., Quanta Services Chile SpA, Quanta Services Colombia S.A.S., Quanta Services Costa Rica Ltda., Quanta Services Guatemala Ltda., Quanta Services International Holdings II LP, Quanta Services International Holdings LP, Quanta Services Management Partnership L.P., Quanta Services Netherlands B.V., Quanta Services Panama S. de R.L., Quanta Services Peru S.A.C., Quanta Services Puerto Rico LLC, Quanta Services of Canada Ltd., Quanta Subsurface Canada Ltd., Quanta Subsurface LLC, Quanta Tank Services, Quanta Technology Canada ULC, Quanta Technology LLC, Quanta Technology UK Ltd., Quanta Tecnologia do Brasil Ltda., Quanta Telecom, Quanta Telecom Services, Quanta Telecommunication Services, Quanta Telecommunication Services LLC, Quanta Telecommunications Services LLC, Quanta Underground Services, Quanta Underground Services (Culpeper Co), Quanta Underground Services (Spotsylvania Co), Quanta Underground Services Inc., Quanta Utility Engineering Services Inc., Quanta Utility Installation Company Inc., Quanta Utility Operation LLC, Quanta West LLC, Quantecua Cia. Ltda., R. R. Cassidy Inc., RMS Holdings LLC, RMS Holdings LLC (Delaware), RMS Welding Systems, RMS Welding Systems LLC, Ranger Directional, Realtime Engineers Inc., Realtime Utility Engineers Inc., Redes Andinas de Comunicaciones S.R.L., Riggin & Diggin Line Construction, Rms Welding LLC, Rms Welding Systems LLC, Road Bore Corporation, Ryan Company Inc. The, Ryan Company Inc. of Massachusetts, Ryan Company Inc.(The), Seaward, Seaward Corp, Seaward Corporation, Service EC (DE) Inc., Service Electric Company (DE), Service Electric Company Inc., Service Electric Company of Delaware, Servicios Par Electric S. de R.L. de C.V., Servicios de Infraestructura del Peru S.A.C., Southwest Trenching Company Inc., Specialty Tank Services L.P., Specialty Tank Services LP, Specialty Tank Services Limited Partnership, Specialty Tank Services Limited Partnership, Specialty Tank Services Ltd., Specialty Tank Services Ltd. (LP), Specialty Tank Services Ltd. L.P., Specialty Tank Services Ltd. LP, Specialty Tank Services Ltd. LP, Specialty Tank Services Ltd. Limited Partnership, Stronghold General LLC, Stronghold Holdings (BVI) Limited, Stronghold Inspection L.P., Stronghold Inspection Limited Partnership, Stronghold Inspection Limited Partnership, Stronghold Inspection Lp, Stronghold Inspection Ltd L.P., Stronghold Inspection Ltd., Stronghold Inspection Ltd. L.P., Stronghold Inspection Ltd. Limited Partnership, Stronghold Limited Partnership, Stronghold Ltd., Stronghold Ltd. Limited Partnership, Stronghold Management Holdings LP, Stronghold Specialty General LLC, Stronghold Specialty Ltd., Stronghold Specialty Ltd., Stronghold Specialty Ltd. Limited Partnership, Stronghold Tower Group LP, Stronghold Tower Group Ltd LP, Stronghold Tower Group Ltd., Stronghold Tower Group Ltd. LP, Stronghold VI LLC, Subterra Damage Prevention Specialists Ltd., Summit Line Construction, Sumter Utilities Inc., T. G. Mercer Consulting Services Inc., TA Construction, TC Infrastructure Services Ltd., Taylor Built, Texas Specialty Tank Services Ltd. LP, The Aspen Utility Company LLC, The ComTran Group Inc., The Hallen Construction Co. Inc., The Massachusetts Ryan Company Inc., The Ryan Company Inc Of Massachusetts, The Ryan Company Inc., The Ryan Company Inc. (Massachusetts), The Ryan Company Inc. of Massachusetts, The Ryan Company Incorporated of Massachusetts, The Ryan Company Of Massachusetts Inc., The Ryan Company of Massachusetts, The Ryan Company of Massachusetts (FN), Tom Allen Construction Company Inc., Tom Allen Construction Company of Delaware, Trans Tech Electric, TurnKey Automation Limited Partnership, TurnKey Automation Limited Partnership, TurnKey Automation Ltd., TurnKey Automation Ltd. Limited Partnership, TurnKey Automation Ltd. Limited Partnership, TurnKey I&E Ltd., Turnkey Automation Ltd. L.P., Turnkey Automation Ltd. LP., UCC Underground Construction Co. Inc., Ucc - Underground Construction Co., Underground Construction Co. Inc., Underground Construction Co. Inc. (Delaware), Underground Electric Construction Company LLC, Utilco Inc., Utility Fleet Services, Utility Line Management Services Inc., Utility Testing & Maintenance LLC, Utility Training Services Corporation, VALARD Polska sp. Z o.o., Valard, Valard, Valard Construction (Ontario) Ltd., Valard Construction (Quebec) Inc., Valard Construction 2008 Ltd., Valard Construction Australia Pty Ltd, Valard Construction LLC, Valard Equipment (AB) Ltd., Valard Equipment GP Ltd., Valard Equipment Limited Partnership, Valard Geomatics (Ontario) Ltd., Valard Geomatics BC Ltd., Valard Geomatics Ltd., Valard Mechanical Ltd., Valard Norway AS, Valard Sweden AB, Valard Zagreb d. o. o., Wade D. Taylor Inc., West Coast Communications, Winco Helicopters, Winco Inc., Winco Inc. an Oregon Based Corporation, Winco Powerline Services, Winco Powerline Services Inc., Winco Powerline Services Inc., Winco Services Inc., World Fiber Inc., and mmit Line Construction Inc..

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Microsoft on Tuesday said it would patch a Windows vulnerability next week that Google publicly revealed just 10 days after notifying Microsoft.

Microsoft also identified the attackers, asserting that they were the same who had been accused by authorities of hacking the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

"All versions of Windows are now being tested ... and we plan to release [the patches] publicly on the next Update Tuesday, Nov. 8," wrote Terry Myerson, the head of the Windows and devices group, in a post to a company blog.

Myerson also took a swing at Alphabet Inc.'s Google for disclosing the Windows vulnerability. "We believe responsible technology industry participation puts the customer first, and requires coordinated vulnerability disclosure," he said. "Google's decision to disclose these vulnerabilities before patches are broadly available and tested is disappointing, and puts customers at increased risk."

Google went public with the flaw -- an elevation of privilege bug in the Windows kernel -- on Monday, saying in a post of its own that it had notified Microsoft on Oct. 21. Because attackers were actively exploiting the vulnerability, Google argued that its 2013 disclosure-within-seven-days policy applied.

Also on Oct. 21, Google told Adobe of a vulnerability in Flash Player; attackers have used a multi-exploit package that included hacks of both Flash and Windows to hijack PCs. Adobe patched the Flash flaw on Oct. 26.

Microsoft had used that fact earlier Tuesday to criticize Google for calling the Windows vulnerability "particularly serious," saying that users were able to deflect the ongoing attacks by updating Adobe's Flash Player.

Google and Microsoft have butted heads numerous times over vulnerability disclosures after researchers working for the former have revealed flaws before the latter was able to issue patches. In early 2015, for example, Microsoft complained that Google had disclosed a Windows flaw just days before it was to be patched. "[Google's] decision feels less like principles and more like a 'gotcha,' with customers the ones who may suffer as a result," said Chris Betz, at the time a senior director of the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC). Microsoft has since dismantled the center.

The tension over bug disclosure harked back to 2010, when Google security engineer Tavis Ormandy went public with a critical Windows vulnerability just five days after notifying Microsoft.

On Tuesday, Myerson also confirmed that the hacker group using the Windows and Flash flaws was Strontium, Microsoft's name for a gang that other security professionals have tagged as APT28 and Fancy Bear. The group has been charged with hacking the DNC this year, and since at least 2007 targeting governments, militaries and diplomats around the world. U.S. authorities last month charged the Russian government with ultimate responsibility for the DNC hack, saying that senior Russian officials were behind that attack.

Microsoft described the latest Strontium attacks, but did not link them or the group to the DNC hack.

"Microsoft has attributed more [zero]-day exploits to Strontium than any other tracked group in 2016," Myerson wrote. "Strontium frequently uses compromised e-mail accounts from one victim to send malicious e-mails to a second victim and will persistently pursue specific targets for months until they are successful in compromising the victims' computer."

Myerson also used the attack to again pitch Windows 10, repeating the claim that the new operating system is "the most secure ... we've ever built."

This story, "Microsoft to patch Windows bug that Google revealed" was originally published by Computerworld .
Tory dominance in awards nominations angers Nationalists

The Herald has named Ruth Davidson their politician of the year for doing the supposedly impossible and reviving the fortunes of the Conservative Party north of the border.

She also picked up the prize for being Donald Dewar Debater of the Year for her high-profile clash with Boris Johnson in the climactic TV debate of the EU referendum.

Not that the leader hogged all the prizes: David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary, picked up Best Scot at Westminster for delivering the latest Scotland Act and maintaining good relations with the Scottish Government.

Of the ten awards available only one went to an SNP figure  congratulations to Fergus Ewing, the rural economy secretary, on his Politics in Business award.

The Courier reports that this disparity provoked anger in Nationalist ranks, with Pete Wishart leading the charge  but left-wing Labour deputy leader Neil Findlay was quick to take him to task.

Davies defends those sceptical of further devolution

The leader of the Welsh Conservatives has attacked politicians who accuse opponents of more devolution of being anti-Wales, according to Wales Online.

In a private speech to party officials, Andrew RT Davies criticised the notion that there was any contradiction between being Welsh and British, and urged unionists to be more pro-active in championing Britain: For unionists of any political colour, it can be all too easy on occasions to retreat, shy away, and cow to the nationalist tune when singing the virtues of our great Union.

Davies continued:

And as proud unionists we have a duty to stand up to this weakness that threatens the United Kingdom, to fight against the subtle, dog-whistle politics Plaid Cymru seek to instigate when we attempt to promote the mutual benefits of the Union Plaids ultimate aim  what they live and breathe for  is an independent Wales  a politics engineered to divide our great nation.

Its certainly heartening to start seeing the re-emergence of a more muscular unionism to meet the challenges of the Brexit vote. Perhaps Davies is taking his cue from the Prime Minister, but whatever the reason his intervention is very welcome.

On the subject of devolution Nick Bourne, a Tory peer and Davies predecessor as leader in Wales, told the House of Lords that the current Wales Bill will likely be the last major piece of legislation on Wales for a long time, whilst Peter Hain made the case for a referendum on tax-raising powers for the Assembly from the red benches.

Another flaring up of Labour devoscepticism occurred in Scotland where the Scotsman reports Brian Wilson, a former Labour cabinet minister, asking what exactly the Scottish Parliament has achieved in the almost 20 years since it was set up and criticising his party for allowing the SNP to recast it as a mere staging post for independence.

Tory peer leads bid to introduce gay marriage to Ulster

Another Conservative peer made the news this week: Lord Lexden, the Conservative Partys official historian and sometime contributor to this site, is spearheading a bid to pardon men convicted in Northern Ireland before the decriminalisation of homosexuality, the News Letter reports.

The paper says that he has tabled a series of amendments to the Governments Policing and Crime Bill which would see posthumous pardons for convictions involving what had been many homosexual offences.

However Jim Allister, a veteran QC who leads the hard-line Traditional Unionist Voice party, claims that it may in fact be unlawful to offer pardons on the basis of sexual orientation because of the provisions of equality legislation, whilst criticising the apparent hypocrisy of people not campaigning for pardons for heterosexuals convicted of now-obsolete crimes.

Meanwhile the Belfast Telegraph reports that Arlene Foster, the First Minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, has pledged that her party will block attempts to legislate for gay marriage in the province for at least the life of the current Assembly.

However she stressed that the DUPs position on marriage did not mean that gay people were unwelcome in the party.

Conservatives attack SNPs policy vacuum

The SNP hasnt introduced a single new piece of legislation to the Scottish Parliament since it won its third term in Mays elections.

According to the Scotsman, new research by the Scottish Conservatives shows how the Nationalists have allowed their fixation on Brexit, and the threat of an independence rematch, to eclipse their domestic agenda. Previous SNP administrations tabled three and then four bills in their first half-year.

Its not as if the Scottish Government isnt confronted by problems to fix: in addition to education, which was supposed to be the central focus of Nicola Sturgeons new term, the Herald reports that more than three quarters of Scottish universities are forecasting spending deficits for this financial year. The SNP remain committed to exempting Scottish and EU students from tuition fees.

Meanwhile staggering failures in efforts to reform the Scottish NHS  for which Sturgeon was responsible whilst health minister  have left it facing unprecented cuts, despite health boards already missing seven out of eight performance targets.

Humza Yousaf, the Nationalist transport minister, capped off the week when he responded to mounting anger at the SNPs response to over-crowded and late-running commuter trains with admission that hes not a transport expert.

Foster comes out swinging for Brexit

As I mentioned when I discussed the possibility of a Tory-DUP deal, having to own Brexit seems to have injected a new sense of Britishness into Northern Irelands dominant, but historically very parochial, unionist party.

This week we had further evidence of that, with the First Minister coming out swinging for the UK in several separate interventions.

In an op-ed for the Guardian, which ran under the headline Britain joined the EU as one nation, and thats how well leave, Foster attacked any suggestion that the UK should be dismantled or part-dismantled for the sake of the EU.

She also hit out at Enda Kenny, the Irish prime minister, accusing Dublin of tasking diplomats to talk down our economy and to attempt to poach our investors, and declared that internal passport checks between Ulster and the mainland would be a red line for her party.

In other news, Foster also committed the Northern Ireland Executive to cutting corporation tax to 12.5 per cent in 2018.
The decision by British Gymnastics to suspend Louis Smith for two months for he and a mate pretending to pray to Mecca (at a private party) is appalling. His actions were neither clever or funny. But religious freedom (including mockery) and a belief in a private sphere are two of the cornerstones of not just British but Western and enlightenment culture.

Had Smith assaulted or deliberately abused Muslims going peacefully about their daily business I would be the first to call for action against him. But we have a longstanding division between ideas and people in this country: the latter are protected, while the former are rightly fair game.

Nearly three decades ago the death threats against Salman Rushdie drew revulsion from across the political spectrum. Yet now the state is indirectly attacking an individual, who has received death threats, rather than take action against those threatening him: for British Gymnastics is a quango that could not operate without state funding  receiving 11 million from 2014-17.

What is even more disgraceful than this quangos enforcement of a new blasphemy code is the silence from our politicians  for all the Je Suis Charlie tears, not one seems prepared to speak out. If the only times we are prepared to argue for our freedoms is once murder is committed, we will lose them.

If freedom of speech, secularism and religious freedom mean anything, Karen Bradley must override UK Gymnastics by threatening to withhold funding. And if the Culture Secretary is not prepared to act then No10 should intervene.

Individual Muslims must be free to practice their religion and other people must be free to mock Islam as a concept  as with any other religion. If action is taken, it should be against those who have leaked this video  who through their actions have exposed Smith to death threats, or else those who are making such threats.

In many countries you cannot mock Islam: not one is a country which we should emulate. The inane and utter stupidity of those like Jane Allen, the head of British gymnastics, or June Sarpong, who called the mixed race Smith a racist must be taken on. Had Smith imitated the Catholic priest Father Ted, professed a love of the Book of Mormon comedy, or recited parts of the Life of Brian, would he be facing a professional ban for insulting Christianity? No. These idiots, who seem to believe if a religion or cultural aspect is supported by a majority of people with brown skin it must apparently be above criticism, are those who have created horrors as Rotherham and a blind eye to FGM. One rule must govern all.

It is decisions like this by left wing bureaucrats that fuel extremist politicians like LePen and Trump. If such organisations as the Muslim Council of Britain want to live in a country where no one can criticism Islam then frankly their leadership should leave.

This is a real judgement call for May. If she fails to act then, rightly, her talk of taking on of the establishment should be seen as an electoral sham born out of low calculation. She will be seen only to challenge our politically correct establishment when she wants a line in a speech  and we will have reintroduced penalties for blasphemy (but against one religion only it seems) in this country.
Legal Troubles Cause Lakeview's Headquarters Arcade Bar To Change Hands

By Anthony Todd in Food on Nov 2, 2016 2:37PM



Photos via Headquarters

There's been some serious legal drama centered around the Lakeview location of popular arcade bar Headquarters Beercade. The bad news? It won't be Headquarters anymore. The good news? The location will stay open and keep serving up beer and games.

Eater Chicago reports that a lawsuit alleging that one of the partners in Headquarters stole money has just been settled.

The lawsuit, filed in 2015, alleged that Mark Kwiatkowski took $2 million from his former partners, Brian Galati and Chireal Jordan. According to the Cook County Record, the complaint alleged the following:

Kwiatkowski used the corporate coffers of Cue Club and CBG as his own personal piggy bank for years through routine and repeated unauthorized distributions to himself, his wife and to his other business ventures outside his relationship with Galati and Jordan. In attempts to mask his conduct, the plaintiffs asserted, Kwiatkowski denied Galati access to Cue Clubs bank accounts, even though Galati was listed as treasurer of Cue Club Inc.

Eater also reported at the time that the complaint contained allegations that after stealing money from his partners in Headquarters, Kwiatkowski then used their idea for an arcade bar to help Replay (the other big arcade bar chain in town) open their locations. Replay has locations in Lakeview and Andersonville. But remember, the allegations are just thatallegationsand we won't ever have a final finding of fact, thanks to the settlement.

The settlement leaves Kwiatkowski in charge of the Lakeview location of Headquarters, which will be rebranding as a third location of Replay on Nov. 19. Headquarters River North won't be affected by the change.
Man Suspected Of Killing 2 Iowa Police Officers Appears To Be Right-Wing Extremist

By Stephen Gossett in News on Nov 2, 2016 4:06PM

Des Moines police say an Iowa man suspected of fatally shooting two police officers early Wednesday morning while they sat in their patrol cars is in custody, according to reports. The suspected shooter appears to be a right-wing hard-liner who was asked by police to leave a local sporting event last month where he waved a Confederate flag.

Scott Michael Greene, 46, of Urbandale, Iowa, was apprehended on foot at around 8:50 a.m., the Washington Post reports. The officers were shot shortly after 1 a.m. in what the Des Moines Police Department described as ambush-style attacks.

Police spokesman Sgt. Pat Parizek did not put forward a potential motivation for the shooting, but reports show that Greene may have been upset about not being allowed to fly a Confederate flag at Des Moines Urbandale High School, near where one of the officers was killed on Wednesday.

The Washington Post reported:



A video uploaded to YouTube last month by an account named Scott Greene was titled Police Abuse, Civil Rights Violation at Urbandale High School and appeared to show a person recording the footage arguing with police officers asking him to leave the area. In the video, the man recording the footage, who is identified by one officer as Greene, is heard telling the police that he was assaulted and almost mugged while peacefully protesting at what appears to be a high school. An officer is later seen explaining that the Confederate battle flag he was waving violated the schools code.

A second, still-image video appears to show Greene flying a Confederate flag at a sporting event.

Greene also owed nearly $200,000 in debt and filed for bankruptcy in 2007; and records suggest he had been charged with first-degree harassment in 2014, Buzzfeed reports. Greene reportedly used a racial slur and told a man I will kill you. Two months later, on June 30, Greene appeared to negotiate a voluntary plea deal for second-degree harassment and was sentenced to one year in jail, according to Buzzfeed. The judge suspended his jail sentence to time served and was then placed on 1 year probation.

As the New York Times noted, the killings follows a number of other high-profile ambush attacks this year.



"On July 7, five police officers were gunned down in Dallas by Micah X. Johnson, an Army veteran who was angered at police treatment of African-Americans. Ten days later, three officers were shot and killed in Baton Rouge, La., by Gavin Long, who had a history of paranoid rantings. The killings in Iowa also recalled the ambush-style killings of police officers in Brooklyn in December 2014, when two police officers sitting in a patrol car were shot at point-blank range."
Chicago Airbnb Hosts Raked In Millions Last Weekend; Thanks, Cubs!

By Stephen Gossett in News on Nov 2, 2016 7:24PM



Photo: Tyler LaRiviere

Win or lose, the Cubs exhilarating postseason run will come to a close with tonights Game Seven. That might be good news for our blood pressure levels, but its bad news for Chicago Airbnb hosts, because they made bank this past weekend.

Nine thousand visitors stayed in Chicago using the homestay network while during the Cubs World Series home stand, Friday through Sunday, and hosts made a collective total of $2.6 million, according to a release from Airbnb.

"As with the entire Chicago hospitality industry, summer is booming. People want to be in Chicago in the summer, so Lollapalooza always represented one of the biggest spikes," Ben Breit, a Chicago-based spokesman for the company, told the Tribune. "It's pretty rare to see a huge surge of travelers into October, November."

Breit told the Trib that Cleveland hosts on the other hand earned considerably less: collecting $330,000 over the course Games One and Two.

Some disparity is to be expected, as Clevelands totals represent one fewer game, neither of which fell on a weekend. Plus there are simple market size considerations. Cleveland lists some 1,100 rentals while Chicago has more than 7,700, according to the Trib.

A similar marketplace-spike divide affected Stubhub prices, which last week saw World Series tickets in Chicago nearly double in median cost compared to Cleveland.

According to a release from last week, Airbnb was encouraging visitors to look beyond neighborhoods such as Boystown, Buena Park, Lakeview, North Center, Roscoe Village and Wrigleyville, as those areas booked quickly. Hundreds of visitors stayed in Pilsen and Uptown, and 100-plus booked in Garfield Park and Bronzeville, the company said.

Airbnb and the City Council were at loggerheads for months earlier this year, as Mayor Emanuel and some aldermenincluding several that represent predominantly well-off North Side wardsfought for greater restrictions against the homestay hotel alternatives. The Council ultimately passed a generally Airbnb-favorable ordinance, which didn't cap number of per-year rentals. A four percent tax on homestay transactions goes to homeless services, per the ordinance.
Exhibition center of Lize Financial Business District in Beijing's southern Fengtai District [Photo by Guo Yiming / China.org.cn]

Beijing's southern district of Fengtai will introduce 33 business promotional projects in the upcoming Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium in China's capital between Nov. 3 and 4.

The projects, covering high-tech industry, productive services, consumer services and cultural and creative industries are estimated to involve an investment volume of 100 billion yuan (US$ 14.78 billion), said Shi Xiang, vice director of the district's investment promotion bureau.

"The focus of our promotion lies in the Beijing Lize Financial Business District, Zhongguancun Fengtai Science Park, Beijing National Digital Publishing Base as well as the unique business premises in the district," Shi told China.org.cn.

The south Beijing district is developing quickly against an overall economic slowdown. During the first three quarters of 2016, per capita disposable income in Fengtai grew by 8.3 percent; fixed asset investment reached 65.8 billion yuan (US$ 9.7 billlion), up 10.9 percent year-on-year.

The district has also been included among the country's 58 city-industry integration demonstration zones approved by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), which is tasked to forge ahead with a new-type of urbanization and industrial transformation and upgrading.

In response to Premier Li Keqiang's call for mass innovation and entrepreneurship, the district has improved its business climate for high-tech and creative companies. Up until now, it has introduced 215 high-tech companies above designated scale in the district, with a total registered capital of 43.67 billion yuan (US$ 6.46 billion).

The Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation symposium, established in 1997, has become an effective platform for cooperation between Beijing and Hong Kong companies.The 19th symposium held in Hong Kong last year facilitated 29 investment agreements worth over US$ 9.2 billion.
The night before the crucifixion was a dark time. Jesus followers didnt know what was going to happen next, but there were hints of a time of trial and persecution unlike any theyd ever known.

In the midst of their uncertainty, Jesus had one instruction, one command for them: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples: because you unfriend acquaintances who disagree with you on Facebook.

Wait. Thats not it.

Maybe it was By this everyone will know that you are my disciples: since you defend your political convictions more passionately than you defend the gospel.

That cant be right.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples: by seeing and hearing your comments calling other believers delusional, stupid, or evil when theyre voting for a different candidate than you.

You probably see where Im going with this. What Jesus actually told his followers before his death, the new command he gave them, was: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples: if you love one another.

Thats what Jesus left his followers with, what he said would be the distinguishing mark of the band of religious rebels soon to be known as Christianstheir love for one another. In Gethsemane before his crucifixion, he prayed for unity among believers, not just his disciples, but all who would come after them.

So, this election season how are we doing?

What would the world say about the church based on how weve been treating each other the past few months?

Sadly, I dont think it would be very positive.

Its been a brutal election season, and Im not just talking about mudslinging T.V. commercials. The attitudes and actions weve (cynically) come to expect from politicians, weve brought into the churchname-calling, bitterness, outbursts of angerand its our witness that suffers most. Right or wrong, people are coming to conclusions about what Christianity is, based on what their Christian friends say during election season.

These are dark times, and we may well be facing trials and persecutions unlike any weve ever known. But instead of letting that lead us to shame our brothers and sisters who disagree with us, lets use this next week as a chance to show a watching world what Gods love looks like in action.

Here are some reminders for this next week as we approach the election.

Pray more than you talk. Im guilty of ignoring this one. Sometimes I think the whole entire world needs to know all of my opinions. Last week I realized: If I spent as much time praying for our country, our leaders, and unity in the church as I did talking politics, that would be a much better use of my time. Of course, its fine to express your views and reasoning, but the Bible never once commands us to put up yard signs, post news articles, or argue with our neighbor but it tells us many times to pray for political concerns. (Jeremiah 29:7, 11-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-4)

Dont call names. This might seem playground-basic, but I find myself defaulting to it from time to time. Because if Ive been carefully thoughtful about my choice, someone who comes to the opposite conclusion must be less intelligent or at least ignorant, right? Wrong. And, regardless, even if I disagree with a persons choices (or even if their reasoning is really terrible), I dont have a right to mock them. If we cant respect others, we cant have productive conversations with them. (Romans 12:16-18, 21)

Listen to understand, not to attack. When a co-worker explains why shes voting a certain way, dont interrupt with counter-examples or tear apart what you see as flaws in her logic. At this stage, you probably wont change each others minds, and thats okay but try to understand her. When you make others feel heard, its a way of showing the selfless attitude that Christians should strive for, following the example of Jesus. (Philippians 2:1-11)

Love others even when they dont respond graciously. This is a hard one. For a few months leading up to the election, our brothers and sisters in Christ suddenly seem like the enemy, especially the ones who seem determined to pick fights. But since Jesus called us to love our enemies, we dont have justification to respond unkindly just because someone else started it by saying something rude, uncalled for, or even slanderous. As my Sunday School teacher always said, Thats why Jesus blessed the peacemakershe knew no one else would! Its hard, but thats what were called to as believers. (James 3:17-18)

Remember that God is in control. No election results can dethrone our God, and no human schemes can undermine his plan. I think many of us need this reminder, and heres why: When we trust completely in the Lord, we dont have to act or speak out of fear. God doesnt need you to frantically debate everyone to the ground or counter every argument so you can wrest power into the hands of your chosen candidate. The future is in Gods hands, and that confidence should give us hope and the ability to speak with grace in a world where panic is being shouted through a megaphone. (Psalm 20:7-8, Daniel 4:34-35)

When we live like this, people will notice. Jesus knew this, which is why His command to love one another matters so much, especially in dark and uncertain times.

We are representatives of God first, not a political party. Lets say true things about our faith in how we talk about politics, and lets choose love instead of judgment.

Amy Green loves to talk about religion, politics, and other controversial subjects from her home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She blogs about issues of faith, culture, and ordinary life at themondayheretic.wordpress.com.

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: November 2, 2016
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Now the wait for Boxpark Croydon to open is finally over we all have the difficult choice of picking which type of food or drink we want to try first out of the cuisines from around the globe and from there it doesn't get any easier as we have to select what to order.

Should it be Korean fried chicken wings, a Guyenese roti, beer brewed here in Croydon or a French crepe?

To help everyone decide we have got in contact with all of the current 34 traders at Boxpark to ask them what is their star dish.

Arancina Pizzeria

Pizzas made from a Roman recipe and handmade arancini balls.

Star dish: Carnivora pizza which has spicy salami, ham and pork sausage as its toppings.

Michele Mortari, the owner, said: "We were running a street food stall at a market in Shoreditch and the guys from Boxpark came to try our food.

"They pretty much straight away proposed for us to come to Croydon, they loved our food so much.

"We use a pizza recipe from Rome where the dough is left to rise for 24 hours before it is cooked.

"This results in there being less yeast which makes it lighter to eat.

"We also make a range of handmade arancini with ingredients including Bolognese inside.

"Croydon deserves a place like this. People shouldn't have to go into London. We want to bring an Italian vibe to the town".

Bao Bao

Taiwanese street food serving traditional Bao buns and noodle soup

This is the first restaurant for the Bao Bao team. They are selling bao which are steam buns filled with options such as chicken or pork. Customers can also try beef noodle soup, braised pork on a bed of rice and the hugely popular bubble tea drink.

Bukowski

Charcoal grilled burgers, ribs, steaks, frozen cocktails and craft beers

Star dish: 72 hour beef ribs slow cooked with tobacco onions and jalapeno dressing

Robin Freeman, co-owner and chef, said they have a site at Boxpark Shoreditch and due to their popularity they were asked if they wanted to open in Croydon as well.

Mr Freeman said: "I've had friends move to Croydon recently, it is a place that is on the up and I wanted to be a part of it. I've already got a good vibe about the area"

They will also be selling grab-and-go breakfast options and takeaway lunches for offices in Croydon.

Bang Bang Hawker

Vietnamese street food serving up traditional pho and grills

Star dish: Pho which is a noodle soup consisting of broth, herbs and choice of meat.

Owner David Le said: "We run the Bang Bang Canteen in Warren Strreet, Fitzrovia, and here in Croydon we have a whole new concept and menu centred around Vietnamese hawker [street food].

"This is a new opportunity for us to expand in a growing area."

During the weekends there will be resident DJs and cocktail lovers will be able to chill by the island bar.

Bread Tree

Healthy Italian street food serving up bruschetta, traditional piadina and salads

Star dish : Bruschetta with lavish Italian toppings

Cristian Zago, owner, said this is their first ever "brick and mortar" unit. He lived in Addiscombe for four years and was walking through George Street when he saw an advert for Boxpark and after an interview was offered a unit.

Mr Zago said: "Our signature dish is our bruschetta. We found that we were losing business by not having a gluten free as well option so we've started making piadina [Italian flatbreads] as and the sales have gone through the roof.

"The bread for our bruschetta comes from Sicily and all our ingredients are the finest options imported from southern Italy."

"It is by total chance that we are here. If I hadn't walked past that poster in George Street it would never have happened."

The Breakfast Club

All-day breakfast with additional lunch and dinner menus offering proper comfort food such as burgers, tacos, mac and cheese and beef chilli.

Star dish: All American - pancakes, eggs, sausage, home-style potatoes, streaky bacon & maple syrup.

Hayley Simpson, creative manager, said: "The most important part of a Breakfast Club caf is that it's a friendly, welcoming place to be. Our founders Jonathan and Ali are obsessed with the US sitcom 'Cheers' so the phrase 'where everybody knows your name' is the kind of space we aim to create.

"We hire people, not robots, and we hope that comes through as soon as you walk through the doors."

Carioca

Traditional Brazilian street food

Star dish: "The Pele" beef rib burger which also contains chicken, Brazilian churrasco sauce, pineapple and red cabbage slaw topped with Gloucester cheese, bacon, crispy onion and sweet potato shaving and a fried egg.

Owner Maurilio Goncalves said: "Carioca was first set up in Brixton market in 2012 because we wanted to change the perception that Brazilian food in London is no more than a BBQ feast.

"We want our feast to be visually pleasing as it is mouth-watering, when it is served with a friendly Latino smile."

Chillbox

Greek frozen yoghurt, ice cream and smoothies with a self-service topping bar

Star dish: Hazelnut Bueno flavour frozen yoghurt

Maria Amanaki, manager, said: "We have two stores in London, one in Brixton and one here [in Croydon]. This was an opportunity we could not miss.

"We offer self-service where people pour the Greek yoghurt into a container and then add as much toppings as they like.

"The favourite is always Bueno flavour, everyone loves it and always comes back for more."

Chilango

Mexican street food serving up burritos, nachos and tacos

They have been inspired by authentic Mexican cuisine but have added new tastes and flavours courtesy of inspiration from the largest Mexican communities in the USA.

Chilango is serving free burritos at Boxpark this Friday (November 4) between 12pm and 8pm for their own launch party. There will

Cook Daily

South East Asian vegan food bowls

Star dish: "High Grade" which is stir-fried vegetables in a smokey sweet'n'sour BBQ sauce topped with green herbs and hemp seed crumbles and served over brown rice.

Don Vienne, co-owner, said: "What we sell is 100 per cent vegan.

"We have been part of Shoreditch Boxpark since the beginning and have built up a large following. We like the Boxpark method and we didn't have to even think twice about joining Croydon.

"This place is buzzing."

Coq Fighter

Korean fried chicken wings, chicken burgers, Bao

Star Dish: Burger containing panko fried chicken thigh, shredded iceberg lettuce, pickled red onion, smoked sambal mayo and Korean hot sauce.

Three Australian housemates hope that Boxpark will be the start they need to find a permanent site in London for their chicken restaurant.

Troy Sawyer, 25, Deacon Rose, 31 and Tristan Clough, 26, were approached about 10 months ago.

Troy, a former freelance illustrator, said: "We took up the offer straight away.

"For us and I'm sure for other businesses in here who aren't backed by big firms, when you have no money, opening a restaurant in London is not viable.

"So the opportunity to get footfall and all the benefits you get with being in here is a start."

The trio started the company after they found a love for Korean fried chicken in Australia.

They deep fry their chicken in vodka batter, which they say helps retain moisture in the chicken.

The inspiration of the name comes from the French word for chicken  coq.

Cronx

Craft beers and ales

Star beer: Nektar pale ale which is brewed using Marynka hops from Poland and has hints of blackcurrant and a spicy finish.

The Cronx Brewery is a Croydon brewery based in New Addington. Simon Dale and Mark Russell have been brewing their own beer for just over 4 years.

The outlet is launching with a whole range of different beers, six cask ales, ten keg lines and a range of bottles.

They plan on offering more specials in time for Christmas.

The brewery have also revealed that the outlet is being designed with lots of plug and USB points for customers to use.

Department of Coffee and Social Affairs

Speciality coffee, cakes and pastries

Star drink: Filter coffees

Maryam A-Mazraei said: "We are going to have two coffee shops at Boxpark Croydon.

"The first which has opened is situated at the top right by East Croydon station and the second is opening round the corner along the street.

"We are offering customers the option to choose from a carefully selected range of espressos alongside, a range of artisan cakes."

Donde

Spanish tapas

Star dish: Aubergine Manchego bake

Owner Jason O'Brien said: "Over the last 10 years I've been creating my own recipes. I focus on simple dishes that are affordable for customers who want to return again and again.

"Here in Croydon we are offering a stripped down version of the menu of our restaurant in Honour Oak Park. We have been working on creating artisan sandwich baps using ingredients from the menu that people can get to grab-and-go.

"I plan on going to Surrey Street Market regularly to see what is available to help me come up with new 'specials' for the menu."

Dum Dums Donutterie

Freshly baked  not fried  handmade artisan croissant/doughnut mix

Star dish: 'Zebra' which has layers of croissant dough and chocolate croissant dough, chocolate buttercream filling and chocolate ganache topping.

Adil Malik, owner of the Croydon outlet, said: "The nice rich butter of the croissant doughnut gives it a savoury flavour and you get the nice chocolate at the same time.

"I was brought up in Croydon. When I heard about Boxpark I got really excited and wanted to be a part of it.

"When this opportunity came along I couldn't resist."

Feed Me Primal

The UK's only paleo street food trader serving up free range meat and organic vegetables

Launched by Gemma Callander in 2014, Feed Me Primal has been operating at markets and at events across London ever since. This is her first restaurant.

All meals are served in two freshly made paleo flatbreads and stuffed with caulirice, griddled peppers and red onion, seasonal salad and topped with homemade tomato sauce.

You can choose to add toppings and pick your own fresh herbs. Everything is 100 per cent gluten and grain free.

Options include grass-fed steak, free range chicken, a meat combo when you can't decide between the two and a vegetarian choice.

Fish, Wings and Tings

Caribbean food

Star dish: cod fish fritters

Owner and chef Brian Danclair said: "We've been based in Brixton for five years now and built up a following. Some people in Croydon know us already and because I live in Croydon I'm excited to be here now.

"We have a small menu of dishes that curry goat, jerk chicken, pepper prawns and cod fish fritters."

Fixed

French cuisine specialising in chargrilled steak and crab dishes

Star dish: Flat iron steak and the crab fish cake

Moris Mankarious, shareholder, said: "Fixed is a new restaurant concept.

"We are involved in running other restaurants selling American, Greek and Italian food and together the decision was made to expand to French cuisine as well.

"We opened our first branch in Northcote Road [Battersea] in September and because we know the Boxpark team in Shoreditch we have been working with them so we could have our second restaurant open very soon after in Croydon."

Get Juiced

Serving fresh cold press juices, salads and vegan cakes

Get Juiced opened two years ago at Tooting Market. The ethos is to to create revitalising healthy, yet tasty and nutritious foods and juices all suitable for vegans.

No artificial additives or preservatives are used.

Greek on the Street

Greek street food rich in Olive oil, vegetables, pulses, grains and protein

Star dish: Souvlaki wraps which contain either chicken, lamb kefte, Cypriot halloumi or falafel. The wraps are made out of flatbread with homemade tzatziki, fresh tomatoes, red onion and sweet paprika.

A spokeswoman said they aim to "bring a little bit of Greek sunshine to Croydon".

Indigo

Indian street food

Star dish: Dosas which are pancakes wrapped round Masala potato and lentils with two types of chutney.

Sham Mahabir said: "We have a restaurant very close to Shoreditch Boxpark and they approached us asking if we wanted to be a part of Croydon.

"We jumped at the chance to bring Indian street food to south London. We make food that is full of flavour that you find being made on every street in India."

Knot

Next level pretzels

Star dish: Pretzel topped with tomato, mozzarella, basil and black olives

Each pretzel is handmade using 110 per cent natural ingredients takes 22 hours to make. This age old artisan bread making method allows the key ingredients of butter, honey and organic Shipton Mill flour to create desired the texture and flavour.

You may recognise Knot from their units at Victoria station and Clapham Junction station.

Kothu Kothu

Sri Lankan street food

Star dish: Kothu Roti containing either mutton, chicken or vegetables

Owner Dhariny Sivajee said: "Kothu Roti is one of Sri Lanka's most famous and loved street food dishes.

"The roti flat bread is traditionally cooked on a heated iron sheet and cut up and mixed with ingredients using metal blades.

"This is an exciting new step for us because it is our first ever restaurant unit."

Lazeez

Lebanese tapas

Star dish: Shish taouk which is charcoal grilled chicken marinated with dressing

A spokesman said: "As is the culture in Lebanon, tapas is all about sharing. Our menu is built on allowing guests to share healthy and tasty Lebanese authentic food.

"Our meat is cooked over a charcoal grill and sprinkled with herbs, to give it a natural taste and flavour".

Les Deux Amies

Traditional French galettes (cakes) and crepes

Star dish: Karamellou - salted butter caramel sauce and almonds on a crepe

This is the first shop for friends Caroline Remy and Adeline De Boismenu who met 10 years ago in their native France and now live in the UK. They have been catering since 2014.

The recipe for the batter is from the grandmother of a parent's friend, who runs a creperie in North Brittany.

Adeline said: "We have been testing our products for different markets. We are really excited because it's our first [shop] and hopefully we will get a few more in the next few years."

Mamalan

Beijing street food including handmade dumplings, noodle soups and snacks

Star dish: Boiled dumplings with either king prawns, pork, beef or a vegan option of mushroom, spinach and vermicelli.

Ning Ma, owner, said: "The recipes for our Beijing dumplings, hearty noodle soups, noodle salads and snacks have been handed down from my granddad. He used to run a market stall in Beijing with my mum.

"This is our sixth restaurant. I started Mamalan as a supper club in my living room. The name came from my mum, her first name is Lan and as she is the person who taught me how to cook the dishes we are serving, I've name it after her."

MEATLiquor

American style burgers, hot dogs, cheese fries

Star dish: Dead Hippie burger  two French's mustard-fried beef patties, Dead Hippie sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and minced white onions

The cult burger joint has the largest unit at Boxpark Croydon. It is also MEATLiquor's biggest restaurant to date with space to seat between 170-190 people.

Tom Weldon, assistant manager, said each branch is unique to its destination and for Croydon they have gone for a "festival vibe".

Mr Weldon said: "It's great, it's exciting. It's the biggest restaurant we have ever done. We are loving being part of Croydon and Boxpark."

Mud

Antipodean-style cafe serving brunches and artisan coffee

Star dish: Corn fritter stack served with avocado and chilli jam

Owner Ian Owen said: "We make speciality coffee using Ozone beans in the antipodean-style, which is how coffee is brewed in New Zealand and Australia.

"There coffee is served stronger and in smaller amounts. It is how it was intended to be enjoyed.

"Our mission is to bring this style of coffee to Croydon and differentiate ourselves from the big-name chains which serve milk-filled cups.

"At our Tooting cafe we are famous for our brunches as well and it is not uncommon to have queues of people out the door."

Nanny Outars

Guyanese Roti House

Star dish: Pork pepperpot which can either be served in a roti [flat bread] or with rice.

Sam Kohn, co-owner, said: "This is our first ever restaurant, up until now we've either had stalls at markets or festivals.

"We were looking for a permanent base and the option here in Croydon was the most exciting opportunity we had for seven days a week.

"Our customers can see their whole meal prepared right in front of their eyes. We make and cook the roti and then fill it with their choice of the array of pickles and salsas we have.

"We have also teamed up with Signal, a Croydon microbrewery, to server their beer."

Poptata

Chips that are so fresh you can watch them the potatoes get peeled in front of you. They sell classic chips and cheesy chips

Star dish: "Lucifer" which is freshly cut British potato, dashed in rosemary, thyme, and garlic, loaded with Cheddar and Red Leicester cheese and finished with a spicy paprika sauca.

Co-owner Marco Maiocchi said: "It's amazing [to be in Boxpark].

"Everybody is doing something completely different and that's incredible.

"Everyone likes chips so I have had many people ask for another portion. It is a good product because it's suitable for all religions, gluten free, vegans and vegetarians."

The Potato Project

Jacket potatoes  either regular spuds or sweet potatoes - with a wide variety of toppings

Star dish: Sweet potato with Chipotle braised lamb, lime, mint and spicy cranberry salsa.

Ksenia Karpenko, is selling "sexy" gourmet jacket potatoes and said: "I am offering something that is healthy and fresh. Something that is an adventure and you have never tried anything like it before"

Thai Express

Thai cuisine with gluten free, vegetarian and halal options

Star dish: Pad Thai, with a choice of shrimps, beef, chicken, vegetable, tofu or fish. Thin rice noodles stir-friend with sweet and sour sauce, eggs, bean sprouts, green onion and salted radish.

Uzma Pattani, co-owner, said: "Thai Express have over 300 restaurants across the world in Canada, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

"When we heard about Boxpark we just knew we had to come.

"The Boxpark in Shoreditch is the baby one compared to the one here in Croydon. This one is the daddy.

"Our restaurant is about serving quick fresh food, a lot people think Thai food is spicy but it isn't, and we have separate sauces and limes that people can use to add to their food after it is made."

Wine & Deli

The team behind Brgr&Beer, the popular pop-up in Matthews Yard set up by three former Archbishop Lanfranc pupils (Adam Jackowski, Daniel Esteban and Tom Yip) are branching out with a wine bar and deli.

Star dish: Coca Cola chicken wings

Mr Jackowski said: "People don't need to worry about this being a poncey, stiff wine bar.

"We've got dishes we cannot wait for people to try our Coca Cola chicken wings. What we are also looking forward to serving people bavette, which is a cut of steak which has heaps of flavour and stays moist from the marinade, and charcuterie and cheese."

Yumn

Signature British food with a modern twist, well-known puddings and cocktails

Star drink and dish: The Bramble cocktail, including Barcadi rum with the homemade on site berry puree, topped with lemonade. The star pudding is the apple tart tatin.

One of the crown jewels in South Croydon's restaurant quarter is Yumn Brasserie, serving food inspired by classic French cuisine with influences from India and America as well.

The cocktails they sell are so popular that its bar/restaurant in Boxpark has a focus on this while serving up to five main dishes, sharing platters and desserts.

General manager Faisal Hussain said: "We jumped at the chance to be a part of Boxpark. The customers [in South Croydon] have reacted so well to our cocktails so we thought we would offer a cocktail bar.

"We are also known for our desserts and we make them all in-house."
After a five year wait, shorepower at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is nearing reality, while those involved have kept a low profile on a long-delayed and politically sensitive project.

However, now, things are moving forward as Cunard Line confirmed to Cruise Industry News the Queen Mary 2 will plug-in on November 12.

Announced in 2011, and delayed multiple times, and further hindered by Hurricane Sandy, the shorepower system appears all but set to turn on and appease local residents of their air quality concerns.

The $21 million system was been signed off on by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and turned over to the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), which oversees the cruise program for Brooklyn and Manhattan.

"As of September 2016 NYCEDC has responsibility for operations and maintenance of the system," a spokesperson for the Port Authority told Cruise Industry News. The NYCEDC did not return a request for comment.

Despite delays, and local politicians voicing their displeasure, as reported by Brooklyns Star Revue, it appears the system is now ready to go live on a regular basis.

The plug-in system is from Cochran Marine, which also did not return a request for comment, but does note on its website that the system would come online in 2015.

Brooklyns shorepower system is listed as dual-voltage and is targeted for use by Cunard Line and Princess Cruises, which are the terminals primary customers. The cable positioning device at the terminal is removable, so it can be stored during winter months.

As part of an agreement, Carnival Corporation will pay 12 cents per kilowatt hour for the power.
MV Werften today announced the acquisition and expansion of a cabin factory in Wismar. The 22,000-square-meter plant will be used to manufacture cruise ship cabins for cruise ships starting with deliveries in 2020.

The factory is located less than two kilometres from the Wismar shipyard and, being adjacent to the autobahn A20, has excellent transport links to the groups other two shipyards in Rostock and Stralsund, said MV Werften in a statement.

The company will also invest 13 million euro to extend and modnerize the facility.

Having our own cabin factory is very important as large cruise ships can only be built on a time- and cost-effective basis with prefabricated cabins, said Jarmo Laakso, managing director. MV Werften Fertigmodule will supply us with high-quality prefabricated cabins at a competitive price.

The Economics Minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Harry Glawe stated: The establishment of an own production facility for ship cabins and the resulting investments reaffirm the commitment of the Genting Group to the shipbuilding industry in Wismar, Rostock and Stralsund. The entire maritime industry throughout Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is being strengthened. Hundreds of jobs are being secured and created.

Our 13 million investment includes factory buildings, a state-of-the-art assembly line, a cabin warehouse of 3,500 square meters for up to 280 completed cabin modules and a RFID-chipped material storage area," said Volker Asmus, Managing Director of MV Werften Fertigmodule. We are eager to set new efficiency standards for cabin production. Our first cabins will be manufactured in mid-2017.
How could two candidates be more different? When was the last time a non-political candidate became a Presidential nominee? It was 1928 and the candidate was Herbert Hoover! Anyway lets look at what each candidate has to say about security and privacy and more important, what do their actions tell us?

Clinton said the following at a town hall meeting in February.

Cyber-security is one of the most important challenges the next president is going to face because the advances, the offensive advances by nation states that we know are very technically sophisticated  namely Russia, China, next level Iran, next level North Korea  are going to just accelerateWe have to be operating on both of these levels, making it very clear to Russia, to China, that not only that what their government does through various entities, but also if they outsource the work to hackers, they will pay a price.

Hillary has no official data security platform but here is what we know. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed her thoughts on China on her national security policy page by saying: Hillary will work with allies to promote strong rules of the road and institutions in Asia, and press China to play by the rules  including in cyberspace, on currency, human rights, trade, territorial disputes, and climate change  and hold it accountable if it does not, while working with China where it is in our interest.

[ MORE ON THE CANDIDATES: 10 cybersecurity questions Trump and Clinton should answer ]

It appears Hillary likes Obamas national cyber security plan and wants to build on it, but what about her actions?

According to The Washington Post , for the four years she was Secretary of State, Clinton operated and used a private email server with an insecure private email account. That wouldnt normally have been an issue if she hadnt used it for official government business, instead of her official, state.gov email address. Nobody noticed until the State Department responded to a request for documents from congressional investigators, only to find emails sent to and from a personal, non-State Department email address for Clinton. Clinton claims the whole affair was because she didnt like carrying two devices, one for work email and one for personal email, but still wanted to get work done. Hillary Clinton appears to ignore security when convenience and usability is at stake. I have found in my career as an IT audit consultant that if you make security painful then it will likely be circumvented or ignored.

Clinton has repeatedly claimed the State Department allowed private email servers, a fact refuted by the State Department Office of Inspector General. In the end, the FBI decided that Clintons actions were careless, but not illegal, and decided not to recommend charges. Was the FBI pressured by the DOJ under a presiding Democratic President? Only President Obama and Hillary Clinton know for sure.

Beyond that, the AP reported last year that Clintons State Department cabinet was horrible at sticking to security standards, criticism that the State Department was, to its credit, willing to accept:

The State Department was among the worst agencies in the federal government at protecting computer networks. But wait the formerly closed FBI Clinton investigation was just reopened by FBI Director James Comey. Why? Because congressman Weiners indirect association with the Clinton campaign. His wife Huma Abedin who was a top Clinton aide shared a laptop with the congressman who is in trouble for sexting.

One look no further then the OPM data breach to see yet another government agency fail at what it's suppose to excel in: protecting security clearances of its prized government employees and DoD contractors. OPM failed in cybersecurity which resulted in over 20 million security clearances compromised, even FBI director Comey's file was compromised.

In summary: Hillary has said all the right things about cyber security but in practice if you look at her private email server and the careless sharing of those government emails by her top aide Huma Abedin that were just found an Anthony Weiners laptop, Clinton and her teams actions dont support the policy statements of someone truly practicing cyber security best practices. These careless actions speak louder than any political speech or publicized policy.

Hillarys political webpage statements on cybersecurity

Enter Donald Trump, not having ever been in the role of government service, we have a billionaire with a successful company that has had its ups and downs. Trump is now a Presidential candidate, so what can we now put together about his private practices relating to cyber security? First his official policy on cyber security can be found here.

Order an immediate review of all U.S. cyber defenses and vulnerabilities, including critical infrastructure, by a Cyber Review Team of individuals from the military, law enforcement, and the private sector. The Cyber Review Team will provide specific recommendations for safeguarding different entities with the best defense technologies tailored to the likely threats, and will followed up regularly at various Federal agencies and departments. The Cyber Review Team will establish detailed protocols and mandatory cyber awareness training for all government employees while remaining current on evolving methods of cyber attack. Instruct the U.S. Department of Justice to create Joint Task Forces throughout the U.S. to coordinate Federal, State, and local law enforcement responses to cyber threats. Order the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to provide recommendations for enhancing U.S. Cyber Command, with a focus on both offense and defense in the cyber domain. Develop the offensive cyber capabilities we need to deter attacks by both state and non-state actors and, if necessary, to respond appropriately.



The New York Times captured the following in an interview.

First off, were so obsolete in cyber. Were the ones that sort of were very much involved with the creation, but were so obsolete, we just seem to be toyed with by so many different countries, already. And we dont know whos doing what. We dont know whos got the power, whos got that capability, some people say its China, some people say its Russia. But certainly cyber has to be a, you know, certainly cyber has to be in our thought process, very strongly in our thought process. Inconceivable that, inconceivable the power of cyber.

Well Trump, we do know that its in fact Russia and China, and many more cyber gangs across the globe if you are really following this issue. On the Apple FBI issue Trump stated that we should boycott Apple until they cooperate with authorities by providing the encryption keys to help solve the San Bernardino mass shootings. Trump as a successful businessman seems to have a great instinct about not trusting anyone.

I think its safe to assume that his success has been built by not letting his competition know his next move. So far so good, but Trump often says things in public he must certainly later regret like: The time he asked Russia to hack Hillary Clinton's email servers and once asked hackers to look into Obamas college records. Donald has also gone on record on Fox and Friends stating the NSA hacker Ed Snowden should be punished by execution as he was a traitor. Trump has also gone on record saying he always errs on the side of security and he assumes all his phones are being monitored.

Trumps political webpage statements on cybersecurity.

In summary: We have Clinton a career politician and former corporate lawyer who has been in the public eye for decades and has mostly done a good job keeping things like government documents and communications private up till she decided to use the same private email server for her State Department job as she uses for her personal life. She no doubt will always regret this huge mistake.

On the other hand we have Trump who really appears to practice cyber security or at least knows how to keep his corporate information secret. He however has no public track record on working with and protecting state secrets. This could have been an advantage for Clinton if it weren't for those State Department emails found on her private server that made it onto Anthony Weiner's laptop.

Trumps problem appears to be he often says things in public without much thought. In the age of 24 x 7 news and social media this can either help or hurt your cause depending on just what exactly you say in the moment. One thing is for sure whether its something you said or something you did last week or long ago, the opposition will always seize the opportunity and use it against you -- especially if the stakes are as high as the office of the President of the United States.

Only time will tell just how either candidate handles cybersecurity as the President. One thing is certain, Its all up to you America, stand up and be counted in this very important election!
Macaela Bennett / Hearst Connecticut Media

High-end pet goods store Pet Pantry Warehouse is set to open its second Greenwich location in December, according to co-owner Adam Jacobson.

The new store at 1191 E. Putnam Ave., off the Interstate 95 exit in Old Greenwich, will serve as a satellite shop for Pet Pantrys 290 Railroad Ave. location. Pet Pantry was founded in Greenwich in 1945 and has become a fixture in town for its products and community outreach efforts. These include partnering with Adopt-A-Dog for Puttin On the Dog events and providing the meals for K-9 units in several towns, including for Greenwichs police dog, Kato.
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Just to be clear, The Shade Store, the newest addition to the plaza at 48 W. Putnam Ave. in Greenwich, doesnt sell lampshades or sunglasses.

Some confused customers have brought in lampshades before glancing around the showroom and realizing The Shade Store is about window treatments, said Julien Duprat, a Shade Store design consultant.

That confusion will likely subside as the brand expands its reach into the window treatment industry it almost single-handedly revolutionized, according to Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Adam Gibbs.

The new Greenwich location of the Port Chester, N.Y.-based company is part of the rapidly growing footprint that is nearing 50 showrooms nationwide.

Once inside, theres no confusion about what The Shade Store markets. Window-treatment options from fabrics to hardware, cover almost every wall so the space feels like a large, comfortable living room  plus a lot of shades.

Design consultant Amory Armstrong, who raised her family in Greenwich and previously owned an interior design firm, described The Shade Store as a one-stop shop for customers looking for window treatments, which has changed how people shop for shades.

Typically, customers must go to a series of stores to gather the fabric and hardware and finally get their shades installed, Armstrong said, and its commonly a several-month process.

Instead, The Shade Store allows customers to put together their entire window treatment packages that are hand-crafted and made in the United States. To make it simple, they are priced in three categories  A, B or C  and installations are coordinated by the company. Finally, it guarantees products will be shipped in 10 days or less.

In addition to innovations in streamlining the window-treatment process and motorized shades, the companys emphasis on customer service is another factor that separates it from competitors, Gibbs said. It has been the focus of the company since it was founded by his grandfather in 1946, then called Westchester Fabrics.

We built this awesome business just based on treating people well, Gibbs said in a recent interview at the Port Chester headquarters. Though the company is constantly looking to modernize and move the industry forward, keeping its traditions of being kind to customers and treating employees well remains at its core, he said.

The fusion of business techniques old and new is evident in the showrooms and headquarters. Theres no dress code and employees buzz between open workspaces around the warehouse-like office that looks like it belongs more to a Silicon Valley tech company than the traditional downtown of Port Chester. Though the environment is informal, Gibbs said, they are serious about their work and attracting hard-working employees.

The Shade Store showrooms are popping up all over the place, but every job candidate is still interviewed in-person at the headquarters.

Its expensive, but its certainly worth it, Gibbs said.

The Shade Store held its soft opening Friday and will host a grand opening event on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m., where customers will have the opportunity to make their own bouquets that accent their window treatments.

The Shade Store has another Connecticut location in Westport along with a handful nearby in New York.

This story has been edited to correct information regarding how The Shade Store products are shipped and installed.

MBennett@hearstmediact.com, 203-625-4411; Twitter @Macaela_
Renewed honor for a fallen agent

Francisco Frank Rios was a 1-year-old when his father, Ariel Rios, died in the line of duty  an ATF undercover agent shot in the face in Miamis Little Havana during a drug deal gone bad.

Its been a long time coming, but the younger Rios, now 35 and a Master Sergeant at the Army Reserves complex just outside Danbury, finally has something to cheer about: On Dec. 2, the 34th anniversary of the agents death, ATF will name its headquarters the Ariel Rios Building.

Theres a long backstory behind this good news. But briefly, Agent Rios was 28 at the time of his death, a Bronx native whod been assigned to the bureaus New Haven office (which covers Fairfield County). Hed been temporarily detailed to Florida to work undercover.

The younger Rios grew up in the shadow of his fallen father. His familys grief was partly assuaged when Congress in 1985 named ATFs then HQ the Ariel Rios Building.

Fast forward to 2013. ATF had departed for its new arching glass-and-concrete headquarters, built over a toxic-waste zone of abandoned industrial structures. The EPA moved into the old ATF HQ and Congress renamed it the William J. Clinton Building, in honor of the former presidents environmental record.

The name Ariel Rios was virtually forgotten, with ATFs leadership preferring to name its new building after Elliott Ness, the legendary G-man who worked for an ATF predecessor busting up Al Capones Chicago bootlegger regime in the late 1920s and early 1930s.

But a corps of ATF old-timers and former fellow agents had not forgotten Rios sacrifice. Even though ATF had named a fountain after Rios, that wasnt enough.

After a concerted lobbying effort and friendly reception on Capitol Hill, Congress approved naming the new building after Ariel Rios. President Obama made it official with his signature on May 20.

The younger Rios will be at the Dec. 2 dedication with his family, including his mother, Esilda Morales Rios.

I think it will definitely be emotional for mother, for all of us, Francisco Rios said. Its a great sense of closure for them, and for the ATF agents of his time. This is a big victory.

Cash advantage

The final financial numbers are in for the somewhat somnambulant Senate race in Connecticut. And no surprise, incumbent Democrat Sen. Richard Blumenthal is avalanching GOP challenger state Rep. Dan Carter.

In the third quarter from July 1 through Sept. 30, Carter took in $121,452 in contributions, spend $113,334 and had cash on hand amounting to $35,014.

Blumenthal, by contrast, raised $686,456 in the same time period. He spent a whopping $1.2 million, much of it on a series of TV ads highlighting his work on veterans issues and faulty GM ignition switches, with nary a mention of Carter. And he ended the quarter with $4.7 million in the bank.

Blumenthal, of Greenwich, has a political support network built over his 20-year career as the states attorney general and almost six years on Capitol Hill. And it certainly doesnt hurt that he is consistently ranked among Capitol Hills most wealthy senators.

Carter, a former U.S. Air Force C-130 pilot who represents Bethel, Danbury, Newtown and Redding in the General Assembly, has struggled to get his message out in a blue-leaning state. Hes been lukewarm to GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, but that hasnt helped him in the polls.

Blumenthal has long said his political strategy is to run as though hes 7-10 points behind, no matter what the polls are telling him. The money advantage has permitted him to virtually ignore Carter. Blumenthal is hoping the net result is that his is just about the only name in the race the voters recognize.

Beating the odds

Washington attracts a lot of Connecticut Type A overachievers, who glide through congressional staff and political-appointee jobs, jump to the private sector and then do the revolving-door back into government.

But for every one of them who gets hired in a prestige job, theres nine or more who dont.

James Liska is typical of the hundreds of bright Connecticut college graduates who filter down to D.C. with good intentions and not a little ambition.

Liksa, who lost a race for Glastonbury Town Council at age 21, arrived with a lot of vim and vigor but no solid job prospects. He elbowed his way into an internship with Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., and then latched on as a freelance editor for CQ Roll Call, one of Capitol Hills premier political-insider publications.

Eventually, he landed at the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, and now serves as senior program coordinator of public policy and advocacy. The center coordinates internships at 350 offices on Capitol Hill, in government agencies and elsewhere in Washington. They help guide 1,100 students a year through the experience of hands-on governing.

I had a tough time finding a position in this hyper-competitive atmosphere, said Liska, now 29. I was convinced the only way to get down here for me was to dive in head-first. It seems like a bad idea in retrospect, but actually its worked out pretty well for me.

dan@hearstdc.com; @danfreedma
Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant St., will host a symposium on African-American mens health on Saturday. The hospital is sponsoring the event, along with St. Matthew Baptist Church and Messiah Baptist Church in Bridgeport.

Though it is geared toward African-American men, men of any race or ethnicity and their family members are welcome to attend. Blood pressure, glucose, and BMI screenings will take place from 8 to 9 a.m. and noon to 12:30 p.m. For more information, visit http://ow.ly/c5wM305K6wU.
BRIDGEPORT  A car chase ended in the trunk of a sturdy tree Tuesday evening.

Police attempted to stop that car, a silver-colored Audi A6, around 5:45 p.m., according to officials.

Officers were attempting to stop a vehicle at Madison Avenue and Alice Street, said police Capt. Brian Fitzgerald in an email. The suspect vehicle (...) reversed and hit an undercover (officer's) car, then accelerated forward nearly striking a uniformed police officer. Several shots were fired by another officer who perceived that an officer was about to be struck intentionally by the suspect vehicle.

Thats when the suspects lost control of their vehicle and slammed into the tree.

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I felt it in my house, said retiree Robin Pierce, 56, who lives next door to the tree, at the corner of James Street and Chestnut Street. Then I saw a car on the lawn.

The car was upright but disheveled, with dents and dislodged wheels. Its trunk laid open and crunched.

Minutes later, both suspects were in custody, after a foot pursuit behind Pierces house.

Two male perpetrators were taken into custody after a foot chase, Fitzgerald said. No officers or suspects were struck by gunfire. The Detective Bureau is processing both crime scenes and charges are pending.

Pierce said police combed the path where occupants of the vehicle fled, from her backyard to entrance of an area between her house and the Cesar Batalla Child Care Center, at the corner of Grant Avenue and James Street.

One male dressed in street clothes was taken away in an ambulance from in front of the center, and did not appear seriously hurt. The initial reason for stopping the suspects in the Audi was not immediately released.

Police detectives on scene said that the car was being searched by K-9 units, dogs trained to sniff out narcotics and personal items.

The tree suffered a deep gash on its roots and trunk but appeared unharmed.
HARTFORD  Secretary of State Denise Merrill said Wednesday that election officials are bracing for high voter turnout next week as residents go to the polls to elect a new president and resolve congressional and state races.

This is going to be a big volume of voters, Merrill said during a news conference on Tuesdays voting. She said the raucous nature of the battle for president between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump is likely to drive turnout.

Merrill said the state now has 2.1 million registered voters. Thats just under the 2.2 million voters registered for the 2012 presidential election and slightly more than were registered in 2008, when Barack Obama was first elected president.

Turnout during the 2008 election reached 78.4 percent, and than dropped to 74 percent during the 2012 presidential election. Connecticut typically posts a turnout rate between 70 and 75 percent of registered voters, Merrill said.

There are going to be lines, and the lines will be pretty heavy, said Melissa Russell, president of the Registrars of Voters Association of Connecticut.

Russell advised voters to know where you should be voting before going to a polling place, saying that reduces lines and helps you and your neighbors. She also said voters should not wear political items to the polls or bring fliers or signs into polling places.

More Information Adding up 2.1 million people in Connecticut are registered to vote in the Nov. 8 election - 2.2 million were registered for the 2012 presidential contest. The Secretary of the State's Office says Connecticut turnout in presidential elections is generally between 70 and 75 percent of registered voters. See More Collapse

Michael Brandi, executive director of the State Elections Enforcement Commission, said that despite the rhetoric on the presidential campaign trail, the states election system cannot be rigged.

A full rigged election cant happen, Brandi said. Our process is decentralized, and the ability to gather whole groups of people into a conspiracy is just far-fetched.

Brandi said the main issues of concern will be voter intimidation and suppression efforts, adding his staff will be available throughout the day to take complaints.

We have heard about robo calls giving the wrong voting day, Brandi said. There are alt-right groups trying to suppress the vote. Do we think that will happen in Connecticut? No, but anything is possible.

Brandi said election enforcement officials will be on hand to field complaints throughout Election Day.

Monte Frank, president of the Connecticut Bar Association, said 110 volunteer attorneys will be available to help the Secretary of States Office resolve issues.

The Connecticut lawyers will be the eyes and ears of the secretary of the state, Frank said. We will be ready to report to a polling place if necessary. If a problem arises, a Connecticut lawyer will be dispatched to find out what the issue is and report to the secretary of the state.

Voters can contact the election day hotline at 1-866-733-2463 or 860-256-2940. Complaints can be sent by email to www.elections.ct.gov.
A man who stabbed his ex-girlfriend's friend during a confrontation over the couple's breakup has been jailed for five years by the Songjiang District court for causing intentional injury.

Lu Jun and Xiao Ling, both migrant factory workers, married in a ceremony in their hometown, but did not formally register the union with authorities.

Prosecutors told the court Lu was ashamed when Xiao Ling broke up and "divorced" him.

In January, armed with a knife, he sneaked into Xiao Ling's dormitory, pinching her neck to wake her and telling her to go with him. She refused.

During the confrontation, her friend, surnamed Chen, came to call her to dinner, saw what was happening and called security guards. Lu lunged at Xiao Ling with his knife, but she fled. Chen fell and was stabbed three times in the back.
How can any reasonable person that reads Federal Statute 18USC2071, that deals with the destruction of government documents, not come to the conclusion that Hillary Clinton with others, committed a crime? The problem becomes worse and shows the corruption/incompetence in the government when you read 44USC3106.

The Federal Statute reads:

(a)Federal Agency Notification:

The head of each Federal agency shall notify the Archivist of any actual, impending, or threatened unlawful removal, defacing, alteration, corruption, deletion, erasure, or other destruction of records in the custody of the agency, and with the assistance of the Archivist shall initiate action through the Attorney General for the recovery of records the head of the Federal agency knows or has reason to believe have been unlawfully removed from that agency, or from another Federal agency whose records have been transferred to the legal custody of that Federal agency.

(b)Archivist Notification.

In any case in which the head of a Federal agency does not initiate an action for such recovery or other redress within a reasonable period of time after being notified of any such unlawful action described in subsection (a), or is participating in, or believed to be participating in any such unlawful action, the Archivist shall request the Attorney General to initiate such an action, and shall notify the Congress when such a request has been made.

Hillary was head of an agency and did not fulfill her duties, maleficent in the least, criminal at worst. Where was the Archivist? Where was the Attorney General, Loretta Lynch? Her meeting Bill Clinton on the plane sure raises suspicions.

Isnt there one person in Congress that should be asking what is going on in complying with this statute? You can count on not getting it from the Connecticut delegation.

In a court of law, like anyone else, Hillary Clinton is innocent until proven guilty . . ..Bring on a grand jury.

By the way, Nancy Pelosi told us she would drain the swamp. Looks more like she and her ilk got a bigger drain stopper.

Robert Mencel

Bridgeport
Rescuers work at Jinshangou Coal Mine in Yongchuan District of Chongqing, southwest China, Nov. 1, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

The bodies of 18 miners have been recovered as of Tuesday afternoon, after an explosion at a coal mine in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality Monday.

Fifteen miners remain missing and rescue work is still underway.

Altogether 35 workers were in the pit at the time of the accident, just after 11:30 a.m. Monday. Two escaped unharmed, leaving 33 trapped in a pit in Jinshangou Coal Mine, Yongchuan District.

Police are questioning the mine's management team, surnamed Jiang and Zhou, according to Luo Qingquan, head of the district government.

Preliminary investigations show the coal mine trespassed over its mining boundaries, had insufficient and malfunctioning equipment, poor ventilation and disorderly management, according to the rescue headquarters.

"I am greatly saddened that such a grave accident occurred. There are grave problems in the company with regards to ensuring safety, as well as loopholes in supervision," said Mu Huaping, vice mayor of Chongqing.

Mu said that there would be in-depth investigation into the cause of the accident to ascertain responsibility.

More than 400 rescuers worked through the night, digging carefully through debris to avoid secondary disasters, and at least 20 ambulances and dozens of medical workers are standing by.

Five teams of rescuers descended the shaft to search for missing miners and install ventilation equipment, Mu said.

Early on Tuesday, hazardous gas was expelled from the northern entrance of the shaft. Rescuers combed the area and found several bodies, he added.

Several sections of shaft collapsed after the blast, and rescuers had to bring planks to stabilize the internal structure of the shaft, he said.

At the time of the explosion, Tao Puzhang, 60, was working on his land about 500 meters from the mine when he heard a bang, and felt the ground shake under his feet. "The smoke from the blast shot up dozens of meters high. It was frightening," he said.

Liu Fuxiu, a winch operator at the mine, working 40 meters from the entrance to the pit, was knocked off her feet by the blast and received injuries to her face and back. "My injuries are nothing," she said responding to investigators. "I have a relative down the pit, and I hope he is still alive."

A 200-member work team is providing assistance to relatives of the miners.

Following the explosion, Chongqing has ordered a safety overhaul and temporarily closed all collieries with less than 90,000 tonnes of annual output.

The Jinshangou mine has a designed annual output of 60,000 tonnes, according to its license.
Swans rest at the Beidagang Wetland in Tianjin, north China, Nov. 1, 2016. About 2,000 migrating swans gathered in the wetland for rest, according to volunteers for birds protection. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

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As it happens, the chilling photographs on our front page, showing foreign lorry drivers using mobile phones while travelling at speed, were taken yesterday on the M20  the day after HGV driver Tomasz Kroker was jailed for wiping out a mother and three children while he was doing the same.

But they could have been taken any day, on any motorway, to illustrate the terrifying scale of this menace to lives.

How deeply disturbing, therefore, that figures last week show the number of drivers prosecuted for this killer offence is falling, because police cant be bothered to enforce a law so routinely broken.

Chilling photographs on today's Daily Mail front page, showing foreign lorry drivers using mobile phones while travelling at speed

They were taken yesterday on the M20  the day after HGV driver Tomasz Kroker (left) was jailed for wiping out a mother and three children (right) while he was doing the same

In September, ministers announced plans to double the punishment for using phones at the wheel from three points to six, with on-the-spot fines to rise from 100 to 200. This is clearly not enough.

How many more lives must be lost before police act  and politicians make the punishment fit the lethal crime?

The Leveson legacy

Much has changed since Lord Justice Leveson published the first part of his report on newspapers conduct and ethics, ordered after the phone-hacking scandal.

The paper that brought it about, the News of the World, is no more. Some 2,500 other publications, including the Mail, have joined an independent watchdog, IPSO, which runs the toughest Press regulatory regime in the free world.

Meanwhile, some 43.7million has been spent on criminal investigations of reporters and their contacts with police and officials  including 20million on Operation Elveden, in which none of the 34 journalists arrested was found guilty.

In light of all this (not to mention the growth of unregulated online media), Culture Secretary Karen Bradley is clearly right to call a public consultation before deciding on whether to activate a pernicious law which would threaten the survival of many struggling newspapers.

This is Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013, which would force publications outside state media control (i.e. the vast majority) to pay the legal costs of anyone who sues  win or lose!

More surreal still, the only regulator so far approved by the state  though it has been rejected by all mainstream media  is financed mostly by degenerate former F1 tycoon Max Mosley, still smarting from the Press exposure of his penchant for German-themed S & M orgies.

Can this insult to decency really be what Leveson envisaged?

Much has changed since Lord Justice Leveson (pictured) published the first part of his report on newspapers conduct and ethics, ordered after the phone-hacking scandal

Indeed, Mrs Bradley is also wise to consult before agreeing to Leveson 2, which is to examine relations between journalists, police and public officials.

Confirming everything this paper has argued, an LSE study finds that post-Leveson curbs have damaged these unique links, giving police too much power to control information, with serious implications for democracy.

Yes, Britains least scrupulous newspapers behaved wickedly in the past. But let nobody forget that the publics right to know is the rock on which all our other liberties depend.

A vote of dishonour

What a tawdry day for the Commons, when 159 Tories joined 42 others in electing Keith Vaz to the committee overseeing the Justice Department.

Having survived scandal after scandal, this is the man who eight weeks ago had to quit the Home Affairs Committee after consorting with drug-taking rent-boys.

Tories claim parliamentary practice obliged them to back Labours nominee for an all-party committee.
With less than a week to go before America votes, Hillary Clintons 12-point lead has melted away like New York snow. Trump, incredibly, is now ahead in the latest poll.

Hillarys camp is fighting back hard, of course, using every ounce of Establishment power to limit the damage caused by the FBI investigation into 650,000 emails found on a laptop used by one of her top aides and her estranged husband Anthony Weiner. He of the X-rated selfies.

When it comes to tawdry sexual behaviour, theres not much to choose between the two camps. Indeed, if anything, Hillarys side comes off worse. At least Trump has always been an out-and-out sexist pig, whereas Bill Clinton and Anthony Weiner did all their perverting behind a veneer of political correctness.

If Team Clinton dont do something quickly, the same blind arrogance that brought down Camerons leadership could end up handing Trump the White House

But all this is just noise. The most serious problem Clinton faces has nothing to do with emails or rogue males. Its all to do with attitude.

The behaviour of Clinton and her supporters is strikingly similar to that of the Remain camp in the run-up to the EU Referendum, as their attempts to scare British voters off supporting Brexit escalated into self-righteous hysteria.

And if Team Clinton dont do something quickly, the same blind arrogance that brought down Camerons leadership could end up handing Trump the White House.

The question facing America is, of course, different to the one we faced here in June. But the political circumstances are very similar.

Trump's team doesn't accuse those who are worried about the impact of high immigration and rising crime rates of being racist retards

On the one hand the Establishment: slick, sophisticated, self-assured. On the other, the challengers: rough, ready and occasionally raw. But above all, real.

And this is key. Because its not so much about what Trump and his supporters do, its what they dont do. They dont, for example, get sanctimonious multi-millionaire celebrities who live in 27-bedroom Hollywood mansions to lecture middle-class Americans struggling to make ends meet about how to lead their lives.

They dont accuse those who are worried about the impact of high immigration and rising crime rates of being racist retards.

They dont get media darlings such as stand-up comedian Amy Schumer to humiliate them live on stage or suggest that they all like to sleep with each others offspring

They dont get leading liberal lights to satirise them on late-night talk shows, or take the mickey out of how they dress, or their funny rural accents or bad teeth.

They dont get media darlings such as stand-up comedian Amy Schumer to humiliate them live on stage or suggest that they all like to sleep with each others offspring.

They dont give the impression that they are conducting this campaign with all the humility of Marie Antoinette bestowing her bounty on a starving people.

In short, they dont profess to have a monopoly on the moral high ground and think that anyone who dares to question their world view is so beyond the pale they deserve to be excluded from the democratic process on the basis that, as our very own David Attenborough has just argued over Brexit, mere members of the public are not wise enough to make the right choices.

If there is one lesson to be learned from the EU referendum, its that there is nothing voters like less than being bossed around by those who believe they have a God-given right to rule.

Remember when Obama came over here telling us all we had to vote Remain? The response of most Britons was: Who are you to tell me what to do?

The power of the ordinary individual may not amount to much on a day-to-day basis; but patronise and insult voters long and hard enough and they will rise up and strike you down.

I dont want Donald Trump to become the next President of the United States. He is an egomaniac and a threat to global security. But, like Remain, liberal America might just be about to find their smug certainties have brought about their worst nightmare.

The latest culprit for suddenly carping on about the evils of materialism is Gucci designer turned filmmaker Tom Ford

There is nothing more maddening than when someone who has made a fortune out of peddling luxury goods to people with more money than sense suddenly starts carping on about the evils of rampant materialism.

The latest culprit is Gucci designer turned filmmaker Tom Ford (pictured with actress Isla Fisher).

I certainly helped create this consumer world, he tells Radio Times. Im a big part of it. Contemporary culture tells you that it is possible to achieve happiness, and its not . . . your parents tell you the best things in life are free and you go: Yeah, yeah, the best things are a new apartment and a shiny new car.

Not true. Maybe Im a fool that I didnt understand that right off the bat.

What phoney self-serving drivel from a man who owns a home in Bel Air, one in Mayfair and a 60 million ranch in New Mexico. Especially since, on closer examination, his seeming conversion to austerity turns out to have an ulterior motive: promoting his latest product  his new film.

Emma Watson looked out of this world in a bat-themed Dior gown for the Harper's Bazaar Woman of the Year Awards on Monday

As per usual, celebrities were out in force for Halloween, done up to the nines as sexy brides and gorgeous ghouls.

But on the night, only one woman got it spot on.

Emma Watson looked out of this world in a bat-themed Dior gown for the Harper's Bazaar Woman of the Year Awards on Monday.

The perfect dress for the fashionable young witch-about-town.

Top Computer Says No moment: I went on the John Lewis website the other day, buying some school uniform for my daughter.

When I reached the checkout, I was surprised to be asked to enter my date of birth. Turns out that because my daughters school skirt has a knife pleat in it, the software flagged it as a potentially dangerous weapon.

Lucky that I hadnt tried to buy some bath bombs at the same time.

Im not sure the Prime Ministerial thigh is necessarily something that ought to be on display

On the whole, Theresa May dresses extremely well. But on Monday, she turned up to an awards ceremony in a sleeveless blue dress (right) that was at least an inch too short for her, and more like two.

Its not that she doesnt have the legs to pull it off. Its just that Im not sure the Prime Ministerial thigh is necessarily something that ought to be on display.

Of course, the problem may simply be that May is relatively tall. At 5ft 6in, she is the same height as me. Therefore, as I know to my own chagrin, most clothes will come up short on her.

Samantha Cameron used to have the same problem when she lived in Downing Street. She resolved it by having all her dresses lengthened.

When everyone made a fuss about an M&S dress that had been specifically commissioned for her 5ft 10in frame, she took to doing it herself  and then, having caught the sewing bug, making her own.

I doubt Theresa has time for that, but she should probably find someone who has.

The weeks least surprising news: an EU ethics committee (a contradiction in terms, surely?) has cleared the former president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, of breaching its integrity by accepting a lucrative job with rapacious bankers Goldman Sachs.

The Vampire Squid strikes again.

Unless weve all been transported back to the Dark Ages, it is not, to my knowledge, a crime in this country to take the mickey out of religion

I fail to see why Olympic gymnast Louis Smith has been suspended by his sports governing body, British Gymnastics, for mocking Islam  aka cracking a few duff jokes about heavenly virgins at a wedding.

Unless weve all been transported back to the Dark Ages, it is not, to my knowledge, a crime in this country to take the mickey out of religion.

People make jokes about Christianity all the time.

So why should Islam be any different?
Netflix's eagerly awaited 100million series about the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's early relationship portrays the blossoming royal romance as a tender affair...but one not without its trials.

The opening episodes of the lavish 10-part drama starring Claire Foy and Matt Smith suggest the Queen endured a tortured tussle between her quest for personal happiness and her duty to serve the state.

The show, which airs on Netflix on Friday, is likely to surprise viewers with its unflinching portrayal of George VI's demise; a dramatic scene in the first episode sees the king spluttering blood into a toilet bowl.

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The Crown, said to be the most expensive television series ever, stars Claire Foy as the Queen and Matt Smith as Prince Philip. The lavish Netflix biopic - the first two episodes of which have bee seen by FEMAIL - documents the early days of the couple's relationship as a tender affair

Not only is it beautifully acted, but no expense has been spared on capturing the look and, crucially, the feel of post-war Britain

With all the world's riches at this feet, George VI, played by Jared Harris, cannot stave off fate and much of the opening episode is dedicated to the changing of regal guard.

King George died from lung cancer in 1952, aged just 56; a moment that sent shockwaves through the world as his eldest daughter, Princess Elizabeth, kissed goodbye to her relative freedom at just 25 years old.

The romance in the opening episodes is a slow burn but viewers can feast on stolen glances aplenty as the chemistry between the Queen and her betrothed blossoms into a love affair that has spanned eight decades.

The Crown, based on an award-winning play, sees screenwriter Peter Morgan, who created The Queen, reunite with director Stephen Daldry, whose previous film credits include Billy Elliot and The Hours.

As the series is broadcast, the Queen and the Duke  now 90 and 95 respectively  will be dutifully performing jobs which remain essentially the same as they were on that February morning 64 years ago when they awoke in the Kenyan treehouse

The Crown is a 100 million gamble by Netflix, the online TV network. It hopes to sign up an entirely new audience of older, more affluent viewers

The new series offers an intimate look at some of the most iconic moments of the Queen's life. Pictured, with her father King George VI (Jared Harris)

Together, they delve deep into the personal and public personas of the Royal family and show Queen Elizabeth, just 25, forced to balance personal indulgence with duty.

Moments between the couple in episodes one and two are few and far between but their passion-filled stares steal any scene they are in together.

Before news of the king's death emerges, Elizabeth is shown enjoying a short break in Kenya with new husband Prince Philip.

The naughtiest moment in the series' opening episodes sees the Queen filming her husbands bare bottom as he sleeps naked; a scene with obvious artistic licence but one that paints the couple as young lovers like any other.

Elizabeth is wholly unaware that her life is about to become much more serious and that she will be bound to serve from that day forward.

At first, Philip is supportive of his wife in the new storyline, but later cracks appear

The Crown offers up a feast of royal drama which, at times, makes Downton Abbey look like Emmerdale

The conflict between the Queen and crown is a constant theme throughout and it undoubtedly affects her marriage, with Prince Philip being told: She is the job. Loving her, protecting her.

She is the essence of your duty.

Another of the defining moments in the The Crown comes from Queen Elizabeths younger sister.

THE CROWN WRITER PETER MORGAN ON WHY HE TURNED DOWN A MEETING WITH THE QUEEN Peter Morgan receiving his CBE in February 2016. Luckily Prince Charles officiated at the investiture as he's admitted he'd be terrified to meet the Queen Speaking at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts director earlier this year, Morgan explained that he'd 'ducked' meeting the monarch as he wanted to be independent while writing. 'I wanted to keep my distance, 'he explained. 'I want to be free to write how and what I want.' The avoidance is unusual given that Morgan has spent so much of his career writing about the monarch. He penned the 2006 hit film The Queen starring Helen Mirren who went on to win an Oscar for her performance. In 2013, he picked up the theme again in the stage play The Audience, which focused on Queen Elizabeth's meetings with British Prime Ministers from taking the throne in 1952 to the present day. And he admitted that he would be 'in shock' if he finally came face to face with someone he had written so much about. So it was lucky that when he received his CBE in February this year, it was Prince Charles officiating at the investiture and not his mother. Advertisement

In one scene, Princess Margaret, who is played by Vanessa Kirby, shares an illicit kiss with Sir Peter Townsend who is married and has children.

The affair with their late fathers equerry, who was a trusted member of the Kings staff and a decorated war hero, begins to form early on.

Their uncomfortably close understanding is one that threatens to dominate the series opening two episodes and her fathers death only seems to strengthen their bond.

It is however Princess Elizabeths simple life which is cut short when their father dies and she reluctantly inherits the crown.

She had expected many more years of married bliss with Prince Philip before ascending the throne and the two had planned to go to Malta.

Buckingham Palace has nothing to say on the show and says it will not be providing a running commentary on inaccuracies

Claire Foy and Matt Smith (right) put on the regal glitz, she in white fur, tiara, long gloves and elaborate ballgown, while he looks debonair in white tie

Princess Margaret features heavily in the series' opening episodes. The Crown series one comes to Netflix this Friday on 4 November

In a poignant scene on the airplane back to England from Kenya, the new Queen apologises to her husband and says in her cut-glass accent: Im sorry. I thought wed have longer.

It is her conflict between head and heart which remains the overarching premise of the series.

Queen Elizabeth later receives a letter from her grandmother Queen Mary, played by Dame Eileen Atkins, who writes: I have seen three great monarchies brought down through their failure to spare personal indulgences from duty.

You must not allow yourself to make similar mistakes.

The Crown must win, it must always win.
Father-of-four, Andrew Brown, has shared a heartbreaking photo of his little girl Hayley, seven, who is currently fighting cancer.

The moving photograph shows just one single eyelash remaining on Hayley's eye after months of chemotherapy.

'That one last eyelash has been hanging on, on it's own, for a few weeks now,' Mr Brown, a Melbourne-based comedian, captioned the photo.

Father-of-four, Andrew Brown, has shared a heartbreaking photo of his little girl Hayley, who is currently fighting cancer - the image showing just one eyelash left on her eye

'That one last eyelash has been hanging on, on it's own, for a few weeks now,' Mr Brown, a Melbourne-based comedian, captioned the photo

Hayley was diagnosed in June after doctors discovered a five centimetre tumour growing inside her nose.

As a result, she was told she would need to undergo eight months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to fight it.

To help Mr Brown, his wife, Leia Brown and Hayley, their friend Andrea Huggins has put together a MyCause page to raise funds.

Hayley was diagnosed in June after doctors discovered a five centimetre tumour growing inside her nose

The remaining eyelash fell out after holding on for three weeks

Every time I see that photo, I think "make a wish", its just so moving,' Mrs Huggins told Daily Mail Australia.

'Anything that can be done to help that beautiful family, we need to do.'

Every time I see that photo, I think "make a wish", its just so moving.

Speaking to Kidspot, Mr Brown said Hayley's eyelashes held on much longer than her hair did - so much so that staff at the hospital would comment on how beautiful they were.

But despite that, her lashes also started to fall out and although the final lash hung on, it too, fell out three weeks later.

Hayley will undergo another five weeks of radiation and two more rounds of chemotherapy before doctors decide the next treatment plan

'Right through people, including her older sister, always said how jealous they were of her beautiful big eyelashes,' Mr Brown told the website.

'She doesnt really realise theyre gone, people stopped talking about them. She probably doesnt even know her eyebrows are practically gone.'

Hayley will undergo another five weeks of radiation and two more rounds of chemotherapy before doctors decide the next treatment plan - the current treatment already starting to shrink the tumour.

Mr Brown said Hayley's eyelashes held on much longer than her hair did - so much so that staff at the hospital would comment on how beautiful they were

Since the diagnosis, Mr Brown has taken part in comedy fundraisers in Hayley's name - something he already took part in before the diagnosis to raise money for cancer sufferers

Since the diagnosis, Mr Brown has taken part in comedy fundraisers in Hayley's name - something he already took part in before the diagnosis to raise money for cancer sufferers.

'When I saw Hayley was on the fundraiser poster, I was a bit overwhelmed,' Mr Brown told the Herald Sun in August.

The next comedy night will be held on December 16th in Ballarat.

'When I saw Hayley was on the fundraiser poster, I was a bit overwhelmed,' Mr Brown told the Herald Sun in August

Those who wish to donate to the family can visit Hayley's MyCause page.

The funds raised will help the Browns to cover costs associated with being in hospital, including parking, citylink, fuel, medicine, rent and bills.
Qantas was found to be worst, but Jetstar and Virgin Australia are also bad

The report found a family of four can save up to $871 on travel insurance

CHOICE Australia have released a new report on airlines' tick box taxing

You're booking your flights, you can almost smell the fresh sea air, and in a matter of mere months, you'll be on your family holiday.

It's all too tempting to add on travel insurance as you book to save time, right?

Wrong. A new report by CHOICE Australia has revealed the perils of airlines' 'tick box taxing'.

The report revealed that a family of four can save between AUD $445 and $871 by purchasing a standalone insurance policy and avoiding pricier options offered by airlines' online checkouts.

Fleecing your family: A new report by CHOICE Australia (pictured) has revealed the perils of airlines' 'tick box taxing' - a family of four can save as much as $871`by avoiding it

'When it comes to buying travel insurance the airlines are taking you for a ride and landing you with staggering price premiums,' the Head of Media, from CHOICE, Tom Godfrey, said.

The airlines are being very sneaky by charging adult prices for kids who can be insured for next to nothing

'The airlines are being very sneaky by charging adult prices for kids who can be insured for next to nothing if you purchase standalone policies directly through an insurer.'

To prove their point, CHOICE compared 30-day worldwide travel insurance policies sold as part of the flight booking process on Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar.

They examined the mark-up for international flights leaving in November.

Sneaky: The airlines are being very sneaky by charging adult prices for kids who can be insured for next to nothing via standalone policies,' the Head of Media at CHOICE said

TRAVEL INSURANCE TIPS * Don't buy travel insurance through an airline's online checkout. * Read the product disclosure statement and note any excess payable and exclusions. * Compare policies as purchasing directly from an insurer can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. Advertisement

CHOICE found that all three of the airlines' policies offered poor value, with the worst offender found to be Quantas.

'Qantas is hitting families, slugging them with a whopping 150 per cent markup or an $871 tick box tax,' Mr Godfrey said.

The test was conducted as if for a 30-day trip to the United States and was thanks to the fact that Qantas was charging the adult price for kids who were 12 and above.

This meant the overall cost for the family would be $1448, instead of $577 which people would get if they went with a regular insurer.

Results: CHOICE found that Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar's policies offer poor value, with the worst offender found to be Quantas (stock image)

Unfair: 'Qantas is hitting families, slugging them with a whopping 150 per cent markup or an $871 tick box tax,' Mr Godfrey said (stock image)

Jetstar and Virgin Australia were also found wanting in the report.

While Jetstar's mark-up was an eye-watering 134 per cent, it was found that with Virgin Australia, insurance bought with flights would cost you $890, whereas when it was purchased separately with the same company and no flights, it was only $445.

'If you're booking an overseas flight, don't let the pricey add on insurance policies get off the ground,' advised Mr Godfrey.

'Leave the boxes in the online checkout un-ticked and purchase a policy directly from an insurer.'
A woman has created beautiful paintings  using her menstrual blood  in the tradition of ancient female cave painters.

Jess Cummin, 20, a painting and print making student at the prestigious Glasgow School of Art and Design  which includes Charles Rennie Macintosh among its alumni  started using her period blood in October 2015.

Now she has created six paintings, featuring women meditating and she even hangs one in her home.

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Jess Cummin, 20, a painting and print making student at the prestigious Glasgow School of Art and Design uses her menstrual blood to replicate

Jess replicates ancient cave paintings by collecting her menstrual blood on a brush or using tampons

Jess hopes to continue to make them and sell them one day.

'I'd be surprised if anyone wanted to buy one, but flattered. 'I think people think it's gross but it's not.'

Jess, from Golders Green, north London, takes between five and 25 minutes to create each picture, and says it is a slow creative process, given that she can only paint with her blood when her period comes each month.

She paints it by collecting her menstrual blood on a brush or using tampons.

The creation of the paintings is a slow process given that Jess can only paint with her blood when her period comes each month

The student admits that her flatmates have unfollowed her on social media as they weren't keen on seeing her artworkd

She then waits for the canvas or paper to dry, which takes a few minutes.

Overnight the colour of the blood changes from a bright red to a darker red-brown tone as the blood dries.

'Other people use oils or charcoal  this is no different,' she claimed, explaining how in the future she intended to mix her blood with ink, to intensify the texture.

Jess displays her finished artwork on social media but she has encountered heavy criticism from strangers, but even some friends.

Jess says she was inspired to work in this way, after she started menstruating one day when she was working with watercolour paints, pastels and pens

People have told Jess they feel uncomfortable and disturbed by her paintings, but she insists there is nothing 'disgusting' about the process

'They've been said they feel uncomfortable and been disturbed by it,' she said.

'My pictures aren't disgusting and neither is painting with the blood, if you're hygienic and wash your hands.

'Some people think the paintings will stink, but painting with blood doesn't smell, nor does my artwork.

'I think all women should try painting with their blood. It's cathartic.'

Jess' family appreciate her artwork, made from period blood  but don't own any paintings

Jess, pictured with her friend Ben, said that many people have been supportive once they got used to the idea

The budding artist says her paintings are inspired by early cave paintings and feature strong female characters

Jess says she was inspired to work in this way, after she started menstruating one day when she was working with watercolour paints, pastels and pens.

She said: 'One day I had a period and thought, I could paint with the blood.

'I'm quite an open-minded person. I paint using used tampons, or collecting the blood on a brush that I place close to my private parts.

'If I have a heavier period, it's quicker to collect the blood.'

She said her family appreciate her artwork, made from period blood  but don't own any paintings.

Jess Cummin at her sister Emily's graduation. She admitted that her family are very supportive but don't own any of her artwork

She continued: 'My mum, Beverley, 51, finds it quite interesting and told my grandma, Pamela, in her early 80s, about it.

'My mum looked at the figures in the paintings and thought they looked powerful, while my gran said painting with blood was an interesting concept.

'But they didn't seem grossed out by it, which surprised me.

'I don't think they'd try to paint with period blood, but they seem to admire what I've done.'

Jess Cummin with her friends Coco and Ollie. She says that fellow students are less shocked by her creative process

However, Jess' dad, David, 53, was more squeamish.

'He said it's interesting but he doesn't want to know about it.'

Jess, who also makes clay models of vaginas by rolling out pieces of clay, making them in to layers and piecing them together from imagination, was initially anxious about showing anyone her artwork.

She said: 'I was worried about showing people my paintings, because period blood is considered gross. I was scared to hear what they thought, in case they were shocked by me.

'Students seem less shocked, but some people, including male friends, have been repulsed and disgusted by what I do and have trolled me online, saying 'ew'.

'Some of my male flatmates said they had to unfollow me on social media, because they couldn't look at my art.

'But other people have got used to it and have defended me, when they've heard people being negative.'

Single Jess says her paintings are inspired by early cave paintings and feature strong female characters.

'Thousands of years ago, women used to make primal cave paintings using their menstrual blood and they are full of energy,' she explained.
A woman who has suffered over 200 allergic reactions in seven years has been crowned a beauty queen after wanting to do something positive with her life.

Nicole Gray, 22, has anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition that lands her in intensive care six times a year.

Nicole, from Musselburgh, Edinburgh, is also unable to digest food properly and has a feeding tube fitted.

Nicole Gray, 22, photographed at the Halloween Horror pageant in October this year, has suffered over 200 allergic reactions in seven years and has now been crowned a beauty queen

Despite her debilitating illnesses, the student beat off hundreds of applicants to win Miss East Lothian Galaxy 2016.

Nicole, who received the title in May, says: 'I entered the pageant contest because I was ready to do something positive.

'I didn't want my chronic illness to hold me back anymore.

'After sending off my online application, along with some photographs, I was shocked to find that I had won.

'Now I want to show people that you don't need to be a tall, flawless bikini model to be a beauty queen.

'It's given me a huge confidence boost and I'm proud to be raising awareness of invisible illnesses.'

Despite her debilitating illnesses, the student, pictured, right, in hospital, beat off hundreds of applicants to win Miss East Lothian Galaxy 2016

Nicole holds up packets of feeding tubes while posing in her Miss Lothian Sensational UK sash

Despite suffering less allergic reactions, Nicole is still a regular patient at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh hospital

At 16, Nicole suffered her first anaphylactic allergic reaction after eating hazelnut ice cream.

She said: 'My skin began to itch, my face started to swell and I was struggling to swallow and breathe.

'I was rushed to hospital and told that I had developed an allergy to nuts.

'But despite avoiding them, I continued to have allergic reactions to food.

'Shellfish, strawberries and even flavoured water landed me in hospital.

'It was so severe that at one point I had two allergic reactions a week for 14 weeks.'

Shortly after, Nicole was diagnosed with anaphylaxis and during the next three years was rushed to hospital for treatment over 100 times.

She says: 'I was given an EpiPen, so that I could inject myself in case of an emergency.

'At first, I was terrified of the needle, but now it's second nature and a life saver which I use once every two months.'

Nicole, who received the title in May, says: 'I entered the pageant contest because I was ready to do something positive. I didn't want my chronic illness to hold me back anymore'

'I never thought it would be possible for me to become a beauty queen, but I have and it's made me more determined than ever,' she said. Since receiving her sash, Nicole has given motivational speeches at community projects and also raised 240 in a 5k Big Fun Run in Edinburgh for the Anaphylaxis Campaign

In March 2015, Nicole was fitted with a feeding tube, due to her body's inability to process food.

She said: 'I began to vomit every time that I attempted to eat a meal.

'It got to the point where I couldn't keep anything down so I was fitted with a feeding tube in hospital.

'It's quite uncomfortable to take it out, so I've decided to leave it in for future beauty pageants I enter.'

Despite suffering less allergic reactions, Nicole is still a regular patient at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh hospital.

She said: 'I still end up in intensive care once every two months.

'But I'm not going to let it stand in the way of me achieving my goals.

'I never thought it would be possible for me to become a beauty queen, but I have and it's made me more determined than ever.'

Nicole poses in her 'Miss East Lothian Galaxy' sash at a charity event

Since receiving her sash, Nicole has given motivational speeches at community projects and also raised 240 in a 5k Big Fun Run in Edinburgh for the Anaphylaxis Campaign.

She said: 'I haven't let my feeding tube hold me back from my embracing my role as Miss East Lothian Galaxy.

'I've had some comments from people telling me that I got the "sympathy vote" which is why I was a finalist.

'This couldn't be further from the truth because I wasn't wearing my tube in any of my application photographs.

'A lot of children ask me about my feeding tube out of curiosity and I don't mind explaining to them what it is.

'I hope that my achievement will encourage other people that suffer with chronic illnesses not to give up on their dreams.'

Despite suffering from anaphylaxis, asthma and cluster seizures, Nicole has also claimed the Princess title in the Halloween Horror Pageant this month and is also running for Miss Sensational UK, which takes place in November.

She added: 'A lot of children ask me about my feeding tube out of curiosity and I don't mind explaining to them what it is'. She said she has had some comments from people telling her that she got the 'sympathy vote' - but she added: 'This couldn't be further from the truth because I wasn't wearing my tube in any of my application photographs'

She said her overall goal is to go to medical school and hopefully become an intensive care doctor - just like the doctors that care for her

She said: 'I enjoy taking part in different pageants run by different organisations because they all help different charities.

'The Halloween pageant raised money for Deans Journey, a charity which supports a young boy with cancer.

'Miss Sensational UK will support Dorset Mind, a mental health charity.'

On top of all the charity work, Nicole is studying health sciences through the Open University.

She said: 'I started my degree in February this year and it will take me another four or five years to complete.

'It's a lot of work but I feel like it's worth it and I really enjoy it.

'My overall goal is to go to medical school and hopefully become an intensive care doctor - just like the doctors that care for me.'

A spokesperson for the Anaphylaxis Campaign said: 'Every year around 20 people will die from anaphylaxis.

'In 2015, 78% of fatalities were in patients who had also been diagnosed with asthma.

'Allergies can develop in any person at any time, but are more likely to effect children and babies.'
It's a few years since her two children, aged 12 and eight, were crawling and playing with toys on the floor.

But the Countess of Wessex, 51, proved that she's lost none of her skills with babies as she visited a West London nursery.

The royal was a total natural, getting down on the floor for a cuddle with an adorable baby called Maggie during a music lesson for children under 10 months.

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Countess of Wessex, 51, proved that she's lost none of her skills with infants as she visited a West London nursery today where she met baby Maggie during a music session

The Countess of Wessex holds a sea shell to her ear as she plays with children during a joint visit with Colombian First Lady Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos to Vanessa Nursery School

Sophie had joined Colombia's first lady Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos on a tour of a west London nursery school, founded by Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave, and a nearby children's centre that provides a range of services from midwifery and health visitors to play sessions.

Mrs Rodriguez de Santos has joined her husband, Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, on his historic three-day trip to the UK, the first state visit by a leader of the South American nation.

In Cathnor Park Children's Centre - run by Michele Barrett, executive head teacher of Vanessa Nursery School - the countess and Mrs Rodriguez de Santos joined mothers and their babies who were aged up to 10 months.

The Countess of Wessex (left) and Colombian First Lady Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos arrive for a visit to Vanessa Nursery School and Cathnor Park Children's Centre

Colombian First Lady Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos (right) meets the legendary actress Vanessa Redgrave who founded the West London nursery

The babies were lying on their bellies for the interactive music sessions, with their mothers sat beside them, when the leader got the group to sing a song.

Sophie, who has two children with the Earl of Wessex, picked up one baby called Maggie and bounced her on her knee after chatting to her mother.

She had taken off her stiletto heels and knelt down in her grey dress by Suzannah.

Mrs Rodriguez de Santos was with her husband, Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, on his historic three-day trip to the UK, the first state visit by a leader of the South American nation.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, looked in her element as she joined young babies for a music lesson

Colombian first lady cuddles a young baby with a delightful shock of red hair. She is said to have a special interest in the early development of children

She also knelt down to chat to a mother as she has a passionate interest in the early development of children and has dedicated her charitable work towards the expansion of early childhood care, nutrition, health and education, with a strategy called De Cero A Siempre - Zero to Forever.

The nursery school in Shepherd's Bush was established in 1973 by the Vanessa Redgrave Educational Trust and is run by a local authority, offering what Ms Barrett describes as 'child-centred' learning for three to four-year-olds, many of whom have special educational needs or come from poor backgrounds.

It has a high number of teachers educated to degree level, a heated swimming pool and children are allowed to dictate activities, with youngsters wandering the large, open-plan classroom playing, reading or getting involved in other activities, all designed to aid their development.

Colombian First Lady Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos carried out an engagement with the Countess while her husband held a breakfast meeting at Buckingham Palace

The mother-of-two showed off her maternal side on the nursery visit in London this morning

Redgrave said: 'The principal idea behind the nursery was that the environment in the first school children will ever come to is a huge importance, hence getting a special design team for the building.

'And the swimming, I brought a swimming teacher over from California - a wonderful young woman, with children of her own - to start the swimming off, the reason being that it's not just a question of safety, but also swimming helps a child's development at an early age more than anything else.

'And what's more, they're exercising their bodies and developing their brains and at the same time they're having fun.'

Sophie, 51, looked typically stylish in a grey wool coat dress and nude heels.

She added a touch of interest to the sedate outfit by carrying a snakeskin clutch.

The Colombian first lady opted for smart casual in a pair of pale pink trousers, an ivory blouse and grey jacket, which she teamed with suede pumps.

While her husband attended a breakfast business meeting at Buckingham Palace the First Lady visited the nursery, founded by actress Vanessa Redgrave, with the royal.

Mrs Rodriguez de Santos is interested in the early development of children.

She has dedicated her charitable work towards the expansion of early childhood care, nutrition, health and education, with a strategy called De Cero A Siempre - Zero to Forever.

The first lady, known to her family as Tutina, is the mother of their three grown-up children Martin, Maria Antonia and Esteban.

Vanessa Nursery School was established in 1973 by the Vanessa Redgrave Educational Trust and offers high quality, child-centred early education to local children aged three to four years old.

Last night during a glittering Buckingham Palace banquet the Queen paid tribute to Mr Santos who has helped broker an historic deal with left-wing Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) rebels which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.

During the day the Colombian leader will hold talks at Downing Street with Theresa May, in what is the first state visit since she became Prime Minister.
Crown Princess Mary has given this year's Christmas Seal her stamp of approval, unveiling the collection at Copenhagen City Hall on Monday.

The Christmas Seal is a specially designed stamp launched each year and sold throughout Denmark in addition to Christmas stamps.

The Australian-born Danish Princess dressed in frosty hues for the unveiling event, accessorising her icy blue midi dress with navy heels and blue drop earrings.

Crown Princess Mary has given this year's Christmas Seal her Royal stamp of approval, unveiling the collection at Copenhagen City Hall

Crown Princess Mary reveals the Christmas Seal in 2016 at the City Hal with the artist Per O Jorgensen

The patron of the Christmas Seal Foundation wore one of the collection's stamps as brooch, fastened to black blazer.

The Christmas Seal Foundation is one of 25 organisations that Mary is Patron of and she has spent several years involved with their homes, which temporarily house children in need.

The 2016 Christmas Seal was created by artist Per O Jorgensen, whose winter wonderland design teems with animals and elves in a snow covered forest, as they appear to decorate a Christmas tree.

Last year, Princess Mary's talented mother-in-law, Queen Margrethe designed the stamp collection, which depicted doves delivering letters to children in the snow.

Princess Mary dressed in frosty hues for the unveiling, accessorising her icy blue midi dress with navy heel and blue drop earrings

The Christmas Seal Foundation is one of 25 organisations that Mary is Patron of and she has spent several years involved with their homes, which temporarily house children in need

Crown Princess Mary beams to guests at the City Hall for the unveiling of the Christmas Seal
a very apologetic and kind response with some chocolate

Levine penned a note to Room 338 asking them to quieten down

Student life can throw up many challenges; a lack of money, terrible food and arduous all-night revision before exams.

But for one student, the main issue blighting her academic life was racy next door neighbours in her halls of residence; who liked nothing more than engaging in rather raucous lovemaking.

Jenna Levine, 19, is a student at Syracuse University in New York and took to Twitter to complain about her passionate fellow residents but only after posting a note through their door.

Some of us are alone! Jenna Levine, 19, from Syracuse University in New York asked her neighbours to make their lovemaking a little less noisy

After the gentle request for less passion, she posted her note on to Twitter

Jenna Levine, 19, (left and second right in the right pictured) is a student at Syracuse University in New York and took to Twitter to complain about her passionate fellow residents but only after posting a note through their door

She wrote the residents of Room 338 a letter about their nocturnal activities, politely asking them if they'd be able to keep the noise down in future.

She then posted a picture of the letter on Twitter, captioning it 'college is weird' and writing 'boutta stick this under my neighbor's door' on the image itself.

Her handwritten note read: 'Hello neighbor, Please have sex a little more quietly please.

'Some of us are trying to nap and not be reminded of how alone I am...feel free to make all the love you want.

'Just please, make it nasty at a lower volume. Thank you!'

She then received a postcard posted under her door, accompanied by a bar of chocolate.

She posted photographs of this of Twitter as well, before tweeting a picture of the card. Amusingly, the postcard had photos of bananas on.

There goes that message! Levine documented the saga on Twitter including when she received a postcard posted under her door, accompanied by a bar of chocolate

Sincere apology: a note came back, with a bar of something sweet. The tweet has been liked 110,000 times and retweeted 45,000 times, and has struck a chord with Twitter users

It read: 'Dearest neighbors, I'm so so incredibly sorry about that. I didn't realise how loud I was being, and ya know, sometimes have loud sex is low key kinda hot but obviously at your cost, which I apologise so sincerely for.

'I'm so so sorry, hope this hasn't been occurring too often, and thanks so much for the incredible and hilarious card/.

'I will for sure try to keep it nasty at a significantly lower level. And hey, don't worry, you're not alone forever.

'The right person will come along when the time comes. I was single for 18 years.

'Haha. Once again, I apologise so sincerely and deeply. Sorry, Room 338.'

The noisy neighbour also gifted Jenna a chocolate bar, with 'deepest apologies. Hope you enjoy this chocolate bar!' written on it.

The tweet has been liked 110,000 times and retweeted 45,000 times.

Twitter users loved that the story had a happy ending.

@ManicPangloss wrote: 'The apology note is so cute' and @taketwo65 said: 'Aww, this is kind. I hope they become new friends?'
store with the GOP nominee and his campaign manager Kellyanne Conway

Tiffany Trump may be busy campaigning for her father Donald, but that didn't stop her from paying tribute to her longtime boyfriend Ross Mechanic on his birthday.

The 23-year-old took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a photo collage of her and Ross posing together in celebration of his 22nd birthday.

'Happy happy birthday! ' she captioned the image, using a balloon and cake emoji.

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Look of love: Tiffany Trump took to Instagram on Tuesday to share three snapshots of her and her boyfriend Ross Mechanic cuddled close in honor of his birthday

Great minds think alike! Just a few weeks ago, Ross shared this photo of him and Tiffany on his Instagram page to wish her a happy 23rd birthday

Each of the three images sees Tiffany and her beau cuddled close, and while two were taken at formal events, another was snapped on a snowy day last winter.

The couple met at the University of Pennsylvania, where he is still a student, and started dating last year.

Although Tiffany moved out of her apartment in Philadelphia after she graduated form the Ivy League school in May, the two are still going strong.

Ross was there to watch Tiffany receive her diploma, and a few months later he headed to Cleveland, Ohio, in July to support her and her dad Donald at the Republican Nation convention  even though he is a registered Democrat.

Perfect pose: In September Ross and Tiffany traveled to her mother's home state of Georgia for her aunt's wedding, where she served as the maid of honor

Political allies: Ross attended the Republican National Convention with Tiffany in July, even though he is a registered Democrat

Tiffany's boyfriend has met both Donald and her mom Marla Maples, and in September he traveled to her mother's home state of Georgia for her aunt's wedding, where she served as the maid of honor.

On Tuesday, Tiffany was the only one of Donald's children who traveled with him to the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to watch him and his running mate Mike Pence discuss what they believe are the failures of Obamacare.

However, the highlight of Tiffany's trip may have been when they left the event and made a pit stop at a local Wawa gas station to grab some snacks.

Doting daughter! Tiffany traveled to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday to watch her father Donald speak

Taking a break: The 23-year-old was with her father when he and his campaign team stopped at a local Wawa convenience store

Donald entered the convenience store with his campaign manager Kellyanne Conway and walked around to shake hands and greet the people inside.

Kellyanne kept close to Tiffany as she made her way to the Tastykake shelf and picked up a box of Krimpets and five individual fruit pies in various flavors, including caramel and blueberry.

Tiffany also grabbed a single fruit pie, and the two women handed their treats to an aide to purchase before walking out with Donald.

Donald's youngest daughter, who is his only child with his second ex-wife Marla, donned a nude peplum top and a matching pencil skirt for her appearance in Pennsylvania.

Hungry for pastries: Tiffany and Donald's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway made a beeline for the Tastykake aisle

Crowd-pleaser: Tiffany was all smiles as her dad stopped to take pictured with fans in the store

Despite her formal attire, she looked like she could be any other college student roaming the Wawa's aisles.

And while Tiffany was on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, her older half-brother Donald Jr. visited Columbus, Ohio, for a private event Tuesday evening.

Her half-siblings Ivanka and Eric were also absent from the trip, however, Eric made it clear that he felt like he had missed out.

Outing: Tiffany, Donald Jr., Eric, and Ivanka joined their dad and stepmother Melania at a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Trump International hotel in Washington, D.C. last week

Lookalikes: Tiffany and her older half-sister Ivanka were all smiles while campaigning in Georgia last week

'I love Wawa! This is a stop I regret missing! From Jacksonville Florida! #MakeAmericaGreatAgain #Wawa #TrumpTrain [sic],' he tweeted.

Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, and Tiffany all recently joined Donald and their stepmother Melania for an interview with George Stephanopoulos, which aired on Good Morning America last week.

When asked if she would be following in her siblings footsteps and joining the family business, Tiffany said she is 'interested' but noted that her main focus is going back to school.
Starbucks yet to confirm or deny if the photo reveals this year's cups

Unverified photo has been viewed on Imgur nearly one million times

Picture leaked of red cup adorned with outline of holly branches and robin

There's just one day to go until Starbucks launches its Christmas menu and soon, the company's famous festive red cups.

But the much-anticipated 2016 design may have already been revealed after a man claiming to be a worker leaked a photo of what appears to be this year's batch of festive cups on Imgur.

The picture, which has been viewed almost one million times on the picture-sharing website, shows a stacked tower of red cups, which all have the same sketched white outline of a robin nestled in a web of holly branches and berries.

A man claiming to be a Starbucks worker leaked this picture of what he says are the 2016 Christmas red cups, which have a design of a robin in a web of branches and holly

The company, which changes its cups from white to red every year at the beginning of the holiday season, has yet to verify if the cups in the picture are to be given out in stores this year.

Last year's design caused controversy in the US after evangelists claimed the coffee shop titan was waging 'war on Christmas' when it removed any holiday logos or embellishments from its limited edition coloured cups.

The row led one outraged former Arizona pastor, Joshua Feuerstein, to claim that Starbucks 'removed Christmas from their cups because they hate Jesus'.

If the leaked design is really the one to embellish this year's red cups, it is yet to be seen if Christian coffee fans will be just as upset since the 'new' pattern is not overtly festive.

The instagram account for a Starbucks store in Guildford snapped a photo of boxes thought to contain the famous red cups, which was labelled with: 'No peeking until November 2'

Last year's red cups were plain without any embellishment, which outraged Christians in America

It is unclear if the pattern in the leaked pictures is just for Starbucks customers in the US or will be rolled out across the UK as well.

Festive menus launch in this country tomorrow, but red cups will only be rolled out across the pond on November 10 - the day after the presidential election will be announced.

In the meantime, US customers can pick up a limited edition green unity cup, which aims to bring together people of clashing political persuasions.

The Instagram account for a Starbucks store in Guildford, Surrey, uploaded a picture yesterday of cardboard boxes believed to contain the winter cups, which were labelled with the instructions: 'No peeking until November 2'.

Fudge Hot Chocolate (pictured in a white cup) has been added to this year's winter menu at Starbucks

The store captioned the picture: 'We were told not to peek into the boxes that carry our holiday merchandise.'

The winter menu launching tomorrow will include the usual festive favourites such as Toffee Nut Latte, Eggnog Latte and Gingerbread Latte, as well as a new addition: Fudge Hot Chocolate.

Starbucks has been issuing festive red cups adorned with Christmas illustrations such as doves, reindeer, and snowmen since it was founded in 1997.
A teenage girl was unable to recognise her father just two hours after he dropped her off at school due to a rare brain condition.

Charlotte Parsons, 13, from London, was struck down by encephalitis - an inflammation of the brain that can be deadly - in May.

After being dropped off at school in the morning, she quickly took a turn for the worse and staff rang her parents to take her home.

But when her father Dean, 42, turned up he was left stunned when he discovered that she no longer recognised him.

When she was rushed to hospital, she was only able to recognise her mother, Kelly, 36, and suffered from confusion and seizures.

She spent 20 weeks off school fighting the infection and has since shared a heart-warming video explaining how it affected her.

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Charlotte Parsons, 13, from London, was struck down by encephalitis - an inflammation of the brain that can be fatal - in May

Mr Parsons, a train dispatcher, said: 'She just wasnt with it and she was talking about a cat that we didnt have any more.

'The only one that she recognised was her mum so we decided to take her to A&E.'

Mr Parsons took her to school as normal in May this year but received a phone call two hours later asking him to come back urgently.

He was expecting her to have been told off. But when he got there, she was unable to recognise who he was.

After being dropped off at school in the morning, she quickly took a turn for the worse and staff rang her parents to take her home. But when her father, Dean, 42, turned up, she no longer recognised him (also pictured with her sister, Emily, five)

She was also talking about their pet cat that they no longer had.

After being rushed to A&E, she spent 10 days in hospital and was tested for stroke and meningitis as a result of her symptoms before being given a course of antibiotics.

But a month later, the family received a phone call from doctors urging them to return to hospital as tests revealed she had encephalitis.

It can cause memory loss and there are around 4,000 cases of encephalitis in the UK each year - 10 per cent of which are fatal.

Doctors told the family that Charlotte has just half an hour away from slipping into a coma when she returned to hospital.

She missed 20 weeks of school before returning to education last month after being given more than 166 bags of antibiotics via a drip.

Kelly added: 'It was a shock to see how quickly she deteriorated.

She has since shared a heart-warming video explaining how the infection - which is deadly in 10 per cent of cases - affected her

Doctors told the family that Charlotte has just half an hour away from slipping into a coma when she returned to hospital. She missed 20 weeks of school before returning to education last month after being given more than 166 bags of antibiotics via a drip

'Just the night before she had been getting glowing reports from teachers at parents evening and the next thing you know, she didnt know where she was.

'She didnt recognise her dad and it was almost like she was possessed.'

'It was such a shock that it could happen so quickly and I had never even heard of encephalitis.

'She had just started coming out of her shell at school before she got ill and shes been quiet and anxious ever since.

'She hasnt really wanted to talk about it much while her memory is slowly coming back.

'I think she is trying to understand what has happened to her and wants to get more involved and thats why she came up to me and said "Ive made this video and want to put it online".'

Her clip has been viewed almost 1,000 times on social media (pictured with mother Kelly, 36)

Since being released from hospital, she has created a video to explain how the infection gripped her life.

The heart-warming clip has been viewed almost 1,000 times on social media.

WHAT IS ENCEPHALITIS? Encephalitis is a relatively rare condition, with around 4,000 new cases each year. Young children and older people are more prone to contracting encephalitis which causes the brain to become inflamed because their immune systems aren't as strong. The condition kills around 10 per cent of those who suffer from it. Sufferers normally show flu-like symptoms initially which leads to more serious symptoms within days such as seizures, changes in mental state and changes in personality and behaviour. It can be caused by infection, the immune system reacting to something non-infectious like a tumour, or it can just develop naturally over several months. A Japanese version of the condition can be transmitted by ticks or animals with rabies. Long term effects can include memory loss, epilepsy, changes of personality, problems concentrating and extreme fatigue. According to the NHS, the best prevention for encephalitis is to ensure you have had the MMR vaccine and to maintain good hygiene to avoid common infections. Advertisement

Charlotte said: 'I feel okay, better than Ive been since anyway, each day Im getting stronger and back to the old me.

'I just wanted to spread awareness of encephalitis, not many people know about it, not even my parents. Its very rare and there is not much information about it out there.

'I just wanted people to know that its a serious and rare brain infection that can be fatal or life-changing.

'I missed my friends and dance and drama lessons and just the whole routine of getting up and going to school - its been a boring 20 weeks.

'Hospital gets boring especially when I started to feel better and just wanted to go home, but I was on three IV antibiotic drips-a-day so had to stay in, I was allowed day leave occasionally which was nice but the thought of going back in filled me with dread.

'I will try to raise more awareness the stronger and more confident I get.'

Dr Ava Easton, chief executive of The Encephalitis Society, said: 'Having survivors such as Charlotte come forward to show the human side of this "hidden disability" can only be a good thing for informing the public about encephalitis.

'We have a long way to go to make the public and some health professionals aware of a condition which affects more people than Motor Neurone Disease and some forms of meningitis and yet remains less well known.

'The sad fact is that not many people have heard of encephalitis unless it has happened to them, a family member or friend.
A mother has been awarded 200,000 in damages after she was left infertile following a medical blunder.

Natasha Richardson, 26, was accidentally cut by surgeons during her Caeserean section and developed a flesh-eating bug.

Surgeons were unaware of their error until the receptionist returned to hospital 10 days later suffering from intense stomach pain.

After being transferred to intensive care and operated on, she was diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis which had eaten away at her womb and surrounding tissue.

She was then transferred for a hysterectomy to remove all of the infection - leaving her unable to extend her family.

Natasha Richardson, 26, gave birth via a Caesarean but surgeons accidentally cut her during the operation, leaving her prone to infection. She returned to hospital days later in severe pain and discovered she had a flesh-eating bug (pictured with Noah, four and partner Jamie, 25)

Ms Richardson, from Harrogate, said: 'I am pleased that the hospital have acknowledged what they did wrong but to think that all I needed was antibiotics is heartbreaking.

'I can't believe what I have been through for them missing something so simple.

'It was always our intention to have three children and now that will not happen.'

'It is sad to think about what we could have had. And I've only just started to think about this, in the early days I could only think about healing.'

Ms Richardson was told she needed a Caesarean because there were problems with her child's heart.

And despite Noah arriving at a healthy 6lbs 2oz, she was left cut from the operation - but doctors had no idea.

Because they were not aware of their error she was stitched up while she was suffering internal bleeding.

The infection had eaten away at her womb and surrounding tissue before she was transferred for a hysterectomy. Surgeons operated on her six times over the following months to remove all of the bacteria, leaving her unable to extend her family

Ms Richardson said: 'It was always our intention to have three children and now that will not happen' (Noah pictured at birth)

Doctors soon realised what had happened as she was in severe pain. She was then transferred to intensive care and operated on.

But because she wasn't given antibiotics after the C-section she developed a severe flesh eating bug, experts say.

She was sent home five days after the second operation and she put her weakness, fatigue and pain down to giving birth.

But it was when she was rushed back to Leeds General Infirmary, where she had given birth, 10 days later that they realised she had developed necrotising fasciitis.

This devastating bug had eaten away at her womb and surrounding stomach muscles and tissue.

She was transferred to a different hospital where they performed a hysterectomy.

Over the following months Ms Richardson had a further six operations to remove all of the bacteria.

This left her with an open wound in her stomach and very little muscles. She had to remain in hospital attached to a vacuum machine to help her open wound heal.

Because she wasn't given antibiotics after the C-section she developed a severe flesh eating bug, experts believe

During the investigation into her care at Leeds General Infirmary, the trust responsible admitted she should have been prescribed antibiotics within an hour of the initial operation

But her pain continues - as she has now developed a hernia and has terrible scars - with one on her stomach measuring 30cm x 10cm, leaving her conscious over what she wears.

WHAT IS NECROTISING FACIITIS? Necrotising faciitis is a rare but life-threatening infection affecting the deep layers of the skin. It progresses quickly after being triggered by various types of bacteria, including group A streptococcus and staphylococcus. Many infections are caused by organisms already residing on a person's skin. Group A streptococci is a bacteria commonly found in the throat and on the skin. The vast majority of infections are relatively mild illnesses, such as strep throat and impetigo. Occasionally, however, the bacteria can become life-threatening if entering parts of the body where not usually found such as the blood, muscles or the lungs. The bacteria is often spread through direct contact with the mucus of an infected person and through contact with infected skin wounds and sores. Invasive group A streptococcal disease, which may occur when the bacteria gets past the bodys defences, is a severe and sometimes life-threatening infection in which the bacteria has invaded parts of the body, such as the blood, deep muscle and fat tissue or the lungs. Two of the most severe forms of invasive group A streptococcal disease are necrotising fasciitis and Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (a rapidly progressing infection causing injury to the major organs). The early signs and symptoms of necrotising fasciitis include fever, severe pain and swelling, and redness at the wound site. The early symptoms of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome may include fever, dizziness, confusion, low blood pressure, rash and abdominal pain. Advertisement

Because of her lack of stomach muscles, it affects what she can and can't do and it can be painful when Noah jumps on her.

She is also unable to go anywhere alone with him because she is unable to pick him up and carry him.



She is now set to go under the knife again as surgeons attempt to repair the hernia, reconstruct her stomach and to perform plastic surgery.

Her and her partner, Jamie, 25, have thought about surrogacy because her ovaries remain intact.

But she said it is a 'big thing' for her to get her head around because Noah is almost four and she didn't want such a big age gap.

During the investigation into her care, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust admitted she should have been prescribed antibiotics within an hour of the initial operation.

They also found had this been done she would not have developed the infection - and the extensive surgery and hysterectomy would have been avoided.

Rebecca Pearey, an expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, who represents Natasha, said: 'The failures to prescribe antibiotics at the crucial time have clearly had a massive and devastating impact on Natasha as she has had to rethink the plans she had for her family and her working life.

'Natasha has undergone a number of invasive and complex surgeries to correct the problems caused by the failure to administer antibiotics following her C-section.

'Understandably, the prospect of surrogacy in the future, rather than conceiving children naturally, has caused a great deal of stress and anxiety for Natasha and Jamie.

'Natasha was in a great deal of pain for some time after each of the operations she has been through and the ordeal has also had a psychological impact on her and her family.

'The Trust has admitted liability for the problems Natasha has faced, which has come as a relief to her, but she is also keen to ensure the Trust learns from this incident and puts steps in place so that this doesn't happen to anybody else.'

Professor Suzanne Hinchliffe, deputy chief executive at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: 'On behalf of the Trust I would like to express our sincere apologies to Ms Richardson and her family.
A man has described seeing a flesh-eating parasite ravaging his own skin.

Mark Ward, a retired firefighter from Prescott, Arizona, was in Belize with his wife Janina when he started to notice small pin-sized spots all over his body.

Assuming them to be bug bites, he ignored them.

But within days he was exhausted, losing weight rapidly, and the dots had transformed into huge lesions, bursting open.

He had been infected by a flesh-eating parasite which was reproducing in his body and eating his cells.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

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Horrific: Mark Ward (pictured), a firefighter from Prescott, Arizona, has described the feeling of a flesh-eating parasite ravaging his skin and eating away at his cells while away in Belize

The infection - called cutaneous leishmaniasis - can be fatal if left untreated.

However, bewildered doctors in Belize then in Arizona took more than a week to realize that Mark had more than a contact skin infection.

Doctors in Arizona managed to diagnose, control and cure the infection before it was too late.

Now Mark is sharing his story with the Animal Planet's show Monsters Inside Me to warn others about the dangers of parasites, which are becoming increasingly common in the United States.

'It felt like something was just gnawing at me, eating the skin out of my hands,' Mark recalls in the episode, which screens on Thursday.

Infection: Mark (pictured) had contracted cutaneous leishmaniasis, which can be fatal

He describes how the infection escalated while he was at his holiday home in Belize with Janina, a holistic medicine student.

Eventually he reached a point of incredible lethargy but decided to go outside to fix a broken car.

That is when he realized the debilitating scale of his infection.

'I couldn't close my hand and when I went to grab something it was just painful,' Mark says.

By that point the bumps had swelled to bigger than a dollar coin, and were breaking open.

Janina said she had never seen anything like it.

'I was thinking, "this is bad... this is really bad... this could very well be deadly,"' she explains in the episode.

She had already been urging Mark to seek medical help, but he refused every time.

Finally he agreed.

Petrified: 'I had no idea something so small that we couldn't see could cause that much damage,' Mark's wife Janina (pictured), a holistic medicine student, recalled

WHAT IS CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS? Cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by the flesh-eating parasite leishmania. The parasite attacked Mark's body from the inside, invading cells, feeding off them, and reproducing. The growing number of parasites then spread through his body. It made Mark exhausted and gaunt. He lost weight quickly, and painful ulcers began to appear on his skin. IS THERE A CURE? Yes. But the only certain way of curing it is catching the infection before it attacks the immune system. Like brain-eating amoebas (naegleria fowleri), flesh-eating parasites can be treated by a special drug called miltefosine. But it is not at every hospital's disposal. In August, a South Carolina hospital had to request an emergency courier of the drug from Orlando, Florida, where the manufacturer Profounda is based. Advertisement

'For Mark to concede that he needs to go and get help from somebody is really big,' Janina said.

After first seeking help in Belize, they flew home to Arizona, where doctors examined samples of Mark's skin and blood for days.

'They were bewildered. They didn't know,' Janina said.

They went through scores of possible diagnoses, all contact skin infection.

It was not until Dr Sean Reeder, a physician in Phoenix, took a look at it that they decided to test for parasites.

'Mark had large centrally ulcerating crusted lesions, showing he had an infection which was likely parasitic,' Dr Reeder said.

Mark was diagnosed with cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by the flesh-eating parasite leishmania.

The parasite attacked Mark's body from the inside, invading cells, feeding off them, and reproducing.

The growing number of parasites then spread through his body.

It made Mark exhausted and gaunt. He lost weight quickly, and painful ulcers began to appear on his skin.

'I had no idea something so small that we couldn't see could cause that much damage,' Janina said.

Mark's story comes amid a surge in cases of brain-eating amoebas in the US.

Escalated: First he had pin-sized spots. They turned into huge lesions bursting open (pictured)

Cured: It was not until Dr Sean Reeder, a physician in Phoenix, took a look at it that they decided to test for parasites - days after Mark was hospitalized in excruciating pain

There have been at least four cases of Naegleria fowleri this year.

Naegleria fowleri is a one-celled organism that can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis.

The amoeba lives in many lakes, rivers and streams in warm water locations.

There has to be a lot of force to send the water and amoeba into the brain, either by jumping into the water, or in a recent fatal case where an 18-year-old Ohio woman fell out of her raft in the churning waters in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Both amoebas and flesh-eating parasites can be treated by a special drug called miltefosine, but it is not at every hospital's disposal.

In August, a South Carolina hospital had to request an emergency courier of the drug from Orlando, Florida, where the manufacturer Profounda is based.
The FDA wants to know how much Nutella you eat.

It is part of the long and bitter dispute between US health officials and the Italian company Ferrero, which wants to brand its spread as a 'jam'.

Currently, Nutella is classed as a 'dessert topping' alongside cholate syrup, marshmallow Fluff, and treacle.

That means its label lists a serving size as two tablespoons (the amount you would lather on ice cream or a waffle) which is 200 calories.

Meanwhile a jam has a serving size of one tablespoon.

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Currently, Nutella is classed as a 'dessert topping' like chocolate sauce and marshmallow Fluff. But the company wants to be classed as a 'jam', which has fewer calories on the label

Ferrero insists that when Nutella was first classified in the 1990s, the majority of consumers surveyed were women who liked to put the chocolate dip on ice cream.

Now, they claim it is more commonly spread on toast in smaller quantities.

The move has sparked debate, with health officials insisting Nutella remains a high-calorie, high-sugar, chocolate-based indulgence.

The added sugar on the label would also plummet.

Critics say listing one helping as 100 calories would be misleading, portraying Nutella as a healthier spread than it is - as the FDA tries to redesign food labels to make them easier to comprehend.

Most jams contain around 50 calories per serving size.

Fighting for the change, Nutella conducted its own survey of 722 mothers who buy Nutella.

They found that 74 percent of the time, the mothers used it as a spread for toast or sandwiches.

Just two percent put it on ice cream.

According to the FDA's own data - mined by a Ferrero-paid firm - 47 percent of consumers use Nutella as a spread.

Seventeen percent use it as a dessert topping - and 14 percent eat it on its own with a spoon.

Presenting the data to the government, the company insisted health is their priority.
Under constant pressure to generate donors, India's top hospitals face a daily battle to save the lives of patients needing emergency heart transplants.

With nearly 50,000 heart patients across India requiring a transplant every year, only 350 transplants have been conducted over the last 24 years.

According to a senior doctor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), 50 transplants were conducted in the public sector health facilities - a first in India, of which 13 were in 2016 alone.

Struggling under constant pressure to generate donors, India's top hospitals face a daily battle to save lives when it comes to heart transplants

But the demand to donor ratio is not at level terms.

Dr Balram Airan, chief of Cardiothoracic Centre at AIIMS, told Mail Today: "In India, nearly 50,000 people are in need of heart transplant, followed by three lakh for kidney transplant, and a lakh each for liver and corneal transplants. Many patients die due to unavailability of the organ donors.

"Therefore, we can see that there is a huge gap between the demand and supply for the human organs for transplants".

Health experts say that Delhi needs about 1,000 heart transplants every year.

However, patients on the wait list die due to acute shortage of organ donors and the huge cost of the transplant.

"Several aspects need to be streamlined such as active coordination between the Centre and the state governments, providing green corridor for transporting the organ in a quick time, besides awareness among the people which is lacking in Delhi at present," said Dr Sandeep Seth, professor of cardiology at AIIMS.

According to Dr Seth, over the past two years AIIMS, has witnessed a huge decrease in the number of heart donors.

In 2014, AIIMS conducted only two heart transplants. But this year our doctors were able to save more lives, Seth told Mail Today.

In 2016, AIIMS conducted 13 heart transplants; the institute received hearts from Jaipur, Pune, Indore, Delhi and adjoining areas.

Last month, doctors at AIIMS performed three heart transplants when two patients were declared as brain dead at the AIIMS trauma centre.

Government hospitals in Delhi, like the RML Hospital, GB Pant Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital, have a licence for conducting heart transplants (file pic)

"On October 4, we received a heart from Indore," Dr Airan informed in this context.

Government hospitals in Delhi, like the RML Hospital, GB Pant Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital, have a licence for conducting heart transplants.

But these institutions have not performed a single heart transplant so far. In the private set up, heart transplants in the national Capital have been conducted at the Escort Heart Institute and Research, Max Hospital, Medanta Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Dr Seth, however, pointed out that these hospitals had conducted just a small number (one or two) heart transplants so far.

Globally, Spain has the highest organ donation rate at about 34 donors per million, while India has nearly 0.03 donors per million (file pic)

The organ donation process in the country is administered by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO).

Health experts say that in India state-and district-level bodies cannot efficiently manage organ donation.

"These state level bodies need to be strengthened and critical care doctors need to be proactive about identifying brain death cases.

"Last year we had written to the lieutenant governor for making brain death notifiable, which has been done, said Dr MC Misra, director, AIIMS.

"We would soon conduct a workshop for critical care doctors on this subject," Misra said, adding that "roughly 10,000 brain deaths take place in Delhi-NCR every year.

"So even if we can harness 1,000 of these potential donors then we can address the issue".

Currently, AIIMS has eight patients who are waiting for heart transplants.

In India, Tamil Nadu has a highest number of organ donations.

Globally, Spain has the highest organ donation rate at about 34 donors per million, while India has nearly 0.03 donors per million.
Zakir Naiks organisations have come under the scanner

The government has initiated a process to cancel the foreign funding licence of televangelist Zakir Naiks NGO Islamic Research Foundation.

The move comes amid charges against the controversial preacher of using the money to radicalise youths and instigate them into terrorist activities.

The Union Home Ministry is also set to put another NGO of Naik, the IRF Education Trust, on the prior permission list, which will allow the government to keep track of its transactions and prevent transfer of funds without authorisation.

Naiks organisations have come under the scanner amid fears that his hardline views could push youngsters into extremism after it was alleged that some of the gunmen who launched a deadly attack on a cafe in Bangladesh this year were influenced by his sermons.

The IRFs registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act was renewed in September in a major slip-up by MHA officials dealing with the case.

The ministry ordered an inquiry into the matter while five officials, including a joint secretary, were suspended.

The government is also on the verge of declaring the IRF an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and a nod from the Union cabinet is awaited.

It was alleged that some of the gunmen who launched a deadly attack on a cafe in Bangladesh some months ago were influenced by the sermons of Naik

Bangladesh banned the Islamic Research Foundation after a probe into the July Dhaka siege during which 20 people were killed indicated Naiks influence. Investigators found that the attackers were motivated by his speeches on Peace TV, owned by the preacher.
Mail Today sought the Armys version for the story, but its official spokesperson Col Rohan Anand did not respond to the email

uses sophisticated weapon systems such as the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher

A senior army officer posted along defensive anti-Pakistan positions is facing charges of corruption and harassment of his subordinates.

The brigadier posted at the Nasirabad cantonment near Ajmer is facing serious allegations of corruption, falsification of documents and violent harassment of his subordinates including officers and jawans, Army sources told Mail Today.

The brigadier posted at Nasirabad near Ajmer was responsible for bombarding Pakistani positions in case of war (file photo)

The development comes at a time when the Army is maintaining a high vigil along the western front, but its strike brigade is embroiled in such issues.

The brigadier is posted in a Composite Artillery Brigade, which handles sophisticated weapon systems such as the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers and the Russian Smerch rockets.

The formation is part of the Indian Armys elite 21 Sudarshan Chakra Strike Corps, which would be responsible for carrying out an offensive deep inside Pakistan through the desert sector in a war scenario.

The inquiry against the officer (name withheld) was launched after junior officers filed a complaint in February-March against him to higher authorities, giving complete details about the brigadiers alleged corrupt practices and his abusive behaviour towards officers who did not toe his line.

The inquiry against the officer, whose name has been withheld, was launched after junior army officers filed a complaint against him earlier this year (file photo)

At that time, the complaint was hushed up but the issue reignited when Lt Gen Cherish Mathson took over as the 21 Corps Commander in Bhopal and ordered a Court of Inquiry to probe the charges.

The inquiry was ordered by Mathson under a major general-rank officer from the 36 Infantry Division and not the 41 Artillery Division to avoid the matter getting hushed up again, sources said.

It is learnt that the Court of Inquiry has completed its proceedings against the brigadier and would be sending its recommendations to the 21 Strike Corps headquarters for further action.

The recommendations of the Court of Inquiry can also lead to initiation of court martial proceedings against the brigadier after a final call is taken on the matter by the corps headquarters.

Mail Today sought the Armys version for the story, but its official spokesperson Col Rohan Anand did not respond to the email despite waiting for over a week. The personnel who had complained against the officer said that they were facing major harassment for bringing the matter to light.

The Army laws do not provide any kind of protection to whistleblowers against discrimination by senior officers. Lt Gen Mathson is known for his tough stance against corruption.

During his stint in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), he had played an important role in getting a case reopened in which defective tents were procured for troops staying in high-altitude areas.

After he opened the case, the Prime Ministers Office ordered a CBI inquiry in the matter of alleged irregularities in purchases made by the Chakrata-based Special Frontier Force, which was formed after the 1962 war with China involving Tibetan troops.
Tata Group patriarch Ratan Tata hit back at ousted chairman Cyrus Mistry, saying his removal was absolutely necessary for the future success of the Tata Group as the war of words escalated between the two on Tuesday.

The decision to change the leadership of Tata Sons was a well-considered and serious one for its board members.

This difficult decision, made after careful and thoughtful deliberation, is one the board believes was absolutely necessary for the future success of the Tata Group, the interim chairman wrote to employees of USD 100 billion saltto- software conglomerate.

Chairman of Tata Motors, Ratan Tata and Deputy Chairman Cyrus Mistry at the company's 67th Annual General Meeting in Mumbai on Friday

Tata, 78, who retired as Tata Group Chairman nearly four years back, justified his return for maintaining stability and continuity of leadership and promised to give the group a world-class leader when a full-time boss is appointed.

The letter was dashed off shortly after Mistry stepped up the attack against Tata Group saying any "insinuations" that he mishandled the long-running dispute with Japanese telecom giant NTT DoCoMo were baseless as all decisions were taken with the approval of Ratan Tata.

India's Tata Group's interim Chairman Ratan Tata leaves Bombay House, the company's head office, in Mumbai

The handling of the USD 1.17 billion compensation slapped by an arbitration panel over breach of agreement with DoCoMo is said to one of the reasons for Tata Sons removing Mistry from the post of chairman.

Tata Sons struck back at Cyrus Mistry (right), saying he was removed from the post of chairman as he had overwhelmingly lost the confidence of board members (File photo)

Mistry's office said in a statement that all decisions related to the dispute were taken with the unanimous approval of the Tata Sons board, as well as the approval of Tata family patriarch Ratan Tata and Tata trustee N.A. Soonawalla.

The statement issued by Mistrys offiice said, "Insinuations that the Docomo issue was handled under the watch of Mistry in a manner inconsistent with Tata culture and values are baseless.

"The suggestion that Ratan Tata and the trustees would not have approved of the manner in which the litigation was conducted is contrary to what transpired.

Reiterating that the agreement with DoCoMo had been executed before Mistry became executive chairman of the Tata Group, the statement from his office said: All decisions were taken with the unanimous approval of the Tata Sons board.

In fact, all decisions were collective decisions and the actions were consistent with every such collective decision.

Twitter was full of people adding their opinion on the matter

Stating that a number of discussions on the DoCoMo issue were held in the Tata Sons board, Mistry said he had always mentioned that the Tatas should honour all commitments within the law.

This stance is based on Tata Sons' board view and was always consistent with the series of board meetings in which the Docomo issue was discussed. A Tata Sons spokesman hit back saying "the insinuations are being imagined and this (DoCoMo) matter is sub-judice."

Tata Teleservices, a Tata group company, is entangled in a legal battle with NTT DoCoMo.

The Japanese telecom major had in November 2009 acquired 26.5 per cent stake in Tata Teleservices for about Rs 12,740 crore (at Rs 117 per share) with an understanding that in case it exits the venture within five years, it would be paid a minimum 50 per cent of the acquisition price.

Mistry's statement comes a week after he was ousted as chairman of the $100 billion steelto-software conglomerate in a boardroom coup that saw Ratan Tata return as interim chairman.

Meanwhile, N S Rajan and Nirmalya Kumar resigned as nonexecutive directors on boards of Indian Hotels Company and Tata Chemicals respectively, days after Group Executive Council set up by Mistry was disbanded.

Parsi community upset over public spat of billionaires

The bitter public feud between the Tata family, which controls India's most respected conglomerate, and its now ousted chairman Cyrus Mistry has created an unwelcome stir in the tiny Parsi community to which both sides belong.

There are only about 58,000 Parsis in India. Yet, the community has included some of India's biggest business names, its top nuclear scientists, world-class musicians and several senior military officers including the country's first field-marshal. Parsis are also known for maintaining their privacy.

"They should have settled this between themselves instead of what has happened so publicly," said a Parsi woman stepping out of the community's fire temple in downtown Mumbai.

While business spats are not uncommon in India's financial capital Mumbai, the public allegations of malfeasance and the central role of two billionaire Parsis has not gone down well in the community.

"I would say Cyrus, walk out with a little dignity and self respect. Don't wash dirty linen in public. Don't make the press your playground. Fight battles inside boardrooms," said Rumi Behram Balsara, a second generation shareholder in some Tata group companies.

Parsi business houses owned by the Tata, Wadia and Godrej families are at the forefront of India's corporate world. Much of the dividend paid out by Tata Sons gets funneled into charitable trusts involved in philanthropic work.

The crux of the Tata world view, said Morgen Witzel, a U.K.-based author of a book on the Tata company, is shareholder value should not be an end in itself.

"Companies are not machines for making money. They exist to provide value and service to their communities; profit is a by-product of that process."

That view appears to be at the heart of the boardroom dust-up. Mistry was attempting to gradually transform Tata from a sprawling empire of middling businesses into a much more focused profit-driven enterprise.
He's a figure who regularly divides opinion, but news presenter Arnab Goswami has united thousands on Twitter after announcing his resignation from Times Now.

The anchorman's shock departure from the English-speaking TV station was among the world's top trending subjects on the social media channel yesterday, with the majority of people paying tribute to his unique journalistic style.

But others weren't as complimentary, with some referring to the newsman's "loud voice" and one commenting that it was now "safe to turn up the televisions".

Scroll down for video

Arnab Goswami announced he was leaving Times Now during an hour-long speech yesterday

Within minutes, thousands had taken to Twitter to mourn the loss of the anchor from screens

Goswami, who was also editor-in-chief of Times Now, had not appeared in his usual live debate prime time show The NewsHour for a couple of days - but he announced he was leaving in an hour-long farewell speech yesterday.

Sources said that the presenter, who also hosts Frankly Speaking with Arnab, announced he was leaving the station to start a new venture on his own at an editorial meeting, The Indian Express reported.

Meanwhile, the Business Standard claimed that insiders had also suggested that Goswami might start a news channel with politician and entrepreneur Rajeev Chandrasekhar and American media baron Rupert Murdoch.

Thousands of mourned the news on social media after the news broke.

Goswami is known for having a very unique journalism style, and has quizzed high profile figures including former London Mayor and current UK Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson

One Twitter user compared Times Now without Goswami to a "body without a soul"

Paresh Rawal f said that Times Now without the news anchor was "like a body without a soul", while Ruby Singh said "the nation now wants to resign".

She added: "You can love him, hate him, but definitely cannot ignore him."

Saravankumar Iyer, meanwhile, gushed: "U have revolutionised the way the nation watches news."

Shivam Ghatak spoke of his reputation for holding public figures to account, warning: "Till the time Arnab Goswami comes back, politicians, journalists and the wrong people of the society can live tension free."

Manjunath Kini wrote: "He may not have let others speak on his show but indeed won our hearts with inspiring journalism like never seen before."

One Twitter user, Harish Ghodki, even compared it to the UK's decision to leave the European Union, dubbing it "Arexit". "Times Now's interest quotient dropping like [the] pound. People will be very uncertain for Times Now in aftermath of #Arexit," he wrote.

Others were more optimistic, speculating that it wouldn't be long before the anchor returned to TV screens in India

A more optimistic Shilpi Tewari mused: "As long as Arnab Goswami is conducting debates with a good research team on topics and pulse of the nation, it's only abt [sic] changing the channel."

Similarly, Champ McLovin said his "return" would be bigger than that of "Superman, Batman and Spiderman, all put together."

WHY TWITTER ENJOYED ARNAB'S RESIGN ATION SO MUCH Leading online commentator, The-Lying-Lama, who has 83.3K followers, talks about why the departure of the newsman garnered so much attention: "I feel the main reason for Arnab's popularity both online and offline is the fact that he openly takes a stand on issues which is very very rare for an Indian celebrity, let alone an Indian journalist. "His views are fact based, biased but towards India and not towards any particular party as I don't think there exists any party spokesperson who hasn't faced Arnab's wrath when his party was on the wrong side of any controversy. "As we know, once a celebrity takes a stand, he gets both support and wrath. He is not even there on social media, not there officially anyway! And yet he is all over the internet. He should thank his haters and contemporaries from other media houses (can't call them competition as there is hardly any) for constantly mentioning him in their rants whenever he takes a stand, which is everyday on his show NewsHour. "What Arnab will do next is the question on everyone's mind and for someone who took a stand even while being in a profession where most of them pretend to be unbiased, imagine what can he do if he chooses a career where he is not expected to be neutral! "Hence, the possibilities that Arnab's resignation can lead to, combined with the love and hate he gets on the internet without even being on any platform, gives a lot, a lot of fodder to content creators, humorists, trolls etc. on the internet." Advertisement

Major Gaurav Arya added: "Arnab Goswami you have the spirit of a soldier. Can't give better compliment. Wherever you go, call. There are many dragons to slay."

But not everyone was upset about Goswami's decision to leave for pastures new.

Twitter user Aly said his absence from TV screens had been a "relief" from "venom, spewing and radical ultra-nationalism". "Indians should celebrate vacuum", he added.

But many of those commenting on Goswami's shock departure were less complimentary, with some saying it was a relief to escape from his notoriously loud voice

Another commentator, called Indranil, who is clearly not a fan, suggested the anchorman should go and join "Comedy Nights" because "that's where he actually belongs."

Others took the opportunity to take a swipe at his reputation for speaking loudly.

In one of the more light-hearted tweets, SonOfRichHeadmaster joked: "Arnab Goswami was the champion for the cause of old people. No old person had to worry abt the TV volume wen he was at the newshour [sic]."

Goswani has attracted guests to his show including the late Benazir Bhutto and current US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, pictured here with the anchorman in 2009 when she was the US Secretary of State

And Aviral Srivastava jibed: "It's safe to turn up the volume now."

Another Twitter user, called Tahir wrote: "If only Arnab would have quit three days back we would have had noise free Diwali."

Goswami had been editor-in-chief and news anchor of the news channel since 2006, and has hosted many high-profile personalities from around the world, including Hillary Clinton, former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the late Benazir Bhutto.
As John Price lay in his hospital bed, his sleep would all too often be broken by his mobile phone ringing. The 69-year-old had been diagnosed with myeloma  a form of bone marrow cancer.

Exhausted and drowsy, John would instinctively reach for his phone thinking it might be a relative or friend.

But the voice on the end of the line belonged to a smooth-talking salesman representing a company called BinaryBook.

The salesman may not have known John was in hospital, but the cancer sufferer was urged to push more of his life savings into an investment known as binary options. BinaryBook is one of scores of websites offering these controversial deals to British customers.

Rewards: BinaryBook staff with one of several new BMWs which were presented to them wrapped in ribbons

Binary trading allows investors to bet on whether shares, currencies, or commodities such as oil or gold, will rise or fall over a certain period of time.

Often customers forge a relationship with a personal broker  or 'expert trader'  who will place the bets for them. Trading like this is extremely risky; any gains can quickly turn into a devastating loss if the gambles fail.

Like many savers, John, a retired tools salesmen from Rutland in the East Midlands, was sold on the promise of high returns when he was cold-called in January 2016.

John made the 250 initial deposit required to open an account and then, spurred on by some decent wins, he deposited around 8,000 more.

It was only when he looked into making withdrawals that he started to be concerned.

Having originally understood he could cash out at any time, he experimented by withdrawing small lump sums from his account.

This succeeded but, trawling internet forums, he read posts from other binary options investors who had struggled to access their cash.

So when a salesman called him on his sickbed this summer about another investment, he said no.

By the time John left hospital he had just 3,500 in his account.

He asked repeatedly to withdraw the remaining cash, telling staff he could not afford to lose any more money.

But emails seen by Money Mail show that BinaryBook refused to authorise a withdrawal unless John accepted a call from a 'senior broker'  who convinced him to keep trading.

Within a few hours of talking to the broker, the remaining 3,500 of John's money was lost in a series of trades.

'I am not normally a naive person but they were so persuasive,' he says.

A spokesman for the company said that John had made several withdrawals totalling 2,691 and that BinaryBook could 'not be held to be accountable' for his losses.

A group of other BinaryBook investors are taking legal action against the firm over accusations that it is ripping off customers around the world. Some victims claim to have lost as much as 600,000.

A joint investigation by Money Mail and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism found that BinaryBook faces accusations from a number of British savers that they were unable to access cash in their accounts.

This is just the tip of the iceberg - Det Chief Insp Andy Fyfe

Police say binary option trading is now one of the biggest fraud risks in the UK.

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau's head of crime, Det Chief Insp Andy Fyfe, says police receive two reports of alleged binary trading fraud a day, with the average investor losing 16,000. 'This is just the tip of the iceberg,' he says.

Many binary trading firms are based abroad  often operating from Israel, according to British police.

Although the firms are free to target British customers, they are not regulated by City watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority. This means savers have nowhere to turn if they wish to make a complaint.

Typically, investors are lured in by a marketing call or email.

Once they've deposited the initial 250, they usually receive further emails and calls from staff who persuade them to invest more.

This is precisely where savers start to lose control of their cash. Most are asked to sign forms that authorise the company to take money directly from their bank accounts.

We may have lost our 5,000 life savings

Frank and Christine Thornburrow fear they have lost their entire 5,000 life savings to BinaryBook.

Frank, a former self-employed van driver, visited the BinaryBook website after following an email link from another firm saying that he could 'get rich quick'.

The 67-year-old, from Faversham, Kent, was struggling on his basic state pension of 119 a week. He transferred 250 from his Santander current account to his new BinaryBook trading account.

The next day Frank checked his Santander balance and discovered that due to BinaryBook, his entire current account of 5,000 had gone.

When I saw the 5,000 had gone I thought I was going to have a heart attack

He begged the firm to return his cash, but was told it had already been traded and he could not access it at the time. At this point the story gets even more muddled.

A BinaryBook representative said Frank had been given a 'bonus' of 5,000. But there was a catch.

Like other investors in his position, Frank was then told he could not withdraw the 5,000 until he had made trades worth 150,000  or 30 times the bonus amount that was covering his losses.

Frank says: 'When I saw the 5,000 had gone I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I was like a headless chicken. I can't understand how they can take my money like this.'

A spokesman replying on behalf of BinaryBook said Frank gave permission for the firm to withdraw 5,000 in a signed form.

BinaryBook appears to be part of a group of linked companies. Our investigation traced the firm to Mauritius, Israel, and the Caribbean Island of St Vincent and the Grenadines  which has been labelled by the EU as a secretive tax haven.

BinaryBook appears to be linked to two companies Linkopia and Yukom, owned by Yossi Herzog

Most customers appear to deal with one of the company's two operations centres.

Customers say they initially invest around 250 on the BinaryBook website or over the phone.

A firm in Mauritius called Linkopia appears to be behind the initial drive to sign up investors. Customers who have deposited cash are often passed on to a firm called Yukom in northern Israel.

Pictures of Yukom workers posted on Facebook show young employees, most of whom look in their 20s or 30s, dressed fashionably while posing and pouting in restaurants and nightclubs.

A whistleblower who worked at the firm describes an adrenaline-fuelled sales culture.

He says young employees are offered a good salary and staff are paid more if they perform well.

In June last year, a photo posted on Facebook showed a group of Yukom employees being rewarded with BMWs, presented to them wrapped in ribbons.

And last year a group of 30 employees was taken on a trip to the Greek island of Rhodes. A video on Facebook shows workers lounging in their swimwear and partying in nightclubs and bars.

One salesman is currently recruiting on Facebook for sales staff 'who love money more than anything'.

Another has posted pictures of a Yukom team meal with the caption: 'Killers having lunch.'

This is similar language to that used by salesmen to describe themselves in the film The Wolf Of Wall Street, the 2013 blockbuster based on the true story of a U.S. investment firm where young salesmen relentlessly urged customers to put money into risky shares.

At one point, Jordan Belfort, the owner of firm, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, describes his employees as his 'killers who will not take no for an answer and who'll not hang up the phone until the client either buys or dies'.

This year Yukom bosses took ten employees to a motivational talk by the real-life Mr Belfort in Tel Aviv.

Party time: Last year a group of 30 Yukom employees was taken on a trip to the Greek island of Rhodes

The daily operations at the firm are run by a 35-year-old woman called Lee Elbaz. Yukom does not deny that Ms Elbaz was one of those who attended the talk.

Daniel, a whistleblower who says he worked for Yukom in 2015, says staff advised customers on trading strategies, carried out deals and managed customer accounts.

He says Yukom workers also had a major say over whether clients could withdraw their cash. 'When a client places a withdrawal [request] your job as a rep is to discourage that from happening,' he says.

'If the client is really difficult, they get forwarded to the brand manager. The brand managers get bigger salaries if they persuade customers to stay.'

On their profiles on Facebook and business networking site LinkedIn, staff at both Linkopia and Yukom describe themselves as brokers and account managers.

However, the firms insist their staff have no say whatsoever on whether customers can withdraw cash. They say BinaryBook has performed more than 19,500 withdrawals in the past 12 months, processing each within 24 hours.

Both Linkopia and Yukom are owned by the same man  a 51-year-old Israeli called Yossi Herzog  and also provide services to other binary trading firms.

Mr Herzog's lawyer says that while the companies provide clients for BinaryBook, staff do not manage customer accounts or stop withdrawals  all decisions are made by BinaryBook itself, which he insists is a different entity.

BinaryBook already features on a U.S. government list of organisations authorities believe are 'soliciting and accepting funds from U.S. residents illegally'.

In a statement naming BinaryBook as an unregistered operator, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission says: 'Perpetrators of these unlawful schemes allegedly refuse to credit customer accounts, deny fund reimbursement, commit identity theft, and manipulate software to generate losing trades.'

Yet in the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority watchdog has chosen not to act.

Richard Howlett, a London lawyer, has begun a legal battle to shut down BinaryBook and recover customers' cash.

He is trying to wind up a UK-registered marketing company called WSB Investment Ltd, which is the name BinaryBook uses in its marketing materials.

Mr Howlett was appointed by the liquidator to act for all of WSB's creditors, which includes any investor who has deposited money.

He says he has been contacted by people from all over the world, some of whom claim to be hundreds of thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Mr Howlett, who works for law firm Selachii, believes his efforts to recover money for customers could open the floodgates to claims from thousands of investors with other binary trading firms.

He says: 'I suspect a lot of people do not want to believe they have lost their money.'

I suspect a lot of people do not want to believe they have lost their money

In an email statement, BinaryBook said it was not operated by WSB Investment Ltd, but by a parent company of the same name in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

'The UK company has never held or operated BinaryBook's brand or website or engaged with any end user,' it said.

For BinaryBook customers such as Dean Brown, from Doncaster, all that matters is getting their money back.

The 49-year-old train driver fears he has lost everything to the website and has been forced to take night shifts for extra cash.

After stumbling across BinaryBook's slick-looking website, Dean, whose surname we have changed to protect his identity, transferred 250 to his account from his credit card.

The next day he received a call from a man called David Brandon, who claimed he owned BinaryBook and wanted to be Dean's personal trader.

Mr Brandon spoke with a cockney accent and said he was calling from the Gherkin skyscraper in London.

Dean says: 'He really seemed to know what he was talking about. He asked me how much I spent each month on bills. I told him around 1,400.

'He said that he could easily make that money back for me if I carried on investing with him.'

Mr Brandon said the money would be mainly invested in technology stocks such as Apple. At first, Dean's investments appeared to be rising and Mr Brandon would call Dean most days to encourage him to invest more.

Dean says he understood he could withdraw the money at any time and managed to take out 4,500 from the 12,000 he had invested.

But when he later tried to withdraw the rest, he claims he was told he was not allowed to do so.

This was because Mr Brandon had placed 'long-term trades that would not mature for six months', he says.

Dean says he tried in desperation to speak to a manager at the firm, but repeatedly failed to do so.

'No normal person can afford to lose 8,000, no matter what they earn,' he says. 'It was money I was hoping to keep for my retirement.'

A spokesman for Yukom responded on behalf of BinaryBook to Money Mail's queries relating to the cases of John Price, Frank Thornburrow and Dean Brown.

The spokesman said Dean's withdrawal requests were not refused, adding that he'd taken out a total of 4,500 in two withdrawals in October last year, both of which were paid within days.

The spokesman said Dean must now wait for the six-month term on his remaining investments to expire to make further withdrawals.

'Binary options may be risky but they are not a scam,' the spokesman said. 'If a person places a trade and loses, he needs to take responsibility for placing the trade.'

A separate spokesman replying from a BinaryBook email address declined to comment on links with Yukom and Linkopia.

'It is against our policy to reveal any of our business relationship with third parties and/or deal with biased allegations,' the spokesman said.

r.lythe@dailymail.co.uk
LIGHTING UP A US cigarette giant has formed a committee to evaluate its proposed takeover by British American Tobacco.

Reynolds has appointed a number of independent directors to help evaluate the proposal, including banking heavyweight Goldman Sachs to serve as financial advisor.

BAT offered to buy Reynolds for 38billion earlier this month, which would create the worlds biggest listed tobacco company.

FINE FEARS South West Water is facing a potential 1.7million fine from Britains water regulator over serious wastewater pollution incidents.

Ofwat said that the company allowed sewage to spill into the sea on seven occasions between April 2015 and March 2016.

It means South West Water failed its own targets to eliminate all wastewater pollution incidents.

BOOZE BONANZA The owner of Bargain Booze and Wine Rack has seen half-year sales almost triple to 783million from 252million after it bought wine wholesaler Bibendum in May.

AIM-listed Conviviality said it is making strong progress with the integration of Matthew Clark and Bibendum ahead of schedule.

The shares increased 4.9 per cent, or 10p to 215p.

BITTER PILL US drug giant Pfizer saw its third-quarter profit plunge 38 per cent to 1.1billion as higher spending and acquisition-related charges more than offset higher sales.

Pfizer also lowered the top end of its 2016 profit forecast and said it was scrapping development of an experimental cholesterol drug, partly due to reduced sales expectations.

SALES DOUBLE Drug company Shire, which specialises in treatments for rare diseases, has seen sales double after buying rival Baxalta for 26billion.

Revenues in the third quarter were up 110 per cent to 2.7billion. Excluding Baxalta, sales still rose 12 per cent to 1.4billion. But shares fell 2.6 per cent, or 122.5p to 4527.5p.

WEAKER PROFITS Weir Group warned profits would be lower than expected due to a weakness in the engineering firms oil and gas markets in the Middle East.

It said output in the third quarter had fallen 7 per cent compared with last year, driven by the oil and gas downturn and fewer equipment orders in its minerals division.

Shares fell 2.4 per cent, or 40p to 1660p.

JOB LOSSES Media and information group Thomson Reuters is to cut 2,000 jobs from its 155 locations in 39 countries.
Ministers could throw a lifeline to millions of self-employed workers struggling to save for retirement, Money Mail can reveal.

Figures buried in official documents lay bare the scale of the retirement savings crisis facing those who work for themselves.

While Britain's self-employed workforce has jumped to a record 4.6 million people, the numbers saving for old age have dwindled to a record low.

In 2001, one in three of the 3.3 million self-employed workers  or 1.12 million people  was paying into a pension.

Britain's self-employed workforce has jumped to a record 4.6 million people but the numbers saving for old age have dwindled to a record low

The number has since plunged to just 380,000, according to Department for Work and Pensions documents  meaning only one in ten is saving for retirement.

While bosses of employed workers must pay 1 per cent (rising to 3 per cent by 2019) into their pensions under 2012 government rules, the self-employed are left to fund their pot themselves.

Many don't have enough spare cash to make up the difference, say experts.

Now, Whitehall mandarins are considering a plan to give them a boost and avert a savings crisis.

The Treasury is understood to have been presented with a proposal to extend the new Lifetime Isa, to be launched next year, to all self-employed workers.

Savers will get a bonus of 1 from the Government for every 4 they put away  equal to a 25 per cent top-up.

The maximum you can save each year will be 4,000, with the Government adding 1,000 to give 5,000 in total.

The deal, announced by then-Chancellor George Osborne in 2015, was hailed as a boost for the self-employed  but it will be available only to the under-40s.

Figures from the Department for Business show that four in ten of the newly self-employed since 2008 are over 50  and industry lobbyists are pushing the Treasury to relax the age cap.

A source says: 'Osborne got his age ranges wrong. The Treasury was very embarrassed when it was pointed out that the Lifetime Isa would be unavailable to the very people it was designed to help.'

Former pensions minister Steve Webb says: 'These official figures are a stark reminder of the disastrously low levels of pension saving among the self-employed.

'While some have businesses to rely on in old age, many are in low-paid, insecure employment and have nothing else that they can fall back on.'

Elaine Clark, director of the accountancy firm Cheap Accounting, which has many self-employed clients, says: 'The Government needs to act because self-employed workers face a retirement savings black hole and, without help, the situation will only get worse.'

Revealingly, the average income of a self-employed worker has plunged by a quarter since 2008, from 14,535 to 10,800.

The struggle to save is especially acute for women, say experts. Figures from the Women's Budget Group think-tank show that seven in ten of those becoming self-employed are women.

The self-employed also face a blow from Government reforms that will make it harder for some to qualify for a full state pension.

Self-employed workers can currently make voluntary payments to build up rights to the state pension.

These Class 2 National Insurance payments are charged at 2.80 per week to those with profits of 5,965 or more per year. Every year Class 2 NI is paid, it adds 4.44 per week to your state pension.

Under a proposed shake-up, savers will qualify for the deal by paying 9 per cent of their income above 8,060 instead  174.60 a year for someone earning 10,000.

The proposals outlined by the Department for Work and Pensions will make this offer open only to those earning between 8,060 and 43,000 a year.

Those earning less than 6,000 a year will have to pay a form of NI, called Class 3, at 14.10 a week instead of the 2.80 they pay now. So they'd have to scrape together another 588 a year  or miss out on state support in old age.

When the proposal was unveiled last year, experts condemned it as 'ludicrously expensive'.

A Treasury spokesman says: 'We don't speculate about what will be in the Autumn Statement.'
JD Wetherspoon saw a 2.3% fall in sales in the five weeks to October 23

Tim Martin, the chairman of JD Wetherspoon, railed against the 'hectoring and bullying' of EU leaders as he warned of higher costs if post-Brexit tariffs are imposed.

The Brexit-backing pubs chain boss accused German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, of putting European businesses at risk by telling them not to negotiate with UK companies and to adopt an 'intransigent' attitude.

Mr Martin's latest tirade came in a quarterly trading update which showed Wetherspoon's like-for-like sales fell 2.3 per cent in the five weeks to October 23.

Fresh blast: Tim Martin, the chairman of JD Wetherspoon , railed against the 'hectoring and bullying' of EU leaders as he warned of higher costs if post-Brexit tariffs are imposed

In the past three months, the group - which operates pubs across the UK and Ireland - saw its like-for-like sales increase by 3.5 per cent.

The company said it expects its wage, business rates and repair bills to rise throughout the rest of the year.

On the fallout from June's European Union membership referendum, Mr Martin said: 'Angela Merkel of Germany and Francois Hollande of France have supported the stance of the unelected EU "President" Juncker in stating that the UK must pay a price for leaving the EU and that there must be a threat to the UK.

He added: 'If we, and companies like ours, are unable to agree on tariff-free transactions, it will inevitably result in a loss of business for European companies which have done nothing to deserve this outcome.

'Indeed, the ultimate sanction will be in the hands of UK consumers, should they take offence at the hectoring and bullying approach of Juncker and co. French wine, Champagne and spirits, German beer and Swedish cider, for example, are all at extreme risk.'

In early afternoon trading, JD Wetherspoon shares on the FTSE 250 index were down 4.5 per cent, or 39.5p to 848.5p.

Less pulled: Mr Martin's latest tirade came in a quarterly trading update which showed Wetherspoon's like-for-like sales fell 2.3 per cent in the five weeks to October 23

Mike van Dulken, Head of Research at Accendo Markets, said: 'Shareholders in Wetherspoon (JDW) are crying into their beer this morning despite solid Q1 underlying sales growth and what is described as a decent start to the year.

'As always outlook is king, and so a cocktail of comments from the character that is Chairman Tim Martin are weighing on investor sentiment, putting the shares at the foot of the FTSE350.

He added: 'Firstly, higher costs are expected for the rest of the year. Secondly, while the outlook is unchanged, forecasts are considered tentative at this early stage of the year.
Vivian Harris knew she had been burgled as soon as she returned home and saw her French doors had been forced open.

She rushed to her bedroom to find the drawers of her dressing table pulled out and her belongings strewn across the floor.

Vivian, 70, got on her hands and knees to pick through the mess, but it was clear: all of her precious jewellery was gone.

Most of the pieces were gifts from her late husband, or family heirlooms dating back to the Forties.

Lost memories: Vivian Harris says that her insurer Saga's policy is 'appalling' after they refused to pay out when burglars stole her treasured jewellery

After contacting the police, Vivian phoned her insurer, Saga. Even if the earrings, bracelets and watches were gone for ever, at least she could claim some money towards replacing them.

But Saga refused to pay a penny towards the lost jewellery.

It says the small print in Vivian's home insurance policy explains that, to make a claim, she must provide receipts for, or photographs of, all the stolen items.

However, most of the pieces were either gifts or had been inherited, so Vivian never had a receipt in the first place. Any receipts she did have were binned decades ago.

Neither does she have many photographs of herself wearing the jewellery. Most of the pictures she has from her childhood and the early years of her marriage were faded snapshops of family holidays.

Vivian says she isn't 'like the 'selfie' generation of today' and doesn't take many pictures of herself any more.

All this was explained to Saga  which markets itself as a champion for the over-50s  but its underwriters would not budge.

Money Mail has since discovered that other insurers have rules that they can use to refuse to pay out if you don't have a photograph, receipt, valuation or bank statement to prove you owned every item stolen in a robbery.

Vivian Harris outside her London home. Her insurer Saga pointed to small print in her policy stating that, to make a claim, she must provide receipts for, or photographs of, stolen items

That requirement is not too onerous for modern purchases which have been made on debit or credit cards, and where statements are available going back six years, but it is a nightmare for any older items  a grandfather's antique binoculars or a christening bracelet, for example.

Now, trade body the Association of British Insurers is advising all home-owners to take photographs of valuables in their property  or risk being rejected for a claim.

Mark Shepherd, of the ABI, says: 'Insurers will generally accept a bank or credit card statement, or even an old photo showing a claimant wearing a particular piece of jewellery. If you own precious items, it is always a good idea to take a snap with your smartphone, just in case.'

Kasey Cassells, of the comparison website uSwitch.com, says: 'We are now in the era of the selfie and many people probably have photographs of themselves wearing their favourite jewellery. However, this is not necessarily the case for older generations, or very old items.'

If you own precious items, it is always a good idea to take a snap with your smartphone, just in case

The jewellery stolen from Vivian's home in Wimbledon, South-West London, included a gold charm bracelet, which she had owned since she was ten.

The haul also contained an Omega gold watch and a gold Gucci watch that had been her 21st and 30th birthday presents from her parents.

She was also robbed of a gold link bracelet and gold chain, which belonged to her mother and are believed to be up to 70 years old.

Vivian says the most upsetting loss was a pair of cultured pearl earrings and a pair of gold knot earrings, which had been bought for her by her late husband to mark a wedding anniversary and a birthday.

Saga points to a line in Vivian's policy that reads: 'If we ask, you need to give us any evidence to support your claim, such as estimates, photographs or invoices.'

Vivian says: 'How can I be expected to keep receipts for jewellery which I never bought for myself and which was purchased many decades ago? It is an appalling policy.

'Saga set themselves up as the champions of the elderly, but they are not doing that at all.'

What do the insurers say?

Home insurers have varying and often vague policies for heirlooms and old gifts. The AA says it is advisable to take photographs of valuable jewellery, but adds there is 'room for pragmatism'.

Aviva says: 'It is not always the case that a receipt will be required.' Nevertheless, a spokesman says that photographs, instruction booklets and guarantee cards are highly recommended.

Direct Line says it does not stipulate in its policies that it requires 'proof for unspecified items', but that it would encourage all customers to get regular valuations for heirlooms and antique jewellery.

Anyone who believes their claim was refused unfairly can complain to their insurer. The company has eight weeks to respond, at which point you can escalate your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

A spokesman for Saga said: 'When Mrs Harris called to make a claim, the underwriters, Zurich, asked her if she had any receipts, valuations or photos of the stolen items.

'Mrs Harris terminated the call before the underwriters could discuss the claim further. Since Money Mail brought this case to our attention, we have asked Zurich to call Mrs Harris and discuss how the claim can be dealt with.'

Vivian and her brother David say they did not terminate any calls with Saga or Zurich. She has since found a photo of herself wearing the Gucci watch at her daughter's wedding in 2008, which she hopes will be of some help to her cause.
Children as young as five should be taught about pornography and the dangers of sexual abuse, a new report has advised.

It called for 'compulsory' classes on healthy online and real-world relationships for those aged five to seven to help combat grooming, exploitation and violence.

Labour MP Sarah Champion said children are currently 'regarding porn as a lesson in how to have sex' as she launched the Dare2Care report following work with charities.

But the move has prompted outrage from some, with one doctor claiming the material will expose children to 'overly sexual' messages and 'deviant sex'.

Children as young as five should be taught about pornography and the dangers of sexual abuse, a new report has advised (stock)

The Dare2Care report demanded an overhaul of the way pupils are taught about the internet in order to make youngsters and parents more aware of the online dangers.

It recommended that the Government should make age-appropriate 'resilience and relationships education' compulsory from Key Stage 1.

Ms Champion, the shadow women and equalities minister, said children should learn about porn at school so they understand it is just a 'fantasy'.

'It is natural for children to be curious about sex, but without good statutory education, children do their own research through online pornography,' she said.

'Children are regarding porn as a lesson in how to have sex, without the context or the understanding to view it as a fantasy, promoted by an industry that normalises violence against women and girls.'

Labour MP Sarah Champion (shown) said children are currently 'regarding porn as a lesson in how to have sex' as she launched the Dare2Care report

In the foreword to the report. the MP for Rotherham claimed young people are 'much more tolerant of relationship violence than previous generations were'.

She blamed the influence of online pornography and the lack of compulsory education.

The internet had made it easier for paedophiles to target children and also led to cyber-bullying, sexting and grooming, she warned.

The report highlighted previous research indicating that more than 57,000 children have been identified as needing protection from abuse in the UK.

The research also suggested one in 20 youngsters will experience child sexual abuse.

Sun doctor Carol Cooper criticised the move, saying pornography is 'unsuitable' for children.

'It's exposing them to overly sexual messages - and often very violent messages - and deviant sex.'

At a launch event in Westminster, Ms Champion will be joined by women whose lives have been directly affected by abuse.

This includes Lorin LaFave, whose 14-old-son Breck Bednar from Caterham, Surrey, was murdered by a 19-year-old who had groomed him online.

She backed the call for compulsory education on the issue, saying: 'By learning these important safety lessons in school, every child will have the opportunity to make the right choices for themselves on the risks that they will surely face throughout their lives.

'This plan is a long term answer to protecting our children as well as creating better citizens who understand and strive to build healthy relationships for life.'

Barnardo's chief executive Javed Khan said: 'All children are at risk of sexual abuse, whether they're on the internet, in the playground, or in their own bedroom. Much, much more must be done to prevent this vile crime.

'Compulsory lessons on sex education and healthy relationships from an early age are essential to help children understand consent and respect.'

Matthew Reed, chief executive of The Children's Society, said: 'The internet can present a serious threat to children's safety. Some young people we work with tell us that contacts they meet online have gone on to exploit them for sex and coerced them to share inappropriate sexual images.

'The internet also provides access to pornography which is reshaping young people's views of what constitutes a safe and healthy relationship. This too can put them at risk of abuse or exploitation, not only from online predators, but also from classmates and other young people their own age.

'This important report highlights the urgent need for age appropriate sex and relationship education in every school.
In a vicious election cycle where nothing seems out of bounds, one politician's attempts to clone his deceased son remains untouched in his bid for Congress.

Mark Hunt, a Democrat from West Virginia, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars tying to clone his son Andrew, who died at just 10 months from complications from an operation to correct a heart defect in 1999.

Hunt, who is now running for a seat in the House of Representatives as the Democrats jostle for a chance to take the majority, speaks out about the tragedy that changed his life.

Mark Hunt, a Democrat from West Virginia, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars tying to clone his son Andrew, who died as a baby in 1999. He is now running for the House of Reps

Andrew, who died at 10 months old in 1999, would have turned 18 in October. Pictured, Hunt with his wife Tracy and their two other sons

It's gut-wrenching every time the topic comes up, Hunt said, but he is willing to share his story.

Hunt's baby boy still beams a smile down over his dad from a framed picture in the office at a law firm he's run for 22 years.

Andrew died at 10 months old, and would have been 18 years old in October.

'That's that child right there, with those blue eyes that you could look in and see eternity,' Hunt said.

After Andrew died a surgery to correct his heart defects, Hunt and his wife, Tracy, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to set up a laboratory inside a Nitro, West Virginia community center.

They hired Brigitte Boisselier, the chief executive of Clonaid, to clone their son's DNA, but the lab was never came close to doing so.

Hunt said his opponent Republican Representative Alex Mooney (pictured) won't revisit the issue because polls show people will sympathize with him as a grieving parent

Hunt shut it down within months under pressure from the Food and Drug Administration, and cut ties with the founders of Clonaid, who also promoted what they called the Raelian Movement and claimed extraterrestrial scientists created life on Earth.

For scientific, ethical, and commercial reasons, no reputable experts have tried to clone a complete human since.

Hunt said Republican Representative Alex Mooney won't revisit the issue because polls show people will sympathize with him as a grieving parent.

Mooney said he doesn't think cloning is right, but he doesn't plan to bring the issue up in the race for the 2nd Congressional District, which stretches across the middle of the state, through Charleston and the Eastern Panhandle's Washington suburbs.

Hunt, who served 14 years in the House of Delegates, pointed out that he was elected multiple times after the cloning episode.

'My son died. We would've done anything to save him. We would've done anything to create a twin of him, if it were possible. We tried,' Hunt said.

'We broke no laws. We spent our money. And maybe we were taken advantage of by people. But finally we had to let him go.'

His son Andrew died at just 10 months from complications after an operation to correct a heart defect in 1999. (pictured, Hunt at a social event on October 29)

Hunt is now running for a seat in the House of Representatives as the Democrats jostle for a chance to take the majority

Outside the Legislature, Hunt has become wealthy suing drug and insurance companies over faulty product claims, and he and his wife are raising two other sons.

This election contest instead has focused on issues more relevant to the duties of a congressman.

Hunt says jobs are his primary goal; he promises to secure federal infrastructure funding and draw businesses and tourism to West Virginia.

Hunt is also painting Mooney as missing-in-action, particularly for taking a trip to Egypt and Jordan in June while floods ravaged the state and killed 23 people.

Mooney, who said he was visiting the troops, is running on his record of trying to limit the Environmental Protection Agency's power, promote gun rights and oppose abortion.

Mooney has cast his lot with Donald Trump, popular in West Virginia for making broad-stroke promises to put coal miners back to work. His yard signs call for a Trump-Mooney ticket.
Force has now set up special unit to deal with homophobia complaints

It comes nine years after he reported the original incident to officers

He fought police over failure to investigate homophobic slurs against him

Police have been left with a six-figure legal bill after they failed to investigate claims a gay man was verbally abused by his neighbour.

David Cary, 54, spent nine years fighting the Metropolitan Police after the woman called him a poof and a queer as he cycled past.

Following the incident in 2007, officers simply passed the comments off as minor words and a quibble.

Now the force has agreed to compensate Mr Cary on the eve of an appeal court showdown.

Scotland Yard has agreed to compensate David Cary, 54, with a six-figure sum after failing to investigate homophobic slurs made against him by a neighbour

The case has led to the force setting up a specialist unit to deal with homophobic complaints by both officers and civilians.

The police watchdog has also introduced a compulsory one-day training course for all its caseworkers, investigators and lawyers.

Mr Cary was locked in a dispute with his female neighbour and she had been convicted of breaking his jaw three years earlier.

But after the argument in February 2007, both parties reported the incident to police, who decided to take no further action.

Mr Cary later complained to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Despite a second investigation into the incident, and the appeal to the police watchdog, still no charges were brought.

The watchdog accepted police had described the abuse as minor words and a quibble but failed to find they trivialised what occurred.

The victim then instructed lawyers, three years after the incident took place, to bring a claim of discrimination on the grounds of his sexual orientation.

The IPCC failed to get the claim struck out and settled in 2012. The case against the Met was due to be heard at the Court of Appeal this week but they agreed to settle at the eleventh hour.

The force apologised and court documents released yesterday suggest the Met has been left with a six-figure bill in damages and legal costs.

Mr Cary, who lives in a 500,000 housing association property in Chiswick, west London, said the Metropolitan Police trumpets homophobic and transphobic abuse is a crime. Report it. Stop it. Dont tolerate it.

But he added: I reported it. They didnt stop it. They tolerated it. I felt belittled and treated like a second-class citizen.

I felt they prolonged the case in the hope of wearing me down. Without the best legal representation and campaigning support that I had, they might have managed it.

Mr Cary added: It took the IPCC over a year. But once defeated they had the good sense to learn and implement the lessons from my claim.

The Metropolitan Police said they were pleased the case had finally been settled

'In contrast the Met shamelessly dug their heels in for nine years. Those delays are a travesty of justice and professionalism.

His lawyers said the legal victory will have a significant impact on other complaints of discrimination against the police.

His solicitor Jane Deighton called for an end to knee-jerk reaction into defensive mode when civilians bring police misconduct to the attention of the service.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: The Metropolitan Police Service is pleased that this case was finally able to reach a settlement and we have apologised to Mr Cary.

But Lord Paddick, formerly the UKs most senior openly gay police officer, said: The Met has said they have learnt lessons but how can they say that when it has taken them nine years to admit what happened and to take responsibility?
The new domain of their website is through a company in Florida, US

The organisation has been previously shut down after complaints

A fundraising website has been established to seek financial support for Muslims jailed in Australia - including Islamic extremists jailed for terrorist offences and their families.

The group, 'Brothers Behind Bars', is believed to be organised by radical preacher Mohammed Junaid Thorne and Wissam Haddad, the former owner of the hardline Al Risalah book store and prayer centre in Bankstown, The Daily Telegraph claimed.

The website profiles a number of accused and convicted terrorists in Australia and pleads with supporters to donate money to help deliver food to families whose breadwinner has been jailed.

Brothers Behind Bars is an organisation created to aid Muslims behind bars and their families

The website is believed to be run by radical preacher Mohammed Junaid Thorne (right) and Wissam Haddad (left) former owner of the hardline book store and prayer centre in Bankstown

The group's website is registered offshore through a U.S company in Florida to avoid 'being deleted and constantly reported.

'Brothers Behind Bars was set up with the purpose of raising awareness of the plight of the Muslim prisoners in Australia and to provide support socially and financially to families of Muslim Prisoners,' the website explains.

'Your support is invaluable and ensures that we are able to carry on advocating the right to help family members of those in prison and to speak up against unjust policies as part of the so called "War on Terror".'

A sketch of a prison cell from a Muslim man in a Melbourne cell is also shared with followers

Sameh Bayda (left) charged with possessing terrorism material and Milad Atai charged with aiding the murder of police accountant Curtis Cheng feature on the site

A number of convicted Muslim offenders appear on the fundraising website.

Milad Atai, 20, and Raban Alou, 19, charged with plotting to carry out the murder of police accountant Curtis Cheng, Sameh Bayda, accused of possessing documents about how to make a bomb and Bourhan Hraichie, 19, who allegedly carved an ISIS slogan into a cellmate's forehead, are featured on the page.

A bank account run by AR Ridwan Incorporated receives the donations for the inmates and their families.

The website encourages families to provide a description of their family member who will feature on the site so 'the community form a bond with the #BrothersBehindBars showing the real person they are not what the media will have us all believe'.

Bourhan Hraichie, 19, who allegedly carved an ISIS slogan into a cellmate's forehead is also featured

Omarjan Azari, who is in Goulbun Supermax awaiting trial on charges of making funds available to the Islamic State, conspiracy to murder and preparing for a terrorist attack

Azari was described as 'firm' and 'soft' towards Muslims and has converted many people the website said

A description about Omarjan Azari, who is in Goulbun Supermax awaiting trial on charges of making funds available to the Islamic State, conspiracy to murder and preparing for a terrorist attack, is described as 'firm' and 'soft' towards Muslims and has converted many people.

Azari was allegedly preparing to pick a random 'non-believer' from the crowd and kill them with the Islamic State flag in the background.

The page also aims at keeping those behind bars in contact with the outside by publishing letters .

One of the letters from Sameh Bayda to his mother says: ' Your son is in the care of his Lord, he hasn't been left stranded .... May Allah put an end to their suffering, and that of all our sisters and #brothersbehindbars, and may he hasten the release of all Muslim prisoners.'
Incredible GoPro video has revealed a first-person view of a San Diego firefighter's daring rescue of two children from a burning house.

The fire, which happened last year in November, left the two children suffering from critical burns and left their older brother dead.

Flames burst from the home on San Diego's J Street last November just after midnight.

With a GoPro strapped to his head, firefighter Dallas Higgins bravely entered the home, which had roaring flames pouring out of every opening.

Incredible GoPro video has revealed a first-person view of a San Diego firefighter's daring rescue of two children from a burning house

With a GoPro strapped to his head, firefighter Dallas Higgins bravely entered the home, which had roaring flames pouring out of every opening

A man tells Higgins through tears there are three children inside the house: 'There should be two on the bottom (bunk). One baby on top'

'I just ran straight for the window, you know time, time is our enemy,' Higgins told NBC San Diego

The clip begins with Higgins inside Engine 12 as he and fellow firefighters roll up to the engulfed house.

A woman, the children's aunt who was babysitting, yells: 'There's three kids still inside the house!'

She says the kids are in a room with a ladder in the widow but they aren't coming out.

Higgins grabs the hose line and bolts for the room and firefighter Joe Zakar follows just behind him.

'I just ran straight for the window, you know time, time is our enemy,' Higgins told NBC San Diego.

In the video, Higgins puts his mask up and obscures the view of the camera. He tells someone to take the ladder out of the window and uses and ottoman to get inside.

Higgins is able to save five-year-old Luis Castro, Jr, before the heat begins to become too intense

Firefighter Joe Zakar then jumps inside the home and finds the youngest child, three-year-old Esmeralda

The children were placed in medically induced comas, and nearly a year later, are still healing

The boyfriend of the children's aunt tells Higgins through tears: 'There should be two on the bottom (bunk). One baby on top.'

Higgins calls out to Zakar: 'Joe, there's supposed to be three kids in here ... I'm going right in.'

Once in the house, Higgins' camera goes black. At first it appears to be a glitch, but Higgins said the smoke was so thick nothing was visible. He said he couldn't see his hand in front of his mask.

Higgins feels around the room until he feels the top bunk. This is where Higgins finds the body of 12-year-old Fernando 'Nano' Castro.

'Deep in that bunk I was able to find Nano, who was the oldest brother. It was too hot and too much time had elapsed for him,' Higgins said.

Louis Jr (left) suffered burns to 90 percent of his body while his sister Esme (right) suffered burns to 60 percent of her body

Older brother Fernando (pictured) died before firefighters arrived on the scene due to the intense heat

But Higgins could hear moaning coming from the bottom bunk, and there he found Luis Castro, Jr and pulled him from the bed to pass him off to Zakar.

'Joe, I got one coming out,' he calls before passing him to Zakar.

Five-year-old Luis Jr was burned on 90 percent of his body.

'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.

Higgins can hear another child, three-year-old Esmeralda, moaning inside. He calls 'where are you?' but the heat is so intense, it's starting to burn through Higgins' protective gear.

Higgins calls for a hose line to be put into the room to try and drop the temperature.

Higgins (left) and Zakar (right) received accolades after the harrowing rescue and have since been promoted to engineers at the stations

The pair have found a new use for the GoPro video - training new firefighters with the San Diego Fire Department

'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.

Zakar shouts to Higgins asking him what he needs. Higgins says he needs help and at this point has begun sustaining burns to his head, ears, face and hands.

Higgins has to come out of the burning house and Zakar jumps in to take over.

While Zakar is inside, Higgins begins running a hose in the room next to the children's room to bring temperatures down.

After a few minutes running the hose line in the room, Zakar's light becomes visible and he's holding little Esme, who suffered burns to 60 per cent of her body.

'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.

The children were placed in medically induced comas, and nearly a year later, are still healing.

Higgins and Zakar received accolades after the harrowing rescue and have since been promoted to engineers at the stations.

They use their GoPro videos to train other firefighters.
DA told him off for lying to investigators - the closing arguments in the case will be heard Wednesday

He said he had been playing Russian roulette before the murder and had been planning suicide

He said he strangled her and threw her body down the shaft because he thought she'd molested his six-year-old daughter

Lee and Corwin were married to other people and had been having an affair

A former Marine shocked a California courtroom Monday when he took back his 'not guilty' plea and admitted in court to strangling his 19-year-old victim then throwing her head-first down a mine shaft.

Christopher Lee, 27, was accused in 2014 of killing Erin Corwin, wife of fellow marine Jonathan Corwin, then throwing her body down a 140ft mine shaft. He denied the claim at the time, but now says he needs to own up.

'I'm no longer scared to tell the truth. People have to know what I did,' he told San Bernardino County Superior Court Tuesday, according to The Desert Sun.

Scroll down for video

Murder: On Monday ex-Marine Christopher Lee (pictured in 2014) admitted in court to strangling Erin Corwin in July 2014. The pair, who were both married, had been secret lovers

Affair: Corwin (right) was married to another Marine, Jonathan (left). She was also pregnant - with, officials say, Lee's child

After his outburst, deputy district attorney Sean Daugherty asked Lee whether he was the person who strangled and killed Corwin. The ex-Marine said 'Yes I am'.

Lee, his wife and their daughter were neighbors with the Corwins at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms when Erin vanished in June 2014.

Her body was found in a mine shaft in a remote part of the desert near Joshua Tree National Park two months later. Suspicion quickly fell on Lee.

He initially told police he was not responsible for her death, but it later emerged that he had been researching how to dispose of bodies online prior to her disappearance.

Additionally, fired 22-caliber bullet casings and rebar found at the scene were matched to Lee by investigators.

And two weeks before she disappeared, Corwin - who had been having an affair with Lee behind her husband's back - discovered that she was pregnant.

Officials say that Lee was the father, and it was suggested that he had killed her because he was afraid his wife, Nicole, would take their six-year-old daughter, Liberty, away from him.

Family man: Lee claims he 'snapped' and killed Corwin after she admitted to molesting his daughter (pictured, with him and wife Nicole). But prosecutors say he plotted her death

However, in court Monday, Lee calmly explained that he killed the 19-year-old not because of her pregnancy, but because he was caught up in a fit of rage.

He claimed that they had met outside the mine for what Corwin believed would be a romantic evening and possibly a marriage proposal.

But Lee had a different proposal on his mind, he said: suicide.

Lee said he had been playing Russian roulette at the scene and had been entertaining thoughts of killing himself for a month because he was denied deployment.

He also became enraged, he claimed, when Corwin admitted to molesting his daughter.

Erin Cowin is seen left and Christopher Lee is seen right in a mugshot. In court Tuesday he admitted to her murder

He said that 'something clicked' when she said she wanted to be a part of his life because of Liberty, according to CBS Local 2.

Lee claims he directly asked Corwin if she abused his child and she said 'Yes, but...'

'It set me off,' Lee said. 'I just felt so much hate.'

He said he garroted her from behind with a cord tied to two pieces of rebar.

'I wasn't going to let anyone hurt my daughter again,' he said. 'I looked, I didn't see any rise and fall of her chest I didn't care,'

Murder: Lee (pictured in court in August) arranged to meet Corwin by a disused mine shaft. He garroted her with a cord tied to two pieces of rebar and threw her in head-first

After she dropped to the ground, he checked her for vital signs. When he was sure she was dead, the threw her down the shaft head-first.

'I made the decision to kill her,' Lee added. 'I was controlled by the anger. The hate I felt that day, it was something I never want to experience again.'

Lee's attorney attempted to suggest that the killing was not premeditated. Lee faces a charge of first-degree murder with a sentencing enhancement for lying in wait.

Daugherty then admonished Lee for lying to cops, and claimed that the ex-Marine had only waited this long because he 'wanted attention' by admitting the murder in front of a jury.

Lee began crying as the court adjourned for lunch, CBS said.

Closing arguments are scheduled for Wednesday.
Claim men have been robbed of their identity: 'women have tea parties'

Founders claim the space will curb the issue of domestic violence

The plan has been blasted on

A pair of entrepreneurs planning to launch Australia's first male-only co-working space have been blasted on social media and branded 'sexist.'

Nomadic Thinkers is a Brisbane membership club set to open doors in January with a gym, cafe, barber for physio for men.

The founders, Samuel Monaghan and Matthew Mercer, claim the space will help tackle the issue of domestic violence as well as depression among men.

But social media users have taken the business model to task and accused the creators of perpetuating damaging sexist values.

Samuel Monaghan and Matthew Mercer believe their men-only Nomadic Thinkers space will help tackle the issue of domestic violence

When asked his inspiration for the plan, co-founder Samuel Monaghan told Junkee they both had a friend in a violent relationship.

'We both had a mate who ended up in a violent situation with his wife. He pushed his wife over.'

He said Nomadic Thinkers would help curb the problem by giving men suffering from depression a place to let off steam.

'Depression and suicide result from a lack of social support and community. Having a space where they [men] can be men is more of a preventative measure. Healthy, happy men don't hit their wives.'

Women could access the cafe and meeting room, but would be banished from the working space and knocked back if they applied for membership.

The startup reportedly has the backing of six investors, and they are listing a number of membership packages online including 'The Bear Grylls' and the 'The Musk Have'.

Mr Monaghan said men have been robbed of their identity in present society, where women have 'tea parties' to embrace their gender.

'In other cultures you go out and hunt in a forest for three days. We just hit 15 and start drinking. There's a real loss of identity for men. We used to go to war together. Girls do it better naturally, they have tea parties and stuff.'

Social media users have accused the idea of trivialising domestic violence

Nomadic Thinkers will be a Brisbane membership club offering a gym, cafe, barber for physio for men

Co-founder Samuel Monaghan claims a friend in a violent relationship was one of his inspirations for the space

A spokesperson from Nomadic Thinkers has since apologised their message has been misunderstood

Brisbane startup network, Little Tokyo Two, were said to be backing the idea, however a spokesperson denied any involvement to Daily Mail Australia.

'Little Tokyo Two has no alignment with any single sex or single industry spaces.'

A spokesperson from Nomadic Thinkers told Daily Mail Australia they apologised their message has been misunderstood.

'We believe that our space that combines mental, physical and social stimulation will be a catalyst for impact amongst the men of our community. Impact that is not reactive but also preventative.'

'We simply want to play a part in fixing a serious issue.'

The story comes in the wake of furore over a controversial 'men only' barbershop in Newtown, in Sydney's Inner West.
SCANDAL: Fugitive financier Marc Rich was indicted for racketeering, fraud, tax evasion and illegal oil trading with Iran, but Bill Clinton pardoned him on his last day in the White House

The FBI on Monday released 129 pages of documents related to former president Bill Clinton's lame-duck pardon of a fugitive financier whose family contributed $450,000 to help build his presidential library and millions more to other Democratic Party causes.

Rich's wife Denise also contributed $100,000 to Hillary Clinton's 2000 Senate campaign as the first family prepared to clear out of the White House.

The disclosures will prove embarrassing to the former first family as Hillary Clinton tries to avoid a career-ending defeat next Tuesday at the hands of Donald Trump.

The FBI investigated the case of Marc Rich, who died in 2013, more than a decade ago, assigning it to the ominous sounding 'Public Corruption Unit.'

The documents released Monday leave much to the imagination, mostly redacted by government lawyers for privacy reasons and to preserve the secrecy of a federal Grand Jury.

But merely bringing the episode back up so close to Election Day has put an old Clinton black eye back on the front burner.

MONEYBAGS: Rich's wife Denise (left) was a close friend of the Clintons and contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to their campaigns and projects before the president pardoned him

CRUNCH TIME: The embarrassing revelations about Bill Clinton's last day in the White House come as his wife Hillary (right) is one week away from her own presidential test against Donald Trump (left)

CLOSING DAYS President Clinton had fewer than 50 days left in office when Mrs. Rich presented him with this saxophone as a gift during a charity gala in New York City

Rich, a legendary oil commodities and hedge-fund trader in his day, was charged with multiple counts of tax evasion, wire fraud, racketeering, and cutting petroleum deals with Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis.

Rich was in Switzerland when he was indicted, and never returned to the United States. He hired Jack Quinn, a former White House counsel to Clinton, as his lawyer.

His wife later renounced her U.S. citizenship and moved to Austria where she already had dual citizenship  saving herself tens of millions of dollars in taxes.

Rich passed away in 2013 and was laid to rest in Tel Aviv.

Pardoning Rich on his last day in office turned out to be one of Bill Clinton's most controversial acts of president.

The FBI concluded that Clinton did not follow established procedures when he finalized the pardon, and only informed one person at the Department of Justice that Rich had sought the pardon: future Obama administration attorney general Eric Holder.

FBI director James Comey, then a federal prosecutor, ran the investigation into the Rich pardon. He criticized Holder's involvement in the controversy, calling the pardon 'a huge misjudgment.'

But he never recommended criminal charges against anyone embroiled in the scandal.

HILLBLAZER: Mrs. Rich gave Hillary Clinton $100,000 in 2000 for her U.S. Senate campaign as her time as America's first lady as coming to a close

SALAD DAYS: Marc and Denise Rich were already among the world's financial elites in the mid-1980s, partially because Mr. Rich was trading oil in Iran in violation of a U.S. embargo

Final resting spot: Denise at her husband's funeral in Tel Aviv in 2013

The bureau said Tuesday that there was no political purpose in releasing the documents a week before a presidential election, calling the timing an unavoidable coincidence.

'The FBI's Records Management Division receives thousands of FOIA requests annually which are processed on a first in, first out (FIFO) basis,' the bureau said, referring to the Freedom Of Information Act.

'By law, FOIA materials that have been requested three or more times are posted electronically to the FBI's public reading room shortly after they are processed.

'Per the standard procedure for FOIA, these materials became available for release and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBI's public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures.'

Setting sail: Denise Rich has a megayacht, Lady Joy, the she uses to host a party every year during the Cannes Film Festival

Good friends: Denise's best friend Ivana Trump and her daughter Ivanka attended a party on the yacht in 2006

Hillary Clinton campaign spokesman Brian Fallon slammed the FBI on Tuesday for releasing the pages related to the Rich pardon.

Absent a FOIA litigation deadline, this is odd. Will FBI be posting docs on Trump's housing discrimination in '70s?' he tweeted.

Denise Rich also has incredibly close ties to the Trump family, and is best friends with the billionaire businessman's first wife Ivana.

She was even one of the bridesmaids at Ivana's wedding to Rossano Rubicondi in 2008 at Mar-a-Lago, Donald's massive Palm Beach estate.

Ivana is also a frequent guest on Denise's yacht Lady Joy, which she uses to host a party every year during the Cannes Film Festival.
Andrew Lloyd Webber said entire towns were 'obliterated'

Town planners did more damage to English heritage in the 20th century than Hitlers bombs, Andrew Lloyd Webber has claimed.

In a damning speech the composer lamented the destruction of picturesque British towns by overzealous planners.

He said entire towns were obliterated instead of being properly preserved and expressed his horror at the collapse of Exeters historic Royal Clarence hotel.

The hotel was built in 1769 and survived an onslaught during the Blitz. It was the oldest hotel in Britain.

The veteran musical theatre director said: One of the things that struck me is how much of Exeter was damaged in the Fifties and Sixties.

After the war, whole towns were demolished because roads were built through them.

Heritage is a problem because buildings are vulnerable and can fall down.

He said: Much more damage was done to our heritage by town planners in Britain in the 1950s and 1960s than Hitler ever did.

Lord Lloyd-Webber voiced his horror at the collapse of Exeters historic Royal Clarence hotel

Lord Lloyd-Webber, 68, made the comments at a talk following the Historic England Angel Awards which celebrates people who have helped to conserve and improve their local area.

This years winners include a Yorkshire couple who have invested 4.5 million into regenerating their home town of Goole.

Julie and Howard Duckworth buy empty, derelict properties and restore them into businesses and flats.

They were given the Best Rescue of a Heritage Site award.

Other winners include a group of soldiers who worked to excavate a Spitfire crash site in Wiltshire and a teenage boy who helped to save a Grade II listed hospital.

Speaking after the awards, Lord Lloyd-Webber also called for more education about heritage in schools.

He added: Schools need to educate children about architecture because at the moment they dont know.

I was walking in Tamworth the other day and a group of school age kids were following me asking for selfies.

I took them into a church and showed them a stain glass window and told them what it was and they were amazed.

They werent uninterested at all, they were suddenly quite interested, it is because nobody told them about these buildings.

The fire in the Royal Clarence Hotel was still being treated yesterday (Tuesday).

The building once dominated the historic Exeter high street but was completely gutted by the blaze.

As one of the leading hotels in Exeter, in hosted a range of historic guests from Lord Nelson to Beatrix Potter and Thomas Hardy.
The American actress being romanced by Prince Harry was last night at the centre of an extraordinarily bitter family rift.

Divorcee Meghan Markle, 35, was accused by her half-sister, Samantha Grant, of failing to support her family.

Miss Grant said the Queen's grandson would be 'appalled by what she's done'.

She also claimed her sister was a shallow social climber who would watch programmes showing the Royal Family as a child and had a soft spot for gingers.

And the mother-of-three, 51, claimed Meghan always wanted to be a princess and said she was narcissistic and selfish. Harry has already introduced Miss Markle to Prince Charles, it was reported.

Divorcee Meghan Markle, 35, was accused by her half-sister, Samantha Grant (pictured), of failing to support her family

Meghan's father Thomas Markle, it can be revealed, was declared bankrupt only weeks ago. Pictured: Meghan Markle promoting her clothing line

The 51-year-old has the same father as the television star. Thomas Markle, it can be revealed, was declared bankrupt only weeks ago. Once one of Hollywood's most successful lighting directors, he filed for bankruptcy with debts of $30,000 (24,600), in what appears to have been a dramatic fall from grace.

The 72-year-old has since decamped to Mexico without leaving a forwarding address or telephone number.

Meghan's mother, Doria, who divorced Mr Markle when their daughter was six, also separately declared bankruptcy several years ago with credit card debts of $52,750.

Mr Markle has another son, from before his marriage to Doria, who has also recently declared himself bankrupt.

Miss Markle's extraordinary family background emerged as she was busy declaring herself 'the luckiest girl in the world'.

Miss Grant, a writer from Florida, said she had brought up the actress for 12 years when she lived in California and declared: 'The Royal Family would be appalled by what she's done to her own family. The truth would kill her relationship with Prince Harry, he wouldn't want to date her any more because it puts her in a bad public light.

Meghan posted a picture of herself with her mother on Instagram with the caption #throwbackthursday

Meghan posted a picture of herself with her father on Instagram with the caption #throwbackthursday

Meghan Markle (pictured at High School) always wanted to be a princess, according to her sister

'I certainly don't think Harry or his family would want to associate with her afterwards.' According to a report on the US website Radar Online, both Miss Grant and her father have been hurt by Miss Markle's 'lack of emotional and financial support' since she became famous.

The website also claimed that the actress was 'overwhelmed' by the interest in her blossoming royal romance and is 'barely sleeping'. An insider was quoted as saying: 'She is desperate for the relationship to work.'

Father's just been declared bankrupt

None of this, however, was apparently stopping the ambitious Miss Markle from either publicising her new clothing range, which goes on sale today, or her glossy 'life and style' website.

In an interview, she told a Vancouver newspaper: 'My cup runneth over and I'm the luckiest girl in the world!'

Describing her style as 'aspirational girl-next-door', she also admitted that she was a 'brash American' who liked to have her say, but said her mother, a yoga instructor, always cautioned her to dress less sexily as she should 'never give the milk away for free'.

Miss Grant also revealed that her half-sister has always wanted to be a princess and that she has a penchant for red-headed men.

Miss Grant said the Queen's grandson would be 'appalled by what she's done'

Miss Markle's half sister claimed the Prince 'would be appalled' if he knew the truth

'Hollywood has changed her. I think her ambition is to become a princess,' she told the Sun.

'It was something she dreamed of as a girl when we watched the royals on TV.

'She always preferred Harry  she has a soft spot for gingers.'

Despite refusing to comment on the stories about her royal romance, there was still time for Miss Markle to post a picture of a cup of tea and a jigsaw to publicise her website, The Tig, on the picture-sharing site Instagram.

She also uploaded an enigmatic shot of two bananas cuddling with the words 'sleep tight'.

Meghan Markle pictured during her Senior Year of Immaculate Heart High School

The post prompted a flurry of comments from her 1million followers, who referred to her as 'Princess Meghan Markle', and asked 'which one is Prince Harry?'

Miss Markle's Instagram feed also boasts several teasing posts, including one from a visit to London in early July when she is believed to have met Harry for the first time, which showed a picture of a sweet bearing the caption 'KISS ME' and the words 'Lovehearts in London'.

I'll never know when he'll be back

She divorced US film producer Trevor Engelson after a marriage that lasted just two years and recently split from the Canadian celebrity chef Cory Vitiello. According to sources, Miss Markle has been dating Harry for two to three months after they met in London and bonded over their shared passion for humanitarian work.

She has never hidden the fact that she endured a sometimes difficult childhood, both due to her mixed-race heritage and her financially strained family background.

Her mother, who is African-American, married her father, who is of Dutch and Irish extraction and originally from Pennsylvania, in 1979.

Miss Markle was described as a 'classy girl' in her High School year book

Miss Markle uploaded an enigmatic shot of two bananas cuddling with the words 'sleep tight'

He was working on the hugely popular drama General Hospital and had won the first of two Emmy awards for his work.

He also lit the TV broadcast of the 1986 Oscars ceremony, at a time when the family had a smart house in a Los Angeles suburb. When he split from Miss Markle's mother, he agreed to pay maintenance totalling 900 a month. Mrs Markle drove a car with a personalised number plate  MEGNMEE  and their daughter went to a good Catholic private school.

By 2002, however, Mrs Markle was living on a shoestring and in 2002, according to bankruptcy papers, had no property of her own and just $1,000 in the bank. She has since become a yoga teacher and works with adults who have suffered memory loss.

In September Miss Markle's father was made a bankrupt, with records showing he has assets of barely 3,000 and more than 24,000 of debts with large amounts of tax still owing of up to 49,000.

He now lives in a shabby apartment in Hollywood. A pregnant woman living there yesterday confirmed he owns the property but is away travelling in Mexico.

She said: 'I stay here and watch the place for him when he is away. He loves to spend time in Mexico and to get away from things.

'He has been gone for two or three weeks already and I never know when he is going to come back. It could be next week, it could be next month  who knows?

'He does not have a phone or use email so there is no way of contacting him, he just shows back up here when he is done.'
It used to be snaps of themselves or their children.

But now the pictures our friends post on social media are just as likely to be of food.

One in five of us admits to sharing a 'diner plate selfie' in the past month.

Where once Britons were anxious to show off their latest fashion purchase or new car, the food we eat is the latest status symbol.

Where once Britons were anxious to show off their latest fashion purchase or new car, the food we eat is the latest status symbol with on in five of us admitting to sharing a 'diner plate selfie' in the past month

Hence the trend for culinary one-upmanship is rising, with one in three of those aged 18 to 34 regularly publishing images of their meals, while 44 per cent say they make more effort with their cooking if they plan to share a picture of the result.

The phenomenon has been identified in an annual food and drink report from Waitrose. It says that as a result Instagram-friendly dishes such as picanha (a cut of beef popular in Brazil) and Chinese steamed bao buns have become particularly trendy.

Waitrose managing director Rob Collins said: 'Self-expression comes in many forms. The clothes people wear, the cars they drive and the music they listen to all tell us a little about who they are. Now, people are increasingly seeing food as a part of their identity, taking pride in what and how they eat.

'Food is today's hottest social currency. As a nation, we're expressing ourselves through food as never before.'

SIX IN 10 EAT LUNCH AL DESKO Six in ten workers now eat their lunch in front of a computer as al desko dining is putting paid to the traditional lunch hour. A culture of presenteeism  showing you are working hard  and longer hours mean fewer than one in seven take a full hour for lunch. One in four take less than 20 minutes, according to research by Waitrose. Those aged 18 to 24 often take no break at all, with the need to save money a major factor. A third of us spend less than 1 on lunch  relying on sandwiches and snacks from home. Only half regularly include a piece of fruit. Waitroses sandwich sales increased by 5 per cent this year, with prawn mayo and smoked ham with cheese the most popular. There was also a trend to healthy options. The supermarkets sales of sushi jumped by 20 per cent and prepared salads by 10 per cent. Advertisement

The report suggests shoppers are keen to latch on to the latest healthy eating fads. Coconut flour, cactus water, buckwheat, chia seeds and seaweed were among the top food trends over the past year.

The supermarket's top selling gadget in Waitrose in the summer was the spiraliser, which turns vegetables such as carrots and courgettes into a nutritious alternative to pasta. And a marked shift to 'lighter and fresher' eating, such as choosing smaller-sized treats, led to a 165 per cent leap in sales of mini Easter hot cross buns, it said.

A survey of 2,000 adults found that eating sensibly was part of a daily routine for 53 per cent although only 30 per cent consciously counted calories when trying to lose weight

Some 60 per cent of shoppers say the food they choose is naturally lighter and fresher then five years ago and 71 per cent say eating healthily and looking after themselves is 'part of who they are'.

Waitrose predicts that aubergine sales, up 18 per cent in the past year, will continue to soar, while Polynesian food could be the next big thing. Hawaiian poke  a raw fish salad marinated with lime, soy and sesame and often served with rice  looks likely to be 2017's 'must-eat snack' the report says.

It is also predicting big things for watermelon juice and for vegetable yoghurt. 'In the US, they're infusing the flavours of carrot, beetroot, sweet potato and tomato into yogurt for a savoury, with a hint of sweet, accompaniment to all sorts of food. It won't be long before we're adding it to our weekly shop,' it says.
Supermodel Cara Delevingne may be famous for her colourful private life but it pales in comparison to the hedonistic exploits of her great-aunt Doris, who died in 1942.

They both shared an exhibitionist streak and a high octane life.

And a previously unseen photo of Doris Delevingne at the Lido in Venice has emerged taken in 1942 by her former lover Cecil Beaton.

It appears in a in a new book titled Cecil Beaton At Home: An Interior Life.

Meanwhile Doris' exploits are the subject of another book, The Mistress of Mayfair: Men, Money and the Marriage of Doris Delevingne, by Lyndsy Spence, to be published on November 7.

Cara Delevingne, pictured, is famous for having a colourful private life but it is nothing compared to her great aunt

Doris Delevingne, pictured, was married to Viscount Castlerosse but would see other men casually in exchange for gifts and money and is claimed to have slept with both Winston Churchill and his son Randolph

From the moment Doris met Viscount Castlerosse, heir to the Earldom of Kenmare in Ireland, his passion burned brighter than hers.

Seeing her arrive  blonde, beautiful and exquisitely dressed  at the St James nightclub in London, where he was drowning his sorrows one night after failing to bet on the right horse, he told her how exhilarated he felt by her appearance.

Castlerosse was corpulent, balding and looked older than his 37 years, but Doris, knowing of his fame as a society columnist and his affluent readership, responded to the flattery, and he turned her head further by including her photograph alongside several society beauties in his Londoners Log column for the Sunday Express newspaper.

Friends on both sides warned them against marriage, but they didnt listen. Castlerosse was hypnotised

While Doris, who was nearly ten years younger than Castlerosse, was fond of him and admired his jovial sense of humour, Castlerosse became obsessed with her, monitoring her comings and goings and following her wherever she went.

She continued to see other men casually, in exchange for money and gifts.

Doris feared his meddling might sabotage such arrangements, as he was one of the most famous figures of the day in London, but on the other hand, she knew that he held the key to many a closed door (his family, the Kenmares, had a long association with the British royal family).

In an attempt to compete with her admirers, Castlerosse began to send her jewels, furs and paintings, which plunged him further into debt.

Doris, pictured in a previously unseen picture taken by her lover Cecil Beaton at the Venice Lido in 1932, later embarked on a lesbian affair with American Margot Hoffman

Cara, striking a very similar pose to her great aunt in Bali, is openly bisexual and was previously in a relationship with American musician St Vincent

Viscount Castlerosse and Doris in the South of France, 1932, apparently the last time they could tolerate each others company

Doriss great-nieces (from left) Poppy, Cara and Chloe Delevingne

Friends on both sides warned them against marriage, but neither of them listened. his mother, Lady Kenmare, threatened to cut him off financially.

But Castlerosse was hypnotised and thought Doris breathlessly lovely to look at, with the delicate features of a nervous sensitive deer and the mobility, strength and grace of a panther.

He was equally attracted by her outspoken, outrageous and shameless behaviour.

It was an age when decadence was admired and Doris embraced this by making scenes in public  particularly in restaurants, where she took pleasure in demanding to see managers and chefs in order to berate them for the position of the table, the temperature of the wine and the quality of the food.

No one seemed to resent this, recalled an admirer.

The men she was with seemed to think it gave them a sort of cachet.

Viscount Castlerosse and Doris Delevingne married secretly at Hammersmith register office on 16 May 1928.

Disillusioned with marriage, Doris longed for a divorce, knowing that she would not lose her title of Viscountess Castlerosse unless she were to remarry

Discontent settled in soon afterwards, but Doris was pleased with her new title  if not her husband  and busied herself by ordering viscountess coronets to be stitched on to her crepe de chine sheets and pillowcases, which she sent to Paris to be laundered. Coronets adorned her notepaper, too, and were embossed on her luggage.

Castlerosse was less flamboyant and his fear of breaking the news to his parents sobered his marital bliss.

He sensed the storm clouds were closing in. In addition to parental disapproval, he was exasperated by Doriss spending.

With his own bills, many of which went unpaid, he could not afford Doriss expenses of 100 a week too, but Doris was not willing to compromise.

She told him: Dont give me any money then  Ill pay for everything myself in future.

Aware how she intended to get this money, he relented and increased her allowance.

Marriage for Doris had symbolised nothing more than a change of name.

Her outlook and morals remained as before and she did not think it necessary to change her friends or reform her behaviour.

She dabbled in charity work, as many peeresses did, but her efforts were overshadowed by the gaiety of the fundraising.

Castlerosse criticised her antics and accused her of infidelity.

Many of her affairs were so casual that Doris did not consider them adultery and she innocently told him that she was just a magnet to men.

Humiliated by her promiscuity, he demanded that she show some obedience and discretion.

She is quite blatant, he remarked to a friend. She will soon have all of London laughing at me behind my back.

Within weeks, the arguments they were having in private turned into public spectacles, and the couple became the talk of Mayfair.

Viscount Castlerosse (pictured with his dogs) criticised his wife's antics and accused her of infidelity

After six weeks Doris moved out and returned to her house on Deanery Street, just off Park Lane.

The separation was prompted by an argument that had, once again, ended in a physical fight.

Disillusioned with marriage, Doris longed for a divorce, knowing that she would not lose her title of Viscountess Castlerosse unless she were to remarry.

But she was not about to give her husband or her in-laws the satisfaction of seeing her named as the guilty party in a court case.

Sensing that forces beyond her control might portray her as the reason for divorce on grounds of adultery, she began to visit her lawyer to have her bruises from her numerous fights with her husband photographed as evidence.

Both Doris and Castlerosse attempted to build cases against one another, a battle that would continue for a decade.

It was at Lord Beaverbrooks villa in Le Touquet that Doris met Winston Churchill in 1930.

According to much-repeated gossip, he slept with her at the Ritz Hotel in Paris, after which encounter he is reported to have enthusiastically complimented her on her lovemaking skills. Churchill did not dismiss any of the rumours about their relationship.

Doris then turned her sights to younger men  including Tom Mitford, brother to the six Mitford girls.

At the age of 21 he had already gained a reputation for having affairs with older married women, but his pockets were not deep enough for Doris and in the spring of 1932 she began an affair with 21-year-old Randolph Churchill.

At Faringdon, with (from left) Lord Berners, Daphne Weymouth and Robert Heber-Percy

An alarmed Winston tried to intervene and instil common sense into his son.

Their affair had become a topic of gossip in London and Doris did little to hide it from Castlerosse: it was discovered by the maitre d of the Cavalry Club when he opened the door to the anteroom and was confronted by a pair of long gorgeous legs waving happily in the air.

If Doris had one ally at that time it was Gerald Tyrwhitt-Wilson, the eccentric Baron Berners.

His house at Faringdon in Oxfordshire was a haven for social pariahs and Doris came to look on it as a second home.

Gerald was ready to leap to her defence when others spoke badly of her latest high jinks.

Doris refused to believe that Cecil Beatons sexual orientation would pose a problem

Taking her place on the sofa, and with Gerald at the piano, it was the custom for Doris to say, Lets dish the dirt, and he would listen fascinated by her tales of rascality and violence, striking an occasional chord and making some puckish suggestion for a happy solution to her marital dramas, writes Sofka Zinovieff in her book about her grandfather Robert Heber-Percy, who was Baron Bernerss lover.

After exchanging society gossip, Doris spoke of her dwindling finances and Gerald offered his financial support.

Acknowledging his kindness, she kissed him on the lips and said, Dear Gerald, anything you could do wouldnt last me two days.

It was the kiss and not her statement that drew horrified gasps, for Gerald was known to detest kisses.

It was at Faringdon House that society and royal photographer Cecil Beaton first met Doris, who arrived in her chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce Phantom, with her coronet-embellished trunks.

She carried with her a heavy box containing the precious Cartier jewels she had collected from her various lovers over the years.

Doris and Noel Coward (she was reputedly the muse for his play Private Lives)

With his spectacular eye for detail, Cecil noticed her slender legs and admired her gazelle-like ankles.

Her exquisite suits and dresses were from Worth and Reville, and she continued to shun skirts in favour of tailored shorts  a daring choice  to display her best features.

As Cecil was a homosexual, he didnt make the first move. Doris took the initiative and, planning her seduction, scattered tuberoses  the most carnal of scents  on his bed. Cecil adored attention and he responded to the flattery she paid him.

Doris refused to believe that his sexual orientation would pose a problem and told him: There is no such thing as an impotent man, just an incompetent woman.

To ease Cecils reluctance towards going to bed with her, she assured him that he wouldnt have to do a thing.

Doris had no scruples when it came to sex and used it as a ploy to get what she wanted. It was a means of survival

Doris and Cecil often stayed at Faringdon. Guests, eager to judge if the affair was a farce, crept to the lovers bedroom door and were further astonished when they overheard Cecil squealing, Oh goody, goody, goody!

The droll antics continued when Cecil threw a party and the guests were ordered to dress as their opposite. Doris came as a nun.

She defended her affair with Cecil and was forthright in her claim that she was sleeping with him for his own benefit.

In an age when homosexuality was illegal, she maintained that she was trying to cure him of his sexual persuasion.

She had, however, developed a deep and complex passion for him, despite his repeated warnings that he was terribly homosexualist.

Their affair might have been founded on deceit but their personalities were markedly similar.

Both were ruthless in their quest for social mobility, although Doris had used different tactics to enter the aristocratic circles of London.

They both shared a canny sense of self-promotion, traits they recognised in each other and which brought them together.

Doris with Margot Hoffman (right) in Deauville, France

News of their affair reached Castlerosse and, adopting the view of their contemporaries, he thought it a joke.

On one of his outings to a London restaurant he spied his wife dining with Cecil and, turning to his companion, he quipped: I never knew Doris was a lesbian.

The affair did little to provoke him, but he added Cecils name to his list of evidence for his divorce.

Doris had no scruples when it came to sex and used it as a ploy to get what she wanted.

It was, to her, a means of survival and a way to fund a lifestyle that had become such a way of life for her that she saw no alternative  although a comment made one day to her great friend Phyllis de Janze over lunch revealed how much she had sacrificed to achieve that.

Her friend was waxing lyrical about men and money. Doris, whose charms were at this point beginning to wane, observed her friend with a cold and menacing look in her eyes.

You may think it fun to make love, she warned, but if you had to make love to dirty old men as I do, you would think again.

Doris and Castlerosse divorced in 1938 in one of Londons most bitter and talked-about cases.

Doris then embarked on a lesbian affair with wealthy American Margot Hoffman and moved to New York at the start of the Second World War.

When this relationship ended she had no choice but to sell her jewellery and the portraits that Winston Churchill had painted of her.

She returned to England penniless, having pawned the last of her diamonds (unaware that this was illegal during wartime), and when she realised she was to be investigated by the police, took an overdose of barbiturates.

She never recovered consciousness and died in St Marys hospital, Paddington, at the age of 42 in December 1942.
White populations in towns and cities are dwindling at record levels and in extreme cases have halved in a decade, it was revealed today.

In Newham, east London, just 16 per cent of the population are white, compared to 33 per cent ten years ago.

Academic Ted Cantle, a Government adviser of community cohesion, says by the 2021 census the polarisation will be even greater and suggests Government intervention like ensuring ethnic balance.

The report says many towns and cities, such as Birmingham, Leicester, Slough, Luton, Bradford and London, have seen areas develop where the white British population is 'increasingly dwindling' as minorities increase.

Professor Cantle cites Blackburn as one of the most segregated towns in Britain whose Whalley Range area is now 95 per cent Asian and the local butcher admits he has never served a white Briton.

NEWHAM: In the east London borough (pictured), just 16 per cent of the population are white, compared to 33 per cent ten years ago - and the 2021 is likely to show this has increase further

Picture of Britain: This is the white British population by percentage in towns and cities in 2001 and then 2011, based on census figures

Mohammed Tabrez Noorji, who runs his own butcher shop in Blackburn, Lancashire, admits he has never served a white Briton

Mohammed Tabrez Noorji opened Tabrez Meat Store in Blackburn last year but has no white British customers.

He is originally from India and has been married to British-born Muslim wife Shima, 32, for 10 years. They have a daughter, six, and a son, three.

He told MailOnline: 'I don't know why I don't really get British-born white customers. I have a few white Polish customers, some of them come in regularly, but none who are from the UK.

'I've seen white people across the street, but I think that's because they are going to the pharmacy across the road, but they don't come in here. 'I hear from my family that they think white people want to move out of this area and streets with a lot of Asian communities. I don't know why that is. It's a very quiet place here.

'I like serving white people, and having a mix of people makes me happy. My daughter has white friends, I think it's good. I like it when there are white people as well. The mosque is just here.

'I serve Halal meat, yes, but I have heard that more and more white people like to eat Halal meat too, but they sell it in Tesco's and Morrisons now. They get it in the big stores while they are shopping, so I guess they don't come here.

'It is not good that we all live separately but how can we fix this problem? Asian families like to live in the same area as each other so we can support one another, but then the white people move out.

'It's not that we deliberately choose to live separately  it is just what happens. We want to live in this area because we are close to the mosques and all our families are very close to each other.'

But retired taxi driver Ian Goodliffe who appeared on Panorama while working at a 'white only' taxi firm said: 'There are certain areas where white people no longer go and the same for Asians. They lead very separate lives. There is an element of fear on both sides and then there is of course this awful racism. I hear it all the time.

'It is sometimes a gang mentality and everyone wants to stick to their own. There are whole parts of Blackburn where a white person would not buy a house but then there is the same for the Asians.

'There is a mutual distrust and the only way to change that is for people to mix, but we are at a total impasse and it is only going to get worse'.

Professor Cantle also said he met a Yorkshireman who said he was the first Asian to move into a street and within three years all the white families had gone.

'Some of those families made no bones about it - they are moving out because 'they' are moving in', he said.

LUTON: In 2001 64 per cent of all residents were white - in 2011 this dropped to 44.6 per cent

BIRMINGHAM: In 2001 65.6 per cent of the population was white, in the 2011 census this dropped to 53.1 per cent

SLOUGH: In 2001 58.3 per cent of the population was white, by 2011 it was down to 34.5 per cent

COVENTRY: The percentage of white Britons in Coventry fell from 78.3 per cent in 2001 to 66.6 per cent in 2011

BLACKBURN: In the Lancashire town 76 per cent were white in 2011, down to 66.5 per cent in 2011. Some areas are said to be so segregated that 95 per cent are now from ethnic minorities

BLACKBURN: IS IT BRITAIN'S MOST SEGREGATED TOWN? Blackburn in Lancashire was spared the race rioting which blighted other northern towns in 2001, but today the white majority and predominantly Muslim Asian minority live almost entirely separate lives. Areas such as Whalley Range just north of the town centre, where Asians first arrived and settled in the 1960s, are now almost entirely Asian-owned while other neighbourhoods are similarly white-dominated. But as more members of the Asian community move into traditionally white areas the phenomenon of 'white flight' is becoming more noticeable. As the character of a neighbourhood starts to change, white people stop buying property there. Observers point out there is no equivalent process of white people moving into Asian areas. One estate agent told BBC's Panorama that in 28 years working in Blackburn he had never sold a house in an Asian area of town to a white buyer. Some Asians complain that, despite their hopes of integration, when they arrive in a white suburb the 'for sale' signs go up and the exodus begins. Whites told the programme that Asian newcomers made no effort to integrate, and that they felt 'swallowed' up as neighbourhoods changed. Many traditional pubs in Blackburn have closed as the surrounding homes have been bought up by Muslims. Changes in local schools appears to create a tipping point, as white pupils gradually become the minority. White parents told how they had moved their children to alternative schools to give them a 'more appropriate education setting' - and then ended up moving house to be nearer a more 'white' school. Blackburn now has a 'twinning' scheme to bring together white and Asian children from different schools who would otherwise never meet. Advertisement

The research, published by Open Democracy, calls on the Government to do more to promote mixed communities, especially in light of the spike in hate crime reported since the Brexit referendum.

The study, conducted by integration experts Professor Ted Cantle and Professor Eric Kaufmann, shows that, while England as a whole is more ethnically mixed, white and minority groups are now more isolated from each other.

The report finds the polarisation is mainly in urban areas. It notes the pace of change is 'striking', with some areas seeing a decrease in the white population of more than 50 per cent between 1991 and 2011.

The report says many towns and cities, such as Birmingham, Leicester, Slough, Luton, Bradford and London, have seen areas develop where the white British population is 'increasingly dwindling' as minorities increase.

The study finds the ' trend towards isolation' is at its greatest in smaller geographic areas, such as wards.

Prof Cantle, who wrote a report into community cohesion in the wake of several race riots in 2001, said: 'The antipathy towards some communities may have been much less if we were more integrated and actually lived in mixed areas - all the evidence suggests that prejudice and intolerance is broken down by contact.

'This research shows what is happening on a local level and that is that there is increasing polarisation between the white majority population and minorities across England, particularly in our urban areas.

'This has gone under the radar, but it is time this became a national priority because cohesion is at stake.

'The focus of policy needs to shift, this is not just about minorities. Politicians and policy-makers need to encourage white British residents to remain in diverse areas; to choose, rather than avoid, diverse areas when they do re-locate, encouraging similar choices with respect to placing pupils in diverse schools; in other words to create a positive choice for mixed areas and a shared society.'

Cockneys are becoming a minority in east London, (pictured) which is the UK's most multicultural borough, with 70,000 immigrants arriving over the past 15 years

But White British 'East Enders' say immigration is killing off traditions that used to be commonplace in the area in the 1970s (pictured)

NEWHAM: MOST DIVERSE BOROUGH IN THE UK The London borough of Newham was officially formed in 1965 after the merger of East Ham and West Ham under the new Greater London region. Traditionally it had a strong white working class population thanks to the Royal Group of Docks that were built between 1855 and 1921. Named after Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and King George V, the docks became a core part of the local economy, even when they were damaged by German bombing raids during the Second World War. But their decline started in the 1960s due to the increased use of container ships, and they eventually closing to commercial traffic only in 1981, causing widespread unemployment. Many homes were destroyed in the area during the Blitz, leading to a huge development of tower blocks and an influx of immigrant workers to build them. Now it is the most ethnically diverse borough in the UK, with white British making up just 16 per cent of the population in the 2011 census, dropping from 33.8 per cent 10 years earlier. The 37.5 per cent drop was the largest of any local authority in England and Wales between the two censuses. Newham was one of the six host boroughs for the 2012 London Olympic Games and was also home to West Ham United's Upton Park until the club left for Stratford's Olympic Stadium. Advertisement

Labour's Chuka Umunna, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Social Integration, said: 'During a year in which our country has seemed more divided than at any point in modern history, there are few questions which require investigation more urgently than the matter of how well we are living together.

'Equally, however - at a time in which our political debate has become yet more polarised and media headlines yet more fraught - there are few questions which it can seem harder to get to the bottom of.

'It's clear that, whilst the UK is becoming increasingly diverse, levels of integration are not keeping pace.

'This has real implications for community cohesion - with social segregation having been shown to undermine trust between neighbours, to grow the fear of crime and bolster the prejudice which fuels the politics of recrimination and blame.'

The report states: 'Where areas have become more mixed, minorities have generally become more isolated from the white British.

'This is a function of the decline of the white British population in those towns and cities in absolute numbers and relative to the increase in minorities in the same areas.

'This results in a growing isolation of the white majority from minorities in urban zones.

'Segregation has been linked to prejudice and intolerance of the 'other' due to the lack of contact and interaction across social and cultural boundaries.'

The study comes as the Government is about to deliver a major review into integration, segregation and extremism.
British households are increasingly ditching their morning bowl of cereal in favour of healthier alternatives such as smoothies and fresh fruit.

The declining popularity of cereal in the UK and the US was yesterday blamed for another slump in sales at Kelloggs.

The American giant suffered its seventh successive drop in quarterly sales in the three months to the end of October.

The declining popularity of cereal in the UK and the US was yesterday blamed for another slump in sales at Kelloggs

The manufacturer, which makes Cornflakes, Crunchy Nut Cornflakes and Coco Pops, said its decline in Europe had been driven by lower sales in the UK.

It described the UK market as challenging but said sales had increased elsewhere in Europe.

Experts said cereal  once a fixture of most families morning routine  have fallen out of favour in many households, and are increasingly being shunned by younger people in favour of healthier alternatives.

Dr Dimitrios Tsvrikos, a consumer and business psychologist at University College London told BBC World TV that sales could have fallen because peoples breakfast habits are changing.

As well as being more health focussed, he said people are increasingly having their breakfast on the move.

He said: The younger population will replace cereals with smoothies, fresh fruit and yoghurt.

The American giant suffered its seventh successive drop in quarterly sales in the three months to the end of October

He added: An older generation will have their cereals during the day as a snack and have a box on their desk in their office. A lot of individuals only spend five or six minutes on breakfast and are looking for quicker solutions. They will have something out of a packet for breakfast so nothing needs to be cleaned afterwards.

Health campaigners have also raised concerns about the amount of sugar in cereals  including those marketed for children.

This is also believed to have knocked their popularity, particularly among parents.

The rise of smoothies and vegetable juice, now widely sold on the High Street, has also prompted more people to forsake their morning bowl of cornflakes.
In 2008, Susan Tollefsen became Britain's oldest first-time IVF mother when she gave birth to her only child, Freya, at the age of 57

Susan Tollefsen is her own sternest critic. She admits now she was foolish, gullible  so utterly sucked in by the blandishments of a smooth-talking financial salesman that she became blind to reason.

'I blame myself for being so naive and idiotic. Anyone prudent would have thought: 'If it sounds too good to be true, it is,' ' she reflects now. 'I should have asked for advice. I should have done my homework. But I didn't.

'I accepted everything I was told as the truth and it seemed like the answer to a prayer.

'And now, I sit here with nothing. I've gambled away my last penny. I thought I was safeguarding my daughter's future in a sensible investment scheme, but I've done exactly the opposite. I've lost 50,000 on a bet. Now we're destitute. We might even lose our home.'

Sue's plight is parlous. In 2008, she became Britain's oldest first-time IVF mother when she gave birth to her only child, Freya, at the age of 57. Now, her daughter is eight years old and Sue has just marked her 66th birthday.

At retirement age, a single mother and the sole provider for a dependent child, she faces penury. How has she reached this desperate position? A special needs teacher, she is intelligent, articulate and resourceful. Having worked hard for 40 years, she had salted away sufficient savings to provide a comfortable lifestyle for herself and her longed-for daughter.

Yet, during the space of five years she has, incredibly, lost every penny.

First, she handed over a staggering 165,000 in an internet con.

Then, this year, she repeated the folly, entrusting her last 50,000 to an unlicensed all-or-nothing trading company. She might just as well have bet it at a casino.

Sue has raised her daughter as a single mum since separating from her long-term partner, Nick Mayer, 54, Freya's father, five years ago.

You might imagine that having been stung in one outrageous scam, she would have been doubly wary of falling for another. Is she, one can't help but wonder, the most naive woman in Britain?

Certainly, she is exceptionally trusting, because the first swindle was so preposterous, so transparently fraudulent, it seems barely believable that she fell for it.

Yet, over the course of three years, between 2012 and June last year, she transferred a total of 165,000 in separate instalments into the bank account of fraudsters.

Believing she was paying the money to a personable widower with the name of Glenn Vanslyke, whom she had encountered on a dating website, she was actually handing it to swindlers who had stolen his identity.

This first scam resulted in Sue selling a property  a flat in Sweden  cashing in all her savings, selling treasured family heirlooms and even borrowing 32,000 from friends: all to feed the insatiable financial demands of a bogus businessman she never actually met.

And she did so because she firmly believed the stranger had become her friend, and was convinced by his promises that he would repay her generosity with a greater prize: a half share in a 1 million land deal that would secure her adored daughter's future long after Sue had died.

Now, her daughter is eight years old and Sue has just marked her 66th birthday

She had met 'Glenn' online in October 2012, when a friend persuaded her to join the dating website Plenty Of Fish. She was seeking friendship, she insists, not a love affair.

'I thought it might be nice to make friends and talk to people online in the evenings when Freya was in bed,' she recalls.

Then Glenn Vanslyke appeared, with a backstory designed to appeal to the tender-hearted. 'He was a good-looking chap with steely grey hair,' says Sue. 'He told me his father was American and his Italian mother came from Modena.

'He said he was a Catholic and went to mass regularly, and I'm also an active church member.'

There had been tragedies in Glenn's life, too: his father, a prosperous gold and diamond dealer, had been killed in a car accident and Glenn had taken over his business.

He'd also raised his daughter, Tiffany, following his wife's death, and was now a grandfather.

Having worked hard for 40 years, she had salted away sufficient savings to provide a comfortable lifestyle for herself and her longed-for daughter. Yet, during the space of five years she has lost every penny

After a few months, Sue started wiring him money  a few hundred pounds at a time  because he said he was waiting for his father's inheritance, which was 'tied up in Brussels'.

Indeed, the hard-luck stories were so frequent  he needed money for his asthma drugs; he was short of food; he couldn't meet a hotel bill  that Sue's 16,000-a-year pension was quickly stretched.

She recalls: 'It was a strain financially, but he kept telling me what a good person I was; how whenever he needed help, I'd been there.

'That's why I believed him when he said he'd sold a parcel of land and wanted to share the proceeds with me in recompense for my kindness.

'And when he continued to ask for more money, I kept handing it over because I thought: 'It will all come back to me soon with interest.'

'I was convinced I'd have 500,000 and Freya would never have to worry about money, and that was very reassuring for a single mum in her 60s.

'My only concern and goal was my daughter and providing for her  there was no romance, I did not fall in love, much less hope for a future with him.

'I just wanted to protect Freya's financial future. I was blind to reason because I so wanted it all to be true.'

But, of course, this promised largesse never materialised. Sue was bled dry; fleeced so comprehensively, in fact, that she was forced to return to full-time teaching just to make ends meet.

Previously, she and Freya had been able to live comfortably on her pension and savings but, with her nest-egg gone and just 1,600-a-month pension to subsist on  as well as a hefty debt to repay to friends  Sue had no option but to resume work, sending Freya to a childminder at the end of the school day.

She was managing, until six weeks before Christmas last year when her freelance teaching job  which brought in 500 a week  ended abruptly.

For a few months, she soldiered on, borrowing to the maximum on her 4,000 overdraft, desperate for a solution to the financial mess.

'A pension is designed for one retired person to live on, not for raising a child,' she says.

'Although I had no one to blame except myself, I hadn't got enough to meet even my basic outgoings.

'Freya didn't want me to work. She loved me being at home, but I knew I had to do something to raise some money. I was desperate, and that made me vulnerable.'

And so she took a series of ill-judged decisions, which, far from solving her financial problems, engulfed her in yet more crippling debt.

First, she released 50,000 equity from her 290,000 two-bedroom home near Romford, Essex.

Then, in April this year, she spotted an advert for what's called a binary trading company, which promised such a healthy return on her money, she believed she would be able to look after Freya and never work again.

Actually, she was walking blindfold into a trap: binary trading is, in fact, so perilous that, although she may have made the huge promised returns, she also risked losing everything.

Those who invest their money in this form of trading are betting on two possible outcomes: if a gamble pays off and the price of, for example, a commodity or share goes up over a set period, you win.

If it doesn't, then you forfeit your entire investment.

To compound the risk, such schemes offer easy pickings for the unscrupulous, as many binary option traders are unregulated and have been shown to be fraudulent.

Sue became hopelessly ensnared  she entrusted her stake to an unlicensed broker who, it seems, proved to be a conman.

Yet a quick internet search would have highlighted her folly.

Even a cursory check of Ivory Option, the company in whom she was investing her trust and all her money, would have flagged up a list of complaints against them.

Indeed, a close examination of the company's publicity blurb should also have sounded a warning.

Although its company website  motto 'Professionalism is our way'  boasts in enormous letters: 'Up to 85% return on investments', it also adds in much smaller type the cautionary proviso: 'partial or full funds may be lost'.

But Sue did not read these warnings. 'I grew up in an era that pre-dates computers,' she explains. 'It didn't occur to me to do an internet search on the company. I should have asked for independent advice. Hindsight is wonderful.

'How could I make such a misjudgment? How could I be so bloody stupid? Probably because I'm a Christian and I believe everyone should be treated as I wish to be treated, and my instinct is to trust people and think the best of them until I'm proved wrong.

'I assume they won't do anything immoral or illegal.

'Yet it seems they can steal your money and just walk away.'

So, once again, she was a sitting target for the unscrupulous. Sue explains how, six months ago, after filling out an inquiry form about binary trading, she was swiftly phoned by Ivory Option's 'chief broker' Brian Rogers.

She explained her predicament: she was an elderly single mother of a young child needing an additional income. Initially, she was persuaded to invest 1,500. After a month, it had, apparently, grown to 5,000.

Sue was ready to withdraw the investment and the huge dividend that it had reaped, but Brian Rogers had a better plan: rather than returning her money, he offered her the chance to open a coveted VIP account.

'He said: 'If you put 50,000 into it, I can guarantee you an income of between 2,400 and 2,500 a month.' He suggested I was small-fry, that he had much bigger investors. But he said my money was as good as anyone else's.

'He was very full of himself and said: 'I'm the best in the business. I'll make you money.'

'And,' she sighs heavily, 'because he had made so much for me in the first month, I believed him.'

To add a veneer of authenticity to his scheme, Rogers came up with a 'business plan', setting out the stupendously generous returns Sue could look forward to.

She was comprehensively sucked in. 'I handed over 50,000  every penny I had in the world,' she says.

But, before long, it was obvious that the payouts were not quite as extravagant as Sue had been promised. In the first month, she received 1,300. The second month yielded the same sum.

And, although she was not getting her promised 2,500, Sue was appeased: after all, she reasoned, the profit on her relatively modest stake was still huge. But then, in the third month, Rogers had unexpectedly bad news. In answer to Sue's repeated enquiries, he said: 'There's no money this month.' Sensibly, Sue asked to withdraw her funds.

Although when she had signed up for the investment plan she had been assured she could take out her cash at any time, Ivory Option was in no hurry to return it.

Instead, she was assured by Rogers that a 'fantastic deal' was in the offing, which would 'guarantee' her 38,000  on top of her 50,000 stake  within two months.

Sue, however, was by now spiralling into debt.

Bereft of the monthly income she had been promised, she needed not preposterous promises of future wealth, but 1,500 immediately, just to pay essential household bills.

'But it took another three weeks before I could even get 1,500 out,' she says.

Since that day, she had made repeated pleas  by phone and email  asking to withdraw her money and close her account. She has been assured, meanwhile, that Rogers's audacious gamble paid off, and that 88,000 is sitting in her account.

But extracting even a penny of this illusory prize has proved impossible. Her calls have been met by insults and derision.

'I threatened Ivory Option with the police and fraud squad and I was told: 'Tell them we've made you 38,000 and they'll just laugh in your face.' '

Brian Rogers even had the temerity to accuse her of 'ingratitude'.

One morning last week, she rang the company 14 times.

Mysteriously, each time she reached the top of the queue, her call was disconnected.

Despite repeated attempts by this newspaper to contact Brian Rogers, he has declined to comment.

Sue, who sits with me in the small, crowded sitting room of the modest home she and Freya love, concludes that she was roundly duped.

A kind woman with a generous heart, Sue is a stalwart of her local church, always ready to help a neighbour, to volunteer; her home busy with visitors, dogs  she has four, one rescued from an animal shelter in Cyprus  and Freya's friends.

Before she had the daughter she plainly adores, she cared for her aged parents  nursing her Norwegian-born father Eivind until his death from cancer, then looking after her mother Gladys, until she died 12 years ago.

She had hoped Freya, born on her third attempt at IVF, would grow up in a stable, nuclear family, but her partner, Nick, a warehouseman, was overwhelmed by the responsibilities of fatherhood and the relationship broke down.

And now this. Sue, who suffers from depression, fears they may be forced from their home. 'All I can do is move somewhere cheaper and start again,' she says. 'But I don't want to. My parents are buried here. Our life is here. I don't want to uproot Freya. She's happy here, at her school.'

All that sustains her now is her little girl: 'She's my life, the reason I get up in the morning. I push myself to do as much as possible to make her life a pleasure.

'I try to make each day memorable, so that, when I'm gone, she can look back on the happy times we've had.

'When she was born, they placed her on my chest and I said: 'I've waited for you for such a long time. I thought you'd never come.'

'I held her and studied her little face and thought: 'You're a miracle', and every day I thank God for her.

'All my misguided financial decisions were fuelled by the fact that I want the best for her.

'I wanted to give her a future, a better life, but instead, all I've done is expose her.'

She wipes away tears. 'Do I reproach myself? Oh, yes, the guilt has almost driven me crazy. I've screamed: 'How could I have done this a second time?'

'There was a point when it was taking hold of my life, consuming me, but I had to think: 'My health and Freya are more important than this.'

'I desperately need that money, but even though I've lost it, I'll still put one foot in front of the other.
in what was described as the 'best five months of her life' before she passed away

Wesley and his mom lived with the Seamans

A single mother who was battling terminal cancer spent the 'best five months of her life' living with the family who ended up taking in her son after she passed away.

Two years ago, 45-year-old Tricia Somers from Pennsylvania who was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, found help in the most unlikely of places.

After learning she did not have long to live, she asked her nurse Tricia Seaman if she would raise her then eight-year-old son Wesley after she passed away.

In what would become a heartwarming story shared by Squire Rushnell, the author of the Godwinks book series, Somers and Wesley ended up moving in with the Seamans after Somers' health deteriorated.

The Seamans have since embraced Wesley, who is now 10 years old, according to TODAY.

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In 2014, Tricia Somers (above) asked her nurse if she would take in her then eight-year-old son Wesley after she died of liver cancer

Somers and Wesley ended up moving in with the Seamans after Somers' health deteriorated, and the family has since embraced Wesley, who is now 10 years old. The Seamans pictured with Wesley and his mother, right, before she passed away

'We miss her, but every holiday Trish has a special place in our hearts,' Seaman said, who published a book in May about her and Somers' story entitled God Gave Me You: A True Story of Love, Loss, and a Heaven-Sent Miracle.

Prior to the two ladies' paths crossing, Seaman and her husband, Dan, were looking to expand their family, with Seaman longing for another son.

The couple already had four children together.

After pregnancy complications in trying for a fifth child, they decided to adopt in order to follow their dreams of having a big family, according to TODAY.

They were sent the photo of an 18-month-old boy and had completed the paperwork, but unfortunately had not heard anything back from the agency.

Somers, who was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, was a single mother with no one else to turn to when she asked Seaman to raise her son after she passed away (the pair shown above)

Nurse Tricia Seaman (above) was assigned to Somers as she underwent diagnostic tests at Pinnacle Health's Community General campus in Harrisburg. She was shocked when Somers asked her to raise Wesley

Seaman met Somers when she cared for her at Pinnacle Health's Community General campus in Harrisburg (above)

In the meantime, Seaman was assigned to Somers as she underwent diagnostic tests at Pinnacle Health's Community General campus in Harrisburg.

Seaman said they connected instantly, with Somers sharing her fears and concerns with the nurse.

While Seaman was not reassigned to Somers during her 10-day at the hospital, she would often check in on her.

The day before she was set to be discharged, Somers shared with Seaman that the cancer had spread and that she only had a short time to live.

She then dropped a bombshell when she asked the nurse to take in her son.

'She said, "If I die will you raise my son?"' recalled Seaman.

Seaman (left) said she and Somers (right) connected instantly, with Somers sharing her fears and concerns with the nurse

Seaman agreed to raise Wesley after talking things over with her husband, Dan, who felt they should do all they could to help the young boy and his mother (the coupe pictured above)

Somers' parents died years ago, and she felt no one in her family was capable of caring for her son.

Seaman was stunned, but honored by the request, however she said she urged Somers to pray about it.

Soon, Somers and her son were spending time with the Seamans and their three teenage daughters and young son, who Seaman said embraced Wesley.

Seaman then agreed to raise Wesley after talking things over with her husband, who felt they should do all they could to help the young boy and his mother.

After Somers underwent chemotherapy, she and her son officially moved from their apartment into the Seamans' home instead of going to a nursing home.

After Somers underwent chemotherapy, she and her son officially moved from their apartment into the Seamans' home instead of going to a nursing home

Somers lived with the Seamans for what has been described as 'the best five months of her life.' Her son has since been embraced by his new siblings (Wesley, right, and his siblings above)

'At one point I said, "I can't be your nurse anymore. I'm your family now,"' Seaman said in an interview with ABC News at the time.

'I talked to her and said I want you to come [home]. She kind of fell apart and cried. She said, "I'd love to."'

For the next five months, Wesley spent time assimilating into his new family and Somers 'enjoyed what she said was the best five months of her life,' Seaman said.

'As I think back, I will always remember the wonderful Godwinks that fulfilled the needs of two mothers.

'Trish needed a mother for her son. I longed for one more son to feel settled.'
Researchers found pupils shot ahead of their peers when taught the traditional Asian way

Children make more progress in maths when teachers use Singapore-style methods, according to an Oxford study.

Researchers found pupils shot ahead of their peers when taught the traditional Asian way, which focuses on mastering core principles as 'building blocks'.

The 'mastery' method introduces core concepts, such as times tables, addition and subtraction, gradually until learners are confident.

Ideas are broken down into small steps, which means using real life objects to illustrate a point, before moving on to drawings and then concepts.

It is a departure from trendy, 'child-centred' methods which favour games and memorising facts. Experts have long warned such lessons foster only a shallow understanding of maths.

The Oxford University study comes amid a drive to bring Singapore-style teaching to Britain's schools to boost numeracy.

Britain came 26th in the latest international rankings for teenage numeracy by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, while Singapore came second.

Researchers monitored pupils learning with Inspire Maths, a Singapore-style textbook being trialled in schools by the Department for Education.

IT'S ALL ABOUT CONFIDENCE The Singapore method begins by allowing pupils to gain confidence with maths by playing with objects or pictures. There is then a second stage of drawing pictures representing the objects, and only later do they gradually start to add numbers to their drawings. By contrast, many pupils in Britain are introduced to both maths and number symbols at once. But figures and signs are often difficult for children to understand and many lose confidence in the classroom. Advertisement

Lead author James Hall said: 'We found positive evidence that Inspire Maths benefited children's maths achievement.

'This boost to progress was surprising because pupils had only been in a classroom setting for a short period'.

The study involved two groups of children aged five to six  a total of 550  learning maths in 12 English schools in 2015 to 2016.

The first group learned maths as normal for the first term, and then in the second term switched to using the Inspire Maths textbook.

The second group used the textbook for both terms, and made better overall progress than the first group.

Inspire Maths is published by Oxford University Press and is based on My Pals are Here, which is used in most Singaporean primary schools.

In July, schools minister Nick Gibb announced 41million over four years to fund a network of 'mastery specialist teachers'.

The 'mastery' method introduces core concepts, such as times tables, addition and subtraction, gradually until learners are confident. File image

Jill Cornish, maths director at OUP, said: 'We now have clear evidence that a mastery approach can make a real difference to maths classrooms, and we support the Government's moves to support it'.

It comes six years after Michael Gove claimed schools in the Far East were putting Britain's to shame.
Unregulated Sharia law authorities are operating across Britain, performing unofficial marriages and handing out divorces, MPs were told.

The backstreet operations are popping up everywhere in the country, experts said.

Dr Ahmad Al-Dubayan, chairman of the UK Board of Sharia Councils, told MPs it was impossible to know how many of the self-appointed bodies existed in Britain.

Shariah councils have no legal force or jurisdiction in the UK, but are regularly used to administer religious decisions on family matters to Muslims.

Dr Ahmad Al-Dubayan, pictured, chairman of the UK Board of Sharia Councils, said unregulated sharia councils are operating across the UK

But a number of unregulated sharia councils are now operating, and often charge higher fees for a divorce than a normal court.

Dr Al-Dubayan warned that councils are being set up in peoples basements and offering religious advice.

He added: And by the way we dont know how many councils there are.

Some people talk about 80 or 30 or 50, I dont know. There is no record for this and no studies, unfortunately, The Telegraph reported.

The findings emerged during the Home Affairs Committees Sharia councils inquiry, one of two government inquiries into bodies ruling on Sharia law.

The committee heard that between 30 and 40 percent of Muslim marriages are purely religious - meaning they have not had the civil ceremony needed to make it legally recognised under British law.

Spouses in this type of marriage have less rights than those in a civil marriage.

Maryam Namazi, of campaign group One Law for All said the councils were tantamount to abuse and treated women unfairly.

But scholar Khola Hasan, one of the only women to sit on a Sharia council, said they offered Muslim women a service they couldnt get at a regular court.

She added: They cannot go to English law for a religious divorce because they dont have a civil marriage.

Sharia councils have no legal jurisdiction in the UK but are regularly used to administer religious decisions on Muslim family matters (file picture - there is no suggestion this is an unregulated Sharia council)

I think there are backstreet Sharia councils that are operating without any kind of policy and procedure and those are problematic and thats what we do need to be looking at.

We cannot tar all Sharia councils with the same brush and say they are all misogynistic and unfair to women.'

Shaista Gohir, chair of the Muslim Womens Network UK - said the government should make it compulsory for imams to ensure spouses entered into a civil marriage as well as an Islamic marriage so that more women would be protected by the law.
The devastated mother of two girls who tragically drowned in the family backyard pool on Tuesday has described how she screamed for help when she found them, but by then it was too late to save their lives.

Renise Young, a mother-of-five, desperately tried to resuscitate her daughters Patricia, three, and Taya, four. The tragic little girls' brother Aige, five, was the one who raised the alarm on Tuesday afternoon.

The pair were in the pool at the back of their Kingston home in Logan City at 1.30pm when the incident took place, The Courier Mail reports.

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Taya Young, left, and Patricia Young, right, lost their lives in their own swimming pool on Melbourne Cup Day

The children's mother Renise Young screamed in horror when she found them

'I was screaming and grabbing them and making sure their head was above the water and just yelling because there was nothing I could do,' Ms Young said.

'All a mother could do when they see their baby like that is just scream at the top of their lungs.

'I was just screaming. I didn't know what to do. It was horrible. To see your children helpless at the bottom of the pool - it's just terrible.'

The children's parents Renise and Troy Young performed CPR - as did ambulance crews but it wasn't enough and the two girls died.

Investigations are continuing but Nine News reports that the little girls my have used a chair to climb over the fence that separated the pool from the rest of the house.

Ms Young tried to resuscitate the children at the scene but tragically they were already dead

She told Nine News that she was' just screaming' and 'didn't know what to do'

Ms Young described how she saw her children 'helpless at the bottom of the pool'

The children had finished lunch and went to play outside when the girls went missing.

Family members then went looking for them and it was Aige who spotted them first.

The backyard pool is fully fenced however Logan City Council officers are on the scene checking if all fences meet regulation.

The tragic death of the young girls is not being treated as suspicious according to Inspector Glen Allen from Queensland police, however the parents will face questions about supervision.

'Imagine just one, let alone two - it must be so awful,' the Inspector said of the tragedy.

On Wednesday the girls' mother laid a bouquet of flowers where her children had died

It's thought the little girls my have used a chair to climb over the fence that separated the pool from the rest of the house

Emergency services were called to a Kingston home in Logan, south of Brisbane, on Tuesday

The girls' parents are yet to speak with media - however their grandfather Peter Brown told Nine News the parents were devastated.

'He's cut up something terrible and she's just as bad because she had to dive in the pool to get them out,' Mr Brown said.

'It's going to be a bad memory for a lot of people.'

The girls' heartbroken aunt , Tamara Sengstock, told Fairfax Ms Young was 'trying to hold herself together for her son and other two daughters'.

The distressed aunt also posted about the loss on social media.

'R.I.P beautiful girls. Taya and Patricia Young (sic), you were both taken so soon,' she wrote on Facebook.

Two girls, aged three and four, have tragically drowned in a backyard swimming pool

Police aren't treating the deaths as suspicious but are looking into how the two girls got into the pool

'Can't believe you beautiful angels were taken so soon and only were four and three years old.'

The girl's uncle commented on the post.

'That's my older sister that lost her babies. My two nieces,' he wrote before admitting he already missed the young children.

According to The Australian the children had eaten lunch and were preparing to go for a swim in the freshly cleaned pool.

A trampoline or chair could have been used by the girls to get into the pool according to Nine, police are investigating this lead.

The children were pulled from the pool by their mother but couldn't be revived
It has long been the go-to look for celebrities looking to ramp up the glamour factor.

But cleavage, it seems, has finally gone bust. Daring outfits that expose too much chest are no longer in fashion, Vogue has declared in this month's edition.

The magazine said models are choosing to show off their shoulders, stomach or legs rather than go for a plunging neckline in a bid to outwit 'creepy' online comments.

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Style bible Vogue magazine declares it's time to pack away the bra, shown by Kim Kardashian

Plunging: Jennifer Aniston in a typical cleavage-baring outfit - which are no longer in fashion

The fashion bible said: 'The cleavage  those magnificent mounds pushed together to display sexual empowerment, to seduce, to inspire lust or even just to show off  is over, or at least, taking a well-earned break.

'The t*** will not be out for the lads. Or for anyone else, for that matter.'

Stylist Elizabeth Saltzman added that she now has to consider how models will be perceived by the public because of online harassment, with comments on social media sites such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, leaving even the most glamorous of stars vulnerable to abuse.

In reference to one top-heavy actress, she said: 'On those occasions where her cleavage is more visible, I see what happens on her Instagram feeds afterwards, and out of about 100,000 comments, 90,000 will be about her boobs.

'That's not healthy, that's creepy.'

While Vogue may has declared the era of cleavage to be over, the market itself has seen a shift in women's attitudes to their bust.

Recent bra sales show that soft-cupped natural shapes have overtaken the push-up bra synonymous with the 1990s and Eva Herzigova's 1994 Wonderbra advert.

In recent years stars like Emma Watson have led the A-list revolt on cleavage and have been seen on the red carpet in more conservative outfits. Online fashion retailer Asos has even launched a 'side boob bra' as an alternative to the low-cut top.

Marshal Cohen, an industry analyst, told the Daily Telegraph: 'Comfort is a dominant theme throughout the fashion world, and today's bra consumer... is seeking both physical and personal comfort.

Recent bra sales show that soft-cupped natural shapes have overtaken the push-up bra synonymous with the 1990s and Eva Herzigova's 1994 Wonderbra advert

'Seamless bra styles are increasingly top of mind for consumers of all ages, and can no longer be an afterthought for manufacturers and retailers.'

As if to support Vogue's edict, many of the women who appeared at Monday's Harper's Bazzar Women of the Year Awards decided against showing off large amounts of cleavage. Pride and Prejudice actress Kiera Knightley attended in an emerald green dress which, while it betrayed a hint of her legs underneath the sheer skirt, featured a high neckline.

Downton Abbey's Laura Carmichael chose a metallic blue Christopher Kane jumper to the awards.

The Vogue article, titled 'Desperately Seeking Cleavage', claims: 'Rejecting the stereotypes of gender has been brought sharply into focus, with the days of women as eye-candy, their sexuality positively smouldering rather than subtly played out, officially over.'
A woman who lost her leg has penned a powerful letter to the Prime Minister about the refugee surgeon who helped her walk again.

Mother-of-two Allison France - whose leg was severed after being struck by a car five years ago - has called on Malcolm Turnbull to reconsider banning asylum seekers from Australia for life.

The Brisbane amputee had undergone a life-changing operation performed by Dr Munjed Al Muderis who fled to Australia from Iraq by boat.

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The amputee had undergone a life-changing operation performed by Dr Munjed Al Muderis (pictured) who fled to Australia from Iraq by boat

Brisbane mother-of-two Allison France who lost her leg has penned a powerful letter to the Prime Minister about the refugee surgeon who helped her walk again

'I was destined to spend my life in a wheelchair until I met Dr Munjed Al Muderis,' she wrote in an open letter, posted on her Twitter page.

'I owe my health, my ability to walk and have a decent quality of life with my children to Dr Al Muderis.'

At the time of her accident, she said Dr Al Muderis was the only surgeon in Australia who could perform an osseointegration surgery - a metal implant inserted between the bone and prosthesis to allow movement.

Her letter comes as the federal government announced a controversial move to ban any illegal immigrant who tried to sneak into Australia by boat after 2013.

The mother penned an opened letter to the Prime Minister about the refugee surgeon (pictured) who helped her walk again

The Brisbane amputee has called on Malcolm Turnbull to reconsider banning asylum seekers from Australia for life amid proposal under new legistlation

'I am writing to protest your latest announcement regarding genuine refugees and their travel to and resettlement in Australia,' Ms France said.

'Under your new policy, he would never have made it to Australia.

'He has made a huge contribution to our country. I urge you to reconsider your position on this issue and consider the welfare and happiness of Australians like me.'
Suspect: Ricardo Augusto Utuy, 34, allegedly stabbed a three-year-old girl, identified only as 'Baby Ruth,' to death on Monday in a Los Angeles clothing factory

A three-year-old girl was stabbed to death in a Los Angeles clothing factory by a worker 'for no apparent reason' Monday night.

Ricardo Augusto Utuy, 34, was arrested after allegedly stabbing the child - referred to by police as 'Baby Ruby' - multiple times after her mom left her alone.

The girl had been brought to work by her mom, KTLA.com reported. Witnesses say Utuy, who also worked in the factory, was prone to talking and laughing to himself.

The attack occurred around 5pm, after the mom had stepped away from her work station, police said.

Attack: The girl was stabbed here. Her mom, who works in the factory with Utuy, had brought the girl to work from daycare. She had stepped away momentarily when the attack occurred

She had brought her daughter to work directly from daycare.

Utuy, who is said by police to have had 'minimal' contact with the mother and had only been working at the factory for two weeks, allegedly stabbed the girl multiple times with a knife before fleeing the scene.

He was taken into custody at 2.30am on Tuesday after surrendering himself to police.

After the mom returned to her workplace and discovered what had happened, she rushed her child to hospital in a private vehicle, but the girl later died.

The girl has yet to be identified by the coroner's office.

Los Angeles Police Captain Jorge Rodriguez told The LA Times that the man had behaved erratically around witnesses, and would talk and laugh to himself.

'He would do certain things that would lead them to believe he was not all there,' he said.

Utuy was charged with murder and is being held on $1million bail.
President Barack Obama has kicked off a week of campaigning for Hillary Clinton, but as he mingled with supporters on Tuesday not everyone seemed to be amused.

While campaigning for Clinton in Ohio - a vital battleground in the November 8 election between Clinton and Donald Trump - Obama spoke during a rally in Columbus and then greeted supporters, snapping a few selfies.

That included one selfie with crying 10-month-old Brooks Breitwieser who seemed unfazed by Obama's joking antics as he held the baby while pulling a funny face.

President Barack Obama, who was campaigning for Hillary Clinton in Ohio on Tuesday, poses for a selfie with a crying 10-month-old Brooks Breitwieser

Before holding the baby had already appeared unfazed by the president's joking antics

At one point, the baby's mother was pictured handing over her crying son to Obama

Obama was then spotted greeting other Clinton supporters in the audience during the Hillary for America campaign at the Capital University Field House in Columbus.

During the rally, Obama told working-class voters not to be 'bamboozled' by Trump.

Obama then tore into the Republican presidential candidate's working-class credential, saying the businessman has 'shown no regard for working people.'

He then repeated his disbelief, adding: 'C'mon, this guy?'

The president said Trump 'wouldn't let you into one of his hotels unless you were cleaning the room.'

Obama spoke during a campaign event in Ohio - a vital battleground in the November 8 election between Clinton and Donald Trump

During the rally, Obama told working-class voters not to be 'bamboozled' by Trump

He was spotted greeting supporters while at the Capital University Field House in Columbus

With just a week to go and the race for the White House tightening, Clinton with the help of Obama unleashed a fresh offensive on Tuesday against Trump and his vulgar comments about women.

Meanwhile, Trump strove to blend a quieter, presidential tone with his usual tough rhetoric, warning that a Clinton victory would 'destroy American health care forever.'

Trump has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct in recent weeks, complicating his efforts to win over women in both parties.

He has denied every accusation, but Obama said there was a pattern at work to which voters needed to pay heed.

'This is a lifetime of calling women pigs and dogs and slobs,' Obama said at a rally in Ohio.

'The part we're concerned about is if we start acting like this is normal.'

Obama flashes a big smile as he shakes hand with attendees at the Clinton rally

Obama, who traveled earlier in the month to Cleveland for another Clinton rally, is making an all-out push for Clinton by campaigning on her behalf nearly each of the remaining days until Election Day

Amid his pitch to working-class voters, he tried to boil the choice down to a question of character, saying the Oval Office 'amplifies who you are. It magnifies who you are. It shows who you are.'

'If you disrespected women before you were elected, you will disrespect women once you're president,' Obama said.

And speaking directly to men, Obama said 'we have to get over the hump' of electing the first woman president.

'I just want to be honest with you because she's been out there for so long sometimes in this culture we always want to see the new shiny object,' he said.

Ohio is a state Obama won twice by winning just enough working-class voters, while pumping up turnout among African Americans.

A supporter wearing a 'Hillary Clinton is my homegirl' shirt (center) is pictured along with other Clinton supporters while Obama addressed the audience during a campaign event for Clinton

A Donald Trump supporter in a 'Make America Great Again' hat was one of the attendees in the crowd of Hillary Clinton supporters on Tuesday

The latest poll shows Clinton appears to be struggling in the state, thanks in part to Trump's strength among working-class, white voters.

The state is also one of just a handful of states currently rated by The Associated Press as toss-ups in the presidential race.

Obama, who traveled earlier in the month to Cleveland for another Clinton rally, is making an all-out push for Clinton by campaigning on her behalf nearly each of the remaining days until Election Day.

Between now and November 8, Obama will pay his third visit to Florida in as many weeks, plus make two trips to North Carolina.

Obama is having what his spokesman on Tuesday called a 'heck of a good time' making the case for Clinton, calling his full schedule 'an indication of exactly how big he thinks the stakes are in this election'

Vice President Joe Biden also hit the campaign trail for Clinton on Tuesday and he and Obama both have a full schedule for the week

On Tuesday, Clinton was busy campaigning in Florida with a stop at Pasco-Hernando State College in Dade City

All three states are among the most competitive in the country between Clinton and Trump.

Vice President Joe Biden also hit the campaign trail for Clinton on Tuesday and he and Obama both have a full schedule for the week.
options range from hand built huts at $800 a night to the entire Island at $6,800 a night

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An entire 42 hectare island in Far North Queensland is available to hire from $6,800 per night, for when you really need to get away from it all.

Located on a small island at the far north of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Haggerstone Island Resort is as far away from 'reality' as you can get.

To get there guests first fly to Cairns, then jump on a private charter to nearby Hicks Island, before taking a 20-minute boat ride to Haggerstone.

Located on a small island (pictured) at the far north of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Haggerstone Island Resort is as far away from 'reality' as you can get

An entire 42 hectare island in Far North Queensland is available to hire from $6,800 per night, for when you really need to get away from it all

Bushman Roy Turner and his wife Anna became custodians in 1985, and built everything on the island (main house pictured)

To get there guests first fly to Cairns, then jump on a private charter to nearby Hicks Island, before taking a 20 minute boat ride to Haggerstone (jetty pictured)

Staying at the luxury resort is off-grid living at its best, with most of the food served caught or grown on the island.

Once there guests can enjoy spear fishing, game fishing, snorkelling, bird watching and waterfall and helicopter tours.

A number of accommodation options are available ranging from hand crafted huts at $800 a night up to the entire Island for $6,800 per night.

Bushman Roy Turner and his wife Anna became custodians of the island in 1985.

The couple arrived by boat and constructed an open-plan Balinese hut, which they now live in, Channel Nine reported.

Their self-sustaining two-storey family home resembles a treehouse and has no walls in the bedrooms, allowing a natural breeze to flow through.

Over the next six years the couple added a homestay with four guest lodges.

The Turners constructed everything, including the huts and jetty, with materials recycled from the island.

The Turners constructed everything, including the huts (pictured) and jetty, with materials recycled from the island

A number of accommodation options are available ranging from hand crafted huts at $800 a night up to the entire Island for $6,800 per night (hut pictured)

Haggerstone Island is an all-inclusive luxury resort situated on Australia's Great Barrier Reef

Once there guests can enjoy spear fishing, game fishing, snorkelling, bird watching and waterfall and helicopter tours
No one was controlling MH370 when it plunged into the ocean, a new report has suggested.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's latest examination of wing flap debris has concluded it was 'most likely' not in an extended position when the plane went down.

The fresh analysis gives weight to the theory no-one was at the helm of the aircraft and reduces the possibility pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah may have deliberately downed the plane.

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The flaperon, confirmed to be from MH370, washed up on Reunion Island off the eastern coast of Africa (pictured on discovery in July 2015)

The fresh analysis reduces the possibility pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah (pictured) may have deliberately downed the plane

Search director Peter Foley told reporters on Wednesday the results of the analysis, released on Wednesday, suggests the plane went into an uncontrolled dive.

'[It] means the aircraft wasn't configured for a landing or a ditching - you can draw your own conclusions as to whether that means someone was in control,' Mr Foley told reporters in Canberra.

'You can never be 100 per cent, we are very reluctant to express absolute certainty.'

The ATSB search update also covers analysis of satellite data, preliminary results from drift modelling and end-of-flight simulations.

William Sharkey, Leading Seaman Boatswain's Mate, searches for debris from MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean in April

An outboard wing flap is inspected by ATSB in July this year

An analysis of the plane's final communications to and from the satellite has been found to be 'consistent with the aircraft being in a high and increasing rate of descent at the time', the report said.

Both results validate the search area and supports the long-held theory MH370 went down without human intervention.

In recent months, critics have increasingly been pushing the alternate theory that someone was still controlling the plane in its final moments. If that was the case, the aircraft could have glided much farther.

The Beijing-bound Malaysia Airlines flight disappeared with 239 passengers and crew shortly after taking off from Kuala Lumpur in 2014.

The aircraft went down somewhere in the Indian Ocean off the Western Australian coast, experts believe.

Authorities won't finish scouring the final 10,000 square kilometres of the 120,000sq/km search zone area until January because of difficult weather conditions.

So far more than 20 pieces of debris have been found along the east and south coast of Africa and the east coast of Madagascar and the islands of Mauritius, Reunion (pictured) and Rodrigues

Analysis results have validated the search area and supports the long-held theory MH370 went down without human intervention (pictured, pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah)

Malaysia, China and Australia agreed in July that, in the absence of credible new evidence pointing to the plane's location, the search would be suspended after that.

A group of international and Australian experts have gathered in Canberra to review all evidence.

So far more than 20 pieces of debris have been found along the east and south coast of Africa and the east coast of Madagascar and the islands of Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues.

Transport Minister Darren Chester said authorities remained hopeful the aircraft would be found.

He emphasised the difficult conditions of the search zone, pointing out there were canyons and ravines four to six kilometres deep under water.

'It's tested the limits of human engineering excellence and technical capacity,' Mr Chester said.
The Leveson Inquiry into Press conduct damaged democracy because the police have used it as an excuse to withhold information, a report warned yesterday.

The Metropolitan Police Service is accused of restricting information to the public to that which gives a favourable impression of their work. The lack of co-operation has severely impacted crime reporting.

Marianne Colbran of the London School of Economics said: The balance of power has swung too far in favour of the police.

The Leveson Inquiry (pictured, Lord Leveson) into Press conduct damaged democracy because the police have used it as an excuse to withhold information, a report warned

Recommendations in the Leveson Report into phone hacking, and a further report by ex-standards watchdog Elizabeth Filkin, advised that all meetings between police and journalists should be recorded. But the report said this resulted in a big freeze with the police shutting down the information they give to the media. This in turn has eroded public trust in the police.

Police who in the past may have come forward to speak to the Press to draw attention to abuses of power and corruption are now unable to do so because this channel has now been closed. One police respondent quoted in the study said: What was needed was a sticking plaster and instead they have put a bloody great cast on the problem. Dr Colbran based her findings, published in the British Journal of Criminology, on 35 interviews with senior Met officers including murder detectives, crime journalists and press officers from Scotland Yard, between 2012 and 2015. She said the relationship between the largest force in the UK and the news media was now parlous and hostile.

The Metropolitan Police Service is accused of restricting information to the public to that which gives a favourable impression of their work

She added: The integrity of investigative reporting has been severely compromised and there are serious repercussions in terms of operational policing.

The clampdown has led journalists to seek other sources which are usually online, not accountable, and often result in sensitive material being released into the public domain, prejudicing investigations.

A spokesman for the Met said: We do not agree with the finding that the public are not kept aware of policing concerns.

In just the last few weeks there have been media briefings on child protection, the flow of guns in to the country, and meetings between journalists and detectives from the murder and sexual offences commands.
An Islamic bookshop owner who sent US$40,000 overseas to support 'freedom fighters' in Syria and have the government overthrown has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years behind bars, with a three-year non-parole period.

Omar Succarieh, 33, last month pleaded guilty to four foreign incursion offences after the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions dropped more serious terror-related charges against him.

A number of Succarieh's muscle-bound supporters arrived at Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday to hear his sentencing, including one bearded man who covered his tattoos with a traditional long-sleeve Islamic robe.

Islamic bookshop owner Omar Succarieh has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years behind bars for funding his brother's fighting in Syria. One of his supporters (pictured) arrived at court wearing a traditional Muslim garb to cover his tattoos (which are forbidden for Sunni Muslims)

Succarieh (pictured) will not be able to apply for parole for three years

Supporters of Succarieh refused to speak to media as they left the court on Wednesday

During the sentencing hearing Justice Atkinson separated Succarieh's supporters so they were not in a large group together

He will be eligible for release in the second half of 2017 given time already served in custody.

In handing down the sentence, Justice Roslyn Atkinson said there was no evidence Succarieh had planned any terrorist activity in Australia, the ABC reported.

'At the time of your offending, your religious beliefs were fundamentalist in nature,' she said.

'Your family has certainly been harmed, but the Muslim community is harmed by your offences because of the fear of them that it might engender in people thinking that you represent the Muslim community, which you most certainly don't.'

The publication reported that at least 10 of Succarieh's supporters were in court for the hearing. They were asked to split up by the judge so they were not in a large group together.

Succarieh gave a thumbs up to his supporters (pictured) as the four-and-a-half year jail sentence was handed down

One of Succarieh's heavily tattooed supporters was joined by a muscle-bound man as they awaited his sentencing on Wednesday morning

It is forbidden for Sunni Muslims to have permanent tattoos, but permissible for Shia Muslims

Succarieh's younger brother Ahmed blew himself up in a suicide attack on September 11, 2013 in the Syrian city of Deir al-Zor after leaving Australia five months earlier.

In a statement to the court, Succarieh said as a young Muslim man he felt targeted by authorities, particularly after his brother's death.

He said he gave money to his other brother Abraham, who was in Syria fighting against the Assad regime because he believed he was in a 'life or death' situation.

In covertly recorded conversations, Succarieh was captured speaking in code, describing cash as 'sweets' and how much as 'kilos', to arrange for $US43,700 to be sent to Abraham in early 2014.

One of Succarieh's charges was giving $7700 to an Australian-born citizen of Muslim Sunni faith to travel overseas in an alleged attempt to join the fight.

'I will forever be known as the accused terrorist who owned the bookstore,' Succarieh said.

The court had heard Succarieh believed it was his religious duty to involve himself in the Syrian conflict.

A man wearing a neon-yellow shirt refused to speak to media about the sentencing
Giving criminals anti-psychotic drugs when they leave prison could slash reoffending rates by nearly half, a major study suggests.

Up to 1,500 serious crimes could be prevented in Britain each year if drugs were given to individuals considered at particular risk.

More than a third of British prisoners are reconvicted of a new crime within two years of their release, and around 3,000 serious violent crimes are committed by ex-prisoners each year.

Giving criminals anti-psychotic drugs when they leave prison could slash reoffending rates by nearly half, a major study suggests. Stock image of HMP Pentonville

Prescribing drugs to break this cycle of offending and re-offending would be controversial - but scientists believe it could help reintegrate convicts into society.

Experts at the University of Oxford analysed the behaviour of more than 22,000 prisoners released from jail in Sweden between 2005 and 2010.

By comparing rates at which drugs were prescribed by the Swedish authorities with rates of re-offending, the scientists tracked how drug prescriptions affected crime rates.

They found a significant drop in the rate of violent reoffending while individuals were receiving more treatment.

Of the 22,275 released prisoners in the study, 4,031 committed violent crimes, amounting to 5,653 individual incidents.

Anti-psychotic medications were linked to a 42 per cent reduction in the rate of violent reoffending and psycho stimulants - such as those given for attention deficit disorder - slashed crimes by 36 per cent

Drugs used in addictive disorders resulted in a 52 per cent drop in crimes.

The study, published last night in the JAMA medical journal, raises the possibility that prescribing medications to individuals considered at particular risk offers a way of helping to re-integrate individuals into society.

The authors wrote: Most individuals who could benefit from psychotropic treatment do not receive it after prison release.

There has been uncertainty about whether treatment for released prisoners with mental disorders should focus on criminogenic rather than mental health-related factors.

The current observational study supports the potential role of treating psychiatric disorders, including by anti-psychotic medication.

Certain psychotic symptoms and untreated schizophrenia are associated with higher reoffending risk.

Study leader Professor Seena Fazel of the University of Oxfords department of psychiatry, who led the research, said: Many countries are keen to reduce the number of people in their prisons, but are unsure how to balance rehabilitation with protecting the public.

Up to 1,500 serious crimes could be prevented in Britain each year if drugs were given to individuals considered at particular risk, a new study has found

This study raises the possibility that prescribed medications may provide a way to cut the risk of violent reoffending, as part of a wider package of support.

The research also highlighted that medications seem to work beyond their immediate effects on symptoms.

We have shown that in a population with many mental health problems and high risks of reoffending, improving adherence and links with community health services may offer an effective way to improve outcomes for the individual prisoner and also public health and safety more broadly.

Mental health experts have fiercely criticised the use of drugs as a chemical cosh to sedate or control the behaviour of people in care homes.

A study published in the British Medical Journal last year revealed that 71 per cent of people with learning difficulties who are prescribed the drugs have no history of severe mental illness.

But there is growing interest in the idea of using drugs to alter criminal behaviour before someone has even committed a crime.

Earlier this year, experts in Sweden announced they were to trial a drug which could prevent paedophiles from abusing children.

The medication degaralix stops the brain from making testosterone and can combat hyper-sexuality and aggression, turning off the need to seek out sexual contact with youngsters.
Incident happened on Church St in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast

He was dragged 100 metres and fell on the road,

A Queensland police office has been dragged 100 metres down the road by a car he stopped for a breath test.

The officer was testing motorists driving in Maroochydore, on the Sunshine Coast, on Wednesday morning when he became trapped in a car window when a tattooed man decided to speed off.

After being dragged down the street, the officer fells onto the road and suffered minor injuries to his legs.

Queensland police are on the hunt for a man with distinctive tribal tattoos after he allegedly drove off from a breath test, trapping and dragging an officer 100-metres down the road

Queensland police are now on the hunt for the man, releasing a photo of the alleged offender to their Facebook page.

They described him as Caucasian, aged in his 30s, bald with a solid build and distinctive tribal tattoos on his right arm.

The man appeared to be wearing a white singlet when he was pulled over for the breath test.

Police were breath testing drivers on Church Street (pictured) in Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast, when the incident occurred

He was driving a red 2003 Holden Commodore and was last seen turning onto Beach Road and then speeding toward Maroochy Boulevard.

The police officer was treated for injuries to both his legs.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Ten Cabinet ministers helped to elect disgraced Labour MP Keith Vaz to Parliaments powerful justice committee

Ten Cabinet ministers helped to elect disgraced Labour MP Keith Vaz to Parliaments powerful justice committee.

In an extraordinary move, Home Secretary Amber Rudd, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox joined seven other Cabinet ministers in helping to install Mr Vaz in the influential role just weeks after he was embroiled in a sex and drugs scandal.

Mr Vaz was nominated for the role by Labour, despite the fact detectives are still considering whether to investigate him over claims he offered to buy cocaine for two male prostitutes he had hired for an orgy.

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen attempted to block the move by forcing a Commons vote, arguing that Mr Vaz was not fit to be an MP, let alone a member of the justice committee. But, Tory whips mounted an unofficial operation to ensure he got the job on the committee that oversees the work of the Justice Department. As a result, 159 Tory MPs backed Mr Vaz, in a back-room stitch up designed to prevent Labour MPs blocking Tory appointments in future. By contrast, only 38 Labour MPs were among the 42 other MPs who supported him, with even his MP sister Valerie staying away.

The Tory decision resulted in a string of ministers, including Chief Whip Gavin Williamson, trooping in to the Commons at 10pm on Monday to ensure Mr Vazs nomination went through. The whips cynical tactics provoked fury last night. Tory grandee Sir Nicholas Soames led the condemnation, saying: I do not believe Keith Vaz should be a member of a select committee and particularly not the justice committee while he has a big cloud hanging over him. It makes a mockery of the system.

In an extraordinary move, Home Secretary Amber Rudd, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox joined seven other Cabinet ministers in helping to install Mr Vaz in the influential role on the Justice Committee

Mr Bridgen said he was furious about the vote. I dont buy the idea that if the Government did not whip the vote and back Vaz, then Labour would oppose our nominations and that it would throw the committee system into mayhem, he said.

I think Keith Vaz has got a police and a standards investigation hanging over him. To vote him onto the justice committee brings the system into severe disrepute. 

TOP TORIES BACKING VAZ Karen Bradley Culture Secretary James Brokenshire Northern Ireland Secretary David Davis Brexit Secretary Dr Liam Fox International Trade Secretary Damian Green Work and Pensions Secretary Jeremy Hunt Health Secretary Andrea Leadsom Environment Secretary Amber Rudd Home Secretary David Lidington Commons Leader Gavin Williamson Chief Whip Advertisement

In the Commons, Mr Bridgen was challenged by Labours David Hanson, who asked him what right he had to tell the Labour party who to put on our committees?

Tory whips declined to comment on the operation. But a party source said that if they had allowed Mr Vaz to be blocked, then Labour would start vetoing Tory nominations.

Mr Vaz, a former Labour minister, was forced to resign as chairman of the Commons home affairs committee in September following newspaper revelations that he hired two male escorts at a time when the committee was investigating prostitution.

Claims that he offered to pay for cocaine for the pair are the subject of a complaint to both the police and the Commons standards watchdog.

He was recorded on tape arranging a 90-minute rendezvous with the two Eastern European prostitutes at a flat he owns near his 2million family home in London. The Leicester East MP discussed unprotected sex and asked them to bring the sex drug poppers, before saying: We need to get this party started.
The FBI stalled two investigations this summer linked to both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton for fear of influencing the presidential election in either direction.

One investigation looked into Paul Manafort, who resigned as Donald Trump's campaign chairman in late August, to determine whether he accepted illegal payments from Ukrainian officials.

Another investigation centered around claims the Clinton Foundation doled out favors in exchange for donations while Hillary was Secretary of State.

The FBI stalled two investigations this summer linked to both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton for fear of influencing the presidential election in either direction

Under the Justice Department's policy to avoid acting in ways that could influence the outcome of an election, the FBI kept both cases open while waiting until after November 8 to make any major moves forward, the New York Times reported.

FBI director James Comey's announcement on Friday that the FBI was investigating newly discovered emails that may be related to Clinton's private server dragged the agency squarely into the spotlight it had previously worked so hard to avoid.

Comey, whose letter was sent to bureau staffers as well as Republican lawmakers, acknowledged that while the FBI doesn't normally notify Congress about ongoing investigations, he felt an 'obligation' to them, as well as the American people.

Four years ago, former Attorney General Eric Holder formalized a policy among Justice Department employees against publicly commenting on politically sensitive investigations within 60 days of an election.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch objected to Comey's letter to inform Congress about the investigation into a new trove of emails and made it known that she thought it violated department policy, according to a Reuters source.

Comey's announcement on Friday that the FBI was investigating newly discovered emails that may be related to Clinton's private server dragged the agency squarely into the spotlight

Many have acknowledged that Comey was damned either way, and his adviser Daniel Richman said the announcement (pictured, Comey's letter) would preserve the FBI's credibility

The new emails were discovered on a laptop seized in a separate investigation into disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner following allegations that he was sexting an underage girl.

Law enforcement officials confirmed that investigators gained permission to start trawling through the 650,000 emails discovered on the laptop on Sunday evening, some of which could be from Clinton's private server, NBC reported.

Comey's supporters argue that he had to break away from Lynch and act independently after she compromised herself with an impromptu visit with former president Bill Clinton late into the email investigation earlier this year.

Critics like Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said Comey may have violated the Hatch Act, while Clinton's campaign manager John Podesta called it 'inappropriate' to make such an announcement 11 days before the election.

The new emails were discovered on a laptop seized in a separate investigation into former Congressman Anthony Weiner (left, with wife and long-time Clinton aide Huma Abedin)

But many have acknowledged that Comey was damned either way, and his adviser Daniel Richman, told the New York Times that the announcement would preserve the FBI's credibility and independence under the new administration.

Richman's argued that stalling until after the elections would have been a short sighted move that would inevitably land the FBI in hot water after November 8.

He also told the Times: 'If the F.B.I. director doesnt have the credibility to keep Congress from interfering in the bureaus work and to assure Congress that a matter has been or is being looked into, the new administration will pay a high price.'

But some former law enforcement officials put the blame on Comey, the Times reported.

They argued that the FBI director may have come under fire from Republicans had he waited, but at least he would have preserved the overarching principles of the Justice Department that had already been upheld throughout the summer.

Manafort, Trump's former campaign chairman, resigned in August after the Times reported on his business dealings. One handwritten ledger attributed $12.7m in payments to Manafort

The FBI is said to be probing Trump's former campaign manager Manafort, to determine whether he accepted illegal cash payments from corrupt Ukrainian officials.

Manafort advised Ukrainian politicians like Viktor Yanukovych, who served as the president from 2010 until he fled to Russia during violent protests four years later.

That inquiry has not expanded to include Trump and Manafor tcalled it an 'outrageous smear', the Times reported.

Manafort served as Trump's campaign chairman from June but resigned in August, four days after the Times reported that investigators found handwritten records attributing $12.7million of payments to Manafort's name.

The FBI investigation continues, although no overt actions have been taken to move the case forward.

The FBI has also been investigating the Clinton Foundation over claims they were trading access for donations to the charity.
A convicted rapist has been found guilty of a second wave of sex crimes after declaring his victims had agreed to the horrific acts.

Anthony Pitt was first jailed in 1999, for the brutal rape of a Ballarat schoolgirl a year earlier. Pitt lured the young girl into a dungeon and sexually assaulted her for over 19 hours.

On Wednesday he was found guilty of two rapes which preceded the 1998 attack, and was sentenced to a further 16 years and nine months behind bars, the Herald Sun reported.

Rapist Anthony Pitt, pictured, has been convicted over two sexual assaults in the 1980s - adding more than 16 years to his previous jail sentence for the rape of a girl in 1998

The County Court heard this week of Pitt's sordid past, and that he was on an appeal bail when he carried out a rape in Frankston on March 28, 1988.

During the attack he kidnapped a teenage girl, who he had met up with under the guise of offering her a job.

The girl's mother reported her missing after she failed to meet her at a pre-arranged location on November 27, 1988.

The teenager was discovered by police handcuffed and gagged in an underground tunnel.

The County Court heard this week of Pitt's sordid past, and that he was on an appeal bail when he carried out a rape in Frankston on March 28, 1988

The second attack Pitt was this week convicted of took place in Mildura on February 20, 1987.

Crown prosecutor Fran Dalziel said the man approached the girl, who was 15 at the time, from behind and dragged her into the bushes.

After violently raping the young girl Pitt threatened to kill her if she told police.

Another victim, 17, was savagely raped after Pitt grabbed her from behind, breaking her cheekbone and threatening to kill her if she screamed.

In September 2014 Pitt admitted to having sex with the girls during a recorded conversation with his mother.

He said it wasn't rape because they 'didn't say anything'.

A prison rat who served time with the sexual predator said he also admitted to having sex with the girls - but not to raping them.

He said they were willing participants helping him with his sexual fantasies.
Hillary Clinton launched a tirade on Donald Trump supporters when she was heckled at a Florida rally by a protester who called her husband a 'rapist'.

The protester shouted that her husband 'Bill Clinton is a rapist' as he waved a neon green sign which bore the same words at a rally at the Reverend Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday.

Clinton raised her voice and pointed a finger at the protester as she exclaimed: 'I am sick and tired of the negative, dark, divisive, dangerous vision and the anger of people who support Donald Trump.'

She continued: 'It is time for us to say no, we are not going backwards, we're going forward into a brighter future.'

Her voice became hoarse as she delivered the address.

Supporters chanted her name to drown out the heckler who was ejected from the rally.

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Lauderdale on Tuesday. Clinton raised her voice and pointed a finger at the protester as she exclaimed: 'I am sick and tired of the negative, dark, divisive, dangerous vision and the anger of people who support Donald Trump'

Clinton's voice became hoarse as she delivered the address and the crowd drowned out the heckler with chants of 'Hillary'

Clinton gestures as she speaks during her presidential campaign event at the Reverend Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, today

Clinton spoke to the racially mixed crowd after being introduced by civil rights legend representative John Lewis.

It was her third event of the day. Throughout the rallies on Tuesday she had launched withering attacks on Trump and also ridiculed his 'conspiracy theories', questioned the size of his wallet, and accused him of assaulting women in an effort to keep the full focus of the final days of the campaign on her rival.

At his own rallies Tuesday, Trump stuck to the script and avoided taking the bait.

Clinton pointed into the crowd as she raised her voice following the heckler's chant

Clinton slammed Trump as 'somebody who claims he's worth $10billion - he ought to pay some federal income taxes'.

At Fort Lauderdale she referenced an earlier event in the day with former Miss Universe Alicia Machado.

'If you're Miss Universe, you look pretty good, right? But Donald Trump called her Miss Piggy, insulted her heritage, called her miss housekeeping because she's a Latina,' Clinton continued.

'I was proud of her. She doesn't let such a small person get her down,' Clinton said, one of several times she called Trump 'small.'

'Don't buy into that dark, pessimistic vision,' Clinton told the Broward County crowd.

Clinton ripped a report from the headlines about Donald Trump avoiding millions in taxes to ramp up her attacks on her GOP presidential rival who 'stiffs you, who cheats you, and who walks away with money'.

Clinton got introduced onto the stage by civil rights legend representative John Lewis, pictured today, and she talked up a recent visit to a soul food restaurant

Clinton ripped a report from the headlines about Donald Trump avoiding millions in taxes to ramp up her attacks on her GOP presidential rival who 'stiffs you, who cheats you, and who walks away with money'

It was clear from her day Tuesday that the candidate was determined not to leave behind any useful attack in a tightening presidential race  in a state where it would be exceedingly hard for Trump to prevail nationwide without a win

Campaigning earlier in the day in Sanford Florida, Clinton referenced a new New York Times report that Trump avoided paying millions of taxes using a questionable tax avoidance scheme that his own lawyers advised against.

'He took everything our great country offer and scooped it up with both hands,' Clinton told a lively crowd.

'And then he has the nerve to call our military a disaster, to insult POWs, when he hasn't paid a penny to support the people who put on the uniform of the United States of America,' Clinton said.

'And I think the American people deserve to know whether he paid any penalty for skirting the law, and how much he's actually worth, and who he does business with.' She added: 'I'm particularly interested in the Russian business deals that he has.

She called on Trump to 'immediately release his tax returns' as other presidential nominees have done for decades.

'I believe that most of us here have paid a lot more federal income taxes than Donald Trump has,' Clinton said, 'and he claims he's worth $10billion.' The Times, in its report, called the scheme 'legally dubious.'

Clinton campaigned with former Miss Universe Alicia Machado in Dade City, Florida

Clinton had brought up Machado in the first presidential debate, prompting Donald Trump to attack the Venezuelan beauty queen. Clinton and Machado are seen on stage in Florida today

Clinton was almost defensive at the top of remarks as she set up her hits on her rival. But she said it was important to set a 'contrast' because, 'We've never had someone so unqualified or so unfit' to be president'.

But it was clear from her day Tuesday that the candidate was determined not to leave behind any useful attack in a tightening presidential race  in a state where it would be exceedingly hard for Trump to prevail nationwide without a win.

Earlier Tuesday, when Clinton appeared with Machado, where she blasted Trump as a 'bully' for his comments toward the beauty queen who says he called her 'Miss Piggy.'

'He sure has spent a lot of time demeaning, degrading, insulting and assaulting women,' Clinton told a crowd at the Dade City where she tore apart Trump for his treatment of women and girls.

She piled on in Sanford: 'He insulted her heritage because she was a Latina and called her 'Miss Housekeeping,' Clinton said. 'But as Alicia said today she refused to let such a small person get her down.'

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is seen above speaking at a campaign stop at UW-Eau Claire's Zorn Arena in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on Tuesday

Clinton mocked some of the pre-debate spin about Trump trying to 'get into my head'  a possible reference to Trump's decisions to bring Clinton accusers like Paula Jones and Juanita Brodderick to the debates.

'He's going to get into my head, he's going to really mess me,' Clinton said, saying she was 'sitting there thinking, 'No he's not.'

Clinton did allow that, 'It doesn't mean I enjoy listening to some of the things he had to say.'

Donald Trump avoided paying taxes in the early 1990s through a tax avoidance maneuver so questionable, his lawyers warned him the IRS might come after him should he be audited, according to new documents.

The maneuver was so dubious, according to the New York Times, it was later made illegal by Congress.

Trump potentially avoided paying tens of millions of dollars in federal personal income tax due to the avoidance maneuver, which was a new twist on 'stock-for-debt swap', discovered by the Times.
Jackson Mukasa claims he was subjected to an anal examination after he was arrested by Ugandan authorities in January 2014

Ugandan police are using implements to inspect men anally to determine whether they have been engaging in gay sex.

In January 2014, Jackson Mukasa was asleep in his home in Kampala when he heard a large gang chanting 'the homos are in there!' The group were banging pots and pans.

Mukasa said he was terrified when he looked outside and saw the mob who had brought along the police.

Homosexuality in Uganda is banned. A local politician was a the centre of the crowd, calling for action.

Mukasa, who is 21, and gay said: 'We opened the door, and there were police and people everywhere. The local councilman was there, yelling "Out with the homos! You are scaring people in the area." I still have scars from the beatings that followed.'

Mukasa and a friend who was staying with him were arrested and taken away for questioning.

Both of them were subjected to anal examinations without their consent.

He said: 'We were questioned, beaten again, forced to admit to homosexuality. They took us to (a) clinic in Kampala where we were examined.

'It is so painful. The doctor puts a machine up your rectum. It hurts so much, and there is blood.

Uganda is one of 36 countries in Africa where homosexuality is illegal, and one of eight countries globally where Human Rights Watch has compiled evidence of the use of forced anal examinations to 'prove' homosexuality.

Musaka, pictured with his father Charles Kibirige, right, said an angry mob marched on his house along with a local politician and police before he was brutalised in custody

Emilian Kayima, a Kampala police spokesman, denied that forced examinations took place.

He said: 'We do not need anal examination to prove a person is gay. When we arrest gay people, we take them to the courts of law because what they are engaging in is illegal under the laws of Uganda.

'If any gay person claims they have been tortured or forced to undergo anal examination, they need to come forward with evidence stating when and where it happened instead of running to the press to make baseless claims.'

The Ugandan health ministry refuses to comment on the allegations.

However, local rights campaigners and Human Rights Watch say Mukasa is one of several victims of forced anal examinations in the east African country.

Uganda is one of 36 African countries where homosexuality is banned and is punished by jail

Ugandan police deny subjecting gay men to anal probes but Human Rights groups disagree

They say while the practice is used ostensibly to prevent the transmission of HIV, it is merely a form of discrimination and abuse.

Uganda lawyer Nicholas Opiyo is preparing a constitutional case to ban forced anal examinations. He believes the HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Act is used illegally, as an excuse to 'prove' homosexuality.

Opiyo said: "They are using the law as an excuse to carry out the examinations. We want them banned.

'In all the cases we have dealt with, people are arrested and taken to certain clinics.'

Like most of sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda is highly religious and socially conservative. Violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people is common and politicians have long tried to pass legislation that denies basic rights to the LGBT community.

A law passed more than two years ago, punishing gay sex with long prison terms, provoked an international storm of protest and led some donor countries to withhold aid.

The constitutional court overturned the law - formerly known as the 'Kill the Gays' bill because a first draft included the death penalty for gay sex - on a technicality in August 2014.

However, many people in Uganda are in favour of discriminatory laws against gay people

Cases like Mukasa's are not designed to get LGBT people convicted in court, according to Opiyo. 'The examinations aren't used as evidence, they are used as a tool to dehumanise and stigmatise.'

Mukasa, who used to work in a restaurant, said police and authorities made no attempt to hide his identity. 'I cannot walk the street, I cannot get medicine, I do not have any money and cannot claim benefits because I am a homosexual.'

According to experts such examinations have no validity, either legally or medically.

Vincent Iacopino, medical director of Physicians for Human Rights said: 'There is absolutely no value in such examinations for this purpose

He said the examinations were unethical, harmful, and in some cases, torture.

Asger Kjaerum, advocacy director at the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, agreed. 'These practices lack both scientific value and violate international standards on the ban of torture and ill-treatment.'

Homosexuality was banned in Uganda in 1952. In recent years, assaults against LGBT people have been on the rise, according to Human Rights Watch, fuelled by the anti-gay policies of President Yoweri Museveni's government.

Neela Ghosal, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch said: 'Heated discourse around the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act and its draconian provisions appears to have led to an increase in harassment of persons perceived to be LGBT by civilians and the police alike.'

Human rights lawyer Opiyo is currently preparing his case, and expects to file it within the coming months.

He said: 'Anal examinations are a form of torture, a violation of the Ugandan Constitution, the African Charter, and international human rights. We want them banned.

'If the court declares the practice unconstitutional, the examinations will be unlawful, meaning anyone engaged in performing the examinations could be sued.'

Mukasa's case was eventually dismissed due to lack of evidence, but he says he feels convicted, and is serving a sentence - albeit out of jail.

He has changed his identity since the case, and is now living in a shelter, isolated from family and friends.
De Souza Correia is accused of aggravated assault after going to her flat

The pair met through a mobile dating app before meeting in person

Brazilian man, 31, was told to stay away from his alleged victim, 29

A Brazilian man accused of sexually assaulting a woman he met via a mobile dating app has been ordered to stay away from her.

Rogerio Luiz De Souza Correia, faced a charge of aggravated sexual assault at the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old met his alleged victim, 29, at her flat in Redfern on October 22, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Rogerio Luiz De Souza Correia has been charged with aggravated sexual assault after he met a woman through an online dating app

The pair were speaking through the application after meeting on September 15.

He appeared at the court unrepresented and spoke in broken English.

De Souza Correia asked for the case to be adjourned in order to seek legal advice and requested a Portuguese interpreter.

He was granted bail under the condition report daily to police between 6am and 10pm.

He is also not permitted to go within 100 metres of the alleged victim as part of an interim apprehended violence order and can only contact her through a lawyer.

The case was adjourned until January 12.

The 31-year-old met his alleged victim, 29, at her flat in Redfern on October 22 when the alleged incident occured
An off-duty North Carolina deputy has been fired after she accidentally shot her 11-year-old daughter while showing off her service weapon to friends, authorities said.

Lincoln County Sheriffs Office deputy Misty Michelle Flowers, 38, was reportedly showing the handgun to guests attending a Halloween party at her Lincolnton home on Saturday night when it discharged.

The bullet went through a wall and struck her daughter in the abdomen in the next room, who is expected to recover.

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Lincoln County Sheriffs Office deputy Misty Michelle Flowers (left and right), 38, has been fired after she accidentally shot her 11-year-old daughter while showing off her service weapon to friends, authorities said

At the time of the incident, Flowers was reportedly showing the handgun to guests attending a Halloween party at her Lincolnton home (pictured) on Saturday night when it discharged

Deputies received a call at 11.23pm and responded to the home where neighbors said there were several children present during the party, WBTV reported.

A man at the home called 911 and can be heard telling the dispatcher that someone had been 'playing with the firearm and shot her.'

However, he told the dispatcher he did not see who fired the shot, WSOC-TV reported.

When deputies arrived, they started tending to the child's injury, who was taken to a local hospital before she was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

The bullet went through a wall and struck her daughter in the abdomen in the next room, who is expected to recover

When deputies arrived, they started tending to the child's injury, who was taken to a local hospital before she was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte (pictured)

The girl has since undergone surgery and was said to be in stable condition.

'During this entire situation my focus has been on the well-being and condition of the child involved and am of the understanding the child is going to be OK after the surgery,' Lincoln County Sheriff David Carpenter told.

'This is a very tragic situation for all involved, the officer, her family, her career and everyone that has been touched by this.'

'We continue to pray for healing of the child and the entire family as the investigation continues over the next several days,' he added.

Deputies received a call at 11.23pm and responded to the home where neighbors said there were several children present during the party. The front porch of the home shown above

Carpenter confirmed Flowers was fired on Monday after he said her actions showed gross negligence and the disregard for the safety of others.

Flowers' firing came independent of a State Bureau of Investigation probe currently underway regarding the shooting, Carpenter said.

Firearms are expected to be locked away when they are at a deputy's home, the Sheriff's Office policy said.

News of the accidental shooting has left neighbors in shock.

Flowers (right) was fired on Monday after her actions showed gross negligence and the disregard for the safety of others, authorities said

Flowers (pictured with her family) has been with the sheriff's office since 2015, working for Lincoln County Courthouse. She previously worked for Catawba County Sheriff's Office

'It's a great relief to know she's going to be okay, that she's going to recuperate from it,' neighbor Clyde Queen said whose granddaughter was at Flowers' home during the party until just before 11pm.

'If she would have lost her life in this accident, it would have been a tragedy for this whole community.'

Flowers has been with the sheriff's office since 2015, working for Lincoln County Courthouse.
The competition to be Australia's go-to grocery store is heating up as discount chain Aldi reveals its sales have reached $5.8 billion.

The German-based chain raked in $5.8 billion in sales for 2014 and are expected to continue to grow, bringing in an estimated $7 billion by the end of this year, The Sydney Morning Herald.

The surge in profit will go toward renovating Aldi stores on the east coast, increasing produce options for shoppers and opening new stores in Western Australia and South Australia, an Aldi spokeswoman said.

German discount chain Aldi continues to heat up the race to be Australia's go-to grocery store as it reveals sales reached $5.8 billion in 2014 and are expected to hit $7 billion this year (stock image)

The surge in profit will go toward renovating Aldi stores on the east coast, increasing produce options for shoppers and opening new stores in Western Australia and South Australia (stock image)

'The new store format features a number of new upgrades, including clearer signage, redesigned shelving and expanded wooden produce bays, energy efficient LED lighting and extended chillers,' the spokeswoman said.

More than $1 billion will be spent updating every store with the new format by 2020.

The chain has added three new distribution centres and more than 100 new stores in the past two years.

Analysts said Aldi's competitors Coles and Woolworths will have to focus on more than just lowering prices to beat out the discount company (stock image)

'They (Aldi) will come in with good quality product at sharp prices and probably make people think twice about where they buy their fresh food from,' Analyst Tom Kierath said (stock image)

'To date, our expansion has captured 3.2 per cent market share in South Australia and 2.3 per cent in Western Australia,' the spokeswoman said.

Morgan Stanley Analyst Tom Kierath told The Sydney Morning Herald Aldi's competitors Coles and Woolworths will have to focus on more than just lowering prices to beat out the German company.

'They (Aldi) will come in with good quality product at sharp prices and probably make people think twice about where they buy their fresh food from,' Mr Kierath said.

Coles recently slashed the prices of its meat selection, cutting the price of a lamb roast by 28 percent, but it is still more expensive than Aldi's meat selection (pictured)

Over the past two years Aldi has opened 100 new stores across Australia (stock image)

'It will be on lines that turn quickly that are purchased frequently, so I think it is a risk for Coles and Woolworths.'

Coles slashed the prices of its meat selection, cutting the price of a lamb roast by 28 percent, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
A grieving Queensland mother says she will never erase the memory of seeing her daughter being stabbed to death by her husband as she watched television beside her.

Marlene Locke described to the Brisbane Supreme Court how she had been 'torn to pieces' by the unbearable pain suffered when Raymond John Mead killed his stepdaughter in February 2014.

Mead was sentenced to life in jail on Wednesday for the murder of mother-of-three Sherelle Locke, 23, at her Boronia Heights house.

Raymond Mead was sentenced to life in prison at the Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday for stabbing his stepdaughter Sherelle Locke, 23, to death as she watched television in 2014

Justice Ann Lyons, who sentenced Mead (pictured) to a non-parole term of 20 years and six months, said the 52-year-old's actions were 'cowardly' and 'reprehensible' and he'd shown no remorse

Justice Ann Lyons, who sentenced Mead to a non-parole term of 20 years and six months, said the 52-year-old's actions were 'cowardly' and 'reprehensible' and he'd shown no remorse.

Mead's estranged wife, who gave a victim impact statement to the court, had been sitting beside her daughter when he thrust a knife into her chest.

'Witnessing my daughter Sherelle being murdered right before my own eyes is the most devastating, heart-breaking, horrific, unbearable experience and pain I have ever been through in my entire life and I will never be able to get that vision out of my head,' Ms Locke said in the statement read to the court.

Ms Locke also said Mead was a violent, jealous, paranoid and vindictive person who killed her first-born child and best friend, and also denied her three grandchildren a mother.

'It tears me to pieces, just like the night you took her from us,' the statement read.

Sherelle's mother, Marlene Locke (pictured), told the court she had been 'torn to pieces' after watching her estranged husband attack her daughter while she sat beside her

Mead did plead guilty to manslaughter but was found guilty of murdering Ms Locke, a mother-of-three (pictured)

During the August murder trial, Ms Locke said Mead appeared in the living room, pinned her daughter down on the sofa and grabbed her by the throat.

She only realised Mead had a knife when he pulled it from her daughter's body before chasing after her, pinning her to a wall for five to 10 minutes and told her she was next.

Justice Lyons said the father-of-six was a 'practised liar'and had constantly breached domestic violence orders against not only his then-wife, but also a previous partner.

'What makes your offending worse Mr Mead is that during the entire period of offending you were subject to a domestic violence order ... and there is a history of domestic violence going back to 2008,' Justice Lyons said.

Mead did plead guilty to manslaughter but was found guilty of murdering Ms Locke.

He was additionally sentenced to two years for assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and 12 months for retaliation against a witness, which are to be served concurrently.

He will be 72 years old before being eligible to apply for parole.
Australia's controversial One Nation supports Donald Trump as US president, party senator Malcolm Roberts has said.

Senator Roberts said Mr Trump's rival Hillary Clinton was the 'most corrupt and unsuitable candidate to ever seek the office of United States President' in a statement released on Wednesday.

The comments came after Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop appeared to endorse Ms Clinton on ABC's Insiders program, saying the Democratic Party nominee was a 'known quantity' but Mr Trump was not.

Australia's controversial One Nation supports Donald Trump as US president, party senator Malcolm Roberts (pictured) has said

One Nation backs Donald Trump (pictured) for US president, says party senator Malcolm Roberts

'Hillary Rodham Clinton is not only a terrible and unrepentant liar, she is a manifest risk to American and Australian interests,' Senator Roberts said.

'A weak America is not in Australia's interest, and America will continue to be weak while any Clinton occupies the White House.'

Senator Roberts also confirmed the One Nation Party had employed a former economics adviser from the Trump campaign, Darren Brady Nelson.

The One Nation Queensland senator went on to say: 'After imprisoning Hillary Clinton, the first act of a Trump administration could well be, to wind back the outrageous job destroying climate policies that we have had to endure for the last 8 years of the destructive and rudderless Obama presidency.

'Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party wholly aligns, in this case, with the US Republicans against the dangers of a Clinton presidency.'

Senator Roberts believes the Clinton campaign had suffered a 'fatal blow' after the FBI had revived its investigation into Ms Clinton's private email server.

Senator Roberts said Mr Trump's rival Hilary Clinton (pictured) was the 'most corrupt and unsuitable candidate to ever seek the office of United States President
They have indicated charges may be looming for accomplices who helped cover up the crime

A former police chief who orchestrated a department cover-up after beating a handcuffed heroin addict for stealing sex toys and pornography from his SUV has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison.

Federal prosecutors have indicated other charges may be looming for accomplices who helped cover up the crime.

Former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke apologized to his victim, the judge, his family and residents of his Long Island community before being sentenced to 46 months on Wednesday by a federal judge.

Prosecutors said 'high-ranking officials' from other county agencies helped Burke silence potential whistleblowers after he pummeled Christopher Loeb, a heroin addict who had taken his gun belt, ammunition, a box of cigars and a bag containing sex toys and pornography, in 2012.

U.S. District Court Judge Leonard Wexler said Burke's crimes went beyond the beating and affected the entire 2,000-member police department.

Former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke (above, in December last year) has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison for beating a heroin addict who broke into his SUV

'I feel Mr. Burke acted as a dictator,' the judge said as the former chief sat stoically with his hands folded in front of his chin.

He noted that more than 80 people had written letters seeking leniency and calling Burke a good man who helped many people in a 31-year career.

But, Wexler said, 'He also did bad if you were not on his side. That's corruption.'

Officers subpoenaed by FBI agents investigating the 2012 beating were brought in and interrogated about whether they had talked, prosecutors said.

Some were warned that if they admitted wrongdoing, their union would not pay their legal fees. A commanding officer was assigned to warn witnesses that they could face retribution if they cooperated.

Burke pummeled Christopher Loeb (pictured), a heroin addict who had taken his gun belt, ammunition, a box of cigars and a bag containing sex toys and pornography

A union official falsely told several officers that Burke and 'other high-ranking Suffolk County law enforcement authorities' had secretly obtained copies of FBI memos containing the names of people speaking with investigators.

One officer told a federal agent that if that were true, 'I'm a dead man,' the letter said.

As a result, officers who were present for the beating or heard Burke brag about it at a Christmas party stayed quiet for years, prosecutors said. One lied in court and said the attack had not happened.

'In terms of obstructing justice, it is hard to imagine a more serious example of this conduct than the highest-ranking uniform member of the police department assaulting a suspect and then orchestrating a cover-up of his actions for three years during which he suborned perjury and prevented witnesses from telling the truth,' U.S. Attorney Ronald Capers said in a pre-sentencing letter to Wexler.

Capers was seated at the prosecution table during the sentencing, but did not immediately comment afterward.

The ex-police chief pleaded guilty last winter in the beating and cover-up. He has asked for no prison time because he says his mother is dying of cancer.

The co-conspirators were not identified in the letter, but prosecutors said their investigation is ongoing.

A federal prosecutor involved in the case declined to comment on Tuesday.

Burke became chief of the Suffolk County Police Department, one of the country's largest suburban police forces, in 2012 after having served for nearly a decade as the chief investigator for Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota.

Prosecutors called Burke's time as chief a 'reign of terror' - and said he kept liquor in his office and regularly drove drunk.

He had subordinates conduct surveillance on his girlfriends, prosecutors said.

In 2013, he had a contractor illegally put a GPS device on a high-ranking civilian police official he disliked, hoping to gather information that he could use for blackmail, according to the pre-sentencing letter.

Questions of Burke's fitness to lead surfaced as far back as 1995, when he was found guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer for twice failing to safeguard his weapon.

Internal Affairs reports also found Burke had engaged in sexual acts in police vehicles and had a sexual relationship with 'a convicted felon, known to be actively engaged in criminal conduct including the possession and sale of illegal drugs, prostitution and larceny.'

In the 2012 incident that led to his downfall, Burke was exacting revenge on a man who broke into his SUV that year.

At least 11 current or former police officers and detectives who had previously remained silent about the beating testified before the grand jury that indicted Burke.
The city of Menomonie and University of Wisconsin-Stout have worked together to establish a reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the fatal injuries sustained early Sunday morning by Hussain Saeed Alnahdi, a UW-Stout student from Saudi Arabia.

Alnahdi, 24, was found unconscious early Sunday morning on the 400 block of Main Street East outside of Toppers Pizza. He died Monday from his injuries. He came to UW-Stout in 2015 and was a junior majoring in business administration.

The reward is at $20,000 and will be administered through the Community Foundation of Dunn County. It is being supported through private donations -- including $5,000 from the Council of American-Islamic Relations, a national civil rights organization -- and the UW-Stout Foundation. No tax dollars are involved.

It is absolutely essential that we use all of our resources to find the person responsible for Hussains death, Chancellor Bob Meyer said in announcing the reward. Many people are looking for ways to help the police find the assailant, and we hope this fund will generate the information needed to lead to an arrest and conviction.

The city also has been contacted by many people who want to help, Menomonie Police Chief Eric Atkinson said. This fund could be just the right incentive for someone to come forward with the information we need to solve this case.

Memorial fund

A memorial fund has also been established in Alnahdi's name and will be administered by the Stout University Foundation, a private fundraising organization that supports the mission and goals of UW-Stout.

We have been approached by many alumni, community members and other concerned people who want to give to a memorial fund for Hussain, said Mark Parsons, vice president for Advancement and University Marketing and executive director of the Foundation. We hope this fund will provide the outlet that people are looking for to honor Hussains memory.

The stated purpose of the memorial is to remember the joy and happiness (Hussain) brought to the community.
Plagued by crime and riddled with street gangs, the troubled Los Angeles neighborhood that Doria Ragland, 60, calls home couldnt be more different to Londons leafy Kensington.

But social worker Ragland might now find herself welcoming a royal guest to downtrodden Crenshaw after Prince Harry was revealed to be dating her daughter - Suits actress Meghan Markle.

Markle, 35, is now based in Toronto, Canada, but her mother remains in LA and moved to her modest green-painted home five years ago after the death of her own father, Alvin, in 2011.

Home sweet home? Prince Harry's new girl, Meghan Markle, grew up in this house in Crenshaw, Los Angeles, a troubled area that had 47 crimes in the past week - including murder

Worlds apart: Though Harry and Markle (right) are enjoying a whirlwind romance, they are from very different worlds. Markle grew up in an area that was home to the Bloods gang

Markle was brought up in a large yellow-colored detached home in central Los Angeles, while her rumored royal boyfriend spent much of his childhood between Kensington Palace and Prince Charles Gloucestershire mansion, Highgrove.

But Harrys literally palatial homes couldnt be more different from the tatty one-storey homes that dominate much of Crenshaw.

And while there have been a total of 21 crimes in the immediate area around Highgrove over the past 12 months, 47 have taken place in Crenshaw in the last week alone - including murder and robbery.

Other crimes noted over the past seven days include multiple drug-related misdemeanors, vehicle thefts, vandalism and disturbing the peace.

Still there: Markle's mom still lives in Crenshaw, although she hasn't been seen since news of her daughter's relationship with Prince Harry went public

Local gangs include Crenshaw Mafia Gangster, which has been plaguing the area since 1981, and Bloods affiliates Center Park Blood.

Operating close by are the Westside Rollin' 60's Neighborhood Crips, one of the largest street crime collectives in Los Angeles, and branches of the Compton-based Piru gang.

Nevertheless - and in spite of the gangs - parts of Crenshaw are considered to be improving, among them the aptly named Windsor Hills.

Neighbor Michael McWilliams, 49, said he had not seen Doria since news of her daughters alleged dalliance with Prince Harry broke but described her as a nice woman.

Ive never seen the little girl [Meghan] though, added McWilliams. She [Doria] has been living here since her daddy [Alvin] died.

Markle remains close to her mother, who divorced her father Thomas, 72, when she was six, and is often seen with her on the red carpet.

Thomas, a lighting director, is currently thought to be in Mexico and recently filed for bankruptcy after racking up debts of $30,000 (24,000).

Doria, who also filed for bankruptcy herself in 2002 over a $52,750 credit-card bill, appears to be the one of the defining influences in her daughters life.

Run-down: Neighboring Crenshaw is the crime-ridden neighborhood of Inglewood (pictured), which was namechecked in Dr Dre's The Next Episode

Writing in an article about her background, Markle addressed being mixed race, saying: 'While I could say Pennsylvania and Ohio, and continue this proverbial two-step, I instead give them what they're after: "My dad is Caucasian and my mom is African-American."'

She also wrote about being a 'light-skinned' baby so when people saw her black mother pushing her in the pram 'they assumed she was the nanny.'

And she has spoken of how her mother's great-great grandfather was born into slavery and freed at the end of the Civil War.

Family ties: Markle's aunt, Ava Burrow (pictured with her son Joffrey Ragland), lives in Inglewood, which has long been affected by gang violence

Crenshaw is one of a cluster of Los Angeles boroughs famous for gangs - along with Compton, Long Beach, South Central and Inglewood.

The latter, which borders Crenshaw to the south, is also home to another member of Meghans family - her maternal aunt, Ava Burrow, 63.

Burrow, who was not at home when DailyMail.com visited, lives on an Inglewood street with the dubious distinction of having its own branch of the Bloods crime gang in situ.

Mistaken: Markle, who is mixed race, once wrote about how her darker-skinned mom would be mistaken for her nanny - something Harry would never have experienced

Known as the Queen Street Bloods, famous former members include rapper Mack-10 and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee.

Indeed, so famous is the area for gang crime, it was name-checked in Dr Dres 1999 rap hit The Next Episode along with Compton and Long Beach.

The crime-plagued neighborhoods of Markles mother and aunt are a far cry from the leafy part of Long Island where her former husband, Trevor Engleson, 40, grew up.

The Hollywood producer now lives in Los Angeles but was brought up in an affluent suburb of Long Island close to the New York City limits.

His parents declined to comment at their detached home.

One family friend, who declined to be named, said that the family had not spoken to Markle since the divorce.

Her ex-husband told relatives that he had learned of the actress's new romance at the weekend but was reticent to discuss it further.

Their divorce was in Los Angeles, where Markle legally resides although she spends much of her time in Toronto.

It was a 'quickie' divorce which used a legal procedure which limits the information the couple have to disclose - including their marital assets.

The papers associated with it show that both parties agreed to the split and that any financial settlement was entirely confidential.

Markle also gave up using her ex-husband's surname, the papers said.
There are reports the animal was dead when the photo was taken

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services is investigating the incident

But the image went viral and has received widespread condemnation

The image taken on Fraser Island has since been deleted by the men

Two men have posted an image of themselves 'surfing' on a turtle in QLD

Two men who shared a photo of themselves 'surfing' on the back of a protected turtle have received widespread condemnation and can face a $20,000 fine.

The image which has since gone viral was taken at Fraser Island, off Queensland's coast, and posted online by Gold Coast man Rick Rogers.

'Surfed a tortoise on zee weekend. gnarly duddddeeeee [sic],' his Instagram status accompanying the photo read.

Two men have caused outraged after 'surfing' on a turtle in Fraser Island, Queensland

The image which has since been deleted was copied and posted by members of the public hoping to find the 'idiots'.

'A fine would be good, a big one. Cowardly idiot!' Colleen said.

Are these dudes brain dead? What the f**k is wrong with idiots like this? Theresa said.

A Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services spokesman confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that the matter is being investigated.

'There is some evidence to suggest that this turtle was deceased at the time of the photo,' they said.

'QPWS are taking this matter seriously and investigating further.

'The maximum penalty for interfering with a natural resource is $19,965.'

Gold Coast man Rick Rogers deleted the photo but it has since gone viral and caused outrage

Tony Raistrick told Daily Mail Australia the turtle was dead when it washed up onto the shore

An image of a dead turtle believed to be the one the men are standing on was reportedly dead when it washed on shore on Saturday.

'The turtle was definitely dead and looked like it had been dead for some time,' Tony Raistrick told Daily Mail Australia.

'It had black gunk coming from its mouth,'

But despite whether the animal was dead or alive many were left angry as they claim the image promotes animal cruelty.

Regardless if this animal is alive or notthis is clearly disgraceful. First of all its a turtle not a tortoise. Second these animals have such a high mortality rate to begin withyet they still have to contend with ignorant fools like you, Virginia said.

'Point is, dead or alive these men are promoting animal cruelty on social media which is not okay,' said Ella.
This distressing footage shows a cow being dragged face-first through a muddy field by a tractor just metres from the body of her dead calf.

The cow's front legs collapsed after she gave birth to her calf, which died minutes later.

A farmer used hip clamps to stand her back up but left her hanging in the metal harness for half an hour before using the farm vehicle to pull through the field.

This distressing footage shows a cow being dragged face-first through a muddy field by a tractor, just metres from the body of her dead calf

A farmer used hip clamps to stand her back up but left her hanging in the metal harness for half an hour before using the farm vehicle to pull through the field

The shocking undercover footage was taken by the Farmwatch campaign group, which was investigating animal cruelty on the farm in Waikato, New Zealand.

Activists found the cow hanging in the hip clamps for 30 minutes, not far from the dead body of the calf she had given birth to not long before.

The animal rights advocates planted a secret camera in a hedge when the farmer returned, only for him to continue abusing the cow.

After jumping into his tractor, he used it to pull the cow across the field by her hips, causing her head to be dragged through the dirt.

Using the clamps is not necessarily cruel as cows often struggle to get back to their feet after childbirth, however campaigners say they should only be used for a maximum of 10 minutes.

They are meant to be used to support a cow and help them move, but not for dragging.

Tragic: The cow's front legs collapsed after she gave birth to her calf (pictured), which died minutes later

Activists found the cow hanging in the hip clamps for 30 minutes, not far from the dead body of the calf she had given birth to not long before

Using the clamps is not necessarily cruel as cows often struggle to get back to their feet after childbirth, however campaigners say they should only be used for a maximum of 10 minutes

Farmwatch handed the footage to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) a year ago but officials have still not decided whether to prosecute the farmer involved.

'This footage was reported to MPI last year, but as yet they have done nothing to reprimand the farmer,' John Darroch from Farmwatch told New Zealand animal rights charity SAFE.
A permanent memorial for those who lost their lives on a ride at Dreamworld will be made from the mounting pile of flowers left outside the theme park by mourners.

Thousands of bouquets of flowers, soft toys and touching notes have been laid outside the Gold Coast amusement park since four guests were killed on the Thunder River Rapids ride last Tuesday.

The embattled theme park announced on Wednesday it would be collecting the floral tributes to be used in a permanent memorial for victim's Kate Goodchild, 32, her brother Luke Dorsett, 35, his partner Roozi Araghi, and mother Cindy Low, 42.

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A permanent memorial for those who lost their lives on a ride at Dreamworld will be made from the mounting pile of flowers left outside the theme park by mourners

The four tourists were killed in front of crowds of people waiting to board the simulated rapids ride, including families, when a malfunctioning raft flipped and threw them into the water where they became caught in a conveyor belt.

A statement from the theme park said they wanted to pay acknowledge the growing memorial of flowers left by those paying their respects.

'Dreamworld has sought advice from Red Cross with regard to the tending of these flowers, and the letters and soft toys that people have placed the park's entrance.

'Older flowers that have been laid at the Park will be removed and will be used in a permanent memorial at Dreamworld.'

Victims: Two mothers, Kate Goodchild (left), 32, and Cindy Low (right), 42, died in the tragedy

Mr Dorsett's partner Roozi Araghi, 38, (left) was also killed on the Thunder River Rapids ride

A young boy cries while visiting a floral tribute outside the Dreamworld Theme Park

Touching notes, toys and gifts have also been left at the site of the tragic accident

The pile of flowers continued to grow after a candlelit vigil was held outside the park

Hundreds turned out to pay their respects to the four people who lost their lives

The notes remaining will be scanned and digitised to be kept on record, while the toys and other gifts will be collected and stored until a decision is made on what should be done with them.

'No decision on these will be made without consultation,' the statement read.

A spokesperson from Dreamworld said a design for the memorial had not yet been decided on as they would like to consult the victim's families first.

'At this stage there is a focus on the funerals and letting that take place before we have any discussions about the memorial,' a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

A permanent memorial using flowers left in Martin Place by those mourning the deaths of Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson was erected following the Lindt Cafe siege in December 2014.

A spokesperson from Dreamworld said a design for the memorial had not yet been decided on as they would like to consult the victim's families first

A permanent memorial using flowers left in Martin Place by those mourning the deaths of Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson was erected following the Lindt Cafe siege in December 2014

Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson said on Wednesday that funeral arrangements for the victims would not be made public.

'With regard to the funeral arrangements that are being made, this is deeply private for the families and we ask that media respects their requests for privacy,' he said.

This comes after it was revealed a water pump on the Thunder River Rapids ride had repeatedly failed before the fatal accident and that operators were considering closing it.

The pump reportedly failed twice on the day of the tragedy but was repaired.

Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson (pictured) said on Wednesday that funeral arrangements for the victims would not be made public

HOW THEME PARK CATASTROPHE HAPPENED: Four people - two men and two women - were killed in a raft ride disaster at the Gold Coast's Dreamworld on Tuesday. Miraculously, two children were catapulted out of the fatal raft and survived with only minor injuries

However, it also malfunctioned the week before the incident as well, according to the Australian.

Police are consulting the pump's manufacturer and workplace health and safety officials as investigations into the accident continue.
A four-year-old boy was 'covered in bruises' and vomiting 'green slime' before he died on the Gold Coast more than seven years ago, a court has been told.

Tyrell Cobb was found unconscious at a Biggera Waters home on May 24, 2009 and was pronounced dead in hospital.

A pathologist found more than 70 injuries on his body and said he suffered internal bleeding and a severe abdominal injury in Strbak's original bail hearing.

His mother Heidi Strbak, 33, and her ex-partner Matthew Scown, 33, appeared at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday for a committal hearing charged with murder. The pair had one count of torture dropped.

Gold Coast mother Heidi Strbak (pictured), 33, leaves the Magistrates Court in Brisbane on Wednesday. She is accused of murdering her four-year-old son Tyrell Cobb

The court heard that Tyrell (pictured) was 'covered in bruises' and vomiting 'green slime' before he died more than seven years ago

Tyrell's uncle Daniel Allan said the young boy was 'just not well' and 'covered in bruises' on his head and arms the day before he died.

The following day he was 'sluggish' and 'throwing up green slime', Mr Allan added.

He allegedly said 'Matthew had punched him in the stomach' and showed his uncle a bruise above his genitals.

He allegedly told his ex-girlfriend Nicole Brown that Scown had murdered the boy.

On another occasion Tyrell showed his grandmother Diane Strbak a bruise on his body and told her 'Matt kicked me', the court heard.

'I said 'why would he kick you?' And he said 'I wee on the carpet',' Mrs Strbak said.

Tyrell had been to hospital two days before he died with a broken arm, the court was told.

Strbak (pictured) and her ex-partner Matthew Scown, 33, are both accused of murdering the toddler in 2009

The court heard that Tyrell showed his grandmother Diane Strbak (pictured) a bruise on his body and told her 'Matt kicked me'

Mr Allan claimed Strbak, his stepsister, was 'stoned as a parrot all the time' and should be jailed for not noticing her son's injuries.

He added: 'Someone should be locked up for it, if not one then both of them.

'Kids just don't die and throw up green s*** every day of the week do they?

'Someone's got to go to jail. How does a mother not notice 76 bruises?

'How did she not see when bathing him - what kind of a mother is that?

'Stoned as a parrot all the time - that's why.'

When he asked Strbak about Tyrell's injuries she said they 'happened at kindy'.

A woman who lived in the same apartment block as Strbak said she used to hear a woman 'screaming shut up or be quiet', the Courier Mail reported.

The woman's husband said he heard a 'druggie-looking' blonde woman 'screaming or yelling' the name Ty and 'bad swear words.'
Girl, 14, was gang raped by four boys in Townsville,

A school principal allegedly discouraged the parents of a 14-year-old gang raped by four boys from reporting the attack on their daughter, a royal commission has heard.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is examining how Shalom Christian College in Townsville, Queensland, handled the March 2006 incident.

The parents of the girl, known as CLF, said the school's principal at the time, Christopher Shirley told them the four boys involved were from influential Indigenous families in the Townsville area, ABC News reported.

A royal commission is examining how Shalom Christian College (school pictured in background) in Townsville, Queensland, handled the March 2006 rape

'He was in shut down and protecting the school mode. He was also treating us like we were dumb black people,' the girl's mother said.

The mother also said Mr Shirley told her there were rumours her daughter was promiscuous and that after all, children at that age were 'exploring things'.

'I said "look here, this is not my daughter's fault",' the mother said.

'This isn't a case of exploration.

'[My daughter's] been raped.'

The parents said the school did not notify police of the attack.

The former Principal Christopher Shirley is yet to give evidence at the hearing.
Police officers were forced to take shelter when a dust devil suddenly sprang up and swept right past their car.

Captivating footage of the dust storm was captured by an officer who took cover inside his patrol car as it spun past him in Mount Magnet, Western Australia.

Sergeant Clint Brennan, from Cue Police, filmed as the swirling dust column moved down the street before gathering up pace and passing directly over him.

Sergeant Clint Brennan filmed the moment a dust devil formed in the road in Western Australia before passing directly over the top of his car

Sgt Brennan told WA Today: 'It shook the car as it went past the window, and we'd stopped to watch it and just see what it did.

'They're a pretty common sight up here in the Mid West but usually in the distance. You don't get to see them this close up often.'

Dust devils, or willy willys as they are sometimes known, are formed when narrow columns of warm air rise suddenly through a pocket of cold air above them.

Sgt Brennan said the force of the wind shook the car as it moved over, adding that he has never seen one get so close before

Dust devils are formed when a pocket of warm air rises through cool air above it and begins rotating, causing it to suck up nearby dust

As the warmer, high pressure air rises through the cold, lower pressure air, it can start to rotate, forming what appears to be a small tornado.

Because they require hot air to form and dust to become visible, they typically occur during summer in dry environments.
The city is on track for 726 homicides in 2016 - the highest since the 1990s

And on Tuesday ten more people were shot, with five in a 75-min window

In total 427 were shot and 78 killed in Oct, and 3,600 shot in 2016 so far

After suffering its bloodiest weekend so far, Chicago's body count has now surpassed 600 - making 2016 the city's deadliest year in more than a decade.

Some 17 people were killed over the weekend, pushing the year's tally up to 605. The last time the death toll went past 600 was in 2003.

And at least ten more people were shot and injured on Tuesday - five of them in just over an hour, The Chicago Tribune reported.

Body count: Chicago cops are struggling with the city's highest body count since 2013, with last weekend being the bloodiest yet - 17 people killed. In total 605 people died as of Monday

Murdered: Twins Edward (pictured) and Edwin Bryant, 17, were shot and killed in a drive-by attack over the weekend

October closed with a shocking 78 people killed - more than double the 30 dead in the same period last year.

In total 427 shooting victims were registered for that month, and 3,600 for the year so far.

The closing weekend of October was the bloodiest yet as 17 people were slain, including twin 17-year-old brothers Edwin and Edward Bryant.

They were gunned down on Sunday at around 3am in the Old Town section of Chicago in a drive-by attack.

Others killed included 14-year-old Demarco Webster Jr, who was shot on Saturday while he was helping his father move house.

Webster, an honor-roll student, was killed in a drive-by shooting in what his father believes was a case of mistaken identity, the Tribune reported Saturday.

Only August, with 90 homicides, managed to top October in terms of wasted human lives.

Chicago is on track to register 726 homicides in 2016 - that's higher than at any point since the 1990s.

But the blood kept being spilled Tuesday, with at least ten people being shot, five in the space of 75 minutes.

At 9:30am, two people were shot in the 8600 block of South Morgan Street in Gresham. Both were hospitalized in unknown condition.

Slain: Demarco Webster Jr, 14, was also shot dead in what his dad believes was a case of mistaken identity. Ten more people were shot on Tuesday, none yet identified

Around 10:40am, a men was hospitalized in 'fair condition' after being shot in the leg.

At 10:45am, two more men were shot: a 27-year-old was hit in the back and a 30-year-old in the chest. Both were hospitalized in unknown condition.

Other shooting victims included a 34-year-old man and a 25-year-old man, both shot in the legs in separate incidents. Both were stabilized in hospital.

Two teens, 16 and 18, were shot in the legs and buttocks in the same attack; their conditions are unknown.

A 23-year-old man was also shot in the back, leg, flank and shoulder in a robbery, and was hospitalized in critical condition.

None of the victims have yet been identified.

Police Superintendant Eddie Johnson told CBS that although the South Side and West Side have been the worst hit, the problem isn't with the officers there.

'Its our repeat gun offenders that are driving all this violence, and until we get tough on sentencing gunmen - holding them accountable - were going to keep seeing this cycle keep continuing,' he said.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has announced a plan to hire 970 more officers over the next few years, while filling existing vacancies.
Mr Torney had been in a relationship with Peta-Ann Francis, of Mildura

Said the girl's mother, his then partner, killed her and asked him to hide her

A court has heard audio of John Torney's confession to hiding her body

John Torney is on trial for murdering Nikki Francis-Coslovich, two, in 2015

A court has heard audio of John Torney confessing to hiding the body of two-year-old Nikki Francis-Coslovich.

He's on trial in the Victorian Supreme Court for the girl's murder at a home in Mildura in August 2015, but the court heard that three days after he was charged, he told police the girl's mother, Peta-Ann Francis, was responsible.

In a conversation with police, recorded in secret, Mr Torney said: 'It's eating me up inside, I can't hold back anymore, I've got to get it out'.

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John Torney has pleaded not guilty to murdering his partner's daughter in Mildura, Victoria in 2015

Nikki Francis-Coslovich was found in the roof of her mother's Mildura home

Nikki's bruised and beaten body was found hidden in the roof of Ms Francis' home on August 25 after she reported her daughter missing.

In the recording played to the court he told police Ms Francis had said to him she'd 'gone too far... she'd killed her'.

'She just said that she threw her on the bed, that, that could I help her get rid of the body...

'I put Nikki in the manhole.'

He said he'd climbed up on a chest of drawers to reach the roof cavity and that he'd 'freaked out' when Ms Francis asked for his help.

When asked in the recording about the point at which he'd decided to come clean, Mr Torney told police he'd been waiting for two days to tell them.

'I've been having nightmares, waking up in hot and cold sweats. I've got to get it off my chest... It's killing me inside. I loved that little girl like she was my own.'

I've been having nightmares, waking up in hot and cold sweats. I've got to get it off my chest... It's killing me inside.

Mr Torney is not Nikki's father but was in a relationship with Ms Francis.

The court has heard them blame the other for murdering the girl.

Mr Torney pleaded not guilty to Nikki's murder in the opening of his trial in Mildura in October and made explosive allegations that Ms Francis had killed her daughter and asked him to hide the body.

But the court heard she told police she 'did not hurt Nikki' and had no idea how her body ended up in the roof of her home.

In a police interview on August 28, 2015, Ms Francis broke down when detectives told her Mr Torney would be charged with murder.

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

JOHN TORNEY'S CONFESSION TO POLICE Police: Gerard said you wanted to speak to us about something? John Torney: Yep. Police: What's the go? Mr Torney: Peta killed Nikki. The mother killed her. Police: Her mother killed her? Mr Torney: Yeah. Later in the conversation Police: What are the circumstances John? Mr Torney: She killed her, then asked me to help her get rid of the body. Police: How did this all take place? Mr Torney: It was whilst we were laying down on the bed that she goes: 'I've gone a bit too far with Nikki' and then 'she's dead'. Later Police: Did she say how, or? Mr Torney: She just said that she threw her on the bed, that, that could I help her get rid of the body... Police: OK, and what did you do? Mr Torney: I put Nikki in the manhole. It's eating me up inside. I can't hold back anymore. I've got to get it out. Later Police: When did you decide to that you'd come clean and tell us what actually happened? Mr Torney: I've been wanting to tell youse for the last two days. Police: Mmm. Mr Torney: I've been having nightmares, waking up in hot and cold sweats. I've got to get it off my chest. Police: Mmm. Mr Torney: It's killing me inside. I loved that little girl like she was my own. Advertisement

'Why,' she said through her tears in the video played for the jury.

'How could he do it... my baby... how?'

She told police she didn't know anything about what had happened the day Nikki died and Torney hadn't told her anything.

'When? Do you know how she died?' she said.

'I need to know.'

'When I found out she was missing, I searched everywhere a little child would go to,' Ms Francis told police.

She said she had never been into the roof, that she didn't have a ladder, and couldn't stand on a chair because she doesn't have any cartilage in her knees.

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.

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

A recording of her triple zero call to report Nikki missing also revealed her giggling while she spoke to the operator.

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.

The trial continues before Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth.
Cindy was one of four who were killed at Dreamworld in late September

Cindy Low's funeral is due to be held on Thursday on the Central Coast

Devastated family say 'it is impossible to imagine a world without Cindy'

Ten days after Cindy Low was tragically killed in a doomed Dreamworld ride, her family say they are still trying to 'put one foot in front of the other'.

The Low family said they were still battling to come to terms with the loss of their 42-year-old daughter, wife and mother in a statement released on Wednesday.

'We have spent every day trying to put one foot in front of the other, and it is extremely hard,' the family said.

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The Low family said they were still battling to come to terms with the loss of their 42-year-old daughter, wife and mother Cindy (pictured)

'It is impossible to imagine a world without Cindy.

'It is going to take us a long time to find our way.'

The Low family released the statement a day before they prepare to farewell Cindy at a funeral at Palmdale on the Central Coast on Thursday afternoon.

The Low family released the statement a day before they prepare to farewell Cindy (pictured) at a funeral at Palmdale on the Central Coast

Mathew Low (is the widower of Cindy Low who died in the Dreamworld tragedy

They said the funeral would be 'strictly private' and pleaded for privacy as they battled through the devastating goodbye.

The 42-year-old, who lived in Sydney but originated from Kawerau in New Zealand, was killed when a raft on the Thunder Rapids ride at the Gold Coast's Dreamworld flipped on Tuesday September 25.

She was one of four people who died at the theme park due to the suspected malfunction with the ride's conveyor belt.

The Thunder Rapids ride (pictured) at the Gold Coast's Dreamworld flipped on Tuesday September 25 killing four

Victims Kate Goodchild, 32, her brother Luke Dorsett, 35, and his partner Roozi Araghi, 38, were all killed alongside Ms Low.

A 12-year-old girl and 10-year-old boy were the only people on the raft to survive the doomed ride after they were thrown from the raft to safety.

Autopsies on the four victims were finished and the bodies returned to their families at the weekend in time for their respective funerals.

Victims Kate Goodchild, 32, (top right) her brother Luke Dorsett, 35, (top left) and his partner Roozi Araghi, 38, (bottom right) were all killed alongside Ms Low (bottom left)

The Low family posted a funeral notice in The Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday describing Mrs Low as a 'devoted mother' to her children Kieran and Isla and a 'dearly cherished wife and soul mate' to her husband Mathew.

Dreamworld chief executive Craig Davidson hoped to reopen the theme park for a memorial day on Friday, just three days after the tragedy.

But the theme park was banned from reopening so soon because the site was deemed a crime scene by investigators.

Dreamworld chief executive Craig Davidson said on Wednesday no decision had yet been made on when the theme park would reopen

Mr Davidson said the park was ordered to remain closed until after all four victims were farewelled with funerals.

He also said on Friday 'no attraction in this park will reopen until internal and external safety audits are completed and peer reviewed'.
The findings of their research on transgender discrimination and poverty stunned them. The two undergraduate student authors were even more surprised when they were chosen to present their findings at a national conference and their work was published in a national publication.

Coltan Schoenike, of Omro, and Markell Jurek, of Bloomington, Minn., are hopeful about the potential footprint their research could make after being published in the fall 2016 issue of Family Focus, published by the National Council on Family Relations. The human development and family studies majors conducted the research in fall 2015 in the Family Resource Management class taught by Assistant Professor Amanda Barnett. It was accepted for presentation at the Groves Conference on Marriage and Family in August 2016 in Denver.

Schoenike, Jurek and their team members scrutinized recent studies to discover barriers in the workplace, education and health care that contributed to poverty rates among transgender individuals. Among their findings:

Transgender people were four times more likely than nontransgender peers to have a household income of less than $10,000 a year.

Less than half of U.S. states have laws protecting transgender workers from employment discrimination based on gender identity. In states without such protections, transgender employees can be legally fired or denied raises or promotions.

Transgender students were more likely to be placed, often incorrectly, in special education courses, were more likely to be pushed by a peer, had higher truancy rates and were more likely to have less adult social support at school.

Transgender patients reported being denied health insurance coverage and experiencing discrimination and harassment when seeking medical care. In one study, 20 percent of transgender patients under age 35 experienced discrimination in emergency rooms, 14 percent when trying to receive mental health care and 8 percent when communicating with EMTs.

Ive been doing work with LGBTQ identity for years and studied the topic ever since Ive come to college here, but I never grasped how drastic it was  like the $10,000 income statistic or how many people are discriminated against in health care, Schoenike said. Its dark; its really dark.

I was blown away by the $10,000 a year finding, said Jurek, who was involved in her high schools gender and sexual alliance organization and feels strongly about human rights. Its absurd.

The students article in Family Focus asserts that discrimination in the workplace, education and health care contributes to poverty rates among transgender people. Being denied a deserved promotion or getting fired diminishes income. Difficulties in completing a quality education can significantly limit earning ability. Being unable to afford or access health care affects work performance and attendance.

That was the whole point of our research: how the areas intersect into each other and with the poverty they face; how they create that poverty and perpetuate that poverty, Schoenike said.

High quality work

Its the first time either student has had work published, an experience thats more common for graduate students. Barnett, their professor, alerted them of the call for gender identity research presentations at the Denver conference and later Family Focus call for articles on human rights.

When the call for presentations came up, they were in the middle of their course project. It was very high quality already, and it wasnt even to the end, Barnett said.

When finished, it was definitely high caliber for a conference presentation and was accepted. On the heels of that came the acceptance for Family Focus. It was meant to be, Barnett said.

Disbelief was the students initial reaction to joining the ranks of published researchers.

Its something I never thought I would do, Jurek said. Its really cool. Its more about the fact that this is out there, in a magazine that hopefully people are going to read and learn from, which is even more important.

Raising awareness

Markell and I didnt think this was going to happen, Schoenike said. Getting to advocate for  especially as a trans person  my community is such an empowering experience.

Compared to a journal, this is a lot more accessible to people because of the style and format of the article. This information is so necessary.

The students want their findings to raise awareness of the issues and inform legislators.

I truly think that our research is one big call to action, Schoenike said. What we wanted to accomplish is: Lets look at this poverty and the intrinsic cycle and make the policy change that were suggesting. We need changes at this level.

For a copy of the students published article, contact Barnett at barnetta@uwstout.edu. For information on UW-Stouts B.S. in human development and family studies, visit http://www.uwstout.edu/programs/bshdfs/index.cfm.
A car enthusiast has lost $110,000 after buying a 1970 Ford Falcon which turned out to be worth a lot less than he paid.

Lyle Walker believed the XW-series V8 sedan he had purchased was a rare GTHO model - the kind Bathurst racing legend Allan Moffat drove.

Only 662 were built, but the car Mr Walker bought was actually a more common model that had been done up.

The 1970 Ford Falcon Lyle Walker paid $135,000 only to later discover it was worth $25,000

He had travelled to the Victorian border town of Wodonga to buy the car for $135,000, only to later discover it was really worth $25,000.

Vendor Glen Sell declined to refund the money.

'The amount of pressure this has put on me ... from stress you have no idea,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday.

'What happened in the court is none of your business.'

Federal Court justice Robert Bromwich last week dismissed Mr Walker's bid to recover the money from Mr Sell.

'It apparently was not in doubt that both parties were innocent victims of a fraud perpetrated by someone on Mr Sell when he bought the car some 30 years ago,' the judge said.

'It is not possible to say who was responsible for that fraud.'

Australian touring car legend Allan Moffat driving a Ford Falcon GTHO in 1970

A television advertisement from 1970 for the XW-series Ford Falcon

Mr Sell had believed the Australian-made sedan he had owned for 30 years was an original Ford Falcon GTHO, the Border Mail reported.

He even had a document from Ford confirming its identity, based on the vehicle identification number.

After inspecting the car for half an hour, Mr Walker agreed to buy the Falcon for $135,000, believing it was a GTHO.

Only 662 GTHOs were build in Melbourne between July 1969 to October 1970.

Canadian-born Australian touring car legend Allan Moffat, a four-time Bathurst winner, appeared in a television commercial for a GTHO in 1970.

'Ford is the going thing,' the advertisement said.
A prince of Saudi Arabia's ruling family has been flogged in prison in Jeddah as a court-ordered punishment, less than a month after the kingdom executed another prince for murder.

The unidentified prince was also jailed after receiving lashes for an unspecified crime, according to a brief report in Saudi Arabia's Okaz daily paper.

The flogging was carried out by a policeman on Monday after medical checks to ensure the prince was healthy, the paper added.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman attends a ceremony at the Diwan royal palace in Riyadh. He was crowned last year and is keen on cracking down on the country's playboy princes

Saudi Arabia, a leading Arab ally of the United States and guardian of the birthplace of Islam, follows the strict Wahhabi Sunni Muslim school, which involves the imposition of Sharia law.

Last month a Saudi prince was executed in Riyadh after a court found him guilty of shooting dead a fellow Saudi, in what was the first execution of a prince since the 1970s.

Prince Turki bin Saud al-Kabir had pleaded guilty to shooting Adel al-Mohaimed after a brawl, the ministry of interior said.

Hundreds of Muslim pilgrims pray outside the Namira mosque in Mecca. Saudi Arabia follows a strict code of Sharia law which involves beheading for murder, cutting off hands for theft and flogging for lesser crimes

Saudi social media users interpreted the rare execution of a prince as a sign of equality under Islamic law.

Saudi Arabia's 80-year-old King Salman is thought to be keen on cracking down on some of the country's hundreds of playboy princes.
The Army is investigating claims British troops in Latvia were involved in brawl as part of a plot by Russia to smear UK forces.

Soldiers have been in the Baltic nation for a two-week training exercise, which comes amid heightened tensions between the West and Russia.

However, it has been reported that two soldiers with the Grenadier Guards were targeted with violence by a local gang as they ate at a McDonalds restaurant in the Latvian capital Riga.

The Army is investigating claims British troops in Latvia were involved in brawl as part of a plot by Russia to smear UK forces. Pictured are British troops taking part in a training exercise in Latvia on Monday

According to the Telegraph, the brawl was captured on camera and when the fighting finished, a Latvian accompanying the two British servicemen followed the film crew and saw them go to a media outlet known to be pro-Russian.

And a source says the reported attack could be have been part of an attempt to portray British troops as hooligans in Russia.

They told the newspaper: 'Our assessment is that this is clearly a set up: Lets go and make these guys look like thugs and film it.

Meanwhile an Army spokeswoman told MailOnline that they were investigating the incident.

It has been reported that two soldiers with the Grenadier Guards were targeted with violence by a local gang as they ate at a McDonalds restaurant in the Latvian capital Riga, pictured

She said: 'We are aware of an incident involving two soldiers in Riga.

'The circumstances are being investigated and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.'

News of the brawl comes as Britain is sending tanks, drones and 800 troops to neighbouring 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.

Meanwhile earlier this week, the head of MI5 warned that Russias increasingly aggressive behaviour is a threat to the stability of the UK.

News of the brawl comes as Britain is sending tanks, drones and 800 troops to neighbouring Estonia as part of the biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War. Pictured are British troops in Latvia on Monday

Soldiers of all nationalities gather at the Adazi military training ground in Latvia. Troops from Baltic states as well as the UK, US, Canada and Germany are taking part in the exercise

Andrew Parker, the director general of the home intelligence service, gave the first interview by a serving spy chief in 107 years, and took aim at Moscow for escalating tensions at a time when the West was fighting Islamist extremists.

He told the Guardian that Russia had plenty of spies still working in Britain but that the difference between today and the Cold War era was that it was also using the weapon of cyber warfare.

Russia was targeting military secrets, industrial projects and economic information, he said.

However, this prompted the Kremlin to hit back and said there was no evidence to support the claims.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: 'Those words to do correspond to the reality.

'We do not agree with them, and claims regarding cyber-attacks we have already commented on.

'No-one has yet given any evidence so we cannot consider claims that are not founded on evidence.
He fled empty-handed after staff pressed emergency the alarm in Cheadle

He had bizarre note that said: 'I have a 'gun' I will use it, I will shoot anyone in here, 'fill' this bag with all the money, if you press the bell I will shoot you, don't be silly and 'fill' it, pass this note back to me, don't be silly!!!!'

He wore Hawaiian shorts and gloves but no mask as he stormed Santander

Sporting Hawaiian shorts and without a mask to cover his face, this is the hapless crook who has been dubbed 'Britain's worst robber' over his bungling bank raid.

The man wore brightly-coloured shorts, a blue jumper and gloves as he stormed a Santander bank in Cheadle, Greater Manchester with the intention of stealing cash.

But despite handing over a bizarre handwritten note in which he begged staff to 'fill a bag with all of the money', he left empty-handed after they sounded the alarm.

He is now being hunted by police over the botched bank robbery - with CCTV helping to identify him since he failed to wear any mask or cover over his face.

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The man wore Hawaiian shorts, gloves but no mask as he stormed a Santander bank in Cheadle, Greater Manchester and tried to rob cash after handing over a bizarre note

The hapless crook is now being hunted by Manchester police over the bungled bank robbery - with CCTV helping to identify him since he failed to wear any mask or cover over his face

The footage shows the hapless crook stumbling as he enters the Santander branch.

He can then be seen handing over his note at the counter in which he threatens to shoot the cashier if they do not hand over a bag filled with cash.

His strange note said: 'I have a 'gun' I will use it, I will shoot anyone in ere 'fill' this bag with all the money every counter, if you press the bell I will shoot you, don't be silly and 'fill' it, pass this note back to me, don't be silly!!!!'

CROOK'S BIZARRE NOTE 'I have a 'gun' I will use it, I will shoot anyone in ere 'fill' this bag with all the money every counter, if you press the bell I will shoot you, don't be silly and 'fill' it, pass this note back to me, don't be silly!!!!' Advertisement

But the man is then seen turning around and leaving empty-handed after being spooked when a member of staff at the High Street branch calmly pushed the emergency button to bring down the shutters.

Police have released the CCTV footage and images in a bid to identify the man.

He was wearing bright red and white Hawaiian-style shorts, covered with flowers, gloves and trainers.

The footage shows the hapless crook stumbling as he enters the Santander branch in Cheadle

He can be seen handing over his note at the counter in which he threatens to shoot the cashier if they do not hand over a bag filled with cash. It said: ''Fill' this bag with money, don't be silly'

Police have released CCTV footage and images of the hapless robber in a bid to identify him

It is thought he walked towards Ashfield Road after leaving in the bank following the raid at around 5pm on October 31.

The member of staff was left badly shaken after the incident - and police are urging for the public's help to trace the man before he strikes again.

Detective Constable Kirsty Pierce, from Greater Manchester Police's Stockport borough, said: 'This man was brazen in his attempt to rob the bank.

'He did not attempt to cover his face and was wearing some rather eye-catching flowery patterned shorts.

The man is seen turning around and leaving empty-handed after being spooked when a member of staff calmly pushed the emergency button to bring down the shutters

Detective Constable Kirsty Pierce, from Greater Manchester Police's Stockport borough, said: 'This man was brazen in his attempt to rob the bank. 'He did not attempt to cover his face'

'I am sure someone will recognise this man in the CCTV, so I'm appealing for anyone who does to get in touch.

'No-one was hurt during this robbery and nothing was stolen, but the staff involved was left badly shaken nonetheless.

'The man had thought ahead enough to write the note, and we want to speak to him before he tries to do this again.'
A sheriff's deputy with 20 years' experience has been shot dead by a colleague in Central California in what officials said appeared to be 'a tragic accidental shooting.'

Deputy Sgt. Rod Lucas was speaking to his colleague about gun safety when he was shot in the chest, authorities said.

The incident happened at a sheriff's office near the Fresno Yosemite International Airport on Monday.

The veteran deputy and father-of-four was having a conversation with a detective about how to carry their backup weapons when the shot was fired, Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims said.

Deputy Sgt. Rod Lucas, 46, was speaking to his colleague about gun safety when he was accidentally shot in the chest

She added that the Lucas and the detective were in a room with two other colleagues and there was no dispute, just a conversation about weapons safety.

'The detective had his weapon out. During this discussion, the detective's weapon discharged,' the sheriff told Fox News. 'Sgt. Lucas was struck by the bullet in his chest, and he dropped to the ground.'

The 46-year-old was given CPR at the scene and rushed to the Community Regional Medical Center for treatment, but later died.

Police did not disclose the type of firearm involved in the incident, saying only that it was 'an improved secondary weapon for the detective.'

The detective who fired the fatal bullet has not been named, but authorities said he was extremely upset following the incident.

The incident happened at a sheriff's office, pictured, near the Fresno Yosemite International Airport in California

'We do not know yet the mechanics of how the weapon discharged,' Mims said.

'So far, we have absolutely no reason to believe this was anything more than a tragic accidental shooting.'

Describing Lucas as a well-liked and respected officer, Mims said: 'He truly was a leader, in the best terms I can describe.

'We are hurting right now. We're hurting.'
Scott Michael Greene was arrested in Dallas County, Iowa around 9am Wednesday morning

Police have captured the suspect wanted for shooting dead two police officers in Des Moines, Iowa early Wednesday morning.

Officials say 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene surrendered to a state Department of Natural Resources officer in Dallas County around 9am. Dallas County neighbors Polk County, where the shootings happened.

Greene is said to have waved the officer down, presented him with his ID, and told him to call 911 because he was having a 'flare up' of an existing medical condition.

Greene was taken to the hospital for an undisclosed injury and has not officially been charged yet. Police plan to interview him when he is discharged.

The arrest comes eight hours after two police officers in Des Moines were found shot to death in their patrol cars. The officers have since been identified as Urbandale police officer Justin Martin, 24, and Des Moines police Sgt. Anthony 'Tony' Beminio, 39. Martin was single, while Beminio was married with kids.

Greene's identity was released around 8am, with the warning that he was considered 'armed and dangerous'.

The incidents Wednesday morning come just two weeks after Greene recorded a YouTube video of cops kicking him out of an Urbandale High School football game for waving a Confederate flag in front of black spectators.

According to public records, Greene has had several run-ins with the law including arrests for harassment, interfering with an official, assault causing bodily injury, criminal mischief and domestic assault. Records also show he filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2007.

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Urbandale police officer Justin Martin, 24 (right), and Des Moines police Sgt Anthony Beminio, 39 (left), have been identified as the officers killed in the shootings

The first officer was shot dead in his squad car at 1:06am outside Urbandale High School. The first crime scene pictured above

The second shot officer was found inside this parked cop car at the intersection of Merle Hay Road and Sheridan Drive around 1:26am (pictured above)

Bullet holes are seen on the side of the first cop's car targeted in the attack

After the shootings, local police coupled up officers so that they would safer out on patrols. Above, a view from one of the shooting scenes early Wednesday morning

Both shootings happened in the Des Moines suburb of Urbandale, where the local police department has just 50 officers

Police say neither officer had an opportunity to defend themselves.

Urbandale police officer Justin Martin was shot dead in his patrol car outside Urbandale High School at approximately 1:06am. Greene shot 15 to 30 shots at the driver's side of Martin's vehicle.

'The puzzling thing about this is that (Officer Martin) didnt have any idea or warning or fear that anything was wrong,' Urbandale Police Chief Ross McCarty said, adding that Martin appeared to be parked. 'Were assuming (Greene) walked up on foot.'

Twenty minutes later, responding officers found Des Moines police Sgt. Tony Beminio dead in his car just two miles away. Martin, who had been on the force since 2014, was declared dead at the scene while Beminio, an 11-year veteran, died after being transported to Iowa Methodist Medical Center.

According to Facebook, Beminio appears to be a married father of three. He graduated from Simpson College in 2001, and before that was a standout football player and wrestler at Iowa City West High School. He was promoted to sergeant last year.

Martin's profile shows that he too attended Simpson College, graduating in 2015 - the same year he was hired by the force. The Rockwell City, Iowa native completed police academy in December 2015 and was released from his probationary period in October.

'We had high expectations for his future that were tragically cut short,' police said of the Eagle Scout.

Martin was unmarried and did not have children. However, he is survived by his two parents.

According to Facebook, 39-year-old Beminio (left) was a married father of three

Beminio had been promoted to sergeant last year after about 10 years on the police force

Martin (pictured second right) graduated from Simpson College in 2015 - the same year he joined the Urbandale Police force

'There's somebody out there shooting police officers. We hope to find him before somebody else gets hurt,' Sgt. Paul Parizek, spokesman for the Des Moines Police Department, said at a 5am press conference.

He added: 'On the surface, it doesnt look like there was any interaction between these officers and whoever the coward is who shot them while they sat in their cars.'

Urbandale is a suburb of about 40,000 people in the Des Moines metro area with about 50 officers. Des Moines, a city of about 210,000, has about 375 sworn officers. Urbandale Police Sgt. Chad Underwood said he believes this is the first deadly Urbandale police shooting.

Urbandale officers are equipped with body cameras, but they don't run constantly and it's unclear whether there was video of the shootings.

This photo, reportedly taken by Greene at an Urbandale High School football game last month, shows him waving a Confederate flag in front of a group of African American spectators

Greene posted this statement in the comments section of the picture that shows him waving a flag in front of a group of black football spectators

Greene was later asked to leave by local police, because the flag violated the school's code

Des Moines Police said there is 'a clear and present danger' to its officers, following this morning's shootings. As a result, the department doubled its officers.

'We're always vigilant about our safety, but we've still got to go out there,' Parizek said.

Following the shootings, officers in SWAT gear were going door to door at the crime scenes, interviewing locals who may have witnessed the crime.

Later Wednesday, police were at the scene of a home connected to Greene, on 70th Street.

A neighbor told a Des Moines Register reporter that Greene 'called police last week about a local burglary' and 'seemed excited by helping law enforcement'.

Above, a field near where Greene flagged down a state Department of Natural Resources officer on Wednesday, after the shootings

Investigators were combing the field for evidence after Greene's arrest in the morning

Detectives gather on a roadside near whether Greene sought help Wednesday before being taken to the hospital

The neighbor also said that Greene put a Trump poster out on his lawn about two weeks ago.

Trump himself weighed in on the deadly shootings at a campaign stop in Miami on Wednesday.

'We send our thoughts and prayers to the families of the fallen...An attack on our police is an attack on all of us. Law enforcement is the line separating civilization from total chaos...It's a lack of respect for our nation, and it's a lack of respect for our leaders.

'To all the great men and women of law enforcement, we're with you, we support you, and we will stand by you. We will restore law, order and justice to America,' he said.

Former President Bill Clinton and vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine had a scheduled campaign stop in Iowa on Wednesday, which was been cancelled in the wake of the shootings.

Urbandale Police Officers gather outside the home of Scott Michael Greene, the suspected gunman, on Wednesdat

Law enforcement officials enter a home to investigate near the scene of a shooting on Wednesday

A neighbor told the Des Moines Register that Greene 'called police last week about a local burglary' and 'seemed excited by helping law enforcement'. Above, investigators near one of the scenes on Wednesday

Law enforcement agents in SWAT gear were patrolling the crime scene after the shootings

Law enforcement officers gather in front of a home near the scene of a shooting, Wednesday, November 2, 2016, in Urbandale, Iowa

A Des Moines police officer stands near the scene of a shooting, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Des Moines, Iowa

Urbandale public schools have been cancelled for the day. The first officer was shot outside Urbandale High School (pictured above)

Above, a daytime view of Merle Hay Road and Sheridan Drive, where the second officer was shot

Sergeant Paul Parizek of Des Moines Police Department, pictured, said there was a 'clear and present danger' to fellow officers

Meanwhile, a YouTube video is shedding light on the suspect.

The video, allegedly recorded by Greene on October 14, shows police officers kicking him off Urbandale High School property for bringing a Confederate flag to a football game.

Greene goes on to claim that 'African American people' seated behind him at the game threw something at him and then stole his flag, and he wanted to press charges. He also claims he was assaulted by the officers.

'I think Ive been assaulted by you,' Greene tells one of the cops. 'You grabbed me and shoved me around.'

The officers kicked him off the private property because the flag was in 'direct violation of school code'. They also said there wasn't much they could do about reporting an alleged assault since Greene couldn't identify the people who threw an object at him.

One female officer patiently explained that while it was his constitutional right to fly the flag, he was also causing a disturbance by bringing a racially charged symbol to a public place where others would be offended by it.

In a comment on the video, Greene wrote: 'I was offended by the blacks sitting through our anthem. Thousands more whites fought and died for their freedom. However this is not about the Armed forces, they are cop haters.'

Another video posted to the same account shows a picture of Greene holding up a Confederate flag and an American flag while standing in front of a group of African American people at what appears to be the same football game.

Donald Trump responded to the shootings Wednesday with a tweet, saying he was praying for the families of the officers

Police have yet to release the identities of the two officers shot in the incident

Police closed down the streets near the two crime scenes to conduct their investigation Wednesday morning

Greene has a long criminal history including an arrest in April 2014 for interference with official acts.

According to the criminal complaint, Greene resisted an attempt by officers to pat him down for weapons when they saw he was wearing a pouch on his belt that resembled a holster.

Greene was 'noncompliant, hostile, combative and made furtive movements toward his pockets' before the arrest, the arresting officer wrote. Greene pleaded guilty to the charge about two weeks later.

And just two days after that incident, Greene was accused of threatening to kill a man in the parking lot of the same apartment complex.

In that criminal complaint, Greene was said to have approached a man in the parking lot and shined a flashlight in his eyes. He then called the man the n-word and told him 'I will kill you, (expletive) kill you'.

Greene was initially charged with first-degree harassment, but took a plea deal - agreeing to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for just a year's probation.

His probation officer noted in a discharge report in June 2015 that Greene underwent a mental health evaluation and 'reports to have compiled with the medication recommendations'.

Just last month, on October 17, Greene's mother was also arrested for allegedly assaulting him.

The complaint says Greene was wearing his deceased father's dog tags and that his mother, 66-year-old Patricia Greene, tried to tear them from around his neck. Greene grabbed his mother's hand and she hit and scratched his face.

Greene showed an officer cellphone video of the confrontation.

His mother was released on a $1,000 cash bond and a judge ordered that she have no contact with her son. She is due in court on the charge later this month.

The complaint doesn't say why Greene's daughter has a service dog.

Des Moines Police have doubled up its officers. Above, officers in Urbandale Wednesday morning

A police officer sits in his car at the scene of a shooting, Wednesday, November 2, 2016, in Urbandale, Iowa

Officers in SWAT gear were going door to door Wednesday morning, interviewing locals in an attempt to identify the suspects. Above, a police officer stands guard in the street at one of the shootings Wednesday morning

Local police have received an outpouring of support since the shootings this morning.

In one tender moment, captured by local news station KCCI, a local woman brings food and water to a police officer on duty.

The woman begans to cry as she tells the cop how she 'can't even imagine' what he is going through.

She goes on to say that the only way she could think of helping was brining the men something to eat.

'I want you guys to be hydrated and not to be hungry. And I want you to go home to your family, because I want my dad to come home to me and I want my friends to come home to me.

'I'm sorry and I'm here for you all. I don't know how else to help or what to do,' she says.

The officer returns her hug and says: 'Your prayers are always needed.'

Local officers have been receiving an outpouring of support, including this one who was gifted food and water by a local woman

As the two embraced, the woman told the officer that she wanted him to be able to go home to his family

The officer was clearly moved by the present he received from the concerned local woman

Public schools in Urbandale were cancelled for Wednesday out of safety for its students.

The school district released a statement reading: 'All Urbandale Community School District schools, departments, offices are cancelled/closed today, Wednesday, November 2, 2016. There will be no Adventuretime and no school per the recommendations of Urbandale and Des Moines law enforcement. Staff are not to report to buildings.'

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad also issued a statement on the shootings this morning.

'An attack on public safety officers is an attack on the public safety of all Iowans. We call on Iowans to support our law enforcement officials in bringing this suspect to justice.

'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the police officers who were tragically killed in the line of duty as well as the officers who continue to put themselves in harms way,' part of the statement read.

Iowa Congressman Steve King weighed in as well.

'Our hearts and prayers are with the families of our two Des Moines metro police officers who were tragically murdered early this morning,' a statement from King reads. 'This is a sickening tragedy experienced by our state and Nation today, and this is a very important time for us to stand together in support of our men and women in Blue. Please join me in continued prayer for the affected families and for all of our law enforcement officers. They have lost two of their own and we have lost two of our heroes.'

King has ordered all of his district offices to lower their flags to half-staff in honor of the two officers.

According to Officer Down Memorial Page, 111 police officers have died in the line of duty this year, including three from Iowa.

Forty-eight of these officers were killed by non-accidental gunfire.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch has strongly condemned the killings.

Lynch said the shootings early Wednesday are the latest in a 'series of senseless attacks' and that 'violence has no place in the United States of America'.

She says violence is 'especially intolerable' when it's directed at law enforcement officers who risk their lives to protect the public.

The shootings follow the fatal ambushes this summer of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Lynch says the Justice Department is determined to give officers the tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.

The attacks on police this summer in Dallas and Baton Rouge came in the wake of several high-profile police shootings of black men, fueling a national debate about police use of force, especially against minorities - a frequent topic in the nation's presidential race.
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Britain was plunged into winter today as temperatures fell to -3C and the country woke up to a widespread frost.

Glorious photographs taken on Primrose Hill in North London displayed an orange sunrise this morning.

And rural landscapes in Lancashire and Cumbria were covered in a frost as an Arctic maritime air mass arrived.

Over the next several days winds are expected to grow stronger and snow could fall on high ground in the North.

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Warning sign: A hand-written message is seen in frost on a windscreen of a car in Culgaith, Cumbria, this morning

Quite a sight: A couple have their wedding photographs taken as a stunning autumn sunrise can be seen over London today

Keeping the roads clear: A gritter in the Scottish Borders as Scotland wakes to the season's first frost this morning

Going for a ride: A frosty morning in Chatsworth, Derbyshire, after temperatures plummeted to below zero in the UK

Sweeping across: Frost and mist covers the Ribble Valley in Lancashire today as the first frost of winter arrives

Preparing her vehicle: A motorist uses an ice scaper to clear frost from her windscreen in Culgaith, Cumbria, this morning

Colourful: Icy fields seen from Scott's View in the Scottish Borders as Britain has its first frost of the season today

Thick blanket of fog: Corfe Castle in Dorset proves why it is so popular with photographers this morning

It follows the driest October in 65 years and a warm end to last month that saw 22C (72F) weather on Monday.

But the temperature plunged to just -3C (27F) this morning at Swyddffynnon in Ceredigion, West Wales.

That followed the 72F reading hours earlier on Monday in the same area at Trawsgoed only five miles away.

However, after a cold start for many areas today, much of the UK will be mostly dry and sunny.

A few showers may affect North Sea coastal counties and North Wales, while cloud will thicken in Scotland later.

Expectations: Temperatures forecast for today (left) and tonight (right) show how the weather is becoming much colder

Pretty in pink: Plants are covered in frost at sunrise over Golden Acre Park in Leeds this morning

Looking over the water: Another beautiful scene at sunrise in Golden Acre Park in Leeds this morning

Through the frost: A man and his dog walk by the River Cam this morning in Cambridge as temperatures fall across the UK

Morning run: A jogger makes her way up London's Primrose Hill in front of a stunning autumn sunrise over the London skyline

Misty: Rural parts of East Lancashire experience a frosty start to the morning as temperatures drop below freezing in places

Frosty: The chilly start in the Ribble Valley today came after temperatures fell from unseasonably high levels earlier this week

Lancashire: Britain was plunged into winter today as temperatures fell to -3C and the country woke up to a widespread frost

Spooky scene: A rural landscapes in Lancashire is covered in frost as an Arctic maritime air mass arrived

Travelling: Commuters make their way to work on the roads of the Ribble Valley today as a layer of mist covered the area

Tonight will be cold again with local frost, before northern parts see rain on Thursday with other areas mostly dry.

Friday will be bright and sunny but scattered showers will arrive with the heaviest in the North and West.

An unseasonable blast of warm weather this week means we have scarcely had to reach for our winter coats.

This week the Met Office said the UK saw its fourth driest October on record with a third less rain than expected.

The driest October since records began in 1910 was 1946 when only 31.6mm (1.24in) of water fell.

QUIET AS A MOUSE: DOORMOUSE IS PICTURED CURLING UP FOR HIS EPIC SLEEP A dormouse has been caught on camera curling up for an epic sleep - as it begins its hibernation until spring. The tiny creature was seen snuggled up on a bed of leaves hiding away from the rest of the world. After weeks of foraging for nuts and berries to see it through the cold winter months it has bedded down. A dormouse has been caught on camera curling up for an epic sleep - as it begins its hibernation until spring in Cornwall During his autumn dormouse check, ranger James Robbins discovered the cute rodent in a torpid state. It was snuggled up in a nest box at Cotehele at the National Trust estate, near Saltash in Cornwall. Mr Robbins said: 'Dormice are fattening up for winter now. The tiny creature was seen snuggled up on a bed of leaves hiding away from the rest of the world They gorge like mad on berries and nuts, especially hazel nuts, which they open in a characteristic fashion. Then they sleep, then eat some more until finally they crawl under leaf litter at the base of trees for the winter. After months of sleeping doormice become active again in spring. Advertisement

Castle Howard, a stately home located 15 miles north of York, is pictured among deciduous trees in North Yorkshire today

Deciduous trees line the road to Castle Howard in North Yorkshire on an autumn day today

A general view of the seafront today at Brighton, East Sussex, as Britain experiences a fall in temperatures

The beach at Brighton is clearly not very busy today following the temperature fall despite the sunshine

Foxes play in the morning sun in fields near Carlisle in Cumbria today following the first widespread frost of the autumn

Frost-vixen: Foxes are seen in the morning sun near Carlisle as the weather feels decidedly more wintery

Deer at Richmond Park in South West London today as some parts of the UK experienced frost overnight

Water under the bridge: Trees surrounding the National Trust's Prior Park Landscape Garden display their colours in Bath

Trees surrounding the historic city of Bath display their autumn colours today after one of the driest Octobers on record

Meanwhile in Dorset: A man enjoys paddle-boarding in Portland Harbour on a sunny autumn day

South coast: Smallmouth Bay and the Isle of Portland on a sunny autumn day in Dorset

Glorious sight: Autumn colours at the Embankment on the banks of the River Trent in Nottingham today

Starting the day: Horses bathed in early morning sun in a field with light frost in Swillington, near Leeds in West Yorkshire

Canal boats: Early morning sun near Woodlesford Lock on the Aire and Calder Navigation in West Yorkshire

Sunny start: A frosty morning in Lancashire followed a warm end to last month that saw 72F (22C) temperatures on Monday

Winter in the Ribble Valley: After a cold start for many areas today, much of the UK will be mostly dry and sunny

Frozen web: A cobweb appears to have frosted on a street post in the Ribble Valley today as temperatures fall

Lancashire morning: Tonight will be cold again with local frost, before northern parts of the country see rain on Thursday

Ribble Valley fields: Friday will be bright and sunny but scattered showers will arrive with the heaviest in the North and West

Autumn colours: Frost covers the Ribble Valley today as rural parts of the North West experience the first frost of winter

Mist in Lancashire: The Met Office said the UK saw its fourth driest October on record with a third less rain than expected

Pretty fields: Lancashire woke up to a dry and sunny morning although rural parts were covered in mist and frost today

Down by the riverside: The beautiful countryside of Lancashire looks wonderful in the morning sunlight as temperatures fall

By itself: A house stands alone in the frosty weather this morning in Chatsworth, Derbyshire, following a fall in temperatures

Autumn to winter: Trees shed their leaves on the frosty ground in Chatsworth this morning as the country wakes up to a frost

Proud history: The lavish stately home of Chatsworth House in Derbyshire stands among the frosty weather this morning

Wildlife in winter: Another beautiful scene in Chatsworth, which is located about ten miles east of Chesterfield

Picture postcard: The beauty of the Peak District was clear in this photograph taken from Chatsworth in Derbyshire today

Changing seasons: A building in Chatsworth is surrounded by frost today as temperatures drop around the county

Chills: A frost-bitten landscape across the Eden Valley in Cumbria today following the first widespread frost of the autumn

Wheel-y cold: An array of tyres covered in a thick frosty crust on a farm near Brough in Cumbria this morning

Misty start: A frost-bitten landscape across the Eden Valley this morning after the autumn's first widespread frost

Still waters: A clear, crisp morning on the banks of the River Eden in Cumbria today as much of the UK wakes up to a frost

All the leaves are brown: Frost-bitten leaves on the banks of the River Eden in Cumbria this morning

Beautiful scene: The morning sun lights up the Eildon Hills as seen from Scott's View in the Scottish Borders today

Autumnal: A house surrounded by colourful trees in the Scottish Borders as Britain sees the season's first frost

Peaceful: Sunrise at Stourhead in Wiltshire today as Britain enjoys the autumn sunshine even if temperatures have dropped

Stourhead: The 2,500-acre attraction in Wiltshire features a magnificent pantheon overlooking its man-made lake

Pretty: A lack of gales means more trees have clung on to their leaves, leading to a vibrant display of colour at Stourhead

Aerial view: Ponies in a field in Appleby, Cumbria, as the first frost of the season in captured in a series of photographs

Good morning: The sun rises over the Pennines at Appleby in Cumbria this morning on a cold and frosty morning

Scraper required: A car shows signs of frost on its windows in Appleby today as the UK is hit by sub-zero weather

Starting out early: Rowers out on the River Cam today on a cold start to the day in Cambridge

Sunshine: Rowers make their way along the River Cam in Cambridge today as Britain woke to a cold and frosty morning

Wrapped up warm: A man and his dog walk behind a cyclist next to the River Cam in Cambridge this morning

In training: Rowers out on the River Cam on a cold start to the day in Cambridge this morning

Rowers on the River Cam: Mist and frost swept over parts of Britain this morning following a warm end to October

Mist clearing: A foggy morning in the Oxfordshire countryside at Playhatch today as temperatures fall across the country

Out and about: A woman walks with her dog at Playhatch in Oxfordshire this morning in the mist

Pretty colours: Autumnal scenes on a sunny morning in the Oxfordshire countryside in Playhatch

Orange, yellow and green: Autumnal trees stand tall in the Oxfordshire hamlet of Playhatch near Reading today

It's a beautiful day: The Oxfordshire hamlet of Playhatch is a glorious sight in the autumn sunshine this morning

Chilly start: A horse in seen in an autumnal scenes on a sunny morning in the Oxfordshire countryside at Playhatch today

Green and pleasant land: A field in Playhatch, Oxfordshire, is pictured as temperatures fall across Britain today

Autumnal scene: A sunny morning in the Oxfordshire countryside at Playhatch today at the start of November

In the shadows: A glorious autumnal scene on a sunny morning in Playhatch, Oxfordshire, today

Stunning array of colours: A think blanket of fog hides Corfe Castle as the sun rises in Dorset this morning

Amazing: Corfe Castle - built in stone in the 11th century by William the Conqueror - was a royal fortress for 600 years

Beautiful: A stunning autumn sunrise can be seen over the skyline from Primrose Hill in North London today

City landscape: St Paul's Cathedral sits amongst cranes as a stunning autumn sunrise can be seen over the London skyline

Going for a jog: A woman runs among autumn colours on the trees in London's Primrose Hill this morning

Morning stroll: A woman enjoys the autumn colours in London's Primrose Hill today as temperatures start to fall in the country

It must be love: This couple will be delighted at their wedding photographs taken in front of an orange London sunrise

The couple stand in front of the line by William Blake: 'I have conversed with the spiritual sun. I saw him on Primrose Hill'

Wedding snap: The etching at the top of Primrose Hill featuring lines attributed to Blake was unveiled four years ago

Stunning: Glorious photographs taken on Primrose Hill in North London displayed an orange sunrise this morning

Fantastic view: A stunning autumn sunrise is seen over the London skyline as parts of the UK experience a frosty morning

Another day in the big city: Canary Wharf in East London can be seen from Primrose Hill this morning

Coming up: The skyscrapers of London are pictured this morning against the background of a stunning orange sky

Looking out on London: Britain woke up to a cold morning today although there is plenty of sunshine around for many areas

Autumn colours: A jogger looks out across a stunning autumn sunrise that is over London's Primrose Hill

Sunrise: Earlier this week temperatures in some parts of Britain were hotter than Athens but they have since plunged

Sightseeing: London landmarks such as St Paul's Cathedral, the Gherkin and Canary Wharf can be seen on the horizon

Beautiful: The Shard can be seen in the distance on the left of this photograph taken from London's Primrose Hill today

Capturing the moment: Joggers and walkers stop to take in the extraordinary orange sunrise across London this morning

London light: The drop in temperatures follows the driest October in 65 years and a warm end to last month

Viewpoint: Two people look out across the capital from Primrose Hill in North London as the sun rises this morning
He said: 'We will choose Britain first as we have for hundreds of years'

He furiously denied that was the case describing it as a 'nonsense'

The Chief Minister for Gibraltar has furiously denied reports in the Spanish press that the territory could leave Britain to stay in the EU.

ABC had suggested Fabian Picardo wanted a second referendum on the UK's membership of the EU.

The Rock's residents voted 96 per in favour of Remain.

However he has vehemently denied that is the case, emphatically stating: 'Gibraltar is leaving the EU with you.

'If pressed to choose between London, Britain and the UK on the one hand or Brussels, the EU and the single market on the other, we know what our choice will be.

'We will choose our relationship with Britain every time.'

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Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has furiously denied reports in the Spanish media that the territory wants to hold a second referendum

The Chief Minister has previously said the territory may look for a relationship with the EU that differs from the UK's.

Gibraltar's economy, built around financial services, e-commerce and online gaming, is based on the single market and free movement.

Mr Picardo has said the territory ideally wants an agreement that gives them access to the single market and freedom of movement.

However, despite reports in the Spanish media, he will not call on a second referendum to achieve that aim.

The Rock's residents voted 96 per in favour of Remain during the vote on June 23

He said: 'We are entirely satisfied that Gibraltar is being involved in the process of Brexit.

'We will also, of course, continue to seek access to the EU single market where possible.

'But we will choose Britain first as we have for hundreds of years. As we have for generations.

'And we will do so both with our hearts and with our heads.

Neither by trick or treat will we give up our enduring relationship with Britain or the Sovereignty of the British Crown.'

Responding directly to the Spanish reports he said: 'It is a nonsense. I have said there should not be a second referendum.
This is the terrifying moment a 75-year-old man was battered by three thugs in a bungled carjacking.

Dashcam footage from the victim's car captured the thieves ambushing the pensioner as he drove his Ford S-Max under a railway bridge at 1.30pm on Monday.

The driver had travelled 50 yards down Roberts Road in Birmingham, when he was stopped by a thief who stood in the narrow road blocking his way.

Dashcam footage from the victim's car captured the thieves ambushing the pensioner as he drove his Ford S-Max under a railway bridge at 1.30pm on Monday

The fearless pensioner (pictured) confronted the thieves and was assaulted and pushed to the floor, but refused to hand over the key fob which is needed to start the car

One of the men tapped on the driver's window with an imitation firearm while another threatened him with a large kitchen knife before forcing him out of the car.

The gang only managed to drive a few yards but were forced to abandon the car on nearby Oxford Road when they stalled because the victim was still holding the keyless fob which operates the ignition.

The fearless pensioner confronted the thieves and was assaulted and pushed to the floor, but refused to hand over the key fob which is needed to start the car.

Local residents saw what was happening and rushed out to help the victim before chasing the thieves who fled on foot.

One of the men (pictured) tapped on the driver's window with an imitation firearm while another threatened him with a large kitchen knife before forcing him out of the car

Investigating Officer Tom Lyons said: 'We're taking this incident extremely seriously and local officers will be patrolling the surrounding area, day and night.

'Clearly this would have been a terrifying ordeal for anyone and I want to commend the bravery of the victim. Thankfully he was not seriously injured and his actions prevented the thieves from successfully stealing the car.

'As such we've been able to secure good quality dash cam footage from the on-board camera, and our main priority now is to identify these men as quickly as possible.'
Canada is the top international trading partner with Wisconsin, a partnership that raises living standards on both sides of the border by promoting job creation and increasing markets for Wisconsin manufactured goods and agricultural commodities. Over the past five years, Wisconsin exported $358 million worth of dairy products to Canada.

But this mutually beneficial relationship is being threatened by Canadian dairy policies.

This past spring, the Province of Ontario instituted a new pricing policy designed to discourage U.S. exports of ultra-filtered milk.

Grassland Dairy, a primary Wisconsin shipper, tells us they have already lost a big portion of their ultra-filtered milk sales and are down at least 50 percent in volume from last year. Grassland had previously estimated they were shipping about $100 million of ultra-filtered milk.

In addition, the Canadian dairy industry has targeted U.S. exports by proposing new incentives for processors to purchase Canadian milkwhile at the same time illegally subsidizing the export of Canadian dairy products in excess of Canadas World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations.

The Canadian government is reportedly seeking to implement this program nationally  on top of the tight restrictions and steep tariff barriers already levied on imported products.

Last June, I expressed my concerns about these policies directly to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Canadas protectionism is already costing Wisconsins dairy industry.

Grassland had anticipated growth in sales were it not for the looming Canadian regulations, which impact their product offerings, their ability to fill product orders, and to purchase dairy by-products from other Wisconsin plants.

As a result, while Grasslands margins and profit have been hurt this year, the impact goes beyond a single company. Looking toward next year, Grassland will be forced to limit its milk purchasing commitments from farmers and supplying cooperatives, which hurts their bottom lines as well.

There is no need for an investigation, as some have requested. We already know that the protectionist trade actions taken by the Canadian government are harming Wisconsins dairy industry right now. We know these policies violate current trade agreements and put our U.S. producers at an unfair disadvantage. We dont need to investigate, we need to act.

Thats why I am tasking Ben Brancel, Wisconsins agriculture secretary, to discuss these issues with the Canadians and tell them that its protectionist dairy policies strike at the heart of Americas Dairyland.

Secretary Brancel, along with other state agriculture leaders, will keep pressure on Canadian government officials to live up to their international trade commitments so we can avoid costly retaliatory measures that could harm agriculture industries on both sides of the border. Canada is the biggest export market for Wisconsin agriculture products, accounting for $1.5 billion in annual export product value in 2015.

Even the best of friends have disagreements from time to time. I believe that differences between good neighbors are best worked out in an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation, especially when we share a mutual interest in promoting fair trade, which benefits all our citizens.

But our state, federal, and dairy industry officials all agree: These dairy issues are particularly serious and different. There has already been harm done.

Our Canadian friends must understand that our current and future trade relationships depend on their compliance with the agreements theyve signed. How they respond to our concerns about dairy may cause us to re-evaluate our trade relationship with Canada as a whole. It is in their long-term interest to keep their word with us on dairy trade.

Thats the message we will continue to deliver to the Canadians, working with state, federal, and industry officials: Uphold our international trade agreements and level the playing field for our dairy producers in the Canadian markets.
A wild panda was rescued by a dozen forest workers after it tried to cross a raging river and was washed downstream.

The animal was rescued by forest workers at the China Giant Panda Research centre in Sichuan province on November 1, reports the People's Daily Online.

After the rescue of the four-year-old female panda, she was released back into the wild.

Help i'm stuck! The panda was first spotted trying to cross the river earlier on in the day

Dangerous moment: The animal then fell into the water and quickly became panicked

Rescued and freed: At around 9pm, the panda was eventually freed back into the wild

Forest workers spotted the panda claiming along a steel fence at around 4:40pm.

Workers tried to rescue the panda but it fell into the water.

As time passed and it started to go dark, the panda began to panic and was showing signs of distress.

Therefore staff came to the decision to use a dart gun to tranquilise the animal.

One hour after the panda was tranquilised, the workers pulled the animal ashore.

They examined the panda and found that she was n good health.

After regaining consciousness, she was released back into the wild.

Many people have been discussing the story on Chinese social media site QQ.

One user commented: 'Maybe the panda was only taking a bath.'

While another said: 'The incident happened during the day time and it was not rescued until night fall. Poor panda.'

And one user wrote: 'If this panda was a human being, he would have been sent to a police station right away.'

The panda was released back into the wild after it was rescued

Awkward position: Workers became worried when the panda became stuck on a railing
Migrants were forced to run for their lives after a mob of 50 stone-throwing neo-Nazis rampaged through a Germany city claiming they were hunting asylum seekers.

The far-right gang screamed insults and threats at the refugees before chasing them in the eastern city of Bautzen last night.

Police were out in force at the time of the confrontation but apparently did not act until the refugees began to run from the mob who had gathered at the city's Holzmarkt.

The violence in the city of Bautzen, comes just weeks after a similar confrontation, pictured, between migrants and a far-right mob

One of the asylum seekers was hit by a bicycle ridden by one of his pursuers and suffered a cut from a stone which hit him.

Police also rescued a second youth and took him away in a patrol car.

The town has had a nightly curfew for unaccompanied minor refugees since the violence of mid-September when nearly 80 neo-Nazis chased 19 asylum seekers through the streets after exchanging insults in a main square.

This time the far-right opponents of refugees took to cars and bikes to chase the migrants who told police they genuinely felt in fear of their lives.

Like in the previous incident, the confrontation escalated after both groups exchanged verbal insults.

The incident has highlighted once again the seething resentment that the far-right has for refugees who are spread out in accommodation centres across the country.

One week after the initial incident in Bautzen, neo-Nazi youths shouting 'foreigners out!' beat up an elderly man in the town.

Bautzen has had a nightly curfew for unaccompanied minor refugees since the violence of mid-September when nearly 80 neo-Nazis chased 19 asylum seekers through the streets

Germany recorded more than 1,000 attacks on refugee shelters last year - a five-fold rise over 2014

The 72-year-old German citizen with Algerian roots was set upon by thugs who punched him to the ground.

They hurled racial insults at him before fleeing and have so far not been caught.

In February, a cheering crowd was seen outside a burning asylum-seeker shelter in Bautzen, clapping and shouting: 'Good, that's up in flames.'

That same weekend, a video emerged of neo-Nazis intimidating refugee children, preventing them from getting off a bus to get to another shelter in Clausnitz.

Germany recorded more than 1,000 attacks on refugee shelters last year - a five-fold rise over 2014.
A notorious armed robber known by his nickname 'Badness' has apologised to a judge for swearing at him.

Victorian career criminal Christopher Binse delivered an expletive at Supreme Court judge Terry Forrest during a procedural hearing in September on historic crimes he had confessed to.

'When they said I was going before T. Forrest I thought I dont want that c***,' he said via video link.

Christopher Binse (pictured) gave a talk at New South Wales Parliament House in early 2005 advocating better rehabilitation programs but he was back in prison a decade later

Christopher Binse (pictured) after he was arrested for the 2012 armed hold-up of an Armaguard van

The 47-year-old resident of Barwon Prison, south-west of Melbourne, also accused the judge of being 'poisoned' against him, the Herald Sun reported.

However, Justice Forrest began the hearing on Wednesday by acknowledging his letter of apology.

'Thank you for the apology that you wrote to me. I accept it was sincere,' the judge said.

Binse, a convert to Islam, told the judge he wanted to redeem himself.

'Ive come forward to just cleanse my soul,' he said via video link.

In June, Binse lost his appeal against his 18-year prison sentence for crimes in Melbourne.

Two years ago, Justice Forrest sentenced him for robbing at gunpoint two Armaguard officers of $235,000, at Laverton, and holding a 44-hour siege at his Keilor home, during which he fired shots at a police vehicle.

Christopher Binse (pictured) in 2005 soon after he was released from the Goulburn maximum security prison following a 13-year sentence for armed robbery

In February, Binse pleaded guilty in Melbourne Magistrates Court to seven armed robberies that occurred in 1988, 1989 and 1991.

Binse began his life of crime at 13, and has been in and out of prison ever since, including by escaping.

In prison, he has helped foil an alleged terror plot after an inmate and suspected terrorist follower wanted to behead guards.

A decade ago, he delivered talks and media interviews in a bid to discourage others from committing crimes.
The father of British backpacker Tom Jackson, who died while protecting a woman in a stabbing at a hostel in Queensland, has spoken of his grief at losing his son.

Les Jackson, 58, who flew from the UK to Australia to be with his son before his life support was turned off in August, said he didn't think of his son as a hero at the time because he 'felt nothing', reported Perth Now.

Tom Jackson was stabbed in the head, neck and torso 20 times by Smail Ayad, 29, while trying to protect Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, who was killed in the attack.

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Les Jackson (left), the father of British backpacker Tom Jackson (right), who died after protecting a woman in a stabbing at a Queensland hostel, has spoken about his son's death

Mr Jackson said he 'felt nothing' when his son Tom (centre) was referred to as a hero, because he was so devastated at his death

Mr Jackson (left) flew to Australia from the UK after the attack and made the heartbreaking decision to turn Tom's (right) life support off six days later

Ms Ayliffe-Chung was allegedly stabbed by Ayad at the dormitory they shared at Shelley's Backpackers in Home Hill, north Queensland.

Witnesses said Ayad allegedly screamed 'Allahu Akbar', Arabic for 'God is great', while stabbing Ms Ayliffe-Chung.

Ayad was charged with murder and is currently in a secure mental health facility in Brisbane, with a preliminary diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Les Jackson told Perth Now the praise for his son seemed meaningless at the time.

'I just wanted him to get better. I just wanted to take him home to his mum, even if there was some damage,' Mr Jackson said.

Tom Jackson was allegedly stabbed 20 times while protecting Mia Ayliffe-Chung (pictured) who was allegedly stabbed to death by Smail Ayad, a fellow guest at Shelley's Hostel in Home Hill, north Queensland

Six days after arriving in Australia Mr Jackson made the heartbreaking decision to turn off his son's life support.

Mr Jackson was joined in Australia by Tom's sister Olivia, a friend of Tom's who had been in Bangkok and another friend who was working in India.

After they said goodbye to Tom at Townsville Hospital, the group went on a trip to Cairns so they would have better lasting memories of Australia.

Ayad (pictured) has been charged with murder and is in a secure mental health facility in Brisbane, with a preliminary diagnosis of schizophrenia

He said things are more difficult for their family in the UK now the initial trauma of the incident and Tom's funeral are over.

'You have periods where you feel almost normal and periods where you cant think straight,' Mr Jackson said.

'Somewhere in the back of your head, hes just away. Its coming to terms with the fact well never see him again.'

Mr Jackson said somewhere in the back of his head he felt like Tom (left) was just away, and their family was still coming to terms with the fact they would never see him again




A young man born with four legs has used social media to appeal for doctors to amputate his two extra limbs.

Arun Kumar, 22, was born with two extra legs growing from his lower back - one underdeveloped and the other permanently bent at the knee.

Arun, who lives in Uttar Pradesh, India, appealed through social media for medical help to remove his extra legs.

Arun Kumar (pictured) carries his extra legs on his back, which is damaging his posture

A team of specialists at Fortis Hospital in Delhi responded to Arun's plea for help and organised a series of tests to find out how the legs are attached and if he can be treated.

Arun said: 'If I get an operation and doctors take off my two extra legs, then I can also live a normal life.

'I may be able to move and walk properly like others. If they are willing to do an operation, then I'm ready.'

Arun (pictured, left) went for years without any medical intervention. But now doctors in Delhi have taken X-rays (right) which show how his extra legs have impacted on his skeletal structure

Although he cannot move his extra legs, he does have feeling in them and carrying the weight on his back is damaging his posture and ability to walk.

Arun's mother Kokila Devi said: 'During childbirth he got stuck and didn't come out without pain. And when he came out, all his limbs were the same size.'

Doctors at various hospitals deemed Arun's extra legs too risky to operate on when he was a baby.

Arun Kumar (pictured) lives in Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh where locals urged his parents to accept his deformities when he was a child. But now he wants some help

Arun (pictured, second from the left) sits in between father Sri Ram Singh, 55), and his mother Kokla Devi , 50. His sister Aarti (extreme right) and his two brothers Lal Bahadur (back left) and Sudeer (back right) have rallied round him over the years

Arun's father Ram Singh, said: 'We got disheartened and came back to our village and everyone here said, it's okay just live like this.'

But orthopaedic surgeon Dr Hermant Sharma, who examined Arun recently, has given them new hope.

He discovered Arun also has a second pelvis, and arranged a series of tests, including MRI and CT scans, X-rays and echocardiograms, to find out how the extra legs are connected and how they are affecting his body.

It is not clear how why he developed the extra legs growing out of his back. But as he has grown they have become heavier and more painful to carry

Dr Sharma said: 'Since he has four legs we will be keen to know where is the blood supply coming from, and where is it going into his legs, and also we need to find out has he got extra kidneys, extra urethras, extra bladder?'

Arun's search for 'normality' is told on TV in Body Bizarre, which is being shown on Thursday from 10pm on TLC.
The magazine is published with the help of a $3,000

In the story an alcoholic has carnal encounters with both men and wome

Editor and the author of the piece, Terry Kemp, has defended his work

Residents in a quiet apartment block were left shocked after a magazine containing explicit sexual content was distributed throughout the building.

Several vivid sexual experiences are detailed in 'A Pocket Full Of Posie' in the latest of the Greenway building's Voices magazine, and feature landmarks near the northern Sydney complex, including a Mosman nudists' beach.

Longtime editor of the magazine and the author of the erotic fiction, Terry Kemp, printed Voice with a $3000 grant from the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS), the Daily Telegraph reports.

Residents in Kiribilli's Greenway apartment building were left shocked after a magazine containing explicit sexual content was distributed throughout the building

An excerpt of the tantalising tale which follows the life of an alcoholic Greenway resident who has carnal encounters with both men and women

Mr Kemp has defended his controversial work and questioned why the buildings 309 residents would , 'keep going on reading the story if it offends you', he told Mosman Daily.

The tantalising tale follows the life of an alcoholic Greenway resident who has carnal encounters with both men and women.

One resident has called the story 'vulgar' and said everyone they had spoken to had found the article offensive.

Mr Kemp said he had a right to free speech in Australia, but added he had received a lot of backlash over his writing.

He said this was due to the magazine being published with the aid of a government grant valued at $3000.

A FACS spokesman told the Daily Telegraph that they were not involved in choosing the content included in the newsletter, nor its production.

'Those responsible have advised FACS a letter of apology has been sent to tenants and all available copies of the newsletter have been withdrawn and destroyed.'

One resident has called the story 'vulgar' and said everyone they had spoken to had found the story offensive

The FACS added they felt material like 'A Pocket Full Of Posie' was inappropriate to be included in the newsletter.

He added that FACS were not aware of any other tenants including material of this nature in the newsletter.

The Greenway Tenants Group issued an apology to all residents of the apartment complex and assured that future editions of the newsletter would be more closely vetted.
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A stunning collection of rare photographs that capture day-to-day life in China 150 years ago have emerged.

The 'forgotten' album by photographer Georges Morache, comprising of 41 black and white images of Beijing in the 1860s, shows busy street scenes and feature portraits of inhabitants from all walks of life.

The pictures show chess players deep in concentration, musicians entertaining on the side of the road as well as striking images of the city's historically important architecture.

The collection of rare early photographs capturing day-to-day life in China 150 years ago are set to sell for 80,000 at Sotheby's when they go under the hammer next week. The stunning album, comprising 41 black and white images of Beijing, depicts an array of busy street scenes as well as striking images of the city's historically important architecture (pictured)

The pictures document residents of Beijing from all walks of life and depict chess players deep in concentration, as well as musicians entertaining on the side of the road (pictured above) during the 1860s when the city was much quieter than now

A Chinese monk is pictured in the collection which has emerged for the first time after being 'forgotten'. After being acquired by a prominent European collector, the photos are set to go under the hammer at Sotheby's in London for around 80,000

One of only four copies ever made, the collection was produced at a time when camera technology was still in its infancy between 1865 and 1866.

And now, after being acquired by a prominent European collector, the photos are set to go under the hammer at Sotheby's in London.

They were taken by the French army's chief medical officer Georges Morache who became fascinated with Chinese culture after he moved there in 1862.

Unlike others published later by more prominent commercial photographers, Morache's photographs were taken purely for his own enjoyment.

The only other time they have been seen in public was when they were used to illustrate a French magazine article in 1876.

The Tian Tan (Temple of Heaven) in Beijing is shown above in one of the black and white photographs that features in the stunning collection. The images were taken by the French army's chief medical officer Georges Morache in the 1860s

A Chinese man with a pipe is seen in the collection of 41 photographs that have emerged in the public eye for the first time. Richard Fattorini, Sotheby's books and manuscripts specialist, described the collection as 'extremely rare'

The Grand Lama is also featured in the collection. The album is owned by a prominent European collector, who initially thought they were the work of French photographer Paul Champion instead of the actual curator Georges Morache

WHO WAS MORACHE? Georges Auguste Morache (1837-1906) was a doctor who participated in the Franco-British expedition to China in 1860-1861. He was first surgeon in the Navy and a professor at the Val-de-Grace (from 1872 to 1874). He ended his career as an associate member of the Academy of Medicine and professor of legal medicine at the Faculty of Bordeaux. He was the son of a policeman but remained a child of the people - advocating social reforms. Morache, who would have been 25 when these photographs were taken, died aged 69 in 1906. Advertisement

Richard Fattorini, Sotheby's books and manuscripts specialist, described the collection as 'extraordinary' and 'extremely rare'.

He said: 'What is so extraordinary about these photographs is that he was not producing them for the public. He was making them so they could be viewed by his family and his friends.

'Being a doctor he had access to people from all walks of life and he developed a deep interest in them and how they lived - and we can see this in the photographs he has taken.

'Many of the early photographs taken in China were taken by visiting professional photographs.

'But Morache would have had privileged access to scenes and locations little-known to those just passing through the capital.

'And because of the long exposure times required, photographers often focused on taking pictures of buildings and landscapes.

'But this collection feature lots of busy streets scenes and images of the inhabitants, including monks, a school teacher, chess players, musicians, and road menders.

'Photographs of Beijing in the 1860s are extremely rare, and especially ones featuring so many faces.'

Following academic research it was revealed that the photographs were in fact the forgotten work of Morache. Morache, who would have been 25 when these photographs were taken in Beijing in the 1860s, died aged 69 in 1906. Above: A Beijing street

Richard Fattorini, Sotheby's books and manuscripts specialist, described the collection as 'extraordinary' and 'extremely rare'. Pictured: A French legation building in Beijing captured 150 years ago by talented photographer Georges Morache

The album, which includes this image of a Beijing street, will be sold as part of Sotheby's China in Print and on Paper sale

The album is owned by a prominent European collector, who initially thought they were the work of another more prominent French photographer based in Beijing at the time called Paul Champion.

However following academic research it was revealed they were in fact the forgotten work of Morache.

Morache, who would have been 25 when these photographs were taken, died aged 69 in 1906.
A Belgian photographer has released a series of candid images showing how her father had to re-learn everything after cancer left him in a coma and wiped his memory.

Charlotte Abramow, 23, has been documenting her 84-year-old father Maurice since he was first diagnosed with cardia cancer in 2011.

She watched as her father went from a bright and fit man to a very ill and frail person before being 'reborn' following an unbelievable recovery.

Belgian photographer Charlotte Abramow has released a series of candid images showing how her realities and after effects of her father battling cancer

Ms Abramow, who is now based in Paris said: 'I always photographed my father but I didn't plan to create a whole project. Maurice getting better.

'I needed to tell this, how unbelievable it was. I started thinking about ideas of how to represent this rebirth, make a whole project with Maurice as a star.

'At that time, I was just taking pictures to keep memories and accept the situation. I didn't particularly plan to use it or anything. It was too painful at that time.

'The rebirth of my father allow me to see these pictures with another eye, and to continue to take other images. I want to tell this curse in images. I don't know if I could have done this project if my father had not been reborn.'

Her father first fell ill in 2011 and had to undergo chemotherapy treatment that left him weak

Maurice's battle with cancer began at age 79 and going through three months of chemotherapy, before he had surgery to remove the tumour.

Unfortunately, in the post-operative days, doctors discovered that he was allergic to one of the medicines administered during and after the surgery.

This resulted Maurice having severe lung shock and several cardiac arrests, leaving him to fall into a coma for six weeks.

Ms Abramow and her family were told by doctors that her father did not have long to live but the former university professor grew stronger.

During his recovery from surgery, Maurice suffered an allergic reaction and went into severe lung shock and later a coma

When he awoke from his coma, Maurice was very thin and frail and didn't even know how to speak

Now the photographer, who is very close to her father after he retired when she was just three, sees the situation as the roles have been reversed.

And although Maurice has recovered and is now well, he suffered neurological sequelae from the coma, which saw him lose everything he had ever learned.

Today Maurice, who still lives in Belgium along with his wife Luce, 59, is described as having similar character traits as a child, such as curiosity, mischievousness, greed, hyper-activity and hyper-sensibility.

Ms Abramow said: 'When my father came out of his coma, he didn't know anything, he lost everything. We had to teach him everything again and take care of him every second of every day.

Maurice then had to learn how to speak and fulfill daily tasks again with the help of his wife Luce and the rest of his family

Today Maurice is described as having similar character traits as a child, such as curiosity, mischievousness, greed, hyper-activity and hyper-sensibility

'When I say he became a child, it's because he wasn't autonomous at all anymore. He needed us even for the simple things of life as eat or sleep. He was thoroughly dependent and could not be left unattended.

'This forced me to grow up very fast because I had to take care of him as a child. My father wasn't able to be a father anymore so that's how the roles were exchanged."

Although Maurice is not as talkative as he once was, whenever Charlotte takes out her camera, he instantly starts to pose for her.

Although Maurice is not as talkative as he once was, whenever Charlotte takes out her camera, he instantly starts to pose for her

She explained: 'Sometimes he's very tired or doesn't speak a lot. With the camera, we don't need words. We speak with our eyes. It's like a game, it's playful and joyful. It's an other way of communication.'

Ms Abramow has recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to create two separate series of images, inspired by her father's story.

She then plans to show both series in an exhibition and turn the project into a book.

The 23-year-old added: 'In my photography in general, I love to think about my images, to create them inspired by my feelings or my ideas on this world. There are illustrations of concepts, with a surrealistic touch.

'Using my father as the model in quite abstract pieces is more conceptual than documentary. I really think about how to stage him, inspired by his story and his curse.

'To create images that make you think about life and how fragile it is, but also how unbelievable it is, thanks to the Maurice's rebirth.

'This is a way to make something positive with the disease and the fear of the death. The aim is that people realize that life is unpredictable in all cases.

'I never imagined that my father could be sick one day but cancer hit us. That doesn't happen only to others. That can hit you too. So you have to enjoy your life and all the moments you share with your friends and family because this is so precious."
The merchant banker found dead, naked and tied to a chair in his Johannesburg apartment had a woman guest in his home the night before he died.

James Starkey's mutilated body was found after being tortured with boiling water on October 8 by a colleague who'd been concerned about the 28-year-old and asked staff to force entry to his luxury apartment.

Staff saw Mr Starkey - a dual Australian and United Kingdom citizen - and a woman enter the Raphael Penthouse Suites, in Johannesburg, South Africa on October 7, according to The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

She didn't have to sign a visitor's log because she was a guest, it was reported.

The mutilated body of James Starkey was found by a colleague on October 8 inside his luxury South African apartment

The woman has been identified by police as a main suspect.

Paramedics described his injuries as 'brutal' and as well as burn marks, his body was reported to also bear marks of strangulation.

The guest was not asked to sign the visitor book as she was accompanied by the tenant himself.

No one else is thought to have entered his room.

The source said there had been no similar incidents at the Raphael, but that a similar method had been used in robberies in South Africa to obtain details such as bank card PIN numbers.

'It's a method people use to try and get personal information from someone,' the source said.

Paramedics revealed his body had been mutilated, with burns and strangulation marks visible around his neck

Police have refused to divulge whether anything was stolen from Mr Starkey's room, but are rumoured to be studying his laptop.

They are also inspecting CCTV footage which shows Mr Starkey entering with his guest, and are thought to be confident that they know the suspect's identity but are keen to keep the case under wraps until an arrest is made.

'The police have an idea from the footage who they're looking for but they need to tread carefully and not scare the suspect away, people can go deeper underground if they think they are being looked for,' the source said.

The Raphael Penthouse Suites, where Mr Starkey was staying, are monitored by security guards 24 hours a day and guarantee 'tight, highly effective, and extremely efficient security controls'.

A colleague found the banker after becoming concerned with his welfare and asking staff to force entry to his room at the Raphael Penthouse Suites (pictured), in Johannesburg

The complex's David Stroud, speaking on behalf of owners Legacy Hotels, told the Sydney Morning Herald there had been no breach of security and that their tenant had invited his guest to the private flat.

The police have an idea from the footage who they're looking for but they need to tread carefully and not scare the suspect away, people can go deeper underground if they think they are being looked for

He added: ' We are not in the habit of presuming to tell occupants who they should or should not have visit them.'

South African Police spokesman Lungelo Dlamini had initially said investigators had not determined a list of suspects nor a motive for the killing and only revealed Australian-born Mr Starkey, was not sexually assaulted during the attack.

A paramedic told another financial services worker the body showed signs of brutal injuries, including burns and strangulation, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Mr Starkey, who graduated from Macquarie University and was reportedly engaged to be wed, has worked for several financial consultancy firms including Goldman Sachs, Ernst and Young and JP Morgan.

Mr Starkey (pictured), who was reportedly engaged to be wed, has worked for several financial consultancy firms including Goldman Sachs, Ernst and Young and JP Morgan

Mr Starkey travelled to South Africa for work with his current employer, banking management firm Catalyst, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

They have offered condolences to Mr Starkey's family, who will bury him at Macquarie Park cemetery, in Sydney's north, once his body is returned to Australia.

Words cannot describe how devastated we are.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told the Sydney Morning Herald the slain banker's family were being supported by the British consular.

His devastated family released a statement yesterday, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

It read: 'Words cannot describe how devastated we are.

'James lived life to the full and certainly had everything to live for, having recently become engaged and planning to return to settle in Australia in the near future.'

Mr Starkey's family said they were 'devastated' by the news of his death
Only seven newspapers nationwide have so far offered support to Trump

He said: 'We do like his nationalist views and words about shutting borders'

Donald Trump has received the endorsement of the official newspaper of the Ku Klux Klan, bringing the total number of newspapers backing the Republican candidate to seven.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal, owned by GOP donor Sheldon Adelson, is the only major newspaper to have backed the billionaire businessman.

More than 200 newspapers and periodicals have supported Hillary Clinton, while several have decided not to endorse any candidate.

The Ku Klux Klan newspaper appropriated Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again' slogan

Donald Trump has received the backing of the official newspaper of the Ku Klux Klan

However, as the final week of the most divisive presidential contest in living memory enters its final week, Trump has received the backing of the KKK's official newspaper.

The Crusader devoted its entire front page to an editorial calling for its readers to 'Make America Great Again!'

According to Politico, before the The Crusader's announcement, only six newspapers had supported Trump's campaign and urged their readers to vote for him on November 8.

In the editorial, KKK leader Thomas Robb said: '"Make American Great Again!" It is a slogan that has been repeatedly used by Donald Trump in his campaign for the presidency.

'You can see it on the shirts, buttons, posters and ball caps such as the one being worn here by Trump speaking at a recent rally.

'But can it happen? Can America really be great again? This is what we will soon found out!

Reverend Thomas Robb, pictured, who is the current leader of the KKK has endorsed Trump

'While Trump wants to make America great again, we have to ask ourselves, "What made America great in the first place?"

'The short answer to that is simple. America was great not because of what our forefathers did  but because of who are forefathers were, America was founded as a White Christian Republic. And as a White Christian Republic it became great.'

According to the Washington Post, Robb claimed he wasn't officially endorsing Trump, but was expressing enthusiastic support for his campaign.

PAPERS ENDORSING TRUMP St. Joseph News-Press, Missouri Santa Barbara News-Press Waxahachie Daily Light, Dallas, The Times-Gazette in Hillsboro, Ohio Las Vegas Review-Journal The Antelope Valley Press, Palmdale, California Advertisement

Robb claimed: 'Overall, we do like his nationalist views and his words about shutting down the border to illegal aliens. Its not an endorsement because, like anybody, theres things you disagree with.

'But he kind of reflects whats happening throughout the world. There seems to be a surge of nationalism worldwide as nationals reclaim their borders.'

Former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke has tweeted his support for the Trump campaign.

Trump has also received the tacit support of the American Nazi Party, whose chairman Rocky J. Suhayda said he likes the fact 'Trump says and talks a lot about issues that the average politician in this sick, twisted, and demented society wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole'.

However Suhayda questions whether does he 'really believe in what many of his fervent followers think he believes in.'

In Utah, a prominent white nationalist has paid for a robocall to undermine third party candidate Evan McMullin who has been eating into Trump's support base.

William Johnson will target 193,000 voter in Utah, in what McMullin is describing as a 'baseless lies' by Trump and his 'racist supporters'.
The Chippewa Falls School District will have plenty of company when it comes to bringing referendum questions to the polls Nov. 8. In all, 47 public school districts in Wisconsin are asking voters to approve 67 referendum questions on Election Day.

Not only are more districts going to referendum throughout the Badger state, but more of those referendums are being approved by their communities. A total of 87 referendums have already gone before voters this year, and 67 have passed. Thats an approval rating of 77 percent.

While the success school districts are having at the ballot box in 2016 has to be encouraging for supporters of the two referendums in the Chippewa Falls district, that is only part of the picture. Any optimism should be tempered by the large costs of those two referendums that put Chippewa in unchartered territory.

Of the 67 referendums on next weeks ballots in Wisconsin, Chippewa Falls accounts for two of the eight most expensive ones. That includes the $98 million question that ranks as the costliest referendum in the state this fall.

That, more than anything, will put any statewide trends to the test.

Trending: Thumbs up

Tom McCarthy, communications director for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, was hesitant to call the 154 referendum questions from 109 public school districts in 2016 a record for a calendar year. When 1 in 4 districts in the state are going to referendum, though, it is quite clearly a large number.

Over the past five years specifically, weve seen a spike in the percentage of people that are actually passing these referendums, he said. Thats the big takeaway.

Not counting next weeks election, 30 Wisconsin school districts sought approval to issue debt through 41 referendum questions. The three largest all passed.

In Superior, voters approved by a 55-45 percent margin a $92.5 million referendum to be used for capital building projects.

Hudson voters passed even more convincingly, with 58 percent support, a $74.3 million plan for high school additions, renovations and upgrades. (Voters also passed two others referendums, $8.2 million for multi-use athletic facilities and auditorium renovations at the high school, and $7.9 million for work on the middle school.)

And in Mukwanago, a $49.5 school building and improvement program also passed with 58 percent in favor.

Another referendum that passed was in Bloomer, for a $3.5 million addition to its middle school.

There have been even more referendums this year from districts asking to exceed revenue limits, either indefinitely or for non-recurring time frames. Of those 46 questions, 37 passed.

The rate of passage has skyrocketed, McCarthy said. He said the rate has grown from between 40-50 percent in the mid-1990s, to almost 80 percent the past couple of years.

That means the revenue crunch that is taking place all over the state, but specifically with the smaller districts, has influenced voters to support their school and pass referenda at a historic rate.

For some of the states smaller districts, it means the difference between keeping the doors open or closing the school. That includes Lake Holcombe, where voters overwhelmingly approved in April a proposal to exceed revenue caps by $675,000 for three years for operational and maintenance expenses.

Costs going up

In November, the majority of referendums are for authorization of construction projects, whether it is new building, or additions, renovations and repairs. That applies to 42 of the referendum questions.

Twenty-five more are asking to exceed revenue limits. In those cases, the money to be used for reasons from operational and maintenance to staffing and technology. That includes the Eau Claire School District, which is seeking permission to exceed revenue caps by $5.86 million for the next 15 years. That amounts to $87.9 million.

The rest of the largest referendums by cost are all seeking permission to issue debt. The priciest of all is the $98 million Chippewa Falls referendum that has a new high school as its centerpiece. The other local referendum is for $61.2 million to replace Stillson Elementary School and make repairs and renovations to other buildings.

If you total them both up, the $159.2 million price tag is the most expensive proposal ever put forth by a Wisconsin school district, according to Department of Public Instruction figures.

The other three largest referendums in state history  not counting a 2014 plan in Racine authorizing $85 million per year over 15 years for building maintenance and modernization, safety and security improvements, technology enhancement, and debt service for new building projects  all failed: $119.3 million in West Bend in 2007, $99.97 million in Hudson in 2014, and $99.3 million in Elmbrook in 2007.
Sir Howard Davies warned that legal challenges against a third runway at Heathrow were unsustainable

Legal challenges to Heathrow expansion are doomed to fail, the chair of Britain's Airports Commission said today.

Sir Howard Davies, whose recommendation to build a third runway at Heathrow was approved by the Government last week, said claims his three-year inquiry into where to expand Britain's airport capacity was biased were unfounded.

He warned that any judicial reviews or political opposition to a third runway were unsustainable.

Sir Howard, now chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland, told The Times that campaigners who claimed he was biased in favour of Heathrow were 'complete nonsense.

Last week the Government finally announced it had approved plans for a third runway to be built at Heathrow Airport after years of delay.

It triggered Zac Goldsmith to resign as Tory MP for Richmond Park to force a by-election in protest at the third runway, threatening Theresa May's slim 12-seat majority in the Commons.

Sir Howard's warning to opponents of Heathrow expansion came after new figures revealed that half of the noise complaints the airport received this summer came from the same 10 people.

Heathrow Airport received 25,200 complaints between July and September this year  an average of 275 per day.

Remarkably, three people complained 14 times a day over the summer. Ten people sent through 12,312 complaints.

The graph above shows how many times complainants contacted Heathrow. It reveals that 1,209 people complained once, 126 people complained three times and remarkably, three people complained more than 1,280 times

Half of the noise complaints Heathrow received this summer came from the same 10 people, new figures revealed yesterday

The detailed analysis of noise complaints were released by Heathrow Airport a week after the Government gave the airport the green light for plans to build a third runway.

The borough that submitted the most complaints was Slough, which sits north west of the airport, with residents there sending in an average of 179 complaints per person over the summer.

The Government's decision last week to approve a third runway at Heathrow has caused uproar with local residents, 800 of whom will be forced out of their homes to make way for the runway.

A further 3,750 households in the surrounding area will be given the option of selling their home as part of Heathrow's 1.5billion compensation package.

The size of the bubble represent the total number of complainants from each borough. Residents in Slough sent in the most - an average of 179 per person over the three months

They will be offered the 'unblighted' market value plus an additional 25 per cent of the value of their home.

A blueprint for the runway shows that it could cross Britain's busiest motorway on a specially constructed bridge.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said it would be cheaper and quicker than the existing plan to create a tunnel for the M25 under the new runway.

Rubble from the construction of the runway would be used to build a gentle hill leading up to the M25.

The 11,483ft-long runway would then cross on a sloped bridge across the road, climbing to at least 26ft above the traffic  around the height of a typical house.

Officials say it would involve a 1 per cent gradient across the length of the runway.

Similar runways over roads exist at Charles de Gaulle in Paris, Fort Lauderdale in Florida, Leipzig in Germany and Madeira.

Leeds Bradfords runway is also raised but it does not run over a motorway.
'Vicious' EU leaders could 'lose the plot' over Brexit as anger mounts over the UK's decision to quit the trading bloc, Ireland's PM warned today.

Enda Kenny said his colleagues across the Europe were taking a 'poor view' of the referendum result.

The Taoiseach's comments came at an All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit, where he earlier endorsed intentions to preserve a common travel area between the Britain and Ireland.

In unscripted remarks before a conference in Dublin on the impact of Brexit on Ireland, Mr Kenny said the UK Prime Minister had indicated she will trigger Article 50 - the mechanism for leaving - before the end of March.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny, pictured at today's All-Island Civic Dialogue, said he has agreed with Prime Minister Theresa May that the 'benefits of the Common Travel Area' between both countries are preserved

'That doesn't mean it mightn't be triggered in December... or January, or February,' he added.

Mr Kenny suggested some European leaders would become very hostile to Britain.

'The other side of this argument may well get quite vicious after a while, because there are those around the European table who take a very poor view of the fact that Britain decided to leave,' he said.

'That argument, I think, will be fought very toughly, in a really difficult negotiating sense.'

The issue of access to the single market being wedded to freedom of movement would be critical, he suggested.

Europe also has to decide for itself where it wants to be in the years ahead, he added.

Mr Kenny said he has agreed with Prime Minister Theresa May that the 'benefits of the Common Travel Area' between both countries are preserved.

The decades-old deal, which dates back to the 1920s, secures freedom to travel between Britain and Ireland.

At today's Brexit meeting, Mr Kenny also pointed out that access to the European Union Single Market requires the acceptance of the freedom of movement of people

Mr Kenny also said he 'acknowledges' Northern Ireland voted to remain within the EU in June's in/out referendum.

There are fears Britain pulling out of free movement rules when it leaves the EU could force the imposition of border controls to stop EU citizens flying into Ireland and then walking or driving into the UK unchecked.

The Irish premier made his remarks as he opened the All-Island Civic Dialogue, a cross-border gathering of politicians, business leaders, community representatives and others in Dublin to discuss Brexit's impact on Ireland.

'I have agreed with the Prime Minister (Theresa May) that there will be no return to the borders of the past,' Mr Kenny told the forum.

'Therefore, the retention of an open border is critical.

'Neither I, nor the Prime Minister, desire to limit the freedom of people on both sides of the Irish Sea to trade, to live, to work, to travel freely across these islands.

'Therefore, we have agreed that the benefits of the Common Travel Area be preserved.'

Mr Kenny added that the Irish government remained fully committed to the Good Friday Agreement

Mr Kenny also pointed out that access to the European Union Single Market requires the acceptance of the freedom of movement of people.

The Taoiseach said Northern Ireland and the peace process would be front and centre of Dublin's priorities in the upcoming negotiations between Britain and the remaining 27 EU leaders over the terms of Brexit.

'I also acknowledge that the electorate in Northern Ireland did not vote to leave the European Union,' he said.

Mr Kenny added that the Irish government remained fully committed to the Good Friday Agreement, pointing out it was a co-guarantor along with the British government of the 1998 peace deal.
A Texas official has come under fire after he called Hillary Clinton a 'c***' on Twitter, and then tried to claim it was because his account was hacked.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller posted the offensive comment on Tuesday, tweeting out a Pennsylvania poll that claimed Donald Trump was set to receive 44 per cent of the vote while Clinton was at 43 per cent.

Instead of Clinton's name next to her number however, it said the word 'c***.'

Soon after claiming his account was hacked, Miller told a different story, claiming that it was a retweet and he was unaware of the offensive language.

This explanation was also problematic as the comment was posted directly on his account and not a retweet of another Twitter user's post.

Attack: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller (above in August) posted a tweet to his account on Tuesday calling Hillary Clinton a 'c***'

Excuse: He took down the tweet and said at first that his account had been hacked

'The campaign was retweeting information on Twitter today and inadvertently retweeted a tweet that they were not aware contained a derogatory term,' began a series of tweets on Miller's account.

'The tweet was taken down as soon as possible.'

The explanation closed out by saying: 'Commissioner Miller finds the term vulgar and offensive and apologizes to anyone who may have seen it.'

Just a few hours later, Miller posted a meme that showed the Oscar Mayer Weiner Van and claimed it was Clinton's new campaign bus.

Miller wrote in that tweet: 'GET IT? Anthony Weiner-Oscar Meyer Weiner! Now, I don't care who you are. That's funny!'

The Texas politcian is an ardent supporter of Trump, and in his Twitter bio he calls himself a 'deplorable,' in addition to noting that he is a 'champion calf roper.'

This is not the first time that Miller has come under fore for his actions on social media.

He shared a Facebook post that endorsed dropping an atomic bomb on the Middle East, and in November of last year compared Syrian refugees to rattlesnakes.

'Can you tell me which of these rattlers won't bite you?' wrote Miller, with a pic of a rattlesnake pic stacked on top of a photo of a large group of refugees.

'Sure some of them won't, but tell me which ones so we can bring them into the house.'

Huge fan: Miller is an ardent supporter of Donald Trump and calls himself a 'deplorable' in his Twitter bio (a tweet from Miller on Tuesday making fun of Clinton's ties to Anthony Weiner)

Past comments: Miller previously posted on social media that America should drop an atomic bomb on the Middle East (left) and compared refugees to rattlesnakes (right)

Miller was also recently investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety after The Houston Chronicle reported that he used taxpayer money to travel to Oklahoma last year to apparently receive a 'Jesus shot,' or anti-inflammatory injection meant to reduce chronic pain.

Miller reimbursed the state more than $1,000 but declined to say whether he got the injection. In September, prosecutors announced that he wouldn't face charges, saying 'criminal intent would be difficult to prove.'

The Texas Democratic Party expressed outrage at Miller's offensive tweet on Tuesday, with Executive Director Crystal Perkins releasing a statement soon after it was posted on Twitter.

'Texas families deserve better than this kind of disgusting language from their elected officials,' said Perkins.

'It's not about one tweet, it's about a consistent pattern where the Republican Party fails to show even the most basic sense of human decency.'

She then added: 'Commissioner, you're an embarrassment to Texas families and our great state.'

Governor Greg Abbot of Texas also weighed in, saying Miller's language was 'reprehensible and an embarrassment.'
In the dock: James Evans, 26, who was based at a station in Ealing, west London, was sentenced to four years in prison and will be on the sex offenders register for life

A Met Police officer who had sex with a 15-year-old rape victim he met online has been jailed for four years and sacked by Scotland Yard.

James Evans, 26, who was based at a station in Ealing, west London, was sentenced to four years in prison and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Isleworth Crown Court heard how the vulnerable girl performed a sex act in Evans car while he drove her home from a counselling session with child mental health services.

Evans later had sex with the vulnerable girl at his Ruislip flat after they matched on dating app Tinder in January this year.

The victim initially told Evans she was 16 but he knew she was 15 and still at school before they had sex.

The girl, told the court: I now know he took full advantage of my vulnerabilities.

I told James I had been sexually assaulted the previous August and now I know he should have acted differently as a police officer.

Her mother had reported the relationship to Evans colleagues after reading her daughters diary and finding photographs of Evans in his police uniform.

Shameful: Isleworth Crown Court (pictured) heard how the vulnerable girl performed a sex act in Evans car while he drove her home from a counselling session with child mental health services

During his police interview, Evans admitted: I know it was stupid - I had sex with her, knowing she was 15.

Evans, from Pontypridd, Wales, admitted six counts of sexual activity with a child.

Assistant Commissioner Helen King said: PC Evans exploited a girl he knew to be vulnerable and, as she knew he was a serving police officer, abused his position.

Sexual exploitation of young people, particularly by those in positions of power and influence, has long been very seriously under reported.

For a police officer to commit such offences is inevitably going to have a serious detrimental impact on the confidence of victims and the wider public to report concerns.

PC Evans has undermined the work of colleagues to build that trust. Critically he has victimised a young girl and broken the laws he was entrusted to enforce on others.

The only outcome in this case is for him to be dismissed without notice.
and run over by two cars

He was thrown into a dual

Private Matthew Wade (pictured) who was stationed in Colchester in Essex, was just 21 when he died after being hit by three vehicles

A paratrooper died after walking into a bus lane after a night out and being hit by a single decker and run over by two cars, an inquest has heard.

Private Matthew Wade, from Colchester in Essex, was just 21 when he died on the busy road.

The promising soldier had been out drinking with friends when he got separated from the group, and ended up standing in a bus lane that joined a dual carriageway.

As he was wearing dark clothes the driver couldn't see him until it was too late and smashed into him in the early hours of August 7 this year.

The bus driver tried to swerve to avoid him - but the empty single decker hit him at 36mph knocking him into the carriageway.

Private Wade was then struck by a Ford Fiesta and Honda Civic as he lay prone in the road.

He died at the scene and police closed the road on the outskirts of Chelmsford, Essex, for 10 hours while they probed the death.

Essex police's James Griffin told yesterday's inquest in Chelmsford there was nothing the bus driver could have done to avoid hitting Private Wade.

He said: 'A driver would have no reasonable expectation of a pedestrian being in the bus lane.'

A toxicology report revealed Private Wade had 180 milligrams of alcohol in 100ml of blood - which was described as 'extreme drunkenness'

The bus driver tried to swerve to avoid him - but the empty single decker hit him at 36mph

Coroner's assistant Debbie Frost said: 'Mr Wade was 300 metres east of the junction when he was struck by the bus and two further motor vehicles.

'An ambulance was called and his death was pronounced at the scene, the police attended and commenced investigation.'

Private Wade's family travelled down from Lancashire where he grew up and wept during the hearing.

In the wake of his death the army said Private Wade had been 'relishing' his time with the troops and had a bright future ahead of him.

Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Essex police's James Griffin told yesterday's inquest in Chelmsford there was nothing the bus driver could have done to avoid hitting Private Wade

She said: 'At the time of his death he was a member of the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment in Colchester.

'He died on the 7th of August 2016 on the A1114 on the outskirts of Chelmsford.

'The pathologist had given his cause of death as multiple traumatic injuries.

'I'm going to record Matthew James Wade's death as the result of an accident.

'It was the most tragic of accidents and I would again like to express my sympathy to you on his loss as he was clearly a much-loved young man with a bright future ahead of him.'

Pictured: Merville Barracks in Colchester where Private Wade was stationed before his death

Speaking at the time of his death Lieutenant Colonel Geoff Hargreaves, Commanding Officer of 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, said: 'Matthew had recently joined C Company, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment having completed his training in Catterick.

'He immediately took to battalion life showing great enthusiasm, professionalism and early potential.

'He relished the role of serving with The Parachute Regiment and being in the UK's high readiness contingency force. '

'Although a relatively new member of The Parachute Regiment, he will be sorely missed by all his brother paratroopers.
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Five years after a tsunami shut down the Fukushima nuclear reactor in Japan, these haunting images show how the uninhabitable towns that surround the exclusion zone have been frozen in time.

In March 2011 an earthquake measuring 8.9 triggered a tsunami off the coast of north-eastern Japan, leading to an explosion at the nuclear reactor in Fukushima.

On April 22 everybody within a 12 mile radius of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station was forced to flee and the area completely cordoned off.

This bookshop and manga comic store was abandoned by its owner. The aisles are now filled with April 2011 editions of magazines

But photographer Arkadiusz Podniesinski has journeyed through the ghost towns on the fringe of the central exclusion zone, to take these shocking images.

It is an urban area like something from an apocalyptic movie - untouched and uninhabitable.

Mr Podniesinski visited the towns of Tomioka, Okuma, Futaba and Namie to take these pictures.

In the spring of 2011 dozens of children were forced to abandon their school bags (pictured) and flee the area around the Fukushima nuclear reactor

Earlier this year three executives with the Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) were charged with professional negligence resulting in death and injury.

Tsunehisa Katsumata, 75, chairman of Tepco at the time, and two former vice presidents, Sakae Muto, 65, and Ichiro Takekuro, 69, were blamed for injuries to 13 people, including soldiers who were drafted in to help, and the deaths of 44 patients forced to evacuate from a nearby hospital.

The tsunami killed more than 18,000 people and Fukushima was the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, although nobody is believed to have died directly as a result of the failure of the reactor.

Frozen in time: Although these clocks in a shop did not all stop at the same hour, they are no less spooky for it

This photograph was taken on March 14, 2011, three days after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami hit the Fukushima Daiichi plant, leading to the failure of a reactor (pictured, right)

This picture, taken in the spring during the traditional cherry blossom season, shows the entrance to the exclusion zone in Tomioka

These tricycles were abandoned when the nuclear reactor at Fukushima Daiichi failed. In 2013 the WHO said residents of the area who had been evacuated were exposed to low amounts of radiation and their health was unlikely to be affected

Sadly many animals which were abandoned on this farm died of hunger or thirst

This photograph shows the inside of a municipal swimming pool, which has been closed to the public since 2011

Fire sale: This fascinating time capsule shows hundreds of DVDs in a store within the exclusion zone. Ironically 2011 was the same year Blockbuster closed down most of its 1,700 stores in the US. Nowadays most people download films or stream them

The area around the Fukushima Daiichi plant is now a ghost town. Even if the residents had been allowed to stay they may not have done as the plant was by far the biggest local employer and its closure would have devastated the towns nearby

This sculpture of a dinosaur - thought to be in the grounds of a creche - has become overgrown in the last five years

Coincidentally the Sendai District Court today ruled that the parents of 23 children who were washed out to sea by the tsunami should get 1.43 billion yen (10m) in compensation

Forty-four seriously ill patients died after being evacuated from this hospital in the exclusion zone

This school hall was abandoned after the disaster. The damage to the roof is believed to have been caused by the earthquake

Where once students played and learned music in this school, now there is only silence

The noise of a pachinko parlour has been replaced by a haunting silence

Nature recovers: The blossom on these cherry trees within the exclusion zones carries echoes of the disaster in the spring of 2011, which happened during the cherry blossom season

Mr Podniesinski said he took the pictures between January and August this year, during multiple trips to Fukushima
A One Nation senator facing expulsion from parliament says Australia is being held to ransom over a $7.50 truck key.

Rod Culleton was convicted of stealing a key when he was elected a senator for Western Australia in July as a member of Pauline Hanson's party.

Attorney-General George Brandis has announced fellow senators will be asked on Monday whether Senator Culleton's eligibility to sit in parliament should be referred to the High Court.

One Nation senator Rod Culleton (pictured) had a stealing conviction when he was elected

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson (pictured left) with West Australian senator Rod Culleton (pictured right) who faces a High Court challenge to his ability to stay in parliament

Under the constitution, someone cannot be a member of parliament if they have been convicted of an offence which carries a jail term of one year or more.

The farmer, who has been battling banks, was convicted in 2014 of stealing a truck key from a driver in New South Wales trying to repossess a car he was leasing.

'A single action over a $7.50 key could now lead to an entire nation being stopped,' he said in a statement on Wednesday.

A former business associate, Bruce Bell, had petitioned the High Court to disqualify the West Australian senator over that larceny conviction.

That conviction stood in May when Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called a double dissolution election.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured left) with One Nation senator Rod Culleton (pictured right) who had a stealing conviction when he was elected in July

The High Court could decide if Senator Rod Culleton's stealing conviction and financial standing make him ineligible to remain as an elected member of the Australian parliament

His 2014 NSW conviction was later annulled, but he pleaded guilty to the charge at a subsequent hearing with no conviction

The One Nation politician had previously served as the director of three companies that had gone into liquidation.

It's also illegal for a bankrupt to be a member of parliament, and he faces a constitutional challenge to his financial status.

Senator Culleton has offered to resign.

'If the Australian people wanted to ask me to resign, if they wanted me to do it, I would yes,' he told reporters in Perth.

He indicated he would not vote on contentious bills while the issue is being investigated.

Former Family First senator Bob Day (pictured) faces being referred to the High Court over a possible commercial interest he had in his Adelaide electorate office

Creditors of his company Elite Grains will meet in Perth on Thursday morning to discuss the liquidation.

Asked whether he had traded while insolvent, Senator Culleton told ABC television on Wednesday: 'No, not at all.'

Senator Culleton's possible reference to the High Court, over his eligibility to sit in parliament, comes a day after the attorney-general announced he would ask Australia's top judges to investigate whether bankrupt former Family First senator Bob Day was legally entitled to have been sworn in as a lawmaker.

Mr Day's commercial interest in his Adelaide electorate office was a potential breach of the constitution, which bars members of parliament from having a contract with the commonwealth.
Mother was 'boxed in' by police cruisers after 911 calls about possible DUI

She was killed in hail of gunfire after ramming her vehicle into police cars

Michelle Lee Shirley, 39, was shot dead by police after driving

Shocking footage has shown the moment multiple police officers shot a mentally ill mother dead after she refused to stop her car on Halloween.

Michelle Lee Shirley, 39, who was suspected of drink driving, was killed in a hail of police gunfire after ramming her grey vehicle into cop cars in Torrance, California.

She had been 'boxed in' by the police cruisers after 911 calls alerted authorities to an 'erratic and reckless driver' who fled the site of a crash with her airbags still deployed.

Mobile phone footage shows at least three officers standing on the residential road, surrounding the car, with their guns drawn just after 2.30pm.

Shocking footage has shown the moment police officers shot mentally ill mother Michelle Lee Shirley, 39, dead after she refused to stop her grey car in Torrance, California, on Monday

As Ms Shirley's saloon car lurched forward, towards the officers, at least 20 shots were fired at the slowly moving vehicle before it came to a stop on the curb.

She was taken to County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead shortly after 3pm on Monday.

Her family revealed Ms Shirley, who had a young son, suffered from bipolar disorder and had not been able to escape the grip of her mental illness.

Ms Shirley's driving was first reported at 2.30pm near the intersection of Arlington and Post avenues after police received calls about a suspected drink driver.

Her car was thought to have been involved in an accident because the side of the vehicle was crumpled.

A video shot by one witness showed a grey saloon car meandering erratically down a leafy road in the middle of the afternoon, with its hazard lights blinking.

Her family revealed Ms Shirley (pictured) suffered from bipolar disorder and had not been able to escape the grip of her mental illness

Officers then spotted the vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road and watched it almost hit several cars, according to Sgt Paul Kranke from Torrance Police.

Police feared she posed a threat to pupils walking home because her driving coincided with the end of the school day.

Cops chased the car until they reached a crossroads by a petrol station in southeast Torrance, where officers performed a manoeuvre to block the car in.

Ms Shirley lurched the car forward in an attempt to flee, which is when the police started firing.

One of the officers suffered moderate injuries during the incident.

A video of the shooting was captured by one witness, who uploaded it on Twitter, saying: 'F*** that just happened.'

Ms Shirley had rammed the grey saloon car (centre) towards police officers when she was shot

As Ms Shirley's saloon car lurches forward, towards the officers, at least 20 shots were fired at the slowly moving vehicle before it came to a stop on the curb

'Officers were authorized to utilize a Precision Intervention Technique maneuver which brought the vehicle to a stop facing northbound on Cabrillo Ave just north of Sepulveda Boulevard,' a police spokesman said.

'The vehicle accelerated in reverse striking an occupied Torrance Police vehicle and then accelerated forward striking a second occupied marked Torrance Police vehicle.

'At that point an officer involved shooting occurred at approximately 2:36 pm.'

Police confirmed the Special Operations Bureau is investigating the incident with the help of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

A spokesman said: 'This incident is being reviewed as is our procedure for all officer involved shootings.'

Michelle had previously spoken about her struggle with bipolar disorder in a brave YouTube video in 2011

She was taken to County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead shortly after 3pm on Monday.

The victim's mother, Debra, has spoken about Michelle's decade-long battle with mental illness.

'I don't know what was going through her head as she was driving or trying to get away,' she told the Daily Breeze. 'I can't even imagine. But why did they have to kill her?'

Michelle had previously spoken about her struggle with bipolar disorder in a brave YouTube video in 2011.

'I started sleeping less and less, I started having an overload of creative ideas,' she said.
Michael Cuevas (pictured) was arrested Thursday on an aggravated assault charge

A Mississippi man is accused of biting off a piece of another man's ear during a fight and then bragging about it on Twitter.

Michael Cuevas, 21, was arrested Thursday on an aggravated assault charge, Hancock County sheriff's deputies say

Authorities began investigating after a man went to Hancock County Medical Center on September 25 with part of his ear missing and underwent surgery, the Sun Herald reports.

Sheriff's investigator Gary Hudgens says the victim told deputies a man bit his ear during a fight at a bar in Kiln.

During their investigation, detectives discovered someone had posted a tweet, bragging about biting a man's ear off during a fight.

Detectives traced the tweet to Cuevas, who was identified in a lineup by the victim.

Cuevas turned himself in to authorities on October 27 after investigators published a wanted poster on Facebook.

He was booked into the Hancock County Jail and later freed on a $10,000 bond. It's unclear if Cuevas has an attorney.
Red Baron: Manfred von Richthofen is seen as the best fighter pilot of the First World War with a staggering 80 kills to his name

A piece of canvas ripped from a First World War plane that was downed by notorious German ace the Red Baron will go up for auction for 3,000 tomorrow.

Captain John Haydon watched from the trenches as Manfred von Richthofen's bright red plane shot down the Royal Flying Corps aircraft in April 1917 over Vimy Ridge near Lens in France.

Aged 18, pilot Keith Ingleby Mackenzie was the youngest victim of the Red Baron in the Great War, and his observer Guy Everingham, 22, was also killed.

At the time the biplane came down over German lines and the Red Baron ordered soldiers to recover the aircraft's tailplane as a macabre memento of his success.

But the next day the Commonwealth forces retook the ground and Captain Haydon dashed across to the wreckage to take his own souvenir relating to the Red Baron.

He used his knife to cut a 15in by 15in scrap of material from the wing of the BE2.

Canvas: Captain John Haydon dashed to the wreckage to take his own souvenir relating to the Red Baron and used his knife to cut a 15in by 15in scrap of material from the wing of the BE2

Victims: Aged 18, pilot Keith Ingleby Mackenzie (left) was the youngest victim of the Red Baron in the Great War, and his observer Guy Everingham (right), 22, was also killed

He wrote on the canvas: Part of wing of British plane brought down at Vimy Ridge, April 1917, by Baron von Richthofen, the Red Ace.

The relic has passed down through Captain Haydon's family to his grandson Robert, who found it among his late mother's possessions.

The canvas patch - which is being sold at Bristol Auctions Rooms with an estimate of 3,000 - has been described as 'a very unique item and difficult to put a value on'.

Auctioneer Malcolm Claridge said: The value is very much about the personality of von Richthofen rather than the item.

It has been in the same family ever since that fateful day and this is the first time it has been seen in public.

A piece of history: Captain Haydon wrote on the canvas: Part of wing of British plane brought down at Vimy Ridge, April 1917, by Baron von Richthofen, the Red Ace'

The Red Baron is regarded as the best fighter pilot of the First World War with a staggering 80 kills to his name.

Second Lieutenant Mackenzie's BE2 was his 39th 'victory' and one of 22 British planes he downed in April 1917 alone.

Von Richthofen wrote in his log: April 8, 1917. 16.40 hrs. Vimy. BE2 No. A2815. Occupants: Both killed. Remnants distributed over a kilometre.

I was flying and surprised an English artillery flyer. After a very few shots the plane broke to pieces and fell near Vimy, on this side of the lines.

Captain Haydon, of the Royal Highlanders of Canada, went on to win the Military Cross for gallantry in 1918 and survived the war.

Aircraft: A file picture of a BE2 biplane, similar to the one shot down by the Red Baron

The Red Baron's luck ran out a year after the exchange over Vimy Ridge and he was killed in April 1918.

As he chased a British Sopwith Camel plane over the River Somme near Amiens in France at just 400ft he was hit by a single bullet fired from the ground.

He managed to crash land his plane before dying from his injuries.

Vimy Ridge hosted a famous battle on April 9, 1917, which is seen as a proud moment in Canadian history having been fought primarily by their men, who were victorious over the Germans despite more than 3,500 of their soldiers being killed.
When FBI Director James Comey testified before Congress in July about his recommendation not to prosecute Hillary Clinton, he mentioned at least 10 times how important it was that he be transparent.

What I decided to do was offer transparency to the American people, he said, because I thought it was very, very important for their confidence in the system of justice, and within that their confidence in the FBI. I was very concerned that if I didnt show that transparency, that in that lack of transparency people would say, What is going on here? Something seems squirrelly here.

Now, in the final days of the presidential election, Comey has shocked the nation by announcing that he is reopening the investigation of Clinton  and he is offering no transparency at all about what is going on here. And something indeed seems squirrelly.

Ive long believed in Comeys integrity. But if he doesnt step forward and explain his October Surprise, he may inadvertently wind up interfering in the political process  perhaps even reversing the outcome of a presidential election  in a way that would have made J. Edgar Hoover gape.

We now know that Comey defied warnings by the Justice Department that he was violating longstanding policy against interfering in elections. But its just as clear that Comeys actions  tarring Clinton with a new hint of scandal while providing no details that might allow Clinton to defend herself  violate his own standards of transparency that he preached a few months ago.

If he has the goods on Clinton, lets hear them. If he doesnt, as his admission that we dont know the significance of this newly discovered collection of emails suggests, he must make clear that this is just a pro forma notice he sent to Congress. But what hes doing is essentially proposing a political death sentence for Clinton without providing the charges. The weight of Comeys thumb on the scale is greater now than it was in July, when there was still time to absorb the information.

Some Democratic partisans suspect this is a dirty trick by a man who was the No. 2 official in George W. Bushs Justice Department. It could make people feel the election is being rigged after all  in Donald Trumps favor. I dont believe that. As I wrote in July, Comeys reputation for integrity is as unimpeachable as it gets. Theres nothing about Comey that suggests he would like to install Trump in the White House; his passion for the rule of law clashes with Trumps threats to use the Justice Department to go after his political opponents.

But why would a man of integrity, at a time when the nation is already inflamed, add gasoline by insinuating wrongdoing by the presidential front-runner even though he admits he cant yet assess whether or not this material may be significant? And give Clinton no chance of exonerating herself by saying I cannot predict how long it will take to assess the material?

The most benign, and likely, explanation is CYA: Comey wanted to inoculate himself against future allegations from Republican lawmakers that he sat on relevant information before the election. If so, self-preservation trumped his professed love of transparency.

Back in July, when he made his recommendation not to prosecute, he read a lengthy public statement explaining that I am going to include more detail about our process than I ordinarily would, because I think the American people deserve those details in a case of intense public interest.

Then he testified to Congress about being a big fan of transparency and a huge fan of transparency because transparency matters tremendously and thats what makes our democracy great. Said Comey: Transparency is the absolute best thing for me and for democracy.

Now Comey has decided opacity is better for him, sending a vague letter to Congress while leaving it to anonymous officials to attempt to explain his reasoning to the public, via the press. Does he suppose that the American people no longer deserve those details in a case of intense public interest? In his brief words written to FBI employees Friday, Comey acknowledged there was a significant risk of being misunderstood. But the way to avoid being misunderstood is to explain himself publicly and fully, the way he did in July.

By falling short of his own standards of transparency, Comey is harming both election integrity and his well-deserved personal integrity. He needs to explain himself if he hopes to salvage either.
Psychiatrists have ruled she in competent, and will be

The mother tried to flush her baby's body down a toilet,

A young mother accused of killing her newborn son after giving birth to him in a bathtub is expected to face life without parole if she is found guilty of murder.

Lillian Alvarado, 24, has been indicted by federal prosecutors and she is expected to be arraigned in Washington DC's Superior Court on Friday, the Washington Post reports.

Prosecutors alleged Alvarado strangled and drowned her son on Thanksgiving morning in 2013, before trying to dismember him and flush his body down a toilet inside her family apartment in the 6000 block of 14th Street NW.

Lillian Alvarado, 24, is accused of killing her newborn son inside her family's apartment in the 6000 block of 14th Street NW in Washington DC (pictured) in November 2013

The shocking scene was discovered on November 28, 2013, when people living below Alvarado saw bloody water leaking down the walls, the newspaper reports.

The then-21-year-old had not told her family she was pregnant before giving birth to the baby in her bathtub, and she also told her father the child was born dead.

Scissors and knives were reportedly found near the dead baby's body.

Alvarado's public defenders have argued she is not mentally competent to be tried and should instead remain at a psychiatric hospital.

Psychiatrists have found Alvarado competent and she has been ordered to stand trial.
We all know what it feels like to go on autopilot at work - drifting through the day without paying much attention to your surroundings.

So spare a thought for this coffee shop waitress who fell backwards through a glass door after forgetting it had been smashed the previous night by a burglar.

Hilarious CCTV footage captured the moment the woman backs into the door while holding two coffees in an attempt to open it, but goes head over heels instead.

Video captured the moment a burglar used an axe to smash his way into the Niugini Arabica cafe in Canberra last week, destroying their glass door

Cameras at the Niugini Arabica cafe in Canberra captured the moment a bungling thief broke into the store on Friday last week, using an axe to smash his way inside.

Once in the building he attempts to ransack the till, but after managing to get it open he discovers there is no money left inside.

He then makes his way around the rest of the store, ignoring tip jars and other valuable items before attempting to run away with a bandage from a first aid kit.

Even this does not go to plan for the hapless thief, however, as he drops it while trying to escape.

The would-be thief attempted to take money from the till, but after discovering there was none, he fled with a first aid bandage that he dropped

The following day a female member of staff was filmed backing into the door in an attempt to open it, forgetting the frame was empty

Footage taken the following morning shows staff and customers milling around the shop after the broken glass has been cleared away.

The door appears to be propped open, but somebody lets it fall shut before the staff member goes to take two coffees outside.

Forgetting what has happened, she turns away from the door and attempts to back into it before hitting her ankles on the metal frame.

That causes her to topple over, spilling coffee all over herself in the process.

The woman plunges backward while holding two coffees, hitting the ground and spilling them over herself - but was fortunately not injured

The video was posted online by the coffee shop's owners, who are trying to see the lighter side of the incident.

However, owner Theodore Levantis also warned that something needs to be done about break-ins at small shopping centres, saying he has been targeted four times in the last five years.
A man charged with the murder of his housemate was allegedly found with blood on his hands and clothing.

Gary O'Connor, 53, will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday, charged with the murder of his 47-year-old housemate, who died from multiple stab wounds on Wednesday .

It's alleged the two men were having an argument which turned physical, the Herald Sun reports.

A 47-year-old man died after suffering 18 stab wounds and one forced trauma to the face

The victim was declared dead at the scene despite housemate Jason Sharkey's (pictured) attempts to revive him

Mr O'Connor appeared in an out of sessions hearing on Wednesday, where Homicide Squad Detective Leading Senior Constable Christopher Saulle said the victim suffered 18 stab wounds and one forced trauma to the face.

'The accused was interviewed today [Wednesday] and made admissions to stabbing the deceased twice,' the Herald Sun reports.

The unnamed victim had been living in the southeast Melbourne share house for just a month before he died.

The two men were reportedly heard arguing over a debt just after midnight on Wednesday.

'This had been going on for quite some time and eventually someone's going to fold and unfortunately it ended up to be this way,' housemate Jason Sharkey told 9 News.

The 47-year-old was declared dead at the scene despite efforts to revive him by the housemates and authorities.

Gary O'Connor, 53, will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday, charged with the murder of his 47-year-old housemate

The two men were reportedly heard arguing over a debt just after midnight on Wednesday (pictured: Authorities work at the scene)

Mr Sharkey believes the victim was stabbed with an 'ice pick or screwdriver'.

'As soon as I saw him on the ground I tried to revive him and called police and ambulance but unfortunately there was nothing I could do, he died so quickly,' he told the Herald Sun.

Another housemate said he saw the victim with an ice pick in his neck lying in a pool of blood.




A 62-year-old Arizona man is behind bars after allegedly trying to smuggle three pounds of methamphetamine in packages of tortillas across the Mexican border.

The man was at the Morley Pedestrian crossing at the Port of Nogales when a narcotics canine sniffed something suspicious in his stash of wraps.

US Customs and Border Protection then discovered the methamphetamine inside the hollowed out tortillas, authorities said.

A 62-year-old Arizona man is behind bars after allegedly trying to smuggle three pounds of methamphetamine in packages of tortillas across the Mexican border on Friday

The man, who is from Nogales, was taken into custody on Friday.

It was a busy weekend for the Nogales Port of Entry.

The very next day a 23-year-old man was arrested after border agents found nearly 26 pounds of meth in a Chevy SUV at the Dennis DeConcini crossing.

Authorities estimated that the drugs were valued around $78,000.

The man who was arrested is a US citizen currently residing in Santana, Sonora, Mexico, according to a US Customs and Border Protection news release.

Both men were tuned over to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.

Their names have not been released.

The nearly 30 pounds of drugs seized at the port this weekend were estimated to be worth around $87,000 total.
Ryan, who wiped makeup off, says he was left embarrassed by incident

Student Union, which organised event, said face paint could cause offence

A reveller who painted his face black as part of a 'Grim Reaper' fancy dress outfit says he was left humiliated after being barred from a university party in case he caused racial offence.

Ryan Lytwyn, 22, wore a creepy cloak and smeared his face black to emphasise his ghoulish white and red eyes.

But when he reached the door of the Edinburgh University Student Union Halloween event he was immediately turned away.

Ryan Lytwyn, 22, says he wore a cloak and smeared his face with black facepaint to emphasise his ghoulish white and red eyes for the event at Edinburgh University's Student Union

He fell foul of strict Union rules on fancy dress, which include a ban on dressing up as Mexicans, gangsters, mental health patients and 'camp men'.

Ryan, who graduated with a degree in politics from the university earlier this year, said: 'Everyone thinks it's ridiculous. I felt like I was accused of blacking up which in itself is offensive to me. It's also quite bizarre to compare the Grim Reaper to that as well.

'I asked them if my makeup had caused offence and the manager answered no, but that some might find it offensive.

Ryan (right) and his friend after he was told to wipe the black facepaint off - he says he was left 'embarrassed' by the incident

'I asked them if anyone had complained and they said no one had complained but that they might complain.

'They told me I had to leave unless I removed the makeup. To be singled out in the queue was embarrassing.'

Ryan was visiting a friend last Saturday night when they decided to go to the club, which is managed by Edinburgh University Student Association.

Rather than ruin the night, Ryan - who now works for a charity - wiped off the paint with a tissue and was then let in.

'I honestly felt upset when I got into the club because I'd been singled out and it was so ridiculous,' he said.

'The student union hasn't apologised and have just said they don't tolerate people blacking up, but the grim reaper has nothing to do with that.'

But Student Association vice-president Jenna Kelly defended the veto.

She said: 'Blackface is racist and outdated - it is not permitted under any circumstances in our venues.'

Use of props by revellers to 'emphasise racial characteristics' was also barred.
A coffee shop that is set open in Switzerland where customers can receive oral sex while they drink is considering using robots rather than real-life prostitutes.

The outlet, which is due to be up and running in Geneva by the end of the year, was due to see men order a coffee before choosing their prostitute on an iPad.

Patrons would pay more than 40 for the hot drink and sex act, according to the firm Facegirl, which is modelling the idea on similar establishments in Thailand.

A coffee shop that is set open in Switzerland where customers can receive oral sex while they drink is considering using robots rather than real-life prostitutes (file picture)

However, as the cafe has yet to receive the seal of approval from authorities in Geneva, the company behind the plans say they could use sex robots instead of women to carry out the services on offer.

Bradley Charvet from Facegirl told the Local that he had already been in contact with an American firm that manufactures the lifelike robot-women that cost up to 2,400.

He estimates that between six and eight robots would be installed in the cafe.

It comes after plans for the cafe were announced in June, when Facegirl said men would order what they want and then sit at the bar.

'In five or ten minutes, it's all over,' Charvet told newspaper Le Matin.

The outlet, which is due to be up and running in Geneva , pictured, by the end of the year, was due to see men order a coffee before choosing their prostitute on an iPad but they may now use robots

The 'coffee' would be the most expensive in the city at 60 Swiss francs - along with a five franc surplus for the drink.

But the plan came under fire from some quarters, with one anti-prostitution group claiming it would only benefit the men involved in setting up the business.

According to The Local , prostitution is legal in Switzerland with sex workers required to have permits to operate.
Former President George W. Bush may join his father George H.W. Bush in voting for Democrat Hillary Clinton this year, his nephew suggested.

George P. Bush, the son of presidential candidate Jeb Bush  who was bested by GOP nominee in the Republican primary  floated the idea Tuesday at a rally in San Marcos, Texas, according to the Associated Press.

Later, when asked to clarify, George P. Bush, a Texas land commissioner and the family's only vocal Trump backer, said he was 'speculating' about Bush 43's vote.

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Former President George W. Bush (left) will likely cast a ballot for Hillary Clinton his nephew George P. Bush (right) told a Texas crowd on Tuesday

Neither of the Republican ex-presidents have publicly backed Trump, who laid waste to Jeb Bush's presidential campaign by labeling the ex-Florida governor 'low energy.'

Bush was forced to drop out of the race before voting even occurred in his home state.

The ex-Florida governor said he's be sitting out of the election for the rest of the year, telling MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace in July that he planned to vote for neither of the presidential candidates, with Trump having beat him and Bill Clinton, the husband of the Democratic nominee, ousting his father from the White House 24 years ago.

'I can't vote for Donald Trump and I can't vote for Hillary Clinton. It breaks my heart,' he said. 'This is my first time in my adult life I'm confronted with this dilemma.'

Bush's father, who seems to not hold a Clinton grudge, is reportedly going to cast a ballot for his former political rival's wife.

The 92-year-old Bush family patriarch was outed by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the daughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy, who posted a picture of the two on Facebook in September writing, 'The President told me hes voting for Hillary!!'

Bush 41 has neither confirmed or denied this is how he'll cast his ballot.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was badly beaten by Donald Trump in the Republican primaries. He now says he plans not to vote for either candidate in 2016

While George P. Bush hinted that George W. Bush (left) would be voting for Hillary Clinton, former first lady Laura Bush (right) has said comments that indicate that she might too as well

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend outed George H.W. Bush as a Clinton supporter, but former first lady Barbara Bush has said she can't imagine why women would vote for Donald Trump

Other prominent Bushes seem to be tilting the way of Clinton as well.

In a rare interview in June, former first lady Barbara Bush referred to Trump, who had already locked up the Republican nomination, as a 'comedian or something' and suggested it should be hard for women to vote for the billionaire and former reality TV star.

'What about women?' Barbara Bush mused. 'I don't know how women could vote for someone who said what he said about Megyn Kelly.'

Trump famously said there was 'blood coming out of her wherever' when describing the tough line of questioning Kelly, a Fox News Channel host, threw at him during the Republicans' first presidential debate in August of 2015.

'It's terrible,' Barbara Bush commented. 'And we knew what he meant too.'

Some of the other Bush women have hinted that they supported Clinton as well, who will become the first female president of the United States if she wins the election next week.

Hillary and Bill Clinton (left) handed the keys to the White House over to Laura and George W. Bush (right) in January of 2001 - with a Bush bookending Bill Clinton's presidency

BUSH GIRLS REVOLT: Former first ladies Laura Bush (left) and Barbara Bush (right) have hinted that they may not be supporting the Republican nominee Donald Trump

Barbara Bush (second from right) posed for a photo with Huma Abedin (center) at a Hillary Clinton fundraiser in Paris, France last month, hosted by Anna Wintour

In April, speaking at the Women in the World New York Summit, former first lady Laura Bush talked about wanting a global citizen in the White House.

'I want candidates who will pay attention to our history and know how we can do good things around the world,' she said, adding that she wanted someone in office who would care about the women of Afghanistan.

Clinton previously served as President Barack Obama's secretary of state and made women's rights around the world a central part of her mission.

Showing a more pronounced form of support, George W. Bush and Laura Bush's daughter Barbara, one of the 'Bush twins,' was spotted at a swanky Clinton fundraiser in Paris last month hosted by top Clinton aide Huma Abedin and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

Photos, which included Barbara Bush and Abedin, were originally hashtagged 'we're with her,' a play on the popular Clinton-themed hashtag 'I'm with her.'

About an hour after it was posted, a tweet containing a photo of Bush, Abedin, actress Dakota Fanning nd Vanity Fairs Derek Blasberg, was deleted from the micro-blogging site.
Oscar winning actress Susan Sarandon has snubbed Hillary Clinton and instead has declared her support for Green Party candidate Jill Stein.

Sarandon, who previously supported Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination, said she could not possibly endorse Clinton, despite the prospect of a Trump presidency.

The 70-year-old Thelma and Louise actress wrote to Stein's official campaign and cited 11 reasons why she could not support Clinton, including her support of fracking, off shore drilling and opposition to the legalization of marijuana.

Susan Sarandon, pictured, said she was supporting Green Party Jill Stein for President

Dr Jill Stein is the Green Party's candidate for the presidency but has no chance of winning

Sarandon snubbed Clinton because the Democratic candidate opposes marijuana legalization

The letter said: 'Dear Jill and team, I've been waiting for any indication that Hillary Clinton's position on the issues that are most urgent to me, has changed.'

Sarandon cited Clinton's failure to support a $15 minimum wage and legalizing marijuana.

She also criticized Clinton for backing free trade, military aid to Israel and taking money from lobbyists.

The veteran actress said: 'I'm therefore very happy to endorse Jill Stein for the presidency because she does stand for everything I believe in.

'It's clear a third party is necessary and viable at this time. And this is the first step in accomplishing this end.

'Fear of Donald Trump is not enough for me to support Clinton, with her record of corruption.

'Now that Trump is self-destructing, I feel even those in swing states have the opportunity to vote their conscience.'

Sarandon had strongly endorsed Bernie Sanders during the Democratic nomination process.

Although, Sanders himself is now fully behind Clinton to prevent Trump from making it into the White House.

Jill Stein's campaign posted the letter from Sarandon where the actress claims Trump has self-destructed and urges people, even in swing states, to vote with their conscience

Stein's campaign revolves around eliminating the use carbon fuel by 2030 by using only renewable energy.

She has described climate change as a greater threat than the Second World War.

Her campaign pledges to create 20 million jobs in the public transport, sustainable agriculture and conservation industries.

Also, she wants to wipe out student debt and offer free health care for all.

Stein also wants a 'peace offensive', halving the US military's budget and closing more than 700 foreign bases.

She would also cut off military aid to all countries who are 'human rights abusers'.
An ISIS magazine has called for lone wolf attacks in Europe and the US to 'avenge' the death of their fighters in Mosul, it has emerged.

The booklet, called 'Nashir  Now Fight Has Come', tells fanatics in the West of the 'privilege' of living 'among our enemies who live peacefully in their countries'.

Extremists are told that 'brave Mosul is bleeding' as Iraqi forces move in to recapture the ISIS stronghold - and that followers should now carry out revenge attacks.

An ISIS magazine has called for lone wolf attacks in Europe and the US to 'avenge' the death of their fighters in Mosul, it has emerged. Iraqi forces are pictured on the outskirts of the city

According to Foreign Desk News, one ranting article tells ISIS supporters around the world: 'Every soldier fights on the Caliphate land wishes to be in your place. We can cut the tail of the snake but it will sooner grow again. But you have its head.'

Another extract reportedly says: 'Brave Mosul is bleeding. You should stop its bleeding by carrying out exhaustion operations of the Enemy's power and bloodcut their heads by your knives, let us hear your guns blasting their heads.'

At one point, the authors point to the tactics promoted by former ISIS propaganda chief Abu Mohammad al-Adnani.

The jihadist, who was killed in an airstrike in Syria in August, had previously called on followers to carry out 'lone wolf' style attacks.

Foreign Desk News reports that the magazine claims to have been published in Arabic, English and French.

At one point, the magazine authors point to the tactics promoted by former ISIS propaganda chief Abu Mohammad al-Adnani (pictured)

The magazine emerged as it was reported that US-backed Iraqi forces had moved closer to a town south of Mosul where aid groups and regional officials say ISIS has executed dozens of prisoners.

A military statement said security forces advanced to the edge of Hammam al-Alil, a thermal water resort, after an elite unit breached the eastern limits of Mosul, the ultra-hardline group's last major city stronghold in Iraq.

The battle that started on October 17 with air and ground support from a US-led coalition is shaping up as the largest in Iraq since the US-led invasion of 2003.

Mosul still has a population of 1.5 million people, much more than any of the other cities captured by Islamic State two years ago in Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

The United Nations said ISIS is attempting to displace Hammam al-Alil's estimated population of 25,000 for use as human shields and protection against air and artillery strikes.




A grieving Queensland mother has recounted the horrific moment her husband murdered her daughter  his stepdaughter - as she watched television beside her.

Marlene Locke described the terrifying night her 23-year-old daughter Sherelle was stabbed to death in their Boronia Heights house in February 2014 on A Current Affair on Wednesday.

Ms Locke said her estranged husband Raymond John Mead, 52, was in the garage of the home drinking a cocktail of alcoholic drinks on the night of the murder including beer, scotch, pink champagne and red wine.

Raymond Mead was sentenced to life in prison at the Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday for stabbing his stepdaughter Sherelle Locke, 23, (pictured) to death as she watched television in 2014

'He comes around the corner, sits on Sherelle's lap, grabs her by the throat and says 'do you think this is f***ing funny do you, do you think this is f***ing funny?' she told A Current Affair.

'Well how's this, do you think this is funny?

'He pulled a knife out from behind his back and stabbed her straight in the chest.'

Following the attack Ms Locke said Sherelle, a mother of three, begged for her life.

'She's begging and begging "mum help me I'm bleeding, I'm bleeding",' Ms Locke said.

Mead pleaded guilty to manslaughter but was found guilty of murdering Ms Locke, a mother-of-three (pictured)

With Sherelle lying bleeding on the floor, Ms Locke said Mead then turned on her and threw her up against a wall.

She said the couple's two-year-old son was also in the living room at the time, screaming, so she rushed to him and picked him up.

'He's still got the knife in his hand saying "you're f***ing next, put our son down," she said.

Ms Locke said the couple's two-year-old son was also in the living room at the time, screaming, so she rushed to him and picked him up

Sherelle's mother, Marlene Locke (pictured), told the court she had been torn to pieces after watching her estranged husband attack her daughter

Ms Locke said Mead then turned on her and threw her up against a wall

Ms Locke said she pleaded with Mead to let her go to her daughter's aid

It was then Ms Locke said she pleaded with Mead to let her go to her daughter's side.

'I begged and begged with him "you've got to let me help her",' she said.

But Ms Locke said mead was in a rage and impossible to reason with.

'He goes "I don't care she f***ing deserved it I'm sick of her sh*t, you're f***ing next",' she said.

'He's standing behind me with a knife saying "she f***ing deserved it".'

Mead (pictured) was sentenced to a non-parole term of 20 years and six months

Mead (right) was sentenced to life in prison in Brisbane's Supreme Court on Wednesday

And when Mead did eventually allow Ms Locke to go to Sherelle's aid, she said it was too late.

'I put my hand on her chest to see if I could stop the bleeding but it was too late, I couldn't get her to wake up,' she said.

Moments after the cold-blooded murder, Ms Locke said Mead did the unthinkable and accused her of killing her own daughter.

'You killed your daughter how could you do that to your own daughter,' Ms Locke recalled.

And for two and a half years Mead maintained that he was not guilty of Sherelle's murder.

During the August murder trial, Ms Locke (pictured) said Mead appeared in the living room and pinned her daughter down on the sofa

But the 52-year-old was sentenced to life in prison in Brisbane's Supreme Court on Wednesday when he was found guilty of murder.

He was also sentenced to two years for assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and 12 months for retaliation against a witness, to be served concurrently.

Mead will be 72 years old before he is eligible to apply for parole.

Mead (pictured) has been sentenced to two years for assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and 12 months for retaliation against a witness, to be served concurrently
The following editorial appeared in Tuesdays Chicago Tribune:

The most contentious storyline of this presidential campaign took shape months ago: Republican Donald Trump, facing broad questions of his fitness to serve, vs. Democrat Hillary Clinton, dogged by her email scandals and other character issues. Nothing thats happened in the closing weeks of the race changes those broad outlines of the decision voters will make. Nothing has turned the world upside down.

We knew Trump had temperament failings and a weak grasp on policy specifics long before the debates and the disclosure of his misogynistic 2005 comments. And we knew, from FBI Director James Comey in July, that Clintons use of a private email server as secretary of state was extremely careless, yet below the threshold, in his view, of criminality.

Still, less than two weeks before Election Day, Comey says there is a new investigative avenue to pursue: the discovery of a laptop computer that will be examined for possible evidence Clinton mishandled sensitive emails. This computer emerged from the separate sexting investigation of former congressman Anthony Weiner, estranged husband of Huma Abedin, a top Hillary Clinton aide.

The headlines have been explosive, and so has the commentary declaring that Comeys announcement means everything. Democrats think Comey recklessly politicized the federal law enforcement apparatus by making an innuendo-filled statement so close to the election. Trump and other Republicans, seizing on that same innuendo, see a Watergate-sized scandal.

Take a breath. The laptop contains a reported 650,000 emails, including some sent to or from Clintons private server. Investigators needed a court order to stray from the Weiner case to study the emails. That led Comey to inform congressional leaders Friday that his previous statements about the completion of the Clinton probe needed to be, well, updated. Turns out there are these emails, he said in a letter. They appear to be pertinent to the investigation. Theres no way to assess immediately whether they are significant, but the FBI needs to check them out, he said. And no way to know how long thatll take.

An unsatisfying recap, then: The FBI director says there are many more emails. Are there indications they contain classified information or are even different than those previously studied? We dont know. Are some written to Hillary Clinton or by her? We dont know. Will this change the FBIs, or the electorates, conclusions about her? We. Dont. Know.

We trust that Comey made his decision to disclose this twist in good faith; President Barack Obama on Monday attested to Comeys integrity. Lets also stipulate that Comey didnt create the private server, didnt invite this latest repercussion and didnt dictate its timing. He reacted to the discovery of new evidence.

Certainly he was caught in a vise. Had he delayed or hushed up news of this evidence until, say, Nov. 9, hed be accused of protecting Clinton. He also would have broken an obligation he felt he had to keep Congress informed of developments. But in making this public, he stands accused of doing the opposite of protecting Clinton: Hes gifted Trump with FBI-attributed insinuations that there could be more than carelessness to Clintons conduct.

Critics accuse Comey of violating protocols, a tradition or even the law by disclosing investigative info so close to an election that it could sway or confuse voters.

Some observers claim theres an unwritten pact that the feds dont make investigative headlines regarding politicians running for office 60 days before an election  or its six months, others say. We cant get exercised over apparently unwritten mandates. A cynic would say nonexistent rules are made to be broken.

Comey said as much in July. He noted that the FBI typically doesnt talk much about investigations, but he was speaking because of the intense public interest in this case. Well, if the country was willing to hear him out on details of an investigation that didnt lead to criminal charges, then voters also have a right to know the FBI is back at it. The likely quest: Determine whether Team Clinton mishandled classified information, or covered up illicit behavior, to felonious extent and intent.

What we have, then, is an evolving situation. Either theres more to be learned about Clintons use of a private email server, and more legal action to be taken, or there isnt. The FBI investigation needs to proceed at whatever pace is required to be completed properly, not according to either candidates preferred timeline.

Voters, too, are on the clock. Election Day is Nov. 8. Yet by now each of us surely has enough information to decide whether we want Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump or someone else in the White House.
There has been a surge in the number of feces and needles left strewn across San Francisco's streets, the city's most recent government data reveals.

Complaints of human waste and syringes in the city has increased by 40 per cent in the past year.

Some districts are worse affected by others, with a 140 per cent surge in District 10 in the north east, according to statistics released by the office of the City Controller last week.

Officials have chalked the rise down to the migration of homeless people and lack of shelters in certain parts of the city.

More than 15,000 separate reports of urine and feces across San Francisco were made in the past year, 39 per cent more than in the previous year. District 6 (indicated in red), which takes in the crime-stricken Tenderloin neighbourhood, hosted almost half of the reports

In the past year there were 15,332 reports of human waste across all districts, a 4,000 increase on the previous year.

District 6, which includes downtown and the crime-stricken Tenderloin neighborhood, saw the highest number of complaints for both feces and needles.

Almost half (7,509) of all the human waste found across the city was reported and 5,811 needles were also discarded there.

A hub of homelessness, it is where the most feces-infested street, Jones Street, is found.

Eighty-eight separate reports of excrement were made from the intersection of Jones and Eddy Street in Tenderloin in the past year.

It is found next to Boadekker Park where scores of vagrants sleep.

Officials blamed increasing homelessness and a lack of properly spread-out shelters for them.

A similar surge was noted for the number of discarded needles found in streets. Again, District 6 (indicated in red) was the worst affected

San Francisco has the second highest homeless population in the county after New York City. Above, a vagrant pushes his belongings through its densely populated streets

Boadekker Park (above) is one of the worst affected areas, with the streets around it reporting 88 separate cases of human feces in the past year

'We know that services and shelters for homeless residents have largely been concentrated downtown, and that certainly has had an impact.

'We know the long-term solution: Housing and supportive services will get people off the streets permanently.

'Our residents deserve to walk on clean, safe sidewalks throughout our city,' Jane Kane, who supervises District 6, the most problematic, told San Francisco Gate.

San Francisco has the second largest homeless population in the U.S. after New York City.

Forty per cent more syringes were also found strewn across the city than last year

For every 100,000 citizens, 795 live on the streets, according to ABC.

The problem has spawned The San Francisco Homeless Project, a multi-corporation effort to put pressure on city officials to do more.

While the exact number of homeless people in San Francisco is hard to pin down given its transient nature as a population, it is believed to be around 6,300.

It has been steadily increasing since 2011, The Chronicle reports.

The problem has also created friction between city officials and wealthy technology entrepreneurs living in the city.

Earlier this year one such businessman wrote an open letter to the mayor demanding he to something to clear out the city's 'homeless riff raff'.

Justin Keller said the city was becoming a 'shanty town' and complained that he had to see 'the faces of addiction' every day on his way to work.

'The wealthy working people have earned their right to live in the city. They went out, got an education, work hard, and earned it.

'I shouldnt have to worry about being accosted. I shouldnt have to see the pain, struggle, and despair of homeless people to and from my way to work every day.'

He later apologized for using the term 'riff raff' after public rebuke.
A three-year-old boy left stranded on a tiny Florida island was rescued when he answered his dead father's phone while the 38-year-old's body floated in mangroves nearby.

August Williams was found alone on Island 75, a small stretch of land in the middle of the Alafia River near Tampa, Florida, on Monday.

The toddler had been enjoying a day out on the water with his elephant-trainer father William 'Billy' Morris when the 38-year-old vanished.

August's mother used FaceTime to call her husband when the pair did not return to their Riverview home after hours on the water.

Her young son answered in floods of tears, telling her his father had gone missing.

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Elephant trainer William 'Billy' Morris was discovered dead in mangroves off a small Florida island after his toddler son August answered his phone when his mother Tina (above together) called to check on them when they didn't return home from a day on the water

'He was crying really bad, I couldn't really understand what he was saying,' Tina Morris told CNN on Tuesday of the moment he picked up the call.

'I kept asking him: "Where's your dad?" and he said "I don't know mom, he left."'

The boy's mother alerted police who found August alone on the island next to his father's wallet and sea doo.

His body was found the following day floating in a 'sandy area' of mangroves half a mile away.

Police have not yet been able to piece together the events which led to his death but believe it was the result of a 'tragic accident'.

The Medical Examiner is yet to release what caused his death.

'Unfortunately it wasn't the outcome we desired but at least the family can get some closure on what we believe is a tragic accident,' said Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Colonel Chad Chrostiner on Tuesday.

The three-year-old was crying when he answered his father's phone on Monday afternoon, his mother said

August was rescued from Island 75 (above), a small stretch of land in the Alafia River near Tampa, after the phone call

Morris's sea doo and wallet were found near his son on the shores of the island on Monday

'I think we'll continue investigating, putting some pieces of the puzzle together to figure out what happened.

'But it's extremely difficult when you have a 3 year old who's been left alone on shore,' he added, suggesting August was not able to explain to them what had happened.

Mrs Morris said she could not understand her son when they spoke on the phone because he was so upset

A passerby had found the boy, who turns four in January, and stayed with him until Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies arrived.

Deputies found the jet ski pulled up on the island's southern bank with his father's wallet and an adult-sized life jacket, but Morris was nowhere to be found.

The sheriff's office searched for him by helicopter and with divers in the water.

His body was eventually discovered just after noon in a sandy area on the south bank of the river, just west of the U.S. 41 bridge, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

The location is about two miles downriver from the island near the Interstate 75 bridge where August was found.

'I just don't understand the whole scenario,' said Morris' mother, Cindy, to the Tampa Bay Times. 'It's not like him to leave everything.'

Morris called her son 'good-hearted'. She told the newspaper that she was struggling to cope with losing another family member after the sudden death of her husband. 'It's been a hard year,' she said.

Morris, an elephant trainer, also worked as a trucker for a company that hauls goods across Florida for Amazon.

He has two other sons from a previous marriage.

Tina and Billy worked together sometimes as elephant trainers for
Pedro Liborio-Anorve, 35, is facing charges of felony sexual battery and misdemeanor stalking after the alleged assault on Saturday night

An Uber driver has been arrested for allegedly groping a female passenger and then stalking her at home.

Pedro Liborio-Anorve, 35, is facing charges of felony sexual battery and misdemeanor stalking after the alleged assault on Saturday night.

His alleged victim, a woman in her 40s, and her husband had ordered a car using the popular ride hailing app on Saturday evening to return home to their property near Los Trancos and Alpine roads, Palo Alto, California.

But shortly after being dropped off at around 11pm, the couple realized that they had left a cellphone in the car.

The couple called the Uber driver to ask him to return. When he did, the woman went out to the car where Liborio-Anorve kissed her 'and then groped her breast,' police said.

The driver then fled in his car.

The couple reported the alleged assault to Uber, Mercury News reports.

But around an hour-and-a-half later, the woman got a call from the driver saying he was outside her home.

She says she refused to go down but ordered him to leave and called the cops. By the time they arrived, he'd already left the scene.

Liborio-Anorve, who signed up as a driver for the popular ride-sharing app in July, was arrested a few hours later and booked into jail.

Liborio-Anorve, who signed up as a driver for the popular ride-sharing app in July, was arrested a few hours later and booked into jail

The driver, originally from Mexico, is a married father who lives in Redwood, California.

Uber say that the 35-year-old passed background screening when he signed up and that they had received no complaints of a sexual nature against him until this weekend.

'The behavior described is disturbing and is not tolerated on the Uber platform. The driver partner no longer has access to the Uber app,' Uber spokeswoman Tracey Breeden said.

'We have been working in cooperation with police and will continue to assist with the investigation.'
A 'gifted' young lawyer who graduated from an Ivy League college has been killed in a hit and run car crash.

Karina Pulec, 28, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision at 13th Avenue and Broadway in Denver early on Sunday.

Pulec, who lived in Denver, worked for international law firm Hogan Lovells in the city.

She graduated from the University of Colorado before attending law school at Cornell University in New York, and worked as a legal intern for Wikipedia before joining Hogan Lovells in 2015.

Karina Pulec, 28, was pronounced dead at the scene of a hit-and-run collision in Denver

A medical report showed Pulec died from blunt force injuries, and police said they were still investigating the case.

Hogan Lovells spokesman Cole Finegan said: 'She was a member of our intellectual property practice, (before that) she had worked in California for two years.

'She was a lovely and gifted young woman.

'We are all heartbroken by her tragic death. She was very well-liked and very highly regarded in our law firm. We are just very saddened by her loss.'

In a message to employees, the company said her boyfriend was also injured in the collision.

Police have released no further details on the crash, except to say the vehicle involved may have been a white pickup

'She was a talented lawyer, a great colleague and a wonderful presence in the Denver office....

'Karina's death will be felt by all of us at the firm.

'Our thoughts are with her family and her boyfriend, who was also injured on Saturday evening and is recovering,' the message read.

Tributes were also paid to the talented student on social media.

Her former university tutor David Bailey wrote: 'An incredible waste of a life full of considerable potential for great goodness: if someone had to go, would have volunteered to take her place....hate this kind of nonsense, happening every day.'

While high school friend Sarah Michelle Renteria said: 'My heart is filled with sadness and grief today after hearing of your passing.

'In high school you were always there for all of us. I will forever cherish all of the homecomings, proms, classes, and memories we made as we navigated our way through finding our paths in life.

'You were meant for so many amazing things in this world.'
A beautician dubbed the 'Angel of the North' after she started a fundraiser for disabled mugging victim Alan Barnes has said she 'won't do anything for anyone else' after losing a legal dispute with her former PR handler.

Katie Cutler raised 330,000 to help Mr Barnes, a Gateshead man who was shamelessly knocked to the ground outside his home by a drug addict.

Despite winning plaudits for her work, Miss Cutler was hit with a 6,687 from publicist Claire Barber, who managed the 23-year-old's media appearances during the fundraising campaign.

During the hearing it emerged Miss Barber last month took 4ft 6in Mr Barnes to a bank and he had written her a cheque for the amount Miss Cutler owed, but the PR handler had not cashed the cheque.

Alan Barnes has agreed to pay a 6,687 PR bill run up by fundraiser Katie Cutler (right, today)

The young mother wept outside court after a court ruled she must pay a 6,687 bill

Miss Cutler, a beautician from Gateshead, wept outside court as she said: 'I am happy I have done some nice things and have helped some people who sadly are not with us now.

'Because of this (court case), I will not do any more charity work, I will not do anything for anyone else.

'I am so disappointed how someone can try to belittle someone.'

The fee was demanded by PR Claire Barber, who organised media appearances during the fundraising campaign after Mr Barnes was attacked in January 2015

Newcastle County Court this morning ruled that Miss Cutler does still have to pay the bill, dashing her hopes of a legal challenge.

The court was told that Miss Barber drove frail Mr Barnes to the bank where he gave her a cheque for the amount before she told him to keep what had happened secret.

The cheque has not yet been cashed and Miss Cutler is adamant she does not want Mr Barnes to foot the bill.

Miss Cutler took Miss Barber to court today because she does not think she owes the sum, but Deputy District Judge Nathan Adams has ruled in the publicist's favour and the young mother has been ordered to pay the fee plus legal costs.

After the hearing Katie said through tears: 'Because of this I will not do any more charity work. I will not take part in anything, for anyone else.'

Mr Barnes, who has suffered from height and growth problems since birth, was bundled to the ground by mugger Richard Gatiss as he pushed his bins out in January 2015.

Miss Cutler was left in tears after a judge ruled she did owe the publicist the money

In the public outcry that followed, Miss Cutler set up an online fund to help the 68-year-old back to his feet.

Miss Cutler received a British Empire Medal for her charity work in last year's Queen's Birthday Honours.

But as she set up media appearances to promote the fund, she brought in Ms Barber, who said she was commissioned at 550-a-day.

Ms Barber has since said Miss Cutler wanted to 'raise her profile' with the hope of appearing on reality TV. Miss Cutler denied that and insisted the situation was 'a mess'.

In court today, Deputy District Judge Nathan Adams ruled the outstanding fees should be paid.

Miss Cutler spearheaded a campaign to raise money for the mugging victim after the attack

Speaking outside court, Miss Barber said: 'No one can expect to work for four whole months pro bono.

'I have a very small business which I run with my daughter, who is on maternity leave at the moment, so I have had to get up every morning and deal with this.

'It has just been intolerable. Katie decided to talk to the media instead of settling this in court sooner.

'I have been trolled as an effect of this - people have threatened to kill me.

'I am terrified for my family, my youngest child has been bullied because of this whole thing.

'Alan had also been a victim of some awful trolling. It has been really difficult because obviously I needed the money and we had agreed to meet up.

'He has written a cheque out but I have not cashed it in yet. It is Katie's debt to pay, no one else's.'
Even if Hillary Clinton does not win the presidency on Tuesday, Republicans on Capitol Hill say they are revving up for more investigations involving the former secretary of state.

House Oversight Committee members remain unconvinced that charges of impropriety against Clinton have been fully reviewed.

Chairman Jason Chaffetz also wants to know if the FBI's deputy director, Andrew McCabe, whose wife received $675,000 in political donations from a close friend of the Clintons, is still working on the Clinton email case in light of that disclosure.

House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz wants to know if the FBI's deputy director, Andrew McCabe, left, whose wife Jill, right, received $675,000 in political donations from a close friend of the Clintons, is still working on the Clinton email case in light of that disclosure

McCabe's wife Jill ran for a Virginia state senate seat in 2015. She lost the race, but it wasn't for lack of resources. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe's political action committee, Common Good VA, and the state Democratic Party poured money into her race last fall.

McAuliffe's PAC gave McCabe $467,000. The Democratic Party of Virginia spent another $207,788 on her.

'It seems like an obscene amount of money for a losing race,' Chaffetz told the Washington Post.

A month before Common Good VA made its first donation Hillary Clinton headlined a fundraiser for the group with McAuliffe, a longtime friend, aide and Clinton Foundation board member.

The FBI seized Clinton's server soon after, beginning it's yearlong investigation into her emails that concluded this past July only to restart last week amid the discovery of new messages on a top Clinton staffers's estranged husband's computer.

Chaffetz sent McCabe a letter last Thursday demanding documentation of the ethical guidance that the FBI agent sought and received from the bureau before his wife announced her candidacy.

He also asked McCabe to state for the record when he found out about the FBI's investigation into Clinton.

Jill ran for a Virginia state senate seat in 2015. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe's political action committee, Common Good VA, poured money into her race last fall. McAuliffe is seen above with Hillary Clinton at a fundraiser for the PAC last summer

McCabe was only promoted to a role where he would have oversight in the the Clinton case in February, months after his wife lost the Virginia senate seat, prompting questions of what he knew and when.

Chaffetz asked for a response by Nov. 10.

He did not ask McCabe to recuse himself from the case at that time. The letter was sent a day before FBI director James Comey told Congress the bureau had new information that could be 'pertinent' to Clinton's case that it was pursuing.
A convicted rapist who serially complains about his jail conditions is now demanding a cell by the coast and an orthopedic mattress.

Simon Monteiro is a harsh critic of his conditions at Goulburn jail in southern New South Wales.

The 49-year-old sex offender, who once bragged about dating Hollywood actress Barbara Hershey, was jailed for 12 years in 2008 for bashing and raping his girlfriend at their home in Sydney's wealthy eastern suburbs.

Since then, he has been jailed at prisons in Wellington, in the state's central west, Kempsey on the mid-north coast coast and Gouburn, which he moved to last year.

Simon Monteiro (pictured) has serially complained about prison accommodation since he was jailed for the violent rape of his girlfriend in 2008

The man, formerly known as Simon Lowe, has made 26 demands to prison bosses, The Daily Telegraph reports.

He issued a summons to the NSW Supreme Court demanding to be transported in a four-wheel drive to 'a coastal or near to the coast minimum security correctional centre' and getting a 'soft-bristled toothbrush', the article said.

Monteiro also wants an orthopedic mattress.

The Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Pru Goward, said Monteiro needed to change his behaviour.

'This man is in prison for violent domestic violence offences  he should concentrate on changing his ways rather than worrying about his toothbrush,' she said in a statement.

The so-called 'playboy rapist' had previously bragged about being a model and an actor.

Other women alleged Monteiro had sexually assaulted them after he was convicted.

Simon Monteiro continued to complain about prison conditions after being transferred to Goulburn jail (pictured), demanding a coastal cell and an orthopedic mattress

He has also been convicted of assaulting a prison guard and threatening to rape a prison guards wife and kill his children, the News Corp reported said citing the summons.

Two of Monteiros victims told The Daily Telegraph they were appalled but not surprised by his demands.

'His demands also show his contempt for his punishment and for the judiciary and the legal system,' one victim told the newspaper.

Monteiro refused to complete a sex offending and violence program and has been denied parole as a result.

He is due for release on April 7, 2020.
Tabalbag stabbed Amin Sthapit, 30, to death after he found him in bed with his long-time partner Geecy Rebucas in November 2013

A man who stabbed his partner's lover to death when he found the pair in bed together, has been found not guilty of murder in a retrial.

Roy Tabalbag, 31, was found guilty of murder by a jury just over six months ago after the frenzied stabbing attack.

But on Wednesday a second jury found the 31-year-old's attack on his partner's lover was manslaughter instead.

Roy Tabalbag (pictured), who stabbed his girlfriend's lover to death when he found the pair in bed together, has been found not guilty of murder in a retrial

Tabalbag killed Amin Sthapit, 30, after catching him having sex with his long-time partner Geecy Rebucas (pictured) in the couple's Darling Point unit in Sydney in November 2013

Tabalbag killed chef Amin Sthapit, 30, after catching him having sex with his long-time partner Geecy Rebucas in the couple's Darling Point unit in Sydney's east in November 2013.

He cried after the NSW Supreme Court jury handed down their 11-1 majority verdict on the manslaughter charge on Wednesday, after his previous conviction for murder was quashed on appeal earlier this year.

The retrial heard Tabalbag, who stabbed Mr Sthapit about 15 times, saw the cheating pair naked on his bed through a partially opened front door.

He testified he felt 'rage' and 'anger' and had an out-of-body experience after catching the pair in the act.

Mr Sthapit (pictured) was stabbed about 15 times by Tabalbag after he saw him in bed with his partner through a partially opened front door

Though he could 'see' himself swinging the knife, which had been given to Ms Rebucas by Mr Sthapit, he can't remember the blade connecting, the court heard.

'I didn't mean to hurt anyone, let alone kill someone on that day,' said Tabalbag, who grabbed the knife once he was inside the house.

Tabalbag also told the court he'd been secretly tracking Ms Rebucas' iPhone every day for a week because he suspected she was having an affair.

Tabalbag (right) cried after the NSW Supreme Court jury handed down their 11-1 majority verdict on the manslaughter charge on Wednesday, after his previous conviction for murder was quashed on appeal earlier this year

On the morning of the killing, she texted to say she was at TAFE, but Tabalbag checked her phone's location on an app and found she was still at home.

Ms Rebucas testified she yelled words to the effect of 'it's my fault' and 'leave him alone' during the attack, which spilled from the bathroom out to near the couple's bed.

She also recalled Tabalbag, who she'd never seen be violent towards anyone, stabbing Mr Sthapit in the back as he leant injured on the bed.

The trial heard there was still blood in and on Tabalbag's (pictured) car when he handed himself into police

'I just can't believe he (Tabalbag) is capable of doing something like that,' said Ms Rebucas, who moved from the Philippines with Tabalbag.

'He (Tabalag) just keeps on saying, 'why, why have you done this?''

Mr Stahpit and Ms Rebucas met and worked at the Golden Sheaf hotel in Double Bay.

Ms Rebucas (pictured) testified she yelled words to the effect of 'it's my fault' and 'leave him alone' during the attack, which spilled from the bathroom out to near the couple's bed

There was still blood in and on Tabalbag's car when he handed himself into police, the trial heard.

'I caught my wife cheating with another guy so I stabbed him,' the court heard he told an officer.

'How many times?' the officer asked.

'Many times.'

Tabalbag told the court he'd been secretly tracking Ms Rebucas' iPhone every day for a week because he suspected she was having an affair

The jury in Tabalbag's original trial was reduced from 12 to 11 after one member said they couldn't come to a decision because of their Buddhist beliefs and also had trouble understanding English.

Tabalbag was convicted of murder on a 10-1 majority but the court of criminal appeal subsequently ordered a retrial after finding the judge had erred in his direction to the jury about delivering a majority verdict.

His manslaughter sentencing submissions are expected to be heard on Friday afternoon.
Top ministers failed to challenge Tony Blair as he pushed Britain towards war in Iraq because he was winning elections, Sir John Chilcot suggested today.

The author of the damning report into the disastrous conflict said the former PM had acted 'unreasonably' and should have known that Saddam Hussein did not pose an imminent threat to the UK.

And Sir John said the Cabinet had not resisted strongly enough because they saw Mr Blair as having 'rescued' Labour and were 'psychologically dominated' by him.

Senior Tory MP Andrew Tyrie said Sir John's evidence today proved that Mr Blair 'went beyond the facts' in his decision to invade Iraq in 2003, adding: 'In doing so Mr Blair eroded the trust of the electorate in its leaders, a shocking legacy'.

The sharp criticism came as Sir John was grilled by MPs on his conclusions and why they took seven years to deliver.

When it was finally published in July, the Chilcot report found Mr Blair overplayed evidence about the dictator's weaponry and ignored peaceful means to send troops into the country.

In a devastating set of conclusions, Sir John found the ex-PM presented the case for war with 'a certainty which was not justified' based on 'flawed' intelligence about Iraq's supposed weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

Sir John Chilcot told MPs on the Liaison Committee today that a 'reasonable' person would not have perceived Saddam Hussein as an imminent threat to the UK

Pushed repeatedly today to make clear whether Mr Blair had acted 'reasonably', Sir John said: 'Objectively, no.'

The inquiry chief also accused Mr Blair of damaging trust in politics by 'going beyond' what the evidence justified in making the case for the invasion.

And he suggested that the Labour Cabinet had been unwilling to challenge Mr Blair on the issue because he had 'rescued' the party from electoral oblivion.

'I am totally convinced that without a coherent process, however it's conducted and in whatever sort of room, you cannot discharge the responsibility in our constitution, there is a collective responsibility on the Cabinet, effectively,' Sir John said.

'I think it reached a high point in Mr Blair's Prime Ministership and I have a memory from taking evidence from Jack Straw, when we asked how was it the Cabinet, other than Robin Cook, to a lesser extent Claire Short, did not provide more challenge and insist on debate?

'They were promised it sometimes but promises were not delivered.

'The answer that came back was quite simple  it was that Tony Blair had as leader of the Opposition rescued his party from a very dire political predicament and done it again afterward as Prime Minister.

'I had the sense from Mr Straw's reaction that he had achieved a personal and political dominance which was itself overriding the doctrine of collective Cabinet responsibility.

After Sir John published his report Mr Blair gave a 45-minute speech (pictured) where he said Sir John proved 'there were no lies, Parliament and the Cabinet were not misled'

'Patronage, perhaps, but also sheer psychological dominance. He'd been right, was he not right this time? That was the sense I took from Mr Straw's evidence.'

Sir John said he had 'absolved' Mr Blair of the charge that he actively lied, but the ex-premier had strayed into 'advocacy' rather than presenting facts.

Referring to a letter to George Bush in which Mr Blair said the UK would be 'with' him whatever, Sir John said that while the PM may not have intended to commit to a military adventure the US President would have taken it as an 'unconditional commitment'.

Bob Neill, the chairman of the Justice committee, told The Daily Telegraph he would like to see 'an explanation for the delay at the very least' during Sir John's evidence to the Liaison Committee today.

'It has been a very long delay and people would like to know why that is in a bit more detail than we have had so far.'

He added that it was 'important to recognise the distress caused' by delays to the inquiry which began in 2009 and was meant to take two years.

Sir John delivered his 2.6 million word report in July after seven years of work

He said that 'maybe there are lessons to be learned about keeping people in the loop' on long running inquiries.

In its conclusions, the Chilcot Inquiry also said Blair had 'overestimated' his ability to influence US president George W Bush and the way the legal basis was established was branded 'far from satisfactory' and bypassed the UN and undermined the international system.

And Blair was not prepared for the consequences of Iraq War despite 'explicit warnings' as he doggedly pursued an invasion, Sir John's report said.

The inquiry published for the first time 29 secret letters Mr Blair wrote to George W Bush.

THE IRAQ INQUIRY: THE KEY CONCLUSIONS Among the key conclusions of the 2.6million word Iraq Inquiry report were: There was no imminent threat from Saddam Hussein in March 2003 and Mr Blair took us to war 'before the peaceful options for disarmament had been exhausted'.

Mr Blair, his then foreign secretary Jack Straw and the government presented judgements about intelligence on the threat posed by Iraq's WMD with a 'certainty that was not justified'.

Attorney General Lord Goldsmith only agreed that the invasion would be legal based on assurances from Mr Blair that Iraq had committed 'material breaches' of UN resolution 1441. But the inquiry said it was 'unclear' what evidence Mr Blair had for this and branded the process 'far from satisfactory'.

Mr Blair, who has been frequently criticised for his 'sofa government' style, repeatedly failed to involve his whole Cabinet in key decisions.

The inquiry dismissed the ex-PM claims that he could not have known how difficult the post-invasion situation would be.

The government were aware that the US had 'inadequate' plans for stabilising Iraq.

The Ministry of Defence was slow to respond to the threat from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and delays were 'intolerable'.

The 'most consistent strategic objective' in Iraq was to reduce the number of troops it had deployed there, particularly after operations in Afghanistan became more intense.

One symptom of the failures was that UK forces had to strike a 'humiliating' deal with militia in Basra to swap prisoners in return for an end to deadly attacks on soldiers. Advertisement

They revealed that in July 2002, eight months before MPs voted to back an invasion, Mr Blair had told the president: 'I will be with you, whatever'.

On the day after 9/11 he told President Bush: 'Act now, explain later'.

But after Sir John published his report Mr Blair gave a 45-minute speech where he said Sir John proved 'there were no lies, Parliament and the Cabinet were not misled, there was no secret commitment to war, intelligence was not falsified and the decision was made in good faith'.

And in a message to the families of the 179 servicemen and women who died in the Iraq War - who say Chilcot shows him to be 'the world's worst terrorist' and he should be prosecuted - Mr Blair told them: 'I express more sorrow, regret and apology than you may ever know or can believe.'

Unveiling his 2.6 million-word report into the UK's most controversial military engagement since the end of the Second World War, Sir John said: 'We have concluded that the UK chose to join the invasion of Iraq before the peaceful options for disarmament had been exhausted. Military action at that time was not a last resort.

'We have also concluded that the judgments about the severity of the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction - WMD - were presented with a certainty that was not justified.

'Despite explicit warnings, the consequences of the invasion were under-estimated. The planning and preparations for Iraq after Saddam Hussein were wholly inadequate. The Government failed to achieve its stated objectives.'

The families of soldiers killed in the Iraq War faced a seven year wait for the conclusions of the Iraq War inquiry until it was finally published in July. Pictured: Sarah O'Connor, right, sister of Bob O'Connor killed during the Iraq War, at a press conference after publication
Also allegedly instructed her how to pleasure herself, explained

London told the girl she has cheated on her husband with 10 different men

The girl told London she had been raped, drugged and beaten at home, but she later admitted those were lies meant to make her life seem more 'interesting'

In one message, the married 44-year-old gym teacher said she fell in love with the teen when she was in eighth grade

Offense report states London referred to the teen as her 'daughter' and told her, 'I love you, baby girl'

Police say the physical education teacher from Florida began messaging victim last year using the instant messaging apps SnapChat and Kik

charged with solicitation to commit sexual battery, failure to report child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor

Teacher charged: Alyson London, 44, a gym teacher from Florida, is accused of exchanging 129,000 inappropriate messages with her female students

A gym teacher working at a Florida middle school has been arrested on nearly two dozen charges after authorities say she exchanged 129,000 inappropriate messages with a female student on social media.

Alyson London, 44, of Apopka, was taken into custody on Friday on multiple criminal counts, including solicitation to commit sexual battery, failure to report child abuse as a mandatory reporter and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Police say London, a physical education teacher at Apopka Memorial Middle School, began messaging the victim last year, when she was 14 years old, using the instant messaging apps SnapChat and Kik, and the relationship between the two grew when the girl moved to high school.

London and the girl continued talking online until September 27, when police launched an investigation stemming from an anonymous tip.

London and the victim met last year at Apopka Memorial Middle School in Apopka, Florida, where the woman teaches physical education

Police discovered London exchanged about 129,000 text messages with the student, whom she repeatedly referred to as her daughter, most of which were sexually explicit in nature, reported ClickOrlando.

Investigators say some of the messages included detailed discussions about various sexual acts, rape, drugs and abuse.

The teen told London during their online conversations that she had been sexually assaulted, drugged at school, 'stabbed with needles' and subjected to beatings at the hands of her mother.

Under Florida state law, teachers are obligated to report allegations of abuse involving students to the Department of Children and Families, but London never went to the authorities about the victim's allegations.

When questioned about it by police, London said she kept the girl's disclosures secret because she did not want to violate her trust.

London told the victim on the messaging app Kik that she fell in love with her when she was in eighth grade. The PE teacher referred to her as her 'daughter' an told her, 'I love you, baby girl'

Web of lies: When interviewed by police, the victim said she had lied to London, her mentor, about being raped, drugged and abused to make her life seem more 'interesting'

The girls mother told investigators she knew London was messaging her daughter and removed her from the woman's physical education class, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Administrators at Apopka Memorial Middle School ordered London not to have further contact with the teen, but the teacher allegedly continued relaying messages to the girl through third parties.

In one exchange from August 13, cited in a 19-page offense report, the gym teacher asked the teen about her sex life, explained orgasms to her and instructed her how to pleasure herself.

During the same exchange, London confessed to the girl that she had first developed feelings for her when she was in seventh grade, but 'fell in love' with her when she was in eighth grade.

According to the report, London would often refer to the victim as her daughter on Kik and tell her, 'I love you, baby girl.'

Unfaithful: London, pictured left and right with her husband, Victor, reportedly told the teenage girl she has cheated on her spouse with 10 different men

The 44-year-old married teacher told the teen her husband was very jealous of their relationship because he initially thought she was exchanging messages with another man.

'I told him to [expletive] off. You're my daughter and if I want to talk to you I can,' London wrote to the girl.

The woman also revealed that she has been unfaithful to her spouse, Victor London, cheating on him with no fewer than 10 different men.

Hacked? London claimed she didn't know how to use messaging apps and suggested that someone might have hacked into her phone

Authorities say both the student and London denied having a sexual relationship when questioned by investigators.

London claimed she didn't know how to use messaging apps and suggested that someone might have hacked into her phone.

In mid-October, the girl admitted to a detective that she lied to London about being raped, taking drugs and being abused at home.

It's all fake, the girl was quoted in the report as telling a detective, according to The Apopka Voice.

When asked what had motivated her to tell these lies to London, whom the girl described as her mentor, she explained that she wanted someone to think she led an 'interesting life even though she did not.

The teen reportedly showed no remorse upon learning that her fibs could cost London her job.
A Sudanese woman who was smuggled into Britain from the Calais Jungle in the back of a lorry has lost a Court of Appeal battle to avoid being sent back to Italy.

The 37-year-old woman, referred to as NA in court documents, originally fled from her homeland - Darfur in Sudan - to Italy, where she was granted asylum.

However, she claims she was raped twice in Italy and left homeless when an old school building accommodating them at Casa Calenda in Rome was closed.

She then fled to Calais where Sudanese men smuggled her to England in a lorry.

The 37-year-old woman originally fled from her homeland - Darfur in Sudan - to Italy, where she was granted asylum. But she claims she was raped and then fled to Britain via the Calais Jungle. She has now lost her Court of Appeal (pictured) challenge to avoid deportation

Now, she has lost her Court of Appeal case in which she tried to avoid being deported to Italy, after saying she 'would prefer to die or go back to Darfur than return to [Italy].'

But the judges - Lord Justice McFarlane, Lord Justice Underhill and Lord Justice Simon - ruled the Home Office immigration authorities had been legally entitled to decide she could be safely returned to Italy under EU Council regulations and the Dublin II Convention, which decides how EU member states handle asylum applications.

The court had heard NA is a member of the Zaghawa ethnic minority and fled her homeland after suffering rape and beatings, arriving on the Italian island of Lampedusa by boat from Libya in April 2011.

Her claim for asylum was accepted by the Italian authorities and she was given 'a beneficiary of international protection' (BIP). But she said that, in February 2013, she and other refugees were left homeless when the building housing them was closed.

NA, who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress, severe depression, diabetes and high blood pressure, said she and two friends spent 15 days begging on the streets. During that time she was raped twice, but Italian police would not help her and her friends.

Sudanese men then bought the group tickets to Calais where they stayed in the Jungle, and other Sudanese men smuggled her to England in a lorry.

Dismissing her challenge to a High Court judge's ruling that went against her in April 2015, Lord Justice Underhill said: 'NA says she hates Italy and would prefer to die or go back to Darfur than to return there.'

She claims she was raped twice in Italy and left homeless so fled to Calais where Sudanese men smuggled her to England in a lorry. Pictured: The Calais Jungle in France on Monday

She was also refusing to consent to her medical records being disclosed to Italian authorities.

Because she was considered a suicide risk, NA was told in the most recent decision letter that she would be returned to Italy with medical escorts.

Lord Justice Underhill said that, in rejecting her appeal, he was not ignoring the fact there were many BIPs in Italy living in deplorable conditions.

But there was no real risk that she would suffer inhuman or degrading treatment if returned.
Huma Abedin was back on the school run Wednesday morning, dropping her son Jordan off at school in Manhattan.

The 40-year-old Hillary Clinton aide has been getting help from her sister Heba and mother Saleha with taking care of Jordan ever since she revealed back in August that she and her husband of six years, Anthony Weiner, were getting a divorce.

Weiner's mother Frances is also lending a hand during this difficult time as well, and was photographed picking Jordan up from school on Tuesday.

Weiner meanwhile has not been seen in almost six weeks, ever since DailyMail.com broke the news that he had been sending lewd messages to a 15-year-old high school student.

DailyMail.com revealed Wednesday afternoon that Weiner had checked into a rehab facility for sex addiction.

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Busy mom: A smiling Huma Abedin was seen dropping her 4-year-old son Jordan off at school on Wednesday in her $300 Dior sunglasses

School run: It is the third day this week that Huma has been able to drop the boy off now that she is off the campaign trail with Hillary Clinton

On the job: Abedin was seen arriving at Clinton campaign headquarters Wednesday afternoon

Helping hand: She has been getting help taking care of Jordan from Anthony Weiner's mother Frances (above), who picked the boy up from school on Tuesday

MIA: Weiner (above on Sepotember 21) has not been seen in almost six weeks, with the disgraced politician going into hiding soon after DailyMail.com revealed he was sexting a teen

This was the third time this week that Abedin was able to take her 4-year-old son to school now that she is off the campaign trail in the wake of the FBI's decision to dig further into the Hillary Clinton email scandal.

The FBI announced last week that they would be looking into thousands of emails they found on the computer of Weiner last month.

That could cause major problems for Abedin and even possibly lead to jail time as she was ordered by the FBI to hand over all devices containing any of her email correspondence.

Abedin has reportedly claimed that she never used the laptop in question.

The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that the device contained as many as 650,000 emails, some of which pertained to the investigation of Clinton's email scandal.

If Abedin is found to have lied she could face up to five years in jail.

And even though she is off the campaign trail, Abedin has been spending plenty of time in Clinton's campaign office, which is located in Brooklyn.

She was spotted arriving to work there on both Sunday and Monday this week. Later on Monday she also got the chance to take Jordan trick-or-treating in Manhattan's Upper East Side.

On the go: Abedin dropped of Jordan at school on Monday (left) and then headed to Clinton's campaign office (right) carrying her $2,800 Prada tote

Dad and son: Weiner and Jordan out in New York City on September 12 (above), just before news of his sexting a teenager broke

Jordan has been spending time with his mother and her family along with his paternal grandparents ever since authorities began investigating Weiner for sending another woman lewd messages and photos earlier this year, including some while Jordan was in the bed with him.

'Anthony and I remain devoted to doing what is best for our son, who is the light of our life,' Abedin said in the statement announcing her divorce.

Weiner confirmed in early September that child welfare authorities were looking into him.

He is now also under investigation in two states for sexting the unnamed 15-year-old.

Authorities in New York and North Carolina launched an investigation on the disgraced congressman.

The 15-year-old said the online relationship began last January while she was a high school sophomore and lasted for several months.

At one point during a Skype chat Weiner asked her to undress and touch herself, the girl said.

In one message, Weiner told the teen: 'I would bust that tight p***y so hard and so often that you would leak and limp for a week.'

Paternal grandparents: Frances (left on October 14) and Mort Weiner (right on October 16) have been helping Abedin out despite the fact that she is divorcing their son

Weiner did not deny exchanging 'flirtatious' messages with the girl.

'I have repeatedly demonstrated terrible judgement about the people I have communicated with online and the things I have sent,' he told the DailyMail.com in a statement.

'I am filled with regret and heartbroken for those I have hurt.

'While I have provided the Daily Mail with information showing that I have likely been the subject of a hoax, I have no one to blame but me for putting myself in this position. I am sorry.'
The mother of the two sisters aged three and four who drowned together in a backyard swimming pool says they are 'at peace' and not going through any pain.

Renise Young's daughters Patricia and Taya died at their family home in Logan, Queensland on Tuesday afternoon and she's warning other parents to not have pools at their homes.

The devastated mother-of-five who desperately tried to revive the girls said: 'We know [they are] at rest, they're at peace, they're not going to go through any pain, they're just sleeping, 9 News reported.

Police are not treating their deaths as suspicious and the matter has been referred to the coroner.

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Mother-of-five Renise Young's daughters Patricia and Taya died at their family home in Logan, Queensland on Tuesday afternoon

The children's mother Renise Young screamed in horror when she found them

Taya Young, left, and Patricia Young, right, lost their lives in their own swimming pool on Melbourne Cup Day

Police aren't treating the deaths as suspicious but are looking into how the two girls got into the pool

Her girls had been found in the pool by son Aige, five, who raised the alarm saying 'the girls are dead'.

'I was screaming and grabbing them and making sure their head was above the water and just yelling because there was nothing I could do,' Ms Young said.

'All a mother could do when they see their baby like that is just scream at the top of their lungs.

'It was horrible. To see your children helpless at the bottom of the pool - it's just terrible.'

Ms Young tried to resuscitate the children at the scene but tragically they were already dead

She told Nine News that she was' just screaming' and 'didn't know what to do'

The children were pulled from the pool by their mother but couldn't be revived

Mrs Young - who late on Wednesday hadn't slept since the tragedy - is now advising against parents living in homes with pools, according to the Courier Mail.

'No matter how old the kids are and how well you think you are looking after them  it is so dangerous.'

The backyard pool was fully fenced, however, Logan City Council officers were checking if it was compliant.

She said Patricia and Taya used chairs to climb the pool's fence after going outside to play following lunch.

Police believed the same, 9 News reported.

Ms Young described how she saw her children 'helpless at the bottom of the pool'

On Wednesday the girls' mother laid a bouquet of flowers where her children had died

Ms Young and her husband, Troy Young, performed CPR - as did ambulance crews but it wasn't enough and the two girls died.

They will face questions about supervision.

'Imagine just one, let alone two - it must be so awful,' the Inspector Glen Allen said of the tragedy.

'Can't believe you beautiful angels were taken so soon and only were four and three years old.'

Their grandfather Peter Brown told Nine News their parents were devastated.

'He's cut up something terrible and she's just as bad because she had to dive in the pool to get them out,' Mr Brown said.

'It's going to be a bad memory for a lot of people.'

The girls' heartbroken aunt , Tamara Sengstock, posted about the loss on social media.

'R.I.P beautiful girls. Taya and Patricia Young, you were both taken so soon,' she wrote on Facebook.

It's thought the little girls my have used a chair to climb over the fence that separated the pool from the rest of the house

Emergency services were called to a Kingston home in Logan, south of Brisbane, on Tuesday

Two girls, aged three and four, have tragically drowned in a backyard swimming pool
A Blackburn halal butcher has admitted he has never had a white British customer as it emerged that the town is one of the most racially segregated in the country.

Mohammed Tabrez Noorji, 31, lives and works near the Mosque in the Whalley Range area of the Lancashire town, which is now 95 per cent Asian.

A landmark report today named Blackburn as one of the UK's most segregated areas and Mr Noorji admits he has no white British customers, but some Polish patrons.

He is originally from India and has been married to British-born Muslim wife Shima, 32, for 10 years. They have a daughter, six, and a son, three.

Separated: Mohammed Tabrez Noorji, who runs his own butcher shop in Blackburn, Lancashire, admits he has never served a white Briton

Picture of Britain: This is the white British population by percentage in towns and cities in 2001 and then 2011, based on census figures

He told MailOnline: 'I don't know why I don't really get British-born white customers. I have a few white Polish customers, some of them come in regularly, but none who are from the UK.

'I've seen white people across the street, but I think that's because they are going to the pharmacy across the road, but they don't come in here.

'I hear from my family that they think white people want to move out of this area and streets with a lot of Asian communities. I don't know why that is. It's a very quiet place here.

'I like serving white people, and having a mix of people makes me happy. My daughter has white friends, I think it's good. I like it when there are white people as well. The mosque is just here.

'I serve Halal meat, yes, but I have heard that more and more white people like to eat Halal meat too, but they sell it in Tesco's and Morrisons now.

'They get it in the big stores while they are shopping, so I guess they don't come here.'

Areas such as Whalley Range just north of the town centre, where Asians first arrived and settled in the 1960s, are now almost entirely Asian-owned while other neighbourhoods are similarly white-dominated.

But as more members of the Asian community move into traditionally white areas the phenomenon of 'white flight' is becoming more noticeable.

Only halal: The shop sells halal meet but he says that white customers probably choose major supermarkets over him

One estate agent told BBC's Panorama that in 28 years working in Blackburn he had never sold a house in an Asian area of town to a white buyer.

Some Asians complain that, despite their hopes of integration, when they arrive in a white suburb the 'for sale' signs go up and the exodus begins.

Retired taxi driver Ian Goodliffe once worked at a 'white only' taxi firm.

He said: 'There are certain areas where white people no longer go and the same for Asians. They lead very separate lives. There is an element of fear on both sides and then there is of course this awful racism. I hear it all the time.

'It is sometimes a gang mentality and everyone wants to stick to their own. There are whole parts of Blackburn where a white person would not buy a house but then there is the same for the Asians.

'There is a mutual distrust and the only way to change that is for people to mix, but we are at a total impasse and it is only going to get worse'.

Beth Riley, a 22-year-old mum and part-time carer, said: 'I think there are divided areas, but it doesn't really bother me.'

Talking about buses to schools, she said: 'I don't know about that, I think they mix enough already. My little one already mixes with children from different backgrounds.'

Blackburn-born pensioner Ann Sumner, who has lived on the street for 20 years, said: 'I do hope that as the years go by that people will get on with each other.

Blackburn: In the Lancashire town 76 per cent were white in 2011, down to 66.5 per cent in 2011. Some areas are said to be so segregated that 95 per cent are now from ethnic minorities

'There are always going to be people saying "get them sent home," I don't agree with them but people are entitled to their opinion.

'I think the bus idea would work but only if it was on both sides, with both sides making the effort.

'When I first came to this area Asian families were buying up the houses.'

A pensioner, 80, who has lived in Blackburn her whole life and wished to remain anonymous, said: 'It started to get bad here in the 1970s. I used to live on Carr Street and they were everywhere then, and everyone started to move away from it.

'During the war we all used to talk to each other. Now everyone keeps themselves to themselves. I have a Polish neighbour, I say hello but they don't speak to me.

'In town everyone is speaking foreign languages, no one speaks English. They always have large families too. I think it's horrible here now.'

Mother-of-five and grandmother Mrs Moores said: 'I've lived in this area most of my life. It's always been a predominantly white area.

Segregated: Areas such as Whalley Range just north of the town centre, where Asians first arrived and settled in the 1960s, are now almost entirely Asian-owned

Mr Noorji is originally from India and has been married to British-born Muslim wife Shima, 32, for 10 years. They have a daughter, six, and a son, three

'I've never had any trouble. There used to be an Asian family who ran a shop down a road, they were really lovely.

'Their shop was going to be knocked down and we campaigned to save their shop. But it was knocked down and they said it was too expensive to rent the new ones.'

Father of four Majid Patel, 41, who lives directly opposite a mosque, said: 'It's all good here, everyone is friendly. But you won't see any English people around this area.

'I don't think white people choose to live here because of the mosques. But for Asian families, it makes sense to be here because it's close by.'

Sohel Vaid, 40, has lived in Blackburn for 10 years, after moving from London. Now he lives in Lammock, a more mixed area.

Mr Vaid, who was visiting Mr Patel, said: 'I personally don't like this area. I prefer it to be diverse and multicultural. Where I live it's more mixed.

'I was a bobby for the Metropolitan police for four years. Down there is so diverse, but you don't see English people in this area.'

He thought that integration on school buses would help, saying: 'That would be really good. It would really help the community. It's important that communities mix, it broadens your horizons'

Pocket of Britain: The Whalley Range area of Britain is centred around a mosque (pictured)

Iftikhah Ahmed, 33, has run the London Road Barbers for seven years on London Road, originally from India, said: 'I see white people as well walking down the street, they're walking about. There's a mix of people here, I get customers from lots of different backgrounds.

'There are a lot of Asian and Pakistani children at my children's school. I do think I'd agree with mixing children in schools with buses to different areas.

'No, the area isn't segregated. I don't really know why people have moved away. It's nice here, everybody gets along.'

Yoyo Patel, 34, who does car trimming, said: 'When white neighbours have moved on then an Asian or Pakistani family move in. But people just get on here in Blackburn.

'When I was at school everyone just got on with each other. It's different in bigger cities. When I go out with friends to bars in Manchester we will get more of a look for being Asian.

'In Liverpool I think it's a bit better because there seem to be more Asian people there. But here in Blackburn there are never any problems.'

Why? Some Asians complain that, despite their hopes of integration, when they arrive in a white suburb the 'for sale' signs go up and the exodus begins

Nabil Patel, 26, who grew up in the area, said: 'To me it's home. It's nice, everyone knows each other. I grew up here. It's mostly Asian and Pakistani people who live here. There are people who have lived here for years. Everyone speaks two or three languages, with English being the first of course.

'I think it's the older generations that are more ostracised, but it's nice for them, they have their traditions from home. The younger generations are much more mixed. I have friends from all over the world.

'You don't really realise when you're growing up here, and I had a mixed group of friends at school, but when you go to uni it opens everything up for you and you see how ostracised it is. As the years go on I think it'll change as the younger generations mix much more.'

Belal Beg, 22, a debt collector, said: 'It's homely. You know everyone. I have white mates, of course. But I think everyone about here is either Asian or Pakistani.

'My mum said we used to have a white next door neighbour but they moved out in the 1990s before I was born. We don't know why.'
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's advisers have told her and her European counterparts to do anything to stop Brexit

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's advisers have told her and her European counterparts to do anything to stop Brexit.

The German Council of Economic Experts handed the German leader a report with the warning, which also said that in its view, Britain leaving the bloc was not a 'done deal'.

The experts are an independent body that was set up in 1963 to advise the German government on economic policy, but have are now meddling with Britain's escape from the EU.

And in the report, they called for constructive negotiations to prevent Brexit calling for an agreement that minimises damage on both sides.

It reads: 'Due to the consequences, political actors should not assume too soon that the Brexit is a done deal.'

They also add that even if Britain triggers Article 50 - the clause in the EU constitution to retreat from the legislatures of Brussels and Strasbourg, 'Brexit can still be prevented.

Media reports in Germany about the paper say it encourages Mrs Merkel and other leaders not to draw red lines on concessions which London might demand - interpreted by many as a reference to Britain's wish to impose immigration controls on EU migrants.

But it added: 'A stance which is too lenient could encourage others to become copycats, with unforeseeable consequences.'

The economist group says though that the short-term economic impact of Brexit on Germany will be 'moderate', it predicts that its strong economy will be sturdy enough to handle the aftershocks of withdrawal.

It is Britain, they say, which stands to lose the most in any split with the EU.

Merkel's Bavarian allies the CSU, led by Horst Seehofer, pictured, kick off their part congress on Friday but she is not invited for the first time in 16 years

However, Brexit is just one of the problems for a weakened Mrs Merkel as she leads her party into a tough election year.

When her Bavarian allies the CSU kick off the 2017 campaign season with a party congress on Friday, Merkel, for the first time in her 16 years at the helm of the ruling CDU party, won't be on the guest list.

Her absence is a sign of the lingering rancour over her open-door migrant policy that brought almost 900,000 asylum seekers to Europe's top economy last year, most of them passing through Bavaria.

At the height of the influx, Mrs Merkel endured a humiliating, almost 15-minute dressing down on the stage of the CSU congress by its leader, Bavarian state premier Horst Seehofer.

While Merkel's welcome to refugees won her many plaudits, it also stoked deep anxieties and boosted a new party to the right of the arch-conservative CSU - the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Railing openly against migrants, Islam and the establishment parties, the AfD is the dark horse in the September 2017 election and currently polling at around 12 per cent.

It only narrowly missed Germany's five-percent hurdle for entry into parliament in 2013 and has since won opposition seats in 10 of Germany's 16 state assemblies.
Around 300 ISIS child soldiers - the so-called 'Cubs of the Caliphate' - have been killed in the battle for Mosul, it has been claimed.

As the Iraqi army, supported by Shi'ite militias and Kurdish peshmerga fighters, move within a few hundreds from the centre of Mosul, news has come of the casualties suffered by ISIS, who are often referred to by their Arab name, Daesh.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, who have extremely good sources within the part of Syria occupied by Daesh, say 480 ISIS fighters had been killed in recent days, 300 of whom were children.

Iraqi Army forces move through the village of Gogjali today, as they drive on into Mosul

Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) launch a rocket during clashes with ISIS militants on the outskirts of the town of Hammam Al-Alil in the south of Mosul

The Observatory said the bodies of 40 Syrian ISIS fighters - most of them children -had been brought to the jihadists' stronghold and de facto capital, Raqqa.

But they said Daesh continues to pump out propaganda exalting its fighters to continue the fight 'in repelling the aggression of the Crusaders, Shiites and atheists'.

It has also emerged today that the main highway between Mosul and Raqqa, which was vital for ISIS to resupply its fighters in the Iraqi city, has been cut by a Shi'ite militia.

Shi'ite fighters from the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces) flash victory signs as they enter the village of Abu Shuwayhah, south of Mosul. Because Mosul is a largely Sunni city they have agreed to stay outside the city limits

Jaafar al-Husseini, commander of the Hezbollah Brigades, said his troops had taken control of the road.

Shi'ite militias, known as the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces), have joined the operation to liberate Mosul but because of sectarian sensitivities and the fact that Mosul is overwhelmingly Sunni they will concentrate on retaking Tal Afar, a town to the west which had a Shi'ite majority before it fell to ISIS in 2014.

Mosul is split down the middle by the Tigris River. Iraqis refer to the eastern half of the city as the left bank and the western side as the right bank.

A huge offensive to retake Mosul, Iraq's second city and ISIS's last major stronghold in the country, began two weeks ago.

Government soldiers resumed their advance on the ISIS stronghold of Mosul, aiming to position themselves within a few hundreds metres from the city's eastern limits

Meanwhile Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has lashed out at Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who warned that any Turkish 'invasion' of northern Iraq similar to the armoured incursion into Syria would prompt a fierce response.

Mr Cavusoglu defended what the Turks call Operation Euphrates Shield and called al-Abadi 'weak', adding: 'If you have the strength, why did you surrender Mosul to terror organisations?

'If you are so strong, why has the (Kurdish) PKK occupied your lands for years?'

'You cannot even fight against a terror organisation, you are weak,' he jeered al-Abadi.

ISIS forces have pulled back into Mosul as the noose tightens around the city

Iraqi forces are expected to besiege Mosul and attempt to open safe corridors for the million-plus civilians still believed to live there

A huge offensive to retake Mosul, Iraq's second city and ISIS's last major stronghold in the country, began two weeks ago
Donald Ray Guy, 27, was arrested after allegedly holding a female acquaintance hostage in his trailer for weeks

A Louisiana mother is free from a terrifying hostage situation after sending her daughter to school with a note begging for help.

The woman's 11-year-old daughter showed the handwritten message from her mother to officials at East Feliciana Middle School in Clinton on Tuesday.

In the note, the mother revealed she was being held against her will and was scared.

School administrators contacted the East Feliciana Parish Sherriff's Office around 8am.

Sheriff Jeff Travis said the note did not provide many specifics, but made it clear the mother 'couldn't leave'.

'She needed someone to get her out of the situation and she couldn't talk on the phone,' he told Fox 8.

Travis said the woman had been confined to a trailer belonging to a family acquaintance named Donald Ray Guy 'for at least a couple of weeks'.

A K-9 unit and chase team were brought to Guy's trailer, off Folly Brown Road in a rural area of the parish.

Travis said he knocked on the trailer's door but received no response. He then returned to the home with a warrant.

He discovered the girl's mother inside with two of Guy's relatives.

Guy, 27, was found hiding in the closet.

The woman was freed after she sent her 11-year-old daughter to East Feliciana Middle School (pictured), in Clinton, with a note asking for help

He was arrested without incident. Authorities then reunited the mother and daughter, neither of whom were injured.

Authorities said Guy already had three outstanding warrants in both East Feliciana and East Baton Rouge parishes.

He was wanted for failure to appear at trial, aggravated battery, domestic abuse battery in the presence of a child, and has also been linked to a car theft, according to WBRZ.

Guy now also faces new charges of false imprisonment and domestic abuse battery.

Authorities said Guy could face more charges after they found a stolen ATV at the scene.

Additional items found at the home are also being investigated.
Thousands of dangerous wolf spiders have invaded homes in western NSW with one woman describing how the eight-legged creatures 'play dead' to avoid being terminated.

Kathy Holmes from Broken Hill in western NSW was shocked to find thousands of the creepy crawlies had moved into her Menindee Lakes home last Tuesday.

The TAFE teacher tried to get rid of the spiders but said they just 'kept coming' and would even stop moving in an attempt to escape death.

Ms Holmes posted a video of the spiders 'playing dead' on YouTube. The video shows dozens in a red dustpan.

Scroll down for video

A woman from Broken Hill in western NSW caught 'thousands' of spiders which invaded her home recently - and captured their ability to 'play dead' on film

At first the arachnids appear to be shriveled  and are not moving but as time moves on they begin to stretch out and move about.

'I killed these in less than an hour they were relentless. and they often played dead the devious little eight legged Freaks (sic),' she wrote.

Ms Holmes told the Sydney Morning Herald that the spiders gave her the 'heebie-jeebies' when they wriggled back to life.

Kathy Holmes, left, caught thousands of the wolf spiders, stock image right, moving into her home after they were displaced by floods

The spiders were all over the house.

'When I was there on Friday, the walls were moving with spiders. I have never seen so many before,' she said.

Lake Menindee has been empty for three years and in that time the spiders have called the dried-out river beds home.

Now that the catchment areas around the lakes have had rain, water levels are rising and the spiders have to find somewhere else to live.

The spiders appeared to act dead before stretching out their eight long limbs and walking out of the dustpan

Another resident Ross Leddra said there are millions of spiders in the area at the moment.

'It's unbelievable. You have got to check where you are sitting, and the kids are going crazy.'

The Menindee Lakes are now 44 per cent full - relieving the anxiety of many people in the region over water security.

According to the Australian Museum bites from the spider are painful however generally only result in local soreness and itchiness.

In extreme cases symptoms include swelling, nausea and extreme pain.
Businessman Ashish Thakkar, who is dubbed Africa's youngest billionaire, is embroiled in a High Court battle with his estranged wife over his true wealth

A businessman dubbed Africa's youngest billionaire is embroiled in a High Court battle with his estranged wife over his true wealth.

Ashish Thakkar and travel journalist Meera Manek, who separated in 2013 after four years of marriage, disagree about the size of Mr Thakkar's fortune.

Mr Thakkar claims he has assets totalling less than 500,000 but Miss Manek says he is a billionaire.

A judge is expected to make decisions on how much Mr Thakkar is worth - and on how big a slice of his fortune Miss Manek should get - next year following a trial in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

Both parties returned to the court on Wednesday, where Mr Justice Moor oversaw a pre-trial hearing.

The judge said no detail of the hearing, which was held in private, could be reported.

Mr Thakkar lost an opening skirmish in July when Mr Justice Moor ruled that the pair should not finalise a divorce until decisions had been made on how much Miss Manek should get.

The businessman has said the divorce should be finalised but Miss Manek said it should not be finalised until decisions on the division of money had been made.

Mr Justice Moor ruled in her favour. The judge said Miss Manek might be at a disadvantage if she was fighting as an ex-wife rather than a wife.

He had analysed evidence at a preliminary hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

Mr Justice Moor had been told that Mr Thakkar's parents had been forced to leave Uganda in the early 1970s to escape Idi Amin's exile of the 'non-African community'.

They had lost everything and 'started again' in the UK, working in factories then starting their own business, lawyers said.

Mr Thakkar was born in Leicester in 1981.

His family had returned to Africa in 1993 and settled in Rwanda - shortly before hundreds of thousands were killed in a genocide.

Mr Thakkar (pictured) claims he has assets totalling less than 500,000 but his estranged wife travel journalist Meera Manek says he is a billionaire

'A year later, when Mr Thakkar was 13, the genocide took place and he witnessed atrocities that remain vivid,' Nicholas Francis QC, who led Mr Thakkar's legal team, had told the judge.

'Mr Thakkar and his family were evacuated to Hotel des Mille Collines - the hotel in the film Hotel Rwanda - and once again had to leave everything behind and start from scratch, escaping to Kenya before finally settling in Uganda.'

The judge was told that Mr Thakkar had left school at 15 with no qualifications and started to trade in computer hardware after his parents lent him about 3,500.

Mr Francis said Mr Thakkar had 'joined forces' with his parents and other family members to create a collection of companies known as the Mara Group.

But Mr Francis said Mr Thakkar did not own shares in the Mara Group holding company.

He said shares were owned by Mr Thakkar's mother and sister.

The judge heard that the 'beneficial ownership' of the holding company was 'hotly disputed'.
Hillary Clinton is said to be looking at Joe Biden for secretary of state, but the shades-sporting vice president has another job in mind for his post-White House employment: brand ambassador for Ray-Ban.

'Maybe when I need a job Ray-Ban may have me as a sponsor,' Biden teased at a rally for Hillary Clinton in Tampa, Florida.

The vice president deliberately limited his criticisms of Donald Trump on Wednesday as he campaigned for Clinton, having caught flack earlier this month for saying he'd like to take the Republican White House contender 'behind the gym.'

' I'm gonna be good. I'm not gonna talk about gymnasiums,' he said today, minutes after saying he doesn't believe that Trump doesn't 'gives a d***' about American workers' desire for pride and dignity.

Hillary Clinton is reportedly looking at Joe Biden for secretary of state, but the shades-sporting vice president has another job in mind for his post-White House employment: brand ambassador for Ray-Ban

'Maybe when I need a job Ray-Ban may have me as a sponsor,' Biden teased at a rally for Hillary Clinton in Tampa, Florida

Biden spent 15 minutes squinting through the outdoor speech today at the Museum of Science and Industry near the University of South Florida before he whipped out his signature Aviators and put them on.

The crowd roared at at the VP, causing him to pause his remarks, and look up at the sun.

'Oh, sorry,' Biden said, joking that he did it to land a deal with Ray-Ban.

The White House official made sure to note, 'I've been wearing these since I've been 15 years old.'

Biden is campaigning for Hillary Clinton in two Florida cities this afternoon, picking up where Bill Clinton left off on Tuesday in the Tampa area, as the candidate rallies her supporters in other areas of the state.

'I don't know how the heck you guys worked this out, but it is down to Florida, Florida, Florida,' Biden told his audience at the top of his remarks. 'If you all do your job, we all get to go to bed early Tuesday night, 'he told the swing state's voters.

The VP told them if they win Florida for Clinton, 'it's all over, there's no path' for Trump to victory.

'Ladies and gentleman, you know, this guy doesn't deserve to be president by any count,' he said, the audience chiming in with shouts of 'no!'

'I know that some of the people listening are mad at Hillary,' he said, 'But let me tell you something about Hillary, Hillary devoted her whole life to making sure women and children' are taken care of.

Biden said that bothers him the most about Trump is 'the way he denigrates people,' especially women.

'I'm not asking all of you guys to all of sudden become feminists, although if you were smart you would,' he said to laughter.

'This guy's got a fixation...Have you ever heard anybody ever talk as much about' or 'be so preoccupied with women's bodies? Their shape, whether or not they're good or bad?'

A former chairman of the Senate Judiciary committee, Biden brought up Trump's Access Hollywood tape and reminded the audience, 'I'm a lawyer. I used to prosecute cases, I mean I used to be involved in these cases.'

Trump says 'because he is famous, because he is wealthy, he has the right - I'm not even going to repeat on the air, he has the right to...' Biden said, referring to the billionaire's 'grab them by the p****' remark.

That's a 'textbook' case of sexual assault, Biden said, repeating a line he's often used to slam the Republican.

The vice president deliberately limited his criticisms of Donald Trump on Wednesday as he campaigned for Clinton, having caught flack earlier this month for saying he'd like to take the Republican White House contender 'behind the gym.' He accused him of sexual assault, though, and slammed him for denigrating women

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn told his city's residents in a pre-program speech to vote for Clinton and 'send Donald Trump back to...wherever he came from.'

Florida State Senator Arthenia Jordan was more specific. 'Let's send Donald Trump back to his tower, and Hillary Clinton to the White House,' she said.

The vice president also cut a goofy video for Clinton encouraging her supporters to come up with a plan for voting.

'This is like the whole secret of life, no matter what you're doing, you've got to make a plan,' Biden says in it.

The camera cuts to a young woman drinking a cup of tea, identified as a 'former White House staffer,' who adds, 'He loves to make plans.'

'One time we suggested going to a movie without a plan. It didn't go great.'

A playful Biden tells viewers, 'Start mopping the kitchen floor without a plan, I'll tell you what, you could end up stuck int the corner for 10, 15, 20 minutes, surrounded by nothing but a wet floor and memories of your own mistakes.'

The vice president also cut a goofy video for Clinton encouraging her supporters to come up with a plan for voting. Start mopping the kitchen floor without a plan, I'll tell you what, you could end up stuck int the corner for 10, 15, 20 minutes,' he says

Biden's three step plan to voting begins with finding his polling place in Wilmington, Delaware, and taking an early train so he can make it back to the White House in time to show the president he voted. 'He's going to be so jealous'

Biden's three-step plan to voting begins with finding his polling place in Wilmington, Delaware.

'How you going to get me there?' he asks. A staffer in his war room replies, 'Amtrak to Wilmington, 4:55.'

The VP tells her, 'Actually, let's do the 9:17. I want to make it back to the White House so I can show Barack I voted, and I have my sticker on. He's going to be so jealous.'

The one-minute and forty-five second Facebook video ends with a Biden aide in a puddle, realizing he should have followed the boss' mopping instructions.
Important Warning About Forced Abortion to Protect School Guidance Counselors and Teen Moms



SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Nov. 2, 2016 /



There are three very common types of forced abortion. The first, which often directly affects school counselors, involves parents or others forcing a pregnant teenager to have an abortion against her will. The second is the father of the child forcing his wife or girlfriend to have an abortion and the third is sex trafficking where the girl is forced to have an abortion.



"The Justice Foundation provides training regarding the laws and available tools that will help in counseling the teens or their parents. The Justice Foundation has provided training against forced abortion for the last eight years throughout the country. This year we are focusing on training Texas school counselors, CPS workers, and law enforcement officers," said Parker.



According to Parker, "Many teenage daughters and adult women are forced to have an abortion. That is why this education and warning campaign is so important. School districts can be held liable for participating in forced abortion. A government official who coerces 'a minor to abort a child violates the minor's constitutionally protected freedom to choose whether to abort or bear her child.' Arnold v. Bd. of Ed. of Escambia County, Alabama, 880 F. 2d 305 (11th. Cir. 1989)."



Lovette says, "My forced abortion left me confused about the value of life. I became suicidal, subsequently had a second abortion and it seriously affected my relationship with my mother."



Karin Lynn-Hill says, "My forced abortion destroyed my relationship with my family and left me completely devastated about not being able to have my precious child. It truly effected my whole life, emotionally."



Myra Myers says, "As a married woman with children, the fear of abandonment overwhelmed me as I felt verbally and emotionally pushed by my husband to abortion, the only choice."



Nona Ellington says, "I was coerced into abortion at age 15 by a sister, my friends in high school and Planned Parenthood, where I had a free pregnancy test done. As a result of that abortion I was unable to have children, but instead had 5 miscarriages, 3 of them tubal pregnancies requiring emergency surgery and very near death experiences."



These women and others are available to discuss their forced abortions.



If you would like more information about this issue or to schedule an interview please call The Justice Foundation at 210-614-7157 or contact us at

Share Tweet Contact: Allan E. Parker, Jr., The Justice Foundation , 210-614-7157, info@txjf.org SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Nov. 2, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- "The Justice Foundation is launching a training initiative for school counselors and medical professionals on the important topic of forced abortion," according to Allan E. Parker, Jr., TJF President. "TJF has sent a warning letter to all school districts in Texas. It is unlawful for any woman in Texas to be forced, coerced or unduly pressured to have an abortion, including teens. However, many people in Texas including counselors and medical professionals, do not know this and some have been giving misinformation to pregnant teens asking their advice. Constitutional litigation against school personnel who were alleged to have participated in coercing a teenager to get an abortion has been upheld." Click here for Mental Health Professional letter . The Justice Foundation seeks to inform school professionals of the laws protecting women from forced abortion and their liability if they act improperly on this matter.There are three very common types of forced abortion. The first, which often directly affects school counselors, involves parents or others forcing a pregnant teenager to have an abortion against her will. The second is the father of the child forcing his wife or girlfriend to have an abortion and the third is sex trafficking where the girl is forced to have an abortion."The Justice Foundation provides training regarding the laws and available tools that will help in counseling the teens or their parents. The Justice Foundation has provided training against forced abortion for the last eight years throughout the country. This year we are focusing on training Texas school counselors, CPS workers, and law enforcement officers," said Parker.According to Parker, "Many teenage daughters and adult women are forced to have an abortion. That is why this education and warning campaign is so important. School districts can be held liable for participating in forced abortion. A government official who coerces 'a minor to abort a child violates the minor's constitutionally protected freedom to choose whether to abort or bear her child.' Arnold v. Bd. of Ed. of Escambia County, Alabama, 880 F. 2d 305 (11th. Cir. 1989)."Lovette says, "My forced abortion left me confused about the value of life. I became suicidal, subsequently had a second abortion and it seriously affected my relationship with my mother."Karin Lynn-Hill says, "My forced abortion destroyed my relationship with my family and left me completely devastated about not being able to have my precious child. It truly effected my whole life, emotionally."Myra Myers says, "As a married woman with children, the fear of abandonment overwhelmed me as I felt verbally and emotionally pushed by my husband to abortion, the only choice."Nona Ellington says, "I was coerced into abortion at age 15 by a sister, my friends in high school and Planned Parenthood, where I had a free pregnancy test done. As a result of that abortion I was unable to have children, but instead had 5 miscarriages, 3 of them tubal pregnancies requiring emergency surgery and very near death experiences."These women and others are available to discuss their forced abortions.If you would like more information about this issue or to schedule an interview please call The Justice Foundation at 210-614-7157 or contact us at info@txjf.org
pages just hours before they committed suicide

Monique and Shipman each shared selfies on their

Two Pennsylvania high school students have been discovered shot dead in what investigators are calling a suspected double suicide.

Police say the bodies of the teenage boy and girl were found in a parked car late Tuesday afternoon near a boat ramp at Rose Valley Lake, about 80 miles north of the state capital of Harrisburg.

State police say a handgun was found at the scene.

Two Pennsylvania high school students, identified by friends on social media as Brenden Shipman (left) and Annika Monique (right), were found dead in a double suicide Tuesday

Final photo: Shipman, 16, shared this selfie with Monique on his Facebook page at 8pm Monday, just hours before the pair's deaths

Monique uploaded this image on her Facebook page 20 minutes after her boyfriend

The county coroner says the deaths appear to have been self-inflicted but did not release other details.

The Williamsport Area School District told PennLive.com the male victim was a junior at Williamsport Area High School and the girl was a senior.

Officials have declined to release the names of the deceased citing their young age and the circumstances surrounding their deaths, but friends and classmates identified them on social media as Annika Monique and Brenden Shipman.

A family friend on Wednesday launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Shipman's funeral expenses.

The description of the online fundraiser revealed that Shipman was 16 years old.

Tragic couple: According to information shared on Facebook, the teens had been dating since April 2016

Schoolmates: Both Shipman and Monique attended Williamsport Area High School, where the boy was a junior and the girl was a senior

Shipman's Facebook page indicates that he and Annika Monique had been dating since April of this year.

Just before 9pm on Monday, Shipman took to Facebook for the last time, sharing a selfie that showed him and Monique embracing and smiling into the camera.

About 20 minutes later, his girlfriend uploaded a similar photo onto her page showing Shipman kissing the side of her head.

On Tuesday, police officers and the teenagers' relatives began searching for them when they failed to show up for school, reported the Williamsport Sun-Gazette.

At around 4pm, a relative of one of the victims made a gruesome discovery when he came upon the pair shot inside a car at Rose Valley Lake in Gamble Township.

Paramedics who were called to the scene pronounced both Shipman and Monique dead.

Investigators do not know at this time why the young couple decided to take their lives.

Those who knew the young couple, pictured here earlier this year in formal attire, were shocked that the teens decided to end their lives

Friends remembered Annika as a spirited girl who loved to dance. Brenden was described was a sweet and loving 16-year-old

Friends of Brenden and Annika and parents at Williamsport Area High School took to social media Wednesday to express their shock at the sad news and extended condolences to the families of the young couple.

The mother of Monique's classmate described the senior in a touching Facebook tribute as a 'truly spirited soul' and a' kind and funny young lady' who will be missed.

One of the girl's friends wrote in a status update Tuesday: 'My heart is is heavy I was just talking to you today you have always been one of my closest friends and now your [sic] gone I love you girl so much fly high angle I love you Annika Monique RIP.'

Owen Sampsell, a close friend of Shipmans, wrote in a tribute to the pair that they will be sorely missed by all.

Everyone at school even teachers are bawling. You hear the cries echoing in the hall the tears running down the face of those who cared, he added.
White, Asian and black children should be encouraged to be placed into less diverse schools to tackle growing segregation in towns and cities, a landmark report has suggested.

Academics have called on the Government to intervene after they found white British populations are dwindling at record levels and in extreme cases have halved in a decade.

Consequently communities are becoming more segregated with one area of Blackburn, Lancashire, now 95 per cent Asian.

Brookhouse Primary School in the town was named in 2013 as one of only a handful of UK schools where all children spoke English as a second language.

Academic Ted Cantle, a Government adviser of community cohesion, says by the 2021 census the polarisation will be even greater and suggests Government intervention like ensuring ethnic balance by 'placing pupils in diverse schools'.

Brookhouse Primary Schools in the town was named in 2013 as one of only a handful of UK schools where all children spoke English as a second language

The report says: 'Politicians and policy-makers need to encourage white British residents to remain in diverse areas; to choose, rather than avoid, diverse areas when they do re-locate, encouraging similar choices with respect to placing pupils in diverse schools; in other words to create a positive choice for mixed areas and a shared society'.

In Newham, east London, just 16 per cent of the population are white, compared to 33 per cent ten years ago.

The report says many towns and cities, such as Birmingham, Leicester, Slough, Luton, Bradford and London, have seen areas develop where the white British population is 'increasingly dwindling' as minorities increase.

Professor Cantle cites Blackburn as one of the most segregated towns in Britain whose Whalley Range area is now 95 per cent Asian and the local butcher admits he has never served a white Briton.

Mohammed Tabrez Noorji opened Tabrez Meat Store in Blackburn last year but has no white British customers.

He is originally from India and has been married to British-born Muslim wife Shima, 32, for 10 years. They have a daughter, six, and a son, three.

He told MailOnline: 'I don't know why I don't really get British-born white customers. I have a few white Polish customers, some of them come in regularly, but none who are from the UK.

'I've seen white people across the street, but I think that's because they are going to the pharmacy across the road, but they don't come in here. 'I hear from my family that they think white people want to move out of this area and streets with a lot of Asian communities. I don't know why that is. It's a very quiet place here.

'I like serving white people, and having a mix of people makes me happy. My daughter has white friends, I think it's good. I like it when there are white people as well. The mosque is just here.

'I serve Halal meat, yes, but I have heard that more and more white people like to eat Halal meat too, but they sell it in Tesco's and Morrisons now. They get it in the big stores while they are shopping, so I guess they don't come here.

'It is not good that we all live separately but how can we fix this problem? Asian families like to live in the same area as each other so we can support one another, but then the white people move out.

'It's not that we deliberately choose to live separately  it is just what happens. We want to live in this area because we are close to the mosques and all our families are very close to each other.'

But retired taxi driver Ian Goodliffe who appeared on Panorama while working at a 'white only' taxi firm said: 'There are certain areas where white people no longer go and the same for Asians. They lead very separate lives. There is an element of fear on both sides and then there is of course this awful racism. I hear it all the time.

'It is sometimes a gang mentality and everyone wants to stick to their own. There are whole parts of Blackburn where a white person would not buy a house but then there is the same for the Asians.

'There is a mutual distrust and the only way to change that is for people to mix, but we are at a total impasse and it is only going to get worse'.

Professor Cantle also said he met a Yorkshireman who said he was the first Asian to move into a street and within three years all the white families had gone.

'Some of those families made no bones about it - they are moving out because 'they' are moving in', he said.

Picture of Britain: This is the white British population by percentage in towns and cities in 2001 and then 2011, based on census figures

NEWHAM: In the east London borough (pictured), just 16 per cent of the population are white, compared to 33 per cent ten years ago - and the 2021 is likely to show this has increase further

LUTON: In 2001 64 per cent of all residents were white - in 2011 this dropped to 44.6 per cent

BIRMINGHAM: In 2001 65.6 per cent of the population was white, in the 2011 census this dropped to 53.1 per cent

SLOUGH: In 2001 58.3 per cent of the population was white, by 2011 it was down to 34.5 per cent

COVENTRY: The percentage of white Britons in Coventry fell from 78.3 per cent in 2001 to 66.6 per cent in 2011

BLACKBURN: In the Lancashire town 76 per cent were white in 2011, down to 66.5 per cent in 2011. Some areas are said to be so segregated that 95 per cent are now from ethnic minorities

BLACKBURN: IS IT BRITAIN'S MOST SEGREGATED TOWN? Blackburn in Lancashire was spared the race rioting which blighted other northern towns in 2001, but today the white majority and predominantly Muslim Asian minority live almost entirely separate lives. Areas such as Whalley Range just north of the town centre, where Asians first arrived and settled in the 1960s, are now almost entirely Asian-owned while other neighbourhoods are similarly white-dominated. But as more members of the Asian community move into traditionally white areas the phenomenon of 'white flight' is becoming more noticeable. As the character of a neighbourhood starts to change, white people stop buying property there. Observers point out there is no equivalent process of white people moving into Asian areas. One estate agent told BBC's Panorama that in 28 years working in Blackburn he had never sold a house in an Asian area of town to a white buyer. Some Asians complain that, despite their hopes of integration, when they arrive in a white suburb the 'for sale' signs go up and the exodus begins. Whites told the programme that Asian newcomers made no effort to integrate, and that they felt 'swallowed' up as neighbourhoods changed. Many traditional pubs in Blackburn have closed as the surrounding homes have been bought up by Muslims. Changes in local schools appears to create a tipping point, as white pupils gradually become the minority. White parents told how they had moved their children to alternative schools to give them a 'more appropriate education setting' - and then ended up moving house to be nearer a more 'white' school. Blackburn now has a 'twinning' scheme to bring together white and Asian children from different schools who would otherwise never meet. Advertisement

The research, published by Open Democracy, calls on the Government to do more to promote mixed communities, especially in light of the spike in hate crime reported since the Brexit referendum.

The study, conducted by integration experts Professor Ted Cantle and Professor Eric Kaufmann, shows that, while England as a whole is more ethnically mixed, white and minority groups are now more isolated from each other.

The report finds the polarisation is mainly in urban areas. It notes the pace of change is 'striking', with some areas seeing a decrease in the white population of more than 50 per cent between 1991 and 2011.

The report says many towns and cities, such as Birmingham, Leicester, Slough, Luton, Bradford and London, have seen areas develop where the white British population is 'increasingly dwindling' as minorities increase.

The study finds the ' trend towards isolation' is at its greatest in smaller geographic areas, such as wards.

Prof Cantle, who wrote a report into community cohesion in the wake of several race riots in 2001, said: 'The antipathy towards some communities may have been much less if we were more integrated and actually lived in mixed areas - all the evidence suggests that prejudice and intolerance is broken down by contact.

'This research shows what is happening on a local level and that is that there is increasing polarisation between the white majority population and minorities across England, particularly in our urban areas.

'This has gone under the radar, but it is time this became a national priority because cohesion is at stake.

'The focus of policy needs to shift, this is not just about minorities. Politicians and policy-makers need to encourage white British residents to remain in diverse areas; to choose, rather than avoid, diverse areas when they do re-locate, encouraging similar choices with respect to placing pupils in diverse schools; in other words to create a positive choice for mixed areas and a shared society.'
A vet in Russia caught his wife having sex with his best friend, and promptly pulled out a knife to stab and castrate him.

Vladimir Sidorov, 35, then made a frenzied attack on his 31 year old wife, knifing her "multiple times", say police.

Both she and her 32 year old lover died at the scene.

The two killings took place at Vladimir Sidorov in the Tartastan region

The vet then immediately called the police to confess to the two killings.

He was later detained.

A statement by the Investigative Committee - equivalent of the FBI - in the Russian region of Tatarstan said that Sidorov had been home all day with the couple's children while his wife went to see a female friend who had just given birth.

But Sidorov discovered his wife had not visited the female friend.

His best friend was supposed to have driven her to the meeting, but was not answering the phone.

"Sidorov walked to the house of his friend who was supposed to have driven his wife - and there he found both of them in an intimate situation," said the statement.

Sidorov walked to the house of his friend who was supposed to have driven his wife - and there he found both of them in an intimate situation

"The suspect took out his knife, stabbed the male victim several times."

He then "cut off his genitals", said a source.

"As a result of the injuries both victims died at the scene of the crime," said the statement.

"Having committed his crime, Sidorov called the local police office and reported the crime."

The incident was in Shama village, where Sidorov worked as a vet in the local Soviet-style collective farm.
Shaving off their beards and openly enjoying their cigarettes, Iraqi men whose villages have been liberated from ISIS control have been celebrating their freedom.

Government troops have advanced on the village of Gogjali, just a few hundred metres from Mosul, the last Iraqi city under control of terror group.

There civilians have been taking shelter in a local mosque as soldiers go house-to house to make sure they have rooted out all of the militants from the village.

A man taking refuge in a mosque in an Iraqi village freed from ISIS on the outskirts of Mosul has his beard trimmed by a friend

Men living in villages under ISIS control were forced to have long beards so had them cut to celebrate their freedom

Another man standing outside the mosque uses clippers to trim down his long beard - a requirement of the terror group

A friend outside the mosque helps the man with the clippers as he attempts to trim his beard

Inside the mosque, women wearing the full niqab cared for their children as they waited for the battle outside to be over

And while inside the mosque, many of the men took the opportunity to shave off their facial hair, which was a requirement for all civilians living under ISIS rule.

Men could be seen using clippers and even scissors to trim down their beards to celebrate their freedom.

Women, dressed in the full niqab were also at the mosque with their children as they sheltered inside.

Elsewhere, men also lit up celebratory cigarettes, enjoying their first taste of smoking since it was also banned by the terror group two years ago.

One man so overjoyed on seeing Iraqi soldiers liberating the village, plants a kiss on the cheek of one of the troops

A young boy shakes hands with an Iraqi soldier as he enters a mosque to take shelter from the fighting

As house to house searched were conducted by Iraqi soldiers, children cowered inside their homes

Meanwhile children were eager to shake hands with their Iraqi liberators in the street, with one man even kissing a soldier to give his thanks while others waved white flags.

The jubliant scenes came as Iraqi forces killed eight ISIS militants during house to house searches in Gogjali as they rooted out the terrorists.

Six of the militants were killed inside a tunnel, while the other two were shot dead as they advanced on troops while wearing explosives-laden vests.

Throughout the day, special forces could be seen going house to house in Gogjali, Mosul's easternmost district, while sappers searched the road for explosives and booby traps left behind by the jihadis driven out a day earlier.

General Abdul-Ghani al-Asadi, the top counter-terrorism forces commander, told reporters a curfew had been imposed in the neighborhood while gains there were being consolidated.

As civilians were led to the safety of the mosque many of them carried white flags as they walked along the road

A group of men hold their white flag and can't contain their emotion as Iraqi forces come to liberate them

A curfew had been imposed by Iraqi forces in the neighborhood while gains there were being consolidated

'We fear that Daesh militants could attack our forces or the town with mortars,' he said, using the Arabic acronym for ISIS.

'So for the safety of the families we ask them to stay inside their houses.'

And Brigadier General Haider Fadhil added that no advances were planned while high humidity and clouds obscured the view of aircraft and drones - a key component to the operations provided by a U.S.-led air campaign.

The guns were largely silent during the day in Gogjali, which is inside Mosul's city limits but just outside more urban districts, although sporadic rifle cracks could be heard as well as some army artillery fire on ISIS positions.

The pause came a day after Iraqi troops set foot in the city for the first time in more than two years, gearing up for urban warfare expected to take weeks, if not months.

Iraqi army soldiers stand at the last checkpoint on Mosul's eastern edge, as clashes continue between Iraqi army forces and ISIS

Iraqi soldiers pose with an ISIS flag they have seized as they hold a position in the village of Gogjali

In the next stage, troops will have to navigate streets likely lined with booby traps, fighting house to house while trying to avoid killing civilians, more than one million of whom are still in the city.

Mosul is the last major ISIS stronghold in Iraq, and driving the militant group from the city would be a major blow to its ambitions of creating a cross-border 'caliphate' stretching into Syria.

ISIS announced the project in Mosul in 2014, after it routed the much larger Iraqi military, which had been neglected and demoralised by corruption.
Smiling as she left her Crenshaw home, Meghan Markle's mother today refused to comment on her daughter's rumored relationship with Prince Harry.

Social worker and yoga therapist Doria Ragland, 60, said she had 'no comment to make, none at all' when approached by DailyMail.com.

When told her daughter would make history if she did marry Prince Harry - becoming the first mixed race woman ever to join the Royal Family, Ragland chuckled but added: 'No. Look, I really can't say anything.'

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Discreet: Meghan Markle's mom Doria Ragland smiled and laughed when asked about her daughter's romance but said: 'I really can't say anything.'

First words: Meghan Marckle has spoken for the first time since her relationship with Harry emerged an said: 'I'm the luckiest girl in the world'

Red-carpet appearance: Meghan Markle and her mother Doria Radlan were pictured by Bella New York magazine - www.bellanyc.com - at an event for United Nations women's day in March 2015

Home sweet home? Prince Harry's new girl, Meghan Markle, grew up in this house in Crenshaw, Los Angeles, a troubled area that had 47 crimes in the past week - including murde

Mother: Doria Ragland is a social worker and yoga instructor. She continues to live in a tough area of Los Angeles - and is close to her daughter (inset, right)

The romance between her daughter, the Suits actress, and the prince, has not been publicly confirmed by either party.

But Markle - a 35-year-old divorcee - has said she is 'the luckiest girl in the world'.

She also described herself as a 'brash American' with strong opinions in her first interview since her affair with Harry emerged.

The actress has become concerned about the number of Suits sex scenes she has starred in and says she avoids skimpy clothes because her mother warned her to 'never give the milk away for free'.

Markle remains close to her mother, who divorced her father Thomas, 72, when she was six, and is often seen with her on the red carpet.

Thomas, a lighting director, is currently thought to be in Mexico and recently filed for bankruptcy after racking up debts of $30,000 (24,000).

Doria, who also filed for bankruptcy herself in 2002 over a $52,750 credit-card bill, appears to be the one of the defining influences in her daughters life.

Writing in an article about her background, Markle addressed being mixed race, saying: 'While I could say Pennsylvania and Ohio, and continue this proverbial two-step, I instead give them what they're after: "My dad is Caucasian and my mom is African-American."'

Meghan wrote of her childhood and her mum and dad's mixed-race marriage on her website: 'I like to think he was drawn to her sweet eyes and her Afro, plus their shared love of antiques,' she writes. 'Whatever it was, they married and had me.

Discreet: Doria Ragland leaving her home on Wednesday, as her daughter's apparent romance with the prince became the focus of huge interest

Close bond: Meghan Markle and her mother remain close and the actress has written about her pride in being mixed race. Her African-American mother's own ancestry includes slaves

Love story: Meghan Markle has written of her parents: 'I like to think he was drawn to her sweet eyes and her Afro, plus their shared love of antiques. Whatever it was, they married and had me.'

Family: Markle and her father when she was a child. His marriage to her mother ended early in her childhood

Shortly after news of their blossoming romance broke, Meghan posted a picture of two loved-up bananas 'spooning' on Instagram, with the caption 'Sleep tight'

'They moved into a house in The Valley in LA to a neighborhood that was leafy and affordable. What it was not, however, was diverse. And there was my mom, caramel in complexion with her light-skinned baby in tow, being asked where my mother was since they assumed she was the nanny.'

And she has spoken of how her mother's great-great grandfather was born into slavery and freed at the end of the Civil War.

Crenshaw, the area Ragland, 60, calls home could not be more different to Londons leafy Kensington, where Prince Harry lives.

Markle is now based in Toronto, Canada, but her mother remains in LA and moved to her modest green-painted home five years ago after the death of her own father, Alvin, in 2011.

Harrys literally palatial homes couldnt be more different from the tatty one-storey homes that dominate much of Crenshaw, which is close to Compton.

And while there have been a total of 21 crimes in the immediate area around Highgrove over the past 12 months, 47 have taken place in Crenshaw in the last week alone - including murder and robbery.

Cancelled: Prince Harry was reportedly planning to fly to Toronto to see actress Meghan Markle, pictured during a modelling session, but he was a 'no show', a source claimed

Meghan stripped down to her underwear in the hit show and the clip from 2014 then went viral

Other crimes noted over the past seven days include multiple drug-related misdemeanors, vehicle thefts, vandalism and disturbing the peace.

Crenshaw is one of a cluster of Los Angeles boroughs famous for gangs - along with Compton, Long Beach, South Central and Inglewood.

The latter, which borders Crenshaw to the south, is also home to another member of Meghans family - her maternal aunt, Ava Burrow, 63.

Local gangs include Crenshaw Mafia Gangster, which has been plaguing the area since 1981, and Bloods affiliates Center Park Blood.

Still there: Markle's mom still lives in Crenshaw, although she hasn't been seen since news of her daughter's relationship with Prince Harry went public

Operating close by are the Westside Rollin' 60's Neighborhood Crips, one of the largest street crime collectives in Los Angeles, and branches of the Compton-based Piru gang.

Nevertheless - and in spite of the gangs - parts of Crenshaw are considered to be improving, among them the aptly named Windsor Hills.

The crime-plagued neighborhoods of Markles mother and aunt are a far cry from the leafy part of Long Island where her former husband, Trevor Engleson, 40, grew up.

The Hollywood producer now lives in Los Angeles but was brought up in an affluent suburb of Long Island close to the New York City limits.

His parents declined to comment at their detached home.

Markle also has an older half-sister, Samantha, who claimed Harry 'would be appalled' if he knew about the 'narcissistic and selfish' actress' treatment of her father, who is now bankrupt.

On Tuesday night, shortly after news of their blossoming romance broke, Meghan posted a picture of two loved-up bananas 'spooning' on Instagram, with the caption 'Sleep tight'

Meghan has posted a series of romantic images on Instagram since it emerged at the weekend that she had been dating Harry.

In her first interview since then she told the Toronto Sun: 'My cup runneth over and Im the luckiest girl in the world'.

On her Suits outfits she said: 'Yes, those pencil skirts on the show are fit within an exhale, but I fight to get that paired with a men's oversized shirt for balance.'

She has launched her own fashion range where nothing costs more than $70 (60) and said: 'I was not a girl who grew up buying $100 candles. I was the girl who ran out of gas on her way to an audition.

'I'm deeply and passionately involved in the design process. I'm a brash American and if my name is going to be on something, I'm going to have my say'.

A 'besotted' Harry , 32, met the actress at a charity event and sent her messages until she said she would meet up with him - and, following a number of dates the pair are now said to be 'serious' about one another.

Run-down: Neighboring Crenshaw is the crime-ridden neighborhood of Inglewood (pictured), which was namechecked in Dr Dre's The Next Episode

A friend said : 'They are the real deal. He definitely pursued her and besieged her with texts until she agreed to a date.'

'He is very full-on but she was going through quite a tough time with her previous boyfriend and she was very flattered.

'He's head over heels and she feels the same.'

Meanwhile, it was reported that Harry scrapped a secret trip to to meet with Meghan after details of the apparent relationship emerged.

Harry was booked on to a British Airways flight from Heathrow to Toronto at 11.30am and due to land in the Canadian city at 3.30pm on Sunday but was a 'no show', a source said.

One royal source suggested the pair are in a relationship but it is still considered 'very early days'.

The prince, 32, also follows the actress on the picture sharing website Instagram using a pseudonym.

Intriguingly, Harry, who publicly professes to hate social media, is one of her million followers and she also follows him.

The revelation is telling because the prince has a private account and only 'follows' a few close friends and charities, suggesting the pair know each other fairly well.

A source close to the prince, who is fifth-in-line to the throne, told The Express that he is 'besotted' with the star,who plays Rachel Zane in the hit legal drama Suits.
A rusting Jaguar found languishing in a Jamaican scrapyard by a British tourist once belonged to a beautiful princess who drove it around her own Caribbean island.

British Princess Nina Aga Khan was given the 1962 E-Type Jaguar Roadster by her second husband - the 'fabulously wealthy' Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan of Persia.

When the marriage failed, Nina retreated to the exotic Pellew Island, taking with her the white 3.8 litre car and her beloved black panther cats which had been an elaborate present from her first husband, Baron Hans Heinrich von Thyssen.

Tragically, high society queen Nina committed suicide in 1965 and the E-Type Jaguar disappeared - presumed lost forever.

However, it is now in the process of being restored after holidaymaker Clive Edwards, 42, stumbled across it in a scrapyard while on holiday in Jamaica last year.

British Princess Nina Aga Khan was given the 1962 E-Type Jaguar Roadster by her second husband - the 'fabulously wealthy' Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan of Persia (pictured together)

The E-Type Jaguar Roadster is now in the process of being restored after holidaymaker Clive Edwards, 42, stumbled across it in a scrapyard while on holiday in Jamaica last year

The businessman from Streatham, south London, said he agreed to buy the stripped-out car for 2,000 after realising its significance and its connection to Nina.

He had it shipped back to Britain and it will now be sold at auction for an estimated 20,000.

It is thought it will cost around 100,000 to restore the E-Type but afterwards it could be worth 250,000, largely due to its fascinating past.

Only 15,500 of the E-Type model were ever made and of those just 2,700 were right-hand drive, making this example especially rare.

This was the only one ever shipped by Jaguar to France where it was collected by Nina in Paris, her British ancestry accounting for the fact it was a right-hand drive.

James Denison, from auctioneers Brightwells of Leominster, Herefordshire, which is selling the car, said: 'This E-Type is a truly exciting find with the gripping tale of a beautiful but ill-fated princess behind it.

'Nina Aga Khan was an extremely glamorous and high profile character who was just the sort of owner Jaguar were keen to attract.

'It's thanks to a remarkable stroke of fortune and the meticulous record-keeping of Jaguar that we have been made aware of her story.

Nina Dyer (pictured) was born in 1930 to wealthy British parents. She pursued a career in fashion from the age of 20 and moved to Paris. She had an affair with and then married billionaire industrialist von Thyssen before later marrying Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan of Persia

The car was the only one ever shipped by Jaguar to France where it was collected by Nina in Paris (document above), her British ancestry accounting for the fact it was a right-hand drive

Nina Dyer was born in 1930 to wealthy British parents. She pursued a career in fashion from the age of 20 and moved to Paris.

She had an affair with and then married billionaire industrialist von Thyssen, heir to the vast Thyssen steel and armaments empire.

Her husband lavished her with cars, jewellery, the two black panthers and Pellew Island in the Caribbean.

The marriage did not last due to the pair's infidelity and Nina walked away with a divorce settlement that included a sprawling French chateau.

She then met the playboy prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, the wealthy son of Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III who claimed direct descent from Prophet Muhammad.

They married in 1957 and she took the name Princess Nina Aga Khan.

He too showered his wife with gifts, including the E-Type. After they separated Nina fell into a state of depression and she committed suicide by taking an overdose of sleeping pills. She was aged 35.

When the marriage failed, Nina retreated to the exotic Pellew Island, taking with her the white 3.8 litre car and her beloved black panther cats. Pictured: The E-Type Jaguar in the scrapyard

It is thought it will cost around 100,000 to restore the E-Type but afterwards it could be worth 250,000, largely due to its fascinating past. Only 15,500 of the E-Type model were ever made and of those just 2,700 were right-hand drive, making this example especially rare

The businessman from Streatham, south London, said he agreed to buy the stripped-out car for 2,000 after realising its significance and its connection to Nina. He had it shipped back to Britain (pictured in storage above) and it will now be sold at auction for an estimated 20,000

Her E-Type Jaguar will be sold on November 23.

Describing the moment he uncovered the vehicle, Mr Edwards said: 'I was driving up a road on the south of the island when I saw it sitting in a scrapyard. I knew what it was straight away - you don't miss an E-Type.

'It's sheer luck that I spotted it, it was a very rural part of the island and the surroundings were quite rundown.

'I parked up and had a look. Even though it was in such bad shape I knew how much some people pay for old E-Types so began talking to the owner.

'He knew it was an old Jaguar and told me it had been sitting there for years, which is why he was willing to sell.'

He added: 'Unfortunately I don't have time to carry out a restoration myself so I've decided to sell it.'

Describing the moment he uncovered the vehicle, Mr Edwards said: 'I was driving up a road when I saw it sitting in a scrapyard. I knew what it was straight away - you don't miss an E-Type'

An interior of the vehicle now. The original was old English white paint with black leather
Top card player Travell Thomas, 38, burst into tears after admitting he masterminded a $31million scam

A professional card player known as 'The Terminator' burst into tears in court after admitting he masterminded a $31million debt collection scam.

Travell Thomas, 38, who has won more than $510,885 during his poker career, cried repeatedly as he pleaded guilty to wire fraud yesterday.

He told a Manhattan federal court he owned a company where debt collectors would threaten thousands of victims with criminal charges if they didn't pay inflated debts.

The collectors would lie to make it seem as though the company, based in Buffalo, New York, was affiliated with local government and law enforcement agencies.

Prosecutors said victims often paid more than they owed after they were warned that they might be arrested if they didn't immediately pay off debts.

Thomas apologized and told Judge Katherine Polk Failla: 'I knew what I was doing was wrong and in violating the law. I did it of my own free will.'

'I apologize for my actions today,' he added, wiping away tears.

The scammer, who pocketed $750,000 from the scheme, blew the money on gambling expenses, his wedding reception and cosmetic surgery for his wife.

Thomas told the court his company referred to the overstating of debts as 'juicing'.

The scammer, who pocketed $750,000 from the scheme, blew the money on gambling expenses, his wedding reception and cosmetic surgery for his wife

The scam, which ran from 2010 to 2015, has resulted in 15 arrests in what has been called a 'landmark consumer fraud case'.

US Attorney Preet Bharara said the scam had 'victimized thousands of people across the country'.

'Thomas instructed his debt collectors to threaten, intimidate, and lie to their victims by overstating their debts and making false claims about what would happen to if they didn't pay up,' he said, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Thomas faces up to 40 years in jail and has already agreed not to challenge any jail-term less than 15-and-a-half years when he is sentenced in February.

He also said he would not challenge a forfeiture order of up to $31million.

The card player has competed in the World Series of Poker, finishing 12th in 2012 and 15th in 2013.
A historically black church in Mississippi was reportedly torched overnight and defaced with graffiti expressing support for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

The fire and vandalism took place at the 200-member Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville.

According to Greenville Fire Chief Ruben Brown, the blaze broke out at the place of worship at around 9.15pm Tuesday, leaving the main sanctuary heavily damaged. No injuries were reported.

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Suspicious fire: Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville, Mississippi, was burned and vandalized with pro-Donald Trump graffiti Tuesday night

Burned pews, destroyed musical instruments, Bibles and hymnals are part of the debris inside the fire damaged church

. A Mississippi mayor is calling it a hate crime as arson investigators collect evidence at a black church that was heavily damaged by fire and tagged with 'Vote Trump' in silver spray paint

Ravaged: The main sanctuary at the church sustained heavy fire damage

ATF agents (left) and a state fire marshal with his arson dog (right) inspect the damaged church Wednesday

A state fire marshal, right, and a ATF agent collect evidence as they investigate the fire damaged Hopewell M.B. Baptist Church in Greenvill

Responding firefighters found flames and smoke pouring out of the building, and it took them an hour to get the conflagration under control. The church kitchen and pastor's office sustained water and smoke damage.

Photos taken at the scene by a Delta Daily News reporter after the fire had been extinguished depict the soot-covered building with 'Vote Trump' spray-painted in white on an exterior wall.

Arson investigators were at the scene Wednesday collecting evidence. Chief Brown said the cause remains under investigation.

'We don't have any suspect at time, but we are possibly talking to a person of interest,' Police Chief Delando Wilson said.

The incident comes a week before Election Day. Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons tells The Atlantic he expects voters in Washington County to vote for Hillary Clinton next Tuesday.

The FBI told The Clarion Ledger it was 'aware of the situation' and was investigating to determine if any civil rights crimes have been committed.

State FBI spokesman Brett Carr did not comment on whether the fire was being investigated as a possible hate crime.

'At this point, it is too early in the investigation to determine what type of crime this could be,' he said in an email.

It took firefighters an hour to extinguish the flames pouring out of the church building. The FBI is now investigating the incident to determine if a civil rights crime has been committed

ATF agents collect paint samples from the spray-painted 'Vote Trump' slogan, left, while their colleague clears debris

Bishop Clarence Green stands outside his fire damaged 200-member Hopewell M.B. Baptist Church in Greenville

Mayor Simmons called the fire at the church a 'hate crime' and 'a direct assault on people's right to free worship,' reported The Atlantic.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help repair the damage from the fire, drawing more than $11,000 in donations in just three hours Wednesday. The initial goal was $10,000.

The description of the online fundraiser stated in part: 'The animus of this election cycle combined with the potent racial history of burning black churches as a political symbol makes this event something we must not ignore.'

Greenville is a city of 32,000 inhabitants in western Mississippi, where more than 78 per cent of the population are African Americans.

Gov. Phil Bryant, a Republican who has been campaigning for Trump, said 'we expect a suspect will be identified and brought to justice.'

'First, anyone who burns a place of worship will answer to almighty God for this crime against people of faith. But they should also answer to man's law,' Bryant's statement said.

US Rep. Bennie Thopmson, a Democrat whose district includes Greenville, said the fire and graffiti 'harkens back to a much darker day in Mississippi.'

'The political message of the vandalism is obviously an attempt to sway public opinion regarding the upcoming election,' he wrote in an emailed statement. 'I encourage all citizens not to be deterred by this cowardly act and exercise your right to vote at the ballot box.'

Hopewell is a historically black church situated in the City of Greenville, where more than 78 per cent of the population are African Americans

The congregation has existed for 111 years, and will rebuild on the same site, said pastor Caroline Hudson.

'The act that has happened has left our hearts broken but we are strong together,' Hudson said. 'We are not angry, but our hearts are broken.'

Bishop Clarence Green called the fire troubling. He said that in his 21 years as bishop, the church had never been vandalized.

'The last time someone was at the church was Tuesday around 3,' Green said.
Kellyanne Conway, Donald Trump's campaign manager, returned to the set of 'The View' today and quarreled with Whoopi Goldberg over what's 'nasty'  Hillary Clinton's tactics or those of the GOP nominee.

'Let me tell you what's nasty!' Conway interjected, when Goldberg suggested Trump's behavior had hurt people. 'Nasty is Hillary Clinton's endless,' she continued, being interrupted by Goldberg several times. 'There are tens of millions of dollars in negative advertising as we sit here from Hillary Clinton,' she said, finally getting her sentence out.

Conway was killed with kindness by 'The View's' co-host Joy Behar, who called the campaign manager a 'nice girl, this is a nice Italian girl,' Behar said, before labeling her 'delusional' for saying she wasn't concerned about Trump's rhetoric on nukes.

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'The View's' Whoopi Goldberg (left) and Donald Trump's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway (right) got into it over whose campaign tactics were more 'nasty' - Trump's or Hillary Clinton's

Kellyanne Conway (right) got into it with Whoopi Goldberg (left), who attacked Donald Trump for saying the media and the polling was 'rigged'

With less than a week to go before voters head to the polls, both campaigns are sending their campaign managers to talk to the women of 'The View' this week.

Conway went first with Clinton's campaign manager, Robby Mook, appearing on the daytime talk show tomorrow.

Trump's campaign manager started the segment by talking about the tightening of the presidential race in polling that's been taken over the past few days.

'So many people should not have been getting their inaugural ball gowns and popping the campaign corks prematurely because you have to respect people, you have to give the American people a chance to exercise their choice and express their voice,' she began.

Conway suggested that voters didn't like being told that Clinton's win was a done-deal.

'People tend to snap back and say, "That's not really fair." I am going to vote for him,' she said. 'And I think Hillary Clinton got a little too comfortable, was waiting out her lead.'

Kellyanne Conway (center) had the most contentious conversations with co-host Whoopi Goldberg (left) but Joy Behar (second from right) trolled the campaign manager too

Kellyanne Conway knocked Hillary Clinton and her allies for being presumptuous, saying they shouldn't be 'getting their inaugural ball gowns and popping the campaign corks'

Conway pointed to traditionally blue states that Clinton and her running mate Tim Kaine are visiting, suggesting that Trump's strength is pushing them there.

'And we're loving the ABC News poll,' the said to 'The View' co-hosts, as the shows airs on ABC.

The ABC News/Washington Post national tracking poll had Trump 1 point ahead yesterday.

Today Trump and Clinton were tied.

'Suddenly, you love the media now too right,' Goldberg jumped in, saying the sentence with snark.

'Well, I've always been pro-media,' Conway replied.

'Uh huh. But you remember he said we were all crooked,' Goldberg shot back. 'He said the media was crooked, the polls were crooked, everything was crooked and now he's doing better because they're neck and neck.'

'I'm just wondering will it be crooked again if it goes, if he slips in the polls, are we back to crooked?' Goldberg asked.

Conway said the answer was no, but didn't answer the question.

'What I think you need to do is get ready for a chyron that says President-elect Donald J. Trump,' Conway said.

This comment really got Goldberg going.

'I don't care if he ever comes back on this show myself,' the 'Sister Act' star said.

'I've been very clear about that,' she continued. 'I've been very clear about that because we've asked him and he's also been very nasty about people I care about.'

That's when Conway leveled her own 'nasty' assault, suggesting the negative advertising from the Clinton campaign and the Democrats' allies have been the true nasty portion of this election cycle.

Trump memorably called Clinton a 'nasty woman' at the third and final presidential debate.

Co-host Paula Faris tried breaking it up by turning their attention to the story of the day, which is still the FBI's decision to tell Congress that new Clinton-associated emails were discovered.

Joy Behar (center) talked about what a nice Italian girl Kellyanne Conway (left), before calling her 'delusional' for standing up for Donald Trump on the isssue of nuclear weapons

While the FBI didn't have a warrant to look at the emails until Monday, knowing only of their existence from the metadata on a laptop belonging to Anthony Weiner, Conway floated the idea that there must be some sort of smoking gun inside the cache.

'There's obviously something she's trying to hide,' Conway said. 'All 650,000 can't be of Anthony Weiner taking pictures of himself and texting it to a 15-year-old girl in North Carolina.'

'Who knows what's in there,' she continued. 'I don't know what's in there. Donald Trump doesn't know what's in there. But we respect the FBI wanting to reopen this investigation.'

Goldberg wanted to know why Conway thought the election was all about Clinton's emails again.

'It doesn't matter what I think,' the campaign manager replied. 'It matters what the FBI thinks.'

'I'm asking you because you're here,' Goldberg said, again with great sarcasm.

Behar suggested that FBI Director James Comey was going to get in trouble for making a public statement about an investigation that could meddle with a presidential election.

'I think attacking FBI Director Comey by Hillary Clinton is a very desperate strategy,' Conway replied. 'She wasn't anticipating a tightening in the polls.'

Conway again circled back to Clinton, who in light of the blockbuster FBI announcement has gone negative on Trump in recent days.

'Where is the Barack Obama, Bill Clinton aspirational message?' the Republican asked, saying this was not the Democratic Party she remembered from growing up.

Goldberg replied that the 'Barack Obama aspirational message' is that 'anybody can be president,' arguing Clinton's election pushes that forward to include women as well.

Next up, it was Behar's time to troll Conway a bit.

Asking about Trump's healthcare plan, 'The View' co-host asked: 'He used to be for single payer, is he still into that?'

Donald Trump's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway came on 'The View' today to defend her candidate with less than one week to go before Election Day

'No he's not,' Conway said, adding that Trump was for a free market healthcare system, not single-payer, something that the very liberal Sen. Bernie Sanders has advocated for, which Trump expressed support for in the past.

Behar then said one of her biggest concerns with Trump was the statements he's made about nuclear weapon.

'Your guy, Donald Trump, he's very cavalier about using nuclear weapons and even Europe is even not off the table,' Behar began. 'Aren't you petrified? You have four children. That scares me more than any other stupid thing he has said.'

Conway tried to point to the nuclear deal with Iran that the Democats had ironed out instead.

'You're not answering the question,' Behar cut in. 'My question is, his rhetoric is off the wall on this topic.'

'It's not actually,' Conway replied.

'Yes it is. And it worries me a lot,' Behar shot back.

She wanted to know from Conway if the campaign manager thought Trump's comments on nukes were reckless.

'No, his rhetoric is not reckless. You're cherry-picking comments. He doesn't mean that he's going to use them,' Conway said of nukes.

To that, Behar called the campaign manager 'delusional.'

Donald Trump's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway was gifted a gift card to use at the Trump spa for a post-election 'day off'

Kellyanne Conway (right) was handed the gift by Paula Faris (right) after 'The View' aired clips of the 'Saturday Night Live' skit 'A Day Off'

After grabbing her bag, Donald Trump's campaign manager encouraged the audience to vote and also promised that 'president-elect' Trump would make an appearance on 'The View'

'What scares me is when Hillary Clinton always puts Hillary Clinton first,' Conway said.

'The View's' studio audience started to laugh at that. They also laughed when Conway replied, 'That's what he told me,' denying that Trump had any Russian business ties.

The women ended the segment with a laugh and a peace offering for Conway, who they applauded for being a good sport.

The giggles came courtesy of 'Saturday Night Live,' as they showed Conway the skit where Kate McKinnon, playing the Trump campaign manager, enjoys a 'day off,' but is repeatedly hauled into CNN to explain to 'Jake Tapper' what Trump really said.

' Of course black people don't have one less toe than white people,' McKinnon-as-Conway says at one point.

In real life, the women gave Conway a gift card to the Trump spa, for when she finally gets that day off.

'I encourage everyone to vote and express your voice and your choice,' Conway said, as her final piece of advice.
An award-winning author has examined why so many books with 'girl' in the title are hitting shelves and best-seller lists.

Canadian novelist Emily St John Mandel attempted to explain the growing trend across the literary world, in a study published by FiveThirtyEight.

Mandel, 37, delved into data gathered by Goodreads - a social network that allows users to rate and review books - in an attempt to figure out what was behind the massive surge in such titles.

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Canadian novelist Emily St John Mandel (pictured) has examined why so many books with 'girl' in the title are hitting shelves and best-seller lists

'We seem to have entered the age of the girls. Paula Hawkinss debut, The Girl on the Train, was published last year and is still everywhere: Nielsen BookScan reports 2.7 million copies have been sold in the US', she wrote.

'Gillian Flynns Gone Girl was equally ubiquitous a couple of years back. This summer belonged to The Girls, Emma Clines acclaimed debut novel, still prominently displayed in every bookstore I enter. Carl Hiaasens Razor Girl recently hit The New York Times bestseller list.

'Who are these girls? Why are there so many of them?'

The author found almost one per cent of every fiction book published in 2016 would feature either 'girl' or 'girls' in the title, which was more than triple the rate two decades ago.

Mandel suggested the phenomenon started with the smash-hit, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, which was published in August 2005, and the following sequels that also had 'girl' in the title.

The book, which was the first in the Millennium series written by Stieg Larsson, sold more than 30 million copies.

Mandel suggested the phenomenon started with the smash-hit, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (left), which was published in August 2005, and continued with Gone Girl (right)

Mandel, 37, delved into data gathered by Goodreads - a social network that allows users to rate and review books - in an attempt to figure out what was behind the massive surge in such titles

An award-winning author has examined why so many books with 'girl' in the title are hitting shelves and best-seller lists.

Mandel points to the success of that book, along with others that had 'girl' in the title, as the reason for the growing popularity of such titles.

'Because there is a certain element of mystery to the whole thing, when a book does explode, theres a natural tendency to try to copy elements of its success,' she wrote for FiveThirtyEight.

'"It always seems that when there is a mega-sales hit in publishing," said a New York City literary agent who asked for anonymity to speak candidly, "everyone scrambles to ride the coattails of that success".'

And while Mandel was unable to find any hard evidence to prove that part of her theory, she did examine some of the trends in the books.

'When a book does explode, theres a natural tendency to try to copy elements of its success,' Mandel wrote, referencing books with 'girl' in the title

She compiled a list of the top 2,000 books on Goodreads with 'girl' or 'girls' in the title, filtered out cookbooks and young adult novels, as well as any with less than 250 reviews.

Mandel was left with 810 books, which she then used as the basis for her study.

The Canadian writer found women were overwhelmingly more likely to have penned a 'girl' titled book, with 79 per cent of those in her list written by a female.

The analysis also discovered the 'girl' referenced in the title was survived the story 85 per cent of the time in total, however a trend emerged when she looked at books written by men.

The New York-based writer said she expect the 'girl' phase will die out, but suggested it will stick around for at least a few more years (stock image)

In male-authored books included in her study, the rate the titular 'girl' was murdered in the story rose from less than five per cent by women authors to 17 per cent.

Overall, the 'girl' was alive at the end of the stories written by men 68 per cent of the time, compared to 90 per cent in books penned by female authors.

The New York-based writer said she expect the phase will die out, but suggested it will stick around for at least a few more years.
home Tech AMD Vega 10, 11 release date, specs news 2016: AMD's high-powered Radeon GPUs to arrive early 2017?

For the past few months, it has been rumored that AMD would soon release the next batch of high-powered GPUs based on the latest Vega architecture. This year's current Radeon lineup from the OEM is powered by Polaris architecture, giving the users excellent visual experience for a reasonable price. This time, the next Vega 10-based Radeon graphics card will be a lot powerful, rivaling NVIDIA's top-tier Pascal Titan X video card.

According to reports, there are leaks that AMD will soon be unveiling a new flagship Radeon Fury series graphics card, coming in right after the release of the current Polaris-based GPUs this 2016. The company is said to take the competition with NVIDIA to the next level, as their upcoming Fury GPUs will be more powerful than NVIDIA GTX Pascal Titan X.

WCCF Tech reported that the upcoming Fury Pro GPU will be packed with 4096 graphics cores and 12 teraflops of single precision compute horsepower, making it the first graphics card to give a glimpse of what the Vega 10 platform can do. The leaked details regarding the Radeon Fury Pro graphics card came from a recently discovered AMD Crimson driver code, hinting that AMD will soon unveil the latest Vega 10 architecture.

Those who will have the Vega 10-powered GPU can experience smooth desktop gaming in 4K with 4096 graphic cores, something that should be expected from a 12TFLOPS graphics card. It will be even more powerful than AMD's current Radeon RX 480 and RX 580 video cards, with pre-installed RAM of up to 16GB and 512Gbps bandwidth.

Earlier rumors suggest that the Vega 10 GPUs will arrive before the year ends, although it is also getting more likely that the next set of Radeon graphics cards will be out in the early part of 2017.

Meanwhile, along with the new Vega 10 GPUs, it is also rumored that AMD will also be showcasing new GPUs based on the much advanced Vega 11 platform next year. These powerful graphics cards will be equipped with AMD's High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) technology that can outmatch the GDDR5X technology of NVIDIA. All in all, the Vega 10 and 11 GPUs are expected to have at least 4096 cores with a minimum of 128 compute units.
The ex-head of the Child Sexual Abuse Inquiry has blamed a 'relentless' media 'campaign' for undermining confidence in her leadership and forcing her to quit.

Dame Lowell Goddard has refused to appear before MPs to explain her shock resignation in person, insisting she cab better explain her position in writing.

The New Zealand judge told MPs she believed campaigners published articles in the press in the hope of dealing a 'fatal' blow to the inquiry by forcing her to become the third head to resign the post.

In an eight-page written submission to the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC), the New Zealand judge acknowledged there were 'tensions' within the inquiry team.

But amid allegations of a string of concerns about her conduct before she resigned, the judge today insisted that concerns about the quality of her leadership were never raised with her.

Dame Lowell Goddard has refused to appear before MPs to explain her shock resignation in person, insisting she cab better explain her position in writing

HASC chairwoman Yvette Cooper urged Dame Lowell to give evidence in person to the cross-party committee, to allow MPs to put 'precise and specific questions' to her.

Ms Cooper rejected the judge's argument that it was more 'effective' for her to detail her experiences in writing, insisting that oral evidence - if necessary by video link from New Zealand - was 'essential'.

Ms Cooper also rebuffed a plea from Dame Lowell's successor Alexis Jay for the committee to 'consider carefully' before calling any more members of the inquiry to give evidence.

Prof Jay warned it was 'vital' for the inquiry to concentrate on its work and maintain its independence, but Ms Cooper retorted in a letter: 'It will be for the committee to decide when and whom to call on to give further evidence.'

The Labour MP told Prof Jay: 'Given the two-year history of problems in the inquiry, it is vitally important that there is some transparency over the things that have gone wrong in the past, and the way it is working now, so people can have confidence that problems are now resolved and the work is back on track.'

In a submission sent to the committee on October 28, Dame Lowell complained she had been the victim of 'extensive, false and defamatory' media comment since her resignation, including remarks attributed to anonymous members of the HASC.

She urged Ms Cooper to investigate the 'leak of false information' from the committee to the press and warned that it would be 'unjust ... and prejudicial to me' if any of the allegations were repeated under cover of parliamentary privilege.

Dame Lowell also dismissed criticisms of her trips to New Zealand and Australia during her 18-month chairmanship, insisting that she was authorised and equipped to 'work remotely' and remained in contact with the inquiry at all times

Home Affairs committee chairwoman Yvette Cooper has urged Dame Lowell to give evidence in person to the cross-party committee, to allow MPs to cross examine her

Explaining the background to her resignation, Dame Lowell said the inquiry had been subject to 'real and increasing strain' since March from 'intensifying' media criticism.

TIMELINE: HOW THE TROUBLED INQUIRY INTO CHILD ABUSE HAS HAPPENED July 7, 2014 - Theresa May, then home secretary, announces a public inquiry with the remit of investigating whether 'state and non-state institutions' have taken seriously their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse within England and Wales. Its chairwoman will be Baroness Butler-Sloss, a retired High Court judge. July 9 - Baroness Butler-Sloss faces calls to quit due to a potential conflict of interest over a family connection. Her late brother, Sir Michael Havers, was attorney general in the 1980s. Then prime minister David Cameron stands by the appointment. July 14 - Baroness Butler-Sloss steps down. September 5 - Dame Fiona Woolf, a leading tax lawyer and then Lord Mayor of the City of London, is appointed as the new chairwoman of the inquiry. October 22 - Child sex abuse victim launches a legal challenge against Dame Fiona's appointment over her suitability for the role. She is accused of having 'close association' with Lord Leon Brittan, the late Labour peer against whom allegations of sex abuse were later dropped. October 31 - Dame Fiona quits as chairwoman. February 4, 2015 - Mrs May tells the House of Commons she is disbanding the former inquiry into child sex abuse and setting up a new statutory inquiry. Dame Lowell Goddard - described as 'one of the most respected and experienced judges in the Commonwealth' - is announced as its chairwoman. March 12 - New inquiry is set up with same remit as first. April 29 - Dame Lowell announces the inquiry will conduct a full investigation into the issues surrounding the allegations of sexual abuse against Lord Greville Janner, citing 'clear public interest' over the adequacy of institutional responses to allegations against public figures. July 9 - Dame Lowell officially opens the inquiry. October 16 - Former child protection manager Peter McKelvie resigns from the inquiry's Victims' and Survivors Consultative Panel as it is revealed that he may face questioning over his own handling of pursuing allegations of child sex abuse. November 27 - Inquiry announces its first 12 investigations and Dame Lowell says she is committed to completing the in inquiry in five years. December 19 - Lord Janner dies aged 87. March 9, 2016 - Inquiry holds first hearing on the investigation into allegations against Lord Janner. August 4 - Dame Lowell writes to Home Secretary Amber Rudd to offer her resignation citing her career and family life. Advertisement

This centred on claims of unfairness in the investigation of allegations against late Labour peer Lord Janner and 'developed into widening personal attacks on me and my competence', including reports about her extended absence overseas, she said.

By late July, the reports had had 'a damaging internal impact on the inquiry and me', said Dame Lowell, adding: 'I believe this is when the team lost their nerve about my ability to continue leading the inquiry, which I perceived to be the objective of those behind the publications.

'I considered both the impact of this campaign and the effect which I saw it to have. The allegations were false but they had already done their damage.

'I nevertheless believed that, having made the commitment to the victims and survivors, I had to continue to see it through.

'I was also very concerned that if the inquiry lost a third chair that might prove fatal for it, which was clearly what the campaigners were seeking to achieve.

'The pressure was relentless, as was the impact on panel members and all who felt deeply their responsibility to the inquiry.'

It was only after three members of the inquiry's panel came to see her on August 4 and made clear she no longer had the support of senior colleagues that she decided to quit.

Dame Lowell insisted that the decision to resign was hers alone, adding: 'There was no contact with the Home Secretary or the Home Office before I made my decision and no earlier pressure either.'

She said she regarded the decision as 'right', but she regretted not calling Home Secretary Amber Rudd personally to tender her resignation.

She said a panel member had later confirmed that the team's 'loss of confidence in my leadership' had been prompted by adverse press commentary on her performance at a preliminary hearing into Lord Janner's case on July 26. But she insisted she did not regard the criticism as 'justified'.

She added: 'I categorically deny that there was any basis for any allegation of misconduct raised, or causing, or connected to my resignation.'

Dame Lowell said she had been aware of 'natural tensions' within the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) before the August 4 meeting, but believed that they were 'not serious'.

She acknowledged that her management of the inquiry had caused 'discomfort' among members of the inquiry's expert panel - who wanted to be involved in legal, procedural and managerial decisions which she believed were for her alone.

A meeting called in March to bring panel members to 'a better understanding of their role' resulted in 'heated' discussions about the inquiry's spending and management of legal work, she said.

But she insisted that the meeting - which she did not attend - was 'successful', and denied suggestions that an external facilitator had been called in to improve her working relationship with the panel.

Dame Lowell insisted that she had 'the apparent support, both given and expressed' of the panel throughout her chairmanship, and said that members agreed that attacks on her were 'aimed at undermining me for the wider purpose of undermining the inquiry itself'.

Dame Lowell dismissed criticisms of her trips to New Zealand and Australia during her 18-month chairmanship, insisting that she was authorised and equipped to 'work remotely' and remained in contact with the inquiry at all times

No questions about the quality of her leadership were ever raised by inquiry secretary John O'Brien, she said, adding; 'At no time did he ever raise with me any matter of complaint or concern about my relationship with any staff member or about my conduct.'

Panel member Drusilla Sharpling arranged to meet a senior Home Office official in April to have 'a quiet word' about operational problems at the inquiry, said Dame Lowell. But she said she was 'certain' that no complaints about her leadership were raised at the meeting, as these would have to have been escalated to the Home Office's permanent secretary Mark Sedwill.
'I love my son and all, but we both need escapes,' Ross Harris texted a young woman on the hot morning of June 18, 2014.

Ten minutes later he arrived at his Home Depot office in Marietta, Georgia, where he locked his toddler son Cooper in the car and headed inside. Seven hours later 22-month-old Cooper would be dead of hyperthermia as temperatures in the vehicle soared.

Harris, 35, claims he forgot his son was in the car. But in cross examination on Wednesday, prosecutor Chuck Boring told the court Harris sent that message referencing his son just minutes before he left him in the family SUV.

Boring was questioning Billy Kirkpatrick, who told jurors he was 'best friends' with Harris. He and several other friends testified that Harris told them he was having problems with a pornography obsession.

I saw him struggle with sexual sin,' Kirkpatrick said. 'He and I would have conversations' about what his issues were.

Justin Ross Harris in court Wednesday. Several of his friends testified that Harris told them he was having problems with a pornography obsession

Billy Kirkpatrick told jurors he was 'best friends' with Harris

Kirkpatrick is involved with a ministry at his Alabama church that helps men who are engaged in risky or extramarital sexual behavior.

Kirkpatrick helped Harris deal with his pornography problems as an 'accountability partner using Covenant Eyes, a software program which flags questionable websites on Harris computers. He noticed websites such as Adult Friend-finder and Ashley Madison had appeared on Harris computer.

But Harris didnt talk much about that, Kirkpatrick said.

Given the nature of our relationship and what I expected of him, he knew I would be disappointed. He knew what my expectations were for him. I think he would've been humiliated, he said.

'Low testosterone was a big issue, for Harris and his wife, Kirkpatrick went on. It made it hard for them to be intimate.

Kirkpatrick seemed remorseful as he said, 'For my part, I did not do what I should have done. I didnt deal with it as aggressively as I should have.

Kirkpatrick read an email from Harris that confessed he needed his help with his struggle with pornography. The email closed with, And yes, Leanna knows.

Harris said he was getting counseling, he said, adding the married father-of-one was very outgoing.

He never shuts up. He goes to a Mexican restaurant and suddenly he's perfectly fluent in Spanish with the waitress. If there is a guitar anywhere within 20 yards, he will find it and play it. Not just play it, but play it in your face,' Kirkpatrick explained.

He loved being the center of attention. Always the life of the party.

Boring asked if he knew his friend had texted the young woman saying 'I love my son and all, but we both need escapes' in the moments before he locked his child in the car.

I didn't know that, Kirkpatrick answered.

Nathaniel Coyle told the court he attended Stonebridge Church in Marietta and was in a 'small group' along with Harris and his wife. Harris confessed his obsession with pornography to other men in the group  and even asked for prayer.

Nathaniel Coyle told the court he attended Stonebridge Church in Marietta and was in a 'small group' along with Harris and his wife

Photographs of Harris and his son Cooper have been shown to the jury this week

The group met twice a month on Monday nights at the church and would discuss that week's sermon or books they were reading, as well as individual prayer needs, he said.

The large group routinely divided into separate circles for men and women, and thats when Coyle said Harris 'brought up that up that Leanna had found some pornography on his computer.'

He confessed he was having problems staying away from porn. Coyle said.

Harris told the men Leanna intended to share his pornography addiction to the women's circle and asked the men's group to pray for him, Coyle testified.

He said he had no knowledge of his church friend's sexual exploits with a prostitute or sexting other women during performances with the church praise band where he played guitar.

Michael Simmons knew Harris from a high school bible study in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

He told the court he wished he had known about Harris' problems with pornography and infidelity.

"If that had happened to me, I know he would have been there for me," Simmons said.

Simmons said he was unaware Harris had been sexting underage girls or consorting with prostitutes.

Simmons didn't consider Harris to be a 'risk taker.

Prosecutor Chuck Boring suggested that Harris was taking enormous risks by having sex with prostitutes and sexting with strangers.

'That would not be in line with the Ross that I know." Simmons replied.

On Tuesday Harris' ex-wife Leanna detailed the couple's struggles. She told the court how doctors discovered Harris had low levels of testosterone and prescribed testosterone injections and patches earlier in their marriage. He improved over time, she said.

What Taylor didn't know was that her husband was using Skype and Craigslist to set up meetings with men and women in the following years.

'That was a part of his personality that he did not share with me,' she said.

'He ruined my life,' Leanna Taylor (right) told the court Tuesday when defense attorney Maddox Kilgore asked her how she felt about her former husband (left) now

Ross Harris in a photo he sent to wife Leanna, which the jury saw on Tuesday

Taylor, who now lives in northern Alabama, was asked by defense attorney Maddox Kilgore how she felt about her former husband.

'He ruined my life,' Taylor said. 'He destroyed my life. I'm humiliated. I may never trust anyone again, because of the things he did.

'If I never seem him again after this day, that would be fine,' she said. as her testimony concluded.

Harris faces life in jail if found guilty.

Taylor's remarks on Tuesday wrapped up her testimony for her ex-husband in the death of their son Cooper

Jurors have already heard how he had a 'double life' - a life that included multiple sex partners, a prostitute and an obsession with sexting other women and exchanging graphic images of genitals.

On Tuesday Taylor also confirmed she had conversations with her former husband about children being left in cars.

Harris' brother - a police officer - also took to the stand Tuesday.

Michael Baygents told the court that Harris was fond of speaking in 'ten-codes' commonly used by police officers on day-to-day radio communications, his brother testified Tuesday.

Baygents is a veteran police officer in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where Harris also worked for a time as a police radio dispatcher.

'I don't do it when I'm off duty,' Baygents joked, but his brother liked using it in everyday conversation. Harris' fondness for the codes was 'quirky and annoying, he said.

Ross liked 'legal jargon and cop talk,' he continued, and recalled a time when Harris was showing him around the Home Depot office where he worked.

'He pointed to a room and said, "This is where we do 10-7." It was the break room,' Baygents said with a smile.

Taylor wept in court on Monday. She told the jury that the couple had 'sexually related' intimacy problems in the early years of their marriage

Harris pictured with his son in video shown to the jury

Last week investigators questioned Harris' use of legal language when he was being interrogated in the hours after Cooper's death. Harris insisted there was no 'malicious intent', which lead detective Phil Stoddard said was a phrase he never mentioned.

A second detective, Paul Raissi, who was sitting in the police department's 'box' during the exchange, said the comments struck him as strange and spurred him to record Harris' conversation with Stoddard.

Harris' brother Baygents said he was ashamed of his brother's actions, which prosecutor Chuck Boring called a 'dark' dimension to Harris' life.

'You would agree, as a law enforcement officer, you come across people who portray themselves in one light, or somebody you think is a great person, yet they still commit horrible acts?' Boring asked.

'Sometimes yes,' Baygents said.

'You would agree that sometimes it may be the last person you'd expect who violates a child or commits a crime?

That's true,' Baygents said.

Harris sobbed as his sibling testified.

But while he found his brother's actions troubling, Baygents said 'I think he loved Cooper more than life itself.'

He was kind to him. He played with him. He was very attentive. That was his little buddy, Baygents said, adding that his brother appeared to be a loving husband who treated his wife well.

Since this has happened, you realized there was another side to your brother. Would you agree with that? Boring asked.
The teenage girl who Anthony Weiner had an online sexual relationship with said she is 'upset' with FBI director James Comey following his public announcement about the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails.

The girl, who was 15 when the sexting relationship occurred and is now 16 years old, said she found out through the media that her case was tied to the investigation into Clinton's private email server.

The teenager said she is aggravated that her case was pushed into the national spotlight when Comey went public with the latest investigation into Clinton's emails, after he announced on Friday that the FBI was investigating emails found on on a laptop seized during the investigation into Weiner.

'The FBI asked for me to speak to the media as little as possible. I have tried to stay quiet, but Comey has upset me,' the teenager told BuzzFeed News. 'The last thing that I wanted was to have this become political propaganda.'

The emails were discovered on a private computer of Weiner and his estranged wife, top Clinton aide Huma Abedin after investigators started a probe when DailyMail.com exclusively reported that the disgraced politician carried on a months-long online relationship with the 15-year-old high school girl.

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The teenage girl who Anthony Weiner allegedly had a sexual online relationship with is 'upset' with FBI's James Comey. She claims she found out through the media that her case was tied to the investigation into Clinton's private email server

She said she's aggravated Comey pushed her case into the national spotlight after the FBI told her 'to speak to the media as little as possible'

The girl said that she was informed of the investigation on Friday after she completed an hours-long interview with the FBI.

Following the interview, a reporter called her to ask her to comment on Comey's announcement.

The teen's father told Buzzfeed news that he is 'angry that the local folks had interviewed my daughter for six hours that same day about intimate details from her previous interactions with a pervert and then released the story of Weiner's server before we could drive home from the site where she was interviewed.'

He added that he believes that the FBI agents investigating his daughter's case were unaware that Comey was announcing the resurgence into Clinton's emails until they read about it in the media.

The teenager, now 16, and her father said they are not supporters of Donald Trump, with the girl saying she is a 'big fan' of the Clintons

He said that following the announcement, agents contacted him to ask if he and his daughter were okay.

Members of the media, however, had contacted the family before the FBI contact checked in on them.

The teenager and her father said they are not supporters of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, with the girl saying she is a 'big fan' of the Clintons.

Her father voted early for Clinton, but said he is regretting his decision in recent days.

'With the recent developments with my daughter, I can say that I would likely not have voted for either of these clowns if I had it to do over again,' he told Buzzfeed News. 'How do you not know who works for you? How could you have so many sleazeballs close to you?'

The girl said that she's been feeling 'confused' since news of the FBI investigation came to fruition.

'I was having self-esteem issues when this whole thing started with Anthony Weiner,' the teenager said. 'Now as a result of my frailty, this could take down the United States presidential election. I mean, come on, who's in charge of America?'

In the messages, which were obtained by the Dailymail.com, Weiner repeatedly complimented the girl's body, told her that she made him 'hard'. He also sent the girl a selfie from a hot tub

Weiner and the girl used several anonymous messaging apps, like the one pictured above, where every line of text - and the sender's name - disappear after the message is opened. In one message he told he would 'bust that tight p***y so hard'

The message continues, and Weiner says he would bust that tight p***y so hard and so often that you would leak and limp for a week'. Weiner began talking to the girl in January, after she messaged him on Twitter

The FBI, the New York Police Department, and US attorneys in New York and North Carolina opened investigations into Weiner's conduct in late September, after DailyMail.com exclusively reported on September 21 that the former politician carried on a months-long online relationship with a 15-year-old high school girl.

Weiner exchanged flirtatious and sexually-charged messages the teen for months after the girl struck up a conversation with him on Twitter in January.

Weiner told the girl he woke up 'hard' after thinking about her, sent her shirtless photos, and complimented her body. He also encouraged her to talk to him on the video-chat application Skype.

The girl alleged that during these Skype conversations, Weiner asked her to get undressed and touch herself. She claimed he also asked her to dress up in school girl outfits and pretend he was her teacher and brought up 'rape fantasies.'

Weiner issued a statement to the Dailymail.com apologizing for 'repeatedly demonstrate[ing] terrible judgment about the people I have communicated with online and the things I have sent.'
Unrepentant Lily Allen faced a huge backlash after apologising to a 13-year-old boy in Calais 'on behalf of my country' - but said it is her duty to speak out about injustice.

The pop star was reduced to tears during a BBC interview with teenager Shamsher Sherin, who has since arrived in Britain from The Jungle migrant camp.

The pop star was reduced to tears while speaking to teenager Shamsher Sherin in Calais, and said she apologised 'on behalf of my country' for his ordeal

Allen, 31, said during a filmed segment for the Victoria Derbyshire show: 'It just seems that at three different intervals in this young boy's life, the English in particular have put you in danger.'

She later went further by comparing British foreign policy to the evils of ISIS, writing on Twitter: 'Isis kill innocent people by the way, they cause horrific pain and destruction across the world, so do we. I'm sorry for that.'

Her comments sparked a barrage of criticism, but Allen said she felt 'empowered' by the strong feelings her thoughts provoked.

Allen, who was reduced to tears during the interview, said the backlash made her feel empowered

Speaking to Radio 1's Annie Mac, she branded the controversy 'necessary', and said she felt duty-bound to speak out.

Allen told the BBC: 'It's sad that there are so many people within our society that are so fearful of minority groups or of vulnerable people.

'When I talk openly about those things I'm not setting out to inspire people, it's because I'm usually talking about or trying to highlight a situation I believe in and usually where vulnerable people are concerned.

'I knew full well there was going to be a fallout from the mainstream media but I feel empowered by it, rather than upset by it.'

She also believes there is a tendency among many in the public eye to stay quiet about politics because they fear damaging their careers.

Allen stated: 'If you want to make millions of pounds and please everyone you won't say anything, but if you want to make changes and the only way to do it is to talk - and to do it in your music.'

Shamsher arrived in Britain on October 19

Referring to the social media platform she uses to voice her opinions, Allen said: 'There's a good chance that what I do say will end up helping some people, so why wouldn't I do that?'

Shamsher arrived at an immigration centre in Croydon, south London, along with a number of other child refugees from the Calais Jungle migrant camp on October 19.

The 14 youngsters who arrived in Britain were taken to temporary foster homes, where they will stay until social workers have interviewed their British-based relatives to ensure their homes are safe for them to live in.

Shamsher left Afghanistan about nine months ago and began a gruelling six-month trek halfway across the globe.

He walked most of the journey, but he also used about 5,400 to take buses, motorbikes and cars as he travelled through Pakistan, Iraq, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Austria and Italy before finally arriving in France three months ago.

The teenager was one of between 800 and 1,000 unaccompanied children in the shantytown left facing an uncertain future when it is bulldozed this month.

'I'm so worried about that,' he previously said. 'Where will we go?'

Shamsher said his father, Hazrat Gul Sherin, went on ahead of him to set up a home for the family, and now lives in Birmingham.
A Tory MP dismissed plans to help boost the number of female MPs as 'tokenistic claptrap'.

MPs were debating the 'Good Parliament report,' which recommends sweeping reforms to tackle sexism in Westminster.

It includes proposals to allow MPs to breastfeed in the House of Commons, introduce mandatory female quotas, installing gender-neutral toilets, introducing a creche and also suggestions for job-share MPs.

But Philip Davies, Conservative MP for Shipley, said the reforms would make Parliament 'less accountable,' adding: 'It would be certainly better titled the "politically-correct Parliament report".

Tory MP Philip Davies (pictured today) dismissed plans to help boost the number of female MPs as 'tokenistic claptrap'

'You dont need to be patronising to women - women are more than capable of rising to the top,' he told MPs campaigning for quotas.

Parliament should be instead be focusing on increasing the number of working class MPs, Mr Davies said.

He told a debate in the House of Commons today: I couldnt care less whether every single MP in Parliament was a woman, if every position in Parliament was held by a woman or if everybody in the Cabinet was a woman  its of no interest to me.

'As far as Im concerned, as long as theyre there on merit its irrelevant to me what the gender of anybody is.

'We should be gender blind as far as Im concerned.'

Mr Davies dismissed a passionate case put by SNP MP Kirsty Blackman for radical reform to make Parliament more family-friendly.

SNP MP Kirsty Blackman (pictured in the debate today) called on MPs to adopt radical reforms to make Parliament more family friendly

MPs were debating the 'Good Parliament report,' which recommends sweeping reforms to tackle sexism in Westminster

Endorsing the 'Good Parliament report,' written by Professor Sarah Childs from Bristol University, she demanded Parliament gives mothers like her more help with juggling their work-life balance.

Ms Blackman, 30, was reprimanded by Commons authorities for bringing her children to a committee hearing.

She wants Parliament to open a creche to help with childcare, more toilets to accommodate the increasing number of female MPs and wants to cut the number of anti-social hours in the Commons.

But Mr Davies told her that last year MPs only sat for 158 days and voters would complain if MPs were in Parliament even less.

The report, which has been endorsed by Speaker John Bercow, said allowing MPs to breastfeed in the House of Commons would be a 'symbolic' move that would set an example for the rest of society to follow.

Female MPs should be allowed to breastfeed in the House of Commons, a report backed by Speaker John Bercow (pictured) has said

Earlier this year Mr Bercow pledged to pursue the changes as he hit out at Parliament for being 'lazy' in reforming its 'antiquated practices and prejudice'.

The report also recommends installing transgender toilets to tackle 'gender insensitivities' in the Commons and calls for more portraits of women to be hung around Parliament to promote the role of women in British politics.

Current Commons requires MPs to be dead for a decade before paintings of them can be put up in the Palace.

In 2001, the then Commons Speaker Baroness Boothroyd (pictured) set a precedent by rejecting the idea of breastfeeding in the Commons, telling MPs: 'You wouldn't start feeding your child if you worked on a supermarket check-out or if you were a solicitor having a meeting with a client'

In other recommendations, the report suggests relaxing the rules on formal dress for men, which requires male MPs to wear a suit and tie in the chamber.

It says the Commons should ditch the rule because there is no 'equivalent level of formality' for women.

Allowing breastfeeding in the Commons would mark a a significant change in approach in the Commons.

Before now the Commons has wanted to follow society, rather than the other way around.

In 2001, the then Commons Speaker Baroness Boothroyd set a precedent by rejecting the idea of breastfeeding in the Commons, telling MPs: 'You wouldn't start feeding your child if you worked on a supermarket check-out or if you were a solicitor having a meeting with a client.'

When ministers were asked to change the rules last November, campaigning MPs were told the 'Betty Boothroyd test' still applied.

Deputy leader of the Commons Therese Coffey said: 'This is a work place, it isn't something people that enjoy wider than that and I do not believe there is a big view in the House to make that shift.'

But as he welcomed the report earlier this year, Mr Bercow said allowing MPs to breastfeed would paint the Commons as a 'role-model parent friendly institution' and it could encourage the rest of society to follow by its example.
Pair announce new oil and gas partnership as they herald new era in relations between Colombia and UK

Colombia delivered another Brexit boost to Theresa May today as president Juan Manuel Santos said his country was ready to open trade talks with the UK.

He met the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in London today to herald a new era in relations between Colombia and the UK.

Mrs May said South American countries like Colombia offered new opportunities to help Britain become a 'global champion of free trade' as it prepares to leave the EU.

Mr Santos said Colombia was ready to 'pursue new opportunities' with the UK as the Brexit process unfolds.

The pair announced a new oil and gas partnership and a new double taxation agreement aimed at helping businesses in the two countries.

Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos (pictured being shown Winston Churchill's seat in the Cabinet War Room in London by Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson today) said Colombia was ready to 'pursue new opportunities' with the UK as Brexit unfolds

Colombia delivered another Brexit boost to Theresa May today as president Juan Manuel Santos said his country was ready to open trade talks with the UK. Pictured, the pair give a joint press conference in Downing Street today

Mrs May said the UK has been the third largest foreign investor in Colombia over the past decade and the trading relationship was worth 1 billion last year.

She said: 'As the UK prepares to leave the EU, I am determined that Britain should become the global champion of free trade, and that means boosting trade with fast-growing economies like Colombia.

'I want to see even more British companies and investors taking up the opportunities that Colombia offers.

'And I want Colombian businesses to see the UK as a leading hub for finance, innovation, research and development.'

The talks at Number 10, on the second day of Mr Santos's state visit to the UK, saw the announcement of a new oil and gas partnership.

The two leaders also announced a new double taxation agreement to help businesses and employees in both countries.

Theresa May said South American countries like Colombia offered new opportunities to help Britain become a 'global champion of free trade' as it prepares to leave the EU. Pictured, the PM shakes the hand of Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos in Downing Street today

Maria Clemencia de Santos, the wife of the Colombian president, and her daughter Maria Antonia (pictured together, left) joined the state visit to the UK today, along with the country's foreign minister Maria Angela Holguin (pictured right outside the Foreign Office in central London today)

And the Prime Minister promised 1 billion in UK export finance to encourage investment in healthcare and energy projects.

Bringing together the cities of Aberdeen and Barranquilla, the new oil and gas partnership will share best practice in areas like regulation, supply chain development and training.

The Prime Minister and president also discussed how the UK can support efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement in Colombia, following last month's referendum which narrowly rejected Mr Santos's deal to end conflict with Farc guerrillas.

Mrs May promised a further 7.5 million to support efforts to remove landmines and the international monitoring mission in Colombia.

The UK will also invest up to 25 million in urban development, agriculture, services and transport, which Mrs May claimed could improve the lives of more than three million people affected by the conflict and create export opportunities worth around 6 billion for British firms.

Theresa May (pictured greeting Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos at Downing Street today) said the UK has been the third largest foreign investor in Colombia over the past decade and the trading relationship was worth 1 billion last year

She also promised advice on the peace process, based on the UK's own experiences in Northern Ireland.

Mr Santos, who welcomed the 'key role' played by the UK in the search for peace, highlighted the business opportunities available in his country.

Colombia, along with Chile, Peru and Mexico, is in the Pacific Alliance free trade bloc and represented 'a huge opportunity for British business'.

'As the UK negotiation process with the European Union unfolds, we stand ready to pursue new opportunities to consolidate our status as trading partners,' he said.

Nick Hurd, minister for Industry and Climate Change, signed an agreement with Colombia for a 20 million joint-funded bio-economy research programme to develop new drugs, medicines, fertilisers and pollution-tackling products.

Juan Manuel Santos (pictured in Downing Street today) said Colombia was ready to 'pursue new opportunities' with the UK as the Brexit process unfolds

Mr Hurd described the agreement as 'a significant moment in our relationship giving our world-leading researchers and scientists the opportunity to work closely with Colombian counterparts tackling global challenges, addressing developmental issues and unlocking the full potential of Colombia's biodiverse geography'.

The Colombia Bio programme will tap into economic and scientific opportunities in isolated regions affected by the long-running conflict with guerrilla groups in the country, he said.

The UK has already pledged to provide 45 million to tackle deforestation in Colombia.
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As the holiday season approaches, many families will be starting to get excited about festive feasts and treats.

But parents in some of the poorest parts of the world are more concerned with feeding their children at all.

Their plight has been highlighted in a new photography exhibition at London's Leica Gallery in Mayfair, supported by charity Action Against Hunger.

It features pictures taken by photojournalists Andrew Parsons and Ben Stevens, who visited areas of huge deprivation including Nepal, South Sudan and Mali.

Charity Action Against Hunger sent photojournalists to some of the most deprived parts of the world to raise awareness of child hunger and poverty. Pictured is Nyibel Deng Akol, aged 18 months, who is noticeably underweight and cared for at a charity-run centre in South Sudan after her father was killed in fighting

South Sudan has a long history of civil war, leaving children like this young boy, pictured, in desperate need of treatment for malnutrition with 2.5million people expected to face a food crisis between now and March due to depleted stocks

This child in South Sudan is being taken to a treatment centre to be weighed and measured to check whether he has malnutrition. It is one of many shocking images that will make up an exhibition at the Leica Gallery in London

Mr Parsons said: ' Visiting communities supported by Action Against Hunger has enabled me to photograph the horrendous hunger and suffering that still exists around the world.

'My reliable Leica M-System enabled me to document the communities unobtrusively, in a natural and authentic way.

'I am thrilled to be able to exhibit this project at the Leica Gallery, bringing the subject to new audiences, and highlighting the invaluable work of the charity, which continues to improve many millions of lives every year.'

It comes as Action Against Hunger launches a new coalition to double the number of severely malnourished children reaching life-saving treatments by 2020.

Charity workers and medics are pictured measuring a girl in the village of Gogrial, South Sudan, checking her for malnutrition

Those children who are starving in South Sudan are often given multi-vitamin tablets, pictured, to improve their health

Many children in South Sudan are currently being held in relative safety at the Man Awan displacement camp, pictured

Action Against Hunger has been working in humanitarian aid for 40 years across 50 countries, helping ensure people in deprived areas can access clean water, food and healthcare. Pictured is the Man Awan Camp in South Sudan

The journalists chose those locations to highlight the difficulties families are going through.

Many in Nepal are still struggling to feed, clothe and shelter their loved ones following the 2015 earthquake, while South Sudan has endured decades of devastating civil wars.

Action Against Hunger has recently launched a ground-breaking plan in Mali - another country with a history of violent clashes - aiming to provide children with life-saving treatment for malnutrition.

Action Against Hunger has been working in humanitarian aid for 40 years across 50 countries, helping ensure people in deprived areas can access clean water, food and healthcare.

The charity has teamed up with UNICEF, the EU, the Department for International Development and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation on projects aiming to save millions of lives of some of the most vulnerable children in the world.

Mr Parsons a multi-award-winning photojournalist best known for his behind-the-scenes political images of former Prime Minister David Cameron, and Boris Johnson when Mayor of London.

Abut Kuot, left, weeps next to her son Garang, right, three, who is being treated for malnutrition at Aweil Stabilisation Centre in South Sudan, which is run by Action Against Hunger

Meanwhile in Nepal families are still recovering from the devastating 2015 earthquake that wreaked destruction. Pictured left is Kaili Maya Sherpa, 57, from Tatopani, near the Chinese border, with her grandson Nima Sherpa, five, who lost her home in the disaster while right is Samshana Koju, 26 with her 10-month-old twins Ramanika (white and orange jumper) and Samanika Koju (red shirt) on the ward at the Siddhi Memorial Hospital in Bhaktapur, Nepal after also losing their home

The disaster in Nepal killed nearly 9,000 people and left 3.5 million people homeless. Pictured are villagers in Bode dismantling a wrecked house brick-by-brick

Communities such as one in Bungmati, Nepal, pictured, are now going through the lengthy process of restoring their damaged homes and buildings to return to normal life

He is currently documenting Prime Minister Theresa May in her first months in office and has regularly snapped the Royal Family on official engagements.

The photographer has also covered several wars and has taken photos of military action in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon and Bosnia.

Mr Parsons has also been announced as a new ambassador for German camera firm Leica.

He added: 'It's an honour and a privilege to have been asked to be a Leica Ambassador.

'Leica is always my first choice in sensitive situations, whether that be fly-on-the-wall images of Prime Ministers or documenting the human face of poverty.'

Mr Stevens began his career in regional newspapers before moving to London to work for i-Images. He has worked for Action Against Hunger on projects in the Middle East and Mali.
Hillary Clinton's senior State Department aides never gave their computers and smartphones to federal investigators for examination as part of the probe into the Democratic presidential nominee's emails  because the FBI never asked for them.

That left the government with an incomplete picture of emails from Clinton that top campaign official Huma Abedin possessed.

The FBI relied on her lawyers to give them relevant information, and the lawyers counted on Abedin to remember which devices to give them.

Republican lawmakers are asking pointed questions about the FBI's omissions, Politico reported on Wednesday.

Email-investigating FBI agents never demanded laptops and smartphones from Hillary Clinton's State Department aides including Huma Abedin, now a top Clinton campaign official

FBI Director James Comey's agents relied on Abedin's lawyers to give them Clinton-related files, and the lawyers trusted Abedin to hand over her laptops and phones

The FBI did try to seize Clinton's homebrew private email server, and asked her lawyers for the laptop computers she used to access it.

But 'no one was asked for devices by the FBI' other than the former secretary of state herself, a source with knowledge of the process told the inside-the-beltway political newspaper.

As a result, the FBI had no way of knowing for sure whether the emails Clinton's attorneys handed over last year were the only ones that were work-related  and might contain classified information.

Republicans on Capitol Hill have been pointedly critical of how the bureau handled the investigation, and of director James Comey's July 5 announcement that 'no reasonable prosecutor' would charge Clinton with committing a crime in the scandal.

They have begun to hint at arguing that federal prosecutors and the FBI played political favorites in an election year  not just by concluding that Clinton didn't violate the U.S. Espionage Act, but by conducting a lackadaisical investigation in the first place.

'The more we learn about the FBI's initial investigation into Secretary Clinton's unauthorized use of a private email server, the more questions we have about the thoroughness of the investigation and the administration's conclusion to not prosecute her for mishandling classified information,' said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, wrote in a letter that the FBI had dragged its feet in leaving valuable investigative tools unused in the Clinton probe.

Anthony Weiner (left), Abedin's estranged husband, is under a teen-sexting invvestigation and his laptop was found to contain emails related to the Clinton case

'If the FBI is denied the ability to gather evidence through compulsory means, Secretary Clinton and her aides have enormous leverage to negotiate extraordinary concessions in exchange for voluntary cooperation,' Grassley wrote.

'It is critical for the public to know whether the FBI has requested from the Justice Department vital investigative tools such as grand jury subpoenas and search warrants and whether it has been denied access to them.'

Laptop computers used by Clinton's top aides became front-and-center exhibits last week when Comey told congressional committee leaders that his office was re-opening the probe, based on 650,000 emails found on a PC belonging to the estranged husband of Clinton deputy Huma Abedin.

Abedin's wayward spouse, former Democratic congressman Anthony Weiner, entered a sex-addiction therapy clinic this week after he was caught on numerous occasions sending lurid Internet messages to other women  and to a 15-year-old girl.

As part of an investigation into that relationship, the FBI found a treasure trove of messages on Weiner's laptop  including an unexpected bonanza of Clinton'related messages.

Abedin says she doesn't know how the messages got there. Like other top aides from Clinton's time running the State Department, she was never asked to surrender computers that were used to access Clinton's private email server  on which she herself had an account until early 2009.

During an FBI interview in April, and again during a deposition in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit in June, Abedin said said she had in fact given her lawyers every computer or other device that she thought might contain material related to the State Department.

Hillary Clinton faces new questions about classified emails as she runs for president

If she were unaware her husband's laptop also held such data, she wouldn't have thought to surrender it to her attorneys.

'I looked for all the devices that may have any of my State Department work on it and ... gave them to my attorneys for them to review for all relevant documents. And gave them devices and paper,' Abedin said in the deposition.
Jailed: Taxi driver Zaharul Hoque, 47, pictured outside court

A taxi driver has been jailed after he dragged a young female passenger into his cab and tried to make her perform a sex act on him.

Zaharul Hoque, 47, grabbed the woman and forced her back into the taxi after taking her home from a night out in Atherstone, Warwickshire, last April.

Giving evidence, the victim said she feared she would be raped and 'end up in a ditch' when he tried to undo his belt in the vehicle.

He also made lewd suggestions which were captured in a mobile phone audio recording made by the victim.

After the assault the driver repeatedly phoned the victim, trying to persuade her to not 'complain' and 'let him off this time'.

Hoque, from Birmingham, was sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of sexual assault at Warwick Crown Court.

Sentencing, Judge Sylvia de Bertodano said young women who take taxis alone are in a 'vulnerable position' and that he 'took advantage of her being on her own'.

The court heard how Hoque picked up the woman and her group of friends after a night out.

The victim asked to be dropped off early after Hoque stroked her leg and said she would walk the rest of the way home.

Some 10 minutes later Hoque pulled up beside her and apologied, offering to take her home. The victim initially refused but eventually agreed after Hoque persisted.

The jury heard how Hoque asked for a kiss when he dropped her off near her home.

Giving evidence, the young woman said: 'I went to get my keys out, and I turned round, and he'd come from the back of the taxi. He was just there out of nowhere.

The victim told Warwickshire Crown Court (pictured) how she feared she would be raped and 'end up in a ditch' when he tried to undo his belt in the vehicle

'He tried to give me a kiss and grabbed me by the head. He was just generally touching me. His hands were all over me.

'Next thing, he's just pushed me towards the taxi door, and the next thing I knew he's opened the door and I was inside and he was doing something with the doors.

'I was scared, I didn't know whether he was going to rape me. He started trying to undo his belt, and I was thinking I don't know if I'm going to end up in a ditch.'

Sobbing as she continued with her evidence, she added: 'I didn't know whether I was going to get out of there.'

Next thing, he's just pushed me towards the taxi door, and the next thing I knew he's opened the door and I was inside and he was doing something with the doors. I was scared, I didn't know whether he was going to rape me The victim giving evidence

The court heard how the woman struggled and eventually escaped from the car. She ran home where she phoned Atherstone Taxis to complain.

The jury heard she then had the first of three calls from Hoque, pleading: 'I do apologise. Do me a favour, don't complain me. I do apologise, I do apologise. Let me off this time.'

There were two further calls and prosecutor Walter Bealby told the jury 'they amount, in effect, to an admission by the defendant that he acted inappropriately.'

Hoque denied sexual assault but was found guilty following a trial. He was handed the prison sentence and ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

Judge Sylvia de Bertodano told Hoque: 'Young women who get into taxis on their own are in a vulnerable position and have to feel they can trust the taxi driver.

'If taxi drivers behave to female customers in this way, they will be very badly affected. In her impact statement she said she feels depressed and gets flashbacks.

'It is a serious ordeal going through it again in court. She is a very courageous young woman.
Nery Carvajal Gonzalez, 49, was sentenced to 40 months behind bars for mutilating the man in Hialeah near Miami last year

A Miami hairdresser has been jailed for injecting a 55-year-old man with fillers to make his penis 'thicker and longer'.

Nery Carvajal Gonzalez, 49, was sentenced to 40 months behind bars for mutilating the man in Hialeah near Miami last year.

He turned to her for a cheap alternative when he couldn't afford a penile implant from a doctor but was left disfigured and without a functioning penis.

She pleaded guilty to practicing medicine without a license on Wednesday.

Carvajal Gonzalez met the man at her hairdresser job where he used to visit her for facials.

She gave him butt injections first, the results of which he was so happy with that he later asked her for a penis enlargement last summer.

She carried out the botched injections in a warehouse, Click Orlando reported.

The man's body however became deformed. When he complained, she directed him to disgraced doctor Mark Schreiber, 61, who lost his license for misconduct years earlier.

Schreiber, it is alleged, told the man he would remove the fillers but mutilated him even further.

The victim said he woke up after being put to sleep with pills to find his penis reduced to just 1-inch in length, swollen and raw.

She carried out the procedures in this warehouse in Hialeah near Miami last year

Carvajal Gonzalez is seen (above right) appearing before a judge (left) via videolink with the help of a translator (inset)

Instead the woman directed the victim to disgraced doctor Mark Schreiber (left) who lost his license for botched plastic surgeries in 2006

It was covered in blood-soaked bandages when he awoke, he claimed, and he is now not able to have sex.

Prosecutors refused to show photographs of his disfigured member in court because they were too graphic.

The woman fled to Colombia but was arrested upon her return last August.

As part of her plea deal, Carvajal Gonzalez agreed to testify against him. He has previous convictions for similar offences.

At the time the victim said he thought the procedure was legitimate.

'To be honest, it looked professional.

'I kind of trusted it for a while and I was trying to solve a problem. If I go to a professional doctor, it would cost me a lot of money to repair, and I didn't have the money,' he told Local 10 last year.
Prior to the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show, Joya de Nicaragua announced the new Joya Black. The Joya Black introduced the first branded Joya de Nicaragua San Andres wrapper offering. Joya Black is the second installment of the Joya line. It was back in 2014 when Joya de Nicaragua launched the Joya line with the Joya Red. The Joya line was meant to bridge Joya de Nicaraguas rich history with the modern contemporary cigar enthusiast in mind. Joya de Nicaragua has built a reputation for more powerful smokes with such offerings as the 1970 Antano and the Antano Dark Corojo, however with Joya Red it was positioned as a milder offering. While Joya Black is not as mild, but its still relatively dialed back from the powerhouse smokes Joya de Nicaragua has become known for. Recently, Ive had an opportunity to smoke the Joya Black in the Toro size. Overall, I found this to be an outstanding offering added to the Joya de Nicaragua portfolio.

Shortly after the launch of Joya Black, Joya de Nicaragua announced it was moving its two-tone wrapper Cabinetta Serie offering into the Joya portfolio. The cigar received new packaging and was rebranded the Joya Cabinetta.

Now we turn our attention to the Joya Black Toro and see what this cigar brings to the table.

Blend Profile

When Joya Black was announced, Joya de Nicaragua Factory Manager Mario Perez explained how the blend came to be. This is Joya de Nicaraguas first cigar to feature a Mexican San Andres Negro wrapper. We have had these wrappers available for some time and we wanted to create a blend with rich Nicaraguan tobacco, yet without the overpowering strength.

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Country of Origin: Nicaragua (Joya de Nicaragua SA)

Vitolas Available

The Joya Black line is offered in four sizes. Each of the four sizes are offered in 20 count boxes.

Robusto: 5 1/4 x 50

Doble Robusto: 5 x 56

Toro: 6 x 52

Nocturno: 6 1/4 x 46

Appearance

The Mexican San Andres wrapper of the Joya Black has a dark espresso bean color to it. Upon closer examination some darker marbling can be seen on the surface. While there were some thin visible veins, the wrappers dark coloring does a good job at hiding the wrapper seams. There is a light coating of oil on the surface. Overall this wrapper wasnt as rugged compared to other San Andres wrappers.

Like Joya Red, the band of Joya Black has a contemporary look theme. The band is mostly black and has a dark gray and silver pattern for its trim around the edges. This trim is also accented with some metallic blue. The band says JOYA in large white font. Just below that is the text Black in white cursive font with a small metallic blue stripe. Below that text is a silver Joya de Nicaragua leaf logo. Across the top is the text is the text FABRICA JOYA DE NICARAGUA SA in small gray font. Toward the bottom is the text HECHO A MANO en ESTELI  also in small gray font. On the far right side of the band is a group of silver medallions and adornments in landscape mode with the gray font text EST 1968.

The back of the band has the text SHARE YOUR JOYA BLACK (with Joya Black in cursive) along with some social media icons and with the Joya de Nicaragua URL  www.joyacigars.com.

Preparation for the Cigar Experience

As I normally do, I started my experience with the Joya Black Toro with a straight cut. Once the cap was clipped, I moved on to the pre-light draw phase. The cold draw delivered a mix of coffee, maduro sweetness (a cross between natural tobacco and dried fruit) and classic wood. Overall I considered the pre-light draw of this cigar to be satisfactory. At this point I was ready to light up the Joya Black Toro and see what the smoking experience would have in store.

Flavor Profile

The start of the Joya Black Toro picked up where the pre-light draw left off. The cigar delivered more notes of coffee, maduro sweetness, and classic wood. I also detected some notes of white pepper. The maduro sweetness became the primary note early on with the coffee, pepper, and classic wood secondary. There was also an additional layer of white pepper on the retro-hale that varied between being dull and sharp throughout the smoking experience.

Later in the first third, the coffee notes joined the maduro sweetness in the forefront. As the Joya Black Toro moved through the second third, the maduro sweetness began to dial back. The coffee notes remained in the forefront and at times demonstrated some dark chocolate qualities. The pepper remained in the background and the classic wood transitioned to more of a cedar note.

Toward the end of the second third, the cedar and pepper spices increased and by the middle of the final third, I found these spices on par with the coffee notes. At times the spices exhibited the pungency I often get from San Andres wrappers. By this point the maduro sweetness was more distant. This is the way the cigar experience of the Joya Black came to a close. The resulting nub was firm to the couch and cool in temperature.

Burn and Draw

While there was some slight waviness on the burn line, the Joya Black maintained a straight burn path from start to finish. This cigar wasnt in danger of tunneling or canoeing. I also found this was a cigar that didnt require an excessive amount of touch-ups. The resulting ash was mostly gray with some darker spots. This wasnt an overly firm ash, but it was far from a loose flaky ash either. The burn rate and burn temperature were both ideal.

The draw to the Joya Black Toro was not too loose nor too tight. This cigar was low maintenance to derive flavor from. The cigar also produced an ample amount of smoke.

Strength and Body

As I mentioned earlier, I found the Joya Black Toro to be bolder than the original Joya Red offering. The Joya Black Toro started out medium for both attributes. While there was a slight increase in strength along the way, I still found the Joya Black Toro to remain in the medium range for the duration of the smoke. As for the body, it also increased and by the last third, there was just enough depth (especially when factoring in the retro-hale) to progress the Joya Black Toro into medium to full territory.

When looking at strength versus body with the Joya Black Toro, I found the body a slight edge during the smoking of experience.

Final Thoughts

The Joya Black Toro is a very nice addition to the Joya de Nicaragua portfolio. While Joya Black is a very different profile for a Joya de Nicaragua, it is not going to be a radically different profile for San Andres maduro. It is also worth noting that while this is the first Joya de Nicaragua branded cigar to use San Andres, its not the first San Andres cigar to come out of the Joya factory. Most recently we have seen the Fratello Bianco, a cigar produced at the Joya factory line use this wrapper.

This is a cigar I could recommend to an experienced cigar enthusiast. Its certainly a nice cigar for a novice to graduate to something medium / medium plus. As for myself, this is a cigar Id smoke again  and its one worthy of a box split.

Summary

Burn: Excellent

Draw: Excellent

Complexity: Medium

Strength: Medium

Body: Medium (1st 2/3), Medium to Full (Last third)

Finish: Excellent

Assessment: 3.5-Box Split

Score: 90

References

News: Joya de Nicaragua to Launch Joya Black

Price: $8.00

Source: Purchased, An additional cigar was provided by Joya de Nicaragua (Prior to August 8)

Stogie Geeks Podcast: n/a

Stogie Feed: n/a

Brand Reference: Joya de Nicaragua
Parker has been anchoring the news at KTLA since 2015

She won Miss USA in 1994, representing her home state of South Carolina, and later placed fourth in Miss Universe pageant

them to their owner but could not locate him

According to the station rep, Parker took the headphone that were left behind,

Former Miss USA-turned-television journalist Lu Parker was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport Wednesday for allegedly stealing a pair of headphones.

Parker, 44, an Emmy Award-winning weekday news anchor at KTLA in Los Angeles, was reportedly caught on surveillance video lifting a pair of $200 headphones from the TSA screening area in Terminal 6, according to TMZ.

The gossip site reported that the stolen item belonged to a Los Angeles Police Department detective.

Beauty queen busted: Former Miss USA 1994 Lu Parker (pictured left) was arrested at LAX Wednesday for allegedly stealing headphone. Parker, 44, is a news anchor at KTLA (right)

Law enforcement sources told TMZ that the 1994 Miss USA winner walked to her departure gate and boarded her light, but police were able to track her down and remove her from the plane before takeoff.

However, according a spokesperson for Parker's employer, KTLA, it was all an unfortunate misunderstanding.

The representative for the Los Angeles TV station told TMZ that Parker was going through the screening area when she noticed that another traveler had left behind his headphones.

The news anchor picked them up intending to return them to their rightful owner, with whom she had been speaking earlier, but having been unable to locate him, Parker proceeded to board her flight.

The KTLA spokesperson said Parker is fully cooperating with the investigation into the alleged theft.

Crowned: In 1994, while representing her home state of South Carolina, Parker won the Miss USA title. She went on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, where she placed fourth

TV personality: Parker, pictured left at the Carousel Of Hope Ball last month and right the same event in 2014, joined KTLA in 2005 as a news anchor. She is also known as an animal rights advocate

According to her biography on KTLA's website, Parker joined the station in 2015 from the CBS affiliate KENS-TV in San Antonio. Texas.

Parker famously dated former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa several years ago, but the couple have since split up.

Before launching her career in broadcast news, Parker worked as a high school English literature teacher in South Carolina. She has a Bachelor's degree in English and a Masters degree in education.

In 1994, while representing her home state, Parker was crowned Miss USA. She went on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, where she placed fourth.

Power couple: Parker dated former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (pictured together in 2012) several years ago, but the couple have since split up

The 44-year-old TV presenter is also a prominent animal rights advocate and philanthropist. In 2010, she launched the Lu Parker Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping homeless animals, as well as at-risk youths.

Parker was honored for her charitable endeavors with the Genesis Award from the Humane Society of the United States.
But her first response as she gets up is to check her phone

A woman was so distracted by her mobile phone that she tumbled down 30 stone steps and cracked her head - but was still more concerned about the state of her device afterwards.

Alarming CCTV footage shows the lady running down the stairs of a metro station in Xian - the capital of north-western Chinas Shaanxi Province - before she loses her footing.

She can be seen tripping down the stairs attempting to regain her balance before another camera angle shows her rolling at full speed down the steps and collapsing in a heap at the bottom.

Alarming CCTV footage shows the woman running down the stairs of a metro station in Xian - the capital of north-western Chinas Shaanxi Province - before she loses her footing.

She can be seen tripping down the stairs attempting to find her balance before another camera angle shows her rolling at full speed down the steps and collapsing in a heap at the bottom

The lady, wearing a green top, lies on the ground clutching her head in agony after banging it on the way down as a station employee runs to her side.

However shortly after she is helped up her first priority is to peer at her mobile phone to check any damage - her own pain apparently forgotten.

The clip has since gone viral, accruing millions of views on China's social media sites.

It was reported that she scraped her face in the dramatic fall but suffered no concussion.

The lady, wearing a green top, lies on the ground clutching her head in agony after banging it on the way down as a station employee runs to her side

The lady is helped up by a concerned station employee and another passer by

However shortly after she is helped up her first priority is to peer at her mobile phone to check any damage - her own pain apparently forgotten

Fortunately she later managed to board a train home - her original destination - by herself.
Their deaths came just weeks before the deaths of five men at the beach

Both were rescued by RNLI but 'hero' Mohit died in hospital four days later

Mohit Dupar saw him struggling, and he and son Ankush tried to save him

This is the tragic final photo of a 'hero' father who took a selfie with his son moments before drowning at Camber Sands when he tried to save a dying man.

Mohit Dupar, 36, rushed into the sea to help Gustavo Silva Da Cruz, 19, who was the first of seven people to die in a month at the East Sussex beach.

His son, Ankush Dupar, 18, explained how after taking the photo, he heard his father say 'someone needs my help, they are drowning,' and followed him into the water.

Mohit Dupar (right) and son Ankush in a tragic, final selfie taken before the father drowned while trying to save a swimmer in difficulty at Camber Sands, East Sussex

It would be the last time he would see his father alive and well as he was taken to hospital after the selfless attempt to help Mr Silva Da Cruz, and died four days later.

Ankush also nearly died but awoke from a coma four days later in St Thomas' Hospital in London to find out his father had died.

Mr Dupar, from Hayes, London, died just a month before four more young men from London died after getting into difficulty in the water.

Paying tribute to Mr Dupar, his son said: ' I want everyone to know what a hero my father was, he was an amazing man,' reports the Evening Standard.

He added: 'He would do anything for people and he died risking his life for someone he didnt know. I feel so incredibly proud of what he did.'

Mr Dupar also saved more lives by donating his organs, with a girl aged 10-12 taking his heart, according to Ankush.

But he also thinks that blames a lack of bodyguards on the beach for the deaths of his father and many others.

'If there were lifeguards they could have saved him and my father would still be alive, the other men would likely not have died. I feel lucky because I lived when so many others died,' he added.

Kenigan Nathan, 19, left, his brother Kobi Nathan, 22, right, could not swim, their father said

Nitharsan Ravi, left, and Inthushan Sriskantharasa, right, also died at the beach in August

News of his death only emerged today at an inquest in which the coroner has vowed to fully investigate safety measures at the now infamous beach.

East Sussex coroner Alan Craze spoke during a pre-inquest review into the deaths of the men at the beach, near Hastings, East Sussex, in July and August.

Gustavo Silva Da Cruz, 19, was the first victim at the beach on July 24, followed by Mohit Dupar, who fell unconscious while trying to save him and died in hospital.

In August, Nitharsan Ravi, 22, Kenugen, 19, and Kobikanthan Saththiyanathan, 21, Gurushanth Srithavarajah and Inthushan Sriskantharasa, 23, were pulled from the water after a day trip from London on the hottest day of the year.

Pre-inquest hearings were heard into their deaths in Hastings yesterday but a verdict was deferred.

Coroner Mr Crazsaid there might be a case to moor boats at sea during busy periods at the popular beach, which can attract up to 30,000 day-trippers in the summer.

Victims Gurushanth Srithavarajah, 26, left, and Nitharsan Ravi, right

And Mr Craze suggested writing to other local authorities to learn more about how 'Baywatch towers' based on beaches can help monitor visitors.

The coroner said he also wanted to hear expert evidence at the full inquest into what public safety measures would be practical and recommendable, including the possibility of having sections of the beach for swimming only.

Mr Craze said: 'The provision of safety for the vast numbers of people that go to Camber is now an extremely important matter, and I owe it to the community as a whole to investigate as far as I conceivably can do.'

The inquest heard that Mr Silva Da Cruz, 19 was in the UK to visit family in Croydon, south London, but is believed to have got into trouble in the water in strong winds.

Gustavo Silva Da Cruz (pictured) drowned despite the efforts of Mohit Dupar, who also died trying to save the Brazilian teenager

Mr Dupar called out to his son 'somebody needs my help, they are drowning' as he made a bid to save the teen.

They were pulled from the water by RNLI lifesavers and CPR was administered to the father and son in front of horrified bystanders on the packed beach.

It took 80 minutes to revive Mr Dupar who was unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. He was flown to William Harvey Hospital in nearby Ashford but had suffered irreversible brain damage.

A statement from his heartbroken son Ankush Dupar, who awoke from a three-week coma to discover his father had died, said: 'That day I lost everything. My dad was everything for me. I love him more than anything in this earth.'

A helicopter at the beach on the day the five daytrippers from London died in August

The inquest heard sand bars meant weak swimmers could get stranded as the tide rose

Beach goers spotted Mr Silva Da Cruz's body washed up on the shore later that day. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

An inquest at Hastings Coroner's Court today heard Gustavo had been enjoying a day at the beach with his father, stepmother and brother before he entered the water with his friend Guilherme Camaogo, 14.

A report from his friend read aloud in court said: 'I went into the water with my friend Gustavo. This is the first time I had been in the water with him so I didn't know if he could swim well or not.

'We spent about 20 minutes just mucking around with each other but we were always within our depths. After a while I could no longer touch the floor so I headed back but Gustavo was further out.

'I called out to him to come back it's getting deep. He called out I can't breathe. I swam back as quickly as I could to get help.'

Ankush Dupar is now relying on family friends to get by as his father was his sole carer.

The incident happened just weeks before five men from London also died at the beach

Describing what he can remember, he told the inquest: 'My dad was going far swimming and I followed him.

'I didn't know he was going to save someone. When I saw him go too far I called to him why are you going so far. He replied someone needs help I am going to help him.

'In a few seconds water levels came up and tides pushed me and I didn't have any control of my body. Next I woke up I was in hospital.'

Mr Dupar's wife Irena, who had been waiting on the beach for the pair to return, told the coroner neither were strong swimmers.

Mr Gustavo's father Gutenberg, who attended court wearing a t-shirt with his son's picture, said he could swim but he was unsure how well.

The cause of death of Gustavo Silva Da Cruz was recorded as drowning. Mr Dupar died of brain injuries after he suffered a cardiac arrest from drowning. Neither of them had been drinking.
Donald Trump has a message to Democrats who voted early and before the FBI revealed that it was again sniffing around Hillary Clinton's emails: play take-backsies with your votes.

'This is a message for any Democratic voters who have already cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton and are having a bad case of buyers' remorse,' Trump said yesterday in Wisconsin.

He then noted how the Badger State was one of a handful of states, which allow voters some wiggle room with their ballots.

Overall, there are seven states where voters can change their minds.

Scroll down for video

Donald Trump told Hillary Clinton's supporters that they should take advantage of a law in Wisconsin that allows voters to revise their ballots before Election Day

'We'll make America great again,' Trump promised in Wisconsin, delivering his trademark line.

Wisconsin, where Trump campaigned yesterday alongside the state's Republican Gov. Scott Walker, allows voters to change their ballots up to three times before it gets counted.

The Badger State probably has the most permissive law in the nation.

'We would let the individual, the voter, vote again and document that this was their second ballot issued,' Oshkosh City Clerk Pam Ubrig said, according to CNN. 'We'd keep a record of that, so they would only have up to three opportunities.'

Early voters in the neighboring state of Minnesota had until Tuesday, a week before Election Day, to file a new absentee ballot.

So when Trump yesterday called on the Minnesotans to change their minds, they were hours away from the deadline to do that.

Two other states, Connecticut and Hawaii, have a similar rule to Minnesota, allowing absentee ballots to be changed up until a week before Election Day.

New York, the home state of Trump and the adopted home state of Clinton, which will likely stay solidly blue allows voters a do-over, though the deadline to request a new absentee ballot isn't until the day before the election.

Michigan, a state where Trump and Clinton are both campaigning, doesn't have early voting, but voters can  like in New York  request a fresh absentee ballot, though the deadline is next Monday.

Finally, Pennsylvania, which has been solidly Democratic the last few cycles, but which Trump is still trying to pick off, allows voters who voted absentee to change their minds on election day.

They just have to show up to the polls in person.

Without any solid evidence, Trump charged yesterday that voters may want to reconsider their voters for Clinton because the email scandal will continue plaguing the former secretary of state through her administration, if she wins next week.
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The Duke of Edinburgh today honoured a lasting memorial to the inspirational band of badly burned Second World War airmen who went under the knife during the pioneering days of plastic surgery.

A handful of the surviving members of the once 649-strong Guinea Pig Club, now in their 80s and 90s, watched as their president, the Duke of Edinburgh, unveiled the stone at the National Memorial Arboretum on Wednesday.

All of the club's members, many of whom fought in the Battle of Britain against the Luftwaffe, received treatment for disfiguring burns at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead by the visionary surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe.

The Duke of Edinburgh today honoured a lasting memorial to the inspirational band of badly burned Second World War airmen who went under the knife during the pioneering days of plastic surgery.

A handful of the surviving members of the once 649-strong Guinea Pig Club, now in their 80s and 90s, watched as their president, the Duke of Edinburgh, unveiled the stone at the National Memorial Arboretum on Wednesday

All of the club's members, many of whom fought in the Battle of Britain against the Luftwaffe, received treatment for disfiguring burns at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead. Here, Philip meets surviving Guinea pig club member Alan Morgan

The men, who suffered serious burns, were treated by by the visionary surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe at the hospital

Formed in 1941, the men took the name of their club from the guinea pig, because of the experimental nature of the surgical procedures they underwent.

Just 28 of those treated are still alive around the world today, and a few endured the chilly weather as the Duke pulled away a union flag shrouding the stone monument, to unveil the green Cumbrian slate to the autumn sunshine.

The memorial, which stands in the Staffordshire arboretum, is inscribed with the words 'Out of the flames came inspiration'.

It was designed by Graeme Mitcheson, and bears the outline of a Spitfire fighter plane wing while on its reverse, set against the outline of a crashing Hurricane aircraft, is the face of Sir Archibald.

Addressing his comrades during the ceremony, club trustee Dr Sandy Saunders, who helped raise thousands for the memorial, said: 'A debt of honour is owed to the excellence of surgical expertise which restored my body to health and cheerful spirit of valiant men who taught me to endure my treatment.'

He added that, in what is the 75th year of the club, it was only right to remember the 'band of seriously injured men' who were able to support each other in some of the darkest moments of their lives.

Just 28 of those treated are still alive around the world today, and a few endured the chilly weather as the Duke pulled away a union flag shrouding the stone monument

The Duke of Edinburgh respectfully shook hands with many of the survivors who gathered at the Memorial Arboretum today

Among the men who benefited from the pioneering work was ex-racing driver Peter Procter from Appletreewick near Skipton, in Yorkshire, who was badly burned in a car crash at Goodwood in 1966.

He was adopted by the club's members when they found out he was being treated on the burns ward at East Grinstead.

His wife, Shirley, also at the unveiling, told how while her husband was in hospital with 65% burns she phoned the club's warrant officer, 'Tubby' Taylor, and spoke of how the Guinea Pigs then swung into action.

Mrs Procter said: 'I told him, "you don't know me, and I don't know you, but I read your book about the Guinea Pigs".

'He said 'I know all about Peter Procter, I've read all the press reports'.

'He said "what do you need?" and I said "back-up".

'And that was it, he said 'you've got it' and they would then come and visit Peter.'

Mr Procter, 86, who only gave up driving racing cars five years ago, said: 'I was nine when the war broke out.

'We lived near York, which was served by Bomber Command, so we would see the Lancasters and the Wellingtons (bombers) coming in all the time. So those men were always my heroes.

The memorial, which stands in the Staffordshire arboretum, is inscribed with the words 'Out of the flames came inspiration'

The memorial was designed by Graeme Mitcheson, and bears the outline of a Spitfire fighter plane wing while on its reverse, set against the outline of a crashing Hurricane aircraft, is the face of Sir Archibald

'Then, when they came to see me in hospital after the crash, they were my heroes again. They were heroes twice over to me. You don't often get that.'

Asked if he believed he would be here today without the surgeons and the Guinea Pig Club, he said: 'I don't think for a second - had I gone anywhere else other than East Grinstead - I'd have survived.

'I think mentally, the support I got there, the attitude - I felt I was family, straight away.

'It was a special environment.'

The Duke sat with a number of members and their guests as a few words about the vital work of the hospital and Sir Archibald were spoken before the unveiling

THE BRILLIANT SURGEON WHO STAFF CALLED THE MAESTRO AS HE MADE A HOST OF NEW DISCOVERIES AND TREATMENTS IN THE QUEST TO HELP 'HIS BOYS' RECOVER Sir Archibald McIndoe moved to the recently rebuilt Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, Sussex, and founded a Centre for Plastic and Jaw Surgery The man honoured with today's memorial was a pioneering doctor who developed a host of new treatments during the war and shaped the field of plastic surgery for years to come. Sir Archibald McIndoe moved to the recently rebuilt Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, Sussex, and founded a Centre for Plastic and Jaw Surgery on the outbreak of the Second World War. He treated very deep burns and serious facial disfigurement like loss of eyelids, and patients at the hospital formed the Guinea Pig Club, honoured today with a memorial stone. There, the brilliant surgeon made a host of new treatments and discoveries, creating the walking-stalk skin graft, and the discovering that immersing a wound in saline promoted healing as well as improving survival rates. It was a serendipitous discovery drawn from observation of differential healing rates in pilots who had come down on land and in the sea. But as well as developing new techniques for treating badly burned faces and hands, he also recognised the importance of rehabilitating the casualties and reintegrating them back into normal life. He disposed of the convalescent uniforms and let the patients use their service uniforms instead. With the help of two friends, Neville and Elaine Blond, he also convinced the locals to support the patients and invite them to their homes. McIndoe kept referring to them as 'his boys' and the staff called him 'the Boss' or 'the Maestro'. After the end of the war McIndoe returned to private practice and his specialty became the 'McIndoe nose'. He was created CBE in 1944 and after the war he received a number of British and foreign honours, including a Commandeur de la Legion d'honneur (Commander of the Legion of Honour) and a knighthood in 1947. That same year he visited East Africa for the first time, took up farming on Kilimanjaro, and in 1956 created the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) with with his two former pupils, Michael Wood and Tom Rees. Later, he was even one of the founders of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons, which is still around today. Advertisement

He said the monument's unveiling was a 'wonderful' occasion, 'but not before time'.

Mr Procter, who has five children, said: 'This should have been here from day one.

'What a contribution they made.

'The survivors of the Guinea Pig Club suffered tremendous injuries, and people with those sorts of injuries weren't treated then as they are now.

'I think they deserve a very special place like this.'
Prince Harry has spent the last week with new girlfriend Meghan Markle after jetting off to Canada in secret, it emerged last night.

Sources said that contrary to claims that Harry, 32, had cancelled a planned trip to Toronto, where actress Miss Markle lives and works, he was already there when news of their relationship broke at the weekend.

He apparently flew out to visit his 'secret' love last Thursday, hours after undertaking a series of official engagements in Nottingham.

Prince Harry, right, has reportedly spent the last week holed up with new girlfriend Meghan Markle, left, in her Toronto home. The prince is said to have arrived in the city last Friday

According to Canadian gossip columnist Shinan Govani, the couple stepped out together in public over the weekend, attending a Halloween party at Soho House private members club in Toronto on Saturday night.

Harry and his girlfriend, 35, are said to have spent the past few days 'hanging out' at her apartment and playing with her rescue dogs, Bogart and Guy.

Residents in the upmarket Toronto suburb where divorcee Miss Markle lives said they had seen black SUVs in the area on several occasions.

Karen Henry told the Mail: 'One guy got out from the back of the car and you could see he had an earpiece.'

Us Weekly claimed Harry flew into Toronto Pearson Airport on a commercial flight on October 28 and was whisked to Miss Markle's home in a waiting car.

Los Angeles-born Miss Markle lives in the city while filming US legal drama Suits.

Risque: The actress strips down to her underwear in a steamy scene from US drama Suits

Earlier reports suggested the prince had been scheduled to arrive in Toronto on a British Airways flight on October 30 but was a 'no show'.

The prince is still believed to be in Canada.

Despite being a full-time working royal since quitting his Army job last year, Harry has no public engagements in his diary until next Thursday.

Kensington Palace again refused to comment yesterday on the princes whereabouts and when he will return to public duties.

Miss Markle is said to have been introduced to Harry by a mutual friend in early June. They met several times when she was in London at the end of that month.

Harry flew to Africa for the summer but since he returned she has visited London twice, in September and October.

Healthy living: Meghan Markle holds a yoga pose in a stunning picture from her Instagram

Cancelled: Prince Harry was reportedly planning to fly to Toronto to see actress Meghan Markle, pictured during a modelling session, but he was a 'no show', a source claimed

It is understood that divorcee Meghan Markle enjoyed a low key meeting with Prince Charles when in London a few weeks ago.

She has also met Harry's cousin Princess Eugenie  who introduced Harry to his previous girlfriend Cressida Bonas, whom he dated for two years until 2014.

Miss Markle, a prolific user of social media, recently starting following Eugenies boyfriend Jack Brooksbank on the picture-sharing site Instagram.

There is no indication that Harry has any immediate plans to introduce his new girlfriend to the Queen, which would only occur if the relationship was sure to end in marriage.

But the fact he felt comfortable enough for her to meet his father is a sign of how quickly the relationship is moving.

Shortly after news of their blossoming romance broke, Meghan posted a picture of two loved-up bananas 'spooning' on Instagram, with the caption 'Sleep tight'

The prince is said to be 'besotted' with his new love and one royal source said he is 'happier than he has been for many years'.

News of the romantic holiday emerged just hours after Miss Markle said she was the 'luckiest girl in the world' in her first interview after rumours of the romance broke.

Meghan has also posted a series of romantic images on Instagram in the past few days.

The star posted a picture of two loved-up bananas 'spooning' on Instagram, with the caption 'Sleep tight.' The cryptic post sparked instant speculation that Meghan was referring to the prince.
President Barack Obama dramatically told attendees of the Chapel Hill rally this afternoon that the 'fate of the republic rests on their shoulders' as he campaigned for Hillary Clinton.

'The fate of the republic is teetering, and you, North Carolina, are going to have make sure that we push it in the right direction,' Obama declared, chuckling as he delivered the grand prognosis.

He also went off on GOP lawmakers for their eagerness to impeach Clinton - who he called an 'outstanding public servant' if she does win. 'She hasn't even been elected yet,' a bemused Obama said.

President Barack Obama dramatically told attendees of the Chapel Hill rally this afternoon that the 'fate of the republic rests on their shoulders' as he campaigned for Hillary Clinton

'It doesn't matter what evidence, they'll find something,' the sitting president said of the embattled Oval Office candidate. 'That's what they're saying already.'

Obama warned them that if they sent North Carolina's incumbent Senator Richard Burr, back to Washington they could look forward to years of investigations into and hearings on Clinton and even more obstructionism and gridlock.

'Gridlock is not some mysterious fog that just kind of descends on Washington, it's not like some apparition, that shows up. It's not like a monster movie - gridlock's coming,' Obama said. 'That's not how it works.'

Nothing is happening in Washington because Republicans are being 'unreasonable,' he contended.

'I know it's hard to view me as objective here, but I'm about to leave. I'm just letting you know the truth.'

Burr is a 'decent guy,' Obama said of his former Senate colleague. 'But when I hear him say there is not a separation between me and Donald Trump, that's troubling.'

'Either he actually means it, in which case he agrees with everything Donald Trump says...or he doesn't mean it, and he's just saying it to get elected. That's not good either way,' Obama added.

The Democratic president said Burr has been 'mimicking' Trump lately.

He referenced the Republican's ill-fated joke about shooters putting a 'bulls eye' on Clinton's face and said, 'Last week he actually joked about violence against Hillary - that's not something we do.'

'I tell you, if I heard a Democrat saying that, I would condemn them in a hot second. You don't talk about violence against public officials, even in a joke.'

The president also accused Republicans of trying to keep American Americans from voting.

'That is not my opinion. Earlier this year, a federal judge said that, based on the evidence, those who voted for these laws targeted black voters with...'surgical precision,' he said.

Trump is asking his supporters to monitor 'certain areas,' Obama said. 'Where are those certain areas he's talking about? They are groups that are not even making secret plans. They're just out in public saying we're going to try and suppress the African American vote on Election Day, or the youth vote on Election Day.'

Obama told rally goers, 'It was not that long ago that folks had to guess the number of jellybeans in a jar, or bubbles on a bar of soap, or recite the Constitution in Chinese in order to vote.'

Republicans can try to suppress those voters but 'they're going to fail,' Obama said.

Sitting GOP Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina is a 'decent guy,' Obama said today, 'But when I hear him say there is not a separation between me and Donald Trump, that's troubling'

'But if you don't vote, then you've done the work of those who would suppress your vote without them having to lift a finger. Come on.'

Clinton could lose if North Carolina doesn't go blue, he pointed out.

'So, I hate to put a little pressure on you, but the fate of the republic rests on your shoulders,' he proclaimed.

Trump is 'a con-artist and a know-nothing' who is 'not equipped' to be president, Obama testified.

'We have had a Republican senator...say we can't afford to give the nuclear codes to someone so erratic. Now, if a Republican senator says that about the guy, why would we consider giving him the nuclear codes?' Obama said, hitting a note Clinton's emphasized in the home stretch of the election.

The exiting president told his audience the 'nice thing' about this election is 'you don't just have to vote against that guy, because you've got a candidate who is actually worthy of your vote.'

Clinton is 'smart...steady...tested' and 'probably the most qualified person ever to run for this office,' he asserted.

'She's not flashy. She's not going around spending all her time giving big stem-winders,' he acknowledged. 'And as a consequence, sometimes she's underappreciated here at home.'

COOL FACTOR: Hillary Clinton's 'not flashy. She's not going around spending all her time giving big stem-winders,' Obama acknowledged today. 'And as a consequence, sometimes she's underappreciated here at home,' he assessed

Obama said his former secretary of state, who's under investigation by the FBI for routing sensitive government information through a private email address and server is an 'outstanding public servant.'

'And she knows her stuff,' he said to applause. 'And she understands the challenges we face. And she is tough. And when things don't go her way, she doesn't whine, and she doesn't complain. She doesn't blame others, suggesting everything is rigged.'

Continuing, Obama said Clinton's 'got grit and she's got resilience. And if she gets knocked down, she just comes back up and she goes back at it.'

Voters have the opportunity to elect 'our first female president,' who will be an example for the nation's children and 'shape history,' he said. 'What an amazing thing that is.'

'Keep in mind, North Carolina, all the progress that we've made over the last eight years, all the progress we hope to make over the next eight years. All of that goes out the window if we don't win this election,' Obama said in the speech.

Obama recalled that he won the state by a mere 14,000 votes in 2008.

If Hillary wins North Carolina, 'she wins,' he said to cheers. 'And that means that when I said the fate of the republic rests on you, I wasn't joking. But that shouldn't make you fearful, that should make you excited.'

'It's not often where you can move the arc of history. Don't let that chance slip away,' he urged.

Obama encouraged young people specifically to make their voices heard.

'Don't let it slip away; don't give away your power,' he told them.

Obama had also expressed doubt earlier in the day that the historic wave of African-American support her rode to win the White House, 'is not as solid as it needs to be' for Hillary Clinton.

Obama's and Clinton's travel schedules are taking them to swing-state cities with significant black populations, and the two officials are fixtures in black-audience media.

Their message is consistent: Clinton will fight for the black community, while Republican Donald Trump would turn back the clock for voters that helped propel Obama to comfortable national victories.

'I need everybody to understand that everything we've done is dependent on me being able to pass the baton to somebody who believes in the same things I believe in,' Obama told nationally syndicated radio host Tom Joyner in an interview broadcast Wednesday, ahead of his appearance in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Obama said early voting is up among Hispanics, but not among black voters. The president warned that Trump would obliterate his record, even digging up first lady Michelle Obama's White House vegetable garden.

'You think I'm joking?' Obama said.

Indeed, an Associated Press analysis of early voting data in North Carolina shows blacks have cast 111,000 fewer ballots than at this point four years ago, when Obama lost the state by about 92,000 votes.

Clinton aides note that GOP officials there reduced early voting sites for the initial week of early voting, and they say they can make up the difference by Election Day now that more sites are opening.

Obama's appearance in North Carolina followed an appearance Tuesday in Ohio. He has two Florida rallies Thursday, in Jacksonville and Miami, and he plans to return to the state Sunday, visiting Orlando on the final day of early voting in the state.

Vice President Joe Biden met earlier this week with black leaders in Philadelphia, and Michelle Obama has taken a prominent role in the campaign.

Clinton, meanwhile, warmly embraces Obama's sentiments. 'I want to build on the legacy that President Obama has given us,' she told radio host LeRoy Jones, another nationally syndicated black media personality, earlier this week.

As she travels to battleground states, Clinton has focused on nonwhite voters and encouraged early voting. Many of her events are near early voting sites.

She spent Sunday at a soul-food restaurant and a black church. On Tuesday, she traveled with Congressman John Lewis, a civil rights hero from Atlanta, who reminded Clinton supporters of the struggle to secure the right to vote.
He then reportedly turned the gun on himself and later died in hospital

An elderly man is believed to have shot dead his wife and daughter in a suspected murder-suicide on Queensland's Fraser Coast.

Police were called to a property on River Heads Road in Booral, near Hervey Bay, at 6.40am on Thursday after receiving a phone call from 79-year-old John Frescura who reportedly told them he had shot his two family members before turning the gun on himself.

All three died as a result of their horrific injuries.

A man who knew the family, and chose to remain anonymous, told Daily Mail Australia Mr Frescura had lived on the property with wife Janice and daughter Robyn for more than 10 years.

'[His] daughter had a brain tumour from an early age, and I'm also told the wife was terminally ill with cancer, so it's obviously something they've had to live with for some time, ' he said.

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Police were called to a property on River Heads Road in Booral, near Hervey Bay, at 6.40am on Thursday after receiving a phone call from 79-year-old John Frescura (pictured in 2014) reportedly telling them he had shot his two family members

Two woman and an elderly man have been killed for his life after a family-related shooting at a property (pictured) on Queensland's Fraser Coast

'You just wonder if it all got too much'.

Earlier, Queensland Police confirmed one person was found dead at the scene and another died a few hours later.

Mr Frescura was rushed to Hervey Bay Hospital in a critical condition, but died just before midday.

Police seized a firearm from the scene and two dogs were also impounded just after 10am.

Mr Frescura appeared in a local article in September 2014 after he received a fine for parking on the hospital nature strip while visiting his daughter Robyn in hospital.

One of the women is believed to have been found dead by police and another passed away in hospital

A firearm was seized from the property on Thursday morning

Police confirmed the shooting in Booral, near Hervey Bay, was 'domestic-related'

She had suffered a massive stroke and he was in a rush to get to her bedside, The Fraser Coast Chronicle reported.

'To come out when your daughter is critical like that and find out they've fined you for going to see her,' Mr Frescura said at the time.

By Thursday morning, forensic investigators had established a crime scene at the Booral property and will prepare a report for the coroner.

Detective Acting Inspector David Briese addressed the media at 12pm local time and said there was no history of domestic violence at the home.

Police and paramedics were called to an address on River Heads Road in Booral, near Hervey Bay, at 6.40am on Thursday
A man accused of being an ISIS soldier and a 17-year-old stopped as he tried to leave the country have been arrested in Sydney on suspicion of terrorism offences.

The man, believed to be 25-year-old Mehmet Biber, was dramatically arrested by New South Wales' joint counter-terrorism team this morning.

Police believe he fought for a terror group affiliated to al-Qaeda in Syria, where he is said to have learned how to use IEDs, before allegedly being recruited to join ISIS.

The teenager was arrested after being stopped at an airport as he tried to leave Australia, police said.

A man believed to be an ISIS soldier has been arrested in Sydney by counter-terror officers

The man, believed to be 25-year-old Mehmet Biber, was dramatically arrested by New South Wales' joint counter-terrorism team this morning

Police believe he fought for a terror group affiliated to al-Qaeda in Syria, where he is said to have learned how to use IEDs, before allegedly being recruited to join ISIS

Police believe he was trained to use explosives there and allege that he was recruited to join ISIS by convicted terrorist Hamdi Alqudsi

New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn alleged that the 25-year-old travelled to Syria in 2013 to fight for the Al-Nusra Front - an affiliate of al-Qaeda - and returned to Australia in 2014.

Police believe he was trained to use explosives there and allege that he was recruited to join ISIS by convicted terrorist Hamdi Alqudsi.

'We will be alleging that one did engage in foreign incursions. We would say they were in a conflict, they used weapons, they used IEDs and they had the intent to kill people,' Ms Burn said.

'They might become more radicalised to extremism and they might be more likely to use explosives.'

She added: 'If people have travelled to either Syria or Iraq or some other hostile place, where there are hostile activities underway, we would say that they potentially become more radicalised, more extreme and have greater capability to attack.

'Our concern is that if they return to our country then they may use that capability here.'

Neil Gaughan, Assistant Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, said the teenager was stopped at the airport after being 'encouraged to travel'.

Police stressed that it had taken years to bring charges against the older suspect as there were difficulties collating evidence, including messages sent on social media.

The 25-year-old travelled to Syria in 2013 to fight for the Al-Nusra Front - an affiliate of al-Qaeda - and returned to Australia in 2014, police said

He was seen standing next to the pavement in handcuffs as armed police officers held him

New South Wales Police said there was no imminent terrorist threat after making the arrest

Both suspects are expected to appear in court later today, charged with foreign incursion offences.

Counter-terrorism officers are conducting further searches of people believed to be associated with the pair this morning.

Biber went to Syria in 2013 and was allegedly being recruited by a convicted terrorist

Biber travelled to Syria in 2013. Alqudsi, who was jailed for six years for helping seven men travel to Syria, allegedly later convinced him to join ISIS.

Biber is alleged to have been trained in the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) before he returned to Sydney in 2014, where he was living with his wife and young daughter.

Armed officers arrested a man after a traffic stop in Birrong, south west Sydney, this morning.

He was seen siting on the pavement in handcuffs as armed police officers stood over him.

New South Wales Police did not confirm if any other arrests had been made, but said there was no imminent terrorist threat.

A spokeswoman said: 'The NSW Joint Counter-Terrorism Team can confirm it is conducting search warrant activity this morning as part of an ongoing operation.
Huma Abedin is off the campaign trail - but is still one of her boss's most valuable assets. Literally.

Hillary Clinton's once-closest aide is to headline a fundraiser in Washington DC on Thursday evening, with the chance to be photographed with her going for $5,000.

The picture is also likely to include the chance to be photographed with Anna Wintour and Diane von Furstenberg, the co-hosts of the fundraising evening for the Hillary for Victory fund.

The invitations were issued a week ago but are still thought to be valid, despite Abedin now being a target for the FBI. They were obtained by the Independent Journal Review.

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Off on fundraising duties: Abedin reported for work at Clinton's Brooklyn campaign headquarters on Wednesday while her boss was on her way from Florida to Arizona

She's still on the trail: This is the invite which tells you just how much to expect to pay for a photograph with Huma Abedin - although Anna Wintour is part of the deal too

Fundraiser: Constance Milstein is the scion of a billionaire New York property family, while the fashion designed Diane von Furstenberg will also attend

Although the invitations were issued before the FBI bombshell revelation that Abedin's emails were at the center of a fresh investigation, the night is still apparently planned.

It is likely to be a glittering occasion - and one dripping in cash.

The venue is the north-west Washington home of Constance Milstein, who is part of the Milstein family, and controls Ogden CAP properties with her brother.

The family was estimated to be worth as much as $14 billion in 2009, although since then complex litigation has split the assets among different elements of it and Constance Milstein's personal net worth is unclear.

The other two hosts also point to the wealth of those expected to attend: they are Anna Wintour, the Vogue editor-in-chief, and Diane von Furstenberg, the fashion designer.

Although it is hardly unusual for Abedin to be used for fundraisers, this will be the first since Friday's bombshell.

Previously she had been a fixture at the glitziest of events, partying in Paris in September at a Fashion Week fundraiser, and also headlining one in New York just after she separated from her husband Anthony Weiner.

Selfie fan: Abedin has been used on the glamour end of the Clinton fundaising sweep before, including in Paris in September, when she partied with Barbara Bush, the daughter of President George W Bush.

Wintour link: The Vogue editor-in-chief also runs the Met Ball in Manhattan and in May Abedin went with her husband Anthony Weiner, before she separated from him thanks to his sexting

The split with Weiner came after the disclosure he had sexted yet again - this time sending a picture to a woman in her forties which showed him clearly aroused, and their son in bed beside him.

However it was DailyMail.com's disclosure later in September that he had sexted a 15-year-old girl, who told how he spoke about rape fantasies with her, which led to the FBI investigation which now threatens her personal and professional future.

It is looking at a trove of 650,000 emails found on a laptop which was initially reported to have been shared by Abedin and Weiner during their marriage, but which her attorney insisted this week was his alone.

The emails prompted the FBI Director, James Comey, to alert Congress that the agency was looking at whether they were 'relevant' to the closed Clinton server investigation.

They have created a crisis for the Clinton campaign, which now funds itself struggling to maintain its poll lead and panicking about support in states it thought it had in the bag already.

In fact, the Abedin fundraising haul is likely to prove useful, as the cmapaign on Wednesday vowed to spend every cent it had before the election, in a reflection of the panic that it could lose.

It is yet another appearance on the fundraising circuit for Wintour, who has been a reliable friend of the campaign.

As well as giving Abedin a glossy feature in the September issue, she had her magazine endorse Clinton, the first time it had thrown its weight behind a candidate, and has worn pro-Clinton clothing time after time.
A woman who claims she was raped by Donald Trump when she was a 13-year-old girl abruptly cancelled a press conference at which she was set to reveal herself for the first time on Wednesday - saying she was 'too afraid' following a series of 'threats' against her.

'Katie Johnson' - referred to as Jane Doe in a lawsuit she has filed - claims presidential hopeful Trump raped her at one of billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein's notorious 'sex parties' in 1994.

The papers offer no corroborative evidence.

A woman who says Donald Trump raped her when she was 13 cancelled a press conference in which she was going to reveal her identity today because, she says, she faced 'threats'

LA civil rights attorney Lisa Bloom (left), who represents 'Katie Johnson' - the name given to the alleged victim - appeared at the press conference to explain 'Johnson's' absence

Los Angeles civil rights attorney Lisa Bloom, who now represents Katie, called members of the media to her office after earlier announcing that 'Jane Doe' would 'break her silence' and 'speak out about her allegations.'

But at 3pm, as dozens of media outlets crammed in to a conference room at the attorney's law offices in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, Bloom cancelled the event, claiming that her client had received threats.

She said: 'I have bad news. Jane Doe has received numerous threats today as have all the Trump accusers that I have represented.

'She is living in fear. She has decided that she is too afraid to show her face.

'She has been here all day ready to do it but unfortunately she is in terrible fear so we are going to have to reschedule.

'I apologize to all of you who came for this inconvenience I have nothing further to add.'

'Katie' - also not her real name - had been expected to face the media and lay out what she claims happened to her.

Her allegations first emerged in a lawsuit filed in California in April this year - months before a flurry of other claims of sexual assault were leveled at Trump.

In what was said to be fear for her safety Katie remained hidden from view.

Katie alleges in the court documents that Trump took her virginity, forced her in to role-play sex and claims that he and financier Epstein treated her as a 'sex slave' on four separate occasions during an 'horrific' summer in 1994.

The original lawsuit was refiled in June under Jane Doe.

Bloom told reporters that 'Johnson' is 'in terrible fear' after 'receiving numerous threats' Wednesday. She said the conference would be rescheduled

Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in 2006 and accused of sexual abuse by 40 different women, with many alleging they were teenagers at the time, some younger than 14.

Trump's associates have in the past downplayed the relationship between him and Epstein.

In February Trump brought up Epstein and noted how Bill Clinton was a friend of the now convicted pedophile.

Clinton has 'a lot of problems coming up in my opinion with the famous island with Jeffrey Epstein. A lot of problems,' Trump told the Conservative Political Action Conference.

Clinton flew in Epstein's private airliner and traveled around Africa with him, before the financier was convicted of a single child sex offense  soliciting an underage prostitute - in a plea deal.

Trump distanced himself from the financier, who he had said in 2001 he was friendly with. The Clintons have passed no comment on Bill's friendship with him.
The man was hired by a medical center and came to measure pupils' height

Young girls at a primary school were allegedly molested by medical staff

Parents of students at a primary school in Liushi, China, have been left outraged after finding out that their daughters might have been molested during a physical exam.

The female students were undergoing physical examinations on October 11 when a member of the medical staff allegedly pressed his hands on the students' chests, reports the People's Daily Online.

Physical exams are held at Liushi Elementary School every new term.

A CCTV clip shows female pupils of Liushi Elementary School queuing up in front of a pillar to measure heights

Surveillance footage shows young girls in school uniforms queuing up in front of a pillar to have their heights recorded.

According to reports, a height chart is painted on the pillar and the student is asked to stand upright to measure their height.

A man who appears to be in his 30s and dressed in black is seen putting a ruler on a student's head.

Then, both of his hands can be seen pressing onto the student's breasts.

The suspect in black jacket was hired to assist with physical exams

A parent told reporters from CZTV that she was shocked when her daughter told her she had been assaulted by the man during the physical exams.

She says her daughter told her: 'I talked to every girl in my class and he touched all of our breasts.'

The young girl felt insecure after the sexual assault.

Her mother said: 'She used to have the doors open when she slept but she closed the door that night.'

While another parent told the People's Daily: 'We were angry to find out that all of our children had similar encounters.'

A student said all girls in the class were molested by the part-time worker of medical center

The number of students touched inappropriately by the suspect is not known. Most victims are older students at the school.

Chen Haimin, the deputy town chief of Liushi, told reporters that around seven to eight of the victims have agreed to testify.

Investigations show that the suspect is a part-time member of staff at a local medical centre.

He visited the school to assist with simple tasks such as measuring height and weight at school on that day.

The part-time worker has not received any formal medical training. He is reportedly a relative of a recruitment staff in the medical center.

He was arrested on October 27 on suspicion of child molestation.

The case has been transferred to the procuratorate.

Most victims are older students of the Liushi Elementary School(shown above) in primary five or six in puberty

The incident had attracted heated discussion on QQ.com and Weibo.

One user wondered if the medical centre was trying to skirt its responsibilities: 'The responsibilities always go to part-time worker.'

While another user questioned where the school staff were at the time: 'Where is the teacher?'
Police in southern China have come up with a new way of punishing those who use their lights on full beam illegally.

Police in Shenzhen announced on November 1 that they would be making drivers look into full-beam lights for a full minute, reports the People's Daily Online.

On top of the new punishment, offenders will also have to pay a fine of 300 yuan (36).

That's got to hurt! A driver is made to stare into full-beam lights of a truck in Shenzhen

Punishment: Police have turned to the measure to deter drivers from using their lights

Offenders will also be made to recite when it is acceptable to use full-beam when driving.

The Shenzhen Traffic Police posted a series of images yesterday on its account on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform.

Pictures show offenders being made to sit in front of a police van with its lights on full beam for an entire minute.

The post sparked an outcry among Weibo users. It has received more than 25,000 comments and nearly 100,000 shares since yesterday evening.

Most people have praised the move.

One user commented: 'I really hate those needlessly driving on full beam. It makes me unable to attend to pedestrians.'

While another wrote: 'It should be implemented nationwide.'

And one user said: 'One minute is not enough.'

Shenzhen police announced the new move on November 1 and posted images
The Polar Vortex is on the move unusually early this year, forecasters have revealed - and say it could strike the US in January.

A recent study claimed Arctic sea-ice loss is causing the Polar Vortex to shift and as a result, winters are expected to get longer and more bitter.

Now, forecasters say it is 'unprecedentedly early'.

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The Polar Vortex (pictured) is on the move unusually early this year, forecasters have revealed - and say it could strike the US in January. A recent study claimed Arctic sea-ice loss is causing the Polar Vortex to shift and as a result, winters are expected to get longer and more bitter

WINTER IS COMING: HOW POLAR VORTEX WILL HIT U.S. For more than 30 years, the polar vortex has been weakening because of this sea-ice loss in the Arctic, which is linked to human induced climate change. When this happens, a piece of the vortex can surge to the southern part of the globe, which it then pushes Arctic cold into areas of North America and Europe. This is the event that happened in early 2014 and 2015, and some experts say the polar vortex is already on the move this year  which could be very troubling later on. According to the study, North America is expected to experience bitter temperatures beginning in the late winter and lasting until the early spring - from February to Mach. Advertisement

The Polar Vortex hit the US hardest in 2014 , affecting 200 million people and causing billions of dollars in damages, but climatologists told DailyMail.com that, thankfully, it won't be as severe this time around.

'The winter of 2014 was a really extreme case, as the cold was so persistent and it was focused on one area, which makes it very hard to reproduce,' Judah Cohen, a climatologist at Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER), a Verisk Analytics Business, told DailyMail.com.

'Normally when a vortex stretches it eventually bursts, but in 2014 it just kept stretching and bouncing back.'

'That event was highly unique and very hard to duplicate, Im not saying it is impossible, but there are no signs that we are going to get a repeat.'

Experts say the polar vortex is already on the move this year  which could be very troubling later on.

'There has been an unusual weakening, but it is unprecedentedly early and if we look at it chronologically it should hit in January,' said Cohen.

'Researchers are attributing the weakening in the study it to see-ice, which is contributing to the shift.'

'But whats unique is snow cover is also increasing and the combination of the two at the same time is what makes me think it will happen in January and not February.'

AccuWeather's data seems to agree with Cohen's prediction, as David Samuhel, senior meteorologist, told DailyMail.com that if the polar vortex hits it would be in January.

'We see the most below average temperatures in the north east during January, but they will only be about 1 or 2 degrees Fahrenheit below normal,' he said.

Experts say the Arctic sea-ice loss is causing the polar vortex to shift and will cause longer winters. Pictured is the differences in 6-month (SeptFeb) mean SIC over the northern polar cap from the 2000s and the 1980s

A group of international researchers recently collaborated in a study that says it reveals the vortex shift induces cooling over some parts of the Eurasian continent and North America which partly offsets the tropospheric climate warming there in the past three decades, the team shared in the study published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

The Polar Vortex hit the US hardest in 2014 , affecting 200 million people and causing billions of dollars in damages, but climatologists told DailyMail.com that, thankfully, it won't be as severe this time around

While some experts say it will hit February, many are sure the US will experience the even in January. However, it will not be as bitter as the winter in 2014 - more like 2009/2010 winter

The potential vortex shift in response to persistent sea-ice loss in the future and its associated climatic impact, deserve attention to better constrain future climate changes.

For more than 30 years, the polar vortex has been weakening because of this sea-ice loss in the Arctic, which is linked to human induced climate change, reports Think Progress.

And when this happens, a piece of the vortex can surge to the southern part of the globe, which it then pushes Arctic cold into areas of North America and Europe, reports The Weather Channel.

'The coldest areas this winter are expect to be in the Great Lakes near the northern plains,' Samuhel told DailyMail.com.

'But it looks like the south should have a pretty warm winter, especially the south central states.'

Samuhel also predicts that there will be a major difference between the northern and southern areas of the US, which will result in sever storms across the board.

Two years ago, this bitter shift caused the US economy some $5 billion in fights and infrastructure repairs.

A polar vortex also means higher energy bills that not only break the bank, but also dips into to our fossil fuel supply around a time experts reveal we have aggressively cut down in order to control climate change.

Climatologists say this winter will not be as bad as 2014 (pictured is Niagara falls) and if the polar vortex does strike it will be in January

However, Cohen doesn't believe we will experience another harsh winter like the one two years ago.

'There can be two events where the polar vortex experienced weakening, which is what happened in 2009-2010, he said.

We had a very early weakening, then there was another in February and that is a plausible outcome for this winter.

If there was one winter to repeat would be 2009/2010 not 2013/2014.

This study comes shortly after the U.N. weather agency sent out a warning of 'fundamental change' afoot in the global climate and continued warming, accompanied recently by unusually high rainfall in parts of the US and Europe.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) cited data released by Nasa showing that this May was the hottest on record, and the Northern Hemisphere spring has been the hottest spring ever.

WMO global climate director Dr. David Carlson said the new data showed 370 straight months of warm or warmer-than-average temperatures worldwide.

The state of the climate so far this year gives us much cause for alarm,' said Carlson.

The first four months of 2016 were the warmest globally in 136 years.

'Exceptionally high temperatures. Ice melt rates in March and May that we don't normally see until July. Once-in-a-generation rainfall events. The super El Nino is only partly to blame. Abnormal is the new normal.'
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It is the most iconic image ever taken by Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope.

The Pillars of Creation showing the Eagle Nebula, taken in 1995, revealed never-before-seen detail of the light from a cluster of young, massive stars.

Now scientists have used ESOs Very Large Telescope to look at another nebula, dubbed the 'Pillars of Destruction', revealing new details about the way stars are formed.

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Scientists have used ESOs Very Large Telescope to look at another nebula, which appears similar but in fact is completely different. The Carina Nebula, dubbed the Pillars of Destruction, in reference to their similarity to the iconic Nasa image, has been studied in more detail than ever before

PILLARS OF DESTRUCTION The Carina Nebula, dubbed the Pillars of Destruction, in reference to their similarity to the iconic Nasa image, has been studied in more detail than ever before. The spires and pillars revealed in the new images of the Carina Nebula are vast clouds of dust and gas within a hub of star formation about 7,500 light-years away. The massive stars within the star formation region slowly destroy the pillars of dust from which they are born. Advertisement

Researchers used the MUSE instrument on the Very Large Telescope, at Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile to create an incredible animation of the nebula.

The spires and pillars revealed in the new images and animationare vast clouds of dust and gas within a hub of star formation about 7,500 light-years away.

The team, led by Anna McLeod, a PhD student at ESO, based in Garching, observed ten pillars in the Carina Nebula.

'Seeing the freshly reduced images from the MUSE instrument is very exciting,' Ms McLeod told MailOnline.

'The images might not be as sharp as those from the Hubble Space Telescope, but the fact that for each single pixel in the images we get a spectrum across the entire visible wavelength range is truly amazing.

'The richness of the data set is spectacular.'

They found a clear link between the features of pillars and the radiation emitted from the nearby massive stars.

The idea that massive stars will have a considerable effect on their surroundings is not new.

'Feedback from massive stars is a crucial factor in the baryon cycle of galaxies,' the researchers wrote in their new paper.

'It regulates how they turn their gas reservoir into stars and therefore plays a fundamental role in galaxy evolution.'

These images were taken by the MUSE instrument, mounted on ESOs Very Large Telescope and shows the region R45 within the Carina Nebula, 7500 light-years away

When a massive star is formed, it begins to destroy the cloud that made it.

Stars are known to blast out vast quantities of powerful, ionising radiation  emission with enough energy to strip atoms of their orbiting electrons.

But in the past it has been difficult to gather observational evidence of the way massive stars interact with their surroundings.

The team analysed the effect of this energetic radiation on the pillars.

By observing a process known as photoevaporation, by which gas is ionised and then disperses away, researchers were able to deduce how the nearby stars interacted with each pillar.

The spires and pillars revealed in the new images of the Carina Nebula are vast clouds of dust and gas within a hub of star formation about 7,500 light-years away. The team, led by Anna McLeod, a PhD student at ESO, observed ten pillars in the Carina Nebula. They found a clear link between the features of pillars and the radiation emitted from the nearby massive stars

By observing a process known as photoevaporation, by which gas is ionised and then disperses away, researchers were able to deduce how the nearby stars interacted with each pillar. There was a clear correlation between the amount of ionising radiation being emitted by nearby stars, and the dissipation of the pillars

'We believe that the fundamental mechanism which forms pillar-like structures is the same for all star-forming regions: the radiation from the massive stars erodes the surrounding molecular clouds via photo-evaporation,' Ms McLeod told MailOnline.

'Here and there, high-density regions in the molecular gas are able to resist the destructive effect, and they shield the material behind them (a little bit like a stone in the current), creating the pillar-like forms.

'Both the Carina and the Eagle Nebula are star-forming regions in the Milky Way, but they differ in terms of number of massive stars that have formed within them and are influencing the gas in them.

'Specifically, the Carina region consists of multiple young and massive star clusters in a vast star-forming complex, while there is only a single massive star cluster in the Eagle Nebula.'

There was a clear correlation between the amount of ionising radiation being emitted by nearby stars, and the dissipation of the pillars.

This might seem like a cosmic calamity, with massive stars turning on their own creators, ESO said.

However the complexities of the feedback mechanisms between the stars and the pillars are poorly understood.

The pillars might look dense, but the clouds of dust and gas which make up nebulae are actually spread out.

It is possible that the radiation and stellar winds from massive stars actually help create denser spots within the pillars, which can then form stars.
Fear of appearing childish would seem to explain why adults dont skip.

But scientists have come up with another explanation: skipping expends too much energy.

They have found out that it uses up about 24 per cent more power than running at the same speed.

Fear of appearing childish would seem to explain why adults dont skip. But scientists have come up with another explanation: skipping expends too much energy. They have found out that it uses up about 24 per cent more power than running at the same speed

The researchers  from the University of Jena in Germany  suggest adults need more energy to skip because muscles like the gluteus maximus, which rotates the hip, do not have the long tendons found lower in the leg.

This makes power generation costlier than if it came from the ankle.

They added: Alternative to walking and running, humans are able to skip. However, adult humans avoid it.

'This fact seems to be related to the higher energetic costs associated with skipping. Still, children, some birds, lemurs and lizards use skipping gaits during daily locomotion.

The study examined ten men skipping on a 40ft runway with reflective markers on their joints designed to fall off when the body became less stable.

It identified a strategy for skipping efficiently by keeping the trailing leg, which lands first after jumping and propels the body, in a stiff posture.

This allows longer strides using the same amount of energy.

However, keeping the leading leg, which lands second and acts as a brake, in a slightly stiffer position also helps to cope with sudden drops.
Nasa's Curiosity rover launched for its mission to Mars in November 2011, but it's never seen anything quite like this.

Scaling the steep slopes of Mars' treacherous Mount Sharp earlier this week, the rover stumbled upon a tiny, metallic meteorite, with some puzzling features.

Using its ChemCam Remote Micro-Imager, a long-distance, laser-guided camera aboard the rover, Curiosity captured several detailed close-ups of the strange object.

Up close and personal: NASA's Curiosity rover used its state-of-the-art long-distance camera to capture several detailed close-ups of the strange object, dubbed by NASA scientists as the 'Egg Rock'

The metal meteorite has been dubbed by Nasa scientists as the 'Egg Rock'.

Experts from Arizona State University have suggested that the object is made of nickel-iron, a metal alloy found in the cores of planets and used to make special, durable batteries.

The scientists concluded that the metal meteorite likely originates from the core of a dwarf planet, small planets forged by the clumping of large volumes of cosmic dust.

This meteorite may have crash landed into Mars from the asteroid belt that forms a part of our solar system and sits between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

Curiosity has studied countless rocks and asteroids on the surface of Mars in its first five years there.

The surface of the metal meteorite is remarkably smooth and is pockmarked by several deep grooves, likely buffed and battered this way by Mars' extreme weather patterns

It is tasked with exploring the surface of Mars by taking detailed photographs and soil samples to test the planet for its potential to host alien microbial life

But it has never seen anything quite like this.

The surface of the metal meteorite is remarkably smooth and is pockmarked by several deep grooves, likely buffed and battered this way by Mars' extreme weather patterns.

Curiosity gets up close and personal with the metal meteorite, which it discovered on its way up the steep slopes of Mars' treacherous Mount Sharp earlier this week. The rover was on its way to its newest exploration point, where it will continue taking samples for further study

CURIOSITY ROVER Curiosity is the name of the rover, the mission to Mars itself is known as the Mars Science Laboratory or MSL The rover is around the size of a car and weighs almost 900kg. It uses ten different scientific instruments to take measurements and photographs of the Red Planet's surface Curiosity's main aim is to assess whether Mars is capable of hosting any microbial life Advertisement

Deborah Byrd, a writer for EarthSky said: 'Mars would be a great place to look for meteorites.'

'It's not the first meteorite found by a rover on Mars, and won't be the last. In several ways, Mars is a meteorite-hunter's paradise.'

Meteorites can last for millions of years on the red planet due its atmosphere's lack of oxygen and moisture.

The metal make-up of meteorites means that they are extra-durable, and so are capable of surviving the extreme conditions suffered when entering Mars' atmosphere at high speeds.

Mars' atmosphere is particularly thin, so debris is scattered across the surface of the Red Planet.

It's anyone's guess as to how long the strange metal meteorite has been there.

The Egg Rock (circled) sits on the surface of Mars. Meteorites can last for millions of years on the red planet due its atmosphere's lack of oxygen and moisture, so it's anyone's guess as to how long the strange metal meteorite has been there.
While the iPhone 7 only came out in September, rumours are already circulating about what Apple could have in store for future devices.

Today it has emerged that the firm has been awarded a new patent for a foldable iPhone concept.

Apple first began researching this technology in 2013, but the new patent suggests the firm is still serious about making foldable phones a reality in the future.

While the iPhone 7 only came out in September, rumours are already circulating about what Apple could have in store for future devices. Today it has emerged that the firm has been awarded a new patent for a foldable iPhone concept

FOLDABLE IPHONES The patent suggests that the future iPhone will be made of glass, ceramic, fibre, aluminium or plastic  materials that are all currently used in devices. But the patent also introduces a new material in the form of 'carbon nanotubes', that would allow the device to be folded down the middle. The patent says: 'Conductive carbon nanotube paths can form signal paths that are flexible and resistant to cracking.' The tubes could be used in various parts of an iPhone, including portions of touch sensors, or in the camera. Advertisement

The patent was filed on August 28, but was officially awarded to Apple today.

According to Patently Apple, Apple was able to keep the patent a secret by using an engineer's name during the filing process.

But the patent itself uses the iPhone name, and shows several images depicting the iconic iPhone design, including the distinctive home button.

The patent suggests that the future iPhone will be made of glass, ceramic, fibre, aluminium or plastic  materials that are all currently used in devices.

But the patent also introduces a new material in the form of 'carbon nanotubes', that would allow the device to be folded down the middle.

The patent says: 'Conductive carbon nanotube paths can form signal paths that are flexible and resistant to cracking.'

The tubes could be used in various parts of an iPhone, including portions of touch sensors, or in the camera.

It also states that the device 'may have a hinge or other bendable joint.'

Samsung  one of Apple's biggest rivals  has also been looking at foldable phone technology, and has a large number of patents for similar devices.

Apple was able to keep the patent a secret by using an engineer's name during the filing process. But the patent itself uses the iPhone name, and shows several images depicting the iconic iPhone design, including the distinctive home button

This week, reports also suggest that future Apple devices will have wireless charging.

Foxconn Technology Group in New Taipei City, Taiwan is making wireless charging modules to go with Apple's next iPhone, due for release in 2017, according to an industry source familiar with the matter, Nikkei has reported.

'But whether the feature can eventually make it into Apple's updated devices will depend on whether Foxconn can boost the yield rate to a satisfactory level later on,' the source told Nikkei.

It is not clear whether Apple would offer a wireless charging plate, along the same lines as the one made by Samsung for its Galaxy S smartphones.

Apple is expected to unveil the most radical redesign ever of its flagship handset for the iPhone's 10th anniversary in 2017. Pictured are two concept drawings
The darkness of space is a dangerous place, hiding objects like asteroids and meteors waiting to strike.

An asteroid swept 'very close' past our planet last night, just hours after it was first noticed.

But even more unusually, the asteroid was eclipsed by Earth during its flyby, and astronomers at the Virtual Telescope Project caught the whole thing on camera for the first time.

As the asteroid swept past Earth, the light from the sun was blocked by Earth, meaning the asteroid disappeared from view for around ten minutes. Animation of the complete eclipse is shown  Virtual Telescope Project

An asteroid called 2016 VA, pictured, last night at 22:10 GMT. It swept past at a distance of 46,600 miles (75,000km), which is a quarter of the distance between us and the moon

THE ASTEROID ECLIPSE An asteroid called 2016 VA was discovered by the Mt. Lemmon Sky Survey in Arizona. It swept past at a distance of 46,600 miles (75,000km), which is a fifth of the distance between us and the moon. As the asteroid swept past Earth, the light from the sun was blocked by Earth, meaning the asteroid disappeared from view for around ten minutes. The Virtual Telescope Project caught the eclipse of the asteroid, which started last night at 23:23:56 GMT (19:23:56 ET) and ended about at 23:34:46 GMT (19:34:46 ET). Advertisement

As the asteroid swept past Earth, the light from the sun was blocked by our planet, meaning the asteroid disappeared from view for around ten minutes.

The Virtual Telescope Project caught the eclipse of the asteroid, which started last night at 23:23:56 GMT (19:23:56 ET) and ended about at 23:34:46 GMT (19:34:46 ET).

'To our knowledge, this is the first video ever of a complete eclipse of an asteroid,' the project website said.

'Asteroids coming this close (or even closer) are found from time to time by the automated surveys looking for near-Earth objects,' Gianluca Masi, Director of the Virtual Telescope Project, told New Atlas.

'So far this year, we had about 50 asteroids come closer than the moon.'

Asteroid 2016 VA sailed safely by us, however, just after midnight UTC.

Even if it were on a collision course with Earth, it measures only about 12 m (39 ft) and much or all of it would likely burn up in our atmosphere.

It swept past at a distance of 46,600 miles (75,000km), which is a fifth of the distance between us and the moon.

The close call last night was an asteroid called 2016 VA, that was discovered by the Mt. Lemmon Sky Survey in Arizona.

Recently the tally of known near-Earth objects, or NEOs, reached 15,000 and more are being discovered each day.

'The object was going to have a very close encounter with the Earth, at 0.2 lunar distances,' said the Virtual Telescope Project, a remotely-controlled telescope project.

Recently the tally of known near-Earth objects, or NEOs, reached 15,000 and more are being discovered each day. Nasa's new 'Scout' tool for finding near-Earth objects is being tested at Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena

NASA'S SCOUT PROGRAMME Nasa's new 'Scout' tool for finding near-Earth objects is being tested at Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. It is a computer programme that searches data gathered by telescopes to see if there are any asteroids that could potentially threaten Earth. Scout's goal is to speed up the process for asteroids we see, and more rapidly identify whether they are a real threat or not so Nasa can respond. Currently in testing, the software is anticipated to be officially up and running later this year. Advertisement

Nasa's new 'Scout' tool for finding near-Earth objects is being tested at Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California.

Last week it helped give us days to prepare for the passing by of a nearby asteroid.

The asteroid, officially named 2016 UR36, was first detected on October 25 by a telescope in Hawaii.

The huge asteroid passed Earth at a comfortable distance of 310,000 miles (498,000 km) in the early hours of this morning.

This is around 3 times the distance between Earth and the moon.

After being detected last week, the data was uploaded to Nasa's Scout system which, within minutes, had predicted its path would fly close to our planet.

Scout constantly searches data gathered by telescopes to see if there are any asteroids that could potentially threaten Earth, according to Space.com.

'The Nasa surveys are finding something like at least five asteroids every night,' astronomer Paul Chodas of JPL told NPR.

But the trick is to figure out which new objects might hit Earth, he said.

'When a telescope first finds a moving object, all you know is it's just a dot, moving on the sky,' says Chodas.

'You have no information about how far away it is. '

Scout alerted three other telescopes to do follow-up observations and narrow down the rock's trajectory.
LinkedIn can now show its more than 460 million users how their income stacks up against their peers.

The firm is rolling out a new salary calculator that shows how much others doing the same job earn.

Called LinkedIn Salary, it is based on anonymized data submitted by the site's members, including details about their base pay, bonuses and other types of compensation.

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LinkedIn launched a salary calculator that provides pay information for a variety of jobs and shows which factors may affect their income. LinkedIn Salary is based on anonymized data submitted by the site's members, including details about and other types of compensation

'We are excited to launch LinkedIn Salary, to help professionals around the world make better career decisions and optimize their earning potential now, and in the future,' LinkedIn product manager Ryan Sandler said.

'With LinkedIn Salary, we've tapped into our network of more than 460+ million members to provide deep insights into the compensation landscape.'

The tool is currently live for members in the US, the UK and Canada, and is expected to reach the rest of the world sometime next year.

The firm says they've used members to gather as much information about their users as possible for this new portal.

HOW DOES IT WORK? LinkedIn Salary provides pay information for a variety of jobs and breakdowns on which factors may affect their income. Users are asked to offer up their own salary information before seeing how they stack up against others in their field. However, the salary information entered is 'immediately encrypted and remains private'. LinkedIn also shows users how factors may affect their salary. These include experience, industry, company size, location and education level. Premium members will not be asked to give their salary information and will have access to other tools. Advertisement

This includes salary, bonus, and equity data for specific job titles, and the different factors that impact pay such as years of experience, industry, company size, location and education level.

LinkedIn Salary works using other's data, and users must log in their own information before they can see how they compare to the rest.

And some of the jobs have yet to gather enough information to provide users with salary results.

Although this may sound like a privacy issue the firm says that when users enter their salary information into the calculator, it is 'immediately encrypted and remains private'.

LinkedIn does not make its Premium users handover their salary information and also provide them with access to quality salary intelligence while using the site.

This elite group will also have the ability to filter jobs by LinkedIn Salary data and get more accurate salary information on job posts they find interesting.

LinkedIn Salary will show you what you should be making depending on certain factors like location, in which they will also list other pay information of different areas

LinkedIn Salary works off of other's data, as users must log in their own information before they can see how they compare to the rest. But Premium users have the ability to filter jobs by LinkedIn Salary data and get more accurate salary information on job posts

While LinkedIn officially announced its service Wednesday, spokesman Dan Shapero said the company has been quietly inviting some members to contribute their compensation data in recent months.

The firm may not have data for every job, Shapero acknowledged, but he predicted the service will improve as more people participate.

LinkedIn's new service comes two weeks after Glassdoor, a competing online job site, introduced a feature that promises to help workers determine their 'personal market value' by comparing their current job title, salary and related information with data from other workers and current hiring trends.

LinkedIn Salary looks at salary, bonus, and equity data for specific job titles, and the different factors that impact pay such as years of experience, industry, company size, location and education level to determine what you should be earning

Glassdoor's site already showed information about median salaries and perks, along with employees' reviews of what it's like to work at various companies.

And the firm says the new feature can be useful for job-seekers as well as workers who might want to negotiate a raise from their current employer.

Both sites' services are free and promise to go beyond more generic salary tools, by combining sophisticated computer analysis with the most up-to-date information gleaned from workers, labor reports and other sources.

Although both LinkedIn and Glassdoor promise to keep individual users' pay data confidential, a spokesmen wouldn't rule out the possibility of the companies making money in the future by aggregating the information and selling it to employers who might find it useful to calculate pay scales or salary offers.

While both companies promote their website as a useful service for workers, they make money by selling job listings and hiring tools to employers and recruiters.

So each company wants to offer helpful features that keep workers coming back to their sites.
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At the southern end of the Earth, a Nasa plane carrying a team of scientists has returned to survey the ice loss in Antarctica.

For the past eight years, Nasa's Operation IceBridge has been on a mission to build a record of how polar ice is evolving in a changing environment.

Now, just over two weeks into its eighth Antarctic Campaign, Nasa has released a series of stunning images revealing what it believes is a huge extent of loss at the south pole.

Operation IceBridge has been studying how polar ice has evolved over the past eight years and is currently flying a set of 12-hour research flights over West Antarctica at the start of the melt season. IceBridge's flights this year are mostly revisits of lines flown in previous years, to monitor how the ice has evolved since the last time the mission measured it

IRREVERSIBLE ICE LOSS In 2014, researchers claimed the melting of glaciers in West Antarctica may be irreversible. A study by Nasa and the University of California, Irvine revealed the barren region was haemorrhaging ice at a rate triple that of a decade before. The team found the rate by taking radar, laser and satellite measurements of the glaciers' mass between 1992 and 2013. They found they lost an average 83 gigatons per year (91.5 billion U.S. tons), or the equivalent of losing the water weight of Mount Everest every two years. 'The mass loss of these glaciers is increasing at an amazing rate,' said scientist Isabella Velicogna, jointly of the University of California, Irvine and Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Advertisement

Because the planet is warming, the glaciers in the Antarctic are losing an average of 83 gigatons of ice per year (91.5 billion US tons).

This is the equivalent of losing the water weight of Mount Everest every two years.

In 2014 results from IceBridge revealed the melting could be irreversible.

Operation IceBridge is currently flying a set of 12-hour research flights over West Antarctica.

The flights are targeting the ice now because it is the start of the melt season, and are due to end on 19 November.

'This year, we'll mostly repeat our usual flight lines for sea ice, which have been proven to give us good coverage of the sea ice cover in the Weddell and Bellingshausen seas,' said Nathan Kurtz, IceBridge's project scientist and a sea ice researcher at Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Centre in Greenbelt, Maryland, speaking on 17 October before the flights started.

In some previous years, IceBridge flew on smaller planes with limited loads.

However, this year's flights are being conducted on Nasas DC-8 roomy airborne science laboratory, which allows the mission to carry its full instrument suite.

The main instrument is a laser altimeter that records minute changes in the height of the ice surface from one year to the next.

Along with the laser there are three radars that analyse the elevation and layer composition of the snow and ice, as well as the shape of the land underneath, and a high-resolution camera system.

New studies published last week showed three of the region's frozen gateways are melting away faster than believed. This could lead to a massive ice sheet collapse that will cause global sea levels to rise by several feet. A pictured taken on the first flight of Operation Ice Bridge campaign on Oct 16, 2009 is shown left, and a similar area is shown right, taken this month

 Slide me  These images taken by Nasa show glaciers along the western Antarctic in February 1975 (left) and March 2015 (right). Along the Bellingshausen Sea coast of West Antarctica, ice has been retreating inland or being lost to the sea

 Slide me  An iceberg estimated to be 22 by 12 miles (35 by 20 kilometres) separated from Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier between November 9 and 11, 2013. The image on the left shows the glacier before it separated on 28 October, and right shows it afterwards, on 13 November

 Slide me 

IceBridge's flights this year are mostly revisits of lines flown in previous years, to monitor how the ice has evolved since the last time the mission measured it

A view of the Amundsen Coast taken during the first Antarctic IceBridge flight in 2009 is shown left. Newly formed sea ice floats near the coast of West Antarctica as seen from a window of a NASA Operation IceBridge airplane on October 27, 2016 in-flight over Antarctica, right

Operation IceBridge is currently flying a set of 12-hour research flights over West Antarctica at the start of the melt season. The flights are due to end on 19 November. Just over two weeks into its eighth Antarctic Campaign, Nasa has released a series of stunning images revealing the extent of loss at the south pole

These images show the collapse of the Larsen-B ice shelf between January 31 and April 13, 2002

Operation IceBridge's mission is to collect data on changing polar land and sea ice and maintain continuity of measurements between ICESat missions. The original ICESat mission ended in 2009, and its successor, ICESat-2, is scheduled for launch in 201

An iceberg floats near the coast of West Antarctica. Researchers have used the IceBridge data to observe that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet may be in a state of irreversible decline directly contributing to rising sea levels

ICEBRIDGE INSTRUMENTS The main instrument is a laser altimeter that records minute changes in the height of the ice surface from one year to the next. Along with the laser there are three radars that analyse the elevation and layer composition of the snow and ice, as well as the shape of the land underneath, and a high-resolution camera system. There is also a gravimeter and magnetometer that measure small variations in gravity and the Earths magnetic field to map the ocean cavity underneath Antarcticas ice edges, which is essential for improving our understanding of how the ice and ocean interact. Advertisement

The DC-8 also carries a gravimeter and magnetometer that measure small variations in gravity and the Earths magnetic field to map the ocean cavity underneath Antarcticas ice edges, which is essential for improving our understanding of how the ice and ocean interact.

For the first time in the Antarctic, IceBridge is also using an infrared camera to measure the surface temperature of the ice.

A teacher from a high school in Colorado, professors and students from Universidad de Magallanes, Chile, along with other visitors, are flying with IceBridge during this year's Antarctic campaign.

For land ice, IceBridge has adjusted some of its planned flights to allow scientists to better understand rapidly changing areas that are still relatively unexplored, such as the Smith, Pope and Kohler glaciers and the Getz Ice Shelf.

For flights elsewhere in Antarctica, the IceBridge team is also coordinating with a group of scientists from the British Antarctic Survey, who will also be conducting aerial surveys of West Antarctica in some of the areas that IceBridge studies.

'We're interested in knowing the differences between our radar and laser systems and theirs and making best use of finite flight time,' said Joe MacGregor, IceBridge's deputy project scientist and a land ice researcher at Goddard.

'If we fly portions of their flights, we'll be able to compare the data and collaborate in our efforts to understand the future of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

'If we fly in between their tracks, then the combination of our datasets and theirs can produce a more complete picture of a changing Antarctica.'

This picture might look more like a slice of marble, but it is actually floating ice captured from the Operation IceBridge aircraft

To measure the size of the problem, scientists from Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology and the University of California, Irvine, examined three neighbouring glaciers that are melting and retreating at different rates

Nasa aircrew members are pictured inside the cockpit of a Nasa Operation IceBridge DC-8 research airplane

In some previous years, IceBridge flew on smaller planes with limited loads. However, this year's flights are being conducted on Nasas DC-8 roomy airborne science laboratory, which allows the mission to carry its full instrument suite

Sea ice streaks are viewed near the coast of West Antarctica, left. A section of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet with mountains is viewed from a window of a NASA Operation IceBridge airplane on October 28, right

The DC-8 also carries a gravimeter and magnetometer that measure small variations in gravity and the Earths magnetic field to map the ocean cavity underneath Antarcticas ice edges. Pictured are crew members disembarking the plane after a flight

For the first time in the Antarctic, IceBridge is also using an infrared camera to measure the surface temperature of the ice

The main instrument on the plane is a laser altimeter that records minute changes in the height of the ice surface from one year to the next. Along with the laser there are three radars that analyse the elevation and layer composition of the snow and ice, as well as the shape of the land underneath, and a high-resolution camera system

The Amundsen Sea embayment hosts some of the fastest melting glaciers on the planet. This is because warm ocean waters flow across the continental shelf into sub-ice shelf cavities where they slowly erode the ice, especially near the glaciers' grounding lines  where the glacier meets the sea

Nasa flight crew member works inside the Operation IceBridge DC-8 research airplane

For flights elsewhere in Antarctica, the IceBridge team is also coordinating with a group of scientists from the British Antarctic Survey, who will also be conducting aerial surveys of West Antarctica in some of the areas that IceBridge studies

The Amundsen Sea has long been thought to be the weakest ice sheet in the West Antarctic. Last week, new studies showed three of the region's frozen gateways are melting away faster than believed.

This could lead to a massive ice sheet collapse that will cause global sea levels to rise by several feet.

The Amundsen Sea embayment hosts some of the fastest melting glaciers on the planet. This is because warm ocean waters flow across the continental shelf into sub-ice shelf cavities where they slowly erode the ice, especially near the glaciers' grounding lines  where the glacier meets the sea.

However, until now the exact magnitude of this ice loss has remained poorly understood.

To measure the size of the problem, scientists from Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology and the University of California, Irvine, examined three neighbouring glaciers that are melting and retreating at different rates.

The Smith, Pope and Kohler glaciers flow into the Dotson and Crosson ice shelves in the Amundsen Sea embayment in West Antarctica, the part of the continent with the largest decline in ice.

The team used airborne data collected as part of Nasa's Operation IceBridge to calculate submarine ice loss and variations in melting rates.

A teacher from a high school in Colorado, professors and students from Universidad de Magallanes, Chile, along with other visitors, are flying with IceBridge during this year's Antarctic campaign. Broken sea ice and clouds are viewed near the coast of West Antarctica

For land ice, IceBridge has adjusted some of its planned flights to allow scientists to better understand rapidly changing areas that are still relatively unexplored, such as the Smith, Pope and Kohler glaciers and the Getz Ice Shelf

The Smith, Pope and Kohler glaciers flow into the Dotson and Crosson ice shelves in the Amundsen Sea embayment in West Antarctica, the part of the continent with the largest decline in ice

To measure the size of the problem, scientists from Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology and the University of California, Irvine, examined three neighbouring glaciers that are melting and retreating at different rates

Ice is viewed near the coast of West Antarctica from a window of a Nasa Operation IceBridge airplane

In 2014, researchers as part of Operation IceBridge claimed the melting of glaciers in West Antarctica may be irreversible.

The study by Nasa and the University of California, Irvine revealed the barren region was haemorrhaging ice at a rate triple that of a decade before.

The team found the rate by taking radar, laser and satellite measurements of the glaciers' mass between 1992 and 2013.

They found they lost an average 83 gigatons per year (91.5 billion U.S. tons), or the equivalent of losing the water weight of Mount Everest every two years.

'The mass loss of these glaciers is increasing at an amazing rate,' said scientist Isabella Velicogna, jointly of the University of California, Irvine and Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

In 2014, researchers as part of Operation IceBridge claimed the melting of glaciers in West Antarctica may be irreversible. Thestudy by Nasa and the University of California, Irvine revealed the barren region was haemorrhaging ice at a rate triple that of a decade before

An iceberg (lower right) floats among sea ice streaks. The glaciers lose an average 83 gigatons per year (91.5 billion U.S. tons), or the equivalent of losing the water weight of Mount Everest every two years

Ice floats near the coast of West Antarctica. 'The mass loss of these glaciers is increasing at an amazing rate,' said scientist Isabella Velicogna, jointly of the University of California, Irvine and Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Bernd Scheuchl, lead author of the first study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, explained: 'Using satellite data, we continue to measure the evolution of the grounding line of these glaciers, which helps us determine their stability and how much mass the glacier is gaining or losing.

The team compared radar measurements from the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 mission and other satellite data to identify changes in each glacier's grounding line - the boundary where it loses contact with bedrock and begins to float on the ocean

If a glacier loses mass from enhanced melting, it may start floating farther inland from its former grounding line, just as a sunken boat may be able to float again if a heavy cargo is removed. This is called grounding line retreat

In a separate study last week, led by Ala Khazendar at JPL and published in the journal Nature, ice loss at the bottom of the three glaciers was measured. The team gauged the thickness and height of the ice using radar and laser altimetry instruments as part of Operation IceBridge.

The study authors said a significant portion of Antarctica is now subject to 'intense unbalanced melting.'

Bernd Scheuchl, lead author of the first study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, explained: 'Using satellite data, we continue to measure the evolution of the grounding line of these glaciers, which helps us determine their stability and how much mass the glacier is gaining or losing.

'Our results show that the observed glaciers continue to lose mass and thus contribute to global sea level rise.'

His team compared radar measurements from the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 mission and other satellite data to identify changes in each glacier's grounding line - the boundary where it loses contact with bedrock and begins to float on the ocean.

The grounding line is important because nearly all glacier melting takes place on the underside of this floating portion, called the ice shelf.

If a glacier loses mass from enhanced melting, it may start floating farther inland from its former grounding line, just as a sunken boat may be able to float again if a heavy cargo is removed. This is called grounding line retreat.

The researchers discovered Smith Glacier's grounding line had retreated 1.24 miles (2km) per year since 1996.

However, the Pope Glacier's grounding line receded more slowly, at 0.31 miles (0.5 km) annually since 1996, while the Kohler Glacier's grounding line, which had gradually retreated, actually re-advanced 1.24 miles (2km) since 2011.

If a glacier loses mass from enhanced melting, it may start floating farther inland from its former grounding line, just as a sunken boat may be able to float again if a heavy cargo is removed

Previous studies using other techniques estimated the average melting rates at the bottom of two Antarctic ice shelves to be about 40 feet (12 meters) per year

However, a new study revealed high rates of ice loss from the glaciers' undersides on the ocean sides of their grounding line

Radar waves penetrate glaciers all the way to their base, allowing experts to analyse how the bottom profiles of the three glaciers at their grounding lines differed between 2002 and 2014

Laser measurements of surface elevation were also used to infer changes in the thickness of the floating ice shelves

The fastest-melting glacier, Smith, lost between 984 and 1,607 feet (300 and 490 metres) in thickness between 2002 and 2009 near its grounding line, or up to 230 feet (70 metres) per year. Those years encompass a period when rapid mass loss was seen around the Amundsen Sea, leading scientists to suspect that an increase in the influx of ocean heat beneath the ice shelves must have taken place

'Our observations provide a crucial piece of evidence to support that suspicion, as they directly reveal the intensity of ice melting at the bottom of the glaciers during that period,' Dr Khazendar said. 'If I had been using data from only one instrument, I wouldn't have believed what I was looking at, because the thinning was so large,' he added

Researchers believe the Smith glacier's fast retreat and thinning are likely related to the shape of the underlying bedrock over which it was retreating between 1996 and 2014. A section of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is viewed

The question remains whether other glaciers in West Antarctica will behave like Smith, because many are on beds that deepen farther inland
With its rust and sand-coloured pigments, ochre was used at cave sites for thousands of years to paint pictures of animals and hand prints of our long-gone ancestors.

Now, the remains of stone tools left by a community of cave dwellers in East Africa 40,000 years suggests they were carefully grinding it to paint themselves are create prehistoric art.

The findings are shedding new light on Stone Age culture, suggesting that these people may have had far more artisan flare than previously thought.

A cache of Stone Age tools left by a community of cave dwellers in East Africa 40,000 years suggests they were carefully grinding ochre into pigments to paint themselves and make glue. Researchers say the findings show evidence of complex cultural use

Fragments of the tools were found at a cave near the city of Dire Dawa in Ethiopia.

Researchers at the University of Bordeaux analysed 21 tools taken from Porc Epic cave, a cave system known as an important site for early humans since the discovery of ancient teeth and bones in the 1930s.

Inside the cave, which is believed to have been used as a hunting post, red and yellow ochres were found ground into pigment.

Previous research suggested the iron oxide-rich ochre rocks were mainly used in glue to stick handles to tools.

Chunks of ochre found at the same level of the cave where the stone tools were recovered show evidence of being been processed by the cave dwellers

STONE AGE PEOPLE'S CAREFUL PREPARATION Researchers from Bordeaux University used a variety of techniques to analyse the stone tools found in a cave in East Africa, believed to be 40,000 years old. They suggest that by using different tools, these early people would have been able to produce a variety of pigment preparations. This would have enabled them to produce courser grains for mixing as glue, as well as finer powders used for body paint. One of the stones - a round, unmarked rock - may have been dipped in ochre 'paint' and used as a stamp to decorate soft objects. Advertisement

Evidence suggests that early humans concocted a Stone Age super glue from mixing red ochre with the gum of Acacia trees.

But some groups held that the coloured pigments obtained from grinding were used for more symbolic purposes, such as body painting or creating patterns and designs.

To dig into the history of the rocks, the team at Bordeaux used X-ray and spectroscopy to scrutinise the ancient stone tools recovered from the site.

Rather than bashing the coloured stones to pieces, the researchers revealed the groups used a variety of tools were to carefully prepare the pigment.

By using different tools for different jobs, they would have been able to produce a variety of pigment preparations  from courser grains for mixing as glue, to finer powders used for body paint.

What's more, the group also found that one of the stones may have been dipped in ochre 'paint' and used as a stamp to decorate soft objects.

'This study analyses the largest collection of such tools, found at [the site], in levels dated around 40,000 years ago,' said Dr Daniela Rosso, a researcher at Bordeaux and first author of the study, published today in PLoS One.

The stone tools had residues of ochre on their surfaces, showing different tools were used for different tasks - a sign of careful preparation of the coloured rocks

Fragments of the tools were found at Porc-Epic cave near the city of Dire Dawa in Ethiopia.

Dr Rosso told MailOnline: 'Our findings show ochre powder of different colors and coarseness were produced at Porc-Epic Cave.

'This shows that ochre powder was likely employed for different functions, that could be utilitarian and/or symbolic in nature. This indicates a high degree of behavioral complexity.'

According to the team, the evidence for cave painting at Porc-Epic during this period is lacking.

Porc Epic cave (pictured) has been known as an important site for early humans since the discovery of ancient teeth and bones in the 1930s

While the evidence in Ethiopia does not provide evidence of cave painting (pictured is cave art from Algeria), it alludes to a complex set of practices for the preparation of ochre, highlighting the important functional and possibly cultural role the pigments played in Stone Age life

In Europe, the oldest known evidence of cave painting is believed to be a red ochre circle, adorning the wall of a cave in Northern Spain, dating back 39,000 years.

But markings found in Indonesia could predate this, with evidence of hand outlines made in using calcite potentially pushing 40,000-years-old.

While the evidence in Ethiopia does not provide evidence of cave painting, it alludes to a complex set of practices for the preparation of ochre, highlighting the important functional and possibly cultural role the pigments played in Stone Age life.
A proposal by Elon Musk's SpaceX to fuel its rockets while astronauts are aboard poses safety risks, a group of space industry experts that advises NASA has told the U.S. space agency.

'This is a hazardous operation,' Space Station Advisory Committee Chairman Thomas Stafford, a former NASA astronaut and retired Air Force general, said during a conference call on Monday.

Stafford said the group's concerns were heightened after an explosion of an unmanned SpaceX rocket while it was being fueled on Sept. 1.

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On September 1, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket (pictured) exploded as it was being fueled for a routine pre-launch test at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Earlier this month, a SpaceX employee was visited the company's competitor United Launch Alliance

SATELLITE FIRM CLAIMING DAMAGES FROM SPACEX The Israeli owners of the destroyed AMOS-6 satellite have reportedly been hard hit by the loss. In a press conference last month, Spacecom said it could seek $50m from SpaceX following the explosion on the launch pad last week. AMOS-6 was supposed to provide home internet for Africa and the Middle East. In addition, Facebook had signed a deal with Eutelsat to lease broadband capacity from the satellite as part of its efforts to increase internet connectivity across the African continent. Advertisement

Causes of that explosion remain under investigation.

Members of the eight-member group, including veterans of NASA's Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs, noted that all previous rockets carrying people into space were fueled before astronauts got to the launch pad.

'Everybody there, and particularly the people who had experience over the years, said nobody is ever near the pad when they fuel a booster,' Stafford said, referring to an earlier briefing the group had about SpaceX's proposed fueling procedure.

SpaceX needs NASA approval of its launch system before it can put astronauts into space.

NASA said on Tuesday it was 'continuing its evaluation of the SpaceX concept for fueling the Falcon 9 for commercial crew launches.

'The results of the company's Sept. 1 mishap investigation will be incorporated into NASA's evaluation.'

SpaceX said it is developing its human launch operations 'hand-in-hand' with NASA and has spent 18 months identifying potential hazards and how to handle them.

SpaceX is hoping for a test flight of its souped-up Dragon with two astronauts as early as a year from now.

SpaceX, owned and run by technology entrepreneur and Tesla Motors Inc CEO Musk, said it would re-evaluate its fueling system and launch processes depending on results of the accident investigation.

On Friday, SpaceX said it believes a fueling system issue caused a pressurized container of helium inside the rocket's upper stage to burst on Sept. 1, triggering a fireball that destroyed the booster and a $200 million Israeli communications satellite it was to carry.

SpaceX uses extremely cold liquid propellants loaded just prior to blastoff to increase the rocket's power so it can fly back to Earth and be reused.

SpaceX's passenger spaceships, expected to begin flying in 2018, will be outfitted with an emergency escape system that can fly the capsule away from a failing rocket before or during launch.

Last month, Elon Musk unveiled his most ambitious project yet - an 'Interplanetary Transport System' to take mankind to Mars in 80 days and build a sustainable human colony of a million people there.

'What I want to achieve is make Mars seem possible, to show that we can do it in our lifetimes, and you could go,' he said at the International Astronautical Congress in Mexico.

However, he warned the trip was likely to be dangerous - and said candidates for the first missions 'must be prepared to die'.

ELON MUSK'S 'INTERPLANETARY TRANSPORT SYSTEM' Last month, Elon Musk unveiled his most ambitious project yet - an 'Interplanetary Transport System' to take mankind to Mars in 80 days and build a sustainable human colony of a million people there. 'What I want to achieve is make Mars seem possible, to show that we can do it in our lifetimes, and you could go,' he said at the International Astronautical Congress in Mexico. However, he warned the trip was likely to be dangerous - and said candidates for the first missions 'must be prepared to die'. The Interplanetary Transport System will use a giant rocket booster with a 39 foot (12m) diameter and 49 engines, and a special shuttle with a 56 foot (17m) diameter, making the entire rocket stack 400 feet (122m) high. They will launch with empty fuel tanks and refuel in orbit. Once on Mars, they would make more methane fuel for the return journey. Advertisement

NASA, which retired its shuttles in 2011, hired SpaceX and Boeing Co to fly crews to the space station.

Until then, astronauts have been flying on Russian Soyuz capsules, at a cost exceeding $70 million per person.

SpaceX says it has managed to recreate a system failure in testing and that it can happen entirely through helium-loading conditions.

'Since the incident, investigators from SpaceX, the FAA, NASA, the US Air Force and industry experts have been working methodically through an extensive fault tree to investigate all plausible causes,' the firm said.

'As part of this, we have conducted tests at our facility in McGregor, Texas, attempting to replicate as closely as possible the conditions that may have led to the mishap.

'The investigation team has made significant progress on the fault tree.

'Previously, we announced the investigation was focusing on a breach in the cryogenic helium system of the second stage liquid oxygen tank.

'The root cause of the breach has not yet been confirmed, but attention has continued to narrow to one of the three composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) inside the LOX tank.

'Through extensive testing in Texas, SpaceX has shown that it can re-create a COPV failure entirely through helium loading conditions.

'These conditions are mainly affected by the temperature and pressure of the helium being loaded.'

SpaceX's efforts are now focused on two areas  finding the exact root cause, and developing improved helium loading conditions that allow SpaceX to reliably load Falcon 9, the firm added.

'With the advanced state of the investigation, we also plan to resume stage testing in Texas in the coming days, while continuing to focus on completion of the investigation.

'This is an important milestone on the path to returning to flight,' the firm said.

Pending the results of the investigation, we continue to work towards returning to flight before the end of the year.

Our launch sites at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, remain on track to be operational in this timeframe.

The unmanned Falcon rocket erupted in a fireball Sept. 1 during prelaunch testing at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Both the rocket and the satellite on board were destroyed. Facebook had wanted to use the Israeli-made satellite to spread internet access in Africa.

The SpaceX employee reportedly asked for access to the roof of one of ULA's buildings, which is a little more than a mile away from where SpaceX's rocket launched. The explosion destroyed the rocket and the satellite it was carrying (pictured)

Numerous aviation giants have been pulled into the investigation  including the US Air Force.

The Air Force was called upon two weeks after the blast to inspect the roof of a building belonging to the firm's competitor United Launch Alliance (ULA) at its facilities in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The move came after a SpaceX employee reportedly visited the facility and requested access, according to The Washington Post.

ULA's building is just over a mile away from the site where SpaceX's rocket blew up on the launch pad on September 1, destroying Facebook's $200 million satellite.

There has been intense speculation that an object hit the ill-fated Falcon 9 rocket during fueling.

ULA (file photo) denied the access to the SpaceX employee and called Air Force investigators, who inspected the roof and didn't find anything connecting it to the rocket explosion. But SpaceX has said they have not ruled out sabotage

Now, it has been revealed that SpaceX has obtained still images from video that appeared to show an odd shadow, followed by a white spot on the roof of a nearby ULA building, the Post reports.

A SpaceX employee was denied access to the roof upon a recent visit to the facility, and ULA instead called Air Force investigators.

But, after their inspection, nothing was found in connection to the explosion.

'ULA cooperated with the Air Force's 45th Space Wing, and nothing associated with the SpaceX accident was found,' a ULA representative told CNBC.

ULA is a joint project between Lockheed Martin and Boeing and is in heated competition with SpaceX over national security contracts that together are worth hundreds of millions of dollars, according to the Post.

Elon Musk took to Twitter on September 9 seeking 'support and advice' as the investigation continues. SpaceX wrote a similar message on its Twitter account as well, which was retweeted by the billionaire SpaceX CEO

It was reported last week that the explosion may have been caused by a large breach in the rocket's helium cooling system.

A preliminary investigation by SpaceX has found the hole in the cryogenic system, which cools the upper oxygen tank of the rocket, occurred just moments before the explosion and appears to have triggered a catastrophic chain of events.

Exactly what caused the breach is still a mystery, the company has said.

A source familiar with the incident reported to the Post that the SpaceX employee told ULA officials that the company was trying to run down all possible leads and that they aren't trying to accuse ULA of anything.

SpaceX's founder and CEO, Elon Musk (pictured), called the failure 'the most difficult and complex' the company has ever had

Just over a week after the explosion, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk took to Twitter seeking 'support and advice' as the investigation continues, calling the event 'the most difficult and complex failure' the firm has ever had.

And addressing claims that a mysterious object may have hit the rocket, Musk said they 'have not ruled that out.'

Musk also wrote on Twitter that he was 'particularly trying to understand the quieter bang sound a few seconds before the fireball goes off'.

SpaceX's launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida was destroyed (pictured) by the explosion. It has been revealed that SpaceX had still images from video that appeared to show an odd shadow, then a white spot on the roof of a nearby building belonging to ULA

'May come from rocket or something else,' he added.

Earlier this week, Musk said that finding out what went wrong is the company's 'absolute top priority'.

'We've eliminated all of the obvious possibilities for what occurred there,' he said.

SpaceX is leading the investigation with help from the Air Force, NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Objects recovered from the various layers of sediment represent the earliest-known use in Australia of various notable technologies

Analysis showed that humans occupied the site from 49,000 years ago

New archaeological evidence suggests that humans first settled in Australia's arid interior around 49,000 years ago  10,000 years earlier than previously thought.

The study suggests that people settled in the arid interior within a few millennia of first arriving on the continent.

Researchers say their findings show that early people developed key technologies and cultural practices much earlier than previously thought for Australia and Southeast Asia.

New archaeological evidence suggests that humans first settled in Australia's arid interior around 49,000 years ago  10,000 years earlier than previously thought

WHAT DID THEY FIND? Researchers from La Trobe University in Melbourne analysed material discovered during an excavation at Warratyi rock shelter in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Their analysis showed that humans occupied the site from 49,000 to 46,000 years ago and that objects recovered from the various layers of sediment represent the earliest-known use in Australia of various notable technologies. These include worked bone tools (40,00038,000 years ago), backed stone tools (30,00024,000 years ago), and the use as pigments of red ochre (49,00046,000 years ago) and gypsum (40,00033,000 years ago). The researchers also found evidence of human co-existence with Diprotodon optatum, the largest-known marsupial, and the giant bird Genyornis newtoni. Advertisement

It was previously known that humans arrived in Australia about 50,000 years ago.

But the timing of both their settlement of the continent's arid interior, and the development of innovative materials, such as stone tools, have long been debated between scientists.

Researchers from La Trobe University in Melbourne analysed material discovered during an excavation at Warratyi rock shelter in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia.

In their paper, published in Nature, the researchers, led by Giles Hamm, said: 'Important technological innovations and early symbolic behaviour reveal that a dynamic, adaptive Aboriginal culture existed in arid Australia within only a few millennia of settlement on the continent.'

Their analysis showed that humans occupied the site from 49,000 to 46,000 years ago and that objects recovered from the various layers of sediment represent the earliest-known use in Australia of various notable technologies.

The researchers also found evidence of human co-existence with Diprotodon optatum (artist's impression), the largest-known marsupial, and the giant bird Genyornis newtoni

Researchers analysed material discovered during an excavation at Warratyi rock shelter in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia

These include worked bone tools (40,00038,000 years ago), backed stone tools (30,00024,000 years ago), and the use as pigments of red ochre (49,00046,000 years ago) and gypsum (40,00033,000 years ago).

The researchers also found evidence of human co-existence with Diprotodon optatum, the largest-known marsupial, and the giant bird Genyornis newtoni.

The researchers wrote: 'Our evidence shows that people not only settled in the arid interior within a few millennia of entering the continent, but also developed key technologies much earlier than previously recorded for Australia and Southeast Asia.'

The researchers analysed materials found at Flinders Ranges, the largest mountain range in South Australia, which starts about 200 km north of Adelaide
Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit will combine a bulletproof material with an exoskeleton to give the wearer super-human strength

U.S. Special Operations Command working with MIT and others on suit

U.S. Scientists are working on next-generation combat wear for soldiers inspired by the nano suit worn in the Iron Man films - and say it could be just two years away.

The Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (Talos) would effectively give its wearer superpowers, such as the ability to see in the dark, super-human strength and a way of deflecting bullets.

It is aimed at providing Navy SEALs and Special Forces with enhanced mobility and protection technologies - and will be tested in 2018.

The Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (Talos) would effectively give its wearer superpowers, such as the ability to see in the dark, super-human strength and a way of deflecting bullets. Pictured, a prototype headset from Revision Military.

'The ultimate purpose of the TALOS project is to produce a prototype in 2018,' Lt. Cmdr. Matt Allen, SOCOM spokesman, told Scout Warrior.

'That prototype will then be evaluated for operational impact,'

The technologies currently being developed include body suit-type exoskeletons, strength and power-increasing systems and additional protection.

A SOCOM statement said some of the potential technologies planned for TALOS research and development include advanced armour, command and control computers, power generators, and enhanced mobility exoskeletons.

Also, scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are developing a next-generation kind of armour called 'liquid body armour.'

The technologies currently being developed include body suit-type exoskeletons, strength and power-increasing systems and additional protection.

The suits are inspired by Tony Stark's Iron Man suit in the hit film.

It 'transforms from liquid to solid in milliseconds when a magnetic field or electrical current is applied,' the Army website said.

It will also have 'nerves' in the form of sensors that lie against the skin to monitor core body temperature, skin temperature, heart rate, body position and hydration levels..

The basis of the suit is believed to be built upon work done by an MIT professor who is developing 'liquid armour'.

Professor Gareth McKinley has been working on his 'liquid armour' technology for 11 years, which is focused on the flow of unusual materials, according to the University.

His team's research is based on his understanding of how liquids can be elastic or solid in certain situations.

Once fully developed, the armour could transform from a more liquid form to a solid in a fraction of a second under the influence of a magnetic field or electric current as well as being able to monitor a soldier's heart rate, hydration levels and core temperature, Dvice reported.

It is thought a suit would respond to the data, supplied by an on-board computer hooked up to sensors, to keep a soldier in the best conditions for battle.

Professor McKinley told NPR that the suit sounds like Iron Man.

It will also have 'nerves' in the form of sensors that lie against the skin to monitor core body temperature, skin temperature, heart rate, body position and hydration levels..

'The other kind of things that you see in the movies I think that would be more realistic at the moment would be the kind of external suit that Sigourney Weaver wears in Alien, where it's a large robot that amplifies the motions and lifting capability of a human,' he said.

The request for super body armour for troops was announced following the death of a soldier in Afghanistan.

He was reportedly trying to rescue a civilian but was shot from the other side of a door - but he might have survived if he had have been better protected by his clothing.

A Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (Talos) would effectively give its wearer superpowers, such as the ability to see in the dark, super-human strength and a way of deflecting bullets, but its is a work in progress. Currently soldiers have relatively little protection and take cover in the face of fire and explosions (pictured)

Ussocom has asked academics, entrepreneurs and private laboratories to submit white papers detailing how its Talos suit could be built and how they could help make their designs a reality, while other reports suggest that Google Glass could be utilised to provide soldiers with information on the battle field.

Exoskelteons to give people super humans strength and night vision already exist, but the challenge is building the technology into a lightweight suit.

Once fully developed, the armour could transform from a more liquid form to a solid in a fraction of a second under the influence of a magnetic field or electric current

Professor McKinley said the name of the suit - Talos - has been chosen deliberately as it is the names of the bronze armoured giant from Jason and the Argonauts.

He said: 'Like all good superheros, Talos has one weakness.

'For the Army's Talos, the weak spot is either the need to carry around a heavy pump for an hydraulic system, or lots of heavy batteries.
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The map of the world is one of the most familiar illustrations there is.

But it looks very different here  because its been resized according to where people like going on holiday.

The result is that Russia looks peculiarly shrivelled, along with Africa and South America.

Travel agency Travel Republic produced this fascinating map, which shows what the world would look like based on how popular countries are with holidaymakers

America, too, does not look quite so mammoth.

However, Mexico, Cuba, Portugal, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Turkey and Thailand all look strikingly bloated.

The fascinating map was produced by travel agency Travel Republic, which calculated the dimensions of the countries based on the most searched-for destinations across the globe.

The map shows what the world would look like if it was resized based on the monthly average search volumes for these particular destinations

The world as we know it: A regular global map highlights just how distorted landmasses become when resized based on popularity with tourists

The top five places people are heading to according to searches, Travel Republic said, are Cuba, Greece, Mexico, Spain and Thailand.

It said that demand to Cuba heavily reflects seasonal charter operations with the best time to visit being from December to May, where you can expect dry, sunny days.

Regarding Greece, it said that all-inclusive holidays are growing in popularity in the country, however self-catering is still very popular for families.

Mexico, it turns out, is popular throughout the year, as is Spain, but families prefer summer holidays there while retired couples prefer visiting in the winter.
With a website offering holiday packages, a concierge service and a frequent flier program, Baltia Air Lines appears to be just like any other carrier.

But the US company, which has existed for the past 27 years, has, according to reports, never flown a single passenger.

What's more, New York-based Baltia, has recently lost its only aircraft.

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Baltia had until recently, just a single aircraft - a Boeing 747, which is pictured above at the Michigan Airshow in 2014

Baltia is perhaps the country's oldest start up airline, having been founded in August 1989 by Igor Dmitrowsky.

The airline was supposed to provide the first non-stop route from New York to St Petersburg but, due to various set backs, including difficulty getting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval, it never got off the ground.

Its only aircraft, a Boeing 747, had been parked at Willow Run Airport, in Ypsilanti, until recently according to Michigan Radio.

A video posted on Youtube in 2014 showed the plane being displayed at the Michigan Airshow, which was said to have been sponsored by 'America's newest airline: Baltia'.

The aircraft, painted with the Baltia logo, looked to be in good working order.

However, the 37-year-old aircraft seemingly never received FAA approval to fly and earlier this year, the airline decided to abandon it altogether according to CH Aviation.

The airline was established in 1989 and its founder had intended for the airline to provide the first direct route between the US and St Petersburg

And there's more bad news.

The airline announced in a press release that its founder and CEO, Igor Dmitrowsky, passed away earlier this year.

This was followed by a restructuring that saw its Executive Vice President Russell Thal take over.

And in March this year, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed charges against its Vice President of Finance, Barry Clare, for 'allegedly acting as an unregistered broker for sales of stock issued by his employer'.

Baltia has denied these charges and issued a statement that said: 'We do not believe that Barry Clare has violated any laws, rules or regulations. We intend to defend and support Mr. Clare against the SEC charges vigorously in a public hearing.'

The charges were settled without admission or denial and Clare was forced to pay over $1million (800,000) in charges.

The airline has never flown a single passenger or item of cargo in its 27 year history and has recently lost its only plane as well

But despite the lack of revenue during a period of over two decades, the airline, which had raised capital through stocks and other means, had accrued deficit in the millions.

In the latest filing with the SEC, which is involved in the regulation of stocks, the company posted a stockholder's deficit of $3,372,310 (2,748,307).

According to Baltia's website, the airline is still 'currently undergoing FAA air carrier certification'.

Tickets for the airline are not available, though you can read information on how to get free flights through the frequent flier program or join the Golden Rooster Club - the carrier's service for its business and first class passengers.

And while the airline might not have an aircraft to its name, the airline has said in May that it would look into leasing planes to finally get its operation off the ground.

MailOnline Travel has contacted Baltia for comment.
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Most tourists walk away from famous landmarks with a photo and perhaps a souvenir.

This globetrotting photographer has made a habit of combining both into one snapshot, by holding up cheap items of memorabilia over their grand real-life counterparts.

Michael Hughes, who grew up in London, has been touring the world and taking these whimsical photos since 1999 - long before tourists flooded the sites with their selfie sticks.

These include shots from renowned landmarks like the Arco de Santa Catalina in Guatemala, Koh Samui Big Buddha temple in Thailand, the gates of Versailles in France and The Gateway of India in Mumbai.

Sometimes he uses toys or miniature statues as his souvenir subjects, other times he utilizes postcards or mugs.

But all the resulting images offer the same thing - a refreshing perspective on some of the world's most over-photographed tourist attractions.

Michael Hughes photographs cheap items of memorabilia against their grand real-life counterparts, as seen here using a novelty table lamp in front of Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa

Mr Hughes has been touring the world and taking these whimsical photos since 1999, long before the invention of the selfie stick - pictured, a souvenir of the Eiffel Tower in Paris snapped in front of the real thing

In this case, the London-born globetrotter used a novelty pencil case held up behind one of the capital's iconic red buses

A model of Big Ben taken by London's Houses of Parliament, in a moment which itself proved snap-worthy for the two women in the foreground

The tall and imposing Statue of Liberty, located on Liberty Island in the New York Harbor, reduced to the size of a paper cup

A souvenir brass paperweight with a pen jutting into the sky, photographed in front of the ancient pyramids in Cairo, Egypt

A scene from Italy's Piazza del Campo in Siena, artfully recreated on the base of a glass ashtray which obscures its view

A resin model of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, nestled in the heart of Place Charles de Gaulle, west of the Champs-Elysees

A plastic toy windmill, one of the many the Netherlands is famed for, photographed against the backdrop of a Dutch river

A memoir from jockey Edgar Prado held over the Churchill Downs' Barbaro horse monument in Louisville, Kentucky

The real Ko Samui Big Buddha in Thailand is almost entirely obscured by the careful placement of its mini souvenir version

Stave Church in Karpasz, Poland, sits behind an intricately painted model of itself, complete with tiny pillars and brick work

From a distance, it would be easy to mistake this toy car for the real yellow cab that sits at the New York traffic lights behind it

One of Berlin's most famous landmarks, the Napoleonionic Victory Cannon in Tiergarten, captured on the front of a mug

A copy of the Beatles' 1969 album Abbey Road, held up against the road where the iconic album cover was shot in London

In this case, Mr Hughes has opted to use a colourful decorative plate to depict the real Arco de Santa Catalina in Guatemala

The Gate of India, obscured by a slightly crumpled postcard bearing its image - with tourists milling around it and in real life

A cute little plush toy is held up against a real dolphin performing at the controversial Sea World park in Valencia, Spain

Another instance of a toy car lined up perfectly in front of a real one, this taken at the Checkpoint Charlie Trabi Museum in Germany

The charming town of Massa Marittima in Italy's southern Tuscany, along with a decorative tile depicting its central monument

The Clerics Tower in Porto, Portugal, its image rendered on a small souvenir clock and photographed to blend into the streets

A small bookmark held up against the quaint old town square it depicts, taken at the Fontana Maggiore in Perugia, Italy

The sky in this postcard of the Palace de Versailles in Paris is bluer that it was on the day this photo was taken, but otherwise lines up

A fridge magnet bearing the Van Gough-style painting of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, held up against the real thing

A small model of the Roscoff lighthouse in France, held aloft by the noticeably tanned hand of Mr Hughes during one holiday

This jovial miniature china plate depicts what in real life is a somewhat empty-looking amusement park in Vienna, Austria

In this case Mr Hughes has made use of another CD album cover, The Girl from Ipanema, taken in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

An old-fashioned model tram in San Francisco contrasts the life-sized modern yellow cab you can see in the background

Here, a souvenir tissue box has been placed over the view of a motorway in Muscat, Oman, flanked by trees and mountains

A novelty keyring pouch held up in a cobbled square in Piazza Sordello, Italy - its colours lurid against the grey backdrop
winners in 11 categories overall, among them Nature, Wildlife, Travel and Sport

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These remarkable photos are the highly deserving winners of a prestigious new photography contest.

The Siena International Photo Awards, held at the Teatro dei Rozzi on Sunday, revealed winners across 11 categories in total - among them Nature, Wildlife, Travel and Sport.

French photographer Greg Lecoeur was crowned the overall winner with his highly evocative underwater photograph immortalising marine predators hunting during the migratory period of sardines along the coast of South Africa.

Norwegian snapper Audun Rikardsen won two first places in both the Wildlife and Sport categories, with his portrait of a killer whale and his shot of a daredevil skier in Norway's Tromso respectively.

And the billowing eruption of Mount Etna easily took the top spot in the Nature category, captured in all its splendour by Italian photographer Giuseppe Mario Famiani.

The award ceremony marked the start of Siena's Art Photo Travel Festival, which will run for 30 days with a range of major events and exhibitions - and here MailOnline Travel showcases the winners and runner-ups.

Nature, first place: The billowing eruption of Mount Etna easily took the top spot in the Nature category, captured in all its splendour by Italian photographer Giuseppe Mario Famiani

Wildlife, first place: Audun Rikardsen's shot of a killer whale which has been drawn towards a fishing boat by the promise of some lingering herring in Tromso, Norway

Sport, first place: Mr Rikardsen also won in the Sport category, with a shot of his friend leaping from a 32-foot cliff, also shot in Tromso

Overall winner: French photographer Greg Lecoeur was crowned the overall winner with his highly evocative photograph immortalising marine predators hunting during the migratory period of sardines along the coast of South Africa

Nature, second place: Photographer Mike Korostelev captured a mighty brown bear pouncing on fish in Kuril Lake, Russia

Wildlife, second place: Antonius Andre Tjiu managed to document the hurried moment a snake fought back against a huge crested serpent eagle in Borneo

Sport, second place: Photographer Eric Tkindt says he was 'lucky' to be in the right place at the right time when this former world champion lost his title

Travel, first place: Turkish photographer Leyla Emektar captured a local peasant woman weaving her way between brightly coloured greenhouses during the strawberry harvest

Travel, second place: When Matjaz Krivic came across this boy, she and her team patched up his broken shoes with dental floss and photographed them before he went on his way

Open Colour, first place: The colours and crafts of Vietnam are the heart of this photograph, entitled Phan Rang Fishing Net Making, by Malaysian photographer Danny Yen Sin Wong

Open Colour, second place: Muslims circulate the Kaaba of holy worship in a shot taken by photographer Majid Alamri

Open Monochrome, first place: Polish photographer Marcin Ryczek took this striking photograph of swans and ducks in Cracow

Open Monochrome, second place: Photographer Pimpin Nagawan captures a barbaric cock fight - a bloody tradition widespread across several societies in Indonesia

Student, first place: A highly conceptual portrait entitled Ofelia, taken in Mexico by budding photographer Krishna Vr

Student, second place: Spencer Cox captured this glassy washed-up iceberg on Iceland's Jokulsarlon beach, just before it melted back into the ocean

Architecture, first place: New Zealander Mike Holleman captured a glimpse of Tokyo shot using a long exposure while travelling the Yurikamome Line in Japan

Architecture, second place: Two women wander through the vast Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, shot in Dubai by Ali Al Hajri

People and Portrait, first place: All the tenderness of the relationship between mother and child is captured in this portrait by Chinese photographer Jiming Lv

People and Portrait, second place: A quirky composure of a redhead and a hairless cat from Dutch photographer Justine Tjallinks

Wine, first place: It wouldn't be an Italian contest without an entire category devoted to wine - and this was the winner, a Romanian farmer in Maramures taken by Gianluca De Bartolo

Wine, second place: The misty autumn landscape of the Cuneo Langhe wine region near Alba, shot by Valentina Galvagno
He's been on a one-man mission to win back Megan McKenna since they split in September.

And now Pete Wicks has taken his efforts to woo the Essex girl to a whole new level, as he reveals a tattoo dedicated to her on Wednesday's installment of TOWIE.

Still heartbroken that his efforts have failed to win back Megan, the 27-year-old goes to new lengths to show his devotion to her - in a VERY physical way.

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New heights of romance? Pete Wicks has taken his efforts to woo Megan McKenna to a whole new level, as he reveals a tattoo dedicated to her on Wednesday's installment

Viewers will see Pete shock and amuse some of his friends as he reveals a crisp black M inked onto his right palm.

In what appears to be another effort to prove he'll never stray from her side, the already heavily tattooed star appears to have had a needle taken to a fresh patch of skin.

The Essex boy recently told MailOnline that he was in it for the long-haul when it came to getting Megan back.

'I've got all the time in the world, and however long it takes I'm going to do everything I can to get Megan back, so however long it takes... that's it,' He said defiantly.

Trying to impress her? Still heartbroken that his efforts have failed to win back Megan, the 27-year-old goes to new lengths to show his devotion to her - in a VERY physical way

M is for Megan: Viewers will see Pete shock and amuse some of his friends as he reveals a crisp black M inked onto his right palm

And while Pete may have labelled people interfering with his and Megan's affairs 'irrelevant' one person who Megan may not class as that is friend Lauren Goodger.

Having urged the former Ex On The Beach star to take Pete back earlier on in the series, the TOWIE veteran makes another appearance to impart some more advice.

But whether she is still a fan of 'Pegan' will only be revealed as she and her friend sit down for a chat over some beauty treatments.

Agony aunt: Lauren Goodger returns to have another heart-to-heart with Megan as Pete undertakes his labour of love

Still a fan? Having urged the former Ex On The Beach star to take Pete back earlier on in the series, the TOWIE veteran makes another appearance to impart some more advice

Tensions also rise between Chloe Meadows and Georgia Kousoulou, as the newbie has a heated run-in with the TOWIE stalwart.

Clearly still not over the rift that appeared in Marbella, Chloe looks set to take Georgia to task - giving some strong opinions.

Georgia, however, looks unphased by it all, while Courtney Green does little more than stand beside Chloe as she rants.

You said what? Tensions also rise between Chloe Meadows and Georgia Kousoulou, as the newbie has a heated run-in with the TOWIE stalwart

Not your average chat: Clearly still not over the rift that appeared in Marbella, Chloe looks set to take Georgia to task - giving some strong opinions

Still loved up: The latest episode of the series will also Cara Massey and Cara De La Hoyde return for a guest appearance, with the Love Island winners still loved-up.

The latest episode of the series will also Cara Massey and Cara De La Hoyde return for a guest appearance, with the Love Island winners still loved-up.

Gemma Collins and Bobby Norris are also up to their old tricks and look to have bitten off more than they can chew with a trip to conquer their fears of snakes.

Taking Lydia Bright to a reptile house, the trio are left traumatized as they're given a snake to handle.

Fans can discover what unfolds in the latest installment of TOWIE will air at 10pm on ITVBE.

Conquer your fears> Gemma Collins and Bobby Norris are also up to their old tricks and look to have bitten off more than they can chew with a trip to conquer their fears of snakes
As a board member of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, his costume was certainly fitting.

And on Halloween on Monday, Christian Bale went trick-or-treating with his family in Santa Monica, dressed as the large species himself.

Daughter Emmeline was quite the daddy's girl, as she also dressed in an animal costume, though a characterized version.

In the wild! On Halloween on Monday, Christian Bale, 42, went trick-or-treating with his family, dressed as a gorilla

While he and his daughter chose animal life, wife of sixteen years Sibi Blazic, 46, and their son, set their eyes on the ocean waters.

The pretty brunette was the captain of the ship, while little Joseph, two, was a pirate.

The tiny tot, dressed in a striped sweater, a cape and a hat, appeared to be the most excited of the foursome.

Daughter Emmeline, 11, was quite the daddy's girl, as she also dressed in an animal costume, though a characterized version

When Christian is not enjoying quality time with his family, he is working to support them.

The Dark Knight star has a packed schedule up until 2018.

The Academy Award winner stars as a journalist in the historical drama, The Promise.

The film, set during the Armenian Genocide, tells of a love triangle involving an AP journalist (Christian), a medical student and an Armenian woman.

The movie premiered at the Toronto Film Festival earlier this year. A release date has not been set.

Busy father: When Christian is not enjoying quality time with his family, he is working to support them

The Little Women actor recently completed the drama, Weightless, set to hit theaters on March 17, 2017.

Christian will again be a part of a love triangle set in Austin's music scene. The movie also stars Natalie Portman, Ryan Gosling, Cate Blanchett, and Michael Fassbender, among others.

The actor will join Rosamund Pike and Stephen Lang in the western, Hostiles, and will star as Bagheera in the 2018 film, Jungle Book.
He welcomed his fifth child River Rocket to the world in August.

And while Jamie Oliver could hardly contain his delight at his arrival, in an interview with Red magazine he admitted he was 'surprised' at his wife Jools' willingness to add to their brood once again - although insists he draws the line at five.

The 41-year-old TV chef joined his good friend Fearne Cotton on the front cover of the December issue of the magazine before chatting about their families in an accompanying interview.

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Great pals: Jamie Oliver could hardly contain his delight at his arrival, in an interview with Red magazine he admitted he was 'surprised' at his wife Jools' willingness to add to their brood once again - although insists he draws the line at five

Back in August, Jamie welcomed his fifth child with wife Jools when he announced the happy news on Instagram with a snap of the baby boy swaddled.

The happy couple are already parents to Poppy Honey, 14, Daisy Boo, 12, Petal Blossom, seven and Buddy Bear, six - yet the Naked Chef admits he was taken aback by his stunning wife's decision to have one more.

He told the magazine: 'I was quite surprised Jools wanted to go again if Im honest with you. She clearly was really passionate about it. Shes a great mum and shes made that her career really. But I think were done now.'

Jamie was joined by fellow TV star Fearne for the shoot, as they discussed their 20-year-old friendship and their respective families - atop a shared passion for food.

Shock moves: Back in August, Jamie welcomed his fifth child with wife Jools when he announced the happy news on Instagram with a snap of the baby boy swaddled

Posing it up: The 41-year-old TV chef joined his good friend Fearne Cotton on the front cover of the December issue of the magazine before chatting about their families in an accompanying interview

Of being pals, Jamie said: 'We broke at the same time. Fearne was a teenage talent, I was 23, and Ive known her all my celebrity life, going down the red carpet, popping up on T4. And she cooks good.'

Dazzling talent Fearne, who recently released her debut cook book, added: 'I wish I could remember our first meeting but Ive kept in touch with him for years. Predominantly Im just a huge fan.'

The blonde beauty shares two children with husband of two years Jesse Wood: Rex, three, and Honey, one, while he has Arthur, 14, and Lola, 11, from a previous relationship, and she admits her family home has made her happier than she ever imagined.

She said: 'For the first time, I really get what makes me happy and its not stuff that requires a vast amount of effort, just really simple things like being with the kids and with Jesse and doing jobs we enjoy.

Long time buddies: Jamie was joined by fellow TV star Fearne for the shoot, as they discussed their 20-year-old friendship and their respective families - atop a shared passion for food

She's a fan! Dazzling talent Fearne, who recently released her debut cook book, added: 'I wish I could remember our first meeting but Ive kept in touch with him for years. Predominantly Im just a huge fan'

'Im writing a book about happiness and Ive done a section on looking back at mistakes youve made, or things youve done that didnt feel authentic to you. And most of the time when I was out clubbing or at industry events, I was thinking: "God, I wish I was at home."

'Even if I was looking like I was having the best time out ever, Im a real homebody by nature. That period of my life was more about trying to feel like I belonged to a gang of people. Whereas now I can be quite happy just by being cool with being me and being a mum.'

The DJ discussed her Christmas time with her family and Jesse, who is the son of Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood: '(Christmas) is usually at ours, with all our extended family from both sides. Jesse is the head chef as hes the only one who can tell my mum what to do, because if I try, that is a Christmas Day argument that we dont need.

Loved-up: The blonde beauty shares two children with husband of two years Jesse Wood: Rex, three, and Honey, one, while he has Arthur, 14, and Lola, 11, from a previous relationship, and she admits her family home has made her happier than she ever imagined

Rock on! The DJ discussed her Christmas time with her family and Jesse, who is the son of Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood

'Ill do the nut roast  Hemsley and Hemsley last year  and plop a bit of champs in a glass with some cranberries and agave. Sometimes Jesses dad comes, sometimes he doesnt.

'Hes generally feel-good about most situations in life, so he gets pretty into the spirit of the day. He had a paper hat on the other year when he was round. My mum and dad are certainly very unfazed. Theyre used to him just being Ronnie rather than it being "Him in a band".'

Of her modern family with her two step-children, Fearne said: 'Its been five and a half years, and were really into the swing of how our family dynamic works, as Jesse and I have worked really hard at that. The main thing is communication with the kids.

Into the swing: Of her modern family with her two step-children, Fearne said: 'Its been five and a half years, and were really into the swing of how our family dynamic works, as Jesse and I have worked really hard at that. The main thing is communication with the kids'

The December issue of Red is on sale Thursday 3 November

'Im not trying to be their mum. Its a really weird thing to put your finger on being a stepmum, because you love them and youve got this huge sense of responsibility, but its not me replacing their mum when theyre at our house.

'There are so many children (in the extended family) now. Jesses dad has got his own babies now, too. Hes pretty busy with that, so we havent seen him as much recently because theyre still in the phase of getting used to having twins.

'But we do hang out with them a bit. And Jesses stepmum, Jo, will come over and see the kids, and Jesses sister Leah has two kids, so well hang out with those guys.'

Jamie meanwhile admitted he would love to jet his family away for Christmas, although Jools is more of a homebody: ' My parents worked in a pub that was open every day except Christmas, it was the only time I got the two of them alone. So now Im into the nostalgia of getting the family over, having everyone in our barn for lunch.

'But this time, I might take them all to Hawaii for Christmas. Very controversial. Jools is not very adventurous, she doesnt like travelling, she hates flying and shes a real homey type. Thats partly why I love her to bits.'
Her career-making role in 1998 movie The Parent Trap saw her successfully toy with an English accent.

And Lindsay Lohan appears to be adding another diction to her repertoire as she spoke in a bizarre European accent while launching an impassioned speech about refugees at the launch of her Grecian nightclub last month.

The 30-year-old actress chatted to reporters in the garbled manner which appeared to feature broken English with hints of her American twang.

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Playing a part: Lindsay Lohan spoke in a bizarre European accent while launching an impassioned speech about refugees at the launch of her Grecian nightclub last month

Lindsay has upped sticks from her native country to jaunt around Europe, being mainly based in England and Greece, and she has now opened an eponymous club in Athens.

At last month's launch, the flame-haired beauty dazzled in a flapper-inspired beaded mini dress which certainly turned heads, although her pre-party speech was what truly left a mark.

The stunning actress spoke in broken English as she chatted about the joy she had found in the European country where she admits she has 'found good family'.

Referencing her rumoured beau Dennis Papageorgi, who she co-owns the club with, she insisted they are more than friends and business partners before gushing about his mum and sister who helped in her time of need.

Strange voices: The 30-year-old actress chatted to reporters in the garbled manner which appeared to feature broken English with hints of her American twang

Atop her rumoured relationship, Lindsay discussed her now-defunct romance with former fiance Egor Tarabasov, with whom she was reportedly embroiled in an abusive relationship until their split in the summer.

In the bizarre clip, Lindsay speaks with her apparent adopted dialogue as she says: 'I said maybe there is something for me to do more here so I have a reason to come back.

'My first time coming to Athens with Dennis, my friend, and that's all he is my friend and business partner! But his mother became a very close person to me and his sister as well... When I went through hardships with my ex I really found 'good family' in these people from Greece.'

All eyes on her: The flame-haired beauty dazzled in a flapper-inspired beaded mini dress which certainly turned heads, although her pre-party speech was what truly left a mark

Europe girl at heart: Lindsay has upped sticks from her native country to jaunt around Europe, being mainly based in England and Greece, and she has now opened a nightclub in Athens

The club: Referencing her rumoured beau Dennis Papageorgi, who she co-owns the club with, she insisted they are more than friends and business partners before gushing about his mum and sister who helped in her time of need

Lindsay went on to discuss her work with refugees after visiting Turkey last year when she toured the social facilities and preschool in Nizip before giving refugee children there presents. She also visited an art and handicrafts workshop where she talked with the female students.

She said: 'Just as I did in Turkey with refugees. So where people are scared of refugees and everything in the world, there's a minimum, there's a line of where we can make happiness and shine a light in every situation that is bad and make it good.

'Whereas in the past I've been associated with nightclubs and clubbing I said why not do my own and make it a good place. Where there's bad things happening in the world we can focus on the bad things and fix them with the club we can create charity with the club.'
She's the popular footwear designer, who is known for her impeccable style.

And Terry Biviano, 41, put her best foot forward while attending a Melbourne Cup Day luncheon hosted by Barbara Coombes and Angelique Andrews at Bar Moncur & Bistro Moncur in Sydney on Tuesday.

The wife of former NRL star Anthony Minichiello cut a chic figure in a pastel pink Dion Lee dress, paired with a matching Morgan & Taylor headpiece.

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Beaming beauty: Terry Biviano, 41, put her best foot forward while attending a Melbourne Cup Day luncheon hosted by Barbara Coombes and Angelique Andrews at Bar Moncur & Bistro Moncur in Sydney on Tuesday

The figure-hugging gown featured diagonal detailing and a fishtail finish.

She completed the look with silver open-tow stilettos and an elegant chained white clutch.

Her long brunette locks were worn loosely and neatly parted at the centre to reveal her flawless visage.

Stunning: Her long brunette locks were worn loosely and neatly parted at the centre to reveal her flawless visage

Social butterfly: At one point, she was pictured chatting to socialites Beth Levins (left) and Alina Barlow (right)

Simply stunning: Roxy Jacenko looked incredible in a vibrant designer frock by Peter Pilotto that skimmed over her svelte physique. Roxy is pictured with hosts Barbara Coombes (left) and Angelique Andrews (centre)

Fashionable crowd: While at the lavish event, Sydney PR queen Roxy posed for a series of snaps. Pictured with Emma Steel (centre) and Kristy Mirzikinian (right)

The mother-of-one's makeup consisted of bronzer, smokey eyes and a deep plum lip.

Inside the event, Terry looked every inch the Sydney socialite as she posed for snaps alongside fellow stars.

At one point, she was pictured chatting to socialites Beth Levins and Alina Barlow.

Big spenders! Terry and her former NRL star husband Anthony Minichiello are set to spend $560,000 revamping a Sydney property they purchased for $3.1million

It appears that Terry's impeccable taste in fashion also extends to real estate, with the stunner set to revamp a run-down Sydney house she bought with Anthony, for more than $3million.

Two years after making the purchase, the couple are set to spend another $560,000 revamping the property, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The pair reportedly plan to add a new second-floor level, a roof terrace and a garage extension to the Vaucluse home in the city's east.

Makeover: Renovation plans include a new second-floor level, a roof terrace and a garage extension at the the Vaucluse home

The harbourside home was built in the 1970s and has remained in its original condition.

At the time of the purchase, one of Anthony and Terry's personal buyer agents, Oliver Berger, told Daily Mail Australia the couple were delighted with their $3.1 million investment.

'They're extremely happy with it and signed the papers last night,' the agent said.

'Renovator's delight': Agent Mark Meyer of LJ Levi Real Estate said the power couple saw potential on the run-down home

'They're either planning to knock it down or completely gut it out and renovate it.'

Agent Mark Meyer of LJ Levi Real Estate added: 'One of the main attractions of the property was that it was built on 770sqm with a 20m frontage plus it's in a very nice part of Vaucluse.

'It's a renovator's delight and the buyers saw a lot of potential to build the home they really want.'

Climbing the ladder! The $3.1million puchase came after the pair sold their Bondi Beach penthouse for nearly $2million

The purchase came after Terry and Anthony, 35, sold their neighbouring waterfront Bondi Beach penthouse for nearly $2million.

The couple married in January 2012 at a lavish ceremony at Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral.

They welcomed their daughter Azura in December 2013.
A series of snaps of Imogen Anthony and Kyle Sandilands dressed up in costume for a Hollywood Halloween party have hit social media over the last two days.

But in one image, which was posted to Kyle & Jackie O's Instagram page on Tuesday, Imogen's scantily-clad figure is not the only thing that stands out, according toNew Idea.

The magazine speculates that an object seen on a bench next to two cigarette packets behind the loved-up couple, appears 'similar in appearance to a small plastic bag of pills.'

However, it is not known exactly what the object is or who it belongs to as several people attended the bash, held at the upscale Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.

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What's in the bag? New Idea speculates an object seen on a bench behind Kyle Sandilands and Imogen Anthony at a Hollywood Halloween party appears 'similar in appearance to a small plastic bag of pills'

What is it? However it is unknown exactly what the object is or who it belongs to, as several people attended the bash, held at the upscale Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Kyle's management for a comment and are not insinuating that it belonged to either Kyle or Imogen.

The loved-up couple, who share a 20 year age difference, mingled with other guests during their night out, including one of Imogen's gal pals who dressed up as Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family.

Other partygoers are also seen milling around in the background in Kyle and Imogen's social media snap.

Bash: The loved-up couple, who share a 20 year age difference, mingled with other guests on the night, including one of Imogen's gal pals, who dressed up as Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family

Diirty: Imogen channelled Christina Aguilera from the pop star's famous Diirty film clip, wearing a revealing bikini, chaps and her hair in braids

Meanwhile, Imogen channelled Christina Aguilera from the pop star's famous Diirty film clip on the night, standing out in a revealing bikini, chaps and her hair in braids.

And the 25-year-old was not the only one wearing the costume for Halloween, as reality star Kylie Jenner also donned a near-identical ensemble.

Imogen laughed off the fashion faux pas, telling fans on social media she told the famous teen: ''I was like "oh hey girl... You look familiar"'.

Sharing a snap of herself to Instagram, Imogen explained the encounter in her post.

Look familiar? Kylie Jenner also dressed up as Christina Aguilera for Halloween

'Amazing night at the Roosevelt Halloween party watching Big Sean perform then Tyga & Kylie rocked up out the front as I was seeing Kyle off...,' she wrote about her boyfriend of five years, Kyle Sandilands.

'I was like "oh hey girl... You look familiar," Imogen said.
She has publicly spoken out about protecting dogs' rights.

So it comes as no surprise that Vogue Williams turned out to support the Dog's Trust for their 125th anniversary private dinner at Annabel's in London on Tuesday night.

The 30-year-old Irish DJ oozed elegance in a strapless black gown and flashed a generous glimpse of her toned legs thanks to a racy thigh-high split.

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Simply stunning: Vogue Williams looked chic at the Dog's Trust for their 125th birthday bash in London on Tuesday night

The model, who owns a pet pooch herself called Winston, certainly turned heads in the dramatic floor-skimming gown.

Featuring a strapless cut with a patent panel and front-split, the dress perfectly offset her deep bronzed glow.

Letting the dress do all the talking she accessorised with a pair of multi-strap heels and a delicate gold necklace.

Her golden ombre-hued locks were styled in polished curls that harked back to the Old Hollywood era.

Centre-stage: The model, who owns a pet pooch herself called Winston, certainly turned heads in the dramatic floor-skimming gown

Legs for days: The 30-year-old Irish DJ oozed elegance in a strapless black gown and flashed a generous glimpse of her toned legs thanks to a racy thigh-high split

She kept her make-up understated, plumping her pout with a taupe lipgloss and outlined her hazel eyes with a bronze shimmer.

Vogue has spoken out about dogs rights in the past, including urging the public to sign a petition to stop the horrific dog meat trade.

She wrote on her Hello blog to condemn the Yulin festival in China - which involves two days of eating dog meat.

Letting the dress do all the talking: She accessorised with a pair of multi-strap heels and a delicate gold necklace

Glowing: She kept her make-up understated, plumping her pout with a taupe lipgloss and outlined her hazel eyes with a bronze shimmer

Chic: Her golden ombre-hued locks were styled in polished curls that harked back to the Old Hollywood era

Ardent campaigner: Vogue has spoken out about dog's rights in the past, including urging the public to sign a petition in a bid to stop the horrific dog meat trade

Smiles all round: The model arrived with her friend Ricky Gibson, who was suited and booted in black tie for the event

Say cheese: The duo posed for a quick selfie before heading into the dining room

'It is truly horrifying what goes on and the images you will find on Google don't even justify the cruelty,' she penned.

The Howth-based beauty, who shares her dog with ex-husband Brian McFadden, added: 'I am a huge dog person. Winston my dog is like my child.

'Dogs are human's companions and our best friends, becoming family members to anyone who owns a dog.'

Budding beauty: Cook Jasmine Hemsley looked radiant in a plunging floral dress

Natural beauty: She wore little make-up and let her tousled locks go free

Living it up: Jasmine looked stunning as she posed alongside soprano Natalie Rushdie, who is the wife of legendary author Salman Rushdie's son Zafar

Dapper dude: The star-studded event was hosted by TV presenter Darren Kennedy, who was suited and booted to perfection in a navy two-piece and bow tie

Taking the mic: Darren was master of ceremony on the evening, comparing the charity dinner and auction

The man himself: Anabelle's owner Richard Caring was also attending the event

In good company: The buisnessman was accompanied by his glamorous partner Patricia Mondinni

Family ties: While his son Ben was also at the event with his father

Also in attendance at the event was Jasmine Hemsley, Matt Johnson, Johnny Vegas, Arlene Phillips, Charlotte Hawkins, Alex Gregory MBE and Lord Harry Dalmeny.

The guests were treated to tipples like Nyetimber Sparkling Wine and Bulldog Gin as they celebrated the dog charity's anniversary.

Created in 1891, The Dog's Trust is the largest dog welfare charity in the UK, and has 21 rehoming centeres for abandoned and unwanted dogs

Floral fancy: Presenter Charlotte Hawkins looked stunning in a chic floral gown with sweet shoes

Keeping good company: Presenters Charlotte and Jacquie Beltrao smiled as they posed together

Quite the pair: Fromer Strictly judge Arlene Phillips dazzled in a floral mesh dress, while Jacquie opted for a plunging playsuit

Beautiful in blue: Arlene looked sensational in her cut out lace number

Strutting her stuff: The blue gown was totally age appropriate for the extremely youthful 73-year-old

Fab friends: The ladies cosied up to Charlotte as they chatted away in the lounge bar before the 'do'

Dapper: Writer Camille Charriere wore a metallic slip dress as she posed with designer Patrick Grant

Lost love: Elizabthe Hurley's former husband Arun Nayar looked dashing in a tuxedo as he posed with his wife Kim Johnson

Slick: Among the huge stars in attendance was Johnny Vegas who smartened up in a three-piece suit with his long hair slicked back

Calling them out! Johnny was yelling out between bites of his dinner at the lavish bash

Living it up: Johnny Vegas smiled for cameras as he left the bash

Representing Team GB: Olympic gold medalist Alex Gregory was on hand to support the trust, and even volunteered a personal rowing lesson as one of the auction lots on the night

Pals: The rower and presenter Matt Johnson shared a table, and were in high spirits

Glittering in green: Soprano Laura Wright was also on their table, and like Alex, had offered her talent up for the auction

Leading the affair: Harry Primrose, Lord Dalmeny took the microphone for the auction
He is the young Disney star who seems destined for the top.

But Ryan McCartan told fans 'life is precious but fragile' on Tuesday when he revealed a battery of health issues meant he spent Halloween in hospital.

The 23-year-old Liv And Maddie hunk revealed he was rushed for treatment after he suffered food poisoning, dehydration and diabetes-related complications.

Drip: Ryan McCartan shared a picture Tuesday of himself hooked up to an IV as he revealed he was hospitalised due to food poisoning and dehydration on Halloween

Sharing an image where he was hooked up to a drip in hospital on Instagram, he said: 'mccaryaThis is how I spent my Halloween after a series of food-poisoning, dehydration and diabetes-related complications.

'Life is precious but fragile, and boy did I get that reminder! Grateful for an amazing sister, family, and friends who quite literally saved my life yesterday.

'Doing better today- thanks for the well wishes.'

The macho actor, who recently starred as Brad in The Rocky Horror Picture Show remake on Fox, seemed to have been having a great festive weekend before his health problems.

In good health: Ryan looked full of beans in his bathrobe at a Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles event last Thursday

Still not feeling ruff: She teamed up with Miranda Cosgrove and Jennette McCurdy when he dressed as Shaggy for a Scooby Doo themed snap at the weekend

Last Thursday he graced the red carpet in a bathrobe as he attended the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles Fred And Jason's Halloweenie at the California Science Center.

And at the weekend he teamed up with iCarly stars Miranda Cosgrove and Jennette McCurdy as they donned Scooby Doo themed Halloween outfits on a night out.

Ryan dressed up as Shaggy, while Colton Tran was Fred and and Ryan Adames appeared as Scooby himself.

While he has been transitioning to more adult roles in recent times, the flamboyant actor is still best known for his turn as real-life former fiance Dove Cameron's love interest Diggie on Disney Channel sitcom Liv And Maddie.

Signature role: He is known for his turn as Dove Cameron's beau Diggie on Liv And Maddie
She's kept tight-lipped amid rumours she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Liam Payne, 23.

But Cheryl, 33, is set to make her first television appearance since the speculation began, with a slot on Wednesday's episode of The One Show.

During a teaser for the BBC talkshow, Matt Baker and Alex Jones confirmed the songstress would be appearing on the programme but gave no indication as to the subject she would be discussing.

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One to watch: Cheryl, 33, is set to make her first television appearance since the pregnancy speculation began, with a slot on Wednesday's episode of The One Show

The Fight For This Love hitmaker has remained coy about her alleged pregnancy despite showing off a rounded stomach and the fabled new mother glow.

She has been keeping out of the spotlight since the rumours came to light, and further added fuel to the file when she pulled out of an appearance at the Pride Of Britain Awards on Monday.

The star announced her absence on Twitter by sharing her disappointment with fans.

She said: 'Gutted I couldn't make the #prideofbritain awards tonight. One of my favourite awards!. Good luck to all the nominees you're all amazing.'

Proud parents? Cheryl has kept tight-lipped amid rumours she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Liam Payne, 23, and has kept out of the spotlight during this time

Keeping quiet: The Fight For This Love hitmaker has remained coy about her alleged pregnancy despite showing off a rounded stomach and the fabled new mother glow

However, whilst she may not have been at the ceremony, she was still a hot talking point on the day, with Olly Murs refusing to talk about the songstress.

The X Factor star told The Mirror: 'I'm sure when they feel confident and want to come out and tell everyone they will.

'It's their own business and I'm sure they'll be fantastic parents if they are, so I wish them all the best.'

Skipped a beat: Olly Murs recently dodged a question about Cheryl's alleged pregnancy but said the couple would make 'fantastic parents'

Meanwhile, Cheryl's Girls Aloud bandmate Kimberley Walsh told the site 'thanks,' when asked to pass on her congratulations, neither confirming nor denying rumours.

Kimberley's comments as she - who herself is pregnant with her second child - told the Daily Star's TV Life magazine about Cheryl's happiness.

The Promise hitmaker revealed: 'Yes, I'm really happy that she's happy.

'I don't really want to go into too much detail on that because I feel it's something that she should speak about, but to know she's happy makes me happy.'
She's the self-described 'Australia's Bridget Jones,' whose never had a boyfriend despite having been on 50 dates.

And one day after Sydney nanny Roxy made her unforgettable debut on First Dates Australia, the 26-year-old garnered criticism from viewers for rejecting a second date, despite bemoaning single life.

Viewers took to social media shortly after episode one aired on Tuesday night to share tweets and memes after watching her reject Usher wannabe Aarun.

Too picky? Sydney nanny Roxy, 26, has been criticised following her debut on First Dates Australia on Tuesday, after she rejected a second date, despite bemoaning single life

'ROXY BURNED AARUN I AM SO DONE SHE IS FIERCE #FIRSTDATESAU,' one viewer tweeted.

'#firstdates Roxy makes herself a victim - didn't give it a chance, he was willing, she could have said yes, to see if it developed,' another wrote.

'Roxy is like a 2016 version of Napoleon Dynamite #FirstDatesAU,' one fan observed.

Criticism: Viewers took to social media after episode one aired to share tweets and memes after watching her reject Usher wannabe Aarun

'ROXY BURNED AARUN': Viewers expressed their frustration with Roxy's decision, particularly after she bemoaned single life

She's just not that into you: 'He was really nice but it was like ... nothing there and I specifically said I wasn't looking for someone like him,' she told The West Australian

The talkative beauty appeared keen to meet Aarun as she waited for him to arrive for their date.

She was heard telling the bartender that she had been on at least 50 dates and that none of them were gentleman.

'I've paid for all of them,' she said.

Tweeting their thoughts: Viewers expressed their frustration on Twitter

Seeing the funny side: Some viewers had a bit of fun by creating funny memes

'Last one I went on he said I wasn't pretty enough and I talk too much, so let's hope this guy's a gentleman.'

Despite having a successful date with nurse Aarun, Roxy declined to go out with him again and she later told the cameras that she felt bad for doing so.

'I just feel mean because he was such a nice guy,' she said tearfully.

Bad experiences: She was heard telling the bartender that she had been on at least 50 dates and that none of them were gentleman

'To reject someone is the hardest task I've ever had to deal with because I hate it when guys do it to me.'

In a recent interview with The West Australian, Roxy explained that Aarun simply wasn't her type while confirming she is still single.

'He was really nice but it was like ... nothing there and I specifically said I wasn't looking for someone like him,' she said.

'Like, what I said I was into, he was the total opposite. So I kind of, was pretty let down.'
As a popular presenter on a talk show, she's never shown off her performance skills.

But on Tuesday's episode of Channel Ten's The Project, Carrie Bickmore gave viewers a chance to hear her belt out Daryl Braithwaite's hit The Horses, backing the vocalist as Australia's Eurovision 2017 entrant.

'Wrong key but you get my drift,' the 35-year-old joked afterwards.

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'Wrong key but you get my drift': The Project's Carrie Bickmore (pictured) 35, belted out Daryl Braithwaite's hit The Horses on Tuesday night's episode, backing the vocalist as Australia's Eurovision 2017 entrant. Pictured with guest presenter Hamish Macdonald

Australia is set to compete for the third time in Eurovision 2017, held in the Ukraine in May.

Past celebrity entrants were Australian Idol's Guy Sebastian and The X Factor's Dami Im.

When Double J presenter and Eurovision enthusiast Myf Warhurst was quizzed by Carrie as to who should represent Australia next year, the brunette suggested crooner Daryl Braithwaite, 67.

Onto something? Double J presenter and Eurovision enthusiast Myf Warhurst (pictured) suggested Daryl should represent Australia in Eurovision 2017

Crooner: Daryl Braithwaite (pictured) 67, last came to headlines in 1990 with his hit The Horses

He is yet to have an official comeback since his 1990 hit, The Horses.

Carrie decided to belt out the hit's lyrics 'don't you worry baby,' before erupting in laughter and adding 'wrong key but you get my drift.'

Guest presenter Hamish Macdonald let Carrie do the performing, simply sharing, 'I've had that song in my head ever since we discussed Eurovision.'

She's vocal! Hamish let Carrie do the performing, simply sharing, 'I've had that song in my head ever since we discussed Eurovision'

A hash-tag was created to back Daryl, with viewers taking to Twitter to share their support.

One user wrote: 'Daryl dressed as a horse singing Horses on a horse = Eurovision win!'

While another simply commented: 'Go Dazza.'

Online support: A hash-tag was created to back Daryl, with viewers taking to Twitter to share their support
She enjoyed a mother son day out with her eldest child Mason, six.

And Kourtney Kardashian dressed accordingly for their casual outing, opting for a distressed Harvard University hoodie with black leggings and Yeezy sneakers.

The 37-year-old and her camouflage wearing son were spotted out on Tuesday in Calabasas running errands together.

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Doting mom: Kourtney Kardashian stepped out with her son Mason, six, on Tuesday in Calabasas, California

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star chose a grey and maroon hued Harvard sweater, which featured tears all over.

Kourtney, who graduated from the University Of Arizona, layered the hoodie over a white T-shirt.

The mother of three highlighted her slim legs in skintight bottoms that clung to her perfect form.

The beauty carried a black and silver Hermes Birkin bag while sporting small framed sunglasses.

Winded: The 37-year-old sported a distressed Harvard University hoodie with black leggings and Yeezy sneakers

Edgy: The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star chose a grey and maroon hued cover up, which featured tears all over; seen with Mason

She's in great shape: The mother of three highlighted her slim legs in skintight bottoms that clung to her perfect form

Kourtney wore her long dark brunette tresses loose, choosing a deep side part and a sleek style.

The devoted mom showed off her natural beauty by opting to go makeup free.

Mason looked sweet in his camo T-shirt, adding black shorts and Nike sneakers.

What a breezy day: Kourtney wore her long dark brunette tresses loose, choosing a deep side part and a sleek style

Staying close: The beauty carried a black and silver Hermes Birkin bag while sporting small framed sunglasses

Having fun! Mason looked sweet in his camo T-shirt, adding black shorts and Nike sneakers

Meanwhile, Scott was seen leaving Beverly Hills' Montage Hotel.

The father of three, 33, wore a cream hoodie with blue jeans and sneakers while rocking his signature beard.

While Kourtney and Scott parted ways in July 2015 after a nine-year relationship and three children together, they are still on good terms.

On Monday, the reality stars posed for a cute family photo before trick-or-treating with their kids: Mason, Penelope, four, and Reign, one.

Heading home: The ripped cover up gave her workout inspired bottoms an edgy twist

Looking good: Meanwhile, Scott Disick was seen leaving Beverly Hills' Montage Hotel

Busy day out: The father of three, 33, wore a cream hoodie with blue jeans while rocking his signature beard
She followed in Alexa Chung's fashion footsteps after being signed to Next Model Management.

And The Saturdays' Mollie King also proved herself to be a fan of the starlet's style sense as she attended Alexa's M&S clothing collection clad in one of the designs.

Oozing glamour as at the star-studded party, the 29-year-old songstresses had all eyes on her as she partied inside Bush Hall in Shepherd's Bush, London on Tuesday.

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Fashionable friends: The Saturdays' Mollie King proved herself to be a fan of Alexa Chung's style sense as she attended her M&S clothing collection launch on Tuesday night in London

Flashing just a hint of flesh whilst remaining demure, the blonde beauty wore a vintage-style polka dot gown with a halter neckline.

Clinging to her phenomenal shape, the dress nipped in at her tiny waist and flared out just above the ankle, exposing a pair of patent court heels.

Adding to the glamour, she wore her honey hued locks in a chic ponytail, whilst she injected some colour with a slick of scarlet lipstick on her plump pout.

Famous faces: Oozing glamour as at the star-studded party, the 29-year-old songstresses had all eyes on her as she partied inside Bush Hall in Shepherd's Bush

Going dotty! Flashing just a hint of flesh whilst remaining demure, the blonde beauty wore a vintage-style polka dot gown with a halter neck from the new Archive By Alexa AW16 range

Mollie was one of the high profile celebrities, fashion influencers and pals invited to celebrate the launch of Alexa's new M&S clothing collection.

The model and fashion designer, 32, worked the room - even pulling a few fun moves on the dancefloor - as she styled out a second outfit from the new Archive By Alexa AW16 range in one day.

Alexa hit the dancefloor with conviction, rocking a pair of chunky, retro heels to set off her lingerie-style dress.

With her arms in the air, Alexa certainly seemed ready to let her hair down - now doubt thanks to the media frenzy sparked by her second collection with the brand.

It's my party: Alexa Chung was the centre of attention at the official launch of her M&S range

Busting a move: The brunette wore a third outfit from her fashion collection, a slinky animal print dress

Laugh out loud: The stunner certainly seemed to be embracing her fun side

Wild thing: The music was obviously enough to get Alexa up and dancing

Wahoo! Alexa threw her arms into the air as she celebrated the evening

On the night, Alexa was surrounded by loyal pals, including Jack Guinness and Pixie Geldof, as well as the TV presenter's old T4 screen companion, Rick Edwards.

Earlier that day, she'd worn the must-have pinafore dress at the high street favourite's Marble Arch store in London, where she made a special appearance in aid of the launch.

The model looked striking as she stepped out in the chic black dress, which exhibited every inch of her statuesque frame.

Layering up: Proving that the collection is very versatile, the fashionista layered on her velvet jacket, which is a staple for the season ahead

Sibling support: Alexa was accompanied by her brother, Dom Chung, who DJ'd at the event

Alexa's midi-length number cinched in her waist, and was worn with a pair of sheer black tights.

The British model injected a splash of colour to her ensemble with patent red kitten heels.

Alexa kept her make-up natural, allowing her smudged cat-eye liner to do all the talking.

The former TV presenter's shoulder-length locks framed her face to perfection and she looked striking as she showed off key pieces from her collection.

Dancing queen: The star lifted her dress to enable her freedom of movement

Dance partner: She danced with old friend Jack Guinness on the dancefloor

All the moves: The duo appeared to be perfectly in sync when it came to their moves

Friends reunited: Alexa bumped into former T4 co-presenter Rick Edwards

Loyal pal: Pixie Geldof was also in attendance, helping to celebrate her friend's success

Fashion fan: Laura Jackson sported the shimmering gold blouse, ready for Christmas

The new collection is dubbed a 'modern interpretation of archive pieces, fusing a rich heritage with contemporary style'.

The collection features the animal prints and PVC skirts that she often wears on the front row of fashion week.

Alexa also recently announced that her new label, Alexachung, will be landing in stores in May 2017 and will be sold at luxury retailers Selfridges and MatchesFashion.com.

Alexa has been dating Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgard, 40, since last year.

It was previously rumoured that an engagement could be on the cards between Alexa and Alexander.

Style queen: Alexa, 32, celebrated the store launch at the high street favourite's Marble Arch store in London ealier on Tuesday

Dressed to impress: The model looked striking as she stepped out in a chic black dress, which exhibited every inch of her statuesque frame

Chic: The former TV presenter's shoulder-length locks framed her face and she kept her make-up simple, aside from dramatic kohl eyeliner

Plenty to smile about: Alexa's new collection is dubbed a 'modern interpretation of archive pieces, fusing a rich heritage with contemporary style'

'Alexa has told friends that [an English stately home] would be her dream wedding location  and now they are saying that they wouldn't be surprised if an engagement was on the way,' a source told Grazia magazine.

'Alexa's relationship with Alex is going great. That's why she was happy for him to meet her family  she would only ever introduce someone she was serious about to them.'

The actor recently appeared on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live and denied he was about to marry Alexa.

Replying to a caller who said she'd read reports of wedding bells, he replied: 'Wow, I hope I'm invited. Wow, thank you.'

'Are you getting married in the next year?' the host prodded. 'Not that I know of,' the actor replied.

'But if it's in a gossip magazine, I guess it's probably true, so I better get started.'
She's the former Bachelor contestant who often flaunts her bikini body on social media.

And Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris has shown off her extremely bronzed complexion in a new selfie shared on Instagram.

'It's gonna be a long hot summer.... weather forecast is looking Mint! (sic)' the 29-year-old told her 77,000 followers on Wednesday.

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Bronzed beauty: Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris showed off her extremely tanned complexion in a sultry selfie on Wednesday

In the sultry snap, the former executive assistant was seen pouting for the camera in a colourful singlet top and kaftan.

Sporting perfectly groomed eyebrows and heavy makeup, Kiki also credited her glamourously styled locks to a hair extensions company.

Meanwhile, the former Zoo model also gave fans a glimpse of her delicate tattoo on her wrist, which appeared to be the word 'love'.

Social butterfly: Kiki was spotted putting on a busty display as she attended a Sydney function on Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday

Earlier this week on Tuesday, the blonde beauty was seen attending Melbourne Cup celebrations in Sydney with former love rival Keira Maguire.

The pair were spotted hanging out at Pelicano in Double Bay, while fellow Bachelor contestants were enjoying the spoils of exclusive marquees in Flemington.

Kiki put on a busty display in a tight pink dress with cut-outs, while adding height to her look with a pair of black strappy heels.

New couple alert! Kiki debuted her new boyfriend, Jeremy Banks, via Instagram earlier this week

With her flowing long hair tied back in a low ponytail, Kiki added a black headband with cat ears to complete her race day look.

The former Telstra worker's outing comes after she debuted her new boyfriend, Jeremy Banks, on social media earlier this week.

The couple made their relationship Instagram official by sharing snaps of each other while celebrating Halloween.

Mystery man: The reality starlet shared a snap of the pair at a Halloween party on Sunday

'When you find good selfie light and Bae just wants to suck your blood! Happy Halloweeny. Girl Scout for life (sic),' the busty beauty wrote alongside the photo.

And it appears Kiki's pals approve of her new relationship, with fellow Bachelor contestant Rachael Gouvignon taking to the comments section to congratulate the blonde bombshell.

'Ohh, there's the mystery man, so happy for you babe,' Rachael wrote underneath the photo, adding several love heart Emojis.

Seal of approval: Kiki's friends appear to approve of her new beau, with fellow Bachelor contestant Rachael Gouvignon taking to Instagram to congratulate the couple

Jeremy also shared a snap of himself and Kiki from the same outing to his social media account.

'Getting Halloweeny with my little Girl Scout (sic),' the handsome lad wrote, referring to his girlfriend's costume.

Jeremy is the first man Kiki has been linked to since being booted off the Channel Ten dating show.
He is often the butt of George Clooney's on-set pranks.

So no wonder Matt Damon seemed a little nervous as he got ready to work on the actor's latest directorial effort Suburbicon in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The Bourne Identity star wore a wry smile on his face as he sauntered around between takes as he waited for the cameras to start rolling.

Bourne yesterday? Matt Damon looked nervous as he got to work on the set of George Clooney's latest directorial effort Suburbicon in Los Angeles on Tuesday

Matt was also wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, which he failed to tuck into his trousers, a tie and suit trousers.

The film is written and produced by Oscar winning duo Joel and Ethan Coen, with gorgeous George not only directing but co-producing.

The crime mystery is set in a seemingly quiet town in the 1950s, but in true Coen Brothers style, there is more to the picture perfect community than at first glance.

However it remains to be seen if the seething underbelly just beneath the surface will stretch things too far, leading to cognitive dissonance among audience members.

The wrong trousers Matt? Perhaps George had been fiddling with his waistband yet again

Matt previously revealed his trousers were used against him when George pranked him while they filmed the dire Monuments Men film, which the ER hunk also directed.

He said: 'I was working out and the pants (were getting tighter). I said this just can't be.'

And he never even understood what had been happening until George finally spilled the beans.

What a joker: George loves nothing more than playing pranks on his pal

He said: 'I read finally, which answered a lot for me, that he'd been taking my wardrobe in,' adding the funster had been having his bottoms adjusted 'about an eighth or a sixteenth of an inch.'

Matt added: 'I never said anything to him, which he probably loved even more.'

However the jolly joshing was all for naught, as the 2014 film ended up scoring just 30 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

Indeed CraveOnline's William Bibbiani said it, 'Plays like a loving homage to George Clooney's Saturday afternoons of watching The History Channel and drinking dry sherry.'

Such a cheeky boy: No doubt the hunk was planning some fun for Matt as he chowed down
The Moonstone (BBC1)

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Enter the Great Detective: Sergeant Cuff, the morose crimebuster whose genius for deduction set the template for an entire literary genre. He arrived at the scene in The Moonstone (BBC1) as the mystery really got going.

The first episode of this afternoon costume drama on Monday was a disappointing muddle, all false starts and laboured explanations. The first job of a dramatist is to cut through the tangle, and that didnt happen: the plot threads resembled a bowl of spaghetti.

Enter the Great Detective: Sergeant Cuff, the morose crimebuster whose genius for deduction set the template for an entire literary genre

The original 1865 novel by Wilkie Collins is ludicrously complex  constructed from various diaries, letters and narratives supplied by key witnesses in the case of a stolen Indian diamond. When it was first filmed, in the Thirties, Hollywood publicists billed it as the greatest detective story ever written. Maybe, but it is definitely one of the most convoluted.

The second episode, yesterday, was a big improvement. The appearance of Sergeant Cuff (John Thomson, fresh from Cold Feet) put the facts in order and the clues in focus.

Cuff is one of those policemen who likes to list his observations and explain their significance to an admiring audience  which includes us, the viewers.

The first episode of this afternoon costume drama on Monday was a disappointing muddle, all false starts and laboured explanations but the second was better

Cuff was gathering the suspects in the drawing room and laying out his theories when Hercule Poirot was still a Belgian schoolboy. He was also the first detective to be dragged out of retirement to solve an old case  a precedent that no CID officer or private eye has ever been able to escape. Old sleuths never die, they just make sequels.

JOBSWORTHS OF THE NIGHT Jobsworths of the night: Social workers take some stick. But Jo Brands acidic council sitcom Damned (C4) has been a joy. The fine balance of lazy, incompetent characters facing impossible problems over refugees and benefits cheats almost made me feel sorry for them. Another series, please! Advertisement

In his prime, Cuff was able to solve a murder just by studying a spot of ink on a tablecloth. Now hes chafing to get back to his cottage and his roses. But he cant, till he discovers what became of that diamond.

The bumbling authorities suspect three Indian travelling jugglers of stealing it, even though they have a watertight alibi. Cuff was the first to set the convention that the Great Detective must make fools of the uniformed coppers.

All these laws of fiction are still in force to this day  watch the retired French cluesmith Julien Baptiste in BBC1s thriller The Missing tonight and youll realise that Wilkie Collins started so much that he deserves a mention in the credits.

The original 1865 novel by Wilkie Collins is ludicrously complex  constructed from various diaries, letters and narratives supplied by key witnesses in the case of a stolen Indian diamond

Not everything about The Moonstone has aged so well, though. The dialogue is rather flowery, with lashings of mayhaps and over yonders and felicitations on your natal day. And the heroine, Rachel Verinder (Terenia Edwards), is given to fits of the vapours when faced with awkward questions  a dodge that has looked awkwardly affected for a century.

To make up for this, the photography is beautiful. The characters are constantly filmed with sunlit windows behind them, giving the production a grainy look that is dreamlike in quality. Its worth catching an episode, just for this.

The Choir: Gareth's Best In Britain (BBC2)

Rating:

Another Great Detective, or at least a fair-to-middling one, supplied the voiceover for The Choir: Gareths Best In Britain (BBC2). Stephen Tompkinson, who plays the eponymous DCI Banks, kept up the running commentary as amateur choral societies laid into pop standards like Only You and Somewhere Only We Know.

Choirmaster Gareth Malone raced around northern Britain, from the Cairngorms to the Yorkshire Dales, and was feted with tea and cakes wherever he went

He was a strange choice, because these songs are staples of TV talent contests, and the bovine Inspector Banks has just one quirk  a passion for indie rock. You wouldnt catch him dead watching X Factor or, for that matter, The Choir. That made his voice a distraction. Choirmaster Gareth Malone raced around northern Britain, from the Cairngorms to the Yorkshire Dales, and was feted with tea and cakes wherever he went.

The ladies of these groups certainly do adore his boyish style. I cant believe I cuddled him, gasped one Durham mum. Oh my God, I actually touched him.

That popularity protects him when he hands out criticism, though he usually does this by muting his praise rather than actually saying anything harsh. Wow, he told one lot drily, thats a loud noise.

For a man who loves music, he has a deplorable taste in songs. The winning choir were asked to perform a rather insipid Billy Joel number called Shes Always A Woman. Whats wrong with a hymn?
BRIAN VINER: Philippa lives in Edinburgh, where she works in a dreary sales job and is passed over for promotion. 'You are at the right level for you,' says her condescending boss.
She is a woman who can do it all.

And on Tuesday Hilaria Baldwin slipped into a burgundy gown and heels while working out in an Instagram video she posted.

The 32-year-old wife of actor Alec Baldwin also gave her followers an eyeful in a cleavage-bare shot with her newborn baby Leo.

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Hot mama! Hilaria Baldwin gave her Instagram followers an eyeful in a cleavage-bare shot with her newborn baby Leo on Tuesday

The snapshot - which only partially shows the Spanish-born beauty's face - sees her donned in a plunging crimson top.

Her plumped up pout and ample bosom is on full display as she cuddles her tightly swaddled seven-month-old baby boy.

'Leo and I have assumed our sleeping positions! Fingers crossed that we ACTUALLY get to sleep!!' Hilaria captioned the photo.

'Drop down': Earlier in the day the 32-year-old yoga instructor took to her account to share a short video working out in a figure-hugging maroon dress by Baukjen with black leather belt

Flexible: Set to Gotan Project's Santa Maria, the mother-of-three bent and stretched in several poses and exercise routines

'Arms, butt, hams, and abs!!!': The athletic brunette beauty was not about to let her red carpet ensemble halt her daily fitness routine

She added: ''From heels, dress, cocktail party--and some fitness... to night duty... wish me luck tonight with the Baldwinitos.'

Earlier on Tuesday the fit brunette beauty took to her account to share a short video working out in a figure-hugging maroon dress by Baukjen with black leather belt.

Set to Gotan Project's Santa Maria, the mother-of-three bent and stretched in several poses and exercise routines.

On the go! It was a busy day for the Spanish stunner as she was spotted with 16-month-old son Rafael in the West Village, as well

Big Apple babe! Dressed in skintight black leggings and matching puffer coat, Hilaria was stunning while pushing the adorable tot in his stroller

'Arms, butt, hams, and abs!!! 3 sets (drop down to your knees to modify),' she wrote alongside the clip.

It was a busy day for the Spanish stunner as she was spotted with 16-month-old son Rafael in the West Village, as well.

Dressed in skintight black leggings and matching puffer coat, Hilaria was stunning while pushing the adorable tot in his stroller.

Getting involved: Later in the evening, Hilaria joined her 30 Rock star husband Alec Baldwin, 58, at the Get Out The Vote Celebration For People For The American Way event with President of People for the American Way (L-R) Michael Keegan, Sarai Gonzales, Juan Gonzales, and Lizet Ocampo

Dapper: The Academy Award-nominated actor was ever the silver fox in a fitted black suit with chocolate brown necktie

Later in the evening, she joined her 30 Rock star husband Alec, 58, at the Get Out The Vote Celebration For People For The American Way event.

The Academy Award-nominated actor was ever the silver fox in a fitted black suit with chocolate brown necktie.

Meanwhile the night before Alec and Hilaria showed off their costumes as computer-animated Pixar film superheroes The Incredibles.

Proud papa! The 30 Rock star posted an Instagram photo on Tuesday with 16-month-old Rafael on his shoulders

The couple celebrated Halloween as they dressed with daughter Carmen, three, son Rafael, and baby boy Leo in their coordinated ensembles.

They wore the iconic black bottoms topped off with a red T-shirt bearing the family's iconic insignia. Each of them wore eye masks.

'Wishing you an incredible Halloween!!! xo, The Incredibles,' the proud mum wrote alongside a photo of the family.
Leaving Melbourne airport for Sydney on Wednesday, Jessica Gomes certainly had her hands full.

The 32-year-old model showed she doesn't need any assistants to carry her luggage, as she was spotted lugging three suitcases and a tote bag through the terminal.

Dressing down for the occasion, the exotic beauty highlighted her lean legs in a pair of leather tights, teamed with a simple white blouse and distressed denim jacket.

She's on the case! Jessica Gomes, 32, was spotted lugging three suitcases and a tote bag as she left for Sydney on Wednesday after stunning at Melbourne Cup

Donning edgy black ankle boots, Jessica accessorised further with a tan shoulder bag and stylish dark sunglasses that appeared to shield a makeup-free complexion.

Styling her signature dark tresses sleek and straight, the swimsuit model perfected the off-duty look.

Her ensemble was in stark contrast to the glamorous outfit worn by Jessica during Tuesday's Melbourne Cup festivities.

Off-duty look: The exotic beauty dressed down for the occasion, opting for a pair of skin-tight leather pants, a simple white round-neck top and a distressed denim jacket, accessorised with black ankle boots and stylish dark sunglasses

The fashionista highlighted her frame in a cream Ellery frock with the hemline finishing just above the knee, accentuating her lean legs.

Cut-out detailing offered a glimpse of her petite upper frame, while stitching just under the bust highlighted her slender waist.

Jessica elongated her frame with a pair of black strappy heels and swept her tresses underneath a Suzy O'Rourke black headpiece.

Glamorous: The spotting comes after Jessica stunned during Tuesday's Melbourne Cup festivities in a cream Ellery frock, with the hemline finishing just above the thigh, accentuating her lean legs

Playful: The David Jones ambassador was keen to get into the festivities of Melbourne Cup, seen posing up a storm for a series of selfies

Allowing her tresses to fall freely around her face, the actress enhanced her striking facial features with a flawless base, defined brows, a subtle smoky eye and an earthy-hued lip.

The beauty noticeably attended the annual event without her new boyfriend Xavier Samuel, 32.

It's believed the fellow Australian is currently in Los Angeles, where he is based permanently.
The cameras may have been turned on him as he is the star of the film.

But Benedict Cumberbatch only had eyes for his lady love.

The 40-year-old actor stared adoringly at pregnant wife Sophie Hunter on the red carpet of the Doctor Strange premiere in New York City on Tuesday night.

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Look of love: Benedict Cumberbatch stared adoringly at pregnant wife Sophie Hunter on the red carpet of the Doctor Strange premiere in New York City on Tuesday night

Benedict had a huge smile on his face as he peered over at his 38-year-old ladylove at the event hosted by Lamborghini with the Cinema Society, Jaeger-LeCoultre and 19 Crime Wines at AMC Empire.

Benedict looked dapper as always in a black Giorgio Armani Made to Measure suit with a matching skinny tie and crisp white dress shirt.

He finished off the look with a pair of patent leather dress shoes as his brown hair was combed in a side-part.

Just us: The 40-year-old actor had a huge smile on his face at the event hosted by Lamborghini with the Cinema Society, Jaeger-LeCoultre and 19 Crime Wines at AMC Empire

Stunning: The 38-year-old actress proudly put her baby bump on display in a shiny copper-coloured maxi dress featuring patterns all over it

Sophie proudly put her baby bump on display in a shiny copper-coloured maxi dress featuring patterns all over it.

Her raven-coloured tresses were worn down flowing over her shoulders as she sported natural, complimentary make-up on her face topped off with shiny lip.

A few weeks ago during the Doctor Strange premiere in LA, the couple let slip to E! that they were expecting.

Dapper dude: Benedcit looked the definition of dapper in a black wore a Giorgio Armani Made to Measure suit, which he added a modern edge to by wearing a skinny black tie

Her superhero: Benedict proudly led the way for his ladylove at the event in his custom Giorgio Armani suit

Hand-in-hand: The couple were nigh-on inseparable last night at the event

Smiles all round: The A-List couple both wore smiles on their faces

Fancy seeing you here: The star of the film cosied up to another Hollywood icon, Christian Slater

This guy! The former Hollywood Hell-raiser and Benedict enjoyed a thorough catch-up

They welcomed their son Christopher in June 2015, just a few months after their Valentine's Day wedding.

Benedict's latest role is his first furor into the epic Marvel Cinematic Universe, which sees him take on the role of the mystical Doctor Stephen Strange.

In the blockbuster movie, the 40-year-old plays a neurosurgeon who discovers magic and alternate realities after a near fatal car accident.

Back in black: Kelly Bensimon looked fantastic in an LBD with matching thigh-high leather booties

Svelte: Alysia Reiner sported a clinging navy midi dress

Keeping it cool: Dree Hemingway sported a black leather bomber jacket over a navy top, stonewash jeans and black leather lace-up boots

Stylish as ever: Director Baz Luhrmann sported a sling as he arrived - though he managed to look dapper despite - while Katie Moore arrived at the event in a sassy black mini dress

Pretty in pink: Louisa Krause wore a satin mini dress which featured a bow-tie neckline

He must use the new powers he has learned to take on the evil Kaecilius, played by Mads Mikkelsen.

The film also stars Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer, one of Doctor Strange's fellow surgeons and his love interest, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo and Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One.

Doctor Strange is set for release in the US this Friday and is currently playing in theatres in the UK.

Suave styling: Sebastian Stan looked suave in his suit and deep purple shirt

Lean lads: Billy Magnussen and Taran Killam looked to be leaning in the same direction when it came to the evening's fun

A funny guy: Caroline Rhea was also swept up in Christian's story-telling on the evening

Thumbs up: The former Hollywood bad boy cut a youthful figure in his dressed-down ensemble
She's often seen flashing her perky assets on social media.

But Angelique 'Frenchy' Morgan's latest strip-down also carries a very important political message, as the 41-year-old puts her full support behind US presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Sporting a tiny American flag bikini, the former fling of Gabi Grecko posed seductively while pointing to her pert derriere, which had the words 'VOTE TRUMP' written on either cheek in black marker.

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Backing Trump: Angelique 'Frenchy' Morgan has put her support behind Donald Trump by writing the message on her bare derriere

With her pink and blonde tresses blowing in the wind, the French-born model made sure to show off her tiny waist and plenty of side boob as she tried to convey her message.

'The Only person resisting NWO Vote trump ! (sic)' the former adult film star captioned her post, referring to the billionaire's stance against the New World Order conspiracy theory.

Frenchy's eyes were shielded behind a pair of sunglasses as she stood in front of the gorgeous ocean backdrop.

His biggest fan? It appears Frenchy is a huge fan of the 70-year-old's stance against the New World Order conspiracy theory

The reality star's keen interest in politics comes after her return to the music scene.

The bombshell, who found mainstream fame on a string of VH1 reality shows before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother UK, recently released her second single Frenchy Mafia.

The bilingual bombshell speaks in French over the beat in the track, and constantly repeats the song's title ad nauseam.

Former flames: Frenchy is most well-known as the raunchy ex-girlfriend Gabi Grecko

The star-studded music video for the single features Frenchy's ex-lover, high-class escort Gabi, and gender-bending Hollywood socialite Sham Ibrahim.

Frenchy Mafia takes a less personal approach than the Big Sausage Pizza's starlet's breakout hit, I Wanna Get Naked, which offers more in-depth lyrics that explain who Ms. Morgan is as a person.

'Bonjour, it's me again!' she speaks at the beginning of the edgy track.

'Excuse my Frenchy!' the clever wordsmith exclaims, before adding: 'I'm very blonde, very French, and very Americanised.'
She turns 21 on Thursday.

So no doubt Kendall Jenner had plenty on her mind as she ran errands in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The reality star was spotted chatting on her phone after leaving a Beverly Hills nail salon.

Getting ready to party: Kendall Jenner was spotted chatting on her phone after leaving a Beverly Hills nail salon on Tuesday, two days before her 21st birthday

The daughter of Kris and Caitlyn Jenner had shimmery polish on her finger nails that would be just perfect for a party.

She showed off complimentary coloring on her toes, too, as she exited the store in a pair of bright yellow flip-flops.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians castmember wore distressed denims rolled up at the bottom and a black biker chic leather jacket.

Ripped: The Keeping Up With The Kardashians castmember wore distressed denims rolled up at the bottom and a black biker chic leather jacket

Pampered: She protected her just completed pedicure by donning a pair of bright yellow flip-flops as she exited the store having had shimmery polish painted on her nails

Had help: Earlier Kendall had a blonde assistant with her as she ran errands in a pair of trainers and some oversized sunglasses

Earlier she'd been seen running around town in a pair of Adidas trainers accompanied by a blonde assistant.

She may have been looking for more things to buy for her new LA home after revealing via her subscription-only app she's just dropped $52,000 on a sofa.

The handmade Boa by Edra is woven by four people over the course of a week and is described as a kind of 'large nest' that you can lounge around on.

Dolled up look: The reality star was made-up with thickly drawn brows and pale pink lip color with darker blusher on her cheeks

Meanwhile, Kendall claims on the upcoming episode of KUWTK that she's suffering from some kind of problem during the night.

In a preview teaser for the reality show she explains she wakes up in the middle of the night and 'can't move.'

The episode was filmed in the lead up to the Milan, Paris and London Fashion Weeks this year and Kendall didn't walk the runways at any of them.
She is no stranger to putting her busty assets on display on the red carpet.

And ex-Bachelor star Emily Simms, 32, certainly wasn't shy to reveal a generous glimpse of decolletage as she celebrated Melbourne Cup 2016 at Flemington on Tuesday.

Joined by a female pal on the red carpet, Emily flaunted her cavernous cleavage while posing in a plunging maxi dress with puffed sleeves.

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Busting out! Emily Simms, 32, (right) wasn't shy to reveal a generous glimpse of cleavage as she celebrated Melbourne Cup 2016 at Flemington on Tuesday with a pal (left)

She completed her ensemble with a wide-brimmed hat and a pair of dangly earrings.

In one snap shared to Emily's Instagram page, she is seen posing next to a more conservatively-clad pal as they shared a toast with flutes of sparkling wine.

'Cheers babe,' the brunette beauty wrote in the caption.

Cheers! In one snap shared to Emily's Instagram page, she is seen posing next to a more conservatively-clad pal as they shared a toast with flutes of sparkling wine

Bevvy of beauties: She also shared an equally busty picture of herself posing with gaggle of female pals in front of the Lavazza marquee media wall

She also shared an equally busty picture of herself posing with gaggle of female pals in front of the Lavazza marquee media wall.

It comes after Emily hinted that she has found new love, a year after failing to spark romance with The Bachelor's Sam Wood.

The former reality star sparked speculation she has a new beau in her life when she shared a bikini-clad image of herself while tagging the muscular male.

New love? Emily sparked speculation she has a new beau in her life after she shared a bikini-clad image of herself earlier this month while tagging a muscular male

In the photo she is seen leaning back on her towel, resting on her elbows, showing off her extreme sideboob with the straps on her skimpy black bikini pulled down.

As her long hair flowed behind her, she turned her head towards the camera and showed off her reflective sunglasses and pink lips.

She captioned the image: 'When @michalio83 tries to take a sneaky photo...'

Who's behind the lens? The reality TV starlet captioned the image by tagging the possible new beau in the photos as she posted the holiday snaps

'Tried, succeeded...nailed it': The mystery man in question quickly commented on the snap

But first... let me take a selfie! The handsome hunk has shared a number of images on social media himself

The male quickly commented on the snap, writing: Tried, succeeded...nailed it'.

He also shared an image of the picture-perfect beachside location with the captioned: 'Back in Aus. Good weather. Good company. Can't complain. @missemilysimms.'

The pair have been at the picture-perfect destination for the weekend after he flew back in Australia following time in Milan.

However, Emily tells Daily Mail Australia the pair are just long-time friends.

Weekend away: The pair have been at the picture-perfect destination for the weekend after he flew back in Australia following time in Milan

Diamond dazzler: Despite her laudable efforts as a Bully Zero ambassador Emily rose to fame as the villain in series three of The Bachelor series

Despite her laudable efforts as a Bully Zero ambassador Emily rose to fame as the villain in series three of The Bachelor series.

The beautician believes that she was 'unfairly edited' by producers and told The Daily Telegraph in April that she felt betrayed, because of the invasive process of getting onto the show.
He's known for his role as the hunky superhero Thor.

And Chris Hemsworth put his muscular arms to work as he held two of his children at once - one in each arm - as he joined wife Elsa Pataky, 40, on a family outing near their Byron Bay home last Thursday.

The 33-year-old doting dad dressed casually as he showed his softer side and carried his offspring in his buff arms.

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Hands on father! Chris Hemsworth, 33, showered his growing brood with affection as he joined wife Elsa Pataky, 40, on a family outing near their Byron Bay home last Thursday

Enjoying time off since having wrapped up filming the third installment of the Thor franchise, Chris cut a low-key figure.

A round-neck grey T-shirt showed off the actor's muscular arms and was paired with distressed black denim shorts.

Donning a pair of neutral-hued canvas lace-ups, Chris accessorised further with a black cap featuring the Adidas logo emblazoned on the front, and stylish gold-rimmed aviator sunglasses.

Low-key: The Thor star opted for casual attire, sporting a simple round-neck grey T-shirt teamed with distressed black denim shorts

Doting: Chris juggled his offspring in his arms as he enjoyed quality family time outdoors

Multi-tasking! The popular personality juggled one of the boys with one arm while holding onto his iPhone in the other

Chris looked every inch the doting father as he held daughter India Rose in one arm and one of his twin boys in the other.

The star's offspring were also casually dressed in colourful ensembles with India Rose adorning her ponytail with a pretty white clip.

Joined by wife Elsa, India Rose, 4, and twin boys Tristan and Sasha, 2, enjoyed time in the natural surroundings.

Cute as a button: Chris' offspring were also casually dressed in vibrant T-shirts and shorts

Precious: Chris joined wife Elsa Pataky, 40, for quality family time

Curious: At one stage, the growing brood and what appeared to be the family's friends were seen patting a lizard

The A-list offspring were seen climbing up trees with their famous parents supervising.

They were later spotted patting a lizard with what appeared to be a group of family friends.

Elsa, also an actress, highlighted her svelte frame in an equally casual ensemble.

Fascinated: The whole group looked enthralled to be out in nature

Let's take a selfie! Chris looked happy to pose for photos with what appeared to be a female fan

Adventurous: The children were later allowed to go tree climbing, with their famous parents supervising

My turn! India Rose, 4, looked keen to make her way up the tree with Elsa standing nearby

A simple green T-shirt with capped sleeves emphasised the Spanish star's lithe arms, while white overalls teamed over the top accentuated her bronzed and lean legs.

The mother-of-three accessorised with simple black trainers and a stylish fedora hat, while her fair-haired tresses were swept back off her face in a simple ponytail.

Appearing to go makeup-free, Elsa let her natural beauty shine through.

In August, Elsa revealed to Woman's Day magazine that she feels right at home in Byron Bay.

Doting mother: Elsa made sure she was on hand in case any of her children needed assistance

Hands on: The Spanish actress was seen cradling one of her twin sons in her arm as she happily watched on

Prized bling: Elsa's stunning wedding rings were clearly visible as she planted both hands on the wide tree trunks

'We can walk straight down to the beach, we can have a normal existence and the kids have a hell of a lot more fun than they did back in the States,' she shared with the glossy publication.

Her and husband Chris have some go-to spots for their dining and shopping needs.

They are often seen at local eatery The Farmhouse, while Elsa is quite the fan of hippie chic-inspired ensembles from local fashion retailer Spell.

Too cute! There was no denying the sweet expressions on their children's faces

Effortlessly stylish: Elsa opted for a simple green T-shirt with capped sleeves and a pair of white overalls teamed over the top

Cool and casual: The mother-of-three accessorised with simple black trainers and a stylish fedora hat

Meanwhile a shopkeeper told the publication that the family just go about their business like everyone else, saying: 'They see extremely down-to-earth for celebrities.'

Earlier this year Chris said he was content with his decision to move the family back Down Under, as he found the Hollywood lifestyle 'suffocating.'

'I love what I do as an actor, but when you are surrounded by it constantly, it becomes a bit suffocating,' he told Modern Luxury.

It's love: Elsa looked on at her famous partner adoringly

What's so funny? The pair looked to be enamoured with one another, engaging in playful banter
She is set to dazzle in a $3 million dollar bra so it is no wonder the underwear label wanted to get the fit just right.

Jasmine Tookes stopped by the Victoria's Secret office for a fitting ahead of December's annual fashion Show.

The 25-year-old star may have been rugged up as she headed to her appointment in New York on Tuesday but it was clear why this year she has been bestowed with the honour of wearing the Fantasy Bra.

Getting it right: Jasmine Tookes stopped by the Victoria's Secret office for a fitting in New York on Tuesday

For her fitting session, the model wore a pair of black tight jeans with a textured cropped whit knit top from Majorelle which showcased her flat abs with a grey fur jacket.

With her tummy exposed and New York's temperatures dropping, the style star ensured she stayed warm by adding a big scarf and some thigh-high boots.

Jasmine stepped out as pictures of her wearing the $3 million Fantasy Bra was released.

In a rare move by Victoria's Secret, the images were not retouched.

Beauty all wrapped up: For her fitting session, the model wore a pair of black tight jeans with a textured cropped whit knit top from Majorelle which showcased her flat abs with a grey jacket

Naturally stunning: Jasmine stepped out as pictures of her wearing the $3 million Fantasy Bra was released. In a rare move by Victoria's Secret, the images were not retouched

Aside from showing the Californian-born model's striking natural beauty, the images also showed the stunner's stretch marks.

The so-called 'imperfection' doesn't make Jasmine look any less gorgeous, and it is possible that the brand is changing its views when it comes to editing its photos.

Jasmine will wear the Fantasy Bra during the December Fashion Show which is this year being held in Paris.

The Bright Night Fantasy Bra was designed by Eddie Borgo and features nearly 9,000 precious gemstones.
Spanish actress Elsa Pataky enjoys a healthy, active lifestyle in Byron Bay with her husband Chris Hemsworth.

And on the weekend, the 40-year-old fitness fanatic showed off her incredibly toned physique and trim pins in short denim overalls.

The star - who has called Byron Bay her favourite place on earth - cut a casual-chic figure during the family outing with her husband and three children.

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Stunning Spaniard! Chris Hemsworth's Spanish-born wife Elsa Pataky flaunts her pert derriere and toned pins in short denim overalls during a family outing in Byron Bay over the weekend

She appeared to embrace the warmer weather with a smile in her playful white denim dunagarees.

Elsa put on a leggy display in the tiny shorts, as she carried her children on her hip and spoke to her husband alongside a large tree.

Her laid-back beach-side look flaunted her enviable frame, while keeping it super simple with sneakers, a khaki green T-shirt and an akubra-style hat.

Fit! Actress and model Elsa put on a leggy display in her playful white denim dunagarees during the family outing with her husband and three children, daughter India and twin sons Tristan and Sasha

Leggy blonde! Elsa put on a leggy display in the tiny shorts during the weekend excursion, as she carried her children on her hip and casually spoke to her husband alongside a large tree

Bohemian babe! The Fast And Furious star accessorised her laid-back ensemble with some bohemian-style stacked bangles and bracelets and an akubra-style hat

Natural beauty! The model appeared to go makeup-free for the outing, and threw her hair back in a messy half-bun-half-ponytail 'do

The model appeared to go makeup-free for the outing, and threw her hair back in a messy half-bun-half-ponytail 'do.

The Fast And Furious star did however accessorise her look with some bohemian-style stacked bangles and bracelets.

Her children began a tree-climbing adventure, as the blonde beauty stood as lookout.

While dressed in appropriate tree-climbing attire, she let her hands-on hubby get in on the action and help the kids climb the tree.

Hands-on father! Their children began a tree-climbing adventure with their fit father getting in on the action, as the blonde beauty remained grounded at the base as lookout

Coffee break? Offering moral support from the ground, Elsa passed a hot coffee to the Thor star as he started scaling the tree with the children

Offering moral support from the ground, she passed a hot coffee to the Thor star as he started scaling the tree.

Marking the day, the proud father took some snaps of the kids before setting off to enjoy the rest of their fun-filled outing.

Chris and Elsa met in early 2010 and married a year later, welcoming their daughter India in 2012 and twin sons Tristan and Sasha in 2015.
Kanye West was the main attraction in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.

And Hilary Duff made sure to take her handsome new beau Jason Walsh to see the rapper at the Forum as they joined a host of celebs at the concert.

The 29-year-old looked pleased as punch to be enjoying the night out as her trainer boyfriend led the way into the venue.

Kanye West fans! Hilary Duff made sure to take her handsome new beau Jason Walsh to see the rapper at the LA Forum as they joined a host of celebs at the concert

The blonde wore a slinky green turtleneck dress and knee high boots as she arrived with tickets in hand.

Her beau sported a snapback cap, letterman jacket, distressed jeans and Timberland boots for the night out.

Meanwhile, the couple sparked outrage over the weekend for the Halloween costumes they wore on Friday.

Radiant: The Younger star carried a dark blue coat and had a black purse sung across her body

New couple: Hilary wore an olive green knit dress with over-the-knee rose-colored boots for a date night at the concert with new beau

Hilary wore a sexy Pilgrim costume while Jason dressed as a Native American chief.

The actress was clad in hot pants, fishnets and a black and white sweater with a pilgrim collar while Jason sported face paint, a headdress and an elaborate outfit to a Halloween party in Beverly Hills.

Controversy: The outing must have been a nice distraction for the couple, who both sparked outrage over the weekend for the Halloween costumes they wore on Friday in Beverly Hills

Twitter users quickly blasted Jason for his offensive costume and Duff for approving it.

'I can't believe Hilary Duff looked at her boyfriend and thought 'yes this costume is perfect and not offensive,' one person wrote.

Another noted the costumes were particularly insensitive considering the contentious relationship between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans.

Amid the wave of criticism, Duff took to Twitter to apologize.

'I am SO sorry to people I offended with my costume,' she wrote. 'It was not properly thought through and I am truly, from the bottom of my (heart) sorry.'

Jason to Instagram to apologize, writing: 'I meant no disrespect. I only have admiration for the indigenous people of America. In hindsight I would not have made that decision. I apologize to anyone I may have offended.'

The couples appearance together at the Casamigos Halloween party on Friday night was their first as a couple.

The actress, who currently stars in Younger, only recently confirmed they were in a relationship with a picture of them kissing on Instagram.
She spent the night hosting a concert for Children In Need - and Fearne Cotton looked like she needed a rest when she was pictured leaving that evening.

The 35-year-old looked a little tired as she changed into comfortable clothing to leave the Royal Albert Hall in her socks, leaving her shoes behind.

Slipping into some comfortable clothing, the beautiful blonde flashed a hint of her nipple pasties as she prepared to head home to her family.

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Something funny? Fearne Cotton pulled a series of amusing facial expressions as she left the Children In Need concert at the Royal Albert Hall without her shoes on Tuesday night

Red alert: Earlier in the night, Fearne was out in force as she attended a concert in aide of the charity at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday

She wore a blue jumper and grey tracksuit bottoms but still had a full face of make-up, including a slick of pillarbox lipstick.

Fearne had a fashion hit earlier in the evening, with Hollywood curls and a red ensemble - she has worked with Children In Need for a decade.

The event was held in honour of late Children In Need host Terry Wogan, who presented the annual fundraiser for 34 years before he passed away earlier this year.

Peek-a-boob: The star changed into the most comfortable of outfits but her hair and make-up were perfectly in place

Forgotten something? Whilst Fearne's casual ensemble could be understood after a night in her fitted co-ord it was unclear why she left without her shoes

Heading home: Fearne strode out of the venue with purpose as she swung her scarlet bag in her hand and kept her head held high

Posing with the iconic mascot, Pudsey, the television presenter oozed glamour in a scarlet co-ord that flattered her lithe frame.

Looking every inch the superstar, she donned a satin blouse open at the neck to reveal a flash of decolletage.

She teamed the garment with a pair of high waisted trousers that flared out to reveal a pair of gold platform heels.

Red hot! The television presenter oozed glamour in a scarlet co-ord that flattered her lithe frame. Looking every inch the superstar, she donned a satin blouse open at the neck

Blonde beauty: Channelling old Hollywood glamour, the mum-of-two wore her golden locks in luscious bouncy waves that framed her pretty face and cascaded down her shoulders

Beary nice! Posing with the iconic mascot, Pudsey, the star donned a pair of high waisted trousers that flared out to reveal a pair of gold platform heels

Channelling old Hollywood glamour, the mum-of-two wore her golden locks in luscious bouncy waves that framed her pretty face and cascaded down her shoulders.

Adding to the retro nature of her look, she lined her hazel coloured peepers with a cat eyeliner, whilst her plump pout was painted a glossy shade of red.

She finished off the look with another touch of glamour in the form of her chunky gold rings.

Two of a kind: Fearne - who dazzled on the evening - was joined at the event by her former Radio 1 co-DJ Greg James, who looked dapper in a navy tuxedo

Fearne was joined at the event by her former Radio 1 co-DJ Greg James, who looked dapper in a navy tuxedo.

After ten years at the helm of the show, the bubbly blonde was no doubt full of advice and tips for Greg, who will be one of the co-presenters at this year appeal show.

It's believed Fearne will not be presenting this year's show, with Tess Daly, Rochelle and Marvin Humes and Ade Adepitan said to be taking the honour.

Stealing the show: Adding to the retro nature of her look, Fearne lined her hazel coloured peepers with a cat eyeliner, whilst her plump pout was painted a glossy shade of red

Best pals: After ten years at the helm of the show, the bubbly blonde was no doubt full of advice and tips for Greg, who will be one of the co-presenters at this year appeal show

Graham Norton will also host for the first time, following the death of beloved Children In Need icon, Terry Wogan.

As a regular presenter, Terry became firmly associated with the annual event, which he fronted until 2014 when he stepped down due to ill health.

Dermot O'Leary then hosted a year of the show.

National treasure Sir Terry passed away in January following a short and secret battle with cancer.
She may be back home from her amazing break in the Maldives, but that doesn't mean that Elizabeth Hurley can't reminisce.

The stunning actress, 51, shared a snap of her on the beach in the Indian Ocean territory with fans on Instagram on Tuesday, several weeks after she visited the idyllic destination.

Defying her years, the beauty posed in a strapless bikini as she leaned against a tree in front of a stunning coastline.

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Stunning: Elizabeth Hurley, 51, shared a snap of her on the beach in the Indian Ocean territory with fans on Instagram on Tuesday, several weeks after she visited the idyllic destination

Meanwhile, back in Blighty the star was the main attraction at a magazine awards bash.

She put herself on the fashion map with her iconic Versace safety-pin dress back in 1994.

And two decades later, Elizabeth Hurley proved her sartorial flair is still on point as she turned heads at the Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards on Monday night.

The 51-year-old actress stunned in a pink lace midi dress that effortlessly hugged her lithe figure as she arrived at London's plush Claridge's hotel.

In the pink: Back in Britain on Monday, Elizabeth proved her sartorial flair is still on point as she turned heads at the Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards

Simply stylish: The mother-of-one looked chic in the fuchsia dress which featured a handkerchief hem and a semi-sheer high neckline

Sticking to a pink theme! She toted a heavily embellished pink clutch with a heart motif on it

In good company! She was joined by designer Patrick Cox, who looked suave in a black suit and turtleneck

The mother-of-one looked chic in the fuchsia dress which featured a handkerchief hem and a semi-sheer high neckline.

Sticking to a pink theme, she toted a heavily embellished pink clutch with a heart motif on it.

Injecting a dose of sparkle, the Bedazzled actress rocked a pair of metallic barely there sandals that offset her deep tan.

Her glossy chestnut locks were styled in her signature middle parting, with loose waves gently framing her face.

Looking as youthful as ever, Elizabeth opted for a dewy pink blusher to complement her dress and heavy eyeliner.

Beaming as she strode along with designer Patrick Cox, the Austin Powers star seemed to be in high spirits as she made her way to the awards.

Age-defying: Her glossy chestnut locks were styled in her signature middle parting, with loose waves gently framing her face

Looking as youthful as ever: Elizabeth opted for a dewy pink blusher to complement her dress and heavy eyeliner

Elizabeth looked to be enjoying a post-holiday glow - no doubt from her time spent in the idyllic Maldives with her teenage son Damien.

During her exotic getaway, the brunette beauty shared a number of steamy snaps with her 431,000 Instagram followers - including in a series of tiny bikinis.

Another showed her relaxing in a bathtub - with just the bubbles strategically covering her modesty.

Injecting a dose of sparkle: The Bedazzled actress rocked a pair of metallic barely there sandals that offset her deep tan

Looking chirpy: Beaming as she strode along with designer Patrick Cox, the Austin Powers star seemed to be in high spirits as she made her way to the awards

Don't trip now! She held hands tightly with Patrick as she navigated the steps in her vertiginous heels
She's no stranger to turning heads on the red carpet.

And once again Australian model Jessica Gomes wowed when she attended the David Jones Barangaroo store opening in Sydney on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old stunned in a emerald green silk jumpsuit that flashed her trim pins and put her ample cleavage on display.

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Stunning: Australian model Jessica Gomes wowed when she attended the David Jones Barangaroo store opening in Sydney on Wednesday

Oozing sex appeal, the brunette beauty's KitX outfit featured a bustier-style top and flowing layers of material, slashed in some parts.

The Perth-born actress teamed the look with classic silver Alaia heels, estimated to cost upwards from (AU) $984, and an eye-catching gold choker.

Jessica had her long sleek locks out and over her shoulders in loose tousled curls.

Making them (emerald) green with envy! The 32-year-old stunned in a silk KitX jumpsuit that flashed her trim pins and put her ample cleavage on display

She can do no wrong: Jessica had her long sleek locks out and over her shoulders in loose tousled curls

Her make-up included dewy foundation with highlighter and bronzer on her cheekbones, completed with a smokey eye and a glossy lip.

On the night, the statuesque star joined fellow David Jones ambassadors Jesinta Campbell and Jason Dundas.

Jessica - who has appeared in the film Transformers: Age of Extinction - appeared solo, with her new Australian actor beau, Xavier Samuel, not in town.

Turning heads: Oozing sex appeal, the brunette beauty's outfit featured a bustier-style top and flowing layers of material, slashed in some parts

Three's a crowd! On the night, the statuesque star joined fellow David Jones ambassadors Jesinta Campbell and Jason Dundas

Taken: Jessica - who has appeared in the film Transformers: Age of Extinction - is currently dating Australian actor Xavier Samuel

Having recently stepped out for the Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne, Jessica gushed to The Daily Telegraph about her new Twilight hunk.

'I am very happy in my life at the moment, very happy,' Jessica told the publication.

The new couple were first seen together last month when images of them kissing in Los Angeles surfaced.

They also were seen in September celebrating Jessica's birthday together in the US, although the status of their relationship was not known at the time.

New love: Jessica is seen here with Xavier in an image she shared recently to her Instagram

'I'm very happy': Having recently stepped out for the Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne, Jessica gushed to The Daily Telegraph about her new Twilight hunk

New flame: The new couple were first seen together last month when images of them kissing in Los Angeles surfaced

Keeping it under wraps: They also were seen in September celebrating Jessica's birthday together in the US, although the status of their relationship was not known at the time

Notoriously private Xavier, 32, who doesn't use social media, recently spoke to Daily Mail Australia about his love life.

'I am single, but I don't often talk about my private life,' he said ahead of a Q&A session for his new film Love And Friendship.

And while he didn't spill much else on the topic, the Victorian-born star said he was open to the idea of dating an older woman.

Asked how he feels about dating someone older, he answered: 'Only in the movies... but not that I have any aversions to the idea.

'It's just not really happened for me... But you never know what the future holds... Love knows no boundaries.'
She's only just welcomed her second child, a baby boy, weeks ago.

And on Tuesday, Australian model-turned-business woman Lara Bingle showed off her trim post-baby body in skin-tight leggings.

While some mothers would shy away from dressing up so quickly after giving birth, the 29-year-old stepped out in heels as she took a stroll around New York with oldest son Rocket Zot, one.

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One hot mumma! Lara Bingle showed off her trim post-baby body in skin-tight trousers while out with older son Rocket in New York on Tuesday, just weeks after giving birth to her second son

Lara looked stylish wearing the leggings with a black top and a structured button-up grey blazer.

The wife of Australian actor Sam Worthington showed off a golden glow on the day, no doubt as a result of her bronzing and tanning line, called The Base.

The blonde beauty covered her face with a pair of dark tinted sunglasses and accessorised with a black leather bracelet watch and her plain wedding band.

Chic: Lara looked stylish wearing the leggings with a black top and a structured button-up grey blazer

She dressed her toddler Rocket in a pair of jeans and white runners that was teamed with a beige wool jumper and a khaki beanie.

Rocket trotted along with a black back-pack over his shoulders as Lara pushed his pram on the pavement.

Missing from outing was Sam and their newest addition to the family.

Flawless: The wife of Australian actor Sam Worthington showed off a golden glow on the day, no doubt as a result of her bronzing and tanning line, called The Base

Lara appears on her first cover after welcoming her second child, posing for the November issue of Marie Claire.

She confirmed to the publication she was over the moon to have another baby.

'Im excited about giving Rocket a sibling,' Lara said.

'Sam has a sister and I have a brother, so creating that same sense of family is special and I know theyll have lots of fun together, especially being so close in age.'

Back to business: Lara appears on her first cover after welcoming her second child, posing for the November issue of Marie Claire (Pictured with Sam Worthington in Los Angeles in 2014)

While she admitted she has questioned how she will run her business while raising her two young children, she said Sam is a big help and an 'amazing dad'.

'Sam and I will share the routines with our newborn so that Rocket still gets one-on-one time with both of us. Were a little team,' she remarked.

It's believed Lara welcomed her newborn 'a few weeks ago.'

The model confirmed she was pregnant back in June.

The former fiancee of Michael Clarke married Sam Worthington in 2014 and are now based in the US.
He shocked fans with the very hard-hitting lyrics in his new music which didn't pull any punches when it came to his failed marriage.

And now Professor Green appears to have taken another jibe at his reality star ex Millie Mackintosh - revealing he regrets choosing celebrity over music.

The rapper, 32, admits he 'took his eye off the ball' for two years - almost the length of his marriage - while he and his wife worked the London social scene, putting the focus on his personal life over his work.

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Jibe talking: Professor Green appears to have taken another jibe at his reality star ex Millie Mackintosh - revealing he regrets choosing celebrity over music

Speaking to the Daily Star, he says: 'I took my eye off the ball, I dont know where the two years went. Ill admit it got away from me.

'Unfortunately the focus shifted and I became more of this celebrity to people and the focus shifted on to my personal life instead. And some of my fans who dont buy into that stuff have just been waiting for me to return.'

Now the star - real name Stephen Manderson - insists he will never allow the focus to go away from his music again - and insists to fans that he actually hates his life being so public.

He adds: 'I want to make sure it doesnt happen again, people need to understand I dont enjoy leaving a restaurant after two bottles of red wine and having a camera shoved in my face. I want to take that camera and shove it up the blokes a**e, but I dont!'

Back to business: The rapper, 32, admits he 'took his eye off the ball' for two years while he and his wife worked the London social scene, putting the focus on his personal life over his work

Over that life: The star says: 'I want to make sure it doesnt happen again, people need to understand I dont enjoy leaving a restaurant after two bottles of red wine and having a camera shoved in my face'

Meanwhile, the rapper is said to be back in love, after falling for model Fae Williams.

According to The Sun, the recently-divorced rapper, 32, has been 'practically inseparable' from his rumoured new love and believes their romance is the 'real deal'.

His comments on celebrity and his two years in the rap wilderness comes after he let rip Millie in his explosive new single, One Eye On The Door.

The musician about the former couple's lack of sex life and his drug use in the new track - which was released last Friday - and even hints that cheating was a factor in the demise of their two-and-a-half-year marriage.

One Eye On The Door is the hitmaker's first musical offering since 2014 album Growing Up In Public.

New lady? The star is said to be 'absolutely smitten' with model Fae Williams and it is claimed the pair have 'been practically inseparable' since meeting

Professor Green - real name Stephen Manderson - takes a number of thinly veiled swipes at his reality star ex-wife by suggesting their short-lived union was far from idyllic.

Lamenting an apparent lack of action between the sheets in the opening verse, the rapper suggests he and Millie spent most of their time watching box sets.

The musician also suggests Millie regularly kicked him out of the marital home in south-east London and would only allow him back in if he returned with a gift of material significance.

He spits in the track: 'Me an the Mrs we are getting along/Till I do something wrong - then it's another domestic/People wanna know what my life's like.

'Behind closed doors what's my wife like/It gets crazy in bed - We watch a couple episodes/Of a box set and and then it's night night/When she hears this s**t it's lights out/I'll probably get kicked out of my house/Till I come back with a brand new Chanel bag.'

Honest: In his explosive comeback track, One Eye On The Door, the musician raps about the couple's lack of sex and his drug use, while hinting that cheating was a factor in the demise of their two-and-a-half-year marriage

A second verse finds Pro Green's protagonist wrestling with his conscience; on the one hand fretting about divorce, while on the other putting his wife's feelings to one side while he parties with pals.

Referring to his use of drugs, he raps: 'One minute it was one, the next it was six/S**t I'm dead - I don't know where the time went.

'Where's my phone? S**t sixty-one missed calls/A divorce is on the cards if I don't split/And get my a**e in gear - I'm asking for it.

'A b****rd ain't I - auf wiedersehen/Better get my a**e in gear and get a car quick though, if I'm already gonna get my a**e kicked?

'Then pass it/What's one more half, what's one more spliff/What's one more glass/What's one more line, what's one more toke/I'm already a dead man when I get home.'

In happier times? Professor Green - real name Stephen Manderson - takes a number of thinly veiled swipes at his ex-wife by suggesting their short-lived union was far from idyllic

TIMELINE OF THEIR ROMANCE November 2011: Couple enjoy their first date at the Groucho Club in London after Professor Green sees Millie's sexy FHM cover shoot February 2012: They go public at the BRIT Awards March 2013: Pro Green proposes in Paris September 2013: Couple wed at Babington House in Somerset July 2015: Millie and Pro Green reported to have a huge row in Istanbul. January 2016: They have a make-of-break holiday in Florence, Italy. February 2016: Couple announce their separation. Advertisement

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Millie Mackintosh for comment.

The couple's two-and-a-half-year marriage was dissolved in just 30 seconds in May.

They were granted a decree nisi at Central London Family Court with Millie citing 'unreasonable behaviour' as the reason for their split.

Just one week after their divorce was finalised, the beauty, 27, went public with her ex-boyfriend Hugo Taylor and has been documenting their romance across social media ever since.

Millie and Professor Green split in February after just over four years together.

In a statement at the time, they said: 'It is a mutual decision, we still care deeply about each other and would like it to be known that it is on amicable terms and we wish each other well.'

Wedding bells: The couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at Babington House in Somerset in September 2013

Millie and Stephen started dating in November 2011 after the rapper saw her on the cover of men's magazine FHM.

The rapper contacted Millie through her agent and they had their first date at the Groucho Club in Soho.

They went public at the Brit Awards in February 2012, with Stephen proposing on holiday in Paris just over a year later.

The couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at Babington House in Somerset in September 2013.

Speaking to The Sun, Professor Green admits he's nonplussed about her ex-wife's potential reaction to the revealing new track.

'I think she'll probably say, "Well at least he's being honest about that. That definitely happened once or twice."

Unlikely pair: Millie and Stephen started dating in November 2011 after the rapper saw her on the cover of men's magazine FHM

New track: One Eye On The Door is out now

He added: 'It's a song that was probably written after a time I got in trouble. I wrote that over a year ago.

'The whole song is just about when you say, "Yeah, I promise I'll be home early, I promise," then your mates go, "Come on, stay for one more drink."'

When they first started dating, Millie and Professor Green acknowledged they came from very different backgrounds.

Millie was educated privately at Hanford Boarding School in Dorset and her family invented Quality Street, although sold the business years ago.

Meanwhile Stephen grew up in an impoverished area of East London and survived being attacked in the neck with a broken bottle in a Shoreditch nightclub in 2009.

Moving on: Just one week after their divorce was finalised, the beauty, 27, went public with her ex-boyfriend Hugo Taylor
He's been putting his all into reconciling with girlfriend Megan McKenna following his much publicised sexting scandal.

And Pete Wicks, 28, could be seen passionately kissing Megan, 24, as the pair filmed a bonfire night TOWIE special on Tuesday night.

The tattooed reality star place his arm around the beauty and held her close as they shared a smooch at Crabbys Farm, Essex.

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Reigniting the passion: Pete Wicks, 28, could be seen passionately kissing Megan, 24, as the pair filmed a bonfire night TOWIE special on Tuesday night

On a charm offensive, Pete also splashed out on a range of luxury gifts for Megan including items from Louis Vuitton and Hermes.

The handsome star had his smile back as the pair seemed to at least momentarily forget about recent dramas.

But on Wednesday, Pete's progress appeared to have come to an abrupt halt as Megan launched into a furious rant on Twitter, following the launch of her man's range with adult retailer Ann Summers.

In a series of tweets, which have since been deleted, Megan blasted the brand for allegedly not seeking approval from Pete prior to release.

She also slammed Pete for claiming the shots were 'PG' in nature, which she didn't agree with.

Splashing the cash: On a charm offensive, Pete also splashed out on a range of luxury gifts for Megan including items from Louis Vuitton and Hermes

Moving on? The handsome star had his smile back as the pair seemed to at least momentarily forget about recent dramas

The posts read: 'Hey @AnnSummers wanna explain to me and @P_Wicks01 why your releasing photos without approval with your slutty models? #press #deserate.

'Even tho @P_Wicks01 told me them pics were PG! that doesnt look PG to me. shock another lie!

'@AnnSummers been releasing pics and videos without @P_Wicks01 approval!!! Obvs for a bit of press!!! How insensitive!'

And possibly most damning of all to Pete's hopes of rekindling the romance, she said: 'Your right. A leopard never changes its spots!'

Fuming: On Wednesday, Pete's progress appeared to have come to an abrupt halt as Megan launched into a furious rant on Twitter following the launch of her man's range with adult retailer Ann Summers

Harsh: Megan described the models in the campaign as 'sl***y'

However, a representative for Ann Summers told MailOnline: 'Both Pete Wicks and James Lock are so excited to go down in Ann Summers history, as the brands first male ambassadors.

'The campaign has had a fantastic reaction since the launch on 1st November and with #Plockie we can help the men of Britain get it right this Christmas.

'We are incredibly proud of this campaign and believe that our gorgeous models portray a positive message to our customers, as it empowers women to feel sexually confident and helps encourage the men of Britain to make their ladies look  and feel  the same way, with Ann Summers this Christmas.'

Unhappy: She slammed Pete for claiming the shots were 'PG' in nature, which she didn't agree with

Pete recently spoke to MailOnline about his troubled love life. The hunk left Megan heartbroken after she discovered he'd been texting 10 women behind her back.

He revealed: 'I've got all the time in the world, and however long it takes I'm going to do everything I can to get Megan back, so however long it takes... that's it.'

Asked how he was coping with other's sharing their views on him with Megan, he defiantly hit-back, saying: 'It doesnt matter to me what everyone else is saying. Their opinion is kind of irrelevant.

'Obviously it does make it harder when everyone weighs in with what they make of the situation and how important they think this or that is, but really that doesnt matter in the slightest.'

Though he was very clear that he knew he's been the one in the wrong, with Pete admitting: 'Everyone knows Im in the wrong. Ill hold my hands up to that, and say Im in the wrong.'

Thrilled: However, Ann Summers said Pete was excited to be an ambassador for the brand

The previous night, gathered at a fireworks show ahead of Bonfire Night, the star-crossed lovers seemed to be keeping each other warm in the chilly winter air, as they cuddled up close away from the prying eyes of their co-stars.

Viewers have seen Pete attempting to win back her heart and by the reality starlet's appearance she certainly seemed on the up as she beamed and smiled on her way in.

The former Ex On The Beach star masked her lithe physique from beneath a warm brown fur coat, and ensuring she did not feel any of the autumnal chill descending on the UK, she wrapped up tight while upping the sex appeal with thigh high boots and leather trousers.

While her boots certainly made an impression, she shattered her sexy look slightly when she arrived at filming in decidedly un-sexy UGG boots with one visible striped sock peeking out from the sheepskin number.

Feeling a spark? After wrestling with her conscious, it seems Megan has decided to take Pete back after they were spotted getting cosy

Smouldering star: Viewers have seen Pete attempting to win back her heart and by the reality starlet's appearance she certainly seemed on the up as she beamed and smiled on her way in

An eternal flame? Gathered at a fireworks show ahead of Bonfire Night, the star-crossed lovers seemed to be keeping each other warm in the chilly winter air

Something funny? Megan had a giggle during the festivities

Having a laugh: While her boots certainly made an impression, she shattered her sexy look slightly when she arrived at filming in decidedly un-sexy UGG boots

On the up: Megan has been at the centre of the storylines in the 19th series of the ITVBe show after she discovered her boyfriend Pete had been sexting other women behind her back

Happy days: Megan's estranged beau Pete appeared to be in high spirits as he larked about upon entering filming - looking as overjoyed as his girlfriend

Living it up: He kept things slick in a black leather jacket while tucking his long tresses into a stylish flat cap which rounded out his look perfectly

After her love woes surfaced last month, Megan chopped a new fringe into her tresses and the look appears to be here to stay as she showed off her sharp cut while the rest of her hair was scraped into a high bun.

While Megan's look was made-up of an array of muted shades, Chloe Sims was determined to stand out among the girls as she wowed in a bevvy of pastel shades.

The stand out element of her look was undoubtedly her shaggy pink coat which boasted a candyfloss hue.

Beneath the coat she wore a loose-fitting light denim dress which skimmed her calves in length while featuring a pretty frill around the base.

Stunners: The former Ex On The Beach star masked her lithe physique from beneath a warm brown fur coat while Chloe made a bold statement in a bright pink shaggy number

Pretty in pink: While Megan's look was made-up of an array of muted shades, Chloe was determined to stand out among the girls as she wowed in a bevvy of pastel shades

Pink Ladies: Also donning a pink look was Georgia Kousoulou who opted for a double baby pink look with a fur coat and fluffy jumper

Fifty Shades Of Grey: Newbie Amber Dowding opted against sporting a coat as she simply wore a thigh-skimming grey fluffy dress which she cinched in at the waist

Wrapped up: Looking uncharacteristically covered-up was the show's resident buxom babe Kate Wright (left) who looked sensational in head to toe black with ribbed jeans and a heavy coat

She too opted for boots, yet Chloe wore a tan-coloured pair which coordinated with her thick choker in the same colour.

Also donning a pink look was Georgia Kousoulou who opted for a double baby pink look with a fur coat and fluffy jumper.

Newbie Amber Dowding opted against sporting a coat as she simply wore a thigh-skimming grey fluffy dress which she cinched in at the waist.

Looking uncharacteristically covered-up was the show's resident buxom babe Kate Wright who looked sensational in head to toe black with ribbed jeans and a heavy coat.

Rap star: Danielle Armstrong seemed to borrow from the likes of Kanye West as she sported a floor-grazing monochrome fur coat

Furry fun: Danielle certainly made an impression in her long-line number

Always together: Best pals Courtney Green and Chloe Meadows arrived together as they went for a similar colour scheme comprising of nude, grey and black hues

Never apart: Yet another inseparable duo to arrive as one was Lydia Bright and Chloe Lewis who wrapped up warm before watching the glowing display

Danielle Armstrong seemed to borrow from the likes of Kanye West as she sported a floor-grazing monochrome fur coat.

Best pals Courtney Green and Chloe Meadows arrived together as they went for a similar colour scheme comprising of nude, grey and black hues.

Yet another inseparable duo to arrive as one was Chloe Lewis and Lydia Bright who wrapped up warm before watching the glowing display.

Hunky duo: Liam Blackwell wore Hunter wellingtons with a longline camel padded jacket while Chris Clark also opted for a camel coat - although his was a slick overcoat

The whole gang: The girls were loving life as they joined up to watch the fireworks

Megan's estranged beau Pete appeared to be in high spirits as he larked about upon entering filming - looking as overjoyed as his girlfriend.

He kept things slick in a black leather jacket while tucking his long tresses into a stylish flat cap which rounded out his look perfectly.

Liam Blackwell wore Hunter wellingtons with a longline camel padded jacket while Chris Clark also opted for a camel coat - although his was a slick overcoat.

Are sparks flying? Chloe's Lewis' latest love interest Ben Shenel grinned as he cosied up to Chloe Sims

All that glitters: The duo seemed to be having a whale of a time as they enjoyed the festivites
He went above and beyond to perfect his portrayal of Prince Philip in new Netflix mega-drama The Crown.

But This Morning's Alison Hammond was left cringing after asking about Matt Smith's prosthetics make-over during filming by mistaking his real ears for fake ones.

The one-time Doctor Who was on the show to promote the new series alongside co-star Claire Foy, who plays a young Queen Elizabeth II.

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Ear, they're mine! This Morning's Alison Hammond was left cringing after asking about Matt Smith's prosthetics make-over during filming for The Crown by mistaking his real ears for fake ones

Talking about the actor's likeness to the Duke of Edinburgh, Alyson said: 'Let's talk about the hair and make-up, I mean the ears, the hair - it's quite uncanny.'

Awkwardly realising her mistake, Matt touched his ears and quipped: 'These are my actual ears.'

Taking a second to respond, Alison began laughing, as did Claire, and quipped: 'Oh, are they? I thought they were plastic!'

Good-natured Matt started laughing as well, and insisted: 'No, they are my real ears. I was teased as a child... My mum will be shifting in her seat at home now, she loves This Morning as well.'

Spitting image: Talking about the actor's likeness to the Duke of Edinburgh, Alison said: 'Let's talk about the hair and make-up, I mean the ears, the hair - it's quite uncanny'

Sounds off: Awkwardly realising her mistake, Matt touched his ears and quipped: 'These are my actual ears.'

Awkward! Taking a second to respond, Alison began laughing, as did Claire, and quipped: 'Oh, are they? I thought they were plastic!'

Funny side: Good-natured Matt started laughing as well, and insisted: 'No, they are my real ears. I was teased as a child...'

Watch out! Matt warned: 'My mum will be shifting in her seat at home now, she loves This Morning as well'

The cringing presenter added: 'Oh, that's embarrassing. Please eat me now ground! It's a good job I'm black or I'd be bright red right now.'

Not taking against the show, Matt and Claire then had a go at taking over.

They then had a go at being the new Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby for the cameras.

Matt squealed: 'We're the new Phil and Holly!'

Royal romance: The Crown will air on November 4. A reported 100million has been ploughed into the show, which traces the life of Queen Elizabeth II from her wedding in 1947 to the present day

Epic: The Crown is believed to be the most expensive drama ever made by the US streaming company and its first to be made in the UK

The non-plussed presenters watched from the studio alongside a confused Rylan Clark.

The Crown will air on November 4. A reported 100million has been ploughed into the show, which traces the life of Queen Elizabeth II from her wedding in 1947 to the present day.

The Crown is believed to be the most expensive drama ever made by the US streaming company and its first to be made in the UK.
The future of The Bachelorette Australia was up in the air thanks to lacklustre ratings.

But Channel Ten have confirmed the reality dating show will be back for its third season next year.

The latest series, which finished last month, saw former journalist Georgia Love find romance with Lee Elliott.

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Who will be in control of the roses next? After a 'ratings success' with Georgia Love (pictured) as The Bachelorette this year, Channel Ten have confirmed the reality TV series will be back for its third season in 2017

Fans have since speculated that this year's The Bachelor runner-up and fan favourite Nikki Gogan will be the next leading lady.

However, the network weren't giving any hint of preferential treating, with casting to begin early next year.

A spokesperson for Channel Ten said in a statement: 'The recipe of love, drama, excitement, romance and amazing dates has struck a chord with many people and made The Bachelorette Australia one of the most talked about shows on television and a hit across multiple screens.'

They added they were 'looking forward' to starting production on the new series and added the finale episode of Georgia Love's story drew in 1.49 million viewers - down considerably from the 2015 series.

Up for it? Fans have since speculated that this year's The Bachelor runner-up and fan favourite Nikki Gogan will be the next leading lady

Perth-based Nikki is a leading option to star as the next third series, having had her heart broken by Richie Strahan earlier this year on The Bachelor.

It would somewhat mirror that of Sam Frost's ratings success during the first season, after the country backed her quest for love following her short-lived engagement to season two Bachelor Blake Garvey.

The blonde real estate agent admitted after he chose Alex Nation that it would take some time for her to heal.

'I still love Rich. This one will take a while to get over. I will be going home to my amazing family and they will look after me,' she said through tears.

Heartbreak: Perth-based Nikki is a leading option to star as the next Bachelorette, having had her heart broken by Richie Strahan earlier this year on The Bachelor, when he chose Melbourne mum Alex Nation (pictured)

'I still love Rich': The blonde real estate agent admitted after being dumped during the finale, that it would take some time for her to heal

'I don't have any hard feelings towards Richie. He's been awesome. Richie's made the right decision for him and for his heart, so that's what this journey was all about for him.

'I don't have his heart - that's all. I wouldn't change anything. I don't regret anything. And what he has with Alex must be really, really special and I know that they'll be incredibly happy together.'

In September, she told Studio 10 that she wasn't interested in the gig.

Will she be on the show? In September, she told Studio 10 that she wasn't interested in being The Bachelorette

'No way. Not at this moment. It's too raw,' Nikki said.

She added: 'I feel like I'm not in the right head or heart space to be able to truly answer that question.'

'And on top of that, I know that's a year from now and I feel like if I focused so far ahead that I might not be open to finding my person before then.'

More recently, Nikki fuelled rumours she could be off the market, having been seen at the Melbourne's Derby Day getting along well with The Bachelorette cast-off Cameron Cranley.

Love in the air? More recently, Nikki fuelled rumours that she was off the market, having been seen at the Melbourne's Derby Day getting along well with The Bachelorette cast-off Cameron Cranley (L)

In one Instagram video posted by The Bachelor's Tiffany Scanlon, the pair made a love heart gesture with their hands.

In the video, Tiffany is heard yelling at Nikki and Cam to 'hook up' after rumours emerged of a budding romance, after they watched The Bachelorette finale together.

Nikki looked extremely uncomfortable with the suggestion to 'hook up' on camera, waving her hand in front of her and mouthing the words, 'no'.

Last month, speculation was rife that The Bachelorette wouldn't be returning.

Happy: Georgia is seen here with winner Lee Elliott

Georgia's series has had miserable ratings compared to the first series starring Sam Frost.

Advertisements had earlier appeared for a new series of The Bachelor, after Richie's successful search for love earlier this year.

Georgia's debut episode pulled in a disappointing viewership of 655,000 for its premiere.

The second episode of The Bachelorette showed a promising climb with 703,000 viewers, but it was still number nine in the ratings against other shows on the night, according to TV Tonight.

Struggles: Georgia's series has had miserable ratings compared to the first series starring Sam Frost (pictured)

But it was back at 14th place again the following night, with only 570,000 people interested in watching the 27-year-old beauty find her dream guy.

Meanwhile Sam Frost's finale drew in a reported 1.52 million metro viewers, while its debut saw 875,000 viewers.

Back in July, Richie Strahan's debut episode as The Bachelor pulled in a whopping 882,000 fans while the finale saw 1.32 million people tune in.
They are parents to three handsome sons - and Coleen and Wayne Rooney were thrilled to be celebrating their eldest boy, Kai's seventh birthday on Wednesday.

Coleen, 30, shared a lovely picture of her pride and joy with his middle brother Klay, three as they posed for a snap with their arms sweetly around one another.

A light-box sat on the table next to them had with a birthday message on the front, which was misspelt to read: 'Happy Birhtday Kai.'

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Oops! Coleen and Wayne Rooney celebrated eldest son Kai turning 7 with a cute snap... but they made a blunder by spelling 'birthday' wrong

Doting parents: Wayne and Coleen pictured at the Player Of The Year awards back in May

Smiling Kai wore the same grey pyjamas as his brother as they stood next to a birthday cake, clearly looking forward to the day ahead.

Coleen captioned the image with the words: 'Our Big boy is 7 Today!!! Happy Birthday Kai, we love you xx.'

11-month-old Kit was not pictured in the snap but was no doubt celebrating with the along with the lovely family.

All boys: This summer, Coleen shared another gorgeous snap of the boys with their father Wayne and their youngest brother Kit

Wayne retweeted the message, seemingly unaware of the blunder, but appeared proud as punch of his boys.

Coleen told the Belfast Telegraph when she was still pregnant with her youngest son Kit, that she hasn't ruled out having more children.

When asked if having a third baby would complete the family, she said: 'I'm not sure. It's all about having enough time to give to each child and three kids is a lot.

'I always wanted a big family and three is a nice number, so I think we'll just see how we get along. Life will be pretty hectic, particularly in the early days!'

Meanwhile, Coleen and the boys have just returned from a sunny trip to Barbados, along with her mother and father.

Last month, the WAG launched a passionate defence of her husband, England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney, on Twitter after hearing criticism of him on the radio.

The form of England's record goalscorer has fallen under intense scrutiny in recent months, with his performances floundering while both his club and country have struggled for results on the pitch.

Coleen took to Twitter to vent her dismay after hearing fans explain on the radio why they had booed him at Wembley on Saturday during England's 2-0 victory over Malta. She said she listened to the criticism while she was in the car with Kai.
She vented her frustration over snaps of love interest Pete Wicks posing with scantily-clad beauties for his collaboration with adult retailer Ann Summers.

And Megan McKenna, 24, remained stony-faced as she arrived at La Sala restaurant in Chigwell, Essex, on Wednesday to meet with her family and Pete.

Looking typically stylish, Megan wore a grey faux fur sleeveless coat with a black top and leather trousers.

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Down in the dumps: Megan McKenna, 24, remained stony-faced as she arrived at La Sala in Chigwell, Essex, on Wednesday to meet with her family and Pete

Keeping things coordinated, she sported black UGG boots, while she carried her belongings in a trendy oversized handbag.

The beauty covered her eyes with tinted gold-rimmed shades and styled her tresses in an elaborate updo.

Careful not to neglect her makeup, Megan sported finely shaped brows and glossy pink lips.

Glamour girl: Looking typically stylish, Megan wore a grey faux fur sleeveless coat with a black top and leather trousers

Style queen: Careful not to neglect her makeup, Megan sported finely shaped brows and glossy pink lips

Furry nice: The beauty covered her eyes with tinted gold-rimmed shades and styled her tresses in an elaborate updo

Looking good: Megan momentarily removed her sunglasses and gazed into the distance

Chilled: Pete Wicks, 28, looked fairly relaxed about meeting his angry ex

Playing it cool: Pete smiled as he strolled through the car park

Fashionista: Wearing his trademark rocker styling, Pete donned a denim jacket, grey hoodie and skintight jeans

There for her: Megan's mum Tanya and dad Dave accompanied her to dinner

Defiant: Megan produced a subtle smile when she spotted the camera

She was flanked by mum Tanya and dad Dave for moral support as she headed towards the entrance.

Pete, 28, looked fairly relaxed about meeting his angry ex, smiling as he strolled through the car park.

Wearing his trademark rocker styling, Pete donned a denim jacket, grey hoodie and skintight jeans.

He also met up with pals Dan Edgar, Tommy Mallett and James Lock for a spot of golf at a driving range.

Dan and Tommy greeted each other with a handshake and a friendly hug upon arrival.

The latter dressed in a denim jacket with an elaborate Japanese design on the back, which he combined with striking camo trousers and pink kicks.

Meanwhile, Pete's recently been putting his all into reconciling with Megan following his much publicised sexting scandal.

Catching up: Pete met up with pals Dan Edgar, Tommy Mallett and James Lock for a spot of golf at a driving range

Who hits it best? The lads took it in turns to show off their swing

Thirsty work: It looked like Tommy was enjoying a casual beer while the boys played

Eye on the ball: Lockie followed his ball as it sailed through the air

Good to see you: Tommy greeted Dan with a friendly handshake

Happy! The pals then shared a hug, with Dan grinning broadly

Bold: Tommy's jacket contained an elaborate Japanese design on the back

Mix and match: Tommy matched a denim jacket with a pair of camo trousers and pink shoes

Great minds... The guys were sartorially in sync for their meet up

The pair could be seen passionately kissing as the pair filmed a bonfire night TOWIE special on Tuesday night.

The tattooed reality star place his arm around the beauty and held her close as they shared a smooch at Crabbys Farm, Essex.

On a charm offensive, Pete also splashed out on a range of luxury gifts for Megan including items from Louis Vuitton and Hermes.

The handsome star had his smile back as the pair seemed to at least momentarily forget about recent dramas.

Reigniting the passion: Pete could be seen passionately kissing Megan as the pair filmed a bonfire night TOWIE special on Tuesday night

But on Wednesday, Pete's progress appeared to have come to an abrupt halt as Megan launched into a furious rant on Twitter, following the launch of her man's range with adult retailer Ann Summers.

In a series of tweets, which have since been deleted, Megan blasted the brand for allegedly not seeking approval from Pete prior to release.

She also slammed Pete for claiming the shots were 'PG' in nature, which she didn't agree with.

Splashing the cash: On a charm offensive, Pete also splashed out on a range of luxury gifts for Megan including items from Louis Vuitton and Hermes

Moving on? The handsome star had his smile back as the pair seemed to at least momentarily forget about recent dramas

The posts read: 'Hey @AnnSummers wanna explain to me and @P_Wicks01 why your releasing photos without approval with your slutty models? #press #deserate.

'Even tho @P_Wicks01 told me them pics were PG! that doesnt look PG to me. shock another lie!

'@AnnSummers been releasing pics and videos without @P_Wicks01 approval!!! Obvs for a bit of press!!! How insensitive!'

And possibly most damning of all to Pete's hopes of rekindling the romance, she said: 'Your right. A leopard never changes its spots!'

Fuming: On Wednesday, Pete's progress appeared to have come to an abrupt halt as Megan launched into a furious rant on Twitter following the launch of her man's range with adult retailer Ann Summers

Harsh: Megan described the models in the campaign as 'sl***y'

However, a representative for Ann Summers told MailOnline: 'Both Pete Wicks and James Lock are so excited to go down in Ann Summers history, as the brands first male ambassadors.

'The campaign has had a fantastic reaction since the launch on 1st November and with #Plockie we can help the men of Britain get it right this Christmas.

'We are incredibly proud of this campaign and believe that our gorgeous models portray a positive message to our customers, as it empowers women to feel sexually confident and helps encourage the men of Britain to make their ladies look  and feel  the same way, with Ann Summers this Christmas.'

Unhappy: She slammed Pete for claiming the shots were 'PG' in nature, which she didn't agree with

Pete recently spoke to MailOnline about his troubled love life. The hunk left Megan heartbroken after she discovered he'd been texting 10 women behind her back.

He revealed: 'I've got all the time in the world, and however long it takes I'm going to do everything I can to get Megan back, so however long it takes... that's it.'

Asked how he was coping with other's sharing their views on him with Megan, he defiantly hit-back, saying: 'It doesnt matter to me what everyone else is saying. Their opinion is kind of irrelevant.

'Obviously it does make it harder when everyone weighs in with what they make of the situation and how important they think this or that is, but really that doesnt matter in the slightest.'

Though he was very clear that he knew he's been the one in the wrong, with Pete admitting: 'Everyone knows Im in the wrong. Ill hold my hands up to that, and say Im in the wrong.'

Thrilled: However, Ann Summers said Pete was excited to be an ambassador for the brand

The previous night, gathered at a fireworks show ahead of Bonfire Night, the star-crossed lovers seemed to be keeping each other warm in the chilly winter air, as they cuddled up close away from the prying eyes of their co-stars.

Viewers have seen Pete attempting to win back her heart and by the reality starlet's appearance she certainly seemed on the up as she beamed and smiled on her way in.

The former Ex On The Beach star masked her lithe physique from beneath a warm brown fur coat, and ensuring she did not feel any of the autumnal chill descending on the UK, she wrapped up tight while upping the sex appeal with thigh high boots and leather trousers.

While her boots certainly made an impression, she shattered her sexy look slightly when she arrived at filming in decidedly un-sexy UGG boots with one visible striped sock peeking out from the sheepskin number.

Feeling a spark? After wrestling with her conscious, it seems Megan has decided to take Pete back after they were spotted getting cosy

Smouldering star: Viewers have seen Pete attempting to win back her heart and by the reality starlet's appearance she certainly seemed on the up as she beamed and smiled on her way in

An eternal flame? Gathered at a fireworks show ahead of Bonfire Night, the star-crossed lovers seemed to be keeping each other warm in the chilly winter air

Something funny? Megan had a giggle during the festivities

Having a laugh: While her boots certainly made an impression, she shattered her sexy look slightly when she arrived at filming in decidedly un-sexy UGG boots

On the up: Megan has been at the centre of the storylines in the 19th series of the ITVBe show after she discovered her boyfriend Pete had been sexting other women behind her back

Happy days: Megan's estranged beau Pete appeared to be in high spirits as he larked about upon entering filming - looking as overjoyed as his girlfriend

Living it up: He kept things slick in a black leather jacket while tucking his long tresses into a stylish flat cap which rounded out his look perfectly

After her love woes surfaced last month, Megan chopped a new fringe into her tresses and the look appears to be here to stay as she showed off her sharp cut while the rest of her hair was scraped into a high bun.

While Megan's look was made-up of an array of muted shades, Chloe Sims was determined to stand out among the girls as she wowed in a bevvy of pastel shades.

The stand out element of her look was undoubtedly her shaggy pink coat which boasted a candyfloss hue.

Beneath the coat she wore a loose-fitting light denim dress which skimmed her calves in length while featuring a pretty frill around the base.

Stunners: The former Ex On The Beach star masked her lithe physique from beneath a warm brown fur coat while Chloe made a bold statement in a bright pink shaggy number

Pretty in pink: While Megan's look was made-up of an array of muted shades, Chloe was determined to stand out among the girls as she wowed in a bevvy of pastel shades

Pink Ladies: Also donning a pink look was Georgia Kousoulou who opted for a double baby pink look with a fur coat and fluffy jumper

Fifty Shades Of Grey: Newbie Amber Dowding opted against sporting a coat as she simply wore a thigh-skimming grey fluffy dress which she cinched in at the waist

Wrapped up: Looking uncharacteristically covered-up was the show's resident buxom babe Kate Wright (left) who looked sensational in head to toe black with ribbed jeans and a heavy coat

She too opted for boots, yet Chloe wore a tan-coloured pair which coordinated with her thick choker in the same colour.

Also donning a pink look was Georgia Kousoulou who opted for a double baby pink look with a fur coat and fluffy jumper.

Newbie Amber Dowding opted against sporting a coat as she simply wore a thigh-skimming grey fluffy dress which she cinched in at the waist.

Looking uncharacteristically covered-up was the show's resident buxom babe Kate Wright who looked sensational in head to toe black with ribbed jeans and a heavy coat.

Rap star: Danielle Armstrong seemed to borrow from the likes of Kanye West as she sported a floor-grazing monochrome fur coat

Furry fun: Danielle certainly made an impression in her long-line number

Always together: Best pals Courtney Green and Chloe Meadows arrived together as they went for a similar colour scheme comprising of nude, grey and black hues

Never apart: Yet another inseparable duo to arrive as one was Lydia Bright and Chloe Lewis who wrapped up warm before watching the glowing display

Danielle Armstrong seemed to borrow from the likes of Kanye West as she sported a floor-grazing monochrome fur coat.

Best pals Courtney Green and Chloe Meadows arrived together as they went for a similar colour scheme comprising of nude, grey and black hues.

Yet another inseparable duo to arrive as one was Chloe Lewis and Lydia Bright who wrapped up warm before watching the glowing display.

Hunky duo: Liam Blackwell wore Hunter wellingtons with a longline camel padded jacket while Chris Clark also opted for a camel coat - although his was a slick overcoat

The whole gang: The girls were loving life as they joined up to watch the fireworks

Megan's estranged beau Pete appeared to be in high spirits as he larked about upon entering filming - looking as overjoyed as his girlfriend.

He kept things slick in a black leather jacket while tucking his long tresses into a stylish flat cap which rounded out his look perfectly.

Liam Blackwell wore Hunter wellingtons with a longline camel padded jacket while Chris Clark also opted for a camel coat - although his was a slick overcoat.

Are sparks flying? Chloe's Lewis' latest love interest Ben Shenel grinned as he cosied up to Chloe Sims

All that glitters: The duo seemed to be having a whale of a time as they enjoyed the festivites
They've shared many a wild night out together on Geordie Shore.

But Charlotte Crosby and Sophie Kasaei, both 26, decided to seek a thrill without the involvement of alcohol as they raced through the rapids on a Kayak in Cancun.

Sensibly clad in their swimwear and life jackets, the pair seemed in great spirits as they got wet and wild on the rivers of Mexico.

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Are you Shore that's a good idea? Charlotte Crosby and Sophie Kasaei, both 26, decided to seek a thrill without any alcohol as they raced through the rapids on a Kayak in Cancun

Going make-up free for the outing, Charlotte, 26, allowed her natural beauty to shine through as she scrunched her face up in determination.

Showing off her svelte figure, the reality starlet donned a skimpy black bikini, whilst her chestnut coloured locks were swept up into a topknot.

Proving to be quite the adrenaline junkie, Charlotte took the lead as she lead her former co-star down the raging rapids.

Up a creek with a paddle: Proving to be quite the adrenaline junkie, bikini-clad Charlotte took the lead as she lead her former co-star down the raging rapids in Mexico

Living up to her glamorous reputation, Sophie, 26, opted to line her plump pout with a slick of rosy gloss for the journey, whilst her hazel coloured peepers were framed with a slick of mascara - hopefully waterproof.

Complementing her tanned complexion, the cousin of Marnie Simpson donned a pair of white tie side briefs that she teamed with a cherry red bikini top.

With her glossy tresses slicked into a ponytail, she secured the style with a pair of oversized sunglasses.

Brr! It seems the transition back to the chilly climes of Britain was too extreme for Charlotte, who wrapped up in a chunky padded coat on her trip to London on Wednesday

Brunette bombshell: She finished off the look by sweeping her tresses back into a chic chignon, allowing loose tendrils to frame her pretty face

Whilst they may have had some fun in the sun, it seems the transition back to the chilly climes of Britain was too extreme for Charlotte, who wrapped up in a chunky padded coat on her trip to London on Wednesday.

Feeling the chill, the brunette bombshell also donned a pair of woolen brown boots and slipped her slim pins into black leggings.

She finished off the look by sweeping her tresses back into a chic chignon, allowing loose tendrils to frame her pretty face.
She could be seen discussing her scary struggle with sleep paralysis in a preview for this week's Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

And Kendall Jenner revealed more details about her health battle in a new clip from her family's reality show which was released on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old, who celebrates her birthday on Thursday, could be seen telling her mother Kris Jenner that she wouldn't be able to handle her gruelling schedule for Fashion Week.

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Sharing her struggle: Kendall Jenner revealed more details about her sleep paralysis in a new clip from Keeping Up With The Kardashians which was released on Wednesday

'I don't know if I'm going to be able to do that,' she said after her momager told her she'd be travelling to Paris, Milan, and then London.

'I can't travel that much,' Kendall explained. 'I'm scared. I'm like freaking out because of these [expletive] paralysis things.

'I'm scared to fall asleep because it keeps happening to me. It almost feels like my heart stops.'

As Kendall's mother Kris was sympathetic, but as her manager she told her daughter that she couldn't back out of her commitments.

'I don't know if I'm going to be able to do that': The 20-year-old could be seen telling her mother Kris Jenner that she wouldn't be able to handle her gruelling Fashion Week schedule

'OK,' the 60-year-old sighed. 'The nature of what you do for a living and your career is flying around the world.

'You have designers that have already booked you and are counting on you to show up.'

Kendall responded: 'I'm just telling you, I think that my health is a bigger deal ... It's genuinely frightening and I don't know how much of it I can do.'

'I can't travel that much': Kendall grew worried after her mom said she was expected to travel to Paris, Milan and then London

'I'm scared to fall asleep': The model said that the sleep paralysis 'almost feels like my heart stops'

The clip also showed Kris talking to the camera about Kendall's sleep paralysis, and pointing out that it was negatively affecting her career.

'Kendall basically lives on an airplane,' she said. 'So the anxiety on an airplane and the sleep paralysis is a huge problem.

'Sometimes it's been so bad that shes been paralysed from even getting on an airplane, and I've had to get on a plane, fly from LA to London, just to get her from London to New York. So it's becoming a real problem.'

'It's genuinely frightening': Kendall added that she thinks her 'health is a bigger deal' than her work

Divided: As Kendall's mother Kris was sympathetic, but as her manager she told her daughter that she couldn't back out of her commitments

Kendall in fact did drop out of much of her show commitments, choosing to walk in the New York Fashion Week shows but skip those in London, Paris and Milan.

She did however travel to Paris during Fashion Week, and was there when her sister Kim was robbed at gunpoint last month.

Kendall first discussed her struggle with sleep paralysis in a promo for Keeping Up With The Kardashians which aired earlier this week, saying: 'I wake up in the middle of the night and I can't move.'

'You have designers that are counting on you': The 60-year-old told her daughter that much of her career 'is flying around the world'

A source of contention: In a previous clip Kris had told Kendall that the problem was probably 'just anxiety'

While her mother told her that she thought it was 'just anxiety', the model fired back: 'Everyone says I'm fine, but I don't feel fine.'

In a previous clip for the show she fumed: 'I'm done arguing with people because I don't feel fine. I promise one day when I'm rushed to the hospital, then you guys are going to wake up.'

Sleep paralysis is a common condition which can be affected by lack of sleep and a changing sleep schedule.

'It's becoming a real problem': The Kardashian matriarch told the camera that Kendall's health issue needs to be fixed because she 'basically lives on an airplane'

Momager to the rescue: Kris said she once had to fly to London just to get her daughter on a plane to New York

Sufferers of sleep paralysis can't move their arms and legs, body, and head when falling asleep or waking up. Episodes last from only seconds to a few minutes, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Meanwhile in December, Kendall discussed being hospitalised for exhaustion in a post on her subscription based website kendallj.com.

She wrote: 'I just got so tired from work and life and everything that it freaked me out at the end of this year. I actually had to go to the hospital because I was so exhausted.

'It was definitely a wake-up call that I need to take better care of myself. I want to enjoy being home a little bit more.'

Taking some 'me' time: Kendall in fact did drop out of her show commitments, choosing to walk in the New York Fashion Week shows but skip those in London, Paris and Milan
It was one of the slickest movies of the 1980s.

And now the Richard Gere thriller American Gigolo - about a handsome male escort who goes on the run after being accused of murder - will be remade for the small screen.

Showtime will be developing the project in collaboration with Paramount, Deadline revealed on Wednesday.

A classic: American Gigolo starring Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton will be remade by Showtime, Deadline revealed on Wednesday

Touching plot: The slick 1980 movie was about a handsome male escort who goes on the run after being accused of murder

Neil LaBute is writing the script and Jerry Bruckheimer, 73, as producer and Paul Schrader, who directed and wrote the original, is attached as an executive consultant.

The remake is set in the present day.

American Gigolo helped make Gere a sex symbol as he not only romanced a beautiful politician's wife, played by model Lauren Hutton, but he also showed off his toned body during workout and sex scenes.

A team: Neil LaBute is writing the script and Jerry Bruckheimer as producer and Paul Schrader, who directed and wrote the original, is attached as an executive consultant

Movie magic: The thriller turned Hutton from a model to a film star

After that he starred in the massive 1982 hit An Officer And A Gentleman.

Gere, 67, still works consistently today with his last hit being 2015's The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Hutton went on to the 1981 camp classic Zorro: The Gay Blade.

Today: Hutton is still modeling - here she is seen in September at a fashion event. And Gere makes movies consistently. He is pictured here in September at the premiere of his new film Norman: The Moderate Rise And Tragic Fall Of A New York Fixer

It is not known which actors will take the starring roles, but the movie will be most likely set in Los Angeles.

News of this remake comes on the heels of Showtime redoing Twin Peaks.

Paramount is also remaking their older films The Italian Job (for NBC), Shutter Island (for HBO), School of Rock (for Nickelodeon) and Jack Ryan (for Amazon).
Adriana Lima showed off her model legs as she arrived at the Victoria's Secret office in New York City on Wednesday.

The Victoria's Secret Angel channeled Lara Croft in her minuscule shorts, black ribbed top and black AllSaints blazer.

The 35-year-old cover girl tied her raven tresses back into a ponytail as she donned a pair of animal print, red shades.

Legs for days: Adriana Lima showed off her model legs as she arrived at the Victoria's Secret office in New York City on Wednesday

The in-demand model showed off her statuesque figure and long lean legs by adding a pair of over-the-knee leather boots to his outfit.

She was seen holding a coffee cup as she accessorized with a black handbag.

Her fellow models Jasmine Tookes and Josephine Skriver were seen participating in the Victoria's Secret Train Like an Angel event earlier in the day.

Black beauty: The Victoria Secret angel channeled Lara Croft in her minuscule shorts, black ribbed top and black blazer

Model style: She tied her raven tresses back into a ponytail as she donned a pair of animal print, red shades

The models were seen engaging workouts as they donned the iconic VS active-wear.

Lily Aldridge was also seen making her way down there dressed in a camouflage outfit.

Izabel showed off her brunette, caramel tresses as she showed off her effortless style.

Picture perfect: Her fellow models Jasmine Tookes and Josephine Skriver were seen participating in the Victoria's Secret Train Like an Angel event earlier in the day

Fierce: Josephine showed off her taut abs in the VS Sport crop top and leggings

Meanwhile all the girls are no doubt looking forward to the Victoria's Secret Show later this year.

The highly anticipated event will have some star-studded musical guests including Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and The Weeknd.

The show will take place in Paris for this first time and will be taped on November 30.

Effortless beauty: Lily Aldridge was also seen making her way down there dressed in a camouflage outfit
'True liberation' begun as Iraqi forces enter Mosul

Iraqi forces fought their way into jihadist-held Mosul on Tuesday as a top commander said the "true liberation" of the city from the Islamic State group had begun.

Just over two weeks into the massive offensive to retake Mosul -- IS's last major stronghold in Iraq -- the army said its forces had managed to push within city limits.

Troops had "entered the Judaidat Al-Mufti area, within the left bank of the city of Mosul," the Joint Operations Command said in a statement.

Iraqi forces are expected to try to open safe corridors for the million-plus civilians still believed to be inside Mosul Ahmad Al-Rubaye (AFP)

Mosul is split by the Tigris River, with the eastern half of the city known as the left bank. Judaidat al-Mufti is on the southeastern side of the city.

Elite Iraqi forces had also recaptured the key village of Gogjali and taken control of a television station building on the eastern edge of the city.

Fighters from the US-trained Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) had pushed into the area amid heavy fighting on the eastern front over the past two days.

"Now is the beginning of the true liberation of the city of Mosul," Staff General Taleb Sheghati al-Kenani, the commander of CTS, told Iraqiya state television from Gogjali.

Backed by air and ground support from a US-led coalition, tens of thousands of Iraqi fighters are converging on Mosul.

Since the offensive was launched on October 17, federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters have retaken a series of villages as they advance on the city from the north, east and south.

As his forces advanced, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi warned the jihadists they would have no place to run.

- 'Die or surrender' -

"We will close in on (IS) from every place," he said on state television on Monday, dressed in a camouflage uniform.

"They don't have an exit, they don't have an escape, they can only surrender -- they can die or they can surrender," Abadi said.

Some 4,000 to 7,000 jihadists are believed to be in and around Mosul, where IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the group's cross-border "caliphate" after the group seized control of large parts of Iraq and neighbouring Syria two years ago.

For now the jihadists do have an escape route -- to the west towards IS-controlled territory in neighbouring Syria.

Paramilitary forces from the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation), an umbrella organisation dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militia, launched an assault at the weekend to cut off that route.

They have been advancing north, their sights set on the town of Tal Afar which commands the city's western approaches.

On the northern and eastern sides of Mosul, peshmerga forces from the autonomous Kurdish region have taken a series of villages and towns and consolidated their positions.

To the south, federal forces, backed by coalition artillery units stationed in the main staging base of Qayyarah, have been pushing north.

They have the most ground to cover and are still some distance from the southern limits of Mosul.

Iraqi forces are expected to try to open safe corridors for the million-plus civilians still believed to be inside.

Humanitarian organisations have been fighting against the clock to build up the capacity to handle the possible mass exodus from the city.

The United Nations says up to a million people could be displaced in the coming weeks.

More than 17,900 people have already fled their homes since the operation began, according to the International Organisation for Migration.

IS has been losing ground steadily in Iraq since 2015 and the outcome of the Mosul battle is in little doubt, but commanders have warned it could last months.

If the city is retaken, only Raqa in Syria will remain as the last major city under the jihadists' control.

Tens of thousands of Iraqi fighters are converging on Mosul on different fronts

Iraqi special forces drive a military vehicle towards the village of Bazwaya, on the eastern edges of Mosul Bulent Kilic (AFP)

Some 4,000 to 7,000 jihadists are believed to be in and around Mosul, according to Iraqi military forces Bulent Kilic (AFP)
Pentagon reviews recruitment standards including for tattoos, pot use

The US military will review recruitment practices to better reflect the changing face of America, including by possibly welcoming single parents, overweight people and even those who've smoked pot, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

While there is no shortage of people willing to don a uniform, Pentagon Chief Ashton Carter worries the military draws from limited pools of potential recruits, or that well-qualified individuals face rejection for relatively trivial reasons.

Recruiters face challenges "with spectacular potential recruits, who nevertheless also reflect the times in relation to such benchmarks as their current physical fitness, tattoos they got when they were younger, and single parenthood," Carter said in prepared remarks at the City College of New York.

US Defense Seretary Ash Carter, seen in August 2016, said "benchmarks (for military recruitment) must be kept relevant for both today's force and tomorrow's" Brendan Smialowski (AFP/File)

He said standards would never be compromised, but "at the same time, these benchmarks must be kept relevant for both today's force and tomorrow's."

Carter ordered the Pentagon to review and update any "unnecessarily restrictive" standards.

In a Pentagon fact sheet, the military said it will review enlistment standards to ensure they are not unduly restrictive and "assess the feasibility and impact of updated standards, such as those related to: body composition, physical fitness, swim tests, past marijuana use, single parents and tattoos."

Colorado, Washington DC, Washington state, Alaska and Oregon have legalized recreational marijuana, and 20 other states allow its medicinal use. But pot smoking remains a federal offense.

Some services have already loosened certain restrictions. In April, the Navy began allowing sleeve-lengthed arm tattoos -- and even ink on the hands and parts of the neck.

According to a Harris poll, nearly half (47 percent) of Americans born in the 1980s and 1990s have at least one tattoo.

A US defense official stressed standards would not be affected, but said it should be easier for would-be recruits to join up if they are overweight, provided they get in shape at Boot Camp.

"Fitness does matter in a service, but one of the responsibilities we have when we bring people in is to make people fit if they aren't already," the official said.

Single parents currently can't enlist, "but we have many troops in the ranks who are single parents, and we addressed that," the official said.

Carter, who frequently focuses on America's "Force of the Future," has overseen sweeping changes including opening combat positions to women and lifting a ban on transgendered personnel openly serving -- with the Pentagon now paying for "medically necessary" gender-reassignment surgery.

He also wants to address how future officers are trained, and attract talent from more of America instead of overly relying on families with a military tradition.

Currently, many officers come from the Northeast, while enlisted personnel frequently hail from the South.

"That's paradoxical, though, since the Northeast is among the regions with the highest percentage of young Americans who have the qualifications we require to serve," Carter said.

The military has about 1.3 million active-duty service members, with another 800,000 reservists.
Malian jihadist group denies 'ceasefire' claim

The Malian jihadist group Ansar Dine has denied agreeing to a ceasefire with the government, a Mauritanian news agency and extremist monitoring group said Tuesday.

It follows the announcement Monday by influential Malian imam Mahmoud Dicko that a letter from the militant outfit received at the end of September had proclaimed a unilateral ceasefire, a claim immediately questioned by Malian security analysts.

Ansar Dine's statement expressed "utmost surprise and astonishment with these declarations attributed to Sheikh Mahmoud Dicko", according to a document translated by the US-based SITE watchdog and Mauritanian news agency Al-Akhbar.

Fighters of the Islamic group Ansar Dine in Mali have denied agreeing to a ceasefire with the government, reports say Romaric Hien (AFP/File)

The group would also "affirm that we are continuing -- Allah willing -- with all resolve in the option of jihad", the statement said.

A Malian source told AFP Monday that the letter dated from September 27, since when Ansar Dine have claimed or been accused of carrying out several attacks.

Ansar Dine was blacklisted in 2013 by the United States for its affiliation with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and was one of several jihadist groups that overran key Malian cities in 2012.
Iran hostage-taker: 'We were the WikiLeaks of our day'

The Iranian students who stormed the US embassy in 1979 and released thousands of secret CIA documents were the WikiLeaks of their time, their former lead spokesperson has told AFP.

Every year on November 3-4, Iran celebrates the 444-day siege of the embassy when more than 50 diplomats, staff and spies were taken hostage by Islamist students demanding the extradition of the shah, who had fled to America after being deposed a few months earlier in the Islamic revolution.

Massoumeh Ebtekar is now Iran's vice-president and one of its most recognisable politicians, feted globally for her work as head of the environment department.

Iran's vice-president and environment minister, Massoumeh Ebtekar, speaks to an AFP journalist during an interview in the capital Tehran Atta Kenare (AFP)

But back then, she was a 20-year-old medical student -- nicknamed "Mary" by the international press -- who became the face of the hostage crisis thanks to her fluent English.

She now regrets the diplomatic isolation that followed the embassy siege, but she is still proud of their work in releasing documents found in the CIA's files -- some painstakingly reassembled after embassy staff frantically shredded as many as possible when the students stormed the building.

"Revealing these documents was very similar to what WikiLeaks is doing these days. It was the WikiLeaks of those ages," Ebtekar told AFP.

The documents unveiled the CIA's attempts to recruit leading Iranian politicians -- including a liberal who became the first post-revolution president, Abol Hassan Bani-Sadr.

Although he denied being on the CIA payroll, the allegations contributed to his decision to flee the country.

"The hostage crisis... is hugely important to Iran's domestic politics. It was used as a weapon to destroy the opposition," said Michael Axworthy, a British historian who has published several books on Iran.

- 'Important milestone' -

Ebtekar says the documents, later compiled in 77 volumes of "Documents from the US Espionage Den", also showed how Washington was working to subvert popular uprisings around the world.

"(It) was a very important milestone in terms of global politics," she said.

Despite her past, Ebtekar is now a firm supporter of her government's efforts to rebuild ties with the West through last year's nuclear deal.

"Even the students who took part in (the siege), many of them believe that maybe in some aspects, relationships could have been maintained in a more rational manner," she told AFP.

But she remains unrepentant about the hostage crisis. At the time, the students were convinced the US was preparing another coup to reverse the revolution.

"They were not militants, radicals. They thought there was an imminent danger... of another coup d'etat that would have led to the downfall of the very young and fragile Islamic revolution."

Such fears were not completely unfounded. Looming large in every Iranian's mind was the 1953 CIA-organised coup in which the US and Britain conspired to overthrow the enormously popular prime minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, who had dared to nationalise Iran's oil resources.

"They installed a government that was a puppet to American policies for 25 years, a tyrant who had imposed dictatorship, very dark ages for Iran," said Ebtekar.

Washington's decision to grant asylum to the deposed shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was seen as proof of the plot.

However, historians now say it was unlikely a conspiracy was brewing, not least since Pahlavi had terminal cancer.

"The strong impression is that the US government was thrashing around, really not sure what was happening," said Axworthy.

"There was a degree of paranoia on the part of the students, but that's not necessarily unreasonable. (The 1953 coup) had a huge influence on how people viewed the actions of the US and UK."

Iranian students climb the wall of the US embassy in Tehran November 4, 1979 at the start of a 444-day siege when over 50 diplomats, staff and spies were taken hostage

Massoumeh Ebtekar, now Iran's vice-president, was a medical student during the US embassy siege who became the face of the crisis thanks to her fluent English Atta Kenare (AFP)
S. Korea coastguard fires machine guns at Chinese trawlers

South Korean coastguard vessels have, for the first time, fired machine guns against Chinese boats illegally fishing in Korean waters, an official said Wednesday.

No casualties were reported from the incident on Tuesday, the first of its kind since the coastguard announced last month that it would pursue a "more aggressive" firearms policy with Chinese trawlers.

Disputes over illegal fishing have dogged relations between South Korea and China for years, and there have been numerous clashes between the coastguard and Chinese crew members.

Disputes over illegal fishing have dogged relations between Seoul and Beijing for years, and there have been numerous clashes between the South Korean coastguard and Chinese fishing vessels Danny Kim (AFP/File)

Senior coastguard official Kim Jung-Shik said the order to fire came during a stand-off with some 30 Chinese fishing boats illegally operating near the South's Yellow Sea border with North Korea.

"They tried to ram our ships although we repeatedly warned them," Kim told Yonhap news agency.

"I thought our officers would be in danger if I allowed any more resistance so we ended up using the crew service weapon," he was quoted as saying.

Initial machine gun bursts were fired into the air, but the crew were later ordered to fire on the bows of the Chinese boats that were sailing directly at the coastguard vessels.

Two Chinese trawlers were seized in the clash.

China's foreign ministry said it was "strongly dissatisfied" at the action and urged Seoul to "discipline" its coastguard.

"Using destructive weapons can easily hurt fishermen and we urge the ROK (South Korea) side to... avoid using any excessive or extreme tools in their law enforcement activities," spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Seoul has been urging Beijing to take a tougher stand on its vessels that have entered the South's waters in increasing numbers to satisfy growing demand at home for fresh seafood.

Small wooden Chinese ships were once tolerated in an area where the top priority has always been guarding against potential incursions from North Korea.

But in recent years, the small boats have given way to larger steel trawlers which engage in bottom trawling -- dragging a large weighted net across the seabed that sweeps up everything in its path.
Japan rocket with manga art launches satellite into space

A Japanese rocket that fired a weather satellite into space on Wednesday was decked out in colourful manga in a bid to raise awareness among kids about the wonders of the universe.

The H-IIA rocket carrying the Himawari-9 weather satellite blasted into a cloudy sky at the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Kagoshima prefecture at 3:20 pm (0620 GMT).

Japan's domestically developed mainstay rocket carried two pieces of manga artwork originally drawn by Chuya Koyama, known for his comic book on two brothers who dream about becoming astronauts.

A Japanese rocket is decked out in manga to raise awareness among kids about space

"We believe it's the first time in the world to launch a rocket with manga art on it," said Hirokazu Kosada of Young Astronauts Club Japan, the foundation that organised the rocket art project.

The artworks were created by using 30,000 digital images of photographs and paintings sent by children across Japan, according to Kosada.

One of the manga, which in total measures three-metres (nine-feet) tall and occupies the upper part of the 53-metre long rocket, depicted 12 jumping children.

"We wanted children in Japan to be interested in space and the weather," Kosada told AFP.

Japan has a massive space programme and the country has achieved successes in both scientific and commercial satellite launches. It has sent astronauts on space shuttle and International Space Station missions.

Japan's H-2A rocket, carrying a Himawari-9 weather satellite, is launched on Tanegashima Island on November 2, 2016 Jiji (Jiji/AFP)
Malaysia signs 'landmark' deal to buy China warships

Malaysia will buy four combat vessels from China in a "landmark" defence deal, Prime Minister Najib Razak said, signalling a potential strategic shift away from the United States.

The agreement marked the first time Kuala Lumpur had purchased warships from Beijing and came only two weeks after Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte announced his "separation" from Washington during a visit to China.

Under the terms of the deal, two of the vessels will be built in Malaysia and two in China, Najib said in an op-ed published in the China Daily newspaper on Wednesday during his week-long trip to Beijing.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak (left) and China's Premier Li Keqiang attend a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on November 1, 2016 Jason Lee (Pool/AFP)

"I call this a landmark decision because before this we have not bought such vessels from China, Najib said after talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday, according to Malaysian newspaper The Star.

Malaysia has historically acquired the bulk of its major defence hardware from the United States, Russia and European countries.

Analysts said the accord was a setback for Washington's "pivot" towards Asia and underlined China's increasing diplomatic and economic gravitational pull in the region -- despite its ongoing territorial disputes.

"This is the new regional norm. Now China is implementing the power and the US is in retreat," said Southeast Asia politics analyst Bridget Welsh.

Gu Xiaosong, a researcher at government think tank Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences, was quoted in China's Global Times as saying: "Southeast Asia's diplomatic situation has shifted towards China following the visits of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Vietnam's leader this year."

Najib called for Malaysia and China's disagreement over rights to the strategically vital South China Sea, which is claimed almost in its entirety by Beijing, to be resolved "calmly and rationally through dialogue".

Malaysia's relations with the United States warmed after Najib took office in 2009 following decades of periodic distrust.

But he has increasingly leaned towards China as it became Malaysia's biggest trading partner and after the eruption last year of a massive corruption scandal implicating Najib and a state investment fund he founded.

Billions are alleged to have been syphoned from the fund, 1MDB, in a stunning international campaign of embezzlement and money-laundering that has sparked investigations in several countries.

Najibs ties with Washington became strained when the US Justice Department moved in July to seize more than $1 billion in assets it says were purchased by Najib relatives and associates using stolen 1MDB money.
National Geographic 'Afghan girl' denied bail in Pakistan

A Pakistani court refused bail Wednesday to an Afghan woman immortalised on a National Geographic cover after she was arrested in Pakistan and accused of being one of thousands of refugees using fake ID cards.

Pakistan last week arrested Sharbat Gula, whose haunting green eyes -- captured in an image taken in a Pakistan refugee camp by photographer Steve McCurry in the 1980s -- became the most famous cover in the magazine's history.

She was accused of living in the country on fraudulent identity papers following a two-year investigation into her and her husband, who has absconded.

US photographer Steve McCurry poses next to his photos of the "Afghan Girl", Sharbat Gula, at a 2013 exhibition in Hamburg, northern Germany Ulrich Perrey (DPA/AFP/File)

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told a press conference on Sunday the country would review her case on the grounds that "she is a woman" and the government "should see it from a humanitarian angle".

However a judge in the northwestern city of Peshawar rejected bail for Gula, saying she had failed to make her case.

She got both a computerised ID and a manual ID, judge Farah Jamshed said in a written judgement, "meaning that on both occasions she impersonated herself as Pakistani citizen without legally adopting the status of same".

Officials say Gula applied for a Pakistani identity card in Peshawar in 2014, using the name Sharbat Bibi.

Her arrest highlights the desperate measures many Afghans are willing to take to avoid returning to their war-torn homeland as Pakistan cracks down on undocumented foreigners.

Pakistan has for decades provided safe haven for millions of Afghans who fled their country after the Soviet invasion of 1979.

Until recently the country had hosted 1.4 million Afghan refugees, according to UNHCR, making it the third-largest refugee hosting nation in the world. A further one million unregistered refugees were also believed to be in the country.

But since July hundreds of thousands have returned to Afghanistan in a desperate exodus amid fears of a crackdown, as even Pakistan's famed hospitality ran out.

Last month UNHCR said more than 350,000 Afghan refugees -- documented and undocumented -- had returned from Pakistan so far in 2016, adding it expects a further 450,000 to do so by the year's end.
S.Africa Zuma probe finds alleged criminal activity

South Africa's anti-corruption watchdog Wednesday called for prosecutors to investigate alleged criminal activity as it released a report into President Jacob Zuma that fuelled further calls for him to resign.

Zuma, whose presidency has been engulfed by multiple scandals, had fought to block the release of the Public Protector's report, but his lawyers made a surprise U-turn and dropped their legal appeal.

The report was released hours later, further undermining Zuma after a series of court rulings that have tarnished his time in office and the ruling ANC party that led the fight to end apartheid rule.

South African President Jacob Zuma has survived a string of damaging scandals, but has faced increasing criticism as the economy has stalled Rodger Bosch (AFP/File)

The investigation probed accusations that Zuma allowed the Guptas, a wealthy Indian business family, to have undue influence over government, including letting them choose some cabinet ministers.

Among findings in the 355-page report -- titled "State of Capture" and illustrated on its front page with a hand strung with puppet wires -- was telephone evidence that David van Rooyen visited the Johannesburg neighbourhood where the Guptas live on the day before he was appointed finance minister.

Van Rooyen, a little-known Zuma loyalist, was removed as finance minister only four days after his appointment -- but not before it had triggered a market plunge, investor panic and political outrage.

The Public Protector said it "brings to the notice of the National Prosecuting Authority... those matters identified in this report where it appears crimes have been committed".

It raised several allegations that Zuma had broken the Executive Members' Ethics Act in his relationship with the Guptas and by failing "to select and appoint ministers lawfully".

- Protest marches -

The report was published as thousands of people took to the streets of the administrative capital Pretoria to demand that Zuma resign.

Police fired rubber bullets and water cannon to disperse supporters of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party who tried to storm Zuma's office in the city.

Former public protector Thuli Madonsela concluded her report into the influence of the Gupta family last month, shortly before the expiry of her seven-year term.

"Today is a historic day... Jacob Zuma must be held accountable," Mmusi Maimane, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, told reporters.

The president, 74, has survived a string of damaging controversies, but faces increasing criticism as the economy stalls and after ANC suffered unprecedented losses in local polls.

Some factions of the ANC, former anti-apartheid activists, trade unions and business leaders have all recently called for Zuma to stand down before his term ends in 2019.

"I spent the whole night here," Dominic Khulube, 30, an unemployed man from Tembisa, a township outside Johannesburg, told AFP after a vigil by the leftist EFF in Pretoria.

"Zuma must step down and the Guptas must leave the country."

The marches were originally planned to show support for Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who had been due in court Wednesday on separate graft charges that many analysts see as an attempt by Zuma loyalists to oust him.

But prosecutors dropped the charges on Monday.

- 'Explosive, damaging information' -

"The report contains a lot of explosive, damaging information about the president," Mcebisi Ndletyana, politics professor at Johannesburg University, told AFP.

"The calls for him to step down after this damaging evidence will grow louder, and there will be a very big fight within the ANC."

The Gupta family -- brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh -- built an empire in mining, transportation, technology and media after arriving in South Africa from India in the early 1990s.

In 2014, the Public Protector found Zuma had "unduly benefited" from the refurbishment of his Nkandla rural home.

Zuma fought the case until being berated by the Constitutional Court and ordered to pay back public money spent on upgrades including a chicken coop and a swimming pool.

Zuma is also fighting a court order that could reinstate almost 800 corruption charges against him over a multi-billion dollar arms deal in the 1990s.

Members of South African opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters rally in Pretoria on November 2, 2016 for the release of a report into corruption allegations against Jacob Zuma Gianluigi Guercia (AFP)
Protesters scuffle with ultra-Orthodox Jews at Western Wall

Protesters demanding equal prayer rights for women at one of Judaism's holiest sites scuffled with ultra-Orthodox Jews on Wednesday as they sought to approach Jerusalem's Western Wall, organisers said.

Some 200 of the protesters marched to the wall in Jerusalem's Old City in defiance of a call by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid "unnecessary friction."

The demonstrators are demanding changes to current rules at the site requiring women and men to pray in separate sections.

Members of liberal Jewish religious group Women of the Wall, carry a Torah scroll during prayers in the women's section of the Western Wall on November 2, 2016 Menahem Kahana (AFP)

Women also may not lead prayers or handle Torah scrolls.

"Two women fell to the ground. I lost my glasses in the scuffles," said Sylvie Rozenbaum, a member of the Women of the Wall group, which organised the protest.

The protest was the latest organised by the group, which has for years pushed for equal prayer rights.

They were joined by conservative and reform Jews from the United States, more liberal Jewish movements pushing for change. About half of the participants were men.

When the women protesters sought to enter the women's section of the wall while carrying Torah scrolls, ultra-Orthodox Jews dressed in their traditional black suits tried to block them and grab the scrolls, leading to pushing and shoving.

They eventually managed to enter with several Torah scrolls and conduct a prayer service. Police said no arrests had been made.

"All that we are demanding is that the ultra-Orthodox not have a monopoly on Judaism and that the government recognise that there is more than one way to be Jewish in Israel and abroad," said Rozenbaum.

Western Wall rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz called the protest a "provocation" and said the demonstrators had "desecrated the Torah."

Netanyahu's office said: "The unfortunate incident this morning at the Western Wall does not help advance a solution for prayer arrangements there.

"The prime minister and the speaker of (parliament) said yesterday to the leaders of the non-Orthodox movements that now is the time for dialogue and not for unnecessary friction," it said.

"The unilateral violation of the status quo at the Western Wall this morning undermines our ongoing efforts to reach a compromise."

The Western Wall, one of the last remnants of the Second Jewish Temple destroyed in 70 AD, is administered by Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jewish establishment, who enforce a strict interpretation of religious tradition.

After years of discussions and protests, the government in January approved an agreement to create a third space at the wall open to both women and men.

However, ultra-Orthodox political parties who form part of Netanyahu's coalition came out strongly against it and the plan has stalled.

The ultra-Orthodox Jewish establishment wields legal power over a range of issues in Israel and has often played a kingmaker role in its politics.

Women may not lead prayers or handle Torah scrolls at the Western Wall Menahem Kahana (AFP)

Ultra-orthodox Jewish worshippers attend the annual Cohanim prayer (priest's blessing) at the Western Wall on October 19, 2016 Gil Cohen-Magen (AFP)
Two US police officers killed in Iowa ambush

Two police officers in the US state of Iowa were shot and killed in an ambush Wednesday, leading to a manhunt and the quick capture of the suspected gunman, authorities said.

Police apprehended 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene from Urbandale, a suburb of the capital Des Moines, less than two hours after they identified him as a person of interest and warned the public he should be considered armed and dangerous.

"Mr. Greene was taken into custody without incident," Des Moines Police Sergeant Paul Parizek told a news conference.

Sgt. Anthony Tony Beminio (L), of the Des Moines Police Department and Officer Justin Martin, of the Urbandale Police Deptartment were killed in an ambush November 2, 2016, leading to a manhunt and the quick capture of the suspected gunman Handout (Des Moines Police Department/AFP)

Authorities said two officers were ambushed while patrolling in their cars during the early morning hours Wednesday, in separate shootings two miles apart.

"It doesn't appear that either officer had an opportunity to interact with the suspect," Parizek said. "They didn't have a chance to defend themselves."

Urbandale Police Chief Ross McCarty said evidence at one of the shooting scenes suggested that between 15 to 30 shots were fired from a .223 caliber weapon, and that the gunman had likely walked up to the police cars on foot.

The two officers killed were identified as Anthony Beminio, 39, an 11-year veteran of the Des Moines Police Department, and Justin Martin, 24, who had served one year on the Urbandale police force.

Martin was found dead just after 1:00 am (0600 GMT) next to Urbandale High School, police said. Twenty minutes later, Beminio was discovered gunned down at a nearby intersection. US media said he died after being taken to the hospital.

-- Police knew suspect --

Greene turned himself in, authorities said, by flagging down an Iowa state parks employee while walking on an unpaved rural road. He was taken to a local hospital complaining of an unspecified ailment unrelated to his capture, and would be interviewed "once he's well enough to make a statement," Parizek said.

Authorities declined to comment on a motive for the shootings, saying they were still conducting an investigation.

Greene had a history of run-ins with Urbandale police officers and was well-known to law enforcement, McCarty said.

He had recently been removed by police from an Urbandale High School football game -- a school Greene's daughter attends -- after he waved a Confederate flag during the national anthem.

The shootings marked the first time a Des Moines officer had been shot in the line of duty since two police were gunned down in 1977, The Des Moines Register said.

However, the city's police department had earlier this year mourned the deaths of two officers in a car crash.

"We're very sad today. This has been a tough year," said Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie.

This latest police shooting came after a bloody summer for US police.

The United States was on edge for weeks in July following the shooting in Dallas of five officers and a similar assault in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where three officers were shot dead by a military veteran.

Those killings were carried out in apparent retribution for a string of high-profile police shootings of black citizens which inflamed racial tensions in the United States.

US Attorney General Loretta Lynch addressed the Iowa shootings Wednesday, saying they were "yet another reminder of the tremendous dangers that law enforcement officers face each and every day."

Map locating Des Moines in the US state of Iowa, where two police officers were shot dead in separate attacks as they sat in their cars Philippe Mouche, Vincent Lefai (AFP)
Saudi advisory council rejects study of women driving

Saudi Arabia's Shura Council, which advises the cabinet, has turned down a proposal to study the issue of women's driving, a Shura member told AFP on Wednesday.

The kingdom has some of the world's tightest restrictions on women, and is the only country where they are not allowed to drive.

At a meeting this week, a male member of the appointed council suggested the study, said another member who declined to be named.

A Saudi woman gets into a taxi at a mall in Riyadh Fayez Nureldine (AFP)

He said the enquiry would have looked at: "What are the difficulties if they start? What is required to allow them to drive?"

But the proposal failed to get the required 50 percent plus one support among the council's 150 members, who include 30 women.

The council can make non-binding recommendations to the government but it has no legislative powers.

Activists say women's driving is not technically illegal but that the ban is linked to tradition and custom.

A slow expansion of women's rights began under the late king Abdullah, who named them to the Shura Council in 2013.

He also announced that women could for the first time vote and run in municipal elections. At least 20 women were elected for the 2,106 contested council seats last December.

Some activists have challenged the driving ban by getting behind the wheel and posting images of themselves online.

Other Saudi women, however, believe change cannot be forced -- a message the kingdom's powerful Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 31, gave in April when he unveiled the Vision 2030 plan for economic diversification and social change.

"So far the society is not persuaded -- and it has negative influence -- but we stress that it is up to the Saudi society," he said, commenting on whether women should drive.

The Vision and its associated National Transformation Programme target an increase in the proportion of female workforce participation from 23 to 28 percent by 2020.
Saudi Arabia has flogged a prince convicted in a criminal case, a newspaper reported Wednesday, two weeks after another was executed for murder in rare punishment of the country's royalty.

The unnamed prince was lashed along with other convicts in a prison in the Red Sea city of Jeddah on Monday, the Okaz daily reported.

It said the prince had been sentenced to flogging and jail without specifying the charges. It was unclear how many lashes he received.

Saudi Arabia is one of the world's most prolific executioners and has a strict Islamic legal code under which murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery, rape and apostasy are all punishable by death

Last month, Saudi authorities executed Prince Turki bin Saud al-Kabir in a highly unusual case involving one of the thousands of members of the royal family.

He was condemned to death for shooting dead Adel al-Mahemid, a Saudi, during a brawl.

Most people put to death in Saudi Arabia are beheaded with a sword.

Saudi Arabia is one of the world's most prolific executioners and has a strict Islamic legal code under which murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery, rape and apostasy are all punishable by death.

Rights groups have also raised concerns about flogging sentences including those handed to Saudi rights activist Raif Badawi, convicted of insulting Islam, and Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayad, convicted of apostasy.

Arrested in 2012, Badawi is serving a 10-year jail sentence and has received 50 lashes of a 1,000-lash sentence that caused international outrage.
Tehran ex-prosecutor given 135 lashes for corruption

Tehran's notorious former chief prosecutor, Said Mortazavi, has been sentenced to 135 lashes for misappropriation and waste of public money while head of Iran's welfare programme, Iranian media reported Wednesday.

Mortazavi "was sentenced to 70 lashes for misappropriation of public goods and 65 lashes for negligence and waste of public goods," said Mostafa Torkhamedani, lawyer for workers at the Social Security Organisation who brought the case against him, according to IRIB news agency.

A close ally of hardline former president Mahmud Ahmedinejad, Mortazavi became a hate figure among Iranian reformists during his six years as chief prosecutor for shutting down dozens of their publications and jailing journalists.

Tehran's former chief prosecutor Said Mortazavi became a hate figure among Iranian reformists for shutting down dozens of reformist publications and jailing journalists Behrouz Mehri (AFP/File)

He was suspended in 2010 after parliament held him responsible for the deaths in custody of at least three anti-government protesters during the previous year's mass demonstrations against Ahmedinejad's controversial re-election.

The deaths of Mohammad Kamrani, Amir Javadifar and Mohsen Ruholamini from injuries sustained during their detention in Kahrizak prison in south Tehran caused a public uproar, and the jail was shut down on the orders of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Nonetheless, Ahmedinejad appointed Mortazavi as head of the anti-smuggling office and later put him in charge of the wealthy social welfare organisation between 2012 and 2013.

Mortazavi, who was targeted by US sanctions over "sustained and severe violations of human rights" during his time as prosecutor, was disbarred in November 2014.

He has also been linked to the death in custody of Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi in 2003.

In September, he wrote an open letter asking for forgiveness over the deaths of the three protesters, saying they were "martyrs".
Iran leader slams 'catastrophic' US election

Iran's supreme leader said Wednesday that the level of debate between the US presidential election frontrunners showed the "catastrophe" of American politics and warned against any further negotiations with Washington.

"These two candidates (Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump) show the catastrophic reality which goes beyond what even we were saying," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech reported on his website.

"Their statements are proof of the destruction of human values in the United States," Khamenei said.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says racial discrimination and racism are the reality in American society

"The trampling of human values and human rights, racial discrimination and racism are the reality in American society."

Khamenei's speech came as Iran marked the 37th anniversary of the storming of the US embassy in Tehran by radical students, who took more than 50 staff hostage for 444 days sparking a rupture of diplomatic relations that lasts to this day.

He said Iran's continued exclusion from the global banking system despite the lifting of international sanctions under a nuclear deal with world powers showed the United States could not be trusted.

"Some people try to develop this dangerous idea that if we compromise with the United States, the problems of our country will be solved," he said.

"The nuclear deal and the attitude of the United States are an example that shows this is not correct."

Although international sanctions were lifted in January, Washington has maintained its own sanctions related to human rights and Iran's missile programme -- effectively preventing Iran's return to the banking system.

Khamenei, who has the final say in all matters of state in Iran, said he saw no point in holding talks with Washington on the multiple conflicts gripping the region.

"Some say we should negotiate and compromise with the United States with regard to Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and even our internal affairs.
Niger arrests 38 after deadly herder clashes

Niger has arrested 38 suspects over the deaths of 18 people who were killed in clashes between cattle herders and farmers, a police source said on Wednesday.

The clashes near Bangui, a community in the western Tahoua region, were sparked on Tuesday morning after a herd of cattle wandered into a farmer's field and damaged the cereal crop, a local official who declined to be named said.

Public radio reported Wednesday that "over-excited young farmers armed with knives descended on a town to attack the families (of herders). They burnt 22 homes, killed 18 people -- mostly women, children and the elderly -- of whom seven were burnt alive".

Cattle at a watering place in the village of Kidjendi, in the Diffa region, southeastern Niger Issouf Sanogo (AFP)

"38 people, mainly farmers, have for now been arrested and detained," said a police officer who requested anonymity.

The arrests were part of an inquiry opened following the clashes, added the officer.

Forty-three people were also injured in the violence, according to the interior ministry, which said the incident had caused a "tragic toll".

The home of Bangui's mayor was also set alight during the attack, according to public radio.

"123 women and children threatened by the angry assailants (have been) put under protection in the local police station," according to the police officer, who added that Bangui was calm Wednesday.

Such clashes are not unusual in drought-hit Niger, where food shortages and scarce water supplies inflame tensions, especially during the harvest, which coincides with the transfer of cattle to pasture.
Aid workers 'brace for worst' from Mosul battle

More than one million civilians in Mosul are in grave danger and aid workers are "bracing for the worst", a relief group said Wednesday, after Iraqi forces reached the jihadist-held city.

Just over two weeks into the offensive to retake the last Iraqi city under the control of the Islamic State group, the country's forces have fought their way to the eastern outskirts of Mosul.

But there were no signs yet of a major push inside Mosul itself and bad weather appeared to have limited operations, while forces on other fronts were still some distance away.

An Iraqi soldier takes position in the village of Gogjali on November 2, 2016 Bulent Kilic (AFP)

Gunfire echoed across the village of Gogjali on Mosul's eastern edge as elite Iraqi forces worked to clear the area.

Civilians, who emerged cautiously from their homes, some carrying white flags, told tales of IS brutality.

"They confiscated my tractor and then threw me in jail for six days. They beat me and when I got out I couldn't do my work anymore," said Yusef Fariq.

The 40-year-old farmer, speaking from his home in Gogjali and surrounded by his mother and two sons, still had the long beard IS militants forced him to grow.

"They were killing us, always asking for money, we couldn't go anywhere. We went through hell," his mother said.

The electric hair clipper a member of the Iraqi special forces gave to residents of Gogjali was the village's most popular item as men who had been forced to grow beards by IS were finally able to shave.

- Human shield fears -

The Norwegian Refugee Council said a long-feared humanitarian crisis was closer than ever.

"We are now bracing ourselves for the worst. The lives of 1.2 million civilians are in grave danger, and the future of all of Iraq is now in the balance," said its Iraq director Wolfgang Gressmann.

"People in and around Mosul have lived for almost two and a half years in a relentless, terrifying nightmare. We are now all responsible to put an end to it."

More than 20,000 people have already fled to government-held areas since the offensive was launched on October 17, says the International Organization for Migration.

But civilians inside Mosul -- including an estimated 600,000 children -- are trapped behind IS lines and the UN has said thousands are being held for possible use as human shields.

Residents confirmed those fears, saying IS was forcibly gathering civilians.

One of them in east Mosul, Abu Yunes, told AFP the jihadists had "demanded that people, especially young people, gather in the area's schools".

Abu Mohammed, a west Mosul resident, said the jihadists aimed to hide among the civilians and flee among them to escape.

In Gogjali, fighters with Iraq's elite Counter-Terrorism Service were screening civilians for IS members.

One government fighter carried a black IS flag, saying: "We removed it and planted the Iraqi flag instead."

Backed by air and ground support from a US-led coalition, Iraqi federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters are advancing on Mosul from the east, north and south.

Soldiers pushing from the north have moved within around two kilometres (1.25 miles) of Mosul, military officials say, while forces approaching from the south are still some distance away.

Paramilitary forces from the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation), an umbrella organisation dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militia, also launched an assault at the weekend to cut off the jihadists' escape route to Syria.

- IS radio reveals tactics -

IS is vastly outnumbered with an estimated 4,000 to 7,000 jihadists in and around Mosul, but it has put up stiff resistance with suicide bombers, mortars and small arms fire.

On the southern front, where Iraq's elite Rapid Response Division is advancing towards the town of Hamam al-Alil some 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Mosul, a captured IS radio provided rare insight into how the jihadists operate.

An AFP journalist embedded with Iraqi forces was present on Tuesday as they listened to IS fighters plan over the radio.

"Abu Dhiyab, let the istishhadi with you go," a jihadist who was referred to as Abu al-Layl said, using an Arabic word the jihadists use for suicide bombers.

Abu Dhiyab replied: "I brought the istishhadiyeen and left them behind the dirt berm. As soon as they (Iraqi forces) advance, they will go out to them."

A captain ordered vehicles to approach the berm to draw out the jihadists, but the suicide bombers were hit by air strikes before that could happen.

After seizing control of large parts of Iraq and neighbouring Syria in mid-2014, IS declared a cross-border "caliphate", imposed its harsh interpretation of Islamic law and committed widespread atrocities.

IS has been losing ground steadily in Iraq since 2015 and the outcome of the Mosul battle is in little doubt, but commanders have warned it could last months.

If the city is retaken, only Raqa in Syria will remain as the last major city under the jihadists' control.

The battle for Mosul Kun Tian, Thomas Saint-Circq, Sabrina Blanchard (AFP)

Paramilitary forces from the Hashed al-Shaabi, an umbrella organisation dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militia, launched an assault to cut off the jihadists' escape route to Syria to the west of Mosul Ahmad Al-Rubaye (AFP)

An Iraqi woman takes shelter with her babies in the village of Gogjali on November 2, 2016 Bulent Kilic (AFP)
Uganda university shut down after student protests

A day after Uganda's president ordered the closure of one of Africa's oldest universities, 23-year old Gabriel Deng was hurriedly stuffing his belongings into rucksacks in a rundown student hostel.

Pop music blared down the corridor from a nearby room as other students at Makerere -- Uganda's top university and one of the oldest and best in Africa -- scurried about on Wednesday as riot police stood on guard outside.

"Now that President Museveni has ordered the university closed, we have to leave but I don't have anywhere to go," said Deng, a first-year veterinary student.

The Makerere University Main Hall in Kampala Peter Busomoke (AFP/File)

On Tuesday, Uganda's long-time ruler President Yoweri Museveni ordered the indefinite closure of Makerere after days of student protests culminated in violent clashes with police.

"Yesterday the police came and fired teargas into the hostel," Deng said.

"We can't stay here but I'm a refugee from South Sudan so if I can't find a friend to stay with in Kampala, I might have to return the refugee camp."

Unlike in South Africa where students protesting over the high cost of fees have brought universities to a standstill and chaos to their campuses, the Ugandan protests are in response to a fortnight of strike action by academic staff demanding better pay and conditions.

As a result there has been no teaching, angering students eager to learn.

Dr Muhammad Kiggundu, chairman of the staff association, said lecturers had not been paid a university-agreed "incentive payment" after years without a pay rise.

"The incentives are a top-up which give us enough to live on but it hasn't been paid for nine months. Members of our association feel that we are being taken for a ride," he said.

- 'Really bad situation' -

Museveni's intervention on Tuesday evening brought an end to negotiations between university administrators and staff, but on Wednesday police were taking no chances as they ordered students to vacate the campus.

Outside Mary Stuart Halls, students forced their belongings into over-filled suitcases. Thin mattresses, rolled-up, were propped against walls and laundry baskets overflowed with pillows and dog-eared textbooks.

Dozens of police officers in riot gear kept a close watch as students filed out of the main gate past water cannon trucks and armoured personnel carriers.

Those who remained would be treated as a security threat, warned police spokesman Andrew Kaweesi.

Julliet, a 21-year old student who was afraid to give her last name, sat nearby with her friends waiting for her parents to transfer money to her phone so she could buy a bus ticket home.

"I'm from Gulu in the north of Uganda but it costs 25,000 Shillings ($7) for the bus and I don't have that," she said.

Julliet, who is studying to become a teacher, said she was "worried about our lecturers" and about her education after "teargas covered the whole campus" during Tuesday's unrest.

"I'll just stay at home until the university opens," she said.
Simone Gbagbo trial adjourned again over witness row

Ivory Coast's former first lady Simone Gbagbo's trial for crimes against humanity was adjourned on Wednesday after her lawyers threatened to walk out over the failure of high-profile witnesses to attend.

The trial was suspended until Monday while judge Boiqui Kouadjo insisted the high-profile witnesses -- including parliament speaker Guillaume Soro, former prime minister Jeannot Kouadio Ahoussou and former army chief Philippe Mangou -- will appear on November 16.

The trial had already been suspended a week ago when Gbagbo refused to attend due to a no-show by the witnesses her lawyers had called to testify.

Former Ivorian first lady Simone Gbagbo looks on at Abidjan's courthouse on October 10, 2016 before the re-opening of her trial Sia Kambou (AFP/File)

"If we want the trial to proceed, those involved must attend," said Gbagbo lawyer Ange Rodrigue Dadje.

Judge Kouadjo said some anonymous witnesses would appear on Monday, after which the high-profile figures would be heard on November 16.

"It is with regret that we acknowledge that the witnesses did not receive their notices to attend court," said Kouadjo, after an hour of debate.

The delay was caused in part by a row over whose responsibility it is to ensure the witnesses appear before the court.

Simone Gbagbo is the wife of former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo, who was forced from power in 2011 by current incumbent Alassane Ouattara, who had won presidential elections five months previously -- the results of which his predecessor rejected.

Simone Gbagbo's trial began on May 31. She is accused of involvement in the shelling of Abobo, a northern suburb of the capital Abidjan, which was a Ouattara stronghold.

She is also accused of being a member of a "crisis cell" that allegedly coordinated attacks by the armed forces and militias in support of Gbagbo.

She is already serving a 20-year sentence for "endangering state security".

Deadly violence erupted in the cocoa bean-rich west African republic after Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede defeat to Ouattara following the November 2010 election, with more than 3,000 people subsequently killed in the five months of bloodshed that followed.
Kenya to withdraw from S. Sudan after UN force head fired

Kenya announced Wednesday it was withdrawing from United Nations peacekeeping duties in South Sudan after UN chief Ban Ki-moon fired the Kenyan head of the force for failing to protect civilians.

Continued deployment of Kenyan troops in South Sudan "is no longer tenable", the foreign ministry said, declaring that the country would "withdraw, immediately" its forces there.

In an angrily-worded statement, the ministry said it learned "with dismay" of Ban's decision Tuesday to dismiss Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki as head of the UN peacekeeping force in South Sudan, UNMISS force.

UNMISS has around 16,000 troops deployed in South Sudan, which has been at war since December 2013 Albert Gonzalez Farran (AFP/File)

The move came after a UN special investigation issued a damning report, saying lack of leadership in the force led to a "chaotic and ineffective response" during heavy fighting in the capital Juba from July 8 to 11.

UNMISS has around 16,000 troops deployed in South Sudan, which has been at war since December 2013. Kenya has contributed around 1,000 men, making it one of the largest national components.

A South Sudan government spokesman declined to comment on the announcement.

In Nairobi, the Kenyan foreign ministry said the government "takes great exception to this decision" to fire Ondieki and lashed out at the process as lacking transparency and consultation.

It accused the UN of failing to address UNMISS's shortcomings and "instead opted to unfairly attribute them to a single individual."

- 'No longer tenable' -

"This action is not only wrong but also insulates the Department Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO) from the hard questions it needs to answer, and the responsibility it must shoulder to facilitate the proper management of UNMISS," it said.

"The continued deployment of (Kenya's) troops in South Sudan is no longer tenable and is inimical to their safety and well-being," the ministry declared.

In addition to immediate withdrawal from South Sudan, Kenya will "discontinue plans to contribute to the Regional Protection Force, and... disengage from the South Sudan peace process," it added.

The fighting in July involved helicopter gunships and tanks pitting President Salva Kiir's government forces against those loyal to ex-rebel chief Riek Machar.

Machar fled the capital during the clashes, which scuttled international efforts to form a unity government and restore peace to South Sudan.

The UN report said the peacekeepers abandoned their posts and failed to respond to pleas for help from aid workers who were under attack in a nearby hotel compound.

Chinese peacekeepers abandoned their positions at least twice and Nepalese troops failed to stop looting inside the UN compound, the inquiry found.

Ban said he was "alarmed by the serious shortcomings" in UNMISS and demanded Ondieki be immediately replaced, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Ondieki had been the force commander since May.

UN mission chief Ellen Margrethe Loj of Denmark steps down at the end of November after more than two years in the job.

Rights group Amnesty International called Wednesday for the UN force to do more to protect civilians.

"Change at the top of the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan has to be matched by fast and drastic change," it said.
Spain ambassador to Afghanistan probed over embassy attack

Spain's National Court said Wednesday it was investigating the country's ambassador to Afghanistan and his former deputy for alleged security flaws after an attack on the Kabul embassy last year that left six dead.

Four Afghan policemen and two of their Spanish counterparts were killed in December last year when Taliban insurgents burst into the embassy after a car bomb blew off the gate of the compound, sparking a shoot-out inside.

Relatives of one of the Spanish policemen who died and seven others who were injured filed a complaint accusing Ambassador Emilio Perez de Agreda and his then deputy Oriol Sola of involuntary manslaughter.

Afghan Crisis Response Unit personnel stand guard at the site of a bomb attack on the Spanish embassy compound in Kabul on December 11, 2015 Wakil Kohsar (AFP/File)

According to court papers published Wednesday, the plaintiffs allege the ambassador failed to act on warnings of security flaws at the embassy.

Since it was built in 2008, there had been warnings about flimsy sentry boxes, or doors that were only made out of wood, which were later reinforced, according to the papers.

The building is outside the secure "green zone" in the Afghan capital, where many other Western embassies are located.

The ambassador, though, had his home in the "green zone" as his predecessor had "refused to live in the embassy due to the potential danger," the writ said.

When the attack happened, Perez de Agreda was on holiday in Spain, and Sola was in charge.

He "didn't respect any security measure either," the plaintiffs alleged, according to the papers.

"On the contrary, he constantly put the building at risk, letting traders into the embassy, allowing cars, vans and trucks in with jewels, carpets and other items without giving security teams enough advance warning to check people and products", it added.

On December 11, 2015 -- the day of the attack -- French intelligence services warned of the risk of an attack against the Spanish embassy, but no special security measures were taken, the writ further alleges.

According to judge Santiago Pedraz, the allegations could be a "penal offence," and will be investigated.

A spokesman for the foreign ministry said Perez de Agreda is still ambassador in Afghanistan, but Sola has since left due to "normal staff rotation."
Israel comptroller to review broadcasting reform

Israel's state comptroller said Wednesday he will examine audiovisual reform as the premier and his finance minister face off over replacing the state broadcasting authority with a new organisation.

Yossef Shapira, who is in charge of assessing state policies and the use of public funds, would start to review the reform on public radio and television, his office said in a statement.

The comptroller would examine the "financial volumes concerned, the fate of hundreds of employees and the importance of the issue for the public", it said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed a plan to replace the Israel Broadcasting Authority with a new organisation after initially supporting it Menahem Kahana (AFP/File)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed a plan to replace the Israel Broadcasting Authority with a new organisation after initially supporting it.

But Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon supports the project, into which an estimated 400 million shekels ($104 million/94 million euros) have so far been invested.

Former communications minister Gilad Erdan in 2014 suggested replacing the IBA with a new body, officially to reboot a frail public authority to compete with private broadcasters.

IBA employees have been fired or sent into early retirement and the new broadcasting organisation has been set up prior to taking over.

Netanyahu's critics accuse him of backtracking after realising that the journalists he wanted to stifle had in fact been re-hired in large numbers in the new organisation, many in leading positions.

The cabinet could vote on Sunday on a draft law put forward by Netanyahu supporters to stop the project from going ahead.

Some observers have said the dispute could lead to early parliamentary elections less than two years after the previous vote.
Five things to know about Zuma graft probe

Calls for South African President Jacob Zuma to resign reached new heights Wednesday after a much-awaited probe was published into his allegedly corrupt relationship with the Guptas, a business family from India.

Here are five key points from the report by the Public Protector watchdog:

- Bag for cash -

A much-awaited probe into an allegedly corrupt relationship between South African President Jacob Zuma and the Guptas, a business family from India, was published Francois Nascimbeni (AFP/File)

Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas said he was taken to the Guptas' compound-like residence in the Saxonwold district of Johannesburg by President Zuma in October 2015.

The report said Ajay Gupta first accused him of undermining Zuma, then "informed Mr Jonas that they were going to make him Minister of Finance".

Gupta allegedly told Jonas that his family made six billion rand ($444 million) from the state, and wanted to increase it to eight billion rand. The report gave no time frame.

When Jonas refused the apparent job offer, Gupta offered him 600 million rand and even "asked if Mr Jonas had a bag which he could use to receive and carry 600,000 rand in cash immediately".

- Phone records -

The report said it was "worrying" that telephone records revealed David Van Rooyen, then a little-known Zuma loyalist, was regularly in Saxonwold, including on the day before he was appointed as finance minister last year.

One of the two advisers that Van Rooyen took with him to the treasury on his first day at work as finance minister had also had telephone contact with someone in Saxonwold the previous day.

"The coincidence is a source of great concern," the report said.

Van Rooyen lasted just four days in the job due to a market crash triggered by his appointment. But he is still one of Zuma's closest associates.

- Mystery Switzerland trip -

The report raises allegations that Mining Minister Mosebenzi Zwane travelled to Switzerland with the Guptas last November to help them "seal the deal" for Gupta-owned company Tegeta to buy a mine from Glencore.

Zwane's conduct "with regards to his flight itinerary to Switzerland appears to be irregular", the report said.

Zwane's spokesman said the minister's visit to Switzerland was for "engaging with stakeholders and to avoid job losses".

- Just good friends -

The Guptas told the report authors that Brian Molefe, chief of state-owned electricity firm Eskom, was a "very good friend" who often visited them at home.

The report details allegations of deals during which "it appears that the conduct of the Eskom board was solely to the benefit of Tegeta in awarding contracts to them".

The Public Protector's office vowed further investigations into contracts for Tegeta to supply coal to Eskom.

- Further probes -

The report listed remedial action including Zuma appointing a commission of inquiry that must present its findings within 180 days.

It said the inquiry must be well-funded, chaired by a judge who chooses their own staff, and given real power to collect evidence.

The public protector added that it had brought prosectors' attention to "those matters identified in this report where it appears crimes have been committed."

Protesters carry a cardboard mock up coffin reading 'Run Guptas run' as they demonstrate against South African president Jacob Zuma and in support of the release of the "State Capture" report in Pretoria on November 2, 2016 Gianluigi Guercia (AFP)
Two Moroccan teenage girls, who face three years in jail after they were photographed kissing, were badly beaten by their families, it has emerged.

Police arrested the 16-year-old, identified only as Sanaa, and the 17-year-old, Hajar, after they were spotted embracing on a rooftop in Marrakesh.

Pictures were taken of them kissing before they were sent to family members and the mother of one of the girls then called police, it has emerged.

They now face charges of homosexuality and will be put on trial amid fears they could end up facing a three-year jail term if found guilty.

A Moroccan activist wears a shirt with the number 489 in reference to article 489 which stipulates that homosexuality is punishable in Morocco by up to three years in jail

A joint statement from about 20 human rights groups said the girls were badly beaten by their families after being filmed by a neighbour with a mobile phone.

The statement said the pair were denied food for three days by the police who then forced one of them to sign a statement before releasing them Thursday.

The two girls were caught kissing last Thursday according to Omar Arbib, an activist at the Moroccan Association of Human Rights.

'They were caught kissing and hugging on the roof of a house in Hay Mohammadi district,' said Arbib.

'Someone photographed them, sent the picture to the family who informed the police' and the two girls were arrested on the same day, he told AFP.

They appeared before prosecutors and were due in court on Friday.

The pair face charges of 'licentious or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex' under article 489 of the penal code.

The Moroccan Association of Human Rights has appointed a lawyer to defend the girls who if convicted could be imprisoned for between six months and three years.

But Arbib called for the release of the pair and for the law they are accused of breaking to be abolished.

The arrests have prompted outrage, with Moroccan writer Leila Slimani (pictured) calling for a for a rebellion against the country's 'medieval' laws which 'weigh down' its citizens

Morocco, a country of 35 million people torn between religious conservatism and openness to the West, has had several controversial cases concerning homosexuality in recent years.

On Friday the winner of France's top literary prize said Moroccans must rebel against the 'mediaeval laws' which weigh them down.

Writer Leila Slimani, who became the first Moroccan woman to win the prestigious Prix Goncourt Thursday for her novel Chanson Douce (Sweet Song), lambasted her homeland's human rights record, and in particular the way women are treated.

'The humiliation of citizens, the way they are kept down, encourages a political system based on disdain, humiliation and the abuse of power,' Slimani told France Inter radio.

'I think it is time people took this in hand and rebelled,' said the 35-year-old, whose winning novel is based on a real-life case of a nanny in the United States accused of killing two children she was looking after.

Police arrested the 16-year-old, identified only as Sanaa, and the 17-year-old, Hajar, after they were spotted embracing on a rooftop in Marrakesh (file picture)

'The laws in Morocco are completely medieval, completely disconnected from reality... they ban sex outside marriage, homosexuality and adultery,' Slimani added.

'We shouldn't be hypocrites. Moroccans have sex lives outside marriage, and it good that that there are homosexuals,' the author said.

Slimani, who raised eyebrows at home with her debut novel last year about a female nymphomaniac, said the oppression that women suffered had nothing to do with religion.

'Lots of imams and enlightened theologians will explain that to you... It is a question of human rights, sexual rights, the right to dignity and in particular the dignity of women's bodies.'
Val Kilmer: Michael Douglas is wrong, I don't have cancer

Val Kilmer has denied claims by fellow actor Michael Douglas that the "Top Gun" star has cancer, saying on social media that his friend was "misinformed."

Douglas, 72, told an audience in London over the weekend that Kilmer, his co-star in 1996's "The Ghost and the Darkness," was "dealing with exactly what I had," referring to oral cancer.

Kilmer's health has been the subject of persistent speculation since pictures showed him apparently with a tracheotomy tube last year.

Val Kilmer, pictured in 2012, acknowledged that his recent silence may have stoked speculation that he was putting his Christian Scientist faith -- which stresses the primacy of prayer over medical treatment -- ahead of his health Joe Klamar (AFP/File)

"I love Michael Douglas but he is misinformed," Kilmer posted on Facebook on Tuesday, adding that he hadn't spoken to Douglas for nearly two years.

"I asked him for a referral for a specialist to get a diagnosis for a lump in my throat which prevented me from continuing a tour of my play 'Citizen Twain,'" Kilmer wrote, referring to his one-man show about the author Mark Twain.

"I ended up using a team at UCLA and have no cancer whatsoever. I still have a swollen tongue and am rehabbing steadily."

Commentators have pointed out that while Kilmer insists he is healthy now, he did not deny ever having been struck down with cancer.

The actor acknowledged that his recent silence may have stoked speculation that he was putting his Christian Scientist faith -- which stresses the primacy of prayer over medical treatment -- ahead of his health.

Kilmer had already issued what appeared to be an oblique denial in a Facebook post promoting a film of his play -- saying Twain's "values and spirit live on even now! And I'm sure still standing!"

Fans appeared not to be satisfied, however, prompting Kilmer to be more explicit in the follow-up post.

"Whatever led Michael Douglas to speculate about my health, he's a loving and devoted friend to a privileged group of (talented) people around the world, and I'm sure he meant no harm," Kilmer said.
In Iraq village, men celebrate freedom with clippers

The most popular object in Gogjali Wednesday was the electric hair clipper a member of the Iraqi special forces who retook the village from jihadists gave the residents.

On the steps leading to the mosque, one man revelled in his first shave in two years and sheared off thick tufts from the beard that militants from the Islamic State group forced him to grow.

Other men queued up patiently to use the precious tool, which was banned under the rules of the "caliphate" that IS proclaimed in the city of Mosul in June 2014.

An Iraqi man gets his beard trimmed as civilians take a shelter inside a mosque in the village of Gogjali on November 2, 2016 Bulent Kilic (AFP)

Gogjali, which lies on the eastern edge of Mosul, this week became the most advanced post of the massive Iraqi offensive launched last month to retake the city from the jihadists.

After more than two years of a tyranny during which one word could get residents executed, the people of Gogjali were unstoppably talkative.

"We had to wear the dishdasha," one teenager explained, referring to the traditional Arab robe.

"Above the ankle or you would get lashes," said the boy, sporting a chequered shirt and a pair of trousers, which he said he has not worn once since IS took over.

The elite Counter-Terrorism Service entered Gogjali earlier this week and on Wednesday were still securing the village to prepare for a push into Mosul proper.

Mosul's recapture could deal a death blow to the "caliphate", whose brutality has plunged the region deeper into chaos and inspired attacks the world over.

- Smoking police -

On Wednesday it was the simple joys of a normal daily life that Gogjali residents enjoyed and the freedom to get countless tales of oppression off their chests.

"Sometimes I was driving my taxi, they would stop me and say: 'You've been smoking, we know it, open your mouth so we can smell your breath'," said a man in his 60s, who had not trimmed his beard yet.

If the breath test was inconclusive "they would check my fingers to see if they were yellow" from smoking.

He said the worst thing about IS rule was that people constantly felt vulnerable to any delation.

One such case landed him in a jihadist jail for 62 days, during which he said he remained blindfolded and underwent mock executions by beheading.

The sexagenarian, who like most others in Gogjali would not give his name out of concern for relatives still living in IS-held territory, said he paid his way out.

Next to him, the man who was finishing his turn with the hair clipper said IS "had legions of accountants" and said that the jihadists' ruthless levying of the "zakat", or almsgiving, forced him to close his shop.

- 'Open-air prison' -

Many residents spoke of how IS militants had turned the zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, into a pretext for a systematic racket of the population.

Several residents said that they or their relatives were jailed for the sole purpose of raising bail money that the "Islamic State" had set at $10,000 (9,000 euros).

As Gogjali residents recovered their freedom to speak, the village's darkest moments also surfaced from two years of silence and people started sharing their accounts.

"People were executed in public and the entire village was made to watch," said one man, as children around him nodded silently.

"Once, a woman was stoned and all those who looked away were beaten," said another man.

A third said that "men were thrown off the rooftops of six- or seven-storey buildings, most of them former members of the security forces."

Many residents looked dazed as they emerged from their homes to see government forces taking over their village.

Abu Ahmed, who worked as a barber until IS swept in two years ago, looked around him as dozens of fully veiled women and bearded men walked cautiously out of their homes, some of them still carrying white flags.

"We're just coming out of the open-air prison in which we lived," he said.

Iraqi army vehicles drive through the village of Gogjali, a few hundred metres of Mosul's eastern edge, on November 2, 2016 Bulent Kilic (AFP)
Israeli religious leaders condemn extremism at Auschwitz

Thirty top religious leaders from Israel's Christian, Druze, Jewish and Muslim communities on Wednesday condemned extremism and "hatred of the other" during a landmark visit to Auschwitz.

The members of the Council of Religious Community Leaders in Israel repudiated "racism, fanaticism and extremism, particularly when these are committed, allegedly in the name of religion" in a statement issued following their visit to the grounds of Nazi Germany's most infamous death camp.

They also called on world leaders to "act with unwavering resoluteness against anti-Semitism, (and) hatred of the other, which once again plague contemporary society."

Members of the Council of Religious Community Leaders in Israel repudiated "racism, fanaticism and extremism, particularly when these are committed, allegedly in the name of religion" Joe Klamar (AFP/File)

Jerusalem's Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, Anglican Archbishop Suheil Dawani, Druze religious leader Sheikh Mowafaq as well as Rabbis Dimony Icchak Elefant and David Rosen participated in the visit.

The delegation, also including two Sunni imams from Galilee, walked through the camp's infamous wrought iron "Arbeit Macht Frei" (Work makes you free) gate before laying flowers at the death wall, where executions took place.

The religious leaders also viewed exhibitions at the Auschwitz-Birkenau museum on the grounds of the former death camp in Oswiecim, southern Poland.

One million European Jews died at the camp set up by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland in 1940-1945.

More than 100,000 others including non-Jewish Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war and anti-Nazi resistance fighters also died there, according to the museum.
Neither Clinton, nor Trump popular in Arab world: poll

Almost half the population of the Middle East and North Africa would abstain if given the right to vote in next week's US presidential election, an opinion poll revealed Thursday.

But Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton came far ahead of her Republican opponent Donald Trump as the preferred candidate to lead the United States, which plays a key role in the Arab world.

Out of 3,017 people polled across 18 countries, 47 percent "would snub both Clinton and Trump, if given chance to vote," according to the survey carried out by Saudi daily Arab News and British pollster YouGov.

"There is little enthusiasm for either candidate but 78 percent (of respondents in the Arab world) believe Clinton would be better for the Arab world if elected as president versus 22 percent for Trump," said YouGov's chief Stephan Shakespeare Paul J. Richards (AFP/File)

Among those who would vote, 44 percent said they would opt for Clinton, while only nine percent said would choose Trump, showed the results of the online survey conducted on October 14-21.

"There is little enthusiasm for either candidate but 78 percent believe Clinton would be better for the Arab world if elected as president versus 22 percent for Trump," said YouGov's chief Stephan Shakespeare.

On the conflict in Syria, 46 percent of respondents wanted Washington to put boots on the ground in the fight against the Islamic State group, while the remaining majority of 54 percent was against such a move.

Meanwhile, 44 percent said the incoming US president should annul the nuclear deal with Iran.

But asked about border security in their own countries and abortion, most of the participants appeared to share Trump's tough stance.

Ninety percent said they did not mind extra border restrictions if they felt their country's security was under threat, while 89 percent said abortion is never acceptable, except in extreme cases, like rape or life-threatening situations.
Israel jails Palestinian minor for life for murder

An Israeli military court on Wednesday sentenced a Palestinian minor to life in prison for killing an Israeli woman, the army said.

"The Judea military court sentenced the assassin of Dafna Meir, who was killed by stabbing on January 17, 2016, to life in jail and to fines of 750,000 shekels" (about $196,000/178,00 euros), the army said in a statement.

The 38-year-old Israeli nurse and mother of six died of her wounds after she was stabbed at her home in the Jewish settlement of Otniel in the occupied West Bank.

Israelis protest outside their settlement of Kiryat Arba in the southern West Bank after a suspected Palestinian attacker stabbed to death a woman at her home in the Otniel settlement on January 17, 2016 Menahem Kahana (AFP/File)

The statement did not mention the name of the attacker because he was a minor.

It said the army would "continue dispensing justice with the greatest of severity against those who carry out terrorist acts".

A wave of Palestinian knife, gun and car-ramming attacks began a year ago, but the violence has significantly declined in recent months.

Since October last year, the violence has claimed the lives of 237 Palestinians, 36 Israelis, two Americans, a Jordanian, an Eritrean and a Sudanese, according to an AFP count.

Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out attacks, according to Israeli authorities. Others were shot dead during protests and clashes, while some were killed in air strikes in the Gaza Strip.
Jailed Russian activist alleges he was tortured

MOSCOW (AP)  A jailed Russian opposition activist says he has been tortured by prison guards who carried out group beatings and threatened to rape and murder him.

Ildar Dadin said he was assaulted regularly, hung up with handcuffs, stripped naked and had his head flushed in a toilet in a series of incidents after his September transfer to a prison in northwestern Russia, according to a letter sent to his wife and released Tuesday to Russian media.

"The guards arrived, bound me behind my back and hung me from my handcuffs. Such a hanging leads to terrible pain in your wrists, dislocates your elbow joints and makes you feel sharp pain in your back," Dadin said in the letter describing what happened to him Sept. 12.

"If I am again faced with torture, beatings and rape I am unlikely to hold out more than a week," he said.

Russian prison officials cast doubt Tuesday on the claims. "Not one physical injury has been found on Dadin," said the deputy head of Russia's prison service. Valery Maksimenko, according to Russian news agency Interfax. Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta quoted an unidentified local prison service official as acknowledging that physical force had been used on Dadin, but only when he refused to leave his cell or defied prison guards.

President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told journalists the incident should be investigated by the relevant authorities.

Dadin, who is serving a 2-year sentence, was convicted last year of breaking strict new laws regulating public demonstrations that Russia passed in 2014. Human rights groups say he is a political prisoner who was only involved in nonviolent protests.

Dadin's wife, Anastasia Zotova, wrote on social media Tuesday that she had not had any contact with her husband since he was transferred to prison colony IK-7 in the northwestern region of Karelia. Tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who spent a decade in prison in Russia on what were widely considered politically motivated charges, was also held at IK-7.

In a Tuesday statement, Amnesty International said Dadin's allegations fitted with other reports of abuse in Russian prisons. "We are urging Russian authorities to end the pattern of impunity for torture and other ill-treatment and investigate Ildar Dadin's appalling allegations," said Sergey Nikitin, director of Amnesty International in Russia.

Several dozen supporters of Dadin held a picket in central Moscow on Tuesday calling for the case to be investigated.
Utility asks to resume operations a year after well blowout

LOS ANGELES (AP)  A utility asked California regulators Tuesday to resume operations at the largest underground gas storage facility in the West a year after a well blowout spewed methane uncontrollably for months and drove thousands of residents from their Los Angeles homes.

Southern California Gas Co. said about a quarter of its wells at the Aliso Canyon facility had passed rigorous testing ordered by the state in the wake of the disruptive leak that persisted for four months and led to widespread complaints of nausea, nosebleeds, headaches and other vexing symptoms.

The request to resume injecting gas into the field  where it is piped into abandoned oil wells more than a mile underground  comes as the utility needs to store gas for winter heating, cooking and electricity needs throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

Before the company can resume storage operations, wells must be inspected, the facility must meet current regulations and state agencies will hold a hearing and take comment from the public. That process is expected to take several weeks.

"Safety is our top priority," State Oil and Gas Supervisor Ken Harris said in a statement. "We will thoroughly review all the information and data, conduct independent site inspections, seek public feedback and the opinion of outside experts before making any determination."

The four-month blowout was the largest-known release of climate-changing methane in U.S. history and led to a federal task force last month recommending dozens of safety changes for the nation's 400 underground natural gas storage facilities.

It also led to criminal charges against the company for failing to immediately report the leak to state agencies when it was discovered Oct. 23, 2015.

SoCalGas, a division of Sempra Energy, pleaded no contest to a criminal charge and agreed to pay $4 million  most of it in facility improvements such as a leak-monitoring system  in a settlement with prosecutors.

As of late July, the disaster had cost SoCalGas an estimated $717 million, most of that to temporarily relocate about 8,000 families. The company still faces investigations from several local, state and federal agencies, as well as more than 180 lawsuits.

Of the 114 wells in the field that didn't leak, only 29 have passed tougher tests required to inject gas underground.

The remaining 85 wells are temporarily plugged and will be permanently plugged if they don't pass state-ordered tests within a year.

All the wells that passed testing had inner metal tubing replaced that is now required to be used for injection and withdrawal of gas in the field.

SoCalGas had been withdrawing and injecting gas using both the inner pipe and an outer steel casing that is designed as a safety barrier. The practice is used in the industry to move larger volumes of gas, but it is considered risky because the outer pipe can corrode or crack, experts said.

The cause of the blowout remains under investigation, but experts who reviewed state records said it appeared the casing failed under high pressure, allowing gas to escape.

Since the leak, SoCalGas has improved the safety, infrastructure and technology at Aliso Canyon, spokesman Chris Gilbride said.
California officer killed by shot fired from colleague's gun

FRESNO, Calif. (AP)  A 20-year veteran sheriff's deputy in Central California was killed by a bullet in the chest from a colleague's gun in what officials said Tuesday appeared to be "a tragic accidental shooting."

Deputy Sgt. Rod Lucas was having a conversation with a detective about how to carry their backup weapons when the shot was fired on Monday, Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims said. The incident occurred at a sheriff's office near the Fresno Yosemite International Airport.

Mims said Lucas, 46, and the detective were in a room with two other colleagues and there was no dispute, just a conversation about weapons safety.

In this undated photo released Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 by the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, is Deputy Sergeant Rod Lucas. the 20-year veteran was killed by a bullet in the chest from a colleague's gun in what officials said appeared to be "a tragic accidental shooting." Fresno Sheriff Margaret Mims said that Lucas was having a conversation with a detective about how to carry their backup weapons when the shot was fired that killed him on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016. The incident occurred at a sheriff's office near the Fresno Yosemite International Airport in Fresno, Calif. (Fresno County Sheriff's Office via AP)

"The detective had his weapon out. During this discussion, the detective's weapon discharged," the sheriff said. "Sgt. Lucas was struck by the bullet in his chest, and he dropped to the ground."

Lucas was immediately given CPR and rushed to Community Regional Medical Center, where he died.

Mims did not disclose the type of firearm involved in the incident, calling it "an improved secondary weapon for the detective." She said all witnesses have been interviewed except for the detective, who was not identified, due to his mental state which she described as extremely upset.

"We do not know yet the mechanics of how the weapon discharged," Mims said. "So far, we have absolutely no reason to believe this was anything more than a tragic accidental shooting."

During an emotional news conference, Mims described Lucas as a father of four and a well-liked, respected officer who joined the Fresno County Sheriff's Office in 1996.

"He truly was a leader, in the best terms I can describe," Mims said. "We are hurting right now. We're hurting."
Pro-Trump super PAC deploying $10 million in new TV ads

WASHINGTON (AP)  Donald Trump is getting a $10 million advertising boost from a super PAC attacking Hillary Clinton as too scandal-plagued for the White House.

With this late ad buy, Future 45 and a companion nonprofit group are now the top big-money helper to the Republican presidential nominee.

An ad set to debut nationwide on Wednesday morning calls it "a new bombshell" that the FBI disclosed it is again looking at Clinton's email practices. The 30-second commercial opens with Richard Nixon saying "people have got to know whether or not their president's a crook." It concludes with the question: "How can we elect someone who is under FBI investigation?"

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures during a campaign rally at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Eau Claire, Wis.(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Future 45 is led by billionaire TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts and Las Vegas casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson is its largest donor.

Brian Baker, president of the super PAC, said the ad highlights that voters must choose between Clinton, "whose entire public career has spawned nothing but federal investigations," and Trump, a businessman "who will bring real and needed change to Washington."

The super PAC had about $10 million in the bank at the end of September, fundraising reports show. It landed another $2 million in early October and has picked up still more donations since then, Baker said. He declined on Tuesday to name any specific new donors or contribution amounts.

Until now, Future 45 had spent about $2.8 million on presidential ads that aired nationally, according to Kantar Media's political ad tracker. The 45 Committee, a nonprofit arm that does not make public any of its donors, has aired another $5 million in commercials, Kantar shows.

The super PAC plans to hit Clinton on her email practices in additional commercials. Trump has been making a similar argument from the campaign trail since the FBI disclosed the new twist on Friday. Investigators looking into former New York Rep. Anthony Weiner in an unrelated case found Clinton emails on his laptop. His wife, Huma Abedin, is a top Clinton aide.

Clinton used a private e-mail server while secretary of state  a decision that has drawn intense scrutiny throughout the presidential race.
Jurors hear gruesome details of carjack killings in retrial

BOSTON (AP)  A lawyer for a man who could face the death penalty for carjacking and killing two Massachusetts men told jurors Wednesday that his brain "has been broken for a very long time," but a prosecutor insisted his brain was his "most powerful tool" in the killings.

The contrast was drawn during opening statements in the sentencing retrial of Gary Lee Sampson, a drifter who pleaded guilty in the carjack killings and the strangulation of a third man in New Hampshire during a weeklong crime rampage in 2001.

Sampson was sentenced to death in 2003, but a federal judge granted him a new sentencing trial in 2011 after finding that one of the jurors at his first trial had lied about her background.

FILE - This Aug. 2, 2001, file photo shows Gary Sampson during arraignment in district court in Brockton, Mass. Sampson was sentenced to death in 2003 for the carjack killings of two Massachusetts men in 2001, but the sentence was overturned in 2011. A sentencing retrial for Sampson is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in federal court in Boston. (Greg Derr/The Quincy Patriot Ledger via AP, File)

Sampson's lawyer, William McDaniels, urged the jury at his retrial to spare Sampson's life and instead sentence him to life in prison. He said Sampson has struggled with traumatic brain injury since the age of 4, when he fell down a flight of stairs, and has received at least a dozen head injuries during his life.

"There's no excuse or justification that Gary Sampson offers for the loss of these valued human beings  these were terrible crimes. There nevertheless is a context of how he came to be where he was in the last week of July 2001," McDaniels said.

Sampson was a 41-year-old drifter and career criminal when he returned to his hometown of Abington  about 25 miles south of Boston  from North Carolina, where he was wanted in a string of bank robberies. He confessed to carjacking and killing Philip McCloskey, a 69-year-old retiree, and Jonathan Rizzo, a 19-year-old college student, as well as the killing of Robert "Eli" Whitney in New Hampshire.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Chao told the jury that Sampson used a pocket knife and a nylon rope to kill his victims, but also used his brain to persuade his victims to give him a ride, to steal their cars, and finally, to convince them he would not kill them. Sampson wore a conservative button-down shirt, slacks and dress shoes  a "murder outfit" he later admitted wearing so that his victims would let down their guard and trust him, Chao said.

"He outsmarted them all, he outwitted them, he manipulated them," Chao said. "He got them to believe that if you follow my instructions, you will live."

The victims' families listened quietly and watched as prosecutors showed smiling photos of their loved ones. One woman sobbed softly.

Prosecutors also showed photos of Sampson taken just after his arrest, when he is wearing a muscle shirt and appears physically fit. Sampson looked unrecognizable sitting at the defense table with his lawyers, who said he is now morbidly obese and has a host of health problems, including Hepatitis C, end-stage liver disease and diabetes.

McDaniels told the jury Sampson tried to turn himself in before his crime rampage, but his call to the FBI was disconnected while it was being transferred to an agent. After the crimes, he called 911 in Vermont to surrender.

"I'm out here hurting people and stealing and I can't take it," Sampson said, according to a transcript of the call shown to jurors.

McDaniels said Sampson's brain damage affected his behavior before the crimes, during the crimes and since then. He told jurors they will have to decide if "justice and mercy support killing a brain-damaged man."

Since Sampson has pleaded guilty, the new jury will only be asked to decide his punishment.

Massachusetts abolished the death penalty in 1984, but Sampson, now 57, was prosecuted under federal law, which allows prosecutors to seek the death penalty when a murder is committed during a carjacking.

In an attempt to counter the defense claims, Chao focused on Sampson's mental state, repeatedly describing how Sampson chose victims who were Good Samaritans, and were willing to give him a ride and trust him.

"In their last moments, Gary Lee Sampson had the power of life and he took it. In their last moments, Gary Lee Sampson had the power of mercy and he had none," Chao said.

Jurors also heard an audio recording of the first part of Sampson's confession. Sampson describes his life, including years spent in and out of jail, drug and alcohol use, and several failed marriages.

He said he returned to his hometown of Abington with the intention of assassinating the chief of police there, but couldn't find him and decided to get out of town. After walking about 15 to 20 miles, he decided to hitchhike, he said. That's when he encountered McCloskey.

"I stuck my thumb out and an old man picked me up in a van," he said.
Iraqi forces consolidate their gains in eastern Mosul

MOSUL, Iraq (AP)  Iraqi special forces mopping up in territory seized in eastern Mosul killed eight Islamic State militants Wednesday as residents fled to safety from nearby areas and men shaved the beards they were forced to grow while the extremists were in control.

In the easternmost district of Gogjali, shops were boarded up, with some reduced to burned-out shells. Families stood in their doorways, some holding white flags, while children flashed the "V'' for victory sign to the passing troops. A few women ululated in celebration as columns of vehicles passed.

Consolidating the gains in the area lays the groundwork for the troops' next stage of operation: entering Mosul's more urban central neighborhoods, a densely built-up zone likely to contain booby traps and roadside bombs.

Iraqi special forces soldiers patrol a street in Gogjali, an eastern district of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Iraqi special forces paused their advance in the eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining Islamic State militants, killing at least eight while carrying out house-to-house searches. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

That could mean house-to-house combat and might take weeks, if not months, with the city center about 10 kilometers (6 miles) away.

The area's deputy "emir" was sprawled on a central street, shot and killed by soldiers when he tried to approach them in an explosives-laden vest. Residents watched as the body, clad in a military uniform, was dragged away past an Abrams tank.

A man the troops identified as the deputy's superior was arrested and taken away in a military vehicle. He wore Afghan-style clothing popular among jihadis and a red kaffiyeh.

Six other militants were killed in a tunnel in the neighborhood, said Lt. Col. Muhanad al-Timimi of the Iraqi special forces, speaking in an interview with The Associated Press.

For Hassan Hussein, a 22-year-old father of two, the day marked a fresh start.

"Today I feel like a new man, especially after shaving for the first time in two years," he said. "My face feels cold!"

The Islamic State group enforces a strict code on public dress and appearance in territory it controls, with men required to have long beards, and women ordered to wear a niqab  a face covering and full-body veil over their clothes, under threat of lashings and fines.

Hundreds of civilians cleared out of the adjacent neighborhood of al-Samah, some carrying white flags. The women still wore the niqab, although many had removed their face veils and one took off the full-body covering entirely. The men retained their long beards.

Special forces went house to house in Gogjali throughout the day, while sappers searched the road for any explosives left behind by the jihadis. Only sporadic gunfire and artillery could be heard.

Gen. Abdul-Ghani al-Asadi, commander of the counterterrorism forces, said a curfew had been imposed in the neighborhood.

"We fear that Daesh militants could attack," he said, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

"So, for the safety of the families, we ask them to stay inside their houses," he said, speaking in the town of Bartella, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) behind the front lines.

Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil said no further advances had been planned for Wednesday because high humidity and clouds obscured the view of aircraft and drones  a key component to the operations provided by a U.S.-led coalition.

Farther south, where progress has been slower, Federal Police forces captured four villages outside the Hamam al-Alil area, more than 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Mosul, the army said. The largest is Min Gar, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) west of Hamam al-Alil, said spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool.

Mosul is the last major IS stronghold in Iraq, and driving the militant group from the city would be a major blow to the survival of its self-declared "caliphate" that stretches into Syria. IS seized Mosul and other territory in 2014, routing the much larger Iraqi military, which had been neglected and demoralized by corruption.

Concern over the fate of civilians caught up in the fighting in and around Iraq's second-largest city has been growing. Residents reported that IS militants were rounding up thousands of people as human shields or killing those with suspected links to the security forces.

According to one account given to the AP, the fighters went door to door in villages south of Mosul, ordering hundreds to march at gunpoint into the city. Combat in the urban areas is expected to be heavy, and the presence of civilians will slow the army's advance as it seeks to avoid casualties.

Islamic State militants have carried out mass killings of opponents and boasted about their actions in grisly online photos and video. The United Nations has urged authorities to collect evidence of IS abuses of civilians for use in tribunals.

The Norwegian Refugee Council warned that more than 1 million civilians trapped in Mosul "are in grave danger" as Iraqi troops advance. The aid group, which works with refugees and internally displaced people, said about 18,000 Iraqis have fled their homes since the Oct. 17 start of the Mosul operation.

Adama Dieng, special adviser to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the prevention of genocide, expressed concern over "the increasing risk" of sectarian violence or revenge attacks in the Mosul campaign, especially where state-sanctioned Iraqi Shiite militias are approaching Sunni communities.

"Any kind of retaliatory violence against individuals on the basis of their membership of a specific group is unacceptable," he said in a statement Tuesday.

Political rhetoric on the issue has been heating up, after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned recently that Turkey would be closely monitoring Shiite militias' behavior in northern Iraq and seeking to safeguard the rights of ethnic Turkmens there. Erdogan said the Iraqi Shiite militias could prompt a Turkish response if they "terrorize" the Iraqi-Turkmen town of Tal-Afar.

On Tuesday, Turkey's defense minister said his country was preparing for "all kinds of possibilities" as it began deploying tanks and other vehicles to the border town of Silopi.

In a televised speech later Tuesday evening praising the Mosul operation, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi played down an escalation.

"We don't want war with Turkey. We do not want confrontation with Turkey," he said. But if it happens, "we are ready."

Separately, Amnesty International said government-sanctioned tribal Sunni fighters taking part in the Mosul operation had carried out revenge attacks in newly liberated areas against men and boys they suspected of being IS militants.

Fighters from the Sabawi tribe, originally from Mosul, unlawfully rounded up civilians, beat them with metal rods, gave them electric shocks and tied some of them to vehicles and paraded through the streets or placed them in cages, the London-based group said, based on interviews with local officials and witnesses.

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Associated Press writers Sinan Salaheddin and Brian Rohan in Baghdad contributed.

People who were displaced from their homes by fighting between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militants return to their neighborhood in Gogjali, an eastern district of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Iraqi special forces paused their advance in the eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining Islamic State militants, killing at least eight while carrying out house-to-house searches. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Yusuf Mohammed Yusuf sits on the debris of his brother's house, that was destroyed by an airstrike, in Faziliya, north of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Yusuf said that an airstrike hit the house of his brother and killed eight members of his family in the village of Faziliya, which was recently retaken by Iraqi Kurdish forces from the Islamic State group. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

In this Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 photo, an Iraqi special forces soldier uses radio communications as he observes Islamic State militants positions in Gogjali, an eastern district of Mosul, Iraq. Iraqi special forces paused their advance in the eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining Islamic State militants, killing at least eight while carrying out house-to-house searches. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

In this Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 photo, Iraqi special forces soldiers try to find cover as they take fire from Islamic State militants in Gogjali, an eastern district of Mosul, Iraq. Iraqi special forces paused their advance in the eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining Islamic State militants, killing at least eight while carrying out house-to-house searches. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

In this Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 photo, an Iraqi special forces soldier stands guard in an alley in Gogjali, an eastern district of Mosul, Iraq. Iraqi special forces paused their advance in the eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining Islamic State militants, killing at least eight while carrying out house-to-house searches. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

In this Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 photo, General Heidar Fadhil of the Iraqi special forces uses a radio as he overlooks the eastern outskirts of Mosul from his position in Bazwaya, Iraq. Iraqi special forces paused their advance in the eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining Islamic State militants, killing at least eight while carrying out house-to-house searches. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

In this Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 photo, an Iraqi special forces soldier climbs up the stairs of a house as his unit searches for an Islamic State militants sniper position in Gogjali, an eastern district of Mosul, Iraq. Iraqi special forces paused their advance in the eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining Islamic State militants, killing at least eight while carrying out house-to-house searches. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

In this Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 photo, an Iraqi special forces soldier stands in a street in Gogjali, an eastern district of Mosul, Iraq. Iraqi special forces paused their advance in the eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining Islamic State militants, killing at least eight while carrying out house-to-house searches. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

A Kurdish Peshmerga soldier walks inside a house that was used by the Islamic State in Faziliya, north of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Iraqi forces say they are holding positions they took from Islamic State fighters in Mosul's eastern outskirts as poor weather hampers visibility in operations. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

In this Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 photo, Iraqi special forces soldiers try to repair their vehicle as their unit receives fire from an Islamic State militants sniper in Gogjali, an eastern district of Mosul, Iraq. Iraqi special forces paused their advance in the eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining Islamic State militants, killing at least eight while carrying out house-to-house searches. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

A Kurdish Peshmerga soldier takes photos of destroyed houses on a road north of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Iraqi forces say they are holding positions they took from Islamic State fighters in Mosul's eastern outskirts as poor weather hampers visibility in operations. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers look at a Islamic State flag inside an abandoned house in Faziliya, north of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. The Norwegian Refugee Council warned that more than 1 million civilians trapped inside Mosul "are in grave danger" as Iraqi troops advance into the city. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

People shop for clothes in Faziliya, north of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. The Norwegian Refugee Council warned that more than 1 million civilians trapped inside Mosul "are in grave danger" as Iraqi troops advance into the city. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

People gather and smoke outside a coffee shop in Faziliya, north of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. The Norwegian Refugee Council warned that more than 1 million civilians trapped inside Mosul "are in grave danger" as Iraqi troops advance into the city. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers walk next to Islamic State graffiti inside a house in Faziliya, north of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Iraqi forces say they are holding positions they took from Islamic State fighters in Mosuls eastern outskirts as poor weather hampers visibility in operations. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A Kurdish Peshmerga soldier observes Islamic State-held territory through binoculars at a frontline position near Khorsabad, north of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Iraqi forces say they are holding positions they took from Islamic State fighters in Mosuls eastern outskirts as poor weather hampers visibility in operations. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

In this Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 photo, Iraqi special forces soldiers take cover as their unit receives fire from an Islamic State militant sniper in Gogjali, an eastern district of Mosul, Iraq. Iraqi special forces paused their advance in the eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining Islamic State militants, killing at least eight while carrying out house-to-house searches. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People injured in fighting between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militants move in an alley of Gogjali, an eastern district of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Iraqi special forces paused their advance in the eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining Islamic State militants, killing at least eight while carrying out house-to-house searches. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

An Iraqi special forces soldier takes aim as his unit receives sniper fire from Islamic State militants in Gogjali, an eastern district of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Iraqi special forces paused their advance in the eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining Islamic State militants, killing at least eight while carrying out house-to-house searches. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

A man wipes tears from his eyes and holds a white flag as Iraqi special forces soldiers search his home in Gogjali, an eastern district of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Iraqi special forces paused their advance in the eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining Islamic State militants, killing at least eight while carrying out house-to-house searches. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

An Iraqi special forces soldier peeks through a hole in a door as his unit gets ready to search a compound in Gogjali, an eastern district of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Iraqi special forces paused their advance in the eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining Islamic State militants, killing at least eight while carrying out house-to-house searches. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)
Bangladesh lawmaker jailed for amassing illegal wealth

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP)  A Bangladesh court sentenced a ruling party lawmaker to three years in prison on Wednesday after finding him guilty of amassing and concealing $100 million in illegal wealth.

Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar also fined lawmaker Abdur Rahman Bodi $1 million. Police took him to prison after the verdict was announced in Dhaka, the capital.

Bodi is the first Awami League lawmaker to be convicted of corruption since his party assumed office seven years ago. His attorney, Mahbuba Ahmed, said he would appeal the ruling.

Bangladesh was ranked the 13th most corrupt country in a global index released by Transparency International in January.

Graft is a major political issue and feuding political parties often accuse each other of being corrupt.

Last year, the High Court ordered the trial of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on corruption charges involving a coal mine contract awarded to a Chinese company.
The Latest: UN alarmed at Islamic State using human shields

BAGHDAD (AP)  The Latest on the Iraqi forces' offensive to retake the Islamic State-held city of Mosul (all times local):

10:30 p.m.

The U.N. Security Council is expressing alarm at reports that Islamic State extremists are removing civilians from their homes and relocating them to act as human shields in Mosul.

Iraqi army soldiers warm themselves next to a fire near the Qayara air base, south of Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016. The U.N. human rights office is lauding efforts by the U.S.-led coalition in the battle against the Islamic State group in Mosul. The office in Geneva says coalition flights over Iraq have largely succeeded in preventing IS from bringing in 25,000 more civilians to the city center, where the militant group has been using people as human shields as Iraqi forces advance on Mosul. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

The council condemned the use of human shields and urged all parties to avoid harming civilians and civilian facilities.

Council members said in a statement Wednesday after their first briefing on the Iraqi military campaign to liberate Mosul from Islamic State control that they don't want to see IS fighters fleeing across the border to Syria.

The council statement, however, made no mention of support for the Iraqi military effort, which Iraq's U.N. Ambassador Mohamed Alhakim had sought. Senegal, which holds the council presidency this month, said that issue is still under discussion.

Council members did express "strong support" for the coordinated efforts of the United Nations and the Iraqi government to address the humanitarian crisis. They urged all countries to contribute to the underfunded U.N. appeal to help those displaced as the military operation continues.

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5:20 p.m.

A spokesman for a leading Shiite militia says its fighters have gained control of a highway linking the Islamic State group-held city of Mosul to the Syrian city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of the militants' self-proclaimed caliphate.

The spokesman for the Hezbollah Brigades, Jaafar al-Husseini, said Wednesday that his troops are now cutting the main supply line to the militants.

Earlier this week, Shiite militias, known as the Popular Mobilization Units, joined the operation to retake Mosul from IS. They say they will not enter the city of Mosul and will instead focus on retaking Tal Afar, a town to the west that had a Shiite majority before it fell to IS in 2014.

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3:45 p.m.

An Iraqi officer says troops have killed eight Islamic State group militants while carrying out house-to-house clearances in the newly-recaptured neighborhood of Gogjali in eastern Mosul.

Lt. Col. Muhanad al-Timimi of the Iraqi special forces tells The Associated Press Wednesday that six of the militants were killed inside a tunnel. He says the other two militants attempted to approach the troops and were shot dead.

One of the militants was wearing an explosives-laden vest.

Meanwhile, hundreds of civilians streamed out of the adjacent neighborhood of al-Samah, some holding white flags. All the women wore niqab, a veil that entirely covers the face or only has a small, slit-like opening for the eyes. All of the men were bearded

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3:20 p.m.

A human rights watchdog says government-sanctioned tribal Sunni militia taking part in the military operation to retake the Islamic State group stronghold of Mosul have carried out revenge attacks against men and boys in areas recently recaptured from the militants.

London-based Amnesty International said in a statement on Wednesday that fighters from the Sab'awi tribe unlawfully rounded up civilians, beat them with metal rods, gave them electric shocks, placed them in cages and tied some of them to the bonnets of vehicles before parading them through the streets.

The allegations are based on interviews with local officials and eyewitnesses, who said the violations took place in a group of villages located on the south-eastern bank of the Tigris river and under the control of the Sab'wai tribal militia.

Lynn Maalouf, deputy director for research at Amnesty International's Beirut office, describes the violations as "crimes under international law" and adds that Iraqi authorities "must rein in the tribal militia fighters responsible and bring them to justice."

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1:50 p.m.

Iraqi forces say they are advancing on the southern approach to the Islamic State-held city of Mosul, a front where they have been making slower progress than to the east.

The Commandeer of the Mosul Operation, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Raheed Yar Allah, says in a statement that Federal Police Forces have retaken four villages near Hamam al-Alil area.

A spokesman for the Joint Military Command, Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool, confirmed that the operation happened on Wednesday morning.

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12:20 p.m.

Iraqi special forces are going house-to-house in Mosul's easternmost neighborhood of Gogjali where sappers are searching roads for explosives and booby traps Islamic State militants could have left behind before they were driven out a day earlier.

Gen. Abdul-Ghani al-Asadi, the top counterterrorism forces commander, says the special forces had imposed a curfew in the neighborhood while gains there are being consolidated.

Al-Asadi says that "we fear that Daesh militants could attack our forces or the town with mortars." Daesh is the Arabic acronym for IS.

The general also says that "for the safety of the families, we ask them to stay inside their houses." He spoke in Bartella, some 15 kilometers, or 9 miles, behind the front lines.

Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil says Iraqi special forces arrested three suspected Daesh militants in the area of Gogjali.

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10:30 a.m.

An aid agency is warning that the lives of more than 1 million civilians trapped inside the Islamic State-held Mosul "are in grave danger" as Iraqi troops advance and set foot inside the city where fighting is expected to intensify.

The Norwegian Refugee Council, which works with refugees and internally displaced Iraqis, says that around 18,000 Iraqis have fled their homes since the start of the massive military operation to retake Mosul over two weeks ago.

The council's Iraq chief, Wolfgang Gressmann, says the agency's aid workers "are now bracing ... for the worst. The lives of 1.2 million civilians are in grave danger, and the future of all of Iraq is now in the balance."

In their battle for Mosul, Iraqi forces for the first time in two years on Tuesday entered the eastern Gogjali and Karama neighborhoods inside Mosul's city limits.

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10:10 a.m.

An Iraqi special forces general says his troops are holding their positions along Mosul's eastern outskirts as poor weather hampers visibility in operations to rout Islamic State fighters from the country's second-largest city.

Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil says no advances are planned for Wednesday, as high humidity and clouds obscure the view of aircraft and drones.

From the Mosul neighborhood of Gogjali, which is inside city limits but just outside more urban districts, the guns have gone largely silent, although sporadic rifle cracks could be heard as well as some army artillery fire on IS positions.
Swiss police raid mosque in northern city; 8 detained

GENEVA (AP)  Swiss police raided a mosque in a northern city on Wednesday, detaining eight people including an Ethiopian imam who allegedly called for the killing of Muslims who refused to participate in prayers, the state prosecutor's office said.

Police searched the An Nur mosque in Winterthur and the apartments of three people as part of the morning operation, according to a statement from the regional prosecutor's office in nearby Zurich.

In a public sermon on Oct. 21, the Ethiopian imam allegedly called for the killing and denunciation of Muslims who refuse to participate in common prayers at the mosque, the statement said. Prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation centering on the imam and three others.

In a separate statement, Zurich police said another four men aged 23 to 35 from countries including Algeria and Tunisia were also detained. They were inside the mosque at the time of the raid, and were believed to be illegally in Switzerland, said Corinne Bouvard, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office. They weren't believed to be connected to the imam and three others, whose nationalities weren't identified, she said.

Bouvard also said prosecutors so far have turned up "no connection" to any possible international extremist groups. Earlier Wednesday, Swiss daily Tages Anzeiger reported that investigators were focusing on the mosque's new preacher, who it said was from Somalia  not Ethiopia. The report also said some young men who were once regulars at the mosque had later left to join the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.

In the wake of extremist attacks in Europe in recent years, Swiss authorities have been stepping up controls and surveillance of suspected militants who could cause violence.

The Swiss intelligence service estimates that 77 people "motivated by jihad" have left Switzerland to travel to conflict zones since 2001, more than four in five of them to Iraq and Syria. The service says 21 of them are believed to be dead, while others are still active in the conflict regions or have returned to Switzerland.

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Indian president arrives in Nepal for 3-day visit

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP)  India's president arrived in Nepal on Wednesday for a three-day trip that is mostly a goodwill visit and pilgrimage to the Himalayan nation, which saw relations with its giant southern neighbor come under strain last year.

Pranab Mukherje's arrival was marked with a national holiday in Nepal, whose economy and politics are heavily influenced by India. Landlocked Nepal imports most of its fuel, medicine and other vital supplies from India.

Mukherjee will meet with Nepal's president, prime minister and other top officials during his visit. He'll also visit revered Hindu temples in Kathmandu and southern Nepal.

Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, center right, shakes hand with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on his arrival at the Tribhuwan international Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Mukherjee flew to Nepal Wednesday for a three-day visit that is mostly a goodwill and pilgrimage trip to the Himalayan nation. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

Mukherjee was welcomed at Kathmandu's airport by Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Vice President Nanda Kishore Pun and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Security was stepped up around Kathmandu, the capital, with thousands of police and army officers guarding the streets.

Relations between Nepal and India strained last year because of ethnic protests in southern Nepal, near the Indian border. Members of the Madhesi ethnic group, which has close ties with India, protested for months and blocked the border, demanding changes in Nepal's new constitution. India supported the border blockade and the Madhesis by restricting exports to Nepal.

The blockade created severe shortages of fuel, medicine and other key supplies for months in Nepal, sparking anti-India anger among most Nepalese.
Putin offers new pause, exits for Syrian's besieged Aleppo

MOSCOW (AP)  The Russian president on Wednesday offered a new unilateral humanitarian pause for Syria's war-ravaged Aleppo, urging rebels to use it to leave the city's eastern, besieged districts. The Syrian rebels quickly dismissed Vladimir Putin's initiative.

Later in the day, at least eight civilians were killed in presumed government or Russian air strikes on the rebel-held town of Saraqib in Idlib province, a local search-and-rescue outfit reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces to open humanitarian corridors to eastern Aleppo this Friday, along with two routes for rebels to leave the city "in order to prevent a senseless loss of life," the Defense Ministry announced Wednesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguli Berdymukhamedov in the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016. (Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

One exit leads to the Turkish border, the other to the city of Idlib, according to the ministry.

The U.N. and other relief organizations declined to use the corridors two weeks ago, when Russia first opened them, saying rebels and pro-government forces would not guarantee their safety. Few rebels or civilians were seen leaving the city, either.

Chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov said he was "calling on all leaders of armed groups directly to cease hostilities and leave Aleppo with their weapons."

Gerasimov also said the rebel offensive on the Syrian government-held districts in western Aleppo, which was launched last week, has failed to break through the siege.

"They have no chance to break out of the city," he added.

Rebel groups in Aleppo dismissed Russia's latest offer, with one of the groups describing it as a media stunt for "public consumption."

Yasser al-Youssef, a spokesman for the Nour el-Din el-Zinki rebel group, said Russia "is not serious" and its latest initiatives "don't concern us." He added that the Russian leader's comments do not reflect the reality on the ground.

"We need an international commission to check the Russian lies," al-Youssef said.

Molhem Ekaidi, deputy commander of Fastaqim group, one of the major rebel factions fighting inside Aleppo, also accused the Russians of lying. "The (Russian) shelling and crimes continue and their planes have not left the skies of Aleppo," he said.

The two factions, Nour el-Din el-Zinki and Fastaqim, were later reported clashing among themselves inside the besieged city over detentions, according to activists briefed on the situation.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory said at least one rebel was killed and 24 others wounded in the infighting that followed the arrest of several Nour el-Din el-Zinki fighters by Fastaqim fighters.

The Syrian media activist Ahmad Primo, who maintains contacts with rebels, described the fighting as a simple dust-up.

Meanwhile, the Idlib branch of the Syrian Civil Defense said warplanes launched a dozen strikes on the town in the afternoon. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the Syrian war through local contacts, said the death toll included four children.

The Idlib province has borne the brunt of Russian and government airstrikes since the two air forces relaxed their bombardment of Aleppo two weeks ago. The U.N. says 22 children and six teachers were killed in an air raid on a school in the village of Hass one week ago.

Also on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said other countries involved in Syrian peace negotiations have "sabotaged" the process by backing militant groups intent on toppling Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Lavrov spoke Wednesday at the start of a visit to Greece, a NATO and European Union member that has maintained close ties with Russia. He did not name any countries. Peace talks on Syria have involved U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran.

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El Deeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press Writer Derek Gatopoulos in Athens and Philip Issa in Beirut contributed to this report.
Kazakh man sentenced to death in Islamic extremist attack

MOSCOW (AP)  A court in the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan has sentenced a man to death for killing 10 people in an Islamic extremist attack in the country's largest city earlier this year.

The court in Almaty on Wednesday found that 27-year-old Ruslan Kulekbayev was driven by "religious conviction" in the July shooting attack on a local police station that killed eight police officers and two civilians. Kulekbayev, who pleaded guilty to a terrorist attack and multiple homicides, said he was avenging his "Muslim brothers."

Five other people who supplied Kulekbayev with arms received prison sentences from three to 10 years.
The Latest: Syria rebels dismiss Putin's Aleppo initiatives

BEIRUT (AP)  The Latest on developments in Syria's civil war (all times local):

12:10 p.m.

A spokesman for one of the main Syrian rebel groups in Aleppo has dismissed Russia's humanitarian pause in the city, describing it as a media stunt for "public consumption."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaks with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, during their meeting in Athens, on Wednesdsay, Nov. 2, 2016. Lavrov is in Greece on a two-day official visit. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Yasser al-Youssef, a spokesman for the Nour el-Din el-Zinki rebel group, says Russia "is not serious" and its latest initiatives "don't concern us."

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday offered a new humanitarian pause in rebel-held parts of Aleppo, urging rebels to use it to leave the eastern districts.

Putin has ordered that the aid corridors  which Russia had opened earlier  also be open on Friday, along with two new exit routes for the rebels.

Al-Youssef said the Russian leader's comments do not reflect the reality on the ground. He says the rebels want "an international commission to check the Russian lies."

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11:30 a.m.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says other countries involved in Syrian peace negotiations have "sabotaged" the process by backing militant groups intent on toppling President Bashar Assad.

Lavrov made the remarks on Wednesday at the start of a visit to Greece, a NATO and European Union member that has maintained close ties with Russia.

He did not name any countries. Peace talks on Syria have involved U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran.

Lavrov's trip comes less than two weeks before a visit to Greece by President Barack Obama.

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10:40 a.m.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered a new humanitarian pause in Syria's Aleppo, urging rebels to use it to leave the eastern, besieged districts.

The defense ministry says Putin has ordered that the aid corridors  which Russia had opened earlier  also be open on Friday, for longer hours, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., along with two new exit routes for the rebels to leave eastern Aleppo.

The ministry announced Putin's new gesture in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement says the exits will be open on Friday for both civilians and rebels "in order to prevent a senseless loss of life."
Latest: Man describes confrontations with shooting suspect

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  The Latest on two officers in the Des Moines, Iowa, area who were killed in what authorities describe as ambush-style attacks (all times local):

6 p.m.

A man says he had two recent confrontations with the man police believe ambushed and fatally shot two Des Moines-area police officers.

A vehicle passes a memorial at the site of an early morning shooting scene, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Urbandale, Iowa. Authorities apprehended a man Wednesday suspected in the early morning killings of two Des Moines area police officers who were shot to death while sitting in their patrol cars in what authorities described as separate ambush-style attacks. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Ardis Gardner, who is black, says Scott Michael Greene, who is white, waved a Confederate flag during the national anthem at the group of black parents he was sitting with at an Urbandale High School football game Oct. 14.

Gardner says after Greene refused to stop, he snatched the flag from Greene's hand and threw it on the ground. Off-duty police officers removed Greene from the stadium.

Gardner says a week later Greene followed him and a group of black parents into another football game with a dog that was wearing a gun holster and a Confederate flag vest, and he again sat nearby.

Gardner's 17-year-old son plays for Urbandale.

Gardner recalls believing Greene was stalking him at the games and says: "I'm thinking something is wrong with this dude."

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5 p.m.

President Barack Obama is offering condolences to the families of two Iowa police officers who were killed during what Obama calls "shameful acts of violence."

Obama says in a written statement that Sgt. Anthony Beminio and Officer Justin Martin embodied the most decent human instinct: to put themselves in harm's way for someone else.

Authorities say a white man with a history of racial provocations and confrontations with police ambushed the officers in separate attacks Wednesday as they sat in their patrol cars. Beminio worked for the Des Moines police department. Martin was employed in Urbandale.

Forty-six-year-old Scott Michael Greene was taken into custody after the killings.

Obama says the country owes its respect and gratitude to police officers who go to work every day not knowing whether they'll come home.

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3 p.m.

Residents have been placing flowers and cards on police cruisers set up at memorials outside the Des Moines and Urbandale police departments.

Samantha Hooker brought flowers Wednesday to the growing memorial outside of the Urbandale police headquarters. Hooker, of Urbandale, says she lives near where Urbandale officer Justin Martin was shot and heard police sirens in the early morning hours Wednesday.

Hooker says she decided to bring roses to the memorial because, "I just felt bad about the friends and family of this police officer."

She mentioned the police shootings that have happened around the country and added: "I'm so scared that nobody is going to take care of us anymore."

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12:35 p.m.

An Iowa college says two Des Moines-area police officers who were ambushed and killed were both graduates of its criminal justice program.

Simpson College President Jay Simmons says the deaths of Des Moines Sgt. Anthony Beminio and Urbandale officer Justin Martin are tragic and the loss is "almost too much to bear."

Police say a white man with a history of racial provocations and confrontations with police killed the two officers in separate incidents early Wednesday.

Beminio graduated from Simpson College in Indianola in 2001 and played football.

Martin graduated last year. Professor Fred Jones remembers him as a "kind, gentle, compassionate man" who went into police work because he wanted to serve the public. Martin had interned at the Urbandale Police Department during his senior year.

Simpson's wrestling team will wear blue socks to honor the officers at its meet Thursday.

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12:30 p.m.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch has strongly condemned the killings of two Des Moines area police officers.

Lynch says the shootings early Wednesday are the latest in a "series of senseless attacks" and that "violence has no place in the United States of America."

She says violence is "especially intolerable" when it's directed at law enforcement officers who risk their lives to protect the public.

The shootings follow the fatal ambushes this summer of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Lynch says the Justice Department is determined to give officers the tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.

Scott Michael Greene is suspected in the fatal shootings of Urbandale officer Justin Martin and Des Moines Sgt. Anthony "Tony" Beminio. Greene surrendered late Wednesday morning to a state employee.

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11:45 a.m.

Police have confirmed that weeks before a man was apprehended as a suspect in the killings of two Des Moines area police officers, he was removed from a high school football game because he displayed a Confederate flag during the national anthem.

Urbandale Police Chief Ross McCarty told reporters that Urbandale officers removed Scott Michael Greene from the football game. McCarty says some spectators complained after Greene waved the flag in front of spectators who are minorities.

Greene shot a video of the Oct. 14 incident that he posted online.

He complained to officers that his constitutional rights were being violated because they were throwing him out, but police told him he was on private property and needed to leave.

Greene is suspected in the shooting deaths of Urbandale officer Justin Martin and Des Moines Sgt. Anthony "Tony" Beminio.

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11:20 a.m.

Police say a man suspected in the killings to two Des Moines area officers surrendered to a state Department of Natural Resources officer.

Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek says Scott Michael Greene flagged down the officer Wednesday morning in rural Dallas County, west of Des Moines, and presented his identification.

He was taken into custody and is now being treated at a Des Moines hospital.

Greene is suspected in the shooting deaths of Urbandale officer Justin Martin, with the force since 2015, and Sgt. Anthony "Tony" Beminio, who joined the department in Des Moines in 2005.

Martin was single. Beminio was married with children.

Parizek says Greene is suspected in the killings but hasn't yet been charged.

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10:40 a.m.

The 66-year-old mother of the suspect in the killing of two Iowa police officers was arrested two weeks ago accused of assaulting her son.

A criminal complaint shows Patricia Greene yelled at her son, Scott Michael Greene, to remove his daughter's service dog from her house Oct. 17.

The complaint says Scott Greene was wearing his deceased father's dog tags and that his mother tried to tear them from around his neck. Greene grabbed his mother's hand and she hit and scratched his face.

Scott Greene showed an officer cellphone video of the confrontation.

His mother was released on a $1,000 cash bond and a judge ordered that she have no contact with her son. She is due in court on the charge later this month.

The complaint doesn't say why Greene's daughter has a service dog.

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9:40 a.m.

Police say the suspect in the killings of two Des Moines area police officers is in custody.

Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek says Scott Michael Greene was taken into custody without incident Wednesday morning in Dallas County, just west of Des Moines.

Greene is suspected in the killing of a Des Moines police officer and an Urbandale police officer earlier Wednesday.

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9:15 a.m.

The man wanted in connection with the killing of two Des Moines area police officers has a record of confrontation with police and others.

Iowa court records show 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene, of Urbandale, was jailed and charged with interference with official acts after resisting Urbandale police officers trying to pat him down for a weapon on April 10, 2014. A complaint signed by an Urbandale officer says Greene resisted verbal commands, was hostile and combative. It says he was known to be armed. He entered a guilty plea and was fined.

Two days later Urbandale police were called to answer a complaint of harassment at the apartment complex where Greene lived. The complaint says he threatened to kill another man during a confrontation in the parking lot. He was charged with harassment, pleaded guilty and received a suspended jail sentence and a year of probation.

Records show he completed a court-ordered substance abuse and psychological evaluation.

Des Moines police say Greene is a suspect in the shootings early Wednesday in Des Moines and the suburb of Urbandale.

9 a.m.

Police say a "series of leads and investigative tips" led them to identify a suspect in the killing of two Des Moines area police officers.

Des Moines Sgt. Paul Parizek wouldn't give details about how investigators determined 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene, of Urbandale, was a suspect in the separate shootings early Wednesday in Des Moines and the suburb of Urbandale.

Parizek says officers don't know where Greene is located.

Police have closed long stretches of the roads, about two miles apart, where the officers were found in their cars.

The Urbandale officer was dead at the scene and the Des Moines officer died at a hospital.

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7:40 a.m.

Police say they have identified a suspect in the early morning killing of two Des Moines area police officers, warning he is likely armed and should be considered dangerous.

Police said in a statement Wednesday that they are hunting for 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene, of Urbandale.

He is described as white, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 180 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. He was last known to be driving a blue 2011 Ford F-150 pickup truck with Iowa license plates 780 YFR.

The truck is equipped with a ladder rack.

Investigators identified Greene as a suspect as they scrambled to respond to the killings of officers in Urbandale and Des Moines in separate shootings.

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5:10 a.m.

Police in Des Moines, Iowa, say two officers who were killed in ambush-style attacks were both shot while they were sitting in their patrol cars.

Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said Wednesday that authorities are developing suspect information but there was nothing that authorities were ready to share with the public.

Parizek was emotional during a news conference. He says there is "clearly danger" right now for police officers in the area because the officers were gunned down while sitting in their cars doing nothing wrong. He says the department has doubled up its officers to better protect them.

The first officer, an Urbandale officer, was shot about 1:06 a.m. About 20 minutes later, a Des Moines officer was found shot about 2 miles away.

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4:50 a.m.

Authorities say two police officers in the Des Moines, Iowa, area were shot to death in ambush-style attacks about 2 miles apart.

The Des Moines Police Department said in a news release that officers responded to a report of shots fired at about 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot.

Des Moines officers responded to help. About 20 minutes later, a Des Moines officer was found shot about 2 miles away. Both officers have died.

The Des Moines Police Department said suspect information is being developed. The agency didn't immediately release any other information but said a news conference was planned for 5 a.m.

Urbandale is a city in the Des Moines metro area.

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4:30 a.m.

Police in Des Moines, Iowa, say two officers have been shot and killed in ambush-style attacks.

The Des Moines Police Department said in a news release that the shootings took place early Wednesday. Officers responded to a report of shots fired at about 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot.

Des Moines officers responded to assist. About 20 minutes later, a Des Moines officer was found shot. Both officers have died.

The Des Moines Police Department said suspect information is being developed. The agency didn't immediately release any other information but said a news conference was planned for 5 a.m.

This undated photo provided by the Des Moines Police Department shows Urbandale, Iowa police Officer Justin Martin, who is one of two Des Moines area police officers shot to death early Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Police say Scott Michael Greene, of Urbandale, the man suspected in the killings surrendered Wednesday to a state Department of Natural Resources officer. (Des Moines Police Department via AP)

This undated photo provided by the Des Moines Police Department shows Des Moines police Sgt. Anthony "Tony" Beminio, who is one of two Des Moines area police officers shot to death early Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Police say Scott Michael Greene, of Urbandale, Iowa, the man suspected in the killings, surrendered Wednesday to a state Department of Natural Resources officer. (Des Moines Police Department via AP)

Attorney General Loretta Lynch pauses while speaking about the ambush-style killing of two Des Moines, Iowa police officers, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, at the Justice Department in Washington. Lynch called shootings yet another in a series of senseless attacks and said violence has no place in the United States of America. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

This undated photo provided by the Des Moines Police Department shows Scott Michael Greene, of Urbandale, Iowa. Des Moines and Urbandale Police said in a statement Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, that they have identified Greene as a suspect in the killings early Wednesday morning of two Des Moines area police officers. The two officers were shot to death in separate ambush-style attacks while they were sitting in their patrol cars. (Des Moines Police Department via AP)

Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek speaks during a news conference Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, at Des Moines police headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. Authorities say two police officers in the Des Moines, Iowa, area were shot to death in ambush-style attacks about 2 miles apart. (AP Photo/Scott McFetridge)
10 Things to Know for Thursday - 3 November 2016

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Thursday:

1. ALL-TOO-FAMILIAR SWING STATE VITAL FOR TRUMP

Both sides agree the billionaire businessman has virtually no chance to win the presidency without Florida's trove of 29 electoral votes.

Police officers from the Urbandale Police Department become emotional near a memorial for Urbandale officer Justin Martin, who was shot and killed Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016 in Urbandale, Iowa. A white man with a history of racial provocations and confrontations with police ambushed and fatally shot two white Des Moines-area officers in separate attacks Wednesday as they sat in their patrol cars, authorities said. (Bryon Houlgrave/The Des Moines Register via AP)

2. IRAQI SPECIAL FORCES PUSH INTO EASTERN MOSUL

As Islamic State fighters are driven out, celebrations include children flashing the "V'' for victory sign.

3. CUBS-INDIANS JUST LATEST IN WORLD SERIES GAME SEVENS

Maybe the most memorable came in 1960 when Bill Mazeroski ripped a home run in the bottom of the ninth to lift Pittsburgh over the Yankees, 10-9.

4. SUSPECT IN CUSTODY IN POLICE KILLINGS

A white man with a history of racial provocations and interactions with police is accused of ambushing and fatally shooting two white Des Moines-area officers.

5. HOW FACEBOOK AIMS TO BOOST ADVERTISING REVENUE

The social network's latest strategy is to stress videos  and the ads that can be sold around them.

6. JURY SEATED IN TRIAL OF WHITE OFFICER WHO SHOT BLACK MAN IN BACK

The slaying in South Carolina stunned the nation after it was recorded by a bystander.

7. WHO'S UNDER GROWING PRESSURE TO QUIT

South African President Jacob Zuma faces calls to resign amid suspected corruption at the top levels of his government.

8. US, EUROPE AT ODDS OVER IRANIAN AIRLINE

The airline, backed by the notorious Revolutionary Guard, acquires rights to fly routes in more than a dozen countries despite U.S. terror-related sanctions.

9. WHY NEW CANCER TREATMENTS ARE PROBLEMATIC

In rare cases, some powerful new therapies that harness the immune system to fight cancer may cause potentially fatal heart damage.

10. CMAs CELEBRATE 50TH BIRTHDAY

A mix of classic and contemporary country music stars helps mark the milestone in Nashville at the annual awards show.

FILE - In this May 16, 2012, file photo, the Facebook logo is displayed on an iPad in Philadelphia. Facebook reports financial results Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Bombs, bribes, mud as Nigeria's Boko Haram refugees go home

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP)  First, there was the bomb blast that killed eight people. Then, delays as soldiers demanded bribes to escort the survivors on their journey. Finally, the way was blocked by trucks mired in churned-up mud.

When the refugees from Boko Haram's Islamic insurgency eventually made it home to a newly liberated town in northeast Nigeria, they found "people but no food." Last week, as they made the hazardous trip for a second time with food and other supplies, a truck exploded a land mine, wounding several refugees.

But many say the dangerous journey is preferable to the hunger, humiliation and inhumane conditions in refugee camps where more than 1 million Nigerians, displaced by Boko Haram, are waiting to go home. Many are in Maiduguri, the biggest city in the northeast, the birthplace of Boko Haram, which has killed more than 20,000 and forced 2.6 million from their homes.

FILE-In this file photo taken Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, women displaced by Islamist extremists wait for food to be handed out to them at the Bakassi camp in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Many say the dangerous journey is preferable to the hunger, humiliation and inhumane conditions in refugee camps where more than 1 million Nigerians, displaced by Boko Haram, are waiting to go home. Many are in Maiduguri, the biggest city in the northeast, the birthplace of Boko Haram, which has killed more than 20,000 and forced 2.6 million from their homes. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba,File)

As Nigeria's military pushes back against the insurgency and declares once-inaccessible regions to be liberated, more and more refugees are weighing whether to return.

The journey is just the first challenge. The returnees find firebombed homes, destroyed wells and the constant fear of attack by the extremists, who roam the region and keeps vast parts of it inaccessible. The fear keeps returnees from planting their crops, despite famine-like conditions that aid workers warn are already killing children and threatening hundreds of thousands.

"Nigeria is facing the worst humanitarian crisis on the African continent," Peter Lundberg, the acting U.N. deputy humanitarian coordinator, said last week.

The Associated Press tracked returnees to the twin towns of Gamboru-Ngala, on the border with Cameroon, which Nigeria's military liberated in August.

The towns had suffered one of the worst attacks by Boko Haram, whose fighters struck the night of May 5, 2014, in two armored cars stolen from the military, firing rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles. They killed more than 300 people and destroyed almost every building in the towns, which are a major trading post on an international highway.

After the military declared the twin towns liberated, residents eager to return home were told to gather at a bus station on Maiduguri's outskirts. But for weeks, they found little help.

"The government said we could return home, but for over a month now ... we have been abandoned," said one displaced trader, Baba Gana. "We have nothing to eat; some women are resorting to selling their clothing while others take to the streets to beg."

Many residents said soldiers, who say they are not being paid, were demanding bribes to accompany them home. Nigeria's military denied those charges. But truckers confirmed they have to pay the equivalent of up to $600 for military escorts.

This month, a group of residents decided to set out on their own. Before they even left Maiduguri, a bomb exploded in a taxi van, killing eight, according to the emergency management agency.

The determined convoy still set off, only to find the highway blocked by 18 trucks mired in mud on what used to be a paved road, according to Amodu Musa, secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers. He said they hired a crane and towing vans to pull out the vehicles.

"But when we got to Gamboru, we discovered that there were people but no food."

Musa returned to Maiduguri to help organize a convoy of food and other supplies, and plead for a military escort.

That convoy finally got under way last week, with more than 200 buses, taxi vans, cars and trucks loaded high with returnees sitting on piles of yams and bags of rice and flour.

But the convoy had not gone 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) out of the city before a truck exploded a land mine. Several wounded returnees were taken to hospitals in Maiduguri, according to Brig. Gen. Jubrin Muhammed, but the rest of the convoy continued making their way home.

Last week, President Muhammadu Buhari launched a committee to draw up strategy for resettlement and reconstruction of the shattered region. People "have lost to everything to the insurgency," he said.

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Russia's foreign minister: US can't solve world crises alone

ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Russia's foreign minister on Wednesday said the next U.S. administration would have to work with Moscow to solve world crises, and argued that the peace process in Syria had been "sabotaged" by other countries involved in talks.

Days before the U.S. presidential election, Sergey Lavrov made the remarks on a visit to Greece, a NATO and European Union member that has maintained close ties with Russia.

"If you remember a few months ago (President Barack) Obama said just that: 'We are the ones who should lay down the rules.' It may have been arrogant but at least he was honest," Lavrov said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, listens a question during a news conference with his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias in Athens, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Lavrov said other countries involved in Syrian peace negotiations have "sabotaged" the process by backing militant groups intent on toppling President Bashar Assad. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

"If this is the way our American partners think, it means we will have to go through a painful period of realization that no one can do anything on their own."

Lavrov met with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias as part of a friendship initiative between the two countries that included multiple cultural exchanges and a visit to Greece in May by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Over the weekend, the Russian navy destroyer Smetlivy reached Greece's main port of Piraeus before sailing onto the east Mediterranean to join warships backing government forces in Syria's five-year-old civil war.

Lavrov argued that U.S. backing of Syrian rebels opposed to President Bashar Assad was extending the war.

"Unfortunately on many occasions, efforts for a political resolution have been sabotaged. That is not in accordance with U.N. Security Council resolutions . Some parties are backing extremists aimed at removing the Assad regime," he said.

"If those resolutions had been carried out in an honest way, the situation in Syria would have already improved."

He didn't name any countries. Peace talks have involved U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran.

Russia's relations with the U.S. and its allies came under further strain after Moscow used airpower to back a Syrian government siege of Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city. Peace talks resumed after Russia halted the airstrikes last month.

"We have seen that after every humanitarian pause, the opportunity is used by the terrorists to strengthen their manpower and weaponry," Lavrov said.

Athens is keen to maintain close ties with fellow-Orthodox Christian Russia, despite its participation in EU sanctions against Moscow, and a gas pipeline project designed to limit Russia's regional energy dominance.

Russia is one of Greece's main trading partners, but business has been hit by the sanctions and a drop in commodity prices.

Lavrov's trip comes less than two weeks before a visit to Greece by Obama.

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Nataliya Vasilyeva in Moscow contributed. Follow Gatopoulos at http://www.twitter.com/dgatopoulos and Vasilyeva at http://www.twitter.com/NatVasilyevaAP

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, chats with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, during their meeting in Athens, on Wednesdsay, Nov. 2, 2016. Lavrov is in Greece on a two-day official visit. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left chats with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, during their meeting in Athens, on Wednesdsay, Nov. 2, 2016. Lavrov is in Greece on a two-day official visit. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, listens Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, during their meeting in Athens, on Wednesdsay, Nov. 2, 2016. Lavrov is in Greece on a two-day official visit. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaks with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, during their meeting in Athens, on Wednesdsay, Nov. 2, 2016. Lavrov is in Greece on a two-day official visit. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left chats with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, during their meeting in Athens, on Wednesdsay, Nov. 2, 2016. Lavrov is in Greece on a two-day official visit. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left shakes hands with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, during their meeting in Athens, on Wednesdsay, Nov. 2, 2016. Lavrov is in Greece on a two-day official visit. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, chats with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, during their meeting in Athens, on Wednesdsay, Nov. 2, 2016. Lavrov is in Greece on a two-day official visit. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during a news conference with his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias in Athens, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Lavrov said other countries involved in Syrian peace negotiations have "sabotaged" the process by backing militant groups intent on toppling President Bashar Assad. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, and his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias prepare to sign a Consultation Program of Greece and Russian Foreign Ministries in Athens, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Lavrov said other countries involved in Syrian peace negotiations have "sabotaged" the process by backing militant groups intent on toppling President Bashar Assad. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, and his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias sign a Consultation Program of Greece and Russian Foreign Ministries in Athens, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Lavrov said other countries involved in Syrian peace negotiations have "sabotaged" the process by backing militant groups intent on toppling President Bashar Assad. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Autopsy: Man killed by Chicago-area police was shot 5 times

CHICAGO (AP)  An autopsy by the Cook County medical examiner's office has determined that a man killed by suburban Chicago police was shot five times, including once in the back.

Donte Jones of Maywood, a father of four, was celebrating a friend's birthday at a nightclub in Markham Oct. 2, when he was shot by a police officer responding to a fight in the parking lot.

Markham Police Chief Mack Sanders has said the officer believed his safety was at risk from an armed man "in close proximity" and shot him. Sanders says the officer has been placed on modified duty pending an investigation into the shooting.
Time Warner 3Q results top Street; raises outlook

NEW YORK (AP)  Time Warner's third-quarter performance beat analysts' estimates, thanks partly to revenue growth spurred by the success of films such as "Suicide Squad" and "Sully."

The media company  which is in the midst of a proposed $85 billion tie-up with AT&T  also boosted its full-year adjusted profit forecast again.

For the three months ended Sept. 30, Time Warner earned $1.47 billion, or $1.86 per share. That compares with $1.04 billion, or $1.26 per share, a year earlier.

FILE - In this Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, file photo, people walk past the Time Warner building, in New York. Time Warner reports financial results Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Stripping out certain items, earnings were $1.83 per share.

Analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research were looking for earnings of $1.36 per share.

Revenue increased to $7.17 billion from $6.56 billion. That beat the $7 billion that analysts predicted, according to a Zacks poll.

Revenue at Warner Bros. rose 7 percent as higher movie theater revenue offset lower videogame revenue. Aside from strong showings by "Suicide Squad" and "Sully," revenue improved thanks to the releases of "The Legend of Tarzan" and "Lights Out."

Turner's revenue rose 9 percent, mostly on higher content and subscription revenue. For HBO, revenue climbed 4 percent thanks to increased subscription revenue.

Time Warner Inc. now anticipates full-year adjusted earnings from continuing operations between $5.73 and $5.83 per share. The New York-based company said the forecast includes a tax benefit of 28 cents per share that was recognized in the third quarter. The tax benefit is related to an IRS-approved tax accounting method change.

Time Warner's prior guidance was for earnings in a range of $5.35 to $5.45 per share. Before that, its outlook was for earnings between $5.30 and $5.40 per share.

Analysts polled by FactSet expect full-year earnings of $5.42 per share.

Its shares rose slipped 67 cents to $87.58 in midday trading. Its shares are up more than 14 percent over the past year.

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Elements of this story were generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on TWX at https://www.zacks.com/ap/TWX

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Moldova: pro-Russian candidate leads ahead of runoff

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP)  Final results from the first round of Moldova's presidential election show a pro-Russian front-runner with a strong lead over a pro-European candidate before the Nov. 13 runoff.

The Central Election Commission said Wednesday that Igor Dodon won 47.98 percent of the vote to Maia Sandu's 38.71 percent in Sunday's ballot, coming top in a field of nine.

Both candidates tapped into widespread anger about high-level corruption. Dodon promises to restore ties with Russia, while ex-World Bank economist Sandu pledges to crack down on corruption.

The leader of Socialists Party Igor Dodon speaks to media after casting his vote during the presidential elections in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Moldovans began voting Sunday for a president in an election that could move the former Soviet republic closer to Europe or push it back into Russia's orbit.(AP Photo/Roveliu Buga)

Moldova's president shapes the country's foreign policy and appoints judges but major decisions need approval from Parliament, where pro-European politicians have a majority.

However, this is the first time Moldovans have directly elected a president in 20 years, giving the post more authority and influence.
18 killed, 43 injured as farmers, herders clash in Niger

NIAMEY, Niger (AP)  Officials in Niger say 18 people have been killed in fighting between farmers and herders in this West African nation.

A government statement says another 43 people were injured and homes were burned in Tuesday's fighting in the community of Bangui in the Tahoua region.

The statement says an investigation is underway into the "atrocious acts."
Belgian immigration chief fined for refusing Aleppo visas

BRUSSELS (AP)  Belgium's immigration minister is refusing to grant humanitarian visas to a family in the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo despite being fined 4,000 euros ($4,438) a day for defying an appeal tribunal.

A lawyer for the family, Olivier Stein, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the Belgian tribunal ruled three times that visas should be granted to the two adults with children aged 5 and 8 living in one of Syria's most dangerous cities.

Immigration Minister Theo Francken, whose office supervises Belgium's visa authority, has been visited by a bailiff directed by the tribunal, demanding 1,000 euros per person for each day that visas are not delivered. The tally so far is more than 30,000 euros ($33,000). The bailiff could confiscate goods to pay the fines.

This still image taken from drone footage, posted online by the communications arm of Ahrar al-Sham militant group, purports to show a blast on the ground, apparently the result of an airstrike, in an Assad neighborhood of Aleppo, Syria. Syrian government forces launched a counteroffensive Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, under the cover of airstrikes in an attempt to regain control of areas they had lost to insurgents the day before in the northern city of Aleppo, activists and state media said. (Ahrar al-Sham, militant video, via AP)

"We're going to use all possible legal means to fight this affair. This is going too far," Francken told state broadcaster RTBF on Tuesday.

Friends in the city of Namur have offered to lodge and feed the family. But Francken said their links with the would-be refugees are tenuous and that granting visas could set a precedent that would open the floodgates to other demands. He also believes the government and not courts should rule on visa policy.

Stein said the family is only interested in finding sanctuary.

"We offered him the opportunity to drop this, to just give us the visas and forget the money. But he refused. So he's the one putting himself in a position where he faces a fine or sanctions. He's making the Belgian taxpayer pay for not granting these visas," Stein said.

He rejected Francken's claim that the case might set a precedent.

"This is a family who can prove they are in immediate danger of being killed. This is a very special case. We have provided proof of that," Stein said.

Francken "can't cry about migrants drowning in the Mediterranean, then force people to put their lives in danger," Stein added.

The friends of the Syrian family say they are hopeful that things will turn out well, but they too insist that they aren't seeking money.

"We're not the ones who are asking for money. It's the Belgian justice system that set this amount," one friend said. She declined to be named out of concern for the security of both families, saying that hers had already received threats.

Aleppo is the main focal point of the conflict in Syria.

East Aleppo has been subjected to a ferocious campaign of aerial attacks by Russian and Syrian government warplanes, and hundreds of people have been killed in recent weeks, according to opposition activists and trapped residents. The U.N. estimates that 275,000 people are trapped in the city.
Trump camp calls KKK newspaper 'repulsive' after praise

WASHINGTON (AP)  Donald Trump's campaign is firmly rejecting the embrace of a Ku Klux Klan-affiliated newspaper.

The latest issue of The Crusader used Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan as its headline for an editorial praising the catchphrase and the Republican presidential candidate. The newspaper bills itself as "The Premier Voice of the White Resistance."

The newspaper didn't specifically call for readers to vote for Trump.

In a statement, the Trump campaign calls the newspaper "repulsive." It said its "views do not represent the tens of millions of Americans who are uniting behind our campaign."
Malta says no EU pressure to refuse Russian tanker refueling

VALLETTA, Malta (AP)  Malta's foreign minister says the southern European Union nation decided on its own  and not under EU pressure  to withdraw permission for a Russian tanker to refuel in Malta last week.

Foreign Minister George Vella said Wednesday that Malta revoked fueling permission because it did not want to be part of a "war machine." Vella spoke at a joint press conference with the EU commissioner for foreign affairs, Federica Mogherini, who said there had been no EU directive instructing members not to support the Russian war vessel.

Spain and Malta both withdrew permission to the Russian tanker amid concerns that a flotilla of Russian warships would support airstrikes in Syria.
Grammy-winning Brave Combo's ex-drummer reported missing

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)  Police in Little Rock are searching for a former drummer for the Grammy Award-winning polka-rock band Brave Combo who hasn't been seen in two weeks.

Police say Joe Cripps was last seen Oct. 19 or Oct. 20 and that his family reported him missing. Cripps previously played drums with Brave Combo, a Denton, Texas-based band that won Grammys in 1999 and 2004 for best polka album.

Cripps' brother, James Cripps, tells the Dallas Morning News (http://bit.ly/2faVDlr ) that his brother was scheduled to play a gig on Oct. 21, but he never showed.
A look at killings of law enforcement officers in the US

Two Des Moines, Iowa area police officers were shot to death early Wednesday in separate ambush-style attacks while they were sitting in their patrol cars, and police said they were searching for a known suspect. Here is a look at some of the other killings of law enforcement officers in the U.S.

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July 17: A Missouri man armed with two rifles and a pistol and wearing a ski mask ambushed and killed three officers near a gas station and convenience store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The gunman, Gavin Long, was killed by police. His mother said the Iraq war veteran suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

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July 7: A gunman in Dallas opened fire on police officers working at a protest about recent killings by police of black men in Minnesota and Louisiana. The attacker, Micah Johnson, killed five officers and wounded nine others and two civilians before police killed him with a robot-delivered bomb when negotiations failed. Authorities say Johnson, who was black, told negotiators he wanted to kill as many white police officers as he could. It was the deadliest day for American law enforcement since Sept. 11, 2001.

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Dec 28, 2015: Officer Guarionex Candelario Rivera showed up unannounced at his police station in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and fatally shot three fellow officers. Candelario, a 19-year police veteran, killed Lt. Luz Soto Segarra, Cmdr. Frank Roman Rodriguez and policewoman Rosario Hernandez De Hoyos. Candelario was shot twice but survived.

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July 13, 2014: Jersey City, New Jersey Officer Melvin Santiago was shot in the head by a man who had grabbed a security officer's gun, waited for police to arrive and then opened fire outside a drug store. The shooter was killed by other officers. Investigators later said the suspect had alcohol and PCP in his system and cocaine in his possession.

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May 9, 2015: Two Hattiesburg, Mississippi, police officers, Benjamin Deen and Liquori Tate, were shot to death during a traffic stop. Three suspects were later arrested.

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Dec 20, 2014: Two New York City police officers, Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, were ambushed and shot to death in their vehicle without warning by a man who approached the passenger window of their marked police car. The suspect, 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley, then fatally shot himself. Brinsley was black; the officers were Asian and Hispanic, police said. The shooting came amid heightened tensions between law enforcement and minority communities.

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September 12, 2014: A survivalist ambushed two Pennsylvania state troopers outside of a police barracks late at night, killing Cpl. Bryon Dickson and wounding Trooper Alex Douglass. Suspect Eric Frein led authorities on a 48-day manhunt through the heavily wooded Pocono Mountains before U.S. marshals captured him at an abandoned airplane hangar. He has pleaded not guilty.

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June 8, 2014: A man and a woman ambushed two police officers eating lunch at a Las Vegas pizza restaurant, fatally shooting them before fleeing to a nearby Wal-Mart where they killed a third person and then themselves in an apparent suicide pact. Officers Alyn Beck and Igor Soldo died.

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May 25, 2013: Bardstown, Kentucky Police Officer Jason Ellis was fatally shot in an ambush as he cleared debris from a parkway exit ramp. Investigators believe tree limbs were put on the exit ramp to force Ellis to stop.

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Aug. 28, 2010: Two police officers were ambushed in a tiny Alaskan village of Hoonah before a SWAT team and dozens of other law officers surrounded a house where the gunman took refuge. Officers Tony Wallace and Matt Tokuoka died after the shooting. Hoonah resident John Marvin Jr. was captured and charged in the deaths.

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May 20, 2010: Two West Memphis, Arkansas, police officers doing anti-drug work were shot to death by two men wielding AK-47s along a busy Arkansas interstate. Sgt. Brandon Paudert and Officer Bill Evans died at a nearby hospital. The suspects were later killed in a shootout that injured the local sheriff and a deputy at a crowded Wal-Mart parking lot.

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Get out and vote, small business owners tell employees

NEW YORK (AP)  Reports of long lines for early voting persuaded Darlene Hollywood  she's giving her 13 employees at Hollywood Public Relations the morning of Election Day off.

"I don't want people to feel they have to make a choice of, 'I need to get to the office' or 'I can participate in my civic duty,'" says Hollywood, whose firm is based in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Small business owners who want to make it easy for their staffers to vote are giving them flex time, balloting breaks, or, like Hollywood, opening late. Some, joining a list of companies of all sizes that includes giants like General Motors and Ford, will be closed for the whole day. Owners say they want to encourage everyone to vote  some saying the intense emotions in the presidential race this year make it particularly significant and others that they feel it's important to be involved in what happens in their country, state and city.

In this Oct. 26, 2016, photo, casino workers vote at an early voting site in Las Vegas. With Election Day approaching, many small businesses want to make it easy for staffers to vote. So theyre giving them flex time, balloting breaks or are opening several hours late. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Many states have laws requiring employers to give workers time off to vote, and some of those states require that employees be paid if they have to vote during working hours. There is no federal law granting workers the right to voting time off. But many owners aren't motivated strictly by the law.

On past Election Days, Brenda Jones Barwick saw employees hurrying to get their work done at the end of the day and hoping they'd still have time to vote.

"People were rushing out of here at 6:30 trying to get in line before the polls closed at 7," says Barwick, owner of Jones Public Relations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

This year, she's decided that neither her 20 staffers nor the company itself needs a chaotic day. So she won't open the office until 10 a.m. on Election Day. Jones plans to email clients to let them know and hopes the idea spreads: "I'm encouraging other companies to do the same."

After giving staffers time during the day to vote in past elections, Dan Golden decided this year to close his Chicago-based internet advertising firm, Be Found Online. He wants to be sure that none of his 50 employees has any excuse not to vote, including those who are sounding disaffected in this emotionally charged election year.

"I'm hoping to influence the number of employees who weren't going to bother," says Golden, the company's president.

Golden, who wants other companies to give workers voting time off, is campaigning via a website, www.employersforvto.org . He'd also like to see Election Day made a national holiday.

"The best we can do is empower our employees to do what's right and make it easier for them, so work isn't an excuse," he says.

Some bosses are letting employees decide when to take time off to vote, even if it's in the middle of the day.

"Regardless of what you are doing, feel free to get up and go vote  it's your right," Chris Pontine has told the two employees of his Fort Gratiot, Michigan-based company, Creating a Website Today. He calls his policy, which he's had since he started his company in 2012, a simple approach.

With early voting underway in Idaho, Jessica Flynn has told her 12 staffers they can take the time to vote on any day, not just Nov. 8.

"They can do it this afternoon or on Election Day," says Flynn, CEO of Red Sky, a communications strategy firm based in Boise. "Whenever they need to, whenever they want to."

She wants them to be involved, concerned voters.

"I see it as part of our company's mission to help grow and support engaged, curious and knowledgeable citizens of the world," she says.

Joe Laskowski, managing partner at Higher Ed Growth in Tempe, Arizona, recalls past voting that had people in line for hours waiting to cast their ballots. He doesn't want employees at the firm, which helps colleges form their marketing strategies, to feel under pressure.

"We don't care if you're late or take a long lunch," Laskowski says, "just get it done to have a voice."

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Follow Joyce Rosenberg at www.twitter.com/JoyceMRosenberg . Her work can be found here: http://bigstory.ap.org/content/joyce-m-rosenberg

FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2016 file photo, voters stand in line at an early polling site in San Antonio. With Election Day approaching, many small businesses want to make it easy for staffers to vote. So theyre giving them flex time, balloting breaks or are opening several hours late. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2016 file photo, people vote at a polling station on the first day of early voting in Miami-Dade County for the general election in Miami. With Election Day approaching, many small businesses want to make it easy for staffers to vote. So theyre giving them flex time, balloting breaks or are opening several hours late. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Pakistan withdraws 6 diplomats from New Delhi amid tension

ISLAMABAD (AP)  Pakistan on Wednesday withdrew six diplomats from its embassy in New Delhi, officials said, amid rising tension between the two countries over the disputed region of Kashmir.

In another mark of the increasing animosity and suspicion between the nuclear-armed neighbors, two Pakistani officials said that they had uncovered an alleged "network of Indian spy agencies" working at the Indian embassy in Islamabad. They said authorities have sought Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's approval to expel a number of Indian diplomats. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the issue.

In New Delhi, Vikas Swarup, the Indian External Affairs Ministry's spokesman, confirmed that six Pakistani diplomats flew back to Islamabad after being withdrawn by their government. He told The Associated Press that Pakistan had not yet expelled any Indian diplomats from the country.

Swarup said earlier Wednesday that India had summoned senior Pakistani diplomat Syed Haider Shah to protest cease-fire violations in Kashmir.

Last week, India expelled Pakistani diplomat Mahmood Akhtar from the embassy in New Delhi after detaining him on espionage charges. Within hours, Islamabad retaliated by expelling Indian diplomat Sujeel Singh.

Akhtar told The Associated Press that he was arrested by Indian police while visiting the zoo in New Delhi. He said that while in detention he was tortured and forced to confess on camera to working for Pakistan's spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence.

He said that police kicked him with batons and beat him. "My whole body is still in pain," he said. No Indian official was immediately available to comment.

The diplomatic spat has grown out of rising violence in Kashmir, a mountainous region claimed by both countries and divided into Pakistani and Indian-controlled regions. Several troops from both sides have died in recent skirmishes along the Line of Control, which demarcates the two parts of Kashmir.

A number of militant attacks in Indian-controlled Kashmir have added to the tension.

Two of the three wars between India and Pakistan since 1947 have been fought over their competing claims to Kashmir.

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Virginia man opens home to Chinese tourist hurt in crash

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP)  A Fairfax man has opened his home to two tourists from China as one recovers from major injuries sustained in a bus crash.

WRC-TV reports (http://bit.ly/2ezRHaq) Yijing Du and her 28-year-old son, Bin Jiang, were riding in a bus June 14 when it crashed head-on with a car on George Washington Parkway in Mt. Vernon, Va.

Du was injured in the crash and had both of her legs partially amputated.

Jiang created a GoFundMe page to help with Du's medical expenses, which are expected to top $100,000. The page was soon discovered by Fairfax resident Chris Dodge.

Dodge, who had just started studying Mandarin, invited Du and Jiang to live with him in his two-bedroom apartment indefinitely.

Doctors say Du's recovery is expected to take six months of intensive treatment.

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Police find 3 children killed, father hanged in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  Three young children were killed and their father was found hanged in an apparent murder-suicide in southern Puerto Rico, police said Wednesday.

Police found the bodies of two girls and a boy inside a home in the coastal city of Ponce after receiving a call about a man who took his own life, Officer Mayra Ayala told The Associated Press. Police said the children were 6, 8 and 10 years old and apparently were asphyxiated. They identified the father as 50-year-old Erick Seguinot.

Police chief Jose Caldero told reporters that the man had been charged with domestic violence and was out on bond in a case involving the children's mother. The man had a hearing later this month and had been ordered to wear an ankle monitor.

Caldero said the children's mother was traveling outside of Puerto Rico and that a recent protection order did not prohibit Seguinot from being with his children. Officials said the mother is apparently from Brazil.

Ginette Collazo, director of the school that the children attended, said in a statement that they were excellent students who were fluent in three languages and radiated happiness. They were in first, third and fifth grade.

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Johnson, Feingold make final pitches in tightening race

MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, trying to hold on to his seat in a race where he's long been seen as vulnerable, went hard and soft in two new ads Wednesday in his tightening race against Democratic former Sen. Russ Feingold.

Feingold and a PAC supporting him also released new spots as they try to compete with the roughly $7 million spent to promote Johnson since Monday. Democrats have long seen the seat as a likely pickup and key to their hopes of regaining majority control of the Senate.

A Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday showed the race about even, just as it did three weeks ago. Feingold had an 11-point lead in that poll in early August. The latest survey of 1,255 likely voters was done between Oct. 26 and Monday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson speaks in support of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who made a campaign stop at UW-Eau Claire's Zorn Arena in Eau Claire, Wis., Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016. (Dan Reiland/The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram via AP)

Feingold was campaigning Wednesday in Milwaukee with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and was expected to join Vice President Joe Biden at a Friday night rally in Madison. Johnson, meanwhile, was gearing up for a Republican bus tour on Thursday with Gov. Scott Walker, with House Speaker Paul Ryan joining him for a final sweep leading up to Tuesday.

Both candidates and their backers were flooding the airwaves with ads.

One of Johnson's new spots features him sitting by a roaring fire, speaking directly to the camera about hope, kindness and courage with soothing acoustic guitar music in the background. The other spot features ominous music and dark images as the narrator slams Feingold as someone who spent his 34-year political career "in it for himself, not for you."

Feingold launched a new ad called "Bigger Van" that emphasizes his travels across the state, saying he heard from seniors "concerned Ron Johnson is going to turn Medicare into a voucher program."

The End Citizens United PAC announced Wednesday it was spending $500,000 on ads in Wisconsin that attack Johnson for taking a $10 million payout from his plastics company, Pacur, after leaving the company when he was elected to the Senate in 2010.

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Follow Scott Bauer on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sbauerAP and find more of his work at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/scott-bauer
Uber takes its app down new road with redesign

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Uber is taking its ride-hailing app down a new road in an effort to make it smarter, simpler and more fun to use.

The redesigned app also will seek to mine personal information stored on smartphones in a change that could raise privacy concerns, even though it will be up to individual users to let Uber peer into their calendars and address books.

The change represents the biggest overhaul in four years to Uber's popular app, which is used by millions of people to summon cars in more than 450 cities around the world for rides that are usually cheaper than traditional taxis.

FILE - In this Dec. 16, 2014, file photo a man leaves the headquarters of Uber in San Francisco. Uber is taking its ride-hailing app down a new road in an effort to make it smarter, simpler and more fun to use. The redesigned app also will seek to mine personal information stored on smartphones in a change that could raise privacy concerns, even though it will be up to individual users to let Uber peer into their calendars and address books.(AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

But as Uber has grown, the app has been adding features that have made it more difficult to navigate. The new design and features are designed to save passengers time and money. The new app will begin to roll out Wednesday, though it could take a couple weeks before all users get the update.

As part of the new look, Uber will spell out more clearly how long it will take and how much it will cost to reach a destination in different types of available cars. The app will also recommend the best places to be picked up in congested areas.

The reprogrammed app also will study a rider's traveling history and list frequently ordered destinations as "shortcuts."

In another time-saving move that will test how much users trust the San Francisco company with their personal information, users will be able to give the app access to their calendars so addresses listed in an entry can automatically appear in the Uber app near the time of the appointment. Uber plans to introduce this option by next month.

Starting in December, Uber will also seek access to users' personal contacts so they can ask for a ride to where a friend currently is, even if the friend isn't home. If this feature is activated, Uber's app will contact the friend to ask if he or she is willing to share the current location. If the friend doesn't have the Uber app, the request will be sent through a text message to the mobile number listed in the address book.

Uber says it doesn't expect privacy objections because users will have to agree to allow the app to scan their calendars and address books. And people whose locations are being sought through the new address-book feature will be able to decide if they want to share the information.
Police: Memphis park shooting may have been over cellphone

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)  A shooting at a Memphis park that left a 16-year-old girl dead and wounded five other youths possibly stemmed from a disagreement over a cellphone, police said Wednesday.

A group of people wearing bandannas over their faces opened fire Tuesday night at Zodiac Park, Memphis police spokesman Louis Brownlee said.

A 16-year-old girl died at the scene. Four other females and a male were wounded and taken to hospitals. The male and one of the females were in critical condition Wednesday, Brownlee said.

All the shooting victims are from Mississippi and are 21 years old or younger, Brownlee said.

The suspects fled in a tan vehicle, police said. Officers cordoned off a section of the park, including a parking area that appeared to be where the shooting took place. Neighbors said the parking area is never closed off at night, and that it's often the scene of suspicious activity.

No arrests have been made. Police are still combing through evidence and interviewing witnesses, Brownlee said.

Chester Anderson and Phillip Glayson told The Commercial Appeal they were taking a walk when they heard gunfire.

"I'm guessing 15 to 17 shots," Anderson said.

Witnesses said they saw large groups of young people fleeing the scene. Some of them, Glayson said, were in upscale cars, including a BMW.
Oregon standoff leaders head to Nevada jail for new charges

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  Brothers who were acquitted in the armed occupation of an Oregon wildlife refuge are heading to Nevada, where they will be tried on charges stemming from a 2014 standoff with federal agents near their father's ranch.

The Multnomah County Jail roster shows Ammon and Ryan Bundy left the downtown Portland jail Wednesday morning. They are being flown to Las Vegas, where they will face more than a dozen felony charges at trial next year.

An Oregon jury acquitted the Bundys and five co-defendants last week of conspiring to impede federal employees from doing their jobs at a national wildlife refuge.

FILE - This Jan. 27, 2016, file photo provided by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office shows Ammon Bundy. Bundy and his brother, Ryan Bundy, are being transferred from Portland, Ore., jail Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, to Nevada where they will be tried early next year on charges stemming from a 2014 standoff with federal agents near their father's ranch. (Multnomah County Sheriff via AP, File)

The brothers led the occupation to call attention to the plight of two imprisoned ranchers and express their opposition to federal control of Western lands.
Tiny aquatic creature from abroad discovered in Lake Erie

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP)  A tiny aquatic creature has made its first known appearance in the Great Lakes.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Cornell University researchers say the microscopic invertebrate known as "Thermocyclops crassus" was identified in water samples taken from western Lake Erie.

It's a zooplankton found widely in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it's uncertain what risk the species might pose to the Great Lakes. EPA is investigating how widely it has spread and how it might affect the ecosystem.

Thermocyclops crassus was found in the ballast tank of a transoceanic ship entering the Great Lakes in the early 2000s. But EPA says it's uncertain whether ballast water discharges are responsible for the species' presence in Lake Erie.
Tennessee pastor charged with sexually assaulting 2 girls

KINGSTON, Tenn. (AP)  An assistant pastor of a Tennessee church has been charged with sexually assaulting two girls at his home and at the church.

Sixty-two-year-old Jeremy Hugh McDowell was arrested Oct. 27 on charges including sexual battery by an authority figure, aggravated sexual battery and rape of a child, The Knoxville News Sentinel (http://bit.ly/2fetLuM) reported.

The investigation began in June after an investigator with the Department of Children's Services told the Roane County Sheriff's Office that McDowell had abused the girls, ages 12 and 17, at his home and at the Spoken Word Ministry Church.

An indictment charges that the girls were assaulted between July 2014 and July 2016.

The sheriff's office said the investigator told them McDowell threatened the family of the girls after they confronted him about the accusations. The investigator also said the family contacted Roane County officials because McDowell had a lot of influence in McMinn County, where he and the family live. McDowell is former law enforcement officer and first responder in Sweetwater.

It's unclear if McDowell has an attorney.

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US, Europe at odds over Revolutionary Guard-backed airline

WASHINGTON (AP)  An Iranian airline, backed by the country's notorious Revolutionary Guard and used to ferry weapons and fighters to support Syria's government, has acquired rights to fly commercial routes in more than a dozen European and Asian countries in spite of U.S. terror-related sanctions.

The agreement Iran and six other world powers signed last year ended some of the sanctions that had punished and isolated Iran for its nuclear program. But sanctions for ballistic missile research, terrorism, human rights violations and money laundering remain in place.

Mahan Air, the country's second-largest carrier, is under terror-related sanctions. The U.S. has accused the company of providing "transportation, funds transfers and personnel travel services" to the Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Forces, flying them and weapons to Syria to train Hezbollah militants, Syrian army troops and others.

FILE - In this March 1, 2015 file photo, a plane from the Iranian private airline, Mahan Air lands the international airport in Sanaa, Yemen. An Iranian airline backed by the countrys notorious Revolutionary Guard has acquired rights to fly commercial routes in more than a dozen European and Asian countries in spite of U.S. terror-related sanctions, the same airline that ferries weapons and fighters to Syria on behalf of President Bashar Assad. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed, File)

Many countries honored the U.S. terror sanctions and blocked Mahan Air. But weeks before the nuclear deal was signed in July 2015, the airline announced it was launching a route to Munich  its second German destination. A wave of new routes to 15 countries followed, including France, Russia, China and Italy. France and Denmark were added in June 2016, and talks continue to add more routes in Europe.

A U.S. Treasury official told The Associated Press that the U.S. has been trying to get those countries to cooperate with U.S. efforts to block the airline's financial network, but has met with stiff resistance.

Washington doesn't want to restrict travel to and from Iran, the official said, noting that the country's main carrier, Iran Air, can fly around the world since the nuclear deal was implemented in January. The official was not authorized to discuss the issue publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

"By letting Mahan in, the Europeans are forgoing a critical pressure tool they have in their arsenal of nonmilitary coercive measures to pressure Iran and (Syrian President Bashar) Assad," said Emanuele Ottolenghi, an Iran expert at the Center on Sanctions and Illicit Finance at the bipartisan Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

But the U.S. has no leverage to change EU laws allowing Mahan in. All it can do is ask the countries to ban Mahan and go after companies providing services to the airline, including banks, baggage handlers and cargo and freight companies.

A spokeswoman for the European Union said Mahan Air is not under EU sanction and the U.S. has no jurisdiction. In 2014, the European Commission allowed those deemed safe commercial air transport operators  including Mahan Air  to fly to, from or within the EU.

The EU has also ignored U.S. terror sanctions and last week lifted its own on Bank Saderat, which Washington accuses of transferring money to groups it considers terror organizations, such as Hezbollah's militant wing and Hamas.

"How many dead Syrians does it take for the Europeans to think there is a threat?" said Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., who wants the EU to designate Mahan as a terrorist entity.

In May, Sherman and two dozen other members of Congress wrote David O'Sullivan, the EU ambassador to the U.S. urging the EU to "promptly end Mahan Air's operations in Europe," saying that doing so would "signal to European businesses that the EU will remain vigilant in acting against Iranian companies supporting terrorism and Assad's regime."

Mahan Air officials in Tehran declined to speak to The Associated Press.

The sanctions against Mahan say the airline provided financial, material and technological support to the Quds Force, the Revolutionary Guard Corps' special forces responsible for operations outside of Iran, including in Iraq and Syria. This year, sanctions were extended to a number of entities providing services to the airline  mainly in Dubai, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

Mahan has denied the charges. Its website notes it is private and "it does not belong to any governmental or military bodies or to any political party or individuals."

Sanctions against five commercial and cargo carriers, including Iran Air, the country's largest commercial airline, were lifted in January following implementation of the country's nuclear agreement.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, is a vast, powerful military conglomerate, with naval, air and ground components organized in parallel to the conventional Iranian military. It is the country's biggest economic player, with a hand in virtually every sector, from oil and gas to auto-making, telecommunications, construction, farming and beyond.

The airline's current chairman and chief executive, Hamid Arabnejad, is a close affiliate of the IRGC and is believed to still have a close relationship with the division that spawned the Quds Force. The U.S. sanctioned Arabnejad in 2013 for having "been instrumental in facilitating the shipment of illicit cargo to Syria on Mahan Air aircraft."

Sanctioned foreign governments, companies or individuals are generally barred from doing business with U.S. citizens and businesses, or with foreign entities operating in the American financial system. The restrictions are usually accompanied by asset and property freezes as well as visa bans.

Mahan Air flies to Dubai International Airport twice daily from Tehran. The airport, the world's busiest for international travel, declined to discuss Mahan Air, referring questions to federal authorities, who also declined comment.

The Treasury Department said plane spotters have seen Mahan Air flights land in Syria almost daily.

"We're not saying Mahan Air assists the IRGC; we'd say Mahan Air is the IRGC  and we have to give notice to our friends in Europe," Sherman said. "This idea that we can allow Mahan Air to do whatever it wants just because there are temporary restrictions on the nuclear deal  that wasn't the deal."

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The Latest: Clash with oil pipeline protesters ends

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  The Latest on protests and other developments surrounding the construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline in North Dakota (all times local):

5:10

Authorities say a clash between law officers and people protesting the Dakota Access pipeline near the mouth of the Cannonball River has ended.

The Morton County Sheriff's Department says the confrontation ended at about 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Officials say protesters were trying to get on federal land and ultimately onto private property owned by the pipeline developer. Officers in riot gear hit several several dozen people with pepper spray and tear gas as they waded through waist-deep water in an attempt to reach property owned by the pipeline's developer.

Officials say "less-than-lethal" ammunition also was used to keep protesters from reaching land. Two arrests were reported.

Medics were treating some protesters for hypothermia and others who were hit with pepper spray and tear gas.

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3:45 p.m.

The Texas company developing the much-protested Dakota Access pipeline says it's not aware of any plans for a new route in North Dakota.

Energy Transfer Partners also says it's confident it will get the necessary permission to finish the pipeline where the company first intended.

The company issued a brief statement Wednesday after President Barack Obama said the Army Corps of Engineers is examining whether the pipeline can be rerouted due to concerns from American Indians. The pipeline would carry oil from western North Dakota some 1,200 miles through South Dakota and Iowa to a shipping point in Illinois.

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe and its supporters say the pipeline is a threat to drinking water and that construction could disturb sacred sites. The pipeline company has said the pipeline would have guards against leaks and would be safer than carrying oil by train and truck.

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1:30 p.m.

About 200 people protesting the Dakota Access pipeline are facing off with law enforcement near the mouth of the Cannonball River.

Officials say protesters were trying on Wednesday to get onto private property owned by the pipeline developer.

About 30 people are in waist-deep water confronting law enforcement officers, while others are on the banks.

Medics were treating some protesters for hypothermia and others who were hit with pepper spray.

Morton County sheriff's spokeswoman Donnell Hushka says some protesters tried to build a wooden pedestrian bridge across Cantapeta Creek, which runs near the private property. The permanent bridge at the site has been shut down since it was blocked last week by burned vehicles.

Huskha says officers used a boat to pull apart the makeshift bridge.

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1:10 p.m.

Authorities say they're in a new standoff with protesters of the Dakota Access pipeline in North Dakota.

Officials say protesters were trying on Wednesday to get onto private property owned by the pipeline developer. The same land was cleared of a protest encampment last week, with more than 140 people arrested in the process.

Morton County sheriff's spokeswoman Donnell Hushka says some protesters tried to build a wooden pedestrian bridge across Cantapeta Creek, which runs near the private property. The permanent bridge at the site has been shut down since it was blocked last week by burned vehicles.

Huskha says officers used a boat to pull apart the makeshift bridge. She says protesters are crossing the river by swimming and boats. She says they are being warned that people who enter private property or property owned by the Army Corps of Engineers will be arrested.

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12:50 p.m.

North Dakota regulators are issuing a formal complaint that could result in stiff fines against the company building the Dakota Access oil pipeline for possibly mishandling the reporting of American Indian artifacts that were found along the route.

The state's Public Service Commission held a hearing on the issue Wednesday. Chairwoman Julie Fedorchak (fuh-DOHR'-chehk) said Energy Transfer Partners could face up to $200,000 in fines, though she said such a high amount is unlikely.

The Texas-based company will have an opportunity for a hearing. A company spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.

Documents show that artifacts found last month weren't reported to state regulators for 10 days. Fedorchak and the state's chief archaeologist say the site was properly handled, with Energy Transfer Partners moving the pipeline route to avoid the stone cairns and other artifacts.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has asked local officials to remove a handmade pedestrian bridge on a North Dakota highway near the main protest encampment. A permanent bridge was damaged during a confrontation with pipeline protesters, and protesters were assembling a temporary bridge.

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11:10 a.m.

A South Dakota tribe is ending a public safety agreement with state authorities over the Highway Patrols' presence at the Dakota Access pipeline protests in North Dakota.

In a recent letter to the South Dakota governor, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Chairman Brandon Sazue says the state has chosen to stand against its citizens in the name of big oil.

The tribal council voted Monday to rescind the mutual aid agreement with the Highway Patrol for coordinating law enforcement activities between the tribe and the patrol. Sazue says the tribe is also nullifying a state-tribal tax agreement.

The Highway Patrol sent assistance under a mutual aid compact at North Dakota's request. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety declined to disclose the number of troopers provided, but says they returned Sunday.

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10 a.m.

Documents show that American Indian artifacts found in North Dakota along the route of the Dakota Access oil pipeline last month weren't reported to state regulators for 10 days.

Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak says she's disappointed regulators weren't notified earlier. The matter was to be discussed during a commission meeting Wednesday.

North Dakota Chief Archaeologist Paul Picha says he was notified of the discovery in a timely manner but didn't report it to the commission because he thought the pipeline company would. He says the site was properly handled.

In an Oct. 27 letter, Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners detailed the finding of stone cairns and other artifacts. Consultants for the pipeline company determined there was "a low likelihood" for buried artifacts but recommended avoiding the site.

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7 a.m.

President Barack Obama says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is examining whether the Dakota Access oil pipeline can be rerouted in southern North Dakota to alleviate the concerns of American Indians.

Obama tells the online news outlet NowThis that his administration is monitoring the situation closely but will "let it play out for several more weeks."

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe worries that the $3.8 billion pipeline from North Dakota to Illinois will threaten its drinking water and destroy sacred sites. Protests that have included clashes with police have gone on for several months in North Dakota.

Obama calls it "a challenging situation." He says there's an obligation for protesters to be peaceful and for authorities to show restraint.

The 1,200-mile pipeline is largely complete outside of North Dakota.

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1 a.m.

North Dakota leaders are criticizing the federal government for not helping pay the policing bill for protests at the Dakota Access pipeline

The state agreed Tuesday to borrow an additional $4 million to cover the escalating law enforcement costs, bringing the total line of credit to $10 million.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple says officials have asked for contributions from the federal government, the pipeline company, an American Indian tribe, "and any entity we can think of."
Officials: 13-year-old girl dead in random school stabbing

ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia (AP)  A 13-year-old girl who was stabbed to death was the victim of a random attack inside a high school in British Columbia, police said Wednesday.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Jennifer Pound said Gabriel Klein, 21, was charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault in connection with the attack a day earlier against the two girls who were friends. The injured girl remained hospitalized.

Police said the barefoot man walked into Abbotsford Senior Secondary and stabbed two girls before being held by staff.

Pound said Klein was not a student and has no fixed address and while police knew he had recently been frequenting the Vancouver area, investigators are not sure where he is originally from.

Pound said Klein doesn't have a criminal record and doesn't appear to be connected to the school. She said police are not naming either of the victims and are asking the public for any information on Klein and his whereabouts leading up to the stabbing. Klein appeared in provincial court in Abbotsford on Wednesday.

Pound said the selfless actions of school staff who confronted the man likely prevented more people from being injured.

Kevin Godden, superintendent of schools in Abbotsford, British Columbia, said that investigators believe the attack was a "random act of violence."

There is a video of the stabbing circulating online and Godden asked people to stop sending it to others, saying it's disturbing to students and the community.

Godden said every school in the district will have all but one of its exterior doors locked during the school day out of an abundance of caution.

Godden said police closed the high school where the two young women were stabbed to maintain the integrity of the investigation and a decision will be made later today on when the school will reopen.

"I'm shaken, I'm shocked," British Columbia Premier Christy Clark said. "It ruptures our sense of security."
American bison designated national mammal of US

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP)  The American bison has been designated the national mammal of the U.S. during a ceremony at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota.

Congress approved the designation last spring, and it became official Tuesday, the Rapid City Journal (http://bit.ly/2faKK2N ) reported. Federal lawmakers have called the bison  North America's largest land animal  the embodiment of American strength, resilience and the nation's pioneer spirit.

The Wildlife Conservation Society worked with worked with Congress for about six years to make the designation happen, said Kelly Aylward, director of the agency's office in Washington.

In this Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 photo, an American bison roams near U.S. Route 385 in Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota . Congress recently designated the bison as the National Mammal of the United States, and Tuesday marked the dedication ceremony of the bill at Wind Cave National park, which coincides with November as Native American Month and National Bison Day, which is the first Saturday in November. (Hannah Hunsinger/Rapid City Journal via AP)

"It was a long journey, working through the system. But we had great champs in both the House and the Senate," Aylward said, adding that she hopes the designation will help bring more awareness and support to conserving and reviving bison herds across the country.

Tens of millions of bison, also known as buffalo, once thundered across a range stretching from central Canada through the Great Plains and northern Mexico. After a century-long slaughter driven by commercial hunting for buffalo pelts, the population dwindled to a thousand or fewer by the late 1800s.

About 30,000 wild bison now roam the country, with the largest population in Yellowstone National Park. Bison also are scattered in public, tribal and private lands in the U.S. and Canada.

InterTribal Buffalo Council executive director Jim Stone said he hopes greater awareness will also lead to education about the importance of bison to Native Americans.

"It allows for a greater platform for having the conversations and allows for education and outreach and getting people to understand," he said. "There's something that exists in our view of the animal that doesn't exist in (federal systems)."

There had not previously been an official mammal of the United States.

Tuesday's ceremony was scheduled to coincide with Native American Month in November, as well as National Buffalo Day, which is the first Saturday in November.

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Information from: Rapid City Journal, http://www.rapidcityjournal.com
A look at European, Asian nations servicing Iranian airline

Iran's second-largest carrier, Mahan Air, is flying commercial routes to more than a dozen European and Asian countries in spite of U.S. terror-related sanctions.

Backed by the country's notorious Revolutionary Guard, the airline is sanctioned by the U.S. for providing "transportation, funds transfers and personnel travel services" to the Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Forces, flying them and weapons to Syria to train Hezbollah militants, Syrian army troops and others.

Many countries honored the U.S. terror sanctions and blocked Mahan Air. But weeks before the nuclear deal was signed in July 2015, Mahan announced it was launching a route to Munich  its second German destination. A wave of new routes followed to more than a dozen countries, including France, Russia, Thailand and Denmark.

A look at the countries that have granted landing rights to Mahan Air commercial flights or are home to companies affiliated with the airline.

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ARMENIA

In May 2014, Mahan Air announced a new, twice-weekly service to the Armenian capital, Yerevan. That service commenced a month later.

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GREECE

Mahan Air launched in June 2014 a flight from Shanghai, China, to Athens, with a stopover in Tehran's Imam Khomeini Airport.

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GERMANY

Mahan said in September 2014 that it has been "serving" Dusseldorf "for more than a decade" and announced Munich as its second German destination. The "flight will be operated twice weekly on Sundays and Wednesdays" and began in March 2015.

On its website, it also lists the Air Cargo Agency GmbH in Dusseldorf as one of its third-party affiliates.

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CHINA

Mahan announced in late 2014 that it was expanding its network to Beijing, its third destination in China. Mahan has been flying to Shanghai and Guangzhou since 2011.

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THAILAND

A route between Tehran and the Thai capital, Bangkok, was launched in October 2016. Iran has been courting Thai tourists, and Mahan Air announced an agreement this year for closer tourism ties with Thailand.

My Aviation Co. Ltd in Bangkok is among the third party companies listed on Mahan's website.

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ITALY

Mahan launched its flights to Milan in June 2015, announcing twice-weekly service, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

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DENMARK

Copenhagen was one of two European Union destinations added in June 2016. A month later it celebrated its Copenhagen route with a press release that highlighted "Chinese staff helping our many Chinese passengers in Copenhagen Airport."

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FRANCE

A June 19 press release announced Mahan's "10th destination in Europe"  Paris. The airline said it would fly from Tehran to Charles de Gaulle Airport on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays.

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RUSSIA

Mahan announced a new route to Moscow, its second in Russia, in January 2016 and teased to expanding service with "some direct flights to several European and Asian countries that will be launched gradually in the late spring and summer."

The airline announced a route to its first Russian destination, St. Petersburg, in 2013.

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Mahan has long flown to the Emirate of Dubai. On its website the airline lists the Gate Wick Freight & Cargo Company as a third-party affiliate.

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IRAQ

In 2012, Mahan announced the a flight to the northern city of Irbil and the Shiite holy city of Najaf.

The Treasury Department sanctioned Al-Naser Airlines, an Iraq-based company that, in 2015, transferred at least eight Airbus A340 and one Airbus A320 aircraft to Mahan. The Treasury designation said that Al-Naser procured "the Airbus aircraft from unwitting European vendors, for which Mahan Air paid tens of millions of dollars each."

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UKRAINE

In March 2016, Kiev was added to Mahan's list of European routes.

The Treasury Department in 2013 sanctioned Ukraine-based Ukrainian-Mediterranean Airlines (Um Air) and Bukovyna Airlines for "leasing and selling aircraft to Mahan Air" as it attempts "to circumvent sanctions and support Iran's worldwide illicit activities."

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TURKEY

Mahan has long flown to the Turkish cities of Ankara and Istanbul.

In December, a Mahan flight failed to stop on a runway at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul due to a brake malfunction, a press release said. The Airbus 310 hit a vacant bus as well as the guard rail and stopped. There were no injuries.

AIRMARK Airline Marketing & Services in Istanbul is listed as a third-party company on Mahan's website.

It also lists sales offices in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.

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INDIA

Mahan has long flown to New Delhi and, this week, Mahan plans to launch a second daily flight to the Indian city.

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AFGHANISTAN

Mahan has flown to the Afghan capital, Kabul, since 2002.

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MALAYSIA

In 2012, Mahan announced nonstop service to Kuala Lumpur.
3 Cameroon men jailed for 10 years over Boko Haram joke

JOHANNESBURG (AP)  Amnesty International says three young men in Cameroon have been jailed for 10 years for sharing a text message that joked about the Boko Haram extremist group.

A statement released Wednesday by the human rights group said Fomusoh Ivo Feh, Afuh Nivelle Nfor and Azah Levis Gob were sentenced by the Military Court of Yaounde for "non-denunciation of terrorist acts."

Amnesty says Ivo had forwarded to the other two men a text message that made a sarcastic reference to the extremist group, which is based in neighboring Nigeria. Boko Haram also has carried out attacks inside Cameroon.
Police: Boy, 3, brings loaded gun to school; father arrested

WASHINGTON (AP)  Police say they've arrested a preschooler's father after the 3-year-old boy brought a loaded gun to school.

Local media organizations reported that a security guard at an elementary school in the nation's capital found the gun in the backpack of the boy Tuesday morning. Police said the gun was a semi-automatic pistol.

Police say 31-year-old Anthony Earl Chiles was arrested and charged with carrying a pistol without a license, possession of unregistered ammunition and recklessly endangering a child's health.
Absentee ballot changes for Trump looks unlikely

MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Donald Trump is urging early voters for Hillary Clinton to change their ballots for him, but it's unlikely enough will heed his call to affect the presidential race.

At a rally in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, Trump urged early voters in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Michigan to recast their ballots in his favor if they're having a "bad case of buyer's remorse" after voting for Clinton.

Those states do indeed allow early voters to change their ballots. Wisconsin, for example, lets people change their absentee ballot up to three times. But the provisions are obscure, few voters in the past have changed their ballots, the window for recasting early votes is rapidly closing and Trump's message probably isn't enough to motivate anyone who's already voted to change their mind, said Barry Burden, a political scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"A person would have to have a tremendous change of heart to switch from Hillary Clinton to Donald Trump at this point," Burden said Wednesday. "The people who cast their ballot in September or October are the least likely to change their votes. The vast majority of people who have cast ballots are not really open to new messages."

By Wednesday, early voters in Minnesota were stuck with their choices. The deadline for canceling an early ballot in that state was Tuesday; election judges across the state have started opening and processing those votes. The secretary of state doesn't track the number of ballots that have been canceled in order to change a vote.

The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot in Pennsylvania, meanwhile, was Tuesday. The only way early voters can change their ballots now is to show up at their local polling site on Election Day and vote in-person, which would nullify their absentee ballots. Wanda Murren, a spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Department of State, said her agency didn't have any data on how many people requested a second ballot before Tuesday's deadline.

Voters in Michigan who have already cast an absentee ballot can get a new one if they visit their local clerk's office before 4 p.m. Monday. Fred Woodhams, a spokesman for the Michigan secretary of state's office, said it's rare for someone to ask for a new absentee ballot. Requests usually come because the voter has mistakenly voted for too many candidates in a race or has spilled coffee on the ballot, he said. Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey said some voters have asked for new ballots this year, but not a great number.

A Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday showed Clinton with 64 percent of the early Wisconsin vote compared to 25 percent for Trump. Voters had until Thursday to request new absentee ballots by mail and until the end of in-person early voting to get a new ballot at their local clerk's offices. Most municipalities stop early in-person voting on Friday, although the state deadline is technically Sunday.

Neil Albrecht, executive director of the city of Milwaukee election commission, said about 41,000 people have already voted early in the city and the commission has had fewer than a half-dozen people request to change their ballot. No one has asked to change it since Trump made his call Tuesday night, Albrecht said. He didn't expect an onslaught of people changing their minds before early voting in the city ends Saturday.

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UK and Colombia working on oil and gas partnership

Theresa May is to announce a new oil and gas partnership with Colombia as she welcomes the South American country's president to 10 Downing Street.

The talks come on the second day of President Juan Manuel Santos's state visit to the UK, which on Tuesday saw him hosted by the Queen at a banquet at Buckingham Palace.

Mrs May was expected to tell him that Colombia is one of Britain's most important partners in Latin America, with which the UK will aim to boost trade following withdrawal from the European Union.

Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos is on a state visit to the UK

The two leaders will announce a new double taxation agreement to help businesses and employees in both countries.

And the Prime Minister will announce 1 billion in UK export finance to encourage investment in healthcare and energy projects.

Mrs May is expected to say: "Colombia is one of Britain's most important partners in Latin America, and this visit provides an opportunity to strengthen the ties that have existed between our countries for more than 200 years.

"As the UK prepares to leave the EU, I am determined that Britain should become the global champion of free trade, and that means boosting trade with fast-growing economies like Colombia.

"A peaceful, prosperous Colombia is in both our interests, and I look forward to working with President Santos to forge an even stronger partnership in the years ahead."

Downing Street said that the UK has been Colombia's third largest foreign investor over the past decade, with a trading relationship worth 1 billion last year.

Bringing together the cities of Aberdeen and Barranquilla, the new oil and gas partnership will share best practice in areas like regulation, supply chain development and training.
Michael Douglas misinformed over my health, says Val Kilmer amid cancer rumour

Actor Val Kilmer has denied he has cancer after his friend and former co-star Michael Douglas claimed he was unwell.

Kilmer told fans that Douglas had been "misinformed" about his condition, adding in a post on his official Facebook page that he has not spoken to the star for nearly two years.

Douglas, 72, was discussing working with Kilmer during an evening in conversation with Jonathan Ross at London's Drury Lane Theatre on Sunday when he said that "things don't look too good for him".

Actor Val Kilmer has assured fans he is not suffering from cancer

Douglas, who was diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2010 and was given the all-clear the following year, said his friend was "dealing with exactly what I had".

He added: "My prayers are with him. That's why you haven't heard too much from Val lately."

But Kilmer, 56, who worked with Douglas on the 1996 film The Ghost And The Darkness, assured fans in a lengthy Facebook post that he is not suffering from cancer.

"I love Michael Douglas but he is misinformed," he wrote.

"The last time I spoke to him was almost two years ago, when I asked him for a referral for a specialist to get a diagnosis for a lump in my throat, which prevented me from continuing a tour of my play Citizen Twain.

"I ended up using a team at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) and have no cancer whatsoever. I still have a swollen tongue and am rehabbing steadily."

He added: "I hope this puts to rest any further concerns about my health by publications that have no respect for the truth.

"Whatever led Michael Douglas to speculate about my health, he's a loving and devoted friend to a privileged group of talented people around the world, and I'm sure he meant no harm."

The Batman Forever star challenged fans who thought he was "fibbing" to "come see me live and happy in person".

Earlier this year Kilmer was forced to deny several times while replying to fans on his official Facebook page that he was battling cancer, after numerous reports claimed otherwise.
UK Democrats group rallies support for Hillary Clinton

British-based American Democrat voters are a "secret weapon" in the drive to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office, UK campaigners say.

With under a week until the US decides who should be the next president, Democrats Abroad UK (DAUK) is stressing it is not too late for Americans to register to vote.

From its central London campaign office the group is calling on US citizens based in Britain to make sure "every vote counts" in the White House race, which reaches a climax on November 8.

Democrat supporters are telling US citizens based in Britain to cast their vote for Hillary Clinton on November 8 (AP)

DAUK chairman Robert Ravelli, who moved to Britain nine years ago, said: "We want to make sure we get every single vote we can possibly get in the UK.

"We will be spending a lot of time between now and Tuesday to do so."

DAUK said it estimates there are around 200,000 - 250,000 Americans who currently live in the UK and are eligible to vote by absentee ballot.

Americans living overseas typically register to vote and return their ballot to the state where they last lived - each state has its own deadlines and processes for this.

An army of around 125 volunteers are currently spending their time calling voters and assisting them with the registration and ballot process.

Deputy chairman of DAUK Inge Kjemtrup said more Americans had been found who may have been in the country a long time and not voted before, and want to have their say in the election.

"I think this election has been a huge motivator for people," she told the Press Association. "Donald Trump has been our best recruiting agent."

A poll on Tuesday showed the Republican candidate one point ahead of Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, which Mr Ravelli dismissed as a "snapshot in time", and said it was the "electoral votes that count".

Former DAUK deputy chairman Karin Robinson said: "Democrats Abroad are a little secret weapon that we have to offer because we do not show up in polls.

"Where those absentee ballots do come in we can be an undetected blip on the radar of the election outcome.

"We know that overseas ballots have made the difference in past elections. In 2008 it probably swung North Carolina for President Obama."

Mr Ravelli said: "It is very important, especially in some of these states which have tight races in the congressional races, that the absentee ballots be counted and sent it.

"It is also a way for the Americans over here to have their voices heard back home and it gets them involved - it is easy to feel very distant here when you are so far away."

DAUK said its aim is to see Mrs Clinton elected along with a Democrat House of Representatives and Senate, and that the gains the party had made in the last eight years were carried on.

"Donald Trump is a very, very, very flawed human being with no government experience," Ms Robinson said.

"Our dream is to not just win the election - winning the election is the necessary but not the sufficient condition.

"We want to win by enough to send a clear signal that this is not who the American population is, is not who we are as a nation.

"That some of these extreme views that are being expressed do not represent the increasingly diverse, increasingly liberalising American population."
Brexit will test UK systems to the limit - and possibly beyond, report warns

Brexit will test the UK's political, bureaucratic, constitutional and legal systems "to their limits - and possibly beyond", a report has warned.

The Brexit and Beyond report warns that the process of withdrawal from the EU will place "enormous pressure" on Parliament, the civil service and the courts over many years and will put the fabric of the British constitution "under strain".

Withdrawal negotiations under Article 50 of the EU treaties, coupled with talks to establish a new trading relationship with Europe and the rest of the world, will represent the biggest challenge the civil service has faced, imposing an "immense workload" on Whitehall.

Nissan has committed to build the new Qashqai and X-Trail SUV at its Sunderland plant

And Parliament will "have its work cut out" dealing with the volume of work resulting from Theresa May's decision to use a Great Repeal Bill to abolish the 1972 European Communities Act and transpose all relevant EU law on to the UK statute book.

It will be a "daunting and time-consuming task" to identify and transpose relevant EU rules into UK law, before going through the legislation to decide which parts to amend or repeal, said the report, written by the UK in a Changing Europe group for the Political Studies Association.

The Bill will impinge on the balance of power between Westminster and devolved parliaments, increasing policy divergence in areas ranging from agriculture and fisheries to the environment and higher education.

The group's director, Anand Menon - professor of European politics and foreign affairs at King's College London - said: "Article 50 negotiations will be tricky and hideously technical, but that is the easy bit. When it comes to the crafting of a future relationship, almost everything is up in the air.

"Brexit thus has the potential to test the UK's constitutional settlement, legal framework, political process and bureaucratic capacities to their limits - and possibly beyond."

Prof Menon dismissed accusations that those raising concerns about the possible impact of EU withdrawal were "Remoaners" determined to talk Brexit down.

"An irritating aspect of the current debate is the tendency of Brexiters to accuse those who warn of difficulties of 'talking Britain down'," he said. "It's a good line but a pathetic argument.

"Since when was rational debate a bad thing? Forewarned, surely, is forearmed and this report will help identify potential stumbling blocks ahead."
Popcorn time for Labour leaders with cinema trips to highlight cuts to welfare

Jeremy Corbyn and senior Labour MPs will go on special trips to the cinema to see Ken Loach's award-winning film I, Daniel Blake in an attempt to highlight Government welfare cuts.

The Labour leader told Theresa May to see the movie as the pair clashed over welfare policy at Prime Minister's Questions.

Mr Corbyn, along with senior allies including shadow chancellor John McDonnell and other MPs, will attend screenings of the film as part of the campaign against planned cuts to the employment and support allowance (ESA).

Ken Loach won the Palme d'Or with I, Daniel Blake

Labour will encourage its members to go and see I, Daniel Blake at special screenings taking place in cinemas on November 17, six days before Chancellor Philip Hammond's Autumn Statement.

ESA payments are due to be cut by 29 a week to 73 from April for new claimants in the work-related activity group - those unable to work at present, but judged capable of preparing to return to work, by attending interviews and training.

Labour's campaign comes after the Prime Minister claimed the party was "drifting away" from its voters under Mr Corbyn's leadership by supporting "unlimited welfare".

Loach's film tells the story of a 59-year-old joiner who is plunged into extreme poverty and confronted by a faceless bureaucracy when his benefits are stopped.

It has won rave reviews and was given the coveted Palme d'Or at the Cannes film festival, but has been criticised by Tory ministers past and present for its portrayal of welfare cuts.

Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green criticised as "monstrously unfair" the portrayal of job centre staff in the movie, despite admitting he had not watched it.

Mr McDonnell said: "In the run up to the Autumn Statement Labour will be pushing the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, to scrap these cruel ESA cuts to sick and disabled people.

"I, Daniel Blake was one of the most moving films I've ever seen so I'm very pleased we have teamed up with Ken Loach to urge people to go and watch it at these special screenings taking place before the Autumn Statement.

"We're living in an I, Daniel Blake society as a result of having the Tories in power for six years. The Government should be caring for sick and disabled people, not making their lives worse.

"Labour will be demanding that the Government scrap these appalling cuts to the most vulnerable in our society at the Autumn Statement."

Loach said: "Go to the food banks Mr Hammond, have the guts to face the people you treat with such conscious cruelty. If you don't know the suffering you cause you are not competent to be in Government. If you do know, you are not fit for the job.

"Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell are right to do all they can to prevent this from happening."

At PMQs the Labour leader told the Prime Minister: "Can I recommend you support British cinema and take yourself along to the cinema to see a Palme d'Or winning film - I, Daniel Blake."

In an attack on welfare sanctions he said: "It is time that we ended this institutionalised barbarity against often very vulnerable people."

But Mrs May told him: "You have a view that there should be no assessments, no sanctions and unlimited welfare.
DEALTALK-As Australia frustrates foreign bidders, asset prices at risk

By Jonathan Barrett and Jamie Freed

SYDNEY, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Australia's increasingly protectionist stance is dissuading Chinese and other foreign investors from bidding in major asset sales, political and corporate advisers say, potentially reducing competition and hurting prices.

The New South Wales state government's decision last month to accept a $12.5 billion offer from local pension funds for major electricity grid Ausgrid - after the federal government previously vetoed higher China and Hong Kong-based offers - has irritated some investors and their advisers. It has left them confused by an apparent change in rules that means the highest priced bid no longer wins.

The successful bid was approved without a competitive process and investment bankers involved in negotiations told Reuters it represented up to $2.3 billion less than offers from Chinese-government owned State Grid Corp of China and Hong Kong-listed Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Ltd that were both knocked back over "national security issues".

"Did we, as a country, leave money on the table - probably," a member of Australia's ruling Coalition told Reuters. "But the price was more than acceptable and it can be plowed back into the economy, fast," said the senator, who asked not to be identified.

The Australian government is encouraging the states to sell assets by offering them up to A$5 billion ($3.8 billion) in cash grants as incentives if they then quickly re-invest proceeds in infrastructure projects. Given that the payments are on offer until 2019, this may trigger a wave of sales over the next three years.

Endeavour is the next New South Wales state-owned energy asset slated for sale with a majority stake in the network that powers parts of southern Sydney expected to attract bids of around A$4 billion. The Western Australian government is also considering the possible sale of its electricity network, previously valued at A$15 billion by lobbying group Infrastructure Partnerships Australia.

A spokesman for the New South Wales government declined to comment on whether the confusion over whether foreign investors were welcome bidders was eroding future asset values. A spokesman for the Federal Treasurer also declined to comment.

FOREIGN OWNERSHIP BACKLASH

While the assets are offered to the market by state governments, foreign bids must be approved by Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison who takes advice from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), which consists of prominent business people and former government officials with finance, mining, agricultural and national security backgrounds.

Morrison, who is part of a centre-right government, has been involved in high profile rejections of foreign-led bids for both Ausgrid and major cattle empire S. Kidman and Co, since taking over as treasurer just over a year ago.

There has been no government guidance issued as to why the Ausgrid bids by State Grid Corp and Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing's Cheung Kong Infrastructure represented security risks, nor whether operational control of similar assets by overseas investors will be acceptable.

In the absence of any clear communication from the government, advisers could only assume it did not want a foreign operator to have a controlling stake in assets like Endeavour, said a senior investment banker specialising in the infrastructure sector, who declined to be named because he wasn't authorised to speak to media.

He said this was likely to limit interest from rejected Ausgrid bidders.

POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS

More members of parliament than in the past are concerned that foreign investors - and the Chinese in particular - have been buying up too many strategic Australian assets, including the 99-year lease to Darwin Port in the country's north.

There is also growing unease within the ruling Coalition that China is becoming a geo-political threat due to its militarisation of the South China Sea, and that might not make it suitable to be a controlling investor in key Australian infrastructure, the senior government member told Reuters.

It all contrasts with the investment environment of just a few years ago when China's State Grid was able to purchase a majority holding in energy company Jemena, which has electricity, gas distribution and transmission assets across Australia's eastern seaboard, with little concern expressed by politicians or the public.

Nicholas Moore, Chief Executive of Macquarie Group which advised State Grid on its bid for Ausgrid before later representing the winning consortium, said while Macquarie supported the flow of capital across borders, he understood governments had to consider other issues.

"We very much recognise in all of the different countries where we carry on business that there are genuine political issues and concerns that governments have to deal with," Moore told Reuters in a phone interview.

The New South Wales government has yet to receive advice from the FIRB on what types of bids and bidders for Endeavour will be acceptable and will not launch an auction process until that occurs, a source familiar with the situation said.

"[The government is] still waiting for that kind of guidance," this person said.

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia CEO Brendan Lyon said it was a critical time for the country to avoid deterring overseas investors given the pipeline of potential privatisations.
Clashes between farmers and herders kill 18 in Niger

NIAMEY, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Eighteen people were killed and 20 others were wounded on Tuesday in violence in Niger that pitted itinerant cattle herders against farmers, officials said.

The clashes broke out near the village of Bangui along the West African nation's southern border with neighbouring Nigeria after livestock belonging to ethnic Fulani herders damaged the field of a farmer.

"The nomadic herders fought with a farmer, whom they wounded. He was taken to the medical centre and everything started from there," said Oumarou Mohamane, Bangui's mayor.

A group of farmers then attacked the Fulani camp in reprisal. Around 15 houses were burned.

"It required the intervention of the police to stop the villagers," the mayor said.

A second government official confirmed the details of the incident.
COLUMBUS  The county is another step closer to buying a building for the local University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension office.

At its Tuesday meeting, the Platte County Board of Supervisors voted 6-1 to authorize Chairman Jim Scow to begin negotiating a price for the property. Scow, who voted against the motion, would not provide any details about the building beyond saying that it's currently listed for sale in Columbus.

Local Extension officials approached the county board more than a year ago to ask about moving the office out of the Platte County Courthouse basement to better serve clients. The move would also alleviate parking problems around the courthouse, provide more space for storage and give the office more visibility, they said.

The county hired an architectural firm to study the possibility of moving the Extension office to a new building or renovating an existing facility. One location previously discussed is the former Schweser's building at the corner of 13th Street and 27th Avenue.

Tuesday's decision to move forward with property negotiations came after an approximately 30-minute closed session. A purchase could happen before the end of the month, Scow said.

I think they (the board) expect me to get something done right away, he said.

Scow didnt favor the motion. He believes the Extension office should be included with Platte County Agricultural Park. The community needs to take a step back and look at what is really necessary and what needs to be provided, he said.

Supervisors voted last summer against spending up to $700,000 to construct a new 7,000-square-foot building at Ag Park, though board members did say at that time they would be open to reconsidering the plan.

In other business, the board approved a road-use and maintenance agreement for the expansion of Creston Ridge Wind Farm.

The wind farm, located southwest of Creston, became operational in December 2015 with four turbines. An expansion will add three turbines.

The agreement between the county and Omaha-based Bluestem Energy Solutions was tabled at the previous board meeting so the deputy county attorney could look over the contract.

The agreement holds Bluestem responsible for any damage to county roads during the construction process or when repairs need to be made to the turbines. The new turbines are expected to arrive later this year or early next year.

Board members voted 5-1 to approve the agreement, with Supervisor Ron Pfeifer abstaining and Supervisor Tom Martens voting against the motion.

Martens has been unhappy with the process used to develop the wind farm, saying the board wasn't given information about the project ahead of time.

On Tuesday, he asked Matt Robinette, project manager with Bluestem, if there are other wind turbine projects on the horizon in Platte County.

We are in the initial development stages of a project with Cornhusker Public Power. We have a developers agreement in place with them but at this time we dont have an exact location within the service territory. Once we get to that point, my plan would be to come back in front of you folks and do a better job on communication than we did on the original Creston Ridge project, Robinette said.

The board also tabled a discussion and possible action on a feasibility study regarding a possible merger of the county's 911 dispatch system with Merrick County. The topic has now been tabled at two straight meetings.
MH370 report says plane in "increasing rate of descent" when it vanished

By Jonathan Barrett and Colin Packham

SYDNEY, Nov 2 (Reuters) - A report into missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 by the Australian safety investigator leading the search supports its view that the aircraft descended rapidly after running out of fuel with no human intervention, the agency said on Wednesday.

Flight MH370 disappeared in March 2014 en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur with 239 passengers and crew onboard in one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report released on Wednesday said analysis of wing flap debris showed the aircraft was not configured for a landing.

It also said satellite communications from the aircraft were consistent with it being in a "high and increasing rate of descent" when it vanished, colloquially known as a death dive.

Voice370, a lobby group for the victims' families, said it was still hopeful that more countries would step forward to fund an extension and expansion of the search.

"We are very happy and glad that someone is taking initiative and we hope that the Malaysian and Chinese governments will come on board if they decide to extend the search area," Grace Subathirai Nathan, a lawyer whose mother was on the flight and is a spokeswoman for Voice370.

The 28-page report contains new end-of-flight and drift simulations that suggests experts believe the current search area is the most likely to contain the crash site. It coincides with the start of a three-day meeting of international experts to develop potential plans to continue the search.

ATSB search director Peter Foley told media on Wednesday that analysis of a wing flap had "enhanced certainty" at what had happened.

"It was probably in a non-extended position which means the aircraft wasn't configured for a landing or a ditching," said Foley, referring to the practice of extending wing flaps to allow an aircraft to travel safely at slower speeds in preparation for a landing.

"You can draw your own conclusions as to whether that means someone was in control or not."

The question of whether there was human intervention during the descent is crucial because if the aircraft glided, the debris field could be outside the 120,000 sq km (46,330 sq mile) search zone which has almost been exhausted.

Authorities assume the plane had no "inputs" during its final descent, meaning there was no pilot or no conscious pilot. They believe it was on auto-pilot and spiralled when it ran out of fuel.

But the engineering group leading the search, Fugro , has previously raised the prospect someone could have glided the aircraft to explain why it has not been found.

Jason Middleton, head of aviation at the University of New South Wales, said the wing flap analysis was of limited benefit.

"It meant the pilot was not alert, awake or planning a safe landing - that's all it means," Middleton told Reuters.

He said the new drift simulations only showed the aircraft was "in that generic part of the ocean" that is being searched and did not help define a new search area in the Indian Ocean.

In a separate development, a lawyer for the families of four Australian victims told Reuters that Malaysia Airlines had agreed to release information about the missing plane as part of a compensation case.

John Dawson, a partner at Carneys Lawyers, said he had been advised he would receive the information by the end of the month. The information is to include the most recent medical certificates held by the flight crew.

"If MAS or the insurance company is releasing this information in Australia, either of their own volition or under a court order, then I don't understand why the information shouldn't also be released for the families in Malaysia," Subathirai Nathan said.
Australia opt for Siddle in first South Africa test

PERTH, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Australia have chosen the experience of Peter Siddle over the potential of the uncapped Joe Mennie as their third seamer for the opening test against South Africa, which starts on Thursday.

Captain Steve Smith announced the team in his pre-match news conference at the WACA on Wednesday with Mennie the man to miss out from the 12-man squad announced last week.

Siddle, 31, played the last of his 61 tests against New Zealand in Wellington in February and proved he had recovered from the back injury that ruled him out for much of the year by playing for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield last week.

Mennie was a surprise inclusion in the squad ahead of Jackson Bird having been part of the bowling unit on the recent one-day tour of South Africa, where he took 0-82 on debut as the tourists were whitewashed 5-0.

"They're both bowling well," Smith told reporters. "They're the sort of bowlers who can bowl consistent areas, keep the runs down. I guess it complements the other guys.

"We've gone with Sidds on this occasion and it's good to have him back after a fair injury layoff."

Siddle joins Josh Hazlewood and left-armer Mitchell Starc in the bowling attack and will be hoping for a WACA wicket with more pace and bounce than that prepared for the visit of West Indies last year.

With Starc also only having one Sheffield Shield match as preparation after requiring surgery on a nasty gash he suffered in training in September, Australia's pace attack looks a little short on match fitness.

Smith said, however that Siddle and Starc had been impressive in the WACA nets this week.

"They're quite fresh so they might be able to sustain things a little bit longer than maybe the medical staff would like them to," Smith added. "They're fresh and ready to go."
Copper falls back, but strong China data underpins market

By James Regan

SYDNEY, Nov 2 (Reuters) - London copper fell back on Wednesday from hefty overnight gains, while Shanghai futures eased in late trading after finding day-long support from Chinese economic data pointing to robust demand for industrial metals.

"The (Chinese) PMI data is driving the price movement in copper," said Amy Li, an analyst with National Australia Bank.

China's official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) expanded at the fastest pace in more than two years in October, figures released on Tuesday showed, adding to the view that a credit and housing boom is stabilising the world's second-largest economy.

"LME copper has come off a bit after a strong rally in reaction to the data on Tuesday, but not by much," Li said. "Overall, there is an expectation that the Chinese economy will perform well and that's helping keep metals up."

The PMI stood at 51.2 in October, much stronger than September and the highest reading since July 2014.

The economy in China, the world's biggest consumer of copper, expanded at a steady 6.7 percent clip in the third quarter and looks set to hit Beijing's full-year target of 6.5 to 7 percent.

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange was down 0.9 percent at $4,871 a tonne by 0700 GMT, dropping back from a Tuesday peak of $4,922, its highest since early August.

The most-traded copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange dipped 0.1 percent to 38,570 yuan ($5,701) a tonne.

Benchmark zinc on the LME retreated by 0.01 percent to $2,430 a tonne, having galloped to a half-decade high in London on supply concerns after Glencore shuttered its Black Star mine in Australia.

Zinc has been the top LME performer this year, with gains of more than 50 percent on worries about shortages developing after mine closures and suspensions.

Tin maintained its upward momentum, fetching as much as $20,860 a tonne, its highest level since Sept. 2014 and up $10 on Tuesday's close. Prices for the metal are benefiting from shortage fears after stockpiles slipped to 12-year lows.

London aluminium fell 1.6 percent to $1,698, while Shanghai aluminium fell 4 percent to limit down - the maximum the contract may decline in one trading day.

PRICES

Three month LME copper

Most active ShFE copper

Three month LME aluminium

Most active ShFE aluminium

Three month LME zinc

Most active ShFE zinc

Three month LME lead

Most active ShFE lead

Three month LME nickel

Most active ShFE nickel

Three month LME tin
China hopes Germany's probes into Chinese acquisitions "an exception"

BEIJING, Nov 2 (Reuters) - China hopes Germany's recent security investigations into proposed acquisitions by Chinese companies are "an exception", a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

Shen Danyang also said China hopes Germany can be calm and create a fair environment for investors.

The German government has withdrawn its approval for a Chinese takeover of chip equipment maker Aixtron, citing security concerns.

It has also reportedly turned down a Chinese request for approval of a takeover of Osram's light bulb unit Ledvance pending a review of the deal.

"China hopes Germany's security re-investigation into the case is only an exception, not meaning that Germany will change its economic policies, because it will be bad for China and German's trade development and outlook," Shen told a regular news briefing, without specifying a particular case.

Shen said concerns from some German officials that China's acquisitions will take away technology and jobs are unnecessary.

China's investment in Germany "is not very large" despite rapid growth in recent years, he said.

Germany's economy minister Sigmar Gabriel made plain his concerns about Beijing's trade policies in talks with Chinese government officials on Tuesday marked by tensions over corporate takeovers.
Boat sinks off Indonesia's Batam, killing at least 18

JAKARTA, Nov 2 (Reuters) - A boat carrying 96 people from Malaysia to Indonesia sank on Wednesday, killing at least 18, Indonesian police said.

The boat, from Johor, sank off Indonesia's Batam island when it was hit by big waves, police said. The passengers were believed to be illegal workers returning to Indonesia.

At least 39 people were found alive.
Ukraine's Jan-Oct 2016 steel output rises 5 percent

KIEV, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Ukraine's steel production rose 5 percent in the first ten months of the year to 20.2 million tonnes as the industry recovered slightly from a sharp war-related fall in output last year, producers said on Wednesday.

Ukraine's steel production fell by 16 percent to 22.9 million tonnes in 2015, largely due to the conflict in the east of the country where most of its steel plants are based.

Data from the producers' union Metallurgprom showed pig iron output rose by 9 percent to 19.6 million tonnes between January and October this year, while rolled steel production rose by 7 percent to 17.9 million tonnes.
Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on Nov 2

PRAGUE, Nov 2 (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================================== PMI: Czech manufacturing business sentiment reached a five-month high in October, boosted by stronger output and orders, the Markit Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) showed on Tuesday. Story: Related stories: NUCLEAR: Six companies have shown interest in building additional nuclear reactors at existing power plants in the Czech Republic, a government official was quoted as saying on Tuesday. Story: Related stories: POLL: The Czech central bank is likely on Thursday to stick to a plan to remove its cap on the crown currency around mid-2017, but an exit in July or later is far more likely than one before then, a Reuters poll showed. Story: Related stories: MONETA: General Electric's gradual sale of its stake in Moneta Money Bank has lifted the Czech bank's chances of joining MSCI's benchmark country index, potentially attracting a new pool of investors. Story: Related stories: EPH: Czech closely-held energy group EPH does not expect a negative impact from a European Commission decision to allow Gazprom to ship more of its gas from the Nord Stream pipeline into the Opal link in Germany, EPH said on Tuesday. Story: Related stories: BUDGET: The Czech central state budget showed a 98.34 billion crown ($4.01 billion) surplus at the end of October due to higher tax collection and a fall in investments, Finance Ministry data showed on Tuesday. Story: Related stories: CEE MARKETS: Central European currencies were virtually unchanged in early session on Tuesday in thin trade, with main markets Poland and Hungary closed for the All Saints Day holiday, and the Romanian leu was marginally firmer. Story: Related stories: ---------------------- MARKET SNAPSHOT ------------------------ Index/Crown Currency Latest Prev Pct change Pct change close on day in 2016 vs Euro 27.022 27.053 0.11 -0.09 vs Dollar 24.396 24.537 0.57 1.87 Czech Equities 908.8 908.8 -1.41 -4.97 U.S. Equities 18,037.1 18,142.42 -0.58 3.51 Pvs close or current levels vs prior domestic close at 1600 GMT ======================PRESS DIGEST============================= NUCLEAR: CEZ will conduct a fair tender to determine who would build new blocs at its nuclear power plants, chief executive Daniel Benes said, denying a report that China demanded a no-bid contract to build one bloc at CEZ's Dukovany nuclear plant. Czech state owns majority stake at CEZ. Lidove Noviny, page 13 CROWN: Exporters' association said that its members saved 608 billion crowns ($24.92 billion) in revenues due to the central bank's weak crown policy, in place since November 2013. Hospodarske Noviny, page 1 (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 = 24.4000 Czech crowns) (Reporting by Prague Newsroom)
Spanish factory activity grows in October at fastest rate since April -PMI

MADRID, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Spanish manufacturing activity grew in October at the fastest rate since April, a survey showed on Wednesday, with new orders expanding quickly and little sign of an impact from Spain's 10-month political impasse.

Markit's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) of manufacturing companies stood at 53.3 in October, up from 52.3 in September. The index has held above the 50 line separating growth from contraction for every month since November 2013.

Spain's parliament agreed on Saturday to grant conservative leader Mariano Rajoy a second term as prime minister. Rajoy, who has headed a caretaker government since inconclusive elections in December and in June, will announce his new cabinet on Thursday.

The economy has continued to grow at a rate above the European average, although it expanded at a slightly slower pace in the third quarter.

"The soft patch in the manufacturing sector during the third quarter of the year appears to be being left behind as PMI data signalled stronger rises in new orders and output in October," Markit economist Andrew Harker said.

"More positive news was seen in terms of stocks as firms displayed a greater willingness to hold inventories, suggesting some confidence in the near-term outlook."

Companies' new orders in October expanded at their fastest rate since April, with the index rising to 53.7 from 52.8 a month earlier.

- Detailed PMI data are only available under licence from Markit and customers need to apply to Markit for a licence.

To subscribe to the full data, click on the link below: http://www.markit.com/Contact-Us
Chinese coal mine blast kills 33 - Xinhua

BEIJING, Nov 2 (Reuters) - An explosion at a coal mine in China has killed 33 people, media reported on Wednesday after rescuers recovered the bodies of 15 miners missing since Monday's blast.

Only two miners survived the explosion at the Jinshangou coal mine in the southwestern Chongqing municipality. The government has ordered an investigation into the cause of disaster, the Xinhua news agency said.

"Preliminary investigations show the mine exceeded its mining boundaries, had insufficient and malfunctioning equipment, poor ventilation and disorderly management," the news agency said.
South Africa watchdog calls for probe on influence peddling in Zuma's govt

By TJ Strydom and Mfuneko Toyana

PRETORIA, Nov 2 (Reuters) - South Africa's anti-graft watchdog called for a judge to investigate allegations of influence peddling in President Jacob Zuma's government, in a report released on Wednesday as thousands of protesters called for the president to step down.

The 355-page report, titled "State of Capture", stopped short of reaching conclusive findings, but is likely to add to pressure on Zuma by demanding a full inquiry within 30 days into the biggest crisis of his scandal-plagued presidency.

The report was finally released after the president withdrew a court bid earlier on Wednesday that had sought to delay its publication.

Police fired stun grenades and used water cannon to disperse demonstrators who had marched to the Union Buildings, where Zuma's offices are located. Outside the High Court, protesters carried "Zuma must go" placards.

Zuma denies providing special favours for wealthy friends, including three brothers who run a business empire from media to mining and who also deny wrongdoing.

The carefully-worded report stopped short of asserting that crimes had been committed, saying the watchdog lacked the resources to reach such conclusions.

It focused on allegations that the brothers, Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta, influenced the appointment of ministers, and called for an investigation into whether Zuma, some of his cabinet members and some state companies acted improperly.

In one case it cited "extraordinary and unprecedented" government intervention in a private business dispute involving Zuma's friends and his son. This, it said, may have created "a possible conflict of interest between the President as head of state and his private interest as a friend and father".

The affair has rattled markets in Africa's most industrialised economy, which faces the risk of ratings downgrades later this year. Divisions within the African National Congress (ANC) have widened since the ruling party suffered its worst-ever local election results in August.

The rand rose by as much as 2 percent to the dollar when the court ordered that the report be released, although it later pared some of its gains. Analysts said allowing the report to be released was an indication the country still had strong institutions.

The release of the report has been a central demand of Zuma's opponents since its publication was suspended on Oct. 14, the day its author, Thuli Madonsela, reached the end of her tenure as public protector, South Africa's anti-graft watchdog.

The presidency said in a statement that Zuma had decided "in the interests of justice" to withdraw his bid to delay it.

Political analyst Gary van Staden of NKC African Economics said although the cautiously-worded report did not carry a knock-out punch, it had piled even more pressure on Zuma.

"The way Zuma was rushing to stop this thing, we were waiting for something explosive. It certainly doesn't seem to contain the kind of information everyone seemed to think it might," Van Staden said.

Daniel Silke, a director at Political Futures Consultancy, said, the findings of the report would weaken Zuma, adding strength to calls for his early exit.

"He now faces a very awkward judicial inquiry which in itself could unleash criminal or court action," Silke said.

"WHEELS COMING OFF"

Since taking office in 2009, Zuma, 74, has survived several corruption scandals with the backing of top echelons of the ANC.

In March, the Constitutional Court ordered Zuma to repay some of $16 million spent on enhancing his Nkandla home in rural KwaZulu-Natal province. Zuma, who weathered a motion of no-confidence in parliament over the cost of the renovations, has since paid back more than $500,000 as required by the court.

But near record unemployment has exacerbated discontent with his government, which also failed to end weeks of often violent student demonstrations over the cost of university education.

Protesters demanded that state prosecutor Shaun Abrahams be removed from office. Abrahams had pressed charges of fraud against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, but then dropped them on Monday after popular support for him from the worlds of politics and business.

Supporters of Gordhan said the charges against him could have been a ploy to discredit Gordhan for standing in the way of graft. The president has denied he is in conflict with Gordhan.

In a sign of the country's establishment turning sharply against Zuma, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, a charity founded by South Africa's first black president, blamed Zuma on Tuesday for the "wheels coming off" South Africa.

About 40 CEOs of mostly listed companies have joined in calls for new political leadership. Among companies coming forward were technology investment firm Naspers, Africa's biggest company by market value, Standard Bank , the continent's biggest bank by assets, and Telkom , the partially privatised former telecoms monopoly.

THOUSANDS MARCH

Opposition leaders said Zuma, who has shown no signs of stepping down before his second and final term as president is up in 2019, should leave office now.

"We don't want Zuma, he has no credibility," said Julius Malema, leader of the radical leftist party Economic Freedom Fighters who called for Wednesday's marches as a show of force against Zuma.

"Jacob Zuma is unfit to hold office," Mmusi Maimane, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, said.

Paul Mashatile, ANC chairman for Gauteng province which includes Pretoria and the economic hub Johannesburg, said his group would take part in the marches, even without the blessing of the national party.

"I do not have the mandate to say the president must step down, but I can say we are against all the wrong things that are happening, including corruption," he told eNCA television.
COLUMBUS  Bond was set Monday at $500,000 for a 43-year-old Columbus man accused of distribution and possession of methamphetamine in connection with several drug deals in October that were recorded on video by a confidential informant.

Platte County Court Judge Frank Skorupa set the bond for Daniel Henke, 10 percent allowed for release, during a brief felony first appearance hearing. The defendant remained in custody Tuesday at the county jail.

Henke is charged with three counts of delivering meth and one count of possession with intent to distribute meth stemming from four separate drug deals over the course of a week last month. The charges are Class 1C and 1D felonies, each punishable by up to 50 years imprisonment.

Skorupa scheduled Henke for a Nov. 10 status hearing on the charges.

The defendant was arrested Oct. 13 after Columbus Police raided Henkes residence in the 1800 block of Eighth Street, seizing 3.6 ounces of meth, $3,000 cash, a digital scale, plastic baggies and dozens of new and used syringes.

Henke shared the Eighth Street residence with his girlfriend, her 3-year-old daughter and the couples 3-month-old daughter.

Court documents describe a Columbus Police investigation that got underway in early October when a confidential informant provided information that Henke was dealing meth from his Eighth Street residence.

Police Investigator Jeremy Zywiec wrote in his arrest statement that the informant, equipped with a video recording device, met with Henke for multiple drug transactions involving large quantities of meth.

During the initial drug deal, Zywiec wrote, the informant obtained video footage of Henke removing a crystal substance from a larger container and repackaging it into a small plastic baggie.

Additional video footage revealed more of the crystal substance and a digital scale in the residence, Zywiec said. The substance later tested positive for meth, he said.

The drug sales involved quantities ranging from 12 to 29 grams.

Henkes girlfriend and the two young children were present during the first two drug transactions and all three were asleep in the home during the third, the investigator wrote.

Dozens of syringes found throughout the house were in easily accessible locations for the 3-year-old child, Zywiec said.
Iraqi forces advance on town where IS accused of executions

By Maher Chmaytelli and Stephen Kalin

BAGHDAD/BARTELLA, Iraq, Nov 2 (Reuters) - U.S.-backed Iraqi forces moved closer on Wednesday to a town south of Mosul where aid groups and regional officials say Islamic State has executed dozens of prisoners.

A military statement said security forces advanced to the edge of Hammam al-Alil, a thermal water resort, after an elite unit breached the eastern limits of Mosul, the ultra-hardline group's last major city stronghold in Iraq.

The battle that started on Oct. 17 with air and ground support from a U.S.-led coalition is shaping up as the largest in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003.

Mosul still has a population of 1.5 million people, much more than any of the other cities captured by Islamic State two years ago in Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

The United Nations cited reports on Tuesday that Islamic State, which is also known as ISIL, is attempting to displace Hammam al-Alil's estimated population of 25,000 for use as human shields and protection against air and artillery strikes.

"We have grave concerns for the safety of these and the tens of thousands of other civilians who have reportedly been forcibly relocated by ISIL in the past two weeks," U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said.

The town, 15 km (9 miles) south of Mosul, had a pre-war population of 65,000, a local official said.

Aid organizations, local officials and Mosul residents have cited reports that IS has executed dozens of people in Hammam al-Alil and barracks nearby on suspicion of planning rebellions in and around Mosul to aid the advancing troops.

Abdul Rahman al-Waggaa, a member of the Nineveh provincial council, told Reuters last week that most of the victims were former police and army members. The men were shot dead, he said, quoting the testimony of remaining residents of the villages and people displaced from the area.

Security forces advancing north on the western bank of the Tigris River recaptured five villages on Wednesday, the closest of them just 5 km (3 miles) from Hammam al-Alil, according to military statements.

Just across the river from those forces lie the ruins of the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud, which the Iraqi government says was bulldozed last year as part of Islamic State's campaign to destroy symbols which the Sunni Muslim zealots consider idolatrous. Army troops heading north on that side of the Tigris have yet to reach the area.

FEARS OF A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

The United Nations has said the Mosul offensive could trigger a humanitarian crisis and a possible refugee exodus if the civilians inside in Mosul seek to escape, with up to 1 million people fleeing in a worst-case scenario.

The International Organisation for Migration said nearly 21,000 people have been displaced since the start of the campaign, excluding thousands of villagers taken into Mosul by retreating jihadists who used them as human shields.

Elite Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) troops were the first to breach Mosul's official boundary this week. They said on Tuesday they were in control of the state television station.

A CTS commander, Lt. General Abdul Ghani al-Assadi, told reporters in Bartella, a village east of Mosul, that the unit will pause its advance on the eastern front because of some rainfall early on Wednesday.

"God willing the next stage will begin within hours. This depends on the weather," he said.

A resident of Mosul's eastern Karama district, still under Islamic State control, said on Wednesday four people were killed in artillery fire and air strikes, and said he saw two partially destroyed houses.

"There's a compulsory curfew in our area. The women and children are frightened and the men can't do anything. We can't even help the wounded," the resident told Reuters by telephone.

"One person was wounded by shrapnel in his house and he bled to death. No one could save him. We can't retrieve the bodies. Anyone who leaves his house risks his life."

However residents said the city was quieter than on Tuesday.

Assadi said a curfew had been imposed on the recaptured eastern suburb of Kokjali to protect residents from mortar bombs fired by the insurgents.

Kurdish peshmerga fighters are also deployed on the eastern and northern fronts, and Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi'ite militias are attacking Islamic State west of Mosul.

TRIBAL MILITIAS

Some Sunni Muslim volunteers opposed to Islamic State also want to join the battle. Amnesty International said on Wednesday fighters from one group, the Sab'awi tribal militia, tortured and humiliated men and boys in villages southeast of Mosul who were suspected of having ties to Islamic State.

"There is strong evidence that Sab'awi tribal militia members have committed crimes under international law by torturing and otherwise ill-treating residents... in revenge for crimes committed by IS," Amnesty's Lynn Maalouf said.

In one incident, seven men and boys were placed in poultry cages in the middle of a public roundabout. They were brought out one by one, forced to say they were donkeys, and were beaten, Amnesty said.

There have been no reports of abuses by pro-Iranian militias, but their involvement is causing alarm in Turkey which has had troops deployed north of the city since last year to train and support some of the Sunni Arab volunteers.

The Turkish army has begun deploying tanks and other armoured vehicles to the town of Silopi near the Iraqi border.

Turkey says it has a responsibility to protect ethnic Turkmens and Sunni Arabs in the area around Mosul, once part of the Ottoman Empire. It fears both Kurdish PKK militants and Shi'ite militias, which the Iraqi army has relied on in the past, will be used in the campaign and stoke ethnic bloodletting.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said after a cabinet session in Baghdad on Tuesday that tensions with Turkey have eased in the last week but that Iraq would respond to any "violation" of its territory.
Venezuelan first lady's nephews face U.S. drug trial

By Nate Raymond

NEW YORK, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Two nephews of Venezuela's first lady are set to go on trial on U.S. charges that they tried to carry out a multimillion-dollar drug deal to obtain a large amount of cash to help their family stay in power.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Wednesday in Manhattan federal court in the case of Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas and Efrain Antonio Campo Flores, nephews of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores.

Prosecutors accuse the nephews of trying to monetize their political connections to use one of Venezuela's airports to send hundreds of kilograms of cocaine to Honduras for transshipment to the United States.

Prosecutors say their goal in part was to obtain cash to counteract money they believed the United States was supplying to the opposition before Venezuela's December 2015 National Assembly elections.

Maduro's Socialist Party lost its parliamentary majority after the vote.

Both nephews have pleaded not guilty.

The case has been an embarrassment for Maduro during a political and economic crisis in Venezuela. It is one of several U.S. investigations that have linked individuals connected to the Venezuelan government to drug trafficking.

Prosecutors said in 2015, a Honduran drug trafficker told the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration that a Venezuelan official related to Cilia Flores planned to send his nephew to meet with him about bringing drug-laden planes into Honduras.

Working with the DEA, the trafficker met with Flores de Freitas, 31, and Campo Flores, 30, who then asked the trafficker to send a representative to Venezuela to meet with them, the prosecutors said.

Two DEA informants posing as Mexican drug cartel members met in Caracas with Flores de Freitas and Campo Flores, recording their meetings and observing cocaine, prosecutors said.

The two men were arrested in Haiti in November 2015. On a flight to New York, both men confessed, prosecutors said.

At trial, the nephews are expected to call into question the DEA informants' credibility. Both informants have admitted to lying to the DEA to secretly traffic drugs themselves.

If convicted, the nephews face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life.

A Honduran man named Roberto de Jesus Soto Garcia has also been charged in connection with the nephews' case. He was arrested on Friday by Honduran police.
Haunted by asylum centre fire, divided Austrian town prepares to vote

By Shadia Nasralla

ALTENFELDEN, Austria, Nov 2 (Reuters) - The men sip beers in Altenfelden's Barolo bar, remembering the night this summer when attackers set fire to the town's refugee centre before a single migrant had moved in.

"It burned so nicely," says one at the counter, as the others chuckle nervously around him. Another member of the group, clearly uncomfortable, tells him to be quiet. But the conversation drags on, more blue jokes and political banter. The waitresses stare at the floor.

Memories of the arson attack, and the debates about immigration that swirled around it, are particularly charged this month in Altenfelden which, like the rest of Austria, is preparing for a presidential vote on Dec. 4 which could create Western Europe's first far-right head of state in decades.

Norbert Hofer of the anti-immigration Freedom Party is standing against independent candidate Alexander Van der Bellen, a former leader of the Greens - the last time they met in an annulled run-off vote in May, about 55 percent of Altenfelden's voters went for Hofer.

The northern town's refugee centre was re-built, but no one was ever arrested. Any public discussion about the attack can quickly get into dangerous territory.

Town mayor Klaus Gattringer found a note pinned to his chair at an event he attended to promote the shelter, warning him that his three daughters would be the first to be raped by the migrants. He threw the piece of paper away.

Before the wooden shelter was built, opponents handed out leaflets with the message: "Who will protect our women?"

"I don't want to fight with them," Gattringer says, referring to local members of the Freedom Party (FPO), which condemned the arson attack but has risen on a wave of anti-immigrant sentiment.

RIVALS IN COALITION

Gattringer's stance is understandably neutral, as he has to work with Freedom Party members most days in his community close to the borders with the Czech Republic and Germany.

He is a member of the conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP), takes pride in its anti-fascist record during World War Two, and plans to vote for Van der Bellen in the presidential vote.

But he serves on the town's communal council, where his party makes decisions alongside the FPO and the Social Democrats in a microcosm of the coalition deals that dominate politics at all levels in deeply federalised Austria.

Hofer lost the last presidential vote in May by a mere 31,000 votes, but the election was declared invalid due to sloppiness in the counting procedures.

Polls suggest Austrians remain split down the middle for the repeat vote in December, with opinions at their most polarised over immigration and refugees.

It's a divide there for all to see on the streets of Altenfelden.

One woman at a bus stop says she believes the migrants set fire to the hostel themselves. When asked whether she minds the 34 asylum seekers currently living in Altenfelden, she says: "No, because I live at the other end of town."

"IT SADDENS ME"

Nearby, a 19-year-old, left-wing activist says she left her volleyball club when some members started distributing FPO material and asking people to sign a letter against the hostel.

"I just go shopping here, I have loads of friends in other places," says the young woman, who, like many others in Altenfelden, preferred to remain anonymous.

In the Red Cross refugee centre itself, staff member Mario Mitterlehner plays with a groups of Afghan children, many of them already speaking in the local German dialect.

He faces some hostility in town, not least when he goes for a drink.

"Sometimes in the pub things get heated and people ask me why I work here. I don't debate this. This is my job," he says, taking a quick break from the clowning around in one of the hostel's communal rooms.

But he says lots of other residents support the centre and at least 50 people from the area volunteer to work there. The hostility to asylum seekers, that Altenfelden has become known for in the media since the fire, is far from universally felt.
Copper steady, strong China data underpins market

By Zandi Shabalala

LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Copper was steady on Wednesday, supported by Chinese economic data that pointed to robust demand for industrial metals, balancing pressure from speculators booking profits after a rally this week.

Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange closed barely changed, up $1 to $4,920 a tonne, rebounding from an intraday low of $4,866. On Tuesday, copper hit a peak of $4,922, its highest since Aug. 2.

World markets, including metals, were also spooked by a poll on Tuesday that put U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump ahead of rival Hillary Clinton.

"Certainly I do expect some profit taking to come in at some point because the price has risen so much," said Capital Economics senior commodities economist Caroline Bain, adding the U.S. Presidential race was also dragging prices lower.

In times of economic or political uncertainty investors often move to safe-haven assets such as gold and the Swiss franc and away from world stocks and some commodities.

Helping to bolster copper was China's official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for October, which expanded at the fastest pace in more than two years, adding to the view that a credit and housing boom is stabilising the world's second-largest economy.

China is the world's top consumer of industrial metals and indications of a quickening economy boosts commodities.

"LME copper has come off a bit after a strong rally in reaction to the data on Tuesday, but not by much," said Amy Li, an analyst with National Australia Bank.

"Overall, there is an expectation that the Chinese economy will perform well and that's helping keep metals up."

The economy in China, the world's biggest copper consumer, expanded at a steady 6.7 percent clip in the third quarter and looks set to hit Beijing's full-year target of 6.5 to 7 percent.

Elsewhere, zinc fell along with most other metals, retreating from a five-year high on profit-taking but it was still supported by supply-deficit fundamentals, traders said.

Zinc finished 1.6 percent weaker at $2,426 a tonne, having galloped to a half-decade high on supply concerns after Glencore shuttered its Black Star mine in Australia and as a report this week showed a 2017 deficit.

Zinc, used to galvanise steel, has been the top LME performer this year, with gains of more than 50 percent.

Tin ended down 0.4 percent at $20,775, retreating from an intraday peak of $20,895 a tonne, its highest level since September 2014. Prices for the metal are benefiting from shortage fears after stockpiles slipped to 12-year lows.

Aluminium dipped 0.5 percent to close at $1,726.50, lead shed 0.8 percent to $2,054, while nickel slipped 0.9 percent to end at $10,320.

PRICES

Three month LME copper

Most active ShFE copper

Three month LME aluminium

Most active ShFE aluminium

Three month LME zinc

Most active ShFE zinc

Three month LME lead

Most active ShFE lead

Three month LME nickel

Most active ShFE nickel

Three month LME tin
Germany alarmed by Turkish media crackdown but no sanctions

BERLIN, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Germany is not discussing possible sanctions against Turkey over its widening crackdown after a failed coup in the summer and the detention last month of executives from an opposition newspaper, a spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday.

"We have big doubts whether the actions against editor in chief Murat Sabuncu and his colleagues are in line with the principles of the rule of law," Steffen Seibert said during a regular government news conference.

Sabuncu, editor of the opposition secularist Cumhuriyet newspaper, was arrested late last month and accused along with other executives of committing crimes on behalf of Kurdish militants and the "Gulenist Terror Organisation" (FETO).

Ankara blames the supporters of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen for the coup attempt. The government refers to his network as the Gulenist Terror Organisation (FETO). Gulen has denied involvement in the putsch.
MIDEAST STOCKS-Gulf falls as Saudi outperforms; investment steps boost Egypt

By Andrew Torchia

DUBAI, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Gulf stock markets fell on Wednesday after drops in global bourses and oil prices, but banking shares limited the decline in Saudi Arabia. Egypt's blue chip index rose after the government approved steps designed to boost investment.

In the nine days through Monday, the Saudi index rocketed 10.1 percent in response to the success of Riyadh's international bond issue, which eased concern about tight liquidity in the banking system.

On Tuesday, the index pulled back slightly, and it fell a further 0.1 percent on Wednesday. The banking sector edged up 0.04 percent, suggesting positive sentiment due to the bond issue has not yet faded.

The biggest lender, National Commercial Bank, fell back 3.2 percent but major Islamic lender Al Rajhi climbed 0.9 percent.

The petrochemical sector dropped 0.5 percent, and many gainers were second- or third-tier stocks favoured by local retail investors, such as air conditioner maker and retailer Shaker, which rose 1.5 percent after its board approved a 0.75 riyal nine-month dividend to shareholders registered this Thursday.

Dubai's index fell 0.9 percent with Emaar Properties losing 1.6 percent, while a 1.6 percent slide in telecommunications operator Etisalat helped to pull Abu Dhabi's index down 1.0 percent.

Qatar's index slipped 1.3 percent to 10,073 points as petrochemicals and metals blue chip Industries Qatar sagged 1.6 percent.

The index broke technical support at 10,153-10,160 points, where its September low coincided with its 200-day average. That broke the consolidation range of the past six weeks, pointing down to around 9,800 points.

A Reuters poll of Middle East fund managers published this week found only 7 percent of managers expected to raise Qatar equity allocations in the next three months, and 50 percent expected to reduce them - the most bearish balance for Qatar since the survey was launched in September 2013. They cited high valuations relative to the rest of the region.

Kuwait's stock index edged down 0.1 percent but Kuwait Finance House, the country's biggest Islamic lender, rose 2.1 percent after reporting a 20.5 percent rise in third-quarter net profit to 52.3 million dinars ($172.9 million).

EFG Hermes had forecast the lender would make a quarterly net profit of 33.8 million dinars while HSBC had estimated 64.0 million dinars.

In Egypt, the EGX 30 index of blue chips rose 0.9 percent, with Global Telecom adding 2.5 percent and real estate developer Talaat Mostafa gaining 1.2 percent. However, the broader EGX 100 index fell 0.9 percent.

The government's Supreme Investment Council on Tuesday extended a freeze on capital gains tax from shares for three years.

Other steps included tax exemptions for farmers and manufacturers who produce strategic crops or goods that Egypt imports or exports, and measures to reduce legal and bureaucratic barriers to investment.

The steps appeared unlikely in themselves to resolve Egypt's severe foreign currency shortage or boost growth any time soon, but they were seen as a positive signal that the government had the market's interests in mind, said a local fund manager.

Foreign investors, who had been heavy net sellers of Egyptian stocks for the previous two days, partly because of fears of another currency devaluation, were net buyers by a substantial margin on Wednesday, exchange data showed.

WEDNESDAY'S HIGHLIGHTS

SAUDI ARABIA

* The index edged down 0.1 percent to 5,990 points.

DUBAI

* The index fell 0.9 percent to 3,292 points.

ABU DHABI

* The index dropped 1.0 percent to 4,265 points.

EGYPT

* The index rose 0.9 percent to 8,525 points.

QATAR

* The index slipped 1.3 percent to 10,073 points.

KUWAIT

* The index edged down 0.1 percent to 5,408 points.

OMAN

* The index edged down 0.1 percent to 5,471 points.

BAHRAIN
Telenor shifts Myanmar focus to data services as 'hyper growth' era ends

By Yimou Lee and Antoni Slodkowski

YANGON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Norwegian telecoms company Telenor will focus on improving data services in Myanmar, the head of the local business said on Wednesday, as an era of rapid subscriber growth following the opening up of the economy has ended.

The liberalisation of Myanmar's telecoms sector has been a rare example of successful reform since the military ceded power in 2011, with Telenor quickly establishing itself as the No. 2 in the market with 18 million subscribers.

But after a period of astonishing growth in a country which had one of the world's lowest mobile penetration rates, the fight over customers is shifting to more-lucrative Internet services, fuelled by Myanmar's near-ubiquitous use of Facebook.

"Those who wanted to have a SIM card already have one ... The fight will turn into existing customers rather than new, virgin customers who have never had experiences in cellphones," Telenor Myanmar chief executive, Lars Erik Tellmann, told Reuters in an interview.

"Everyone has jumped into mobile - there's no fixed line alternatives and very few have PCs while Internet penetration remains extremely low," said Tellmann. "That explains why everyone is so hungry for their smartphone and their ability to be online."

Other social media apps popular in Myanmar include Facebook-owned WhatsApp and Viber.

Telenor faces tough competition from Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT), a state-owned provider that has partnered with Japan's KDDI Corp to improve its services, and Qatar's Ooredoo.

Estimates vary, but industry experts say MPT has around 21 million subscribers while Ooredoo has reported 9 million.

Vietnamese carrier Viettel said in April it planned to form a consortium with two Myanmar companies to invest a combined $1.5 billion in Myanmar's telecoms sector if it won the country's fourth, and last, telecom licence.

Myanmar accounted for 5.3 percent of Telenor's revenue in the third quarter and was its fastest growing market.

But the company's average revenue per user in Myanmar, a key industry measure, was down 28 percent to $4 compared with a year earlier, partly because Telenor is now pushing deeper into rural areas where people spend less on mobile services.

"Super hyper growth has flattened," said Tellmann.

As of the third quarter, around 40 percent of Telenor's revenue in Myanmar came from data services, Tellmann said, while the remaining 60 percent was from the traditional sources such as voice calls and text messages.

The company has built 6,800 telecoms towers and plans to build an additional 3,200 by the end of 2018.
Ukraine rebuilds navy, with U.S. help, to counter Russian build-up in Crimea

By Margaryta Chornokondratenko

KIEV, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Ukraine is refitting and expanding its naval fleet, including repairing its flagship, the frigate "Hetman Sahaydachnyy", to counter a Russian military build-up in the annexed territory of Crimea, the commander of the Ukrainian navy says.

The upgrade will be helped by $30 million worth of U.S. aid, part of a $500 million package from Washington for the Ukrainian military which Kiev expects to receive next year.

"Step by step we will rebuild our fleet from the beginning," Vice Admiral Ihor Voronchenko told Reuters in an interview.

"Our capacities in terms of quality will be better that the ones which remained in Crimea."

Ukraine lost two-thirds of its fleet, which had been mostly based in Sevastopol, when Russia seized Crimea from Kiev in 2014. Since then it has fought Russian-backed separatists in the Donbass region in a war that has killed nearly 10,000 people.

Before the Russian annexation, Moscow leased facilities from the Ukrainian state to house its Black Sea Fleet, which has been based in Crimea for more than two centuries. Those facilities, mainly around Sevastopol, are now being expanded.

Russia has started a programme to militarise Crimea, including resurrecting Soviet-built facilities, building new bases and stationing soldiers there, according to a Reuters Special Report.

When Russia seized Crimea, Ukraine stopped the "Hetman Sahaydachnyy", the landing ship "Yuriy Olifirenko", the missile boat "Pryluky" and some gunboats from falling into Russian hands.

"We just started repairing works at our flagship," Voronchenko said.

Two new gunboats are almost ready for service "and I am sure we will receive four more boats in July next year," he said.

The navy also plans to have a new Corvette warship and a new missile boat by 2020.

Other measures by Ukraine to beef up its defence include raising the level of training for navy personnel and creating new units of coastal defence troops. Part of the training is being carried out in NATO member countries Italy, France and Britain.

Voronchenko said Russia was planning to turn Crimea into a "military base", installing three submarine boats, new frigates and more airborne facilities. He also said that Russian ships were experiencing technical problems.

"We have information, we conduct surveillance. I cannot tell you everything," he said. "But we can counter-attack all their hostile intentions. They also have problems in resources."

Sergei Zgurets, Director for the Defense Express consultancy, said Ukraine's naval capacity was low and its airforce and artillery were still therefore the main defence against an attack from the sea.

"So we will fight against the enemy's navy forces using land and air forces," Zgurets said.

Voronchenko will meet the navy chief of Romania, a European Union and NATO member, on Nov 23 to discuss possible joint actions in the Black Sea in case of Russian aggression.
Italy's Renzi chases elusive youth vote in referendum

By Isla Binnie

ROME, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Matteo Renzi gazes out from the cover of this month's Italian edition of Rolling Stone magazine as if performing a blessing.

He is "The Young Pop", the magazine says in a riff on the title of a new television series about a fictional pope and on Renzi as popstar.

Renzi, 41, who became Italy's youngest ever prime minister two and a half years ago, needs to lure young voters who might read Rolling Stone if he is to win a make-or-break constitutional referendum on Dec. 4. So far, he is struggling.

With just over a month to go until the referendum which will define Renzi's political career he is lagging in the polls, which also show a stark generational split.

A survey by pollster IPR on Oct. 17 found that 60.5 percent of 18-34 year olds planned to vote against the proposed constitutional reform to reduce the role of the upper house Senate and curb the powers of regional governments.

That compared with 39.5 percent who plan to vote in favour. The proportion was exactly the opposite among over-55s.

The lack of youth support may stem from cynicism about what Renzi has promised and what he has achieved. For many, Renzi's previous initiatives have yet to make tangible progress in reversing Italy's grinding economic decline, which has hurt the young more than the old.

A pledge to reform and break down old structures blamed for economic weakness and political instability once earned him the nickname "Demolition Man", but many now feel he promised a bigger break from the past than he could deliver.

"If you promise great reforms and then make huge compromises you're not a 'Demolition Man," said Alessandro Aceto, a 26 year-old engineer from Monza.

YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT, POVERTY

A report last week by Milan's Bocconi University and U.S. bank J.P. Morgan showed 15-24 year-olds make up 20 percent of Italy's long-term unemployed - those who have been unable to find work for more than a year.

The gap between youth unemployment and adult unemployment rose steeply between 2007 and 2015, the report said. The overall youth unemployment rate has remained stubbornly close to 40 percent during Renzi's entire mandate.

"These voters feel disadvantaged, they haven't seen improvements, and they probably had great expectations of Renzi," said Antonio Noto, head of pollster IPR.

A new labour law which made it easier for private companies to fire workers only applies to new hires, while changes to the pensionable age by a previous government mean their older colleagues stay in the workforce longer.

Absolute poverty in Italy is at its highest rate for a decade and Catholic charity Caritas said in October 47 percent of people who fall into that category are under 34 years old.

The referendum question has been criticised for cramming too many issues onto one voting slip, and fewer than 20 percent of those polled by IPR said they understood it well.

Against the backdrop of complex constitutional change, 30 year-old marketing executive Flavia Carcano said the Rolling Stone appearance was a good idea.

"He's trying to be closer to young people and speak the same language as people who have been uninterested until now."
Diplomatic spat between India and Pakistan worsens amid border tensions

By Syed Raza Hassan and Douglas Busvine

ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Pakistan may expel five Indian diplomats for espionage and has revealed their names, local media said on Wednesday, a move sure to exacerbate a rift between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours that has been widening for months.

Pakistan declined to comment on the matter ahead of a planned news conference on Thursday, while India said the identity of eight of its diplomats had been revealed by Pakistani media.

Vikas Swarup, spokesman of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, declined to comment when asked whether the eight diplomats stationed in Islamabad would be withdrawn.

Swarup also said six Pakistani diplomats had left the Indian capital on Wednesday but said they had not been expelled.

Last week India ordered one employee of the Pakistani embassy, known as a High Commission, to leave the country on suspicion of espionage, triggering the expulsion of one of its own envoys by Islamabad.

The diplomatic spat comes after months of sharply deteriorating relations that began with civil unrest in Indian-controlled Kashmir and Pakistan's global lobbying against New Delhi's crackdown on the Kashmiri activists.

In September a group of gunmen killed 19 Indian soldiers at an army camp in Kashmir, an attack India blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

India said it had carried out "surgical strikes" inside Pakistan as retribution, but Islamabad denied they even took place and accused New Delhi of fabrication to distract attention from its crackdown on the protests in the part of Kashmir it controls.

Artillery duels and skirmishing along the disputed frontier that runs through Kashmir have escalated in recent days, leading India to summon the Pakistani deputy high commissioner on Wednesday to express its "grave concern and strong protest".

In a statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs accused Pakistan of violations of a 2003 ceasefire that have caused several fatalities and injuries among its civilians and security forces.

New Delhi also protested against the alleged mutilation of the body of an Indian soldier by an attacker who escaped across the Line of Control after "committing this heinous crime".
COLUMBUS  An "Enchanting Evening" will help deliver a Christian education to more than 175 local students.

Immanuel Lutheran Schools Extravaganza raised $70,000 last year to support the school and its 177 students. This year's event, the 15th annual, is scheduled for Nov. 19.

We spread it out toward every familys tuition expense since we dont get government support, said Kristy Lantis, coordinator of the fundraiser. We want to keep Christian education affordable in Columbus.

Lantis and many other volunteers are organizing the formal night with a fairy-tale theme of an "Enchanted Evening." She hopes theyll magically raise even more money this year.

Anyone can come out and enjoy a fun social event while supporting Christian education, said Lantis, noting that the public is invited to participate along with members of the church and school.

Jody Timm, principal at the K-8 school, said Immanuel Lutheran has grown by more than 60 students in the last 10 years, showing the local demand for Christian education.

This type of education is important because we get to share the love of Christ every day and raise up young people in faith to pass on to the next generation, said Timm, who has been principal of the school for the past 10 years.

Timm said there has been discussion about adding a high school.

Were talking about doing a feasibility study at this point, he said.

It would provide an opportunity for more kids to come and learn here, Timm added.

The school, which opened in 1893, has been in its current building at the corner of 28th Street and 26th Avenue since 1956.

The Extravaganza fundraiser will feature dinner, dessert and a social hour at Ramada-Columbus and River's Edge Convention Center followed by a live auction. More than 450 people attended last year's event, according to Lantis.

Tickets are $52 and can be purchased at Immanuel Lutheran School and Immanuel Lutheran Church. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

Beginning Nov. 9, those who would like to bid on silent auction items and purchase tickets can do so at www.qtego.net/qlink/purchase/?id=a.
Britain's Brexit subsidies for carmakers could top wage bills

By Tom Bergin

LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Compensating carmakers in Britain for any post-Brexit tariffs on exports to Europe could see the government hand the companies more money than they need to pay the salaries of all their British workers, a Reuters analysis of corporate filings shows.

Japan's Nissan said in September it would only commit to new UK investment if it received a guarantee of compensation to offset any such tariffs. Last week, it agreed to build new models in the country after Prime Minister Theresa May assured it the government would provide support to preserve its competitiveness in the EU market after Brexit.

The nature of the Nissan deal - which gave Britain a crucial corporate endorsement as it prepares for life outside the European Union - is unknown. The government said there hadn't been a "detailed and specific" agreement on tariffs.

If Britain does not secure a free-trade deal with the European Union, carmakers in the country could face export tariffs of 10 percent - the level the EU imposes on cars imported from outside the bloc.

The cost of compensating Nissan, which has 2.9 billion pounds ($3.5 billion) of annual EU exports, would be 290 million pounds a year. That would exceed the company's British wage bill, which was 288 million pounds in 2015, accounts for Nissan's main UK operating unit show.

The pattern is followed across Britain's carmaking industry.

Reuters examined the accounts of eight of the biggest car exporters, including Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota, Bentley, Mini, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin and Honda, which are all foreign-owned. Their wage bills averaged 7.5 percent of total operating costs and 7.7 percent of turnover.

This suggests the cost of tariffs on vehicles exported from Britain to the continent - levied at 10 percent of turnover - would exceed the wages paid to British workers to build those vehicles.

Member of parliament Clive Lewis, the main opposition Labour Party's spokesman for industry, said the Reuters analysis "raises new questions about any assurances the government have given to Nissan".

He said the government should reveal details of its deal with the carmaker. "Ongoing secrecy about exactly what they have offered means these findings are a cause for concern," he added.

BILLION POUNDS

The UK Office for National Statistics and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders industry group do not compile figures for the value of car exports to the European Union.

But a Reuters estimate based on corporate filings and company statements suggests they totalled over 10 billion pounds in 2015 - around 40 percent of UK carmakers' exports.

This would mean carmakers in Britain could face additional tariffs of over 1 billion pounds a year after Brexit, if the government does not secure a free-trade deal for the industry.

Kevin Farnsworth, a professor of social policy at the University of York who has researched and written extensively about government subsidies, said the cost would go beyond any previous support offered to British industries.

"A subsidy of this magnitude would be huge," he said. "An ongoing commitment to subsidise a company would be unprecedented."

When asked about the government's plans for supporting carmakers, a spokesman for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy referred to comments from minister Greg Clark at the weekend, when he said the government believed it could secure a trade deal with Europe that would not involve tariffs on vehicle imports or exports.

However such an outcome is far from assured.

The biggest European business lobby groups, including some which have carmakers such as Daimler and Volkswagen as members, have urged their governments not to grant Britain single market access without following all the EU's core rules - something British ministers have said they do not want to do.

'HIGH-LEVEL COMMITMENT'

Clark told the Times newspaper last week that the Nissan deal had been a "high-level commitment" and that it did not go into details on issues like compensating the company.

Some analysts have said that the government could make good on its promise to keep the UK car-making industry competitive post-Brexit, without fully making up the cost of tariffs because exporters are already benefiting from the sharp drop in sterling since the June vote to leave the EU.

For carmakers, key sterling-denominated costs - where they would benefit from the currency's weakness - are wages and local procurement.

However, their wage bills as a proportion of operating costs are modest compared with many other sectors, such as banking and pharmaceuticals.

Only 37 percent of the UK automotive industry's total supply chain spend was sourced locally, according to a 2014 report from accountants KPMG. Much of that was supplied by companies whose products used imported raw materials and components.

This all suggests that for UK car exporters to remain competitive in Europe, if Britain does not secure a trade deal, they will need significant financial support from government.

Even if the government made good only half of the tariffs that the exports of a company like Nissan faced, this would represent a level of subsidy that far exceeds precedents.

Nissan's main UK operating unit employed 7,240 workers last year. If the government did subsidise the company just 145 million pounds a year to make up for half the 10 percent tariff on its exports, the cost would represent 20,000 pounds a year.

($1 = 0.8165 pounds)
Philippines' Duterte rails at U.S. 'monkeys' for halting gun sale

MANILA, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte chided the United States on Wednesday for halting the planned sale of 26,000 rifles to his country, calling those behind the decision "fools" and "monkeys" and indicating he might turn to Russia and China instead.

Duterte's tirades against the former colonial power are routine during his speeches and he said on Wednesday he once believed in Washington, but had since lost respect for the Philippines' biggest ally.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said he regarded Duterte's latest salvo as "inexplicably at odds with the close relationship that we continue to have with not just the Filipino people, but the Filipino government."

The State Department halted the sale of the assault rifles to the Philippine police after staff from U.S. Senator Ben Cardin's office said he would oppose it, Senate aides told Reuters on Monday.

Aides said Cardin, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was reluctant for the United States to provide the weapons given concern about human rights violations in the Philippines during Duterte's bloody, four-month-old war on drugs.

"Look at these monkeys, the 26,000 firearms we wanted to buy, they don't want to sell," Duterte said during a televised speech.

"Son of a bitch, we have many homemade guns here. These American fools."

More than 2,300 people have been killed in police operations or by suspected vigilantes as part of Duterte's anti-narcotics effort, which was the linchpin of his election campaign.

Duterte has vented his anger at the United States for raising concerns about the extrajudicial killings.

"That's why I was rude at them, because they were rude at me," he said.

According to procedures in Washington, the State Department informs Congress when international weapons sales are in the works. Aides said the State Department had been informed Cardin would oppose the deal during the prenotification process, thus effectively halting the sale.

"Committee staff told State that Cardin would block it if it was sent forward. They haven't sent it. Does that mean it has been stopped? I guess that depends on your definition. It would be highly unusual for State to move it forward with explicit opposition," a Senate aide said on Wednesday.

COMMITTED TO PHILIPPINES ALLIANCE

Kirby, the State Department spokesman, said he was barred from commenting on the status of the sale, while stressing the U.S. commitment to the U.S.-Philippines alliance.

Asked how the United States could have a close relationship with the Phiippines' government without also having such ties with its president, Kirby said in a democracy, the government "doesn't rest on the shoulders of just one individual."

Kirby denied Washington had any plan to circumvent Duterte but rather to stress that it has long and robust relationships with other parts of the government.

"Those are solid, they remain. But obviously, you also need to develop a good working relationship with the head of state," Kirby said. "We're committed to doing that."

Speaking with troops at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the long-standing military alliance had benefited both nations.

"We continue to regard them as an ally. Obviously we're having conversations with the government of the Philippines about the future of that. That has been good for the Philippines, it is good for the United States," Carter said in response to a serviceman's question.

The Philippine police chief, Ronald dela Rosa, who has expressed disappointment that police might not get the M4 rifles, held a news conference where he showed a letter from the supplier, SIG Sauer, saying it had been advised by State that the application for the export license was proceeding normally.

If it does not go ahead, dela Rosa said, "We have many options and it's their loss, not ours, if the report is true."

Duterte reiterated that Russia and China had shown willingness to sell arms to the Philippines, but he would wait to see if his military wanted to continue using U.S. weapons.

"Russia, they are inviting us. China also. China is open, anything you want, they sent me brochure saying we select there, we'll give you.

"But I am holding off because I was asking the military if they have any problem. Because if you have, if you want to stick to America, fine.
Kenya says withdrawing its troops from a U.N. mission in South Sudan

KAMPALA, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Kenya said on Wednesday it would withdraw its troops from the U.N. peace keeping mission in South Sudan after it sacked a Kenyan who led the force and was accused of not responding to an attack on a hotel in the South Sudanese capital Juba in July.
Vietnam police arrest anti-government blogger

HANOI, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Vietnamese police on Wednesday detained a prominent blogger for distributing anti-state information, the latest in a crackdown on critics of the country's Communist rulers.

Ho Van Hai, 52, was arrested in Ho Chi Minh City and accused of "spreading information and documents on the internet that are against the government of the Social Republic of Vietnam", according to a statement by Ho Chi Minh City police on their website.

Police will investigate and handle Hai's violations in accordance with the law, the statement said. Hai's Facebook page and blog were inaccessible as of Wednesday night.

Despite sweeping reforms to its economy and increasing openness toward social change, including gay, lesbian and transgender rights, Vietnam's ruling Communist Party retains tight media censorship and zero tolerance for criticism.

Last month Vietnam police detained prominent blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, or "Me Nam" (Mother Mushroom), for running "propaganda" against the state. The United States, European Union and Britain called for her release.
German police arrest Syrian suspected of belonging to terrorist group

BERLIN, Nov 2 (Reuters) - German police have arrested a Syrian man in Berlin on suspicion of being a member of a foreign terrorist organisation, local police tweeted.

The man, who officers said had given his age as 27, had been living in Germany since 2015, police said.

He was arrested in an apartment in the Schoeneberg district and an investigation has begun.

German security services, fearing Islamist attacks, are on high alert. In October, a Syrian refugee was arrested on suspicion of planning a major attack in Berlin after police discovered explosives in his apartment.

Almost 900,000 migrants arrived in Germany last year and while many Germans initially welcomed them, security concerns have since increased, especially after migrants carried out several violent attacks on civilians over the summer, two of which were claimed by Islamic State.
Indonesia police brace for hardline Islamic protest

By Kanupriya Kapoor

JAKARTA, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Thousands of hardline Muslims are expected to take to the streets on Friday to protest against the governor of Jakarta, a Christian and the first ethnic Chinese in the job, over claims he insulted the Koran.

Jakarta police said dozens of social media accounts were discovered "publishing provocative statements and images" and urging people to take violent action in the name of Islam against governor Basuki Tjahja Purnama, better known by his nickname "Ahok", including calls to kill him.

"We have seen racially and ethnically divisive statements being spread online and there are indications many of them are anti-Chinese," said Jakarta police spokesman Awi Setiyono.

He added police are stepping up patrols and online monitoring in a "show of force" ahead of Friday's rally. About 18,000 police and military personnel will be deployed on the day of the protest.

Critics, however, slammed Indonesia's government for doing little to contain the hardline Muslim groups that have fuelled religious and ethnic tensions ahead of next year's election for Jakarta's governor, which Ahok is contesting.

"Indonesia's spineless political leaders have allowed extremists to seize the momentum and foment religious hatred against the governor...for more than a month without challenging the substance or methods of their arguments," security expert Sidney Jones said in an online column.

Police are investigating Ahok for alleged religious defamation, after he said his opponents had deceived voters by attacking him using a verse from the Koran. Ahok has apologised for the remarks.

A spiritual leader for the protest organiser, the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), insisted its actions on Friday would be peaceful.

"This is not anti-Christian or anti-Chinese action," Habib Riziek said.

The group has had a history of vigilante attacks against religious minorities since it was formed in 1999. It has also frequently protested against Ahok.

ANTI-CHINESE SENTIMENT

Indonesia's population of 250 million people includes 3 million ethnic Chinese, many of whom are Christian. The community has faced persecution and violence in the past, most recently during the political and social turmoil that gripped the capital as authoritarian ruler Suharto was toppled in 1998.

Hundreds of people were killed and thousands of ethnic Chinese fled the country as mobs rampaged through Jakarta, looting and burning Chinese-owned shops and houses.

Some fear anti-Chinese sentiment and religious tensions are once again on the rise ahead of the Jakarta governor election in February.

The government has shied away from addressing the rising tensions head on, saying instead it is committed to protecting freedom of expression and assembly alongside Indonesia's diversity.

Earlier this week, President Joko Widodo, whose ruling party backs Ahok, met with party leaders backing the two other candidates in the race, whose camps have been accused of using hardline Muslim groups to fan tensions.

In joint statements, these political and religious leaders urged protesters to demonstrate peacefully.

Communications Minister Rudiantara said the government is working to counter the online "hate speech".

"Indeed, social media is contributing to the current situation," he said. "The president has made it clear Indonesia's unity is non-negotiable."

The race to lead the sprawling capital of 10 million is often hotly contested, with top political parties jostling to get their candidates elected to a job that is seen as a stepping stone to higher political office.

President Widodo served as Jakarta governor for 1-1/2 years before running for, and winning, the presidency in 2014. His rise brought back to power the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which had spent a decade in opposition.

One of his rivals in the governor's race is the son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Ahok, who took over from Widodo as governor, has gained a reputation as a tough reformer, and remains a frontrunner in opinion polls.
There appears to be an increased interest in the status and changeability of social roles of both men and women across cultures. By and large, research indicates that traditional patterns of social behaviour persist where gender specific roles are concerned. There is also evidence that despite certain shifts in public perception in society, the establishment of conventional roles in Asian cultures begins almost from infancy and continues into old age. So why would this norm be an exception in the orders of Buddhism?

A modest monk with a large but unsurprising base of followers is attempting to challenge this norm, for the second time. Venerable Ajahn Brahmvanso, fondly known as Ven. Ajahn Brahm is better known for his unpretentious ways, friendly demeanour and his ability to simplify the depths of Dhamma to lay persons across the globe.



Most Sri Lankans recognise Ven. Ajahn Brahm as the charismatic meditation teacher from Australia. Born Peter Betts in London, United Kingdom in August 7, 1951 he won a scholarship to study Theoretical Physics at Cambridge University in the late 1960s. He joined the universitys Buddhist Society where he developed an interest in the teachings of the Buddha. After graduating from Cambridge he taught in a school for one year before travelling to Thailand to become a monk where he spent the next nine years studying and training under Venerable Ajahn Chah.



His teacher belonged to the Kammatthana Forest Tradition of Thailand commonly known in the West as the Thai Forest Tradition; a lineage of Theravada Buddhist monasticism. The tradition is distinguished from other Buddhist traditions by its doctrinal emphasis of the notion that the mind precedes the world. Its description of the Buddhist path as a training regimen for the mind, proficiency in a diverse range of both meditative techniques and aspects of conduct that will eradicate keles  in order to attain awakening, has grabbed the attention of those seeking solace in an increasingly competitive world.



Ordained as a Buddhist monk more than thirty years ago, Ven. Ajahn Brahms roots in a more mindful approach to Buddhism has resulted in his active engagement in teaching Buddhism here and around the world. He is also the author of many well-known Buddhist titles. Today he attempts to use Buddhism to challenge precedents in the religion and to advance the social justice issue of gender equality and the empowerment of women.



Bhikkuni ordination thus far

The Buddha, following numerous requests from Maha Prajapati Gotami, allowed the formation of a Bhikkuni order with five hundred women, perhaps in the first monastic order for women. In the 3rd century BC Arahant Sangamitta, daughter of Indian Emperor Asoka arrives in Sri Lanka with the sacred Bo sapling, one of the most revered Buddhist relics of the country. History narrates that 11 Bhikkunis arrived in the island along with Arahant Sangamitta, who pioneered the Bhikkuni ordination in Sri Lanka. A number of invasions however saw the decline in the Bhikkuni order. At present, with no ordination sanctioned, women voluntarily take limited vows to live as renunciants and are not as privileged to receive higher ordination as Bhikkus.



Groups such as the Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women, attempted to revive the Theravada Bhikkuni order, when 11 Sri Lankan women received full ordination in Saranath, India, presided by Dodangoda Revata Mahathera and the late Mapalagama Vipulasara Mahathera of the Maha Bodhi Society of India.



In 2001 a Thai scholar now known as Dhammananda Bhikkuni, took Bhikkuni ordination in Sri Lanka and returned to Thailand, where Bhikkuni ordination is forbidden and warrants arrest, to spearhead a growing movement of Bhikkuni rebels.



There is no consensus in the wider tradition that bhikkuni ordinations could be valid, having last been performed in Theravada communities over 1,000 years ago, though the matter has been under active discussion for some time. Amidst the debate that continues to argue the opportunities and obstacles of establishing a Bhikkuni order, Ven. Ajahn Brahm, on October 22, 2009 along with Ven. Bhante Sujato facilitated an ordination ceremony for bhikkhunis where four female Buddhists, Ven. Ajahn Vayama, and Venerables Nirodha, Seri and Hasapanna, were ordained into the Western Theravada Bhikkuni Sangha. The ordination ceremony took place at Ven. Ajahn Brahms Bodhinyana Monastery in Perth, Australia. He claims that there is no valid historical basis for denying ordination to bhikkunis.



I thought too when I was a young monk in Thailand that the problem was a legal problem, that the bhikkuni order couldnt be revived. But having investigated and studied, Ive found out that many of the obstacles we thought were there arent there at all. Someone like Bhikku Bodhi [a respected Theravada scholar-monk] has researched the Pali Vinaya and his paper is one of the most eloquent Ive seen  fair, balanced, comes out on the side of Its possible, why dont we do this? questions Ven. Ajahn Brahm.



A Bhikkuni presence in the UK

Seven years since the first Western Theravada Bhikkuni Oridination, Ven. Ajahn Brahm is now engaged in a Dhamma tour delivering talks and guiding meditation retreats in and around London. The objective of this Dhamma tour is to support the establishment of a Bhikkuni presence in the United Kingdom. The mission titled the Anukampa Bhikkuni project arises from Ven. Brahms sense of gratitude to his birthplace where he first learned of Buddhism.



One of the notable participants of this movement, Venerable Bhikkuni Visuddhi is a fully ordained bhikkhuni, a rarity in Europe as only three or four ordained bhikkunis live there. Bhikkuni Visuddhi lives according to tradition of relying only on offerings (dana) from her lay followers and she provides her teaching in the form of dhammadana. Meanwhile Venerable Bhikkuni Canda, born Lucie Stephens in England, came into contact with the Buddhas teachings in India in 1996 at the age of twenty, through the Vipassana tradition. During her first retreat she decided to devote the rest of her life to ending suffering through practising the Buddhas teachings.



In October 2015 Ven. Ajahn Brahm requested Bhikkuni Canda to consider the formulation of a programme to establish a monastery in UK, in order to increase equality in practice and ordination opportunities for women. He believes the availability of Theravadi Buddhism is important as Buddhist nuns are far more capable of teaching and inspiring people.



I support the equity of full ordination to Bhikkunis so that they can walk with their heads held high, so that Theravadi Buddhist women in England can realise that their religion gives equality to people of all genders and races. I think as Buddhists we should show the way and take leadership in this Ven. Brahm opines.



The groups aspiration is to develop a monastery with a harmonious and meditative atmosphere, for women who wish to train towards full ordination. At present, there are many Bhikku monasteries worldwide, but very few for Bhikkunis and even fewer for those who wish undertake training towards Bhikkuni ordination. Thus the need arises to encourage equality in terms of practice and ordination opportunities for women, for Buddhism to thrive and remain relevant in the 21st century. As Bhikkhuni Canda relates; I had been a novice nun in Burma for four years, when Ajahn Brahm told me about bhikkunis practicing in Perth. A wave of inspired joy swept through me and I knew instantly in my heart: if I had the chance for full ordination Id take it!



The Buddhas initial reluctance in ordaining Bhikkunis that is still upheld in Vinaya rules among the local Theravada traditions may have resulted from precaution. Nevertheless women were not barred from ordination and the establishment of an order for women was only sanctioned with the subsequent garudhammas imposed on the Bhikkunis. Today, even with general acceptance about the emerging importance of the matriarchal role of women in society, this mission is evidence that there remains one last bastion forbidden to women in religion. Nonetheless as Ven. Ajahn Brahm opines it is far more fruitful to light a candle than curse the darkness.
The South Asian regional seminar series on Enhancing Public Financial Reporting to Promote Growth in South Asia will be held under the patronage of Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake in Colombo today.

The high profile event which has been organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka), South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) and World Bank and sponsored by the Asian Development Bank will bring together policy makers, regulators, professional accountancy organizations, think tanks, preparers and users of financial statements, public auditors, academia and other relevant stakeholders from across South Asia to stimulate thinking on how the region can move financial reporting practices to the next level.

The event will also see the participation of World Bank Country Director Idah Z. Pswarayl-Riddihough and ADB Country Director Sri Widowati.

The Guests of Honour at the event will be Dr. R.H.S. Samarathunga, Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministry of Finance and Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

The two-day event will focus on the implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and the path to accrual accounting. The aim of the conference is to create awareness on the usefulness of high quality financial reporting for decision-making and promote peer to peer learning for moving towards transparent and comparable financial reporting for enhanced governance and effective fiscal management of South Asian countries.
Sri Lanka has made commendable progress towards abiding by the conventions needed to regain GSP+, but still more work needs to be done, the visiting delegation from the European Parliament said today.

The four-member delegation arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday to check out the ground situation as a precursor to a successful GSP+ application.

At a media briefing held at the EU Mission in Colombo, Chair of the delegation, Jean Lambert said, Good progress has been made, but there is work still to be done. The applications success is dependent on the tangible progress made by Sri Lanka. Therefore, we urge the government to seize the moment and make sure that they meet the criteria,

Meanwhile, Charge d'affaires Paul Godfrey said a country which had applied for GSP+ needed to show progress in areas of 27 conventions -- of which 19 conventions were related to human rights, six to labour and two to the environment.

The members of the delegation were not in a position to reveal how many conventions Sri Lanka had made progress in.

Commenting on the time frame of the procedure of making a decision on re-awarding the GSP+ facility, the EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Tung-Lai Margue said it could take 8-10 months from the time the application was submitted.

Since Sri Lanka applied in July, we are looking at a period of 10 months at the maximum, which ends in May, to make a decision. Therefore, the final answer is certain by May 12, he said.

He said the European Commission (EC) would have to go through the application submitted by Sri Lanka first and then it would be referred to the Council of the EU and, finally, placed before the European Parliament for a vote.

The delegation, including Sajjad Karim, Thomas Mann and Ulrike Muller, met the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, the Opposition Leader, the Chief Minister of the Northern Province and civil society organisations.

Commenting on the reconciliation process, Ms. Lambert said they had noticed a change taking place within the country, such as the setting up of the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) and the Constitutional reforms which are scheduled to be presented to Parliament by the end of November.

She also stressed the need to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in line with international standards.

The lands occupied by the military in the north should be returned to their rightful owners. If not, financial compensation should be given. We also discussed during our meetings the importance of power devolution, in terms of decision making and budgetary allocations, to provincial levels, Ms. Lambert said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
A Sri Lankan national, Wrad Stewan Ratnayaka (78), has been reported missing in Andhra Pradesh, during a pilgrimage to Bhopal.

Based on the complaint lodged by Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission, the Government Railway Police (GRP) registered a case and have launched a search for Mr. Stewan.

According to Wrad Nishanta Ratyanaka, son of Mr. Stewan Ratnayaka of Udugampola in Sri Lanka, about 125 devotees went on a 15-day pilgrimage to different places in India. They boarded the flight at Colombo Airport and reached Chennai.

The team boarded Tamil Nadu Express on October 15 and occupied their reserved seats. The train reached Vijayawada the next day around 4.30 a.m., and when it halted at Warangal in Telangana, they found that Mr. Stewan was missing.

Speaking to The Hindu on Tuesday, GRP Vijayawada Inspector T. Srinivas Reddy said the railway police registered a man missing case and launched a search for the senior citizen.

We scanned the CCTV footages at Chennai Central station and noticed that Mr. Stewan entered into the station on October 15. But, there are no footages of him boarding the train. Tamil Nadu Express reached Vijayawada around 4.30 a.m. the next day and halted on Platform No. 10. We could not trace the movements of the missing person on the platform. Except Ratyanaka, all the devotees returned to Sri Lanka a couple of days ago, said Mr. Srinivas Reddy. (The Hindu)
One of the most underrated often undermined overworked and often unpaid though vitally important sections of the population are the housewives. Today is being observed as World Housewives Day to recognize the importance of stay-at-home wives and mothers. These wonderful, caring people, build and enrich strong family environments. They help to instill family values and good character. We know that a good family is the nucleus of a good society and the nucleus of a good family is the housewife or the mother, with some today playing courageous roles as working women, housewives and mothers.



According to a website, housewife is largely an old term. It dates back to the era when one income could support the family to live fairly comfortably. It was also a time when in most countries women did not have equal rights. While these days are long gone, womens views of working or staying at home, fall on both sides of the fence. The decision to be a housewife, or stay-at-home mother, is still preferred by many. Unfortunately, income needs often necessitate going to work.



Today Sri Lanka joins the international community in felicitating the sacrificial women who choose to stay at home and tend to the house and family.



Every father should celebrate this day by saying a special thank you to the wife and mother

for staying home for the family during the child rearing years. Without a doubt, our children grew up much better for it. And, husbands benefitted by the many sacrifices she made by staying home. A vital factor for the stay home mother was at least one year or possiblly two years of breast feeding, turning blood into milk, to lay the foundation for a happy and hard working child.



In this era of an unprecedented worldwide battle for gender equality with the worlds most powerful country, the United States likely to produce its first female President next week men need to realize there is still far too much male chauvinism in the world, even in religions. For instance of the worlds 62 super billionaires only seven are women. A similar pattern is seen in the fortune 500 companies where only a small number are headed by women.



Men and husbands or fathers need to become aware today that if they are to hire domestic aides to look after their children, for cooking and house cleaning, washing clothes and other hard work they would have to pay about Rs.50,000 a month. More so the dimension of dedication and honesty and commitment and self-sacrificial spirit even in the best of domestic aides would not be even a fraction of what a housewife or mother could give.



For Sri Lanka on a day like this we need to also reflect on the continuing plight of more than one million girls or womenmost of them wives and mothers, who are labouring as housemaids or glorified slaves mainly in Middle-Eastern countries.While highest level politicians, their lackeys and top officials are plundering billions from the country it is a tragic shame that Sri Lankas main source of revenue of about seven billion US dollars annually is largely from housemaids who are working like slaves abroad and are often physically or sexually abused. On page 12 of the Daily Mirror today we splash a story of how a Sri Lankan mother was mysteriously killed while working in Kuwait and her body parts were sold.



We hope the national governments five-year economic development strategy which includes providing tens of thousands of jobs for rural men and womenwould help reduce the number of women or girls who are forced to go abroad for jobs because of the lack of proper opportunities here.
Mangala taken to task by Muslim members over Palestinian issue

GL appointed new party chairman

COPE report to AG; JO skeptical

Chinese Ambassador on Sino-Lanka relations

Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera first faced criticism -- even detrimental to his political career-- over his stand taken regarding a Palestine issue way back when he held the same post during the early part of the 2005/2010 government of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He was even stripped of his portfolios, prompting him to choose a new path in politics.



Again on Tuesday, he had a salvo from the Muslim Ministers at the cabinet meeting as reported over a Sri Lankas abstention from the vote of the UNESCO to adopt a resolution recognizing the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem recently. The powerful countries such as the United States were not in favour of the resolution.



Almost all the Muslim Ministers, including Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Minister Rauff Hakeem, Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Faiszer Mustapha raised concerns about Sri Lankas abstention. After the matter cropped up, Minister Samaraweera clarified the reason for Sri Lankas abstention. He cited that the resolution had been drafted in Arabic referring to it only as a place of Islamic worship. The Minister was taken to task in this regard, though. It led to an exchange of words among members.



At one point, it is learnt that Highways and Higher Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella shot back saying the United National Party (UNP) always stood for the rights of Muslims in Sri Lanka. It was we, not the Muslim members, who spoke on behalf of Muslims attacked in Beruwala during the previous rule, he reportedly said.



At the same time, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka reminded how Mr. Samaraweera even lost his ministerial portfolio because of a stand taken against Palestine in the past.



Be that as it may, the Muslim politicians will not stop at that. Last week, SLMC MP Ali Zuhair Moulana gave notice to the Speaker on an adjournment motion to be taken in the House questioning as to why Sri Lanka has deviated from its pro-Palestine policies.

It is to be seconded by MP A.H.M. Salman.

New party renamed; GL new Chairman



Against the backdrop of Central Bank bond issue and President Maitripala Sirisenas criticism of some law enforcement bodies, a new political party was created on October 28.



The new party , named Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna and formed with the blessings of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was recognized by the Elections Commission on October 28. Rather than registering a new party, it was established by renaming an existing party and appointing a new set of office bearers.



They renamed Ape Sri Lanka Nidahas Peramuna as Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna in this manner, and appointed former External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris as its Chairman and Attorney-at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam the General Secretary.



The new party is meant for the MPs of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) currently sitting with the Joint Opposition to carry forward political activities. Later, the new party will team up with other parties such as the National Freedom Party, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna in the Joint Opposition to form a political alliance for contesting elections in the future.



With the emergence of the new party, the SLFP presently led by President Maitripala Sirisena is now heading for a split in the formal sense. Though the new party was announced at this juncture, those concerned were doing preliminary groundwork for it for a long time. In fact, the Flower Bud was chosen as the symbol of the new party in June, this year.



Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa played a pivotal role in this respect. As of Tuesday, the trade union wing of the new party was registered. It is intending to form as many as 12,000 branch organizations across the length and breadth of the county. Already, applications for 3,600 branches have been received by the party headquarters.



Basil Rajapaksa, the brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said the applications for branch organizations covering all the eight electorates in the Anuradhapura district had been received. We are in the process of collecting applications from other districts, he said.



In the formation of new branches, applications are collected from each village with signatures of 20 individuals expressing interest to work with the new party. In this manner, the entire Anuradhapura district has been covered at the moment. The party is to have three main trade union branches covering the government, estate and semi-government sectors. The party authorities are now working on the establishment of other organizations to be affiliated to it.

UNP to refer COPE report to AG, but JO skeptical



In the aftermath of the report by the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) holding former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran responsible for the bond scam, the United National Party (UNP) said it would not sweep anything under the carpet.



In fact, its Secretary State Enterprise Development Minister Kabir Hashim said the report would be submitted to the Attorney General for the next course of action.



However, the Joint Opposition is skeptical on the role of the AGs Department.



Its leaders, Dinesh Gunawardane, Prof. Peiris, Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Wimal Weerawansa harshly criticized the Department. Prof. Peiris said the previous engagements with the Attorney General did not serve the intended purpose on this issue, and the latest attempt was a ploy to sweep the matter under the carpet.



At the Cabinet meeting, some government ministers opined that action should taken regarding the bond issue further than reference to the AG.

Chinese Ambassador speaks out

On the surface, China-Sri Lanka relations appeared to have normalized, but resentments seem to be still lingering.



It was apparent in the tone and tenor of the language spoken by Chinese Ambassador Yi Xian Liang at a press conference with a select group of journalists on Tuesday. The Chinese real estate project, called the Colombo Port City during the previous rule and the international financial centre, was suspended after the new government assumed office early last year. The project was reviewed. The work has resumed now with alterations to the original proposal.



The Ambassador said the Chinese company incurred a loss of US $140 million during the suspended period that ran into one and half years. Asserting that it was a huge loss, he said the company dropped compensation claim due to relationship between the two countries. However, he said around 1,000 direct employments and 4,000 indirect employments were lost to the Sri Lankans during the time. Who is responsible for them? he asked.



It connotes though relations, strained initially, had been restored, some form of resentment remained in the minds of Chinese. Moreover, the suspension appeared to have kept Sri Lanka under obligations to ensure legal cover up for future Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) either from China or elsewhere. That may be the reason for the Ambassador to stress the need to strengthen the legal system with necessary amendments to the existing laws and the enactment of new ones.



He made these comments at a time when the government of Sri Lanka has offered 15,000 acres of land in the southern province for investment zones by Chinese companies. The Ambassador said he inquired about the current law pertaining to the FDI in Sri Lanka. I am waiting for final answer. We have already lost two years to the new government. I will be going to the south again to discuss how to speed up cooperation with the government, he said.



All in all, the Chinese envoy called for Sri Lankans to have a positive attitude towards China. He regretted Sri Lanka did not reciprocate courtesy to China enough when floods hit 400 million people in his country killing around 1,000.



However, he said the Chinese government, under the instruction of President Xi Jinping, delivered a planeload of relief items in additional to US $ 1.5 million in cash aid in the event of flood disaster here earlier.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has sought to appoint Inspectors' General (IGs) to monitor the work of Sri Lankas missions abroad and report on the progress.

Minister Mangala Samaraweera, in his Cabinet paper on this matter, says a committee to study and report on the rationalization of Sri Lankas diplomatic and consular representations abroad has been appointed.

According to recommendations of this committee, a decision has been taken to appoint Inspectors' General.

Three retired Foreign Service officers  C.D. Casie Chetty. G. Wijesiri and Geetha de Silva -- are to be appointed to the new posts. There will be no additional financial commitments such as salaries and allowances other than the payment of travelling expenses on the rates applicable to foreign travel of government officers. (Kelum Bandara)
There would be no illegal construction of any buildings in the land near the Sri Pada Forest Reserve, Deputy Minister Parliament Reforms and Mass Media Karunarathna Paranawithana said today.

Addressing the media at the weekly cabinet briefing at the Government Information Department Mr. Paranawithana said a rumor was spreading that a request was made to construct a hotel in the Marewatte Estate in the Sri Pada Forest Reserve.

The holiday resort is situated in a private land in the Marewatte Estate. Several reports are being spread in the social media saying that the Sri Pada Forest Reserve would be taken over by Muslims by converting it into to a Mecca.

This is a direct insult to the Muslims and it is sad to hear such incidents. Muslim devotees in the Sri Pada area pay their respect to the Sri Pada. They always participate and support all the religious activities done in the Sri Pada. Most of the Hindu devotees as well provide facilities for the Sri Pada pilgrims, he said.

He said, however, a powerful minister from the former government tried to construct some kind of hotel and to build a helipad in the area near a waterfall.

There was no news in that time about it. But we stood against that. That minister is still in this government too and he has abandoned his idea. The recent owners of the holiday resort had requested permission to renovate it and the permission had been granted to them. But no environmental report had been received for the renovation and the Environmental Authority is conducting an investigation regarding the matter, he said.

This government would not allow the clearing of any forest area to build hotels and helipads in the Sri Pada Forest Reserve, he said. (Chaturanga Pradeep)

Video by Danushka
REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee ended weaker yesterday due to mild importer dollar demand, but month-end inward remittances capped the fall, dealers said.



Rupee forwards were active, with one-week forwards ending weaker at 148.35/40 per dollar compared with Fridays close of 148.25/30.



The month-end inward remittances were there, but the rupee ended weaker on mild importer (dollar) demand, a currency dealer said, asking not to be named.

The Central Bank on Friday raised the spot reference rate by 50 cents to 147.40 per dollar from 146.90 as higher importer dollar demand weighed on the currency while moral suasion by the Central Bank prevented a steeper fall.



The spot rupee is usually managed by the Central Bank, and market participants use the forward market levels for guidance on the currency. Officials from the Central Bank were not available for comment.



Dealers said foreign selling in government securities also put pressure on the currency.
Field Marshal Minister Sarath Fonseka was appointed as the United National Party (UNP) Organiser of Kelaniya by UNP Leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at Sirikotha today. Pix by Damith Wickramasingha
SriLankan Airlines General Manager - Commercial Operations Dimuthu Tennakoon (second from right), Manager FlySmiLes Shiran Perera, and Product Development Manager Senaka Bandaranayake presenting Peter Philips the Gold card

SriLankan Airlines gave one of its loyal customers, Peter Phillips of Shropshire, United Kingdom, a delightful surprise by rewarding him for his loyalty to SriLankan Airlines.

Accordingly, SriLankans frequent flyer programme, FlySmiLes, presented him with a Gold card recently at a surprise ceremony to help him keep visiting his favourite destination of Sri Lanka during his retirement.

Im not at all used to being treated in such a special way, and I never expected such a wonderful gesture. But SriLankan Airlines has always given personal attention to me and all its customers, starting from its call centre, its staff in London, its airport check-in counters, and of course its on-board service, said Phillips, who has travelled perhaps 50 times to Sri Lanka, often on SriLankans daily direct flights from Colombo to London. Its not easy for a pensioner to travel overseas nowadays. But this FlySmiLes Gold card will certainly help me to keep visiting Sri Lanka, said Phillips, 69, who is now retired from his profession of teaching Geography and English. He was a leader of the Liberal Democratic Party in Shropshire, serving on the Shropshire City Council, and stepping down from politics in 2011 after 30 years.

Phillips had been vacationing in Sri Lanka up to three times a year, since he first discovered the Indian Ocean islands many attractions for tourists during a chance visit in 1985. This seems very fitting indeed, when one considers that his father had been based in Sri Lanka during World War II as a member of the Royal Air Force, helping to protect the Royal Navys main Indian Ocean base in the eastern town of Trincomalee, now a popular resort destination.

He discovered Sri Lanka quite by chance while on a stint in Oman in 1985 teaching English to servicemen of the Royal Air Force of Oman. Finding that his vacation plans in India were not possible as flights were booked up, he chose to visit Sri Lanka instead and instantly fell in love with the island, returning sometimes two or three times a year. He even kept up his visits during the period when it was unsettled by a civil conflict, which ended in 2009.

He worked briefly in Sri Lanka in 1989 at the British Council, living in Colombo, the suburban resort of Mount Lavinia, and the hill resort of Diyatalawa.

Sri Lanka is truly a land like no other, providing an amazing variety of resort locations, from beaches to hill resorts, cultural sites and much more. It also has a very pleasant variety of climates, ranging from tropical heat to cool mountains. Best of all, its people are so friendly and helpful, said Phillips, who now spends about a month on each of his twice-yearly visits.
Eran Wickramaratne has said the Government was ready to amend existing laws to enable the recovery of losses incurred in the controversial sale of Central Bank bonds. This is good. Some may talk of closing stable doors after horses have bolted, but then again, there are other horses that can bolt if stable doors are weak or non-existent, so they have to be strengthened or made anew as the case may be.



The issue however is that new laws needed to have been contemplated when the Committee to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (made of friends, lets not forget) released a report a year ago recommending further investigations into the activities of Perpetual Treasuries and the Bank of Ceylon. We should also not forget that the report of the previous Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) was effectively squashed by the dissolution of Parliament last year. Whether that was a coincidence, we do not know. Neither do we know if the movers and shakers of Perpetual Treasuries thumbed some bills into the election campaign kitty of the United National Party (UNP). We do know that the television station CSN was shut down on the basis of an allegation that it was funded with ill-gotten bucks. We know about the goose, the gander and sauce.



One of the biggest problems of yahapalanaya or good governance is that it was a term that won currency with few even knowing the relevant substance. Thus we saw a quick Rajapaksization (if you will) of the new Government. Weve seen enough of nepotism, kick-backs, wastage, self-aggrandizement, abuse of state resources, etc., post January 2015 to wonder if the yahapalanists even know the A,B and C of yahapaalanaya. That said, the very fact of censure is a positive that even the staunchest supporters of the previous regime cannot ignore and must surely appreciate (if of course they are able to see beyond party political preferences). Reform must be rehearsed for a long time before it becomes part of and indeed changes the political culture. It is something that politicians and citizens both must learn and get used to.



Erans pledge, though late (and the delay not necessarily unattended by suspicion), is noteworthy. It is no secret that his party left no stone un-turned to stymie the investigation and did its utmost to scuttle the report and as such we cant really applaud Eran at this point.



Whats important is to learn lessons and apply them to general practice. What are the lessons here? First and foremost, its about process. There should be a mechanism and an agreement to privilege process and not preferred outcome. When outcome is privileged it bleeds into process. Thats politics, of course, but yahapalanya is by definition (and as per the rhetoric of the yahapalanists) about process rising above politics or to put it in another way, being free of political interference.

Thats exactly whats not happening with respect to the reconciliation-engineering chapter of the constitution-making book. The authors are fixated with preferred outcome and therefore are knowingly or unknowingly corrupting and subverting the process. There was, for example, an ardent devolutionist, who was so alarmed by the outcome of a referendum in Colombia that he suggested a go-slow on constitutional reform that require endorsement by the people via a referendum. He was terrified that the people might reject his preferred solution.



He was essentially acknowledging that reform was to be thrust down peoples throats and recommending sweeteners that could persuade, lick and swallow. If thats the kind of thinking that is informing the reformists it is patently counter-democratic and is undoubtedly a recipe for a widening of fissures rather than their suturing.



Going by the declarations of the big boy of the constitution-making drive, Jayampathy Wickramaratne, certain things are apparent. Without the A of examining grievance, the B of assessing dimensions of grievance, the C of disentangling grievance from aspirations, the D of factoring in history, demography, economic sense, the E of assessing the match-levels of A, B, C and D with different proposals, what we are seeing is a propaganda drive for a solution that has ignored all elements from A to Z.



Now had the yahapalanists known enough yahapalana-basics to apply clean-up zeal to all things and not selectively (as they have done), practised what they preached, nipped things in the bud, thought about a stitch in time saving nine and all that kind of thing, Eran Wickramaratne would not be in damage control and the Government would not be wasting so much time wiping the egg that they themselves have covered their faces with.



Its the same with constitution-making (with respect to reconciliation), only whats at stake is certainly far more serious. In the case of the Central Bank bond issue, we can say there are other horses that need to and can be stopped from bolting. When it comes to laws that fundamentally order the structure of the state-based on exaggerated grievance, unreasonable aspiration and rank disavowal of demographic and other realities, we are talking of a no-turning-back situation or rather a turn-back-only-after-much-violence kind of situation. Thats not egg on someones face. Its blood on the ground and typically not the blood of constitution-makers.



Eran Wickramaratnes statement demonstrates movement along a learning curve. Constitution-drafters could also learn and move. As of now the only curves relevant are those about bending a road to suit preferences and a pernicious desire to reach a nowhere that is being marketed as somewhere. The learning curve of yahapalanaya is about progress on process and not the privileging of preferred outcome. Eran Wickramaratne seems to be learning, Jayampathy Wickramaratne is not.



Malinda Seneviratne is a freelance writer. Blog: malindawords.blogspot.com. Twitter: malindasene. Email: malindasenevi@gmail.com
Colombo Additional Magistrate Aruni Attigalle yesterday directed Prisons Chief to produce Duminda Silva in the Colombo Chief Magistrates Court on January 5 for the hearing of three bribery cases filed against him on charges of not declaring his assets and liabilities for three years.

The Bribery Commission had filed three separate cases against Mr. Silva under the Assets and Liabilities Act for not declaring his assets in 2010, 2011 and 2013.

The Colombo High Court sentenced him to death after being convicted of the murder of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra. (Shehan Chamika Silva)
Former MP Tiran Alles and two others have been remanded till November 10 after being indicted, over the case in which they were accused of misappropriating Rs. 124 million at RADA in 2006.

The four accused were, former RADA Chairman Tiran Alles, former Chief Operating Officer (COO) of RADA Saliya Wickramasuriya, Dr. Jayantha Dias Samarasinghe and Emil Kanthan.

Emil Kanthan is currently evading courts and was not present in court today.

Attorney General had filed indictments against the accused under the Penal Code and Public Property Act, thereby needed exceptional circumstances to release them on bail.

However, counsel appeared on behalf of the accused moved exceptional circumstances as high concerned health conditions of the accused therefore, their health situation of being kept in remand custody.

The prosecution said they should have given advance notice on these exceptional circumstances in order to peruse into medical reports.

They moved court to provide a short period to submit its stance over the bail application.

Acceding the prosecution's request, High Court Judge Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena put off the case for November 10 to consider the defence's bail appeal on exceptional circumstances. (Shehan Chamika Silva)

Video by Courts Prasanna

Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe
LINCOLN  Prepare for a serious showdown over beer sales in the troubled town of Whiteclay.

The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission on Tuesday ordered all four beer stores in the village to reapply if they want to retain their liquor licenses after this year.

It's the first time in decades those stores will be forced by state regulators to justify selling millions of cans of beer on the doorstep of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where alcohol is banned.

Activists pushing to stop beer sales in Whiteclay applauded Tuesday's action.

"Hallelujah," whispered Nancy Carlson of Lincoln as the Liquor Commission made its decision.

"It has been a long time coming," said Winnebago activist Frank LaMere. "But now the work begins."

All four liquor licenses were up for automatic renewal next year. By requiring the stores to complete "long-form" applications instead, Tuesday's decision sets a higher bar for Arrowhead Inn, State Line Liquor, D&S Pioneer Service and Jumping Eagle Inn to remain in the unincorporated village with about a dozen permanent residents, where the equivalent of 3.5 million cans of beer were sold last year alone.

Beer store owners will have to demonstrate they meet several requirements for liquor licenses under state law, including the presence of adequate law enforcement. They might also be called to testify before the Liquor Commission at a formal hearing early next year.

The owners didn't attend Tuesday's meeting. Some learned of the decision from phone calls with reporters.

Steve Sanford, co-owner of D&S Pioneer Service, called the move "rather interesting" and said he needed to gather more details before commenting further.

"I've just got a legitimate business to run here at this point," he said.

Owners of Arrowhead Inn, State Line Liquor and Jumping Eagle Inn either declined to comment or couldn't be reached.

The Liquor Commission's order came on a 3-0 vote.

Chairman Bob Batt said the move was triggered by comments last month from a Sheridan County commissioner who told members of a legislative committee that the northwest Nebraska county "absolutely" does not have adequate law enforcement for proper policing in Whiteclay.

"We really need help with law enforcement," Jack Andersen said during an Oct. 11 hearing at the Capitol.

Beer sales in Whiteclay have been blamed for a wide range of social ills in and around the Pine Ridge Reservation: alcoholism and bootlegging are rampant despite the liquor ban, hundreds of children are born with fetal alcohol disorders and Whiteclay itself is a hub for vagrants and violence.

Activists have complained about the problems for years but lacked legal standing to challenge the liquor licenses because they aren't from Sheridan County, Batt said.

Andersen's comments carried more legal weight because they came from a local official, Batt said.

"We have a lot of momentum now, and we've got to keep that momentum going," said Dennis Carlson, another activist.

Even if the liquor licenses are denied, people pushing for reform in Whiteclay have said more must be done to address the problems surrounding alcoholism on Pine Ridge.

Batt himself acknowledged the breadth of the issue.

"Whiteclay is a symptom," he said. "The root cause is, alcohol is in the culture. It's so embedded."
Those who overwhelmingly voted the president Maithripala Sirisena-prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe alliance into power expecting it to fulfil their promise of yahapalana (good governance) have been shocked by president Sirisena's strident comments questioning the integrity of the agencies carrying out investigations into cases of corruption, bribery, criminal and financial misconduct.

The president, speaking at a function at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, warned he would take action against Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for working to political agendas at the cost of justice.

The president seems to have been irked at the agencies, giving cause to the opposition to accuse him of a political witch hunt; this, obviously, referred to the large number of ongoing corruption and criminal investigations against politicians and armed forces officers.

According to the Island newspaper, the Sri Lankan president also said that the government was hauling up former naval chiefs and former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa before the court in connection with the Avant Garde Maritime Services (AGMS) case, involving the arms storage company.

He accused those in charge of investigations of misleading him. Referring to the indefinite custody of members of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) held in connection with the disappearance of cartoonist Ekneligoda and the killing of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunga, the president said the courts should be moved to have them released or bailed out pending court proceedings. It is significant that soon after the president's tirade, the court released on bail Udalagam, an army intelligence officer accused of assassinating Lasantha Wickrmetunge.

Any crack could provide an opening for former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to stage a political comeback. Credit: Reuters

President Sirisena's reference to cases connected with the armed forces was perhaps made to reaffirm his support to the armed forces, which have been perturbed ever since Sri Lanka agreed to conduct a judicial probe into alleged war crimes committed during the Eelam war. The war crimes issue would again come up at the UN Human Rights Council meeting, in March 2017.

In a stinging attack on "certain media organisations, journalists and NGOs" and "traitorous forces," president Sirisena reaffirmed his confidence in armed forces. "No matter how much they criticise, oppose or attack me, I will never lose confidence in the armed forces and will always be committed to do the utmost for the welfare, honour and dignity of the three armed forces and our heroic soldiers."

He added that "he was not ready to compromise national security in order to please NGOs".

The president said though the government had successfully promoted reconciliation between the communities to create an environment that strengthens inter-communal harmony during the last one-and-a-half years, certain groups and organisations ideologically in favour of separatism have not been destroyed.

And that as they were waiting for an opportunity to create trouble for Sri Lanka, citizens must be on guard.

Reacting strongly to president Sirisena's stinging criticism, the CIABOC director general Dilrukshi Wickramasinghe tendered her resignation. In an interview, she denied the commission was politicised. She said there were 90 politicians under investigation and none of the case files have been closed as alleged by some of the politicians. She added that she did not select any investigation or interfere with the investigations.

President Sirisena's statement has been in direct contradiction with his own stand in the past on corruption and financial misappropriation; other leaders of the ruling alliance - including prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe - have been plugging the line of corruption-free governance.

The civil society and anti-Rajapaksa leaders have already been peeved at the slow progress in bringing to book scam-tainted leaders who thrived during the previous regime.

They see the president's strident statement as an effort to cover up the acts of his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) cronies involved in scams. This could also test the durability of the cohabitation rule of the SLFP and the UNP unity government. Serious doubts have been raised about the government sincerity in cleaning up governance where corruption has become part of life, in keeping with what seems to be South Asian tradition.

Slipping into a damage-control mode, the Cabinet spokesman and health minister Rajitha Senaratne said president Sirisena never raised objections about Gotabaya Rajapaksa or former military chiefs being questioned over fraud or corruption allegations. He accused the media of misreporting facts and asked them to make amends. He further said the president was not happy about some serious allegations of corruption going ignored.

Perhaps, as yet another damage-control measure, the government tabled the report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) on the alleged scam in the Central Bank Treasury Bond issue in February 2015 to fulfil a long-standing political and civil society demand. PM Wickremesinghe had been accused of shielding former Central Bank governor Arjuna Mahendran, considered the PM's protege, when the latter was suspected of being involved in a scam.

The investigation report ruled that Arjuna Mahendran was "directly responsible for the transaction", which allowed a company linked to his son-in-law to rake in large profits from the auction. The PM has assured further action would be taken upon the advice of the attorney general.

In another shocking incident, the president's claim of good governance and successful promotion of ethnic reconciliation to strengthen inter-communal harmony came under serious threat after the police shot and killed two young Jaffna undergraduates riding a motorcycle in Kokkuvil (in the Jaffna peninsula).

According to the police, they opened fire when the youth did not obey their order to stop. The incident triggered protests not only in Northern Province, but also the whole nation, which has been living with police excesses for long. University students all over the island protested in solidarity with Jaffna university students, who went on a strike, indicating the issue was beyond the ethnic divide.

Though the five policemen involved in the incident were remanded to custody, the crude police attempts to cover up the criminal act indicated that police reforms are still a work in progress.

PM Wickremesinghe has promised that an impartial inquiry would be carried out. Unless the government swiftly follows up, the incident could provide yet another opportunity to separatist elements to build up their support among Tamils.

President Sirisena, as a shrewd politician, had probably made his statement with much deliberation to reinforce his constituency within the SLFP and to retain the support of some of the leaders targeted in various investigations. He also appears to be on the move to rebuild his fractured relations with the army, which had been under stress for some time.

In a bid to put to rest speculations about the survival of the cohabitation government, PM Wickremesinghe reiterated its importance to complete the reforms process as agreed upon by the leaders.

In any case, the SLFP and UNP - the two major cohabitation partners - have internal as well as external compulsions to maintain their cohabitation. Any crack could provide an opening for former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to stage a political comeback.
OMAHA  A monthly survey of business leaders suggests the economy will continue slowing in nine Midwest and Plains states, in part because of manufacturing weakness, according to a report released Tuesday.

The Mid-America Business Conditions Index report said the overall economic index for the region dropped to 43.8 in October from September's 45.5. It's the fourth straight month the index has registered below growth neutral 50.0.

"Even with oil prices hovering around $50 per barrel for the month, weakness among manufacturers linked to agriculture and energy continue to weigh on regional economic conditions," said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey. "Due to the heavy dependence of the region on these two sectors, I expect the regional economy to continue to underperform the national economy. Despite the decline in manufacturing, the nonmanufacturing sector of the regional economy is expanding, albeit at a slow pace."

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor. A score below that suggests decline. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

The regional employment gauge reflected the loss of manufacturing jobs in the nine-state region. The sector's survey index for October declined to 44.4 from September's 46.8.

"The growth gap between regional manufacturing and nonmanufacturing remains wide," Goss said.

He added that U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicate the region's manufacturing sector lost almost 19,000 jobs, a 1.4 percent decline, over the past year, while regional nonmanufacturing sectors added almost 104,000 jobs, an increase of 1 percent.

Looking ahead six months, economic optimism, as captured by the October business confidence index, slumped to 39.7 last month from 48.5 in September.

"Global economic uncertainty and weakness in the region's agricultural and energy sector are weighing on the business economic outlook of supply managers," Goss said.




1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.

5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.

6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.

7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.

8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.

9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.

10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.

11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)

12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.

13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.

14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.

15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.

18. Gain control of all student newspapers.

19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.

20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.

22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."

23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.

26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."

28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."

29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.

30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."

31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.

33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.

34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.

36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.

37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.

38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand.

39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.

42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems.

43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.

44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.

45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.
The following companies are subsidiares of Becton, Dickinson and: Accuri Cytometers, Accuri Cytometers Inc., Alverix Inc, Alverix Inc., Atto Bioscience Inc, BD Holding S. de R.L. de C.V., BD Infection Prevention BV, BD Kiestra BV, BD Kiestra Total Lab Automation, BD Rapid Diagnostic (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., BD San Luis Potosi S.A. de C.V., BD Switzerland Sarl, BD Ventures LLC, BD West Africa Limited, BDX INO LLC, Bard (Thailand) Limited, Bard ASDI Inc., Bard Access Systems Inc., Bard Acquisition Sub Inc., Bard Australia Pty. Limited, Bard Benelux N.V., Bard Brachytherapy Inc., Bard Brasil Industria e Comercio de Produtos Para a Saude Ltda., Bard Canada Inc., Bard Chile S.p.A., Bard Czech Republic s.r.o., Bard Devices Inc., Bard Dublin ITC Limited, Bard EMEA Finance Center Sp.z o.o., Bard European Distribution Center N.V., Bard Finance B.V. & Co. KG., Bard Financial Services Ltd., Bard Finland OY, Bard France S.A.S., Bard Global Holdings I LLC, Bard Global Holdings II LLC, Bard Global Holdings III LLC, Bard Healthcare Inc., Bard Healthcare Science (Shanghai) Limited, Bard Hellas S.A., Bard Holding SAS, Bard Holdings Limited, Bard Holdings Netherlands B.V., Bard Hong Kong Limited, Bard IP Holdings Inc., Bard India Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Bard International Holdings B.V., Bard International Inc., Bard Istanbul Healthcare Limited Company, Bard Korea Ltd., Bard Limited, Bard MRL Acquisition Corp., Bard Malaysia Healthcare Sdn. Bhd., Bard Medica SA, Bard Medical Devices (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Bard Medical R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Bard Medical SA (Proprietary) Limited, Bard Mexico Realty S. de R.L. de C.V., Bard Norden AB, Bard Norway AS, Bard Pacific Health Care Company Ltd., Bard Peripheral Vascular Inc., Bard Poland Sp. z.o.o., Bard Productos Plasticos e Medicos Ltda., Bard Reynosa S.A. de C.V., Bard S.r.l., Bard Sdn. Bhd., Bard Shannon Limited, Bard Singapore Private Limited, Bard Sourcing Office Singapore Pte. Ltd., Bard Sweden AB, Bard UK Newco Limited, Bard de Espana S.A., Becton Dickinson (Gibraltar) Holdings Ltd., Becton Dickinson (Gibraltar) Limited, Becton Dickinson (Gibraltar) Management Limited, Becton Dickinson (Mauritius) Limited, Becton Dickinson (Pty) Ltd., Becton Dickinson (Thailand) Limited, Becton Dickinson A.G., Becton Dickinson A/S, Becton Dickinson Argentina S.R.L., Becton Dickinson Asia Holdings Ltd., Becton Dickinson Asia Limited, Becton Dickinson Austria GmbH, Becton Dickinson Austria Holdings GmbH, Becton Dickinson B.V., Becton Dickinson B.V. Saudi Limited Company, Becton Dickinson Benelux N.V., Becton Dickinson Biosciences Systems and Reagents Inc., Becton Dickinson Canada Inc., Becton Dickinson Caribe Ltd., Becton Dickinson Croatia d.o.o., Becton Dickinson Czechia s.r.o., Becton Dickinson Dispensing Belgium BVBA, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Denmark A/S, Becton Dickinson Dispensing France SAS, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Ireland Limited, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Norway, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Spain S.L.U., Becton Dickinson Dispensing UK Ltd., Becton Dickinson Distribution Center N.V., Becton Dickinson East Africa Ltd., Becton Dickinson Euro Finance Sarl, Becton Dickinson Europe Holdings S.A.S., Becton Dickinson France S.A.S., Becton Dickinson GSA Beteilgungs GmbH, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings I Inc., Becton Dickinson Global Holdings II LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings IV LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings V LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings VII LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings VIII LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Services Centre Sdn. Bhd, Becton Dickinson GmbH, Becton Dickinson Guatemala S.A., Becton Dickinson Hellas S.A., Becton Dickinson Holdings Limited, Becton Dickinson Holdings Ltd., Becton Dickinson Holdings Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson Hungary Kft., Becton Dickinson India Private Limited, Becton Dickinson Industrias Cirurgicas Ltda., Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy AB, Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy Holdings UK Limited, Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy Systems Inc., Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy Systems Inc. S.A. de C.V., Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy UK, Becton Dickinson Insulin Syringe Ltd., Becton Dickinson International Holdings II Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson International Holdings III Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson International Holdings Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson Israel Ltd., Becton Dickinson Italia S.p.A., Becton Dickinson Ithalat Ihracat Limited Sirketi, Becton Dickinson Korea Holding Inc., Becton Dickinson Korea Ltd., Becton Dickinson Ltd., Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Finance S.a.r.L., Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Global Holdings Sarl, Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Holdings II S.a.r.L, Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Holdings III S.a.r.L, Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Holdings V S.a.r.L., Becton Dickinson Malaysia Inc., Becton Dickinson Management GmbH & Co. KG, Becton Dickinson Matrex Holdings Inc., Becton Dickinson Medical (S) Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Devices (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Devices (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Products Pte. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Technology (Jiangsu) Co. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Netherlands Global Holdings II C.V., Becton Dickinson Netherlands Holdings B.V., Becton Dickinson Netherlands Holdings II B.V., Becton Dickinson Norway AS, Becton Dickinson O.Y., Becton Dickinson Overseas Services Ltd., Becton Dickinson Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd., Becton Dickinson Penel Limited, Becton Dickinson Philippines Inc., Becton Dickinson Polska Sp.z.o.o., Becton Dickinson Portugal Unipessoal Lda., Becton Dickinson Pty. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Research Centre Ireland Limited, Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH, Becton Dickinson Rowa Italy Srl, Becton Dickinson S.A., Becton Dickinson Sample Collection GmbH, Becton Dickinson Scot Financing L.L.P., Becton Dickinson Scot Financing L.P., Becton Dickinson Sdn. Bhd., Becton Dickinson Slovakia s.r.o., Becton Dickinson Sweden AB, Becton Dickinson Sweden Holdings AB, Becton Dickinson Switzerland Global Holdings SarL, Becton Dickinson Technology Campus India, Becton Dickinson U.K. Limited, Becton Dickinson UK Financing I Limited, Becton Dickinson UK Financing II Limited, Becton Dickinson Venezuela C.A., Becton Dickinson Venture LLC, Becton Dickinson Verwaltungs GmbH, Becton Dickinson Vostok LLC, Becton Dickinson Worldwide Investments Sa.r.L., Becton Dickinson Zambia Limited, Becton Dickinson and Company Ltd., Becton Dickinson de Colombia Ltda., Becton Dickinson de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Becton Dickinson del Uruguay S.A., Bee IT Solutions, Benex Ltd., Biometric Imaging, Bridger Biomed Inc., C. R. Bard (Portugal) - Produtos e Artigos Medicos e Farmaceuticos, C. R. Bard Do Brasil Productos Medicos Ltda., C. R. Bard GmbH, C. R. Bard Inc., C. R. Bard Netherlands Sales B.V., C.R. Bard Inc, CME America LLC, CME Ltd., CME Medical (UK) Limited, CME UK (Holdings) Limited, CRISI Medical Systems, CRISI Medical Systems Inc., Caesarea Medical Electronics, Cardal II LLC, Care Fusion Development Private Limited, CareFusion (Barbados) SrL, CareFusion (Shanghai) Commercial and Trading Co. Limited, CareFusion 213 LLC, CareFusion 2200 Inc., CareFusion 2201 Inc., CareFusion 302 LLC, CareFusion 303 Inc., CareFusion Asia (HK) Limited, CareFusion Corporation, CareFusion Corporation., CareFusion D.R. 203 Ltd., CareFusion France 309 S.A.S., CareFusion Israel 330 Ltd., CareFusion Italy 312 S.p.A., CareFusion Manufacturing LLC, CareFusion Mexico 215 S.A. de C.V., CareFusion Netherlands 328 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands 503 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands 504 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands Financing 283 C.V., CareFusion Resources LLC, CareFusion S.A. 319 (Proprietary) Limited, CareFusion Solutions LLC, CareFusion U.K. 244 Limited, CareFusion U.K. 305 Limited, CareFusion U.K. 306 Limited, Carmel Pharma AB, Carmel Pharma Inc, Cato Software Solutions, Cell Analysis Systems Inc, Cellular Research, Cellular Research Inc., Clearstream Technologies Group Limited, Clearstream Technologies Limited, Clontech Laboratories Inc, Corporativo BD de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Critical Device Corporation, Cubex, Cytognos, Cytopeia Inc, DLD (Bermuda) Ltd., DVL Acquisition Sub Inc., Davol Inc., Davol International Limited, Davol Surgical Innovations S.A. de C.V., Difco Laboratories Incorporated, Distribuidora BD Mexico S.A. de C.V., Dutch American Manufacturers (D.A.M.) B.V., Dymax Corporation, Embo Medical Limited, Enturia de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Enturican Inc., FJ International Inc., FlowCardia Inc., FlowCardia LLC, FlowJo LLC, Franklin Lakes Enterprises L.L.C., GSL Solutions, Gamer Lasertechnik GmbH, GenCell Biosystems, GenCell Biosystems Ltd., GeneOhm Sciences Canada ULC, GeneOhm Sciences Inc, Gentest Corporation, Gesco International Inc., Gesco International LLC, Glentech Inc, HandyLab Inc, HandyLab Inc., IBD Holdings LLC, Iontophoretics Corporation, JoHome LLC, Kabushiki Kaisha Medicon (Medicon Inc.), Liberator Health and Education Services Inc., Liberator Health and Wellness Inc., Liberator Medical Holdings Inc., Liberator Medical Supply Inc., Limited Liability Company Bard Rus, Loma Vista Medical Inc., Loma Vista Medical LLC, Luther Medical Products Inc, Lutonix Inc., Med-Design Corporation, Med-Design Investment Holdings Inc., Med-Safe Systems Inc, Med-Safe Systems Inc., MedChem Products Inc., Medafor Inc., Medegen LLC, Medinservice.com Inc., Medivance Inc., NAT Diagnostics Inc., NAT Diagnostics Inc., NOW Medical Distribution Inc., NOW Medical Distribution LLC, Navarre Biomedical LLC, Navarre Biomedical Ltd., Neomend Inc., Nippon Becton Dickinson Company Ltd., Omega Biosystems Incorporated, P.R.C. (Isialys) Societe a responsabilitie limitee, PT Becton Dickinson Indonesia, PharMingen, PharMingen., Plasso Technology Ltd, PreAnalytiX GmbH, Pristine Access Technologies Inc., ProSeed Inc., Procesos para Esterilizacion S.A. de C.V., Productos Bard de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Productos Para el Cuidado de la Salud S.A. de C.V., Puls Medical Devices AS LC, PureWick Corporation, Roberts Laboratories Inc., Rochester Medical Corporation, Rochester Medical Ltd., Saf-T-Med Inc, Safety Syringes Inc., Scanwell Health Inc., Sendal S.L.U., SenoRx Inc., SenoRx LLC, Shield Healthcare Centers Inc., Sirigen Group Limited, Sirigen II Limited, Sirigen Inc., Sistemas Medicos ALARIS S.A. de C.V., Specialized Cooperative Corporation, Specialized Health Products Inc., Specialized Health Products International Inc., Specialized Health Products International LLC, Staged Diabetes Management LLC, Straub Medical AG, Straub Medical AG, Surgical Site Solutions Inc., TVA Medical Inc, TVA Medical Inc., Tepha Inc, Tepha Inc., Tissuemed Ltd., Tri-County Medical & Ostomy Supplies Inc., TriPath Imaging Inc., Tru-Fit Marketing Corporation, Vas-Cath Incorporated, Vascular Pathways Inc., Velano Vascular, Velano Vascular Inc., Venclose Inc., Venetec International Inc., Venetec International LLC, Visitec, Y-Med Inc., Y-Med LLC, and ZebraSci Inc..

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Cenovus Energy Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas in Canada, the United States, and the Asia Pacific region. The company operates through Oil Sands, Conventional, Offshore, Canadian Manufacturing, U.S. Manufacturing, and Retail segments. The Oil Sands segment develops and produces bitumen and heavy oil in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan. This segments Foster Creek, Christina Lake, Sunrise, and Tucker oil sands projects, as well as Lloydminster thermal and conventional heavy oil assets The Conventional segment holds assets primarily located in Elmworth-Wapiti, Kaybob-Edson, Clearwater, and Rainbow Lake operating in Alberta and British Columbia, as well as interests in various natural gas processing facilities. The offshore segment engages in the exploration and development activities. The Canadian Manufacturing segment includes the owned and operated Lloydminster upgrading and asphalt refining complex, which upgrades heavy oil and bitumen into synthetic crude oil, diesel fuel, asphalt, and other ancillary products, as well as owns and operates the Bruderheim crude-by-rail terminal and two ethanol plants. The U.S. Manufacturing segment comprises the refining of crude oil to produce diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, asphalt, and other products. The Retail segment consists of marketing of its own and third-party refined petroleum products through retail, commercial, and bulk petroleum outlets, as well as wholesale channels. Cenovus Energy Inc. was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.
GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the creation, discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products, vaccines, over-the-counter medicines, and health-related consumer products in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Vaccines, and Consumer Healthcare. The company offers pharmaceutical products comprising medicines in the therapeutic areas, such as respiratory, HIV, immuno-inflammation, oncology, anti-viral, central nervous system, cardiovascular and urogenital, metabolic, anti-bacterial, and dermatology. It also provides consumer healthcare products in wellness, oral health, nutrition, and skin health categories. The company offers its consumer healthcare products in the form of nasal sprays, tablets, syrups, lozenges, gum and trans-dermal patches, caplets, infant syrup drops, liquid filled suspension, wipes, gels, effervescents, toothpastes, toothbrushes, mouthwashes, denture adhesives and cleansers, topical creams and non-medicated patches, lip balm, gummies, and soft chews. It has collaboration agreements with 23andMe; Lyell Immunopharma, Inc.; Novartis; Sanofi SA; Surface Oncology; Progentec Diagnostics, Inc.; Alector, Inc.; and CureVac AG., as well as strategic partnership with IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. and Vir Biotechnology, Inc. The company was formerly known as GlaxoSmithKline plc and changed its name to GSK plc in May 2022. GSK plc was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Brentford, the United Kingdom.
Brookdale Senior Living Inc. owns, manages, and operates senior living communities in the United States. It operates in three segments: Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). The Independent Living segment owns or leases communities comprising independent and assisted living units in a single community that are primarily designed for middle to upper income seniors. The Assisted Living and Memory Care segment owns or leases communities consisting of freestanding multi-story communities and freestanding single-story communities, which offer housing and 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living for the Company's residents. This segment also operates memory care communities for residents with Alzheimer's and other dementias. The CCRCs segment owns or leases communities that provides various living arrangements, such as independent and assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing; and services to accommodate various levels of physical ability and healthcare needs. It also manages communities on behalf of others. As of December 31, 2021, the company owned 347 communities, leased 299 communities, and managed 33 communities on behalf of others. Brookdale Senior Living Inc. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee.
This is a current list of the top 250 companies by market capitalization on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Learn more .

Many investors understand the reasons for having a diversified portfolio. One way to accomplish this is to diversify within an asset class. For equity investors in the United States this can mean investing in both growth and value stocks.

It can also mean investing in international stocks. And when investors want to do this, they need look no further than our neighbor to the north. Canada has a range of stocks for investors to consider. This article will focus on strategies that investors can use when looking to invest in Canadian stocks.

Why Buy Canadian Stocks?

There are a few reasons for investors to consider Canadian stocks as part of their diversification strategy:

A Large Natural Resources Sector  The sheer size of the country and its location lets investors know that it is an area rich in natural resources. This also means that the country has a source of current and future wealth.

An Advanced Skills-Based Economy  In this regard, Canada is similar to other western nations. The difference is that it is not as common to find these skill-based professions in a country with so many natural resources.

Stability  Canada is not exempt from any problems that impact the global economy. However, the country is known for stable financial and business policies that have kept the economy relatively stable. This Goldilocks economy has meant that many Canadian stocks havent enjoyed the outsized growth of some U.S. equities. However, it also comes with a bit of protection against downside risk.

How Have Canadian Stocks Performed?

According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, there was a time when U.S. stocks and Canadian stocks performed nearly identically. Heres a graph that shows the performance of the S&P 500 Index vs. the TSX Index



Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence

You can see that with a couple of exceptions, the two indexes performed remarkably similar. That all changed around 2012 and Canadian stocks became less attractive.

Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence

This disparity is widely due to one sector, technology. However, Canadian technology stocks have been on the rise. And in 2022, the country is benefiting from renewed interest in materials stocks as well as a spike in commodity prices.

What Are the Best Sectors of Canadian Stocks?

For different reasons finance, materials, and energy stocks are among the best performing stocks as of September 2022. Heres a brief overview of each sector and some of the top names for investors to consider.

Financial  Similar to the United States, Canada has a strong banking industry. Many Canadian banks have a track record of solid performance that can provide long-term value to a portfolio. And several of these stocks pay dividends with attractive yields for investors.

This sector makes up the largest percentage of the TSX at roughly 30%. And the Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY)is the top-weighted constituent in the TSX. Beyond the Royal Bank of Canada some of the other top-performing Canadian financial stocks include:

Materials and Mining  Canadian stocks can be an ideal choice for investors looking to diversify into gold and precious metals without owning the physical metal. Canada has a large natural resources sector. So, its not surprising that there are a number of gold mining companies with Canadian origins. This sector also gives investors exposure to other components in the mining and agriculture sectors. This sector makes up approximately 11.5% of the TSX. Some of the top Canadian materials and mining stocks include:

Energy  Canadian stocks offer both traditional fossil fuel-based energy stocks as well as some renewable energy stocks. This sector makes up approximately 18.5% of the TSX. Some of the top Canadian energy stocks include:

Technology  As mentioned earlier, technology stocks have largely been the domain of the United States. As evidence of this, information technology stocks make up only about 5.5% of the TSX. However, there are a few Canadian companies that have become stars in the new economy being created. Some of the more popular names include:

What Are the Risks of Investing in Canadian Stocks?

One concern about investing in Canadian stocks is that they can be heavily weighted towards cyclical industries. For example, as of February 2022 financials (33.5%), energy (14.8%) and industrials (11.7%) made up nearly 60% of the index. That may be too much for some investors particularly because those sectors all tend to correlate roughly the same way as the economic cycle. But as a long-term play, Canadian stocks are worth considering with a small part of your portfolio.

How to Buy Canadian Stocks

Buy Individual Stocks on a Stock Exchange

Hundreds of Canadian stocks have dual listings on either the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the NASDAQ. This is the most convenient way to get exposure to Canadian stocks because there are no barriers to stock ownership. These shares can be purchased in U.S. dollars directly from the exchange just like purchasing a U.S. stock.

However, for a full list of the best Canadian stocks, investors should look at the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The TSX is one of the oldest stock exchanges having been founded in 1852. Its also the third largest stock exchange in North America in terms of market capitalization.

The Toronto Stock Exchange includes approximately 1,500 companies. It allows investors to trade stocks, investment trusts, exchange-traded products, bonds, commodities, futures, options, and other derivative products. All transactions on the TSX are executed in Canadian dollars.

Invest in a Mutual Fund or ETF

There are many mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that supply exposure to Canadian stocks. Some funds supply exposure to both U.S. and Canadian stocks. Other funds hold just Canadian stocks. Some examples of those include:

BMO S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF

Horizons S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF

Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap ETF

As with investing in any asset class, investors need to consider their investment objective, time horizon and risk tolerance before choosing a fund that fits their needs. Investors will also want to pay attention to the funds fee structure to ensure youre making the most efficient use of your capital.

The Final Word on Investing in Canadian Stocks

Investing in Canadian stocks is one way for investors to add diversification to their portfolio. MarketBeat provides a list of the top Canadian stocks that trade on the TSX. This is Canadas version of the NYSE or NASDAQ in the United States and includes many of the same stocks.

Thats one advantage of investing in Canadian stocks is that many have a dual listing which removes many of the obstacles that can come with investing in international stocks.

However, investors should be aware that many of the best Canadian stocks are in highly cyclical industries which can lead to underperformance when those sectors are out of favor. Still, due to their relative stability and in some cases an impressive dividend, Canadian stocks may have a place in an investors portfolio.
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. owns and leases freight railroads. It operates through three segments: North American Operations, Australian Operations, and U.K./European Operations. The company transports various commodities, including agricultural products, autos and auto parts, chemicals and plastics, coal and coke, food and kindred products, lumber and forest products, metallic ores, metals, minerals and stone, petroleum products, pulp and paper, waste, and other commodities. It owns or leases 122 freight railroads, including 105 short line railroads and 2 regional freight railroads located in the United States, 8 short line railroads located in Canada, 3 railroads located in Australia, 1 railroad located in the United Kingdom, 1 railroad in Poland and Germany, and 2 railroads in the Netherlands with a total of approximately 16,200 miles of track. The company also operates 6,200 additional miles of track that is owned or leased by others. In addition, it operates deep sea maritime containers and provides bulk haulage, including coal, aggregates, cement, and infrastructure services. Further, the company provides rail service at approximately 40 ports; rail-ferry service in North America, Australia, and Europe; and contract coal loading and railcar switching for industrial customers. Genesee & Wyoming Inc. was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Darien, Connecticut.
OPKO Health, Inc., a healthcare company, engages in the diagnostics and pharmaceuticals businesses in the United States, Ireland, Chile, Spain, Israel, Mexico, and internationally. The company's Diagnostics segment operates BioReference Laboratories that offers laboratory testing services for the detection, diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring, and treatment of diseases, including esoteric testing, molecular diagnostics, anatomical pathology, genetics, women's health, and correctional healthcare to physician offices, clinics, hospitals, employers and governmental units; and a novel diagnostic instrument system to provide blood test results in the point-of-care setting, as well as 4Kscore prostate cancer testing services. Its Pharmaceutical segment offers Rayaldee to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism in adults with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease, and vitamin D insufficiency; OPK88004, an orally administered selective androgen receptor modulator; OPK88003, a once-weekly administered peptide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and associated obesity that is in Phase IIb trials; and hGH-CTP, a once-weekly human growth hormone injection that completed Phase III clinical trial in partnership with Pfizer, Inc. This segment develops and commercializes longer-acting proprietary versions of already approved therapeutic proteins. The company also offers specialty APIs; develops, manufactures, markets, and sells pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, veterinary, and ophthalmic products; commercializes food supplements and over the counter products; manufactures and sells products primarily in the generics market; and imports, markets, distributes, and sells pharmaceutical products in a range of indications, including cardiovascular products, vaccines, antibiotics, gastro-intestinal products, hormones, and others. In addition, it operates pharmaceutical platforms in Ireland, Chile, Spain, and Mexico. The company was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.
MarineMax, Inc. operates as a recreational boat and yacht retailer and superyacht services company in the United States. It operates through two segments, Retail Operations and Product Manufacturing. The company sells new and used recreational boats, including pleasure and fishing boats, mega-yachts, yachts, sport cruisers, motor yachts, pontoon boats, ski boats, jet boats, and other recreational boats. It also offers marine parts and accessories comprising marine electronics; dock and anchoring products that include boat fenders, lines, and anchors; boat covers; trailer parts; water sport accessories, which comprise tubes, lines, wakeboards, and skis; engine parts; oils; lubricants; steering and control systems; corrosion control products and service products; high-performance accessories, including propellers and instruments; and a line of boating accessories, such as life jackets, inflatables, and water sports equipment. In addition, the company provides novelty items, such as shirts, caps, and license plates; marine engines and equipment; maintenance, repair, and slip and storage accommodation services; and boat or yacht brokerage services, as well as charters yachts and power catamarans. Further, it offers new or used boat finance services; arranges insurance coverage, including boat property, disability, undercoating, gel sealant, fabric protection, and casualty insurance coverage; and manufactures and sells sport yachts and yachts. Additionally, the company operates vacations in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. It also markets and sells its products through offsite locations and print catalog. The company has 79 retail locations in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. MarineMax, Inc. was incorporated in 1998 and is based in Clearwater, Florida.
Thomson Reuters Corporation provides business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. The Corporates segment provides a suite of content-enabled technology solutions for legal, tax, regulatory, compliance, and IT professionals. The Tax & Accounting Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on tax offerings and automating tax workflows to tax, accounting, and audit professionals in accounting firms. The Reuters News segment provides business, financial, and international news to media organizations, professional, and news consumers through news agency and industry events. The Global Print segment offers legal and tax information primarily in print format to legal and tax professionals, governments, law schools, and corporations. The company was formerly known as The Thomson Corporation and changed its name to Thomson Reuters Corporation in April 2008. The company was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Thomson Reuters Corporation is a subsidiary of The Woodbridge Company Limited.
Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, including auto financing, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses. This segment offers financial products and services through branches, automated teller machines, and mobile sales network. Its Wealth Management segment provides a suite of advice-based solutions and strategies to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, and institutional clients. The company's Insurance segment offers life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth, annuities, and reinsurance advice and solutions; and business insurance services to individual, business, and group clients through its advice centers, RBC insurance stores, and mobile advisors; digital, mobile, and social platforms; independent brokers; and travel partners. Its Investor & Treasury Services segment provides asset servicing, custody, payments, and treasury services to financial and other investors; and fund and investment administration, shareholder, private capital, performance measurement and compliance monitoring, distribution, transaction banking, cash and liquidity management, foreign exchange, and global securities finance services. The company's Capital Markets segment offers corporate and investment banking, as well as equity and debt origination, distribution, advisory services, sale, and trading services for corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, private equity firms, and governments. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
Telecom Argentina S.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications services in Argentina and internationally. The company offers telephone services, including local, domestic, and international long-distance telephone services, as well as public telephone services; and other related supplementary services, such as call waiting, call forwarding, conference calls, caller ID, voice mail, itemized billing, and maintenance services. It also provides interconnection services, such as traffic and interconnection resource, dedicated Internet access, video signals transportation in standard and high definitions, audio and video streaming, dedicated links, backhaul links for mobile operators, data center hosting/housing services, dedicated links, layer 2 and layer 3 transport networks, video links, value-added services, and other services. In addition, the company offers mobile telecommunications services, including voice communications, high-speed mobile Internet content and applications download, online streaming, and other services; and sells mobile communication devices, such as handsets, Modems MiFi and wingles, and smart watches under the Personal brand. Further, it provides internet connectivity products, including virtual private network services, traditional Internet protocol links, and other products; data services; and programming and other cable television services. The company was formerly known as Cablevision S.A. and changed its name to Telecom Argentina S.A. in January 2018. Telecom Argentina S.A. was founded in 1979 and is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
They pressed print, attorney Tom Clare said about Rolling Stone magazine. Nicole Eramo did not have that luxury.

Those were among Clares final statements in what may be the penultimate trial day for his client, the University of Virginia administrator currently suing Rolling Stone, its publisher and author Sabrina Rubin Erdely. With the conclusion of his final arguments, it is now up to a 10-person jury to decide the case.

For the past 13 days, counsel for Eramo and the magazine have sparred in Charlottesvilles federal court over their interpretations of Erdelys now-retracted November 2014 article, A Rape on Campus. The piece, originally intended as an expose on the climate of sexual violence on college campuses, centered on the story of Jackie, a then-student who claimed she was gang-raped at a fraternity house during her first year at UVa.

When Jackies claims were debunked by multiple sources, including a city police investigation, the magazine pulled back its support of Jackies story and eventually retracted the piece.

Soon after the articles retraction, Eramo filed her $7.5 million defamation suit. At the time of the articles release, she had been the associate dean charged with providing resources and support for student survivors of sexual assault. Referenced by name more than 30 times in the article, Eramo claims that she was cast as a callous and indifferent administrator who sought to actively suppress claims of sexual assault to protect the universitys reputation.

Tuesday marked the beginning and end of closing arguments in the case. In the morning, Clare took to the floor for more than three hours to tell the jury that, with a long history of reporting on institutional indifference to claims of sexual assault, Erdely had a preconceived notion of the story she wanted to tell long before she stepped foot on UVa Grounds.

Echoing the arguments that have been made by his fellow attorneys for the past two weeks, Clare said that Erdely and her editors at Rolling Stone had a reckless disregard for the truth as they accepted the story of Jackie, a vulnerable, troubled, attention-seeking young girl. In doing so, Clare said, the magazine had on their hands an article with a winning formula that Erdely customarily wrote: a victim, a villain and a vindicator.

It had all the elements of a perfect story, Clare said.

Clare continued that the magazine ignored red flags that popped up in their reporting process, including the fact that Jackies story of her alleged rape morphed several times, depending on whom Erdely had asked about it, and the fact that Jackie refused to identify any people who might be able to corroborate the account first-hand. Whenever Erdely asked for physical evidence from Jackie, she was left empty-handed; whenever Jackies actions or words contradicted Erdelys own observations, she looked the other way, Clare said.

Likewise, Rolling Stone attorney Scott Sexton rehashed each of his teams own arguments when it was his turn with the jury. For more than three hours, Sexton reminded the jury that from the perspective of Erdely, her editors, UVa administrators and even Jackies friends, it appeared that Jackies story was credible.

Sexton argued that Jackie also proved capable of providing detailed accounts of what had happened to her, as well as her interactions with UVa administrators and students in the wake of the alleged assault. The morphing of her story, Sexton said, was not uncommon for survivors of sexual assault, and Erdelys failure to contact corroborative witnesses was done so out of respectful deference to Jackies wishes.

He continued that, outside of Jackies story, the magazine stands by its depiction of Eramo and the UVa administration and is backed up by strong criticism of the school by the Office for Civil Rights that came out after the article had already been retracted.

Thats the criticism they dont want to hear, Sexton said.

When taken out of the context of Jackies story, the article still stands up, he said, without being explicitly defamatory to Eramo. Sexton pointed out that on Monday, Judge Glen Conrad dismissed Eramos claim that she had been defamed by the implications of the article. Conrad said that the jury would still take up specific statements at issue in the case; Sexton argued that with that ruling, the majority of Eramos arguments in the case were irrelevant.

A jury will finally take up the case on Wednesday morning. If they find in Eramos favor, the trial will then go into a damages phase, in which the jurors will hear further evidence and decide how much monetary remuneration Eramo is due.
RICHMOND  In 37 states and Washington, D.C., there is a period of early voting in which voters dont need to offer a justification.

First lady Dorothy McAuliffe cast an absentee ballot on Tuesday morning at the voter registrars office in Richmond, highlighting the opportunity to cast a vote in Virginia ahead of Election Day.

Her vote also underscores that Virginia is in the minority of states when it comes to early voting because it requires voters to offer an acceptable excuse as to why they cant vote in person on Election Day.

In 37 states and the District of Columbia, some period of early voting is allowed and no excuse or justification is required, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

As of January, Virginia was one of 13 states that required an excuse for absentee voting before Election Day, along with Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi.

In order to cast an early ballot in Virginia, a voter must cite one of 19 excuses deemed acceptable under state law, such as military service, illness, being away from home, pregnancy, and a long commute tacked on to a long work day.

As for Dorothy McAuliffe: The first lady will be out of the city on personal business, said Brian Coy, a spokesman for Gov. Terry McAuliffe. Shell be attending campaign events around the commonwealth in support of the Clinton-Kaine ticket.

That justification  personal business or vacation outside the locality  is the most commonly cited by Virginians who have voted absentee so far this year. It is the excuse cited by 129,173 absentee voters, followed by disability or illness, cited by 81,150; business outside the city or county, cited by 66,998; being a student, cited by 59,036.

The first lady urged voters who will be otherwise occupied on Election Day to cast an early absentee ballot. The deadline to vote absentee in person at a registrars office is 5 p.m. Saturday.

It is the greatest of our responsibilities that we should go out and vote and to make sure that were able to have our vote counted, she said.

We want to make sure that everyone knows that if your job or other plans ... might keep you from the polls on Election Day, that early voting is an option here in the commonwealth of Virginia and Saturday is your last day to early vote.

As of Tuesday evening, Virginia had 5,605,671 registered voters, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.

The state had received 466,412 applications for absentee ballots and 341,480 had been returned.

In neighboring North Carolina, anyone who is registered can vote absentee by mail or in person before Election Day  no excuse required. Early voting begins on the second Thursday before an election and ends at 1 p.m. on the Saturday before Election Day.

North Carolina has 6.86 million registered voters. So far, 1.87 million have cast absentee ballots.

During the 2016 General Assembly session, at least half a dozen bills to let Virginia voters cast ballots before an election without offering an excuse were defeated in the House Privileges and Elections Committee. Democrats offered most of those measures, but Republicans sponsored at least two.

I think this weeks events call into question the wisdom of early voting, Del. Mark L. Cole, R-Spotsylvania, chairman of the committee, wrote in an email Tuesday.

Four days earlier, FBI Director James B. Comey had notified leaders of eight congressional committees that the bureau is examining additional emails that appear to be pertinent to the investigation of Democrat Hillary Clintons private server.

It may take time for candidates to get their message out or for information regarding a candidate to become known, Cole wrote.

If someone may be unable to make it to the polls on Election Day, then they have the opportunity to vote absentee either in person or by mail. If Virginia were to have early voting like some other states, local registrars would need additional funding to purchase more voting machines and hire additional personnel. I do not see that happening in the current fiscal environment.

Del. Richard C. Rip Sullivan Jr., D-Fairfax, sponsored a bill that would have established 21 days of no-excuse absentee voting in Virginia. The committee killed his bill in January.

The Republicans on the committee claimed that this would be an unfunded mandate on localities because it would, in their view, require local registrars to hire additional staff, Sullivan wrote in an update to his constituents during the General Assembly session.

Sullivan wrote that his bill, if anything, would decrease the burden on local registrars. Its time we make voting in Virginia easier, not harder.

Chesterfield County registrar Larry Haake says he hasnt taken a position for or against no-excuse absentee voting. But he says such a change would increase the costs for registrars.

Additional early expenditures on personnel, computers, voting equipment and extra ballots would not result in savings on Election Day, he said. Decisions on staffing and machines for Election Day must be made long before registrars know the outcome of early voting.

The bottom line, Haake said, is, if you approve this, we need resources.
New Delhi: The mines ministry is promoting use of drones in a bid to curb illegal mining in the country and has asked states and public sector undertakings (PSUs) to consider using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The ministry's thinking is that drones can be leveraged for conducting aerial surveys at regular intervals to study difference in patterns that can be utilised for analysing mining activities, a senior government official said.

"Besides, these can act as a tremendous tool in checking illegal mining. We can use UAVs for tracking movement of illegal trucks. Also, drones fitted with thermal imaging sensors and cameras can also be deployed at night to check if any illegal mining activity or transportation is being carried out," he added.

The ministry has approached the state governments concerned as well as PSUs such as iron ore miner NMDC, Nalco, SAIL and manganese producer MOIL.

Most of these state-run companies either are in the mining sector or have captive mines, and drones can help them in checking illegal mining as well as loss of raw material, the official explained.

Last month, in a path-breaking move, the government launched the mining surveillance system (MSS), a pan-India surveillance network using latest satellite technology, to check illegal mining.

MSS is a satellite-based monitoring system that aims to check illegal mining activity through automatic remote-sensing detection technology.

The Indian Bureau of Mines, on behalf of the mines ministry, has developed MSS, in co-ordination with the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG), Gandhinagar, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY).
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has declared the company as the selected bidder for rehabilitation and upgradation of NH 66 (erstwhile NH 17)...to four-lane in Maharashtra under NHDP IV.

New Delhi: Infrastructure firm Dilip Buildcon on November 2 said it has won a Rs 914-crore contract from the government for upgradation of a highway stretch in Maharashtra under National Highways Development Project (NHDP).

"The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has declared the company as the selected bidder for rehabilitation and upgradation of NH 66 (erstwhile NH 17)...to four-lane in Maharashtra under NHDP IV," Dilip Buildcon said in a filing to the BSE.

The project has been awarded on hybrid annuity mode (HAM) at a project cost of Rs 914 crore and the first year operation and maintenance cost of Rs 3 crore. The company also said its trading window shall remain closed from November 2 to November 4.
'Placements' was piloted in November 2015 and then LinkedIn opened the product in September 2016 to students at all colleges and universities in India.

Mumbai: Leading global professional network LinkedIn on November 2 said it has signed an agreement with the human resource development ministry to create more job opportunities for Indian students.

As part of the MoU, LinkedIn's 'Placements' product will be adopted by all Indian colleges affiliated with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the company said in a release issued here.

'Placements' provides a level-playing field for all students, regardless of their location or college and allows them to take an online assessment test, which gives them direct access to thousands of openings in 35 top corporates in India, it added.

"We're excited to work with the HRD ministry and AICTE to help students get greater access to the 'Placements' product. Our objective with 'Placements' is to help the country's best talent get access to job opportunities, regardless of their location. We hope to bring students closer to their dream jobs through this platform," LinkedIn India Country Manager and Head of Product Akshay Kothari said.

'Placements' was piloted in November 2015 and then LinkedIn opened the product in September 2016 to students at all colleges and universities in India.

In less than eight weeks from the launch, over two lakh students registered for the product and there were over 1.2 million job applications.
In the domestic market, Mahindra sales were marginally down at 48,729 units last month.

New Delhi: Auto major Mahindra & Mahindra today reported 1.21 per cent increase in total sales at 52,008 units in October. The company had sold 51,383 units in the same month last year, M&M statement said.

In the domestic market, sales were marginally down at 48,729 units last month as compared with 48,815 in October 2015, it added. Exports during the month grew by 27.68 per cent to 3,279 units as against 2,568 units in October last year, the company said.

Sales of passenger vehicles, including Scorpio, XUV500, Xylo, Bolero and Verito, were up 2.81 per cent to 24,737 units as compared to 24,060 units in the same month last year.

Commercial vehicle sales were down 3.71 per cent to 18,059 units in October as against 18,756 units in the year-ago period, M&M said.

Commenting on the sales performance, M&M Chief Executive (auto division) Pravin Shah said: "The festive season has brought some cheer for the automotive industry with improved sentiments, on the back of a near normal monsoon, rural surge in demand and some new vehicle launches."

Some of the company's popular brands such as the Bolero, Scorpio, TUV300 and the Pickups have performed well, he added.
The source said that RJIL informed minister that it has already invested Rs 1.6 lakh crore in the networks and installed 2.82 lakh base stations across the country covering 18,000 cities and 2 lakh villages.

New Delhi: Telecom operator Reliance Jio Infocomm will install around 45,000 mobile towers in the next six months to boost its 4G network.

"Reliance Jio in meeting with Telecom Minister (Manoj Sinha) has committed to invest 45,000 crore mobile towers in next 6 months to further strengthen its network. The company has said that it has plans to invest Rs 1 lakh crore over a period of 4 years and the new towers are part of this investment," an official source told PTI.

No immediate comments were received from Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL) on the matter. The source said that RJIL informed minister that it has already invested Rs 1.6 lakh crore in the networks and installed 2.82 lakh base stations across the country covering 18,000 cities and 2 lakh villages.

"Jio said that it has made all effort to provide good consumer experience but non-availability of point of interconnection from Airtel, Vodafone and Idea has led to high call failure rate on its network. Minister (Sinha) then directed telecom operators to resolve PoI issue among themselves at the earliest," the source said.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended to impose Rs 3,050 crore penalty on Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular holding them responsible for congestion in RJIL network. Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Reliance Jio attended a meeting called by TRAI on Tuesday to resolve interconnection issue.

The meeting, which lasted for more than two hours, was attended by Bharti Airtel MD and CEO Gopal Vittal, Vodafone India MD and CEO Sunil Sood, Idea MD and CEO Himanshu Kapania and Reliance Jio Director Mahendra Nahata.

TRAI Chairman RS Sharma asked them to mutually resolve interconnection issue at the earliest and warned action against those found liable for poor service quality benchmark around network congestion, call drop etc.

The incumbent operators received no respite from TRAI on penalty of Rs 3,050 crore recommended by it. According to sources, Sharma asked them to look at present and future plan of action to resolve quality issue in networks.
New Delhi: The commerce and industry ministry is discussing with the Home Affairs Ministry fast-tracking of issuance of security clearances as it seeks to improve business climate, a top official said on November.

Secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Ramesh Abhishek said approvals and all necessary clearances sought by investors should be given in a time-bound manner.

"Everything should be time-bound. We have been working with the Ministry of Home Affairs," he said while replying to a query about delay in giving security clearances.

He was speaking at the India Telecom 2016 conference here. Abhishek also said that steps like implementation of insolvency code, GST and other reforms will reflect in India's ease of doing business ranking next year.

"We are now in the process of developing the parameters for next year ranking of states. We are looking that can we have industry specific parameters," he said.

He also said that several measures are under implementation in areas like enforcement of contracts and trade across borders to further simplify the procedures.

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.

Talking about FDI policy, he said although 92 per cent of FDI coming through the automatic route, the DIPP is "further simplifying the procedures and many more are in the pipeline".
New Delhi: Amid charges of millions of pounds of secret kickbacks by UK aviation major Rolls-Royce to an Indian-origin arms middleman in London, an internal inquiry in the defence ministry concluded that around Rs 500 crores was paid as commission to a Singapore-based firm named Aashmore Consultants. The report was submitted to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar a few months back.

The commission was allegedly paid for clinching deals for Rolls-Royce to supply Adour MK 871-07 aero engines for the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft.

Payment of 10 per cent commission from RollsRoyce to one Ashok Patni of Aashmore Consultants, out of the amount of Rs 5,000 crores, works out to Rs 500 crores... This amount paid in an unauthorised manner needs to be recovered from the agent and other beneficiaries and credited into the public fund of the government, a copy of the report accessed by this newspaper states.

MoD may like to take requisite action for recovery of these unauthorised commission amounts urgently, it adds.

A Rolls-Royce spokesperson said: Concerns about bribery and corruption involving intermediaries remain subject to investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and other (UK) authorities. We are fully cooperating with the authorities and cannot comment on these allegations.

Set up in Singapore, a well-known tax haven, on November 7, 1992, Aashmore was described as a limited exempt private company and its registered address is given as Paya Lebar Road, Singapore. Mr Patni could not be reached for his comments.

What is more serious is the finding that the Hawk aircraft engines are highly compromised, and that the aircraft deal was signed by the IAF with major deviations from the contractual terms.

Whereas the contract provided for an aircraft with 2,000 hours of flight continued from Page 1 before overhaul, the life of the engine was assessed at 1,000 hours to 1,400 hours by the inspection authorities. As this was a major deviation, the IAF should have approached the defence ministry for organising a major amendment to the contracts signed between the MoD and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

(This story originally appeared in The Asian Age)
Overall, gross NPAs of the public sector banks have surged from 5.43 per cent (Rs 2.67 lakh crore) in 2014-15 to 9.32 per cent (Rs 4.76 lakh crore) in 2015-16.

New Delhi: In order to provide breather to construction sector, the Reserve Bank is likely to come out soon with detailed norms for one-time settlement of loans in line with the Cabinet decision.

"The guidelines for one-time settlement scheme for stressed sectors are almost ready barring some fine-tuning. They should be out any moment," sources said.

The detailed guidelines should be out within next 8-10 days sources said, adding that it could have benefits in terms of relaxation in debt payment timelines or lowering of provisioning requirement. They will be anchor guidelines for all debt ridden sectors including construction and real estate, sources added.

Banks' exposure to the construction sector stands at over Rs 3 lakh crore, and 45 per cent or Rs 1.35 lakh crore of the loans are under stress. Overall, gross NPAs of the public sector banks have surged from 5.43 per cent (Rs 2.67 lakh crore) in 2014-15 to 9.32 per cent (Rs 4.76 lakh crore) in 2015-16.

There could be separate norms which could be with regard to relaxation of margin money requirement for bank guarantees for the construction sector, among other things, sources said.

Earlier this year, the Cabinet had approved an array of measures including easing of rules for quicker settlement of disputes, pump in liquidity and reinvigorate stalled projects with the objective to revive construction and real estate sectors.

It was also decided that Department of Financial Services in the Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will consider giving one-time scheme for stressed bank loans in the sector.

The government had also proposed to form a conciliation board in all new construction projects. The construction sector contributes 8 per cent of the GDP and provides employment to some 40 million people in the country.

The cabinet had also approved a NITI Aayog proposal related to the construction sector that seeks to eliminate bottlenecks for projects where contractors are fighting a legal battle with government agencies.

Under the proposal put forward by NITI Aayog and approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, the government agencies would pay 75 per cent of the arbitral award amount to an escrow account against margin free bank guarantee, in those cases where the award is challenged.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India is the market regulator.

New Delhi: Markets regulator Sebi has reorganised the committee that advises it on matters related to secondary market, including suggesting steps to improve market safety, efficiency and transparency.

The Secondary Market Advisory Committee is chaired by IIM Ahmedabad Professor and former whole-time member of Sebi, Jayanth R Varma.

Besides Varma, the expert panel consists of 19 members, including top executives of nation's leading bourses  NSE, BSE and Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India Ltd (MSEI)  as well as government representatives.

Members of the committee include BSE's Ashish Kumar Chauhan, NSE's Chitra Ramakrishna, and MSEI's Udai Kumar. All of them are Managing Directors and CEOs of their respective stock exchanges.

Managing Director of ICICI Securities Anup Bagchhi and Kotak Mahindra Bank Joint MD Dipak Gupta are also members of the committee.

Apart from them, Rose Mary K Abraham from Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and some Sebi officials are also part of the panel.

The committee is mandated to review the developments in secondary market, recommend measures for changes and improvements in market structure in view of the impending changes, look into investor protection measures in the stock exchanges and suggest improvements.

Moreover, the expert panel also suggests Sebi on measures for reducing the transaction costs, changes if required in the risk management and regulatory framework in secondary market, among others.
Mumbai: Just few months back, a new member joined the Khandaan and he is already a star on the social media. Yes, we are talking about Salman Khan's adorable nephew Ahil.

Recently, Salman Khan along with his entire family and few close friends flew off to Goa to celebrate Diwali. The actor not only enjoyed a peaceful gateway from the prying eyes of media but also bonded with his little bundle of joy, Ahil.

Most of the time, Arpita and Ayush's son was snapped cuddling with his uncles, Salman and Sohail. Ahil also spent some quality time with his cousin, Nirvaan Khan.

Arpita Khan Sharma shared the pictures on her official Instagram account.

How adorable they look together!
Mumbai: Neha Dhupias popular podcast #NoFilterNeha is turning out to be the much-needed platform for all Bollywood stars to spill all their secrets. From revealing the private details of their sex lives to mocking another celebrity, stars refuse to hold back on this show.

After three successful episodes with the biggest names in Bollyowood, Neha Dhupia brings to us an unfiltered version of an otherwise diplomatic Ranbir Kapoor. Like every other star that arrived on the show, Kapoor Jr does not shy away from answering her tricky questions.

During the session, Ranbir was asked who he is currently sexting, to which the actor replied, "To be honest, I am not good at sexting. Sexting is a little bit of brainwashing. It is make believe. I like being face to face with the person, and really the flirting and energy is what matters. Sexting is boring. It gets vulgar and needy. I don't like that."

Well, thats some candid confession!
Mumbai: After two impressive teasers, the makers have now released films first song Love You Zindagi where we see Alia Bhatts bubbly self taking life head on and living it to the fullest.

The shots in the songs music video look endearing and fresh. The light hearted song from the film is crooned by Jasleen Royal and penned by Kausar Munir. The music is composed by Amit Trivedi.

Reportedly, there is no trailer of the film but four teasers, which will be released one after one. The makers have now released two teasers so far; 'Life Is A Game' and 'Always Recycle'.

The Gauri Shinde helmed film, stars Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan in the lead roles, along with an ensemble of male actors including Aditya Roy Kapoor, Ali Zafar, Kunal Kapoor and Angad Bedi.

The film, slated for a November 25, 2016 release, had earlier been mired in controversy, owing to the involvement of Pakistani actor Ali Zafar in the cast.

Co-produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions whose own 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' is at the zenith of the tension between political parties vying for a blanket ban on films involving Pakistani artistes and the film fraternity, the film has reportedly done away with Zafar's portions in the trailer.

Watch the song below:
Mumbai: Ajay Devgn has thanked veteran Bollywood film writer Salim Khan for praising his recently released Shivaay, saying his appreciation always makes a difference in the film industry.

The 47-year-old star took to Twitter to thank him and superstar Salman Khan for all their best wishes.

"Thank you Salim uncle @luvsalimkhan, your appreciation always makes a difference and thank you @BeingSalmanKhan for all your good wishes," he wrote.

Directed and co-produced by Ajay, the film also features him in a lead role alongside debutante Sayyeshaa Saigal and Polish actress Erika Kaar.
Male contraception has created quite a buzz in medical circles as the search for more ways to introduce birth control for men has been stepped up and research in the direction is moving forward..

But it seems that some of the initiatives have run into trouble as a medical trial had to be brought to a halt after 20 of 320 men participating in it complained that the side effects of the injections to be given six times a year were unbearable.

Given that the contraceptive has a 96% success rate, the side effects must be too intense for men to opt out of it. But it was discovered that the main complaints were muscle aches, mood changes, increased libido and acne, all of which are exactly what women face after taking the pill.

Although 75% of participants had no issues with side effects, these complaints were enough to bring the trial to an end and now that scientists know that hormonal contraception is a possibility they can address the concerns of men.
Chennai: Though the coastal Nagapattinam district in the state abounds in numerous heritage sites and monuments the Dansborg fort in Tranquebar - a striking remnant of the Danish legacy, continues to attract visitors from Denmark.

On the flip side, enthused over the prospects of sustaining its tourism economy, the Scandinavian country is keen on promoting tourism between India and Denmark.

Tranquebar or Tharangambadi - about 275 km from Chennai, was a Danish colony from 1620 to 1845 and it is also famous for the 14th century Masilamaninathar temple built during the reign of Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I. Apart from the state authorities, INTACH, Pondicherry, and the Danish Tranquebar Association are involved in preserving the Danish heritage.

Sources in the tourism department claim the visitors from Denmark is handful and on the rise, Copenhagen received about 72,000 Indian visitors last year, which is an increase of 30% over 2014 fiscal. This year from January to July, the figures are already showing a growth of 11% over the same period the previous year.

This time we are aggressively promoting the Danish Viking heritage attractions such as Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Trelleborg Viking Fortress and the Viking Village in Albertslund, outlined Flemming Bruhn, Director, Visit Denmark, a representative from the Scandinavian Tourist Board said.

According to Mohit Batra, India Representative, Scandinavian Tourist Board, said, the travel trend from India reflects the uniform growth in incentive travel and fixed group departures from India with an average length of stay of 10 days. This year has witnessed small leisure group travel in good numbers.
87 per cent IT, telecom, ITeS and Internet employees do not get much appreciation from their bosses (Photo: AFP)

New Delhi: Being appreciated for one's work is an excellent motivator that can stem attrition and improve employee morale as 88 per cent employees are willing to stay longer if appreciated at work, says a study.

According to a TimesJobs study, a majority of employees feel under-appreciated by their bosses and feel that with a little more acknowledgments, they would happily work harder and stay on longer in their current jobs.

"A happy employee is the best brand ambassador for a company. Companies should ensure this by appreciating, recognising and rewarding employees. It is a highly effective and proven strategy for improving employee engagement and business output," Nilanjan Roy, Head of Strategy, Times Business Solutions, said.

The study further noted that only 41 per cent employees feel they are appreciated at their current place of work.

An industry-wise analysis shows that 87 per cent IT, telecom, ITeS and Internet employees do not get much appreciation from their bosses while the figure is nearly 75 per cent in the auto sector and 70 per cent in the BFSI vertical.

However, things are better in manufacturing and retail, with 52 per cent of the staff claiming there is enough appreciation from their higher-ups.

"Open, transparent and responsive communication both on formal and informal channels is key to success - active use of digital media, social networks and company review sites all play a major role in ensuring an attractive employer brand," Mr Roy added.
Princeton researchers found that judgments of competence, likeability, attractiveness and aggressiveness varied depending on how long the subject (person judging) looked at the object (person being judged).

First impressions really do count. In fact, theres a science to a good first impression.Known by psychologists as thin slicing, people tend to make up their mind about various things within a few seconds of meeting you.Research also suggests that those first judgments do tend to stick.

These are some of the ways in which youll be judged the fastest:

Sexual orientation

It takes about a twentieth of a second to consciously recognise a face. According to a 2008 study, it takes about the same amount of time to determine whether you judge a man to be gay or straight.

While this may not represent as much of a problem in the UK, there are parts of the world where these snap judgments on sexuality could become extremely dangerous.

Dominance (in men)

Interestingly, one study showed that men with shaved heads were rated more dominant than men with full heads of hair  stronger, taller, and more powerful.

Promiscuity (in women)

Unsurprisingly, one of the first things women were judged on was there promiscuity  in relation to their clothes, their appearance, but also interestingly, to any tattoos. A 2007 study found a correlation between visible tattoos on women, and perceptions of high alcohol consumption and sexual promiscuity.

Results also showed that tattooed women were considered less attractive, while blonde women were generally rated more negatively than brunettes in terms of sexual behaviour.

Trustworthiness

Princeton researchers found that judgments of competence, likeability, attractiveness and aggressiveness varied depending on how long the subject (person judging) looked at the object (person being judged). However, the one judgment that stayed consistent was trustworthiness.

In other words, someones already made up their mind as to whether they can trust you within a tenth of a second  and their judgment is unlikely to change.

Intelligence

A study drew a parallel between good eye contact and perceptions of high intelligence.

Looking while speaking was a key behavior. It significantly correlated with IQ, was successfully manipulated by impression-managing targets, and contributed to higher perceived intelligence ratings.

Social status

This from a Dutch study, which found that those wearing branded or designer clothing were seen as having a higher social status.

They based their hypothesis on costly signalling theory and found that evidence of luxury consumption benefitted social interactions.

The present data suggest that luxury consumption can be a profitable social strategy because conspicuous displays of luxury qualify as a costly signalling trait that elicits status-dependent favourable treatment.

Success

Similarly, a British-Turkish study showed that men in tailored, made-to-measure suits were judged as being far more successful than men in ordinary, off-the-peg suits. They were also considered to earn more money, have more confidence and be more trustworthy.

This gave comparable results to one Canadian study, in which photos of men in business attire were judged as more financially successful than those in casual clothing.

Confidence

A 2008 employability study concluded that people were more likely to get a job if they could impress with a handshake, because they came across more confident.

Similarly, your tone of voice could project whether you see yourself as high or low-power  research suggests that a lower, more dynamic vocal range helps appear more self assured. Posture and good eye contact also contributed towards an impression of confidence.

Source: www.indy100.independent.co.uk
Prima facie, it doesn't look that he was murdered by someone who wanted to rob him. All his belongings, including his wallet, ID card, ATM card and money were found intact, police said. (Photo: Representational Image)

New Delhi: The body of a 42-year-old lance havildar in the army was found at a bus stand in north-west Delhi's GT Karnal Road under mysterious circumstances this afternoon.

The deceased, identified as Subhash Chandra, had returned from his home town Jammu to Delhi after celebrating Diwali and had deboarded the bus at the bus stop, said a senior police officer.

He was posted as a Lance Havildar in the Delhi unit. His body was spotted at the bus stop by a passerby around 1.30 pm who made a PCR call, police said.

"Prima facie, it doesn't look that he was murdered by someone who wanted to rob him. All his belongings, including his wallet, ID card, ATM card and money were found intact. There were no external injury marks found on his body. There was a scratch mark found on his back but it doesn't suggest foul play and looks like the mark from an injury sustained due to a fall," said the officer.

Chandra was rushed to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital where his body has been preserved for autopsy. His family members in Jammu have been informed and once they arrive here, the post-mortem will be carried out.

"It looks like a case of natural death. We will get to know the exact cause of death after the autopsy," he added.
Fatehabad: A Dalit woman was allegedly raped inside a moving car by three men after offering her a ride on Narwana-Tohana road here, police said on Wednesday.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, while a complaint in this regard was lodged at Tohana police station today, they said.

The woman has alleged that while she was waiting for a conveyance to reach the railway station, a car stopped in front of her and the three accused offered her a ride, police said.

On the way, she was molested and raped by the trio, she has alleged in her complaint, police said.

The woman said that she was abandoned at Dahman village at about 8 PM, after three hours of confinement in the car, according to police.

Police team has so far not got any clue of the car as well as the accused, said Sandeep Kumar, SHO Tohana police station, adding that investigation was underway.

On victim's complaint, the police have registered case under relevant sections of the IPC, he said.
Workers of a factory in Bawana Industrial Area were celebrating Diwali on Sunday by beating drums and dancing when Ataur Rahman reached there and joined the celebrations. (Photo: Representational Image)

New Delhi: A 39-year-old factory worker was beaten to death during a brawl in outer Delhi's Bawana area after he insisted on drum beating late in the night during Diwali celebrations, following which one person has been arrested, police said on Wednesday.

Workers of a factory in Bawana Industrial Area were celebrating Diwali on Sunday by beating drums and dancing when Ataur Rahman reached there and joined the celebrations, they said.

After sometime, when the workers stopped beating the drums, Rahman, allegedly under influence of alcohol, started abusing those who stopped it, during which he was confronted by Sujit (22), they said.

The heated exchange of words soon turned violent as Sujit allegedly started thrashing Rahman with a stick till he lost consciousness. The accused then fled from the spot, a police officer said.

Following a PCR call, police reached the spot and rushed him to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead. A case has been registered in this regard, the officer said.

The accused was arrested yesterday. The murder seemed to be an act of sudden provocation during the brawl over beating of Dhol (drum), said DCP (outer) M N Tiwari.
In the first week of April 2016, an infant barely a few months old was found with her throat slit in her own home in Neredmet. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: The rate of crimes against children has gone up by seven per cent in just one year in Telangana state.

In the first week of April 2016, an infant barely a few months old was found with her throat slit in her own home in Neredmet. The parents told the police that a robber had murdered their child. Investigations indicated that the mother had committed the murder. Later, 27-year-old D. Poornima confessed that she had used a shaving blade to cut her own childs throat.

Another shocking murder earlier this year was of a 12-year-old boy who was allegedly sodomised and killed by his neighbour in Mailardevpally. His body was thrown on the railway tracks after the murder.

This month, seven-year-old G. Sai Prasanna had her throat slit. She was found in the bathroom of her home when her parents were away.

Children are increasingly becoming victims of violence and ill-treatment and exposed to dangerous conditions.

In 2014, 17.3 per cent of offences were committed against children in the state; in 2015 the figure went up to 24.1 per cent. The rate of crime is calculated by dividing the number of offences with the population of children.

This rate of crimes against children is shockingly higher than in several other states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

As many as 85 children were murdered in Telangana state last year, against 76 kids having been done to death in 2014. The number of children harmed in different ways is also alarming.

Unicef's recent report, Violence against children, says that girls are more likely to be victims of violence and neglect in India, including in Telangana. Moreover, the report states that girl children are vulnerable inside their own homes and outside.
New Delhi: As many as six officials in the Pakistani High Commission here returned home on Wednesday amidst growing tension between the two countries after a Pakistani Mission staffer was caught in an espionage ring and expelled.

Though there was no official confirmation on the number of diplomats leaving India, according to Pakistan High Commission sources there were six mission officials who have left or were in the process of leaving.

"The decision has been taken after it became impossible for the officials to work in this vitiated atmosphere.

"Indian government is threatening and blackmailing our diplomats. So in this condition, it is impossible for us to stay in this country and work," the sources alleged.

According to the sources, those who have left include commercial counsellor Syed Furrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal.

The Pakistani action comes days after India declared Pakistani official Mehmood Akhtar persona non-grata for espionage activities, triggering a tit for tat action from Islamabad, which also expelled an Indian High Commission official there.

Earlier, media reports emerging from Islamabad said Pakistan may ask at least two officials of the Indian High Commission to leave the country for their alleged involvement in subversive activities.
Chandigarh: Punjab Congress Chief Amarinder Singh on Wednesday accused AAP and SAD of exploiting Sikh sentiments by raking up the 1984 riots with an eye on the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

"The Akalis have been ruling Punjab for nearly 10 years, and AAP has now been in power in Delhi for two years. But neither party even thought of the issue till this moment, when elections in Punjab are round the corner," he said.

The Akalis have a history of raising the issue only during election time and immediately forgetting all about it the moment elections are over, Amarinder said.

He said Punjab is gripped by a "host of serious problems", ranging from unemployment to drug menace, declining industrial and economic growth, and an agrarian crisis among others. "Yet, all these parties want to talk about is an issue which has absolutely no relevance for people today."

The state Congress chief made it clear that he was a staunch opponent of Operation Bluestar, adding that the 1984 riots were the "darkest chapter" in Sikh history.

He said that though he had resigned from the Parliament and the Congress over the riots issue, it was time now for Punjab to move forward.

Charging AAP, which had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking reopening of the anti-Sikh riot cases in the next three months, with "brazen opportunism", Amarinder said that if Arvind Kejriwal's party had been sincere in its intentions it would not have waited for the Punjab polls to take up the matter.
New Delhi: A group of ex-servicemen, who have been leading the protest at Jantar Mantar over One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, on Wednesday distanced itself from the suicide of veteran Ram Kishan Grewal and said the issue should not be politicised.

They also said all politicians, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who has tweeted on the issue, should stay away and the government should sort out the OROP "mess".

Read: Upset with govt over OROP, ex-serviceman commits suicide in Delhi

"The suicide did not take place at Jantar Mantar. His friends had informed the police about the suicide bid but it was too late. He was taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital from where they wanted to bring the body to Jantar Mantar, which we refused," Col Anil Kaul (Retd), media advisor to United Front of Ex-Servicemen Movement (UFESM), told PTI. He said the group did not believe in violence.

Major General Satbir Singh (Retd), who is leading the protests at Jantar Mantar and who is now part of a new political party, did not respond to calls or messages.
New Delhi: Raising questions of sexual perversity against a husband amounts to mental cruelty and justifies the grant of divorce, the Delhi High Court has said while upholding a lower court order dissolving a marriage.

The high court also dismissed the allegations of a woman that her husband was indulging in immoral act by compromising with the privacy of the bedroom with their eight-year-old daughter.

Dismissing the allegations, a bench of Justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Pratibha Rani said the wife had damaged the very basic fabric of marital bond beyond repair and maligned the "pious relationship" between a father and a daughter.

"It sounds paradoxical that wife was not letting the husband to have physical contact but the husband was blamed for keeping condoms accessible to their eight years old daughter and also for waking up the daughter in the midnight to witness their sexual activity.

"The allegations of sexual perversity against the husband amounted to mental cruelty, justifying a decree of divorce," the bench said in its judgement.

The court's verdict came on a petition by the woman who had approached the high court challenging a trial court order of July this year dissolving the marriage on a plea filed by her husband.

While upholding the trial court's decision, the high court observed that she had levelled "baseless and unsubstantiated" charges against her husband and "no spouse can swallow such filthy allegations and also continue with the marital tie."

"The pious relationship between a father and a daughter has been maligned by the wife to such an extent that the wife is guilty of treating the husband with the worst form of mental cruelty.

"The nature of allegations made against the husband who remained unsubstantiated, must have left an indelible mark on the mind of the husband," the bench said.

The couple had married in February 2005 and the marital discord between them started in 2005. They lived together till October 2012. In December 2012, the man filed a plea before the trial court seeking dissolution of marriage.

The trial court granted divorce on the ground that the husband was subjected to mental cruelty by her.

The high court, in its judgement, noted that the wife, "inspite of making serious allegations against the husband impacting his moral character with perverse sexuality, did not even try to prove such allegations while tendering her affidavit by way of examination-in-chief. This leads to the inference that such allegations were baseless".
Villagers show a damaged roof house due to alleged shelling from across the LoC at the India-Pakistan International border in Bidipur village of RS Pura sector, Jammu. (Photo: PTI)

Jammu: For the border residents in Ramgarh sector of Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, it has been raining bombs and bullets as Pakistan Rangers target several civilian villages along the International Border in the sector.

Many border residents say that they have been witnessing death closely since the repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

"It rained bombs and bullets on our villages during the day. It was like a war is being fought and we were caught in between, we witnessed death from close quarters," Kamlesh Kumari, a relative of Mara Ram, who died on Tuesday in the intense shelling by Pakistani forces, said.

60-year-old Mara Ram, a resident of Rangoor village, succumbed to injuries at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC) after he along with his son and 14-month-old granddaughter were injured in the firing.

While majority of the injured are not in a condition to speak, their relatives recount the horror they went through after Pakistani side targeted their village at a time when they were getting ready for routine chores.

Read: Pakistani forces target Indian civilians deliberately: BSF

"We were aware that the situation was tense, but we never thought that our village would be attacked like this, if we had an iota of information we would have already shifted to safer place," Harbans Lal, another relative of Mara Ram, said.

The border residents say yesterday's firing from across the border was so intense that people were unable to rescue their injured relatives as it continued unabated.

"It was like Pakistani side was deliberately targeting civilian areas, they fired on the same spot again and again.

My father was injured as he received splinter in the neck and as I tried to save him there was another blast and I was injured in the leg, my daughter Pari was also injured in the blast," 31-year-old Rakesh Kumar said.

A 14-month-old girl, Pari, who has sustained injuries in her neck and spine is also undergoing treatment at the GMC.

Doctors attending the victims of cross border firing say that while most of the injuries were not life threatening, Pari might need to stay in hospital for long as her injuries would take longer to heal.

"We have been treating victims of cross border firing from all parts of Jammu region and we try our best to provide them with best possible medical facilities here. We are working round the clock for them," Neeraj Sharma, a GMC doctor attending to the injured patients said.

The victims say that the injuries might heal, but the scars of firing etched in their memories would not.a

"Wounds will heal, but life will not remain the same for us, now we would be afraid to return to our houses," Kumar said.

The relatives of the victims say that the firing has once again justified their demand for rehabilitation to safer locations.

"If similar situations continue on the border, nobody would want to return to their villages. The government must fulfil its promise of providing us with plots at safer locations," Preetam Singh, a resident of Rangoor said.
Supporters of Gali Janardhan Reddy welcome him upon his arrival in his hometown Ballari on Tuesday (Photo:DC)

Bengaluru: After a gap of five years, beleaguered mining baron and former minister Gali Janardhan Reddy arrived in his hometown of Ballari on Tuesday and was greeted by his supporters in scenes that have not seen in this mining town for some time now.

Mr Reddy was given a rousing welcome at the city outskirts in the evening by hundreds of his supporters as he drove in from Bengaluru in a top end Range Rover, followed by a cavalcade of luxury cars.

Soon after reaching the city, Mr Reddy garlanded the statue of Ballari Raghava, a renowned theatre personality in the heart of the city and later, he offered puja at Ballari Durgamma temple going on to garland the statue of Maharshi Valmiki before reaching his palatial house at Havambhavi area.

G. Somashekar Reddy, former MLA and elder brother of Mr Reddy said he is expected to stay on till November 10 for the wedding rituals of his daughter Brahmini. All other pre-marriage customs and traditions would be conducted in Bengaluru Palace where the marriage is taking place on November 16.

Mr Reddy is expected to personally invite the political leaders, businessmen, top bureaucrats and other influential persons of the city to his daughter's marriage.

The wedding of Reddy's daughter has set tongues wagging with the invitation card going viral on social media. The invitation card comes in a box, with a small screen that pops up with a personalised, customised video-song that the entire Reddy family is seen singing and acting to.

Ballari Lok Sabha BJP member and close confidante of Reddy mine lords, Mr B Sriramulu said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all other ministers of the Union government and senior leaders of all the political parties will be invited to the marriage. He said, CM Siddaramaiah, state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa, JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy and other senior political leaders of the state have been invited.

Sources said that Janardhan Reddy is planning to spend huge amounts of money to make it a grand and lavish affair. Film fraternities, politicians, industrialists from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are expected to attend the event. Mr Reddy wishes to rope in maximum film stars to perform at the wedding. According to the latest reports, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan and actress Katrina Kaif have already agreed to dance at the wedding.

Reddys associates are in talks with Prabhudeva and Tamannaah to perform live during the wedding. Mr Reddy has reportedly booked about 1500 rooms in top star hotels in Bengaluru for the wedding, besides 2000 cabs and also, is said to be preparing 15 helipads in the Bengaluru palace ground.

Mr Reddy, who was arrested on September 5, 2011, by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on charges of indulging in large-scale illegal mining, has been out on bail since January 20, 2015. However, he was barred from visiting Ballari and Kadapa districts during the bail period by the Supreme Court.

However, in view of his daughter's marriage on November 16, Mr. Reddy submitted a plea to the Supreme Court to permit him to visit Ballari for customary preparations and to distribute wedding invitation cards. The apex court relaxed the restrictions imposed by it and has now permitted him to visit Ballari for a limited period of 21 days - from November 1 to 21.
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will not attend the silver jubilee celebrations of Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) in Lucknow on November 5.

According to reports, Janata Dal (United) national spokesperson K. C. Tyagi said Nitish discussed his invitation with party leaders before deciding not to go.

"He is not going that is for sure. The other party leaders will attend the function or not, it will be confirmed soon. It is politics and there is nothing like someone is angry. The acceptability of Nitish Kumar is high. However, we have never announced his name as the PM candidate," JD (U) leader Ajay Alok told ANI.

The Samajwadi Party, which was initially part of Bihar's grand alliance, had walked out of after it was offered only a handful of seats to contest last year's assembly elections.

The grand alliance of JD (U), RJD and Congress had, however, scripted a glorious electoral victory, defeating the BJP-led NDA.
Panaji: The Congress on Wednesday criticised Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar for distributing sarees to women in his constituency ahead of the state polls due in March next year.

However, the Chief Minister said saree distribution had nothing to do with elections, and that it was an "age-old tradition".

Addressing a press conference in Panaji, Goa Congress unit spokesman Ramakant Khalap alleged that Parsekar distributed 15,000 sarees to women in his Mandrem constituency.

"The sarees were distributed in each and every household in the constituency which has 50 per cent female voters," Khalap said.

He claimed that "many women rejected the gift while few burnt it (saree) along with the effigy of demon Narakasur (which is burnt on the eve of Diwali)".

The Congress demanded an inquiry by Enforcement Directorate or Anti-Corruption Bureau into the distribution of these doles ahead of the elections.

When asked for his reaction on the allegations, Parsekar said it is an age old tradition he has been following to distribute sarees to his sisters in the constituency.

"I have distributed sarees in my personal capacity. It's an age-old tradition that I distribute sarees during Diwali," the chief minister said.

Parsekar said the saree packet did not have any party symbol nor they were distributed in his capacity as the chief minister.

"I don't know from where this figure of 15,000 sarees has come from. I can't tell the exact figure as I have given gift to my sisters," he said.

Responding to the demand for an inquiry, the CM said he did not distribute the sarees in dark, or hiding from the agencies.
Vijayawada : The BJP on Wednesday hit back at the Congress in the wake of alleged encounter of eight SIMI activists by Madhya Pradesh police, saying the latter was ostensibly seeking to protect the terrorists.

"They (SIMI activists) must have thought the Congress was a safer place than the jail (and hence escaped). By speaking in support of the terrorists, Congress leaders seem to be trying to protect them," BJP national secretary Siddharth Nath Singh alleged at a press conference in Vijayawada on Wednesday.

He was countering Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh's attack on BJP in the wake of the alleged encounter that took place in Bhopal on October 31.

"It is unfortunate that the Congress is seeking to link terrorism with religion. The Congress leaders who are expressing sympathy towards the slain terrorists...why are they not talking about the police constable who was killed in the encounter," Siddharth said.
New Delhi: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has made it clear to the Samajwadi Party that he is willing to consider an alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming state polls  if Akhilesh Yadav is given full command of the party.

According to a report in India Today, Rahul conveyed to the top Samajwadi Party leadership that the Congress will support the formation of a Grand Alliance in UP if it agrees by consensus upon Akhilesh Yadav as the CM candidate.

Congress' poll strategist Prashant Kishor on Tuesday held a two-hour meeting with Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is trying to cobble together an alliance of like-minded parties ahead of the polls.

Kishor, along with SP leader Amar Singh, met Yadav at his Delhi residence this evening, apparently to discuss the possibility of an alliance before the poll dates are announced.

Sources close to the development confirmed that Kishor met Yadav. There was talk in political circles that Yadav spoke with JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is also in Delhi . However, there was no immediate confirmation. Kishor had managed Nitish Kumar's successful assembly poll campaign last year.

Last week, Mulayam's younger brother and state SP chief Shivpal Singh had met JD(U)'s K C Tyagi and RLD chief Ajit Singh to invite them to SP's 25th anniversary in Lucknow on November 5. Shivpal had said Lohiaites and followers of Charan Singh should join hands to beat BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

Samajwadi Party, which was initially part of Bihar 's grand alliance, had walked out of it after it was offered only a handful of seats to contest the assembly elections there.

The grand alliance of JD(U), RJD and Congress had, however, scripted a glorious electoral victory, defeating the BJP-led NDA. Shivpal had recently blamed his estranged cousin Ram Gopal Yadav for Samajwadi Party's decision to walk out of the alliance in Bihar .

Ram Gopal, a Rajya Sabha member, has been backing Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in his fight against Shivpal. Ram Gopal was recently sacked from the party amid escalating tension between the rival camps.

Given the unusual belligerence shown by Akhilesh Yadav, the party apparently wants to fortify its position by bringing in new friends.

The SP's main aim in the polls is prevent split of Muslim votes for which it is looking for an alliance with secular parties.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked ally Shiv Sena to stop attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cautioning that it will only boomerang on it.

However, he asserted that their alliance is intact and the government will complete its full term, despite frequent taunts and digs from Sena.

"Speaking about Modiji will only put the Shiv Sena in bad light and people do not like it at all. As far as I am concerned I am ready to face and give them a proper reply. So I do not care.

"Governance and politics are two different things. The Sena should refrain from criticising the Prime Minister, but I am ok with their criticism," Fadnavis told PTI in an interview.

Fadnavis (46), who heads the BJP-led Government in Maharashtra which has sailed into its third year, also dwelt on other current issues like the campaign by the Maratha community for reservation, the Vidarbha issue and the controversy regarding his intervention in defusing the stand-off over Karan Johar's film "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'.

On the film row, the Chief Minister said that in hindsight, he feels the issue could have been handled in a better way.

In a veiled dig at the previous Congress-NCP regimes, he said the "established leadership" in the state are trying to use peoples' anger that has now spilled on to the streets in the form of silent protests by Marathas to carry out their agenda against him either directly or by "proxy" means.

Fadnavis, however, rejected the apprehension voiced by observers that the Maratha morcha and reaction to it from the OBC and Dalit outfits, could cause caste tensions in the state.

He noted that the Maratha community had only raised its demands without seeking to upset the benefits of other social segments and the same is the case of OBCs and Dalits.

He said the Government has already stated its commitment to meet the genuine demands of the Maratha community. The fee waiver scheme announced recently is an initiative that will benefit a large number of students from the community.

Expressing confidence that the BJP and Sena will complete the full term of the government, he said, "We are two different parties and there is bound to be some friction owing to different ideologies in matters of policy implementations and style of governing.

"But I can claim that we have been able to run the government successfully where all major policy decisions have been undertaken by a unanimous vote," he said.
New Delhi: With tension along the Indo-Pak border escalating, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said the NDA government will do everything possible to counter the shelling and do the needful to protect the honour of the country.

"We will do whatever necessary action should be taken to protect the honour and prestige of the country," he told reporters when asked about the continuous shelling from across the border in Jammu region.

Asked about the strategy to counter the Pakistani shelling towards civilian areas, Singh said he has already spoken to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti about the safety of people living along the border.

"Strategy is strategy. It cannot be disclosed," he said.

Asked how India was retaliating to Pakistani firing, the Home Minister said "ask the neighbour".

On the possibility of revival of hotline between Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers to de-escalate tension along the border, Singh said "Let them (Pakistan) be prepared first for that".

A total of 18 people, including 12 civilians, have been killed and more than 80 suffered injuries in Pakistani shelling and firing along IB and LoC in Jammu since Indian Army carried out surgical strikes against terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on September 27.

BSF had on Tuesday said that 14 Pakistani Posts were destroyed in retaliatory action by its troops along International Border (IB) in Ramgarh and Arnia sectors of Jammu frontier.

In view of the relentless shelling, the Jammu and Kashmir government has closed over 400 schools along the IB and LoC in the state.
Police inspect the encounter site at the hillocks of Acharpura village after the STF killed eight Simi activists who escaped Central Jail in Bhopal on Monday. (Photo: PTI)

Bhopal: A new video, the 3rd so far, has emerged on the encounter of SIMI terror accused by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Madhya Pradesh police on Monday.

In the video, two of the undertrials are shown being shot repeatedly.

In the 46th second of the video, someone among the police is heard shouting the undertrial is alive. At this, a personnel of the STF fires a bullet.

Soon after, someone demands to know whether a video is being shot of the incident.

Immediately someone says, "bhai yeh video bandh karwayo (Stop this video shooting)".

A little while later, another injured undertrial in a blue shirt moves his hand.

Two people are heard reacting to this. One says, "Goli mat chalayo (Don't fire)", but the other says, "Maar do, maar do (Kill him, kill him)". Another officer responds by killing the second man as well.

The encounter has raised questions especially after the first two videos were leaked, showing police firing over fallen individuals. The Congress and other Opposition parties have demanded a probe into the incident, which the BJP has rejected. However, the Madhya Pradesh Police chief has said that a CID investigation will be held.

Post-mortem reports of the deceased suggest that shots were fired at them from several directions, and multiple times at each accused. Their clothes have now been sent for forensic investigation to determine the distance from which the shots were fired.
India on Wednesday summoned Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner in Delhi to lodge strong protest at the recent escalation in incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan. (Photo: PTI/Representational)

New Delhi: India on Wednesday summoned Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner in Delhi and conveyed its "grave concern" as well as strong protest at the recent escalation in incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan on border that have resulted in several fatalities on Indian side.

Joint Secretary (in-charge of Pakistan) in the External Affairs Ministry Gopal Baglay, who summoned Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah, also registered India's strong protest on the mutilation of the body of an Indian soldier by a terrorist who escaped across the Line of Control after committing the heinous crime, the MEA said.

"Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan Syed Haider Shah was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday.

"He was conveyed the government's grave concern and strong protest at the recent escalation in the incidents of ceasefire violations by the Pakistan side at the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), which have resulted into several fatalities and casualties on the Indian side among civilians and security forces personnel," the ministry said.

Shah was conveyed Government's expectation that Pakistan will not take any step inimical to peace along the LoC and IB and to the security of India.

The summoning comes amidst heightened tension between the two countries which have accused each other of violating ceasefire on the border.

On Tuesday, Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad had protested to Pakistan over the unprovoked firing by Pakistani troops on the border to give cover to infiltrators when he was summoned by the Foreign Office in Islamabad for the fourth time in just over a week over alleged "unprovoked ceasefire violations" by Indian security forces.
Vikas Thakur from Sirmor, Himachal Pradesh joined the 23rd battalion of the ITBP 1994. (Photo: Twitter/ANI)

Dehradun: Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making India defecation-free by 2020, a Indo-Tibetan Border Police soldier has decided to donate Rs.57000 to construct toilets and make his village open-defecation free.

Vikas Thakur from Sirmor, Himachal Pradesh joined the 23rd battalion of the ITBP 1994.

During a village meeting, when the panchayat chief ordered the villagers to construct toilets by December, bewildered villagers said they had no money to do so.

Thakur who was present and sensing their predicament, told ANI, " I decided to contribute Rs. 57, 000, so that the village becomes defecation free."

Thakur said he felt proud when Prime Minister Modi praised him and his village in his "Mann Ki Baat' programme.

"I felt proud when the Prime Minister talked about my village, my family, I will never forget this," he said.

His act gained wide appreciations among his colleagues and personnel from other paramilitary forces which then inspired them to contribute to their villages.

"After I donated, around six to seven people followed me. One of them is from my own village, named Shyam Sigh Pundhir, he deposited Rs.30, 000 and another one of my frienda who works as journalist deposited Rs. 30,000 in her village. Like this, others also implemented the idea," Thakur said.

The Himachal Pradesh government has conferred a sanitation award on Thakur and his village.
Srinagar: The police on Wednesday foiled an attempt by key separatist leaders to hold a review meeting here in view of calls from sections of people to ease further their shutdown calendar which they have been issuing on weekly basis ever since the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

The meeting had been planned by Joint Resistance Leadership at Syed Ali Shah Geelanis residence at Hyderpora here but while the octogenarian separatist leader continued to remain under house arrest, JKLFs Muhammad Yasin Malik was turned back by the police when he arrived there. Kashmirs chief Muslim cleric and chairman of his faction of Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who is also part of the alliance was not even allowed to leave his besieged residence at Nigeen here. The43-year-old cleric and politician was released from jail last week after 59 days but soon placed under house arrest.

Both Mr. Geelani and the Mirwaiz were urged to reconsider the alliances shutdown and protest agenda also by a five-member civil society delegation led by senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Union Finance Minister, Yashwant Sinha, which met them during its visit here recently. The separatist leaders had, as was said by the Mirwaiz at a press conference here, told the delegation that they could do that only if and when allowed to hold a joint meeting to discuss the issues.

In the evening, the alliance issued fresh protest calendar extending the shutdown call for another week with only 4 pm to 7 am relaxation on four days-Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It also asked the people to hold protest rallies across the Valley throughout the week.

Meanwhile, intense clashes erupted between protesters and security forces in Srinagars Anchar, Soura, 90-feet Road and some other areas after the latter allegedly thrashed residents and damaged their properties during a crackdown in Anchar area to arrest the youth wanted by police for their alleged involvement in stone-throwing incidents.

Witnesses and hospital sources said that four people including a 65-year-old man suffered injuries in clashes. Police said that 35 policemen and other security personnel including Superintendent of Police (Hazratbal range) were also injured in these clashes.

Police also said clashes and stone-throwing incidents were reported also from five other areas of the Valley including at Dachoo, Rabben, Nagbal and Sugan in southern Shopian district and in Tarzoo, Sopore area of Baramulla district. It said that while dealing with the law and order situation, a deputy superintend of police was injured in Sopore.

Opposition National Conference (NC) expressed shock and disappointment over ruthless assault on civilians in Anchar, Soura and said the police action was reprehensible and indicated the enormous disconnect between the government and the simmering ground situation in the Valley. It added that such acts would continue to worsen the situation and prove counterproductive. This is extremely unfortunately and utterly condemnable. Our hearts go out to those civilians who were at the receiving end of the brutal onslaught. This is another failure by the political leadership of this government. The wave on indiscriminate arrests is yet again fueling the anger on the ground and such incidents reflect that the governments tyrannical approach and belies their rhetoric, said Tanvir Sadiq, political secretary to NC working president and former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah.

Kashmirs chief Muslim cleric and separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned the use of violence and excessive force during the crackdown in Anchar, Soura which, he said, compelled the people to take to streets in protest. Terming the blinding of two girl students in pellet firing by security forces at Rohama in Pulwama district earlier he said it was worst example of state terrorism. Such barbarism belies the governments concern for the students of the Valley, he said.
Mumbai: In a scathing attack, Congress city unit chief Sanjay Nirupam on Wednesday alleged that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was "encouraging" corruption and that his clean image was a "sham".

Addressing reporters in Mumbai, he alleged that certain land deals under the NDA government in the state were "suspicious".

"Fadnavis is encouraging corruption. His clean image is just a sham. Baba Ramdev's Patanjali (Group) has been given 230 acres of land in Nagpur for Rs 25 lakh per acre whereas, the actual cost (of land) is Rs one crore per acre. Fadnavis is the Chairman of Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) which has approved the land deal. MADC had to suffer a loss of Rs 170 crore," he said.

Nirupam said MADC was planning to compensate these losses by charging other companies at a rate which was "15 per cent higher" for land.

"MADC has also given 111 acres of land at Rs 56 lakh per acre to Anil Ambani's Reliance Aerospace, a defence manufacturing company. The company is to get 468 acres of land, despite lacking in experience in defence production," he said.

The former MP also alleged that British rock band Coldplay has been given an MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) land at BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex) at a 70-per cent discount for its upcoming performance.

"The rock band has only been charged for the stage, while it is getting the ground (for the concert) for free. (Though) MMRDA has objected (to this move), but the decision (to give the land at a discounted rate) has been taken due to pressure from the Centre," Nirupam alleged.

He said the Congress will "go alone" in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls scheduled for early next year.

"We are not thinking of and neither are we ready for an alliance with the NCP for the polls. This decision has been taken at the local level," Nirupam said.

He also accused the Fadnavis-led NDA government in the state of "failing" to deliver on its promises regarding building the Coastal Road, bullet trains and other infrastructure projects.
Police investigate the encounter site at the hillocks of Acharpura village after the STF killed 8 Students of Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). (Photo: PTI)

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupinder Singh claimed on Tuesday evening that the 8 SIMI terrorists who were gunned down by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Madhya Pradesh police after fleeing from jail were planning to carry out a huge terrorist attack.

According to a report in NDTV, Singh said, If such terrorists had managed to escape, it would have been a great threat to national security. The Madhya Police managed to trace and kill them in a short time.

He also added that there was a big network which had helped the terror accused escape.

The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to Madhya Pradesh government, police and prison authorities over the killing.

The Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report on the case and observed that it has always been "concerned" about deaths in police and judicial custody as well as in police action.

The NHRC has issued notices to the state's Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and the Director General and Inspector General of state prison department, and sought detailed reports in six weeks.

Eight SIMI activists pulled off a daring prison break and escaped in the wee hours on Monday after killing a security guard at the Bhopal Central Jail. Within hours, they were hunted down and killed in an alleged police encounter on the city outskirts.

The terror accused reportedly fled after scaling a 30-foot high fence using bedsheets.

Hours later, they were found in a forested village about 10 miles south of the state's capital of Bhopal.

The police claimed that though the undertrials had escaped without weapons, they had four hand-made pistols with them when confronted by the police. In the resulting encounter, it was claimed, the police shot the SIMI men dead in retaliatory fire.

But two videos of the encounter which went viral show some of the men lying on the ground while the police fire at them.

However, MoS Home Minister Kiren Rijiju has said that the police action should not be questioned "only on the basis of a video."

Kusum Mehdale, the minister in charge of the state's prisons admitted that the jail break may have been "an insider job" and said lapses in security include CCTVs that were not working.
Patna: Confirming his party's stand, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) President Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said he is not going to Lucknow for the November 5 Samajwadi Party foundation day function.

"I will not be able to go to Lucknow for the function (of SP) due to Chhath festival. Chhath is observed in my house and 'Kharna' (an auspicious part of the festival) falls on November 5. In such a situation it will not be possible for me to go there," Kumar told reporters.

JD(U) had made it clear on Tuesday that the party president would not be able to make to the SP programme and Kumar himself made it public on Wednesday.

Its ally RJD's President Lalu Prasad has confirmed his participation in the function but Kumar's absence is bound to weaken Mulayam Singh's efforts to cobble up a broad coalition of socialist and secular forces ahead of the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh early next year by parading prominent leaders on one platform.

Kumar, who returned to Patna last night from Delhi where he led talks with JD(U) veteran Sharad Yadav, said a Bihar-like 'mahagathbandhan' is possible in UP only on the condition of SP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) joining hands, which is, however, not seen anywhere.

Otherwise, only 'gathbandhan' (alliance) is possible in the crucial assembly poll in UP. "However, all paths are open for a tie-up as much time is left for UP poll," he said.

Kumar, who scripted victory in Bihar together with RJD and the Congress, said during his stay in Delhi he had telephonic talks with RLD chief Ajit Singh but no discussion took place with the Congress.

While Kumar attributed his non-participation in the Lucknow function to Chhath, Bihar JD(U) President Basistha Narayan Singh had said on Tuesday the party does not wish to be seen standing with any one group in view of the raging feud between Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle and SP state president Shivpal Yadav.

"There is fight within Samajwadi Party family and we do not want to be seen with any one side in this feud."

Some JD(U) leaders even said the invitation for the function came from Shivpal Yadav and not from SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

They also vented their anger at the role played by SP chief in foiling attempts of merger of six parties of Janata Parivar and the party entering the Bihar poll against the Grand Alliance.
New Delhi: Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP MLA Surinder Singh were on Wednesday detained by Delhi Police when they were going to meet the family members of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal who allegedly committed suicide over the issue of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.

Police claimed both Sisodia and Delhi Cantt MLA had gone to protest at the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, and said they were detained just to contain the situation.

Later, they were taken to Parliament Street police station.

Sisodia said he had just gone to RML Hospital to meet the family members of Grewal, where his was kept.

"Due to the Centre's attitude, an ex-serviceman had to commit suicide and I was detained when I wanted to talk to his family," Sisodia tweeted.

Read: OROP: Rahul detained, not allowed to meet kin of deceased ex-serviceman

Reacting to the move, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wondered what's wrong with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Manish Sisodia detained? He had gone to meet family of deceased Ram Kishanji. He is elected Dy CM. Whats wrong wid u Modiji? So insecure?," Kejriwal tweeted.

The Chief Minister wondered whether Deputy CM going to offering condolences to family members in his state will be arrested.

"If Deputy Chief minister goes to offer condolence to family, will he be arrested? There is limit to thuggery, Modi ji," he tweeted.

The 70-year-old ex-serviceman allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison at a park in New Delhi area yesterday evening.

The alleged suicide came just days after a one-man judicial committee on OROP submitted its report to Parrikar.

The Centre, which has implemented the OROP, a demand which had been pending for decades, had appointed the committee under the Chairmanship of Justice L Narasimha Reddy, retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court to look into the anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP.

The Ministry is currently studying the report and sources had said it will take a decision soon.
MoS for External Affairs VK Singh on Wednesday said the mental health status of the former Army jawan, who allegedly cpommitted suicide, should be investigated. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Minister of State for External Affairs V. K. Singh on Wednesday said the mental health status of the former Army jawan who was protesting over the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme and allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday is not known.

He also stressed on the fact that the OROP scheme should be kept separate from politics.

"See, he committed suicide, nobody knows the reason why. OROP has been shown as the reason, but we do not know the status of his mental health. Let the investigation take place. I have already told that OROP should be kept separate from politics," Singh said.

Singh said that most aspects of the OROP have been covered and that if someone complains over a few pennies and the delay of a few years, he should not be indulged.

"It was a demand made 40 years ago and this government has fulfilled those demands. Some money was to be given, which the Reddy Commission is rectifying. If you cannot wait for that, then it is definitely wrong," he said.

Ram Kishan Grewal, the former Army jawan had come to the capital to protest against the government's alleged backtracking on the implementation of the OROP scheme.

The 69-year-old Ram Kishan consumed poison even as he and four others accompanying him were waiting to meet Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to submit a memorandum reiterating their demands on the OROP scheme.
New Delhi: If Pakistan inflicts injuries on India, the costs are going to be far heavier for them, Union Minister Arun Jaitley has said, asserting that there is a shift in India's approach towards dealing with cross-border tensions as it has "suffered enough in silence" for Pakistan's terror export.

He also lashed out Pakistan for consistently violating the 2003 ceasefires saying the "de facto violation has become de jure violation".

Eight civilians were killed on Tuesday as Pakistan indulged in heavy shelling in an escalation of cross border military tensions since the surgical strikes by army targeting terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on September 29.

"The new normal is that India doesn't accept that Pakistan can keep sending terrorists and keep inflicting injury on India. If they do that then costs are going to be much heavier," Jaitley said.

He was asked about the "new normal" in Indo-Pak ties after the recent tensions. "2003 ceasefire was being violated by Pakistan. After all what is terrorism- you train people, you smuggle them in.

On Wednesday, de facto violation has become de jure violation," he told NDTV.

"We have suffered enough in silence and we have been taking just some diplomatic initiatives. I think times have now changed and the Government of India has a more proactive approach.

"And, the proactive approach is if you indulge in terrorism in India and kill people across the border then there is a cost involved and you will have to pay a price for it. I think that policy of government of India is extremely clear."

He also pointed out that the internal turmoil in Pakistan has further made its position precarious.

"We paid a price in Uri and in Pathankot. But it was a one-sided price. Today the cost Pakistan has to pay is far heavier and Pakistan in a very precarious situation as far as their own government, democracy and civil-military relationships are concerned.

"Therefore, the cost involved for Pakistan is extremely severe," Jaitley said.
Mehmood Akhtar, the Pakistani spy who posed as a High Commission official (left), and two informants (right). (Photo: ANI Twitter)

New Delhi: Even as more skeletons tumble out of the Pakistan High Commission, Indian intelligence agencies have been baffled by a new revelation  the person in-charge of India-Pakistan trade relations has turned out to be a top Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officer and chief of intelligence operations in India.

According to a report in DNA, this came to light after the interrogation of ISI spy Mehmood Akhtar last week. Akhtar was working ostensibly as a High Commission staffer before he was trapped by Delhi Police.

The report said that Commercial Counsellor in the Pakistani High Commission, Syed Furrukh Habib, is actually an ISI officer.

Several officials at the High Commission were running an espionage network under the guise of doing other jobs, said the report.

Pakistan on Tuesday decided to recall 4 of its High Commission members from New Delhi. It is unclear whether these 4 are among the ones identified as spies by Indian intelligence. But Akhtar was on Tuesday reported to have told Indian intelligence that as many as 16 staffers were involved in the spy ring.

Pakistans actions of installing several spies in the High Commission is against a diplomatic arrangement between the two countries, which stipulates that only one intelligence officer can be posted.

Mehmood Akhtar had been caught along with Indian agents but could not be arrested as he enjoyed diplomatic immunity. He was declared persona non grata and was sent back to Pakistan. The Delhi Police had also arrested four Indians who were part of the spy network.

BJP on Tuesday said that Pakistani High Commission had become an 'ISI den' which was breaking all laws.

"The reality is that the High Commission here (in Delhi) has become an ISI den. It is breaking all rules and laws...Its work is no longer about diplomatic relationship. It has become a centre of smuggling information from here to there (Pakistan)," party National Secretary Shrikant Sharma said.
New Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were detained on Wednesday by Delhi police after the two attempted to meet the family members of Army veteran Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly committed suicide over insufficient pension.

70-year-old Grewal, an ex-serviceman from Haryana's Bhiwani district, ended his life on Tuesday by allegedly consuming poison on the lawns behind a government building in Janpath, the central area of the capital.

Rahul was detained twice today. He was also not allowed to meet Grewal's family at the RML Hospital in the national capital. He was stopped by the security personnel deployed at the entrance gate. Gandhi was then briefly detained for 70-minutes in the afternoon. However, in the evening Rahul Gandhi was again detained as he attempted to meet Grewals family yet again and was released in an hour.

High drama unfolded on streets in Lutyens' Delhi with Congress and AAP workers staging protests. Gandhi along with other Congress leaders, including Jyotiraditya Scindia and Ajay Maken were bundled into a police van and taken to the police station.

Minutes after Gandhis detention, Kejriwal was also detained as he tried meeting Grewals family. Kejriwal tweeted that he has been formally detained by Delhi Police.

Hours earlier, Kejriwals deputy Manish Sisodia and AAP MLA Surinder Singh were also detained at the RML Hospital after Sisodia met Grewals family.

Sisodia managed to enter the hospital premises and meet the family members of the deceased, before being detained by police. Eyewitnesses said Sisodia could enter the premises as he came in a civilian car, which went undetected by the security.

BJP accused Rahul and Kejriwal of doing "politics over deaths" and asserted that it had fulfilled its commitment on OROP, while Congress had failed to do so. "The suicide of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal is unfortunate and our sympathies are with his family. What is even more unfortunate is the politics over his death. As far as OROP is concerned, the government has fulfilled its commitment and ex-servicemen are benefiting from it.

"What Rahul Gandhi and Kejriwal are doing is nothing but politics over death. It seems they keep looking for doing politics wherever such deaths occur," BJP National Secretary Shrikant Sharma said in a statement.

Hitting out at the two opposition leaders, he said they "pick and choose deaths" for their politics.

These leaders took no action when their party leaders and governments were in the dock, he said.

"Kejriwal is a leader who has solutions to all problems in the world except for the ones in Delhi. His MLAs have been accused of all sorts of crime from rape to keeping forged certificates but he has done nothing," he said targeting the AAP leader.

Lashing out at the Congress Vice-President, the BJP spokesperson said, "Gandhi is a part-time non-serious politician. His party's government always misled ex-servicemen. He should answer why it did not implement OROP."

"At a time when country is facing threats from terrorists and there is a need to boost morale of armed forces, these leaders are harming them with their politics," he alleged.

Issuing a statement in its defence, the Delhi Police asserted that they were reduced to detaining political leaders as they had to take law and order into consideration.

"During protest by Political parties at RML Hospital today, none has been arrested. When leaders along with the crowd started gathering at RML and Medical services got severely affected and orderliness deteriorated, the police requested them to move away. Despite several requests when they didn't move and refused, the leaders and protesting followers were removed to Police stations and detained. All concerned are requested to help Delhi Police in maintaining peace and orderliness," the statement added.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he was lying on the 'One rank, One Pension' issue. "The Prime Minister says OROP has been implemented, and soldiers are dying demanding it to be implemented. It means the PM is lying across the country.

"Then why did he commit suicide? The Centre is deceiving the army. I have come to meet his family. If anyone commits suicide in my state, should I not meet the family?

"BJP is doing politics. They have detained the Deputy CM. We will have to postpone the Cabinet meeting. Why? Because the Centre has resorted to hooliganism," Kejriwal told reporters outside the hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while celebrating the Diwali with the army and ITBP personnel in Kinnaur, had said that the first instalment of nearly Rs 5,500 crore has been paid for implementing the OROP scheme.

OROP scheme has been a long-standing demand of nearly three-million ex-servicemen and war widows in the country. It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel, who retire at the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement.
New Delhi: Congress' poll strategist Prashant Kishor on Tuesday held a two-hour meeting with Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is trying to cobble together an alliance of like-minded parties ahead of Uttar Pradesh assembly polls due early next year.

Kishor, along with SP leader Amar Singh, met Yadav at his Delhi residence this evening, apparently to discuss the possibility of an alliance before the poll dates are announced.

Sources close to the development confirmed that Kishor met Yadav. There was talk in political circles that Yadav spoke with JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is also in Delhi. However, there was no immediate confirmation. Kishor had managed Nitish Kumar's successful assembly poll campaign last year.

Last week, Mulayam's younger brother and state SP chief Shivpal Singh had met JD(U)'s K C Tyagi and RLD chief Ajit Singh to invite them to SP's 25th anniversary in Lucknow on November 5. Shivpal had said Lohiaites and followers of Charan Singh should join hands to beat BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

Samajwadi Party, which was initially part of Bihar's grand alliance, had walked out of it after it was offered only a handful of seats to contest the assembly elections there.

The grand alliance of JD(U), RJD and Congress had, however, scripted a glorious electoral victory, defeating the BJP-led NDA. Shivpal had recently blamed his estranged cousin Ram Gopal Yadav for Samajwadi Party's decision to walk out of the alliance in Bihar.

Ram Gopal, a Rajya Sabha member, has been backing Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in his fight against Shivpal. Ram Gopal was recently sacked from the party amid escalating tension between the rival camps.

Given the unusual belligerence shown by Akhilesh Yadav, the party apparently wants to fortify its position by bringing in new friends.

The SP's main aim in the polls is prevent split of Muslim votes for which it is looking for an alliance with secular parties.
Lucknow: Asserting that Uttar Pradesh has developed the most under Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's regime despite all efforts by some unwanted elements to flare communal tension, the Samajwadi Party on Tuesday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made no contribution despite its 73 lawmakers representing the state in Parliament.

Samajwadi Party leader Rajendra Chowdhary said that the ruling party continued to serve the state despite all hindrances.

"The kind of development work has taken place under the leadership of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh has not happened in any of the states in the nation. And this is also a fact that the kind of development which has taken place in Uttar Pradesh under Akhilesh ji never happened before," said Chowdhary.

"Many challenges came in front of the SP Government. The communal powers tried a lot to disturb us but despite all efforts made to create unrest the SP Government sailed through," he added.

The Samajwadi Party leader also lambasted the BJP for doing nothing for Uttar Pradesh's progress.

"The BJP has done nothing for the state. Despite the BJP's 73 MPs representing the state in Parliament, no efforts have been made by the party," he told ANI.

The election for 403 assembly seats will be held in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh next year.

In the previous election in 2012, the Samajwadi Party formed the government with majority.
Separate investigation into the jailbreak by the SIMI activists began on Wednesday. (Photo: PTI)

Bhopal: An SIT formed by Madhya Pradesh police on Wednesday inspected the site of alleged encounter where eight SIMI men were gunned down on Monday while a separate investigation began into the jailbreak by extremists by recreating the scene.

The CID team led by SP Anurag Sharma also examined some people about the encounter, which has come under scanner with opposition parties and the lawyer of the slain SIMI activists pointing to several alleged smoking guns to claim that it was fake.

Former Director General of Police Nandan Dubey, assigned by the state government with the task of investigating the daring jail break, visited the Central Jail in Bhopal. The jail break scene was recreated as part of the probe and Dubey examined some prisoners also.

"Yes I spent more than three hours in the jail. I have started the investigation," Dubey told PTI.

Asked about the lapses that led to the SIMI activists' escape, he said it was too early to jump to any conclusion. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also inspected the Bhopal Central Jail and directed strengthening of security measures.

The lawyer of the eight SIMI activists on Wednesday claimed that they had sustained gun shots in the head and chest. He claimed that he had seen the autopsy reports of the slain men.

"They were fired upon from the front and all of them sustained injuries in their head and chest, above the waist," lawyer Parvez Alam told PTI.

Repeating his claim that it was a fake encounter, he said that according to a Supreme Court ruling, police should fire below the waist.

The SIMI activists were killed on the city outskirts at Malikheda following their escape from the high-security jail after slitting the throat of a security guard and scaling the 32-ft wall using bedsheets in the wee hours of October 31.

Meanwhile, state Home Minister Bhupinder said any video or evidence about the encounter should be submitted to the SIT.

The minister said the slain men were dreaded terrorists who had killed policemen earlier.

"The swiftness with which the police acted against then should be appreciated," he said, adding that, "Ending terrorism is a pripority for our government. We will not compromise at any cost when dealing with terrorism."

On claims that the SIMI men were unarmed, he said, "It could have been so when they escaped from the jail. But they had lot of time after that (to get hold of weapons)."

ATS Chief Sanjeev Shami maintained that the police was well within the law "to resort to maximum force" if they see the possibility that dreaded criminals who are a threat to society may escape.

In New Delhi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh did not specify when the National Investigation Agency would conduct a probe into the case.

"We have not yet received anything (from the state). The Madhya Pradesh government has already ordered an investigation," he said.

Chouhan had earlier said that NIA would probe the case.
One of the eight SIMI activists, who were killed in an encounter after they ran away from Bhopal Central Jail, was buried in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. (Photo: PTI/File)

Ahmedabad: The burial of one of the eight SIMI activists killed in an alleged encounter in Bhopal was held in Ahmedabad on Wednesday amidst tight security, even as his mother claimed that he was not a terrorist and his killing was a conspiracy.

Mujeeb Sheikh, who was arrested by Jabalpur police in June 2011, was a key accused in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts. In the attack, 21 blasts had rocked the city on July 26, claiming 56 lives and leaving hundreds others severely injured.

Mujeeb's body was brought to Ahmedabad from Bhopal by his family members late on Tuesday night. He was buried on Wednesday morning at a cemetery in Juhapura area as a large number of people turned up to participate in the procession.

He was arrested by Madhya Pradesh police for being an active member of the banned organisation  Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). He belonged to Juhapura area of Ahmedabad city.

He was also accused of planting bombs in Surat and participating in jihadi training camp in Halol area of Panchmahal district and training youths for jihadi activities.

Police made tight security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident. The personnel of Special Operations Group (SOG), Crime Branch, State Reserve Police and local police were present at the procession which was monitored by the police through CCTV camera.

"Mujeeb's body was buried in Juhapura locality where his family resides. We had deployed tight police security to ensure nothing untoward took place. Everything went off peacefully," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone VII) Vidhi Chaudhari said.

Mujeeb was among the eight operatives of SIMI who were killed in the alleged encounter on the outskirts of Bhopal on Monday after they escaped from the city's central jail by killing a security guard.

Talking to media persons after his burial, Mujeeb's mother Mumtaz Sheikh said her son was not a terrorist, and that she will continue to fight for justice.

"My son is not a terrorist, his crime has not been proved and his murder is a conspiracy. I will continue my fight under law and I believe I will get justice," she said.
Police inspect the encounter site at the hillocks of Acharpura village after the STF killed eight Simi activists who escaped Central Jail in Bhopal on Monday. (Photo: PTI)

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh on Wednesday said the SIMI activists who were gunned down in an encounter with police on October 31 after a jail-break were armed, contradicting the state ATS chief's statement that they had no weapons.

"According to the police's official report to us, the SIMI activists were armed during the encounter and they fired first," Singh told PTI.

When it was pointed out that Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Sanjeev Shami had told a TV channel that the SIMI activists were unarmed, Singh said, "I have been informed officially that they were armed."

Asked if he was going to have a word with Shami over the issue to clear the air, the minister replied in negative.

"The SIMI men were dreaded (criminals) and they fired first at the police. Police fired in defence, in which SIMI men were killed," Singh added.

"The SIMI terrorists were expert in making weapons. They slit the throat of a guard in the jail after making a knife out of a plate which they left behind," the minister said.

"They might have procured arms in the jail or outside after fleeing. All this is being thoroughly probed," Singh said.

Shami had on Wednesday said that the 8 SIMI men killed in the encounter did not have any weapons with them.

Shamis statement was in contradiction to that of the Inspector General of Bhopal Police, Yogesh Choudhry, who claimed on Tuesday that the men had four country-made pistols and shot at the cops who confronted them six times.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state and at the Centre has also taken the line that the terrorism accused were killed because they opened fire.

But Shami also said that the police were well within the law to have shot the men dead if they thought that they were dreaded terrorists escaping.

"I stick to my stand ...I speak only the facts, said Shami according to an NDTV report.

Post-mortem reports on Wednesday showed that the accused were shot from different directions, multiple times. Each had at least 2 bullet wounds on his body.

Three videos of the incident have gone viral on social media so far, in which the police officers are seen shooting the men who are lying dead or injured on the ground.

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupinder Singh earlier claimed that the SIMI men were preparing for "a major terror strike". Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged the opposition to stop claiming human rights violations to defend "terror suspects".

However, the Congress and Opposition parties like Trinamool Congress (TMC), CPI, AIMIM and others have refused to believe the official version of the incident.

The BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has refused a formal investigation into the encounter. But Bhopal IG said on Tuesday that the CID would look into the matter.
Bodies of SIMI terrorists who were killed in an encounter after they escaped from Central Jail, being handed over to their relatives and family members after post-mortem in Bhopal. (Photo: PTI)

Bhopal: The eight SIMI activists killed in an alleged encounter on Monday sustained gun shots in the head and chest, their lawyer claimed on Wednesday citing the post-mortem reports.

"They were fired upon from the front and all of them sustained injuries in their head and chest, above the waist," lawyer Parvez Alam told PTI claiming that he has seen the post-mortem reports of the slain SIMI men.

Repeating his claim that it was a fake encounter, he said that according to a Supreme Court ruling, police should fire below the waist.

Alam said that he will petition the local court for medical examination of the remaining members of the banned organisation lodged in the jail here and alleged they were assaulted. He also claimed that there was threat to his life.

The activists were killed on the city outskirts at Malikheda following their escape from the high-security jail after slitting the throat of a security guard and scaling the 32-ft wall using bedsheets in the wee hours of October 31.

"I am going to move the Bhopal Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court today seeking to conduct medical examination on 20-odd so-called SIMI members in jail," he said.

"I have learnt that they have been brutally beaten," he alleged.

"Besides, I am going to meet MP Director General of Police and seek security for myself," Alam said.

"As I am openly speaking against the encounter, now I fear for my life and family members after the cold-blooded murder of my clients," he added.

Yesterday, bodies of seven of the eight SIMI activists, who were killed in the encounter, were buried in different parts of Madhya Pradesh amid tight security.

While the last rites of Amjad Khan, Zakir Hussain, Mohammad Salik, Sheikh Mehboob, Aqueel Khilji, Mohammed Khalid and Abdul Majid were conducted in the state, the body of another deceased Sheikh Mujeeb was taken to Ahmedabad by his family members.

All the bodies were handed over to the kin after post-mortem here. While taking custody of the bodies, the relatives questioned the genuineness of the police encounter.

However, police has dismissed criticism over the encounter killing of the SIMI activists, saying there was heavy exchange of fire in which they were felled and four country-made guns and some sharp-edged weapons were recovered from them.

IG Yogesh Chaudhary has maintained that all questions raised over the encounter were a matter of investigation as the series of events over seven hours between their escape and killing were still being probed.

This came soon after a controversy raged over the police action following the daring pre-dawn jail-break, as TV channels showed footage purportedly from the encounter site in which a policeman is seen pumping bullets into a man from close range after some unidentified person takes out what appears to be a knife said to be in a plastic cover and places it back.

Besides the veracity of the video, police is also probing how the SIMI terror suspects could lay their hands on weapons after their escape.

Alam had yesterday said that the families of the accused have decided to move the Madhya Pradesh High Court for a CBI probe into entire episode as well as the killings what they called a "fake" encounter.
Bodies of SIMI terrorists who were killed in an encounter after they escaped from Central Jail, being handed over to their relatives and family members after post-mortem in Bhopal. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The post-mortem report of the 8 SIMI terror accused has revealed a minimum of 2 bullet wounds in each body.

According to an NDTV report, most bullet wounds have been inflicted above the waist  on the chest and head. Some however, are below the waist. All the terror accused died of gunshot wounds.

The entry and exit points of the bullets suggest that the suspects were shot from multiple directions, said the report.

The proximity of firing will be determined, said the report. The clothes of the deceased have been sent for testing.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited Bhopal Central Jail on Wednesday to check the security arrangements.

8 terror accused belonging to the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) were on Monday gunned down by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Madhya Pradesh police in an encounter, after they escaped from Bhopal Central Jail killing a security guard.

The SIMI members who escaped on Diwali had been imprisoned on charges ranging from murder to terror attacks. They slit the throat of a prison guard and scaled the nearly 30-feet wall with tied-up bedsheets to escape. They were cornered by the police on the outskirts of Bhopal before being killed in an alleged encounter. While the escapees carried spoons when they fled, they were reported to be holding country-made pistols during the encounter.

But a series of videos, shot on a cellphone, show the policemen opening fire at point blank range on the men, raising questions about the police's version of events.

The Congress and other Opposition parties have condemned the alleged encounter, and demanded a probe into the incident. However, the ruling BJP has refused the demand for a probe, calling it vote bank politics.

MP Home Minister Bhupendra Singh categorically rejected the demand for a probe, though state police chief Rishi Kumar Shukla maintained that the CID will investigate the incident.
Bilateral ties between India and Pakistan are at a all time low. (Representational Image)

New Delhi/Islamabad: India said on Wednesday it would withdraw eight of its diplomats from Pakistan after they were identified in local media reports, in a further deterioration in ties between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours.

"They have put in the public domain eight names and six of these people went today. We will eventually withdraw all eight," said Vikas Swarup, spokesman at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

He said the diplomats had been "completely compromised" after their names and pictures were put in the public domain. Earlier, Pakistani media reported that Islamabad may expel as many as five Indian diplomats suspected of spying.

Geo TV had reported that commercial counsellor Rajesh Agnihotri and press counsellor Balbir Singh may be expelled.

Citing sources, the channel claimed that Agnihotri was directly linked with RAW while Singh was working for Intelligence Bureau (IB) and they were allegedly using their positions in Pakistan as cover to hide their real identities.

It claimed Singh was also running a network of militants in Pakistan and expelled High Commission official Surgeet Singh was also part of his network.

The development came after reports that Pakistan may call back at least four officials at its High Commission in India after they were named in a recorded statement of Mehmood Akhtar who was briefly detained and then expelled by India.

They include commercial counsellor Syed Furrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal.
Lucknow: Call it a showdown or a show of strength, the stage is set for Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's 'Vikas Rath Yatra' to be flagged off on Thursday by SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, where Shivpal Yadav is likely to be present to send a message of unity in the ruling party.

"All arrangements have been made. The yatra will be flagged off by 'Netaji' (Mulayam) and senior party leaders, party state president Shivpal Yadav will also remain present," MLC Sunil Yadav Sajan, who is close to Akhilesh, told PTI.

Sajan, who is also in-charge of first leg of the yatra, said at every second kilometre, the CM will be welcomed and he will also address gatherings at various locations.

Last month, Shivpal had expelled Sajan, considered close to Akhilesh, from the party.

The supporters of both Akhilesh and Shivpal factions are keeping an eye on the development and the entire route of yatra is dotted with hoardings, banners and colourful arches to welcome the 'Vikas Sey Vijay Tak' rath yatra starting from here.

A hoarding put up by a youth leader close to Shivpal says "Shivpal kahey dil se, Akhilesh ka abhishek phir se" (Shivpal says from his heart to make Akhilesh CM again), while some others only highlight Akhilesh's achievements.

"The hoardings put up by the leaders show the state of confusion in the party. It's visible on roads. We wish this confusion to end with the start of this yatra," a senior SP leader said.

A cavalcade of over 5,000 SUVs and trucks will seek to send a message to the party leadership that 43-year-old Akhilesh is the "most acceptable" face of SP.

The pro-CM camp, which has expelled SP leaders, is working overtime to make it one of the biggest political shows of recent times, coming close on the heels of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's month-long Deoria-to-Delhi 'kisan yatra'.

Another gala event is scheduled for Saturday to mark SP's silver jubilee. Seeking to cobble together a 'mahagathbandhan', Mulayam has sent out invitations to all "secular and like-minded" leaders of various parties like RJD and JD-U.

But chances of these leaders making it to the event appeared remote since the date clashes with 'Chhath Puja', a major festival in Bihar.

Last week, Mulayam's younger brother and state SP chief Shivpal had met JD(U) leader K C Tyagi and RLD chief Ajit Singh to invite them to the anniversary bash in Lucknow.

Shivpal had said Lohiaites and followers of Charan Singh should join hands to beat BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

Samajwadi Party, which was initially part of Bihar's grand alliance, had walked out of it after it was offered only a handful of seats to contest the assembly elections there.

The grand alliance of JD(U), RJD and Congress had, however, scripted a glorious electoral victory, defeating the BJP-led NDA.

Shivpal had recently blamed his estranged cousin Ram Gopal Yadav for Samajwadi Party's decision to walk out of the alliance in Bihar.

Ram Gopal, a Rajya Sabha member, has been backing Akhilesh in his fight against Shivpal. Ram Gopal was recently sacked from the party amid escalating tension between the rival camps.

Given the unusual belligerence shown by Akhilesh, the party apparently wants to fortify its position by bringing in new friends.

SP's main aim in the polls is to prevent split of Muslim votes for which it is looking for an alliance with "secular" parties.

Congress' poll strategist Prashant Kishor yesterday held a two-hour meeting with Mulayam, who is trying to cobble together an alliance of like-minded parties.

Kishor, along with SP leader Amar Singh, met Yadav at his Delhi residence, apparently to discuss the possibility of an alliance before the poll dates are announced.

Akhilesh, who ruled out parting ways with Samajwadi Party in the wake of the unprecedented family feud, has said he will participate in the silver jubilee event, though a large number of his loyalists are likely to boycott the show in view of the strife in the party.

During the yatra, dozens of roadside meetings and a few rallies would be held at different places between the two districts, a SP leader said.

The state capital is already splashed with colourful posters, banners and hoardings even as finishing touches are being given to the hi-tech bright red 'rath' having a cabin, a collapsible stage, video screen, Wi-Fi and hotline, besides top class acoustic facilities.

Akhilesh had decided to embark on the yatra solo, saying he could not wait longer for a green signal from his father as his political opponents had already hit the roads to woo the electorate.

SP's rivals are trying to cash in on the feud in the Yadav family ahead of the polls and through the yatra the CM would try to send across the message that he was in the driver's seat, notwithstanding all the hue and cry within the party.

The virtual showdown between the father-son duo came to the fore with Akhilesh calling a meeting of party legislators a day ahead of the one convened by Mulayam.

Akhilesh sacked his uncle Shivpal and three others from his Cabinet and in a tit-for-tat action, Shivpal on orders from Mulayam expelled pro-Akhilesh SP MP Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years. Ramgopal is another uncle of Akhilesh.

As loyalties appeared divided between various members of the Yadav clan, Akhilesh has made it clear that he was in no mood for a rapprochement by keeping away from two crucial meetings--one of the party's district chiefs and the other of the SP's state executive--despite an invitation from Shivpal.

On the other hand, Mulayam refused to relent when senior party leaders, including Rajya Sabha MPs Beni Prasad Verma and Naresh Agarwal, Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey, and party vice-president Kiranmoy Nanda, met him to douse the flames.

The Akhilesh camp also suffered a jolt with Shivpal sacking heads of various front organisations and soon filling up top vacancies in the SP's youth wings, effectively slamming the door on the re-entry of Akhilesh's close associates.

Akhilesh has asked the party's youth leaders not to waste any more time and take a plunge into the upcoming electoral battle.
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has slammed those raising doubts over the encounter of eight SIMI terror accused near Bhopal on Monday.

According to a report, the Chief Minister in a speech on Tuesday said, "Those being tried for terror take years to get punished. For years, they are fed chicken biryani in jail. Then they escape and indulge in more crimes and attacks...we need fast-track courts for terror cases too."

Chouhan visited the Bhopal Central Jail to take stock of the security situation on Wednesday. The jail head officer had on Tuesday stated that keeping 29 SIMI men in a single facility was always a risk and that the jailbreak 'was bound to happen.' MP minister in charge of prisons Kusum Mehdale admitted that there were lapses in security at the prison.

Read: SIMI activists were shot multiple times from different sides: post-mortem

Chouhan and several BJP leaders have publicly defended the operation, claiming that it was the SIMI men who opened fire on the police officers, hours after they escaped from the Central Jail in Bhopal on Monday. They have slammed the Congress and Opposition parties demanding a probe into the encounter, calling it vote bank politics.

However, three videos of the incident have appeared on social media, indicating that the STF officers fired bullets into men already lying injured or dead on the ground.

Moreover, a post-mortem report has said that the SIMI accused were shot at multiple times from different directions.

The National Human Rights Commission has sought an explanation from the government and the police on the matter.

Meanwhile, there seems to be disagreement between the MP Home Minister Bhupinder Singh and the state police chief over the encounter. While Singh has dismissed the need for a probe, the police chief has said that CID will conduct an investigation into the encounter.
Malkangiri (Odisha): As 73 children died in the outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis at 505 villages in the tribal-dominated Malkangiri district in Odisha, a 10-year-old boy's letter to the Prime Minister fervently appealing for help laid bare the desperation of the villagers.

Official sources said that the death toll had mounted to 73. Malkangiri chief district medical officer Uday Shankar Mishra, however, claimed that 27 children had actually died of JE while others perished due to different reasons.

"Save our lives. Many of my friends have died of Japanese fever. You are roaming around the globe. Cant you come over to our village and see how children are dying here," Umesh Madhi (10) said in his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Madhi, a student of class four of Polkanda Primary School under Sikapali gram panchayat, described the ordeal of parents who lost their children in the Japanese Encephalitis.

"Sir, You are touring different countries. Can't you come down to our village and see the plights of people here," Madi said, adding that the Prime Minister was their last hope.

As many as 505 villages in the tribal dominated Malkangiri have been affected by JE.

The state government on Wednesday admitted that the situation remained grim for last three-four days.

Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Nruparaj Sahoo, who is currently in Malkangiri to monitor the situation, said the situation had not improved as per expectation.

"The situation has remained grim even as the district administration has taken all possible measures to check the outbreak," Sahoo told reporters.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday questioned the state government's logic behind celebrating the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, observing he wasn't a freedom fighter but a monarch who fought to safeguard his interests.

"What is the logic behind celebrating Tipu Jayanti? Tipu was not a freedom fighter, but a monarch who fought the opponents to safeguard his interests," Chief Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee, presiding over the division bench, observed.

Justice R B Budhihal is the other member of the bench. The observation was made by the Chief Justice during a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation filed by South Kodagu-based K P Manjunatha, challenging government's move to celebrate Tipu Jayanti.

Justice Mukherjee also questioned the logic behind celebrating Tipu Jayanti amid fears of communal tension escalating in Kodagu district and other parts of the state.

He observed that last year's celebrations had resulted in a law-and-order situation after protesters resorted to violence.

However, public counsel M R Naik defended the celebrations, saying Tipu was a great warrior who fought against the British.

Countering the submissions, Sajan Poovaiah, counsel for the petitioner, said Tipu was a tyrant ruler who killed people belonging to many communities, including Kodavas, Konkanis and Christians. The hearing will resume tomorrow.

The Congress government's decision to observe the birth anniversary of the 18th century ruler of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom has stirred a major controversy, with opinion sharply divided among intellectuals, academia and different communities and organisations.

Tipu Jayanti, slated to be celebrated across the state on November 10, is being observed since last year following a government decision, which had triggered a major row and caused violence in Kodagu district last November.

RSS had stated recently it opposed the celebration and would stage protests against it as the ruler of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom was a "religious bigot and a violent sultan". BJP has also expressed its strong opposition to 'Tipu Jayanti'.
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was on Wednesday detained by police hours after his deputy Manish Sisodia was taken into custody for trying to meet family members of an ex-serviceman who allegedly committed suicide over the OROP issue.

Kejriwal's detention outside Lady Hardinge hospital in central Delhi around 7:45 pm came after Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi was taken into custody for the second time in a day, in an unprecedented clampdown on Opposition leaders.

Earlier Kejriwal's movement was blocked by police for nearly three hours and he was not allowed to meet family members of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, a resident of Haryana's Bhiwani who ended his life yesterday by consuming poison.

Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia was detained around 1 pm and was in detention for nearly 10 hours in the Parliament Street Police Station. A Delhi Police official said Kejriwal has been taken to R K Puram Police Station in South Delhi.

"This is worse than emergency," the Delhi chief minister told reporters before being taken away while Sisodia tweeted, "This is emergency".

Several Congress leaders including Randeep Surjewala, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kumari Selja were detained while police was seen dragging scores of AAP workers and many office bearers outside the Parliament Street Police station.

Sisodia said he was not told what was his offence. Police justified its action of detaining leaders of political parties saying it will not allow anyone to disturb law and order in the city.

The Congress and AAP leaders accused the Modi government of being responsible for the death of Grewal.

Earlier, Kejriwal, lambasting Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that Grewal's "martyrdom will not go in vain" and emphasised on the need to take his struggle forward.

"The Prime Minister is lying to the entire country claiming that OROP has been implemented. If it was implemented then why Ram Kishan had to commit suicide? The extent of the deceit of the BJP government over the issue is unprecedented," he said.

The AAP termed detention of Kejriwal and Sisodia as unprecedented.

"So today @narendramodi's police have detained CM and DyCM for wanting to meet bereaved family member of army martyr! Is this democracy?" senior AAP leader Atishi Marlena tweeted.
Bhopal/New Delhi: Eight undertrials killed in the alleged gunfight on Monday were not armed, Madhya Pradeshs anti-terror squad (ATS) chief Sanjeev Shami told the media on Wednesday, contradicting the states narrative that they were shot when they fired upon the police.

It is well settled in law when police can use force and kill. The eight were dreaded criminals. The police can use maximum force if it feels such men can escape, Mr Shami said.

This might bolster several allegations that the suspected members of the banned Simi were killed in cold blood. The police said on Monday that it tracked down and shot dead the eight, hours after they allegedly escaped from Bhopals high-security prison.

The police earlier had claimed that it found four country-made revolvers and sharp weapons on those killed.

All Simi activists were shot at least twice

Mr Shami said he stands by his account. His statement came as calls from the families of those dead, Opposition parties and human rights bodies for an independent probe continued to mount, given countrys dodgy record of extra-judicial killings. The government has said the national investigative agency will probe only the jailbreak and not the encounter.

News channels quoted post-mortem reports to claim the eight were shot in the head, chest, feet and in the back. Each man was shot at least twice, the reports said, adding there were multiple entry and exit wounds, mostly above the waist.

MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, his home and prison ministers have defended the killing of the terrorists, while at least four Central ministers have backed the CM, asking people to respect national security, underlining the governments increasing discomfort with public scrutiny of counter-terrorism operations.

The eight were awaiting trial in cases of alleged terror-related activities, besides sedition and robbery. Banned in 2001, the outfit is accused of carrying out bombings and of having links with terror groups.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer K.T.S. Tulsi called the encounter fake, a day after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) sought en explanation from the state government, taking into account a string of unanswered questions, some video clips and conflicting official versions.

Meanwhile, an SIT formed by MP Police inspected the site of encounter while a separate investigation began into the jailbreak by extremists by recreating the scene.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at Lady Harding hospital after he was stopped at the hospital from meeting the family of Subedar Grewal who allegedly committed suicide over OROP, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: After more than four hours detention, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal left around midnight the R K Puram police station, following his detainment as he tried to meet the kin of ex-serviceman who allegedly committed suicide over the OROP issue, police said.

"Kejriwal was detained from Lady Hardinge Hospital around 7.45 PM and brought to the RK Puram police station in south District since there was no media or presence of political leaders there," police sources said.

Police had asked him to go at around 8.45 PM but he refused to leave the police station. Kejriwal left the police station accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other senior AAP leaders. After coming out of the police station he vented out his ire against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

However, Kejriwal had claimed that he was still being held in detention after he expressed his desire to meet the familyof ex-serviceman Ram Singh Grewal who allegedly committed suicide over the OROP issue.

Sources close to the Chief Minister said that the police initially allowed him to leave but detained him again. "The police allowed us to leave but the chief minister expressed his desire to meet the family of the deceased ex-serviceman. He also told the pilot of the police patrol that he was proceeding to the Connaught Place Police Station, but he was again detained," a Kejriwal aide said.

Kejriwal tweeted from the police station saying that Sisodia, who was detained at Parliament Street police station for close to ten hours and later released, had come to meet him.

"Manish reaches here at RK Puram PS where I am still detained," he had tweeted. The suicide by an army veteran over OROP today snowballed into a huge political show with Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal and other opposition leaders attacking the Modi government on the issue while there was high drama after police detained and prevented them from entering a hospital.

The Congress Vice President was detained twice and was finally released late in the evening as restrictions were put on Kejriwal's movements before he was detained. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was kept in custody for close to 10 hours. Meanwhile, the ex-servicemen's body was sent to his home town Bhiwani in Haryana after the postmortem.
New Delhi: High political drama unfolded on the streets of central Delhi on Wednesday as the police detained top Opposition leaders trying to meet the family of an ex-serviceman who committed suicide seeking uniform pensions for retired military personnel.

The police said it was forced to act when leaders ignored orders to move away from Ram Manhoar Lohia Hospital to restore medical services, which had got severely affected.

The row has erupted three days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent Diwali with soldiers to bolster the Centres pro-Army campaign following Septembers anti-terror surgical strikes across the LoC. The Centre approved the retiral policy  a major election issue in 2014  last year and recently paid Rs 5,500 crore as its first instalment, but sections of ex-servicemen say concerns remain.

I am sacrificing my life for my country and its brave soldiers, said a note purportedly left by Grewal, a resident of Haryanas Bhiwani. He was a prominent face of an agitation for OROP.

He was also heard in a pre-suicide clip making similar comments. More drama ensued when the police tried to take Mr Rahul Gandhi and senior Congress leaders around Connaught Place in a police bus, but it was not allowed to move by Congress workers. Finally it was taken to a nearby police station where Mr Gandhi was released.

I was arrested for doing my job. Is it wrong to offer condolences to the grieving family of a jawan, the Congress leader asked. He asked the government to apologise to the bereaved family. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock at the detention of her Delhi counterpart.
New Delhi: If Pakistan inflicts injuries on India, the costs are going to be far heavier for them, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley has said, asserting that there is a shift in Indias approach towards dealing with cross-border tensions as it has suffered enough in silence.

He also lashed out at Pakistan for consistently violating the 2003 ceasefire saying the de facto violation has become de jure violation.

The new normal is that India doesnt accept that Pakistan can keep sending terrorists and keep inflicting injury on India. If they do that then costs are going to be much heavier, Mr. Jaitley was quoted by news agencies, as telling a TV channel.

The 2003 ceasefire was being violated by Pakistan. After all what is terrorism  you train people, you smuggle them in. Today, de facto violation has become de jure violation, he said.

We have suffered enough in silence and we have been taking just some diplomatic initiatives. I think times have now changed and the Government of India has a more proactive approach. And, the proactive approach is if you indulge in terrorism in India and kill people across the border then there is a cost involved and you will have to pay a price for it. I think that policy of the government of India is extremely clear, he said. We paid a price in Uri and in Pathankot. Today the cost Pakistan has to pay is far heavier and Pakistan in a very precarious situation as far as their own government, democracy and civil-military relationships are concerned, he said.
There is also a strong possibility that heads may roll in the particular security agency for the lapse. (Representational Image)

New Delhi: Six Pakistani diplomats from the Pakistani High Commission including the four whose names were flashed on Indian TV channels last week as alleged ISI handlers  on Wednesday flew back to Pakistan, even as Pakistani TV channels on Wednesday started flashing the names of as many as eight Indian diplomats and accused them of carrying out subversive activities.

This means India will have to recall these eight diplomats soon. The Indian Government is apparently furious that one of the security agencies recklessly leaked the names of the four Pakistani diplomats last week to TV channels. There is also a strong possibility that heads may roll in the particular security agency for the lapse.

The latest episode has come as another setback to Indo-Pak ties, even as India on Wednesday summoned the deputy high commissioner of Pakistan Syed Haider Shah to the ministry of external affairs and lodged a strong protest against the unprovoked border firing by Pakistan as well as the recent mutilation of the body of an Indian soldier by a terrorist near the LoC.
The PIL was filed by on Manjunath K.P., (40), a resident of Hysodloor village in Kodagu district. He had sought directions to the authorities not to celebrate the proposed Tipu Jayanti in his home district.

BENGALURU: Even as the public uproar against the state governments move to celebrate former Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan is gaining momentum, a public interest petition was filed against it before the High Court. The PIL has been posted for hearing to Thursday.

Earlier, the division bench headed by Chief Justice S.K. Mukherjee questioned the state government as to what Tipus Jayanti was being celebrated. While the public counsel M.R. Naik defended that Tipu was a great warrior who fought the British rule, Mr Mukherjee orally observed, As far as my knowledge of history goes, he (Tipu) was not a freedom fighter, but a ruler of a princely state. What is the use of celebrating this? Even if Nizam of Hyderabad had come, he would have countered him in the same way.

The PIL was filed by on Manjunath K P, (40), a resident of Hysodloor village in Kodagu District. He had sought directions to the authorities not to celebrate the proposed Tipu Jayanti in his home district. The PIL also stated that it was important to know the history of Kodagu and the impact of the reign of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, on the Kodava community.

The PIL also sought directions not to organise functions in the name of historic rulers, which will hurt religious sentiments of a particular section and endanger peace, tranquility and communal harmony.

The petitioner submits that its an irony that government wants to celebrate Tipus birthday across Karnataka. The historic evidence not only indicates that he was not a conqueror, but a religious fanatic and a dictator who believed in the ethnic cleansing of Kodavas and other communities in south India and was instrumental in mass conversion of Kodavas to Muslim community. The evidence for the bloodiest history of Kodagu and Kodava exist even today and is documented by historians, the PIL stated. Justice R.B. Budhihal was the other member of the bench.

Chewing tobacco banned

The state government in an affidavit before the High Court on Wednesday informed that it has banned chewing tobacco across Karnataka from October 26. The Cancer Patients Aid Association has approached the court seeking to prohibit the manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of all forms of chewing tobacco.

Bhaskar Rao plea

The High Court reserved its verdict on the petition filed by former Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao, seeking to quash the case against him with regard to the extortion scandal in the Lokayukta institution.
Surat: An eight-year-old girl was mauled to death on Wednesday by a leopard at Vadi village in Umarpada tehsil of Surat district, a Forest Department official said.

Nikita Vasava was attacked by the big cat at around 7 am when she was out to attend to nature's call, Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF), Surat range, JH Rathod said.

"She was attacked by the leopard early this morning when she was out to attend to nature's call. She was dragged for nearly 500 metres into the forest and was killed by the time the villagers could rescue her," he added.

Her body was recovered by the Forest Department personnel who rushed to the spot after being informed about the incident, Rathod said.

"We have conducted a post-mortem and will hand over the compensation amount of Rs 4 lakh to her family tomorrow," he added.

According to the official, two days ago, a 10-year-old boy, Mehul Vasava, was also attacked and injured by a leopard in the same village which falls under Vankal forest range.

"We had laid a trap and rescued a leopard who was then taken into the forest. This leopard appears to have come from Netrang forest as the village is located on the border of Surat and Bharuch districts," he said, adding that five traps have been laid in and around the area to catch the big cat.

Gujarat Tourism and Tribal Development Minister Ganpat Vasava, who was at his home town in Umarpada, met the victim's kin. The village is part of Mangrol constituency which is represented by Vasava in the Assembly.
New Delhi: A new anthology seeks to examine all aspects of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots by combining non-fiction pieces with fictional stories.



"1984: In Memory and Imagination - Personal Essays and Stories on the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots", edited by Vikram Kapur and brought out by Amaryllis Publishing House, examines the human narrative of 1984 with stories, both real and imagined, of men and women whose lives were altered by that tragic chain of events and who continue to live with them to this day.



"While nonfiction probes the changing psyche of society by scrutinising the factual history of the times, fiction catches the horror of what happened by giving the human story a number of unforgettable faces," says Kapur.



"There are pieces that zero in on that moment in history. Others remind us of how it continues to fester in the lives of several people to this day. And still others view it in terms of its ramifications for Indian politics and society," he says.



In his essay "1984: An Overview 3", the then Punjab DGP Kirpal Dhillon says the events of 1984 epitomise the conceptual and functional make-up of an autocratic and oppressive state.



"The cumulative after-effects of the grievous events of 1984 in India would last for decades and the ensuing frictions and fissures in social and political terms would continue to seriously damage the institutions of governance and their dynamism," he writes.



He says his appointment as Punjab police chief on July 3, 1984 placed him at a vantage point where he was both a close observer of a series of very disturbing events, pursuant to the Army intervention in the state, and an active participant in helping resolve some very grave issues that arose therefrom.



"Apart from my normal charter of duties as the police chief in a strategic border state, I was also, I was told, a part of the healing process, designed to soothe the hurt and anger among the Sikh people due to the abrasive conduct of the troops during Operation Blue Star in the Golden Temple, Sikhism's holiest shrine, and Operation Wood Rose in the countryside."
New Delhi: A viable reparation formula for colonial exploitation by British is difficult but a British Prime Minister "bending on knees" asking forgiveness on the centenary of Jallianwala Bagh massacre will wash away in many ways the sense that there are wrongs that have not been acknowledged, feels Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.



The issue of reparation came into limelight after Tharoor spoke at Oxford on the proposition 'Britain Owes Reparations to Her Former Colonies' last year and his speech went viral on social media and was hailed by fans and critics alike.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi also had congratulated him for having said "the right things at the right place".



And now he has come out with a book 'An Era of Darkness: The British Empire In India' which discusses, in depth, the variety of ways in which the British nearly destroyed India during the heyday of the Empire.



"You cannot quantify the wrongs done. What is far more important than financial reparation would be an apology," he says in the book.



"People who are not responsible today for the wrongs done by their forebearers in the past era apologise nonetheless to people who are not the ones to whom wrong was done. But it is in a sense an entire society apologising to entire people," Tharoor, MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said.



According to him, a viable reparation formula is difficult as a just sum would not be payable and a payable sum would not be just.



Citing two examples of Willy Brandt, the German social democrat leader who was in no way related to the crimes of the Nazis, going on his knees at Warsaw ghetto and apologising, and more recently Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologising for the Komagata Maru incident though Canada did not actually kill anybody, he says these offer a model in the Indian context too.



"These two apologies offer a model for a future British Prime Minister on the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre to come to that site, bend his or her knees and beg forgiveness for all sins committed in the past.



"That I think will wash away in many ways the sense that there are wrongs that have not been acknowledged," the former Minister of State for External Affairs said.



In the book, he also writes, "David Cameron s rather mealy-mouthed description of the massacre in 2013 as a 'deeply shameful event' does not, in my view, constitute an apology.



"Nor does the ceremonial visit to the site in 1997 by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, who merely left their signatures in the visitors' book, without even a redeeming comment.



"Whoever the PM is on the centenary of that awful crime will not have been alive when the atrocity was committed, and certainly no British government of 2019 bears a shred of responsibility for that tragedy, but as a symbol of the nation that once allowed it to happen, the PM could atone for the past sins of his or her nation," Tharoor said.



The Jallianwala Bagh massacre had taken place in Amritsar on April 13, 1919. On hearing that a meeting of nearly 20,000 people was taking place at Jallianwala Bagh, Brigadier General R E H Dyer had ordered 50 riflemen to shoot at the crowd. More than 1000 innocent Indians were killed and over 1,100 injured.
The husband said that when the 8 accused men barged into the shanty, he had no idea why they were doing so. (Photo: Twitter)

Mumbai: The husband of the 32-year-old woman who was gangraped in Mumbais Amboli on Tuesday, has sought death penalty for the accused.

According to a report in the DNA, the husband said that when the 8 accused men barged into the shanty, he had no idea why they were doing so.

"I did not know they were intentionally holding me so that they could gangrape my wife. They assaulted me and when I managed to get out from the clutches of the youths, I saw my wife being exploited and they kept on hitting her with hands and legs, he reportedly said.

Pointing out that they were habitual offenders, local dwellers meanwhile said that they fear another such episode and want the families of the accused youth to clear out of the area.

The local community was in for a shock when the police, late Tuesday, swooped down on the slum and rounded up the young men. After getting to know that his friends were arrested, one of the accused even managed to stay at large for a while, before he was eventually captured.

"We were shocked and did not believe at first that they can gang rape a woman until the cops took them away in their vans," a resident was quoted as saying.

The rape survivor, who had visited the area in the afternoon with her husband to hunt for an accommodation, decided to put up at her relative's place. The survivors husband had recently got a job in the area and in order to reduce travel time, wanted to move to Amboli. They contacted the survivor's aunt, who stays in a shanty in Shyam Nagar, to help them find a house.

The aunt, who works night shifts, left for work around 9 pm. Around 10.30 pm, the accused barged into the house and allegedly took turns to rape the woman, in an ordeal that lasted over two hours. While five accused remained inside the house, three others thrashed and dragged her husband to a spot far away.
Chennai: Five years back I went to Kuwait a healthy woman. Now I am back as a patient. I can't even walk. I had borrowed Rs 1.5 lakh to go to the Gulf hoping to get a decent job to escape poverty. I was made to work as a slave there. I came back only because so many people helped me Mallika Sethu, from Thiruvannamalai, told reporters at Chennai airport as she arrived from Kuwait on Tuesday.

She regrets her decision to go to the Gulf. She also advises all those women planning to go to Arab countries to work as housemaids not to venture out. She has a reason. Because of ill treatment and assault, she has become ill and not able to walk.

According to her, she went to Kuwait after an agent promised a job with `50,000 salary. As soon as Mallika landed there, she was taken to a man power agency, which sent her to a house to work as a maid. Every year, she was sent to different homes.

The first two years were manageable, she said. From the third year onwards it was hell. I had to work 20 hours a day. There was not enough food. I was harassed and beaten up. I lost mobility in my legs. I was not even allowed to come to India when my eldest son died in an accident,she said while recalling her string of woes.

Whenever Mallika asked the manpower agency to send her back home, they demanded Rs 1 lakh, which she never had. It was her daughter Sathya and son-in-law who approached the national domestic workers movement, an NGO, which alerted an activist in Kuwait who helped Mallika to get admitted to a government hospital.

Returning to India was, however, a distant dream. Again, a few NGO and caring Indians along with Indian Mission helped her to generate the money demanded by the manpower agency.

I also sold my ornaments. I just wanted to get back home, she says. Finally, the Indian Mission helped her with air tickets and emergency travel documents as her visa had expired in 2013.
Thiruvananthapuram: Barely a fortnight after the Supreme Court expressed concern about cruelty towards elephants, the State Government has stated that captive elephants would continue to be used in festivals including Thrissur Pooram. The decision was taken at a high-level meet convened by tourism minister A C Moideen here on Tuesday at the behest of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. However, the brief official statement released after the meeting could not have been vaguer. The high-level meeting has decided to conduct festivals including Thrissur Pooram without hindrance to any of the traditional practices and also by adhering to the Captive Elephant Management Rules 2012, it said.

Fact is, traditional festival rituals and Captive Elephant Rules cannot exist together. For instance, the Rules state that elephants should not be paraded or made to walk in the sun from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. But during Thrissur Pooram, elephants are decked up and exhibited under the hot sun from 11 a.m. to 10 in the night, said K Venkitachalam of Heritage Animal Task Force. Such continuous parading is also against the clause that elephants should be made to walk or stand in the sun for only six hours, and that too in two session of three hours each, he added.

Animal Welfare Board member M N Jayachandran described the government decision thus: The tourism minister is trying to make omelette without breaking the egg. Mr Jayachandran also wondered why the meeting was convened by the tourism minister. It perhaps shows that the government views the pooram not as a spiritual exercise but as a spectacle. This means that the elephants are exhibited for commercial purpose, which is against the law, he added.
Condemning the Triple Talaq by her husband, Nasreen with her husband Habeebs picture protests outside the house at Tambaram (Photo: AP)

Chennai: Nasreen, 23, sits with a photograph of her husband Habeeb Mohamed at the locked gate of his house at Lakshmi Nagar in suburban Tambaram. She alleges that Habeeb, through Triple Talaq has unilaterally annulled their arranged marriage, which had taken place in Chennai in October last year and sent her a DD for Rs 20, 000 as compensation for serving him as wife for a year.

A makeshift tent to avoid getting drenched and a chair on the veranda keeps Nasreen going in her protest since 6 am on Monday morning.

The commerce graduate is not willing to give up the battle even though her in-laws are showing complete indifference. While her sister-in-law has locked the door, Nasreen has done the same from outside, thus leaving Habeebs sister, 65-year-old father and sisters one-and-half-year kid, confined in the house for the past two days.

A moist-eyed Nasreen, who is accompanied by her parents and brother told Deccan Chronicle, What is the guarantee for my safety? They had already disconnected the electricity on Monday night.

Documents possessed by Nasreen which were accessed by DC prove that her husband Habeeb, who owns a rice mandy, has sent a letter marked to Jamaats of Royapettah, Saidapet, Tambaram and Merku Tambaram with a demand draft of Rs 20,000 announcing a Triple Talaq

Nasreen, who completed a year in wedlock on October 18 this year, is completely traumatised by her husband's letter labelling her as a 'misfit' and 'uninterested' in marriage. They started branding me as a 'bad omen' ever since my mother-in-law passed away in February. I suffered two miscarriages as my husband's family had not provided medical aid when I conceived, Nasreen said in trying to explain what could be the reasons for the husband's decision.

A little water is all I have to keep my protest going. I go to the neighbour's house to use the restroom when my husband's brother is away as he would otherwise lock the gates once I go out, said Nasreen.

Nasreen has been living with her parents since May as her efforts to be united with Habeeb failed. I was never allowed inside. My husband who assured me he would take me home after Ramzan has Triple Talaqed me after the festival, she added. She has approached the Jamaat, which called the couple for the counselling sessions.

Suleman, her elder brother said, Over a month ago, she handed over all the reports to the Jamaat, which asked her to unite with the husband. Even while her valuables, accounting to 480 grams of gold and saris are in the house, Habeeb had mentioned that in the Talaq form that he has none of them.

Habeeb's elder brother said, We have now approached the family court and would want to deal with the case there. My family has been locked in. The issue would raise religious tension as both the families approached different Jamaats. Habeeb, who was last seen at the Tambaram police station on Monday evening is unavailable.

Cop to defuse tension between two families

Following the sit-in protest by Nazrin, wife of Habib Mohamed, in Lakshmi Nagar in Chromepet since Monday, a woman constable was posted in the vicinity to douse the possible sparks from the tussle between the two families.

When police came to know about the woman protesting in front of her husband's house after triple talaq, they conducted initial enquiries, according to a senior police official.

Police on Monday took Habib to station to conduct enquires and had also asked Nazrin to be in the station. She refused to go to the station saying that Jamat had advised her to stay in her husband's house. Habib was unreachable on Tuesday.

When her husbands family locked the gates on her, she, with the help of her family members, locked the gates from outside.

On Tuesday, police decided to post a woman constable in the vicinity after Nazrin said unidentified women who took her photographs were threatening her.

When the issue was brought to the notice of Maulana Shamsudeen Qasimi, general secretary of Makka Masjid Shariat council, by this newspaper, he suggested that the couple should attend the counselling session on Saturday in the masjid. We handle more than 1,000 possible divorce cases. We found that majority of them decide to get separated due to an ego clash.

After attending our sessions, 60 per cent of them decide to live together again. We also make sure that the divorced women get deserving compensation between 50,000 to `60 lakh, according the financial background of their husbands, he said.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi talks to the media outside RML Hospital after he was not allowed to enter the hospital to meet ex-serviceman Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal's family in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: After being detained for trying to enter a Delhi hospital to meet the kin of retired Army man Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly committed suicide yesterday, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday lashed out at policemen for arresting the ex-servicemans family.

"Do you not feel ashamed? He is son of an Army veteran... and you are arresting him?" an angry Rahul Gandhi told a group of Delhi police.

In a video shot inside Mandir Marg police station, the Congress leader was seen lashing out at a group of Delhi Police personnel for taking into custody some relatives of Grewal.

Pointing to Grewal's father and brother, Rahul demanded their release and termed their detention as "shameful". "What is your name? You think the family of India's martyr should be arrested? Do you not feel ashamed?" Rahul asked one senior police official when he turned down Congress Vice President's request to release the family members of the deceased.

#WATCH: Inside visuals of the Mandir Marg Police station (Delhi), where Congress VP Rahul Gandhi has been detained. pic.twitter.com/Tr0F34XMTn  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

70-year-old Grewal, an ex-serviceman from Haryana's Bhiwani district, ended his life yesterday by allegedly consuming poison on the lawns behind a government building in Janpath, the central area of the capital. Grewal, who was a familiar face of OROP agitation, left behind a suicide note, his son said.

A family member of Grewal alleged that police manhandled them when the family was in trauma.

Rahul was briefly detained and taken to Mandir Marg Police Station, following which Congress workers protested outside the police station. He was released after 70-minute detention.

Gandhi was not allowed to enter the hospital premises by the security personnel deployed at the entrance gate.

Speaking to reporters, Rahul wondered whether democracy works in this fashion. "Naya Hindustan ban raha hai bhaiya (New India is in making)...This is Modi ji's India," the Congress-vice president said after he was denied entry.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP MLA Surinder Singh were also detained at the RML Hospital after Sisodia met Grewals family.

"Rahul Gandhi was detained at Mandir Marg Police Station for 'disruption of duty' after he tried to enter RML premises to meet the family of the ex-serviceman," Senior police officer MK Meena said.

Meena added that 'this is a hospital, not a place for demonstration,' stating that AAP leaders who were 'creating disturbance' were also detained.

He claimed that the family members of the deceased were protesting at the site and contacting politicians, following which they too were held.

Earlier, Sisodia managed to enter the hospital premises and meet the family members of the deceased, before being detained by police. Eyewitnesses said Sisodia could enter the premises as he came in a civilian car, which went undetected by the security.

Vehicular movement outside the hospital was thrown out of gear as Rahul Gandhi's presence led to chaos.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal too reached RML hospital and lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he was lying on the 'One rank, One Pension' issue.

"The Prime Minister says OROP has been implemented, and soldiers are dying demanding it to be implemented. It means the PM is lying across the country.

"Then why did he commit suicide? The Centre is deceiving the army. I have come to meet his family. If anyone commits suicide in my state, should I not meet the family?

"BJP is doing politics. They have detained the Deputy CM. We will have to postpone the Cabinet meeting. Why? Because the Centre has resorted to hooliganism," Kejriwal told reporters outside the hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while celebrating the Diwali with the army and ITBP personnel in Kinnaur, had said that the first instalment of nearly Rs 5,500 crore has been paid for implementing the OROP scheme.

OROP scheme has been a long-standing demand of nearly three-million ex-servicemen and war widows in the country. It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel, who retire at the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement.
New Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was detained twice on Wednesday by Delhi police for trying to meet the family members of Army veteran Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly committed suicide over insufficient pension.

70-year-old Grewal, an ex-serviceman from Haryana's Bhiwani district, ended his life on Tuesday by allegedly consuming poison on the lawns behind a government building in Janpath, the central area of the capital.

After his release, Rahul said, It was my duty to visit the family. Did I commit a mistake by visiting the soldiers family? Was it my fault that I wanted to express my condolences? I wanted to meet them, is it wrong? This is not the way to operate, this is not how you run the country.

It was a tough day for the family and yet they have been detained. Cops said they had orders from the top to detain the family, added Rahul.

Rahul said the veterans family was arrested for meeting him. I wanted to speak to the bereaved family. When they came to meet me, they were beaten and dragged to the police station. Arrest me, but why detain the family, said Gandhi.

Minimum that government should do is to apologise to the family of the deceased ex-serviceman.

Rahul was detained twice today. He was also not allowed to meet Grewal's family at the RML Hospital in the national capital. He was stopped by the security personnel deployed at the entrance gate. Gandhi was then briefly detained for 70-minutes in the afternoon. However, in the evening Rahul Gandhi was again detained as he attempted to meet Grewals family yet again and was released in an hour.

High drama unfolded on streets in Lutyens' Delhi with Congress and AAP workers staging protests. Gandhi along with other Congress leaders, including Jyotiraditya Scindia and Ajay Maken were bundled into a police van and taken to the police station.

Minutes after Gandhis detention, Kejriwal was also detained as he tried meeting Grewals family. Kejriwal tweeted that he has been formally detained by Delhi Police.

Hours earlier, Kejriwals deputy Manish Sisodia and AAP MLA Surinder Singh were also detained at the RML Hospital after Sisodia met Grewals family.

Sisodia managed to enter the hospital premises and meet the family members of the deceased, before being detained by police. Eyewitnesses said Sisodia could enter the premises as he came in a civilian car, which went undetected by the security.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he was lying on the 'One rank, One Pension' issue. "The Prime Minister says OROP has been implemented, and soldiers are dying demanding it to be implemented. It means the PM is lying across the country.

"Then why did he commit suicide? The Centre is deceiving the army. I have come to meet his family. If anyone commits suicide in my state, should I not meet the family?

"BJP is doing politics. They have detained the Deputy CM. We will have to postpone the Cabinet meeting. Why? Because the Centre has resorted to hooliganism," Kejriwal told reporters outside the hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while celebrating the Diwali with the army and ITBP personnel in Kinnaur, had said that the first instalment of nearly Rs 5,500 crore has been paid for implementing the OROP scheme.

OROP scheme has been a long-standing demand of nearly three-million ex-servicemen and war widows in the country. It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel, who retire at the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement.
The prolonged border tensions, the move in Pakistan on Tuesday to open a Supreme Court-sanctioned commission of inquiry aimed at Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (which is likely to benefit the Army), and the content and tenor of Assembly election-related speeches made in UP by BJP politicians, notably party chief Amit Shah, underline the sense that the growing unease and talk of war is to do with internal political factors in both India and Pakistan.

Since the Uri terrorist attack a month and a half ago and the much-hyped retaliatory surgical strikes, an Indian military manoeuvre with several precedents that was given an exalted name this time, and publicised widely and craftily by the government to gain political advantage on UPs electoral turf, there have been as many as 60 ceasefire violations from the Pakistani side. Some 80 people have been killed and over 100 injured. These are unprecedented figures for so short a period. On Tuesday, eight civilians were killed and nearly two dozen injured in the Ramgarh and Arnia sectors of the international border near Jammu on account of heavy Pakistani firing.

The nearly daily reference to the much-hyped surgical strike by BJP politicians on the campaign trail in UP places the suggestion in perspective that this military manoeuvre was inspired by the desire to better the poll prospects of the saffron party, which had appeared to be sagging. In Pakistan, the political considerations look to be in the direction of causing acute discomfort to the elected Prime Minister and handing the primacy to the Army  in short, overturning the system. There have been whispers for long that a soft coup, if not a hard one, may be in the offing.

Showing muscle on the border with India appears tailor-made to raise the Armys status before the public and downplay the PMs, who has been facing embarrassment particularly since the Panama Papers surfaced as his near relatives were found to have offshore accounts. Imran Khan, the pro-military Opposition political leader, threatened to lay siege to Islamabad to demand the PMs resignation so that an investigation into his financial dealings may be impartially held. This became unnecessary when the Supreme Court appointed a one-judge commission of inquiry with full sentencing powers of the countrys highest court. This appears irregular under the Anglo-Saxon system. How can a probe commission have sentencing authority? Many may be led to draw the inference that Pakistans judiciary may have set the stage for the Prime Ministers ouster and seizure of real power by the Army even if a formal coup is not staged. Border tensions are a perfect backdrop for such a manoeuvre.
Apple is the most vital customer for these display suppliers, which means there is a lot of rivalry between them.

Samsung, LG and Sharp are the leaders for being one of the largest display suppliers in the smartphone industry, but a large percentage of their production is focusing on panels for iPhones. Apple is the most vital customer for these display suppliers, which means there is a lot of rivalry between them.

In fact, it appears that Samsung and LG are now fully engaged in a war to obtain from Apple as many OLED orders as possible. Sharp, the underdog in this battle, has already suggested that Apple has made plans to switch to OLED panels for the next-generation phone.

LG Display also has made a huge investment in flexible OLED panels throughout the year, increasing its facility and retooling half of it specifically for production of this type of display. LG has put in a considerable amount of money in its facilities to ramp up its production of flexible OLED panels with investment reaching up to $1.75 billion.

Even Samsung Display has reportedly invested over $5.15 billion in facilities from the beginning of this year to Q3, and the additional investment will increase Samsungs total investment in OLEDs of this year to approximately $9.7 billion.

So, this means Samsung and LG have invested about $11.45 billion for flexible OLED panels  shows how these companies treasure Apple as a customer.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
Pretoria: South African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday abandoned a court bid to block a watchdog's report into corruption allegations against him, as calls grew for him to stand down.

Zuma's surprise move came as thousands of people took to the streets of the administrative capital Pretoria to demand that he leaves office.

It paves the way for the release of the probe into accusations that he allowed a wealthy Indian family undue political sway, including letting them choose some cabinet ministers.

"My instructions are to withdraw the application," Zuma's lawyer Anthea Platt told the High Court in Pretoria at the start of the second day of the hearing.

Former public ombudswoman Thuli Madonsela concluded her report into the influence of the Gupta family last month, shortly before the expiry of her seven-year term. It was due to be released on October 14 until Zuma moved to block it.

The president, 74, has survived a string of damaging scandals, but faces increasing criticism as South Africa's economy stalls and after the ruling ANC party suffered unprecedented losses in local polls.

Some factions of the ANC, former anti-apartheid activists and business leaders have all recently called for him to stand down before his term ends in 2019.

Today, thousands of opposition party supporters, unions and civil groups marched through Pretoria to protest against Zuma's presidency.

"I spent the whole night here. Zuma must step down and the Guptas must leave the country. If he does not step down today we will be here until he steps down," Dominic Khulube, 30, an unemployed man from Tembisa, a township outside Johannesburg, told AFP after a vigil by the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party.
The Des Moines Police Department said in a news release that the shootings took place early on Wednesday. (Photo: Representational Image/AP)

Des Moines: Police in Des Moines, Iowa, say two officers have been shot and killed in ambush-style attacks.

The Des Moines Police Department said in a news release that the shootings took place early on Wednesday. Officers responded to a report of shots fired at about 1:06 am and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot.

Des Moines officers responded to assist. About 20 minutes later, a Des Moines officer was found shot. Both officers have died.

The Des Moines Police Department said suspect information is being developed. The agency didn't immediately release any other information but said a news conference was planned for 5 am.
Washington: The FBI has unexpectedly released documents concerning ex-president Bill Clinton's pardon of the husband of a wealthy Democratic donor, in a surprise move just days before the election in which his wife is seeking to become America's first female president.

The release of the heavily redacted 129-page report over the pardon of trader Marc Rich, an investigation that closed in 2005 without charges triggered questions from Democrats already angered by the FBI's probe into hundreds of thousands of newly uncovered emails possibly linked to Hillary Clinton.

While the Rich documents were published online Monday, they received little notice until they were posted on Tuesday on a Twitter account for the Federal Bureau of Investigation's division managing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests that had had no posts since a year ago, except for a small handful released simultaneously on Sunday.

"Absent a FOIA litigation deadline, this is odd," said Hillary Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon.

"Will FBI be posting docs on Trump's housing discrimination in '70s?" he added, referring to Clinton's Republican rival Donald Trump, a billionaire real estate magnate.

The FBI said the documents were posted shortly after they were processed, as with FOIA materials requested three or more times.

"Per the standard procedure for FOIA, these materials became available for release and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBI's public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures," the statement said.

The FBI indicated that this was only a "preliminary" release that could therefore be followed by more.

Rich was indicted on federal charges of tax evasion in the United States. He was a fugitive from the Department of Justice -- at a time one of the FBI's most wanted -- living in exile in Switzerland at the time of his indictment. He died there in 2013.

In a controversial move, Bill Clinton pardoned him on his last day in office on January 20, 2001. The FBI opened its investigation into the pardon later that year.

Rich's ex-wife Denise Eisenberg Rich, whose name was redacted from the FBI files, "has been a major political donor to the Democratic Party, and these donations may have been intended to influence the fugitive's pardon," reads a bureau note requesting that a preliminary investigation be opened.

Some of the donations went to the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation, the predecessor to the Clinton Foundation, according to the document.

"It appears that the required pardon standards and procedures were not followed," reads the FBI document dated February 15, 2001.

The Rich case fell under the watch of current FBI Director James Comey, then a younger prosecutor.

The FBI document dump comes as Comey is under fire, from both Democrats and some Republicans, for effectively reopening in recent days the bureau's investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.
Florida: Indian-American South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has reaffirmed her support to her party candidate Donald Trump in the November 8 general elections saying she will vote for him but "holds her breath" every day on what the controversial Republican will say next.

"Every day I hold my breath wondering what he's gonna say, I mean, I do," Ms Haley told WIBC radio's 93.1 FM yesterday about the 70-year-old real estate tycoon known for his divisive rhetoric.

During the primaries, Haley had endorsed Marco Rubio for presidency and had even clashed with Trump on some policy issues. She, however, said she would vote for Trump in the presidential elections next Tuesday.

"I don't expect everybody to agree with me. What I can tell you is, I have always said that I would support the Republican nominee, that was not a big secret. Everybody's deciding to talk about this again. But I've always said that I was gonna support the Republican nominee," Ms Haley said.

"I have not always agreed with the way Donald Trump has communicated with the public in a time when the Republican Party is more diverse than it's ever been, is continuing to grow its tent, is continuing to pull people together, and showing that, through all the Republican governors and all their successes, you know, to see someone that communicates anything that would divide us is not something that we want," she added.

Responding to a question, Ms Haley said she thinks that this entire election has been "disheartening for both parties".

At the same time, she said she was more concerned about the possibility of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton making appointments to the Supreme Court and to the cabinet.

Haley said by picking Indian Governor Mike Pence as his running mate, Trump has shown that he could be surrounded by good people.

"I will absolutely vote for Trump," she said.

Last week at a news conference, Haley had said that the election has turned her stomach upside down.

"I think I've been really clear. This election has turned my stomach upside down. It has been embarrassing for both parties. It's not something that the country deserves, but it's what we've got."

"Having said that, what I will tell you is that this is no longer a choice for me on personalities because I'm not a fan of either one," she said, referring to Trump and Clinton. "What it is about is policy."
Washington: For the first time in 30 years, an Indian-American monthly publication has endorsed a US presidential candidate as it asked its readers to vote for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

India Currents, a monthly publication from Bay Area, said in an editorial on Tuesday that it endorsed Clinton as it felt "intense outrage" after the resurfacing of an old video of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. "For the first time in thirty years, we are endorsing a presidential nominee Hillary Clinton to be the next President," said in a joint editorial written by the magazine's editor Nirupama Vaidhyananthan and publisher Vandana Kumar.

Founded in 1987, the monthly is also being published from Washington DC for the past few years.

According to the editorial, the news magazine decided to endorse a presidential candidate after a 15-year-old video of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump resurfaced in which he is seen making lewd remarks about women.

"The right to vote is both a duty and a privilege, and is especially so in this election which I am dubbing the "ism" election. Racism and sexism have been in full display," the editorial said.

"Even Mr and Mrs India would have heard about the video this election cycle the one where Trump bragged about making unwanted sexual advances," it said.

"Before the video surfaced, India Currents had planned the November cover to feature photos of both candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, with a headline "Vote!". After seeing the video, the intense outrage we felt prompted an editorial decision to carry only Hillary Clinton's image on the cover," the editorial said.
ason Eaton went to his girlfriend's house in Indiana with an engagement ring, but he fatally shot her after she turned down his marriage proposal. (Photo: Facebbook)

Indiana: US police have arrested a man for murdering his 44-year-old girlfriend after she rejected his marriage proposal.

According to a report in The Washington Post, Jason Eaton went to his girlfriend's house in Indiana with an engagement ring, but he fatally shot her after she turned down his marriage proposal.

The matter came to light when the accused walked into the Greensburg police department and demanded to speak with a police officer. He then told the official that he killed his girlfriend.

In his testimony, Eaton said that he had planned to propose to his lover. However, she said 'no' even before he could ask her. He also said that he then grabbed a gun and shot his girlfriend in the head.

The victim's son said that he knew that his mother would turn down her boyfriend's proposal as she did not want to remarry. "Anybody instantly would fall in love when they met her. She was a wonderful person," he said recalling his mother.

Son of murdered Greensburg woman holds a photograph of her. (Photo: Twitter)

Eaton faces murder charges and has been detained.
New York: A New York man has admitted killing his pregnant girlfriend in front of her children by stomping on her head inside their upstate apartment.

Thirty-nine-year-old Michael Donyell Norwood pleaded guilty Monday in Montgomery County Court to second-degree murder. In a plea agreement with prosecutors, he's expected to be sentenced next month to 25 years to life in prison.

Authorities say Norwood raped 30-year-old Beth Ann Logan in Amsterdam late on the night of March 28, then stomped on her head and body while wearing work boots while her four children ranging in age from 9 to 13 were present.

Logan died at an Albany hospital five days later. Logan was 13 weeks pregnant at the time of the attack, and the fetus didn't survive.
Iowa: Two Des Moines area police officers were shot to death early Wednesday in separate ambush-style attacks while they were sitting in their patrol cars, and police are searching for a suspect, authorities said.

Officers responded to a report of shots fired at 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot. Authorities from several agencies saturated the area after that shooting, and about 20 minutes later discovered that a Des Moines officer had been shot in a patrol car at an intersection, Des Moines Sgt. Paul Parizek said.

The shootings happened less than 2 miles apart and both took place along main streets that cut through residential areas.

"There's somebody out there shooting police officers. We hope to find him before somebody else gets hurt," said Parizek, who stopped briefly during a news conference as he worked to control his emotions.

Law enforcement officials investigate at the scene of a shooting. (Photo: AP)

Des Moines and Urbandale Police later said in a statement that they have identified 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene as a suspect in the killings, describing him as armed and dangerous and urging members of the public to not approach him.

Police described Greene, of Urbandale, as 5' 11" and 180 lbs with brown hair and green eyes, last known to be driving a blue 2011 Ford F-150 with Iowa license plate 780 YFR.

The shootings follow a spate of police killings, including ambushes of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Five officers were killed in Dallas on July 7 and three were killed later that month in Baton Rouge.

"There is a clear and present danger to police officers," Parizek said. He said officers are now conducting patrols in pairs for protection.

Urbandale Sgt. Chad Underwood said he believes this is the first time an officer in his department has been shot in the line of duty.

Urbandale officers are equipped with body cameras, but they don't run constantly and it's unclear whether there was video of the shootings.

The attacks on police this summer in Dallas and Baton Rouge came in the wake of several high-profile police shootings of black men, fueling a national debate about police use of force, especially against minorities - a frequent topic in the nation's presidential race.

Republican nominee Donald Trump has argued that police need the freedom to use greater force, while Democrat Hillary Clinton has taken a more nuanced position of supporting officers while also calling for restraint when dealing with minority communities. The most divisive general election in memory is just six days away.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad called the killings Wednesday, "an attack on the public safety of all Iowans."

"We call on Iowans to support our law enforcement officials in bringing this suspect to justice. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the police officers who were tragically killed in the line of duty as well as the officers who continue to put themselves in harm's way."

Urbandale is a suburb of about 40,000 people in the Des Moines metro area with about 50 officers. Officials in Urbandale cancelled school for the day. Des Moines has about 375 sworn officers.
Washington: North Korea is preparing to launch an intermediate range ballistic missile within the next three days, Fox Business Network reported on Tuesday, citing two unidentified US officials.

The communist nation planned the launch for between 24 and 72 hours, the cable network reported. It would be the latest in a series of launches by the isolated country this year in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, supported by China, that ban all ballistic missile-related activities by the North.
Orlando, Florida: The wife of the gunman who shot 49 people to death at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, knew he had been watching jihadist videos but was unaware he planned to commit mass murder, she said in a New York Times interview published on Tuesday.

Noor Salman, in her first extensive public comments since the June 12 shooting rampage that ended with police killing her husband, Omar Mateen, also said he physically abused her during their five-year marriage, even while she was pregnant.

US investigators questioned Salman within days of the massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A law enforcement source at the time told Reuters that Salman knew of Mateen's plans for the attack, the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history.

Media reports in June indicated Salman faced imminent arrest in the investigation, but no charges have been brought against her.

"I was unaware of everything," Salman, 30, told the New York Times in the interview. "I don't condone what he has done. I am very sorry for what has happened."

She and Mateen, then 29, lived in Fort Pierce, Florida, until the shooting. She and her young son have since relocated three times. She said she often cannot get out of bed and depends on family to care for her son.

"I just want people to know that I am human," Salman told the paper. "I am a mother."

In emergency-911 calls placed by Mateen in the midst of the shooting spree, he professed allegiance to the head of Islamic State, the militant group that has seized vast swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria and claimed responsibility for numerous bomb and gun attacks on civilians in Europe.

An FBI spokeswoman on Tuesday said in a statement, "We have never said whether we are investigating any other individuals in connection with the shooting."

Salman, a native of California, acknowledged that she was aware that Mateen, the US-born son of immigrants from Afghanistan, was watching jihadist videos before the attack, according to the New York Times.

The FBI, after questioning Mateen in 2013 and 2014 for suspected ties to Islamist militants, concluded he did not pose a threat. Salman told the New York Times she was not particularly alarmed about Mateen watching the videos because the FBI appeared to have cleared him.

Salman also told the newspaper that she was the victim of repeated domestic violence at the hands her husband, who she said choked her, pulled her by the hair and threatened to kill her.

Once when she was pregnant, he punched her hard enough on the shoulder to leave a bruise, and later threatened to seize custody of their son if she divorced him, Salman said. According to her account, Mateen taunted her by saying she would never be able to prove his abuse of her.
Duterte's tirades have been partly in response to American criticism of his war on crime. (Photo: AFP)

Manila: Ex-Philippine leader Fidel Ramos has resigned as special envoy to China after criticising President Rodrigo Duterte's tirades against the United States and deadly war on crime.

Duterte said late Tuesday he had received a resignation letter from Ramos, an elderly stalwart of Philippine politics who had been a trusted ally of the new leader but recently branded his rule as a "huge disappointment and let-down".

According to the president, the pair had disagreed on US relations and the domestic crime war, which has claimed more than 4,000 lives in four months.

"I know he is pro-Western. He is a military man who studied there (in the US). You must remember Ramos finished his (studies) in West Point. He really does not want to fight (with the US)," Duterte told reporters.

Duterte appointed Ramos, president from 1992 to 1998, as his envoy to mend relations with Beijing, which had soured under the previous administration over competing territorial claims to the South China Sea.

Ramos, 88, travelled to Hong Kong in August on an "icebreaker" trip to meet with senior Chinese officials.

But Ramos did not join Duterte in Beijing last month for a state visit that cemented better ties and secured billions of dollars in Chinese investments and loans.

Ramos told GMA7 television this week he had resigned because he had done what was needed to improve ties with China.

But Duterte's comments pointed to a much deeper falling out with Ramos, who he had repeatedly publicly thanked for supporting his bid to become president.

Ramos, a former police and military general, has for decades been a powerful political force in the Philippines, and as armed forces vice chief of staff, he was key in turning the military against dictator Ferdinand Marcos during the 1986 "People Power" revolution.

Ramos has in recent weeks been openly critical of Duterte's attacks on the US and threats to end the two nations' military alliance.

Duterte's tirades have been partly in response to American criticism of his war on crime.

"So, what gives? Are we throwing away decades of military partnership, tactical proficiency, compatible weaponry, predictable logistics and soldier-to-soldier camaraderie just like that," Ramos wrote in a newspaper column to mark Duterte's 100th day in office.

Ramos has also been one of the few prominent political figures to directly criticise Duterte's anti-drugs crackdown.
Manila: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte chided the United States on Wednesday for halting the planned sale of 26,000 rifles to his country, calling those behind the decision "fools" and "monkeys" and indicating he might turn to Russia and China instead.

Duterte's tirades against the former colonial power are routine during his speeches and he said on Wednesday he once believed in Washington, but had since lost respect for what is the Philippines' biggest ally.

The US State Department halted the sale of the assault rifles to the Philippine police after US Senator Ben Cardin said he would oppose it, Senate aides told Reuters on Monday.

Aides said Cardin, the top Democrat on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was reluctant for the United States to provide the weapons given concern about human rights violations in the Philippines during Duterte's bloody, four-month-old war on drugs.

"Look at these monkeys, the 26,000 firearms we wanted to buy, they don't want to sell," Duterte said during a televised speech.

"Son of a bitch, we have many home-made guns here. These American fools."

More than 2,300 people have been killed in police operations or by suspected vigilantes as part of Duterte's anti-narcotics campaign, which was the lynchpin of his election campaign.

Duterte has vented his anger at the United States for raising concerns about the extra-judicial killings.

"That's why I was rude at them, because they were rude at me," he said.

According to procedures in Washington, the State Department informs Congress when international weapons sales are in the works. Aides said the State Department had been informed Cardin would oppose the deal during the prenotification process, thus halting the sale.

US State Department officials did not comment.

The Philippine police chief, Ronald dela Rosa, on Tuesday expressed disappointment that police would not get the M4 rifles, which he said were reliable.

Duterte reiterated that Russia and China had shown willingness to sell arms to the Philippines, but he would wait to see if his military wanted to continue using US weapons.

"Russia, they are inviting us. China also. China is open, anything you want, they sent me brochure saying we select there, we'll give you.

"But I am holding off because I was asking the military if they have any problem. Because if you have, if you want to stick to America, fine.

"But, look closely and balance the situation, they are rude to us."
Initial machine gun bursts were fired into the air, but the crew were later ordered to fire on the bows of the Chinese boats that were sailing directly at the coastguard vessels. (Photo: Representational Image/AP)

Seoul: South Korean coastguard vessels have, for the first time, fired machine guns against Chinese boats illegally fishing in Korean waters, an official said on Wednesday.

There were no casualties reported from the incident on Wednesday, which was the first of its kind since the coastguard announced last month that it would pursue a "more aggressive" firearms policy with Chinese trawlers.

Disputes over illegal fishing have dogged relations between South Korea and China for years, and there have been numerous clashes between the coastguard and Chinese crew members.

Senior coastguard official Kim Jung-Shik said the order to fire came during a stand-off with some 30 Chinese fishing boats illegally operating near the South's Yellow Sea border with North Korea.

"They tried to ram our ships although we repeatedly warned them," Kim told the Yonhap news agency.

"I thought our officers would be in danger if I allowed any more resistance so we ended up using the crew service weapon," he was quoted as saying.

Initial machine gun bursts were fired into the air, but the crew were later ordered to fire on the bows of the Chinese boats that were sailing directly at the coastguard vessels. Two Chinese trawlers were seized in the clash.

Seoul has been asking Beijing to take a tougher stand on its vessels that have entered the South's waters in increasing numbers to satisfy growing demand at home for fresh seafood.

Small wooden Chinese ships were once tolerated in an area where the top priority has always been guarding against potential incursions from North Korea.

But in recent years, the small boats have given way to larger steel trawlers which engage in bottom trawling dragging a large weighted net across the seabed that sweeps up everything in its path.
London: Prime Minister Theresa May will raise the issue of six former British soldiers lodged in a Tamil Nadu jail with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during her upcoming visit to India.

A UK Foreign Office spokesperson today confirmed to the families of the ex-soldiers sentenced for carrying arms on a commercial ship that the issue will feature in May's bilateral talks during her three-day visit to New Delhi and Bengaluru starting this Sunday.

"We recognise what a difficult time this is for those involved and we have taken significant action on this case. The Prime Minister has been clear that she intends to raise it with Prime Minister Modi during her visit next week," the spokesperson said.

The Foreign Office also highlighted that the Indian-origin Foreign Office minister for Asia, Alok Sharma, had also "pressed for progress" on the issue during his first official visit to India in July, and again last month.

Earlier this year, the then-Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire had travelled to India to meet the men personally.

The Foreign Office said it continues to provide ongoing support to all six men and their families and is "working to make sure the men's welfare is protected in prison".

However, Lisa Dunn, the sister of Nick Dunn -- one of the jailed men, said May must not "waste" all her time talking about trade deals while in India.

"Theresa May has the power to end this now, and that's what we want her to do. She cannot waste this opportunity face-to-face with Modi, she has six British men at her mercy, and can't just waste it talking about her trade deals," Dunn told BBC.

"These were six British soldiers who served this country and they need help. It's an absolute travesty if she fails to raise it. The power is in her hands and we're begging her for help," she said.

The men were arrested in 2013 among 35 crew members and sentenced by a Tamil Nadu court to five years in prison in January this year for carrying unlicensed firearms.

An appeal has been lodged against their sentences, but a judge in Chennai ruled the men cannot be released on bail.

They were held while working for an anti-piracy security company protecting commercial ships off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. All six men have consistently maintained their innocence.

Joanne Tomlinson, the sister of another jailed ex-soldier -- John Armstrong, said that while the men have had consular support from the Foreign Office, "we feel there is so much more they can do".

"They have spent more than 18 months in prison now, and we feel there must be more diplomatic pressure that can be put on (India). Six of our veterans are imprisoned there. They should be speeding the legal process up," she said.

The men - Dunn, Armstrong, Billy Irving, Ray Tindall, Paul Towers, and Nicholas Simpson -- have been backed by more than 20 British MPs, including former British Premier David Cameron.
London: Keith Vaz, Britain's longest serving Indian-origin MP who had quit as the chairman of Home Affairs Committee of parliament in September following accusations of his alleged involvement with male prostitutes and drugs, has been elected to join the Justice Committee of the House of Commons.

According to a report in the Hindustan Times, Vaz was voted by lawmakers despite a conservative MP's bid to block him.

Attempting to halt Vaz's selection in the committee, Andrew Bridgen said, "An allegation in the Sunday Mirror, with supporting video footage, implied (Vaz) had offered to purchase class A drugs while using the services of escorts. And yet here we are only a relatively few weeks later and the same member is seeking a position on the prestigious and influential Justice Committee while matters relating to his recent resignation remain. A potential police investigation still hangs over him."

"I think it'd be a huge mistake for this House to place him in a position on the Justice Committee when he has so many questions to answer," he added.

Vaz, who is married and has two children, had been accused of meeting two male prostitutes from eastern Europe at his London flat last month. He had allegedly told the escorts to get the party drug known as "poppers" and was also quoted as discussing the possibility of paying for cocaine at a future meeting, but added that he would not take the drug himself.

Following the series of accusations, he had stepped aside as chair of the influential House of Commons Home Affairs Committee, which he had headed for the past 10 years. However, he recently emerged as a member of the Justice Committee of the House of Commons with the backing of his Labour Party.
Buildings are damaged after clashes between Iraqi security forces and members the Islamic state in the city of Kirkuk. (Photo: AP)

Kirkuk: A college student has revealed how she and her friend hid under their beds for hours in Iraqs northern city of Kirkuk during violent clashes between Islamic State fighters and the army, as some fighters of the terrorist group stormed in and out of their house last month.

According to a report in The Washington Post, Monaly Atalla and six of her college roommates concealed themselves under a bed in their house and could hear ISIS fighters talking and praying in other rooms.

As fear gripped her, Antalla sent a text message to her mother warning her against making any calls.

"I am trapped in a house with Islamic State fighters. Do not call me," said the only text she sent to her mother.

As a fierce battled raged on outside the house, the students just had a thin blanket covering them from the eyes of the most dreaded militants in the world. Two fighters who passed from their room were grievously injured and the students could smell the sweat and blood that covered the men.

All the students hiding in the house were women between the ages 20-23 and all of them were devout Christians who had fled Mosul over two years back because ISIS had taken control of the region.

Recalling her harrowing experience, Antalla said that she and her friends had first taken refuge in a closet and used their laptops to charge their phones. They could hear men coming into their house and the sound of glass breaking in their kitchen. Some men had barged in, eaten what they could find and left.

The women got out of closet and armed themselves with knives before deciding to hide under a bed towards the evening. More men kept moving in and out of their house as their area was witness to very heavy gun fighting and both soldiers and ISIS fighters were taking cover in surrounding houses.

While Antalla was under the bed, the boot of one of the fighter touched her shoulders and fear gripped her like never before.

I thought at that moment, this is it, Antalla said. She thought she was going to die or even worse.

Luckily for the women, there was no electricity and heavy gun fire made it hard for the militants around them to hear anything. The chaos and darkness around them helped them hide without being discovered.

The next day, they were rescued by a Kirkuk police officer who said they could have been beheaded, had they been found by the Islamic State fighters.
Colonel Abdulla Rashid, director of Al Qusais police station, said that people should educate their children on how to behave with strangers and also report any indecent behaviour to their parents. (Representational Image)

Dubai: Dubai police arrested a Filipino granny after she was accused of allegedly molesting a four-year-old girl while she was playing in the kids' area at a shopping mall. The incident took place in Dubai's Al Mizhar area.

According to a report in the Khaleej Times, police said that the victims' mother had left her four-year-old girl and five-year-old boy in the play area under the nanny's protection while she went to a salon.

However, upon returning, she accused the nanny of sexually abusing her daughter and forcing the minor girl to watch a porn film on her mobile phone. She also accused the nanny of touching her daughter inappropriately.

Colonel Abdulla Rashid, director of Al Qusais police station, said that people should educate their children on how to behave with strangers and also report any indecent behaviour to their parents.

Meanwhile, police officials dismissed the case and released the nanny on bail stating that the case lacked concrete evidence.

Rashid also claimed that in the past nine months, around 6.750 cases of crime and robbery have been reported. However, apart from 155 cases, all have been solved.

Police department also said that they have deployed women patrols in several areas around the city.
Tehran: Iran's supreme leader said Wednesday that the level of debate between the US presidential election frontrunners showed the "catastrophe" of American politics and warned against any further negotiations with Washington.

"These two candidates (Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump) show the catastrophic reality which goes beyond what even we were saying," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech reported on his website.

"Their statements are proof of the destruction of human values in the United States," Khamenei said.

"The trampling of human values and human rights, racial discrimination and racism are the reality in American society."

Khamenei's speech came as Iran marked the 37th anniversary of the storming of the US embassy in Tehran by radical students, who took more than 50 staff hostage for 444 days sparking a rupture of diplomatic relations that lasts to this day.

He said Iran's continued exclusion from the global banking system despite the lifting of international sanctions under a nuclear deal with world powers showed the United States could not be trusted.

"Some people try to develop this dangerous idea that if we compromise with the United States, the problems of our country will be solved," he said.

"The nuclear deal and the attitude of the United States are an example that shows this is not correct."

Although international sanctions were lifted in January, Washington has maintained its own sanctions related to human rights and Iran's missile programme -- effectively preventing Iran's return to the banking system.

Khamenei, who has the final say in all matters of state in Iran, said he saw no point in holding talks with Washington on the multiple conflicts gripping the region.

"Some say we should negotiate and compromise with the United States with regard to Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and even our internal affairs.

"Negotiating with the United States will not solve the problems. First, because they lie, they don't respect their commitments, trick others. And secondly, because the United States is itself in crisis."
Iraq's elite counterterrorism forces advance toward Islamic State positions in the village of Tob Zawa, about 9 kilometers from Mosul. (Photo: AP)

Bartalla, Iraq: Ex-Philippine leader resigns as Ro Iraqi forces fought their way into jihadist-held Mosul on Tuesday, the military said, as a top commander declared the true liberation of the city from the Islamic State group had begun.

Just over two weeks into the massive offensive to retake Mosul -- ISs last major stronghold in Iraq -- soldiers managed to push within city limits.

Troops had entered the Judaidat Al-Mufti area, within the left bank of the city of Mosul, said the Joint Operations Command.

Mosul is split by the Tigris River, with the eastern half of the city known as the left bank. Judaidat al-Mufti is on the southeastern side of the city.

Map of the region around Mosul, with the situation on the ground. (Photo: AFP)

Elite Iraqi forces had also recaptured the key village of Gogjali and taken control of a television station building belonging to a local affiliate of Iraqiya state TV on the eastern edge of the city.

Fighters from the US-trained Counter-Terrorism Service had pushed into the area amid heavy fighting on the eastern front in the past two days.

Now is the beginning of the true liberation of the city of Mosul, Staff General Taleb Sheghati al-Kenani, the commander of the CTS, told Iraqiya from Gogjali.

We are working with army units to secure the area and advance on Mosul together, Muntathar Salem, a lieutenant colonel with CTS told an AFP reporter near the front line.

Soldiers from Iraqs 16th Division also retook a series of villages north of Mosul, according to the Joint Operations Command, while pro-government paramilitary forces said they captured villages southwest of the city.

Backed by air and ground support from a US-led coalition, tens of thousands of Iraqi fighters have been converging on Mosul.

Since the offensive was launched on October 17, federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters have retaken a series of villages as they advance on the city from the north, east and south.

Die or surrender

Some 4,000 to 7,000 jihadists are believed to be in and around Mosul, where IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a cross-border caliphate after the group seized control of large parts of Iraq and neighbouring Syria two years ago.

Colonel John Dorrian, the spokesman for the US-led coalition against IS, said it had targeted the jihadists with nearly 3,000 bombs, artillery shells, rockets and missiles since the operation began.

Weve taken out hundreds of fighters, fighting positions (and) weapons in the strikes, Dorrian said.

As his forces advanced, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi warned the jihadists they would have no place to run.

We will close in on (IS) from every place, he said on state television on Monday, dressed in a camouflage uniform.

They dont have an exit, they dont have an escape, they can only surrender -- they can die or they can surrender, said Abadi.

For now the jihadists do have an escape route -- to the west towards IS-controlled territory in Syria.

Paramilitary forces from the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation), an umbrella organisation dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militia, launched an assault at the weekend to cut off that route.

They have been advancing north, their sights set on the town of Tal Afar which commands the citys western approaches.

On the northern and eastern sides of Mosul, peshmerga forces from the autonomous Kurdish region have taken a series of villages and towns and consolidated their positions, while federal forces have advanced toward the city from the south.

Human shields

Iraqi forces are expected to try to open safe corridors for the million-plus civilians still believed to be inside.

Humanitarian organisations have been fighting against the clock to build up the capacity to handle the possible mass exodus from the city.

The United Nations says up to one million people could be displaced in the coming weeks.

Save the Children said Tuesday that up to 600,000 children may be trapped in Mosul, calling for safe routes to be opened for them and other civilians to leave.

More than 17,900 people have already fled their homes since the operation began, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The UN said Tuesday it had received more reports of IS fighters forcing thousands of civilians into Mosul, possibly to be used as human shields.

In the early hours of Monday, IS fighters brought dozens of long trucks and mini-buses to Hamam al-Alil... south of Mosul, in an attempt to forcibly transfer some 25,000 civilians towards locations in and around Mosul, said the UN rights office.

Most of the vehicles were prevented from reaching Mosul because of coalition aircraft patrolling the area, it added.

The jihadists also reportedly killed 40 former Iraqi security forces members and dumped their bodies in the river, UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva.

That would bring to 296 the number of former Iraqi security officers killed by IS since last Tuesday, according to the UN.

IS has been losing ground steadily in Iraq since 2015 and the outcome of the Mosul battle is in little doubt, but commanders have warned it could last months.drigo Duterte's China envoy
Bilateral ties between India and Pakistan are at a all time low. (Representational Image)

Islamabad: Pakistan may expel two Indian diplomats in Islamabad for spying and has revealed their names, Pakistani media said on Wednesday, the latest tit-for-tat measure amid worsening ties between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

Pakistani officials believe one of the two Indian men worked for the RAW spy agency, while the other spied for India's Intelligence Bureau, said Pakistani Geo TV and most other channels, citing anonymous sources.

In New Delhi, Vikas Swarup, the spokesman for Ministry of External Affairs said the ministry was "aware" of the media reports.

"We have yet to receive any official communication in the matter," Swarup added.

Geo TV reported that commercial counsellor Rajesh Agnihotri and press counsellor Balbir Singh may be expelled.

Citing sources, the channel claimed that Agnihotri was directly linked with RAW while Singh was working for Intelligence Bureau (IB) and they were allegedly using their positions in Pakistan as cover to hide their real identities.

It claimed Singh was also running a network of militants in Pakistan and expelled High Commission official Surgeet Singh was also part of his network.

The development came after reports that Pakistan may call back at least four officials at its High Commission in India after they were named in a recorded statement of Mehmood Akhtar who was briefly detained and then expelled by India.

They include commercial counsellor Syed Furrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal.
Islamabad: The bail plea of Nat Geo's famed ' Afghan Girl' Sharbat Gula was rejected by a special court on Wednesday.

Gula was arrested from her Peshawar residence by the FIA for alleged forgery of a Computerised National Identity Card ( CNIC) on October 26 and since then has been in the custody of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) since October 26.

According to Sharbat Gula's lawyer, she was on her way to Afghanistan when she was arrested.

Gula's lawyer during a bail hearing on Tuesday told the court that his client is currently suffering from Hepatitis C and is the sole bread winner of her family.

Earlier in the week, a local court had sent her to prison on judicial remand.

The court observed in its order that she replied in negative and refused to confess her guilt when asked whether she wanted to record her confession

The court then sent the suspect on judicial remand for 14 days to Peshawar central prison.
People look at a ship on fire following an explosion, in the coastal town of Gadani, Pakistan. (Photo: AP)

Quetta: Pakistani firefighters were battling on Wednesday to douse a fire still raging more than a day after a series of explosions on a decommissioned oil tanker, with the death toll rising to 17, and more than 20 workers missing, officials said.

Tuesday's initial blast occurred as workers were welding near a fuel tank in a shipbreaking yard in Gaddani, 45 km (28 miles) northwest of the southern port city of Karachi, said Zulfiqar Bokhari, a local administration official.

"The fire is still burning," said Bokhari, adding that civilian and military firefighters were struggling to put out the flames, which had been ignited by two blasts in quick succession and followed by eight more explosions.

At least 58 people were injured in the blasts, and between 20 and 25 people were still missing, he added.

Labourers in Gaddani often work in poor conditions without basic protective gear.

The Gaddani ship-breaking industry, which has fallen on hard times recently, employs about 9,000 workers, far fewer than during its boom years at the end of the last decade.
The complaints received by the commission illustrate that torture is routinely used in all parts of Sri Lanka regardless of the nature of the suspected offence for which the person is arrested. (Photo: Representational Image/AP)

Colombo: In a candid admission, Sri Lanka's human rights commission has informed a UN panel that detainees were being "routinely" subjected to torture in the country irrespective of the offences for which they were arrested.

Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has reported to the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) that the practice of inflicting severe pain on a person as a punishment is being routinely used across the country irrespective of the offence for which that person is arrested.

Torture is used not only during interrogation but also during the process of arrest, according to the periodic review report of October.

The complaints received by the commission illustrate that torture is routinely used in all parts of Sri Lanka regardless of the nature of the suspected offence for which the person is arrested.

For instance, those arrested on suspicion of robbery, possession of drugs, assault, treasure hunting, dispute with family/spouse, have been subjected to torture.

"The prevailing culture of impunity where those accused of torture is concerned is also a contributing factor to the routine use of torture as a means of interrogation and investigation," the commission said.

According to HRCSL, usually, complainants are from low-income groups.

The commission has received complaints of persons sometimes being arrested with family members, sometimes arrests being made due to mistaken identity, and torture used to elicit information or to punish.

According to the report, in 2010 the Commission received 566 complaints against torture, while this number increased to 579 in 2011. In 2012, there were 542 complaints followed by 600 complaints in 2013.

In 2014, a total of 489 complaints were lodged in relation to torture, while in 2015 there were 420 complaints.

As of August 31, 2016, a total of 208 complaints have been received in relation to torture, with a majority of the complaints being recorded at the Commissions head office in Colombo.
The Indian government has begun to experiment with the coordinated use of non-military and sub-military options to deal with the Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. However, it is too early to say if there is a sustainable structural change in Indias Pakistan policy and if the new policy will force Pakistan to reconsider its approach towards India.





Questioning Pakistans presence in Balochistan is part of this new policy. Two months ago, this catapulted Balochistan into our drawing rooms. Sections of the media rushed to predict Balochistans (impending) secession overlooking the barriers to a Bangla-desh-style stand alone secession.



This is not merely sensationalism or partisan rant. It betrays a lack of familiarity with Balochistan. Hardly any of Indian journalists, diplomats or academics have spent time in the Pakistani Balochistan. This is reflected in the dearth of depth in news coverage and commentary on Balochistan.



The feasibility of Baloch secession has to be assessed vis-a-vis the Pakistani states structure. There are two types of large countries (in terms of area or population). In Pakistan-type large countries, which include Saudi Arabia, China and Russia, ethno-linguistic/religious minority provinces account for a very large share of the countrys area. However, minority provinces account for a small share of area in the India-type large countries, which include Bangladesh.



Pakistan is divided into four provinces (Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan) besides administrative units of Islamabad and Federally Administered Tribal Areas or FATA (in addition, it has occupied Gilgit-Baltistan and parts of Kashmir and Jammu).



The balance of power between these ethno-linguistic provinces is crucial for Pakistans integrity. No Pakistani government, noted a former Census Commissioner of Pakistan, is prepared to face census results which sharply changed inter-provincial ratios. Unsurprisingly, Pakistan has not conducted a census after 1998.



Pakistan is precariously held together by an imploding Islam, an imported language (Urdu that is the mother tongue of a minority), the supposedly existential threat posed by India, and the world communitys fear of balkanisation of a nuclear Pakistan. The USSR, which was structurally akin to Pakistan, collapsed after its core province Russia found the cost of maintaining the Union unbearable. Likewise, a sufficient condition for Pakistans disintegration is that the Union ceases to be beneficial for Punjab.



Punjab, the only province that suffered dismemberment in 1947 and whose main population centres are close to the Indian border, accounts for about a quarter of Pakistans area and more than half of its population. Union with other provinces provides Punjab with strategic depth vis-a-vis India and access to the outer world. Punjab will be landlocked without Sindh and Balochistan.



Punjab depends on Khyber Pakhtun-khwa, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Jammu (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan for water and on Sindh and Balochistan for minerals and energy. Without Sindh, it will be deprived of access to Pakistans commercial hub, Karachi. Similarly, without Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad will find it difficult to control Gilgit-Baltistan.



Pakistans military assets are distributed across provinces to evade India. This expands the reach of the Punjabi-dominated military. So, Punjab is the only province that has an abiding material, strategic and emotional interest in Pakistans integrity and also the means to protect its interest militarily.



The PoK is five times smaller and 10 times more densely populated than Gilgit-Baltistan. Contrary to popular perception, it is Gilgit-Baltistan that is part of J&Ks Ladakh region, which is far more important to Pakistan than the PoK. Gilgit-Baltistan connects Pakistan with China and insulates Pakistans Pashtun regions from India. Without Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan cannot credibly threaten Indias sovereignty in Jammu and Kashmir.



Gilgit-Baltistans rivers and glaciers are vital for Pakistans water, food and energy security. Building dams in Gilgit-Baltistan is not politically costly: it is sparsely populated; it is ethno-religiously different from Pakistan; it is not represented in the Pakistani Parliament; its citizens cannot approach the Supreme Court; and, it is beyond the reach of media. Pakistans dependence on Gilgit-Baltistan will only increase because of climate change and the continued dependence of the growing population upon agriculture.



Poorest province

Balochistan, which is the poorest pro-vin-ce, accounts for barely 5% of Pakistans population and about two-fifths of its area and two-thirds of its coast-line (Iran and Afghanistans Baloch provinces account for a small part of their area and population).



Mineral-rich Balochistan is a crucial site of Chinese investments, hosts Pakistans nuclear and missile test sites and provides naval depth vis-a-vis India.



Economic stagnation and military oppression have pushed many Balochs into Sindh and West Asia. The Baloch presence in Balochistan is being further eroded by Punjabi and Pashtun settlers. However, unlike most other parts of Pakistan, Balochistan is not landlocked and unlike Sindh, it does not depend on Punjab for water. The sentiment of the decades-old Baloch insurgency is best captured by the late Nawab Akbar Bugtis observation:I have been a Baloch for several centuries a Muslim for 1,400 years a Pakistani for just over 50.



Dependence on Indus river, occasional access to power in Islamabad through the Pakistan Peoples Party and dependence upon the Punjabi-dominated army to control Karachi etc tie the semi-arid Sindh to Punjab.



The Mohajir/Pashtun-dominated Karachi accounts for one-fifth of Pakistans GDP and half of its tax revenue and is the most important hub for international air and maritime transport. Sindh is a swing state because it is the largest minority province, the only province other than Punjab whose inclusion in Pakistan is not legally/historically questionable, and has close relations with both Punjab and Balochistan.



Given its small population and Punjabs abiding material interest and military capability to contest secession, Balochistan can become independent only if Baloch insurgent and tribal factions unite and Sindh loses faith in Pakistan. Indias capacity to facilitate Baloch unity and unrest in Sindh and the response of Afghanistan, China, Iran, and the US to Indian manoeuvrings require a separate discussion.

(The writer teaches at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru)
An ex-serviceman allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison over the issue of One Rank One Pension scheme (OROP) here.





The 70-year-old ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal from Haryana's Bhiwani district ended his life in the lawns behind the Jawahar Bhavan, which houses the Ministry of External Affairs, last evening.



Police said he along with three of his companions had come to the city apparently to submit a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP.



Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said he was saddened over the death of Grewal.



"Saddened by the death of subedar Ram Kishen Grewal. I express my heartfelt condolences. I have asked officials to provide me with details," Parrikar said in a tweet.

According to his friends, Grewal, who served in the Army and the Defence Security Corps for 30 years, had been upset over the issue for sometime.



Defence Ministry sources said as per records, no request for appointment with Parrikar was made.



Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the suicide of an ex-serviceman here, saying both farmers and soldiers were ending their lives in his regime.



Kejriwal, a bitter critic of Modi, also alleged that the Prime Minister was "lying" that the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme was being implemented by the Centre, contending that ex-serviceman, Ram Kishan Grewal, would not have committed suicide if the scheme was being executed by the Centre.



A group of ex-servicemen led by Major General Satbir Singh (Retd) have been protesting against the OROP scheme introduced by the government.



He is now an advisor to a new political party, Fauji Janta Party, which will fight in the upcoming Punjab Assembly Polls.



The alleged suicide came just days after a one-man judicial committee on OROP submitted its report to Parrikar.



The Centre, which has implemented the OROP, a demand which had been pending for decades, had appointed the committee under the Chairmanship of Justice L Narasimha Reddy, retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court to look into the anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP.



The Ministry is currently studying the report and sources had said it will take a decision soon.



The ex-serviceman have been holding protests at Jantar Mantar, Delhi's designated site for protests, to demand changes in OROP. Protesters say four of their primary conditions have not been met by the government.



The main demands are revision of pension every year rather than the five years as decided by the government and OROP being extended to pre-mature retirees.



Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar said he is anguished by the suicide of Grewal of 105 Infantry Btn (TA) and DSC.



"He died at Jantar Mantar where veterans have protested in the past and some continue to protest despite my calls to call off the protest. My deepest condolences to his family and his friends," he said in a statement.



The MP urged Parrikar to urgently resolve the outstanding issues/anomalies of OROP and also the 7th Central Pay Commission that continue to agitate and worry those serving and the veterans.



"I urge him, as I have done repeatedly, to involve direct representation from the armed forces in resolving these issues and not leave it only to the bureaucrats and to do so urgently," he said.


The eight SIMI activists killed in an alleged encounter on Monday sustained gun shots in the head and chest, their lawyer claimed today citing the postmortem reports.





"They were fired upon from the front and all of them sustained injuries in their head and chest, above the waist," lawyer Parvez Alam told PTI claiming that he has seen the postmortem reports of the slain SIMI men.



Repeating his claim that it was a fake encounter, he said that according to a Supreme Court ruling, police should fire below the waist.



Alam said that he will petition the local court for medical examination of the remaining members of the banned organisation lodged in the jail here and alleged they were assaulted. He also claimed that there was threat to his life.



The activists were killed on the city outskirts at Malikheda following their escape from the high-security jail after slitting the throat of a security guard and scaling the 32-ft wall using bedsheets in the wee hours of October 31.



"I am going to move the Bhopal Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court today seeking to conduct medical examination on 20-odd so-called SIMI members in jail," he said.

"I have learnt that they have been brutally beaten," he alleged.



"Besides, I am going to meet MP Director General of Police and seek security for myself," Alam said.



"As I am openly speaking against the encounter, now I fear for my life and family members after the cold-blooded murder of my clients," he added.



Yesterday, bodies of seven of the eight SIMI activists, who were killed in the encounter, were buried in different parts of Madhya Pradesh amid tight security.



While the last rites of Amjad Khan, Zakir Hussain, Mohammad Salik, Sheikh Mehboob, Aqueel Khilji, Mohammed Khalid and Abdul Majid were conducted in the state, the body of another deceased Sheikh Mujeeb was taken to Ahmedabad by his family members.



All the bodies were handed over to the kin after post-mortem here. While taking custody of the bodies, the relatives questioned the genuineness of the police encounter.



However, police has dismissed criticism over the encounter killing of the SIMI activists, saying there was heavy exchange of fire in which they were felled and four countrymade guns and some sharp-edged weapons were recovered from them.



IG Yogesh Chaudhary has maintained that all questions raised over the encounter were a matter of investigation as the series of events over seven hours between their escape and killing were still being probed.



This came soon after a controversy raged over the police action following the daring pre-dawn jail-break, as TV channels showed footage purportedly from the encounter site in which a policeman is seen pumping bullets into a man from close range after some unidentified person takes out what appears to be a knife said to be in a plastic cover and places it back.



Besides the veracity of the video, police is also probing how the SIMI terror suspects could lay their hands on weapons after their escape.



Alam had yesterday said that the families of the accused have decided to move the Madhya Pradesh High Court for a CBI probe into entire episode as well as the killings what they called a "fake" encounter.


Forty new CCTV cameras will be installed soon in North and South Avenues to boost security in this part of Lutyens Zone which houses over 400 flats of parliamentarians.





Eighty-nine pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras are already installed in South Avenue and 86 in North Avenue, said a police officer posted in the area.



The first CCTV camera was installed there in 2012 and still its active.



The flats are allotted to MPs who stay there when they come to the capital from their constituencies, mostly to attend a Parliament session.



The process of installing CCTV cameras in parts of Lutyens Zone has been underway for some time now.



Tighten loopholes

But the changing security situation has spurred agencies to tighten all loopholes which might exist.



The area around the two avenues comes under a high-risk security zone and has several vital installations like Presidents House, Vice Presidents house, Vigyan Bhavan and Defence Research and Development Organisation.



Despite having a very low crime rate, two full-fledged police stations North Avenue and South Avenue  are situated in the area.



A senior police officer told Deccan Herald that since the occupants are away for most of the year, police need to be extra vigilant.



As the flats remain locked most of the time in a year, chances of burglary are very high. Some parts of the colony touch areas of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Gurdwara Rakabganj, which are considered to be crime-prone, the officer added.



Apart from the PTZ cameras, this is one of the few areas in the capital which boasts of License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras installed along the roads.



The LPRs are installed along the arterial roads of the colony. As the name suggests, through them we can detect the number of a vehicle which has driven past.



It is another important thing for the security of this sensitive place, the police officer

added.


Taking tough decision to fight air pollution, the Delhi government has decided to accept public complaints against polluting construction sites on WhatsApp and the Swacch Delhi mobile applications.





The government also plans to install smoke traps above all platforms at 75 cremation grounds to reduce air pollution levels in the national capital.



After chairing a high-level meeting with senior Delhi government officials on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced that the urban departments Swachh Delhi mobile application will now be updated to enable the public to post complaints of dust emitted from construction sites.



Similar complaints can now be sent to the WhatsApp helpline number  9717593574  of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). The government also decided to redesign the helpline by analysing last 10 days data with respect to action taken and feedback from implementing agencies.



He also directed concerned departments  including the DPCC, Public Works Department, Transport among others  to monitor construction sites having a built-up area of more than 20,000 sqm and crack down on firms storing construction material on roads and violating pollution norms.



Chief Secretary K K Sharma was instructed to meet municipal and DPCC officials regarding their collaborative green crematorium project. Under this project, emission control devices such as chimneys and smoke taps are to be installed above all crematorium platforms and subsequently, the air quality level before and after the pilot project is to be studied.



The Public Works Department was instructed to explore the possibility to install air purifiers at key traffic intersections in the national capital and also re-introduce vacuum cleaning of roads  which was stopped during the Monsoon season.



The government also ordered the horticulture department to take strict action against burning of leaves and garbage on roads during winters.



The citys Health Minister Satyendar Jain and Environment Minister Imran Hussain also attended the meeting. Sisodia announced that the government would seek weekly updates on the measures decided in the meeting.



The Particulare Matter (PM) 10 level at Anand Vihar monitoring station was recorded at 1331 ug/m3 on Tuesday, which is less than the 1441 ug/m3 recorded on the day after Diwali but still nearly five times higher than the prescribed limit of 100 ug/m3.



The PM 2.5 level at the citys densely populated RK Puram and Punjabi Bagh areas touched 259 ug/m3 and 248 ug/m3 respectively on Tuesday, which is less than half of the data recorded on Monday but significantly higher than the advised 60 ug/m3.


Should the residents of upscale unauthorised colonies like Sainik Farms, Anant Ram Dairy and Mahendru Enclave, where half of the plots are above 350 sq m, be charged a higher rate for regularisation or penalty?





The Delhi government has been asked to share its view on this crucial question by the central government which is seized of the matter of studying a proposal on regularisation for 1,797 unplanned colonies which are home to nearly 60 lakh people.



The AAP government has also been asked to suggest any other different yardstick that needs to be adopted while regularising the upscale unauthorised colonies and others.



The Revenue Department has started collecting details on the upscale colonies along with collating information related to plot sizes in all the unauthorised colonies in the city.



The Urban Development department of the Delhi government has communicated with the Revenue officials for the collection of data sought by the central government, said an official.



There is no time limit set for the task as the exercise would be time-consuming, said an official.



The central government has sought about two dozen clarifications and additional information from the Delhi government on individual plots in all the illegal colonies.



Some of the information sought by the central government, in a letter written by Union Urban Development Ministrys Under Secretary Sunil Kumar to Delhi Chief Secretary K K Sharma, includes: Name of the colony, total area, population, whether on government land, number of plots in each colony, colony survey report, satellite image of the total area, what percentage of the total colony area is built-up, under which civic agencys jurisdictional area does the colony fall and plot size of each house in each colony.



In a proposal sent to the Union government, the AAP government wants low regularisation charge and penalty on colonies which come under F, G and H catergories and house poor residents.



However, the central government now wants to know how would the concessional

regularisation rate for these poor colonies will be compensated.



The central government wants to know who would bear the financial burden of carrying out development works in the D, E, F,G and H category poor colonies.



In most other colonies, the proposal is to make the residents of the colonies pay for the development work and legal tag that the colony would get.



The Arvind Kejriwal government had proposed to regularise all unauthorised colonies which came up till Janualry 2015 and sent a propsoals to the central government six months ago.


A viable reparation formula for colonial exploitation by British is difficult but a British Prime Minister "bending on knees" asking forgiveness on the centenary of Jallianwala Bagh massacre will wash away in many ways the sense that there are wrongs that have not been acknowledged, feels Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.



The issue of reparation came into limelight after Tharoor spoke at Oxford on the proposition 'Britain Owes Reparations to Her Former Colonies' last year and his speech went viral on social media and was hailed by fans and critics alike. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also had congratulated him for having said "the right things at the right place".



And now he has come out with a book 'An Era of Darkness: The British Empire In India' which discusses, in depth, the variety of ways in which the British nearly destroyed India during the heyday of the Empire. "You cannot quantify the wrongs done. What is far more important than financial reparation would be an apology.



"People who are not responsible today for the wrongs done by their forebearers in the past era apologise nonetheless to people who are not the ones to whom wrong was done. But it is in a sense an entire society apologising to entire people," Tharoor, MP from Thiruvananthapuram, told PTI in an interview. According to him, a viable reparation formula is difficult as a just sum would not be payable and a payable sum would not be just.



Citing two examples of Willy Brandt, the German social democrat leader who was in no way related to the crimes of the Nazis, going on his knees at Warsaw ghetto and apologising, and more recently Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologising for the Komagata Maru incident though Canada did not actually kill anybody, he says these offer a model in the Indian context too.



"These two apologies offer a model for a future British Prime Minister on the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre to come to that site, bend his or her knees and beg forgiveness for all sins committed in the past.



"That I think will wash away in many ways the sense that there are wrongs that have not been acknowledged," the former Minister of State for External Affairs said. In the book, he also writes, "David Camerons rather mealy-mouthed description of the massacre in 2013 as a 'deeply shameful event' does not, in my view, constitute an apology.



"Nor does the ceremonial visit to the site in 1997 by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, who merely left their signatures in the visitors' book, without even a redeeming comment.



"Whoever the PM is on the centenary of that awful crime will not have been alive when the atrocity was committed, and certainly no British government of 2019 bears a shred of responsibility for that tragedy, but as a symbol of the nation that once allowed it to happen, the PM could atone for the past sins of his or her nation," Tharoor said.



The Jallianwala Bagh massacre had taken place in Amritsar on April 13, 1919. On hearing that a meeting of nearly 20,000 people was taking place at Jallianwala Bagh, Brigadier General R E H Dyer had ordered 50 riflemen to shoot at the crowd. More than 1000 innocent Indians were killed and over 1,100 injured.



Tharoor, however, feels reparation is a bit of red herring. "I got into that debate because that happened to be the topic of the debate at Oxford that I was invited to.



"It is not necessarily the principal theme that I would have chosen for the debate and is certainly not the principal theme of my book because it actually concludes in the brief discussion on reparation issue that almost any amount that would do justice to crimes and losses suffered would be unpayable."



He said his speech at Oxford was inspired by decades of reading and passion about engagements with history and based on what he thought he knew. On three most unpardonable things of the British, he names economic exploitation and ruination of India on the basis of which the colonial rulers built up their own property; cruelties and exaltation and glorification of those who perpetrated these; and racism and discrimination.



He said his book, published by Aleph, is written as an argument and it is not a narrative history or a dry scholarly work.
Why should the CBI not probe the municipal staff or police officials who allowed "rampant" unauthorised constructions in the posh Sainik Farms area of South Delhi by taking "huge bribes", the Delhi High Court asked the municipal corporation today.





"All these people who took huge bribes to allow illegal construction, should they be allowed to get away and we should wait for nature to take its course? Do we wash off the past?



"What about all the 'beldaars', MCD officials, police officers who are roaming Sainik Farms and collecting their bounty? So CBI enquiry is for them. Courts should not give the impression that we are toothless," a bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Ashutosh Kumar told the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC).



"There has been rampant unauthorised construction going on there despite our January 12, 2001 order prohibiting any kind of construction there. Let the CBI enquire as to who derelicted their duty.



"Wilful disobedience of court order is a serious issue. It would lead to anarchy. This is a sorry state of affairs that courts are being completely sidelined," it said.



The court further said that "somebody was at fault. You (corporation) cannot deny that there has been unauthorised construction. Blame has to fall on someone if unauthorised construction is going on despite the measures taken by you".



During the hearing, the bench said though SDMC might be taking steps to prevent further unauthorised constructions, the "past transgressions" cannot go unpunished.

Noting that the court was inclined to order a CBI probe, the SDMC counsel urged the bench to defer its decision by a week so that it can show the steps taken by it to address the issue.



The court, thereafter, listed the matter for hearing on November 9 when the SDMC has to explain why a CBI probe was not required.



While giving the corporation a week to explain why there should not be a CBI probe, the court directed that no heavy vehicle, including trucks and buses, barring school buses and emergency services vehicles, be permitted into the colony.



The direction came after an area development committee (ADC) of the colony alleged that building materials were being transported via buses and even ambulances.



The corporation also came under fire from the court for not filing satellite images of the area from 2001 till 2011 despite getting the same from a private agency.



"You have them (images) from long back. You have not even paid them (the agency) for it. Why did you not file it," the bench asked.



The court also said that though the corporation submitted that no unauthorised construction has taken place in the area in last three years, the Google images of the colony tell a different story.



It also asked the corporation whether disciplinary action has been taken against its officials who had derelicted their duty and if they were dismissed or suspended from service.



It further asked the SDMC whether any disproportionate assets case has been lodged against such officials.



SDMC said that disciplinary proceedings have been taken, but did not elaborate as to what action was taken.



The court was hearing a PIL filed by an NGO alleging illegal construction in Sainik Farms.


Rahul Gandhi and top Congress leaders were today detained twice as a high-voltage political drama unfolded here following the alleged suicide by a former soldier over OROP, prompting the party vice president to demand an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.





"The least this government can do is to apologise to the family of the deceased soldier for making them suffer," said an angry Gandhi after being finally released at night amid strong protests by party leaders.





At a joint press conference at the AICC headquarters, former Defence Minister A K Antony warned that "things will be difficult" if the government did not implement the OROP in toto immediately and remove the pay commission anomalies.





Holding the Modi government responsible for the suicide of Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal (70), a resident of Bhiwani district in Haryana, Antony and party chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala demanded that Prime Minister apologise to the nation and the armed forces for "misleading them" that OROP has been implemented.





"The present government is responsible for this suicide. Modi government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister, is talking for last one year that they have implemented OROP fully, but have not yet done so. They have diluted the OROP as implemented by UPA.





"Government must implement OROP in toto at the earliest and remove all pay commission anomalies otherwise things will be difficult," Antony said, adding had everything been implemented fully this tragedy would not have happened.





He added, "If is government has any kind of loyalty left for armed forces, my humble request to Prime Minister is please apologise to the nation and the families of soldiers for misleading them that OROP has been implemented. Such action has been unheart of in the history of India."





Rahul Gandhi after his release said, "The minimum that government should do is to apologise to the family of the deceased ex-serviceman." The family has made a sacrifice and what has happened to them (their detention) is wrong, he added.





The Congress immediately latched on to the issue after reports of the suicide came in the morning with party leaders taking to the streets. Rahul Gandhi went to RML Hospital to meet the bereaved family and express his condolences, but was taken into custody and kept at Mandir Marg police station. He was again detained at the Tilak Marg police station and released late at night.




Batting for fast-track courts to try terror cases, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has vehemently defended police role in the killing of eight SIMI activists in an alleged encounter, has said the accused stay in jail for years before they are sentenced and "keep eating chicken biryani".



"It takes years to sentence them. They keep eating chicken biryani (in jail)... they escape and indulge in more crimes and attacks.... If we can have fast track courts for corruption cases, why can't we have fast track courts for sentencing terrorists?," Chouhan said addressing a function yesterday.



Chouhan today inspected the Central Jail from where eight SIMI activists escaped after killing a constable and were later gunned down by police on Monday. The opposition and families of the victims have questioned the police version. The Chief Minister was apprised of the security arrangements and he instructed the authorities to further tighten it.



The CM was accompanied by Chief Secretary B P Singh, DGP Shukla and MP Jail Director General Sanjay Choudhary. Chouhan had yesterday slammed the "dirty politics" being played over the killing of eight SIMI operatives by police and said the slain men were "dreaded terrorists" who could have wreaked devastation.



Speaking to reporters after paying tributes to Head Constable Ramashankar Yadav, who was killed by the activists while escaping from the Bhopal Central Jail yesterday, Chouhan had said he was pained to see that certain politicians were making a "hue and cry over the terrorists but not saying a word of solace for the martyred policemen."



"I am pained to see the kind of politics being played out. Some politicians are turning a blind eye to the sacrifices of the martyrs. They are unable to see the sacrifice of Ramashankar Yadav. These were the same terrorists who first killed Shivpratap Kushwaha (policeman) in Ratlam and then they murdered Sitaram Yadav (policeman) in Khandwa and now Ramashankar Yadav.



"...had there been some solidarity and sympathy for the martyred jawans...I would have understood. But, they are playing vote-bank politics over incidents like these," he had told reporters.



The CM added that those killed were "dreaded terrorists who could have wreaked devastation if they had been fully successful in escaping."
The FBI has once again courted controversy as it released heavily redacted files from its 2001 investigation of President Bill Clinton's pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich, just one week from Election Day.





The bureau yesterday posted 129 pages from its 2001 investigation of Rich, a former hedge-fund trader who had been indicted on multiple counts of tax evasion.



The release -- issued by an automated FBI Twitter account -- quickly drew complaints from Democrats who have assailed FBI Director James Comey for his decision last week to tell Congress the bureau was reviewing emails potentially related to Hillary Clinton's private server.



The bureau has been accused by some of meddling in the final days of a hard-fought US presidential election on November 8.



Hillary Clinton's supporters were already fuming after Comey revived the specter of her email scandal in the tense final days of the presidential election, a move that played right into Donald Trump's hands, CNN reported.



But their frustrations -- and suspicions -- intensified yesterday when the FBI suddenly released redacted files about its 2001 probe into President Clinton's pardon of Rich, it said.



"In an election hinging on voter perceptions of character and trustworthiness, the move revived memories of yet another political fracas surrounding the Clinton family," the network commented.



The FBI's tweet led some to conclude the documents were related to the Clintons' charitable foundation, but the tweet was referring to Bill Clinton's presidential library, which is governed by the William J. Clinton Foundation.



Bill Clinton pardoned Rich on his last day in office, one of his most controversial decisions as president. The FBI closed its investigation of Clinton's pardon for Rich in 2005 and no charges were filed against the former president.



"Absent a (Freedom of Information Act) litigation deadline, this is odd. Will FBI be posting docs on Trump's housing discrimination in '70s?" tweeted Brian Fallon, a spokesman for Clinton's campaign.



The FBI defended its actions in a statement yesterday.



"The FBI's Records Management Division receives thousands of FOIA requests annually which are processed on a first in, first out basis," the bureau said.



"By law, FOIA materials that have been requested three or more times are posted electronically to the FBI's public reading room shortly after they are processed. Per the standard procedure for FOIA, these materials became available for release and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBI's public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures."



The release was posted on Twitter by @FBIRecordsVault, an account that posts material from FOIA requests on subjects of public interest.



Prior to Sunday, the account had not tweeted since October 2015. A law enforcement official told CNN that the Twitter account is an automatic feed and the tweets are not done manually.



The official said the feed was down for a year until Sunday, when it was fixed and then began tweeting automatically.



The account has recently released documents related to Donald Trump's father, Fred Trump, and the report on Hillary Clinton's email use at the State Department.



Comey, who was once a registered Republican, has been criticised by both Democrats and Republicans during the presidential campaign.



Republicans had ripped him when he recommended the Justice Department not pursue criminal charges over Clinton's use of a private server, a decision he announced in the days after Attorney General Loretta Lynch met with President Clinton on a tarmac in Phoenix.



He has also come under fire in the last week for his donations to the 2008 and 2012 Republican nominees, John McCain and Mitt Romney.



Previously, Comey had enjoyed broad bipartisan support throughout his career. In 2001, he was nominated to be the federal prosecutor for Manhattan by President George W. Bush and was backed by Senator Chuck Schumer, who is currently in line to become the Senate's top Democrat after the election.



Comey's pursuit of Rich while he was a fugitive living in Switzerland was cited in media reports from 2001 as part of his record which ultimately led to the high-profile job as New York City's top federal prosecutor.



The case was closed in 2005 without federal charges. Rich died in 2013.


The attacks on several Hindu temples in Bangladesh were carried out under a well orchestrated plan aimed at grabbing lands of the minority community, the country's top rights body said today.





The statutory National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said their initial investigation into the attacks on several Hindu temples and households in the central Brahmanbarhia district's Nasirnagar indicated that they were pre-planned.



"Our investigation is still underway but our initial findings suggest that an organised quarter carried out the attacks in a pre-planned manner," Enamul Haque Chowdhury, NHRC member and chief of a three-member fact-finding committee of the rights panel, told PTI.



He said near simultaneous attacks were carried out at several temples and Hindu households at different locations in Nasirnagar area to render police helpless. "We are expecting to wrap up our investigations within the next two days," Chowdhury said.

"The attack was carried out to drive away the Hindus from their land," Chowdhury told The Daily Star.



Chowdhury's remarks came as authorities today ordered the withdrawal of the officer-in-charge of the nearby police station amid complaints of police inefficiency in containing the troublemakers.



Indian High Commission here sent a delegation today led by a First Secretary to the scene of the attacks. A five-member delegation of the ruling Awami League, led by the party's organising secretary Enamul Haq Shamim, also visited the affected area.



Hindu community leaders had also earlier said the attacks were carried out to evict Hindus from their own lands by creating fear.



Several hundred people had attacked and ransacked at least 15 Hindu temples and over 20 households in Nasirnagar after a Facebook post deemed offensive to Islam sparked massive outrage in the Muslim-majority nation.



Brahmanbaria's police superintend Mizanur Rahman had said that police had arrested nine people who seemed to be directly linked to the attacks as temple authorities filed two separate cases.



A Hindu youth who allegedly posted the 'blasphemous' content on his Facebok account sparking the outrage was also arrested over causing the unrest. However, media reports later suggested that unidentified miscreants had hacked his account and had uploaded the controversial post.



Several priests of the temples suffered injuries in the attacks during the raids and were taken to hospitals for treatment. According to media reports, a little known outfit called Touhidi Janata had called a protest rally on Sunday using megaphones over the Facebook post and the rampage on Hindus was carried out after that rally.
Sri Lanka today sacked its spy chief amid suspicions that a notorious sword-wielding gang operating in the northern Jaffna peninsula was being backed by a section of the military, creating unrest in the Tamil-dominated area.





The Defence Ministry announced the removal of head of military intelligence Suresh Sallay and replaced him with Brigadier Vijendra Gunatillake. The move came amid suspicion that the military was backing the terror group named 'Ava Group' operating in the northern Jaffna peninsula.



Addressing reporters, Cabinet spokesman and Minister of Health Rajitha Senaratne said the Ava Group was a creation of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's regime.



"They formed this group to counter the LTTE and other armed groups in the north," he said.



Senaratne said former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who was also Mahinda's brother, was responsible for the creation of Ava Group.



"Some retired military officers and the former defence secretary think they can create problems for the government by causing unrest in the north," Senaratne said, adding that the government was capable of cracking down on the group and eliminating their threat.



Jaffna residents have been complaining of violence by the sword-wielding group. They were charged of attacking state intelligence operatives two weeks ago in Jaffna.



Acts of violence by Ava group have recently increased in Jaffna suburbs such as Manipay, Kopay and Chunnakam.



It is believed this group was being backed by some politicians and former members of the LTTE. The group is also said to draw inspiration from South Indian films.



The group has been accused of murder, plunder of property and assault. People are in fear due to its attacks which have caused serious injuries to the victims.
Uncertainty over outcome of elections in the United States coupled with the outcome of the Federal Reserve meeting on Wednesday, had investors across the globe worried.





Indian markets also tracked global cues to end lower with the S&P BSE Sensex closing 349.39 points (1.25%) lower and the Nifty 50 ending at its lowest since October 17, down 112.25 points (1.3%) at 8,514.



Investors across the globe were spooked after a media poll in the US showed that the Republican candidate Donald Trump is leading the US presidential race, while another showed that the Democratic candidate, Hilary Clintons lead has narrowed to 2.2 percentage points, from more than 7 points two weeks ago. Hilary Clinton is seen as a more market-friendly candidate by many investors, BNP Paribas MF fund manager Shreyash Devalkar said.



Declines led advances on the Nifty nearly 4:1, with 1,335 securities out of a total of 1,698 declining, 311 advancing and 52 remaining unchanged.



ONGC was the top loser on Nifty 50, ending down 4.06% at Rs 277.4. Other major losers included Tata Motors DVR, Bank of Baroda, BHEL, Tata Motors, YES Bank, State Bank of India, Idea and Grasim. Gainers were far and few on the Nifty 50 with just six of them managing to end in the green. M&M was the top gainer on Nifty 50, ending up 2.94% at Rs 1,365.40. Other gainers included Bharti Infratel, IndusInd Bank, HUL, NTPC and Axis Bank.
Telecom Secretary J S Deepak on Wednesday said that his department will start working on a new telecom policy from 2017 with focus on the growth of the sector as well as to meet requirements of next generation technologies.





Participating in the Indian Telecom 2016 event organised jointly by Department of Telecom and FICCI here, he said that the government will start working on the new policy in April 2017, which would actually be 25 years of commencement of wireless revolution in this country.



However, he also said that before commencing work on the new policy, the DOT has to implement all the reforms announced in 2012 policy and that most of the features will be executed by March.



The Department of Telecom had came out with a new telecom policy in 2012, where the government had announced a number of reforms in the sector including spectrum trading and sharing, nation-wide number portability and allocation of more spectrum.



The secretary also announced that the government has notified abolition of wireless operating licence, a move that would facilitate ease of doing business.



So far, telecom service providers are required to obtain a separate licence for installing and operating base stations as also other wireless equipment, which is already covered as part of their main licences like the Unified Access Service Licence.



Hence, the move to do away with a separate wireless operating licence reduces the hassles for telecom operators.



The Wireless Advisor office is working with determination in making SACFA (permit for installing towers) automated end-to-end, he said. Though telecom operators contribute about Rs 5,000 crore in a year in Universal Services Obligation Fund -- meant for expansion of telecom services in rural areas, average annual expenditure has been about Rs 3,000 crore.



This year in 2016-17, compared with Rs 1,200 crore expenditure from USOF last year, we hope to bring that expenditure to Rs 12,000 crore, Deepak said.




The India-Pakistan standoff has left a bride-to-be dejected as her best friend's visa application to New Delhi has been 'rejected', prompting her to knock on External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's doors.





Purvi Thacker, a journalist, vented her ire on social media and tagged Swaraj's official Twitter handle yesterday, hoping for a response. However, Swaraj, who is popular for her prompt interventions in such cases, is yet to respond.



"Counting on @SushmaSwaraj to untangle the red tape. Some1 who has visited India twice already can't be a risk.All the best for your wedding!," senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor tweeted.



"For all those who know mine and Sarah Munir's friendship, you will understand how heartbroken we are that her visa application to India for my wedding in December was denied.



That my best friend cannot be there for what will be my biggest day is something that I cannot come to terms with. Forget the hustling, the paperwork, the months of coordination and prayers- we didnt know that it would end with a rejection," Thacker's Facebook post read.



Thakcer said borders should not come in the way of human relationships, while acknowledging the fractious history of the two neighbours.



"Being friends and being there for each other should not be this hard just because we were born on different sides of the borders. We understand that our countries shared history has huge economic and political implications, but it also takes a toll on normal mundane things like human relationships and connections. Nobody thinks about that," she wrote.
Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya on Wednesday, said BJP MLC Tara Anuradha was stopped from protesting with a pestle (onake) in Chitradurga, since using weapons during protests is against the Constitution.





Anjaneya told reporters in Bengaluru that it was wrong on the part of Tara to have staged the protest with a pestle. Apprehending untoward incidents, he had directed the Chitradurga district administration to stall the protest.



Tara was among several women detained by the police during the Onake Chaluvali launched by the BJP in Chitradurga. The BJP staged the protest against the governments decision to organise Tipu Jayanti in the state for the second year in a row.
Activists of Rajaveera Madakari Nayaka Gourava Samrakshana Vedike staged a protest with pestle models and the Vedikes flag against Tipu Jayanti at Madakari Circle in the town on Wednesday.





The protesters also voiced their angst against the police who did not allow them to hold a procession with real pestles. At the time of submitting a memorandum to the DC, some workers were seen holding models of pestles.



During the protest, the police and the protesters argued over the issue. The BJP leaders requested the police to allow them to hold a peaceful protest.



Hundreds of policemen, inspectors and DySPs from Shivamogga, Davangere and Haveri districts had been deployed for security in view of the protest. The Hiriyur police stopped MLC and actor Tara Anuradha, who was heading to the town to take part in the protest, at Javanagondanahalli on the district border.



The police also took several women, members of some Hindu organisations and BJP workers, who were coming to the city from Challakere and Hosadurga to take part in the protest, into custody.
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday questioned the state government on the logic behind celebrating Tipu Jayanti.





While hearing a PIL filed challenging the observance of Tipu Jayanti by the state government, a division bench, headed by Chief Justice S K Mukherjee, said Tipu was not a freedom fighter.



Chief Justice Mukherjee said that as per his knowledge, Tipu Sultan was a king and he, like other kings, fought against the British only to safeguard his kingdom. He said that Tipu Jayantis observance will only bring a headache to the government.

The petitioner, Manjunath K P, a resident of Kodagu district, has approached the High Court seeking directions to the government not to observe the proposed Tipu Jayanti in the district and also not to organise any function in the name of the erstwhile ruler of Mysuru kingdom.



The petitioner has said that history, which is filled with inhumanness, violence and genocide, is being rewritten by politically motivated people to project a man like Tipu Sultan who is guilty of mass murder as a hero.



It is not only hurting the sentiments of Kodavas, but is also sending out a wrong message about the history to the future generations. Tipu Sultan was an invader, a dictator, a coward and a murderer of human race and glorifying such a inhuman person is an absolute shame and disgrace to humanity, the petition claimed.



It is an irony that government wants to observe Tipu Sultans birth anniversary across Karnataka.



The historic evidence not only indicates that he was not a conqueror, but a religious fanatic and a dictator who believed in the ethnic cleansing of Kodavas and other communities in South India. He was also instrumental in mass conversion of Kodavas to Islam, the petition contended. The division bench adjourned the hearing of the PIL to Thursday.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has offered helpers to students who have been blinded by pellets or injured in the ongoing unrest to write their annual board exams.





The state Board of School Education (BOSE) issued a formal notification, asking students with injuries or other disabilities to contact them for availing the facility of a helper or amanuensis.



It is for the information of all the candidates appearing in the ensuing Class X and Class XII examination session annual 2016 (Regular) that a helper or amanuensis will be provided to all those candidates who have been injured and suffered a disability, disenabling them to appear in the ensuing examination. The aid will be provided to them as warranted under the rules, read the notification, which was published in local dailies.



Interested candidates have been asked to get a medical certificate and other requisite documents to prove their disability from the authorities concerned. Officials said a decision in this regard was taken on the instructions of Education Minister Naeem Akhtar.



A BOSE official said that the minister asked them to make the exams student-friendly and excuse-free to a level that none of those who have been blinded or injured make an excuse to skip the exams on health grounds. The exams are scheduled to commence from mid-November.



However, educationists have reprimanded the move. This facility is usually for those students who are disabled. Normally, there are one or two students at an examination centre who require helpers. However, this time, the situation is entirely different, said Professor A G Madhosh, an educationist.



He said the injured students will already be under immense psychological disturbances due to the trauma and appearing for exams will be an additional burden on them.



Cop among 38 injured in clashes



At least 38 people, including a senior police officer, were injured during clashes between protesters and security forces in Soura area on the city outskirts on Wednesday, DHNS reports. Reports said clashes erupted after forces launched a crackdown in the area to arrest the youth allegedly involved in stone pelting.



The residents said that forces barged into the houses and beat the inmates besides ransacking the household goods. A police spokesman said that miscreants in large number pelted stones on security forces at Anchar, Soura, resulting in the grievous injuries to superintendent police Hazratbal and 35 other security personnel.


Pakistani troops continued to target civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, injuring two civilians.





This comes a day after eight civilians were killed in intense shelling from across the border.



A defence spokesman said Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing in Bhimber Gali sector of Mendhar sub-division in Poonch district from 12.30 pm. They fired from automatic weapons and lobbed 82 mm mortar bombs, he said, adding that the Indian troops gave a befitting reply.



Reports said two civilians were injured when a mortar shell fired by Pakistani troops exploded near their house.



However, an uneasy calm prevailed along the entire 198-km International Border (IB) from Kathua to Akhnoor in Jammu as there were no reports of firing and shelling from Tuesday night. Not even a single bullet or shell was fired by Pakistan on the entire 198-km International Border on Tuesday night. The day also went by peacefully and there were no incidents of any ceasefire violation till the reports last came in, a BSF official told DH.



Sources said security forces strengthened their presence along the IB and LoC, notwithstanding a temporary thaw in the shelling, and were ready to counter any fresh ceasefire violations from the Pakistani side.



Eight civilians, including four women and two children, were killed in Ramgarh sector of Samba and Naushera sector of Rajouri district in indiscriminate targeting of border hamlets by Pakistani troops on Tuesday.



The Border Security Force claimed that in a counter-offensive, it destroyed 14 Pakistani outposts.



Due to a surge in shelling and firing by Pakistan, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday ordered closure of around 400 schools along the IB and LoC.



There have been 70 violations of the 2003 ceasefire accord by Pakistani troops since the September 29 surgical strikes against terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The Karnataka government has portrayed a grim picture of the prevailing drought situation in the state before an inter-ministerial Central team which will visit drought-hit districts from Thursday.





The 10-member panel, headed by Neeraja Adidam, joint secretary, Union Agriculture Department, will split into three teams and visit a total of 16 districts. The teams will travel to Chitradurga, Ballari, Koppal, Gadag, Dharwad, Haveri, Davangere, Ramanagaram, Chamarajnagar, Mysuru, Hassan, Mandya, Tumakuru, Chikkaballapur, Kolar and Bengaluru Rural districts. The teams will have a wrap-up meeting in Bengaluru on Saturday. The panel will later submit a report to the Centre.



In a pre-visit presentation before the panel on Wednesday, state government officials pointed out that Karnataka was facing drought for the sixth consecutive year. It was pointed out that buoyed by good rains during June, kharif cultivation was taken up briskly by farmers.



The good rainfall received during June and July was offset by deficit rainfall during August and September. The rainfall deficit was 72% in south interior Karnataka and 36% in Malnad during September.



The deficient rains resulted in poor inflows into major reservoirs. In the presentation, it was pointed out that major agriculture crops grown during kharif primarily included green gram, black gram, tur dal, groundnut, jowar, soyabean, maize and cotton.



Prolonged continuous dry spell in drought-hit taluks resulted in crop loss estimated at Rs 11,051 crore. Horticulture crops such as onion, potato, chilli, perennial and plantation crops like pomegranate, mango, coconut and arecanut were also severely affected due to moisture stress.



Horticulture crops on as much as 1.89 lakh hectares have been affected and crop loss is estimated at Rs 1,094 crore.
The state government on Wednesday submitted to the High Court that it has banned all forms of chewing tobacco, including the flavoured and scented varieties.





The government filed its affidavit along with the order of the Food Safety Commissionerate dated October 26, 2016, stating that it will enforce the provisions of Food Safety and Standards [Prohibition and Restriction on Sales] Regulation, 2011.



The government submitted to the court that rule 2.3.4 of the Regulation  Product not to contain any substance which may be injurious to health; tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food products  will be enforced.



A PIL was filed by the Cancer Patients Aid Association seeking directions to prohibit the manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of all forms of chewing tobacco including flavoured, scented etc.



The petitioners have contended that though there is a ban on sale and distribution of chewing tobacco, the state and the Central governments have failed to implement the ban.



Though Karnataka has banned gutkha, plain chewing tobacco is still sold separately in separate pouches. The petitioners counsel asked the High Court to monitor the ban imposed by the state government.



A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice S K Mukherjee and Justice R B Budihal adjourned the next hearing.
With Assembly elections in Punjab just a few months away, politics is being played out over the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.





While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking reopening of the anti-Sikh riot cases in the next three months, the Congress has advocated its time for Punjab to move forward. The Akali Dal, too, is raking up the issue. On Punjab statehood day on Tuesday, even Union Minister Arun Jaitley raked up the issue of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.



Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday lashed out at the AAP and Shiromani Akali Dal for exploiting the Sikh sentiments by raking up the riots issue with an eye on the Assembly elections in the state.



The Akalis have been ruling Punjab for nearly 10 years, and the AAP has now been in power in Delhi for two years. But neither party even thought of the issue till this moment, when elections are around the corner in Punjab, he said.



Capt Amarinder added that the Akalis, in fact, have a history of raising the issue only during election time and immediately forgetting about it the moment elections are over. The AAPs track record in sensationalising events for promoting its vested interests needs no elaboration, he said.



The 1984 riots were the darkest chapter in Sikh history, said Capt Amarinder, adding that though he had resigned from Parliament and the Congress over the issue, it is time now for Punjab to move forward.



The people of Punjab are faced with other, more vital concerns, which the Akalis have failed to address all these years and which the AAP seems to be clueless about, he asserted.



Charging the AAP, which had on Tuesday written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking reopening of the anti-Sikh riot cases in the next three months, Capt Amarinder said if Arvind Kejriwal had been sincere in his intentions, he would not have waited till the Punjab elections to take up the matter.



Capt Amarinder, a staunch opponent of Operation Bluestar that culminated in the riots, said that it is the responsibility of all political parties contesting the Assembly polls to take up the issues that would have an impact on the lives of the people of the state.




In one of the biggest hauls of narcotic drugs, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized about 23.5 tonnes of banned hypnotic Mandrax tablets worth over Rs 3,000 crore in the international market.





The counter-smuggling agency arrested a Mumbai-based mastermind of the drug ring after its sleuths raided and recovered Mandrax hidden at M/s Marudhar Drinks factory in Bhamasha industrial area of Udaipur in Rajasthan.



Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) chairman Najib Shah said at a press conference on Wednesday that the drug consignment was meant for exports to South Africa and Mozambique and was worth over Rs 3,000 crore in the global market.



The drug, a depressant, overdose of which can lead to coma and death, is used as a recreational drug in Africa and Asia, Shah told reporters.



Methaqualone, which is sold under the brand name of Mandrax in the Indian subcontinent, the UK and Africa and as Quaalude in the US, is a sedative and hypnotic medication abused by drug consumers.



It is a banned psychotropic substance under schedule I of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Rules, 1985.



During the search on October 28, DRI officers detected a hidden room filled with cartons of Mandrax tablets. The total number of tablets are estimated to be about two crore, sources said.



This is one of the largest seizures of Methaqualone, not only in India, but also in the world, claimed the CBEC in a press release.



After picking up the mastermind of the syndicate, the DRI is conducting a follow-up operation to nab other peddlers of the international drug syndicate.



The DRI said the major raw material for Mandrax is acetic anhydride, which was manufactured by the syndicate at Shreenath Industries, Rajsamand.



Other constituents for making Methaqualone are anthranillic acid, which was imported from Indonesia at Kandla Port by declaring it mallic anhydride, ortho toloudiene, phosphorus trichloride and caustic soda.



The agency in the recent past had unearthed 10 other factories manufacturing various types of synthetic drugs such as mephedrone, ketamine, alprazolam and precursor chemical like ephedrine.


The High Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing on a batch of petitions seeking quashing of the Karnataka Town and Country Planning (Regularisation of Unauthorised Development or Constructions) Rules, 2014, or the Akrama-Sakrama rules.





The petitioners advocate Jayna Kothari contended that according to the rules, up to 25% of deviations in commercial buildings and 50% setback violations could be regularised.



These calculations are based on a random study made in one particular ward of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits. They cannot be applied to buildings located in places outside Bengaluru, she argued.



The state government, in its additional affidavit filed six months ago, had said that of the 16.75 lakh sites/buildings in Bengaluru, the BBMP had been able to collect tax for only 13.82 lakh sites/buildings.



The remaining 2.93 lakh sites/buildings were estimated as unauthorised. Another counsel for the petitioner argued that the rules violate Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Article 14 (Right Equality) and 20 (Protection in respect of conviction for offences) of the Constitution.



While a person who has constructed four floors is allowed to regularise his construction, another person is not allowed to construct two more floors on his duplex building.



Hearing adjourned



A division bench comprising Chief Justice S K Mukherjee and Justice R B Budihal, adjourned the hearing to Thursday.



The petitioners  Citizens Forum for Mangalore Development and others  have sought for quashing of the Akrama-Sakrama rules. They have contended that the penalty percentage in the new rules was comparatively less than the one that fixed in the 2007 rules.



Another petitioner, Citizens Action Forum, has raised the issue of the state government not consulting with the Metropolitan Planning Committee that was established in January 2014 before notifying the Akrama-Sakrama rules.



The Forum had contended that the government was not just regularising building violation but also violation of land use.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has begun the exercise to contain dissent in the ruling Congress by making the long-pending appointments to boards and corporations.





On Wednesday, he appointed heads to 91 state-run boards and corporations accommodating 21 Congress MLAs, besides a host of party functionaries and workers. The state already has 28 Cabinet ministers.



With Wednesdays appointments, nearly half of the 123 Congress MLAs in the Legislative Assembly will now enjoy government privileges and perks apart from their legislator entitlements.



The government has accorded Cabinet minister status to the 21 legislators who include seniors such as Malikayya Guttedar, R V Devaraj, K Venkatesh and B R Yavagal while appointing them to chair various boards and corporations.



The perks that come with the appointments include a salary of Rs 40,000 per month, house rent of Rs 80,000 per month, maintenance allowance of Rs 20,000 a month and sumptuary allowance of Rs 1.5 lakh per annum. They will also get office vehicle and personal staff.



The remaining appointments that include 60 party functionaries have been made to lesser-known corporations and local urban authorities. They will also enjoy salary and perks but at a lower scale compared with the legislators who have made to the boards/corporations, official sources said.



Siddaramaiah had lobbied hard with the party high command that legislators, especially those who were sulking after failing to clinch a berth in the state Cabinet, be rewarded by appointing them as heads of plum boards and corporations. The move, he hoped, will placate them.



Guttedar, who has been very vocal in expressing his displeasure over not being inducted into the Cabinet, has been appointed Chairman of Karnataka Housing Board.



Periyapatna MLA K Venkatesh will chair Bangalore Development Authority. Chickpet MLA R V Devaraj has been appointed Chairman of Karnataka Slum Development Board, Bengaluru.



The exercise to reward legislators and party workers by appointing them to boards and corporations has been on for the past few months.



Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had struck down two previous lists and directed Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress chief G Parameshwara to give preference to loyal party workers. The appointees will have a tenure of 17 months with the Assembly polls due in May 2018.



The posts have been vacant since May this year after the first batch of appointees resigned following the completion of their designated 18-month tenure.
Fuel stations across the state are likely to go dry on Thursday and Friday as dealers have refused to purchase diesel and petrol.





Petrol pumps will not remain shut. However, with no purchase of fuel, the stations are expected to go dry by Thursday afternoon.



Petroleum dealers are protesting, seeking implementation of the Apurva Chandra Committee recommendations, which had suggested an increase in the commission given to them. The protest is in support of the agitation call given by the All India Petroleum Dealers Association (AIPDA) in connection with the poor revision in dealer margin prices.



The dealer margin was announced earlier this month by oil marketing companies.

In a note, H S Manjappa, president, Karnataka State Federation of Petroleum Dealers (KSFPD), said they also have demands related to ethanol blending, transport tenders and toilet maintenance.



On October 19 and 26, the dealers held the first phase of their protest by switching off lights and suspending sale of fuel for 15 minutes.



Not being given an ear, we had no choice but to make sure there is no purchase, said Sanaulla Anees, vice-president, KSFPD.



The dealers have threatened to go on a no purchase, no sale strike from November 15, if their demands are not met.



According to sources in AIPDA, the situation will stabilise only by Tuesday.


Eight officials of the High Commission of India in Pakistan may return, even as the neighbouring countrys government launched a media campaign against them.





Sources here said the decision was taken after the details of the eight Indian diplomats had been put in public domain in Pakistan, compromising their security.



On Wednesday, Islamabad too started recalling its officials from New Delhi. At least six of them are likely to be withdrawn. Some have already returned to Pakistan. Commercial counsellor Syed Furrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal are among the diplomats recalled by Pakistan, sources said.



Reports appearing in a section of media in Pakistan indicated that two Indian officials, Rajesh Kumar Agnihotri and Balbeer Singh, had been involved in activities to destabilise the neighbouring country by facilitating and funding terrorism. The media reports identified them as agents of Research and Analysis Wing. Sources in New Delhi said the Pakistan government launched a similar media campaign against six other Indian officials.



Islamabads move came after six of its officials posted in the High Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi were said to be involved in an espionage network, which was busted by the police last week.



New Delhis tough stand on both ceasefire violations as well as export of terror from the neighbouring country was also clearly conveyed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who told a TV news channel that India now had a new policy and Pakistan will have to pay extremely severe cost if its actions resulted in killing of Indians.



Tension between the two nations escalated further as the Pakistan Army personnel and rangers continued to violate ceasefire along the Line of Control as well as the undisputed stretch of the border. Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation in a high-level meeting, Pakistans Deputy High Commissioner to India Syed Haider Shah was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. India lodged a strong protest over ceasefire violations by soldiers of Pakistan.



Shah was summoned to meet Gopal Bagley, Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran) at the MEA, who also conveyed New Delhis strong protest on the mutilation of the body of Mandeep Singh, an Indian soldier, by a terrorist who escaped across the LoC after committing the heinous crime.



Espionage aftermath



Media campaign againstIndian officials

Reports identify them as RAW agents

Details of diplomats put in public domain

Security of officials compromised


A series of burglaries and thefts were reported in various parts of the city during the long weekend due to Deepavali and Rajyotsava holidays.





Burglars broke into a house in Kalkere in Ramamurthy Nagar and escaped with gold valuables. They also drove away a car parked near the house. The incident came to light on Wednesday morning.



According to the police, the owner of the house had gone to his native place in Chhattisgarh when the incident took place. On Wednesday morning, neighbours noticed the main door damaged and informed the owner and the police. The burglars, after laying their hands on 40 grams of gold, found the car keys and fled with the vehicle too.



Thieves struck at a flat in Royal Homes near Jakkur and fled with gold valuables. On Friday, Sanjeev D, an employee with Bharath Electronics Ltd (BEL) had gone to Hubballi with his family. On Wednesday, when they returned home, they found the main door broken and 380 grams of gold valuables missing.



Sanjeev informed the Amruthahalli police, who visited the home. They are questioning the security guards at the apartments. It is suspected that someone aware of the family's Hubballi visit had committed the crime.



The house of a Cisco employee in Kumaraswamy Layout was burgled when he had been to his native place. The police said that Nandish had left for Hassan on October 20. When he came back on Tuesday, he found the cupboard broken open and gold valuables worth Rs 7 lakh missing.



An elderly man was engrossed in watching television while a few persons sneaked into his house in Rajagopalanagar on Tuesday and made away with cash and gold.

Ramaiah was watching television and had left the main door open. Intruders took away 40 grams of gold and Rs 8,000 from the cupboard in the bedroom. The incident came to light when Ramaiah's family members returned home from work.



Burglars gained entry into a house in Vinayaka Layout, Whitefield, by damaging the main door and fled with cash.



The complainant Ramachandra, a driver in a private company, had been to his native place in Bangarpet to celebrate Deepavali. When he returned home on Tuesday evening, he found the house ransacked and Rs 90,000 missing.



A senior police officer said that in all the incidents the culprits had kept a close watch on the houses they targeted. They knew that the victims would be away from home during the festival.
The suicide of an ex-serviceman triggered a huge political drama on Wednesday, leading to the detention of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and his deputy Manish Sisodia.





The army veteran purportedly left a suicide note, saying he had still not received benefits under the one-rank one-pension (OROP) scheme announced by the Union government.



The action built up outside Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where politicians from the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress arrived in great numbers to express solidarity with the family of former subedar Ram Kishan Grewal, who committed suicide.



He killed himself to express solidarity for ex-servicemen who launched the second phase of a protest demanding full OROP benefits, reports said.



The Delhi Police ordered the hospital gates shut to prevent political leaders from visiting the family of Grewal, who died on Tuesday night.



Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was the first to be stopped and detained. Rahul Gandhi, who was next to arrive at the hospital, met with the same fate. The Congress vice-president was detained twice and released late in the evening.



This is Modijis India. A new India is in the making, you have to identify it... It is a result of their mentality. It is a particular type of mentality. It is an undemocratic type of mentality, Rahul told reporters.



Rahul Gandhi was taken to Mandir Marg police station in the afternoon, where Grewals kin were also present.



The Congress leader lost his cool when he learnt the ex-servicemans family had been detained.



You are arresting a martyrs son in India? Are you not ashamed of yourself? What kind of work are you doing here? This man has lost his son and you are arresting the father and brother, he lashed out at police officers.



Gandhi was detained again when he attempted to meet Grewals relatives a second time. He was taken to Tilak Marg police station near India Gate and released an hour later.



The competitive politics comes ahead of the Assembly elections in Punjab, where ex-servicemen form a sizeable voter base. Kejriwal, who hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the detention of Sisodia, set out late Wednesday evening to visit Grewals family at the Lady Hardinge Hospital, where a post-mortem was being carried out on the ex-serviceman. He was not allowed to enter.



My vehicle surrounded by police. Not allowing me to leave, Kejriwal tweeted.



Its for my country



Ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal had written in his suicide note that he is giving his life for his country and his fellow jawans, PTI reports from New Delhi.



Grewal wrote his suicide note on a document he wanted to submit to the Defence Ministry. He wrote, I am sacrificing my life for my country, my motherland and for my brave fellow jawans, the police said.



In an audio clip of Grewals last conversation with his son, he says that he had consumed poison and was sacrificing for OROP and his fellow jawans who were not getting their due. According to his friends, Grewal had been upset over the issue for sometime.



He got benefits, says defence ministry



Ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who committed suicide over OROP, was one of the recipients of benefits under the revised pension scheme, defence ministry sources said on Wednesday. However, the sources said Grewal had received a lower amount because of an error in calculation by the SBI branch in Bhiwani district of Haryana.




Family of a six-year-old girl from Bengaluru is fighting for justice for nearly a year. Kusumas father has been seeking action against doctors at the government-run K C General Hospital in Malleswaram whom he holds responsible for the childs present condition caused by medical negligence.





Kusuma, who slipped into coma following damage to her brain is now limping back to normalcy.



She was rushed to K C General Hospital with fever and hospitalised on December 3, 2015. But, doctors didnt attend to her though she had repeated episodes of epileptic seizures, says her father Shivakumar, an autorickshaw driver.



He claims that when they took Kusuma to the hospital, doctors only administered paracetamol following basic tests.



By afternoon, my daughter started shivering. When asked, the nurse at the ward just asked me to wrap another bedspread around the child. Repeated requests to call the doctor went unheard, he added.



Kusuma had episodes of seizures through the noon. It was only around 3 pm that a doctor attended to the child and said she could be having a brain tumor. He did not refer the child elsewhere but expressed his helplessness, claimed Shivakumar.



At about 9 pm the same day, when Kusumas condition worsened, her father had to request a 108 ambulance driver on the hospital premises to shift her to a private one. She was denied admission at the private hospital as her condition was critical.



We had to take her to M S Ramiah Hospital where the doctors informed us that her condition was critical as she was not given treatment on time. We were also told that her present condition could be a result of the inappropriate injection technique of a medication that was administered at K C General Hospital, Shivakumar said.



Kusuma is now undergoing physiotherapy and is on treatment for the damage to the brain.



Nearly a year on, innumerable trips to Health Ministers office have not helped Shivakumar.



He had written to Health Minister K R Ramesh Kumar who in turn directed principal secretary (health and family welfare) to conduct an inquiry into the incident. But there has been no progress.



Even Women and Child Development minister Umashree has written to the health minister in this regard.



Missing details



A look at Kusumas in-patient registration form at K C General Hospital shows that several details are missing. There is no mention of provisional diagnosis, final diagnosis or signature of the treating consultant even as the columns are mentioned in the form.




As a socially-liberal fiscal conservative (or a fiscally-conservative social liberal), I find myself in a bind at each election cycle. The Republican Party is too extreme on social issues, and the Democrats are too free with our hard-earned cash.

So where does that leave us registered Independents (or No-Party-Preference people, as were officially called)?

This newspapers policy prohibits opinion writers from publicly endorsing or opposing any candidate running for office, but we are permitted to opine about ballot propositions. And there are several education-related propositions on the ballot this year worth discussing.

Given how Ive defined myself in the first paragraph, readers would be correct to assume I oppose Proposition 51.

Another gigantic General Obligation bond to build and modernize schools, Prop. 51 totals $9 billion and is financed primarily by the construction industry.

An editorial in the Los Angeles Times opposed to Prop. 51 reasons: Gov. Jerry Brown hasnt had anything good to say about Proposition 51. I am opposed to the developers $9-billion bond, he told The Times in February, referring archly to the construction industrys role as the propositions main financier.

Brown also argued, the LA Times said, that it would continue an inequitable system based on which school districts get to the application line fastest, not which ones need it the most.

The Legislative Analysts Office, according to the LA Times piece, stated that a bond such as this one allows disparities based on school district property wealth, fails to target funding according to greatest need, results in excessive administrative complexity, and lacks adequate accountability mechanisms.

Proposition 51 deserves a no vote.

No on Measure MM

With Measure MM, local voters are faced with yet another General Obligation bond that affects them directly, through increased taxes based on property values.

Measure MM asks voters to approve a $455 million bond for the Mira Costa Community College District, to upgrade facilities that those opposed to the measure say is unnecessary for a community college district that has healthy reserves and a robust income stream.

Estimates are that the 40-year bond would cost about $15 per $100,000 of assessed property value.

Dont be fooled by the existence of an independent citizens oversight committee. Once voters approve a measure like this, oversight committees have little power.

One strong argument against Measure MM is the cumulative effect of another layer of taxpayer-funded bonds for schools.

How many more of these GO bonds are voters willing to support?

Taxpayers are already paying up to $30 per $100,000 of property value for San Dieguito Union High School Districts GO bond.

School districts in Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe and Carlsbad also have GO bonds that homeowners are paying for. The Solana Beach School District, which historically has had one of the heftiest reserves of all school districts in the county, will have its own school bond on the ballot next week, as will the Cardiff School District.

General Obligation bonds require a 55-percent passage instead of two-thirds. So everyone is jumping on the free money bandwagon.

Whats disturbing about these measures is that much of the campaign financing comes from builders and construction-related industries, as well as school district employees and vendors, many of whom contribute money to campaign war chests but dont live in the districts and would not be subject to the tax.

No on Proposition 55

Proposition 55 represents a broken promise.

Prop. 55 seeks to extend until 2030 what was promised under Proposition 30 in 2012 to be a temporary tax on individuals earning over $250,000 per year or couples filing jointly who make more than $500,000 per year.

Prop. 30s purpose was to help the state recover from years of recession. The tax was to last six years only, ending in 2018.

The bulk of the Prop. 30 money was for education, resulting in significant increases in school district budgets in recent years.

If you think districts are still struggling, consider the 12.5 percent salary raise that San Dieguito recently gave each of its employees.

The justification for this was that the district has plenty of money now and into the foreseeable future. San Dieguito recently boasted of a $4 million surplus.

To be clear, I am not in the higher-taxation category  nor do I know many people who are. Its the unfairness and the deception that drive me to oppose this measure.

The facts that proponents push are cunningly worded. To say Prop. 55 does not raise taxes on anyone is technically true  because the tax on the wealthy is already in place.

And when supporters say it would prevent $4 billion in cuts to education, thats just twisting the truth.

A no vote doesnt cut funding  it ends extra funding that was intended to be temporary under Prop. 30.

Furthermore, not all of this money would go to schools, as advertised.

As if theres even another good reason to oppose Prop. 55, consider an Oct. 26 Wall Street Journal op-ed by Joel Fox, former president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Californias public-pension problem is what really drives many of these campaigns, Fox wrote. State and local pensions are deeply in debt because of the generous giveaways elected officials have offered government workers. While the money for the taxes isnt directly dedicated for pensions, new tax revenue can free up funds to cover local governments obligations to the state retirement system.

Millions of dollars from the Calif. Teachers Association are helping to fund Prop. 55.

Backers also include Calif. State Controller Betty Yee, who issued a letter in support  mailed to Calif. voters on her official state letterhead.

The wealthy made their sacrifices in 2012 and did their part to help the state through hard times. The states budget is now back on solid ground. This is just another money grab by special interests who dont want to turn off the spigot.

As Gov. Jerry Brown said about Prop. 30 in 2014, Thats a temporary tax and, to the extent I have anything to do with it, it will remain temporary.

Yes on Proposition 58

Under Proposition 58, according to the Legislative Analysts Office, schools would no longer be required to teach English learners in English-only programs. Instead, schools could teach their English learners using a variety of programs, including bilingual programs.

The ballot states that Prop. 58 authorizes school districts to establish dual-language immersion programs for both native and non-native English speakers.

While providing schools with flexibility, Prop. 58 preserves the requirement that public schools work to ensure that students have proficiency in English.

English learners are defined as those students who are not fluent in English, and they represent about 20 percent of Californias student population. Of that 20 percent, the vast majority are native Spanish speakers.

Supporters say Prop. 58 gives options to schools, parents and children, and lifts restrictions that have been in place since Proposition 227 passed in 1998.

Prop. 227, according to the LAO, generally requires English learners to be taught in English and restricts the use of bilingual programs.

Many education experts say English language immersion programs have been ineffective.

In a Huffington Post piece co-authored by local UCSD professor Ana Celia Zentella, she and her associates say that dismantling bilingual education in 1998 under Proposition 227 did not result in significant improvement in English language development.

Bilingual education provides the most effective way to learn English while students strengthen their home language, say the authors.

Zentella, who is Professor Emerita in UCSDs Department of Ethnic Studies, states in the op-ed, The bill would authorize parents or legal guardians of all pupils enrolled in the school to choose a language acquisition program that best suits their child from among many well-established educational methods.

A no vote, the authors say, confines children to a single language.

Sr. Education Writer Marsha Sutton can be reached at suttonmarsha@gmail.com.
by Mary Catharine Martin

Clean air. Clean water. Deer. Moose. Blueberries. Salmon.

Alaskas Tongass and Chugach National Forests provide many different things to the people who rely on them for food, recreation or a living, but because the forests work for free, the value of the services they provide is sometimes hard to recognize.

As part of a growing movement to figure out the dollar value of those forest products, however, scientists for the first time have estimated the value of the Tongass and the Chugach National Forests to Alaskas commercial salmon industry.

The short version of their findings: the forests contribute a lot, and even that is a known underestimate.

Combined, wild salmon born within the boundaries of the Tongass and the Chugach average a quarter of Alaskas commercial Pacific salmon catch and 16 percent of the total commercial value of salmon caught in Alaska each year.

For the 10-year study period, Alaska commercial fishermen caught an average 48 million forest salmon each year. All together, those forest salmons annual dockside value averaged $88 million.

One of the things that the Forest Service is interested in doing is estimating the value of the different activities and services that national forests provide, said study co-author, research fish biologist J. Ryan Bellmore. And the Tongass and the Chugach provide a lot of salmon.

Bellmore and hydrologist Adelaide C. Johnson were lead co-authors on the study, Quantifying the Monetary Value of Alaska National Forests to Commercial Pacific Salmon Fisheries, recently published in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management.

Figuring out the value of forest fish

This is the first time anyone has attempted to quantify what the Tongass and the Chugach National Forests, specifically, contribute to the commercial fishing economy. In order to do it, the authors excluded salmon born outside the streams, rivers and lakes within Tongass and the Chugach National Forest boundaries, like the Canadian portions of the transboundary Taku, Stikine and Unuk Rivers, state land, private land, and Native corporation land. They also of course, excluded hatchery-produced fish.

Even focusing on commercial salmon, the number is actually a significant underestimate of the value of national forests to salmon fisheries, said Bellmore. Chinook salmon are a perfect example. Many Chinook in this region spawn in transboundary rivers upstream of national forests, but juveniles eventually migrate downstream, and can be supported by habitat and food webs within national forests boundaries.

The same is true, Johnson pointed out, for the importance of the Chugach National Forest to the Copper River.

The study also underestimates the value of salmon produced by the forest, the authors said, as it only takes into account commercial harvest  not recreational, subsistence, cultural, etc. Finally, it counts only dockside value, not, for example, the economic impact of local fish processing.

Still, its a start to have commercial dockside value of salmon produced by the Tongass and the Chugach quantified and isolated.

Suffice to say, theres still a lot of work to do, Bellmore said.

Upcoming management decisions

The U.S. Forest Service is until December 17 taking comment on a proposed removal of Roadless Rule protections for more than 9 million acres of the Tongass National Forest, which would open up currently protected areas for logging roads, clearcuts, and industrial development. The study could inform current decision-making, but the scientists declined to comment on the studys relevance to a specific management decision.

Its a goal to be doing relevant research, Johnson said.

Still, the study acknowledges the role that sometimes competing resources have played in the decline of salmon across the West Coast.

Within a century of European colonization many of these runs (in the Pacific Northwest) were critically imperiled, due in part to logging activities that deteriorated freshwater spawning and rearing habitat.

This legacy of forest managementcombined with dam construction, overharvest, mining and urbanizationhas resulted in billions spent on hatcheries and other restoration actions aimed at maintaining recreational, commercial, and subsistence fisheries that were once provided by intact ecosystems, reads the study.

In spite of modern practices meant to address these kinds of impacts, like stream buffers, strong economic pressures still exist that may be at odds with maintaining healthy Pacific salmon habitat, such as intensive timber harvest, mining, and urbanization.

Ultimately, the study authors indicate that their findings can be used in informing forest management.

We provide this information, and its up to society to decide what decisions we make, Bellmore said.

Studying the monetary value of these free products allows managers to better anticipate what the cost to society would be if the forest no longer provided those free services.

Different river systems produce fish in different ways and at different times, Bellmore said. If you have a diversity of habitats that are productive at different times, thats really important in a place like Southeast Alaska, that is changing rapidly. We may have more adaptive capacity than other places in the world because we still have a lot of intact land.

Mary Catharine Martin is the communications director of SalmonState, an organization that works to keep Alaska a place wild salmon thrive. Part of that effort is storytelling about the Tongass National Forest. Find out more at www.salmonstate.org.

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by Delta Discovery staff

By now, you may have read over a dozen stories of sightings of Hairy Man in the Y-K Delta. We still have many more stories that we have collected and will be publishing in future issues.

As you know or might be learning, the Hairy Man is a creature of the wilderness but is always remaining hidden from humans. It is much taller than a man, and is hairy all over except for the face, hands and feet. It has long arms and a massive body. Its hair varies in color, from jet black, to brown or blonde, and sometimes white. They said the aged Hairy Man creatures turn white with age just like humans.

It is rare to have one sighting a year in the Y-K Delta, but rarer still when weve had at least three sightings this year (so far) in 2013. Weve told one of those stories, the sighting near Nelson Island by the Qalvinraq River. The other unpublished stories are in Mt. Village and St. Marys.

However, we are also getting a lot of questions and comments from readers about the creature known as Bigfoot by other people and cultures. One main question is, Why are there so many Bigfoots being seen nowadays in our lands (the Y-K Delta)?

The answer is, the creature may have around as long as the humans have inhabited the planet. They appear to be a rare wilderness animal however. They are not just in the Y-K Delta, but many locations in North America. The sightings of them published in The Delta Discovery are events that happened far and few between. Most of us might have never heard of them until now, as we are providing a platform for the stories to be told.

Some sightings happened many years ago and are finally getting into print. Some stories happened in the last 20 years and even those sightings are separated by much time, but putting them into our newspaper makes them seem like the sightings are happening more frequently, when the opposite is actually true.

As we said earlier, members of the general public will never see a Hairy Man in their lives, even if they spend a lot of time in the wild. Some complain of never seeing one! It just appears to a very few people, as we are learning. The people that get to see it catch it off guard and in the open.

Skeptics say these people are seeing bears, moose or musk ox and mistaking them for Hairy Man creatures. The only trouble is, in some sightings, what kind of animal gets up and walks away on two feet swinging its arms like a man?

People should know that the Hairy Man is just another animal that has been part of the land for eons, and caution  if you ever see one  should be taken when encountering one just like we do when seeing moose, bears or muskox.

In any case, some readers say they are really enjoying the stories, and are happy that they are being published. They get to learn the animals characteristics and its behavior. The stories make them more wary of animals in the wilderness and they take more second looks at them. Many people will certainly look over their shoulders more than usual in the future when they pick berries or greens, as they should, to watch for bears and moose.

More importantly, the stories encourage people to carry a camera into the wild in case they see one. As a result, people are taking pictures and we hope soon that we can provide our readers with photos of Hairy Man footprints and even of the creature itself.

Stay tuned.

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Thank you for finding our loved ones

To the Search & Rescue Volunteers of Alakanuk, Emmonak, Kotlik, and Mountain Village

Thank you so much for volunteering your time and resources to help search for our daughters, Patience and Haley, last month. Your willingness to help on short notice is much appreciated and helped contribute to their safe return and a positive outcome. We could not have found them without you. Special thanks goes to Jason Fancyboy and Jeff Unok of Kotlik who found them, fed them, made sure they were warm, and delivered them home safely. God bless all of you that helped with their safe return! Thank you so much, the Alstrom and Moses families.

Audrey Alstrom

Anchorage, AK

A GREAT BIG Bethel THANK YOU!

The 2017 Bras n Bros fundraiser event sponsored by the VFW Auxiliary Post 10041 at the end of January was a success due to the involvement of several state, city and local agencies and businesses PLUS the selfless contributions of time from many individuals.

THANK YOU to the Robert V. Lindsey VFW Post 10041, YKHC and YKHC Injury Prevention, Lynden Air Frieght, Bethel Police Department, Bethel Fire Department, Immaculate Conception Church, the Magic Man, Mike Calvetti, Gold Rush Liquor and Swansons Store.

With everyones support, the VFW Auxiliary raised over $8,000.00 for scholarships, funeral and medical assistance, Americanism, Veterans recognition and Veterans family support.

LaTesia M. Guinn

VFW Auxiliary Bras n Bros Chairperson

Post 10041, Bethel AK

Lets stand as one, not as divided tribes

It has been a while since I last wrote. To my displeasure of some leaders of this region, I dont need to name names as you know who you are. There are a select few of us without getting compensated are trying our best to help this region.

I personally have spent countless hours of phone conversations with some respected and tireless elders and real leaders that affect our economically depressed region. I applaud those that had the courage to attend last weeks first YK Delta Intertribal Conference. Alcohol was the main topic first day and many of the attendees were affected by this very hard topic.

From my perspective it was a good turnout.

Many spoke out mostly because there already have been many preventable and premature deaths. Young and old have died from alcohol since the liquor store opened. I would like for the City of Bethel to reconsider their position with the two that are open now. The AC and BNCs licenses to operate. Needless to say the BNCs store has not been operating after the leaders of that corporation advocated publically that it is time. Time for the younger generation to learn how to drink moderation and what not.

One old man from Bethel testified when the Wild Goose was open back in the late 70s which was heartbreaking. As for the AC liquor store, what has it brought to our delta? Are they going to send food, attention, comfort, and especially LOVE to those children that are being neglected? The money that AC liquor store earns is only benefitting a Canadian company. I can only imagine if they earned 2.7 million last quarter to date this delta contributed over 5 million dollars by now.

It is time that we stand as one not as divided tribes. These organizations that you tribes erected have their own agendas. We tried and cried wolf but never got heard but turned the other way. With that being said I hope you tribes can come together. We can all agree to disagree as united tribes and great people of this Yupik, Cupik, Cupig, and Athabaskans of this great region.

Steven M Alexie

Napaskiak, AK

You, Womens History, and the Power of Social Security

March is Womens History Month  a time to focus not just on the past, but also on the challenges women continue to face. Nearly 60 percent of the people receiving Social Security benefits are women, and in the 21st century, more women work, pay Social Security taxes, and earn credit toward monthly retirement income than at any other time in our nations history. Knowing this, you can be the author of your own rich and independent history, with a little preparation.

Social Security has served a vital role in the lives of women for over 80 years. With longer life expectancies than men, women tend to live more years in retirement and have a greater chance of exhausting other sources of income. With the national average life expectancy for women in the United States rising, many women will have decades to enjoy retirement. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a female born today can expect to live more than 80 years. As a result, experts generally agree that if women want to ensure that their retirement years are comfortable, they need to plan early and wisely.

You can start with a visit to Social Securitys Retirement Estimator. It gives you a personalized estimate of your retirement benefits. Plug in different retirement ages and projected earnings to get an idea of how such things might change your future benefit amounts. You can use this valuable tool at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

You should also visit Social Securitys financial planning website at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners. It provides detailed information about how marriage, widowhood, divorce, self-employment, government service, and other life or career events can affect your Social Security.

Your benefit is determined based on your earnings. You can create your personal my Social Security account to verify that your earnings are correct. Your account also can provide estimates of future retirement, disability, and survivors benefits.

If you want more information about how Social Security supports women through lifes journey, Social Security has a booklet that you may find useful. It is Social Security: What Every Woman Should Know. You can find it online at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10127.html.

Robin Schmidt

Social Security Administration

Alaska Public Affairs Specialist

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Father Charles Jon (Chuck) Peterson, SJ, 82, pastoral minister to Native peoples in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, died December 24, 2020, in San Jose, California, of complications of Covid-19.

Fr. Peterson was born November 26, 1938, in Missoula, Montana, the son of Gustave Peterson and Margaret Leppert Peterson. He attended St. Francis Xavier grade school and Loyola High School there, and after graduation in 1956, he entered the Jesuit novitiate in Sheridan, Oregon, to begin studies for the priesthood.

From Sheridan, his studies took him to West Baden College, Indiana, a campus of Loyola University Chicago, for a degree in classical languages, and to Regis College in Toronto for theology. A highlight of his Canadian years was his participation with other Jesuit scholastics in a 500-mile canoe trip from Midland, Ontario, to Ottawa, following the path of the early Jesuit missionary, Jean de Brebeuf. He was ordained a priest in Missoula on June 1, 1969.

Fr. Petersons ministry was devoted to working with Native peoples. As a scholastic, he taught at Copper Valley School in Glenallen, Alaska (1963-65), and after ordination, he served as co-pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Bethel and director of the Yupik Deacon Program, which trained Native elders to minister in the far-flung villages of the area.

He went for spiritual theology training in Mumbai, India (1973-74), and then returned to Alaska, this time to Fairbanks. He was diocesan vocation director (1974-77) and director of a seminary for Native vocations (1977-84), which later became the Center of Spirituality and Theology.

Subsequent assignments included administrator of St. Marys Catholic School in St. Marys, pastor of St. Josephs Church in Nome and, after a year of renewal at Seattle University, superior of the Jesuit community in St. Marys and working in the Ministry Training Program.

To assist the deacons and lectors in the villages, from 1990 to 1997, he produced and broadcast an inspirational program on Scripture, The Lord Be With You, which aired on the Catholic radio station KNOM in Nome. The program continued in the hands of others for many years.

After years of ministry above the Arctic Circle, Fr. Peterson was assigned to serve as the pastor of St. Mary Mission in Omak, Washington, and director of Jesuit work among the Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest (1997-2005).

He returned to Alaska in 2005 to the Jesuit community now relocated to Bethel. He served as pastor at Immaculate Conception Church and in the villages of the region. After close to 50 years of ministry in Alaska, Fr. Peterson moved to Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California, as resident and infirmary chaplain.

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I always look for your articles for advice. I dont always have that type of advice. Im grateful you share.

Brittany Laraux

Bethel, AK

Vaccine Eligibility Expanded in AK!

Yesterday (March 3rd, 2021), the State of Alaska Vaccine Task Force significantly expanded the criteria for who is eligible for the state-allocated COVID-19 vaccine! The new eligibility group, Phase 1C, includes people 55-64 years old, people 16 and older who are essential workers under the CISA definition, high-risk or might be high-risk according to CDC guidelines, those living in a household that includes three or more generations, or skipped generations (e.g., a grandchild living with an elder), and people living in unserved communities as specifically defined by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.

I would encourage everyone to take some time to look through this information and find out if your family or friends are eligible and desire to receive a vaccination. This is a big step forward in the COVID-19 mitigation effort and is very encouraging news!

If you do qualify, visit CovidVax.Alaska.Gov to check the availability of appointments in your area.

Senator Scott Kawasaki

Juneau, AK

I will support the first Native American who would hold this position with the expectation that Representative Haaland will be true to her word

During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today (March 4th, 2021) announced that she will support the nomination of Representative Deb Haaland to serve as Secretary of the Department of the Interior.

The Department of the Interior  and thus the Secretary who leads it  both play an outsized role in our state. Alaska has more federal lands, more mineral resources, and more natural hazards than any other state. We are set apart by unique laws and frameworks that Congress enacted and that Presidents signed, whether our Statehood Act or ANCSA or ANILCA. We are an Arctic nation because of Alaska. And we are a diverse state, with many indigenous peoples and cultures who have lived there since, as they say, time immemorial. We are a state that is just different.

I seek to ensure every nominee who comes before us understands that. I have spent a considerable amount of time trying to educate others about Alaska and our unique needs and our unique peoples. And I spent a considerable amount of time with Representative Haaland reiterating what is at stake for us.

Alaskas prosperity is directly linked to decisions made by Interior  whether through their trust responsibilities, their authority over responsible resource development, or their monitoring of hazards and other threats.

Ive had two separate meetings with Representative Haaland that lasted for more than an hour each. I participated in both days of her nomination hearing, asking many questions, and have reviewed the answers she provided to all of our members. Ive also spent considerable time listening to Alaskans views on her nomination. They are paying attention to this nomination.

Ive heard two sentiments over and over again. The first is that many Alaskans  Alaska Natives in particular  are enormously proud to have a Native American nominated to this position. It is truly a historic nomination and they believe Alaska Native issues can be elevated to one of the highest levels of government.

The second concern that Im hearing is that many Alaskans are concerned about the agendas Representative Haaland will seek to implement on her own and on behalf of the White House. They are concerned by her opposition to resource development on public lands, including her opposition to key projects in Alaska and her questioning of the vital role that Alaska Native Corporations serve in our communities.

Weighing on top of that is my experience from the Obama administration, when I voted for a Secretary who promised to be a good partner for Alaska, but proved to be anything but that after confirmation.

So I struggled with this vote. How to reconcile a historic nomination with my concerns about an individuals  and an administrations  conception of what Alaskas future should be.

I believe Representative Haalands heart is there for Native peoples and all who treasure our public lands. I dont believe that is the extent of Interiors mission, but she has also told us that she recognizes that if confirmed, she will be serving in a different capacity. She told me that she knows she will need to represent every Alaskan, including those who know how to responsibly develop our lands. And she committed to me that she will make sure that we are doing all we can to ensure that your constituents have the opportunities that they need.

Given the early days of this administration, I have my doubts about whether that will be the case. But I have decided to support this nomination today, to support the first Native American who would hold this position, and with the expectation that Representative Haaland will be true to her wordnot just on matters relating to Native peoples, but also responsible resource development and every other issue.

I also fully anticipate that she will have a strong management team in place with people who understand the value of resource development from public lands. She needs thiswe need thiswithin the Department of Interior.

I am going to place my trust in Representative Haaland and her team, despite some very real misgivings. And Representative Haaland, if you are listening, know that I intend to work with you because I want you to be successful and need you to be successful, but I am also going to hold you to your commitments to ensure that Alaska is allowed to prosper.

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski

Washington, D.C.

Clean Water Act protections needed for Bristol Bay

This is a letter to Michael Regan, Administrator- designate and Jane Nishida, Acting Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency dated March 1, 2021.

Dear EPA Administrator-designate Regan and Acting Administrator Nishida,

We write to you today requesting immediate action to ensure the Bristol Bay salmon fishery and the 14,000 men and women whose livelihoods depend on it are not destroyed by development of the proposed Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, Alaskas headwaters. Bristol Bays commercial fishermen have been fighting the threat of the proposed Pebble Mine for over a decade now, still with no protections in place which would give our industry the assurances we need and deserve.

Bristol Bays commercial salmon fishery is unlike any other in both its volume of fish and number of renewable jobs. Its a thriving economic engine that supplies over half the worlds wild sockeye salmon and provides over 15,000 renewable jobs. Bristol Bay is a torch-bearer for sustainable fisheries management, boasting record returns over the past decade, following a record 135 years of commercial fishing of this incredible resource.

Its sustained a fishing tradition for generations of families throughout Alaska and the U.S. with Bristol Bay commercial fishing permit holders and crew hailing from nearly every US state. Unmatched in both size and sustainability, action under the Clean Water Act is needed and justified to ensure this $2.2 billion a year commercial fishing industry continues to thrive.

In spite of consistent findings by both the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers that the Pebble Mine would pose unacceptable adverse impacts to the Bristol Bay watershed and fisheries, the Bristol Bay region remains vulnerable to large-scale mining and the door remains open for the Pebble Mine to be developed. Without Clean Water Act 404(c) protections in place, Bristol Bay is not safe and Bristol Bays fishermen cannot rest.

We now have an opportunity to stop the Pebble Mine for good and put an end to the uncertainty that has been hanging over Alaskas fishing industry and the thousands of American fishing families who depend on Bristol Bay. We hope that you listen to the call from Bristol Bay tribes, fishermen, and others to establish Clean Water Act protections for Bristol Bay without delay. Please help us ensure that we can continue to provide our fellow Americans and the world with nutritious wild seafood and support our families for generations to come.

Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay Advisors; Katherine Carscallen, Hattie Albecker, Erica Madison, Heidi Dunlap, John Fairbanks, Michael Jackson, Michael Friccero, Holly Wysocki, Mark Niver

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The 2018 GCI Suicide Prevention Grant, administered by the Alaska Community Foundation, will distribute over $130,000 to 10 recipient organizations this year, funding programs that are contributing to necessary suicide prevention efforts across Alaska. GCI continued the program after the success of its 2017 Suicide Prevention Grant.

With one of the highest suicide rates in the nation, Alaskans need to come together to build healthy communities and prevent suicide, said GCI Chief Marketing Officer Kate Slyker. When GCI launched our first Suicide Grant Program in 2017 with a $100,000 donation, we werent sure what to expect, but weve been overwhelmed by the response. The grantees are implementing programs that reached Alaskans of all ages and demographics. We look forward to making an even more meaningful impact in this second round of grant funding.

With the help of ACF, GCI awarded grants to the following 10 recipients this year:

Anchorage School District  suicide prevention training for 36 secondary teachers

Bethel Community Services Foundation, Inc.  support for the Healing through Music and Dance program to serve up to 2,000 people in Bethel and surrounding communities

City of Newhalen  delivery of an eight-week training based in Yupik culture, designed to prevent youth alcohol use and suicide through building resilience in the community

Juneau Youth Services  support to build on the success of the Suicide Prevention Coalition

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District  support for program training for 300 students and 100 adults in Sources of Strength, a school-based program in middle school, high school or college, and also often used in community and cultural settings; it promotes and focuses on connectivity, school bonding, peer-adult partnerships, and help-seeking behaviors

Maniilaq Association  funding for facilitated community conversations about youth suicide based in cultural norms, including training for over 300 people in the entire Northwest Arctic Borough and Point Hope

My House  support for suicide prevention community awareness efforts in the Mat-Su Borough at this homeless youth drop-in center in Wasilla

Native Village of Chuathbaluk  presentation of three well-established suicide prevention techniques: SafeTALK, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and QPR  to involve the entire community

Nome Community Center  ASIST program support, workshop for the Nome community and attendance for two at a SafeTALK Training for Trainers workshop to increase community capacity to deliver this training the Nome area

Native Village of Unalakleet  expansion of Unalakleets annual Humpy Fishing Derby to include expanded opportunities for intergeneration connection and traditional community activities to foster an understanding of youths value within the community

The grant recipients demonstrated suicide prevention strategies that are best practices or customized to address the specific needs of their communities. GCI, with the help of ACF, solicited and evaluated applications. GCI will continue to rely on ACF as grant administrator.

We received many applications for this fund and these 10 programs had clear strategies in how to reach and serve the people in their communities,  said Nina Kemppel, president and CEO of ACF. We ended up increasing the grant funding because we were so impressed with these suicide prevention programs and look forward to seeing the impact across the state.

Since the Suicide Prevention Grants inception, GCI has donated more than $200,000 to the cause.

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The Doyon Settlement Trust Board of Trustees approved the Doyon Settlement Trust (DST) distribution amount of $6.71 per unit (share), or $671.00 per 100 shares on November 21st,2020. The first of these two non-taxable distributions will be issued on Wednesday, December 2, 2020.

The second trust distribution, also in the amount of $6.71 per unit (share), or $671.00 per 100 shares, will be paid out on June 15, 2021.

These two distributions will provide a total distribution of $13.41 per unit (share) based on FY2020 performance. Both distributions will be issued to all shareholders (Classes A, B, C, D, and E).

Doyon is proud to issue its 34th consecutive distribution to our shareholders, said Aaron M. Schutt, President and CEO, The distribution is a reflection of Doyons efforts by our operating companies, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Doyon family of companies.

Headquartered in Fairbanks, Doyon, Limited has more than 20,100 shareholders and was established under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Doyon has subsidiaries in oilfield services, government contracting, and tourism, is also the largest private landowner in Alaska and one of the largest in North America. Its mission is to continually enhance its position as a financially strong Native corporation in order to promote the economic and social well-being of its shareholders and future shareholders, to strengthen its Native way of life, and to protect and enhance its land and resources. For more information, visit www.doyon.com.

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by CVRF Staff

Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF) employed over 820 young Alaskans this summer through its popular Youth-to-Work and internship programs.

This year, a record setting 806 youth ages 14-18 earned nearly $610,000 through CVRFs annual Youth-to-Work program. The work took place in 19 CVRF communities over 2 sessions, between May and August. While working for CVRF, Youth-to-Work employees performed a variety of tasks including working on community service projects, job shadowing, and cultural skill development. The latter included making fish traps, drums, and clothing, as well as gathering food for elders.

The Youth-to-Work program emphasizes the value of a strong work ethic and the importance of completing tasks while building foundational work skills the participants can build upon.

The Youth-to-Work program continues to make a tremendous impact to our region, said Jonathan Lewis, Community Service Manager for CVRF. It gives hope to our young people by giving them an opportunity to have work experience and connect with local experts to learn new skills that are important in our communities. Mr. Lewis manages CVRFs Community Service Representatives in Nightmute, Kipnuk, Kongiganak, Napaskiak, Napakiak, and Oscarville and lives in Chefornak.

In addition to putting young Alaskans to work, CVRFs Youth-to-Work program contracted with 67 adult instructors to share their knowledge and expertise with CVRFs youth employees.

Some returning youth employees were also hired as team leads to assist local instructors, supervise younger employees, and document some of the projects completed through the Youth-to-Work program.

This summer also marked the 20th anniversary of CVRFs long standing internship program.

Nineteen interns earned over $118,000 assisting Community Service Representatives at CVRFs local Community Service Centers and various departments in CVRFs corporate offices in Anchorage. In addition to supporting CVRFs business operations, the Anchorage interns further developed foundational workforce skills such as writing resumes and composing and formatting memos and emails. These activities culminated with a formal presentation to CVRFs management team.

The youth of today will become the adults of the future and it is our duty as adults to help guide them on their journey, said Peter Speaks, CVRFs Network Administrator. Peter worked closely with Kenyon Paul, a student from Kipnuk, who joined CVRFs Information Technology department this summer as an intern. Kenyon came in on his first day with a great attitude to learn new things and he also came with his own motto, Always gotta be fast. During his internship, Kenyon learned about information technology and how to rebuild computer systems. He gained experience in a field that he is interested in and knowledge he may use in the future or share with others. By having programs such as internships and Youth-to-Work, it gives us a great opportunity to learn from younger generations as they learn from us. It is a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF) is a 501(c)(4) Alaska non-profit corporation with 20 member communities located along the west coast of Alaska, from Scammon Bay to Platinum. It is one of six Community Development Quota (CDQ) groups granted fishing rights in the Bering Sea to foster sustainable and diversified local economies in western Alaska.

CVRF is dedicated to creating sensible, tangible, and long-term economic development opportunities that generate hope for the more than 9,300 residents of its communities. CVRF is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of one member elected from each community. It is the largest Alaskan-owned seafood company in history and the first CDQ group to own and control the vessels that harvest the vast majority of its CDQ allocations.

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Poland, Bytom -- November the 2nd, 2016 -- Digital Core Design, an IP Core provider and a System-on-Chip design house from Poland, has introduced the newest IP Core. The DBLCD32 IP Core is a fully configurable, universal LCD/TFT display controller, which supports a wide range of resolutions. Moreover, it enables both, horizontal and vertical parameters synchronization setup.

The DBLCD32 IP Core is a fully configurable, universal LCD/TFT display controller. It supports a wide range of resolutions and enables both, horizontal and vertical synchronization parameters setup. The displays pixel clock can be generated by an internal pixel clock divider based on the bus clock, or delivered to the core by a dedicated pin.

"Additionally, an engineer can use an externally generated pixel clock" explains Tomasz Krzyzak, VP of DCD "Its polarization, as well as synchronization signals, is fully configurable".

The DBLCD32 has been also equipped with a DMA capable master interface, which can be used to access a framebuffer, when placed directly in a system memory. Embedded DMA controller has a configurable FIFO to store pixels data, which increases system throughput and performance.

"The transmission on the master interface is burst oriented and there is a possibility of defining the burst size limit" adds Krzyzak.

Data fetched by the DMA interface can be translated to 24-bits RGB signals, depending on the selected color mode. There are three standard color modes supported: 24-bits True Color, 16-bits(5-6-5) High Color and 8-bits index color mode. Additionally, a 32-bit True Color is also supported, but the MSB byte of each four byte word is ignored. In case of the Indexed Color Mode, the DBLCD32 is equipped with pixel palette RAM, which is used to translate each byte from the display buffer into 24-bit RGB output. There are two different formats of color palettes available. The core supports the page flipping mechanism, which enables the usage of multiple buffering without the tearing effect. The DBLCD32 incorporates also a set of programmable interrupts available related to both display synchronization and DMA status signals. The core is capable to work on both little and big endian systems. To increase the system performance and flexibility of usage, the DLBLCD32 can be configured in two possible optimization levels, to find a proper balance between a gate count and a critical path length.

More information: http://dcd.pl/ipcore/133/dblcd32/

Key features:

24-bit RGB interface,

Configurable display resolution,

Configurable horizontal sync length and blanking,

Configurable vertical sync length and blanking,

Configurable RGB signals polarization,

Configurable pixel clock polarization,

Internal pixel clock divider,

Different pixel clock modes,

DMA capable interface,

Configurable DMA FIFO,

Configurable burst size limit,

AHB bus interface(32-bit)

24-bit True Color mode support,

16-bit (5-6-5) High Color mode support,

8-bit Indexed Color mode support,

32-bit True Color mode support (one byte ignored),

Pixel palette RAM,

Page flipping support,

Programmable interrupts,

Big and little - endian support,

Two different optimization levels,

Fully synthesizable, synchronous design.

Information about Digital Core Design:

The company founded in 1999, since the beginning stands in the forefront of the IP Core market. High specialization and profound customer service enabled to introduce more than 70 different architectures. Among them is the worlds fastest 8051 IP Core, the DQ80251, which is more than 75 times faster than the standard solution. The same, D32PRO, which is a royalty-free and fully scalable 32-bit CPU creates new possibilities for modern projects. As an effect, over 300 hundred licensees have been sold to more than 500 companies worldwide. Among them are the biggest enterprises like e.g. Sony, Siemens, General Electric and Toyota. But a lot of DCDs customers are small businesses, R&D laboratories or front/back end offices, which require exact solution tailored to their project needs. Rough estimations say that more than 500 000 000 devices around the globe have been based on Digital Core Designs IP Cores.






Omantel Wholesale is interconnecting the Gulf to Africa (G2A) and Silk Road Gateway - 1 (SRG-1) cable systems to deliver ultra-low latency networking between Asia and Africa.

The cable systems connect some of the fastest growing markets in the world with robust and geographically diverse terrestrial and undersea cable infrastructure. The systems create new ultra-low latency route options for customers and offer global connectivity in these rapidly developing regions. They are supporting the economic growth of Central Asia and Africa while finding new ways to connect end users around the globe.

SRG-1 connects Oman to Pakistan with onwards connectivity to Afghanistan, China, Iran, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. G2A connects Oman to Somalia via two redundant landing stations in Puntland (Bosaso) and Somaliland (Berbera). The system provides onward connectivity to Ethiopia and will connect Kenya, Mogadishu and South Africa in later phases.

We are the only provider in the world that is able to offer rapid access between Asia and Africa via geographically diverse routes. The development and interconnection of G2A and SRG-1 demonstrates our commitment to delivering ultra-low latency networking in unique and challenging markets. We are supporting the growth of trade between China and Africa with new diversity and high performance networks, said Talal Said AL Mamari, CEO of Omantel.

G2A and SRG-1 add to Omantel Wholesales more than 20 undersea cable investments. They support its vision for ultra-low latency networking, leveraging Oman as a natural meeting point for global cable systems. Oman is one of the most connected places on earth, with five redundant landing stations and four terrestrial networks connecting it via border crossings.

Users in high-growth markets in Central Asia and Africa gain access to global connectivity. End users will experience more robust and reliable communications services, accelerating local development and support the growth of their digital economies, said Sohail Qadir, Vice President, Omantel Wholesale.

Omantel Wholesale already provides a unique high-speed link between Singapore and Frankfurt with only 160ms via the Bay of Europe Persian Express Gateway (EPEG) and Bengal Gateway (BBG) cable systems. It is the only operator with two landing stations in two different countries on the Asia Africa Europe  1 (AAE-1) cable systems (Marseille, France and Muscat, Oman).
Previous research suggested that statins can protect against neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinsons, but a new analysis of a large US patient database shows otherwise.

This could mean that the potential added advantage of having a lower risk of neurological disorders for statin users, like people with type 2 diabetes, who continue taking the drug upon having reached their cholesterol goal may have been overstated.

In this new study, researchers from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine pulled out data on 20,000 Parkinsons disease patients aged 40 to 65 years from the MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database.

They found that people using statins tend to have a higher risk of developing the disease than controls. The association of statins with a diagnosis of Parkinsons disease was also significant.

It is well known that advancing age is an important, if not the biggest, risk factor for Parkinsons disease, but the findings stayed consistent after adjustment for age. The same held true with other comorbodities such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

Researchers believe that the results could stem from the fact that high cholesterol is thought to have a protective effect on the risk for Parkinsons disease, and therefore lowering cholesterol with statins may be harmful for some people.

At the same time, the role of statin use has been the subject of debate following a study, published in 2012 in the Archives of Neurology, which showed that statins might, on the contrary, be neuroprotective agents because of their potent anti-inflammatory effects.

The lead author of the current study, Xuemei Huang, and colleagues have tried to establish a definitive causal relationship between statins and the end point of Parkinsons disease.

Their most compelling finding is perhaps that statin treatment duration seems to influence risks for Parkinsons disease.

The risk ratio is at its highest after less than a year of statin use (1.93), before decreasing between one to two and a half years of treatment (1.83), and then drops significantly at two and a half years onward (1.37).

To date, many of the studies showing a protective role for statin on Parkinsons disease have failed to interpret the data in the context of high cholesterol levels, which, evidence suggests, have an impact on Parkinsons disease.

Overall, the findings are significant but further studies are needed to investigate the absolute effect of statin in the risk of Parkinsons disease.
Ill be very honest here - when I first found the Mi Air Purifier 2 on my desk (quite literally), I wasnt too impressed. It wasnt about the product itself, but the idea of air purifiers in general did not really appeal to me. The cynic in me could not make sense of breathing supremely polluted air all day when Im out for work, but spend money on an air purifier for my home. Its been about a month with this considerably small IoT gadget at my home, and my goal was to see if it changes my mind about such devices.

Cleansing the room

I must mention that I had two of these - one at my workplace and the other in my home. Incidentally, my office also underwent renovation, making the arrival of the air purifier most opportune.

Odours

None of us at office really noticed the Mi Air Purifiers effect till the smell of wood polish took over our office. When we walked into the office in the morning, our entire office was smelling of thinner, but about half-an-hour after turning the air purifier on, we realised that the smell had disappeared. Of course, the entire office space wasnt within the Purifiers coverage, but our work area of approximately 160 square feet was free of odour. This quality is, in fact, one of the claims that Xiaomi makes with the Mi Air Purifier, and it seems to work.

The next test for odour removal was another coincidence. I left my home on a trip for a few days, and forgot to clear out the garbage bin when I left. My absence of five days from home was enough to leave a faint smell of rotting waste in some parts of my home. I switched the Purifier on after returning home, and it took about 10 minutes to remove the smell. Of course, the odour was faint in this case, but it does show that the Air Purifier can purify stenches, at least mild ones. I do not always accept company claims on face value, but in this case, I cant deny real proof.

An attempt to purify the washroom of its smell had to be made. The Mi Air Purifier could clear than smell as well, although it took considerably more time to do this. As opposed to about 10 minutes for the mild smell, the Purifier took nearly 40 minutes to leave an essential difference in the washroom.

Particular Matters

Clearing odours are easy, though, and there are plenty of ways to remove them that do not involve air purifiers. What you may need them for, though, is particulate matter. According to Xiaomi, the Mi Air Purifier cleans PM 2.5, PM 0.3~0.5 and Pollen. The Mi Air Purifier has three layers, consisting of a primary filter, an EPA Filter and an activated carbon filter, to clean various particles such as dust, pollen and fibres, human hair and more.

It is also worth noting that although Xiaomi does not actively market it, the Mi Air Purifier 2 does clean some PM10 particles as well. Dust, pollen etc. fall under this particular kind of particulate matter.

Lets start with PM2.5 and other air particles that none of us see but are warned against. The EPA filter is primarily responsible for purifying PM2.5 particles. Cigarette smokers are a prime source of PM2.5 particles, and I didnt realise how much impurities they produce with each cigarette. Until, the Mi Air Purifier came in.

You see, the Mi Home app that controls the Purifier gives real time data on air quality (AQI). Whenever the Purifier was around anyone smoking, it roared into Turbo from Sleep Mode every time a new cigarette was lit. Checking the AQI on the app, the PM2.5 level rose from around 100 to 232 and even more, which is quite alarming.

Xiaomi claims that the Mi Air Purifier can circulate and clean the air in a 750 square feet room in about 20 minutes. However, in our tests inside rooms of similar area, it took much longer to make an impact. The AQI is eventually brought down to 10-20 micrograms, but the Air Purifier takes about an hour to bring it to that level, especially when tucked away in a corner.

Alternatively, at my home, the Air Purifier has so far managed to bring down PM2.5 levels to 80, at best. This, though, is during Diwali season when particular matter is at higher levels. On Diwali, I saw readings as high as 700 at one time, and the Air Purifier seemed to give up after a point. It ran on Turbo Mode for almost 20 minutes, settling to a lower speed for an hour after that, and finally settling to Sleep Mode (where its still on, but working slowly), with the PM2.5 levels at around 100. In its war against Diwali, the Mi Air Purifier put up a tough fight, but couldnt really win.

Dust

Depending on how your home is, you can strategically place the Air Purifier for maximum coverage. In my home, it can cover two connected rooms with a total area of about 50 square meter (500 square feet).

In case of PM2.5 particles, you have to take the Mi Home apps reading as proof, unless you have access to industrial air quality monitors. However, dust is easily visible, and more irksome. In five days that the Air Purifier has spent at my home, the two rooms do seem less dusty. The mirror doesnt have visible dust on it, and neither do tabletops, or the floor.

However, you should clean your rooms once before switching the Purifier on. In office, it couldnt clear settled dust, even after hours of running. Give it a clean room, and the Purifier will take it from there.

I see less hair and dust in the two rooms, and thats a welcome change to my living conditions.

Setting it up

The Mi Air Purifier is obscenely easy to set up. Download the Mi Home app, power up the Mi Air Purifier 2, and wait for the app to recognise it. If you have an Android phone, the app will pretty much do everything for you. All you have to do is enter your WiFi password.

On an iPhone, though, the setup process stops in between to connect the Purifier as a WiFi device. Youll be familiar with this if youve ever set up a Chromecast device on an iPhone. The Mi Home app will first ask for your home WiFi password, following which itll ask you to go to the phones WiFi Settings and the Air Purifier 2 shows up there as a WiFi connection. You have to connect to this, and return to the app to complete the connection.

Once set up, you can interact with the Purifier via Cloud. This also allows you to connect to other WiFi networks. The app is all that you need to turn the Purifier on and off, as long as the main power switch is on. You can also schedule turn on/off times via the app, and access the purifier when youre on other WiFi networks or on mobile data.

Note: The Mi Air Purifier 2 only connects to 2.4GHz WiFi bands, so youll need one of those to set it up.

The filter

Part of the setup process also includes the filter. While the Mi Air Purifier 2 comes with one filter installed, youll eventually have to set a new one up, and its very easy to do so as well. You simply open the flap on the back and pull out the filter to replace it with a new one. A new filter will cost you Rs. 2,499 and you can buy it from mi.com.

The filters have a lifespan of six months, according to Xiaomi. However, this will be based on where you use it and how long it runs on average. I am shown an expected filter life of 142 days on the app, after only 5 days of usage. The filter in the office, which has run much longer but dealt with cleaner air, still has about the same time left. The filter life should range between four to six months, for the most of us.

Electricity Usage

Its been only five days since using the Mi Air Purifier 2 at my home, so I cannot really tell you the effect on my electricity bill. According to Xiaomi, the Purifier consumers anywhere between 1.5W to 31W, depending on the intensity it runs at. This means that the Air Purifier 2 will consume less than one unit per day, even if it runs at 31W for a full days. Your air conditioners and room heaters will consume more.

I havent seen much of an impact on my meter readings, and I dont expect to either. It seems like the quarterly expense of Rs. 2,500 is the only big one that youll need to consider.

Should you buy it?

Thats the ten thousand rupee question, isnt it? The Mi Air Purifier 2 is the cheapest smart device of its kind in India, but Rs. 9,999 is quite a hefty sum to pay. The current PM2.5 levels in Delhi, according to the New Delhi US Embassy, is at 443, which is hazardous. This, of course, is a direct effect of firecrackers during Diwali. However, Delhis air quality is never close to the permissible limits. According to guidelines by the WHO, PM2.5 levels should be at 20 micrograms (annual mean), while PM10 levels should be at 10 micrograms (annual mean).

The conditions are the same in most Indian metros, which makes an Air Purifier seem a necessity. For your family and children, who spend most of their time at home, the Mi Air Purifier 2 is the cheapest IoT product that you can buy. Under current conditions, it can help you achieve the annual mean of 20 micrograms (of PM2.5). So, for those who spend a lot of time indoor, this is indeed a good product.

However, skeptics will need more convincing. The Air Purifier seems to give up on tougher conditions, and that's exactly what cities like Delhi, Mumbai etc. present. The Air Purifier hasn't been able to bring PM2.5 levels below 95 in my home, and the only time I've seen low enough numbers is in more controlled conditions.
The Google Pixel is the closest Android gets to an iPhone-like experience, but it's not quite there yet. It's the best Android flagship today, but that's not enough to justify it's price. If you want to push Android to its limits, the OnePlus 3 is a more value-for-money purchase.

Google Pixel detailed review

I have always been fascinated by the Nexus brand of smartphones from Google. They offered the smoothest Android experience, were well designed and made for very attractive products. My love for the Nexus-line has been well documented in my reviews over time, but just in case you missed those, here's more proof.





At the Pixel event in San Francisco, Google officially killed the Nexus brand, adding its smartphones to the Pixel line (for the uninitiated, Pixel was/is Googles brand of unsuccessful Chromebooks). The hallmark of a Nexus devices was that they appealed to the geeks and were affordable. The Pixel phones have taken a different route. They are priced in the premium range, and with state-of-the-art hardware. But is this enough for Google to succeed in against the Apple's and Samsung's of the world?

Build and design

The back of the device is unique, with glass on top and metal at the bottom. If you hide the glass part of the phone its easy to mistake it for an iPhone. Thats probably why Google introduced the half glass back as I see no or very little utility to it. The metal body would clearly do a better job of heat distribution. The glass may help in better antenna performance, but then, the Pixel doesn't do any better than others either.

I love how light the Pixel is. It weighs a mere 143 grams, making it one of the lightest smartphones Ive held recently. The weight distribution is good and it is a mere 8.5mm thick. Coupled with a 5-inch form factor, it is one of the best smartphones for single handed use. The fingerprint sensor on the back is easy to reach and responds fluidly.

My colleague, Prasid, wrote in his Pixel XL review, Im not particularly fond of the Pixel XLs design, but Im definitely not writing it off as a badly designed smartphone. Its functional, but not eye-catching, something many want their smartphone to be. Also, if this is Googles take on the phablet, then I cant wait to find out how compact the Pixel is.

I think the Pixel is a fantastic phone as far as the build and design are concerned. It feels light, but not fragile, it's meant for one handed use, and it fits in the palm of my hand with ease. Moreover, the rounded edges make it a tad more ergonomic, giving the iPhone 7 a run for its money in this department. The only downside to the phone is that it has a mono speaker. I have grown used to stereo speakers on a smartphone. Even the iPhone 7 has a stereo speaker setup. But, the mono speaker is loud enough (even louder than the Xperia XZs stereo setup) so Im probably nit-picking here.

Display & UI

The Pixel has a 1080p AMOLED display and it is gorgeous. At its brightest, it shows 709 lux, when tested with a luminance meter. It can also go down to 10 lux, which is quite good for those prone to using their phone in the darkness. As far as brightness, colour reproduction and overall display performance is concerned, there's really nothing to complain about.

Just like the Pixel XL, the touch response on the Pixel is great, and it feels premium. The contrast is top-notch, similar to the new iPhones. The Pixels display can feel a bit dull with adaptive brightness on and I found myself readjusting the brightness slider especially in outdoor conditions. The display is one of the best you can get today. It is easily one of the best 1080p displays available on a smartphone today.

Performance and UI

When it comes to the benchmark scores, there are some places where the Pixel performs better than the XL and some where the Pixel XL excels. Here is a look at the benchmark scores of the Pixel when compared to other flagship devices. It's clear that the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are far ahead, which isn't a surprise.

Coming to everyday performance, the Pixel is smooth. Very smooth. There isnt an app that didnt open instantly, or any game that stuttered with performance and any app that crashed. From quickly opening the camera app with a double tap of the power button, to using Android 7s muti-window capabilities, everything ran Pixel Perfect (pun intended). With everyday performance, I have no complaints with the Google Pixel.

If there is one thing wed like to talk about, though, it's how warm the smartphone gets. The Pixel can get quite hot. During 4K video recording the smartphone reached 46 degrees in about 10 minutes, while during gaming I managed to get the smartphone up to 41 degrees Celsius. The metal part of the phone dissipates the heat more, so that's where you'll feel most of it. While heat dissipation is good, these temperatures should ideally be lower on a smartphone. You won't feel much heat on the top part of the back, though. In the long run, heating may reduce the life of the hardware inside.

Coming to the UI, Google has a done a fantastic job. There are a few things here which I liked. For example, you can schedule the wallpaper to change every day if you like. You can get the Google assistant to call you Batman and the overall fluidity in animation just makes everything look pretty.

Google Assistant is brilliant yet stupid. For example, I can ask it the most complex math question, ask for directions, set reminders, find movie reviews and more and it works brilliantly. But if I say, OK Google, lock this phone or OK Google, lock the screen, it refuses to do it ,which is a bummer. Another thing is if you are training the device to your voice, we recommend doing it in a slightly noisy environment. This makes it easier for the phone to recognise your voice amidst ambient noise. If you want to know how Google Assistant compares with Siri, you can click here and find out.

Overall the performance is state-of-the-art and the UI is butter smooth, but it's still far from iPhone level smoothness. It's the closest Android has come to it, though.

Camera

Since the camera of the Pixel and the Pixel XL are the same I'd like to redirect you to the Pixel XL review to read about the camera performance.

Battery

On the PC Mark test, the smartphone lasted for 8 hours and 19 minutes, which is respectable, but not ideal. It's a whole hour more than the Xperia XZ and we can easily say that in real world usage the smartphone matches the battery life of the iPhone 7. As mentioned above, though, this isnt the best. Phones like the OnePlus 3 can last longer.

Coming to real world performance, the device can last for one day of above average use, which is again good, but not ideal. Yes, I have seen better battery performance from devices such as the iPhone 6s Plus and One Plus 3, but the Pixel's battery life isnt bad by todays smartphone battery life standards.

Bottom line

This is the sixty thousand rupee question, and the short answer is that the Pixel is definitely the best Android has to offer. It shows what a Google phone can be, but I don't see myself spending 50K+ on this device. Why? Because the OnePlus 3 is almost as good, and given it's price, it's well worth the camera. Sure, the Pixel has a droolworthy camera, but that's the only area where it's substantially ahead of the OnePlus 3, and the latter's pricing makes up for it. In fact, this is exactly what the Nexus 5 had going for it. It was priced well, and though it lacked a flagship-class camera, everything else made up for it.

If you're an Android enthusiast, and you want to push your phone to the limits, while assuring first day updates, the Pixel is indeed for you. However, so is the OnePlus 3. At Rs. 57,000, I want more than just a functional device. It seems the best of Android is still, only functional, and far from iPhone-level performance. The Pixel matches the iPhone camera, and even surpasses it at times, but overall, it's not in the same league as the iPhone 7. This, from an out-and-out Android fan. In fact, the Pixel is more of a threat to Android flagships, than it is to Apple's bread and butter. It does have a headphone jack, though.
Google Daydream View offers richer VR experience in comparison to Samsung's Gear VR

Alongside the announcement of new Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, Google also introduced its first ever Daydream VR headset. Google Daydream View is company's first foray into mobile VR space offering tight integration with core Android platform. Google Daydream View is officially hitting stores on November 10 and is available for preorder now.

Google Daydream View is first in the series of VR headset powered by Google'd Daydream platform. Google Daydream View currently supports only Pixel and Pixel XL devices but Google plans to add more compatible devices to the list in the coming months. Google Daydream View is priced at $79 and will be available from Google Store and other retailers.

Google Daydream View is initially available only in Slate colour option but the VR headset will later become available in Crimson and Snow colour variants. At its October hardware event, Google spoke about use of soft cloath and foam to build Daydream View for comfortable experience. Unlike Samsung's Gear VR, Google Daydream View features a remote that neatly slides inside the headset when not in use.

Daydream View is the second VR headset from Google, that does more than Cardboard. Google Daydream View will support VR news apps from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal at the time of launch. The mobile virtual reality headset also brings support for games like Gunjack 2 and Danger Goat. Google has also tied up with some of the popular platform developers like EA to bring Need for Speed: No Limits to the Daydream VR platform.

In our initial impressions, we observed that Google's Daydream View is a marked improvement over the Cardboard. Google Daydream View also offers a far richer experience in comparison to Gear VR.

Google Daydream connects to Pixel smartphones via NFC while the bundled remote control uses USB-C port for charging. Google Daydream View offers best experience while watching YouTuve videos in VR, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Google Daydream View will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Germany and Australia from November 10.
AIM-listed miner Coal of Africa has announced that the South African government has dismissed an appeal against the environmental authorisation amendment for its Makhado mine in the Limpopo Province.

Edna Molewa, the minister of the Department of Environmental Affairs, dismissed the appeal against the amendment which was lodged by the Vhembe Mineral Resources Stakeholders' Forum in August.

The company was granted the environmental authorisation amendment in July in accordance with the National Environmental Management Act, which made the Coal of Africa the holder of the authorisation for the project from Baobab Mining & Exploration, the legal entity for the project.

The environmental authorisation amendment also amends the validity period of the authorisation of the project for an additional five years.

Commenting on the decision, David Brown, chief executive of Coal, said, "We welcome this decision by the minister, and confirms the support of the provincial and national government for the Makhado project and its potential to drive meaningful socio-economic transformation. It is a further step in progressing the Makhado project towards construction.

"We have recently launched the Makhado Centre of Learning which aims to develop skills within communities to enable access to opportunities offered within the Makhado project.

Coal of Africa is also in negotiations with the Department of Water and Sanitation to progress the appeal against the integrated water use licence for the Makhado project.

Shares in Coal of Africa were up 7.86% to 3.50p at 0939 GMT.
Romania and Zimbabwe-focused mining company Vast Resources announced on Wednesday that a drilling programme to confirm the mineral resource and provide material for metallurgical testwork has commenced at its Faneata tailings dam, located 7 kilometres from the Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine in western Romania.

The AIM-traded firm confirmed that drilling commenced this week at the 4.6Mt tailings dam, which is comprised of approximately 40 years of tailings from the high grade Baita Plai.

A total of 33 auger drill holes are planned, of approximately 25m each in length, covering a total of 825m.

Previous historical sampling indicated that the tailings contain economic quantities of minerals, the companys board said, including 4,080 tonnes of copper, 6,640 tonnes of zinc, 3,100 tonnes of lead, 35 tonnes of silver and 309kg of gold in-situ.

Drilling is anticipated to take six weeks and independent assay results are expected in the first quarter of 2017.

A maiden JORC-compliant resource estimate is anticipated for publication also in for thest quarter.

Vast also said independent flotation test work and recovery optimisation, for use in the feasibility study, will be conducted at the same time.

Feasibility work will then commence after completion of the JORC resource and the metallurgical testwork, with the intention of progressing towards low capex production in the near term using the existing plant and infrastructure on site at Baita Plai.

Faneata represents a low-cost route to monetising our interests at the Baita Plai site, offering the opportunity to process 40 years' worth of material from the high grade mine, said CEO Roy Pitchford.

Our intention would be to utilise the plant and equipment which we already own at Baita Plai, which would enable us to develop a new operation at Faneata in the near term, complementing our two existing production assets and enhancing our production profile, revenue and financial performance moving forward.

Pitchford said the board has set an ambitious development schedule for Faneata, which should deliver a JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate and flotation test work results in the first quarter.

A feasibility study, based on the JORC resource and associated metallurgical testwork will follow shortly thereafter and will set the parameters for developing Faneata into a new revenue stream for the company.
AIM-listed Water Intelligence is to buy two Australian utility companies, which are the leak detection company's former franchisees, for $434,000 in order to expand its presence in the country.

The company will buy Sydney-based Australian Leak Detection and Australian Watermain, pending regulatory clearance, which are part of a former franchise of American Leak Detection, a business unit of Water Intelligence.

The acquisitions, which are expected to be accretive to earnings, are to help the company grow internationally as it already has assets in the UK, US, Canada and Australia, and follows the September acquisition of NRW Utilities, a provider of water leak detection and municipal sewer and wastewater services.

Of the total consideration, $105,409 will be paid at the closing of the deal, which will be adjusted depending on the how much time is needed for regulatory approval, $102,470 is to be paid on the first anniversary of the closing and the remaining $226,065 will be paid on the second anniversary.

With the Australian acquisitions the company will have a store presence in Sydney, which will assist the growth of other existing American Leak Detection franchisees in the country and sell additional franchises.

Executive chairman Patrick DeSouza said: One of our American Leak Detection managers has already relocated to Sydney and we expect transition to be smooth. The acquisition will accelerate the development of a strategic platform in Australia to help all of our existing Australian franchisees.

We are looking forward to building out the American Leak Detection network in Australia and introducing capabilities from NRW Utilities in the fast growing water conservation market in Australia."

Australian Leak Detection and Australian Watermain provide leak detection and network survey services and generated combined revenues of $790,000 and pre-tax profits of $311,000 for the year ended September. They have combined net assets of $566,287.

Shares in Water Intelligence were up 4.44% to 84.60p at 0800 GMT.
Ex BlackRock fund manager Mark Lyttleton on Wednesday pleaded guilty to two counts of insider dealing in the shares of EnCore Oil and Cairn Energy.

Lyttleton, whose case was heard at Southwark Crown Court in London, will be sentenced on 21 December.

The former equity portfolio manager admitted dealing on the basis of insider information he obtained during the course of his employment at BlackRock.

A a member of the fundamental equity team at Blackrock, Lyttleton was able to discover and act on inside information either by working on the deals concerning the stocks or being party to conversations conducted by colleagues.

"Lyttleton was able to use the inside information to inform his purchase of shares a short time before any public announcement was made about the stocks concerned."

Lyttleton conducted his trades through an overseas asset manager trading on behalf of a Panamanian registered company.
Tesla Motors founder and CEO Elon Musk has said he is confident that the company's acquisition of his privately-owned SolarCity will be approved by shareholders.

The proposed merger between two companies of which Musk is a chairman provoked opposition from some Tesla shareholders, who argued that it presented a conflict of interest for the entrepreneur.

Musk said in a call with analysts on Tuesday that he would be surprised if the deal didn't go through.

"I'm pretty optimistic about where the vote's going," Musk said.

"The early votes so far have been overwhelmingly in favour. I would find it quite strange if that didn't turn out to be the case."

Musk has said that the combination of the two companies will allow for a ground-breaking transition to sustainable energy, using solar energy to eventually power cars.

The innovative car-maker released further details about the acquisition on Tuesday, including assurances over SolarCity's finances, which have been questioned by critics.

Musk said that the solar panel company had raised about $1bn in funds during the last four months.

Tesla investors are due to vote on the $2.6bn deal on 17 November.
Tech giant Microsoft has taken a shot at Google after the search engine publicly disclosed news that its Windows personal computers were the subject of a hack, and that the flaws were not immediately fixable.

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft said it was the subject of a cyber attack from a group known as Strontium, who have been linked to a variety of global hacks, including that on the Democratic National Committee.

Two researchers from Alphabet-owned Google identified the hack in October and promptly notified Microsoft, but then released the details publicly before the company could fully reach a solution.

Head of Windows operations at Microsoft Terry Myerson said Google's actions put its customers at risk.

"Google's decision to disclose these vulnerabilities before patches are broadly available and tested is disappointing, and puts customers at increased risk," Myerson said on a blog entry.

Google said earlier this week that its policy on publishing details of such hacks has been consistent.

"After 7 days, per our published policy for actively exploited critical vulnerabilities, we are today disclosing the existence of a remaining critical vulnerability in Windows for which no advisory or fix has yet been released," said the internet company in a statement.

"This vulnerability is particularly serious because we know it is being actively exploited."
Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that British Prime Minister Theresa May has given him assurances that Northern Ireland will not be subjected to hard border when Brexit eventually comes to pass.

Kenny was speaking at a civic forum discussing the political and economic consequences of the UK's decision to leave the European Union, attended by a number of cross-border parties.

The Irish leader described Brexit as "the greatest challenge" that the country has faced since it gained its independence from Britain in 1922.

"I have agreed with the Prime Minister that there will be no return to the borders of the past. Therefore the retention of an open border is critical," Kenny told the forum on Wednesday.

"Neither I, nor the Prime Minister, desire to limit the freedom of people on both sides of the Irish sea to trade, live, work and travel freely across these islands," Kenny added.

Parties from the unionist side of the divide in the Northern Ireland Assembly did not make themselves available to the forum, with the DUP and UUP both boycotting the event.

But Kenny was keen to include every side of the community on the island, saying that it will provide a highly challenging situation for both regions.

"Brexit is an issue that has the potential to impact everybody on this island - north and south," said Kenny.

"It has implications for so many aspects of our relationship. It presents the most significant economic and social challenge of the past 50 years."
Moodys warned on Wednesday that the UKs sovereign rating could be downgraded if it is unable to protect core elements of its access to the European Single Market.

The ratings agency said the Aa1 rating would be downgraded if the UKs loss of access to the single market following Brexit were to materially weaken medium-term growth and if the credibility of UK fiscal policy were to be undermined.

"We would downgrade the UK's sovereign rating if the outcome of the negotiations with the EU was a loss of access to the Single Market as this would materially damage its medium-term growth prospects", said Kathrin Muehlbronner, a Moody's Senior Vice President.

"A second trigger for a downgrade would be if we were to conclude that the credibility of the UK's fiscal policy had been tarnished as a result of Brexit or other reasons."

Moodys said the Autumn Statement on 23 November is likely to bring more clarity in this area.

The agency pointed to financial services and said the loss of passporting rights that operate across jurisdictions would be credit negative but manageable.

The greatest impact would be felt through higher costs and increased inefficiency as the companies restructure, leading to reduced profitability for some time.

The agencys current baseline expectation is that the UK will eventually manage to enter into some form of free trade agreement with the EU. One scenario it considers to be realistic is a series of accords offering access to the EU market for goods and more constrained access for services, in particular financial services.

However, it said such an outcome is far from certain and expects the negotiations to be protracted.

Moodys downgraded its outlook on the UK to negative from stable the day after the EU referendum.

It said at the time: During the several years in which the UK will have to renegotiate its trade relations with the EU, Moody's expects heightened uncertainty, diminished confidence and lower spending and investment to result in weaker growth. Over the longer term, should the UK not be able to secure a favourable alternative trade arrangement with the EU and other countries, the UK's growth prospects would be materially weaker than currently expected.
Budget airline Ryanair said on Wednesday that traffic and the load factor rose last month.

Traffic was up 13% to 10.9m customers, while the load factor  which gauges how full the planes are  nudged up to 95% from 94%.

On a rolling basis, annual traffic grew 16% to 114.4m customers.

Chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs attributed the jump in traffic to lower fares and the continuing success of the groups Always Getting Better programme.

Also on Wednesday, Ryanair said it will start flying from Frankfurt airport next year to destinations in Spain and Portugal.

Chief commercial officer David OBrien said: We are pleased to launch a new base at Frankfurt am Main airport from the end of March, our 9thGerman base and 85th in Europe, with four new routes to Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Palma, which will deliver 400,000 customers per annum at Frankfurt am Main Airport, as we add another primary airport to our German network.

Our two based aircraft represent an investment of $200m, which further underlines our commitment to growing traffic, tourism and jobs in the Hessen region.

At 1130 BST, Ryanair shares were up 1.5% to 12.92.
Smurfit Kappa drove General Industrials to the top of the leaderboard after reporting that revenues jumped 6% over the three months ending on 30 September, at constant currencies, as volumes increased 3%.

Business in the Americas was especially strong, with sales in the region rising by 68m.

Evraz was also doing well, amid optimism surrounding Chinas economy after data released in the previous session revealed the countrys factory sector grew in October at its fastest pace in more than two years.

That saw iron ore futures traded on the Dalian Commodity Exchange hit 509 yuan a tonne on Wednesday, their best mark since July 2014, although they later fell back.

Linked to the above, most base metals were turning in a solid performance, with three-month copper futures on the LME sporting gains of 1.4% to $4,919 a metric tonne as analysts highlighted the generally positive tone to the LME Week 2016.

"This is stark contrast to last years events which were clouded by worries about Chinas slowing economy and the bearish implications for metal demand. Participants went away from LME Week 2015 in sombre mood and the final quarter of last year was subsequently characterised by tumbling prices," analysts at UniCredit Research said in a note sent to clients.

Nevertheless, it was precious metals miners which were doing best, rising alongside gains in gold and silver futures on the heels of the latest US election polls which revealed a much tigher race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump than financial markets had expected just one week ago.

Next gave its sector a boost even after posting weak third quarter trading figures, as management reiterated a full-year forecast for profits before tax of 805m, as good cost control offset a 1.5% drop in full-price sales on last year. Even so, analysts at ShoreCap reiterated their recommendation to 'sell'.

Banks were the worst performing segment of the market as yields on the 10-year benchmark Gilt fell back by nine basis points to 1.20%.

Top performing sectors so far today

Food Producers & Processors 7,825.69 +1.52%

General Industrials 5,275.76 +0.90%

Industrial Metals & Mining 2,033.76 +0.73%

General Retailers 2,534.62 +0.65%

Mining 13,973.15 +0.43%

Bottom performing sectors so far today

Banks 3,732.51 -1.42%

Oil & Gas Producers 7,772.82 -1.30%

Food & Drug Retailers 3,100.55 -1.25%

Gas, Water & Multiutilities 6,247.77 -1.22%

Oil Equipment, Services & Distribution 14,407.14 -1.09%
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Lady Gaga BELTS Perfect Illusion Acoustically on Japanese TV + Awkward Interview: Must-Watch

Lady Gaga has departed the US and has taken the media tour in support of her most recent new album Joanne overseas. Where, to be precise? To the Asian country of Japan, where there is a massive community of Little Monsters.

This Wednesday morning (Nov. 2) the NYC-born pop star appeared on the show Sukkiri to offer a live performance of Perfect Illusion, the lead single from the album Joanne, and to the surprise of everybody, including me, Lady Gaga didnt deliver a wild performance of Perfect Illusion, something that can be expected considering the characteristics of the song, but the complete opposite. Mother Monster turned Perfect Illusion into an acoustic ballad and belted it acapella, only backing it up with her own skills with the piano. The performance was so intimate, raw and powerful that undoubtedly it is one of the best live performances so far in this Joanne era. Gagas vocals were so emotional and I feel like she gave literally her all that at one point I really thought she was going to burst into tears. By the way, this was the first televised performance of Perfect Illusion ever. Crazy, right?

After her amazing performance, Lady Gaga hit the main stage of Sukkiri to be interviewed by the shows co-hosts. And although the simultaneous interpreting and the interview was messy at moments, the final result was fun and definitely a Japanese TV experience worthy of being watched.

Moral of the interview: Kissing and hugging is awkward in Japan.

Liked the performance?
$500,000 in Scholarships for Veterans - WGU

Published: 2016-11-02

Author: Western Governors University | Contact: wgu.edu

Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A

Jump to: Main Digest | Publications

Synopsis: Western Governors University (WGU) announces new scholarships for veterans and their families who want to earn bachelor and master degrees. To honor all those who have served our country, nonprofit, online Western Governors University (WGU) announced today a new scholarship for veterans and their families who want to earn their bachelor's and master's degrees.

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Main Digest

To honor all those who have served our country, nonprofit, online Western Governors University (WGU) announced today a new scholarship for veterans and their families who want to earn their bachelor's and master's degrees.

The WGU Salute To Veterans Scholarship is valued at up to $2,500 per student and will be applied at the rate of $625 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms, toward WGU's already-low tuition of about $3,000 per term for most programs.

WGU will award up to 200 scholarships to veterans and their families nationwide.

Applications are being accepted now through January 31, 2017.

Additional military scholarships are available for active-duty personnel and their families at www.wgu.edu/militaryappreciation

"The military scholarship that I got from WGU is a blessing for my three kids and me," said Dennis Hall of North Las Vegas, Nevada, who is currently working on his B.S. in Information Technology. "It is allowing me to move forward with my career, it's not breaking the bank, and I feel like WGU is not just here to help me get a degree, but actually investing in my success."

Of the 74,000 students currently enrolled at WGU nationwide, more than 10% are active-duty military personnel, veterans, or dependent family members of military personnel.

WGU has been recognized for nine consecutive years by Military Advanced Education Magazine for being among the Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities and for six consecutive years as a Military Friendly School by militaryfriendly.com.

All WGU degree programs are competency-based, providing the flexibility that nontraditional students like veterans and their families need. Designed with employer input to meet the needs of adult learners, competency-based education allows students to take advantage of their knowledge and real-world experience to move quickly through material they already know so they can focus on what they still need to learn.

WGU faculty members work one-on-one with students as mentors, offering guidance, support, and individualized instruction. While WGU's degree programs are rigorous and challenging, competency-based learning makes it possible for students to accelerate their programs, saving both time and money.

The WGU Salute to Veterans Scholarship is open to new students who have been officially admitted to WGU.

While multiple scholarships will be awarded, it is a competitive program, and scholarships will be awarded based on a candidate's academic record, readiness for online study, and current competency, as well as other considerations.

For more information, visit www.wgu.edu/veterans

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Disabled World provides general information only. The materials presented are never meant to substitute for professional medical care by a qualified practitioner, nor should they be construed as such. Financial support is derived from advertisements or referral programs, where indicated. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.

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Decker: Developers know Columbus won't take away tax breaks

What we might see as "required" is "optional" to others. How else to explain the attitude of developers receiving tax breaks from Columbus?
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NEW YORK (AP)  Stocks closed broadly lower on Tuesday, as nervous investors continued to monitor the run-up to the 2016 election, which is turning out to be closer than previously expected.

Newspaper stocks fell as Gannett and Tronc, publisher of The Los Angeles Times, called off a merger and drugmaker Pfizer fell as the company cut its full-year forecast.





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Donegal man Davitt Walsh has been honoured with another award for his bravery in rescuing a baby in the Buncrana pier tragedy earlier this year.

Mr Walsh, from Kerrykeel, received a silver medal at National Bravery Awards which were presented at Farmleigh House in Dublin on Friday.

Two gardai also received an award for rescuing a man from a fire in Castlefinn in 2012.

The award is the latest for Mr Walsh who has been hailed a hero in Ireland and abroad after rescuing baby Rionaghac-Ann McGrotty when a family car went off a slip at Buncrana pier and into the Lough Swilly.

Five members of her family drowned in the tragedy.

Mr Walsh swam out to the car and took the baby from her father as the vehicle started to go down.

He lost his grip on another child he was trying to pull to safety.

Rionaghac-Anns father Sean McGrotty died alongside his young sons Mark and Evan, his mother-in-law Ruth and her daughter Jodie-Lee.

Bronze medals were awarded to two gardai who rescued a man from a fire in Castlefinn in May 2012.

Sgt Mattie Murphy and Garda John Prunty were called to a fire in a housing estate. A man had barricaded himself in the house and threatened to harm himself and others.

Sgt Murphy said it was essential they entered the house and got the man out  together, they forced open the front door.

Facing danger from the fire and a potentially violent man, the gardai made their way through the hall by crawling through the smoke, checking each room as they passed.

They found the young man lying unconscious on the floor and brought him to a safe area at the front of the house.

Once we established there was an immediate danger with the smell of gas and fumes in the house we knew we had to act fairly quick, said Sgt Murphy. Trying to get a good resolution to the situation was the main priority. So we did not think twice about it.

Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail TD, presented 29 awards in recognition of outstanding acts of bravery at a national ceremony in Farmleigh House.

The honours were awarded by the Deeds of Bravery Council.
Some imported cars really resonate in Australia. Others sit around in showrooms gathering dust.

The Volkswagen Up! (yes, it officially included an exclamation mark in its name) that we first saw in 2012 definitely falls into the latter category. Not that it was a bad car; it just didn't seem to be what Aussie car buyers were after.

Unlike Europe (the market for which the Up! was originally conceived) the local scene tends to lump all small cars together, instead of differentiating between the small and the very small. Which meant that anybody here looking for a small VW tended to make the Polo its first port of call, ignoring the Up (we're going to drop the ! from here on it, as I reckon you get it by now).

Of course, that could be seen as confusing 'quirky' with 'irrelevant' but that's what happened. Nor would it be the first time it's happened in this market.

In reality, the Up was a good chunk smaller than the Polo and was conceived mainly for running around European cities that are both crowded and made up of narrow streets and alleys.

In fact, park the Up next to a Polo and the size difference becomes obvious: The Up is 534mm shorter, 41mm narrower and 24mm lower than the already diminutive Polo.

Outright performance was never really a consideration, but fuel economy in a region where petrol can easily cost $3 a litre was. So the Up got a tiny, one-litre three-cylinder engine which made 55kW of power.

That doesn't sound much  and it isn't in the bigger scheme of things  but it was enough to give the car good urban performance and just enough oomph to cut it on a country road (if not an autobahn).

The biggest problem for Australian buyers was that the Up did not come with an automatic transmission option. The five-speed manual did, however, make the most of all the little Up had so, in this case, the engineers had a victory over the marketing department.

That didn't matter so much in Europe where manual gearboxes still rule, but it made things hard for VW dealers here.

The Up was available with an option called Maps and More which consisted of a tablet-style screen that interfaced with the driver's mobile phone and acted as both a Bluetooth unit and a navigation-trip computer device. The catch was that the screen was removable, so make sure it comes with the car if it was ordered with this option.

The other neat piece of equipment (and this one was standard) on the Up was autonomous city braking which would automatically apply the brakes and stop the car if it detected an obstacle. The system worked at speeds up to 30km/h, so it's a great addition for a car that will naturally appeal to younger drivers.

And thanks to the fact that the Up is quite a modern design, it managed to score five stars for safety in both three and five-door formats. Again, this is serious peace of mind in such a compact package.

So far, the Up seems to be pretty reliable, but the one thing that has made some owners ask questions is the noise from the transmission at idle with the gearbox in neutral and the clutch released. Plenty of Up owners have noted a rattling noise from under the car in these conditions and, from what we can gather, it's a case of a few elements combining to make the noise.

For a start, some gearboxes seem to have what's called neutral rollover noise, or chatter, caused by the meshing of the gears at idle, and the Up's five-speed seems to be one of them.

Secondly, the firing order and impulses of the three-cylinder engine tend to exacerbate this condition.

Thirdly, some manufacturers get around this by fitting what's called a dual-mass flywheel which damps out some of these vibrations and their attendant noises. The Up does not have such a flywheel.

So there can be some clanking, rattling noises but nobody seems to have driven an Up far enough to find out whether the gearbox is likely to fail prematurely. But if a car does exhibit these noises, we'd still want to check the condition of the gearbox oil because the Up's tiny transmission didn't hold a whole lot of oil in the first place. Obviously, any metal particles suspended in the oil would make us look elsewhere. In a hurry.

Other owners have also reported whining noises from the Up's transmission at speed on a steady throttle, so we'd definitely consider an independent inspection before any purchase if this is the case.

The VW Up remains a popular vehicle in Europe where roads are constantly congested and parking is at a premium (not to mention that fuel costs a lot more than it does here) but for Australia, the writing was on the wall pretty early and the model was dropped in 2014, just a little over two years after its launch.

One recall affects the Up and it was for a batch of cars where the airbags were not correctly programmed. According to VW, the airbags would still work, but the diagnostics for the side airbags was not correctly programmed. In that case, the airbag warning light would not activate if there was a problem, but the recall affected only 12 cars.

Our rating: 3/5

Nuts and bolts

Engine/s: 1.0-litre three-cylinder

Transmissions: five-speed manual

Fuel economy (combined): 4.9 litres per 100km

Safety rating (courtesy of www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au): 5 stars

Likes:

External size makes it a cinch for city work.

Three-cylinder engines can be entertaining and good fun.

Great fuel economy.

Five-star safety in a micro package

Dislikes:

Would struggle with a full load at freeway speeds.

Outright practicality limited by size.

No automatic option.

Bit of an orphan thanks to limited run

Competitors:

Mitsubishi Mirage  Another three-cylinder car, this time with 1.2 litres but very similar output to the Up. Interior pretty plasticky and standard equipment lists short, but the Mirage was good fun to drive. 2.5/5

Fiat 500  Undeniably cute and dripping with retro chic. Good to drive, too, although a lot more money than the Up. Great in the city thanks to tiny footprint and plenty of options and choices. 3.5/5

Toyota Yaris  The sensible choice thanks to Toyota's reliability record. Four-cylinder engine was 1.5 litres so performance was adequate. And you could have it with an automatic gearbox, though only a four-speed unit. 3.5/5

What to pay (courtesy of Glass's Guide):

Model Year New Now

3-door 2012 $13990 $6400

5-door 2012 $14990 $6900

3-door 2013 $13990 $6900

5-door 2013 $14990 $7400

3-door 2014 $13990 $8100

5-door 2014 $14990 $8900
Home Four wheelers Honda Registers Highest Monthly Sales In October; Backed By Festive Season oi-Kennedy Paul

Japanese auto maker's subsidiary in India, Honda Car India Ltd. registered its highest monthly retail sales during the month of October 2016. Honda sold 20,000 units of vehicles for this festive period.

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Thursday of this week, November 3, marks the 100th anniversary of the worst maritime disaster to take place along the Louth-Down coastline when two relatively small ships were in collision at the entrance to Carlingford Louth at about 8.30 pm. which cost the lives of nearly 100 persons. The accident was commemorated in Greenore over the past summer and at the present time there are a series of lectures and other events taking place in Cooley and on the north side of the Louth in County Down. The most noteworthy event being a play performed in Omeath this week which I am told is an excellent production!

There were many stories about the tragedy when I was a boy but, it seems, it was not widely reported at the time it happened because it occurred at the height of the Great War, as World War 1 was then known, and reporting would have been greatly restricted by censorship! One of the best accounts I have come across is an article written by the late Paddy Power of Bachelors'Walk who was a very active member of the County Louth Archaeological and Historical Society which was written for 1975-76 edition of Tempest's Annual.

What basically happened was that, during a storm, a 459 ton collier called The Retriever on its way into Newry struck the 833 ton passenger steamer The Connemara, sailing between Greenore and Holyhead, cutting it almost in two, at the 'The Carlingford Cut', a narrow channel at the entrance to Carlingford Lough. The Connemara, a vessel owned by the London and North Western Railway Company which sailed regularly out of Greenore, sank within a few minutes and its entire compliment of around 85 passengers and crew were lost. The Retriever, was damaged at the bow and took about 15 minutes to sink. It sent up distress signals but, because of the storm, they were not seen by any service that might have been able to help.

According to the Shipwreck Inventory of Ireland, a total of 94 lives were lost but Charlie McCarthy, who has researched the story over the years, tells me that it might have been 95 as the exact number on board the Connemara may never be known. The Shipwreck Inventory states that the only survivor of that collision was a 14 year old cabin boy on the Retriever named James Boyle. Which turns out to be incorrect because this James Boyle from Warrenpoint gave evidence at an inquest in Kikeel courthouse on November 6, 1916 and swore that he was 21 and an able seaman.

Boyle was still alive when I first heard the story back in the 1940s and I recalled standing on the sea front balcony at the old Greenore Hotel and being told by a local man that Boyle had survived by holding on to the tail of a cow that had been on the Connemara. Power's article proves also to be incorrect as Boyle's evidence at the inquest was that he had managed to get into a lifeboat from the Retriever which over-turned as it reached the Down shore and that he was helped out of the surf by two local men who had been alerted by the flares sent up by the Retriever. Only a few of the cattle on the ship survived, most of them being killed on the rocks while trying to swim ashore.

Another aspect of the story which I was told when a boy which Power's article shows to be incorrect is that neither vessel was showing their running lights when the collision occurred. This was based in the belief that the ships' captains had been ordered not to show lights on the Irish Sea for fear that they might be spotted by a German submarine; which proved to be the cause of the sinking of the Dundalk, which the loss of 19 lives, off the Isle of Man two years later in October 1918. Power's account states that Boyle told the inquest that they had sighted the Connemara when she was between the lighthouse and Greenore when they were about half a mile apart and both appeared to be on their proper course. Both had their lights on!

Another part of the story that I had heard over seventy years ago was that the Captain of the Connemara believed that his vessel had the right of way through the Cut because it was a channel that had been blasted by the railway engineers when Greenore Port was being constructed in 1870. Again this appears to be totally incorrect as it seems that the lookouts on the Connemara did not realise there was going to be a collision until the vessels came together. Around 6 pm. the gale force wind storm caused the coal to shift in the hold of the Retriever, causing a list to starboard.

A Board of Trade Enquiry held in Belfast in March 1971 found that that the disaster was solely caused by 'improper navigation by the Retriever'.

Which all goes to show that you cannot believe everything you hear; nor read on the internet, on social media and not even in newspaper accounts!
71 budding Business students headed off to the fabulous Butlers Chocolate Factory on Wednesday last from St Louis Secondary School, Dundalk.

The girls went in order to see the intricate workings of a business.

They were treated to fabulous chocolates while watching a short film on the history of Butlers.

They then travelled through an interactive museum where the girls learned more about the company.

They had the opportunity to see a factory floor in operation and discovered that every one of the chocolates is hand finished, which was a surprise to them.

They witnessed the creation of an assortment of Butlers Chocolates from beginning to end, along with the personal touch of the infamous gold and white packaging.

Thank you to Ms. Mallon, Ms. McArdle and Ms.Higgins for taking them there.
The Ireland Ancient East tourism promotion, which was inspired by the Wild Atlantic Way campaign, is now aiming to counteract criticism that it has left Louth out by appointing a new person to the promotion team who will be based in Dundalk.

Martina O'Brien will take up her position in Dundalk this month and will help ensure that Louth is well represented on the Ancient east map.

Stories have to at the heart of the Ireland Ancient East tourism project, Louth county councillors were told at their last monthly meeting.

Mr Rory Deane, Programme Manager of the Failte Ireland Ancient East project, said the Ireland Ancient East team have been gathering stories that link to specific areas.

These areas include Cooley and Bru na Boinne.

Cllr Peter Savage said King John's Castle in Carlingford is not accessible to visitors and he asked for Failte Ireland to liaise with local people who could meet visitors who come to the area and give them the benefit of local knowledge and connections.

Cllr Dolores Minogue pointed out that Ardee Castle is also closed to the public.

Failte Ireland has 114 applications for their capital grants scheme and Ardee Castle is just one of them.

Cllr Minogue, chair of Ardee Municipal District, told Mr Rory Deane, that when people come to Ardee and see the Castle closed they leave.

Cllr Minogue was speaking at the recent monthly meeting of Louth County Council. Mr Deane was giving a presentation on the Ireland Ancient East tourism project and how it has been progressing.

Cllr Minogue stressed the need to get Ardee Castle open to the public and the need for one of new Ancient East 'branded orientation signs'.

These signs have been described by Failte Ireland as the flagship singange project for 2016.

They will bring the brand to life on the ground and provide visitors with suggestions for lots of other things to see and do in the vicinity.

One of our keys is to increase the time visitors spend in the area and help spread the benefits of visitors and help spread the benefits of tourism into the region, Failte Ireland has stated.

These signs will be installed on a phased basis.

Mr Deane said there will be signs at Carlingford, Dundalk, Drogheda, Monasterboice, and Mellifont.

He told Cllr Minogue that Ardee will also be considered when she raised the Castle situation at the meeting.

Independent councillor Jim Tenanty was the first to raise the Failte Ireland capital grants scheme with the council and as a result, an application for a grant to help develop Ardee Castle has been lodged with Failte Ireland.

Meanwhile, the Louth Economic Forum Tourism and Heritage Action Plan has been presented to Louth County Council.

The plan focuses on developing a tourism and heritage action group, looking at the tourism potential of the county's landscape, local culture, food, and festivals, and the sharing of our local heritage.

This year, overseas visitors to Louth are up 19 per cent of last year.

The action plan has been welcomed by Cllr Mark Dearey who said that promoting our tourism and heritage is not just Failte Ireland's job, it is also the work and responsibility of the council and he welcomed the very strong consultation process that was carried out during the composition of the action plan.
The winning team of the first Wetskills challenge in Iran made a plan for the return on the flamingo to Lake Urmia in northwest Iran. The salt water lake is shrinking rapidly, resulting in soil challenges for the surrounding agriculture.

By using the return of the flamingo as a symbolic goal, the team managed to create a positive attitude in dealing with climate change.

The award was handed out by Dutch minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen of Infrastructure and the Environment on 24 October. The Dutch minister headed a trade mission to Iran on port development and water management.

The event was hosted by the Sharif University of Technology and the Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran.

Joint Iranian-Dutch Brainstorm session with the case owner.

Out-of-the-box ideas

The first Iranian Wetskills Challenge took place in Teheran from 15 to 25 October, involving 25 Iranian and Dutch students who formed five teams. Each team was challenged to come up with an out-of-the-box idea to solve an actual water related case, posed by Iranian and Dutch case owners.

Following two weeks of hard work, cooperation and fun, the five Wetskills teams presented their pitches and posters, with a wide variety of ideas ranging from an adaptive lifestyle for Rafsajan pistachio farmers to integrating sensor technology, to create awareness by installing a large flamingo in Lake Urmia, reacting to water level, to entice inhabitants to a race to fill up the lake.

Real case of the shrinking salt lake Urmia causing problems to local farmers because of salt dispersion.

Real water-related cases

The five real water-related cases included:

 implementation of a (waste)water treatment with UV-light (case owner: Berson UV)

 addressing water scarcity in Rafsanjan Township, an area of Iran where pistachio nuts are grown (case owner: ITC-University of Twente)

preventing salt dispersion from the shrinking salt water lake Urmia and introduce an alternative livelihood for local farmers (case owner: Lake Urmia Restoration Programme)

 water-efficiency for irrigation in the Hashtgerd plain (case owner: Dutch regional water authority De Dommel)

 cleaning the sediments of Anzali Port (case owner: Van Oord)

Iran-Dutch collaboration

Iran has many water related challenges that are becoming very urgent, said Sara Mehryar, an Iranian PhD, currently working at the ITC-University of Twente.

Mehryar participated in the Wetskills Challenge as one of the case owners. Meyhryar: With 85 million people, of which 12 million living in Tehran, we really need good solutions. Wetskills is a great initiative and its an opportunity for both Dutch and Iranian water professionals.

About Wetskills

The Wetskills Water Challenge is a two-weeks pressure-cooker program for students and young professionals with a passion for water. In transdisciplinary and transcultural teams they are challenged to develop an innovative and out-of-the-box solution for a real life and local case.

Worldwide 21 Wetskills events have been organized. More than 400 participants and 100 universities and organizations were involved, in 16 different countries.

Upcoming Wetskills challenges in 2017 are in India (January) and United Kingdom (April).

This news item is based on a press release published on the website of Wetskills.

Top: winning team with Madhi Taraghi, Narges Dowlatabadi and Samanek Ghafoori from Iran and Lexy Ratering Arntz, Marijke Panis from the Netherlands.

Bottom: all participants.





Read also on this website

 Dutch delegation in Iran on water and ports trade mission, 25 October 2016

 Wetskills water challenge comes back to the Netherlands for third time, 24 October 2015

 WISA2014: Concept of business wise training wins second Wetskills Water Challenge in South Africa, 30 May 2014



More information

Wetskills Foundation

The Hague, the Netherlands

info@wetskills.com

www.wetskills.com

Video impression of Wetskills Iran 2016.


Despite voicing a preference for shopping small, Australian consumers are increasingly transacting with large organisations, further widening the gap between small and big businesses in the spend stakes, according to new research from American Express.

Commissioned by American Express in support of its month-long Shop Small campaign, which runs throughout November, The Economy of Shopping Small: Customer Counts Report shows a majority of consumers believe more small businesses are shutting than opening, despite national data and owner feedback suggesting otherwise.

The report also reveals that over a two-year period, larger businesses have made net gains among consumers who traditionally prefer to shop small. While four in five consumers (78%) said small businesses have had a positive impact on their lives, only 37% increased the number of times they shopped small in the past 12 months, whereas 61% expanded their custom with large businesses over the same period.

Consumers should make their support crystal clear

The Shop Small campaign is supported by Federal Small Business Minister Michael McCormack, who encouraged Australians to think local for their next buying decision.

With more than 2.1 million small businesses employing more than five million Australians, the sector accounts for 97% of all Australian businesses, Minister McCormack said.

It just makes good sense to have a thriving small business scene in our country and to ensure Governments, consumers and Australians support it as best we can.

But there is more to do to set new and established business owners on a course for success. Each day every Australian should ask ourselves what we can get from our local stores or the latest online boutique. Theres no better time than Shop Small month to start that movement, making our intentions and support crystal clear, particularly as the retail sector picks up in the lead-in to Christmas.

Small businesses struggle with a perception problem

The findings from the report demonstrate that for small businesses, winning consumer attention and custom away from larger organisations is a challenging, in part, due to a perception problem.

Compared to 10 years ago, 83% of consumers believe small businesses are not lasting as long, while 71% said there appear to be fewer small businesses. Similarly, just under a third (30%) said the number of small businesses in their area had declined  rising to 44% in country and rural areas. These beliefs are in stark contrast to the small business sectors actual performance, with the report revealing 85% of its organisations are in a better or similar financial position as they were last year.

Discussing findings from The Economy of Shopping Small: Custom Counts, Katrina Konstas, Vice President Small Merchant, Global Merchant Services at American Express, said Australians must convert affection into action

She continued, this years research unveils a custom conundrum in how Australians view and engage with small businesses: we acknowledge that well miss small businesses when theyre gone, but we dont always see them when theyre there. Small businesses are no longer just bricks and mortar stores on the high street, but new digital start-ups, online boutique stores, and internet based services. We all have a stake in their success, whether its preserving a sense of community or providing a family member or friend with employment. Investing in their future is investing in your own and Australias, whether you want to run your own small business, work in one, or shop at many.
A full-page newspaper advert for US electronics retail giant Radio Shack from 1991 is a great reminder of how much the way we do business has changed forever.

This advert featured 15 pieces of technology that would have set you back $3000, or $5300 with todays US dollar valuation, and might just have squeezed into in the boot of a family car. For your hard earned bucks youd have got a PC, camcorder, mobile phone, clock radio, portable CD player, desktop scanner and more.

What is truly astounding is all of that technology is available in a small handheld device that you can buy for as little as $200 ($120 in 1991 which wouldnt even have bought a mobile phone). Its possible you are reading this article on one of those devices. We are of course speaking about smartphones.

In just 25 years we have gone from the start up-cost of equipment alone being $3000 for a small business to practically nothing when you consider most people already own a smartphone. These devices are powerful enough to run an entire business if you want to and they definitely pack more processing power and memory than your average PC from 1991.

Work collaboration has been revolutionised by the smartphone  thanks to the advent of apps, prohibitively expensive standardised equipment is a thing of the past. Clients, colleagues and associates from across the globe can just as easily dial into a video conference on a $50 phone as from a $10000 conferencing suite. Accessing files from the cloud in a meeting and being able to project them on demand means youll never be unprepared or risk losing a pitch because a vital piece of information was left on the printer.

Technology is a great leveller and, through the power of a lithium powered device costing a few hundred bucks, the innovators and entrepreneurs of the future can operate almost as successfully as an established business. Low cost accounting, administration and productivity software does everything a start-up needs and as cash flow is the killer of most new ventures, having low overheads gives those fledgling businesses a better chance of thriving.

For businesses with field executives, smartphones are a godsend. Economical and easily replaced, smartphones are saving businesses with field reps thousands of dollars per head and reducing security risks. A smartphone is computer, communication device and satnav all in one and as everything can be instantly backed up to the cloud and wiped remotely, downtime or exposure should the device be lost or stolen is negligible.

Multitasking, productivity and motivation has and can be improved by mobile devices. The freedom to work anywhere mean we can now reply to emails, write a to-do-list and put the finishing touches to a presentation on the commute to or from the office. Theres no more rushing to the office for emergencies, wasting valuable time driving in, because when something urgent pops up you just swipe open your smartphone and set to it. Holidays are no longer a worry  a few taps on a screen and any problems can be avoided or critical situations discussed with minimal disruption to your vacation. This also helps avoid that post-holiday stress you get when you return to a desk full of problems that accumulated whilst you were away.

Smartphones, the Internet, social media and digital marketing have all contributed to an untrammelled modern work environment that drives growth and enhances productivity. You book transport and accommodation; speak to colleagues or clients face-to-face across the globe; order stock for same or next day delivery; manage invoices and finances; use email and interact with customers via social media; share files and collaborate with colleagues and much more all with just one handheld, intuitive device. You can even pay with your mobile device in stores and online so forgetting your wallet isnt the headache it once was!

The change we have seen over the last twenty or so years should give us hope for the future of business. The humble smartphone has changed the way we do business for the better and continues to offer businesses, both new and old, exciting new ways to collaborate and thrive.

About the author

Maria Bellissimo-Magrin is the CEO of full-service creative marketing agency Belgrin.
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By Andy Rowell

You can put lipstick on a pig, but its still a pig.

The history of Big Oils climate denial campaign is littered with slightly progressive sounding front groups trying to give the impression that the industry cares about climate change.

From the Global Climate Coalition, the Climate Council, the Global Climate Science Team to the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, the industry has repeatedly tried to create an illusion that its taking climate change seriously while undermining any meaningful action.

Take the Climate Change Coalition, which was active in the nineties. It was no coalition of concerned citizens, but was made up of BP, Shell, Exxon and Texaco, and its aim was to derail climate action.

The newest manifestation is the Oil & Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) which will announce its latest plans to solve climate change on Nov. 4, the day the Paris agreement comes into effect.

According to a press release, The OGCI will announce details of the next phase in their collective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

So what is the OGCI?

Formed in 2014, the initiative says it is a CEO-led organization designed to catalyze practical action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is currently made up of ten oil and gas companies that aim to lead the industry response to climate change.

Those companies include BP, BG Group, Saudi Aramco, Shell and Statoil, among others.

The initial discussions were held at the World Economic Forum in Davos. It carries the vision of Oil and Gas companies working together collaboratively and sharing best practices and technical solutions to address climate change and sustainable energy.

The website for the OGCI was set up by Daniela Barat Head of Legal, at the World Economic Forum. She is an ex-tobacco lawyer.

The PR company handling the account is Edelman, one of the worlds largest PR companies. Although last year Edelman publicly stated that it will no longer work with coal producers and climate change deniers. This was in response to the company being caught flat-footed in 2014 when other major PR firms had taken a stance against climate denial. Edelman had also been caught setting up front groups in support of the proposed Energy East tar sands pipeline.

Meanwhile in the UK, the company has been criticized for providing services to the UK Task Force on Shale Gas, which has been panned by its critics for being pro-fracking.

The only good news from a climate perspective is that the OGCI does not include the biggest climate dinosaur of the lot: Exxon. I have written twice in the last week about Exxons climate denial campaign and its humiliating reserve write down.

https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/793418634475479040 growth. The commission later abandoned or weakened the key proposals.

Last year, a survey by the UK-based non-profit, Influence Map, concluded that BP was Europes strongest advocate of dirty energy, opposing even mild measures to raise carbon trading prices.

Thomas ONeill, Influence Maps research director said at the time: BP has been consistently opposed to all the main forms of climate change regulation. There is very little positivity coming out of them and they are a board member of several obstructionist trade associations, some of which give a very dubious account of climate science.

We are witnessing a new form of climate denial. As Seth Klein & Shannon Daub from the Corporate Mapping Project noted in September 2016. Thankfully, the climate deniers have now mostly been exposed and repudiated  Thats the good news. The bad news is we face a new form of climate denialismmore nuanced and insidious, but just as dangerous.

In the new form of denialism, the fossil fuel industry and our political leaders assure us that they understand and accept the scientific warnings about climate changebut they are in denial about what this scientific reality means for policy and/or continue to block progress in less visible ways.

And that is what the OGCI and its member companies are doing. In the run up to the Paris climate talks, the Guardian reported that The heads of 10 major oil and gas companies have denied they are paying lip service to climate change initiatives while conducting business as usual.

The oil industry is conducting business as usual but trying to tell you it is acting on climate change. With the OGCI, they are purely painting a new shade of lipstick on the industrys climate denial efforts that have been going on for decades.
By Jason Best

Consumers seeking to satisfy their salty snack cravings sans genetically modified ingredients may soon have to get savvier about scouting out chips and other products made without the use of GMO potatoes.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture formally approved two new types of genetically engineered potatoes. iStock

This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture formally approved two new types of genetically engineered potatoes, both of which were developed by Simplot, the Idaho-based spud giant. (A third GMO variety was previously approved by the department). Now, pending what amounts to a fairly cursory review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the company expects all three GMO strains to be available to farmers for planting next spring.

Its hardly an exaggeration to say that over the past two decades, the agriculture industry in the U.S. has wholeheartedly embraced GMO crops with gusto. Almost all of the soy and corn grown in the U.S.upwards of 90 percent for both cropsis genetically modified. Same goes for canola. More than half of sugar beets are also grown from GMO seeds.

The same cannot be said for potatoes. Indeed, field tests of an early GMO potato variety sparked one of the first protests against the technology back in the late 1980s and the industry remained largely GMO-free. It was just last year that the potato industry began planting a GMO variety on a commercial scale, a cultivar also developed by Simplot and named White Russet.

The three new varietiesRanger Russet, Atlantic and Russet Burbankall follow that first generation in that they are designed to minimize bruising and black spots, as well as reduce the amount of a chemical that is potentially carcinogenic that develops when potatoes are cooked at high temperatures. The trio of 2.0 cultivars have also been engineered to resist the pathogen that causes late blight, the disease that led to the great Irish potato famine in the mid-19th century and for enhanced cold storage, a trait that may be of particular interest to potato chip makers, according to The Associated Press.

We obviously are very proud of these, a Simplot spokesperson told the AP. The company says it only used genes from other potatoes to create its GMO varieties, such as a gene from an Argentine potato that yields a natural defense to blight.

As agro-tech companies have done since the dawn of the GMO revolution, Simplot is touting a promise that its GMO spuds will allow farmers to dramatically reduce the amount of chemical pesticides theyre forced to sprayin this case, by up to 45 percent. Maybe so. But there are signs that public skepticism against such claims is growing ever more widespread, like the fact that the damning results of a New York Times investigation published last weekend under the not-so-subtle headline Doubts About the Promised Bounty of Genetically Modified Crops shot to the top of the newspapers list of most-emailed articles.

New York Times Takes Critical Look at False Promise of GMOs https://t.co/ojJKF4jtiR @TrueFoodNow @justlabelit  EcoWatch (@EcoWatch) November 1, 2016

The Times takes to task two of the biotech industrys dominant claims about the need for GMO crops: First, that genetic modification is essential if were going to grow enough food to feed the planets burgeoning population, and second, that by engineering crops to resist common pests while withstanding application of herbicides, those crops would in turn require fewer dangerous chemical inputs.

Well, its been 20 years since Monsanto and other companies rolled out their first GMO crops on a wide scale. So how has it all worked out? The Times compared crop yields and agrochemical use in Canada and the U.S.where, as mentioned, GMO crops are widely grownwith those in Western Europe, where greater public hostility toward the technology led to many GMO crops being banned. The investigation found farmers in North America seem to have gained no discernible advantage in yields through their adoption of genetically engineered crops. Yet herbicide use among U.S. farmers has risen by 21 percent; in France it has fallen by 36 percent. Although use of insecticides and fungicides has indeed dropped by a third in the U.S., it has fallen by more than double that rate in France.

New Report Busts Myth That GMOs Needed to 'Feed the World' via @EcoWatch https://t.co/kDNE9Y69Eb  Mark Hyman, M.D. (@drmarkhyman) October 5, 2016

As you might expect, the biotech industry strongly disputes the Times analysis, saying it relies on cherry-picked data. Yet even Matin Qaiman independent academic at the University of Gottingen in Germany whose work Monsanto and other companies often cite to buttress their claimsoffered an assessment that wasnt exactly aligned with the industrys PR spin: I dont consider this to be the miracle type of technology that we couldnt live without, he told the Times.

Reposted with permission from our media associate TakePart.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) re-approved and proposed a dramatic expansion Tuesday of the use of the toxic pesticide Enlist Duo after only a cursory review of troubling data showing the two chemicals in the pesticide combine to have synergistic effects that are potentially harmful to endangered species and the environment. If approved the pesticide cocktail could be used on corn, soy and cotton in 34 statesup from 15 states where the product was previously approved for just corn and soy.

EPAs sudden about-face on this product is just astounding, Dr. Nathan Donley, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, said. Just last year the EPA asked a court to cancel registration of this product due to the unknown risks it posed and now it suddenly wants to more than double the number of states where the pesticide can be used? This proposal ignores the available data and will potentially harm our environment.

The rush to expand the use of Dow AgroSciences toxic chemical concoction of glyphosate and 2, 4-D for use on the next generation of genetically engineered crops comes only one year after the EPA asked a court to revoke its previous approval. That request, filed in response to litigation challenging Enlist Duos approval, resulted from the agencys discovery that Dow AgroSciences had filed patent applications for the product filed with the U.S. Patent Office claiming synergy. The EPA believed the product therefore could have significant and unknown environmental impacts. On Tuesday the EPA announced it does not believe the product has synergistic effects, despite Dows claims to the Patent Office.

Were disappointed that EPA has doubled down on Enlist Duo rather than pulled its registration of this hazardous pesticide. Unless EPA makes substantial changes to its previous registration of Enlist Duo, we remain confident it violates the law, Paul Achitoff, a managing attorney at Earthjustice, said.

Dow created Enlist crops as a quick fix for the superweed problem created by Roundup Ready crops that were genetically engineered to withstand what would otherwise be a toxic dose of the herbicide glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsantos Roundup herbicide. Just as overuse of antibiotics has left resistant strains of bacteria to thrive, repeated use of Roundup on those crops has resulted in the proliferation of glyphosate-resistant superweeds across millions of acres of U.S. farmland. Farmers are already reporting that some weeds have now also developed tolerance to 2, 4-D. This means this next generation of new herbicide-tolerant crops will result in massive increases in pesticide use and perpetuate the pesticide treadmill.

The EPAs negligence in evaluating the potential harms of new pesticides is not a new development. Earlier this year the Center for Biological Diversity released a groundbreaking report, Toxic Concoctions, finding that more than two-thirds of new pesticides registered in the past six years by the four major pesticide companies had patents demonstrating their new products synergistic effects with other pesticideseffects the EPA failed to consider. Synergism can greatly increase the harm of the pesticides to nontarget species such as bees and butterflies. Prior to 2016 the EPA had not considered patents showing pesticide synergy or incorporated the publicly available patent information into their analyses of these new pesticides. The organization followed this report with a petition to the EPA asking that it require information on pesticide synergy in pesticide-registration applications. The EPA has yet to act on that petition.

EPA Bows to Industry in Delay of Glyphosate Cancer Review https://t.co/LqPkJg2M4W @food_democracy @eartheats  EcoWatch (@EcoWatch) October 21, 2016

EPAs decision is a capitulation to the agrichemical industry, George Kimbrell, senior attorney with the Center for Food Safety, said. We will continue to protect farmers, consumers and the environment from this toxic crop system, and are exploring all legal options.

A senior scientist with Pesticide Action Network, Marcia Ishii-Eiteman, Ph.D., agrees: Once again, EPA has failed to protect the health, well-being and livelihood of Americas farmers and rural communities. The agencys decision dramatically increases the risk of pesticide drift causing severe crop losses and harms to human health.
By Lauren McCauley

The state of Michigan has reportedly issued preliminary approval for bottled water behemoth Nestle to nearly triple the amount of groundwater it will pump, to be bottled and sold at its Ice Mountain plant, which lies roughly 120 miles northwest of the beleaguered community of Flint.

Nestle Waters North America is asking the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for permission to increase allowed pumping from 150 to 400 gallons-per-minute at one of its production wells north of Evart, MLive reported on Monday.

The issue is the privatization of a critical resource. How much is too much? said Jeff Ostahowski, vice president of the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation. Steven Depolo / Flickr

The DEQ Water Resources Division conducted a site review and signed-off on the pumping increase in January, but the Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance is approving the permit, the report continued. The agency is accepting public comment on the proposal until Thursday, Nov. 3.

While Nestle and other bottled water companies have rankled many communities for privatizing their public water supply, the news particularly stung in Michigan, where citizens have faced a years-long nightmare over lead contamination in their drinking water. Many residents of Flint are still forced to rely on bottled water for cleaning, cooking and bathing as government delays have hampered efforts to replace the corroded pipes.

Meanwhile, the report notes that company representatives defended the need to expand the facility because U.S. market for bottled water in general is driving the bid for more Michigan groundwater.

Whats more, Nestle, the biggest food company in the world, gets to pump that water at no cost. As MLive reports, Michigan law allows any private property owner to withdraw from the aquifer under their property for free, subject only to a nominal $200 annual paperwork fee. The interstate Great Lakes compact prohibits water diversions outside of the Great Lakes basin, but a bottling exemption within the law allows water to be sold outside the region if its shipped in bottles smaller than 5.7 gallons.

The issue is the privatization of a critical resource. How much is too much? said Jeff Ostahowski, vice president of the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation, which for years fought against Nestles expansion in the state.

When contacted by MLive for comment, Ostahowski said he wasnt even aware of the new proposal. But as news spread on social media, the outrage was palpable:

People in Detroit are having their water cut off, and Flint has to pay for poison water but Nestle gets water for free and makes a profit?  Wendy Harless  Commissar of Enlightenment (@wendyharless) November 1, 2016

" Bottled water is the leading growth industry of the beverage market". Yup  especially here in Flint. Anyone https://t.co/XsBMl6nnID  kristen young (@kristensenters) November 1, 2016

Where does that bottled water #Flint is STILL using & paying for come from? https://t.co/IeBnRpCWin  nancyflanagan (@nancyflanagan) November 1, 2016

Reposted with permission from our media associate Common Dreams.
Following its final Environmental Assessment and a Finding of No Significant Impact, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has decided to offer 40,000 acres of Wayne National ForestOhios only national forestup for fracking.

Fracking could extend to other areas in Ohio, even a national forest. Wayne National Forest is located in southeast Ohio. ACFANs Ohio fracking map

The BLM is now planning an online auction on Dec. 13 to lease the first 1,600 acres of the forest near Monroe, Noble and Washington counties to oil and gas development. The minimum acceptable bid can be as little as $2 per acre.

Local environmental groups and activists have unsurprisingly spoken out against the unconventional drilling of their states sole national forest.

Athens County Fracking Action Network (ACFAN) has criticized the BLM for not considering the full extent of frackings negative impacts in its final Environmental Assessment posted earlier this month, including frackings threat to drinking water and its harm to public health and the climate.

[US Forest Service decision maker and regional forester Kathleen Atkinson] clearly has ignored the facts that the Environmental Assessment is woefully inadequate, Athens County resident and Bern Township Trustee Roxanne Groff told EcoWatch via email. The Assessment does not cover cumulative effects of fracking in the Wayne. Up-to-date research must be used to address climate issues of fracking on public lands. This has NOT been done for the Wayne National Forest. Research that is 11 years old is the basis for her decision.

https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/707370907510173697 evaluation of fracking the Wayne to date, Heather Cantino, ACFAN steering committee chair, said. The 2006 Plan, which the BLM and USFS cite as the basis for their recent decision to go ahead with leasing, did not evaluate impacts of fracking.

The current BLM EA is a shoddy, inadequate document not even worthy of a high school science report, Cantino added. The feds apparently want to give away our forest, climate and communities to the fracking industry and will stop at nothing. NEPA and science dont seem to be relevant anymore to federal actions. This is a horrifying denial of science, law, and justice.

ACFAN has been working with the Buckeye Forest Council, Sierra Club and other concerned groups and citizens to stop officials from opening up the Wayne National Forest to fracking since 2011. ACFAN also noted that Wayne National Forest is already highly fragmented and abused, with extensive logging, inappropriate burning, ATV trails (unlike nearby Indianas and West Virginias, which prohibit them), and increasingly prevalent invasive plants.

Meanwhile, energy industry officials have applauded the decision. Shawn Bennett, executive vice president of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, told The Columbus Dispatch that the proposed leases are a step in the right direction and opens up lands that are required to be leased by several federal statutes.

The project does not violate any known federal, state, local or tribal law or requirement imposed for the protection of the environment, states the final report signed by BLM district manager Dean Gettinger.

As it stands, there are now less than 30-days for opponents to file a formal protest of the proposed lease. Nathan Johnson, an attorney for the Ohio Environmental Council, told the Dispatch that his group will appeal the decision on the grounds that the government has not done enough to consider environmental concerns.

A Change.org petition backed by more than 1,200 signatories has also been launched to protest the leasing.
Weve said it before but it bears repeating: the global shift to clean energy is on today. Not 10 years from now. Not 50 years from now. Today.

Were already seeing the benefits too in a whole host of sectors. And those below are just for starters. Which highlights whywith the Paris agreement about to go into effect and momentum building for action across the planetits critical for those of us committed to creating a sustainable future to support world leaders working to drop dirty fossil fuels and expand clean solutions today. Read on to learn more.

1. Renewables are Reducing Global Poverty and Expanding Energy Access

Currently, nearly one-fifth of the worlds population lacks access to electricity, most in rural areas of the developing world unable to connect to power grids. But with solar, batteries, LED lights and efficient appliances getting more affordable all the time and entrepreneurs developing new approaches both to technology and support for rural communities, it shouldnt be for long. Fortune magazine, for example, last year hailed off-grid solar in Africa as tomorrows hot market. Meanwhile, projects in Bangladesh, Peru and rural villages of India are bringing electricity where there was once noneall through the power of the sun.

2. Clean Energy Saves Lives and Makes the World More Secure

With a warming climate come the challenges of ensuring food and water security for millions, sometimes spurring human migrations and further destabilizing vulnerable countries. But when we embrace clean energy, as militaries around the world are doing, the benefits can be big. Not only is it cutting costs, this choice is actually making our world more secure. Now thats something worth fighting for.

3. Clean Energy Helps Improve Public Health

Its simple: Burning fossil fuels pollutes our air, water and land, exposure to this pollution can result in deadly illnesses. Harnessing the power of the sun, wind and water  well  it doesnt pollute our precious resources. With clean energy, we can all breathe (and drink and farm) easier.

4. We Protect Forests and Reduce Deforestation

Clearing the planets forests accounts for approximately 15 percent of global emissionsthats about the same, if not slightly more, than transportation. But countries like Brazil and India are creating policies to drastically reduce deforestation as key parts of their strategies for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and meeting their commitments in the Paris agreement. When we protect forests, which store hundreds of billions of metric tons of carbon worldwide, were keeping that carbon where it belongs. We speak for the trees and we say thanks!

5. Climate-Smart Agriculture is Growing

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, agriculture, forestry and other land use accounts for roughly 24 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but the good news is this: Were getting smarter about how we farm. Some studies and trial programs have suggested that adopting more sustainable agricultural management techniques could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions more than40 percent. Plows at the ready

6. Clean Energy is Creating Jobs

Jobs: Theyre a hot topic in the U.S. election and the same is true in political discussions around the world. Weve got good newsjust last year, 8.1 million people worldwide were employed in the renewable energy industry. And by 2030, if we double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, the sector could employ 24 million people. In the U.S. alone, solar energy already employs 77 percent more workers than the coal mining industry. Thats huge.

Help Make Climate Solutions a Reality

Its been said before: now is the time to stop talking about the climate crisis and start solving it. Were already seeing the massive benefits of climate solutions: the time is now to implement them worldwide. Add your name below to support leaders making climate solutions a reality today.
(Photo: REUTERS / Ari Jalal)Displaced people from the minority Yazidi group, fleeing violence in the Iraqi town of Sinjar west of Mosul, take refuge at Dohuk province, August 29, 2014.

GENEVA - The United Nations human rights office has received reports that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, IS or Da'esh) is attempting to forcibly transfer tens of thousands of civilians closer to Mosul.

This is including near its own military installations, which could be targets as the Iraqi government's offensive to retake the city intensifies said the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

In Baghdad, Save the Children says that up to 600,000 children are among the civilians trapped in jihadist-held Mosul and has called for for safe corridors as Iraqi forces advanced on the city.

"It is a critical moment to protect children and open safe routes to allow the 1.5 million civilians, including about 600,000 children, still trapped in the city to leave safely," the charity said Nov. 1, AFP reports.

Iraqi forces reached the outskirts of Mosul, two weeks into a massive operation to retake the city they lost to the jihadist group in June 2014.

"We cannot sit back and wait for another situation like Aleppo to unfold, whilst there is still the opportunity to get children out of the war zone," the NGO's Iraq director Maurizio Crivellaro said.

In Geneva the U.N. rights office reported that early Nov. 1, ISIL attempted the forcible transfer of some 25,000 civilians towards locations in and around Mosul.

While coalition flights patrolling the area foiled the effort, some buses did reach Abusaif, 15 kilometres (9 miles) north of Hamam Al-Alil City, south of Mosul.

"We have grave concerns for the safety of these and the tens of thousands of other civilians who have reportedly been forcibly relocated by ISIL in the past two weeks," OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told journalists.

She said ISIL has brought dozens of long trucks and mini-buses to Hamam al-Alil City  most of which were prevented from proceeding towards Mosul by coalition flights.

ROME STATUTE

"Using civilians as human shields is a war crime. Under article 8(2)(c) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, taking of hostages in a non-international armed conflict is a war crime," said Shamdasani citing Article 8 says ordering the displacement of civilians for reasons not connected with their security or imperative military reasons is also a war crime.

The Asyrian International News Agency reported that, "after a week of hard fighting last month, Iraqi government forces drove ISIS from the town of Bartella, liberating a stronghold of Iraqis who belong to the Assyrian Orthodox Church.

"In their euphoria, Christian militia, who call themselves the Nineveh Plains Force, used two broken pieces of lumber to cobble together a cross. They climbed to the top of the Mar Shmony Church and erected the cross on the dome.

"One of the militiamen draped the cross with an Iraqi flag, another set up a Nativity scene he had found in the rubble, while still another rang the church's bell, which somehow had been overlooked by the Islamic State vandals."

In New York, the Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide has condemned in the strongest terms the continued, absolute disregard for international human rights and international humanitarian law by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Adam Deng was speaking in a statement from New York saying ISIL, or Daesh or IS as it is also known, has been demonstrated in the context of ongoing military operations in and around Iraq's second city of Mosul.

"Recent reports cite the abduction and execution by ISIL of large numbers of civilians, the use of civilians as human shields and incitement to violence by ISIL's leaders," said Deng.

"There have also been reports of use of chemical weapons and collective punishment of members of Iraqi Security Forces and their relatives."

On Oct. 31, according to local reports, ISIL attempted to forcefully transfer as many as 25,000 people from the town of Hamam al-Alil to Talafar District, Mosul District and Abusaif town said the UN report.

This is the location of a military base where ISIL has reportedly carried out mass killings of civilians.

HUMAN SHIELDS

"The Special Adviser expresses grave concern for the safety of these civilians and the tens of thousands of others who have reportedly been forcibly relocated to be used as human shields. ISIL is likely to increase such tactics as the military operation progresses," he said.

Deng stressed the importance of accountability for crimes committed by ISIL, noting that existing allegations are sufficiently strong for action to be taken immediately.

He reiterates his call for all evidence of criminal activity to be properly documented and secured for future consideration by a court of justice.

Deng also reminded the Iraq government that its military operations must be conducted with full respect for international law.

He said all allegations of retaliatory violence by the security forces or by armed militias associated with them should be addressed effectively and without delay.

"Under international law, command responsibility means that those in authority will be held accountable for the actions of forces under their control."
According to this new information the Russians have known about alien civilizations for several decades, to many this comes as no surprise,...
A simple yes-or-no question being put to Massachusetts voters next monthwhether a cap on the number of charter schools allowed to open in the state should be liftedhas turned into a national political battle between charter advocates and those who oppose the publicly funded but independently run schools.

Over $33 million from both the national teachers unions and out-of-state charter-advocacy groups and individual donors has come pouring into Massachusetts. Both sides have launched expansive campaigns to lobby potential voters door to door to vote their way on the ballot measure, known as Question 2.

How Massachusetts voters come down on the ballot measure could signal future odds for the expansion of charter schools nationally, one education expert said.

I think people are inclined to focus on this ballot measure to see what the political climate is like for charter schools, said Paul Reville, a professor of education policy at Harvard University and a former secretary of education for the state.

If we have difficulty in raising the cap in a state with such high-performing charter schools, what does that say for the prospects of more charter schools in the places that have not done as well?

Tight Limits

Compared with many other states, Massachusetts has strict limits on the number of charter schools that can open. Although the state has not hit its statewide cap of 120 charters, some areassuch as Bostonhave reached separate, regional limits.

And the state has additional barriers to charter expansion, including limits to how much of a districts budget can be directed to chartersit cant exceed 9 percent in most districts. That budget restriction, however, will rise to 18 percent by 2017 in the lowest-performing districts.

Question 2 would allow the state to approve 12 new charter schools a year.

The ballot measure marks the end of a full-court pressbacked by Gov. Charlie Bakerthat began last year to lift the charter school cap. In addition to the ballot initiative, a lawsuit and legislation were aimed at raising the cap.

But the bill fizzled in the last legislative session, and a Suffolk County Superior Court judge recently dismissed the lawsuit, leaving the ballot initiative as the last option for charter advocates to prevail in easing limits on expansion.

Deep Divisions

The campaign for the ballot measure seemed to be going charter proponents way eight months ago but has since flipped, said Steve Koczela, the director of the MassInc Polling Group. A recent poll by his company for WBUR, an NPR affiliate in Boston, found that 52 percent of the states voters plan to vote against raising the charter cap, compared with 41 percent who said they would vote yes.

As he dug deeper into the latest polling results, Koczela said he found some telling divisions, including a huge gap between how Democrats and Republications view the issue.

Republicans support raising the cap 2-to-1, he said, but the reverse is true for Democrats.

Weve been polling on this for a long time, and we havent seen a party split [on charter schools] until quite recently, and now the party split is quite pronounced, he said.

Racial divisions on the issue are also stark, Koczela said, with 40 percent of white voters in favor of expanding charters, while 53 percent of nonwhite voters support expansion.

Nonwhite voters have been consistently more supportive of charters than white voters, he said. That means theres a divide in the Democratic Party, since a significant part of nonwhite voters are in the Democratic Party.

Daphne Lawson, whose two children attend a Boston charter school, is a paid organizer for Families for Excellent Schools, a New York City-based pro-charter advocacy group known for organizing large rallies with Success Academy, the citys largest charter network. In her work canvassing voters, she said she has seen a split within the black community.

"[The] divide has been more along the lines of older blacks, who are more loyal to the district system, said Lawson, who is African-American. My family are educators as well, my mother my father, I get it. You have your job and your tenure and your pension, and then here comes this charter movement that threatens to usurp that.

High Stakes

Lawson sees the fight to raise the cap as a personal one.

Dissatisfied with the levels of academic rigor in traditional Boston schools, Lawson started sending her children to KIPP Boston. Both are in middle school and will soon age out of the KIPP system, which does not have a high school in Boston and cant open one because of the cap.

But activist parents on the other side of the issue are also campaigning, including Deborah Gesualdo, a music teacher at Linden STEAM Academy, a district school in Malden, Mass.

She has been volunteering a lot of time to the vote no campaign, and shes not the only one. Every teacher in her school building is involved, she said.

Whether theyve canvassed, whether theyve phone-banked, whether they are active in educating people on social media.  Everyone is active in some way on the campaign, Gesualdo said.

Both sides are also drawing in political heavyweights.

Elizabeth Warren, the states popular Democratic senator, came out against lifting the cap, as did Martin Walsh, Bostons generally charter-friendly mayor.

Proponents of raising the cap include Gov. Baker, a Republican, and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who donated money to support passage of the ballot question.

But as a parent and a teacher, Lawson and Gesualdo are key surrogates for their respective campaigns.

They have a really slick ad game, Barbara Madeloni, the president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, said of the pro-charter groups and their TV commercials. But its not going to carry the same weight as your sons teacher knocking on the door to talk about ballot-question number 2.

Teachers unions are generally against charter school expansion nationally, and they tend to be the strongest and most organized force against charter growth.

A campaign called Save Our Public Schools, which is largely funded by the MTA and the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, as well as the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, has bankrolled the vote no campaign.

But it has not raised nearly as much as charter school advocates$12.5 million compared with $20.5 million, according to the most recent campaign finance reports.

Most of the money spent in support of the ballot measure has come from the Great Schools Massachusetts campaign, whose largest donor is Families for Excellent Schools.

The extra spending is needed to counter the political prowess of the teachers unions, said Marc Kenen, the executive director of the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association.

Thats why we have such a restrictive cap, because of the power of the teachers union, he said. The people contributing to our campaign are simply leveling the playing field.

After legislation to lift the cap failed, and the lawsuit stalled, Kenen said everything has come down to the question on Novembers ballot.

If this vote is a no, he said, its going to be a major setback for the charter school movement in Massachusetts.
To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020.
Traffic shift at Smithland Bridge construction zone A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) plans a traffic shift and an traffic diversion near the U.S. 60 Cumberland River...

Lady Rockets play in regional semis tonight After dispatching Christian County in five sets on Monday, the Lady Rockets volleyball team (19-14) will be taking on Madisonville (27-10) t...

Local businesses prepare for Trick or Treat on Main Click Image to Enlarge About 45 local businesses and entities are participating in Trick or Treat on Main Monday. Children can pass through ...

Job Corps Center seeks employees Click Image to Enlarge The Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center now has a $15 minimum wage. The Union County center is seeking employees at a ...
The Obamas are surely going out with a bang (and, yes, a bit of a rager.)

Following tradition, the President and First Lady welcomed students from local schools into the White House for Halloween. The two were seen jamming out to "Thriller" and handing candy out to the local kids. There was even a Thriller-inspired flash mob, which is proof these two are the coolest.

Hey, Michelle -- Hope those weren't chocolate-covered brussel sprouts you're handing out!

As always, Obama looked totally in his element. That man clearly loves kids -- especially when they're dressed as lame ducks.

Can they stay for another four years? Please?
Why would women "rescued" from the sex trade riot against their rescuers? Sex workers in Hyderabad often experience rescue as a form of humanitarian violence befitting the United Nation's definition of trafficking. Anti-trafficking laws in India reinforce kinship structures that precipitate the need to participate in sex work. Moreover, without restructuring the wider political economy of female labour, rehabilitation efforts fail to address sex workers' economic needs. Those rescued almost inevitably choose to return to sex work. Anti-trafficking programmes do violence to sex workers while failing to offer them adequate alternatives.
Most of the press surrounding the release of Windows Server 2016 has focused primarily on new features such as containers and Nano Server. While these new capabilities are undeniably useful, the bigger story with the Windows Server 2016 release is Microsofts focus on security.

Admittedly, it is easy to dismiss claims of enhanced operating system security as being little more than marketing hype. After all, every new Windows release boasts improved security. In Windows Server 2016, however, Microsoft has implemented a number of new security mechanisms that are designed to work together to provide better overall security.

This article discusses virtual secure mode, which serves as the foundation for several new Windows Server 2016 security features, and three of the more innovative new features.

Microsofts Virtual Secure Mode

Microsofts latest security-related buzz phrase is Virtual Secure Mode. The idea behind virtual secure mode is that the Windows operating system can be made more secure by offloading some of its security functions to the hardware, rather than performing those functions solely at the software level.

There are two important things to understand about virtual secure mode. First, virtual secure mode doesnt really provide any security by itself. Instead, virtual secure mode is more of an infrastructure- level component of the operating system, and is the basis for other security features which will be discussed later on.

The other thing that must be understood about virtual secure mode is that the word virtual is there for a reason. As you probably know, modern CPUs include on-chip virtualization extensions. Historically, these virtualization extensions have been the basis of server virtualization. The hypervisor sits on top of the CPU and acts as an intermediary between the virtual machines and the hardware.

One of the big advantages to using this approach to server virtualization is that the hypervisor is able to ensure that virtual machines are truly isolated from one another. Virtual secure mode uses a similar technique to create a virtualized space on top of the hypervisor. Sensitive operations can be securely performed within this space, without being exposed to the host operating system.

Feature No. 1: Credential Guard

As previously noted, virtual secure mode is not a security feature itself, but rather a platform that can be used by other security features. Credential Guard is one of the security features that relies on virtual secure mode. As its name implies, Credential Guard is designed to prevent user credentials from being compromised.

The authentication process used by the Windows operating system is a function of the Local Security Authority (LSA). Not only does the LSA provide interactive authentication services, but it also generates security tokens, manages the local security policy and manages the systems audit policy. Credential Guard works by moving the LSA into Isolated User Mode, the virtualized space created by virtual secure mode.

Although the operating system must be able to communicate with the LSA in order to perform authentication services, Microsoft has designed the operating system to protect the integrity of the LSA. First, the memory used by the LSA is isolated, just as a virtual machines memory is isolated. Microsoft also limits the LSA to running only the bare minimum binaries, and strict signing of those binaries is enforced. Finally, Microsoft prevents other code, such as drivers, from running in Isolated User Mode.

Feature No. 2: Device Guard

Device Guard is another operating system feature that leverages virtual secure mode. Device Guard isnt really a feature per se, but rather a collection of three security features that fall collectively under the Device Guard label. These three features include Configurable Code Integrity, VSM Protected Code Integrity, and Platform and UEFI Secure Boot (which has been around since Windows 8). Collectively, these three features work together to prevent malware infections.

The Device Guard component that is designed to work with virtual secure mode is VSM Protected Code Integrity. This component ensures the integrity of code running at the kernel level. Although moving kernel mode code integrity into virtual secure mode goes a long way toward protecting the operating system, the Configurable Code Integrity feature is equally noteworthy. This feature is designed to ensure that only trusted code is allowed to run. Administrators can use the PowerShell New-CIPolicy cmdlet to create integrity policies that essentially act as whitelists for applications.

In case you are wondering, these policies are based on application signatures. Since not all applications are signed, Microsoft provides a tool called SignTool.exe that can create a catalog (a signature) for unsigned applications.

Feature No. 3: Host Guardian and Shielded Virtual Machines

Although server virtualization has been proven to be relatively secure, it has always had one major Achilles heel: virtual machine portability. Today, there is little to prevent a virtualization administrator, or even a storage administrator for that matter, from copying a virtual machines virtual hard disk to removable media.

The rogue administrator would then be able to take the media home, mount the virtual hard disks on his own computer and gain full access to the virtual hard disks contents. If necessary, the administrator could even go so far as to set up their own host server and actually boot the stolen virtual machine. Microsofts Host Guardian Service is designed to prevent this from happening by allowing the creation of shielded virtual machines.

The Host Guardian Service is a Windows Server 2016 attestation and key protection service that allows a Hyper-V host to be configured to act as a guarded host. A guarded host must be positively identified on the network and attested at the Active Directory and/or TPM level. If TPM trusted attestation is being used, then Windows goes so far as to verify the hosts health by comparing its configuration against a known good baseline configuration. It is worth noting, however, that Active Directory trusted attestation does not support host configuration verification.

The Host Guardian Service enables the use of shielded virtual machines. A shielded virtual machine is a virtual machine whose virtual hard disks are encrypted via virtual TPM. This encryption prevents a shielded virtual machine from running on any Hyper-V server other than a designated guarded host. If a virtual hard disk is removed from the organization, its contents cannot be accessed and the virtual machine cannot be run.

Shielded virtual machines are BitLocker encrypted. BitLocker makes use of a virtual TPM device, residing on the host server. The virtual TPM is encrypted using a transport key, and the transport key is in turn protected by the Host Guardian Service.

Microsoft Azure and Windows Server 2016

Security was a major initiative behind the development of Windows Server 2016. Microsoft is working hard to convince its customers to run mission-critical workloads in Azure. Because Azure is based on Windows Server, Microsoft had no choice but to take a security-first approach in the development of Windows Server 2016. Windows Server 2016 boasts an impressive list of new security features that go far beyond those covered in this article.

Brien Posey is a longtime Microsoft MVP and freelance technical author and speaker. Prior to going freelance, Brien worked as CIO for a national chain of hospitals and health care facilities and as a network engineer for the United States Department of Defense at Fort Knox. In addition to his continuing work in IT, Brien is currently training as a commercial scientist-astronaut candidate.
Viruses are ubiquitous pathogens in all types of life forms. They cause major public health issues and create serious economic concerns worldwide. These infectious agents replicate inside the living cells of other organisms by selectively capturing in the host cell the right segments of nucleic acids needed for them to self-assemble. The ability of viruses to self-assemble still defies theoretical understanding. There are currently no physical models that can reliably account for the dynamic pathways along which the hundreds of molecular building blocks making up a virus fit into the final structure with pinpoint accuracy.

This is the question that Dr Guillaume Tresset and his team from the Universite Paris Sud are trying to answer this week. They are using time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering (TR-SAXS) techniques on the ESRFs ID02 beamline. We want to elucidate the mechanisms of genome packaging and understand how these viruses manage to select their genome efficiently, says Dr Tresset.

The research team will be studying single-stranded (ss) RNA plant viruses. This category of virus also includes hepatitis C and Zika, plus human norovirus, which is responsible for causing severe gastroenteritis.

Most viruses consist of nucleic acids which encode, transmit and express the genetic code. These viral components are protected by a nanometre-scale protein shell called the capsid. For some viruses, the capsid is wrapped in a lipid envelope. During viral replication in the host cell, the capsid proteins and nucleic acids are synthesized and have to self-assemble into a fully infectious viral particle. In particular, viral nucleic acids have to be compacted and packaged into the capsid. This step is crucial for the survival of the virus and must be carried out in a rapid and error-free manner. In particular, the capsid must uptake only the viral genome and not the nucleic acids coming from the host cell, which suggests some selectivity on the part of the capsid proteins.

All set to work through the weekend, the team members take a short break to pose in front of ID02 experimental hutch. From left to right, front row: Johannes Moeller, ESRF post-doc and local contact for the experiment, Maelenn Chevreuil, Doru Constantin (LPS Orsay); middle row: Stephane Bressanelli, Thibault Tubiana (I2BC, Gif sur Yvette), Jingzhi Chen (LPS Orsay); back row: Guillaume Tresset, Mehdi Zeghal (LPS Orsay).

The self-assembly of viral particles can be performed in vitro from purified capsid proteins and ssRNA. The process is multiscale, with events occurring over milliseconds up to several hours and with molecules sized in the nanometre scale (from a few to tens of nanometres). TR-SAXS is an ideal technique of investigation. Because the scattering intensity of molecular species is quite low, only synchrotron sources are able to probe the processes with accuracy. The ESRFs ID02 beamline is capable of achieving a time resolution of a few milliseconds, which is crucial to capture the early events, says Guillaume Tresset.

Single-stranded (ss)RNA viruses often follow a simple architecture with an icosahedral capsid containing the genome in the form of ssRNA.

The team is expecting to answer a long-standing question in the field: do capsid proteins bind first to the genome prior to forming an icosahedral shell or is the icosahedral shell built up simultaneously with the uptake of the genome?

The scientists are from two laboratories in the Paris region, the LPS (Laboratoire de Physique des Solides) in Orsay, and the I2BC (Institut de Biologie Integrative de la Cellule) in Gif sur Yvette.

Text by Kirstin Colvin
We are all aware that the Breeders Cup Juvenile and the Kentucky Derby are two totally separate entities, with only two of the 32 Juvenile winners going on to capture the Run for the Roses.

This year, however, we not only have a deep, talented field for the Juvenile, but the vast majority of them also look like Derby horses in terms of class, pedigree, and running style.

The one horse all the experts seem to be falling in love with, especially his trainer, is Not This Time, whose races have been extremely impressive, as he has demonstrated all the attributes you want to see in a Derby horse, including the ability to overcome a bad start and not only go on to win, but decimate his opponents.

Going by the eye test, this son of Giants Causeway is a true attention grabber, with his classy demeanor and smooth fluid strides, and the ease with which he does things. If youre looking for a very early Derby horse, who has won big at Churchill Downs and has come home in fast time in his races and works, both with little effort, its difficult to look past him.

But does that mean hes going to win the Juvenile, especially over a normally speed-favoring track over which hes never run? And can he work out a good trip from the 10-post without losing too much ground?

The other horse high on many peoples radar is Classic Empire, who rebounded off his mental lapse in the Hopeful Stakes with the addition of blinkers and was very impressive winning the Breeders Futurity to remain undefeated in races in which he has finished. If he remains as professional as he was at Keeneland, and with his classic pedigree, he has all the tools to be a legitimate Derby contender, and deserves to be one of the favorites in the Juvenile, in which he drew well in post 5.

Watching all the prep races and handicapping the Juvenile, you have to be impressed with the tenacious Practical Joke, who won the Hopeful and Champagne on grit and class; the one-two finishers in the FrontRunner Stakes, Gormley and Klimt, who have a race over the track; the unknown Florida monster Three Rules, who has destroyed his opponents in all five of his starts, including a sweep of the Florida Stallion Series; the undefeated Theory, winner of the Futurity at Belmont, who lacks experience, but is going to be heard from next year, and should love stretching out to two turns; and the fast-closing Lookin At Lee, winner of the Ellis Park Juvenile and second to both Not This Time and Classic Empire in stakes.

As mentioned earlier, all these horses have a big chance to win the Juvenile and possess all the tools to be a legitimate Kentucky Derby contender.

And then we come to Syndergaard, a horse who, right now, looks to be too fast for his own good in regard to being a Derby horse. In his three career starts, his average opening half-mile has been a blistering :44 3/5. When a horse runs an opening half in :44 2/5 going a flat mile at Belmont Park while under pressure, that is one fast colt, but not what you want to see from a prospective Derby horse, especially coming home the last quarter in :26.

However, as stated, the Juvenile has no bearing on the Derby, and when Syndergaard drew post 2 going from a one-turn mile at Belmont to a two-turn race at Santa Anita it put him in an enviable position to blow his field away early and open up a decisive advantage. We all saw in the Champagne that this colt has no quit in him, as he put away the other speed and dug in when Practical Joke looked him in the eye, losing by the bob of a head. In fact, Syndergaard was in front one jump before the wire and one jump past the wire.

Racing two turns for the first time, no one is expecting Syndergaard to go in :44 and change, but with his inside post, he should have no trouble outrunning Gormley and Three Rules, both coming off two-turn races, into the first turn. Stretching out to two-turns in the FrontRunner, Gormley went his opening half in :47 after a rapid sprint split in his career debut, and Three Rules went in :48 after also setting very fast fractions in sprints, and we all know that Todd Pletcher babies have a tendency to break out of the gate as if hit in the rump with a hot branding iron. What I did love about Gormleys victory over Bob Bafferts 1-5 favorite Klimt was the way he won with his ears pricked, indicating there was a lot more to give. Despite that, he still earned an impressive 93 Beyer speed figure, with Klimt having to overcome a slow start and still finishing 4 1/2 lengths ahead of the third horse, the promising Straight Fire.

Oddly, the only horse who has been sprinting and might have the speed to stay relatively close to Syndergaard is his stablemate Theory, but hes been more of a stalker and I dont see the two Pletcher horses testing each other early. Theory just does not have Syndergaards speed. Actually, Not This Time should be much closer this time if he breaks cleanly and is able to rush up and get a good position going into the first turn. He did break his maiden on the front end.

Still, Syndergaard should be in complete control of the pace, with John Velazquez free to open up as big a lead as he pleases and defy the others to come catch him. I dont see the others with speed trying to test him early. And hes already shown hes not going to fold if someone does challenge him, no matter how fast he runs early.

So, I am looking at the Juvenile as two races in one. Im, of course, looking for a Derby horse and there are plenty to choose from, and Im particularly interested to see how Not This Time runs, as well as Classic Empire, Practical Joke, and some of the others. The other aspect of the Juvenile is trying to find a winner, regardless of whether he appears to be Derby material. With Syndergaard, I can envision this colt busting out of the gate, cutting the corner to establish a clear lead over Gormley and Three Rules and continuing to open up and playing catch me if you can.

Judging by his blazing speed, his tenacity, and his final Juvenile work on the Belmont training track, in which he came home strong in company and galloped out powerfully, I have to think he is going to be a very tough horse to catch.

But, if that is the case, you can bet Ill have my eye on whats behind him, looking ahead to next year. And I must conclude with one final thought. As I mentioned, most of the attention will be on Not This Time and Classic Empire, and rightly so. And while many might dismiss the Gulfstream Park form and the competition in the Stallion Series, from what Ive seen visually in all his races, it would not be wise to overlook Three Rules.

This colt has a beautiful way of moving, exudes a great deal of class, and is very professional. And in the In Reality, which was his two-turn debut, his :48 half is deceptive because the track that day was listed as good and was on the deep side, judging by the 22 track variant. Not only did Three Rules win by 10 lengths, but the runner-up finished 8 1/4 lengths ahead of the third horse in the 12-horse field. In the opening leg of the Stallion Series, the Dr. Fager, he won by seven lengths, earning a 94 Beyer, which, along with Klimt in the Del Mar Futurity, is the fastest of any horse in the field.

I will give the Juvenile one final look in a couple of days after I hopefully watch Syndergaard and Three Rules train over the track, but these are the two potential overlays Im looking at right now, with Syndergaard the main play and Three Rules the price horse to watch for next year and run a good race here as well. Heck, they might even run one-two the whole way around if the track is playing speed.

One final bit of advice, if you are as taken with Not This Time as others are, including myself, and believe trainer Dale Romans rave reviews, then get your Derby future book bets down before the Juvenile. Regardless of how this race plays out with the pace, and with him breaking from the 10-post, this looks like one special colt. Or maybe Classic Empire is the special one with stakes wins sprinting and two turns.



This is a fascinating race and should be fun to watch, especially seeing how the pace unfolds going into the first turn. That could determine the outcome right there.
ATHENS, November 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

At today's meeting, Piraeus Bank's Board of Directors elected Messrs George Handjinicolaou, Solomon Berahas and Enrico Tommaso Cucchiani as new non executive members of the BoD to replace members previously resigned. The Board then proceeded to unanimously approve the appointment of Mr George Handjinicolaou as its new Chairman. Mr Handjinicolaou starts his role immediately.

Mr Handjinicolaou is a highly experienced international business leader in the financial services sector. His career spans 33 years, the vast majority of which was spent at global financial institutions based in London and New York and the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) in London.

Mr Handjinicolaou was most recently Deputy CEO of ISDA, where he was a member of the Board of Directors. He previously held senior management positions in the derivatives and fixed income markets at several global financial institutions including Dresdner Kleinwort Benson, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and UBS in London and New York. Mr Handjinicolaou started his career at the World Bank in Washington, DC. Mr Handjinicolaou also has leadership experience in Greece from his roles as CEO of TBANK and as Vice Chairman of the Greek Capital Market Commission.

Mr Handjinicolaou's extensive international leadership experience, deep understanding of global capital markets combined with experience in restructuring within the Greek banking sector will be of significant value to Piraeus Bank's Board of Directors.

Mr. Handjinicolaou received his PhD in Finance from the graduate school of business at New York University, where he also earned his MBA. He holds a BS degree from the Law School at the University of Athens in Athens, Greece.

Piraeus Bank's appointment of Mr Handjinicolaou marks another major step in the strengthening of the Bank's Board of Directors and its corporate governance, which builds on significant progress made during 2016. During the course of this year the Board has added international leadership experience and technical expertise, in particular in restructurings and problem loan reduction, combining this with deep local market experience.

Mr Handjinicolaou's appointment is the seventh new non-executive appointment to Piraeus Bank's Board of Directors in 2016:



- Mr Solomon Berahas (Non-Executive Board Member)

- Senior risk adviser with 33 years' experience. CEO of Teiresias S.A.

- Mr Arne Berggren (Chairman of the Nominations and Remuneration Committees)

- Bank restructuring specialist with over 25 years' experience in 20 countries.

Former IMF Senior Adviser and head of restructurings at Swedbank

- Mr Alexander Blades (Non-Executive Board Member)

- Partner at Paulson & Co Inc. the New York headquartered asset manager and Piraeus

Bank's largest private shareholder

- Mr Enrico Cucchiani (Non Executive Board Member)

- Former CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy's largest bank

- Mr Karel DeBoeck (Chairman of the Risk Committee)

- Former CEO of Belgian banks Dexia and Fortis

- Mr David Hexter (Chairman of the Audit Committee)

- Bank and corporate restructuring specialist, former Head of Financial Institutions

at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Mr Arne Berggren, Independent Non-Executive Member of Piraeus Bank's Board of Directors and Chairman of the Nominations Committee, said:

"On behalf of the Board of Directors I would like to congratulate Mr Handjinicolaou and to welcome him to Piraeus Bank. George's extensive international leadership experience, deep expertise in global financial markets combined with his understanding of the Greek market will be invaluable to the success of Piraeus' restructuring plan. This is another major milestone for Piraeus Bank to build a strong Board with the combined experience to tackle the Bank's challenges effectively and to ensure that the Bank is well positioned to meet the highest standards of corporate governance."

Mr George Handjinicolaou, newly appointed Chairman of Piraeus Bank, commented:

"I am excited by the opportunity to use the experience and expertise that I have accumulated during my career to contribute to the turnaround of Piraeus Bank. Greece is currently at a critical juncture, and it is an honour to lead Greece's largest bank. Also, having benefited from Greece's public education system, this role provides me with an opportunity to give back to my country.

Piraeus Bank has responded effectively to an extremely challenging operating environment and I believe that there are significant opportunities for the Bank to build upon our trusted and valued customer brand, to support economic recovery in Greece and to deliver value for our shareholders over the medium term. I look forward to being part of Piraeus Bank's success, alongside a strengthened Board, a reinvigorated executive team and all of our loyal and committed employees."

Nick Tesseyman, EBRD Managing Director, Financial Institutions, said:

"We are pleased that Piraeus Bank now has a strong board with several new members, including the Chairman, who bring international experience and a new outlook to help steer Greece's largest bank on its road to recovery. High standards of corporate governance are important and we are confident that the newly composed board will ensure that this is adhered to. This is all the more important as we are seeing encouraging signs indicating that the Greek economy is starting to grow again. In this moment it is crucial to have a well-functioning banking sector with the ability to support the real economy on a sustainable basis. With the recent developments we are confident that Piraeus Bank will be well placed to perform this task."

CONTACT: Karen Le CannuMobile +44 (0)7872 602 777karen.lecannu@powerscourt-group.comAlexandra RowbottomDirect +44 (0) 20 3328 9384Mobile +44 (0)7734 568 590alex.rowbottom@powerscourt-group.com
BANGALORE and PARIS, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Infosys Finacle-Efma Research Shows 78 Percent of Banks Becoming More Customer Centric Through Reimagining Banking Practices

Infosys Finacle [https://www.edgeverve.com/finacle ], part of EdgeVerve Systems, a product subsidiary of Infosys , and Efma [http://www.efma.com/index.php/init/home/index/EN/0/0 ], a global not-for-profit organization today launched the eighth annual study of 'Innovation in retail banking'. The research revealed that 77 percent of banks regard the threat from technology companies, start-ups, retailers and/or telecom players as high or very high. Over half now consider the threat from technology companies and start-up challenger banks as significant.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151104/283829LOGO )

However, the research, in which 158 banks from 56 countries participated, showed that banks have largely embraced digitization and are aggressively adopting new technologies in order to innovate. The proportion of banks with an innovation strategy has increased to 74 percent in 2016, from only 37 percent in 2009. In addition, banks are now more likely to collaborate with start-ups in order to stay competitive, with nearly three quarters (73 percent) seeing them as the best way to leverage new technologies.

Key findings:



- The vast majority (86 percent) of banks believe that emerging competitors will

have a significant impact in the payments area

- Additionally, 73 percent of banks consider working with innovative start-ups as the

best approach to access disruptive technologies. Meanwhile 41 percent are

collaborating with start-ups as suppliers, 32 percent are making direct investments

into start-ups, and 27 percent are running accelerators and incubators

- For half of the banks surveyed, legacy technology environments are the biggest barrier

to digital transformation, followed by a lack of unified vision (44 percent) and a

lack of skills and expertise (38 percent)

- Three quarters (74 percent) of banks now have an innovation strategy in place and more

than two-thirds (69 percent) believe they are becoming more innovative; but the

proportion of banks increasing innovation investment has fallen to 78 percent from 84

percent last year

- The most disruptive new technology for banks is advanced analytics and big data, with

79 percent of banks claiming it is having a significant impact now or will have within

in the next two years. This is followed by mobility and wearables (75 percent) and

open APIs (69 percent)

- A fifth of banks are launching or considering launching a digital only bank as a

strategy for dealing with digital transformation

- Open API Technology is seen as a major development that will have a high impact on the

industry over the next two years, especially with local compliance forcing banks to

open their payment systems

Quotes:

Vincent Bastid, CEO, Efma:

"This year's global banking study shows that banks have resolutely turned to start-ups to drive their own digital transformations. However, banks are being held back by old legacy systems and are still divided on where and how much to invest. Banks should think globally and embrace new ways of doing business."

Sanat Rao, Global Head of Infosys Finacle, EdgeVerve:

"Changing customer preferences, rapid evolution of technology and pressures from outside of the traditional banking world are accelerating a major transformation of the banking industry. The confluence of these forces is putting digitization at the center of technology renewal, enabling multi-channel touch-points for superior customer service. From the research findings and customer interactions, it will likely be the development of open API's, AI and blockchain that shall cause the next big change in banking."

Additional Resources:



- Download [http://www.experienceinfosys.com/efma-2016 ] the full 2016 report

- View [http://www.experienceinfosys.com/efma-2016 ] related infographic, video and

other collaterals

- Download last year's report: Innovation in Retail Banking 2015

[https://www.efma.com/study/detail/19629 ]

About Efma

A global non-profit organisation, established in 1971 by banks and insurance companies, Efma facilitates networking between decision-makers. It provides quality insights to help banks and insurance companies make the right decisions to foster innovation and drive their transformation. Over 3,300 brands in 130 countries are Efma members.

Headquarters in Paris. Offices in London, Brussels, Barcelona, Stockholm, Bratislava, Dubai, Mumbai and Singapore. Learn more http://www.efma.com

About EdgeVerve Systems Ltd

EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys, develops innovative software products and offers them on-premise or as cloud-hosted business platforms. Our products help businesses develop deeper connections with stakeholders, power continuous innovation and accelerate growth in the digital world. We power our clients' growth in rapidly evolving areas like banking, digital marketing, interactive commerce, distributive trade, credit servicing, customer service and enterprise buying.

Today EdgeVerve products are used by global corporations across financial services, insurance, retail and CPG, life sciences, manufacturing, and telecom. Finacle, part of the product company EdgeVerve Systems, a subsidiary of Infosys, is a universal banking solution, and the choice of financial institutions across 94 countries and serves over 848 million customers - estimated to be nearly 16.5 percent of the world's adult banked population. Over a billion bank accounts are powered by Finacle globally.

To know more, visit http://www.edgeverve.com

Safe Harbor

(CONTINUA)
Dangerous military-military and military-civilian incidents involving ships or aircraft of Russia, NATO member states, and third parties continue to pose a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security. They bring an inherent danger of loss of human life. Moreover, their broader escalation potential should not be ignored, particularly during the current period of Russia-West tensions.

Building on consultations with experts and officials from several NATO member states, Russia, Finland, Sweden, the OSCE and NATO, the ELN has published a new report which is the most comprehensive public study of the problem to date.

The report includes a thorough audit of existing agreements on managing dangerous encounters and their implementation, as well as a number of detailed national case studies.

The report shows that:

Despite the maintenance of several bilateral agreements on incident management between individual NATO member states and Russia, there are significant gaps in their coverage.

This is not least because some NATO countries, including Poland and Romania and non-NATO states Finland and Sweden, do not have such agreements with Russia.

The restricted nature of existing agreements and their failure to properly account for civilian activities is a serious cause for concern.

Key findings:

Even though no NATO-Russia agreement on managing incidents exists, two kinds of bi-lateral arrangements between some member states and Russia are in force. These are the Incidents at Sea Agreements (INCSEAs) and the Agreements on Preventing Dangerous Military Activities (DMAs) .

and the . These bilateral agreements (INCSEAs and DMAs) remain in force only between a small number of NATO countries and Russia (12 INCSEAs and 4 DMAs).

Signed mostly during the Cold War period, the agreements reflected the circumstances and military capabilities at the time. There are questions about their practical effectiveness with significant gaps found in their coverage that leaves many incidents unregulated.

Among the countries not covered by such agreements are those who find themselves on the frontline of the renewed confrontation with Russia: Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania and Bulgaria.

Unlike the INCSEAs, which only manage encounters in and over the high seas, the DMAs address possible confrontations over land and territorial waters. By extending the geographical scope of the crisis-management mechanisms, the DMAs code of conduct governs activities of all armed forces, not just to Navies or Air Forces. Yet only 4 out of the 28 NATO countries have DMA agreements with Russia.

The US-Russia 1989 DMA agreement remains relatively underused. Some of its more comprehensive and potentially useful features have not yet been activated and the consultation/review commission of the US-Russia DMA has met only twice since the agreement was concluded.

The report also notes that a separate agreement was reached between the US and Russia concerning the deconfliction of their respective air operations over Syria in October 2015. Whilst the text of this agreement has not been released publically it is understood to stipulate that aircraft must maintain a safe distance; specify the use of specific communications frequencies; and establishes a communication line on the ground to be activated if other protocols fail. The swift negotiation of this agreement and its extension to cover other national aircraft involved in the US-led coalition showcases what can be achieved on a regional basis given appropriate political backing.

Key Recommendations:

The parties to the existing agreements (INCSEAs and DMAs) need to ensure that their provisions are known to and applied by their armed forces. There should be zero tolerance for reckless behaviour of individual military commanders and personnel, especially by the Russian leadership. It is necessary to begin work on a thorough review and update of existing bilateral agreements in the Euro-Atlantic space, as well as to conclude additional agreements between Russia and the states most exposed to the danger of dangerous incidents and with relevant military capabilities. Expert-level dialogue on the safety of military-civilian encounters over the Baltic Sea, under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) cover, should be continued and expanded to other regions. Re-activating or adapting the Cooperative Airspace Initiative may be helpful for preventing incidents and monitoring regional activities. As long as Russia-West relations remain tense, the conclusion of new or modernized multilateral agreements remains difficult. Still, the modalities of such arrangements for avoiding and managing hazardous incidents should be examined in more detail by joint groups of experts, possibly as part of Track 2 effort. This includes the update of the OSCEs Vienna Document and work towards a NATO-Russia agreement on managing dangerous incidents. Political leaders should become more closely interested in the issue of avoiding incidents, and authorize civilian bureaucracies and militaries to work to improve management of incidents.

Download the report annex, detailing all relevent sections of the principle agreements, here.

*******

If you have any questions regarding this report, please contact the authors of the report:

Lukasz Kulesa, Research Director on [email protected];

Thomas Frear, Research Fellow on [email protected];

Denitsa Raynova, Project Manager on [email protected]
Zack Kopplin is a self-described investigative journalist and activist who specializes in slinging the scare word creationist around where it doesnt belong. His current article at The Daily Beast, where he writes irregularly, is a classic: Creationism in Texas Could Go Extinct on Election Day.

ENVs Sarah Chaffee and Jonathan Witt have written to urge against gutting science standards in the state  lowering the bar for students when it comes to getting a rounded, objective view of the evidence for and against Darwinian theory. Creationism has nothing to do with it, and in fact as a religious doctrine, creationist teaching has already been found to be unconstitutional for public schools.

Yet Zack invokes creationism and creationists 29 times in his article, including branding Discovery Institute as a creationist think tank responsible for similar creationism laws in Louisiana and Tennessee, managing to pack three falsehoods into just 12 words. Hes highly resistant to understanding the subject he covers. In fact, we used to exchange tweets, but hes since blocked me on Twitter, a gauge of his curiosity about what his imagined creationists actually say.

At a certain point, in following media coverage of academic freedom laws like these (which explicitly do not mandate or offer protection for teaching creationism or any religious doctrine), you get a little cynical about journalists. Or activists  once upon a time there was a difference. But then along comes a breath of fresh air  delivered by Tyler ONeil at PJ Media (Is Texas About To Weaken Its Evolution Standards?). Mr. ONeil read Kopplins article, evidently noted that Kopplin quoted nobody at Discovery Institute  other than citing an unidentified whistle blower claiming that everything we do is because of religion. (Zacks hyperlink for more about the mystery source is, unfortunately, broken.)

ONeil then did something so rare as to be remarkable. He contacted Discovery Institute and requested comments from our colleague Sarah Chaffee, who responded crisply and factually for attribution. He then accurately represented her answers to his questions for his readers! Read the resulting article for yourself. We were floored by it:

Proposed changes to Texas public school science standards are making waves. The Daily Beasts Zach Kopplin warned that Creationism in Texas Could Go Extinct on Election Day. But the old science standards did not teach creationism  they presented a full scientific view of evolution: its weaknesses along with its strengths. Perhaps ironically, these changes have faith and science groups demanding more teaching on evolution, not less. We think its good for students to learn more about evolution, not less, Sarah Chaffee, program officer in education and public policy at the Discovery Institute, told PJ Media in an email statement. She corrected Kopplins article, which refers to Texas current science standards as creationist. Texas science standards do not authorize teaching creationism  which is a religious belief entailing a supernatural creator, Chaffee explained. Furthermore, the standards also do not authorize teaching about intelligent design  which holds that certain features of the universe and living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection. Discovery Institute does not advocate pushing intelligent design into public schools. So what did the old standards say, and why do some see them as creationist? Chaffee argued that these standards reference only current scientific debates over such issues as the fossil record [an in-depth review of abrupt appearance as explained in mainstream evolutionary biology is available here. Other information on scientific controversies is also available.] These are well-documented in the scientific literature.

Miss Chaffee clarifies, as noted above, that creationism is not the issue here.

As Chaffee explained, teaching creationism in public schools is unconstitutional, according to the Supreme Courts 1987 ruling in Edwards v. Aguillard. If Texas science standards had authorized the teaching of creationism, they would have been struck down long ago.

Instead, there are two fundamental changes under consideration to the states science standards, and again, ONeil knocked us off our chair by stating these accurately and offering responses from Sarah Chaffee. He even goes the extra mile and gets a comment from Jim Stump at BioLogos. The theistic evolutionary advocacy group welcome[s] the proposed changes.

Fine, lets have that discussion, but for goodness sake, not before clarifying the actual questions at stake. Tyler ONeil has done admirable  and sadly rare  work on behalf of clarity and accuracy. Give the man a Pulitzer Prize.

Photo credit: tpsdave via Pixabay.

Im on Twitter. Follow me @d_klinghoffer.
Starting next Monday, November 7, the Royal Society (RS) will convene a three-day meeting at its London headquarters that has the potential to rival  for historical significance  the (in)famous 1980 Field Museum gathering on macroevolution, or the 1966 Wistar symposium on mathematical challenges to the neo-Darwinian interpretation of evolution. Structured to include open-ended roundtable discussions, the RS meeting is premised on the view that current textbook evolutionary theory falls far short of what it needs to explain, and that mechanisms and processes outside its customary purview require careful attention.

Like Sherlock Holmess dog that did not bark in the night, however, the RS meeting is noteworthy for those speakers who were not invited. We do not mean the obvious heretics or ID bad guys, such as Mike Behe, Doug Axe, or Steve Meyer. Their absence from the program is entirely predictable, if one understands that the paradigm actually controlling the boundaries of admissible scientific dissent is not neo-Darwinian evolution, or a scientific theory at all, but the underlying philosophy of materialism or naturalism.

No, the noteworthy uninvited scientists look on casual inspection to be completely respectable, even highly distinguished. Cambridge University paleontologist Simon Conway Morris, for instance, or University of Zurich evolutionary biologist Andreas Wagner, both of whom have written extensively about how neo-Darwinian theory requires revision, are conspicuously absent from the program. Here is a speculation as to why.

Even One Part Per Billion of Teleology is One Part Too Much

Lets start with Wagner. Over the past decade, Wagner has challenged the sufficiency of neo-Darwinian theory, mainly on the grounds that random or undirected changes to any complex functional system are far likelier to end up lost in enormous non-functional regions than they are to land on the very much smaller neighborhoods where novel function or structure occur. In 2011, Wagner wrote:

we know few of the principles that explain the ability of living things to innovate through a combination of natural selection and random genetic change. Random change by itself is not sufficient, because it does not necessarily bring forth beneficial phenotypes. For example, random change might not be suitable to improve most man-made, technological systems. Similarly, natural selection alone is not sufficient: As the geneticist Hugo de Vries already noted in 1905, natural selection may explain the survival of the fittest, but it cannot explain the arrival of the fittest.'

This criticism of the neo-Darwinian premise of random change should be familiar: one finds the objection featured prominently, for example, in the arguments of the 1966 Wistar participants, not to mention the writings of ID theorists since the early 1980s. Functional complexity and randomness stand fundamentally at odds with each other. If you doubt this, ask yourself if you would like to fly on a passenger jet that had undergone, lets say, one dozen unknown random changes to its flight control system. (But hey, were going to take off anyway! said the demented pilot over the intercom cheerfully, as everyone made for the exits.)

What is probably less familiar is Wagners solution to the problem of randomness. Probabilistically favored paths, he argues, must exist through sequence and function space, to enable evolutionary processes to move from one novel island to another within the time available  and those paths must have been built into the universe from the start. As Wagner writes at the conclusion of his 2014 book, The Arrival of the Fittest, lifes creativity draws from a source that is older than life, and perhaps older than time.

Bzzzzzzz! No Royal Society invitation for you, Andreas. Sounds like Platonism, right? And indeed it is, of a sort, anyway, as Wagner readily acknowledges. But if a universal library of Platonic forms enabled biological evolution to succeed, the materialist premise underlying neo-Darwinism must be wrong. ID skeptic and philosophical materialist Massimo Pigliucci can see where ideas of this coloring might be headed: danger, danger, Will Robinson. (He explains this week in The Neo-Platonic Argument for Evolution Couldnt Be More Wrong.) Teleology is lurking behind those forms.

Teleology detectors also start buzzing loudly when the ideas of Simon Conway Morris come into view. Over the past 15 years, Conway Morris has contended that the radical historical contingency premise of neo-Darwinism  namely, that the existence of Homo sapiens is the unexpected, unpredictable, or strictly one-off outcome of inherently random events  is false. Rather, evolution was channeled from the start, and a species very much like Homo sapiens, if not H. sapiens itself, was destined to appear in the universe. You are not an accident of the cosmos.

Bzzzzzzz! Teleology jess dont sit right with us folks. No RS invite for Simon.

Philosophical Materialism and Its Invitation List

All joking aside, no one  least of all, the troublemakers themselves  really expects ID troublemakers to be invited to speak at major evolution meetings. If that happened with any regularity, or even occasionally, no one would be reading this site, because the intelligent design debate would be (1) pretty much over, (2) never started in the first place, or (3) entirely different in its nature.

But neither Andreas Wagner nor Simon Conway Morris advocates ID; in fact, both are opposed to the idea. Yet even the subtle teleology of their theories is too strong a flavor for the Royal Society. (Let me say I would love to be wrong about this speculation: it would be delightful to learn that Wagner and Conway Morris were invited by the Royal Society to speak, and couldnt make it, or declined the invitation.) Wagners and Conway Morriss teleology would have been too strong a flavor for Darwin himself, in fact. If I were convinced that I required such [teleological] additions to the theory of natural selection, Darwin wrote to Lyell in 1859, I would reject it as rubbish.

But what if its true  namely, that teleology, or genuine purpose, is required to explain living things? Then materialism must give way to evidence. That is a problem that matters. Ultimately, the Royal Society, or anyone who wishes truly to understand the universe, must focus on the problems that matter. The ones that dont will take care of themselves.

Photo: Royal Society, entrance, Carlton House Terrace, London, by Tom Morris (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons.
With risk appetite somewhat limited by growing investor jitters, the Pound (GBP) was able to regain ground against the Canadian Dollar (CAD), benefitting from fresh oil price softness

The British pound held most of its bullish Thursday movement against the Canadian dollar on Thursday afternoon, as demand for the Loonie was too low to fight back against Sterlings advances.

Oil prices continued to drop throughout the day, weighing on any real chances for the Canadian Dollar to hold its ground. To make matters worse, some experts have warned that prices could fall below US$30 per barrel at this rate.

The Pound to Canadian Dollar exchange rate today (04/11/16): +0.13pct at 1.67165.

The Canadian Dollar to Pound exchange rate today: -0.13% at 0.59821.

The appeal of the Pound was majorly improved against the Canadian dollar by news today that the High Court had ruled against the government over the triggering of Article 50.

Even so, with the case set to go to appeal at the Supreme Court the bullish impact of this decision is likely to prove short-lived.

The Pound continued to perform strongly against the Canadian dollar on Wednesday afternoon as UK investors continued to adjust their positions ahead of Thursdays Bank of England (BoE) policy decision.

While GBP/CAD fell from its highest levels, demand for the Canadian Dollar remained low throughout the day, as oil prices dropped due to reports of a surprisingly sharp jump in US oil stocks.

There is increasing confidence amongst investors that the Bank of England (BoE) will not opt to loosen monetary policy again before the end of the year, a prospect that has boosted the GBP CAD exchange rate.

Although another interest rate cut remains on the table markets are predicting that recent UK data has been too resilient to justify any further policy easing in the near term.

Oil prices have remained under pressure this week, with market expectations of a production-limiting deal between OPEC members diminishing once again.

This limited the appeal of Canadian Dollar (CAD) exchange rates, with the 'Loonie' struggling against rivals despite a general increase in investor risk appetite as Brent crude trended below the psychologically important US$50 per barrel mark.

As a result the Pound Sterling to Canadian Dollar (GBP/CAD) exchange rate was able to make some modest gains, even though uncertainty continued to cloud the outlook of the UK economy.

Latest Pound/Canadian Dollar Exchange Rates

On Tuesday the Pound to British Pound exchange rate (GBP/GBP) converts at 1

The GBP to GBP exchange rate converts at 1 today.

At time of writing the pound to us dollar exchange rate is quoted at 1.146.

FX markets see the pound vs australian dollar exchange rate converting at 1.795.

NB: the forex rates mentioned above, revised as of 1st Nov 2022, are inter-bank prices that will require a margin from your bank. Foreign exchange brokers can save up to 5% on international payments in comparison to the banks.

GBP CAD was also supported as Markets were not particularly encouraged by Canadas August GDP data, as growth rose on the year but slowed on the month.

The details of the report were not particularly bullish, as analysts at Nomura noted:

Overall, the report continues to confirm to us that the strength in recent months was driven by a normalisation in the oil sector following disruption from the wildfires. Excluding the mining and oil sectors of the economy, growth would have grown a modest +0.1% m-o-m. This continues to suggest that there is little underlying momentum in the economy.

Should concerns mount further over the robustness of the Canadian economy then the GBP/CAD exchange rate is likely to remain on a stronger footing, particularly as markets become more jittery ahead of the conclusion of the US presidential election.

Pound Sterling (GBP) Shored up by Construction PMI Upside Surprise

Some measure of confidence returned to the Pound, meanwhile, after the UK Construction PMI for October was found to have bettered forecast.

Rather than showing a weakening on the month the index instead strengthened modestly, rising from 52.3 to 52.6.

Although the construction sector does not account for a particularly large portion of domestic economic activity this strong showing nevertheless encouraged investors to buy back into the Pound, pushing the GBP/CAD exchange rate higher.

Weaker Canadian Employment Levels Forecast to Boost GBP/CAD Exchange Rate

Fridays Canadian labour market data could put additional pressure on the Loonie, with forecasts pointing towards a decline in the number of people employed within the country.

While this is not expected to be significant enough to push up the corresponding unemployment rate the GBP/CAD exchange rate is nevertheless expected to be boosted as a result.

Any fresh signs of domestic weakness could be seen to increase the likelihood of the Bank of Canada (BOC) returning to an easing bias, something which would further reduce support for the Canadian Dollar.
The Government of Canada has confirmed that it is committed to an immigration system that strengthens the countrys middle class through economic growth and attracting investment.It means that there are likely to be more opportunities for people with skills and those wanting to start a business in Canada in 2017 to become a permanent resident.  In a statement Immigration Minister John McCallum said that he expects that around 300,000 immigrants will come to Canada in 2017 and one aim will be to reunite more families and reduce visa processing times.He wants Canadas immigration system to support diversity and help build vibrant, dynamic and inclusive communities with policies taking into account information gleaned over the summer from an immigration consultation where people were asked to express what they think immigration means.The story of Canadian immigration is inseparable from the story of Canada itself. Over the summer, Canadians from coast to coast to coast were asked to help write the next chapter of our immigration story. Through wide-ranging consultations we heard from Canadians on what immigration means to them and how we can continue nation building, said McCallum.The 2017 levels plan is a thoughtful, responsible approach that takes into consideration Canadas need for more immigrants while balancing our fiscal responsibilities, he explained.The 2017 levels plan will put Canada in a strong position for the future and support our overall economic and social development as a country, he added.He also pointed out that immigration is important because it helps offset the impacts of an aging population and the fact that the number of people in Canadas labour force will soon be in decline.Indeed, immigration will soon account for all net labour force growth as the number of retirements outpaces the number of Canadian youth joining the labour market. For these reasons, the Government has established 300,000 as a new baseline for permanent resident admissions with the majority of these selected as economic immigrants, said McCallum.He explained that it means that the number of permanent residents selected in economic programmes will increase and planned admissions of resettled refugees will decrease but remain among the highest in Canadas history and will be more than double the target in 2015.The 2017 plan target includes the number of economic immigrants rising from 160,600 to 172,500, family visas rising from 80,000 to 84,000, and refugees falling from 55,800 to 40,000.McCallum also released figures showing how the number of permanent residents from overseas has steadily increased in recent years from 248,732 in 2011 to 247,809 in 2012, to 259,039 in 2013, to 260,282 in 2014, to 271,847 in 2015.
How about if my employer does not want to write the undertaking for deportation? do i need to pay repatriation fees. and if yes; to who? What proof for deportation will vfs or home affairs require?
You send your kids to school to learn so it should be their responsibility imo.

Home life is more important and should never be wasted.



I was shocked to learn the school hours in Europe, coming from Australia we were on 8:30-9am to 3-3:30pm which seems about right, earlier when it was hot too. But to then bundle more work on top of that and possibly sport a few nights and any other activities just gets too much.

Kids should be kids yet it seems like they work longer hours than adults these days. I know when I knock off I'm done.



Our boys who are 7 & 5 don't get any homework at all, but they do bring lots of work back home and are encouraged(we too as parents) to spend a bit of time just talking about what they did.

Now the thing is school has given them confidence in their abilities and you know what they wanted for their birthdays?

A desk and chair so they can write stories on.

On their own accord and in their own time they like to sit and write a story or draw and even do some maths. Nobody is making them do it but they enjoy it.

They read for up to 2 hours a day, in the car and before bed and again it's their call.



It proves to me that firstly they are happy and learning at school and that the methodology works which is all you can really ask for.



All we can do now is hope that this lasts as they grow older because if I was happy with my school life at one point I certainly wasn't as I got older.
The international student market is growing globally with strong growth in Australia, Germany and France while China remains the country with the largest number of students seeking to study abroad.China has almost four times the number of students than India, the next largest and demographic forecasts suggest Nigeria and Saudi Arabia will grow in importance in the next decade, new research shows.  Cities in the United States are by far the most expensive in which to study and live, followed by the UK and Australia. But German cities offer exceptional value for both domestic and international students, according to the report on world student housing from international real estate company Savills.It explains that many universities are now trying to attract more international students by offering courses taught in English and there can be fierce competition for students as they bring enormous economic benefits in terms of fees and spending.The Netherlands leads the way in this with international students contributing to the local economy as well as the bottom line and diversity of a university. It now boasts the largest number of enrolled students in English taught programmes accounting for 57,000 or 7.2% of total student numbers.International students often pay higher fees, spend more on both accommodation and living, and bring new insights and cultural perspectives to a country, the report says, adding that this is particularly the case if they stay on to work in the country after graduation and take their newly acquired, but overseas paid for, skills into local businesses and the economy.More institutions, and countries, are recognising this value and are targeting overseas students, especially those that face a shrinking domestic university age demographic, the report explains.Currently, the US and UK attract the lions share of international students, accounting for 19% and 10% of all globally mobile students respectively. Australia, France and Germany round off the top five, together hosting a further 17%.The research shows that that the amount that students pay for accommodation away from home can vary widely across the world, as does tuition and general cost of living. Students in high ranking US institutions can expect to pay between $3,000 and $4,000 per month in tuition, and a further $1,000 to $1,600 for private, purpose-built accommodation, on top of monthly living costs.London, Sydney and Melbourne follow, given high fees for international students of $2,000 to $2,400 per month and comparatively high accommodation costs. Indeed, based on purpose built student accommodation alone, London is the most expensive city at $1,600 per month, just ahead of New York at $1,580 per month.By contrast, mainland European cities stand apart for their affordability. Living and studying in Berlin and Munich is of comparable cost to studying in Beijing and Shanghai but with even lower tuition fees. Both domestic and international students pay a nominal $20 and $30 a month in semester contributions, cost of living is low, and private accommodation usually costs less than $650 per month.But the report points out that while certain cities have a clear affordability advantage, the reputation of an institution, the appeal of a city, the job prospects after graduation and the language in which a course is taught will often play a greater part in a students university choosing process.
From: Joyce L. Gioia, CMC, CSP -- The Herman Group Austin , TX Wednesday, November 2, 2016

The Herman Trend Alert November 2, 2016 China's Evolving Consumers As we move into the future, no one would dispute that Chinese consumers will be an increasingly significant group of people---in their size and effect alone. Recently, McKinsey & Company revisited their 2011 and 2013 reports, updating their forecasts. Developing geographic differences Not surprisingly, over 50 percent (51.27) of the Chinese population lives in cities. It is interesting to note how the economic slowdown has affected various city clusters. Brand loyalty continues to increase with the FuzhouXiamen city cluster leading the way with a whopping 70 percent. Brand loyalty in Shanghai increased much faster over the last three years than in Beijing or Hangzhou, a 24 percent rise versus 7 and 9 percent respectively. Interestingly, their willingness to pay for better or healthier products also increased. Increasing discretionary spending Chinese consumers are following the pattern of general trends economists have found in developing economies among consumers worldwide: the more they earn, the lower percentage of their income they spend on food; they spend a little more on healthcare, and even more on travel, transportation, and recreational activities. Predictably, McKinsey's new survey showed Chinese consumers followed the expected pattern. When asked how they planned to increase spending as their income increased, significantly fewer consumers said they would spend on food (46 percent in the latest survey, compared to the 76 percent who said they would do so three years earlier). Emerging senior market In 2015, McKinsey found that the 55 to 65 age group had started to shift even faster than the rest of the population. Moreover, these older consumers enjoyed their indulgences, and were now more likely to have used the Internet to research their purchases. Value and attitudes By a wide margin, "family" continued to be the most important value to Chinese consumers. When asked what "being successful means," 75 percent responded they agreed or strongly agreed "having a happy family" was important versus 52 percent for "enjoying a better life than others, 48 percent for "being rich", and 47 percent for "having a higher social status". What this information means to marketers Wise marketers will take this information and promote and sell more effectively to Chinese consumers. Focusing on the role of products and services in supporting Chinese families will continue to translate into bottom line profits. The Chinese population represents a growing and increasingly loyal market for investment. From travel to healthcare to luxury products, marketers that invest in the Chinese market will reap great rewards. For more information, visit http://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/chinese-consumers-revisiting-our-predictions?cid=china-eml-alt-mkq-mck-oth-1610 ********* The Herman Group is a firm of Strategic Business Futurists concentrating on workforce and workplace issues. We forecast the future and advise clients regarding relevant trends and how those trends may affect their lives. Applying our expertise as Certified Management Consultants, we advise corporate leaders regarding employee retention and organizational development to help them build workforce stability. We help organizations become Employers of Choice. We also work with Employer of Choice, Inc. to formally recognize employers that meet the stringent standards dictated by the labor marketplace. As authors of management books and as active professional speakers, we inform and inspire people to make a positive difference in the world of work. You did really get the ball rolling with our retention presentation, overall we have seen a move in the right direction with our turnover. In practice since 1980, we have served a wide variety of clients throughout the United States and in other countries. Our global affiliates assist us in sharing our expertise and advice with clients internationally. Our team of professional consultants and trainers is supported by an administrative staff that gets things done. We also have consultants certified to deliver our programs in your local area. Delivering to both small and large groups across 100 industries, The Herman Group has provided over 2,500 educational and informative keynote speeches and training seminars worldwide. Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, we travel extensively to meet the needs of our clients. We can always be reached through the support team in our office at (800) 227-3566. Overseas callers may reach us through 336-210-3547. Should you have any questions after touring our website, please call or e-mail us at info@hermangroup.com. Get started now on improving the stability and performance of your workforce and increase your chances for success in the future.


Wednesday, November 2, 2016

CLEARWATER, F.L., November 2, 2016  For four hours in November, the headquarters of Clearwater marketing company PostcardMania will be transformed into an art gallery.

From 7-11 p.m. on Nov. 12, 2016, PostcardMania will host the art exhibition Color Storm: Three Latin Artists Meet, featuring the work of figurative artist Gimena Boccadoro, surrealist artist Pilar Gonzalez and abstract artist Alicia Suarez.

"We are happy to offer these three artists a space to share their work with the community," said PostcardMania CEO Joy Gendusa. "We love to support local artists both in the bay area and across the United States. I have a good-sized collection going at PostcardMania, and anyone who has been to our headquarters can attest to that! So it makes for the perfect backdrop for these emerging artists, whom we've very excited to host."

The halls of PostcardMania are adorned with works from local artist Debbie Kagan, from the west coast Colin O'Neal, world renowned glass artist Marlene Rose and others. Joy's most recent purchase is a kinetic sculpture by national artist Lyman Whitaker.

Artist Gimena Boccadoro hopes those in attendance will be inspired by the aesthetic atmosphere. "My purpose is to uplift via art," she said. "To provoke an emotion, effect, or simple message to each single individual that sees it. A little pleasure in life can last in one's memory forever."

The press and public are welcomed to attend. Entry is free. Light drinks and refreshments will be provided.

Contact Jessica Lalau at JessicaL@PostcardMania.com or 800-628-1804 for more information.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016

The Catholic Church officially recognizes the November 1 and 2 celebrations of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. While the Dia de los Muertos Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico and Latin America gets much of the news coverage, other cultures also observe this tribute to our beloved departed.

The Church influenced these observances throughout many cultures. In New Orleans, you see the French and Spanish influence in the citys above-ground mausoleums. Families visit their cemetery crypts prior to Halloween to give them a fresh coat of plaster and make sure everything is in good shape. Then theyll return on November 1 and 2 to commune with their dead, often bringing picnics to feed the living.

Its not just Catholics who celebrate. Day of the Dead originally came from ancient Meso-American cultures, which range from Mexico to Honduras and El Salvador.

History

Starting with the Halloween connection, going back about 3,000 years, the ancient Celtic people believed that on October 31, the boundary between the living and the dead dissolved, allowing spirits of the deceased to cross over into the living world.

To combat the Druid festival Samhain (pronounced Sow-wen) held this time of year, the Catholic Church moved All Saints Day  a.k.a. All Hallows Day  from mid-May to November 1. Halloween comes from abbreviating All Hallows Even, the evening before the day.

Meanwhile, over in the Western Hemisphere, indigenous peoples such as the Aztec, Maya, Olmec, Toltec and other tribes in Mexico held rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors during the month of August. It corresponded with a festival dedicated to a goddess called Mictecacihuatl, The Lady of the Dead.

When Catholic Spanish Conquistadors came to the New World more than 500 years ago, they tried to eradicate these native rituals that seemed to mock death and symbolized death and rebirth.

The ancient rituals refused to die in the face of forced conversion. So to make the ritual more Christian, the Spaniards moved it to correspond with All Saints Day and All Souls Day, November 1 and 2. In Mexico, Dia De Los Muertos as it is known in Spanish, often honors deceased children and infants on the first day, and deceased adults on the second day.

The early Meso-American attitude was that life is a dream, and death is the awakening to real life. The dead are considered to have semi-divine status, given permission to return once a year. They are to be welcomed, not feared.

How Day of the Dead is Celebrated Worldwide

Funeral directors and cemeterians, experts on various religious and cultural funeral traditions, shared their knowledge at this summers International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association University (ICCFA University). Here are their insights from Mexico, Guatemala, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Carlos Quezada spoke on The Hispanic Culture of Death and Dying in Mexico. Dia de Los Muertos is held on November 1 and 2. Nov. 1 is for celebrating babies, Nov. 2 for adults. The population mocks death by being close to and comfortable with death. The point is to be with the deceased person, laughing and enjoying the moment.

People build altars in homes and cemeteries. The altars pay tribute to the person who died, featuring loved ones favorite foods, candy, liquor, cigarettes, etc. They include pictures of loved ones, flowers, candles and other symbolic objects. Skulls and skeletons are a common theme.

Events held in the cemeteries in Mexico are very popular. Many non-Hispanic people attend (3,000) to see Aztec dancers, drummers, and elaborate displays. Music is also a big draw, especially mariachi bands. The celebration extends from Central American to South America, although its considered a sad day in Brazil.

Andres Aguilar from Guatemala said that they get about 15,000 people visiting at their cemeteries on November 1 and 2. Its a lot about being with your family, bringing flowers, food, and even dogs. Nov. 1 is Dia de los Todos Santos  the Day of All Saints.

Daniel Thomas, with Forest Lawn Cemetery, Covina Hills, California, was raised in the Philippines. During the countrys Colonial history under Spanish rule (approximately 370 years from 1521-1898), the population came under the influence of Catholicism. Many well-known cathedrals were built there during that time, such as the Veneration of Christ, Santo Nino, the Black Nazarene and Virgin Mary.

Filipinos also have a big All Souls Day celebration on November 1. Activities include visitation to cemetery and cleaning the graves. Families are there for a 24-hour period of time, all night long. Flowers are offered, candles lighted at the grave, prayers said. And the family simply spends time at the cemetery.

It usually starts on the morning of November first. Its a national holiday with a party atmosphere. People camp out, with food, drink, and games. In the US, there may be a heavy cemetery visitation of Filipino-Americans on the weekends before and after November 1.

Q Que Luu, of Oak Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park in San Jose, CA, spoke about Vietnamese Funeral Traditions. Many of the Vietnamese rituals come from the Chinese tradition, and are simplified. They believe death is not the end, that the spirit/soul is still there. Theyll celebrate Day of the Dead with food and family bonding, visiting the cemetery then going home to celebrate. Family and friends are invited to come and tell stories, share food, on the anniversary of the death, every year.

Heres a lovely short animation that really conveys the meaning of Dia de los Muertos.

[embedded content]
Voters living within the Houston Independent School District on November 8th face a Scylla and Charybdis vote  or a choice of two evils  and its not Clinton vs. Trump.

But its an equally terrible decision on public school funding.

Whats happening in Houston gives Texans everywhere an insight into a complex problem with no easy solutions, as Glen Read the general manager of budgeting and financial planning for the Houston ISD explained to me in a conversation recently.

A yes vote on the ballot question in Houston will authorize the board of trustees to use tax revenues to purchase so-called attendance credits from the state. The term attendance credits is misleading. It basically means the Houston ISD will have to send $162 million to a state education fund, known as the Foundation School Program (FSP)  for the 2016-2017 school year. The annual payment would increase each year thereafter, totaling about $1 billion over the next four years.

A no vote triggers something that has only been approved once in Texas  by Galveston voters who later reversed the decision. It would divert property tax payments from commercial buildings within the Houston ISD to poorer school districts. Whats more, the property taxes assessed against those buildings would be determined by their new school district, which would likely be higher.

Like I said, neither of these choices are good. And the only way around them would be some sort of legislative intervention in Austin.

Its also an opportunity  albeit a painful one  for Texans to learn more about a financing system that the Texas Supreme court in their May 2016 ruling called Daedelean, Byzantine, and an ossified regime ill-suited for 21st Century Texas, while simultaneously declining to over-rule previous legislative decisions.

The court also called it Augean, a term taken from Greek mythology that loosely translates to a big pile of horse (expletive). You get the idea.

The Texas Education Code requires districts designated as wealthy, like the Houston ISD, to send tax dollars back to the state  a recapture process commonly referred to as Robin Hood.

First, labeling the Houston ISD a wealthy district is odd. The wealthy designation that triggers HISDs payment comes from a math formula  specifically the ratio of total real estate property values to student population, with a few adjustments to the population for attendance rates and specific student designations.

The wealthy label does not take into sufficient account a measure that seems more important to me, like the fact that 76 percent of HISD kids are designated economically disadvantaged. Robin Hood  the mythical man in tights  wasnt stealing from the poor.

Second, also unlike our heroic outlaws redistribution of wealth, the states doesnt necessarily get redistributed to poorer school districts. Now, this is the point where Texans everywhere should sit up and pay special attention.

Right here. Ready?

HISDs recaptured money goes into the states primary education fund  the FSP  but that money isnt doled out subsequently to poorer districts.

This is the key point.

The math ratio of property-value-to-student-population determines which districts pay money in to the FSP and which districts take money out of it. But none of that determines whether the state, as a whole, allocates sufficient money to the FSP.

In fact, as property values rise locally  and you, the taxpayer, pay more  youre not really funding your local district, or even the poorer districts. You are relieving the state of the obligation to pay more for education. More money into the FSP from higher property values means less the state has to pay. Thats the finance trick you need to know.

And thats really nice if youre trying to save money at the state level, but not exactly a Robin Hood-style redistribution, nor a great plan for funding great public education.

For these reasons, The Houston Chronicle editorial page has twice urged a no vote, which would either shift property tax revenue on commercial buildings to other districts or dare the state legislature to try something different before July 2017, when the changes would take effect. To be clear, a no vote is a sort of game of financial chicken between the voters of Houston and the state, with unknown consequences.

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.

Hacking our way intelligently through the overgrown jungle of public school finance, we have to hold a number of contradictory thoughts in our head. For what its worth, my process goes like this:

1. The socioeconomic background of a individual students appear to impact their success rates far more than per-student funding levels. Poor schools continue to perform poorly, as a result, while students at wealthier schools tend to score higher on tests  despite equal funding per student.

As a result, poor performance at poor schools and higher performance at wealthier schools can persist indefinitely, despite roughly equal funding-levels per student. Social reproduction  or passing economic inequality from one generation to the next  cant be undone easily by throwing more money at the problem.

2. And yet, giving up hope that poorer kids have a chance to make it through a combination of hard work and a good education seems, I dont know, whats the word? Un-American.

3. When we talk about public school finance in Texas, really what were talking about is educating poorer kids: 59 percent of kids in Texas public schools are classified economically disadvantaged. The school districts subject to ballot questions that Im writing about this week and next week, in the Houston and San Antonio ISDs are among the poorest in the state, with 76 percent and 92 percent of their students categorized as economically disadvantaged, respectively.

4. To which I conclude that we cant fix this quickly with more money, or by simply doling out equal funding. At the same time, ignoring it without at least trying to fix it resigns ourselves to a bleak future.

I have no solutions. Im just trying to educate myself on one of the most complex finance problems out there.

I can see that the HISD ballot question is a terrible choice to make.

Michael Taylor is a former Goldman Sachs bond salesman and writes the finance blog Bankers-Anonymous.com.

Twitter: @BankerAnonymous
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Dickinson of San Antonio Inc., the local firm that did business as Career Point College, filed for bankruptcy protection Monday, nearly a month after the for-profit school abruptly shut down.

The closure, which came after the government yanked the schools ability to accept federal student aid, interrupted the education of 1,400 students in three cities and led to lawsuits in which 75 of them are now plaintiffs.

Dickinson reported assets of less than $50,000 and liabilities ranging from $1 million to $10 million in the emergency Chapter 11 petition filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in San Antonio.

The firm is working with another company to try to get these students back in school and working on their diplomas, William Dick Davis Jr., Dickinsons bankruptcy lawyer, said in an interview Tuesday.

He declined to identify the company but said Dickinson would file details of the agreement with the bankruptcy court within a couple of days.

Career Point College abruptly closed its campuses in San Antonio, Austin and Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Oct. 16, alerting students via email. The move came after the U.S. Department of Education cut the schools access to federal funding in response to the college's reporting that three longtime employees had collaborated to violate the rules related to student aid funds, according to the email.

Two separate lawsuits have since been filed by students against the schools owners and operators, CEO Lawrence Earle and Carole Kendall, a registered agent for four companies tied to the institution.

Among the allegations in the suits:

Students were induced into obtaining high-interest loans to attend the two-year for-profit college, and some of them never received federal grant money that the school was supposed to distribute to them.

Career Point College went so far as to charge its own students for appointments with the financial aid office.

College employees, in the scope of their employment, improperly obtained $4.6 million in federal loan funds.

Both of the lawsuits were removed from state district court in Bexar County to federal bankruptcy court.

Dickinson decided it needed to file for bankruptcy protection to consolidate the litigation in one forum, said Davis, of the law firm Langley & Banack Inc.

Bankruptcy is the best place to find out where the $4.6 million went, said Randall Pulman, an attorney with the law firm of Pulman, Cappuccio, Pullen, Benson & Jones LLP, representing 20 former students in one of the lawsuits.

Lawyers in both suits obtained temporary restraining orders preventing Dickinson, Career Point College and related parties from destroying any documents relating to the U.S. Department of Educations investigation. The orders also directed the defendants to turn over academic transcripts, diplomas and other records within 48 hours of the date of the orders.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs said Tuesday that some records have been provided, but not all, and that some of the information is incomplete.

I received two thumb drives containing thousands of pages of student records, which were not properly authenticated, either, said attorney Aric J. Garza, who is representing 55 plaintiffs, a number he expects to grow because of nearly 500 inquiries he said he has received.

The sad part is all of these students have been left high and dry, said Eric Pullen, one of the attorneys in the first suit.

He said federal loans obtained by the students possibly could be forgiven, but not the private loans that were coordinated for them by the school.

Most of my clients still have to pay their loans, he said.

The school's abrupt closure has devastated Erika Lindsey, who said she had only one more term left in its licensed vocational nurse program.

To think that I had worked almost an entire year, and to have it ripped away from me was unimaginable, she said through tears. It (graduation) was just within reach.

Topping Dickinsons list of largest creditors is Cox Media Group, owner of seven area radio stations, which is owed $591,625 in trade debt. Other creditors include the owners of Wonderland of the Americas, owed more than $111,700 in rent, and the Washington, D.C., lobbying firm the Normandy Group, owed $80,775.

pdanner@express-news.net

Twitter: @AlamoPD

ezavala@express-news.net
Commissioners Court on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to construction of a towering piece of public art that will adorn the San Pedro Creek Improvements Project downtown.

The piece, whose concept was revealed last week, will be completed by Cuban-American artist Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada in time for San Antonios tricentennial observance in May 2018.

The six-story-tall aluminum piece depicting a womans face is called Plethora, and will be built by the creek near Fox Tech High School, where the $175 million projects first phase of construction is starting in collaboration with the San Antonio River Authority.

Some $735,000 is being spent on the artwork, including $100,000 in artist fees and $500,000 going to a San Antonio metal works business for materials, construction, transportation and other costs. Plans call for several more months of design development and testing before construction starts in late 2017.

The Barcelona-based artist earlier this month was selected from among four finalists in a fast-track review process. His winning design fulfilled the countys goal of an iconic representation of the communitys unity and diversity, to honor its past and embody its future, said Betty Bueche, director of the countys Heritage and Parks Department.

With dramatic nighttime lighting, the sculpture will be built in a small plaza and will face south, looking downstream over the creek.

The idea is that it embodies the human habitation and human contact with San Pedro Creek, and the importance of the evolution and integration of cultures and diversity that has occurred because of San Pedro Creek, Bueche said.

County Judge Nelson Wolff praised the artists concept as a celebration of our culture.

This could end up being the definitive piece of artwork for San Antonio if it moves along like were expecting it to, Wolff said.

In other action, commissioners paid tribute to military service members ahead of Veterans Day. The court acknowledged Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Brandon Lambert as the receipient of the countys 2016 Leroy V. Greene Jr. Award for outstanding service to the veteran community.

Lambert has volunteered with and donated to more than 20 veteran assistance groups and holds leadership positions in organizations including the American Legion and VFW, said county veterans service officer Queta L. Marquez. Lambert also helps place flags and wreaths on soldiers graves at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, and on holidays he serves meals to fellow active-duty service members, Marquez said.

Also Tuesday, commissioners acknowledged Tax Assessor-Collector Albert Uresti for his receiving a state award for best practice from the Texas Association of Counties. Uresti was honored for instituting a 10-month tax payment plan that makes it easier for senior citizens and the disabled, including veterans, to pay their taxes on time and without penalties.

Uresti said he devised the plan soon after taking office in 2013 after seeing too many seniors having trouble meeting their tax obligations in four payments. The plan was praised by the TAC as affordable, convenient and automatic and because it doesnt require a computer to enlist, said Precinct 1 Commissioner Sergio Chico Rodriguez.

Added Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Calvert: I think we have the best tax assessor in the United States.

Uresti credited commissioners with providing his office the resources to improve innovative services for taxpayers.

Its truly a team effort, Uresti said.

jgonzalez@express-news.net

Twitter: @johnwgonzalez
AUSTIN  Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller first blamed a hacker and then a staffer before deleting a tweet that used a vulgar term for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton Tuesday, igniting a social media firestorm of condemnation from all political corners, including a rebuke from Gov. Greg Abbott.

Miller said a staff member on his campaign team copied and pasted a tweet from another Twitter account but missed the reference to Clinton.

We screwed that. We made a mistake, Miller said by phone late Tuesday.

The tweet, which referenced a Pennsylvania poll from the New Auto Alliance, read: Trump 44, C--t 43. Go Trump Go!

He said his staffer did not read the message closely before posting the tweet. He said his team took it down when they realized what it said.

By that time, however, the tweet already had been noted and screen-shot by political reporters who retweeted it across the country.

Its disrespectful and not something I would want my name attached to. We apologize for that, Miller said.

Miller, a Republican and avid Trump supporter, added the tweet was not done maliciously and the staffer has been dealt with, but he declined to go into further detail.

An account with an anonymous identity tweeted a message similar to Millers four minutes before his went out.

Texas Democrats pounced, using it in a fundraising pitch less than an hour after the tweet was posted.

Its not about one tweet, said Crystal K. Perkins, executive director of the Texas Democratic Party. Its about a consistent pattern where the Republican Party fails to show even the most basic sense of human decency.

Abbott blasted Miller for the tweet, calling it reprehensible and an embarrassment to the Lone Star State.

No true Texas gentleman would ever talk this way, Abbott said in a statement.

As the genesis of the tweet unfolded on Twitter, it sparked criticism on social media of Miller, who has found himself immersed in controversy since he first took the office in 2015.

Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, said he hoped the tweet was the work of a hacker: This better be the case. If not, it is outrageous and has no place in our public discourse.

Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas tweeted, Deserve each other: Sid Miller calls woman c-word/ Trump say grab em by the p-word.

Tuesdays tweet taps into the sometimes coarse nature of the political discourse in this years presidential election that has included Trump calling Clinton a nasty woman and revelations he bragged about grabbing a woman by the genitals.

When you have Republican office holders using that kind of language, its very misogynistic, said Rep. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place.

Its definitely damaging to the Republican Party in general, speaking about women that way or a particular woman, Hillary Clinton, that way. It does nothing to promote conservative principles at all and it alienates Republican women, as well as independent women. Its not a good way to grow the party and to grow our base, she said.

Millers campaign consultant, Todd Smith, originally blamed the tweet on a hacker and said the campaign asked Twitter to investigate.

Its just unconscionable and we would never, ever, ever, ever, ever post anything as disgusting and filthy as that and obliviously this is someone attempting to make Commissioner Miller and Donald Trump look bad, Smith said.

Rep. Poncho Nevarez, D-Eagle Pass, scoffed at the notion.

I call bull, Nevarez tweeted.

Since his election as agriculture commissioner in 2014, Miller has drawn criticism for a host of actions, including a Facebook post comparing Syrian refugees to rattlesnakes, his travel to receive a so-called Jesus shot to alleviate pain while on a state-funded trip, and his use of state and campaign funds to compete in an out-of-state rodeo. He agreed to refund the money from his trips and was not charged with any wrongdoing.

Tuesday was not the first time Miller has had to pull down a message on social media. Last summer his team shared a Facebook post depicting an atomic bomb blast, saying, Japan has been at peace with the U.S. since August 9, 1945. Its time we made peace with the Muslim world. That post was taken down the next day after sparking outrage on Millers Facebook page. At the time, Millers office said future posts that do not reflect the commissioners views would not be posted.

Miller tweeted as recently as Friday that he tweets for himself. The comment came as he took a jab at Clintons emails, after it was revealed that several members of her staff would check certain tweets. #CrookedHillary needs a dozen people to check her tweets. My thoughts are my own, he said on Twitter.
The rate of babies born prematurely in Bexar County decreased slightly from 2013 to 2014, but remains the highest among Texas largest counties.

A new report released Tuesday by the March of Dimes shows that 11 percent of babies born in 2014 were not carried to term, down from 11.5 percent in 2013. The organization bumped up the countys grade from an F to a D.

Texas also saw a slight improvement, going from preterm birth rate of 10.3 percent in 2013 to a rate of 10.2 percent in 2014, the most recent year birth statistics are available. Earning a grade of C, Texas still had a preterm birth rate higher than the national one, which increased for the first time in eight years to 9.63 percent.

The preterm birth rate was 41 percent higher among black women than all other races and ethnicities. March of Dimes ranked Texas 12th in the nation in terms of the disparity of rates among racial and ethnic groups, with No. 1 indicating the least disparity.

RELATED: Read the San Antonio Express-News breakdown of the prenatal care crisis in Bexar County here in English. Read it here in Spanish.



Despite promising programs and some localized improvements, this years report shows additional steps need to be taken in Texas to give more babies, especially those of specific communities, a healthier start to life, said Dr. Janene Israel, March of Dimes Maternal and Child Health State Committee chair. The issue of preterm birth has become too commonplace and too accepted in our communities.

Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy often end up in the neonatal intensive care unit, and those born before 30 are more likely to suffer long-term complications, according to Dr. Patrick Ramsey, a professor in the maternal-fetal medicine division at the University of Texas Health Science Center and University Health System.

Premature births are not only dangerous for babies, but theyre costly for taxpayers, who pay for Medicaid costs, and for parents, who have added medical expenses and often have to take time off work. March of Dimes estimates that premature births cost Americans $26 million annually.

One cause of premature births is no or late prenatal care for women. Nearly one in six women, or 15.4 percent, who gave birth in Bexar County in 2014 didnt receive any prenatal care, a rate that had increased sharply from three years earlier.

Ramsey said a lack of access creates a barrier for some expectant moms. Women who have had a spontaneous preterm birth in the past can reduce the risk of it happening again by one-third if they get progesterone injections, but Ramsey said the shots can be hard to come by and pay for.

Theres been a chronic problem in South Texas over the last five or six years getting patients real easy access to that medication, he said. Texas Medicaid, last summer, authorized approval of that treatment for women with a previous spontaneous preterm birth across all of the health plans. So, women on Medicaid can get that treatment now, but we still have challenges for some insured women.

San Antonio will host a Prematurity Prevention Summit on Friday where health professionals and community leaders will gather to discuss further decreasing the preterm birth rate.
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San Antonios Cancer Therapy & Research Center will affiliate with health care giant MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, a move that University of Texas officials said will expand cancer treatment services throughout the southern part of the state.

The San Antonio institution will be known by a new name: UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center. The partnership will give patients in 38 South Texas counties greater access to MD Andersons treatment protocols, standards of care, clinical trials and research, UT officials said Tuesday at a news conference in San Antonio.

The endeavor will eventually allow the San Antonio cancer center to treat a larger volume of patients, said Dr. William Henrich, president of the UT Health Science Center, where the cancer center is based.

Were doing this because theres a major increase coming in the number of cancer cases in our region because of the age of our population, Henrich said. So I anticipate that we will have a tremendous increase in capacity and in the breadth of services.

MD Anderson will help identify an executive director to lead the clinically integrated program. The highly regarded Houston institution will also help boost recruitment of faculty, teach its best practices to physicians and enhance clinical trials.

Both cancer centers are part of the UT System.

What we are very focused on in this collaboration is to provide higher quality care  the best care possible in the world today  to the people in San Antonio and throughout South Texas, where they live, said MD Anderson President Dr. Ronald DePinho.

We see an enormous number of patients from this region now that go to Houston. It would be much better for patients and families for those patients to remain closer to home.

More than 1,000 patients travel outside San Antonio for cancer care each year, said Gary Woods, chairman of the San Antonio Cancer Foundation, formerly known as the CTRC Foundation.

Many of them go to Houston to seek treatment at MD Anderson, widely regarded as one of the best cancer centers in the country.

Hopefully, today will change that, and well be able to have the resources, the focus, the collaboration to make it work for San Antonio, Woods said.

While the name of San Antonios cancer center is changing, it wont be a satellite or branch of MD Anderson, Henrich said.

This is not a legal merger that involves a blending of bottom lines, Henrich said. This is the responsibility of our health science center to make successful.

Health science center officials who oversee the San Antonio cancer center had been exploring a possible relationship with MD Anderson for months.

San Antonios Cancer Therapy & Research Center, founded in 1974, has been losing market share in recent years. Its patient volumes remained flat even as the number of cancer patients in the area increased.

The affiliation will allow the UT Health Science Center to make a number of improvements to its cancer treatment facility at the South Texas Medical Center. Those will include a newly renovated patient and family welcome center, a larger and more efficient pharmacy, an infusion center and a diagnostic suite. Those renovations and upgrades are expected to be finished by the middle of next year.

The health science center will reimburse MD Anderson for some costs the Houston institution incurs to launch the clinically integrated program. That exact dollar amount is not yet known, Henrich said.

Both sides are still negotiating how much of the San Antonio cancer centers revenue will go to MD Anderson as a result of the partnership, Henrich said. No specific dollar figures or percentages were publicly disclosed.

This is the fifth co-branding partnership that MD Anderson has formed in the United States. The Houston powerhouse has similar partnerships with four cancer centers in other states: Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center in San Diego; Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert, Arizona; MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper in Camden, New Jersey; and Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center in Jacksonville, Florida.

Some donors had questioned whether San Antonios cancer center could lose its coveted National Cancer Institute designation as a result of the partnership with MD Anderson. The cancer center here is one of four formally designated NCI centers in Texas.

Health science center officials met with the NCI several weeks ago and shared their plans to affiliate with MD Anderson.

They were most supportive of our plans to increase access to cancer services in South Texas, Henrich said in an email sent Tuesday to the San Antonio Express-News. We have every reason to believe that this affiliation will strengthen the health science centers standing as an NCI-designated cancer center.

Professor Ed Schumacher, who chairs Trinity Universitys health care administration department, said he believes the affiliation will benefit San Antonio.

People come from all over the country, and even the world, for MD Anderson, Schumacher said. So to have that name is a really valuable asset.

One drawback of similar hospital affiliation agreements, Schumacher said, is that fewer entities control the market, opening the door to higher prices. But he doesnt believe thats a danger facing San Antonio.

I dont think in this case theres a real risk of any of that, in part because its a national market, Schumacher said. In general, people will travel longer to get cancer care than to get their knee replacement done.

The new collaboration will be beneficial to both MD Anderson and San Antonios cancer center, said UT System Chancellor William McRaven.

This is not a case of MD Anderson being the big brother and San Antonio being the little brother, McRaven said. This is the case of two strong research institutions coming together to be even better as a result of the partnership.

MD Anderson will work very closely with physicians here, DePinho said.

Some of the physicians on occasion will go to MD Anderson and spend some time there, to actually see firsthand our practices, he said. Well bring physicians here and evaluate how the practices are unfolding.

Among the many UT officials celebrating the new endeavor Tuesday was Dr. Francisco Gonzalez-Scarano, dean of the health science centers medical school in San Antonio and executive vice president for medical affairs. He recently announced he will step down from those positions at the end of the year. Gonzalez-Scarano will remain on the health science centers neurology faculty through next summer, a spokesman said.

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Construction could begin as soon as January or February on a 142-mile pipeline to deliver water to San Antonio as the company in charge prepares to hit a key financial milestone this week.

On Tuesday, the San Antonio Water Systems board of trustees voted to allow SAWS President and CEO Robert Puente to give Garney Construction clearance to begin work on the pipeline, which would deliver up to 16.3 billion gallons of water per year from aquifers below Burleson County. SAWS hopes the pipeline will make up 20 percent of its supply when water begins flowing in 2020.

Also, the utility is not recommending a year-round, once-a-week outdoor watering limit. At the meeting, Donovan Burton, SAWS vice president of water resources, said SAWS staff studied the idea this summer and concluded that the effect on the Edwards Aquifer would be minimal while customers would have to pay slightly higher bills.

The board approved four changes to the water supply contract with Garney that made it easier for the company to reach the deadline, known as financial close. One of those changes would give a credit of up to $50 million to SAWS if Garney does not extend water transportation permits for the life of the 30-year deal.

The vote marks a victory for SAWS, which has tried for years to find additional water supplies besides the highly regulated Edwards Aquifer below the city. SAWS Chairman Heriberto Berto Guerra Jr. said other proposed water projects have faltered before construction began.

Project after project has been worked on and fallen through in the development phase, Guerra said. Moving into the next phase of the project means Garney and the banks and SAWS together are comfortable that we are ready to move forward.

To accomplish this, Garney must take out a nearly $850 million loan from four international banks: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., Societe Generale, Royal Bank of Canada and Santander. The company, which builds pipeline and water projects all over the U.S., recorded $600 million in revenue in 2015, according to SAWS documents.

Garney also plans to commit $52 million in equity, according to SAWS documents. A subsidiary of Spain-based conglomerate Abengoa, which signed a pipeline contract with SAWS in 2014, put $21 million before a financial implosion forced it to sell most of its stake in the project to Garney in June.

According to the contract and financial model, Garney, Abengoa and the banks would make their money back over 30 years via SAWS payments for the water. At an estimated total cost of $2,000 per acre-foot, the water would be the most expensive of SAWS supplies.

An acre-foot is 325,851 gallons, an amount that covers an acre of ground 1 foot deep. Its enough water to to meet the annual needs of two average families of four.

After the vote, Garney officials and a spokesman would not answer questions about the project. In a statement, the company said it was authorized to close on the loan and will begin constructing the project.

Garney officials did not respond to emailed follow-up questions.

During the public comment period, eight SAWS customers, most of them Sierra Club members, blasted the pipeline project, saying it would create a false image of the semi-arid city as brimming with abundant water that residents and businesses can afford to waste.

They also pointed to inconsistencies in SAWS statements on the project over the years. Alamo Sierra Club member Wendell Fuqua recalled when SAWS officials assured the public late last year that Abengoas troubles would not affect the pipeline.

Despite assurances from SAWS officials that all was well, it wasnt, he said, also mentioning a $120 million bridge loan taken out by Abengoa that at one point threatened to derail the deal.

In an interview Monday, SAWS officials said Abengoas stumblings caused delays that allowed them to lock in the price of water at a lower rate than expected, saving SAWS customers up to $592 million.

We actually benefited from Abengoas hardship, Puente said.

In response to concerns about the influx of new water affecting SAWS efforts to conserve, Burton described what the utilitys staff found when they looked at how much water could be saved if they moved to year-round, once-a-week restrictions on outdoor watering with sprinkler systems.

The issue came up earlier last year when it was proposed by District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg, who sparred over the issue with District 9 Councilman Joe Krier, who opposed the idea, in opinion pieces in the San Antonio Express-News.

In May, Austins City Council voted to restrict watering by irrigation systems to once a week, though Austin customers can still water as much as they want using a hose or bucket.

City ordinances already require SAWS to implement once-a-week watering restrictions when the Edwards Aquifer drops below 660 feet above mean sea level and to restrict the time people can water on their weekly dates when it drops below 650 feet.

SAWS looked at 36 years of data to see if its customers use more or less during drought restrictions, Burton said. Rainfall and temperature were the factors most strongly tied to water use, so SAWS staff looked at periods with comparable weather, he said.

They found that sometimes SAWS customers use less water during drought restrictions. Sometimes they used more.

Sometimes during restrictions people rush to use water to irrigate on their particular day, whereas if there are not restrictions and they see a rainfall coming three or four days down the road, they can wait, Burton said.

On average, the utility estimated that it used 2,188 acre-feet less in years with drought restrictions. Puente said if SAWS does not use it, others Edwards users would, or the water would flow out of the aquifer through its many springs.

You could have not used it and the aquifer doesnt just stay level, he said. The aquifers still going to drop during drought conditions.

Not selling that water would also cause SAWS to raise customers bills, officials said. Not selling 2,188 acre-feet each year would mean customers would have a 1.1 percent higher bill today, they said.

Puente said restricting the use of water in non-drought times could also bring the utility in conflict with customers would see such an idea as a nanny state proposal.

You have the mindset of theres a product that you sell and I have the resources to buy it, and in my world I need it, Puente said.

SAWS will continue its efforts to encourage voluntary conservation, they said. At the meeting, SAWS conservation director Karen Guz outlined a plan to sell subsidized rain barrels for $40 each to SAWS customers, with the first distribution in January.

SAWS board members are not set to vote on any new watering restrictions. That kind of proposal would have to come from the San Antonio City Council, Burton said.

bgibbons@express-news.net

Twitter: @bgibbs
The Department of French & Italian at the University of Kansas is currently accepting applications to its M.A. and Ph.D. programs for fall semester 2017.

Our graduate students work closely with faculty who conduct internationally recognized research in a broad range of fields from medieval to contemporary, including the Francophone world. We seek national and international degree candidates who wish to develop their intellectual talents through rigorous exploration of the literary, artistic, and cultural riches of French and Francophone worlds.

Successful applicants to the M.A and Ph.D. programs receive Graduate Teaching Assistantships with an annual stipend ($15,500) and benefit from full tuition remission. Teaching Assistants receive strong support and guidance through a pre-term orientation, a course on language teaching acquisition and methods, and continued professional and pedagogical development activities.

In addition, the Department of French and Italian also has two specially funded multi-year fellowships for top applicants to the Ph.D. program for the Fall 2017 : a Hall Center for the Humanities four-year Doctoral Fellowship and a Chancellor's five-year Doctoral Fellowship. Each year of these fellowships is funded at $25,000 and includes tuition remission.

In addition to Graduate Teaching Assistantships and Fellowships, other departmental and university research funding opportunities are available: the departmental Cornell and Mahieu Funds support research overseas; the departmental Magerus Fund supports scholarly conference presentations; the Office of Graduate Studies and Hall Center for the Humanities offer many other research awards.

Chimeres, one of the nations only graduate-run journals in French and Francophone studies, now in its 45th year, offers our graduate degree candidates exceptional opportunities for peer research review and editorial experience. Graduate students also have the opportunity to spend six weeks in France as an assistant with our long-established Summer Language Institute in Paris, or to spend a year in France through our student exchange program with the Universite de Franche-Comte in Besancon.

The University of Kansas provides excellent research facilities: our libraries rank in the top 50th nationally for volumes held. Watson Library, the main library, has strong holdings in all fields of French and Francophone studies; Kenneth Spencer Research Library is home to more than 750,000 books and manuscripts; departmental libraries hold collections in art, architecture, dance, engineering, law, history of medicine, maps, and music; Spencer Museum of Art houses more than 37,000 works. Library collections on our Lawrence campus contain more than 4.2 million volumes.

Our campus is consistently ranked in national polls as among the most beautiful. Set on the Kansas River, the city of Lawrence, with a population of 90,000, provides a vibrant yet calm environment with beautiful parks, bustling downtown streets, and a great selection of recreational activities. Downtown offers a large variety of retail shops, restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Lawrence is repeatedly ranked among the top 5 US college towns.

For more information and to contact faculty members, see: http://www.frenchitalian.ku.edu/ or contact the director of graduate studies, Prof. Van Kelly (vkelly@ku.edu, +1-785-864-9073)

To be considered for funding for fall 2016, please submit your application by January 15, 2017. To apply, click here: http://graduate.ku.edu/ku-graduate-application

ABOUT OUR FACULTY:

Allan H. Pasco is the Hall Distinguished Professor of Nineteenth-Century Literature. His extensive research contextualizes eighteenth-, nineteenth-, and twentieth-century French literature within the periods culture, while emphasizing such major figures as Rousseau, Balzac, Flaubert, and Proust.

Antje Ziethen is a specialist in Francophone global literature, the urban novel, postcolonial studies, diaspora/transnational studies, geo-centered literary theory, and gender studies.

Tom Bookers research interests include the French novel of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, narratology, and first-person narration (novel, autofiction, autobiography).

Patrizio Ceccagnoli focuses on 19th- and 20th-century Italian Literature and Culture, Italian and European Avant-garde of the 20th century, Giacomo Leopardi and Italian Romanticism, theory and practice of translation, textual criticism and literary theory.

Diane Fourny works on eighteenth-century French literature and culture with a focus on eighteenth-century novel, the history of ideas, Enlightenment and critique of Enlightenment, and autobiography.

Bruce Hayes serves as Chair of Department. His area of research interest is Renaissance studies, particularly theater, popular culture, and Rabelais, with a particular interest in humor studies and post-Reformation religious polemics.

Caroline Jewers specializes in literature and cultural history of medieval France and Occitania, with a focus on chivalric romance and lyric poetry. Her other research interests include the early history of the novel and medievalism.

Van Kelly is serves as Graduate Director. He is a specialist in French and Francophone film, literature, and thought of twentieth-/twenty-first centuries with emphases on poetics, as well as on political, social, and historical imaginaries.

Paul Scotts area of focus lies in seventeenth-century studies, particularly theater and poetry; early modern spirituality, liturgy, and hagiography; subversion in Ancien Regime France.

Kimberly Swanson is a specialist in second language acquisition and language pedagogy, with a focus on French and English phonology/phonetics and on history of the French language.

Van Kelly, Graduate Director

Department of French and Italian

University of Kansas

1445 Jayhawk Blvd.

Wescoe Hall, Room 2103

Lawrence, KS 66045-7590

USA
Local residents packed the Carlisle Fire and Rescue building on Carlisle Springs Road last night for what proved to be a relatively low-key forum for regional political candidates.

In contrast to the adversarial narrative that the national campaign has created, event moderator Ken Matthews praised the interest of the local community in having a civil discussion.

Not everyone has the vibe we have here, Matthews said. There are a lot of places around the world where this sort of event couldnt happen.

Although he is an avowed Trump supporter on his radio show, Matthews avoided any partisan inquiries and generally let candidates speak for themselves, as well as taking written questions submitted by audience members.

The forum was sponsored by the 9-12 Project, a nonprofit group that advocates for limited government. Candidates from 11 races were invited, although in many cases only one candidate was able to attend. For a few of the contests, however, candidates were able to directly engage each other in debate.

The liveliest of these saw incumbent Republican Congressman Lou Barletta square off against Democratic challenger Mike Marsicano in the race for the 11th U.S. Congressional District.

Both Barletta and Marsicano are former mayors of Hazleton  a fact that led them to debate Barlettas controversial immigration-control policies, which created harsh punishments for landlords or businesses who knowingly rented or hired illegal migrants.

You, as a mayor, cannot enforce federal law, Marsicano said. [Barletta] was told not to do this by his own solicitor per the third-class city code.

Pennsylvania municipalities are not empowered to enforce federal mandates. But Barletta denied that he had overstepped his authority, since municipalities can issue and control occupation and business permits.

We were creating permitting laws  we were punishing businesses and landlords who were knowingly harboring illegal aliens. We were not deporting immigrants, Barletta said.

Both candidates also tried to widen their appeal to the other side of the political spectrum. Barletta stressed that he was one of only 27 members of the Houses bipartisan working group, and had broken with Republican leadership on issues such as flood relief.

Marsicano, likewise, described himself as a pro-police candidate who will fight and die for the Second Amendment.

Given the areas strong Republican leaning, two races featured a Republican front-runner with a challenger running as an independent, and no Democrat present.

Republicans have nominated state Rep. Mike Regan to move up to the Pennsylvania Senate seat for the 31st District, the position vacated by retiring state Sen. Pat Vance. Independent Kenneth Gehosky is also seeking the position.

There has been a barrier between the people and the Constitution, said Gehosky, a teacher, holding up a copy of the document. That barrier, Gehosky said, is the two-party system.

As I watched the deterioration of our civil society through the division of our political parties, I felt compelled to act, Gehosky said.

Regan criticized his opponent as unrealistic, noting that legislators must caucus with either the Democrats or Republicans, even if they are independents, in order to set policy.

In the only strictly partisan exchange of the evening, Gehosky was questioned if he had ever been registered as a Democrat.

Yes, I was, he replied. But so was Donald Trump.

The two also discussed Pennsylvanias pension crisis, with Regan championing moving new state employees to 401(k)-style plans instead of defined-benefit pensions. Gehosky criticized Republican leadership, however, for treating such a change as a true solution, given that the shortfall in benefit funding for current employees and those already retired is over $60 billion.

Both candidates said they would not support cutting benefits that had already been promised to existing employees and retirees.

Republican Dawn Keefer and independent Kate McGraw, who are vying for the 92nd District seat being vacated by Regan for his senatorial run, also faced off.

Republican incumbent Will Tallman debated Democratic challenger Denise Van Essen in the race for the 193rd District state House seat, and Republican incumbent Greg Rothman exchanged opinions with Democratic challenger James Massey for the 87th District.

Most of these exchanges centered on property taxes, and attempts by legislators to find other sources of revenue for state government that would allow them to ease the tax burden on homeowners.

Its difficult to take away the most reliable source of funding our schools have, McGraw said. I dont believe we should replace property taxes with other regressive taxes like sales tax.  What I would like to see are other revenue streams.

Keefer, however, said she believed property taxes are the most regressive taxes we have, and that sales and income tax are more desirable since they are based on someones ability to pay.
LISBON, Ohio  In 2013, Jeremy Corbisello, director of the Columbiana County Career & Technical Center, wanted to rebuild the schools agriculture program.

Three years and 250 yards of concrete later, the former equine facility has been renewed as the home of the Veterinary Science Technology and Landscape and Environmental Design programs.

An open house was held at the $1.1 million renovated facility Oct. 27, spotlighting the new 30-by-40 foot greenhouse, new labs and classroom space and the redesigned, open expanse of the former horse arena now housing the landscape and design work space.

Three years ago, the career and technical center hired John Garwood to start a new landscape program, and the first students came in as juniors, or Level 1 students, in the fall of 2014. Eleven of those students graduated from the program in May 2016, Garwood said.

At the beginning of the school year, Corbisello asked Garwood, What do you need out there?

Ask me again at the end of the year, Garwood responded.

And so the center director returned to the instructor in the spring with the same question, and from that conversation came the plan to renovate the existing equine facility to a more workable classroom, greenhouse and training building.

Corbisello said Garwood asked the right questions of the right people to help develop the vision of the new facility as well as the programs design.

The project wouldnt be what it is without John Garwood, he added.

In return, Garwood credited Corbisello and Superintendent Willard (Chuck) Adkins for their foresight.

For a project of this size, you have to have not only a plan, but a vision, Garwood said.

Renovation

During the reconstruction, the horse stalls were removed and the arena cleaned out. New electric, including LED lighting systems, heating and cooling systems, and water systems were upgraded throughout the facility before the inner skin was completed. Renovation included an area for the small equipment, including a wash bay and new drainage, with an outside pit for solids.

The facility now includes two additional classrooms, including one with computer simulators that provide safety and operating training for small equipment like forklifts and skid loaders; storage, a second lab area, and the greenhouse.

Greenhouse

The greenhouse, which will be open to the public at various times of the year, was designed and installed by Arcadia GlassHouse, of Madison, Ohio. It features an automated ventilation and temperature control system; misters and a timed drip irrigation system that can be regulated into four different zones depending on the plants needs; adjustable grow lights; concrete floor and aluminum benches.

There are risers on one of the tables for more plants and room for 90 hanging baskets.

It has a reverse gable on the side entrance to mimic a retail store look, and Garwood said students training includes the business side of a retail operation, including profit and loss accounting and customer service.

First-year student Chris Briggs, of Salem, said he had no plans to attend the career center until he visited the facility as a sophomore. Hes glad he decided to enroll in the landscape program, and earlier this fall was part of the urban soil judging team that qualified for the state FFA contest.

The instructors and teachers work with every individual person, he added. They give you the extra help when you need it.

He says his whole outlook on school has changed and he looks forward to it, and would recommend other students consider enrolling at the career center.

Come here and itll change your attitude, he advised younger students. It gives you a jump start on life.

Vet tech

Anchoring the new facility is the Veterinary Science Technology program, which has 35 students this year, including 19 seniors, according to program coordinator and instructor Darrell Bevelhymer. Of the graduates, 35 to 40 percent go on to college or technical schools, he added.

Students learn business management principles as well as veterinary science, and are handling small animals almost daily. Large animals are brought in for specific units.

Life skills

In addition to the building blocks of technical and business training, the career center programs emphasize safety, and students complete a 10-hour OSHA training safety course.

Garwood said he works closely with an advisory committee to make sure the program design parallels whats going on in the real world, and he brings in outside speakers from the trade to kindle students passion.

This investment will allow the program to grow, but it will also allow young adults to grow, Garwood said. I tell the students if you pay attention, the skills that you learn here will transition to almost anything in life.
SALEM, Ohio  Bill Wickerham has had issues with the black vultures on his farm in Adams County for over 10 years now, but it wasnt until last year that he experienced his first loss due to a vulture attack.

A set of newborn twin calves were the target of the attack. A group of black vultures, catching the scent of fresh birth, approached the mother cow and her calves from the side. They attack in numbers and go for the soft fleshy parts (of the newborn calves), said Wickerham.

A good cow will actually run them out, he said. But when the cow ran the vultures out from one side, another group of vultures was waiting to converge from the other.

Wickerham raises around 50 brood cows on his roughly 200-acre cow-calf operation just outside of West Union, Ohio. Wickerham said he has dealt with some near misses, but had never lost a calf due to a vulture attack until last summer. It is a very frustrating thing to have to deal with, he said.

Historically, southwest Ohio has been hot spot for black vulture sightings and threats, but the birds seem to be on the move, with reports coming in as far north as Summit County this year.

About black vultures

Ohio livestock producers have been dealing with increasing threats of black vultures over the past 15 years, explained Ohio State Extension Program Assistant Stan Smith, of Fairfield County, in an Ohio Beef Cattle newsletter.

Black vultures and turkey vultures are often seen together, even roosting in large dead trees together, but are actually different species. Turkey vultures are often recognized by their red heads, while black vultures have black heads and are smaller in size. Black vultures also have white tips on the underside of their wings which can be seen in flight.

Black vultures are aggressive and attack live animals for food, while the turkey vulture prefers to feed on the carcasses of already dead animals. Black vultures are known to prey on livestock in labor, sometimes attacking while the newborn animal is still in the birth canal, Smith said.

Increased damages

Undoubtedly, the black vulture seems to cause the most damage  whether its predation in young livestock or structural damage, said Jeff Pelc, Ohio district supervisor, USDA/APHIS, Wildlife Services.

Damages reported so far in 2016 (January-Sept. 30) totaled $44,500 for both livestock and property (structures, boats, vehicles, etc.). Of that total, $29,077 was reported in livestock losses. This is up from the 2015 report where black vulture livestock damages were reported at $4,056 and total damages were $4,556.

The reports are compiled from technical assistant requests received by the USDA-Wildlife Service. Producers can report damages/losses in a technical assistance call or request a specialist to come out and assess the damage. Pelc said last year Wildlife Services received seven technical assistance calls with livestock damages and have received 19 so far this year. He said they are not sure at this point if the increase in calls correlates with an increase in birds or if its just an increase in awareness.

Related: Black vulture kills increasing in Ohio

Where are they

In general, black vulture predation has been reported in southwest Ohio, with many reports coming from Adams, Brown and Highland counties, Pelc said. Reports have also come in from central Ohio (Fairfield and Licking counties) and more recently in eastern Ohio (Coshocton, Muskingum, Guernsey and Belmont counties). A report also came in from Summit County this year.

The top five counties with technical assistance requests for black vulture threats or damage to livestock in 2016 were Carroll, Clermont, Fayette, Highland and Muskingum, said Pelc.

Pelc said it is unclear whether the vultures are expanding their range, but it is clear that the vultures tend to stick around Ohio during the winter, due to the availability of food and shelter. Turkey vultures, on the other hand, are more likely to head for warmer climates, said Pelc.

Protecting your farm

Vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty of 1918. This means it is illegal to capture or kill the birds without a Migratory Bird Depredation Permit. Livestock producers are, however, allowed to harass the birds without obtaining a permit. Pelc encourages using harassment methods before applying for a permit.

Harassment methods include letting a dog out to scare the birds, using pyrotechnics, shooting near the birds (without actually shooting the birds), and making any loud noises. Pelc also said it is important to clean up any dead carcasses  as the rotting smell attracts the birds  and remove any dead trees in the pasture area, as this is a preferred place for them to roost.

Depredation permits

If all else fails, a producer can apply for a permit that allows them to shoot a few birds a year, explained Pelc. In Ohio, the first year a livestock producer applies for a permit  due to experiences with predation or threats (from the vultures)  the permit is free, said Pelc. In subsequent years, the permit is $100.

The producer does not have to have predation or threats from the vultures to apply for a permit and in some cases a permit can be issued the same day. Each permit is issued on a case-by-case basis. The amount of birds a producer is allowed to kill is assigned to them depending on their situation.

Its typically 3 to 5 vultures, said Pelc. If the producer gets his limit and is still having problems, we can get that permit amended. Producers are encouraged to shoot one or two birds to use as an effigy, by hanging the dead bird by its feet near an area where the birds roost or surrounding a livestock area.

They are very social birds and responsive to that negative sight of seeing one of their flock members die, said Pelc. Producers are required to continue to use harassment techniques even after obtaining a permit to limit the number of birds killed.

Harass them

One thing I have shared with others is to consider a rotational grazing setup, said Wickerham. When a cow gets ready to calve, she typically moves away from the herd. Thats when they are most susceptible, he said.

In a rotational grazing setup, it is harder for the cow to get away from the rest of the herd, being confined to a smaller area of pasture. Wickerham said when his calves were attacked, the cattle had been moved to a paddock where they had a little more room to spread out, and the cow was able to get away from the rest of the herd.

I came home in the middle of the day and had calves with vultures circling, he said.

Wickerham had applied for a permit, but by the time the permit came he had successfully scared the birds off and never used it. In most cases, he has been able to harass the birds away by shooting a gun or finding other ways to make loud noises until the birds left.
Focus on Ag: What the worsening drought conditions really tell us
The National Farmers Union has told the Home Office about the urgent need for a substantial trial of a Seasonal Agricultural Permit Scheme for non-EU workers in the 2017 season.

In the meeting yesterday afternoon, NFU horticulture board chairman Ali Capper said to Robert Goodwill, Minister of State for Immigration, that this trial is essential in mitigating the shortfall in EU workers available to work on British farms.

The agricultural industry has very specific needs for labour, and the NFU has already been in discussions with the government on this.

Horticulture alone needs around 80,000 seasonal workers to pick and pack fruit, vegetables and plant crops across the country.

"Workers from across the skill spectrum are needed throughout the farming sector," NFU Deptuty President Minette Batters said

This is expected to rise to 95,000 by 2021 based on todays growth projections.

After the meeting Mrs Capper said: Our message to the Home Office was simple: without workers to produce iconic British crops the industry will contract and imports will increase.

This goes against everything the public tell us about wanting to support British farmers1 and wanting to see more British food on supermarket shelves2.

Were already experiencing a shortfall in EU workers resulting from long-term declines and exacerbated by the referendum outcome.

We urgently need a substantial trial of a Seasonal Agricultural Permit Scheme for non-EU workers in 2017.

However, without basic assurances from government that this labour will be accessible in future, grower businesses face huge uncertainty and are delaying investment in British production.

NFU Deputy President, Minette Batters, who was also at the meeting, said that sourcing labour isnt a problem limited to the fruit and vegetable sector.

Workers from across the skill spectrum are needed throughout the sector; in livestock and poultry businesses to process and pack meat, cereals farmers need workers to rogue crops and to drive complex machinery, dairy farmers need farm workers that have high levels of animal husbandry.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board is running an experiment to farm without glyphosate for three years.

AHDBs Newark Monitor Farm host farmer John Miller will manage a 10ha field without using any glyphosate, at Manor Farm in Nottinghamshire.

Monitor Farms bring together groups of like-minded farmers, who wish to develop or expand their enterprises, in an environment which encourages them to share critical performance information.

The family has farmed this tenanted land since 1939, and Mr Miller said of the try-out: This is how my father would have farmed.

Mr Miller has been over the field with a rake and roll shortly after harvest to deal with any volunteers and weeds. Previously the field was in winter wheat, with a couple of black-grass plants causing some concern.

Glyphosate is an active substance widely used in herbicides

The field will be treated with diquat later in the autumn to kill surface weeds, and then will either be ploughed or direct drilled in the spring with beans.

Following this year, the rotation will be winter wheat and then sugar beet.

The field is relatively easy to work, said Mr Miller, with sandy clayey loam over a clay subsoil, although it does have the potential to get waterlogged.

I dont think itll cost a lot more or less than our other fields  the costs are likely to be comparable. However, we might have to revise our thinking a bit, Mr Miller added.

'A system less reliant on herbicides'

Harry Henderson, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Knowledge Exchange Manager for the East Midlands, said it is an 'interesting' experiment because farmers don't know if, when or how glyphosate could be lost.

But as the industry moves towards less use of the plough we rely more heavily on glyphosate as the only alternative, Mr Henderson said.

It makes sense to look at ways around this potential issue from an early starting point. Monitor Farm attendees will help form a farming without glyphosate plan for the next three years. Early thoughts are that the plough is far from redundant.

Of course, the ultimate aim is to move to a system thats less reliant on herbicides.

Paul Gosling, AHDB Crop Protection Scientist, added: "It's important to bear in mind that diquat is just as at risk as glyphosate, if not more so. In addition, it does not kill black-grass, and can only be used once a year on stubbles."

John Miller is a third generation farmer at Manor Farm, Kelham, Newark on Trent. He farms 685ha on a mix of tenanted and owned land in the Trent valley.

John has just become chairman of the Nottinghamshire Farm Business Group and is keen to get a better grasp of soil management and investigate cover crops with the intention of reducing costs of production.

Increasing resistance to selective herbicides and a reduction in available chemistry mean the pressure to use glyphosate as a stale seedbed management tool is increasing.

AHDB is funding a five-year programme of field and container-based trials to help refine glyphosate management. The work will focus on preventing resistance to glyphosate developing in UK weed populations.
Farmers across the UK have been warned they risk unnecessary family fall-outs, heartache, and the future prosperity of their businesses if they fail to put written legal agreements in place.

Farming and agricultural disputes expert Helen Gough has issued the alert following concerns that too many farmers are failing to get down on paper their Partnership Agreements.

Ms Gough, an associate at law firm mfg Solicitors, said not having a written agreement in place leaves farmers being forced to rely on legislation dating back to before the invention of the tractor  the Partnership Act 1890  risking a breakdown in relations.

She said: For farming partnerships, a written Partnership Agreement is vital.

It safeguards the assets of the business as well as the individuals interest, as it determines who is entitled to what.

Farming is often a family affair and no-one wants to have to think about the prospect of things going wrong. However, if the worst does happen and family members or partners fall out, the chance of a reconciliation is even less if they drag each other through the trauma of the courts.

Without a legally-binding agreement, the parties involved have nothing to confirm where they stand in the event of any disputes and are forced to rely on an archaic Act which may bind parties to something neither want.

A written agreement is all about people knowing whats expected of them, including if they want to expand the business, take on new land and assets, and even when it comes to thinking about succession planning.

It also allows everyone to get on with the job, safe in the knowledge they know their rights, their entitlements and have a plan in place for the future. I would urge farmers to put their affairs in order as soon as possible and its never and too late to do so.
350 jobs are at risk as a major food retailer is proposing to move its meat processing plant in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, to Cornwall.

The 2 Sisters Food Group is proposing to move the retail packing department from its St Merryn operation in south Wales to its site in Cornwall.

St Merryn, which was taken over by 2 Sisters Food Group in 2013, packs meat at the Merthyr site it has run since 1999.

The Farmers Union of Wales has described the move as a 'major blow to Wales'.

It is understood that around 350 affected staff have been written to regarding the proposal, and are currently in a 45 day consultation period.

The red meat sector in the UK faces 'many serious challenges', according to a statement by St Merryn Foods

FUWs Finance and Organisation committee South Wales representative Brian Bowen, who farms at Pencoedcae farm, Princetown, near the St Merryn site, said: The plant employs around 1,000 people, so we are talking about the potential loss of around a third of the workforce.

This would be a major blow for the local economy and for Wales agricultural supply chain as a whole.

Mr Bowen said the news came at a time when there was already extreme uncertainty about the future due to the vote to leave the European Union.

The agricultural supply chain employs scores of thousands of people in Wales rural and urban areas, and these proposals will come as a major blow to the families affected and the community as a whole, added Mr Bowen.

'Many serious challenges'

St Merryn Foods, which currently employs 1,100 staff at the site on Penygarnddu Industrial Estate, confirmed the job losses were part of a "wider strategic review" and could happen as early as January.

"We do not take the decision to launch this review lightly, but it is the only way our business can survive and prosper for the longer term," the statement said.

"Regrettably, the red meat sector in the UK faces many serious challenges including declining markets, falling volumes, higher input costs and a fiercely competitive retail landscape.

"This extremely difficult environment means the packing operation at Merthyr, which includes the packing of steaks and chops, is no longer sustainable.

"Our main focus now is to begin discussions with our colleagues to explore every available option to mitigate the potential loss of this function, which will include seeking relocation and redeployment opportunities elsewhere in the group.

"This decision does not impact our beef and lamb slaughter and cutting operations and these will continue to operate as usual at Merthyr Tydfil. The site will continue to employ up to 700 colleagues."
Driverless tractors and robots could help farmers worried about the impact of labour shortages that could occur after Brexit, an engineering professor has told the House of Lords' Science and Technology Select Committee.

The committee said the UK had the potential to become a world leader in developing, producing and deploying autonomous vehicles.

They identified robotics as one of its eight great technologies.

Professor Simon Blackmore, head of engineering at Harper Adams University, said: "Farmers dealing with high value crops right now are using seasonal labour, and with the advent of Brexit and possible limitations on seasonal labour, a lot of the farmers I'm speaking to are very, very nervous.

The government said such machines offer opportunities and advantages in removing human input

"There is this opportunity... to be able to replace significant numbers of seasonal workers with highly automated machines."

The government said such machines offer opportunities and advantages in removing the need for a driver for farming, deliveries and warehousing.

NFU chief science adviser Dr Helen Ferrier said: "An agri-tech sector we can rely on is extremely important in the face of potential political and economic changes in the next 5-10 years which could severely impact the farming industry."

Considerable benefits

An NFU survey revealed that some 29% of growers experienced problems recruiting enough labour in 2015 and some 66% expected reductions in labour availability by 2018.

And now, farmers and growers face the prospect of experiencing yet another, potentially more severe labour market shortage when the UK leaves the EU.

Chair of the Committee, Lord Selborne, said: "There are potentially considerable economic opportunities and public good benefits from this technology. We will look at whether the Governments actions are appropriate in supporting these opportunities."

During the EU Referendum the NFU repeatedly drew attention to the agricultural sectors need for access to harvest labour, both seasonal and full-time.

As the UK prepares to leave the EU in the coming years, the NFU said it wanted to ensure that farmers and growers have access to the workers they need to keep farm businesses profitable, with a strong and thriving future.

Under the now-closed Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS), more than 22,000 people from Bulgaria and Romania were provided with a working visa allowing them to stay for between five weeks and six months in Britain to work solely on farms.
Retailer Tesco has announced a working partnership with environmental charity Hubbub to save pumpkins from going to waste this Halloween.

The people of north London are being asked to go on a rescue mission, to salvage the little orange squashes from their otherwise grisly doom, and save unnecessary food waste.

With as many as 18,000 tonnes of pumpkins being thrown away each year after Halloween, one supermarket has decided to set up pumpkin rescue stations across 10 of its north London stores, in order to help customers provide the little festive stalwarts with a brighter, more productive future.

The rescued pumpkins will be recycled via a process called anaerobic digestion

From 31 October, pumpkin rescue stations are being set up outside the entrances of ten Tesco stores, as the supermarket plans to help customers recycle their food waste, and avoid their pumpkins going to landfill.

The rescued pumpkins will be recycled via a process called anaerobic digestion, which will dispose of and convert the little orange squashes into energy in an environmentally friendly way.

The stations have been set up in partnership with environmental issues charity Hubbub and the North London Waste Authority, who recently revealed that 42 per cent of the UK population buy a pumpkin at Halloween but as many as 25 per cent of those purchased are being thrown in the bin without being recycled.

Spare a thought for the pumpkins

Commenting on the news, Jez Butwell, store director for Tesco in North London, said: Im delighted that were sparing a thought for pumpkins this Halloween, helping our customers in North London to convert leftovers into energy and once again demonstrating Tescos commitment to reducing food waste.

The soup being cooked for customers to try is also really tasty, providing a great alternative to throwing pumpkins away and a nice, healthy little warmer as the nights start to get cold.

Its the latest move by Tesco to reduce food waste, with the retailer having already rolled out its food surplus redistribution scheme, Community Food Connection, to over 800 stores across the UK, and pledging to be in all Tesco stores by the end of 2017.

Community Food Connection, is run in partnership with food redistribution charity FareShare has already donated over a 1.5 million meals worth of surplus food from Tesco stores to people in need. Over 3,000 charities and community groups are already signed up.
Convert 10% of arable land to agroforestry, Woodland Trust says
As Veterans Day approaches on Nov. 11, two groups in Carlisle will honor veterans by participating in the Wreaths Across America project.

Dog Scout Troop 161 of Carlisle began its involvement with this program in 2012. The money raised by the troop is donated to Susquehanna Service Dogs with the designation that the funds be used to train a dog for a veteran. With the help of donors, the Dog Scouts have raised more than $1,000 for SSD.

In 2014, the Friends of the Bosler Memorial Library became involved in order to honor veterans and support the library. For each wreath sponsored at $15, the participating nonprofit group receives $5.

Wreaths Across America is a national nonprofit organization founded in 2007 to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. That year, he and his company, Worcester Wreath Co., donated the first 5,000 wreaths and laid them on veterans graves in Arlington National Cemetery.

WAAs mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach future generations about the cost of freedom. This is carried out in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies at Arlington, as well as national cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

Since its inception, the organization has expanded to include over 2,500 local fundraising groups in all 50 states representing more than 1,100 cemeteries, military memorials and other locations, along with Arlington. Since 2008, Congress has issued a proclamation officially recognizing national Wreaths Across America Day each December. This years ceremonies will be held on Dec. 17.

Both Dog Scout Troop 161 and the Friends of the Bosler Memorial Library will be helping to lay wreaths at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville on Dec. 17. The remembrance ceremony begins at noon. All are welcome to attend and help lay wreaths.

You can sponsor a wreath locally in one of two ways: online or by check or cash. To donate online go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org and click on Donate. Next click on Sponsor a wreath with a local fundraising Group In the Search box type in PA0026P for the Dog Scouts or PA0077P for the Friends of the Bosler Library. This will ensure that the wreath will be sent to Indiantown Gap National Cemetery and the group of your choice receives its share.

Sponsorships by check or cash must be accompanied by the Wreath Sponsorship Form.

Forms for the Friends of the Bosler Library are available in the Bookery at Bosler and online at the Friends website www.boslerfriends.org. Forms for Dog Scouts are available by contacting Linkey Green at 486-3693.

Online donations must be made by Dec. 8. Donations by mail must be to Green by Nov. 21.

If you have grave-specific requests for friends or loved ones buried at Indiantown Gap, contact Green at 486-3693 or via email at linkeyg@embarqmail.com.
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Fayetteville woman says anti-abortion laws hurt her mom, then herself

Judy Pittard said her and her mother's pregnancy complications that required abortions were made worse by the decisions of "old men in big buildings."
If you hadnt yet experienced enough political discordance this year, and were looking for another strong dose, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalitions conference last week wouldve been a good bet  although not through any fault of the USGLC itself.

The organization convened at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center in Camp Hill on Oct. 28, to discuss the continued importance of U.S. engagement in shaping global economic development and diplomacy  and how that effort impacts Pennsylvania.

Describing the group as the strangest of strange bedfellows, USGLC Director of Government Relations Lindsay Plack explained the groups pedigree. Its board of directors is a laundry list of international charities, corporate trade groups, and over 160 four- and five-star generals  all parties with a mutual interest in investing in global economic expansion and security.

Do we disengage and only watch from the sidelines, or do we engage and help shape these events with our leadership? Plack asked rhetorically.

Although the USGLC is non-partisan, the guest speakers at the Camp Hill event were predominantly Republican.

You have to ask yourself if youre comfortable with the U.S. retrenching, said former Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker. Its no time to back off.

Yet no mention was made of the reality that the leading voice in favor of retrenchment and isolationism is the presidential nominee of Schweikers own party.

In fact, at no point during last weeks luncheon forum were the words Donald Trump said, even though the contrast could be made quite clear.

In noting that foreign aid and development funding consists of less than 1 percent of the federal budget, the USGLC panelists pressed that the benefits of such spending  in terms of military security and economic opportunities  far outweigh the cost.

I often hear from constituents who say why are we giving all this foreign aid, when they can hate us for free? said Congressman Scott Perry. I, as a conservative Republican, have to say this is why this is important to you.

It should really be called the foreign influence budget, Perry continued. Were trying to influence hearts and minds all over the globe.

Knowingly or not, Perry made his hearts and minds argument roughly six miles from the spot where, three months earlier, Donald Trump proclaimed I think waterboarding is fine to a crowd of thousands at Cumberland Valley High School. Trump received raucous applause then.

During the same speech, Trump touted his foreign policy chops by noting that Vladimir Putin  the Russian president who is currently engaged in two active wars against US partners  called me a genius.

For the USGLC, national security and overseas economic interests are inextricably linked. Helping to expand markets in the developing world not only provides additional consumers for American goods, the panel noted, but it also provides an incentive against political disruption, particularly disruption of the anti-Western ilk.

Its a lot less expensive to emphasize development efforts than to send soldiers overseas, Schweiker said.

Our power is not just predicated on military might, said retired Lt. Gen. Henry Osman, one of the U.S. Marine Corps top commanders during the Iraq invasion of 2003. Its based in development and diplomacy.

When you can reduce poverty, people feel like they have a chance, Osman said. Every dollar may not go exactly where you want it, but if you want real waste, try going to war instead.

Perry relayed a similar story from his experience as a commander during the Balkan operations of the early 1990s. U.S. troops established a safe zone along what was known as Highway Arizona, a major supply route for humanitarian aid through Bosnia.

American soldiers rebuilt infrastructure and encouraged locals  no matter what side of the conflict they were on  to trade. Violence in the area was reduced.

Nobody kills their customers. Sometimes it can be as simple as that, Perry said.

Roughly 22 percent of jobs in Pennsylvania are directly supported by international trade, the USGLC calculated. Exports of manufactured equipment and foods outside the U.S. accounted for $39.4 billion in sales for Pennsylvania companies last year, with the top five partners being Canada, Mexico, the UK, China and Japan, in that order.

In contrast, during his speech at Cumberland Valley, Trump detailed a trade plan that consisted of imposing a 35 percent tariff on all exchanges with Mexico in order to force the country to pay for a border wall.

He also devoted considerable time to repeating the twin falsehoods that China devalues its currency, and that it can "send products over here with no tax." China saw over $1 trillion in currency outflows last year, indicating its currency is overvalued and worth less than its pegged exchange rate, and Chinese steel is subject to a 266 percent tariff in the US.

Trump described those who calculated such ideas to be counter-factual and counter-productive as stupid people and so-called intellectuals...the people who wear little spectacles.

In any year prior to 2016, the USGLCs mission would likely come under fire from people on the left who would consider it neoconservative. Opponents have, historically, criticized an approach that requires foreign economies to purchase infrastructure and take out loans that must be paid in dollars, forcing them to buy into the American financial system.

Such methods bolster the value of dollar, but are frequently blamed for limiting the benefits of development to a select few.

But the USGLC frequently points out that global poverty has been cut by more than half over the last 30 years. World Bank data confirms this, indicating that the rate of extreme poverty  defined as $1.25 per person per day at 2008 prices  has dropped from 36 percent in 1990 to 15 percent in 2011.

In the current environment, however, this really doesnt matter. The USGLC no longer finds itself debating with forces on the far left over how development should be carried out, but rather with forces on the far right who seem to question global development as a concept.

We need to understand that there are people who frankly disagree with us, Plack said.

One of the major concerns of development organizations like the USGLC is the relatively weak presence of the U.S. in sub-Saharan Africa, where seven of the worlds 10 fastest-growing economies reside. This is particularly critical for the construction industry, as African infrastructure has considerable room for growth.

We dont live in a vacuum, Plack reminded the audience. Someone else will seize these opportunities if we dont.

Osman related the story of Caterpillar, one of many American heavy industrial companies that were once critical of spending tax dollars on foreign aid. But once those dollars forced markets to open up, and Caterpillar found customers for their industrial vehicles in the developing world, the tone changed.

They used to say trade, not aid, Osman said. Now its aid, then trade.

But in 2009, China surpassed the U.S. as Africas top trading partner. In 2014, Chinas commerce ministry announced a coordinated $71 billion investment by Chinese banks in African infrastructure projects. This comes at same time that the Republican presidential candidate is demanding that other counties "pay up" for the benefits of US security.

Following the session, Perry expressed cautious optimism about the USGLC's efforts under a potential Trump presidency.

"Do I find some of the things he says concerning? Absolutely," Perry said. "But he understands that this is a part of who we are. I'm not of the mind that he can change everything we do from a trade or foreign policy standpoint, just because he's the president...you're going to see a dialogue in Congress."
I became a runner for the first time in my life in late 2003. I had run the Corporate Challenge while working at Fidelity Investments in Boston, and I became hooked. I called the contact person for a large running club in my area of Boston, and told him I was interested in joining them for a run.

These folks were the most welcoming people. I was a dedicated member in my first year, quite enthusiastic about my newfound hobby, and happy to make new friends. (And who doesnt like their first year of running when its undoubtedly full of personal bests?)

The club had a board of directors that organized water stops during long runs, run routes, the races the club would host or co-host, plus its outreach with the public.

The president of the club asked me if I would consider serving as its Sunshine board member.

I had no idea what that meant, except that I figured the role was a ticket to instant popularity, plus an interesting factoid to bring up in job interviews (I am on a board of directors. I am the Sunshine. I make tired folks happy, when skies are gray.).

So I said yes before finding out what it entailed.

Basically, I was a compliance officer for the club.

I made sure the routes we took were not going to traipse on private property. I made sure our race events were following routes that were approved by the right entities in the city. I made sure the recreation center we used to store our bags and stretch after runs continued to appreciate our presence, and whether and how any members might have broken any of their rules of use.

Id be running, and people in the club would give me their ideas as we strode down the road: Hey Sunshine! I have a few ideas about charity efforts. And Id be forced to chase the really fast folks  like the man who would later become my husband and his buddies  when I needed their input.

(I know he sped up just to make me work harder.)

It was not an easy job balancing the demands of a diverse, 400-person running club, and the city, its area residents and the clubs founders.

But I dont have to explain this to someone who does this on a FAR, FAR higher level for work.

Competing interests, and your own needs and limited time and resources, make compliance hard enough. Add in the pace of regulatory change these days and an increased focus on the personal liability of anyone deemed a supervisor, and Sunshine is laughable  just an incredible misnomer in the business world.

But looking back at the experience, and thinking about what my panel-mates last Wednesday said at the FCPA Blogs inaugural conference event in New York, I just realized something.

The Sunshine of the club worked for the members.

That person was beholden to the members for how well the organization functioned, stayed out of trouble with any authorities, and generated goodwill.

I think Mike Scher is right that the chief compliance officer of any firm must get his or her direction and seek the support of the Board of Directors to maintain independence and not be manipulated by any other executive at the firm.

And I agree with Tom Fox that if any CCO is not getting such backing, he or she has to consider leaving the organization.

But I want to proffer as well the idea that the CCO is there to make sure the employees of the firm know they will not have to compromise their integrity  or drink hand sanitizer  just to make it through a day of trying to meet insane cross-selling quotas.

They are there to advocate for the employee who is being told in so many terms to cut regulatory corners and even the firms own policies. By going to the board of directors as Mike said, or even regulators when their warnings fall on deaf ears.

Its not easy. The CCO is an employee too, needing a job, a salary and a bonus.

But when the CCO raises the red flags that make critical changes happen in an organization and working there better, easier, even healthier  and when a company can tout its regulatory record with pride, along with its profits  I suppose in those moments, its a bit like being a Sunshine.

___

Julie DiMauro, a Contributing Editor of the FCPA Blog, is a senior editor and compliance specialist in Thomson Reuters New York office and its Financial & Risk Regulatory Intelligence division.
A report by David Barboza of the New York Times details how an apparently highly-placed whistleblower in GlaxoSmithKlines China operation sent the head office in London a series of long, well-written memos about illegal sales practices that directors, executives, and auditors chose to ignore.

For more than a year, the drug maker brushed aside repeated warnings from a whistleblower about systemic fraud and corruption in its China operations, Barboza wrote Tuesday.

In September 2014, a court in Changsha, China fined GSK $490 million following a conviction for bribery.

GSKs former head of China operations, Mark Reilly, was given a three-year prison sentence that was suspended. Reilly was deported.

At least five other China nationals working as GSK executives were sentenced to between two and four years in prison.

China authorities accused GSK of paying $482 million in bribes to health officials and doctors to boost sales. Chinas Ministry of Public Security said in 2013 that GSK had used 700 travel agents to deliver the illegal payments since 2007.

Last month, the UK-based pharma paid the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission $20 million to settle civil charges that it violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The SEC said China-based subsidiaries spent millions of dollars on pay-to-prescribe schemes for several years to pump up sales.

The New York Times said Tuesday the whistleblower allegations were dismissed inside GSK as a smear campaign.

To deal with the allegations of fraud and bribery, the company tried to bribe regulators, the report said. It also retaliated against a woman the company suspected of being the whistleblower.

* * *

The whistleblower emerged in January 2013, the Times said. The GSK board received an anonymous 5,200-word email about the companys illegal sales practices in China.

The Times said,

Written in perfect English, the email was organized like a corporate memo. Under the header Conference Trip Vacations for Doctors, the whistleblower wrote that medical professionals received all-expenses-paid trips under the guise of attending international conferences. The company covered the costs of airline tickets and hotel rooms, and handed out cash for meals and sightseeing excursions.

Over the next 17 months, the whistleblower sent about two dozen emails to authorities in China, to GSK executives in London, and to the companys auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The Times said,

When the [China] authorities pressed Glaxo, the company was dismissive. It failed to properly investigate the allegations. It didnt beef up its internal controls. And it didnt change its marketing practices.

Most of the anonymous emails  all in fluent English  were sent from two Gmail accounts.

The Times was able to contact the whistleblower through one of the accounts.

The whistleblower didnt reveal his or her identity to the Times.

I didnt reveal to GSK personnel that I was the whistleblower because doing so would have placed me in potential physical jeopardy, the whistleblower said in an email to the Times.

* * *

David Barbozas 3,500-word report in the New York Times, As China Battles Corruption, Glaxo Lands in the Cross Hairs, is here.

_____

Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.
The potty mouth mummy

She looks as fresh as a meadow in May. Her voice is as clear and shiny as cut glass. But goodness gracious, the filth that comes out of her mouth could fell trees, wilt crops and kill all the little bouncing lambs of spring.

I Spy at the School Gate

Wholesomes

Many of these people will look like they've just been knitted. Others will have children ostentatiously wearing clothes they have created themselves. They will all enjoy telling you how nice they and their friends are. They will chat together about how much fruit their children eat. They will be among the first to volunteer for the PTA. And they will judge you. Hard.

Hot Dad

There's always one absurdly fit single dad. And oh! Just look at his bulging guns and his sweet, only ever so slightly damaged smile and it wouldn't be too strange if you asked him for a drink, would it? Oh crikey! He's looking your way. Don't blush!

Too late.

A gossip column

If you are very lucky, one morning you will arrive at school to see a chat line in progress. Someone has heard some exciting news! Everyone else is waiting to hear it. These are the best moments. Savour them.

Still raving parents

They haven't slept since one "banging" night in Turnmills in 1997 and they won't let kids ruin their fun. They're still having it large and it's great. Ignore the sadness in their eyes! Youth never dies!

You'll know who they are because they'll start bouncing in time whenever a pneumatic drill goes off nearby. And because they'll have the straightest, quietest children in the class.

The businessman

The businessman is hard to spot because he is always hurrying. Often his presence is marked only the faint smell of aftershave in the air. But diligent spies will see him eventually. In the end he won't be able to resist putting in an appearance to remind you that he is earning more money than you are.

Amorous couple

Every class has two parents who have had a top secret affair that absolutely everyone knows about. You can tell who they are by the way they aren't talking to each other, the way half of the other parents aren't talking to them either and the fact that they are a constant source of discussion. It's important to befriend them both on facebook to see how things develop and to make it easier for you predict on which day, mid-way through term, one of them will show up drunk and screaming.

Tiger Mum and Dad

Tiger parents are hard to spy at first because they appear normal, if a little earnest. But you won't have to use too many spying skills to wheedle out their identity. Soon they will be unable to stop themselves from asking about what marks your own children have scored in tests, enquiring whether you send your kids to "many" after-school clubs, and from addressing your offspring in French, just to see how well they are doing. The only thing they relish more than their own child's success is your child's failure. Soyez prudent!

The Family That Is Always Late

If you hang around a few minutes after the bell has gone will be able to spot The Family That Is Always Late performing the fast-walk of shame towards the school gates. It is always nice to smile at them and stroll slowly and comfortably the other way.

The Enemies

Did you hear what she said about her? Did you know what she only went and did? Were you there when it happened? No? Well don't worry because no one else will either. All that we can know is that their hatred is as ancient and dark as the days before the sun.

You will know the enemies are nearby because, even on hot days, ice will start forming on the end of your nose. Their special characteristics include being able to not see each other from all the way across the playground, and to roll their eyes at the mention of their enemy's name - roll them so far that you can only see the bloodied-whites.

I Spy at the School Gate is out tomorrow.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson would love to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Quicksilver.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and wife Sam Taylor-Johnson

The 26-year-old British actor portrayed the super-fast mutant in 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' but the character, the twin brother of Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), was killed off at the end of the movie.

Comic book fans have called for his return to the films and if the opportunity arose then Aaron - who is married to director Sam Taylor-Johnson - would be very happy to work with Marvel Studios again.

When asked if he was interested in reprising the role in an interview with Metro.co.uk, he said: "Yeah, absolutely. But I don't have any knowledge I could share with you if did."

However, the 'Nocturnal Animals' star's chances of playing Quicksilver again appear to be very slim.

Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, has told fans that Quicksilver is "100 per cent dead".

He said: "Quiksilver is dead, 100 per cent. He's not coming back any time soon, there are no plans ... No escaping bullets, no retcon, no."

Elizabeth, 27, returned to the MCU as Scarlet Witch in 'Captain America: Civil War' and will also appear in the upcoming third 'Avengers' film 'Avengers: Infinity War'.
Michael Fassbender believes he is too old to play James Bond - despite being nine years younger than current 007 Daniel Craig.

Michael Fassbender

The 39-year-old actor has been tipped as one of the favourites to don the British big screen spy's famous tuxedo when Craig - who has four films under his belt - decides he's had enough.

But Fassbender believes he looks too aged to portray the character, even though Craig is 49 and still going and took the job when he was 38 when he shot his first film 'Casino Royale'.

When quizzed about his interest in the secret agent part in an interview by GQ magazine, he said: "Bond! Is this rumour still going round? You would have thought I was out of the bookies by now."

When pushed on whether he would take the part if offered, he added: "To be honest, no. As an acting role, I think Daniel has done such a cracking job in this age group. Look at me! I look about 50! No, I think the franchise needs something new."

Although Fassbender is ruling himself out of the running to be 007 he has given the future of the franchise a lot of thought and thinks an origin story would be interesting.

He mused: "What about we start the film back in Sandhurst, army training, rather than on a yacht, or he's in the Middle East on an op and gets thrown in the brig for insubordination. He's going to get court-martialed ... I have thought about it a lot. The film could start off in Sandhurst and how he became a 'double 0'. M could walk in and say to him, 'Bond, there's a 00 project but it's going to be totally off the book, black ops, and you've got to go into prison undetected. I just love Bond. Doesn't everyone? I grew up with him. It's always a fun conversation to have."

As well as conceiving a plot for a Bond film, the 'X-Men: Apocalypse' star has also thought about who would be a good fit for 007 and thinks 27-year-old 'Unbroken' star Jack O'Connell would be great and he also sees no reason why a woman couldn't be cast in the role - originally created by writer Ian Fleming.

Irish/German actor Fassbender said: "Bond should be someone in their early twenties. Maybe someone like Jack O'Connell would be good? Or even better, how about Jane Bond? A woman. One thing is for sure, it won't be anyone on the bookies' lists. It never is."

As well as Fassbender - who is dating Swedish actress Alicia Vikander - other names in the frame for Bond include 'Poldark' star Aidan Turner, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba and Damian Lewis.
Prince Harry could get engaged to Meghan Markle.

Prince Harry

The 32-year-old royal has been dating the 'Suits' actress for a few months after meeting in May and while it's still early days, insiders believe marriage may be on the cards.

A source told People magazine: "That (engagement) is certainly a possibility. It is certainly one possible outcome. It's pretty serious, so we will see.

"Harry is pretty serious about her and she is pretty serious about him."

It was recently claimed that Harry inundated the 35-year-old beauty with text messages until she agreed to go on a date with him after they met at a charity bash, and they have since been on a number of romantic outings and saw each other twice last month.

One friend said: "They are the real deal. He definitely pursued her and besieged her with texts until she agreed to a date.

"They went out with a group of friends to Soho House in London in early July, followed by two dates by themselves where Harry swept her off her feet. By August it was a serious."

The flame-haired prince is said to have fallen "head over heels" for the brunette star - who was previously married to film producer Trevor Engelson from 2011 to 2013 - and the feeling is said to be mutual.

The pal added to The Sun newspaper: "He is very full-on but she was going through quite a tough time with her previous boyfriend and she was very flattered.

"She couldn't contain her excitement, but once she got back from London she became very secretive. It was then that it changed from them just 'seeing each other' to boyfriend and girlfriend.

"He's head over heels and she feels the same."
Prince William wants help from Facebook and Apple to prevent cyberbullying.

Prince William

The future king - who launched a task force earlier this year to stop online attacks - is keen to meet with the tech companies in California to get their support.

According to the Sunday Times newspaper, William is expected to request meetings with Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Apple's Tim Cook, along with "several other tech companies," to help the companies better confront cyber bullying.

The task force will be completed in May 2017 and recommendations will be given to the tech industry, which William reportedly wants to present to the companies.

A source added: "The task force has received lots of interest from the U.S. and the global leadership of these major companies who have expressed interest in being involved in the process. The next big push will be in the summer."

William - who has two children, Prince George, three, and 18-month-old Princess Charlotte with wife Duchess Catherine - has reportedly already asked the task force to make the internet a safer place for children and "devise methods to make it easier for children and parents to get help if they experience online trolling".

William was first inspired to launch the task force after becoming a father and he and Catherine have shown a lot of support against cyber bullying.

.
Victoria Wood's brother was banned from her funeral.

Victoria Wood

The 'Dinnerladies' star - who died in April at the age of 62 following a short battle with cancer - was laid to rest in May at Golders Green Crematorium in north London surrounded by her close friends and family, but her children Grace, 27, and Henry, 23, failed to invite her distant sibling Chris Foote-Wood.

Speaking on 'Lorraine' on Wednesday (02.11.16), he said: "I saw them at Victoria's memorial service, and although I wasn't invited to the funeral, I understand because they just wanted a very small number of people and they wanted to say goodbye to their mother privately without a lot of people being there so I'm quite happy with that. But the memorial service that I was invited too, was a marvellous occasion."

Shortly after Victoria's tragic death, Chris announced he was penning a biography, in which he describes his late sister as "fat" and "miserable", but the news didn't sit well with fans.

He explained: "I wanted to write the book anyway, because I think she's such an important person in our cultural life and I think I'm in a unique position to judge what she did. We are 13 years apart, so we weren't close but we cared for one another... so from my perspective I can stand back and look at her whole career and see what she did and how she did it."

And, despite the backlash he's received, he's claimed Victoria's children are also planning to release their own book next year.

He said: "There's never been any issue between her two children and myself. We get on OK. I did tell them at the start that I was writing this book and I did tell them if they wanted to be involved in it then they could... as a matter of fact, they are going to produce their own book which will be out next year."
HC clears will that was contested by her paternal relatives; uncle gets 20% of estate, only family member to be offered a share. Over 11 years after actor Parveen Babi died, the Bombay High Court has accepted the legitimacy of her will, easing the path of her philanthropic endeavour to improve the lives of disadvantaged women and children.



The will, which was produced by her maternal uncle in 2005, was probated last week after relatives from her father's family dropped their claim that the document was fake. Their decision ended the long-running feud over an estate that includes a sea-facing, fourbedroom flat in Juhu, a haveli in Junagadh, jewellery, deposits of at least Rs 20 lakh in banks, and other investments.



According to the will, 80 per cent of Parveen's wealth should be used to form and run a trust, which will help underprivileged women and children from the Babi community of Junagadh, where she was born.



The Parveen Babi Trust will be headed by her 82-year-old uncle, Muradkhan Babi, who was close to her and who has been given 20 per cent of the estate. No other family member has been offered a share. Ten per cent of the trust's funds will be channelled to St Xavier's College in Ahmedabad, where the star did her master's in English literature before taking up modelling.



The total value of the estate is yet to be determined as until now it had been under the control of the Administrator General and Official Trustee, which manages properties of people who have not left behind a will.





Parveen Babi -who starred in some of the most popular films of the 1970s and 1980s was found dead in the 2,300-sq ft Juhu flat in Rivera Apartments on January 22, 2005. The 56-year-old actor, who lived alone, was thought to have died because of complications resulting from diabetes.



The police discovered an unresponsive Parveen after breaking open her door. Worried neighbours had alerted them after she didn't pick up milk and newspapers from the doorstep for three days.



Initially, it was thought she had left no document declaring heirs. But months later, Muradkhan, who lives in Junagadh, came forward with a will that he said was drafted in 2002 and that gave him 20 per cent of the estate. By then, the Administrator General and Official Trustee had taken control of Parveen's properties.



Parveen's paternal relatives, who were left out of the will, termed the document as fake, and the dispute wound up in the High Court.They finally relented earlier this year and accepted the will was genuine, according to Muradkhan's lawyer, MD Nagle.



On October 14, Justice GS Patel ordered issuance of `Letters of Administration' as per Parveen's last wishes. The Administrator General and Official Trustee will now hand over her estate to people mentioned in the will. Muradkhan will be the managing trustee and president of the philanthropic trust envisioned by Parveen. Its governing body will include two members from the Babi community and two picked by Muradkhan.



"Parveen Babi has left 20 per cent of her property for her maternal uncle Muradkhan Babi for his guidance and service, and the work he will undertake for the trust," said advocate Nagle.



An emotional Muradkhan said he was relieved the court case had ended. "Parveen was very close to me; she grew up in my arms.The legal battle was never really about money or the 20-per cent share she has given me.It was about her last wishes. I will use her estate to create a trust that will keep her alive forever," he said.



The nawab of the former princely Junagadh State had given a haveli named Dhanbai to Parveen's father, Wali Mohammed Khan, on lease. In her will, she has expressed the desire of acquiring it and turning it into a housing facility called Jamal Bakhtewadi for members of the Babi clan. Jamal Bakhte was her mother's name.



The High Court has asked the parties concerned to execute the directions in the will before December 23.

Next Story : Not Your Average Gift: Our Handpicked Thoughtful Diwali Gifts
Fashion was one of the top-selling categories of Amazon India in this festive season apart from electronics and household consumables. It was observed that over 65 per cent and more than 75 per cent of new customers of Amazon.in were from tier II cities and below geographies.

Amazon India country head Amit Agarwal told a leading daily that they are confident of carrying the momentum from its Diwali sale well into November and December. We are excited that in just over three years, customers in India trust us to find, discover and buy anything online and are proud to lead the path for the future of what ecommerce should be in a diverse country like India, Agarwal added.

During the festive season, Amazon.in was the most visited online shopping destination on desktop and m-site. Amazon said that they they were also the most downloaded app during festive season, which reflects in the ranking on both Google Playstore and iOS as the Number 1 Shopping App. More than 40 per cent customer shopped with Amazon.in multiple times during the festive season, across multiple categories. (RR)
There was a surge of 11 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the fiscal year 2016 (FY16) in Bangladesh textile and clothing sector, according to the central bank of Bangladesh. Net inflow of FDI into textile sector for FY16 was $396 million against $351.62 million in FY15. However, this is less than the record FDI inflow of $445.82 million in FY14.

Bangladesh is the second largest apparel exporter in the world after China. It also enjoys tariff-free market access in EU, Canada, Australia and other developed countries of the world, except the US.

Of the total foreign investment in textile and clothing in FY16, around $222.86 million was introduced as reinvested earnings of the current companies operating in Bangladesh.

There was a surge of 11 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the fiscal year 2016 (FY16) in Bangladesh textile and clothing sector, according to the central bank of Bangladesh. Net inflow of FDI into textile sector for FY16 was $396 million against $351.62 million in FY15. However, this is less than the record FDI inflow of $445.82 million in FY14.#

South Korean firms, mostly in the export processing zones, invested $111.61 million. This is almost one-third of the FDI in textile sector. Hong Kong firms invested $89.07 million.

Overall, there was 9.27 per cent rise in foreign investment during the fiscal. Textile, telecom, banking, gas and petroleum and power sectors together accounted for 73 per cent of the FDI inflows in Bangladesh. (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has opposed the creation of a cotton buffer stock and urged the Central government to snub textile industry's request of directing Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to retain the buffer stock. This move will take the country back to the pre-liberalised era of late 1980s and early 1990s, according to the CAI.

The textile industry wants CCI to procure about 70 to 80 lakh bales cotton during the peak season and keep it as buffer stock, to be sold to actual users during the months of May to September.

The idea of creating a buffer stock for exclusive use by a certain sector is wrong as it will not only distort the market but will also unsettle other sectors of the cotton value chain, said Dhiren N. Sheth, president of CAI, in an official statement.

The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has opposed the creation of a cotton buffer stock and urged the Central government to snub textile industry's request of directing Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to retain the buffer stock. This move will take the country back to the pre-liberalised era of late 1980s and early 1990s, according to the CAI.#

Apart from this, creation of a buffer stock system would require a total investment of about Rs 16,000 crore for procuring the desired 80 lakh bales of cotton which in turn will involve a total recurring expenditure of hundreds of crore a year by way of carrying cost including interest and warehousing cost. In addition to this, CCI will have to bear the loss that may arise due to fluctuation in prices, he added.

A similar reserve policy was also implemented in China. A huge stockpile of cotton was created in the country which was eventually liquidated. The country's cotton economy continues to suffer due to this debacle.

Additionally, China is a huge cotton deficit country while India is a huge cotton surplus country and cotton is available to Indian mills at their doorstep. This is another good reason why India should not follow suit and create any buffer stock, says the statement.

India should also learn a lesson from mistake that China made by creating a buffer stock, which created inefficiencies in their system for which China continues to pay a heavy price even now. If the problem sought to be addressed by creating a buffer stock scheme is non-availability of funds with the textile mills to buy and stock cotton, it would be appropriate to address this through banking channels, Reserve Bank of India and the finance ministry rather than creating this scheme, continued Sheth.

The Indian government had earlier rejected a similar proposal for creating a strategic cotton reserve for exclusive sales to mills. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Asked/Answered is a weekly feature for reader-submitted questions. Follow the blog online at www.cumberlink.com:

Where can I go to find out how a school district is doing academically?

In 2013, Pennsylvania launched the School Performance Profile, which became a new way districts would be evaluated.

The new system looks at a host of factors ranging from average SAT and Keystone exam scores to graduation rate and indicators of academic growth.

Each school is given an overall score based on weighted scoring in each of the individual categories.

For example, Carlisle Area High School received a 69.1 for the 2015-16 academic year.

The school district scored high marks on areas like the SAT/ACT college ready benchmark, attendance rate and closing the achievement gap for science and biology. However, it scored low in areas like closing the achievement gap for math and literature and indicators of academic growth.

The tool also allows for comparison between schools and districts.

Shippensburg Area High School scored higher overall than Carlisle with a 91.3 academic score for last school year, but generally had students who scored lower on the SAT, ACT, PSSA and Keystone exams.

The school performance profile tool also provides fast facts about a school district like enrollment, average years of educational experience for teachers and demographic information about students.

The tool can be found at paschoolperformance.org.

Send us your questions

Need an answer? We can help.

The Sentinel wants to know what you have always wanted to know.

Whether its politics, crime, history or just something youve always been curious about, if you have questions, The Sentinel will look for the answer and provide it in our online blog and as a weekly feature in the Sentinel print edition.

Shoot us an email at frontdoor@cumberlink.com, call 240-7125 or stop by the office to submit your questions.

The best questions will be featured in weekly Asked/Answered columns online and in print.
Heimtextil, the world's biggest trade fair for home and contract textiles begins January 10, 2017 in Frankfurt, Germany. The show offers a comprehensive overview of the latest ranges of contract textiles for hotels, interior design and interior architecture with the organisers also putting together an event titled 'Interior.Architecture.Hospitality'.The Salon Interior.Architecture.Hospitality, which has been specially designed for architects, interior architects, designers and hoteliers will welcome all interested visitors as the first point of contact and meeting point at the fair.

Heimtextil, the world's biggest trade fair for home and contract textiles begins January 10, 2017 in Frankfurt, Germany. The show offers a comprehensive overview of the latest ranges of contract textiles for hotels, interior design and interior architecture with the organisers also putting together an event titled 'Interior.Architecture.Hospitality'.#

Allgemeine Hotel- und Gastronomie-Zeitung (AHGZ) magazine is organising a trend tour of the Heimtextil fair that is specially aimed at hoteliers.On January 12, the renowned interior architect Corinna Kretschmar-Joehnk will be offering guided tours to select exhibitors in the contract textiles area.As part of the AIT trend scouting process, around 30 architects and interior architects and designers will be looking out for the latest industry trends and material innovations in contract textiles, while a panel of experts will select the winner of the AIT trend scouting event from among the companies represented. (AR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Propylene prices went down in Asia in the last week due to thin trading activities in the market.

Propylene prices went down in Asia in the last week due to thin trading activities in the market. In Korea, average prices declined by...#

In Korea, average prices declined by US$ 40/ton and assessed at US$ 800/ton in the last week, showing a fall of 4.76 per cent over the previous week.

Propylene prices went down in Asia in the last week due to thin trading activities in the market. In Korea, average prices declined by...#

In Japan, average prices moved down by US$ 40/ton and assessed at US$ 800/ton in the last week, showing a decrease of 4.76 per cent over the previous week.

Propylene prices went down in Asia in the last week due to thin trading activities in the market. In Korea, average prices declined by...#

In SE Asia, average prices reduced by US$ 45/ton and assessed at US$ 765/ton in the last week as compared to previous week, a drop of 5.56 per cent.

Propylene prices went down in Asia in the last week due to thin trading activities in the market. In Korea, average prices declined by...#

In India, average prices plunged by US$ 45/ton and assessed at US$ 765/ton in the last week, showing a reduction of 5.56 per cent over the previous week.

Propylene prices went down in Asia in the last week due to thin trading activities in the market. In Korea, average prices declined by...#

In China, average prices decreased by US$ 45/ton and assessed at US$ 835/ton in the last week, registering a fall of 5.11 per cent from the previous week.

Propylene prices went down in Asia in the last week due to thin trading activities in the market. In Korea, average prices declined by...#

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Jayasurya is undoubtedly one of the most versatile actors of his generation. The actor made a place for himself in the industry, with the some exceptionally brilliant characters and his flawless acting skill.

According to the grapevine, Jayasurya has made an important decision in his career, to the much disappointment of the industry. Reportedly, the actor has decided to not act in multi-starrers in future.

Instead, Jayasurya is planning to do only solo hero projects in future. The actor has already started working towards it. Recently, Jayasurya has rejected a couple of multi-starrers which were offered to him.

Reportedly, Jayasurya was approached to play a key role in Manju Warrier starring C/O Sairabanu; but he rejected the offer. The team later changed the character into a female and roped in Amala Akkineni.

Similarly, Jayasurya has also turned down an upcoming project, which stars Biju Menon in one of the lead roles. But, the actor is said to be ready to be a part of the multi-hero projects like Amar Akbar Anthony.

The actor is currently busy with the filming the upcoming movie Fukri which is written and directed by Siddique. He will next join the sets of the upcoming VP Sathyan biopic, which has been titled as Captain.
1971 Beyond Borders has been in the news since its announcement. The film, which would be directed by Major Ravi has Mohanlal in the lead role and is based on the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

Reportedly, the shoot of the film has commenced in regions in Rajasthan. Huge sets have been erected to shoot the war sequences which would be shown in the film. This film, is yet another big budget venture featuring Mohanlal in the lead role.

The actor would be seen reprising the role of Major Mahadevan. The character was previously seen in the films Keerthichakra, Kurukshethra and Kandahar. Reportedly, the film would be set in two different time periods and Mohanlal would be seen in dual roles.

The shoot of the film would be held in various schedules and the first schedule is expected to be of 25 days long. Mohanlal has join the sets of the film. Apart from Rajasthan, the film would also be shot in locations like Punjab, Uganda etc.

Telugu actor Allu Sirish has been roped in to play an important role in the film. Earlier, there were reports that actor Rana Daggubati was considered for the same role. 1971 Beyond borders also features actors like Renji Panikker, Sudheer Karamana, Arunoday Singh, Saiju Kurup etc., in important roles.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2016) - Midnight Sun Mining Corp. (TSXV: MMA) (the "Company" or "Midnight Sun") has completed the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement by issuing 6,232,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.10 per Unit for gross proceeds of $623,200. Each Unit consists of one common share ("Common Share") in the capital of the Company and one transferable Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share of the Company for a period of twenty-four months from closing, at an exercise price of $0.20.

Finder's fees of $28,256 were paid in cash and 282,560 Finder's Warrants were issued in connection with the Private Placement. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.20 for a period of twenty-four months, expiring on October 31, 2018.

All securities issued pursuant to this tranche, including the Common Shares underlying the Warrants, are subject to a statutory hold period which expires on March 1, 2017.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used by the Company to fund further exploration work on its optioned Zambian mineral exploration permits as well as general working capital.

The completion of this private placement is subject to final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

Zambian Update

The Company has retained Blu Rock Mining Services Ltd to conduct a drill campaign on the Company's optioned Solwezi Property. The drill program will test the previously identified (see Company news releases dated May 7, 2015 and March 10, 2016) Dumbwa Central and Mitu targets.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD



Robert Sibthorpe

President & CEO



For further information contact:



Al Fabbro

Director

Tel: 604-351-8850

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

These securities being offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities in the United States.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
(2) Reflects the number of positions in issuers in which the Company has previously publicly disclosed an investment, which occurs after the Company has completed its accumulation. Cash, cash equivalents, direct or indirect currency or other hedges and income/expense items are excluded. Multiple financial instruments (for example, common stock and derivatives on common stock) associated with one (1) issuer count as one (1) position. A position that is included in the number of positions will be removed from the table only if the investment or if the investment becomes 0.0% of the portfolio.

(3) For the purpose of determining the equity and debt exposures, investments are valued as follows: (a) equity or debt is valued at market value, (b) options referencing equity or debt are valued at market value, and (c) swaps or forwards referencing equity or debt are valued at the market value of the notional equity or debt underlying the swaps or forwards. Whether a position is deemed to be long or short is determined by whether an investment has positive or negative exposure to price increases or decreases. For example, long puts are deemed to be short exposure.

(4) Includes all issuer equity, debt, and derivatives related to issuer equity and debt, and associated currency hedges. Cash, cash equivalents, direct or indirect currency or other hedges and income/expense items are excluded. The market values of associated currency hedges are included as part of the associated investment. In the event that there is a change in market cap category with respect to any non-publicly disclosed position, this information is not updated until such position is publicly disclosed.

(5) Portfolio composition is reflective of the publicly disclosed portfolio positions as of the date of this report. A position in an issuer is only assigned to a sector once it has been publicly disclosed.

(6) "Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. AUM" equals the assets under management of Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.. Any performance fees crystallized as of the end of the year will be reflected in the following period's AUM.

(7) "Total Strategy AUM" equals the aggregate assets under management of Pershing Square, L.P., Pershing Square International, Ltd., Pershing Square II, L.P. and Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.. Redemptions effective as of the end of any period (including redemptions attributable to crystallized performance fees/allocations, if any) will be reflected in the following period's AUM
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Sotheby's International Realty has announced a strategic partnership with Juwai.com that enables the global real estate brand to generate Chinese buyer interest on one of the world's most prominent real estate websites with over two million monthly visitors. Sotheby's International Realty now has comprehensive global representation on Juwai.com, displaying listings from 65 countries and territories, making them the only global luxury real estate company to partner with the Chinese international property portal to reach the mainland Chinese market.

China is already the second-largest source of visits to sothebysrealty.com, only after the United States, and accounts for one out of every 10 visitors. According to Juwai.com, Canada is the third-largest destination for Chinese buyers, after the United States and Australia. While Juwai.com's August 2016 data illustrated an initial shift in interest in Canadian real estate following the implementation of a 15% property transfer tax on foreign buyers of Metro Vancouver real estate, September 2016 data reflected month-over-month gains across Canada's four largest market, with buying inquiries up 200.0% in Vancouver (following a 5.6% gain in August 2016 over July 2016), 13.0% in Calgary (following a 360.0% gain in August over July), 2.7% in Toronto (following a 104.3% gain in August over July) and 183.3% in Montreal (following a 20.0% month-over-month decline from July to August).

"As a real estate brokerage with a truly international sales network and marketing platform, we are always looking for opportunities and strategic partnerships that allow us to showcase our properties worldwide, " states Brad Henderson, President and CEO of Sotheby's International Realty Canada. "The reality is that global exposure is now paramount for Canadian real estate: it is what attracts the most qualified buyers, and the highest price for our clients' homes. China is an important market for us, and we are proud to now be the only global luxury real estate brokerage to be able to reach Chinese purchasers who we know are interested in living, working, retiring and investing in Canada."

One of Juwai.com's key advantages is that it is hosted on both sides of China's internet firewall, so listings are visible online both within China and outside of China. Every Sotheby's International Realty property listing appears on Juwai.com and in its real estate search results. Juwai.com's Chinese-language team is located in mainland China so they can respond to consumer inquiries in real time, translate the inquiries into English and forward them to the Sotheby's International Realty sales associate who has the listing.

"Having Juwai.com's team respond to leads in timely fashion overcomes the cultural and time-zone challenges of working with overseas buyers," Henderson explains. "That's a significant competitive advantage for our clients."

About Sotheby's International Realty Canada

Combining the world's most prestigious real estate brand with local market knowledge and specialized marketing expertise, Sotheby's International Realty Canada is the leading real estate sales and marketing company for the country's most exceptional properties. With offices in over 30 residential and resort markets nationwide, our professional associates provide the highest caliber of real estate service, unrivaled local and international marketing solutions and a global affiliate sales network of approximately 845 offices in more than 65 countries to manage the real estate portfolios of discerning clients from around the world. For further information, visit www.sothebysrealty.ca.

About Juwai.com

Juwai.com is the number one Chinese international property portal, with more than 2 million visitors from China and other countries, and showcasing 2.5 million listings from 89 countries. Juwai.com was named the top international real estate website in China in both 2014 and 2015 by the country's peak e-commerce body and won the prestigious Red Herring Global Top 100 award in 2015. The company is headquartered in Shanghai and Hong Kong and has regional teams in the UK, the US and Canada and Australia. For further information or to advertise, visit http://list.juwai.com

Contacts:

Chantel Cassar

604.738.2220

Chantel@talkshopmedia.com




Dear Editor:

In spite of the sex tapes and accusations against Donald Trump, I am voting for him as president of the United States.

When Bill Clinton was impeached for obstruction of justice and lying under oath to a federal grand jury about the Monica Lewinsky affair, the Democrats linked arms and stood on the Capitol steps and professed their loyalty and support to him. So, what Bill did was acceptable, but what Donald Trump did was disgusting and offensive. Such hypocrisy/ We are reminded once again of the two sets of rules in this country. One for the Clintons and one for the rest of us.

Hillary has vowed to continue with Obama's policies even though they are a complete failure. Obamacare is a disaster. Just ask Bill Clinton. Hillary said she will not repeal it. Many veterans are not getting the proper care.

Hillary and Obama have shown more empathy and compassion for the refugees who are not properly vetted and could threaten our security. The State Department, Justice Department, the Department of Veterans Affairs and worst of all, the FBI have all been politicized and corrupted by Obama. The refusal of the director of FBI to indict Hillary even though she lied repeatedly about her emails proves this.

Putting these issues aside, Americans should be very concerned about the men and women who will occupy the seats at the Supreme Court if Hillary wins. Their decisions will have a great impact on people's lives long after many of us are gone. Law-abiding citizens will be stripped of their Second Amendment rights. Abortions and partial birth abortions will become the law of the land.

If Trump wins and does not deliver on his promises, I will be the very first to vote him out of office.

Carmen Grabowicz

Lower Allen Township
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Japanese yen strengthened against the other major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday. The yen rose to a 2-day high of 114.71 against the euro and a 1-week high of 126.82 against the pound, from yesterday's closing quotes of 115.13 and 127.49, respectively. The yen edged up to 106.52 against the Swiss franc and 74.72 against the NZ dollar, from yesterday's closing quotes of 106.77 and 74.80, respectively. Against the U.S., the Australian and Canadian dollars, the yen advanced to nearly a 2-week high of 103.67, a 9-day high of 78.99 and nearly a 4-week high of 77.37 from yesterday's closing quotes of 104.15, 79.68 and 77.78, respectively. If the yen extends its uptrend, it is likely to find resistance around 113.00 against the euro, 124.00 against the pound, 104.00 against the franc, 73.00 against the kiwi, 102.00 against the greenback, 77.00 against the aussie and 76.00 against the loonie. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The Cabinet office is slated to release the Japan consumer confidence index for December at 12:00 am ET Tuesday. Ahead of the data, the yen rose against its major rivals. As of 11:55 pm ET, the yen was trading at 122.48 against the euro, 140.20 against the pound, 114.00 against the Swiss franc and 115.40 against the U.S. dollar. 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.
Results to be announced on Thursday 16 March 2017

Regulatory News:

BONE THERAPEUTICS (Brussels:BOTHE) (Paris:BOTHE) (Euronext Brussels and Paris: BOTHE), the bone cell therapy company addressing high unmet medical needs in orthopaedics and bone diseases, today announces it will release its full year results for the year ended 31 December 2016 on Thursday 16 March 2017.

Thomas Lienard, Chief Executive Officer, and Wim Goemaere, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call and Q&A at 10:00 CET 09:00 GMT to discuss the results. The call will be conducted in English and a replay will be available for 30 days via the company's website.

To access the conference call, please dial one of the appropriate numbers below quoting the conference ID:

Belgium: +32 (0)81 70 00 61

France: +33 (0) 805 63 20 56

US: +1 (866) 966 9439

UK: +44 (0) 1452 555 566

Conference ID: 81483630

The presentation for the call will be made available on the Investors section of the Bone Therapeutics website shortly before the call.

To ensure a timely connection, it is recommended that users register at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start timing.

About Bone Therapeutics

Bone Therapeutics is a leading biotechnology company specializing in the development of cell therapy products intended for orthopaedics and bone diseases. The current standard of care in this field involves major surgeries and long recovery periods. To overcome these problems, Bone Therapeutics is developing a range of innovative regenerative products containing osteoblastic/bone-forming cells, administrable via a minimally invasive percutaneous technique; a unique proposition in the market.

PREOB, Bone Therapeutics' autologous bone cell product, is currently in pivotal Phase IIB/III clinical studies for two indications: osteonecrosis and non-union fractures, and in Phase II for severe osteoporosis. ALLOB, its allogeneic "off-the-shelf" bone cell product, is in Phase II for the treatment of delayed-union fractures and lumbar fusion for degenerative disease of the spine, including a minimally invasive therapy for failed spinal fusions. The Company also runs preclinical research programs and develops novel product candidates.

Founded in 2006, Bone Therapeutics is headquartered in Gosselies (South of Brussels, Belgium). Bone Therapeutics' regenerative products are manufactured to the highest GMP standards and are protected by a rich IP estate covering 9 patent families. Further information is available at: www.bonetherapeutics.com

Certain statements, beliefs and opinions in this press release are forward-looking, which reflect the Company or, as appropriate, the Company directors' current expectations and projections about future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. A multitude of factors including, but not limited to, changes in demand, competition and technology, can cause actual events, performance or results to differ significantly from any anticipated development. Forward looking statements contained in this press release regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. As a result, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release as a result of any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. Neither the Company nor its advisers or representatives nor any of its subsidiary undertakings or any such person's officers or employees guarantees that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor does either accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170302006531/en/

Contacts:

Bone Therapeutics SA

Thomas Lienard, Chief Executive Officer

Wim Goemaere, Chief Financial Officer

+32 (0)2 529 59 90

investorrelations@bonetherapeutics.com

or

For Belgium and International Media Enquiries:

Consilium Strategic Communications

Amber Fennell, Jessica Hodgson and Hendrik Thys

+44 (0) 20 3709 5701

bonetherapeutics@consilium-comms.com

or

For French Media and Investor Enquiries:

NewCap Investor Relations Financial Communications

Pierre Laurent, Louis-Victor Delouvrier and Nicolas Merigeau

+ 33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

bone@newcap.eu
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Scientific Metals Corp. ("STM" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: STM) (FRANKFURT: 26X) (OTCQB: SCTFF) is pleased to announce that it has engaged Earl Waite and Sons, Mining Contractors for the rehabilitation of the existing underground workings and permitting of their flagship Iron Creek Cobalt Property in Idaho (the "Property"). Based out of nearby Challis, Idaho, Earl Waite and Sons have extensive experience in mining projects in the area. Initial property examinations indicate that the drill road network and underground workings - which encounter the mineralized zones - can be rehabilitated quickly and inexpensively. Compilation of the extensive data base is underway, and the next steps planned include data interpretation to design follow-up drilling and underground sampling. Initial work programs are likely to include improvement of the drill roads, rehabilitation of the underground workings and an initial drill campaign. This initial drilling would be limited to infill and confirmation drilling in the No Name zone near the underground workings. Initial contacts have been made with the governmental authorities regarding the requirements for permitting the work programs. A National Instrument 43-101report is being prepared by Clark Exploration, and will summarize the historic data and the project as it is known today.

STM's president, Brian Kirwin, stated "The engagement of Earl Waite and Sons is an important step in STM's plan to develop a North American ethical source of cobalt at Iron Creek. They are well known in the Cobalt belt and will be able to provide invaluable information with their local knowledge. With global cobalt supply/demand deficits expected this year and expected to increase into 2018 we want to expedite our work on our flagship project."

The Iron Creek Cobalt Property in Idaho was acquired through two transactions, as previously announced. The first transaction covers 7 patented claims (private ground) covering 137 acres and the known historic resources. The patented claims were leased from Chester Mining Company. The second transaction covers 58 unpatented claims covering 1,160 acres which brings the total property to 65 claims covering 1,297 acres. The Property is located 15 miles southeast of eCobalt's Idaho Cobalt project in the most prolific trend of cobalt mineralization in the USA, the Idaho Cobalt Belt.

A substantial amount of historical exploratory work has been completed on the Property, including approximately 30,000 feet of diamond drilling, and the mining of 1,500 feet of underground workings, as previously announced. Exploration by several companies since the 1940s, including Hanna Mining, Noranda Exploration, Inc. and Cominco, has identified a number of significant cobalt and copper targets on the Property. The Property shares similar geology and structure with other deposits in the 40 mile long Idaho Cobalt Belt, including the Blackbird Mine and the proposed Idaho Cobalt Mine.

The Property hosts a historical estimate of 1,050,000 tons grading 0.61% cobalt in the first lense and 229,000 tons grading 0.48% cobalt in the second lense, as previously reported. In a report entitled "Iron Creek Prospect, Lemhi County, Idaho (#0483) Progress Report" by Terry A Webster and Thomas K Stump for Noranda Exploration, Inc., July 1980 (the "Noranda Report"), two underground targets in the No Name Zone were evaluated. The first lense is described by Noranda Exploration, Inc.as a "possible reserve" and is reported to contain 1,050,000 tons grading 0.61% cobalt over a strike length of 750 feet. The second lense is described as a "possible reserve" and is reported to contain 229,000 tons grading 0.48% cobalt over a strike length of 600 feet. Together, these lenses contain 1,279,000 tons grading an average of 0.59% cobalt. The Noranda Report notes the following outstanding cobalt intercepts within the mineralized lenses. Drill hole IC-16 contains a 15 foot wide horizon averaging 1.01 percent cobalt, and within the Little No Name adit a 20 foot wide channel sample contains an average of 0.95 percent cobalt.

The Property also hosts a historical estimate of 4.57 million tons grading 1.84% copper. This historical estimate is from the Noranda Report that notes that, in the west zone of the No Name Zone, there is the presence of 4.57 million tons grading 1.84% copper "possible reserves" or similar.

The Company is treating the cobalt and copper tonnage and grade estimates above as historical estimates. The historical estimates do not use categories that conform to current CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves as outlined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and have not been redefined to conform to current CIM Definition Standards. They were prepared in the 1980s prior to the adoption and implementation of NI 43-101. The Noranda Report does not detail cut-off grades and metal prices used to estimate the historical mineralization and used a tonnage factor of 11 cubic feet per ton. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources and the Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources. More work, including, but not limited to, drilling, will be required to conform the estimates to current CIM Definition Standards. Investors are cautioned that the historical estimates do not mean or imply that economic deposits exist on the Property. The Company has not undertaken any independent investigation of the historical estimates or other information contained in this press release nor has it independently analyzed the results of the previous exploration work in order to verify the accuracy of the information. The Company believes that the historical estimates and other information contained in this press release are relevant to continuing exploration on the Property.

Management of the Company is relying on the historical estimates contained in the Noranda Report because the authors were experts and used industry standard procedures at the time. The historical estimates are relevant to the Company's planned exploration program because they identify significant mineralization that will be the target of this exploration program.

Mr. Garry Clark, P. Geo., of Clark Exploration Consulting, is the "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101, who has reviewed and approved the technical content in this press release.

For more information on Cobalt, please watch the following informative video: https://youtu.be/gE4YEGw-asQ.

Reader Advisory

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. . In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's planned and future exploration work on the Property. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada and globally; industry conditions, including governmental regulation and environmental regulation; failure to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; liabilities inherent in water disposal facility operations; competition for, among other things, skilled personnel and supplies; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; geological, technical, processing and transportation problems; changes in tax laws and incentive programs; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; and the other factors. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

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




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- RewardStream Solutions Inc., ("RewardStream" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: REW)(FRANKFURT: JL4L) (WKN Number A2APX1) the leading provider of referral marketing software for telecommunications, financial services and e-commerce companies, has announced the launch of the Innovator's Program for Shopify e-Commerce stores. Shopify is the leading cloud-based, multi-channel commerce platform for small and medium businesses, and powers over 300,000 online stores around the world.

RewardStream's referral marketing app will enhance any Shopify store experience and integrate advanced referral marketing capabilities directly into existing Shopify powered stores. The app deploys seamlessly and requires minimal configuration and no support from IT, making it suitable for any size online store. Once deployed, the app automates and simplifies the process for online shoppers to instantly refer friends to the store via any mobile device and through their key social tools, including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Telegram and more.

"Online stores continue to seek out innovative marketing tools, and referrals are a powerful and very cost effective methods of acquiring new, loyal customers," said Rob Goehring, Chief Executive Officer of RewardStream. "Shopify has quickly become a world leader in e-Commerce platforms, and represent a next step in the ongoing expansion of our strategy to make automated referral marketing tools available to any business. Our Innovators Program will ensure that we bring the best solution to the Shopify marketplace and create a starting point for enabling our app to the entire Shopify customer base that is now over 300,000 merchants."

The Shopify Innovator's Program is now available and will be launched with registered Shopify customers in the United States and Canada. Innovators that join the program will gain early access to the RewardStream app for Shopify, as well as ongoing implementation and account support, free lifetime upgrades for the Shopify app and discounts on fees.

Shopify store operators can register for the Innovator's Program by visiting: http://www.rewardstream.com/shopify

As a leading provider of referral solutions for digital marketers, RewardStream has over a decade of referral expertise that helps marketers accelerate their customer acquisition goals, while rewarding existing, loyal customers for their referrals. By leveraging the trust and power of social recommendations, RewardStream delivers a new acquisition channel that secures the most valuable and loyal customers at a much lower cost than traditional marketing channels.

About RewardStream Solutions Inc.

RewardStream specializes in the execution of automated referral marketing programs that help brands to acquire, engage, and retain their most valuable stakeholders - customers. By utilizing an innovative blend of marketing insight and proprietary technology, RewardStream turns an existing customer base into a powerful new sales channel for all of our clients. RewardStream delivers a scalable, real-time technology platform as the foundation of our client's referral program. The platform provides customer acquisition programs that deliver new, highly loyal customers at very low cost per acquisition rates. Our award-winning marketing solutions have powered loyalty and referral marketing programs across 39 countries for brands including Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Envision Financial, Koodo Mobile and more. For more information please visit www.rewardstream.com.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information, which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectation. Important factors - including the availability of funds and the results of financing efforts - that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time on SEDAR (see www.sedar.com). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

RewardStream Solutions, Inc.

Rana Vig, Vice Chairman

Rana.vig@rewardstream.com

(604) 282-7572



Rob Goehring, CEO

Rob.goehring@rewardstream.com

(877) 692-0040




LUXEMBOURG CITY, LUXEMBOURG -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- RM2 International SA (AIM: RM2)

2 November 2016

RM2 International S.A.

('RM2' or the 'Company')

Agreement with Pactiv LLC

RM2 (LSE-AIM: RM2), the sustainable pallet innovator, is pleased to announce that it has received an exclusive commitment from Pactiv LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reynolds Group Holdings Limited, to purchase and deploy the Company's BLOCKPal pallets for all non-wood pallet uses throughout its organisation.

Pactiv is a leading US manufacturer and distributor of food packaging and foodservice products and the Company is very pleased to be adding it to its growing list of clients. The terms of the contract anticipate Pactiv purchasing and deploying hundreds of thousands of BLOCKPal pallets in stages across various business units and geographical areas.

John Walsh, CEO of RM2, said, "RM2 is pleased to be entering into a commercial agreement for the sale of pallets with an industry leadership like Pactiv. This agreement is consistent with previous announcements in which we stated that a number of customer announcements were in the pipeline, consisting of both outright sales and lease agreements, such as the agreement with a global leader in temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics to the food industry announced earlier this month."

RM2 International S.A. +44 (0) 20 8820 1412 John Walsh, Chief Executive Officer Jean-Francois Blouvac, Chief Financial Officer Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated & Financial Adviser) +44 (0) 20 7409 3494 James Spinney / Ritchie Balmer / James Bellman Zeus Capital Limited (Joint Broker) +44 (0) 20 3829 5000 Giles Balleny / Hugh Kingsmill Moore RBC Capital Markets (Joint Broker) +44 (0) 20 7653 4000 Tristan Lovegrove / Jonathan Hardy / Ema Jakasovic Citigate Dewe Rogerson (Financial PR) +44 (0) 20 7638 9571 Simon Rigby / Rob Newman / Ellen Wilton

Notes to Editors

RM2 International S.A. specialises in pallet development, manufacture, supply and management to establish a leading presence in global pallet supply and improve the supply chain of manufacturing and distribution businesses through the effective and efficient use and management of composite pallets. It is quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol RM2.L.

For further information, please visit www.rm2.com

About Pactiv Corporation

At Pactiv, continuous innovation has secured its place as the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of food packaging and foodservice products, supplying packers, processors, supermarkets, restaurants, institutions and foodservice outlets across North America.

Since its founding in 1965 as Packaging Corporation of America, Pactiv has focused on producing and distributing the highest quality foodservice packaging products. Its product lines today include custom and stock foam, plastic, aluminium, pressed-paperboard, PE coated board, and molded-fiber packaging. It supplies every major foodservice retailer and distributor in North America.

From its world headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois, Pactiv oversees global operations of more than 11,000 employees at more than 50 manufacturing plants, mixing centres and distribution centres.

Contacts:

RNS

Customer

Services

0044-207797-4400

rns@londonstockexchange.com

http://www.rns.com




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.
Aabenraa, Denmark, 2016-11-02 08:28 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Decline in costs and high credit quality ensure satisfactory resultSydbank has delivered a satisfactory performance for the first nine months of 2016 and continues the positive trend. The Bank's loans and advances have risen by DKK 3.8bn whereas the Bank's impairment charges have dropped by 58% compared with one year ago. Moreover the financial statements show a decline in the Bank's costs (core earnings). In 2016 and 2017 Sydbank will allocate extra resources to develop customer-oriented digital solutions.CEO Karen Frsig comments on Sydbank's Q1-Q3 result:-- It is highly satisfactory to note an increase of DKK 196m in profit after tax compared with the same period in 2015. The improvements in costs, impairment charges, investment portfolio earnings and non-recurring items more than make up for the decline in core income and this is what creates the increase in profit. Profit after tax equals a return of 12.0% p.a. on shareholders' equity.Sydbank's market share of corporate clients has increased. Karen Frsig comments:-- I am pleased to note that Sydbank is also attracting new strong corporate clients. As a result the Bank is growing into one of the largest corporate banks in Denmark. Given the historically fierce competition in the market place, this tells us that our advisory services and banking products are among the very best in the sector.Q1-Q3 2016 - highlights-- Profit of DKK 1,028m. This is equal to a return on shareholders' equity of 12.0% p.a. after tax. -- Core income of DKK 3,131m. This is a decline of 5% compared with the same period in 2015 when core income was historically high. -- Total income of DKK 3,319m. This is a drop of 4% compared with the same period in 2015. -- Impairment charges for loans and advances represent DKK 114m and have declined by 58% compared with the same period in 2015. -- Bank loans and advances have risen by DKK 3.8bn, equal to 5.1%. -- The Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio has climbed by 0.4 percentage points and constitutes 14.9%. -- A share buyback of DKK 350m was commenced on 29 February 2016.Outlook for 2016 Sydbank projects limited positive economic growth in the Danish economy in 2016. Furthermore we expect:-- a slight decline in core income relative to income for 2015. -- unchanged trading income relative to income for 2015 but dependent on financial market developments. -- a decrease in costs (core earnings) - in spite of the general pay rises agreed for the financial sector of 1.80% and a payroll tax increase of 1.40% - as a result of the measures implemented and the discontinuation of payments to the deposit guarantee scheme. -- lower impairment charges in 2016.Additional informationJrn Adam Mller, CFO, tel +45 74 37 24 00 Dan Prangsgaard, Head of Communications, tel +45 21 54 18 74Karen Frsig, CEO, Bjarne Larsen, Deputy Group Chief Executive, and Jrn Adam Mller, CFO, will present the Interim Report today at 10.00 (CET) at a teleconference. The teleconference will be held in Danish and may be attended via www.sydbank.dk/audiocastDanish attendees are invited to call 70 22 35 00. International attendees are invited to call +44 207 57 21 187. Please quote the following code: 23458423#Attachment:https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=602632
Survey indicates overconfidence may be putting organizations at higher risk for attacks

A new security survey from Accenture (NYSE:ACN) finds that in the past twelve months, roughly one in three targeted attacks resulted in an actual security breach, which equates to two to three effective attacks per month for the average company. Still, a majority of security executives (75 percent) surveyed are confident in their ability to protect their enterprises from cyberattacks.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005369/en/

High Performance Security Report Infographic (Graphic: Business Wire)

In the report titled "Building Confidence: Facing the Cybersecurity Conundrum," Accenture surveyed 2,000 enterprise security practitioners representing companies with annual revenues of $1 billion or more in 15 countries about their perceptions of cyber risks, the effectiveness of current security efforts and the adequacy of existing investments. The survey reveals that the length of time taken to detect these security breaches often compounds the problem, as more than half of executives (51 percent)disclose that it takes months to detect sophisticated breaches, and as many as a third of all successful breaches are not discovered at all by the security team.

"Cyberattacks are a constant operational reality across every industry today and our survey reveals that catching criminal behavior requires more than the best practices and perspectives of the past. There needs to be a fundamentally different approach to security protection starting with identifying and prioritizing key company assets across the entire value chain," said Kevin Richards, managing director, Accenture Security, North America. "It is also clear that the need for organizations to take a comprehensive end-to-end approach to digital security one that integrates cyber defense deeply into the enterprise - has never been greater."

What has Been Done in the Past is not Working

Out with the old and in with the new is easier said than done, especially when it comes to embracing new technologies or cyber defense tools.

While survey respondents say internal breaches have the greatest impact, 58 percent prioritize heightened capabilities in perimeter-based controls instead of pivoting to address high-impact internal threats.

prioritize heightened capabilities in perimeter-based controls instead of pivoting to address high-impact internal threats. Research findings further show that most companies do not have effective technology in place to monitor for cyberattacks and are focused on risks and outcomes that have not kept pace with the threat.

Only slightly more than one-third (37percent) of respondents say they are confident in their ability to perform the essential activity of monitoring for breaches and only a similar number (36 percent) say the same about minimizing disruptions.

Getting Smarter about Security Spending

Recent high-profile cyberattacks have driven significant increases in cybersecurity awareness and spending. Yet, the sentiment among those surveyed suggests organizations will continue to pursue the same countermeasures instead of investing in new and different security controls to mitigate threats.

For example, given extra budget, 44 percent to 54 percent of respondents would "double down" on their current cybersecurity spending priorities even though those investments have not significantly deterred regular and ongoing breaches.

to of respondents would "double down" on their current cybersecurity spending priorities even though those investments have not significantly deterred regular and ongoing breaches. These priorities include protecting the company's reputation ( 54 percent ), safeguarding company information ( 47 percent ), and protecting customer data ( 44 percent

), safeguarding company information ( ), and protecting customer data ( Far fewer companies would invest the extra funds in efforts that would directly affect their bottom line, such as mitigating against financial losses (28 percent) or investing in cybersecurity training (17 percent

Key country highlights from the report include:

Overall, it takes longer to spot a breach in the US and the UK with over a quarter of organizations taking a year or more to detect a successful attack. ( 30 percent in the US; 26 percent in the UK).

in the US; in the UK). Organizations in France, Australia and the US are the least confident in their ability to monitor for a breach compared to the global average.

Organizations in Germany ( 52 percent ) and the UK ( 50 percent ) are the most confident in monitoring for breaches compared to the global average ( 38 percent

) and the UK ( ) are the most confident in monitoring for breaches compared to the global average ( Organizations in France spend the most ( 9.4 percent ) of their total IT budget on cybersecurity compared to the global average of 8.2 percent.

) of their total IT budget on cybersecurity compared to the global average of Organizations in Australia and the US spend the lowest amount on cybersecurity, as a percent of their total IT budget. (8 percent in the US; 7.6 percent in Australia).

For more information on steps organizations can take to effectively deal with cyber threats, visit: www.accenture.com/cybersecurityreport.

Accenture Security helps organizations build resilience from the inside out, so they can confidently focus on innovation and growth. Providing next-generation services that span the entire security lifecycle and protect value chains end-to-end including strategy and risk management, cyber defense, digital identity, application security and managed security services Accenture helps businesses around the world defend against known sophisticated threats, and the unknown.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions underpinned by the world's largest delivery network Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With more than 384,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005369/en/

Contacts:

Accenture

Alison Geib, +1-703-947-4404

alison.geib@accenture.com
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Alpiq, a leading Swiss electricity and energy services provider with a European footprint, has selected DigitalRoute's IoT Platform. Digital Route, the leading provider of data management solutions globally, will help Alpiq to drive the digitization of its business.

In recent years, utilities have grown into one of the largest IoT (Internet of Things) industry segments and companies in the vertical have invested heavily in connecting assets to generate more efficient businesses and create new commercial opportunities. In 2016 Alpiq started the innovative energy solutions unit, which would lead the digital strategy and transform Alpiq into a digital innovator and market leader.

A central aspect of Alpiq's digital strategy is to develop, promote and market business models that require automated and highly developed smart technologies. Doing this requires taking control of asset data from across all the company's portfolios and consolidating it into one enterprise wide IoT platform, on top of which smart applications based on artificial intelligence for smart grid management, trading and demand side management can be leveraged.

Alpiq is partnering with DigitalRoute to achieve this. As the market leader in data management, DigitalRoute can deliver a proven technology capable of connecting all Alpiq's assets to its key business processes. With Alpiq's ambitious increase in the number of connected assets, it is critical that they are all managed effectively if commercial momentum is to result. While many new business opportunities are in view, handling challenges like real-time awareness, time to market for new services and the explosion of data is vital if commercial success is to follow.

DigitalRoute was chosen by Alpiq because of its innovative software and its expertise in data management, proven and industrialized to support mission critical services in multiple verticals over 16 years. The new IoT Platform by DigitalRoute enables Alpiq to complete its digital journey successfully. Also, important to Alpiq's decision was the harmonious working relationship that was quickly established between the two companies.

Alpiq expects to connect all its assets to DigitalRoute technology thereby creating an Enterprise wide IoT solution that will consolidate the data from all portfolios. The deployment is expected to be a game-changer in the utilities industry, beating a path that will be followed by all utilities looking for a sustainable and profitable future.

Alpiq will now be able to generate greater margins out of its existing business and, at the same time, have a very short time-to-value for new services and business models. Additionally, an advanced IT landscape, with a drastically lower total cost of functionality, will be realized by consolidating data point applications to deliver access across all silos.

Alpiq is a leading Swiss electricity and energy services provider with a European footprint. The company is active in power production, as well as energy trading, origination and sales. Alpiq offers its clients extensive, efficient energy services for buildings and plants, transport technology, as well as power and industrial plant engineering. With DigitalRoute's technology Alpiq has an IoT Platform in place that means the company will be much more efficient across business-lines in order to spend significantly more time developing new products and services.

DigitalRoute CEO Johan Bergh said: "Our IoT Platform is a game changer and we are delighted that Alpiq is leading the way and showing how Energy companies can use it to turn digitization from an opportunity into a commercial success. We are also excited to partner with a visionary and industry leading company in an extremely exciting and progressive vertical, underlining the breadth of challenges DigitalRoute's technology can address."

About DigitalRoute

DigitalRoute has been providing new approaches to data integration and data management since 1999. Its technology offers high throughput and provides a unique degree of user configurability, processing all usage and statistical data extracted from networks of connected assets. This means customers gain greater cost efficiencies, improved time-to-market for new service offerings, the ability to monetize any data, and the means to enhance end-customer satisfaction. DigitalRoute makes network events available to the right systems in the right formats in the most appropriate volumes at the required times, without losing a single bit. This is the foundation from which multiple, mission-critical use-cases can be addressed.

Over 350 leading companies worldwide use DigitalRoute technology to meet their data management needs, including a number of OEM partners who use our platform as a central part of their own offerings. DigitalRoute is built on the core values of Expertise, Open-Mindedness and Commitment. With close to 200 employees, the company is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden with regional offices in Gothenburg, Atlanta and Kuala Lumpur. DigitalRoute is a venture-backed, privately-held company.

https://www.facebook.com/DigitalRoute

https://mobile.twitter.com/digital_route

https://www.linkedin.com/company/digita-route?trk=tya

DigitalRoute and MediationZone are registered trademarks of Digital Route AB. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For more information or interviews with Johan Bergh contact:

Sancha Brody

Media & Analyst Relations

Email: Email Contact

Phone: +44 (0)790 024 5994




LONDON, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

BCSG has further enhanced its cloud service marketplace, today announcing its participation in the Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Program.

It's no secret that Microsoft Office is one of the most widely used productivity applications worldwide. For service providers, being able to deliver the best possible customer experience around this has become critical.

Enter BCSG.

Bolstering its growing reputation as a reliable cloud service broker trusted by top-flight global partners, BCSG continues to invest and develop its Microsoft CSP capabilities.

Cloud service providers can now partner with BCSG to get to market faster, cheaper and more easily, to offer core Microsoft products including Office 365, OneDrive and Exchange.

BCSG's fully-customisable cloud services brokerage platform allows cloud service providers to provision and manage Microsoft product licences, own and control the billing, and even sell integrated offers and services - both via assisted sales and a public, feature-reach self-serve marketplace.

Bundling Microsoft products with other cloud software is a great way to meet specific customer needs, and offers a compelling reason to engage interest.

BCSG is one of the best-placed brokers in the market to facilitate the creation of custom-made bundles, by giving cloud service providers access to a raft of other cloud applications, from security to file sharing, which can all be wrapped around the sale of Microsoft Office 365.

Brands including Norton, Dropbox and WebEx are amongst those included in BCSG's catalogue of over 100 service vendor partners - however of particular interest to cloud service providers will be BCSG's strategic partnerships with global domain providers such as GoDaddy and 101domain.

These domain seller relationships allow for the bundling of a domain name with Office 365, in a highly optimised user experience and purchasing journey that integrates domain selection with CSP provisioning.

Speaking of the announcement, BCSG Managing Director John Davis said, "We are thrilled to be part of Microsoft's CSP program. Service providers across the globe are recognising the importance of offering Microsoft's cloud services to their business customers, and with our platform now CSP enabled, we can make it easy for them to include the Microsoft office suite alongside the other cloud services they offer, helping to address the ICT needs of their business customers."
NEW YORK, LONDON AND HONG KONG, 2016-11-02 09:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hazeltree, the leading provider of integrated buy-side treasury management solutions, today expanded its management team by hiring industry veteran Sal Ventura as head of client relationship management. Mr. Ventura brings to Hazeltree more than 25 years of experience in prime brokerage, product development, operations, and client service. As a client service executive, he oversaw the servicing and support of a range of buy-side clients, including hedge fund managers, asset managers, insurance companies and pension funds.



"As regulations continue to impact our industry, we continue to see increased focus on treasury and counterparty management," said Sameer Shalaby, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hazeltree. "Sal's industry experience provides him a unique perspective to manage our client relationships as we respond to global market demands."



Mr. Ventura will be primarily focused on managing client relationships to ensure senior-level sponsorship and connectivity between clients and Hazeltree, prioritizing client requests once they are fully implemented with Hazeltree, and maximizing the value of Hazeltree's solutions to clients on a continuous basis.



Mr. Ventura most recently was Managing Director and Global Head of Client Service for JP Morgan's Custody and Fund Services business. Prior to that, Ventura was the Global Head of Citigroup's Investment Banking and Private Banking Operations & Middle Office where he successfully transformed their operations strategy while facing dramatic regulatory change and profitability challenges. Before joining Citi, Ventura spent 10 years in prime brokerage at Credit Suisse and Lehman Brothers serving hedge fund managers as the Global Head of Prime Broker Client Services responsible for client onboarding and consulting in addition to the day over day client service, business and product development functions.



"From supporting fund managers for many years, I am fully aware of the significant challenges they face daily, ranging from increased regulations, tough performance, fee pressures, and increased investor demands," said Sal Ventura, head of client relationship management at Hazeltree. "I joined Hazeltree because it was clear we could make a difference and I am committed to working with our clients to understand their specific needs and harnessing the power of Hazeltree to address them head on."



Mr. Ventura started his professional career with Price Waterhouse in their Financial Services Industry Practice unit auditing banks, broker dealers, investment companies and alternative managers. Ventura is a CPA and a graduate of Binghamton University holding a B.S. in Accounting.



About Hazeltree Hazeltree is the leading Treasury Management solution provider, serving hedge funds, asset managers, fund administrators, insurance companies and pension funds with powerful, proactive performance enhancement and risk mitigation capabilities that generate operational alpha, reduce a range of risks and streamline operations. Hazeltree's integrated treasury management solution includes comprehensive cash management, securities financing, collateral management, counterparty management and margin management capabilities. Hazeltree is headquartered in New York with offices in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.hazeltree.com.



Contact: Sameer Shalaby, President & CEO sshalaby@hazeltree.com 646.790.7250

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Alytus, Lithuania, 2016-11-02 09:36 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The following resolutions were made during the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on 02 November 2016:



THE AGENDA QUESTION: Increasing of the authorised capital of AB "Snaige".



THE DECISION: To increase the authorized capital of AB "Snaige" by using part of AB "Snaige" revaluation reserve. The authorized capital will be increased by 3,566,015.55 euro. The authorized capital is increased by increasing nominal value of existing shares by 0,09 euro per share. The nominal value of the share after increasing will be 0.38 euro per share. To approve changes of p. 4.1 and p. 5.1 of the articles of association, related to increasing of the authorized capital of AB "Snaige", as follows: "4.1. The authorized capital of the Company is EUR 15,056,510.10 (fifteen million fifty six thousand five hundred ten euro and 10 eurocents)." and "5.1. The authorized capital of the Company is divided into 39,622,395 (thirty nine million six hundred twenty two thousand three hundred ninety five) shares. The nominal value of one share is 0,38 euro (thirty eight eurocents)."



To approve the new redaction of the changed articles of association.



To authorize the General Manager of the Company Gediminas Ceika (with the right to reauthorize) to perform all necessary actions relating to implementation of approved decisions by the extraordinary shareholders meeting and to sign changed articles of association.



Managing Director Gediminas Ceika +370 315 56206



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BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 4:45 am ET Wednesday, Markit Economics is due to release its final manufacturing PMI figures for Italy. PMI reports for France and Germany are due at 4:50 am ET and 4:55 am ET, respectively. The manufacturing PMI for the Eurozone is due 5:00 am ET. Meanwhile, Germany's unemployment report is due from the Federal Labor Agency at 4:55 am ET. The number of jobless people is forecast to fall 1,000 in October compared to an increase of 1,000 in September. Ahead of the reports, the euro showed mixed trading against the other major currencies. While the euro rose against the U.S. dollar and the pound, it fell against the Swiss franc. Against the yen, the euro held steady. As of 4:40 am ET, the euro was trading at 0.9044 against the pound, 1.0770 against the Swiss franc, 1.1095 against the U.S. dollar and 114.89 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.
WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - November 02, 2016) - Atlas Network is pleased to present the six finalists for the 2016 Templeton Freedom Award named for the late investor and philanthropist Sir John Templeton. The award annually honors his legacy by identifying and recognizing the most exceptional and innovative contributions to the understanding of free enterprise, and the public policies that encourage prosperity, innovation, and human fulfillment via free competition. The award is generously supported by Templeton Religion Trust and will be presented during Atlas Network's Freedom Dinner on Nov. 10 in New York City at the historic Capitale. The winning organization will receive a $100,000 prize, and the five additional finalists will receive $25,000 prizes.

Here are the 2016 finalists:

The Centre for Justice (Stockholm, Sweden)

Litigating for Liberty Project

When government violates the individual and economic liberties of entrepreneurs in Sweden, the Stockholm-based Centre for Justice (Centrum for rattvisa) fights back by defending the dreams of these entrepreneurs in court. The Centre for Justice's Litigating for Liberty project has won landmark cases before the European Court of Human Rights, and has a perfect record -- 14 out of 14 victories -- before the Swedish Supreme Court. Its victories have required trade unions to be held liable for property damages, set precedent for government liability when it violates rights guaranteed by the Swedish Constitution, protected business owners from double jeopardy prosecutions, and more.

FIRE, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Legislative and Policy Project

Nearly half of America's colleges and universities maintain blatantly unconstitutional speech codes, which are the draconian and illiberal policies that administrators use to silence unpopular and inconvenient speech on campus. That's why Philadelphia-based FIRE (the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) is fighting back with its Legislative and Policy Project and defending the future of free speech and due process on our college campuses.

Foundation for Government Accountability (Naples, Fla.)

Restore the Working Class Project

Although the U.S. welfare state was enacted with the intention of helping the least fortunate, its perverse incentive structure often traps families in poverty and drains state budgets. America's welfare state has exploded in the past decade, and the number of able-bodied adults on food stamps and Medicaid has doubled, but beginning in 2015 the Florida-based Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) designed and advocated new welfare reform policy that has achieved reform in 22 states and is helping transition 2.7 million people off welfare.

The Israel Center for Social and Economic Progress (Mevaseret Zion, Israel)

Economic Reform Campaign for Israel

Despite more than 30 years of economic reforms that have helped transform Israel, its economy remains saddled with bureaucracy and regulation that make life difficult and expensive. That is why Israel Center for Social and Economic Progress (ICSEP) developed the economic reform campaign for Israel. Through its campaign, ICSEP has designed and enacted an array of successful reforms that include reducing the tax and bureaucratic burden for small businesses, breaking the banking industry's credit card duopoly, scaling back duty fees, and liberalizing import laws so that goods and services are less expensive for families.

Lithuanian Free Market Institute (Vilnius, Lithuania)

Economics in 31 Hours Textbook

In high schools across the world, most students graduate without any exposure to the concepts of market economics. The Lithuanian Free Market Institute (LFMI), based in Vilnius, sought to change that by developing its Economics in 31 Hours textbook. Economics in 31 Hours teaches how property rights, free exchange, profit, and competition shape decision-making in everyday life. The textbook has proven to be wildly popular in its first year, and is now being used by nearly half of the country's 9th and 10th graders.

Goldwater Institute (Phoenix, Ariz.)

The Right to Try Initiative

The cruel coldness of bureaucracy is never more apparent than when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) keeps potentially life-saving drugs out of reach of terminally ill patients, even after deeming them safe. The Goldwater Institute, based in Phoenix, Ariz., is driving a new national conversation around access to treatments for the terminally ill with its Right to Try Initiative. With this initiative, the Goldwater Institute is forcing movement on policies that promote the access to a fundamental but overlooked human right: the right to save your own life.

About Atlas Network

Washington-based, Atlas Network is a nonprofit organization connecting a global network of more than 450 independent free-market organizations in over 90 countries to the ideas and resources needed to advance the cause of liberty. Strengthening the worldwide freedom movement - AtlasNetwork.org

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For media inquiries contact

Daniel Anthony

Daniel.Anthony@AtlasNetwork.org

(202) 449-8441
World-first launch of Euronews HD underscores implementation of Eutelsat strategy to propel transition from SD to HD at HOTBIRD position

Regulatory News:

Eutelsat Communications(Paris:ETL):

Globecast, the global solutions provider for media, announces it has been contracted by Euronews, the most-watched international news channel in Europe to bring its new HD channel to viewers across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The channel's world-first launch in HD on 1 November from Eutelsat's HOTBIRD video neighbourhood follows the announcement by Eutelsat and Globecast at IBC 2016 to drive HD growth at Eutelsat's most popular broadcast location.

Euronews covers world news and broadcasts in SD, 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week in 13 languages: Arabic, English, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Ukrainian. Globecast has an ongoing relationship with the channel, distributing the SD variant. The new HD version of Euronews in English is encoded in MPEG-4 DVB S2 in a new HOTBIRD platform designed to host premium international news and information channels.

Didier Mainard, Executive Vice President Sales, Marketing and Communication at Globecast, said: "Globecast and Eutelsat have teamed up in order to enrich the HOTBIRD orbital position, which is the number one in the world in terms of free-to-air channels with a wide DTH footprint including Europe, Middle East and North Africa. Globecast has been working very closely across both technical and commercial angles with Euronews for the past few months to bring the HD variant to viewers. We are very pleased that Euronews has extended its relationship with us."

Francois Schmitt, Chief Operating Officer at Euronews: "We bring premium news content to viewers across the HOTBIRD footprint and we have very strong reach in the business sector. We recognise that the time is right for us to launch our HD offering. We are now able to bring premium news HD content to existing viewers, including premium hotels targeting business travellers and high-end tourists from all over the world, hospitality organisations, cable and IPTV operators as well as home viewers."

Michel Azibert, Eutelsat's Chief Commercial Officer said: "We are delighted that the HOTBIRD platform is the first in the world to broadcast Euronews in HD and to see the rewards of our partnership with Globecast to propel the move to higher resolution particularly for free-to-air content."

About Globecast

Part of the Orange Group, Globecast provides agile and seamless content acquisition, management and distribution services globally. The company constantly innovates in an evolving IP-centric environment to provide reliable and secure customer solutions. Globecast has created the number one global hybrid fiber and satellite network for video contribution and distribution. This network enables multiplatform delivery including TV Everywhere OTT, Satellite, cable, Video on demand, CDN delivery as well as cloud-enabled media services. The company remains the trusted partner for coverage and international delivery of news, sports, and special events around the globe.

Customers enjoy a seamless global experience on the ground from 12 interconnected Globecast owned facilities, including Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Paris, Rome, and Johannesburg. www.globecast.com

About Euronews

Euronews is the most-watched international news channel in Europe and is a full multimedia platform for viewers on the move. Euronews covers world news and broadcasts in 13 different languages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in Arabic, English, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Ukrainian. Since its launch in 1993, Euronews has been striving to supply factually-correct information in a non-superficial format. Far from political interests, Euronews is already the ultimate TV journalism laboratory. Every day, Euronews' team of over 400 journalists of 25 different nationalities work together reporting on relevant stories to serve our global audience, driven by a solid uncompromising journalism.

The concept has proven to be efficient; Euronews is the European leader in terms of audience figures in spite of the increasing competition.

www.Euronews.com

About Eutelsat Communications

Established in 1977, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading and most experienced operators of communications satellites. The company provides capacity on 38 satellites to clients that include broadcasters and broadcasting associations, pay-TV operators, video, data and Internet service providers, enterprises and government agencies. Eutelsat's satellites provide ubiquitous coverage of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, enabling video, data, broadband and government communications to be established irrespective of a user's location. Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat represents a workforce of 1,000 men and women from 37 countries who are experts in their fields and work with clients to deliver the highest quality of service.

For more about Eutelsat please visit www.eutelsat.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005679/en/

Contacts:

Globecast

Press contact:

Bazeli Mbo, Tel: +33 1 5595 2604

Bazeli.mbo@globecast.com

or

Euronews

Lydie Bonvallet, Tel: +33 4 28 67 05 35

lydie.bonvallet@euronews.com

or

Eutelsat Communications

Press

Vanessa O'Connor, Tel: 33 1 53 98 37 91

voconnor@eutelsat.com

Marie-Sophie Ecuer, Tel: 33 1 53 98 37 91

mecuer@eutelsat.com

Investors and analysts

Joanna Darlington, Tel.: +33 1 53 98 35 30

jdarlington@eutelsat.com

Cedric Pugni, Tel.: +33 1 53 98 35 30

cpugni@eutelsat.com
Sponda Plc Press release 2 November 2016, 11:00 a.m.Sponda's coworking hub MOW is considered an inspiring working environmentAccording to a customer satisfaction survey conducted at Sponda's coworking hub Mothership of Work, MOW is an inspiring, next-generation multispace environment addressing different working needs. 97 per cent of the respondents feel that MOW's spaces suited their working needs well and 95 per cent consider MOW an inspiring place to work. The customer satisfaction survey was conducted among MOW's tenants in September 2016."We are very pleased that MOW has been welcomed among tenants so superbly. We have managed to create a different, inspiring working environment on the turnkey principle. This offers us a good opportunity to develop MOW together with the people working there," says MOW Captain Nina Ruotsalainen."MOW's strength is its relaxed, communal atmosphere, combined with cozy premises. The people using MOW keenly invite customers and partners to visit the premises. This is the best coworking space in Helsinki," say the MOW members Monica Jalonen and Kati Harki from Kamon.MOW's net promoter score is 73, which is an excellent achievement. The respondents also praised MOW for its interior decoration and design - as much as 92 per cent of them liked it. The point of departure in the interior design was to create a working environment where people can become inspired and foster a sense of community across company boundaries. 80 per cent of the respondents feel better at home in MOW than in a traditional office."Our company was founded about the same time as the MOW was completed. MOW has been at the same time flexible, creative and natural environment to us, as well as an integral part of our business. We have received projects from the community as well as experts to our projects," says the MOW member Ville Toriseva from CEO Helsinki.In addition to open lounge spaces and the event space Areena, the building has 13 unique meeting rooms, telephone booths, and sheltered, quiet rooms. The building also contains a lot of art, ranging from customised illustrations to graffiti murals covering the entire wall, and there is a scent of fresh coffee and roasted popcorn in the air.Different types of communal events are arranged at MOW, such as morning yoga, cupping sessions, pitching meetings, hackathons, sparring clubs, board game evenings and, of course, after-work hangouts on Fridays. In addition to events, the building offers a broad set of additional services, such as IT support and completely redesigned occupational healthcare services. Help is also available in financial matters, bookkeeping and legal matters for small companies.Designed by Sponda, MOW is a communal coworking hub for creative freelancers and companies in Helsinki city centre, at Pieni Roobertinkatu 9. MOW's versatile premises have been designed together with the target group. In spring 2016, MOW won the gold metal in Finland's Nordic Startup Awards in the Best Office Space category.Sponda PlcFurther information: Nina Ruotsalainen, MOW Captain, tel. +358 40 765 9387Sponda 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.Attachment:https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=602622
Cherkizovo Group / Miscellaneous - High Priority Cherkizovo Group receives permission to export poultry products to the EU 02-Nov-2016 / 09:34 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement, transmitted by EquityStory.RS, LLC - a company of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. *Cherkizovo Group receives permission to export poultry products to the EU * *Moscow, Russia - November 2, 2016 - Cherkizovo Group, Russia's top meat producer, announces that its Vasilyevskaya poultry production facility has received the EU Export Compliance Certificate 58/4, allowing the Company to export poultry products to the European Union ('EU') and beyond. * The EU Export Compliance Certificate confirms Vasilyevskaya's compliance to the strict veterinary and sanitary requirements of the EU. This certificate is also recognised by many countries outside the EU, such as Serbia, Macedonia, Georgia and South Africa. As a result of receiving this certification, the company is now a member of the European Commission's Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES), which is an online management tool for all sanitary requirements on intra-EU trade. This system speeds up the administrative procedures linked to EU trade by facilitating the exchange of information between all involved trading parties and control authorities. Andrei Terekhin, Head of the Export Department of Cherkizovo Group, commented: 'Receiving the EU Export Compliance Certificate is a direct result of our ongoing investment into the quality and biosafety our products and marks a significant step in our ongoing journey to expand into new markets. The European market is one of our priorities and we are already in active negotiations with potential partners on dispatching a pilot batch of poultry products. With this certification, Cherkizovo Group is now well-positioned to capture growth opportunities in the broad European market. The exceptional quality and biological safety of our products lead the way on the domestic market and our goal is to position our products competitively in the EU.' *For more information please visit *www.cherkizovo.com [1] *or contact* *Cherkizovo Group* *Dmitry Yakovlev* IR Manager +7 (495) 660 2440 ext. 15962 d.yakovlev@cherkizovo.com [2] *FTI Consulting* Anton Karpov +7 (495) 795 0623 anton.karpov@fticonsulting.com [3] *About Cherkizovo Group* *Cherkizovo Group *isthe largest meat and feed producer in Russia. The Group is a top-3 producer in the poultry, pork and processed meat markets and is the largest feed manufacturer in the country. Cherkizovo Group encompasses 8 full cycle poultry production facilities, 15 modern pork production facilities, 6 meat processing plants, 9 feed mills and more than 140,000 hectares of agricultural land. In 2015, Cherkizovo Group produced more than 825,000 tons of meat products. Thanks to its vertically integrated structure, which includes grain growing and storage, feed production, livestock breeding, fattening and slaughtering, and meat processing, alongside a distribution system, the Group has consistently delivered stable, long-term growth of both sales and revenue. The Company's consolidated revenue reached RUB 77.0 bn in 2015. The EquityStory.RS, LLC Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de/ukreg Language: English Company: Cherkizovo Group Lesnaya str. 5B, White Square Office Center, 12th 125047 Moscow Russia Phone: +7 495 660-24-40 Fax: +7 495 788-32-32 E-mail: info@cherkizovo.com Internet: www.cherkizovo.com ISIN: US1641452032 Listed: Foreign Exchange(s) London, Moscow Category Code: MSCH TIDM: CHE Sequence Number: 3551 Time of Receipt: 02-Nov-2016 / 09:34 CET/CEST End of Announcement EquityStory.RS, LLC News Service 516531 02-Nov-2016 1: http://public-cockpit.eqs.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=d955b77526eb1c59db5eedf97f1240a9&application_id=516531&site_id=vwd&application_name=news 2: http://public-cockpit.eqs.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=322c6af9bb82d59e7117c9270b075c9f&application_id=516531&site_id=vwd&application_name=news 3: http://public-cockpit.eqs.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=a0a1d8d9bd4f43e1c9dcd63a37ae676c&application_id=516531&site_id=vwd&application_name=news

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 02, 2016 04:34 ET (08:34 GMT)


NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - Chembio Diagnostics Inc.'s (CEMI) DPP Zika IgM/IgG Assay has been cleared for commercial use by the Brazilian health regulatory agency, Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria.



DPP Zika IgM/IgG Assay detects antibodies using a tiny (10uL) drop of blood from the fingertip and provides semi-quantitative results in 15 minutes, according to the company.



It is estimated that 1.5 million people have been infected with Zika virus and 2,000 babies have been born with microcephaly, a devastating birth defect linked to the Zika virus in Brazil.



There are no FDA approved/cleared tests that can detect Zika virus in clinical specimens in the United States.



CEMI closed Tuesday's trading at $6.90, unchanged from the previous day's close.



Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (IONS) phase II study of IONIS-FXIRx in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis has yielded positive results.



In the study, patients treated with IONIS-FXIRx achieved statistically significant, dose-dependent reductions in Factor XI activity.



The company has an exclusive license agreement with Bayer to develop and commercialize IONIS-FXIRx for the prevention of clotting disorders. Ionis will be eligible to receive a $55 million payment upon review of the phase II data and potential advancement of the program by Bayer.



IONS closed Tuesday's trading at $27.32, up 5.16%.



Oculus Innovative Sciences Inc. (OCLS) has sold its Latin American-related assets to Invekra S.A.P.I. de C.V. of Mexico for $19.5 million in cash.



Oculus is also entitled to receive a 3% payment on all Latin American revenues outside of Mexico, with a minimum payment of $250,000 per year for the next ten years, from Invekra that will be paid quarterly in Mexican pesos.



Commenting on the transaction, Jim Schutz, CEO of Oculus, said, 'We genuinely see this as a strategic opportunity to focus on our growing dermatological business. We are selling a slower growing, lower-margin segment of our business in exchange for a significant influx of immediate cash, allowing us to further advance our higher-margin, fast growing U.S. dermatology business.'



OCLS closed Tuesday's trading at $5.04, up 26.00%. In after-hours, the stock was down 2.78% to $4.90.



Shares of Palatin Technologies Inc. (PTN) were up over 57% in extended trading on Tuesday, following positive results from its two phase III trials of Bremelanotide in premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder.



Hypoactive sexual desire disorder, or HSDD, is a persistent or recurrent decrease or lack of sexual desire.



The two trials, collectively called Reconnect Studies, met the pre-specified co-primary efficacy endpoints of improvement in desire and decrease in distress associated with low sexual desire as measured using validated patient-reported outcome instruments.



The company is planning to submit Bremelanotide New Drug Application to the FDA in the second half of 2017.



PTN closed Tuesday's trading at $0.483, down 7.06%. In after-hours, the stock was up an impressive 57.25% to $0.76.



Pfizer Inc. (PFE) has decided to discontinue the development of Bococizumab, which is under phase III testing, as the drug candidate is not likely to provide value to patients, physicians, or shareholders.



Bococizumab is a Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin type 9 inhibitor that was studied for its potential to lower LDL-C and improve cardiovascular outcomes.



The phase III Bococizumab program, known as SPIRE, included six lipid-lowering studies known as SPIRE-SI, SPIRE-AI, SPIRE-HR, SPIRE-FH, SPIRE-LDL and SPIRE-LL, as well as two cardiovascular outcome studies.



PFE closed Tuesday's trading at $31.07, down 2.02%.



Prothena Corp. plc (PRTA) has a couple of catalysts coming its way in the coming months.



A near-term event to watch out for is the announcement of topline results from its phase 1b multiple ascending dose study of PRX002 in patients with Parkinson's disease that is expected this month.



A phase 2b study of NEOD001 for the potential treatment of AL amyloidosis, dubbed PRONTO, is underway - with topline results slated for early 2018.



Another drug candidate in clinical testing is PRX003, which is under a phase 1b multiple ascending dose, proof-of-biology study in patients with psoriasis. Interim data from this trial are expected by mid-2017.



PRTA closed Tuesday's trading at $47.93, up 0.23%.



TESARO Inc. (TSRO) has completed the Niraparib rolling New Drug Application submission to the FDA for the maintenance treatment of patients with platinum-sensitive, recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in response to platinum-based chemotherapy.



In clinical trials, Niraparib treatment significantly prolonged progression free survival compared to control.



Whether or not the FDA has accepted the NDA filing will be known within 60 days of submission.



TSRO closed Tuesday's trading at $121.14, up 0.22%.



T2 Biosystems Inc. (TTOO) has partnered with Allergan plc (AGN) to develop a novel diagnostic panel to detect Gram-negative bacteria and antibiotic resistance for patients with serious bacterial infections, including infections leading to sepsis.



As per the deal terms, Allergan will pay T2 Biosystems $4 million in milestone payments related to the development of the bacterial resistance panel and an expansion of the T2Bacteria Panel currently under development.



TTOO closed Tuesday's trading at $6.15, down 2.69%. In after-hours, the stock was up 13.82% to $7.00.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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       :         , 10     5    
By Reducing Migrant Remittance Costs, Mobile Money is Directly Contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10

The GSMA today issued a report entitled, 'Driving a Price Revolution: Mobile Money in International Remittances' that looks at the impact of mobile money on reducing the cost of international remittances1. The findings show that the cost of sending international remittances with mobile money is, on average, more than 50 per cent less expensive than using global money transfer operators (MTOs). Additionally, where people were able to send remittances from a mobile money account, the average cost of sending US$200 was 2.7 per cent, compared to six per cent when using global MTOs. Lower transaction fees can translate directly into additional income for remittance recipients.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005686/en/

GSMA Research Shows Mobile Money is Significantly Reducing the Cost of Sending International Remittances (Photo: Business Wire)

The research shows that by increasing competition, leveraging existing networks and infrastructure, and capturing smaller remittance values than traditional players, mobile money providers are strategically well-placed to lower international remittance costs. These lower prices, in turn, contribute directly toward achieving targets within United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 102, which sets clear objectives for reducing migrant remittance costs.

"Mobile money is one of the most exciting innovations in financial services, with more than 400 million registered consumer accounts across over 90 countries," said John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA. "While today mobile money services are largely used for domestic transactions, international transfers represent the fastest-growing segment of mobile money services. In just a few years' time, mobile money has moved from a purely domestic service to one that allows migrants to send remittances between more than 20 countries globally."

According to the World Bank, more than 250 million people live outside their country of birth and regularly send money home, providing a financial lifeline to their families and contributing to the economies of their home countries.3 In 2015, global remittances totalled US$581.6 billion, of which US$431.6 billion, or nearly 75 per cent, was sent to the developing world. International remittances play a critical role in the economies of developing countries. However, the cost of international transfers remains high and directly impacts the income of remittance recipients. High fees for remittance transactions also encourage senders to use informal remittance channels, increasing anonymous cash-based transactions and creating new risks for financial integrity.

Giusti continued, "Through mobile money services, the industry is directly supporting the goal of expanded financial inclusion for migrants and their families by reducing international remittance costs, as captured in UN SDG10.c. The potential gains of achieving this target could be as high as US$20 billion in additional income for remittance recipients."

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

A full copy of the report and further information on the GSMA's Mobile Money Programme can be found at: www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/programme/mobile-money/driving-a-price-revolution-mobile-money-in-international-remittances.

1This research was conducted using the methodology employed by the World Bank's Remittance Prices Worldwide database. It compared the price of sending international money transfers directly from a mobile money account to the price of conducting the same transaction with a global money transfer operator.

2Sustainable Development Goal 10.c By 2030, reduce to less than 3 per cent, the transaction costs of migrant remittances and eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5 per cent. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg10

3"Migration and Remittances Factbook 2016" The World Bank (2016) and "Remittances to Developing Countries Edge Up Slightly in 2015" The World Bank (13 April 2016)

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with almost 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai, Mobile World Congress Americas and the Mobile 360 Series of conferences.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005686/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Charlie Meredith-Hardy, +44 7917 298428

CMeredith-Hardy@webershandwick.com

or

GSMA Press Office

pressoffice@gsma.com
PUNE, India, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The report "Coated Fabrics Market by Product (Polymer, Rubber and Fabric-backed wall coverings) Application (Transportation, Protective Clothing, Industrial, Awning, Roofing & Canopies, Furniture & Seating) - Global Forecast to 2021", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global market is projected to reach USD 24.91 Billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 4.1% in terms of value, during the forecast period, 2016 to 2021.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )



Browse 152 market data Tables and 44 Figures spread through 279 Pages and in-depth TOC on"Coated Fabrics Market"

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/coated-fabric-market-64354822.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.

The increased demand for coated fabrics from transportation, roofing, awnings & canopies, industrial, protective clothing, furniture & seating, and other applications are driving the global coated fabrics market.

"Transportation is the largest application segment in the global coated fabrics market"

The transportation application accounts for the largest share in the global coated fabrics market and is expected to grow at the fastest rate for the forecast period. The transportation segment is projected to drive the global coated fabrics market from 2016 to 2021 due to the increasing usage of polymer and rubber coated fabrics in automobile, aircraft, railways, and marine applications. Coated fabrics are used in the transportation application as they are rot-proof, dirt & oil-repellent, mildew resistant, water resistant, and UV resistant. They improve material durability, and are weather & corrosion resistant. They also provide improvements in passenger safety and provide superior comfort in seating.

"Polymer coated fabrics are expected to witness highest growth"

The market of polymer coated fabrics is expected to be the highest growing in the coated fabrics market during the forecast period. Polymer coated fabrics have advantages such as high resistance to fire, water, and abrasion, and are relatively inexpensive compared to the other coated fabrics. Factors such as the growing demand from the transportation, protective clothing, and industrial applications, increasing safety concerns, and stringent government regulations requiring the provision of safety to workers, are expected to drive the global polymer coated fabrics market.

Make an Inquiry @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=64354822

"Asia-Pacific is the biggest market for coated fabrics"

The Asia-Pacific region led the global coated fabrics market in 2015. The demand for coated fabrics in the Asia-Pacific region is mainly driven by growing industrialization, high economic growth and heavy investments in industries such as oil & gas, automotive, infrastructure, chemical, and steel & military. Moreover, growing automobile sales and increasing government regulations requiring the implementation of safety measures are also driving the region's coated fabrics industry.

Browse Related Reports:

Protective Clothing Market by Material Type (Aramid & Blends, Polyolefin & Blends, Polyamide, and PBI), Application (Thermal, Chemical, and Visibility), End-Use Industry (Construction & Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, and Mining) - Global Forecast to 2021

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/protective-clothing-market-1278.html

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About MarketsandMarkets

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M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers.

We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository.



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EQS-News / 02/11/2016 / 17:12 UTC+8 *The UEC will discuss the strategic projects of cooperation with China in the field of aero engines at Zhuhai Airshow* _Zhuhai, 2 November 2016 _ _Press-release_ *The Russian United Engine Corporation (UEC, the integrated structure uniting all major Russian gas turbine engine developers and manufacturers) in the framework of the International aerospace exhibition Airshow China 2016 is presenting the newest Russian aero engines and is planning to discuss with the Chinese partners the realization of the ongoing cooperation programs and the prospective projects.* TheUEC at Airshow China2016 has planned the talks with the representatives of corporations CATIC, AVIC, COMAC and AECC, as well as with the delegations of the third countries. The issues of cooperation in developing and manufacturing the new generation civil aero engines, service and repair will be the themes of the meetings. The civil direction of the Sino-Russian engine cooperation is gaining weight in the last years. The implementation by the UEC of a number of projects envisaging the creation of the commercial engines makes possible their entry into the foreign markets, including the Chinese one. The successful work on the program of the PD-14 (new generation turbofan engine for the Russian MC-21 airliner) allows the development of the whole family of engines based on its core (gas generator), including the PD-12V turboshaft engine for the heavy-lift helicopter Mi-26. The UEC has already started the development of this engine. On the basis of PD-12V, the corporation is ready to create an engine for the future Sino-Russian heavy-lift helicopter (AHL). Also, the UEC is in the process of developing the high thrust PD-35 engine - the new generation Russian engine. The wide use of the innovative technologies mastered while implementing the PD-14 project is in plans. On the basis of the PD-35 project, it is possible to create an engine for the future Sino-Chinese widebody airliner. Another area of the Sino-Russian cooperation in the field of the civil engines - is the work on getting the certificate in China for the SaM146 engine powering the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) airliner. The SaM146 is the first gas turbine engine produced in Russia which was certified by EASA. PowerJet, a 50-50 joint venture held by NPO Saturn (company of the UEC) and Safran Aircraft Engines that oversees marketing and after-sales support service for the SaM 146, has put together a dedicated team to ensure the engine is certified by the Chinese authorities. The aim is to obtain certification as soon as possible. The UEC also is starting the cooperation with the AVIC Composite company in the field of developing and producing the composite materials for the civil aero engines Document: http://n.eqs.com/c/fncls.ssp?u=BMUNQFLONO [1] Document title: The UEC will discuss the strategic projects of cooperation with China in the field of aero engines at Zhuhai Airshow Key word(s): Miscellaneous 02/11/2016 Dissemination of a Press Release, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com 516559 02/11/2016 1: http://public-cockpit.eqs.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=02cb1d947d194ec6f9c11ec2f25aa223&application_id=516559&site_id=vwd&application_name=news

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 02, 2016 05:13 ET (09:13 GMT)
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Denison Mines Corp. ("Denison" or the "Company") (TSX: DML)(NYSE MKT: DNN) is pleased to provide an update on its initial Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") related activities at its 60% owned Wheeler River Project ("Wheeler River" or "the Project"), located in the infrastructure rich eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin region in northern Saskatchewan. Denison announced the initiation of a PFS for the Wheeler River project in July 2016, following the completion of a successful Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") studying the economic merits of co-developing the high grade Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits. The PEA highlighted the potential to achieve a base case 20.4% pre-tax internal Rate of Return ("IRR") and an indicative post-tax IRR to Denison of 17.8%, using a long term contract price for uranium of US$44 per pound U3O8.

Project development related field activities commenced at Wheeler River in June 2016, running in parallel to the Company's highly successful summer exploration program. In addition to initial infill drilling completed at Gryphon during the summer, project development field work completed during 2016 has been focused on initiating the environmental and engineering data collection programs required for the PFS and Environmental Assessment process.

David Cates, President and CEO of Denison commented, "Our Saskatoon based project development team has spent the summer working alongside our exploration team to begin the process of assessing the feasibility of the development of Wheeler River. This work is a critical first step and clearly signals our commitment to advancing the Wheeler River Project in a responsible and sustainable manner that respects the environment and northern communities. The activities we've started in the field this year will help to build a solid foundation for both our project engineering as well as our environmental impact assessment. Through this process, we've had the opportunity to introduce the Project to some of the northern communities in the region, and moving forward we will continue to maintain and build positive relationships as we position Wheeler River, for the benefit of all of our stakeholders, to take advantage of the next uranium bull cycle."

Engineering Activities

In June 2016, the Company commenced engineering data collection programs on site at Wheeler River, including geotechnical and hydrogeological field studies. Geotechnical data collection programs were initiated to assess ground conditions in the mineralized zones as well as the surrounding host rock. This information will be used to guide the location of underground development and the design of ground support systems for both the shafts and the mine. This information is also used in the production planning process, including the determination of optimum stope sizes and mine production sequencing. By the end of October, a substantial database of geotechnical information was obtained including:

-- 1,650 metres of geotechnical logging at the Phoenix deposit; -- 33,000 metres of geotechnical logging from exploration drilling at Gryphon; and -- 3,800 metres of geotechnical logging of historic drill cores from both Phoenix and Gryphon.

Hydrogeological data collection was also initiated during the summer to gather information on sub-surface water movement in the mineralized zones, host rock and across major geological structures. Understanding these conditions at Wheeler River will help to avoid some of the challenges that have been experienced at other underground operations in the Athabasca Basin. The information collected will be used to: evaluate routine and potential non-routine water inflows to an underground operation; develop design criteria for mine dewatering and water treatment plant systems; and understand potential interactions of the Project with the environment.

Similar to the geotechnical program, by the end of October 2016 a substantial database of hydrogeological information was obtained including:

-- 92 hydrogeological tests at both Gryphon and Phoenix, completed to better understand groundwater movement and flow paths, including tests in the sandstone, at the unconformity and in basement zones across geological structures; -- Surface water elevation surveys completed in over 180 boreholes; -- The collection of 20 sub-surface water samples for laboratory analysis; and -- The installation of two vibrating wire piezometers to facilitate sub- surface hydrogeological data collection during drilling and pumping programs.

In addition to the engineering field work described above, the Company also initiated engineering investigations into alternate mining methods at Phoenix, options for shaft and vent raise excavation at both Gryphon and Phoenix, and possible routes for a site access road from provincial highway 914.

Environmental Activities

Denison is continuing to collect environmental baseline data to help characterize the existing environment in the Project area. Thoroughly understanding and documenting the local environment is essential to assessing current and future project impacts. This data will form the foundation of the Environmental Assessment for the Project. The information will also be used in the design of various aspects of the Project, including the location and layout of site infrastructure, the location for treated effluent discharge and fresh water intake, and the designs of water treatment plants, waste storage facilities, and other infrastructure interacting with the environment. Programs conducted in 2016 and continuing into 2017 include:

-- Aquatic environment: Lakes and streams near the Project area are in the process of being characterized with key aspects including: water quality, water flow and water levels, lake sediment quality, benthic invertebrate communities, and fish communities; -- Terrestrial environment: Data regarding wildlife, vegetation and soils surrounding the Project area is being characterized; -- Waste rock geochemistry: Targeted core samples are being analyzed to determine potential acid and metal leaching potential from waste rock, which will be used in design of potential waste rock storage facilities; -- Atmospheric environment: Collection of air quality measurements was initiated to gather information on pre-development atmospheric conditions; and -- Heritage resources: Investigations are underway to determine presence of heritage resources in the Project area.

In addition to the environmental baseline programs, Denison is pleased to have started initial consultations with local communities.

Infill drilling at Gryphon

An important step in completing the PFS involves increasing the level of confidence of the previously released inferred resources estimated for the Gryphon deposit to an indicated level. An infill drilling program was designed to achieve this objective by increasing the previous 50 x 50 metre drill spacing to an approximate 25 x 25 metre spacing across the A, B and C series lenses of the Gryphon deposit. The program, which is expected to require approximately 40 drill holes, includes delineation holes designed to potentially close-off areas where mineralization is still open.

An initial set of infill and delineation holes on the Gryphon deposit was completed during the summer 2016 exploration drilling program (as reported previously, see Denison's Press Release dated October 6, 2016), which reinforce the high-grade nature of the deposit and included highlight results of:

-- 1.5% eU3O8 over 14.4 metres (including 2.3% eU3O8 over 7.9 metres and 1.5% eU3O8 over 1.0 metre) in drill hole WR-668D2, and -- 0.93% eU3O8 over 14.1 metres (including 2.1% eU3O8 over 3.7 metres and 1.4% eU3O8 over 1.3 metres) and 2.4% eU3O8 over 7.3 meters (including 3.7% eU3O8 over 4.5 metres) in drill hole WR-668.

Qualified Persons

The disclosure of scientific or technical information regarding infill drilling at the Gryphon deposit included in this press release was prepared by, or reviewed and approved by, Dale Verran, MSc, Pr.Sci.Nat., the Company's Vice President, Exploration, a Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. The remainder of the disclosure of a scientific or technical nature contained in this news release was prepared by, or reviewed and approved by, Peter Longo, P. Eng, MBA, PMP, Denison's Vice-President, Project Development, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101.

Grade results reported herein as "eU3O8" refer to radiometric equivalent U3O8 derived from a calibrated total gamma down-hole probe. Radiometric equivalent U3O8 results are preliminary in nature and all mineralized intervals have been sampled and submitted for chemical U3O8 assay in accordance with Denison's technical procedures. All Gryphon drill holes reported herein were drilled at a high angle to mineralization to allow for better evaluation of true thicknesses which are expected to be approximately 75% of the intersection lengths. For further details regarding the description of the data verification, assay procedures and the quality assurance program and quality control measures applied by Denison, please see Denison's Annual Information Form dated March 24, 2016 available under Denison's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and its Form 40-F available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

About Wheeler River

The Wheeler River property is a joint venture between Denison (60% and operator), Cameco Corp. (30%), and JCU (Canada) Exploration Company Limited (10%), and is host to the high-grade Gryphon and Phoenix uranium deposits discovered by Denison in 2014 and 2008, respectively. The Gryphon deposit is hosted in basement rock and is currently estimated to contain inferred resources of 43.0 million pounds U3O8 (above a cut-off grade of 0.2% U3O8) based on 834,000 tonnes of mineralization at an average grade of 2.3% U3O8. The Phoenix unconformity deposit is located approximately 3 kilometres to the southeast of Gryphon and is estimated to include indicated resources of 70.2 million pounds U3O8 (above a cut-off grade of 0.8% U3O8) based on 166,000 tonnes of mineralization at an average grade of 19.1% U3O8, and is the highest grade undeveloped uranium deposit in the world.

On April 4th, 2016 Denison announced the results of a PEA for the Wheeler River Project, which considers the potential economic merit of co-developing the high-grade Gryphon and Phoenix deposits as a single underground mining operation. The PEA returned a base case pre-tax Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 20.4% and an indicative post-tax IRR to Denison of 17.8%, based on the current long term contract price of uranium (US$44.00 per pound U3O8), and Denison's share of estimated initial capital expenditures ("CAPEX") of CAD$336M (CAD$560M on 100% ownership basis). The results of the PEA, and the estimated resources for the Gryphon and Phoenix deposits, are detailed in the Company's NI 43-101 technical report entitled "Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Wheeler River Uranium Project, Saskatchewan, Canada" with an effective date of March 31, 2016. A copy of the report is available on the Company's website and on both SEDAR and EDGAR.

Exploration results from the winter and summer 2016 drilling program have not been incorporated into the resource estimate or the PEA. The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the preliminary economic assessment will be realized. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. On July 19th, 2016 Denison announced the initiation of the PFS for the Wheeler River property and the complimentary commencement of an infill drilling program at the Gryphon deposit to bring the inferred resources up to an indicated level of confidence.

About Denison

Denison is a uranium exploration and development company with interests focused in the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan. Including its 60% owned Wheeler River project, which hosts the high grade Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits, Denison's exploration portfolio consists of numerous projects covering over 350,000 hectares in the infrastructure rich eastern Athabasca Basin. Denison's interests in Saskatchewan also include a 22.5% ownership interest in the McClean Lake joint venture, which includes several uranium deposits and the McClean Lake uranium mill, which is currently processing ore from the Cigar Lake mine under a toll milling agreement, plus a 25.17% interest in the Midwest deposit and a 61.55% interest in the J Zone deposit on the Waterbury Lake property. Both the Midwest and J Zone deposits are located within 20 kilometres of the McClean Lake mill.

Denison is also engaged in mine decommissioning and environmental services through its Denison Environmental Services division and is the manager of Uranium Participation Corp., a publicly traded company which invests in uranium oxide and uranium hexafluoride.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information", within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian legislation concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Denison.

Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes", or the negatives and/or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential to". In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the following: the results of the PEA and expectations regarding further studies, including the PFS and related environmental studies and community consultations; exploration, development and expansion plans and objectives; and management's expectations regarding the uranium market and prices. Statements relating to "mineral reserves" or "mineral resources" are deemed to be forward-looking information, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the mineral reserves and mineral resources described can be profitably produced in the future.

Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Denison to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Denison believes that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be accurate and may differ materially from those anticipated in this forward looking information. For a discussion in respect of risks and other factors that could influence forward-looking events, please refer to the factors discussed in Denison's Annual Information Form dated March 24, 2016 under the heading "Risk Factors". These factors are not, and should not be construed as being exhaustive. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking information and the assumptions made with respect thereto speaks only as of the date of this press release. Denison does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this press release to conform such information to actual results or to changes in Denison's expectations except as otherwise required by applicable legislation.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources: This press release may use the terms "measured", "indicated" and "inferred" mineral resources. United States investors are advised that while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them. "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.

Contacts:

Denison Mines Corp.

David Cates

President and Chief Executive Officer

(416) 979-1991 ext. 362



Denison Mines Corp.

Sophia Shane

Investor Relations

(604) 689-7842



Follow Denison on Twitter: @DenisonMinesCo

www.denisonmines.com






BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The euro showed mixed trading against the other major currencies in the European session on Wednesday, following the release of Eurozone manufacturing growth figures in October.



Data from IHS Markit showed that Eurozone manufacturing growth improved more than initially estimated in October to the strongest level in thirty-three months. The Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 53.5 in October from 52.6 in the previous month. That was above the flash estimate of 53.3.



The German manufacturing PMI climbed to a 33-month high of 55.0 in October from 54.3 in September. It was just below the preliminary reading of 55.1.



The French manufacturing sector returned to growth territory in October, with the PMI rising to a 31-month high of 51.8 from 49.7 in the preceding month. The reading was also above the flash estimate 51.3.



Meanwhile, data from the Federal Statistical Office showed that German unemployment rate fell to a seasonally adjusted 6.0 percent in October, down from 6.1 percent in the previous month. The economists had expected the unemployment rate to remain unchanged at 6.1 percent in October.



European stocks extended recent losses, as growing uncertainty over the U.S. election outcome as well as worries about the Fed raising rates in December kept investors nervous.



In the Asian trading today, the euro held steady against its major rivals.



In the European session, the euro rose to more than a 3-week high of 1.1099 against the U.S. dollar, from an early low of 1.1049 and held steady thereafter.



Against the yen, the euro fell to 114.73 from an early high of 115.14 and held steady thereafter. This may be compared to an early 2-day low of 114.71.



The euro slipped to more than a 4-month low of 1.0754 against the Swiss franc, from an early high of 1.0784 and held steady thereafter.



Against the pound, the euro edged up to 0.9047 from an early low of 0.9022 and held steady thereafter. This may be compared to an early more than 2-week high of 0.9048.



Looking ahead, U.S. ADP non-farm employment data for October and U.S. crude oil inventories data are slated for release in the New York session.



At 1:30 pm ET, Bank of Canada Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Wilkins is expected to participate in a panel discussion titled 'Innovative Oversight in the Midst of Disruption' at the Ontario Securities Commission Dialogue, in Toronto.



At 2:00 pm ET, the Federal Reserve will announce its decision on monetary policy. The Fed is expected to hold rates its funds rate at-0.50.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Azure and Bentley Success Plans Accelerate "Going Digital"!

Bentley Systems, Incorporated, a leading global provider of comprehensive software solutions for advancing infrastructure, todayannounced thatBentley's new AssetWise CONNECT Edition (introduced at the Conference) and ProjectWise CONNECT Edition (introduced at Year in Infrastructure 2015) uniquely support hybrid computing environments across desktops, mobile devices, and in-house servers. And together, ProjectWise CONNECT Edition and AssetWise CONNECT Edition leverage Microsoft's Azure cloud services to advance beyond common data environments to connected data environments

During Conference keynotes, Bentley and Microsoft discussed the advancements made possible through their partnership and some of their future priorities working together. CEO Greg Bentley offered user organizations Bentley's Success Plans for "going digital" through Azure to ensure that "BIM potential" created through digital engineering models can be fully realized in infrastructure project delivery and asset performance. The Azure-provisioned connected data environment experiences and benefits realized by Crossrail, Shell, Maryland State Highway Administration, and Mott MacDonald were cited.

The next step for connected data environments is to enable business- and operational-intelligence analytics to have open and live access to information within digital engineering models in order that "ET" (engineering technologies) can be brought to bear with "IT" and "OT" (operational technologies) to improve the throughput, safety, and reliability of infrastructure asset performance.

David Epp, director, global ISV alliances, Microsoft Corporation, described Microsoft's advancements and potential contributions. Epp said, "One of Microsoft's key priorities is supporting our partners. We are pleased that Azure is a core component of Bentley Systems' connected data environment for infrastructure engineering organizations "going digital." Specific cases such as Crossrail, Shell, Maryland SHA, and Mott MacDonald illustrate this active collaboration. We consider Bentley a leader in technical software, taking full advantage of our growing set of Azure services. We currently record over 100 trillion objects in Azure Storage. We are leveraging this power as well as other capabilities to help Bentley enhance connected data environments to deliver more value through new technologies and innovations. Through our newest Cognitive Services-from PowerBI to Cortana analytics and deep learning-we hope to help accelerate the realization of the 'BIM potential' for Bentley users' digital engineering models. We are proud that Azure can play a strategic role in the advancement of infrastructure project delivery and asset performance through advanced Bentley solutions."

Azure and Bentley Success Plans

Azure underlies Bentley's Success Plans for user organizations. Azure and CONNECT Edition hybrid environments enable engineering organizations to virtualize their talent-with work-sharing for project delivery and through innovations such as inspectioneering for asset performance. By the same token, Azure cloud service connections enable Bentley Systems to virtualize the contributions of its own professionals anywhere in the world to users' environments and projects. Enterprise Success Plans can make ProjectWise and/or AssetWise systems administration and ongoing project provisioning the responsibility of dedicated Bentley experts. Project (or Business Unit) Success Plans can virtually embed Bentley engineering-credentialed application experts within major projects or business units to introduce and propagate best-practice BIM advancements, through shared resources including Automation Center, Components Center, and Optioneering Center. With service levels responsive to an organization's business objectives and project outcomes, Success Plans accelerate "going digital."

Crossrail

Crossrail is Europe's largest construction project, now completing its tunneling and stations under and across London on time and within budget. Crossrail's "connected data environment," based on Bentley's eB technology, manages its engineering and asset information and provides a complete, federated view of its "digital railway." Designed in a BIM virtual environment integrating over 1 million assets, it connects documents and drawings with Bentley's comprehensive modeling software. In June of this year, to ensure continuity from construction to operations, Bentley upgraded Crossrail's AssetWise environment to an Azure cloud service. Crossrail's BIM successes are regarded in the United Kingdom as an exemplary case study in "going digital."

Shell

Shell, with a Finalist project-Visibility into the Path of Construction for Prelude FLNG-in the Innovation in Constructioncategory, is leading the energy industry in developing innovative ways to improve the affordability of capital projects. Shell selected ProjectWise ConstructSim to enhance its ability to visually plan and execute work safely, to ensure more effective "engineering readiness" through the application of advanced work packaging to improve constructability, and to improve field productivity. Shell chose to provide ConstructSim to its supply chain through an Azure-provisioned cloud service to help its EPCs, implementing the Construction Industry Institute's Advanced Work Packaging recommendations, in "going digital."

Maryland State Highway Administration

A Special Recognition Award Winner in Advancing Asset Performance Modeling, the Maryland State Highway Administration's Motor Carrier Division benefits from a Bentley Success Plan for its Maryland One System for the statewide management and issuance of Oversize/Overweight permits to carriers moving loads through the state. Bentley's Success Plan provides a reliable, high-performance environment, limits infrastructure costs while enabling continuous improvement, and allows Bentley implementation experts to directly manage the system. About the advancements of "going digital," Tina Sanders, technical support manager, Maryland State Highway Administration, Motor Carrier Division, said, "Our new Bentley Maryland One System allows carriers anywhere in the world to use any device and browser to apply for Oversize/Overweight permits 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and have them routed, analyzed, and automatically system-issued up to configurable thresholds. We are confident that all clearances are checked, every bridge crossed over is structurally analyzed, and all temporary conditions are considered. This is now done across the state, regardless of jurisdiction, through one single application, while still giving each agency total responsibility and flexibility to manage their road and bridge assets and review processes."

Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald, with two finalist projects this year-a water sector project in the United Kingdom in the Innovation in Project Delivery category, and the FLO JV Northern Line Extension project in London in the Innovation in Rail and Transit category-is advancing its strategy through Bentley's ProjectWise CONNECT Edition and Azure.

Mott MacDonald is taking advantage of Bentley Systems' Cloud Services Subscription program at enterprise level Key to Mott MacDonald's GoDigital strategy is connecting its people through Bentley's connected data environment in which Bentley and Microsoft are cooperating. Mott MacDonald is working with Bentley, Microsoft, and Deltek as partners for its enterprise-wide GoDigital strategy.

About Bentley Systems

Bentley Systems is a global leader in providing architects, engineers, geospatial professionals, constructors, and owner-operators with comprehensive software solutions for advancingthe design, construction, and operations of infrastructure. Bentley users leverage information mobility across disciplines and throughout the infrastructure lifecycle to deliver better-performing projects and assets. Bentley solutions encompass MicroStation applications for information modeling, ProjectWise collaboration services to deliver integrated projects, and AssetWise operations services to achieve intelligent infrastructure complemented by worldwide professional services and comprehensive managed services.

Founded in 1984, Bentley has more than 3,000 colleagues in over 50 countries, more than $600 million in annual revenues, and since 2009 has invested more than $1 billion in research, development, and acquisitions.

Additional information about Bentley is available at www.bentley.com. For Bentley news as it happens, subscribe to an RSS feed of Bentley press releases and news alerts. Visit TheYear in Infrastructure Conference website for information on Bentley's premier thought-leadership event. To view a searchable collection of innovative infrastructure projects from the annual Be Inspired Awards, access Bentley's Infrastructure Yearbooks. To access a professional networking site that enables members of the infrastructure community to connect, communicate, and learn from each other, visit Bentley Communities.

To download the Bentley Infrastructure 500 Top Owners ranking, a unique global compendium of the top public- and private-sector owners of infrastructure based on the value of their cumulative infrastructure investments, visit BI 500.

Bentley, the "B" Bentley logo, Be, eB, ConstructSim, MicroStation, and ProjectWise are either registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated or one of its direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries. All other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005159/en/

Contacts:

Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Press Contact:

Gail McGrew, +1 610-458-2752

gail.mcgrew@bentley.com

Follow us on Twitter:

@BentleySystems
MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Stingray Digital Group Inc. (TSX: RAY.A)(TSX: RAY.B) will release its financial results for the second quarter ended September 30, 2016, on Thursday, November 10, 2016, before the market opens. Management will hold a conference call to discuss the financial results the same day a 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Details of the Conference Call

Via telephone: (877) 223-4471 or (647) 788-4922

Via the internet at www.stingray.com

Conference Call Rebroadcast

A rebroadcast of the conference call will be available until midnight, December 8, 2016, by dialing (800) 585-8367 or (416) 621-4642 and entering passcode 4935097.

The replay of the webcast will remain available on the website until midnight, December 8, 2016.

About Stingray

Stingray (TSX: RAY.A)(TSX: RAY.B) is a leading business-to-business multi-platform music and in-store media solutions provider operating on a global scale, reaching an estimated 400 million Pay-TV subscribers (or households) in 152 countries. Geared towards individuals and businesses alike, Stingray's products include the following leading digital music and video services: Stingray Music, Stingray Concerts, Stingray Brava, Stingray DJAZZ, Stingray Music Videos, Stingray Lite TV, Stingray Ambiance, Stingray Karaoke, Festival 4K, and iConcerts. Stingray also offers various business solutions, including music and digital display-based solutions, through its Stingray Business division. Stingray is headquartered in Montreal and currently has close to 300 employees worldwide, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Israel, Australia and South Korea. Stingray was recognized in 2013 and 2014 as a finalist in the Top 50 of Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 list, and figures amongst PROFIT magazine's fastest-growing Canadian companies. In 2016, Stingray was awarded best IR for an IPO at the IR Magazine Awards - Canada. For more information, please visit www.stingray.com

Contacts:

Mathieu Peloquin

Senior Vice-President, Marketing and Communications

Stingray Digital Group Inc.

(514) 664-1244, ext. 2362

mpeloquin@stingray.com




Financing Will Support U.S. Commercialization and Broaden the Company's Product Offering for Stroke Treatment

Neuravi, a company dedicated to better clinical outcomes for stroke patients,todayannounced 15 million in venture debt financing from IPF Partners, a leading alternative financing provider focused on the healthcare sector.

This financing allows Neuravi to invest in U.S. commercialization and stroke treatment portfolio expansion, building upon successful commercialization of the company's EmboTrap Revascularization Device in Europe and rapid progress enrolling the ARISE II U.S. pivotal study.

Landmark acute stroke clinical trials published in 2014 and 2015 demonstrating the superiority of stent retriever technology in treating large vessel strokes have driven a surge in the number of stent retriever procedures. Based on extensive physician engagement and Neuravi's groundbreaking work on the science of clot, Neuravi has built a strong pipeline of products focused exclusively on acute ischemic stroke and intends to commercialize this pipeline globally in the years ahead.

"With the recent European launch of the EmboTrap II device and the excellent progress in enrolling our pivotal clinical trial, we are making significant headway in delivering next-generation technology for stroke treatment to physicians. This financing allows us to build our commercial presence in the U.S. and further invest in R&D for our exciting product pipeline," said Eamon Brady, Neuravi CEO. "We see significant innovation opportunity due to the under-developed stroke treatment 'toolbox' available to stroke clinicians today. Our vision is to design and build devices that truly address the needs of acute stroke patients and put them in the hands of stroke physicians all over the world. This funding is an important step on our roadmap."

About EmboTrap

The EmboTrap Revascularization Device is engineered to restore blood flow to the brain by retrieving clot with a proprietary dual-layer stent-like structure. The device's integrated distal protection zone is designed to reduce the risk of clot fragmentation during retrieval, which could cause additional harm to the patient. The EmboTrap II Revascularization Device is available in Europe to treat patients with acute ischemic stroke. The EmboTrap is currently available for investigational use only in the U.S. under the ARISE II clinical trial, which will support a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) submission for approval to market the device in the United States.

About Neuravi

Neuravi designs, develops and manufactures innovative medical devices for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Through the Neuravi Thromboembolic Initiative (NTI), Neuravi supports collaboration between engineers, clinicians and researchers to improve patient outcomes in stroke by deepening the understanding of the science of clot and occlusions. Neuravi is exclusively focused on acute ischemic stroke. More information can be found at www.neuravi.com.

IPF Partners

IPF Partners, based in Luxembourg, is a leading alternative financing provider focused on the healthcare sector. IPF invests directly in emerging pharma/biotech, medtech and diagnostics companies. Founded in 2011 by a seasoned multi-disciplinary team combining over fifty years of finance and investment and over thirty years of healthcare experience, IPF has developed a unique business model using the team's specialist sector knowledge to provide bespoke, long-term financing. For more information visit www.ipfpartners.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005468/en/

Contacts:

for Neuravi

Nicole Osmer, 650-454-0504

nicole@nicoleosmer.com
-- Presentations summarize preclinical data supporting MLE4901 and ATR-101 programs --

Millendo Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for endocrine diseases caused by hormone dysregulation, today announced that it will present data from its MLE4901 and ATR-101 programs at the Society for Endocrinology (SfE) British Endocrine Societies (BES) 2016 conference, being held from November 7-9, 2016 in Brighton, United Kingdom.

"Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) experience numerous symptoms, including androgen excess, which results in excessive facial hair and acne. In our preclinical studies, we observed that administration of MLE4901 is associated with reduced testosterone levels, which were sustained throughout treatment, providing support for the development of MLE4901 as a treatment for PCOS," said Stephen Hunt, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Millendo. "In separate studies, treatment with ATR-101 in a preclinical model and in canines with naturally-occurring Cushing's syndrome resulted in reduced ACTH-stimulated cortisol levels. These studies provide support for the clinical development of ATR-101 in patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome, in which chronic cortisol excess results in a multitude of symptoms including weight gain, fatigue, hypertension, diabetes, and bone loss."

"The data presented at SfE BES 2016 support our ongoing Phase 2b clinical trial of MLE4901 in polycystic ovary syndrome and support the rationale for clinical development of ATR-101 in endogenous Cushing's syndrome," said Julia C. Owens, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Millendo. "Based on these and other studies to date, we believe that MLE4901 and ATR-101 have strong potential as novel therapies for patients with endocrine diseases for which there are limited or no approved treatment options."

Dr. Hunt will give a podium presentation on preclinical data for MLE4901, currently in Phase 2b clinical trials in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In addition, Dr. Hunt will present two posters on preclinical data for ATR-101, currently in clinical trials in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and adrenocortical carcinoma. Details of the abstracts are as follows:

Title: MLE4901, a neurokinin 3 receptor antagonist, shows reproductive tract effects and sustained pharmacodynamic activity consistent with HPG suppression after 13 weeks of oral administration in dogs

Session: Oral Communications 2 Neuroendocrinology and Reproduction

Date: Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Time: 2:30 2:45 p.m. GMT

Location: Syndicate 1, Brighton Centre

In a preclinical model, MLE4901 administration resulted in reduced levels of testosterone. These effects were confined to reproductive tissues and were sustained throughout a treatment course of 13 weeks, with pharmacodynamic response remaining intact at day 91 as demonstrated by decreased testosterone levels.

Title: Characterization of adrenal-specific effects of ATR-101, a selective ACAT1 antagonist, in dogs

Session: Poster

Date:Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Time: 1:00 2:45 p.m. GMT

Location: Auditorium 1, Exhibition Area, Brighton Centre

In an in vivo preclinical model, treatment with the selective acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) inhibitor ATR-101 was found to significantly decrease ACTH-stimulated cortisol levels and was safe at high exposures. In a recovery period after three months of dosing, signs of reversal of these adrenal effects were observed.

Title: Characterization of clinical, biochemical and adrenal hormonal effects of ATR-101, a selective ACAT1 antagonist, in dogs with naturally-occurring Cushing's syndrome

Session: Poster

Date: Monday, November 7, 2016

Time: 1:00 2:45 p.m. GMT

Location: Auditorium 1, Exhibition Area, Brighton Centre

In canines with naturally-occurring Cushing's syndrome, treatment with ATR-101 demonstrated efficacy in lowering ACTH-stimulated cortisol levels in 9 out of 10 subjects regardless of underlying etiology in both pituitary- and adrenal-dependent disease states.

About MLE4901

MLE4901 is an antagonist of the Neurokinin 3 receptor (NK3R), which resides on the KNDy (kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin) neuron and acts to diminish GnRH hyperpulsatility, the central driver of PCOS. MLE4901 leverages recent biological insights that elucidated the critical role of the KNDy neuron as a regulator of reproductive hormonal signaling.

About ATR-101

ATR-101, a potent and adrenal-selective inhibitor of ACAT1, seeks to reduce adrenal steroid production at lower doses, and, at higher doses, can induce apoptosis of cells derived from the adrenal cortex. ATR-101 is currently in clinical development for the treatment of classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), with planned development in endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS).

About Millendo Therapeutics, Inc.

Millendo Therapeutics is focused on developing novel treatments for endocrine diseases caused by hormone dysregulation. We are currently advancing two product candidates to treat four diseases. Based on our understanding of the novel biology underlying hormone dysregulation in endocrine diseases, we are developing our product candidates for conditions where current therapies are insufficient. Our clinical programs are designed to address:

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) the most common endocrine disease in women

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) a recessive genetic defect of cortisol synthesis

Endogenous Cushing's Syndrome (CS) a condition resulting from chronic cortisol excess

Adrenocortical Carcinoma (ACC) a rare endocrine malignancy of the adrenal cortex

www.millendo.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005539/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Casey R. Doucette, Ph.D., +1 781-235-3060

MacDougall Biomedical Communications

cdoucette@macbiocom.com

or

Investor Contact:

Stern Investor Relations, Inc.

Christina Tartaglia, +1 212-362-1200

christina@sternir.com
The voter registration deadline has passed and the people of Missouri are set to help determine the future of the state and the nation Nov. 8.

Its now up to all the registered voters to make their voices heard at the ballot box. They will need to turn out not only to decide who will lead the country and the state, but also to determine races for statewide offices, state representative, and for a range of ballot issues that can make significant changes to the way the state operates. Without question, this is an extremely important election, and if Missourians are going to make this countrys representative democracy work as the founding fathers intended, its imperative that everyone take advantage of the fundamental right that is voting.

The good news is that voter participation rates are typically high during presidential elections. As an example, the 2012 general election saw approximately 2.8 million of the 4.2 million registered voters cast a ballot for a participation rate of almost 66 percent. The number was even higher for the 2008 general, which saw a participation rate of more than 69 percent. When both numbers are compared to the 35 percent participation rate for the 2014 general election, it is clear that voters are motivated to turn out during presidential elections.

Now it is imperative that voters take the time to learn the candidates and the issues so they can make informed votes. As Thomas Jefferson once said, Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government. November 8 is an opportunity for Missourians to cast their votes to help determine the direction the state and the nation will take over the next four years.
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Nutritional High International Inc. (the "Company" or "Nutritional High") (CSE: EAT)(CSE: EAT.CN)(CNSX: EAT)(OTCQB: SPLIF)(FRANKFURT: 2NU) is pleased to announce its expansion strategy in the State of California and the initial purchase of equipment in preparation of launching operations in California.

Jim Frazier, CEO of Nutritional High commented - "We are very excited about an opportunity to establish a foothold in the single largest cannabis market in the world. In addition to our operations in Colorado and Illinois, California represents a tremendous opportunity for our shareholders. We look forward to learning the outcome of the vote relating to Proposition 64 next Tuesday and invite our shareholders to stay tuned on further developments relating to California."

"But regardless of the outcome of that vote, we are committed to launching in California as a new State-wide regulatory framework is adopted," Jim Frazier added.

As an initial step in its California expansion strategy, the Company has purchased and taken delivery of equipment to facilitate cold ethanol extraction. The equipment is being stored at a warehouse in California and is ready for installation once an appropriate facility is secured.

State of California Regulatory Landscape

Nutritional High has previously been cautious about dedicating resources to pursuing expansion into California, primarily due to issues relating to compliance with the Cole Memo. Introduction of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act ("MCRSA") has established the framework that minimizes Cole Memo compliance issues and in the Company's view provides adequate regulatory infrastructure for operating professional, transparent and most importantly legally regulated business in the cannabis industry while mitigating the risk of law enforcement by the US Federal Government.

Since MCRSA does not come into effect until January 1, 2018, the current regulation and law enforcement for cannabis businesses is provided by individual cities and counties within the state. Nutritional High has identified several localities which meets our internally established criteria for allocating resources for expansion.

While the majority of the legal cannabis market in California has been comprised of flower sales, On September 29, 2016, California's Governor Jerry Brown signed into law AB 2679, which provides guidance for cannabis manufacturers currently operating in California. AB 2679 will take effect at the same time as MCRSE and California Department of Public Health will regulate cannabis product manufacturers. The Company aims to utilize cold ethanol distillation extraction process, which does not involve use of volatile toxic solvents, which in the Company's view is beneficial given the language of AB 2679.

Another important piece of legislation is The Adult Use of Marijuana Act ("AUMA"), which is more commonly known as Proposition 64, a 2016 voter initiative to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use in California, which will take place on November 8, 2016, the same day as US Presidential elections. Nutritional High team looks forward to the vote taking place, but until approved by the voters and thoroughly vetted by the Company's legal counsel, Nutritional High will focus on the medical market in California.

State of California Expansion Strategies

According to the current laws, only registered non-profit organizations can operate a medical marijuana business in the State of California. In this regard, Nutritional High will utilize a similar approach to operations as that which is being utilized in states with residency requirements. Nutritional High is in the process of identifying local municipalities with robust regulatory frameworks, which allow for organizations to operate in a financially accretive manner. Nutritional High is currently considering two potential expansion strategies:

1. Establish a new non-profit entity and apply for a new license. Nutritional High will also purchase real estate, equipment and provide know-how to the non-profit to enable them to provide top notch products to patients; 2. Partner with an existing licensed operator and focus on developing the cannabis extraction and manufacturing operations under an existing license.

Nutritional High is in discussion with several counterparties and expects to provide an update in this regard in short order.

State of California Cannabis Market

California is often referred to as "the world's sixths largest economy", with 2015 GDP of almost $2.5 trillion, surpassing countries such as France, Canada, India, Italy and Brazil. In addition, California was the first jurisdiction in North America to legalize medical cannabis by passing Compassionate Use Act in 1996, most commonly known as Proposition 215. November 5th, 2016 marks an important milestone for medical cannabis in California, as the industry enters its third decade. The established consumer market also indicates a high level of sophistication of cannabis patients, which fits in line with the Company's vision of manufacturing innovative products with superior quality.

According to Marijuana Business Daily, 2015 medical cannabis sales in California are estimated at $841 million, which are nearly double that of Colorado during the same period. Successful passage of Proposition 64 can exponentially increase its number, creating the largest legal marijuana market in the United States and the world.

About Nutritional High International Inc.

Nutritional High is focused on developing, manufacturing and distributing products and nationally recognized brands in the hemp and marijuana-infused products industries, including edibles and oil extracts for nutritional, medical and adult recreational use. The Company works exclusively through licensed facilities in jurisdictions where such activity is permitted and regulated by state law.

For updates on the Company's activities and highlights of the Company's press releases and other media coverage, please follow Nutritional High on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR OTC MARKETS GROUP INC., NOR 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

647-985-6727

dposner@nutritionalhigh.com



Boom Capital Markets Inc.

Steven Low

(647) 620-5101

steve@boomcapitalmarkets.com

www.boomcapitalmarkets.com




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Members of the media are invited to attend an important update on the Government of Canada's infrastructure plan Investing in Canada related to public transit with the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Steven Del Duca, Ontario Minister of Transportation; and His Worship John Tory, Mayor of Toronto.

Date: Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Time: 9:30 a.m. Location: GO Transit Don Yard 470 Lakeshore Blvd. East, Toronto, Ontario

Directions:

- From downtown Toronto, proceed south to Lakeshore Boulevard East

- Proceed eastward on Lakeshore Boulevard past Cherry Street, then turn left and proceed up the driveway to the yard

Contacts:

Brook Simpson

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

613-219-0149

brook.simpson@canada.ca

Stacey KennySenior AdvisorCommunications & Stakeholder Relations - RERMetrolinx416-202-5059Infrastructure Canada613-960-9251Toll free: 1-877-250-7154media@infc.gc.caFollow us on Twitter at @INFC_eng
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Uranium Participation Corporation ("UPC") (TSX: U) reports its estimated net asset value at October 31, 2016 was CAD$400.4 million or CAD$3.31 per share. As at October 31, 2016, UPC's investment portfolio consisted of the following:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except quantity amounts) Quantity Fair Value ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investments in Uranium: Uranium oxide in concentrates ("U3O8") 9,470,024 lbs $ 237,988 Uranium hexafluoride ("UF6") 1,903,471 KgU $ 139,935 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 377,923 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- U3O8 fair value per pound: - In Canadian dollars(1) $ 25.13 - In United States dollars $ 18.75 UF6 fair value(1) per KgU: - In Canadian dollars(1) $ 73.52 - In United States dollars $ 54.85 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Fair values are month-end spot prices published by Ux Consulting Company, LLC, translated at the month-end noon exchange rate of $1.3403.

On October 31, 2016, the common shares of UPC closed on the TSX at a value of CAD$3.72, which represents a 12.39% premium to the net asset value per share of CAD$3.31.

Uranium Purchases

During October 2016, UPC completed a bought-deal financing and issued 5,200,000 common shares, at a price of CAD$3.85 per share, for gross proceeds of $20,020,000. The majority of the proceeds are expected to be used to fund the purchase of uranium. As of November 2, 2016, UPC has entered into agreements to purchase 560,000 pounds U3O8 at an average price of US$20.57 per pound, with deliveries expected during November 2016. As at October 31, 2016, the number of UPC common shares outstanding was 120,848,713.

About Uranium Participation Corporation

Uranium Participation Corporation is a company that invests substantially all of its assets in uranium oxide in concentrates ("U3O8") and uranium hexafluoride ("UF6") (collectively "uranium"), with the primary investment objective of achieving appreciation in the value of its uranium holdings through increases in the uranium price. UPC provides investors with a unique opportunity to gain exposure to the price of uranium without the resource or project risk associated with investing in a traditional mining company. Additional information about Uranium Participation Corporation is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on Uranium Participation Corporation's website at www.uraniumparticipation.com.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information that are based on the Company's current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intent", "estimate", "anticipate", "plan", "should", "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology and include statements with respect to the use of proceeds for the Offering and the anticipated completion of uranium purchases.

By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous factors, assumptions and estimates. A variety of factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, may cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in commodity prices and foreign exchange as well as the risk that the Company will not be successful in completing the purchase of additional U3O8 and/or UF6 on terms satisfactory to the Company. For a description of the principal risks of the Company, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated May 11, 2016, a copy of which is available at www.sedar.com.

These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although management reviews the reasonableness of its assumptions and estimates, unusual and unanticipated events may occur which render them inaccurate. Under such circumstances, future performance may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Except where required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information statement.

Contacts:

Uranium Participation Corporation

David Cates

President & Chief Executive Officer

(416) 979-1991 Ext. 362



Uranium Participation Corporation

Mac McDonald

Chief Financial Officer

(416) 979-1991 Ext. 242

www.uraniumparticipation.com




ALBANY, NY--(Marketwired - November 02, 2016) - This week, BidNet launched an updated Empire State Purchasing Group. In addition to enhancements to the e-sourcing technology, all participating buying organizations can now benefit from several brand new e-sourcing features, including:

Vendor Pre-Qualification

Bid Evaluation

Contract Lifecycle Management

Vendor Performance Management

Workflow Approval

The updated purchasing group also provides a more centralized platform for vendors to receive quotes, bids, and RFPs directly from participating agencies and agencies throughout the state of New York. Vendors interested in doing business with the participating government agencies can register to access bids and receive alerts of matching future notifications at www.BidNetDirect.com/new-york.

Over 200 public agencies throughout New York utilize the Empire State Purchasing Group to simplify bid and vendor management, including the Counties of Rockland, Westchester, and Albany, as well as the cities of Yonkers, Poughkeepsie, Oneonta, Niagara Falls, Long Beach, many BOCES programs and the Rochester City School District. With the launch of the enhanced bid system, the purchasing group now offers its member agencies a more complete sourcing solution to streamline every step of the purchasing process.

The Empire State Purchasing Group is available at no cost to all counties, municipalities, school districts, nonprofits and special districts throughout the state looking to streamline sourcing efforts. Any public purchasing professionals in New York who are interested in learning more about the benefits of joining the updated Empire State Purchasing Group can schedule a personalized demonstration at www.BidNetDirect.com/buyer-demo.

About BidNet's E-Sourcing Solution

BidNet's e-sourcing solution, SourceSuite, provides more than 1,100 local government agencies and over 9,000 departments with a complete e-sourcing solution including vendor management, document distribution, contract management and audit control tools. With years of input from procurement professionals, BidNet has launched regional purchasing groups to address the specific bid and supplier management needs of local government agencies across the country. To learn more about the benefits to local government agencies, please visit www.BidNetDirect.com/buyers. Full feature and sourcing module information is available at www.SourceSuite.com.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/11/1/11G120390/Images/Empire_State_Purchasing_Group-103778bfe8aaa050a9b4019eb4163fb1.jpg

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/11/1/11G120390/Images/BidNet_Direct_Logo-80c060999968a0f5917badeff5c70bcd.jpg

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/11/1/11G120390/Images/SourceSuite_E-Procurement_Solution_-_Logo-430200786686.jpg

Media Inquiries:

Kim Cullen

Director of Marketing

518-689-7036

Kcullen@bidnet.com
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil futures collapsed Wednesday after data showed another gargantuan build in U.S. stockpiles, adding to record inventories. U.S. storage facilities are running out of places to put surplus crude oil, driving prices sharply lower over the past few sessions. Crude inventories rose 8.2 million barrels in the week to March 3, compared with analysts' expectations for a 2 million-barrel build. That's the ninth consecutive week oil stockpiles have risen. On the other hand, gasoline inventories saw the largest one-week drop in nearly six years. With surging U.S. oil production offsetting OPEC cuts, oil prices have dropped to their lowest level in 2017. April WTI oil plunged $2.86, or 5.4%, to settle at $50.28/bbl, the worst daily performance in more than a year. A stronger dollar also weighed on oil prices after a blockbuster ADP jobs report cemented calls for an interest rate hike. Payroll processor ADP said private sector employment in the U.S. increased by much more than expected in February, up by 298,000 jobs after jumping by an upwardly revised 261,000 jobs in January. Economists had expected employment to climb by about 190,000 jobs. 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.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Earth Alive Clean Technologies Inc. (CSE: EAC)(CSE: EAC.CN) ("Earth Alive" or the "Company"), a leading Canadian Clean-Tech company, developer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art microbial technology-based products for sustainable agriculture and mining, is pleased to announce that it attended the 2016 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development (IGF). The meeting was held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland from October 24th to 28th, 2016.

The 2016 AGM marked the first opportunity for IGF Members to engage in a joint dialogue on the relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the mining sector. Other important organizations such as international financial institutions, multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, industry associations, donor governments and other actors were also increasingly well-represented at the IGF AGM, as they recognize the value of engagement with this important network. More than 80 organizations took part in 2016, which is a clear indication of the IGF's growing significance and relevance for sustainable development.

For this year's AGM, the Secretariat developed an agenda focused on "The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Mining". The SDGs represent the post-2015 global development agenda and represent the international consensus on development priorities. Attention was also paid to the broader issue of sustainable development, the contribution the mining sector can make, and some of the challenges the sector itself faces with regards to its own sustainability.

"It was an honour for Earth Alive to participate in this prestigious event, and to showcase our EA1 microbial dust control technology to industry stakeholders," stated Marcelo Soutullo, VP of the Dust Control Division of Earth Alive. "We are making a lot of headway into the Latin American mining dust suppression market, and this event has provided a premiere opportunity to show how Earth Alive's EA1 Dust Suppressant can help companies make real strides toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals".

Mr. Frederic Perron-Welch, Director of Sustainable Development for the Company, further added that, "As an economic activity that transforms natural resources into wealth and products required for development, the mining sector will remain important in the future, but it must work to mitigate environmental impacts and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. Ultimately, the success of the SDGs will be based on how the mining sector moves into action on sustainable development."

Mr. Perron-Welch explained, "Our microbial dust suppressant technology EA1 is certified organic and biodegradable, reduces over 90% of dust emissions from operating roads, and can reduce water use by over 80%. This leads to significantly reduced operational expenditures while sustainably reducing dust emissions. EA1 Dust Suppressant has been tried, tested, and proven effective in environmentally challenging conditions in North America, Latin America, and Africa. "

About the Intergovernmental Forum:

The IGF is a growing and evolving platform for country governments to engage with industry and civil society experts, and with each other, on best practices for sustainable development in leveraging their natural resource wealth. It is a member-driven organization that provides 55 national governments the opportunity to work collectively to achieve their sustainable mining goals. In the past year, with the support of the Canadian Government, the IGF Secretariat is now hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in Ottawa, Canada.

About Earth Alive Clean Technologies:

Earth Alive aims to be a key player in world markets of environmentally sustainable industrial solutions. The company works with the latest innovations in microbial technology to formulate and patent innovative products that can tackle the most difficult industrial challenges, once only reserved to environmentally harmful chemicals and additives. The company is focused on environmental sustainability in 1) dust control for the mining industry, and 2) the agriculture industry.

For additional company information, please visit: www.earthalivect.com

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" occur. Although Earth Alive believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts:

Media information and interview requests

Mr. David Gilmour

514-814-2899

dgilmour@earthalivect.com



Investor relations

Mr. Frederick Chabot

438-863-7071

frederick@contactfinancial.com




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- G4G Capital Corp. (TSX VENTURE: GGC) (the "Company") announces the appointment of Robert Carpenter to the Company's board of directors, effective as of November 1, 2016.

Robert Carpenter is a Professional Geoscientist with over 25 years of technical and executive experience for junior and major mining companies. He was co-founder and President and CEO of Kaminak Gold Corporation from 2005 to 2013 and led the company through the acquisition, discovery and maiden resource of the multi-million ounce Coffee Gold Project, located in the White Gold District, Yukon. The project was subsequently acquired by Goldcorp Inc in 2016. He has received awards from the Association for Mineral Exploration of British Columbia for excellence in mineral exploration (2013) and social and environmental stewardship (2008). He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Western Ontario in 2004 where he worked on the newly discovered Meliadine Lake gold deposits that are currently owned by Agnico Eagle.

David D'Onofrio, the President and Chief Executive Officer, states: "Rob's extensive experience identifying and prioritizing drill targets has directly led to major gold discoveries in the White Gold District. He will be a great addition to our board of directors and an invaluable resource to help lead the Company toward its new strategic focus on exploration in the White Gold District of the Yukon Territory. We look forward to Rob being part of our team."

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in G4G's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

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:

G4G Capital Corp.

David Schmidt

Chief Financial Officer

(604) 630-6889




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Identillect Technologies Corp. (the "Company" or "Identillect") (TSX VENTURE: ID) is pleased to announced it has signed an exclusive partnership with HIPAATraining.com to bring an encrypted email solution to their large network of small to medium sized business clients. HIPAATraining.com has been in the HIPAA compliance space for over 14+ years and services thousands of healthcare clients across the 50 states which are required to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA") regulations.

The partnership with Identillect enables HIPAATraining.com members to easily remain compliant and secure their communications with Identillect's Delivery Trust email encryption. With HIPAA's increased controls to ensure the security of "Protected Health Information" (PHI) the requirement to be compliant with HIPAA is critical in the prevention of a data breaches and incurring fines.

Currently, HIPAA is performing Phase 2 audits requiring all entities affected by the regulation and all companies doing business with those entities to secure data in transit. As of May 31, 2016, the Department of Justice has enforced over $36M in fines and settlements to companies who were at fault for not complying with HIPAA standards.

HIPAATraining.com's CEO Abdul Yoosufani, states, "We have selected Identillect as our exclusive email security provider based on their simplicity and intense focus on HIPAA compliant security. We have built our HIPAA training and compliance program by providing the most affordable, quickest, and simplest to use compliance program on the market and Identillect aligns with this mission perfectly."

Todd Sexton, CEO of Identillect states, "As a leader in the United States, this partnership with HIPAATraining.com proves to be another strong testament of our Delivery Trust platform. We continue to partner with leading providers in the space which grows our subscriber base organically and rapidly. We will be working with them to target their membership base through online seminars, and direct marketing."

To view the Delivery Trust email client on their website, please click here: https://www.hipaatraining.com/hipaa-compliant-email

Delivery Trust is an email encryption solution, which is deployed by medical related companies and enterprises at a monthly subscription fee. The multiplatform software is available for Gmail, Microsoft O365 and Outlook, making it very simple solution for businesses with varying email.

http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/10-largest-hipaa-settlement-fines.html

About Identillect

Identillect's Delivery Trust proprietary e-mail encryption technology targets organizations of all sizes, and is sold to medical professionals on a monthly subscription basis. Delivery Trust can be accessed by medical professionals on a vast array of electronic communication devices. All messages and their attachments are secured with patented, state-of-the-art encryption technology while providing complete control of the message with the click of a button, ensuring safety and control while in transit.

Since commercializing the product, Identillect has quickly grown its subscriber base and is becoming recognized in the security industry as a top e-mail security provider. Visit https://identillect.com/ to learn more.

About HIPAATraining.com

HIPAATraining.com has been in the HIPAA compliance space for over 14+ years and offers a full range of HIPAA compliance products from training and certification for an individual to full HIPAA compliance for organizations. We specialize in helping individuals and small to midsize organizations get HIPAA compliant in the most affordable, fastest, and easiest way possible.

IDENTILLECT TECHNOLOGIES CORP.

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.

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

Contacts:

Identillect Technologies Corp.

Todd Sexton

Chief Executive Officer

(949) 468-7878

todd.sexton@identillect.com



Investor Relations:

Arlen Hansen

Kin Communications

1-866-684-6730

id@kincommunications.com




MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- KP Tissue Inc. ("KPT") (TSX: KPT), which holds a limited partnership interest in Kruger Products L.P. ("KPLP"), will release the financial results for KPT and KPLP for the third quarter of 2016 on Thursday, November 3rd, 2016 before the market opens. KPT will hold its conference call the same day at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

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.
Skeletal remains were found on the Messer farm at the junction of Route DD and Dry Fork Road in Ste. Genevieve County early Tuesday evening around dusk by a hunter scouting the area in preparation for deer hunting.

Lynn Messer went missing just over two years ago. Her husband Kerry Messer, 57, a conservative Jefferson City lobbyist, told investigators he woke up in the early morning hours on July 8, 2014, at his rural home to find his then 52-year-old wife missing.

An intense investigation started that morning once the authorities were notified. Kerry reportedly searched the common areas around their 250 acre farm where she would normally be found before filing a report.

The Messer farm soon became a flurry of activity when the St. Louis Regional Command Post, Eureka Search and Rescue, along with area K-9 search teams, local fire departments and volunteers converged and began searching.

As days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months, the search parties eventually slowed and dwindled. In the two years since volunteer searchers had searched approximately 5,000 acres. The initial search by law enforcement comprised approximately 400 acres including and surrounding the farm.

Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff Gary Stolzer said this morning that the FBI has been called in to process the entire scene. He reminded that it's too early to confirm for sure that the remains are that of Lynn Messer.

We were called last night and it was discovered by a hunter in the woods who was scouting out hunting locations, said Stolzer. When we got there it was dark so we didnt do anything with the scene. We just identified it was in fact skeletal remains and contacted the FBI. They will be here shortly.

Stolzer said the remains were located approximately a mile from the house and that no media would be allowed on the property.

Kerry wants no media there and no one will be able to reach the area, said Stolzer. We are no further today on this case, other than we have a body. We dont know if there was foul play, we dont know if she just walked off, we dont know (anything) right now.

Kerry Messer said this morning that they have to wait for confirmation.

It was a hunter who found something and there are some details there that makes us think it very likely it could be Lynn, explained Kerry. The location and some articles that were found. I have no absolute confirmation on anything and the sheriffs department hasnt touched anything from what I understand.

"I cant confirm whether there were artificial hips. (Lynn Messer had undergone two hip replacement surgeries over the years.) The FBI is supposed to show up later this morning to start processing the scene.

Kerry added he is not sure how long he will have to wait to find anything out and stressed this is why they need all hunters everywhere to be vigilant and not to assume anything.

Ironically, Kerry started a dedicated campaign last year to have hunters everywhere pay close attention for such things as small personal items that might otherwise just appear to be trash, but that might be significant in any missing person investigation.

Missouri hunters urged to support hurting families With the main firearms deer season in Missouri in full swing, Support the Hurting, a newly f

Right now we are trying to hold ourselves together while we wait for the confirmation, which we suspect is going to be what we fear, said Kerry. This was an area that was searched before and I dont understand that. Over the last two plus years I have seen numerous stories of the remains of missing persons being found in the exact same spots where they searched with dogs years before. This is going to possibly be one of those cases.

Kerry said this may not be Lynn, this may be someone else, but Lynn is the only reported missing person in the immediate area.

Sheriff Stolzer agreed to keep the Daily Journal updated as information is available.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Leading Edge Materials Corp. ("Leading Edge Materials") or ("the Company") (TSX VENTURE: LEM)(OTCQB: LEMIF) announces the staking of the Company's first cobalt-copper project, Vena, located in central Sweden, approximately 250 km southwest of Stockholm. The project lies in the County of Orebro, and is secured by Leading Edge Material's 350 Ha Vena nr 5 claim.

Key points:

-- Acquisition, by staking, of the Company's first cobalt project, Vena, located in central Sweden; -- Vena is a site of extensive historic mining activity including 200 separate pits over an area of more than 2500 metres by 500 metres. The deepest workings extend to only 68 metres in depth; -- Cobalt plays an essential role in lithium ion batteries for the automotive, consumer product and stationary electrify storage industries. Annual consumption of cobalt is forecast to double to 200,000 tonnes over the next decade; -- Historic data will be reviewed and a program defined for advancing the project.

Blair Way, President and CEO, stated: "The Vena cobalt project provides Leading Edge Materials with a further step into the lithium ion battery raw material supply chain for the European market. We continue to work diligently to add low holding cost, strategic high quality projects to our critical materials portfolio whilst progressing our high value graphite product development."

The Vena field is located 7 kilometres north of the Zinkgruvan mine and concentrator, one of Sweden's most significant mining operations. The Vena mining field is a site of extensive historic mining activity including 200 separate pits over an area of more than 2500 metres by 500 metres. The deepest workings extend to 68 metres in depth. Mining of Vena cobalt and copper mineralization commenced in 1770 and continued until approximately 1870, during which time more than 500 workers are reported to have been employed on site.

Cobalt plays an essential role in lithium ion batteries for the automotive, consumer product and stationary electrify storage industries. Industry analysts at Benchmark Minerals forecast annual consumption of cobalt will double to 200,000 tonnes over the next decade due to the accelerated uptake of lithium ion batteries for the storage of low carbon energy. Approximately 50% of cobalt is presently sourced from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with an extremely high and unsustainable social impact. Europe is investing heavily in lithium ion battery technologies, and is seeking sustainable supply of cobalt, lithium and graphite which are critical for lithium ion batteries.

Host rock to mineralization at Vena is quartz-biotite-muscovite gneiss within a broader sequence of intermediate metavolcanics and metasediments. This sequence is equivalent to the Zinkgruvan mine host. Both Zinkgruvan and Vena display large areas of potassic alteration that may be indicative of mineralization. Mapping has determined that workings are developed in several major trends, exposed discontinuously over their length to a maximum strike of 750 metres. These lines of mineralization occur as a series of en echelon, parallel or anastomosing branches throughout the field. Mapping, sampling and historic records indicate high grade copper - cobalt mineralization, with grades more than 1% copper mined from lensoidal steeply plunging shoots across the 500m wise mineralized zone. Each shoot was typically 5 to 15 metres long and 3 to 6 metres wide, whilst peripheral zones of up to 5 metres each side of the higher grade shoots of approximately 0.4% copper were left unmined.

Historic data from the Vena Cobalt project is being be compiled, which shall enable a future work program to be defined.

On behalf of the Board,

Blair Way, President & CEO

The qualified person for the Company's exploration projects, Mark Saxon, Director of Leading Edge Materials, a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy has reviewed and verified the contents of this release.

The data from Vena is historical in nature and was compiled prior to the implementation of NI 43-101 reporting standards. The Company has not completed sufficient exploration to verify this data nor has this data been verified by a Qualified Person. The historical estimate should not be relied upon.

The TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Information. Certain information in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "Forward-Looking Statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are Forward-Looking Statements. Forward-Looking Statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may," "will," "can," "should," "could," or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-Looking Statements are based upon the opinions and expectations of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-Looking Statements are subject to a number of factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the Forward-Looking Statements including, among other things, the Company has yet to generate a profit from its activities; there can be no guarantee that the estimates of quantities or qualities of minerals disclosed in the Company's public record will be economically recoverable; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; competition with other companies within the mining industry; the success of the Company is largely dependent upon the performance of its directors and officers and the Company's ability to attract and train key personnel; changes in world metal markets and equity markets beyond the Company's control; mineral resources are, in the large part, estimates and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of recovery will be realized; production rates and capital and other costs may vary significantly from estimates; changes in corporate goals and strategies, unexpected geological conditions; and delays in obtaining or failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the Forward-Looking Statements, and the assumptions on which such Forward-Looking Statements are made, are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which the Forward-Looking Statements are based will occur. Forward-Looking Statements herein are made as at the date hereof, and unless otherwise required by law, the Company does not intend, or assume any obligation, to update these Forward-Looking Statements.

Contacts:

Leading Edge Materials Corp.

+1 604 685 9316

www.leadingedgematerials.com




NORTH CHICAGO, Illinois, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced that it has mandated Barclays, BofA Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley (Global Coordinator) to organize a series of European fixed income investor meetings, commencing on Wednesday, November 9, 2016. An inaugural EUR-denominated senior unsecured multi-tranche benchmark transaction to refinance indebtedness will follow, subject to market conditions. AbbVie intends to use the proceeds of any offering together with existing cash on hand to repay all or a part of its 1.75% Senior Notes that mature on November 6, 2017. Relevant stabilization regulations including FCA/ICMA will apply.

This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification of such securities under the securities law of any such jurisdiction.

This announcement is not being made, and this announcement has not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the United Kingdom Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the "FSMA")." Accordingly, this announcement is not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom or to persons in the United Kingdom save in circumstances where section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. This announcement is made to and is directed only at persons in the United Kingdom having professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) or are high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc. falling within Article 49(2), in each case of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, and to those persons to whom it can otherwise lawfully be distributed (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This announcement and the securities referred to herein are, and will be made, available only to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, such relevant persons. No other person should rely or act upon it. This announcement is not intended for distribution to and must not be passed on to any retail client.

The company has filed a shelf registration statement (including a prospectus) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Any offering of securities will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement, which will be filed with the SEC. In the event that the company proceeds with an offering, you may obtain a copy of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus for the offering by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov, or from the company or the underwriters of that offering by contacting Barclays at 1-888-603-5847, BofA Merrill Lynch at 1-800-294-1322, Deutsche Bank at 1-800-503-4611, J.P. Morgan collect at +44-207-134-2468 and Morgan Stanley at 1-866-718-1649.

About AbbVie

AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott Laboratories. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases. Together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pharmacyclics, AbbVie employs more than 28,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries. For further information on the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please visit www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter or view our Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
HARARE, Zimbabwe, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Circ MedTech Ltd., manufacturer of PrePex[TM] - the world's only non-surgical male circumcision device - donated three Mobile Clinics to the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care with the aim to support the scale-up of Male Circumcision programs, as part of Zimbabwe's HIV Prevention strategy.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161101/434953 )



The donation came after the PrePex device was recognized by the Tech Awards as being a technology that benefits humanity and the company was awarded a US$50,000 prize.

At the handover ceremony, Mr. Eddy Horowitz, CEO, Circ MedTech said: "A mobile clinic is a sustainable and cost-effective tool that enables the healthcare system to reach men in remote areas - quickly and efficiently. As a token of our appreciation to the Zimbabwe national effort and to the growing partnership between Circ MedTech and the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health, we have decided to contribute three caravans that will serve as Mobile Clinics, offering PrePex and other HIV prevention services to populations in the rural areas of Zimbabwe."

Holding the PrePex device in his hand, Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. David Parirenyatwa said: "I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Circ MedTech team for this invaluable donation to the National Circumcision program through these three state-of-the-art caravans. Let's continue to strive for excellence in all the activities we are doing so that, by 2030, we can all reflect and be proud that we made a difference in our time and turned the tide of the HIV epidemic in this country."

Zimbabwe launched its national Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision program using PrePex (known in Zimbabwe as "The Ring") in January 2015, targeting 1.3 Million circumcisions; since the 2009 start of its efforts, over 732,472 men have been circumcised.

As an effective tool to reduce the incidence of HIV, UNAIDS has set a goal of reaching 27 Million male circumcisions, in 14 African priority countries, by 2021. The Campaign is backed by the US Government (PEPFAR), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and global NGOs.

About Circ MedTech

Circ MedTech is a global social enterprise, offering innovative, affordable and scalable public healthcare solutions. The company developed the unique PrePex[TM] device to facilitate safe, simple, scalable, cost-effective non-surgical male circumcision as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention plan.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Editor's note: There is one picture associated with this press release.

Finore Mining Inc. ("Finore" or the "Company") (CSE: FIN)(CSE: FIN.CN)(OTC PINK: FNREF) provides additional information in relation to its news release dated October 27th, 2016 whereby the Company signed a letter agreement dated October 27, 2016 (the "Assignment Agreement") with an arm's length private British Columbia company (the "Assignor"), pursuant to which the Assignor has assigned to the Company the rights and obligations of a letter agreement dated October 25, 2016 (the "Letter Agreement") between the Assignor and Kushtown USA, LLC ("Kushtown") a private California limited liability company. Pursuant to the terms of the Letter Agreement, the Company will acquire all of the issued and outstanding securities of Kushtown (the "Transaction").

Kushtown USA Product Line Update (www.kushtownusa.com)

Kushtown USA LLC is a California based leading liquid edibles company that specializes in cannabis infused medicated water, sodas, hot sauces and barbecue sauces. Since 2000, Kushtown has been one of the leaders in marijuana beverages and edible products in California, with sales to over 200 medical marijuana dispensaries.

Kushtown currently markets and distributes the following Cannabis infused products:

Kushtown Sodas -- Kushtown offers 20 different varieties of medicated soda. Sodas/drinks come in varieties of carbonated and non-carbonated beverages. Flavors like Cherry Cola, lemonade, fruit punch, and lemon lime are infused with a THC tincture.

Kushtown Water -- The Kush water product is a healthy choice for a liquid edible for those who can't have sugary or carbonated drinks. Medicated water can be substituted for use of coffee, lemonade, tea, juice and soups.

Kushtown Hot Sauce -- This sauce packs a punch with heat similar to a Frank's wing sauce mixed with Tabasco and is marijuana infused. Packed with flavor and heat. Best with nachos, burritos, pizza, eggs, soups and hot wings.

Kushtown barbeque sauce -- A Smokey barbeque sauce with mild heat and infused marijuana. It works with almost anything barbeque sauces are made for. Best with burgers, ribs, chicken, steak, pizza and wings.

Kushtown holds trademark rights to the Kushtown line of products, and management plans to leverage the established Kushtown brand name in California and aims to expand the Kushtown brand into the recreational cannabis market across North America, pending the November 8, 2016 vote in California and other States to legalize recreational marijuana.

Planned Management Changes and Name Change Concurrent with Kushtown Transaction

Concurrent with the closing of the Transaction, the Company will apply to have its name changed to Kushtown USA LLC and its trading symbol in Canada changed to KSH both to better reflect the change of the Company business.

In connection with the Transaction the Company will restructure its management team with a focus towards developing Kushtown USA product lines into a national retail brand, similar to the what the Company believes to be its competitors including, Red Bull Energy, Monster Energy Drinks, and Rockstar Energy. The Company is currently in the process of identifying and engaging industry experts with demonstrated ability to build national brand names and distribution channels similar to the above-mentioned corporations in North America. The Company is identifying qualified candidates with experience in retail product brand building across North America. Management's objectives will be to build Kushtown USA product lines into a North America wide Cannabis liquid edibles brand name.

Peter Moret, founder of Kushtown USA will be an integral part of a management team moving forward. Mr. Moret is a passionate Cannabis industry entrepreneur who also has an extensive background in the music industry. Mr. Moret has worked alongside notable artist such as; Dr. Dre, Eminem, Eve and Xzibit. Mr. Moret is well connected in the California music industry and is a recognized expert in California's medicinal marijuana industry. Further management announcements will follow.

Letter Agreement

Pursuant to the terms of the Letter Agreement, the Company will make certain cash payments and advances and issue to Kushtown shareholders an aggregate of 8,440,845 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Payment Shares") at a deemed price of CDN$0.15 per Payment Share for total share consideration of CDN$1,266,126.75 (US$950,000). The Payment Shares will be subject to escrow conditions and/or resale restrictions as required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). Pursuant to the terms of the Assignment Agreement, the Company will, upon closing of the Transaction, issue 2,500,000 common shares to the Assignor at a deemed price of CDN$0.15 per share and shall grant the Assignor a 2% net profits interest royalty on all Kushtown branded products sold by the Company.

The Transaction remains subject to certain closing conditions, including, completion of due diligence, the negotiation and signing of a definitive agreement and obtaining all necessary approvals, including, approval of the respective boards, the approval of the CSE, and if applicable, shareholders of the Company. There can be no guarantees that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

None of the Payment Shares to be issued pursuant to the Transaction have been or will be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and any Payment Shares issued pursuant to the Transaction are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration requirements pursuant to Rule 506(b) of Regulation D and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. In addition, the Payment Shares to be issued pursuant to the Transaction under an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act will be "restricted securities" as defined under Rule 144(a)(3) of the U.S. Securities Act and will contain the appropriate restrictive legend as required under the U.S. Securities Act.

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. By its very nature, such forward-looking information requires the Company to make assumptions that may not materialize or that may not be accurate. This forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, levels of activity and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such information.

To view the picture associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20161101-1074809.png

Contacts:

Investor Contact:

info@finoremining.com




STEWART, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Mountain Boy Minerals Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: MTB) (Mountain Boy) has been informed by its joint venture partner, Great Bear Resources Ltd., on initial BA property trench sampling results. The property which is in the Stewart area of the Golden Triangle district of British Columbia is 50 percent owned by Mountain Boy with Great Bear as operator. At the BA project, the BA zone represents the surface exposure of a large VMS system that has been previously drilled-tested over 1.5 kilometres of strike. The zone is located between 2.5 and 4 kilometres from paved highway 37A, the main access route to Stewart, British Columbia, and remains open to extension.

Highlights of the work program results received to date include:

-- Trench "C2" - 12.0 m of 5.09% Zn, 1.81% Pb and 20 g/t Ag within 39.0 m of 3.76% Zn, 2.26% Pb and 30 g/t Ag -- Trench "C" - 1.5 m of 6.64% Zn, 2.71% Pb and 21 g/t Ag within 19.5 m of 3.92 % Zn, 1.55% Pb and 44 g/t Ag -- Trench "D" - 12.0 m of 5.24% Zn, 1.59% Pb and 30 g/t Ag within 19.5 m of 3.96% Zn, 1.05% Pb and 20 g/t Ag. -- Glacial retreat since 2010 has exposed strike extensions of the zone which have now been sampled -- Re-logging of historical drill core has revealed a high-grade sulphide- carbonate overprint of the stacked volcanogenic massive sulphide system (VMS), comprising a core of enhanced grade that is traceable along strike at surface.

Channel samples reported herein are from surface exposures of semi-massive to massive sulphide that are traceable at surface along the exposed length of the zone.

Samples from four additional trenches as well as re-sampled drill core are currently in the lab for processing. Once the company has received all results, a comprehensive 3D geological model will be created to assist with planning for the 2017 exploration program at the BA project.

The channel sampling program targeted prospective zones of zinc-silver-lead VMS bearing stratigraphy. The work included a comprehensive re-logging and sampling program of historical drill core as well as re-interpretation of the geological model. The new modeling confirms the presence of a "stacked" VMS system along with significant zones of higher grade sulphide-carbonate enrichment, generally containing several percent combined zinc and lead plus associated silver. Sampling has also identified strike extensions of the mineralized zones into areas where glacial cover has melted since the last drilling on the project which was completed in 2010.

The BA zone is part of a horizon identified over a strike length of at least 30 km, stretching from the BA property to the headwaters of Surprise Creek.

E Kruchkowski, P.Geo, president for Mountain Boy, is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the accuracy of technical information contained in this news release

ABOUT MOUNTAIN BOY MINERALS LTD.

Mountain Boy Minerals Ltd. is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company with diverse property and resource holdings around the Stewart region in British Columbia's golden triangle. It owns 20% of the Silver Coin project, a gold-silver-base metals project that has a 43-101 compliant resource calculated. The Company is also exploring silver-base metals on its Surprise Creek, American Creek and Bear Valley properties as well as copper-gold on their Stewart area claims. For a complete listing of the Company assets and developments, visit the Company website at www.mountainboyminerals.ca.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ed Kruchkowski, President

"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."

"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."

Contacts:

Mountain Boy Minerals Ltd.

Investor Information

250-636-2264



Mountain Boy Minerals Ltd.

Investor Information

Gary Assaly

604-377-7969

www.mountainboyminerals.ca




WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - GameStop Corp. (GME), a global family of specialty retail brands that makes the most popular technologies affordable and simple, announced selected estimated preliminary financial results for the third quarter and updated full year 2016 guidance. In the pre-market trade, GME is trading at $20.86, down $2.70 or 11.46 percent. Based on sales trends of recently released new video games as well as the current sell-thru rate of new video game hardware, GameStop expects to report third quarter 2016 revenue of approximately $2.0 billion, comparable store sales declined 6.0% to 7.0% . It projects third quarter earnings per share of $0.45 to $0.49, compared to prior outlook $0.53 to $0.58 per share. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect the company to report earnings of $0.56 per share for the third-quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. In light of the weaker than expected results through the third quarter, GameStop revised its full year outlook. For fiscal 2016, the company now expects earnings per share to range from $3.65 to $3.80 compared to the prior outlook of adjusted earnings of $3.90 to $4.05 per share. Analysts expect annual earnings of $3.99 per share. Annual comparable store sales decline of 6.5% to 9.5%. 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.
NOYAN, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

Local stakeholders have long been asking for concrete, sustainable measures to improve community and recreational infrastructure. The Government of Canada is proud to invest in projects such as this one by the municipality of Noyan, which contribute to the strength and vitality of all regions of the country.

The Honourable Denis Paradis, Member of Parliament for Brome-Missisquoi, was in Noyan on Saturday, October 29, to take part in the official inauguration of the new city hall wing and the municipal library. Acting on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED, Mr. Paradis took this opportunity to announce that the municipality of Noyan has been granted $100,000 in financial assistance, in the form of a non-repayable contribution, to improve the existing community hall as part of the expansion of city hall.

The funding awarded through the Local Investment Initiative (LII), which comes under CED's Quebec Economic Development Program (QEDP), has enabled the municipality of Noyan to make the community hall facilities more accessible and functional so that community members can get together in a safe, welcoming environment to carry out their activities.

The community hall is located in the Noyan city hall and is mainly used for special events, shows, family gatherings and the activities of community organizations. The work involved the addition of 5,587 square feet to the building's surface area on three floors and the relocation of the community hall in the basement. The addition of an elevator has made the place more accessible to persons with reduced mobility. The assistance from CED was used mainly for work on the community hall.

Quotes

"I am very fortunate to have participated in the inauguration of this major project, which benefits the entire community. I am especially proud that it was the citizens themselves who asked for a hall that was better adapted to their needs and that they were heard. It was therefore natural for the Government of Canada to actively support the municipality in carrying out this mobilizing project."

The Honourable Denis Paradis, Member of Parliament for Brome-Missisquoi

"By investing in our communities, we are clearly showing that we are committed to fostering sustainable growth and prosperity in Canada. By improving community infrastructure such as the municipality of Noyan's community hall, we are helping stimulate the vitality of our communities and ensure a higher quality of life for residents of all ages."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED

"We are pleased to have been able to rely on Canada Economic Development's support, which helped us provide our citizens with improved infrastructure adapted to our environment. Thanks to this funding, the entire community will benefit even more from a place that is dear to them!"

Real Ryan, Mayor of Noyan

CED is one of the six regional development agencies under the responsibility of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.

Related links

CED's website: http://dec-ced.gc.ca/eng/index.html

Municipality of Noyan: https://www.ville.noyan.qc.ca/ (in French only)

Stay connected

Follow CED on Twitter @CanEconDev

Contacts:

Media Relations

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

514-283-8818

dec.media.ced@canada.ca




Copenhagen, 2016-11-02 14:44 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Announcement no. 65DFDS expects to publish the report for Q3 2016 on 15 November 2016 at around 08:00AM CET.CEO Niels Smedegaard and CFO Torben Carlsen will present the report on a live conference call.The presentation in English will be followed by a Q&A session. Investors, analysts and other interested parties are invited to take part.Date: 15 November 2016Time: 11:00 AM CETTelephone: DK +45 70223500 US +1 646 722 4972 UK +44 20 75721187Access code: 44856643#If you wish to take part in the audio conference, please dial up at least five minutes before the conference begins. It will start on time, and participants will be asked to register name and company name beforehand.The conference will be broadcast live on www.dfds.com/group and published there for future reference.Contact Torben Carlsen, CFO +45 33 42 32 01Sren Brndholt Nielsen, IR +45 33 42 33 59Attachment:https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=602703

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.
PALO ALTO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Adaptive Insights, the only pure-play cloud vendor to be named a leader in strategic cloud corporate performance management (CPM), today announced that it has won "Best International CPM Software Provider" in the TMT 2016 Technology Awards. This award continues the momentum of industry accolades for Adaptive Insights and recognizes the impact of its purpose-built cloud CPM software as organizations increasingly turn to the cloud to manage critical business functions.

The 2016 Technology Awards were created to identify the key players, individuals, and innovative firms across the vast technology industry. The judges look for companies that, through determination, commitment and hard work, have developed and shared their ideas to fundamentally evolve the business world and the lives of customers for years to come.

"Real-time, organization-wide access to data, coupled with the ability to plan, analyze and visualize that data instantly, is transforming organizational performance across the globe," said Sean Rollings, vice president of product marketing, Adaptive Insights. "This would not be possible without cloud-based CPM solutions, like the Adaptive Suite, that can be easily deployed by finance and embraced by all types of business users. As the leader and pioneer in cloud CPM with more than 3,000 customers, we see this award as validation that our solution delivers on the promise of cloud-based CPM solutions, putting powerful analytics and visualization at the fingertips of the users who can best leverage them."

Adaptive Insights offers the Adaptive Suite -- a cloud-based CPM platform that delivers incredibly intuitive budgeting, planning, forecasting, reporting, and dashboards while embedding analytics and visualizations into each of these critical corporate performance management functions. The Adaptive Suite is designed for finance and business users; is accessible from anywhere; and features a unified, in-memory architecture for real-time planning and rapid decision making. Through the use of this "modern architecture" the Adaptive Suite provides real-time access to accurate information across the organization.

The Adaptive Suite incorporates intuitive features for maximum ease-of-use, enabling the use of cloud CPM software to become even more pervasive across enterprise environments so that organizations of all sizes can manage growth, ensure sustainability, and enable maximum corporate performance. Users across any organization will find it even easier to model, analyze, and report on their data as they leverage completely redesigned modeling interfaces; new visualizations for enriched financial and operational analysis; and enhanced enterprise-ready features.

Adaptive Insights receives this award following a back-to-back recognition as a leader in the corporate performance management space. Earlier in the year, the company was named to the Leaders Quadrant of the Gartner 2016 Magic Quadrant for Strategic CPM Solutions report -- the first year that a cloud-only vendor has been placed in the Leaders Quadrant of the Gartner Strategic CPM report. The company was also named leader in the Forrester Research, Inc. October 2016 report, The Forrester Wave: Enterprise Performance Management, Q4 2016.

About Adaptive Insights

Adaptive Insights is the recognized leader in cloud corporate performance management (CPM). Via its software as a service (SaaS) platform, the company offers capabilities for budgeting, forecasting, reporting, consolidation, dashboards, and analytics that empower finance, sales, and other business leaders with insight to drive true competitive advantage. The Adaptive Suite is sold direct or is available through Adaptive Insights' robust cloud CPM channel ecosystem of 200+ partners, including Accenture, Armanino, BDO, CohnReznick, Deloitte, Intacct, KPMG, McGladrey, Plex Systems, and Workday. NetSuite also offers Adaptive Planning as its NetSuite Financial Planning Module.

More than 3,000 companies in 85 countries use Adaptive Insights. These range from midsize companies and nonprofits to large corporations, including AAA, Boston Scientific, CORT, Epcor, NetSuite, Philips, P.F. Chang's, and Siemens. Adaptive Insights is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif. For more information, visit www.AdaptiveInsights.com, the Adaptive Insights Blog, and follow Adaptive Insights on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Contact

Carolyn Robinson

Adaptive Insights

650-422-7344

mediainquiries@adaptiveinsights.com




Initial results from more than 800 atrial fibrillation patients presented at Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics 2016 indicate the AMPLATZER Amulet LAA Occluder is a safe alternative to prevent stroke

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ), a global medical device company, today presented favorable results from the largest observational study to date of the company's AMPLATZER Amulet left atrial appendage (LAA) occluder. The data were presented in a Late Breaking Clinical Trial session at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) Conference in Washington, D.C.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005979/en/

The St. Jude Medical AMPLATZER Amulet device is used to completely seal off the left atrial appendage (LAA) in patients diagnosed with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Sealing off the LAA in patients with AF may prevent the risk of blood clot formation and release, potentially reducing that risk. (Photo: St. Jude Medical)

The prospective, multicenter, international AMPLATZER Amulet Observational Study of LAA occlusion (closure) enrolled 1,073 patients at 64 centers across 18 countries. Initial results from the study showed a 98.8 percent implant success rate adding to the clinical evidence that the AMPLATZER Amulet LAA Occluder is a safe alternative for prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF).

The AMPLATZER Amulet LAA Occluder is used to close the LAA (an appendage of the left atrium) in patients diagnosed with non-valvular AF. Atrial fibrillation occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (atria) contract rapidly and irregularly, which can disrupt efficient pumping of the blood out of the heart. Blood that pools in the atria can clot and, if the clot moves to an artery in the brain, stroke may occur. Studies have shown that AF can dramatically increase the risk of stroke for patients and for many patients, medication has historically been the option physicians turn to most often.

"Patients with atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke are usually prescribed anticoagulant medication, but this treatment comes with some limitations. Patients might not tolerate the medication, plus there's a risk for major bleeding," said Dr. David Hildick-Smith from Sussex Cardiac Centre at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Brighton, United Kingdom and principal investigator of the AMPLATZER Amulet Observational Study. "By closing the LAA with the AMPLATZER Amulet device, physicians can seal off the LAA, with the objective of reducing the risk of stroke and eliminating the need for oral anticoagulants."

Other key findings of the Amulet Observational study include:

Closure rate was 99 percent at one to three month follow-up visit (n=364). Closure was defined as absence of flow or flow of 3 mm jet into the LAA. All echocardiography results were adjudicated by an independent core lab.

Acute device/procedure related major adverse events within seven days post procedure occurred in 2.7 percent (29) of 1,073 patients.

"Initial data from this large-scale observational study continue to affirm the AMPLATZER Amulet LAA Occluder as an important treatment option to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with non-valvular AF," said Dr. Srijoy Mahapatra, medical director and vice president of medical affairs at St. Jude Medical. "The AMPLATZER Amulet Occluder has favorable closure rates when compared to other device reports in a similar patient group."

The AMPLATZER Amulet Left Atrial Appendage Occluder is CE Mark approved, but remains an investigational device in the United States. In September, St. Jude Medical announced the start of the AMPLATZER Amulet LAA Occluder IDE trial, evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the company's AMPLATZER Amulet occluder device. The trial will enroll patients at up to 100 sites in the United States and an additional 50 sites internationally.

The shape and size of an LAA can vary greatly. The AMPLATZER Amulet LAA Occluder has a conformable disc and lobe designed for complete occlusion of the LAA and offers the broadest size range available. The device offers physicians options to help meet the anatomical demands of patients in need of LAA closure.

About Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke

During AF, chaotic electrical signals in the heart's upper chambers (atria) beat erratically and out of sync with the two lower chambers, resulting in poor blood flow. The LAA is a tube-shaped appendage connected to the left atrium of the heart that can potentially hold static blood during an episode of AF, increasing the likelihood of clot formation. Research shows that in AF patients, approximately 90 percent of all cardiac blood clots form in the LAA. If a clot forms in the LAA and is then released into the heart, it may enter blood circulation, travel to the brain, block a vessel and cause an ischemic stroke. The current standard of care to treat ischemic stroke in AF patients is blood-thinning medications, which comes with major, sometimes fatal, bleeding risks.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 15 million strokes occur worldwide each year. In 2010, stroke cost the United States an estimated $53.9 billion in health care services, medications and missed days of work.

About St. Jude Medical

St. Jude Medical is a leading global medical device manufacturer and is dedicated to transforming the treatment of some of the world's most expensive epidemic diseases. The company does this by developing cost-effective medical technologies that save and improve lives of patients around the world. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., St. Jude Medical has five major areas of focus that include heart failure, atrial fibrillation, neuromodulation, traditional cardiac rhythm management, and cardiovascular. For more information, please visit sjm.com or follow us on Twitter @SJM_Media.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include the expectations, plans and prospects for the company, including potential clinical successes, reimbursement strategies, anticipated regulatory approvals and future product launches, and projected revenues, margins, earnings and market shares. The statements made by the company are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include market conditions and other factors beyond the company's control and the risk factors and other cautionary statements described in the company's filings with the SEC, including those described in the Risk Factors and Cautionary Statements sections of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2016. The company does not intend to update these statements and undertakes no duty to any person to provide any such update under any circumstance.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102005979/en/

Contacts:

St. Jude Medical, Inc.

Investor Relations:

J.C. Weigelt, 651-756-4347

jweigelt@sjm.com

or

Media Relations:

Gina O'Connell, 651-756-3380

goconnell02@sjm.com
2 p.m. UPDATE: The Ste. Genevieve County Sheriffs Department and the FBI are still out at the Messer farm located off Route DD near Dry Fork Road in Bloomsdale processing the scene where skeletal remains were found Tuesday evening.

Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff Gary Stolzer said they are still investigating the area and havent made any determinations at this time.

The FBI is helping us collect and handle the scene right now, said Stolzer. Also they are helping us collect everything we can collect and then they will turn it over to us, the coroner and the pathologist.

Stolzer said the remains will most likely remain local, but he isnt sure where they will be going at this time.

Its not a small area we are processing and we are being very thorough, explained Stolzer. It will take time.

The skeletal remains were found by a family member who was scouting the area for a hunting location approximately a mile from the rural home.

Lynn Messer went missing on July 8, 2014 and a large scale search was underway within hours of being reported missing. During the initial search by law enforcement, they searched approximately 400 acres on the farm and surrounding the farm.

In an earlier interview Kerry Messer said there were some details, location and some articles that were found, that makes them believe it very likely it could be Lynn.

There has been no confirmation on whether or not the remains could be Lynn or someone else at this point. Lynn is the only reported missing person in Ste. Genevieve County at this time.

Sheriff Stolzer agreed to keep the Daily Journal updated as information is available.

ORIGINAL STORY: Skeletal remains were found on the Messer farm at the junction of Route DD and Dry Fork Road in Ste. Genevieve County early Tuesday evening around dusk by a hunter scouting the area in preparation for deer hunting.

Lynn Messer went missing just over two years ago. Her husband Kerry Messer, 57, a conservative Jefferson City lobbyist, told investigators he woke up in the early morning hours on July 8, 2014, at his rural home to find his then 52-year-old wife missing.

An intense investigation started that morning once the authorities were notified. Kerry reportedly searched the common areas around their 250 acre farm where she would normally be found before filing a report.

The Messer farm soon became a flurry of activity when the St. Louis Regional Command Post, Eureka Search and Rescue, along with area K-9 search teams, local fire departments and volunteers converged and began searching.

As days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months, the search parties eventually slowed and dwindled. In the two years since volunteer searchers had searched approximately 5,000 acres. The initial search by law enforcement comprised approximately 400 acres including and surrounding the farm.

Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff Gary Stolzer said this morning that the FBI has been called in to process the entire scene. He reminded that it's too early to confirm for sure that the remains are that of Lynn Messer.

We were called last night and it was discovered by a hunter in the woods who was scouting out hunting locations, said Stolzer. When we got there it was dark so we didnt do anything with the scene. We just identified it was in fact skeletal remains and contacted the FBI. They will be here shortly.

Stolzer said the remains were located approximately a mile from the house and that no media would be allowed on the property.

Kerry wants no media there and no one will be able to reach the area, said Stolzer. We are no further today on this case, other than we have a body. We dont know if there was foul play, we dont know if she just walked off, we dont know (anything) right now.

Kerry Messer said this morning that they have to wait for confirmation.

It was a hunter who found something and there are some details there that makes us think it very likely it could be Lynn, explained Kerry. The location and some articles that were found. I have no absolute confirmation on anything and the sheriffs department hasnt touched anything from what I understand.

"I cant confirm whether there were artificial hips. (Lynn Messer had undergone two hip replacement surgeries over the years.) The FBI is supposed to show up later this morning to start processing the scene.

Kerry added he is not sure how long he will have to wait to find anything out and stressed this is why they need all hunters everywhere to be vigilant and not to assume anything.

Ironically, Kerry started a dedicated campaign last year to have hunters everywhere pay close attention for such things as small personal items that might otherwise just appear to be trash, but that might be significant in any missing person investigation.

Missouri hunters urged to support hurting families With the main firearms deer season in Missouri in full swing, Support the Hurting, a newly f

Right now we are trying to hold ourselves together while we wait for the confirmation, which we suspect is going to be what we fear, said Kerry. This was an area that was searched before and I dont understand that. Over the last two plus years I have seen numerous stories of the remains of missing persons being found in the exact same spots where they searched with dogs years before. This is going to possibly be one of those cases.

Kerry said this may not be Lynn, this may be someone else, but Lynn is the only reported missing person in the immediate area.

Sheriff Stolzer agreed to keep the Daily Journal updated as information is available.
INDORE, India, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Automated material handling market is growing with a CAGR of around 8% attributed to increasing demand for the automated solution from various applications like manufacturing, automotive and electrical. The automotive and electrical industries are the major application where the demand for industrial robots are very high as compared to other application. In 2015, around 1500 industrial robots are being used in automotive application for per 10,000 population in USA. Although, growing expansion of manufacturing facility across the globe, majorly in emerging economies such as India, China have boosted the requirement for automated material handling across industries. On the word of International Federation of Robotics, around 60,000 industrial robots were sold in China only in 2015. In 2016, the demand for industrial robots is around $3 billion in China only, such high demand for industrial robots in China has been witnessed due to the increasing investment in automation by a wide range of domestic industries in China.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161024/431641LOGO )



To have a brief overview of the report please click on the following link

http://www.occamsresearch.com/Automated-Materials-Handling-Market

Robotic Systems: The Growth Driver

Robotic system is one of the highly demanded product in industries for process automation. In 2015 around 240,000 industrial robots were sold globally by about 25% increase in the sales from 2014. The automotive and the electronics industry were the key drivers for this growth. From the last decade, the industrial robotics demand has accelerated considerably owing to the ongoing trend towards automation and the continuous technical improvements in the industrial robots. The technological innovation is the major factor which is increasing the demand for the automated material handling across the globe. Various key players across the globe are investing a money for the development of the industrial robots. In 2015, ABB has innovated a dual arm, collaborative, small parts assembly robotic system named "YuMi" moreover, KUKA Robotics also produced a sensitive collaborative industrial robot termed "LBR iiwa" in the year 2015. There are various other players Universal Robotics and others are innovating new technology for the automated material handling.

To contact us please click on the following link

http://www.occamsresearch.com/contact-us

High Initial investment: Hurdle to The Growth

The high cost of industrial robots is one of the major factor which is hampering the growth in the global automated material handling market. The companies and government have to invest huge amount for the development of new technology in the automated material handling. It is expected that from 2015 to 2025 the investment in all type of automation rise to around $190 billion by 2025 up from around $10 billion in 2015.

About Occams Business Research & Consulting (OBRC)

Occams Business Research & Consulting has been in the business (Market Research) for the past three years. OBRC, based in India, is formed by two women analysts, Shyamal Moghe and Sathya Durga, who started the company after years of working as analysts and project managers for companies such as Frost & Sullivan, Smart Analyst etc. and have an excellent track record for the best customer satisfaction.

Shyamal Moghe (Shyamal Moghe)

Sathya Durga (Sathya Durga)

Contact:

Shyamal Moghe

Tel: +91-9850553315

Email: sales@occamsresearch.com




SEATTLE, WA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- CFN Media Group, the leading creative agency and digital media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces the publication of an article covering Medical Marijuana Inc.'s (OTC PINK: MJNA) wide ranging presence in the emerging legal cannabinoid-based pharmaceutical and medicines market in advance of the United States' elections. Included is a discussion of AXIM Biotechnologies, one of MJNA's leading portfolio companies.

Medical Marijuana Inc. is a diversified conglomerate with a focus on the extraction and formulation of cannabinoid-based products. The company targets pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmeceutical industries. These products are distributed across a growing number of countries around the world, including Mexico, Brazil, Paraguay, and Puerto Rico.

The company's portfolio provides investors with built-in diversified exposure to the cannabis industry in a single publicly traded entity. For example, AXIM Biotechnologies and Kannalife provide exposure to the biotech side of the industry while HempMeds and Kannaway are focused on the consumer side.

Medical Marijuana Inc.'s stock has soared more than 140% over the past few weeks, as the market begins to realize the company's potential. This, coupled with the "November Election Factor," has led a turnaround in many out-of-favor cannabis stocks over the past weeks. The prior cycle, MJNA peaked at 48 cents based on future speculation of cannabis law reform. The advance this period is partly based on speculation -- but there are now significant fundamental forces taking hold.

Click here to read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/medical-marijuana-mjna-soars-ahead-of-pivotal-u-s-elections/

Learn how to become a CFN Media featured company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/become-featured-company/

Download the CFN Media iOS mobile app to access the world of cannabis from your smart phone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cannabisfn/id988009247?ls=1&mt=8

Or visit our homepage and enter your mobile number under the Apple App Store logo to receive a download link text on your iPhone: http://www.cannabisfn.com

About CFN Media

CFN Media (CannabisFN) is the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis. We help marijuana businesses attract investors, customers (B2B, B2C), capital, and media visibility. Private and public marijuana companies and brands in the US and Canada rely on CFN Media to grow and succeed.

About Medical Marijuana Inc.

Our mission is to be the premier cannabis and hemp industry innovators, leveraging our team of professionals to source, evaluate and purchase value-added companies and products, while allowing them to keep their integrity and entrepreneurial spirit. We strive to create awareness within our industry, develop environmentally friendly, economically sustainable businesses, while increasing shareholder value. For details on Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s portfolio and investment companies, visit http://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com.

To see Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s video statement, click here.

Shareholders are also encouraged to visit the Medical Marijuana, Inc. Shop for discounted products.

Disclaimer:

Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CFN Media and CannabisFN.com, is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. Emerging Growth LLC may from time to time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Emerging Growth LLC may be compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation or equity securities in the companies it writes about, or a combination of the two. For full disclosure please visit: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/.

CFN Media

Frank Lane

206-369-7050

flane@cannabisfn.com




BANGALORE and PARIS, November 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Infosys Finacle-Efma Research Shows 78 Percent of Banks Becoming More Customer Centric Through Reimagining Banking Practices

Infosys Finacle, part of EdgeVerve Systems, a product subsidiary of Infosys (NYSE: INFY), and Efma, a global not-for-profit organization today launched the eighth annual study of 'Innovation in retail banking'. The research revealed that 77 percent of banks regard the threat from technology companies, start-ups, retailers and/or telecom players as high or very high. Over half now consider the threat from technology companies and start-up challenger banks as significant.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151104/283829LOGO )



However, the research, in which 158 banks from 56 countries participated, showed that banks have largely embraced digitization and are aggressively adopting new technologies in order to innovate. The proportion of banks with an innovation strategy has increased to 74 percent in 2016, from only 37 percent in 2009. In addition, banks are now more likely to collaborate with start-ups in order to stay competitive, with nearly three quarters (73 percent) seeing them as the best way to leverage new technologies.

Key findings:

The vast majority (86 percent) of banks believe that emerging competitors will have a significant impact in the payments area

Additionally, 73 percent of banks consider working with innovative start-ups as the best approach to access disruptive technologies. Meanwhile 41 percent are collaborating with start-ups as suppliers, 32 percent are making direct investments into start-ups, and 27 percent are running accelerators and incubators

For half of the banks surveyed, legacy technology environments are the biggest barrier to digital transformation, followed by a lack of unified vision (44 percent) and a lack of skills and expertise (38 percent)

Three quarters (74 percent) of banks now have an innovation strategy in place and more than two-thirds (69 percent) believe they are becoming more innovative; but the proportion of banks increasing innovation investment has fallen to 78 percent from 84 percent last year

The most disruptive new technology for banks is advanced analytics and big data, with 79 percent of banks claiming it is having a significant impact now or will have within in the next two years. This is followed by mobility and wearables (75 percent) and open APIs (69 percent)

A fifth of banks are launching or considering launching a digital only bank as a strategy for dealing with digital transformation

Open API Technology is seen as a major development that will have a high impact on the industry over the next two years, especially with local compliance forcing banks to open their payment systems

Quotes:

Vincent Bastid, CEO, Efma:

"This year's global banking study shows that banks have resolutely turned to start-ups to drive their own digital transformations. However, banks are being held back by old legacy systems and are still divided on where and how much to invest. Banks should think globally and embrace new ways of doing business."

Sanat Rao, Global Head of Infosys Finacle, EdgeVerve:

"Changing customer preferences, rapid evolution of technology and pressures from outside of the traditional banking world are accelerating a major transformation of the banking industry. The confluence of these forces is putting digitization at the center of technology renewal, enabling multi-channel touch-points for superior customer service. From the research findings and customer interactions, it will likely be the development of open API's, AI and blockchain that shall cause the next big change in banking."

Additional Resources:

Download the full 2016 report

View related infographic, video and other collaterals

Download last year's report: Innovation in Retail Banking 2015

About Efma

A global non-profit organisation, established in 1971 by banks and insurance companies, Efma facilitates networking between decision-makers. It provides quality insights to help banks and insurance companies make the right decisions to foster innovation and drive their transformation. Over 3,300 brands in 130 countries are Efma members.

Headquarters in Paris. Offices in London, Brussels, Barcelona, Stockholm, Bratislava, Dubai, Mumbai and Singapore. Learn more http://www.efma.com

About EdgeVerve Systems Ltd

EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys, develops innovative software products and offers them on-premise or as cloud-hosted business platforms. Our products help businesses develop deeper connections with stakeholders, power continuous innovation and accelerate growth in the digital world. We power our clients' growth in rapidly evolving areas like banking, digital marketing, interactive commerce, distributive trade, credit servicing, customer service and enterprise buying.

Today EdgeVerve products are used by global corporations across financial services, insurance, retail and CPG, life sciences, manufacturing, and telecom. Finacle, part of the product company EdgeVerve Systems, a subsidiary of Infosys, is a universal banking solution, and the choice of financial institutions across 94 countries and serves over 848 million customers - estimated to be nearly 16.5 percent of the world's adult banked population. Over a billion bank accounts are powered by Finacle globally.

To know more, visithttp://www.edgeverve.com

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this press release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. These filings are available at http://www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. In addition, please note that the date of this press release is November 2, 2016, and any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of this date. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the company unless it is required by law.
NEW DELHI (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Embassy in India has warned American citizens of a possible attack by Islamic State terrorists in India. In a Security Message issued on Tuesday, it said recent Indian media reports indicate ISIL's desire to attack targets in India. The U.S. Embassy warned U.S. Citizens of an increased threat to places in India frequented by Westerners, such as religious sites, markets, and festival venues. It advised all U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as detailed in the State Department's Worldwide Caution of September 9, 2016. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Octane AI, a platform that enables businesses to set up a powerful chatbot on Facebook Messenger in minutes, today announced the release of its private beta product. In addition, Octane AI announced $1.5 million in funding led by General Catalyst Partners, including investments from notable institutional and angel investors such as Boost VC, Dimension 6, Ustream founder Brad Hunstable, Hired and Talkable founder Allan Grant and angel Lawrence Braitman.

Instead of building a chatbot from the ground up, Octane AI enables businesses to create a chatbot simply by choosing and customizing plugins. Octane AI's chatbot plugins are designed using industry best practices and can show off merchandise, feature content, send notifications, answer questions automatically, schedule meetings and more.

"It's hard to imagine running any type business today without a solid website. Soon chatbots will be just as transformative and ubiquitous," said Phil Libin, managing director at General Catalyst. "The team at Octane has a super crisp and compelling plan for making this a reality."

Octane AI is currently an invite-only beta program, powering the chatbots for a number of influential partners on Messenger's one billion user platform including: 50 Cent, Aerosmith, Curejoy, Epic Rights, KISS, Magic Mike, NextShark, Shots Studios, SPiN and more -- along with partners in Asia including Cinta Laura, Gushcloud and Joanne Peh.

Every Business Will Have a Chatbot

Chatbots enable businesses to automate one-on-one conversations with hundreds, thousands and even millions of customers via messaging. Instead of emailing the business, people can message the chatbot and get an answer instantly. Instead of calling the business to schedule an appointment, the chatbot can do it for them.

"At Octane AI, we believe chatbots are lightweight mobile applications that are delivered to people via existing messaging platforms like Messenger," said Ben Parr, Octane AI Co-founder and CMO.

As messaging apps become the most popular form of communication, chatbots will become the primary way that customers and businesses communicate. And similarly to how every business has an email and social media strategy, every business will have a messaging strategy.

"99 percent of businesses don't want to spend months, weeks or even hours setting up a chatbot," said Octane AI Co-founder and CEO Matt Schlicht. "That's why Octane AI enables you to build a powerful chatbot in minutes without the need to code anything. We provide the technology so that you can focus on the content, experience and personality."

The Story of Octane AI

Octane AI was founded in May 2016 by Y Combinator alum, former Ustream product manager, 2x Forbes 30 Under 30 and Chatbots Magazine creator Matt Schlicht; alongside former Mashable co-editor and editor-at-large, CNET columnist, venture capitalist, Forbes 30 under 30, and Captivology author Ben Parr; and Omegle creator and owner Leif K-Brooks.

Octane AI came into existence as a result of the difficulty that exists in creating and managing chatbots today. Matt became fascinated with messaging since discovering that top messaging platforms are bigger and growing faster than the top social networks. His interest in messaging led him to create Chatbots Magazine, the Bots Group on Facebook and the definitive beginner's guide to chatbots.

Chatbots Magazine now captivates over 200,000 readers per month, and the Bots Group has become the largest community of chatbot developers in the world, with 17,000+ developers, investors and enthusiasts discussing bots, messaging and artificial intelligence.

About Octane AI

Octane AI enables businesses to set up a powerful chatbot in minutes and gives them the power to engage their customers via messaging apps. Octane AI chatbots help businesses, brands and individuals with tasks such as customer support, showing off content, showcasing merchandise, answering frequently asked questions, letting customers subscribe to notifications and more. The company was founded in 2016 by Matt Schlicht, Ben Parr and Leif K-Brooks and is based in San Francisco.

Visit Octane AI's website to sign up for the private beta. You can also check out Chatbots Magazine at this link and follow Octane AI on Facebook, Twitter, Medium and of course, the Octane AI chatbot, Octie.

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PR Contact:

Inner Circle Labs for Octane AI

Meredith Klee

T: (415) 684-9407

E: OctaneAI@innercirclelabs.com




NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) announced today that John Perkins and Christy Carter have joined the firm as partners and managing directors in its Principal Investors & Private Equity (PIPE) practice. Their appointments add a combined 30 years of industry experience to the practice.

Perkins, who is based in Los Angeles, has more than two decades of experience working with financial sponsors. Prior to joining BCG, he was a managing director and head of the financial-sponsors practice at Houlihan Lokey, an international investment bank.

Before that, he was a partner and director at Bain & Company, a management consultancy, where he worked for 25 years. He served in a number of roles, including as head of the firm's North America debt practice and its Los Angeles private equity practice. He also was a leader in Bain's health care and industrial goods practices.

Carter, who is based in New York, joins BCG from CCMP Capital Advisors, a $3.6 billion private equity firm, where she worked for five years evaluating and executing transactions and overseeing portfolio companies in the consumer, retail, and business service sectors. Her investment focus there was on high-growth companies with the potential for further acceleration.

Prior to working at CCMP Capital, Carter spent seven years at Bain & Company, where she advised many private equity clients on potential investments across a wide variety of sectors as well as internal fund strategy. She also counseled industrial and consumer companies, including some of this country's largest retailers, on growth strategy.

As senior members of BCG's PIPE practice, Perkins and Carter will advise global investment firms on due diligence and post-close transformation across sectors and asset classes. BCG's clients include some of the world's largest private equity investors, hedge funds, pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and real estate and infrastructure funds.

Perkins said, "It is my singular privilege to contribute to serving clients of the fast-growing PIPE practice, and it is my pleasure to be doing so in the company of many dedicated and collaborative colleagues." Added Carter, "I am thrilled to join BCG and am looking forward to lending my experience and expertise to a suite of world-class clients."

Tawfik Hammoud, the global leader of the PIPE practice, said, "John and Christy -- with their track records in advising senior business leaders, coupled with their deep industry knowledge -- are terrific additions not only to our PIPE practice but also to BCG as a whole."

Perkins is a trustee and board member of Echo Parenting & Education. He earned a master's degree in international policy from Stanford University and an undergraduate degree in political science from Whitworth University.

Carter earned a master's degree in business administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Georgia Tech, where she graduated with highest honors.

To arrange an interview with one of the authors, please contact Dave Fondiller at +1 212 446 3257 or fondiller.david@bcg.com.

About The Boston Consulting Group

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world's leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in all regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their enterprises. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with 85 offices in 48 countries. For more information, please visit bcg.com.

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SAN CARLOS, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Alliance Memory today announced its technology lineup for electronica 2016, taking place Nov. 8-11 at the Munich Trade Fair Centre in Munich, Germany. In booth A5.224, the company will be highlighting its latest high-speed CMOS synchronous DRAMs (SDRAM), including new low-power mobile (MSDR), double data rate (DDR), DDR2, mobile low-power DDR2 (LPDDR2), and DDR3 SDRAMs in a variety of densities. The company will also highlight its offering of discontinued Micron Semiconductor 512-Mb SDRAMs and a variety of components for automotive applications. In addition, Alliance Memory will showcase 16-Mb fast CMOS SRAMs in a wide range of packages.

At electronica 2016, Alliance Memory will highlight Micron Semiconductor 512-Mb SDRAMs in the 54-pin TSOP II package with commercial (0 degrees C to +70 degrees C) and industrial (-40 degrees C to +85 degrees C) temperature ranges and operation from a single +3.3-V (+/-0.3 V) power supply. Lead (Pb)- and halogen-free, the MT48LC32M16A2P-75:C, MT48LC32M16A2P-75 IT:C, MT48LC64M8A2P-75:C, and MT48LC64M8A2P-75 IT:C are PC100- and PC133-compliant.

To extend battery life in mobile devices, Alliance Memory will showcase new 512-Mb MSDRs in 54-ball and 90-ball FPBGA packages, and LPDDR2 components featuring densities of 1 Gb, 2 Gb, 4 Gb, and 8 Gb in 134-ball FBGA packages. The ICs offer low power consumption of 1.8 V and a number of power-saving features, including auto temperature-compensated self-refresh (ATCSR); partial array self-refresh (PASR); and a deep power down (DPD) mode.

DDR SDRAMs on display at electronica 2016 will include a new 1-Gb device with a fast clock rate of 166 MHz in the 66-pin TSOP package. Offered in 84-ball and 60-ball FBGA packages, highlighted DDR2 SDRAMs will feature fast clock rates of 400 MHz and data rates of 800 Mbps/pin. DDR3 SDRAMs on display will include new monolithic, low-voltage 8-Gb devices with extremely fast transfer rates of up to 1600 Mbps/pin, clock rates of 800 MHz, and backwards-compatibility with +1.5-V power supplies to enable large memory subsystems.

Alliance Memory will highlight a wide variety of components that provide an automotive temperature range of -40 degrees C to +105 degrees C. Featured ICs will include 64-Mb, 128-Mb, and 256-Mb SDRAMs with clock rates of 166 MHz in 54-pin TSOP II and 54-ball FBGA packages; 64-Mb DDR SDRAMs with data rates of 400 Mbps/pin in the 66-pin TSOP II; 512-Mb and 1-Gb DDR2 SDRAMs in 84-ball and 60-ball FBGA packages with data rates of 800 Mbps/pin; and 1-Gb to 4-Gb DDR3 SDRAMs that feature data rates of 1600 Mbps/pin.

In addition to its SDRAMs, Alliance Memory will be showcasing its offering of fast CMOS SRAMs. Featuring access times of 10 ns, components on display will include 16-Mb devices in TSOP I, TSOP II, and TFGBA packages. The ICs provide low power consumption with operating currents down to 70 mA typical and standby currents of 4 mA typical.

Alliance Memory's ICs provide reliable drop-in, pin-for-pin-compatible replacements for a number of similar solutions in industrial, automotive, medical, communications, telecom, and consumer electronics products requiring high memory bandwidth, and they are particularly well-suited to high performance in PC applications. The devices eliminate costly redesigns by providing long-term support for end-of-life (EOL) components. In addition, the company performs minimal or no die shrinks, which frees up engineering resources.

electronica is the world's leading trade fair for components, systems, and applications. More information on the event is available at http://www.electronica.de/.

About Alliance Memory Inc.

Alliance Memory is a worldwide provider of legacy memory products for the communications, computing, consumer electronics, medical, automotive, and industrial markets. The company's product range includes a full range of asynchronous and synchronous SRAMs, low-power SRAMs, ZMD low-power SRAMs, 3.3 V synchronous DRAMs (SDR), low power mobile SDRAMs (MSDRs), and DDRs, 2.5 V single (DDR1), 1.8 V double (DDR2), and 1.5 V & 1.35 V triple rate (DDR3) synchronous DRAMs. Depending on the family, these products are available with commercial, industrial, and automotive operating temperature ranges and with densities from 64K to 8G. Alliance Memory is a privately held company with headquarters in San Carlos, California, and regional offices in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, China, and Southeast Asia. More information about Alliance Memory is available online at www.alliancememory.com.

Agency Contact:

Bob Decker

Redpines

+1 415 409 0233

Email Contact



Alliance Memory Contact:

Kim Bagby

CFO

+1 650 610 6800

Email Contact




SAN JOSE, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- OneSpin Solutions, provider of innovative formal verification solutions for error-free digital integrated circuits (ICs), will travel to Japan for IEEE Asian Solid-State Circuits Conference (IEEE A-SSCC) November 8 and Israel November 15 for SemIsrael Expo 2016, demonstrating its range of formal verification solutions.

Additionally, OneSpin's Joerg Grosse, Safety Critical Solution product manager, will present, "Formal Fault Analysis for ISO 26262 Fault Metrics on Real-World Designs," during Design Verification Club (DVClub) November 29, an event dedicated to the topic of safety. The event, organized by Test and Verification Solutions (T&VS), will be broadcast simultaneously in various locations in the U.K. and France or via worldwide remote access. Registration information can be found at: http://bit.ly/2eIA3Cv

OneSpin will exhibit at IEEE A-SSCC Tuesday, November 8, and Wednesday, November 9, at the Toyama International Conference Center in Toyama, Japan. For details, visit the website at: http://bit.ly/2eOPDMp

OneSpin will have a booth at SemIsrael, a one-day event for the Israeli Semiconductor Community to be held Tuesday, November 15, at the Avenue Convention Center in Airport City, Israel. To learn more, visit: http://bit.ly/2fcL5CJ

About OneSpin Solutions

Electronic design automation (EDA) supplier OneSpin Solutions demonstrates formal verification leadership through a range of advanced, leading-edge verification solutions for reliable digital integrated circuits (ICs). Its comprehensive product line improves verification quality and coverage while accelerating and simplifying development processes through automated and advanced verification techniques. Leading semiconductor and electronic system companies across all industry sectors rely on OneSpin in their innovative product development to achieve the highest possible product quality while reducing time-to-market pressures. Its United States headquarters is located in San Jose, Calif. Corporate headquarters is in Munich, Germany. Email: info@onspin.com. Website: www.onespin.com Follow OneSpin on Twitter @OneSpinSolution

OneSpin, OneSpin Solutions, OneSpin 360, and the OneSpin logo are trademarks of OneSpin Solutions GmbH. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For more information, contact:

Nanette Collins

Public Relations for OneSpin Solutions

(617) 437-1822

Email Contact



Annette Bley

Public Relations for OneSpin Solutions

+44 (0)20 7482 4800

Email Contact




London (ots/PRNewswire) -Das Projekt wird die Deckung der Aktienanalyse und die Verteilung der an der Borse von Singapur gelisteten Aktien fordernEdison Investment Research ist erfreut, mitteilen zu durfen, dass das Unternehmen mit der Borse in Singapur (SGX) ubereingekommen ist, der internationale Research-Anbieter eines nichtgerateten, global vertriebenen Research-Products fur das neu geschaffene SGX StockFacts Research-Programm zu werden. SGX StockFacts hat es sich zum Ziel gesetzt, die Deckung der Aktienanalyse zu fordern und die Rolle der Analyse der an der SGX gelisteten Aktien und der groeren Investorengemeinschaft zu starken. Alle am Mainboard und Catalist der Borse von Singapur notierten Unternehmen sind zur Teilnahme am Programm eingeladen. Die SGX wird die Research-Anbieter in Kurze vorstellen.(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130417/608168 )Die Aktienborsen erkennen zunehmend an, dass der Mangel an Analysen der an Borsen gefuhrten Aktien nicht im Interesse der Unternehmen ist. Auerdem hat man erkannt, dass das Handelsvolumen zunehmend nicht nur von der institutionellen Investorengemeinschaft generiert wird, sondern ebenso aus privaten Vermogen und von Gemeinschaften aus Kleinanlegern, denen der Zugang zu verlasslichen Daten und hochwertigen Analysen fehlt. Dies fuhrt dazu, dass Aktienborsen groere Budgetmittel fur die Bereitstellung von Analysen aufwenden, da Sie im Wettbewerb miteinander stehen, um als Borsenplatz attraktiv zu sein.Analysen von Research-Unternehmen wie Edison sind eine bedeutsame und global anerkannte Art und Weise, eine angemessene Preisgestaltung der gelisteten Unternehmen zu fordern. Hochwertige Aktienanalysen helfen bei der Untersuchung der von den Herausgebern veroffentlichten Informationen und unterstutzen dabei, einen Kontext fur Geschafte innerhalb ihres lokalen und globalen Investorenmarktes zu schaffen. Mit uber 80 Analysten, die nach Branchenkenntnissen organisiert sind, analysiert Edison uber 400 Unternehmen weltweit und ist somit eines der groten Investment-Research-Unternehmen der Welt. Seine Analysen werden uber die weitreichenden Vertriebsplattformen und Partnernetzwerke verteilt und stehen weltweit auf professionellen und Internet-Informationsplattformen zur Verfugung.Neil Shah, Director of Research bei Edison Investment Research teilte mit: "Aufgrund der globalen Auswirkungen der regulatorischen Anderungen in Europa auf die traditionelle Fahigkeit der Verkaufsseite, eine groe Anzahl von Aktien wirtschaftlich zu decken, erwarten wir wesentliche Veranderungen im Umfeld der Research-Leistungen. Aktienborsen spielen eine wesentliche Rolle bei der Bereitstellung von Aktienanalysen. Im Laufe der vergangenen vier Jahre haben wir die Borse von Singapur gut kennengelernt und wir befurworten ihre innovative Herangehensweise mit StockFacts, einem Werkzeug, das die Aktienentdeckung erleichtert. Das StockFacts Research-Programm baut auf dem StockFacts-Portal auf und stellt weiterfuhrende Informationen fur Investoren bereit, um die fur sie interessanten Aktien besser zu verstehen. Edison wird ein nichtgeratetes Produkt anbieten, dessen Ziel es ist, SGX-Aktien fur die Investoren in einen internationalen Kontext zu setzen."SGX StockFacts wurde ursprunglich im Jahr 2014 als Kooperationsprojekt zwischen SGX und S&P Capital IQ ins Leben gerufen. Es bietet Investoren die Moglichkeit, Aktien mit mehr als 20 Screening-Kriterien zu filtern.Redaktionelle HinweiseUber EdisonEdison ist ein Investment-Research- und Beratungsunternehmen, das unter den Marken Edison Investment Research und Edison Advisers operiert und uber Sitze in Nordamerika, Europa, dem Nahen Osten und Asien-Pazifik-Raum verfugt. Das Herz von Edison ist unsere weltweit anerkannte Aktienanalysen-Plattform und unsere umfassende Fachkompetenz in verschiedenen Branchen. Unsere Analysen werden von zahlreichen internationalen Investoren, Beratern und Stakeholdern gelesen. Edison Advisers nutzt unsere Analyse-Plattform, um differenzierte Dienstleistungen bereitzustellen, wozu auch Investor Relations und Strategische Beratung zahlen.Fur nahere Informationen: http://www.edisoninvestmentresearch.co.uk. Edison ist ein von der Financial Conduct Authority (https://register.fca.org.uk/ShPo_FirmDet ailsPage?id=001b000000MfYL6AAN) (FCA) autorisiertes und reguliertes Unternehmen.OTS: Edison Investment Research newsroom: http://www.presseportal.de/nr/110169 newsroom via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_110169.rss2Pressekontakt: Erfahren Sie mehr und verbinden http://www.edisongroup.com Sie sich mit Edison uber:LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/edison-investment-research Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Edison_Inv_Res YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/edisonitv Google+: https://plus.google.com/105425025202328783163/postsKontaktieren Sie Edison Investment Research: Neil Shah, +44(0)20-3077-5700 Fraser Thorne, +44(0)20-3077-5700 Will Manuel, +44(0)20-3077-5700 Morgan Rossiter: James Rossiter/Tania Wild, +44(0)203-195-3240
DEAR ABBY: I went to the market the other day, and there was a woman sitting on the sidewalk with two children -- a boy who looked to be about 6 and a girl about 2. She was holding a sign asking for help ($). I wanted so badly to say something to her about what a poor example she was setting for her children by begging. It made me angry because I imagine she's using her kids as "props" to evoke sympathy.

This is a nice area. I would think she could better present herself to her kids by looking for a job! What would have been an appropriate comment to make to her that might help put her on the right track to show her kids how to grow up to be responsible people who work for a living? -- LOOKING OUT FOR CHILDREN IN IRVINE, CALIF.

DEAR LOOKING: It's wrong to assume anything when you see someone who is panhandling. The woman you saw could have been homeless, drug-addicted, short on money or mentally ill. She could also have fled an abusive husband or partner. That's why it's inappropriate to scold or lecture a panhandler.

If you had said anything at all, you might have offered that there are dozens of shelters and organizations in Irvine that help the unfortunate, and if she reached out to them, she might find the help she needs to get settled and find a job.

DEAR ABBY: My 6-year-old grandson, "Joey," is the light of my life. He's outgoing, compassionate, smart and fun. The "problem" is, he prefers girl things to boy things, and has since he was old enough to express his wants. Fashion, makeup, hairstyles -- he is the expert. His parents grumble, but realize that he can be who he is and be happy, or they can try to change him and he will turn out to be neurotic.

The issue is with the father of a friend of his who will not accept who Joey is. The man yells at Joey for playing with girl things and tells his son to tell on Joey when he does girl things.

Abby, this man is the principal of a middle school. As a retired educator, I want to speak with him about his behavior and the effect it can have on a young child. What could I say that might make him realize that this is not only detrimental to Joey, but to all those young minds he helps to shape on a daily basis? -- LIGHT OF MY LIFE

DEAR LIGHT: Joey's parents should talk to that man and demand that he stop bullying their son. They should warn him that if he scapegoats a child at his school that way, he could wind up in front of the school board and lose his job. He's not only discriminating, but also encouraging the scapegoating of at-risk children. And, I'm sad to say, Joey's parents should probably curtail their son's friendship with the man's son.

DEAR ABBY: I have a co-worker, "Suzette," who, since last month, has begun to smell like kitty litter every day. Suzette is in her mid-50s. While I consider her a friend, she can be temperamental and tends to fly off the handle and run to HR.

I would like to tell her about the odor in case it is something medical that's undiagnosed. Is there a way to say something that won't embarrass her or get me in trouble with HR? -- DELICATE NOSE

DEAR DELICATE: The way to handle this would be to inform HR and let someone there discuss it with her.

DEAR ABBY: My brother and his wife have been married 3 1/2 years and have an 18-month-old daughter. My sister-in-law, "Barb," is either very rude or passive-aggressive to our mother in emails and when she thinks no one is around.

At Christmas, Barb sends out an email detailing what we are and are not allowed to buy for their daughter. If we can't do exactly what she wants, she threatens to cancel Christmas. This includes asking her permission before we buy any toys. Barb tells my mom that because her mother doesn't have much money, Mom can't spend more than her mother does. So, because my family has a little more money, we are being punished.

Barb is extremely demeaning and hurtful to us. I can't understand why my brother allows it. My husband and I are sick and tired of her acting this way, and the way she treats my mother is cruel. I'm tempted to confront her about how she has ruined Christmas for my parents. She basically doesn't allow us to have feelings, and I can't believe we are standing for it. Help! -- HOLIDAY HOSTAGE

DEAR HOSTAGE: Your sister-in-law may be telling your parents not to spend more money on gifts for the grandchild because she doesn't want her mother to be embarrassed. However, if her rude behavior extends beyond that, rather than take her on, the person you should "confront" about it is your brother.

DEAR ABBY: My fiance and I are in the process of ordering our wedding invitations, and the phrase "the honor of your presence is requested" versus "the pleasure of your company is requested" is causing a problem.

The woman at the store insists we use the latter because the ceremony won't be in a church. My research on the internet says if the ceremony is a religious one, the phrase "the honor of your presence" is appropriate, and it is also our preference. However, if the ceremony is a civil one, the "pleasure of your company is requested" is the preferred one.

Our minister will be performing the ceremony in the gazebo at the country club. Although it's not a church, the ceremony will certainly be religious. What's the proper etiquette on this issue? Invitations are on hold until I hear from you. -- DONNA IN FLORIDA

DEAR DONNA: The salesperson at the store is mistaken. The wording on your wedding invitation is not determined by whether you are being married in a church.

I ran your letter by Lisa Grotts, a San Francisco Bay-area certified etiquette expert, who had this to say:

"The wording of wedding invitations varies, depending upon who is hosting the wedding, i.e., the parents of the bride or groom. If the bride's parents are hosting, then the phrase 'the honor of your presence' is correct. However, if you and your fiance (or other family members) are hosting the wedding, then the more modern terminology 'the pleasure of your company' is preferable."

DEAR ABBY: My husband has purchased different pieces of equipment over the years. He recently bought a small tractor that he's very proud of and enjoys using around our property. He also has purchased a large trailer that he often uses to haul his equipment and other things.

His problem is friends who seem to think they can help themselves to his stuff. They actually have the audacity to say, "I may borrow your tractor, trailer, etc., tomorrow." I find this to be rude in that they are not asking -- they are TELLING him they will.

I told him to say he doesn't loan his equipment out, but he can't seem to be able to say that. Do you have a good comeback that he could use without offending his friends? -- FRAZZLED WIFE

DEAR FRAZZLED: You, not your husband, appear to be the person with the problem. Nowhere in your letter did you mention that HE thinks he has one. If he resents what these friends are doing, a solution might be for him to tell them to talk to YOU about borrowing the equipment, so you can refuse for him.

DEAR ABBY: Im a 14-year-old girl with a problem. Because of my buzzed short hair, slim hips and flat chest, I frequently get mistaken for a boy. It really bothers me because, despite my haircut and body shape, I have a feminine face and I wear womens clothes and makeup. Im not too much of a tomboy. Sometimes when someone addresses me with a male pronoun or in some other way mistakes me for a male, Im too nervous to correct them. Is there a clever or witty way to correct the mistake?  NOT A BOY IN BROOKLYN, N.Y.

DEAR NOT A BOY: The person who made the mistake is the one who should be embarrassed, not you. If it happens again, all you need to do is smile and say, Im all girl.

DEAR ABBY: It has been a year since my mother passed away. The month of February was especially tough because it was the month of her birthday and also the month in which she died. Mothers Day will be here soon, and Im already feeling bitter, anticipating all of the commercials, advertising, brunches and everything. I dont want to be bitter about Mothers Day, but I am. How do people typically celebrate Mothers Day when they have lost their mother?  JODY IN KEARNEY, NEB.

DEAR JODY: Please accept my condolences for the loss of your mother. If you have siblings, you might find it comforting to talk with them about your feelings. If not, then spend the day quietly, being grateful for the precious time you had with your mother and the many lessons she taught you. I cant speak for others, but thats how I have coped with the loss of my mother, and Im sure others do it, too.

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend, Glen, and I have been dating for two years. Over the past few months he has been pushing me to open a joint checking account with him. I have tried explaining that I dont feel like its a good idea until we are engaged. But every time I say no, he gets upset and angry. Am I wrong for not wanting to put our finances together, and how do I make him see my side?  CAREFUL IN THE MIDWEST

DEAR CAREFUL: You are absolutely NOT wrong, and you should not have to justify your discomfort with the idea of pooling your money with anyone to whom you are not married. In fact, Glen should be trying to explain why he is pushing you into making such a foolish decision. His anger and upset are either attempts to bully you into doing what he wants, or a sign of desperation to get access to your hard-earned money. If you are at all tempted to relent, I URGE you to first talk to a lawyer about what the ramifications could be if the relationship went sour.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- IGM Financial Inc. (IGM) (TSX: IGM) today reported preliminary total mutual fund net new money in October of $74.5 million as shown in Table 1. Total assets under management were $139.9 billion at October 31, 2016, compared with $139.9 billion at September 30, 2016 and $134.2 billion at October 31, 2015. Mutual fund assets under management were $133.6 billion at October 31, 2016, compared with $133.6 billion at September 30, 2016 and $127.9 billion at October 31, 2015. Assets under management are shown in Table 2.

Table 1 - Mutual Funds Net New Money(i) Month ended October 31, 2016 Investors IGM ($ millions) (unaudited) Group Mackenzie Counsel Financial -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- All Mutual Funds Gross Sales $706.6 $511.9 $63.1 $1,281.6 Net New Money $91.6 ($31.7) $13.2 $74.5 Long Term Mutual Funds Gross Sales $645.4 $480.8 $59.6 $1,185.8 Net New Money $88.0 ($44.8) $10.2 $54.8 (i)Mutual Fund Net New Money is defined as Gross Sales less Gross Redemptions and is consistent with the terminology used by The Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC). Table 2 - Assets under Management October September October % Change % Change ($ billions) (unaudited) 2016 2016 2015 Last Month YOY -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- Total Assets under Management(1) $139.91 $139.87 $134.22 - 4.2 Mutual Fund Assets under Management $133.63 $133.63 $127.93 - 4.5 Investors Group Mutual Funds $79.02 $78.89 $75.28 0.2 5.0 Mackenzie Mutual Funds $50.14 $50.25 $48.61 (0.2) 3.1 Sub-advisory, institutional and other(2) $14.06 $14.02 $13.35 0.2 5.3 -------------------------------------------------- Total Mackenzie $64.20 $64.27 $61.96 (0.1) 3.6 -------------------------------------------------- Counsel Mutual Funds $4.47 $4.49 $4.10 (0.4) 9.0 (1) Excludes assets managed by Mackenzie on behalf of Investors Group and Investment Planning Counsel. These assets had a value of $7.8 billion at October 31, 2016 ($7.8 billion at September 30, 2016 and $7.1 billion at October 31, 2015). (2) Includes $78.9 million of Exchange Traded Fund assets managed by Mackenzie.

Preliminary average mutual fund assets under management and average total assets under management for the quarter to date are set out in Table 3.

Table 3 - Average Assets under Management(3) ($ billions) (unaudited) Quarter to Date --------------- --------------- Total Average Assets under Management(4) $139.71 Mutual Fund Average Assets under Management $133.45 Investors Group Mutual Funds $78.84 Mackenzie Mutual Funds $50.15 Sub-advisory, institutional and other $14.03 --------------- Total Mackenzie $64.18 --------------- Counsel Mutual Funds $4.47 (3) Based on daily average mutual fund assets and month-end average institutional, sub-advisory and other assets. (4) Excludes average assets of $7.8 billion managed by Mackenzie on behalf of Investors Group and Investment Planning Counsel.

IGM Financial Inc. is one of Canada's premier personal financial services companies, and one of the country's largest managers and distributors of mutual funds and other managed asset products, with over $139 billion in total assets under management. Its activities are carried out principally through Investors Group's network of Consultants located across Canada, Mackenzie Financial Corporation's diversified network of third-party financial advisors and Investment Planning Counsel's network of financial planners dedicated to serving the needs of their clients.

MEMBER OF THE POWER FINANCIAL CORPORATION GROUP OF COMPANIES.

Contacts:

Media Relations:

Ron Arnst

204-956-3364

ron.arnst@igmfinancial.com



Investor Relations:

Paul Hancock

204-956-8103

investor.relations@igmfinancial.com




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Batero Gold Corp. ("Batero" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: BAT) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding agreement with Red Eagle Mining Corporation ("Red Eagle"), an arm's length party, pursuant to which the Company will sell to Red Eagle all of its shareholdings of CB Gold Inc. ("CB Gold"), with its head office at Suite 2348-666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2X8, being 83,020,237 common shares of CB Gold (the "CB Shares"), which is approximately 23% of the current issued and outstanding common shares of CB Gold, at a deemed price of C$0.085 per CB Share. As consideration for the CB Shares, Red Eagle will issue to Batero 7,428,126 common shares of Red Eagle.

The settlement of the transaction is anticipated to occur on November 2, 2016.

About Batero

Batero is a precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on moving the La Cumbre oxide deposit toward a production decision. Once the appropriate level of study has been completed, Batero intends to target the near surface higher grade oxidized gold mineralization at the deposit. Batero is also pursuing opportunities to acquire prospective high-grade, production focused mineral properties in Colombia and Latin America. In pursuing these objectives, Batero plans to leverage its secure treasury position, strong regional relationships, experienced management team, and long-term financial partners. Common shares of the Company trade on the TSXV under the symbol "BAT".

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF BATERO GOLD CORP.,

Felipe Ferraro

President, CEO & Director

Batero Gold Corp.

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.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information and statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to Batero's planned exploration and development activities at the La Cumbre oxide deposit, the future interpretation of studies pertaining to gold mineralization at the La Cumbre oxide deposit, and the Company's intentions to acquire mineral properties in Colombia and Latin America. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "schedules", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof.

Although Batero believe the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such forward-looking statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. Forward-looking information and statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information or statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, risks relating to property interests, the global economic climate, metal prices, dilution, environmental risks, and non-governmental actions.

Batero's forward-looking information and statements are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this press release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking information or statements in the event that circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or there should occur or develop changes in any other events affecting such forward-looking information or statements. For the reasons set out above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information and statements.

Contacts:

Batero Gold Corp.

604.568.6378

info@baterogold.com




Revenue up 13% year on year, including consumables sales growth of 16%

Clinical sales grew 22% compared to same period last year

Revenue for first nine months of 2016 up 12%

Regulatory News:

Mauna Kea Technologies (Paris:MKEA) (Euronext: MKEA, OTCQX: MKEAY) inventor of Cellvizio, the multidisciplinary confocal laser endomicroscopy platform, today announced its sales for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016 and provided an update on its business. The Company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the third quarter 2016 results today (information below).

Sacha Loiseau, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mauna Kea Technologies declared: "Our third quarter revenue results demonstrate encouraging momentum for our business. This quarter's highlight was the endorsement of the American Society of General Surgeons for Cellvizio as integral to the care of patients with GERD and Barrett's Esophagus, which is a new important milestone for Cellvizio adoption and utilization. We are redoubling our efforts to improve our growth profile, capitalizing on the recent news and developments of the last few months that should contribute very favorably to the expansion of Cellvizio and Mauna Kea Technologies.

Third Quarter 2016 Revenue by Category

(in thousands) IFRS Q3 2016

(September 30, 2016) Q3 2015

(September 30, 2015) Change Systems 889 918 (3%) % of total 42% 49% Consumables 776 669 16% % of total 37% 36% Services 443 280 58% % of total 21% 15% Total Sales 2,108 1,867 13%

The Company shipped 10 Cellvizio systems in the third quarter 2015 and 2016. Consumable probes unit volume was 151 units, compared to 186 probes in the third quarter 2015. The number of probe reorders (probes sold to existing customers) was 110 in the third quarter 2016, compared to 155 in the third quarter 2015.

Third Quarter 2016 Revenue by Geography

(in thousands) IFRS Q3 2016

(September 30, 2016) Q3 2015

(September 30, 2015) Change Americas 911 679 34% % of total 43% 36% Asia-Pacific 717 665 8% % of total 34% 36% EMEA 480 523 (8%) % of total 23% 28% Total Sales 2,108 1,867 13%

Benoit Jacheet, Chief Financial Officer of Mauna Kea Technologies, stated, "Our sales over the quarter were driven by the Americas region, primarily due to growth in the U.S. where our business is stable and expanding. System sales remained flat and consumable sales were up, driven by higher volumes in the U.S. and Europe.

The company recorded solid growth in the Americas region, reflecting positive performance in the U.S. Sales also grew in the Asia-Pacific region, including another quarter with significant sales momentum in China, reflecting an additional Chinese FDA clearance obtained in December 2015, as well as growth Taiwan. Sales in the EMEA region decreased, reflecting a lower volume of system sales in Q3.

Third Quarter 2016 Revenue by Activity

(in thousands) IFRS Q3 2016 (September 30, 2016) Q3 2015 (September 30, 2015) Change Clinical 1,924 1,571 22% % of total 91% 84% Preclinical 184 295 (38%) % of total 9% 16% Total Sales 2,108 1,867 13%

Nine Month 2016 Revenue

(in thousands) IFRS 2016 2015 Change 1st Quarter 1,954 1,855 5% 2nd Quarter 2,511 2,170 16% 3rd Quarter 2,108 1,867 13% Total 9M Sales 6,574 5,892 12%

Nine Month 2016 Revenue by Category

(in thousands) IFRS 9M 2016

(September 30, 2016) 9M 2015

(September 30, 2015) Change Systems 3,183 3,439 (7%) % of total 48% 58% Consumables 2,240 1,826 23% % of total 34% 31% Services 1,151 628 83% % of total 18% 11% Total Sales 6,574 5,892 12%

The Company shipped 42 Cellvizio systems in the first nine months of 2016, including 6 systems placed under consignment, compared to 37 systems in the first nine months of 2015. Consumable probes unit volume increased 15% to 565 units, compared to 493 probes in the first nine months of 2015. The number of probe reorders (probes sold to existing customers) increased from 346 in the first nine months of 2015 to 416 in the first nine months of 2016, representing 20% growth year-over-year. The year-over-year increases in consumable probe sales, and particularly the reorder rate, reflect increased utilization of the Cellvizio systems along with growth of the installed base.

Nine Month 2016 Revenue by Geography

(in thousands) IFRS 9M 2016

(September 30, 2016) 9M 2015

(September 30, 2015) Change Americas 2,671 3,046 (12%) % of total 41% 52% Asia-Pacific 2,200 1,299 69% % of total 33% 22% EMEA 1,703 1,547 10% % of total 26% 26% Total Sales 6,574 5,892 12%

Nine Month 2016 Revenue Results by Activity

(in thousands) IFRS 9M 2016

(September 30, 2016) 9M 2015

(September 30, 2015) Change Clinical 5,529 4,520 22% % of total 84% 77% Preclinical 1,045 1,371 (24%) % of total 16% 23% Total Sales 6,574 5,892 12%

Mauna Kea Technologies will host a conference call and webcast today at 7.15 PM (CET Paris time) 2.15 PM (ET New York time) to discuss the Company's 3Q 2016 sales results and to provide a business update. The conference call will be hosted by Sacha Loiseau (CEO) and Benoit Jacheet (CFO). To access the conference call, please use one of the following dial-in numbers at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and follow the instructions: USA: +1 8554027761 UK: +44-2033679453. Following the conclusion of the live call, a replay will be available for 90 days. To access the replay, please dial one of the following numbers: USA: +1 8776423018 UK: +44(0)2033679460. The passcode for the replay is: 304798#.

About Mauna Kea Technologies

Mauna Kea Technologies is a global medical device company focused on eliminating uncertainties related to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other diseases thanks to real time in vivo microscopic visualization. The Company's flagship product, Cellvizio, has received clearance to sell a wide range of applications in more than 40 countries, including the United States, Europe, Japan, China, Canada, Brazil and Mexico.

For more information on Mauna Kea Technologies, visit www.maunakeatech.com

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Mauna Kea Technologies and its activities. Such forward looking statements are based on assumptions that Mauna Kea Technologies considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the anticipated events contained in such forward-looking statements will occur. Forward- looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties including the risks set forth in the registration document of Mauna Kea Technologies registered by the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorite des marches financiers (AMF)) on June 13, 2016 under number R.16-054 and available on the Company's website (www.maunakeatech.com), and to the development of economic situation, financial markets, and the markets in which Mauna Kea Technologies operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are also subject to risks unknown to Mauna Kea Technologies or that Mauna Kea Technologies does not consider material at this time. The realization of all or part of these risks could lead to actual results, financial conditions, performances or achievements by Mauna Kea Technologies that differ significantly from the results, financial conditions, performances or achievements expressed in such forward-looking statements. This press release and the information it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or to subscribe for, or a solicitation of an order to purchase or subscribe for, Mauna Kea Technologies shares in any country.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102006309/en/

Contacts:

Mauna Kea Technologies

Benoit Jacheet

CFO

investors@maunakeatech.com

or

United States

ZackKubow Lee Roth, 646-536-7020 7012

The Ruth Group

zkubow@theruthgroup.com / lroth@theruthgroup.com

or

U.S. Media

Christopher Hippolyte, 646-536-7023

The Ruth Group

chippolyte@theruthgroup.com

or

France and Europe

NewCap Investor Relations

Florent Alba, +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

maunakea@newcap.fr
Technavio analysts forecast the global automotive ultracapacitor marketto grow at a CAGR of more than 19% during the forecast period, according to their latest report.

The research study covers the present scenario and growth prospects of the global automotive ultracapacitormarketfor 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, Technavio analysts consider the application of ultracapacitor in the start-stop system, regenerative braking system, and active suspension.

Automakers are focusing on fuel-efficient cars because of strict regulatory push. Hence, the analysts at Technavio expect more number of electric and hybrid vehicles to be included in the product portfolios of OEMs. This will open new opportunities for ultracapacitors as they are ideal for the regenerative braking mechanism of such vehicles and will contribute to increased efficiency as well.

Typically, batteries were used as the most common means of power storage in vehicles. However, they suffer few limitations in terms of limited economic life and power delivery capacity. The use of ultra-capacitors has overcome these limitations due to their robust electric performance. Thus, they find use in many applications, such as regenerative braking, start-stop, and active suspension systems, in the automotive industry.

Request a sample report: http://www.technavio.com/request-a-sample?report=54105

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Technavio automotiveanalysts highlight the following three factors that are contributing to the growth of the global automotive ultracapacitor market:

Regulatory push toward efficient vehicles leading to new application areas within automotive industry

Rapid electrification in vehicles

Ultracapacitor ideal for hybrid powertrain systems

Regulatory push toward efficient vehicles leading to new application areas within automotive industry

There are strict standards set by the governments of different countries worldwide to curb carbon emissions. The use of ultracapacitors is gaining popularity due to their environment-friendly energy storage. As the increased emission of carbon dioxide results in global warming, governments are enforcing stricter rules to reduce the same. Although the complete elimination of emissions is not possible, a significant reduction is, however, possible. Automotive manufacturers are shifting from ICE-propelled vehicles to electric energy. Replacing electrolyte batteries in cars by ultracapacitor reduces the carbon emission to the environment significantly.

Siddharth Jaiswal, a lead automotive electronics analyst at Technavio, says, "As per the European Commission, road transportation contributes to almost one-fifth of the total CO2 emission in Europe. Light-duty vehicles contribute 15% of the emissions, while heavy-duty vehicles contribute 6% of emissions."

Rapid electrification in vehicles

The automotive industry is undergoing a shift toward electrification from mechanical subsystems. One such example is the start/stop ignition system that does not require a mechanical key to start the vehicle. The ultracapacitor is an ideal solution for energy storage in such applications. It stores energy in an electric field that allows the quick recharge/discharge of the system, which is vital for the functioning of the start/stop system.

"Both OEMs and Tier-1 players prefer using new more advanced features in their vehicles, but fuel efficiency remains a major concern for manufacturers. The ultracapacitor proves useful in this regard, as it can store a large amount of electric charges, which can be used later to reduce fuel consumption in vehicles," adds Siddharth

Ultracapacitor ideal for hybrid powertrain systems

In past five years, the cost of electronics has increased rapidly by almost 8% for cars. The hike in prices is due to the installation of various functions such as front window defogger, park distance control, electric seat adjustment, communication system, heating seat, electric steering, electric braking system, electric pumping system, and electromagnetic valve gear. With the passage of time, it is observed that the electrical power consumption in cars has increased from 100 W to 150 W.

With the rise in energy requirement in cars, the energy storage capacity also needs to be increased. Ultracapacitors are used in hybrid powertrains as a unit of power for electric peak as powertrains require high power outburst in a short time. Also, they find application in vehicle propulsion systems and broad net stabilization because of their inherent features, such as high power capability, fast response time, efficiency in charge/discharge, long lifetime, and tolerance to high temperatures.

Top vendors:

Maxwell Technologies

NEC Tokin

Nesscap

Nippon Chemi-Con

Skeleton Technologies

Browse Related Reports:

Global Automotive Defogger System Market 2016-2020

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Do you need a report on a market in a specific geographical cluster or country but can't find what you're looking for? Don't worry, Technavio also takes client requests. Please contact enquiry@technavio.com with your requirements and our analysts will be happy to create a customized report just for you.

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies.

Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102006236/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 630 333 9501

UK: +44 208 123 1770

www.technavio.com
QUEENS, NY--(Marketwired - November 02, 2016) - The New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) has elected Minerva Tantoco to its Board of Trustees. Her three-year term as a Trustee began on October 6, 2016.

Tantoco is a senior advisor at Future\Perfect Ventures, a woman-run, early stage venture capital fund based in New York City. Previously, she served in the administration of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio as New York City's first-ever chief technology officer. Her diverse career in technology also includes positions at Palm, Fannie Mae, UBS and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Tantoco has been featured as a guest speaker at industry events around the world, most recently delivering the keynotes at CE Week 2016 and Insight Forum: AI in Focus.

Tantoco grew up in Flushing, Queens and attended New York City public schools including the prestigious Bronx High School of Science.

"Minerva embodies the innovative spirit of NYSCI," said Margaret Honey, president and CEO of NYSCI. "She launched her own startup, holds four patents, spent a decade in financial services tech, and was the City's first chief technology officer. Her 25 years' experience across a broad range of industries will be a valuable asset to our Board and to the NYSCI community."

NYSCI's current Board consists of 38 individuals from a diverse range of industries, including science, education, technology, financial services, telecommunications, strategic communications and government. The NYSCI Board plays an important role in shaping the organization's direction, success and growth. Trustees serve as representatives and advocates of NYSCI, provide financial support and resources to the organization, and participate in strategic planning and policy decisions.

About the New York Hall of Science - The mission of the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) is to nurture generations of passionate learners, critical thinkers and active citizens through an approach called Design-Make-Play. Design-Make-Play emphasizes open-ended exploration, imaginative learning and personal relevance, resulting in deep engagement and delight in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. NYSCI was founded at the 1964-65 World's Fair and has evolved into New York's center for interactive science serving a half million students, teachers, and families each year. For more information, visit nysci.org or call 718-699-0005. Follow NYSCI on Twitter and Instagram: @nysci, and on Facebook at: facebook.com/nysci.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/10/28/11G119910/Images/MinervaTantoco-124ad9ded814b720a37e59bd602a3af4.jpg

Media Contact:

Mary Record

New York Hall of Science

718-595-9123

Email contact


NEEDHAM, MA--(Marketwired - November 02, 2016) - Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI), a division of Cambridge Innovation Institute (CII), announces the acquisition of the Neurotech Investing and Partnering Conference and the European Neurotech Investing and Partnering Summit, two of the industry's premier business and investment conferences for commercial neuroscience.

The Neurotech Conference portfolio, created by NeuroInsights more than a decade ago, consists of the Neurotech Investing and Partnering Conference, an annual North American conference, as well as the European Neurotech Investing and Partnering Summit, a bi-annual European conference. The annual conference draws more than 200 of the top industry leaders focusing on the next generation treatments for Alzheimer's, addiction, anxiety, depression, pain, sensory disorders, obesity, stroke, schizophrenia, sleep disorders, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's and more.

Both events will continue to be co-organized by The Neurotechnology Industry Organization, which is the first and only trade group that advocates on behalf of companies involved in neurotechnology.

Phillips Kuhl, President, Cambridge Innovation Institute, says, "CHI has been providing life science conferences for twenty-five years, and we are very excited to expand our life sciences conference portfolio with the addition of Neurotech Partnering and Neurotech Europe, two high quality and established events. We plan to continue a strong relationship with the Neurotech Industry Organization to ensure continuity of the superb content and networking that attendees have come to expect over the last decade. Also, we are pleased to confirm an ongoing advisory relationship with Zack Lynch and Casey Lynch, the co-founders of NeuroInsights."

The Neurotech Conferences provide a global forum where investors, executives, entrepreneurs, scientists and others involved in the development of new treatments and diagnostics for the brain and nervous system come together to shape the future of their organization and the industry.

"We wanted to be sure the Neurotech Conference portfolio would continue to have the quality, attention to detail, and key affiliations that have made it so successful. Over the years, we have watched many new relationships formed at these events that lead to successful new treatments and partnerships. We are confident that CHI will continue our tradition of excellence and work in concert with NIO to cultivate the things that make this conference so effective for the global commercial neuroscience community," said Zack Lynch and Casey Lynch, co-founders of NeuroInsights.

Allison Fenney, Executive Director of the Neurotechnology Industry Organization (NIO), agreed, "NIO is glad to have CHI as a new partner in co-hosting the North American and European conferences -- key events for our membership to connect with investors and potential partners as well as share lessons learned. The conference is an important time for NIO to share legislative and funding opportunities and identify issues impacting the industry as a whole and we look forward to a fruitful partnership."

Neurotech Investing and Partnering Conference is the premier partnering and investing conference for the neurotechnology industry including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, software and diagnostics for the brain and nervous system.

For more information on either of these events, visit: http://neurotechpartnering.com

Neurotechnology Industry Organization (NIO) (www.neurotechindustry.org)

Since 2006, over 120 neuroscience organizations have joined the Neurotechnology Industry Organization in our mission to accelerate neurotechnology research, development and commercialization, including neuroscience companies, brain research institutes, and patient advocacy groups across the spectrum of neurological disease, psychiatric illnesses and nervous system injuries. NIO's programs have the following goals: advocate the industry's position to regulators and elected officials; inform the media about industry's progress and contributions to quality of life; provide industry events and business development services to the industry; foster leadership positions that drive innovation forward.

About Cambridge Healthtech Institute (www.healthtech.com)

Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI), a division of Cambridge Innovation Institute, is the preeminent life science network for leading researchers and business experts from top pharmaceutical, biotech, CROs, academia, and niche service providers. CHI is renowned for its vast conference portfolio held worldwide including PepTalk, Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference, SCOPE Summit, Bio-IT World Conference & Expo, PEGS Summit, Drug Discovery Chemistry, Biomarker World Congress, World Preclinical Congress, Next Generation Dx Summit and Discovery on Target. CHI's portfolio of products includes Cambridge Healthtech Institute Conferences, Barnett International, Insight Pharma Reports, Cambridge Marketing Consultants, Cambridge Meeting Planners, Knowledge Foundation, Bio-IT World, Clinical Informatics News and Diagnostics World.

About Cambridge Innovation Institute (www.CambridgeInnovationInstitute.com)

A vision since 1992: Cambridge Innovation Institute (CII) delivers cutting edge information through events, publishing, and training to leading commercial, academic, government and research institutes across the life science and energy industries. Cambridge Innovation Institute consists of two business areas: our coverage of advances in life sciences under the well-established Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI) brand, and coverage of rechargeable batteries under the newly established Cambridge EnerTech (CET) brand. We focus on high technology fields where research and development are essential for the advancement of innovation.

Contact:



Lisa Scimemi

Corporate Marketing Communications Director

lscimemi@healthtech.com
PALO ALTO, CA and LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- As a leader in the digital currency market, Coinbase provides customers a safe, secure and frictionless way for both investment managers and consumers to trade and exchange Bitcoin or Ethereum for traditional currency. When the company experienced a surge of growth in 2014 -- with a more than 400 percent increase in transactions and a simultaneous uptick in the value of transactions occurring -- there was a clear need to provide an automated digital identity verification process. The automated process would be used to complete ID card/document verifications and comply with regulatory requirements throughout the company's global business model, which supports 33 countries.

Coinbase enables users to buy, sell, or trade digital currency and send it across the globe. It also acts as an exchange service for traders via its Global Digital Asset Exchange (GDAX). Similar to investing in the stock market or property, the value of Bitcoin or Ethereum is determined by buying and selling in the open market. Given the high level of fraud risk and compliance requirements -- such as Know Your Customer (KYC) obligations -- the company looked to Jumio to provide a reliable and friction-free digital identify verification solution.

Jumio's Netverify solution enables Coinbase to verify user ID cards/documents and then ensure the person holding the ID matches the identity on the card prior to approving increased buy/sell limits within the marketplace. This added level of security is enabled through the Jumio Face Match technology, which allows users to take a live webcam video of their face and compares it to a photo of their photo ID. During the Face Match video stage, the technology detects even the slightest facial movement, ensuring that the user is a real person, not a photo, and that they are a match to the ID being presented.

"Jumio is the best way for us to verify physical IDs and give our customers a frictionless experience to access and scale with our services, while ensuring we prevent ID theft-driven fraud, as well as meet regulatory requirements and KYC for safe and secure transactions," said Soups Ranjan, director of data science at Coinbase.

Jumio was tasked with ensuring Netverify could scale with the expansive growth of Coinbase by providing a digital ID verification solution that reduces fraud potential while also ensuring a quick and easy process for users. The seamless step in the process is completed in near real time for the customer. For both Coinbase and the customer, ID uploads that are completed almost instantly also provided a substantial improvement in both the customer experience and business productivity, as the previous identity verification process took up to 24 hours.

"The online payments space is evolving and expanding quickly," said Stephen Stuut, Jumio CEO. "We were confident that Netverify was a solution nimble enough to address the specific needs of Coinbase, yet robust enough to support its growing global marketplace. We're pleased that the solution has not only resulted in increased efficiency, but also aided in ensuring a frictionless customer experience."

For more details on Jumio, Netverify and Coinbase's use of the industry's leading digital identity verification solution, please visit the Coinbase Customer Case Study.

About Jumio

Jumio delivers the next-generation in digital ID verification, enabling businesses to reduce fraud and increase revenue while providing a fast, seamless customer experience. Jumio uses computer vision technology and biometric facial recognition to verify credentials issued by over 200 countries in real time web and mobile transactions. Jumio's solutions are used by leading companies in the financial services, sharing economy, retail, travel and online gaming sectors. Based in Palo Alto, California, and Funded by Centana Growth Partners and Millennium Technology Value Partners, Jumio operates globally, with offices in the US and Europe, and has been the recipient of numerous awards for innovation.

For more information please visit www.jumio.com.
A new Know Your Customer (KYC) solution to support fund distribution is expected soon. Fundsquare leads the works.

KYC, a process of verifying the identity of investors, is mandatory in the financial sector and costs an estimated EUR 180 million annually only for the Luxembourg fund industry1. However, if the process was pooled, instead of the current client-by-client replication, the spending could be lowered by 70%, down to EUR 20 million.A working group comprising 22 of Europe's leading asset managers and asset servicing providers is already working on a solution optimising how the KYC obligations in fund distribution could be addressed.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102006363/en/

Fundsquare, a market infrastructure dedicated to investment funds, initiated the industry dialogue. "We inquired different players in the sector management companies and asset servicing providers about their KYC needs. In the next step we listed the requirements of a solution which would efficiently support the distribution of funds," explains Olivier Portenseigne, Managing Director and CCO of Fundsquare. "The resulting working group is now finalising the specifications for a KYC infrastructure which will address the real needs of the market," he adds.

Since May 2016, the working group, comprising companies from UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg and Switzerland, met several times at Fundsquare's HQ in Luxembourg. Its objective is to define the modus operandi to meet all KYC requirements raised by the different market players.

The KYC solution will initially focus on institutional and retail funds distributed on a cross-border basis and will then extend to other domestic markets.

The working group will meet again in the next coming months to define the investment plan for the realisation of the infrastructure. It should be operational before the end of 2017.

About Fundsquare

Fundsquare S.A. was incorporated in June 2013 at the initiative of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange in order to establish an international market infrastructure capable of offering services relating to the cross-border distribution of funds in a standardised, automated manner. The main objective of the Fundsquare platform is to foster relationships and communication between professional investors and the funds.

1 Deloitte, https://goo.gl/uqH8Zs

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161102006363/en/

Contacts:

Press contacts:

Fundsquare

Paolo BRIGNARDELLO, (+352) 28 370 - 1

contact@fundsquare.net


BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The Swiss stock market ended Wednesday's session in the red, extending its losses from the previous two trading days. The market slipped back to the 7,700 point level, its lowest level since the unexpected Brexit vote in June. Investors are becoming increasingly concerned that Donald Trump seems to be narrowing the gap in the US presidential race against Hillary Clinton.



Investors were also hesitant to make any major moves ahead of today's announcement from the Federal Reserve, which will come out after the European close. Investor sentiment was also negatively impacted by the continued decline in crude oil prices.



The Swiss Market Index decreased 0.79 percent Wednesday and closed at 7,700.41. The Swiss Leader Index dropped 1.25 percent and the Swiss Performance Index lost 0.84 percent.



The financial stocks were under heavy pressure on Wednesday. Credit Suisse dropped 2.9 percent ahead of its earnings report tomorrow. UBS and Julius Baer both surrendered 2.2 percent each. Swiss Re weakened by 2.1 percent, Swiss Life declined 1.9 percent and Zurich Insurance fell 1.2 percent.



Shares of Sika forfeited 2.6 percent. The stock had shot up sharply earlier in the week following the decision by the Zug court blocked Saint Gobain's attempt to takeover the company.



Cyclical stocks also turned in a weak performance. LafargeHolcim declined 2.4 percent. The company will report third quarter results on Friday. Actelion surrendered 2.6 percent, Aryzta dropped 2.5 percent and Swatch lost 1.8 percent.



Among the index heavyweights, Nestle and Roche both dipped by 0.1 percent and Novartis fell 0.6 percent.



Swisscom weakened by 0.3 percent, as did Givaudan. SGS finished the session with a loss of 0.2 percent.



Oerlikon sank 5.7 percent after the industrial group reported a decline in third quarter sales and earnings due to the weak 'Manmade Fibers' and 'Drive Systems' segments .



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - November 02, 2016) - Olympus unveiled the OM-D E-M1 Mark II at Photokina, and it is now available at B&H Photo. The mirrorless camera is an upgrade to the original OM-D E-M1, which was released four years ago with a lot of fanfare. The EM1 Mark I has been improved in virtually every category, including exterior design, software features, video, and processing power, resulting in a remarkably compact and proficient device

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Mirrorless Digital Camera

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1283565-REG/olympus_om_d_e_m1_mark_ii.html

20.4MP Live MOS Sensor

TruePic VIII Dual Quad Core Processor

Micro Four Thirds System

2.36m-Dot LCD Electronic Viewfinder

3.0" 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen

DCI 4K/24p & UHD 4K/30p Video Recording

5-Axis Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization

15 fps Shooting and Expanded ISO 25600

Dual F.A.S.T. 121-Point Autofocus System

Weather-Sealed Construction

Built-In Wi-Fi

When it comes to image quality and continuous shooting, the Olympus EM1 Mark II is in a class of its own. It includes a newly designed 20.4 MP Live MOS sensor and TruePic VIII Dual Quad Core Processor, which allow for burst rates of 60 fps in Single AF and an unmatched 18 fps with C-AF. It also features a "Pro Capture" mode, which eliminates any lag while shooting. These attributes make the EM1 a top choice for photographers looking to catch fast-moving subjects without sacrificing detail. Users can expect superb image quality as well thanks to the camera's elite flare-reducing sensor and new 50 MP High Res Shot Mode, which combines eight shots to generate a single ultra-high res image.

For video production, the EM-1 shoots in 4K (3840x2160) and C4K (4096x2160) with a max bit rate of up to 237 Mbps. It also includes 5-axis in-body stabilization which provides up to 5.5 shutter speed steps of compensation for blur-free handheld shooting. These details make the EM-1 a top-choice for videographers as well as photographers.

Olympus also considered portability when creating the EM1. Its compact, lightweight design allows for easy packing and traveling. Furthermore, the metal body is sealed to be splashproof, dustproof, and freezeproof down to 14F (-10C).

The Olympus E-M1 Mark II camera boasts other advanced imaging tools like Silent Shutter Mode, Live Composite Mode, and Live Bulb Mode. Silent Shutter Mode completely eliminates shutter noise and electronic sounds, allowing the photographer to successfully shoot wildlife and other quiet environments. Live Composite and Live Bulb Modes are ideal for nighttime shooting, as the image builds up on the monitor and allows the user to continually adjust the exposure. For macro shots, Focus Bracketing and Stacking lets the photographer take multiple photos of a subject and stack them into a single image for incredible clarity.

With so many stand-out features and versatility, it will not take long for photographers to realize the incredible potential of the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, which is now available at B&H Photo along with all the necessary accessories.

B&H Photo Video is an authorized Olympus dealer, with the most up-to-date Olympus product information, product pricing and promotional offers.

About B&H Photo Video

As the world's largest source of photography, video, audio, and the latest trending technologies, including drones, virtual reality, and 3D Printers, B&H Photo Video is known worldwide for its attentive, knowledgeable sales force, excellent customer service, and fast, reliable shipping. Visitors to the website can access a variety of enlightening articles and educational videos. B&H has been satisfying customers worldwide for over 40 years.

Latest Trending Technologies

Gaming Gear: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/xbox-360/ci/26268/N/3838122491

Virtual Reality: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/360-spherical-virtual-reality-production/ci/29185/N/3705627361

Drones: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/aerial-imaging/ci/27989/N/3765401970

Customers making purchases on the B&H website can now make a split payment with multiple credit cards, a useful feature for those with limited credit on their individual cards. Previously, this method of payment was only available to customers when purchasing by phone or in store.

Many items can now be ordered online and picked up at our NYC Superstore. Add any qualifying items to your shopping cart and select STORE PICKUP. You will then have an opportunity to indicate who will be making the pickup, if it is someone other than yourself. You'll receive an email (up to 45 minutes) after completing your order, indicating that your order is ready for pickup at the B&H SuperStore.

The B&H YouTube Channel has an unmatched wealth of educational photographic content. Our entertaining and informative videos feature product overviews from our in-house specialists, as well as photography industry experts. You can even view the B&H Event Space presentations from many of the world's foremost photographers and interviews with some of photography's most dynamic characters. Tap into this exciting resource by subscribing to the B&H YouTube Channel here. In addition to these videos, the B&H Explora blog presents new product announcements, gear reviews, helpful guides, and tech news written by product experts and industry professionals.

When you're in Manhattan, take a tour of the B&H Photo SuperStore, located at 420 Ninth Avenue. The expo continues all year round in the camera kiosks at B&H. Featuring the newest cameras, the kiosks are manned by manufacturer representatives, who are there to guide you and demonstrate the latest photographic technology. With hundreds of products on display, the B&H Photo SuperStore is the place to test-drive and compare all the latest photography gear.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/10/31/11G120116/Images/olympus_om_d_e_m1_mark_ii_camera-2ce75bb98c73bdbfa044c35de236af0e.jpg

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/10/31/11G120116/Images/Olympus_OM-D_E-M1_MARK_II_Digital_Camera-a437a963b37fbbd09d61c845e0fed8c2.jpg

Embedded Video Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eHDQMyre1c

Embedded Video Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmN6pBEfSIQ
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 02/22/17 -- Cardiff International, Inc. (OTC PINK: CDIF) ("Cardiff" or the "Company"), a public holding company, much like a cooperative, leveraging proven management in private companies that become subsidiaries under the Cardiff umbrella. Our focus is not industry or geographic-specific, but rather on proven management, market, and margin. Cardiff targets acquisitions of mature, high growth, niche companies. Cardiff's strategy identifies and empowers select income-producing middle market private businesses, technology companies and commercial real estate properties. Cardiff provides these companies both 1) the enhanced ability to raise money for operations or expansion, and 2) an equity exit and liquidity strategy for the owner, heirs, and/or Investors. For investors, Cardiff provides a diversified lower risk to protect and safely enhance their investment by continually adding assets and holdings. Cardiff is led by strong and talented roster of executives and advisors providing expert acquisition, market guidance and added value for subsidiaries and investors.

Alex Cunningham, Cardiff's President/CEO commented, "Uplisting to OTCQB will help build awareness and accurately reflect the true value of Cardiff. This will help build liquidity, trust and confidence with investors, investment bankers and fund managers."

About CDIF: CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL INC. is a public holding company that provides closely held, smaller middle market companies with both an equity capitalization strategy, and, an equity exit or liquidity strategy. Cardiff targets acquisitions with great management, margin and its market place. These income producing niche companies have solid operating histories, often high growth potential, and tangible assets designed to mitigate investor risk. Our goal is to provide a new form of governance enabling businesses to take advantage of the power of a public company without losing autonomous management control. Cardiff provides management expertise and operational synergies as part of a public company platform where select subsidiary companies may raise money through equity investment as opposed to debt financing, in a lower risk environment that protects their investors.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT This news release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks include the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the Company's contracts, the Company's liquidity position, the Company's ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources, and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.

Contact:

Cardiff International, Inc.

Investor Relations

844-628-2100 x 705

Investorrelations@cardiffusa.com




PT GARUDA INDONESIA (PERSERO) TBK. CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS Garuda City, Soekarno Hatta International Airport Cengkareng, Indonesia Phone: +62 21 2560 1069 Fax: +62 21 2560 1068 Email: corpcomm@garuda-indonesia.com Website: www.garuda-indonesia.com Twitter: @IndonesiaGaruda

JAKARTA, Nov 3, 2016 - (ACN Newswire) - Garuda Indonesia (IDX: GIAA), the national flag carrier, booked net income of USD 19.6 million or IDR 254.8 billion (exchange rate IDR 13,000 per USD) during the third quarter (July - September period) of 2016 as an outcome of the initial implementation of the 'Sky Beyond' strategy, with a focus on Return Maximization as well as the continuous proportional implementation of the financial efficiency policy."This positive result was achieved through non-stop hard work in implementing the 'Sky Beyond' business expansion strategy, which played an essential role in promoting the company's performance the quarter. Despite the highly competitive season in the aviation industry, including the global economic deceleration which affected the national economic situation, we are quite optimistic of maintaining the positive growth of the company up to the end of this year," stated M. Arif Wibowo, President & CEO of Garuda Indonesia, on Monday (31/10) at the media conference after the regular analyst meeting, in Garuda Indonesia's headquarters in Jakarta.Arif explained that since the beginning of year 2015, Garuda Indonesia had been constantly implementing the proportional financial efficiency program. The predicted loss in the first semester of 2016 was projected to turn around in the next quarter by improving the whole performance during the peak season. The continuous financial efficiency program and the performance improvement in other aspects such as operational, services and commercial, are believed to have strengthened the company to achieve positive growth until 2020.Arif, accompanied by the entire Board of Directors of Garuda Indonesia and the president directors of the subsidiaries, also explained that the company had succeeded in increasing total revenue from USD 2.845 billion in 2015 (January - September) to USD 2.865 billion during the same period of 2016. Up to the third quarter of 2016, Garuda Indonesia Group (including Citilink) carried 26,043,138 passengers, which was an increase of 6.1 percent from the 24,551,594 passengers carried in the same period in 2015.From the total amount, Garuda Indonesia carried 17.81 million passengers (comprising 14.55 million domestic passengers and 3.26 million international passengers). Meanwhile, its subsidiary, Citilink Indonesia, transported 8.23 million passengers between January - September 2016, which was an increase of nearly 20 percent from the 6.86 million passengers carried over the same period in 2015.As a result of the cargo-focused strategy that commenced in early 2016 to strengthen the company's cargo business in addition to passenger business, mainly by a new Director of Cargo who had only been serving for less than six months (a new tenure on the Board of Directors since April 2016), the amount of cargo transported in January - September period was 295,217 tons, or an increase of 14.7 percent from the same period in 2015 of 257,304 tons.Garuda Indonesia and Citilink's flight frequency in the domestic and international sectors during the January - September period rose to 204,182 flights, with an increase of 9.7 percent from the same period in 2015 with 186,052 flights. In addition, Availability Seat Kilometer/ASK increased by 13.3 percent to 43.91 billion from 38.75 billion ASK in the same period of 2015.Despite the challenging situation in operational aspects such as the domestic flights operations at the new Terminal 3 Soekarno-Hatta in early August, and the force majeur by unpredictable weather, Garuda Indonesia also suceeded in increasing its on time performance / OTP to 90.1 percent in the January - September period, from 88.2 percent in same period last year. The seat load factor / SLF of the period was 73.4 percent, with an aircraft utilization amount of 09:12 hours.In line with the continuous network expansion plan, in the third quarter of 2016, Garuda Indonesia started to serve new destinations in east Indonesia, namely Nabire, which was served directly from Biak, Papua, and Maumere, which served directly from Denpasar, Bali. The opening of these new routes was a strategic step to improve the connectivity between cities in Indonesia, as well as to strengthen its network in the domestic market.Concerning the highly competitive situation in the aviation industry - mainly in the Asia Pacific region - which influenced both domestic and international networks, Garuda Indonesia's market share for domestic reached 41.2 percent, and 26.7 percent for international market share."We still have time to maximize the power and potency of our strategy, particularly in facing this coming end of year peak season period. We believe that we can reach the continuous positive growth in the coming years, including our strategic plan for international network expansion in the near future," Arif added.About Garuda Indonesia GroupGaruda Indonesia Group [IDX:GIAA] operates a total of 194 aircraft, consisting of ten (10) Boeing 777-300ER, twenty-five (25) Airbus A330-200/300, two (2) Boeing 747-400, seventy-six (76) Boeing 737-800NG, eighteen (18) Bombardier CRJ1000 NextGen, and fifteen (15) ATR72-600, with a 146 aircraft operated by Garuda Indonesia, and forty (40) Airbus A320 and eight (8) Boeing 737-300/500, or 48 aircraft operated by Citilink, with an average aircraft age of 4.6 years.Concerning services performance, the management is implementing the "Excellent Services" program that requires sustainable service development. It has shown remarkable results with "The World's Best Cabin Staff" award received by Garuda Indonesia's cabin crew from Skytrax (an independent aviation rating institution in London) for the third consecutive time (a hat-trick) from 2014 to 2016.In addition to the World's Best Cabin Staff award, Garuda Indonesia has maintained its reputation as a five-star airline, including being named; Top 5 World's Best Airlines in Asia, Top 10 World's Best First Class Airlines, Top 10 World's Best Economy Class Airlines, and The Most Loved Airline.Aside from Skytrax, Garuda Indonesia also won the "Outstanding Food Service by a Carrier" award from Pax International Magazine, the Top 10 World's Most Favourite Airlines from TripAdvisor, Best Cabin Services by Smart Travel Asia, and Best First Class Sparkling Wine-Champagne from Business Traveller. For more information, please visit www.garuda-indonesia.com.Source: Garuda Indonesia GroupContact:Copyright 2016 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM and LOS ANGELES, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Southern California-based Monarch Bay Securities, LLC today announced it is joining forces with Boustead & Co of London and has been rebranded Boustead Securities, LLC (www.boustead1828.com).

"We are delighted to welcome Boustead & Co as an equity partner, to continue and build upon their storied second century of investment banking heritage," said Keith Moore, Founder and CEO of Monarch Bay Securities, LLC.

Boustead & Co is a merchant banking, asset management and corporate finance firm which originated from Boustead PLC, whose predecessor was founded in 1828 by Edward Boustead. Mr. Boustead was a prolific merchant trader, banker and philanthropist whose work played a key role in the development of Singapore as a business and trading center. Boustead & Co brings together a diverse and highly capable management team that continues his work with socially-focused merchant banking, developing diversified investments in areas including agriculture, property, and alternative energy.

"Monarch Bay Securities has built a leadership position in both traditional and next-generation investment banking in the US over the past ten years," said Daniel J. McClory, President of Boustead & Company Limited, the US holding company for Boustead's global financial services subsidiaries. "From public offerings of securities, to mergers and acquisitions, and today's crowd-funded initiatives in real estate and other asset classes, we believe Monarch Bay is the perfect platform to bring together the old and the new, both globally and locally," he stated.

Monarch Bay Securities was founded in 2006 to assist middle market private and public companies largely underserved by Wall Street. Over the years, Monarch Bay (now Boustead Securities) has continued to expand its services and professionals, fast becoming a one-stop middle market investment bank, in a wide range of industry sectors and geographies.

Boustead & Co's history of trailblazing and original thinking offers a synergistic alignment with Boustead Securities' mission to create opportunity through the application of proven innovation and entrepreneurial focus. Boustead Securities will follow in the path of Edward Boustead's originality, bringing his talent for pioneering new markets and discovering unexploited opportunities into the 21st century and beyond.

About Boustead Securities, LLC

Boustead Securities, LLC is an investment banking firm that advises clients on IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, capital raises and restructuring assignments in a wide array of industries, geographies and transactions. Our core value proposition is our ability to create opportunity through innovative solutions and tenacious execution.

With experienced professionals in the United States and around the world, Boustead's team moves quickly and provides a broad spectrum of sophisticated financial advice and services.

Media Contact for Boustead Securities, LLC

Keith Moore

+1 949-295-1580

keith@boustead1828.com



Media Contact for Boustead & Company Limited

Daniel J. McClory

+1 949-233-7869

dan@boustead1828.com




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Vendome Resources Corp. (TSX VENTURE: VDR)(FRANKFURT: 9VR) ("Vendome" or "the Company") is pleased to announce assay results from July-August 2016 geological, geochemical and geophysical work completed at its 100% owned Clinton Manganese Property located near Clinton, British Columbia. Combined with a ground magnetometer geophysical survey, a total of 10 rock samples and 80 soil samples were collected from three claims (MN2, MN3, and MN4). The results not only confirmed the presence of anomalous values of manganese in rock and soil samples but also helped in generating targets for further exploration work on the property.

Highlights of the sampling program are:

-- Manganese (Mn) values of eight rock samples from MN4 claim are in the range of 0.69% to 28% with an average of 10.93% Mn. -- Two rock samples from MN2 claim showed 1130 ppm (parts per million) and 1150 ppm manganese respectively. -- Soil samples assayed using mobile metal ions (MMI) technique indicated zones of anomalous manganese values in various areas. -- Some of the soil manganese anomalies are coincidental with higher magnetic values. -- Manganese bearing mineralization is hosted in silicified, hematitic red phyllites that have interbedded ferruginous chert.

The exploration work was carried out during July-August 2016 and was contracted to Andris Kakuka a professional geologist registered with Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC). Details of rock samples are provided in the table at the end of this press release and the exploration maps can be viewed at the Company's website.

All the samples were shipped to SGS Canada Laboratories in Burnaby, British Columbia. The rock samples were assayed using GE_ICP 40B - Multi-Acid (4 Acid) digestion / ICP-AES Package. The soil samples were analyzed using SGS Laboratories proprietary MMI-M5 analytical procedure. In this technique, target elements are extracted using weak solutions of organic and inorganic compounds and analyzed through ICP-MS Dynamic Reaction Cell (DRC II).

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Afzaal Pirzada, P.Geo., a qualified person, as defined by NI 43-101 who works as a consultant with the Company.

Vendome is a mineral exploration company located in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Our primary focus is to acquire "near-term production" exploration mining projects and existing producers. Vendome Resources Corp. is managed by an experienced team of mining professionals with extensive operating and financial experience.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF VENDOME RESOURCES CORP.

W. John Priestner

President and Chief Executive Officer

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

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 contains "forward-looking information" including statements with respect to the future exploration performance of the Company. This forward-looking information involves 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 of the Company, expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, as well as others, are disclosed within the Company's filing on SEDAR, which investors are encouraged to review prior to any transaction involving the securities of the Company. Forward-looking information contained herein is provided as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation, other than as required by law, to update any forward-looking information for any reason. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information.

Table: Rock Samples Details

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zone Sample Location Elev Sample ID Name NAD 1983 Zone 10 (m) ------------------------------ Easting Northing --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 01 Mn 4 594003 5658313 1111 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 02 Mn 4 594032 5658315 1083 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 03 Mn 4 593998 5658382 1135 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 04 Mn 4 593979 5658393 1137 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 05 Mn 4 593902 5658513 1198 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 06 Mn 4 593997 5658353 1127 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 07 Mn 4 593991 5658368 1130 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 08 Mn 4 593991 5658378 1131 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average % Mn --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sample Manganese Sample ID Type (Mn) % Lithology ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 01 outcrop 1.86 red quartzite, chert, phyllite ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 02 angular 8.39 red quartzite, chert, phyllite float ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 03 outcrop 21.60 red quartzite, chert, phyllite ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 04 outcrop 14.10 red quartzite, chert, phyllite ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 05 angular 2.18 red quartzite, chert, phyllite float ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 06 outcrop 0.69 red quartzite, chert, phyllite ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 07 outcrop 10.60 red quartzite, chert, phyllite ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Mn4 08 angular 28.00 red quartzite, chert, phyllite float ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average % Mn 10.93 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contacts:

Vendome Resources Corp.

W. John Priestner

President and Chief Executive Officer

info@vendomeresourcescorp.com




James McDonald, Senior Research Analyst at Warc



Adspend growth by country 2016 vs 2015 2017 vs 2016 y-o-y % change y-o-y % change India 13.3 13.4 China 7.8 7.1 Russia 5.8 6.1 Spain 5.8 5.2 UK 5.6 4.3 US 5.1 2.8 Australia 3.8 3.8 Brazil 3.3 2.1 Italy 2.8 1.6 Germany 2.1 1.8 Canada 2.0 2.4 Japan 1.7 1.7 France 1.3 0.8 Global 4.5 4.2 Source: Warc's Consensus Ad Forecast, November 2016 (www.warc.com)

Global adspend growth by medium 2016 vs 2015 2017 vs 2016 y-o-y % change y-o-y % change Mobile 47.1 34.2 Internet 14.6 13.0 Out of home 3.4 3.2 Cinema 3.1 5.1 TV 2.8 1.1 Radio 0.4 0.3 Magazines -5.9 -4.5 Newspapers -8.0 -6.1 Source: Warc's Consensus Ad Forecast, November 2016 (www.warc.com)

Amanda Benfell PR Manager, Warc E: amanda.benfell@warc.com T: +44 20 7467 8125

LONDON, Nov 3, 2016 - (ACN Newswire) - The latest Consensus Ad Forecast from Warc, the marketing intelligence service, indicates that global advertising spend will rise by 4.5% during 2016 as a whole, before the growth rate slows to 4.2% in 2017.With the exception of newspapers and magazines, all major media channels are expected to record adspend growth this year and next. However, the two largest, TV (+1.1%) and internet (+13.0%) are forecast to see their growth rate ease during 2017. The same is true for mobile, though it is still set to be the fastest-growing ad channel over the period.Warc's Consensus Ad Forecast is based on a weighted average of adspend predictions at current prices from ad agencies, media monitoring companies, analysts, Warc's own team and other industry bodies.Current sources include Carat, eMarketer, GroupM, Magna Global, Nikkei Advertising Research Institute (NARI), Pitch-Madison, Pivotal Research Group and ZenithOptimedia.All 13 markets covered in the report are forecast to see the amount invested in advertising rise both this year and next, though for eight of these the growth rate will be softer in 2017.India is expected to see the strongest annual rise in adspend this year, up 13.3%, with a similar rate of growth anticipated next year. The world's largest ad market, the US, is expected to post adspend growth of 5.1% this year - buoyed by the presidential election campaigns and the Rio Olympics. US adspend growth is then forecast to cool next year - rising by 2.8% - as the impact of these events is lost.Despite the uncertainty surrounding the "Brexit" process by which the UK will leave the European Union in 2017, the nation's ad market is forecast to record adspend growth of 5.6% this year and 4.3% next; both above the global respective rates.All four BRIC markets, India (+13.4%), China (+7.1%), Russia (+6.1%) and Brazil (+2.1%), are expected to post rises in ad expenditure this year and next. France is forecast to record muted growth of +0.8% in 2017, the softest rate of the 13 markets studied.All media, barring newspapers and magazines, are predicted to record year-on-year growth in 2017, with mobile expected to see the greatest adspend rise, up 34.2%. Total internet (including mobile) growth is expected to be 13.0% next year, while TV, the world's largest ad channel by spend, is forecast to post growth of 1.1%.James McDonald, Senior Research Analyst at Warc, said: "The latest consensus results present a positive outlook for advertising investment at both a global and local level. All 13 markets studied are expected to record adspend growth in the short term, and this despite their contrasting socio-economic environments.""We have identified a common trend among more mature markets whereby increasing investment in internet - particularly mobile - ad formats is driving headline growth. Applying consensus trends to Warc's adspend data shows that mobile will grow to be the world's third-largest ad channel by the end of 2016."About Warc - Ideas and evidence for marketing peopleWarc.com is an online service offering advertising best practice, evidence and insights from the world's leading brands. Warc helps clients grow their businesses by using proven approaches to maximise advertising effectiveness. Warc's clients include the world's largest advertising and media agencies, advertisers, research companies and universities.Warc also publishes leading journals including Admap, Market Leader, the Journal of Advertising Research and the International Journal of the Market Research Society. In addition to its own content, Warc features advertising case studies and best practices from more than 50 respected industry sources, including: ARF, Effies, Cannes Lions, ESOMAR and IPA. Warc hosts three annual case study competitions: Warc Prize for Innovation, Warc Prize for Social Strategy and Warc Prize for Asian Strategy.Founded in 1985, Warc is privately owned and has offices in the UK, U.S. and Singapore. For more information, please visit www.warc.com.Source: Warc - Ideas and evidence for marketing peopleContact:Copyright 2016 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

The Government of Canada is committed to a cleaner, more innovative economy that reduces emissions and protects the environment. This will help create well-paying jobs for the middle class and ensure we provide the next generations with a prosperous and sustainable economy.

Today, in the House of Commons, the Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, announced that the Government will be reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. Furthermore, the Centre for Greening Government is being created at the Treasury Board Secretariat to track our emissions centrally, coordinate efforts across government, and drive results to makes sure we meet our objectives.

Progress towards this reduction will be achieved by strategic investments in infrastructure and vehicle fleets, green procurement, and support for clean technology.

Already, the Government announced $2.1 billion in Budget 2016 towards repairs and retrofits to a wide range of government buildings, and to the greening of government operations.

We will immediately begin by aligning the way we measure greenhouse gas emissions with international standards to provide an accurate picture to measure the Government's progress.

While the target is set for 2030, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, along with federal departments and agencies, aspires to achieve this 40% reduction as early as 2025. By that date, Public Services and Procurement Canada-the Government's principal landlord, will be purchasing 100% of its electricity from clean energy sources.

Quotes

"The Government must do its part to meet the challenges of climate change to leave a prosperous and sustainable economy and a strong middle class for the next generations. I was proud to announce that we will be reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and that all departments are on board to get it done."

-The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board

"We are taking action on climate change by greening our government's activities and are doing our part to make further progress towards Canada's emissions target. We will do more, as we develop our pan-Canadian climate plan-a plan that will create good jobs for the benefit of Canadians, especially the middle class and those striving to join it."

-The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

"Public Services and Procurement is committed to supporting our government's goal of reducing carbon footprint through green purchases and building management. These actions demonstrate our leadership and dedication to improving the environment and the quality of life of Canadians."

-The Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement

Quick facts

-- National Defence (DND) and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) account for more than 75% of all government greenhouse gas emissions. -- By 2025, 100% of the electricity used in PSPC facilities will come from green energy sources. -- DND will be purchasing a significant amount of renewable electricity for their installations in Alberta. This will meet most of their electricity requirements for installations in Calgary, Cold Lake, Edmonton, Wainwright, and Suffield. -- The Government's investments will include revitalizing the heating and cooling plants in the National Capital Region, which provide services to more than 85 buildings and facilities. This investment will modernize six separate facilities and is anticipated to reduce their emissions by more than 45%. -- One goal of the 2016-2019 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy is achieving a low-carbon government and it includes detailed milestones towards this transformation.

Associated Links

Federal Sustainable Development Strategy 2016-19: Low Carbon Government Goal

North American Leaders' Summit 2016 Statement

Backgrounder: Greening Government

Follow us on Twitter: @TBS_Canada.

Contacts:

Jean-Luc Ferland

Press Secretary

Office of the President of the Treasury Board

613-369-3163



Media Relations

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

613-369-9400

media@tbs-sct.gc.ca



TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired)

613-369-9371




LAVAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Savaria Corporation (TSX: SIS), one of North America's leaders in the accessibility industry, discloses its results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2016.

Highlights:

Once again, third quarter 2016 results including Revenue, Operating income and adjusted EBITDA reached unprecedented levels.

Quarter Ended September 30, 2016

-- Record revenue of $32.4 million, up $8.4 million or 35.2%; -- Record gross margin of $11.2 million, up $3.8 million or 52.4%; -- Record operating income of $4.9 million, up $2 million or 70.7%; -- Record adjusted EBITDA(1) of $5.6 million, up $1.8 million or 47.8%; -- 30% increase of Savaria's dividend, raising it from 20 cents per year to 26 cents, resulting in a quarterly dividend of 6.5 cents per common share; -- Savaria added to the S&P/TSX Small Cap Index.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

-- Record revenue of $88.7 million, up $20.1 million or 29.3%; -- Record gross margin of $29.4 million, up $8.6 million or 41.1%; -- Record operating income of $12.5 million, up $4.7 million or 61.1%; -- Record adjusted EBITDA of $14.6 million, up $4.4 million or 43.2%. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (in thousands, Nine Months Ended except per-share September 30, amounts and Quarters Ended percentages - September 30, Unaudited) ------------------------------------------------------------ 2016 2015 Change 2016 2015 Change ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenue $32,440 $24,002 35.2% $88,742 $68,658 29.3% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross margin $11,173 $7,333 52.4% $29,435 $20,864 41,1% As a % of revenue 34.4% 30.6% n/a 33.2% 30.4% n/a ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income $3,415 $2,352 45.2% $8,561 $6,077 40.9% As a % of revenue 10.5% 9.8% n/a 9.6% 8.9% n/a Earnings per share - diluted $0.09 $0.07 28.6% $0.24 $0.19 26.3% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted EBITDA $5,627 $3,806 47.8% $14,585 $10,187 43.2% As a % of revenue 17.3% 15.9% n/a 16.4% 14.8% n/a Adjusted EBITDA per share - diluted $0.15 $0.11 36.4% $0.41 $0.32 28.1% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and business acquisition costs (see section Compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards)

A Word from the President

"Our third quarter is furthering our second quarter in terms of growth and profitability. Our revenue has increased by 35% while our adjusted EBITDA increased by 48% compared to the third quarter of 2015. These record results reflect the strong demand for our accessibility products and our tight control of operational costs. Our ratio of adjusted EBITDA / Revenue meets our expectations by reaching 17%, thanks to the efforts and dedication of all our employees. Our Adapted Vehicles segment had its best quarter ever with 147 conversions, an increase of 47% compared to the third quarter of 2015," declared Marcel Bourassa, President and Chief Executive Officer of Savaria.

"Our new ceiling lift, the Monarch, has been launched to our retailers last September at the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) show in Montreal. I am very confident that this new product will contribute positively to our results as of fiscal 2017.

"Our strong financial position enables us to develop new products and to keep an eye open for new acquisitions and thus keep furthering the execution of our strategic plan," concluded Mr. Bourassa.

Outlook 2016

The Corporation adjusts its forecast for the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2016, increasing revenue to approximately $119 million and adjusted EBITDA to a range of $19-$20 million.

Dividend

As per the Corporation's dividend policy, the Board of Directors has declared a dividend of 6.5 cents ($0.065) per common share for the third quarter of 2016. The dividend is payable on November 25, 2016, to shareholders of record of the Corporation at the close of business on November 11, 2016. This is an eligible dividend within the meaning of the Income Tax Act.

Savaria Corporation (savaria.com) is one of North America's leaders in the accessibility industry. It provides accessibility solutions for the elderly and physically challenged to increase their mobility and independence. The diversity of its product line is one of the most comprehensive on the market. Savaria designs, manufactures, distributes and installs accessibility equipment, such as stairlifts for straight and curved stairs, vertical and inclined wheelchair lifts, as well as elevators for home and commercial use. In addition, it converts and adapts vehicles to be wheelchair accessible. It also operates a network of franchisees and corporate stores through which new and recycled accessibility equipment is sold, as well as vehicle conversion in certain locations. Savaria operates a plant located in Huizhou (China), which increases its competitive edge. The Corporation records close to 60% of its revenue outside Canada, primarily in the United States. It operates a sales network of some 400 retailers and affiliates in North America and employs some 500 people. Its principal places of business are located in Laval (Quebec), Brampton (Ontario) and Huizhou (China).

Compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")

The information appearing in this press release has been prepared in accordance with IFRS. However, the Corporation uses EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA for analysis purposes to measure its financial performance. These measures have no standardized definitions in accordance with IFRS and are therefore regarded as non-IFRS measures. These measures may therefore not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. Reconciliation between net income for the period and EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA is provided in the Reconciliation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA with Net Income section below.

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" regarding Savaria, including, without being limited thereto, understanding of the elements that might affect the Corporation's future, relating to its financial or operating performance, the costs and schedule of future acquisitions, supplementary capital expenditure requirements and legislative matters. Most frequently, but not invariably, forward-looking statements are identified by the use of such terms as "plan", "expect", "should", "could", "budget", "expected", "estimated" "forecast", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", variants thereof (including negative variants) or statements that certain events, results or shares "could", "should" or "will" occur or be achieved. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors liable to cause Savaria's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those set forth in or underlying the forward-looking statements. Such factors notably include general, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Although Savaria has attempted to identify the key elements liable to cause actual measures, events or results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements, other factors could have an impact on the reality and produce unexpected results. The forward-looking statements contained herein are valid at the date of this press release. As there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove accurate, actual future results and events could differ materially from those anticipated therein. Accordingly, readers are strongly advised not to unduly rely on these forward-looking statements.

www.savaria.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savariabettermobility

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mobilityforlife

Reconciliation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA with net income provided below.

Complete financial statements and the management's report for quarter ended September 30, 2016 will be available shortly on Savaria's website and on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

Reconciliation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA with Net Income

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (in thousands of dollars - Quarters Ended Nine Months Ended Unaudited) September 30, September 30, ------------------------------------------------ 2016 2015 2016 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income $3,415 $2,352 $8,561 $6,077 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Plus : Interest on long-term debt 162 140 459 433 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest and bank charges 85 68 179 155 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income tax expense 1,512 876 3,443 2,312 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Depreciation of fixed assets 336 271 956 776 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amortization of intangible assets 179 170 519 595 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Less: Interest income 112 71 238 161 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDA $5,577 $3,806 $13,879 $10,187 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Business acquisition costs 50 - 706 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted EBITDA $5,627 $3,806 $14,585 $10,187 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contacts:

Helene Bernier, CPA, CA

Vice President, Finance

1-800-931-5655, ext. 248

helene.bernier@savaria.com



Marcel Bourassa

President and Chief Executive Officer

1-800-661-5112

marcel.bourassa@savaria.com




LINCOLNSHIRE, IL -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Camping World Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CWH) ("Camping World"), the nation's largest network of RV-centric retail locations, announced today an agreement to acquire the RV dealership of Dean's RV in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Camping World anticipates closing the acquisition in November 2016. Current arrangements are to commence operations upon finalizing the transaction, with plans to construct a state-of-the-art RV sales and service facility, including a full-service Camping World retail store, in 2017.

"Under Randy Coy's leadership, Dean's RV has established itself as one of the most successful and well-known RV dealerships in the State of Oklahoma," said Marcus Lemonis, Chairman and CEO of Camping World and Good Sam. "We are pleased to close the acquisition and continue our market share expansion throughout the state of Oklahoma."

As part of the Camping World network, the location will offer a wide array of services including RV sales, service and parts and accessories for the outdoor and RV enthusiast and will provide the full suite of Good Sam products, services and protection plans, including roadside assistance, extended warranties and insurance.

The new Camping World Supercenter will feature motorhomes and towables from top manufacturers and brands, including Winnebago, Keystone, Forest River, Heartland and Jayco and new and innovative products, accessories, interactive displays and customer experiences from top vendors such as Dometic, Honda, Thetford, Goodyear, Winegard, Camco, Roadmaster, Reese, Cequent, Lippert, Exide, Ultra-Fab, Coleman, Valterra, Champion, Rand McNally, Max-Air, BAL, Select Comfort, ASA Electronics, Cummins-Onan, WFCO, Weber, HWH, Presto-Fit, Stromberg-Carlson, RDK Products, Magellan, King Controls, Charbroil, Amerigas, ExxonMobil products, Norcold and many more.

Lemonis continued, "I always look for three things: People, Process and Product in relation to enhancing our Camping World and Good Sam presence. Our goal is to add more quality manufacturers and brands, increase our presence in the market, and grow the workforce."

About Camping World Holdings, Inc.

Camping World Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CWH) is the only provider of a comprehensive portfolio of services, protection plans, products and resources for recreational vehicle ("RV") enthusiasts. Through its two iconic brands, Camping World and Good Sam, the company offers new and used RVs for sale, vehicle service and maintenance along with more than 10,000 products and services through its retail locations and membership clubs. Good Sam branded offerings provide the industry's broadest and deepest range of services, protection plans, products and resources while the Camping World brand operates the largest national network of RV-centric retail locations in the United States through 120 retail locations in 36 states and an e-commerce platform. With both brands founded in 1966, product and service offerings are based on 50 years of experience and customer feedback from RV enthusiasts.

For more information, visit www.CampingWorld.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning Camping World and other matters. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements. Statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "intends," "targets," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this press release are only predictions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties that affect our business, including those described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our public announcements and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For Media Outlets:

Contact

Karen Porter

Email Contact




COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Gold Resource Corporation (NYSE MKT: GORO) (the "Company") reported production results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016 of 6,066 ounces of gold and 431,335 ounces of silver, which along with base metal revenue generated $21.4 million in net revenue and $1.6 million in net income for the quarter. 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 into physical gold and silver and take delivery.

2016 Q3 HIGHLIGHTS

6,066 gold ounces produced

431,335 silver ounces produced

$21.4 million net sales

$1.6 million net income

$623 total cash cost per gold equivalent ounce (after by-product credits)

$8.7 million adjusted cash flow from mine site operations

$8.7 million by-product credits, or $664 per ounce sold

$0.3 million dividend distributions, or $0.005 per share for quarter

$17.1 million cash and cash equivalents

Purchased 100% interest in the Isabela Pearl development project in Nevada, USA

Purchased 100% interest in the Mina Gold exploration property in Nevada, USA

Overview of Q3 2016 Results

Gold Resource Corporation's Aguila Project sold 13,054 gold equivalent ounces at a total cash cost of $623 per ounce (after by-product credits). Realized average metal price sales during the quarter were $1,339 per ounce gold and $20.79 per ounce silver. The Company recorded net income of $1.6 million, or $0.03 per share. Adjusted cash flow from mine site operations totaled $8.7 million. The Company paid $0.3 million to shareholders in dividends, or $0.005 per share during the quarter. Cash and cash equivalents at quarter end totaled $17.1 million. Realized gold and silver prices increased 20% and 43%, respectively, compared to the third quarter of 2015.

Production for the first three quarters of 2016 included 22,540 ounces of gold and 1,437,975 ounces of silver. The Company maintains its 2016 Annual Outlook, targeting a plus or minus 5 percent production, of 26,000 gold ounces, 1,900,000 silver ounces, 1,100 tonnes of copper, 3,200 tonnes of lead and 12,900 tonnes of zinc.

As previously announced, during the third quarter, the Company purchased a 100% interest in the Isabella Pearl high-grade gold potential open pit heap leach project located in Nevada, U.S.A. An earlier study completed by a third-party reported that the project contains Proven and Probable Reserves of 191,400 gold ounces at an average grade of 2.18 grams per tonne (g/t) and it is in advanced stages of engineering and mine permitting. The Company also acquired the Mina Gold property located in Mineral County, Nevada. The Mina Gold property contains an historic third-party estimate of mineralized material totaling 1,606,000 tonnes grading 1.88 gram per tonne (g/t) gold.

The following Production and Sales Statistics table summarizes certain information about our mining operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:

Production and Sales Statistics Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, --------------------- --------------------- 2016 2015 2016 2015 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Milled Tonnes Milled (1) 113,945 105,309 331,423 300,190 Tonnes Milled per Day (2) 1,278 1,143 1,269 1,104 Grade Average Gold Grade (g/t) 1.86 2.25 2.36 2.52 Average Silver Grade (g/t) 128 180 146 216 Average Copper Grade (%) 0.24 0.41 0.31 0.39 Average Lead Grade (%) 1.18 1.41 1.18 1.37 Average Zinc Grade (%) 3.45 4.02 3.71 3.78 Recoveries Average Gold Recovery (%) 89 90 90 90 Average Silver Recovery (%) 92 92 92 93 Average Copper Recovery (%) 78 80 77 79 Average Lead Recovery (%) 74 75 72 75 Average Zinc Recovery (%) 82 83 84 82 Mill production (before payable metal deductions) (3) Gold (ozs.) 6,066 6,825 22,540 21,960 Silver (ozs.) 431,335 561,985 1,437,975 1,932,611 Copper (tonnes) 213 343 777 929 Lead (tonnes) 1,000 1,114 2,847 3,071 Zinc (tonnes) 3,232 3,499 10,306 9,299 Payable metal sold Gold (ozs.) 6,683 6,220 21,096 21,994 Silver (ozs.) 410,337 503,929 1,337,668 1,770,093 Copper (tonnes) 200 332 739 877 Lead (tonnes) 893 1,049 2,629 2,875 Zinc (tonnes) 2,480 2,905 8,503 7,668 Average metal prices realized (4) Gold ($ per oz.) 1,339 1,115 1,271 1,177 Silver ($ per oz.) 20.79 14.50 17.45 16.09 Copper ($ per tonne) 4,791 4,883 4,577 5,436 Lead ($ per tonne) 1,908 1,619 1,808 1,746 Zinc ($ per tonne) 2,421 1,701 2,012 1,981 Precious metal gold equivalent ounces produced (mill production) (3) Gold Ounces 6,066 6,825 22,540 21,960 Gold Equivalent Ounces from Silver 6,697 7,308 19,741 26,410 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total Precious Metal Gold Equivalent Ounces 12,763 14,133 42,281 48,370 ========== ========== ========== ========== Precious metal gold equivalent ounces sold Gold Ounces 6,683 6,220 21,096 21,994 Gold Equivalent Ounces from Silver 6,371 6,553 18,364 24,189 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total Precious Metal Gold Equivalent Ounces 13,054 12,773 39,460 46,183 ========== ========== ========== ========== Total cash cost before by- product credits per precious metal gold equivalent ounce sold (5) $ 1,287 $ 1,250 $ 1,152 $ 1,046 ========== ========== ========== ========== Total cash cost after by- product credits per precious metal gold equivalent ounce sold (5) $ 623 $ 603 $ 511 $ 505 ========== ========== ========== ========== Total all-in sustaining cost per precious metal gold equivalent ounce sold (5) $ 907 $ 1,516 $ 910 $ 1,027 ========== ========== ========== ========== Total all-in cost per precious metal gold equivalent ounce sold (5) $ 1,021 $ 1,736 $ 1,027 $ 1,287 ========== ========== ========== ========== (1) For the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, this includes 11,459 and 38,764 tonnes, respectively of low-grade stockpile open pit ore. (2) Based on actual days the mill operated during the period. (3) Mill production represents metal contained in concentrates produced at the mill, which is before payable metal deductions are levied by the buyer of our concentrates. Payable metal deduction quantities are defined in our contracts with the buyer of our concentrates and represent an estimate of metal contained in the concentrates produced at our mill which the buyer cannot recover through the smelting process. There are inherent limitations and differences in the sampling method and assaying of estimated metal contained in concentrates that are shipped, and those contained metal estimates are derived from sampling methods and assaying throughout the mill production process. The Company monitors these differences to ensure that precious metal mill production quantities are materially correct. (4) Average metal prices realized vary from the market metal prices due to final settlement adjustments from our provisional invoices when they are settled. Our average metal prices realized will therefore differ from the market average metal prices in most cases. (5) For a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to total mine cost of sales, which is the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure, please see Non- GAAP Measures in the Company's most recently filed 10-Q.

See Accompanying Tables

The following information summarizes the results of operations for Gold Resource Corporation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, its financial condition at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and its cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. The summary data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 is unaudited; the summary data as of December 31, 2015 is derived from our audited financial statements contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, but do not include the footnotes and other information that is included in the complete financial statements. Readers are urged to review the Company's Form 10-K in its entirety, which can be found on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

The calculation of our cash cost per precious metal gold equivalent per ounce, total all-in sustaining cost per precious metal gold equivalent per ounce and total all-in cost per precious metal gold equivalent per ounce contained in this press release are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see "Management's Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations" contained in the Company's most recent Form 10-Q and Form 10-K for a complete discussion and reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures.

GOLD RESOURCE CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) September 30, December 31, 2016 2015 ------------- ------------- (Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 17,065 $ 12,822 Gold and silver rounds/bullion 3,876 2,988 Accounts receivable 2,414 321 Inventories 9,409 8,753 Income tax receivable 937 3,794 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,693 3,940 ------------- ------------- Total current assets 35,394 32,618 Property, plant and mine development, net 70,959 51,637 Deferred tax assets 15,055 21,064 Other non-current assets 1,547 1,216 ------------- ------------- Total assets $ 122,955 $ 106,535 ============= ============= LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 5,433 $ 11,600 Mining royalty taxes payable 1,079 230 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 2,596 3,072 ------------- ------------- Total current liabilities 9,108 14,902 Reclamation and remediation liabilities 2,554 2,815 ------------- ------------- Total liabilities 11,662 17,717 Shareholders' equity: Preferred stock - $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized: no shares issued and outstanding - - Common stock - $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized: 56,903,272 and 56,566,874 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, at September 30, 2016 and 54,603,104 and 54,266,706 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, at December 31, 2015 57 55 Additional paid-in capital 111,790 96,766 Accumulated retained earnings (deficit) 6,501 (948) Treasury stock at cost, 336,398 shares (5,884) (5,884) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,171) (1,171) ------------- ------------- Total shareholders' equity 111,293 88,818 ------------- ------------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 122,955 $ 106,535 ============= ============= GOLD RESOURCE CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, ------------------------ ----------------------- 2016 2015 2016 2015 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Sales, net $ 21,367 $ 19,437 $ 64,968 $ 71,082 Mine cost of sales: Production costs 12,767 13,411 34,570 40,462 Depreciation and amortization 3,189 1,579 9,049 5,195 Reclamation and remediation 48 6 139 36 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total mine cost of sales 16,004 14,996 43,758 45,693 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Mine gross profit 5,363 4,441 21,210 25,389 Costs and expenses: General and administrative expenses 2,027 2,913 5,875 8,032 Exploration expenses 881 1,810 2,027 6,416 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total costs and expenses 2,908 4,723 7,902 14,448 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Operating income (loss) 2,455 (282) 13,308 10,941 Other (expense) income, net (74) (1,033) 1,170 (2,080) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Income (loss) before income taxes 2,381 (1,315) 14,478 8,861 Provision for income taxes 787 (846) 6,479 3,465 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net income (loss) $ 1,594 $ (469) $ 7,999 $ 5,396 =========== =========== =========== =========== Net income (loss) per common share: Basic $ 0.03 $ (0.01) $ 0.15 $ 0.10 Diluted $ 0.03 $ (0.01) $ 0.14 $ 0.10 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 55,781,382 54,179,369 54,994,430 54,179,369 =========== =========== =========== =========== Diluted 57,597,392 54,179,369 55,589,307 54,201,274 =========== =========== =========== =========== GOLD RESOURCE CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (U.S. dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) Nine months ended September 30, 2016 2015 ----------- ----------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 7,999 $ 5,396 ----------- ----------- Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities: Deferred income taxes 250 (1,522) Depreciation, depletion and amortization 9,343 6,331 Stock-based compensation 997 3,293 Other operating adjustments (531) 2,472 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (2,092) (435) Inventories (657) (1,149) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,203 (897) Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities (2,774) 5,069 Mining royalty and income taxes payable/receivable 3,690 (4,528) Other noncurrent assets 64 466 ----------- ----------- Net cash provided by operating activities 17,492 14,496 ----------- ----------- Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (12,637) (21,837) Proceeds from the sale of equity investments 749 - Other investing activities (315) 40 ----------- ----------- Net cash used in investing activities (12,203) (21,797) ----------- ----------- Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 391 - Dividends paid (818) (4,876) Repayment of capital leases (606) (1,123) ----------- ----------- Net cash used in financing activities (1,033) (5,999) ----------- ----------- Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (13) (136) ----------- ----------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 4,243 (13,436) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 12,822 27,541 ----------- ----------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 17,065 $ 14,105 =========== =========== Supplemental Cash Flow Information Interest expense paid $ 13 $ 65 =========== =========== Income and mining taxes paid $ 256 $ 8,464 =========== =========== Non-cash investing activities: Common stock issued for the acquisition of Walker Lane Minerals Corp $ 13,060 $ - =========== =========== Common stock issued for the acquisition of the Mina Gold property $ 850 $ - =========== ===========

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. The Company has 100% interest in six potential high-grade gold and silver properties at its producing Oaxaca, Mexico Mining Unit and exploration properties at its Nevada, USA Mining Unit. The Company has 56,566,874 shares outstanding, no warrants, no long term 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.

Contacts:

Corporate Development

Greg Patterson

303-320-7708

www.Goldresourcecorp.com




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Goldeye Explorations Limited (TSX VENTURE: GGY) ("Goldeye" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that pursuant to section 57(b) of the Exploration Agreement between the Company and Sandy Lake First Nation ("SLFN") dated November 12, 2013 (the "Exploration Agreement"), Goldeye and SLFN have agreed to a two (2) year renewal (the "Renewal") on the same terms commencing on November 12, 2016. As part of the Renewal, Goldeye will issue to SLFN five hundred thousand (500,000) common shares of the Company ("Common Shares").

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Robin Luke Webster, President and Chief Executive Officer

ABOUT GOLDEYE

Goldeye Explorations is a gold-focused junior exploration company engaged in the exploration and evaluation of mineral properties in Ontario, Canada. Goldeye's flagship Weebigee Project is located near Sandy Lake in Northwestern Ontario. The company has additional properties at Gold Rock near Dryden, and Shining Tree in Northeastern Ontario.

For additional information about Goldeye, please visit Goldeye's website at www.goldeye.ca

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and "forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or information are identified with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "potential", "estimate", "propose", "project", "outlook", "foresee" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook and include the statement that "Goldeye will issue to SLFN five hundred thousand (500,000) common shares of the Company ("Common Shares")".

Such forward-looking information or statements are based on a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, management's expectations regarding availability of capital. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, operational risks in the completion of the Company's anticipated projects, delays or changes in plans with respect to the development of the Company's anticipated projects by the Company's third party relationships, risks affecting the Company's ability to execute projects, weather and other environmental risks and the inability to raise additional capital. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Company's securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Company can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by law.

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 and/or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

Goldeye Explorations Limited

Robin Luke Webster

President and Chief Executive Officer

1.416.900.0918

info@goldeye.ca




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NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - MetLife Inc. (MET) reported a profit for its third quarter that rose compared to the same period last year. The company said its bottom line totaled $1.42 billion, or $1.28 per share. This was higher than $0.71 billion, or $0.62 per share, in last year's third quarter. Analysts had expected the company to earn $1.14 per share, according figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. The company said revenue for the quarter rose 0.8% to $18.11 billion. This was up from $17.97 billion last year. MetLife Inc. earnings at a glance: -Earnings (Q3): $1.42 Bln. vs. $0.71 Bln. last year. -Earnings Growth (Y-o-Y): 100% -EPS (Q3): $1.28 vs. $0.62 last year. -EPS Growth (Y-o-Y): 106.5% -Analysts Estimate: $1.14 -Revenue (Q3): $18.11 Bln vs. $17.97 Bln last year. -Revenue Change (Y-o-Y): 0.8% 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) - Fidelity National Financial Inc (FNF) released earnings for its third quarter that gained ground from last year. The company said its bottom line came in at $192 million, or $0.69 per share. This was higher than $171 million, or $0.60 per share, in last year's third quarter. Analysts had expected the company to earn $0.74 per share, according figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. The company said revenue for the quarter rose 8.9% to $2.20 billion. This was up from $2.02 billion last year. Fidelity National Financial Inc earnings at a glance: -Earnings (Q3): $192 Mln. vs. $171 Mln. last year. -Earnings Growth (Y-o-Y): 12.3% -EPS (Q3): $0.69 vs. $0.60 last year. -EPS Growth (Y-o-Y): 15.0% -Analysts Estimate: $0.74 -Revenue (Q3): $2.20 Bln vs. $2.02 Bln last year. -Revenue Change (Y-o-Y): 8.9% 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.
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Argonaut Gold Inc. (TSX: AR) (the "Company", "Argonaut Gold" or "Argonaut") is pleased to announce the board of directors has approved to proceed with construction of the San Agustin project in Durango, Mexico (approximately 10 kilometres from the El Castillo mine). The Company also announces receipt of regulatory approval for the Change in Use of Soil permit, the last significant permit required to commence construction. All dollar amounts are expressed in United States dollars unless otherwise specified.

The Company anticipates first gold production from San Agustin during the third quarter of 2017. The Company is able to fund all of its ongoing commitments at its existing operations and San Agustin's initial capital of $43 million through the September 30, 2016 cash balance of $50.4 million, anticipated cash flow from operations and its undrawn $30 million corporate revolving credit facility.

Pete Dougherty, President & CEO, stated: "With the receipt of the final major permit for San Agustin and an expected after-tax IRR of 50%, the board approved the construction of the project. We view San Agustin as a low-risk, high-return project where we are able to utilize numerous synergies with our nearby operating El Castillo mine. The El Castillo and San Agustin deposits are very similar geologically, as is the characterization of mineralization. This allows us to incorporate similar mining and processing procedures at San Agustin that we currently utilize at El Castillo."

The Company views the San Agustin project as an extension of its El Castillo mining complex where operations have been running since 2007. Management and the board believe this operating knowledge mitigates the risk of moving forward with a construction decision based on a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA").

San Agustin Project Updated PEA Highlights using $1,200/ounce gold and $15/ounce silver

-- After-tax net present value ("NPV") of $89.9 million using a 5% discount rate. -- After-tax internal rate of return ("IRR") of 50%. -- Initial estimated capital expenditure investment of $42.6 million, including $7.3 million in contingency. -- Average annual production of over 80,000 gold equivalent ounces ("GEOs")(1) over the 6.5 year mine life.

San Agustin Production Specifications

-- Total Indicated Mineral Resource proposed to be processed includes 72.4 million tonnes containing 745,000 ounces of gold with an average grade of 0.32 grams gold per tonne ("g/t") and 24.5 million ounces of silver with an average grade of 10.6 g/t. -- Life-of-Mine ("LOM") strip ratio of 0.4:1. -- No Inferred Mineral Resources were included in the mine or production plan. -- Total contemplated LOM production of 488,000 ounces of gold and 3.8 million ounces of silver from the Indicated Mineral Resource. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Production Statistics: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOM (years) 6.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Indicated Mineral Resource tonnes processed (000s) 72,400 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total tonnes waste (000s) 28,600 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOM strip ratio (waste: mineralized material) 0.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall average gold grade (g/t) 0.32 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall average silver grade (g/t) 10.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall average gold recovery - 2-stage crushed material 66% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall average gold recovery -1-stage crushed material 57% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall average silver recovery - 2-stage crushed material 16% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall average silver recovery -1-stage crushed material 9% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gold ounces recovered (000's) 488 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Silver ounces recovered (000's) 3,804 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average annual production GEOs 80,200 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Modeled Operating Costs (LOM Average) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cost / Tonne Mineralized Material $ 4.79 Mining $ 1.52 Processing $ 2.92 G&A $ 0.35 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash Cost Per GEO $ 648 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Modeled Capital Costs (millions) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mine (pre-production) $ 2.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Process $ 21.7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Infrastructure $ 5.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Capital $ 29.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contingency, EPCM, owner & indirect costs $ 12.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Initial Capital $ 42.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sustaining Capital $ 42.2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total LOM Capital $ 84.8 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

For further information on the San Agustin project, please see the Technical Report titled "Technical Report and Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment San Agustin Heap Leach Project Durango, Mexico" effective date of April 29, 2016 and available on www.sedar.com and on the Company's website, www.argonautgold.com.

Mr. Michael Lechner of Resource Modeling Inc. located in Stites, Idaho who is an "Independent Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101 and the lead person responsible for completing the San Agustin resource has reviewed this press release as it relates to the San Agustin project.

Mr. Richard Rhoades, Chief Operating Officer of Argonaut Gold, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and the person responsible for the mine plan and mining related capital and operating costs, has reviewed this press release as it relates to the San Agustin project.

Mr. Carl Defilippi of Kappes, Cassidy & Associates located in Reno, Nevada who is an "Independent Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101 and the lead person responsible for completing the metallurgical work for the San Agustin resource has reviewed this press release as it relates to the San Agustin project and has overseen the metallurgical and recovery methods, infrastructure, and non-mining related operating costs and capital costs.

The release of this information was approved by Thomas Burkhart, Argonaut Gold's Vice President of Exploration and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

Cautionary Note Regarding the San Agustin Construction Decision

The Company advises that it has not based its production decision on a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability, and, as a result, there may be increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. There is no guarantee that production will begin as anticipated or at all or that anticipated production costs will be achieved. Failure to commence production would have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations. Failure to achieve the anticipated production costs would have a material adverse impact on the Company's cash flow and future profitability. The Company further cautions that the PEA is preliminary in nature. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that the PEA will be realized.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Argonaut Gold Inc. ("Argonaut" or "Argonaut Gold"). Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing and amount of estimated future production; economics of production; estimated production and mine life of the various mineral projects of Argonaut; the future price of gold and silver; estimation of mineral resources at mineral projects of Argonaut; the realization of mineral reserve and resource estimates; the receipt of necessary permits; the benefits of the development potential of the properties of Argonaut and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to Argonaut, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Argonaut and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.

Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include variations in metal grades, variations in recovery rates, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, permitting delays, changes in market conditions, risks relating to international operations, fluctuating metal prices and currency exchange rates, changes in project parameters, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated.

These factors are discussed in greater detail in Argonaut's most recent Annual Information Form and in the most recent Management Discussion and Analysis filed on SEDAR, which also provide additional general assumptions in connection with these statements. Argonaut cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. Argonaut believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Argonaut undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws.

Although Argonaut 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 anticipated, estimated or intended. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.

About Argonaut Gold

Argonaut Gold is a Canadian gold company engaged in exploration, mine development and production activities. Its primary assets are the production stage El Castillo mine and the construction stage San Agustin project in Durango, Mexico and the production stage La Colorada mine in Sonora, Mexico. Advanced exploration stage projects include the San Antonio project in Baja California Sur, Mexico, and the Magino project in Ontario, Canada. The Company also has several exploration stage projects, all of which are located in North America.

(1) Gold equivalent ounces ("GEO" or "GEOs") are based on a conversion ratio of 80:1 for silver to gold, as used in the PEA.

Contacts:

Argonaut Gold Inc.

Dan Symons

Vice President, Investor Relations

416-915-3107

dan.symons@argonautgold.com

www.argonautgold.com




MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- goeasy Ltd. (TSX: GSY), ("goeasy" or the "Company"), a leading full-service provider of goods and alternative financial services that improve the lives of everyday Canadians, has launched a point-of-sale financing platform with Sears Canada Inc. ("Sears") that was previously announced in March of this year. The point-of-sale financing platform provides financing alternatives for Sears Canada customers who purchase large ticket items and the initial launch included 168 Sears locations across the country. 30 additional stores in Quebec are scheduled for launch in early 2017.

This launch is an important milestone in the Company's history as it is the first time a retail customer can apply for and receive point-of-sale financing across the credit spectrum using a single, streamlined electronic application process. Depending on the customer credit profile, either Sears Canada or easyfinancial will extend credit for such purchases. easyfinancial's point-of-sale financing platform provides the back-end support system and loan servicing needed, and the in-store process is designed to make the transaction smooth and straight-forward for Sears customers.

"We are thrilled to be joining with Sears Canada to help provide their customers, regardless of their credit profile, with an integrated customer experience that removes any possible friction from retail financing. This transformational solution is the first of its kind in Canadian retail and we are excited to be at the forefront of this technology," said Jason Mullins, goeasy's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

The platform is supported by goeasy's next generation indirect tablet application and allows customers to complete one single credit application in store, giving them a credit decision in minutes. "Core to our business is providing financing solutions for all customers regardless of their credit situation. Being able to support that with an in store experience that is fast, simple and transparent was critical to the execution of this program," said Mr. Mullins. "The launch of this program will allow Sears to offer financing to a larger market than ever before, and we are excited about the sales growth this can drive for both organizations."

About goeasy

goeasy Ltd. is a leading full-service provider of goods and alternative financial services that improve the lives of everyday Canadians. Today, goeasy Ltd. serves its customers through two key operating divisions, easyhome and easyfinancial. easyhome is Canada's largest lease-to-own company, offering brand-name household furniture, appliances and electronics to consumers under weekly or monthly leasing agreements through both corporate and franchise stores. easyfinancial is the leading provider of alternative financial services, offering consumer loans between $500-$15,000, and is supported by a strong central credit adjudication process and industry leading risk analytics. easyfinancial also operates an indirect lending channel, offering loan products to consumers at the point-of-sale of third party merchants. Both operating divisions of goeasy Ltd. offer the highest level of customer service and enable customers to transact through a national store and branch network of over 175 easyhome Leasing and 200 easyfinancial locations across Canada and through its online and mobile eCommerce enabled platforms.

goeasy Ltd. is listed on the TSX under the symbol 'GSY'. For more information, visit www.goeasy.com.

Contacts:

David Ingram

President and Chief Executive Officer

(905) 272-2788



Steve Goertz

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(905) 272-2788




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Genovation Capital Corp. (CSE: GEC) (CSE: GEC.CN) the "Company" or "Genovation Capital") is pleased to announce the acquisition (the "Transaction") of all the issued and outstanding shares of Valens Agritech Ltd. ("Valens") by way of a share exchange agreement dated October 31, 2016, (the "SEA"), as previously announced on March 31, 2016.

Valens is a privately held biotechnology company based in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, focused on the cannabis cultivation and research business, with assets and improvements that include a state-of-the-art 17,000 square foot research and development facility located on a small acreage in Kelowna.

Valens has expended over $2.7 million to satisfy the stringent security requirements for a Controlled Drugs and Substances Dealer's Licence (including the activities of cultivation, production (extraction), packaging, possession, sale, transportation, delivery and research), and is currently awaiting final inspection by the Regional Inspectorate of the Office of Controlled Substances, Health Canada.

Valens is focused on deriving unique strains to alleviate different neurological conditions through intensive plant breeding, and to capitalize its position in the phytopharma world with the acquisition of a Health Canada DIN number. Valens anticipates holding both the research and development oriented Dealer's licensing as well as a Licensed Producer ("LP") contract from Health Canada under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR), enabling the capture of a broad spectrum of Medical Marihuana users and the potentially lucrative world of recreational users once legalized. We are unaware of any existing dealer's licences associated with cannabis research and development issued by Health Canada. There are currently 36 production LP's for medical purposes for all of Canada.

Pursuant to the terms of the SEA, the Company is issuing to the shareholders of Valens (the "Valens Shareholders") an aggregate of 36 million common shares of the Company ("Transaction Shares") and finders' fees ("Finder Shares") totalling 675,000 common shares at closing of the Transaction. Of the 51,022,668 issued and outstanding shares, 90.9% or 46,379,233 shares are subject to a combination of milestone vesting parameters, standard regulatory escrow provisions and a voluntary pooling agreement, over a period of 36 months.

The Transaction is a fundamental change under the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). As such, completion of the Transaction was subject to a number of customary conditions including CSE approval. Trading of the Company's shares on the CSE is expected to resume once the CSE upon issue of the CSE's resumption bulletin.

Please refer to the Company's Form 2A Listing Statement (the "Listing Statement") dated October 31, 2016, available under the Company's SEDAR and CSE profiles, for further details concerning the Transaction and the business of the combined company, including director and officer biographies.

The Company intends to undergo a name change that provides a unique branding opportunity and is more descriptive of its initiatives with cannabis in the life sciences sector, subject to regulatory approval, in due course.

Exercise of Convertible Debentures

Further to the Company's news releases of October 30, 2015, January 21 and May 9, 2016, Westland Capital Advisors S.A. ("Westland") exercised all remaining issued and outstanding Convertible Debentures totalling $363,500 (US$250,000) concurrently with the closing of the Transaction, into 3,029,166 common shares of the Company. Westland now maintains control and direction over 5,262,499 shares representing 10.3% of the 51,022,668 issued and outstanding shares.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, GENOVATION CAPITAL CORP.

- Robert van Santen, Executive Chairman

Cautionary statements

This press release contains forward-looking information based on current expectations. Statements about the Company's expectations are all forward-looking information. 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. Genovation Capital assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. We seek safe harbor.

Contacts:

Greg Patchell

Manager, Public Relations

+1.250.860.8634




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- Entree Gold Inc. (TSX: ETG)(NYSE MKT: EGI)(FRANKFURT: EKA) ("Entree" or the "Company") has today filed its interim operational and financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016. All numbers are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

COMPANY DEVELOPMENTS

Entree Evaluating Restructuring Options

On October 3, 2016, Entree announced that it is currently evaluating options to potentially restructure its business, which may include splitting synergistic assets into two separate publicly traded companies. The Company is evaluating the idea of restructuring as a first step towards trying to close the valuation gap between Entree's current market capitalization and the real value of the Company's assets. A key principle of any split would be that going forward each of the separated companies must be self-sustaining and that neither would rely on, nor be obligated to financially support the other.

With development of Lift 1 of the Oyu Tolgoi underground block cave under way in Mongolia and much of the infill drilling and Pre-Feasibility-level metallurgical test work already completed at the Company's Ann Mason project in Nevada (the "Ann Mason Project"), management believes the Company has matured to a point where it could be beneficial for the Company and its stakeholders to separate its assets allowing management to execute focused strategies appropriate to distinct projects. While Entree is currently evaluating several alternative structures, designed to achieve optimal tax efficiency and fairness, there can be no guarantee that this evaluation will result in a spin-out or other similar transaction or, if a transaction is undertaken, as to terms or timing.

Turquoise Hill Files 2016 Oyu Tolgoi Technical Report

On October 21, 2016 Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. ("Turquoise Hill") filed an updated technical report ("2016 OTTR") under National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") relating to the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project in Mongolia.

Of significance, in addition to updating the Reserve Case on the open pit and Hugo North (including Hugo North Extension) Lift 1 block cave, 2016 OTTR includes Preliminary Economic Assessments ("PEAs") of potential later phases of the Oyu Tolgoi deposits utilizing four Alternative Production Cases. Two of these deposits, Hugo North (including Hugo North Extension) Lift 2 and Heruga include Entree/Oyu Tolgoi LLC joint venture resources. The Alternative Production Cases take advantage of productivity improvements in plant throughput that have begun to be recognized in the process plant and evaluate plant capacity expansions as high as 120 million tonnes per annum. Variations in operating and capital costs are also evaluated.

As noted by Turquoise Hill, Oyu Tolgoi's large resource base provides further opportunities for production expansion. Although the Company and its project partners Rio Tinto, Turquoise Hill, and Oyu Tolgoi LLC ("OTLLC") have for some time had a strategy for the development of all five block deposits, this is the first time since 2010 that investors have had access to an early-stage economic analysis that highlights the development flexibility of potential later phases. The Company will commence a detailed review of the 2016 OTTR in order to develop complementary PEAs for Entree's interest in the joint venture deposits and report these as part of an updated NI 43-101 technical report.

Update on Underground Development at Oyu Tolgoi Provided by Turquoise Hill

On October 19, 2016 Turquoise Hill press released an update on progress made with Lift 1 underground development.

During Q3 2016, work began for Shaft 5 sinking and the convey-to-surface box cut excavation while construction of critical on-site facilities continued. Oyu Tolgoi recently signed an additional underground mining and support services contract with Dayan Contract Mining, a joint venture between Hasu Megawatt and Redpath, for the sinking of Shafts 2 and 5. At the end of Q3 2016, the underground workforce was approximately 1,600 people and is expected to reach 2,400 people by the end of 2016.

Ann Mason Rehabilitation Work Completed

As part of the Company's commitment to corporate social responsibility, work to rehabilitate more than 60 historic drill sites and road access ways on the Ann Mason Project property was completed in October 2016.

Expenditures Reduced

Q3 2016 exploration and general and administrative expenditures of approximately $1,342,000 and $1,598,000, respectively, were reduced by 69% and 37% compared to the same quarter in 2015 as a result of the Company's continued objective to reduce expenditures.

THIRD QUARTER 2016 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tabled amounts below in USD 000s YTD 2016 Q3 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exploration $ (1,342) $ (397) General and administration (1,598) (540) Stock-based compensation (60) (4) Foreign exchange (loss) gain (397) 41 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loss from operations (3,397) (900) Interest expense and equity investee loss (298) (109) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net loss (3,695) (1,009) Foreign currency translation adjustment 1,176 (172) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comprehensive loss $ (2,519) $ (1,181) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash outflow from operating activities before changes in working capital $ (2,879) $ (901) Decrease (increase) in receivables, prepaids and other assets 87 (189) Decrease in payables (1,168) (25) Refund payment to Sandstorm (5,500) - Cash receipts from stock option exercises 53 17 Cash receipts from asset disposals 16 - Cash payments to acquire equipment, net (6) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash balance at September 30, 2016 $ 13,600 $ 13,600 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company's Interim Financial Statements and accompanying Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 are available on the Company website at www.entreegold.com, SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Robert Cinits, P.Geo., Entree's Vice President, Corporate Development, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has approved the technical information in this release. For further information on the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi LLC joint venture property, see the Company's technical report, titled "Lookout Hill Feasibility Study Update", with an effective date of March 29, 2016, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. For further information on the Ann Mason Project, see the Company's technical report, titled "Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Ann Mason Project, Nevada, U.S.A.", with an effective date of September 9, 2015, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

ABOUT ENTREE GOLD INC.

Entree Gold Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company balancing opportunity and risk with key assets in Mongolia and Nevada. As a joint venture partner with a carried interest on a portion of the Oyu Tolgoi mining project in Mongolia, Entree has a unique opportunity to participate in one of the world's largest copper-gold projects managed by one of the premier mining companies - Rio Tinto. Oyu Tolgoi, with its series of deposits containing copper, gold and molybdenum, has been under exploration and development since the late 1990s. Additionally, Entree has also been advancing its Ann Mason project in one of the world's most favourable mining jurisdictions, Nevada. The Ann Mason project hosts the Ann Mason copper-molybdenum deposit as well as the Blue Hill copper deposit within the rejuvenated Yerington copper camp.

Sandstorm Gold, Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill are major shareholders of Entree, holding approximately 15%, 11% and 9% of issued and outstanding shares, respectively.

This News Release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the potential for productivity improvements in plant throughput and production expansion at Oyu Tolgoi; construction and continued development of the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine, including Lift 1 and Lift 2 of the Hugo North Extension deposit and the Heruga deposit; plans for future studies and technical reports; anticipated business activities; corporate strategies and plans; the value and potential value of assets; potential benefits of restructuring Entree's assets; proposed acquisitions and dispositions of assets; requirements for additional capital; ongoing efforts to conserve cash; and future financial performance.

In certain cases, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budgeted", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". While the Company has based these forward-looking statements on its expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee of Entree's future performance and are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies, local and global economic conditions, legal proceedings and negotiations and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the status of the Company's relationship and interaction with the Government of Mongolia, OTLLC, Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill. With respect to the construction and continued development of the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine, important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information include, amongst others, the timing and cost of the construction and expansion of mining and processing facilities; the timing and availability of a long term power source for the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine; the impact of the delay in the funding and development of the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine; delays, and the costs which would result from delays, in the development of the underground mine; and production estimates and the anticipated yearly production of copper, gold and silver at the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine.

Other uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements and information include, amongst others, whether the size, grade and continuity of deposits and resource and reserve estimates have been interpreted correctly from exploration results; whether the results of preliminary test work are indicative of what the results of future test work will be; fluctuations in commodity prices and demand; changing foreign exchange rates; actions by Rio Tinto, Turquoise Hill and/or OTLLC and by government authorities including the Government of Mongolia; the availability of funding on reasonable terms; the impact of changes in interpretation to or changes in enforcement of, laws, regulations and government practices, including laws, regulations and government practices with respect to mining, foreign investment, royalties and taxation; the terms and timing of obtaining necessary environmental and other government approvals, consents and permits; the availability and cost of necessary items such as power, water, skilled labour, transportation and appropriate smelting and refining arrangements; and misjudgements in the course of preparing forward-looking statements. In addition, there are also known and unknown risk factors which may cause the actual results, performances or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information.

Such factors include, among others, risks related to international operations, including legal and political risk in Mongolia; risks associated with changes in the attitudes of governments to foreign investment; risks associated with the conduct of joint ventures; discrepancies between actual and anticipated production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries; global financial conditions; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; inability to upgrade Inferred mineral resources to Indicated or Measured mineral resources; inability to convert mineral resources to mineral reserves; conclusions of economic evaluations; future prices of copper, gold, silver and molybdenum; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining government approvals, permits or licences or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; environmental risks; title disputes; limitations on insurance coverage; as well as those factors described in the Company's most recently filed Management's Discussion and Analysis and in the Company's Annual Information Form for the financial year ended December 31, 2015, dated March 30, 2016 filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com. Although the Company 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. The Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws.

Contacts:

Monica Hamm

Senior Manager, Investor Relations &

Corporate Communications

Entree Gold Inc.

604-687-4770 (FAX)

604-687-4777 or Toll Free: 866-368-7330

mhamm@entreegold.com




With reference to a press release from Eimskip dated 2 November, the company emphasizes the following:



Eimskip has entered into an agreement to acquire the Norwegian shipping and logistics company Nor Lines. Nor Lines is a strategic fit in Eimskip's core market and the overall transaction is asset-light. The final purchase price is subject to adjustments based upon the company's financial statements for the year 2016. The approximate purchase price is EUR 15 million and can decrease or increase based on the financial performance of Nor Lines for the year 2016.



As disclosed in the previous press release, the operation of Nor Lines has been challenging in recent years. Eimskip sees opportunities in restructuring the operation and has, as a part of the acquisition, ensured favorable agreements on the operation of Nor Lines' sailing system. Further synergy effects will be implemented by merging with Eimskip's sailing system in Norway. Eimskip's goal is to achieve 6-8% EBITDA margin as in other asset-light operations of the company.



As stated in the previous release, Eimskip will in addition to the above acquire one of the vessels currently operated by Nor Lines (the Nordkinn) for a purchase price of EUR 8 million. The vessel and other two of the four chartered vessels (the Silver River and Silver Lake) were built by Eimskip Norway and operated by the company until 2009.



Subject to the approval of the Norwegian Competition Authority it is anticipated that the transactions will close during the first quarter 2017.

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/16 -- The Board of Directors of REGI U.S. (OTC PINK: RGUS), Inc. (the "Company") announce a Special Shareholder Meeting to be held on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 10:00a.m. (Pacific Time), at the Corporate office of REGI U.S., Inc., 7520 N. Market St., Spokane, WA, 99217, USA for the following purposes:

1. to approve an amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 shares of common stock, with no par value, to 150,000,000 shares of common stock, with no par value; 2. to elect directors to serve our company for the ensuing year and until their successors are elected; and 3. to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Friday, November 4, 2016 has been set as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

REGI U.S., Inc.

Paul Chute

President and CEO

ABOUT REG TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND REGI U.S., INC.

Reg Technologies Inc. and REGI U.S., Inc. are developing for commercialization an improved axial vane type rotary engine known as the Rand Cam/RadMax rotary technology used in the revolutionary design of lightweight and high efficiency engines, compressors and pumps. The RadMax engine has only two unique moving parts, the vanes (up to 12) and the rotor, compared to the 40 moving parts in a simple four-cylinder piston engine. This innovative design makes it possible to produce up to 24 continuous power impulses per one rotation that is vibration-free and extremely quiet. The RadMax engine also has several capabilities allowing it to operate on fuels including gasoline, natural gas, hydrogen, propane and diesel. For more information, please visit www.regtech.com or www.regiinc.com.

READER ADVISORY

Statements in this press release regarding the business of Reg Technologies Inc. and REGI U.S, Inc. (together the "Companies'") which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties, including management's expectation on closing the second tranche of the private placement, certain of which are beyond the Companies' control. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove accurate, and actual results and developments are likely to differ, in some case materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Readers of this press release are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on a number of assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to: the impact of competitive products and pricing, the Companies' dependence on third parties and licensing/service supply agreements, and the ability of competitors to license the same technologies as the Companies or develop or license other functionally equivalent technologies; financing requirements; changes in laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Companies and changes in how they are interpreted and enforced, delays resulting from or inability to obtain required regulatory approvals and ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, the impact of general economic conditions in Canada, and the United States, industry conditions, increased competition, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, fluctuations in foreign exchange, stock market volatility and market valuations of companies with respect to announced transactions. The Companies' actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements, including those described in Reg Technologies' financial statements, management discussion and analysis and material change reports filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com, and its Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov, and REGI's Form 10-KSB annual report filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits, including the amount of proceeds, that the Companies will derive therefrom.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to the Companies or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Companies do not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Neither OTC Markets nor regulatory agency accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

REGI U.S., Inc.

Paul Chute

President and CEO

253-514-6114

pwchute@regtech.com

7520 N. Market St. Spokane, WA 99217, USA




Prairie Mining Ltdhas signed a deal with Chinas second largest coal mining company, China Coal.The two companies entered a strategic co-operation agreement to advance the financing and construction of the Jan Karski coal mine in Poland.Under this deal, Prairie and China Coal intend to complete a Bankable Feasibility Study by mid-next year, which will form the basis of Chinese credit approval for banking finance.Prairie says, based on the results of the Feasibility Study, the parties intentions are to to enter a complete Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract under which China Coal will construct the Polish mine.Prairie Mining reported a net loss of $6.8 million at 30 June 2016.
Anuvia Plant Nutrients, a Zellwood, Fla.-based plant nutrient company, secured an additional $23m in equity funding.

The round was led by TPG Alternative & Renewable Technologies, with participation from AIS-JV, Osceola Capital Management, Pontifax AgTech, Florida Opportunity Fund, and Evans Properties.

The company intends to use the funds to develop a liquid product, expand into international markets as well to build a second plant in Zellwood, Fla. which will further enable growth in the agricultural, professional turf and consumer lawn care markets.

Led by CEO Amy Yoder, Anuvia Plant Nutrients focuses on a new innovative and patented way of manufacturing an enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF) for the turf and agricultural industries. The product is based on innovative technology in which organic waste materials are consumed and processed into a homogenous multi-nutrient enhanced efficiency fertilizer.

The company opened its specialty fertilizer production facility in Zellwood, Fla. in April 2016, which is expected to produce 80,000 tons of product annually.

FinSMEs

02/11/2016
The Idle Man, a London, UK-based mens clothing & fashion commerce platform, received a significant seven-figure investment.

Channel 4s Commercial Growth Fund made the investment.

The company intends to use the funds to launch the brand across the Channel 4 network and accelerate growth.

Launched just over two years ago by CEO Oliver Tezcan and CMO Alex Outlaw, The Idle Man is an online destination for fashion-savvy men combining content (delivering brand awareness) and commerce.

The site now attracts close to 1 million visitors a month.

FinSMEs

01/11/2016
Zarget, a Walnut, CA-based provider of marketing automation software, raised $6m in Series A funding.

The round was led by Sequoia India with participation from existing investors Accel Partners and Matrix Partners.

The company, which has now raised $7.5m to date, intends to use the funds to scale its marketing automation products.

Founded in 2015 by Arvind Parthiban, Naveen Venkat, and Santhosh Kumar, Zarget provides a SaaS-based web optimization and marketing platform for small businesses to optimize their web presence in real-time without any coding skills required.

Capabilities include A/B testing, dynamic heatmaps, funnel analysis, form analytics, and user polls and feedback  backed by 24/7 customer support.

The Chrome plugin lets users make changes instantly from within the browser.

The company currently serves more than 1,000 customers in 10 countries including brands like Landesk in the US, BizTalk360 in the UK, and Buscape in Brazil.

FinSMEs

02/11/2016
Los Angeles: Actor Johnny Depp will star in the sequel to upcoming Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Depp has joined the sequel directed by David Yates and written by J.K. Rowling (in her screenwriting debut), based on Rowling's book of the same name, reports Deadline.com.

Details about the 53-year-old's role are still kept under tight wraps, but he is said to make a brief appearance in the first movie.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is set to release on 18 November 2016.

It also stars Eddie Redmayne as the lead character and is supported by Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol and Dan Fogler.

Fantastic Beasts is set in 1926 with Redmayne arriving in New York as part of a global excursion to research and rescue magical creatures  including some hidden in his briefcase. Chaos strikes when some of the creatures are inadvertently let loose.
Indias costliest film under production  Shankars Rajinikanth-Akshay Kumar starrer 2.0  will have its first look unveiled in Mumbai on 20 November. The producer of the reportedly Rs 350 crore sci-fi action thriller (the London-based Subaskaran Allirajah, the chief of Lyca Productions) is planning on making it a major event in Indian cinema.

The buzz is that the grand launch will be held in a stadium or a studio, with all the razzmatazz and presence of major Indian and international stars. 2.0 is said to be a continuation (not a sequel) of Enthiran (Robot). Rajinikanth is reprising the roles of Dr Vaseegaran and Chitti, alongside Akshay Kumar playing the deadly villain  evil scientist Dr Richard  with Amy Jackson the lone female lead. The others in the cast are Sudhanshu Pandey, Adil Hussain and south Indian actors Riaz Khan and Kalabhavan Shajohn.

Technically, 2.0 will have state of art VFX and special effects, never seen before in Indian cinema. Srinivas Mohan, the VFX supervisor of Baahubali, along with a foreign team, is in charge. Noted cameraman Nirav Shah is the cinematographer and music is by AR Rahman. As per sources, the album will have five songs, but in the film there will only be one song. The track, a duet called 'Roja Kadhal...' has been picturised in Ukraines famous Tunnel Of Love on the lead pair Rajinikanth and Amy Jackson.

Rajinikanth, who had gone to the US for medical tests, has now joined the final schedule of the film, after a break of four months. Shankar, in a recent tweet, has said that 2.0 is two thirds complete, in a 150-day shoot schedule. The director, who is very secretive, has seen to it that not even one picture from any of the film's locations has leaked on social media. The entire shoot of the film will be completed by the end of November, and Shankar is planning to spend the next nine months on post-production.

2.0 is scheduled to be a Diwali 2017 release, and in three Indian languages: Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The producers of the film are also planning to have a shorter international cut including a Chinese version, which they are trying to release simultaneously with the Indian release. As per sources, the 20 November first look in Mumbai will feature a motion poster and probably a teaser of the film, without giving away anything.

The first look launch may be live streamed.
In August 2015, Micromax got approval to start a Rs 200 crore mega project in Fab city on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Keen to ensure that the mobile handset manufacturer dialled into Telangana, the decks were cleared to ensure commercial production started in January this year with a woman power of 1200. Micromax chairman Rajesh Agarwal reportedly told the Telangana officials that never in his life before has a government chased him to find out if there are any more issues pending before production can start.

It is this proactive attitude to make it easy for an investor to set up base in Telangana that has helped India's youngest state to zoom from 13th position last year to the top this year (July 2015 to June 2016) in ease of doing business ranking, as joint number one with Andhra Pradesh. Chandrababu Naidu's state moved one position from 2 to 1, dislodging Gujarat from the top spot.

Last year, Telangana's score was an abysmal 42.45 percent. It worked systematically in fulfilling most of the 340 parameters listed by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) and World Bank this year, implementing 324 of them. At the same time, it focused on systemic improvement so that the jump in ranking also translated into an investor-friendly approach on the ground. The parameters relate to environmental and labour registration, obtaining electricity connection, online tax-return filing, construction permit, etc.

"The fledgling state has today become a role model for many states. Within a short span, we have proved the naysayers wrong,'' says KT Rama Rao, Telangana's Industries and IT minister.

That in many senses was the driving factor. During the Telangana agitation between 2009 and 2013, there was indeed concern if Brand Hyderabad was taking a hit, driving away investment. There was apprehension if a political party that had been in protest mode for 13 years could also govern.

Industrialists in Telangana credit the leadership of Industries and IT minister KT Rama Rao and the two IAS officers - Industries secretary Arvind Kumar and IT secretary Jayesh Ranjan - for the ranking. Industrialist Narendra Surana says, "The combination has been proactive, going out of the way to get the biggies to invest money in Telangana. They have done well to compete with other global destinations and not just other states."

While most states talk of time-bound clearance for projects, Telangana is the only state to pass an Act under which it will be the right of the investor to get a time-bound clearance. By the 16th day if the permission does not come, it is deemed to be approved. There is also provision for penal action, wherein Rs 1,000 per day will be cut from the salary of the employee who was responsible for the delay. It goes to Telangana's credit that not a single rupee of anyone's pay has been cut so far.

Arvind Kumar points out the experience of Ikea, the Swedish furniture giant that is to set up its first retail store in India in Hyderabad. "Ikea is also looking to set up similar shops in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi. But the CEO Juvencio Maeztu told us that the bar has been raised very high by Telangana when he compares it with the response he is getting in the other three cities,'' says Kumar. Inter-departmental coordination meetings ensure everything from power connection to building permissions get sorted out here in Telangana.

But while Telangana rejoices, it is a case of neighbour's envy, owner's pride. Karnataka next door is clearly not happy. The state has slipped from the 9th rank last year to 13th now, even though in terms of score, it has done well, improving from 48.5 percent in 2015 to 88.39 percent this year. The drawback is that Karnataka has implemented only 297 of the 340 reforms and lacks in 39 areas.

"We are quite surprised frankly,'' says Priyank Kharge, Karnataka's IT minister. He points out that the Centre has lauded its tax reform initiatives, making a special mention of investor-friendly measures likes e-filing, online payments, e-registration. "We have done well in attracting one of the highest FDIs in the country. So it is rather strange that Karnataka should actually slip in the rankings,'' says Kharge.

The industry does not quite share that sentiment. Mohandas Pai, Chairman of Manipal Global Education, says entrepreneurs have horror stories to share regarding demands of bribes. "There is huge corruption in getting permissions for power connections, building registrations and pollution control certificates. This is why Telangana is getting the marquee names in IT instead of the companies coming to Bengaluru. We have good manpower, but we need to market our strengths,'' says Pai.

Last year, Karnataka lodged a protest with the Centre over its ranking. "We ideally should be in the top five given that we have a better investment climate than many other states,'' says Kharge.

Both Karnataka and Telangana agree on what a ranking can do to a state's future investment. Pai says Andhra Pradesh which ranks number one, lacks in infrastructure but makes up for it by creating the right ecosystem and hence it will be the first port of call before Karnataka. Arvind Kumar believes the ranking is the icing on the cake and that it will make it easier to market the state.
By Syed Raza Hassan and Douglas Busvine

| ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI

ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI Pakistan may expel five Indian diplomats for espionage and has revealed their names, local media said on Wednesday, a move sure to exacerbate a rift between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours that has been widening for months.Pakistan declined to comment on the matter ahead of a planned news conference on Thursday, while India said the identity of eight of its diplomats had been revealed by Pakistani media.Vikas Swarup, spokesman of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, declined to comment when asked whether the eight diplomats stationed in Islamabad would be withdrawn.Swarup also said six Pakistani diplomats had left the Indian capital on Wednesday but said they had not been expelled.Last week India ordered one employee of the Pakistani embassy, known as a High Commission, to leave the country on suspicion of espionage, triggering the expulsion of one of its own envoys by Islamabad.

The diplomatic spat comes after months of sharply deteriorating relations that began with civil unrest in Indian-controlled Kashmir and Pakistan's global lobbying against New Delhi's crackdown on the Kashmiri activists.In September a group of gunmen killed 19 Indian soldiers at an army camp in Kashmir, an attack India blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

India said it had carried out "surgical strikes" inside Pakistan as retribution, but Islamabad denied they even took place and accused New Delhi of fabrication to distract attention from its crackdown on the protests in the part of Kashmir it controls.Artillery duels and skirmishing along the disputed frontier that runs through Kashmir have escalated in recent days, leading India to summon the Pakistani deputy high commissioner on Wednesday to express its "grave concern and strong protest".In a statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs accused Pakistan of violations of a 2003 ceasefire that have caused several fatalities and injuries among its civilians and security forces.

New Delhi also protested against the alleged mutilation of the body of an Indian soldier by an attacker who escaped across the Line of Control after "committing this heinous crime".Both sides typically refute the other's version of events. On Wednesday the press wing of the Pakistani military said India had committed 178 ceasesfire violations this year, killing 19 civilians and injuring 80 more. (Writing by Drazen Jorgic and Douglas Busvine; Editing by Gareth Jones)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Rina Chandran

CHAKSU, India (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Days before she was married 18 years ago, K. Bina Devi and her sister were called to the living room of the family home where they lived with their parents and four brothers.There, in a short ceremony witnessed by village elders, she and her sister signed a piece of paper giving up their share of the family property to their brothers. Sweets were distributed and everyone congratulated her and her sister.The custom of "haq tyag", or sacrifice of right, entails a person - usually a woman - relinquishing their claim on ancestral property. It is widely practised in the Indian state of Rajasthan despite a 2005 national law that gave women equal inheritance rights.While haq tyag is voluntary, women come under enormous pressure to comply, activists said."If we don't do it, our family will boycott us," said Devi, 36, her head covered with the end of her green saree."Our relationship with the family will break, and people will speak ill of us," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in Chaksu village, about 30 km (19 miles) from Jaipur city.Haq tyag is justified on grounds that the father pays for his daughter's wedding, and therefore only the sons are entitled to a share of the family property.Also, once she is married, a woman is seen as belonging to her husband's family with no claim on ancestral property.In a bid to address the imbalance, Rajasthan and other states now offer lower rate mortgages and cheaper registration when a property is registered in the name of a woman."Haq tyag is a tradition, and it is voluntary," said Rajendra Singh Shekhawat, a joint secretary in the state government."In some cases, it may not be voluntary. But how can we check if the woman is signing willingly or not? That is why we have laws that encourage property ownership by women," he said.

NO SECURITY

One of India's poorest states, Rajasthan is known as much for its beautiful palaces and majestic forts as for its centuries-old traditions of honour and chivalry.This is the state where the custom of sati, where widows threw themselves into their husband's funeral pyre, prevailed long after it was declared illegal in the 19th century. The law was strengthened in 1987 following the death of a young widow in Rajasthan watched by thousands.Across India, only 13 percent of farmland is owned by women, according to census data.Amendments in 2005 to the Hindu Succession Act, which governs matters of inheritance among Hindus who make up about 80 percent of India's population, made women's inheritance rights equal to those of men.Yet some state laws run contrary to the legislation, and in states such as Rajasthan, women are made to forgo their claims.

Haq tyag itself is rooted in misogynistic customs and traditions, particularly in India's villages. These include limited education for girls, early marriage, financial dependence, and denial of the right to property."It is a deep-rooted patriarchy that tells women they are okay only as long as they have the protection of a man," said Varsha Joshi, an associate professor at the Institute of Development Studies in Jaipur, who has studied property ownership among women in rural Rajasthan."Women have no security, no guarantee of a roof over their heads. And it is assumed they will never go against their families or go to court over being denied their right to property," she said.FINANCIALLY LITERATE

Increasingly though, women in Chaksu village and elsewhere in the northwestern state are having to tend to the land as their husbands migrate in search of work.

With their names missing from property titles, women are often unable to take loans or access government subsidies. They are in danger of being thrown out when the husband dies, as the property then goes to the sons or the husband's brothers.Rights activists are raising awareness of the law among women, and encouraging men to take advantage of the perks."We have to be respectful of customs: we can't just go tell women to claim their rights, they will be ostracised if they do," said Kavita Mishra, head of the Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants Society (CECOEDECON)."Having a financial incentive is a great way to make the men see the benefit of registering property in the name of the women," she said.Women are also becoming more independent and financially literate. Once confined to their homes and dependent on their husbands, women in villages are running small businesses with the help of microfinance, and working in state welfare programmes that provide 100 days' employment to rural families."They now have bank accounts and some financial independence. That has given them the ambition and the confidence to own a home or a plot of land," said Mishra.In Chaksu, Devi belongs to a self-help group that sews camel-leather slippers for sale to a retailer in Jaipur, and helps members source loans to buy property."It's important that we women have something in our name. Otherwise we have no security," said Manju Devikumar, who heads the 10-member group."Things are changing. Laws give us equal rights even to own property, which we could never dream of," she said. (Reporting by Rina Chandran @rinachandran, Editing by Ros Russell. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit news.trust.org to see more stories.)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
NEW DELHI India said on Wednesday that the identities of eight of its diplomats in Pakistan had been revealed in the local media, amid continuing tensions between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours.Vikas Swarup, spokesman of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, declined to comment when asked whether the eight diplomats stationed in Islamabad would be withdrawn.

He also said six Pakistani diplomats had left the Indian capital on Wednesday, but that they were not expelled. India ordered one employee of the Pakistani High Commission out of the country last week on suspicion of espionage, triggering a tit-for-tat expulsion of one of its own envoys by Islamabad.

(Reporting by Douglas Busvine; editing by John Stonestreet)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday in New Delhi to review the border situation in Kashmir, the repeated incidents of ceasefire violation by Pakistan and the security arrangements in the Valley. The Prime Minister's meet comes at a time when the situation in the Valley is crumbling each day. Cross-border shelling, civilian lives lost, and the air of general unrest and fear has crippled normal life in the Valley.

However, amid the disturbing developments reported day and night from the restive state, there is another lesser-known facet that reeks of well-coordinated attempts to jeopardise peace and well-being in Kashmir in the long-term. Twenty six schools have been torched down in Kashmir  at least one school damaged in all 10 districts of the region  in separate cases of arson in the Valley. The incidents took place over the span of the past three months of unrest, however there was a gradual increase in the frequency of such incidents, so much that in October end, one school was burnt each day in the Valley, as reported by Sameer Yasir for Firstpost.

Political mudslinging between separatist leaders and state government over the crimes were officially attributed to "unknown miscreants". While the Hurriyat leaders blamed the state government and Indian state for hatching a conspiracy to discredit the "freedom movement" as "violence and anarchy", the state government pointed fingers at the Hurriyat alleging it was an "escape route" for them to "keep the fire burning" in Kashmir.

The Jammu and Kashmir police has identified 35 arsonists behind the incidents and arrested 21 for the same, reported CNN News-18.

According to a report in the Deccan Herald, the DIG, J&K police said that some people involved in arson have fled to Jammu and Chandigarh, adding that the police is strengthening the security of schools across Kashmir. However, the repercussion of delay in action will be paid up by over 6,000 students whose studies are hampered in the Valley.

"This is a black spot on our face, no matter who does it," former secretary with the Board of School Education and a noted academician, Bashir Ahmad Dar, said in Srinagar. "We will have to bear its implications for years to come. Although buildings will be reconstructed once again but the idea of educational institutes as non-political and 'Sanctum Santorum' of our identity, will face challenges," reported Sameer Yasir.

The central government termed these as acts driven by the "combination of madness and perversion" and asked people of the Valley to realise that those responsible are acting at the behest of the enemy "across the border".

It is noteworthy here that most of the schools targeted were government-run and usually the only option for those who could not afford private education. The Jammu and Kashmir High Court took suo motu notice of the incident and rapped the government over its failure to prevent such incidents, directing police and civil administration to ensure their protection besides unmasking the "mysterious enemies of education" and deal with them with an "iron hand".

However, torched schools are not the only problem plaguing education in the valley. The Centre has requested the state government to close 174 schools in the border areas, in the view of cross-border firing from Pakistan's side targeting civilian locations. Schools have remained shut for almost four months now, bringing education to a standstill. A few institutions that tried to take temporary classes or tuitions, were singled out and burned to ground. Founder of Iqra Public School in Batgund, Anantnag decided to reopen school despite separatists call for strikes and decided to open a 'tuition centre' despite the raging protests over the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. The school was set ablaze and burnt to ground.

Meanwhile, the state government has announced that annual board examinations will be held next month, even though the schools have remained closed since July. According to Kashmir Monitor, students have protested against the decision and are insisting that the exams are postponed. The students say that more than 50 percent of their syllabus remains uncovered as their studies suffered due to the situation in the Valley. Although the government has promised to reduce the syllabus in exams and offer more choices in the paper, the students remain distressed as some of the schools were yet to formally begin classes for some of the subjects when the unrest broke out.

"Our children have got used to sitting at home. They dont like the idea of going back to schools because there is no luxury superior for than free time. Then there are these radical thoughts that inhabit their mind, that if you dont agree with them, you are their enemy," a school teacher told Sameer Yasir , reflecting on the situation.

With inputs from PTI
Do you recall the last time a news anchor leaving his job raising sound bytes, digital space reporting it and newspaper column space being devoted to it? Times Now anchor leaving his job, a normal step that most employees take, has become a talking point for the nation. Arnab Goswami, the editor-in-chief of Times Now, is a brand of his own and his absence will be reflected in the 'low' Television Rating Points (TRPs).

According to a report by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), Goswami, commands nearly 76 percent of the English news viewership in the time band between 9 pm to 11 pm, when he hosts his show 'Newshour'.

Goswami, the enfant terrible of Indian news media, elicits extreme reactions from viewers. They either love his style of journalism or dislike his in-your-face insults and jibes. However, his triumph is: No one can ignore the news anchor and his style of opinionated news.

How will Goswami's change of employer or entrepreneurship affect him? Will Times Now, the channel suffer on account of his departure? Will he be able to recreate the magic with another channel?

The extreme reactions that Goswami provokes with his channel leaves a bank of mixed viewership, not surprising given his forceful arguments, his lack of a patience hearing on the show and his defensiveness counted in sheer decibels. Brand specialists see him as a brand that evokes extreme reactions but these qualities have worked for him and the channel. Experts rule out chances of his persona being impacted because he leaves a familiar territory such as Times Now where he has worked for a decade.

The 'Brand Arnab'

'Brand Arnab' is a bigger part of Newshour, says Harish Bijoor, Chief Executive Officer of brand and business strategy firm Harish Bijoor Consults Inc. He says many brands are ensconced in 'Brand Arnab' like the channel - Times Now, Newshour Live and Newshour. "However, the anchor is the biggest portfolio among them all. The program is associated with the anchor," says Bijoor.

What has worked for Brand Arnab are a mix of factors. The change in society from Doordarshan (DD) days of yore is one of them. Some of DD anchors were brands too. For instance, Tejeshwar Singh was known for his baritone or Minu Talwar for her impeccable reading of the news. Bijoor says that Arnab's face with the boy-next-door image and an earnestness to get to the nitty gritties is what has endeared him to his audience. "At the end of the day, you want an anchor you can identify with and Arnab fits that bill. When a news anchor talks to his audience, he looks into the eyes of the audience and then the voice and tenor takes over. Arnab has succeeded on all counts," believes Bijoor.

Goswami is credited for making Newshour less about news and more about opinions which is often explained in his now-famous catch phrase, "The Nation Wants To Know". He verbally pummels his way through discussions, swats off the ones who have contradictory views and try hard to be heard in the din that the Newshour program is. "That was the gap in news programs in India that Arnab filled and got the audience with him," says Bijoor, adding that his absence on Newshour was reflected in low TRPs.

The loyalty that 'Brand Arnab' commands is reflective of his popularity, say experts. He fulfills the expectations from a brand such as loyalty and brand recall. "However, what stands out is his commitment," says Bijoor. "His passion is unwavering," he says.

Would 'Brand Arnab' work in another setting with this same format? Not unless he reinvents himself. "Times Now and 'Brand Arnab' are the yin and yang that worked with each other and both will have to reinvent themselves as they leave this partnership," says Alpana Parida, Managing Director, DY Works, a Mumbai-based brand strategy and brand design.

The future

When stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma decided to leave channel Colours and move his show to Sony TV, the audience took time to accept the change, says Bijoor. He says that this is a possibility as audience association with the anchor and the channel is as one entity.

The fact that Goswami is being talked about in the media is a victory in itself, says Parida. She cites the example of RK Laxman and his pocket cartoons that were eagerly awaited by his fans. "I know the reference is a bit stretched but Arnab like Laxman's Common Man focuses on the issues that affect people but unlike him is bold enough to ask questions till he gets the answers."

Parida feels Goswami is a bigger brand than the channel and will have no issues attracting an audience and viewership whichever channel he moves to. "Arnab's loyal audience will follow him. His news program is more about opinions and analysis of facts. But he scored over the other channels because he asked the uncomfortable questions to his guests that people wanted to know and were afraid to ask. He has been teased, many have taken potshots at him but the fact is he managed to catch the 'pulse of the nation', as he would term it. And he is right," says Parida.

The channel and the anchor will be closely watched in the future to monitor how they fare without each other. "As long as there are people who want to know what is happening in the country and want people in power to be questioned relentlessly, there will be an audience for Arnab," says Parida.

Will it still be 'The Nation Wants To Know' or a new coinage? The verdict will be soon out as Goswami makes his views felt from a different channel.

(Firstpost is from the same stable as CNN-News18 which competes with Times Now.)
Chennai: An eleven-storey block adjacent to an under-construction building that collapsed in 2014 killing 61 persons will be demolished on Wednesday using implosion technique and employing controlled blasting of explosives as the structure was unsafe, the Tamil Nadu government said on Tuesday.

On 28 June, 2014 one of the two blocks of an under construction residential building at suburban Moulivakkam collapsed killing 61 workers and injuring scores of people. The collapsed structure was also 11-storeyed.

Subsequently, the seined block too was declared unsafe by the authorities and the matter went to the Supreme Court which allowed it to be brought down after perusing an expert committee's report.

"Eleven storeyed building (Block B) in Moulivakkam, Kancheepuram District collapsed in 2014 and the adjacent building (Block A) is also found to be structurally unsafe," District Collector Kancheepuram, R Gajalakshmi said in a public notice issued on Tuesday.

She said an order for demolition of this unsafe structure had been issued under 141 Cr P C.

"Supreme Court by an order has directed the government to demolish this unsafe structure. In compliance with this order, it is proposed to demolish the building tomorrow between 2 and 4 pm," she said.

She said "implosion technique using controlled blasting of explosives will be deployed. All precautionary measures have been taken to ensure that no danger is caused to the people and adjoining constructions."

"As a measure of caution, however, residents living within 100 meter radius from the structure as marked by Revenue and Public Works departments are requested to move to a safer place."

Temporary accommodation has been made for residents at a nearby hall, she said, adding, after demolition the public could move to their houses. "The public are requested to cooperate in this regard."

Some time back, Ponlingam, Chief Executive of Maglink Infra Project Ltd, which bagged the contract to demolish the building had said that the building would be brought down in less than 10 seconds.
The fresh escalation along the Line of Control and working International Border has cast a shadow on intra-Kashmir trade with authorities suspending the cross-border trade after two days of intense shelling that has left eight people dead in Jammu and Kashmir.

Tuesday's civilian deaths are the highest on a single day in the past 13 years, after soldiers from both sides traded fire at each other's locations across the border in Jammu region. Both sides blamed each other for ceasefire violations as tensions grew in an increasingly hostile relationship between India and Pakistan.

The shelling and sporadic firing, which started in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, continued throughout the day, leaving more than two dozen people injured.

The trade between the two countries in Kashmir region has largely remained unaffected since 2008, when it was started after years of negotiations, but the rising tensions along the de-facto borders seems to have cast a shadow on its future prospects, as India and Pakistan accuse each other of violating a 2003 ceasefire that had brought much-needed respite for the residents living along the tense borders.

The reasons are unknown but we hope to start the trade again, very soon, the General Secretary of Salamabad Traders Union, Hilal Ahmad Turki, said.

Earlier on Monday, Karvan-e-Aman, a bus service between two part of Kashmir, was also suspended.

On Tuesday  eight civilians were killed, six in Ramgarh sector  and two in Rajouri and at least 22 people were injured in the daylong firing. Thousands of people living along LoC and IB in Jammu have been asked to migrate to the plains.

Residents of 55 villages have fled from in Ramgarh sector after the firing intensified on Tuesday. Most of these people have taken shelter in temples, schools, and Radha Soami Satsang Beas shelters in safer areas, Ravinder Sharma, a journalist in Jammu, told Firstpost on phone.

Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Simrandeep Singh, told Firstpost that although the firing has been taking place for a week now, its intensity on Tuesday superseded the recent incidents.

He said the authorities have closed 175 government schools along the border and people have been asked to stay alerted in case of any eventuality.

We have issued orders to close all the schools and we are planning to keep them closed for some time, Singh said.

He added that his office, with the help of volunteers, is advising people to either move towards the plain areas or if they want to stay in their homes, they should use underground bunkers during the night.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti too expressed anguish and concern over the loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties in unabated border shelling.

Mufti made a fervent appeal for peace and political dialogue between India and Pakistan to de-escalate the perilously hostile situation prevailing in the region.

I am deeply pained over the fresh spate of civilian killings, including children and women, in border shelling and urge the political leadership in New Delhi and Islamabad to take effective and urgent measures to de-escalate the situation and bring an end to the miseries of the hapless people of Jammu and Kashmir who are caught in the deadly crossfire, Mufti said.

She added the unabated border shelling has led to a tragic humanitarian crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, where innocent civilians and their properties are being targeted.

We in Jammu and Kashmir yearn for peace as we have been suffering immensely because of the hostility and violence in the region and know very well its dangers and perilous consequences," she said and added that India and Pakistan must open the channels of communication, at the earliest, realising the dangerous consequences of any escalation of ongoing confrontation along the borders.

The Border Security Forces said they have destroyed 14 Pakistani posts in retaliatory action along IB in response to ceasefire violations by the Pakistani rangers.

BSF gave a calibrated retaliation on IB in response to unprovoked firing and shelling of Pakistan Rangers in Ramgarh area and Arnia Sectors since morning, DIG, Dharmendra Pareek, said. Since morning, BSF targeted Pakistan Rangers posts across IB in the same sector and caused heavy damage to 14 Pakistani Posts, he said.
The Modi government revamped the Central Advisory Board on Culture (CABC) in September bringing in a slew of artistes mainly associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or other right-wing association, reported The Economic Times.

The Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma reconstituted the 23-member panel and brought on new members like the noted danseuse Sonal Mansingh, vocalist Pt Channu Lal Misra and actor Anupam Kher.

The three have been vocal supporters of the Modi government before and after it came to power.

Other members of the panel are santoor player Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma, flautist Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, vocalist Rajan Mishra, noted Hindi author Narendra Kohli, Kannada author Professor SL Bhyrappa, Justice (Retd) M Rama Jois, artist Vasudeo Kamath, Sanskrit scholar Dr SR Leela, actor Pranjal Saikia and actor Victor Banerjee who is slated to play Narendra Modi in a biopic. Kohli and Bhyrappa have earlier come out in support of the Modi government amidst protests from their community.

The only Muslim face of the panel is Rahman Ali who is the former history Professor from Ujjain Vikarm Vishwavidhyala.

According to a press release by the ministry, the resolution is "to evolve a participation process of decision-making by taking an integrated view of the various shades of ideas and interests from different domains of culture, the Government of India has resolved to constitute the Central Advisory Board on Culture consisting of these members."

The appointment of right-inclined members to cultural board reminds us of other such appointments made by the BJP government since it came to power. The Centre has provided a face-lift to various institutions like the Film and Television Institute of India where the appointments of leaders like Gajendra Chauhan raised eyebrows.

Last year, actor Gajendra Chauhan was appointed as president of the FTII Society and the students protested against the Centre's decision.

Four of the eight members appointed as members of the governing council under Persons of Eminence category had strong Hindu right-wing connection.

As Firstpost pointed out in a report, the other four members that the students protested against  Dr Narendra Pathak, Anagha Ghaisas, Rahul Solapurkar and Shailesh Gupta  too had disputable qualifications to be on the board.
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A former serviceman on Wednesday committed suicide at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over the One Rank One Pension (OROP) issue.

Ram Kishan Grewal, the former jawan from Bhiwani district in Haryana who committed suicide, left a note which stated that he was taking this extreme step for the Indian soldiers, eyewitnesses told CNN-News18.

CNN-News18 further reported that Grewal's family has blamed the Centre for the former jawan's suicide. Grewal had also written to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar over the issue.

#UPDATE Ex-serviceman writes letter to Parrikar before committing suicide, saying 'please pay heed to our demands', reports @Nitisha_Kashyap pic.twitter.com/gQOM4WJHOp  News18 (@CNNnews18) November 2, 2016

"Please pay heed to our demands," Grewal had written in his letter.

Apart from pointing out that the pension received by the former servicemen was still low, Grewal had also complained in the letter that his former colleagues who had the same rank as him got more pension than him because of the discrepancies in the current pension scheme.

He also said that there were many others like him who had not got a hike in their pension.

"He called us and informed that he is committing suicide as the government has failed to fulfill their demands related to OROP," ANI quoted Grewal's son as saying.

Jagdish Rai, Grewal's friend, also told CNN-News18 that Grewal should be treated like a martyr because he "sacrificed his life for other soldiers".

"I was with Grewal during the OROP protest. He should be treated like a martyr," Rai said.

Delhi: Ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Garehwal (who was protesting at Jantar Mantar) allegedly commits suicide over OROP issue pic.twitter.com/xP4VlRldxE  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

He called us & informed he is committing suicide as the Govt has failed to fulfil their demands related to OROP: Son of Ram Kishan Garehwal pic.twitter.com/37WwsnBOao  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

Reports suggest that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will visit Grewal's family. The Delhi CM also lashed out at the Centre and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was lying when he talked about implementing OROP.

V sad. Soldiers fighting on border against external enemy n fighting within for their rights. Whole nation shud stand up for their rights https://t.co/deRYUV9J0y  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

         OROP    OROP            ? https://t.co/d9MPJjkf5A  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

The OROP scheme has been a long-standing demand of the over two million ex-servicemen of India. It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to the defence personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement.

The one-man judicial committee on OROP set up by the government had submitted its report to Parrikar in October this year.

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.

The committee had also received 704 representations from individuals and various ex-servicemen associations and had held extensive interactions with all stakeholders before submitting its report.

(With inputs from PTI)
Malappuram: A team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials, probing a blast in Mysuru along with their Kerala counterparts, on Wednesday arrived at the Malappuram Collectorate premises where an explosion took place the previous day.

The bomb, kept in a pressure cooker, was placed besides the vehicle of a state government official who had come for a routine meeting at the District Collector's office. There were no casualties or damage in the incident.

IGP (Range) MR Ajithkumar, after inspecting the site, said they have recovered a pen drive and a map of India kept in a box with a slip bearing the name 'The Base Movement'.

"The pen drive contained visuals which were the same as in those recovered from blast sites in Kollam, Nellore and Mysuru. There were no personal references made in the pen drive or in the map. There is a warning also that such things can happen again. The state police chief is directly supervising the probe," said Ajithkumar.

On Tuesday, the Kerala Police probe team had already identified presence of ammonium nitrate, used in the bomb, which was used at the other three places also.

In the state assembly after the Congress-led opposition raised the issue on Wednesday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan assured the house that all necessary steps have been taken. Leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala said it should be ensured that 'one particular community' should not be targeted.

BJP legislator in the assembly O Rajagopal expressed his ire by walking out of the house after alleging "absolute callousness" on the part of the government in probing such cases.

State BJP President Kummanam Rajasekharan called for a white paper on the progress of terror-related cases that have been registered in the state.

Contending that there was no serious probe into acts of terror like these he claimed that there were "several sleeping cells" of terror outfit in Kerala.
Rahul Gandhi has yet again done what his politics is best adapted to -- rent a cause and move on. An alleged suicide by a 65-year old retired Subedar Ram Kishen Grewal from Haryana on One Rank One Pension (Orop) provided the Congress vice-president with an opportune moment to do a cameo act, land at Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in New Delhi where the deceased's body was kept and his family members were present.

Incidentally, this was first headline-making public presence of Rahul Gandhi in about a month time after his controversial khoon ki dalali (broker of blood) remark on surgical strikes against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress second-in-command would have known that the police and other government agencies may not allow him to meet the deceased Subedar's family. The hospital, which has hundreds of other patients undergoing treatment, was obviously not the place to allow politicians to rave and rant on the suicide, on Orop and on the Narendra Modi government. For obvious reasons, the police prevented the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in central Delhi from becoming a venue for protests and media blitzkrieg and saved the patients and their attendants from massive inconvenience.

Before Rahul could decide to go there and express his sympathies to the bereaved family, Aam Aadmi Party had picked up the issue. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had already made his presence felt on the alleged OPRP suicide. Sisodia was detained by Delhi Police when he landed in the hospital. Soon after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal went to Lady Hardinge hospital where the former soldier's body was taken for an autopsy. When stopped from meeting the kin of the deceased soldier, the AAP chief was quick to declare that the Central government "gundagardi pe utri hui hai" (the Central government has taken recourse to hooliganism). The Delhi chief minister was fast ballistic against the Modi government, alleging that it was politicising the army.

Suddenly the hospital premises became the venue for opposition leaders to make a beeline while politicians from rival formations flaunted their nationalist credentials, love for the army and welfare of retired and serving soldiers but not without going vitriolic against PM Modi and his government. Rahul Gandhi in his quick bites to the swarm of TV cameras claimed that in ''Modi's India" a type of "non-democratic mentality" prevailed. The Congress vice-president sought to give the incident an emotive spin by indicating that the PM was harsh in his behaviour towards the soldier's family. "For the first time, I am not being allowed to meet family members of an army man. What kind of Hindustan is being made?" he asked.

The alleged suicide committed by the retired Army Subedar on the contentious Orop issue had all the potential to turn into a huge political issue against the Modi government, as also become an emotional issue for ex-defence personnel and their families to turn up against the present government. The issue was expected to resonate in the public mind since the current national mood is for the army, more so after the surgical strikes against Pakistan.

Ram Kishen Grewal was designated as a martyr by the likes of Rahul and Kejriwal to charge that this is the way Modi government treats the army veterans and martyrs.

The big question, however, is can a retired army jawan who commits suicide on a personal issue be designated as a martyr for political gains? The army trains its officers and men to act as per their head not as per their heart. Their actions couldn't be guided by their emotions. Suicide is a sign of weakness, not of strength, no matter what the cause is. By allegedly committing suicide retired Subedar Grewal has not done any pride to the uniform he once wore and to the force he once served.

He might have felt passionately for Orop and might have thought that Orop scheme offered by the Modi government was not as per his expectations. But there were two things that Grewal and Congress and AAP leaders queuing up to offer condolence and do politics over his death, should have considered. First, the Orop offered by the Modi government was a big leap forward on an issue, which had been pending since Independence. Second, the Orop issue is pending before Supreme Court. Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha member Ram Jethmalani had filed a petition in the apex court and the court had issued notices to the Union government seeking its response on the issue.

The government has a convenient alibi that till such time the matter is pending before the apex court, it can review the Orop, which in any case was offered only months ago. Subedar (retd) Grewal would surely have been informed about that by his colleagues and erstwhile seniors if he had ever taken up that issue with them.

Moreover, the place of suicide Jawahar Bhawan is also intriguing. Jawahar Bhawan houses Ministry of External Affairs and has nothing to do with the army unless Grewal had some other ideas. It is also not clear who was with him at the time he committed suicide. Was he all alone or someone was there with him? What was his state of mind?

A pending request to meet Defence Minister, as has been claimed in some quarters, surely can't be a cause to drive someone to take his own life. Not for an ex-army man at least.

Grewal's tragic death is a sad moment, a matter of concern but the politics around his dead body by Rahul and Kejriwal with obvious political motive can't be approved of.
Security forces on Wednesday prevented Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi from entering the RML hospital to meet the family of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who committed suicide on Tuesday.

Naya Hindustan ban raha hai bhaiya, isko pehchaniye (A brand new India is forming)," Rahul said after he was turned away from the gates of RML hospital by security forces. "For the first time, we are not being allowed to meet the families of our soldiers. Kaisa Hindustan banaya ja raha hai? (What sort of a country are we living in?)," asked the Congress scion, taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for refusing entrance to leaders who want to meet the grieving family.

Naya Hindustan ban raha hai bhaiya: Rahul Gandhi after not being allowed to meet family of ex-serviceman in RML Hospital pic.twitter.com/v1IWKaOSVl  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

Security personnel not allowing Rahul Gandhi to enter RML Hospital to meet family of ex-serviceman(who committed suicide) #OROP pic.twitter.com/Nnd3a8M8qk  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

The treatment was not exclusively meant for Rahul. Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia was detained by Delhi Police outside the hospital when the senior Aam Aadmi Party leader went to meet the family of Grewal.

#Delhi Police detains Deputy CM #ManishSisodia outside RML Hospital while he was meeting ex-army officer Grewal's kin | Times Now  Firstpost (@firstpost) November 2, 2016

Seventy-year-old ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison over the issue of One Rank One Pension scheme (OROP).

Grewal from Haryana's Bhiwani district ended his life in the lawns behind the Jawahar Bhavan, which houses the Ministry of External Affairs, last evening.

Police said he along with three of his companions had come to the city apparently to submit a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said he was saddened over the death of Grewal.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the suicide of an ex-serviceman here, saying both farmers and soldiers were ending their lives in his regime.

Kejriwal, a bitter critic of Modi, also alleged that the Prime Minister was "lying" that the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme was being implemented by the Centre, contending that Grewal, would not have committed suicide if the scheme was being executed by the Centre. The Delhi chief minister also called Modi insecure for detaining Sisodia.

Manish Sisodia detained? He had gone to meet family of deceased Ram Kishan ji. He is elected Dy CM. Whats wrong wid u Modiji? So insecure?  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

In a series of tweets, Kejriwal also attacked the BJP government over the way they handled the issue of One Rank One Pay.

??? ???? ????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?? ??????????? ?????? ?? ???????? ???? ??? ?? ???? ??? ????????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ?? ?? ?? ???? ???  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

A group of ex-servicemen led by Major General Satbir Singh (Retd) have been protesting against the OROP scheme introduced by the government. The alleged suicide came just days after a one-man judicial committee on OROP submitted its report to Parrikar. The Centre, which has implemented the OROP, a demand which had been pending for decades, had appointed the committee under the Chairmanship of Justice L Narasimha Reddy, retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court to look into the anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP. The ex-serviceman have been holding protests at Jantar Mantar, Delhi's designated site for protests, to demand changes in OROP. Protesters say four of their primary conditions have not been met by the government.

The main demands are revision of pension every year rather than the five years as decided by the government and OROP being extended to pre-mature retirees.
Kathmandu: Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, who arrived in Nepal on Wednesday on a three-day state visit, held talks with his Nepalese counterpart Bidhya Devi Bhandari.

During the talks, both Mukherjee and Bhandari hoped that the presidential visit from India, which comes after a gap of 18 years, would help further cement bilateral ties.

While welcoming her Mukherjee at her office, President Bhandari discussed wide range of issues and expressed satisfaction over the present status of Nepal-India ties and underscored regular interactions among the top political leadership, Bharat Raj Poudyal, spokesperson at Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters.

Mukherjee told Bhandari that he was eager to host her in New Delhi very soon.

After the meeting, Mukherjee headed to the Indian Embassy to participate in a reception hosted by the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Ranjit Rae.

Leading a 60-member team including one state minister, some parliamentarians, senior Indian government officials and security personnel, Mukherjee arrived in Kathmandu at 12.30 pm.

President Bhandari received him at the VVIP lounge at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minister for Urban Development Arjun Narsingh KC, political leaders and Nepalese Army high-ranking officers were at the airport to welcome Mukherjee.

On the occasion, a contingent of Nepalese Army offered a guard of honour to the Indian President. A 21-gun salute was also offered on the occasion.

After the special welcome ceremony, President Bhandari and her Indian counterpart proceeded in the same limousine to the President's Office, Shital Niwas.

People were lined up at different places on the sides of the road from the airport to Shital Niwas waving the national flags of both the countries.

The Nepalese government has announced a public holiday in honour of the visiting President.

Mukherjee is also scheduled to hold separate meetings with Vice President Nanda Kumar Pun and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.

Later in the evening, President Bhandari will host a state banquet.
The post-mortem report of the eight SIMI activists, who were killed in an alleged police encounter following a prison break in Bhopal, was released on Wednesday. According to the report, the multiple entry and exit wounds were observed on the chest of the operatives.

Apart from several bullet shots above the waist, the preliminary report assessed by Pradesh18 reveals that some of the operatives were hit on the leg as well and their clothes have been sent to the forensic lab for further tests.

The post-mortem was conducted at Bhopal's Hamidiya Hospital.

The activists had made keys using a toothbrush and wood with the which they unlocked the door of the prison and fled, the report stated.

Bodies of seven of the eight SIMI activists were on Wednesday laid to rest in different parts of Madhya Pradesh amid tight security.

Bodies of five deceased  Amjad Khan, Zakir Hussain, Mohammad Salik, Sheikh Mehboob and Aqueel Khilji  were buried in their home district - Khandwa.

The five bodies were kept at Khilji's residence at Gulmohar locality before being laid to rest at Bada Cemetery close to Abana river around 11 pm.

Over 2,000 people took part in the funeral procession. At some places, to avoid any stampede-like situation, police had to drive people away, who had come to take a glimpse of the deceased.

Around 700 police personnel, some of them in plain clothes kept a watch on the funeral procession, sources said.

Meanwhile, one slain SIMI operative, Mohammad Khalid, who hailed from Maharashtra, was laid to rest in Bhopal.

"Khalid was from Solapur, but his parents are no more and his brother, who was also a SIMI operative, is lodged in Bhopal Central Jail. Since nobody came to claim his body, he was laid to rest here by police," a police officer said.

Another deceased, Abdul Majid, was buried in his hometown at Mahidpur in Ujjain district.

Meanwhile, the body of Sheikh Mujeeb was taken to Ahmedabad by his family members, his lawyer Parvez Alam said.

The bodies were handed over to the family members after the post-mortem in Bhopal. While taking custody of the bodies, the relatives questioned the genuineness of the police encounter.

The kin of Abdul Majid argued with police officials outside the morgue of Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal and alleged foul play in the way he was killed. Zakir Hussain's mother Salma Bi and brother Azaz said the "conspiracy" needs to be probed thoroughly.

"Zakir had told me that he did not feel safe and feared for his life," Salma Bi said adding, "My son has attained martyrdom."

With inputs from PTI
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday visited the Bhopal Central Jail, from where the eight Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) under-trials had escaped, to review the security situation there.

Four jail officials including the Superintendent had been suspended after the eight SIMI activists escaped.

Keeping in mind the fact that the eight SIMI activists had escaped after slitting the throat of a guard and scaling the wall using bedsheets between 2 and 3 am, it will take a lot more than the CM's visit to improve security in the Bhopal Central Jail.

In fact, the Madhya Pradesh government and the jail authorities had got at least three warning signs earlier that the security at the jail was poor.

First warning at the Collectors and SPs meeting

According to an official close to CM Chouhan, at the two-day Collectors and SPs meeting which ended on 27 October, the CM appeared to be worried over the absence of the jail authorities and had asked "where is the Prison Director General?"

To which the CM was told that the prison official had been operated upon and was unwell.

Thereafter, Chouhan had specifically told the Madhya Pradesh Jail Principal Secretary Vinod Semwal, who was present at the meeting, that "special thrust should be laid on the jail security," the official had told PTI.

MP Jail ADG's written direction

Earlier on 3 October, then MP Jail Additional Director General (ADG) Sushovan Banerjee had issued a written direction to Bhopal Central Jail Superintendent which had said that "security in Bhopal Jail should be tightened in letter and spirit in the wake of the disturbing developments in the country."

The direction also said that a high alert has been sounded in the country (in wake of the Uri terror attack) and hence security should be beefed up in the local Central Jail, according to PTI.

When contacted, Banerjee admitted that he had issued a written direction to the Bhopal Jail Superintendent.

Now, Banerjee has been attached to the police headquarters after Monday's incident.

Letter to state government by former MP IG (Prisons)

The Madhya Pradesh government had got a warning even before this one in 2014 when former MP IG (Prisons) GK Agrawal had written a letter to the then chief secretary Anthony Desa and marked copies to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the Intelligence Bureau about the poor security in the jail.

The letter had come after the sensational escape by seven members of SIMI from a jail in Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh in 2013.

"At present, SIMI activists from other prisons have been kept in the Bhopal Central Jail. But given the structure of the jail building, its vulnerable points, illogical security arrangement and deplorable condition of staff, it would be wrong to presume that everything is OK if no major incident takes place. God is helping but it would a mistake to presume that he will continue to offer help," The Indian Express had quoted Agrawal as saying in his letter.

Agrawal also said in the report that the jail administration had been suffering from staff shortage and several guards had been posted at the residences of senior police officials.

Another report in Hindustan Times said that five of the jail's 50 cameras were not working on Sunday night. The report also said that there were only two warders available to keep an eye on the prisoners and the first warder, who was on duty from 8 pm to 2 am, did not go to the block where the SIMI members were lodged. Moreover, no Special Armed Force (SAF) guard was able to locate the SIMI members from a 25-foot watch tower when they escaped from their block.

What is more disturbing is the possibility that the SIMI members may have got the help of some jail inmates or even some staff members for their escape.

"We will review security in all jails and find out the link behind the jail break incident. For obvious reasons, it is a common notion that the SIMI operatives could have never breached the security of Central Jail without any local help," The Times of India had quoted Chouhan as saying.

The Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) will conduct a probe into the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak and the lapses that led to the escape of prisoners which also caused the death of a jail security guard.

It is not just Madhya Pradesh, though, where the security in jails needs to improve. Another report in The Indian Express said that according to the latest data on prisons by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for 2015, there is a vacancy of 33 percent among prison guards and 36 percent among officers.

With inputs from PTI
Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) will conduct a probe into the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak and the lapses that led to the escape of prisoners which also caused the death of a jail security guard.

The rights body has said that it will look into all aspects of the jailbreak, especially the laxity of the officials and how the prisoners managed to come out of the barracks and managed to get out of the high-security prison.

The organisation will also look into how many recommendations of the commission made in the past, were implemented in the Bhopal Central Jail, and what lapses led to the jailbreak.

A team comprising a principal secretary-level officer, an additional director general of police (ADG), registrar (law) and a deputy secretary would begin the probe, said the MPHRC in an official statement. All these officers are from different departments, but are currently posted with the rights body.

The commission said that once the mandatory magisterial inquiry into the encounter is ordered, its report will be called from the collector.

Also, the MPHRC has sought a report from the Bhopal police regarding the encounter in which eight SIMI operatives were killed near Acharpura on the outskirts of Bhopal. "The inspector general of police of Bhopal has been asked to give the report," said LR Sisodia, the MPHRC spokesperson.

The MPHRC alleged that the jail officials paid no attention to the recommendations and has issued fresh recommendations to the prison authorities after the jailbreak. It has recommended that all CCTV cameras should remain functional and officials must conduct surprise checks in the jails.

The commission has said that vacancies in jails should be immediately filled and no such object should reach any prisoner which can be used as a weapon to inflict injury on himself or others.

The recommendations are being made to principal secretary, prisons and director general prisons. The recommendations were made earlier also, but there was no improvement, which led to the unfortunate incident. Now, we hope that the recommendations are followed," reads the MPHRC statement.

The MPHRC that was earlier headed by retired Supreme Court judge or a retired high court chief justice, now has a retired IPS officer VM Kanwar as its acting head.

CID inquiry likely to be ordered

Though no high-level probe has been ordered into the jailbreak as yet, a CID inquiry is likely to be ordered. Sources in the police headquarters said that it would be conducted, however, there may not be any deadline for submitting its report.
New Delhi: The United States on Tuesday asked its citizens in India to keep high level of vigilance citing reports indicating that terror outfit Islamic State desires to attack "targets" in India.

An advisory issued by the American Embassy in New Delhi warned its citizens of an increased threat in places frequented by Westerners in the country.

"Recent Indian media reports indicate ISIL's desire to attack targets in India. The US Embassy warns of an increased threat to places in India frequented by Westerners, such as religious sites, markets, and festival venues."

"All US citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as detailed in the State Department's Worldwide Caution of September 9, 2016," the advisory said.

An earlier advisory, under 'Worldwide Caution' section on the US state department's travel website, says that India continues to experience terrorist and insurgent activities which may affect US citizens directly or indirectly.

"Anti-Western terrorist groups active in India include Islamist extremist groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihad-i-Islami, Harakat ul-Mujahidin, Indian Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e Tayyiba."

"Past attacks have targeted public places, including some frequented by Westerners, such as luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas, mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas," the worldwide advisory, last updated in September, says.
The legal and moral loopholes in the Bhopal encounter case are glaring enough without the BJP ministers at the Centre and state adding to the problem. Since the time eight SIMI fugitives were gunned down by MP Police's anti-terror unit on Monday, political parties have jumped onto the fray with gusto, their super sensitive olfactory receptors pointing towards a great opportunity at polarising the electorate ahead of crucial upcoming Assembly polls.

Two or more can play this game and none of our political parties are even remotely scrupulous. But by virtue of being in power at the Centre and in the state where the encounter killings took place, the BJP should have shown some faith in jurisprudence and a little more maturity in handling the tough questions that would inevitably be raised in the event of such a questionable turn of events. But through their callous rhetoric and blatant attempt at cashing in on the controversy, the BJP comes out the worse.

Even senior party leaders and functionaries appear to have lost sight of the point that culpability of the SIMI fugitives (who were anyway under-trials and not convicts) does not provide administration the licence to cross the boundary that demarcates the lawful from the outlawed. If the state metes out vigilante justice, why have the courts at all? If the Indian state could give 26/11 culprit Ajmal Kasab a fair trial with full legal recourse, why would it be any different for the SIMI operatives, assuming that the encounter wasn't a fair one?

As opposition parties turned on the heat and demanded a judicial probe into the Bhopal encounter, the BJP put forward arguments that hinted at either an inability to understand the basic values, legal foundations and commitment to rule of law that gives a state its moral legitimacy or a wilful subversion of institutional propriety to propagate a macho variety of nationalism.

"All the eight terrorists killed were involved in heinous acts, including bomb blasts, murder and dacoity. Then why should any political party criticise such an incident instead of hailing the success of the security personnel?"

"The Left parties, the Congress and the AAP are always looking to attack the morale of the armed forces, the morale of police forces," BJP spokesperson GVL Narsimha Rao was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

This is unbelievable. Is chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan running a vigilante administration in Madhya Pradesh? Is his home minister Bhupendra Singh, who is in charge of internal security and must be answerable if there were any procedural lapses in the killings, unaware that the state cannot act as a bully?

"Our police tracked the absconding SIMI men in a short time and neutralised them bravely. Nothing more needs to be said on it. The encounter is unquestionable and it will not be probed by NIA. They will investigate only the jail break and how it happened," Singh told Hindustan Times.

CM Chouhan later ordered a CID probe into the encounter but not before he suggested that those gunned down were "dreaded terrorists who could have wreaked devastation if they had been fully successful in escaping."

"Certain politicians are making a hue and cry for these terrorists but not lending a word of solace for the martyred jawans. I condemn such leaders and the dirty politics they are doing. But for the government and the public the nation and the state is foremost and I appeal everyone to stop playing dirty politics. Patriotism is important."

The CM must understand that patriotic fervour cannot rescue or strengthen a nation if its institutions are weak. If the police circumvents legal provisions and dishes out instant justice and if ruling party release statements supporting the act, then the biggest blow is dealt to the institutions. And when that happens, a slippery slope opens.

If the state has been callous in its moral judgement, the Centre is no better.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday slammed those raising questions on the loopholes of the encounter story.

"It is not good to raise questions on security forces dealing with terrorists, just on the basis of videos," he told PTI. "We are facing challenges in border with ceasefire violation. Our forces are responding," he said.

The minister must be reminded that "facing challenges in border" do not justify subversion of legal procedures. Such an exception sets dangerous precedent. Every detail that has been made public so far on the Bhopal jailbreak and encounter deaths do not add up to make a coherent story. As long as that is the case, watchdogs in democracy shall continue to ask tough questions of the administrations, whether the ruling party likes it, or not.
Srinagar: Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar is scheduled to visit Kashmir on Thursday to pay homage to the country's first Param Vir Chakra recipient Major Somnath on his 69th death anniversary.

The Defence Minister will join senior army officers and other ranks in paying tribute to Major Somnath near the Srinagar Airport in Budgam district, an army official said.

He said Parikkar is likely to be briefed by army officials on the situation along the Line of Control arising due to the ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the wake of

last month's surgical strikes and the anti-militancy operations in the hinterland.

Major Somnath was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, the highest military honour.

He was awarded the medal posthumously for his bravery in the Kashmir operations in November 1947.

He laid down his life while evicting Pakistani raiders from Srinagar Airport during the war with Pakistan in 1947-48 in Kashmir. He belonged to the 4th Kumaon Regiment.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seems to be on top of his game as he plays one trick over another to ensure his party's majority in the upcoming municipal council and nagar panchayat election while keeping alive his seat as chief minister despite a love-hate relationship with alliance partner Shiv Sena.

The CM, who recently completed two years in the office, is a happy man. And there are two reasons for that. First, he managed to stop Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's agitation against the release of Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil without any law and order situation in the state. Secondly, the rumours that BJP is siding with the MNS, helped the CM patch up his party's alliance with Shiv Sena for the upcoming 212 seat municipal council and nagar panchayat election starting from 27 November.

It's no secret that the office bearers and karyakartas of local units of BJP are not willing to go with Shiv Sena in any election, but Fadnavis knows his party's limitations. He and state party president convinced central leadership that their alliance with Shiv Sena is essential at this stage. The CM also know that due to the Maratha Morchas across Maharashtra, BJP may face trouble in upcoming election. And if Shiv Sena and BJP fight separately, the ultimate benefit will go to the opposition Congress and NCP. So, to avoid any fingers on his post Fadnavis used his Krishnaniti and convinced Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray to form an alliance in the upcoming election. And the fact that BJP's national Party President Amit Shah has given a free hand to Fadnavis and asked him to make BJP number one party in the state, shows the party's confidence in him.

Keeping up the alliance

Earlier, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray wanted a state-wide alliance and not in bits and pieces. But the BJP's Maharashtra President Raosaheb Danve, and senior leader Chandrakant Patil had rejected Senas offer. It was then that CM Fadnavis spoke with Uddhav over phone. And both leaders agreed for a sate-wide alliance in the upcoming 212 municipal council and nagar panchayat election. The alliance was alter announced by Sena leader Sanjay Raut and Danve.

Over the last two years since the Sena-BJP government came to power in the state, Shiv Sena has been openly criticising BJP. Though most of the time Sena's attacks came against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his policies, Fadnavis has also been a target of its wrath. In its mouth piece Saamana, Shiv Sena has openly criticised the Acche Din promise of Modi. Senas senior leaders have also targeted BJP president Amit Shah. Naturally, the relation between Shiv Sena and BJP is not good. But, despite all that Sena is still in Fadnavis government with its 12 ministers.

At the same time BJP MP Kirit Somaiyya and Mumbai Unit Chief Aashish Shelar have aggressively alleged Shiv Sena of corruption in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). So, the local karyakartas and office bearers of BJP dont want to tie up with Shiv Sena in any election. But both the CM Sena Chief know the reality, and due to the leaders tuning with each other, they have convinced their grass root workers of the importance of alliance with each other.

So, the ruling allies in Maharashtra will fight together in the upcoming 212 municipal council and nagar panchayat election.

Maratha troubles ahead

The ongoing Maratha Morchas are believed to be one of main reasons behind the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, despite the love and hate relationship between the two parties. In the last two and half months, Marathas have organised silent marches in more than 28 districts. The first phase of the agitation was against Congress and the NCP, but later it picked momentum against the BJP-Shiv Sena led government too. The way Fadnavis handled the situation, and the cartoons that appeared in Saamana mocking the Maratha Marches hurt the saffron alliance's popularity in the state even further. The Fadnavis-led government also failed to offer caste reservation to Dhangar and Muslims even though they are promised in party's Manifesto.

Studies shows BJP behind, but Fadnavis is confident

An internal survey report by BJP doesn't show any good signs for the party either. According to report, in the current scenario BJP is likely to be placed fourth in the state. Even Shiv sena is not in a good position. All of this could hugely benefit the congress and NCP, who have already shown better results in the last few elections. The report says that its poor performance may get repeated in upcoming elections as well. That's not all though. The way the Fadnavis government sidelined BJP leaders Eknath Khadse, Pankaja MundePalwe and Vinod Tawde may also result to low turnout in elections. So, to avoid polarisation of votes, Fadnavis agreed to continue the party's alliance with Shiv Sena.

Even a CID report on upcoming 212 municipal council and nagar panchayat elections shows that BJP can win only 25 percent seats. And according to experts, Fadnavis may have agreed for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance because of that.

However, while talking to Firstpost, Fadnavis denied that BJP has surrender to the Shiv Sena. "We had already decided our alliance three months back. I am assured that BJP will be number one party in the state, and it will once again bounce back in the state. The report of us winnning only 25 percent council posts is just a dream of the Opposition. The Maratha Morcha is not against our government but we are very much serious on their demand," he told Firtspost.

The four-phased polls will be held for 212 civic bodies, including 192 municipal councils and 20 nagar panchayats, spanning across 25 districts, between November 2016 and January 2017. The BJP, is however, undecided about an alliance with the Shiv Sena on the 2017 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election.
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Hours after reports about the suicide of former serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal came to light on Wednesday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in an emotional video message, said that the Narendra Modi government had deceived the soldiers of the nation.

"It is very sad that on Tuesday evening, a former soldier of our country Ram Kishanji committed suicide over the implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme," Kejriwal said.

"In the letter that Ram Kishanji wrote before committing suicide, he had asked the country's Defence Minister to implement OROP. He had also written that he was committing suicide for his nation and for the soldiers," he further said.

Grewal, the former jawan from Bhiwani district in Haryana who committed suicide, had left a note which stated that he was taking this extreme step for the Indian soldiers. CNN-News18 further reported that Grewal's family has blamed the Centre for the former jawan's suicide. Grewal had also written to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar over the issue.

"It is very sad that for the last one and half years, the former servicemen of our country have been sitting on dharnas for implementation of OROP, but it has not been done so far," Kejriwal said.

"This means that when the Prime Minister talks about how the OROP has been implemented, he is lying. The Prime Minister is lying to the whole nation about implementing OROP. If OROP had been implemented, why would Ram Kishanji commit suicide?" he added.

"I don't think the kind of deception that the BJP government has engaged in with the soldiers has ever taken place before. First off, they have not implemented OROP, because of which Ram Kishanji had to commit suicide. Secondly, after the surgical strikes, the government should have rewarded the Indian Army. But instead of rewarding the soldiers, the government ordered a huge cut in the disability pension of the personnel of the Indian Army. We should have raised the disability pension instead," said the Delhi CM.

"A few days later, the government also downgraded the ranks of the soldiers. So, you did not implement OROP, reduced their disability pension and downgraded their ranks. This is such a great deception for the Indian soldiers," he said.

"And then you are going around places saying, 'We made surgical strikes happen, give us votes.' The army is being misused politically by the government," he added.

"The Delhi government has made a policy that the government will give Rs 1 crore as compensation to the family of a martyred soldier who was from Delhi," Kejriwal said.

"I had written a letter to the Prime Minister, asking the Centre to adopt the same policy. As many as 19 soldiers were martyred in Uri. Why could we not give Rs 1 crore to each of their families? The central government does not become poor if it donates Rs 19 crore. This would have sent a message to the soldiers that the government is concerned about them. But even this suggestion was ignored," he said.

"Ram Kishanji, who was martyed, had won Rashtrapati Award twice. He had also got the Chief of Army Staff Award. He was a very good soldier who had worked tirelessly for 30 years. His martyrdom should not go to waste. We need to now fight for the cause he gave his life for," Kejriwal said.

"Because a country in which soldiers and farmers start committing suicide has no future," he added.

"Today, I ask the central government to completely implement OROP as it is. Secondly, the government should raise the disability pension instead of reducing it. Thirdly, the army ranks which were downgraded should be brought back to the original level. Fourthly, a compensation of Rs 1 crore should be given to each of the families of the soldiers martyred in Uri. And this should be a general policy of compensation," the Delhi CM said. "And finally, the politics over surgical strikes should be stopped."

Kejriwal had also criticised the central government earlier on Wednesday after Grewal's suicide.

V sad. Soldiers fighting on border against external enemy n fighting within for their rights. Whole nation shud stand up for their rights https://t.co/deRYUV9J0y  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

         OROP    OROP            ? https://t.co/d9MPJjkf5A  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

You can watch Kejriwal's video message here:
Washington: Hillary Clinton's campaign has canceled a Des Moines rally with vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine and former President Bill Clinton in the wake of the overnight killings of two area police officers.

The Clinton campaign announced Wednesday that the event at the Des Moines Social Club was cancelled. Musician Ben Harper was also scheduled to perform.

Bill Clinton and Tim Kaine were still campaigning in Iowa Wednesday. Kaine was set to appear in Dubuque and Clinton had stops planned in Sioux City and Waterloo.

The officers were shot while sitting in their patrol cars early Wednesday in what authorities described as separate ambush-style attacks. Police said they captured a suspect Wednesday morning.

Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday that he was "praying for the families" of the officers.
Washington: FBI director James Comey once called it a crucial leadership test: Anticipating whether a decision makes sense "through the eyes of others."

Now his own big decision has Democrats and even some Republicans wondering whether he failed his own test.

The FBI director who prides himself on moral rectitude and a squeaky-clean reputation is being criticised from all sides for lobbing a stink bomb into the centre of the presidential race. His disclosure that investigators have found more emails that may  or may not  relate to Democrat Hillary Clinton's use of a private email set-up as secretary of state has jolted the race and generated far more questions than answers.

This isn't the first time Comey has found himself in the spotlight for taking a stand on what the 6-foot-8 lawyer saw as the moral high ground.

Perhaps the last previous thing many Americans heard about Comey was the tale of his dramatic rush to the bedside of then-Attorney General John Ashcroft in a darkened hospital room in 2004 for a standoff with senior White House officials over federal wiretapping rules. Comey, serving as acting attorney general during Ashcroft's illness, dashed to the bedside to block Bush administration officials from making an end run to get Ashcroft's permission to reauthorize a secret no-warrant wiretapping program.

"That night was probably the most difficult night of my professional life," Comey testified before Congress in 2007.

Perhaps until now.

Former Justice Department officials and lawmakers from both parties are calling Comey's revelation about Clinton's emails just 11 days before the election an improper, astonishing and perplexing intrusion into politics in the critical endgame of the 2016 campaign.

It's an unexpected predicament for the man who has painted ethical decision-making as an easy call.

"There's right, and there's wrong, and it ain't hard to tell the difference," he once said.

That internal certitude has led the FBI official to freelance his positions at times.

Last year, he broke from the White House in suggesting a possible link between police officers' anxieties about taking actions that could be recorded on viral videos and rising homicide rates in some American cities. The White House distanced itself from those remarks, saying there was no scientific evidence to support a connection, or show that officers were pulling back from their responsibilities.

Comey, a former Republican who is no longer registered with a political party, spent 15 years as a federal prosecutor before serving in the George W Bush administration. His office brought the case that led to Martha Stewart's conviction on obstruction of justice and lying to government investigators. As an assistant US attorney in Virginia, he handled the investigation of the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers housing complex in Saudi Arabia that killed 19 members of the US military.

President Barack Obama, when he nominated Comey for a 10-year-appointment to the FBI job in 2013, cited his willingness to stand up to power "at key moments when it's mattered most," referencing the hospital-room standoff.

Aides say Obama's high opinion of Comey still stands. But the White House is leaving the FBI director dangling, saying it is up to him to defend himself in the face of what spokesman Josh Earnest called "significant criticism from a variety of legal experts, including individuals who served in senior Department of Justice positions in administrations that were led by presidents in both parties."

Indeed, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a hard-line conservative and House Judiciary Committee member, told Fox News Radio that "this was probably not the right thing for Comey to do, the protocol here, to come out this close to an election. But this whole case has been mishandled, and now it is what it is."

And former Rep. Joe Walsh, a supporter of Donald Trump, tweeted that Comey's action amounted to an "unconstitutional abuse of government power against our electoral process. Just not right."

What Comey did should concern us all. It's an unconstitutional abuse of government power against our electoral process. Just not right.  Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) October 31, 2016

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada went a step further and accused Comey of deliberately inserting himself into the race to damage Clinton's presidential prospects, suggesting the FBI director may have broken the law.

Comey, 56, made his disclosure about the Clinton emails despite admonitions from officials within the Justice Department not to go there. It is longstanding Justice Department protocol to avoid taking investigative action in the run-up to an election that could affect its outcome.

Comey told colleagues that he felt obligated to go public with the information after having previously told Congress over the summer that the investigation into Clinton's emails had been concluded without prosecution.

Trying to explain his decision, he wrote to FBI employees that it would have been "misleading to the American people were we not to supplement the record" despite the "significant risk of being misunderstood."

Christine Chung, a New York lawyer who worked with Comey when he was the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, described him as ever "determined to do the right thing."

The criticism he's faced over the email disclosure, she added, is a "lesson for why good people shouldn't go to Washington."
A black church in Mississippi was burned and spray-painted with "Vote Trump," officials said on Wednesday, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation said it was looking into the incident, which comes one week before the U.S. presidential election.No one was injured in the Tuesday evening blaze at Hopewell M.B. Church in Greenville, and the cause of the fire has not been determined, Greenville Fire Chief Ruben Brown Sr. said in a telephone interview. Black churches in the U.S. South have long been a base of support for the Democratic Party.The town of about 33,000 people is about 100 miles (160 kms) northwest of Jackson.

"The FBI Jackson Division is aware of the situation in Greenville, and we are working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to determine if any civil rights crimes were committed," the agency said in a statement.

Brown said the church was heavily damaged by the fire.In October, the Orange County Republican Party's office in Hillsborough, North Carolina, was set on fire and a graffiti message left nearby said "leave town or else."

(Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Alistair Bell, Toni Reinhold)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Iraq: Whenever members of Islamic State's Mosul vice squad find a woman without gloves, they pull out a pair of pliers. What follows is just one of a wide range of punishments that the group - known in Arabic by its enemies as Daesh - metes out in its northern Iraqi stronghold.

"Daesh would squeeze the pliers on the skin of the woman hard," said Firdos, a 15-year-old girl who has fled from the city in the last week. Firdos managed to escape such treatment herself, but she told Reuters that Islamic State has more ways of enforcing one of the many rules of its moral code - that women must not show their bare hands in public.

"The other penalty was we (women) would be whipped for not wearing gloves," Firdos said in Al-Khazer, a town taken by Kurdish forces as part of an Iraqi offensive to regain Mosul. She, like others who have fled Islamic State's grip, declined to give her last name for fear of reprisals against relatives still in Mosul, about 27 km (17 miles) away.

When Islamic State captured Iraq's second largest city in 2014, it promised that anyone who joined the Sunni militants' cause would eventually earn a place in paradise. It also told the people of predominantly Sunni Mosul that it would eliminate Nuri al-Maliki, a Shi'ite who was then Iraqi prime minister and widely accused of sectarian policies. This message appealed to some Sunnis, members of a minority which had dominated before the fall of dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003 and who now complain they are marginalised by the government led by the majority Shi'ites.

But residents who have recently fled Islamic State's last stronghold in Iraq say life quickly became unbearable in the city of about two million. Men had to wear beards to lengths it saw as Islamic. Women had to cover up from head to toe. Sometimes their husbands would be whipped in their place for violations. No one was allowed to leave Mosul without special permission and former residents said they feared being shot if they were caught trying to escape.

Republic of fear

None of the people interviewed by Reuters said they had seen public executions by shooting or beheadings, Islamic State's favourite method of creating mass terror. But everyone knew they took place because the jihadists spread the word. This appeared to be straight out of the handbook of the "Republic of Fear", Saddam's former state built on cruelty, retribution and extreme violence. More than a decade after Saddam's overthrow by the US-led invasion, some of his former intelligence officers are senior members and strategists for Islamic State, according to Iraqi security officials.

Every Friday, the militants force people to go to mosques in Mosul to hear their sermons. Two years ago, Islamic State's chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared himself the leader of all Muslims from a pulpit in the city, and the sermons remind residents that his words are sacred.

Islamic State also uses mosques to urge people to take up their cause and strike against what it called all enemies of Islam; from Maliki and his fellow Shi'ites to other Arab leaders, Israel and the United States. Anyone who agreed to wage holy war was sent for training in neighbouring Syria, part of its self-declared caliphate."I spoke to several people who went to Syria. They learned about strapping on suicide belts and beheading people," said Abdul Kadir, one of the escapees who are sheltering in tents at a camp in Al-Khazer.

"They were there for three months or so. Some were young. Ten-year-old boys. Some were 15. Some of these people rejected all this but they had to pretend they supported Daesh or face consequences."

Late one night, Islamic State raided his home, blindfolded him and threw him into a prison once run by Saddam's security forces. After four days he appeared in a courtroom overflowing with detainees. His crime was trying to make ends meet by selling cigarettes. The Islamic State judge showed no compassion.

"He asked me why I sell cigarettes. He said they are against Islam. I told him I was desperate to make a living because there were no jobs," said Abdul Kadir, who was kept blindfolded throughout his ordeal."He said 'take him away and whip him 55 times'. It was with a leather whip ... I could not get out of bed for three days."

Once diverse city

Life under Islamic State was a far cry from the past, when communities lived side-by-side in the diverse trading city of Mosul. Besides the Sunni Arab majority, it had a large number of Christians, predominantly Assyrians. Kurds, Turkmens, Yazidis and Armenians made up the rest of the population. Most of the minority communities have fled.

Islamic State demolished shrines, mosques and churches and posted images of the destruction on internet sites. Along with the terror came growing hardship. Many people lost their jobs as the local economy deteriorated. Suleiman, 62, told Reuters he was at work when Islamic State arrived in Mosul. Returning to his neighbourhood, he came face-to-face with militants dressed in traditional Pakistani clothes - a reminder of the group's ability to recruit far and wide.Soon, he was struggling to survive financially.

"The money ran out eventually for a lot of people. Yet Daesh was squeezing everyone. You used to pay 500 dinars for a medical card. With them it was 2,000," he said."The doctors charged a lot and the money went to them. Or they would tell you to give to charity under Islam and then gave the money to their relatives.

"Like many others, Suleiman was caught up in the struggle that pitted the militants against the Iraqi army and its Western allies. An airstrike hit his home but Islamic State offered little compensation. "My house collapsed and all they offered me was 30 kg of wheat," he said.

A few tents away, Sahar Abed said she wanted to forget the hardship. "People were selling their cans of gasoline. I had to sell some of my clothes," she said, as an aid worker took down names of the displaced. Iraqi and Kurdish officials say that some Mosul residents have taken up arms against Islamic State recently, driven by discontent and encouraged by the advance of Iraqi forces, who have taken nearby villages and reached a section of Mosul.

History suggests the militants will respond to any discontent with brutality, especially after losing control of the cities of Falluja and Ramadi this year. They have rigged Mosul with explosives and built elaborate tunnels, all of which could slow advances, leaving the population at their mercy."About a week ago we heard shooting at two in the morning. It was people who killed jihadists," said Abu Said, also displaced at the camp."In these situations Daesh rounds a bunch of people up and makes an example out of them. They took people from their homes and made them watch two men lying on their stomach in the street while a car ran them over."
By Christine Kim

| SEOUL

SEOUL The scandal engulfing South Korean President Park Geun-hye has plunged her conservative Saenuri Party into turmoil and cast the country's political landscape into disarray as it heads into an election year.Park's approval rating has been dragged to an all-time low of just 17.5 percent in a Realmeter poll as prosecutors investigate whether an old acquaintance exerted inappropriate influence over state affairs and gained personally from their friendship.The opposition has been moving carefully since the crisis involving Park's friend Choi Soon-sil erupted, refraining from demanding the president step down or raising the idea of impeachment.If Park gives up her position, the law requires that an election be held in 60 days. Analysts say the opposition is unprepared to take on the ruling party in such a high stakes contest so soon. The winner of such an election would be entitled to serve a full five-year term.The presidential election is due in December 2017."If Park steps down, this will drive everyone mad as they have been preparing with a full year to campaign in mind," said Kim Man-heum, head of the Korea Academy of Politics and Leadership.BAN KI-MOON

The Saenuri Party, which unexpectedly lost its parliamentary majority in April, had already split into two factions as many senior members had sought to distance themselves from the unpopular Park even before the recent scandal.United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who has long led opinion polls to be his country's next president, even though he has not said whether he will enter the race, had been expected to join Saenuri if he runs.The damaged Saenuri would be a less attractive home for Ban, potentially compelling him to opt for a new party if he runs.South Korean political parties often dissolve and re-form under new names."It will be difficult for the Saenuri Party to regain the support they once had if they do not disband and form a new party," said Rhee Jong-hoon, a commentator who runs Political Management Consulting Inc.

"They are in complete ruin," he said. Over 20 Saenuri lawmakers formed a coalition this week calling for the party's leadership to step down."Efforts to clarify this scandal and to normalise government work are direly needed, but we have felt under our current leadership that will be impossible," said Oh Shin-hwan, a Saenuri lawmaker at a meeting for the coalition on Tuesday.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Park added another wild card to the political outlook last week when she proposed an amendment to the constitution that would allow presidents to serve multiple terms or establish a parliamentary system. South Korean presidents serve a single five-year term and appoint a prime minister, whose role is largely administrative. It is an arrangement that critics say gives the president too much power but also turns them into ineffectual lame ducks as their tenures wind down.Park would be prevented by law from serving another term, even if an amendment succeeds.Eight of Park's top aides have resigned and expectations are high she will replace the prime minister and some government ministers.Opposition parties could form an alliance to push the constitutional amendment issue, which enjoys broad public support, once a new prime minister is in place. (Editing by Tony Munroe and Bill Tarrant.)

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By David Rohde

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON When America goes to the polls on Nov. 8, according to current and former U.S. intelligence officials, it will likely experience the culmination of a new form of information war.A months-long campaign backed by the Russian government to undermine the credibility of the U.S. presidential election  through hacking, cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns  is likely to peak on voting day, the officials said.Russian officials deny any such effort. But current and former U.S. officials warn that hackers could post fictional evidence online of widespread voter fraud, slow the Internet to a crawl through cyber attacks and release a final tranche of hacked emails, including some that could be doctored.Dont underestimate what they can do or will do. We have to be prepared, said Leon Panetta, who served as CIA director and defense secretary in President Barack Obamas first term. In some ways, they are succeeding at disrupting our process. Until they pay a price, they will keep doing it.John Brennan, the current CIA director, declined to comment on the Russian efforts. But he said Russian intelligence operatives have a long history of marrying traditional espionage with advances in technology. More broadly, Brennan said, the digital age creates enormous opportunities for espionage. But it also creates vulnerabilities. Citing an array of new cyber, conventional and terrorist threats, Brennan announced the most sweeping reforms of the CIA in its 69-year history 18 months ago. Weakening the role of the Directorate of Operations, the agencys long-dominant arm responsible for gathering intelligence and conducting covert operations, Brennan created 10 new mission centres where CIA spies, analysts and hackers work together in teams focussed on specific regions and issues. He also created a new Directorate for Digital Innovation to maximize the agencys use of technology, data analytics and online spying. The information age has totally transformed the way we are able to operate and need to operate, Brennan told Reuters in a series of interviews. Most human interactions take place in that digital domain. So the intelligence profession needs to flourish in that domain. It cannot avoid it.When a new American diplomat arrives for duty at the U.S. embassy in Moscow or Beijing, CIA official say, Russian and Chinese intelligence operatives run data analytics programs that check the digital dust associated with his or her name. If the newcomers footprint in that dust  social media posts, cell phone calls, debit card payments  is too small, the diplomat is flagged as an undercover CIA officer. The Russian-backed campaign to discredit the U.S. election is not isolated. Hackers believed to have links to Chinese intelligence began stealing the personal information of 22 million federal employees and job applicants in 2014, the worst known data breach in U.S. government history. Islamic States online propagandists continue to inspire lone wolf attacks in the United States even as the group loses territory.A senior official from the Directorate of Operations, who backs the shake-up, said the agency is experiencing its greatest test in decades.THE DIGITAL DEBATE

The amount of threats and challenges that are facing this organisation and this nation are greater than at any time in the last 30 years, said the official, who declined to be named. The days of a black passport, a fistful of dollars and a Browning pistol are over.James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, praised Brennan and his efforts to retool the CIA for a new era in an interview. So did Lisa Monaco, Brennans successor as the President Obamas Homeland Security and Counterterrorism adviser.But some current and former officials question Brennans strategy, arguing his reforms are too digitally focussed and will create a more cautious, top-heavy spy agency. At a time when the agency needs to refocus its efforts on human espionage, they say, the concentration of power in the new mission centres weakens the ability of the Directorate of Operations to produce a new generation of elite American spies.The reforms have hurt morale, created confusion and consumed time and attention at a time of myriad threats, according to interviews with ten former officials.Glenn Carle, a former CIA covert officer, supports Brennan and his reforms but said they have sparked a mixed reaction among directorate of operations officials who believe human intelligence is getting short shrift.The value the CIA can fundamentally add is to steal secrets, and the ultimate secret is intention, the often inscrutable aims of foreign leaders, Carle said. Obtaining that is a human endeavour.At the same time, Brennan has stirred a different sort of criticism  that he has defied Congressional oversight. Liberal Democrats and libertarian Republicans in Congress say the Brennan-Obama tenure has been tarnished by a lack of transparency with congressional oversight committees and the public regarding surveillance, drone strikes and the agencys use of torture against terrorism suspects during the administration of George W. Bush.While I think Johns overall legacy will be as a reformer, that legacy will suffer from his refusal to come to grips with the CIAs troubled torture programme, said Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif, vice chair of the Senates intelligence committee. I think the new presidents CIA director must prioritize a high level of trust between the CIA and Congress to insure proper oversight is conducted.Its unclear how closely the countrys next president will hew to Brennans strategy.The front-runner, Democrat Hillary Clinton, has an incentive to beef up American cyber-espionage: U.S. intelligence officials blame the continuing leak of emails from her campaign on Russian-backed hacking. Clinton also expressed support for covert action in a transcript of a 2013 speech she gave to Goldman Sachs that was recently released by Wikileaks.Republican Donald Trump, meanwhile, pledged to make cybersecurity a top priority in his administration in an October 3 speech. For non-state terror actors, the United States must develop the ability  no matter how difficult  to track down and incapacitate those responsible and do it rapidly, Trump said. We should turn cyber warfare into one of our greatest weapons against the terrorists.

In interviews at agency headquarters in Langley, Virginia, Brennan declined to comment on either candidate or discuss operational details of the CIA. But he and eight other senior CIA officials gave the most detailed description yet of their rationale for the most radical revamp of the agency since its founding in 1947.I look out at the next 10, 20, 30 years, and I look at technology, I look at complexity, I look at the global environment, Brennan said. I think CIA really needs to up its game.JUST-WAR THEORIST

Brennan, a 61-year-old native of north New Jersey, looks like a linebacker but talks like a technocrat. He speaks excitedly about how the CIA and other government bureaucracies can be configured in a way to ensure optimal outcomes.The son of devout-Catholic Irish immigrants, Brennan speaks reverently of CIA officers as public servants who risk their lives without public accolades. He joined the agency in 1980, at the age of 24, after receiving a Masters Degree in government with a concentration in Middle Eastern studies from the University of Texas.Educated in various Catholic schools, including Fordham University, Brennan says he is an adherent of just-war theory  a centuries-old Christian theological argument that war is justified when it is waged in self defence, as a last resort and minimizes civilian casualties. Those beliefs, he says, have guided him in one of the most controversial aspects of his tenure in the Obama administration.As Obamas White House counter-terrorism adviser and CIA director, Brennan played a central role in carrying out 473 U.S. airstrikes outside conventional war zones between 2009 and 2015, primarily by drone. U.S. officials estimate the attacks have killed 2,372 to 2,581 people, including 64 to 116 civilians.Human rights groups say the totals are vastly higher. Last year, for instance, a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan accidentally killed American aid worker Warren Weinstein and Italian aid worker Giovanni Lo Porto, who were both being held captive by al Qaeda.Brennan declined to comment on specific strikes, but said, I still can look myself in the mirror everyday and believe that I have tried to do what is morally right, what is necessary, and what is important to keep this country safe. He also acknowledged mistakes.You question yourself. You beat yourself up. You try to learn from it, Brennan said, in a rare display of emotions. But you also recognise that if youre not prepared to make the tough decisions in the jobs that have been entrusted to you, you shouldnt be in those jobs.Today, Brennan says the United States faces the most complex array of threats he has seen since joining the agency 36 years ago. As a CIA analyst, operative and executive, he has lived through the Cold War espionage duels of the 1980s; the disintegration of nation-states after the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall; the rise of non-state terrorist groups since 2001; and the current digital disruption. Now, he says, all four dynamics are converging at once.

BOLD AND INNOVATIVE RIVALS

CIA officials say their greatest state competitors are the Russian and Chinese intelligence services. While smaller countries or terrorist groups may want to strike at the United States, Russia and China are the only two adversaries with the combination of skills, resources and motivation needed to challenge Washington.In recent years, Moscows Federal Security Service, or FSB, has become adept at waging gray zone conflicts in Ukraine, Crimea and Syria, the officials said. In all three countries, Russian intelligence operatives have deftly shrouded protagonists, objectives and war crimes in ambiguity.One target is Americas increasingly politically polarized democracy. As Russian-backed hacking unfolded this summer, the Obama White Houses response fuelled frustration among law enforcement and intelligence officials, according to current and former officials. The administration, they said, seemed to have no clear policy for how to respond to a new form of information warfare with no rules, norms or, it seemed, limits.White House officials said the administration is still considering various methods of responding, but the responses won't necessarily be made public.China presents another challenge. Chinese businessmen and students continue trying to scoop up American state and economic secrets. In one bright spot, Beijing appears to be abiding by a 2015 pact signed by Obama and Chinese leader Xi Jinping that the two governments would not conduct economic espionage against one another. Chinese hacking appears to have slowed from the voracious rate of the past, which included hacking into the computers of the 2008 presidential campaigns of John McCain and Barack Obama but not releasing what was found.The question is whether or not it is due to greater care in terms of covering ones tracks, Brennan said of the apparent change. Or whether or not they realise that theyre brand is being tarnished by this very rapacious appetite for vacuuming up things.Regional powers are also increasing their digital espionage efforts.In 2014, the Obama administration blamed North Korea for the hacking of Sony Pictures computer system. This spring, U.S. prosecutors indicted seven Iranian hackers for allegedly trying to shut down a New York dam and conducting a cyber attack on dozens of U.S. banks. They also indicted three Syrian members of the Syrian Electronic Army, a pro-Syrian government group, who hacked into the websites of U.S. government agencies, corporations and news organizations.In a 2015 case that U.S. officials said marks a worrying new trend, federal prosecutors indicted a 20-year-old hacker from Kosovo. With the help of a criminal hacker, Ardit Ferizi stole the home addresses of 1,300 members of the U.S. military, providing the information to Islamic State and posting it online, and calling for attacks on the individuals. Ferizi was arrested in Malaysia, where he was studying computer science. In September, he pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.This blend of the criminal actor, the nation-state actor and the terrorist actor, thats going to be the trend over the next five years, said John Carlin, who recently stepped down as head of the Justice Department division that monitors foreign espionage in the United States.

But some active clandestine officers argue that the intelligence community has grown too reliant on technology, a trend they trace back four decades to the directorship of Stansfield Turner. Satellite photography, remote sensors and communications intercepts have become more sophisticated, but so have encryption techniques and anti-satellite weapons.More important, they argue, is that technology is no substitute for penetrations  planting or recruiting human spies in foreign halls of power. The CIA missed Indias 1998 nuclear tests and misjudged Saddam Husseins arsenal in 2003 because it lacked spies in the right places.Today, these current and former CIA officials contend, American policymakers have little insight into the thinking of Vladimir Putins inner circle. Presidents, kings and dictators often dont share their true intentions electronically, putting this valuable information largely beyond the scope of digital spying. The best sources are still people, and these officials believe the agency is not mounting the kind of bold human spying operations it did in the past. Brennan and other CIA officials flatly denied downplaying human intelligence. They said aggressive, high-risk human spying is under way but they cannot go into operational detail. One of Brennans predecessors, Michael Hayden, former CIA chief under President George W. Bush, says the agency strayed from its core mission during the Bush years. After the Al Qaeda attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Hayden said, the CIA had shift to become a paramilitary organisation that devoted its most talented officers to tracking and killing terrorists. It now needs to reverse that trend by focussing on espionage against rival nations, he said.The constant combat of the last 15 years has pushed the expertise of the case officer in the direction of the battlefield and in the direction of collecting intelligence to create physical effects, said Hayden, using an intelligence euphemism for killing. At the expense of what the old guys called long-range, country-on-country intelligence gathering.OPTIMIZING CAPABILITIES

Brennan and the eight other senior CIA officials made the case that their modernization effort will address the needs and threats described by Hayden and others. Technological advances, they said, have levelled the intelligence playing field. The webs low cost of entry, creativity and speed benefits governments, hackers and terrorists alike. A veteran covert operative who runs a new CIA mission centre compared Brennans reforms to the Goldwater-Nichols Act. The landmark 1986 legislation reorganized the U.S. military into a half dozen regional commands where the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines work together. It was a response to inter-service rivalries that bedevilled the American military in Vietnam.The CIA equivalent involves having the agencys five main directorates  Operations (covert spies), Analysis (trends and prediction), Science and Technology (listening devices and other gadgetry) and Digital Innovation (online sleuthing) and Support (logistics)  provide the personnel needed by each regional mission centre.Andrew Hallman, director of the new Directorate for Digital Innovation, said the CIA has embraced cloud computing as a way to better share intelligence. In a move that shocked insiders and outsiders, the CIA awarded an $600 million contract to Amazon in 2013 to build a secure cloud computing system where multiple CIA databases can be quickly accessed.For decades, different directorates maintained their own separate databases as a security measure, said Hallman. Some of the applications the agency used were so old  up to 30 years  that the manufacturer was no longer in business.Turning to Amazon was designed to immediately put private-sector computing advances at the fingertips of CIA operatives. It was also an admission that it was easier for the agency to buy innovation from the private sector than try to create it internally.Several former CIA officials criticized the new team-focused system, saying it dilutes the cultures that made each agency directorate strong. The best analysts are deeply sceptical and need to be separated from covert operatives to avoid group-think, they said. And the best covert operatives are famously arrogant, a trait needed to carry out the extraordinarily difficult task of convincing foreigners to spy for America.Richard Blee, a former CIA clandestine officer, said the agency needed reform but highlighted a separate problem created by technological change. Instant secure communications between CIA headquarters and officers in the field has centralized decision-making in Washington, Blee said. And regardless of administration, senior officials in Washington are less willing to take a risk than field officers  virtually all of whom complain about headquarters excessive caution.The mentality across the board in Washington is to take the lowest common denominator, the easiest option, the risk-free option, Blee said. The Chinese are taking tough decisions, the Russians are taking tough decisions and we are taking risk-averse decisions. And we are going to pay a price for that down the road.Brennan says his reforms will empower CIA officers: The integrated teams in each new mission centre will improve speed, adaptability and effectiveness.To me, thats going to be the secret of success in the future, not just for CIA but for other organizational structures, Brennan said. Taking full advantage of the tools, capabilities, people and expertise that you have.The old ways of spycraft, Brennan argues, are no longer tenable. Asked what worries him most, he gave a technocratic answer: Twentieth century American government management practices are being rendered obsolete in the digital age.U.S. decision making processes need to be streamlined and accelerated, he said. Because the problems are not going to wait for traditional discussions. (Additional reporting by John Walcott and Jonathan Landay. Edited by Michael Williams)

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HANOI Vietnamese police on Wednesday detained a prominent blogger for distributing anti-state information, the latest in a crackdown on critics of the country's Communist rulers.Ho Van Hai, 52, was arrested in Ho Chi Minh City and accused of "spreading information and documents on the internet that are against the government of the Social Republic of Vietnam", according to a statement by Ho Chi Minh City police on their website.Police will investigate and handle Hai's violations in accordance with the law, the statement said. Hai's Facebook page and blog were inaccessible as of Wednesday night.

Despite sweeping reforms to its economy and increasing openness toward social change, including gay, lesbian and transgender rights, Vietnam's ruling Communist Party retains tight media censorship and zero tolerance for criticism.Last month Vietnam police detained prominent blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, or "Me Nam" (Mother Mushroom), for running "propaganda" against the state. The United States, European Union and Britain called for her release.

Another well-known Vietnamese political blogger and his assistant lost their appeal in September when a higher court upheld their jail terms and reaffirmed they had abused their freedom and hurt the state's interests.

(Editing by Alison Williams)

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One of the key takeaways of the 29 September surgical strikes  quite apart from the mythical ones in popular imagination  was the element of unpredictability in Indian response when faced with Pakistan-sponsored terror. Narendra Modi government's public owning of a covert operation across the LoC showed that India is no longer willing to suffer in silence and would henceforth raise the cost of Pakistani misadventure while staying, as far as possible, within the limits of strategic restraint against a nuclear-armed neighbour.

The pushback may vary in scope and scale but India hoped that breaking of the template may act as some sort of a deterrent against the terror-exporting nation. If this was the major takeaway, there was one more equally important one. In a strategic manoeuvre, the strikes put the onus of resuming normalcy squarely on Pakistan. Modi added sinew and bone to an old Indian stance: if you want talks, stop terror.

But there is a problem. Instead of being conducted over fine wines at plush venues, diplomacy between the two south Asian neighbours often boils down to brinkmanship across the border. The reason why India has consistently failed to develop a coherent Pakistan policy is that Islamabad (or more correctly, Rawalpindi) never plays by rules. It has grown so used to cashing in on its delinquent status that it sincerely believes the fallacy that more of being a rogue nation will help it achieve objectives that conventional diplomacy won't.

What are those objectives? If India  which has historically bore the brunt of renewing talks initiative despite Pakistan's thousand betrayals  suddenly finds suspended talks quite a comfortable status quo, the onus lies on Islamabad to start the process and bring its "unfinished business", Kashmir, again to the table.

There would be two broad reasons why Pakistan, at this point, is more interested in talks than India. One, it must be feeling a compelling need to yank India out of the sweet spot post surgical strikes. The Rawalpindi GHQ would have calculated that letting India get away with the strikes (despite a public denial) is tantamount to defeat. Therefore, it must force India to kickstart the talks process. Two, suspension puts Kashmir out of the limelight. Since the issue is central to Pakistan's own existence, it cannot simply let that happen.

But how does it coax India back at the table? Islamabad has been shedding tears over Kashmir for a considerable amount of time in every global forum and calling for UN intervention without any tangible benefits. Its perfidies are finally catching up. Recently, it even sent 22 diplomats far and wide across the world in a failed strategic move. In absence of international pressure on India, it has precious few levers left. Moreover, the genie of terror its army and the deep state has nurtured for so long cannot be bottled back at the snap of a finger. It is impossible for Pakistan, therefore, to meet the Indian condition for talks.

Under the circumstances, Pakistan seems to have decided that the only way to force India into resuming "talks" would be to massively violate the ceasefire and target civilians so that India bows to domestic political pressure. The strategy is also based on a calculation that the civil administration in India is more amenable to political pressure than in Pakistan where an unaccountable, unelected army controls all the levers of power.

Therefore, as PTI reports, we find Pakistani troops on Tuesday targeting civilians in a massive escalation at the border, resulting in the deaths of eight people including two children and four women. The firing, which included usage of small arms and also heavy calibre weapons like 120mm and 82mm mortar bombs, also injured 22 people including an 18-month-old infant. The assault prompted a ferocious retaliation from BSF which claimed to have destroyed 14 Pakistani posts.

The areas targeted, according to another PTI report, were hamlets and military posts in Samba, Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri districts along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistani forces are firing heavy mortars deliberately towards Indian civilian areas, says BSF IG D K Upadhyay.  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 2, 2016

Crucially, Pakistan's strategy of killing Indian civilians and building domestic political pressure on the government seems to be working.

In a separate report, PTI quoted Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti expressing "deep anguish" and "grave concern" over the loss of human lives and destruction of property. According to Mufti, the only way to deal with the "prevailing disturbing situation" is to keep reminding both India and Pakistan of the inevitability of talks. "India and Pakistan must open the channels of communication, at the earliest, realising the dangerous consequences of any escalation of ongoing confrontation along the borders," she said in the report.

Opposition leaders in the state led by National Conference leaders and ex-CMs Farooq Abdullah and son Omar have also expressed similar sentiments.

If this is one part of the story, the other part, still unconnected, lies in the recent disturbing trend in setting Kashmir schools on fire. The inevitability of human desire for normalcy and peace has been held hostage by this renewed acts of arson that serve the dual purpose of maintaining unrest in the Valley and keep Kashmir in the headlines. So far, 26 schools have been set on fire by unidentified arsonists while 174 along the international border in Jammu have been shut by the administration due to increased shelling.

As Bharti Jain writes in Times of India quoting a Jammu and Kashmir police officer, the arsonists who have been captured so far are mostly uneducated and unemployed youth blindly following directions of local separatists. They might be used and funded by agents and the motive may include denying security forces a refuge during harsh winter months and even a shot at radicalisation of youth by preventing modern education.

Crucially, separatist leaders have been quite brazen about defending what is an indefensible and perverted act of setting schools on fire.

Hurriyat Conference head Syed Ali Shah Geelani was quoted in a BBC report as saying: "If the authorities are indeed concerned about education and the future of school children, they should first release all people, particularly students, and withdraw all cases against them to create a conducive and peaceful atmosphere."

For a separatist leadership that has often acted as Pakistani puppets, it doesn't require an Einstein to connect the dots. The question, therefore, for the Indian administration is this: Would it bow before Pakistan's overt and covert manoeuvres and appear again at the talks table?
The Honor 8 is not just a pretty face, it is also an ideal tool to capture pretty faces and much more using its high quality camera. You might have heard quite a lot about the Honor 8 and its photography abilities, but how good is it? Lets find out.

Let us take a look at the facts first. The Honor 8 makes use of a unique dual camera system at the back that makes use of an RGB sensor and a secondary dedicated Monochrome sensor. Both of them have an equal resolution of 12 Megapixels along with f/2.2 aperture, laser autofocus and dual-tone LED flash.

To the un-initiated, the purpose of the secondary Monochrome sensor might not be clear so let us discuss that. The Monochrome sensor works in unison with the RGB sensor to produce images that have a higher dynamic range as well as better performance in low light.

The Monochrome sensor captures 3 times the amount of light that a regular RGB sensor can. This allows for a much faster shutter speed and more stable shots. The camera captures information about the colour from the RGB sensor as well as better detailing in the highlights and shadows from the Monochrome sensor. The larger pixel size of 1.25 microns also does a good job at noise suppression under low light thus resulting in cleaner images.

The Laser Autofocus module ensures a quick and accurate lock on focus as opposed to more conventional focus methods. It also does a great job at object tracking. The phone also gives various options to capture images in Black and White.

The phone also has a dedicated mode that helps you capture innovative photos such as Star Trails, Silky Water, Tail Lights and Light Graffiti thanks to the clever image stacking mechanism.

As if the camera quality and features werent enough, Honor have gone ahead and managed to fit all this into a body that doesnt have a camera hump which itself is a great engineering feat as there are several phones with inferior camera specifications that still have a camera hump or big modules.

The image quality really has to be seen and experienced to be believed. As of 2016, the Honor 8 is perhaps one of the very few smartphones that can provide such high quality images at a relatively lower cost.
Reliance Jio officially launched pan-India 4G LTE services with VoLTE (Voice Over LTE) support and free voice calls in September. Now Airtel has signed a $60 million (Rs. 402 crore) pan-India deal with Nokia to implement VoLTE calling technology, according to a report from ET Telecom.

Vodafone and Idea Cellular are also expected to launch 4G VoLTE services in a few months after winning spectrum in recent auction. Vodafone is trialing VoLTE services using Nokias IMS solution, while Idea Cellular is in advanced talks with both Ericsson and Nokia, says the report.

The report also says that Airtel was piloting VoLTE in a few areas, and is looking for a pan-India launch after signing contract for IMS (IP multimedia system) solution with Nokia.

Airtel recently deployed 4G Advanced technology (carrier aggregation across TD LTE and LTE FDD) in Kerala, Mumbai and Bengaluru that promises 4G data speeds of up to 135 Mbps.

After the launch of Reliance Jio, sales of smartphones with support for 4G VoLTE has increased drastically. According to a latest report from Counterpoint Research, almost 70% of smartphones sold in India in Q3 2016 are 4G phones and 80% of them sport VoLTE (Voice over LTE) capabilities.

Source
Samsung has announced an investment of more than $1 billion by the end of June 2017 to boost production of system chips at its Austin, Texas, facilities in the United States to meet growing demand.

Investments in its facilities will enhance current System LSI production to meet the growing demands in the industry for advanced system-on-chip (SoC) products especially for mobile and other electronic devices. Since its establishment in 1997, Samsung has invested more than $16 billion for the expansion and maintenance of its Austin facility.

Catherine Morse, General Counsel and Senior Director of Public Affairs at SAS said,

We are committed to Austin and our contributions to the community. This is our home and we want to ensure our community is healthy and prospering. These investments will support this, while also ensuring our customers growing needs are met. Most of Samsungs semiconductor profits come from memory chip sales but the company has been trying to boost earnings from other products including its own Exynos mobile processors and contract manufacturing deals with clients such as Qualcomm and Nvidia. Source
With the troubled 787 Dreamliner program finally starting to turn a profit, Boeing's (BA 0.53%) most pressing challenge now is filling its open delivery slots for the current-generation 777 over the next few years. In the past two years, order activity for the 777 has slowed dramatically.

Boeing's management has admitted that it will be hard for the company to meet its order goals for the 777. However, Boeing isn't conceding yet. Let's take a look at whether it has a realistic chance of getting the orders it needs to avoid another deep production cut.

Order activity grinds to a halt

Since the beginning of 2015, a combination of low oil prices, currency volatility, and subpar global growth has taken a big bite out of the wide-body market. For example, Boeing only won 38 firm orders for the current-generation 777 in 2015, compared to a goal of 40 to 60.

As a result, Boeing admitted last year that it might have to reduce 777 production to seven per month from the current rate of 8.3 per month. In early 2016, it confirmed that it would cut production to that level at the beginning of 2017. Moreover, Boeing plans to deliver just 5.5 units per month in 2018 and 2019, as it will start building some 777Xs on the same production line by then.

Yet as 2016 progressed, analysts started to doubt that even this reduced target was achievable. As of the end of September, Boeing had just six new net orders for the 777 this year. Last week, Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenberg acknowledged that Boeing may have to reduce deliveries to as little as 3.5 per month in 2018 and 2019.

Based on Muilenberg's comments, there are about 40 open slots for the current-generation 777 in the 2017-2018 period, assuming no further production cuts. In addition, Boeing would probably need another 100 orders for 2019 and beyond.

A year-end order flurry?

Still, there have been some hopeful signs. Earlier this month, Qatar Airways ordered 10 more 777-300ERs. Just this week, SWISS ordered a single additional 777-300ER. That brings the year-to-date order total to 17.

More orders could potentially be finalized soon. Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) announced last month that it plans to add 15 more 777-300ERs to its fleet. Boeing hasn't reported an order from Saudia yet, so it's not clear whether these are all new orders.

Iran Air also hopes to acquire 15 new 777-300ERs. It reached a tentative agreement with Boeing earlier this year and the U.S. government has now approved the sale. However, lining up financing remains a major obstacle due to ongoing financial sanctions against Iran. There's also a lot of political opposition within the U.S. to doing business with Iran, so the deal could potentially be torpedoed at any moment.

Time to replace those 747s!

Aside from these already-rumored potential sales, Boeing could look to current operators of the 747-400 for new 777 orders. The in-service fleet of 747s has been shrinking rapidly. Rising maintenance costs and declining availability of spare parts could encourage airlines to accelerate their 747 retirements.

Many of the top operators of passenger 747s have already ordered enough planes to replace their 747 fleets. But some -- such as KLM, China Airlines, and Thai Airways -- might need to order a few more planes to replace the last of their 747s.

There are also a lot of active 747-400 freighters, and many of their operators haven't planned for their replacement yet. The 747 offers some unique advantages over the 777 as a freighter, due to its nose-loading capabilities. Moreover, fuel efficiency is less of a concern for cargo airlines. Nevertheless, Boeing could potentially pick up a few 777F orders as 747 replacements, especially if fuel prices rise in the next year or two.

Will Emirates order more 777s?

Middle Eastern airline giant Emirates is by far the largest 777 customer in the world, accounting for more than 10% of all orders for the current-generation models. As of last year, it was looking at ordering up to 15 additional current-generation 777s, but it hasn't pulled the trigger yet.

If Emirates sees incremental growth opportunities in the next year or two, it could order more 777s for delivery in 2018 or 2019. It could even replace some of its older 777s just to keep its fleet age young. This year, it is retiring nine 777s.

A fleet refresh could be aided by the growing market for secondhand 777-300ERs. For example, British Airways is interested in acquiring some used 777-300ERs to help replace its aging 747 fleet, rather than buying any more new 777s.

Anybody else?

FedEx could be another source of incremental orders for Boeing's 777F in the coming years. In fact, the company plans to buy at least 7 777Fs that are not in Boeing's firm order book yet. It could order even more if rising fuel prices or maintenance costs make it advisable to accelerate the retirement of its older three-engine MD-10s and MD-11s.

Boeing could also nab some orders in emerging markets if air travel demand grows faster than expected, as the 777 is one of the few wide-body models available on relatively short notice.

The bottom line is that aside from potential orders of about 15 planes each from Iran Air, Saudia, and Emirates, there aren't many prospects for big 777 orders out there. There are a large number of potential sale opportunities, but they are mostly for deals of a few airplanes each -- or even just one, as in the case of the recent SWISS order.

Unless Boeing has an amazing success rate in closing these deals, it's not going to get enough orders to maintain the current production plan. That said, if it can seal the relatively large Iran Air and Saudia deals in the next few months, Boeing should at least be able to avoid the worst-case scenario of reducing deliveries all the way to 3.5 per month in 2018 and 2019.
Updated on March 8, 2017, and originally published on Oct. 31, 2016.

Shares of International Business Machines (IBM -1.00%) haven't fared well over the past few years. Revenue and earnings have been in a prolonged slump as IBM aims to transform itself, and the market hasn't shown much patience. The stock is down about 17% from its peak in 2013.

Despite the poor performance of the stock, IBM is still a great company worth buying and holding for the long run. Here are 10 reasons to buy IBM and never sell.

1. A long track record of adaptation

Founded over a century ago, IBM originally manufactured and sold products such as commercial scales, cheese slicers, and tabulators. Recognizing that its lucrative mechanical tabulating equipment would soon be no match for computers, IBM invested heavily to build its first mainframe system in 1964. IBM sells mainframes to this day.

In the early 1990s, the company was forced to transform itself once again, after its business nearly collapsed. The software and services model was adopted, and IBM grew into a global powerhouse offering integrated solutions. Today, IBM is undergoing yet another transformation, this time to a cloud and cognitive-computing company. The changes have been painful, but IBM's history of reinventing itself is a good reason to believe that the company can succeed.

2. Making hard choices

IBM has never been shy about getting rid of businesses that no longer provide adequate returns. The company was once the leading seller of PCs, but it sold its PC business to Lenovo in 2004. This move reduced revenue, but the revenue was extremely low margin. Jumping ahead to today, with the PC market in a prolonged slump, IBM's move away from PCs looks prescient.

In 2014, IBM sold its x86 server business, also to Lenovo. This move also reduced IBM's revenue, but the company recognized that it could gain no advantage selling hardware consisting of commodity parts. IBM has been shifting toward higher-value products and services for years, and its constant optimization of its portfolio of businesses is a trait few companies can match.

3. A sticky customer base

IBM's push to offer integrated solutions involving hardware, software, and services has created significant switching costs for its customers. Approximately 80% of IBM's clients have deployed multiple IBM solutions, making the task of moving away from IBM more difficult.

The list of IBM clients is impressive. According to IBM's 2015 investor briefing, 90 of the top 100 global banks, nine of the top 10 oil and gas companies, 92 of the top 100 healthcare organizations, and 80% of the top 50 retailers rely on IBM solutions. This broad customer base gives IBM the ability to maintain impressive profitability even as it completely transforms its business.

4. A surging cloud business

IBM's cloud computing business produced $13.7 billion of revenue in 2016, up 35% compared to 2015. IBM's as-a-service cloud annual revenue run rate, which includes infrastructure-as-a-service, platform-as-a-service, and software-as-a-service, reached $8.6 billion, up 61% year over year.

IBM is far from the largest cloud infrastructure provider, and it will probably never be as big as Amazon.com's AWS or Microsoft's Azure. But IBM's cloud strategy is to offer high-value, differentiated solutions, such as analytics and security. The business of renting commodity computing resources, while an important part of IBM's cloud business, is not the main focus.

5. Making smart bets

IBM has largely avoided the kinds of large, transformative acquisitions tech giants make that rarely turn out well. Instead, IBM generally buys up smaller companies to build out its product offerings. Between 2011 and 2015, IBM spent $13 billion on acquisitions, along with $48 billion on research and development and capital expenditures.

Recent acquisitions include Promontory Financial Group, a financial consulting firm; EZSource, an application discovery company; and Bluewolf Group, a cloud consulting provider. None of these acquisitions is a game changer on its own, but they collectively represent IBM's attempt to broaden its portfolio and capabilities. IBM's ability to avoid making disastrous acquisitions as many of its peers have is a real asset.

6. Watson

The face of IBM's transformation is Watson, the company's cognitive-computing system. Watson is expected to eventually become a major business, and IBM has been entering partnerships for the past few years in an effort to push Watson into a broad array of industries. The company expects 1 billion people to use Watson in some form by the end of next year, a milestone that suggests that Watson is gaining traction.

Last year, General Motors announced that it will use Watson in a new version of its OnStar system to provide personalized offers. The recently acquired Promontory Financial Group will also use Watson to help clients reduce spending on compliance. Slack, an enterprise messaging start-up, plans to use Watson to improve its customer-service bot. The list goes on and on. Watson may not yet contribute much revenue for IBM, but the future looks bright.

7. The healthcare moonshot

One area where Watson is actively being used is the healthcare industry. Through various partnerships with healthcare organizations, Watson is helping doctors provide better diagnoses and treatment options. The system can churn through an immense amount of data, including medical records, journal articles, and books, giving doctors the information they need to make better decisions.

Last year, IBM and Quest Diagnostics expanded a partnership that will see Watson more broadly available to consume genomic information from tissue samples and provide better treatments for cancer patients. The global healthcare industry is immense, and IBM's aggressive push to apply Watson to a broad set of healthcare problems could pay dividends down the road.

8. OpenPOWER

Intel currently dominates the market for server chips, enjoying a near monopoly and abundant profit margins. IBM, through the OpenPOWER foundation, aims to chip away at Intel's lead by teaming with a broad set of companies to build an ecosystem around its Power chips. The OpenPOWER foundation includes giants such as Alphabet's Google, NVIDIA, Micron, and Samsung, as well as more than 100 other member companies.

The process of reclaiming meaningful market share from Intel has been slow, but some good news emerged last year. Google is developing an open server architecture based on IBM's upcoming POWER9 processors, a move that could see the company, as well as other cloud computing providers, move away from being 100% Intel. That's good news for IBM's Power business.

9. A solid dividend

IBM has paid a quarterly dividend without fail since 1916, and it's raised that dividend for 21 years in a row. The most recent quarterly dividend payment, $1.40 per share, puts the stock's dividend yield at roughly 3.1%.

IBM's payout ratio, based on 2016 non-GAAP EPS, is just 41%, meaning that the company has room to grow the dividend faster than it grows earnings. Expecting continued high-single-digit dividend growth going forward seems realistic, and it makes IBM a stock to buy and hold.

10. An attractive valuation

IBM expects to produce $13.80 in per-share adjusted earnings in 2017, up from $13.59 in 2016, which puts the P/E ratio at about 13. The company's transformation is making meaningful progress, with strategic imperatives now accounting for 41% of revenue and still growing at a double-digit rate.

The market is pricing IBM at a pessimistic valuation, with the assumption that the company won't be able to return to robust earnings growth. Given IBM's history and guidance for a return to earnings growth this year, I wouldn't underestimate Big Blue.
Terex Corporation (TEX -1.31%) posted third-quarter results this week that described worsening selling conditions across many of its equipment markets. Reported income spiked, but only thanks to one-time gains from the sale of its compact construction business.

Here's a look at the top- and bottom-line results.

Metric Q3 2016 Actuals Q3 2015 Actuals Growth (YOY) Sales $1.06 billion $1.26 billion (19%) Net income $97 million $44 million 120% EPS $0.89 $0.40 123%

What happened with Terex this quarter?

The pace of sales decline accelerated thanks to a surprisingly large drop in the crane business and an overall weak global capital equipment market. Terex protected profits by slimming down its portfolio and cutting costs, though.

Key highlights of the quarter include:

The aerial work platform segment fell 17%, compared to a 14% drop last quarter. Operating margin plunged to 10% of sales from 14% as customers extended their equipment replacement plans across Terex's geographies.

The crane segment slumped by 25% and produced an operating loss. Backlog fell by 21%, too, indicating further pain ahead for this division.

Materials processing fell slightly but enjoyed an uptick in operating margin as demand improved in the concrete market. Backlog spiked 46%.

Overall equipment sales dropped 10% over the first three quarters of the year as operating margin fell to 3.6% of sales from 5.3% in the year-ago period.

What management had to say



"The global capital equipment market remains challenging," CEO John Garrison said in a press release. "The market for mobile cranes weakened further than planned," he explained, and "aerial work platform equipment sales continued to soften globally, particularly in North America."

In response, the company is shaking up the management team in some parts of the business while aiming to aggressively cut costs and simplify the portfolio elsewhere. "We are taking actions to improve the cranes business including the recently announced leadership changes," Garrison said. "We are reviewing all aspects of our cost structure and have been taking actions throughout the entire company to reduce costs. These savings were critical to at least partially offsetting challenging conditions in our markets."

Looking forward



A partial offset of challenging market conditions appears to be what investors can expect over at least the next few quarters. To account for the latest operating slowdown, Terex lowered its 2016 sales guidance to $4.3 billion from $4.4 billion. Earnings are now forecast to weigh in at $0.75 per share after Terex takes restructuring charges tied to the crane business, compared to the $0.95 per share that executives projected three months ago. Finally, Terex lowered its free cash flow guidance to $175 million from $225 million.

The company can't do much about the depth of the downturn in many of its industries, so management's focus in the coming quarters is on continuing to simplify its portfolio by selling its materials handling and processing segment in early 2017. At the same time, Garrison and his team hope to execute a turnaround in the crane segment powered by fresh leadership. Finally, Terex will be looking for ways to aggressively cut costs by reducing its manufacturing footprint and moving existing facilities to cheaper locations.

While earnings are likely to continue to be far below the levels Terex enjoys in boom times, the company has demonstrated its ability to stay profitable even under extremely challenging market conditions like these.
Glassmaker Corning (NYSE: GLW) is known best for making the lightweight, shatterproof Gorilla Glass for smartphone and tablet touchscreens. Most of the company's profits, though, come from sales of TV screens. But at the Paris Auto Show, the company displayed (pardon the pun) a new automotive application for its glass -- and not the one you might think.

Wind in your sails

Corning has long been experimenting with using its ultrathin, shatter-resistant, flexible Gorilla Glass as part of a car's windshield. The result has been a windshield that is 25% to 50% thinner and 30% lighter, contributing to fuel economy and -- by lowering the car's center of gravity -- handling. It's also more shatterproof and could even result eventually in windshields with display technology, meaning that warnings and gauges could soon be projected onto the bottom or top of the windshield, reducing the need for drivers to look down at the dashboard while driving.

In January, Corning announced a joint venture with automotive glassmaker Saint-Gobain Sekurit to develop, manufacture, and sell such lightweight auto glass. Already, Ford (F -1.08%) has announced that it will use Gorilla Glass for "multiple glazing applications" on its Ford GT, including in the windshield and as a rear engine cover to reduce engine noise. Ford also conducted a joint study with Corning in April that showed the advantages of using Gorilla Glass as a windshield glaze. Ford has made significant investments in lightweight vehicle technologies, including changing out parts made of steel for those made with lighter-weight carbon fiber.

While the current consumer-electronics market for Gorilla Glass is less than 1 billion square feet per year, the total automotive glass market is 5.5 billion square feet per year. According to Forbes, capturing just 5% of that market could result in specialty materials segment revenue increases of 25% for Corning. But the biggest innovation from Corning could come not outside the car, but inside it.

From the outside in

Although a car's windshield is the obvious place Corning's glass could have an impact, the company isn't just stopping there. The company hopes that, in an increasingly connected world, cars will also utilize its glass inside the cabin.

On the company's third-quarter earnings call, CEO Wendell Weeks said he anticipated that use of glass in auto interiors would "dramatically increase" as designers of connected and autonomous vehicles began incorporating touchscreens into their vehicle designs. Weeks thinks that Gorilla Glass, because of its ability to allow for cost-effective curved glass and screen designs, offers "a unique path" and "a great new opportunity."

At the Paris Auto Show in early October, such curved Gorilla Glass center consoles were on display inside a Renault Trezor concept car and also at the booth of automotive technology company Faurecia. Faurecia in particular hopes to transform the traditional automotive cockpit into "an adaptable interior with additional retractable tablets and screens for autonomous driving mode and intuitive control of functions such as ambient lighting, ventilation, seat massage, and active screens," according to a company press release. Said screens were developed in partnership with Corning.

Are we there yet?

However, it's a big leap from a concept car to an actual mass-produced and mass-marketed vehicle, which is the only way Corning's automotive cabin products will scale to create significant revenue for Corning and its investors. Such a transformation may have to wait until autonomous vehicles hit roadways en masse (because what's the point of installing an interactive cockpit touchscreen if the driver isn't supposed to be looking at it?). And the autonomous-vehicle revolution could be right around the corner or decades away, depending on whom you ask.

The company has been vague about when it expects its automotive investments to pay off. Regarding automotive glass, Forbes reported in 2014 that the company believed it would take "three or four years" to realize any significant revenue from automotive Gorilla Glass. In the past, Corning has also stated that it anticipated $1 billion in automotive revenue by 2020, the year by which the Ford GT is set to be available.

However, when asked about this target and timeframe on the company's Q3 earnings call, Weeks hedged. Speaking about automotive windshields and cabin products, he said:

We'll get revenues in both areas, right, and are already experiencing that. How big it will be? That we just don't know yet.

Foolish takeaway

And that's really the takeaway for investors. The new automotive technology is exciting, no doubt, and seems likely to result in increased revenue once the technology is adopted. But how much revenue will result and when it will begin flowing is anyone's guess.

For now, Corning's automotive dreams should make investors optimistic that the company will someday no longer be a one-trick pony when it comes to turning a profit. But in the short term, investors can do little more than wait -- and hope.
Strike averted: Ford Motor Company (F -1.08%) reached a tentative labor agreement with the union representing hourly workers at its facilities in Canada late on Monday night, moments before workers were set to walk out at several critical Ford facilities.

What's the deal?

Under the deal, hourly workers at three Ford factories and a parts-distribution center will receive modest wage bumps and a boost in the pay rate for newly hired workers. While existing workers will continue to participate in a defined-benefit pension plan, newly hired workers will be enrolled in a defined-contribution retirement-savings plan similar to a U.S. 401(k) plan.

Significantly -- from the union's perspective, at least -- Ford also agreed to investments to support the production of future new products at three factories in Ontario.

Ford's deal follows the pattern set by GM and FCA

Ford's tentative agreement with the Unifor labor union follows the pattern of recent agreements that Unifor negotiated with General Motors (GM -0.43%) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU). Like the United Auto Workers in the U.S., Unifor aggressively negotiates a deal with one of the Detroit Three, and then pushes the others to adopt similar terms.

Reports hinted that Ford was resisting some provisions of the "pattern" deal that Unifor struck with GM in September. But in a statement on Tuesday, Unifor president Jerry Dias claimed victory:

Despite Ford's efforts to push concessions and reject the pattern set with GM, our bargaining committees were firm and focused on reaching our priorities. This tentative agreement secures the pattern and [then] some. It includes a significant investment for Canadian made Ford products, it lays the path for a long-term footprint and it offers well-deserved increases for our members and gains for retirees.

About those future products for Ford's Canada factories

Few details were available on Wednesday, as union leaders said that they wanted to disclose them to members before revealing them publicly. But union officials did say that Ford has committed to invest 700 million Canadian dollars ($522 million U.S.) to build future products at its three factories in Ontario:

Oakville Assembly builds the Ford Edge and Flex and the Lincoln MKX and MKT, all crossover SUVs. It employs about 5,000 workers, the majority of Ford's Canadian workforce.

Windsor Engine builds the 5.4 liter V8 and 6.8 liter V10 engines for Ford trucks. It employs over 600 workers.

Essex Engine, also in Windsor, builds 5.0 liter V8 engines for the Mustang and Ford's trucks. It employs over 800 workers.

Specifically, Ford promised a new engine program for Essex Engine, a continuation of V10 production at Windsor Engine, and committed to an agreement to continue exporting vehicles produced at Oakville, officials said. The union had been concerned that Ford intended to close Windsor Engine. While its future was secured for the four-year term of the new deal, it isn't clear whether all of the current workers at Windsor Engine will be retained.

As for Oakville, the union said that Ford will discontinue production of the slow-selling Flex in 2020.

Is this a good deal for Ford?

According to an Automotive News report, Ford had concerns about the specifics of the plan to increase workers' wages in increments over time. But as with the GM and FCA deals, the pay increases for workers are affordable for Ford, and the costs will be partially offset over time by the agreement to place new hires in a defined-contribution retirement plan.

Ford shareholders should also remember that strikes are very costly: Labor peace is a valuable thing in and of itself. Assuming that workers ratify the deal, Ford should have four years of labor peace at its Canadian facilities.

What's next for Ford and Unifor?

Ford workers will have to vote to approve -- or "ratify" -- the new contract. The vote is expected to happen this weekend.

Will it pass? It's not yet clear how workers will react to the deal. The Unifor-represented workers at GM and FCA voted to approve their (similar) new deals by comfortable margins. But Automotive News reported that workers at Oakville were seeking additional concessions that appear not to have been included in the tentative contract.

If it doesn't pass, that doesn't necessarily mean that workers will strike. The union's negotiators will first go back to the bargaining table to try to get additional concessions from Ford. We'll know more after the vote is held this weekend.
Election Day. The American people decide the fate of our nation for the next four years. With critical issues hanging in the balance, everything from the economy to national security, the Fox Business Network team is dedicated to bringing you the smartest coverage on television.

This election could be a game changer says Maria Bartiromo, host of Mornings with Maria, 6 a.m. ET

Fox Business knows every minute counts. Thats why, starting this weekend, Fox Business will have special wall-to-wall coverage leading up to the critical day; Tuesday, November 8th. It all kicks off Saturday at 6 a.m. ET on Mornings with Maria, followed by Varney and Co. at 9 a.m. ET, Cavuto Coast to Coast, the Intelligence Report with Trish Regan at 2pm ET along with special primetime programming.

We cover issues that is what we zero in on. Thats what sets us apart. We dont mess around with earnings per share, or triple Q or QE3. We dont do that, says Stuart Varney host of Varney and Co.

Fox Business brings a political and economic perspective, adds Lou Dobbs, host of Lou Dobbs Tonight, 7 p.m. ET.

Fox Business will have all the late-breaking reports, polls and campaign news as it happens in the final days leading up to the very moment when your next President is announced.

Fox Business is the only place you will really get a sophisticated, honest and real conversation says Trish Regan, host of the Intelligence Report.

From Wall Street to Main Street, Fox Business will have every angle covered.

And on Election Day, its non-stop. From the first vote to the final results, Neil Cavuto and the all-star team will be on top of it, beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

It is a rare combination that I have not seen imitated anywhere Cavuto says.

Be sure to tune in and check back at FOXBusiness.com for the very latest.
Swedish carmaker Volvo is expected to announce later on Wednesday a series of moves deepening cooperation with its Chinese parent Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co - a tie-up that's shaping up to show that China can make a success of buying consumer brands.

Volvo's global CEO Hakan Samuelsson and Geely chairman Li Shufu are expected to say the two firms will soon start producing cars at a joint assembly plant in Taizhou, in the eastern Zhejiang province.

"We'regoing to be making China a global manufacturing and export (hub) for the company ... we will be for the first time shifting production of particular cars from Sweden to China in their entirety," said a Volvo insider familiar with the matter.

"We're placing China manufacturing and export at the center of our industrial strategy, and deepening our industrial synergies with Geely," added the person, who did not want to be identified because the move has not yet been made public.

The Taizhou plant, operated by Volvo and expected to be up and running in the current quarter, will produce compact cars based on an "advanced" vehicle architecturethe two companies have jointly developed in Sweden. Both Volvo and Geely are expected to produce small cars at the plant based on that Compact Modular Architecture(CMA) platform - for both domestic and export markets.

Volvo began exporting its China-made cars last year, shipping its S60 Inscription to the United States.

The automaker is also expected to unveil two stretched variants of its recently launched large S90 premium sedan, including the S90 Excellence, which has removed the front passenger seat to allow for what it calls the Lounge Console "designed to meet chauffeur-driven executive customers' need to relax or work while on the move".

Volvo will build both S90 variants at its assembly plant in Daqing in northeastern China, for sale in China and abroad.

The Taizhou plant will be Volvo's third assembly site in China, along with Daqing and one in Chengdu in western China. The carmaker also has two plants in Europe, and is building a new plant in South Carolina in the United States.

RISING SALES

Geely raised auto industry eyebrows when it bought Volvo from Ford for $1.8 billion six years ago. Few saw any obvious synergies in marrying a premium Western marque with a Chinese entry brand.

But the two appear to be making it work.

Cooperating on buying parts, developing technologies and boosting capacity, sales of both brands have risen.

Volvo increased its third-quarter sales in both China and the United States by more than a fifth, and July-September operating profit jumped 62 percent to 2.07 billion Swedish crowns ($232.5 million). [nL8N1CW723]

Geely sold more than half a million cars last year, up 22 percent, and sales in the first nine months of this year were already at nearly 460,000 cars.

"Moving production from Sweden to China, and sharing manufacturing processes and components has been a positive for both Geely and Volvo from a cost savings perspective," said James Chao, Asia-Pacific chief for consulting and research firm IHS Markit Automotive.

"It makes sense especially as they upgrade the Geely product line-up with the new Lynk brand, as well as through tangible product improvements, which should help protect the Volvo brand from association with a lower cost brand."

Geely said this month it will use the jointly developed compact car CMA platform for a new brand calledLynk & Co, which will begin production next year for the Chinese market and start exporting to Europe and the United States in 2018.

'B' GRADE

Chao at IHS said that despite the signs of progress in the partnership, the process of integrating Volvo has been slower than he expected. "So far, I'd grade it a 'B'," he said.

Geely insiders acknowledge that Volvo wants to keep some distance between the two brands, fearing that too close a manufacturing tie-up could risk diluting its premium image.

And, the insiders note, there is still some disconnect as to just how premium Volvo's premium cars should be for the Chinese market, with Li said to want a more upscale model to compete with BMW , Audi , Mercedes-Benz .

"It's a cultural issue," said one of the insiders. "Volvo is rooted in Swedish egalitarian society. To Swedish people, Volvo is just a car; better quality, safe, but not a luxury car. It's very different from Chinese culture."

A Volvo spokesman said there is no disagreement on the need for a large premium sedan for Volvo, adding the stretched S90 is the kind of upscale car Li has wanted from Volvo.

"The S90 large sedan is an area we need to move into in order to be credible in the premium sector," the spokesman said. "There's no such thing as a premium car maker without a successful premium sedan. The long wheel-base is a way of providing a variant better suited for a market such as China."

(Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu; Editing by Ian Geoghegan)
Sturm Ruger (NYSE:RGR) saw the 2016 presidential race power a surge in gun sales during the summer.

The Southport, Conn.-based gun maker said Wednesday its net sales for the third quarter jumped 34%, as consumers stocked up on concealed-carry pistols and AR-15 rifles. FBI background checks, when adjusted to gauge U.S. gun sales, rose 16% during the same period, according to Ruger.

Ruger CEO Michael Fifer attributed the upbeat quarter to stronger-than-normal summer demand across the industry, likely fueled by the political campaigns ahead of the November elections.

Sales from Rugers distributors to retailers were up 21%. The sharp increase suggests that retailers were attempting to get ahead of a potential surge in demand that would limit the availability of firearms after Election Day on Nov. 8.

If you look back at what happened eight years ago, there was in my opinion a surprising number of people who were actually surprised by the outcome at the last minute, and then scrambled through November to try and get any product, Fifer said during a conference call with analysts.

Hunting season, which usually kick starts demand for Rugers bolt-action rifles, wasnt a strong catalyst.

We kept waiting for the hunting season to kick in, and really the hunting season this year was fairly weak across the board, Ruger President and COO Christopher Killoy said. A lot of consumers spent their discretionary income dollars on concealed carry products and modern sporting rifles.

When asked if Ruger expects more gun buying to occur if Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton wins, Fifer reiterated that Ruger doesnt make projections about future results. However, he said Ruger has done extensive contingency planning to prepare for a variety of election outcomes, including the White House and Congress.

During an August earnings call, Fifer called Clintons positions on gun rights unprecedented for a major party nominee. He also said the presidential race between Clinton and Republican Donald Trump will decide the makeup of the Supreme Court. The Second Amendment is also firmly on the ballot, Fifer added.

Gun owners appear to be bracing for the possibility of new gun-control regulations. The FBI processed 2.33 million background checks in October, a new record for the month. Background checks are well on their way to setting a new annual record in 2016. Last month, outdoor retailer Cabelas (NYSE:CAB) reported strong demand for firearms and shooting accessories during its third quarter.

In addition to the election cycle, new products boosted Rugers top line in the third quarter. A redesigned LCP pistol, the American Compact pistol, the AR-556 modern sporting rifle and other firearms contributed 36% of total sales in the three months ending Oct. 1.

Rugers shares rallied on Wednesday morning after the company booked a quarterly profit that climbed 66% to $19.9 million, or $1.03 a share.
Sometimes, focused businesses do best, and Hyster-Yale Materials Handling (NYSE: HY) has concentrated on helping customers move their inventory with its forklift products. The problem with that type of business is that it depends on the health of its industrial customer base, and coming into Tuesday's third-quarter financial report, Hyster-Yale investors expected that earnings would fall substantially even if revenue managed to post modest growth. Hyster-Yale ended up disappointing shareholders on the top line as well, with both sales and net income declining from year-ago levels. Let's look more closely at how Hyster-Yale did during the quarter and whether it can bounce back in the near future.

Image source: Hyster-Yale.

Hyster-Yale drops the ball

Hyster-Yale's third-quarter results fell short of expectations on all counts. Revenue fell 3.5% to $629.3 million, in stark contrast to expected sales gains of about 4%. Net income fell more than 40% to $12.3 million, and that produced earnings of $0.75 per share, below the consensus forecast for $0.80 per share.

Taking a closer look at the numbers, Hyster-Yale's operational performance was also weaker than it's been in past quarters. Unit shipments of lift trucks worldwide fell by 2,100 units to 20,300. Looking ahead, though bookings did manage to post a solid bounce, climbing by 1,800 units to 20,400. That brought worldwide backlog up to 30,600 units, higher by 3,500 from year-ago levels, and those orders should be worth about $730 million. Nevertheless, the lift-truck business posted a severe decline in segment profitability, with operating earnings falling by more than 40%.

All three of Hyster-Yale's geographical segments saw overall revenue declines. The Americas region was particularly weak, with a 10% drop in revenue stemming from lower shipments across the region, especially in North America and in Brazil. Deal-specific pricing in the North American market and lower parts sales also hurt the top line for the region. Meanwhile, revenue losses in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa were limited to about 6% on reductions in certain types of warehouse and internal combustion engine trucks, and the Japan and Asia-Pacific region suffered 12% declines in sales on a relatively small base of revenue.

Meanwhile, Hyster-Yale's other businesses kept losing money. Fuel-cell subsidiary Nuvera had a net loss of $7.6 million, while the recently acquired lift-truck attachment company Bolzoni suffered net losses of $2 million. Nevertheless, the company celebrated the first deliveries of Nuvera Fuel Cell systems, and Hyster-Yale hopes that this will prove to be the first step in making the unit profitable in the long run.

What's ahead for Hyster-Yale?

Hyster-Yale provided mixed guidance for its various segments. In the Americas, profits from the fork-lift business will likely fall in 2017, while better economic conditions in Europe should improve results there. The Asia-Pacific outlook calls for little change. Overall, higher tax rates are expected to cut into Hyster-Yale's earnings in 2017, and tailwinds from lower commodity costs could further threaten net income even if market share gains and stable global markets keep revenue rising.

Still, that isn't stopping Hyster-Yale from trying to innovate. The company is looking to gain market share by emphasizing its competitive advantages, including low cost of ownership and independent distribution. At the same time, new products like its Pedestrian Pallet Stacker and a new lift truck line with a Class 5 internal combustion engine have already started to be made, and Hyster-Yale expects them and other products to help boost name recognition and overall sales.

In the long run, Hyster-Yale investors have to hope that the global economy will bounce back and get companies more interested in investing in equipment to help make them more efficient. When that happens, it will be Hyster-Yale's best chance to increase its business penetration and make the most of an end to tough times among its key customers.

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Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Hyster-Yale Materials Handling. 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 stock market fell sharply on Tuesday, as investors reacted negatively to growing anxiety about the final week of the presidential election campaign. Major market benchmarks closed lower by as much as 0.75%, but several stocks posted even larger losses, including L Brands (NYSE: LB), Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE: BKD), and Arconic. Let's look more closely at these stocks to tell you why they did so poorly.

Image source: L Brands.

L Brands cuts its guidance

L Brands fell 8% after issuing its October sales estimates and updating its third-quarter earnings guidance in advance of its quarterly financial report later this month. The company behind Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works said that it expects October comparable sales to rise 1% overall. L Brands pointed to a 6% rise in comps at Bath & Body Works, but that was largely offset by a 2% comps decline at Victoria's Secret. In addition, L Brands now expects to earn just $0.40 per share in the third quarter, which was the low end of its previous range of guidance and down from last year's $0.55 per share in earnings.

Brookdale falls on earnings, deal

Brookdale Senior Living plunged 18% after reporting its third-quarter results and entering into an agreement with a Blackstone Group real estate fund and healthcare REIT HCP. Revenue for the quarter rose only minimally, and Brookdale reduced its guidance on total revenue from senior housing and ancillary services as well as adjusted pre-tax operating earnings. In adding up its adjusted cash flow from operations figures, Brookdale's new guidance amounts to $35 million to $40 million less than previously expected. Some of that comes as a result of the Blackstone/HCP deal, whereby Brookdale will take a 15% interest in a joint venture to own 64 properties that HCP currently leases to Brookdale. On the whole, investors took the overall impact on Brookdale to be negative, despite what Brookdale said would be improved cash flow, attractive return on investment, and reduced leverage.

Arconic loses the popularity contest

Finally, Arconic fell 12%. The value-add products spinoff from Alcoa (NYSE: AA) had its first day of trading as an independent company today, but the price fell substantially from where it had traded in the when-issued market. Many believe that Arconic will prove to have much greater growth prospects than Alcoa, because Alcoa will focus on the commodity side of the business. However, today was a strong day for commodities, and so it's possible that investors simply wanted to shift their focus away from the high-end manufacturing side of the company toward more fundamental exposure to aluminum and other lightweight metals. Whatever the reason, it will be interesting to see how Arconic and Alcoa trade relative to each other in the first few days following their separation.

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.
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Reports of long lines for early voting persuaded Darlene Hollywood  she's giving her 13 employees at Hollywood Public Relations the morning of Election Day off.

"I don't want people to feel they have to make a choice of, 'I need to get to the office' or 'I can participate in my civic duty,'" says Hollywood, whose firm is based in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Small business owners who want to make it easy for their staffers to vote are giving them flex time, balloting breaks, or, like Hollywood, opening late. Some, joining a list of companies of all sizes that includes giants like General Motors and Ford, will be closed for the whole day. Owners say they want to encourage everyone to vote  some saying the intense emotions in the presidential race this year make it particularly significant and others that they feel it's important to be involved in what happens in their country, state and city.

Many states have laws requiring employers to give workers time off to vote, and some of those states require that employees be paid if they have to vote during working hours. There is no federal law granting workers the right to voting time off. But many owners aren't motivated strictly by the law.

On past Election Days, Brenda Jones Barwick saw employees hurrying to get their work done at the end of the day and hoping they'd still have time to vote.

"People were rushing out of here at 6:30 trying to get in line before the polls closed at 7," says Barwick, owner of Jones Public Relations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

This year, she's decided that neither her 20 staffers nor the company itself needs a chaotic day. So she won't open the office until 10 a.m. on Election Day. Jones plans to email clients to let them know and hopes the idea spreads: "I'm encouraging other companies to do the same."

After giving staffers time during the day to vote in past elections, Dan Golden decided this year to close his Chicago-based internet advertising firm, Be Found Online. He wants to be sure that none of his 50 employees has any excuse not to vote, including those who are sounding disaffected in this emotionally charged election year.

"I'm hoping to influence the number of employees who weren't going to bother," says Golden, the company's president.

Golden, who wants other companies to give workers voting time off, is campaigning via a website, www.employersforvto.org . He'd also like to see Election Day made a national holiday.

"The best we can do is empower our employees to do what's right and make it easier for them, so work isn't an excuse," he says.

Some bosses are letting employees decide when to take time off to vote, even if it's in the middle of the day.

"Regardless of what you are doing, feel free to get up and go vote  it's your right," Chris Pontine has told the two employees of his Fort Gratiot, Michigan-based company, Creating a Website Today. He calls his policy, which he's had since he started his company in 2012, a simple approach.

With early voting underway in Idaho, Jessica Flynn has told her 12 staffers they can take the time to vote on any day, not just Nov. 8.

"They can do it this afternoon or on Election Day," says Flynn, CEO of Red Sky, a communications strategy firm based in Boise. "Whenever they need to, whenever they want to."

She wants them to be involved, concerned voters.

"I see it as part of our company's mission to help grow and support engaged, curious and knowledgeable citizens of the world," she says.

Joe Laskowski, managing partner at Higher Ed Growth in Tempe, Arizona, recalls past voting that had people in line for hours waiting to cast their ballots. He doesn't want employees at the firm, which helps colleges form their marketing strategies, to feel under pressure.

"We don't care if you're late or take a long lunch," Laskowski says, "just get it done to have a voice."

_____

Follow Joyce Rosenberg at www.twitter.com/JoyceMRosenberg . Her work can be found here: http://bigstory.ap.org/content/joyce-m-rosenberg
American International Group Inc , the largest commercial insurer in the United States and Canada, reported a net income versus a loss last year, when tumultuous markets gutted returns from its investments.

AIG, which reported higher profits at all but one of its businesses, also said on Wednesday that its board had authorized an additional share buyback program of $3 billion.

The company, which has been under pressure from shareholders, including billionaire Carl Icahn, to cut expenses and divest businesses, slashed total adjusted costs by 8.6 percent to $2.44 billion.

AIG reported net income of $462 million, or 42 cents per share, for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, compared with a net loss of $231 million, or 18 cents per share, a year earlier.

Net investment income rose across AIG's units.

Net income in the latest quarter included losses of $526 million, or 48 cents per share, mainly due to the weakening of the British pound following the Brexit vote in June.

On an operating basis, AIG's earnings jumped 58.8 percent to $1.1 billion, or $1 per share.

The company's operating income included a $622 million loss expense as it padded reserves at a non-core legacy business.

Analysts on average had estimated AIG would earn $1.21 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. It was not immediately clear if the figures reported were comparable.

Catastrophe-related losses in AIG's commercial business more than doubled during the quarter to $253 million from $88 million. The combined ratio at the business inched up to 105.3 percent from 102.3 percent as a result, indicating the insurer paid out more in claims than it earned in premiums.

Catastrophe modeling firm Kinetic Analysis estimated last month that the insurance industry would sustain about $4 billion in losses from Hurricane Matthew. AIG did not disclose any exposure to Hurricane Matthew in its release.

(Reporting by Richa Naidu in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)
Estate planning isn't a fun topic, but it's a vital one to tackle in order to take care of your loved ones.

On this Halloween edition of Industry Focus: Financials, Fool analyst Gaby Lapera and Dan Caplinger, the Fool's director of investment planning, talk about this scary subject, breaking it down into manageable bits you can plan for. You'll learn what documents you need, whether a will or a trust is better for you, various types of trusts, the taxes some estates have to pay, and how you can tell your loved ones what they'll need to know after your death. Make it your Halloween resolution (that's a thing, right?) to tackle your estate planning and put a plan in place that will protect your family from financial harm.

A full transcript follows the video.

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.

This podcast was recorded on Sept. 22, 2016.

Gaby Lapera:Hello, everyone! Welcome to Industry Focus, the podcast that dives into a different sector of the stock market every day. You'relistening to the Financials edition, taped on Thursday, September 22nd, 2016, but you're listening to this on Monday, October 31st, at the earliest. I am in Hong Kong or San Francisco, hence the pre-tape, but I should be back in two days. My name is Gaby Lapera, and joining me onSkypeis Dan Caplinger, personal finance guruextraordinaire at The Motley Fool. How's it going, Dan?

Dan Caplinger:I'm doing good, Gaby. You ready for vacation?

Lapera:I'm so ready! Today, we're going to channel the spirit of Halloween, so I'm going to tell you happy Halloween, Dan! Pretend it's Halloween.

Caplinger:[SPOOKY GHOST NOISES]

Lapera:That's a great spooky voice. I loveHalloween. I don't know if you know what you're going to be for Halloween this year, but I totally do.

Caplinger:I don't. I haven't figured it out. It's not today in my world right now, I still have a month to figure it out.

Lapera:Fair enough. I was Ruth Bader Ginsburg last year.

Caplinger:Sweet.

Lapera:ButI accidentally got mixed up and realized I had another greatcostume idea for this year, which is Ruth Gator Ginsburg. Next year,I'm going to be Ruth Darth Vader Ginsburg. [laughs]

Caplinger: Awesome!

Lapera: I'mjust going to iterate on my theme for the next two years. Plus, she's a lovely lady. Since today is Halloween in a month,we decided that what we we're going to do was talk about something that isa little ghoulish,but very important, and that is estate planning. Estate planning is things you need to do before you die. I think most people have in their heads, "Ireally need to get a will."I don't think they even think about other stuff thatcould be attached to that. So, to get us started, Dan, what documentsdo you need to prepare before death?

Caplinger: There area bunch of documents that are really helpful to have in a number of situations,not just in preparation for death, but also in case youactually manage to keep living. Having a full set of these estate planning documents can help you and your family in awide range of situations.

First, you mentioned the will. Very basic, it's definitely a good idea to have, because it's the primary instrument forfiguring out where your stuff goes after you die. But it's not the only documentthat does that. A lot of people get confused about this. One thing youhave to be absolutely sure that you do iscomplete what are known as the beneficiary designations. These forms are used foraccounts that you have at financial institutions that require them --it's like an IRA, forinstance. If you have a retirement account,whether it's an IRA or 401(k), they will have you fill out abeneficiary designation. On that, you'll say, "Who'sgoing to take this account after I pass away?" Alot of people mistakenly think that their will says where their IRA or 401(k) orother types of these accounts, where these will goafter they die. Your will does not control that; it's yourbeneficiary designation that controls that. It's important onnot only retirement accounts, but also life insurancepolicies. Check with your financial institution -- a number ofplaces will have these forms available onother types of accounts as well on what's called "payable on death" accounts. So,make sure, if you have one of those, you'vefilled out that necessary paperwork.

Theother major class of documents you should have arewhat's known as powers of attorney. Those fall into two categories. One covers financial elements, so it lets you namesomeone else who can take care of things likewriting checks on your bank account,paying your bills,making trades in your investment account. Thishappens if you're incapacitated -- so, you'restill living, but something's happened to you, you'vehad a major accident or a major illness, and you're unable to take care of those affairs on your own, thisperson can step in and handle that. So, that's the financial side.

Then,you have another power of attorney on the healthcare side. That's the person who can make medical decisions on your behalf. Going with that power ofattorneyalso what is sometimes known as anadvanced medical directive -- some people call it a living will. That's where you set out what your wishes are for whether you want life-savingtechniques used, life support systems, or other measures taken to extend your life, or whether you don't want those -- it's an opportunity to express that. It's a wide rangeof documents, but they covera bunch of different situations.

Lapera: Andsuffice to say thatfor all of these things,you should choose, for your power of attorney,both medical and financial,you should choose people that you really trust. And you can change that over time,that's not a problem. But you alsowant to make sure that this is legally binding,so you want to find a lawyer to helpyou do these things. There's lawyers that specialize in this.

Caplinger: It's not just that you should pick people you trust, butyou should pick people who knowthe gravity of the situation,who are prepared to deal with thehard decisions they might be asked to make. It's important that you be able to trust them,but they also have to have a comfort level thatif they're called upon to act, they feel comfortable,they know what you want, they know what you would do. It'sso much easier to do thatwhen everything is great, upfront, well before any of those documents are needed, so that if that crisis happens,the person you name will be ready to handle it.

Lapera: Yeah,you definitely want to be prepared. I do have a question for you, though. Wetalked about wills, but I also know that trusts aresomething that is commonly recommended to peoplewho are doing estate planning. Can yougo over what the difference is between a will and a trust?

Caplinger: Basically, what a will does is, it's adocument that sits there, but it doesn't really take effectuntil the time of your death. Then, at that point,that's when the will kicks in and youfollow the instructions that are given in it. A trust, on the other hand, issomething that you can set upduring your lifetime,it has the same instructions thatyou would find in a willto handle what happens to your assets after your death,but it can also make provisions forwhat happens to your assets during your lifetime.

For instance, a lot of the time, the way that a trust gets drafted,the person who's the trusteeafter the person who's created the trustessentially takes onthe same role inmanaging that trust asset as someone who's given thepower of attorney over your financial matters would be given to the assets that aren't in a trust setup. It's that same level of trust that you areestablishing with the person that you name to take over if you'reunable to do so. Now, the big advantage of having a trust over a will is, having a trustgenerally prevents you from havingto go to a probate courtto have your matters dealt withafter your death. A trustdoesn't have to be a public document. A trustee has the power after your death to take action as specified in its instructions. So, it doesn'tgenerally need to have any court oversight to follow those instructions.

On the other hand, a will, in general,needs to be adjudicated before a court judge, and your will becomes a publicdocument. In those situations,it's something that a lot of people are less comfortable with,having those documents be out there in the public eye. It'snot like everybody's looking at them, necessarily, but they are availablein case anyone is curious. For many people who are interested inmaintaining their privacy, that's really not something that they need to have in everybody's business. They prefer theconfidentiality that a trust setup allows you to maintain.

Lapera: So, with the wills, do they all have to be sent to probate?

Caplinger: The processes for dealing with wills differ from state to state. Some states havewhat are known as simplified proceedingsin order to handle the vast majority of situationswhere there aren't that many assets, where you'reonly talking about transfers ofa minimal amount of money, or a minimumnumber of pieces of property. But, a lot of time, thethresholds for those simplifiedprocedures arepretty low. If you have more than just a minimal amount of assetsthat you're trying to pass on to your heirs, thosesimplified processes aren't available, and you do have to do a full-blown probate proceeding thatinvolves hiring an attorney,getting thenecessary court documents written up, and figuring out how to navigate that probate process,which could take months, or even years, and be extremely costly,especially if there are any complicated situations that arise.

Lapera: Can people challenge your will,if it ends up in probate court?

Caplinger: Yes.

Lapera: So,that would be another advantage of having a trust --no one is going to be able to go to court, or, they'rea lot less likely to be able to go to court and challenge it in court, right?

Caplinger: Yeah. Again, that becomesone of the elements of the confidentiality aspect of it. A trust document doesn't have to be public. Thatdoesn't mean that it's invisible. For instance,in order for a trust to work, you have to actuallyput your property into the trust. For instance,if you own a house, you're going to want to do a deed transfer out of your ownindividual name into the name of the trust. So, anybody who looks upreal estate property records, which are public documents, will know that your house is owned in the name of a trust. So, they'll know it exists. That opens the door to potential challenges. Butit's not quite as simple of a process as it is when you have a will that's just out in the open.

Lapera: OK. So,what I'm hearing is that trusts are potentially abetter vehicle for a lot of people. And I knowthere's different types of trusts. The ones that we've been talking about have been living trusts, and of those living trusts, there's bothrevocable and irrevocable trusts.

Caplinger: Yeah, a living trust,when you hear somebody talking about a living trust, they're generally talking aboutrevocable living trusts,because that's the kind of trust that you can make changes toduring your lifetime. As you pointed out,irrevocable trusts are things that, once you create that trust, you can't change the aspects of it,you can't change the instructions. For the most part, there are morespecific, specialized reasons to useirrevocable trusts during your lifetime, but in the vast majority of cases, when you're talking about basic estate planning, you're talking aboutsetting up a revocable trust.

Lapera: I know -- or,I think I know, because I'm not 100% clear on trusts -- the irrevocable trust, while you can't make changes to it, I was under the impression that theappreciated assets aren't going to be subject to estate trust,which might be one of the reasons why you might be interested in opening anirrevocable one versus a revocable living trust. Of course, you can have multiple trusts set up, right?

Caplinger: That's true. You can havemultiple trusts set up. And you're right that,when you're talking about gift and estate tax, by setting up an irrevocable trust that vested the time of theinitial formation of the trust, thevaluation of that trust at its formation is the value that will be used fordetermining the gift and estate tax valuethat is charged against your unified gift and state tax credit at your death. That's very complicated.

Lapera: It's so complicated. [laughs]

Caplinger: But as you say, the net result of that is, if you give property that's worth $10,000, you put that into anirrevocable trust now,over the next 30 or 40 years, it climbs up to $100,000, the value that will be treated as the appropriate value for gift and estate tax purposes will be that $10,000 value at the time that youmade the gift, not the $100,000 that's theappreciated in value at the time of your death. That's assuming you made an irrevocabletrust that's not subject to being clawed back into your estate. Those rules areprobably more technical than we want to get intoat this point. In general, you can --with the help of your attorney -- set up an irrevocable trust to achieve those ends and get the estate tax relief that you want.

Lapera: I have a series of questions for you about trusts, and then I want to get into the estate tax. Rapid-fire. Where can I get a trust?

Caplinger: Anestate planning attorney is probably the best way tostructure a trust. An estate planning attorney will know what questions to askin order to figure out exactly what you want to have under what circumstances, and to get thedocument set up the way that you want.

Lapera: How much does it cost to set up a trust?

Caplinger: It usually costs...legal fees from place to place vary greatly, but what I will say is this: It usually costs more up-front to set up a trust than it does to draft a simple will. But,when you consider the additional costlater on of a will, the cost ofhiring an attorney to go through the probate process, the total costs that you'll spend on estate planningthroughout your lifetime and after your death in the case of a will and the probate proceeding are often roughlycomparable. So, it's more a matter of timing than it is a matter of how much you'll spend. You might save more up-front on a will, but if it's costly to administer in probate after your death, thenthat's when the costs will catch up to the total amount you would have paid to the trust.

Lapera: So,it's kind of whether or not you want your kids to have to deal with it, or you.

Caplinger: Yeah.

Lapera: Shouldyou update a trust? If so, how oftenshould you update a trust?

Caplinger: Whether you have a will or a trust,it makes sense to have it taken a look atregularly in a number of situations. In general,every three to five years is a good idea just to make sure that there aren't any major legal changes that would affect thesituation. However, you should have it looked at morefrequently than that if there are major changeseither to your financial situationor to your family situation.

For instance, if you get married,if you get divorced, if you have a child, these things aregenerally going to change the way that you want your assets to pass after you die. So, it makes sense to have your estate planning documents taken a look at to make sure that they still do what you want to do. Andthat goes not just for the will and for the trust, but it also goes for thosebeneficiary designations thatwe were talking about earlier. You definitely don't want anaccount that you set up when you were married to go to your ex-spouseafter you get divorced. And yet,there are a huge number of beneficiary designations out there that do that, just because the person forgets that thatbeneficiary designation was out there in the first place.

Lapera: AndI want to listeners know that your estateattorney will probably charge you a fee to update your trust and/or will,but it's a lot less than it was to set it up in the first place.

Caplinger: Often, yes. Moreimportantly, it avoids somemajor problems that canoccur if you have an out-of-date document thatmight not actually meet the needs and wishes that you have because of thesechanges that can occur.

Lapera: Definitely. Let's move on toestate taxes. This is something thathappens after you die, obviously, and your estate gets passed on to someone.I think most people have this conception thateveryone gets charged an estate tax, andyou're going to lose half the value of whatever gets passed on to you. That'snot true at the federal level. Estate taxes only apply on the part of the estate that exceeds $5.45 million, which is, for most people, a lot of money.

Caplinger: That's right. Alot of people pay a lot of attention to the 40% rate,which is very high. It's higher than any of the income tax bracketsthat are out there. But you're right, you have what's known as thelifetime exemption amount that coversnot just what's in your state when you pass away but also taxable gifts that you make during your lifetime. You can give up to a total of $5.45 million to heirs, either during yourlifetime or in your estate when you pass away,without having to pay any estate taxesat all. And that doesn't even includea lot of the exemptions that are available for estate tax. Forinstance, you can give an unlimited amount to your spouse, andyou won't have to pay any estate taxes on that. There are other exemptions. If you make a gift of money that goes toward someone'seducational expenses, as long as that gift is madedirectly to the educational institution, thatqualifies for an exemption. There are all kinds of these exemptions that can add up. Even if you do have a large enough estate that you have to worry about that amount,there are still techniques that you can use either to reduce your estate tax or eliminate it entirely at the federal level.

Lapera: Andthe other thing to think about is that,although this probably won't apply to you from the federal level -- though it might -- some states have not increased their estate tax level in the same way the federal government has. Currently, there are 14 states that have estate taxes, plus D.C., and most have farlower thresholds than the federal estate tax.New Jersey is the lowest, at $675,000. But then, there'sother states like Maryland and New York thatcurrently have estate taxes thresholds that are lower than the federal government, but they're working to raise theirs until it's on par with the federal government. So,if you live in one of those 14 states,you might want to take that into account when you're crafting your post-death what-to-do documents.

This brings us up on the lastportion of our show. We talked about all these things that you need to think about before you die. This isalso something you need to think about before you die, but it's something that will make whoever you leave behind's life a lot easier. This is something that another podcast voiceyou might be familiar with wrote, this is Robert Brokamp, "Letter From Your Dead Husband." I can send you guys that PDF if you want. It has all sorts of things. There'sfrequently -- I know when my parents' relationship,my father handles a lot of thefinancial stuff, and my momdoesn't really think about it too much,in terms of actually managing accounts and stuff like that. So,I think it would be really helpful for her, when my father passes away, if she had a letter that listed, for example, what all accounts they have, do they have any storage units, who should you call when he dies, whatattorney should be called that can be trustedthat has all of their information, who their broker is, who their accountant is. These arethings that people don't really think about, but when you die, you'renot alive to tell peoplewhere all this stuff is. So, having it all written down in one central location is really important forthe people that you leave behind.

Caplinger: That'sabsolutely correct. It's something thata lot of people never really think to do. But, at least giving yourloved ones some sense of what's out there, what they need to be paying attention to,like you say, even if it's justpointing them in the right direction of, "Do I call our accountant? Do we have an attorney? How do Iget in touch with our attorney? Is it justgoing down to the bank down the street that I know really well?" Justgetting a sense of the lay of the landas far as how you manage your financial affairs is important. Oneaspect that a lot of people don't think about now is justhow much of their financial lives are online or on mobile devices. So,having some way of giving people the password access that they'll need is important so that things can run smoothly.

A lot of financial institutions are a little bit behind when it comes to this. I know I've heard stories of peoplebeing able to log into deceased people'saccounts and even conduct transactionsafter someone's death. From a family member's perspective,that might be exactly what you want to be able to do. But technically, it's something thatfinancial institutions are going to have very different policies governing. So,it's important to understand that in an after-death situation, family members are going to have to navigate very different situations, even across similar types of things. You have a bank account at one bank,you might end up having to do something completely different from a bank account at another bankjust because of the policies and procedures that eachinstitution happens to have in place.

Lapera: So, I think if you take one thing away from this podcast, it should be, you should prepare,before you die, a lot of stuff. I think a lot of people think, "I'll be dead and gone, what does it matter?" Itmatters to the people you're leaving behind. Even if you'renot leaving anyone behind, you should still be prepared, you should still be organized. I know that sometimes it'sreally hard to think about these things. People don't really want to think about dying. For example, my parents and I had a couple chats about what they want to do with their estate when they die. And I'm like, "That's great,but I have no power to enforce that. I really need you guys to go to a lawyer and write all this stuff down,because otherwise I'm going to have to go to court." And I thinkmentally, they have accepted that, but emotionallythey're not quite ready to do it yet. This is just an ongoingconversation that I thinkpeople need to continue to have with their spouses and parents, whoever it is, so you guys can be prepared when thateventuality happens. Death and taxes.

Caplinger: That'sa very difficult conversation to have, but it is a very important one to have, just making sure, as a child or grandchild, you don'tnecessarily need to know the specifics. You just need to know that the people you care for have taken care of things, that they're seeing the right people to get stuff in place to make everything easier down the road.

Lapera: Yeah. So, Mom and Dad,if you're listening, please visit that estate lawyer. I know I keep nagging you about it. Hopefully it will have more weightcoming over the airwavesrather than in person.

Caplinger: Do it, Laperas!

Lapera:[laughs] Thank you so much, Dan Caplinger, for joining us.I hope you think of a totally radHalloween costumebetween here and October 31st.

Caplinger: I guarantee it.

Lapera: Listeners,if you want to send me pictures of your Halloween costumes,I will think that's hilariouswhen I'm super sleep deprivedwhen I get back here on November 2nd.

As usual, people on the program may have interests in the stocks that they talk about, and The Motley Fool may have recommendations for or against, so don't buy or sell stocks based solely on what you hear. Contact us at industryfocus@fool.com, or by tweeting us @MFIndustryFocus. Thank you again to Austin Morgan.I hope that we've made you think about your deatha little bit more today [laughs]. And thank you to y'all for joining us. Everyone, have a great week!

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.
After more than two years of declines, oil prices are starting to breathe life into the industry again. One signal that things are getting better came in Emerge Energy Services' (NYSE: EMES) earnings report as the company showed a quick turnaround in frack sand sales. Let's take a quick look at the Emerge's most recent results as well as some of the moves it's taking to prevent from having a solvency scare like the one it recently faced.

Image source: Getty Images.

By the numbers

Data source: Emerge Energy Services earnings releases.

The reason for the loss on an EBITDA basis while registering a positive net income result was from the sale of its fuels business toSunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) that was completed in August for $167 million. That attributed to a $32 million gain on the income statement. From an investor point of view, don't take this as much of a difference maker. If we strip out that one-time gain, earnings per share would have been a loss of $1.24.

The one thing that is worth pointing out as a positive is that the volume of sand sold increased dramatically from the prior quarter. Total sand shipments this quarter totaled 493,000 tons, a 24% gain from the second quarter. Even revenue in this part of the business increased 26%. The reason that those revenue gains don't show up in the overall results is because the fuels segment that it sold to Sunoco is a relatively high-sales, lower-margin business, and the decline in revenue from having that on the books until Aug. 31 skewed revenue results.

Overall, this is a good trend, though. With the fuels segment gone, management can focus on getting its sand business up and running. Costs were a little higher this quarter than they should have been, but part of that had to do with its Arland, Wisconsin facility starting up and ramping up at its Kosse, Texas, facility. As product sales rise and these facilities start working to capacity, it should help spread out the high fixed costs associated with running these facilities.

What management had to say

For several quarters, Emerge's balance sheet was skating on very thin ice. Operational profits dried up and put the company in violation of its debt covenants. So CEO Ted Beneski wanted to highlight some of the financialmoves the company has made -- and plans to make -- that will shore up the company's financials.

That equity raise thing is the one thing that will likely impact investors over the long term depending on the size of the raise. A large dilution of shares would certainly mute some of the expected gains we should expect from rising sand demand.

What a Fool believes

The rise in sand volumes is exactly what Emerge needed this quarter. Now that it has sold its fuels business, frack sand will have to carry the load for the entire company. Emerge isn't the only one that has so far reported a decent-sized upswing in sand sales, so it appears that the oil and gas industry in North America is making its slow march back up. This will be especially good for Emerge, as the amount of sand used per well has more than doubled in a few years. The oil and gas industry doesn't even need to get back to where it was drilling activity-wise for Emerge and others to see sand sales go way beyond what they were a couple years ago.

As this happens, Emerge should start to see its cash flow get restored and the company can start to pay investors a distribution again. After the company completes the equity raise Beneski hinted at, though, those distributions could end up being much lower than they were before.

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.

Tyler Crowe 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.
FBI Director James Comey sent a letter to Congress last Friday, saying that the FBI has discovered additional emails that were linked to the Clinton email investigation and that the FBI needed to continue its investigation. Investigators recovered up to 650,000 emails on a laptop, that supposedly belonged to former Rep. Anthony Weiner.

During a rally, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said that Comey had a lot of guts for further investigating the Clinton case and that he was bringing back his reputation.

I was very surprised when I heard about Director Comey writing the letter, I think he is on the right path there. I think when the FBI gets notified of criminality, they have to look at it. You dont put it off, you deal with it, but I think something had to be said to Director Comey that was pretty substantial, Former FBI Assistant James Kallstrom told the FOX Business Networks Lou Dobbs.

Kallstrom said that the people running the Justice Department are to blame for not stopping the Clintons corruption.

But the Justice shut down the Clinton Foundation investigation and look at that outrageous sewer that is. One example, Haiti...they collected hundreds of millions of dollars and virtually none of it went to Haiti, he said.

Kallstrom also said that the American people should be angry at the Democrats for electing Clinton as their nominee.

The people should be mad at the Democrats, they caused all of this. They put someone [Hillary Clinton] as their candidate, who came with a long trail of lies and betrayals of the rule of law, he said.
For the first time in six quarters, Lumber Liquidators reported comparable customer growth. Image source: Lumber Liquidators.

It's been a tough couple of years forLumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc(NYSE: LL). And one would think that finally returning to sales growth after six ugly quarters would be fantastic news. Unfortunately, the high rate of cash consumption at the company, which continues to repair its image following a scathing60 Minutesreport and months of bad press, has weighed heavily on Lumber Liquidators' results.

The market clearly didn't like the company's third-quarter earnings, sending shares down 16% on October 31 following the release, but long-term investors are better served digging into the details, and not buying and selling based on the headlines. Let's take a closer look at Lumber Liquidators' third-quarter results.

Financial results

Revenue and net income in millions. Source: Lumber Liquidators.

A closer look at what happened in the quarter

This was the first quarter since Q4 of 2014 that Lumber Liquidators reported an increase in same-store or comparable-store sales, which were up slightly versus last year. However, it's worth noting that last year's third quarter, as you can see above, saw a massive decline in sales as numerous lawsuit filings and investigations into the company's Chinese-sourced laminate flooring kept "Lumber Liquidators" and "cancer" in headlines on a regular basis.

Management also pointed out on the earnings call that the company's product mix looks substantially different now than it did one-year ago. Last year, Lumber Liquidators was still working to replace its Chinese-manufactured laminate flooring with products made in North America and Europe, and it's only been in recent quarters that the company has optimized its sourcing and been offering the mix of products that it wants to sell.

While these improvements in store-level sales and gross-margin percent are positive, the big issue for Lumber Liquidators remains its very high expenses:

Selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A) were $100.7 million, up 14% year over year. As a percent of sales, this was 41% versus 37% in the year-ago quarter. For context, SG&A was 29.9% of sales in 2014, the last full year before the current ongoing issues.

Of this amount, $6.3 million was incremental legal and professional fees related to ongoing litigation, while $4.3 million was related to a proposed -- but not yet court-approved -- settlement of a securities class-action suit. The $6.3 million legal portion is a cash expense, while the $4.3 million amount is non-cash, and stock based.

Even adjusting for these temporary expense items, SG&A would have been 37% of revenue, well above historical levels.

Cash and capital flows bear watching closely

For a business like Lumber Liquidators, particularly with its relatively high expenses right now, it's important to understand which are cash-based expenses and which are non-cash expenses, such as stock-based items or depreciation/amortization, which are tied to prior capital spending. It's also a good idea to discern how working capital changes play a role in supporting the company as it works through its ongoing issues.

Here's a look at some key asset items for the company at the end of the third quarter as compared to at the end of the second quarter:

In millions. Source: Lumber Liquidators.

And here are key liabilities:

In millions. Source: Lumber Liquidators.

Note the bottom row in both sections --total current assets and current liabilities. The net difference here is the company's working capital. At the end of the second quarter, Lumber Liquidators had $173.2 million in working capital. At the end of the third quarter, it had $147.83 million. That's a $25.4 million reduction in working capital -- a bigger "negative" result than the $18 million GAAPnet loss.

What does this tell us? In short, the company used up a significant portion of its available resources over the course of the third quarter -- primarily, cash and "other current assets," which are primarily made up of refundable income tax and a deferred tax asset.

Frankly, investors should pay very close attention to this, because it's not sustainable. At some point, Lumber Liquidators must either lower operating costs, grow sales, or -- most likely -- some combination of the two, enough to at least get to cash-flow breakeven.

But it's not all bad news. In addition to the assets on its balance sheet, Lumber Liquidators ended the quarter with $95.7 million in available borrowing capacity on its revolving credit facility, which was negotiated this past August. This gives management some breathing room.

At the same time, the reduction in inventory on a sequential basis, according to management, is an intentional step. The company continues to fine tune its store inventory levels, and "reflects a shift forward in the timing of planned inventory increases ahead of the spring selling season." In other words, the company plans to build inventories later in the year in preparation for the first quarter, which is historically the company's biggest.

Looking ahead: Still work to do

As the numbers above indicate, it's likely that the company will have to both find ways to reduce operating expenses and continue improving sales before profitability recovers. In the interim, investors will have to accept the reality that the company is likely to continue consuming cash and working capital, and will almost certainly have to tap its credit facility to make ends meet in coming quarters.

There's also the ongoing overhang of litigation that could result in further costs above and beyond ongoing legal expenses. The good news is that essentially all of the evidence supports Lumber Liquidators' assertions that its products didn't create any significant risk for consumers, but until the litigation is over, SG&A will remain elevated, and the uncertainty of a negative ruling will likely weigh on the company.

For investors today, there's probably huge upside. But there's still measurable risk when a company is forced to spend more than it brings in. That's the case for Lumber Liquidators today, and it's just not clear how long before that changes.

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.

Jason Hall owns shares of Lumber Liquidators. The Motley Fool recommends Lumber Liquidators. 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.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says Turkish authorities' actions against freedom of opinion and the press are "highly alarming" and is expressing doubts about the legitimacy of the detention of senior staff at an opposition newspaper.

On Monday, at least 13 staff members at the Cumhuriyet newspaper were detained, among them the chief editor, columnists and a cartoonist.

Merkel said Wednesday it's "highly alarming that ... freedom of the press and opinion is again and again being restricted" in Turkey. She said the Cumhuriyet detentions were "the latest example of this already very sad development."

Merkel says "we have very great doubts that this corresponds with the principles of a state of law."

Merkel said Germany will pay close attention to the investigation of the journalists.
A North Dakota regulator on Wednesday criticized the company developing the Dakota Access pipeline for waiting 10 days before reporting that American Indian artifacts were found last month along the route.

In an Oct. 27 letter, a subsidiary of Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners notified the Public Service Commission that stone cairns and other artifacts had been found in mid-October. Consultants determined there was a "low likelihood" for buried artifacts and recommended avoiding the site.

Julie Fedorchak, the PSC chairwoman, said she was disappointed regulators weren't notified earlier. The matter was to be discussed at a PSC meeting Wednesday.

The potential for damage to American Indian sites and artifacts has been a flashpoint in a months-long protest over the pipeline, which is intended to carry crude from western North Dakota almost 1,200 miles to a shipping point in Patoka, Illinois. The Standing Rock Sioux, whose reservation lies near the pipeline route, have led a protest over that issue and the pipeline's potential hazard to drinking water.

Tribal officials said in September they had identified cultural artifacts on private land along the route. North Dakota's chief archaeologist, Paul Picha, later inspected the area and said no sign of artifacts or human remains had been found.

Picha said he was notified of the most recent discovery in a timely manner but didn't report it to the commission because he thought the pipeline company would. He said the site was properly handled.

The 1,172-mile pipeline is largely complete outside of North Dakota. The federal government in September ordered a temporary halt to construction on corps land around and underneath Lake Oahe, a Missouri River reservoir in the Dakotas. The corps is reviewing its permitting of the project but has given no timetable for a decision.
There were a lot of signs pointing to better times ahead for Hi-Crush Partners (NYSE: HCLP) and other frack-sand producers as of late. Rig counts have increased slightly, and producers have been talking a big game about how they can profitably produce at today's prices.

This quarter, we saw some of these signs actually translating into something tangible for Hi-Crush: higher sales and higher volumes. Let's take a look at the results for the company to see why it was able to raise sales, but profits still remain elusive.

Image source: Getty Images.

By the Numbers

* in millions, except per share data. Source: Hi-Crush Partners earnings release.

There were a couple of positive signs in these results as revenue grew and losses narrowed ever so slightly in the quarter. The most positive of all was the 1.08 million tons of sand that were shipped in the third quarter. That's a 27% increase from the second quarter and signals that well completion activity has at least stopped shrinking and is possibly increasing.

We can't tell whether well completion activity has picked up, because sand volume per well has been steadily increasing recently. Therefore, it's not clear if the increase in sand usage comes from more sand per well or more total wells completed

The reason that Hi-Crush's revenue gains weren't as robust as volume increases is because the realized price declined for those tons shipped. Part of that has to do with an overall decline in sand spot prices, but it's also attributed to a change in sales mix. Fewer customers are buying on-demand loads of sand in the basin in which they operate, and are instead buying with longer-term contracts, a slightly lower-volume business.

The reason that these gains in volume and modest upticks in revenue didn't translate to a profit is because there were some higher costs associated with restarting operations at a couple of mines and mobilizing equipment.

The highlights

The two things of note that happened this past quarter was the acquisition of the Blair, Wisconsin facility from its general partner Hi-Crush Proppants LLC. In doing so, the company no longer needs to buy sand from this facility as a third-party transaction and should ultimately lower production costs. The company funded the $85 million, in part, with cash it raised from an equity raise, as well as directly issuing shares in Hi-Crush to the seller.

While it's probably better that the company use equity to make such purchases, as debt is the last thing it wants to take on right now, Hi-Crush has done an awful lot of shareholder dilution this past year, and that will make it harder to get back to paying a decent distribution to shareholders.

HCLP Average Diluted Shares Outstanding (Quarterly) data by YCharts.

What management had to say

From CEO Robert Rasmus:

What a Fool Believes

Things are starting to look up for Hi-Crush Partners. The company's moves to cut costs and shore up the balance sheet have staved off any potential solvency issues that were front and center a few quarters ago. Now that drilling and completion activity in the U.S. is starting to stabilize, and the amount of sand per well has more than doubled over the past couple of years, it's looking as though this recent volume bump could be the first of a few quarters of gains.

Still, as a master limited partnership, the company is still not generating any cash that can be distributed to shareholders, and any new distribution policy will likely be a much lower per-share amount because of all the newly issued shares this past year. So investors should know going into this that they shouldn't expect the high yields they previously saw with this stock coming back any time soon.

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.

Tyler Crowe has no position in any stocks mentioned.You can follow him at Fool.comor on Twitter@TylerCroweFool.

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.
Since 1883, Emma Lazarus epic poem, The New Colossus, has been seared in bronze at the base of the Statue of Liberty. For generations, these words have embodied the spirit of New York-- with Libertys torch and the golden door of opportunity beckoning the tired, huddled masses of the world to a magical city on the Hudson.

These values-- openness, diversity, and a belief in limitless potential-- have helped make the Empire State one of the most dynamic, inventive economies the world has ever known.

Unfortunately, recent actions taken by the New York State Legislature cast a shadow on this proud legacy. Indeed, even as New York seeks to broaden its economy beyond the traditional sectors of finance, insurance, and real estate, the state continues to insulate incumbent industries from competition instead of embracing innovative tech companies.

Just last month, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an anti-home sharing bill that imposes fines of up to $7,500 on middle class New Yorkers who advertise their own home for short term rentals on platforms like Airbnb.

This time, it was the powerful hotel lobby who pushed to preserve their ability to squeeze every last dollar from travelers coming to the Big Apple. As the CEO of LaSalle hotels told reporters on a conference call earlier this month, the new law could curtail Airbnb listings which should be a big boost in the arm for the business, certainly in terms of the pricing.

Its bad enough that the new law is designed to boost hotel profits. Whats even worse is that it will hurt the tens of thousands of middle class New Yorkers who rely on home sharing to make ends meet.

In New York City alone, nearly 35,000 hosts welcomed over 1.4 million guests last year, with the typical host earning about $5,000 in supplemental income by sharing their space for fewer than four nights a month. 78% of hosts in New York earn low, moderate, or middle incomes and 72% of hosts use the money they earn sharing their space to stay in their homes.

New York is known for constantly building the future, reaching for taller heights, greater opportunity, and stronger neighborhoods. 21st century home sharing is part of that future: a way for middle class New Yorkers to turn their biggest expense-- their home-- into an asset, while bringing the power of the tourist economy to neighborhoods well beyond Midtown Manhattan.

The new law undermines this opportunity at a time when states across the country and cities around the world are embracing the benefits of the innovation economy. In the last year alone, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Vermont have entered agreements that allow Airbnb to collect and remit lodging taxes, while cities from Jersey City to Philadelphia have crafted comprehensive systems to foster responsible home sharing in their communities. In fact, the same week that Governor Cuomo signed the New York bill into law, Sydney, Australia and New Orleans, Louisiana both passed laws that embrace responsible home sharing in their cities.

Despite this new law, Airbnb will continue to do its part to ensure that home sharing in the five boroughs is done responsibly. As of November 1, Airbnb hosts are limited to a single home listing in New York City, thwarting commercial operators who threaten to take housing off the market. Moreover, every listing on our platform is covered by a $1 million insurance policy and our new Neighbors tool provides all New Yorkers with a way to contact Airbnb 24/7 when issues arise.

We look forward to working with lawmakers and community leaders on a comprehensive approach to home sharing in the Big Apple, one that ensures that the Golden Door of opportunity remains open for the next generation of New Yorkers.

Josh Meltzer is the Head of New York Public Policy for Airbnb
An ambush killing of two Iowa police officers Wednesday is the latest in a string of attacks on police in the last several months. Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft weighed in on how politics plays a role in government response to these events, and concerns the Department of Justice has become too political.

When you have a situation where ordinary folks dont believe in the protection afforded by the justice community and the people at the top believe they cant be prosecuted by the justice community theres a crisis in America as it relates to the respect for law enforcement and justice generally, Ashcroft told the FOX Business Networks Stuart Varney.

Ashcroft put much of the blame for this crisis on the Obama Administration.

There have been times when this administration has literally fostered a sort of disrespect for much of the law enforcement community and those chickens unfortunately have come home to roost, he said.

The former U.S. AG specifically addressed the police shootings in Iowa, saying it doesnt appear to be a situation in which the officers were conducting an investigation , but rather were ambushed. Ashcroft said he anticipates some kind of comment from the Justice Department expressing support for security and law-enforcement officials.

Still, he recognized the events that have become all-too common this year, and the actions elected officials in Washington weight, are a subject of political polarization.

If the reports of The Wall Street Journal during the last week signaling that the Justice Department has restrained the FBI in its ability to investigate, Ashcroft said. That would be extremely disappointing and it would be literally an embarrassment to the department.
Once again, Ford Motor Company builds the fastest police vehicles. The Blue Oval touted the news in an official release following Michigan State Police and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department testing.

Ford did very well. Except for one acceleration metric  zero to 10 miles per hour  the Blue Oval's Taurus and Explorer-based cop cars were the quickest, with particular praise coming for the EcoBoost-powered models, which bested Chevrolet and Dodge's V8-powered variants. Dearborn's products also posted the fastest average times around MSP's vehicle dynamics course. But it wasn't all positive for Ford.

The only four-cylinder in the contest, the 2.0-liter, EcoBoost Ford SSP Sedan, had both the lowest top speed, 120 mph, and the slowest acceleration figures. It was also the slowest in track testing. Ford's products also failed to match the braking and top speeds of its rivals from Detroit and Auburn Hills  the rear-drive Charger Pursuit posted the best braking stats of the entire test, while the V8-powered Chevrolet Caprice hit the highest top speed, at 155 mph. Ford did score a top speed award, among SUVs, but at 132 mph, the naturally aspirated Police Interceptor Utility had to share its award with the equally fast, rear-drive Chevrolet Tahoe.

The LA County Sheriff's timing isn't publicly available, but according to Ford, the EcoBoost-powered police cars put on a similarly impressive show for cops on the West Coast. We've assembled a spreadsheet on Google Docs that offers an easy to browse comparison of the different stats assembled by the Michigan State Police, and divided the vehicles between standard V6-powered sedans, high-performance sedans (EcoBoost and V8 models), and SUVs. You can check it out here.


Miranda Kerr has been on a high since her engagement to Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel in July. But just three years ago, the Australian model found herself in a deep depression.

"When Orlando [Bloom] and I separated, I actually fell into a really bad depression," the model told Elle Canada. "I never understood the depth of that feeling or the reality of that because I was naturally a very happy person."

Kerr married the British-born actor in 2010 and they divorced three years later. The now amicable exes share one son, Flynn, 5.

Man arrested outside model Miranda Kerr's home charged with attempted murder

"The most important thing is that when he has his time with me, we have quality time together, and when he's with his dad, he has quality time with him," Kerr shared. "And it works out really well because I book in my photo shoots for the time he's with his dad, and the rest of the time I just get to be a mom."

The 33-year-old said the experience helped her discover that "all of the answers" you need "are deep inside of you."

"Sit with yourself, take a few breaths and get close to your spirit."

Katy Perry calls Orlando Bloom her 'prince'
Cases of some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have reached an all-time high, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

From 2014 to 2015, there was a 6 percent increase in diagnosed cases of chlamydia and a 13 percent increase in gonorrhea.

The craziest part: The actual number of people with STDs is probably much higher than what the CDC is reporting, because many people have no clue theyre infected, the CDC says.

Thats because STDs often show no noticeable symptoms.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are often called a silent epidemic for the very reason that they dont typically have outward signs, says Debby Herbenick, Ph.D., M.P.H., a sex researcher at the University of Indiana.

Related: The Mens Health Better Man Project2,000+ Scientific Tips and Tricks For Living a More Fulfilling Life

This means that you could be infected and not even know itand same goes for your partner. Read on for four common STDs that might have already snuck up on you, and what you should do about it.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE: GONORRHEA

This bacterial illness is spread through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex. As a result, it can cause infections in your genitals, rectum, or throat.

Condoms are nearly 100 percent effective at preventing transmission of the disease, says Khalil Ghanem, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of medicine and infectious disease at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. (Dental dams can be protective if youre giving oral sex to a woman.)

Related: The New Rules Of Oral Sex

Signs of gonorrhea: Women often dont have any symptoms, says Herbenick. And when they do, the signs are usually mild and may mimic a bladder infectionmeaning she may not know shes infected, and theres no way for you to tell during sex.

As for guys: If the infection is in your throat or rectum, you probably wont have any symptoms, says Dr. Ghanem.

If the bacteria is targeting your penis, you may see a greenish or yellowish penile discharge or a burning sensation when you pee, Dr. Ghanem says. Testicular pain is another possibility, although its rare. These problems usually creep up 3 to 5 days after an exposure.

Related: The 10 Worst Things That Can Happen To Your Penis

Left untreated, gonorrhea can cause something called epididymitis, an inflammation of your testicles that may lead to infertility.

How to detect gonorrhea: The CDC recommends routine annual screenings for men. But ask your doctor whats right for you, since it may depend on risk factors like how often you have new partners, says Herbenick.

How to treat gonorrhea: The good news is that gonorrhea can usually be cured with antibiotics.

But Some Gonorrhea Strains Are Resistant To Antibiotics, so make sure to follow up with your doctor to make sure all the bacteria has been killed, says Herbenick.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE: CHLAMYDIA

Chlamydia, another bacterial infection, is spread through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex, says Dr. Ghanem.

As with gonorrhea, condoms are nearly 100 percent effective at preventing the spread. And if youre giving oral sex to a woman, dental dams can reduce your risk.

Signs of chlamydia: Chlamydia rarely has noticeable symptoms in either women or men, says Herbenick.

In the off-chance you do show signs of infection, the symptoms could include a penile discharge or burning when you pee, says Dr. Ghanem. These problems usually creep up about a week after an exposure.

Severe infections in men that are not treated quickly can cause scarring in your urethra, making it more difficult to peeand it may even require surgery.

Related: What You Should Do If You Pee Blood

How to detect chlamydia: The CDC recommends annual screening for gay or bisexual men. However, straight men should ask their doctors about testing as well.

How to treat chlamydia: Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE: HERPES

Genital herpes is caused by two viruses: Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV1), which usually affects your mouth as cold sores, and herpes simplex type 2 (HSV2), which mainly targets your genitals.

Sexual contact can spread your partners oral herpes to your genitals or her genital herpes to your mouth. The virus can be spread even if youor your partnerdont have any signs of it.

Wearing condoms can help protect you, but not completely: Theyre only 80 percent effective for preventing herpes transmission, says Dr. Ghanem. Thats partly because the virus can live on parts of your skin that arent covered by the condom.

Signs of herpes: Up to 70 percent of people infected with the virus dont have symptoms, Dr. Ghanem says.

If you do, you may notice blisters or ulcers on your genitals, or just feel some burning and itching.

When first infected, some patients will develop fevers, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, and fatigue.

How to detect herpes: Have your doctor take a look at any suspicious sores.

How to treat herpes: Theres no cure for genital herpes, but antiviral drugs can ease your symptoms, according to the CDC.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE: HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV)

HPV, which comprises more than 150 related viruses, is the most common STI, according to the CDC.

There are two main types: low risk, which usually only cause genital warts, and high risk, which can lead to penile, anal, and cancers. You can catch it via intercourse, oral sex, or even skin-to-skin contact during sex.

Using condoms during sex can help reduce, but not eliminate, your chances of infection, says Michael Krychman, M.D., executive director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health.

Related: The Top 10 Cancer Signs You Shouldnt Ignore

Signs of HPV: HPV almost never has visible symptoms, says Herbenick.

Most strains dont cause warts, and when they do, theyre often tinynot like the

scare photos from your high schools health class

How to detect HPV: Unfortunately, there are no currently recommended tests to detect HPV in men, Dr. Ghanem says.

How to treat HPV: While warts can be frozen off, removing the lesion doesnt cure your infection. The warts can recur and the infection can still be spread, Dr. Ghanem explains.

Thats why vaccinationwhich is recommended for straight men through age 21, or men who have sex with men through age 26and wearing condoms is especially important to help reduce your risk, says Dr. Krychman.

This article originally appeared on MensHealth.com.
On Oct. 27, doctors at Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital informed 4-year-old Jessica Whelans parents that she would only have weeks left to live. Her father, a photographer, snapped a photo showing his child suffering from the pain caused by neuroblastoma and shared it on Facebook, pleading with followers to raise more awareness for pediatric cancers.

This is the hardest photograph I have ever made, it is in fact my own four-year-old daughter, dad Andy Whelan wrote in the Oct. 29 post. A few days ago she was given what is most likely only a few weeks to live after a battle against cancer that has been waged over twelve months. This photograph was made in a moment that we as parents could offer her no comfort, her pushing us away whilst she rode out this searing pain in solitude.

Andy added that the sight of his daughter in pain has become a familiar sight for the family, day and night, more and more often.

This is the true face of cancer, my baby [girls] blood vessels protruding from beneath her skin, a solitary tear running down her cheek, her body stiffened and her face contorted in pain, the post, which has more than 3,000 shares and 8,000 likes, read.

A local news report earlier this month covered the Oswaldtwistle family after they had decided to stop pursuing treatment once it was determined that Jessicas cancer had progressed. According to the report she had already been through four different treatments when doctors informed her parents that nothing more could be done.

I could try and use a thousand words to describe this image that we as parents are confronted with on a daily basis but these words would fall short of truly depicting the sight we see, Andy wrote. With this photo I do not mean to offend or upset, I do mean however to educate and shock those that see it in [its] context. Perhaps by seeing this photo people not in our position will be made aware of the darkness that is childhood cancer, perhaps these same people may be able to do something about it so that in the future no child has to suffer this pan, so that no parent has to bear witness to their own flesh and blood deteriorating daily.

Andy and Jessicas mother, Nicki Prendergast, brought their daughter to the beach, and held a party on Sunday near their home in the U.K. to celebrate her life. Andy shared on Facebook that Jessica had mixed feelings about the party, but was ultimately excited until she was felled by pain en route and forced to make an early exit.

Please I beg of you, as a heartbroken father, it is too late for my daughter, but childhood cancer needs to be cured, Andy wrote. No family should have to go through this hell.


Iraqi security forces, with the help of the US-led coalition, moved into the city of Mosul Tuesday morning for the first time since operations began.

Security forces encountered heavy fighting from ISIS militants that included snipers, landmines, tunnels and road-blocking boulders that they had set up to block coalition forces.

The battle inside the city of Mosul could take months and is expected to include house-to-house fierce fighting between Iraqi security forces and ISIS militants.

The liberation for Mosul will be grueling and bloody but a possibly even more difficult battle for what happens after liberation lies ahead. Mosul is Iraqs second largest city and is predominately Sunni Arab but also consists of Kurds, Shias, Turkmens, Yezidis, Christians and other ethnic groups.

The Obama administration decided to launch the Mosul offensive prematurely without properly planning for the day after liberation and who will ultimately govern the city.

Kurdish President Masoud Barzani warned last week that if Mosul is not administered well after liberation it will become the birthplace of another terrorist group. He said, We had Al Qaeda in Iraq yesterday, we have ISIS today and tomorrow we will have another group if Mosul is not going to have a good administering system.

Kurdish political and military leaders discussed breaking Mosul up into four sections between the different ethnic groups with each section having different leadership. One senior Kurdish military leader stated that if they do not have a plan and break up Mosul into various sections there will be more trouble after liberation than before.

On Saturday, Iranian-backed Shiite militias under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) entered the fight and moved into the town of Tal Afar, which is a strategic route for ISIS fighters to travel between Raqqa, Syria to Mosul. Militias under the PMF consist of groups that are responsible for killing American troops during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

One of the militias under the PMF are the Hezbollah Brigades, or Kataib Hizballah, an official U.S. designated foreign terrorist organization that according to the State Department is responsible for numerous acts against Iraqi, U.S., and other targets in Iraq since 2007. The State Department states that, Kataib Hizballah is a radical Shia Islamist group with an anti-Western establishment and jihadist ideology that has conducted attacks against Iraqi, U.S. and Coalition targets in Iraq.

U.S. officials have stated that they are not providing any air support for the PMF and their operations in Tal Afar, but reports and videos show US weapons, arms and vehicles being used by the Iranian militias, including the Hezbollah Brigades.

The United States government has provided billions of dollars to the Iraqi security forces since 2003 and reports state that the major beneficiaries of the weapons deliveries have been to the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces.

Due to the presence of Iranian-backed militias, Turkeys military on Tuesday began deploying tanks and armored vehicles to the town of Silopi near the Iraqi border. Reuters reported Turkey had no obligation to wait behind its borders and would do what was necessary if Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants took a foothold in northwest Iraqs Sinjar region.

The PKK, a U.S. designated terrorist organization helped with the liberation of the Yezidis in Sinjar Mountain from ISIS in 2014 and now currently have several fortified bases on Sinjar Mountain and inside Sinjar City. The PKK are also backed by Iran and coordinate with other Shiite militia groups fighting in Mosul.

Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has insisted on playing a role in operations, stating that Turkey has a historical responsibility in the region and has threatened to use military force if not allowed to participate in the Mosul operations. Erdogan revealed in a recent speech his belief in Turkeys claim to Mosul going back to the end of the Ottoman Empire and WWI when new lines in the Middle East were redrawn.

Turkey, a NATO ally, currently has around 500 soldiers in northern Iraq where they have been training Sunni Muslim and Kurdish Peshmerga units, including a militia led by the former governor of Mosul, Athed al-Nujaifi. Iraqi Prime Minister al-Abadi has called on Erdogan to leave northern Iraq and has warned that Turkey risked triggering a regional war.

Another concern for the United States after Mosul is retaken is the threat of ISIS militants launching attacks in the United States, on our own soil. FBI Director James Comey warned a Senate Homeland Security Committee last month saying we needed to "be prepared" for a kind of "terrorist diaspora" on American soil.

Director Comey warned the Senate Committee of a wave of terrorist fighters who will spread across the globe as the group loses control of its territory on the ground.

He said, they will not all die on the battlefield in Syria and Iraq. There will be a terrorist diaspora sometime in the next two to five years like weve never seen before. He said the wave of fighters will be larger than the one that came out of Afghanistan after the war there in the 1980s.

Lt. General Stephen Townsend and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter reiterated this warning telling reporters last week that ISIS is planning additional "significant" external operations against the West from Raqqa, Syria, which is why they want to focus on retaking Raqqa soon to disrupt any plans.

Due to the failed leadership under the Obama Administration and an ineffective strategy, ISIS has had two years to prepare for the Mosul offensive. Disturbing reports are that ISIS militants are currently using tens of thousands of civilians as human shields to protect themselves from Iraqi and Peshmerga forces. An aid agency warned Wednesday morning that the lives of more than 1 million civilians that are trapped inside Mosul are in grave danger and the future of all of Iraq is now in the balance. The United Nations reported that an estimated 48,000 men, women and children have been forcibly relocated into Mosul by ISIS militants to be used to discourage military action against the city.

Since ISIS took control of Mosul in 2014, they have brutally and inhumanely killed anyone that stood in opposition to them. ISIS fighters have killed scores of people since the Mosul offensive started. ISIS militants reportedly shot to death over 200 former members of the Iraqi security forces last Wednesday and are shooting civilians on the spot who refuse to comply with them.

The destruction to the ancient city of Mosul under ISIS control is devastating. Since controlling the city in 2014, ISIS militants have destroyed ancient sites including the Monastery of Elijah, 1,400 years old and one of the oldest Christian sites in Iraq. ISIS destroyed the Mar Behnam Monastery that was established in the 4th century. They destroyed the tombs of the Biblical prophets of Jonah and Daniel. They have destroyed thousands of books and manuscripts from the Mosul library. ISIS did all of this with absolutely no response from the Obama Administration.

The next administration will be responsible on day one to address the aftermath of the liberation of Mosul and the escalating sectarian divisions throughout the Middle East.

The choice between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump couldnt be clearer. Hillary Clinton has a track record of emboldening Iran and other radical Islamic terrorists, politicizing the sacrifice of our troops for her own political self-interests, she dreams of open borders and will increase Syrian refugees by 550 percent. And she wants to implement a no-fly zone in Syria that will lead us into another world war.

Donald Trump has laid out a plan to secure our borders, suspend refugees coming in from terrorist prone countries, building up our military capabilities and he will work with our Arab and NATO allies to defeat radical Islamic terrorism.
When President Obama and Congressional Democrats rammed ObamaCare through Congress in a series of late night votes, the majority of Americans were rightly skeptical of the law.

At the time, President Obama claimed the law was the answer to our health care problems and that skeptics would be proven wrong. And for the last six years hes held strong to that argument. Even as the ObamaCare horror stories unfold, President Obama and his allies continue to insist that ObamaCare is a success story

But ObamaCare isnt a success. Its been one problem after another. The broken promises continue to stack up and the law is beginning to buckle. Even top Democrats who formerly championed the law have recently taken to criticizing its impacts on Americans.

But as bad as seems now, things havent hit rock bottom yet. And if Congress doesnt take action soon, it will get worse.

President Obama told the American people if you like your plan, you can keep itsomething many have learned isnt true. More than 10 million plans have been cancelled and the number continues to grow. And in that same infamous speech President Obama said ObamaCare would give people more choices by allowing them to compare the prices and quality of their healthcare plans. The reality? Half of plans on the federal exchanges have extremely narrow networks.

President Obama promised ObamaCare would lower costs and make health care more affordable for everyone, but just last week his administration confirmed premiums will increase by an average of 25 percent next year. That means health care for a family of six in Little Rock, Arkansas could cost as much as $32,000 next yearmore expensive than a new BMWwhen you combine the premiums with the annual deductible.

Today, the entire ObamaCare exchange system is on the verge of collapse as insurance companies flee the exchanges. Consumer enrollment is less than half of the administrations projection. Almost all insurance companies have found that offering insurance through the exchanges is unprofitable.As a result, insurance companies are fleeing the exchanges in droves.

Next year there will be only one insurer offering coverage in nearly 700 counties nationwide  an increase of more than 300 percent from the prior year. As costs climb, we can expect more insurers to leave the exchanges.

President Obama and his allies ignore the devastating impact of this law on hard-working Americans and they continue to use sweeping language and inflated numbers in an effort to protect the Obamacare legacy. When the Obama administration cites statistics about more Americans achieving coverage under ACA, they are largely referring to Medicaid coverage, not private coverage.

Fewer Americans have private insurance than in 2007, and Medicaid provides sub-standard care at an unsustainable cost to State governments. If the goal of Obamacare was merely to expand Medicaid  regardless of the merits of that goal - that could have been accomplished without destroying the individual insurance market.

Unfortunately, their ObamaCares problems get worse. Families across the country will face a massive tax penalty simply because they can't afford the high cost of coverage.

This tax will be a devastating blow. Instead of saving for retirement and contributing to a childs college fund, nearly ten-million Americans will pay a massive fine in exchange for nothing. They are being taxed for being unable to afford what ObamaCare has rendered unaffordable.

President Obama needs an ObamaCare reality check. This law has been a disaster. Our worst fears about this unworkable law have come trueand even some we didnt predict.

Thats why Congress should pass the ObamaCare Tax Relief and Consumer Choice Act when we return in November. This bill would suspend the ObamaCare tax when health insurance premiums rise and provide relief to people who can't afford ObamaCare deductibles.

We must provide Arkansans and all Americans a reprieve from the law's worst effects and ensure they arent crushed under its broken promises.
The 2016 presidential race is, borrowing a phrase from Donald Trump, once again keeping America in suspense  with the polls and the electoral map being scrambled in the final days amid a slew of late-breaking developments.

Just one week ago, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton had assumed a confident air on the stump, enjoying a rare period when the political pieces were aligning for her in the wake of damaging allegations against her Republican rival. But the polls are tightening again, as voters assess a range of other factors, including the FBIs stunning decision to revisit her private email investigation.

Election prognosticators still say Clinton enjoys the advantage going into the big day  in large part because the states President Obama won in 2012 mostly have stayed Democrat-leaning this year, giving her a substantial built-in advantage.

But, even though Trump faces a tough climb to the 270 electoral votes it takes to win, the map is changing in the final days, in several cases in his favor.

The latest Fox News Electoral Scorecard has moved both Florida and Nevada  two states previously rated lean Democrat  into the toss-up category, citing shifts in the polls.

The same update moved Alaska from solid Republican to lean Republican and North Carolina from toss-up to lean Democrat. But in another indicator of how difficult the race is to gauge, a new WRAL News poll showed Trump with a 7-point lead in North Carolina, despite other polls showing Clinton ahead.

National polls show the race tightening up into a virtual draw. The latest ABC News/ Washington Post tracking poll shows the candidates tied, 46-46 percent.

As with any election year, what matters is what happens in the battlegrounds.

In the end, the popular vote isnt what matters. Its the Electoral College, pollster Frank Luntz told Fox News. And that Electoral College map is very difficult for Donald Trump, even though in every other indicator, its moving in the right direction for him.

The Fox News Electoral Scorecard shows all the solid and lean Democrat states would give Clinton 287 electoral votes, more than enough to take the White House. The Republican-rated states give Trump 174.

To win, Trump would need to lock down the toss-up states as well as pick off territory from the Democratic column.

On the campaign trail, Trump is sounding more confident of his chances, no longer focusing as heavily on warnings that the vote would be rigged against him.

In just one week, we are going to win the great state of Wisconsin and we are going to win back the White House  lotta good polls out there today, he declared at a rally Tuesday night in Eau Claire, Wis., while also citing the North Carolina poll.

Trump has seized on a spate of developments, including the FBIs investigation of newly discovered emails on a laptop used by Clinton adviser Huma Abedins estranged husband Anthony Weiner  as well as the tidal wave of revelations from WikiLeaks-posted emails from the Clinton campaign chairmans hacked account.

The Clinton campaign, meanwhile, has returned to hammering Trump over alleged Russia connections and his alleged mistreatment of women.

On this theme, former Miss Universe Alicia Machado introduced Clinton at a rally in Dade City, Fla., telling the crowd she was scared of Trump.

Machado made headlines after accusing Trump of being verbally abusive to her by calling her Miss Piggy and Miss Housekeeping when she held the 1996 Miss Universe title.

He made fun of me and I didnt know how to respond, she said. Machado said taunts from Trump led to years of battling eating disorders.

Clinton told the crowd, Can we just stop for a minute and reflect on the absurdity of Donald Trump finding fault with Miss Universe?
Louis Farrakhan, the controversial leader of the Nation of Islam, on Sunday compared Democratic presidental nomine Hillary Clinton to Hitler over the crime bill that "put tens of thousands of black brothers and sisters in prison.

Mrs. Clinton backed the crime bill and then called our young people super predators," the 82-year-old reverend said. "Of course she apologized, but just a minute. See, Hitler couldve said to the Jews after Auschwitz, Im so sorry. Would that be enough to satisfy you?

In April, Hillary Clinton said she was sorry for what she described as the unintended consequences of the landmark 1994 crime bill signed into law by her husband. Clinton's past support for the law has come under fire from some African-Americans, who say that it has contributed to mass incarceration of young blacks.

Farrakhan's disapproval of Clinton did not stop there. He said that, while secretary of state, Clinton influenced President Obama in his decision to distance himself from the controversial leader of the Nation of Islam.

Barack did not want to denounce me, he said. But Hillary forced him. And he gave in.

Farrakhan did not endorse either candidate during a speech Sunday at the Chicago-based movement's headquarters. He did take swipes at Republican nominee Donald Trump over his tax practices but stayed largely focused on Clinton.

My friends are going to vote for Mrs. Clinton, he said. And Im not mad at them, they see some value in her because they dont know who she really is.

Farrakhan criticized Clinton's judgement as secretary of state and brought up some issues dating back to the 2008 campaign. Apparently citing the popular book "Game Change," he recalled the reported interaction between former President Bill Clinton and then-Sen.Ted Kennedy.

Bill Clinton wanted Kennedy to endorse Hillary over Barack Obama, and reportedly told Kennedy, A few years ago, this guy would have been getting us coffee.

After Kennedy endorsed Obama, Clinton reportedly said, the only reason you are endorsing him is because hes black. Lets just be clear.

Farrakhan has not been a fan of Clinton in the past. He cited mass black incarceration and her use of the term super predators. He once asked his congregation if anyone was going to cast a ballot for the first woman president and he responded, I do not blame you for wanting a female president, but thats a wicked woman. The congregation applauded.

She can be sweet, he said. But so can you. And you know when youre sweet and playing a game.

Farrakhan also criticized Clinton for receiving the Margaret Sanger Award from Planned Parenthood in 2009.

It was Mrs. Sanger who advocated population control of black and poor people, Farrakhan said.

In a 1939 letter, Sanger wrote about getting the black preachers to help with her efforts. She said, we dont want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population.  And when Mrs. Clinton received the award, [she said] I admire Margaret Sanger enormously. Her courage. Her tenacity. Her vision. Now they have to admit that the war on drugs was a war on black people.

In September, Farrakhan criticized Obamas legacy in the White House and what he called Obamas disinterest in the inner cities, particularly Chicago.
Democrats in deep blue parts of Ohio's critical Cuyahoga County are not nearly as excited about Hillary Clinton as they were about Barack Obama four years ago.

Requests for early ballots by Democrats in the county have plummeted 35%, compared to this time in 2012, while Republican requests have risen 3%.

The increased Republican interest is somewhat surprising when put into local context: there were 20 Cuyahoga County precincts where not one vote was cast for Mitt Romney in 2012, and there were 16 precincts in the county where zero ballots were cast for John McCain in 2008.

Seeing a "0" next to the GOP nominee's name may raise eyebrows, but experts say it can be easily explained when demographic information is reviewed. The area is just extremely Democratic - and that's why despite a clear enthusiasm gap, the trend may continue.

"It wouldn't be surprising there would be some [precincts] where Donald Trump doesn't get any votes," Cleveland State University associate professor of Political Communication Edward Horowitz tells FOX News.

"However, it does play into the narrative that his campaign has been using, which is: the campaign is going to be rigged," Horowitz added.

On top of that, now concerned Trump supporters won't even be allowed to see if their side is being shut out in certain places due to voter fraud.

This is because election officials are warning that any self-appointed election monitors caught interfering with voters in the county could face stiff consequences.

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Director Pat McDonald said this week that he's been contacted by "a few" Trump supporters either asking to be election monitors or advising that the campaign has ordered them to serve in that capacity.

But McDonald says they will not be allowed into any polling locations in this northeast Ohio county.

"They are not official observers. The state law only allows certain people to be observers," McDonald said this week.

Meanwhile, authorities are prepared to quickly respond to any issues that pop up at polling places, and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department says its Impact Unit will be standing by.The Impact Unit is a community policing unit that was also on standby during this summer's RNC Convention in the county's biggest city, Cleveland.

Cuyahoga County Sherriff Cliff Pinkney tells FOX News he does not anticipate any major issues at polling places on Election Day, and that the department's main concern at this point is crowd control at polling places with massive turnouts.
Ohio officials announce that the National Guard will be one of the agencies contributing to help keep the swing state safe during the Nov. 8 election.

Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted said the Guard's cyber protection unit is conducting tests to see if the states computer system has any vulnerabilities. Guard members have yet to be formally activated, which would require Republican Governor John Kasich to issue an order.

The additional help comes amid claims from Republican nominee Donald Trump who says the U.S. election is rigged.

Democrats have sued in Ohio and several other states, alleging such statements are being used by Republicans and Trump's campaign in a conspiracy to intimidate voters.

Husted assures the election will indeed be safe for voters.

The National Guard will be joining agencies such as the FBI, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, private security expert, among others monitoring security in the Ohio election.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Obama, breaking his silence on the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, said Tuesday that the federal government is looking for ways to "reroute" parts of the $3.8 billion project to address concerns raised by Native American tribes in North Dakota.

My view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans, Obama told online news site NowThis. I think that right now the Army Corps is examining whether there are ways to reroute this pipeline.

The president weighed in following high-profile clashes last week between protesters and law enforcement.

Obama said government agencies will let the situation play out for several more weeks and determine whether or not this can be resolved in a way that I think is properly attentive to the traditions of the First Americans.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has been fighting the pipeline for two years, arguing it could traverse sacred ground and burial sites and pose health risks. Their bid to block the four-state, 1,172-mile pipeline, so far has succeeded in at least delaying the project.

The Obama administration was heavily criticized by lawmakers and oil industry groups in September after stepping in and temporarily suspending construction on the pipeline minutes after a federal judge ruled it could go forward.

North Dakota GOP Rep. Kevin Cramer said the reversal does nothing to ensure certainty or calm, but rather adds further confusion.

The pipeline is being built by a group of companies led by Energy Transfer Partners and was pitched as the fastest and most direct route to bring Bakken shale oil from North Dakota to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries.

According to court records, Energy Transfer has changed the route on its own dime  140 times alone in North Dakota  to avoid building over burial sites. Ninety-nine percent of the pipeline route, of which roughly half has been built, is on private property.

Upon completion, the pipeline could move 470,000 barrels of crude in a 24-hour cycle  enough to produce more than 374 million gallons of gasoline a day.

For its part, the company maintains it is committed to completing the pipeline and would obey the rules and trust the process.

Blueprints show construction would stretch from the Bakken Formation  an underground deposit of oil and natural gas where North Dakota and Montana meet Canada  into Iowa, Illinois and South Dakota.

Proponents say the pipeline would create 8,000 to 12,000 construction jobs and pump an estimated $156 million in sales and income taxes into the economy. The pipeline is projected to generate an estimated $55 million annually in property taxes in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois.

Those against the pipeline argue that environmental concerns  water contamination and greenhouse gas emissions  outweigh any economic benefits.

Despite the Justice and Interior Departments along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers halting construction on part of the pipeline in September, the protests have continued.

Last Thursday, it hit a chaotic pitch after hundreds of law enforcement officers moved in to force activists off private property. Officers in riot gear fired bean bags and pepper spray into the crowd. The six-hour standoff netted 141 arrests.

One woman taken into custody allegedly pulled out a .38-caliber pistol and fired three times at officers, just barely missing a sheriffs deputy, North Dakota State Emergency Services spokesman Cecily Fong said.

Law enforcement officials did not fire back.

Obama called the protests in North Dakota a challenging situation.

There is an obligation for protesters to be peaceful and there is an obligation for authorities to show restraint, he said on NowThis. I want to make sure that as everybody is exercising their constitutional rights to be heard, that both sides are refraining from situations that might result in people being hurt.

Some have drawn similarities between the North Dakota pipeline and the Keystone XL pipeline. TransCanada Inc. is seeking $15 billion in damages after the Obama administration rejected the Canada-to-Texas project.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Some eagles could soon be spending much of their life in jail if the U.K. government gets its way.

No, the powers-that-be aren't looking to target the majestic creature in some kind of bizarre police crackdown on bird-instigated crime. Instead, it's hoping to make use of their supreme hunting skills in its fight to keep drone-delivered contraband out of the nation's prisons.

Discussing the issue during a debate in the British parliament this week, prisons minister Sam Gyimah described the threat posed by drones as "a game changer," adding that the government was looking for an effective solution for dealing with rogue unmanned flying machines around prisons and other sensitive locations.

Gyimah said his team was "keeping a close eye on what's happening in Holland, where they're using eagles to stop drones."

No, he's not making it up. Police in the Netherlands recently completed extensive trials using highly trained eagles to snatch remotely controlled multi-rotor copters out of the sky and return them to their handler. All without ruffling a feather.

Dutch police describe their "kit" as a "low-tech solution to a high-tech problem." But, as the video above shows, it clearly works, which could be bad news for British inmates waiting for their next drone delivery of smartphones, drugs, or whatever else their consignments usually hold.

Related: The police may one day equip drones with Tasers

Instances of people using drones to fly contraband into British prisons is a growing problem in the U.K., just as it is in other countries. In fact, it's become so serious that London's Metropolitan Police has set up a special unit called "Operation Airborne" to deal with the issue.

If the British government's eagle plan fails to take flight, Gyimah can also consider a myriad of other options, most of them rather more high-tech than a bird. The alternatives include this ingenious projectile-firing bazooka, a net-carrying interceptor drone as used by cops in Japan, and an anti-drone death ray machine.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of fatally stabbing his co-worker's 3-year-old daughter at their workplace in downtown Los Angeles.

The woman picked her daughter up from daycare and brought her to work at a garment factory on Monday.

When the woman stepped away from her work station, the Los Angeles Police Department says a co-worker began stabbing the girl without warning. The girl, known as "Baby Ruby," died at a hospital.

Thirty-four-year-old Ricardo Augusto Utuy was arrested and booked on a murder charge. It's unclear if he has an attorney.

The motive is unclear.

Police Capt. Jorge Rodriguez tells the Los Angeles Times that witnesses reported the man would laugh and talk to himself. Witnesses tell KNBC-TV that the man was newly hired.
A school bus was blocks away from its first stop Tuesday morning when it hit a cemetery wall, rear-ended a car and then ricocheted off a roadside pillar into an oncoming commuter bus. The pre-dawn accident killed six people and injured 10, authorities said.



There were virtually no skid marks at the crash scene, suggesting no braking by the 67-year-old school bus driver, who was killed, and leading to what Baltimore police spokesman T.J. Smith called a working theory that he had suffered some sort of medical emergency.



The 33-year-old female driver of the Maryland Transit Administration bus also died at the scene, along with four of her 12 passengers, Smith said.



"This was a grueling and gruesome process of removing bodies," he said.



The only other occupant of the school bus, an aide, suffered minor injuries, Smith said. The car driver also survived with minor injuries. All eight of the surviving commuter bus riders were hurt, two of them critically, he said.



All the victims were adults. Police have not yet released any of their names, pending notification of relatives.



Smith said an autopsy will help determine whether the school bus driver had any medical conditions that could have contributed to the crash.



He said investigators have recovered recording equipment from one of the buses that he believes contains video and possibly data evidence -- if it can be retrieved.



"We have to see the viability of it after this catastrophic accident," Smith said.



National Transportation Safety Board investigator Jennifer Morrison said her team has begun looking at the vehicles and crash scene. She said they will likely remain in Baltimore through the week, gathering facts to determine the cause of the crash and make safety recommendations.



Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis said riders on the No. 10 MTA bus were likely going to work on a route from Dundalk, a largely blue-collar community southeast of Baltimore, toward Catonsville, a western suburb.



"They're on their way to make a living, they're on their way to the job, and they're on their way to support their families," Davis said, "Our hearts and prayers go out to them, to their families, to their co-workers as well."



The school bus first hit the cemetery wall, then struck a silver Ford Mustang, crushing its rear and forcing its nose into the pavement. Then it hit a pillar at the cemetery entrance hundreds of feet down the street. Veering across the double-yellow center line, the yellow school bus slammed into the front driver side of the MTA bus, ending about 100 yards from the pillar.



The school bus raked the side of the commuter bus, finally stopping with its front end buried in the left rear quarter of the MTA vehicle on Frederick Avenue near Loudon Park Cemetery.



The Mustang driver, Shawn Braxton, said he was driving to work when the bus hit his car. Bystanders helped him get out, he said.

Braxton said he was bruised but also struggling emotionally.



"I'm just mentally trying to deal with, you know, surviving the accident while other people died," he told The Associated Press.



The school bus was contracted from Baltimore-based AA Affordable Transportation and served 18 elementary students, the city's public school system said in a statement.



Federal records show the company had no violations or other crashes reported in the two years ending this past September. In 2012, an AA Affordable school bus was involved in a crash that injured at least 13 people, including students, when it collided with a minivan, the Baltimore Sun reported.



The company's five-year contract with the school district ends in June 2018, according to online public records.



One of the company's drivers, Chernell Burrows, told reporters that the late driver was kind and dependable.



"I'm so sad," Burrows said.



Some of the survivors suffered injuries to their faces and spines, said Dr. Deborah Stein at the University of University of Maryland Medical Center's shock trauma unit in Baltimore, where five of the injured were taken. Two were taken to St. Agnes Hospital, according to a statement from St. Agnes Healthcare.



The Rev. Mike Murphy said the crash sounded like "one loud thump" from his room in the rectory of nearby St. Joseph's Monastery, a Catholic facility.



Murphy said the busy thoroughfare "gets kind of crazy at times."



Doreen Downs, who lives nearby, heard the crash and saw the wreckage.



"It's just horrible," she said.



Smith characterized it as an accident investigation, not a crime-scene investigation, despite the presence of homicide detectives. Smith said they were called because they are accustomed to conducting death investigations.
North Dakota leaders agreed Tuesday to borrow another $4 million to cover the escalating costs of policing protests at the Dakota Access pipeline and slammed the federal government for not chipping in part of the funding.

The state has now run up a $10 million line of credit for law enforcement costs after an emergency spending panel headed by Gov. Jack Dalrymple voted to borrow the additional funds from the state-owned Bank of North Dakota.

Dalrymple said officials have asked for contributions from the federal government, the pipeline company, an American Indian tribe, "and any entity we can think of." So far, North Dakota and the local governments it backs have shouldered most of the law enforcement expenses  even paying for officers from other states that have assisted North Dakota during the protests.

More than 400 people have been arrested since August at the North Dakota portion of the pipeline, which also crosses through South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois.

American Indians and others who oppose the construction of Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners' $3.8 billion pipeline have set up an encampment on U.S. Army Corp of Engineers land without a permit; federal officials have said they wouldn't evict them due to free speech reasons. 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.

House Majority Leader Al Carlson called the lack of federal support "very disturbing" but said the state "will always step up for safety."

"I can't tell you how disappointed I am at the lack of support from the Obama administration on an issue that's clearly a federal issue," Carlson said.

The U.S. Justice Department and the pipeline company did not immediately respond to email questions from The Associated Press about the state's request for additional money. A call to the Standing Rock Sioux tribe was not immediately returned.

Energy Transfer Partners has not given the state any money for the protest response. However, Emergency Services spokeswoman Cecily Fong said the pipeline developer has provided a security helicopter that has aided law enforcement and has agreed to use it for medivac services if any officers or protesters sustain serious injuries.

Dalrymple issued an emergency declaration in August to cover law enforcement expenses related to protests. The state's Emergency Commission borrowed $6 million from the state-owned Bank of North Dakota in September.

Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, the leader of the state's National Guard, said about $8 million has been spent to date on law enforcement and other costs related to the protests, centered in south-central North Dakota.

Morton County said it has spent an additional $3 million in extra costs. The county may apply for reimbursement from the state.

The state of North Dakota also is using the emergency appropriations to pay the costs of law officers from other states that have helped with the protest response through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a national system for sharing personnel during a state of emergency.

The requesting state is obligated to reimburse responding agencies for reasonable expenses except workers compensation claims, according to the National Emergency Management Association.

State and local officers from South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Nebraska, Wyoming and Ohio have come to the aid of North Dakota. North Dakota's Department of Emergency Services isn't releasing the number of officers, citing "operational security."

Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said recently that the out-of-state officers as well as those brought in from around North Dakota are needed so that officers get needed breaks "so we can maintain a presence in that area." The sharing of officers hasn't been well-received in some states, including Minnesota, however. Hundreds of people gathered in the Twin Cities last week to call for the withdrawal of Hennepin County sheriff's deputies.
Authorities in Iowa have captured the suspected gunman in the ambush-style attacks early Wednesday morning that claimed the lives of two police officers who were sitting in their patrol cars.

Officers arrested 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene without incident in Dallas County, west of Des Moines, police told Fox News. The Iowa State Patrol and Dallas County Sheriff's Dept. took part in the arrest.

Greene was spotted alone on foot on a roadway at the time of his arrest. Police said he surrendered to a state Department of Natural Resources officer without incident.

Greene is suspected in the shooting deaths of Urbandale officer Justin Martin, with the force since 2015, and Sgt. Anthony "Tony" Beminio, who joined the department in Des Moines in 2005.

Martin was single. Beminio was married with children.

EX-FBI MAN: ANTI-COP FERVOR PUTS BLUE LIVES IN DANGER

The shootings appeared to be the latest cases of police officers being targeted for assassination in a year that has seen 113 police officers killed in the line of duty, including 50 by gunfire, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Gov. Branstad, @IALtGov have been briefed by @IowaDPS on early morning attack on 2 police officers - https://t.co/NO0CZlEnhR #iagov  Terry Branstad (@TerryBranstad) November 2, 2016

Officers first responded to a report of shots fired at 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Dept. officer who had been shot. Authorities from several agencies raced to the area after that shooting, and about 20 minutes later discovered that a Des Moines officer had been shot in a patrol car at an intersection. The shootings happened less than 2 miles apart and both took place along main streets that cut through residential areas.

FLASHBACK: POLICE FACE HEIGHTENED THREAT OF AMBUSH

In all appearances it looks just like... these officers were ambushed, Parizek said. It doesn't look like there was any interaction between these cowards and the officers they shot in their cars.

Court records show Greene was jailed and charged with interference with official acts after resisting Urbandale police officers trying to pat him for a weapon on April 10, 2014. An Urbandale officer described him as hostile and combative. He entered a guilty plea and was fined.

Two days later Urbandale police were called to answer a complaint of harassment at the apartment complex where Greene lived. The complaint said he threatened to kill another man during a confrontation in the parking lot. He was charged with harassment.

He pleaded guilty and received a suspended jail sentence and a year of probation. Court records show he completed a substance abuse and psychological evaluation.

Urbandale Sgt. Chad Underwood said his officers are equipped with body cameras, but they are not always on.

Asked at a news conference about a video on social media that appeared to show a man identified as Greene being removed from a high school football game, Parizek said he was aware of the video but hadn't seen it and couldn't comment.

The shootings follow a spate of police killings, including ambushes of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Five officers were killed in Dallas on July 7 and three were killed later that month in Baton Rouge.

The Des Moines Register reported that streets at both shooting scenes were closed amid the investigation. Schools in the area were also closing for the day, officials said.

The Des Moines police officer is believed to be the first from the city to be shot and killed on duty since two officers were gunned down in separate incidents in 1977, according to the Register. Two Des Moines police officers were killed earlier this year when their car was struck head-on by a wrong-way drunken driver, according to the paper.

The Urbandale police officer is believed to be that department's first to be shot dead in the line of duty, Underwood said at the news conference.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An Arizona man has been charged with trying to hack into email accounts at over 75 universities nationwide.

Jonathan Powell, of Phoenix, was arrested Wednesday and held for arraignment in Phoenix federal court. New York prosecutors allege Powell successfully mined accounts for private information at a New York school from his work computer at a Phoenix business.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara says the prosecution should be a wakeup call for educational institutions across the country.

He says Powell targeted dozens of schools and successfully hacked into student email accounts at the New York school and one in Pennsylvania. He says Powell stole students' personal information and searched photos for potentially embarrassing content. Prosecutors didn't name the schools.

It wasn't immediately clear who will represent Powell in court.
Authorities say more than 180 animals were removed from a Pittsburgh home when sheriff's deputies showed up to serve an eviction notice.

The Animal Rescue League says it received the animals, including about 150 birds, on Tuesday. Other animals include ferrets, cats, dogs and a bearded dragon, as well as geckos and a turtle.

Police say the animals were neglected. They say the house was cluttered and contained dangerous levels of ammonia.

Police say Barbara Yogmas faces charges of animal cruelty and endangering the welfare of a child.

Yogmas tells KDKA-TV she and her mother helped nurse many of the animals back to health, but acknowledged the situation had gotten out of hand.

Online court records don't list an attorney for Yogmas.
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Ammon and Ryan Bundy are being transferred from an Oregon jail to Nevada, where they will be tried early next year on charges stemming from a 2014 standoff with federal agents near their father's ranch.

The Multnomah County Jail roster shows the brothers left the downtown Portland jail Wednesday morning. They are being flown to Las Vegas, where they face more than a dozen felony charges.

A jury last week acquitted the Bundys and five co-defendants of conspiring to impede Interior Department employees from doing their jobs at a national wildlife refuge in Oregon.

The brothers led an armed occupation of the refuge to call attention to the plight of two imprisoned ranchers and express their opposition to federal government control of Western lands.
Police have arrested a Colorado Springs sixth-grader accused of stabbing a fellow student with a pencil, leaving the boy seriously injured.

The Gazette reports that the family of the 11-year-old victim says the boy suffered a punctured lung that required surgery following the Oct. 7 stabbing at Carmel Middle School.

Authorities say the suspect, who is also 11, was arrested Monday on suspicion of second-degree assault.

A news release from the Harrison School District 2 says he has been suspended from the school.

Superintendent Andre Spencer says the boys had been walking through a hallway on their way to class when the incident occurred. He called it an "isolated situation" between the two students.
At least one of the pilots of two U.S. Marine helicopters that collided midair off Hawaii in January was not fully qualified to fly, an investigation revealed Wednesday.

PILOT SAFE AFTER MARINE CORPS PLANE CRASHES IN CALIFORNIA DESERT

The crash near Oahu killed all 12 Marines on board. A search for survivors lasted days to no avail. A witness described seeing a fireball before the aircraft disappeared.

Also, the Marines confirmed the Pentagon's internal watchdog would review whether aviation teams are fully prepared to fly, a development first revealed by Inside Defense. The Defense Department's Inspector General notified the Marines last month, the Marine Corps Times reported.

HEROIC KOREAN WAR HORSE HONORED BY MARINES WITH BRONZE STATUE

"Based on the trend analysis from June-July 2016, the Marine Corps' in-reporting and flyable aircraft have steadily increased since December 2014," Marine Capt. Sarah Burns told Fox News.

The key factors contributing to the January crash were "low aircraft readiness leading to inadequate pilot proficiency, human factors, and the squadron's lack of focus on basic aviation practices," Marine officials told Fox News.

The investigation found three of the four pilots had logged five hours or less of flight time in the 30 days before the crash. One pilot had not logged any hours of night flying time in the previous three months.

Marine officials also said all the pilots and crew "were qualified in accordance with regulations and standards and medically fit for duty."

The Marines were alerted when the CH-53E helicopters carrying six crew members each failed to return to their base at Kaneohe Bay following a nighttime training mission on Jan. 14. Hours later, a Coast Guard helicopter and C-130 airplane spotted debris 2 1/2 miles off of Oahu.

Marine officials said the pilots likely didn't realize how close they were because it was so dark outside.

The transport helicopters were part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Known as Super Stallions, they are the U.S. militarys largest helicopter, capable of carrying a light armored vehicle, 16 tons of cargo or a team of combat-equipped Marines, officials said.

Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Latest on the trial of a white former South Carolina police officer charged in the shooting death of an unarmed black motorist (all times local):

10:15 a.m.

The pool from which a jury will be selected to hear the case of a white former South Carolina policeman charged in the shooting death of a black motorist is predominantly white.

Figures released by the clerk of court in Charleston County show that of the pool of 75 qualified jurors, 55 are white, 16 are black and the rest are of other races. The pool resulted from two days of juror qualification, most of which was done behind closed doors.

Attorneys are using their strikes on Wednesday morning to select a jury of 12 people and six alternate jurors to hear the case of Michael Slager.

The 34-year-old Slager is charged with murder in the shooting death of 50-year-old Walter Scott as Scott ran from a traffic stop in North Charleston in April of 2015.

The shooting of Scott, who was unarmed, was seen around the world after a bystander recorded it on his cellphone.

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4:15 a.m.

A jury is being seated in the trial of a former South Carolina policeman charged with murder in the shooting death last year of an unarmed black motorist.

Attorneys will use their strikes Wednesday and seat the jury, which will decide the case of 34-year-old Michael Slager. Opening arguments could come later in the day.

Slager, a former North Charleston officer, faces 30 years to life if convicted in the April 2015 shooting death of 50-year-old Walter Scott. Scott was killed as he fled a traffic stop after being pulled over for a broken taillight.

The shooting was captured by a bystander on dramatic cellphone video.

The defense has asked the judge to keep the video out of the trial. It shows Scott being shot eight times in the back.
A man was arrested on suspicion of stabbing his co-worker's 3-year-old daughter to death in Los Angeles on Monday.

The woman picked her child up from daycare and brought her to a garment factory where she worked.

When the woman stepped away from her work station, the Los Angeles Police Department said a co-worker started stabbing the girl without warning. The girl, known as "Baby Ruby," died at a hospital.



The child was taken to the hospital, where she later died.

Ricardo Augusto Utuy, 34, was arrested on a murder charge. The motive is still unclear.

Police told the Los Angeles Times that witnesses reported that the man would talk and laugh to himself. Witnesses told KNBC that Utuy was newly hired.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click here for more from the Los Angeles Times.
A Phoenix charter school has denied claims by the family of a Somali boy that his teacher harassed him because he is a Muslim.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona submitted a complaint to the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education on Friday. It says a teacher at the Academy of Excellence choked the sixth-grade boy, called him a terrorist in class and verbally threatened him.

The ACLU complaint goes on to say that the charter school eventually forced the boy's mother to withdraw him and his younger sister after she raised concerns about the situation.

Academy of Excellence attorney Lonnie Williams said Tuesday that the ACLU's complaint is "devoid of evidence" and contains untrue and unsubstantiated allegations. A police report says officers found the allegations to be "unfounded."
No wonder more people are ditching cable for the internet.

A 25-year-old felon allegedly live-streamed himself stealing a cop car and leading police on a high-speed chase Monday night in Oklahoma, NewsOn6.com reports.

Police say John Pinney swiped the cruiser after an officer left her keys in it while getting coffee in Tulsa.

The ensuing chase lasted for more than half an hour and reached speeds of up to 120mph. According to Tulsa World, it also endangered kids trick-or-treating in residential neighborhoods.

During the chase, Pinney allegedly used the officer's iPad to record video on Facebook Live, talking about music, life in prison, and more.

The chase ended with Pinney's arrest in front of his parents' house.

Click for more from Newser.
A Florida man faces up to 12 years in federal prison for burying his mother in her backyard so that he could continue collecting her retirement payments.

Prosecutors say Brian Adams admitted that he failed to notify anyone that his mother had died of natural causes in July 2014.

U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley III says in a news release that the 56-year-old Adams of Green Cove Springs pleaded guilty on Monday to theft of government property and aggravated identity theft.

Adams told investigators that he used his mother's name on Social Security and pension payment checks and transferred $35,345 between her accounts, which he used himself.
Philadelphia commuters will be feeling the effects as the transit strike enters its second day on Wednesday.

The strike began Tuesday morning after the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the union representing nearly 4,700 workers failed to reach a contract agreement.

The walkout caused buses, trolleys and subways that provide about 900,000 rides per day to shut down.

Early Wednesday morning, SEPTA released a statement saying the two sides "continue to make steady progress in the effort to reach an agreement on a new contract." Talks are expected to resume later Wednesday morning.

Rail lines serving the suburbs were operating Tuesday morning, but were delayed because of an increase in passengers.

Government officials have urged the two sides to continue talks and reach an agreement.

SEPTA provides rides for nearly 60,000 public, private and charter school students, but the school district said students wouldn't be penalized for being late.

A big concern over the strike has been whether an agreement will be reached by Election Day, which could potentially cause an issue for voters on Nov. 8.

SEPTA said in a press release on their website that they, are hopeful that a tentative agreement will be reached before Election Day. If we foresee an agreement will not come to pass, SEPTA intends to seek to enjoin the strike for November 8th to ensure that the strike does not prevent any voters from getting to the polls and exercising their right to vote.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


The Pentagon says a U.S. airstrike in Syria this month killed what the Defense Department describes as a senior Al Qaeda leader who once had ties to Usama bin Laden.

A Pentagon spokesman, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, identified the target as Haydar Kirkan. The spokesman says Kirkan oversaw the planning of attacks against Western targets outside of Syria, including in Turkey.

Brett McGurk, the presidents special envoy in the fight against the Islamic State terror group, called Haydar a legacy Al Qaeda terrorist and external plotter, in a tweet.

Davis said a U.S. drone carried out the airstrike Oct. 17 in the vicinity of Idlib, in western Syria.

The announcement comes days after the Pentagon said it targeted top Al Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan on Oct. 23, Faruq al Qatani and Bilal al Utabi.

The U.S. military has not confirmed the deaths of Qatani and Utabi, though officials say they were likely killed in drone strikes which involved multiple Hellfire missiles launched at separate compounds housing the terrorist leaders.

Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Amnesty International says three young men in Cameroon have been jailed for 10 years for sharing a text message that joked about the Boko Haram extremist group.

A statement released Wednesday by the human rights group said Fomusoh Ivo Feh, Afuh Nivelle Nfor and Azah Levis Gob were sentenced by the Military Court of Yaounde for "non-denunciation of terrorist acts."

Amnesty says Ivo had forwarded to the other two men a text message that made a sarcastic reference to the extremist group, which is based in neighboring Nigeria. Boko Haram also has carried out attacks inside Cameroon.

The rights group calls for the three men's unconditional release, saying they were exercising their right to freedom of expression. It also raises concerns about trials of civilians in military courts.
An organization seeking to support persecuted Christians in North Korea who live under the world's most oppressive regime has said that believers there are surprisingly not praying for their own freedom, but rather for their Western brothers and sisters who are tempted by money and material wealth.

The Rev. Eric Foley, the head of Soul-based Voice of the Martyrs Korea, said that he has spoken with Christians in North Korea who've told him they are not praying for a regime change.

"They don't pray for freedom and money. They pray for more of Christ and to mirror more of Christ in their life," he told Hope 103.2.

International Christian Concern added that in some ways, life for Christians in North Korea, where the practice of religion is against the law, is as bad or worse than many people can imagine it, with believers hunted down, imprisoned and murdered.

Still, as Foley said, Christians in the North are actually praying for Westerners rather than for themselves.

One defector remarked: "You pray for us? We pray for you... You have so much, you put your faith in your money and your freedom. In North Korea we have neither money nor freedom, but we have Christ and we've found He's sufficient."

The detailed report goes into the many instances of intense persecution and suffering Christians face under Kim Jong Un's regime, with entire families of Christians being punished for their beliefs.

Click Here to Read the Full Story at ChristianPost.com
German police and prosecutors say they have arrested a man in Berlin on suspicion of membership in a terrorist organization.

Berlin police said on Twitter that the man was arrested late Wednesday at an apartment in the Schoeneberg district of the capital.

Police say the man claims to be 27 and from Syria, and that he has lived in Germany since 2015.

Police referred journalists to Germany's federal prosecutors for further information. Federal prosecutors, who handle most terrorism-related cases, did not name the man, but said he is suspected of belonging to the Islamic State group.

They said they have until the end of Thursday to bring him before a judge for a decision on whether they can continue holding him.
Moscow authorities have sealed off the Russia office of human rights group Amnesty International, the group's director in Russia said Wednesday.

Amnesty International Russia Director Sergei Nikitin said employees found the office door broken and fitted with new locks when they arrived at work on Wednesday morning.

Photographs showed the office door sealed up with an official notice from Moscow city authorities. Amnesty International said in a statement that the alarm system and electricity supply to the office appeared to have been switched off.

The Moscow government's property department told television channel Dozhd that Amnesty International's rental contract had expired and that any staff members who re-entered the premises would be breaking the law.

Amnesty International has rented the office from the Moscow city government for over 20 years and was always punctual paying rent and utility bills, Nikitin said.

"Given the current climate for civil society work in Russia, there are clearly any number of plausible explanations, but it's too early to draw any conclusions," Amnesty International's Europe and Central Asia Director John Dalhuisen said in a statement.

Human rights organizations in Russia have complained of being subject to official pressure in recent years, including intimidation of their staffs and legislation regulating the operation of non-governmental organizations.

In a public statement issued Tuesday, Amnesty International in Russia protested the treatment of imprisoned opposition activist Ildar Dadin, who has accused prison guards of torturing him. Amnesty International also has been highly critical of the Kremlin over Russia's yearlong bombing campaign in Syria.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, the countrys elite military force, is sending assets to infiltrate the United States and Europe at the direction of Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to recent Farsi-language comments from an Iranian military leader.

The IRGC will be in the U.S. and Europe very soon, according to the Iranian military commander, who said that these forces would operate with the goal of bolstering Irans hardline regime and thwarting potential plots against the Islamic Republic.

The whole world should know that the IRGC will be in the U.S. and Europe very soon, Salar Abnoush, deputy coordinator of Irans Khatam-al-Anbia Garrison, an IRGC command front, was quoted as saying in an Iranian state-controlled publication closely tied to the IRGC.

The military leaders comments come as Iran is spending great amounts of money to upgrade its military hardware and bolster its presence throughout the Middle East and beyond. Iran intends to spend billions to purchase U.S.-made planes that are likely to be converted for use in its air force.

Congressional leaders and others suspect that Iran has used a large portion of the cash windfall it received as a result of last summers nuclear agreement to upgrade its fighting capabilities war machine.

The IRGC is [the] strong guardian of the Islamic Republic, Abnoush was quoted as saying. The Fedayeen of Velayat [fighting force] are under the order of Irans Supreme leader. Defending and protecting the Velayat [the Supreme Leader] has no border and limit.

Click for more from the Washington Free Beacon.
Men caught in the grip of the Islamic State terror network cannot shave their beards, and must obey the decisions of a senior cleric over how to share their sex slaves.

Those guidelines were among a long list of rules found in documents uncovered in northern Iraqi towns freed from ISIS as U.S.-backed troops stormed the terror group's hub of Mosul. Reuters published details from the documents on Tuesday.

ISIS CHILD SOLDIERS ARE LATEST CASUALTIES OF BRUTAL TERRORIST ARMY

One pamphlet read, "Wearing beards is compulsory, shaving is prohibited." It defined a beard as "hair that grows on your face and your cheeks."

Another pamphlet, which included a question-and-answer section on women and girls held as ISIS captives, stated, "Non-Muslim women can be taken as concubines."

ISIS TARGETS CHILDREN OF MOSUL WITH TEDDY BEAR BOMBS

It reportedly added that terrorists could keep two sisters as concubines, but could have sex with only one of them. In addition, each woman could sleep with only one man.

Many of the documents included glossy photos with ISIS logos. Reuters reported that it could not independently verify that they originated from ISIS, but Iraqi troops said they were legitimate.

The papers also seemed to confirm the terror network banned most outside media. One poster told people in ISIS territory to destroy their satellite dishes in part "satellite channels show stories of love and naked women and inappropriate language."

Iraqi special forces paused their advance in an eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining ISIS fighters, as forces further to the south of the city took four small villages, military officials said.

In Mosul's easternmost Gogjali district, special forces could be seen going house to house while other troops searched the road for explosives and booby traps left behind by the jihadis driven out a day earlier.

Gen. Abdul-Ghani al-Asadi, the top counterterrorism forces commander, told reporters a curfew had been imposed in the neighborhood while gains there were being consolidated.

"We fear that Daesh militants could attack our forces or the town with mortars," he said, using the Arabic acronym for ISIS. "So for the safety of the families we ask them to stay inside their houses." He spoke in the town of Bartella, some 9 miles behind the front lines.

Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil said that no advances were planned while high humidity and clouds obscured the view of aircraft and drones -- a key component to the operations provided by the U.S.-led air campaign.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for more from Reuters.
Kenyan civil rights activists are demanding the resignation of a top health official over allegations that around $50 million has been diverted.

Such scandals are putting public pressure on President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is seeking re-election next year with the pledge to eradicate corruption.

About 100 activists marched on Wednesday to the health ministry headquarters in the capital, Nairobi, and demanded the resignation of the ministry's principal secretary, Dr. Nicholas Muraguri.

The government says no funds have been lost and that details reported last week by the Business Daily Newspaper are based on an incomplete audit report.
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The Latest on the influx of migrants and asylum-seekers into Europe (all times local):

2:40 p.m.

A European Union task force that's training the Libyan coast guard to intercept migrant traffickers acknowledges there will be safety risks.

The head of Operation Sophia said Wednesday the training program expects to see Libyan forces take control "in the spring of next year" of rescue operations in their territorial waters, where about 3,000 migrants die annually.

Rear Adm. Enrico Credendino added, however, that with the country in turmoil, it's difficult to ensure rescues will be carried out safely and according to international law, and that migrants brought back to Libya can be cared for properly.

The program has come under scrutiny amid reports that Libyan naval vessels opened fire on migrant and charity boats. Also, questions remain on how Libya can manage migrants returned to its shores.

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2:20 p.m.

Belgium's immigration minister, Theo Francken, is refusing to grant humanitarian visas to a family in the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo despite being fined 4,000 euros ($4,438) a day for defying an appeal tribunal.

A lawyer for the family, Olivier Stein, told The Associated Press Wednesday that the tribunal ruled three times that visas should be granted to the two adults with children aged 8 and 5.

Francken has been visited by a bailiff directed by the tribunal, demanding 1,000 euros per person for each day that visas are not delivered. The tally so far is more than 30,000 euros.

On Tuesday, Francken told state broadcaster RTBF: "We're going to use all possible legal means to fight this affair. This is going too far."

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9:20 a.m.

French authorities have begun busing underage migrants out of Calais to processing centers around France, amid tensions around the closure of Calais' vast migrant camp.

Three buses carried unaccompanied a group of boys, mainly teenagers, out of the camp Wednesday morning.

French authorities transferred more than 5,000 adult migrants out of Calais last week, but the fate of its 1,500 unaccompanied children remained unclear. Migrants from the Mideast and Africa converged on the jungle camp in hopes of crossing the English Channel to Britain.

President Francois Hollande said this week that the children would be transferred within days to "dedicated centers" where British officials can study whether they have the right to U.K. asylum. Hollande said the others would be put under the care of French child welfare services.
A Pakistani prosecutor says a court has dismissed a bail plea from National Geographic's famed green-eyed 'Afghan Girl,' arrested a week ago over allegedly forged ID papers.

Sharbat Gulla has denied the charges, insisting she didn't fraudulently obtain Pakistani nationality.

Prosecutor Mohsin Dawar says the court dismissed the plea Wednesday, citing lack of evidence to prove Pakistani citizenship.

Gulla gained worldwide fame in 1984 as an Afghan refugee 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 Afghanistan in 2002.

She surfaced in Pakistan in 2014, but went into hiding when authorities accused her of buying a fake Pakistani identity card.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has promised to release Gulla on bail.
Norway's prime minister is voicing a Nordic-Baltic regional fear about increased assertiveness by Russian forces.

Prime Minister Erna Solberg said Wednesday at an annual meeting of the five Nordic and three Baltic states, "We cannot have a world where big countries decide what to do with their neighbors." voicing a Nordic-Baltic regional fear about increased assertiveness by Russian forces.

But Solberg also noted that Norway, which shares a border with Russia in the Arctic, has a different relationship with Moscow than the Baltic countries that fear their large eastern neighbor.

Solberg says there is "a cooperation" between Norway and Russia in connection with their joint, nearly 200-kilometer- (124 mile-) long border.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday he'll consider continuing to acquire weapons and defense equipment from treaty ally the United States if his military recommends so, despite offers from China and Russia.

Duterte made the remark in a speech in which he again railed at the U.S. with expletives for criticizing his deadly anti-drug crackdown, calling American officials "monkeys" and breaking a promise that he would no longer resort to trash talk.

PHILIPPINES MILITARY REPORTS IT HAS KILLED 70 MILITANTS

Duterte, who took office in June, has been antagonistic to U.S., EU and U.N. officials who have raised human rights concerns over his brutal crackdown on illegal drug sellers and users and called for an end to extrajudicial killings.

He has used expletives in responding to their criticisms, telling President Barack Obama to "go to hell" in an outburst last month. He has declared his intention to scale back his country's military engagements with Washington, including ending largescale joint combat exercises and the presence of visiting U.S. forces, while reaching out to expand once-frosty relations with China and Russia.

FILIPINO MAYOR AMONG 10 DEAD IN CLASH WITH ANTI-DRUG POLICE

U.S. officials, however, say they have not been formally notified by the Philippines of any change in security relations and activities and stress that Washington wants to continue its decades-long alliance with Manila.

Duterte said he has asked his defense secretary and military officials to travel to China and Russia to check what weapons and defense equipment they have to offer, but added that the military's recommendation will be crucial.

"China is open. Anything you want. They even sent me a brochure, telling me to choose and they will provide," Duterte said.

"I'm just holding off because I'm looking at the military," he said. "If you want to stick with America, fine, but assess it well and find a balance because we are being ridiculed."

The brash president traveled to a wharf in Sual town in the northwestern province of Pangasinan to lead a poignant send-off ceremony for 17 Vietnamese fishermen who were arrested last month for poaching in local waters. The complaints were dropped after the Vietnamese said a typhoon forced their three boats toward the northern Philippines and that they had no intention of poaching.

Duterte said his Vietnamese counterpart appealed for the fishermen's release and Wednesday's ceremony -- in which he shook hands with the fishermen and handed each a bag filled with food, a raincoat and toiletries -- showed how Asians resolve problems.

"Vietnam drove the Americans away in humiliation," Duterte said, using the ceremony to criticize U.S. actions that he said brought countries like Iraq, Syria and Libya to chaos and civil strife.

"I have good impressions of America but the problem is I have lost my respect, that's why I'm bad-mouthing them," he said. "These Americans never learned their lesson with their interventions."
The Russian president on Wednesday offered a new unilateral humanitarian pause for Syria's war-ravaged Aleppo, urging rebels to use it to leave the city's eastern, besieged districts. The Syrian rebels quickly dismissed Vladimir Putin's initiative.

PUTIN REJECTS CLAIMS OF RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN AMERICAN ELECTION

Putin has ordered that the aid corridors -- which Russia had opened earlier -- also be open on Friday, for longer hours, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., along with two new exit routes for the rebels to leave eastern Aleppo "in order to prevent a senseless loss of life," the defense ministry said.

One exit leads to the Turkish border, the other to the city of Idlib, according to the ministry.

Chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov said he was "calling on all leaders of armed groups directly to cease hostilities and leave Aleppo with their weapons."

Gerasimov also said the rebel offensive on the Syrian government-held districts in western Aleppo, which was launched last week, has failed to break through the siege.

RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS SYRIA PROCESS 'SABOTAGED'

"They have no chance to break out of the city," he added.

Rebel groups in Aleppo dismissed Russia's latest offer, with one of the groups describing it as a media stunt for "public consumption."

Yasser al-Youssef, a spokesman for the Nour el-Din el-Zinki rebel group, said Russia "is not serious" and its latest initiatives "don't concern us." He added that the Russian leader's comments do not reflect the reality on the ground.

"We need an international commission to check the Russian lies," al-Youssef said.

Molhem Ekaidi, deputy commander of Fastaqim group, one of the major rebel factions fighting inside Aleppo, also accused the Russians of lying. "The (Russian) shelling and crimes continue and their planes have not left the skies of Aleppo," he said.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said other countries involved in Syrian peace negotiations have "sabotaged" the process by backing militant groups intent on toppling Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Lavrov spoke Wednesday at the start of a visit to Greece, a NATO and European Union member that has maintained close ties with Russia. He did not name any countries. Peace talks on Syria have involved U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran.
Violence erupted between gangs of club-wielding migrants on the streets of central Paris last night.

Groups fought running battles using wooden sticks as weapons around the Stalingrad Metro station in the northern district of the capital.

AID WORKERS ACCUSED OF SEX WITH UNDERAGE REFUGEES IN EUROPE

Up to 2,000 migrants are believed to be camping in the area after being told the leave Calais's notorious Jungle camp last week.

And tensions between rivals factions boiled over into violence as riot police were called to the disturbance involving dozens of men.

Tents could be seen pitched on the pavement as men swung wooden sticks at eachother.

MIGRANTS FLOOD PARIS AFTER DESTRUCTION OF MASSIVE 'JUNGLE' CAMP

Paris regularly clears out makeshift camps that spring up in the city.

But the latest at Stalingrad - named after the Second World War's bloodiest battle - has been bolstered by those booted out of the Channel port of Calais.

Many of those camped in the area are believed to be fleeing conflict in Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan and the Sudan.

Police have raided the site more than 30 times to little avail.

It is located just a stone's throw from Paris's Gare du Nord Eurostar terminal.

French President Francois Hollande yesterday confirmed he would not allow migrants to re-start the Calais Jungle.

Most of those living in the often squalid conditions of the camp were trying to reach the UK.

But a defiant Hollande said: "It's been cleared, it will be made secure and no-one will be able to go back there."

Last week a French mayor admitted it was all but impossible to stop another Calais camp springing up.

Boris Ravignon, the Mayor of Charleville-Mezieres, warned: "They are not held prisoners in Charleville.

So if some of them want to go back to Calais, I dont see who will stop them from doing so.

I dont think the operation will be a success at all.

They have managed to erase the problem in Calais but we are running the risk of having small problems all across the country.

He added: I think France and the UK have to sit at the same table and discuss how to deal with this problem.

If I were British I would be in a way ashamed at there being so many people across the Channel living in bad conditions.

This story first appeared in The Sun.
Swiss officials say police are conducting a raid in a mosque in the northern city of Winterthur.

Officials say that the police operation at An Nur mosque was continuing Wednesday morning, and that a regional prosecutor based in nearby Zurich would make a statement shortly.

Swiss daily Tages Anzeiger reported that investigators were focusing on the mosque's new preacher, who is from Somalia.

The newspaper wrote that in the past, a number of young men who were regulars at the mosque later left to join the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.

In the wake of extremist attacks in Europe in recent years, Swiss authorities have been stepping up controls and surveillance of suspected militants who could cause violence.
The Newseum on Wednesday unveiled a special 24-foot-long banner displaying a large photo of Austin Tice, the American journalist whose whereabouts were still unknown more than four years after his kidnapping in Syria.

The D.C. museum, dedicated to journalism, announced the banner would remain on display outside until Tice returned home. Part of the sign reads that he was "held captive for being a journalist."

Tice, a Marine and Georgetown Law student from Houston, disappeared in August 2012 while covering Syria's civil war. A video released a month later showed the journalist blindfolded and held by armed men. He has not been heard from since.

Speaking in Lebanon last year, his mother, Debra Tice, told reporters, "I long to hold my son in my arms. I want my family to be whole again."

She said she did not believe members of the Syrian opposition were holding her son. Relatives have also cast doubts that he was a captive of the Syrian government or the Islamic State terror group.

The Newseum is located about eight blocks from the White House.

"We think it's important in the waning days of the Obama administration that Austin remain a priority for them," his father, Marc Tice, told the Houston Chronicle. "Having a banner on Pennsylvania Avenue is a great way to have that message very visible."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Anago Cleaning Systems Celebrates Opening Of Las Vegas, Nevada Master Franchise Territory

Commercial Cleaning Industry Leader Opens First Nevada Franchise-

November 02, 2016 // Franchising.com // Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  A testament to the continued resilience of the $100 billion commercial cleaning segment, Anago Cleaning Systems (Anago), a leading commercial cleaning franchise with more than 1,400 Unit Franchisees throughout the U.S. and internationally, is pleased to welcome new Master Franchise Owner Deron Hunsberger, who will open Anago of Las Vegas. The new business is located at 2881 South Valley View Boulevard #7, and will service businesses throughout Clark County.

Were thrilled to introduce Anagos unmatched cleaning services to commercial property and facility managers in the Las Vegas area, said Adam Povlitz, President of Anago Cleaning Systems. We are confident that Deron will spearhead growth of the brand in the area and introduce Anagos fundamental philosophies as stated in the vision, mission, and values of our organization.

A 20-year resident of Las Vegas, Hunsberger is looking forward to building a business in his local community. After spending the majority of those years working as a sales and marketing executive in the gaming industry, he has decided to pursue his entrepreneurial passion. After speaking with a franchise consultant regarding different opportunities in Las Vegas, Hunsberger ultimately decided that opening a commercial cleaning franchising business was the most capable route to provide him with the income he had grown accustomed to while meeting his skill set.

Anago has a strong history of creating value for its Franchisees and is committed to helping them achieve long term success. I have been committed to developing people both professional and personal throughout my career, said Hunsberger. The opportunity to work with Anago provides another avenue to help others by giving them an opportunity to develop their own successful business.

The new opening highlights the growth of the commercial cleaning segment, which is a top business sector in high demand. Master Franchise Owners, many of whom have sales and marketing experience or come from executive leadership positions, have the potential to create many small businesses within their community through the Unit Franchise concept. The Unit focuses his business on cleaning office buildings, retail stores, and just about any other commercial property. The Master Franchisees handle the administrative tasks, including everything from finding clients and coordinating cleaning contracts to billing and collections.

About Anago

Today, the company has grown to 37 Master Franchise locations, with over 1,400 Unit Franchisees worldwide. As further verification of its success over the past year, Anago was ranked 39th on Entrepreneur Magazines 2016 Franchise 500 list, up over 40 spots from their previous ranking. Additionally, the company was named #1 in the Janitorial Franchises category and #4 overall franchise by FranchiseRankings.com.

To explore franchise opportunities with Anago, contact Judy Walker, Vice President of Marketing for Anago, at 800-213-5857 or judy@anagocleaning.com or visit www.AnagoMasters.com.

SOURCE Anago

Media Contact:

Erin Baker

Director Of Public Relations

Nymbus Public Relations

(954) 732-6053

Erin@nymbuspr.com

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Caring Senior Service Expands With Another Location In Texas

Leading Provider of Senior Homecare to Open Newest Location in Cleburne

November 02, 2016 // Franchising.com // CLEBURNE, TX  Caring Senior Service, a nationally recognized non-medical, in-home care company is continuing its nationwide expansion with the opening of another Texas location in the city of Cleburne. The new location will serve Johnson County, Summerville County and Hill County, providing Caring Senior Services proprietary GreatCare to the communitys elderly.

Kreshna Sheplear has no shortage of experience when it comes to caring for others. Kreshna attended nursing school and has been in the medical home health care business for 12 years. Kreshna always had a desire to start a business of her own and after seeing the need for better care, she took steps to make that dream a reality and began researching home care businesses. After seeing the impact Caring Senior Service made in the lives of families in the Dallas and Fort Worth Caring locations, she knew this was where she wanted to make a difference and decided to become a part of the Caring Senior Service team.

Caring Senior Service genuinely cares about people said Kreshna Sheplear, owner of Caring Senior Service Cleburne. After working in the healthcare system for so long, and seeing the need for continuity of care, I knew that this is what I wanted to do. Caregivers get to see the big picture on a first-hand basis and I am honored to be a part of a team who takes pride in providing the best care possible and making a real difference in peoples lives.

Kreshna brings so much expertise and experience to the Caring Senior Service family, says Jeff Salter, founder and CEO of Caring Senior Service. Kreshna has a wealth of knowledge, passion and experience and we are beyond thrilled to have her as a part of the team and continue to bring Caring Senior Services superior service to the Cleburne area and expand our reach in Texas.

For more information about Caring Senior Service, please visit www.caringseniorservice.com. For more information about the Cleburne location, please call (682) 317-9021 or visit them at 1200 West Henderson, Suite G, Cleburne, TX 76033.

About Caring Senior Service

Founded in 1991, Caring Senior Service believes every senior should be able to remain Healthy, Happy and Home. The companys GreatCare method addresses the three leading areas of concern when choosing homecare  quality caregivers, care solutions and active involvement. Operating over 50 offices in 18 states, Caring Senior Service is dedicated to making positive changes in the lives of seniors and families by providing trusted service and support as loved ones age.

SOURCE Caring Senior Service

Contact:

Emily Andersen

Konnect Agency

eandersen@konnectagency.com

512 215.0665

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Grease Monkey Expands To South America, Starting With Colombia

November 02, 2016 // Franchising.com // Denver, Colo.  Grease Monkey International, Inc. is excited to announce the opening of the first Grease Monkey center in Colombia, South America. The center officially opens on November 1, 2016 and is located in the city of Medelli?n, the second largest city in Colombia.

From center appearance to services offered, the Grease Monkey center in Medelli?n is a unique business in Colombia. The centers appearance is truly spectacular because of the detailed work that went into building it. One example of the extraordinary work that went into the design of the building is the hand-painted epoxy floor in the bay. When customers walked into the center, they could not believe it was an oil change facility - it looked so nice, some of them thought it was a restaurant.

The development of this center is a huge accomplishment for Grease Monkey International, Inc. and especially for the Owner, Juan Luis, and his team in Colombia.

The amount of time and effort Juan Luis put into the center to mirror the Grease Monkey model is astonishing. There were many hurdles to overcome with sourcing items in Colombia, but Juan Luis was very diligent, said Rick Juarez, Director of Purchasing and Corporate Regional Director of Grease Monkey International, Inc.

Grease Monkey Colombia has a bright future to look forward to. The center itself is equipped with a training facility, which will allow for employees to constantly update their knowledge and skills. The employees are eager to be a part of such a customer driven company.

About Grease Monkey International, Inc.

Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Grease Monkey International, Inc. is one of the largest automotive maintenance franchisors  not owned by a major oil company  with more than 300 centers currently located in the United States, Mexico, South America and looking forward to the addition of centers in Saudi Arabia in early 2017. Grease Monkey centers focus on providing a less hassle, more hustle customer experience to fit the busy lives of the driving public by meeting its vehicle maintenance needs. Grease Monkey centers provide oil changes and other services that meet or exceed vehicle owners manual specifications and maintain warranty requirements. Other services include fluid, filter and tire maintenance, as well as brake services.

For more information, go to www.greasemonkeyintl.com.

SOURCE Grease Monkey International, Inc.

Contact:

Erena Connon

303-454-3410

publicrelations@greasemonkeyintl.com

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Global Ecotourism Market Driven by Growing Awareness regarding Environmental Sustainability

Ecotourism Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2023

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Transparency Market Research, in a report titled, "Ecotourism Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2023," states that ecotourism is a niche market but is anticipated to gain momentum during the course of the forecast period. This comprehensive research report offers a complete assessment of the various trends in the market, the major growth drivers and restraints, and the different macro and micro factors impacting the expansion of the ecotourism market.

Ecotourism, according to the World Conservation Union, is an "environmentally responsible travel to natural areas" with a low visitor impact. It promotes the conservation of the environment and also enables the "active socio-economic involvement of local peoples." Ecotourism is distinguished from mass tourism by its emphasis on education, conservation, active community participation, and traveler responsibility.

Ecotourism falls under the category of experimental tourism and the market for the same is projected to grow rapidly in the coming years, unlike the mass tourism market, which is expected to remain mature and flat. The number of ecotourists and travelers with a focus on sustainability has greatly risen in recent years. Apart from the rise in disposable income, the increasing level of awareness about environment conservation and sustainability has also significantly impacted the global ecotourism market. The urgent need to protect the environment and support local communities is being addressed by several hotels and resorts, a trend that is also boosting the ecotourism market.

Read More : http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=4777

The global market for ecotourism is geographically divided into Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. While North America is a rather saturated market owing to the increased levels of mass tourism, Latin America is a lucrative and attractive destination for ecotourism. Unexplored and thinly-populated places such as Peru, Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Patagonia in Argentina are ideal attractions for travelers who are looking for exotic and natural surroundings. Europe is also projected to witness strong growth owing to the growing awareness regarding unexplored destinations such as Macedonia, Portugal, and Albania. Asia Pacific is also estimated to perform well in the coming years.

Some of the key companies operating in this space are National Geographic Expedition, Baobab Travel, Natural Discovery, Responsible Travel, Small World Journeys, and Good Travel Company. The research report, in a section dedicated to the vendor landscape, carefully studies the performance and contribution of these key players and profiles them based on aspects such as company and financial overview, growth strategies, and recent developments. With the help of a SWOT analysis, the report also sheds light on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the companies in the global ecotourism market.

For more information, please visit http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ecotourism-market.html

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Report On Auto Leasing Market Revenue Forecasts To 2021

eMarketOrg.com adds Global Auto Leasing Market Research Report 2016 offering revenue, market share and market growth numbers for auto leasing companies and stakeholders supported with 132 data tables and figures.

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This report studies worldwide auto leasing market covering regional information for North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India. For each of these regions, the research offers production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of auto leasing in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecasts).

The study then focuses on top companies in auto leasing market offering production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer. Companies discussed in this research on auto leasing include ALD Automotive, Arval, ExpatRide, LeasePlan, Sixt, Autoflex, CARLEASE, Cars Express, Executive Car Leasing, FairLease, First Class Auto Lease, Global Auto Leasing, High End Auto Leasing, Infinite Leasing, Pacific Auto Leasing, Platinum Auto Group and Plaza Auto Leasing. Complete report spread across 115 pages is now available at http://emarketorg.com/pro/global-auto-leasing-market-research-report-2016/ .

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With an objective to offer a 360-degree view of the auto leasing industry, this research talks about industrial chain, upstream raw materials sourcing as well as downstream buyers in the market. Marketing channels (direct, indirect), their development trends, market positioning (pricing and brand strategy, target clients) as well as distributors / traders list is provided to explore available options. Analysis of market effects is also factored in this auto leasing market research covering information on substitute threats, technology progress in related industry, economical/political environmental changes along with changes in consumer needs and preferences over time. The 2016-2021 forecasts are provided for production, revenue, consumption by regions and applications as well as product forecasts by type along with auto leasing price forecasts across the globe. Inquire for discounts on listed prices of this auto leasing market report at http://emarketorg.com/product-enquiry/?product-id=77299 .

Major chapters from Table of Contents for Global Auto Leasing Market 2016 - 2021 Research Report cover:

1 Auto leasing Market Overview

2 Global Auto leasing Market Competition by Manufacturers

3 Global Auto leasing Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2011-2016)

4 Global Auto leasing Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)

5 Global Auto leasing Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type

6 Global Auto leasing Market Analysis by Application

7 Global Auto leasing Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis

8 Auto leasing Manufacturing Cost Analysis

9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers

10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders

11 Market Effect Factors Analysis

12 Global Auto leasing Market Forecast (2016-2021)

13 Research Findings and Conclusion

14 Appendix

List of Tables and Figures (121)

Another related study titled Global Auto Leasing Industry 2016 Market Research Report is spread across 154 pages and is supported by 174 data tables and figures. It starts with a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. Secondly, development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This auto leasing market report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added. Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information.

Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered. Companies like Autoflex Leasing, D&M Auto Leasing, LeaseByNet, LeaseByTel, Allstate Leasing, Shaker Auto Lease, New Car Leasing, China Car Experts and ShenZhou ZuChe are profiled in this 2016 auto leasing market research available at http://emarketorg.com/pro/global-auto-leasing-industry-2016-market-research-report/ .

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Global Drilling and Completion Fluids Market Segmented by Type, End Users and Region- Market Overview, Analysis & Forecast to 2027

Global Drilling and Completion Fluids Market Information Report by Type (Water-Based, Oil-Based, Synthetic-Based, Foams, and others), by Well type, by Application and by Region - Forecast to 2027

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Market Synopsis of Drilling and Completion Fluids

Market Scenario

Being an essential for the drilling and exploration activities the Drilling and Completion Fluids market is heavily dependent on the Oil and Gas industry. Drilling fluids are used to provide lubrication, avoid friction during drilling activities. Considering the oil and gas industry is recovering from the recent price crisis, the growth in the oil and gas industry is imminent which would result in a complimentary increase in the demand in the Drilling and Completion Fluids market.

"Ask for your specific company profile and country level customization on reports."

Request a Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample-request/global-drilling-and-completion-fluids-market-research-report-forecast-to-2027

Key Players

Some of the key players in the Drilling and Completion Fluids market are

o Baker Hughes Inc. (U.S.),

o Weatherford International (U.S.),

o Halliburton Company (U.S.),

o M-I Swaco (U.S.),

o AkzoNobel N.V. (Netherlands),

o National Oilwell Varco (U.S.),

o Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (U.S.),

o BASF SE (Germany), DuPont (U.S.),

o The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.)

o Scomi Group (Malaysia).

Segments

The Drilling and Completion Fluids market has been segmented in the

On basis of Well type as Land and offshore.

On the basis of type, the market has been segmented as water-based systems, oil-based systems, synthetic-based systems, foams, and other fluids.

Study Objectives of Drilling and Completion Fluids

o To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the global Drilling and Completion Fluids market

o To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth

o To Analyze the Drilling and Completion Fluids market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, Porters five force analysis.

o To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to six main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East, and Africa

o To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective

o To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by type, by well type, by application, and by region as well as its sub segments

o To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market

"Analysis also includes consumption. Import and export data for Regions North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India."

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Regional Analysis of Drilling and Completion Fluids Market

North America is the leading region for this market mainly due to the increased exploration activities in USA and Canada. Huge shale gas reserves in the North America region are also resulting in increased offshore activities in this region resulting in boosting the Drilling and Completion Fluids market. The market has also been categorized on the basis of application into drilling, completion, and workover operations.

The reports also covers brief analysis of Geographical Region includes:

o North America

o U.S.

o Canada

o Mexico

Europe

o Germany

o France

o Italy

o Spain

o U.K.

o Rest of Europe

Asia- Pacific

o China

o India

o Japan

o Australia

o Rest of Asia-Pacific

RoW:

o Latin America

o Middle East

o Africa

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From an insight perspective, this research report has focused on various levels of analyses--industry analysis (industry trends), market share analysis of top players, supply chain analysis, and company profiles, which together comprise and discuss the basic views on the competitive landscape, emerging and high-growth segments of the Global Drilling and Completion Fluids Market. High-growth regions, and market drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Key questions answered in this report

o What will the market size be in 2027 and what will the growth rate be?

o What are the key market trends?

o What is driving this market?

o What are the challenges to market growth?

o Who are the key vendors in this market space?

o What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?

o What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?

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About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of arious 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.

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Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Consumption 2016 Market Research Report

RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture -Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities and analysis of Top Key Player Forecast to 2021

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RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Industry

Description

Wiseguyreports.Com Adds "RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture -Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities and analysis of Top Key Player Forecast to 2021" To Its Research Database

The Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Consumption 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture market.

First, the report provides a basic overview of the RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. And development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures.

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Secondly, the report states the global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture market size (volume and value), and the segment markets by regions, types, applications and companies are also discussed.

Third, the RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture market analysis is provided for major regions including USA, Europe, China and Japan, and other regions can be added. For each region, market size and end users are analyzed as well as segment markets by types, applications and companies.

Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information. What's more, the RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.

Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.

In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.

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Table of Contents

1 Industry Overview of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture

1.1 Definition and Specifications of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture

1.1.1 Definition of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture

1.1.2 Specifications of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture

1.2 Classification of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture

1.3 Applications of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture

1.4 Industry Chain Structure of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture

1.5 Industry Overview and Major Regions Status of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture

1.5.1 Industry Overview of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture

1.5.2 Global Major Regions Status of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture

1.6 Industry Policy Analysis of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture

1.7 Industry News Analysis of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture

....

8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture

8.1 Target

8.1.1 Company Profile

8.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications

8.1.2.1 Type I

8.1.2.2 Type II

8.1.2.3 Type III

8.1.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue

8.1.4 Contact Information

8.2 Bush Industries

8.2.1 Company Profile

8.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications

8.2.2.1 Type I

8.2.2.2 Type II

8.2.2.3 Type III

8.2.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue

8.2.4 Contact Information

8.3 Dorel Industries

8.3.1 Company Profile

8.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications

8.3.2.1 Type I

8.3.2.2 Type II

8.3.2.3 Type III

8.3.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue

8.3.4 Contact Information

8.4 Sauder Woodworking

8.4.1 Company Profile

8.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications

8.4.2.1 Type I

8.4.2.2 Type II

8.4.2.3 Type III

8.4.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue

8.4.4 Contact Information

8.5 IKEA

8.5.1 Company Profile

8.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications

8.5.2.1 Type I

8.5.2.2 Type II

8.5.2.3 Type III

8.5.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue

8.5.4 Contact Information

8.6 Wal-Mart

8.6.1 Company Profile

8.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications

8.6.2.1 Type I

8.6.2.2 Type II

8.6.2.3 Type III

8.6.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue

8.6.4 Contact Information

8.7 Artiva

8.7.1 Company Profile

8.7.2 Product Picture and Specifications

8.7.2.1 Type I

8.7.2.2 Type II

8.7.2.3 Type III

8.7.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue

8.7.4 Contact Information

8.8 Euro Style

8.8.1 Company Profile

8.8.2 Product Picture and Specifications

8.8.2.1 Type I

8.8.2.2 Type II

8.8.2.3 Type III

8.8.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue

8.8.4 Contact Information

8.9 Home Reserve

8.9.1 Company Profile

8.9.2 Product Picture and Specifications

8.9.2.1 Type I

8.9.2.2 Type II

8.9.2.3 Type III

8.9.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue

8.9.4 Contact Information

8.10 Simplicity Sofas

8.10.1 Company Profile

8.10.2 Product Picture and Specifications

8.10.2.1 Type I

8.10.2.2 Type II

8.10.2.3 Type III

8.10.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue

8.10.4 Contact Information

8.11 Cost plus World Market

8.11.1 Company Profile

8.11.2 Product Picture and Specifications

8.11.2.1 Type I

8.11.2.2 Type II

8.11.2.3 Type III

8.11.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue

8.11.4 Contact Information

8.12 Tvilum

8.12.1 Company Profile

8.12.2 Product Picture and Specifications

8.12.2.1 Type I

8.12.2.2 Type II

8.12.2.3 Type III

8.12.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue

8.12.4 Contact Information

8.13 Cymax

8.13.1 Company Profile

8.13.2 Product Picture and Specifications

8.13.2.1 Type I

8.13.2.2 Type II

8.13.2.3 Type III

8.13.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue

8.13.4 Contact Information

8.14 DMI Furniture

8.14.1 Company Profile

8.14.2 Product Picture and Specifications

8.14.2.1 Type I

8.14.2.2 Type II

8.14.2.3 Type III

8.14.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue

8.14.4 Contact Information

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Human Vaccines Market Poised To Reach US$72.5 Billion By 2024

Human Vaccines Market (Vaccine Type - Conjugate, Recombinant, Inactivated, Combination, and Attenuated; Product - Pneumococcal, Influenza, Hepatitis, HPV, Meningococcal, Rotavirus, Measles, Typhoid, and Combination; Age Group - Pediatrics, Adolescents, Adults, and Geriatrics; Distribution Channel - Hospital Pharmacies and Drugstores) - Global Industry Forecast 2016 - 2024

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The global human vaccines market is dominated by GlaxoSmithKline plc., Sanofi, Pfizer, Inc., and Merck & Co, Inc. These players collectively accounted for over 70% of the market in terms of revenue in 2015. Analysts at Transparency Market Research have identified some of the key strategies adopted by players in the human vaccines market in order to gain a competitive edge over the rest. These include mergers and acquisitions, collaborations and acquisitions for market penetration, the establishment of local production sites, the expansion of product portfolios, and expansion activities in regions with high growth potential.

A focus on research and development is also a successful growth strategy, TMR finds. For instance, Pfizer, Inc. has always focused on R&D in order to improve innovation and productivity. It is presently working on various pipeline products for different therapies and innovating new capabilities that can position it for long-term leadership across the globe.

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The global human vaccines market was valued at US$28.3 bn in 2015 and is estimated to reach US$72.5 bn by 2024, registering an 11.2% CAGR during the forecast period.

Hospital Pharmacies and Drugstores Prominent Distribution Channels for Human Vaccines

By age group, pediatric vaccines accounted for a 57.5% share in the global human vaccines market in 2015. Adult vaccines, on the other hand, are expected to expand at a 13.2% CAGR from 2016 to 2024. Based on product, the pneumococcal segment accounted for the majority share in in 2015, with the hepatitis segment exhibiting strong growth during the forecast period. On basis of vaccine type, the conjugate vaccines segment accounted for the majority share in the global human vaccines market in 2015. On the other hand, the combination vaccines segment is expected to expand at an outstanding CAGR from 2016 to 2024. By distribution channel, the hospital pharmacies segment led the global human vaccines market. However, the drugstores segment is projected to expand at a considerable pace through 2024.

Geographically, North America dominates the global human vaccines market and is estimated to reach a value of US$28.0 bn by 2024. Asia Pacific is the most promising market for human vaccines and is expected to expand at a high CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period.

Minimal Side Effects of Vaccines Bolstering Large-scale Adoption

An extremely low risk of serious and fatal side effects associated with vaccines is one of the primary factors driving the market for human vaccines around the world. Similar to other drugs, vaccines are associated with a few side effects; however, most of the times, these are rather mild. Soreness, swelling, redness at the site of injection, fever, rash, or itchiness are the most common side effects of vaccines. Several healthcare organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US FDA, the American Medical Association (AMA), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend the use of vaccines owing to their safety.

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Complementing this factor is the growing awareness among patients and the general population regarding the benefits of vaccination. This can be attributed to a rise in awareness programs by government, private, and not-for-profit organizations. "The celebration of the National Immunization Awareness Month in the month of August in the U.S., for instance, is a great way of spreading awareness and getting more people to opt for vaccination," the author of the report states.

High Costs Deterring Market Growth

Strict regulatory requirements is a major hurdle for most players in the global human vaccines market. In addition to this, high costs pose a significant challenge. "The discovery and development of new vaccines require immense capital. Moreover, the transportation, storage, and handling of vaccines can also be extremely heavy on the pocket," the TMR analyst reports. Apart from this, the containment of technical expertise in the hands of a few major players also acts as a deterrent on the growth of the human vaccines market.

For more information, please visit http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/human-vaccines-market.html

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Conveyor Belts Market Sales Value By Type And 2021 Forecasts

eMarketOrg.com adds global conveyor belts market research report offering revenue projections for light duty and heavyweight conveyor belt product types as well as their applications, leading companies, regional data coverage with historic data and projections.

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This latest conveyor belts market intelligence offering is of 124 pages and talks about light duty conveyor belt as well as heavyweight product types while providing production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate information for each type. Applications of conveyor belts market into automated assembly line, mining industry, steel industry, cement industry as well as power industry ports are studied at length offering information about consumption, market share and growth rate of conveyor belts in each of these applications.

Companies profiled in this conveyor belts market study include ContiTech, Fenner, Bridgestone, YOKOHAMA, Bando, Trelleborg, Garlock, Smiley Monroe, HSIN YUNG, Habasit, Ammeraal Beltech, Forbo-Siegling, Sampla, Intralox, Volta Belting, Derco, Veyance Technologies (Continental AG), Esbelt, Bando, Mitsuboshi, Nitta, MARTENS, CHIORINO, Sparks, YongLi, Wuxi Shun Sheng, Beltar and LIAN DA. Production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer is discussed at length. Supported with 144 data tables and figures while profiling the above listed leading manufacturers, this conveyor belts industry report is available at http://emarketorg.com/pro/global-conveyor-belts-market-research-report-2016/ .

For the listed major leading conveyor belts market players with information such as a basic company data, manufacturing base and competitors, product types, application and specifications, production, revenue, price and gross margin (2015 and 2016) analysis along with main business overview for each company. What's more, the Conveyor Belts industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.

Regionally, this survey covers North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and Indian conveyor belts market providing production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate analysis data for markets in these regions, from 2011 to 2021. Conveyor belts market competitive situation and trends are discussed with a focus on market concentration rate, market share of top 3 and top 5 conveyor belts companies as well as details on mergers & acquisitions as well as expansion. Global and regional data for supply (production), consumption, import, export for 2011-2016E is also offered by regions in this research. Request a discount on this survey report for conveyor belts market at http://emarketorg.com/product-enquiry/?product-id=77321 .

Manufacturing cost analysis of conveyor belts is reviewed with details of raw materials, their price trends, key suppliers, labor cost and other manufacturing expenses. Industrial chain, sourcing strategy for upstream raw materials and details on downstream buyers of conveyor belts market is also provided to complete the 360 degree outlook of the industry.

Another research titled, Global Conveyor Belts Market Professional Survey Report 2016 is an expert and comprehensive study that provides a basic overview of the market including segmentation, applications and regional status. For each conveyor belt product types of rubber, PVC, PE, TPU and TPEE conveyor belts, this study provides 2011-2016E sales, price as well as product and growth driving factors' analysis. Complete report of 117 pages supported with 150 data tables and figures as well as profiling 28 companies of conveyor belts market is available at http://emarketorg.com/pro/global-conveyor-belts-market-professional-survey-report-2016/ .

On a related note, the Global Conveyor Belts Consumption 2016 Market Research Report is of 173 pages, offers 205 data tables and figures while profiling 20 major companies like Habasit, Ammeraal Beltech, Forbo-Siegling, Sampla, Volta Belting, Derco, Goodyear, Esbelt, Bando, Mitsuboshi, Nitta, Martens, Chiorino, Sparks, YongLi, Wuxi Shun Sheng, Jiangyin TianGuang, Lian Da, Beltar and Shanghai Beiwen. Global and major regions market size (volume and value) forecast of conveyor belts is studied with market growth rates for 2016 to 2021 by regions (US, Europe, China, Japan), conveyor belt types and applications. Historic data for 2011-2016E on sales volume and sales revenue of conveyor belts market by companies is also provided in this research available at http://emarketorg.com/pro/global-conveyor-belts-consumption-2016-market-research-report/ .

About Us:

eMarketOrg.com aims to provide businesses and organizations market intelligence products and services that help in making smart, instant and crucial decisions. Our database offers access to insights from industry leaders, experts and influencers on global and regional sectors, market trends, user behaviour, for companies as well as products. With data and information from reputable and trusted private and public sources, our clients are never short of statistics and analysis that are up to date.

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Biopesticides Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2021

BioPesticides Market research report gives an insight into the global Bio pesticides market, segmented into different types including microbial pesticides, biochemical pesticides, macrobial pesticides

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Global Biopesticides Market

BioPesticides Market research report gives an insight into the global Bio pesticides market, segmented into different types including microbial pesticides, biochemical pesticides, macrobial pesticides, plant incorporated protectants (Bt Insect Resistance) and other (weedicides and termiticides) and their impact on various application areas such as cereals & soybeans, fruits and vegetables, cotton, ornamentals plants & turfs and other (Oil Seeds, Pulses, Plantation (Coffee, Tea & Sugarcane), Woody plants, & Forestry etc).

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The study includes estimations and predictions for the total global biopesticides market size. Detailed emphasis on the adoption of GM (especially Bt Crops) worldwide and its strong effect in the developing countries is analyzed. Estimations and Predictions are provided by geographic regions encompassing North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, and Middle East. Compilation of Worldwide Patents and Research related to Biopesticides is also provided. Global and regional market analysis is done for 2005-2020 with 189 exhibits. Business profiles of 30 major companies are discussed in the report.

Report Highlights

A worldwide demand for reduction in use of chemical pesticides, regarded by consumers as harmful, is leading to the development of innovative and less harmful plant protection strategies. Pesticides such as organochlorine insecticides, methyl bromide, etc., are discontinued due to their health hazards. Alternative protection systems (biological products) are the need of the future and should be devised in place of conventional pesticides. The biopesticides industry mostly encompasses small-to-medium enterprises. All pesticide companies (whether chemical or bio-control) in the United States must be registered according to the EPA biopesticide definition, which is an expensive affair. Hence, it leads to the question of how small companies can register, market, and compete with global agrochemical bigwigs. ...... CONTINUED

Report by Chapter

Scope and Methodology:This chapter provides information regarding the research methodology, limitations of the study, market measuring units and exchange rates used.uf

Report Synopsis:Synopsis of the report summarizes the global market for Biopesticides in US$ from 2005 to 2020, by type into microbial pesticides, biochemical pesticides, macrobial pesticides, plant incorporated protectants (Bt Insect Resistance) and other (weedicides and termiticides). The market is also segmented by crop type into cereals & soybeans, fruits and vegetables, cotton, ornamentals plants & turfs and other (Oil Seeds, Pulses, Plantation (Coffee, Tea & Sugarcane), Woody plants, & Forestry etc). List of Global major companies in also included in this chapter. ...... CONTINUED

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Companies Discussed

22+ Biopesticides Company Insight Profiles

308+ Company Directory Listing

Company Insight Profiles List

AgBiTech (Australia)

Ajay Bio-Tech (India) Ltd. (India)

Amit Biotech Pvt. Ltd. (India)

Bayer CropScience AG (Germany)

Becker Underwood (USA)

Biobest N.V. (Belgium)

Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc. (USA)

BioTEPP, Inc. (Canada)

Certis U.S.A. L.L.C (USA)

GreeNeem Agri Private Limited (India)

Hubei Kangxin Agro-industry Co., Ltd. (China)

...... CONTINUED

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Why Buy This Report?

This report may help Strategists, Investors, Laboratories, Contract Research Organizations, Biotechnology & Healthcare Companies, Academic Professionals, Drug Approval Authorities, and Other Organizations to -

Identify Market Opportunities

Review and Analyze Global and Regional Markets

Gauge Market Potential for your Products

Identify Competition

Use Market Research for exploring new areas

Acquire Meaningful Guidelines for Strategic Planning

Gear up for Market Entry

Get Actionable Information

.... CONTINUED

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Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available.

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Source: http://marketersmedia.com/biopesticides-market-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-2016-2021/141949

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Frank Gay Plumbing Re-brands To Frank Gay Services Adding HVAC, Electricians, And General Contractors To Its Team

Frank Gay Plumbing has been re-branded as Frank Gay Services with the addition of HVAC, Electrical, and General Contractors to its longstanding plumbing service.

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Frank Gay, owner of Frank Gay Services, is proud to announce a change in name of his company from the former Frank Gray Plumbing to Frank Gay Services to reflect the addition of HVAC technicians, electricians, general contractors to its already-thriving plumbing business. A new website not only reflecting the new name, but the increased breadth of services has replaced the former site. Despite the company's growth, they strive to continue delivering the highest quality customer service care of its well vetted, licensed technicians and friendly staff.

Prior to the name change to Frank Gay Services, Frank Gay Plumbing has served the Orlando, Florida area for the past 41 years. Much of the company's success is related to the high standards it holds all of its employees to. Before even being hired, they are put through a battery of tests including full background checks, drug testing, and license verifications to ensure that customers are not only safe, but the job is done right. Each of their employees arrives in an official uniform, and drive company vans with the logo on the side so there's no confusion.

Frank Gay Services Florida has a team of HVAC technicians, electricians, general contractors, and plumbers who can handle any number of residential and commercial issues the customer may have. This includes preventative or regular routine maintenance, repairs, renovations, or replacements. Quotes for service are free. And, for unexpected issues, they offer 24/7 emergency service as well. In doing so, downtime is reduced, and life or business is returned to normal with as little wasted time as possible.

"Whether you have an electrical or plumbing problem, the A/C is not functioning properly, you're looking for a handyman, one of our licensed technicians would be more than happy to come out and give you a free quote for your job. All our staff undergoes extensive background checks and drug testing to ensure that our customers are getting not only the safest, but the highest level of service, but the highest standard of professionalism as well. What's more, we offer 24/7 emergency service so there's no waiting for the start of the next business week to get you back up and running again. That being said, if you have a plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or contractor issue you need resolving, contact us to see how we can help! - Frank Gay, Owner, Frank Gay Services

About Frank Gay Services: Frank Gay, the owner of Frank Gay Services, began his plumbing company 41 years ago to serve both residents and businesses in the Orlando area. The company has since grown to become Frank Gay Services, featuring licensed electricians, HVAC technicians, general contractors, and plumbers. Its owner and all technicians are licensed in their respective trades and have undergone extensive background checks for safety. The Frank Gay experience ensures timely arrival of your smiling technician, who will not only arrive appropriately dressed in their company uniform, but company vehicle as well.

For more information, please visit http://www.frankgayservices.com/

Contact Info:

Name: Frank Gay

Email: frank@frankgayservices.com

Organization: Frank Gay Services

Address: 6206 Forest City Rd, Orlando, FL 32810

Phone: (407) 293-2642

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/frank-gay-plumbing-re-brands-to-frank-gay-services-adding-hvac-electricians-and-general-contractors-to-its-team/142682

Release ID: 142682

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Online Dubai Stationery Store Offers 10% Discount On All Office Supplies

This offer is valid for first-time buyers. The e-store also announces regular discounts for repeat customers

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OfficeRock.com is an online Dubai stationery store selling office supplies from leading brands at wholesale prices. They've now announced a 10% discount for first-time buyers.

"Interested buyers can either contact us directly or request to meet our representative. We'll come up with a customized quote and deals suited for your requirements," says Christopher Queitsch, Co-Founder and CEO of OfficeRock.com.

The online office supplies store sells more than 400 brands; from Avery and Bosch to Zebra and Xerox, they have them all. "We have a huge inventory of printers, cartridges, common office stationery and other supplies, allowing customers to choose products that fit exactly to their specifications. It also means that they're in for a good bargain," he adds.

OfficeRock.com offers free delivery throughout the UAE and announces discounts from time to time. "We have a huge team of delivery trucks, vans, and cars ready for dispatch. All orders are fulfilled within 2 to 3 business days," says the spokesperson. The Dubai office supplies store sells only 100% genuine products. But, if customers aren't happy with the service, or if the product isn't to their satisfaction, OfficeRock.com offers a 5-day return policy.

About OfficeRock.com:

OfficeRock.com is an online Dubai-based office stationery store selling the latest and the best office supplies. They began as partners with the Xerox Emirates and became the company's authorized reseller for their entire range. They now have exclusive deals with major office stationery manufacturers and offer the best products at affordable prices.

For more information, please visit http://www.officerock.com/

Contact Info:

Name: Office Rock

Organization: OfficeRock.com

Address: 74 8th Street, #368-265, Warehouse 3, Al Quoz Industrial Area 3, Dubai 75585, UAE

Phone: +971 4 388 3818

Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KQStFM7LFM

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/online-dubai-stationery-store-offers-10-discount-on-all-office-supplies/142616

Release ID: 142616

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Robbie Chapman Jewellery Launches Sydney Jewellery Designer Website And Online Store

Robbie Chapman Jewellery announces the launch of new website for customers looking for fine custom made jewellery.

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Robbie Chapman, owner of Robbie Chapman Jewellery, is thrilled to announce the launch of its NEW user-friendly website and online store to meet the custom jewellery demands of the Sydney, Australia community. For customers in the market for a wedding or engagement ring, a unique piece of jewellery featuring a gemstone, bespoke mens rings, or even jewellery restoration, they can help.

Robbie Chapman Jewellery, is one of Sydney's fastest growing jewellery designers, and highly sort after for wedding, engagement and gemstone rings. With so many demands placed on a customer's time, Robbie Chapman and his knowledgeable staff understand their role of being able to impart trust and quality to prospective customers in a discreet and timely manner. Robbie believes, in doing this, it allows for customers to feel more confident in their design choices resulting in a more meaningful piece for the owner. During a different time, jewellers visited customers in their homes, educating them about many different pieces and allowing them to create their own unique designs. Robbie Chapman has built success by keeping these ways alive.

The Robbie Chapman Jewellery website was created with the intention of allowing customers to browse through different styles of custom made jewellery for idea's and inspiration. The website provides a number of guides and resources to help the client get all the information they need. With that that baseline knowledge we meet up, sit down, and create a piece that is uniquely their own. The website also features a jewellery gift shop which includes a variety of unique, high quality pieces for everyday wear as well as special occasions with plans to include more options to meet the demand from social media.

"A lot of people find its easy to buy mass produced store bought jewellery but less so for premium quality, distinctive jewellery, that makes a memory. If you're looking for a piece that stands the test of time, is designed especially for you and made from the highest quality materials, then a personal piece from Robbie Chapman Jewellery is a great choice. We can take your vision for your engagement rings and wedding rings or even restore your old jewellery to match your vision and style." - Robbie Chapman, Owner, Robbie Chapman Jewellery

Robbie Chapman Jewellery is a Master Jeweller who has been servicing clients in Sydney, NSW for over 15 years. When creating a piece of fine jewellery Robbie Chapman's highest priority is ensuring the design and final piece is personal to the individual and captures all the emotion the piece represents. Whether it's an engagement ring or family memory to be passed through the generations Robbie Chapman has a passion for unsurpassed quality.

For more information, please visit http://www.robbiechapman.com.au

Contact Info:

Name: Robbie Chapman

Email: r.chapman@robbiechapman.com.au

Organization: Robbie Chapman Jewellery

Phone: 0406775074

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/robbie-chapman-jewellery-launches-sydney-jewellery-designer-website-and-online-store/142812

Release ID: 142812

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Adult Dentistry Of Ballantyne's Dr. Robert Harrell Named A Top Charlotte Dentist

For ninth year in a row, Charlotte-area dental professionals select Dr. Harrell as one of the city's best, Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne reports

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Stretching his streak to nearly a decade in length, Dr. Robert Harrell of Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne has once again been named one of the area's top dentists. The 2016 topDentists(TM) rankings are based on thousands of voluntary votes cast by Charlotte dental professionals, with the collective verdict of these informed peers again confirming Dr. Harrell's excellence as a general, reconstructive, and Cosmetic Dentist.

The list has also been published in the November issue of Charlotte Magazine, and a post at the Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne website describes the selection process and other details. Under the leadership of Dr. Harrell, Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne offers a full range of general, sedation, cosmetic, and reconstructive dentistry services, including Dental Implants, always providing exceptional care, comfort, and results.

"As a native of North Carolina, I truly love the Charlotte area, and working with people from throughout this wonderful community is always a pleasure," Dr. Harrell said, "That's why it is such an honor to once again be recognized as one of the top dentists in all of Charlotte. I'd like to thank my peers for voting me onto the list for the ninth year running. I'd also like to thank the many patients who entrust us here at Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne with their dental health and cosmetic goals. We promise to maintain the same exceptional, one-on-one care that has helped make this practice so successful."

After graduating from dental school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Harrell joined the United States Public Health service, spending a busy year providing dental care to underserved patients on a Navajo reservation in New Mexico. Returning to Charlotte thereafter with a well-developed set of skills, Dr. Harrell opened Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne in 1999.

Since then, Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne has become one of the city's most highly regarded and frequently recommended adult dentistry practices. By providing the kind of one-on-one care and service that inspires confidence and produces results, Dr. Harrell and staff members effectively see to the dental health of patients and help them achieve their cosmetic goals.

Now recognized by his peers as one of the area's top dentists for the ninth year in a row, Dr. Harrell is accepting new patients. Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne is equipped with the latest in dental technology, while also offering a warm, comforting environment that welcomes every patient. Visitors to the Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne website can read about Dr. Harrell's recent award and schedule an appointment online.

About Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne:

With cutting-edge dental technology and exceptional care for every patient, Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne offers a full range of general, cosmetic, and reconstructive dental services.

For more information, please visit http://adultdentistryofballantyne.com/

Contact Info:

Name: Dr. Robert Harrell

Organization: Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne

Address: 7820 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Suite 102 Charlotte, NC 28277

Phone: (704) 541-9888

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/adult-dentistry-of-ballantynes-dr-robert-harrell-named-a-top-charlotte-dentist/142761

Release ID: 142761

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Prestige Invest Group Introduces Quick Home Selling Solutions

The company is using a unique process to assist homeowners in getting rid of their unwanted property fast, reports www.prestigeinvestgroup.com.

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Prestige Invest Group, a leading real estate investment firm operating in the South Florida area, recently introduced their fast home selling solutions. In an effort to provide timely assistance for homeowners who need to sell my house fast miami, the company is offering to buy their homes for a fair price with the promise of quick closing times. Families facing a financial burden that requires immediate resolution are encouraged to contact the Prestige team for further details.

"There could be any number of reasons why a homeowner may want to sell their home quickly. It may be that they have inherited a home that will be more of a financial burden than an asset, or they may have the threat of foreclosure looming over them. Whatever the reason, we want them to know that we're here to help," said Omer Reiner, owner of Prestige Invest Group.

Reiner went on to say, "Our team is highly-experienced in real estate investment. Over the years we've been able to hone our skills and develop a process that allows us to get fair deals done quickly, putting the homeowner in a win-win situation that lets them shed their financial burden without delay."

Prestige Invest Group's unique home buying process has four steps. First, homeowners need to log on to the website to fill out a short form telling the Prestige team about the property they want to sell. If the home meets their buying requirements, they'll contact the seller to set up a quick appointment within 24 hours. The company will then present the seller with a fair, written, no-obligation offer. If the homeowner accepts the offer to sell my house fat ft lauderdale, they'll close the deal at a reputable title company and put cash in the homeowner's hand within 7 days.

Prestige Invest group buys homes in the Miami and South Florida area in any condition or price range. There are no commissions, agents, or fees involved in the process.

As Reiner further commented, "Once a home begins to feel like a financial burden, it's best for homeowners to get rid of the property as quickly as they can. Going the traditional route by hiring an agent to sell the home just won't cut it when homeowners are in a time crunch. In these situations, we're glad to step in and become a resource for families in need. Our quick solutions can get cash into their hands in days instead of making them wait weeks or months for a sale. This, in turn, allows them to solve their financial woes now so they can quickly move on to better days ahead."

About Prestige Invest Group:

Prestige Invest Group is a real estate solutions company based out of Fort Lauderdale. They are a family owned business and focus on helping all homeowners in the area find solutions for their problem. Whether they are going through a foreclosure, can't sell their property, or just need to sell their house for any reason whatsoever, the Prestige Invest Group team can help.

For more information, please visit http://www.prestigeinvestgroup.com

Contact Info:

Name: Omer Reiner

Organization: Prestige Invest Group

Phone: (305) 928-8896

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/prestige-invest-group-introduces-quick-home-selling-solutions/142730

Release ID: 142730

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Healthcare Analytics Market Size, Share, Report, Analysis, Trends & Forecast to 2022

According to Stratistics MRC, the global Healthcare Analytics Market accounted for $6.8 billion in 2015 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 24.8% to reach $32.4 billion by 2022.

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Growing number of venture capital investments, increasing incidence of aging population and growing occurrence of chronic and infectious diseases are the major drivers favoring the market growth. However factors such as lack of skilled labor with analytical skills, patient data security and privacy issues are inhibiting the market. Moreover, Cloud-based healthcare analytics offers a major growth opportunity over the forecast period.

In Healthcare Analytics, On-premise delivery model is estimated for the largest share due to its multi vendor architecture, which reduces the threat of external attacks and data breaches. North America is anticipated to govern the market due to the growing requirement for enhanced clinical outcomes and high efficiency in healthcare process.

Access the complete report at:

http://www.strategymrc.com/report/healthcare-analytics-market-2016

Some of the key players in this market include Verisk Analytics, Inc., SAS Institute,Inc., Medeanalytics, Inovalon,Inc., Health Catalyst, Allscripts Health Solution, Truven Health Analytics,Inc., Optum,Inc., Mckesson Corporation, IBM Corporation, Cerner Corportation, Oracle Corporation, Cognizant, Rapid Insight, Inc. and Lexisnexis Risk Solutions.

Make an inquiry at:

http://www.strategymrc.com/report/healthcare-analytics-market-2016

Product Covered:

o Descriptive Analytics

o Predictive Analytics

o Prescriptive Analytics

Application Covered:

o Clinical Analytics

o Financial Analytics

o Operational and Administrative Analytics

o Research Analytics

End User Covered:

o Providers

o Healthcare information Exchanges

o Public Health Systems

o Private Healthcare Providers

o Monitoring Agencies/Accountable Care Organizations (Acos)/Federal Regulations

o Clinical And Medical Research Bodies/ Cros

o Payers

o Others

Component Covered:

o Hardware

o Software

o Services

Delivery Mode:

o On-Demand

o On-Premise

Regions Covered:

o North America

o US

o Canada

o Mexico

o Europe

o Germany

o France

o Italy

o UK

o Spain

o Rest of Europe

o Asia Pacific

o Japan

o China

o India

o Australia

o New Zealand

o Rest of Asia Pacific

o Rest of the World

o Middle East

o Brazil

o Argentina

o South Africa

o Egypt

What our report offers:

- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments

- Market share analysis of the top industry players

- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants

- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets

- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)

- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations

- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends

- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments

- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Follow us on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/StratisticsMRC

Follow us on LinkedIn at:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/stratistics-market-research-consulting-pvt-ltd?trk=mini-profile

About Stratistics MRC

We offer wide spectrum of research and consulting services with in-depth knowledge of different industries. We are known for customized research services, consulting services and Full Time Equivalent (FTE) services in the research world. We explore the market trends and draw our insights with valid assessments and analytical views. We use advanced techniques and tools among the quantitative and qualitative methodologies to identify the market trends.

Our research reports and publications are routed to help our clients to design their business models and enhance their business growth in the competitive market scenario. We have a strong team with hand-picked consultants including project managers, implementers, industry experts, researchers, research evaluators and analysts with years of experience in delivering the complex projects.

For more information, please visit http://www.strategymrc.com/

Contact Info:

Name: James Lamb

Email: info@strategymrc.com

Organization: Stratistics Market Research Consulting Pvt Ltd

Address: SMRC SALES OFFICE, 17049 King James Way, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877, USA +1-301-202-5929

Phone: +1-301-202-5929

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/healthcare-analytics-market-size-share-report-analysis-trends-forecast-to-2022/142869

Release ID: 142869

For more information visit r



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E Cigarettes & Vapourizer Market Size, Share, Report, Analysis, Trends & Forecast to 2022

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global E-Cigarettes & Vapourizer Market accounted for $7.47 billion in 2015 and is anticipated to reach $28.57 billion by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 21.1% from 2015 to 2022.

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Growing demand for distribution channels of e-cigarettes and accessories is the primary factor favouring the market growth. Furthermore, increasing number of brands, innovative product launches and product customizations are some of the drivers favouring the market growth. However, uncertain regulatory framework, increasing incidents of e-liquid poisoning and compatibility issues are some of the restraints hampering the market growth. New taxes on e-cigs in cities like Washington, D.C., are damping sales, as are new regulations, like measures passed this year in Indiana that require manufacturers to secure permits and list ingredients. The industry also is awaiting final rules from the Food and Drug Administration, which could require federal approval for nearly all flavored liquid nicotine juices and e-cig devices.

Disposable E-Cigarette segment commanded the largest share in 2015, while Rechargeable E-Cigarettes is growing at the highest CAGR durig the forecast period. North America is expected to witness highest growth rate over the forecast period. Europe being one of the largest markets in the e-cigarette industry it is hub to provide conflicting regulatory regimes.

Access the complete report at:

http://www.strategymrc.com/report/e-cigarettes-vapourizer-market

Some of the key players in this market include Japan Tobacco, Inc., First Union, International Vapor Group, Inc., Marlboro, Lorillard, Inc., Pacific Smoke International, British American Tobacco Plc (Bat), Cloudcig, Steamlite, Smokefree, Victory Electronic Cigarettes Corporation, Altria Group, Inc., Reynolds American Inc., Puff Ecig, Bull Smoke, Feellife Bioscience International Co. Ltd, Fontem Ventures, Philip Morris International, Inc., Ballantyne Brands, Llc and Nice Vapor.

Make an inquiry at:

http://www.strategymrc.com/report/e-cigarettes-vapourizer-market

Composition Covered:

o Flavors

o Nicotine

o Diluents

o E-Liquids

Products Covered:

o E-Go Electronic Cigarette and Tank

o E-Cigars

o Rechargeable E-Cigarette

o Disposable E-Cigarette

o Personal Vaporizers and Mods

o E-Pipes

o Other Products

Component Covered:

o Cartridge

o Clearomizer

o Battery

o Rebuildable Atomizer

o Atomizer

o Cartomizer

Distribution Channel Covered:

o Online

o Retail

o Pharmaceuticals

o Convenient stores

o Others

Regions Covered:

o North America

o US

o Canada

o Mexico

o Europe

o Germany

o France

o Italy

o UK

o Spain

o Rest of Europe

o Asia Pacific

o Japan

o China

o India

o Australia

o New Zealand

o Rest of Asia Pacific

o Rest of the World

o Middle East

o Brazil

o Argentina

o South Africa

o Egypt

What our report offers:

- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments

- Market share analysis of the top industry players

- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants

- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets

- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)

- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations

- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends

- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments

- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Follow us on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/StratisticsMRC

Follow us on LinkedIn at:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/stratistics-market-research-consulting-pvt-ltd?trk=mini-profile

About Stratistics MRC

We offer wide spectrum of research and consulting services with in-depth knowledge of different industries. We are known for customized research services, consulting services and Full Time Equivalent (FTE) services in the research world. We explore the market trends and draw our insights with valid assessments and analytical views. We use advanced techniques and tools among the quantitative and qualitative methodologies to identify the market trends.

Our research reports and publications are routed to help our clients to design their business models and enhance their business growth in the competitive market scenario. We have a strong team with hand-picked consultants including project managers, implementers, industry experts, researchers, research evaluators and analysts with years of experience in delivering the complex projects.

For more information, please visit http://www.strategymrc.com/

Contact Info:

Name: James Lamb

Email: info@strategymrc.com

Organization: Stratistics Market Research Consulting Pvt Ltd

Address: SMRC SALES OFFICE, 17049 King James Way, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877, USA +1-301-202-5929

Phone: +1-301-202-5929

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/e-cigarettes-vapourizer-market-size-share-report-analysis-trends-forecast-to-2022/142841

Release ID: 142841

For more information visit r



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Calibration Services Market Size, Share, Report, Analysis, Trends & Forecast to 2022

The global calibration services market is estimated to be $3.94 billion in 2014 and is expected to reach $6.84 billion by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 7.33% from 2014 to 2022.

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Calibration Services market has promising steady growth inspite of economic crisis. Increased quality awareness, protective maintenance, and strict government regulations are the key factors influencing the market growth. Factors such as high competition and lack of skilled labor are limiting the market growth of calibration services market. The emerging end user industries are providing vast opportunities for calibration services. Multidisciplinary calibration equipment requirement acts as a major challenge for the market.

The calibration services market is steered by need for accurate information. The calibration services market has been escalating to cover industries such as, aerospace & defense, power generation, electronics manufacturing, communication, semiconductors, industrial & automotive, water, and petrochemicals. The electronic manufacturing market has the largest existence among all the end-user markets with largest share of around 50% in calibration services market. OEMs instruments, that sold to clients will have the benefit of installed support. The market growth is completely affected by the premium prices. Europe has the largest share for calibration services market and Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market during the forecast period.

Global Calibration Services market is segmented by type, by end-user industry, by service and by geography. Based on type, market is segmented into in-house laboratories, third-party services and OEM. Based on end-user industry, market is categorized into industrial & automotive, electronic manufacturing, aerospace, defense and communications. Based on service, market is classified into electrical, physical/dimensional, mechanical and thermodynamic. Market by geography is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World.

Access the complete report at:

http://www.strategymrc.com/report/global-calibration-services-market-outlook-2015-2022

The Key players in the market include, Siemens AG, General Electric, Micro Precision Calibration, ABB, Keysight Technologies, Inc., Trescal, Inc., Optical Test and Calibration Ltd, Danaher Corporation, and Transcat, Inc.

Make an inquiry at:

http://www.strategymrc.com/report/global-calibration-services-market-outlook-2015-2022

What our report offers:

- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments

- Market share analysis of the top industry players

- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants

- Market forecasts for a minimum of 8 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets

- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)

- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations

- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends

- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments

- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Follow us on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/StratisticsMRC

Follow us on LinkedIn at:

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About Stratistics MRC

We offer wide spectrum of research and consulting services with in-depth knowledge of different industries. We are known for customized research services, consulting services and Full Time Equivalent (FTE) services in the research world. We explore the market trends and draw our insights with valid assessments and analytical views. We use advanced techniques and tools among the quantitative and qualitative methodologies to identify the market trends.

Our research reports and publications are routed to help our clients to design their business models and enhance their business growth in the competitive market scenario. We have a strong team with hand-picked consultants including project managers, implementers, industry experts, researchers, research evaluators and analysts with years of experience in delivering the complex projects.

For more information, please visit http://www.strategymrc.com/

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Organization: Stratistics Market Research Consulting Pvt Ltd

Address: SMRC SALES OFFICE, 17049 King James Way, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877, USA +1-301-202-5929

Phone: +1-301-202-5929

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Biostimulants Market Size, Share, Report, Analysis, Trends & Forecast to 2022

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Biostimulants market accounted for $1.77 billion in 2015 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.82% to reach $3.64 billion by 2022.

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The market is expected to grow gradually due to growing importance for organic products in agriculture industry. Rising government funding and increasing concerns regarding sustainable agriculture has broaden the scope for biostimulant manufacturers. On the other hand, huge R&D costs and lack of awareness about biostimulants products are inhibiting the market.

Acid-based biostimulants segment commanded the largest market share, because raw materials for these biostimulants are obtained easily and highly efficient compared to other ingredients. Based on crop type, Row crops segment dominated the market followed by fruits & vegetables segment. Technological advancements and increasing awareness regarding organic products in developing economies such as Asia Pacific and Latin America are anticipated to fuel the biostimulant products demand. Europe accounted for the largest share of the global market followed by North America.

Access the complete report at:

http://www.strategymrc.com/report/biostimulants-market

Some of the key players in the global biostimulants market include Novozymes A/S, Biostadt India Limited, ISAGRO Spa, Valagro Spa, BASF SE, Koppert B.V., BioAtlantis Ltd., The Dow Chemical Company, Acadian Seaplants Limited, Micromix Plant Health Limited, Arysta LifeScience Corporation, Omex Agrifluids Ltd, Taminco Corp., Agrinos AS, Trade Corporation International, and Italpollina Spa.

Make an inquiry at:

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Active Ingredients of Biostimulants Covered:

o Acid-Based Biostimulants

o Amino acid

o Fulvic acid

o Humic acid

o Extract-Based Biostimulants

o Seaweed extracts

o Other plant extracts

Crop Types Covered:

o Fruits & Vegetables

o Row Crops

o Turf & Ornamentals

o Other Crop Types

Applications Covered:

o Foliar Application

o Seed Application

o Soil Application

Regions Covered:

o North America

o US

o Canada

o Mexico

o Europe

o Germany

o France

o Italy

o UK

o Spain

o Rest of Europe

o Asia Pacific

o Japan

o China

o India

o Australia

o New Zealand

o Rest of Asia

o Rest of the World

o Middle East

o Brazil

o Argentina

o South Africa

o Egypt

What our report offers:

- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments

- Market share analysis of the top industry players

- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants

- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets

- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)

- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations

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- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments

- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

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About Stratistics MRC

We offer wide spectrum of research and consulting services with in-depth knowledge of different industries. We are known for customized research services, consulting services and Full Time Equivalent (FTE) services in the research world. We explore the market trends and draw our insights with valid assessments and analytical views. We use advanced techniques and tools among the quantitative and qualitative methodologies to identify the market trends.

Our research reports and publications are routed to help our clients to design their business models and enhance their business growth in the competitive market scenario. We have a strong team with hand-picked consultants including project managers, implementers, industry experts, researchers, research evaluators and analysts with years of experience in delivering the complex projects.

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Contact Info:

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ICMediaDirect - Joins Search Engine Experts At CSEW 2016 Conference

ICMediaDirect's exceptional depth of knowledge regarding online brand management and search engine tendencies contributed to the topics at hand, specifically when discussing organic search.

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An international leader in the online reputation management sector, ICMediaDirect recently attended the Connect conference in Miami, hosted by Search Engine Watch. Speaking at the conference were some of the foremost thought leaders and innovators in the online marketing industry, offering their expertise on SEO, digital acquisition, brand development, and various other topics. ICMediaDirect met with several keynote speakers over the course of the two-day conference, establishing their public relations prowess while determining how to apply new, inventive strategies to their proven marketing formula.

In a world dominated by its online sector and the power of social media, maintaining a positive online image is more pertinent than ever. The unimaginable growth of mobile, smarter search tactics, and ever-changing user behavior have ushered in a new era of search marketing, one where it is essential to stay ahead of its current trends. Search Engine Watch has been providing search engine and search marketing news, advice, and commentary for over 20 years, and through the CSEW conference explained how to excel in this new era, providing a two-track educational agenda designed to lead the discussion in the latest strategies and technologies.

ICMediaDirect's exceptional depth of knowledge regarding online brand management and search engine tendencies contributed to the topics at hand, specifically when discussing organic search. A renewed emphasis was placed upon engaging with organic search at CSEW, with the full service public relations company presenting trendsetting SEO tools and diagnostics for the skilled search mechanic. The international brand managers also displayed proficiency in link building and next generation search techniques, providing competitive, sector-leading data.

Founded in 1996, ICMediaDirect has become a relentless force in the industry with offices in New York City and Washington, DC, and provides its unparalleled services worldwide. Advertisement and online reputation packages are customized for each individual or company and their specific needs, and have vastly improved the Internet presence of professional athletes, politicians, executive-level bankers, fortune top 500 CEOs, top motivational speakers, high-end celebrity jewelers, music agents, artists, and many more. Major marketing conferences and events frequently benefit from ICMediaDirect's participation and sponsorships, amongst them Affiliate Summit, Leadscon, SES, and the ad:tech conference in New York, where companies and individuals from the advertising and technology worlds come together to exchange ideas, listen to keynote speeches on current topics. and contribute to industry trends and initiatives.

IC Media Direct - PR and Marketing News: http://icmediadirectnews.com

ICMediaDirect.com - Google Reputation Management | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/icmediadirect

IC Media Direct (@ICMediaDirectCo) - Twitter: https://twitter.com/icmediadirectco

For more information, please visit http://www.ICMediaDirect.com

Contact Info:

Name: ICMD

Email: pr@icmediadirect.com

Organization: ICMediaDirect.com

Phone: (800) 595-0821

Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3QHOeY8qAM

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/icmediadirect-joins-search-engine-experts-at-csew-2016-conference/142981

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Death row cell, San Quentin State prison, California "The [US Supreme]Court has said repeatedly that the sole justifications for capital punishment are the roles it plays in deterring murder and in exacting retribution."



FIFTY YEARS AGO, American support for the death penalty was as low as it has ever been: more Americans opposed it than approved it. Violent crime in the country was low. The number of executions annually was a small fraction of the historical peak in the 1930s. These conditions set the stage for the modern era of the death penalty in the United States. FIFTY YEARS AGO, American support for the death penalty was as low as it has ever been: more Americans opposed it than approved it. Violent crime in the country was low. The number of executions annually was a small fraction of the historical peak in the 1930s. These conditions set the stage for the modern era of the death penalty in the United States.





In 1972, the Supreme Court struck down the penalty as it then existed, voiding statutes in about 40 states plus the District of Columbia. Under those laws, juries had wide latitude to impose a death sentence, with no restrictions or standards to guide them. They imposed the sentence rarely yet randomly: they sentenced people to death who were convicted of relatively minor crimes like robbery as well as those found guilty of murder. When the Court struck down those laws, Justice Potter Stewart wrote that juries were imposing the death penalty so wantonly and so freakishly that the punishment was cruel and unusual under the Constitutions Eighth Amendment.





Stewart and many others thought the Court had ended the death penalty in the United States, but the ruling provoked a defiant backlash: 35 states passed new death-penalty laws. In 1976, the Court struck down new state laws that made a death sentence mandatory for anyone convicted of a capital crime. But the Court upheld laws that supposedly gave discretion to juries and judges about whether to impose a death sentence, with guidance about how to exercise their discretion.





It is common to view this reinstatement of the death penalty as the height of U.S. hypocrisy about human rights, with the nation saying yes while most of the rest of the world was saying no: 140 countries have abolished it in the decades since the United States revived it. In 2015, the nation ranked fifth among countries with the death penalty in the number of prisoners it executed, behind China, Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. But the revival was something new in American law and unprecedented in any country, a distinct alternative to abolition and retention. It was an experiment in regulation by the Supreme Court.





Decades of evidence lead to the conclusion that the experiment has failed badlyand the evidence continues to mount. Many states have imposed the death penalty in ways that discriminate by race and geography, with relatively few counties responsible for a large share of American death sentences and executions. Countless juries have been confused about how to weigh critical evidence in capital cases, like whether they should regard proof of a defendants intellectual disability as a reason not to impose a death sentence, or a reason to do so. Thousands of trial courts have made serious legal mistakes on their way to imposing a death sentence and have been reversed by appeals courts. Thousands of lawyers unprepared for the demanding nature of the work have given slipshod counsel to people charged with capital crimes.





Most dramatically, 156 people convicted beyond a reasonable doubt and sentenced to death have later been exonerated. One state after another has botched execution by lethal injection, leading to excruciating pain for those being executed and a growing sense that states cannot properly carry out the only form of execution that a majority of Americans have said is acceptable.





The death penalty is enormously costly. An authoritative study in California underscored the high expense of prosecuting capital cases, defending people charged with capital crimes, and housing people on death row: between 1978 and 2011, when the state executed only 13 people, the total cost of administering the death penalty there was $4.04 billion.





Of the 8,124 people sentenced to death between 1977 and 2013, according to the Justice Department, only 17 percent were executed. Six percent died by causes other than execution and 40 percent received other dispositions, including reversals of their convictions. The rest37 percentwere in prison. In California in 2014, a federal judge found that, of the 748 inmates then on the states death row, more than two out of every five had been there for 20 years or longer.

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Source: Harvard Magazine, Lincoln Caplan, November-December 2016 Issue
Hi Im Amy! I have a passion for cooking and baking all sorts of delicious foods. That is where I also fell in love with kitchen products. I started From The Kitchen to help share my knowledge and help others find great products.
The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the execution of Imdad Ali, a schizophrenic man convicted in 2002 of murdering a cleric. The hanging was postponed on the basis of Ali's mental illness. The court issued notices to the Advocate General Punjab, the Prosecutor General Punjab and the Attorney General, seeking their comments on the issue. The notices were issued in connection with a review petition submitted by Imdad Ali's wife. The apex court had already rejected a plea as his lawyers said Ali is unfit to be executed since he is unable to understand his crime and punishment. A 3-member bench headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali heard the case. Counsel for Ali's wife informed the court that the death warrant for Ali had been issued. However, he has not yet been executed. The hearing of the case will resume in the second week of November.





While dismissing her appeal against the August 23 order of the Lahore High Court's Multan Bench, which upheld the sentence awarded by the trial court, the Supreme Court had ruled that a mental sickness like schizophrenia does not work as revocation of the death penalty because such a psychiatric disorder is not a permanent disease. Government doctors in 2012 certified Imdad Ali, 50, as being a paranoid schizophrenic, after he was convicted and sentenced to death for the 2001 murder of a cleric. The decision was covered by the media outlets worldwide, and was widely condemned by different human rights organisations and NGOs. Different online petitions were initiated by organisations such as the Amnesty International and the Justice Project Pakistan to stop the execution of Ali.





Firstly, a lot of discrepancies have been highlighted by the human rights organisations in the Supreme Court's ruling that termed schizophrenia as not a permanent mental disorder, and rather "an imbalance, increasing or decreasing depending upon the level of stress." The claim was widely debunked by specialists from around the world, terming the decision as a dangerous precedent for Pakistan's justice system.





In her review petition, Safia Bano, had pleaded that the Supreme Court reconsider its Sept 27 judgement, especially when it was evident from medical jurisprudence that paranoid schizophrenia was classified as a chronic and permanent mental disorder, affecting cognitive functions. The medical records, the petition said, reflected that Ali had consistently displayed symptoms of schizophrenia, was not showing signs of improvement and had active psychotic symptoms.





Most of the experts have termed Supreme Court's decision to review the ruling as a response to the mounting pressure from international rights organisations. According to the Amnesty International, more than 140 countries around the world has abolished the death penalty in law or practice, and in most of the countries where it exists, due process is followed strictly, and punishments are accorded according to the mental health of the culprits. The moratorium on the capital punishments was lifted following the tragedy of the Army Public School in December 2014, under the impression that it was only to be used to execute hardcore terrorists. But the majority of the executions conducted since then have been those people who were not involved in terrorism.





With such rulings, amid a dilapidated condition of legal processes, Pakistan might face strict moral sanctions from the international community. The practice of capital punishment should be abolished for all circumstances. Instead of executing the mentally ill persons, the state should improve the condition of prisons by providing mental health facilities so that prisoners could be rehabilitated for their reintegration into the society following their jail terms. Similarly, life term should be used as the harshest punishment. Capital punishment, wherever it has been practised around the world, has not helped much in decreasing the crime rate, and its merit as a deterrent is highly debatable. Pakistan should follow suit and abolish capital punishment, and should focus on alternative ways to dispense suitable punishments.

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Source: The Daily Times, Editorial, November 2, 2016
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan

President Tayyip Erdogan's remarks on Oct. 29, in which he said reinstating the death penalty could be on parliament's agenda "soon," rekindled debates about the quality of democracy in Turkey and also put the country's position in further jeopardy vis-a-vis European institutions.





Bringing back the death penalty was back on Turkey's political agenda as early as the night of the bloody coup attempt of July 15, voiced by those who rushed to Istanbul's Ataturk Airport to welcome President Erdogan.





He had managed to get his voice heard by the people by connecting to CNN Tyrk via Facetime, after which he flew to Istanbul from Marmaris, where he had been having a family holiday when news of the coup attempt broke.





When Erdogan slammed the network of his former ally, the U.S.-based Islamist preacher Fethullah Gulen, for being behind the coup attempt, the crowd started to chant: "We want the death penalty."





Capital punishment was abolished by Turkey on July 14, 2004 as a part of reforms to harmonize Turkish legislation with the European Union. The move was initiated by then-Prime Minister Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) government and supported by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).





But there was a story behind that move. Death sentences in Turkey were handed out extensively after the military coup on Sept. 12, 1980, with 50 ultimately carried out on charges of terrorism. However, it was stopped in practice in 1984. From the 1990s there were campaigns inside and outside Turkey by NGOs to completely abolish capital punishment. Its inclusion onto the political agenda only came after the arrest of outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan, outside the Greek Embassy in Kenya on Feb 15, 1999, in a joint operation of Turkish and American intelligence services MIT and CIA.





It has still never been revealed whether not executing Ocalan was a precondition of the cooperation put forward by the Bill Clinton administration in the U.S. After all, the charges against Ocalan were more than enough to warrant the death penalty. Then-Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's 3-party coalition - including the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and its leader Devlet Bahceli - then issued a memorandum to not implement the death penalty given by the court until a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). In the meantime, Turkey's membership application from 1987 was acknowledged as eligible by the European Commission in its Helsinki Summit on Dec. 10, 1999.





Eventually, the death penalty was abolished first for crimes committed outside times of war and terrorism in 2001. Then it was further limited to cases of close and immediate threat in 2002. It was completely abolished in 2004.





Ironically, 1999 was also the year when Gulen left Turkey to settle at a ranch in Pennsylvania. Back in 2014, when Gulen was no longer considered an ally but rather the head of a terrorist gang, Erdogan speculated whether a "superior mind" had "given Ocalan and taken Gulen." He again referred to that alleged "exchange" shortly after the coup attempt at a press gathering on Aug. 6.





Now, Erdogan is again clear in his stance that he would approve a reintroduction of capital punishment if it is passed by parliament. A few hours after he spoke, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said in a TV interview on Oct. 29 that he would look for support from other parties in parliament for such a move. Lawyers claim that the death penalty could be included as part of the constitutional draft for a shift to the presidential system, taken to a referendum with the support of the MHP.





Perhaps this rhetoric is only a tactic by Erdogan to attract nationalist votes in order to guarantee victory in a possible presidential referendum. Even so, it would be a bad mistake for Turkey. Not only would it add to the current tension, which is already high due to the rise in terrorist attacks and the neighboring wars in Syria and Iraq, it would also further distance Turkey from the democratic world.





It is true that the death penalty is still on the books in some advanced post-industrial countries like the U.S. and Japan. But there is no country within the EU that still has the death penalty, as it is one of the basic points in the EU's Copenhagen criteria for membership. In the Council of Europe, Belarus is the only country that still has the death penalty in its legislation, with Kazakhstan limited to times of war.





Some of the countries that have carried out capital punishments in 2015 are China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Somalia, Egypt (which Erdogan despises), and (shamefully) the U.S.





So bringing back the death penalty is certainly not a good idea for Turkey. It will be a further big mistake to downgrade the quality of democracy in Turkey, which is already suffering problems.

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Source: Hurriyet Daily News, October 31, 2016
Kate Middleton Latest News & Update: Prince Williams Wife Wont Go As Bridesmaid; Pippa Middleton Feels Threatened Future Queen Will Steal Spotlight?

Kate Middleton's younger sister, Pippa Middleton, is tying the knot soon with her partner, hedge fund manager James Matthews, but it appears that the Duchess of Cambridge won't serve as Pippa's bridesmaid. Kate's marriage to Prince William in 2011 had the world's attention but Pippa also stole the spotlight at the royal wedding when she walked down the aisle assisting her sister's train. Now it's Pippa Middleton's turn, everyone would assume that the Duchess will be part of the entourage, but it doesn't seem to be the case.

Following the etiquette, Kate Middleton shouldn't act as Pippa Middleton's since the former is already married. Traditionally, bridesmaids should be composed of unwed women. But if the Duchess of Cambridge is to become the principal bridesmaid, she would be called "matron of honor" in that case, as reported by Mirror. However, royal experts believe that Prince William's wife shouldn't be included in the wedding at all.

Kate Middleton and Pippa Middleton have always been close and it's easily assumed that one would be there for each other during the biggest day of their lives. However, according to royals author Judy Wade in a report by People, Kate should not be at the party because she would "upstage" Pippa. Pippa would definitely want Kate around during the important event but as Wade put it, "If your sister is a future Queen, she is going to upstage the bride and draw attention. Kate would want to be in the background as much as possible."

At this time, it remains unclear what role Kate Middleton the Duchess of Cambridge have to play in Pippa Middleton's wedding. Meanwhile, Kate's children with Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, will be the page boy and flower girl, respectively. It is reported that Kate would be content to have the royal children as her representatives. Pippa and James' wedding will be in May next year and they will be surrounded by close friends and family at their local church.
Nvidia's GTX 1080 Ti Release Date, Specs, News & Update: January Launching with AMD Radeon RX 490 Confirmed? Specs & Features Revealed

Nvidia had already released several graphics card in 2016, and despite the company's continued silence with regard to their future plans, several reports have emerged suggesting that it is already planning to launch the highly anticipated Nvidia's GTX 1080 Ti in January 2017. There are speculations suggesting that the upcoming GPU will be presented during next year's Consumer Electronics Show or CES in Las Vegas.

Although Nvidia has yet to provide the official details of the development and release of GTX 1080 Ti, several reports have surfaced online revealing its specs and features. Rumor has it that the new graphics card will be powered by the company's Pascal P104-400-A1, which basically means that users will get high-definition frames per second.

Despite its amazing features, the new Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti is expected to arrive in the market cheaper than the Pascal Titan X. However, tech experts believe that the hardware unit will be more expensive than the newly unveiled GTX 1050 Ti, which has a price tag of $140. Nonetheless, another report claims that the new GTX 1080 Ti will be powered by GP 102; however, this has yet to be confirmed by Nividia.

In another report by Digital Trends, the upcoming Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti will carry 3328 CUDA cores, which is lower than the impressive Titan X. The new graphics card will also have 208 TMU, which is also a lower number compared to Titan X's 224 TMUs.

Meanwhile, the GTX 1080 Ti will have 8GB GFFR5X with 256-bit memory and is expected to have a memory clock speed of 1,251MHz. The new GPU is going to compete against AMD's first Vega-based GPU, the Radeon RX 490.

As of the moment, tech freaks will have to wait for Nvidia to announce the release date of the new GTX 1080 Ti. The company is expected to make an official statement anytime soon.
WWE Latest News & Updates: John Cena Written Off Show's Survivor Series Because of 'American Grit'?

John Cena has taken a hiatus once again has he attends to his off-ring commitments. The former WWE champion is busy filming the second season of "American Grit" and has been limited to appearing in select live events.

The next big pay-per-view is WWE Survivor Series where Cena would have been a hands-down choice to lead one of the teams being assembled by Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon. Unfortunately, it doesnt look like he will get the chance unless something dramatic happens in the coming weeks, Wrestlingnews.co reported.

WWE SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan is expected to announce the teams on the November 1 edition of the show. The bearded one will make the announcement on Miz TV. Among the WWE stars already seeded include tag team champions Rhyno and Heath Slater and the Hype Bros for the 10-on-10 traditional Survivor Series Tag Team elimination match.

Nikki Bella will captain the womens elimination match with his crew likely known tonight. Perhaps the most important of the mix is the 5 stars what will represent SmackDown.

John Cena has been mentioned as well as AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose. Intercontinental champion Dolph Ziggler, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton and Baron Corbin have also been teased so the representatives of team Blue is anyones guess, WWE.com reported.

With an array of stars available to lead team SmackDown, Cena may not be immediately needed when the pay-per-view takes place at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto later this month. While the Cenation leader is still being advertised for Survivor Series, an update could be made soon.

If not Cena, the logical choice would be to have Dean Ambrose or even AJ Styles. But can these two rivals compete on the same page? The Miz could make a case for himself as well, considering the announcement would be made on his TV segment.
OnePlus 4 Release Date, News & Update: 2017 Launch Confirmed; Snapdragon 830 Chipset On-Board! Impressive Specs & Features Revealed

OnePlus 4 is another hotly anticipated release from the Chinese phone manufacturing firm, considering this year's iteration has been well-received. Although OnePlus 3 features impressive specs without the hefty price tag, fans believe that there is still room for improvement in the form of OnePlus 4.

The tech company hasn't confirmed the existence of OnePlus 4, but according to a trusted source who took the rumor to Weibo, the smartphone is expected to release in summer of 2017. This would make sense to many since OnePlus 3 also made its debut in summer of this year.

OnePlus 4 is also rumored to have a Snapdragon 830 chipset from Qualcomm. Although the 830 processor hasn't been officially released yet, it is expected to be ready by 2017 and most Android flagships should have it on board. If this rumor proves to be true, OnePlus 4 is expected to be more efficient in performance and battery compared to Snapdragon 820 or 821.

Tipster "i ice universe," who shared the latest report has a mixed track record, and so the reports should be taken with a grain of salt. As per Trusted Reviews, OnePlus 4's rumored release date and specs could be just a simple guess from the tipster. It's likely that the device will be released in summer as it has become OnePlus' chosen release window. In addition, Snapdragon 830 is already expected since most devices coming out next year are assumed to have this chipset model.

OnePlus has remained quiet when it comes to OnePlus 4, but it is now widely believed that the company will not follow in the footsteps of Apple when it comes to dealing with standard audio jacks. OnePlus CEO Carl Pei recently did a survey on Twitter, asking if people like headphone jacks. This was taken as a hint that OnePlus 4 could keep the standard feature instead of removing it - a big step taken by Apple recently when it introduced the iPhone 7 series.

For now, there is nothing conclusive about OnePlus 4 just yet but it is expected that sooner or later, the company should announce something big since there is so much hype surrounding the device. Stay tuned to GamenGuide for more updates.
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (left) and Mr Eugene Thuraisingam

Even after appealing twice, his client was still sentenced to hang for trafficking in drugs.





But lawyer Eugene Thuraisingam held on to hope that he could save his client, Dinesh Pillai Reja Retnam, a Malaysian national who was convicted in 2011.





Just when it seemed hopeless, an amendment to the law allowed Mr Thuraisingam to apply for a re-sentencing.





His client, who was found to be suffering from depression when caught trafficking in 19.35g of heroin in 2009, became the 1st drug convict to escape the noose because of his mental condition.





Dinesh Pillai, who was given life imprisonment, is just one of many clients Mr Thuraisingam has saved from the death penalty in the past 12 years.





Yesterday, Mr Thuraisingam, 41, was conferred the Lasco Award - in recognition of his commitment and service to the scheme, state and community - at the inaugural Tri-Court Volunteers Appreciation Dinner.





Since January 2012, he has handled 13 cases - 6 trials and 7 appeals under the Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences (Lasco).





Lasco is a scheme which ensures that all people facing capital charges in the High Court are given legal representation by pro bono lawyers.





There are about 200 lawyers on board this scheme.





Mr Thuraisingam said that his wife and three children, aged between 5 and 8, were proud of him for receiving the award, but he admitted that there have always been mixed emotions when handling cases involving the death penalty.





Referring to Dinesh Pillai's case, he said the Malaysian was paid RM200 (then S$80) to carry a package containing drugs into Singapore.





"I was happy that I saved someone from the gallows. Yet I was also sad because over a RM200 profit, someone has to spend the rest of his life in prison," he said.





Mr Thuraisingam also represented another Malaysian, Wilkinson Primus, who was caught with 35.66g of heroin in his motorcycle when riding into Singapore on Nov 3, 2008.





Wilkinson was given the then-mandatory death penalty in 2009.





But in 2014, Mr Thuraisingam applied for a re-sentencing under the amended laws, relying on psychiatric reports that Wilkinson was suffering from major depressive disorder and was "performing at an extremely low level of intellectual functioning" at the time.





The prosecution did not object to the application and Wilkinson was also given life imprisonment.





Working such capital charge cases are never easy and are always stressful, said Mr Thuraisingam.





"The pressure is very high. It's extremely intense," he said.





"What most of us do is to take a step back and be objective, because you won't do the client any good if you don't distance yourself from the fact that he is facing capital punishment.





"So know your law well, know the facts well and fight hard to the best of your ability," he said.





Mr Thuraisingam is full of praise for the Lasco scheme.





He said: "Without the dedication and compassion shown by the many lawyers who participate in this scheme, there would be no representation for these people in court.





"Because none of them can afford lawyers. They are the poorest of the poor, some who are exploited for RM200."





Mr Thuraisingam, who is against the death penalty, said he will continue to fight to save lives.





"The simple reason is that none of us can say why we are here on earth and where we go to when we die.





"When you cannot answer that question, I feel you have no right to take away life," he said.





Judicial volunteers and pro bono services are essential in making justice accessible to those in need, said Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon at the inaugural Tri-Court Volunteers Appreciation Dinner, held at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, last night.





For the 1st time, the judiciary, comprising the Supreme Court, the State Courts and the Family Justice Courts, came together to show its appreciation and recognise the contributions of volunteers in pro bono work.





In the last 3 years, the number of judiciary volunteers - including lawyers as well as volunteers, such as engineers, lecturers and retirees who serve as mediators and counsellors - grew by about 20 %, from 229 in 2014 to 284 this year.





Said CJ Menon: "The fact is there are the disadvantaged in society who lack the means to pay for legal services that would allow them to access justice in a meaningful way.





"It is here that pro bono work bridges the gap."





He referred to lawyers and non-lawyers, such as volunteers who provide meditation or counselling services, and said both groups are equally vital to the administration of justice.





Last night, 4 volunteers were accorded Outstanding Court Volunteer Awards for their outstanding work in the State Courts or Family Justice Courts, alongside Mr Eugene Thuraisingam, who was conferred the Lasco Award.





23 volunteers also received long service awards.







 | 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



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Source: tnp.sg , November 2, 2016
'Divergent: Ascendant' Latest News & Updates: Theo James, Shailene Woodley Will Not Repeat Roles?

With news that "Divergent: Ascendant" motion picture is being made for TV rather than a dramatic or theatrical release, large portions of its original cast team have expressed their discouragement and loss of interest in pursuing the project.

Lead star Shailene Woodley, who plays the show's lead actress Tris Prior, said she was startled by Lionsgate's declaration about making "Divergent: Ascendant" into a TV motion picture. As indicated by Screen Rant, the performing artist got some answers concerning the studio's decision from the press and that she wasn't informed personally.

"Last I heard they were attempting to make it into a TV program. I didn't join to be in a network show," Woodley expressed. "Out of regard to the studio and everybody included, they may have altered their decision and might accomplish something else, however I'm not really keen on doing a TV program."

Woodley's "Divergent" co-star Miles Teller additionally was unhappy too with Lionsgate choice to change gears and pick a TV motion picture release of "Divergent: Ascendant."

Shailene Woodley clarifies that she has not officially dropped out of #Ascendant - READ: https://t.co/80LuoVWVo1 pic.twitter.com/9Kr88LYsuL  PageToPremiere.com (@PageToPremiere) September 25, 2016

"We as a whole signed on for it with the expectation that it'd be shown in theaters, and we as a whole had each aim of completing [the franchise]," Teller told The Hollywood Reporter. "It got every one of us off guard."

UPDATE - #Ascendant won't just be a TV movie, the story will be told across 10-13 episodes: https://t.co/EartZpuYOI pic.twitter.com/u95p1JJTL3  PageToPremiere.com (@PageToPremiere) August 5, 2016

It was Ansel Elgort's announcement, in any case, that inferred that whatever remains of the "Divergent" cast team are not excited in repeating their parts in a TV film adaption. Elgort said it is disheartening that they couldn't say an appropriate farewell to each other as they were all hoping to chip away at a "Divergent: Ascendant" film. From this perspective, it is apparent that even Theo James, who's going to show up in the up and coming "Underworld: Blood Wars," is likewise not returning as Four.
Sam Heughan, Caitriona Balfe Dating: 'Outlander' Season 3 Stars Takes On-Screen Romance To Real Life? 'First Light' Actor Ready To Announce Relationship?

Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe have been a subject of dating rumors for quite awhile now. Although the "Outlander" Season 3 starts remained tight-lip about their relationship status, their on-screen and off-screen chemistry are definitely undeniable. Are the dating rumors pushing the "First Light" actor to the limit and will finally announce his real-life romance with the Irish actress and model?

Sam Heughan, Caitriona Balfe Dating: 'Outlander' Season 3 Stars Taking Relationship To The Next Level?

Speculations about Sam Heughan (James "Jamie" Mackenzie Fraser) and Caitriona Balfe (Claire Beauchamp Randall/Fraser) taking their on-screen romance to real-life have been making its rounds on the Internet. Although the "Outlander" Season 3 stars have always noted that they are just friends, their body movements said otherwise.

Everytime Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe attended events for the hit historical television drama series, the duo have appeared more and more like a couple. The co-stars may just be teasing fans to create more hype to "Outlander" Season 3. But with dating rumors already plaguing their partnership, it won't be surprise that fans will believe that Cody Kennedy's ex and the "Money Monster" actress are more than just friends.

Sam Heughan, Caitriona Balfe Dating: 'Outlander' Season 3 Stars Taking On-Screen Romance to Real Life?

Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe are getting closer and closer together as "Outlander" Season 3 came. The co-stars are so close that even the 36-year-old actor is feeling bad for his leading lady because of her heavy costumes, as reported previously by GamenGuide.

"You know, every day I feel very fortunate, because it's tough for women. In those days, it was terrible-in these corsets, to be almost trussed up in something very constrictive. Whereas for men, it was very relaxed," Sam Heughan shared. "I can do it in two minutes. It's great. Poor Caitriona is there for 45 minutes," the "Outlander" Season 3 actor revealed.

For now, Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe chose not to address any rumors about their status. It seems that the "Outlander" Season 3 stars are leaving the fans to speculate about the standing of their relationsihip.

Do you think Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe are dating? Let us know in the comments section below!
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Release Date, Specs, Features, News & Update: There's No Stopping The Note Series; 2017 Launch Confirmed; Details Here!

Following the disastrous debut of then-hotly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Note 7, it's pretty understandable that customers will feel apprehensive toward a successor, confirmed to be Samsung Galaxy Note 8. However, Samsung continues to make sure that it provides the best post-release service it can give to its loyal customers. It has been reported that the South Korean tech giant is even willing to trade in Note 7 for Note 8 once it arrives next year.

After the recent massive recall of the Galaxy Note 7, some fans thought that it would be the end of the Galaxy Note series. On the contrary, successor Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is bound to happen after all. According to the company's statement relayed by Reuters, Note 7 owners can trade their devices with Galaxy S7 units, which will ultimately allow them to trade it in for a Note 8 or an S8 at half the price via Samsung's update program. This seemingly hinted that the Note series will continue despite reports of it being discontinued.

Official details of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 have not been released but according to CNet, it might not be called Note 8 to avoid confusion with Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 released in 2013. As for the specs, the Note 8 is rumored to carry either a Snapdragon 830 or an Exynos 8895 processor. It could also come with a 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM. Apart from the machine under the hood, it is also speculated that the phablet will retain some of the features found in Note 7, such as the Always-On display.

Supporters also assume that the company will prioritize the safety of Samsung Galaxy Note 8. The company is assumed to dedicate their time to finding a solution to the explosion problem of the recalled Note 7. At the moment, Samsung still doesn't have an answer as to why the problem with the Note 7 occurred. Since Note 8's 2017 launch has been confirmed, it's only a matter of time before consumers will know why Note 7 exploded.
'Fuller House' Season 2 Air Date, Spoilers, News & Update: DJ Chooses Boyfriend Between Matt, Steve; Stephanie, Kimmy's Brother Confirmed Making Out?

Have mercy! It's an early Christmas gift for fans of the popular Netflix series as it releases a trailer for its "Fuller House" Season 2. The Tanner/Gibbler/Gladstone clan are back with their crazy shenanigans and adventures as they celebrate all the holidays, from Halloween, Thanksgiving to Christmas.

More than that, however, it seems as if DJ Tanner (Candace Cameron Bure) has decided to settle the love triangle once and for all in "Fuller House" Season 2. But as she chooses between handsome veterinarian Matt (John Brotherton) and her lifelong friend, Steve (Scott Weinger), it appears the two have already gotten girlfriends. Will she ever land any of the two guys?

What to expect from 'Fuller House' Season 2

There's so much more to expect from the upcoming "Fuller House" Season 2. For one, all the original series regulars--Dave Coulier, Bob Saget, John Stamos, and Lori Loughlin--are all guesting in the second installment of the Netflix spinoff series. Fans can expect them during the Thanksgiving episode as the entire clan get together for Turkey Day.

And it's not just DJ who's finally making progress with her love life. The new "Fuller House" Season 2 trailer confirmed that new guest star Adam Hagenbuch, who will be playing Jimmy Gibbler in the show, is indeed the "Jimmy" earlier reported to be Stephanie Tanner's (Jodie Sweetin) new flame. The trailer showed both of them making out before Steph found out that Jimmy was Kimmy's sister. Will they eventually approve of this relationship?

As promised, "Fuller House" Season 2 will also feature popular '90s boyband "New Kids on the Block" as a nod to the original "Full House" show. Loyal fans would recall that the original series guested The Beach Boys in an episode where the entire Tanner clan attended their concert.

"Fuller House" Season 2 will air December 9 on Netflix. Stay tuned to GamenGuide for more "Fuller House" Season 2 spoilers, news and updates!
Tokyo Ghoul: re Chapter 100 Air Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Is Kanikes Goal Of Human/Ghoul Understanding Possible? More Plot Details Revealed

The upcoming "Tokyo Ghoul: re" Chapter 100 promises to once again introduce the necessary tension back into the anime series' plot. And by the looks of it, it could come from multiple directions, some from among the ghouls themselves while others may come from outside their group.

'Tokyo Ghoul: re" Chapter 99 Recap

As previously reported by GamenGuide, "Tokyo Ghoul: re" Chapter 99 started another arc for the manga series. In fact, there was a time jump introduced setting the recent chapter around a month after the tumultuous events of the recent past. While the events last chapter is a bit slow as to be expected in between story arcs, the upcoming "Tokyo Ghoul: re" Chapter 100 is expected to pick up the pace.

Upon waking up a month later, Kaneki went about his business as usual, having coffee and meeting up old friends. Touka, Mr Yomo, Koma, Irimi and Nishio are all there to greet him. Eventually the group gathered inside the facility where events could point to a possible tension in the coming "Tokyo Ghoul: re" Chapter 100.

A Faction Opposing Kaneki In "Tokyo Ghoul: re" Chapter 100?

To some of the ghouls gathered inside the facility, Kaneki was a disappointment. Apparently, not all of them are open to Kaneki's ideal of ghouls peacefully coexisting with humans. In fact, there are those who disdainfully call him human-loving, a view that does not bode well in the coming "Tokyo Ghoul: re" Chapter 100.

Nevertheless, it appears that majority of the ghouls want to cooperate with Kaneki. They see him as the strongest ghoul being the one who killed Kishou Arima and therefore, fit to be their leader the One Eyed King. In addition, there is also the presence of the ghouls that Kaneki led from Cochlea whose loyalty is now with him. It is interesting to see if the Kaneki-opposing faction will be able to generate enough following to pose as credible threat in the coming "Tokyo Ghoul: re" Chapter 100.

New Enemies To Be Revealed In "Tokyo Ghoul: re" Chapter 100?

But Kaneki has other things to worry as well. In fact, new enemies might be already introduced when "Tokyo Ghoul: re" Chapter 100 release date comes.

In the previous chapters, it was speculated that the new enemies for this arc will be the new Washuu King. It was seen that Furuta seized power by killing his father effectively controlling both V and the Clowns. It is highly likely that his activities will be revealed in the coming "Tokyo Ghoul: re" Chapter 100 or later chapters as the two are bound to eventually clash.

In addition, there is that highly anticipated response from CCG. It was revealed that Kaneki was in hiding from the CCG but the department is bound to know his whereabouts sooner or later. Will "Tokyo Ghoul: re" Chapter 100 finally reveal the next move from CCG?

"Tokyo Ghoul: re" Chapter 100 release date is expected sometime next week. Stay tuned to GamenGuide for updates.
The Defenders Air Date, Spoilers, News & Update: More Superheroes Coming! Will The Punisher Jon Bernthal Appear? Find Out Here!

Marvel Cinematic Universe is making its way on the small screen, thanks to Netflix. As another Marvel Comics will be brought to life on TV, the publishing giant recently announced the coming of an array of superheroes in "The Defenders."

In the official Twitter account of the upcoming TV series, it revealed that other friends are coming in "The Defenders." "Assemble your allies: #EldenHenson, @AnnapurnaLiving and @ekadarville are back for The #Defenders," it said.

The page announced the coming of Elden Henson to reprise her role in "Daredevil" as Foggy Nelson. Also, Carrie-Anne Moss is set to appear as her character Jeri Hogarth from "Jessica Jones" and "Daredevil" Season 2, according to IGN.

Eka Danville, too, will be seen as Malcolm Ducasse from "Jessica Jones" to "The Defenders." Aside from that, the much-awaited stint of Jon Bernthal as "The Punisher" might also appear.

It was first announced that Karen Page and Misty Knight is set to star the coming "The Defenders." Hence, with all these characters, the coming TV series is now highly anticipated.

ScreenRant reported that Netflix set its high hopes with "The Defenders" to be warmly welcomed by its subscribers. The main characters of the show are all well-known and loved by fans, so it won't have a hard time promote the said program.

Also, with a lot of crossovers happening in Marvel Cinematic Universe on TV, fans will surely enjoy the big treat. Viewers who are not familiar with the comic book, but want to know how the story goes, will sure wonder how these superheroes' lives are intertwined and work with each other in "The Defenders."

In "The Defenders," all these titular characters will join forces to defeat their biggest villain that will be played by Sigourney Weaver. However, her role and other details about her character are not yet revealed.

But, knowing Netflix, Sigourney Weaver will surely be the next antagonist you will be mad of. The streaming service has not announced the exact release date of "The Defenders," but its production is now underway and expected to be out in 2017.
Rotary got started in Long Beach in 1917 when seven local businessmen met with a New York Rotarian who talked about his club there.
I wonder if they just needed a police force that was experienced in beating and shooting brown people? If so the Minneapolis police would be the closest to call on. They brought out the hoses on the water protectors. Would that be irony?



But hey we don't live in a police state when a police department from a different state comes in to "protect" the rights of a private business.
Daws77 said: so you don't have any evidence to support your ********.

BAHAHAHAHA! Click to expand...

I am so glad you want to debate whether Hillary Clinton is under criminal investigation over her mishandling of confidential government documents. So let me ask you a question. If the FBI made a recommendation for an indictment of Hillary's mishandling of confidential communications, would you then say that the investigation was a criminal investigation?
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Car crashes into tree : Four seriously injured at traffic circle

BONN Four young people were badly injured early Tuesday morning in a car accident at the Potsdamer Platz traffic circle. The 22-year-old driver and his passengers had met at a Halloween party.

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According to the police officer in charge, Uwe Schachtschneider, the injuries of the three young women were serious and paramedics could not rule out life threatening injuries. From Bonn, the young women met the 22-year-old Cologne man at a Halloween party in Cologne. Shortly before 5 a.m., they left the A555 heading towards Bonn. It could be that the 22-year-old did not know the area in Bonn, was driving too fast and did not see the traffic circle ahead. He then drove straight ahead on Potsdamer Platz and right into a tree, said Schachtschneider.

Although the young people were all seriously injured, they were able to free themselves from the badly damaged vehicle before police and the fire department arrived. Witnesses had notified authorities. Paramedics treated the four at the scene and they were taken to hospital. Schachtschneider said paramedics suspected critical injuries because of the condition and symptoms of the crash victims.

The three women from Bonn were all in their early 20s and had just met the 22-year-old at a Halloween party in Cologne. They hadnt known each other previously. The three young women were dressed in Halloween costumes but the driver was not. According to GA information, the man offered to drive them home to Bonn. When they were on the autobahn, He told them several times that they were going faster than 200 Kmh, said an officer at the scene. Alcohol, however did not play a role according to initial reports.

Parts of traffic circle were closed off until 6:15 a.m. as police examined the accident scene. A towing truck company picked up the damaged Mercedes A-Klasse vehicle and was ordered to secure it for further examination and investigations.
One way or the other, with one candidate or the other, we're screwed, the only question being: How will we get screwed?



Frankly, maybe it's best for Trump to be elected so that the liberals can rail on him for the next four years. Also, D legislators could and should obstruct every proposal he makes.



You know, like what's been going on for the last eight years, but with libs and cons exchanging roles. Fair is fair.
Article

Protecting the worlds oceans  an important goal of Germanys climate diplomacy

The worlds oceans are vital to our survival. They regulate the global climate and are a source of food and income for billions of people. Only a very small part of the seas enjoys legal protection, however. Our diplomats are working in New York right now to change this state of affairs.
FOCUS ON DEFENSE CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND OCEANIA
5 Most Frequently Used Apps That Work Seamlessly With Apples Siri in India Features oi -Prajith Apple Siris support for third-party apps in iOS 10 offers a seamless hands-free experience.

One of the most prominent changes that Apple's iOS 10 brings along is Siri's support for third party apps. As long as functionality is concerned, Siri was very limited earlier. In fact, it used to work only with Apple's proprietary apps and services, thereby fairly lagging behind in the battle of Artificial Intelligence powered virtual assistants.

Despite the fact that Apple was one of the first (smartphone manufacturing) companies to have this tech at their disposal, the Cupertino tech-giant couldn't do much with it. As a result, other companies like Google have left behind the Apple in the race and are offering much more unprecedented functionalities.

SEE ALSO: iOS 10.2 Beta: 5 New Features coming to Your iPhone

However, with the official roll out of iOS 10 things appear to change. Now, third-party apps can make use of Apple's Siri thereby making it more functional than it was ever before.

SEE ALSO: Follow these 5 Simple Steps to Send a Blank Message in WhatsApp [How to]

Let's take a look at 5 most frequently used apps on your iPhone that can work seamlessly with the Siri. All you have to do is just ask Siri to finish a task.

WhatsApp There is no denying the fact that WhatsApp is one of the most used apps on a daily basis. The IM app now allows you to send text messages or place voice calls just by asking Siri to do the same. So, instead of writing the text and sending them to your contacts the same old way, try giving voice commands to Siri to get things done. This feature can come in quite handy while you're driving. Uber Need a ride to the Airport urgently? Say "Get me a ride to the Airport" to Siri and you'll see a preview of the app in the Siri UI. Choose from the options and you're done. Additionally, you can track the car, call the driver, and more without even opening the app. LinkedIn In addition to WhatsApp, you can send text messages to your LinkedIn contacts without even typing the message. All you have to do is say "Send a LinkedIn" message to XYZ along with the information you intend to share. Pinterest Searching for things you like on Pinterest has become easier now. Ask Siri to "Show me food photos from Pinterest" and all the pins that match your query will pop up on the screen. Skype Microsoft's Skype also allows you to send text messages or place VoIP calls to your contacts. It's quite a simple affair to use this feature Just say "Call XYZ on Skype" and the rest will be taken care of by Siri. Note: For these apps to work with Siri, you'll have to give it access to all the apps you intend to use with it. To do this, head straight to Settings > Siri > App Support and give access. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals

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Motorola Moto M Will be the Companys First Smartphone to Ship With Non-Stock Android: Rumor Roundup Features oi -Chakri Kudikala Lenovo-owned Motorola is prepping up to launch their new mid-range smartphone-Moto M. As leaked by the popular tipster, OnLeaks, it might be the first Moto smartphone to ship with non-stock Android.

Not so long ago, Lenovo-owned Motorola's Moto Z and Moto Z Play reached Indian shores. Now, the company is already gearing up to launch a new smartphone, namely, the Moto M.

According to techdroider, Lenovo is heading to launch the smartphone on November 8 along with the Lenovo Vibe P2 with a 5100mAh battery. The smartphone has been in the news for quite some time now and we have already seen the possible specifications of the phone.

SEE ALSO: 4 Reliance Jio 4G SIM Scams That You Shouldn't Believe

That being said, ahead of its launch, popular tipster, OnLeaks on his Twitter handle leaked the complete specifications of the smartphone and most of the specifications quite similar to the earlier leaks, but there are a couple of changes.

SEE ALSO: 5 Things to Know about the Upcoming LG G6 Flagship Smartphone

Take a look at the final and possible specifications of the Motorola Moto M going to launch on November 8.

5.5-inch Full HD Display In-line with the earlier leaks, the latest leak also suggest that the upcoming Moto M will feature a 5.5-inch FHD display with a pixel density of 401 PPI. A New MediaTek Helio P15 SoC This is the most important change and a worthy one indeed in the latest leak. According to OnLeaks, the Moto M will pack the all new MediaTek Helio P15 chipset clocked at 2.2GHz and the processor feature eight cores. 13MP Rear Camera and 8MP Front-facing Camera This was earlier suggested as well. The Moto M will feature a 13MP camera on the rear along with a LED flash. There might be an 8MP front-facing camera to cover up the selfies. A 3050mAh battery! Going by the earlier leaks, the Moto M is said to feature a massive 5100mAh battery, however, that isn't the case says OnLeaks in his Twitter post. As said earlier, Lenovo will also launch a new smartphone called the Vibe P2 with a massive battery of 5100mAh battery. So, the Moto M will just feature a 3,050mAh battery and will be priced under the mid-range category. Bye Bye Stock Android? As per the images posted by OnLeaks, the software interface as seen on the images doesn't look like stock Android. Instead, it looks like the Lenovo's Vibe UI on top of Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. At this point of time, it is still unknown whether the posted Moto M is just running a third-party launcher or whether Lenovo is actually booting the smartphone with their Vibe UI. Source Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals

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Samsung Galaxy S8 Rumours: Bezel-Less Display and 5 Other Key Features to Expect Features oi -Prajith Samsungs next flagship, the Galaxy S8 will reportedly come with an almost bezel-less display.

It appears as if the South Korean giant is putting in all the efforts to win back the lost trust from Samsung loyalists owing to the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. As a result, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is expected to be a lot more different from what we've seen from the company before.

Recently, at the iMiD 2016 display exhibition, Park Won-Sang, principal engineer for Samsung's display manufacturing unit said that the company is currently working on a display whose screen-to-body-ratio will be more than 90%. What this essentially means is that you get a smartphone with a nearly bezel-less look.

SEE ALSO: Here are 5 Benefits of Choosing the Rs. 136 BSNL Freedom Plan Valid for 730 Days

For the uninitiated, currently, the average screen-to-body-ratio on any smartphone stands around at 80%.

Won-Sang also added that Samsung is planning to take the number further to 99% in the near future, which will leave a little or no room for the top, bottom and side bezels. While he did not specifically mention that Samsung will use this tech on the upcoming Galaxy S8, he did mention that the company will bring it to existence in 2017.

SEE ALSO: Turn Your Android Phone into DSLR and Capture Motion Blur-Free Pictures [5 Simple Steps]

What's interesting is the fact that earlier rumours of the Galaxy S8 point towards an edge-to-edge display. In addition, the South Korean giant is expected to ditch the physical home button/fingerprint scanner in favour of a sensor embedded beneath the display.

As per rumours, the phone itself will come in two size variants - a 5.1-inch and a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with 2K and 4K resolution respectively. Both the smartphones are rumoured to come equipped with a 10nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 830 chipset or a 10nm-based in-house Exynos chipset depending on the place of purchase.

As cited on Ubergizmo, the next Galaxy S flagship will feature an improved camera, possibly a dual camera setup and better artificial intelligence. Speaking of dual-camera setup, earlier reports point to a combination of 13MP and 12MP camera sensors at the back with an 8MP camera taking care of selfies at the front.

Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals

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Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications
'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.
U.S. Department of Defense

Press Operations

News Transcript

Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook October 31, 2016

Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room

PETER COOK: (off mic) of course of the department about public affairs in particular, so.

I have a few things off the top before I turn to your questions. As you know, Secretary Carter was just in Iraq just about a week ago and he was encouraged by the performance of the Iraqi security forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters in the opening days of the battle for Mosul. He got an update firsthand while, of course, he was in Iraq.

He continues to be encouraged by what he is seeing. The campaign is on track and moving forward according to plan. Progress in the last 24 hours includes the successful clearing of the village of Ali Rash on the southeast outskirts of Mosul by Iraqi security forces and Kurdish forces, clearing Kharab Bayt and Kani Shirin -- north of the city.

We have seen reports from Iraqi forces that they are in some places less than a kilometer from Mosul itself. While distance is not the best measure of the fight ahead and the coalition's prepared for difficult fighting ahead, there's no question that counter-ISIL forces continue to have the momentum in this fight.

ISIL resistance so far has consisted of extensive use of vehicle- borne IEDs, indirect fire and snipers in an attempt to delay the advance as well as obscuration fire set to try and conceal ISIL positions and movements. None of this has stopped the Iraqi advance, and of course, the support for the Iraqi advance but from the coalition.

We continue to see reports that ISIL is forcing civilians to act as human shields in blatant disregard for their safety. The coalition will continue to conduct this campaign with an eye toward protecting the innocent lives ISIL is putting at risk in the course of this fight.

The progress we have made to date is a testament to the bravery and dedication of the Iraqi soldiers, the peshmerga fighters, the federal police and the others on the front lines. The international coalition continues to support their efforts.

Over the last day, coalition forces have delivered 118 munitions through the air and artillery strikes, bringing the total employed since October 17 to nearly 2,900. In addition, the coalition recently delivered 228 additional vehicles to Iraqi forces and has continued to provide food and ammunition resupply across the battlefield.

I also wanted to update you on the secretary's schedule. Secretary Carter will leave tomorrow for a three-day trip that will take him to New York, Missouri, Nebraska and Ohio. In New York, the secretary will visit City College of New York to announce his latest Force of the Future initiatives to ensure that his successors will also get to lead the finest fighting force the world has even known. While he's in New York, he will also speak at a Stand Up For Heroes event that evening.

On Wednesday, he will travel to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to observe Army battlefield engineers in training and speak to troops at Fort Leonard Wood.

And then on Thursday, he'll be at Offut Air Force Base in Nebraska for the U.S. Strategic Command change of command ceremony. He is looking forward to thanking outgoing STRATCOM commander Admiral Cecil Haney for his distinguished service and to welcoming Air Force General John Hyten to this vitally important position.

Following the STRATCOM ceremony, the secretary will travel to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio for a brief visit to the Air Force Research Lab. While he's at Wright-Patterson, he will also get an update on the development of the B-21 Raider.

And with that, I'm happy to take your questions.

Q: Peter, about the disclosure last week that there was a near miss between a Russian and American aircraft over Syria, it was said that there was some immediate communication through the normal military channels between the Russian and Americans. I'm wondering why there was any -- has been any higher-level discussion about that incident or the implications of that or the secretary's view about it being an inadvertent episode?

MR. COOK: Bob, I can tell you much the same information you had last week, that this was an unusual occurrence given the proximity of these two aircraft, that this -- the sheer proximity alone made this different than other, if you will, contact that we've had with the Russians over Syrian airspace.

Obviously, it's a concern for us. That emergency line of communication was used and there was discussion afterwards and it's been determined by our folks that they saw this as an inadvertent contact. This was not something they saw an intentional act of hostility. But certainly, it'll be a focus of conversations and continues to be with regard to those -- the memorandum of understanding, the safety of flight protocols that are in place. And we continue to have those conversations with the Russians.

And -- but I think it's fair to say that -- that this was the closest in terms of proximity that we have come to date, and that is why it was a particular cause for concern. And again, this is something we've engaged with the Russians on and feel we have a better understanding of what happened here and we'll continue to have those conversations with the Russians to try and make sure something like this can't happen again. That's the whole purpose of that of that communication line, the whole purpose of the memorandum of understanding, which we think is very important to the safety of both our air crews and the Russian air crews as well.

Q: So it wasn't elevated to a higher political level discussion between the Pentagon and...

MR. COOK: We continue to handle it through the -- the CAOC line of communication. It certainly was raised to higher levels and the event itself has been made aware to certainly the secretary and others.

But we believe that this line of communication that we have established has been successful so far. There's been professional handling of it, certainly by our side, and we believe by the Russian side as well. And we continue to believe that that's the best way to try and address these issues going forward.

Yes, please.

Q: Last week, Secretary Carter said the Raqqah offensive would overlap with the Mosul offensive and would begin in about a few weeks. Today, the Turkish deputy prime minister came out and said, well, we would prefer it if the Raqqah offensive didn't start until the Mosul offensive was done.

What's the timeline for the Raqqah offensive now?

MR. COOK: I think you heard the secretary speak to this. You heard General Townsend speak to this as well.

The coalition -- the United States and the coalition as a whole, we all feel it's important to maintain pressure on ISIL at this particular moment in time. While they're feeling the heat in Mosul, they're also feeling the heat in Syria, our continued support for local partners there, our continue air operations, both in Syria and Iraq.

And I think the secretary's view is that we need to maintain pressure on them -- as much pressure as possible, and that includes beginning at least isolation of -- of Raqqah in the -- in the not too distant future. And that's the view that we share with other members of the coalition. We'll continue to work closely with all the members of the coalition in terms of timing, in terms of sequence.

But we have -- we have ISIL in a position right now where they're feeling the heat and we'd like to keep that pressure on.

Q: (inaudible) Turkey doesn't agree with that assessment and they are part of the coalition.

MR. COOK: Well, we'll continue to work closely with our Turkish partners who continue to -- to play a very important role in Syria and very important role in terms of the counter-ISIL effort. And again, I'm confident we'll have those -- the secretary had some of these conversations when he was in Turkey just the other day.

And so we're -- I'm confident that and I believe the secretary's confident that the coalition will all be on the same page in terms of executing this plan going forward, just as we have been with regard to executing the Mosul plan.

Q: Is there an option (inaudible) and isolate Raqqah without Turkey?

MR. COOK: Again, we'll -- we'll work this campaign, we will execute this plan in accordance with the timelines that best fit the coalition effort. And I'm confident we'll have the support of the coalition moving forward.

Yes?

Q: Peter, when the secretary went to Turkey, he left there with an agreement he said in principal, but then when he got to Baghdad, the Iraqi prime minister rejected that plan. Did the secretary view his trip to Turkey and Baghdad as a failure for not bringing Turkey and Iraq together?

MR. COOK: Absolutely not. We had an excellent visit to Turkey, an excellent visit to Iraq, good conversation with the leadership not only in Turkey but also with the Iraqi prime minister. And obviously, there are some -- there are some differences there between Turkey and Iraq right now and the secretary views his role and the role of the United States as the leader of the coalition to try and bridge those differences and try and keep everyone focused on the -- the common enemy we all share, and that's ISIL.

And he continues to work some of these issues and coordinate carefully with both our Iraqi partners as well as the Turkish leaders as well.

Q: Is the secretary concerned now that these Iranian- backed Shia militias have announced that they are taking part in the Mosul operation? Is he concerned that -- that these forces will not be helpful in the Mosul battle?

MR. COOK: Well, the secretary's most concerned that the plan for Mosul remain on track and that it remain the Iraqi plan, the one led by Prime Minister Abadi. So far, that has happened and he is very encouraged, as I said before, about not only the -- the success to date, but also that the execution of this plan matches what has been discussed and been on the drawing board for -- for weeks and months.

And that is what we're seeing right now play out in Mosul and in -- in the push towards Mosul.

Q: Peter, one of those groups in particular, the Kata'ib Hezbollah, is listed as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department. They're participating in this fight. This is a Sunni city, a majority Sunni part of Iraq, and yet, you have these forces flying Shiite flags, you have photos of the Ayatollah, many of these groups have American blood on their hands.

Is the secretary concerned that these Iranian-backed forces will not help, but actually make the conflict worse in Mosul?

MR. COOK: Well, you heard the secretary speak at -- at length about the need and the support for prime minister's approach, the multi- sectarian approach, to -- to governing Iraq and that this fight needs to in essence address some of the divisions that led to the rise of ISIL in the first place.

And so the secretary continues to support Prime Minister Abadi's own push to make this a multi-sectarian approach and to absolutely oppose anything that might suggest a fueling of sectarian strife. That's why we continue to support -- the coalition continues to support forces under the control of the government of Iraq and Prime Minister Abadi, and that's how the coalition will continue its operations.

Q: The secretary's not concerned at all about these Iranian-backed forces?

MR. COOK: Of course he's concerned and he's seen from past history what some of these forces have done.

At this moment, our support continues to be through the government of Iraq and Prime Minister Abadi and the forces that are on the ground conducting these operations and we'll continue to support those forces operating under the control of the government of Iraq.

Q: (inaudible) question on Raqqah, could you say that united -- the coalition, the other members of the coalition are on the same page with the United States with respect to execution of the Raqqah operation but for Turkey?

MR. COOK: I think it's fair to say that we are still -- the coalition as a whole is continuing to look at every aspect of the campaign right now, getting input from members of the coalition to see what role members of the coalition can play. And so I would not suggest to you that we're not on the same page as -- as Turkey at this point. This is an ongoing conversation. The secretary just met with the -- the president of Turkey, the prime minister of course, the defense minister, had another meeting with the defense minister in -- in Brussels. And we continue to talk on a regular basis with our Turkish -- with the Turkish leadership about the -- the best approach to -- to addressing the fight for Raqqah.

But we have to keep the pressure on and we have to move forward and challenge ISIL in its so-called capital of its caliphate. The secretary has made that clear with -- the coalition's been clear for some time that this is -- the ultimate goal here is to eject them, dislodge them from Mosul and from Raqqah. And we think we're in a position to begin doing that.

Q: You are saying that you -- you and the coalition as a whole and the United States and Turkey are on the same page. However, it doesn't reflect on this, you know, official remarks, official comments. How would you -- for example, the (inaudible) says that we will go an (inaudible) the Raqqah operation immediately by surrounding it and so on.

Turkey says, no it's not time. Not time for that. Turkish deputy prime minister is saying that.

MR. COOK: We'll continue to have our conversations with our Turkish counterparts and again, be as transparent as we can be with all the coalition members about the appropriate steps to take, the timelines, the roles coalition members can play, and we'll have those conversations in private with our Turkish counterparts and with other members of the coalition as we have from the start.

Q: This last question on Rutba. Late last week we heard that a Shia militia launched an offensive in Rutba and demolished private properties, torched houses, even demolished a mosque there and even abducted some youth in the city. What's your reaction to that? Are you concerned about Shia militia sectarian actions in Iraq?

MR. COOK: As we discussed before, we are obviously concerned about any reports of sectarian, anything feeling like sectarian strife within Iraq. This has been a cause for concern for some time, something of course we identified around the time of the Fallujah operations and of course encouraged by what we heard from Prime Minister Abadi about his zero tolerance for any indication of these kinds of activities.

I'm not familiar with every single detail of what you say has happened in Rutba. I know that ISIL reappeared in Rutba and that there was an effort by the Iraqi security forces to go after ISIL in Rutba, but I think we would continue to have concern about anything that indicates atrocities and these kinds - anything that fuels sectarian strife in Iraq. As Prime Minister Abadi himself has said and reaffirmed to the secretary in his meetings in Baghdad just a few days ago.

Q: Two questions. Thank you sir. As far as fighting against terrorism and joining ISIL or ISIS, how many these terrorists are from 64 coalition forces and what is the message and what are these forces apparently coalition forces are doing to stop them from their countries and also at the same time are these fighters also coming from beyond 64 countries and also maybe friends of the U.S.?

MR. COOK: Let me make sure I understand your question correctly. You're wondering how many of the ISIL fighters actually come from the 64 countries that make up the coalition? I don't have an exact breakdown for you. Certainly a number of these fighters come from Syria and Iraq but not all of them. The problem of foreign fighters and people for whatever reason pulled to ISIL and pulled to Syria and Iraq to fight on behalf of ISIL is a problem that all the members of the coalition have identified.

Certainly some of them perhaps are from coalition-member countries. What we're most concerned about now is making sure that those people do not leave the battlefield in Iraq and Syria and find their way back to their homelands to be able to cause problems in those places. It is a central focus of the coalition campaign to protect our homelands. It was a major focus of discussion in Paris when the secretary met with leaders from some of the other counter- ISIL coalition nations' defense ministers, and continues to be a major focus certainly of the coalition efforts, the United States efforts, is to target those external plotters, to do what we can to limit their ability to plot, meet, gather, coordinate and we've made substantial progress in that area but there's plenty more work to do and we'll continue to be focused on it with - I know other members of the coalition share the same concerns we do about protecting the homeland.

Q: As far as the terrorists in Pakistan, are you concerned General Musharraf who ruled the country for almost 20 years, Pakistan, now he is saying in an interview and also on YouTube that now that Pakistan is the one who created al Qaeda and Taliban and now after feeding them, training them, financing them, now they are coming back against Pakistan and (inaudible) peoples there. Do you buy his stand now since he was not cooperating for 10 years with the U.S. including he kept saying that Osama bin Laden was not in Pakistan but now he is speaking against his own country which now he's out of the country?

MR. COOK: Quite honestly, I am not aware of President Musharraf's most recent comments. I will just say that you know that focusing on counter-terrorism has been a big part of our ongoing conversations with Pakistan and will continue to be a major focus of our efforts with Pakistan.

Q: Does the U.S. believe, or this department, that there are still terrorists in Pakistan who are of course killing their (inaudible) Pakistanis and maybe joining ISIL and others?

MR. COOK: We believe that there continues to be a terrorist threat within Pakistan against the Pakistani people and also posing a threat outside of Pakistan and we continue to work closely with the Pakistan government to try and address it. We think there's more that can be done and this is something that will continue to be a major focus.

Q: Another question about the Shia militias. Some of their leaders say that they are getting closer to Mosul Airport. Are you aware of that or does that concern you or is there any coordination between the coalition and those forces on the ground?

MR. COOK: There's no coordination between the coalition and those Shia militias that you refer to. There is coordination with the coalition and the government of Iraq and you're seeing that. Perhaps some of your colleagues who are there are seeing that first hand. But there is no coordination - certainly no support coming from the coalition.

I'm not aware of those reports that their - exact location.

Q: Some of the peshmerga commanders and Iraqi forces, they say that they haven't been getting enough air support in the last couple of days, compared to the days before. And they say that it is because of the presence of those Shia militias now in the front lines. What is your take on that?

MR. COOK: I have not heard that suggested. I know there's been very, very careful coordination, including even while we were in Iraq, discussion directly with the Kurdish leadership about air support, and what's being done within the coalition to make sure that we're bringing the firepower to bear that's needed. There are multiple axes right now of attack in Mosul.

There's certainly a need on the behalf of those forces on the ground for air support and we're gonna continue to provide - I detailed some of the numbers here, the sheer volume of munitions that have been dropped in support of Mosul is quite substantial, and we're going to continue to work closely with the Kurdish peshmerga forces, with the Iraqi security forces, the counter-terrorism forces, to make sure that we are bringing the firepower to bear that best support their moves against the enemy. And that's a daily, ongoing adjustment that we're making but I would venture to say that anyone who's been up there, who's seen the kind of firepower that we can bring to bear there - they've seen it. And the enemy's seen it too.

Q: Peshmerga commanders say that they have achieved their objectives and they stopped moving forward. Is that also in line with your assessment of the fighting in that area?

MR. COOK: I'll leave the peshmerga to describe - and the KRG to describe their own strategic goals here, but there has been a plan that's been carefully coordinated both with the Iraqi government in partnership with the Kurdistan leadership as well, as to what the most appropriate places for the pesh to go and where there may be instances in which the Iraqi security forces can leapfrog peshmerga forces.

They've been working in tandem remarkably well. It is for those who know the history, this is not an insignificant thing, and that level of cooperation was one of the most tangible things we could see, in our visit to the area, to have for example the secretary offer his thanks to the Iraqi helicopter pilots who are flying from Kurdish territory - that's not something you've seen a few months back. And I think that coordination and the cooperation between the two has been truly remarkable and one of the reasons that the forces around Mosul right now have advanced as they are against ISIL.

Q: One clarification and then a couple of questions. In your opening statement on Iraq - I'm not sure I heard correctly so let me make sure. You talked about the resupply, and I think you said food, ammunition and other resupply?

MR. COOK: Yes, a number of logistical (inaudible).

Q: Two things. On the food - is it that the Iraqis can't provide food for their army and for their people, or for their fighters, or are you simply hauling their food supplies north because they can't - they don't have the airlift to do it themselves?

MR. COOK: This has been a coalition effort from the start, to be able to provide logistical assistance to (off mic) -- I'll double check as to exactly where the rations came from. But this has been part of our plan all along, to be able to provide this kind of enabling support to the Iraqis. And this is support that we are happy to provide.

Q: This is fully reimbursed food, ammunition and other supplies, fully reimbursed to the United States by the Iraqis?

MR. COOK: I'll double check what the funding is for it, but as you know there are substantial funds as part of our effort in Iraq to support the Iraqis, and so this has been resourced and planned well in advance.

Q: If you could find out for me if that is paid for by the Iraqis or are we giving it to them. My other two questions. On Afghanistan, the drone strike that killed the two al Qaeda operatives in Afghanistan that you spoke about, or issued a statement about last week - I just wanted to ask a little bit more.

While they had been known to be plotting generally attacks against the U.S. and Western interests, at this time when you conducted this strike, did you have any indication that they might be engaged in real-time planning, if you will, that there was a more current real-time plot that they were working on?

MR. COOK: I'm not going to get into intelligence matters from this podium. But we are confident that they not only had threatened U.S. forces in the past and had been threatened the United States and Western interests in the past, that they had an intent to do so in the future as well.

Q: So it was not just something in the past.

MR. COOK: Correct.

Q: And my other question, if I can be quick about it, is in fact about Pakistan. Not asking State Department diplomacy government-to-government relations, asking from a national security perspective, given the fact that there are these massive demonstrations in Pakistan right now against the government - hundreds of people, if not thousands, arrested, and a lot of tension between the Pakistani military and the government - for the Pentagon, for the administration, what are the military national security concerns you have about this unrest in terms of the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons and the concerns you have about what the Pakistani military may decide to do?

MR. COOK: Barbara, I'm -- I'm going to leave it to the State Department to talk about our -- our diplomatic relations with -- with Pakistan. I just spoke about our significant concern about the terrorist threat from within Pakistan, and this is something we work very carefully with the Pakistani military on.

Q: (inaudible) asking about the (inaudible) Pakistani military. Given the current unrest, how certain are you about the security at this time of Pakistan's nuclear weapons?

MR. COOK: Barbara, we continue to have regular communication with our Pakistani counterparts and I'm going to leave it at that. We are obviously watching the situation closely. We watch the region very closely. This is a part of the world that's had its share of political upheaval in recent years and this is something that we'll watch carefully and -- and something that -- that in particular with regard to our military relationship we'll continue to engage our counterparts on that front.

Q: But with respect, I'm not hearing you say that the U.S. military has confidence - - complete confidence in the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons.

MR. COOK: I'm gonna again -- once again reiterate that we will continue to do what we always do, and that is engage on a regular basis with our military counterparts there in Pakistan, as we have for some time. And we will continue to -- to have the conversation that we always have with them with regard to stability in the region, stability of Pakistan, and of course, the terrorism threat that emanates from Pakistan and the area.

Q: Just to follow up on Lucas and Kasim's questions on the militias, recent reports state that they're roughly 18 kilometers from Tal Afar. Reportedly, thousands of militiamen are there sort of massing. Looking at some of the recent catalogs of coalition strikes, there have been several in the Tal Afar area around like -- like for the last five days now.

As I understand it, there's no -- I mean, the Iraqi forces aren't there -- Kurdish peshmerga forces aren't there, it's just the PMU. So were these air strikes over the last several days around the Tal Afar area in support of their operations as they push east?

MR. COOK: Two things on that. I'm not sure you're totally correct in terms of the -- where all the Iraqi security forces are for one.

And second of all, we continue to carry out air strikes against ISIL targets that pose a threat to the coalition, of course, are part of the defenses around Mosul. And so we'll continue to do that. I'm not sure the exact -- how many strikes we've done in that vicinity, but we're not providing support to those Shia militias, and that's -- that's been our position all along. We'll continue to maintain that.

But we will provide support to the Iraqi security forces that are -- that are in the area and we'll continue to carry out strikes against ISIL targets we see that pose a threat to the coalition.

Q: A quick follow-up on Kirkuk. As part of the Iraqi plan that we've been hearing in the run-up to Mosul, it was -- it would go Sharqat then Hawijah then the Mosul operation would -- would begin. Obviously, the operation is starting. Hawijah was not cleared, it was sort of -- seems to have been left out or changed at the last minute. And now, reports we're seeing are the fighters who launched the attack in Kirkuk were mostly based out of Hawijah.

Now, in retrospect, do you see that change in the battle plan as a mistake from the Pentagon's point of view, from the military's point of view, by the Iraqis?

MR. COOK: We think -- this is an Iraqi plan led by the Iraqis. We continue to support it. We think there's progress being made in the fight for Mosul. And I'll leave it to Prime Minister Abadi and his leadership to speak to -- to the sequence of events.

Obviously, we want to see ISIL removed from as many places in Iraq as possible, including Hawijah, and they'll be -- that'll be part of the ongoing operations from the Iraqi side with the support of the coalition. But this was a decision made by Prime Minister Abadi to move forward at this time with the -- with the Mosul fight and we support that decision.

Q: Peter, I wanted to ask you about the humanitarian situation in Mosul. There have been some concerns from aid groups in recent ways (inaudible) to allow civilians to be able to flee Mosul hasn't yet been established. I realize that forces haven't advanced that far, but can you give us an update on first off, is there a specific plan to create this corridor and what the status of it is?

MR. COOK: Well, I know even in our meetings with the U.N. leadership in Baghdad when we were there, there have been people -- displaced people who have left some of these villages, for example, and been able to go to some of these U.N. aid centers. They haven't been as big in numbers as some initially thought might happen. So I believe that's happening.

And in terms of the actual movement of civilians out, you'll recall that the Iraqi leadership has encouraged people in Mosul to remain in their homes in many instances because they might actually be safer there. So if there isn't freedom of movement for civilians, it has more to do with what ISIL is doing than anything we're doing at this particular moment in time.

So -- but there continues to be an effort to try and make sure civilians can reach the safe confines of these -- these U.N. areas and we'll continue to do what we can in terms of both targeting, and of course the Iraqi forces on the ground are trying to deal with these civilians at the same time. So I would encourage you to talk to the Iraqis about the particular approaches they're taking with regard to their ground forces and what's being done to accommodate those civilians.

Q: The concerns that I've heard are less to do with the outlying towns, which as I understand it, as they've been freed, people are then leaving, and more to do with the up to 1.5 million civilians in Mosul, who at some point at the height of the fighting are probably going to want to get out. I know that's a concern that the U.S. has talked about before, that ISIS populations might try to hide in these -- in these groups as they flee.

Is that not true that there's going to be some sort of outlet for them to be able to leave Mosul once the fighting begins?

MR. COOK: Well, I'm not going to walk through every single aspect of the fight and the approaches in and that sort of thing. There has been considerable thought given to how to address that situation, and one of the ideas again, Paul, that's been -- you've seen it in leaflets, you've seen it in radio broadcasts, is to encourage civilians to the extent they can because they might actually be safer to remain in their homes because of the concerns for the fighting that's gonna take place, the potentially brutal kind of fighting that could take place in that urban environment.

So there are concerns. This has been something that's been communicated by the Iraqis to the civilian population there. But we do know that there are going to be some people who find it's in their best interest to try and -- and leave the city and there are precautions that have been taken to try and address that, but it is not -- a mass exodus from the city is not necessarily something that the Iraqis believe would be in the best interest of that civilian population.

Q: Just to be clear, as I understood it, that campaign of sort of stay in your homes was more to do with the beginning of the campaign. You're saying that's actually throughout the entirety of clearing it of ISIS? The plan is try to keep people...

MR. COOK: That's been communicated by -- by the Iraqis. And again, we understand that there will be some people who will exit -- try and exit the city just because they feel safer and there are steps that are gonna be taken to try and address that. And again, there's an effort right now to establish locations for displaced people where they can have some shelter and -- and some support.

And we -- the secretary met directly with some of the U.N. folks most responsible for that. Some of that will of course fall in terms of the coalition effort, will fall more to USAID and that sort of thing, and a lot of this will be coordinated by the Iraqis themselves in terms of the best pathways that could, if any, emerge, for civilians to be able to exit the city.

Q: One last quick question. I understand that there's a screening process before people who have fled Mosul will be able to access some of the aid camps and other distribution hubs. Is the U.S. participating at all in that screening process, or is that an entirely Iraqi operation?

MR. COOK: That's going to be Iraqi-led, is my understanding. I'm not aware of a specific coalition role with regard to that, other than of course we're supporting the effort at these U.N. facilities. We're supporting them in terms of financially contributing to it and helping with -- some of our sister agencies are helping with the actual establishment and supplies for those facilities, but we are not doing -- we are not specifically involved as I understand it in the screening of those people.

Q: You mentioned foreign fighters earlier. We haven't had an assessment for some months there about what the number of foreign fighters joining ISIL in Iraq and Syria is. Can you give us the latest estimate on that, please?

MR. COOK: Let me see if we have an updated number for you. Obviously, it's a number that's been a concern to us. Any number of foreign fighters is a concern, and it's one thing that we've -- what we've approached in this sort of systematic fashion to try and deal with the challenge posed by foreign fighters, tightening the border area along Turkey and Syria, for example, targeting Manbij in particular and the support for that effort, given the flow of foreign fighters through that corridor, and it continues to be something that we're watching very carefully in Mosul, with the potential for foreign fighters to leave Mosul perhaps and head elsewhere.

Q: You've seen a big decrease since Manbij was sealed off? Since that (inaudible) --

MR. COOK: I think it's fair to say that we feel confident that we have made a significant dent in the foreign fighter flow, for sure, and even the foreign fighter population within ISIL, but this continues to be a concern. I'll try and get you the specific number with our estimates, James.

Q: And then just really quickly, you mentioned that the ISF forces left (inaudible) just a few hundred yards away from Mosul itself. I know this is obviously an Iraqi-led operation, but is the plan for them to hold in place until the other axes have caught up? Do you have an assessment of when they actually might go into the city?

MR. COOK: I'm going to leave it to the Iraqis to characterize what the next steps will be.

Q: I have two questions on two subjects. First, I'd just like to go back to Turkey for a moment. What specifically -- can you tell us what specifically is being done to try to accommodate Turkey's desire for a role in the Raqqah operation, and balance that against Turkey's antipathy toward working with the Kurdish YPG militias that are going to be part of the force? How are you able to -- what's being considered to finesse that? Because it's obviously a point of tension.

MR. COOK: Jamie, I'm not going to get into all the private conversations that are happening here, but you've seen the role that Turkey's played in terms of the counter ISIL fight, the very successful efforts along the border area to consolidate those gains, to tighten up that border. They have done damage to ISIL. Those Turkish supported forces, and we're in agreement, that's been a good thing. That's been a very positive thing. We've been very supportive of that. As the fight shifts towards Raqqah, we believe there are going to be opportunities for coalition members of all kinds, not just Turkey, to play a role in that, and we'll continue to have conversations. Again, we're not going to get into specifics about every single role, but we absolutely believe that it would be beneficial for Turkey to play a role and for a host of coalition partners to play a role.

Q: And second question, different subject. Technology company Palantir won small victory in court against the Army. They were suing to force a law, a 1994 law that was supposed to prompt the government to buy commercial technology when feasible instead of having expensive development of duplicate technology. I'm just wondering if this is a decision that's welcomed by Secretary Carter specifically because he's talked so much about making it easier for commercial companies to do business with the Pentagon, and this seemed to be an impediment to companies like Palantir to be able to sell their technology to the Pentagon, which they argue is a fraction of the cost and time.

MR. COOK: I'm going to admit that you're more up to speed on the news than I am. I'm not aware of this court ruling, so I won't comment specifically on this court ruling. What I will say more broadly is that the secretary does believe that there should be opportunities for the Department of Defense to be more nimble, more agile in terms of its engagement with the private sector, and he's been supportive of that. You've seen the efforts by DIUX to try and improve that outreach to the technology community, make it easier to do business with the Department of Defense, so he absolutely believes that's a good thing, but I can't comment on this particular legal issue, so I'm happy to take that question if you want.

Q: I'd like to follow up on (inaudible) question please. If I heard you correctly, you said that there are private discussions going on between the United States and Turkey vis a vis Raqqah and their potential role in it, is that correct?

MR. COOK: There have been a number of conversations at the highest levels of government, with our coalition partners including Turkey.

Q: I'm slightly confused because, in an interview with NBC News last week, the secretary was asked, so the assault on Raqqah will start weeks, not months. That means this year, 2016, and the secretary said that is what we expect. If the assault on Raqqah is going to start within weeks, what is the status of these discussions, and what is the status of the operation if you're signaling to the Turks on one hand you want to talk, and on the other hand that the operation to go into Mosul is imminent?

MR. COOK: Raqqah? Or Mosul?

We continue, Nancy, as you know, to engage with coalition partners on a range of fronts in the fight against ISIL including the isolation, and ultimately the taking of Raqqah, and we'll continue to do that, and that's true of Turkey and that's true of a range of other countries that are performing a variety of roles in the coalition right now, both in terms of supporting the local forces on the ground, sometimes providing air support, sometimes providing financial assistance, logistical assistance, and we think there are a whole host of roles for countries to play in this effort.

Q: I guess why I'm confused though is, is the -- did the -- was the secretary speaking accurately when he said the assault on Raqqah? I understand the distinction between isolate and invasion, but he's signaling that the assault on Raqqah would start within weeks, is that correct?

MR. COOK: I think the effort to liberate Raqqah will begin, as the secretary said, within a matter of weeks. This is going to happen sooner rather than later, because we think ISIL is under pressure across Syria and Iraq and we think this is the right moment to begin pushing in Raqqah as well. We're going to do that in coordination with our local -- not just our local partners, but our coalition partners as well.

Q: So make sure I'm understanding, when you say the operation to liberate Mosul -- excuse me, to liberate Raqqah will begin within weeks, you're counting the entry into Raqqah proper will happen within weeks, is that correct?

MR. COOK: I think it's -- I'm not going to get into detailed timelines here, but the secretary spoke about the initial isolation phase and ultimately the taking of Raqqah. Like Mosul, this is going to be a challenging environment. ISIL has had an opportunity to dig in and build its defenses there, its fortifications, and so this is going to be a challenging environment just as Mosul is.

Q: I'm not trying to be difficult, but you've gone back and forth between isolate and actually go in. So what I'm trying to understand is, was he referring to the actual entry into Raqqah, or was he referring to the isolation campaign?

MR. COOK: The isolation will begin first, and then at that point, there will be a different phase, and that will be the actual liberation of Raqqah.

Q: (inaudible) include an isolation?

MR. COOK: I believe that's what the secretary is referring to, yes.

Q: On Somalia, it's now been more than a month since the controversial U.S. strike there. Is the Pentagon any closer to determining whether or not they killed Al-Shabaab members or members of local forces?

MR. COOK: You know that there's an assessment that's been going on since that time. My understanding is AFRICOM is still wrapping up that assessment. So when they have something to report, they will make that public. Asked again about it this week.

Q: Can I go back to the Raqqah thing, because I just am confused, OK. So Secretary Carter was specifically asked about the assault on Raqqah, and he specifically said it would begin in the next few weeks. What phase is Mosul in right now? How do you -- what is the characterization of what phase Mosul is in right now?

MR. COOK: You're seeing Iraqi Security Forces right now envelop -- envelop Mosul --

Q: (inaudible) specific, as the way that they describe it?

MR. COOK: Courtney, I'm going to keep it simple here. The fight for Mosul is underway. The fight for Raqqah will begin soon.

Q: The fight for Mosul is in the assault phase, is that correct?

MR. COOK: The fight for Mosul is underway and the fight for Raqqah will begin soon.

Q: So it's been described to us in the lead up to Mosul, because as you probably know, actually I don't even know if you were here at the time, but in February, General Dunford said that the battle for Raqqah and the battle for Mosul had already begun, and he was talking about the isolation phase, in February he said that. The Iraqis then came out two weeks ago, I think it was, two weeks ago and said that the battle for Mosul had begun. They were talking about the maneuver phase, the assault phase. So Secretary Carter saying specifically --

MR. COOK: In an NBC interview.

Q: That's one reason that I might have a little bit of extra interest in it in here. Secretary Carter specifically saying that the assault phase would begin in a few weeks would indicate that he believes the isolation phase, which has or has not begun, I don't know, you tell me based on the changing dynamics of what you guys call anything anymore, but if that would indicate that he believes the isolation phase for Raqqah will only be a matter of several weeks. Is that the case?

MR. COOK: The secretary believes that we need to maintain pressure on ISIL, and that is both in Mosul and in Raqqah. The isolation phase will begin, as the secretary indicated, in just a few weeks --

Q: He specifically said --

MR. COOK: And that's sooner rather than later.

Q: That's the difference here.

MR. COOK: That will follow.

Q: If you're just saying that he misspoke, that's fine, but we're just --

MR. COOK: I'm not saying he misspoke. I'm saying that this fight is going to happen sooner rather than later and I'm not going to tell you exactly when it is. And that's our point here.

Q: Secretary Carter said when it is. He said a few weeks. So what I'm asking you is, he --

MR. COOK: And I'll leave it at that, a few weeks.

Q: He specifically said the assault phase, though. That's the difference here. If he had said he isolation phase, fine, that seems to be the common belief. But he specifically said the assault phase. So the question is, if the isolation phase has begun or is beginning or whatever, and the assault phase will begin in a few weeks, does the secretary believe that the isolation phase for Raqqah, which in Mosul took eight months, that for Raqqah it will only take a few weeks?

MR. COOK: I'm going to leave it where I started all this. The fight for Raqqah will happen soon. ISIL will be under pressure in both Mosul and Raqqah. And that's what this coalition has set about to do from the start, and that's what our plan is. That's what we're executing both in Iraq and in Syria with our local partners, and we're going to do that moving forward.

Q: With all due respect, your job is to speak for the secretary of defense and when we aren't able to ask him specifically what he meant, I don't think it's unreasonable to ask you to give us --

MR. COOK: I will tell you, he said a few weeks and that -- I'm giving you the broad picture here, and that is this fight will happen sooner rather than later. We want to keep ISIL under pressure both in Iraq and Syria. We're not gonna provide every single detail as to exactly when we're gonna be knocking on their door. I don't think you'd want us to.

Q: ... for an explanation of what he meant. It's -- it's not -- I'm asking for details or (unaudible) when it's gonna happen. But he specifically put out a timeline of...

MR. COOK: So, he said the...

Q: ... a few weeks.

MR. COOK: A few weeks. The isolation would begin in a few weeks.

Q: (inaudible) I have the transcript. I have the video. He said assault phase.

MR. COOK: I'm gonna -- the secretary -- I'm gonna leave it to the secretary. A few weeks, the isolation phase will begin and we're going to move as quickly as possible to move to the liberation of -- of Raqqah. And we're going to do that on plan, we're going to do that in coordination with our partners and our local partners on the ground, our coalition partners. And -- and we're operating that way in Mosul. We're going to do the same in Raqqah.

MR. COOK: I'm going to go to this gentleman, then you, Nancy.

Q: Can I ask a question about the South China Sea?

MR. COOK: Sure.

Q: There was an article yesterday on the national interest. The title is "America's Latest South China Sea Freedom of Navigation Did More Harm Than Good." And it said ambitious. So I was wondering if -- do you have any comments on that or on the reasons?

MR. COOK: I'll say what we said previously about our Freedom of Navigation Operations, are important not just in the South China Sea but around the world, important not just on behalf of the United States but on all countries that want to maintain freedom of navigation. And we feel this was another important, if you will, routine example of -- of our willingness to fly, sail and operate anywhere in the world international law allows.

Q: (inaudible) further planning operational acts that the U.S. Navy will do in the future, like -- not like this -- you know, sending ships into the South China Sea sounds like little scratches, but you know, have some further improvements on that or?

MR. COOK: We'll continue to conduct those kinds of operations around the world, as we have for -- for decades.

Q: (inaudible) discussion or talk between like -- with China or the Philippines?

MR. COOK: We'll continue to talk to our Philippine allies on a regular basis about our relationship, our military ties in particular and our -- the exercises we're conducting there.

Q: With China or...

MR. COOK: We'll continue to engage with China on -- on a range of security issues, including, I'm sure, the South China Sea. There were U.S. officials, including DoD representatives, there within in the past few days. And so we'll continue to have our conversations with China about a range of issues, including issues where we agree and issues where we don't agree.

Q: General Townsend last week said that the U.S. was -- its coalition partners were still training forces for the Raqqah operation. If the assault on Raqqah's going to start in weeks, as the secretary said, does that mean it will start without all the forces needed to conduct it fully trained or even partially trained?

MR. COOK: We're confident that we'll have the -- the forces we need on the ground to be able to conduct the operation for Raqqah.

Q: But I guess what I'm asking is could we see a situation where there are forces being trained to enter Raqqah even as the assault has begun on the city itself, not the isolation campaign but...

MR. COOK: I think it's quite possible we could have forces that -- the generation of forces continues right now. We think this is something that's gonna snowball, particularly as more progress is made against ISIL, that there are going to be more people who want to join the effort to dislodge ISIL. So we expect those numbers to -- to grow and that certainly it's possible some folks will still be in training while other forces begin operations in Raqqah.

Q: And how long (inaudible) operation? How long (inaudible) troop to -- for operation like Raqqah? Do you know how long that -- that is?

MR. COOK: It -- it depends on those forces and what experience they've had in the past.

Q: Two weeks to 10 weeks? Any sense of how long this takes to train them?

MR. COOK: I think we've had training in the past that's been in the number of weeks, but I don't have specifics for you in terms of any individual kind of training they might need, so.

Q: Can I just go back? Is it the case that it's one or the other; isolation or assault? Or could you envision this as it's happening in Mosul, where it's essentially phased in over time? You could -- you could -- could you not be engaged in isolation -- I'm just asking for clarity. Could you not be -- continue to be engaged in isolation operations and begin phasing in the assault? Or is it really a hard stop on one and then you begin the other?

MR. COOK: Well, we're going to begin with the isolation, Barbara, and we'll see how it goes from there. It depends, again, on the capabilities of the local forces, the size of the force brought to bear. Obviously, the air campaign will be a factor here.

And so this will be -- these will be decisions that get made on an ongoing basis, but there's a plan in place right now to begin this and to begin this with local forces. And we expect that to be executed as the plan in Mosul's been executed as well.

Q: The plan includes beginning the isolation (inaudible) right, and beginning the assault?

MR. COOK: We're going to begin with the isolation, and again, I'm not going to get into more specifics, Barbara, about what happens after that.

Q: So you're -- you're not committing to the fact that the assault would begin within weeks, even in a phased manner? You're -- you're not committing to that?

MR. COOK: I'm going to leave it where I've -- where I've been, Barbara. This is a fight that's gonna happen sooner rather than later. And just as the fight for Mosul's been executed along a specific plan, that's what's gonna happen with Raqqah as well.

Q: On this -- the secretary's comments late last week about the use of atomic weapons -- not atomic weapons, but -- what is it?

Q: Autonomous?

Q: Autonomous weapons, thank you. (Laughter.)

Slipped. We've heard about atomic weapons -- (Laughter.) -- Autonomous weapons.

MR. COOK: I know what you're talking about.

Q: Thank you. Does the secretary think there is a day in the future that weapons will be able to make the decision whether to shoot or not shoot?

MR. COOK: The secretary -- this is an area of research and -- that he's quite familiar with and quite up to speed on, better than most in this building I can assure you. And this is something he's given a lot of thought to and something he's already directed within this department that there will always be a human in the loop with regard to the application of lethal force.

But I think the secretary also believes that that future is still some ways off. There's still a lot of work that needs to be done in this area. And he's -- certainly, there are technological leaps that have been made, but I think he still -- that future still is some ways off I think the secretary would tell you.

Q: When you say in the loop, does that mean like guiding this machine or does that mean like in the loop as opposed to sending the machine off on a mission?

MR. COOK: The -- a human would make that -- be involved in the decision making process. And so that's something he feels strongly about. I know others in the department have spoken to it; the deputy secretary, the vice chairman. This is something that, again, as we continue to do our research work and our innovation in these areas, that's something that will be sort of a guiding -- guiding principle.

Q: Quick follow on Raqqah. You talked about the number of forces going into Raqqah snowballing. Who's going to -- who's going to train them? Are the 250 or so SOF, are they already sufficient to do that (inaudible)?

MR. COOK: Again, those -- there are a number of local forces on the ground, Thomas, so this doesn't necessarily need to fall to the coalition per se. We'll continue to provide some support in that area. We believe there are other members of the coalition that will be willing to do the same.

And we think that, again, as we move closer to -- to Raqqah and as ISIL continues to be  suffer in terms of defeats and losses, that there -- more people are going to be willing to -- in Syria who are going to be willing to join the effort to oust them, to dislodge them. We've seen that happen already and we see that snowball taking effect as we move closer to Raqqah.

Q: There will be -- will there be a necessity for a greater number of coalition trainers, advisers, whoever, to -- to (inaudible) to assist those people?

MR. COOK: I don't think any decision's been made at this time, but we think we have the force structure right now that we need for the -- for the mission, and if that changes, that's something that the coalition would discuss as a whole.

OK. Thanks, everyone.

-END-

http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/991838/

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AF, Navy conduct joint air defense exercise

By Petty Officer 3rd Class Cole Keller, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Public Affairs / Published November 01, 2016

ARABIAN GULF (AFNS) -- The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG) and the Air Force conducted a joint air defense exercise (ADEX) in the Arabian Gulf Oct. 25.

The objective of the ADEX was to improve integration of Navy and Air Force defense efforts while protecting aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) from simulated aerial threats.

The training was designed to simulate real-world scenarios the ship may encounter at sea.

The exercise consisted of multiple platforms from both branches, including guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61), guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70), and the squadrons of embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 aboard Ike.

"The exercise was a big accomplishment," said Lt. Anand Jantzen, the San Jacinto's fire control officer and liaison officer aboard Ike. "Not only was the strike group still conducting our primary mission supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, but we also directed a joint exercise simultaneously."

The Air Force provided two big-wing tankers and two F-22 Raptors from the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron to support 13 aircraft from the Ike CSG. During the exercise, both forces were utilized and divided into "red air" hostile threats and "blue air," the strike group's air defense force.

The air support provided by the red and blue air allowed a simulation of actual engagements and an opportunity to train in scenarios, which created a challenging environment. The aircrews were able to work on their proficiency and meet different mission objectives.

"We were able to exercise the full Ike CSG capability and integrate that with the Air Force," said Lt. Cmdr. Tommy Kolwicz, the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86's operations officer. "We had full integration from the fighters in the air to the tactical actions officers and watchstanders on the surface ships."

Red air's objective was to overwhelm the CSG's air defenses with simulated air-to-surface missiles. Aircraft flew missile profiles towards the surface ships so they could practice going through pre-planned responses and simulate shooting down anti-surface missiles.

The cruisers were tested in their ability to protect Ike, which acted as a high-value unit (HVU), and demonstrated their ability to conduct air defense.

"The main goal for the cruisers is to protect the HVU from air threats, and fill in as the alternate air intercept controllers in case the E-2C Hawkeye is unable to do so," Jantzen said.

Kolwicz further explained across the CSG and between both branches, there was an emphasis on gathering perspective from areas outside of normal operations. As a pilot, he was able to provide a personal view of his role to the watchstanders on the ship and learn from subject matter experts. Overall, the Navy and Air Force were able to gain hands-on understanding of each other's tactics and capabilities.

"The biggest focus was on integration," Jantzen said. "In a real-world scenario the Air Force has aircraft that we can request to support our mission, just like we support theirs. Joint missions are the cornerstone of the United States military, and our ability to work with the other services towards a common mission makes us stronger. I'm extremely confident in the ability of all the personnel involved. It allowed everyone to see different aspects of the normal routine."

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USS Wasp Completes Successful Port Visit to Souda Bay

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS161101-21

Release Date: 11/1/2016 2:12:00 PM

By Lt. j.g. Michael Torres, USS Wasp (LHD 1) Public Affairs

SOUDA BAY, Greece (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) departed Souda Bay, Greece, Nov. 1.

Wasp was in Souda Bay for an eight-day port visit to complete her mid-deployment voyage repair (MDVR).

Quotes:

"Souda Bay is a very important strategic port for both the U.S. and all NATO navies. Being able to pull into such a great facility in the Mediterranean to refit and refuel can't be understated. It is also good to be able to take a bit of time to enjoy the island. Crete has had a long and glorious history, and visiting here is a unique opportunity for our Sailors and Marines." - Commander, Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, Capt. F. Byron Ogden

"We love Souda Bay. I've had the pleasure of coming here many times, but for a lot of our Sailors and Marines this was their first port visit. Given the history and beauty of Crete, it is a very enriching experience for them." - Senior Enlisted Leader, Amphibious Squadron 6, Master Chief Petty Officer Craig Harris

"We were able to get a lot of maintenance done due to the tremendous facilities and resources here. Everyone who was on duty over the course of this port visit worked hard to make sure that this ship is in peak condition prior to pulling out. Wasp is ready for the remainder of her deployment." - Wasp Chief Engineer, Lt. Cmdr. Joe Towles

"Sometimes our actions are small in nature, but they can have lasting effects on the global community level. From cleaning a local beach to providing yard work to a Boys Care Center, it all matters in the end, and every opportunity we have to support our global community we should." - Chaplains Department Leading Chief Petty Officer, Chief Petty Officer Jason Boykin

Quick Facts:

This port call's primary focus was a MDVR to ensure the ship is in fully operational condition for the remainder of her deployment.

Wasp was able to host several distinguished visitors as well as some local media. The media was welcomed aboard to speak to Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) leadership about their support of Operation Odyssey Lighting.

The visit gave Sailors and Marines the opportunity to experience the culture and cuisine of Crete, as well as to volunteer for community relations (COMREL) events. The COMRELS included a community beach cleanup at Marathi Beach and yard work at the Boys Daily Care Center of Chania.

Prior to pulling into Souda Bay, Wasp had spent 121 days at sea, interrupted only by a brief stop for fuel in Rota, Spain.

Wasp is deployed as part of the Wasp ARG to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. Commander, Amphibious Squadron 6 commands the Wasp ARG, which consists of Wasp, amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), and amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17). The 22nd MEU is currently embarked on the Wasp ARG.

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Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 Disembarks Bonhomme Richard

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS161101-17

Release Date: 11/1/2016 12:32:00 PM

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Carlstrom, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Public Affairs

EAST CHINA SEA (NNS) -- "The Flying Tigers" of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, disembarked amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), Oct. 27-28 following a three-month deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

The Flying Tigers, assigned to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), returned to their base of operations at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan. During the three-month deployment, VMM 262 provided transportation for the embarked Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

Key exercises during the deployment were the U.S.-only, unilateral exercise Valiant Shield 2016 (VS16) and the annual, U.S.-Philippine bilateral exercise Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 33.

"The mission of VMM 262, which includes the MV-22B Osprey and the CH-53 Sea Stallion, is that of assault support platforms," said Capt. Antonio Alvarado, a VMM 262 operations duty officer. "We carry troops, cargo, and equipment to the fight or wherever they're needed."

Alvarado said the crew's performance was top-notch and they hit all their goals for the deployment.

"We were extremely successful," said Alvarado. "We made all of our flight hours each month, and even went over a couple times due to providing additional support. All the time spent with the ground combat element (31st MEU) taught us a lot about what we can do for future deployments and exercises."

1st MAW, as the aviation combat element of III Marine Expeditionary Force, provides combat-ready, task-organized forces capable of conducting aviation operations. The operations are conducted in naval and expeditionary environments, and commands and controls aviation forces through the Tactical Air Command Center (TACC), in order to contribute to the accomplishment of the nation's security objectives as required by standing operational plans in the Pacific Command (PACOM) area of responsibility, engagement operations in support of Marine Forces Pacific, overseas contingency operations, and other operations as directed.

Bonhomme Richard is the flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG). The Bonhomme Richard ESG consists of Bonhomme Richard, amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20), and amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42).

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Makin Island ARG, 11th MEU Enter 7th Fleet

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS161101-11

Release Date: 11/1/2016 10:35:00 AM

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Dennis Grube, USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, Oct. 29, after concluding operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet.

While in 7th Fleet, the Makin Island ARG/11th MEU will participate in bilateral training exercises and conduct operations throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific. The series of scheduled bilateral engagements is meant to strengthen interoperability with allies and partners in order to enhance regional security and stability.

"This team has trained together for several months, exercising the spectrum of our amphibious capabilities in preparation for our time in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region," said Capt. Mike Crary, commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5. "We're looking forward to the opportunities we will have to work with our partners and allies here, as well as experience some of the rich culture the region has to offer."

The ARG/MEU entered 7th Fleet days after completing training in Hawaii, which allowed Sailors and Marines to sustain skills developed during a comprehensive six-month pre-deployment training cycle, and included planning and execution of ship-to-shore operations, a company-sized helicopter-borne raid, simulated convoy operations, combat marksmanship, and fire support operations.

"The training in Hawaii gave us a great opportunity to exercise moving Marines from ship to objective," said Col. Clay C. Tipton, commanding officer, 11th MEU. "That's the power of this Navy/Marine Corps Team; we can put Marines ashore without the use of a secured base, seaport, or airfield."

The Makin Island ARG is comprised of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), the command ship for PHIBRON 5 and the 11th MEU, as well as amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25), which is embarking on its maiden deployment, and amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45). Embarked units which extend the ARG's capabilities include the "Blackjacks" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21, Fleet Surgical Team 5, Tactical Air Control Squadron 11 and Assault Craft Unit 5.

The 11th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force comprised of a ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines; an aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced); a combat logistics element, Combat Logistics Battalion 11; and a command element with a commanding officer who leads the entire MEU.

The 7th Fleet area of operations includes more than 48 million square miles of the Pacific Ocean, running from the international date line to the eastern coast of Africa, and from the Antarctic to the Kuril Islands, Northeast of Japan.

While in 7th Fleet, the Makin Island ARG and 11th MEU will be assigned to Commander, Amphibious Force U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force, headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa.

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Bonhomme Richard Departs Okinawa

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS161101-10

Release Date: 11/1/2016 10:33:00 AM

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Carlstrom, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Public Affairs

WHITE BEACH, Okinawa (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) departed White Beach, Okinawa, after disembarking equipment, vehicles, and personnel of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Oct. 28-30.

In addition to the brow and ramp, landing craft air cushions (LCAC) assigned to Naval Beach Unit (NBU) 7 provided additional assistance transporting equipment from the ship to the beach.

"We simultaneously drove off the ship and utilized the LCACs in one last 'blue-green' operation," said Petty Officer 1st Class Jonathan Andree, well deck control leading petty officer. "Anytime we get the chance to operate as a single unit, we'll take the opportunity."

Bonhomme Richard (BHR) departed Sasebo, Japan, Aug. 6 for a scheduled deployment in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. While deployed, Sailors and Marines worked side-by-side to enhance partnerships, maintain forward presence and increase Navy-Marine Corps integration for amphibious operations.

"The Sailors and Marines have been working hard out here, executing our mission at the tip of the spear," said Capt. Jeffrey Ward, commanding officer of Bonhomme Richard. "Being FDNF (Forward Deployed Naval Forces) is arduous duty, but the crew performed like true professionals. Offloading the Marines in a timely manner was another testament to the dedication and professionalism of Bonhomme Richard's Sailors."

The disembarkation marked BHR's last major blue-green evolution with the 31st MEU this year.

"Our joint ventures with the Marines have continuously been successful," said Ward. "I couldn't be more proud of the work and support Bonhomme Richard's Sailors provided to the Marines. Anytime the 31st MEU had a request, BHR Sailors were there to answer it."

During the 3-month deployment, BHR Sailors and embarked Marines participated in the U.S.-only, unilateral exercise Valiant Shield 2016 (VS16) and the annual, U.S.-Philippine bilateral exercise Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX).

Bonhomme Richard is the flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG). The Bonhomme Richard ESG consists of USS Bonhomme Richard, USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and USS Germantown (LSD 42).

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Navy Commissions Research Vessel Sally Ride

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS161101-02

Release Date: 11/1/2016 8:46:00 AM

By Ashley Nekoui, Naval Information Forces West Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Navy's Auxiliary General Purpose Oceanographic Research Vessel, R/V Sally Ride (AGOR 28), was commissioned during a ceremony Oct. 28 at the Broadway Pier Port Pavilion in San Diego.

Representatives from the Navy joined elected officials and the oceanographic community to celebrate the launch of America's newest research vessel.

Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy, Rear Adm. Timothy Gallaudet, attended the day's festivities.

"As a Scripps graduate, career oceanographer and naval officer, I cannot think of a more exciting event than this commissioning," said Gallaudet. "Scripps is obtaining a capital asset; this vessel will advance our understanding of the oceans for decades, and we need this understanding in order to protect our country, our interests, and our allies."

Climate change, the study of fisheries, and understanding sound in the sea are three primary research efforts Sally Ride will explore in its upcoming travels, said Gallaudet.

The ship was named in honor of the late Sally Ride, who was selected for NASA's astronaut corps in 1978, became the first American woman in space aboard Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983, and later joined the faculty of the University of California, San Diego as a professor of physics.

"Sally Ride is a role model to all of us," said Congresswoman Susan Davis. "Her impact on women, girls, and generations of students is far-reaching." Ride was an advocate for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) outreach, inspiring and encouraging young people to pursue education and careers in the aforementioned fields.

Oceanographic research vessels provide scientists with the tools and capabilities to support ongoing research across the globe, gaining a better understanding of the world's oceans, atmosphere, and solid earth to solve some of the planet's most pressing challenges.

Sally Ride is based on a single-hull commercial design; it measures approximately 238 feet long and incorporates the latest technologies, including high-efficiency diesel engines, emissions controls for stack gasses, and new information technology tools both for monitoring shipboard systems and for communicating with the world.

The ship will be operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography under a charter party agreement with the Office of Naval Research. The vessel has accommodations for 24 scientists and will operate with a crew of 20 personnel.

This is the second ship of its class built by Dakota Creek Industries. The shipbuilder also constructed R/V Neil Armstrong (AGOR 27), delivered to the Navy in September 2015.

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China's jurisdiction over Huangyan Island unchanged: FM

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:45, November 01, 2016

BEIJING, Oct. 31 -- China still exercises jurisdiction over Huangyan Island in the South China Sea, a spokesperson said Monday, following media reports that Chinese coast guard had recently allowed Philippine fishermen to fish nearby.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing that "the jurisdiction status will not change."

The China-Philippines relations have improved since President Rodrigo Duterte's visit earlier this month, Hua said.

"China has taken into account the situation and made some arrangements on issues of Duterte's interest for the good of the two countries' friendship," Hua added.

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Car bomb blast kills nine near Maiduguri in Nigeria

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 1, 2016 1:16PM

Nine people have been killed in a car bomb blast at a military checkpoint in northern Nigeria.

Officials and witnesses said on Tuesday that the bomb exploded at the checkpoint on a road leading to the northeastern city of Maiduguri.

The victims were all aboard the explosives-laden vehicle. It was not clear if any soldiers were injured in the incident.

Preliminary reports said the vehicle was a minivan transporting ordinary passengers. The driver was also among the victims.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility although local officials blamed the attack on Boko Haram, a Takfiri terrorist group operating in northern Nigeria and certain neighboring countries.

More than 20,000 people have been killed and some 2.6 million people have been displaced from their homes since Boko Haram began its terror activities in 2009. Many blame corrupt officials in the Nigerian government and army for the continued militancy. Recent reports say the terrorist group is receiving some of its arms and ammunition from corrupt Nigerian officials.

Attacks by Boko Haram had subsided in the recent past as leadership struggle in the group intensified. However, the months-long lull seems to have ended as the militant group has stepped up attacks on civilians and security forces in recent weeks.

Last week, nine people were killed and two dozen were injured when Boko Haram operatives carried out two explosions in Maiduguri. The attacks were aimed at residents of a camp of refugees who had run away from Boko Haram.

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US nuclear missile submarine visits Guam for 1st time since 1980s

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 1, 2016 1:56AM

For the first time since the late 1980s, the US Navy has dispatched a submarine equipped with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles to the Pacific island of Guam.

The USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) got engaged in a "scheduled port visit" to the US territory, according to a Navy press release on Monday.

The move was considered as a gesture of support for US allies in the region, including Japan and South Korea, whose delegations had been stationed Guam, awaiting a rare tour of the submarine.

"This specific visit to Guam reflects the United States' commitment to its allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, and complements the many exercises, training, operations, and other military cooperation activities conducted between the U.S. and its partner nations," the Navy said. "Ballistic missile submarines such as USS Pennsylvania are on patrol continuously, providing a critical, stabilizing and highly effective element of the U.S. nuclear deterrence force."

The US Navy possesses 14 Ohio-class ballistic missiles submarines like the USS Pennsylvania, which carries 24 Trident II D-5 ballistic missiles, each one carrying multiple warheads programmable to be launched at various targets.

Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanguan said in early October that "some countries seek absolute military superiority, ceaselessly strengthen their military alliances, and seek their own absolute security at the costs of other countries' security."

Tensions between the US and China have escalated in the wake of Washington's increased military involvement in Asia as part of President Barack Obama's "pivot" to the region.

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U.S. Court Cool To Russian Arms Dealer Bout's Appeal Of 'Unfair' Conviction

November 01, 2016

U.S. judges have given a cool reception to an appeal by notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, dubbed the "Merchant of Death," to nullify his conviction on illegal arms trafficking.

All three judges on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals hearing Bout's case expressed skepticism on October 31 about his claim of unfair prosecution, though they did not immediately rule on the challenge to his 25-year prison sentence.

Bout's lawyers argued that his 2011 conviction was unfair because the man he was supposedly conspiring with to sell arms illegally was working with the U.S. government in a sting operation.

Bout, who claims he was a legitimate businessman, built a worldwide air cargo operation with a fleet of more than 60 transport planes and a fortune over $6 billion -- exploits that were the inspiration for the book Merchant Of Death and the Nicolas Cage film Lord Of War."

Bout's aircraft flew from Afghanistan to Angola, carrying everything from raw minerals to frozen fish. But his specialty, prosecutors said, was black market arms -- assault rifles, ammunition, antiaircraft missiles, helicopter gunships, and sophisticated weapons systems, almost always sourced from Russian stocks or Eastern European factories.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/us-appeals- court-cool-russian-arms-dealer-viktor-bout-appeal- unfair-conviction/28087736.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Sarkisian Signaling Intent To Remain In Power After Term Ends, Critics Say

Harry Tamrazian, Sisak Gabrielian November 01, 2016

The latest refusal by Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian to rule out the possibility of retaining a top government post after his term runs out in 2018 has prompted critics to say he intends to remain in power.

In a documentary on Armenia aired by Al-Jazeera last week, Sarkisian said it is too early to speak about his possible nomination to become prime minister, which, under the reformed constitution, will be the No. 1 political post in Armenia after 2018.

He said whether he gets the post depends on the outcome of the 2017 parliamentary elections and the performance of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) that he heads.

"This is like speaking about cooking a fish while it is not caught yet. Next year, we are going to have parliamentary elections and in order for me to consider such an option, our party should at least make a strong showing in the elections," Sarkisian said in the documentary, titled Armenia: Divided Within?

The Al-Jazeera piece focuses on the political situation in the South Caucasus in the wake of clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh in April and a two-week standoff between Armenian security forces and pro-opposition gunmen who occupied a Yerevan police station in July.

Sarkisian vowed he would not seek another top government post when he laid out amendments to the constitution in 2014. He said at the time he believed one person should not be the head of state more than twice in a lifetime.

His second and final term as president is due to end in 2018.

More recently, Sarkisian has shifted his stance, saying his fate would be determined by the outcome of the 2017 elections. Moreover, several senior ruling party members have spoken in favor of Sarkisian staying in power.

Levon Zurabian, a parliamentary leader of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK), said Sarkisian's latest statements send the message that he does not intend to leave power any time soon.

"By this he makes it clear that [current Prime Minister] Karen Karapetian is only a temporary figure whose goal is to mitigate social unrest before the next elections and ensure the HHK's victory in the elections, after which Serzh Sarkisian will consider occupying the post of prime minister in 2018," Zurabian told Azatutyun TV.

In 2015, the HAK campaigned against the constitutional changes, describing a "no" vote as a vote against Sarkisian's continued stay in power.

"Now [Sarkisian] is offering us another present that will enable us to explain in a clear language to the people that an HHK victory in the April 2 elections will only mean the continuation of the Sarkisian regime," said Zurabian.

Talking to RFE/RL's Armenian Service on October 28, Zaruhi Postanjian, the leader of another parliamentary opposition faction, Heritage, also said that the constitutional reforms were clearly aimed at paving the way for Sarkisian to remain in power after the end of his presidency.

"The question is whether he will manage to do that or not. And the failure of his plans, of course, depends on the Armenian public, on how it will demonstrate itself during the next few months, which will be important for all of us. And it is during this period that it will be decided whether he can implement his scenario or not," she said.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/sarkisian- signalling-intent-remain-in-power-after-presidential- term-ends-critics-say/28087608.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Will Georgia's Ruling Party Use Super-Majority For Common Good Or To Further Own Interests?

Liz Fuller November 01, 2016

The second round of voting in the Georgian parliamentary elections has confirmed expectations that the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party will have a constitutional majority (at least 113 of the total 150 mandates) in the new parliament.

Opinions differ, nonetheless, as to the likely impact of that concentration of power. Likewise unclear is how tactical disagreements within the opposition United National Movement, the second-largest parliament faction, will affect its future political course.

As a result of the October 30 runoffs in 50 of the 75 single-mandate constituencies in which no candidate received the required 50 percent of the vote during the first round on October 8, Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia will have 115 seats, the United National Movement 27, the Alliance of Patriots six, and the Industrialists-Our Homeland bloc one. Paris-born former Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili won election as an independent candidate.

The new legislature thus comprises fewer parties than any of its predecessors: the 2012 parliamentary ballot that ended the United National Movement's nine years in power was won by a six-party bloc led by Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia with 85 mandates, compared to 65 for the United National Movement.

Several analysts attributed Georgian Dream's impressive showing in last month's vote to the systematic demonization of the United National Movement, and specifically of its former leader, ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, by Georgian Dream's founder, wealthy philanthropist Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Former Economy Minister Lado Papava described the results of the October 8 vote as "the victory of the virtual wolf," meaning that many people voted for Georgian Dream because they believed it is the sole political force strong enough to prevent the return to power of the "wolf," Saakashvili's United National Movement.

Saakashvili is currently governor of the Ukrainian city of Odesa. Shortly before the October 8 vote, he announced his intention of returning to Georgia after the ballot to celebrate his party's victory, but failed to do so. His wife, Sandra Roelofs, won election to parliament on the United National Movement's party list, and demonstratively withdrew her candidacy in one of the runoffs.

Other factors, too, contributed to Georgian Dream's victory, including voters' rejection of political leaders who, according to commentator Khatuna Lagazidze, have exhausted their potential and "are squeezed dry like a lemon." Lagazidze did not name names, but she may have been referring, among others, to former parliament speaker Nino Burjanadze, whose Democratic Movement garnered just 3.53 percent of the vote. Lagazidze acknowledged that the elections marked "the end of an era," but predicted that the "political vacuum" resulting from "Ivanishvili's clearing out of the entire political spectrum" will soon be filled by "people with a different mentality."

Who Will Fill The Void?

The primary victims of that "clearing-out" process, however, were Georgian Dream's erstwhile coalition partners, the unequivocally pro-Western Free Democrats and the Republican Party, and the National Forum, which polled 4.62 percent, 1.55 percent, and 0.73 percent, respectively. Free Democrats Chairman Irakli Alasania and veteran Republican party member Davit Usupashvili had served respectively as defense minister and parliament speaker, and were highly regarded in the West.

Both men have now quit the parties with which they had long been associated (in Usupashvili's case since the 1990s.) Alasania has said he will withdraw from political life "temporarily," as he sees no chance for his party to exert any influence on the political process.

Usupashvili for his part has vowed to spend the next few months consulting with all those who remain committed to "working for an independent, free, European, democratic Georgia." He told journalists that Georgia's political future cannot be shaped "either by political conglomerates that have fused with the administrative bureaucracy," meaning Georgian Dream, or "political groupings held together by their past sins," a clear allusion to the United National Movement.

Usupashvili further said the next parliamentary ballot, due in 2020, "should be won by a new type of political force which would be fully capable of governing the country and will carry in its genetic code the values of multiparty democracy." He did not say whether he personally intends to establish such a party, but commentators take it for granted he will try to do so.

National Forum Chairman Kakhaber Shartava, too, has openly declared his intention of creating a "genuine, serious, classic, European[-style] party" that would unite those political forces that failed to win representation in the new parliament.

Analyst Valerian Gorgiladze, however, considers unlikely the emergence of a new opposition force uniting those parties that failed to gain parliamentary representation. He predicts the institutionalization of a two-party system instead of the hoped-for multiparty system and coalition government.

Will Georgian Dream Abuse Its Power?

Even prior to the runoff vote, an impassioned discussion was taking place of the perceived risks inherent in Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia's anticipated acquisition of a constitutional majority. In particular, some observers expressed concern at the possibility that Ivanishvili, who although he holds no formal political office is widely believed to influence Georgian Dream's policy-making from behind the scenes, might use that power to settle old scores with the United National Movement.

Independent analyst Gia Khukhashvili made the point that in and of itself a constitutional majority does not automatically mean the party in question will try to abuse it to usurp power, and that it is both unfair and unjust to impute such nefarious intentions to Georgian Dream. Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili described that constitutional majority on October 31 as "imposing an even greater obligation" on Georgian Dream, of which he is chairman, to implement its "ambitious plans...to improve the education system, bring about swift economic and infrastructure growth, and improve the welfare of each individual citizen."

As for Ivanishvili's future role and influence, Khukhashvili stressed that "the transition from personal to institutional rule must take place very quickly. If Kvirikashvili remains prime minister, then it is he who should make decisions and bear the responsibility for them. The constant allusions to Ivanishvili, which frequently morph into speculation, must end.... It's better that Kvirikashvili should make mistakes than that we should constantly feel that someone else wields power."

Zaal Anjaparidze similarly opined in an extensive interview with the news portal Interpressnews.ge that a constitutional majority is a source of both risk and opportunity. He said he considered it unlikely that Georgian Dream will use that majority to try to usurp power, but that it could influence the process of decision-making. (By contrast, between 2008-12 the United National Movement availed itself of its constitutional majority to push through parliament amendments to the constitution and election law intended to facilitate its reelection in the October 2012 parliamentary elections.)

Anjaparidze went on to suggest that "if we look at the broader picture, from the point of view of political pluralism and a multiparty system, a three-party parliament where more or less all the various ideological views held by society are represented is not such a bad outcome for a transitional democracy like ours."

By contrast, Independent Experts Club President Soso Tsiskarishvili commented darkly that the elections of 2016 "will go down in history as the transition from young Georgian democracy to 'bidzinocracy,'" meaning Ivanishvili will exert supreme power through the party he founded.

What role remains, then, for the United National Movement within the new parliament? Immediately after the October 8 vote, the party appeared to be on the verge of splitting into a radical faction headed by Saakashvili, who advocated a boycott of both the runoffs and the new parliament, and the moderate pragmatists, who argued that the party owed it to its electorate to take up its parliament mandates. At a meeting on October 12, the party's most senior members voted by 33 votes in favor and nine against, with seven abstentions, for the latter course of action.

Anjaparidze predicts that the United National Movement faction "will try to use their resources within parliament to inflict the maximum political and informational discomfort on [the country's] leadership, and their representatives are already openly saying so."

Cooperation between the United National Movement and the Alliance of Patriots within parliament is highly unlikely, however, given the latter's anti-Western orientation.

The fact that both international election observers and the U.S. State Department have hailed the outcome of the vote as democratic and reflecting the will of the Georgian people undercuts even further the position of the United National Movement's radical wing.

Saakashvili nonetheless declared on October 31 that he refused to accept the outcome of what he termed "a falsified vote." "We must work together to put Georgia back on the path to democratic, European development. We must achieve as swiftly as possible the holding of honest elections and bring a normal government to power in Georgia," he said.

The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/georgian- dream-super-majority-for-common-good- r-selfish-ends/28089134.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Moldova's Pro-Moscow Presidential Front-Runner Says Open To EU Partnership

RFE/RL November 01, 2016

Igor Dodon, who won the first round of Moldova's presidential election and is seen as having strong leanings toward Russia, says he will seek to maintain good relations with both Brussels and Moscow if elected.

"I believe that we must and we will have good relations with the European Union," the Socialist Party candidate told RFE/RL's Moldovan Service on November 1." We will ensure the continued partnership with the European Union and with our friends in Romania and the Russian Federation."

Dodon, who fell just short of winning outright with a first-round majority in Moldova's October 30 election, campaigned heavily on promises to move the country closer to Russia.

He received 48.23 percent for the vote while his strongest challenger, pro-EU Maia Sandu of the Party for Action and Solidarity, took 38.42 percent. The two will face off in a second round November 13.

"Igor Dodon is not against Europe," the 41-year-old economist said. "Igor Dodon definitely will not allow Moldova to lose its visa-free regime" with the EU.

But the former trade minister, who has previously said he wants to throw out Chisinau's 2014 EU Association Agreement and hinted at joining the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union, stressed that he wanted a "strategic partnership and good relations" with Russia as well.

"We need the Russian market and we need to solve the problems of hundreds of thousands of [Moldovan labor] migrants who are in the Russian Federation," he said.

He also said he "highly" appreciated the support the United States has given Moldova and wants to continue Chisinau's partnership with Washington. But he vowed to work to maintain Moldova's official policy of neutrality between East and West.

"Partnership, why not?" he said. "But not more, no NATO."

Asked how he regards Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, whose seizure by Russia in 2014 sparked ongoing U.S. and EU sanctions against Moscow, Dodon said, "De facto, Crimea is part of Russia now, [but the annexation] legally is not recognized by the West and most countries," including Moldova.

He added that there would be "many risks" for Moldova to recognize the annexation when the country has its own self-declared breakaway region of Transdniester. He said the political solution for Transdniester was "granting special status" to the region, whose leaders are staunchly pro-Moscow.

Moldova's presidential vote is widely seen in the country as a contest between those who support integration with the European Union against those who want closer ties with Russia.

Sandu has said she would build on the EU Association Agreement by pushing ahead with reforms Brussels says are necessary to strengthen the country's chances for membership.

The presidential contest is taking place amid deep public dissatisfaction with levels of corruption in Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries.

The country was thrown into political turmoil in 2014 with the disappearance of more than $1 billion from its banking system. Polls show the banking crisis sapped many Moldovans' enthusiasm for European integration because it occurred as the government was headed by a pro-EU coalition.

Despite the fact the president is being elected by direct popular vote -- for the first time after 20 years of being chosen by parliament -- the office has largely ceremonial powers. The winner of the November runoff will be able to use the position to influence the country's political direction, but executive power in Moldova is held by the prime minister.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Moldovan Service

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/moldova- dodon-says-open-to-eu- partnership/28089011.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Australia Considers Bilateral South China Sea Patrols with Indonesia

Sputnik News

22:41 01.11.2016(updated 22:42 01.11.2016)

Amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, Australia may add fuel to the fire by participating in aggressive patrols through the region.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defense Minister Marise Payne met with Indonesian officials, including Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, in Jakarta last week. During that time, the two countries discussed a nautical "peace patrol" through disputed waters in the South China Sea.

"There are no intentions to disrupt the relationship (with China). It is called a peace patrol, it brings peace. It is about protecting fish in each other's areas," Ryacudu said, according to Deutsche Welle.

While the plan has not been formalized, Bishop expressed an interest, saying a patrol would be "consistent with our policies of exercising our right of freedom of navigation."

"That's in accordance with international law and our support for peace and stability in the region," she added when speaking to Australian Broadcasting Corp radio.

The Chinese government will likely object to the patrols, having warned Australia against meddling in the region last month. During a meeting in Beijing, a high-ranking Chinese military official urged the head of the Australian Defense Force to maintain a "healthy and stable development" of military ties between Beijing and Canberra.

The Chinese official added that he "hopes that on the South China Sea issue the Australian side can speak and act cautiously, and that its words and deeds match," according to the Japan Times.

These comments came in response to Canberra's formalization of a defense deal with Singapore, a move that both nations insisted was not an affront to Beijing.

"I don't think that Singapore and Australia together could possibly be seen as a bloc [against China]," Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told reporters in October.

"We are good friends, but we are not treaty allies and neither are we opposed to any countries in the region."

Australia is a close partner of the United States, which has pushed Pacific allies to take a greater role in countering China's growing influence in the region. In particular, Washington is opposed to Beijing's construction of a series of artificial islands in the waterway, accusing China of attempting to establish an air defense zone.

China maintains it has every right to build within its own territory and that the islands will be used primarily for humanitarian purposes.

The Pentagon has conducted a number of provocative patrols within the 12-mile territorial limit of the islands, and relies on Australian air bases to conduct surveillance flights over the region.

A highly contested region through which roughly $5 trillion in international trade passes annually, most of the South China Sea is claimed by China, though there are overlapping claims by Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

 Sputnik

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UN Mission in South Sudan Failed to Respond Adequately to July Attacks

Sputnik News

20:53 01.11.2016(updated 20:57 01.11.2016)

According to UN secretary-general's office, an internal investigator's report has concluded that the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan failed to respond adequately to a July bomb attack on civilians at a hotel in the country's capital.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik)  An internal investigator's report has concluded that the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan failed to respond adequately to a July bomb attack on civilians at a hotel in the country's capital, Juba, the UN secretary-general's office said Tuesday.

"The Special Investigation found that UNMISS did not respond effectively to the violence due to an overall lack of leadership, preparedness and integration among the various components of the mission," the office asserted in a statement summarizing the report's findings. "These factors contributed to the failure of UNMISS to respond to the attack by Government soldiers on the Terrain [hotel] on 11 July and protect civilians under threat."

The investigation, led by retired Dutch military officer Patrick Cammaert, determined that the world body's South Sudan mission, UNMISS, faced extreme dangers and was caught in the crossfire during three days of fighting that claimed at least 73 lives, including two UN peacekeepers, and injured dozens of other people.

Upon receiving the report, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked that the UNMISS commander be replaced, effective immediately, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters following the report's release.

This summer, a period of relative stability in South Sudan deteriorated, culminating in July's clashes between government and opposition forces, during which the Terrain hotel, a mile from UNMISS headquarters, was attacked. In August, Ban named Cammaert to lead the investigation into the violence.

The investigation also addressed related reports of sexual violence against civilians housed at UN-protected sties in Juba.

 Sputnik

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US Halts Rifle Sales to Philippines Amid Rising Tensions With Manila

Sputnik News

20:23 01.11.2016

The US State Department has halted the sale of 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippines amid growing human rights concerns about Manila's war on drugs. The intervention follows a period of increased tensions between the two countries.

Reuters reported that the decision was made following criticism from US Democrat senator and Foreign Relations Committee member Ben Cardin, who said he would have opposed the transaction.

The opposition to the sale of weapons comes amid tension between the US and the Philippines over Manila's hardline crackdown on the country's illegal drug trade, with Washington raising human rights concerns over the actions of Filipino police forces.

More than 2,300 people have been killed in either police operations or by suspected anti-drug vigilante groups since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power at the end of June, with critics arguing that many incidents are not being properly investigated.

Reacting to the news, Philippine national police chief representative Ronald dela Rosa suggested replacements for the US shipment could be found elsewhere.

"We really wanted the US rifles because these are reliable," he told broadcaster ABS-CBN.

"But if the sale will not push through, we will find another source, maybe from China."

US-Filipino Tensions Rising

The incident is the latest in a series of events that have increased tensions between Washington and Manila.

Duterte reacted angrily to American criticism of his hardline anti-drugs policy, telling US President Barack Obama to "go to hell" and threatening to break ties between the longstanding allies.

During a visit to China last month, Duterte announced that he wanted a "separation" from the US, calling for all American troops to leave the Philippines within the next two years.

The tension also comes as the Philippines improves its relations with China, leading to speculation that Manila may be set for a dramatic foreign policy shift away from the US and towards Beijing.

Commentators have noted that any such shift would be a huge diplomatic blow to Washington's "pivot" towards Asia and would change the dynamic amid growing US-Chinese tensions in the South China Sea.

 Sputnik

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ICC to Launch Investigation of War Crimes in Afghanistan

Sputnik News

07:18 01.11.2016

The International Criminal Court is going to launch an investigation of war crimes in Afghanistan.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The International Criminal Court (ICC) is going to launch an investigation of war crimes in Afghanistan including those, which could have been committed by US soldiers, according to media reports.

ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda will seek to launch the investigation in coming weeks  after the US presidential elections but till the end of the year, the Foreign Policy magazine reported citing its sources.

US officials reportedly visited The Hague to express their concern about the possible investigation.

The prosecutor's office many times drew attention to alleged abuses of detainees by US personnel in 2003  2005. Bensouda is also said to be going to probe the US forces' attack on Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) facility in Kunduz in 2015 that left 42 people killed including MSF staff members.

The US-led NATO mission in Afghanistan formally ended its operations in December 2014 after a presence in the country since 2001 to help local authorities to defeat the Taliban Islamist movement. Afghanistan, however, continues to be in political and social turmoil as jihadist groups take advantage of the instability in the country.

 Sputnik

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Afghan Refugees Return to an Uncertain Future

By Ayesha Tanzeem November 01, 2016

More than 800,000 Afghans  both documented refugees and undocumented deportees  have returned to their country from Pakistan and Iran this year. National institutions seem to lack the capacity and resources to handle the inflow. The United Nations has warned of a humanitarian crisis and has launched a flash appeal for additional funding to deal with it.

Wrapping their entire lives onto trucks, they're returning home in droves. Even if, like Azad Khan Minumdai, they don't know what home would hold for them.

"I've returned after a long time. I was born in Pakistan. I don't have a home here. I'm living with someone else. I left because the situation in Pakistan had become very difficult. One has to protect one's honor," said Minumdai.

Neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan, hosted several million Afghan refugees for four decades but has been pushing them to return home for the last two years. Afghans living in Pakistan have reported increased police harassment, forcing them to leave.

The busiest border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan has been even busier than usual this year. The number of Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan in 2016 is up by more than 300 percent compared to last year.

The United Nations warns that the returnees will make up the bulk of more than one million Afghans that will be displaced by the end of the year. Most would need assistance. At least 40 percent are considered highly vulnerable.

The Afghan government is struggling to provide for them.

Haji Ghulamullah has returned home with his clan of 600 to 800 familiesmost of them too poor to pay for their own food or water. He is paying $300 per day just to get water delivered.

"The refugees ministry [of Afghanistan] told us that they would build houses for us and provide water. When I called them from here that nothing was done, they said launch a street protest, close roads. I don't like doing these things," said Ghulamullah.

The U.N. has issued a flash appeal for more than $150 million. But only 13 percent of that total has been funded so far. With winter around the corner, the situation is fast deteriorating into a humanitarian crisis.

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Ethiopia Appoints 21 New Ministers Amid State of Emergency

By Salem Solomon November 01, 2016

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has announced a Cabinet reshuffle, following months of often-violent protests which led the government to declare a state of emergency.

Ethiopia's parliament has unanimously approved 21 new appointees, the prime minister said Tuesday. He said the new ministers were picked for competence and commitment rather than "party loyalty."

The appointees include a new minister of foreign affairs, Workneh Gebeyehu, who replaces Tedros Adhanom, a former health minister who has been one of Ethiopia's most recognizable public figures in recent years. Adhanom is currently a candidate vying to be the next World Health Organization's chief.

Communications Minister and government spokesman Getachew Reda was ousted and replaced by Negeri Lencho, the head of the journalism and communications college at Addis Ababa University.

Both Gebeyehu and Lencho are members of the Oromo, the main ethnic group behind the protests of the past year, and replace members of the Tigrayan ethnic group.

"There has to be change," new government spokesperson Lencho told the AFP news agency. "This new Cabinet is ready to respond and provide better service."

Former spokesman Reda has been the government's most visible official during the course of the year, and was regarded as the main voice for the ruling party, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

However, his rhetoric has been seen as downplaying the plight of the protestors in public forums. Reda spoke to VOA's Daybreak Africa last week saying that the state of emergency has turned things around and that "obviously, the country is back to normalcy."

Nine officials kept their previous posts in the Cabinet reshuffle, including Defense Minister Sirah Fegessa and the prime minister's deputy, Demeke Mekonnen.

The anti-government protests, initially triggered by land issues, have spread from the Oromia region to the Amhara region. According to Human Rights Watch, more than 500 people have died in clashes with police and security forces.

The protesters have now shifted their calls to issues of human rights and political power. The ruling party is widely seen as dominated by leaders from the Tigrayan ethnic group. In 2015, the EPRDF won every seat in the country's parliament.

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Britain cyber security budget doubled, reaches almost 2 billion

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 1, 2016 11:2AM

Britain has set aside 1.9 billion ($2.32bn) to beef up its cyber security measures over the next five years, two times the spending for the 2011-2016 period.

The British Treasury Department made the announcement in a statement on Tuesday, noting that Finance Minister Philip Hammond would later on outline the new National Cyber Security Strategy.

Under the new plan, London would protect itself against cyber attacks by developing automatic defense lines for businesses and citizens, while reinforcing its cyber workforce to counter the attacks.

The money would also be used to set up a new Cyber Security Research Institute and an Innovation Center in Cheltenham, with the former being tasked with gathering university expertise and the latter with helping cyber start-up companies grow.

The new facilities would be working in tandem with Britain's National Cyber Security Center which opened last month as part of the GCHQ spying agency and has 700 personnel.

"We must now keep up with the scale and pace of the threats we face. Our new strategy... will allow us to take even greater steps to defend ourselves in cyberspace and to strike back when we are attacked," the statement quoted Hammond as saying.

The decision was hailed by British Paymaster General Ben Gummer who said Britain was facing a wide range of cyber attackers.

"No longer the stuff of spy thrillers and action movies, cyber-attacks are a reality and they are happening now," Gummer said.

"Our adversaries are varied - organized criminal groups, 'hacktivists', untrained teenagers and foreign states," he added.

GCHQ Director Robert Hannigan said in June that Britain's major cities like the capital London were susceptible to hacking.

Hannigan defended the agency's log-running surveillance of internet activity, saying, it had resulted in seven attacks being foiled in the last 18 months.

Andrew Parker, head of the British spy agency MI5, told the Guardian in an interview that Russia was conducting cyber attacks against the UK and "It is MI5's job to get in the way of that."

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US Slaps Sanctions on Yemeni Money Exchange for Helping al-Qaida

By VOA News November 01, 2016

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on a Yemeni money exchange and the two brothers who own it for doing business with the al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorist group.

U.S. assets belonging to the al-Omgy and Brothers Money Exchange are frozen, and Americans are now barred from doing business with it.

The al-Omgy exchange and its owners "are responsible for financially facilitating and supporting AQAP in its violent attacks," said Adam Szubin, the U.S. Treasury's top terrorism official. "Treasury will continue to work with our allies to protect the international financial system by exposing and taking action against AQAP supporters."

Treasury said the exchange holds al-Qaida accounts, including money the terrorists extorted from Yemeni businesses.

It also said the brothers who operate the money exchange, Said Salih and Muhammad Salih Abd-Rabbuh al-Omgy, have been involved in recruiting fighters and smuggling weapons for AQAP.

The United Arab Emirates recently imposed similar sanctions against the al-Omgy brothers and their business.

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US Warns of Possible IS Attack in India

By Steve Herman November 01, 2016

For the first time the U.S. government is publicly warning of the possibility of terrorist attacks in India carried out by the Islamic State group.

A brief security message for U.S. citizens in India, issued Tuesday evening at the embassy in New Delhi, calls on Americans to "maintain a high level of vigilance and increase their security awareness," especially at religious sites, markets and festival venues.

Previous security advisories issued by the embassy have mentioned Islamic extremist groups, such as Indian Mujahideen (IM) and the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, but not Islamic State.

The fresh security advisory could be related to recent IS arrests in India, said Heritage Foundation senior research fellow Lisa Curtis, noting last month's discovery of an Islamic State cell in Kerala that allegedly was plotting attacks during the Diwali holiday season, which began Sunday and runs through Thursday.

"These arrests may have led to additional information about the ISIS terror threat in India," Curtis, a former CIA analyst who was also a diplomat in U.S. embassies in India and Pakistan, told VOA. ISIS is an acronym for Islamic State.

"I have no doubt there are some grassroots capability [of IS in India], at the very least," said Fred Burton, chief security officer for the private strategic intelligence firm Stratfor.

In other South Asian nations, such as Bangladesh and Pakistan, IS has successfully tapped into local Islamist networks.

"ISIS operators may be trying to employ the same tactic in India by linking up with groups like the Indian Mujahideen, which was behind a series of attacks several years ago," Curtis said. "ISIS released a recruiting video in May showing Indian Muslims [including two IM members] calling on Indian Muslims to avenge  purported injustices in Kashmir."

Muslim minority community

The relatively few extremists in India's substantial Muslim minority community are not perceived as having interest in joining IS, according to analysts. It has been reported that two or three dozen members of IM and others groups, however, traveled from India to Syria and Iraq to fight with IS, but are not believed to have sworn allegiance to the group's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

India traditionally has been more vulnerable to terror cells from Bangladesh and Pakistan carrying out attacks on its soil.

"Any kind of chatter can drive an alert" by a risk-averse State Department, Burton told VOA.

As has been the case for IS-claimed attacks in other parts of the world, there is "no need for elaborate infrastructure or training for a self-inspired small group or individual to do an 'official' Islamic State attack. Just at minimum a computer for inspiration, weaponry [including a machete or a vehicle]," added Burton, a former deputy chief of counterterrorism of the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service.

A branch of Islamic State said to be active in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan has "an interest in galvanizing individuals to attack in India," said Amarnath Amarasingam, an analyst at George Washington University's Program on Extremism.

Possible nexus

Illinois State University's Ali Riaz, who teaches South Asian politics and political Islam, says Indian militants may be connected with terrorist groups in Bangladesh who have affiliated themselves with IS.

"Most of the weapons used in the recent Dhaka attack in July were modified in India before they were transported to Bangladesh," Riaz told VOA.

While the extremist group's messaging about India primarily has focused on the disputed Kashmir region and avenging attacks against Muslims in India, the group's magazine also has carried threats against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and condemned India for being a majority country of Hindus, a religion it has characterized as "cow-worshipping pagans."

Islam is India's second-largest religion, with Muslims comprising about 15 percent of the total population of more than 1.2 billion people.

If other countries follow Washington's lead and issue similar warnings about a possible IS attack, it may have ramifications for India's travel and tourism sector, according to the Economic Times, a Mumbai-based daily newspaper.

In recent years, foreign tourism has become a significant part of India's economy, contributing about $20 billion annually in foreign exchange earnings and matching the much-touted information technology sector.

VOA's Noor Zahid contributed to this report.

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Unmanned combat drone to be exported

People's Daily Online

By Zhao Lei (China Daily) 09:52, November 01, 2016

CH-5 is twice as big as its predecessors, can stay in the air for 60 hours and go up to 10 km high

China has granted an export license for the CH-5 reconnaissance/combat drone, which is believed to be one of the most powerful unmanned combat aircraft in the world.

"Several foreign nations have expressed intentions to purchase the CH-5, and we are in talks with them," said Shi Wen, chief designer of the Caihong, or Rainbow, series at the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics in Beijing.

"I can't tell you more details, except that the drone is ready for export," he told China Daily in an exclusive interview on Monday, the day before the 11th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, commonly known as the Zhuhai Air Show, begins in Zhuhai, Guangdong province.

Compared with the United States' General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, a hunter-killer drone often deemed by Western analysts as the best of its kind, the CH-5 "can perform whatever operations the MQ-9 Reaper can, and is even better than the US vehicle when it comes to flight duration and operational efficiency," Shi said.

"Another advantage is that the CH-5 is capable of making a joint strike together with its predecessors, the CH-3 and CH-4, because they can share the same data link and control system. Therefore, it is very easy for current users of the CH-3 and CH-4 to introduce and integrate the CH-5 into their drone network."

Moreover, the CH-5 is able to carry an airborne early warning system to act as a platform for regional surveillance, and battlefield command and control. It also can carry electronic warfare instruments to collect electronic intelligence and to jam enemy communications or radars.

The CH-5 made its first flight in August last year, becoming the mightiest military drone in China in terms of operational endurance and payload capacity.

The drone is made of composite materials and has a wingspan of 21 meters. Twice as big as its predecessors in the CH family, the drone can stay in the air for about 60 hours and operate at an altitude of up to 10 km, Shi said. Its current maximum range is 6,500 km, and a future upgrade will enable it to fly as far as 10,000 km, he added.

The CH-5 is able to carry 1,000 kg of equipment and weapons. It will carry 16 air-to-surface missiles when displayed at the air show, but its largest capacity is 24 missiles in a single flight, engineers at the academy said.

Compared with the prototype for the test flight, the drone's mass-production model has a more streamlined nose and an electro-optical instrument mounted under the nose.

Shi said designers plan to develop a CH-5 that will be capable of staying in the air for up to 120 hours, with a 20,000-km range.

The China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics, part of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, is China's largest military drone exporter by number of products sold overseas. Its CH-series drones have been sold to military users in more than 10 countries, he said.

Lan Wenbo, project manager of the CH-5, said his academy is willing to transfer technologies to users, an attraction that Western suppliers do not offer.

Other equipment from Shi's academy is the CH-805 high-speed target drone, a flying wing that resembles the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit. It has a tiny radar signature of 0.01 square meters, so it can be used for anti-stealth aircraft drills and reconnaissance tasks, according to academy materials.

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China showcases advanced stealth warplane in airshow

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 1, 2016 9:17AM

China has showcased its advanced J-20 stealth fighters in public for the first time, less than a week after starting massive drills amid tensions over the US military presence in Asia.

Two twin-engine Chengdu J-20s performed a low-level flypast over a gasping crowd, including dignitaries and hundreds of spectators and industry executives, at the 11th Chinese air show in the southern city of Zhuhai Tuesday.

The brand new secretive jets streaked and screamed on the sky at the show's opening ceremony for nearly a minute, letting out deafening roar that set off car alarms in the exhibition's parking lot.

The aircraft, the potent symbols of China's aspirations towards military might, are considered as an answer to the F-22 stealth warplanes that will be soon deployed in the Pacific by the US and its ally Japan.

"The J-20 aircraft is China's own new generation stealth fighter, developed to meet the needs of the future battleground," Chinese Air Force spokesman Shen Jinke said last week.

The aircraft, he said, will further enhance the overall combat capability of the Chinese air force, "which would help the army's sacred mission of maintaining the national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity."

The biennial exhibition, held some 56 kilometers west of Hong Kong, shows off China's newest military hardware and is regarded as the country's largest meeting of aircraft makers and buyers, showcasing Beijing's military clout.

Back in 2014, the exhibition debuted China's J-31 warplanes, another domestically-built radar-evading fighter jet.

On Thursday, China held a day-long military exercise in the vicinity of disputed islands in the South China Sea.

China claims sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea which is also partially contested by Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam as well as the Philippines.

The drills began less than a week after a US guided-missile destroyer sailed through the waters close to the Paracel Islands, over which China has territorial disputes with its neighbors.

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SWEET HOME  Oliver Mercer, the 58-year-old Lebanon man who disappeared Monday during a mushroom-picking trip near Rocky Top Bridge, east of Sweet Home, is out of the woods and safe, Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley reports.

Riley said Mercer flagged down a fishing boat at about 10 a.m. Thursday. The fisherman gave Mercer a ride back to the boat dock where he was reunited with his friends.

He told rescue workers that he got turned around after picking mushrooms all day on Oct. 31. He said he traveled over 2 miles south down to the Green Peter Reservoir, where he traveled over five miles along the water's edge in hopes of getting back to Rocky Top Bridge.

Mercer said that although he was unable to start any fires, the evening temperatures never got too cold and he was able to make a bed out of fir boughs.

The Lane County Sheriff's Office, Marion County Sheriff's Office, Oregon Army National Guard, REACH, US Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, Polk County Sheriff's Office ATV Team and the Civil Air Patrol assisted LCSO rescue personnel. The entire team consisted of 90 volunteers and two dogs, contributing more than 750 man hours.

Sheriff Riley wanted to thank all the search and rescue personnel and agencies involved in the search. "Successful searches such as this could not be made possible without the collaborative and professional relationship shared by all the agencies involved."

Riley also reminds citizens who venture into the forest to always be prepared to spend the night. He advises always carrying the following items: Map of the area, compass or GPS, extra dry clothes (no cotton), flashlight, first-aid kit, fire starter or matches, knife, extra food and water. Also a Spot Locator or similar device is ideal and can help searchers locate you in time of need.
China Debuts Secretive Fighter Jet at Military Expo

Sputnik News

19:20 01.11.2016

China has unveiled its secretive stealth fighter plane, the Chengdu J-20, in public for the first time. The heavily armed warplanes represent the cutting edge of China's military clout, and are seen as a direct attempt to compete in defense capabilities with the United States.

At China's biggest meeting of aircraft makers and buyers in the southern city of Zhuhai on Tuesday, Chinese showmanship upped the ante. In a previously unannounced debut, the dramatic entrance of two powerful Chengdu J-20 fighter jets zipped across the sky, to the applause of a surprised crowd below, made up of visitors from 42 countries.

The roar of the engines was not enough to drown out the undeniable: that Chinese investment in its expanded military shows no signs of abating.

The full specifications of the Chinese fighter are not yet publicly known, but some observers at the Zhuhai show expect that the Chengdu J-20s will be able to match the stealth, radar-evading properties of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, developed for the US Air Force. The US F-22 stealth fighter is expected to be deployed in the Pacific by the United States.

The fighter jets are also being seen as an effort by Beijing to strengthen it's military, to challenge the US military expansion on the continent, in what US policy makers call the US "pivot" to Asia.

It's a development that has not gone unnoticed by the US. In a Rand Corporation report, commissioned by the US Army, published in August this year, US President Barack Obama's former chief intelligence adviser David Gompert, warned US policy makers of increasing Chinese military might.

The report highlighted that with the possibility of China's economy overtaking the US's by 2025, and with Chinese technological advances, the military gap between the US and China is set to narrow. It cautioned that a future war between China and the US would be "intense, destructive, and protracted."

"War between the United States and China could be so ruinous for both countries, for East Asia, and for the world that it might seem unthinkable The United States can no longer be so certain that war would follow its plan and lead to decisive victory," Mr Gompert wrote.

Although the kind of worst-case, all-out conflict scenario that the Rand report refers to is unlikely, relations between the US and China have become strained over the past two years.

A specific flash point between the two, is China's territorial ambitions in the South China Sea.

China disputes sovereignty over parts of the sea, with several of its neighbors, including Japan  a key US ally  the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. The South China Sea is believed to have huge deposits of oil and gas. China has chosen to bolster its claim by constructing man-made islands, and then deploying its military to defend them, a strategy that continues to be condemned by the US and its allies.

The Chengdu J-20 was secretly tested in in 2011, but had not been shown to the public until Tuesday, November 1.

China is projected to become the world's largest aviation market by 2024, according to the International Air Transport Association. The Chengdu J-20 is expected to become operational by 2018.

 Sputnik

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India to Clear $2.1 Billion Defense Purchase Contract with Russia

Sputnik News

20:38 01.11.2016(updated 20:40 01.11.2016)

Indian Army intends to purchase advanced T-90 tanks from Russia. Experts believe that it is best suited for deployment along the western border.

New Delhi (Sputnik)  Furthering its defense cooperation with Russia, India is set to approve another high-value purchase from Moscow in next few weeks. Sources say that the Indian Army is interested in purchasing the latest version of T-90 tanks equipped with thermal imaging night vision cameras and some additional countermeasures to significantly reduce the chances of being hit by enemy anti-tank semi-automatic guided weapons. The Indian Army has submitted a proposal seeking final approval of the Defense Acquisition Council, the decision-making body for all India's defense deals.

Major General R K Arora (retired), Chief Editor of Indian Military Review, says, "We have still not finalized what our future battle tank will be like. Secondly, the development of the Arjun Mark 2 is taking more time; so there is a gap between now and may be 5 years or so before the development of future main battle tank takes place. So, it is a stopgap measure that we are going to buy more T-90 tanks. We may have 800 or so T-90 tanks just now. Now the government is planning to buy 460 more that will make it about 1,300 T-90 tanks in the fleet."

The intended purchase of 460 T-90 tanks would be worth more than $2.1 billion with the Make in India component. Sputnik reported earlier that the Indian Army had put the T-90 on a list of products that domestic industry could help design and manufacture under the Army Design Bureau. The T-90 is already being assembled at Heavy Vehicle Factory (HVF), Avadi in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. The factory also produces T-72 tanks. It is not clear if the additional T-90 tanks will be produced by HVF or if the opportunity will be thrown open to the private sector.

Brigadier Rumel Dahiya (Retired), Deputy Director General, Institute of Defence and Security Analyses added his comments on the deal.

"Transfer of technology was part of the original deal signed with Russia to procure T-90 tanks initially. The transfer took some time but now I think the technology is available. Therefore it has become possible to manufacture the tanks all by us with most of the sub-assemblies being manufactured locally and the rest still required to be imported getting replaced by indigenously produced sub-assemblies over a period of time," he said.

Currently, India has about 13 regiments of T-90 that could go up to 21 regiments by 2020. One regiment consists of 62 tanks. In November 2006, India ordered 330 T-90 tanks from Russia, out of which some are assembled at an Indian ordnance factory. Indian assembled tanks are fitted with the Shtora self-protection system as well as Catherine thermal images from Thales of France and Peleng of Belarus.

 Sputnik

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Abadi warns of Turkey threat, vows response to any incursion into Iraq

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 1, 2016 6:55PM

The Iraqi prime minister says the threat of Turkey's military incursion into his country still remains, stressing that Baghdad will counter any such incursion into its territory.

Speaking at a press conference in Baghdad on Tuesday, Haider al-Abadi said his country does not interfere in the domestic affairs of other states, but reserves the right to fight back against any attack on its territory, Iraq's al-Sumaria news website reported.

He noted that the Iraqi government attaches more importance to the security of the city of Tal Afar than any other countries.

His comments come as Iraqi government and volunteer forces as well as Kurdish Peshmarga forces are engaged in a military operation to retake the northern city of Mosul from Daesh Takfiri terrorists. Last week, Iraq's Hashd al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Units, announced that its members had begun operations aimed at cutting supply routes between Iraq's Mosul and Syria's Raqqah by freeing Tal Afar, home to a sizeable ethnic Turkmen population.

However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that his country was seeking to reinforce its troops in Tal Afar and vowed a "different response" if the Iraqi forces allegedly "cause terror" there.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Abadi hailed Iraq's national unity and stressed that security forces have so far made no mistake regarding the civilians.

He further emphasized that the enemy has been defeated to a large extent while all the Iraqi military units are taking part in the Mosul operation.

"We want to liberate Mosul with the least costs," Abadi said, warning that Daesh terrorists are trying to hide among the civilians.

Earlier on Tuesday, Iraqi troops entered the outskirts of Mosul, taking the state television building and advancing against Daesh militants who hold the strategic northern city.

It was the first time in over two years that Iraqi forces had set foot inside Mosul.

Many believe that the recapture of Mosul, which fell to Daesh in 2014, would signal the terror outfit's total defeat in Iraq.

On Monday, Abadi pledged to close off all the escape routes for Daesh, saying that the militants will either die or give in.

"God willing, we will chop off the snake's head," Abadi said at the Qayyara military air base south of Mosul, adding,"They (terrorists) have no escape, they either die or surrender."

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Iraqi troops retake Mosul TV building, village in latest push against Daesh

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 1, 2016 2:16PM

Members of the Iraqi army's elite forces, the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), have recaptured a village and a television station on the edge of Mosul, in their latest push to liberate the northern city from the grip of Daesh terrorists.

"We finished clearing Gogjali and took control of the Mosul television station building," Staff Lieutenant General Abdelwahab al-Saadi said on Tuesday.

Major General Sami al-Aridi also confirmed the recapture of the TV station in Mosul, located in an eastern district of the city.

He noted that the advance on Mosul came after heavy fighting near the state TV building as Iraqi forces tried to push into more urban areas of the city.

The TV station is the first important building in Mosul that has been retaken by Iraqi troops since the beginning of the liberation operation.

'True liberation' of Mosul started

Also on Tuesday, a CTS commander stressed that the "true liberation" of the contested city had begun, with Iraqi troops being stationed at the edge of Mosul.

"Our final goal is arriving in Mosul and liberating the city," Staff General Taleb Sheghati al-Kenani told the Iraqiya state television from Gogjali.

More than two weeks ago, the Iraqi army, volunteer Shia and Sunni fighters as well as Kurdish Peshmerga forces launched a long-awaited operation to wrest control of Mosul, the last stronghold of Daesh in the Arab country. Since then, the Iraqi forces have been advancing on the city on multiple fronts.

Many believe that the recapture of Mosul, which fell to Daesh in 2014, would signal the terror outfit's total defeat in Iraq.

Turkey deploys tanks to frontier with Iraq

Additionally on Tuesday, unnamed Turkish military sources said the army had started deploying tanks and other armored vehicles to the Silopi area of Sirnak province, situated close to the border with Iraq.

Photos provided by the sources showed a long column of vehicles, including tanks, tank rescue vehicles and construction vehicles in single file on a dual carriageway.

Last week, Iraq's Hashd al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Units, announced that its members had begun operations aimed at cutting supply routes between the Iraqi city of Mosul and the Syrian city of Raqqah by freeing Tal Afar, home to a sizeable ethnic Turkmen population.

However, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that his country was seeking to reinforce its troops in Tal Afar and vowed a "different response" if the Iraqi forces allegedly "cause terror" there.

Meanwhile, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said that the deployment is related to the developments in Iraq,

Turkey has "no obligation" to wait behind its frontiers and will take necessary measures if forces from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) take a foothold in Iraq's Sinjar, he added.

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Iraqi troops advance on more urban districts of Mosul

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 1, 2016 11:36AM

Iraqi special forces were advancing toward the more urban center of Mosul on Tuesday after entering the outskirts of the city in a bid to retake it from Takfiri terrorists.

The advance into Iraq's second largest city in over two years marks the start of what could be a grueling and slow operation for troops, with the terrorists holed up in their positions and using civilians as human shields.

According to the commander of the special forces, troops entered the Gogjali neighborhood inside Mosul's city limits and by noon were only 800 meters (yards) from the more built-up Karama district.

"Daesh is fighting back and have set up concrete blast walls to block off the Karama neighborhood and our troops' advance," Maj. Gen. Sami al-Aridi said.

Iraqi artillery, tank and machine gun fire pounded Daesh positions, with the Takfiri terrorists responding with guided anti-tank missiles and small arms in an attempt to block the advance.

Across the liberated districts, white flags fluttered to show the residents wouldn't resist the Iraqi army advance. Some residents stood outside their homes, and children raised their hands with V-for-victory signs, the Associated Press reported.

'Human shields'

One resident said Daesh was preventing families from moving toward the security forces and ordered them into the city center.

UN human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani meanwhile said Daesh was trying to move 25,000 civilians from the town of Hammam al-Alil to Mosul to use them as human shields.

Most of the trucks used in the operation on Monday were forced to turn back under pressure from patrolling aircraft, but some buses managed to reach Abusaif, 15 km north of the town, she added.

Shamdasani also cited reports from the field as saying that the terrorist group on Saturday killed 40 former members of the Iraqi security forces near Mosul and threw their corpses in the Tigris river.

She said the UN has no documented any reports of abuses by Iraqi troops or civilian deaths in air raids in Mosul so far.

Iraq's Badr Organization said seven villages located to the west of Mosul were purged of Daesh on Tuesday. Iraqi forces also took control of a government building in a village in eastern Mosul.

The spokesman for Hashd al-Shaabi or Popular Mobilization Units Ahmed Assadi said 39 villages west of Mosul have been purged of Daesh since the beginning of the operation about two week ago.

According to the Defense Ministry, as many as 27 Daesh terrorists were killed in fresh operations and their weapons and equipment seized or destroyed.

Meanwhile, a military source said a senior terrorist commander was killed in an airstrike in the center of Mosul on Tuesday.

Abu Tareq al-Hayali, the commander of the Daesh-affiliated Jund al-Khilafah, and seven of his companions were killed as Iraqi aircraft bombed their positions, he added.

With the advances gaining momentum, Takfiri militants are resorting to more desperate measures. On Monday, Iraqi forces thwarted a Daesh car bomb attack and another terrorist attack on the Asyla village west of Mosul, killing 12 terrorists and capturing two others.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the start of the operations to liberate Mosul on October 16. The city fell to Daesh in June 2014 as the Takfiri group crossed the Syrian border to expand its so-called caliphate.

The loss of Mosul would be a major defeat for the Takfiri terrorists because it is the last major Daesh bastion in Iraq.

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Iraqi Troops Launch Ground Assault On Eastern Neighborhood Of Mosul

RFE/RL November 01, 2016

An Iraqi general says government special forces have entered an eastern neighborhood of Mosul and seized the state TV building there.

The advance marks the first time Iraqi government forces have set foot within the northern Iraqi city of Mosul since it was seized by Islamic State (IS) militants in 2014.

Government troops launched the ground assault on Mosul's industrial eastern Gogjali neighborhood early on November 1 as part of a two-week-old operation to recapture Mosul.

Major General Sami al-Aridi said his troops by noon on November 1 were inside the Gogjali district and were only 800 meters from Mosul's more built-up Karama district.

He said IS militants had set up concrete blast walls to block off the Karama neighborhood and had laid booby traps and bombs along roads into the city.

The battle began just before dawn on November 1 with Iraqi artillery, tank, and machine-gun fire against IS positions in the Gogjali district and support from U.S.-led coalition air strikes.

Militants fired back with antitank missiles and small arms.

Iraqi government forces, Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Iran-backed Shi'ite militia, and Sunni tribesmen have been converging on Mosul from all directions to force out the IS militants who seized the city in 2014.

Mosul is the IS militants' final urban stronghold in Iraq. Its loss would be a major defeat for the militants.

But Mosul's city center is still about 10 kilometers from the current position of the government forces now in the city.

Much ground remains to be covered in what is expected to be an intense urban battle lasting weeks or months.

Further complicating the government offensive is the presence of thousands of civilians that the United Nations believes are being used by IS militants as human shields.

The UN's human rights office says it has received fresh reports of mass killings by IS militants in and around Mosul.

UN human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said on November 1 that the office had received field reports that 40 former members of Iraq's security forces were executed on October 29 by IS militants, who threw their bodies into the Tigris River.

Shamdasani said IS also tried to transport about 25,000 civilians from the town of Hammam al-Alil, about 15 kilometers south of Mosul, during the predawn hours of October 31 -- probably for use as human shields in the defense of IS positions.

The announcement came three days after the UN's high commissioner for human rights, Zei Raad al-Hussein, said IS militants had abducted more than 7,000 families to use as human shields against the Iraqi government offensive on Mosul.

Hussein also said last week that 232 civilians, including about 190 former Iraqi security personnel, had been shot by IS militants at Mosul's al-Ghazlani military base.

In other news, authorities from Iraq's northern Kurdistan region have detained a Japanese journalist who has been reporting about the battle for Mosul.

Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga confirmed on November 1 that freelance journalist Kosuke Tsuneoka had been detained.

Suga said Japanese authorities were trying to determine why he was being held.

Japan's Kyodo News agency reported that Tsuneoka was being held by Peshmerga fighters.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, Kyodo, and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/mosul-iraq-attack- assault-/28087932.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Invasion of Iraq to Lead to Turkish Downfall  Iraqi Prime Minister

Sputnik News

21:33 01.11.2016

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi stated that any invasion by Turkey in Iraq will lead to its breakup.

DAMASCUS (Sputnik)  Ankara's decision to send troops to Iraq will lead to Turkey's eventual breakup, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi warned the neighbor on Tuesday.

"Any invasion by Turkey in Iraq will lead to its breakup," the prime minister said, as quoted by Al Mayadeen news channel.

Baghdad does not want a war with Ankara but is ready for it, Abadi threatened, after media reported Turkey was pulling armored vehicles and tanks to their joint border.

Turkey has been seeking an active role in the Iraqi military operation to recapture the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) stronghold of Mosul in northern Iraq.

Turkey sent troops across the border late last year to allegedly train Sunni fighters at a base near the Daesh-held Iraqi town of Bashiqa, prompting protests from Baghdad.

 Sputnik

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Iraq Security Forces Kill Over 1,100 Daesh Militants in Mosul Operation

Sputnik News

17:28 01.11.2016

Iraqi troops killed 778 Daesh members in the "southern axis," while Iraqi warplanes dropped bombs on 375 militants, according to Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman, Col. Saad Moen.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Iraqi security forces killed over 1,100 Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) fighters and recaptured hundreds of miles of land as the advance against the Daesh stronghold from the south continued on Tuesday, Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman, Col. Saad Moen said.

Iraqi troops killed 778 Daesh members in the "southern axis," while Iraqi warplanes dropped bombs on 375 militants, Moen was quoted by Iraqi News as saying.

The offensive helped liberate 895 miles of land in the surrounding Nineveh province, the ministerial spokesman added.

The Iraqi push to drive Islamists out of their main stronghold has recently met fierce resistance. The armed forces are receiving air support from a US-led international coalition, which reportedly killed further 149 Daesh members on Tuesday.

 Sputnik

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As Iraqi troops prepare Mosul assault, ISIL forcibly relocates thousands of civilians closer to city, UN warns

1 November 2016  The United Nations human rights wing today received reports that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) is attempting to forcibly transfer tens of thousands of civilians closer to Mosul, including near its own military installations, which could be targets as the Iraqi Government's offensive to retake the city intensifies.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported that early this morning, ISIL attempted the forcible transfer of some 25,000 civilians towards locations in and around Mosul. While coalition flights patrolling the area foiled the effort, some buses did reach Abusaif, 15 kilometres north of Hamam Al-Alil City, south of Mosul.

"We have grave concerns for the safety of these and the tens of thousands of other civilians who have reportedly been forcibly relocated by ISIL in the past two weeks," OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told reporters at the regular bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva, explaining that ISIL brought dozens of long trucks and mini-buses to Hamam al-Alil City  most of which were prevented from proceeding towards Mosul by coalition flights.

Responding to questions, she said OHCHR had observed a pattern: ISIL was taking people closer and closer to Mosul city, and putting them close to their offices and to military installations which could be targets.

"That would support the assertion that they are planning to use those people as human shields, and to make sure the area was heavily populated with civilians to frustrate a military operation against them," she said, noting that ISIL is also killing some people that they are abducting, particularly those having formerly belonged to the Iraqi Security Forces.

"Using civilians as human shields is a war crime," she explained, citing relevant Articles of the Rome Statute, founding document of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which state, respectively, that taking hostages in a non-international armed conflict is a war crime, and that ordering civilian displacements for reasons non-security or imperative military reasons is also a war crime.

"We urge parties to the conflict to ensure that international law is strictly observed," continued Ms. Shamdasani, "in particular the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution in attack. All feasible precautions must be taken to avoid and minimise the loss of civilian life and injury to civilians."

The OHCHR spokesperson elaborated on further reports of mass killings by ISIL, noting that this past Saturday, 40 former Iraqi Security Force soldiers were killed and their bodies thrown in the Tigris River. The soldiers were reportedly among the civilians who had been abducted earlier from al-Shura sub-district of Mosul and from villages surrounding Hamam al-Alil.

According to Ms. Shamdasani, there have also been reports that ISIL has been threatening relatives of people they suspect are supporting the Iraqi Security Forces.

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Iraqi Forces Enter IS-Held Mosul, Facing Stiff Resistance

By VOA News November 01, 2016

Iraqi special forces seized control of state television facilities inside Mosul on Tuesday, as a loose-knit combat coalition allied with Baghdad pressed an offensive to drive Islamic State extremists from the city.

Kurdish and Western journalists embedded with the force said it was meeting stiff resistance inside the city, encountering concrete blast walls and roadside bombs planted by IS fighters to slow the Iraqi advance.

The Iraqi military also said an armored division was approaching southeastern districts, as part of a push to free outlying villages and encircle the city.

Separate coalition units pressing toward Mosul from the north were also reported in control of several key villages.

The long-awaited offensive comes two weeks after the coalition of Iraqi and Kurdish forces  backed by Shiite militia, Sunni Arab tribesmen and U.S.-led airstrikes  began the largest military operation in the country since 2003 to clear the city of IS fighters.

In Washington on Tuesday, the U.S. anti-terror special envoy Brett McGurk voiced optimism about the offensive, telling Radio SAWA it is now simply "a matter of time before Iraqi security forces enter and liberate this great city." However, he also called for patience, cautioning that retaking the city will take time and will unfold in stages.

Meanwhile, in Geneva, United Nations spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said IS fighters are continuing their push to forcibly move thousands of civilians closer to Mosul to provide extremists inside the city with human shields.

She also voiced alarm over new reports of Islamic State mass killings, including information from "reliable sources" that 40 former Iraqi soldiers were killed Saturday near Mosul, their bodies then thrown into the Tigris River.

U.N. estimates show up to a million people could become displaced as fighting intensifies in Mosul. Nearly 18,000 people have already fled the city since the operation was launched October 17.

Separately Tuesday, neighboring Turkey began shifting armor and other vehicles to a key district on the Iraqi border, making what Defense Minister Fikri Isik described as preparations "for all possibilities."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he wants to protect ethnic Turks residing in Iraq, Iran and Syria from the presence of Iran-backed Shiite militia participating in the coalition fighting to retake Mosul.

He has also said his government is trying to contain the Kurdish PKK faction, which has battled the Ankara government for decades to establish an autonomous homeland in Turkey's southeast near the borders of Syria and Iraq.

Turkey, the United States and the European Union have designated the PKK as a terrorist organization.

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Anti-IS Forces Seek Clues to How Militants Ruled Iraqi Villages

By Heather Murdock November 01, 2016

About 10 kilometers from the front lines of the battle to retake Mosul, peshmerga soldiers tour an area recently recaptured from Islamic State militants. They say they've learned a lot about how the militant group works from examining the ruins of what were once bustling villages.

A bomb factory was installed in one shop and oil was burnt to hide the village from coalition forces, according to the soldiers.

Iraqi and Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga forces are exploring recaptured villages for insight into how Islamic State took and held these villages for more than two years.

"We don't exactly know how many IS members were here," said a peshmerga commander, Tahir Aziz. "But since the bodies of the dead remain here, we know how many were killed. We don't know how many escaped."

On one end of the village, sandbags fill most of a mosque because IS militants put them inside rather than outside  a ploy to hide IS positions from coalition planes. Peshmerga slip down the tunnel IS built under the village, examining the militants' escape route from their enemies.

While this kind of knowledge helps, soldiers say, fighting IS remains incredibly complicated.

"The challenges that remain are the car bombs and suicide bombs," said Lt. Col. Osman Ali of the peshmerga. "Also, we have weapons, but we are not as well equipped as the Iraqi Army. We need more and better weapons."

At the other end of the tunnel, soldiers emerge. They say they will keep fighting until the militant group is crushed.

Peshmerga soldiers, the Iraqi Army and Shiite militias are all fighting IS together, but tensions remain among them.

Even as these forces clear more areas of IS fighters, many people are frustrated because they still cannot go home, as rubble, bombs and bodies make the villages unsafe.

"We don't want to live outside of our homes," said Raad Ibrahim, a 35-year old father of one, as he waits outside a checkpoint Saturday, trying to get permission to visit his home. "I don't know anything about what is there. But I'm sure it's destroyed."

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Israel Plans to Buy 3 German Submarines - Prime Minister Netanyahu

Sputnik News

15:36 01.11.2016(updated 15:41 01.11.2016)

Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel intends to purchase three more submarines from Germany.

TEL AVIV (Sputnik)  Israel intends to purchase three more submarines from Germany, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday.

"We  will sign contract with Germany on construction of three more submarines," Netanyahu said in a statement, issued by his press service.

The new submarines are expected to substitute the Israeli navy ships, which have reached their serviceable life expectancy.

Currently Israeli navy involves five German diesel-electric Dolphin-class submarines, which are nuclear-capable according to foreign media reports. The newest subs are equipped with power systems, which are independent from the air. Israel and Germany have already signed a contract for the construction of a sixth submarine.

 Sputnik

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South Korea arrests president's confidante at center of scandal

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 1, 2016 6:42AM

South Korean President Park Geun-hye's longtime friend has been held for a second day of questioning after being detained over alleged corruption and influence-peddling.

The 60-year-old Choi Soon-sil, reportedly a fortune teller and a cult leader, was interrogated by prosecutors after she appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday.

She arrived in handcuffs and a surgical mask after flying back from Germany to hand herself in for questioning following mass street demonstrations demanding her arrest and Park's resignation.

Park's confidante for decades, Choi is the prime figure of a recent scandal, in which she has been accused of allegedly masterminding government policy and decision making for financial gain.

The media has portrayed her as a Rasputin-like figure, who wielded an unhealthy influence over Park and interfered in government policy despite holding no official post and having no security clearance.

Park and Choi have been close friends for 40 years. Suggestions that Choi vetted presidential speeches and was given access to classified documents have exposed Park to public anger and ridicule.

With just over a year left in office, the scandal has pushed Park's approval ratings off a cliff. Park has said she had given Choi access to speech drafts early in her term and apologized for causing concern among the public.

But it did little to assuage public outrage, with mass street protests erupting in Seoul and other cities to demand Park's resignation.

According to a survey published Tuesday, Park's approval rating was 9.2 percent, with 67 percent of voters saying she should step down.

Choi has also been accused of using her relationship with the president to coerce corporate donations to two non-profit foundations, and then siphon off funds for personal use.

On Tuesday, prosecutors widened their investigations into the case by raiding firms owned or run by Cha Eun-taek, a famous advertisement director and Choi's close aide. He is also suspected of interfering in the government's cultural projects. They also raided the offices of at least four banks to obtain information on Choi's financial transactions.

The scandal has drawn a stinging response from the South Korean public. Early on Tuesday morning, a man rammed his excavator into the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building in Seoul, where Choi was being questioned. A security guard was injured and the entrance door to the building was damaged in the incident.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the driver was nabbed by police on site. During his interrogation, he said that he had carried out the attack "to help Choi Soon-sil die because she said she committed a sin that deserves death."

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Russia poses increasing threat to UK: MI5 chief

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 1, 2016 1:12AM

Russia presents an ever-increasing threat to the stability of the United Kingdom, the director general of MI5, Andrew Parker, says.

And in order to achieve its goals, Russia is using all of the cutting-edge tools it has at its disposal, the MI5 chief, told the Guardian in an interview, part of which was released Monday.

"It is using its whole range of state organs and powers to push its foreign policy abroad in increasingly aggressive ways  involving propaganda, espionage, subversion and cyber-attacks. Russia is at work across Europe and in the UK today. It is MI5's job to get in the way of that," he told the UK's prominent paper.

He said that Russia has already some intelligence officers in the UK and has been threatening the UK covertly for decades, but "what's different these days is that there are more and more methods available."

Moscow is using cyber warfare to target military secrets, industrial projects, economic information as well as the British government and foreign policy, he added.

He went on to say that Moscow "defines itself by opposition to the west and seems to act accordingly."

Relations between Russia and the west soured after people in Ukraine's Black Sea peninsula of Crimea voted for rejoining the Russian Federation in a referendum in March 2014.

The West branded the move as Moscow's annexation of the territory, with the US and its allies in Europe accusing the country of having a hand in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Russia's relationship with the US and the UK has also become unfriendly over the crisis in Syria, where Moscow has been conducting an air campaign at the request of the Syrian government to fight Daesh terrorists there since September 30, 2015.

US-led coalition has also been conducting airstrikes in Syria to purportedly target terrorist groups like Daesh since 2014, but they openly fund and equip militant groups who are waging war against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

On October 20, British Prime Minister Theresa May called on European leaders to unite against Russia and stop what she referred to as Russian "atrocities" in Syria.

"It is vital that we work together to continue to put pressure on Russia to stop these appalling atrocities, these sickening atrocities, in Syria," the premier said.

Russia's military campaign has helped the Syrian government defeat the Takfiri terrorists in many regions across the country.

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Moscow on MI5 Chief's Claims: Sad to See Professional Trapped in Propaganda

Sputnik News

17:09 01.11.2016

MI5 Director General Andrew Parker's allegations that Russia uses aggressive tactics to spread its agenda abroad indicate that the UK intelligence chief has been caught up in his own propaganda, the Russian embassy in the United Kingdom said Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Earlier in the day, Parker said in an interview with The Guardian newspaper that Russia uses "increasingly aggressive" tactics, including "propaganda, espionage, subversion and cyberattacks," in pursuing its foreign policy abroad. The MI5 head claimed that Russia's activities in Ukraine and Syria prove that Moscow's foreign policy is directed against the West.

Moscow has also reacted to the publication, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that the allegations are unsubstantiated and lack any evidence backing them.

Since 2014, relations between Russia and the West, including the United Kingdom, have deteriorated amid the crisis in Ukraine. The United States, the European Union and some of their allies have introduced several rounds of anti-Russia sanctions after Crimea's reunification with Russia and Moscow's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also threatened Russia and Syria with more sanctions in October after fighting escalated in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo.

 Sputnik

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Fear Has Big Eyes: MI5 Chief Claims Russia Trying to Destabilize Europe

Sputnik News

12:51 01.11.2016(updated 14:07 01.11.2016)

The British MI5 security service's head said numerous Russia's intelligence officers were still operating in the United Kingdom in order to obtain information about state military, industrial and government secrets.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia poses a growing threat to the United Kingdom in the attempts to expand its influence abroad by using all kinds of tools, the head of the MI5 security service said.

"It [Russia] is using its whole range of state organs and powers to push its foreign policy abroad in increasingly aggressive ways  involving propaganda, espionage, subversion and cyber-attacks. Russia is at work across Europe and in the UK today. It is MI5's job to get in the way of that," Andrew Parker told The Guardian in an interview published on Tuesday.

Parker noted that numerous Russia's intelligence officers were still operating in the United Kingdom in order to obtain information about state military, industrial and government secrets.

According to Parker, "Russia's activities in Ukraine and Syria" proves Moscow's foreign policy orientation is aimed at being at opposition to the West.

Since 2014, relations between Russia and the West, including the United Kingdom, have deteriorated amid the crisis in Ukraine. The United States, the European Union and some of their allies have introduced several rounds of anti-Russia sanctions after Crimea's reunification with Russia and Moscow's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also threatened Russia and Syria with more sanctions in October after fighting escalated in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo.

 Sputnik

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West failure to rein in extremists caused indefinite delay in Syria talks: Russia

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 1, 2016 10:40AM

Russia says the West has failed to contain the extremist militants it supports in Syria and has caused an "indefinite delay" in peace talks for the Arab country.

Speaking on Wednesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the West had failed to exercise influence on the extremist militants in Syria.

"As a result, the prospects for the start of a negotiation process and the return to peaceful life in Syria are postponed for an indefinite period," he said.

The remarks came one day after Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations (UN)'s special envoy for Syria, said the militants had intentionally killed scores of civilians in the west of the embattled northwestern Syria city of Aleppo over the previous 48 hours.

He said he had been "appalled and shocked" by the "relentless and indiscriminate" rocket attacks that killed the civilians and warned that such attacks could amount to war crimes.

The fatalities were caused after a mix of militants, including the Takfiri Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, and Ahrar al-Sham, another extremist outfit, launched what they called a "big battle" on Friday to break an army siege over the strategic city.

Russia has been bombarding militant positions in Syria on a request from Damascus since September 2015.

Russia ceased airstrikes on the city on October 18. Russian President Vladimir Putin turned down a subsequent request by the Russian military to resume the attacks, saying he wanted humanitarian efforts to continue in northwestern Aleppo and the US to separate the so-called "moderate" militants from other terrorists there.

Washington has for long been supporting militants it calls "moderate." Moscow says there are no such militants in Syria, and all militants are committing savage acts of terror in the country.

The US has been pounding targets it claims to belong to the Takfiri terror group of Daesh in the Arab country since 2014 without permission from the Syrian government.

Washington has been campaigning strongly against the Russian aerial campaign, saying it may hit the "moderates." The US, however, refuses to designate specifically what groups it deems "moderate," even as Russia has voiced readiness for potential cooperation in that regard.

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Probe Of Syrian Gas Attacks Extended Amid Battle With Russia Over Sanctions

RFE/RL November 01, 2016

The UN Security Council has extended the mandate of a panel investigating chemical attacks in Syria for two weeks to allow time to negotiate a one-year renewal of the probe.

The council on October 31 unanimously backed a U.S. resolution extending the probe through November 18 to make time for what appears likely to be a major showdown over the panel's recent finding that the Syrian regime carried out three chemical attacks on villages in 2014 and 2015.

Russia has dismissed those findings as "unconvincing" and said no sanctions should be imposed on Syria for the chlorine gas attacks.

But Britain, France, and the United States are pushing for sanctions and maintain that UN resolutions clearly provide for such action in response to the use of chemical weapons.

Britain's UN Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said the council needs to "make sure that everyone involved in the heinous use of chemical weapons in Syria is denied impunity and will receive justice."

France's UN Ambassador Francois Delattre said the two-week extension was only a first step.

"As we all know, there are more cases of chemical weapons use in Syria. And so it is absolutely critical" to pass the one-year renewal, he said.

The Security Council set up the so-called joint investigative mechanism in August 2015 to determine who was behind the chlorine attacks using barrel bombs.

The use of chlorine as a weapon is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013 under pressure from Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

While Russia agreed to the original focus on Syria, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said on October 31 that investigators should be authorized to probe "chemical terrorism" by all armed groups and their mission should be extended to neighboring Iraq.

The panel already has concluded that the Islamic State (IS) extremist group used mustard gas as a weapon in Syria in August 2015. IS also holds territory in Iraq, where there are reports it used gas against Kurdish troops.

But Deputy U.S. Ambassador Michele Sison rejected any broadening of the panel's mandate, saying that would be a "significant distraction" from its mission.

The investigation "was set up in Syria for a specific reason -- to resolve who was involved -- and for that reason it should remain focused on Syria," Sison said.

With reporting by AP, AFP, and TASS

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/probe- syrian-gas-attacks-extended-amid-battle-russia-over- sanctions-un-security-council/28087610.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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UN rights office concerned at continuing hostilities in both western and eastern Aleppo

1 November 2016  The United Nations human rights office today expressed concern that all parties in Aleppo are conducting hostilities which are resulting in large numbers of civilian casualties, and creating an atmosphere of terror for those who continue to live in the Syrian city.

"Strikes against hospitals, schools, marketplaces, water facilities and bakeries are now commonplace, and may amount to war crimes," Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) told reporters in Geneva.

She said that over the weekend, there were reports of intensified shelling by armed opposition groups of civilian-populated areas in Government-controlled western Aleppo. The areas hit by mortars, rockets and other improvised explosive devices (IEDS) included the neighbourhoods of Salah al-Din, al-Shahbaa, al-Zahraa and al-Hamadaniya, she added.

Also in western Aleppo, more than 30 civilians, including at least 10 children, were reportedly killed and dozens of others injured as a result of the attacks on 29 and 30 October, she said, adding that OHCHR received unconfirmed reports of families fleeing the hostilities towards opposition-held areas of the city.

"Such high numbers of civilian casualties suggest that armed opposition groups are failing to adhere to the fundamental prohibition under international humanitarian law on the launching of indiscriminate attacks, and the principles of precaution and proportionality," Ms. Shamdasani said.

The reported use of ground-based missiles along with the use of armoured vehicles loaded with explosives in an area containing more than one million civilian inhabitants is completely unacceptable and may constitute war crimes, she stressed.

In opposition-held eastern Aleppo, she said, shelling by Government forces and their allies is also reported to be continuing. Among the neighbourhoods particularly affected are al-Ferdous, Sayf al-Dawla, al-Qaterji and al-Mashhad. At least 12 civilians including two children were reportedly killed as a result of the attacks over Saturday and Sunday, with dozens of civilians injured.

Ms. Shamdasani said that while Russian Ministry of Defence representatives are reported to have stated that Syrian and Russian air forces are observing a moratorium on flights closer than 10 kilometres around Aleppo since the launch of the unilateral ceasefire on 18 October, "we did receive some reports of airstrikes hitting opposition-controlled eastern Aleppo on 22 and 23 October."

"While there have not been airstrikes since that time, we remain concerned about 250,000 civilians at risk in this area should they resume," she added.

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Syrian Government, Rebels Could Face Aleppo War Crimes Accusations

By Lisa Schlein November 01, 2016

The United Nations is warning the Syrian government and rebel forces that they may be guilty of war crimes in the divided northern Syrian city Aleppo.

Government troops have been trying to take control of rebel-held neighborhoods in the city's east, carrying out a siege that cut off the area from food and humanitarian aid, while airstrikes hit rebel strongholds.

In response, rebel forces have tried to break the siege by intensifying attacks on western Aleppo, which is under Syrian government control. As a consequence, civilian casualties are mounting.

The United Nations says in the past few days, more than 40 people have been killed and many injured.

Rebel rockets hit civilian areas

U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs spokesman Jens Laerke says this was due to the high number of rockets indiscriminately launched by armed opposition groups on civilian areas in western Aleppo.

'"They also note that at the same time, there are 275,000 people that remain trapped in eastern Aleppo that is under siege, no aid coming in, no people going out, unfortunately," Laerke said.

The spokesman also condemned a tank strike Sunday on a building in western Aleppo, which houses the U.N. hub in the region. The U.N. said the attack directly targeted the building, which has long been known as a U.N. office.

U.N. human rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani says the high number of civilian casualties suggests armed opposition groups are violating international humanitarian law by launching indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas.

"The reported use of ground-based missiles along with the use of armored vehicles loaded with explosives used in an area containing more than one million civilian inhabitants is completely unacceptable and may constitute a war crime."

Government shelling of Western Aleppo continues

Shamdasani says shelling of opposition-held eastern Aleppo by government forces and their allies reportedly is also continuing. This despite statements by the Russian Ministry of Defense that Syrian and Russian air forces are observing a moratorium.

She notes strikes against hospitals, schools, marketplaces, water facilities and bakeries are commonplace. She warns the strikes may amount to war crimes if proven to be intentional.

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Taiwan wants China to recognize it as ROC

ROC Central News Agency

2016/11/01 23:09:50

Taipei, Nov. 1 (CNA) The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) urged Beijing Tuesday to "face the Republic of China squarely" and "respect mainstream opinion in Taiwan."

The MAC was responding to Beijing's insistence on its version of the "one China" principle following a meeting between Communist Party of China General Secretary Xi Jinping () and opposition Kuomintang Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu ().

According to China's Xinhua news agency, Xi told Hung that the core value of the "1992 consensus" is the "one China" principle, which means both Taiwan and China belong to "one China."

Any change of government in Taiwan will not change the fundamental fact of the "1992 consensus" or its core meaning, Xi was quoted as saying.

Hung, for her part, told Xi that the KMT and the CPC can "agree on the 'one China' principle, but allow us to disagree on what it means."

To the KMT, "one China" is the Republic of China -- the China that moved to Taiwan in 1949 after the KMT government led by Chiang Kai-shek lost a civil war with the CPC led by Mao Zedong.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which very unwillingly accepts the ROC, now wants China to "look squarely at the existence of the ROC in Taiwan."

President Tsai Ing-wen () has urged Beijing to do that, her spokesman Alex Huang () said. The MAC made the same call after learning what transpired in Beijing in the meeting between Hung and Xi.

Xi said that whether or not to recognize the "1992 consensus" matters greatly, as it is linked to the momentous question of whether one or two countries exist on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

"This is a question of the utmost importance, and our stance absolutely cannot be wavering or ambiguous even in the slightest way," he was quoted as saying.

Many political differences, between the KMT and the CPC or between the two sides of the strait, will have to be settled gradually, but "solutions will surely be found with sincerity and determination," Xi was quoted as adding.

Based on the "one China" principle, he said the KMT and the CPC can explore ways of negotiating a peace agreement to end the hostility between the two sides of the strait.

But the MAC said that currently, the conditions are not right to push for such an agreement, since there is no consensus on the issue in Taiwan.

It said the KMT and the CPC have "unilaterally" set up political frameworks and principles that ignore Taiwanese insistence on the democratic system and do not honor Taiwan people's views on how to develop cross-strait ties.

The key to developing healthy cross-strait ties lies in mainland China's recognizing the existence of the ROC and understanding the Taiwanese public's welcome of cross-strait exchanges, and their wish to participate in the international commuity, the MAC said.

(By Chen Chia-lun. Feng Chao and S.C. Chang)

ENDITEM/J

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KMT chairwoman holds talks with CPC chief in Beijing

ROC Central News Agency

2016/11/01 18:51:49

Beijing, Nov. 1 (CNA) Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu () held talks Tuesday with Xi Jinping (), China's president and leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC), as part of a visit to Beijing to attend a cross-Taiwan Strait forum.

Hung and Xi both led respective seven-member delegations to the meeting. The delegation of the China-friendly KMT included vice chairmen Steve Chan () and Jason Hu (); Huang Ching-hsien(), director of the party's Department of Mainland Affairs; Tsai Cheng-yuan (), executive director of the KMT's Policy Committee; former KMT deputy secretary general Chang Jung-kung () and Taipei City Council Speaker Wu Bi-chu ().

The Chinese delegation led by Xi included Wang Huning (), director of the CPC's Central Policy Research Office; Li Zhanshu () and Ding Xuexiang (), director and deputy director of the CPC's Central Committee General Office; Taiwan Affairs Office director Zhang Zhijun () and deputy director Chen Yuanfeng (), as well as Chen Deming (), president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS).

Hung and Xi each gave opening remarks before holding the closed-door talks.

In her remarks, Hung said that the KMT is committed to playing an active role in institutionalizing peace across the Taiwan Strait and that it will explore the possibility of a peace agreement to formally end cross-strait rivalry.

For his part, Xi reiterated the "1992 consensus" as the political foundation for the development of cross-strait ties, adding that maintaining peaceful cross-strait relations is the mainstream public opinion among the people on both sides of the strait.

Cross-strait relations have cooled since President Tsai Ing-wen () took office May 20, due mainly to China's insistence that the "1992 consensus" must remain the political foundation for the development of cross-strait exchanges, and the Tsai administration's reluctance to accept that.

The "1992 consensus" refers to a tacit understanding reached in 1992 between Taiwan -- then under a Kuomintang government -- and China, that there is only one China, with both sides free to interpret what that means.

(By Yin Chun-chieh, Chen Chia-lun and Elaine Hou)

ENDITEM/J

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Turkey mulls 'limited' death penalty reinstatement: PM

Iran Press TV

Tue Nov 1, 2016 5:41PM

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says his country is considering bringing back "limited" use of the death penalty in the case of a political compromise on the issue.

"If there is an agreement on capital punishment, there could be a limited measure. We will not close our ears to the demands of the people," Yildirim said in a speech to members of his ruling Justice and Development Party at the parliament in Ankara on Tuesday.

He further noted that the measure would not be used "retroactively" but did not elaborate further on the subject.

Turkey abolished capital punishment in 2004 as part of its reforms to join the European Union (EU).

However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Saturday that his government would soon ask the parliament to consider reintroducing the death penalty as a punishment for those behind the abortive July 15 military coup.

Erdogan emphasized that he would ratify such a bill if the legislature voted for it.

The comments provoked angry reactions, with the Council of Europe denouncing the reinstatement of the death penalty as "incompatible with membership" of the organization.

We don't care about your red line: Turkey to EU

Elsewhere in his Tuesday's speech, Yildirim dismissed the EU's criticism on press freedom following the detention of journalists from the opposition daily Cumhuriyet.

At least 12 Cumhuriyet journalists and executives were arrested on Monday on suspicion of having alleged links to the US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, said on Twitter that detention of Cumhuriyet editor-in-chief Murat Sabuncu and other journalists "is yet another red line crossed against freedom of expression in Turkey."

He further warned that the "ongoing massive purge" in Turkey seems to be "motivated by political considerations, rather than legal and security rationale".

The Turkish premier, however, rejected the brickbats, saying, "Someone from the European Parliament said: 'Regarding this newspaper's detentions, this is our red line'. Brother, forget your line, ... we have no regard for your red line. The people will choose the red line, the people! Upon your line, we will draw a line ourselves. Leave this alone!"

The coup in Turkey began when a faction of the military declared it was in control of the country and the government of Erdogan was no more in charge.

Tanks, helicopters, and soldiers clashed with police and people on the streets of Ankara and Istanbul. Over 240 people were killed on all sides in the attempted coup d'etat.

Ankara blames Gulen for orchestrating the failed putsch, but the cleric denies the accusation.

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Turkey 'Seeking to Neutralize Kurds, Beef Up Its Own Presence in Syria'

Sputnik News

21:33 01.11.2016(updated 21:36 01.11.2016)

The Turkish leadership is seeking to undermine Kurdish positions in Syria and maintain control over the Syrian cities of Manbij and al-Bab, Nazmi Gur, Deputy co-Chair of People's Democratic Party (HDP), told Sputnik, arguing that the Turkish and Free Syrian Army are destabilizing the situation in Syria.

While Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus insists that the operation to liberate the Syrian city of Raqqa from Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) should be kicked off only after Turkey's Euphrates Shield Operation is finished and Mosul is liberated from the terrorist group, Nazmi Gur, Deputy co-Chair of People's Democratic Party (HDP) and former member of the Turkish Delegation to PACE, believes that there is more to this problem than meets the eye.

"The operation to liberate Syrian Raqqa from the Islamic State [Daesh] terrorists should take place after the end of the Turkish Euphrates Shield operation in northern Syria and operation to liberate Iraqi Mosul from the Islamic State," Kurtulmus told journalists on Monday.

However, according to Gur, Ankara's motivation behind this statement has nothing to do with the effort to defeat Daesh; instead the Turkish leadership is seeking to prevent the Syrian Kurds from gaining ground in Raqqa.

"The Turkish Armed Forces [TSK] and the so-called Free Syrian Army [FSA] hardly play a constructive role in the region," Gur underscored in an interview with Sputnik Turkiye.

"In reality, the goal of Turkish operations in Syria are not to defeat Daesh terrorist group but to weaken the positions of the Kurds, and that will complicate the situation even further," Gur pointed out.

The Turkish PM called attention to the fact that Recep Tayyip Erdogan does not conceal the fact that Ankara is seeking to establish control on Syria's Manbij and al-Bab.

"Recently, the question of the "National Oath" has emerged and even the possibility of the revision of the Lausanne peace treaty. It is no accident. Apparently, Ankara is trying to neutralize the Kurds in Syria, beef up its own presence [in the region] and to put forward territorial claims," Gur suggested.

On the other hand, Ankara's demands to exclude the Syrian Kurds from participation in the Raqqa operation are divorced from reality, according to the Turkish politician.

"The Iraqi people are struggling to liberate Mosul, likewise the Syrian city of Raqqa should be liberated by the Syrians with the assistance of Russia and the international coalition. The interference of neighboring or regional countries in Syrian affairs is exacerbating the situation even further," Gur warned, recalling that the bloody war that has engulfed the country is nearly in its sixth year.

US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter signaled last week that the operation to liberate Raqqa, Daesh's de facto capital, will be launched within the next few weeks.

"It's 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," Carter told NBC News.

However, there is a rift between Ankara and Washington regarding the upcoming operation. While the Pentagon is planning to use the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as its vanguard, the Turkish leadership is protesting against involving the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in the campaign.

"The Raqqa operation must be launched by legitimate armies," Kurtulmus highlighted referring to the fact that the YPG are regarded as "terrorists" by Ankara.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has ruled out Russia's participation in the US-led coalition's upcoming offensive in Syria.

Last Tuesday, during a joint press conference with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, Carter pointed out that Russia will not take part in the planned operation.

"Russia is not a participant in our Raqqa plan. We do deconflict our coalition operations with Russia through a very professional military-to-military channel. That channel is active every day, and everyone behaves themselves very professionally on both sides in that channel," Carter told journalists.

 Sputnik

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Turkey Deploys Tanks Near Iraq Border as Defense Against Terror Threats

Sputnik News

19:32 01.11.2016

Ankara transferred a large number of armored vehicles and tanks near the border with Iraq as a response to the terrorist threat, according to Defense Minister Fikri Isik.

ANKARA (Sputnik)  The transfer of Turkish military equipment to the area close to Iraq is part of preparations to respond to the terrorist threat, Defense Minister Fikri Isik said on Tuesday.

"We are right now in a serious fight against terrorist groups, both inside Turkey and just outside our border. This dispatch is part of preparation against those threats," Isik said, as quoted by Anadolu agency.

Earlier, Turkish media reported a large number of armored vehicles and tanks were moving in the direction of the border with Iraq. According to reports, the army has dispatched tanks to the southeastern Sirnak province's Silopi district.

On Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan outlined plans to increase Turkish military personnel on the border with Iraq. He warned of response if Shiite militia took part in the fighting in Tal Afar, which is mostly populated by the Iraqi Turkmens.

 Sputnik

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Ankara: Turkey's Death Penalty Cannot Be Applied to Coup Attempt Suspects

Sputnik News

13:55 01.11.2016(updated 15:35 01.11.2016)

The Turkish prime minister explained that the death penalty cannot be applied to coup attempt participants because the law, which abolished it, is not retroactive: in the event of reintroduction the capital punishment will affect only crimes committed thereafter.

ANKARA (Sputnik)  The death penalty cannot be used in relation to last summer's coup attempt in Turkey because the new law is not retroactive, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Tuesday.

"This issue appeared on the agenda after the July 15 coup attempt. The people do not want the criminals to go unpunished, and we will not close our eyes to it. However, it should be known that the law is not retroactive," Yildirim said at a ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party parliamentary group meeting in Ankara.

The death penalty was banned in Turkey in 2004 as part of Turkey's attempt to be closer to the European Union. However, after a July attempted coup in Turkey, voices requesting the reinstatement of the death penalty have been on the rise.

The proposal to reinstate the death penalty is expected to be discussed in the Turkish parliament in the near future.

According to Yildirim, if other parties reach a consensus on the necessity to reinstate the capital punishment, limited use of this measure will be possible, taking into account the public opinion.

In July, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the country would return the death penalty if the people demanded it after a coup attempt to overthrow him on July 15 failed. According to the Turkish leader, a 57-percent majority of the country's citizens back the idea of reinstating the capital punishment.

The European Union has warned Turkey that any reintroduction of the death penalty would be viewed by Brussels as a "deal-breaker" that would end the country's efforts to join the bloc.

 Sputnik

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Turkey Puts Army Modernization Back on Track With Second Batch of F-35s

Sputnik News

13:13 01.11.2016(updated 13:14 01.11.2016)

Turkey's Defense Industry Executive Committee, a nation's top procurement body, has decided to purchase a second batch of F-35 Lightning II fighter jets as part of the renewed army modernization program which is back on track after July coup attempt.

Turkey's Defense Industry Executive Committee, also known by its Turkish acronym SSIK has decided to purchase a lengthy list of aerial, maritime and ground vehicles as its has decided to put the army renewal program back on track after the failed coup attempt, according to Defense News. The Committee's meeting, attended by Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, Defense minister Fikri Isik and Army General Hulusi Akar, chief of the General Staff, took place Friday, October 30th.

The group officially announced they will place an order for a second batch of the notorious F-35 Lightning II fighter jets under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Under JSF program, Turkey seeks to purchase a total of 116 jets, with first aircraft due to be delivered in 2018. Turkey command intends to fully renovate its jet fleet by replacing all the older aircraft with F-35s and its own TFX jets by 2023.

Turkey also intends to purchase two command and control aircraft, which could act either as a flying HQ or as a VIP business aircraft for top military brass. It is yet unknown whether the aircraft will combine both lush interiors and dozens of high-tech monitors and other military hardware, but it is known that the cost of one airplane is expected to be between $50 million and $100 million.

The committee also stated it intends to procure an undisclosed amount of vessels for Turkish navy and to start a contest for the modernization of 25 SH-70B Seahawk helicopters.

"Some of the other programs its members discussed on Friday include the Integrated Maritime Surveillance System (IMSS) program; the foundation of a cybersecurity and defense center; electronic warfare command, control and coordination efforts; a national joint electronic warfare data bank; new-generation light-armored vehicles; procurement of portable jammers; and electronic support systems", reads Defense News website.

This is the first substantial effort to put the Turkey's modernization program back on track after it came to an almost full stop following the failed coup attempt earlier in July.

"Finally the shock is over and things are picking up," one official told reporters on conditions of anonymity. "Both the government and military leaders look determined to get things done without further delays."

 Sputnik

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Defence Secretary announces 1.1 billion investment in Army facilities

1 November 2016

The Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has today announced that over 1.1 billion will be invested in creating new accommodation and facilities to meet the needs of the modern Armed Forces.

As part of Project Allenby Connaught (PAC) initiative, the 25 year contract awarded to Aspire Defence Limited will create 200 jobs in South West England. A number of apprenticeships with local colleges will also be set up as the Ministry of Defence (MOD) retains its proud place as the single largest apprentice employer in the UK.

Mr Fallon made the announcement during a Defence Select Committee hearing on the delivery of the SDSR.

He said:

"Our armed forces deserve facilities and housing that match the need of this generation. We're committed to delivering a better defence estate; ensuring our Armed Forces are properly supported and provided for. With our defence budget secure and rising to 2020 will can now properly invest in: our soldiers, their families and communities."

There will be significant investment on Salisbury Plain and in Aldershot into new and modern 'Single Living Accommodation' (SLA), with more than 2,600 bed spaces created. New and improved technical, office, catering, retail and leisure facilities will also be provided to make sure that soldiers work and live in the best possible environment.

The new infrastructure will support forces returning from Germany under the Army Basing Programme which was set up to deliver Army 2020 as part of the Government's 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) commitments. The construction programme is scheduled for completion by 2020, meaning all British Army units based in Germany can return to the UK by then, resulting in savings of up to 240 million per year by 2022/23.

Major General Alastair Dickinson, the Army's Director of Basing and Infrastructure and MOD lead for the programme said:

"This is a significant step forward in the delivery of the Army Basing Programme. The investment is a major part of our programme to deliver first class facilities and will ensure a high-level of support and service for all those units relocating in 2019."

Allan Thomson, Chief Executive of Aspire Defence Ltd added:

"Aspire Defence is extremely proud of our successful record delivering first-rate living and working accommodation for soldiers. We are delighted to be embarking on this next phase of development, expanding our provision of high-quality purpose-built accommodation and a best-in-class total facilities management service at garrisons across Salisbury Plain and at Aldershot."

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HDBaseT Automotive technology enables simultaneous transmissions of up to 6Gbps of high-definition video & audio, USB, data, and power over a single twisted-pair cable





Hod Hasharon, Israel; Geneva, Switzerland - November 2, 2016 - Valens and STMicroelectronics announced today their collaboration to bring HDBaseT Automotive into the next-generation of connected cars. The highly efficient technology optimizes in-vehicle connectivity by enabling the transmission of reliable 6Gbps high-throughput infotainment, road safety, and automotive-control content over a low-cost infrastructure with near-zero latency.

Valens, as the inventor of HDBaseT and founder of the HDBaseT Alliance, brings the technology and expertise to accomplish the goal of commercializing HDBaseT-enabled vehicles. STMicroelectronics will contribute its extensive design and manufacturing experience and know-how in compliance with the strict automotive quality and reliability requirements.

"As Valens meets significant milestones in our vision to optimize in-vehicle connectivity, we are excited to welcome ST as our major partner in pursuing this goal. ST will help us accelerate the introduction of HDBaseT Automotive to the market," said Dror Jerushalmi, CEO, Valens.

"With long leadership in serving the Automotive industry and Smart Driving as one of our key focus areas, we can see the potential of HDBaseT Automotive as a high-throughput, low-latency, low-cost technology. That's why we are excited to be part of this project to help Valens bring the HDBaseT Automotive technology and devices to the market, with the highest levels of quality and reliability expected," said Fabio Marchio, Vice President and General Manager, Automotive Digital Division, STMicroelectronics.

Learn more about HDBaseT Automotive at the Electronica 2016 show in Munich, on November 8th-11th, at the HDBaseT Alliance booth (Hall A6, Booth 264). To schedule an appointment, contact us at info-auto@valens.com.

About HDBaseT Automotive

HDBaseT Automotive is the only technology today that enables the tunneling of up to 6Gbps of video, audio, data, USB and more, with native networking capabilities over a single unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable for up to 15m (50ft). HDBaseT Automotive also allows for daisy-chaining and multistreaming, to simplify and optimize in-vehicle connectivity. For more information about Valens' HDBaseT Automotive solution, click here.





About Valens

Established in 2006, Valens provides semiconductor products for the distribution of uncompressed ultra-high-definition (HD) multimedia content. The company's HDBaseT technology enables long-reach connectivity of devices over a single cable and is a global standard for advanced digital media distribution. Valens is a private company headquartered in Israel. For more information, visit www.valens.com.



About STMicroelectronics

ST is a global semiconductor leader delivering intelligent and energy-efficient products and solutions that power the electronics at the heart of everyday life. ST's products are found everywhere today, and together with our customers, we are enabling smarter driving and smarter factories, cities and homes, along with the next generation of mobile and Internet of Things devices. By getting more from technology to get more from life, ST stands for life.augmented.

In 2015, the Company's net revenues were $6.9 billion, serving more than 100,000 customers worldwide. Further information can be found at www.st.com.

For press information & contact:

Valens

Sandra Welfeld

Communications

Sandra.Welfeld@valens.com

+972-52-4007283

STMicroelectronics

Michael Markowitz

Director, Technical Media Relations

Michael.Markowitz@st.com

+1-781-591-0354
WENTWORTH  The district attorney whose office is one of two at the center of an investigation into the alleged theft of state funds said Tuesday that the State Bureau of Investigation was too broad in describing the investigation.

This involves a personnel matter with someone who is no longer employed in our offices, Caswell/Person District Attorney Wallace Bradsher said Tuesday. Money was not stolen. The issue is whether the employee accurately documented their hours worked.

The State Bureau of Investigation said last week that both district attorneys offices in Caswell/Person and Rockingham counties are under investigation for the alleged theft of state funds.

The News & Record has made public records requests for the timesheets to the Administrative Office of the Courts. State officials denied the request, citing personnel laws.

The News & Record reported the SBI investigation Friday. By Saturday, Bradsher released a statement that the news broke because John J. Stultz, his Caswell County chief assistant district attorney, is running for district court judge against incumbent Lloyd Mike Gentry.

The original reporting did not mention Stultz.

J. Stultz did nothing wrong, Bradsher said Tuesday. He is a good Christian man. This battle is not ours, but the Lords.

The connection between the two offices and how each might figure in the investigation isnt clear. Bradsher said the two offices collaborate on prosecutorial, philosophical and technical issues.

Bradsher would not identify the former employee that he said is at the center of the investigation.

The SBI has offered only limited details into the probe. In a public records response to the News & Record, the agency has confirmed only that an investigation into the alleged theft in the two offices is ongoing.

State agents plan to present a report on their findings to Iredell County Judge Joe Crosswhite, who ordered the investigation on July 25.

Crosswhite will then determine how the investigation proceeds, if at all.

Bradsher said he is confident his office will be cleared of any wrongdoing, and that many of his employees work outside normal court hours to minister and reach out to areas with high crime rates.

I do not believe anyone misrepresented their hours, Bradsher said. I have asked and not been given any indication that any employee did that.
DENVER, November 2, 2016 - Intrepid Potash Inc. (Intrepid) (NYSE:IPI) today reported its results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2016.

Third Quarter Results

Net loss of $18.2 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, compared with net loss of $8.1 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2015.

Potash pricing drives potash sales revenue decline of 16% to $35.4 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared with the third quarter of 2015, partially offset by volume increase of 34%.

Trio  sales revenue declines 29% to $8.3 million in the third quarter of 2016 driven by 28% decline in average net realized sales prices per ton 1 .

Adjusted net loss1 of $17.5 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared with adjusted net loss of $4.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2015.

Year-to-Date Results

Net loss of $50.1 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, compared with net loss of $6.5 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2015.

Potash sales revenue declined to $128.2 million from $189.8 million in the first nine months of 2015 on 10% increase in sales volume.

Trio  sales revenue declined to $40.5 million on sales volume of 108,000 tons compared with Trio  sales of $54.5 million on sales volume of 125,000 tons in the first nine months of 2015.

Adjusted net loss of $47.4 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, compared with adjusted net loss of $2.8 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2015.

Cash, cash equivalents, and investments as of September 30, 2016, of $27.9 million prior to $16.2 million payment to noteholders on October 3, 2016.

On October 31, 2016, Intrepid announced the completion of its debt negotiations, resulting in amendments to the Company's senior notes as well as a new revolving credit facility which provides up to $35 million in borrowing capacity, subject to a borrowing base limitation.

"The transition of our business model to a lower-cost solar potash and specialty Trio producer accelerated this quarter with the idling of West in early July and the completion of commissioning at East," said Bob Jornayvaz, Intrepid's Executive Chairman, President and CEO. "During the third quarter, we reached our goal of achieving an annualized Trio production run rate of double our 2015 production. We continue to focus on expanding our global presence for Trio, which we believe is a compelling product for chloride-sensitive crops. We are starting to see a more supportive selling environment for potash as pricing has firmed. Moving into 2017, we anticipate seeing some benefit to our potash gross margin as our lower-cost solar facility production becomes a greater proportion of our potash sales."

Jornayvaz continued, "The recent completion of our debt negotiations provides a much anticipated positive catalyst for our business and our various stakeholders. My sincere thanks to our noteholders, Bank of Montreal, their advisors and the Intrepid team for their hard work during these last several months towards driving this to a successful conclusion."

Segment Highlights

The results of Intrepid's potash and Trio segments are discussed below.

Potash

Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 (in thousands, except per ton data) Potash sales $ 35,357 $ 41,997 $ 128,248 $ 189,819 Potash gross (deficit) margin $ (7,320 ) $ (9,299 ) $ (24,525 ) $ 2,104 Potash production volume (in tons) 52 160 383 550 Potash sales volume (in tons) 161 120 547 498 Average potash net realized sales price per ton(1) $ 178 $ 319 $ 198 $ 351

Average potash net realized sales price per ton declined 44% in both the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared with the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015. High levels of global potash supply and aggressively priced tonnage imported into the North American potash market by foreign producers has been driving lower potash prices in the markets we serve since the second half of 2015. Late in the third quarter of 2016, increases in potash prices were announced and implemented, signaling a floor in potash pricing, which has given customers more comfort in buying. As a result, potash sales volume increased 41,000 tons and 49,000 tons, or 34% and 10%, respectively, compared with the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, while potash sales revenue declined 16% and 32%, respectively, over the same periods as a result of the year-over-year pricing declines.

Potash production volumes declined 68% and 30% during the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016, driven by declines in conventional potash mining after Intrepid converted its East facility to Trio-only production in April 2016 and later idled its West facility in July 2016. Third quarter 2016 potash production volume represents primarily solar production volume.

During the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, the potash segment generated gross deficits of $7.3 million and $24.5 million, respectively. These results are primarily indicative of the impact of lower potash prices, offset by lower cost of goods sold resulting from fewer tons sold from the East facility and lower depreciation expense in 2016 due to the December 2015 impairment of long-lived assets. Included in potash gross deficit for the third quarter and first nine months of 2016 is $4.9 million and $16.8 million, respectively, in lower-of-cost-or-market adjustments compared with $4.4 million and $10.1 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, respectively.

Trio

Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 (in thousands, except per ton data) Trio sales $ 8,286 $ 11,695 $ 40,512 $ 54,545 Trio gross (deficit) margin $ (304 ) $ 956 $ 2,282 $ 10,878 Trio production volume (in tons) 85 37 200 116 Trio sales volume (in tons) 25 26 108 125 Average Trio net realized sales price per ton(1) $ 274 $ 379 $ 308 $ 374

Trio production increased 130% and 72% during the third quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively. During the quarter, all remaining commissioning activity related to the transition of the East facility to Trio-only production was completed. Intrepid ended the quarter at an annualized Trio production run rate of more than double the full year 2015 Trio production.

Trio sales revenue declined 29% and 26% during the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively, compared with the year-ago comparable periods, driven primarily by lower pricing. Average net realized sales price per Trio ton declined 28% and 18%, during the third quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively, compared with the same periods in 2015, driven by uncertainties in nutrient pricing. Trio sales volumes were negatively impacted by price erosion as well as increased availability of product, which is causing customers to switch to a just-in-time approach to purchasing. Additionally, international sales for Trio have ramped up more slowly than expected.

Gross deficit for the Trio segment was $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2016, compared with gross margin of $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2015. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, gross margin for the Trio segment declined $8.6 million to $2.3 million, compared with gross margin of $10.9 million for same period in 2015. These declines were primarily driven by lower average net realized sales prices.

Liquidity

Cash, cash equivalents and investments was $27.9 million at the end of the third quarter of 2016, prior to a $16.2 million payment to noteholders on October 3, 2016. The $16.2 million payment consisted of $0.4 million in accrued interest and the previously announced $15 million principal repayment and $0.8 million negotiated make-whole payment.

Notes

1 Adjusted net loss, adjusted net loss per diluted share, and average net realized sales price per ton are non-GAAP financial measures. See the non-GAAP reconciliations set forth later in this press release for additional information.

Unless expressly stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to tons in this press release refer to short tons. One short ton equals 2,000 pounds. One metric tonne, which many international competitors use, equals 1,000 kilograms or 2,204.62 pounds.

Conference Call Information

A teleconference to discuss the quarter is scheduled for November 2, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. ET. The dial-in number is 800-319-4610 for U.S. and Canada, and is +1-631-891-4304 for other countries. The call will also be streamed on the Intrepid website, www.intrepidpotash.com.

An audio recording of the conference call will be available through December 2, 2016, at www.intrepidpotash.com and by dialing 800-319-6413 for U.S. and Canada, or +1-631-883-6842 for other countries. The replay will require the input of the conference identification number 0860.

About Intrepid

Intrepid Potash (NYSE:IPI) is the only U.S. producer of muriate of potash and supplied approximately 9% of the country's annual consumption in 2015. Potash is applied as an essential nutrient for healthy crop development, utilized in several industrial applications and used as an ingredient in animal feed. Intrepid also produces a specialty fertilizer, Trio, which delivers three key nutrients, potassium, magnesium, and sulfate, in a single particle.

Intrepid serves diverse customers in markets where a logistical advantage exists; and is a leader in the utilization of solar evaporation production, one of the lowest cost, environmentally friendly production methods for potash. After the idling of its West mine in July 2016, Intrepid's production comes from three solar solution potash facilities and one conventional underground Trio mine.

Intrepid routinely posts important information, including information about upcoming investor presentations and press releases, on its website under the Investor Relations tab. Investors and other interested parties are encouraged to enroll on the Intrepid website, www.intrepidpotash.com to receive automatic email alerts or Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds regarding new postings.

Forward-looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements, that is, statements about future, not past, events. The forward-looking statements in this document relate to, among other things, statements about the Company's future performance and management's expectations for the future, including statements about the impact of the Company's revised debt structure as well as the Company's financial performance, production costs, operating plans, and market outlook. These statements are based on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, address matters that are uncertain. The particular uncertainties that could cause Intrepid's actual results to be materially different from its forward-looking statements include the following:

 the Company's ability to comply with the revised terms of its senior notes and its revolving credit facility, including the covenants in each agreement, to avoid a default under those agreements;

 the Company's ability to successfully execute on its plans to transition the Company's sales model after the idling of the West facility and the transitioning of the East facility to Trio-only production;

 adverse impacts to the Company's business as a result of its independent auditor having expressed substantial doubt as to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern due to the existence of a material uncertainty;

 changes in the price, demand, or supply of potash or Trio/langbeinite;

 the costs of, and the Company's ability to successfully construct, commission, and execute, any of its strategic projects;

 declines or changes in agricultural production or fertilizer application rates;

 further write-downs of the carrying value of the Company's assets, including inventories;

 circumstances that disrupt or limit the Company's production, including operational difficulties or variances, geological or geotechnical variances, equipment failures, environmental hazards, and other unexpected events or problems;

 changes in the Company's reserve estimates;

 currency fluctuations;

 adverse changes in economic conditions or credit markets;

 the impact of governmental regulations, including environmental and mining regulations, the enforcement of those regulations, and governmental policy changes;

 adverse weather events, including events affecting precipitation and evaporation rates at the Company's solar solution mines;

 increased labor costs or difficulties in hiring and retaining qualified employees and contractors, including workers with mining, mineral processing, or construction expertise;

 changes in the prices of raw materials, including chemicals, natural gas, and power;

 the Company's ability to obtain and maintain any necessary governmental permits or leases relating to current or future operations;

 declines in the use of potash products by oil and gas companies in their drilling operations;

 interruptions in rail or truck transportation services, or fluctuations in the costs of these services;

 the Company's inability to fund necessary capital investments; and

 the other risks, uncertainties, and assumptions described in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

In addition, new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for the Company's management to predict all risks that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements the Company may make.

All information in this document speaks as of the date of this release. New information or events after that date may cause our forward-looking statements in this document to change. We undertake no duty to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to conform the statements to actual results or to reflect new information or future events.

Contact:

Brian Frantz, Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

Phone: 303-996-3023

Email: brian.frantz@intrepidpotash.com

INTREPID POTASH, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 AND 2015

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Sales $ 43,643 $ 53,692 $ 168,760 $ 244,364 Less: Freight costs 8,187 5,348 27,450 23,158 Warehousing and handling costs 2,616 3,199 7,818 10,383 Cost of goods sold 35,272 42,151 136,899 180,868 Lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustments 5,192 4,427 17,129 10,063 Costs associated with abnormal production and other - 6,910 1,707 6,910 Gross (Deficit) Margin (7,624 ) (8,343 ) (22,243 ) 12,982 Selling and administrative 4,731 5,943 15,837 21,835 Accretion of asset retirement obligation 442 424 1,326 1,272 Restructuring expense - - 2,314 - Care and maintenance expense 1,719 - 1,719 - Other operating expense (income) 94 (23 ) (1,811 ) (2,269 ) Operating Loss (14,610 ) (14,687 ) (41,628 ) (7,856 ) Other Income (Expense) Interest expense, net (3,905 ) (1,574 ) (9,134 ) (4,820 ) Interest income 57 232 281 587 Other income 218 67 419 440 Loss Before Income Taxes (18,240 ) (15,962 ) (50,062 ) (11,649 ) Income Tax (Expense) Benefit (1 ) 7,852 (4 ) 5,131 Net Loss $ (18,241 ) $ (8,110 ) $ (50,066 ) $ (6,518 ) Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Basic 75,871,774 75,701,490 75,882,544 75,658,297 Diluted 75,871,774 75,701,490 75,882,544 75,658,297 Loss Per Share: Basic $ (0.24 ) $ (0.11 ) $ (0.66 ) $ (0.09 ) Diluted $ (0.24 ) $ (0.11 ) $ (0.66 ) $ (0.09 )

INTREPID POTASH, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 AND DECEMBER 31, 2015

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) September 30, December 31, 2016 2015 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 22,979 $ 9,307 Short-term investments 4,908 50,523 Accounts receivable: Trade, net 17,129 9,743 Other receivables, net 2,787 1,470 Inventory, net 101,898 106,531 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 6,262 18,141 Total current assets 155,963 195,715 Property, plant, equipment, and mineral properties, net 399,144 419,476 Long-term parts inventory, net 20,535 17,344 Long-term investments - 3,799 Other assets, net 5,885 3,635 Total Assets $ 581,527 $ 639,969 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accounts payable: Trade $ 11,326 $ 15,709 Related parties 28 45 Accrued liabilities 15,253 15,429 Accrued employee compensation and benefits 4,110 7,409 Current portion of long-term debt, net 14,677 - Other current liabilities 943 547 Total current liabilities 46,337 39,139 Long-term debt, net 132,024 149,485 Asset retirement obligation 24,274 22,951 Other non-current liabilities - 1,868 Total Liabilities 202,635 213,443 Commitments and Contingencies Common stock, $0.001 par value; 400,000,000 and 100,000,000 shares authorized; and 75,839,998 and 75,702,700 shares outstanding at September 30, 2016,

and December 31, 2015, respectively 76 76 Additional paid-in capital 582,607 580,227 Accumulated other comprehensive loss - (52 ) Retained deficit (203,791 ) (153,725 ) Total Stockholders' Equity 378,892 426,526 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 581,527 $ 639,969

INTREPID POTASH, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 AND 2015

(In thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net loss $ (18,241 ) $ (8,110 ) $ (50,066 ) $ (6,518 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: Deferred income taxes - (7,890 ) - (5,136 ) Depreciation, depletion, and accretion 8,756 20,355 32,965 61,028 Amortization of deferred financing costs 562 87 2,228 273 Stock-based compensation 852 1,185 2,552 3,780 Lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustments 5,192 4,427 17,129 10,063 Allowance for parts inventory obsolescence (104 ) - 514 - Other 35 458 470 1,320 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Trade accounts receivable, net (8,143 ) (5,716 ) (7,386 ) 7,203 Other receivables, net (469 ) 4,056 (1,195 ) 385 Refundable income taxes 1 90 92 (84 ) Inventory, net 438 (23,482 ) (16,200 ) (34,385 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (2,703 ) (2,180 ) 11,974 (1,117 ) Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and accrued employee

compensation and benefits 244 5,398 (5,157 ) 5,642 Other liabilities (377 ) (280 ) (1,474 ) 1,138 Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (13,957 ) (11,602 ) (13,554 ) 43,592 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Additions to property, plant, equipment, and mineral properties (2,481 ) (17,993 ) (14,256 ) (36,982 ) Purchases of investments (8,825 ) (6,344 ) (10,325 ) (78,571 ) Proceeds from sale of investments 18,447 20,340 55,822 30,088 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 7,141 (3,997 ) 31,241 (85,465 ) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Debt issuance costs (1,189 ) (356 ) (3,843 ) (356 ) Employee tax withholding paid for restricted stock upon vesting - (8 ) (172 ) (1,038 ) Net cash used in financing activities (1,189 ) (364 ) (4,015 ) (1,394 ) Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents (8,005 ) (15,963 ) 13,672 (43,267 ) Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period 30,984 40,285 9,307 67,589 Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period $ 22,979 $ 24,322 $ 22,979 $ 24,322 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information Net cash paid (refunded) during the period for: Interest $ 26 $ 157 $ 3,247 $ 3,281 Income taxes $ - $ (16 ) $ (88 ) $ 25 Accrued purchases for property, plant, equipment, and mineral properties $ 801 $ 710 $ 801 $ 710

INTREPID POTASH, INC.

SELECTED OPERATING AND SEGMENT DATA (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 AND 2015 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Production volume (in thousands of tons): Potash 52 160 383 550 Langbeinite 85 37 200 116 Sales volume (in thousands of tons): Potash 161 120 547 498 Trio 25 26 108 125 Average net realized sales price per ton (1) Potash $ 178 $ 319 $ 198 $ 351 Trio $ 274 $ 379 $ 308 $ 374

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 (in thousands): Potash Trio Corporate Consolidated Sales $ 35,357 $ 8,286 $ - $ 43,643 Less: Freight costs 6,722 1,465 - 8,187 Warehousing and handling costs 2,072 544 - 2,616 Cost of goods sold 29,027 6,245 - 35,272 Lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustments 4,856 336 - 5,192 Costs associated with abnormal production and

other(2) - - - - Gross Deficit $ (7,320 ) $ (304 ) $ - $ (7,624 ) Depreciation, depletion and amortization incurred(3) $ 8,090 $ 597 $ 69 $ 8,756 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 (in thousands): Potash Trio Corporate Consolidated Sales $ 128,248 $ 40,512 $ - $ 168,760 Less: Freight costs 20,156 7,294 - 27,450 Warehousing and handling costs 6,358 1,460 - 7,818 Cost of goods sold 108,816 28,083 - 136,899 Lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustments 16,793 336 - 17,129 Costs associated with abnormal production and

other(2) 650 1,057 - 1,707 Gross (Deficit) Margin $ (24,525 ) $ 2,282 $ - $ (22,243 ) Depreciation, depletion and amortization incurred(3) $ 28,970 $ 3,150 $ 845 $ 32,965 Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 (in thousands): Potash Trio Corporate Consolidated Sales $ 41,997 $ 11,695 $ - $ 53,692 Less: Freight costs 3,575 1,773 - 5,348 Warehousing and handling costs 2,655 544 - 3,199 Cost of goods sold 33,729 8,422 - 42,151 Lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustments 4,427 - - 4,427 Costs associated with abnormal production and

other 6,910 - - 6,910 Gross (Deficit) Margin $ (9,299 ) $ 956 $ - $ (8,343 ) Depreciation, depletion and amortization incurred(3) $ 16,324 $ 3,294 $ 737 $ 20,355 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 (in thousands): Potash Trio Corporate Consolidated Sales $ 189,819 $ 54,545 $ - $ 244,364 Less: Freight costs 15,258 7,900 - 23,158 Warehousing and handling costs 8,435 1,948 - 10,383 Cost of goods sold 147,049 33,819 - 180,868 Lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustments 10,063 - - 10,063 Costs associated with abnormal production and

other 6,910 - - 6,910 Gross Margin $ 2,104 $ 10,878 $ - $ 12,982 Depreciation, depletion and amortization incurred(3) $ 49,958 $ 9,588 $ 1,482 $ 61,028 (1) Average net realized sales price is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the non-GAAP reconciliations set forth later in this press release for additional information.

(2) Costs associated with abnormal production for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, include costs incurred in conjunction with the conversion of the East facility to Trio-only production.

(3) Depreciation, depletion and amortization incurred for potash and Trio excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization amounts absorbed in or (relieved from) inventory.

INTREPID POTASH, INC.

UNAUDITED NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 AND 2015

(In thousands, except per share amounts) To supplement the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, the Company uses several non-GAAP financial measures to monitor and evaluate its performance. These non-GAAP financial measures may include adjusted net loss, adjusted net loss per diluted share, adjusted EBITDA, and average net realized sales price per ton. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures varies among companies, the Company's non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors for analysis of its business. The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures as one of its tools in comparing performance period over period on a consistent basis and when planning, forecasting, and analyzing future periods. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures are widely used by professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison, and investment recommendations of companies in the potash mining industry. Many investors use the published research reports of these professional research analysts and others in making investment decisions. Below is additional information about the Company's non-GAAP financial measures, including reconciliations of the Company's non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures: Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted Net Loss Per Diluted Share Adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per diluted share are calculated as net loss or loss per diluted share adjusted for certain items that impact the comparability of results from period to period. These items include, among others, costs associated with abnormal production, restructuring expenses, compensating tax adjustments, gains from insurance proceeds, the write-off of certain deferred financing costs, accruals for negotiated make-whole payments on the notes, early office lease termination fees and anticipated refunds of property taxes. The Company considers these non-GAAP financial measures to be useful because they allow for period-to-period comparisons of the Company's operating results excluding items that the Company believes are not indicative of its fundamental ongoing operations. Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted Net Loss: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net Loss $ (18,241 ) $ (8,110 ) $ (50,066 ) $ (6,518 ) Adjustments Costs associated with abnormal production(1) - 6,910 1,707 6,910 Restructuring expense(2) - - 2,314 - Compensating tax adjustment(3) - - (1,086 ) - Insurance proceeds(4) - - (1,211 ) - Write-off of deferred financing fees(5) 431 - 1,883 - Negotiated make-whole accrual(6) 806 - 806 - Early office lease termination fee(7) - - - 1,248 Anticipated refund of property taxes(8) - - - (2,000 ) Calculated income tax effect(9) (495 ) (2,764 ) (1,765 ) (2,463 ) Total adjustments 742 4,146 2,648 3,695 Adjusted Net Loss $ (17,499 ) $ (3,964 ) $ (47,418 ) $ (2,823 ) Reconciliation of Net Loss per Share to Adjusted Net Loss per Share: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net Loss Per Diluted Share $ (0.24 ) $ (0.11 ) $ (0.66 ) $ (0.09 ) Adjustments Costs associated with abnormal production(1) - 0.09 0.02 0.09 Restructuring expense(2) - - 0.03 - Compensating tax adjustment(3) - - (0.01 ) - Insurance proceeds(4) - - (0.02 ) - Write-off of deferred financing fees(5) 0.01 - 0.02 - Negotiated make-whole accrual(6) 0.01 - 0.01 - Early office lease termination fee(7) - - - 0.02 Anticipated refund of property taxes(8) - - - (0.03 ) Calculated income tax effect(9) (0.01 ) (0.04 ) (0.02 ) (0.03 ) Total adjustments 0.01 0.05 0.03 0.05 Adjusted Net Loss Per Diluted Share $ (0.23 ) $ (0.06 ) $ (0.63 ) $ (0.04 ) (1) As a result of the temporary suspensions of production at Intrepid's West and East facilities, Intrepid determined that approximately $1.7 million and $6.9 million of production costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, and 2015, respectively, would have been allocated to additional product tons produced, assuming the facility had been operating at normal production rates. Accordingly, these costs were excluded from Intrepid's inventory values and instead directly expensed as period production costs. Intrepid compares actual production levels relative to what it estimated could have been produced if it had not incurred the temporary production suspensions and lower operating rates in order to determine the abnormal cost adjustment. (2) As a result of the decision to idle the West facility and transition the East facility to Trio-only production, Intrepid expensed $2.3 million, primarily relating to severance payments in the nine months ended September 30, 2016. (3) During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, Intrepid recorded into income $1.1 million in compensating taxes previously received in 2013. (4) During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, Intrepid received insurance proceeds related to damages caused by a snowstorm in Carlsbad, New Mexico in December 2015. (5) During the first three quarters of 2016, Intrepid amended its previous unsecured credit facility to reduce the maximum availability under the facility, as well as to accelerate the facility's maturity date. In addition, on September 30, 2016, Intrepid agreed to make a $15 million early repayment of principal on its senior notes on October 3, 2016. As a result of these actions, the Company wrote off a portion of the financing fees that had previously been capitalized related to the debt facility and the senior notes. (6) On September 30, 2016, Intrepid entered into an amendment and waiver with its noteholders, pursuant to which Intrepid made a $15 million early repayment of principal on its senior notes on October 3, 2016. As a result of this early repayment, the amendment and waiver provided that Intrepid also pay $0.8 million as a negotiated make-whole payment. (7) In May 2015, Intrepid exercised an option to terminate its corporate office lease prior to its original expiration date. Under the terms of the lease, Intrepid incurred a lease termination penalty, a portion of which was paid in December 2015, with the remainder to be paid in March 2017. (8) In late 2014, Intrepid initiated legal action in the State of New Mexico regarding its 2014 property tax assessments. In June 2015, Intrepid settled the action with the State of New Mexico and recorded a $2.0 million receivable resulting from the settlement. (9) Assumes an annual effective tax rate of 40%.

Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (or adjusted EBITDA) is calculated as net loss adjusted for costs associated with abnormal production, restructuring expenses, compensating tax adjustments, gains from insurance proceeds, early office lease termination fees, anticipated refunds of property taxes, interest expense (which includes amounts related to the negotiated make-whole payment and the write-off of certain deferred financing costs), income tax expense (benefit), depreciation, depletion, and asset retirement obligation accretion. The Company considers adjusted EBITDA to be useful because the measure reflects the Company's operating performance before the effects of certain non-cash items and other items that the Company believes are not indicative of its core operations. The Company uses adjusted EBITDA to assess operating performance.



Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net Loss $ (18,241 ) $ (8,110 ) $ (50,066 ) $ (6,518 ) Costs associated with abnormal production(1) - 6,910 1,707 6,910 Restructuring expense(2) - - 2,314 - Compensating tax adjustment(3) - - (1,086 ) - Insurance proceeds(4) - - (1,211 ) - Early office lease termination fee(5) - - - 1,248 Anticipated refund of property taxes(6) - - - (2,000 ) Interest expense 3,905 1,574 9,134 4,820 Income tax expense (benefit)(7) 1 (7,852 ) 4 (5,131 ) Depreciation, depletion, and accretion 8,756 20,355 32,965 61,028 Total adjustments 12,662 20,987 43,827 66,875 Adjusted EBITDA $ (5,579 ) $ 12,877 $ (6,239 ) $ 60,357 (1) As a result of the temporary suspensions of production at Intrepid's West and East facilities, Intrepid determined that approximately $1.7 million and $6.9 million of production costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, and 2015, respectively, would have been allocated to additional product tons produced, assuming the facility had been operating at normal production rates. Accordingly, these costs were excluded from Intrepid's inventory values and instead directly expensed as period production costs. Intrepid compares actual production levels relative to what it estimated could have been produced if it had not incurred the temporary production suspensions and lower operating rates in order to determine the abnormal cost adjustment. (2) As a result of the decision to idle the West facility and transition the East facility to Trio-only production, Intrepid expensed $2.3 million, primarily relating to severance payments in the nine months ended September 30, 2016. (3) During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, Intrepid recorded into income $1.1 million in compensating taxes previously received in 2013. (4) During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, Intrepid received insurance proceeds related to damages caused by a snowstorm in Carlsbad, New Mexico in December 2015. (5) In May 2015, Intrepid exercised an option to terminate its corporate office lease prior to its original expiration date. Under the terms of the lease, Intrepid incurred a lease termination penalty, a portion of which was paid in December 2015, with the remainder to be paid in March 2017. (6) In late 2014, Intrepid initiated legal action in the State of New Mexico regarding its 2014 property tax assessments. In June 2015, Intrepid settled the action with the State of New Mexico and recorded a $2.0 million receivable resulting from the settlement. (7) Assumes an annual effective tax rate of 40%.

Average Net Realized Sales Price per Ton

Average net realized sales price per ton is calculated as sales, less freight costs, divided by the number of tons sold in the period. The Company considers average net realized sales price per ton to be useful because it shows average per-ton pricing without the effect of certain transportation and delivery costs. When the Company arranges transportation and delivery for a customer, it includes in revenue and in freight costs the costs associated with transportation and delivery. However, many of the Company's customers arrange for and pay their own transportation and delivery costs, in which case these costs are not included in the Company's revenue and freight costs. The Company uses average net realized sales price per ton as a key performance indicator to analyze sales and pricing trends.

Reconciliation of Sales to Average Net Realized Sales Price per Ton:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 Potash Trio Total Potash Trio Total Sales $ 35,357 $ 8,286 $ 43,643 $ 41,997 $ 11,695 $ 53,692 Freight costs 6,722 1,465 8,187 3,575 1,773 5,348 Subtotal $ 28,635 $ 6,821 $ 35,456 $ 38,422 $ 9,922 $ 48,344 Divided by: Tons sold 161 25 120 26 Average net realized sales price per ton $ 178 $ 274 $ 319 $ 379

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 Potash Trio Total Potash Trio Total Sales $ 128,248 $ 40,512 $ 168,760 $ 189,819 $ 54,545 $ 244,364 Freight costs 20,156 7,294 27,450 15,258 7,900 23,158 Subtotal $ 108,092 $ 33,218 $ 141,310 $ 174,561 $ 46,645 $ 221,206 Divided by: Tons sold 547 108 498 125 Average net realized sales price per ton $ 198 $ 308 $ 351 $ 374

This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.Source: Intrepid Potash Inc. via Globenewswire
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Nov. 2, 2016) -

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS.

Falco Resources Ltd. ("Falco" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:FPC) is pleased to announce it has amended the terms of its previously announced bought deal public offering to increase the size of the offering to $32,501,030 (the "Upsized Offering").

Under the terms of the Upsized Offering, a syndicate of underwriters led by Haywood Securities Inc. (the "Underwriters") have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, 21,029,000 units ("Units") of Falco at a price of $1.07 per Unit for gross proceeds of $22,501,030. The Underwriters have also agreed to purchase 7,812,500 flow-through shares ("Flow-Through Shares") at a price of $1.28 per Flow-Through Share for gross proceeds of $10,000,000. The Company has also granted to the Underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 3,154,350 Units and 1,171,875 Flow-Through Shares, exercisable by the Underwriters at any time up to 30 days following the closing date.

Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall be exercisable to acquire one additional common share (a "Warrant Share") of the Company for a period of 18 months from the closing date of the Upsized Offering at an exercise price of $1.45 per Warrant Share.

The expiry date of the Warrants may be accelerated by the Company at any time following the six-month anniversary of the closing of the Upsized Offering and prior to the expiry date of the Warrants if the volume-weighted average trading price of the Company's common shares is greater than $1.75 for any 20 consecutive trading days, at which time the Company may accelerate the expiry date by issuing a press release announcing the reduced warrant term whereupon the Warrants will expire on the 20th calendar day after the date of such press release.

The net proceeds of the Upsized Offering will be used by the Company to advance the dewatering program related to the development of the Horne 5 Deposit and for general working capital.

Closing of the Upsized Offering is anticipated to occur on or about November 22, 2016 and is subject to receipt of applicable regulatory approvals including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The Units and Flow-Through Shares will be offered by way of short form prospectus in all of the provinces of Canada and may also be offered in the United States to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A, and to certain accredited investors pursuant to an exemption under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.

In addition, the Company is arranging a concurrent private placement of Units with strategic investors for additional aggregate gross proceeds of up to $25 million (the "Private Placement").

Closing of the Private Placement is subject to receipt of applicable regulatory approvals including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Securities issued under the Private Placement will be subject to a four month hold period which will expire four months plus a day from the date of closing of the Private Placement.

About Falco

Falco Resources Ltd. is one of the largest mineral claim holders in the Province of Quebec, with extensive land holdings in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Falco owns 74,000 hectares of land in the Rouyn-Noranda mining camp, which represents 70% of the entire camp and includes 13 former gold and base metal mine sites. Falco's principal property is the Horne Mine, which was operated by Noranda from 1927 to 1976 and produced 11.6 million ounces of gold and 2.5 billion pounds of copper. A updated 43-101 mineral resource estimate for the Horne 5 deposit delineated an Indicated Resource of 5,361,000 gold equivalent ounces ("oz AuEq"), including 3,418,232 oz Au hosted in 58.3 million tonnes averaging 2.86 g/t AuEq (1.82 g/t Au; 15.60 g/t Ag; 0.20% Cu; 1.00% Zn) and an Inferred Resource of 1,254,000 oz AuEq, including 854,534 oz Au hosted in 12.7 million tonnes averaging 3.08 g/t AuEq (2.10 g/t Au; 26.26 g/t Ag; 0.22% Cu; 0.57% Zn.) -- see January 25th, 2016 press release for details. Osisko Gold Royalties is the largest shareholder of the Company and currently owns 16.2% of the outstanding shares of the Company.

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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects', "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" and includes, without limitation, the completion of a Feasibility Study by the end of 2017, the results of ongoing and proposed drilling program on Horne 5 West and Quemont Extension, the development of the Horne 5 project to become a mining project. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include the reliability of the historical data referenced in this press release and those risks set out in Falco's public documents, including in each management discussion and analysis, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although Falco believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Falco disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Cautionary Note Concerning Mineral Resources

This press release uses the term "inferred" resources and "indicated resources", we advise investors that while this term is recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize it. "Inferred" resources and "indicated resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Nov. 2, 2016) -

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.

NV Gold Corporation (TSX VENTURE:NVX) (the "Company") announced today a non-brokered private placement of units of the Company for gross proceeds of a maximum of CDN$2,100,000 and a minimum of CDN$1,200,000 (the "Placement").

The Placement is an offering of up to 7,000,000 units (the "Units") at CDN$0.30 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one Share and one-half of one Warrant exercisable at CDN$0.60 per share for two years from issue of the Units. The expiry date of each whole Warrant is subject to acceleration such that, should the volume weighted average price of the common shares of the Company exceed CDN$1.00 for ten consecutive trading days, the Company may notify the holder in writing that the Warrants will expire 20 trading days from receipt of such notice unless exercised by the holder before such date.

Closing of the Placement is conditional on a minimum of CDN$1,200,000 being raised in the offering and acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. The proceeds of the Placement will be used by the Company for review of the AngloGold Ashanti database covering Nevada that it recently acquired, for new property acquisition, for exploration of properties and for general working capital. The Company has agreed to pay an advisory services fee in respect of a portion of the Placement.

John Watson, CEO of the Company has confirmed he will subscribe to the Placement for up to CDN$90,000 in Units.

About NV Gold Corporation

NV Gold is a junior exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia that is focused on delivering value through mineral discoveries utilizing the prospector generator model. Leveraging its highly experienced in-house technical knowledge, NV Gold's geological team intends to use the Database, which contains a vast treasury of field knowledge spanning decades of research and exploration, combined with its 12 gold projects in Nevada, to uncover opportunities for lease or joint venture. NV Gold plans to aggressively acquire additional land positions for the growth of its business.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

John E. Watson, President and CEO

For further information, visit the Company's website at www.nvgoldcorp.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the proposed raising of up to CDN$2,100,000 and the proposed uses of such funds, the potential to uncover opportunities for lease or joint venture and other future plans and objectives of the Company, including exploration plans, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include regulatory issues, market prices, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.
VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - November 02, 2016) - Rokmaster Resources Corp. ("Rokmaster" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: RKR) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a property purchase agreement dated November 2, 2016 (the "Purchase Agreement") with John (Jack) Denny, Robert Denny and Graeme Haines (collectively, the "Sellers") to acquire (the "Acquisition") a 100% interest in the Duncan Lake Zinc-Lead Property located in the Slocan Mining Division in southeast British Columbia, Canada (the "Property") approximately 64 km north of Kaslo, British Columbia. The Property consists of 9 contiguous mineral claims covering 1,648 hectares along the strike extension of Teck Resources Ltd.'s ("Teck") historical Duncan Mine property and 148 km by road northeast of Teck's smelter in Trail, British Columbia. Closing of the Acquisition is subject to receipt of TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") approval.

Under the Purchase Agreement, Rokmaster is to provide the following aggregate consideration to the Sellers at closing in exchange for the Property:

an aggregate of 12,000,000 common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") to be issued on the date of closing of the Acquisition;

an aggregate of 12,000,000 Series A Special Warrants that have a term of 10 years, with each Series A Special Warrant being automatically exercised into one Common Share upon the Company receiving a technical report identifying a mineral resource or mineral reserve estimate totalling a minimum of 3 million tonnes of 6% combined lead and zinc equivalent;

an aggregate of 12,000,000 Series B Special Warrants that have a term of 15 years, with each Series B Special Warrant being automatically exercised into one Common Share upon the Company receiving a technical report identifying a mineral resource or mineral reserve estimate totalling a minimum of 6 million tonnes of 6% combined lead and zinc equivalent;

an aggregate of 12,000,000 Series C Special Warrants that have a term of 20 years, with each Series C Special Warrant being automatically exercised into one Common Share once the Property commences commercial production; and

a 2.5% net smelter returns royalty on gold, silver, lead and zinc bearing ores produced from the Property.

All of the aforementioned Special Warrants (the "Special Warrants") are subject to an accelerated exercise provision that would result in the Special Warrants being exercised automatically into Common Shares if and when there is:

(a) a consolidation, amalgamation, merger or take-over of the Company with, into or by another body corporate that results in the acquisition of at least 66 2/3 of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company for cash consideration, or if for non-cash consideration, as long as the acquisition price is at least a 25% premium to the volume weighted average trading price of the the Company's shares on the TSXV for the five consecutive trading days ending on the trading day prior to the first public announcement of such consolidation, amalgamation merger or take-over; or

(b) a transfer of the undertaking or assets of Rokmaster as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to another corporation or entity that is subject to shareholder approval of Rokmaster.

In the case of the Series C Special Warrants, if any of the aforementioned events occurred within 10 years from the date of issue thereof, only an aggregate of 6 million Common Shares would be issued to the holders of the Series C Special Warrants upon exercise thereof.

The Common Shares to be issued with respect to the Acquisition are to subject to a hold period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable securities legislation.

Property History

The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada, Limited ("Cominco"), a predecessor of Teck, conducted four phases of exploration work on the Property from 1989 to 1997 included coring of 8,333.9 meters in 12 diamond drill holes. The work encountered significantly higher grade zinc-lead mineralization (see below Table of Selected Mineralized Drill Intersections) than was typically encountered at the Duncan Mine and confirmed that altered and mineralized carbonate strata extends from the Duncan Mine northward more than 2.3km and is open to the north, the west limb of Duncan Anticline and to depth on the Property. A further phase of drilling (8,800 meters in 8 holes) was recommended for 1998 but not conducted, possibly due to the steep decline in lead and zinc prices at the time and Teck's increasing involvement in Cominco which had begun in 1986.

Table: Selected Mineralized Drill Intersections - Duncan Lake Project

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) Estimated True Thickness (m) Zn (%) Pb (%) C89-5 551.00 565.23 14.23 12.2 5.21 3.10 and 553.00 561.00 8.00 6.9 7.10 4.60 and 570.50 577.80 7.30 6.3 4.54 1.50 including 576.00 577.80 1.80 1.5 9.40 0.43 C89-6 603.48 609.00 5.52 4.7 7.00 1.20 including 603.48 606.00 2.52 2.2 11.01 1.70 and 616.00 618.00 2.00 1.7 2.60 0.06 C91-7 441.90 460.00 18.10 15.8 2.70 0.50 including 441.90 449.90 8.00 7.0 4.00 1.00 and 474.60 489.90 15.30 13.4 7.40 0.60 including 477.20 482.00 4.80 4.2 11.60 0.80 and 502.40 570.00 65.40 57.2 2.30 0.10 C97-5A 611.84 627.86 16.02 11.2 1.84 0.60 C95-10 727.20 730.00 2.80 1.4 4.80 1.33 and 747.20 748.40 0.70 0.4 2.03 0.19 C95-11 675.30 676.50 1.20 0.6 11.90 1.30 and 679.90 685.80 5.90 3.0 7.27 0.52 including 682.90 685.80 2.90 1.5 10.18 1.01 and 704.60 710.60 6.00 3.1 2.49 0.36 C97-12 612.50 633.50 21.00 14.7 4.20 4.00 including 620.00 630.70 10.70 7.5 6.20 6.30 C97-13 no intersections C97-14 no intersections C97-15 384.40 400.60 16.20 12.8 3.6 2.8 including 384.40 392.00 7.60 6.0 3.0 4.3 including 393.80 398.10 4.30 3.4 5.5 2.2 and 404.00 413.50 9.50 7.5 4.6 0.6 and 438.70 442.90 4.20 3.3 3.4 1.1 and 473.40 478.00 4.60 3.6 5.5 1.0 and 485.70 495.70 10.00 7.9 2.3 1.0 C97-16 383.70 384.40 0.70 0.6 1.7 0.03 and 394.90 395.50 0.60 0.5 1.1 0.2 and 427.50 430.60 3.10 2.6 2.6 1.4 and 435.00 437.00 2.00 1.7 4.0 0.03 and 565.20 572.70 7.50 6.4 1.6 0.5

A re-assessment of the current area covered by the Property north of the Duncan Mine by Cominco geologists indicated that an additional "900 meters of strike length of the structure has the potential to host 5 MMT ("Million Metric Tonnes") of 11.5% Zn and 1% Pb in No. 7 Zone and 2 MMT of 7% Zn and 0.3% Pb in the No. 8 Zone. If the known mineralization is projected 2,100 meters north (in the persistent plunge direction) to Jubilee Point, there is room for 16 MMT at 10% Zn." (D.W. Moore (1997): "Duncan Mine Property: Proposal to Test Attractive Zinc Potential Close to Trail"). It was also noted that the 7 northward plunge of the mineralized zone would be amendable to decline access and underground drilling as proven at the Duncan Mine. The potential quantity and grade stated above is conceptual in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource. This represents a target for further exploration and it is uncertain if such further exploration will result in the target being delineated a mineral resource.

The scientific and technical information about the Property set out in this news release was obtained from a Technical Report for the Property dated July 27, 2016 and prepared for Jack Denny, one of the Sellers, by R.A. (Bob) Lane, M.Sc., P. Geo. (the "Technical Report"). Mr. Lane advises that the geological data set out in the Technical Report was predominantly generated by Cominco during the 1989-1997 period and were recorded exploration assessment reports that were submitted to the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines for property assessment credits. While Mr. Lane advises that he has made no attempt to verify the data, he states in the Technical Report that there is no reason to doubt its accuracy or veracity. Mr. Lane advises that he attempted to examine the drill core from 1989 to 1997 but advised that the observed racked or stacked core was quite disheveled. He stated that more than three-quarters of the core boxes could be recovered and re-racked and following that, the intact core could be verified. Mr. Lane advised that he collected some character core samples and had MS Analytical Laboratories in Langley, British Columbia, analyze the core. Mr. Lane advises that the historic drill data for the Property was adequate and that it provides a sound technical framework upon which future exploration programs could be built. Mr. Lane stated in the Technical Report that the level of QA/QC instituted by Cominco during its four phases of drilling was not known.

Mr. John Mirko, President, CEO and Director of Rokmaster, states "This acquisition presents a unique opportunity in a rising zinc market and a stable mining jurisdiction where I have been involved in permitting and constructing several metal mines in the area. This acquisition comes with no cash payments, no work commitments and the significant exploration potential comes drill ready."

R.A. (Bob) Lane, M. Sc., P. Geo., a consulting geologist, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mining Projects and has reviewed and approved of the technical disclosure in this news release.

Non-Brokered Private Placement

In connection with the Acquisition, the Company announces that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") for proceeds up to $1,500,000 through the issuance of 30,000,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.05 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one Common Share and one common share purchase warrant ("Warrant"), with each Warrant being exercisable to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.06 per share for a period of two years after the date of issuance. The Warrants are subject to accelerated expiry provisions which come into effect when the trading price of the Common Shares on the TSXV closes at or above $0.10 per share during any 10 consecutive trading day period commencing four months plus one day after the date of issuance. In such an event, the Company will give an expiry acceleration notice ("Notice") to Warrant holders and the expiry date of the Warrants will be 30 days from the date of the Notice.

The Private Placement is subject to certain conditions, including regulatory acceptance. It is anticipated that officers and directors of the Company will participate in the Private Placement. Finder's fees may be payable in connection with the Private Placement in accordance with TSXV policies.

Proceeds raised from the Private Placement will be used to fund initial exploration work on the Property and for general working capital purposes.

Share for Debt Settlement

The Company announces that it is in the process of negotiating share for debt settlement agreements to settle outstanding debt in the aggregate of $1,450,111.25 (the "Debt") owed to directors, officers and certain arm's length creditors. The Company intends to issue 29,002,225 common shares ("Debt Shares") at a deemed price of $0.05 per share to settle the Debt in full (the "Debt Settlement"). The Debt Settlement is subject to TSXV approval. The Debt Shares, if issued, will be issued in reliance on certain prospectus exemptions available under applicable securities legislation and will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable securities legislation and TSXV requirements.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of

ROKMASTER RESOURCES CORP.

"John Mirko"

John Mirko, President & Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) nor any other regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," 'projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Information inferred from the interpretation of drilling results may also be deemed to be forward-looking statements, as it constitutes a prediction of what might be found to be present when and if a project is actually developed. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to fluctuations in metal prices; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund the planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from weather, logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Company's properties; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work program; the risk of environmental contamination or damage resulting from Rokmaster's operations and other risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.
Mason Tvert, a partner at the marijuana policy and public affairs firm VS Strategies, regarding the widespread support of legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Five states will vote on legalization of recreational marijuana on Nov. 8: Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota. Nineteen other states have already legalized personal recreational use and 37 allow weed for medical purposes. (NPR  Oct. 31, 2022)
The superintendents and elected school boards of 11 Texas districts  including Dallas, Houston and Fort Worth  have been ordered by the state education agency to attend two-day training programs to learn how to fix their failing schools.Deputy Commissioner of Education A.J. Crabill sent letters to the 11 school boards Oct. 10 saying they need additional governance training because their districts submitted unsatisfactory plans for turning around floundering campuses. All 11 superintendents and boards have agreed to the training, with several members expressing frustration about what they saw as an unfair and vague request.The letters were sent about two months after TEA released 2016 accountability ratings showing that 467 campuses statewide  including 42 in the targeted districts  were labeled improvement required, a decrease from 603 campuses last year. The notices were sent to Brazosport, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Hearne, Houston, Lubbock, Midland, Nacogdoches, Tyler and Waco.Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath has promised to crack down on low-performing schools and to halve the number of failing schools over the next five years.State law requires districts to submit detailed plans in the spring to fix problems at schools labeled improvement required for two or more consecutive years. The districts are supposed to include parents and the community in drafting the proposed fixes.Morath has the final say on approving the plans  by mid-to -late June, according to a TEA timeline  so districts can start implementing them the following school year.But for the 11 school districts, that implementation will have to wait until board trustees and superintendents attend a two-day, 24-hour governance training session.In the letters, Crabill said he wasn't sure the plans the districts submitted would address problems  including low test scores, low graduation rates, high dropout rates, and poor college readiness  within two years. The training sessions will help trustees identify and fix weaknesses in their plans, the letter said.If Morath decides not to approve a plan, he can replace the board of trustees, replace the principal of a school or shut the school down completely, Crabill wrote.Houston Independent School Districts board of trustees told Crabill it will likely vote to attend the training. But it also admonished the agency for leaving little time to actually turn around its schools. The commissioner said he would respond to the plans in June, and now may not approve them until trainings are completed in December.Our ability to make significant changes to the plans for these seven schools at this date may be somewhat limited, the Houston board wrote Oct. 25. Since TEA has missed its own published deadline for responding to the turnaround plans by four months, we ask that you provide us with specific concerns that TEA may have with the plans for these seven schools, so that we may begin considering how to make any appropriate adjustments in a way that will cause the least disruption during the school year.At an Oct. 27 Dallas Independent School District board meeting, a few trustees said the request for training was too vague.While I dont have a problem with training, I do have a problem with a demand that I implement what it is we are going to be trained on, when I dont even know what it is, said trustee Joyce Foreman. We need to know the specifics of what is wrong. We need to know specifics about the training. We need to know specifics of why these eight schools.The commissioner did approve campus turnaround plans in other districts around the state, TEA spokesperson Lauren Callahan said. She could not say what the difference was between those plans and the ones the commissioner flagged.After receiving a flood of questions from district officials across the state, Crabill included a few key explanations in a follow up email to all 11 superintendents. He slashed the training from four days to two, after trustees said it was too hard for them to fit into their schedules. He presented six different dates and locations for the training, in Kilgore, Waco, Fort Worth, Midland, El Paso and Houston, on weekdays and weekends between Nov. 9 and Dec. 17.All trustees and superintendents from all 11 boards must attend the entire workshop, Crabill said.This is a team event so just like in other team events, the whole team has to win together. Completion means that all trustees and the superintendent were present at the same workshop for the entirety of the workshop, Crabill wrote.Though all 11 boards have agreed to attend the training, it is not clear whether all trustees will show up.A veteran Lubbock board trustee said he voted yes to the resolution agreeing to training  but now hes not sure whether he will actually attend. He called the demand for governance training unprecedented in his 14 years on the board.He said he is not sure whether he can get away from his day job for two 12-hour days. Districts have to cover the cost of any travel required for board members to attend the training session.TEA does not have a plan in place in case board members don't show up, Callahan said. So far, TEA is receiving confirmation that board members will attend and complete the training. As a result, discussions on failure to participate have not been necessary, she wrote in a statement Tuesday. Any talk of penalties is premature."
The Sunshine State has a long-running dispute over solar power. In the latest dust-up, voters on Tuesday rejected a constitutional amendment pushed by electric utilities.Voters split about evenly on Amendment 1, with 51 percent in favor and 49 percent against on early Wednesday morning. But that support fell short of the 60-percent threshold required for constitutional amendments to pass.The proposal had two main components: It would have guaranteed Floridians the right to own or lease solar panels on their property, and it would have guaranteed that nonsolar customers "are not required to subsidize the costs" of grid access and maintenance for solar customers.It was that last part that generated the most controversy.Environmentalists and other opponents of Amendment 1 said it would have allowed utility companies to charge solar customers new fees. That would have been bad, they argued, because it could have been the first step in repealing "net metering," which allows solar power customers to sell their excess electricity to the grid and get credit for it on their bills. Getting rid of net metering, the opponents said, would have increased costs for solar customers and inhibited adoption."They are trying to fool you into amending your state Constitution in a way that gives them the authority to shut down net metering [and] kill the solar industry," former Vice President Al Gore told a crowd of Floridians in early October.Electric utilities countered that solar customers are actually hurting their finances. Solar customers, they say, don't pay their fair share of the costs for grid maintenance because they buy less electricity. Utilities further argued that the subsidy prohibition in Amendment 1 would have protected consumers by preventing people who dont get solar from paying higher rates than those who do.Three local chapters of the Urban League, which backed the amendment, said that's especially important for people of color."Owing largely to its cost, low-income consumers and communities of color are seldom able to use rooftop solar and must rely on the grid for their energy needs. As more affluent consumers deploy rooftop solar, fewer nonsolar consumers are left to carry the costs of maintaining the grid," they said in a statement. "Florida Amendment 1 provides a mandate for regulators to mitigate the effects of regressive cost shifting."The recent boom in solar panel installations, driven by friendly tax policies and increasingly cheaper materials, has prompted several states to re-evaluate their solar policies. Earlier this year, Vermont announced a plan to rework its subsidies. Last year, Nevada regulators concluded that net metering policies shifted $623 in costs per solar customer to other customers in the Las Vegas area. As a result, the state pulled the plug on its net metering policy last year, causing solar companies to flee the sun-baked state. Hawaii regulators also decided to end net metering, with similar effects.Solar is still in its infancy in Florida: It trails less-sunny locales such as Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York in the amount of solar power it produces. Floridians for Solar Choice, which opposed the amendment, said the state needs to preserve net metering and other tax incentives to encourage people to buy solar panels.They said the amendment's backers were trying to deceive voters by casting the amendment as a pro-solar measure. As evidence, they pointed to a leaked recording from a top official at a conservative think tank calling the amendment a "savvy maneuver" that used "political jiu-jitsu" to harness solar energy's popularity to gain voter support.Solar power in Florida has long been contentious, and voters there have weighed in on solar policy several times. In August, voters overwhelmingly approved a separate measure, Amendment 4, that will give commercial property owners a tax break on their solar panels. Lawmakers placed the question on the ballot, and it had widespread support.Floridians for Solar Choice, which is backed by the solar industry, started collecting signatures last year for their own ballot measure. It would have allowed property owners to install third-party solar panels and prohibited utilities from charging solar customers more or different kinds of fees for service than they charge nonsolar customers. The organizers didn't get enough signatures to put the measure on the ballot this year, but they could still use those signatures to qualify for the 2018 ballot.Florida is one of five states that expressly prohibit third-party leases, the type of sales arrangement that has made solar power so successful in other states. Under those agreements, an outside company installs solar panels at a discount and then sells the power they generate to the property owner over a term of many years. Floridas prohibition means that only electric utilities can offer those arrangements.Energy companies like Florida Power & Light and Duke Energy largely funded the campaign in support of Amendment 1, and raised more than $26 million, or 10 times what the opponents took in.Screven Watson, a board member of Consumers for Smart Solar, said it's not hard to see why electric utilities backed the measure.Utilities "have to live under government regulation. They have to live under those rules and do the right things and have their profits dictated by a quasi-governmental agency," he said. "Shouldn't other solar or wind or anything else that comes along have to live under the same set of rules for regulatory and consumer protection and price and rate issues as they are?"
Missouri: Open seat (Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, R, lost bid for higher office)

North Carolina: Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, R

Vermont: Open seat (Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, R, is running for governor)

Washington state: Open seat (Brad Owen, D, is retiring)

Delaware: Office vacant (last occupied by Matt Denn, D)

As we recently noted , half of this years 12 races for governor are too close to call. By contrast, the slate of lieutenant governor races isnt quite as exciting. But it has its share of interesting matchups.That includes nip-and-tuck contests in Missouri and North Carolina, the possibility of a party switch in Vermont and a pair of polarizing candidates facing off in Washington state.Just over half the states elect their lieutenant governors in tandem with governors, leaving five states this year with separate races.Unlike this years crop of gubernatorial races, in which Democrats have more seats to defend, Republicans are playing the most defense when it comes to LGs. Of the five races, the GOP has to defend open lieutenant governor seats in Missouri and Vermont, and they have a vulnerable incumbent in North Carolina.The fact that the Democratic gubernatorial candidates are modestly ahead in both Missouri and North Carolina suggests that Democrats could end up sweeping all five of this year's independently elected lieutenant governor races.Below is an overview of each of those races, listed from most likely to vote Republican to most likely to vote Democratic.Heres the rundown:The race for lieutenant governor in Missouri is wide open following the decision by Republican Peter Kinder to run -- unsuccessfully -- for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. Democrat Russ Carnahan, who lost his U.S. House seat in 2012 after an unfavorable redistricting, comes from a fabled Democratic clan in the state that has included another U.S. House member (his grandfather A.S.J.) a governor (his father Mel), a U.S. senator (his mother Jean) and a Missouri secretary of state (his sister Robin). Despite that, and despite a narrow lead for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Chris Koster, Carnahan is in a tight race against Republican Mike Parson, a relatively unknown state representative. With a lot of hot races in the state in 2016, this contest will probably be decided by what happens elsewhere on the ballot. The biggest question is whether Kosters coattails are long enough to edge out Donald Trump's popularity at the top of the ticket.This is a rematch of the 2012 lieutenant governor race when Forest edged out Democrat Linda Coleman by a few thousand votes in an open-seat contest. Neither candidate is considered especially well-known, but this year, Forest is running as an incumbent, and hes had some help from outside groups running TV ads. On the downside, Forest can be tied to the states unpopular H.B. 2 bathroom bill. Coleman started advertising only recently, at a time when the airwaves are already saturated with presidential, gubernatorial and U.S. Senate ads. The race is thought to be close, and like Missouri, this contest could well be decided by who prevails in the all-important presidential and gubernatorial races.This race is attracting a lot less attention than the state's tossup gubernatorial contest. Democratic state Sen. David Zuckerman, who prevailed in a three-way Democratic primary, started as a third-party Progressive and is now running jointly as a Democrat and Progressive. He's earned the endorsement of Bernie Sanders, a major force in Vermont politics. Zuckerman faces Republican Randy Brock, a former state auditor, state senator and unsuccessful candidate for governor in 2012. Two polls -- one for Vermont Public Radio, one for WCAX-TV -- show Zuckerman ahead by margins in the low to middle teens. Paired victories by Scott, a Republican, and Zuckerman, a Democrat, would hardly be unprecedented in the state; in fact, the reverse split, with a Democratic governor and Republican lieutenant governor, is currently the reality.Owen, a statesmanlike figure whos retiring after 20 years in the office, leaves big shoes to fill. The state Senate, over which the lieutenant governor presides, is narrowly divided. Democrat Cyrus Habib, who was one of the top two finishers in an 11-candidate primary, has been pegged for stardom byand others due to his striking background: He is believed to be the countrys first Iranian-American state legislator; he lost his sight when he was 8 due to a rare form of cancer yet managed to become a black belt in karate; he's a jazz pianist; and he became a Rhodes scholar before earning a law degree at Yale and practicing for a prominent Seattle law firm. He faces Republican Marty McClendon, a conservative pastor and radio host, whos attracted more than his share of controversy -- but so has Habib for his liberal views and aggressive approach., in explaining why it was offering no endorsement in the contest, criticized Habib for campaigning in the primary in a disturbingly, highly partisan way, making promises he cannot keep. ... He should rebuild trust by toning down the partisanship and managing the Senate in a thoughtful, fair manner. Given Washington states strong shade of blue, however, Habib is heavily favored to win.Delawares race for lieutenant governor is just about as sleepy as its race for governor, in which the Democrat, U.S. Rep. John Carney, is gliding to victory. The lieutenant governorship has been vacant since 2014 when Denn ran successfully for attorney general. This year, Democratic state Sen. Bethany Hall-Long faces Republican investment banker La Mar Gunn. Hall-Long, who has massively outspent Gunn in this heavily blue state, is the heavy favorite.
For many women in California, a new law that was supposed to make getting birth control easier has been a little disappointing.Under the law, women should be able to go to a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription and pick up hormonal contraception, including pills and patches. Although the legislation was passed in 2013, women still struggle to find pharmacists who will dole out the medicines.Olivia Weber, a law student at UC Irvine, was running low on birth control pills earlier this year when she started looking for a pharmacy that could help. She hoped she could get her prescription renewed without seeing a doctor."I was so excited," Weber said, but "I could not find a single pharmacy that was implementing the law."The holdup in part is because state officials spent months working out details, so the law didn't go into effect until April. But pharmacists aren't required to provide birth control through the law, and many say they're unsure whether they ever will."It has so much promise, so it may just be that it's just starting slow," said Virginia Herold, head of the California State Board of Pharmacy. If some pharmacies end up not participating, she said, "it'll be a little more problematic, I suppose, but it won't be any worse than what it was two years ago."Typically, women have to make an appointment to see a gynecologist to get an annual prescription for birth control. But health advocates argue that creates an unnecessary barrier to contraception that contributes to unintended pregnancies.The new law doesn't technically make birth control over-the-counter, but a pharmacist can provide it to women who don't have prescriptions. California is one of three states where pharmacists can do so.Karlie Miller, 28, began calling pharmacies near her home in Redlands after she heard about the law.Miller is an ideal candidate for pharmacist-dispensed contraception, experts say -- she's been taking the same type for 10 years, so she doesn't need to discuss much with a healthcare provider.But none of the dozen pharmacies she called over the summer offered the service."It was just false hope," Miller said.There's currently no list of how many of the state's 6,500 pharmacies are participating, nor how many pharmacists have completed the required one-hour training, Herold said.Pharmacists say they're reluctant in part because it could take up to an hour to complete the process for dispensing contraception to women. They must take the patient's blood pressure, administer a questionnaire about health issues that could raise red flags and go over side effects."The reality is that to do it right, the pharmacist is going to have to spend some time with a woman," Herold said. "And when that occurs, it's going to slow down things in a pharmacy."Eventually, Miller found a Vons pharmacy last month that had begun dispensing birth control and obtained a new supply."I'm flabbergasted, really, by how long it took," Miller said.All Albertsons, Vons, Safeway and Pavilions pharmacists in California are now trained to dispense birth control, said chain spokesman Carlos Illingworth. Pharmacy chain CVS is piloting the service at two dozen locations statewide, including five in Los Angeles, while Walgreens and Ralphs are still ironing out details at the corporate level.Some pharmacists say they're not going to start dispensing under the new law anytime soon because they don't think there's demand for the service. But Jon Roth, chief executive of the California Pharmacy Assn., said he thinks the problem is that women don't know about the new option, not that they wouldn't take advantage of it if it were available.Nihar Mandavia, a pharmacist who owns the Druggist Pharmacy in Laguna Niguel, said that even before the law took effect, he received calls from women who had run out of birth control pills while waiting to see a doctor and wanted some. He plans to complete his training to dispense contraception soon.Mandavia said he doesn't think the extra time spent with patients will be a burden for his staff. Pharmacists already offer similar counseling services when selling emergency contraception pills, like Plan B. Plus, taking the time to help customers with such services can give independent pharmacies like his an edge over big chains, he said."It kind of helps us even out the playing field," he said.One remaining issue with the law is cost. Contraception itself is covered by insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act, but many pharmacists charge a fee for the consultation time. (Miller, who went to the Vons in Redlands, said she paid $45.)The price could be a significant barrier that undercuts the law's goal of easing access to birth control, especially for those who don't have the resources to see a doctor, experts say.Interested in the stories shaping California? Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter It's unclear whether private insurance companies eventually will cover the cost of the pharmacist consultation, but the state's health insurance program, Medi-Cal, will begin doing so in January under a bill passed last month.Experts say the Medi-Cal reimbursement is an important step in removing paternalistic barriers to contraception in California. Under another law passed this year, women in the state soon will be able to pick up a year's supply of birth control at once instead of having to stop by the pharmacy each month for a refill."We're literally blazing trails here, which is really exciting, and we know it's going to benefit patients," Roth said, "but it is a bit maddening sometimes how slow the process works."
Guns cannot be carried onto school property unless someone is picking up or dropping off a student, the state's top court ruled Monday.The unanimous decision from the Georgia Supreme Court was a blow to gun rights advocates and made clear that when two laws conflict, it's the one the governor signs last that stands.At issue were pair of bills passed by the state Legislature in 2014.House Bill 826 allowed licensed gun owners to bring their weapons onto school property. House Bill 60 said the only time guns are allowed on school property is when someone is dropping off or picking up a student; otherwise guns on school property were specifically prohibited.Gov. Nathan Deal signed HB 826 on April 22, 2014. The next day he signed HB 60, which specifically prohibited guns inside school safety zones except when picking up or dropping off."It wasn't really unexpected," John Monroe, the attorney for the gun rights group GeorgiaCarry.org which brought the case to the Supreme Court, said of the decision.He noted that Deal had vetoed this year legislation that would have allowed guns on college campuses."There's not fundamentally a difference in theories between school carry and campus carry... People have an emotional knee-jerk reaction to the idea of campus carry in any context. It's just an emotional reaction."The case ended up in court after the Code Revision Commission, which cleans up and revises the Georgia Code after each legislative session, determined that HB 60 was the law because the governor signed it last.GeorgiaCarry.0rg and two fathers in Gwinnett and Fulton Counties sued.Phillip Evans said in his case he wanted to bring a gun when he attended functions at Centerville Elementary School in Snellville.James Johnson filed a similar suit, saying he wanted to bring his 9 mm Smith and Wesson when he went to his children's activities at New Prospect Elementary School in Alpharetta. "As a parent, it's my responsibility to look out for my family," Johnson said at the time.Johnson and Evans said they were confused as to when a licensed gun owner could bring a gun to their children's schools. They are concerned they could be charged with misdemeanors if they bring firearms to school events.The justices said Monday it all came down to timing.Since the two laws "cannot 'reasonably stand together,' the later enacted bill controls," the court ruled. "We agree with the trial court's conclusion that their provisions relating to the carrying of weapons within a school safety zone are in irreconcilable conflict."
On Tuesday, in the morning, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey departed Longreach for Bedourie.

Following, at the Diamantina Shire Council Chambers, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey received a briefing from Council representatives.

Following, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey visited Bedourie State School where His Excellency addressed students at a special assembly.

In the afternoon, at the Bedourie Community Centre, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey attended a community Melbourne Cup Function, and then departed for Birdsville.

Following, at the Birdsville Hotel, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey watched the Melbourne Cup Race with Birdsville community representatives.

Following, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey visited Birdsville State School where His Excellency addressed students at a special assembly.

Following, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey visited the Birdsville Bakery before departing Birdsville for Longreach.
On Sunday, in the morning, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs de Jersey attended morning Eucharist at St Andrews Anglican Church, Longreach, then departed for Ilfracombe.

Following, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey inspected the Machinery Mile Walk to view static displays, and then, at the Martin Forrest Building, Ilfracombe, attended a community morning tea where His Excellency addressed guests.

Following, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey visited the Wellshot Centre and toured operations, and then visited the Ilfracombe Clay Target Club before returning to Longreach.

In the afternoon, the Governor visited the Longreach Markets and viewed the street parade.

In the evening, the Governor, with Mrs de Jersey, officially opened the Longreach Railway Station and addressed guests and unveiled a plaque on the occasion of the Stations 100th birthday, and then the Governor attended a centenary dinner on the Station platform.
On Monday, in the morning, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey visited the Longreach Pastoral College, and then departed for Boulia.

Following, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey visited Rainbow Gateway and received a briefing on the Remote Jobs and Communities Programme.

In the afternoon, at the Australian Hotel, Boulia, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey attended a luncheon with community representatives.

Following, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey visited Boulia State School where His Excellency addressed students.

Following, at the Min Min Encounter, Boulia, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey received a briefing from Council representatives, and then attended a community afternoon tea where His Excellency addressed guests.

In the evening, at the QANTAS Park, Longreach, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey attended supper with the Queensland Country Women's Association and the Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women's Network.
Find a polling place

Early voting has become an increasingly popular option across the electorate. Between absentee ballots, mail-in and early voting at the polls, more than 46 million voters  almost 36 percent of the total  cast nontraditional ballots in 2012, according to a Pew Research Center analysis . This year is on target for the same or greater.This puts the pressure on election officials to do all they can to ensure early voting goes smoothly and easily. In some jurisdictions, authorities are looking to geographic information systems (GIS) to help grease the skids.Because so much election information already has a geographic component, maps and voting make a natural pairing. Voting districts, precincts and polling places  all can be tied to maps. In places like Cobb County, Ga., and Forsyth County, N.C., officials are leveraging this geographic angle. Specifically they have implemented GIS applications to give the public easy access to polling-station wait time information, along with other relevant election data.In the days before Nov. 8, both counties were seeing high volumes of activity on their early-voting information websites. As of Oct. 31, more than 37,000 users had been to the Forsyth County site, over 10 percent of the county population. In Cobb County, where 49 percent voters cast their ballots early in 2012, almost 24,000 people had been to the website as of Oct. 28, with 3,000 new hits coming each day.Its all about encouraging citizen engagement. If you drive by the library and you look on the site and see there is only a 30-minute wait right now, maybe youll decide not to put off voting anymore, and you will just go in there are get it done," said Forsyth County Geographic Information Officer Joseph Sloop. "Ultimately that is the hope."In 2012, Cobb County officials had a hard time even keeping track of wait times in early voting, much less informing the public.We had workers at each location who would measure the wait times by handing out cards to people in line and then collecting those cards. Then they would either email or call the main office and report the wait time, said county GIS Manager Jennifer Lana. Then that person in the office would have to log into the website and post that time, and they would be doing that for 11 different locations constantly throughout the day."This year, the county turned to its GIS vendor Esri to build something a little more streamlined. In the new system, poll workers enter wait times directly onto a map, which updates automatically. The county promises to update wait times four times a day, but in practice, poll workers were posting hourly updates the week before Election Day. The map is built on an Esri template, a generic layout that county officials have populated with important voting information. In addition to wait times at 11 early-voting stations, the map gives directions, information on voter registration and requirements, and tips on polling-place etiquette (no cellphones, please).County officials have picked up some tips in their efforts to apply GIS to early voting. For instance: Dont share too much too soon. Early voting started at just two locations in mid-October, but the countys first map showed where all 11 early-voting stations would be opening by Halloween. Although the stations were clearly noted as not yet open, 50 people showed up at one of the later-opening stations weeks ahead of time.In the days before Halloween, GIS managers had hidden the not-yet-open polls on the map. We have all that data ready to go, but we are keeping it turned off, just to keep it very simple, Lana said.In Forsyth County, citizens can vote early at any polling place in their home county. With wait times ranging from five minutes to over an hour in October, GIS managers wanted a site that would serve as a guide in helping individuals to decide where to cast their ballots.You can put in your address and it will search the closest polling locations to that address, along with routing directions, said Jason Clodfelter, a county GIS analyst. Then the polling locations are symbolized with graduated circles and color coding based on the wait times, and you can click on any individual location to get the exact wait times.At each polling place, workers are equipped with iPads through which they can log wait times. That information goes directly to the GIS system, which is set to refresh an Esri-based online map every 30 seconds.The poll workers refresh the wait times from the moment they open up until they close, so for all practical purposes, it is live information, Sloop said. The training was slim to none. There is literally nothing but a green button that says 'start' and when you press it, it turns to a red button that says 'stop.' We wanted to keep it as simple as possible.Looking ahead, all that wait-time data could serve a future purpose, as the GIS system has been set to log and archive all this information. The board of elections will be able to look at this historical data when the election is over and perhaps use it to help with the planning for the next election, Sloop said.These efforts to use GIS to streamline early voting are part of a larger trend, said Christian Carlson, director for state, local and provincial government for Esri.Governments are modernizing their business processes to provide better services to citizens, he said. GIS is riding right in that technological slipstream to provide a new level of service in all sorts of things, including elections.Maps can help facilitate elections in a number of ways. Citizens can look up their polling places or identify their representatives by geography. Candidates likewise use maps to fine-tune the demographics of their campaigns.With the trend toward early voting, GIS could take on even greater electoral significance.When there appears to be significant early-voter turnout, people want to know: When do I need to leave the office to go vote? How do I plan my day to make that happen? Carlson said. This is a product that makes voters lives a lot easier on a universal scale.
(TNS) -- The health insurance shopping season got off to a rough start Tuesday with complaints and technical difficulties at the MNsure website and a report that the MNsure call center was targeted by robocallers tying up phone lines. The website at the states health insurance exchange opened for business at 6 a.m., and MNsure officials said roughly 1,200 signed up for coverage within the first two hours.But website users started reported crashes starting around 11:30 a.m. By noon, state IT officials issued a statement saying the MNsure website and nearly 70 other state websites had been experiencing intermittent outages.Minnesota IT Services is investigating and we will update with further information as it becomes available, the statement said.After the call center opened at 8 a.m., customers started complaining about waits that exceeded an hour in some cases. In comments to reporters Tuesday, Gov. Mark Dayton said the states IT division had identified the culprit behind the robocalls, with wait times being improved as a result.Its deplorable that somebody or anybody is trying to disrupt this, Dayton said. Theyve excluded whatever the source is.Tuesday is the start of open enrollment in the states individual market, where about 250,000 Minnesotans buy health insurance. Those shoppers have the option of buying through MNsure, a government-run health exchange website that Minnesota launched in late 2013 to implement the federal Affordable Care Act.MNsure suffered a rocky rollout three years ago, but the problems took weeks to surface. This year, troubles are surfacing on the open day of open enrollment likely because enrollment caps for most insurers in the market have created a strong incentives for shoppers to buy early.Before the technical issues and robocalls were disclosed, MNsure consumers said the website experience on Tuesday was a mixed bag, with some finding coverage and others hitting error messages and confusion.Right at the moment, I would give it a grade F, said Mary Enger, 59, who lives near the western Minnesota town of Dawson. Im extremely frustrated.Marie Harmon, a MNsure spokeswoman, said that by 8 a.m. nearly 12,000 people had started applications, including about 10,300 people who were working on the website at the time.There were complaints Tuesday on social media about the HealthPartners website, where potential subscribers said they couldnt enroll in plans. That was true for Kathy Derong, 61, of Vadnais Heights, who turned instead to MNsure.It was surprisingly smooth, until the end, Derong said.When she finished the MNsure application, Derong said, it wasnt clear whether her purchase order had gone through. Ultimately, she logged into her account and found she had coverage.HealthPartners confirmed by social media early Tuesday that the insurer was having website problems. Around 10 a.m. spokesman Vince Rivard wrote by e-mail that people were successfully enrolling through the website, although the process was slowed by unprecedented call and website traffic.Were asking enrollees for patience while we work through the issues, he said.There were plenty of calls on Tuesday at MNsure, too. Three calls to the exchange shortly after 8 a.m., and two more after 10 a.m., were answered with recorded messages saying: All circuits are busy.A third call after 10 a.m. got through to the MNsure call center, but ended about three minutes later with the message: We are experiencing a large volume of calls at this time. Please call back later.Regulators say that the individual health insurance market that was on the brink of collapse this summer, as health insurers threatened pullouts amid mounting financial losses.To keep insurers in the market, state regulators are letting four of five health insurers cap their enrollment for 2017. That means if people dont buy coverage quickly, they could find their preferred health plan options is no longer available.Char Loving of Golden Valley said she spent more than three hours trying to buy coverage through the MNsure website on Tuesday morning, but couldnt get past error messages. She started calling the MNsure call center at 8 a.m., but couldnt get through.The experience has been frustrating, Loving said, especially since the plan she wants to buy has an enrollment cap, so she needs to shop early.Not to mention the crazy costs we are all forced to pay right now, Loving added via e-mail.Premiums for next year are jumping an average of 50 percent to 67 percent. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota suspended plans covering 103,000 people, and HealthPartners pulled back from dozens of counties impacting about 9,100 people. All of those current subscribers must find new coverage.Enger, the shopper from western Minnesota, is one of those subscribers being dropped by Blue Cross. She was on the website at 6:01 a.m., she said, trying to buy a policy from Minnetonka-based Medica.In Engers portion of Minnesota, she has a choice of Medica or HMO coverage from Blue Cross. But only Medica includes her primary clinic in its network of providers, Enger said. Plus, Medica has an enrollment cap, which means she might be left with only the option of the Blue Cross HMO.Around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Enger said she wasnt entirely clear if she had signed up for the plan. She seemed to get the job done on her home computer, but hit an error message.Enger couldnt get help from the MNsure call center, so she drove into town for help from a MNsure-certified enrollment counselor. That process also ended with a different sort of uncertainty, which wasnt resolved despite hours on hold with the MNsure call center.I think Im enrolled, Enger said, but now Im enrolled in the same plan twice.The individual market is undergoing significant change with the federal Affordable Care Act, which launch new health exchange websites like Minnesotas MNsure. The health law prevents insurers from denying coverage to people based on preexisting health conditions, but the change has made it difficult for carriers in Minnesota and across the country to make the business profitable.Reporter Ricardo Lopez contributed to this report.
Several states now employ innovation officers or digital officers. But Colorado may be the first to bring on a digital transformation officer (DTO).On Wednesday, Nov. 2, the Colorado Governors Office of Information Technology announced Brandon Williams will become the states first DTO.As a state, weve digitized well, but we havent had that common thread across our different efforts to see where data resides, how to make it open and accessible and how to tie in different systems so were sharing data correctly, said Williams. Its great to see government moving in this direction and beginning to bridge the gap between being digital and being digitally mature.Prior to his promotion to DTO, Williams led the states Google Services team for the last four years (Colorado officially became a Google shop in 2012). As the states new DTO, Williams will work with state agencies to align user and customer experience with strategic business plans and ensure the states public-facing websites and other digital touch points are efficient and easy to use.For years weve talked about business requirements, but user experience was often an afterthought, explained Williams. Part of my role will be getting our programmers and analysts to think about the user experience.Williams will report to the state chief technology officer, David McCurdy, and will partner with educational and government organizations to host rapid innovation events to help prepare Colorado for future digital endeavors.Williams said his new role ties in well with his previous work on Colorados Google Services team.The freshman class in college today is the first class that grew up in a world where Google existed, he said. Those young adults have all kinds of assumptions and expectations around collaboration and access to digital tools. We are working hard to ensure new users coming into the state system will have access to the powerful tool sets and data we have available.Williams may be the first state DTO, but says he hopes he wont be the last.This role is a bit different than other state technology roles in that its less about the technology and more about exploring how we use the platforms we have in a more powerful way, he said. Its not just about taking existing business practices and making them cloud-based business practices that reflect the same things we were doing before. This is about rethinking the work of government and taking advantage of collaboration tools to make it faster, more efficient and cleaner.
(TNS) -- Biotech companies are highly regulated, and much of the research these companies rely on is government-funded. So the biotech community has a natural interest in the policies of those who would be president.Hillary Clinton made some pertinent remarks when she visited San Diego in 2014 to speak at the Biotechnology Industry Organizations annual convention. With the election almost upon us, its worth reviewing these comments.(NOTE: I have not seen Donald Trump speak on biotech. But Trumps own health care proposals are on his website, j.mp/trumphealthcare . Briefly, he wants to completely repeal Obamacare, allow sale of health insurance policies across state lines, and allow consumers to buy imported, safe and dependable drugs from overseas, to give consumers more options.A lengthy analysis of Trumps possible effect on the industry by Seeking Alpha can be read at j.mp/tbiotechtrump . A positive take on his biotech policies is at j.mp/trumpforbio . Finally, Id be happy to interview Trump about biotech at more length). My original article on Clintons interview is at j.mp/clintonbiotech . Much of what Clinton said concerned political issues, and I left those things for the political reporters. But she did make some interesting points on innovation and on GMO crops.Clinton was interviewed by Jim Greenwood, BIOs president and CEO. Greenwood asked her views on GMO crops.Clinton said she supports GMO crops that have a proven track record of safety. GMO advocates need to stress the benefits of these crops, such as drought resistance, and not dwell on their genetic modification.Genetically modified sounds Frankensteinish, Clinton said. Drought-resistant sounds like something youd want. So how do you create a different vocabulary to talk about what it is youre trying to help people do?Makers of these crops should continue to talk with skeptics, pointing out scientific evidence of their safety and explaining that they may already be eating GMOs.On innovation, Clinton said national policies need to be established to encourage biotech companies to make needed new therapies, along with keeping prices as low as feasible. Getting all three in harmony is a dilemma, she said, because of the high risk involved in drug discovery and development.One idea is for government to help pick up some of that risk, she said, which would help control costs.Clinton praised California for establishing a state stem cell agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, to fund research and speed innovation. Voters approved $6 billion in state bonds, with CIRM getting $3 billion. (The additional $3 billion is for interest over the bonds lifetime.)States have a role to play, but we need a national framework, Clinton said.
They accused the government of outrageous conduct by allowing agents to potentially commit crimes more serious than those they were pursuing by distributing pornography.

They also allege the DOJ intentionally violated the federal Rules of Criminal Procedure  and the will of Congress  by circumventing a requirement that warrants be issued by a magistrate in the same district as the crime allegedly occurred. Instead, they say agents had a Virginia magistrate judge issue a single search warrant that was used to hack into as many as 100,000 computers in 120 countries

They say evidence should be excluded or suppressed because the DOJ has violated the rules of discovery in a criminal case by continuing to refuse to turn over the details of the NIT.

(TNS) -- TACOMA  A federal judge said he has ethical and legal concerns over the Department of Justices decision to take control of a child-pornography bulletin board and allow the distribution of as many as 1 million illegal images while agents hacked the computers of the sites visitors.U.S. District Judge Robert Bryan also confronted Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors over their continued insistence that the governments actions in taking over and secretly operating the dark web bulletin board for two weeks in 2015 were somehow innocent.Bryan presided over a two-day hearing in Tacoma on motions to suppress evidence gathered in that investigation against three Washington men, David Tippens, Gerald Lesan and Bruce Lorente, who are accused of viewing and receiving child pornography. He took the matter under advisement.During the hearing, the deputy director of the DOJs New York-based Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Keith Becker, argued that allowing the site to remain active was an investigative necessity.The government itself did not post or create child pornography, Becker told the court.Bryan interrupted him.Yall were doing just exactly what the people who were in charge of that website were doing before you arrested them, he said.At another point, as Becker was describing the huge social costs that would result if the court were to exclude evidence in these cases, Bryan stopped him again.You talk about social costs? There are huge social costs in constitutional violations, too, the judge said.The prosecutions in Washington of Tippens, Lesan and Lorente  all swept up in an FBI sting called Operation Pacifier  are at the forefront of a growing number of challenges to the 214 cases around the country that so far have resulted from the investigation. The courts have been divided in their rulings on whether the FBI went too far, and prosecutors and defense lawyers say the case is almost certainly headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.The cases are spurring national debate over internet privacy and the reach of law enforcement in the digital age Bryan has already excluded evidence in an earlier Washington case, involving a Vancouver School District employee named Jay Michaud, because the FBI refused to turn over to defense attorneys the details of a so-called Network Investigative Tool (NIT) it used to hack into the computers of visitors to a dark-web child-porn bulletin board called The Playpen.The prosecutions of Tippens, Lesan and Lorente have now reached the same stage in their proceedings, and their attorneys have attacked the governments cases on several fronts:Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hampton said agents were faced with tough choices throughout the investigation and suggested that the federal rules have not kept up with technology.These are bad people who hurt children, he said. The government did what was necessary.He said the government knew well the difficulty of the decisions that were being made to allow The Playpen to continue to operate, apparently in violation of a statute that strictly prohibits the distribution of child pornography by anyone.Reasonable minds can differ over the costs and benefits of those decisions, but agents felt they needed to move against child pornographers who were operating in the dark, anonymously and with impunity.I dont know who was making those decisions, Judge Bryan said. But I am concerned both ethically and legally.
(TNS) --The Morton County Sheriffs office denied on Monday that it was tracking Dakota Access Pipeline protesters Facebook check-ins after a social-media campaign flooded the network.Over the weekend, thousands of people began checking in to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in an attempt to thwart the alleged tracking.Then, after checking in, people would post a message to friends and family, making it clear exactly what they were doing. You might have seen a message like this pop up in your feed:Its unclear whether the social media effort originated with the protesters in North Dakota, but the sheriff denies it follows the check-ins.Last week, the confrontation between protesters and police came to a head. Dozens were arrested as authorities in riot gear and with armored personnel carriers broke up highway barricades and a camp on pipeline developers property that was set up earlier in the week. Hundreds of protesters remain at the initial camp to the south.
A key F1 official has played down reports that Bernie Ecclestone looks set to be sidelined.

It emerged this week that former Ferrari and Mercedes chief Ross Brawn could soon emerge from retirement to be F1's new sporting CEO, with some reports claiming he will in fact 'replace' supremo Ecclestone.

But Sergey Vorobyov, promoter of the closely Vladimir Putin-aligned Russian grand prix, doesn't think so.

Asked if he senses Ecclestone is stepping away from the sport after the Liberty takeover, he answered: "On the contrary!

"It seems to me that he is more active than ever.

"Last week I called to congratulate him on his birthday, and he asked about all the details of the grand prix of Russia that normally we discuss with his lawyers and staff," Vorobyov revealed to the Russian publication Sport Express.

So when it comes to the newly 86-year-old Ecclestone's decision to leave F1, Vorobyov insisted: "I'm pretty sure that any decision will be his and not imposed from the outside.

"It was he who made the sport what it is today, and he has earned the right to make his decision," he added.

Vorobyov also repeated his denial that Russia's Sochi race could have a short-lived future on the calendar, and hit back at English-language reports that several other grands prix are also in doubt.

"I find it difficult to comment on the arguments of the Western media that the formula one model is faltering and a number of countries are supposedly on the verge of giving up their races," he said.

"I think the number of races on the calendar shows that many countries are satisfied with Bernie's conditions and want to have races, as we do."

Asked for how long Russia's race is guaranteed, Vorobyov answered: "(Until) 2020.

"We see no reason to cancel the Russian grand prix or for the emergence of this rumour. Interest in formula one in our country and attendance at the race are increasing, so I am sure the grand prix of Russia has a good future," he said.

In fact, he said Sochi is seriously considering becoming F1's next night race.

"We gave up this option for 2017," said Vorobyov, "as it would have involved a lot of money and foreign partners.

"We went the other way, ensuring the money will stay in Russia and the price is adequate. I am sure that one of the races in Sochi will be at night in the coming years."

(GMM)
The future of the Malaysian grand prix could take shape during a key meeting later this month.

It has emerged that officials of the race near Kuala Lumpur, whilst extending their separate deal with MotoGP until 2021, are considering axing the 17-year-old F1 race at Sepang.

However, a valid contract with Bernie Ecclestone's FOM is in place until 2018.

So Speed Week reports that new Sepang chairman Tan Sri Mohamed Azman Yahya will accompany fellow race official Razlan Razali to next month's 2016 finale in Abu Dhabi.

In Abu Dhabi, they are slated to meet with Ecclestone and propose a compromise, whereby Sepang agrees to host the 2017 race but not the one in 2018.

The report indicated that if F1 supremo Ecclestone does not agree, the Sepang chiefs are prepared to not host the 2017 race either and fight it out in court.

Sepang's F1 exit would not be a good look for the category, given the circuit's enthusiasm about keeping the MotoGP in place for a further five years.

"Negotiation was not difficult because both Sepang and us wanted to continue having the event here," said MotoGP chief Carmelo Ezpeleta last week.

(GMM)
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U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal is calling on federal rail regulators to re-examine exemptions that allow commuter railroads such as Metro-North to skip installing positive train control at passenger terminals.

He maintains that the life-saving system could have prevented the recent New Jersey platform crash that killed a woman and injured 110 commuters.

This catastrophe raises many questions, including whether PTC could have prevented such needless death and destruction, and whether the Federal Rail Administration should continue to allow an exemption from the PTC mandate for passenger terminals, Blumenthal said Tuesday.

Metro-North is now exempt from installing PTC at end-of-the line terminals in Waterbury, New Canaan, South Norwalk, Danbury and Grand Central Terminal.

PTC can halt a speeding train and prevent trains from entering work sites or veering onto the wrong track.

The Sept. 29 crash in Hoboken, N.J., was blamed on a train traveling 21 mph as it entered the terminal, far above the posted speed limit. The nations railroads, including Metro-North, have until Dec 31, 2018, to fully install PTC systems.

FRA officials on Tuesday acknowledged exemptions are allowed for end-of-line terminals such as Hoboken and those in Connecticut, and said its up to Congress to change the rules.

If Congress wishes, it can expand that requirement to more areas, said Matt Lehner, an FRA spokesman.

Many commuter railroads continue to struggle to meet Congress original PTC requirement due to a lack of funding, Lehner said. As Congress completes legislation that funds the government in the coming weeks, we hope that it funds the presidents $1.25 billion request to help commuter railroads implement PTC.

FRA officials said terminals will receive a speed control component that relies on an onboard computer to slow or stop a train entering at improper speeds.

Those officials said full PTC does not work at end of the line terminals, where are trains are turned around and coupled together. The process of joining cars, for example, is interpreted by PTC sensors as a crash that must be prevented, they said.

In a letter to FRA Administrator Sarah Feinberg, Blumenthal asked FRA to take another look at the exemption, noting it was put in place seven years ago and technology may have improved.

I urge your inquiry to begin immediately, Blumenthal wrote. In light of the Hoboken crash, I write to ask whether the exemption for passenger stations remains sensible policy. The crash has indicated that this reasoning warrants re-examination.

Blumenthal said FRA justified the exemption with several reasons, including a contention that terminal stations are too complicated for PTC technology and technical solutions are not presently available to ensure PTC can be deployed in a terminal environment.
What woman hasnt trawled Craigslists men-seeking-women section hoping to find a partner in crime with an adventurous palate (wink, wink) to cruise new restaurants with on weekends? Well, if an intriguing opportunity posted to the personal ads on the sites Chicago page is to be believed, this man finally exists:



Talk about Mr. Right.

In short, he just wants a female companion to platonically visit the citys dining hot spots with. Then perhaps you two will go have a nightcap or seven at high end Gold Coast bars. Rest assured, though, his intentions are pure  he says so right in the ad (I wont hassle you for sex just because I pick up all the checks). Anyway, just listen to the full package hes offering: Im in shape, intelligent, college-educated with an MBA, personable, single white professional. Im easy to talk with, nice sense of humor, fun to be with.



If anyones thinking thats about as perfect as they come, just wait, because he isnt done yet: Not only will this true gentleman pick up the bill, but hell also tag along as your still-totally-platonic wingman. Just point out a cute guy youd like to meet, he writes, and Ill maneuver you into flirty, get acquainted chat with him. Its that easy  although, in full disclosure, he fesses up that it will involve a quid pro quo (you have to invite me to the wedding!).



Better jump on this one fast, female foodies  the post might only be active for another couple of hours. Also, dont forget to include your age, height, weight (or at least dress size) so he can check out your potential.


As it turns out, there is a particular detail on the Google Pixels page that was not correct. After a well-respected tester of the Android Community recorded data from the Google Pixel, it turned out the 5-inch HTC-built Google phone was not charging at the advertised 18W of peak power that the charger is rated for.

After Android Poilice (perfect context for the publications title) reached out to Google for clarification of the testers findings, Google admitted an oversight in the description of the phones specification pages when it listed both phones capable of charging at 18W.

Google Pixel (top) Google Pixel XL (bottom)

Google has fixed the detail on the website which now reads: 15W  18W charging where It previously read: 18W charging.

While its not known exactly why Google decided to limit the peak charging wattage on the smaller Pixel, Google has admitted a minor oversight of the detail since its discovery. Know that this should make no difference to your Google Pixels normal operation. Since the 18W charger is included in both models, only one of them will be able to utilize the full wattage, the Pixel XL.

If youre interested, you can check out Nathans scientific findings of the Google Pixels charging speeds, temperatures, and rates.

Source | Via | Google's Pixel spec page
These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales.
Yesterday Samsung sent out an update for the Galaxy S6 edge+ which contains the October security patches for Android. And today the exact same thing is happening for the smaller S6 edge. This isn't the most timely of updates, considering that in just a few days Google will out the November security release for Android, but better late than never.

The update is going out to unlocked units of the Galaxy S6 edge in Europe. It brings with it patches for 68 Android vulnerabilities, but also some Samsung-specific fixes. These unfortunately haven't been listed by the Korean company in the update's changelog, so we don't know what they are.

After having applied the new software, you'll be on build version XXU4DPJH. As always, these things are being rolled out over-the-air in stages, so you may not have received the update notification yet. If that's the case and you want those fixes as soon as possible, then it may help to go to Settings > About device > Download Updates Manually.

Source (in Dutch) | Via
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Transcription

1 ISTQ B Effectiveness Survey

2 About the Survey TABLE OF CONTENTS RESPONDENT PROFILE ISTQB CTFL CERTIFIED TESTER FOUNDATION LEVEL ADVANCED LEVEL (CTAL) CERTIFICATION EXPERT LEVEL AGILE TESTING CERTIFICATION ACCREDITED TRAINING TOPICS FOR the FUTURE CREDITS The ISTQB testing certification scheme continues to lead the profession with more than over testing professionals certified worldwide as of June 30th, This reflects the confidence that organizations and individuals have in the scheme and the body of knowledge on which it is based. As part of its commitment to continuous improvement and the advancement of the software testing profession, in 2013 ISTQB ( conducted an international online survey of test engineers and managers. The survey was designed by the ISTQB Marketing Working Group and endorsed by ISTQB Member boards, accredited training providers, and exam providers. It was open from 7 June 2013 to 1 October 2013 and several thousand responses were received from almost 70 countries. Two versions of the survey were available. One for test engineers, comprising 21 questions, and another for test managers, which contained 24 questions. This report presents the results of the ISTQB Test Certification Survey and we would like to sincerely thank everybody who contributed.

3 Message from the President For over 10 years the ISTQB has been committed to delivering a high quality certification scheme for software testing professionals. To ensure we develop and maintain syllabi that reflect changing testing practices and that meet market demands we conducted the 2013 ISTQB survey, the results of which are published in this report. I would like to thank all of you who responded to the survey; your valuable feedback will contribute significantly to the future of the ISTQB scheme. Chris Carter, ISTQB President

4 The majority of Test Managers The majority of Test Engineers believe that participating in the Approximately 70% of undertook the ISTQB ISTQB certification scheme Test Managers consider it The new Expert Level CTFL certification in order will positively impact testing important to obtain Advanced certifications are generating to enhance their career quality in their projects (75%) Level certifications, and this a significant amount of prospects (80%) and develop and will enable them to provide opinion is shared by 63% of interest. their testing skills (70%). a positive career path to their Test Engineers. employees (55%). 3 8 The most significant Test Engineers and Test Managers alike are highly satisfied with the ISTQB CTFL certifications and happy to recommend these to their colleagues (91% - Test Engineers, 94% - Test Managers). findings from the first ISTQB Effectiveness survey. There is strong demand for Agile certification throughout the world and across all major industries (85% of respondents are interested) The ISTQB Foundation Level certification exams are seen as providing a reliable assessment of candidate knowledge. Test Managers would like to have approximately 75% of their staff certified at the Foundation Level. Approximately 70% of survey participants attribute a significant part of their certification success to the courses they undertook from accredited training providers. In addition to Agile Testing, the following have emerged as the most important topics for the future: Performance Testing, Testing for Mobile Devices, and Usability Testing.

5

6 ISTQB Effectiveness Survey RESPONDENT PROFILE Geographic distribution of survey responses, % 54% 8% 24% 1% 9% 4% Test Engineers 2,855 respondents Geographic distribution of survey responses, %

7 67% 6% 14% 1% 7% 5% Test Managers 779 respondents Geographic distribution of survey responses, %

8 In which country do you currently work? Test Engineers Afghanistan Algeria Andorra Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Bolivia Brazil Canada Chad Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Czech Republic Denmark Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Estonia Finland France Germany Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Ireland Israel Italy Jordan Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malaysia Maldives Malta Mexico Netherlands New Zealand North Korea Norway Pakistan Palestine Panama Peru Poland Portugal Romania Russian Federation Saudi Arabia Serbia South Africa South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sweden Switzerland Tunisia Turkey Ukraine Uni. Arab Emirates U.K. of Great Britain U.S. of America Uruguay Venezuela Europe Asia Central and South America North America Oceania Africa 54% 24% 9% 8% 4% 1% 12 ISTQB

9 Test Managers Argentina Australia Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Bolivia Brazil Bulgaria Canada Chile China Colombia Croatia Cuba Czech Republic Denmark Ecuador Egypt Estonia Finland France Germany Hungary Iceland India Ireland Israel Italy Jordan Latvia Luxembourg Malaysia Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Norway Pakistan Paraguay Peru Poland Portugal Romania Russian Federation Serbia Slovakia South Africa South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sweden Switzerland Tunisia Turkey Ukraine Uni. Arab Emirates U.K. of Great Britain U.S. of America Uruguay Venezuela Europe Asia Central and South America North America Oceania Africa 67% 14% 7% 6% 5% 1% 13 ISTQB

10 How many years of experience do you have in software testing? Test Engineers < 01 years 3,46% years 52,59% years 27,17% years 10,14% years 3,5% years 1,83% > 25 years 1,3% Test Managers years 23% years 39,6% years 23,2% years 9,8% years 2,2% > 25 years 2,15% 14 ISTQB

11 To which industry does your organization belong? Test Engineers Software/ Hardware Development Consulting Finance / Banking / Insurance Telecommunications Goverment / Military Health / Medical Aerospace / Aviation / Automotive Engineering / Architecture Education Internet Phermaceutical / Chemical Research / Science Biotechnology 05% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% Test Managers Software/ Hardware Development Consulting Finance / Banking / Insurance Telecommunications Other Goverment / Military Aerospace / Aviation / Automotive Health / Medical Internet Engineering / Architecture Research / Science Education Phermaceutical / Chemical Biotechnology 05% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 15 ISTQB

12 How many years of management experience do you have? 20,0% 18,0% 14,0% 12,0% 10,0% 8,0% 4,0% 2,0% 0,0% >10 Experience, years What is your highest educational level? Test Engineers Degree in a computer-related field Degree in a non-computer-related field Doctoral degree High school 1,2% 15,8% 26,7% 57,5% As a Test Engineer, how long have you held your ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL) certification? Up to 3 years years More than 6 years 5,5% 16,5% 78,1% 16 ISTQB

13 As a Test Manager, do you hold an ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL) certification? Yes No 15% 85% How many test professionals does your organization have? Test Managers 05% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% <5 Testing Professionals 6-10 Testing Professionals Testing Professionals Testing Professionals >100 Testing Professionals 17 ISTQB

14 19 ISTQB

15 ISTQB Effectiveness Survey ISTQB CTFL CERTIFIED TESTER FOUNDATION LEVEL

16 As a Test Engineer, what was your motivation in obtaining your ISTQB CTFL certification? Test Engineers 90,0% 80,0% 70,0% 60,0% The majority of Test Engineers took the 50,0% ISTQB CTFL certification in order to enhance 40,0% their career path (80%) and develop their testing skills (70%) Some believe it will help them get more recognition from their colleagues (25%) or increase their income (20%). 30,0% 20,0% 10,0% 0,0% Career path development Test skills development Recognition from colleagues Increased income As a Test Manager, what was your motivation to have your employees achieve ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL) certification? Test Managers Testing quality improvement Employee career path development Company image improvement Customer s demand Employee incentive Company policy 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% The majority of Test Managers believe that participating in the ISTQB certification scheme will positively impact testing quality in their projects (75%), and will enable them to provide positive career path to their employees (55%). Some Test Managers believe their company image will improve (30%) as a result of having their employees participate in the ISTQB certification. 21 ISTQB

17 As a Test Engineer, to what extent do you think the ISTQB CTFL certification will affect/improve your future? Your test skills High degree 34.2% Some degree 48,5% Low degree 17,3% Your career path High degree Some degree Low degree 19,9% 27.1% 53% Colleagues recognition High degree Some degree Low degree 13.1% 38,5% 48,4% The majority of respondents (82.7%) felt that ISTQB CTFL certification would improve their testing skills, strengthen their career Your income prospects (80.1%), and result in increased recognition from colleagues (61.5%). Almost half the respondents also High degree Some degree Low degree 8.8% 40,8% 50,4% felt that this might result in a salary increase. These results reflect the importance people see in ongoing skills development. 22 ISTQB

18 Would you recommend the ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL) certification to your colleagues? Test Engineers Yes No 9% 91% Both Test Engineers and Test Managers are highly satisfied with the ISTQB CTFL certifications and happy to recommend these to their colleagues (91% - Test Engineers, 94% - Test Managers). Test Managers Yes No 6% 94% 23 ISTQB

19 Would you recommend the ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL) certification to your colleagues? Test Engineers Geo analysis Yes No All North America Europe Asia Central + South America Africa Oceania 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% By industry Yes No All IT supliers Academia Government / Military IT users 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Predictions The high satisfaction rate of the ISTQB Foundation Level throughout industries and geographic areas will be a driving force in the continued growth of the ISTQB at a global level. The forthcoming extensions (like Agile, Model-Based Testing and more) are expected to meet further expectations. 24 ISTQB

20 To what extent do you feel the ISTQB Foundation Level certification exam reflects the knowledge of the candidates? Test Engineers Test Managers Reasonably well 63% Reasonably well 61% Partially well 23% Partially well 27% Not very well Not very well 6% 6% Exceedingly well Exceedingly well 8% 6% More than 70% of respondents regard the ISTQB Foundation Level certification exam as reliable and these results are consistent throughout the world. As a Test Manager, what percentage of your testing staff would you like to see certified at the ISTQB Foundation Level? 0% of staff certified 1-49% of staff certified 50-99% of staff certified 100% of staff certified Test Engineers 3% 9% 33% 55% Test Managers appear to see a high value in having their staff trained and certified. Around 88% of Test Managers would like to see more than half of their testing staff being certified at the ISTQB Foundation Level. On average, the desired number of certified staff is 75%. 25 ISTQB

21 27 ISTQB

22 ISTQB Effectiveness Survey ADVANCED LEVEL (CTAL) CERTIFICATION

23 How important do you think it is to obtain the ISTQB Advanced Level (CTAL) certification? Test Engineers Not significant at all Not very significant Neutral Significant Very Significant 4% 7% 26% 42% 21% Approximately 70% of Test Managers identified that it is important to obtain the Advanced Level Certification, and this was supported by 63% of Test Engineers. Test Managers Not significant at all Not very significant Neutral Significant Very Significant 2% 6% 22% 46% 24% 29 ISTQB

24 As a Test Engineer, do you plan to obtain the ISTQB Advanced Level certification? I already have the ISTQB Advanced Level certification No Unsure Yes 13% 14% 28% 45 % More than half of the respondents either hold or plan to obtain the ISTQB Advanced Level certification. This demonstrates the value that people see in ongoing learning and skills development. As a Test Manager, do you plan to obtain the ISTQB Advanced Level Test Management certification for yourself? I already have the ISTQB Advanced Level Management certification No Unsure Yes 36% 11% 18% 35 % Approximately 71% of respondents at the Test Management level hold or plan to obtain CTAL certification. This illustrates the increasing importance of skills development as people move through their careers. 30 ISTQB

25 As a Test Manager, what percentage of your testing staff would you like to see certified at the ISTQB Advanced Level? Almost all of the Test Managers surveyed would like to see ISTQB Advanced Level certified staff within their test team. Half of the respondents would like to have 26% or more of their staff certified at the advanced level. Clearly, there is a demand for advanced level certifications and we can expect that ISTQB Advanced Level certification will become as important in recruitment processes, as is the Foundation certification. 0% of staff certified 1-10% of staff certified 11-25% of staff certified 26-50% of staff certified 51-99% of staff certified 100% of staff certified 6% 16% 28% 31% 11% 8% 31 ISTQB

26 ISTQB Effectiveness Survey EXPERT LEVEL Do you plan to obtain an ISTQB Expert level certification in next 3 years? Test Engineers No Unsure Yes 26% 31% 43% More than 75% of respondents, spanning Test Engineers and Test Managers, are definitely or possibly interested in the expert level certifications. ISTQB is working to make training and exams available as soon as possible to meet expected demand. Test Managers No Unsure Yes 26% 35% 39% 32 ISTQB

27 ISTQB Effectiveness Survey AGILE TESTING CERTIFICATION Would you be interested in Agile testing certification? Test Engineers No Unsure Yes 15% 21% 64% Approximately 85% of the respondents are definitely of possibly interested in Agile testing certification. With the planned release in early 2014 of the Agile tester certification extension to the Foundation Level, ISTQB is well-positioned to respond to the expected demand. Test Managers No Unsure Yes 16% 21% 63% 33 ISTQB

28 Would you be interested in Agile testing certification? Geo analysis Yes Unsure No All North America Europe Asia Central + South America Africa Oceania 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 34 ISTQB

29 By industry Yes Unsure No All IT supliers Academia Government / Military IT users 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% There is a strong demand for Agile certification throughout the world and across all major industries. 35 ISTQB

30 ISTQB Effectiveness Survey ACCREDITED TRAINING Did you take a formally accredited training course the certification exam? before Test Engineers Yes No 36% 64% Test Managers Almost two thirds of respondents indicated that they had undertaken a formally accredited training course before sitting the certification exam. As the availability of accredited training courses across all ISTQB certification levels increases, we are expecting a corresponding increase in the number of ISTQB certifications. Yes No 36% 64% 36 ISTQB

31 How significant do you think the training was in your certification success? Test Engineers Very Insignificant Insignificant Neutral Significant Very Significant 4% 4% 24% 38% 30% Almost 70% of the survey participants felt that formal training was a significant part of their certification success. The ISTQB provides strong support for training providers and accredited training will continue to be an integral part of certification success. Test Managers Very Insignificant Insignificant Neutral Significant Very Significant 5% 6% 23% 43% 23% 37 ISTQB

32 38 ISTQB 39 ISTQB

33 ISTQB Effectiveness Survey TOPICS FOR THE FUTURE Please select at least 3 topics that you would like ISTQB to address in the future. Test Engineers Test Managers Testing for Mobile Devices (Smartphones, Tablets, GPS etc...) Performance testing Usability testing Test metrics Mobile applications testing Testing in Cloud Exploratory testing Testing in Finance Systems Integration Testing Off-shore, On-shore, Near-shore, Managing Distributed Teams Testing Telecommunications Testing ERP systems 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 40 ISTQB

34 In addition to Agile Testing (which was addressed by a specific question in the survey), Performance Testing, Testing for Mobile Devices, and Usability Testing have emerged as the most important topics in the industry. This finding was supported by both Test Managers and Test Engineers. These three mainstream topics will be considered by ISTQB as extensions to the current syllabi. Test Engineers Test Managers SOA testing Model based testing SAP-based applications testing TMMI in-depth Testing in safety critical domains (Avionics, Railway, Nuclear, etc...) Testing in Automotive Specification-based techniques in-depth Effective Reviews TPI-Next in-d epth Testing in Pharmaceutics / Medical Devices Component Testing TTCN Testing 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 41 ISTQB

35 ISTQB Effectiveness Survey CREDITS Coordinator of the Survey Yan Baron ISTQB Marketing Working Group Member, ITCB, imdsoft, Israel Main Contributors Alon Linetzki ISTQB Marketing Working Group, Partner Program & Agile Extension Lead, ITCB Best-Testing, Israel Gualtiero Bazzana ISTQB Marketing Working Group Chairman ITA-STQB Chairman Alten Italia Managing Director, Italy Koray Yitmen ISTQB Marketing Working Group Member, Turkish Testing Board, Keytorc Software Testing Services, Managing Partner, Turkey Luis Amaral ISTQB Marketing Working Group Vice-Chairman, Independent Consultant, PSTQB (Portugal)

36 Reviewers Michelle Horrobin ISTQB Marketing Working Group Member, United Kingdom Patricia McQuaid ISTQB Marketing Working Group Member, ASTQB (USA), California Polytechnic State University Thomas McCoy Marketing and Publicity Chairman of the Australia and New Zealand Testing Board. Graphic Merve Icoz Graphical Editing Okan Coskun Graphical Design

37 2014 ISTQB. Incorporated society 1990 Brussels Belgium No
On Oct. 10, less than a week after Hurricane Matthew ripped across Haiti, the United Nations launched an emergency appeal for $120 million. As of this report on Oct. 24, donors have failed to fill the need, contributing just over 20% of the funds deemed necessary. But whom is the money being raised for? What planning or coordination went in to the $120 million ask? Are donors right to be hesitant? An analysis of UN Financial Tracking Service data shows that the vast majority of the funds raised are destined for UN agencies or large, international NGOs. Reading press releases, government statements, and comments to the press, it would seem that many lessons have been learned after the devastating earthquake of 2010: the importance of coordinating with the government, of working with local institutions and organizations, of purchasing goods locally, and of building long-term sustainability in to an emergency response. But, as one Haitian government official posed it to me, we all learned the lessons, but have we found a solution? Based on the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) appeal, the answer is: not yet. Perhaps this should be of little surprise, the flash appeal is designed specifically to fund United Nations aid activities for the next three months, not to raise money for local organizations, the Haitian government, or for long-term, sustainable projects. But the analysis is nonetheless revealing. Funding Destined for UN and Foreign NGOs The appeal is largely based on individual projects from individual organizations and does not appear to have been launched with input from the Haitian government. As can be seen below, the vast majority of funding is destined for UN agencies. Looking at the above chart, one sees that 85% of the funding requested is for the UNs own agencies and that, of the $28 million provided so far, 79% has gone to these same entities. Of the remaining $17 million for other organizations, it is overwhelmingly allocated to large foreign NGOs such as CARE and Save the Children. Haitian organizations or institutions appear to have an extremely limited role in the appeal, if one at all. Importance of Coordination and Long-Term Sustainability There has also been an acknowledgment that more must be done to both coordinate with the Haitian government and the various actors on the ground and to focus earlier on in building long-term capacity. But the OCHA appeal does not have an emphasis on either. As can be seen, about 50% of the total requirement is for the food security, nutrition, and emergency agriculture sector. There is no doubt that agriculture production and food security are some of the largest concerns going forward, but most of these funds, $46 million, is for short-term food assistance through the World Food Program (WFP). On the other hand, just $9 million will go towards restoration of rural productive capacity. The WFP program has already received $7.4 million, while the restoration project has only received $800,000. Again, this is not to say that emergency food assistance is not needed, but it must be a part of longer-term sustainable projects to rebuild agriculture capacity as well. The OCHA appeal, while focusing on emergency needs, could also raise funds for needed capacity building. Funds from donors and private individuals come mostly after a disaster, but if all the money raised simply goes to emergency needs, there is nothing left to build for the long term when donor funds will be even scarcer. Coordination and support services, on the other hand, is only the target of 1.2% of the overall appeal. However, this appears to be one of the most significant bottle necks in the distribution of assistance right now in Haiti. The Haitian government has pledged to take the lead in coordinating the international and local response, but lacks the necessary capacity  or willingness from donors  to make that a reality. The OCHA appeal does attempt to raise funds to support the governments coordination efforts, but only $193,000, and that would go through the UN Development Program. That project remains 0 percent funded as of now. In fact, despite the low targets for the sector, no funding has thus been channeled in to this important area. On his visit to Haiti last week, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed disappointment with donors, who had yet to commit funds. I know there is some fatigue from certain countries, but the current situation, the current disaster that hit this country through Hurricane Matthew is beyond description, he said. The United Nations stands by your side. We will mobilize all resources to help you, Ban continued. Speaking on Oct. 23 directly to donor governments, Ban once again criticized the slow response, saying We urgently need more resources. Provisional president of Haiti Jocelerme Privert struck a slightly different tone in his remarks with Ban in mid-October: There will always be hurricanes, there will always be catastrophes. We need concrete actions to mitigate the damage from the next hurricanes that have not hit yet, he said. Those are the types of actions that failed to materialize after the 2010 earthquake and that do not appear to be addressed through this latest UN appeal for funds. Everyone learned the lessons, but Haiti still needs solutions. *Flash Appeal funding data is as of Oct. 21, 2016. An earlier version of this article was originally published on the Haiti: Relief and Reconstruction Watch blog of the Center for Economic and Policy Research.
Transcription

1 Portugal Drinking Water Quality Regulatory Model By Luis Simas (The Water and Waste Services Regulation Authority of Port u- gal) Abstract Twenty years ago the Portuguese legal framework for drinking water quality could only guarantee 50% of safe water, with the remaining supply being beyond authorities control or in violation of national standards. Between the years 1993 and 2004, the coverage of safe water for drinking increased to 84%. However, this was still far from excellent drinking water quality as defined by international standards (99% of safe water coverage). To pursue this goal, a new regulatory model for drinking water quality was established based on the European Drinking Water Directive 98/83/CE. Ten years after its implementation, safe water coverage in Portugal has reached 98% and new tools like water safety plans are being implemented to achieve 99% coverage. Context Before the Drinking Water Directive 98/83/EC (DWD) was integrated into national legislation, drinking water regulations in Portugal were part of a law that included the whole urban water cycle (water sources, drinking water and wastewater) as well as other water uses (drinking water, bathing waters and water for agriculture and fish production). The legal framework in Portugal distributed the responsibility of assuring safe drinking water among several public entities, including the Environment and Health Ministries. Consequently, independent monitoring and inter-ministerial coordination proved difficult. The implementation of the DWD provided an opportunity to modify the Portuguese drinking water regulatory model to obtain a good level of efficacy and efficiency in regulation compliance. One of the first changes was to ensure that the responsibility for coordination and surveillance of the new framework were under one institution: The Water and Waste Services Regulation Authority (). It was also decided that drinking water suppliers were responsible for official drinking water quality control, besides usual operational monitoring., as the national drinking water authority, had to create and implement the mechanisms and tools to ensure all suppliers complied with the new regulations. This was achieved by requiring all drinking water suppliers to prepare a Drinking Water Quality Control Plan (DWQCP) to assure all legal requirements were fulfilled on an annual basis. was also responsible for ensuring legal compliance with drinking water quality regulations. The authority created a team of inspectors to verify the on-site implementation of the DWQCPs. In addition, was enabled to control and check the technical capability of laboratories to analyse drinking water. The role of health authorities also needed to be defined, as the mandate given to only focused on the environment. The new legislation provided health authorities to undertake sanitary surveillance, complementing drinking water operator monitoring and official quality control. The health authorities are now also in charge of the risk analysis of any non-compliance. This means determining occurrences of human 1

2 health risks and the procedures to minimize or eliminate them. The implementation of this new legal framework with effective sanctions and improved technical knowledge has been the path to securing improved drinking water quality and, as a result, better protection of human health in Portugal. Analysis Several measures were implemented to achieve safe drinking water while complying with regulations. After became the national drinking water authority, a specialized team with different professional backgrounds (laboratories, water treatment and drinking water companies) was created to develop and implement the new drinking water quality regulatory cycle. The Drinking Water Quality Regulatory Cycle Figure 1 shows the detailed steps of the Portuguese Drinking Water Quality Regulatory Cycle Figure 1 The Portuguese Drinking Water Quality Regulator Right-of-reply by the utilities August to September Validation & processing of the results by April to September Reception of the final results by March Reporting by October Penalties to the utility by when appropriate Utility Assessment specification by September Random inspection to the utility by Random inspection to laboratories by Water quality regulation Preparation of the DWQCP by the utility September Approval of the DWQCP by October to December Execution of the DWQCP by the utility January to December Consumer supported by an approved DWQCP that must be implemented by drinking water operators. The implementation of the DWQCP is verified by the drinking water team in and the final results of the drinking water quality control are submitted to for the annual report. Inspections are completed on a routine basis. Verification of the DWQCP implementation is supported by two main elements: First, the Portuguese legislation allows to penalise drinking water operators not implementing the approved DWQCP. This means if the operator is not in compliance with the regulations, there are means to enforce compliances to guarantee human health is protected. Secondly, during the inspection, besides confirmation of the legal requirements, the inspectors routinely visit the supply system (water sources, water treatment plants, reservoirs, pumping stations, etc.). After these visits, technical recommendations are sent to the drinking water operator to enable the improvement of supply system performance. Inspections are undertaken on a routine basis. Each step of the Portuguese Drinking Water Quality Regulatory Cycle requiring the exchange of information between and the drinking water operators (submission and approval of the DWQCP, reception, validation and right of reply of drinking water quality control results and reporting) is completed through a web information management system ( Portal). The new drinking water quality regulation model defined and implemented by the authority was made available to the relevant stakeholders in order to facilitate communication and exchange of information. To make these regulations clearly understood by all, the following measures were taken: Training sessions throughout the country on the national legislation and the web management system. Creation of a forum in the Portal to discuss all issues related to the regulation of drinking water quality, daily technical problems, or the application of tools available in the Portal. 2

3 Each inspector has a defined group of drinking water suppliers for which he/she is responsible. The inspector has the obligation to provide clarifications and answer questions. These clarifications can be made by phone, or an official letter. Communication of drinking water quality non-compliances Another important tool of the Portuguese Drinking Water Quality Control Regulatory Cycle is the web based communication system to record non-compliance. According to Portuguese law, every drinking water supplier has 24 hours to communicate any non-compliance. The warning is sent through the Portal tool, which enables immediate evaluation by and health authorities. Additionally, the drinking water supplier must report causes, remedial actions and their results (to evaluate their efficacy). The Drinking Water Quality Control Laboratories Reliability of drinking water quality control is essential to guarantee the correct decisions when data is analysed. Consequently, also implemented a technical evaluation system for laboratories as a transitional step to the ISO accreditation enforcement. During this transition period, a list of recognised laboratories was published on the official website. Laboratories included in this list are the only ones allowed to perform quality control analyses for the verification of compliance with drinking water quality requirements. As of January 1 st 2010, the ISO accreditation is mandatory in Portugal, meaning that this list only contains laboratories in compliance with this requirement. The identification of key problems in drinking water quality To establish a strategy to improve drinking water quality and make regulations work, it was also essential to identify key problems. Only familiarity with the sector allows the correct identification of corrective measures. This aspect is of particular importance when defining priorities. started the analysis of all available data in order to determine which parameters were in a critical status at a national level. The next step was to identify the causes for this (natural contamination of water source, lack of treatment, inefficiency of treatment, lack of human knowledge, etc.). The latter was achieved by visiting drinking water suppliers to understand if they were aware of the problems, how to address them, and if any action was being taken. It was then possible to develop technical documents to support capacity building of the water operators, including: Technical recommendations for disinfection: microbiological non-compliances were a major problem because of the absence or inefficiency of disinfection. Technical recommendations for correcting ph: ph non-compliances made up about 40% of all Portuguese noncompliance incidents, which meant it was important to correct this problem. This was not only for health reasons, but to guarantee that drinking water does not affect the supply system materials. Technical recommendations for iron, manganese and arsenic treatment: these chemical parameters are critical in certain areas of Portugal and are related to soil geological characteristics. Technical recommendations for sampling procedure: sampling drinking water is a critical step when comparing results, so procedures have been standardized. Technical guide on operational monitoring: this guide promoted preventive control of drinking water as a first approach to Water Safety Plans. Technical guide on drinking water quality control: this guide provided a review of several aspects related to drinking water quality control, clarifying what are the legal enforcements, how to build a DWQCP, how to deal with laboratories 3

4 (selection, sampling procedure,...), how to react to non-compliance incidents, good practices in operational monitoring or reservoir maintenance, the definition of a Water Safety Plan and how to deal with consumers complaints. Cooperation with other entities The implementation of the Drinking Water Quality Regulatory Cycle always requires the definition of cooperation mechanisms with other entities in the sector. The Portuguese case emphasised the need for cooperation with health authorities, drinking water suppliers and their associations, municipalities and their associations, the accreditation body, and the laboratories and their associations. It was also important to establish cooperation mechanisms with agriculture authorities (pesticides, for instance) or food safety authorities (for water used in the food industry). International networking Participation in international meetings, namely those which provided a platform to discuss common problems (for example, RegNet, END- WARE or Protocol for Water and Health) has been fundamental in learning from experiences of the most developed countries as well as establishing a network of contacts. For Portugal, these international contacts were essential for the development of Water Safety Plans and a National Approval Scheme for Products in contact with Drinking Water projects. Figure 2 The evolution of safe drinking water in Portugal Lessons Learned The implementation of the measures and procedures described above led Portugal to significantly improve their drinking water quality, as shown in Figure 2. Currently, two percent of drinking water does not comply with quality requirements, and even in these cases, non-compliances underwent risk analysis by health authorities and. The regulatory model described has been responsible for results since 2004, showing efficacy in improving drinking water quality. A high level of stakeholder engagement was essential to implement drinking water regulations. This engagement was only made possible in Portugal because all relevant stakeholders participated in the implementation of the new drinking water quality regulatory model. For example, drinking water suppliers are essential stakeholders for the elaboration of technical guidance since they have the practical expertise. 4

5 Figure 3 Percentage of safe water in Portugal in 2003 and 2013 (green - above 99%, yellow - between 95% and 99% and red - below 95%) Conclusion The maps in Figure 3 illustrate the results of the national strategy for improving drinking water quality in the last ten years. This is the result of collaboration and dedication amongst stakeholders to comply with a regulatory model developed through independent regulation and implementation, clear guidance and commitment to protect human health. The near future of ensuring drinking water quality in Portugal is through the national implementation of the water safety planning approach and the application of a certification scheme for all products in contact with drinking water. 5
Published on 2016/11/02 | Source

Film director Bong Joon-ho will be awarded the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres medal, one of France's highest artistic honors.

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Making his directorial debut in 1993, he has build up a reputation at home and overseas with films like "The Host", "Mother - 2009" and "Snowpiercer".

He is the second Korean to earn the honor after veteran actress Yoon Jung-hee, who was honored in 2011.

Bong will receive the award at the opening ceremony of the French Cinema Tour in Seoul on Nov. 10.
By William Schwartz | Published on 2016/11/01

At long last, Soo has left the palace. From there she...hangs out at a new house for awhile, enjoys some flashbacks, and then dies while King Gwangjong sulks like a grumpy teenager. Hilariously bad communication brings everything to an unnecessarily tragic end. Last-minute revelations end up affecting pretty much nothing, since the extended epilogue is just more flashbacks set to sad music. In short, this is about everything we could have reasonably expected from the finale of "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo".

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If I have to pick any one big disappointment in this drama, it would be Prince So. In early episodes he was brutal, yet competent and determined. A clear compelling argument could be made that Prince So was the prince who should be king. Yet as time went on, and especially when Prince So finally became King Gwangjong, he never actually did anything. As King Gwangjong, Prince So actually managed to obsess more about Soo than he used to, even though the man had vastly more critical covereign reponsibilities.

Prince Wook also stands out as a character who really got the shaft. We got an impressive turnaround at the midway point where Prince Wook took on some darker qualities in the name of ambition, yet by the end Prince Wook is so completely out of the loop on the latest royal conspiracies that he legitimately looks baffled upon being informed that in the long run his victory is assured. After all, there is no sunshine in the world anymore now that Soo is gone, so why bother trying?

Soo is...well, while I didn't really dislike her in the end as much as I was expecting, I'm continuously struck by how she has never had any sort of real overarching goal. One episode she backs off from Prince So completely, the next she's head over heels, and I swear it feels like this happens every single episode. Their relationship has no stability or growth, so there's no particular impetus for it to continue save for inertia and nostalgia.

Which is a pretty accurate summation, I think, of "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" as a whole. The only way I can make sense of the plot is to remind myself that the original Chinese version was forty episodes long and presumably had enough time to flesh out the various storylines. Although even that's no excuse for the drama to rely so excessively on flashback. This is what unearned catharsis looks like, and it's why "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" is such a disappointment.

Review by William Schwartz

"Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" is directed by Kim Kyoo-tae, written by Jo Yoon-yeong and features Lee Joon-gi, Lee Ji-eun, Kang Ha-neul, Hong Jong-hyun, Nam Joo-hyuk, Baekhyun and Ji Soo.
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5 1 Q : Has revoking the availability of KCPL's All-Electric/Space-Heating Rates altered 2 the financial impact of your commitments? 3 A : Yes, it has. As stated, the current example is a company daycare facility. The daycare is 4 provided as a service to Associates working for the company and Associates pay a cost of 5 operation of the daycare. The remaining costs are absorbed by the company as overhead 6 expense which is a financial impact company wide. 7 Q : What would you recommend that the Commission do? 8 A : The Commission should grant KCPL's request for a waiver to permit my company to 9 receive service under KCPL's All-Electric/Space-Heating Rates. In this particular case, 10 KCPL inadvertently missed this rate commitment prior to end of 07 even though service 11 was in place and as a result we are paying a penalty for this mistake. It is further 12 recommended that an all electric rate credit be applied retroactive to the promised service 13 start date. 14 Q : Does this conclude your testimony? 15 A : Yes, it does.

4 I Q : What is the purpose of your testimony? 2 A : The purpose of my testimony is to describe the impact on my company of the 3 Commission's decision to limit the availability of KCPL's general service all-electric 4 tariffs and separately-metered space heating rates ("All-Electric/Space-Heating Rates") to 5 those customers receiving service under that rate as of January 1, Q : Was your company receiving electric service under KCPL's All-Electric/Space- 7 Heating Rates on January 1, 2008? 8 A : Yes, it was 9 Q : Absent the Commission's decision to limit the availability of KCPL's All- 10 Electric/Space-Heating Rates would your company qualify for such rates? 11 A : Yes, we would. In fact, we made financial decisions based on our qualification for 12 KCPL's All-Electric/Space-Heating Rates. 13 Q : Please describe the financial decisions or commitments your company made based 14 upon the assumed availability of KCPL's All-Electric/Space-Heating Rates. 15 A : Based upon previous successful projects of this nature and a recognized savings impact, 16 we completed a specific study to prove savings between an all electric rate and 17 gas/electric service when designing a daycare facility near our new South Campus. 18 Based on this study, it was decided to remove existing gas service, re-size existing 19 electrical service based on the outcome of this information. Decisions were also made in 20 equipment selection and type of equipment based on this assumed service rate. This 21 change will also cause us to re-assess future decisions of this nature since the all electric 22 rate has become a standard to work towards based on multiple projects previously 23 completed.

3 DIRECT TESTIMONY OF KEVIN COUNTRYMAN Case No. EE Q : Please state your name and business address. 2 A : My name is Kevin Countryman. My business address is 2800 Rockcreek Parkway, 3 Kansas City, MO Q : By whom and in what capacity are you employed? 5 A : I am employed by Cerner Corporation as Senior Facility Manager. 6 Q : What are your responsibilities? 7 A : My general responsibilities include all facilities related operational functions for Kansas 8 City area owned and leased properties, support of national and global leased properties 9 and construction management for Cerner Corporation. 10 Q : Please describe your education, experience and employment history. 11 A : High school graduate with multiple industry specific certifications. I have been involved 12 in property operations and management on multiple levels for 27 years. 10 years in 13 Kansas City for Cerner Corporation and 17 years in high rise commercial property 14 management in Minneapolis Minnesota. More than half of this time has involved energy 15 related responsibilities including rate negotiations, energy management, and energy 16 efficiency review. 17 Q : Have you previously testified in a proceeding at the MPSC or before any other 18 utility regulatory agency? 19 A : No, I have not.

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Caldwell Commits Then Fails to Show to Debate

News Release from www.Djou.com

(October 31, 2016, Honolulu, Hawaii) - The Filipino Press Club of Hawaii hosted a mayoral debate this morning. Both the Caldwell and Djou campaigns committed to this debate last week. This morning, however, only Charles Djou actually appeared at the debate.

"There is a clear difference in this mayoral campaign between continuing with the status quo under Caldwell and our campaign of positive change to fix rail, reduce homelessness and restore ethics," stated Djou. "I am not afraid to explain our campaign's vision for the future of Honolulu at a forum like the Filipino Press Club. The people have called for more debates between the mayoral candidates and I agree."

The Filipino Press Club President, Rick Agnes, stated that the Caldwell campaign committed to attending this event, and even confirmed the Mayor's participation when asked this past Friday, but failed to appear.

On October 7th, Caldwell called for more debates between himself and Djou. Djou promptly agreed that more debates were needed. Since Caldwell's public call for debates, the mayor has refused to appear at multiple mayoral debates and forums:

On October 12th, Djou appeared, but Caldwell did not attend, the Maunawili and Olomana Community Associations' candidate forum;

On October 21st, Djou appeared, but Caldwell did not attend the Olelo mayoral debate. (Caldwell had also been offered an Olelo debate date October 12th or 14th, but declined to accept those dates either.)

On October 29th, KPRP radio hosted a mayoral candidate forum. Djou appeared, but Caldwell did not attend.

Today, the Filipino Press Club hosted a live mayoral debate to also be re-broadcasted on KHPR radio. Djou attended, but Caldwell refused to appear after committing to attend.

Tomorrow, Djou will appear on KHVH radio. Caldwell has declined to attend this radio forum.

---30---

Charles Djou is running for Mayor of Honolulu. He represented Hawaii's 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House and previously served on the Honolulu City Council and Hawaii State House. Djou is an Army Reservist and Afghanistan war veteran. He is married to Stacey Kawasaki Djou and together they have three children.
TO: All Media Outlets FROM: Dennis Mitsunaga DATE: 10/31 /16 http://savehonolulu.org/ The following are answers to anticipated questions from the media regarding my participation in the Save Our City LLC generated by filing of the Campaign Spending Report filed on October 31, 2016. The Beginning The idea to form Save Our City LLC was originated by my friend, Sarah Houghtailing. She was initially motivated to take action when she found out that Kirk Caldwell was paying only $100 per year on his $4 million Manoa Estate while she was struggling to pay the full property tax on her newly built home. She felt that it was grossly unfair that She, a mother with 5 children and a dependent parent, had to pay the full amount of property tax while Caldwell was taking advantage of a loop hole that only the wealthy can benefit from. She felt that, in her words, Caldwell is a "greedy guy" and was not fit to be our Mayor. As she continued to follow Caldwell and his many mishaps in dealing with the Rail Project, she came to the conclusion that he will raise the property taxes after the election to pay for the massive cost overruns and the $39.3 million lost annually by the Court's recent ruling against Caldwell's proposal to raise taxes on Residential A properties (Star Advertiser 10/19/16). After reading about the structural defects in the Rail Guide structure reported in the Star Advertiser on September 30, 2016, she is now concerned about the safety of her children should they ride on the Rail years from now. She expressed this to Hawaii News Now reporter Rick Dasog in her interview with him but he never reported it, instead he FALSELY reported she is Anti-Rail. This really upset her and confirmed what she believed all along, that the media is grossly dishonest and biased heavily in favor of Caldwell. She is PRO-RAIL and wants to see the Rail constructed properly and safely all the way to Ala Moana Center. MY INVOLVEMENT WITH THE PAC: Sarah's original intent in forming a PAC was to make it a grass roots effort with many small contributions, but I convinced her that it would be a waste of time and a futile effort. I told her that unions supporting Caldwell would pump in large amounts of money to flood the airways with Caldwell propaganda, like how they smeared Ben Cayetano in 2012. Plus she will be fighting an uphill battle against the biased media, namely Hawaii News Now (HNN) and the Star Advertiser (SA). I convinced her to file the PAC as a Super Pac so I could help by contributing whatever I could afford to without worrying about the $4,000 per person restriction of a regular PAC. Why Did I Contribute As Much As I Did To The PAC? I contributed the amount that I did because: 1) It would have been hard for Sarah to get contributions from other businesses or professional people because of their fear of retaliation from Caldwell and his Kitchen Cabinet. 2) I firmly believe that Caldwell is UNQUALIFIED AND UNFIT to serve as Mayor. 3) Level the playing field in what small way I could to offset the biased reporting, and NON-REPORTING, of the Star Advertiser (SA) and Hawaii News Now (HNN). Reasons Why I Believe Kirk Caldwell Is Unqualified and Unfit to Serve Another Term as Mayor: In addition to Caldwell's misdeeds documented in SAVEHONOLULU.ORG website (Mismanagement of Rail, Moonlighting, Evasion of property taxes, Insufficient payment into Retiree's pension fund, Harry Mattson), I believe that he should also take responsibility for the following issues: 1. Repayment of $16 million in Housing Grants Back to HUD: According to Civil Beat Article on 9/20/16 by Anita Hofschneider titled "HONOLULU MAY HAVE TO PAY $16 MILLION FOR MISUSE OF HOUSING GRANTS", the City may have to pay nearly $16 million back to HUD for allegedly wasting federal grant money from 2012 to 2015. The article goes on to say that "A federal audit slams the City for "dysfunction. inefficiency" on its administration of Community Development Block Grant funds", and also that "The audit found that the City approved nearly $16 million in questionable expenditures". Two of the "questionable" expenditures were the granting by Caldwell of $10 million to fund the Hibiscus Hill Apartments and $2.9 million for the Kaneohe Elderly Apartments. Questions to Ask: a. Was proper procurement (HRS 103D-304) followed in selecting the recipients of these grants. b. Was any member of Caldwell's campaign given any of the block grants? Note that this Civil Beat article was not covered in both the Star Advertiser (SA) and Hawaii News Now (HNN). 2. DJOU's Ethics Commission Complaint that Caldwell Lied About His Bank Compensation: According to a Civil Beat Article on 10/21/16 by Anita Hofschneider, Djou filed an Ethics Complaint that Caldwell lied on financial disclosure form about the value of his stock in Territorial Savings Bank. a. Caldwell reported owning Territorial Bank Stock valued between $900,000 and $999,000; However, the bank's April, 2016 stockholders' proxy statement shows that Caldwell owned 72,997 bank shares including 34,395 stock options worth $1.9 million when he filed his financial disclosure. The Mayor was supposed to report all ownerships or beneficial interests having a value of $5,000 or more. b. Caldwell's campaign claims that stock options do not count as having any value until they are exercised, but financial expert Dale Kobayashi says that according to IRS Topic 427, stock options do count as taxable income even if not specifically exercised. Dale Kobayashi is the son of Council Woman Ann Kobayashi and was the Chief Investment Officer for First Hawaiian Bank. He is also a CPA and a Yale University graduate. If Dale Kobayashi is correct, then Caldwell may have evaded State and Federal taxes on all the stock options he has received to date. c. According to a 2015 Territorial Savings stockholders' proxy statement (see SaveHonolulu.org website), as of 8/18/15, Caldwell had 87,355 shares of stocks and stock options worth $1,732,055 based upon a stock price of $28.03 per share and an exercise price of $17.36. Of the 87,355 shares, 33,020 shares are stock options with a value of $352,323 (33,020 shares X $28.03-$17.36). If Caldwell subtracts the stock options worth $352,323 from the total value of $1,732,055, he still has a total stock portfolio of $1,379,732, which is much greater than the $900,000 to $999,000 he reported. This means that Djou is right in his Complaint. Caldwell LIED on his Ethics Disclosure Form. d. Every newscast or news article, ends with the phrase "but Chuck Totto said two years ago that there was no conflict in Caldwell serving on the Banks board". When Totto made that statement he probably did not know that Caldwell received over $2 million worth of stock and stock options FOR FREE!! e. This article was not printed in the SA, except for a brief story on line by Gordon Pang. This story was glazed "over" in the HNN news cast with emphasis on 'Totto found no conflict two years ago with Caldwell serving on the Territorial Savings Board". Media Bias- Hawaii News Now and Star Advertiser: The media bias exhibited by Hawaii News Now (HNN) and the Star Advertiser (SA) is very obvious and many, many people comment about it. Any news that may be detrimental to Caldwell's campaign is not covered in the SA or HNN, like the $16 million Housing Grant and Ethics complaint stories. 1. On Friday, 10/28/16, Peter Carlisle called a press conference to say that Djou's ethics complaint regarding Caldwell lying on his disclosure form should be referred to the prosecutors or the U.S. attorney. This important press release by a former Prosecutor and Mayor, was not covered by the SA and HNN, in fact, HNN didn't even show up. 2. On Sunday, 10/30/16, in the interest of Public Safety, I wrote and published in the SA an article titled "WILL THE RAIL BE SAFE TO TRAVEL ON?" It was an effort on my part as a Structural Engineer to inform the public of the possibility of a catastrophic failure of the Rail Guideway Structure if the project continues on the same track that it is now. It also discusses the liability the City may have to bear because of State's 10 year Statute of Repose on Latent Defects. Instead of placing my article in a prominent place like the Caldwell ads, the SA BURIED" it next to the "Vital Statistics, Marriage Licenses and Birth Certificates", even though I paid $17,000 of my own money to make the public aware of this important problem. I believe that the SA did this because the article makes Caldwell look bad, adding to his mounting problems regarding his Rail boondoggle. It is my hope that in the future, both the HNN and SA can put politics aside and service the public by reporting on this issue accurately with no censorship, and question Caldwell how he plans to deal with the State's 10 year Statute of Repose on Latent Defects (if it is applicable to this project). MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS: 1. NO, I am not ANTI-RAIL. I supported Ben Cayetano in the last mayoral election only because he is my friend, and very few people (of any financial substance) were supporting him. Being a Consulting Engineer and General Contractor, I am naturally PRO-RAIL. My family company has been in the Carpenters Union for over 50 years. 2. I never met Charles Djou before this election. I was introduced to Charles by his father, SK Djou, a Geotechnical (Foundation) Engineer. With me being a Structural Engineer, SK and I worked on many projects together here in Honolulu. Thank you for this opportunity to submit this narrative to you. It was written in the hopes of minimizing any misunderstandings related to Save Our City LLC and the Campaign Spending Report. If you have one or two questions that you may want to ask of me, please submit them to me in writing and I'll try to respond in writing within 24 hours. I will not be able to respond to any questions asked of me at 3 p.m. and requiring an answer before your 4 p.m. deadline. POSTED ON LINE ON: SAVEHONOLULU.ORG PDF: Star Adv Advert
By Jesse Wood

The Watauga County Sheriffs Office is still investigating a midnight altercation on Saturday at 310 Martin Lane in Boone that involved two weapons, a knife and a wooden stick, according to Capt. Dee Dee Rominger.

Its still under investigation and we havent been able to talk to everyone involved, Rominger said on Tuesday. We arent giving a lot out at this point.

Aside from the weapons involved, Rominger said that three males and two females were involved in the altercation. Two of the males were injured and were airlifted outside of the county by Wings Air Rescue to a regional hospital.

According to a shift report, deputies arrived on the scene to find one male with several knife wounds lying on the ground and one male that was unconscious lying in the roadway with an apparent head injury.

According to one page of the incident report filed by Deputy Matt Rollins and provided by Rominger, an offender forcibly entered residence and assaulted those within.

Crimes that occurred, according to document, are as follows: breaking and entering, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to inflict injury and assault on a female.

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Watauga High Schools honors acting troupe, the Pioneer Playmakers, carried the programs long history of excellence into another year at the North Carolina Theater Conferences High School Play Festival. The group earned a Superior rating for their show Mea Culpa, and secured the opportunity to perform at the state level festival.

The Playmakers, co-directed by WHS drama teachers Sarah Miller and Zach Walker, represented one of two schools chosen from a field of 16 at the regional play festival that will now advance to the state level.

Across North Carolina, 90 schools fielded 124 productions, 16 of which were chosen to perform at the state show.

Mea Culpa, an original piece written by the Playmakers, is the 18th production the troupe has advanced to the state festival since 1988.

Miller said the show  a drama set in the Cold War backdrop of 1962 East Berlin  uses parallel dialogue and blocking to explore how the setting informed the lives of different families in different ways at the time.

There is a lot of parallel movement and dialogue in the piece, Miller said. There might be a scene where a family over here has dialogue that is repeated almost verbatim by another family, but with completely different meaning.

Miller said in choosing the formative years of the Cold War as a setting, the Playmakers hoped to explore concepts that arent bound by time, ones that still exist years after the end of the period  making the right choice even when it is difficult.

WHS Senior and second-year Playmaker Rachel Sabo-Hedges said, while the setting offered an opportunity to explore a compelling time period with less prominence in history classes, there were marked challenges and rewards that came with putting together an original show.

Ill be honest, when Sarah Miller told us that we were writing a show for NCTC, I got extremely nervous, Sabo-Hedges said. At the beginning I did not trust the process at all  I was very skeptical  but at regionals, I felt so good about our performance. Even if we didnt get to state I would have been so satisfied with our work, where it led us and all of the topics that we were able to cover.

Sabo-Hedges cast mate, senior and second-year Playmaker Collin Linville said writing, producing and performing Mea Culpa was one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.

Ive probably never felt more accomplished about something than writing this show, Linville said. Not just writing it, but performing it and then being validated for the work we did.

Linville said, at its heart, Mea Culpa was a show about choices.

The show is a lot about decisions  the choices that people make in life and how they affect others, Linville said. But its also about this loss of innocence that we see all over the world today, and how people who are just standing by are affected by each others actions.

Watauga County Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Elliott said the Playmakers success at NCTC is a product of the troupes talent, ability and commitment to excellence.

Mea Culpa represents an incredible amount of hard work, skill and dedication on the part of the Playmakers, Elliott said. Their Superior rating at NCTC is a reflection of that commitment and I am incredibly proud of them. We wish them the best as they go on to represent Watauga County Schools at the state play festival.

The Playmakers will host an additional performance of Mea Culpa at WHS Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. The $5 admission will go towards funding the groups trip the state theater festival in Greensboro Nov. 17-18.

The Playmakers received the following accolades at NCTC:

Excellence in Acting for Collin Linnville

Excellence in Design and Production in Sound Design for Israel Rosenfeld

Outstanding Achievement in Design and Production for Lighting Design and Stage Management for Rose Trew

Outstanding Achievement in Ensemble Acting

Excellence in Directing for Sarah Miller and Zach Walker

Superior Rating for the production

Audience Choice Award for Distinguished Play

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Let's start with a guest post from Janet Garrett, a progressive retired school teacher taking on far right extremist Jim Jordan in Ohio's very gerrymandered deep red 4th district, carefully drawn to avoid "the contagion" of Cleveland, Dayton, Columbus and Toledo. Most of the voters live in Lorain (the most Democratic county in the district, where Janet is way ahead), Allen, Sandusky, Union, Shelby and Auglaize counties. I asked Janet to write a brief issue-oriented compare and contrast guest post that explains how replacing Jordan with her would impact that contentious battle over health care in the U.S. Her post:

As I have traveled around campaigning to represent Ohios 4th-district, it never ceases to amaze me how opposite my opponent Jim Jordan and I are on key issues that deeply affect our citizens.





People tell me theyre worried about health care. Jim Jordan has voted against Obamacare 52 times without once mentioning something, anything, he would propose to replace it.





I see things differently. Obamacare has had some valid successes. Because of Obamacare, you can no longer be denied coverage for preexisting conditions. Actually, because of Obamacare, you can no longer be denied insurance coverage at all. Because of Obamacare, children can stay on their parents coverage until age 26. These changes in Americas health care system have benefited millions.





Does Obamacare need improved? Yes, of course. Any new program does. Premiums need to stay affordable and more people As a matter of fact, I wish Obamacare would morph right into a single-payer system so that all Americans could have peace of mind, as do the citizens of Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom, when it comes to their health care.





My ultimate desire is that all citizens, right down to our legislators, have the same Universal Health Care program so that we are all taken care of, one and all. Why should legislators have benefits that their own constituents cannot access? Politicians shouldnt have a better insurance policy than the constituents they represent.





People also tell me they are greatly worried about their Medicare and Social Security benefits. Jordan has been rated 0% by the ARA and supports Wall Street/corporate privatization of both Medicare and Social Security. It frustrates me greatly that the current congressman supports corporate greed that would harm the delivery of benefits Americans have earned and deserved. I will fight for Medicare and Social Security and will to not let people like Jim Jordan plunge our seniors, like my own parents, into poverty by defunding their imperative Medicare and Social Security lifelines.





We could go on and on with the differences between Jim Jordan and myself. He voted NO on raising the minimum wage and equal pay for women. Obviously, I support equal pay for women and support raising the minimum wage so that working families can get ahead. Jordan voted to defund Planned Parenthood. I believe women must make their own important life decisions without the intrusion of politicians. Jim Jordan homeschools his own children and supports giving tax dollars to alternative education corporations that take funds away from public schools. As a retired public school teacher, I feel strongly that taxpayer dollars should be used to invest in the public schools in our communities and not to support private or profiteering alternatives that waste millions of taxpayer dollars.





I have been doing a lot of canvassing throughout the district. I recently spent two days in Lima. I canvassed millionaires, middle class and some of the poorest people I have seen outside of my Peace Corps experience. If my opponent had been walking by my side, (which he wouldn't) he would have seen undeserving, lazy people who in his words, should get help from their churches and their families. For my part, I know the families and the churches are already doing all they can. I saw people who have been let down by their country, for lack of opportunity and in the cases of the mentally ill, for lack of resources. As a public school teacher, I feel a responsibility to get every American the opportunity and resources they need to thrive. This doesn't mean a hand-out but a hand-up.

On and on we can go. On issue after issue, Universal Health Care; Medicare and Social Security; Wages; Womens Health; Workers Rights; Education; Jobs; Healthcare; etc., Jim Jordan and I can be found on opposite sides of the spectrum.





However, there is one area in which Jim Jordan and I agree. We both want to represent Ohios fourth congressional district and fight for the issues we believe in.





The question is, which opponent aligns with the issues YOU believe in?
Regional nerve blocks are ideally suited to a range of procedures, from trauma surgery to orthopaedics. A regional block can be used as a standalone procedure for ambulatory surgery, or in combination with a general anaesthetic to provide post-operative pain relief. Ultrasound guidance is vital to perform efficient and effective regional anaesthesia, and I have been using this technique in my own practice for trauma and orthopaedics, particularly hand surgery, for over 12 years.

Around 10 years ago, two doctors from Kumasi came to Ulm to undertake their specialist training in general anaesthesia, which included using point-of-care (POC) ultrasound to guide vascular access and regional blocks. Not surprisingly, they saw huge potential for using ultrasound guidance in their hospitals back in Ghana. Kumasi itself is a large city with a population of more than two million and there are comparatively high numbers of trauma cases  the result of inferior road systems and working conditions  with patients frequently driven to hospital by relatives or by taxi. Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia and vascular access would be hugely beneficial for doctors in a developing country, allowing more rapid, safer procedures with faster recovery times and fewer complications.

Soon after their return to Ghana, I visited KATH and held a small workshop as a starting point. Many of the doctors in the region are highly motivated, but lack the resources to implement this technology and so, together with our colleagues in Kumasi, we were keen to develop a local teaching programme and centre for ultrasound-guided procedures. We were able to gain the support of EKFS, which generously funded both the purchase of two robust point-of-care ultrasound systems for KATH and a training course for local doctors.

A group of five specialist trainers  myself, Dr. Wolfgang Stahl and Dr. Alexander Dinse from Ulm, Dr. Oliver Vicent from the University of Dresden, and Dr. Gernot Gorsewski from the Landeskrankenhaus Feldkirch in Austria  spent a week running this course in Kumasi, and it was very well attended. There were over 30 delegates, not just from Kumasi, but also from the Ghanaian capital of Accra and further afield, including doctors from the Lebanon, Nigeria and Cameroon. We covered a number of basic ultrasound-guided procedures during the course, but focused on regional nerve blocks and venous access, as these are the most widely applicable techniques. The course was set up to be predominantly hands-on training, not just lectures, so it was very interactive. The delegates were able to spend time getting familiar with using the instruments in the workshops  finding the nerves on live models and performing punctures on phantoms themselves  and then we did some closely supervised nerve blocks and vascular access with them in the hospital at the end of the course.

The ultrasound techniques they learned during the course will have a number of applications throughout the hospital. For example, there was one doctor on the course very interested in hand surgery, and regional anaesthesia will allow many of his patients to go home almost straight after the procedure, requiring less post-operative care. There were also several emergency medicine physicians on the course and, for them, ultrasound-guided vascular access is extremely useful; its a lot safer, quicker and more effective, which is a huge benefit in a very busy department with too few doctors.

Without access to suitable POC ultrasound systems, these newly acquired skills would be useless, so we were very pleased to be able to leave the ultrasound systems we had used during the course at KATH. The hospital needed robust and highly portable instruments that it could move around the hospitals large theatre suite and use in the emergency department. This would improve the efficiency of many procedures and ultimately allow the team there to treat more patients.

Following the success of this course, we are already hoping to return next year. Since my first visit eight years ago, the hospital has already made vast improvements, most notably in the emergency department where they now use POC ultrasound to perform FAST and lung scans looking for pneumothorax; it would be nice to be able to return and help them develop more procedures using diagnostic ultrasound. Ghana is quite lucky to have one of the best medical school systems in the region, and KATH currently has around 200 medical students beginning their training; my colleagues and I look forward to introducing the next generation of doctors to the benefits of this technology.



Source: FUJIFILM SonoSite
County has 'stirred up a nest of Yellow Jackets'

Edneyville Elementary School parents and supporters listen to School Board members during a school meeting Tuesday night.

EDNEYVILLE  Months into a contentious battle with Hendersonville High School graduates, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners appears to have picked a new fight with Edneyville Elementary School and the Edneyville community.



In a letter first reported in the Hendersonville Lightning last week, county commissioners told the School Board that a new Edneyville Elementary was not a priority and added that declining enrollment could lead to closing the school. Instead, commissioners said a new $53 million Hendersonville High School was the top priority. The commissioners response overrode a School Board recommendation that has ranked Edneyville Elementary ahead of HHS for at least four years, School Board members told the Edneyville parents on Tuesday night.

The county commissioners have stirred up a nest of Yellow Jackets, School Board member Rick Wood said, provoking laughter and applause from 65 parents seated in child-sized chairs in the school library.

Wood and fellow School Board members Ervin Bazzle, Amy Lynn Holt and Josh Houston attended the meeting along with associate schools superintendent John Bryant. Bryant sought to clarify the position of school administrators and their elected bosses on the School Board.

The board has identified Edneyville Elementary as their top priority for new construction, Bryant said. They have maintained that position for new construction here at Edheyville Elementary. Thats been our boards priority  the need for a new school here in the Edneyville community.

As for the question hes heard most in the past week  Is our school going to close?, he responded: I think its really important to leave here today knowing there has been no conversation at all by our board or our school system leadership or anyone associated with the school system regarding the closing of Edneyville Elementary at all, zero, Bryant said.

'A good bit of frustration'

Responding to questions posed by the School Board, the county commissioners on Oct. 11 stood by their decision to proceed with a plan for "a brand new, state of the art" Hendersonville High School and rejected the School Board's recommendation to move Edneyville Elementary ahead of the controversial HHS decision. If Edneyville remains open, commissioners said, a $9.3 million renovation would be a better option than a new $24 million school. Originally built in 1968 with additions in 1975 and 1981, Edneyville Elementary is in need of major repairs or replacement, the county's architect said. Unlike the HHS fight, where the Alumni Association, school faculty and much of the student body wants to continue using the historic classroom building and auditorium, no one at Tuesday night's meeting argued for saving the deteroriating Edneyville Elementary School.

"There's a good bit of frustration out here," Jerry Lyda, a father of seven and 1989 graduate of Edneyville High School, told the School Board. "We've been patient. We've been told time and time again that you're next. I don't know what good it does to be next because Hendersonville wants a project and Hendersonville always gets whatever they need whenever they need it."

Noting the presence in the room of Don Ward, an Edneyville native and county commissioner in the 1990s, Bazzle recalled ranking school construction needs 20 years ago on a joint committee made up of county commissioners and school board members.

We started doing this in 1998, Bazzle said. We went through a process, all the schools we looked at, we put them in a hierarchy based on different factors. There were three that were left to do. The three are Balfour, which is being replaced by the Innovative High School at BRCC, Edneyville Elementary and Hendersonville High School.

As for enrollment, Bazzle said projections are hard to pin down, given the communitys population of seasonal farm workers.

The population in this school fluctuates. It has always fluctuated, he said. The system tracked where students came from and found that many came from Florida and South Carolina, where they also worked crops. Thats always a number that changes.  But it hasnt fluctuated that much in the last four to five years. I do not accept the fact that the numbers do not justify an elementary school.

The overriding consideration is, is there a need for a school with 550 students? Yes there is, without a doubt.

School Board members urged the Edneyville parents to be patient and vowed to fight with them to Save Edneyville Elementary, as a letterhead said on top of the parent meeting agenda.

'We'll fight for your school'



I can see why youre concerned because in their letter to us it does say (enrollment projections are) raising doubts about the need for that school, Wood said.

Wood reminded the parents that his wife had taught at Edneyville Elementary for 11 years and he had taught at Edneyville High School.

I know firsthand the pride that you take in your community, in your schools, your churches, he said. I know some of you are still hurting about losing your high school. Believe me, well fight for your school. Youve made remarkable progress in the last two or three years here.

Houston also pledged to support Edneyville.

Ive been on the board for four years and I know weve had this conversation for those four years, he said. It was very clear to us that there was a need here and I came on a visit here and I saw the need. We were very clear that Balfour and Edneyville were our No. 1 and Hendersonville was a distant third. Something needed to be done about that but something needed to be done here first. Fiscally I dont see the sense in spending almost half the cost on renovation when a new school is very easily built here. And even if the numbers did decline some theres still a need for it.

Amy Lynn Holt, who joined the board in 2010, said the Edneyville Elementary project was a high priority then and remains one today, whether commissioners agree or not. Commissioners told the School Board that "a compelling case for the construction of a new elementary school simply has not been presented."

As far as making a case to the commissioners, I didnt know we needed to do that, Holt said. I thought we made decisions on this school system. I thought this was our school district, that we were the School Board.
Three other suppliers in Vietnam are being told to strictly adhere to food safety rules.

Brazil has prohibited Vietnams Western Foods Technology Company Ltd. (West Vina) from exporting catfish to the country due to violations of food safety requirements.

The decision was confirmed by Vietnams Ministry of Industry and Trade in a statement on Tuesday. It is believed that the company's catfish products did not meet standards for chemicals.

Three other seafood companies -- Hasa Seafood Corporation, Mekong Fisheries Joint Stock Company and Hung Vuong Corporation -- have been placed under a watchlist and told to strictly follow requirements from Brazilian authorities.

Brazil is one of the main markets for Vietnamese catfish. In the first four months, shipments topped $27.1 million, up 273.9 percent year-on-year. But in the next four-months period, exports fell from the same period last year, industry data showed.

Related news:

> Vietnam boosts catfish exports to U.S., China, Brazil

> More Vietnamese catfish companies allowed to export to U.S.

> Vietnam welcomes U.S. decision to cancel catfish inspections
An employee of PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) cleans the surface of solar panels at a solar power generation plant in Gili Meno island. Photo by Reuters/File Photo

Indonesia and Vietnam are looking to join Thailand in blazing a trail for solar power in Southeast Asia.

Indonesia and Vietnam are looking to join Thailand in blazing a trail for solar power in Southeast Asia, introducing targets to fire up green energy generation as a landmark global agreement to curb pollution is set to take effect.

Countries around the world are coming under increasing pressure to crack down on carbon emissions from sectors such as coal-fired power stations, with the historic Paris climate accord coming into force this Friday after it was signed last year.

Indonesia and Vietnam aim to each have annual solar power capacity of at least 5 gigawatts (GW) from 2020, up from close to nothing now, officials from both governments told Reuters.

That level of output would have placed the countries among the top 15 solar producers in the world in 2015 data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and would account for close to 9 percent of expected power generation in Indonesia and Vietnam at the turn of the next decade.

The regional push towards solar will add momentum to global growth in the technology and could benefit companies such as Canada's CMX Renewable Energy Inc, as well as South Korea's Shinsung Solar Energy and Hanwha Q Cells Korea Corp.

"It will come very quickly as it takes a short time for construction," Hoang Quoc Vuong, Vietnam's Vice Minister of Industry and Trade, said on the sidelines of an industry conference last week.

However, with initial costs traditionally seen as a big deterrent to solar projects, both Indonesia and Vietnam will be offering opportunities for subsidies via so-called feed-in tariffs (FIT), allowing producers to lock in sales of renewable energy at fixed prices for a few years.

"If we promote solar, there has to be subsidy," said the Vietnam official.

"Feed-in tariffs have been issued so that the (5 GW) target can be achieved," said Maritje Hutapea, director of various kinds of energy at the Renewable Energy Directorate General under Indonesia's Energy Ministry.

France's Engie is in talks with state power company PLN for two solar projects of 200 MW.

Feeling the heat

Thailand has so far been the frontrunner in developing solar power in Southeast Asia, with a government official saying its installed capacity reached about 2 GW in August, beating its target of 1.7 GW for this year.

"We have already exceeded our target for this year, especially in solar and waste power, given attractive FIT rates," Viraphol Jirapraditkul, director of the Energy Regulatory Commission told Reuters.

"We have discussed about the possibility of raising the target for renewables and the energy ministry's planning office will need to propose the numbers."

Elsewhere in the region, Malaysia plans to add 1 GW of solar power capacity by 2020, or 250 MW per year, said Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Maximus Ongkili, up from 267 MW currently.

And the Philippines has met a previous target of 500 MW for solar, but no fresh target has been set as the country's new government is still reviewing its energy mix.

But some analysts cautioned that Indonesia and Vietnam's solar targets were ambitious and could be difficult to achieve.

"It's a good move in the right direction but the targets are optimistic," said Paul van der Aa, an advisor at PT. PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting Indonesia.

"It remains to be seen if they can be achieved in the short term."

And despite the growth of solar power in the region, coal is likely to remain a major source of energy as fast-growing demand means that Southeast Asia needs to double its power generation capacity in the next decade, government and industry officials said.

Related news:

> Facing donors, Vietnam urged to rethink coal-fueled growth

> World Bank urges Vietnam to shun coal
The wife of a key player in the Kinahan cartel has lost her battle to save her home in north Dublin.

Ciara Mahony, who is married to drug dealer Brian Mahony, was in the High Court yesterday to try to stop the sale of the property which was seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).

She argued that she paid the mortgage and general upkeep of the house, which CAB disputed.

The house, which friends previously said was her pride and joy, was listed along with two other assets in 2014 when the High Court ruled it was bought with the proceeds of crime.

The court heard the action was brought after Brian Mahony failed to satisfy a judgment obtained against him by Revenue in 2013 for 1.25m.

The property is in the sole name of Mahony, who was not present in court, nor were any representations made on his behalf.

Separated

He acquired the house in 2005 for 300,000 with a mortgage from EBS and a 30,000 deposit which the High Court subsequently found had come from an unknown criminal activity.

During her examination, Mrs Mahony said she is separated from her husband.

She said she has lived in the house since 2006, and her family would be "devastated" if she and her children lost "the roof over our heads".

She told the court she had been making payments on the mortgage which had gone into arrears of more than a year. She said she was working shifts at a newsagents where she was paid 10 an hour.

Her average take home pay was about 650 cash per week. She said she had been making payments of between 1,600 and 1,400 a month to EBS, as well as paying for the upkeep of the house and utility bills.

The judge said he had "a difficulty" accepting Ms Mahony's evidence about where she was getting money to make mortgage payments. He did have "some sympathy" for her and placed a nine-month stay on the orders for vac-ant possession and sale.
A schoolboy hurler whose right foot was fractured when a beer keg fell on it while he was playing has been awarded 15,000 in damages in the Circuit Civil Court.

Barrister Ivan Daly told the court that Kyle Kiernan (13) had been playing with his Trinity Comprehensive Secondary School in September last year when one of a number of kegs that had been stacked nearby fell and hit his foot.

Mr Daly said Kyle was taken to the emergency department of Temple Street Children's Hospital where X-rays revealed a fracture.

Cast

Judge Terence O'Sullivan heard that Kyle had needed to wear a below-knee cast for four weeks.

Through his mother, Denise Kiernan, of Coultry Terrace, Ballymun, Kyle sued the trustees and board of management of Trinity Comprehensive Secondary School and the trustees of Setanta GAA Club, both with an address at Ballymun Road, Dublin, for negligence.

Mr Daly told the court the defendants had made a 15,000 settlement offer, which was approved by the judge.
A District court judge has refused jurisdiction in a case in which two women are alleged to have assaulted each other last New Year's Eve.

Michelle Kelly (28), of Hazel- grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, is accused of assault causing harm to Michelle Noonan (23), also of Hazelgrove, last December 31.

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Ms Noonan is alleged to have assaulted Ms Kelly causing her harm on the same date in the same estate.

Gda Conor Tumbleton told Judge John Coughlan at Swords District Court that the case involves counter-allegations of assaults.

He said that when he arrested Ms Kelly and Ms Noonan they both made "no reply" after caution.

Gda Tumbleton added that the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed summary disposal of the case, meaning the district court would be a suitable trial venue.

However, after reviewing medical reports and photos of both complainants' alleged injuries, the judge held that the case was too serious to be dealt with at district court level, which upon conviction can impose a maximum sentence of 12 months for the alleged offences.

This means both women could now be facing trial before a judge and jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

It has been alleged that, on the evening of New Year's Eve, a row broke out between the women over children playing in the estate.

Nose

Ms Kelly allegedly gave Ms Noonan a black eye and broke her fingernail, while it is all- eged that Ms Noonan broke Ms Kelly's nose.

After the judge refused juris- diction, he remanded both women on continuing bail to appear before the court again on December 6, when they are likely to be served with the book of evidence.

He also ordered them to have no contact with each other.
A woman who was violently raped in a lane after leaving a nightclub will not now be able to give birth naturally, a court heard.

Brazilian rickshaw driver Rafael Tiso (31) has been jailed for 13 years for the shocking attack, which was described as like an "episode of a horror series".

Tiso was captured on CCTV leaving a nightclub with the intoxicated victim and walking with her down a side street before going into a lane with her. He left the lane 40 minutes later and returned to drink in the same bar.

A passer-by heard a moaning noise and discovered the woman lying on the ground between a truck and a car with her legs spread apart. The man believed the woman was dead at first as her eyes were closed and he did not want to touch her to contaminate the scene.

He saw blood on the ground beside her. The woman's clothing and hair were soaking wet.

Gardai were alerted and the woman was taken to hospital.

The 23-year-old victim, who cannot recall anything of the incident, suffered devastating injuries.

Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said the damage caused to the victim was appalling. She has been advised that she should not give birth naturally in the future and she may also suffer complications at menopause.

Horror

In her victim impact statement, the woman described it as like being in "an episode of a horror series". She said she sometimes felt as if she was in a nightmare and tried not to think about what happened.

She said she would like to "delete that day" and described "a daily fight between going forward or making a martyr of myself".

Tiso, who was living in rented accommodation at Offaly Road, Cabra, Dublin, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to rape, oral rape, aggravated sexual assault and assault causing harm to the woman at Montague Lane, Dublin, on January 18, 2016. He has no previous convictions and has been in custody since his arrest.

The judge said this was a violent and callous crime perpetrated on a vulnerable, inebriated young woman. She said the victim's restrained impact report showed how the attack would affect her for the rest of her life.

She suspended the final year of a 14-year sentence on condition that Tiso leave the country on his release for a period of 10 years.

Tiso, who was working as a rickshaw driver in the Harcourt Street area at the time of the attack, initially claimed he had consensual sex with the woman.

He told gardai in his final interview that he regretted taking advantage of her.

The judge noted that his expression of remorse was motivated to a degree by remorse for how these events were impacting on his life.

Medication

Caroline Biggs SC, defending, said Tiso came from a small town in Brazil where he worked hard in school before securing a job in a bank. He continued to study for a masters before coming to Ireland to study English.

She said Tiso had been on anti-anxiety medication and had been working long hours. A psychological report concluded he was at a moderate to low risk of re-offending and that he didn't have an inappropriate attitude towards women.

Letters from former girlfriends spoke of respectful and normal sexual relationships.
Gangland chief 'Fat' Freddie Thompson remains in garda custody today after being picked up by gardai hours following his return to Ireland.

The Kinahan cartel thug was arrested by armed gardai as part of the investigation into the feud murder of David 'Daithi' Douglas earlier this year.

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He was detained by members of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) as he returned to the capital yesterday afternoon.

Wig

It is understood that Thompson (35) flew from Birmingham to Belfast and travelled by car to Dublin, where gardai were waiting for him in the north of the county.

He was being questioned last night at Kilmainham Garda Station over the murder of Douglas (55), who was shot dead outside a shop on Bridgefoot Street in the south inner city last July 1.

He can be held for up to seven days.

The cartel associate has rarely been sighted in Ireland in recent months, and wears a wig when appearing in public.

Sources have revealed that further arrests are expected as part of the investigation into the murder, and that gardai have identified the people involved in Douglas' death.

Father-of-one Douglas was shot six times outside the Shoes-town shop which is run by his wife.

He was a convicted drug dealer and close associate of Darren Kearns, who was shot dead last December in a murder thought to be linked to his role as a drug-money collector.

Kearns' murder is thought to be indirectly linked to the Kinahan-Hutch feud.

Douglas was connected to the Provisional IRA in the 1980s and took part in a post office robbery in Tallaght, during which he fired a rifle at a garda.

He received a 12-year sentence for attempted murder.

Douglas survived an attempt on his life last year when he was shot several times while walking his dog.

Gardai believe he was killed because of his suspected involvement in a botched hit on a Kinahan cartel member.

The attempted hit, which took place outside the Red Cow Hotel last November, saw Kinahan associate Liam Roe, a cousin of Thompson, escape with his life after the gunman's weapon jammed. The cartel suspected Douglas was involved, but gardai are satisfied he was in the north inner city at the time.

Thompson gained notoriety for his involvement in the Crumlin/Drimnagh feud and was suspected of involvement in a number of attacks on rival mobsters.

Disorder

He is related to a number of other senior cartel members including Liam Byrne (36), whose brother David (33) was shot dead at the Regency Hotel earlier this year.

At one time Thompson was also close to Gary Hutch (33), who was murdered at his apartment on the Costa del Sol in September last year.

Thompson was released from jail in August last year after serving 15 months for violent disorder following an attack on another man at Morrissey's Pub on Cork Street on January 7, 2013.

He had been extradited from Amsterdam in May 2014 and was remanded in custody before he eventually received a 20-month sentence for his part in the brawl.
But fake Chinese products are threatening the industry in South Korea.

Vietnam has emerged as the biggest buyer of South Korean ginseng in Southeast Asia, the Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday, quoting a Vietnam-based trade group.

Vietnam imported 1,362 tons of ginseng worth $9.46 million from South Korea in 2015, becoming the largest consumer among Southeast Asian countries and sixth globally, data from the Ho Chi Minh office of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) showed.

The Southeast Asian nation was also the only country to see a year-on-year increase in both the quantity and value of ginseng shipments from South Korea last year.

South Koreas ginseng exports to Vietnam in 2015 jumped 93 percent in quantity and 32 percent in value compared with 2010.

According to a separate market survey conducted in September, 85 percent of Vietnamese consumers had bought Korean agricultural products at one time and 29 percent of them had purchased ginseng, much higher than the 18 percent who had bought popular Korean side dish kimchi, said Yonhap.

"Korean ginseng is high quality and relatively expensive, so it makes for good gifts," KOTRA was quoted as saying.

South Korean ginseng, however, is facing fierce competition from cheap Chinese products, KOTRA said, adding that some of the Chinese products are falsely labeled as Korean brands.

In addition, Vietnam is planning to develop its own ginseng to reduce dependence on imports, which is likely to hurt South Koreas exports, the trade group said.

Last year, Vietnams Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam approved a scheme to preserve and develop the local ginseng of Ngoc Linh in the central province of Quang Nam.

Related news:

> South Korea, Vietnam eye $70 billion in trade by 2020

> South Korea blocks budget tours from Vietnam
A member of staff at the troubled Oberstown youth detention centre was injured during a late-night attack.

During the three-hour stand-off, two young offenders gained access to the education block after stealing a worker's swipe card.

They then armed themselves with hammers, a saw, a Stanley knife, a power-drill and steel bars before threatening staff.

One of the workers was assaulted as he tried to stop the armed youths.

Hospital

He received medical attention but it is understood he did not require hospital treatment.

The inmates then tried to break into Unit 7 of the Lusk facility, with the intention of assaulting another offender.

Sources said the dispute is linked to a feud on the outside between two young offenders.

Despite being armed with saws and a power-drill, they failed to break into the unit and proceeded to scale the perimeter wall and clambered on to a roof.

The Garda riot squad was called in, and a specialist negotiator was also called to the scene and persuaded the youths to disarm themselves.

After a tense stand-off, the teenagers eventually climbed down from the roof at 2am yesterday.

It is the latest security alert to occur at the under fire facility and is expected to be investigated along with a string of other escapes and attacks on staff.

Fianna Fail spokesperson on Children Youth Affairs Anne Rabbitte last night said that the situation at the campus is "spiralling out of control" and that more needs to be done to ensure staff safety.

Concerns

"We are seeing violent incidents erupting on an almost weekly basis and this is simply unacceptable.

"There are serious concerns for the safety of residents and staff, with workers at the centre being threatened on a regular basis," Ms Rabbitte said.

"I have raised these concerns numerous times with Minister Katherine Zappone, and despite the fact that an independent review of the situation at Oberstown is underway, the safety threat is not diminished.
A worker works at an assembly plant at Pha Rung shipyard in Vietnam's port city of Hai Phong, east of Hanoi October 4, 2016. Photo by Reuters/Kham

Plunging oil prices have taken their toll on the government's coffers.

Vietnams public debt increased almost 15 times from 2001 to 2015 from $8.1 billion to $120 billion, said Finance Minister Dinh Tien Dung.

Public debt in the past five years has climbed 18.4 percent on average and three times faster than economic growth, said the minister on Tuesday at a parliament meeting.

Official statistics show that as of the end of 2015, Vietnams total debt was more than VND2,680 trillion or $119.9 billion, equal to 62.2 percent of gross domestic product and close to the limit of 65 percent set by parliament.

Vietnam's rising debt is due to declines in state revenue from crude oil and other raw material exports, said Dung.

Slumping crude oil prices have cut revenue from oil considerably. Government statistics show that crude-related revenue, which made up 30 percent of the nations budget in 2005, fell to 20 percent in 2010 and accounted for about 10 percent in 2015.

Revenue from oil in the first four months of this year fell sharply by 48.1 percent from the same period last year.

He also blamed the sluggish privatization of the state-owned sector for inherent inefficient use of public funds.

The minister said Vietnams public debt has piled up significantly in recent years, mainly in order to service its debt obligations.

Data show in 2015 the government spent VND125 trillion, equivalent to 3 percent of the annual GDP and up 18 percent from the previous year, to pay back debts and meet obligations.

Vietnam has taken several measures to reverse rising foreign debt such as shifting towards local markets to seek loans with longer terms.

Last year, in an attempt to mitigate the risks of debt repayments, Vietnamese lawmakers set new rules for the local debt market.

Under the new rule, the State Treasury, which holds weekly bond auctions at the Hanoi Stock Exchange, is offering more long-term bonds and cut the trading volume of short-term bonds so that the proportion of bonds with tenures of five years or more will increase to 46 percent of the total outstanding debt.

Statistics show from 2011 to 2013, the Vietnamese government mainly sold bonds with terms of less than three years. It has gradually extended the maturity from three years in 2014 to 4.4 years in 2015 and to five years in the first half of 2016. Bond yields fell from 12 percent in 2011 to around 6 percent in 2015.

And as a percentage of the total outstanding government debt, domestic debt rose from 39 percent in 2011 to 57 percent in 2015, said Vo Huu Hien, deputy head of the Department of Debt Management and External Finance.

Related news:

> Vietnams public debt growing three times faster than GDP

> Vietnamese lawmakers deny debt ceiling increase, insist gov't control spending
Unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War still threatens a fifth of land mass across the country.

Military officers in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong have blocked entry into a jungle where a Vietnam War bomb weighing 300 kilograms was found.

Some locals had found the bomb of around 1.6 meters long in a melaleuca forest sticking out from the ground, the Vietnam News Agency reported Wednesday, without further details on the discovery.

Officers said the bomb had been there for years. They plan to explode the bomb soon, after making sure that no one is in the area.

The bomb was the second found in the provinces Tuy Duc District this year.

Unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War still threatens a fifth of land mass across Vietnam and explosions occur frequently, killing more than 1,500 people every year and maiming and injuring 2,200 more, according to official data.

Related news:

> Decades after the war, most of rural Vietnam still sits on ticking bombs

> Vietnam's never-ending war: into the trenches with the bomb disposal squad

> 400-kilogram war bomb unearthed in Vietnam
Chinese man caught stealing from luggage on flight to Ho Chi Minh City: media

Vietnam deported the man to Hong Kong on Wednesday.

A Chinese passenger was allegedly caught trying to steal from the luggage of another passenger on a flight to Ho Chi Minh City from Hong Kong on Tuesday, local media reported.

The 36-year-old man was on board flight VN595, which departed from Hong Kong and arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday.

The man is accused of taking another passenger's luggage from an overhead compartment and rummaging through it.

He was caught by flight attendants before he could steal anything. The flight crew then notified security forces at Tan Son Nhat.

He was arrested by police upon landing and deported to Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon.

Related news:

> Vietnam named a favorite destination for Chinese tourists

> Vietnam to punish obnoxious Chinese tourists and guides
Over 100 hospitalized after meal at Taiwanese garment firm in Vietnam

It's the second mass food poisoning case reported in the country in four days.

More than 100 garment workers in the southern province of Binh Duong were rushed to hospital with food poisoning after a meal at their Taiwanese company on Tuesday.

Many workers started to experience nausea, vomiting and faintness less than an hour after having a meal of rice, fried ground fish, chicken, sour soup and stir-fried papaya at Apparel Far Eastern Vietnam, a subsidiary of Taiwans Far Eastern Group.

The workers were sent to several hospitals and clinics in the province.

The exact number of the affected workers has not been confirmed, but one hospital said it had received more than 100. In total, more than 1,000 workers had the meal.

Many workers said they had complained about the quality of the companys meals to its labor union several times before.

Several workers had to stay overnight for treatment.

Last Saturday, 109 workers at a Chinese garment firm in neighboring Ho Chi Minh City were also admitted to hospital following a company lunch.

The citys Food Safety Agency has suspended the companys kitchen pending an investigation. A similar mass food poisoning case also occurred at the company five months ago.

Food poisoning in Vietnam mostly involves school and factory meals.

A report from the health ministry listed nearly 30 food poisoning cases in the first four months of this year that killed two people and sickened nearly 1,400 others.

Related news:

> Food poisoning strikes 109 workers at Chinese garment firm in Vietnam

> Vietnam orders probe into food poisoning of Japanese students
Who were the top Washington County football performers in Week 9?

Big plays and turnovers were plenty as the winners overwhelmed the losers in the final week of Washington County's regular season.
But a very long break for the Lunar New Year is almost out of the question.

Vietnamese will probably be denied a 10-day Lunar New Year break that they have been hoping for. But they can take consolation in the fact that there will be more long weekends than usual in 2017.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a statement after reviewing proposals by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs last month regarding public holidays.

It agreed with the labor ministrys suggestions to give the public three days off for the New Year holiday from December 31, 2016 to January 2, 2017; four days for Reunification Day and Labor Day from April 29 to May 2; and three days for Independence Day from September 2-4.

For the Hung Kings Festival, which commemorates the kings considered to be the founding fathers of Vietnam, the home affairs ministry favored the longer option of a four-day break that starts on Thursday, April 6 and will run through the weekend. Workers will have to make up for the Friday off on the Saturday of the week before or after. The other option was a single day on April 6, or the 10th day of the third lunar month.

But for the countrys most important holiday on the Lunar New Year, or Tet, the home affairs ministry went for a shorter option of seven days, from January 26 to February 1, instead of the proposed 10.

The labor ministry proposed the 10-day option last month and a survey by VnExpress found that 81 percent of the 16,500 respondents favored a long break. The seven-day break may be too short for many, especially after the nine-day holidays the country has enjoyed for Tet over the past five years.

The Prime Minister has the final decision. If he agrees with the home affairs ministry, which will likely be the case, Vietnam will have a total of 21 holidays in 2017, compared to 22 this year.

Vietnam's public holiday dates for 2017 if the Prime Minister signs off on the proposal by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Related news:

> Where in Asia people get the longest Lunar New Year break?

> Vietnam weighs record-long Lunar New Year break
U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton walks offstage at a campaign rally in Sanford, Florida, U.S. November 1, 2016. Photo by Reuters/Brian Snyder

Low gas prices and President Barack Obama's high approval ratings are key factors that favor Clinton.

Low gas prices and President Barack Obama's high approval ratings are key factors that favor Democrat Hillary Clinton winning the White House in next week's election, according to a model from Moody's Analytics that has accurately predicted the last nine U.S. presidential contests.

Clinton is forecast to pick up 332 Electoral College votes against 206 for Republican Donald Trump, Moody's Analytics predicted on Tuesday in the final update of its model before Election Day on Nov. 8. That would match Obama's margin of victory over Republican challenger Mitt Romney in 2012.

The Reuters-Ipsos States of the Nation project also predicts a Clinton win, with a 95 percent probability of her winning at least 278 electoral votes. A candidate needs to win at least 270 electoral votes to be elected president.

The Moody's Analytics model is based on a combination of state-level economic conditions and political history, and has correctly called the outcome of each presidential election since Republican Ronald Reagan unseated Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1980.

Rather than focus on the individual candidates in a race, the model instead centers on whether current economic and political conditions favor the incumbent party in the White House. This year those factors point to Clinton becoming the 45th U.S. president.

The economic factors Moody's measures include the two-year percentage changes in real personal income per household, as well as house and gasoline prices.

Among the political factors weighed, Moody's said the most important is the share of the vote in any one state that went to the incumbent party in the previous election. It also takes into account voter fatigue and the incumbent president's approval ratings.

U.S. President Barack Obama greets supporters in an overflow room before he participates in a "Get Out the Early Vote" campaign event for Hillary Clinton in Columbus, Ohio, U.S. November 1, 2016. Photo by Reuters/Jonathan Ernst.

This year, with Obama enjoying some of his highest job approval ratings since his first year in office in 2009 and gasoline prices holding steady at well-below-average levels, the model suggests the Democrats will win their third straight presidential election, Moody's said. That would mark the first time since the 1988 election of Republican George H.W. Bush that one party has won three consecutive presidential contests.

Moody's warns, however, that its model does not take into account any individual characteristics of specific candidates.

"Given the unusual nature of the 2016 election cycle to date, it is very possible that voters will react to changing economic and political conditions differently than they have in past election cycles, placing some risk in the model outcome, particularly state-by-state projections," Moody's analytics economist Dan White wrote in the report.

Related news:

> Clinton still frontrunner despite FBI emails letter: poll

> Trump edges ahead of Clinton, poll finds
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Elena Nails Bar had its grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration Tuesday morning. The salon offers a variety of services including manicures, pedicures facials, and waxing. Couples packages and special occasions are also available, Ngo said.

Ngo said she had been researching the area and saw there was a need for a salon and decided the Newton location was perfect.

We wanted to offer something a little more cozy, Ngo said.

I want them to feel relaxed when they come in here  make them feel at home, Vo said.

The decor of the salon as well as the construction was done by Ngo and Vo and it took almost a month to complete.

I did most of the construction in here; we tried to make it modern and classic at the same time, Vo said.

Everything from the sign in front of the salon, to a mirror that took two days to decorate was made custom, said Ngo.

The salon is a first for Ngo, but Vo owned a salon in Las Vegas before, he said.

"It was all her idea, I just put it together," said Vo.

Ngo graduated from college in Charlotte with a degree in fashion marketing and design and she worked for Giorgio Armani for four years, she said.

Sanitation is important to Vo and everything is one time use.

When it comes to sanitation, I am very careful about that," he said.

Newton City Council members as well as Mayor Anne P. Stedman attended the ribbon cutting.

We certainly want to support all the small business development that we can get," said Stedman. "It is very important to me as well as the council and we look forward to supporting new business," she said.

The salon is located at 106 East D St. in Newton and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and 11:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Exactly ten years ago, in November 2006, Nepals mainstream parliamentary parties and the countrys rebels, Maoists, signed a Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The pact formally brought an end to the war, paved the way for a republic, and was a logical consequence of a movement that was waged that April against the autocratic monarch.

Through this period, sitting in his perch in South Block, as External Affairs Minister, was Pranab Mukherjee. In 2009, he was to tell Al Jazeera in an interview, India had played a role in persuading the former Maoist rebels to give up arms and join the political mainstream.

Mukherjee - in his various stints in government from the 70s to earlier in this decade - developed a keen interest in two neighbours in particular, Nepal and Bangladesh. He knows all Nepali politicians well, who make it a point to call on him during visits to Delhi.

And that is why it is truly fitting that as his Presidential terms ends, and as Nepals political transition reaches its final lap, Mukherjee arrives on state visit, on Wednesday afternoon, to Kathmandu - the politics of a city he knows so well and has played a part in shaping. The visit marks the fulfilment of a personal desire of the head of state.

But like all state visits, the importance of Pranab Mukherjees visit goes beyond the personal. What makes it special though is the way in which this visit will combine multiple objectives.

Bilateral optics

Mukherjees visit is first aimed at restoring the bilateral goodwill that has faced a rupture over the past year. To tide over the trust deficit - which emerged when India advised Nepals politicians to be more inclusive in their approach to constitution promulgation, advice which was disregarded - there has been a series of high level exchanges.

PM Prachanda has already visited India twice in the last four months. So has Nepali foreign minister Prakash Sharan Mahat. Former PM K P Oli too visited Delhi this February. And President Bidya Bhandari - who will be Mukherjees host and has most enthusiastically pushed the visit - will travel to Delhi soon. PM Narendra Modi had visited Kathmandu twice in 2014.

But the last head of state visit from India was way back in May 1998, when President K R Narayanan came to Kathmandu. In fact, this seems to be a gap in Nepals diplomatic calendar, for the last head of state to visit from anywhere was the Mongolian President back in 2001. Mukherjees visit will address this 18 year anomaly from the Indian side. He will use the visit to emphasise the special relationship between Nepal and India, and Indias own commitment to Nepals stability, development and prosperity.

It is also inevitable that there will be a political conversation around Nepals domestic situation. India does not want to be seen as overbearing; the Presidents position also does not lend itself to it; and Delhi will thus be subtle about its messaging. But it will use both the Presidents stature and his connections with Nepal.

Mukherjee, sources indicated, will emphasise two key issues - the need to rapidly complete Nepals prolonged political transition so that it can move ahead with the task of economic development and growth; and the need to take all sections of society on board, which will be a reminder - even if it is not spelt out - that this has not yet happened and the constitution needs to be more inclusive and address Madhesi discontent. Mukherjee, an encyclopaedia on Indias own constitutional debates and founding moment, closely tracked Nepals hurried constitution promulgation process.

And there is an unstated geopolitical subtext to the timing of the visit. Over the past year, Chinas engagement in Nepali politics has grown. It was backing the former PM K P Oli even as India was keen to see his exit for his unwillingness to address constitutional issues and for propagating ultra nationalism with an anti India tilt. The Chinese President was tentatively expected to visit Kathmandu on his way to BRICS in October.

But Delhi encouraged Olis ouster back in July-August; the Chinese tried to save him unsuccessfully and suddenly found themselves on the defensive; and they did not go ahead with Xi Jinpings visit. India was quick to ensure that the moment was not lost - and Delhi could use it its own President to send a message of its own commitment to Nepal.

Beyond Kathmandu

It is rare for the President to visit three cities in a country in a short visit. But Mukherjee will do just that. Beyond Kathmandu, on Friday morning, he will first fly to the southern Tarai town of Janakpur.

Janakpur is where, according to legend, Lord Ram married Sita. Prime Minister Modi himself was keen to visit the town two years ago - but a less than cooperative Nepal government did not reciprocate the enthusiasm. Mukherjee will go to the Janaki temple and attend a civic reception.

Official sources told HT that the significance of Janakpur visit is multi-fold. One, it emphasises the shared cultural and civilisational linkages between the two countries.

Two, it is also the de facto capital of the Tarai-Madhes region - the centre of a movement for greater rights and representation. India has urged Nepali political actors to take all sections of society on board in the constitution. Even if the President does not refer to the constitution directly, the visit is a reminder of the importance India places on the Tarai in Nepal.

Three, Janakpur is also at the southern border and the visit will highlight the centrality of cross-border relations, and the special role of the Tarai in India-Nepal ties. India sees its security as tied inextricably with the situation in this region because of an open border with heartland states of Bihar and UP.

But Indias interest in Nepal goes beyond the Tarai.

And to emphasise this, Mukherjee will fly straight to the western, picturesque valley of Pokhara, with the Annapurna range in the backdrop. Here, he will spend time with former Indian army personnel.

As Modi said during his August 2014 visit, there is no war India has fought where Nepal has not shed its blood.

This is indeed a unique element of the relationship. In Indias Gurkha regiments, young men from Nepal are proud soldiers, hailed for their commitment and bravery. It is a mutually beneficial relationship - for the Indian Army then takes good care of its serving men and pensioners. In Nepal itself, there are over 1.25 lakh pensioners, from some of the countrys most marginalised ethnic communities. The Seventh Pay Commission and One Rank One Pension will enhance benefits for this constituency. Mukherjee will sit with this group and discuss welfare and pay respects to their commitment to India.

The goodwill visit combines the bilateral with the larger regional subtext, it combines the personal with the political, and it weaves in the state to state dynamic with the people to people to relationship. Kathmandu is waiting to welcome Pranab Mukherjee.

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From biopics like Gour Hari Dastaan to comedy films such as Bheja Fry, actor Vinay Pathak tickles the funny bone just as much as he strikes a chord with the audiences heart with his emotional roles. The actor who will be in the Capital soon with the troupe of actor Rajat Kapoor directorial Whats Done is Done, says he fantasised to be a student at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He also says he isnt fit for the 100-crore films, as well as his love for the Capital. Excerpts:

On his secret fantasy to get into JNU

The actor, who did his undergraduate from Allahabad University, shares that getting admission in JNU was his secret fantasy. I am an ex-wannabe JNU guy. After I was done with my undergraduate in Allahabad, I wanted to go to JNU and do the JNU thing. But I went to New York instead to pursue MBA which I quit after a year and joined drama school, says the Khosla Ka Ghosla actor.

Ask him what about the varsity was so fascinating, and he adds, I had visited to JNU just before going to the US and when I saw their open theatre space, I thought to myself how wonderful it would be to perform there. I even thought that maybe I will become a teacher and take my classes in the open air space.

On parallel and commercial cinema, and 100 crore films

Talking about commercial cinema, Pathak says that he does not get attracted to it. I am the most inadequate person to answer a question around the 100-crore film race because I dont get attracted to commercial cinema. I am an actor and I do get excited about all kind of roles but maybe I am not equipped to be a part of commercial cinema, or vice versa, he adds. He also believes that parallel cinema has alienated the masses. In the 80s, it was either art cinema or commercial cinema. It was quite demented in a way, I think the art movement became very alienated and snobbish in itself, and it did not give space to breathe. The masses were deliberately alienated. This has made commercial cinema stronger. Why shouldnt people like Dabangg? If they like it, they like it.

On his equation with the Capital

Pathak, who often performs on the Delhi stage, says the experience is always wonderful. I have been coming to Delhi for 20 years, and the city has a very strong theatre culture for sure. It is very theatre friendly  there are a lot of young theatre groups who manage to put up plays which is very heartening to see.

Ask him what he loves and hates about the city, and the actor quickly responds with pollution. And a lot has been said about this  there is some very misogynist about the culture and I find it very tragic. My friends who moved to Bombay say they cant move back to the Capital anymore, he adds.

The Bheja fry fame actor, who considers himself a true small town boy, says that the Capital will always hold a special place in his heart. It is the first big city I saw in my life and I love everything about it. Dilli ki sardiyaan meri favourite hain  they are to die for! Its such a beautiful city!

The love for the city continues to pour as the actor adds, I also always found it culturally very rich. We were in Delhi for almost a month for a movie shoot and we would always be on the lookout for new food joints. Andhra Bhavan hum lunch karne jaate the, Dariyaganj hum dinner karne jaate the. My fascination for the city hasnt diminished at all.

Catch It Live:

What: Whats Done Is Done

Where: Sri Sathya Sai Auditorium

When: November 6

Timings: 5pm and 7.30pm

Nearest Metro Station: Jor Bagh on Yellow Line

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Taking a dig at opposition leaders, particularly Digvijaya Singh, for attacking his government over Mondays killing of 8 SIMI operatives, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday demanded fast-track courts across India to try terrorism related cases.

We will have to think about the system. When the mankinds enemies, who dont care about human rights, are caught they remain in jail for years and they continue to eat chicken and biryani... When fast-track courts can be set up for trying corruption cases, why such courts cannot be set up trying terrorists, he said at a Madhya Pradesh foundation day function at Lal Parade ground.

He announced that policemen involved in Mondays encounter would be honoured with Rs 2 lakh each. Others, who played key role, would be given Rs 1 lakh each.

Besides, he announced construction of a memorial on the lines of Shourya Smarak in honour of those policemen who laid down their lives while discharging duties and raising ex-gratia payment given to the family of a martyred policeman to Rs 25 lakh.

Without naming AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh, Chouhan said some people asked whether the terrorists had run away or had been made to run away. This was nothing but petty politics. Who will kill his own chief sentry to facilitate terrorists escape, he asked.

They didnt remember that these were the terrorists who killed policemen Shivpratap in Ratlam and Seetaram Yadav in Khandwa. They killed Ramashankar Yadav in Bhopal jail by slitting his throat brutally. They had indulged in bomb explosions at Chennai, Pune, Bijnore, Ahmedabad... They intended to unleash a reign of terror in the entire country. Just imagine what would have happened if they were successful in escaping, Chouhan said.

He also attacked the Opposition for not condoling killing of jail guard Ramashankar Yadav. I condemn this petty politics. Will we stoop so low for politics of votes that we will not think of security of the state and the country? How long appeasement will go on? he asked.
The Kapoor khandaan is known for its love for celebrations. Right from the days of the legendary Raj Kapoor, the first family of Bollywood has always celebrated festivals, big or small, with great gusto.

Small wonder then the Kapoor brothers were not going to miss out on Bhai Dooj. Actor Rishi Kapoor tweeted a picture of three brothers -- Randhir, Rishi and Rajiv with their sister Rima Jain at a lunch on the occasion of Bhai Dooj. He added that his other sister, Ritu was missing from action.

Bhai Dooj.We brothers with sister Rima at China Garden having some great food.Did our rituals of tikka! Miss Ritu she in New York.God Bless! pic.twitter.com/9TL8weCdV5  Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) November 1, 2016

Mumbai Mirror quoted Randhir Kapoor as saying: The four of us had lunch at a Chinese restaurant. Our other sister, Ritu, is in the US and ailing so she could not join us. So Rima did the tika on behalf of Ritu too and we showered her with gifts.

Speaking about their Diwali celebration, he added, The first day was for a family celebration, the next day we attended close friend Jeetendra and Amitabh Bachchans party and then it was Bhai Dooj. Im sad that the festivities are coming to an end.
Indians allegedly stashed Rs16.7 trillion abroad over the past decade, violating forex rules that say any entity making an export should bring the proceeds back into India within a year.

The amount, revealed by Reserve Bank of India data , accounts for roughly 95% of the Rs17 trillion worth of export which never returned to India. Rs1 trillion is equal to Rs1 lakh crore.

HT analyzed the RBI data compiled for a special investigation team (SIT) on black money that gives details of exports made, but money not remitted back to India.

The data give detailed breakup of 188,605 shipping bills with their date of export and money outstanding as of now. The oldest shipping bill dates back to September 4, 1972.

In the past two years, Rs4.54 trillion worth of export remittance is outstanding. However, the eight years from 2005-2013 recorded the maximum amount of money pending abroad  Rs12.16 trillion.

An analysis shows roughly 10% of total exports never return to India. The 44 years of data show the sudden spurt in export proceeds that were not remitted back to India started in 1994. This is roughly three years after India liberalised its economy and exports gathered momentum. The export outstanding jumped from the previous years less than Rs300 crore to Rs1,328 crore in 1994.

The second wave of rising export outstanding started in 2000. This coincided with a period when Indian economy was booming. From Rs7,950 crore the previous year, the millennium year crossed the Rs10,000-crore mark.

The outstanding amount crossed the Rs1-trillion threshold during the global depression of 2008. From Rs25,000 crore in 2007, it increased five times to Rs1.3 trillion. The Washington-based Global Financial Integrity report estimated $510 billion black money outflow during 2004-2013. An HT analysis of the same period show $247 billion outflow, the highest in Indian history.

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Ousted Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry on Tuesday gave a new turn to the ongoing boardroom battle at the Tata Group by specifying the legal dispute with Japans NTT DoCoMo, and reiterating that the board of Tata Sons and representatives of Tata Trusts were duly informed about the litigation.

Since the issue was sub-judice and did not feature in comments made by Tata Sons on Mistrys four-year tenure, the Tata Group was quick to respond that the issue was being raked up unnecessarily.

Insinuations are being imagined. The issue is sub-judice and we cannot comment any further, a Tata Sons spokesperson said.

Earlier, Mistrys office said: Insinuations that the DoCoMo issue was handled under the watch of Mr Mistry in a manner inconsistent with Tata culture and values are baseless. The suggestion that Ratan Tata and the trustees would not have approved of the manner in which the litigation was conducted is contrary to what transpired.

Tata Sons and its erstwhile telecom joint venture DoCoMo are currently embroiled in a legal dispute regarding alleged violation of a contract by the Tatas on buying out the Japanese companys stake in the telecom joint venture. The International Court of Arbitration had asked the Tatas to pay $1.17 billion, following which, the group deposited the amount in an escrow amount with the Delhi High Court.

A number of discussions on the DoCoMo situation had been held in the Tata Sons board. Mr Mistry had always mentioned that the Tatas should honour all commitments within the law, said the statement from Mistrys office. Tatas, under Mr Mistry, requested DoCoMo to join in seeking approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). DoCoMo did not agree. Nevertheless, Tatas applied to the RBI for approval. Since RBI approval was not forthcoming, DoCoMo initiated arbitration. The (arbitration) award was passed in favour of DoCoMo. Tatas under Mr Mistry did not challenge the award in the UK.

Throughout the process, Ratan Tata and NA Soonawala, trustee, (Tata Trusts) were kept informedThey participated in the meeting with the legal counsel and who represented Tatas in the litigation. In light of the above facts, to suggest that Mr Mistry acted on his own, or contrary to Tata values, or without the knowledge and concurrence of Ratan Tata and Soonawala, is as false as it is mischievous, Mistrys statement added.

The dispute, which fuelled concerns overseas about Indian companies not honouring contractual agreements and also triggered strong statements from the Japanese company, has been widely cited as one of the probable differences that representatives of Tata Trusts may have had with Mistry, and which eventually led to Mistry being voted out as chairman. The Tata Group did not make a direct reference to the issue.

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During the 1988 US presidential election, contested by Republican George HW Bush and Democrat Michael Dukakis, the national mood was captured by a popular bumper sticker: THANK GOD WE ONLY HAVE TO PICK ONE OF THEM. That sentiment sums up how I have felt for the past year about the options that will face me next Tuesday, when I must choose between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

Tonight, I head home to New York, to vote in the ugliest, most divisive presidential election in living memory. I could have chosen not to go. I could have taken the view that my vote wont matter, one way or another: New York is a staunchly Democratic state, and Clinton has a near-as-makes-no-difference lock on its 29 electoral votes. (Each state is allocated a number of electoral votes, based on its population; the candidate that wins the most popular votes in a state automatically gets all of its electoral votes.)

Read: Clinton holds five-point lead over Trump as FBI reviews new emails: Poll

Why am I going, then? The citizen in me feels an obligation to make my choice clear, but I could have done that from New Delhi: Americans are allowed to vote by absentee ballot. But the journalist in me cant resist the chance to be at the scene of what is certain to be a historic moment, not just for the US, but quite possibly for the whole world.

By curious coincidence, it will be the second time this year Ill be present at a vote of world-altering consequence: I happened to be in London on June 23, the day the UK voted to leave the European Union. The Brexit referendum, like the US presidential election, had been preceded by an ugly campaign, in which one side was blatantly racist and xenophobic, and made wildly implausible promises, whereas the other side was smugly certain of victory, and made only a desultory effort to connect with voters.

The result left London stunned almost to silence  and I mean that literally, because entire neighbourhoods were quieter than they had been the previous day. The racist-xenophobes had won, and the smug its-a-sure-thing crowd were wondering how so many of their fellow citizens could have been so reckless in their choice.

I hope thats not the mood in New York on November 9.

But back to the choices facing the Americans. That 1988 bumper sticker reflected the inability of the two candidates to connect with the electorate: Bush Sr. and Dukakis were dull as ditchwater, and the campaign was unadulterated tedium. This time around wed had the opposite problem: far too much excitement, too much raising of hair and hackle.

Whatever else you can call Trump, dull isnt one of them. And while Clinton isnt the most charismatic of politicians, this is to some extent compensated for by the tantalising possibility she could become the first woman to lead the worlds most powerful nation.

But if the election season has been long on intensity, it has been conspicuously short on inspiration. Neither candidate has made a compelling appeal to Americas better angels. They havent even tried. Trump trades in fear and hatred, Clinton in caution. Trumps message has been, Vote for me, or your world will end. Clintons is, Vote for me, because if you vote for him, your world will end.

Read: Trump: Ill run America like my business, Clinton says lets not

Trump is crude: a sexual predator, serial liar and tax dodge, a man with utter contempt for everything and everyone, including those closest to him. Clinton is craven: a woman who will take money from anyone, and say almost anything to attain or keep power. She has more experience in government than he does, but her record, since she became the Clinton familys standard-bearer, is of a politician who takes no risks, and avoids difficult decisions  hardly what the US (or the world) needs right now.

It is not just sad, but downright dangerous that the worlds oldest democracy can only produce these two figures to contest for its biggest prize. And it is not surprising that they are, by some polls, the two least popular contestants ever.

How, then, should I pick one of them? Like many Americans, I have struggled with this question for months. It was clear early on that the cop-out of abstaining would not be an option: this is too important an election for fence-sitting. Here, finally, is what it comes down to for me: I can see no prospect of anything getting better, for America or the world, under President Hillary Clinton, but I am certain everything will be worse under President Donald Trump.

Read: Trump will win, predicts election wizard Norpoth defying poll forecast

Its a dismal mood to take into the voting station. More depressing still, I know how I will feel afterwards. Indeed, my hunch is that many of those who voted for the winner will quickly experience a sense of buyers remorse. And so, a mischievous  and potentially lucrative  idea occurs to me. Starting on November 9, I could start selling a new bumper sticker: COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE: WE COULD HAVE PICKED THE OTHER ONE.

(Bobby Ghosh is editor-in-chief of Hindustan Times. He has spent over two decades covering international affairs, including long stints as correspondent and editor in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the US. He tweets as @ghoshworld)

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After more than four hours detention, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal left around midnight the R K Puram police station, following his detainment as he tried to meet the kin of ex-serviceman who allegedly committed suicide over the OROP issue, police said.

Kejriwal was detained from Lady Hardinge Hospital around 7.45 PM and brought to the RK Puram police station in south District since there was no media or presence of political leaders there, police sources said.

Police had asked him to go at around 8.45 PM but he refused to leave the police station.

Kejriwal left the police station accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other senior AAP leaders. After coming out of the police station he vented out his ire against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

However, Kejriwal had claimed that he was still being held in detention after he expressed his desire to meet the family of ex-serviceman Ram Singh Grewal who allegedly committed suicide over the OROP issue.

Sources close to the Chief Minister said that the police initially allowed him to leave but detained him again.

The police allowed us to leave but the chief minister expressed his desire to meet the family of the deceased ex-serviceman. He also told the pilot of the police patrol that he was proceeding to the Connaught Place Police Station, but he was again detained, a Kejriwal aide said.

Kejriwal tweeted from the police station saying that Sisodia, who was detained at Parliament Street police station for close to ten hours and later released, had come to meet him.

Manish reaches here at RK Puram PS where I am still detained, he had tweeted.

The suicide by an army veteran over OROP today snowballed into a huge political show with Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal and other opposition leaders attacking the Modi government on the issue while there was high drama after police detained and prevented them from entering a hospital.

The Congress Vice President was detained twice and was finally released late in the evening as restrictions were put on Kejriwals movements before he was detained. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was kept in custody for close to 10 hours.

Meanwhile, the ex-servicemens body was sent to his home town Bhiwani in Haryana after the postmortem.
For over one lakh e-rickshaws operating in the city, the capital has no legal charging point for these battery-operated three wheelers.

With a rampant increase in their number, the Delhi government is faced with a new challenge of dealing with the safety hazards that these vehicles pose for the drivers and passengers.

Letters and data of the Delhi government accessed by HT reveal that there are no government authorised charging point for e-rickshaws in the city and that discoms are currently allowing consumers to charge their own e-rickshaws through energy meters installed in their houses.

The government also acknowledges that many are now into illegal e-rickshaw charging business.

According to records, only 19,548 of these vehicles have been registered till October 13, which means more than 80% of the e-rickshaws plying in the city do not have certificates of road worthiness from the Battery Rickshaw Sangh (BRS), the body authorised by the Delhi government to issue the certificates.

According to the state transport department, e-rickshaws in Delhi have crossed the one-lakh mark.

By now a situation has arrived where dozens of e-rickshaws are being charged with a single domestic connection resulting in overloading of the sanctioned electricity capacity of the meter.

The Shahdara incident on Wednesday where three people died in a fire from an e-rickshaw that was being charged is a clear example of the safety hazard caused by such non-motorised vehicles  most of which are assembled with Chinese parts in unorganised workshops.

In October, three people died due to electrocution while charging their rickshaws.

It has been found that now gangs are minting money from e-rickshaw charging. Drivers pay R70 to 100 per day to the groups which steal power and charge vehicles in batches. Places range from houses to empty plots where live wires are extracted from the ground. The process takes place at night. By morning, all e-rickshaws are ready to go, explained a discom official.

While the government had prepared a list of 100 manufacturers and around 90 dealers are authorised to sell these vehicles and its parts, it simply had not thought about providing charging stations to them.

An official from the transport department said, Our task is that of registration and challans. The power department has been asked by the Delhi High Court to come up with an action plan for charging stations.

Between July and October, the department challaned only 276 e-rickshaws and confiscated 224 others.

After the court direction, the power department had convened a meeting on April 29 this year, but nothing happened after that.

From our side we have done everything. We directed the discoms to approach DERC to decide special tariffs for those who are providing charging points. A battery bank model was discussed where drivers would just have to swap their batteries provided by certain companies. Now, the transport department has to decide the modalities, informed an official from the power department.

The discoms said the charging gangs do not even use commercial connections which cost R8.5 per unit, which ideally should be the case. Even if we provide charging points, very few drivers opt for it, a discom official said.

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The 70-year-old retired soldier from Haryana, who committed suicide in the Capital early on Wednesday over one rank one pension (OROP) scheme, won several accolades for his contribution to social service and for changing the face of his village Bamla.

Ram Kishan Grewal started working for the welfare of his village in Bhiwani and became the village sarpanch after retiring from Defence Security Corps as a subedar in 2004 after serving in the unit for 28 years.

Simultaneously, he kept working for the welfare of ex-servicemen and vociferously joined protests for the implementation of the OROP scheme.

Read | Ex-serviceman allegedly kills self over One Rank One Pension issue

Grewal, who was leading a protest by former Haryana servicemen against OROP, reportedly reached Delhi on Monday to meet the defence minister with an application stating that despite the implementation of the OROP, the soldiers have not received the increased pension as per the sixth and seventh pay commission along with the due arrears.

While working as the sarpanch, Grewal not only helped open schools for girl children, but also brought a water pipeline to the village, solving the water crisis and sanitation problems. For the initiative, he was also awarded the Nirmal Gram Puruskar by the then President, Pratibha Patil, in 2008.

Bamla village became the first few Nirmal Grams in Haryana. The government of India had launched this award for fully sanitised and open defecation-free Gram Panchayats in 2003 and gave away the first awards in 2005 as a component of its flagship scheme Total Sanitation Campaign.

Grewal also received the Shankar Dayal Sharma award for his contribution in social service and a letter of appreciation from General Nirmal Chandra Vij, 21st chief of the Army staff, Indian Army.

The school in the village was only till Class 10. My father fought with authorities and got senior secondary unit included. A separate branch was opened for girl students so that they are able to study till class 12, Jaswant, Grewals son told HT.

He also got water to the village for sanitation and agriculture. Earlier there was no water line and the women had to travel for several kilometers just to get drinking water. He got a pipeline laid and got water connections to Bamla. He was a brave man. Always inspired us all to work hard for the society, I cant believe he ended his life, he added.

Prithvi Singh, a resident of Bumla, who came to Delhi after learning of Grewals death told HT, During his tenure as the sarpanch, he transformed Bamla. He also got the tender of a stadium passed for the children to play and practice. Even after his retirement, he hardly sat at home to rest.

During the OROP protests last year, Grewal virtually shifted his base to New Delhis Jantar Mantar.

He was a part of all the major protests. He really felt for the cause and was certain that his efforts will not go for a waste. The government broke a man this strong. I think he gave up, Singh said.

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Armed robbers struck at the house of brick kiln workers at a village in Greater Noida on Tuesday night, gang-raped three women and escaped with jewellery and cash.

It is suspected the same gang had robbed a woman at the same locality on Tuesday evening.

In his complaint, the husband of one of the victims said six-seven men arrived at their house around 12.30 am and said they were policemen and wanted to inquire something.

When the man opened the door, the armed men barged in, pulled out his wife and raped her one by one. They later raped two other women in the neighbourhood, the complainant said.

I was brutally abused by the robbers, said one of the rape victims. Another woman said, I was helpless before them. They all raped me.

Sujata Singh, superintendent of police (rural), said on Wednesday, In both the cases, FIRs have been lodged. Both incidents seemed to be committed by same gang. The rape victims were sent for medical examination. We hope to crack the case soon and will arrest the culprits.

Residents said had the police acted in the first robbery of a Dalit woman, the brick kiln incident could have been averted.

When one of the women resisted, they beat her up and gang-raped her several times. Two other women were also raped by the gang members, Dhirendra Singh, a farmer leader.

Members of the Rashtriya Kisan Union later sat on a dharna at the Rabupura police station, demanding arrest of the culprits.

The dharna was lifted in the evening after deputy superintendent of police Dilip Singh arrived and pacified them, Singh added.

We have given an ultimatum of two days. The DSP has assured the culprits will be arrested in two days. If police fail to arrest the culprits, we will launch a protest from November 5 again, Singh added.

In a similar incident, armed bandits ambushed a family on National Highway 91 in Bulanshahr and gang-raped a woman and her daughter on July 29.
The kerfuffle over the killing of eight SIMI undertrials in Bhopal on Monday is not likely to die down unless the Opposition, activists and public get some answers. It is in the governments interests to put forward the facts so that there can be some closure. Instead, we see the government saying that some people and parties were trying to politicise and communalise an issue dealing with the countrys security.

Read: From robbing banks to making bombs: What the 8 SIMI men were accused of

It doesnt help when the minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju says that people should stop this habit of questioning the authorities and the police. The problem is that with this killing and also previous such encounters, the authorities tend to be opaque, leading to suspicions about what happened.

Read: Khandwa: The SIMI hotspot at the centre of MP prisoners encounter

As for the issue of communalising the situation, it is the Madhya Pradesh chief minister who spoke of appeasement and that many undertrials were being fed chicken biryani, both clear references to the religion of those killed. The State must remember that security forces are not above scrutiny.

The government should not try to shut people up under the cover of national security. The information and broadcasting minister referred to it becoming a `fashion to question the police. This it to trivialise the serious issues related to the escape and killing of the prisoners among them the lack of security on the jail premises and that of whether they could not have been captured alive.

Read: SIMI members jailbreak: MP home minister, DGP differ on encounter probe

This issue should not become a festering sore like that of the Ishrat Jahan encounter and of numerous others before and after that. By trying to draw a veil of silence over the incident the government is making an already fraught situation worse. It should not take a position that there can be no probe into the incident; rather it should welcome such an investigation which would make all the facts clear.

This is the best way to blunt any attack. This has nothing to do with communalisation as the government is trying to make out, it has to do with whether these were extra-judicial killings or a genuine response to an attack by the suspects.

A clear presentation of the facts as they transpired is the best rebuttal to what the government sees as uncomfortable and needless questions.


The United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, announced a new project that will assist Vietnams transition to climate-smart and low-emission development through improved forest protection, enhanced biodiversity conservation, and increased resilience of communities.

USAIDs Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia Gloria Steele announced last month the USAID Green Annamites Project during a meeting with leaders of the Peoples Committee of Quang Nam province. This project, which runs from 2016 until 2020, will invest approximately $24 million in Quang Nam and Thua Thien Hue provinces.

Forests play a critical role in Vietnam by protecting watersheds, preventing soil erosion, mitigating climate change, and providing for resilient communities. They are also home to rare and endemic species only found in these areas. Unfortunately, Vietnams forests, and the people and species that depend on them, are under increased pressure from unsustainable development.

The USAID Green Annamites Project, working in tandem with provincial authorities, will engage small-holder farmers and their families to improve livelihoods and increase investment in climate-smart agriculture while conserving the natural biodiversity of Quang Nam and Thua Thien Hue provinces.

Climate change is a priority issue that directly threatens achieving Vietnams sustainable development goals. To accelerate Vietnams transition to low-emission development, USAID supports Vietnams response to climate change through adaptation, sustainable landscapes, and clean energy programs.

Climate change work is an important part of our strategy in Vietnam, said Ms. Steele. This project is designed to improve peoples incomes by promoting investment in climate smart agriculture while at the same time conserving Vietnams natural forests and biodiversity. Quang Nam and Thua Thien Hue provinces are demonstrating how sustainable development can contribute to Vietnams efforts to achieve low emission and resilient economic growth.
Amity University has cancelled its plans to buy two campuses in the US after facing scrutiny from state officials in Massachusetts.

The Amity University chain filed paperwork in July proposing to buy the New England Institute of Art, located near Boston, and the Art Institute of New York City, which are now owned by the Pittsburgh-based Education Management Corp. The deal would have helped Amity gain a foothold in the US amid the chains global expansion.

But Education Management Corp. officials said Tuesday that Amity has withdrawn from the proposed sale. Anne Dean, a spokeswoman for the corporation, would not say why the deal fell through. Officials from Amity, which is based in New Delhi, did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment.

The sale would have required approval from state officials in Massachusetts, but some had said they were skeptical of the chain, saying it had no track record in the US.

In September, the states Department of Higher Education sent a letter to the New England Institute of Art asking what steps had been taken to ensure that Amity would provide a quality education and whether the chain had the finances to support it. Department officials said they didnt receive a formal response and hadnt been notified that the sale was cancelled.

The school proposed the sale after it had made plans to close following years of steep enrollment and revenue declines. In 2014, it enrolled 500 students, down from 1,600 in 2009.

Maura Healey, the states attorney general, said Tuesday that the sale was a bad idea from the beginning, describing Amity as a foreign entity with no experience in American higher education.

These students deserve the education and careers that they were promised, Healey said in a statement. They dont deserve to be treated like a source of income and shunted aside when they are no longer profitable.

Amity has already bought a campus on Long Island in New York, which is intended to become the chains first US branch. The company paid $22 million in September to buy the 170-acre site from St. Johns University in New York City, which was selling its Long Island branch campus and shifting to a smaller location.

The Amity chain has spread rapidly from India in recent years, opening campuses in England, China, South Africa and five other countries. Aseem Chauhan, one of the chains chancellors, said in an interview last month that he hoped a US campus would be popular among international students seeking an American education.

Dozens of US colleges have opened overseas campuses, but few foreign schools have sought to establish branches in the United States. Some experts say that may be changing, though, as more for-profit colleges look for buyers amid dwindling enrollments and increasing regulation from the federal government.

The Santa Fe University of Art and Design, a for-profit college in New Mexico, announced this year that it was being bought by the Singapore-based firm Raffles, which operates 30 colleges in more than a dozen countries.

Before colleges that receive federal funding can be sold, their buyers must gain approval from the state government, the US Department of Education and from an accrediting agency, according to federal education officials.
In Australia, post-study work arrangements are covered under the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). It has two streams: the graduate work stream and the post-study work stream. The graduate work stream is the same as the Skilled Graduate visa (subclass 485). The post-study work stream offers extended options for working in Australia to eligible graduates with a higher education degree. Under this stream, successful applicants are granted a visa of two, three or four year duration, depending on the highest educational qualification they have obtained. If you intend to study in Australia, you will need to apply for the student visa (subclass 500).

You can apply for the following types of study on this visa: English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students, school  primary or secondary, secondary school exchange programme; vocational education and training (VET) courses  a registered VET course or a registered course for the award of an advanced diploma; higher education courses  a bachelor or associate degree, a graduate certificate or graduate diploma; a masters degree by coursework or a higher education diploma or advanced diploma; postgraduate research degrees  a masters degree by research or a doctoral degree; non-award foundation studies courses or components of a course that do not lead to an award and students sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs or Trade or the Department of Defence.

The New Zealand government, in 2013, introduced a package of initiatives to encourage growth in New Zealands international education sector. Under these, eligible students are allowed to work during all their scheduled course breaks (rather than just summer), and doctoral and research masters students are able to work full-time. Working while studying allows students to gain invaluable industry experience before they graduate, preparing them for the job market.

Eligible international students have the opportunity to apply for a 12-month job search visa after completing their course in New Zealand (applicable for certain level of courses only) and get some international work experience.

There are other important benefits to people studying for a PhD in New Zealand. International students pay domestic fees rather than international fees. Their spouse or partner is eligible for an open work permit valid for the duration of the PhD. Dependent children of an international PhD student receive the same

schooling benefits as New Zealand permanent residents until their final year of high school, and no tuition fees are charged in New Zealands state schools.

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The countrys education system continues to be in a churn as the BJP-led NDA government appears set on overturning reforms initiated in the past five years.

The government wants to introduce an altered form of aptitude test for students of class 10 to help them choose their subjects in junior college. It has reversed a no-detention policy and looking to make the Central Board of Secondary Educations (CBSE) optional class 10 board exam mandatory again.

These were among a string of reforms that the previous UPA government initiated during its decade-long rule till 2014.

Another reform measure that the government has changed was its own. The human resource ministry had planned to set up a national authority for testing (NAT) to screen candidates before the joint entrance exam (JEE). But the IIT Council meeting in August decided that the test will be changed into a pilot programme and a voluntary exercise.

The current system of JEE Main and Advanced will continue, though.

India lacks a practical education policy  We need to have a set of wise experts, who can sit down and devise a policy which is rooted in practicality and is interesting as well as useful without being burdensome, former Delhi University vice-chancellor Dinesh Singh said.

The CBSE was the first school board in the country to introduce an aptitude assessment for class 10 in 2011. But it did not conduct the tests in 2015 and 2016 because the human resource development ministry wants to bring a modified version modeled on the CBSEs test, sources said.

A committee, comprising officials from the CBSE, National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and psychometric experts, was formed to work out the details. But the prototype has yet to take off from the drawing board.

Students appreciated the CBSEs previous version of the aptitude test, which the board is likely to reintroduce next year probably with a few minor changes. A review and a final decision are pending, though.

The UPA government had decided to make the class 10 board exam optional for students in schools affiliated to the CBSE.

But the NDA government wants to make the exam compulsory again as many schools and parents have complained of dipping quality because people no longer cared for the class 10 finals, which were once considered the stepping stone to higher studies.

The no-detention policy under the right to education (RTE) act allows students up to class 8 to be automatically promoted even if they fail to make the minimum grades.

The system was introduced in 2010 as part of the continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) for overall development of students.

But criticism engulfed the policy, prompting the HRD ministry at a recent Central Advisory Board of Education meeting to let the states decide if they want to continue with it.

The policy can be revoked by amending the act and an executive order can decide on the class X board exam.

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French footwear designer Christian Louboutin visited Mumbai last week to celebrate fashion in films. HT Cafe talks to the famous designer about his design philosophy and his favourite films. Christian revealed that he loves Bollywood music and he even hummed a few of his favourite Hindi songs.

Do Bollywood songs inspire you while designing a collection?

Music is never in the background. When I am designing, if I turn the music on, its going to put me in a specific mood. So, sometimes I do not listen to music. If I do, its not just random sounds. I have two houses; one is by the sea and the other is farther away. I always go to the one that is farther from the sea, because even the sound of the waves correlates [with my mood].

Watch: Christian Louboutin loves Bollywood. Hear him sing Laila O Laila!

For example, the kind of music that I always come back to for every single collection is disco. Its always a disco moment when I am designing a collection. Knowing that I am drawing for two weeks in a row, there is always a moment when I need such music. Disco does not necessarily mean French disco or American disco; Indian disco works perfectly well, too. I remember one, Its the time to disco (Kal Ho Naa Ho; 2003). There is also a song with Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora Khan on the train  Chaiyya Chaiyya (Dil Se; 1998). There are always a few songs that I listen to; the one with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan (pauses to recollect the name of the song), Kajra re (Bunty Aur Babli; 2005). These are my favourites. With Indian music, I can hum the melody. I dont have to try to sing the lyrics.

Christian would give up a hundred red carpets to just see Deepika Padukones look in Bajirao Mastani.

Which Bollywood personality would you like to design shoes for?

I am pretty shy. I would be happiest designing for someone who can come up to me and say I would love it if you could design [shoes for me]. It is not about me. I would like to be chosen by people and not the other way round. Its great when someone really wants you. I would rather be picked than try to pick someone.

What is it about fashion in Bollywood that entices you?

I make a big differentiation between well-dressed people when they walk on the red carpet, and well-dressed people when they are acting in a movie. I am really not interested in red carpets. Thats not my thing. When I think of an actress, I am thinking of her [character] in the movie. For instance, in Bajirao Mastani (2015), when you see Deepika Padukone dancing around with the banjo, this (the look) to me, is better than any red carpet. I would give up a hundred red carpets to just see that movie (Bajirao Mastani) again.

Christian Louboutin believes that the identity of Indian women is very strong.

They say people are judged by the shoes they wear. What is your take on this and what do you think about the fashion sensibilities of Indian women?

First of all, I dont like to judge people. I would not judge people based on what they wear but on what they say. When I opened my first store in Delhi, though I am known for my high heels, people would come asking for flat shoes and little sandals. I thought it was interesting that even if you are known in India for specific things, people still want exactly what they are going to wear or what they are going to need. And thats one thing about Indian women, they are actually quite confident, and they know what they need. It was flattering that Indian women would still consider me for not necessarily a thing that I am known for. This proves that the identity of Indian women is very strong and they know about it. It is a nice thing to see.

What tips would you suggest for men who want to buy a pair of shoes for their partners?

It is better to go for a smaller size because even if it doesnt fit, a woman will not get offended as she will think that she has small feet. But, if you take a size 10, when she is a size 7, then she will not be happy. So, make sure you go for a smaller size. Its like when you tell a woman she looks ten years younger she does not get offended. But buying her something for 10 years after could be more offensive.

Also, take something she would not buy for herself because that is what I do. I always buy things that a woman would use less. When a woman buys something for herself it is normally functional, so opt for something that is as dreamy and eccentric as possible.

Beyonce Knowles wore shoes designed by Christian Louboutin at the Super Bowl 2016.

You have designed for characters in movies. Do you find it challenging to design with a set format?

It is very exciting to have a brief for a movie or a person or a function. I use the term emergency thing when designing for specific things. For instance, I do an ankle strap for a stage performance. You can be the biggest actress but you can still be shy at a specific moment on stage. I have been working with a lot of dancers and artistes who perform on stage. For someone like Beyonce, as she sings and dances too, I am not going to design something where she lifts her leg and it (shoe) falls off the stage. Therefore, challenges are a good thing.

If you had to change something about yourself, what would it be?

I have been very lucky, as I have had a journey which is almost 25-year long, but I still feel very young. However, often I thank people for helping me, and participating in this adventure. There is nothing that I would like to change.

How was your experience celebrating cinema at the film festival in Mumbai?

Mumbai is one of the most important capitals for movies. And, its always interesting to see several people, including students who are interested in cinema. No one has forgotten about Guru Dutt and Satyajit Ray, the czars of cinema. From classic Bengali films to super-vibrant movies in Bollywood, all of these, make India so versatile and interesting. And the film festival in Mumbai covered all these spectrums.

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Two months after the Mewat biryani row, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said a day would come when Haryanvi biryani would be popular instead of Hyderabadi biryani and would be served in restaurants across the country.

Referring to the Centres Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat drive, Khattar said Telangana and Haryana have partnered in the drive and a day might come when instead of Hyderabadi biryani, Haryanvi biryani is served across the country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the states golden jubilee celebrations in Gurgaon on Tuesday, Khattar said Haryana would try its best to make Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat successful.

He said under the drive it might even be possible that Hyderabadi Irani chai is served in Haryanas food joints one day and Hyderabadi ragini (folk music genre of Haryana) comes up on the lines of Haryanvi ragini.

Khattar said it might even be possible that Haryanvi food made of milk and curd would be discussed in Hyderabads restaurants.

The CM has been evading questions on the Mewat biryani row ever since it was revealed that police and animal husbandry officials had collected seven biryani samples from Ferozepur Jhirka town in Mewat in the first week of September.

The Haryana government had faced criticism from several quarters as the samples were collected on the suspicion of containing beef.

The samples were sent to a lab in Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Hisar and the lab report mentioned the meat was of cattle species. The government has, however, initiated no action on the report and the matter is pending.

Khattar said the golden jubilee celebrations were not of a particular party or government. This is not an event of any party or government. Political leaders across party lines are attending this event, he said.

There were, however, no prominent leaders from the Congress or the Indian National Lok Dal present at the event.
Actor Lindsay Lohan is being criticised for her new accent which she has attained after spending time in Europe.

The actor surprised everyone when she recently showed off a bizarre new accent as she spoke to some reporters at the launch of her nightclub in Greece, reports Aceshowbiz.com.

Lindsay Lohan on her new accent: "It's a mixture of most of the languages I can understand or am trying to learn.'" pic.twitter.com/cJhB1BrsLi  bella vita (@drugproblem) November 2, 2016

The 30-year-old used a very different and weird way of speaking as she talked about the joy she found while staying in Greece, facing flak from Twitterati.

Trying to think who she is mimicking not her usual voice, one Twitter user commented on the clip.

Lol...shes speaking as if English is her second language, another user wrote.

Is she trying to sound Greek? She looks horrible and is just a sad case, another added.

Lohan spent most of her time in Greece following her split from Egor Tarabasov last summer.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
In an escalation at the border, 8 people, including two children and four women, were killed and 22 injured on Tuesday as Pakistani troops targeted civilian areas here, inviting strong retaliation by Indian forces who killed two Pakistani soldiers and destroyed their 14 posts.

The injured included a 18-month-old child.

The increased shelling and firing by Pakistan prompted the Jammu and Kashmir government to order the closure of all 400 schools along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region.

With cross-border firing escalating, Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation at a meeting in Delhi which was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag and other top officials.

Deputy Commissioner of Samba district, Sheetal Nanda, told PTI that five people died and eight others were injured in Pakistani shelling in Ramgarh sector on Tuesday.

One person died due to shock during shelling in the same area, raising the toll of those killed in the area to six, she said.

The deceased have been identified as 19-year-old Ravinder Kour of Jerda village, 7-year-old Rishap, 5-year-old Abhi, 29-year-old Anju Devi, 60-year-old Meeru Ram of Rangoor village and 32-year-old Swaran Singh of Govindgarh.

The injured have been identified as 45-year-old Ashok Kumar, 30-year-old Rakesh Kumar, 13-year-old Muskaan, 50- year-old Kamli, one-and-a-half year-old Pari, 29-year-old Sushma of Rangoor Camp village and 28-year-old Kapil Dev and 15-year-old Anjna Verma of Nanga village.

Pari, along with Ashok Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, Muskaan, Kamli and Kapil Dev have been shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) hospital in Jammu for treatment.

Along the LoC, two women Sultan Begum and Maqbool Begum were killed in firing and shelling by Pakistani troops in Panjgrian border hamlet in Manjakote belt of Rajouri district , Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Shabir Ahmed Bhat said.

He said that three people (army porters) suffered injuries in the shelling by Pakistani troops in Noushera sector of the district and they have been hospitalised.

At 7 am on Tuesday, three mortar shells landed in the border village of Pindi in Arnia sector of Jammu district and injured 4 people, he said.

Two women Robiya Kouser (28) and Tasveer Bi (24) were injured in Pakistani shelling in Mendhar sector of Poonch district last evening and have been hospitalised, police said.

Retaliatory firing

Army sources said that two Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory firing along LoC near the Naushera sector of Rajouri district.

Pareek said the BSF destroyed 14 posts of Pakistani Rangers in retaliatory action.

BSF gave a calibrated retaliation on IB in response to unprovoked firing and shelling of Pakistan Rangers in area of Ramgarh and Arnia Sectors since morning, the DIG said.

Since morning, BSF targeted Pakistan Rangers posts across IB in the same sector and caused heavy damage to 14 Pakistani Posts, he said.

Read | India has determined enemy, but were more determined to stop them: BSF IG
As many as six officials in the Pakistani high commission reportedly returned home on Wednesday amid growing tensions between the two countries after a Pakistani staffer was caught spying, sources said.

Though there was no official confirmation on the number of diplomats leaving India, according to sources associated with the diplomatic mission, six officials are in the process of leaving or have already left.

Read | Pakistan high commission staffer asked to leave, 3 Indians held for espionage

The decision has been taken after it became impossible for the officials to work in this vitiated atmosphere. Indian government is threatening and blackmailing our diplomats. So in this condition, it is impossible for us to stay in this country and work, the sources alleged.

According to the sources, those who left include commercial counsellor Syed Furrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal.

Read | Pakistan may expel two Indian diplomats from Islamabad for spying

The Pakistani action comes days after India declared Pakistani official Mehmood Akhtar persona non-grata for espionage activities, a status that expelled the diplomat from India, triggering a tit-for-tat action from Islamabad, which also expelled an Indian High Commission official there.

Earlier, media reports emerging from Islamabad said Pakistan may ask at least two officials of the Indian High Commission to leave the country for their alleged involvement in subversive activities.

Read | Seven paramilitary personnel under police scanner in spy case

Akhtar had been arrested by Delhi Police last Wednesday after being caught with documents containing confidential, sensitive information pertaining to Indias defence. During his interrogation by the crime branch, Akhtar allegedly said 16 other staffers at the Pakistan high commission were involved in the spy ring.

The exposure of the espionage attempts adds a new dimension to India-Pakistans ongoing acrimony. India has been targeting Pakistan diplomatically after 19 soldiers were killed in a militant attack in September. India blames its neighbour for harbouring the militants who carried out the attacks. It later announced carrying out surgical strikes across the Line of Control, though Pakistan has denied this claim.

Also read | The spy story: 10 things about Pak officials detention in Delhi, his network
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Mulayam Singh Yadav, along with other party leaders, will flag off the much-publicised rath yatra of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on November 3.

As the custom-made hi-tech rath reached the chief ministers residence in Lucknow on Tuesday, leaders of the youth wings of the party, which has been hit by a feud, looked determined to make the event a huge draw.

Netaji (Mulayam) with other senior party leaders would flag off the rath yatra, the details of which would be made available soon, the chief ministers close aide, Rajendra Chowdhary, informed HT.

Two prominent English medium schools in the vicinity,  La Martiniere Boys and Loreto Convent ( a girls school) -have ordered closure on Thursday in view of the large turnout.

According to Chowdhary, over 3,000 vehicles, mostly SUVs, would be part of the entourage.

All roads leading to the venue  La Martiniere College ground  have been decorated with banners as senior police officers and the chief ministers security personnel made tnecessary security arrangements for the event.

Akhilesh had announced the launch of his yatra on October 3, but called it off in the thick of the Yadav family feud. This would be his third yatra since 2001-2002 but at that time he had covered the constituencies on a cycle, for which he also holds a record, according to Chowdhary.

The Kranti Rath Akhilesh used in 2012 was inherited from his father and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

On November 5, the ruling party is all set to celebrate its silver jubilee and the man in-charge of it is Akhilesh uncle and the partys state unit president, Shivpal Yadav.

A poster war among the supporters of the two leaders is on display now with attempts to make their respective events a bigger draw than the other.

Uncle (Shivpal) is missing and only pictures of the chief minister and party patriarch Mulayam dot the hoardings and posters put up by the SP youth leaders along the roads leading to the venue of the rath yatra event.

A solitary billboard put up by Shivpals supporters, however, claims: Shivpal kahen dil se, Akhilesh ka abhishek phir se (Shivpal sincerely wants Akhilesh to be CM again). So, would he be there on November 3?

I would attend the function if I am invited, he had said when he was asked last week whether he would take part in the CMs rath yatra event. He had taken the same stand on going to a meeting of all party MLAs called on October 23 by Akhilesh, but the invite never came.

We are not focusing on anything else right now. I have only one leader and that is Akhilesh and we are going to make his rath yatra a historic success, said Ebad Ansari, the expelled Yuvjan Sabha chief.

Billed as Vikas se Vijay tak (from development to victory), the rath yatra would start at 9am from La Martiniere College ground for Unnao, which is around 55 kilometres from Lucknow.

Apart from two huge receptions that have been planned in the state capital  one in Gomti Nagar and another one near the Chaudhary Charan Singh airport  the chief minister would address several public meetings along the route.

The SP, however, is not the only party gearing up for 2017 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. Almost all major political parties are set to hit the campaign trail from November.

The BJP would be taking out four Parivartan Yatras from November 5, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address at least seven party rallies, rounding off the yatras on December 24 in Lucknow. The Congress is embarking on the second phase of the Rahul Sandesh Yatra from November 2 and it would end on November 10.

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The Centre may have found in spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankars Art of Living and in think tanks such as the RSS-linked Jammu and Kashmir Study Centre, envoys of its peace-building measures in the Valley that has been roiling in unrest for almost four months now.

Sample this. As news of more schools in the Valley set ablaze broke over the weekend, an emissary from AOL reached Tral, near Srinagar on Tuesday. Hours after his arrival, Muzaffar Wani, father of slain Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani, issued a statement condemning the attack on schools.

His message was music to the governments ears which hopes the senior Wani would wield some positive influence in the Valley which has gone into a spiral since his sons killing on July 8.

And his connect with the AOL, which has forged links with a cross section of Kashmiris, including the separatists is a tie that the government is keenly watching and hoping to benefit from.

We have been working for over two decades in the Valley. We hold youth leadership training programmes, help in conflict management and provide education to restore peace, said Sanjay Bihari director of AOLs peace initiative.

AOL distances itself from the government, but sources said the BJP-PDP alliance in the state sees an opportunity to use such organisations to break the logjam in communication. For instance, AOLs dialogues are attended by representatives of the Hurriyat Conference as well as the Kashmiri Pandits.

One such dialogue by the AOL where both representatives from both the government and separatists are expected is scheduled for November 22 at New Delhis India Islamic Centre.

The RSS is also reaching out to the people in the Valley through its affiliates. But the RSS and the AOL have kept a distance from each other in Kashmir

The JKSC says it works on correcting misinformation.

An incorrect image of India has been created in the minds of Kashmiris. Nobody wants to know what the people of Kashmir want; they need education for their kids and jobs. We remove these distortions of facts, said Abha Khanna, director media at the JKSC.

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Power Africa, a U.S. Government-led initiative launched by President Barack Obama in 2013, has a new partnership arrangement with the Nile Basin Initiative, or NBI, and the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program, or NELSAP, focused on increasing regional power interconnections and generation among the Nile Equatorial Lakes countries.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and NBI  signed by the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, and the Executive Director of the NBI Secretariat  centers on collaboration, funding and technical assistance for regional power generation among the participating Nile Basin countries.

We are thrilled now to be working more closely with the United States Government and USAID to increase access to renewable energy for people across the Nile Basin region and all of East Africa, said Innocent Ntabana, Executive Director of the NBI Secretariat.

This new partnership between the United States, NBI and NELSAP builds on Power Africas broad coalition of public and private sector partners, and will help accelerate progress towards our shared goal of doubling access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.

Taylor Ruggles, the U.S. Department of States Regional Energy Counselor for Africa, said, Regional integration is more important than ever and this MOU signals a strong message to the people and governments of the region that we take the issue of energy access and connectivity seriously, and are committed to making the East African Power Pool a reality.

Power Africas goals are to increase electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa by adding more than 30,000 megawatts of cleaner, more efficient electricity generation capacity and 60 million new home and business connections.

The Nile Basin Initiative is a regional intergovernmental partnership launched by the Nile Basin countries in 1999, to manage and develop the shared Nile Basin water resources in a cooperative manner, share substantial socio-economic benefits, and promote regional peace and security. There are 10 NBI Member States: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Eritrea participates as an observer.

Tina Dooley-Jones, the Deputy Mission Director for the USAID Kenya and East Africa Mission, saidNELSAP plays an important role in promoting sound regional infrastructure development and regional integration, and I am certain that this partnership will advance our common commitment to electrifying the Nile Basin region.
The eight SIMI members gunned down by police in Madhya Pradesh were not armed, the states anti-terror squad chief reiterated on Wednesday, punching fresh holes in the governments claims the radical Islamists were killed when they fired at security personnel.

The eight members of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) were shot dead in controversial circumstances on Monday, hours after they allegedly killed a jail warder and fled from the high-security Bhopal central jail.

The assertion by ATS chief Sanjeev Shami, who was part of the operation against the SIMI members, will bolster allegations that police had staged the encounter on the outskirts of Bhopal.

Shami purportedly made the statement to a television channel, a day after Madhya Pradesh home minister Bhupendra Singh gave a clean chit to police saying there was no need to probe the encounter.

Later, the government asked the rime investigation department, part of the state police, to probe the jailbreak.

On Monday, Shami had said that the SIMI men were unarmed, contradicting Bhopal range inspector general Yogesh Choudharys claim that the police were forced to retaliate when fired at by the fugitives.

Shami had said none of the cops were injured in the encounter though Choudhary claimed three security personnel were hit by pellets.

The highly-publicised incident has put the BJP government led by Shivraj Singh Chouhan under pressure with rights activists and opposition political parties seeking an independent probe into the encounter.

Though Chouhan had initially said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will be asked to probe the incident, the state government is yet to seek the central bodys help.
With GPRS-studded chariots, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set for its first-ever hi-tech Parivartan Rath Yatras, which would cover all 403 assembly constituencies in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh. The focus of the yatras, however, would primarily be on 300-odd rural or semi-rural constituencies.

The BJP yatras would begin two days after UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav launches his Vikas Yatra on Thursday.

After being flagged off from Saharanpur (November 5), Jhansi (November 6), Sonbhadra (November 8) and Ballia (November 9), the four convertible motorised chariots would move across largely rural terrain to help the party connect primarily with the poor, Dalit and OBC population who make up over 70% of UPs electorate.

All the four yatras would conclude in Lucknow on December 24 with a rally likely to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the state capital that day.

Sources said the BJP was expected to declare its first list of candidates after the yatras concluded, ostensibly to keep all the ticket seekers and their supporters engaged during the yatras. Throughout the route, the BJP cadre would be distributing pamphlets on why a change is required, alongside showcasing the achievements of the Narendra Modi government.

The yatra would be used to raise local issues of relevance, said BJP national secretary Mahendra Singh, who is the convener of all the four yatras, a key assignment that came his way after his involvement in the partys success in Assam where he was the party in-charge.

A dedicated social media team, travelling along with all the four yatras, would ensure that the yatras are prominently showcased on Twitter and Facebook.

The BJP call centre would also be active, helping cadre and masses keep abreast with the movement of the yatra and the changes that are made on the way.

The social media team, sources said, was likely to counter anti-BJP propaganda by political opponents. Its a yatra that would seek to help the BJP sound the victory bugle by mobilising public opinion against the SP and the BSP, says Singh.

The first BJP yatra would set out from Saharanpur after being flagged off by BJP chief Amit Shah. Union minister Kalraj Mishra, along with other leaders, would cover 20 districts, criss-crossing through the highly polarized western UP, including the areas of Shamli, Baghpat and Kairana from where BJP had reported the alleged exodus of Hindus.

This yatra would also pass through Rampur, the constituency of Samajwadi Partys most visible Muslim face, Azam Khan. While Union home minister Rajnath Singh wouldnt be present for the launch of the first yatra due to a prior official commitments, he would be there along with Shah and Mishra for the launch of the remaining three yatras.

The second yatra, after being flagged off from Jhansi, would cover parts of Bundelkhand and the Samajwadi Party bastions of Mainpuri, Etawah, Aligarh and Badaun. The third yatra would set out from Sonbhadra to cover the large parts of Purvanchal in east UP besides Congress bastions of Amethi and Rae Bareli.

The fourth yatra, after being flagged off from Ballia, would cover Azamgarh, Mau, Kushinagar, Gonda and Basti, among other places.

All the 403 constituencies would be covered, says Singh.

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Delhis air quality plummeted to dangerous levels on Wednesday, leaving an estimated 16 million people gasping for breath as experts warned of severe health problems for children forced to attend school in a city enveloped by a thick layer of toxic smog.

The government said there were no plans to close schools despite the alarming pollution levels since Diwali, compounded by negligible wind speed that has trapped the harmful air close to the surface and also reduced visibility drastically.

Childrens airways, lungs and immune system are still developing, which makes them vulnerable to airway allergies, respiratory infections and irreversible lung damage, said Anupam Sibal, senior paediatrician at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.

Krishan Chugh, director of paediatrics at the Gurgaon-based Fortis Memorial Research Institute said, Pollution levels are toxic and my advice to parents is to keep younger children (ages 6 and below) home.

Experts point out that in China, equally hit hard by vehicular and industrial pollution, a red alert is sounded and classes are suspended if pollution levels cross a certain threshold and remain unchanged for three consecutive days.

Track pollution levels in your city with this real-time air quality map

On Wednesday, multiple monitoring agencies in Delhi recorded the highly polluting and dangerous PM2.5 and PM10 at over 10 times the safe limit across the city-state during the day.

Health experts say these tiny particles can pass through the bodys natural sieve, go deep into the airways and lungs and even enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation, heart disease, chronic lung disease and cancers, among others. The average human hair is about 70 micrometers in diameter.

The benchmark air quality index (AQI) was also recorded at severe, indicating the highest level of pollution in the city even as the government appeared clueless on battling the menace despite announcing several schemes.

If pollution levels deteriorate then the government will shut schools for a few days. Health of students is of prime importance but at present there is no such plan, a senior government official said.

Some schools admitted to a 10-15% lower attendance on days with dense smog, especially post-Diwali.

Mostly students who already have breathing problems do not come to school on days with heavy smog, said Ruma Pathak, principal of MM Public School.

Some parents agreed that shutting schools for a few days will help.

My son has breathing problems and I usually dont send him to school on such days. If schools are shut it will help but then what about pollution in general, said Roopa Aryan, mother of a six-year-old.

Schools in Gurgaon have put restrictions on outdoor activities while in Noida, authorities have asked students to wear masks while commuting or when on the playground.

However, some school authorities said they cant suspend classes as it would affect their schedule.

Childrens health is a priority but under the Right to Education (RTE) Act we have to have at least 220 working days per year. If we give holidays then studies will get affected. But definitely something needs to be done, said Madhulika Sen, principal of Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar.

The state-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) said the air quality was likely to improve from Friday.

View gallery: From sunrise to sunset, Delhi covered in thick blanket of smog
Nepal is Indias next-door neighbour. But high-level visits from India to the neighbouring country have remained infrequent for years now.

When Narendra Modi visited Nepal in 2014, it was first bilateral visit by an India Prime Minister to Nepal in 17 years. The last Indian president to visit Nepal was KR Narayanan in 1997, which makes Pranab Mukherjees three-day visit to Nepal from November 2 an exercise again in shrinking the gap between the two.

Last week, the two sides revived a defunct joint commission at the foreign minister level after almost two decades. The joint commission was envisaged as a mechanism to follow-up on projects India assist in Nepal. What was discussed at the last joint commission meeting and what Beijing is planning to do for Nepal, wedged between India and China, will explain why India is keen to remain engaged with the neighbour at the highest level as often as it can. Such visits also create the necessary buzz to keep the ties moving fast. The Nepal government has announced November 2 as a holiday in honour of Mukherjee.

The two countries enjoy close ties despite irritants like the Madeshi population getting a raw deal in the new constitution, which angered India, bugging the ties. But the way India is looking to speed up the projects augurs well for Nepal. For India, this is an imperative in the wake of Chinas grand plans to expand its footprints in Nepal.

India and Nepal have also decided to expedite two ongoing cross-border railway projects and start three more railway projects. Biratnagar-Jogbani and Bardibas-Bijalpura-Jaynagar are the two ongoing railway projects that are put on a fast track. Nepalgunj-Nepalgunj, Kakarbhitta-New Jalpaiguri, and Bhairahawa-Nautanawa are the projects the two countries keen on to begin the work.

Emphasis to complete Hulaki Road works in the Terai and more funds for the road construction in the region and construction of an integrated check post in Biratnagar were also discussed.

To ensure that what the ministers agree upon are followed up, the first meeting of a joint oversight mechanism which was set up to monitor and clear the bottlenecks in ongoing projects will meet in a months time. Sectors such a road, railways and power are areas where Chinese are looking for opportunities in Nepal.

For example, Chinese companies have sought to conduct feasibility studies for the construction of railway lines that are of huge strategic importance for India. They include connecting capital Kathmandu with Rasuwagadhi, on the Chinese border, which will run through Pokhara and Lumbini. To put this in context, India has proposed a direct rail link from Kathmandu to Barahani on its border.

Even as India and China vie for influence in Nepal, what is also gaining traction - at least in China - is the scope of a trilateral tie-up which would facilitate trade among the three countries. But to keep the ties on a high, there is hardly any substitute for frequent high-level visits between the neighbours. Thats how it works in general, especially in the sub-continent.

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The Uttar Pradesh Congress launched on Wednesday the second phase of Rahul Sandesh Yatra to reach out to people at the panchayat level and consolidate possible gains made by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhis Deoria-Delhi Kisan Yatra that concluded last month.

Yes, Uttar Pradesh Congress Rahul Sandesh Yatra has begun its journey again in all the 75 districts. The Rahul Sandesh Yatra will continue its journey till November 10, said Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Raj Babbar.

Rahul Gandhi had gone door to door to get signatures of farmers on the Mang Patras (proformas) distributed to them to take feedback about loans in their name. The party deployed senior leaders to collect the documents by October 31. Rahul promised the famers that he would take up their cause and build pressure on the NDA government to waive their loans. We have already collected more than one crore proformas duly signed by the farmers, said a senior party leader.

Read: Rahuls Kisan Yatra set to conclude Thursday evening

The Congress launched the Rahul Sandesh Yatra (first phase) from October 15 to 27 to reach out to the people up to block level. Later, the party decided to launch another phase of the yatra after Diwali to reach out to village panchayats that could not be covered in the first phase.

Having deployed senior leaders as observers, the Congress proposes to use feedback received from the yatra about the partys organisational preparedness at grass roots level for 2017 assembly elections. The feedback is likely to be used in the distribution of tickets for 2017 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Soon, after the conclusion of Rahul Sandesh Yatra the party proposes to launch the Congress Dalit Yatra on November 11 2016 to woo the dalits. The Congress Dalit Yatra would also go from village to village to reach out to the Dalits, who form more than a fifth of the states population. The party proposes to send about 200 teams of Dalit leaders to nearly 8,000 scheduled-caste dominated villages across Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress is fighting to come back to power in Indias most populous state after 27 years but faces an uphill task competing against a resurgent BJP and strong regional parties, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party.

Read: Cong needs to learn from its MLAs exits and rework strategy to succeed in UP

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Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi vented anger at policemen on Wednesday after the detention of the family members of a retired soldier who allegedly committed suicide over unfilled expectations regarding his pension.

Do you not feel ashamed? He is a son of an army veteran, he is his father... and you are arresting them? Gandhi told policemen, pointing towards deceased Ram Kishan Grewals son and father.

Gandhi was detained outside Delhis RML Hospital, where the 70-year-old Grewal died after allegedly consuming poison, within minutes of a similar action against deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and his party MLA Surinder Singh. They had gone to meet the family of Grewal, a resident of Haryana.

What is your name? You think the family of Indias martyr should be arrested?, Gandhi asked a senior police officer at Mandir Marg police station where he was taken after being detained.

A martyrs family is arrested. This is (Prime Minister Narendra) Modijis India, he earlier told reporters outside the hospital.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal posted on Twitter that he spoke to his (the retired soldiers) son just now. He said he was manhandled by police.

He also said he was going to meet Grewals family. And moments later he posted that he too was detained.

Formally detained by the police. No idea where they are taking me.  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

Grewal, his friends alleged, was unhappy as the one rank one pension (Orop) scheme had failed to meet his expectations. Though Orop was rolled out in September 2015 but ex-servicemen say it has failed to address their concerns. The scheme promises equal pension to military personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of the date of retirement.

Gandhi asked the Prime Minister to implement one rank one pension scheme in a meaningful way. He said soldiers should not have to struggle to claim their dues.

Gandhi, who was keen to meet the ex-servicemans family, was requested by a police officer to leave the place in view of his security. He, in turn, demanded that the official tell the media what orders he had received.

They are telling me to go away from here and leave. I told you, a new India is being formed, he said as high drama unfolded outside the hospital.

Supporters of the Congress party at Mandir Marg Police Station where Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi was detained by the police in New Delhi on Wednesday. (PTI)

Home minister Rajnath Singh, however, defended Delhi Polices action after they detained the opposition leaders.

Whatever has to be done for risk reduction, the Delhi Police will do, he said. Delhi Police report to the Union home ministry.

Singh downplayed the Congress leaders outburst against the detention of Grewals family members and said the long pending one rank one pension issue.

Delhi Police too said that proper procedure was followed during the protests and no one had been arrested.

But lashing out at the Modi government, Gandhi said: A new India is in the making, you have to identify it. What is happening in India today, you have to identify it. It is a result of their mentality. It is a particular type of mentality. It is an undemocratic type of mentality.

How can you arrest the son and father of martyr? And if you have not arrested them, then why are you not letting them go, he said after his request for releasing Grewals family was turned down.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, who was also detained along with Haryana CLP leader Kiran Chowdhury, dubbed the action as naked goondaism of the Modi government.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the detention of opposition leaders.

Very sad that one of our former jawans committed suicide. Unfortunate that Rahul Gandhi and Manish Sisodia were stopped from visiting bereaved family, Banerjee tweeted.

This is all happening in the name of political vendetta. Issues like these make me deeply concerned about national integrity and unity, she added.
Indians exported goods and services worth at least Rs 17 trillion over the past four decades but did not remit an equivalent amount in foreign exchange, an HT analysis of classified central bank data shows. This is probably the first measure of how much the economy bled from tax evaders stashing funds offshore.

The amount accounts for a fourth of Indias current Gross Domestic Product. The money, substantially higher now when adjusted against the value of the US dollar, is believed to have been parked in tax havens.

The HT analysis of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, gleaned from 1972 to 2015, shows that 95% of Rs 17 trillion-worth exports were siphoned off over the past 10 years.

The RBI data is based on 188,605 export transactions that were not remitted home -- as is required under Indian foreign exchange rules. Its possible that some payments were stuck due to genuine reasons such as defaults during economic downturns, but data show a consistent uptick in under-recoveries over the years.

Phoney export deals are but only one way of stashing illegal funds abroad. Businesses under-invoice their exports and over-invoice imports from tax havens such as Singapore, UAE and Hong Kong. Money laundering in stocks is also among a variety of activities long suspected to have been used to avoid taxes.

Its is very difficult to estimate the black money stashed abroad. But this route (export) is definitely one of the ways in which money is being parked abroad, said Laveesh Bhandari, economist co-author of a book on corruption.

Gauging the quantum of illicit funds, or black money, Indians hold has been difficult, in part because of lack of data. Over time, Indian regulators have moved to curb tax crimes, including signing stronger disclosure pacts with foreign countries.

Much of the campaign against black money has been led by the Supreme Court. In 2011, the top court ordered the appointed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to make an assessment of dishonest wealth, both domestic and abroad. The panel was formed in 2014, shortly after Narendra Modi rode to power, pitching repatriation of black money of Indians parked abroad as part of his election campaign.

Thereafter, the SIT turned to the central bank for help with unearthing dodgy export deals. It wasnt immediately clear what the probe panel planned to do with the data.

Telephone calls and text messages to SIT chairman MB Shah for a response remained unanswered. A detailed email to RBI spokesperson did not elicit a response.

In India, past studies on untaxed wealth or illegal outward remittances have been few and far between, and hardly comprehensive or consistent, hurting the fight against corruption which is estimated to cost India 1-2% of gross domestic product ever year.

The latest RBI exercise comes closest to being definitive on at least phoney exports.

In 1988, a rare study by the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) estimated that Rs 13,000 crore of exports were not remitted to India. Some of the amount was recovered but, according to the latest RBI data, realisation of more than Rs 3200 crores from that period is still pending.

Exporters found it convenient to park money outside with a little bit of help from low ranking banking officials. Since there was no computerized data they could conceal it with the help of bank officials, said Ajay Agnihotri, a former CEIB assistant director general, who carried out the study on phoney exports.

India ranked fourth in black money outflows with more than Rs 500 billion siphoned out of the country a year during 2004-2013, the Global Financial Integrity (GFIs) 2015 report said.

Read | 10 things the government can do with earnings from disclosed black money

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Safety concerns could prompt India to bring back eight officials from its high commission in Islamabad after six members of the Pakistani mission here left for home on Wednesday, taking ties to a fresh low amid heightened tensions.

The safety of the Indian diplomats was compromised as their identities were posted online and their photos flashed by Pakistani news channels. The Pakistani media described two of the officials as spies and quoted sources as saying that they were involved in espionage and subversive activities.

The standoff follows unrelenting Pakistani shelling in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir over the past fortnight, resulting in heavy civilian fatalities. At least 20 people, including children, were killed as Pakistani troops pounded border areas with mortar shells.

Official sources in New Delhi said the identities of the Indian officials were leaked to Pakistani media shortly after a video emerged of the interrogation by Delhi Police of Mehmood Akhtar, a Pakistan high commission official arrested and expelled last week on charges of spying.

In the video, Akhtar is seen naming six more Pakistani officials as members of the spying ring. These six officials, including four of the rank of first secretary, were the ones who left India with their families on Wednesday.

The sources also questioned Delhi Polices decision to release the video to the media. It is believed that this had resulted in tit-for-tat leaks to the Pakistani media.

Pakistani TV channels and news websites initially ran stories that described Indian commercial counselor Rajesh Agnihotri and press secretary Balbir Singh as intelligence agents. Later, names of six more Indian officials were made public.

Sources said the news reports had raised serious concerns about the safety of the eight Indian officials, especially as their photos were flashed on TV at a time of heightened tensions. This would make it easy for forces inimical to India to identify them in public, the sources added.

Though there was no official word, the sources said the officials would have to be called back as there is a clear danger to their lives. The Indian officials include a counselor, three first secretaries and four assistants.

The external affairs ministry also summoned Pakistans deputy high commissioner Syed Haider Shah and protested against ceasefire violations on the frontiers in Kashmir. It also protested against the mutilation of the body of an Indian solider by a terrorist who crossed the Line of Control.

Pakistani forces have targeted border villages and army posts since Indias elite forces conducted surgical strikes on militant hideouts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in September.

No deaths were reported on Wednesday but many villagers living near the frontline have been evacuated to safe places.
India and Bangladesh will undertake a joint military exercise in Bangladesh from November 5, the Defence Ministry announced on Wednesday.

As part of the ongoing India-Bangladesh defence cooperation, a joint military training exercise Sampriti 2016 will be conducted at Tangail near Dhaka in Bangladesh from November 5-8, the Defence Ministry said in a release here.

The exercise is likely to include counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, it added.

According to the release, army personnel from both countries will also be familiarised with each others organisational structure and tactical drills.

This years joint exercise is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour between India and Bangladesh and will be the sixth edition of the same, hosted alternately by the two countries.

Last year, India hosted Sampriti 2015 at Binnaguri, West Bengal.

The first exercise in this series was conducted in 2010 at Jorhat in Assam.
The Karnataka government is going ahead with plans to celebrate Tipu Sultans birth anniversary on November 10 amid intense bickering among politicians and historians over whether the 18th century king deserved to be glorified.

The ruler of erstwhile Mysore kingdom is a divisive historical character. The Congress government headed by chief minister Siddaramaiah insists Tipu was a true patriotic ruler who fought and laid down his life fighting the British.

Several opposition parties including the BJP and its affiliates such as the RSS, however, say he was a religious bigot who forcibly converted thousands to Islam.

Several historians and prominent citizens have also joined the debate. Former Infosys director TV Mohandas Pai described the plan for Tipu Jayanti as something akin to celebrating the anniversary of Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor considered a tyrant.

But chief minister Siddaramaiah alleges that only some communal elements like the RSS are opposed to it. The government will ensure that law and order is maintained in the day of the celebrations, he says.

The Karnataka government celebrated Tipus birth anniversary for the first time last year, triggering protests and violence that resulted in the deaths of two people  a VHP leader and a youth from the minority community  in Kodagu district.

The BJP has accused the Congress government of celebrating the anniversary with the sole motive of appeasing the minority community. The party will stage protests across the state on November 8 to oppose the celebrations.

Several Christian organizations have also joined the chorus of protests against the government move. The United Christian Association in the coastal district of Mangalore has opposed the event, saying Tipu forcibly converted Catholics and destroyed churches alongside temples during his reign.

Noted writer and historian Professor Chidananda Murthy compares Tipu with Hitler and says there is enough proof in the form of documents to prove that he was a cruel bigot who mercilessly killed and converted several thousand Hindus and Christians whom he referred to as Kafirs.

Murthy points out that Brahmins of Melkote in Mandya district still do not celebrate Diwali as Tipu had massacred a large number of them on Narka Chaturdashi  festival coinciding with Diwali - about three centuries ago.

However, there are several historians who disagree and claim Tipu had donated huge sums of money to temples in Srirangapatna, Nanjangud and Sringeri.

Dr Narendar Pani, a professor in the School of Social Sciences, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), says: He was a trusted and honest leader to his subjects. It is a historical fact that he supported temples by giving huge grants. He also used to visit the temple located next to his palace in Srirangapatna to seek divine blessings before he embarked to the battlefield.
ELKO- A group of local businesses got together to present a poker run for the Nevada Day and Halloween holiday.

Basically, we invited people to go on the Century 21 and Summit Funding Halloween Poker Run, said Realtor Delmo Andreozzi.

People signed up and went to a collection of homes being shown for sale. At each house the participants picked up a playing card. After the home shows the contestants drove to The Terraces where Summit Funding is located to see who had the best hand.

The grand prize was three days and two nights at one of several vacation locations. Keith Mettie won the trip with a full house. Eric Madrid came in second place.

Other prizes included two $100 Visa cards for best childrens Halloween costumes. Kayleana Madrid won for her portrayal of a stick of cotton candy. Darius Johnson won for his costume of a scarecrow.

Elko Broadcasting, Las Brisas, Summit Funding, Stonecraft Jewelers, Braemar Construction and Century 21 sponsored the event.

All of us worked together to promote the event and help put it on, said Andreozzi. It was a great way to showcase houses and families got to enjoy a fun event for Nevada Day.
The escape and the killing of eight suspected members of the banned SIMI in an alleged gunfight with police have put the spotlight back on Khandwa, a small town about 280km from the state capital Bhopal.

Five of the men killed on Monday after the alleged shootout, which activists and opposition say was a staged gunfight, were from Khandwa, the alleged hotspot of Students Islamic Movement of India in Madhya Pradesh.

Sources in intelligence agencies point to Safdar Nagori, the chief of SIMIs radical wing, for Khandwa emerging as the centre of the groups activities in Madhya Pradesh.

Read | Doubts swirl but state govt rules out NIA probe into SIMI encounter

Nagori, who is lodged in Gujarats Sabarmati jail, is alleged to have established links with militant groups and taking SIMI to south India. He hails from Mahidpur in Ujjain, which is part of the Malwa-Nimad region that includes Khandwa, once a famous centre of Jainism. Nagori, said sources, was popular and managed to influence many local youth.

SIMI flourished in MP during Digvijaya Singhs regime. It was the BJP which demolished its structure, Deepak Vijayvargiya, chief spokesperson of the partys state unit said. Singh led a Congress government in the state from 1993-2003.

Three of the eight men -- Mehboob Guddu, Zakir Hussain and Amjad Khan  killed on Monday were among the seven SIMI men who escaped from the Khandwa jail in October 2013.

The encounter and questions swirling around it also tie closely with the SIMIs history in Madhya Pradesh.

Read | Why police theories on jailbreak by SIMI operatives ring hollow

A look at police records reveal that 83 first information reports (FIR) are registered against SIMI in Madhya Pradesh. Most of these were filed in 2001, the year the organisation was banned under the prevention of terrorism act, better known as Pota. The next wave of FIRs  22 of them  came in 2008, HT found.

But, the only instance of violence involving the proscribed group in the state was reported from Teen Pulia area of Khandwa when on November 28, 2008, an anti-terrorist cell constable, Sitaram Yadav, was gunned down by Abu Faisal, one of the two prominent second-rung SIMI leaders.

Faisal, who is connected to Khandwa through marriage, is serving a life term in the high-security Bhopal jail from where the eight members allegedly broke out. The fact that Faisal was left behind by the group has led to questions being asked about polices version of the events.

Faisals compatriot, Abdul Khilji, too, was killed on Monday. He was arrested on April 16, 2006 for allegedly fanning discord between Hindus and Muslims as Khandwa battled communal riots.

However, the key charges against Khilji were that he had a copy of SIMI constitution (dastoor), membership forms and copies of some pro-SIMI publications.

Read | From robbing banks to making bombs: What the 8 SIMI men were accused of

The pattern repeats itself. Seventy-one of the 83 FIRs are for possessing SIMI literature, which includes posters, membership coupons and in some cases even newspaper articles.

See these posters and other literature are the initial tendencies and they encourage radicalism and create unrest. So its better to prevent it and we have done everything within the law, Vijayvargiya said.

I was on the verge of securing an acquittal for Khilji but the police did not want him to get out as they feared he would revive SIMI in the state. But the fact is police allegations are flimsy, Khiljis lawyer Parvez Alam told HT.

HT spoke to several police officers but they declined comment.

Nagori and 12 others were arrested on March 26, 2008, in a second wave of arrests in a case that came to be known as Pithumpur case. HT has seen letters written by the then Dhar police chief to several counterparts in other district to register cases against those named in a diary recovered from Nagori. But most of the cases collapsed in court, Alam said.

In a report published in 2014, the Jamia Teachers Solidarity Association brought out several anomalies in cases against SIMI members. One of the examples it cited was that of the cases filed in Bhopals Talliya and Shahjanabad police stations on October 22, 2000.

In both cases, the same set of men is accused of committing identical crimes at two different places but at the same time.

Two robberies in 2010  in State Bank of Indore and Manappuram Golds office in Hanumanganj in Bhopal -- also shine the light on states handling of SIMI.

Faisal, who allegedly took over from Nagori after he was jailed, was arrested in the Manappuram case. He was also wanted for his alleged role in the 2008 Ahmedabad blasts that left 56 people dead. Mehboob Guddu, a close aide of Faisal, was also arrested in the case. Both had escaped from the Khandwa jail as well.

Read | Bhopal jailbreak exposes security gaps in MPs best-secured prison

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Lakhs of students may not be able to watch educational channels as DTH service providers have asked the government for money to air these channels.

HRD ministry had launched 32 educational channels for providing high quality instruction for higher education, including three that will help students prepare for IIT entrance examination. According to sources, these channels will only be available through Doordarshan set top box and Dish TV.

Sources said that Human Resource Development (HRD) minister held a meeting with all Direct to Home (DTH) service providers and cable operators, during which there was a good response from them. However, subsequently, they have asked for charges to telecast these channels. The content of these channels has been prepared by IIT professors and other experts.

The channels are being provided on Doordarshan and Dish and we are still trying to negotiate with the other providers. They are asking for `5 crore per year for every channel which is not feasible, said a senior HRD official.

In August the union HRD ministry gave its clearance to a scheme called Swayam Prabha, allowing 32 direct-to-home (DTH) television channels to broadcast programs for school and university students.

After watching the content, students can clear their doubts through a toll-free helpline number.

The ministry will appoint subject experts to provide good quality content who will be paid on an hourly basis. The content will have pictures, videos and diagrams to make studies more interactive and to help students understand the concept well.

The ministry is planning to broadcast live classroom lectures from IIT Mumbai, Delhi, Kharagpur and Kanpur. Sources said that the ministry is likely to launch a social media campaign to create more awareness about these channels so that more students are able to benefit from it.

Although more than three crore youth are pursuing higher education, the standard of education is not uniform, raising the issue of quality access to knowledge. Youth in the backward pockets of India need a fair deal in accessing high-quality knowledge to confidently enter the job market, a senior ministry official said.

This scheme will help them to learn and understand key concepts while sitting at home, the official added.

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A noted female Islamic scholar has said any attempt by the Narendra Modi government to do away with the practice of triple talaq would be opposed in the strongest possible terms by women themselves.

Fariha Binte Hakeemullah, who is associated with Allahabad-based Islamic Education and Research Organization, said Muslim women in the country are happy with the existing Islamic laws on triple talaq through which Muslim men divorce their wives instantly by uttering the word thrice in one go.

Muslim women would continue following the Shariah law as it is better in their interest, Hakeemullah said at a seminar on triple talaq in Gorakhpurs Unchwa locality on Monday.

When the Muslim women themselves do not want any changes in triple talaq and Shariah, why is the government interfering unnecessarily? she asked, adding it was the constitutional right of Muslims to follow Shariah.

In India, there is a separate set of laws governing marriage, divorce and inheritance that allows the Muslim community to regulate these matters through their own civil code.

The Modi government has said it wants to replace the triple talaq and other Islamic personal laws with a new uniform civil code applicable to all religious groups. That proposal has met stiff opposition from Muslim groups, who argue that it would discriminate against them.

Read more| Triple talaq: The AIMPLBs statement goes against the spirit of Islam

Last week, Modi criticised the controversial practice of triple talaq, speaking for the first time on mounting calls to reform the Islamic code that he said was destroying Muslim womens lives.

Womens rights were a development issue and that people must not politicise the debate to ban the triple talaq, the Prime Minister said at a rally in Uttar Pradesh, where Muslims form more than 20% of the population - above the national average.

About two dozen Muslim womens groups have in recent years mounted legal challenges to triple talaq, which they say discriminates against them and violates their human rights.

Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), which has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, demanding reforms in the Muslim personal law and the abolition of triple talaq and halala, says triple talaq is unilateral, arbitrary and unconstitutional because it violates the right to equality.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), a non-governmental body which oversees the application of Muslim personal law, opposes any ban on triple talaq and polygamy.

Justifying the triple talaq, Hakeemullah said that it was the simplest way in which a Muslim couple could separate if they wanted to do so without any complications.

Talaq is the last option available to Muslim couples who want to separate. In Islam, couples who want to part ways have been asked to resolve their differences through discussions among themselves. Family elders may also intervene. The couple may finally opt for talaq if the issues are not sorted out, she said.

Read more| AIMPLB convention to formulate action on Uniform Civil Code and triple talaq

Hakeemullah said Islam showed the way to peace, harmony and brotherhood but conspiracies were hatched to portray it in a poor light.

Islam is being associated with terrorism nowadays to defame the 1,400-year-old religion which advocates universal brotherhood and mutual love, she added.

According to Hakeemullah, a large number of Muslim women, who attended the seminar, vowed to oppose any reform in the controversial Islamic law under which a man can divorce his wife by uttering the word talaq three times in one go.

Triple talaq has been banned in more than 20 Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh while polygamy was prohibited in Turkey and Turkmenistan among other countries.
Are you appearing for any written examination conducted by the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPPC) for a job in the state government?

If yes, then forget your shoes if you want access to the examination hall. You will have to either go bare feet or wear flip flops otherwise you will not be allowed to write the examination. Not just shoes, you wont be allowed to wear a wristwatch or carry a wallet. If you have any tattoo on any part of your body, you cannot appear for the examination.

And, if you are a woman candidate, you are not supposed to wear any jewellery and henna designs on your palms and hands is also strictly prohibited.

The commission has mentioned the dress code in its instructions to the candidates appearing for the written exam for Group-II services in the government. Almost 8 lakh candidates are appearing for the test for 1,032 posts that are to be held on November 11 and 13.

The dos and donts suggested by the commission have stumped candidates.

One can understand if the commission has prohibited the usage of electronic gadgets like calculators, mobile phones, tablets, Bluetooth devices, recording instruments and even log tables. How can it ban wrist watch or wallet or gold ornaments? P Prasad, who has applied for the Group-II post, asked.

Repeated attempts to contact TSPSC chairperson Ghanta Chakrapani failed but an official in the commission, who refused to be named, said the instructions were issued only to ensure a fool-proof examination without the scope for any malpractices.

Shoes and wrist watches are not allowed because there is every possibility that the candidates might bring slips in them, he said.

Screen shot of the circular sent out by the TSPSC.

The official reason given by the commission behind banning henna and tattoos is that the candidates would have to go through a screening in the form of bio-metric left thumbprint/ iris/photo capture.

This is a security feature which will allow TSPSC to verify the identity of the candidate and also to check impersonation by any candidate. Therefore, they are advised not to apply any external matters like mehndi, ink, etc, on their hands/foot, the instructions said.

However, the official said that the commission suspects that there is a possibility of candidates scribbling answers withing the designs and it may become difficult for invigilators to inspect each and every student.

The commission has banned gold ornaments for the safety of the candidates as there may not be a guaranteed security facility for the safekeeping of their valuables, the official said.

The candidates will have to undergo thorough frisking so as to prevent them from resorting to any malpractices. In the process, there is a possibility of the candidates losing their valuables, he said.

Earlier this year, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) similarly issued a long list of banned items for those appearing fo National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test 1.

The education board asked candidates to wear slippers or sandals, but not shoes. Candidates were advised to wear light clothes and wear half-sleeves without big buttons, badges or brooches, which could possibly be used to hide communication devices.

It also said that ornaments like ring, earring, nose-pin, chain/necklace, pendant, badge, brooch etc should be carefully checked.

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A 70-year-old retired soldier from Haryana committed suicide in the Capital on early Wednesday, hours after he and other veterans unsuccessfully tried to handover a petition for the defence minister on one rank one pension (Orop) scheme, his friends said.

Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal, who was leading a protest by former Haryana servicemen against Orop, reportedly reached Delhi on Monday. He was carrying a letter that listed their demands and was to be submitted to defence minister Manohar Parrikar.

I am sacrificing my life for my country, my motherland and my countrys brave soldiers, he wrote in the suicide note penned right below the letter.

Read | Rs 5,500 cr paid for implementing OROP; fulfilled promise: PM Modi

Grewal, who hailed from Bamla village in Bhiwani, retired from Defence Security Corps in July 2004 and is survived by his wife, two daughters and five sons.

Though Orop was announced in September 2015 but ex-servicemen say it has failed to address their concerns. The scheme promises equal pension to military personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of the date of retirement.

The delegation claimed that they tried to meet Parrikar on Monday as well as Tuesday but couldnt. They (the ministry) did not let us enter. We requested that we will not take much time as we just need to give an application but we were not heard. No one was ready to listen which upset Grewal, his friend Jagdish Rai told HT.

The men returned to Jantar Mantar around 1pm on Tuesday to discuss their next move. Grewal told him to arrange for food and went for a walk, Rai said. When I left, he consumed sulphas, Rai said. Garewal was rushed to RML hospital at around 2pm. He died Wednesday morning. Sulphas is a pesticide and used to preserve rice.

Police suspect that Grewal had planned the suicide as he was carrying sulphas tablets with him.

Read | HT Explains: What is Orop and why are veterans still unhappy

To get Orop cleared was his mission. Despite the government implementing it, none of us could get any benefit. He always said that it was our right. He fought for us soldiers. When the government refused to listen, he had no choice but to kill himself, Rai said.

He promised he would not return home till the work was done, Grewals son Jaswant said. I do not know if he bought poison from here and went. Just a few minutes before he died, he called home to check if my mother had eaten food and if we were fine, he said.

He called us & informed he is committing suicide as the Govt has failed to fulfil their demands related to OROP: Son of Ram Kishan Garehwal pic.twitter.com/37WwsnBOao  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

The police have initiated an inquest proceeding and the post mortem is being conducted. Grewal would be cremated in Bamla and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will attend his funeral.

Both farmers and soldiers are committing suicide in Modi Raj. That means the Prime Minister is lying that OROP has been implemented. Why would Ram Kishan ji have committed suicide if OROP was being implemented? Kejriwal tweeted.

The suicide comes two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government had paid nearly R5,500 crore towards Orop, fulfilling the promise he made to ex-servicemen. He was speaking in Himachal Pradeshs Kinnaur district, where he celebrated Diwali with soldiers.

Ex-servicemen, who have continued to protest at Jantar Mantar, say four of their main demands have not been met. Last week, a government-appointed judicial panel to look into the anomalies in Orop submitted its report to Parrikar. The report is yet to be made public.

Read | OROP panel not hearing individuals, only organisations: Ex-armyman tells HC

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Pakistan may expel two Indian diplomats in Islamabad on charges of spying and involvement in subversive activities, the Pakistani media reported on Wednesday, the latest tit-for-tat measure amid heightened tensions between the two sides.

The two officials were named by several TV news channels, which also and flashed their photographs. Geo News identified them as commercial counsellor Rajesh Agnihotri and press secretary Balbir Singh.

There was no official word on the matter from the Pakistan government.

Read | Hostilities escalate as India, Pakistan expel high commission officials

Geo News quoted its sources as saying that the two diplomats had been spying for the RAW intelligence agency and the Intelligence Bureau. Other channels quoted their sources as saying that both men were involved in terrorist and subversive activities.

The media reports further claimed Indian diplomat Surjeet Singh, who was expelled by Pakistan last week, was part of the same ring.

Pakistan had declared Singh persona non grata on October 27 and given 48 hours to leave the country. The move came hours after India arrested and expelled Mehmood Akhtar, an official of the Pakistan High Commission, on charges of obtaining secret documents and information about troop deployments.

Read | Expulsion of Pak spy: Nothing more than a political signalling

There were also reports that Pakistan might call back four officials from its high commission in New Delhi after they were named in a recorded statement by Akhtar.

In New Delhi, external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup told Reuters the ministry was aware of the media reports. We have yet to receive any official communication in the matter, he said.

India-Pakistan ties nose-dived after unrest erupted in Jammu and Kashmir following the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani. Tensions flared after a terror attack on an Indian Army camp at Uri killed 19 soldiers in September. India blamed the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed for the strike and retaliated by carrying out surgical strikes on terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control.
The Border Security Force (BSF) said on Wednesday that Pakistans border guarding force was deliberately targeting civilian areas and its Army directly supporting the troops in the shelling on these areas and Indian posts along the International Border.

Addressing a press conference, inspector general of BSF, DK Upadhyay, said Pakistan Army is giving full support to Pakistan Rangers, which have violated ceasefire countless times in recent past.

Pakistani forces are firing heavy mortars deliberately towards Indian civilian areas. BSF never fires towards any Pakistani civilian area. We fire only towards military bunkers from where Pakistani forces fire. We have inflicted heavy damage on 14 Pakistani bunkers, he said.

However, he ruled out use of artillery by Pakistan troops in shelling on Indian areas.

There is no proof of artillery being used by the Pakistani forces, the Border Security Force IG said.

Upadhyay said Pakistan has violated the human rights and international norms, by targeting civilian areas.

BSF has foiled 5 infiltration bids along IB in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district since October 20-21 night.

Since the forced infiltration was foiled on the intervening night of October 20 and 21, five infiltration bids have been foiled and a total of 14 infiltration bids were foiled this year...out of them, three bids have been made close to Diwali night, he said.

But Pakistan is continuously making efforts to help the terrorists to enter into Indian side, the IG said adding BSF is fully prepared to give a befitting reply to any such attempt.

Upadhyay said if there was any civilian casualty in the Pakistani side, it was because the civilian population live very close to the military bunkers that might have resulted in collateral damage.

He also showed images of BSFs firing which targeted only military bunkers in Pakistan.

In an escalation on the tension along border, eight people, including two children and four women, were killed and 22 injured yesterday as Pakistani troops targeted civilian areas in Jammu region inviting strong retaliation by Indian forces who killed two Pakistani soldiers and destroyed their 14 posts.

In view of increased shelling and firing by Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered closure of all the 400 schools along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC).

With cross-border firing escalating, Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation at a meeting in Delhi which was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag and other top officials.

Tension along the IB and LoC escalated since the surgical strikes by army targeting terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on September 29.
A constable of district police was abducted by suspected Maoists in Chattisgarhs Maoist-hit Sukma district in Bastar division on Tuesday.

Police have registered a case and started investigation.

Constable Kalmu Hidma of district police was abducted from Sukma. He was returning from home on Monday when suspected Maoists abducted him near Puswada village under Polampalli police station, SP Sukma Indira Kalyan Elesela said to media persons.

Police said that Hidma was originally posted in Polampalli police station but currently he was attached with CRPF camp for last few months.

As per the police, the constable had gone to Polampalli to celebrate Diwali with his family and had not informed the paramilitary senior officials before leaving the camp.

On Monday, when he was returning to the camp on his bike he was intercepted by Maoists at a place about one-and-half km from Puswada.

Police have recovered Hidmas bike and launched a massive hunt and combing operation to trace the constable.
Poll strategist Prashant Kishors meeting with Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav has angered a section in the Congress with Uttar Pradesh unit chief Raj Babbar claiming that he did not have the mandate to speak on the alliance issue.

Congress leaders are of the view that negotiations on any alliance with a political party have to be carried out by party leadership and not the poll strategist.

The party has repeatedly clarified that Kishors role is limited to only suggesting relevant points for the manifesto and the election campaign in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

A senior Congress functionary said it was made clear to Kishor before his appointment that he will have no role in organisational affairs, ticket distribution or in forging electoral alliances.

Its a free country. He can meet anybody. I dont believe Congress mandated him to do so, Babbar said on Kishors meeting with the SP supremo at senior leader Amar Singhs residence in the national capital.

Babbar and Kishor have been at loggerheads over issues related to the party organisation.

In the past too, UP Congress leaders had complained to the central leadership about Kishors unsolicited interference in organisational matters after he summoned a meeting of office bearers in Lucknow.
It is well-known in political circles that Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi share a good rapport and have often praised each other on different occasions.

The Congress may agree to play the second fiddle to the Samajwadi Party (SP) in the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh if Akhilesh is declared the face of the proposed grand alliance to take on both the BJP and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

The alliance buzz has grown louder after Congress poll strategist Prashant Kishor met SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh in New Delhi on Tuesday.

At last years Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Akhilesh offered a deal to the Congress, saying the SP was game for a tie-up if his father was made the prime ministerial candidate for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with Rahul as his deputy.

Akhilesh also said that Rahul was a colleague and that he shared a good equation with him. The UP CM has maintained that the Congress V-P is a good human being.

Rahulji bahut acche insan hain, bahut acche ladke hain. UP me zyada rahenge to hamari dosti unse hogi ... Do acche log mil jaye to kya kharab baat hai. (Rahul is a good human being, a good boy. If he spends more time in UP, we can become friends...If two good human beings meet, whats wrong in that), Akhilesh said in Lucknow on September 8.

Nearly a month later on October 10, the UP chief minister backed Rahuls controversial dalali remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the September 29 surgical strikes carried out by the armed forces against terror launch pads across the Line of Control.

If Rahul has said that, he must have said it after due thinking He must have his reasons, Akhilesh said.

For his part, Rahul too has reciprocated Akhileshs good words for him.

Kicking off his partys campaign from Lucknow on July 29, the Congress V-P remarked: Akhilesh theek ladka hai (he is a well-meaning boy).

Mulayam recently floated the idea of a grand alliance, similar to the Janata Parivar merger in Bihar, amid the raging feud with the Yadav family.

SP, which was initially part of Bihars grand alliance, had walked out of it after it was offered only a handful of seats to contest the assembly elections there. The grand alliance of Janata Dal(United), Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress, however, scripted an electoral victory, defeating the BJP.

To stay ahead in the elections, one of the SPs main aim is to prevent splitting Muslim votes and to achieve this, it is looking for an alliance with secular parties.
ELKO  Musician Johnny B. Piano Man will perform Rhythm of the North: A Fast-Paced Multimedia Musical at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3 in the Great Basin College Theater.

Tickets cost $15 for the general public and $12 for students and senior citizens. Advance tickets are now available at the controllers office in Berg Hall.

Johnny B. is well known for blending together boogie-woogie, melodic jazz, and classical influenced ballads.

Johnny B. began playing the piano in 1957. He attended the Berklee College of Music and later went on to receive his Masters of educational media and technology from Boston University in 1979.

In the 90s he was the co-host, performer, and music director for Tom Bodetts End of the Road radio show, which was aired on 64 public radio stations.

Johnny B. was awarded the Lifetime Achievement in the Arts award in 2015 for his outstanding accomplishments and passionate advocacy for the arts and artists. He also received the Career Opportunity Grant awarded by the Alaska State Council on the Arts, which allowed Johnny to attend the Arts Northwest Showcase in Boise.

I want each listener to join me on a musical journey that is playful and accomplished, intimate and engaging, said Johnny B. I want my compositions and my performance to exceed their expectations.

This event is made possible by the Western States Arts Federation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Red Lion Hotel & Casino and the GBC Arts and Cultural Enrichment committee.

For more information, contact Angie de Braga at 775-753-2231.
The BJP on Wednesday criticised Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for doing, what it said was, politics over the suicide by ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, even as the Congress defended it as his duty to meet the bereaved family.

The BJP also took on the Aam Aadmi Party leadership on the issue.

Criticising Gandhi for visiting the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital to meet Grewals grieving family, Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman Nalin Kohli said there is time and place for everything.

Kohli asked how many times Gandhi had made similar visits in the past. He described Gandhis action as unfortunate.

The Delhi BJP also attacked the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and accused them of trying to politicise the ex-servicemans suicide.

Grewal committed suicide on Tuesday evening over the alleged delay in the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme for the armed forces and ex-servicemen.

Defending Gandhis hospital visit, Congress leader P.C. Chacko said it was his duty to meet the grieving family.

Wherever there is a problem, he can go. It is his duty. He is doing it in all sincerity, Chacko said.

Is it for the BJP to decide where Rahul Gandhi will go? the Congress leader asked.

Delhi BJP unit chief Satish Upadhyay said: We condemn the politics being done by the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party over Grewals suicide.

Hitting out at the Congress for the delay in OROP, Upadhyay said: Due to the callous neglect by the earlier Congress governments in the last two decades, the issue of OROP became very grave, forcing ex-servicemen to openly agitate.

The BJP leader said that the Narendra Modi government made serious effort to resolve the OROP issue.

Accusing the Congress of doing politics over Grewals suicide, the BJP leader said: The tears being shed by the Congress leaders are crocodile tears motivated by politics.

Lashing out at the AAP, Upadhyay said, The statement of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that it is a moral duty of the Chief Minister and his deputy to meet the family members of the deceased ex-serviceman appears a political melodrama.

Kejriwal and Sisodia are the men who made no effort to save the life of farmer Gajender Chauhan who committed suicide in front of them at the Jantar Mantar last year. They then remained away from the public eyes for over 48 hours, he alleged.

Accusing the AAP of indulging in vote-bank politics, the BJP leader said: The conduct of the AAP in the matter is totally immoral and intended to influence the votes of ex-servicemen and their families in various states.

Modis government has seriously worked to solve it. If some anomalies still exist, patience needs to be maintained in view of the determination shown by the government in the matter, Upadhyay added.
A 70-year-old army veteran seeking uniform pensions for military personnel died on Wednesday after consuming poison, sparking an ugly political brawl that appeared set to reignite a debate over the Modi governments controversial retiral policy for soldiers.

Chaotic scenes broke out outside the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital as police stopped top opposition politicians from meeting the family of the deceased Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal, who friends said had unsuccessfully tried to meet defence minister Manohar Parrikar before killing himself.

But Grewals death was soon overshadowed by political theatre, as Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia were detained by police for protesting outside the hospital.

Scenes of pandemonium broke out at Mandir Marg police station, forcing police to move Gandhi and Scindia around in a bus, first towards Parliament Street police station and then towards Connaught Place police station before being finally taken to the police station at Tilak Marg, followed for hours by a horde of supporters protesting against the police action.

A family that sacrificed for the nation, what happened to them is wrong, Gandhi told reporters. The government should at least apologise to the family, say what happened to you was wrong.

Read: Do you not feel ashamed? Rahul slams police after action against ex-servicemans kin

Political workers were also seen scuffling with policemen at the two central Delhi police stations and again at the RML hospital. Gandhi was detained twice before being allowed to go late in the evening. Kejriwal was stopped from entering Lady Hardinge Hospital -- where Grewals body was kept for a post-mortem analysis.

Kejriwal was stopped from entering Lady Hardinge Hospital and was detained at the RK Puram police station late into the night. Doctors at the hospital said the post-mortem analysis was delayed as the family was yet to give their consent.

Grewal consumed sulphas tablets on at around 1 pm on Tuesday on the lawns of Jawahar Bhawan, a short distance from Sena Bhawan. He was rushed to the RML hospital by his friends, all ex-servicemen who had travelled with him from Haryana as part of a delegation. He died on Wednesday morning.

The death is expected to provide a handle to opposition parties to attack the government with over the controversial pensions program called One Rank One Pension (OROP), which came into force about a year ago. Critics say the new policy is discriminatory, especially for those taking premature retirement. At least a third of all military personnel take voluntary retirement.

Activist Anna Hazare also threatened to relaunch his agitation over the OROP issue, saying the Centres betrayal of the nations ex-servicemen resulted in the suicide of Grewal.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi detained by Delhi Police. (Ravi Choudhary/HT PHOTO)

The suicide comes just three days after Prime Minister Modi spent Diwali with soldiers deployed near the India-China border and in the middle of the governments sustained pro-Army campaign following the surgical strikes across the Line of Control in September.

Delhi Polices special commissioner Mukesh Kumar Meena said Gandhi and other Congress leaders had been held for disruption of duty. The hospital is not a place for demonstration, he said.

Grewals friends said he had been trying to deliver a petition to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in South Block, but had been turned away on two occasions on Monday and Tuesday. A typed application letter addressed to Parrikar, on which a suicide note had been penned, was found on him. I am sacrificing my life for my country, my motherland and my countrys brave soldier, it said.

An audio clip surfaced later in which a man said to be Grewal is heard telling his son he was consuming poison as he felt the treatment meted out to jawans was unfair.

The Central governments response was officious and combative. The reason for his suicide being reported is OROP, dont know what his mental state was, need investigation, said Union minister and former army chief VK Singh.

Congress workers protest Rahul Gandhi is denied entry into RML Hospital. (Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO)

Sources in the defence ministry said Grewal had been drawing his pension benefits as per the Sixth Pay Commission report and had also received the first set of his OROP arrears. They said if there was any problem it was probably at Grewals bank. They also said there was no record of any veteran seeking an appointment with Parrikar and questioned why his suicide note was dated October 31 when he committed suicide two days later.

When asked about the Delhi police action against Congress and AAP leaders, home minister Rajnath Singh defended it by saying: Whatever has to be done for risk reduction, the Delhi Police will do.

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South African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday abandoned a court bid to block a watchdogs report into corruption allegations against him, as calls grew for him to stand down.

Zumas surprise move came as thousands of people took to the streets of the administrative capital Pretoria to demand that he leaves office.

It paves the way for the release of the probe into accusations that he allowed a wealthy Indian family undue political sway, including letting them choose some cabinet ministers.

My instructions are to withdraw the application, Zumas lawyer Anthea Platt told the High Court in Pretoria at the start of the second day of the hearing.

Former public ombudswoman Thuli Madonsela concluded her report into the influence of the Gupta family last month, shortly before the expiry of her seven-year term.

It was due to be released on October 14 until Zuma moved to block it.

The president, 74, has survived a string of damaging scandals, but faces increasing criticism as South Africas economy stalls and after the ruling ANC party suffered unprecedented losses in local polls.

Some factions of the ANC, former anti-apartheid activists and business leaders have all recently called for him to stand down before his term ends in 2019.

Today, thousands of opposition party supporters, unions and civil groups marched through Pretoria to protest against Zumas presidency.

I spent the whole night here, Dominic Khulube, 30, an unemployed man from Tembisa, a township outside Johannesburg, told AFP after a vigil by the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party.

Zuma must step down and the Guptas must leave the country. If he does not step down today we will be here until he steps down. (AFP) ABH
A 10-year-old boys wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealing for help after Japanese Encephalitis claimed the lives of 73 children in 505 villages in the tribal-dominated Malkangiri district in Odisha, .

Official sources said that the death toll had mounted to 73. But Malkangiri chief district medical officer Uday Shankar Mishra claimed that 27 children had actually suffered from the disease while others died due to other reasons.

Read | Officials blame monsoon for Odishas encephalitis outbreak

Save our lives. Many of my friends have died of Japanese fever. You are roaming around the globe. Cant you come over to our village and see how children are dying here, Umesh Madhi said in his letter to PM Modi.

Madhi, a student of class four of Polkanda Primary School under Sikapali gram panchayat, described the ordeal of parents who lost their children to Japanese Encephalitis.

Sir, you are touring different countries. Cant you come down to our village and see the plight of the people here, Madi said, adding that the Prime Minister was their last hope.

As many as 505 villages in the tribal dominated Malkangiri have been affected in the Japanese Encephalitis.

Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Nruparaj Sahoo, who is currently in Malkangiri to monitor the situation, said the situation had not improved as much as they had expected it to.

The situation remains grim even as the district administration has taken all possible measures to check the outbreak, Sahoo told reporters.
Despite the ISO 9001:2015 certification awarded to the Bhopal Central Jail, HT has found that its security arrangements were far inferior in comparison to that at other ISO-certified prisons.

The fact that five of the prisons 50 cameras were not working on Sunday night is only the tip of the iceberg. The jailbreak that night  which saw eight SIMI undertrials escape  has raised serious questions regarding the standard operating procedure (SOP) adopted at the establishment.

It remains unclear why only two warders were available to keep an eye on the prisoners, and no Special Armed Force (SAF) guard was able to locate the escapees from its 25-foot watch tower. According to sources, the first warder, who was on duty from 8pm to 2am, did not go near the block where the SIMI cadre were lodged. Following the change of guard, the second warder, Ramshankar Yadav, went to the area to check if everything was alright. He was allegedly overpowered and killed. Suspended deputy inspector general of jails MR Patel blamed it on a staff crunch at the prison. However, the SAF guards could have easily spotted the escaping SIMI cadres. They were probably not alert enough, he said.

Sceptics also questioned whether the locks on the gates of prison cells, blocks and sectors were changed every day, in accordance with SOP. While deputy superintendent of jails LKS Bhadauria admitted that there was a staff crunch due to Diwali, he denied that the SOP was disregarded.

The Bhopal Central Jail received the ISO 9001:2015 certification on August 3 in recognition of measures adopted to ensure proper administrative control and functional management over the establishment. The ISO clearly states that the 2015 certification is less prescriptive than its predecessor, focusing more on performance.



Read: Bhopal jailbreak exposes security gaps in MPs best-secured prison

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Amid growing opposition clamour for a judicial probe into the encounter killing of eight SIMI activists, Madhya Pradeshs Home Minister Bhupendra Singh on Tuesday said there was no need for any investigation, while states police chief Rishi Kumar Shukla maintained the CID will go into the incident.

Eight undertrial terror suspects of the outlawed SIMI were shot dead by police in an alleged encounter on Monday within hours of their escape from high-security Bhopal central jail after killing a constable. Videos shot purportedly at the scene of the encounter appeared to question its authenticity, prompting demands by opposition parties for a judicial inquiry.

It is mandated by the law that the states CID will investigate the encounters for a free and fair probe, director general of police Rishi Kumar Shukla told PTI, adding there was nothing new in it.

CID is going to do its duty according to the law and inform the (competent) court, he said.

Home minister Singh, however, struck a different note. There is no need for any investigation into the encounter, he told reporters in Anuppur district earlier in the day.

Bhopal Police Range Inspector General Yogesh Choudhary has already briefed the media about details of the encounter yesterday, he said.

He (IG) has briefed on how the encounter took place. So there is no need for any inquiry, Singh said.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), he said, will only look into the jail break incident -- the plan, from where the accused got help, from inside and outside, their links in the country and their network. NIA will not inquire into the encounter, he said.

Meanwhile, sources close to DGP Shukla said he has already asked Superintendent of Police (CID) Anurag Sharma to head the probe into the encounter.

Read | CCTV cameras werent working in Bhopal jail when SIMI prisoners escaped
The RSS on Wednesday praised the Madhya Pradesh police that killed eight suspected SIMI members on Monday and said they had no other option but to kill the fugitives amid the growing opposition clamour for a judicial probe into the encounter.

Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Madhya Pradesh police and local police of Bhopal killed the eight suspected men of the banned Students Islamic Federation of India (SIMI), hours after they escaped from a high-security jail in Bhopal.

Police teams were frantically chasing the fugitives and they came under heavy firing. They (SIMI operatives) had killed a guard in jail and managed to scale the walls and run away from the prison. They were all threat to the nation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Narendra Jain told Hindustan Times.

Speaking for the first time since the incident, Jain said the RSS has taken a serious note of the incident and is concerned that anti-India forces are always on the prowl to carry out subversive activities to cause harm to the nation.

We all need to be alert and be the true sentinel on the ground, he said.

Jain also said moles may have been planted at important locations in India and support of someone within the Bhopal Central Jail cannot be ruled out in the dramatic prison break.

The RSS, which is considered the ideological mentor of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has a huge support base in Madhya Pradesh and reports say that after its birth in September 1925, one of the first sakhas of the organisation in India started actively organising people in the areas of the present district of Betul.

Though SIMI was launched in Aligarh in 177, it grew in some pockets of Madhya Pradesh, including at the holy city of Ujjain. It believed to be the parent organisation of the Indian Mujahideen.

It was supposed to look after the welfare of Muslim youth but gradually adopted a more hardline ideology, especially after the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992.

The government banned the outfit in 2001 but experts say many erstwhile members who went underground managed to stay in touch and expand their network.

We are not concerned about the present strength of SIMI in Madhya Pradesh, but any form of an anti-India campaign is a serious threat, Jain said, adding that even one fidayeen can kill a lot of innocent people.

The RSS leaders demanded that Madhya Pradesh government and the Centre should tackle anti-India operatives with an iron fist and ensure the safety and security of the common people.

The encounter killing of the SIMI operatives has turned into a tug of war with chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan accusing opposition leaders, who have questioned the authenticity of the encounter, of doing petty politics.

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh, who was among the first politicians to question the encounter, alleged that the government had intelligence input about the SIMI prisoners plan to escape from the jail but it didnt act on it.

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The post-mortem report of eight suspected SIMI operatives who were gunned down hours after they escaped from a Bhopal jail says there were multiple entry and exit wounds on the bodies and that majority of them were above the waist, their lawyer said on Wednesday.

They were fired upon from the front and all of them sustained injuries in their head and chest, above the waist, lawyer Parvez Alam said, claiming that he has seen the reports.

Repeating his claim that the SIMI suspects were killed in a fake encounter, Alam said police should fire below the waist in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling.

Eight members of the banned group broke out of the Bhopal Central Jail after slitting a guards throat on Monday and were found hours later in a densely forested area on the outskirts of the city where they were killed in an alleged encounter. Videos shot purportedly at the scene of the encounter appeared to question its authenticity, prompting demands by opposition parties for a judicial inquiry.

Bhopal inspector general of police Yogesh Choudhary had earlier defended the action to open fire, saying the alleged SIMI operatives were neutralised in retaliatory fire. He also said the suspects had carried out serious offences and that they also killed police constables in 2008 and 2011.

Read: Why police theories on jailbreak by SIMI operatives ring hollow

After the opposition demanded an independent high-level judicial probe to verify the authenticity of the encounter, Madhya Pradesh director general of police (DGP) Rishi Kumar Shukla announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Tuesday to probe the killings.

But Alam said he will petition a local court for the medical examination of the remaining members of the banned organisation lodged in the Bhopal jail, alleging they were assaulted. He also claimed that there was a threat to his life.

I am going to move the Bhopal Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court today (Wednesday), seeking to conduct medical examination on 20-odd so-called SIMI members in jail.

I have learnt that they have been brutally beaten, Alam alleged, and said he will seek security from police.

On Tuesday, the bodies of seven of the eight SIMI activists were buried in different parts of Madhya Pradesh amid tight security.

While the last rites of Amjad Khan, Zakir Hussain, Mohammad Salik, Sheikh Mehboob, Aqueel Khilji, Mohammed Khalid and Abdul Majid were conducted in the state, the body of another deceased Sheikh Mujeeb was taken to Ahmedabad by his family members. All the bodies were handed over to the kin after the post-mortem in Bhopal.

Read | SIMI members jailbreak: MP home minister, DGP differ on encounter probe
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi was detained by police outside Delhis RML hospital on Wednesday afternoon within minutes of a similar action against deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and his party MLA Surinder Singh. Later in the day, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal too said he was detained.

Gandhi and Kejriwal were going to meet the family of a retired soldier from Haryana, Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly consumed poison and died in RML hospital on Wednesday morning.

The veteran, his friends alleged, was unhappy as the one rank one pension (Orop) scheme had failed to meet his expectations.

Read: Rahul doing politics over ex-serviceman suicide: BJP

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, who is an MLA from Haryana and was with Gandhi, too, was detained. They were all taken to the Parliament Street police station.

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia was also detained.

I dont have anything to say, police will do what it has to for risk reduction, home minister Rajnath Singh said when questioned about Rahul Gandhis detention.

The BJP criticised Gandhi for doing politics over the suicide. Party spokesman Nalin Kohli said, there is a time and place for everything.

Gandhi was initially detained in the Mandir Marg police station and was later shifted to South Avenue police station. According to latest reports, he was detained for the second time and taken to Tilak Marg police station.

The Delhi Police said that proper procedure was followed during the protests and no one has been arrested so far.

When leaders along with crowd started gathering at RML, medical services got severely affected and orderliness deteriorated, the Delhi Police said in a tweet.

Despite several requests when they didnt move, leaders and protesting followers were removed to Police stations and detained.

Family members of the deceased are also being spoken to, they said in another tweet.

Video showing Congress VP inside police station

#WATCH: Inside visuals of the Mandir Marg Police station (Delhi), where Congress VP Rahul Gandhi has been detained. pic.twitter.com/Tr0F34XMTn  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

Read | HT Explains: What is Orop and why are veterans still unhappy

The politics over the suicide is heating up, with Aam Aadmi Party chief Kejriwal targeting the Modi government.

Both farmers and soldiers are committing suicide in Modi Raj. That means the Prime Minister is lying that OROP has been implemented. Why would Ram Kishan ji have committed suicide if OROP was being implemented? Kejriwal tweeted.

He later tried to enter Lady Hardinge hospital, also in central Delhi, but was denied entry. Grewals body is being kept at hospital awaiting a post mortem examination.

Formally detained by the police. No idea where they are taking me.  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

Though Orop was rolled out in September 2015 but ex-servicemen say it has failed to address their concerns. The scheme promises equal pension to military personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of the date of retirement.

Sisodia and Surinder Singh were detained for shouting slogans and staging a sit-in at the hospital, police said. The two AAP leaders were leading a group of supporters shouting slogans against the Modi government following Grewals death.

The 70-year-old retired soldier allegedly swallowed sulphas tablets on Tuesday afternoon and was rushed to RML hospital where he died Wednesday morning.

Anticipating trouble, paramilitary troops, police vans and buses were stationed outside the hospital in the morning itself.

Police said AAP leaders conduct was illegal as it disturbed peace in a hospital. A case may be registered against the two leaders. Singh, who represents Delhi Cantonment in the Delhi assembly, already has two cases against him.

Rahul Gandhi, who was denied entry before being detained, had in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 29 asked him to meaningfully implement Orop.

The Congress slammed the detention. Gandhi had gone alone to meet Grewals family and had violated no law. His detention was illegal, Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said.

The alleged suicide comes two days after Modi said the government had paid nearly R5,500 crore towards Orop, fulfilling the promise he made to ex-servicemen. He was speaking in Himachal Pradeshs Kinnaur district where he celebrated Diwali with soldiers.

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Eight Islamist militants were taken out of jail and shot dead by Madhya Pradesh police in a fake encounter, the slain mens lawyer said on Wednesday, citing multiple bullet wounds above the waist to debunk the governments claims of a shootout.

Parvej Alam is representing seven out of the eight members of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), who allegedly broke out of the high-security Bhopal central jail after killing a warder on Monday. They were gunned down by security personnel a few hours later in a desolate stretch on the outskirts of the capital, allegedly after the militants fired at police.

If CCTV footage is made available, everything will be clear and the fake encounter will be exposed but in the absence of CCTV footage nobody knows what really happened in the barracks on that night, Alam told Hindustan Times. Police say the jail cameras were not working the night the SIMI operatives allegedly escaped after scaling the prison walls.

Amateur video clips and contradictory statements by two senior police officials raised doubts over the authenticity of the encounter, with rights activists and opposition political parties demanding an independent probe into the incident.

The states anti-terror squad chief Sanjeev Shami told a TV channel on Wednesday that the SIMI members were not armed. Shami was part of the operation against the SIMI members.

Shami had earlier too said none of the cops were injured in the encounter though Bhopal range inspector general Yogesh Chaudhary had claimed that three security personnel were hit by pellets.

Read: Khandwa: The SIMI hotspot at the centre of MP prisoners encounter

Alam cited the post-mortem report to claim that the police apparently fired to kill and not immobilise them in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling.

They were fired upon from the front and all of them sustained injuries in their head and chest, above the waist, Alam said, claiming he has seen the reports. He admitted there was a possibility of the jail warder being killed by the prisoners but said the police then took them to a desolate place and staged the encounter to settle a score.

Alam also contradicted IG Chaudharys claim that the prisoners used bedsheets strung together to scale a prison wall and that they fashioned duplicate keys out of prison-issue tooth brushes.

The fact is prisoners are not given bed sheets. They are given blankets. And it is really amazing to know that keys can be made with the help of tooth brushes, Alam added.

Read: From robbing banks to making bombs: What the 8 SIMI men were accused of

He also wondered why the eight militants decided to stick together after escaping, unlike a previous instance when four of the slain SIMI men had gone different ways after escaping from the Khandwa jail.

They were killed between 10 and 11 am. Did they choose to remain for 7 to 8 hours at the outskirts of Bhopal while they had enough time to cross at least the Bhopal district border? Doesnt it look unbelievable?

He doubted police claims that prisoners scaled one wall which was 32 foot high but chose to break the lock of the gate on the boundary which was just 5-foot high.

Read: Why police theories on jailbreak by SIMI operatives ring hollow

Alam said he will file a petition in the high court seeking a judicial inquiry by a sitting high court judge or a CBI probe.

(With agency inputs)
July 15

Gregory Leon Stobbe, 41, of Elko was sentenced after pleading no contest to license plates improperly displayed; driving on a canceled, suspended or revoked drivers license; and proof of insurance required.

July 29

The charge of trespassing against Tomas Nunez-Gonzalez, 49, of Elko was dismissed with prejudice.

Aug. 1

Andriy Ivanovych Brusturniak, 33, of Philadelphia forfeited bail totaling $75 on a charge of speeding five to 10 miles over in a 60 to 70 mph zone.

Aug. 2

Alvaro Salazar Alvarado, 29, of Elko was sentenced after pleading guilty to driving without a valid license and failure to yield right of way from stop sign, amended from failure to drive carefully or prudently.



The charges of reckless driving  willful or wanton disregard of safety of persons or property  and failure to drive carefully or prudently against William Thomas Brown, 30, of Spring Creek, were dismissed without prejudice.

Aug. 3

Reanna Nicole Arrington, 31, of Elko was sentenced after pleading guilty to possession or use of drug paraphernalia; expired registration, plates or title; driving without a valid license; resisting, delaying or obstructing a public officer, and obstructing a public officer.

Sept. 15

Tiffany Ann Kipper was bound over to district court on charges of obtaining or possessing a credit or debit card without the cardholders consent; buying, possessing, receiving or withholding stolen property; possession of a stolen motor vehicle; false impersonation of a public officer; manufacturing or importation of a dangerous weapon; and taking or driving away a vehicle without consent.

Sept. 20

Blaine Devaul was bound over to district court on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.



Andrew James Hockenberry was bound over to district court on charges burglary while in possession of a firearm or deadly weapon; grand larceny of a firearm; burglary; grand larceny; and buying, possessing, receiving or withholding stolen property.
Tens of thousands of border villagers in Jammu and Kashmir have been forced out of their homes to take shelter in makeshift accommodations after shelling from across the border with Pakistan killed at least 19 people, including 11 civilians, in the past few weeks.

Some 25,000 villagers are estimated to have left their houses in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch districts close to the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) -- the de facto border that divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

Residents of 120 villages along the IB and 47 villages along the LoC have left for safer places, a divisional administration officer told IANS. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to the media.

However, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal described the migration of villagers as temporary and said they leave their homes during the day and return by night.

Kotwal, however, admitted that the civilian authorities have closed, as a precaution, nearly 300 schools in villages and towns along the IB till further orders after Pakistan started targeting civilian areas.

The mass exodus comes even as the government has not ordered evacuation despite the tension between the two countries that escalated after 19 Indian soldiers were killed on September 18 in an attack by militants on an army base in Uri.

India in a retaliatory action launched surgical strikes across the LoC, destroying seven terror launch pads and killing an unknown number of terrorists and their sympathizers in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Since then the two sides have been regularly shelling each other and violating a 2003 ceasefire agreement to maintain peace at the 230 km border and 740 km of the LoC between them.

Students study outside a house on the outskirts of Srinagar. Hundreds of schools were ordered to close indefinitely in Kashmir. (AFP Photo)

The raining mortar shells have turned life into a nightmare for these villagers. Many of them told IANS that the army and paramilitary forces have asked them to leave their homes for safety.

Jasbir Singh, 40, a medical assistant in a Ramgarh health centre, said he shifted along with his father, an ex-serviceman, to nearby Vijaypur area.

It is suicidal to continue living in our village where fire rains from the sky, said Jasbir Singh, whose village lies close to the border in Samba district.

Satpal Singh Heer, 54, from Nanga village, runs a private school. He said the BSF has erected a watch tower in his village which has made his village more vulnerable to Pakistan shelling.

He said he had tried to return to the village. But BSF troopers in underground bunkers saved him as he had nearly walked to a place where intense shelling from Pakistan was going on. I had to return to safety, he said.

The remains of mortar shells after heavy shelling across the LOC at Balakot village in Poonch district. (PTI Photo)

The residents want peace so that they could return home and tend their cattle and reap their harvest-ready crop.

Gangu Ram, 56, from Raipur village of Kathua district said he has neither tended his agricultural fields nor his cattle in the past three days since he left home.

If I dont reap my crop that awaits harvesting within the next four-five days, I would lose my entire years labour.

I dont even know whether my cattle are alive. Peace must return to our village soon or else our lives are finished, Ram said.

Authorities, religious, social and voluntary organisations have made arrangements for these border residents in community halls, temples, gurdwaras, schools, stadia and other government buildings.
The nation was shocked on Monday afternoon after Times Now editor-in-chief, Arnab Goswami, called it quits.

Goswami, who is probably Indias most famous TV anchor right now, announced his resignation during an editorial meeting, reportedly to begin his own news ventures.

Goswamis loud, hectoring style of moderating television debates on Newshour, at times screaming over his panelists, changed Indian TV screens forever. Since then, the news anchors style has been imitated and parodied, earning him TRPs and criticism alike.

The news of his resignation from Times Now unleashed a social media storm. It is unlikely that Arnab will disappear from our television screens, but what better way to bid goodbye to him than listing 7 of his most memorable moments on television.

1) When he said, Never Ever, Ever Ever:

2) When he asked a serious question about the Maharastra government s priorities: What should be the real concern? Snapchat or drought?

3) That time when he was that kid who couldnt stop laughing... And everyone really wanted to know the joke!

4) When there was a time he was actually calm. THE NATION IS SHOCKED.

5) When he laid down the Arnab rule of law even before the show began. Let me tell you right at the start. Do not try to be aggressive with me. Do not try to patronize me. Dont try to lecture me. And dont try to question me.

6) When he refused to let the matter rest, even if his guests felt dented and painted.

7) When he told us about his tastes of khatta , meetha and kadwa?

And as a bonus: if you were harbouring a secret desire to hear Arnab rap out his trademark Newshour phrases, a fan has heard your prayers. Are you ready to debate this?

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Throw a stone in Maharashtra today, chances are you will hit an angry young Maratha. Over the last three months, they have poured into the streets in different parts of the state 24 times, in numbers between 10,000 and 100,000. They keep their mouths shut as they march, but only until you ask them what makes them angry.

Anil Mane is angry because at 25 years of age he has no work and no wife. Mane is a graduate who has spent the last three years in Pune trying to make it into the Maharashtra Public Service Commission. He has hit the streets to protest four times in three months. If I dont get in, then back to village, back to fields, he says.

Aarti Devre is angry as she expected life to be easier after she cleared the Joint Entrance Examinations and got into an engineering college, but it hasnt been so. My parents had to sell land in our village to pay my fees. I get a fee cut but its not enough. Every six months, I have to pay about one lakh rupees, but the OBC students pay Rs 56,000 and SC students, Rs 7,000. How is it fair?

Jats in Haryana participate in a protest in February 2016. (HT File Photo)

Mane and Devre were among a multitude of Marathas who marched through Kolhapur on October 15. The crowd was angry for a range of reasons: non-profitable farming, lack of jobs and even diminishing marriage prospects, among others. A Maratha man is supposed to be settled by 23 and have a family by 25, explains Bhaiya Patil, a social media coordinator for the movement. Mane relates to this. But who will marry a Maratha without a job or a future, he asks.

At one-third of Maharashtras population, Marathas  a collection of middle caste groups who claim a common identity based on a tradition of military service  are estimated to be around 37 million.

Between August 2015 and August 2016, the youth of dominant farm communities across a large swathe of India took to the streets. In Andhra Pradesh, Kapus shut down road and rail networks. In Haryana, Jats cut off the flow of water to the countrys capital. In Gujarat, Patidars forced the fall of a chief minister.

Various things are common between them, says Himanshu, associate professor of economics at the Jawaharlal Nehru University. They are numerically the largest groups in their respectable states. These are among the richest states in India. These are states with the highest rates of urbanisation. These communities are victims of a social structure that has changed in the last 25 years, adds Himanshu, who goes by his first name.

The average age of the marching Maratha is 25. These 25 years of their existence have marked an existential crisis for Indias farming communities. The slide started with the fragmentation of land. My father has two brothers and both have two sons each. Even if I go back to the village, how much can I do with the little land I have left to me, says a young man who distributed biryani packets to the marching protesters in Kolhapur.

Weather conditions are rarely conducive. Hundreds of thousands of farmers in Maharashtra were impacted by a severe drought last year. More than 3,000 took their lives. I have seen people dying  neighbours, relatives, says Patil.

Himanshu breaks down the farming crisis. Internationally, the prices of agricultural commodities have been falling. So has the per capita income in agriculture. The average growth of the sector has slowed down over the last 15 years. It is 3 to 4 per cent, whereas the countrys growth is 7 to 8 per cent.

The world no longer has any use for the battle-ready masculinity through which some communities such as Jats and Marathas have defined themselves for decades. Their socioeconomic certainties have been toppled by what these agrarian groups call the twin blow of Mandal commission and LPG  liberalisation, privatisation, globalisation.

Patidars in Gujarat participate in a protest in February 2016. (HT File Photo)

They loathe Indias new services-driven economy because they havent been able to carve within it space for themselves. These are the same people who once saw government jobs as a kind of slavery, says Himanshu. The problem their youth is facing is one of educational unemployment. But it is a problem most young Indians are facing, points out Dipankar Gupta, Director of Centre for Public Affairs and Critical Theory at Shiv Nadar University in Delhi. The demand for quotas is more an expression of political power than economic backwardness.

Used to a privileged existence due to their numbers and monopoly of political power, they find themselves lumped in with the eight million Indians who enter the job market every year.

Pravin Gaikwad, a Maratha leader, blames LPG. After LPG, the rich have got richer, the poor have got poorer, he says. Unemployment in our community, he adds, looking at the roof, is high, high, high. Diminishing political clout is another source of anxiety. In all three states witnessing protests  Maharashtra, Haryana and Gujarat the current CM is not from the dominant farming caste: Maratha, Jat and Patidar, respectively.

Satish Deshpande, a professor of sociology at the Delhi University, says, Only the rank and file can relate to demand for quotas. The rest are concerned with a realignment of political power. There is vacuum in most of these states. Maharashtra, for example, doesnt have a settled polity. Neither does Gujarat.

What the Patels, Marathas, Jats and Kapus find harder to face are the cumulative effects of quotas for lower castes. It means their fall has coincided with the rise of people they are hardly willing to register as equal, explains Gupta. The protests are more an expression of caste entitlement. The erstwhile dominant communities  Deshpande terms them forward backwards  see reservations as their right. But not everyone sees it that way. We are a backward country. You cant have backwardness as an eligibility criteria for reservations, points out Anand Teltumbde, a civil rights activist based in Maharashtra.

Gupta cites the system of points under Mandal-led reservations. The Mandal commission has three points for economic backwardness. It has no legroom for poverty as a criterion for reservation. A community needs at least 11 points to qualify. There are 12 points for social backwardness. There is no way those currently agitating for quotas can show themselves as being discriminated against.

For Prabhakar Sonwane, a Pune-based Dalit rights activist, the gulf is clear. You want to know the difference between a poor Maratha and a poor Dalit? Its mainly that the first still owns the second.

But thats no consolation for the angry Marathas. According to Dalit entrepreneur, Chandra Bhan Prasad, the Marathas take pride in the past but seek a place in the future. Thats how they enter the conflict zone.

(This story is the first in a three-part series)

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The Amboli police on Tuesday have caught a man, who had been untraceable and was wanted in a couple of crime cases registered with the Vakola police station.

The 55-year-old accused, Farid Khan, is said to have several criminal cases registered against him, including extortion and attempt to murder. Police sources said Khans brother too had a criminal record and had been killed in an encounter.

Senior police inspector of Amboli police station Bharat Gaikwad confirmed the development adding that the accused has been handed over to the Vakola police station.

Acting on a tip-off a team of officials, including API Daya Naik, laid a trap and arrested him near Ram Maruti road in Jogeshwari.
Despite the Supreme Court issuing specific orders to the state on September 21, telling it to issue licenses to three dance bars so they can operate according to the old rules, the state government has not yet decided on how to implement this. The home department has asked the law and justice department how to go about this.

The Apex Court had asked the state government to issue licences to the three dance bars  Indiana in Vidyavihar, Classic and LP in Andheri  under the old rules, before the stringent Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (working therein) Act was passed by the Maharashtra government in April. The home department was confused whether to issue licences under the old rules which were repealed while passing the new act. However, the new act was not stayed by the Supreme Court.

Before the state passed the act, the government had framed 26 rules regulating operations in dance bars. The new act, followed by 36 stringent rules, banned liquor in bars, restricted timings to 11.30pm and mandated that the bars maintain a distance of 1km from religious places and educational institutions. The bar owners, in two different cases, challenged old amendments as well as the new act.

We have not received fresh applications by the bar operators seeking permission to operate. When the court says the licences must be issued according to the old rules, it has neither stayed the new rules nor complied with the old rules when licences have been applied for in the past. We have asked the law and judiciary department for its legal opinion before taking any steps, said an official from the home department.

The official expressed apprehension over bar owners moving the Apex Court with a contempt petition against the government for not implementing the order.

Bar owners said they were prepared to apprise the court about the states failure to implement the orders. When we asked authorities at the Mumbai police commissionerate, we were told that the government has not decided the means of implementing the order. The next hearings are on November 15 and November 24. We are planning to apprise the court of the states failure to implement the order, said Bharat Thakur, president, dance bar cell of Ahar. Dance Bars

The licences are to be issued by the police. I am not aware of the current status, said Dr Vijay Satbir Sing, additional chief secretary, home.

The state has decided to submit a fresh affidavit defending its stringent rules framed under the new law. The court kept the petition for final disposal on November 24. We have decided to submit a fresh affidavit defending all our 37 conditions including distance, ban on liquor and timings. We are confident that the new act will be upheld by the Supreme Court, another official said.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Maharashtra government on Wednesday suspended the no-confidence resolution passed by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) against its chief Tukaram Mundhe last month.

Using its special powers, the state urban development department, which chief minister Devendra Fadnavis heads, suspended the NMMCs resolution citing larger public interest and municipal finances, a senior official from the state urban development department said.

Politicians from all parties expect the BJP had got together on October 25 to pass the motion of no-confidence against Mundhe, who won plaudits from ordinary residents for his strict action against encroachers and hawkers but fell foul of corporators for sticking to the rule book.

We have made an interim decision suspending the NMMCs resolution. As per procedure, we have given the corporation and the mayor 30 days to respond and present their side, after which we will take a final decision, the official said.

Section 451 of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act gives the state government the power to suspend a resolution in several circumstances  when it is in contravention or in excess of the corporations powers, is likely to breach peace or cause annoyance to the public, is against the corporations financial interest of even against larger public interest  with a justification.

Corporators voted against the IAS officer of the 2005 batch, with a 104-6 vote in the 111-member house. Corporators from Congress and Shiv Sena supported the motion proposed by the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), while six BJP corporators voted against it. One corporator was absent. The corporators alleged the bureaucrat disrespected elected representatives and took decisions arbitrarily. Mundhes work in the corporation, however, especially regarding illegal construction and corruption in the civic body, won him the support of residents, who rooted for him, circulating Support Mundhe messages throughout the controversy.

Last week, Fadnavis, who is said to have hand-picked Mundhe for the job, said the state should back good officers and Navi Mumbai still needed Mundhe. But he said he had advised Mundhe to improve his communication skills with elected representatives. Fadnavis decision is also seen as a snub to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray who had favoured Mundhes removal.

Navi Mumbai Mayor Sudhakar Sonawane said he is yet to receive the governments order suspending the no-confidence resolution against Mundhe. Even under Section 451, the state has no grounds for suspending the resolution against Mundhe. Our decision is not against public interest. If the state is giving us 30 days to present our say, we will reiterate our stand. Mundhe takes decisions whimsically. He is a threat to democracy, the NCP leader said.

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Four days after the notification of the Uttar Pradesh Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules-2016, the state government on Tuesday said it will create a website and recruit staff. However, the authority will function from Lucknow, thus making it difficult for homebuyers in Ghaziabad, Noida or Greater Noida to get a complaint resolved.

Since the Uttar Pradesh government has notified rules, now a regulatory authority will be formed soon. Subsequently, the staff required for the purpose will be recruited and a website will enable homebuyers to file a complaint of their grievances, NR Verma, adviser to Uttar Pradesh housing and urban planning department in Lucknow, said.

Read more: Occupancy certificates to be processed by Noida under new RERA rules

The regulatory authority will consist of a chairperson and three full-time members appointed by the state government.

Any aggrieved buyer will be empowered to file a complaint online. Later, the authority will address the complaint within a given time frame. If required, the complainant and the developer will have to come to the Lucknow office to complete the process for disposing of a complaint, Verma said.

However, homebuyers in Noida and Greater Noida said it will be better if the complainant does not have to visit Lucknow. Travelling to Lucknow from Noida to get a complaint addressed will be tiring. We will demand the real estate regulatory authority to ensure that all issues are disposed of at the district level, Annu Khan of Noida Estate flat owners association said.

Read more: UP regulatory body to keep Noida, Ghaziabad realtors in check

Administrative powers of the chairperson of the authority will be to decide the strength of staff that will deal with home-buyers complaint.

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, came into force on May 1, 2016, starting the process of forming operational rules and putting in place the institutional infrastructure to protect consumer interests and promoting the growth of the realty sector in India.

As per the notification, the rules under the act were to be formulated by the Central and state governments within six months from the date of enactment. In addition, states are bound to form real estate regulatory authorities within a year.

Read more: Real estate rules: Ghaziabad buyers sceptical over weak penalties

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Besides celebrating the golden jubilee of Punjabi Suba and their school Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, GT Road, members of the Sikh organisation Chief Khalsa Diwan on Tuesday also celebrated its 114th foundation day with great fanfare on the school campus.

Besides Union finance minister Arun Jaitley and Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, Rajya Sabha member Shwait Malik, local bodies minister Anil Joshi, Amritsar mayor Bakshi Ram Arora and various educationists attended the high-profile event.

Addressing the gathering, Union minister Arun Jaitley said while Punjab has a rich heritage to showcase, at the same time it has a painful history to narrate.

Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal (2R) honouring Union finance minister Arun Jaitley (C) in presence of (from R) Punjab local bodies minister Anil Joshi, Chief Khalsa Diwan Charitable Society president Charanjit Singh Chadha, Rajya Sabha member Shwait Malik (2L) and Amritsar mayor Bakshi Ram Aora during the golden jubilee celebrations of Punjabi Suba and Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, GT Road, and 114th foundation day of the Sikh organisation on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

Punjabis have contributed immensely in the countrys history and at the same time suffered a lot during various phases of history. If 1984 was the year of destruction for Punjab, 2016 is the year of development. Celebrating 50 years of Punjabi Suba, we all should be proud to see where the state stands today, he said, while praising the Badal government for putting in efforts to develop Punjab, and making Amritsar a benchmark of this development with the newly inaugurated heritage stretch of the Golden Temple.

Open more schools in border areas: Badal

The chief minister congratulated the Chief Khalsa Diwan management on the 114th foundation day. He emphasised on the role of Punjabis in the countrys progress and prosperity, whether in the field of agriculture, education, security, industry or urbanisation.

Motivating the organisation to come up with more schools in rural areas, Badal said youths in such areas, especially in villages along the Indo-Pak border, deserve better education.

Earlier, Chief Khalsa Diwan Charitable Society president Charanjit Singh Chadha threw light on the history and achievements of the society and gave details about the upcoming 66th World Sikh Educational Conference 2016. The students presented a cultural programme, comprising giddha, sufi qawwali and a Punjabi play.
A 20-year-old man allegedly hacked his father to death with an axe for abusing his mother in an inebriated condition late on Tuesday. The Jamalpur area police in Ludhiana on Wedneaday booked the man, Vishal Bhardwaj, and initiated search. The case has been registered following a complaint by Meera Bhardwaj, the mother.

In her complaint, she stated that her husband Ishwar Bhardwaj, 45, was a tailor at a hosiery factory. Her husband used to quarrel with her after getting drunk often. On Tuesday, when he was drunk and abusing her, their two sons, Vishal and 15-year-old Abhishek, intervened.

Vishal got into a physical altercation with his father. In a fit of rage, he took an axe and hit his father. Inspector Satnam Singh, SHO at police station, Jamalpur, said the father died on the spot. He added that the police have been raiding places for the arrest of the accused.
The health department here has decided to observe an anti-tobacco week starting from Tuesday in the district to mark the Anti-Tobacco Day in Punjab, said informed civil surgeon Harinder Kaur.

The department will hold awareness seminars in rural and urban areas of the district and offenders will be challaned. Kaur appealed to non-government organisations, religious institutes and different government departments to spread awareness on ill effects of tobacco consumption.

According to a notification issued by the government, the shopkeepers, who sell eatables, cannot sell tobacco. We will keep a check on them, said Kaur. Meanwhile, she released a Punjab State No Tobacco Day poster.

Anti-tobacco rally flagged off

PATIALA: The local health department organised a rally at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Pheelkhana, to make people aware of harmful effects tobacco. The rally was organised in association with the Umang Welfare Foundation to mark No Tobacco Day. The rally was flagged off by civil surgeon, Patiala, Dr Subodh Gupta. Students of the school marched in the city carrying boards and banners.

The civil surgeon said that in spite of pictorial warning on packs, the consumption of these products has been increasing day by day. He added that cigarette smoke emits almost 4,000 harmful chemicals. Dr Gupta, telling people and students about the various provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, appealed to them to tell consumers about ill effects of tobacco products.
ELKO -- The Nevada Commission for Women is gathering information for a report on what women need to successfully join the workforce and take care of their families.

People can respond at a public meeting beginning at 10 a.m. Friday in Carson City, which will be video-conferenced to Elko at Great Basin College, Health Sciences Building Room 107.

A special presentation will be given by Elko Family Resource Center Executive Director Judy Andreson on how to get out of our own way to achieve our goals.

People from business, social services, education or personal experience who have information and ideas about this topic are invited to attend and bring ideas in writing as a testimony the day of the meeting.

For those who are not able to attend in person, or who wish to submit responses electronically, a questionnaire is available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ruralnevada.
The Centre has approved the construction of a vehicular underpass on the Patiala-Rajpura road in the Urban Estate meeting a relentless demand of area residents.

The decision has been taken to compensate the residents for the loss of their existing inter-sector connectivity due to the ongoing widening of the Zirakpur-Patiala highway (national highway-64).

The densely populated Urban Estate is located on both sides of the highway on the citys outskirts. However, their present connectivity, provided through highway dividers, was being hampered with the widening project.

This led area residents along with local legislator Brahm Mohindra to begin a protest for an alternate connectivity. A delegation, led by Mohindra, also met chief minister Parkash Singh Badal earlier this year after which the state government sent a proposal to the Union ministry of transport to provide an underpass to facilitate the residents. A central team then visited the site for inspection.

Confirming the development, chief engineer, Punjab public health department (national highway division) AK Singla, said that the permission to construct the underpass in the Urban Estate has been granted. The construction will begin soon and is likely to be over by June next year, he said. Mohindra told HT that it was a victory of residents relentless effort.

The NH-64 widening project aims at ensuring smooth movement of heavy traffic, but at the same time the residents living along the highways cannot be ignored. The underpass was the only feasible solution for linking sectors in the area, he added. The underpass will cost approximately Rs 14 crore, it is learnt.

The Urban Estate, with a population of over 50,000, is spread over three phases, with phase 1 on the left side of the highway and phase 2 and 3 on its right side with small colonies and villages on both sides.

Surjit Singh Bassi, member of the area residents coordination committee, said that they were relieved with the construction of an underpass. The road widening work had hampered their inter-sector connectivity which, we hope, will be restored with the underpass now, he said.

Another major problem, residents said, was the heavy traffic on the highway for which the underpass was very important so that area traffic can easily be moved without hitting the main highway. President of the Urban Estate Residential Welfare Association, RS Bhinder, also welcomed the decision.

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Hundreds of Congress workers led by Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) secretary Mandeep Singh Manna on Tuesday staged a protest at Bhandari Bridge, condemning Union finance minister Arun Jaitleys visit to Chief Khalsa Diwans high profile event in the city.

During the protest that lasted for over three hours, Congress workers raised slogans against the state government for failing to resolve the fee-hike issue in private schools. Addressing the protesters, Manna said he was shocked to see that like Akali leaders, even Jaitley, instead of pacifying the parents and resolving the fee-hike issue, is backing Chief Khalsa Diwan schools, which are part of the private school gangs... looting the parents.

Manna said Jaitley should have instead visited government schools to know the reality of educational infrastructure in the state, which is in a dilapidated condition. The Congress leader said it is high time people stood up to revolt against the politicians supporting the loot at the hands of private schools.

The Akali-BJP combine has failed to give justice to parents who have protested for months. Its leaders are now attending events at these schools as chief guests, which makes it evident they are hardly concerned about the common man, said Manna.

The PPCC secretary alleged it is because of SAD-BJP leaders that principals and managements of various private schools are running their institutes as business establishments. These schools are busy fleecing parents and the government has turned a blind eye to them, said the Congress leader. Parents had staged many protests outside schools run by the Chief Khalsa Diwan Charitable Society during the fee-hike protests in the city.
Calling for an independent and sovereign Punjab, the Dal Khalsa has said that the people of Punjab in general and Sikhs in particular can no longer be subjected to the misrule of the Union and state governments.

Must see | 50 years of Punjabi suba: Glimpses from Amritsar function

Marking the 50 years of formation of the Punjabi Suba, the Sikh hardliner group on Tuesday organised a conference at Pheruman village, the birthplace of Darshan Singh Pheruman who had sacrificed his life for the formation of the Punjabi Suba. In a resolution adopted at the meet, the Dal Khalsa said that socially, religiously, ideologically and culturally, Sikhs were a separate entity and they can only be free if Punjab was sovereign. The organisation released an eight-page bookletLitany of 50 years of blood-soaked and struggling Punjabon the occasion.
The Union finance ministry has rejected the demand of the UT administration of grants of Rs 1,000 crore for departments such as police, health, education and transport.

Over four months ago, the UT finance department had sent its proposal of the first batch of supplementary demands for grants for 2016-17. The administration had based its demands on the recommendations of a Parliamentary standing committee.

The proposal for cash supplementary of Rs 1,022 crore does not fit into category as mentioned in the DO (demi-official) letter of the budget division, said Sunil Chaudhari, deputy director in the finance ministry, adding that the decision had the approval of the competent authority.

In its budget allocation for the fiscal, the finance ministry had allocated Rs 700 crore less than what had been projected by the administration under its plan schemes. The plan head is that section of the budget that provides for capital expenditure and funds development projects.

Analysts had said that the cut resulted due to the administrations inability to spend just about 50% of the budget under the plan head for the last fiscal of 2015-16.

Parliamentary panels take

The parliamentary panel had said that the slashing of the plan budget will hit work on key projects such as the Regional Trauma Centre, the construction of a Police Housing Complex and several projects at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32.

The committee had noted that the budget allocation was not in sync with what had been projected by the UT. It said the reduced allocation would affect projects of social infrastructure such as education, health and municipal corporation. It had recommended that the UT, along with the union ministry of home affairs, should do a follow-up with the finance ministry for its need for more funds.

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Industrial town of PunjabLudhianawas the noisiest and its air most polluted this Diwali in the state even as the pollutants in most cities, including Ludhiana, were lower as compared to the festival in 2014.

The air pollution in Ludhiana on Diwali night was double the normal days. Of the five cities the Punjab Pollution Control Board monitored noise and air pollution this year, Patialas air was the cleanest and noise was least in Jalandhar.

Noise, air pollution across the state was lower than 2014 but higher than 2015.

However, as compared to 2015, when Diwali was a lacklustre affair owing to the black Diwali call given by Sant Samaj in protest against the spate of sacrilege incidents across Punjab, the figures saw a sharp rise. The pollution level on Diwali in 2015 was lowest since 2012.

Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) this year monitored air pollution level in Patiala, Mandi Gobindgarh, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar and collected data of Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM), sulpher dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in the air.

The said cities were divided into residential, commercial and sensitive (areas around hospitals) zones for monitoring the ambient noise and air quality. The noise levels were recorded on hourly basis.

Pollution board chairman Manpreet Singh said, The pollution level this year remained low as the awareness regarding the ill-effects is growing, especially among the youth. The credit goes to the students, their teachers, green activists.

Pollution down at Golden Temple

The pollution level at the Golden Temple this Diwali was marginally down as well as compared to 2014. Still, the air pollution around the shrine was four times the normal days. Pollution board chairman Manpreet Singh said, The dip in pollution level is the result of SGPCs efforts.

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A day after a 23-year-old woman was allegedly thrown out of a moving car after an attempt of rape on her, the police failed to record the statement of the victim with her language posing a major hurdle. Police said the victim spoke in Bengali, Odia or Nepali and they could not comprehend what she was saying. Police have now decided to hire a bilingual to record her statements.

Meanwhile, police produced both the accused Manoj Kumar and Naresh Kumar before the court on Tuesday. The court remanded the accused to one day in police custody.

Division 5 station house officer, Beant Juneja, said police have been working hard to trace the victims family but in vain.

The woman either kept quiet or spoke in a regional language which was hard for us to comprehend. We made announcements in surrounding areas about the woman so that her family could contact the police, said Juneja.

We have hired someone who speaks Nepalese who will accompany police to DMCH. We will try to communicate with her through him, he added.

The accused, during questioning, told police that they picked up the woman from Aarti Chowk on Diwali Night and took her to their rented accommodation. They lost the keys of the house when they took her away in their vehicle.

The victim was later thrown out of the vehicle after she resisted and the accused fled the spot soon after. The SHO added that the picture will be clear after recording the statement of the victim.

The accused, who were drunk, kidnapped the woman on the pretext of offering her a lift in their pick-up auto from Aarti Chowk on Sunday night and had thrown her out of the running vehicle near Saggu Chowk. Onlookers rushed to her aid and took her to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.
Railways minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday inaugurated the first-of-its-kind elevated railway track project to be built in Rohtak through video-conferencing from Mumbai.

In Rohtak, Haryana minister and local MLA Manish Grover unveiled the foundation stone of the project near Bajrang Bhawan here.

The move came as surprise for city residents as Grover had earlier announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would inaugurate the project during the golden jubilee event in Gurgaon on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress claimed that they had already laid the foundation stone of the project during its rule in the state.

The Rs 181 crore project had been approved as railway by-pass. But the BJP wasted two years to lay the foundation stone of the project again. They dont have any vision for the project, former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said.

Grover, however, said the previous Congress governments project required acquisition of farmers land. Ours is an elevated railway track project. It has made farmers happy since we have cancelled the proposal of acquisition of their land, he said.

The minister claimed the project to be built over 4-km stretch would be completed in two years.
Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh on Wednesday asked both the state and Union government to ensure that those behind the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 get punished.

The jathedar, who participated in the bhog ceremony of Akhand Path held to remember the innocents killed in the riots in and around Delhi, said it was unfortunate that even after 32 years, justice has not been delivered.

Terming the riots a well-thought-out conspiracy, the jathedar accused successive governments of failing to provide justice to the victims.

Slamming the Congress, the jathedar said now that the Bharatiya Janata Party is in power at the Centre, the state government must take up the matter strongly.

Earlier, prayers were offered in memory of the victims and seeking speedy justice for them during the bhog ceremony at Gurdwara Jhanda Bunga Sahib in the Golden Temple complex.
Memories can play havoc and haunt one even in sane times. I am going to talk about the past when I saw human brutality, madness and compassion. I was 16 and a student at St Bedes College, Shimla. Life was going on as usual but things changed during that summer vacation of 1984.

(Operation) Bluestar happened early that June. I lived in a parochial town, Kapurthala. We lived for days under constant curfew and fear of militants and the military. Death, pain and upheaval stalked Punjab. To remain sane was the toughest challenge. Most often we failed. It seemed the real Gods had deserted us as we were governed by lesser gods, who divided us on the lines of religion.

Newspaper headlines only talked of killed, massacred, burnt. We were dying in Punjab and nobody cared. It was the peasantry that paid the heaviest price of poverty and blood, while the children of most Sikh leaders studied abroad.

Punjab was set back for decades to come. Wounds heal but we carry the scars to the grave.

College opened in July and I travelled back with the black-painted trunk with my Sikh surname on it. The driver was a turbaned sardarji. We were stopped at every post and my meagre belongings were checked. We tried to take this in our stride.

College brought a normal rhythm and friends soothed the trauma. But it was all shortlived. October 31 came and boom the fragile life fabric of sanity disappeared. It tore the very fabric of life. Two Sikh gunmen killed then prime minister Indira Gandhi that day. The tragedy did not finish its script. Thousands of innocent Sikhs were butchered. They had no role to play in Punjab politics. India burnt.

There were 25 Sikh girls in our college hostel at that time. Fear and the shouts of goons at the college gate scared us. TV and radio were blind and deaf. It was an era of censorship.

Sister Rose was the principal and, marshalling us to her office, she had one line to say. Girls, I will lay my life before any harm comes to you.

We believed her.

Every Gurpurb, Sikh girls from the hostel went to pay obeisance at the gurdwara in Shimlas Sanjauli area. 1984 was no different at St. Bedes. A night before the festival, all Sikh girls were summoned by the principal and asked to dress in their Sunday best to go to the gurdwara. The next day as we assembled, what did we see! The entire entourage of nuns at St Bedes walked with us to the gurdwara.

That walk is the most important walk of my life. It was a walk of secular India. We walked fearlessly, 25 of us in the age group of 16-19 years, with these petite nuns without any firearms, police protection or even the lone, male English professor. Was Sister Rose mad to take us to the gurdwara or did she have immense faith in humanity? Maybe both. In this bazaar of life, three of our friends lost their families in Delhi and Kanpur.

I am middle-aged now, with wrinkles and grey, but after 32 years, no justice has been dispensed for the loss of lives, while the gunmen of the then prime minister were hanged in due course. Killings are sad but sadder is the system failing to dispense equal justice.

Jasmine Sandhu, that was the name on my trunk in 1984.

sandhawalia3@gmail.com

(The writer is a Kapurthala-based freelance contributor)
The annual civil-military liaison conference was reduced to a ritual with Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badals inability to preside over it on Wednesday.

Badal was scheduled to chair the meeting, but due to inclement weather his chopper could not take off from Amritsar.

The meeting was delayed by two hours, and finally the government fielded additional chief secretary (home) Jagpal Singh Sandhu to take this meeting, in which Western Command chief of staff Lt Gen IS Ghuman represented the army.

During the annual meeting, various issues between the army and the state government are discussed and decided on the spot. Its importance can be gauged from the fact that top-rung bureaucrats and police officers besides all deputy commissioners were summoned to attend it.

The state government assured the army that it will adhere to the policy of giving reservation to ex-servicemen in all categories of government jobs and that the defence services welfare -- the nodal department -- has been mandated to ensure its strict implementation.

The government informed the army that notification about hike in financial assistance from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,500 per month to the World War-2 veterans and widows has already been issued following the cabinet nod.

Additional chief secretary (home) Sandhu said the government will provide land for running Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) polyclinics at non-military stations. In places where the land is not available, the government will help the army to acquire land, a spokesperson said.

Sandhu asked the SAS Nagar deputy commissioner to ensure that no unauthorised and unplanned construction activity takes place within the notified area adjoining the Chandigarh airport (military part of the airport).

Lt Gen Ghuman assured the gathering that the army personnel were ever ready to serve the nation with utmost commitment, said the spokesperson.
The acquittal of Ryan and Ammon Bundy and their five brave compatriots was a miraculous moment in the history of the fight for liberty against the tyranny of the Bureau of Land Mismanagement and of the oppressive U.S. government. The power of the peoples fourth branch of government, the jury, was manifest as these 12 courageous jurors rejected the trumped up charges of conspiring to prevent federal employees from performing their duties. (Although thats not a bad idea, considering all of the damage the BLM is doing to the economy of the West at the present.)

The defendants were also found not guilty of possessing guns in a federal facility. Since they openly carried sidearms in western style holsters, it is obvious that the jurors still believe in the first and second amendments: The people still have the right to peaceably assemble to petition the government for redress of grievances and they still have the right to keep and bear arms. There is nothing in the Constitution that says that the people cant exercise both of those rights at the same time. But there is plenty in federal law that says that you cant. Which one governs? The jury decided in favor of the Bill of Rights.

The governments underhanded tactics undoubtedly contributed to its highly embarrassing loss of what appeared to be an open and shut case. But it was actually a politically motivated case, brought to stamp out protests against the oppressive tactics of the BLM. There is seething anger throughout the West as ranchers, miners, and loggers, along with whole communities who depend on these industries, are put out of business by the unreasonable and oppressive regulations of the BLM.

It appears that this agency, originally designed to help ranchers, is now in the business of shutting them down. Over 50 ranchers in Clark County have been driven off the land their forefathers conquered and ranched for over a century, leaving Cliven Bundy the last man standing. It is no wonder the Bundy brothers went to Oregon to support their fellow ranchers, the Hammonds, who are now serving five year sentences for setting a backfire on federal land to protect their ranch from a raging forest fire, which, by the way, is a common technique used by the BLM to stop fires. The Hammonds were originally given light sentences by the first federal judge on their case, who said it would be unjust to mete out long sentences for such an innocent act. But in stepped the 9th Circuit and reversed that decision, after which a different fed judge threw the book at them and sent them to prison for five years for trying to protect their land.

Our domestic terrorist agency, the BLM, sent paid informants into the Malheur refuge to set up the Bundys for a frame job at trial. But the jury didnt take the bait. They knew that these government goons were there to try to induce the Bundys and their supporters to commit criminal acts. The only criminals in the case were the fedcops who murdered LaVoy Finicum by shooting him three times in the back, and then claiming that only one shot was fired. The jury knew who the liars in the case were, and it wasnt the Bundys. The feds were trying to prove that these Bundy brothers and their compatriots were domestic terrorists.

It appears that the jury understood that the terrorists in the western United States are the federal agents who murdered Lavoy Finicum. Lets hope that the jurors in Las Vegas next February will realize this also, and hand the government another acquittal of these innocent men, who, like our founding fathers, fought the battle of Bunker-ville, without ever firing a shot, against an invading army of feds, armed to the teeth, with military vehicles, a private army, bullet proof vests, highly trained snipers, and automatic weapons. This against a peaceable gathering of cowboys on horses, with pistols in western style holsters, which they never drew or pointed at anyone. Only one, or perhaps two people ever pointed a rifle in the directions of the invaders, while dozens of federal professional snipers on the butte above the protestors trained their sites on the cowboy hatted patriots.

Let us all thank God for the acquittal of these brave patriots who have courageously led the way in the fight to liberate the West from the stifling and oppressive regulators whose greatest desire is to coop us all up in the cities and leave the land to the tortoises and wild hares. And against those who understand the real forces behind the federales takeover of our lands  the large donations to Harry Reid and the democratic party by the worthless solar energy farms who cant make a buck without a federal handout, and who make those large donations to Harry Reid so that his cronies in the BLM will be willing to do his bidding and kick the honest descendants of the pioneers off the land for Harrys own evil purposes. (By the way, the tortoises do much better when they are around cattle  their favorite dessert is cow pies.)

Viva la libertad. Viva the Bundys! Viva Nevada. Viva the patriots of Malheur. Viva the memory of the martyr, LaVoy Finicum, who, if he had had the chance, would probably have said, I only regret that I had but one life to give for my country.

Let us all pray diligently from now through next February for the triumph of liberty against federal tyranny in the show trial against Cliven Bundy, Nevadas Nelson Mandela.
If you take a closer look at some of the upcoming films of Priyanka Sarkar, two things are common  womens issues and power. In real life too, Priyanka is resilient. She is no longer staying with her husband, actor Rahul, and has shifted to a new house with her toddler Sohoj. Life, undoubtedly, isnt easy for the Priyanka, who is busy striking a balance between her personal and professional commitments. However, the couple isnt officially separated yet.

The Chirodini Tumi Je Amar actress admits that her responsibilities as a mother has increased manifold. Earlier there were other people to take care of Sohoj at home. Since we have shifted to a new place and Sohoj is still adapting to the new environment, I make sure to spend as much time as possible with him. Rahul also spends a lot of time with Sohoj, says the actress.

Priyankas next film Andarkahini revolves around the struggle of women. The actress will be seen playing four different characters in four stories. (Arnab Middya)

Professionally, Priyanka is in a happy space. Not every actress is lucky enough to play four different characters in one film. Yes, Priyanka will be seen playing four different characters in Arnab Middyas Andarkahini. In Rajib Choudhurys upcoming film, Romantic Noy, the actress will be seen playing an important role, where her character supports the hero, who gets into male prostitution. Once in a lifetime does an actress get an opportunity to play four characters in one film. The first story is about a girl and her relationship with her boyfriend and father. The second is about a brother and sister, who runs a tea stall. The third explores the relationship between a husband and wife during recession and the fourth shows girl bonding. The societal backdrop is different in all the stories, but all the stories revolve around struggle of women, says the Kagojer Bou and Bhalobasha Zindabad actress.

Read: Eight unreleased films to be screened in KIFF 2016 Bengali Panorama

Priyanka is one of the few Bengali actresses who started her career with masala films, but gradually shifted to doing meaningful cinema. So, from dancing around the trees in films like Shono Mon Boli Tomay and Kano Kichu Kotha Bolona, she soon started playing meaningful characters in Srijit Mukherjis Rajkahini and Anjan Dutts Byomkesh Bakshi. I didnt try to fit into any one format of cinema. I have never been to any film school. I have learnt on the job. I could have continued doing hardcore commercial films, but I wanted to explore myself as an actress. And I am glad I made the choice

of doing different kinds of cinema, smiles Priyanka, who is no longer part of Arindam Sils new film. Priyanka shares that she gets excited every time a young director comes to her with a fresh idea. They are full of energy and I love working with young minds, says Priyanka, whose short film Maya has been selected for screening at the upcoming Kolkata International Film Festival.

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The writer of hit film The Queen returns to his favourite subject this week with a new Netflix series offering perhaps the most intimate portrait yet of Britains head of state.

All 10 episodes of The Crown will be available from Friday, continuing a tradition of big-budget original content that has seen the streaming service lavished with praise for such hits as House of Cards and Narcos.

The series comes from the pen of Peter Morgan, who lifted the veil on the private world of Elizabeth II in The Queen (2006), which was directed by Stephen Frears and earned Helen Mirren an Oscar in the title role.

Morgan went back to Britains longest-serving monarch with the stage play The Audience, which concentrated on her relationship with her various prime ministers -- and which also starred Mirren.

While these previous dramas depicted a mature and then aging Elizabeth II, Morgan and director Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot) start out The Crown with a young Princess Elizabeth as she marries Philip Mountbatten in the uncertain aftermath of post-war Britain.

Netflix has already committed to a second season and has so far dedicated over $100 million to The Crown, according to several reports.

Nothing you or His Royal Highness does is a private matter, Winston Churchill warns the 25-year-old Elizabeth, as she embarks on a very public life which has seen her become arguably historys most recognizable royal.

For all her fame, the 90-year-old monarch has managed somehow to reveal little of herself over 64 years on the throne.

Played by Claire Foy, whose last royal role was as Anne Boleyn in the BBCs 2015 miniseries Wolf Hall, the Elizabeth Windsor of The Crown is a level-headed young woman who is nevertheless prone to moments of levity and sensuality.

Winston Churchill stewards the rise of the Queen in The Crown Season 1. (Netflix)

Morgan, who plans to dedicate one season of The Crown to each of the six decades of the queens reign, starts with her difficult ascension to the throne, stewarded by Churchill, after the sudden death of her father George VI.

Morgan and Daldry offer up a nuanced portrait of a woman who combines reserve with grit, an heiress to an ancient tradition who manages somehow to be thoroughly modern.

A woman very much plunged into a mans world, she finds herself in the alien position of being of higher standing than her husband, treated with deference by the prime minister.

Central to Morgans narrative is Elizabeths relationship with Philip, which is more complex and passionate than the formal, sometimes stilted, image of the union served up for the public.

Matt Smith poses with Claire Foy as they arrive for the world premiere of The Crown at Leicester Square in London. (REUTERS)

Foy, 32, is full of praise for Morgans achievement in taking a well-documented historical subject and fashioning it into a drama full of surprises, while resisting the temptation to be sensationalist or salacious.

At a recent press day in New York, Foy noted that while many people follow the royal family, you forget who they are.

Vanessa Kirby, who plays Elizabeths sister Princess Margaret, says Morgan was able to convey the difficulty of life as a royal by getting the cast to imagine in every scene having a stone in their shoe.

Theres never just easy and lovely. He wants it to be difficult and gritty, and tough and hard, the 28-year-old actress said.

George VI is played by Jared Harris, who is probably best known for his role as British financial officer Lane Pryce in the AMC drama series Mad Men.

Harris, 55, imagines being a royal as an invidious calling, an occupation with no real job description or authority.

And at the same time theyre in this weird position where if they mess up, it can all be taken away, he said.

And theyll be the ones who screwed up 1,000 years of British monarchy. Imagine -- you must be in a state of permanent anxiety and paranoia.

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US President Barack Obama, the Democratic party's campaigner-in-chief, on Wednesday visited North Carolina, a swing state that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton could win with the support of African American voters.

This was the first of two visits he is slated to make this week  the second on Friday  for back-to-back campaign events for Clinton.

The famed Obama coalition, a combination of black, Hispanic and young white voters responsible for his election and re-election in 2008 and 2012, is not transferring to Clinton, whose path to the White House narrows considerably as a result.

The problem is a lack of enthusiasm among African Americans, reflected in lower turnouts than 2012 for early voting  absentee and in-person polling compared. Its down by 16% in North Carolina and from 24% to 15% in Florida.

Im not on the ballot this time, Obama told a rally in Ohio, another swing state where low turnouts among African Americans are worrying Democrats. ButAmerica is on the ballot. Hillary Clinton is on the ballot!

With the race in dead heat now  Clinton leads Donald Trump by 1.7 points in the RealClearPolitics average of polls  and with five days left for polling, both nominees and their surrogates are crisscrossing the country with their closing pitch.

Their focus is on battleground states that will determine the race  Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Nevada and Arizona  and states they control but would like to ensure do not slip out of their grip.

With early voting underway in most states  an estimated 24 million of the 218 million registered voters have already cast their vote  these end-stage rallies and get-out-the-vote events have taken on a predictable urgency.

The lower-than-expected turnout among black voters is a cause for concern not only for Clinton but, as has been pointed out by many, for the Democratic party as well, in a post-Obama scenario. Can those historic turnouts be gone now?

There is no immediate danger of the black vote transferring to Donald Trump because of his flagrant flirtation with racists and politically naive call to the African American community to give him a chance as they have nothing to lose.

They wont vote for Trump, but will they show up and vote for Clinton? Her campaign appears hopeful of getting up the numbers by election day through door-to-door mobilisation and get-out-the-vote events targeting the community.

It is also relying on a coalition of voter demographics Clinton has forged of her own that included Hispanics (27.5 million voters, 12% of registered voters), and more whites (than what Obama managed), including college-educated women.

About six in 10 (58%) Latino registered voters favour Clinton and only 17% support Trump, according to a PEW poll published in October; and Clinton leads Trump by a massive margin among women  19 points in a CBS poll last month.

While Clinton found early and ready support among African Americans voters, she has struggled to find traction with the young in the community, who have had the same trust issues with her as many other voter demographics.

Can Obama help convince them, and those who feel less enthusiastic about showing up to vote? He sure is trying, blitzing battleground states over the next few days, with other Clinton surrogates, exhorting supporters to go out and vote.

Dont boo, vote, he tells them, reminding them of a line he used frequently in his own campaigns, when supporters booed a reference to his opponent. Dont boo, he would say and wait for the audience to finish the sentence for him, Vote.
Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, criticised both Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump on Wednesday while marking the 1979 takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran.

Khamenei said Clinton and Trumps comments in the presidential debates are sufficient for the annihilation of the reputation of the United States, but didnt name either candidate in his speech.

He also described Americans as liars, untrustworthy, deceitful and backstabbers while saying he still opposed any direct negotiations with the US following the nuclear deal.

Iranian state television aired two of the three US presidential debates live.

Irans President Hassan Rouhani in October described the two candidates as bad and worse, without specifying which was which.
All said and done, Iranian cinema has managed to stay afloat despite rigid censorship laws and a ruling clergy not well disposed towards the arts, particularly cinema. And movies from Iran have found a way of talking about the pressing issues of the day without offending the rulers. Mohsen Abdolvahabs Being Born -- which was shown at the ongoing Tokyo International Film Festival -- is an intimate narrative about a loving husband and wife.

While Pari acts in plays, her husband, Farhad, makes movies. They have a son, and are content with their lives till an unplanned pregnancy threatens to disrupt their peace and joy. Farhad wants the child to be aborted, but Pari is dead against killing any living being. And there is no meeting point, with Pari deciding to shift away from Tehran to her fathers house. I do not want you to drag me to a clinic for an abortion, she tells him.

What is riveting about the film is the directors ability to tell a story that is fraught with angst and emotion with the least of melodrama. The couple, in spite of being angry with each other, is absolutely civil and go their separate ways. There is no divorce, only a separation. Many couples live apart and work out of different cities, Pari tells Farhad, who is, of course, shaken. There is an extremely sorrowful scene at the end when we see the man shattered and miserable at the thought of having to live all by himself.

In a way, Being Born is reminiscent of another great Iranian movie, A Separation by Asghar Farhadi -- where again a highly emotional marital problem is handled with subtle finesse. It was brilliance personified.

Talking to the media after his screening, Abdolvahab said: In Iran, 98% of the people follow Islam. There is discussion about abortion. According to the Quran, it is taking someone elses life, so its a major sin. And so, from a religious point of view, if one considers having an abortion, they will go through many troubles. But with a changing society, there are some people who have no other choice but to have one. Because of that, some people will have abortions secretly.

All said and done, the helmer had the guts to tackle a subject considered a taboo. Even talking about it makes people uncomfortable. As the executive producer of Being Born added during the same meeting: The film can also be read on a metaphorical level: Since the couple is a moviemaker and an actor, Being Born can be seen as a statement about the situation facing artists in contemporary Iran.

Marco Dutras Brazilian work, The Silence of the Sky, is also a couples story, but one that is terrifying and arresting at the same time. It begins with a long rape, but captured with sensitivity. We only see the wifes contorted face as she is raped by two masked men in her own house. There is a glint of fear on her face, and a brief flash of a knife tells us why.

A still from The Silence of the Sky. (Tokyo International Film Festival)

Shocking as it may seem, the husband returns home at that point and sees his wife being molested, but is so frozen with fear that by the time he gathers his wits to confront the rapists, they are gone. He chases them but they give him the slip.

What follows after this is a psychological drama. The wife takes a shower and does not tell the husband about her trauma, and he keeps mum as well, probably wracked by a deep sense of guilt at having been so helpless. A virtual coward indeed.

The Silence of the Sky is pure arthouse fare with simmering traces of excellence in performance and photography. But the narrative is not always convincing: we never understand why the wife does not take her husband into confidence. Is the marriage fractured? Or is there so much self-loathing that she just cannot open up?

(Gautaman Bhaskaran is covering the Tokyo International Film Festival.)

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Two police officers were shot to death early on Wednesday in ambush-style attacks while they were sitting in their patrol cars, authorities said.

Officers responded to a report of shots fired at 1.06 am and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot. Authorities from several agencies saturated the area after that shooting, and about 20 minutes later discovered that a Des Moines officer had been shot in a patrol car at an intersection, Des Moines Sgt. Paul Parizek said. The shootings happened about 2 miles apart.

Theres somebody out there shooting police officers. We hope to find him before somebody else gets hurt, said Parizek, who became emotional at times during a news conference.

Authorities are developing suspect information but there was nothing that they were ready to share with the public, Parizek said. Officers are now doing patrols in pairs to better protect themselves, he said.

Parizek said he didnt have any more information about the shootings.

Urbandale is a city in the Des Moines metro area with about 50 officers.
Up to 600,000 children are among the civilians trapped in jihadist-held Mosul, Save The Children said on Tuesday, calling for safe corridors as Iraqi forces advanced on the city.

It is a critical moment to protect children and open safe routes to allow the 1.5 million civilians, including about 600,000 children, still trapped in the city to leave safely, the charity said.

Iraqi forces reached the edges of Mosul on Tuesday, two weeks into a massive operation to retake the city they lost to the Islamic State jihadist group in June 2014.

We cannot sit back and wait for another situation like Aleppo to unfold, whilst there is still the opportunity to get children out of the war zone, the NGOs Iraq director Maurizio Crivellaro said.

An estimated 250,000 people have been besieged by regime forces in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo for three months.

Most estimates put the number of people trapped in Mosul at more than a million, but accurate numbers are impossible to come by after more than two years of jihadist rule in the city.
It was a brief but poignant moment on Tuesday evening when a speaker recalled that a statue of Sardar Patel was unveiled in the Indian high commission here by LK Advani as deputy prime minister in 2002, and the gathering in Gandhi Hall cheered spontaneously.

The cheer was symbolic of both Advani's changing political fortunes over the years and the fate of the statue since it was unveiled on August 21, 2002 amid noisy protests against the Gujarat riots earlier that year.

Tuesday was the first time the statue was the focus of a Sardar Patel event in India House since its unveiling more than 14 years ago.

Pravin Amin, chair of the Sardar Patel Memorial Society who was central to the statues installation, recalled that the then Indian envoy, Ronen Sen, had promised to hold an annual event to commemorate the life and times of Sardar Patel.

When Mr Sen left, he said he would leave a note that the event should be held every year, but there was a regime change in New Delhi, and nothing happened all these years, until now, Amin told the gathering of more than 100 community leaders, diplomats and others.

Amin recalled the day when Advani unveiled the statue during a three-day visit to London, prompting cheers in the audience that included several individuals who sponsored and organised the statues installation in 2002.

The 2002 unveiling was marked by protests outside India House by groups such as the South Asia Solidarity Group against the Gujarat riots, as well as a boycott of Sens reception after the event by leaders of Indian Muslim organisations in Britain.

Dinesh Patnaik, Indias acting high commissioner, said Patel was a strong proponent of liberal values, and was at the forefront of protecting minorities. Patel was known more for unifying India after independence, but his achievements were equally exemplary before 1947, he said.

We are a strong, diverse nation today because he created the framework of civil service. He was never seen among the greatest heroes of our freedom struggle, but now on October 31 will be celebrated as national unity day, Patnaik said.

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Spanish fruit and vegetable exports stand to lose the most from Brexit. EFE

The Spanish food and drink industry could be facing lower revenues, fewer exports and smaller profits as a result of the Brexit vote.

This is one of the conclusions of Alimentacion y bebidas: tendencias 2016 (or, Food and beverages: Trends for 2016), a study by the consulting group KPMG.

Legal changes in the British market could also force Spanish exporters to obtain new licenses

According to the Trade Secretarys Office, in 2015 Spain exported food and drinks to Britain worth over 3.5 billion, making it the second-most-important export sector after the auto industry.

Food exports to the UK grew 60% between 2006 and 2015. The fruit and vegetable category experienced the greatest boom, representing a 51% increase over the period to reach sales of over 2 billion in 2015. This is followed by beverages, food preparations, meat products, and fats and oils.

But this growth could be substantially slowed down by Britains decision to leave the European Union.

The study analyzes the internal effects of the Brexit vote, some of which are already taking place. The pound has fallen 15.18% against the euro, making imports more expensive for British companies and leading KPMG to conclude that the latter will increasingly turn to locally produced goods.

British retailers will also face new hurdles such as tariffs or taxes on EU imports. The study further notes that British consumers have reduced their spending levels due to a rise in uncertainty, an expected rise in unemployment and a loss of purchasing power.

More domestic competition

As a result of these lower imports by Britain, Spanish food exporters will have to reduce their own profits if they want to keep up a stable turnover. The study also notes that third countries facing difficulties to place their own products in the UK might turn to the Spanish market instead, thereby increasing the competition for domestic firms.

Legal changes in the British market could also force Spanish exporters to obtain new licenses or meet new food import standards, and even to pay new taxes.

The consulting firm is urging Spanish food and drink companies to try to quantify the direct impact of Brexit on their accounts, and to start drawing up action plans for the various scenarios opening up before them.

English version by Susana Urra.
All 33 miners missing after a colliery explosion in China earlier this week have been confirmed dead, state media reported Wednesday, in the countrys latest mining accident.

The bodies of the last 15 were retrieved from the Jinshangou mine in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing in the early hours, the official Xinhua news agency said.

Only two workers escaped Mondays blast alive.

Though the cause of the explosion was still unknown, preliminary investigations showed that the colliery had exceeded its mining boundaries, was poorly ventilated, and had insufficient and malfunctioning equipment, Xinhua said.

Privately-owned Jinshangou is licensed to produce 60,000 tonnes of coal a year.

China is the worlds largest coal producer and deadly accidents are common.

In September at least 18 people were killed after a mine explosion in the northwestern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

In March, 19 people died in a coal mine accident in the northern province of Shanxi.

Officials say the number dying annually in the countrys mines has fallen substantially in the past decade, to fewer than 1,000 a year.

But some rights groups argue the actual figures are significantly higher due to under-reporting.
British investment banker Rurik Jutting acted rationally before and after he killed two Indonesian women in his luxury Hong Kong apartment, ordering food for one victim and calling his mother after the killings, the prosecution said on Wednesday.

Jutting, a former Bank of America Corp employee, has pleaded not guilty to the 2014 murders but guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility, citing his heavy drug and alcohol abuse and sexual disorders.

The mutilated body of Sumarti Ningsih, 23, was found in a suitcase on the balcony of Juttings apartment and Seneng Mujiasih, 26, was found inside the apartment with wounds to her neck and buttocks.

Prosecutor John Reading called Kavin Chow, an associate consultant at the Department of Forensic Psychiatry at Hong Kongs Castle Peak Hospital, to state that Jutting had moments of sobriety in between the killings and should have been able to resist the use of substance.

Chow noted that Jutting acted rationally, ordering food for his victim Ningsih as well as cleaning up the bathroom after he killed her.

Despite the presence of abnormality of the mind it doesnt substantially impair his mental responsibility, she said.

Reading said Jutting called his mother after he killed Mujiasih, before he reported himself to police. Details of the conversation was not made clear in court.

The defence have called British experts in forensic psychiatry and psychology who have testified that Jutting has recognised disorders from cocaine and alcohol abuse on top of his other personality disorders of sexual sadism and narcissism, which impaired his ability to control his behaviour.

British psychologist Derek Perkins (R), a defence witness for British banker Rurik Jutting, 31, accused of the murders of two Indonesian women, leaves the High Court in Hong Kong on November 1 (AFP Photo)

The defence has also argued that Jutting, a 31-year-old Cambridge university graduate, felt huge stress during his banking career.

Reading said Jutting only worked for 10-15 days in the period before he was arrested and only worked a few hours per day. Jutting stopped responding to work in the second week of October, 2014, just before the killings, said Reading.

Jutting, a former vice president and head of Structured Equity Finance & Trading (Asia) at Bank of America, had felt great pressure when his boss told him his professional activities would be monitored, his defence has said.

The court heard on Tuesday that Jutting called his boss at the Bank of America in Hong Kong before he called the police and warned them that its reputation was at risk, defense lawyer Tim Owen said.

The trial, which is in its second week, has attracted large international scrutiny due to the brutality of the killings in a city where crime is relatively low.

Jutting captured hours of footage on his iPhone of him torturing Ningsih. He also filmed rambling monologues he called the narcissistic ramblings of Rurik Jutting where he discussed the murders, binged on cocaine and explained his violent sexual fantasies.

Freshly shaven and wearing a pale blue button down, Jutting focused on the session intently on Wednesday, making notes in his sectioned off area where he was flanked by three policemen.

Jutting smirked and smiled at times as his defence team challenged Chow, the prosecution witness.

Murder carries a mandatory life sentence, while manslaughter carries a maximum of life though a shorter sentence can be set.
President Ashraf Ghani has said the Mi-25 gunship helicopters supplied by India prevented a further deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan as they had played a key role in air support operations.

Addressing a joint conference of the leadership of security institutions in Kabul on Tuesday, Ghani was quoted by Khaama Press as saying, The situation could further deteriorate if the Mi-25s supplied by India would not arrive on time.

Ghani hailed the efforts of the Afghan Air Force (AAF) in providing air support to ground forces during the ongoing fighting season. We were forced to use Mi-17 transport helicopters as gunships during the last Afghan fiscal year, he said.

The AAF was re-established during the ongoing fiscal year and this led to an Afghan-owned decision about providing air support to ground forces, he said.

India set aside a long-standing policy of providing only non-lethal military equipment to Afghanistan last year when it agreed to provide four Mi-25 attack helicopters. The AAF received three of the helicopters in late December last year, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Kabul.

The fourth helicopter is currently being prepared for delivery to the AAF. The fourth helicopter is yet to be transferred. It needs spares before it can be made fully operational and the spares have to come from Russia, a diplomatic source was quoted as saying by Khaama.

An unnamed defence official said: There was an issue with the spares. It is being sorted out. It should be delivered very soon.

Reports from Afghanistan have suggested that the Mi-25s have played a key role in the offensive against the Taliban and other jihadi groups. Air support plays a key role in operations by Afghan ground forces, especially in targeting militant positions, troop deployment and casualty evacuation.

During Tuesdays conference, which was attended by the commander of NATO forces, the defence minister, interior minister and the head of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), Ghani said Afghan security institutions should remain target oriented for the upcoming fiscal as they had gone through a year of survival and are in the process of national mobilisation to defend.

Ghani, however, cautioned that the coming months will be the toughest yet for the security forces. We need full preparation because the current war situation has changed from an undeclared war to a declared war, he said, according to Tolo News.

He called for greater cooperation and coordination between security forces and foreign troops. He described the high number of military casualties as a big challenge.

Ghani also spoke of other problems faced by the Afghan forces, such as a lack of supplies.

I really felt shame when I heard that our security forces went for 15 or 20 days with only rice or only bread. What are our intelligence services doing?...I want solutions to these complaints. It is not a request but an order and it must be implemented, he said.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte chided the United States on Wednesday for halting the planned sale of 26,000 rifles to his country, calling those behind the decision fools and monkeys and indicating he might turn to Russia and China instead.

Dutertes tirades against the former colonial power are routine during his speeches and he said on Wednesday he once believed in Washington, but had since lost respect for what is the Philippines biggest ally.

The US State Department halted the sale of the assault rifles to the Philippine police after US Senator Ben Cardin said he would oppose it, Senate aides told Reuters on Monday.

Aides said Cardin, the top Democrat on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was reluctant for the United States to provide the weapons given concern about human rights violations in the Philippines during Dutertes bloody, four-month-old war on drugs.

Look at these monkeys, the 26,000 firearms we wanted to buy, they dont want to sell, Duterte said during a televised speech... we have many home-made guns here. These American fools.

More than 2,300 people have been killed in police operations or by suspected vigilantes as part of Dutertes anti-narcotics campaign, which was the lynchpin of his election campaign.

Duterte has vented his anger at the United States for raising concerns about the extra-judicial killings.

Thats why I was rude at them, because they were rude at me, he said.

According to procedures in Washington, the State Department informs Congress when international weapons sales are in the works. Aides said the State Department had been informed Cardin would oppose the deal during the prenotification process, thus halting the sale.

US State Department officials did not comment.

The Philippine police chief, Ronald dela Rosa, on Tuesday expressed disappointment that police would not get the M4 rifles, which he said were reliable.

Duterte reiterated that Russia and China had shown willingness to sell arms to the Philippines, but he would wait to see if his military wanted to continue using US weapons.

Russia, they are inviting us. China also. China is open, anything you want, they sent me brochure saying we select there, well give you.

But I am holding off because I was asking the military if they have any problem. Because if you have, if you want to stick to America, fine.

But, look closely and balance the situation, they are rude to us.
The call to boycott Chinese goods in India is not good for bilateral trade as the two countries attempt to forge stronger economic relations and jingoism should not be encouraged, a senior official from Chinas leading organisation promoting foreign trade has said.

Equating the boycott call to jingoism, Yang Yucheng from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) said it is different from trade protectionism which is natural and acceptable.

People will prefer cheaper goods, Yang said, adding Chinese consumers too buy goods from abroad and there has to be exchange of goods.

Yang was speaking to Hindustan Times during an India-China business meet in the eastern city of Huzhou near Shanghai, attended by 200 representatives of medium and small scale industries operating in the region.

His remarks came days after the Chinese embassy in New Delhi issued a statement saying exports to India accounted for only 2% of Chinas total shipments.

Meanwhile, in Beijing, the two countries held the third meeting of a joint working group on Cooperation on Industrial Parks in India.

Presentations were made on investment opportunities available under Make in India and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, the Indian embassy said in a statement.

The working group assessed progress in existing and proposed Chinese investment projects and explored further steps to encourage investment for setting up industrial parks in India, it said.

The Indian delegation was led by Ravneet Kaur, joint secretary, department of industrial policy and promotion in the commerce ministry, and the Chinese side by Li Shaotong, deputy director general, department of outward investment in the commerce ministry.

At the Huzhou seminar, India was represented by several companies based in Shanghai which pitched for the flow of Chinese investment to the Make in India programme. Huzhous trade with India is a reflection of larger Sino-Indian trade - the balance of trade is in Beijings favour. In 2015, Huzhou did trade worth some $ 370 million with India and the citys imports were $ 37.81 million.

In the first three quarters of 2016, Huzhous imports from India touched $ 21.26 million. The main imports were textile raw materials, textile products and plastic products, data shared by CCPIT showed. Three Indian companies, including a joint venture between the Tata group and a Chinese tea company, have a presence in Huzhou.

The fact that 200 Chinese companies attended the seminar showed that local investors are keen to invest in India,Yang said. Trading companies from Huzhou are especially interested in going to India. There is every reason to go to India for Chinese investors.

Giving a presentation at the event, Nagaraj Naidu, director general, Investment Trade and Promotion Division of the external affairs ministry, said the government is ready to help Chinese investors set up shop in India.

An MoU was signed between the Shanghai representative office of the Confederation of Indian Industry and CCPIT, Huzhou, to promote bilateral commercial exchanges.
Indonesia and the US began military manoeuvres, the first such joint combat drills after 19 years, according to authorities on Wednesday.

The Cope West exercises, which will be carried out until November 11 in Manado, Sulawesi Island, will involve six US Marine Corps and the Indonesian air force, the US Embassy in Jakarta said.

The exercises are aimed at boosting inter-operability between the armed forces of the two countries, improving exchange of techniques related to combined air operations and promoting cooperation, the embassy added.

US-Indonesia defence cooperation has never been stronger or more comprehensive than it is today, Brian McFeeters, spokesperson of the US embassy, said.

We are proud to be Indonesias top defence partner in joint exercises and other engagements, he added.

In recent years, the US has strengthened military cooperation with several Southeast Asian countries to support them in the fight against terrorism and counter Chinas rise in the region, where territorial disputes in the South China Sea have led to an escalation of tension.
Iraqi special forces paused their advance in an eastern district of Mosul on Wednesday to clear a neighborhood of any remaining Islamic State militants, as forces further to the south of the city took four small villages, military officials said.

In Mosuls easternmost Gogjali, special forces could be seen going house to house while sappers searched the road for explosives and booby traps left behind by the jihadis driven out a day earlier.

Gen. Abdul-Ghani al-Asadi, the top counterterrorism forces commander, told reporters a curfew had been imposed in the neighborhood while gains there were being consolidated.

We fear that Daesh militants could attack our forces or the town with mortars, he said, using the Arabic acronym for IS. So for the safety of the families we ask them to stay inside their houses. He spoke in the town of Bartella, some 15 kilometers (9 miles) behind the front lines.

Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil said that no advances were planned while high humidity and clouds obscured the view of aircraft and drones  a key component to the operations provided by a U.S.-led air campaign.

The guns were largely silent in Gogjali, which is inside Mosuls city limits but just outside more urban districts, although sporadic rifle cracks could be heard as well as some army artillery fire on IS positions. Fadhil said special forces had detained three suspected IS militants in the area.

The pause came a day after Iraqi troops set foot in the city for the first time in more than two years, gearing up for urban warfare expected to take weeks, if not months.

In the next stage, troops will have to navigate streets likely lined with booby traps, fighting house-to-house while trying to avoid killing civilians, more than one million of whom are still in the city.

Further to the south, where progress has been much slower, Federal Police forces captured four small villages outside the Hamam al-Alil area, over 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Mosul, the army said. The largest of the four is Min Gar, some 10 km (6 miles) west of Hamam al-Alil, spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool said of the Wednesday morning operation.

Mosul is the last major IS stronghold in Iraq, and driving the militant group from the city would be a major blow to its ambitions of creating a cross-border caliphate stretching into Syria. IS announced the project in Mosul in 2014, after it routed the much larger Iraqi military, which had been neglected and demoralized by corruption.

However, concern over the fate of civilians caught up in the fighting has been growing, after residents reported that IS militants were rounding up thousands of people to use as human shields and killing those with suspected links to the security forces.

According to one account given to The Associated Press, the fighters went door to door in villages south of Mosul, ordering hundreds of people at gunpoint to march north into the city, where urban fighting is expected to be heaviest and the presence of civilians will slow the armys advance as it tries to avoid killing innocents.

In the latest international condemnation of IS, which has carried out mass killings of perceived opponents in the past and boasted about them in grisly photos and videos circulated online, the United Nations called on authorities to collect evidence of IS abuses of civilians for future use by tribunals.

The Norwegian Refugee Council warned that more than 1 million civilians trapped inside Mosul are in grave danger as Iraqi troops advance into the city.

The aid group, which works with refugees and internally displaced people, said that around 18,000 Iraqis have fled their homes since the start of the massive Mosul military operation over two weeks ago.

Its Iraq chief, Wolfgang Gressmann, said the agencys aid workers were bracing ... for the worst.

The lives of 1.2 million civilians are in grave danger, and the future of all of Iraq is now in the balance, he said

Adama Dieng, special adviser to the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the prevention of genocide, also expressed concern over the increasing risk of sectarian violence or revenge attacks during the Mosul campaign, especially where state-sanctioned Iraqi Shiite militias are approaching Sunni communities.

Any kind of retaliatory violence against individuals on the basis of their membership of a specific group is unacceptable, he said in a statement released Tuesday.

Political rhetoric on the issue has been heating up, after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently warned that Turkey would be closely monitoring Shiite militias behavior in northern Iraq and seeking to safeguard the rights of ethnic Turkmens there. Erdogan said the Iraqi Shiite militias could prompt a Turkish response if they terrorize the Iraqi-Turkmen town of Tal-Afar.

On Tuesday, Turkeys defense minister said his country was making preparations for all kinds of possibilities as the Turkish military began deploying tanks and other vehicles to the border town of Silopi.

In a televised speech later that evening to praise the Mosul operation, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi downplayed an escalation. We dont want war with Turkey. We do not want confrontation with Turkey, he said. But if one happens, we are ready.

Read more: 600,000 children among 1.5 million civilians trapped in IS-held Mosul: NGO
Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been trapped by the Iraqi army, which entered the terrorist groups stronghold of Mosul for the first time in more than two years for a final assault, a report said.

The battle for Mosul, where the self-declared caliph of IS is believed to be hiding, is likely to end in a decisive defeat for the terrorist group, the Independent reported.

Fuad Hussein, chief of staff to Kurdish President Massoud Barzani, told the daily that his government had information from multiple sources that Baghdadi is there and, if he is killed, it will mean the collapse of the whole [IS] system.

Read | How many times has Islamic State chief Baghdadi been injured or killed?

Baghdadi has kept himself concealed for the last eight or nine months according to Hussein, who added that the caliph had become very dependent on IS commanders from Mosul and Tal Afar, a city just to the west of Mosul.

Other senior and better known figures in IS, particularly those from Syria and other countries, have been killed since their initial triumphs in the summer of 2014 when they took over much of northern Iraq and eastern Syria.

The presence of Baghdadi in Mosul may complicate and prolong the battle for Mosul as his surviving adherents fight to the death to defend him.

If he is killed, IS would have to choose a new caliph in the middle of a battle, but no successor would have the authority and prestige of Baghdadi, the leader who surprised the world by establishing the caliphate after capturing Mosul in June 2014.

Hussein said it is obvious that they will lose, but not how long this will take to happen.

He said Kurdish Peshmerga forces had been impressed by the extraordinary number of tunnels that IS had dug in order to provide hiding places in the villages around Mosul.

On Tuesday, the Iraqi Special Forces advanced into Mosul, which once had a population of two million, seizing the state television on the east bank of the Tigris River that divides the city in half.

Hussein said the speed of the fall of Mosul would depend on many factors especially whether or not IS is going to destroy the five bridges over the river.

Iraqi troops entered Gogjali, a district inside Mosuls city limits, and later the borders of the more built-up Karama district, according to Major General Sami al-Aridi of the Iraqi special forces.

Daesh (IS) is fighting back and have set up concrete blast walls to block off the Karama neighbourhood and [stop] our troops advance, General Aridi said.

The anti-IS offensive is dependent on US-led air strikes and the presence of US special forces.
More than 1,000 Italians on Tuesday threw a block party featuring a pasta lunch, a brass band and crafts to welcome some 80 migrants to the neighborhood in Milan, contrasting with rising anti-migrant tensions throughout the country including a protest at the barracks the night before.

Shouts of welcome went up as a small contingent of about 30 migrants came out of a recently repurposed army barracks for what was billed as the first welcome party of its kind in Italy.

I feel happy, said 22-year-old Zakaria Abdellahi from Ethiopia, who arrived in Italy three months ago with his wife. I feel like I am famous. Everywhere I look, they are taking pictures. I think I am Obama.

The previous night the mood outside the barracks had been less welcoming. About 200 people belonging to a right-wing party and an extremist movement protested, carrying banners that read Italians first. Migrants peeked uneasily from the barracks windows overlooking the piazza, before closing the shade.

It was the third such protest in recent days, with anti-migrant campaigners pledging more. Tensions over migrants have been rising in Italy amid persistent arrivals creating a crunch in the housing system in the months since Rome has stepped up its border controls under pressure from European neighbours.

Migrants and citizens dance and hug each others outside the Montello barracks, in Milan, Italy on Tuesday. (AP Photo)

Organizers of Tuesdays welcome event said that politicians on the right have been using the crisis in arrivals to stir up anti-migrant sentiment, leveraging Italys economic stagnation to create uncertainty and fear. They decided on the welcome party after the citys plans to open the barracks to migrants became a political flashpoint, hoping that familiarity with the newcomers would help ease residents reservations.

It is very important that we meet each other and try to face the future in a different way. This is one reason for this event. The other is that politicians are trying to use the migrant issue to get votes, said Selana Tesfai, a founder of the Zone 8 Solitary Committee.

Migrant arrivals in Italy have topped 153,000 in the first 10 months of the year, close to that of all of last year although still shy of the record 170,000 in 2014. But with fewer heading north, Italy has had to come up with more migrant housing and aid - and more often has met local resistance.

Last week, dozens of residents of the small Adriatic clamming town of Goro blocked a road to prevent a dozen female migrants from being housed in the local hostel. The act was widely condemned, but received support from right-wing politicians.

Milan remains the city with the most migrant arrivals in Italy, largely because it is seen as a transit point, the city official charged with social policy, Pierfrancesco Majorino, told The Associated Press at the welcome party.

In these months we have seen many small manifestations against (migrants) in northern Italy, even in Milan, Majorino said. This is the first time there is a mobilization to welcome them. I find this very nice.

A woman holds the hands of a migrant outside the Montello barracks, in Milan, Italy on Tuesday. (AP Photo)

Organizers said they have approached the charity that is running the barracks shelter to create programs so the migrants feel at home, such as sporting events, cooking classes and a map of places in the neighborhood that want to help with the transition.

Since the crisis began on Oct. 18, 2013, 108,000 migrants have passed through Milan. From 2013-2015, just 2 percent of migrants requested asylum; that has now jumped to 75 percent, Majorino said. Currently, the city is housing 3,760 migrants.

The 300 new beds at the barracks will be filled in the coming days with migrants already in Milan shelters. The spots were added to prevent overcrowding and to keep migrants from sleeping outside during the winter months. Majorino said the city is now at capacity, and migrants who make their way there will be returned to the city where they first entered Italy, so the Interior Ministry can work out a balanced distribution.
Kolkata-born former Scotiabanks vice chairman Sarabjit Singh Marwah has become the first Sikh to be appointed to the Canadian senate.

Toronto-based Marwah, who retired from Scotiabank in 2014, was among the six people from Ontario who were appointed to the senate by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trudeau lauded Marwahs efforts in showcasing the rich diversity of Sikh and South Asian art and culture.

Marwah is one of the founders of the Sikh Foundation of Canada that promotes culture and art among the diaspora.

Marwah, who was born in Kolkata in 1952, did his schooling from St Xaviers School. He is an alumnus of Delhis St Stephens College and the Delhi School of Economics and holds an MBA from the University of California in Los Angeles, USA.

Marwah joined Scotiabank in Toronto as a financial analyst in 1978. Rising through the ranks, he went on to become the chief financial officer in 1998. In 2002, he was made the banks senior executive vice president and chief financial officer.

In 2005, he was elevated to the post of vice chairman and chief administrative officer. In 2008, he was re-designated.

Marwah has served on the boards of many famous Canadian institutions such as the Toronto Star daily, the Toronto International Film Festival, the CD Howe Institute, the Royal Ontario Museum, the United Way Campaign and the Hospital for Sick Children.

Marwah joins two other Sikhs  defence minister Harjeet Sajjan and science minister Navdeep Bains  in the Canadian Parliament.

While Marwah will be the only Indian-origin member of the Senate (upper house), there are over 20 members of Indian-origin in the House of Commons (lower house).
The fallout from the fiery parliamentary session on Saturday that saw Mariano Rajoy of the Popular Party (PP) voted back in as the countrys prime minister has taken a personal turn with two members of the same family now engaged in a war of words.

Podemos and Ciudadanos deputies clash in Congress. J. Rojas

Fernando Maura Barandiaran and Eduardo Maura Zorita are uncle and nephew. Both come from Bilbao in Spains Basque Country and both can trace their ancestry back to Antonio Maura, who was prime minister of Spain on five occasions between 1903 and 1922.

You are either with the victims or you are with the terrorists

Ciudadanos deputies in Congress

But that is where the similarities between the two end. After a long career that has included stints with a number of political parties, including the Socialist Party (PSOE), 61-year-old Fernando is now a deputy for Madrid with Spains emerging center-right party Ciudadanos. His nephew Eduardo, on the other hand, is a deputy with the left-wing group Podemos.

Both parties have emerged as a response to Spains economic crisis and in the wake of a series of corruption scandals that have battered the reputation of Spains two largest parties, the conservative PP and the PSOE.

However, the two parties have regularly come to blows since their inception, especially on the issue of how to tackle the end of Basque terrorist group ETA, which killed 829 people over 43 years before announcing a definitive end to armed violence five years ago.

Fernando Maura has criticized Podemos policies on ETA.

For Ciudadanos, the way forward lies in submitting ETA to legal pressure and social isolation, and the party has slammed Podemos for not signing a state-sponsored anti-terrorism pact. Podemos, for its part, has always condemned the crimes of the terrorist group but has stated that all victims and their families  including ETA members  should receive the same level of recognition by the state.

The question of ETA was the flashpoint again after Gabriel Rufian, the spokesperson for the Catalan independence party Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), and Oskar Matute with the radical left-wing Basque party Bildu, slammed the PSOE as traitors for allowing Mariano Rajoy to be voted back in as prime minister by abstaining in the vote that led to his investiture.

Threatening people is not part of how I do politics or how I live Eduardo Maura Zorita

It stills smells of quick lime, said Matute, a reference to the state-sponsored torture and murder of ETA members Jose Ignacio Zabala and Jose Antonio Lasa by the so-called GAL (Antiterrorist Liberation Groups) death squads in the 1980s under the Socialist government of Felipe Gonzalez.

A furious Antonio Hernando, spokesman for the Socialists was quick to react, reminding the congress: "The Socialists have given blood, sweat and tears, only to listen to [Rufian] say today

His words were greeted with applause from both sides of the political fence, but Podemos deputies did not join in  a silence that saw members of Ciudadanos shouting: You are either with the victims or you are with the terrorists.

You have just applauded Bildu and you make fun of us when 254 deputies applaud in honor of the victims of ETA, tweeted Ciudadanos spokesperson Juan Carlos Girauta after the incident.

Eduardo Maura Zorita then tweeted back: Girauta, be careful what you say. Some of us come from there [the Basque Country] and have more experience with that. Cheap insults do you a disservice.

It was then that the Podemos deputys uncle Fernando stepped into the fray, describing Eduardos message as a threat in an article in newspaper Diario 16, in which he contrasted the position of their forefather, who wanted a unified Spain, with the Podemos policy of promoting referendums on the issue of self-rule in Spain regions.

Eduardo Maura denies having threatened a Ciudadanos spokesperson.

What would Antonio Maura think if he could see what his great-great-grandson is doing and saying? he told EL PAIS.

I dont know how much direct knowledge he has of the dark years of ETA. He has said that he has spoken to my bodyguards about my personal situation, or about their situation, but he has never spoken to me personally, he said.

A business partner of Fernandos father was killed by ETA while he himself was accompanied by bodyguards while a politician in the Basque Country.

Fernando said that some political groups acted as if ETA had never existed, describing this as a form of collective amnesia and decrying a situation where many people have had to give up a great deal of their liberty to stay alive.

But his nephew Eduardo told EL PAIS he had never threatened anybody. Threatening people is not part of how I do politics or how I live, said the 35-year-old, adding he had been threatened on social media on recent days, with people accusing him of working with ETA.

Eduardo highlighted he had worked with the Gesto por la paz peace movement in school and had plenty of experience with working with victims of the terror group.

He said attempts to link both him and Podemos with terrorism overstepped ethical boundaries in politics and added the behavior of those who had accused him of threatening Girauta was deplorable.

English version by George Mills.
Malaysia will buy four combat vessels from China in a landmark defence deal, Prime Minister Najib Razak said, signalling a potential strategic shift away from the United States.

The agreement marked the first time Kuala Lumpur had purchased warships from Beijing and came only two weeks after Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte announced his separation from Washington during a visit to China.

Under the terms of the deal, two of the vessels will be built in Malaysia and two in China, Najib said in an op-ed published in the China Daily newspaper on Wednesday during his week-long trip to Beijing.

I call this a landmark decision because before this we have not bought such vessels from China, Najib said after talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday, according to Malaysian newspaper The Star.

Malaysia has historically acquired the bulk of its major defence hardware from the United States, Russia and European countries.

Analysts said the accord was a setback for Washingtons pivot towards Asia and underlined Chinas increasing diplomatic and economic gravitational pull in the region -- despite its ongoing territorial disputes.

This is the new regional norm. Now China is implementing the power and the US is in retreat, said Southeast Asia politics analyst Bridget Welsh.

Gu Xiaosong, a researcher at government think tank Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences, was quoted in Chinas Global Times as saying: Southeast Asias diplomatic situation has shifted towards China following the visits of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Vietnams leader this year.

Najib called for Malaysia and Chinas disagreement over rights to the strategically vital South China Sea, which is claimed almost in its entirety by Beijing, to be resolved calmly and rationally through dialogue.

Malaysias relations with the United States warmed after Najib took office in 2009 following decades of periodic distrust.

But he has increasingly leaned towards China as it became Malaysias biggest trading partner and after the eruption last year of a massive corruption scandal implicating Najib and a state investment fund he founded.

Billions are alleged to have been syphoned from the fund, 1MDB, in a stunning international campaign of embezzlement and money-laundering that has sparked investigations in several countries.

Najibs ties with Washington became strained when the US Justice Department moved in July to seize more than $1 billion in assets it says were purchased by Najib relatives and associates using stolen 1MDB money.

In Beijing this week, Najib signed 14 memorandums of understanding worth 144 billion ringgit ($34.4 billion), including an agreement for China to build a rail line on Malaysias east coast, Malaysian media reported.
Missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 appeared to be out of control when it plunged into the ocean, with the wing flaps not prepared for landing, a new report said Wednesday.

The report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found the planes final satellite communications were consistent with the aircraft being in a high and increasing rate of descent when it vanished.

Analysis of the right outboard flap -- which was found off Tanzania -- showed it was most likely in the retracted position at the time it separated from the wing, suggesting the plane was not configured for landing before it smashed into the ocean.

The bureau noted that the width of the defined search area was appropriate to encompass all uncontrolled descent scenarios from the simulations.

This report contains important new information on what we believe happened at the end of MH370s flight, Australias Transport Minister Darren Chester said at the start of a three-day meeting in Canberra where experts will plan the final stages of the search.

Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014 carrying 239 passengers and crew.

Despite a massive underwater hunt far off Western Australias coast, no trace of the jet has been found.

Investigators have however confirmed that three pieces of debris recovered along western Indian Ocean shorelines came from MH370.

More than 110,000 square kilometres (42,470 square miles) of a 120,000-square-kilometre search arc have been scoured so far and the operation is due to wrap up in early 2017.

The findings of the ATSBs new report, which analysed satellite data, end-of-flight simulations, recovered sections of the plane and debris drift modelling, confirm extensive testing by US manufacturer Boeing and the Australian defence department.

Read | MH370 crash mystery: Malaysia confirms flight course was on pilots simulator

Experts at the meeting will review all the available data and analysis associated with the search to date, Chester said in a statement.

Their findings will inform the remainder of the search effort, and develop guidance for any future search operations.

There are currently more than 20 items of debris of interest to the investigation team which have been located on the coasts of Africa, Madagascar, the island of Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues, he added.

Ongoing drift analysis also suggested the search was in the right place, the ATSB said, noting it was unlikely debris originated south of the current search area.

The northernmost regions were also found to be less likely, it added.

The governments of Australia, Malaysia and China, where most of the passengers were from, this year agreed to pull the plug on the operation once the search area was fully scoured unless credible new information emerged.

Read | Everything you need to know about the Malaysia Airlines MH370 mystery
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday expressed satisfaction at the political process in Nepal and congratulated Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda for taking things in the right direction.

I am glad to see that political development sin Nepal are moving in positive directions, Mukherjee said during a meeting with Prachanda, according to Rishi Raj Adhikari, the premiers foreign policy advisor. Mukherjee added he was confident the political process would reach a logical conclusion soon.

Mukherjee, considered an old Nepal hand who is well-versed with the political scenario in Kathmandu, also said he was happy with the latest developments on the political and constitutional fronts.

I learned that the political process in Nepal is moving in the right direction (and) I hope that the political and constitutional process will reach a conclusion soon, he was quoted as saying by Adhikari.

Adhikari said the one-on-one meeting between Prachanda and Mukherjee lasted 20 minutes. Other details of the meeting were not made public.

Also read: President Mukherjee, on historic visit, holds talks with Nepali counterpart

Prachanda apprised Mukherjee of the latest political and constitutional developments, including the implementation of the new statute and his governments efforts to amend the Constitution to address the demands and grievances of people living in the Madhes region bordering India.

He said his government is honestly trying to address the demands of agitating Madhesi parties and will register the amendment proposal in Parliament.

The meeting was basically focused on strengthening bilateral ties, said foreign minister Prakash Sharan Mahat. High-level visits from both sides will enhance and consolidate relations, Mahat quoting the premier as saying.

However, Mukherjee expressed some concerns about the status of the new Constitution and the process to amend it.

These outstanding issues will be resolved through talks and consensus, Prachanda said.

Vice president Nanda Bahadur Pun also called on Mukherjee and discussed a wide range of issues.
One journalist is killed every four-and-a-half days, according to a report released by UNESCO on Wednesday.

During the last decade, 827 journalists have been killed while on the job, the UNESCO director-generals report said.

The worst hit areas were Arab states including Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya. Latin America is the next worst affected region, the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity report said.

Unsurprisingly, most deaths -- 59 per cent over the last two years of the 2006-2015 report -- happen in conflict zones.

During that period, 78 of the 213 journalists killed (36.5 per cent) were in Arab states.

Perhaps most alarming was the increase in journalist deaths in Western Europe and North America, up from none in 2014 to 11 last year.

Local journalists are far more at risk than foreign journalists, accounting for 90 per cent of the victims.

But there was a huge spike in foreign journalist deaths in 2014 with 17 killed compared to an average of four in previous years.

Last year saw a massive increase in online journalists being killed, with 21 compared to two in 2014. Almost half of those were Syrian bloggers.

The report found that more than 10 times as many men are killed than women -- 195 to 18 in 2014/15 -- while television journalists have overtaken print hacks as the most vulnerable.

The report noted that death is not the only harm journalists are exposed to.

The extent of the risks faced by journalists is demonstrated by the 827 killings recorded by UNESCO over the course of ten years, said the report.

To this, one needs to add the countless other violations endured by journalists, which include kidnappings, arbitrary detention, torture, intimidation and harassment, both offline and online, and seizure or destruction of material.

The report was requested by 39 member states of UNESCOs Intergovernmental Council.
The green-eyed Afghan woman immortalised on a 1985 cover of National Geographic magazine was on Wednesday refused bail by a Pakistani court, prompting the Afghan envoy to urge Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to intervene in her case.

The bail application of Sharbat Gula, 46, was turned down by a court in Peshawar. She was arrested last week by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for fraudulently obtaining a Pakistani ID card, a charge she has denied.

Read: UNHCR distances itself from Afghan Girl Sharbat Gula after her detainment

On Tuesday, Sharbat Gulas lawyer told the Peshawar high court that she had Hepatitis C. Earlier, interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had said he had asked the FIA to facilitate her release on humanitarian grounds.

Afghan ambassador Omar Zakhilwal, who had expressed confidence that Sharbat Gula would be freed, said in a Facebook post that he was dismayed by the courts decision.

He said that despite assurances given by the interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and other government leaders the bail to free Sharbat Gula from incarceration in Peshawar was rejected today.

Despite being world famous, Sharbat Gula is a poor widow and the sole head of her family, comprising four children. She is sick, suffering from hepatitis which claimed the lives of her husband and elder daughter in the recent past, he said.

At this stage I call on the Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, to whom I will also send a formal request, to intervene with this case himself to instruct the release of Sharbat Gula.

Read: Afghan girl in Nat Geo photo to be released from arrest in Pak: Diplomat

Noting that the womans arrest had hurt the feelings of all Afghans, Zakhilwal said the courts ruling was a further disregard to those feelings and the bilateral people-to-people relations. If the Pakistan government wants to free Sharbat Gula, then she need not be subjected to court appearances and rulings as authorities could withdraw the charges against her, he added.

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.

Afghans say Sharbat Gula belonged to eastern Nangarhar province, which borders Pakistan. She lost her parents at the age of six in an attack by fighter jets during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

She later migrated to Pakistan with her brother, three sisters and grandmother and married Rehmat Gul, a baker living near Peshawar, in 1990. The couple had three daughters.
Prime Minister Theresa May will raise the issue of six Britons lodged in a Tamil Nadu jail with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her visit to India next week, the government announced on Wednesday following pressure from family members of the jailed sailors.

The six are among 35 members of American anti-piracy vessel MV Seaman Guard Ohio, which was intercepted by the Coast Guard off Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, on October 12, 2013 for allegedly carrying unlicensed weapons. Hundreds of thousands of people have signed an online petition seeking their release.

The Britons - Nick Dunn, John Armstrong, Ray Tindall, Nicholas Simpson, Paul Towers and Billy Irving - were among those sentenced to five years in jail by a Tamil Nadu court in January. They have been reportedly lodged in a jail in Chennai. Their family members have accused the British government of not doing enough to secure their release, and begged May to raise the issue during her India visit.

Lisa Dunn, sister of one of the men, told BBC she was sick to death of being told the government cannot intervene in another countrys judicial system.

She said: Theresa May has the power the end this now, and that's what we want her to do. She cannot waste this opportunity face-to-face with Modi, she has six British men at her mercy, and can't just waste it talking about her trade deals.

There were six British soldiers who served this country and they need help. It's an absolute travesty if she fails to raise it. The power is in her hands and we're begging her for help.

A government spokesman told Hindustan Times on Wednesday: We recognise what a difficult time this is for those involved and we have taken significant action on this case. The Prime Minister has been clear that she intends to raise it with PM Modi during her visit next week.

Alok Sharma, the Foreign Office Minister for Asia pressed for progress during his first official visit to India in July and again last month. Earlier this year, the then Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire travelled to India to meet the men personally, as well as meeting their families in Carlisle.

Foreign Office staff in India have been providing support to all six men since their arrest and are working to make sure their welfare is protected in prison. We are also in regular contact with their families in the UK.

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President Pranab Mukherjee held talks with his Nepali counterpart Bidhya Devi Bhandrai on Wednesday as he began a threeday state visit to Nepal.

The two sides expressed hope that Mukherjees visit will further cement bilateral relations.

They discussed a wide range of bilateral issues and expressed satisfaction over the present status of Nepal- India ties while underscoring regular interactions among the top political leadership, said Bharat Raj Poudyal, spokesperson of Nepals foreign ministry.

Mukherjee told Bhandari that he is eager to host her in New Delhi very soon.

After the meeting, the Indian President went to Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to participate in a reception hosted by the Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae.

Earlier, President Bhandari received Mukherjee at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minister for Urban Development Arjun Narsingh KC, political leaders and high-ranking officials of Nepalese army were also present to welcome Mukherjee, who is leading a 60-member delegation that includes parliamentarians and senior Indian officials.

The Indian president received a guard of honour from the Nepalese Army.

People waving national flags of both countries lined up at different places from the airport to the Shital Niwas, the presidential residence, to welcome Mukherjee.

The government has announced a public holiday in honour of the Indian president, who is on the first such trip after 18 years.

Mukherjee is scheduled to hold separate meetings with Vice President Nanda Kumar Pun and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

President Bhandari will host a state banquet in honour of Mukherjee later on Wednesday.
A fire that ripped through a karaoke bar killed 13 people and injured two police officers in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, an official said on Wednesday.

The blaze erupted on Tuesday afternoon in the multi-storey building in commercial Cau Giay district and quickly spread to other floors and adjacent buildings, according to local official The Chung.

Photos showed plumes of smoke billowing out of the building as firefighters in cranes doused the flames, with cars and motorbikes outside also burning.

Hundreds of firemen and police officers were mobilised to extinguish the fire, Chung told AFP.

He added that two police officers were being treated after they were injured trying to put out the blaze.

On Wednesday crowds looked on as officials inspected the blackened building and its gutted entrance, with charred motorbikes and other wreckage spilling out onto the sidewalk.

I was carrying my stuff when I saw the fire suddenly start, said Do Thi Kha, 77, a local food vendor in the area.

The fire spread over to two or three next-door buildings before I saw fire trucks come in. It was terrible. I was terrified. They did not have enough water to extinguish the fire, she told AFP.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has ordered police to immediately investigate the cause of the fire and seriously punish wrongdoing, according to the governments official website.

He also asked local authorities to closely inspect karaoke bars and restaurants for fire safety protocols and equipment, the statement added.

Blazes are common at houses, bars and restaurants in communist Vietnam where fire prevention and firefighting is limited.

In May 2014, five people burned to death in a fire at a karaoke bar in Hanoi after an electrical fault triggered a massive blaze.

Another karaoke venue in the city went up in flames in September this year, but no casualties were reported.
Iraqi forces fought their way into jihadist-held Mosul on Tuesday, the military said, as a top commander declared the true liberation of the city from the Islamic State group had begun.

Just over two weeks into the massive offensive to retake Mosul -- ISs last major stronghold in Iraq -- soldiers managed to push within city limits.

Troops had entered the Judaidat Al-Mufti area, within the left bank of the city of Mosul, said the Joint Operations Command.

Mosul is split by the Tigris River, with the eastern half of the city known as the left bank. Judaidat al-Mufti is on the southeastern side of the city.

Map of the region around Mosul, with the situation on the ground. (AFP)

Elite Iraqi forces had also recaptured the key village of Gogjali and taken control of a television station building belonging to a local affiliate of Iraqiya state TV on the eastern edge of the city.

Fighters from the US-trained Counter-Terrorism Service had pushed into the area amid heavy fighting on the eastern front in the past two days.

Now is the beginning of the true liberation of the city of Mosul, Staff General Taleb Sheghati al-Kenani, the commander of the CTS, told Iraqiya from Gogjali.

We are working with army units to secure the area and advance on Mosul together, Muntathar Salem, a lieutenant colonel with CTS told an AFP reporter near the front line.

Soldiers from Iraqs 16th Division also retook a series of villages north of Mosul, according to the Joint Operations Command, while pro-government paramilitary forces said they captured villages southwest of the city.

Backed by air and ground support from a US-led coalition, tens of thousands of Iraqi fighters have been converging on Mosul.

Since the offensive was launched on October 17, federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters have retaken a series of villages as they advance on the city from the north, east and south.

Die or surrender

Some 4,000 to 7,000 jihadists are believed to be in and around Mosul, where IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a cross-border caliphate after the group seized control of large parts of Iraq and neighbouring Syria two years ago.

Colonel John Dorrian, the spokesman for the US-led coalition against IS, said it had targeted the jihadists with nearly 3,000 bombs, artillery shells, rockets and missiles since the operation began.

Weve taken out hundreds of fighters, fighting positions (and) weapons in the strikes, Dorrian told AFP.

As his forces advanced, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi warned the jihadists they would have no place to run.

We will close in on (IS) from every place, he said on state television on Monday, dressed in a camouflage uniform.

They dont have an exit, they dont have an escape, they can only surrender -- they can die or they can surrender, said Abadi.

For now the jihadists do have an escape route -- to the west towards IS-controlled territory in Syria.

Paramilitary forces from the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation), an umbrella organisation dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militia, launched an assault at the weekend to cut off that route.

They have been advancing north, their sights set on the town of Tal Afar which commands the citys western approaches.

On the northern and eastern sides of Mosul, peshmerga forces from the autonomous Kurdish region have taken a series of villages and towns and consolidated their positions, while federal forces have advanced toward the city from the south.

Human shields

Iraqi forces are expected to try to open safe corridors for the million-plus civilians still believed to be inside.

Humanitarian organisations have been fighting against the clock to build up the capacity to handle the possible mass exodus from the city.

The United Nations says up to one million people could be displaced in the coming weeks.

Save the Children said Tuesday that up to 600,000 children may be trapped in Mosul, calling for safe routes to be opened for them and other civilians to leave.

More than 17,900 people have already fled their homes since the operation began, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The UN said Tuesday it had received more reports of IS fighters forcing thousands of civilians into Mosul, possibly to be used as human shields.

In the early hours of Monday, IS fighters brought dozens of long trucks and mini-buses to Hamam al-Alil... south of Mosul, in an attempt to forcibly transfer some 25,000 civilians towards locations in and around Mosul, said the UN rights office.

Most of the vehicles were prevented from reaching Mosul because of coalition aircraft patrolling the area, it added.

The jihadists also reportedly killed 40 former Iraqi security forces members and dumped their bodies in the river, UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva.

That would bring to 296 the number of former Iraqi security officers killed by IS since last Tuesday, according to the UN.

IS has been losing ground steadily in Iraq since 2015 and the outcome of the Mosul battle is in little doubt, but commanders have warned it could last months.
British MPs expressed their disappointment for having to support Keith Vazs membership of a key committee of the House of Commons, after the senior Labour MP figured in a sting operation showing his involvement with drugs and male prostitutes.

The MPs voted 203 to seven to support Vazs membership of the Justice Committee after voting was forced in a process that is usually uncontested.

Membership of parliament committees are allotted to parties based on their strength in the house.

The Conservative party issued a whip to its members to support Vaz in the hope that in future, such appointments would remain uncontentious and fearing that a vote against Vaz would set a precedent.

But the whip has caused much unease since Vaz had to resign after the sting operation as chairman of the influential Home Affairs Committee.

His name had been put forward by Labour when there was a vacancy on the Justice Committee.

Conservative MP James Duddridge said: I did feel the whole issue was bringing the House into disrepute.

Scotland Yard is deciding whether to investigate Vaz after the sting operation, but Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen revealed that Vaz was also being probed by the Leicestershire Police.

Bridgen said: The debate and vote will only increase the percentage of people in the country who despair with our politics and our politicians. In no other sphere of activity would I ever believe that a candidate with that hanging over them would ever be considered for such a position.

Alistair Graham, former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said he thought it was "appalling judgment" for the Conservative whips to support somebody who is facing such an investigation.

It looks like they are looking after their own here, he might not be a Tory, but he is a Member of Parliament. I think the public will take a dim view of such a a poor quality judgement, he said.

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Venezuelas opposition has temporarily suspended a planned symbolic trial of President Nicolas Maduro, as well as a protest march on the presidential palace in Caracas scheduled for Thursday, following the release of six political prisoners.

President Maduro speaking after the first day of talks on Sunday. MIGUEL GUTIERREZ (EFE)

More information La oposicion aplaza el juicio politico a Maduro tras las seis excarcelaciones

Julio Borges, the legislative leader of Venezuelas MUD opposition roundtable, which controls the National Assembly, said on Tuesday that the Vatican had petitioned it to hold off the symbolic criminal and political trial inside the National Assembly for a few days.

The Vatican is overseeing talks that began on Sunday between Maduros government and the opposition.

MUD welcomed the release of the six political prisoners, named as Carlos Melo, filmmakers Andres Moreno and Marcos Trejo, Coromoto Rodriguez, Pablo Parada and Jean Carlos Ortiz.

But the opposition insisted on five specific points that need to be met if the talks are to continue: the unconditional release of all political prisoners; for the National Assembly to recover its ability to set a budget, currently restricted by the Supreme Court; accepting international humanitarian aid to cover shortages of basic goods and medicines; and for a new National Election Commission (CNR) to be elected.

Dozens of people were arrested and wounded in demonstrations last week

The opposition also continues to demand a recall referendum on Maduros election in 2013, and for the next presidential election to be brought forward from 2018.

We have put these points on the table, not so that they can be addressed in coming months but rather in the coming days and weeks, said opposition legislative leader Julio Borges during Tuesdays session, adding: Otherwise, we will walk away from the negotiating table and continue with our struggle.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets last week in violent demonstrations that left dozens arrested and wounded.

Maduros opposition accuses him of creating a dictatorship by using institutions such as the CNE to block the recall referendum and sideline the National Assembly.

Even after losing power over Congress 10 months ago, Maduro has managed to stifle constitutional attempts at removing him through increased control over the electoral body, the Supreme Court, intelligence agencies and the military.

Since briefly removing former President Hugo Chavez from power in a coup in 2002, the opposition has taken its campaign against the self-styled socialist regime to the streets and garnering signatures from the electorate to hold a recall referendum.

MUD is insisting on five points being met to avoid further protests

But on October 20, Venezuelas Supreme Court upheld a regional courts decision postponing the next phase of a recall referendum, following allegations of fraud during the collection process in four states.

The move could mean the MUD will have to restart the entire process in the four states where the fraud allegations surfaced. Such an outcome would be a major setback. The CNE announced last month that the plebiscite could be held no sooner than April of 2017.

The ultimate timing of the referendum is critical for the opposition.

If Maduro loses a vote before January 10, snap elections will be held, and his ruling socialists would face the prospect of losing the presidential office for the first time in 14 years. The last time the right wing took power was during the aforementioned coup in 2002.

However, if the referendum takes place after January 10, Maduro will simply be replaced by his vice-president until the scheduled elections are held in 2018.

English version by Nick Lyne.
French authorities began moving out underage migrants Wednesday living next to the Jungle in Calais to processing centers around France, as the government tries to bring a definitive end to the notorious migrant camp in this English Channel city.

Three buses carried a group of boys, mainly teenagers, out of the camp Wednesday morning. Authorities hope to move out all 1,500 unaccompanied child migrants from Calais by the end of the day in some 30 buses, according to the regional administration.

French authorities transferred more than 5,000 adult migrants out of Calais last week, but the fate of its children had remained unclear. Migrants from the Mideast and Africa had converged on the camp over the past 18 months in hopes of crossing to Britain. The filthy, lawless site, which migrants refer to as the jungle, had become a symbol of Europes migrant crisis and a source of shame for France.

Read more| Why are authorities demolishing the Calais Jungle camp?

The child migrants will be taken to 60 dedicated centers scattered around France where British officials will study whether they have the right to U.K. asylum, according to the Pas-de-Calais regional administration. The others will be put under the care of French child welfare services.

The operation has rekindled tensions among the youths and fears that it means the end of their dream of reaching Britain.

Four people were injured when clashes broke out Tuesday night between Afghan and Eritrean migrants in the camp, the administration said. Police used tear gas to separate them, and strengthened security at the site overnight.

Migrant minors queue to take a bus during their transfer by French authorities to reception centres across the country at the end of the dismantlement of the camp called the "Jungle" in Calais, France on Wednesday. (Reuters)

Representatives of the British Home Office were in Calais on Wednesday to explain to the children what will happen next.

Britain has been under pressure to accept more unaccompanied minors, with the government saying they will accept more of them but not being specific about how many or how quickly. The issue is complicated by Britains recent vote to leave the European Union, which highlighted the publics unease with immigration.

French President Francois Hollande said in an interview published Tuesday in La Voix du Nord newspaper, Within the coming days, there should be no more foreign minors in Calais.

Hollande, noting that France is assuming responsibility for the vast majority of Calais migrants, pushed Britain to take in more minors  both those who have family ties in Britain but also those who qualify for refuge based on the best interest of the child.
North Korea is preparing to launch an intermediate range ballistic missile within the next three days, Fox Business Network reported on Tuesday, citing two unidentified US officials.

The communist nation planned the launch for between 24 and 72 hours, the cable network reported. It would be the latest in a series of launches by the isolated country this year in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, supported by China, that ban all ballistic missile-related activities by the North.
THE HOMES OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT, A&E Television Networks, $19.95.

This revealing video biography traces the life of Frank Lloyd Wright, one of this centurys greatest architects, by touring the three homes that Wright designed for himself. The video takes viewers through the first of Wrights homes, Oak Park Home and Studio in Illinois; then on to Taliesin in Wisconsin, thought by many scholars to be the most beautiful of all Wrights domestic designs; and finally Taliesin West in Arizona, where Wright established a program to train young architects. Extensive film footage of the homes, often of areas off-limits to the public, and interviews with architectural historians show how, in the 70 years that he was an architect, Wright helped revolutionize his craft with his creative use of space and open planning.
HTC is set to establish a good impact on the market by releasing very good quality smartphones with some attractive features. It is rumored that at the end of 2016, HTC is going to release the latest flagship, HTC 11.

Though there is no official confirmation from HTC regarding the specs and features of this smartphone, leaked rumors about this phone is striking all over the internet.

If we focus on the latest reports, it can be said that HTC is going to take a little bit of time before releasing it to market, as it is at the polishing stage right now.

There are some speculations that the features and specs of this phone are going to be quite attractive and there is a possibility that it may take down iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy S7.

So in the following discussion, we are going to talk about the different features and specs offered by the HTC 11.

According to the different trusted sources, the latest flagship of the HTC is going to release with the 5.5-inch display screen. The screen will have a resolution of 2560*1440. It is also rumored that the screen will have dual edge display similar to Samsung S7.

The good part of the HTC 11 is, it is going to be dust proof and waterproof as well. So, you should not face any kind of problems regarding water and dust. The phone is also expected to support the latest Android 7.0 Nougat.

The phone will not have the conventional microUSB connector instead it will have the USB type-C port. When it comes to the camera, it is rumored that the phone will come with a 12-megaPixel primary camera and at the same time it will have an 8 MegaPixel front camera as well.

The phone will come with 8GB Ram and at the same time, it will feature 256 GB internal memory as well.

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The assault in Mosul rages on. As Iraqi forces maneuver their way into the city, fighters belonging to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have other things in mind.

While it is inevitable that civilian casualties will mount, it is another story when innocent lives are thrown into the middle just so the extremist organization maintains control of the city. ISIS is preparing to institute a road block that will put numerous lives in harm's way.

With the attacks intensifying, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi's group is strategizing a defensive perimeter involving around 25,000 people inside Mosul. These individuals will be used as protective shields against incoming Iraqi and US-led coalition troops.

According to Ravina Shamdasani, a UN spokesperson, members of the Islamic State (IS) are taking with them thousands of men, women, and children on trucks and buses. Part of the population is being relocated to Mosul's southern location of Hammam Al-Alil.

Although the transportation process has to be halted due to the threat of allied aircraft, the mobilization has persisted in order to protect ISIS interests and properties that include military bases.

Meanwhile, during the weekend, the extremist faction has executed about 40 former police officers. The bodies are then thrown into the Tigris River. The move is intended to serve as a warning against any form of uprising within the ISIS territories.

Teams from the Elite Counterterrorism Service have fought their way into the city. It is the first time since 2014 that Iraqi forces have set foot in Iraq's second largest urban area. Two years ago, the nation's military has been humiliated and driven out by invading ISIS fighters.

According to Major General Sami Al-Aridi of the US-trained Iraqi Special Forces, the group has penetrated Gogjali which is a community proximal to Mosul's administrative units. By noon, the troops are within striking distance of the Karama district.

He adds that defensive structures like concrete walls are being used by ISIS to repel the advancement of government soldiers. The road to the city has also been rigged with landmines.

In response to Iraqi tank and artillery campaign, which is backed by Coalition airstrikes, ISIS has covered their positions in smoke to blanket targets. Anti-tank missiles are also being used by fighters to repulse the invading Iraqi forces.

It is estimated that around 4,000 extremist personnel are positioned inside a vast tunnel system. Roads and bridges have been laced with bombs while suicide bombers are on hand to set an ambush which will decelerate advancing Iraqi soldiers.

As of the moment, Iraqi forces are still about 10 kilometers out of the urban center.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Royal couple Kate Middleton and Prince William are not sailing smooth and their marriage boat may capsize anytime. Work and assignments assigned by Queen Elizabeth have been keeping them apart and it is said that they would be filing for divorce in some time.

The Duchess and the prince are supposedly living apart, reports Hall of Fame Magazine. They are only keeping up the appearance of a happy couple, but things are quite turbulent beneath the smooth exterior. Sadly, the reason for their said estrangement is none other than Queen Elizabeth. The queen has assigned them so much work that they feel over-scheduled and under-appreciated.

All the engagements have begun to take a toll on their relationship and speculations about Kate Middleton and Prince William's divorce are swirling around in media circles. It is said that they are living apart because of the orders of the queen. Notably, Kate and William have been keeping busy ever since they returned from their Canada trip. They are getting very little time to bond with each other as well as their kids.

On the other hand, the queen feels that the royal couple is not performing their duties and this is why she has assigned them with so many obligations, reports Celeb Dirty Laundry. She is tired of their carefree attitude and wants to teach them a lesson and has come up with this plan of tight schedules and copious assignments.

The current Netherland trip of Kate and Scotland tour of William are the brainchild of the queen. The latter had also been moving non-stop from London to Manchester before taking up the present assignment. However, all these engagements might drive them apart as this is the first time that they are spending some much time away from each other.

They are parents to two small kids and if reports are to be believed, Kate is pregnant with their third child and the couple plans to name her Diana, after the name of the beloved princess and William's mother, who died in a tragic car accident. Kate knows how close William was to his mother and wants to dedicate the name of their third child to her late mother-in-law.

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The seven-seater Tesla Model X. BENOIT TESSIER (REUTERS)

Tesla, a leader in electric-powered vehicles, is to set up its Spanish headquarters in Barcelona, according to official documents.

The Spanish subsidiary of the firm founded by Elon Musk has been registered with initial capital of 3,000, while Tesla International BV is the only partner in the venture, the Spanish governments business register states.

The announcement comes after the firm advertised jobs on its UK website in October, pointing to the opening of maintenance centers at some point in the future in Madrid and Barcelona.

The company said it was looking for personnel able to install so-called superchargers throughout Spains two main cities. While Tesla cars can make use of conventional charging points, these superchargers allow Tesla owners to recharge the batteries of their vehicles more quickly and efficiently.

Six such superchargers are already available in Spain: in Valencia, Tarragona, Girona, Lleida, Murcia and on the N-340 road near the Ebro Delta.

There are already six Tesla superchargers in Spain, allowing for the rapid recharging of vehicles

Tesla also said in October it was also looking for sales advisors, marketing staff and product specialists able to demonstrate and explain vehicles to potential customers.

In Europe, Tesla has so far focused on Scandinavia, letting it be known that it still has problems with Spains regulatory framework regarding setting up recharging points.

In May, the firm announced the launch of the Tesla 3, a mid-range sedan selling from $35,000 and able to travel up to 400 kilometers on a single charge,

For the moment, Tesla has just two vehicles; the five-seater Model S and the seven-seater Model X. Prices for the Model S range from 64,000 to 127,00 while the cost of the Model X ranges from 83,000 to 128,000.

English version by George Mills.
A technique by the US military which monitors the air to detect harmful and dangerous chemicals, toxins, and germs have inspired a new device that can "sniff" life on Mars.

Enter, the Bio Indicator Lidar Instrument, or BILI, a fluorescent lidar, a remote sensing device which bears likeliness to radars, the Indian express reports.The only difference is that the lidar instruments use light to examine particles, whereas radars use radio waves. NASA has extensively used fluorescent equipment to monitor chemicals on the earth's atmosphere but never for planetary exploration.

"NASA has never used it before for planetary ground level exploration. If the agency develops it, it will be the first of a kind," explains Branimir Blagojevic, a NASA technologist at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland,United States, reported The Indian Express.

The Washington Post notes that NASA has been looking for a mechanical nose to sniff out chemicals in alien planets. WP reports that the team of researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center said that they will use the sensor for future voyages to Mars and to other planets.

The Defense Department's Joint Biological Standoff Detection System which is used for this instrument cannot magically show the existence of living creatures but can point to amino acids and other minerals integral to life.

Furthermore, the Indian express reported that the instrument is low maintanence. "BILI's measurements do not require consumables other than electrical power and can be conducted quickly over a broad area. This is a survey instrument, with a nose for certain molecules," Blagojevic mentioned.

NASA could greatly increase chances of finding semblances of organic molecules and bio signatures in different planets and thesolar system with an instrument like this attached to various orbiters and spacecraft.

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Rumor has it that OnePlus smartphones will finally get the latest upgrade of Android 7.0 Nougat operating system soon. The newest mobile phone manufacturer is also prepping up for a new device running on the same OS.

Rumors have surfaced that 3 OnePlus flagship models OS (operating system) will get the upgraded version of Android 7.0 Nougat. According to Press KS, One Plus CEO and founder Pete Lau shared a video via his official Twitter account which reveals the OnePlus 3 unit running on the latest Google Android OS.

Because of that, One Plus users quickly speculated that 2 and X Android will highly likely get the latest version of Android 7.0 Nougat before 2016 concludes.

With that being said, OnePlus 3 is expected to get the latest version of Android 7.0 Nougat since it is the flagship phone of the Chinese mobile company. Then OnePlus 2 is expected to get an Google Android OS upgrade after 2 months or anytime soon in Q1 2017. While One Plus X Android users can already try the newest Nougat OS via the CyanogenMod, Neuro Gadget reports.

Other than that, OnePlus Inc. is also set to launch a new model called OnePlus 3T. The said device will also run on Android 7.0 Nougat OS which houses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor and a Sony IMX398 sensor which is also available in Oppo R95, International Business Times has learned.

As of now, the official release date of Android 7.0 Nougat update for the said mobile devices has not been confirmed by OnePlus Inc. However, speculations suggest that the newest firmware will be available anytime soon in December 2016.

In the meantime, the Chinese mobile phone manufacturer is in the final stages of testing the latest version of Android 7.0 Nougat. OnePlus Inc. is one of the newest smartphone manufacturers which is being compared to tech giants like Apple Iphone and Samsung.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej last October 13 has plunged Thailand into sadness. While the country will mourn for a year, a glimmer of hope has surfaced in the horizon.

Fear and apprehensions have floated around following the untimely demise of the Southeast Asian nation's longest ruling monarch. Many Thais are concerned that the situation will bring instability after the King's era.

While ruling Thailand for more than seventy years, Bhumibol has managed to unite his people despite numerous unrest hampered the nation for decades.

Senior military sources recently reveal that Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will be assuming the throne in early December. Currently, the royal successor is away in Germany where he is tending to some business.

The move of Vajiralongkorn to succeed his father has triggered a lot of concerns. In terms of respect, the Prince is nowhere near the level being enjoyed by the late King. The next in line for the throne has a reputation of being a globe-trotting playboy. He has been married and divorced thrice. His time is mostly spent out of the Kingdom.

To address such issues, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha shares that the Crown Prince talked to him and Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda about reassuring the people of Thailand. King Bhumibol's son has asked the nation not to be anxious about the succession and his upcoming administration.

Chan-ocha adds that the formal ascension will happen from seven to fifteen days following the death of the 88-year old King. The process calls for the Parliament to invite Vajiralongkorn to assume the crown. Formal coronation will have to wait after the cremation which will happen next year.

The 96-year old Tinsulanonda will be acting as regent until a new King is formally identified. The head of the powerful Privy Council also represents Thailand's traditional institution.

According to Kan Yeunyong, Executive Director of the Siam Intelligence Unit, states that no political violence is perceived next year although political factions will surface if the royal transition gets rough.

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Al Pacino on stage in Buenos Aires. Telam

He was given a standing ovation by a full house at Buenos Aires Teatro Colon on Friday and Saturday night, but one high-profile member of the audience was distinctly unimpressed by An Evening with Al Pacino.

It was horrible, Norma Aleandro told Argentinean radio station La Once Diez on Monday. I put up with it for 50 minutes and left while he was still talking nonsense. There were people there who had paid $1,000. The Colon was packed. I was embarrassed to watch somebody up on stage making fools of us all, added Aleandro, one of the countrys leading film and stage actresses, who starred in the 1985 film about the Argentinean military dictatorship The Official Version, which won the Oscar for the Best Foreign Language Film. She was also nominated for an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in the 1987 movie Gaby: A True Story.

Both nights attracted politicians, actors and celebrities

An Evening with Al Pacino was touted as one of the highlights of the year in Buenos Aires, and saw Pacino begin the evening with clips from some of his films, followed by an interview with Argentinean male model and actor Ivan de Pineda in which the Hollywood legend discussed his career and personal life.

As an actor he is somebody I love a great deal, but you mustnt confuse that with him as a person, said Aleandro, adding: People gave him a standing ovation when he came on stage. And then he began telling these anecdotes that werent particularly interesting. Its a shame to just come and tell a few stories, she said referring to another one-man show given a week earlier by John Malkovich.

Norma Aleandro is one of Argentina's most-respected actresses. Fernando Domingo-Aldama

Buenos Aires Teatro Colon, opened in 1908, is considered one of the worlds finest concert venues. Its 2,500 seats were sold out within hours of tickets going on sale for Pacinos show, despite the high prices. Both nights attracted politicians, actors and celebrities, among them Norma Aleandro. Pacino closed his visit to Argentina with his Argentinean partner Lucila Polak with an event at the home of the US ambassador to Argentina, Noah Mamet.

English version by Nick Lyne.
A n analysis of the average monthly rent for a room in each borough reveals how workers on low and medium incomes have been banished to the furthest fringes of London.

However, it also reveals precisely where they  and those with greater earning power  should focus their search for a home.

The least expensive option is the south-east borough of Bexley, where the average room rate is 500 a month. Even then, in order to pay your taxes, cover the rent and transport costs and simply live, youll need a salary of at least 23,000.

Those earning less than 30,000 can live in nine of Londons 32 boroughs, including Croydon, Enfield, and Bromley.

Renters with an income of between 30,000 and 40,000 to play with have far more choice. Living in Ealing, for example, requires a 35,000 salary, while a Lambeth resident will need to earn 38,000.

Least expensive option: the south-east London borough of Bexley, where the average room rate is 500 a month / Alamy Stock Photo

THE SHARER FAMILIES

The price of living in Wandsworth or Richmond upon Thames is just under 900 per calendar month, meaning only those bringing home something approaching 40,000, at least, can consider these two leafy neighbourhoods.

But to live in Hammersmith and Fulham, at an average monthly cost of 997, will require a salary of 45,000. Digs in the City of London, the most expensive of the options according to todays research, at an average 1,246 a month, will require a minimum income of 56,000.

The report is the first time the affordability of renting just one room in a property has been compared with detailed wage brackets, and was calculated by comparing take-home wages with rents.

While the analysis is based on spending no more than a third of net income on rent, a commonly accepted measure of affordability, many London tenants spend a much greater proportion, says Johnny Morris, head of research at Hamptons International and author of todays study.

Sharing a house or flat was once seen as a twentysomething rite of passage. However, Morris says the disparity between rent and earnings means that sharing is rapidly becoming the only way average Londoners can remain in the city  and that includes couples with children.

As affordability has been steadily squeezed, people are renting rooms for longer, he adds. Once just a lifestyle choice for the young and single, house shares are home to growing numbers of couples and even small families.

30,000 salary needed: a renter could hunt for a room in Isleworth / Graham Hussey

BEYOND THE FRINGE

Morris adds: Generally, the fringes of east and south-east London are most accommodating of tighter budgets, especially areas beyond the end of the Tube, connected to central London by train or bus.

But those willing to sacrifice more of their salary on rent can and do live more centrally. Someone earning 30,000 a year can swap Croydon for Camden by spending half rather than a third of their income on rent.

As well as looking at average rental prices per borough, the research assessed costs in every London postcode, giving an invaluable guide to how far salaries will stretch across the capital.

It found that people earning 21,000 can  just  afford a London share, in areas including Abbey Wood, South Hornchurch, and Welling. Those earning 25,000 could upgrade to Thornton Heath, Sidcup, Eltham or Southall.

With a 30,000 salary at their disposal a renter could hunt for a room in areas including Leytonstone, Stanmore and Isleworth. Those earning 35,000 could move on to Camberwell or Tooting. However, renters need to earn 40,000 to consider a home in Putney, Clapham, or Stratford.

Leafy and central: St Jamess needs earning power of 60,000 / Getty Images

A Mayfair address would require a 58,000 wage packet, while living in St Jamess needs earning power of 60,000. The most expensive postcode of all is WC2R, close to Somerset House, where a 72,000 salary is needed to cover the average room cost of 1,595 a month.
When was the last time you took a serious look at a traditional advertising campaign, by which I mean print (newspapers and magazines), broadcast (radio and television) and outdoor (billboards, bus shelters, posters and so on)?

Given that we are well into the digital age, you may be under the belief that advertising has moved exclusively into the online domain where automated programs such as Google Adwords, retargeting and SEO programs dominate. With traditional dissemination continuing to subside in perceived value year-over-year, many have come to rely solely on digital channels which allow for smaller, ad hoc budgets and more direct monitoring. While electronic promotions' efficacy is not in dispute, the mass departure from traditional media has opened an opportunity for those who are game to re-enter the fold.

In other words, go where others are not in order to stand apart from the herd.

This Sunday, if you don't get your newspaper home-delivered, go to the local market and pick up a copy. Chances are you are not the only one who is still in the habit of spending a good portion of their Sunday morning glancing at the paper. We all know that newspaper ad revenue is declining due to decreasing readership. But if you're buying ad space for your hotel, you're purchasing eyeballs, not just trends.

Newspapers may be down, but they are hardly out! And if your target audience approximates that of the newspaper's circulation plan, why not consider it? I argue that many boomers have migrated away from printed materials, but many more have yet to do so.

For example, your property is located in the northeastern part of the country. Your book of group business leaves definite midweek occupancy gaps  a perfect opportunity to fill with FITs. The ideal candidate guests are retired adults. After all, their kids have left the nest and those who are not snowbirds are looking for things to do. These just happen to be the same folks who are regularly perusing the newspaper. Promoting a getaway through traditional advertising should definitely be a consideration.

Going 'old school' will take some getting used to. Concepts such as creative design, media buying/negotiation and placement are skills that will need to be dusted off. Chances are that your contemporary digital ad agency doesn't have the experience in this communications segment. You'll need to seek help from freelancers or specialists. But do not be deterred, as progress often comes from reinvention. And in this sense, the old school has become the new school!

But don't just run one ad and pass judgement on potentially thin results. Experience suggests that a typical frequency should be no less than three times in any single print media. Radio and television media buying is different than print but follows a similar strategic focus on reach and frequency.

The math suggests a three times frequency of a $5,000 ad will require an investment of about $16,500 once creative design is factored in. Say you have a two-night package at a promotional rate of $200, with a 75% contribution on accommodations. This means you'll have to book 55 packages to break even. If the publication's readership is 250,000, your breakeven conversion rate is well below 0.01%.

With those odds, a test program is clearly in order. However, there's also an intangibility factor at play  those people who interact with your ad but do not purchase. In the electronic space this is more easily measured in terms of reach or impressions, whereas in traditional mediums the statistics are not quite as exact. While it's always good for the ego to have a high conversion rate, never forget the advertising axiom pertaining to share of voice. By reinvigorating your old school channels, you are in essence competing for voice share on a whole other plane than most of your competitors.

Better to investigate your options now so that you can have the leg up by the time everyone else awakens to the renewed potential of traditional advertising.

Larry Mogelonsky

Hotel Mogel Consulting Limited
In much of the world the month of November is a time when the cruise industry begins to enter into its high season, especially for those ships that frequent warm water tropical ports. Although the cruise industry has had its ups and downs, so far the industry's ports-of-call have avoided any major terrorism crisis. The same, however, cannot be stated with regard to issues of crime. Today's travelers and tourists seek out places/experiences where there is a sense of security and safety. Cruise liners bring thousands of people to a port of call, but if there is a perception that the port is dangerous, then passengers may simply choose not to disembark. In the world of cruises, often the cruise is the journey. At times more than the ports-of-call, the cruise itself is the real destination. Contrary to most hotel experiences cruises permit visitors to stay on board and still feel that they have met their vacation goals.

Safety, Security and Surety

In order to maintain a port-of-call's sense of security and to enhance its reputation while protecting its economy many communities have established special police units the ports serving sea transportation. Just as at hotels and attractions, ports and their surrounding communities, are centers where visitors often need protection. The busy traveler often is running to/from gates, may have minimal control over his/her luggage, and often has no idea where his/her documents may be. Some ports may be centers of crime, prostitution, and drug dealers. Security specialists are aware that an attack against the site's infrastructure may not only knocks out the terminals or docks, but also the locale's reputation and economic viability. Such an attack may also cause cessation of transporting of goods and passengers. An attack at a port might not only causes death, but also would be a major blow to a tourism community's overall economic vitality. To make a port safer and to help to assure the continued viability of a cruise community's tourism industry Tourism Tidbits offers the following suggestions for your consideration.

Port officials must assume that their ports, be they for shipping or air, will be targets of terrorism.

This caution does not mean that every port will be attacked, but it does mean that any port can be attacked or can become a conduit for an attack. Ports are doorways to the transportation system. Thus, a terrorist may use one port in order to gain access into the sanitized area of another port.

The media today is highly conscious of port security.

An attack at any airport of seaport (or if an attack is launched from that port) may result in a great deal of negative publicity and economic damage for a long period of time. The cost of reputational recovery far exceeds the cost of security.

Remember that when you are in a different place, you are in a different place!

That means that travelers can often be taken by surprise. Advise travelers that they do not want to take a cab that has not been approved by the authorities, how much of a tip to leave at a restaurant, or even how to determine the value of foreign monies. In a like manner remind visitors not to walk down a dark street alone, take enough money with them that in case of a robbery the thieves will not become so angry that they do harm. The bottom line is always remembered that even the strongest man can be taken down, especially if he is taken by surprise.

Thus, if a nation's airport is not deemed safe, the reputation loss may be felt throughout the entire local tourism industry.

It is important to recognize that there is a fundamental paradigm shift in the travel industry.

Old assumptions will no longer hold. From a business perspective these old assumptions are very dangerous. Those parts of the travel and tourism industry that emphasize security will have a good chance of surviving. The venues that provide give good security mixed with good customer service will flourish. Those parts of the travel and tourism industry that hold on to the old way of thinking will fade away.

No one knows everything. Inviting specialists to help train people helps to create a paradigm shift and provides fresh pairs of eyes.

The worst thing a port manager can do is to bring in someone who is not a specialist in both security and travel and tourism. Remember this is not a passing emergency, but a new way in which people think. Port security officers must not only think security but also how that security impacts the economy of an area and the marketing potential of their actions.

It is important to develop security coalitions with all components of your community.

Ports are not stand-alone communities; they are part of a living community. Make sure that your port security/police department is trained and understand tourism, and that the local tourism industry understands how it needs to cooperate with port security officers. In too many cases port security personnel and tourism personnel do not even know each other's names.

Ports and tourism industry leader must conquer their desire for denial and the belief that all problems can be handled through creative marketing.

The best crisis management is good risk management. Recognize that no part of the world and no sea or airport is immune from a terrorist attack. Too many parts of the travel and tourism market simply do not believe that an attack can happen to them and therefore fight against security professionals rather than working with them. Do not forget that the media devotes a great amount of coverage to an attack against a tourism area, the fear factor spreads from one locale to entire regions, nations, and even continents. Terrorists are well aware of the role in the media in helping their cause.

Know what are your tourism weak points within your port.

For example, as people line up at ticket counters are they secure. Is there a proper stand-off distance between check-in and drop-off areas. How easily can baggage areas be targeted and can baggage easily be stolen?

Make sure that all police personnel and port security personnel are aware of how important tourism security is to port management.

Most police have never been trained in good tourism security. It is essential to have a person work with your local police who can "translate" between tourism and security issues.

Security and Safety may have different meanings to scholars, but in the world of travel they are one and the same.

In the new paradigm shift recognize that poison water and gunfire have the same results: the destruction of your business. Begin to see the relationship between risk management and security. They are two sides of the same coin.

Determine how well your port:

employs duplicate checks of baggage

scans all bags including those which are checked

removes all potential weapons from gift shops that are beyond the security barriers

checks all workers who have access to airplanes while it is at the gate.

In terminals, check and recheck all ventilation systems.

No one should be allowed to approach a ventilation system who does not have your full confidence. Make sure that contract labor is kept far from areas that can be used as delivery systems for bio-terrorism.

Get beyond the fear that too much security will scare the public.

The public is more frightened of security breeches than it is of security methods. The old paradigm of hiding security professionals is no longer valid. Visible security is the best marketing tool that you can develop.

Tourism Tidbits - November 2016 is republished with permission of Tourism Safety Department

Peter Tarlow

President Tourism and More

+1 979 764 8402

Tourism and More

View source
The Hoxton has announced that it will open The Hoxton, Paris and The Hoxton, Williamsburg in 2017. The Hoxton, Paris is set to open in late Spring and will be the brand's 4th hotel and second in Europe, whilst The Hoxton Williamsburg will be the brand's first hotel in North America.

The Hoxton, Williamsburg will be a destination for international visitors, guests and locals alike, featuring 175 guestrooms, three restaurants, an external terrace at 2nd floor level, a rooftop bar and restaurant, and The Apartment, meeting and events space.

Meanwhile, The Hoxton, Paris will be located in the 2nd arrondissement, occupying a 16th Century building which was designed by Etienne Rivie, a counsellor to King Louis XIV. It will feature 172 guestrooms, a restaurant, a speakeasy, a cafe-cum-tabac and meeting and events spaces.

ABOUT ENNISMORE

Ennismore is a creative hospitality company with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. It curates and manages unique properties and experiences in some of the most exciting destinations around the world. Ennismore and Accor entered a joint venture in 2021 to create a new autonomous entity, with Accor holding a majority shareholding. Creating the world's fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company, it brings together Ennismore's know-how in building brands with creative storytelling, design, and authentic experiences, with Accor's wealth of knowledge in delivering scale, network growth and distribution. Ennismore comprises 14 brands - with 101 operating properties and further 137 in the pipeline - and a collection of over 150 culturally relevant and diverse restaurants and nightlife destinations. Ennismore has been included in Fast Company's World's Most Innovative Companies lists in 2020 and 2021; ranked#29 in FT1000: Europe's Fastest-Growing Companies; and is part of FT Future 100 - the UK's fastest growing businesses that are shaping the future of their sector.
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The fence along the US-Mexico border. Russell Contreras (AP)

More information La frontera economica que Donald Trump no puede romper

From the US-Mexican border, the horizon looks like a postcard. Tall glass towers rise up behind the factories. The manufacturing plants are in Mexico and the corporate offices are on American soil.

This border land between El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua is home to more than 2.2 million residents who are separated by the Rio Grande and an infinite steel fence, although they are united by a billion-dollar symbiotic trade relationship.

Juarez got the rougher side of the deal: hundreds of factories with thousands of workers who assemble products for sale in the north, on the other side where the skyscrapers stand.

To take the companies to the United States is crazy because, in globalization, companies compete over costs and profit

Angel Calderon, analyst

Ciudad Juarez has grown in the last four decades thanks to the maquiladoras the manufacturing plants that import supplies and export finished goods ready for sale. The industry has built 12 industrial parks throughout this urban center, home to 330 factories, most of them American-owned.

These plants make TV sets, washing machines, clothes, and parts for cars and planes. The most important reason manufacturers came to this region is the availability of cheap labor: 265,000 people work here for about four dollars a day.

What Mexico has done is give large American companies the possibility to sell their products at a better price and to be more competitive. Otherwise they would lose that possibility, explains Angel Calderon, a lecturer at the School of Economics at the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez.

Donald Trump has vowed to bring US companies back home. Dan Reiland (AP)

The assembly work in Juarez could be moved to El Paso, but then labor costs would be eight times higher, making it a very unlikely scenario despite the fact that Republican candidate Donald Trump promises to bring back American factories if he wins the White House next week.

Trumps proposal seems like a crazy idea to Maria Rojas. This man does not know the suffering of the Mexicans who have to work here. Rojas, 42, is waiting in front of an assembly plant for a job. She has been walking around the industrial park closest to the border all day to see if she gets lucky.

Rojas finished elementary school at age 13 and began working in the factories. She saw her brother get electrocuted and die in a plant, and endured long periods of unemployment during the 2008 economic crisis.

Never in her life has she considered crossing the border without papers because, she says, assembly plants have provided enough work. Twenty-two percent of the manufacturing industry in Mexico is in Ciudad Juarez and most of its workers approximately 70% are women.

The 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) catapulted the border assembly plants, but it did not prepare the industry for the reversals in the global economy.

The assembly work in Juarez could be moved to El Paso, but then labor costs would be eight times higher

Assembly plants do not generate suppliers, Calderon says.  Even though 64 percent of the city depends on the export-assembly industry, only 2.5 percent of the plants supplies are Mexican, he explains.

Ciudad Juarez has slowly recovered its industrial drive since the 2008 crisis, but neither salaries nor the revenues of the exporters who must exchange Mexican pesos for an expensive US dollar reflect that growth. We have several benefits but if we could earn a little more, it would be better. Its something that we need, says Claudia Busso, a 45-year-old worker who assembles aircraft spare parts.

Streets on the other side of the border are lined with shops filled with cheap products imported from China. The Asian country competes with Mexicos assembly industry but the Latin American nation continues to have an economic edge because of the border with the United States. At least six million jobs in the north depend on trade with Mexico. Business between the two countries is worth $530 billion a year and Mexico makes $296 billion in exports. One million people travel through 58 crossing points along this 3,201-kilometer border every day.

All this is what has allowed Mexican products to be competitive with respect to China and other Asian countries, Calderon explains. To take the companies to the United States is crazy because, in the end, in globalization, companies are competing over costs and profit.

English version by Dyane Jean Francois.
Colm O'Regan chats with local Dubliners, Le Galaxie.

The four-piece electronic music band opens up about touring and adjusting to every unique crowd. They also critique Stranger Things and discuss the 80's during this summer's Electric Picnic. This is the band's sixth time attending the festival.

Watch the lads have the craic below:
The Irish actor says he's "too old" to play the classic character.

Though Michael Fassbender's name has been rising on the list of potential James Bond actors, he took himself out of the running, declaring that he was getting too old to play Bond. Current Bond actor Daniel Craig was only a year younger than Fassbender when he first began his run as James Bond, and is now retiring from the role at 49. But still, Fassbender said he would decline the role, in an interview with GQ, saying, "Look at me! I look about 50! No, I think the franchise needs something new.''

Just because Fassbender won't be stepping into the role of Bond himself doesn't mean that he doesn't have some ideas. He's even got the whole screenplay for a Bond origin story written in his head. ''What about we start the film back in Sandhurst, army training, rather than on a yacht, or he's in the Middle East on an op and gets thrown in the brig for insubordination. ... I have thought about it a lot," he admitted, before continuing. "The film could start off in Sandhurst and how he became a 'double 0'. M could walk in and say to him, 'Bond, there's a 00 project but it's going to be totally off the book, black ops, and you've got to go into prison undetected. I just love Bond. Doesn't everyone? I grew up with him. It's always a fun conversation to have.''

As to who would play the young Bond in Fassbender's prequel, he's got some ideas for that as well. ''Maybe someone like Jack O'Connell would be good? Or even better, how about Jane Bond? A woman. One thing is for sure, it won't be anyone on the bookies' lists. It never is.''
A simple case of misinformation

The Doors actor made a statement to his Facebook community after longtime friend Michael Douglas appeared to disclose misinformation about his illness. The 56-year old has been silent about his health for some time now, causing concern among his community.

Kilmer approached Douglas two years ago asking for a specialist who could diagnose the lump in his throat. Since then, Douglas has assumed the star carried an illness. Kilmer wrote to fans, "I love Michael Douglas but he is misinformed. The last time I spoke to him was almost two years ago, when I asked him for a referral for a specialist to get a diagnosis for a lump in my throat, which prevented me from continuing a tour of my play Citizen Twain." After a visit to UCLA, Kilmer can declare that he is cancer free.

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Val stated that there are no hard feelings between him and Douglas, and that their friendship will not be marred by a simple case of misconstrued information.
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By many measures, Chobani embodies the classic American immigrant success story.

Its founder, Hamdi Ulukaya, is a Turkish immigrant of Kurdish descent. He bought a defunct yogurt factory in upstate New York, added a facility in Twin Falls, Idaho, and now employs about 2,000 people making Greek yogurt.

But in this contentious election season, the extreme right has a problem with Chobani: In its view, too many of those employees are refugees.

As Ulukaya has stepped up his advocacy - employing more than 300 refugees in his factories, starting a foundation to help migrants, and traveling to the Greek island of Lesbos to witness the crisis firsthand - he and his company have been targeted with racist attacks on social media and conspiratorial articles on websites including Breitbart News.

Now there are calls to boycott Chobani. Ulukaya and the company have been taunted with racist epithets on Twitter and Facebook. Fringe websites have published false stories claiming Ulukaya wants "to drown the United States in Muslims." And the mayor of Twin Falls, Shawn Barigar, has received death threats, partly as a result of his support for Chobani.

Online hate speech is on the rise, reflecting the rising nationalism displayed by some supporters of Donald Trump, who has opposed resettling refugees in the United States.

"What's happening with Chobani is one more flash point in this battle between the voices of xenophobia and the voices advocating a rational immigration policy," said Cecillia Wang, director of the Immigrants' Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union.

Chobani and Ulukaya declined to comment for this article. The Trump campaign did not reply to a request for comment. Representatives of Breitbart didn't respond to requests for comment.

This summer, Breitbart, the conservative news website whose former executive chairman, Stephen Bannon, is running the Trump campaign, began publishing a series of misleading articles about Chobani.

Civil rights advocates said they believed it was no mystery why Ulukaya was targeted while other CEOs had been spared.

"It's because he's an immigrant himself," Wang of the ACLU said.

Ulukaya appears undeterred. Last month, he participated in a roundtable discussion with President Barack Obama and business leaders on how corporations could do more to help refugees.

And his work with refugees is part of a broader suite of initiatives. He recently gave 10 percent of Chobani shares to his employees, and he is offering paid parental leave to all employees, including factory workers.

"He's the xenophobe's nightmare," said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. "Here's an immigrant who isn't competing for jobs, but is creating jobs big time. It runs completely counter to the far-right narrative."
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Serena Martinez was headed to work when the 2002 Honda Accord she was driving was struck on the front passenger side. Less than two months later, she has joined the growing national legal fight over exploding air bags that have been blamed for more than 150 injuries and at least 11 deaths across the U.S.

On Tuesday, the 42-year-old Cinco Ranch resident appeared with her attorneys in downtown Houston to announce they are suing the automaker and its supplier, the Japanese air bag manufacturer Takata, for injuries Martinez suffered in the Sept. 11 accident. The $1 million lawsuit alleges the ammonium nitrate-fired air bag sent red-hot shrapnel into the woman's chest and arm.

Attorney Mo Aziz said the car was one of more than 70 million vehicles under a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration-mandated recall related to Takata air bag inflators containing the highly explosive chemical compound. But, he added, Martinez's sister and brother-in-law, the car's registered owners since 2002, never received a recall notice from Honda. Nor did they check their vehicle identification number, or VIN, online for any possible recall.

Aziz called the national recall "ineffective," citing a backlog of replacement parts for the inflators. Even if the family had taken the car in for repairs, he said, the necessary parts may not have been available to fix it before the crash, which occurred not far from Martinez's home when the other vehicle attempted to cross in front of hers to make a left turn.

More Information Air bag warning The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging owners of certain Honda and Acura models to plug their vehicle identification numbers, or VINs, into safercar.gov to see if their vehicles are under recall. Honda and Acura vehicle owners also can get recall information at recalls.honda.com and recalls.acura.com. Models the government considers at high risk of air bag inflator rupture: 2001-2002 Honda Civic 2001-2002 Honda Accord 2002-2003 Acura TL 2002 Honda CR-V 2002 Honda Odyssey 2003 Acura CL 2003 Honda Pilot Recall information: safercar.gov; recalls.honda.com; recalls.acura.com Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Honda See More Collapse

Concerns over the air bags have grown along with news reports of injuries. The highway safety administration in June singled out certain 2001 to 2003 Honda and Acura models for having inflators that can rupture at a higher rate. Honda spokesman Chris Martin said in a recent email that in humid areas like Houston, these models have a 50 percent rupture rate. They are also the only models to date involved in fatalities.

The recall is set for completion by 2019.

Had the air bag performed properly, Aziz said, Martinez should have walked away with a sore back at most. Instead, the lawsuit alleges, shrapnel from the air bag inflator caused lacerations in her chest and arm that required sutures and eventually will require plastic surgery. Had the shrapnel struck 3 inches in a different direction, it could have severed an artery.

"I felt a burning pain in my chest," Martinez recalled Tuesday.

"She's thankful she survived," Aziz said.

"Air bags are supposed to protect and save lives," Martinez said.

Earlier this year, Aziz represented the family of a Fort Bend County teenager who died after an accident in which her air bag sent shrapnel into her neck. The March 31 fender-bender involved a 2002 Honda Civic. The family's lawsuit against Honda and Takata was resolved, but Aziz declined to elaborate.

Aziz said Martinez will return to work Wednesday for the first time since her accident, but she will continue to rely on her family for transportation.

Martinez said she has suffered nightmares and anxiety related to driving and has sought therapy.

The lawsuit accuses Honda and Takata of design and marketing defects, breach of warranty, negligence and gross negligence.

Honda declined to comment on the lawsuit but in an email urged vehicle owners to consult online recall sites or their local dealership to see if their vehicles are under recall and subject to free repair.

Takata did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. But in a news release earlier this year, chairman and CEO Shigehisa Takada said his company is cooperating fully with the U.S. recalls.

"We will continue to dedicate significant resources to maximize recall completion rates, including through our 'Get the word out' campaign and by working closely with NHTSA and our automaker customers on new and innovative solutions to reach consumers," he said. "Takata is committed to supporting all actions that advance vehicle safety."
A former Republican legislator, backed by tens of thousand of dollars in contributions from energy companies, is favored to win an open seat on the Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates the state's oil and gas industry.

Wayne Christian, a state representative from 1997 to 2013, has raised far more money than any of his three opponents, nearly two-thirds of it from the oil gas industry, according to state campaign finance records. Christian, of Center, has collected nearly $300,000 in political contributions this year, with nearly $190,000 from oil and gas interests.

That's triple the amount raised by the next candidate, Mark Miller, the Libertarian, who collected in nearly $100,000, in contributions, primarily from the technology industry. Green Party candidate Martina Salinas raised less than $2,000, and the Democrat, Grady Yarbrough, reported no contributions.

Christian's fundraising continues a long tradition of the oil and gas industry pouring money into the campaigns of officials who would regulate it, renewing questions among environmental and watchdog groups of whether the commission protects the public interest or that of industry.

More Information Largest Contributions to Wayne Christian Exxon Mobil PAC: $12,500 Jeffery Hildebrand, CEO of Hilcorp Energy: $10,000 Energy Transfer Partners Texas PAC: $10,000 Timothy Dunn, CEO CrownQuest Operating: $10,000 J. L. Davis, CEO West Texas Gas: $10,000 Pioneer Natural Resources USA PAC: $10,000 Largest contributions to Wayne Christian Exxon Mobil PAC: $12,500 Jeffery Hildebrand, CEO of Hilcorp Energy: $10,000 Energy Transfer Partners Texas PAC: $10,000 Timothy Dunn, CEO of CrownQuest Operating: $10,000 J. L. Davis, CEO of West Texas Gas: $10,000 Pioneer Natural Resources USA PAC: $10,000 See More Collapse

"The Railroad Commission is pay-to-play politics at its worst in Texas," said Tom Smith, the director of the nonprofit watchdog group Public Citizen, which monitors campaign finance and energy policy. "And the contributions don't just pour in during the election season."

Commissioner Ryan Sitton, who was elected in 2014, defended the practice of accepting money from the oil and gas industry. Sitton collected more than $127,000 in contributions from the industry in the first six months of this year, even though he is not up for re-election until 2020, according to campaign finance records.

"Good regulation is in the interest of the industry, and contributions to my campaign in no way influence the work I have committed to do," Sitton said. "As an elected official, my job is to engage and inform the public about the work of the Railroad Commission. For ethical reasons, we don't use state dollars to do that, which is why the fundraising process is so essential to serving the 27 million people in the state."

The Railroad Commission is one of the most important down-ballot contests since its members oversee the industry that drives the Texas economy. It regulates the largest oil and gas market in the lower 48 states, a task that includes monitoring more than 436,000 active and inactive oil and gas wells and nearly 220,000 miles of pipelines.

The panel comprises three commissioners who serve staggered six-year terms, meaning one seat is up every two years. The job pays more than $135,000 a year. The contests, however, are often overlooked by voters because of the incongruous name and insider culture that benefits from the commission's low public profile, critics say.

Christian apparently prefers a low profile, too. He did not respond to several interview requests, and his opponents say he has not appeared at either of their debates. Christian served 15 years in the Legislature, where he distinguished himself as a champion for ultraconservative causes, attacking fellow Republicans who didn't support his views. Texas Monthly named him one of the worst Texas legislators in 2011.

Christian, who billed himself as "The only Christian in the Texas Legislature," lost his seat in 2012 and made a failed bid for the Railroad Commission in 2014, when he lost to Sitton in the GOP primary. This year, Christian beat six other Republicans to win the primary and run-off election for his party's nomination for the seat being vacated by David Porter, the commission's chairman.

Christian's biggest donation, $12,500, came from the Exxon Mobil PAC. Several $10,000 donations came from CEOs of energy companies including: Jeffery Hildebrand, CEO of Hilcorp Energy, an oil and gas exploration company; J.L. Davis, owner of West Texas Gas, a natural gas transmission and distribution company; and Timothy Dunn, CEO of CrownQuest Operating, also an oil and gas exploration company.

Miller, the Libertarian, called the commission one of the least transparent agencies in the state, a problem he said that might start to be solved by changing the panel's name. Christian's campaign contributions, Miller said, show that no one pays much attention to the Railroad Commission, save the oil and gas industry.

"It's not nefarious," he said. "But it just says that only oil and gas people are interested in the Railroad Commission."

Environmentalists and other critics agree that an important first step in making the commission more visible and accountable would be to change its name. Adopting a new name, the Texas Energy Resources Commission, is one in a list of recommendations made by the Texas Sunset Commission, a group charged by the Legislature to conduct periodic reviews of the state's agencies.

State agencies typically undergo Sunset Reviews every 12 years to determine whether they should be reauthorized. The Railroad Commission is in its third review since 2010 because of controversy over some of the Sunset Commission's suggestions.

One of the most controversial has been a proposal to reduce the influence of oil and gas interests by only allowing commissioners to raise political contributions in the years they run for re-election. The proposal, which the Sunset Commission dropped from its latest recommendations, was aimed at preventing the commissioners from using access to oil and gas money to build large campaign war chests that can scare off challengers or make it difficult for them to succeed.

Christi Craddick, for example, has $1.5 million in her campaign committee's bank account, boosted by more than $300,000 in contributions during the first six months of 2016 - nearly three-fourths from oil and gas interests. Craddick, who is not up for re-election until 2018, received $4.9 million in political contributions between July 2011 and June 2016, with more than half - 56 percent - from oil and gas interests, according to data compiled by Austin advocacy group Texans for Public Justice. Craddick declined to comment.

Advocacy groups like Texans for Public Justice, the Sierra Club and Public Citizen are lobbying to get campaign contributions back on the Sunset Commission's list of recommendations, but the chances are remote, said Andrew Wheat, research director for Texans for Public Justice. Lawmakers will consider the Sunset Commission's review next year, when they are scheduled to vote on reauthorizing the Railroad Commission.

In the meantime, oil and gas interests will likely play an outsized role in determining who regulates their industry in Texas, as contributions to this year's commissioner campaign show.

"A lot of the critiques of the Railroad Commission are coming from the staff of the Sunset Commission and people who have had conflicts with the agency," Wheat said. "But the ultimate decision about the agency's future, and whether or not it should be kept as it is, is up to the state."
Two large Houston drillers on Tuesday appeared ready to plow cash they've saved back into U.S. oil patches next year, a striking shift after two dismal years of industry cutbacks.

Still, executives stopped short of saying the industry is poised to rebound quickly, calling 2017 a "transition year" in which they'll prepare for a stronger recovery the following year.

Occidental Petroleum Corp. CEO Vicki Hollub told investors that she doesn't expect cash from operations to be enough to cover the company's dividend, meaning it will have to rely on savings and other sources to maintain payments to investors. But the Houston company does plan to begin spending more on its oil fields next year.

Occidental executives said they've whittled oil-production costs to less than $28 a barrel this year, half the company's break-even drilling price two years ago. If oil prices hold at current levels, the explorer could reinvest its savings by hiking its $3 billion budget up by as much as $800 million next year.

That could mean drilling 115 new wells in West Texas' Permian Basin, where the company has already deployed two rigs in a bid to stabilize its sliding oil production. Hollub said the company aims to lift oil production in the region by as much as 8 percent next year.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp., in a separate conference call, also signaled more efficient drilling and oil production processes will allow it to reinvest savings next year. The Woodlands-based explorer plans to drill 90 more wells on its land in Colorado's DJ Basin and bring 50 other previously drilled wells into production. It has also sent two rigs to its fields in West Texas and will likely erect a third soon.

"It is DUC season, or almost," Anadarko CEO Al Walker told investors, referring to the drilled-but-uncompleted wells U.S. drillers are expected to gradually turn on when prices rise enough.

For the past two years, shale companies have drilled wells but left many of them dormant while crude prices remained too low to make a profit off them. If oil prices stay in the range of $50 to $60 a barrel, Anadarko would likely be able to increase production in the Delaware Basin in West Texas 10 percent to 12 percent.

Occidental and Anadarko both noted they have large sums of cash on hand, with Occidental carrying $3.2 billion and Anadarko, $2.5 billion.

Both companies reported third-quarter losses that narrowed sharply compared with the same period last year.

Anadarko lost $830 million in the July-September period, smaller than its $2.24 billion loss in the same period the year before. Occidental Petroleum reported a $241 million loss, well below its $2.6 billion loss in the third quarter of 2015.

Meanwhile, after the stock market closed, Houston-based Noble Energy posted a $144 million loss in the third quarter, even as its sales of oil rose and it turned on more oil wells in Colorado's DJ Basin. It marked an improvement over its $283 million loss, or 67 cents a share, from the same time last year.

Noble's revenue rose from $819 million to $910 million, and its oil and gas sales rose 12 percent to about 425,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day, with natural gas accounting for 57 percent of its production.

The company said it has deployed two additional drilling rigs in Texas, one in the Eagle Ford in South Texas, another in the Delaware Basin in West Texas.
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The merger of General Electric's oil and gas division with the Houston oil field services firm Baker Hughes may eventually catapult the new company into a top spot among oil services providers. But it first has to overcome an obstacle.

GE is big into deep-water oil drilling, a sector of the energy industry that has yet to find a bottom and isn't expected to recover for years as producers focus on lower-cost onshore fields.

Fewer oil rigs are in U.S. waters than almost any time in the past two decades. Oil companies are ordering less underwater equipment than they did a few years ago, when oil prices stood at $100 a barrel, double the current figure. And GE Oil & Gas has posted dramatic drops in revenues and profits this year.

Analysts worry that until the offshore industry recovers, the merger announced Monday won't pay off for the new company, which will keep the name Baker Hughes.

"GE made very extravagant bets in deep water over the past few years," said Bill Herbert, a senior analyst at investment research firm Piper Jaffray & Co. "With all of GE's high self-esteem, they do not command a leadership position in any oil sectors they're in."

Moreover, with lower oil prices and the shifting focus to North American shale plays, offshore production may never carry the weight it once did.

"It's been almost permanently redefined, if not marginalized," Herbert said.

Oil prices began dropping in the summer of 2014, sliding from $107 to $26 a barrel last winter. Over the past two years, more than 200 oil production companies and oil field services providers have gone bankrupt. They've chopped more than 100,000 jobs in Texas alone.

But since prices bottomed, the industry has seen a nascent recovery take hold onshore. The U.S. rig count last week climbed to 557, up from a low of 404 in May, the eighth collective rise in 10 weeks. Oil companies, according to the energy research firm Wood Mackenzie, say they're going to spend an estimated $10 billion more on exploration and production next year, primarily in West Texas' Permian Basin and other onshore oil and gas fields.

The offshore industry, which has higher costs of production, is lagging far behind. The number of oil rigs in U.S. waters dropped from 180 in 2001 to 10 in September. Orders for subsea "trees" - the protective casings that attach to sea floors and monitor well production - likely won't break 100 worldwide this year, according to analysts at Wood Mackenzie. The trees are seen as bellwethers of offshore production; three years ago, global producers ordered 550.

Analysts say the worst for the offshore sector is yet to come. They don't expect it to reach bottom until next year. The full recovery might take several more.

Still, it's the right time for a merger, said Caitlin Shaw, a senior director at Wood Mackenzie. The offshore energy services market has consolidated through mergers in recent years, and companies will need to get bigger to compete. The combination of Baker Hughes and GE Oil & Gas "does strengthen them," Shaw said.

In addition, she said, the company will benefit from the onshore business of Baker Hughes, the world's third-largest oil field services company after Schlumberger and Houston's Halliburton, as well as the strength in technology of both merger partners.

GE jumped into the oil and gas market 20 years ago, then boosted its position with a flurry of purchases over the decade. In 2007, GE picked up the equipment and services company VetcoGray for $1.9 billion. In 2008, it bought Houston-based Hydril, which makes pressure control products like blowout preventers, for $1.1 billion. In 2010, it paid $1.25 billion for U.K.-based Wellstream and the company's flexible undersea pipe products. And in 2013, just a year before the oil crash, GE paid $3.3 billion for Texas company Lufkin Industries, which produces oil field pumping units and electrical equipment, among other things.

Revenue for the GE energy unit fell by one-fourth, or almost $1 billion, to just under $3 billion in the quarter ending Sept. 30. Its profit dropped 42 percent to $353 million in the third quarter. Baker Hughes in the third quarter said it lost more than $400 million and slashed another 2,000 jobs.

Analysts said the merger, which would allow Baker Hughes to surpass Halliburton as the second-largest services company, will eventually create a stronger company. But initially, it will be largely consumed combining operations and trimming overlapping functions, analysts said.

GE did not respond to a request for comment. Baker Hughes declined to comment on the effects of GE's offshore business on the merger.
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BISMARCK, N.D. - Protesters at the demonstration against the Dakota Access pipeline are increasingly divided over how to stop the project, with militant younger activists seeking more aggressive tactics and an older crowd arguing for peaceful protest centered on prayer.

The differences came to a head last week after law enforcement officers in riot gear forced hundreds of protesters off an encampment on private property. In response, some demonstrators torched three vehicles on a bridge, creating a blockade that effectively cut off easy access to the pipeline construction zone and made it far harder for the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and nearby residents to get to Bismarck for errands and medical appointments.

Many other protesters insist that their cause cannot resort to lawbreaking, and they support the threat of eviction that the main camp has issued against people who would cause problems.

"We don't want people instigating things that are going to get out of hand. We don't need them," said Don Cuny, chief of security for the large camp near the confluence of the Missouri and Cannonball rivers.

With the potential for more violence, tribal elders have asked that children be removed from the camp.

"They want the kids out of here if things get ugly," said Emmett White Temple, a 55-year-old member of the Standing Rock Sioux.

A Denver woman was charged this week with attempted murder by authorities who said she fired three shots at law officers Thursday.

The sprawling encampment is on Army Corps of Engineers land. Within it are smaller camps occupied by protesters from across the U.S. and beyond. Residents are hesitant about singling out those that set the vehicles on fire, but they overwhelmingly point to a young crowd of campers.

The pipeline's operator, Energy Transfer Partners of Dallas, insists the project is safe. The tribe is fighting the pipeline's permitting process in court.

Tribal elders condemned the destruction of the vehicles, White Temple said.

Over the weekend, construction crews worked right next to the camp that authorities cleared Thursday, when they arrested more than 140 people.
Open enrollment in Obamacare is underway, and thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Republican opposition and insurance company boycotts, the federal health insurance program is failing.

Consider the case of Craig Goulding, which was artfully documented by my colleague Jenny Deam. Goulding has no health insurance through his employer, he has cancer and his insurance company just cancelled his plan before he could start chemotherapy. He's exactly the kind of person Obamacare was supposed to help, but who is now suffering because insurance companies are abandoning the health exchanges.

Then there are the 5 million Texans who still don't have health insurance as required by federal law. A good portion of them are the working poor, who were supposed to be enrolled in Medicaid. But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that forcing states to add people to Medicaid was beyond the Obama administration's authority, so Texas never enrolled them.

The U.S. Congress could solve both of these problems, but the Republicans in charge only want to repeal Obamacare, not repair it. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan keeps talking about a conservative alternative to the Affordable Care Act, but he has yet to produce any specific plan for keeping 13.8 million Americans from losing their Obamacare coverage.

If the goal is to save money on health care and make sure that everyone is covered, dozens of countries have figured out how to do it. It's called single-payer, and it is not socialized medicine. The government collects taxes and uses them to pay insurance companies to pay for health care for everyone.

Why businesses don't insist on single-payer health insurance boggles my mind. U.S. companies are at a competitive disadvantage because they spend so much time and money on health insurance.

Most of us would also be happy to see our ever-changing insurance premiums go away, and those who spend their November every year picking out new health insurance plan would love to have that time back.

Yes, much of the employer's savings would go to higher federal taxes. And yes, all of us would pay higher income taxes in place of our insurance premiums. But we'd probably save a little money, and we would also know that we could see almost any doctor or go to almost any hospital without worrying about who is in network.

With single-payer, Goulding would not have to worry about whether he will keep his oncologist next year, or wonder if he needs to reschedule the treatment he needs to live.

Most industrialized nations have successful single-payer systems. Fixing Obamacare is within reach. It's up to us to insist on it.
SAN AUGUSTINE  October put on a perfect day for San Augustine's Sassafras Festival, warm and sunny, with just a slight breeze to keep things cool. Smoke had started to rise from barbecue pits ringing a dignified county courthouse in a historic town square, while a crooner sang old favorites, masking the emptiness of storefronts in between antique shops where sales aren't usually brisk.

This sparsely populated stretch of scrubby pine forest near the Louisiana border is one of the poorest in Texas, heavily dependent on government programs like Social Security and Medicaid. The number of people working in San Augustine has dropped from 4,000 in 2003 to about 2,800 today, and the unemployment rate is close to 10 percent, double the state average.

It's also a place where support for Donald Trump runs high  a tendency that seems to fit with the statistical picture of economic dislocation that polls and political analysts say has driven the Trump phenomenon. But conversations with locals about politics over turkey legs and elephant ears focus far less on feelings of financial insecurity than voter surveys and the media narrative might suggest.

Part of it may be because overall, the U.S. economy has been doing well - far better than it was in 2008 and 2012. Recent census data show that 2015 saw the strongest income growth on record in the United States while unemployment is at 5 percent. Although some parts of the country have been hit hard by jobs moving overseas, Texas has kept growing even through the oil bust; the state added more than 38,000 jobs in September, the biggest monthly gain in two years.

More Information San Augustine County profile Population: 8,473 Number working: 2,763 Median age: 48.5 Percent in poverty: 23.9 White (non-Hispanic): 67.9 percent Black: 23 percent Latino: 7.5 percent 2016 GOP Primary:45.1% Cruz, 39.6% Trump See More Collapse

Instead of pocketbook issues, people here speak of less proximate concerns  foreign wars and terrorism, the erosion of religious values, American culture adrift.

Related: The empirics of Texas' Trump support

Just ask the Republican Party's county chair Arthur Bedford, a compact, muscular Air Force veteran who's doing double duty manning booths for the GOP club and the American Legion. When he retired to San Augustine in 2005, he found an area in political transition: The county was slower to turn red than the rest of Texas, voting for Bill Clinton by large margins in 1992 and 1996.

It went for George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004, but San Augustinians were still voting in Democrats for local and state offices as late as 2008. Bedford was confounded, because he felt the population wasn't that liberal, and started recruiting Republicans to run for office. In the 2014 general election, Republicans swept every office, from U.S. senator down to district judge.

Rather than economics, Bedford said the turnaround had to do with religion. This is a county with dozens of churches, and the Democratic Party's identification with gay rights and abortion access didn't sit well with them. In recent years, even Republicans didn't seem strong enough on Bedford's core issues, as they voted for bank bailouts and failed to stop President Barack Obama's health care law.

The club's banner reads "conservative Republicans," as if to convey that the two words aren't necessarily synonymous.

Support from all kinds

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz fit that set of preferences. He was ostentatiously Christian, charismatically uncompromising. That's why Bedford  and most of the rest of the Republican club's members, many of them relatively comfortable retirees  put him over the top in the primary.

"We're basically going to hold our nose when we vote for Trump," Bedford said. "But we know the alternative. The alternative is far worse."

Still, Trump picked up 40 percent of the vote, about 13 points higher than his statewide margin. (Neighboring Sabine County was the Trump's only pickup outside a few areas on the Mexico border.) So who were all those Trump voters? To Bedford, as well as Sabine County GOP Chairman Roman Griffin, it seems Trump support came from all kinds of people  poor and rich, uneducated and those with graduate degrees.

"It was a very broad section," says Griffin, who figures the wall-to-wall media coverage is what helped Trump. "I would say it was everybody."

It was people like Nancy Mathis, a grandmotherly woman staffing the GOP booth in a sun hat and a bright red "Trump is my President" shirt from Infowars, a website known for spreading conspiracy theories. A retired physician and college instructor, she said she initially supported Cruz, but was leery of stories she'd heard about his father's religious associations. Then she went to a Trump rally, and felt that he'd be able to make deals with America's enemies.

"Hillary is more of a warmonger," Mathis says. She now spends five hours a day collecting pro-Trump information and disseminating it on Facebook, and has printed up a sheet of information sources for passers-by that includes far-right wing sites like Breitbart, Drudge and ConstitutionRising.com.

Active Democrats

Even for those who didn't favor Trump as their first choice, parts of his message resonate. Immigration is the most powerful  even if it's not motivated by a sense of economic disenfranchisement.

Take former Cruz supporter Dorinda Byley, who sat on the square with a toddler and an array of fried snacks. She works as an admissions processing coordinator at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. She's noticed the high number of international students coming into the university system, and is suspicious of how eager they seem to adopt U.S. customs.

"When they're here, it's just a 180. It's like 'OK, I'm just going to jump in and adopt your culture, and everything is going to be kumbaya,'" Byley said. "I just feel like a lot of these groups" - terrorist groups, she means - "are using these students to get into our country."

Robert Williams, a Trump supporter who initially favored the evangelical and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, agreed. Osama bin Laden and ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi went to school in the U.S. (which is not true), he said. "They use the things that make our country great against us," said Williams, 47, who works as a contractor.

Even immigration doesn't seem personally threatening. Williams sees San Augustine as safe, and the Hispanics who arrive to work in the chicken factories aren't coming after his job.

But Trump has framed illegal immigration as a matter of laws, of control, at a time when other parts of the culture seem to change at an alarming rate. "If you're going to be a sovereign country, you have to have borders, they should've been enforced a long time ago," Williams said, echoing a common line from Trump's speeches. "We have a great immigration system; we just need to enforce it."

And yet, there's another side to the politics in San Augustine County: An active Democratic Party, largely rooted in the black community that comprises about a quarter of the county's population. Their stubborn liberalism has been a frustration for Bedford, the GOP county chair. He says the Democratic Party has taken African-American votes for granted ever since Lyndon Johnson passed a package of economic support initiatives associated with the War on Poverty. "That's all they're using 'em for," Bedford says.

Robert Fitzpatrick, the African-American chair of San Augustine County's Democratic Party chapter, scoffs at Bedford's historical admonition. "Their ideas are not Lincoln's ideas," he said sitting behind a table full of Clinton/Kaine paraphernalia.

Most of the festival-goers waved amicably at Fitzpatrick and his partner at the table, John Coffee, a jowly retiree wearing a blue "America is Already Great" cap. Coffee seemed to know everybody, and shouted salutations as they went by. Then, a man in shades and a cowboy hat paused as he passed, shaking his head as he looked over the buttons and stickers.

"I can't believe it," he said, chuckling humorlessly. "Let me tell you something. You guys think it's OK to bring all those immigrants in? Truthfully?"

Different worldviews

Coffee responded jovially, talking about his experience traveling the world as an oil and gas worker, meeting hardworking people who he said benefit America when they come here. The man in shades argued back, talking about the atrocities committed in the Middle East.

Fitzpatrick was quiet. He and his wife grew up in a segregated school system in nearby Jefferson, where the school buses were so old and poorly maintained that one turned over while kids were in it. San Augustine was among the few counties in Texas to vote for segregationist presidential candidate George Wallace in 1968. After a minute, he raised his voice to be heard above the chatter.

"Are you old enough to have been around in the '60s?" Fitzpatrick asked the man in shades. "Because some of the things that we're accusing foreigners of, Christians were doing here in the South."

The man moved on, as people came up behind him. The tension of two totally different world views, though, remained. To Fitzpatrick, the Trumpist criticism of people on welfare and of immigrants, the desire to pull up the drawbridge behind you, just looks like hypocrisy.

"So many of these people say 'I deserve it,'" Fitzpatrick said, "'and other people don't.'"
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One by one, the huge black drapes were pulled from the quilts hanging at the front of the grand ballroom of the George R. Brown Convention Center Tuesday night, revealing the International Quilt Festival's big winners. Gleeful quilters grabbed their prizes before a cheering crowd of some 600 who filled the cavernous space.

Dickinson's Cynthia England took the Best of Show Award, the first time it has gone to a Houston-area quilter since she won it in 2000.

Her quilt, "Reflections of Cape Town," was made using the Picture-Piecing technique she created to bring to life a vivid scene from a South African harbor. It's her third Best of Show win. The prize - formally known as the Handi Quilter Best of Show Award - comes with a prize of $12,500.

Internationally known for her quilting methods and pictorial quilts, England has jumped to rock-star status among her peers and fans with her third top prize at the largest quilting show in the world.

When her name was called, England pumped her fists and ran to the stage. After posing for photos, she nearly snatched the oversized presentation check right out of the hands of the man who'd just praised her work.

More Information 2016 International Quilt Festival When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 3-5; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 6 Where: George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas Tickets: $12 general admission, $9 seniors and students, $42 full show pass(includes preview night), $12 preview night only. (Children age 10 and younger admitted free with a paying adults.) Information: www.quilts.com See More Collapse

"There are so many beautiful quilts here from so many countries," England said, breathlessly. "The last quilt I entered didn't even make it into the show."

A self-taught quilter, England said she's been quilting for 43 years. Though she studied art at the Art Institute of Houston, she describes her work as a combination of skills from needlework, stained glass and drafting.

In 2000, England won the best of show award for her quilt, "Open Season," depicting a wintry, wooded landscape. In 1993, her "Piece and Quiet" quilt, an outdoor scene with a creek running through it, was her first best of show win at the Quilt Festival.

That first win didn't even come with a cash prize; her second came with a prize of $10,000, which she spent putting a new kitchen in her home. Though she said she doesn't know what she'll do with the prize money or how she'll celebrate, she said it may involve a glass of champagne.

Only one other quilter has won three Best of Show prizes, Sharon Schamber of Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Quilt Festival is the largest consumer show in Houston, drawing more than 55,000 people and generating more than $40 million in revenue.

England's winning quilt, 68 inches by 72 inches, was inspired by a trip to South Africa to teach a quilting class. During the trip she visited Cape Town and was struck by the bright colors and reflection of light on the water. With 8,400 pattern pieces, some just slivers of fabric, "Reflections of Cape Town" took a year to create.

England is the owner of England Design Studios in Dickinson, a business that was born after her 1993 Quilt Festival win. That quilt, a combination of machine piecing and applique, also was named one of "The 20th Century's Best American Quilts" in the Ultimate Quilt Search.

"Piece and Quiet" got so much attention that fans started asking for patterns and for information about her unique Picture-Piecing technique, which uses paper and straight seams to achieve detailed imagery efficiently and with less fabric waste. In response, she developed small floral patterns through which others could learn the process.

England now teaches her methods all over the world. Her current work-travel schedule will take her to California, Arizona, Florida, Tennessee, Colorado and Louisiana in the coming months.

While much of her work is commissioned by clients, some pieces are personal, such as quilts featuring her dogs - Sadie, Max and Angel - or even a Harry Potter quilt she and her daughter made for England's daughter-in-law.

Other quilters were honored Tuesday night. Major awards included the Founder's Award and the World of Beauty Award, each of which come with a $7,500 prize. Sally Magee of Heath, Texas, won the Founder's Award for her "Baltimore in Bloom" quilt; Margaret Solomon Gunn of Gorham, Maine, won the World of Beauty Award for her "Bouquet Royale" quilt.

Five other honors come with a $5,000 prize.

Yoko Izumi of Hitachi City, Ibaraki, Japan, won the Robert S. Cohan Master Award for Traditional Artistry for her quilt titled, "My Favorite Paisley."

Marina Landi and Maria Lucia Azara of Sao Paulo, Brazil, won the Gammill Master Award for Contemporary Artistry for their quilt titled "Unknown Man."

Bethanne Nemesh of Allentown, Penn., won the Pfaff Master Award for Machine Artistry for her quilt, "October Sky."

Melissa Sobotka of Richardson, Texas, won the Koala Studios Master Award for Innovative Artistry for her quilt, "Silk Road Sampler."

Mikyung Jang of Seodaemoon-Gu, of Seoul, South Korea, won the Superior Threads Master Award for Thread Artistry for her quilt "Suwon Hwasung."
A group of student leaders at the University of Texas at Austin are urging the university to disband a conservative student group after it held an anti-affirmative action bake sale last week, charging different prices depending on the race and gender of customers.

Seven student representatives brought the matter to the student government on Tuesday and said there's a petition with 800 signatures calling for the suspension of the UT chapter of the Young Conservatives of Texas.

READ MORE: Controversial 'affirmative action bake sale' pops up at University of Texas again

UT spokesman J.B. Bird said Wednesday the university would not take action against the Young Conservatives club or its members following the bake sale, calling it protected speech.

The right to freely express views is vital to the health of our university even if some find that expression offensive or disrespectful, Bird said in a statement, adding that it is "rare" that the university suspends student organizations and that suspension would only occur if it violated UT rules.

The Young Conservatives club called affirmative action a disastrous policy at last weeks bake sale, which drew hundreds of protesters, the Associated Press reported.

At least one administrator criticized the event. Vice president for diversity and community engagement Gregory Vincent called the conservative group deplorable for using the open forum of the campuss West Mall to direct negative sentiment toward their peers.

READ MORE: UT releases 17-point checklist to advise against offensive Halloween costumes

In seeking an audience for their ideas, the YCT resorted to exercising one of the universitys core values to the detriment of others, he wrote.

The Young Conservatives of Texas chapter chairman Vidal Castaneda said in a letter to UTs president that the chapter would take legal action should the university enact policies that infringe on the groups rights.

The First Amendment to the US Constitution protects more than just freedom of speech in the classroom. It protects more than just speech that is politically correct. It protects more than just speech that is approved by the UT administration, Castaneda wrote. The First Amendment gives all Americans, including students, the right to protest laws and policies they disagree with.

Free speech questions aside, the debate shows that conversations on affirmative action at UT's campus are continuing after the Supreme Court ruled that its admissions practices are constitutional last summer.

UT considers race as a factor for roughly 25 percent of students who are not admitted under a state law that grants automatic admission to the top students of a high school's graduating class.
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For Chris Cusack, the future tastes like success

If Houston's food scene has a future - and who would be foolish enough to say it doesn't? - Chris Cusack should be able to see it.

Cusack is CEO and co-founder with Joey Treadway of Treadsack Management, which runs the restaurants Down House, Hunky Dory, Bernadine's and Foreign Correspondents, as well as the bars D&T Drive Inn, Johnny's Gold Brick and Canard.

Foreign Correspondents just made the Bon Appetit list of 50 hottest new restaurants in the U.S. The three restaurants he opened this year - Hunky Dory, Bernadine's and Foreign Correspondents - all made Chronicle restaurant critic Alison Cook's Top 100 Restaurants list, with Bernadine's coming in strong at No. 9. Treadsack won Restaurateur of the Year at the Houston Culinary Awards.

Cusack is a lifelong Houstonian who grew up in the Heights and now lives in Old Sixth Ward, and he's pretty happy with the trend line of the local foodscape.

"It's just getting better," he says. "There are more options, more ambition and more creativity."

The last decade or so have set a foundation for further growth. "Enough groundwork has been laid in the past 10 or 15 years," Cusack says.

But he's realistic enough to know that the local economy is, while maybe not boom-and-bust, at least cyclical.

"As much as the economy has diversified, we're still very dependent on oil," he says. "If we stay strong, there will be more money, more investing, more ability to pursue dreams in food," he says.

But even the bottom of the cycle holds some promise, Cusack says.

"In a down economy, you can take your severance and follow your dreams. There are potential growth options either way."

Cusack's life is going a mile a minute right now. In addition to the bars and restaurants, Treadsack puts out Sugar & Rice magazine, a publication born out of the desire to tell the stories of real people producing real food: the cheesemaker, the guy who raises beef cattle. "We're going to spend money on marketing," he says. "Why not tell the stories we want to tell?"

And as much as Cusack likes the idea of Houston stepping up to the national stage as a food city, he thinks there's something endearing about the city's status as a bit undiscovered.

After the Bon Appetit list came out, Cusack encountered a couple eating at Foreign Correspondents. They'd flown in from New York, and they were flying out right after the meal.

The future just might look like that.

Richard Carranza hopes to build better Houstonians

What kind of citizens does Houston want for itself? That's a question that Richard Carranza, the newly minted superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, asks a lot.

He asks himself, but, more importantly, he asks the community. "It's important to paint a collective picture of what we want a graduate of HISD to look like and do - a portrait of the graduate we want - and then wrap ourselves around what that graduate will look like," he says.

Based on the conversations he's had, a picture is beginning to paint itself, says Carranza, who came to the city from San Francisco and took over his new job in August. That picture is an ambitious but relentlessly hopeful one.

First is to graduate more students - but that's such a given that Carranza phrases it this way: "As we graduate more students ..."

But even in a city where a stubbornly consistent 80 percent of the students are economically disadvantaged, it's not all about hitting the books.

"I'm already hearing that along with a solid educational foundation as writers and readers, and in math, the students need to have a sense of community and of their place in the community," he says. "They need to be good citizens."

But they clearly have to be savvy about the 21st century and the digital world. "They must be able to discern legitimate content from that which isn't legitimate," Carranza says.

And because they will leave a digital trail, on social media and elsewhere, wherever they go, today's and tomorrow's students have to make sure their profile in that world is clean and positive - nothing to turn off future employers or colleges, he says.

He also hears that the students need to learn how to be citizens of the world. Carranza, who grew up speaking both Spanish and English, loves the idea of graduating students who can speak more than one language."They need to be curious about the world," he says.

That's not about playing it safe. "They must take risks in the pursuit of knowledge," Carranza says.

And, echoing every parent ever, he says every child should find something to be passionate about, a passion that can last a lifetime.

"Those are the students businesses want to hire, that admissions offices want to admit to school," Carranza says.

Christof Spieler thinks about where Houston is going- literally

Christof Spieler has a deserved reputation as a guy who thinks about transportation. A lot.

But he swears that's a little wrong. "One of the most important things to remember is that it's not about traveling," he says. "It's about arriving."

Spieler, an engineer who also teaches at Rice University and is on the board of METRO, gained some notice this past year for reimagining the city's bus routes into a grid.

Buses aren't sexy, but intelligent bus lines get people where they want to go. "I don't think you judge transportation by glamour," says Spieler, who himself uses the buses.

Now he is on to, as he says, "figuring out what comes next."

From the 1950s to about 2000, transportation design was utterly car-centric, he says. But since then, the world has changed. Only 69 percent of 19-year-olds today have a driver's license, way down from 87 percent in 1983. People want to live in cities. "Americans started wanting different things, and we've done a lousy job of providing them," Spieler says.

Gone are the days of cookie-cutter planning. It doesn't make sense to make the same parking-space requirements for Midtown, on light rail, as for a 1960 strip mall, he says. "The most radical thing to say is one size doesn't fit all."

Take an area like Gulfton, which has the highest population density in the city. "There's a lot of activity and it's close to major employment centers," Spieler says.

That translates to a lot of short trips, well-suited to biking and walking. "But the intersections are literally deadly to walk across," he says - and relatively speaking, that's an easy fix.

The key is to make sure planners "don't see the world only through a windshield."

That's not to say that Houston is going to turn into a walking city. It's not. But Spieler believes the option to live and work in a walkable area should be available at all income levels - and he thinks this is an achievable goal.

Spieler is heartened by the influx of younger planners who see mass transit, biking and walking as great options.

He himself grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and came to Houston to attend Rice. He didn't love the city at first. "I don't feel it's a city you fall in love with at first sight. You have to understand what it actually is," he says.

That means embracing Houston's diversity and its openness to changing things and figuring stuff out. "It keeps reinventing itself in wonderful ways," Spieler says now.

He loves his work with METRO, where he can geek out with other engineers. "I am an engineer, and that's incredibly central to how I function," he says. "We are problem solvers."

That's a mindset Spieler thinks is key right now. "We're in a moment of trying to figure out how to do something different," he says. "It's a really fun moment."

For Angela Blanchard, immigrants aren't the problem - they're the solution

Angela Blanchard knows the difference between poor and broken. She knows it from growing up poor, one of eight kids, in a little house in Beaumont - but she and her family weren't broken.

As the president and CEO of Neighborhood Centers Inc., the largest community development organization in the state, for more than 30 years, that difference has shaped her view of Houston and its people.

"I not only see immigrants as solutions," she says. "I see all people hungry for opportunity as the fuel for our community, for our economy, for our future. I will always put my faith in people who will take a chance on a new city, a new country."

The organization has 70 centers in 60 counties. "I started in nonprofit work in high school, but when I came to Neighborhood Centers, everything clicked for me," Blanchard says. "I wanted everyone to be able to do what my family has done - to earn, learn and belong. Hard work should pay off."

Blanchard's uplifting view of Houston's future is a bracing antidote to suspicion and xenophobia. "Houston will continue to be a magnet for people hungry for a better life," she says, as it has been for generations.

The key is to see the people coming in as a necessary and vital transfusion into the lifeblood of the city. She calls Houston "an arrival city."

She wants her fellow Houstonians to look past differences and poverty and see richness and common humanity. "People willing to build a life different than the one they were born to - a life built out of their own imagination and determination," Blanchard says. "People who will do this make our city great, make our country great. I want to keep Houston a place of opportunity for everyone, whether you're crossing the tracks, the river or the ocean."

Does Houston want to be great on a world scale? This is a place to start.

"The greatest cities of the future will be those who will welcome newly arrived people and provide both landing places and on-ramps for opportunities," Blanchard says. "Our energy, geography and spirit will keep us among the best cities in the world for people to earn, learn and belong."

Adeeb Barqawi knows iPads aren't enough

When Adeeb Barqawi, inspired by his older brother, left grad school to enter Teach for America, he was sent to teach physics at Houston's Kashmere High School.

The students he encountered there faced almost unimaginable challenges. High school seniors read at sixth- or seventh-grade levels. Based on their life experiences, they believed the U.S. was about 75 percent African American. Kids who were hungry couldn't concentrate on physics. The neighborhood was a food desert, and infant mortality was high.

The kids had dreams but not the basics. Lack of iPads wasn't the problem.

"I was in a bubble," Barqawi, who was born outside Washington, D.C., says now. "I didn't know such inequity exists."

The problem wasn't that resources didn't exist. The problem was they weren't distributed to the people who needed them.

But the one thing he did know was that being a nice guy wasn't enough. "A lot of initiatives are based on individuals, with no system to back them up," he says.

Barqawi decided to figure out how to fix that. He launched a nonprofit, ProUnitas, not to provide services but to coordinate and manage services, getting the right help to the right kids.

Now two years old, ProUnitas has started out small, at Kashmere and the schools that feed into the high school. It's in three schools now, slated to expand to four more in 2017.

With ProUnitas, kids can be matched up, in the school, with whatever services they need. "Some might need six programs, and some only one," Barqawi says. He describes the organization as a "backbone" - a third-party broker - that also works within the community, so that parents and other community members can set a plan for what the neighborhood needs. Right now it works with 45 agencies.

In the past, a student might get a referral for some sort of help. "Referral doesn't work," Barqawi says, because even not having transportation can stop that dead.

The simple lack of a bus pass or a decent shirt can change a student into a chronic absentee. He wants to stop that from happening.

With ProUnitas, Barqawi believes that won't happen. "A circle of support surrounds the student," he says.

Barqawi gets a little impatient with people who tell him they had deprived childhoods. Did you have a safe place to stay? he'll ask. Did you have food? Was your health, both physical and mental, looked after? Was a caring adult in your life? If you say yes to all that, case closed.

ProUnitas is small, hoping to get its staffing up to 10 by the end of the year. But it has already attracted attention from other school districts, and Barqawi thinks the system is highly transferable. "I really see this becoming a template," he says.

His confidence is not just based on hope. "There is a science," he says. "Let's move away from good intentions. Let's move away from just helping."
From a mostly white southern city devastated by the 1980s oil bust, Houston has transformed into a thriving international metropolis that in 2050 is projected to look more like El Paso, a predominantly Hispanic city on the Mexican border. An El Paso, that is, with Texas-sized shares of white, black and Asian residents.

It's the face of America's future - a stunning turnaround for a one-horse oil town built on a swamp by two New York City real estate promoters. Now the city is the bellwether for the nation as it navigates the challenges of its changing demographics years ahead of the rest of the country.

"We are in the midst of an epic transition. The United States throughout all of its history has been an amalgam of European nationalities but now it's rapidly becoming a microcosm of the world," said Stephen Klineberg, a Rice University sociology professor and founding director of its Kinder Institute for Urban Research. "That can be exhilarating and tremendous or it can tear us apart and become a major liability."

At the forefront of the nation's metamorphosis is Houston, with projections of America in 2050 looking somewhat like Harris County in 2010 and showing similar patterns. The white population in both will decline by as much as 23 percent, and the Hispanic population is set to increase by 14 percent nationally and 22 percent in the county.

By then, Houston will be 60 percent Hispanic, 15 percent white, 15 percent black and 10 percent Asian, according to projections by the Texas Demographic Center and Rice University's Hobby Center for The Study of Texas.

"Houston is really America on fast forward," said Bruce Katz, centennial scholar at the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C., think tank, where he focuses on global urbanization. "The country is obviously moving in this direction but places like Houston are getting there first. It's going to affect everything. It's going to affect the economy, the education system at all levels, the politics. It already is."

For the last 15 years, Texas has led the country in both the number of people added to its population and its pace of growth. Between 2000 and 2015, the state gained 6.6 million residents compared to the far larger runner-up of California, which added 5.3 million people during that time.

The metropolitan region of Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land increased by almost 736,500 people in the last five years alone, more than any other in the nation and a growth of 12 percent. Assuming that rate continues until 2020, the area could have a population of 7.4 million. And if the migration from abroad and other states keeps at the same pace as during the last decade, the metro region could see a population of 14.4 million by 2050, more than double that of 2010, according to state projections.

The ripple effects of the 2015 oil crisis, however, means growth has slowed dramatically. The region had been creating a record average of 90,000 jobs a year since 2010, but that will now taper over the next several years, said Patrick Jankowski, senior vice president of research for the Greater Houston Partnership, an economic development organization.

That means migration is more likely to be at half of the boom-and-bust cycle of the last decade. When factoring that pace, the metro region is expected to have about 10.3 million residents by 2050, 5.4 million whom are Hispanic.

Migration is only half of the story. In the last five years, 18 percent of Harris County's net population gain was from elsewhere in Texas and the country and 30 percent from abroad. More than half, on the other hand, came from natural increase, or the rate of births minus deaths, according to the U.S. Census. Most of those are Hispanic babies, reflecting the growing trend in the rest of the country. Though the fertility rates of Latinas are on the decline, they still make up most of the nation's young child-bearing population.

Between 1990 and 2010, the share of the U.S. population made up of people of color went from 24 percent to 36 percent, and that is expected to grow to 44.5 percent by 2030, said William Frey, a demographer with the Brookings Institution and author of "Diversity Explosion."

This is occurring as baby boomers are aging out of the workforce at record rates, with the working-age population in the United States expected to see a net loss of 15 million whites between 2010 and 2030.

Today, more than half of all Harris County residents younger than age 20 are Latinos. Whites only make up the majority of the demographic in the 65 or older age group.

"There's a decline in non-Hispanic white children," said Steve Murdock, a former Census Bureau director who heads Rice's Hobby Center. "Whether you look nationally or at the state or Houston, minority population growth is primarily the source of growth for the total population."

Klineberg of Rice's Kinder Institute said little can deter the furious march toward a predominantly Hispanic county with a diverse share of other ethnic and racial groups.

"The big point is that those numbers are probably baked in. This is a done deal," he said. "What isn't a done deal is how much these Latinos are prepared for leadership positions and making sure this diversity becomes a tremendous asset."

Houston's transformation began after the 1982 oil bust, one of the country's worst regional recessions, when one out of every seven jobs disappeared, Klineberg said, spurring a collapse in housing prices. As white oil workers moved elsewhere, Latino immigrants streamed in for blue-collar jobs. After the city's economy began to diversify with the expanding of the oil sector into petrochemicals and other related industries and the building of the Texas Medical Center, Overallskilled tech workers from Africa and Asia arrived.

Jobs lured them here, but what has helped keep them is the area's cheap housing prices, said Joel Kotkin, a fellow in urban studies at Chapman University in southern California.

"When housing prices are reasonable there's much more flexibility to absorb demographic changes," he said. "As long as Houston can manage to grow its economy and keep its housing costs relatively low, this increased diversity will still turn out to be reasonably good."

Sluggish economic growth and rising house prices, on the other hand, could land Houston in the same problems experienced by southern California, which is very diverse but has one of the nation's highest rates of income inequalityand low home ownership.

Angela Blanchard, president and CEO of Neighborhood Centers, Inc., which serves more than half a million people across Texas, said Houston has always drawn diverse migration because the city is built on the idea that anyone can come here and make it.

"People come to Houston with this idea that if they work hard they can get ahead. It's been a promise we can deliver upon that unites everyone, from a Cajun girl from Beaumont like me or someone from Bangalore," she said. "We're not a backward-looking city ... we look to our future. So many of us came from somewhere else."

Houston's housing policies and access to housing has meant that people from different backgrounds aren't driven into isolated neighborhoods as happens in some big cities.

"People move in and out of neighborhoods," Blanchard said.

She said diversity is important for cities because it helps them to participate fully in an increasingly globalized economy. Children in Houston schools speak Arabic and Urdu at home, for example, and Spanish and English at school.

"These will be global leaders," she said.

But Murdock from Rice's Hobby Center said city and state leaders need to invest more in improving educational opportunities for all children.

Just 10 percent of Hispanics in Houston who are 25 or older have a bachelor's degree compared to 18 percent of blacks and 53 percent of whites. The median household income for whites in the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown area in 2010 was about $72,500 compared to just $41,000 for Hispanics and $39,600 for blacks.

"Education pays for everybody," Murdock said.

Without such investments, state demographer Lloyd Potter said the county, state and region could see increased rates of poverty and inequality.

"That potentially will be in our future if we don't make progress towards advancing educational attainment especially among young Latinos," he said. "When you look at 2050 and see what the labor force looks like, that's one of the more concerning things."

As Houston grows and its demographics change, there will also be a transformation of its geographic layout, said Jankowski of the Greater Houston Partnership. Employment centers will migrate to the suburbs as people of all backgrounds move further out for affordable housing. Think more of The Woodlands, the Energy Corridor, and suburban business centers like Fort Bend County.

The city will also continue to move away from its energy dependence and become a global trading center, he said. Key to that, however, is its diversity.

"It helps fuel creativity, whether you're standing in front of an easel or sitting on a bench in a lab," he said.
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The idea was to walk into a few fifth-grade classrooms on a sunlit October morning and ask the kids what Houston would be like when they're grown-ups. If you want to know the future, I thought, ask the future.

I expected predictions of whimsical inventions, and I figured I'd be entertained.

And the kids at Harvard Elementary, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math magnet in the Heights, delivered.

Nikko De los Reyes imagined not only flying cars but flying stoplights. Emma Garfield expected that Houstonians will have invented more suitable clothing for our sticky hot climate - maybe hollow jackets stuffed with ice packs. Bronson Guerrero dreamed of a parent-controlled pod that would let his busy mom and dad send him on errands to the grocery store. (Yes, please.)

And Lucas Rodriguez - a forthright kid in a UT shirt and dark, rectangle glasses - wanted Houston to have plenty of amusement parks, so families wouldn't have to go all the way to Galveston for a good time. He also hoped that the city would solve its identity issues.

"If you could have some kind of thing that people would think of when they think of Houston, that would be cool."

Classmate Kathleen Alex acknowledged the medical center, and felt it was commendable that doctors help kids with cancer, but that's also a downer.

"Basically my main goal is to make sure there's some kind of monument besides a bunch of hospitals."

Tyler Darden, who said his mother drives him to the bus in the morning, said he wanted bigger roads in the future so that people didn't have to sit in traffic. The traffic makes people fall asleep in their cars, he said, "and plus, my mom's always getting mad."

Camille Olson, who dreams of living in the hubbub of New York City, found the notion of big change naive.

"People in the '60s, they thought there was going to be time machines and flying cars. They thought it was going to be like in the '80s. But in the '80s, there was barely even good TV," she said. "So I think it's gonna stay the same."

This is the kind of stuff fifth-graders should say. But mixed in with the fun were heavier concerns.

Take Ashby Church. When I asked about the future, his response was to yearn for the past.

"Whenever my dad was a kid, he tells me about how he could do whatever he wanted, running around and playing outside without having to worry about anybody hurting him," said the boy with tousled hair and big, blue eyes. "And now, your parents won't let you go across the street. They won't even let you get the mail. It's different. And I want it to be like my dad tells me it was."

I asked him what had changed.

"People got more secure," he said. "Because of all the threats."

Chloe Gonzales, who said she likes to watch TV news with her mom, predicted the future would bring laws that don't let people carry guns outside their clothes or onto college campuses: "I think we shouldn't have to worry, when we go outside, about someone hurting us if they're carrying around guns."

Noah Villegas, a soft-spoken boy in a Harvard choir polo, said, "Houston needs to have less police brutality and less racism."

He wanted the future, in general, to have "not so much hate."

"Instead of fighting - we're all one race, we're all humans. We need to work, instead of against each other, we need to work together."

I asked him if he thought the people of the future, many of them sitting at tables around him in Mrs. Figueroa's class, could accomplish this. He wasn't sure.

"In the future, I think there will be more hate," Audrey Tynan said matter-of-factly in the next classroom, explaining that the millions on the losing end of next month's presidential election will only get angrier "if they don't get what they want."

Then there was Wyatt Buquid.

"What do I think Houston is going to be like in 20 to 30 years?" said the brown-haired boy with faint freckles and a firm grip on his water bottle. "Well, here's the thing: it's all about, basically, chance. If you watch the presidential debates, we are talking about America's 20-trillion-dollar debt. We're talking the terrorist group ISIS and that al-Qaida is still going strong. "

He went on, in a sermon that eventually touched on population growth "spinning out of control" and the Industrial Revolution.

"Everything has an up, and everything has a down," he said. "The Industrial Revolution made pretty much a faster way to get around and took horses off the streets. But what did we do? We created massive pollution, which started global warming, and we're burning through fossil fuels like crazy."

His conclusion, though, was surprisingly sunny: "People can change the world, but they just need the courage to do it."

There were plenty more worries weighing on the bright, diverse group of students patiently sharing their thoughts: homelessness, oil prices, and most especially, pollution. And, for a generation raised on and by electronic devices, they seemed pretty fatalistic about technology's toll on society: people will stop hiking and playing in parks and doing anything physical outside. They won't notice the world falling apart around them, because they'll be staring at a screen.

Sometimes, the predictions mimicked literature or film.

"When I think of the future, I think of the Lorax," said Yana Zabarov, in her pigtails and dimples. "All the trees will start disappearing, and animals will start dying."

"You think that's going to happen here in Houston?" I asked.

"Yeah," she said.

"Then we will die if all the trees die, because we'll have no oxygen," Jacob Cloer chimed in.

"We wouldn't be around to tell," said Savannah Golden grimly.

"That's why Pablo wanted to plant trees!" another classmate intervened, offering a political solution to our slump into dystopian hopelessness.

Pablo Ramirez, sitting a table away, was running for student government on a platform that includes tree-planting. The candidate himself was generally more optimistic than his peers, explaining that solar power, electric cars and coalitions of concerned citizens will cure much of what ails Houston.

By show of hands, it appeared most kids didn't plan on living in Houston when they grew up, either because of the weather or because they found it boring or because they wanted to live in their parents' hometown or country.

When I asked the last class, with a roster of 27 students, how many thought Houston's future would be better in 20 years than it is today, I counted five hands.

"Everybody look at those people," I said, torn between comedy and consolation. "Those are your optimists. You're having a bad day? You go up to those people, and they'll make you feel better."

By nature, children are supposed to be optimists. But I left that elementary feeling a bit like I'd just visited a nursing home.

I didn't know if I should be proud of those students for being so aware of the problems facing our world or devastated that so few believed they had the power to change things.

We, and generations before us, made these wars, bought these guns, dirtied this air, jammed these freeways, and accumulated this debt.

Now we want our children to clean up the mess. That pressure is bound to lead to anxiety and resignation.

I don't think the answer is turning off the TV news, or skipping the chapter on greenhouse gases. But we shouldn't forget to emphasize the progress, and the people who did in fact make things better for the next generation. Those kids need to hear about what Terry Hershey did for nature, how the Rev. Bill Lawson and Barbara Jordan fought for civil rights, how James A. Baker and George H.W. Bush embraced civility and "a thousand points of light" and what medical pioneers like Jim Allison over at M.D. Anderson are doing today.

All parents want for their children a world, a life, better than what we had. We can't let that notion become as fanciful as a flying car. In the "city that could," we have to remind children that they still can.
Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

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

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The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully

The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces

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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
A Houston research team has uncovered a possible treatment for severe brain injuries that could dramatically improve the outlook for tens of thousands of trauma patients  from those injured on Houston highways, to soldiers wounded on faraway battlefields.

About 275,000 people across the country each year are wheeled into emergency rooms with severe traumatic brain injuries; about a fourth don't survive. Those who do often suffer permanent disabilities, in part because swelling in the brain in the days and weeks after the injury cuts off blood flow, killing neurons.

In a new clinical trial conducted at Memorial Hermann Hospital, researchers from UTHealth have shown it's possible to reduce brain inflammation by harvesting stem cells from a trauma patient's bone marrow and re-infusing them into the bloodstream within 48 hours of injury. The results are promising, said Dr. Charles Cox, who's been working on the experimental treatment for more than 15 years.

His cell therapy is "not a miracle cure," Cox said, and it probably wouldn't save those who suffer the most severe head injuries.

"I'm talking about the difference between someone who recovers to the point that they can take care of themselves, and someone who is totally dependent on someone else for even simple tasks, like using the bathroom and bathing," said Cox, a professor of pediatric surgery at UTHealth and co-director of the Red Duke Trauma Institute at Memorial Hermann. "That's a dramatic difference."

Cox and his team previously demonstrated the safety and potential effectiveness of the treatment in a clinical trial of children. In a paper published Monday in the Stem Cells journal, the researchers reported they'd confirmed those findings in a study of 25 adults, paving the way for a far more rigorous clinical trial now underway.

The therapy works by "down regulating" the inflammatory response to a head injury, Cox said. Swelling is a normal and important part of the body's response to any physical trauma.

"That's fine when it's your ankle," Cox said. "The problem is your brain is encased in a hard bony case  the skull  that doesn't allow for much expansion. So inflammation there results in increased pressure, and if it rises high enough, it inhibits blood flow to the brain."

Head trauma resulting from falls onto pavement is the most common injury treated at Houston's overcrowded trauma centers. There's no effective treatment now to limit swelling in the brains of those patients.

The U.S. Department of Defense also has interest in the work; the treatment could revolutionize the ability of soldiers to recover after surviving bomb blasts and other head injuries.

The Pentagon recently gave Cox $6.8 million to continue the research.

"This could be a game changer," he said.
With seven historic districts, the Heights is a neighborhood that still offers a glimpse into the city's history.

Widely considered Houston's first planned community, it was founded in 1896 as its own city with an independent jail, hospital and city hall. Founders Oscar Martin Carter and Daniel Denton Cooley, principles of the Omaha and South Texas Land Company, purchased more than 1,700 acres in 1891.

They were drawn to the area because it was elevated, which meant fewer mosquitoes in a time when yellow fever and cholera were rampant. It was also not far from downtown, so residents could access the streetcar system to commute to work.

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The former city was annexed to the City of Houston in 1918 because Heights schools needed more funding. Annexation allowed the municipality to access a wider tax base.

RELATED: Houston historic Greater Heights homes built 1908-1922

Annexation was approved on the condition the area remains dry, an ordinance that was passed in 1912. Prohibition was passed just eight years later but was repealed in 1933, though the Heights remains dry to this day. Restaurants and bars implemented creative solutions to get around the ordinance, including starting private clubs. Appropriate age verification and a signature is enough for patrons to have a drink  as long as the establishment also serves food, and as long as drinks are only served during food service hours.

SEE ALSO: How Montrose became Montrose

Now, many locals are saying the law is antiquated and should be overturned. This election, there's a referendum on the ballot that would lift the alcohol ban. This would not repeal the 1912 ordinance, but would allow stores in the area, including grocers, to sell beer and wine. A major proponent for the "dampening" of the area, in addition to the Houston Heights Beverage Coalition, is H-E-B, which has a wide selection of alcoholic beverages at its other locations. A location is set to open at 23rd Street and North Shepherd, where Fiesta once stood. H-E-B Houston president Scott McClelland is urging voters to support a lift on the ban. You can delve into the neighborhood's sentiments both for, and against the ballot at houstonchronicle.com.

One characteristic of the area that most locals wish hadn't changed is the cost of homes in the area. Once known as a more affordable place to buy and still be close to the city center, homes in the area are now among the priciest in Houston. While the real estate market skyrocketed, the area's also seen the opening of several acclaimed restaurants.

Despite the rise of sophisticated new establishments in the area, the Heights retains its vintage vibe with midcentury buildings on 19th street, quirky businesses and rows of Queen Anne and Craftsman-style homes.

Scroll through the gallery above for a look at how the Heights neighborhood has changed over the years.
This is my last column until after the election, so I'd like to address the people least likely to read it: Donald Trump voters. Who knows? Maybe I'll get lucky and a few of them will buy fish wrapped in this column, and they'll accidentally peruse it! Desperate times call for desperate measures.

While I've opposed the Trump candidacy from the start, I've never disparaged Trump voters. Some are friends and neighbors; they're all fellow Americans. We should take their concerns seriously. But we should also demand that they be serious, that they draw distinctions between these two presidential candidates.

Yes, Hillary Clinton is a flawed leader - but in the way so many presidents were. We know her flaws: She has a weakness for secrecy, occasionally fudges truths, has fawning aides and has a husband who lacks discipline when it comes to moneymaking and women. But she is not indecent, and that is an important distinction. And she's studious, has sought out people of substance on every issue and has taken the job of running for president seriously.

Trump is not only a flawed politician, he's an indecent human being. He's boasted of assaulting women - prompting 11 to come forward to testify that he did just that to them; his defense is that he could not have assaulted these women because they weren't pretty enough.

He's created a university that was charged with defrauding its students. He's been charged with discriminating against racial minorities in his rental properties. He's stiffed countless vendors, from piano sellers to major contractors. He's refused to disclose his tax returns because they likely reveal that he's paid no federal taxes for years, is in bed with dodgy financiers and doesn't give like he says to charity.

He's compared the sacrifice of parents of a soldier killed in Iraq to his "sacrifice" of building tall buildings. He's vowed, if elected, to prosecute his campaign rival.

We have never seen such behaviors in a presidential candidate.

At the same time, Trump has shown no ability to talk about any policy issue with any depth. Harlan Coben's debate-night tweet last month had it right: "On Aleppo he sounds like a fifth-grader giving a book report on a book he never read."

I understand why many Trump supporters have lost faith in Washington and want to just "shake things up." When you shake things up with a studied plan and a clear idea of where you want to get to, you can open new futures. But when you shake things up, guided by one-liners and no moral compass, you can cause enormous instability and systemic vertigo.

But there is an even more important reason that Trump supporters, particularly less-educated white males, should be wary of his bluster: His policies won't help them. Trump promises to bring their jobs back. But most of their jobs didn't go to a Mexican. They went to a microchip.

The idea that large numbers of manual factory jobs can be returned to America if we put up a wall with Mexico or renegotiate our trade deals is a fantasy. Trump ignores the fact that manufacturing is still by far the largest sector of the U.S. economy. Indeed, our factories now produce twice what they did in 1984 - but with one-third fewer workers.

Trump can't change that. Machines and software will keep devouring, and spawning, more work of all kinds. No one knows for certain how we deal with this new race with and against machines, but I can assure you it's not Trump's way - build walls, restrict trade, give huge tax cuts to the rich.

The smartest thing we can do now is to keep our economy as open and flexible as possible - to get the change signals first and be able to quickly adapt; create the opportunity for every American to engage in lifelong learning, because whatever jobs emerge will require more knowledge; make sure that learning stresses as much of the humanities and human interactive skills as hard sciences; make sure we have an immigration policy that continues to attract the world's most imaginative risk-takers; and strengthen our safety nets, because this era will leave more people behind.

This is the only true path to American greatness in the 21st century. Trump wants to make America great in ways that are just not available anymore. "What do we have to lose" by trying his way? Trump asks. The answer is: everything that actually makes us great. When the world gets this fast, small errors in navigation have huge consequences.

While Clinton has failed to inspire, her instincts and ideas will keep us hewing to basically the right course. And however great her flaws, she is still in the zone of human decency. Trump is not.

We can never be great as a country with a president with the warped values of Donald Trump. I pray that in the end at least some Trump voters, my fellow Americans, will see that.
As residents across the Houston area decide which candidates theyll cast ballots for on Tuesday, schools that serve as polling places are preparing for an influx of voters on Tuesday.

Nearly 500 schools  or about half of all polling places - in Harris County will double as polling locations on Election Day. Some districts, including the Clear Creek, Klein and Spring school districts, made Tuesday a student holiday. Other districts, such as the Pasadena and Cy-Fair school districts, have modified entryways and exits to avoid traffic jams of voters and parents picking their students up.

While most of the districts that made Election Day a student holiday did so months in advance, some say the tenor of this presidential election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, coupled with a voter turnout expected to shatter records, reinforced their decisions to have pupils stay home that day.

Sheleah Reed, a spokeswoman for the Spring ISD, said this is the first year that the district will treat Election Day as a student holiday.

Were thankful to have it be a student holiday because so many of our schools are polling sites, Reed said. Whether the Presidential race was between two other people or these two people, the increase in voters and notion around it made it a good decision so our kids wont have to worry, (and) our principal wont have to worry about lines or which entries to use.

But with the divisiveness surrounding the 2016 race, Reed said its like an extra pat on the back that we made the right decision.

Around the county, some school districts have cited the acrimonious tone and occasional altercations arising from the 2016 campaign as reasons to shutter schools for students on Election Day.

USA Today reported that the school board in Lorain, Ohio, voted in August to cancel classes. Erin Gadd, a district spokeswoman, told the newspaper that emotions are running high during this presidential election and that the tenor of the campaign did inform the decision."

In Montclair, N.J., the school board voted earlier this month to close schools on Nov. 8 after the districts superintendent was inundated with phone calls and e-mails from parents concerned about the possibility of Election Day tensions, according to USA Today. Classes have also been cancelled in districts in Illinois, Maine, Nebraska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
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A man accused of murdering his wife in Atascocita was formerly a high-ranking police commander in a Mexican border state that has for years been wracked by drug-cartel violence and corruption that has pushed people from both sides of the law to seek refuge in Texas.

As head of police operations for the state of Tamaulipas, which hugs deep South Texas, Rogelio Homero Flores had ties to disgraced former governor Eugenio Hernandez, who remains a fugitive from corruption charges filed by federal prosecutors in Corpus Christi.

The current Tamaulipas state police administration Wednesday confirmed Flores' former post, from about 2005 to 2010, and noted he had nothing to due with the current leadership.

RELATED: Case called 'a real tragedy'

Flores,55, is expected to be extradited back to Harris County as soon as Friday after being arrested Monday near Victoria.

He was driving his pearl-colored Cadillac SUV along U.S. 59 and was headed south, according to officials.

The case began when Flores' brother called 911 to say Flores had called him and said he just shot his own wife at the couple's home. He also said that he had their 12-year-old son, and was headed to Mexico.

Harris County sheriff's deputies soon pushed open the locked door to the home on Fire Sage Drive, where they found Silvia Munoz Vazquez's body and sent out an alert for officers along the route to Mexico to be on the look out.

Munoz Vasquez, 35, had been shot with a handgun.

Deputy Thomas Gilliland, of the Harris County Sheriff's Office, praised sheriff's deputies in Victoria for capturing Flores within hours without a shot being fired or anyone being harmed.

Multiple officers descended on Flores and ordered him to step out of the car and lie on the ground.

"Our most paramount thing was the safety of this 12-year-old," Gilliland said.

The couple had a history of arguments loud enough for neighbors to hear, said Gilliland, but there was no known record of physical violence.

Following his arrest, Flores claimed to be a U.S. citizen who was working as a truck driver.

While Flores remains in custody, his wife's family back in Tamaulipas was working Wednesday on getting her body back to Mexico.

"This is the most difficult thing a person can live through," said her mother, who is also named Silvia Vasquez.

Mike Vigil, a retired chief of international operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration, said that Flores would have been in a tough spot as a state police boss because of endemic corruption.

"I personally look at the Mexican state police as nothing more than criminal organizations that extort money, commit murders and engage in transportation and distribution of drugs," said Vigil, author of the recently published novel, "Metal Coffins," about cartel treachery south of the border.

"A lot of these corrupt police officers and politicians, if they fall in line with one cartel, they can be killed by a rival cartel to eliminate any protection they provide," Vigil said. "It is a tight rope they have to walk, a very precarious tightrope."

Former Gov. Eugenio Hernandez was indicted last year for his alleged role in a scheme to hide bribes paid by cartel figures who sought to operate freely in Tamaulipas.

Hernandez's predecessor, Tomas Yarrington Ruvalcaba, is also a fugitive from charges in the United States. He was indicted by federal authorities in Brownsville for racketeering, money laundering and drug trafficking.
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Democratic presidential primary voters outnumbered their Republican counterparts at Harris County's polls last week, potentially providing Hillary Clinton and down-ballot Democrats a vote cushion heading into Election Day.

More than a quarter of Harris County's 2.2 million registered voters cast a ballot in-person or by mail last week, a 36 percent increase from 2012 and part of a statewide surge in early voting.

Roughly 36 percent of those voters participated in at least one of the last three Democratic presidential primaries, a Houston Chronicle analysis of voter history shows, while 32 percent voted in at least one of the last three Republican presidential primaries. Another 19 percent only had general election voting history, and 14 percent had no Harris County voting history in recent presidential election years.

Political scientists said that split indicates last week's uptick in early voting was attributable more to partisan urgency than it was to a flood of new voters.

"We're seeing many of the most active partisans come out earlier than normal," Rice University political scientist Mark Jones said. "There are some new voters, as we would expect based on overall population growth. But we're not seeing a dramatic groundswell of turnout from people who either were registered and didn't vote in the past or (registered recently)."

University of Houston political scientist Brandon Rottinghaus agreed.

"It seems to me that this election is more about current voters turning out at higher rates than it is about newer voters joining the system," he said.

Texas - which does not register voters by party affiliation - is braced for a closer presidential race than the state has seen in decades, with vast potential consequences in local races.

Here in Harris County, a poll released two weeks ago showed Clinton leading Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump by 7 percentage points.

Harris County Democratic Party chair Lane Lewis said turnout during the first week of early voting encouraged him.

"We feel confident that we're leading, but not much. Not as much as we'd like," Lewis said. "I'd like a four-point lead, five-point lead, and I think we're probably sitting around a two-point lead. So that's not enough to call the ballgame."

Staying red?

Paul Simpson, Harris County's Republican Party chair, pushed back.

"Republicans are surging in a record turnout through early voting, with Republican primary voters outnumbering Democrat voters when analyzed objectively," Simpson said in a statement. "I firmly believe Harris County will remain the largest Republican county in America."

Simpson did not respond to a request for more detail on the Republican Party's analysis of early voting.

Jones, however, said the Chronicle's analysis could potentially undercount voters with Republican primary voting history by not checking whether those who turned out last week cast a ballot in the 2010 or 2014 midterm elections.

Even so, Jones said, "The Democratic base may be a little more enthusiastic than the Republican base about turning out, which doesn't mean that those Republicans aren't going to vote either this week or on Election Day."

Despite Democrats' apparent lead in last week's early voting, the half-dozen precincts with the highest turnout happened to be in conservative areas. Harris County is home to roughly 1,000 precincts.

More than 40 percent of registered voters in Precinct 955 - anchored in The Woodlands' Creekside Park - cast a ballot during the first week of early voting, making the area Harris County's highest-turnout precinct thus far.

About 39 percent of those 2,219 voters have a Republican presidential primary voting history, and just 10 percent have a Democratic presidential primary voting history. A large share - 39 percent - are new voters.

Some find choice tough

Martha and Rick Miranda - who identify as Democrat and Republican, respectively - exemplify the neighborhood's partisan split, but also how this election has complicated traditional political alignments.

She voted straight-ticket Democratic last week, after voting in the March Democratic primary. He voted straight-ticket Republican, except at the top of the ballot, where he switched his vote from Trump to Clinton.

"This is an especially tough election for us - for me," Rick Miranda, 46, said as the couple shopped for groceries. "I really don't care for Hillary. But these are the two options we have.  His whole career, he's stuck it to the little guy."

Martha Miranda, also 46 and a project executive for an oil company, found the choice easier to make.

"I think she's being held to a different standard than most male politicians - all male politicians," she said of Clinton. "To me, it's a lot of unconscious bias."

Turnout may level off

In nearby Northampton, stay-at-home mom Robin Martin is waiting to vote with her daughter on Election Day.

Martin, a 54-year-old Republican, said this election has embarrassed her, but she still plans on voting for Trump.

"I'm going to vote for the guy who's going to fix the plumbing," she said. "I don't care if his butt crack shows. I don't care if he's had three wives."

Looking ahead to the end of early voting and Election Day, Jones said he expects turnout to level off, assuming partisans have indeed come to the polls earlier than usual.

Rottinghaus added that it could be difficult for Republicans to catch Democrats' apparent turnout lead.

"We're always going to give the Democrats an advantage on Election Day, so if they've got a big enough lead going into Election Day, it's going to be hard for Republicans to make up that difference," Rottinghaus said.
Freelance journalist Austin Tice's favorite Converse All-Star sneakers sit near one of his reporter's notebooks in a glass case at the Newseum, an interactive media museum in Washington D.C. The exhibit details the Houston native's kidnapping in Syria four years ago.

Now the museum plans Wednesday to unveil a 24-foot-long banner including a large photo of Tice on its Pennsylvania Avenue facade, to boost public awareness of his continued captivity and urge the U.S. government to keep working for his release.

The banner will remain outside the museum until Tice, 35, returns home, the Newseum said Tuesday. Should Tice remain confined in Syria through January, the next president will drive past the display in the presidential motorcade after inauguration en route to the White House.

"We think it's important in the waning days of the Obama administration that Austin remain a priority for them," Austin's father Marc Tice said in an interview Tuesday. "Having a banner on Pennsylvania Avenue is a great way to have that message very visible."

Tice, a former Marine and Georgetown University law student, was working as a freelance reporter covering the civil conflict in Syria when he was abducted in August 2012. The following month, a video emerged of him blindfolded and being prodded up a hillside by masked militants.

Scant new information is known about Tice's whereabouts. Tice's parents think their son is alive and in "reasonably good health," his father said. Citing "credible sources," the elder Tice said his son is still in Syria and not held by the militant group, the Islamic State.

The U.S. government is making "substantial and continuous efforts" in their son's case, he said. "We're kept well informed and we're encouraging that they continue, unabated, regardless of the election calendar and the campaigns."

Debra Tice, the journalist's mother, will speak during the banner unveiling ceremony, along with the U.S. director of Reporters Without Boarders, a Paris-based media advocacy nonprofit, and the Newseum president.

Newseum spokeswoman Sonya Gavankar said she thought it would be the first time the museum facade would be used to spotlight a captured journalist, though it has in the past been a spot to advocate for journalists' rights.

Reporters Without Borders knows of 23 Syrian journalists and citizen journalists and five foreign journalists, including Tice, who are held hostage or missing in Syria, U.S. Director Delphine Hagland said Tuesday. Nearly 13,000 people have signed an online campaign launched by that group, asking President Barack Obama to "use all available diplomatic means to bring Austin Tice safely home."

To help push for their son's release, Tice's parents have taken five trips to the Middle East and at least 20 to Washington since he was kidnapped. In July, they spoke with Obama in the Oval Office about their son and told the president that they "really, really want Austin home before we have a new president," his father said Tuesday.

In general, negotiations to return captive Americans require governments and families to walk a "very fine line" between "careful private diplomacy and public awareness of the plight of the hostage," said Edward Djerejian, director of Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy and a former U.S. ambassador to Syria from 1988 through 1991.

Negotiations to bring back American hostages, Djerejian said, can take months or years, and he said negotiators and the public must "keep the issue alive both in private and in public."

"There are no quick remedies or quick solutions to these issues," he said, adding that he had no internal knowledge of the Tice case.

Back in Houston, Tice's family has noted the pivotal moments he has missed: graduations, births and his birthdays. The oldest child of seven children, Tice turned 35 in August. He shares a birthday month with a seven-year-old niece and a baby nephew.

"That's one of the most difficult things for us ... knowing how much has happened, how much has changed, since he's been in captivity," his father said.
Armenian Assembly of America committed to demining initiatives in Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh

On October 26, Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Board Member Annie Totah and Executive Director Bryan Ardouny attended the Marshall Legacy Institute's (MLI) 19th Annual Clearing the Path Gala where they met with officers, supporters, and activists dedicated to the K9 Demining Corps Campaign. The Assembly invited guests from the Embassy of Armenia to the United States, including Deputy Chief of Mission Hratchia Taschian, Second Secretary Nazeli Hambardzumyan, and Special Assistant Anita Issagholyan to the event. United States National Security Advisor Ambassador Susan Rice delivered the keynote address and National Public Radio (NPR) News Correspondent Tom Gjelten emceed the event, with presentations from U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Mrs. Diana Enzi, MLI Founder and Chairman General (Ret.) Gordon R. Sullivan, and Embassy of Sri Lanka Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam. "As a beneficiary of the Marshall Legacy Institute's demining project, the Assembly is committed to help with demining initiatives in Armenia, seeking a safer future for our people in the homeland. We appreciate the ongoing support and dedication of MLI, especially the additional six mine detection dogs (MDDs) that were sent to Armenia over the past year," Totah stated. "The accomplishments of the Assembly-sponsored MDDs include clearing landmine areas in Armenia along its border with Azerbaijan, so that more land is released for farming, grazing, for transportation needs, as well as for infrastructure projects," she added. MLI is a non-profit, humanitarian organization founded in 1997 on the 50th Anniversary Year of the Marshall Plan. MLI works to continue the legacy of U.S. statesman George C. Marshall into the 21st century by providing war-torn, landmine-affected countries with the tools and training they need to help rebuild. Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
Touring the Houston science museum's hall of paleontology at my daughter's birthday over the weekend, some of the parents asked for my thoughts on Proposition 1. A few days later, a friend texted with the same question.

I'm ashamed to say my answers were 90 percent gut and 10 percent head.

I hadn't written about the issue, or researched it deeply, but as a Houston Independent School District parent, I'd received the mailers. I knew the district was not-so-subtly urging a "no" vote on a measure to approve sending $162 million to the state, and more in future years, as part of a Robin Hood-style "recapture" rule that requires property-wealthy districts to share with poor ones.

The rule, intended to equalize education funding, was clearly never meant for the state's biggest school district - with nearly 80 percent of students economically disadvantaged and one-third learning English. The fact that rising property values technically qualified HISD for recapture made me frustrated. The law needs an overhaul. And I was encouraged months ago when Texas House Speaker Joe Straus ordered an interim legislative committee to study the issue, specifically referencing HISD.

So, I reasoned, I'll just vote "no" and give the Legislature responsible for this warped system a little more time to fix it. Others echoed this idea, including the Chronicle's editorial board and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, a longtime state representative who filmed a TV ad urging voters to turn down the measure, suggesting the move would force lawmakers to act.

But the questions at the birthday party provoked my curiosity. I started Googling and re-reading coverage more closely.

Then I called HISD trustee Anna Eastman. I had heard her position had evolved, and I wanted to know why.

"My gut originally was: 'No way. Come and take it,' " she told me, explaining that she'd planned to vote "no." But studying the consequences made her see another side - voting the measure down is a risky move that could lead to an even bigger financial loss for HISD and saddle taxpayers with a small tax hike.

You see, the ballot measure isn't really about voters approving whether to send HISD's money to the state - at this point, we have no choice.

If the measure fails, the education commissioner would assign the most expensive commercial property to be taxed by a poor district. It's property HISD would never get back.

"Why would we relinquish our property, which are some of our biggest revenue streams? That seems to be short-sighted," Eastman said.

Voters changing minds

Former state Rep. Scott Hochberg, a longtime expert on school finance, expressed the same concern in a persuasive op-ed in the Chronicle.

"Voting 'no' is like giving away your garage to avoid paying property taxes on your house," he wrote. "That's why no district in the state has ever chosen the option of having property removed instead of sending a check. It's a bad deal."

As Chronicle education reporter Ericka Mellon has reported, under that scenario, HISD would lose an estimated $30 million more next year, on top of the $162 million due to the state, because the district wouldn't be able to tax the detached property to pay down debt.

That could lead to a small tax rate hike for homeowners and the remaining commercial owners, a fact state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, said Tuesday he has begun including in his campaign-funded robo calls to voters. He said when people find out a "no" vote could raise their taxes, they change their minds.

"Everybody needs to know that regardless of whether they think recapture is good or bad, this is the law and that's what you're stuck with," Bettencourt said.

Tight state budget

That's the same conclusion Eastman reached. She's urging people to vote "yes" on Proposition 1, much to the chagrin of some Facebook friends, one of whom compared her to Donald Trump when she expressed concern over the economic impact of a "no" vote.

Her other reasons make sense, too. Voting "no" could send a message to lawmakers, but that message may not inspire action. Fixing the problem means more adequately funding education, something our lawmakers haven't shown a willingness to do. They still haven't restored the more than $5 billion cut in 2011.

Maybe the mayor knows something we don't about lawmakers' plans, but legislative leaders are already warning about a tight budget situation when the next session begins in January. And Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has made it clear that vouchers are his top educational priority.

A separate strategy promoted by some, that recapture could be addressed in the courts, seems even more of a long shot.

Eastman is concerned that she hasn't seen HISD develop a strong game plan to address recapture. Also, she notes, HISD could lose its ability to lock arms with other districts, such as Austin, that have been paying recapture for years without a fight.

"I don't think voting 'yes' means we just walk away and accept things, the status quo," Eastman said. "We have to keep pressuring Austin to adequately fund public education in Texas and in Houston."

That means taking aim at bad policies by calling and writing our lawmakers, not shooting ourselves in the foot.

The true cost

Look, many of us are outraged by the way Texas funds education. It has never come close to providing the actual cost of educating low-income students and those learning English. As Hochberg notes, in the 1980s, funding for those groups was intentionally set at half of what data showed was needed, as "a start," and 30 years later, it hasn't budged.

If Texas recognized the true cost of educating the students HISD serves, the district wouldn't be considered "rich" anymore.

We desperately need reform, but voting against Proposition 1 isn't likely to get us there.

There's no good vote on this one, folks. Let's not make things worse.
A Houston woman is facing criminal charges after allegedly blackmailing her ex-husband with a sex tape he made with his mistress.

According to court documents filed in Harris County District Court, Leslie Amanda Hippensteel faces a misdemeanor charge of unlawful disclosure of intimate visual material.

The documents state Hippensteel discovered sex tapes her husband John Ousley and his mistress. Ousley told police that Hippensteel called him on Jan. 28 and said she would send the recordings to his employer at Houston Christian High School if he did not give her money.

Ousley showed police bank records that he transferred money to Hippensteel's account and made cash withdrawals totaling $7,812.21.

After getting paid, Hippensteel sent the sex tape to Saul Eisenberg, who was going through a custody battle with Ousley's mistress, according to court records. Eisenberg confirmed in a deposition that he received the recordings from Hippensteel around Feb. 2. Eisenberg said he forwarded the recordings to his mother and step-father.

The court documents state Hippensteel created a fake email account with her ex-husband's name and uploaded the recordings to Pornhub.com on Feb. 15. Ousley said he never created or used the email account Hippensteel used to upload the recordings.

Around the same time, Hippensteel also sent the recordings to Houston Christian High School by email. Ousley resigned from his job after he was confronted about the recordings.

Hippensteel and Ousley divorced on Oct. 5, according to court documents.

Eisenberg also faces a misdemeanor charge of unlawful disclosure of intimate visual material.
Authorities in Central Texas say a 20-year-old Texas State University student found dead in Martindale had the previous night been dragged at least 500 feet by a bus with mechanical issues.

Jordin Taylor, a freshman from Burleson, was found dead in the 600 block of Dupuy Ranch Road near Cool River Ranch, a tubing and music venue near the San Marcos River, on Oct. 29. The previous night, Guadalupe County Sheriff Arnold Zwicke said, there was a fraternity party held at Cool River Ranch.

Zwicke said in a news release that around 11:15 p.m., one of the shuttle buses used to haul tubers to and from the river lost its air-braking system, causing the driver to leave the vehicle where it had stopped. Taylor's body was found about 12 hours later.

"This is the bus the female was discovered under the next day when the mechanic arrived at Cool River Ranch to fix the bus's air braking system," Zwicke said. "The investigation further revealed that the female somehow came into contact with the bus and was (dragged) over 500 feet."

The sheriff said Taylor's cause of death was "consistent with being stuck and dragged by the bus" and "appears to be an accident."

Although Zwicke asserted that a fraternity party was held at Cool River Ranch the night before Taylor's body was discovered, it hadn't been confirmed by officials that the fraternity party was hosted by a Texas State chapter.

Texas State's Greek Affairs referred questions to university spokesman Matt Flores, who told mySA.com, "The matter remains under investigation by the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office. I can't provide any other details."

Flores confirmed Taylor was a freshman at the university and a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. According to her Facebook page, she graduated from Centennial High School in North Texas in 2015.

Cool River Ranch did not immediately respond for comment.
BAZWAYA, Iraq - Despite suicide attacks, snipers and roadside bombs, Iraqi commandos swept into the eastern edge of Mosul on Tuesday, setting foot in the city for the first time since it was seized by Islamic State militants more than two years ago.

It was a rapid and symbolic incursion into the northern Iraqi city at the heart of the militant group's self-proclaimed "caliphate." But bringing the fight into Mosul's limits does not change the overall challenges facing Iraqi troops trying to oust the militants from their last major stronghold in Iraq. Ahead lie booby-trapped defense lines, networks of tunnels and neighborhoods packed with civilians.

Explosions and heavy exchanges of gunfire could be heard from Mosul's Gogjali district as Iraq's elite counterterrorism forces battled to retake it Tuesday. Jets streaked overhead.

Civilians as human shields

Iraqi commanders and U.S. officials say they can only guess how hard the militants will fight for the city, the most populous that the Islamic State controls.

While it is central to the group's state-building aspirations, it is also a prize that the militants appear likely to lose. Tens of thousands of Iraqi and Kurdish troops have closed in since the launch of an ambitious offensive just over two weeks ago, backed by air and artillery strikes by a U.S.-led coalition.

More than 1 million civilians are said to remain in Mosul, and the militants have kidnapped the populations of entire villages on the city's outskirts to use as human shields, according to those who have escaped.

"There was desperate resistance by the enemy," said Lt. Gen. Abdelwahab al-Saedi, a commander with Iraq's counterterrorism forces. By the end of the day, Gogjali had largely been secured, although mines, explosives and some "pockets" of resistance were still being cleared, he said.

The elite forces were building on their momentum and moving deeper into Mosul, fighting on the edge of neighborhoods farther east, he added. The 9th Armored Division of the Iraqi army also said it had reached the city's edge.

The speed of the gains, however, appeared to come at the expense of thorough operations to secure and clear territory as government forces advanced.

The elite Iraqi troops are making a sharp push into Mosul from the east. But forces on other fronts remain farther away, exposing advancing troops to attack from their flanks. The militants' extensive networks of tunnels allows them to evade airstrikes and launch surprise attacks.

Gaps in control remain

On the outskirts of the village of Bazwaya - about four miles east of Tuesday's main clashes - the crack of gunfire sent journalists and Iraqi forces running for cover. "Enemy fire!" shouted one soldier, as bullets pinged off the metal shutters of a deserted row of shops where they had been camped out.

The troops fired back with machine guns and later said they found and killed three armed militants holed up in a building in the village.

"There are still sleeper cells around in the villages," said one Iraqi captain who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to address the media. "There are some gaps in our control, and they are using their tunnels."

Earlier in the day, the militants sent a military vehicle packed with explosives to the village, leaving a gaping crater in the road. The sand-colored Humvee was flying the Iraqi flag in an attempt to look like a friendly Iraqi army vehicle, soldiers said.

"We knew it was the enemy as there are only counterterrorism forces here," said 1st Lt. Baraa al-Sultani, noting that Humvees used by the elite forces are black. "We opened fire."

With a fragile grip on some of the territory behind them, Lt. Gen. Abdul Ghani al-Asadi, commander of the counterterrorism units, said he would meet with army and tribal fighters later Tuesday to seek an agreement on sending forces to hold the ground as the elite units progress.

"We are going to advance farther, so we don't want to be exposed," he said.

'We have grave concerns'

So far, many of the areas retaken by Iraqi forces have been largely empty of civilians. Iraqi forces say their advance may slow as they near heavily populated areas of the city. An overwhelming humanitarian crisis is feared if Mosul residents flee en masse, and civilians have been advised to stay in their homes.

But many inevitably are uprooted during the conflict, and some have been forced into the city at gunpoint by the militants. In the early hours of Tuesday, the Islamic State brought dozens of trucks and buses to attempt to transfer 25,000 civilians from the village of Hamam al-Ali into Mosul to use as human shields, the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said.

"We have grave concerns for the safety of these and the tens of thousands of other civilians who have reportedly been forcibly relocated by (the Islamic State) in the past two weeks," said spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani.

On the main road to the front lines, small convoys of civilians could be seen leaving the surrounding area, holding white flags out of their car windows as they drove. Shepherds waving white flags herded their livestock out, as vehicles of the Iraqi elite forces sped in the other direction.

Inside Mosul, civilians were staying inside, according to Iraqis in touch with relatives there.

"They can hear the clashes and shooting and feel that the security forces are very close," said one former Mosul resident who fled two years ago.
UNITED NATIONS - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon fired the commander of the peacekeeping force in South Sudan on Tuesday after an independent investigation sharply criticized the military response to deadly attacks in July on a U.N. compound housing 27,000 displaced people.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric announced the dismissal of Kenyan Lt. Gen. Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki shortly after the executive summary of the investigators' report was released, saying the U.N. chief was "deeply distressed" by the findings.

The report also criticized the U.N. mission and its peacekeepers for failing to respond to an attack on the Terrain Camp, a private compound just over half a mile away where U.N. staff, aid workers and local staff were robbed, beaten, raped and killed by armed government soldiers.

South Sudan, the world's youngest country, has been riven by ethnic violence since shortly after gaining its independence from Sudan in 2011. Civil war broke out in 2013 when government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, battled rebels led by his former vice president Riek Machar, who is a Nuer. A peace agreement was signed in August 2015, but the fighting, which has left tens of thousands dead and more than 2 million displaced, continues.

The report summary said that during July's crisis in the capital, Juba, "government and opposition forces fired indiscriminately, striking U.N. facilities and (civilian protection) sites." A confidential U.N. report obtained by the Associated Press in September said Kiir and senior members in his government directed the fighting and had significant command and control over their forces.

Among the targets were the U.N. peacekeeping base known as UN House and the adjacent camp where some 27,000 displaced civilians, who are Nuer, had sought safety and the Terrain Camp.

The report said "a lack of leadership on the part of key senior mission personnel culminated in a chaotic and ineffective response to the violence" at UN House and the compound for displaced civilians.

"The force did not operate under a unified command, resulting in multiple and sometimes conflicting orders to the four troop contingents from China, Ethiopia, Nepal and India, and ultimately underusing the more than 1,800 infantry troops at UN House," it said.

In three days of fighting in July, at least 73 people were killed including more than 20 internally displaced people who had sought U.N. protection. Two Chinese peacekeepers were among those killed and several were wounded; 182 buildings on the UN House compound were struck by bullets, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades, and thousands of internally displaced people fled into UN House, the report said.

The report said confusing senior leadership of the peacekeeping force and the lack of leadership on the ground, where the Chinese battalion commander had been appointed as the incident commander, "contributed to incidents of poor performance among the military and police contingents at UN House."

This included "at least two instances in which the Chinese battalion abandoned some of its defensive positions" and an "inadequate" performance by Nepalese police to stop looting inside UN House by some displaced people and control the crowd, it said.
George P. Bush says he's the only member of his powerful political family who will be voting straight-ticket Republican and says his grandfather and uncle, both former presidents, could "potentially" cast ballots for Hillary Clinton.

Bush was addressing a small Republican rally in San Marcos Tuesday night.

He was pressed later by The Associated Press to clarify his remarks. He said then of George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush: "I don't know how they voted. I'm speculating, to be honest."

Asked if either could vote for Clinton, Bush answered: "Potentially. But hard to speculate."

Bush is Texas' land commissioner. His father, Jeb, is the former Florida governor who was defeated by Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primary.
A day after election officials were reminded to tell voters they could cast ballots if they do not have photo identification, poll workers across Harris County on Tuesday still were giving incomplete instructions to voters waiting in line.

A federal judge ordered the state to dilute Texas' stringent voter ID law to offer citizens without government-issued identifications - about 600,000 people, many of them minorities - the chance to cast ballots using alternative forms of identification.

The judge's order followed a ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year that Texas' voter ID law violated federal ballot-box protections for minorities.

Under the watered-down provisions - implemented for the November election only - a voter may cast a ballot after signing a declaration explaining the "reasonable impediment" that prevented him from getting a photo ID, such as a lack of transportation, disability or work schedule. The "declaration" voters must present an supporting identifying document, such as a birth certificate, bank statement or utility bill.

Election clerks at polling places across Harris County on Tuesday, however, still were greeting voters with the familiar welcome: "Have your photo IDs ready."

Election clerks said the vast majority of voters pull out driver's licenses or one of the six other acceptable identifications allowable under Texas' Voter ID law, including passports and concealed handgun licenses.

Ballot-access advocates worry that poll workers could be discouraging some voters with the instruction to pull out their photo IDs without mentioning the alternatives, as they were Tuesday at polling locations in Spring Branch, the Hobby Airport area and at Prairie View A&M University's Northwest campus, according to on-site reporting guided by tips from ProPublica's Electionland project.

That instruction may not violate the letter of the law, but county and state officials have said it is incomplete. The county clerk's director of logistics and training, Judy Owens, sent a memo to the election judges who oversee the polling locations on Monday, clarifying the proper language.

"We have received a number of complaints regarding the language that the greeters are using in the polling locations," Owens wrote. "Please have your greeters state the following: 'Please have your identification ready for the qualifying table. If you have any questions about the necessary identification, please ask me.' "

Last week, the Texas Secretary of State's office reminded the county officials who directly administer voting that greeters' instructions should mention not just photo ID but also the alternative route.

325 hotline reports

In an email Thursday, elections director Keith Ingram wrote, "Please inform your poll workers, and especially greeters, that any verbal instructions in line aimed at preparing voters for voter processing should explain that voters possessing a photo ID should have it ready, and voters not possessing a photo ID and not reasonably able to obtain one should have a supporting document ready in order to execute a reasonable impediment declaration."

Secretary of State Carlos Cascos, said Monday that while he had kept up with issues reported across the state, there had been "nothing that I can say, 'Oh my God, there's really something going on here.' "

Speaking with reporters after addressing about 50 students at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Cascos said, "Our role is making sure every qualified Texan is able to cast a ballot."

He added: "I think we've done everything humanly possible in order to make sure every election office in the state of Texas has the information and the tools necessary."

Last week, a coalition of civil rights groups said their hotline had received about 325 reports, many about inaccurate information and potential intimidation, in the first few days of early voting across Texas.

On Friday, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund sued Bexar County for its outdated voter ID information, including posters, website materials and a recorded message. The county agreed to a temporary restraining order.

In Harris County on Tuesday, a ballot-access advocate said voters and poll workers still seemed unclear about ID requirements.

"There's just so much confusion, which is driving a lot of the problems out there," said ACLU of Texas staff attorney Satinder Singh. "This was the problem with the voter ID law in the first place."

Singh said the issue seemed to be more one of poll-worker misinformation than an attempt at voter intimidation.

"We've had people calling on behalf of others saying that poll workers were demanding photo IDs," Singh said. "Once again, that seems to be the state's fault.  That perhaps speaks to Texas' failings in advertising this new reasonable-impediment requirement."

Early voting poll workers tend to be the most experienced, the lawyer added. "So, if they're having some issues with it, then Election Day is going to be kind of a nightmare, unfortunately."

Penalty of perjury

Chad Dunn, a leading plaintiff's attorneys in the case that led to the federal rulings, said the court-ordered compromise approach "is in some places intentionally mishandled and in other places accidentally mishandled."

"One of the key issues we'll be looking at after the election is whether this process can be salvaged and, if so, what substantial reforms are still needed," he said.

Beyond the greeting, poll workers' behavior varied widely from location to location.

Bernhard Okruhlik, the election judge overseeing the Champion Forest Baptist Church location, said he reminds people signing the declaration they are signing "under penalty of perjury," as the form states in its first paragraph. Okruhlik said after he mentioned that, some people decide not to fill out the form and leave without casting a ballot.

Singh said "that specific behavior was what the (5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals) was worried about" when it prohibited election officials from inquiring to a voter's specific impediment. Pointing out potential criminal penalties of committing voter fraud is a form of harassment and intimidation, Singh said.

Poll workers are instructed to tell voters to review the form, which Okruhlik said is why he points out the language about perjury.

Alicia Pierce, the Director of Communications for the Texas Secretary of State, said such a comment reasonably could fall under the instruction to review the form.

However, Harris County Clerk Communications Director Hector DeLeon said poll workers were not instructed to mention the penalty.

"I don't know what the clerk was thinking," DeLeon said. "What we do know is what we told them to be doing. They need to just do their job as instructed, and that's it."

David Saleh Rauf contributed to this story.

The Houston Chronicle is participating in Electionland, a ProPublica project that will cover access to the ballot and problems that prevent people from exercising their right to vote during the 2016 election.

Sign up with us now - by texting ELECTIONLAND to 69866 - and we will check in on Election Day to find out how long it took you to vote and whether you had or saw any problems.


AUSTIN - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller first blamed a hacker and then a staffer before deleting a tweet Tuesday that used a vulgar term for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, igniting a social media firestorm of condemnation from all political corners, including a rebuke from Gov. Greg Abbott.

Miller said a staff member on his campaign team copied and pasted a tweet from another Twitter account, but missed the reference to Clinton as a "c--t."

"We screwed that. We made a mistake," Miller said by phone late Tuesday.

He said his staffer did not read the message closely before posting the tweet. He said his team took it down when they realized what it said. By that time, however, the tweet already had been noted and screen-shot by political reporters who retweeted it across the country.

"It's disrespectful and not something I would want my name attached to. We apologize for that," Miller said.

Miller, a Republican and avid Trump supporter, added the tweet "was not done maliciously" and the staffer "has been dealt with," but declined to go into further detail.

The tweet referenced a Pennsylvania poll from the New Auto Alliance, and read: "Trump 44, C--t 43. Go Trump Go!"

An account with an anonymous identity tweeted a similar message to Miller's four minutes before his went out.

Texas Democrats pounced, using it in a fundraising pitch less than an hour after the tweet was posted.

"It's not about one tweet," said Crystal K. Perkins, executive director of the Texas Democratic Party. "It's about a consistent pattern where the Republican Party fails to show even the most basic sense of human decency."

Abbott blasted Miller for the tweet, calling it "reprehensible" and "an embarrassment" to the Lone Star State.

"No true Texas gentleman would ever talk this way," Abbott said in a statement.

As the genesis of the tweet unfolded on Twitter, it sparked criticism on social media of Miller who has found himself immersed in controversy since he first took the office in 2015.

Coarse discourse

Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, said he hoped the tweet was the work of a hacker: "This better be the case. If not, it is outrageous and has no place in our public discourse."

Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, tweeted, "Deserve each other: Sid Miller calls woman c-word/ Trump say grab em by the p-word."

Tuesday's tweet taps into the sometimes coarse nature of the political discourse in this year's presidential election that has included Trump calling Clinton a "nasty woman" and revelations he bragged about grabbing a woman by the genitals.

"When you have Republican office holders using that kind of language, it's very misogynistic," said Rep. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place. "It's definitely damaging to the Republican Party in general, speaking about women that way or a particular woman, Hillary Clinton, that way. It does nothing to promote conservative principles at all, and it alienates Republican women, as well as independent women. It's not a good way to grow the party and to grow our base."

Rep. Poncho Nevarez, D-Eagle Pass, scoffed at the initial defense by a Miller spokesman who said the commissioner's Twitter account had been hacked.

"I call bull," Nevarez tweeted. "Look at his tweets before it was same vein w out obscenity. He cutting pasting Pr Trump stuff w out care."

Since his election as agriculture commissioner in 2014, Miller has drawn criticism for a host of actions, including a Facebook post comparing Syrian refugees to rattlesnakes, travel to receive a so-called "Jesus shot" to alleviate pain while on a state-funded trip, and use of state and campaign funds to compete in an out-of-state rodeo. He agreed to refund the money from his trips and was not charged with any wrongdoing.

Tuesday was not the first time Miller has had to pull down a message on social media. Last summer his team shared a Facebook post depicting an atomic bomb blast, saying, "Japan has been at peace with the U.S. since August 9, 1945. It's time we made peace with the Muslim world." That post was taken down the next day after sparking outrage on Miller's Facebook page. At the time, Miller's office said future posts that do not reflect the commissioner's views would not be posted.

His own thoughts

Miller tweeted as recently as last Friday that he tweets for himself. The comment came as he took a jab at Clinton's emails, after it was revealed that several members of her staff would check certain tweets. "#CrookedHillary needs a dozen people to check her tweets. My thoughts are my own," he said on Twitter.

The agriculture commissioner's campaign consultant, Todd Smith, originally blamed the tweet on a hacker and said the campaign asked Twitter to investigate.

"It's just unconscionable, and we would never, ever, ever, ever, ever post anything as disgusting and filthy as that, and obviously this is someone attempting to make Commissioner Miller and Donald Trump look bad," Smith said.
Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

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

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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

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The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully

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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
Reporters who have dealt with the FBI come to expect a standard answer to any question: The agency doesn't comment on ongoing investigations.

So it has been curious to see FBI Director James Comey not only discuss investigations relating to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's private email server, but do so in a way that's both provocatively close to Election Day and laughably vague.

Last Friday, Comey sent a message to members of Congress stating that an FBI investigative team found emails that may or may not be relevant to Clinton's private server, and may or may not have been sent to or from the former secretary of state.

Given the resulting political panic, Comey might as well have yelled "potential fire" in a crowded theater.

The Justice Department, to which the FBI belongs, has a longheld rule against disclosing certain material to the public or Congress in the 60 days before an election to avoid being seen as influencing the vote.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder said that Comey had "committed a serious error with potentially severe implications."

Alberto Gonzales, who was attorney general under President George W. Bush, called it a "big mistake."

And Richard Painter, President Bush's top ethics lawyer from 2005 to 2007, was quoted by the New York Times as stating that Comey's letter had "very likely" violated federal law.

The conservative Wall Street Journal opinion page even ran an op-ed calling for Comey to resign.

What disturbs us the most, however, is the revelation that the FBI granted Donald Trump the privilege of secrecy that it denied Clinton. According to CNBC, Comey refused to agree publicly with other U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies that Russia was trying to interfere with our election, not because he disagreed, but because he thought it was too close to Election Day.

This double standard forced Clinton to suffer under relentless political scrutiny and speculation while holding Trump to the minimal standard of a reality television show host.

Meanwhile, we know that the FBI is making an inquiry into Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort's business connections in Russia. Manafort was paid $12.7 million in cash to represent Russian interests in Ukraine, and it was unclear whether Manafort maintained those priorities in working for Trump.

And according to foreign policy analyst Max Boot, Trump himself has received financial lifelines from Russian investors after most American banks stopped lending to the former reality television show host following his multiple bankruptcies.

All of this follows conclusions by U.S. intelligence that Russian intelligence agencies have hacked organizations belonging to Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party. Over that time, Wikileaks has continued a slow drip of internal documents seemingly designed to hurt the former secretary of state.

These individual threads weave a tapestry of a campaign designed to promote foreign priorities that are antagonistic to American interests. Trump probably isn't some kind of Manchurian candidate, and Russia isn't trying to elect Trump. What intelligence agents do believe, according to the New York Times, is that Russia is hoping to disrupt the integrity of our political system and undermine our standing in the world.

Russia's plays for soft power pose a threat to our nation, and neither Democrats nor Republicans seem concerned except to the extent that it helps them on Election Day. We need leaders in Washington who can keep their focus on the real issues. Judging by his actions, Comey isn't up to the task.
Balmorhea State Park and its magnificent spring-fed swimming pool may be a long way from almost anywhere - nearly 600 miles from Houston, for example - but countless Texans over the years have made pilgrimages to the West Texas oasis and feel fiercely protective of this irreplacable treasure. No wonder they're alarmed to hear that Houston-based Apache Corp. has made a pilgrimage of its own out west and plans to open a major, new oil and gas operation on some 350,000 acres in the area.

We're concerned too, despite Apache's assurances that the park and the springs that fill the pool will be protected. No matter how careful drilling and fracking operations are in its so-called Alpine High field (named for its 3,200-foot elevation), a frack out, a hidden fault that connects to the water table, fluid migration and other potential accidents could contaminate the aquifer and deplete the springs. One mistake can ruin a rare ecosystem, a local tourism and agricultural economy and a life-giving water source that has flowed for aeons.

There's one other concern that can't be ignored: Apache's planned operation is less than 60 miles from McDonald Observatory, another Lone Star treasure. It's sure to threaten the region's dark skies.

Despite those and other concerns, Apache has expressed confidence that its venture won't adversely affect the state park or San Solomon Springs, which not only fills the famous pool but sends more than 22 million gallons daily to nearby farmland. Alpine High is estimated to hold more than 15 billion barrels of oil and gas, but, as the Chronicle's David Hunn reported recently, most of Apache's leases don't appear to be in the direct path of the springs. The company also has agreed not to drill in the state park or in the town of Balmorhea, even though it owns the mineral leases to both. Apache also said it doesn't plan on using spring water for fracturing operations, instead tapping into underground reservoirs of brackish water.

In addition, the company has contracted with scientists at the University of Texas at Arlington to conduct water-quality studies. A UT-Arlington biochemist promised Balmorhea residents "the best and most comprehensive groundwater study that anyone's ever done in the state of Texas."

Apache's response to environmental concerns is reassuring, and yet, we suggest emulating an approach famously associated with a former president: The state of Texas presumably can trust a company that has been recognized for its efforts to protect water quality and recycle waste water, but it also needs to verify. Because the springs are so vital, Apache's operations need to be monitored in unprecedented fashion - we would suggest by a multi-agency task force that includes the Texas Railroad Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife and other state agencies, as well as environmental groups, the newly formed groundwater conservation district in Reeves County and local stakeholders.

The stakes are high; they demand heightened awareness. They also demand heightened concern on the part of Apache: a minimum number of drill pads, minimized lighting, as little truck traffic as possible, state-of-the-art well design, close supervision of contractors, careful water storage and disposal, among other considerations.

Parks and Wildlife told the Chronicle's Hunn last month that it had no evidence to suggest oil drilling would contaminate the springs. Hunn discovered there was good reason the department had no evidence: It had conducted no research on the subject, and until the Chronicle began asking questions, had not started collecting any.

That's not the kind of monitoring and oversight Balmorhea needs and deserves, although it's probably not surprising in light of the fact that at least four of the nine members appointed to the parks and wildlife commission either work for oil companies or own mineral rights. Texans must demand that they do the jobs they were appointed to do. Parks and Wildlife and the Railroad Commission must be more vigilant than they're often inclined to be.

The little town of Balmorhea, its population declining along with its tax base, could use the economic activity that Apache's operation promises, but an oil-fueled economic boom would likely be temporary. On the other hand, there's nothing temporary about contaminating the clear, teal-blue springs, using up the water that farmers have relied on for centuries or forcing the closure of Balmorhea State Park and draining its pool. Catastrophes of that nature are forever.
Enough already

Regarding "Email controversy overtakes campaigns" (Page A10, Monday), off and on for more than 20 years the American people have had to endure reading and hearing about the Clinton scandals.

If Hillary Clinton wins the election, undoubtedly we can expect more of the same for years to come. When have we had enough of these people in our government? Should Bill Clinton even be allowed to live in the White House again considering his disrespect for the Oval Office and the embarrassment he caused the American people through his outrageous behavior during his presidency?

Liz DeBusk, Richmond

Opportunity lost

We can disagree with Hillary Clinton on a number of policy issues. By now everyone is well aware of the moral and ethical issues arising from her association with the Clinton Foundation and her top-level job in the State Department. Many are troubled by her motives and poor judgment in her use of a personal email server in her official capacity as Secretary of State.

But let's be clear about one thing. Donald Trump is not an acceptable alternative. The Republican voters have chosen the wrong candidate for president. Had they cast their votes in the primary election for John Kasich, Mike Huckabee, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio or almost any candidate other than Trump, they would be coasting to any easy victory next week.

Instead they are fighting for their lives and facing the prospect of another four years of Democratic control of the White House.

G. Wayne Baggett,Friendswood

Stay informed

Regarding "Post-election pledge" (Page A39, Sunday), my conservative father convinced my 18-year-old self to vote for Richard Nixon in 1972. Since learning after the fact of Nixon's "Southern strategy," I do my best to stay informed as the editorial rightly pointed out we should.

Lucy Horne, Sealy

Many unknowns

Regarding "FBI review involves thousands of newly discovered emails" (Page A1, Monday), sounds to me like FBI Director James Comey has been channeling former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld when he infamously quipped during the lead-up to the 2003 Iraq War: "there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say, we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns - the ones we don't know we don't know. ..."

Never has so much been said about so little that could influence so many. At worse this is a crude attempt to influence the election and at best it is a statement about the fear of the FBI.

Release the information? Certainly, if it is new information; certainly, if it is pertinent, and certainly if shows criminal activities. Otherwise, don't try to influence the election.

Bill Turney, Houston

Tax wizard

Regarding "Trump used now-barred tricks to duck taxes" (Page A8, Tuesday), those Democrats who are crying foul now are doing so because they weren't smart enough or didn't have financial professionals assisting them to find loopholes in the tax code that were legal at the time.

Granted, many of those loopholes have since been eliminated, but it's not fair to criticize Donald Trump for being smarter than them at the time. There is nothing wrong with attempting to legally lower one's tax bill.

And if a tax maneuver was legal at the time it was applied to a person's tax return, I say good for them for being smart enough to take advantage of it.

Cathy Newman, Meadows Place

Priorities first

I'll start worrying about what's in Hillary Clinton's emails after I stop worrying about what's in Donald Trump's tax returns.

Nancy Perich Daly, Houston
If a dangerous street hoodlum demands and then flees with your wallet, the police will call that robbery.

But, if a police officer seizes your cash, car or other property on the mere suspicion that it is somehow connected to criminal activity - and without ever convicting or even charging you with a crime - the police will call that a legal civil asset seizure.

According to FBI statistics, the combined value of street, highway, convenience store and bank robberies in Texas in 2013 topped $37.2 million. Texas police departments, however, had a much better year - netting more than $101.6 million in proceeds from forfeited private property.

Let's take a closer look at this $101.6 million "money-from-heaven" enjoyed by the Texas law enforcement agencies. According to the Institute for Justice, a Washington-based public-interest law firm, Texas state and local law enforcement agencies, on their own, enforcing state and local laws, took in forfeited proceeds totaling $62.9 million in 2013.

In addition, in partnership with federal agencies enforcing federal civil forfeiture statutes, the share of proceeds from private property seized in Texas going to state and local police agencies totaled $5.0 million from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and $33.7 million from the U.S. Department of Justice.

This backdoor money flow is a blueprint for property rights abuse. Since Texas laws allow up to 70 percent of these forfeited proceeds to go directly into local law enforcement budgets, police have a huge, built-in incentive to aggressively target forfeitable assets rather than pursue justice.

How civil forfeiture works

Criminal forfeiture laws, but not civil forfeiture laws, require a criminal conviction to deprive people of their property. Under civil laws, however, the seized property itself, not the owner, is simply presumed to be "guilty." To get one's property back, property owners in all states - even if they are not charged or convicted of a crime - are then up against a short time limit to file a claim.

But the procedures for proving your property has no connection to a crime are so convoluted, one needs to hire a lawyer for any chance of success. And, in many states, failure to register a claim - often within 30-90 days - allows the government to permanently take the property by administrative actions.

If the property owner can't afford a lawyer or if the value of the property is less than expected legal costs, property owners walk away.

Between 1997 and 2013, 88 percent of all federal Department of Justice civil forfeitures of private property never saw a courtroom.

See the system in action

While on a five month, 19-city, U.S. tour to raise money for a Thai orphanage, Eh Wah, the manager of the Burmese Christian rock band Klo & Kweh Music Team, was pulled over in Oklahoma in February for a broken tail light on his car.

A sheriff's deputy searched the car and found $53,000 in cash in separate envelopes containing the orphanage donations collected in each city. Suspecting drug trafficking, Eh Wah was charged for being in the possession of "drug proceeds."

Attorneys from the Institute for Justice took the case and, after substantial effort and expenses, eventually recovered the seized money.

Zaher El-Ali, a small businessman living in Houston for more than 30 years, did not fare so well. In 2009 another person driving El-Ali's pickup was stopped by Harris County police for driving while intoxicated, and the truck was seized. The driver was in the process of buying the vehicle from El-Ali but the truck was still titled in El-Ali's name.

The driver, found guilty of his third DWI, was sentenced to six years in prison and the County issued civil forfeiture actions against the truck.

El-Ali filed a counterclaim as the innocent owner of the truck. Under Texas law, it is El-Ali's, not the government's, responsibility to prove in court that the truck was not connected to the crime and that he, El-Ali, had no prior knowledge of the crime.

But in the end, the court ruled against El-Ali and the truck was forfeited.

To end this shady practice, federal and state civil asset forfeiture laws need to adopt the same standards now applied in criminal forfeiture cases and also to prohibit law enforcement agencies from benefiting from forfeited proceeds. It is as simple as that.

Only then will property owners in Texas and elsewhere no longer wonder if their law enforcement officials are following even-handed, due-process procedures, or padding their agency's budgets at citizens' expense.

Fraser, Ph.D., writes about public policy issues for the DKT Liberty Project, a Washington-based civil liberties organization.
Impunity is and has been a major obstacle against justice for journalists: More than 800 journalists have been killed during the past decade, but only 1 in 10 cases of violence against media workers has led to a conviction. Impunity feeds systemic violence against journalists, enabling human rights violations around the world and silencing voices for change.

This unfortunate pattern has made it necessary to set aside a day annually to call worldwide attention to the injustice. Since a United Nations declaration in 2013, this day marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, established in honor of two French journalists, Claude Verlon and Ghislaine Dupont, who were murdered in Mali on Nov. 2, 2013.

Some journalists, such as The Washington Post's Jason Rezaian, are observing the day for the first time after surviving captivity. Though we're thankful to be able to celebrate Rezaian's freedom today, we should remember it was taken from him for 544 days in Iran's notorious Evin prison. And there's still much to be done on behalf of the journalists like Houston native Austin Tice, who has been held in captivity in Syria since Aug. 14, 2012.

Far too many journalists have paid the ultimate sacrifice for bringing news and information to the public. Sixty-seven journalists, netizens and media assistants have been killed so far in 2016. Just a month ago, Dutch journalist Jeroen Oerlemans was murdered in Libya for simply bringing images of an ongoing violent conflict to the rest of the world. No one was charged in his senseless murder. His tragic death is a reminder that protecting journalists is an international emergency that requires immediate action.

To call attention to the issue, a coalition of more than 100 media organizations, nongovernmental organizations and prominent public figures are backing the #ProtectJournalists campaign, calling for the creation of a Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for the Safety of Journalists. Together, we are pushing for much-needed accountability.

Appointing a Special Representative for journalists is critical for holding member states accountable for actions that happen inside their borders. The UN Special Representative will have the political weight, capacity for rapid action and the legitimacy to coordinate efforts for the safety of journalists. Journalists hold governments accountable by reporting on human rights violations, corruption and elections, but there are not enough safeguards in place to protect them from violent retaliation. Journalists desperately need better protections to end the impunity of their attackers.

Part of the work of ending impunity and its destructive cycle is establishing real support for journalists and their families. Reporters Without Borders recently launched the Fund to Support Families of American Journalists Missing, Imprisoned or Held Hostage to assist in the often arduous and expensive work of bringing journalists home.

The fund's primary purpose is to provide financial assistance with securing a journalist's safe return and paying for the costs of travel, printing, communicating long-distance, legal services and more. On this year's International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we're also partnering with the Newseum in Washington, D.C., to unveil a banner for Austin Tice on the building's facade. The Tice family has never given up hope, and has worked with Reporters Without Borders for years to bring Austin home. The banner will stay in place until his safe return.

The Newseum is the first major American institution to publicly display a banner for a missing American journalist on its building. Situated on its facade along Pennsylvania Avenue, the iconic street that connects the White House and the U.S. Capitol, the banner will serve as a heartening reminder of our commitment to this central issue. Journalists like Tice may be gone for now, but they are certainly not forgotten.

Until all journalists are free and safe, it's up to all of us to stand up for journalists, to defend their rights to report and disseminate information, and to demand justice - not just on Nov.2 but every day.

Halgand is the U.S. director for Reporters Without Borders.
During this unprecedented time in human history, its hard not to be at least a little bit apprehensive about where things are headed.

With the coronavirus situation progressing  as I heard someone say today  like a fast-moving target, theres really no way to know whats about to happen in a literal sense. And we cant compare with what happened or what we did last time, because there is no last time.

But at the same time, its a period for long-time observers of human nature, like myself, to get a glimpse of humanitys good side. Not that everyone is coming together in love, because right now social media is overloaded with stupid, mean-spirited posts and remarks made by people who find the current crisis to be nothing more than another launching pad for habitual negativity and weak-minded nonsense.

But Ive had two brushes with simplistic niceness over the past few days that I wouldnt have been witness to if not for the COVID-19 landslide.

I went to the McDonalds drive-through last Sunday morning because I had a hankering for a chicken biscuit. Im not talking about the grilled, skinless (and more or less tasteless) kind, but the kind with a deep fried patty of bird meat covered with mysterious seasonings.

I ordered three, because I wanted to save a couple for later. When I got to the payment window, I began to hand cash to the young lady working it, but in a sort of quiet tone she said, thats not necessary sir; the car in front of you paid for your order.

I was so taken back. I didnt know what to say and a tear welled up in my eye. I dont know if the person or people inside the car in front of me noticed, but I smiled and waved as it pulled away from the pick-up window.

As I drove home, I couldnt help but keep pondering how cool that was.

Then the other day, I was talking with a friend and he said that over the weekend he and his wife were going to order dinner to be picked up from a local eatery. But instead, they decided to use the same money to buy a meal from the same place for a less fortunate woman and her two children.

My friend said his wife said something like, we have plenty of food we can scrounge up and eat, and she could probably use a nice pre-cooked meal.

They even delivered the food.

That is so cool, man, I said.

Then I told him about my pay-it-forward experience at Mickey Ds.

Thats one of the things people can do to help everyone make it through this a little easier, he said. More than ever, we have to be considerate of others right now.

As usual, I analyzed that statement in my brain after we parted. And its true.

The thing is, you might not think its that big of a deal to stand closer than six feet away from someone in the post office lobby, but they might not be comfortable with that and the only civil, right-minded thing to do is acknowledge the fact that you dont know and respect how that person might feel.

You might not think its a big deal for you to grab the last package of thin spaghetti off the shelf as an elderly woman eyes it at the same time, but it could be the last thing on her list and her list might be the last one she shops off of for a while.

The thing is, we just dont know, so we have to act in favor of the other person in every way we can.

Ive heard several people say that its hard to know exactly what in the Sam Hill is going on right now, but whatever it is, were all in this together.

Roger that. While we may not know what next month, next week or even tomorrow holds, the fact is we are indeed all in this together.

And while we may not know how or when, well all get through it. And only God knows how.

Doug Davison is a writer, photographer and newsroom assistant for the Houston Herald.

Email: ddavison@houstonherald.com.
Missouris lowest-in-the-nation tobacco tax will rise if at least one of two ballot measures passes next week.

But voters seeing the onslaught of TV ads on behalf of both can be excused if they dont know what to believe.

After all, tobacco companies largely are financing the campaigns for both tax measures, spending nearly $18.5 million combined.

Equally counterintuitive is the fact many health organizations, who would figure to support higher taxes for something as unhealthy as smoking, oppose both the Nov. 8 ballot proposals.

Amendment 3 would add 60 cents to Missouris 17-cent-per-pack tobacco tax, phased in through 2020.

The competing Proposition A would raise the tobacco tax 23 cents, phased in through 2021.

In both cases, Missouris tax would remain well below the national average of $1.65 per pack.

If both tax hikes pass, its uncertain which one  or whether both  would be implemented. Representatives for the secretary of state and attorney general agreed the matter likely will be decided in court.

Some are puzzled why tobacco companies are supporting cigarette-tax increases. Reynolds American Inc., parent company of the R.J. Reynolds tobacco company, has spent $12.4 million to back Amendment 3. Money generated by the tax, estimated at about $300 million annually, would go to early-childhood education.

Jane Dueker, spokeswoman for Vote Yes On Three For Kids, said just 3 percent of Missouris 4-year-old children attend publicly funded preschools.

Were way behind every surrounding state in early childhood education, she said.

But Big Tobacco has a financial stake, too. A provision of Amendment 3 would hurt smaller competitors by imposing an additional 67-cent-per-pack tax on top of the 60-cent hike imposed on the major brands, on discount brands of cigarettes left out of a 1998 tobacco-lawsuit settlement.

In the settlement, the major tobacco companies agreed to pay at least $206 billion over 25 years to 46 states for health-care costs related to tobacco. As a result, major tobacco firms pay millions of dollars annually to Missouri, but smaller competitors do not.

Smaller tobacco companies, not surprisingly, oppose Amendment 3. Two of them largely are financing the effort behind Proposition A: Cheyenne International and XCaliber International each have spent about $3 million to support Proposition A and oppose Amendment 3.

The $100 million generated annually by Proposition A would fund transportation projects.

Ron Leone, executive director of the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, said Proposition A offers a fair tax increase but one that would not be as harmful to businesses and consumers as Amendment 3.

He said the additional 67-cent per pack tax on smaller tobacco firms would be unfair.

If Amendment 3 passes, the neighboring states of Nebraska, Kentucky and Tennessee would have lower tobacco taxes than Missouri. Smokers who cross from other states into Missouri because of the lower tax also spend money on gas and other goods, Leone said.

The association is pushing Proposition A because, after years of calls for higher cigarette taxes, we wanted to take control of our own fate, Leone said. And we wanted to kind of put the issue to rest for the foreseeable future because were fighting tobacco taxes every couple of years, whether its in the legislature or at the ballot box.

Several health organizations oppose both measures, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association and others.

Both tax increases are not large enough to have a public-health impact, said Leah Martin, director of advocacy in Missouri for the American Lung Association. Taxes only work when they are large enough to deter you from starting smoking, or to stop people currently smoking from purchasing cigarettes.

Missouri Cures, a not-for-profit group that promotes stem-cell research and other medical advances, cites a provision of Amendment 3 that prohibits using the funds for abortion-related purposes or for therapies or cures using human embryonic stem cells  . It also prohibits funding for tobacco-related research of any kind.

Dueker defended the provision. She said theres no need to fund more tobacco research because the harmful ramifications of smoking are well documented.

As for the abortion and stem-cell provisions, she said medical research organizations had sought to share in the tax money, requiring the ballot language to make it clear the funds are strictly for early childhood education.

Proposition As language has critics who question a poison-pill clause that wipes out the tax increase if another tobacco tax is placed on a Missouri ballot  even a local ballot. Leone said that provision is aimed at avoiding the risk of double taxation.

So if were going to be taxing ourselves, we wanted to make sure that in a year or two there isnt another initiative petition, he said.

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Many Syrian-Armenians want to live in the heart of Yerevan (video)

The Ministry of Diaspora has received over 160 proposals concerning Syrian-Armenian families who fled the conflict zone and settled in Armenia after the start of war in Syria. People particularly suggest providing these families with shelters in marzes. Deputy Minister of Diaspora Serzh Srapionyan says Syrian-Armenians refuse the offer and say they will not live in remote regions. The director of the Paruyr Sevak Museum contacted us to offer their two-storey house to a Syrian-Armenian family for nothing. Flats in rural areas usually have plots of land. We understand them People living in urban areas cannot cultivate the land if they are craftsmen in their blood, the deputy minister said on November 2. He says many Syrian-Armenian families want to live near the Opera House in Yerevan. Serzh Srapionyan says every day the Ministry receives Syrian-Armenian families, helps them, providing them with temporary accommodation, after finding a suitable apartment for them. The Ministry then pays part of the rent. Syrian-Armenians have difficulties in adapting to life in Armenia, they complain of salaries and many quit their jobs in several months. We cannot afford to pay them the money that they received in Aleppo. They are free to exercise their rights, the Ministry official said.
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HR is one of the most important components of a small business because they are directly responsible for building and shaping the staff. Day in and day out, the largest challenges that an HR manager will face are related to trying to put together equitable reward programs that guide workers in the right direction. Here are some specific compliance challenges that are common in HR- along with some popular ways of handling them: Parental Leave It may sound strange, but parental leave was not something that was taken for advantage very often by spouses of women having children. Instead, there was often quiet pressure to keep working. Then, in states where they passed laws for parental leave, parents of unborn children began to be more interested in taking some time off to bond with their child. The result was good for families, but it became a compliance challenge for companies because the dissuasion from co-workers often continued due to the need to have everyone working at all times. Eventually, human resources departments at various companies were able to make it easier for those that were working to take time off by using their power to ensure that there were no repercussions to the management when a worker took time off. Equity Theory Failing Another type of compliance failure takes place when the competitive environment gets a little too competitive because people see that others receive too much attention while they are not receiving th...
rand new event which will bring together a number of leading HR figures has already attracted widespread industry attention, with just eight tickets remaining for the November forum.The educational event will see senior-level HR execs from an array of eminent New Zealand organisations offer advice and guidance on the industry issues which are currently causing strife.ACCs chief talent officer Debbie Barrott will be discussing how expectations have changed tremendously for HRDs and provide insight into how HR professionals can partner with C-suite to drive real business results.Lynn Miller, head of organisational effectiveness at New Zealand, is also on the line up and will open up about leadership development at the award-winning airline.Also billed is Fairfax Medias talent acquisition director Kyle Goodwin, who will discuss the difficulties of recruitment during times of change and uncertainty.The full line up, which also includes key speakers from Deloitte , Downer New Zealand and Fletcher Building, can be found here To find out more about the upcoming event, or to reserve one of the remaining seats, click here
highest court in New Zealand has confirmed it will hear an appeal over the controversial decision to deny respite care workers minimum wage.Last year, former carer Jan Lowe lodged a claim with the Employment Court, insisting she and other relief workers should be entitled to more than a $75 subsidy for a 24-hour shift.The Employment Court agreed and ruled that Lowe should receive minimum wage as well as holiday pay and other basic employment rights. The case set a precedent for 35,000 others care workers with similar employment condition.However, in August of this year, the Employment Court overturned the decision following an appeal but the Ministry of Health and the Capital and Coast DHB.At the time, major union E tu promised to fight the decision and this week it received confirmation that the case would be heard by the Supreme Court.This is a major public policy issue, says John Ryall, E tus assistant national secretary. These workers do a great job and theyre paid just $3.00 an hour. Someone has got to sort it  either the government or the courts.According to Ryall, the case is likely to be heard early next year.
Conservatives are attempting to draw a link between federal Liberals and a controversy involving their Ontario cousins while also seeking to capitalize on the resurrected ghost of the sponsorship scandal.

On Tuesday, the Ontario Provincial Police laid bribery charges against two provincial Grits  one of whom is a close confidant of Premier Kathleen Wynne  related to a 2015 byelection in Sudbury.

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Meanwhile in Quebec, Jacques Corriveau, a former federal Liberal organizer, was found guilty of fraud-related charges for his role in the sponsorship program between 1997 and 2003.

Even though those matters dont involve Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, interim Tory Leader Rona Ambrose set out to make political hay in question period Tuesday.

Ambrose has been hammering Trudeau over so-called cash for access fundraising events featuring his cabinet ministers.

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The Liberal Party is up to its old tricks again, she said, noting the charges against Pat Sorbara, formerly one of Wynnes top advisers, and an Ontario Liberal bagman  Gerry Lougheed Jr.  a Sudbury funeral director who once held a fundraiser for Trudeau.

The Ontario Liberal and federal Liberal parties are separate entities, but Wynne and Trudeau are allies and have campaigned for each other.

'This is a lesson for the prime minister'

Ambrose said Trudeau and his cabinet ministers are refusing to acknowledge their own ethical violations by attending events where wealthy donors spend up to $1,500 to rub shoulders with them.

Trudeaus Open and Accountable Government rules state that ministers should not give preferential access or permit even the appearance of preferential access to donors. Nothing in the current conflict-of-interest rules, however, prohibits such events.

This is a lesson for the prime minister. He can take action immediately and enforce his own ethical standards or he can end up like Kathleen Wynne, she said.

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Whats he going to do?

Government House Leader Bardish Chagger said that federal fundraising rules are some of the strictest in the country and apply to all MPs equally. She noted that unions, trade associations and businesses cant donate at the federal level.

In French, Ambrose shifted to the sponsorship scandal, noting the guilty verdict against Corriveau, who she called a former bagman for federal Liberals.

The prime minister must learn from the past, Ambrose said. He must take immediate action to implement his own ethical rules or he will become like the Liberal Party of the past with the sponsorship scandal.

Again, Chagger fell back on a talking point that Liberals arent running afoul of any federal rules.

Ontario Tory MP John Brassard later rose in question period to say Liberals were importing all of Kathleen Wynnes bad ideas and the insiders who executed her plans.

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He also noted the charges against Lougheed, someone he called a longtime Liberal supporter and fundraiser for Trudeau.

Ontario MPs hammer feds

When will the prime minister admit that the tactics and people around him have failed to live up to any measure of ethical standards? Brassard asked.

Again, Chagger pointed to the strength of the federal fundraising rules to which all MPs must abide.

But fellow Ontario MP Karen Vecchio was perhaps the most aggressive on the topic. Vecchio rose before question period with a members statement noting the headlines in Quebec and Ontario.

Youd think with all these criminal charges, the Liberal government would be trying to avoid a similar fate, she said. But youd be wrong.

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'Brown paper envelopes'

Vecchio brought up how Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr and Finance Minister Bill Morneau attended cash for access events, as reported by The Globe and Mail in recent weeks.

Trudeau, she said, is fine with breaking his own rules.

But breaking rules is nothing new to Liberals, Vecchio charged. While it was brown paper envelopes that led to criminal charges in the sponsorship scandal, you have to wonder if todays Liberals would also prefer their $1,500 donations to be delivered in brown paper envelopes.

With files from The Canadian Press

Also on HuffPost
American fleeing Donald Trump may find themselves competing for jobs if they move to Canada.

U.S. searches for Canadian employment spiked this year  up 58 per cent from 2015, said a news release from Monster Worldwide on Wednesday.

The website saw just over 30,000 job searches with the keyword "Canada" from January to October of 2016.

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It only saw about 19,600 for the entirety of last year.

Ontario is drawing more American job seekers than any other province, with 7,500. Of those people, more than 3,000 are looking for work in Toronto.

Alberta came second, B.C. third, Quebec fourth and New Brunswick fifth.

Toronto had the most job postings, coming in at around 39,300, Monster said. Montreal followed with about 25,400 opportunities.

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Engineer ranked as the top job that Americans searched for, with over 2,000 seeking work as civil, mechanical, chemical or software engineers.

Information and technology jobs ranked second, with approximately 1,200 people looking for jobs as Java developers, net developers, web developers and network administrators.

Financial jobs such as accountant, clerk or banker came third.

Job-seeking Americans aren't alone in wanting to move to Canada if Trump were to win the White House.

On Monday, "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston said he would move north if Trump was elected. The actor joins celebrities such as Lena Dunham, Whoopi Goldberg, and Barbra Streisand.

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But, Ellen DeGeneres summed it up best:

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Anthony Bourdain is pretty vocal when it comes to his thoughts on craft beer. And we mean vocal.

The 60-year-old chef spoke to Thrillist last week about his new book, Appetites, 3-D printed food and of course, beer.

During the interview, writer John Sellers asked the "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" host how often he gets angry at beer snobs.

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"I like cold beer. And I like to have a good time. I don't like to talk about beer, honestly. I don't like to talk about wine. I like to drink beer. If you bring me a really good one, a good craft beer, I will enjoy it, and say so. But I'm not gonna analyze it," he said.

Bourdain also talked about an experience in San Francisco, where he walked into a bar thinking it was an "old bar." To his surprise, it was a brew pub with a wide selection of beers.

"I looked around: the entire place was filled with people sitting there with five small glasses in front of them, filled with different beers, taking notes. This is not a bar. This is fucking 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers.' This is wrong," he said. "A bar is to go to get a little bit buzzed, and pleasantly derange the senses, and have a good time, and interact with other people, or make bad decisions, or feel bad about your life. It's not to sit there fucking analyzing beer. It's antithetical."

The chef added while food is his specialty, he drinks beer out of convenience.

"I haven't made the effort to walk down the street 10 blocks to the microbrewery where they're making some fucking Mumford and Sons IPA."

Earlier this summer, Bourdain also spoke to Adweek about some of the hate mail he received from beer nerds, Food Republic reports.

"People who are craft beer enthusiasts and see me drinking a cold, available beer from a mass production get really cranky with me, and they assume that Im plugging it or something. In fact, I just like cold beer, and my standards rise and fall depending on access to cold beer.

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Read the full interview with Thrillist here.

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She survived brain cancer, but the bullying at school was just too much.

An 11-year-old girl in Cable, Ohio died by suicide last month after being relentlessly taunted, her family told CNN.

Schoolmates teased Bethany Thompson over her curly hair, as well as her crooked smile  the latter of which was caused by nerve damage from radiation treatment, said her mom, Wendy Feucht.

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After a bad day at school on Oct. 19, the girl came home and shot herself. Her stepfather was sleeping in another room.

Wendy Feucht and her daughter Bethany Thompson, who died Oct. 19. (Photo: Wendy Feucht/Facebook)

Feucht told CNN she and her husband never told their children where they kept their guns, so Bethany would have had to have gone searching.

The girl had told a friend on the bus about what she intended to do, Feucht told the Columbus Dispatch.

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She told her [friend] she loved her and that she was her best friend forever, but that she was going to kill herself when she got home.

Feucht told the Dispatch she knows bullying drove Bethany to do what she did, saying a friend told her theyd been taunted endlessly that day.

I think that she was just done. She didnt feel like anybody could do anything to help her, the mom said.

Bethany Thompson's memorial service was held Oct. 24. (Photo: Vernon Family Funeral Homes)

Bethany was in grade six, according to her obituary. She loved swimming, music, and Pokemon. She also looked forward to going to church camp.

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Bethany's dad, Paul Thompson, told WHIO he was supposed to take her out for dinner the day after her death.

I just didnt realize the extent of [the bullying], he said.

She always happy when she was with me."

I think that she was just done. She didnt feel like anybody could do anything to help her."  mom Wendy Feucht

Triad Local Schools Superintendent Chris Piper told the Dispatch he was aware that Bethany had been bullied last year, but said he didnt know of any recent incidents.

But four years ago, a 12-year-old boy at the middle school also took his own life, the paper reported.

Thompson family friend Ashley Cozad organized a benefit event on Oct. 30 to raise money for Bethany's headstone, as well as a scholarship fund.

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The event will also raise awareness about bullying, according to WHIO.

"My daughter is 10 years old, she's in fifth grade, Bethany was in sixth, so as a mom, it's awful," Cozad told the broadcaster.

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Diversity is our strength.

Its Torontos official motto and Canadas most celebrated value. We think of ourselves as a country of immigrants, yet people who look different are still singled out.

People wont sit next to me on the subway, reads a poster for a new ad campaign created by the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI).

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Im so sick of people constantly asking to touch my hair, another says.

Anti-black racism is alive and well in Canada, the councils executive director Debbie Douglas told The Huffington Post Canada.

It informs how black folk walk and live their lives.

Racial profiling is still an everyday reality for black Torontonians, a press release for the campaign says.

Black folks disproportionately live in poverty, and are incarcerated at an alarming rate, it states. They are the third-largest visible minority in Canada, and in Toronto make up more than eight per cent of the city's population.

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Building on the momentum of Black Lives Matter Toronto  which has started a nationwide conversation about police shootings and racism in Canada  Douglas hopes the campaign encourages Canadians to stand up to discrimination.

Anti-black racism is persistent. It builds up in small ways.

For the first time in over a decade, the conversation is really being taken seriously, she said. But racism isnt just about high-profile police shootings and overt slurs.

Anti-black racism is persistent. It builds up in small ways.

That became evident while the campaign was being designed and ended up shaping its message.

We pulled together an advisory committee and just in the first hour of the meeting, everyone who was black around that table had a story to tell," Douglas said.

Sometimes black people wait longer at restaurants, she said, or theyre asked for extra identification to use a student pass on transit. Some have an extra hard time finding work even after finishing a degree, just because of their last name or postal code.

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These small everyday occurrences need to be addressed to propel broad, systemic change, Douglas said.

People tend to know about the police shootings because theres always media coverage of that. We also want to send the message of regular, everyday, societal anti-black sentiments.

The campaign includes six different posters, designed by marketing agency Public Inc., which will be shown on bus shelters across Toronto. It also directs people to a new website, torontoforall.ca, which provides resources to people who want to confront racism.

These conversations have been happening for decades in certain pockets of Toronto, Douglas said, but now its becoming an issue for the city's government and general population.

It is about time, she said.

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9 People Who Think Casual Racism Is Ok See Gallery
Just when you thought you've heard about every weird beauty mask on the market (hey, what's up hello bird poop, placenta and animal sheet masks!), there comes a new skin care must-have that has us asking, "how does that even work?!" And we immediately needed to get our hands on.

Guys, get ready to add one bizarre ingredient to your skincare arsenal ... magnets!

In the video above, HuffPost Canada Style editors Madelyn Chung and Monika Markovinovic try out Dr. Brandt's Magnetight Age-Defier Mask, the iron-based mask that has the beauty world obsessed.

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The anti-aging thick, grey cream is filled with magnetic properties to reduce fine line and wrinkles. It comes with a small magnet that's used to wipe off the mask, leaving you with illuminated and dewy skin.

Side note from the HuffPost Canada Style Team: that little magnet is super powerful, and we advise wrapping it up in tissue, like the instructions say, to avoid getting the mask stuck to the tool! But seriously, the mask comes off like magic.

Sure, the mask is $94 at Sephora, but we are filing it under: beauty products that match the hype.

Want to see how exactly the mask works and the incredible results? Check out the video above!

Follow Huffington Post Canada Style on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter!

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Seriously Weird Beauty Treatments See Gallery
Rick Mercer had a bleak observation on his show to mark the Liberal government's first "Trudeauversary."

"Sunny ways, my friend, sunny ways," the CBC comedian said in his rant on Tuesday. "One year out. Theyre starting to lose their way."

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Mercer's segment took aim at the participation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet ministers in so-called "cash-for-access" fundraisers, an issue with which the Official Opposition has hammered the government in recent weeks.

"Thanks to Justin Trudeau, any average Canadian citizen with a dream and $1,500 can go to a party, eat cheese and get one-on-one time with a cabinet minister," Mercer said.

Rick Mercer said the Liberal government is starting to "lose their way" after a year in power. (Photo: MercerReport/YouTube)

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Trudeau's "Open and Accountable Government" directives say there should be "no preferential access to government, or appearance of preferential access," but the rules do not prohibit events like the ones Mercer mentions.

The PM has defended the fundraisers, saying robust and strict rules at the federal level ensure "there are no ethical breaches," The Globe and Mail reported.

Mercer also criticizes a recent appearance Trudeau made at a youth labour forum in Ottawa. The prime minister was heckled by protesters frustrated by his government's support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership as well as comments made by Finance Minister Bill Morneau on "job churn."

"Wow, thats gotta hurt," Mercer said. "I dont remember Stephen Harper ever being booed at an oil and gas conference."

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Mercer was also surprised at Trudeau's response to the demonstrators.

"It is a little bit frustrating for me to come in, sit down, look forward to hearing from you, talking with you, and seeing a room full of people who are standing in a way that shows they're not listening," the prime minister told the protesters.

Mercer joked about how Trudeau's response showed he "really is a teacher." Trudeau taught math, humanities, drama and French to elementary and high school classes between 1999 and 2001.

"If I had a dollar for every time a teacher told me they were disappointed with me, well, I guess I could buy a ticket to drink bad wine and hang out with the finance minister," he said.

You can watch Mercer's full segment in the video embedded above.

With files from Ryan Maloney and The Canadian Press

Also on HuffPost
Hilary Gauld-Camilleri only had three days to complete an incredibly important project: to photograph 52 individuals ranging in age from newborn to 44. Each one of them has Down syndrome and insight to share.

"I had a vision earlier this year of classic black and white portraits taken in my studio," the Ontario photographer explained in an email to Huffington Post Canada. "I wanted to focus on each person's eyes and how they spoke to me. I wanted the public to push themselves to look a little closer and to challenge their own feelings toward people with disabilities."

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Stunning Photos Open Our Eyes To Reality Of Down Syndrome See Gallery

Gauld-Camilleri captioned the series "See Me" because "those two words are powerful. It's what we all want for our children. To be seen." And she launched it as a calendar with the Waterloo Regional Down Syndrome Society in honour of Canadian Down Syndrome Week (November 1 to 7).

The parents were asked: "What do you want the world to see in your child?" And their insightful answers are included with each image.

"Ashlan wants to feel like an equal... She doesn't see herself as different, but is often frustrated when the world does," wrote one parent.

Another said: "We want the world to see that having Down syndrome is a big, important part of who Desmond is, but that it is still only a part."

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The photographer says she was really moved by all the families she met. "The generous spirit of the families touched me deeply. They shared their children with all of us and it drove me every day to give each of these children their moment in the sun."

And the parents deeply appreciated participating in "See Me."

"As a parent of a child with [Down syndrome], I wanted to say thank you... It's such a nice change to have someone on our side. With all the battles we fight for our kids, it touches my heart to see there are people out there who can see our kids have so much to offer," one parents wrote to Gauld-Camilleri.

While the project has so much positive energy and messaging, there was one tragedy. "It is important to recognize that many children born with Down syndrome struggle with major health challenges," explains Gauld-Camilleri.

The photographer met baby Charlotte last spring for a commercial shoot. Sadly, the five-month-old passed away just four weeks later of heart failure, leaving the photographer stunned.

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Charlotte's family still wanted their baby to be part of the calendar. "I admire the strength of her parents and siblings to stay strong during this project as they show the world their daughter and sister."

She is also amazed at the response to her photographs, especially from young children. "If we can teach our children these important messages, we set our society up for greater compassion and acceptance in the future."

And that is the whole purpose of "See Me."

"I hope there is a day when we don't need a project like this to remind people to look beyond just the outside of another human being to see that inner light that shows us that we are more alike than we know," Gauld-Camilleri says thoughtfully.

If the black and white photos aren't arresting enough, these colour outtakes will further capture your heart.

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In a hurry for the holidays, Starbucks raised eyebrows earlier this week when they brought back their holiday drink menu just three hours after Halloween ended.

Just a few days before that, an image of the company's hotly-anticipated red holiday cups were leaked on the image sharing site, imgur.

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But it's the image they posted on their Facebook page yesterday that has everyone talking.

The new green cup confused many into thinking the traditionally red holiday cup had switched colours, but the company insists this cup is different from the holiday cups.

The green cup and the design represent the connections Starbucks has as a community with its partners (employees) and customers. During a divisive time in our country, Starbucks wanted to create a symbol of unity as a reminder of our shared values, and the need to be good to each other, said Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman and CEO, in a press release.

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The limited edition cup, which was designed by artist Shogo Ota, was launched in stores across the United States on November 1.

This isn't the first time a Starbucks coffee cup has stirred up some controversy. Last year, the chain decided to forgo their patterned red cups in favour of a simple two-tone red cup that "welcome[d] all of our stories." The plan however backfired as some Christians accused the company of insulting Christmas.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion wouldnt say Wednesday if Canada voted to support the inclusion of Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and Cuba on a United Nations body dedicated to human rights.

Dion was pressed on the matter in question period, just a few days after the secret vote at the General Assembly. Russia lost its bid for re-election on the controversial UN Human Rights Council, but China, Cuba and Saudi Arabia were elected to the 47-member body.

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Conservative foreign affairs critic Peter Kent had previously urged the Liberal government to tell the world how Canada would vote. Former Liberal cabinet minister and human rights advocate Irwin Cotler also called on the government to take a public stand against human rights abusers.

Kent said Wednesday that Russias ouster from the body was good news, but still wanted to know how Canada voted.

"The vote is not the ministers. It belongs to all Canadians, he said. Will the minister tell Canadians how Canada voted on these four notorious, human rights-abusing nations?

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Dion ducks question

Though Dion told The Canadian Press last month that Liberals would announce a decision on the vote in due time, he ducked Kents request.

Im proud to say that we seek to maximize membership on this council with countries that have strong human rights records at home and abroad, the minister said.

Dion listed achievements Liberals have made on human rights, including asking for clemency for Canadians facing execution abroad and committing to ratifying a key UN anti-torture agreement.

Kent suggested last month that Liberals were keeping mum about the vote so as not to disrupt Canadas campaign for a Security Council seat. He hit the government with much the same charge Wednesday.

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We recognize the Liberal willingness to mute Canadas principled voice in their shameless quest for a Security Council seat, Kent said.

Again, Dion made it clear he would keep his cards close to the vest and spoke instead about the governments human rights record, including a $15-million contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Tory defence critic James Bezan then said it appeared Dion was too ashamed to admit how Canada voted at the UN.

In 2003, the Liberal government of Paul Martin voted against Libyas election as president of the UN Human Rights Commission  the predecessor to todays council  because of the rights record of then president Moammar Gadhafi.

With files from The Canadian Press

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Trudeau Visits China See Gallery
Salut! Chin chin! Na zdorovie!

Raising a glass of Bordeaux in France, Aperol spritz in Italy or chilled vodka in Russia is certainly one way to familiarize and assimilate yourself in your surroundings while visiting a new country. Enjoying and sampling local cuisines also enhance sipping an archetypical tipple -- is there anything better than a caipirinha consumed by Brazil's famous beaches?

We've compiled a short list of the world's best spots to get a feel for your environment -- places that serve up the best local offerings, and do so in an authentically native atmosphere. We'll drink to that!

Smack in the middle of Sydney's iconic neighborhood Paddington, The Unicorn's historic building has been around since the 1800s. Proudly serving up local cuisine and bevvies, music, art and local talent are also important aspects of the welcoming, relaxed and lively venue.

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Carefully respecting the architecture and design while adding personal touches, co-owner Jake Smyth explains, "We basically touched nothing, yet changed everything. We ripped up vinyl, but kept the incredible terrazzo floor. We kept the bar position, but had incredible blue-gum bar top installed." As for the locally sourced and patriotic art decorating the wall? "Our favourite moment is the map of Australia; it was hand drawn by local artist Michael Whooley. It took a full week, but the result is stunning."

Original elements, like art deco fittings, contribute to The Unicorn capturing the essence of a true Aussie pub -- "pubs are at the cornerstone of what it is to be Australian. What are we without pubs? We lose the larrikinism and we lose community, we lose the wild, arm-waving, storytelling drongo that we all have inside of us," -- Smyth declares.

This notion is elevated with The Unicorn's involvement in supporting local talent. "We have quietly begun putting shows on here, without too much fuss because we love to support artists wherever possible. We support them in the best way we know how -- giving them an opportunity to get paid and laid!"

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But despite the history and commitment to local Aussie culture, there is definitely no lack of modernity; "The Unicorn is not a time-piece. Its not nostalgia. Its a living pub, so we wanted to give a nod to its past, yet allow it have a future. That's why there is empty space on the walls, and corners are left untouched. We want the venue to grow genuinely, to have its own story to tell in 20 years time. We believe that by over telling the story at the beginning, you stifle and choke the natural journey of then venue. The tradition is in the offering. Cold beer, bloody good food, music, art and happy people."

Smyth, in typical Australian manner, encourages dishes and drinks to be enjoyed in the outdoor space. "The courtyard is my favourite aspect. It's quiet, tranquil and it's where we keep our swans. They make us happy." We can't argue with that.

Established back in 1742, Wiltons was originally a shellfish monger in the Haymarket. By 1840, it had developed into a full-fledged restaurant and became famously known for serving the freshest fish, shellfish and game in the country. Today, ingredients and dishes are just as fresh and delectable. "Oysters are still shucked fresh to order; the crab, langoustine and lobster still arrive live from the market, and when in season, grouse, partridge, pheasant, duck and woodcock arrive fresh from country shoots," House Manager Michael Stokes shares.

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So what's it like to dine in such a historically sound institution today? "The artwork that adorns the walls would not be out of place in a stately home. The staff are dressed in traditional black and white, or in dresses reminiscent of a British nanny, and the service offered is not as stuffy as some may expect, but still very attentive."

Traditional, original and truly patriotic touches have been maintained, throughout: "although we strive to keep the decor fresh, we do not and will not change the feeling of the restaurant. Guests soon decide which is their favourite table, and some still sit at the same tables that their grandfathers sat at. The whole ethos of the restaurant is that of a British country house."

Contemporary updates are best demonstrated on the plates served. As for what Stokes favours? "Being a traditionalist, the simple dishes are the best for me; the most outstanding example of this is our carving trolley, which is available and different each day of the week; Saturday brings beef Wellington." Perhaps the most exemplary quintessential British dish of all.

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An iconic institution in Toronto's trendy Queen West, The Drake Hotel is a well-known and loved meeting place. Opening its doors in 1890, "the area was a major Canadian Pacific Railway hub that linked downtown with the lakeside summer homes of Toronto's western beaches at the time," explains The Drake's PR Manager, Jessica Rodrigues. "Then, in 1949, Michael Lundy purchased the property, renamed it the Drake, expanded the building and created many of the improvements visible today, including the grand staircase in the lobby and the addition of a lounge and restaurant."

The hotel continues to show their local love after guests check in: "When looking through the amenities in-room, we offer Canadian products, like David Chow Chocolate (from PEI) in unique, delicious flavours like lavender, dried blackcurrants, earl grey tea and vanilla sea salt; Hawkins Cheesies (made with real Canadian cheese!); Squish Candy (sourced from Montreal); Sapsucker Maple Water, and routine natural deodorant, which is based out of Calgary, is provided in our toiletry kits."

When guests need a bigger nosh than the Canadian-sourced room snacks, they can take comfort in knowing The Drake serves up dishes and drinks that also have Canadian flair. Rodrigues shares her favourites: "I personally love the Brown Butter Maple Old Fashioned and the Voodoo Child cocktails. The Old Fashioned gets a Canadian twist by adding real maple syrup, while the Voodoo Child uses J.P. Wiser's, an award-winning Canadian whisky, as its base.

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We of course also feature Canadian beers and wines, which always go down well with our menu. I love the Drake burger. We get our meat mainly from Cumbraes -- they work exclusively with small, family run farms throughout Ontario! I do order the lobster nachos often as well: house made chips, creamy mornay sauce, pickled jalapenos and, of course, amazing (Canadian) East-coast Lobster!"

Cheers to that!

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gerenme via Getty Images Euro flags on white background.

Hearings have begun at the British Columbia Supreme Court in a long-anticipated legal challenge to the publicly funded Canadian health system. The plaintiffs -- led by Dr. Brian Day of Cambie Surgery Centre -- allege that medicare violates the Charter by forcing patients onto long wait lists for care.

By way of remedy, Day and his colleagues are not asking the government to reduce wait times for all patients. Too bad.

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Instead, they are asking the court to overturn the law that stops the sale of private insurance covering medically necessary care. They are also asking the court to overturn the law against dual practice that requires doctors to choose whether to work for the public system or unenroll from medicare and work for the private sector. They also want to overturn prohibitions on extra-billing so that physicians can charge whatever they wish for the care they provide, whether in public hospitals or in private clinics.

In thinking through what this legal challenge could mean for ordinary Canadians, the standard investigative question, "who benefits?" is a good place to start.

The physicians spearheading these challenges certainly stand to benefit handsomely.

If the Cambie case succeeds, scores of private buyers will join the bargaining table, driving up prices for physician services.

Under the status quo, most physicians are locked into fee-for-service rates negotiated with the provinces. If the Cambie case succeeds, scores of private buyers will join the bargaining table, driving up prices for physician services and diverting resources to the highest bidder irrespective of medical need.

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The physicians involved in the Cambie trial protest that they have only medicare's best interests at heart. They point to the many western "European" nations that have two-tier health systems which are purportedly the envy of the world. If only Canada would allow greater private payment, we are told, the invisible hand of the market would lead us to join their ranks.

Unfortunately, it's not that simple.

Proponents of the "European" model of health care never tell us if it's the French, Irish, English, Dutch, German or Italian model we are meant to be following -- they are all distinct.

In England, for example, specialists working in the public system are salaried and contractually bound to a full-time, 40-hour work schedule, leaving them very little time to moonlight in the private sector.

A contract binding specialists to 40 hours a week in the public system is a viable option in England, where physicians are salaried. It is not a viable option in Canada, where physicians have grown accustomed over a half-century to a much higher level of independence.

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Indeed, any Canadian government that attempted to forcibly move large numbers of physicians from fee-for-service payment to salary would find itself in the middle of physician strikes and further constitutional challenges.

The rub is that private health insurers must offer coverage to everybody and cover almost everything.

A superficial look suggests that private insurance now plays a very large role there and so it must be the kind of two-tier system we are looking for. But in fact, there is no separate public system with a private tier: in the Netherlands, the private health insurance system, heavily regulated, is the public system.

The law requires that all Dutch citizens over 18 buy private health insurance (and their employers contribute to the cost). The market is heavily regulated in an attempt to achieve access and equity goals. The rub is that private health insurers must offer coverage to everybody and cover almost everything. This means private insurers can't cherry pick the healthy and wealthy.

When the Cambie challengers and proponents of privatization speak of a two-tier health care system, they insist there would be a free public health-care system left behind with just a small private tier on the top. That is clearly not the Dutch model.

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In a complex system like health care, it is purposefully naive to suppose that Canada can easily go shopping among the health-care models of western Europe. Selecting particular features from European health systems and pasting them into Canadian medicare will not magically give us a "European" model.

It is certainly true that Canadian medicare is in need of improvement. On that point all sides agree. And Canadians need to be assured that medicare can deliver timely care to them when they are in greatest need.

A Patient Ombudsman in each province -- with real teeth -- would be an important start to help patients that fall through the cracks get timely, quality care.

As Canadians, we pay a great deal of taxes towards our publicly funded health-care system. We deserve timely care and we shouldn't have to throw ourselves at the mercy of the markets to get it.

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TS Photography via Getty Images Studio Shot of Black Oil in Water on White Background

In July, a pipeline leak near Maidstone, Saskatchewan, spilled about 250,000 litres of diluted oil sands bitumen into the North Saskatchewan River, killing wildlife and compromising drinking water for nearby communities, including Prince Albert. It was one of 11 spills in the province over the previous year.

In October, a tugboat pulling an empty fuel barge ran aground near Bella Bella on the Great Bear Rainforest coastline, spilling diesel into the water. Stormy weather caused some of the containment booms to break. Shellfish operations and clam beds were put at risk and wildlife contaminated.

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Governments and industry promoting fossil fuel infrastructure often talk about "world class" spill response. It's one of the conditions B.C.'s government has imposed for approval of new oil pipelines. But we're either not there or the term has little meaning. "This 'world-class marine response' did not happen here in Bella Bella," Heiltsuk Chief Councillor Marilyn Slett told Metro News.

If authorities have this much trouble responding to a relatively minor spill from a tugboat, how can they expect to adequately deal with a spill from a pipeline or a tanker full of diluted bitumen? The simple and disturbing truth is that it's impossible to adequately clean up a large oil spill.

A 2015 report commissioned by the City of Vancouver and the Tsleil-Waututh and Tsawout First Nations concluded that "collecting and removing oil from the sea surface is a challenging, time-sensitive, and often ineffective process, even under the most favourable conditions."

What the oil and gas industry touts as "world class spill response" boils down to four methods: booms, skimmers, burning and chemical dispersants. An article at Smithsonian.com notes, "For small spills these technologies can sometimes make a difference, but only in sheltered waters. None has ever been effective in containing large spills."

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Booms don't work well in rough or icy waters, as was clear at the Bella Bella spill; skimmers merely clean the surface and often not effectively; burning causes pollution and greenhouse gas emissions; and dispersants just spread contaminants around, when they work at all.

Researchers have also found that cleaning oil-soaked birds rarely if ever increases their chances of survival. A tiny spot of oil can kill a seabird.

After the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill off the Alaska coast, industry only recovered about 14 per cent of the oil -- which is about average -- at a cost of $2 billion. The 2011 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has cost more than $42 billion so far, and has not been overly effective. In that case, industry bombed the area with the dispersant Corexit, which killed bacteria that eat oil! Record numbers of bottlenose dolphins died.

We're not going to stop transporting oil and gas overnight, so improving responses to spills on water and land is absolutely necessary. And increasing the safety of pipelines, tankers and trains that carry these dangerous products is also critical, as is stepping up monitoring and enforcement.

With the Saskatchewan spill, the provincial government deemed an environmental assessment of a pipeline expansion connected to the one that leaked as unnecessary because the Environment Ministry did not consider it a "development." University of Regina geography professor Emily Eaton, who has studied oil development, told the National Observer that Saskatchewan "gives a pass" to most pipelines it regulates.

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Beyond better response capability and technologies, and increased monitoring and enforcement, we have to stop shipping so much fossil fuel. The mad rush to exploit and sell as much oil, gas and coal as possible before markets dry up in the face of growing scarcity, climate change and ever-increasing and improving renewable energy options has led to a huge spike in the amount of fossil fuels shipped through pipelines, and by train and tanker -- often with disastrous consequences, from the Gulf of Mexico BP spill to the tragic 2013 Lac-Megantic railcar explosion.

Spills and disasters illustrate the immediate negative impacts of our over reliance on fossil fuels. Climate change shows we can't continue to burn coal, oil and gas, that we have to leave much of it in the ground. If we get on with it, we may still have time to manage the transition without catastrophic consequences. But the longer we delay, the more difficult it will become.

Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Senior Editor Ian Hanington.

Learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org.

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News headlines about sexual assault are too common, but stories of survivors and their realities are not commonly spoken. As part of Social Justice Week at Ryerson University, sexual assault survivors have shared their emotions in Lost Words, art workshops led by Toronto illustrator Hana Shafi.

The artwork created in the workshps is exhibited in a new pop-up art gallery, Sexual Assault: The Roadshow. Held at Ryerson University, the community arts education project talks back to sexual violence. We spoke with Shafi about the workshops, her own self-care, and the challenges women face on campus.

Where did the idea for Lost Words come from, and what are you hoping to achieve from the exhibit?

I wanted to frame it as "lost words" because I think there's this feeling of lost opportunities, lost justice, lost reconciliation that really haunts a lot of survivors of sexual violence.

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Lost Words is an opportunity to air those feelings out, to find those words again and then release them. I'm really hoping this initiative will help create awareness about how those who are impacted by sexual violence feel; we're so used to seeing cases about sexual violence in the news, but few people really understand the reality that many survivors go through.

Hana Shafi at Sexual Assault: The Roadshow. Credit: Alexandra Gater

What was your personal motivation with encouraging women to share lost words of sexual assault?

Sexual violence on campus is a highly stigmatized topic. It's often in the news, but stories are plagued with irresponsible reporting that perpetuates a lot of rape myths and places the onus on survivors. It seems like all these people are talking about sexual violence, but the voices that need to be prioritized in this dialogue are the voices of survivors. That's what Lost Words is all about.

How does artwork encourage someone to share a story rather than spoken words?

The posters allow anonymity, and there's not even an expectation that you have to write something in it. Your lost words could be an image, could be scribbles, or could be a few random words rather an a cohesive sentence. It's whatever the person wants to put. I think it takes a lot of the pressure off, and the anonymous aspect of it helps keep survivors safe from the repercussions of going public.

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Hana Shafi's illustrations cover feminism, mental illness and healing from trauma. Credit: Alexandra Gater

What isn't working for women when it comes to sharing lost words in a campus environment?

To talk about sexual violence in the campus environment is incredibly risky. People are often stuck in a class with their rapist--it might be someone popular, someone with lots of friends, maybe even a professor. Sexual violence is about power, and often survivors feel powerless in that environment.

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Visitors at the opening day of Sexual Assault: The Roadshow. Credit: Alexandra Gater

How do you work through your own emotions that come from workshops with women who are sharing moments of vulnerability, fear, and courage?

Obviously I really have to mentally prepare myself before workshops, and give myself time for self care after.

People are sharing very heavy things. Sometimes they are sharing their feelings of hope and resilience, but often they are sharing their rage, their trauma, and their frustration. It's a lot of emotion and I have to prepare myself to be really emotionally present so I can connect with everyone and make sure they feel valid and safe in their self expression.

What improvements can be made by schools like Ryerson?

Schools need to start improving their policies around sexual violence so that it puts power back in the hands of survivors, so they have more autonomy and guaranteed safety if they want to disclose what happened to the university. Right now, you run the risk of being silenced, humiliated, and invalidated.

Ryerson has taken a lot of great initiatives by opening the Office for Sexual Violence Support and Education. But implementing these changes takes time. Rape culture is still part of the campus environment and it's going to take a lot of work to dismantle that.

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Sexual Assault: The Roadshow runs from November 1 to 4, 2016, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Victoria Street in Toronto.

I'm passionate about highlighting women in business and the emotional challenges of the work they do. If you know a woman to feature, tweet @kmarano.

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Donald Trump used to be a media darling. His finely crafted brand, no doubt edited for The Apprentice, portrayed him in a powerful, presidential role.

American media, and international media in particular, seem to have collectively turned on Trump, declaring Clinton the likely victor after November 8, based on pre-election polling.

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Whether you love him or loathe him, consider for a moment what it might mean if Trump was actually right about the media being biased against him. And consider further what it might mean if this was the first presidential election where the economic model of social media might be unfairly introducing bias to your views.

There are three reasons why we should be cautious about how U.S. election news is being reported.

1. Media convergence and consolidated ownership:

Increased competition and new online platforms have prompted mergers and acquisitions in media as well as consolidation of ownership globally. Ownership, particularly in the U.S., often comes with political ties to the elite. Media powerhouses such as Disney-ABC, NewsCorp-Fox and Bell Media-CTV now have greater scale against emerging platforms like Netflix and Facebook, but it also means one reporting team can be sent to cover the story with the content shared back to multiple channels -- TV, print, radio and the web.

Suits in boardrooms call this vertical integration and cost savings. But it also means that increasingly fewer reporters shape the news for broad consumption. Add to this the disappearance of smaller independent media outlets, and the potential is great for media influence in the hands of a few elite owners. All the while citizens believe they are receiving unbiased, fair reporting because while it is coming from multiple outlets, fewer reporters are creating an original viewpoint.

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Trump, advocating against the establishment and the elite in this election, could well be receiving less favourable coverage as a result. There have been studies on the media coverage of both candidates. This article in the Washington Post outlines how traditionally more liberal outlets like the New York Times and the Washington Post have been more favourable to Clinton, while more conservative outlets like Fox News have been more favourable to Trump. Averaging each organization's total coverage, the article reveals fairly balanced reporting across the board -- but clearly illustrates each outlet's subtle (and statistically significant) leanings toward one candidate or another.

But while most news outlets have policies governing fair and balanced reporting, editors cannot stop reporters from taking to their own media channels on Twitter and Facebook to express their individual views. This Washington Post piece notes how some prominent reporters have come down hard on Trump using their own Twitter accounts, demonstrating the likelihood of bias permeating their work elsewhere.

2. Social media profiling:

Social media allows us to be human online, interacting as a society, sharing information and content. Companies such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter know that we will remain engaged in those channels if we are finding content that is relevant to us there. So their algorithms are programmed to feed us content to fit our profile, based on what we share, like and comment on.

But the bigger reason for this is that social media is grounded in commerce. That profile we have created has economic value to an advertiser. What's at risk in this commerce-based model of receiving information is that we are being inundated with content that reflects who we are, rather than challenging our assumptions.

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I'm sure my Facebook feed looks much different than my Republican-supporting brother in-law's. Yet we both believe that we're tapped into reputable information. We get lulled into believing that that content represents a wider view then it actually does, because we're not challenged by opinions beyond our own. And because much of what is shared around politics online originates from big media, the victim of convergence and consolidated ownership, that potentially biased news is magnified in our own online channels, reinforcing our personal bias. Groupthink becomes a real concern.

3. The race to report, smaller budgets and the role of influencers:

In a world where Twitter can break a news story and citizens can collectively report by channeling content to a #hashtag, traditional news outlets are racing to keep up. In-depth investigative journalism gets sacrificed. There isn't the time to break well-researched news when everyone is vying for eyeballs through punchy headlines.

Convergence has also led to smaller budgets in newsrooms resulting in less investigative reporting. And what's at further risk here is that social platforms like Twitter and Facebook have given a voice to folks with large followings, often celebrity influencers, and not necessarily individuals trained in journalism or ethics. The great unwashed don't necessarily question the credibility of their news source.

The great unwashed don't necessarily question the credibility of their news source.

The real risk here is that there may well be far more disenfranchised Americans willing to vote against the establishment than our media would have us believe. The Guardian notes how that phenomenon took place in Britain, despite pre-referendum polling.

The media on both sides of the political aisle may well be painting a picture of what they want to see happen, not what is an accurate prediction of what could happen. And because we all willingly are reading, listening, viewing and sharing media as we always have been, both online and off, believing it to be an accurate representation of reality, we are all confident in our own views of the likely outcome.

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But if Trump is right and the media are biased against him, and our system of getting information has been altered without us realizing it through social media profiling and online influencers, we could well be in for a rude awakening the morning of November 9 no matter which candidate we support.

Brexit wasn't supposed to happen, either.

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The news last week about the two-year study of the traffic stop data collected by the Ottawa Police were quickly dismissed by the same researchers who conducted it, as "not necessarily indicative of causation, and it doesn't prove racial profiling."

So what is the point of conducting such a study if those results cannot be used to speak about racial profiling, admit its existence and thus dealing with it? Is it just another report or study to shelve and go back to business as usual?

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Sitting on the fence can never help solve problems. Things should be named as they are and in this regard the study is very explicit and indicative of racial profiling, at least used in arresting people from certain communities.

Two main groups stand out in those traffic stop arrests: Middle Eastern and black men. Indeed, according to the study, Middle Eastern men were arrested 3.3 times more than what should be the case according to their representation in the Ottawa population. For black drivers, this ratio was 2.3, while the ratio for white drivers was 0.9, slightly lower than their actual representation in the population.

What is even more disturbing is that the final (no action) outcome of these arrests showed that racialized groups are indeed more likely to be "let go" than the mainstream.

This is more evidence to deconstruct the popular saying that "there is no smoke without fire." A high number of arrests from certain racialized groups doesn't necessarily mean these individuals were deserving of it; thus, we can safely say that sometimes we might have "smoke" without having a "fire."

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The study goes further than simple traffic stops. In fact, when there was reason to be believe that there were "suspicious activities," the study showed that for "2,299 cases where police pulled motorists over for 'suspicious activities' or 'criminal offences,' a disproportionate number involved racialized minorities."

So what more do we need to speak out about racial profiling? It is especially disappointing considering that this study was launched as part of a settlement in a lawsuit where there were allegations of racial profiling. Chad Aiken, a young black man from Ottawa, was pulled by the police in 2005 while driving his mother Mercedes car. Are we to believe this wasn't an instance of "racial profiling"?

Why do we still need more reasons for the police, as an institution, to put its head in the sand and claim that there is no racial profiling?

However, when it come to terrorism, the attitude of our institutions seem to be much swifter in accepting studies emphasizing the fear mongering message towards some ethnic groups, in this regard: Muslims.

A recent study, conducted by, the Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society, for the account of Public Safety Canada, claimed that "religious extremism has become the top motive for Canadian terrorism, replacing environmentalism." It is disturbing to know that such a study will be used by the government to write its own report about threats facing Canada.

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The study, not yet published but obtained by the National Post through access to information, found that between 2010 and 2015, 29 per cent of terrorist incidents were religiously motivated, while seven per cent were categorized as "anarchist," and three per cent were "supremacist."

Meanwhile, we are surprised to know that the motivation for 61 per cent of the violent incidents examined are unknown. How reliable and serious could this study be if it identify three main motives for terrorist incidents and then leave more than half of the incidents with "no motives."

The results of this study are very disturbing for the following reasons:

Not knowing or identifying the other motives for terrorist incidents creates a bias of the study to favour the current simplistic and discriminatory narrative that Muslims are the most dangerous and violent groups to be concerned with.

The ignorance of these motives would skew the results of the study in the direction that only Muslims, anarchists and some "supremacists" are the only identified dangers faced by Canadians.

The ignorance of the reasons behind some violent incidents can hide a systematic underestimating of the supremacist threats. Consider the case of two non-Muslim teenagers in Halifax, Nova Scotia, who were arrested just in time before committing a mass shooting on Valentine's Day.

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The former minister Peter MacKay when asked why the two suspects were not being charged with terrorism, he responded: "The attack does not appear to have been culturally motivated, therefore not linked to terrorism." MacKay went ever further and referred to the suspects as "murderous misfits" in a clear attempt to distinguish between Muslim terrorists suspects and the violence motivated by hate and other ideologies.

These two examples clearly show how some studies are used to avoid tackling a sensitive, though so much crucial, issue like "racial profiling" in law enforcement institutions like the Ottawa Police. Whereas other studies with shaky and unclear results are often quickly adopted by governmental institutions to support an already simplistic and discriminatory narrative, which reinforce the impression that Muslim communities are the most dangerous and violent groups within the Canadian population.

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We are very good at imagining a host of fantastical options when it comes to what humanity's future might look like: space travel to distant alien civilizations, artificial intelligence taking over the world, flying cars and robot maids. But when it comes to imagining what our own lives will be like twenty years from now, we tend to think quite linearly.

For Millennials, the expectation that we grew up with is that the shape of our lives would be more or less the same as our parents, with a few extra technological advancements here and there. We were told that if you got an education and worked hard, you would get a good job, get married, buy a house, have kids, raise kids, then retire.

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Reality, however, may not be as neatly packaged as we might have imagined.

Just last week, Finance Minister Bill Morneau warned young Canadians that they should get used to what is known as "job churn": short-term employment, with many career changes.

Recent reports seem to be supporting his claims, as more than half of adult workers in the GTA and Hamilton are now in temporary, contract, or part-time positions, and the "quality" of Canadian employment is at a 25-year low.

While economies do tend to go through booms and busts, this trend of precarious employment doesn't seem like it's going away anytime soon. Technological advances in automation and productivity mean that 42% of jobs are at risk of being replaced by automation.

Even though manufacturing outputs and profits have increased, fewer people are needed to produce them.

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Meanwhile, job growth has been concentrated in insecure work, even outside of sectors that have typically been part-time or low-paying. In a recent poll, nearly half of respondent companies were planning on using contract, part-time or outsourced labour to fulfill their needs in the next three to five years.

Insecure employment is also spreading to institutions once considered providers of good, stable jobs, such as universities, governments, and hospitals.

Since workers are now considered temporary and disposable by many companies, rather than long-term investments, there tends to be less consideration for creating safe workplaces, instituting good training, and preventing injuries.

A recent employment blitz by the Ministry of Labour found three-quarters of inspected workplaces that hired precarious workers violated the Employment Standards Act.

This attitude of disposability also has huge public health implications. Not knowing whether you're going to be given enough hours to pay the bills or if you'll have a job when your contract is up is an incredibly stressful way to live. Further, you're more than twice as likely to report mental health issues if you are precariously employed.

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A lack of paid sick days means the majority of food-service workers report going into work even when they're ill to avoid missing out on pay, which facilitates the spread of disease.

We are seeing this increase in precarious employment reflected in food bank trends. Food bank use remains 14% higher than 2008. The vast majority of food bank clients' incomes are either employment income or some form of social assistance, such as employment insurance, Ontario Works or disability support.

People who work in insecure positions make 46% less than workers in the same field with secure jobs. The working poor often skip meals or choose cheaper, lower-quality food in order to pay other bills, increasing their risk of chronic disease.

It also has long-term effects on Canadian society and our economy. When you're not sure of your long-term economic future, you're more likely to put off getting married and having children, and delay purchasing a house.

If you don't know what your schedule is going to be like two weeks from now because you're working a string of temp jobs, it's difficult to find childcare and commit time to get engaged in your community. There tends to be fewer opportunities for upward mobility, and thus you get stuck in a cycle of poverty.

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It's clear that precarious employment is both widespread and damaging to our society. While some of the forces that have created this trend may not go away, we can still create an environment that encourages the creation of stable jobs and protect those who do end up in precarious work.

Many groups have come out with a constellation of solutions to create a system that better serves today's workers. Recommendationsinclude mandated paid sick days, two-week scheduling notice, and parity of benefits, pay and vacation for temporary and contract workers.

Increasing access to parental leave for precarious workers and making childcare more flexible would lessen the burden on parents, and creating more skills and re-training opportunities would prevent a society-wide slip in job skills.

Existing tools to protect workers need to be strengthened, such as increased regulation of temp agencies and improved access to workers' compensation. Currently, the Ministry of Labour's enforcement of labour regulations operates primarily on a complaint basis, putting the onus on the employee, who tend to be in too vulnerable of a position to speak out against their employer or unaware of the rights, such as young people or recent immigrants.

New groups made up of precarious workers are also forming to advocate for their rights. The Urban Workers Project wants to organize independent contractors, self-employed entrepreneurs and part-time employees to fight for better protection. The Canadian Freelance Union provides services typically available through workplaces, such as health benefits, grievance support and contract advice.

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We also need to make a strong business case for secure employment. While precarious labour is a way of keeping labour costs down and profits high, it is also short-sighted. These policies result in higher labour turnover, fewer skilled workers due to the lack of on-the-job training, and a smaller pool of talent to move up the ladder.

On a macro scale, this "rise of the precariat" is causing social instability and unrest across the globe - and none of that is good for business.

The Ontario government is currently reviewing the Ontario Employment Standards Act and the Labour Relations Act, and released an Interim Report on its progress back in July. They are expected to produce a report in the next few weeks on proposed changes. They are also examining possible models for a Basic Income Pilot Project, which we've argued before could be an antidote to technological unemployment.

These reforms are important and necessary to protect our workers and deal with the realities of work in this century. They can't come soon enough for people who "have that feeling of fear all the time" and struggle to afford their most basic expenses each month.

To learn more about the Ontario Association of Food Banks and our vision of a hunger-free Ontario, please visit www.oafb.ca.

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Hillary Clinton should absolutely become American's 45th president.

In the words of the respected moderate former governor of Massachusetts and current Libertarian vice-presidential candidate, William Weld, "Hillary is the most qualified presidential candidate in 2016." -- and as Oprah Winfrey rightfully reflected, "There's only one choice and you don't have to like her."

American's don't seem to like Hillary, but she is the only viable choice against Donald Trump and the Libertarian's private prison advocate, Gary Johnson. The contest is only between him (Trump) and her.

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Long before Trump became the unlikely nominee of the Republican Party, he was a champion of Hillary as a senator from his home state. He also donated generously to the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Foundation. Trump has repeatedly called Hillary "Lying Crooked Hillary" throughout his obnoxious and xenophobic Rodrigo Duterte-like campaig,n and made his efforts more competitive than assumed.

The self-described "multibillionaire successful businessman" has projected himself as a populist, criticizing her for being elitist. Yet, as an elitist himself, he has not paid any income taxes in the last two decades, benefiting from loopholes in America's generous tax system that favors the superrich.

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He runs his campaign, not as a serious mainstream candidate, but as an aspiring actor, auditioning to be on Saturday Night Live. His message is as narrow as that of the campaigns of Pat Buchannan from decades ago, but he has managed to bring the extreme right wing perspective to the Republican mainstream. He has managed to motivate the David Duke segment of society and pushed Republican heavyweights, such as George Bush, Sr. and Mitt Romney, to abandon their party in this year's election.

Seriously, how did he get this far? In looking at the Democrat party nominee, I can't help but wonder which Hillary is leading in the polls. Is it the Clinton of almost 50 years ago that was celebrated in the campus of Wellesley College when she gave a celebrated convocation student speech that reflected the voice of her generation?

The craziness that is the campaign of Donald Trump... has helped to shield the many shortcomings of Hillary Clinton.

"We're not interested in social reconstruction, it's human reconstruction that we want," she said, lecturing a Richard Nixon Republican apologist who was on the very same stage. "Every protest, every dissent -- whether it's an individual academic paper or Founder's parking lot demonstration -- is unabashedly an attempt to forge an identity in this particular age... that attempt at forging for many of us over the past four years has meant coming to terms with our humanness."

How about the Hillary who spoke at a United Nations Conference on Women in China, reminding a communist nation and the world that women's rights are human rights?

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Or would it be the Hillary who helped calculate the execution date of a mentally challenged African American, Ricky Ray Rector, to coincide with a vote that was taking place in the more conservative Southern states in 1992, in order to construct the image of Bill Clinton as a moderate-Reagan Democrat rather than a Michael Dukakis liberal?

Or would it be the Hillary who called young African-American men "super-predators" and, on the advice of a Republican adviser, Dick Morris, helped push a crimes bill to win the re-election of her husband as a moderate Democrat?

That bill is noted for sending an untold number of non-violent Americans, mostly African-Americans, to prison. This helped populate the American prisons with African American men, according to a news report, with "more than the total prison populations in India, Argentina, Canada, Lebanon, Japan, Germany, Finland, Israel and England combined." I hope African-Americans will begin to view the Clintons more critically and shake their blind love affair with them.

What did Bill Clinton mean, when challenged by the daring Black Lives Matter activists earlier this year, when he said, "Africa is a place where black lives matter" before listing a slew of charitable work his wife has been involved in? Are African-Americans second-class citizens, a charity or a defect problem yet to be fixed -- anything but American citizens? Has the American population and the media adequately scrutinized the Clintons' charitable foundation?

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What happened to the billions raised for the immediate needs of Haiti when Bill Clinton was the United Nations Special Envoy to Haiti -- which mostly ended up building factories benefiting boutique stores in the United States and not Haitians?

Then again, she is running against Donald Trump, who is essentially unqualified to be president.

The craziness that is the campaign of Donald Trump, its antics and dramas, stupidity and open racism has denied Americans a debate on real issues this year. It has helped to shield the many shortcomings of Hillary Clinton and provided her with a cover that she did not deserve. Americans do have valid reasons to doubt Hillary Clinton and question her motives. Her blind ambition, not the commitment she has to public office, is what turns most away from the Clinton brand.

But, then again, she is running against Donald Trump, who is essentially unqualified to be president. In 1992, at the Democratic National Convention, its keynote speaker, Senator Zell Miller, highlighted why a progressive political institution is important to America: "I know what Dan Quayle means when he says it's best for children to have two parents," he said. "You bet it is. And it would be nice for them to have trust funds, too. We can't all be born rich and handsome and lucky. And that's why we have a Democratic Party."

He might as well have been reflecting on the biography of Donald Trump.

In the words of William Weld, "She (Hillary) deserves to have people vouch for her other than members of the Democratic National Committee."

I hope that is what is about to happen and I hope she becomes the next president of the United States -- not because she is an exceptional candidate, but because she is by far the better candidate compared to Trump. Between the devil we know and the devil we don't, Americans will certainly be better off with the devil they have known for the last 50 years.

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Canadians can't be blamed for missing the anti-Islamophobia motion that passed in parliament last week. If you Google it, you won't get a single hit in mainstream media: not in CBC, not in Postmedia, not in the Globe and Mail, nowhere.

In fact, when this piece is published, it may be the first media piece talking about Canada's successful anti-Islamophobia motion.

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While you won't find any coverage of the anti-Islamophobia motion that passed on Oct. 26, you will find articles about a similar motion that was defeated on Oct. 6.

Personally, I find it curious that a motion condemning Islamophobia that fails is news, while an identical motion that passes is not.

This may be a case of "anti-Islamophobia motion meets Islamophobic media."

However you interpret it, the Muslim-Canadian community is denied an opportunity for empathy and recognition. In effect, much of the value of such motions stems from the public's awareness of them. Without any exposure, such motions pass largely without effect.

Imagine if Canadian media hadn't bothered to cover parliament's 2004 recognition of the Armenian genocide in 2004. How might Armenian-Canadians have felt?

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Or imagine if Canadian media hadn't bothered to report on Prime Minister Stephen Harper's 2008 apology to Canada's indigenous peoples for the horrors of this country's residential schools. Most would see it as yet another insult to Canada's beleaguered indigenous communities.

In a similar way, Muslim-Canadians are right to feel slighted by the failure of any Canadian media -- large or small -- to give attention to this significant motion.

But just like many of Canada's marginalized communities, this was just the latest affront. Rewind just three weeks earlier, when Conservative MPs prevented unanimous consent on the same motion. NDP leader Thomas Mulcair echoed the disbelief of many when he said, "I can't see how anybody can speak out against a motion that seeks to condemn a form of hatred."

Likewise incredulous, Liberal MP Omar Alghabra averred, "It's troubling. [The motion was] a very non-partisan, symbolic, good, positive motion. And I thought it would be like [an] 'apple pie and motherhood' type of statement."

It's probably fair to say that refusal to support the Oct. 6 motion was an act of Islamophobia in and of itself.

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Islamophobia is defined as "dislike of or prejudice against Islam or Muslims, especially as a political force."

In an op-ed bewailing the failed motion of Oct. 6, Amira Elghawaby of the National Council of Canadian Muslims detailed several acts of Islamophobia that occurred just in the week immediately following the motion: smashed windows at a mosque; a burned Qur'an; anti-Islam posters on a Calgary campus.

Want to hear about Islamophobia? Ask a visibly Muslim woman, suggests Elghawaby; or easier yet, read the comments section on any online article relating to Canada's Muslims. You'll easily find comments like this doozy: "If you don't like it here and this country is not up to your standards, you can always move somewhere else. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out."

Indeed, despite Parliament's reluctance to endorse this motion, you don't have to go far to find Islamophobia in Canadian communities.

If Canada's parliamentarians don't think that Islamophobic behaviour on the part of politicians has any impact, they should think again. A recent California State University report found a correlation between Islamophobic political rhetoric and hate crimes against Muslims in the US.

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Almost on cue, an attack on a Sept-Iles mosque on Oct. 22 -- the third attack on the building since 2013 -- occurred the day after the MP for the riding disparaged Liberal MPs for showing deference to a visiting Islamic leader on Parliament Hill.

In fact, admitted Samer Majzoub, President of the Canadian Muslim Forum, the Sept-Iles attack was partly what motivated the re-introduction of the motion in Parliament. Majzoub was the initiator of a Parliamentary petition against Islamophobia which garnered almost 70,000 signatures and ultimately inspired the Oct. 26 motion.

Despite these slights, Majzoub remains gracious. After the successful passage of the motion by unanimous consent, he expressed thanks to all the federal parties, and attributed the accomplishment to "true Canadian values."

In an interview with me, Majzoub expressed optimism that the motion would open doors and enable discussions and concrete policies around the issue. Nevertheless, he is also aware that forms of discrimination like Islamophobia can morph and re-emerge in new ways in Canadian society.

If we find ourselves covering that eventuality in Parliament in a few years, let's just hope that next time around the media can be bothered to show up.

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Alicia Millar, co-chair of PRISM, Reed Smith's LGBT network in Europe, the Middle East and Asia (EMEA), has been shortlisted for the Diversity Champion award at the British LGBT Awards

Since when are you out at work?

I have been out at work for at least 15 years, since I started working in law in fact. Before then, I had to face the sad reality on how being gay was perceived in the workplace and how it would even be relevant in the workplace. At my first 'career' job, on the induction day, I was due to meet Andrew, the payroll guy. Beforehand however I was told : 'by the way he is one of them'. I didn't really know what to do with this information. It didn't cross my mind something like this could happen. I was sad because I didn't say anything, should I have? Nevertheless, said Andrew has been a dear friend ever since, and was best man at my wedding.

How did you feel the first time(s) you came out to your family, friends and workplace?

My coming-out moments were always slightly strange. I have always felt somewhat embarrassed to have to come out again and again. I grew up in a very open family. My parents taught me to see the person, the human in people being before other things. When I came out to my father, he said 'I don't care what you do in bed, live your life the way you want'. My parents are both wonderful.

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I knew I was different from a very young age. I went to an all girls schooI, there I saw bullying about sexuality and feminine identity and I certainly didn't come out until I was at University. Going back to London, my home town, after University was weird because I had to came out to my childhood friends, and I was a very different person to who I was when I left.

It seems your sexuality has turned out to be an advantage in the workplace for you? how is it the case?

Actually I would say that it is my professional difference, my confidence and drive that creates the advantage, not my sexuality. I have certainly learnt through experience to normalise reference to my sexuality in the workplace, for example I talk about my wife whenever the "how was your weekend?" conversation starts.

Do you think 'being different' is more a drawback or an advantage that everyone should use to progress in their career?

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I believe people that come out and want to become Role Models need to have the mindset for it . You need to be brave, you have to be prepared to be in the spotlight at all times, you need to consider why it matters to be a role-model. You need to use this as an armour, for your personal resilience. Mindset is everything.

Reed Smith seems to be a very supportive employer. How have they supported their LGBTI employees and for how long?

There has been an employee lead network going for many years which indicates the Reed Smith culture is very supportive of its employees. We have an out LGBTI partner at the board level, and have out LGBTI partners in other leadership positions, plus several other employees that are out. We also have senior leaders who are LGBTI allies and champions. I truly feel that Reed Smith is leading the way for LGBTI role models within the legal industry.

Who decided to create PRISM, Reed Smith's LGBT & Allies network ?

I joined the firm in 2014. I met the wonderful Huw Morris, we started talking about all the possibilities and potential for making a difference, to be so much more than merely a social network, and so we decided together to drive PRISM. I have always believed an employee lead initiative has the best chance of sustainable cultural change within organisations, and felt Reed Smith was open enough to support that, to create a genuinely inclusive workplace for all.

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Reed Smith made it to the 100 Stonewall top LGBT-friendly employers, how did you personally contribute to this achievement?

Huw and I lead the submission for Stonewall WEI and I am very proud that we made it to place 72 considering that it was our first submission and companies struggle to enter this prestigious list.

Do you have the feeling that social selling is now part of any sales process?

I feel that you need to know your client, appreciate their needs, their business and understand their value-drivers in order to sell to them. Our product, what we sell, is our people - their expertise. Those who buy our services are very similar to us, other lawyers and professional experts. All of our sales processes are tailored client by client.

You are happily partnered. Is your partner also out at work and engaged for LGBT rights?

My wife does not identify as LGBT, she simply met someone, fell in love, got married and that someone happened to be a woman - me! She is engaged with LGBTI rights and equality in the workplace. She is passionate about challenging biases within professional career development.

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Your role at Reed Smith includes personal and professional development. Do you think you have to be yourself to encourage people be as well? Do you encourage people to come out?

I always encourage people to be themselves, and if they felt they couldn't be out in the workplace I hope I can be a support and visible champion for them. There are different motivations to address on why people are in the closet. I will always ask why people are not out and try to put myself in their place before I would judge them. My biggest worry is if it's out of fear or a perceived risk. There are plenty of "in's" of course, not every out LGBT person necessarily wants to be a visible role model.

You have been nominated as Diversity Champion at the British LGBT awards, how do you see your role as Role model?

It's exhausting! I understand why some people actively choose not to be a visible role model because everybody will scrutinise everything you do, they look at the way you speak about things, how you live your life. On a personal level it is genuinely tiring, physically and mentally. I am quite an introverted person. The more visible I am, the more I need to rebalance and be away from the spotlight.

Have you had any bad or good experience during your life about being lesbian that you would like to share?

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The best moment was being nominated as Diversity Champion at the British LGBT awards this year. I felt very proud and humbled that my engagement and dedication to the LGBTI equality was truly recognized.

There have been a few not so good experiences unfortunately, one was being spat at on the tube for doing nothing more than sitting rather close to the female friend I was with. A couple sitting in front of us had been looking at us very intently and muttering, then when leaving the train one of them spat at us and the other said "you're just disgusting" and left the carriage.

One particularly bad experience though, I was walking down the street holding hands with my partner at the time, and we heard this comment : "Can I watch next time?" My partner was incensed and told him : "How would you feel if I said you, you, black man, dance for me?" Then things turns aggressive and ending with the back-track from wanting to "...watch next time" to how against God and the natural order we were. All this just from holding hands in the street.

A funny one that always baffles friends and family, and has now been turned into a game... 9 times out of 10, when I go to a public bathroom, I get double looks. I have a habit now of walking in with my chest forward to show that I am female and therefore should be in the ladies bathroom!

Are you an LGBTI consumer? Do you choose to wear LGBTI-friendly brands, LGBTI-friendly destinations, LGBTI-owned restaurants to eat etc.?

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Another November 5th, another mass mobilisation to the streets by the Anonymous collective.

Since one cold night in 2011, Anonymous UK has gathered together in Trafalgar Square, as a centerpiece of a worldwide Anonymous operation of global strength and solidarity, a warning to all governments worldwide that if they keep trying to censor, cut, imprison, or silence the free world or the free internet then we will not stand idly by.

Anonymous has no leaders, it has no central committee or public relations department, it is a hive-mind of normal people, just like you, who have decided that action is the only answer now.

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In 2012 as Anonymous UK prepared to mobilise for November 5th a press release went out, every line filled with venom against the then Home Secretary Theresa May. In the four years that has passed Mrs May has risen to unelected power, fueled by right-wing rhetoric and striving to push the UK to even new lows. Anonymous UK has never shied from directly standing in opposition to Mrs May; in 2012 we launched a devastating cyber attack that crippled the Home Office's website in response to her inaction about the threatened extradition of Gary McKinnon, a threat faced today by Lauri Love.

In 2016 we're going to come knocking on Mrs May's door.

Austerity measures, once seen as a horrendous option, have now become the political norm. The media gaze has shifted to making scapegoats out of migrants, but we have not forgotten the real cause of the hardship faced by hundreds of thousands of normal people. Cut the causes of the problems, don't cause more, its time to take an axe to the Tory tree.

The last few November 5ths have fallen in the week, this year it falls on a Saturday. As we pour through the streets of London we aim to show the tourists and gentrifiers that London is not a city in subdued slumber, but a city full of people angry at their rulers, and passionate about change.

We look beyond the narrow scope of Brexit to the inherent problems of the system, capitalism is not working, capitalism has not worked, capitalism will not work. Its time to stop being complacent cogs, grinding towards the bosses' next bonus package, and instead start working towards radical new solutions. We welcome all and anyone who agrees, you need not wear a Guy Fawkes mask to take to the streets on November 5th. We respect diversity of tactics and welcome anyone who takes the path of direct action.

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Last year the biggest gang in London, the Met Police, attended our demonstration in force. Despite reinforcements from across the country they put on a pitiful display of aggression and violence. We call on the Metropolitan Police to restrain from violence and their usual mob mentality. To those attending November 5th with little experience of the Met we have simple advice, the police are not your friends, they do not regard you as such, do not regard them as such either.

In a society that has abolished all adventure, the only adventure left is to abolish that society.
Of all the people in this world I do not understand, some of the most confusing to me are former Bernie Sanders supporters who hate Trump but insist that they will not vote for Hilary Clinton in the US presidential elections. I understand that they preferred the soft-socialism of Sanders to Clinton's more conservative stance. I understand that they see Clinton as emblematic of an establishment they loathe. But what I do not understand is how anyone who is severely alarmed by the prospect of a Trump presidency would not do everything in their power to stop his ascendancy. Sure, Clinton misused her private email server and gave paid speeches to Wall Street. But Trump is a third-generation millionaire who mimics Hitleresque rhetoric by calling for the expulsion of an entire religion and advocates sexual attacks on women. If I put a gun to the head of a Trump-hating Sanders supporter and forced them to pick between Clinton and Trump, surely Clinton would be an abnormally easy choice. So why is the choice of their next President, which could equally alter the course of their lives, not seen in similar terms?

Perhaps the absenteeism pledges are just bravado. But such all-or-nothing mentality, coupled with the dismissal of compromise as a betrayal of a personal ideal, has become endemic amongst many political supporters. It is not a problem of the Left or the Right, but spans the political spectrum. You can see it in Brexiteers who disregard those who worry about the huge complexities of withdrawing and renegotiating with the European Union as embittered Remainers, while blithely insisting that we can have prosperity and closed borders and access to the single market and legislative control, no problem. You can see it in Jeremy Corbyn supporters who equate those who believe that interventionist foreign policy can ever have deterrent or containment benefits with bellicose warmongers who have a sadistic urge to send British troops to die.

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If California is a lesson in the financial cost of political idealism, Columbia could become a tragic example of the social cost. A historic peace deal has just been rejected in a popular referendum. The deal would have forced the FARC, a guerrilla force who has killed 220,000 Columbians, to lay down their arms for good. It foundered because of amnesty clauses which meant only top-level combatants would be charged for war crimes, and even then with a maximum sentence of eight years under house arrest. The desire for justice is understandable. But is it worth gambling more deaths? That is not my choice to make, but perhaps it shouldn't be the choice of all Columbians either. Poll data suggests that the deal was rejected by city-dwellers who live far away from danger, and was overwhelmingly supported by those rural citizens whose day-to-day life is affected by war. Is it really justifiable to risk other people's lives for a political ideal?

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California and Columbia are geographically and politically far from Britain. But as parties at both ends of our political spectrum seduce Brits with promises of a pain-free panacea to complex social ills, our country would benefit from learning their lessons; everything has a cost. Our desire to live in a fairy-tale has led us to conjure up imaginary villains - big businesses, migrants, venal politicians - who, if only removed or shaken down, could fund our personal utopia. This is unhelpful and dangerous thinking. Raising business taxes deters investment. Barring migrants sucks money and talent out of the economy. Hounding politicians for compromising encourages the rise of mendacious populism.

Of course, everyone has different priorities and opinions, and political discussions grounded in realism will be no less argumentative as ones grounded in idealism. But an acknowledgment by both sides of the sacrifices they are willing to make will at least make the debate honest. It is dishonourable and lazy to try to win an argument by appealing to a utopian ideal that few would oppose on principle. Of course something like "free [lifelong] education for all" is desirable in and of itself. But if you want to argue for it, explain to me why it would be worth sacrificing great chunks of the national budget to fund a ruinously expensive policy that is deeply regressive. Bear in mind that increasing corporation tax rarely raises significant amounts of money and tends to harm the same ordinary consumers the education policy is supposed to better.
Photo credit: Yinan Chen

Heading on a tropical holiday often means emptying your bank account on a costly resort at a characteristically expensive destination, like Fiji, Turks and Caicos, or Curacao. The Florida Keys are often overlooked as part of the much-visited American state of Florida, but those who haven't been are missing out on one of the most affordable, laid-back, scenic, and adventure-filled holiday destinations in the Western Hemisphere. These six reasons why you should pack your bags for the Florida Keys will make you want to set your escape to the "Conch Republic" in stone today.

The Reefs Are World Class

You don't have to travel around the globe to find a world-renowned snorkeling and diving locale. Key Largo's famed John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is part of North America's third-largest and only living coral barrier reef, meaning it's the best place on the continent to plunge beneath the service. Be prepared to be wowed by the rainbow of colours beneath the surface, whether you're floating above the reef or submerged in a school of brilliant tropical fish, sea turtles, or stingrays.

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The "Keys" are also known for artificial reefs, like the Vandenberg Wreck and Spiegel Grove, offering just as impressive marine life. It's easy to spend an entire adventure in the Florida Keys uncovering the natural wonders that lie beneath the water's surface.

The Beaches Are Worthy of Postcards

Many travelers have heard about the crystal clear waters, vibrantly coloured coral reefs, and mangrove trails that make water-based adventures in the Keys so unforgettable. But the cartoonish palm trees, sugary sands, and views of light blue water against cloud-dotted skies are what make days on the beach in the Conch Republic equally as impressive. Lounge under a swooping coconut palm with a cold drink on Islamorada or find the perfect beachfront resort on Key West, but whatever you do, don't miss one of the Florida Keys' iconic orange sunsets.

Getting There Is Easy and Affordable

For Americans, traveling to the Florida Keys is a no-brainer. They don't need a passport, the currency is the U.S. dollar, and they can stay as long as they please. However, it's not much more difficult for travelers from the United Kingdom (and many other parts of Europe) to spend a week or extended stay in this affordable, tropical paradise.

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Travelers can fly directly to Key West or one of Florida's other favourite coastal destinations, like West Palm Beach or Miami, and drive south to the Keys in just one or two hours. United Kingdom-based travelers can also apply for an ESTA to stay up to 90 days in the United States, which means you can spend an entire winter in the Florida Keys for the price of staying just a few weeks in of the Caribbean's more costly destinations.

The Overseas Highway Is One of the World's Most Scenic

Photo credit: EdoDodo

Reaching your destination in the Florida Keys is just as enjoyable as being there, and many experts on the area suggest you take the drive from Miami to Key West. The Overseas Highway offers roughly 200 kilometres of picture-perfect scenery on both sides of your vehicle as you pass over an elaborate systems of 42 bridges from island to island along the Keys. Now recognized as an "All-American Road," the Overseas Highway has been featured in Hollywood films (True Lies and 2 Fast 2 Furious) and has been praised as one of the most scenic roads in all of America by the National Scenic Byways program.

The Opportunities for Adventure Are Endless

The world-famous Key of Islamorada is known as the Fishing Capital of the World, and Key Largo is praised for its mangrove trails, which offer a winding network of water-based trails for kayakers and paddleboarders. Whether you're diving the Great Florida Reef, spearfishing for grouper, snapping photos of green iguanas, kite surfing in shallow waters, feeding pelicans at a laid-back beach bar, or admiring dolphins at play from a tour boat, you'll be wowed by the endless opportunities for adventure above and below the surface of the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys.

The Laid-Back Vibes are Infectious

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Photo credit: Edserrano

You're probably planning a Caribbean escape to relax and let loose in an environment that feels much different than home, and there's no better place to do that than in the Conch Republic. You'll notice time moving more slowly when you're surrounded by the sea on all sides. And it's difficult to feel stressed when you're exploring a string of islands set in one of the world's most scenic stretches of sandy coastline, stunning coral reefs, and colourful harbours.
The artwork you are most likely to stumble across in Cuba is the ubiquitous and eye-watering acrylic of an American car. Yet Cuba, both in and outside its capital, is a trove of small galleries, collectives, and public work. Push past the drawings of Che to find innovative, exciting pieces that capture Cuba's contradictions and ineffable wit.

1.Taller Experimental de Grafica, Havana

Callejon del Chorro, Habana Vieja

Set back from Plaza de la Catedral is this excellent studio filled with Cuban artists at work on old rollers, producing prints of just about every kind. Experimental it certainly is, and open plan to boot, so go and have a closer look at the skills on show. There is also an exhibition space, and a studio shop holding original and affordable work. Unmissable.

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2.Fusterlandia, Jaimanitas

A visit to Fusterlandia is well worth the 20 minute cab ride out of Havana, which will deliver you into Jose Fuster's surrealist fantasyland. Fuster has spent three decades transforming Jaimanitas and its buildings with vibrant mosaics, sculptures, and painting. The details of the project are extraordinary and a walk through the streets reveals, for starters, a homage to Gaudi, a giant ceramic heart outside a friend's home, A The Flight of The Cat inspired bench, and a (currently unfinished) living map of Latin America. Go to the heart of this trippy brainchild, Fuster's studio, and gape at a vision come to life.

3.Annia Alonso's studio, Cienfuegos

Calle 25 #5425 e/54 y 56, Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos is the best city outside of Havana to find high quality work, and there are studio/gallery spaces aplenty. Engraver Annia Alonso's is one of the best. Open about her process and vision, Alonso is happy to discuss her superb selection of collagraphs that hang in the studio on the edge of Jose Marti Park. Around the corner is a similar set up by Vladimir Rodriguez. Cienfuegos is experiencing a surge in private galleries financed by groups of artists, a fairly new phenomenon in the Cuban market. The quality varies, but a morning wandering around these independent spaces is one well spent.

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4.Galeria de Arte, Trinidad

Calle Real del Jigue, Trinidad 62600

The building alone, surely one of the most beautiful in Trinidad, is reason enough to visit - creaking floor beams, trompe l'oeil, high ceilings, and a balcony which skirts the upper floor. Looking out on to Plaza Major, the gallery has an eclectic mix on show. The exhibition space upstairs is less exciting than the permanent collection, but it does give an interesting indication of what is being produced in Trinidad today.

5.Havana's Glorious Streets

A facetious description of Roberto Fabelo's sculpture 'Viaje Fantastico' is terribly tempting, but wouldn't do justice to the magnificent bronze that presides over Plaza Vieja. Fairly unforgettable, and just one the exciting public sculptures that Old Town holds. Wander along to Plaza de San Francisco de Assisi to see 'La Conversacion', an abstract bronze casting by French sculptor Etienne. Finish up on Havana's dramatic Malecon for sunset to see Rafael San Juan's imposing 'Primevera'; an eight meter recycled steel sculpture that faces out from Havana onto crashing waves and an endless horizon.
Professor Duch, fronts the discussion in Warsaw.

So it turns out we're never too old for a bit of sex, drugs and rock n roll, and furthermore it can actually do us the world of good. That's according to Professor Wlodzislaw Duch, who heads up the Neurocognitive Laboratory in the Center of Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, and the Department of Informatics (both at Nicolaus Copernicus University).

Speaking at the Polish Ministry of Economic Affairs in Warsaw, at our ninth Neighbourhoods of the Future roadshow in as many months, Professor Duch revealed that - even if their drugs are now of the legal kind - the men and women who began the sexual revolution as twentysomethings are now finding new passions and partners in retirement, and this can be attributed to improvements in wellbeing. The summer of love isn't quite over for everyone yet, it seems.

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And the rock n' roll? Well, keep on reading.

Come Together

The past nine months have been something of a whirlwind voyage of discovery for the Agile Ageing Alliance. Working with Utrecht University and local partners we have taken soundings from world capitals to city halls and rural communities; employing design thinking, storytelling and creative visioning to explore new paradigms for 'Agile Ageing' in our Neighbourhoods of the Future.

Whist we are still taking stock, what strikes me is just how much we have in common. Our populations are expanding, with advancing age and long-term conditions being defining features of a far from stable international healthcare landscape. Indeed, we share similar desires when it comes to wellbeing and quality of life. And one thing is certain, INNOVATION is capable of disrupting the status quo. It can transform health and care systems, thereby enabling our older selves to enjoy healthier more active, meaningful and 'connected' lives; with as much independence and autonomy as our individual circumstances allow.

So, where are the road blocks? Although we have come across notable exceptions, led by organisations which are re-imagining care homes as valuable community assets, for the most part institutional care is not fit for purpose and much too expensive. Furthermore, according to our research there is no doubt that we want to enjoy later life in the comfort of our own homes.

Which is a real problem, as it is estimated that around 75 per cent of the EU's current housing stock is not suitable for independent living. Conversely, this constitutes a huge opportunity for the development of smarter new build and retrofit solutions. The European Commission has taken the initiative to drive this agenda through Neighbourhoods of the Future, a European roadshow of interconnected Innovation Workshops.

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Our House

To have any chance of boosting a market for age inclusive homes, stakeholders will have to invest more time talking with each other, developing ideas together, and testing and implementing the ideas together.

This is the first step towards a common reference framework. Of course we will need a competitive marketplace, but we'll be thinking about improving user experience and interoperability, instead of focusing on imposing our own exclusive standards. In fact, we'll find new ways of collaborating together in a spirit of open innovation.

It's truer than ever before that life begins at 60, or 65 or whatever, with years of healthy living and exciting life events ahead for many of us. We will be grandparents. We will be centres of social activity for family and friends. We will be running our own micro businesses. We will expect our houses to deliver much more. Our connected home can become a partner in our lives, not just a place to live, and - using modern technology - it will welcome us, warn us, help us survive and enjoy life, not just be a passive receptacle for our ageing bodies.

When we enter our smarter houses and apartments, we'll expect an update on what's going on, in and around the home. As we get older, we'll expect those who help us to get the same updates, if we so chose. When problems are imminent, whether in the home or outside, we'll expect to be alerted, in a way which goes far beyond the warning about frost, open doors, seat belts undone, lights left on or service required that modern cars give us. In short, we'll expect our homes to be - dare we say it - almost human.

Say It Loud

If you would like to get involved with our project, now is your chance. We will be staging a 'meeting of minds' December 8th 2016 at the European Summit on Innovation for Active and Healthy Ageing in Brussels, where we will present insights from the roadshow and further explore the co-creation of a European Reference Framework for smarter age friendly, connected homes and communities. To register contact Horst.KRAEMER@ec.europa.eu as soon as possible, as space is strictly limited, and by invitation only.

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If you can't make the Brussels event, we are about to launch a new phase of research. To find out about contributing please reach out to info@agileageing.eu tell us something about yourself and why you would like to get involved and we will be in touch.

It's Only Rock N' Roll but...

And now to the rock n' roll. The day after the Warsaw roadshow, I attended Bill Wyman's 80th birthday bash in London. The former Rolling Stone was joined on stage by an exotic collection of baby-boomers including Bob Geldof, Joe Brown, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Robert Plant and through video the other Stones. Once upon a time, our parents warned against following such role models. Well, they looked pretty good to me, so maybe rock n' roll really is the elixir for a long, rich and creative life.

Shine on you crazy diamonds!
Arman Zhenikeyev via Getty Images

In 2014, the Pavement asked me to write an article about life in homeless shelters at Christmastime. I remember feeling nervous. My idea of such shelters relied on distortions in popular culture and George Orwell's Down and Out in Paris and London. The Crisis centre I visited, however, was surprisingly delightful. It was set-up in a modern venue with hallucinogenic colours sprawled across high-arching ceilings. Contemporary art graced the walls and visitors sat on garish sofas cracking jokes. The atmosphere was one of cheerfulness.

The innovative methods Crisis used to prevent homelessness also surprised me. I expected little more than uncomfortable beds and unappetising grub. Instead, I witnessed visitors receiving a free haircut and a medical check-up before tucking into something delectable. Some of the homeless folks talked to volunteers just to vent while others worked on their CVs. The centre was inspired. It didn't just offer a place to stay: it offered long-term, life-changing solutions.

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That Christmas, I spoke to staff, volunteers and guests at the Crisis centre. Perhaps it was the looming general election, or perhaps it was just the natural state of affairs, but each conversation routinely led to politics. There was an evident hopelessness in these political discussions. One volunteer, Tony, who was once street homeless but had received help from Crisis two years prior to our conversation, summed up this feeling: 'politicians don't bother talking about the homeless,' he told me, 'and they certainly don't care'. Each guest invariably echoed Tony's sentiment.

Despite their incredible work, charities supporting rough sleepers are struggling at present. Homelessness has increased massively since David Cameron and his band of austerity-pushing brothers came to power. A report earlier in 2016 revealed that under Cameron's administration homelessness among English households has risen by 54 per cent since 2010. This rise is an inevitable effect of cutting public service expenditure, as everyone I spoke to at the Crisis centre readily acknowledged.

Politicians seldom address homelessness because, despite the widespread growth in relative terms, rough sleeping rarely affects the average self-interested voter. Only a tiny proportion of the population are homeless and thus offering such people help, particularly considering their understandable political antipathy, fails to attract mainstream politicians. When I visited the Crisis centre in 2014, the major parties were competing to convince the public of their economic frugality. In an age of austerity, promising funding for the homeless was ostensibly foolish.

The allegiance to austerity, while always economically contentious, is dissipating among the political mainstream. We are witnessing a shift in economic policy on the right, which follows a more radical shift on the left. The Homelessness Reduction Bill, which has just passed its second reading, is a result of this shift in the Overton window: once purportedly objectionable policies are now politically acceptable.

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With this newfound freedom for mainstream politicians to talk about homelessness, the Homelessness Reduction Bill seems promising. According to Theresa May, the Bill will award funding to local authorities and promote innovative ideas to prevent rough sleeping. This focus on both localism and innovation is essential.

Offering funding to local authorities ensures the right funding reaches the right people. It compensates for a disparity of unique problems. Issues confronting the rural homeless inexorably differ from issues facing the homeless in cities, for example, and thus the focus on localism can reflect the complex and individual needs of rough sleepers.

Promoting innovation is equally essential. Homeless charities have successfully utilised innovative methods in the past that have achieved long-term results. The Big Issue, for example, affords the homeless the opportunity to help themselves through personal income based on their commitment. This empowering ideal forms the basis of all serious preventative policies. Similarly, as I experienced, Crisis offers long-term solutions by preparing the homeless for vocational and housing opportunities with advice, information and support. Both charities - and there are plenty of others worth mentioning - invest in the homeless, offering them a voice and a sense of hope. It seems obvious that the government should seek to work with such charities.
I made sure I was in the right frame of mind. I prepared to endure 1200 pages of seventeenth century Spanish literature of the highest brow. Don Quixote is perhaps the most revered novel in the Western canon, I thought, and thus it requires serious attention. It was not, however, as I expected. A few chapters into the book, I found myself roaring with laughter. Don Quixote is hysterical and whimsical, wistful and profound. I completed it in eight days, spending each evening alone in my room with the adventures, or rather misadventures, of the Ingenious Gentleman of La Mancha.

To mixed reaction from literature buffs, Disney has announced that they are developing a version of Don Quixote. While some high and mighty types lament the loss of purity that comes with the motion picture, I am convinced that Cervantes' work will make a cracking Disney film.

I can easily imagine Don Quixote - chest puffed out, armour glimmering, jaw chiselled - as the perfect central character. His charming arrogance and supposed self-importance matches the criteria of the best Disney heroes and anti-heroes: Gaston in Beauty and the Beast; John Smith in Pocahontas; Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean. Sancho Panza is also the ideal sidekick, with his complete loyalty to the incorrigible Don Quixote and his ability to shoulder his master's scorn with acid-wit. The most enjoyable passages in Don Quixote, indeed, are the squire's rebuttals of the titular character's constant admonishments.

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Cervantes' madcap and fantastical narrative could translate pleasingly into a Disney picture. On his first sally, for example, the delusional Don Quixote visits a castle, which is actually just a local pub, and beguiles a team of supposed Ladies, who are actually just local prostitutes. Don Quixote's grandiose claims of chivalry and his general waywardness frustrate the pubowner - or Lord of the castle - to such an extent that, in an attempt to get rid of Don Quixote, the pubowner agrees to play along with his delusions and ceremonially dubs Don Quixote a knight. Don Quixote then refuses to pay the pubowner for his stay because, after all, he is now an adorned knight and knights need not pay. The pubowner is left in utter disbelief.

Characters in the book who encounter Don Quixote on his travails generally recognise that he is delusional, but that does not protect them from his delusions. In the first part of the novel, Don Quixote mocks strangers and challenges them to duels; he fights windmills under the assumption they are giants; and he is beaten mercilessly on several occasions, as is the ever-loyal Sancho. Don Quixote is heroic, to be sure, even if outsiders fail to recognise or understand his heroism. He is confused, but like any true Disney hero, his virtuousness is never in doubt.

As the book proceeds, Don Quixote starts to enact real good. In some sense, it is a coming of age story and our chivalric knight starts to realise his plight in the world. His once-comical destruction makes way to actual kindness and usefulness. His delusions of knight-errantry become a reality. Akin to so many Disney heroes, Don Quixote offers a philosophy of kindness and stands by his beliefs regardless of the challenge. Folks throughout the land learn to respect Don Quixote. They, like the reader, see his true worth.

The Disney version of Don Quixote, of course, can never revive the same level of genius as Cervantes' work, but it can nonetheless introduce a beautiful story filled with timeless characters and a profound message to a new generation. An inexorable dilution will take place, but that dilution will not necessarily annul the merits of motion picture.

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Critics are often high and mighty about the purity of great works of literature and condemn the supposedly sullying commercialisation. As far as I am concerned, however, there is no wrong way of coming across great works of literature. I read Nikolai Gogol because of Joy Division, for example, and I read F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Keats because of a Blur song - and I'm grateful to those bands for the introduction.
Photo Credit: Janet Newenham

Bosnia and Herzegovina isn't exactly at the top of many bucket lists. In fact most people I know could barely point it out on a map and my Irish friends are only familiar with the name thanks to it popping up in the Eurovision Song Contest every year!

As with everything in life, however, it is sometimes the unexpected places that leave the biggest impression upon us. Why did I fall in love with Bosnia and Herzegovina? Here are 11 reasons to start with!

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11. Delicious Cevapi

While every country in the Balkans region claims to have the best Cevapi, the best Cevapi we ate was definitely in Bosnia! In fact we loved the Cevapi so much in this one restaurant in Mostar that we ate there two days in a row.

10. Wine tasting in Trebinje

While wine tasting might not be associated with a visit to Bosnia Herzegovina, it turns out much of the country is home to some award-winning wineries and many smaller, family owned vineyards. Think quality wine for a fraction of the price you would pay elsewhere!

9. Borek for breakfast

Borek is essentially a delicious filled pastry made of a thin flaky dough and often filled with cheese or spinach, and sometimes meat. I honestly couldn't think of anything better to eat for breakfast!

8. Mostar old town

Stari Most (or Old Bridge in English) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous attractions in the entire country. This beautiful bridge located in Mostar's old town dated back 427 years until it was destroyed on 9 November 1993. It's not hard to see why it is the main attraction, as it takes pride of place in the centre of Mostar and looks just as beautiful whether you visit day or night.

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7. Vjetrenica cave

Vjetrenica cave in Herzegovina is a UNESCO-nominated site and the biggest and most important cave in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Exploring this incredible gave is a must do when touring Herzegovina, even if it's just to lay your eyes on the main inhabitants of the cave; human fish otherwise known as salamanders!

6. Hike up Fort Strac

Hiking up to Fort Strac, an abandoned Austro-Hungarian in Trebinje was probably the coolest thing we did on our entire trip. We posed for photos on top of the old bunkers, looking out into the distance where we could see the road winding into Montenegro in one direction and the road winding down the mountains towards Croatia in the other direction.

5. Biking the Via Dinarica trail

If you have not heard about the brand new Via Dinarica Trail in Bosnia and Herzegovina, you are missing out! This is an incredible new hiking and biking trail that takes visitors through some of the most beautiful natural sites in the Balkans. We spent two days biking part of the trail with some local guides and were blown away by the scenery we passed.

4. Explore Mostar's abandoned buildings

Visiting the old sniper towner, inside an abandoned bank, was one of the highlights of my trip to Mostar. Not because it was "cool" or because the views were incredible, but because we were brought there by a local who shared her own personal story with us while there.

3. Stay in a war hostel

Of all the unique and wacky hostels I have ever stayed in during my decade long travels around the world, no hostel even comes close to my 2 night stay at the Sarajevo War Hostel. We were met at the door by a man in full camouflage and were told there were no lights, one of the toilets didn't work and not to be shocked by the "war time shower". The walls were covered in newspaper cuttings from the way and graffiti saying things like "Fuck the war" or "Welcome to hell". An interesting experience!

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2. Tour the Tunnel of life

The Tunnel of Life is a tunnel that ran straight through the city of Sarajevo, underneath the city's main airport and runways, connecting east and west. This tunnel was the only lifeline between the fully surrounded city during the Siege of Sarajevo.

1. New friends

In my experience, there were smiling faces and friends to be made everywhere we went in Bosnia Herzegovina. I think if (or should I say WHEN) I ever return to Bosnia and Herzegovina it won't be for the food, the sites, the adventure. It will be to rekindle friendships with all the amazing people I met there. This post is for you guys.
Olivia Chow/Flickr

On Tuesday the journalistic trade seemed shaken to its very foundations by an announcement from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) that it is to remove the requirement to study shorthand from some of its training courses .

Kim Fletcher, NCTJ Chairman, told BBC Radio 4:

"We've fought for years against quite a lot of opposition to keep shorthand... [but the] whole world of journalism is changing so quickly [and] lots of journalists are going to need to do different things working for new media organisations".

There followed the oh-so-predictable backlash on social media and a flurry of complaints to the Council. The disapproving tutting heard across much, though not all, of the industry was nicely crystallised by Huffington Post's own Deputy Political Editor on Twitter:

"@owenjbennett: This is a massive backward step. The line between fully trained journos and people who *think* they are journos blurs yet again."

HuffPo later delivered a blog, by Assistant News Editor Jack Sommers, fleshing out Owen's disgust:

"A Twitter debate began [on Tuesday] about whether journalists should learn shorthand. People who really should know better were suggesting they should not. 'Journalists don't have to learn shorthand' is a dumb argument."

Permit me to put forward that "dumb argument." In saying shorthand isn't an essential skill for many journalists operating across all media in 2016, the NCTJ is spot on. And here's why.

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I have operated in local and national newsrooms for getting on for a decade, working alongside reporters delivering (hopefully!) accurate, impartial and otherwise high-quality reportage. And I estimate that I've have seen fewer than 15% of my journalistic colleagues displaying a working use of shorthand.

Why? Well, it's either because they have the skill but don't feel the need to use it frequently, they had the skill but have allowed it to lapse as it's rarely if ever been needed or they never had the skill and have never found the need to acquire it.

(There is, I suppose, a fourth possibility. They have shorthand, they never professionally use it, but they keep the skill polished at home by jotting down verbatim what the presenters of Countryfile or Bargain Hunt say. All with the aim of keeping their shorthand at 100 words per minute. We might logically term these people 'masochists'.)

Modern technology renders shorthand convenient for a journalist, but no more than that. It is not an essential skill. A dictaphone costs 20, can be carried in your pocket and whipped out at a moment's notice to record a vox pop or interview.

In fact, setting off a dictaphone while interviewing allows a reporter to engage fully with an interviewee, maintaining eye contact and chipping in with supplementaries, without the need to keep scribbling away frantically on a notepad. Later you can transcribe the pertinent sections, not having had to jot down the entire conversation in the first instance.

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An audio recording is the perfect, 50MB, 100% accurate record of what was said. And as we're in the 21st century and journalists are pulled hither and thither to deliver multimedia content, one can store the audio file away for future access. Got an exclusive, like Andrea Leadsom's motherhood comments from July? Share that MP3 with colleagues for a multimedia story, get it on your website, share it with TV, radio and podcasts, even use it as a rebuttal if the MP in question claims you've misquoted or taken something out of context.

An argument against this reliance on technology is that it breaks, it fails, the battery runs low. That's bogus, in my view, because every journalist possesses a smartphone. Have the two running simultaneously to ensure a backup recording if you must, and you'll be fine. No battery on either device? You're incompetent. Both failed at the same time? Very unlucky, and probably as much chance of that happening as your spilling coffee and destroying your copious shorthand notes.

It's worth reiterating the point that everyone has a smartphone and the ability to record audio or video at a moment's notice. This is user generated content (UGC), and it's all over reportage in the 21st century. It's Black Lives Matter footage in the United States. It's John McDonnell labelling rebels moving against Jeremy Corbyn "effing useless". It's a giant Huntsman spider tucking into a dead mouse in an Australian garage.

The fact everyone has the ability to record interviews or other material on the hoof massively democratises journalism, currently an industry largely full of a certain type of person. News organisations and the people running the show should be doing all they can to open up the trade to a wider mix of contributors, to people who can deliver news in non-traditional methods. That means not limiting your talent pool only to people who have acquired what you deem to be an "essential" skill, especially when, like shorthand, that skill is inessential.

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Insisting shorthand is "essential" implies that those journalists without it are under-qualified or perhaps even sub-par. HuffPo's own Owen Bennett makes that distinction himself when he distinguishes between those he regards as "full trained" and those who "think they are journos." That's insular, inaccurate and even insulting. Try telling the 85% of journalists working without shorthand in my newsroom that they're sub-par because they can't scribble at 100 words per minute.

The only arena in which shorthand is essential is in reporting from the courtroom, where audio recording devices are not permitted. This also used to be the case for local council meetings, but it's an attitude that has thankfully now been relaxed. It's to be hoped the court system soon catches up, because the current situation where a reporter can live-tweet a verdict from the press box but can't record what was said in the sentencing is contradictory and outdated.

Shorthand takes 100+ hours to learn and many more to maintain. That's time better spent gaining wider skills or, you know, doing some actual journalism. The point is not that shorthand is pointless. If you want to learn it that's wonderful; broaden your skillset. But I can think of half a dozen skills I reckon you'd be better off acquiring to help you kick on in this journalistic rat race.

Fundamentally, it seems those protesting that shorthand is essential are grizzled hacks who slogged to gain the skill and now bitterly insist everyone else must endure this rite of passage. They needn't.

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I confess that when I moved to Dorset from the happening London borough of Islington last year, I was worried it would feel like I'd retired before my time.

I knew that Bournemouth and Poole had fabulous sandy beaches and the stunning Jurassic Coast on their doorstep, but what about culture, creativity, the Arts, nightlife, great food and like-minded people?

In London, I worked out of a studio in Hackney, dined in the eclectic restaurants of Upper Street and frequently stumbled upon hidden gems of bars, live music venues and art exhibitions. Plus, I was connected to a huge network of people in the personal development and therapy fields.

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Could Bournemouth, with its reputation as a mecca for pensioners and families toting buckets and spades, rival London's buzz? And could I, a city girl who'd lived in some of the largest metropolises in the world including Mexico City and Sao Paulo, survive outside the big smoke and find my place at the seaside?

Credit: Pixabay/Creative Commons

Until last year, my main experiences of Bournemouth had been the party political conferences I'd covered as a Reuters journalist. I'd spent my days cooped up in the Bournemouth International Centre, my evenings eating out with my journalism chums and my nights mingling with politicians in the carpeted bars of seafront hotels. We brought our London bubble with us and rarely ventured outside it, racing to the train station on the final day, delighted to get back to the capital.

It's so easy, when you live in London, to think that nothing goes on outside, to think that anywhere on the South Coast other than Brighton is a provincial backwater. But a year-and-a-half after making the big leap, I've been blown away by what I've found.

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Bournemouth is most definitely buzzing.

After doing the rounds of local networking events - and there are many - it's clear that creativity is alive and kicking down here. There are hundreds of creative digital agencies, along with tech developers, designers and entrepreneurs. Not to mention the bluechip companies like JP Morgan Chase Bank and Barclays and well-known brands like Animal and Lush that have their homes here.

So much for the cliche of the blue rinse brigade and people coming here to retire - the area of Bournemouth and Poole is among the top 10 clusters for employment growth in the UK, according to this year's report by Tech Nation, and two local universities keep churning out talent.

Everywhere I look, there's a startup event and some pull in big names, such as James Benamor, of Channel 4's The Secret Millionaire fame, who's offering tips to local entrepreneurs at Bournemouth's Google-backed Startup Grind, and perhaps eyeing up investment opportunities at the same time.

And even though tech was barely on my radar before I came here, I've found my own niche amongst all this - helping local businesses and startups tell their stories and get their message out into the world, mentoring on First Bourne, a digital accelerator programme, and running workshops.

Storytelling was the focus of one of the most original networking events I've been to so far. At Open Sauce, the latest brainchild of local digital champion Matt Desmier, speakers had to tell their stories in 20 slides of 20 seconds each at an event worthy of East London's creative hipster scene, only with less beards. It was an enthralling evening - and I haven't used that word about networking before.

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And as a bonus, it was easy to get to. In London, I grew tired of waiting at bus stops in the rain and travelling for half-an-hour with my face squashed against a Tube window, reading a crumpled copy of Metro as fellow commuters stared at their feet. Don't get me wrong, I loved my time in London but I ran out of energy for it and I never liked travelling underground.

As for my own creative endeavours, I've found a unique creative community and a co-working space that rivals my Hackney studio in The Old School House in Boscombe, which, conveniently, is just a 10 minute-walk from the beach. And if I want to write with a sea view, I can take my laptop down to Urban Reef.

The Arts, too, are thriving here. I was just at an exhibition of local artist Kathryn Thomas and I can't believe I've yet to visit the Russell-Cotes.

But back to the beach, which is where I spend much of my time and the main reason why I haven't made it to the Russell-Cotes yet.

What I most love about living here is that I get to mix with people who have chosen seaside living, sea swimming and coastal walks over the fast-paced, concrete-clad, hamster wheel that some people endure in London.

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I get a real kick when I drive through Bournemouth on my way to work and see paddleboarders or surfers splashing about in the sea. This is the true value of this place - you can swim in the morning or the evening after a day's work (if like me, you're happy to brave the cold) or walk on the sand to get inspired. It's priceless.

And if I was worried about meeting like-minded souls, I had no reason to be. Inevitably, people like me who yearn for more space, more freedom, a more balanced lifestyle and to be connected to Nature are drawn to Bournemouth's promise of "beauty and health", as its Latin motto "Pulchritudo et Salubritas" declares.

So my preconceptions of this seaside town have been well and truly smashed and I can't believe how lucky I am to be living here.
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There is nothing for you to prove. It won't make you less of a man if you shed a tear. Crying is a healthy way to release emotions which are trapped up inside of you.

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Crying doesn't always demonstrate sadness it can be caused by joy, inspiration and happiness like the time you watched that heartfelt TV commercial or seeing your daughter or son get married. Watering the oceans isn't a sign of being weak or 'gay', it is a completely natural bodily reflex.

You are human. Yes, you may be a man but that doesn't classify you under certain restrictions. Be you, that is the most important thing to do.

This month Huffington Post UK will be shinning a light on the pressures men face around identity, talking openly about suicide and mental health concerning men.

Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK, that's before cancer, heart disease and diabetes. But why?

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I believe some men feel to ashamed to seek help and support. Depression can affect anyone but it's so important to talk with someone as soon as you have a lack of energy, low sex drive, and unexplained aches and pains. These are all typical signs of depression. There are so many networks out there which can support individuals with mental health disorders, you will not only be treated but looked after and have the opportunity to meet other people just like you.

Being the 'alpha male', the leader in the family or to demonstrate your indestructibleness is a completely false impression of what men have to be. You are not made of stone, you are made of heart and warmth and sometimes things get a little cold and that's when you need to speak up.

For you to be there for your family, you need to be healthy and strong in more ways than one. Whatever is on your mind speaking out about the issue can relieve so much stress and pain.

Communication is another aspect which must be explored further. Men, you need to talk more to your friends and close family. Maybe others your age are going through similar feelings. This can really help you understand that you are not on your own.

In secondary school I spoke with a counsellor and did the same in college. The benefits were great. My moods had lit up and things seemed all that less darker. I am only 18, I have no children and a family to provide for so I can most definitely imagine the pressures a middle aged man goes through.

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Instead of focusing your life around the responsibilities remember to smile, be happy and spend time with people you love and care.

Never be scared to show emotions. Like I said, you are human. Crying is natural.

HuffPost UK is running a month-long focus around men to highlight the pressures they face around identity and to raise awareness of the epidemic of suicide. To address some of the issues at hand, Building Modern Men presents a snapshot of life for men, the difficulty in expressing emotion, the challenges of speaking out, as well as kick starting conversations around male body image, LGBT identity, male friendship and mental health.
Mining communities have been let down by Westminster time and time again. The Home Secretary's refusal to initiate an inquiry into the 'Battle of Orgreave' has reopened old wounds for former mining communities. The announcement reminds us, yet again, that people in these forgotten about communities are worth so little to politicians in Westminster.

We have just marked 50 years since the horrific Aberfan disaster. 116 children and 28 adults needlessly lost their lives when a coal tip slid down the mountain and buried a school and 20 terraced houses.

Though it happened before I was born, older people in our valley - the neighbouring Rhondda - had this tragedy burned into them and it has been passed down through the generations. It was something I was aware of from a very young age. Older people could not talk about it without tears. The emotion from the 50th anniversary commemorations was palpable.

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The Labour Secretary of State for Wales at the time, George Thomas, was a working class man from the southern coalfields. He should have known better but, regardless, he coerced the people of Aberfan into using money donated by well-wishers and those who had been affected by the news from Aberfan, to pay for the removal of the tips. This was a kick in the guts to the community that had just seen an entire generation "buried alive by the national coal board," to quote one bereaved parent.

There were other disasters and other government failings, but Aberfan has to top the list in the Hall of Shame.

The actions of Margaret Thatcher's government during the 1984/5 miners' strike are yet another example of people in coalfield communities being dealt a blow by the Westminster government.

Mrs Thatcher wanted to break the unions and she took down a whole industry to do it. In the meantime, thousands of men were put out of work. Many were encouraged to "go on the sick" to mask the unemployment rates in towns and villages where no alternative industry was brought in to replace what had been lost. Some families in those communities have witnessed a slow rot ever since. The social problems in these communities today can be traced back to Thatcher's decision to get rid of the mining industry. All the statistics point to a deep, structural poverty that no government, Tory nor Labour, on either side of the M4 has seriously set about trying to tackle.

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When Tony Blair came to power in 1997, he continued with the court case against retired miners or their widows fighting for compensation under the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) scheme. The Labour Government lost this battle in the courts against the NACODS union but not until they had put a lot of time and energy into a long-drawn out and costly legal battle. When the compensation scheme eventually went ahead, it was beset with delays. Back in 2010, my office found that 17,894 former miners in England, Scotland and Wales who lodged a claim while alive, died before their COPD claim was settled. In the Rhondda, the constituency I now represent, there was the highest number of miners in Wales of any constituency - 317 in all - who were alive to lodge a claim but died before they could make use of the compensation they were entitled to after years of ill-health. Before the scheme, many women lost their husbands young to the coal dust but widows were left to just get on with life with little support from the government. My grandmother was one such widow after my grandfather died from pneumoconiosis. He was just 47.

Both Tory and Labour Westminster governments raided the miners' pension fund. The Labour Government at the time actually raided the pension fund to finance the COPD compensation scheme they had been forced into after being dragged kicking and screaming through the courts. It was another cruel irony from another Labour Government.

And now there's the decision on Orgreave. People in former coal communities have their suspicions about the government being behind the events that day. People believe the Tories have something to hide here. The Home Secretary's decision not to hold an inquiry, for many, will confirm those suspicions. If they've nothing to hide, why not open the events up for examination?

Shining a light on Orgreave and learning from it enables people to see what it is like when the government takes on the people. We have to learn from history. If we don't, mistakes will be repeated. We need our eyes wide open.

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And we need to remember that the absence of justice and lack of opportunity in our post-industrial communities in Wales has been deliberately caused by the establishment. Conservative policy has been consistent. It has been consistently unjust. The actions of Labour governments have left a sour taste in a different way, because the neglect of the Blair administration, or of George Thomas, was done on the back of a mandate which the Tories never had.

This deliberate de-industrialisation and the failure of the state to replace old industries with new ones has left a deep legacy. The human cost is still felt today. While most people in ex-mining communities work and are able access a variety of jobs, a layer of our population has been trapped in the system, overwhelmed by draconian UK Government 'welfare reforms' which have seen disabled and chronically ill people declared fit for work while there have been insufficient suitable work opportunities available.

Swapping the rule of one Westminster party for another is fraught with problems if the underlying nature of Westminster remains unchanged.

The Conservatives are unlikely to be defeated by a divided Labour party at the next UK election. Regardless, as long as the fate of our ex-mining communities relies on decisions made in Westminster - by whichever party - the chances are that we will be let down again.

There is a positive alternative to that.

In May, Plaid Cymru won two of the four Police Commissioner posts in Wales. The role of our Plaid Cymru commissioners is to work with police forces on crime prevention and reduction, but also they have a duty to create accountability. These posts were might have been originated by Westminster. They can and should, however, work for people who elected them and on occasion, that means they can and should be used against the establishment.

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In the National Assembly this week, Plaid Cymru called for the Welsh Government to work with the four Welsh Police Commissioners to see whether there is any information held by Welsh forces that can be brought to light.
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Sex education has finally started to receive the widespread press coverage the topic needs. From the #SREnow campaign and Laura Bates' petition calling for mandatory Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) in all schools across the United Kingdom, to widespread discussions on the content of SRE lessons in the Twittersphere, much-needed conversations on the woefully inadequate nature of current SRE practices in the UK are taking off.

Most recently, Italo-British organisation FCome launched its #sexedispower campaign, to lobby the Italian government following Prime Minister Renzi's declaration that they 'could not do much' to address the problem of sexual violence. FCome's campaign brings to light the enormous impact that learning about sexual relationships and associated topics can have on young people, and to remind us of the very damaging consequences of neglecting to educate our young in this domain.

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So why is sex education power? And why is it important to empower young people in this way?

In the UK, SRE is not part of the statutory national curriculum, although some parts of sex education are compulsory in the science curriculum in order to teach children about reproduction and sexual health. In my Northern comprehensive, this amounted to covering the mechanics of intercourse, STIs, and how to put a condom on a carrot (and this seems to be a lot if the experiences of others shared on Twitter with the SREnow hashtag are anything to go by). Children leave these classes still wildly ignorant of the reality of sexual relationships in any form.

Giving children an understanding of sex and relationships beyond the mechanics of conception and STIs (important though these are!) will empower them to navigate the complexities of sexuality and gender in our stubbornly heteronormative world, thus helping to combat the ignorance and prejudices that so often result in discrimination. With anti-LGBT+ violence still horrendously common (4 in 5 LGBT people have experienced hate crime, and 1 in 10 have experienced sexual violence), working to remove the negative stigma attached to speaking about sexuality is sorely needed. Normalising discussions around sexuality and gender, working against harmful stereotypes of what masculinity and femininity are supposed to be (and who is supposed to fit into these categories), and giving children the platform and vocabulary to think and speak about such topics, gives our young people the power to better understand themselves and the world around them.

Meaningful SRE would also be a move towards combatting gender-based violence by equipping children with an understanding of equality and consent in healthy sexual relationships, thus empowering them to be in control of their own bodies and relationships. Gender-based violence is endemic: 1 in 5 women aged 16-59 have experienced sexual assault, 2 women are killed every week in England and Wales by a current or former partner, and 1 in 4 women in England and Wales will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes. When the lack of any kind of education on healthy sexual relationships is added to continuing and pervasive societal narratives that purport women to be sexually submissive, weak, 'available', and less worthy of rights, and men to be sexually dominant and aggressive in order to fulfil the requirements of 'masculinity' (narratives that are woven deep into the popular consciousness), it is unsurprising that violent crimes against women in England and Wales have reached a record high.

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Compulsory SRE certainly won't magically stop gender-based violence, but it can contribute towards its reduction. Giving teenagers an understanding of sexual equality, consent, and mutual pleasure at an age when they are becoming sexually active would enable them to seek such things in their own relationships, and to recognise situations that transgress the boundaries of equality or consent. Such an education would give young people the power to resist male entitlement to female bodies, and to strive for greater sexual equality.

It goes without saying that normalising conversations about consent and equality in our schools would be a huge step forward in the fight against rape culture, and would remove the taboo on sex that harmfully leads children to educate themselves elsewhere, be that through porn, the kind of 'advice' spouted by women's magazines, or exaggerated playground gossip. Invaluable though initiatives such as Sexpression and the Schools Consent Project are, the kind of education they provide needs to be commonplace in all UK schools. Education is empowering, and SRE can empower young people to make healthy and informed decisions about sex and relationships that will positively influence them, their partners, and the societies in which they live.
Naturally we were emotional about her leaving for the first time... we had no knowledge about the support services at her university.

Whilst we were able to talk to her about mental health, we were worried she wouldn't be able to access support away from home, if she needed it.
CYPRUS PEACE PROCESS: FAILURE TO LAUNCH?

Will a settlement be in line with EU constitution in absence of compliance with the mandatory EU Gender Action Plan?

The Cyprus peace process has been demonstrating good progress thanks to the good leadership on both sides. It seems however that the negotiation process itself has stagnated in out-of-date approaches, which may risk yet another disappointing result but this time, for a different reason: that it lacks compliance with the fundamental freedoms and principles upon which the EU is founded.

A groundbreaking event is scheduled on 3-4 November in Nicosia to bring together leading experts in the fields of politics, economics, gender and civil society. The aim is to discuss this issue from various perspectives and to come up with a 'White Book' to be then presented to both leaders and their negotiation teams. (See below for further details.)

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Core Values At Stake?

All previous efforts to reach a settlement in the long years of the Cypriot conflict have collapsed to date; with public trust in the peace process plummeting greatly in particular since 2004. There is a different feel to the negotiation talks this time around as the current leaderships on both sides indicate a shift in political will. It seems, however, that despite the visible progress in many ways, the negotiation process itself has stagnated in out-of-date approaches. The process is still top-down, still excessively secretive, and more to the point, still lacking women's participation beyond the newly established GETC (Gender Equality Technical Committee). Women and in fact gender in general, continue to be an afterthought; and therefore the peace process' approach to these issues lacks accountability.

Up until recently, peace processes around the world have been conducted in a gender-blind manner. There has been a shift since 2000, with the passage of the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 which urged all actors to increase the participation of women and incorporate gender perspectives in all UN peace and security efforts; nevertheless, there is still long way to go.

For the UN-facilitated Cyprus peace process in particular, there are more specific obligations in addition to UNSCR 1325. The south of the island is a member of the EU, and the north is not at present. If a solution is reached, EU membership will be island-wide, covering the north of the island also, meaning that a possible forthcoming settlement will need to be compliant with the EU constitution.

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Isn't It Time That Cyprus Starts Seeing Tangible Efforts?

What is telling within the negotiations is a lack of understanding on how the humanitarian system functions. Are the leaderships of the two communities aware of the EU Gender Action Plan for 2016-2020, which calls for the mandatory and systematic reporting of all EU member states for gender related issues in all walks of life? In their Joint Declaration of February 11, 2014, the leaders of both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities pledged that the democratic principles, human rights, the four fundamental freedoms and the principles upon which the EU is founded would be safeguarded and respected throughout the island.

While these are wise and noble sentiments the peace process at present is lacking evidence that it genuinely means to meet these targets. We have yet to see anything tangibly implemented; and as such, both leaderships have put the lives of vulnerable women and men at risk, demonstrating a neglect of human rights as per the EU Constitution:

For the south of the island, an EU country profile in 2013 observes that the proportions of Cypriot women on both supervisory boards (8.0%) and in management positions (14.0%) are considerably smaller than the EU-27 average (16.0% and 33.0% respectively). Cypriot companies do not make full use of the existing female labour force potential. The relatively low rate of part-time employment among women suggests that normally women work either full-time or not at all. As a result, the availability and use of childcare facilities in Cyprus is generally below the EU-27 average. In the north of the island, which is not yet a member of the EU, the numbers are even lower.

Intimate partner violence and domestic abuse is both a prevalent and underreported issue. In the south of the island domestic laws and state legislation lacks harassment protection unless evidence is physical harm. In 78 percent of the cases, the victims were female. Furthermore, the trafficking persons' 2012 report out of the U.S. State Department places Cyprus in the same category as Afghanistan and Liberia where cases of women and children forcibly exploited for sex and slave-like work conditions are prevalent in the north of the island. Again, the north of the island there is a very similar picture. These statistics matter because it tells us where we stand both nationally and globally. It screams loudly that work is needed and simply focusing on one item and leaving women to the end is going to keep us on a human rights watch list for many years to come.

Will Cyprus Be Left Behind?

Both negotiating teams have failed to see the necessity of including UNSCR 1325 as part of the pathway towards a sustainable solution to the Cyprus Problem. Instead, the issue has been auctioned off to the intercommunal GETC (Gender Equality Technical Committee), thereby dismissing the importance of creating an organisational environment that enables the adoption of gender-mainstreaming in policy, leadership, resources, capacity and accountability mechanisms. Whilst the establishment of the GETC is a step in the right direction, there is need for more gravitas.

A statement by the GETC made in March 2016, affirmed that: "According to the UNSCR 1325 women should be active participants not only at the negotiating table but also in the post-conflict peace building processes. We believe that the gender perspective and the recognition of the need to initiate processes to eliminate the marginalization and exclusion of women in the political process in Cyprus has been long overdue"

Whilst this statement represents a crucial step forward, it shows an insufficient investment in technical gender expertise, poor quality gender analysis, complete lack of a gender assessment or evaluation, and a piecemeal response to gender equality in programming.

Instead the process requires sufficient human and financial resources to affect gender mainstreaming and capacity building into hard sectors. Unless the leaders of the two communities along with the office of the negotiators start using the language of UNSCR 1325 and take the implementation process forward, the gender and security agenda will become lost, which will result in the continuation of the disturbingly, gender-blind standards and discriminatory structures and practices perpetuated on the island. Access to high-level debates on the Cyprus issue is limited, and hardly include the voices of people living on the island. The need for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and the women, peace and security agenda has never been greater.

The UN advocates for the equal and full participation of women in all efforts to create and maintain international peace and security. To date, there are 58 countries that have adopted a National Action Plan for the Implementation of UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. There are three resolutions on the rights of women to which Afghanistan, Yemen, and Syria among many others are signatories, and yet Cyprus still is not. This is alarming in the context of any proposed solution because we will be doomed to repeat the same errors and sustainable peace will not be achievable.

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Calling for urgent action

The full implementation of these resolutions must be taken seriously. These are an important means of contributing to the full realisation of human rights, peace and security; because it increases over the long term, the effectiveness of the international community's responses to the island's situation. This will thereby build a new future that respects the fundamental equality of men and women. If the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus exclude a gender perspective in a settlement agreement there will be devastating consequences for women.

Women and men have gathered with patient determination to reclaim this country as their own. It is time for the citizens of the island, with its strategic location of East meeting West, to demand more from their leadership. A possible settlement will have to be "fully in line" with the EU's values and principles, and above all the EU Constitution. We must ask ourselves what impact an ad-hoc, piecemeal approach to this issue will result in post solution in terms of the participation, protection and security of the people living in Cyprus. Perhaps more alarmingly, how legitimate will a solution be if it does not allow 50% of its population, the island's own women, as active participants.

Authors:

Sophia Papastavrou Faustmann is Gender Technical Lead at World Vision International, Middle East and Eastern Europe Regional Office, Cyprus

Yeshim Harris Feridun is Co-Founder Director of Engi Conflict Management, London

and a Senior Research Fellow of Conflict Research and Analysis Centre, Uni of Kent UK

Please Note:
Nicolas, you founded the Berggruen Institute - a think tank devoted to proposing and implementing new ideas of effective governance - in 2010. What drove or inspired you to launch the Institute? Can you share some recent ideas that emerged from the workshops and discussions?



The Institute mainly deals with politics and the culture that is behind politics. The idea is that what makes the biggest difference in our lives is our political system, the political environment we live in and the ideas that are behind politics: culture, philosophy and religion.



In my particular case I grew up in Paris, but of German background. I was always fascinated by the case of East and West Germany, seeing the same culture that produced very different outcomes for its citizens. It's obvious that politics dictated the results but it also shows you how important culture is because as soon as the wall came down, the two sides of Germany, within less than a generation, came back together. In the case of North and South Korea- same phenomenon. Somehow North Korea persevered, which might be due to the highly embedded Confucian culture, but obviously the two had very, very different outcomes. It was obvious to me that politics really matters in a systematic way, at the systemic level and that there are other factors at play outside of the short-term policy level.



If you look at the world today, you see a world that is fracturing. You see a world that is becoming more populist at the national level- everywhere. East and West from China all the way to the U.S. Why is that and what does it mean? I think it's probably a reaction to globalization, a reaction to technology having been really ahead of politics. But what it means is that you need to come up with political ideas and answers that most politicians and most political parties are not really focused on or even equipped to deal with because they have to think and deal with the short-term; This is especially true in the West.



This is what ultimately drove me to launch the Institute- to create a place where we can look at things structurally at the level of political systems: compare the trends, cultures and systems. We can come up with new ideas that will hopefully address these big questions as opposed to just giving short-term solutions. It has also been an advantage and luxury at the Institute to think in a nonpartisan way, allowing us the ability to think long-term through practices and cultures from East to West.



What is the WorldPost? How has it changed the international news landscape?



Communications as we all know is key. And the good news in this age is that it's available to almost anyone that has access to the internet. It gives access and empowers people to participate in the global discussion.



The idea of the WorldPost is really a global discussion, giving a voice to the most informed, the most authoritative voices and giving them a voice that will have impact. We knew that The Huffington Post was really the initial, and certainly the largest, online publication within its norm of reach, so we created the WorldPost to partner with The Huffington Post and in essence capitalize on their reach globally. We saw it as a chance to give a lot of the people that we work with a chance to communicate and express their opinion.



WorldPost focuses on the very high quality opinions and journalism present around issues including not only the political issues of today, but also of science and culture. We do it in a way that is not just western-centric because we wanted to allow voices that are deserted on any subject. We've done a lot of work on China or Hong Kong where we've given a voice to not only traditional pro-western thinkers but also non-western, in this case Chinese, thinkers, from different stripes, so that it becomes a new discussion.



In this sense, it really worked out. The Huffington Post is a perfect publisher in a world where you need quality ideas and information to combine with its distribution and reach. It's really unique.



In a recent Bloomberg article, you were referred to as the "homeless billionaire." That's interesting! Can you explain this?



Honestly, it's not very relevant anymore. For many years I didn't have a place to call home. Now I live in L.A., have a place in L.A. and therefore destroyed this idea, so I'm very happy about that.



You recently acquired 450 acres above L.A. to build a "secular monastery" for scholars to live, work and host meetings on topics ranging from philosophy to rethinking government. Why did you choose L.A.?



This will take a number of years to build but the Institute is starting what we call a "secular monastery" in the heart of Los Angeles. It will be a place for scholars and thinkers to convene and live and work.



As far as choosing the location, It was really a personal choice. I've basically lived in three very large and sophisticated urban environments- Paris, London and New York. And those are cities in the traditional sense. L.A.'s the opposite. L.A. is almost a state of mind more than a physical/traditional urban environment. That's what drove me to L.A: the sense of space, both physical and mental, the sense of the future of hope, observation and tranquility/diversity.



I started thinking about the work that we do at the Institute more and more in Los Angeles. I spent time speaking to various university professors among others. From there the Institute kind of grew organically, and that started in Los Angeles. The location already correlated with some of the work that we do at the Institute- bipartisan reform work- which we have achieved in California. Therefore, it worked very well there.



What do you want your legacy to be?



I don't think in terms of legacy. I think in terms of the memory that the people you have known will have of you once you're gone. I do think it's relevant in the sense that you obviously want to be a contribution, a positive one at that. You want your family and friends to remember you fondly. In that sense, the most important legacy is the legacy with the people you have touched.



In terms of life itself, the beauty that some of us have is that we have choices and we have the potential to do things, engaging beyond ourselves. As humans in today's world, I think you almost have the responsibility to engage if you have the choice. I felt strongly that the area I was passionate about, meaning if I can enable some new ideas and change, I should do it. I will be very happy if we advance ideas, new political thinking, because that's helpful. And if in addition we build things that are more perfect, that's beautiful.



We've recently seen a movement of several organizations and corporations taking the pledge to donate 1% of their profits towards social good. Is this a good way to get more and more corporations to be engaged in the space of social impact? Is there a better way to get involved?



I think a formula is never enough, but the fact that individuals and corporations engage by being philanthropic, hopefully contributing to the discussions and the solutions, is very important. Again, I don't know whether there should be a formula, but I think engagement is very important, healthy and certainly needed in today's world. If you're not engaged, as an individual or corporation who can, you're not really part of the future. Society, over time, will not accept it. Things will change and they'll have to change for everyone; New ideas have to come. Part of it is a financial commitment but equally important is a dedication of time, energy and ideas.



Finally, do you think that by doing good, you're more successful?



Well, these two things have to come together. I think that as a motivation, it's wonderful. And I do think, for example in the tech and internet space, a lot of the big internet companies like Facebook and Google incorporated the idea of doing good from the beginning and it's done very well for them.



Now the definition of what is good needs to change. The consequences are not necessarily clear when you start. You always need to adapt. You could argue that Facebook and Google have been great for the world, but now they've created ecosystems that need to be addressed. At some point, you have to think about what their relationship is with the world and how they will continue to do good.



More importantly, I think that today more than ever you could argue that by doing good you can do something for yourself, also for the world, and not just because it's moral.
Doing Business, the annual report that ranks countries and cities on their business regulations, is not just about numbers. It is the culmination of a long journey by many governments to undertake important reforms to their investment climates. The work on the ground that makes these rankings possible happens long before the report is released - across sectors, in institutions supporting the business environment, in firms whose productivity helps economies increase growth and further development, and in global communities that work together to increase competitiveness and the wealth of all people.

This year's report, Doing Business 2017: Equal Opportunity for All, released on October 25 ranks 190 countries and awards the top spots for business efficiency to New Zealand; Singapore; Denmark; Hong Kong SAR; China; Republic of Korea; Norway; the United Kingdom; the United States; Sweden; and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

The countries covered by the report range from tiny island states to those with the world's largest populations.

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In many of these countries - large and small - the World Bank Group, led by staff in its Trade & Competitiveness Global Practice, works directly with governments to build stronger, more resilient and inclusive economies through improvements to the business environment. For example, seven of the top ten reforming countries in Doing Business 2017--Belarus, Georgia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Pakistan, and Serbia--improved their business environments with the help of T&C advisory projects. All told, Doing Business recorded 283 reforms around the world in the past year; 121 of those, or 43 percent, were achieved with T&C's help.

The core objective of our work is to support governments as they improve regulations that impact areas like starting a business, getting access to credit, protecting investors and obtaining construction permits. In a number of these we work closely with our colleagues in other areas of the World Bank Group, practices such as Finance & Markets. The results we look for include reducing the cost and time involved in starting a business and easing uncertainty for businesses and investors.

Much of this work is done hand in hand with policy-makers, often at the request of the countries themselves. Over 80 countries have turned to the Bank Group for support over the past 8 years, and improvements being seen in this Doing Business report are the results of the implementation of broad reform programs going back several year.

For instance, Albania was recognized this year for its moratorium on the issuance of construction permits - often an arduous and expensive process for businesses in the construction sector. But the engagement started over two years ago responding to a request by the Ministry of Economic Development. The initial technical assistance laid the groundwork for a Competitiveness project and a follow-on advisory agreement. The program supported not only a new law on territorial planning, the decision on lifting the moratorium on issuing permits, and the implementation of an electronic platform for permits, but also the removal of barriers to foreign direct investment and advice on improving competitiveness and attracting investments in certain agribusiness (or horticulture) value chains.

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In Belarus, we are collaborating with the country's Customs agency to reduce trade costs for exporters and importers. A study initiated by the Bank Group in 2015 examined cargo crossing at three border points in Belarus and identified opportunities to improve physical infrastructure, customs risk management systems, and relevant business processes. Taking cues from this study, our team in Europe and Central Asia is now working with Belarus Customs on improving aspects of the country's risk management, including post-customs control, and inter-agency information sharing.

And in Kenya, support from the Bank Group's Investment Climate Program 2 led to the enactment of four landmark business climate laws in 2015. The Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act; the Companies Act 2015; the Insolvency Act 2015; and the Business Registration Act 2015. These laws have the potential to empower the private sector to grow, thrive and contribute to the country's economic growth.

The SEZ law, for instance, arises from demands by the private sector to enable them to invest in various zones in the country and, just like the Business Registration Act 2015, it allows for the establishment of an autonomous agency to guide and regulate business corporations.

The Companies Act introduces provisions in the country's old Companies Act that deal with the use of lawyers in companies, introduces standard articles of association to the business registration that makes registration easier, enables corporate governance rules to be better enforced and enhances liabilities for directors who do not deal correctly with company assets. Today, Kenya is a global success story and led Sub-Saharan African countries on this year's Doing Business list of reformers.

Brand new in this year's report: whether business regulations in the countries measured provide women and men the same opportunities and protections. In many countries they still don't. In some countries women's testimonies have less value in court. In 23 economies women need additional authorizations to engage in business. The Trade & Competitiveness Global Practice has been working with governments and women's associations in several countries to increase awareness of women's rights and decrease gender discrimination in regulations. In Cote d'Ivoire and Togo legislation was changed to address legal impediments to women's economic participation. In Sierra Leone, we have been working to abolish discriminatory provisions particularly in the mining sector.

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Something else is different this year. While five or six years ago, many of the top improvers were smaller countries such as Rwanda or Colombia, increasingly large emerging markets are taking on a reform agenda and approaching the Bank Group for support. This year, Indonesia and Pakistan were recognized for implementing reform programs spanning more than three areas of regulation with substantial movement towards global best practice. India continued on the reform path it started two years ago under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, facilitating trade by launching the trade portal ICEGATE, streamlining bureaucratic requirements, and introducing commercial divisions at the courts. It also continues to work on the implementation of a new insolvency code and the introduction of a goods and services tax. Brazil also introduced reforms to facilitate trade and commercial dispute resolution, and Russia improved its construction permits regime. These countries are increasingly recognizing the importance of business regulation in improving the competitiveness of their economies. This is evident by the high level attention given to coordination mechanisms in charge of doing business reforms which are often chaired by presidents or prime ministers. For example, Nigeria just created a Presidential Council to oversee an ease of doing business reform program, and the Philippines made easing doing business one of its top three priorities.

Between 2015 and 2016, with support from our partners in the Facility for Investment Climate Advisory Services, the Trade & Competitiveness global practice helped bring about 76 investment climate reforms in 41 countries. In the last five years, countries have achieved a total of 341 reforms. Nearly three out of four reforms were in the world's poorest countries; two-thirds were in Sub-Saharan Africa; and one-third were in states affected by fragility and conflict.

We know that both the business environment (the regulatory environment that governs the cost of doing business) and firm-specific factors (entrepreneurship, skills, access to credit and markets) impact businesses; and that having a healthy, vibrant, barrier-free business ecosystem is critical to economic development.
I have not fallen in love with Bali. I am not head over heels. I am sorry. I feel like I need to apologize not only to Bali fans everywhere but to Bali itself.

Bali is very likable and very livable, but it ain't love. And nobody is more disappointed than me. I am not as excited as I think I should be, spending three months on this beautiful island, and it makes me sad. Maybe the only reason why I am not in love is that I expected it to be immediate. Because really, Bali looks so good on paper, how can one not fall in love at first sight? It is almost underwhelming because I had put it on such a pedestal in my mind before I came. Unlike Sri Lanka which I never thought about before and which I never saw coming. Sri Lanka had a chance to sneak up on me and booooom, it was love! Bali, well I had my eyes on Bali for a while so it didn't have a chance to just catch me and maybe that was why? Great expectations that were too great.

But I digress. I am actually not here to complain about Bali, this story is not about Bali per se.

Whenever people asked me what I was going to do in Bali for a few months, I'd answer that I came to write. I rolled my eyes along with this answer to let them know straight away that I knew how cliche I sounded. And to make sure they knew I wasn't one of those Eat Pray Lovers as my friend calls them as many single women in their mid-thirties here are.

Not that there is anything wrong with that, I just didn't want to be one of them. I didn't think I needed healing, I thought I was doing well without a Felipe and that I liked myself just fine - no need for urgent soul-searching.

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I think I was wrong. I was also wrong about what Eat, Pray, Love is really all about.

Earlier I was at dinner. It is one of my favorite spots on Echo beach in Canggu where a little stretch offers one BBQ place to the next. Same same but different. I like the third one from the right. The waiters are the friendliest and they are cheaper than the others. Plus they seem to get the most cats, always a plus for me.

Also, as I discovered today, they make a really great lemongrass sambal to go with their tuna. So I was having a lovely meal, finished, and paid my bill. I was just about to say goodnight to the waitress when she asked me 'Why are you alone?'. Now in Bali being unmarried and thirty-something is somewhat out of the ordinary. But she was young enough to have broken with tradition and we live in a town with many westerners and expats and what kind of question is that??

Obviously one, I didn't want to ask myself tonight. Or ever really. I mumbled something or other, I wasn't sure how much English she understood and how much made sense to her even if she did understand me. I am not sure it made much sense to myself.

But her question stuck with me. In fact, I blamed her question that I felt lonely afterward. If it wasn't for her and her icky question who would feel lonely after such an excellent tuna steak for less than $5?! I tried to watch Tarzan but he didn't get naked enough for the first 40 minutes and so I gave up. Even he got his Jane, I know that much. And I? I stared at my phone screen willing someone to text and say hello.

I didn't come looking for the full Eat, Pray, Love monty, but maybe just a little bit?

No love for Bali and no love in Bali. I know it's the price I usually don't mind paying for my travels, for my freedom, for my utter lack of responsibilities to anybody. Does this mean I can't complain and feel miserable once in a while?

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I was writing a chapter the other day about the pros and cons of solo travel. One chapter was about loneliness and the lack of sharing moments, responsibility, and the burden travel sometimes brings. There is no arguing that this can suck at times. There is no easy or quick fix for it, also it comes and goes in waves. It usually makes me more appreciative of the company when I do have it, at least for a while and is never enough reason not to solo travel. But love? Well, love is a lovely concept. One I may or may not believe in any day now. But until I meet HIM it seems useless to speculate. Will I travel less? Will I never feel lonely again? Will I feel whole?

The answer to all three questions is probably no, I am pretty sure of that. People are not meant to make us whole.

In Bali and especially after that dinner and the waitress I had three little epiphanies. First I read this post by The American Girl, a newfound travel blogger, whom I have come to love and admire. In the post, she admits freely that she hasn't had sex in three years and how that helped her not only to get her priorities straight but to realize the most important thing of them all is to love yourself. It is truly the best thing you can ever learn and do and will have the rest follow suit.

I must admit that I read it, loved it, was a bit scared of not having sex for three years, and forgot all about it. Until I went to the wellness retreat at a very fancy hotel. What I thought would be a posh hotel retreat with some massages was so much more including a very hippie-dippie rebirthing session. What I started highly sceptical left me in tears and then some. Not in a bad way, but in a way that may have just changed my life a little.

The details are too personal to tell, even for me. But it all came down, again, to self-love. How I should be able to look me in the eyes and not look at the lines, the wrinkles or my eyebrows that need plucking. To like what I see and then tell myself that I am amazing and beautiful, worthy of love and light, and all the things we may roll our eyes at and call them new-agey. You know, the stuff that deep down we all need so desperately.

I have been struggling. To get back on my yoga mat, to manage my time, this blog, my writing, my life. But after that retreat, I realized that the most important thing for me to learn right now is how to be kinder to myself. To stop the arguing, the bickering, the 'Am I good enough?' and the general questioning. To put myself first, stand up for me, and yes, love me.

I am making that a priority and I have the sneaking suspicion that once I do, everything else will fall into place. Where this place will be won't matter nor if I have Tarzan, Felipe or anybody by my side. And that was my third epiphany. Eat, Pray, Love was never about the guy nor was it about Bali. It was always about falling in love with yourself and in my personal version to eat all the raw vegan cheesecake I can get my hands on. Which for me is good enough reason to travel somewhere as any.
While the 413 places and approximately 85 million acres protected in our National Park System belong to the American people, a significant number are so important to the entire human family that they sit atop the world's greatest conservation lists: World Heritage Site, (22) Biosphere Reserve, (23) and Ramsar International Convention of Wetlands, (2). They are among the rarest of the rare on Planet Earth, of the same stature as the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal and the Galapagos Islands among others. So what happens to our national parks and public lands affects not just America but the world.



Though Glacier National Park is a World Heritage Site among other unique designations, intrusive noise from helicopter tour operators is a big issue that our friends at Quiet Glacier need our help to correct. NPS photo.

I started thinking about this a few weeks ago when we ran into our longtime friend Babacar M'Bow, nephew of Amadou-Mahtar M'Bow, the African who spearheaded many of these designations in his term as Secretary General of UNESCO from 1974 -1987. The legacy of mankind since we first emerged from the caves and sat around a campfire is desperately at stake in our upcoming elections.

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The Democratic and Republican parties have starkly opposing views of what "public lands" should mean. The Democrat's conservation platform calls for collaborative stewardship similar to what we've been advancing through the Next100 Coalition. The Republican candidate scoffs at climate change and the platform aims to raid our public lands treasury and withdraw large swaths, with no benefit to the nation. So the future of our children and all the children of the world will be enhanced or greatly diminished, depending upon who is elected.



"Bookends for our national parks" - Ranger Betty Reid Soskin, 95, wrote an impassioned message about what it means to her to see the admiration in young people's eyes for her NPS uniform, obviously shared by the family of the budding park ranger.

This brought me moments of extreme poignancy over the past week when we visited our grandchildren. Looking into the bright eyes of an 11-year-old who builds robots and computers, worships Elon Musk and still loves to roller board and play hide-and-seek with his friends, I felt a pang:

Am I doing everything I can and should to secure an environment in which he can live out his dreams as our ancestors did for us? In the future will he have to wear a face mask or carry oxygen when he goes out? It wasn't so long ago that we didn't have to buy bottled water.

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I also saw vividly how the actions of our predecessors affects us today when I attended Homecoming at Morehouse College with Frank and spent time with many of his classmates, now in (or approaching) their 80s. The alma mater of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a few miles from his birth home protected in Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park was teeming with the happy expectant faces of young men, joined by the beautiful young women from neighboring Spelman College.



Young KJ Jelks learns civic responsibility from the original, Congressman John Lewis, at the voting booth with his parents, Rev. Ken Jelks and his mom, Spelman graduate, White House Conservation Champion Na'Taki Osborne Jelks, PhD. By age 4 he had the Grand Canyon and many other parks under his belt.

Entering the Morehouse School of Medicine building for the alumni breakfast, I was elated to see a sign promoting an upcoming Hike Out to Cascade Springs Nature Preserve, an activity we helped spearhead many years ago as part of the Keeping It Wild program. We connected with Frank's first roommate at Morehouse and lifelong friend, Dr. Wilbur Leaphart, an educator who revolutionized the middle school system and served as Chair of KIW for several years.

At the President's Brunch we met a young rear admiral who told us that our son Frank Jr., was the Morehouse Man who "made him" in their fraternity. While he and Frank talked Morehouse, his wife and I talked about what national parks were easily accessible on their trips across the country, other than the ones they already visited.



Rear Admiral Alvin Holsey talked Morehouse with Frank while his wife and I talked national parks.



Over drinks that night with two longtime Morehouse friends, I saw the light come on in Frank's eyes as we walked down memory lane and he realized how he was tapped to go to Morehouse. One of his classmates recently retired as the Chief Design Engineer for a multi-billion dollar US Army Combat Systems program after a hugely successful career. The other chuckled when he told us how he got his Morehouse nickname, "Iron Stomach."

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"We were protesting the food and 'mystery meat' so it was agreed that all of us would walk out and not eat it," he said. "But I had no choice. I had to eat it because I didn't have .50 cents to buy a chicken sandwich off campus." Later he was invited to the Dean's house and to his amazement, they were eating the same food. In his career as a plastic surgeon he was at one point among the 350 highest qualified in the land. Living in Seattle they are big fans of our national parks. All three Morehouse men said there was no doubt that Morehouse was the turning point in their lives.

As I listened, I remembered Bill O'Reilly a few years ago saying he was shocked to find that Black-owned Sylvia's restaurant in New York was just like any other restaurant, and no one was using expletives or yelling for food. The current Republican presidential candidate reveals a deplorably similar lack of awareness about Black lives and seems to get his ideas about his countrymen and women from sitcoms/reality TV. How would those two stack up at this table, I wondered? How does the calculated trumpeting of derogatory falsehoods about non-white Americans distort our perception of each other?

The grave conflict underway at Standing Rock involving First Nations striving to protect their sacred land demonstrates what happens when corporate "rights" are made to trump human rights and indigenous cultural practices. Though Standing Rock is not a national park, it isn't difficult to imagine the damage that a pipeline can do to faraway ecosystems. The indigenous people are calling for help from all who respect their cause.

In the remaining months of President Obama's term, our Next100 Coalition is pressing for him to establish the Freedom Riders National Monument in Anniston, AL, for all the reasons Frank listed here. More than 500 people showed up last week to speak in favor, to the satisfaction of the four surviving Freedom Riders and their allies.
Mudslinging has always played a part in politics. The old political smack down tradition managed to sink to new lows earlier this year, back when "Little Marco" became Donald Trump's nickname for the Florida Senator formerly known as Marco Rubio. More recently, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte referred to President Obama as the "son of a whore" before attempting to substantiate the insult by explaining that he [Duerte] "calls everyone that." And Nasty Woman has become a rallying cry for Hillary Clinton supporters who've had enough of Donald Trump's sexist rhetoric.

Executing a quality political insult is a difficult art to master. Use words too mean or vulgar, and the abuser sounds malicious. Say something unimaginative, and the blow carries little weight. Too petty, and the media has a field day. Too distant from truth, and the barb won't stick.

In the spirit of celebrating the near-conclusion (at long last!) of the mudslinging that has plagued the 2016 presidential election, I've compiled a list of superlative insults uttered by politicians throughout history. Here they are: the best zingers, comebacks, and cutting remarks that've come from the lips of our esteemed leaders.

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Best Use of Subtle Innuendo

Winston Churchill (1946)

"He is a modest man with much to be modest about," is how Winston Churchill once described U.K. Prime Minister Clement Attlee. The ambiguity of Churchill's language works to blur the exact nature of his allusions.

Catchiest Triple-Insult (Hat Trick of Barbs)

Bob Dole (1996)

In 1996, Bob Dole had this to say of former Presidents Carter, Ford and Nixon: "History buffs probably noted the reunion at a Washington party a few weeks ago of three ex-presidents: Carter, Ford, and Nixon -- See No Evil, Hear No Evil, and Evil."

Best of the "Backbone" Genre

Teddy Roosevelt (1897)

Then-Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt got creative when he likened President William McKinley's scruples (or the lack thereof) to a pastry: "He [McKinley] has no more backbone than a chocolate eclair."

Most Poetic

Abraham Lincoln (1858)

Abraham Lincoln showed an impressive mastery of language and imagery when he pointed out flaws in the logic of his political opponent, Stephen Douglas: "His argument is as thin as the homeopathic soup that was made by boiling the shadow of a pigeon that had been starved to death."

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Best Evocation of Natural Imagery

Adlai Stevenson (1983)

Adlai Stevenson was able to express quite clearly what he considered to be Richard Nixon's hypocrisy. Stevenson described Nixon as "...the kind of politician who would cut down a redwood tree and then mount the stump to make a speech for conservation."

Best Use of Rhetoric

Ann Richards (1988)

In her Democratic National Convention keynote address in 1988, Ann Richards, who served as the Governor of Texas from 1991 to 1995, criticized George H. W. Bush for his sudden interest in the American future: "Poor George. He can't help it -- he was born with a silver foot in his mouth."

Most Distasteful -or- Least Comic

Silvio Berlusconi (2008)

Because of Silvio Berlusconi's combative style and penchant for making inappropriate and vulgar remarks, his persona has been compared to Donald Trump's. With Berlusconi's reputation for throwing wild "Bunga Bunga" parties and proclivity to brag about his sexual prowess, the former Italian Prime Minister was the source of widespread incredulity and outrage in 2008 when he referred to Barack Obama-who had just become the first African American president-elect in U.S. history-as "young, handsome and suntanned." It seems as if Berlusconi cannot wrap his head around the fact that racism isn't funny.



For Insulting His Way To The Top of a Crowded Primary Race

Donald Trump (2016)

The monikers coined by Donald Trump to belittle his political opponents-"Low-energy Jeb" (Jeb Bush), "Lying Ted" (Ted Cruz), "Little Marco" (Marco Rubio), and "Crooked" Hillary Clinton-propelled Trump through the GOP primaries and much of the 2016 presidential race. But Trump's latest denigration, his calling Hillary Clinton "such a nasty woman," has backfired. Following Trump's derisive remark at the final presidential debate, Nasty Woman was swiftly reclaimed by Clinton supporters. Scores of online vendors have exploited the Nasty Woman misstep to sell merchandise in support of Hillary Clinton.

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Nicola Yoon is back with another love story that will make readers swoon. Inspired by Big History, The Sun is Also a Star tells the story of two teens: Daniel, the son of Korean shop owners, and Natasha, whose family is living in New York City illegally.

During one hectic day, they cross paths amidst Daniel's interview with a Yale alum and Natasha's attempts at preventing her family's deportation to Jamaica. Despite their obstacles, they fall in love. I spoke to author Nicola about being a New York Times Bestseller, the immigrant experience, and true love:



Congratulations on becoming a #1 NYT Bestseller! Do you feel more pressure because you've reached that point?

It's not pressure to be on the list, but I do feel like a kind of different push. You can't help but see some reviews, even though I try to avoid them, so I know what people like and what they don't like. I sort of think both of those things isn't really good for you to know. It really took me a long time after Everything, Everything to get those voices out of my head. It was just a matter of time to readjust to this new normal.



Did it make writing your second book harder? I've read that writing your second book under contract is one of the most difficult times for a writer. Was that true for you?

I feel like it was true at the same time. It was true because I was still working my full time job when I started writing it, and like I said, we hear all of these voices in our head that we didn't have before. I was also traveling a lot for Everything, Everything, which made it hard in a practical way.

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But on the other hand, the first book was very personal, but this was even more personal. They were both difficult, but in different ways. Writing a second book is hard, because a lot of people are paying attention now.



My family is from Jamaica, and it was really cool to see it represented in a way that wasn't completely idealistic. How long did you live on the island?

I was born in Kingston, and grew up in Montego Bay until we moved here. I was there until I was eleven, and then we moved to Brooklyn in a very Jamaican neighborhood and we traveled back and forth. I really wanted to write about the immigrant experience, you know, being trapped between two worlds and not really being part of either.

How did you decide which elements of the immigrant experience to include? Were some of the things that Natasha experienced based on your own experiences?

There's one story in the book that's mine - I had a spelling test and I spelled "favorite" with a "u" and they marked it wrong. I was so confused; I genuinely did not understand.

I went home and looked at my dictionary and saw that there was a "u" in it. Then I realized there was American English and I really did get my points back. I wanted that perfect score. I was such a nerd, I can't even tell you.

Mostly, it wasn't based [on my life.] Feeling out of place in society was for sure how I felt when I first got here. I still feel both Jamaican and American, and sometimes neither.



How much research did you have to do for Daniel's Korean heritage?

I did a ton. I spoke to my husband, who I've been with for fourteen years. And then my sister in law read it, and a cousin of my husband read it. Ellen Oh read it a few times for me. I did a lot of research for lots of reasons.

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I know a lot about it because my child is half Korean and we've been together for such a long time, but there was some things that I still didn't get right. I had a scene where [Daniel] was having breakfast and Ellen said "He probably wouldn't have that." There were still things for me to learn and to know. I wanted to make sure that I didn't screw it up, from a representation standpoint, but also from a factual standpoint.

DId you go back to New York to help write some of the scenes?

I grew up in Brooklyn, but I actually did make a trip to make sure that I didn't forget some things, but also to get a feel. Google Maps is also totally your friend. I knew halfway through the book some of the settings, but I had really good memory with like the [general] feeling of stuff.

Natasha and Daniel both have sort of strained relationships with their fathers. How were you able to develop the parents as characters without completely villainizing them?

It was really important to me, even in Everything, Everything, that the kids interact with their parents because parents are such a huge influence, especially when you're a teenager. They shape you. But they are also flawed, and I know this especially now that I'm a parent.

For Natasha and Daniel, I think hopes and dreams are really a big part of the immigrant experience. I mean, why are you moving to a different country? It could be because you're fleeing something or there's an opportunity. You think it's going to be better in another country.

There are people with real hopes and dreams, and those dreams don't necessarily mesh with having a child or they have too many expectations for their child. I think it's important to see that they are people.

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What made you decide to include the side stories from different people the main characters interacted with?

I really, really always wanted to do that because I feel like you just never know how you're affecting someone or how you're being affected. There are moments when you're like "If I had gotten in the car a few minutes earlier I would've missed that accident and I wouldn't have been late for this other thing."

Do you believe in true love?

I really do. I don't know, it's cheesy but I'm absolutely a romantic goober at heart. I do, do so believe in true love. It's one of those things that you just have to be open to. You have to be willing to pay attention and you have to decide to be happy.

So many people are so ball-and-chain or they sort of put down the people they love, and I hate that so much. They pretend that love isn't super important. Love is something that makes the world go round. I mean, I am not being flip about it. It's the only thing worth getting up for.

I don't just mean romantic love, but love for your parents, your kids, your friends or some passion. I do believe that there is a person out there where you both the same "matching luggage." If you're open to the world and willing to love someone with all your heart, then yes. It's there.
"... if the other side isn't nuts then we can talk to them, and that is good news."

Joe McGovern, from the documentary film "The Other Side"

We are in a civil war, although one being waged with words not weapons. This conflict has been caused by differences in political perspective that are no longer seen as something to reconcile but rather as the beliefs of an enemy. It might be called "The Uncivil War."

As many as 750,000 people died in the Civil War, yet when that war was over, our nation united and became the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth. According to Wikipedia, "Abraham Lincoln led the United States through its Civil War--its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis. In doing so, he preserved the Union, abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government, and modernized the economy."

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It is becoming questionable whether we will be as successful reconstructing the current divisions in our union as Lincoln was in ending the Civil War.

We have lost, somehow, the ability to merge our differences over issues into solutions that are better because of those differences. We have lost the ability to use the strengths that can come from diverse perspectives and have no modern Abraham Lincoln to glue opposing views together. Today, the public leaders of each side say "we are right" and attempt to destroy their opponents politically if they can't achieve or avoid change in their own way.



"... all across America, regular people, Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike, are talking with each other and asking why our problems can't be solved in a rational way?"



In his Gettysburg Address, Lincoln said "that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

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We need a new birth of democracy as it was once practiced in the U.S, so our country will not morph into something less noble and more egalitarian than it already has.

Many of our leaders don't seem to know that all across America, regular people, Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike, are talking with each other and asking why our problems can't be solved in a rational way?

Two separate news items on October 26 illustrate the depth to which politics have become more important than country.

The first came in an article in the Washington Post quoting the head of the House Oversight Committee, Jason Chaffetz, who said he would spend the first two years of a Hillary Clinton presidency investigating her. "Even before we get to Day One, we've got two years' worth of material already lined up," he told the Post. "She has four years of history at the State Department, and it ain't good."

Chaffetz's strategy is contrary to a rational democracy. While presidential contests are by nature adversarial, when a winner has been chosen, the common goal has to be forward progress. The efforts of the Trump campaign to convince supporters that Clinton is a criminal combined with the new promises by Chaffetz make it clear the focus would be on taking down the opposition after the election should Clinton win, not on fixing the country's issues and repairing differences in a Lincolnesque way.

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The second news item on October 26 was a tweet by Trump Campaign Manager Kellyanne Conway celebrating the FBI's decision to reopen investigation of the Clinton emails:

"A great day in our campaign just got even better. FBI reviewing new emails in Clinton probe," Conway tweeted.



The political value to Republicans of the FBI announcement is obvious. However, no American should celebrate a potential criminal case against a former U.S. senator and secretary of state. This is not cause for defining a day as "great," This should have been a reason to express sorrow that a former secretary of state is being investigated even while gaining the same political benefit without the joy.

We really are fighting "The Uncivil War."

The two items reported on October 26 involve Republican tactics to discredit a Democrat. But there is plenty of blame to go around. From a "basket of deplorables" to other derogatory statements about the Republican candidate, Democrats have not always been civil either.




Sherri Franklin, the founder of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco, is one of The Top10 finalists for CNN Hero of the Year Award. This innovative nonprofit is dedicated to changing the way the world thinks and treats older dogs, aged seven and above. Muttville has saved over 4100 senior dogs that would have been euthanized and found them loving forever homes.



As someone who has rescued four senior dogs, I know firsthand the challenges shelters face with finding homes for older dogs!

Sherri Franklin began her work in animal rescue in 1994 as a dog behavior volunteer at the San Francisco SPCA. She worked with dogs that were considered "unadoptable" because of medical problems, behavior issues, and other challenges. She was appointed to the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare in 2000. As Vice-chairman of the Commission she advised elected officials on animal-related issues. During her tenure she helped get the aging elephants out of the San Francisco Zoo and into PAWS Sanctuary and authored groundbreaking legislation outlining minimum standards for outdoor dogs.

Sherri started Muttville in 2007 when she saw many senior dogs with wonderful personalities euthanized because they weren't considered adoptable simply due to their age! Many of these dogs were placed in shelters by elderly guardians that were going into nursing facilities or people that had passed away.



Recently, Sherri received a call about a man who had gone into the hospital with late-stage AIDS. His last wish was to find a home for his two old dogs, Artie and Sparky. Sherri took them both. Sparky was very old and frail and passed away within weeks but Artie was full of life and she found him a new home right away. She has taken in countless senior dogs and works with them so they can be adopted. She believes that no senior dog should face a death sentence at a shelter - they deserve to live out their lives with love and companionship.

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We need to educate people on the benefits of adopting an older dog from a shelter, rather than going to a pet store and bringing home a puppy that was, most likely, raised at a puppy mill and may suffer from ailments that aren't immediately evident. An older dog already has socialization skills and often has lived with children and even cats. They can fit into a family routine easily, as opposed to a puppy that needs hours, days or weeks of training.

Muttville is a great champion of senior dogs, and Sherri works tirelessly to find new homes for these wonderful older pups. She deserves to be voted in as CNN Hero of the Year for 2016. Here is a great video about her.

Voting is open through December 6th via the CNN's Website, Facebook and Twitter. You can vote 10 times a day via each method offered. The website is www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/vote/ Or go to the CNN Heroes Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CNN Heroes and click "message" and follow instructions. (You'll type #Vote, then scroll to Sherri and click "Vote for Sherri.") Or tweet #HeroesVote Sherri Franklin. If you vote 10 times a day via each method, that's 30 votes a day for Muttville!

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The notion of giving to others may seem counterintuitive as a business strategy, especially when you look at media portrayals of success. However, Adam Grant's international bestseller Give and Take brilliantly questioned this belief through a persuasive array of research and case examples.

Eli Fathi has observed first-hand the benefits of a giving philosophy. This serial entrepreneur with several successful exits has founded or co-founded seven companies that currently employ over 350 people. In his previous venture, he was the Co-founder and co-CEO of Fluidware Corporation from inception until it was acquired by SurveyMonkey in August 2014.

Eli has served on a number of diverse NGO Boards and is involved with various academic institutions and has been recognized by his peers and the community with a number of awards. Most recently, in 2016,

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Eli received the Algonquin College Alumnus of the year award (you can see his speech here) as well as the Startup Canada Senior Entrepreneur award for Ontario.

Eli is currently the CEO of MindBridge Analytics Inc., a provider of human fraud detection platform. The company was incorporated on March 2015 and currently has 17 full-time and 4 part-time employees.

Eli lives in Ottawa with his wife and has two daughters. He holds a B.Sc and M.Sc. degrees from the University of Ottawa.

I recently spoke with Eli about how a focus on giving has contributed to his success as well as his secrets for developing an effective mentoring relationship. I also interviewed several of his mentees who have benefitted greatly from his guidance and support. They were:

Sabrina Leblanc - Managers of Sales and Customer Success at SurveyMonkey

Aydin Mirzaee - Co-founder and co-CEO of Fluidware; currently exploring his next opportunity

Solon Angel - Founder of Mindbridge



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CRAIG: Why did you adopt this philosophy of helping people?

ELI: It is part of my DNA. I remember during my childhood my parents were always giving to other people. Then in university, one of my professors asked us to imagine what it meant to make a difference in the life of one person and how it could change the world. That idea was powerful and really resonated with me.

Since that time, whenever I see any opportunity to help someone I do it. The number of people who have thanked me for making a difference in their lives over the past 20 years is absolutely astonishing. It also feels great to know that I am making a positive difference, which is a badge of honor for me. What better reward can you get?

CRAIG: What is one lesson you have learned from your mentees?

ELI: The value of hard work. It is amazing how much they give to this relationship, which motivates me to do the same. It is also great to see when someone takes the homework we discussed, puts it into practice, and starts benefitting from that effort. Sometimes people, especially in start-ups, work so fast, they forget to slow down and think about what they are doing and why they are doing it. I try to help my mentees remember that.

CRAIG: What advice do you have for people who are looking for or have a mentor?

ELI: You need to really connect with the person. You want to find a mentor that you believe in, someone you can trust and build a relationship with. If there is no chemistry, it is a waste of time because you won't follow their advice. You also need to share the same values, which is the most important thing.

His mentees also talked about the importance of fit, especially from a values perspective:

SABRINA: My advice is to not try to force a connection if it is not there. The most important thing for this relationship to work is that you must share the same values.

AYDIN: More important than anything else, Eli and I share a lot of the same values and that congruency is what allows this relationship to work out really well.

SOLON: We have a very strong values match, which makes this work so well. It is also inspiring to meet someone who is so successful, yet focuses on integrity and fairness, as well as the importance of giving back.

CRAIG: What advice do you have for someone who wants to mentor others?

ELI: Don't become a mentor unless you are willing to put in the time and the effort to help the mentee. It is a lot of responsibility. People ask me how I do it and I tell them I spend less time sleeping (smiles).

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I also think it is very important that you do not just tell someone how to do something. To be a great mentor, you need to ask questions and guide the mentee to find their own answer. However, it is important to remember that they need to figure this out on their own. If you tell them what to do, they will never learn how to do it and will always come back and ask you for the answer. Although that may feel good and make you feel smart, this is not what mentoring is about. You want to guide them so they learn how to tackle their problems so they can move on to more challenging and complicated issues, which grows them and their business.

Aydin echoed the value of this approach:

AYDIN: Eli doesn't tell you what to do. He will give you things to keep in mind. He will show you on one side, there are certain considerations, and then highlight what's on the other side of the coin. Then he will ask 'which ones are most important to you?' This is a very powerful question, because it cuts down on the noise and helps you make a decision that aligns with your core values. Also, decisions are not black and white very often, so it helps you see the options more clearly and highlight some of the tensions that exist.

CRAIG: If there are some executives that are interested in mentoring but are concerned about the time commitment, what would you say to them?

ELI: First of all, it is a very rewarding experience. In a lot of ways, it is like shaping your children, because you are teaching them about the importance of living their core values.

If you decide to mentor and are concerned about the time, then start with baby steps. Begin with one person and mentor them on simpler issues. Don't go and start mentoring the CEO of a company that has major problems. Go and start with something small and see if you like it and if you find it rewarding.

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CRAIG: Given your experience in mentoring, what have been some important lessons you have learned?

ELI: I would say two things. First, be careful when the mentoring gets mixed with friendship. Although this often happens, especially with long-term relationships, it can create complications. You have to remember that your advice or observations as a mentor must remain unbiased and truthful. You have to call it as it is, the good and the bad. Sometimes, when you become friends, mentors may be tempted to water down the feedback, which is not good for anyone. As a mentor, you need to be aware of this possibility and think about how you would give advice to a stranger. That helps bring me back sometimes.

The other lesson I have learned is that everyone needs a mentor. No matter what stage of your career or how many people you manage, you can benefit from this type of guidance and relationship. Although the mentoring may take on different forms based on where you are, the underlying value is still the same.

One of his mentees highlighted the importance of receiving honest feedback:

SOLON: He will call you out if he thinks you need it, but will do it very respectfully. He wants what is best for you. You cannot put a price on that.

CRAIG: What are the key success principles you follow?

ELI: Everyone has heard the expression 'keeping up with the Joneses. Don't ever listen to that. It does not do you any good.

Never compare yourself to other people because there will always be someone who is stronger, smarter, faster, richer, and so on. What you have to do is think about what you want because the only one who impacts your life is you. Set up a goal, create a plan, and go achieve it.

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To me, another important part is to make sure you are always adding value to your community. As the expression goes, 'rising tides raise all boats.'

You also never want to start learning. The day you stop learning is the day you stop growing.

CRAIG: What is one of the things you are most proud of ?

ELI: I really enjoy using my businesses as a vehicle to give someone an opportunity that other people may shy away from. Have faith in people and put them in positions to succeed and they will.

Sabrina shared how this philosophy impacted her career:

SABRINA: If you ask Eli, he will say 'You did the work so you deserve the credit. The only thing I did was give you the opportunity, which you took to the next level.' However, the way I see it is the fact he gave me the opportunity in the first place, which a lot of people would not do. He also doesn't care if you have experience, if you have the willpower and attitude, he gives you more responsibility knowing you can handle it. I manage 15 people within Survey Monkey, and if it weren't for him, I can honestly say I would not be doing that.

To close the interview, I asked each of his mentees to share one of the things they learned from Eli that sticks with you?
Co-written by Kylie Patterson, Racial Wealth Divide Initiative Sr. Program Manager



New Orleans and Miami, two cities long touted as tourists' paradises, share another similarity - racial wealth inequality.

Racial wealth inequality is a major issue in the United States. It's origin dates back to the transatlantic slave trade, followed by the ratification of the 13th amendment, Jim Crow era, civil rights movement to now - the country has a painful history of white supremacy and racial prejudice with economic repercussions.

The tale of race and economics resonates strongly in New Orleans where, following Hurricane Katrina, the failure of the levies and massive flooding, more than 950 people lost their lives and hundreds of thousands more were displaced.

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The racial wealth inequality in post-Katrina New Orleans reflects the inequality from pre-Katrina and explains why the African American community in particular was so vulnerable to a natural disaster and devastated by its impact.

In CFED's recent report, The Racial Wealth Divide in New Orleans, the ramifications of this displacement and the current racial wealth divide in the city are explored.

Today, some 69% of families of color are liquid asset poor, meaning they do not have savings to stay above the poverty line in the event of an emergency or job loss, compared to 29.4% of white families. Additionally more than 30% of black households are under the poverty line ($23,850 or less for a family of four), compared to just 4.9% of white households.

These disparities have also led to much racialized internal displacement or gentrification, where former black communities are disappearing and/or moving further and further out from the city center. (See map)

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Yet, it should be noted that while the size of the black community decreased post-Katrina, there has been growth in the Latino community, and the Vietnamese community growth is relatively flat. Still Latinos and Vietnamese in New Orleans face similar economic and political challenges to that of African Americans.

In Village de L'Est, for example, the Vietnamese community had to fight to open a local school and close a landfill, after one was created in the rush to rid the city of debris, following the storm.



Gentrification and its affects are not unique to New Orleans. In the second report released by CFED this month, The Racial Wealth Divide in Miami, they found that more than 65% of Miamians of color are cost-burdened renters and less than 30% are homeowners, compared to 43% of whites.

Miami's wealth inequality, unlike New Orleans is further nuanced by its long history of immigration. Even today, 3 out 5 Miamians are foreign-born. Miami has been home to numerous immigrant groups. Most recently, there has been an influx of Central and South Americans.

Unfortunately there are great disparities among and even within racial and ethnic groups. The homeownership rate among Cubans is 36.9% compared to just 16.7% of Central Americans. Still, neither ethnic group compares to Whites that have a homeownership rate of 42.9%. In education, we see even greater disparities. Just 3.6% of Haitians have a bachelor's degree or higher compared to 7.3% for African Americans, which is then compared to 31.3% for Whites.

Although similar challenges face these cities, they differ by their magnitude and how they manifest within families and communities - it is these differences that require targeted and local interventions.

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With the release of these profiles, CFED also announced their project Building High Impact Nonprofits of Color. The project's interventions rest upon this belief - those working in communities are best equipped and positioned to affect the racial wealth divide.
As a cultural activist who stands for peace, I'll admit even I have been peeved with the political choices made in the Middle East these days. While my friends from Saudi Arabia continue to be my interpreters to understanding the culture of a country that is possibly the most misrepresented in Western media, I can't say I agree with the policies of their leaders.

But that's when I always turn to cinema to get me through, to allow me to find a positive angle and discover the answers.

For two days, starting November 3rd, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture will play host to Saudi Film Days in Los Angeles, a program featuring young, up-and-coming Saudi filmmakers, who will be screening their short films first to an audience of VIPs and on the following day, in free screenings to general audiences.

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It's an opportunity to discover. For American audiences, to find out about a cinematic tradition that has lived and flourished in a country that has yet to open its first movie theater. And for Saudi filmmakers a means to find out what it's really like to screen their films to audiences that are craving to know more. All in all, a priceless opportunity.

Saudi cinema isn't talked about often enough, and it may be difficult to find in theaters in the West, yet when it does appear -- as in the case of Haifaa Al Mansour's Wadjda or Mahmoud Sabbagh's Barakah Meets Barakah -- it conquers hearts. And in my very humble opinion, cinema is the best diplomatic tool we possess, since it allows audiences and filmmakers to meet in a neutral zone, safely and at their most vulnerable.

Albara Al Auhali of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture explained the initiative, "we have several, young Saudi filmmakers who have started their career in the digital space and are looking for that next step, looking to get eyes on their content so they can continue to develop new projects and work alongside other filmmakers in the US to bring recognition and visibility to their work and to their home country. By offering them this showcase to come together and show their talents, we hope to lead them down the path to transition from digital to successful film and television careers."

I caught up with two of the filmmakers Ali Alsumaiyn, who directed I Can't Kiss Myself and Tareq Yosef, the director of A Photographic Memory. I wanted to ask them a few questions about their country, the challenges of being a sort of pioneer and why they chose to be filmmakers. Their tone, the self-assuredness of their answers undeniably opens a window into what young Saudi filmmakers feel and crave, entering the world stage.

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As a true pioneer, making films before cinemas are even erected in Saudi Arabia, what does it mean to you to create cinema?

Ali Alsumaiyn: It is a great privilege for me to have the chance to express my idea into visual form.

Tareq Yosef: I wouldn't accept calling myself a pioneer. There were Saudi filmmakers and short films before I even thought about making any, but it means a great deal to me to be able to create cinema. It's a passion of mine and I'm lucky to have fallen in love with it.

What are the challenges of being a filmmaker currently in Saudi, and what are the great advantages in your opinion?

Yosef: I think filmmakers around the world face all sorts of challenges. The idea is to overcome them and we've come a long way. A great advantage is that the medium in our country is yet to have a certain identity or style, so you get to come in and establish your own.

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Alsumaiyn: The biggest challenge in making film in Saudi is similar to everywhere else, which is finding a good script that you feel and it touches your emotions. While the advantage of being a director in Saudi is that you get called a lot for different projects so you have the chance to explore different ways and fields in making films.

Feature films like Wadjda and Barakah Meets Barakah, both incidentally entries to the Foreign Language race by Saudi Arabia, have paved the way for the West to begin to understand your country. Do you somehow feel responsible to be a bridge between East and West?

Alsumaiyn: I feel responsible to be true to the idea of the film I direct. I don't think there is a gap between West and Saudi. In this era everyone is familiar with the other. You just need to want to understand. The movie, I Can't Kiss Myself is about global issues that everyone in every country is facing with the phenomena of fast fame and personal identity.

Yosef: I consider myself a storyteller, no less or more. If one of my films had a positive impact like the films you mentioned have done, I'd gladly welcome that, but rest assured that I write and direct with only one responsibility -- to tell a story that I like.

Realizing that Western filmmakers never get asked this kind of question, do you feel that you carry a bit of a diplomatic hat in making films? Are you trying at all to make us understand your country through your work?

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Yosef: I wouldn't be free if I ever tried making movies with that in mind, and I would never bear such responsibility of paving the way to understanding a country. I'm free of that and I'd like to make movies about things that interest me and present them in a way that might intrigue others.

Alsumaiyn: I don't wear any hat except the one that fits me which is the director's hat. I'm trying to make everyone watch my movie to understand me and my ideas and that Saudi has a very great and colorful spectrum of people with different ideas and thoughts.

Why have you chosen a career making films?

Alsumaiyn: Because films allow ideas to have forms and emotions. They turn them from a concept in the human mind into a breathing product that touches everyone watching it.

Finally, three words that describe you, to someone who doesn't know you?

Yosef: Dance, Dance, Dance.
Bread dumplings - Semmelknodel - are the final entry in the stodge section of the mental to-cook list I made during our October trip to eastern Germany. For ages, since Jackie and I visited Prague in the 1980s, we've favored a very different sort of bread dumpling: cubes of bacon-grease-fried bread embedded in a thick eggy batter. Only occasionally did I make dumplings like the ones we were eating in Germany, but these have now displaced the Czech style in my affections.

Start by identifying an appropriate bread. What you want is a well-structured but not especially chewy bread made of white flour. "Semmel" means roll, and an excellent option would be kaiser rolls, preferably without poppy seeds - though come to think of it, a few poppy seeds might produce a nice variant, especially if you scrape some of them off before proceeding. For my part, I use a reasonably light-weight round loaf with a thin but crisp blond crust - rather like an overgrown kaiser roll, in fact.

To make, say, 16 or 18 Semmelknodel, slice 10 oz (300 g) of bread or rolls fairly thin, tear the slices into smaller pieces and let them dry: I get the best results by spreading the bread out on a baking tray and putting it in a 300 F (150 C) oven for ten or fifteen minutes. You could also leave the slices at room temperature under a kitchen towel to get stale overnight. If the crust is thin, as I prefer it to be, leave it on; if your bread is heartier, with a thicker, potentially tougher crust, remove most or all of it before weighing out your 10 ounces.

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While the bread is desiccating, cut a medium onion into very small dice and soften it in butter with a little salt. Depending on what you're serving the dumplings with, you could start with some finely diced bacon and cook the onion in its fat supplemented with a little butter for flavor. Let the onion turn a very light golden, though there'd be no harm in cooking it until a deeper golden brown.

Allow the oven-warm bread and the onions to cool for a couple of minutes. Place the bread into a large bowl and add the cooked onions, 2 Tablespoons of flour, 1-1/2 cups (300 ml) whole milk into which you've beaten two eggs, plus salt, pepper and nutmeg. Mix to combine and leave alone for ten or fifteen minutes to enable the bread to soak up the liquid and soften. Add a generous quarter cup of finely minced parsley (optional, but worth doing if you have flavorful parsley in the house) and knead/squeeze the mixture until it is fairly homogeneous; pay special attention to the fragments of crust and break these up with your fingers, especially if they seem tough. Taste for salt, pepper and nutmeg.

At this point you should leave the mass for a while - even as long as a few hours at room temperature or refrigerated overnight if that works with your schedule - though you can proceed immediately if time's a-wasting.

Bring a big pot of lightly salted water to the boil; while it is heating, wet your hands and form balls 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inches (3 to 4 cm) in diameter. Put them on a damp plate as you work, then add them to the boiling water. When it returns to the boil, lower the heat to achieve a slow boil and cook for 15 minutes. Should you cover the pan? I maintain that the finished dumplings are a little more swollen and hence a little lighter when cooked in a covered pan - that is certainly true of matzo balls, which are not all that distant a relation - but any difference is slight. I've done it both ways and have always been happy with the outcome. Leftover bread dumplings can be halved and reheated, cut-side down, in butter in a covered skillet - you can let them brown a little.

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Like so many other kinds of dumpling, these demand sauce. Gravy. Cooked sauerkraut. Something wet and tasty. Recently, we've eaten them with chicken braised in sauerkraut, and we've eaten them with meat (once veal cheeks, once pork shoulder) cooked along the lines of goulash, with lots of paprika and roasted red peppers. But a plate of any central or eastern European stew would be an appropriate destination.
I'm Fred Raillard, Creative CEO, Co-founder and Creative Chief Officer with Farid Mokart of FRED & FARID, a social, content, tech solutions for brands company based in New York, Paris and Shanghai. #FredinChina is an essential social media podcast to know and understand the world's largest economy.

I fell in love with China, and live in Shanghai with my wife and three sons since September 2012. With my teams at the FRED & FARID Shanghai agency we monitor, analyze and decrypt this ultra-connected China with nearly 800 million netizens by sharing what we see, hear and read on Weibo, WeChat, Huaban, Youku. I prepare this column with Zhuomin Qin from FRED & FARID Shanghai.

Thanks to Zhuomin Qin, Feng Huang, Jalila Levesque, Jules Chaffiotte, Radouane Guissi, Yi Zhang, Ying Zhang, Aliou Maro, Tina Liu, Louis Caudevilla, Dushan Karageorgevitch, Jing Qian, Jonathan Roy, Maxime Aubanel and Antoine Robin for their participation to this chronic.

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Click here to listen to all the podcasts.

China's anti-corruption documentary praised by Millennials

The HotTopic this week is a documentary about corruption in China, which generated 110 million views and 47,000 discussions on the Internet.

The documentary in question is very interesting, produced by CCTV, which is the main TV channel in China. It's a governmental channel, and CCTV worked with several government branches to get real information about the anti-corruption policy set up by Xi Jinping when he began his presidential term in China.

It's a very serious topic, and Xi Jinping has been fighting extremely hard against corruption. In the documentary, they explained the reasons for which the Government undertook, the anti-corruption policies, the concrete actions that have been made, and the achievements so far (for example the people that have been brought down, and the money that was brought back to the country).

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They go on to show that they arrested lower ranking, middle ranking and higher-ranking officials, and go through 40 real cases including interviews of 10 high-ranking officials, and 70 officials such as policemen.

The first episode was released on October 18th, and contained a lot of details making it a big success with Millennials, who demand and expect to be respected as viewers with attention to detail. Millennials loved it so much that the content ended up on Bilibili, a video-sharing platform where you can comment directly on the videos, thereby covering up the content. So the more comments you have, the less content you see. There were a lot of comments from Millennials saying how great the anti-corruption policies were, and also asking for the Chinese people to have more control over Government individuals. This is not a purely Chinese syndrome, as we can see this taking place all over the world, with the new generation wanting to be more active than passive. They want to have a role to play in the way their country is managed.

A restaurant owner launches a Sharing Fridge to solve poverty problem in China

The HotBrand this week is called Green Oasis, which is a charity brand. Green Oasis launched an activation to make Chinese people more sensitive towards food and hunger. Even today in 2016, some people in China do not have the money to buy enough food to survive.

So they put a fridge called the 'Sharing Fridge' in front of a small restaurant. Every day, the owner of the restaurant donates 50 boxes of food to people in need.

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Like when we talk about the digital China and the traditional China, there is a China that is extremely poor, struggling financially and working two or three different jobs just to survive. Green Oasis wants to bring more attention to this serious issue with this activation which was a big success. The Chinese people were surprised that even though the food was free, there was no chaos involved. Usually if something is free in China, chaos follows!

The owner of the restaurant decided to go further and involve other restaurants and supermarkets. Tencent charity also supported this activation by encouraging companies to come up with CSR ideas to help solve this problem.

Freshly retired Chinese General opens his Weibo account

The HotPost this week is about Zhang Zhaozhong who is a retired General from the Chinese Navy. He is now 64 years old and just opened his Weibo account and made his first post, which was re-posted 91,000 times with almost 8,000 comments.

Millennials just love this guy, and he has become very famous over the years. For years, he was the official speaker on TV whenever the Army had something to communicate on. So every generation knows him, from grandparents, to parents and their children. The Chinese love irony, and some of his sentences are very funny when taken out of context. In one interview, years ago before social media, he was talking about pollution in the cities and saying how this fog of pollution is a good thing as it will help Chinese be invisible to any attackers coming from the air. When people asked him about all the seaweed because of the pollution, he answered that this is also a good thing as it will help the Chinese fight any attacks from a submarine!

What has made him even more famous is the fact that he has embraced the humour of his past sentences, and even posted himself wearing T-shirts with funny sentences written on them.

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With the oversaturation of many markets such as ridesharing and social media, many people often ask me which industries are exploding the most and offer the best routes for new innovation.

1. Alcohol

The beer industry is almost entirely controlled by two conglomerates, AB In-bev (Anheuser Busch) and Miller-Coors. The remainder of the market is split between Corona, Heineken, and craft breweries. What is different about the industry day than the industry a decade or two decades ago is that craft brew is on the rise whereas the big players are seeing overall declines. Craft brew may end up just being a hipster trend or it may be a total shift in the consumer demographics that favors choices and quality.

While making a craft brewery may be hard and would definitely require a chunk of startup money and education, businesses that appeal to this trend would be valuable. For example, craft brewery insurance is a new concept the insurance industry had not seen until just a few years ago.

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2. Education

With increases in dropping out, taking gap years, traveling, and learning via alternate methods education is seeing a major face-lift to an industry that has changed little in the last century. If you were to describe the education journey, you would like describe a generic classroom with 20-30 kids in it for K-12 and then an arduous application process to get into the top college, which was founded over 100 years ago, for 4 years of pricey learning.

We now live in an era that understands the value of understanding systems, cultures, and trends. Gen Z (anyone born after 1998) knows that working is just as tangible of a learning method as the classroom. Most importantly, this era grasps the fact that people learn differently. Whether you aim to build an alt-school that focuses on international learning or an online classroom, education sits in an interesting place for growth and added value.

3. Marijuana

Whether or not I support the expansion of marijuana, it is pretty clear that within the next decade weed will be legalized in every state and the industry will become much more legitimate, legal, and larger than it is today. Some of the first marijuana stores in Colorado and Washington returned millions of dollars to their owners in just the first year. As this trend spreads across the U.S. new store owners, growers, distributers, and paraphernalia producers will see large growth in sales.

4. Virtual Reality

This one is pretty self-explanatory, as virtual reality becomes larger, markets in reality are replaced by markets in virtual reality. Understanding the pros and cons of VR markets will be crucial for this as certain things will of course be adopted faster than others.

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5. Marketing and Market Research

If you looked to marketing and market research even just 20 years ago, you see extremely subjective and inefficient means of gathering data and extrapolating upon that data for decision making and marketing campaigns. Imagine a world without computers and data farms that can show you ads about the last thing you looked at on Amazon. While we have come far from this archaic time, we still have extremely far to go.

Survey data is some of the worst market research out there due to expense, inaccuracy, and subjectivity of processing. According to marketing expert Deep Patel, "yet even in this modern world, this and data mining remain two of the most used market research tools." He says throw this together with the growth of AdBlock and the entire market research and marketing markets are perfectly primed for a revamp. Success in this emerging market will rely on understanding people's innate behavior and values.

6. Investing

Apps such as Acorn and Robinhood have revolutionized trading in public equities. Similar applications could be used for all other facets of investing, such as real estate, venture capital, collectibles, etc. Platforms such as Slice Capital are leveraging the new legal regulations on venture capital investing, aiming to make crowdsourced investing a reality.

7. Manufacturing and Sourcing

One of the most challenging tasks for any company is finding the right manufacturing partner. Right now, most people turn to Alibaba, which is flooded with scams. To simplify the process of finding a manufacturer, Sourcify is launching. Sourcify is a startup that introduces you to the right manufacturer through their pre-vetted database. Instead of spending hundreds of hours trying to find a supplier, Sourcify asks you a few questions and within a week they'll find you the right manufacturer.
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."



Breaking News: The Honor System Does Not Work

Remember the September day when the DOJ "stopped" construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline on Federal Lands, but asked for a "voluntary pause" on construction on private lands? DAPL has ignored that request from the DOJ and is likely actively working with Morton County authorities to invade the cellular network and personal information of peaceful protestors on sovereign land. Mass arrests have been a diversion from secret completion of the pipeline.

In fact the DOJ request to voluntarily stop construction on private land has been met with a project that is almost completed, just waiting for President Obama to give the final OK. A ban on drones in the airspace was lifted yesterday, and this is the resulting footage. Obama's suggestion yesterday that everyone just "wait it out" has been received as a slap in the face by Water Protectors.

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The First Amendment is already under attack. Just ask Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!, who had a warrant issued for her arrest because she was reporting from the DAPL construction site. They came for Goodman, now they are coming for everyone else, with no regard for the Fourth Amendment.

Now, it appears that DAPL and Morton County have not only trashed the Fourth Amendment, but they may have their pipeline as a result.

Spying on the Water Protectors

Is Fourth Amendment protection against illegal search and seizure under attack at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation? Apparently more than water protectors, allies, and journalists who are on site at the junction of the Cannonball and Missouri Rivers share the suspicion that cellphones are monitored.

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On October 20, the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) submitted FOIA and Open Records Requests to investigate the possible use of unconstitutional surveillance at Standing Rock. In a press release the NLG and ACLU noted the obvious, that "Water Protectors and allies have been continuously surveilled by low-flying planes, helicopters, and drones, and have had local cell phone communications jammed and possibly recorded."

The organizations submitted Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and North Dakota Open Records Act requests to multiple state and federal agencies in response to the surveillance and arrests of those attempting to stop construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).

An investigator from the Federal Communications Commission has subsequently interviewed John Wathen, a photojournalist whose photos accompany this article.

"The FCC has opened an investigation into the use of "Stingray" technology against Water Protectors. If true, this is a serious issue to be dealt with especially over sovereign land," Wathen said.

It would certainly explain how Morton County authorities were always one step ahead of any prayer service or gathering before they made mass arrests.

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The FCC investigator was not available for comment.

So, what is Stingray technology and why would the FCC be interested in its deployment?

Stingrays are called IMSI catchers, because they catch the "international mobile subscriber identity" of cell phones. Go to your smart phone keypad and type in *#06# and a number will display on your screen. This is your unique IMSI number and it can tell Stingray your identity by disclosing the person paying for your carrier service; most likely you. In the hands of law enforcement, this means that you are essentially being searched without a warrant and law enforcement can get away with it because there is no paper trail to prove it is being deployed. In passive mode, Stingray listens, and in active mode your phone can be accessed. Passive mode is enough cause for alarm, since your voice communications, texts and pretty much anything on your phone can be captured, along with your location. This is all done without a warrant for probable cause.

So, how does Stingray work?

"Stingray" is the brand name for an IMSI catcher. It functions as a fake cell-phone tower, small enough to fit in a van, a plane, or even a backpack. If your phone comes between the Stingray and the closest cellphone tower, it tricks your phone into thinking the Stingray is an actual tower. This fake tower intercepts all communication. It is likely that many residents of Morton County North Dakota who travel along ND Highway1806 and have nothing to do with the actions at Oceti Sakowin camp have also been monitored and had their personal information compromised. This should be food for thought for residents of the county who have been strangely silent on the illegal actions of their Sheriff.

The signs and symptoms of Stingray intrusion have been affecting cellphones.

This writer has had my cellphone overheat when I was not using it. My battery mysteriously drained and I was constantly returning to my car to recharge. Signals would spike and then disappear. This did not mean I was specifically targeted, but it does indicate that my phone was encountering a fake tower.

I was not the only one. Cellphone disruption on a wide scale, unmarked vans plying the back roads, and the constant presence of fixed wing aircraft and helicopters over the camps have been troubling. Complaints prompted the NLG and ACLU of North Dakota to request all surveillance information and communications regarding the DAPL protests from April 1 to the present from federal and local agencies.

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But the bad news is that it will be a quixotic quest.

To get a warrant, the government must show there is probable cause. The only way a judge can make this decision is for the government to tell the truth about what it is doing. Since there is no paper trail for search and seizure with Stingray use, why bother with a judge?

In "FCC Helped Create the Stingray Problem, Now it Needs to Fix It," the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) addresses the over reach of law enforcement in other police actions.

We now know, for example, that police departments use them for hours at a time without a warrant, that officers deploy them for tracking down people suspected of non-violent crimes like harassing phone calls, and that certain devices do in fact cause significant interference to cell service. The combination of the extraordinary power of these surveillance tools (they can scan hundreds of innocent user cell phones at once) and the lack of FCC regulations has resulted in explosive growth in their deployment.

The government has been absolutely secretive about this technology. EFF notes that the FBI "withholds documents in FOIA requests, failing to explain (or even understand) the technology to a Texas federal judge and in Rigmaiden, misleading the court about the fact it's even using one at all."

Daniel Rigmaiden is the man who first discovered Stingray. Facing charges of tax fraud he believed he was living totally off the grid while filing tax returns for the deceased. Stingray technology caught him because of the cellular AirCard he used to access the Internet. Ringmaiden spent his time in prison researching how he was caught and fighting the illegal search and seizure. No one doubts that he should be in prison, but should he be there as a direct result of Fourth Amendment violations? It is a cautionary tale.

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Minnesota Senator Al Franken, along with eleven other Senators, sent a letter to the FCC in early October.

We are particularly concerned about allegations that cell site simulators--commonly referred to as "Stingrays"--disrupt cellular service and may interfere with calls for emergency assistance, and that the manner in which cell site simulators are used may disproportionately impact communities of color. While we appreciate law enforcement's need to locate and track dangerous suspects, the use of Stingray devices should not come at the expense of innocent Americans' privacy and safety.

The Franken Letter notes that the use of Stingray devices violates Section 333 of the Communications Act, specifically "the willful interference with a communications network." Also, local law enforcement agencies do not have the "requisite licenses to operate Stingray devices over the wireless spectrum--licenses required by Section 301 of the Communications Act."

The Franken Letter also notes the disproportionate use of electronic surveillance in "communities of color."



Senator Franken's office offered this response when asked about the possible use of Stingray technology at Standing Rock

As a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Senator Franken has worked closely with Minnesota's tribes for many years, and has long pushed to address the many injustices inflicted on the native population in our country. The Senator strongly supports the right to peacefully protest construction of the project, and he is monitoring the situation in North Dakota very closely.

So what are the odds that FOIA requests will be successful?

The redactions in recent documents released by the FBI under FOIA requests would be laughable if this were not such a serious issue.

In another instance, in 2015 the FBI released more than 5,000 pages of documents regarding its internal handbook. Nearly all of it is redacted, except for correspondence between the FBI and manufacturers of the Stingray hardware.

Another Fait Accompli

Water Protectors, journalists and supporters of the Great Sioux Nation should be aware and perhaps leave their phones at home, in their cars, or put them in airplane mode while at the camps.

It turns out that it really does not matter that the Department of Justice recently required that all federal law enforcement agencies--and all state and local agencies working with the federal government--are required to obtain a search warrant supported by probable cause before they are allowed to use Stingray technology.

The vague "special circumstances" wording is not helpful and can give carte blanche to law enforcement and DAPL interests.

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Water protestors report that DAPL crews are working day and night and guards are posted on the bluffs and hills.

The the Digital Smoke Signal's drone today showed what has been happening.

The honor system does not work. Remember what happened when sacred burial grounds were destroyed when DAPL interests obtained court documents showing the exact locations of graves?

Now they likely know the exact location of anyone with a cell phone.
Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton arrives at an "early voting" campaign rally at Pasco-Hernando State College in Dade City, Florida, U.S., November 1, 2016. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

I'm excited to vote for Hillary Clinton for president. Not because Donald Trump is dreadful. Not because it's a choice between "the lesser of two evils." Nor am I making an unqualified and absolute endorsement of her every character trait and position. I genuinely want to vote for Hillary. And I want to speak to the people who feel disillusioned about voting. Who are disappointed in the political campaign. And who may not vote at all. Here are my five reasons:



1. The Issues Matter

Hillary Clinton reflects the public policy values that I believe in. I too want to reduce income inequality, stop global warming, expand health care, promote racial healing and racial justice, and guarantee immigrants' rights. I yearn for a balanced U.S. Supreme Court that will safeguard individual rights and freedoms, instead of corporate prerogatives. I know that Clinton will champion these.



I believe that government can take care of its people. I know someone in Philadelphia who has a chronic illness. The only way they could get medical care was through Obamacare. This person is a local activist and leader. They are so important to me and the local community. I trust Hillary Clinton will fight for, not restrict, health care.

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On the issues, she has my vote hands down.



2. I Am Impressed With Her

I know Hillary Clinton. Now, I doubt she remembers me. But I spoke on a panel with her sixteen years ago at a Filipino empowerment conference. As my US Senator from New York, I watched her address real community needs after the 9/11 attacks. And I know much of her work as Secretary of State to counter LGBT violence and discrimination around the world.



I first met First Lady Hillary Clinton in 1993 during the initial effort to take on universal health care. I was in a meeting with her with other advocates. We were prepared to educate her on our concerns but she already knew half of them and wanted to learn about the others.



In person, she was warm, funny, and personable. I know that's not what people think. Her media presence lacks charisma and grand oratory skills. But I'm electing a person to lead our county, not a television persona.



3. We Can Organize and Hold Her Accountable

I do not think that Hillary Clinton is a political Messiah. When Barak Obama, Bill Clinton, and Bernie Sanders ran for President, they all made a litany of progressive promises. They presented a grand vision of America I shared. But I never thought they could achieve everything they set out to do.



There are powerful interests at play - by corporations, the wealthy, fundamentalist fanatics, and straight up middle-America conservatives - who will stymie progress. They will temp Hillary Clinton to compromise. So we must hold her accountable, pushing her to stay the course towards policies that will make our country more inclusive and economically and socially just. At the same time, we must organize to overcome obstructionists in Congress and convince naysayers in the public of the institutional changes that are needed.



Voting is only the first step. My vote does not represent a carte blanc endorsement of a candidate's entire platform. It is more nuanced. But voting for a candidate gives me license to push that candidate further. I would rather spend my time pushing a President who agrees with me in principle than to oppose the regressive policies of one who disagrees.



4. I Want to Vote for a Woman

As a man, I want to vote for a woman. It's about time we had a female president. I want my sister and nieces to see that they can be anything they want to be. I want my son to see that women are equal to men and can achieve leadership at the highest levels. This should be the norm. Having a female president will send a powerful message to so many people.

5. I Vote for My Community

I am privileged to be a citizen of the United States and I have the right to vote. I know many people who cannot vote. They are young. They are immigrants. They are undocumented. They are people in my community, my friends, and my family members. I am proud to raise my vote on their behalf so that their voices can be heard. There is so much at stake. It is unconscionable, and selfish, if not elitist, not to vote. I will vote not only for myself but for my community.



I am excited about this election, and nervous as well. I've been through Presidential Elections where the polls and pundits have said the vote would go one way and the election went the other. People may say one thing in public but do something else in the privacy of the voting booth. This will be a close race.



I am thrilled at the historic opportunity to vote for Hillary Clinton. Along the way, with tenacious advocacy and unrelenting grassroots organizing, I know that together we will be able to achieve concrete victories that will meaningfully improve people's lives.

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I'm proud and excited to vote for Hillary Clinton for President.

----

Glenn D. Magpantay is the executive director of a national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organization of Asian Americans, South Asians, Southeast Asians, and Pacific Islanders. The opinions expressed here are entirely the author's own and do not represent the views of his organization or any other affiliation.
The Spanish Street Artist Hyuro again features the uncovered breast of a female form in her public mural. The news here in Barcelona is that it is not news.

Hyuro. BCN Transit Walls Festival. Barcelona, Spain. September 2016. (photo  Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Four years ago at a mural festival in Atlanta, Georgia the Argentinian artist was embroiled in a local "controversy" for painting a mural that depicted the nude female form. The monochromatic film-frame presentation across a long wall showed the incremental metaphorical shedding of wolves clothing to that of a human, then back to a wolf - or something like that. It's open to your interpretation and not painstakingly explained by the artist, as is often the case.

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Most viewers didn't find it to be an eroticized presentation and some thought it had religious undertones actually. Alexandra Parrish, a principal organizer of the mural explained to the Huffington Post at that time that it was "a portrait of transformation, the mural reflects the teachings of the church."

Hyuro. BCN Transit Walls Festival. Barcelona, Spain. September 2016. (photo  Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Regardless, the high-minded Atlantans who rallied to have that painting destroyed could only see that the mural presented naked lady parts parading in public, which could potentially light loins afire. Presumably none of those people were in attendance with more than 50,000 Beyonce fans this September at Atlanta's Georgia Dome, since it was essentially two hours of women strutting in high heels and highly revealing, even erotically inspired, costumes across enormous screens for everyone in attendance, including children, to ogle.

Here in Barcelona Hyuro doesn't report any negative commentary coming her way for this mural painted with BCN Transit Walls in conjunction with La Merce, Barcelona's largest cultural, musical arts and communities festival. Named after the Virgin of Grace (Mare de Deu de la Merce), the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Barcelona, you may think that the vision of a bared breast may cause a firestorm here.

Hyuro. BCN Transit Walls Festival. Barcelona, Spain. September 2016. (photo  Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Like many of her public pieces the Hyuro's mural is a series of frames that collectively can create a sense of motion when viewed in quick succession. This series depicts a woman opening her garments to expose her breast and give it to her nursing infant.

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These are not erotic images but in a society that again is increasingly equating women's worth with their their physical appearance and sexual availability, devaluing their intellects, and otherwise objectifying and sexualizing them in media and advertising imagery, a simple loving and nurturing act like this can be perversely, stunningly, misinterpreted.

Hyuro. BCN Transit Walls Festival. Barcelona, Spain. September 2016. (photo  Lluis Olive Bulbena)

We often say that Street Art and Public Art are a mirror; a reflection of a society back to itself. Our extensive experience observing art in the streets has taught us that certain images are allowed by the greater culture to stay up while others are destroyed quickly. It is a fair measuring device for the opinions, mores, political leanings, and popular tastes of a locality.

Spanish passersby at this transit hub do not appear to find objection with this mural, but Hyuro might have to think twice about a mural like this in many American cities, where reports of shaming and bullying of breastfeeding mothers are still common.

Hyuro. BCN Transit Walls Festival. Barcelona, Spain. September 2016. (photo  Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Not surprisingly perhaps, the candidate for the highest office in the US this year whom has not been a mother reportedly told an attorney that she was "disgusting" for requesting a break to breast-pump milk for her baby. She also may have been "nasty".

Whether the female form is entirely sexualized in your mind or not, for the record, US federal law permits breastfeeding in any public area where you happen to be when your baby gets hungry and laws in cities like New York actually permit women to be topless in public at any time. It may take a while for popular tastes in art to reflect this in certain areas, and when it comes to legal mural festivals visiting artists are always wise to consider the audience.

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Hyuro. BCN Transit Walls Festival. Barcelona, Spain. September 2016. (photo  Lluis Olive Bulbena) Our sincere thanks to photographer Lluis Olive Bulbena for sharing his images with BSA readers.

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Memo to the next President of the United States.

On behalf of a few hundred million folks I thought I would share with you the following. On the almost eve of the election it seems to this futurist quite shocking that we have missed out on the you candidates talking about a central factor that has made America great: We are an Innovation Nation. Yet to follow the conflicts and insulting rhetoric from the candidates you would think this is a secret. After all, no candidate has presented his or her Innovation Nation Plan. I must have missed it. So lets review.

Innovation, from the cotton gin, to horse-less carriages, to air conditioning, big steel factories, computers, networks, mobile and on to the next robots, artificial intelligence, search engines... all of these innovations have created jobs, wealth, power and prosperity. America has led the world innovators--from mapping DNA to mobile smart phones to the Web. The US has spawned inventors, engineers, entrepreneurs and the startup universe that now extends around the world. There are now many innovation nations. America may have been the first Innovation Nation but now innovation is a productivity, GDP and jobs creation engine around the world owned by the world.

So it is baffling to me that the candidates for the US Presidency have failed to impress us with their Innovation Plan. What are the next fantastic innovations that they propose? How will America lead innovation on the planet? How will we create new innovation economy jobs and invent the new? If there was any fundamental part of the political DNA of America it would be our innovation expertise. Innovation is what we do great.

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How about it? Where are the big bold ideas to colonize Mars? End global hunger? Provide distributed health care for 7 billion? Education for all. Time Travel anyone? Now I am not kidding here. As our candidates are busy throttling each other, who said politics is not a contact sport--we need to inspire them.

Here is my take. America does innovation great. We understand job creation. Disrupting industries. We owe ourselves and the world to look to the future. To solve the big grand challenges of the future like climate change, clean energy and you name it. In order to this, spur on innovation, we need to embrace the principles of the Innovation Nation.

We want our next President to understand innovation and inspire, invest and invent even ways to encourage more youth, more educators and more leaders to invent the future. What is the way forward on clean water? How might we use mobile health tech to reach millions? How can we create one million connected entrepreneurs?

The next President needs to support the innovations that will create future jobs, prosperity and invention. They should pay attention to quantum computing, synthetic biology, disease prevention, next generation robotics, the Internet of Things, big data, predictive analytics, mobile apps and artificial intelligence. We need to invest more in the innovations that will lead the world and the US.

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The US has always been an Innovation Nation leader. But its time for you candidates to understand that while your battling each other the citizens of the nation want to know if you have a future vision for the nation. How about that?
By James M Dorsey

A lethal attack on a Pakistani police academy in Quetta, the provincial capital of Baluchistan, highlights the country's power struggle over policy towards militant Saudi-backed Islamist groups nurtured by the Pakistan military and intelligence service. It also spotlights China's willingness to accommodate Pakistani ambivalence towards militants.

The attack this month on a police academy in Quetta that killed 61 cadets and wounded some 170 others, the worst such incident since an assault in December 2014 on a military school in Peshawar, has exacerbated tensions between the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the military, and the country's intelligence service, the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI).

The attack occurred barely two months after a bombing virtually wiped out Baluchistan's legal elite and less than two weeks after senior government officials, including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, clashed with military commanders and intelligence leaders over counterterrorism policy. Sharif and his ministers warned their military and intelligence counterparts that Pakistan risked international isolation if it failed to implement a national counterterrorism action plan adopted in the wake of the attack in Peshawar two years ago. The civilians' warning included the fact that the military and intelligence service's selective crackdown on militants puts US$46 billion in Chinese infrastructure investments at risk.

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Pakistan constitutes a crucial link in China's One Belt, One Road initiative designed to link the Eurasian land mass through infrastructure, transportation and telecommunications. The Baluch port of Gwadar is key to the maritime and land links China is trying to create that would give it geopolitical advantage, theoretically more secure routes for the import of badly needed resources and export of Chinese goods, and help Beijing develop economically the strategic but restive north-western Chinese province of Xinjiang.

Baluchistan is also crucial because it borders on Iran and constitutes a potential battleground for proxies of Saudi Arabia and Iran in their bitter struggle for regional hegemony. This province is also historically a key territorial conduit for the opposing forces in Afghanistan and their respective insurgency campaigns.

In a blunt statement during the meeting of civilian and military leaders leaked to Dawn newspaper, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry noted that Pakistan's closest ally, China continued to block, at the request of the Pakistani military and the ISI, sanctioning by the United Nations of Masood Azhar, a leader of UN-designated Jaish-e-Mohammad, but Beijing was increasingly questioning the wisdom of doing so. Jaish-e-Mohammed has long served as a proxy in Pakistan's dispute with India over Kashmir.

Azhar was arrested in the aftermath of the Peshawar attack but released in April 2016. Azhar was long held in Indian prison on charges of kidnapping foreigners in Kashmir but was freed in 1999 in exchange for passengers of a hijacked Indian Airlines flight. Jaish-e-Mohammed was responsible for a 2001 attack on the Indian parliament among other incidents. The group was however conspicuously absent from a list of groups, issued earlier this month by the State Bank of Pakistan, whose accounts were frozen as part of the government's selective crackdown on militants.

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Among those accounts was Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, the group the government blames for the latest attack in Quetta. A Lashkar spokesman told The Wall Street Journal that the group had aided the Islamic State, which claimed responsibility. Analysts doubt whether the freezing of accounts will have much effect. They note that most of the funds available to militant groups are either not in bank deposits or, if they are, not in accounts belonging to the groups' leaders.

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi is an offshoot of Sipah-e-Sabaha, a Saudi and Pakistani-backed Sunni supremacist, anti-Shiite group. Like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Sipah-e-Sabaha is banned but is allowed to operate under a different name, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat. In interviews, Sipah-e-Sabaha leaders said the military and intelligence was advising them in the framework of the national action plan to tone down their inflammatory anti-Shiite language but to maintain their basic policy.

Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat leader Ahmad Ludhyvani, a meticulously dressed Muslim scholar whose accounts are among those blocked, speaking in his headquarters in the city of Jhang, amid protection by Pakistani security forces, noted that Sipah, as the group is still commonly referred to, and Saudi Arabia both opposed Shiite Muslim proselytisation even if Sipah served Pakistani rather than Saudi national interests.

"Some things are natural. It's like when two Pakistanis meet abroad or someone from Jhang meets another person from Jhang in Karachi. It's natural to be closest to the people with whom we have similarities... We are the biggest anti-Shiite movement in Pakistan. We don't see Saudi Arabia interfering in Pakistan," Ludhyvani said to the author of this Commentary over a lunch of chicken, vegetables and rice.

The freezing of accounts is the latest incentive for Lashkar-e-Jhangvi to strike out. Much of the group's leadership has been killed in what the government called encounters with security forces and independent analysts assert were executions.

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The latest Quetta attack was likely also designed to exacerbate the differences between Pakistan's government and its military and intelligence as well as within Sipah itself between those who favour following the government's advice to tone down its anti-Shiite language and more militant factions.
Defining, maintaining, and refining a cadence is key to keeping a company "accountable and authentic to everyone it touches," according to the book "Think Big, Act Bigger" by Jeffrey Hayzlett. He also discusses how cadence is "your company's river--its culture and systems." The better it flows within the company, "the more it flows through anyone it touches, from employees to vendors to customers."



Establishing a successful operating pace not only makes your employees feel more comfortable and productive but also gives clients an additional level of assurance. Secure in the knowledge that a creative firm will turn around work within a certain amount of time, they are more likely to rely on that firm as a creative partner.



Internal cadence must come before external; once your team is in a good place in regard to workflow and expectations, you can proceed to educate clients on how timely decision-making will affect the delivery.



Set clear expectations



At the outset, sit down with your team and the client, and explain the plan ahead so it is clear to everyone involved. You may experience some pushback from employees concerned that a rigid schedule may hamper their creative efforts, or force them to rush their process. Discuss those concerns, as well as benchmarks and goals that are dependent on following this process. Pacing in a reasonable manner will take potential delays into account.



Everybody's buy-in is necessary. The next step is the creation of an internal timeline for projects, with checks and balances in place before the client sees anything. How much time can the team comfortably devote to ideation? How long does it usually take to receive feedback from a client, and incorporate those notes into the planning? Working collaboratively to answer these questions will help frame a suitable rhythm for the team.



Don't reinvent the wheel with each job.
U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton takes the stage at a campaign rally in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. November 1, 2016. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

A lesser candidate than Hillary Clinton might well have wilted in the face of FBI Director James Comey's vague but seemingly damning letter to Congress about yet more emails just 11 days before the 2016 election.

Donald Trump, of course, grabbed Comey's innuendo as if it were a magic wand, waving it wildly an effort to restore his staggered campaign.

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Clinton, however, as is her style, reacted in a steady, deliberate way. She neither ignored Comey's half-cocked announcement (he hadn't even reviewed the emails) nor went full-Trumpian by charging that somehow it was proof all is "rigged."

Instead, she said, "The American people deserve to get the full and complete facts immediately." By the next day, her words were a bit stronger -- she called the FBI's actions "deeply troubling." But she still stopped far short of the hyperbole commonplace in Trump's off-the-rails campaign. And through it all she promised to forge ahead in her quest to serve the American public.

Hillary Clinton may not be this country's most exciting candidate. She makes mistakes and isn't terribly forthright in acknowledging them (witness this whole email fiasco). But she's smart, disciplined, deliberate, experienced and ultimately committed to governance. That's why I believe she'll surprise her detractors and be an excellent president.

That's also why I'm tired of this campaign's overriding press narrative: That this is an election offering Americans their worst choice in modern memory.

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Yes, Donald Trump is a nightmare of a candidate. And yes, Clinton has her flaws. She's spent decades being dissected, so she does not cozy up to reporters. She stood by her charming, brilliant but oversexed husband through all his shenanigans and in the end seems to have gotten blamed for his actions more than he did. She is not a natural on the campaign trail. And worst of all to some, she did what I know I've done and I'll bet you have, too - she didn't pay enough attention to the whereabouts of hundreds if not thousands of emails pouring onto her computer every day. The FBI investigated her for many months and then, in July, Director Comey said that despite Clinton's significant carelessness he had no case against her (do you know how many gazillion things the federal government considers "classified?")

But there's another side to Hillary Clinton: her guts, her toughness, her calm in the face of fire, and her keen mind. Did you happen to watch the three debates? Enough said. Case closed -- at least until 11 days before the election.

Now, the actions of James Comey have roiled this campaign, have seared Clinton and could yet put a know-nothing narcissist in the White House. The media immediately salivated ("The FBI story ... broke at the exact time when the media was eager for a dramatic twist/complication in the 'Clinton coasts' narrative," tweeted big data guru Nate Silver.)

Tracking polls have shown Trump drawing even after being left for dead a few weeks ago. Clinton suddenly found herself viewed even more unfavorably than Trump, according to an ABC News/Washington Post poll. And as I write Tuesday night, the Washington Post web page has a headline that reads, "Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are some of the most unlikable candidates in political history."

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Oh please. Wasn't it candidate Barack Obama who in 2008 said, "You're likable enough, Hillary," and got in trouble for it? Hillary Clinton, unlike Donald Trump, is most certainly likable enough. She doesn't grab strange men by the crotch, pick fights with the fathers of dead American heroes or smear entire religions or nationalities. But more importantly for a would-be president of the United States, she is as steady as steel, calm and focused when she most needs to be.

She continued her campaign as the three former attorneys general, two of them Republicans, criticized Comey for his actions. Her campaign found the little girl who appeared in the famous Daisy commercial during the 1964 presidential campaign to refocus concern on the dangers of The Donald with his finger on the nuclear trigger.

She kept campaigning as the media turned up yet more stories on Trump's possible Russia connections, the way he dodged taxes, his decision to stiff his own pollster by refusing to pay a $700,000-plus bill.

What we don't know is whether, come election day, her iron resolve will be enough. If not, the news media surely will share the blame for insisting on leveling the playing field between a man whose hateful, sexist and xenophobic rhetoric has roiled this country and a woman who, though too slick and too close to the vest, would bring this country under the leadership of someone who bridged partisan divides after 9/11 to aid New York's first responders.

Get real reporters: There simply is no "equivalency" here.

Back in 2008, I got one close-up look at Hillary Clinton that set the stage for my perception of her today. I'd taken a group of political reporting students to one of the primary's New Hampshire events, a town hall she'd organized. With me was a colleague recently retired from a prominent position in television.

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My colleague had arranged for a photo of Clinton with our students after the event. But in a moment of exuberance that colleague surprised me by announcing to all present: "Hillary. I'd like to endorse you for president of the United States."

I could understand my colleague's enthusiasm (though I was a much quieter Obama supporter). But I was concerned, as a journalism professor leading a new generation of would-be reporters, that her remark had the potential of undercutting the reputations of our students, particularly if they were recorded posing with the candidate she had just endorsed. So as our students pressed toward the stage after the event for a picture with the candidate, I told my colleague within earshot of Clinton that we should not pose for the picture.

It was an awkward moment. Clinton stood patiently waiting, and then, without pique, turned toward us and said something like, "I guess we aren't doing a photo then?" That was it.


(Photo: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. by Joan Michelson)



Imagine you're an eight-year old kid and you get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit the President of the United States in the White House, in the Oval Office, to talk about your passion project with an intense focus on persuading the President to support your cause. You dress up in your Sunday best, bring an example of why your project really matters, and you're all prepared for what you want to say, armed with focused determination.

Your passion is the environment, and you bring along a small, live salamander carefully placed in a jar with water for this big time "show and tell." When you arrive, the President listens to your plea for him to take steps to protect the environment. He looks at the salamander, which apparently has not quite survived as well as you planned (the salt water you added was not the right move apparently), and expresses concern for the poor fish.

That story is true. Most of us would be rather embarrassed that our "show and tell" didn't survive, but alas neither the eight-year old nor the President flinched. That's because the eight-year old was Bobby Kennedy, Jr. and the President was his uncle, John F. Kennedy. (I sure hope the photo of that encounter surfaces soon....)

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Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. kicked off SXSW Eco 2016 with this story woven into an impassioned lesson on how to use the laws currently on the book, and other tools already at our disposal, to protect the environment. He has the legal and environmental chops to back it up, of course, having successfully sued polluters for ~$5.8 billion by leveraging long-dormant laws.

As we face a contentious election pitting essentially the oil/gas barons against the environmentalists and advocates of climate change mitigation, RFK Jr.'s message refocuses us on what we can do now. (See my previous Huffington Post blog on the candidates' positions on these isssues.)

"We have good environmental laws on the book currently," he told a packed auditorium at the Austin Convention Center, "we just aren't enforcing them."

That's one of the key takeaways from this year's SXSW Eco:

1.Recognize and use the power, influence, resources and tools you currently have: Including the law - and use them more effectively.

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2.Zero impact is not enough: As mankind depletes nature's resources at our peril, there's a nascent but energized movement burgeoning in the business community to give back to the environment more than we use. Dubbed "Net Positive," Eric Olson of the BSR, Business for Social Responsibility, explained that the Net Positive movement focuses on "how business can create benefits that outweigh the impacts." These are businesses, though, so there must be financial, public relations and revenue-generating results for these initiatives to be credible and lasting.

(Photo, l to r: Cindy Ortega of MGM Resorts, Rebecca Rubin of Marstel-Day, Tim Mohin of AMD, Joan Michelson, Green Connections Media; credit Eric Dorris)

3.Sustaining enthusiasm for sustainability is crucial: In the SXSW Eco session I moderated on corporate sustainability, Cindy Ortega of MGM Resorts (SVP & CSO) inspired a robust conversation around how to maintain the commitment to and focus on sustainability-related initiatives. She said this is her biggest challenge, because making a solid impact requires consistent effort, time and monitoring and yet it's easy for teams to get distracted by the next shiny new thing, tempting them to divert time and resources.

4.It has to be diverse - in every way: To get the best ideas, tap into the best talent, find the best solutions and drive the most lasting, continuous impact over time, these efforts must engage all demographics, ages, genders, career paths and ideas. Even though Millennials have captured the attention of many business leaders, there are many people of all ages and demographics working in the energy-sustainability space and related industries that can jump in right away and who bring valuable perspectives and expertise.

5.Be open to "random collisions": The magic of conferences like SXSW Eco is that you have the opportunity to randomly encounter and engage in conversation with folks you normally would not. These chance encounters can seed profitable and innovative partnerships - and solutions - that can exponentially improve each of your bottom lines and the planet's, and create other positive outcomes.

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6.Building and maintaining a sustainable supply chain is hard: The process of finding, monitoring and maintaining ethical sourcing that's reliable, verifiable, consistent and cost-effective is very difficult and requires constant vigilance. This process can also create conflicts within the team, as both priorities and processes change.

(Photo: Bill Nye's 100% renewable energy future, by Joan Michelson)

Bill Nye, "The Science Guy., closed out the conference with an impassioned, jazz-like riff on how we can get to a 100% renewable energy future - and why it's so crucial. People left feeling informed, entertained and inspired to save the planet.

For much more, listen to my podcast of our SXSW Eco 2016 session on Green Connections Radio, on iTunes, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Stitcher, or wherever you like to listen, and subscribe there and to our newsletter at www.greenconnectionsradio.com for the latest interviews with leaders in innovation, sustainability and energy.
Although the election is less than two weeks away, based on the current poll numbers, it's looking like America (and the world for that matter) will evade a streaking asteroid the size of Jupiter colliding into our planet.

According to the Mayo Clinic, "Antisocial personality disorder, also called 'sociopathy,' is a mental condition in which a person consistently shows no regard for right and wrong and ignores the rights and feelings of others. People with antisocial personality disorder tend to antagonize, manipulate or treat others harshly or with callous indifference. They show no guilt or remorse for their behavior."

Since my article here back in February, many other experts have diagnosed Donald Trump with narcissistic personality disorder. Since then it has also become clearer that he has sociopathic tendencies as well. His claim that the election is "rigged" and that he may not accept Hilliary Clinton's probable victory is a prime example. Trump does not give a flying hoot about bringing down our time-tested, democratic process. He would rather create more polarity and heated divisiveness because he's a sore loser and is not getting what he wants.

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Trump doesn't care that statements like his could incite violence and civil unrest after the votes are legitimately counted and he loses the election. He is content to encourage an incendiary uprising despite the fact that people could get hurt or even killed. He doesn't care that his outlandish declarations and reckless barbs fan the flames of irate passion and perpetuate a culture of sociopathy--a culture that says it's OK to hate and discriminate against select groups of Americans. Is this the way he intends to "Make America Great Again?"

Trump's odyssey of hate and bigotry has already regressed us decades in our evolution as a civilized society that honors equal rights and fairness to all. It will take years to rebuild it again regardless of the election's outcome. But if he becomes President, it would initiate the end of democracy as we know it. I do believe that at the hands of a Trump Presidency, the human race would be literally at stake and we could very well have World War III within a few years or sooner.

Recently, The Atlantic magazine's James Hamblin quoted Tony Schwartz co-author of Donald Trump's best-selling autobiography, The Art of the Deal. Schwartz said "If Trump wins and gets the nuclear codes, there is an excellent possibility it will lead to the end of civilization." Hamblin wrote "Schwartz feels deep remorse at having put 'lipstick on a pig.' That seemed to be something of a contradiction to the charge of sociopathy, as pigs have been found to show signs of empathy."

Since the dawn of his campaign Trump has displayed a chilling lack of sensitivity and empathy. His brand of misanthropy toward others can only be described as sociopathy. He doesn't care about anyone or anything unless it serves his platform and more significantly, his ego.

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Sociopaths are malignant personalities with over-sized egos who suffer from a chronic and permanent condition. The illness twists the way they think and perceive the world. Most significantly, it negatively affects how they relate to people. They usually have minimal concern for the welfare of others. In a sense, they are dead from the neck down.

Even scarier to consider, Dr. Scott A. Bonn's Psychology Today article, How to tell a Sociopath from a Psychopath, describes the great similarities in both diagnoses. "Psychopaths often have disarming or even charming personalities. They are very manipulative and can easily gain people's trust. Psychopaths are often well educated and hold steady jobs. Some are so good at manipulation and mimicry that they have families and other long-term relationships without those around them ever suspecting their true nature."

Does this sound like someone we know?

However, a big misnomer about sociopaths and psychopaths is that they are all dangerous, misguided criminals who eventually resort to physical violence. Or they are edgy, "loose-cannon" types that live on the fringes of society.

The truth is sociopaths and psychopaths come from all walks of life and look like normal people on the outside. Some never resort to violence. Sometimes they are difficult to identify especially in the beginning. They are CEOs, athletes, chefs, politicians, artists, engineers, etc. They inflict pain on others through imperceptible intimidation minus the overt hostility. Sociopaths and psychopaths are also habitual liars and expert smooth talkers. They can charm their way through anything to get want they want.

So you see, Mr. Trump has the trifecta. He's a narcissist with both sociopathic and psychopathic tendencies. Couple that with having no clue about how to run a government and we have a serious threat to our democracy and our nation. Putting Trump in the White House would be akin to asking someone to fly a 747 without a pilot's license high on crack cocaine.

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In the unlikely event that there is little or no unrest after the election (we should prepare for several days of rioting and violence), the damage that Trump has caused this country is immeasurable and unforgivable. But not irreparable. Though it may take time, America will revert back from this temporary aberration.


M. CRUZ (773 DIGITAL)

Regulation Crowdfunding is another step forward to allow non-accredited investors to participate in online investment opportunities. Born from Title III of President Obama's 2012 Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, Regulation CF provides access to alternative investments through online equity crowdfunding.

Regulation CF platforms differ from reward or donation-based sites such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo by offering stakes in small and startup businesses. Platforms approved for Regulation CF provide conduits for emerging businesses to showcase their offerings to potential investors. Regulation CF is the first time non-accredited investors can crowdfund capital in early-stage companies, including those striving to make lasting impacts on society.

Pittsburgh-based Small Change last month became the first real estate Regulation CF portal approved by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. This allows Small Change to enable a broader range of investors to take part in offerings that strive to strengthen communities through real estate development.

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President and founder Eve Picker explained that "every building has a purpose and can make a neighborhood better, and that is what we are setting out to do." Since the company's establishment in 2015, Small Change has already successfully funded several Regulation D offerings, which are available only to accredited investors. While the site will continue to offer under Regulation D, Picker believes that Regulation CF will be the catalyst for the company's expansion.

"The first four Regulation CF projects that we have lined up are not in Pittsburgh," she explained. "We want to let people invest locally where they live. There are so many people who love their communities and want to contribute to making them better, and now they will be able to do that."

Three percent of America's population qualify as accredited investors. Thus, when the Securities and Exchange Commission unveiled Regulation CF in September 2015, it opened a door of opportunity that had been closed to the majority of the population since the SEC was established in 1934. Ordinary people are no longer shut out of investment opportunities because their income or net worth does not meet the lofty accredited standards. For the first time in nearly a century, the playing field is level: anyone who believes in the potential of an investment can get in.

Picker isn't alone in believing that small investors crave the opportunity to support game-changers. Allan Au, the head of Mr. Crowd, a Regulation CF platform providing financing to entrepreneurs, recently told Crowdfund Insider that if the vehicle had been available back in 2004, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg "would be very likely to raise funds from CF for Facebook." What an opportunity that would have for small investors to support the growth of a visionary product, and to participate in some of the vast wealth it created.

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While Regulation CF may expand a platform's reach, it comes with strict stipulations. FINRA requires diligent separation of deals offered to both accredited and non-accredited investors from those offered exclusively to accredited investors. Unlike crowdfunding offerings to accredited investors, Regulation CF offerings may not display a prediction of returns and a company may not raise more than $1 million in a twelve-month time frame using Title III. All of these are designed to keep front and center the protection of non-accredited investors.
As August was just heating up, we took a seat at a long conference table, in a room somewhere on Disney's Burbank lot. To be honest, the room was bland. There were windows that let in light, but it seemed dull and hollow.

There are people who seem to light up any room they walk into. There's just something so magical about them. Auli'i Cravalho is such a person.

She walked into the bland room and suddenly it seemed brighter. Her smile seemed to span the universe and send all the beauty back into the room. With her is a woman who radiates the same beauty, her mother.

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I had seen the video where Auli'i Cravalho is told she is Disney's newest princess, Moana.

It's a moment that sort of places a lump in the back of your throat. The joy, the gratitude.

The first person Auli'i shared the news with was her mother.

The next?

Her mother, sitting next to her, filled with pride and love cuts in.

"No. You couldn't We were sworn to secrecy."



Photo Credit: Jana Seitzer

Auli'i adds, "Yes. Sworn to secrecy. July. August. September. October. A little over three months, we couldn't tell anyone."

Her mother seems to carry the burden for her daughter, "She'd come home at night and we'd be hugging and she's like, 'Mommy. I'm Moana.'" Her laugh seems to place all the stars of the universe into her eyes. She continues, "Yes. You sure are, Sweetie."

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And then, the reality of this mother-daughter relationship is explained in one amazing sentence. "The truth is I told my mom. We would literally have these conversations at night about how there was no one that I could tell. There was one one else that I felt like I had to tell. It's just been my mom and I for like three years or so. I love being able to not have to feel like I have to share the whole everything with the world, which is why I'm not very good at the Snap Chat, and I need help with my social media. Because I...I kind of just like having just us."



Photo Credit: Jana Seitzer

So Auli'i has been in the studio, doing the voice of Moana. She has not met any of the other characters. "Just the day before yesterday, I met Dwayne and then a few weeks ago, I met Rachel House who is the voice of Gramma Tala. It was interesting because I've gotten so used to the voices, but to see their faces with it and to match the personality. For instance, the person who plays Gramma Tala, Rachel House, that isn't her actual voice. She totally commits to the character, otherwise she's just a really sweet, kind woman who doesn't sound like Gramma Tala.

Auli'i Cravalho and her mother Puanani are Hawai'ian.

Moana is a Polynesian Princess.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, is Polynesian and he plays Maui, a demigod with a body full of tattoos that act sort of as his conscience.

So what's it like when you meet "The Rock"?

Puanani wastes absolutely no time is telling us, "I did some "Rock" climbing for all of us. I'm just saying, you know, I took one for the team, sweat and everything."

Auli'i takes the more professional approach, "He was very nice. Very professional. This whole process of recording without meeting someone was something that I was not prepared to do. I assumed we would be in the same booth. Dwayne is very focused, which is interesting because he has so many different jobs just throughout the day that while we were on the content shoot, he was of course, talking to other people, trying to work out flights and a lot of other stuff. It brought to mind how dedicated he can be to one thing and then convert his attention to another."

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My first trip to Hawaii was September 10th, 2001. The next morning was 9-1-1. My two-day trip, turned into 16 days on an island. I learned there are amazing people. Proud people of their culture, their traditions, their heritage. I hadn't given it too much thought since landing back on the mainland, but in this room, Auli'i reminded me.

"Dwayne loves the character Maui so much.He is Polynesian just like I am. To see that he is so committed to the character just made it almost overwhelming. Just the amount of emotion that I know I put into my character, I know that he puts in the same amount."

And then we learn more about what it means to be Hawaiian. To be the next Disney Princess.



Photo Credit: Jana Seitzer

"Moana is definitely a Disney character which is something that I totally love. She's totally bad butt, really awesome. I think she really embodies it because i, as someone who has grown up, been born and raised on the island of Hawaii, so the Big Island, I love my culture. I go to an all Hawaiian school where you have to be Hawaiian to be admitted. I speak the language as well."

She continues.

"To have such a beautiful young teen, who shows that it's okay to go on a journey to find yourself, it's wonderful, because that message is universal to everyone."

"Also wayfinding isn't something they made up for animation purposes. It was truly almost lost in the Polynesian culture, which is something that not a lot of people know. The fact that it's being shine in such a positive light and the fact that there is now a resurgence of navigation and wayfinding in real day-to-day life, it's so important."

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Auli'i says she shares with Moana the love of family. She loves her people.

"I think when you go to Hawaii you'll notice the ambience and you'll notice everyone is friendly because we all kind of think for each other. That's something that I had to get use to here (on the mainland), because it's not like that. I don't mean that in a negative way, but I'm not sure it can be taken any other way. It's interesting. Everyone is for themselves here, which is great. If you succeed. Good for you. But for everyone that I've ever met in Hawaii, it's like you made it and you made it for us. I just feel so proud of that. I think when everyone found out I was Moana, we got banana bread practically every night of the week. Aside from that, it's been really normal!"

I looked at Auli'i, a girl the same age as my daughter. A girl living an amazing fairy tale, who owns the title of "Disney Princess" with such power and grace, and as I sit in awe listening to how well-balanced, well-spoken and positive she is, she ups the ante with, "I would love to pursue this but at the same time, I'm super glad that I know of thought of the future and what might or may not happen. I study no matter what. As of now, I love this so much, but at the same time I started pursuing, or started looking into either a law career or I'm really into science, like cellular molecular biology."

Puanani brings the reality of what every mother feels, "This is an amazing journey. We're with Disney; we're in good hands, but this is outside of my knowledge. I'm doing my mommy part and I'm staying close with her, because I need to on this journey with her. Auli'i is happy and she's thriving. This canoe is sailing and we're sailing well. We really are.



Photo Credit: Jana Seitzer

And the interview ends with Disney's princess saying, perhaps for the first time, "I have a really amazing Mom; right?!"

----

Find out more about Julee Morrison on Facebook

2016 Julee Morrison, as first published on Mommy's Memorandum
Both Parties

The short answer is both political parties. The Republicans have been trying to suppress the minority vote for decades, but that's old news. Trump's desire to circumvent the democratic process is well known and frequently quoted. His arrogance is exceeded only by his skill at lying, which has been clocked at 75 percentof what he says. But Trump is hardly alone in stealing the democratic process.

Hillary's leaked emails continue to plague her campaign and they have revealed that the Democrats are also complicit in stealing the democratic, Democrat process. First, ex-Democrat Party Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz worked diligently to ensure that Bernie never succeeded as the party candidate. Now it has been revealed that Donna Brazile gave Hillary the questions to the Primary debate with Bernie.

No Real Choice

I'm a registered Independent and I already voted for Hillary by absentee ballot. In truth I would have voted for her even after hearing about Donna Brazile's leaked debate questions. But I feel betrayed by the Democrats and saddened that Trump's comments about the Democrat Party's process for nominating their Presidential candidate was rigged. It was rigged and I'm not certain we even know now the extent to which it was rigged.

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I was a Bernie supporter from the start, and after watching the carnival sideshow that this Presidential election has turned into I'm furious that Bernie wasn't the candidate. All the nonsense the Democrats who supported Hillary spouted during the nominating process made me sick then and outrage me now. The notion that my preferred candidate wasn't allowed to run against Hillary in a fair election process in the Democrat Party makes me remember why I became an Independent.

Dynasties

The notion that either political party was limited to a Bush or a Clinton Dynasty is revolting, and at least the Republicans saw through Jeb Bush's feeble attempts to create a trifecta. That Trump became their candidate became the Republican Party's self-fulfilling prophecy after decades of supporting bigotry and hate. They need only look in the mirror for a culprit.

Cheaters

But the Democrat Party decided behind closed doors that Hillary would be the candidate. Screw Bernie and his enormous support. Here's what I know in my heart to be true. Bernie would have been a terrific candidate without a whiff of scandal of any kind. He would have decimated Trump in the debates, and no one would have been able to dig up any nasty material on him either. Bernie was too old to handle Trump? Nonsense, he's a tough New Yorker who would have torn Trump a new one in the debates.

That Bernie was literally robbed of his legitimate candidacy is criminal and no amount of punishment by the Democrat Party or CNN is enough to slake the thirst millions of Americans had for new blood, Bernie. I'm sick and tired of being assaulted by Hillary supporters who insisted all along that she was the only possible winner against Trump.

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More Lying

Bill Clinton spending 30 minutes on Loretta Lynch's plane while it was parked on the tarmac stinks to high heaven, and while Bill was an okay President his denials about so many issues took lying to a new level. It's odd how the Democrats keep insisting that Bill's not the candidate now so his past is irrelevant. No, it isn't because he's still lying, but for Hillary instead of himself.

A Low Point

This Presidential election will likely go down in history as the absolute lowest point in American politics. Two candidates with histories that sicken even their strongest supporters, competing for an office that the Obamas dignified that is being defiled by both Trump and Clinton. I would have voted for Gary Johnson but since he was too stoned to remember what Aleppo is and couldn't name one world leader I had to pass.

If Trump wins I'll consider moving to some country where I feel safe from his grasp, and if Hillary wins I'll hold my nose for the next four years. Who's stealing the electoral process? Both parties. If you haven't voted then I urge you to vote for Hillary even though she sickens me on many levels. We're becoming a third world country politically. I'll skip Hillary's inauguration and daydream instead about Bernie and what could have been.
We need to care more about the standard we are allowing our politicians to set for our society. When we allow them to make hateful, bigoted, ill-informed comments, we give everyone else free reign to do it too.

We often think it's only our actions that create our environment - but inaction can have as significant an impact for all of us. I've recently been reminded that allowing is accepting - and given the current political environment, I thought it was worthwhile discussing.

Last week I facilitated training on Difficult Conversations - trying to help managers with those conversations none of us ever want to have. There is a line in our course material, the sentiment of which I'm sure you've heard in many different ways before - the standard you allow is the standard you accept! In Australia, we had a previous Chief of Army who gave a fantastic speech that included a very similar line - you can see it here.

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I think we tend to forget this in our day-to-day lives - I know I've allowed standards and behaviours from people I should never have accepted. I've also behaved in ways that other people shouldn't have accepted.

But there are a range of reasons we don't speak up and allow people to act in ways that we don't agree with and don't meet our standards. Some of these are:

Fear of the confrontation, and how the other person will react

You don't think it's your place to say something

Wanting to be liked, or not wanting people to think you're uptight, precious etc.

Not wanting to make yourself a target

Thinking it's not that important or you don't want to make a fuss.

But the Saying is True...

When we laugh at the bigoted joke, let someone act in a way that makes us uncomfortable, let someone deliver low quality products/services, or a range of other sub-standard actions, we are tacitly agreeing. We are saying it's okay to make fun of me or another group of people, it's okay to ignore my boundaries, it's okay to under-perform - we're giving them permission to continue to do that 'thing' we actually find unacceptable.

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When that person is a politician, we're saying that standard is acceptable for our society, and the laws or policies that government wants to enact on our behalf.

The Problem is Pressing

With the looming US Presidential elections, you can see how problematic it is to laugh along, or simply keep quiet and walk on by. Do you think Donald Trump would act the way he does if he wasn't surrounded by people who allowed him to do that? Yeah I know many of them are probably in self-preservation mode, not wanting to become a target, but still.

Even with Hillary Clinton, someone allowed her to use a separate email server. There was a tacit acceptance on some level, by people who probably should have argued the standards - but who's going to argue with the Secretary of State and former First Lady?

And then we have Australian politics - where the standards are getting lower on a daily basis, and no one seems to care. Of course, there are people who aren't allowing actions and behaviour to happen without comment, but I don't know that we're having any impact - largely because many politicians seem to think winning an election is tacit acceptance of EVERYTHING about them.

And of course, as a society, we long ago allowed the media to get away with saying and doing whatever they pleased, with few checks and balances. The drive to sensationalise stories, and report half truths has diluted the 'standard' we used to expect. Maybe it is the need to compete with online content, but regardless of the reason, we allowed them to lower their standards, and many people enjoy the outcome.

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It's a Polarising Situation

Speaking up is not an easy way to exist in the world. You constantly invite conflict and trolls if you become a voice that calls out the unacceptable - just look at the horrific comments made to women calling out poor male behaviour. I get why people don't want to publicly take it on, and I tend to err on their side - seriously, I publish this with a great deal of trepidation about what I'm opening myself up to.

But this phrase was a timely reminder for me that by not saying anything I'm effectively saying "I'm okay with that" - and there are many times I'm not okay with that. Since My Year of TED, I do speak up more than ever before, but probably still not enough. And I'm not saying my standards are always right either, I'm sure I have the capacity to upset people with my language, sense of humour or ill-formed thoughts. But I do try to be aware, it's part of a push to be more compassionate.

We Should Expect More From Our Leaders

Because all of this is more important if you are a leader. The culture of your organisation or group is not only formed from the behaviour you model and endorse - it is equally created by the standards you are tacitly accepting. Why do you think the Trump supporters love him? He's giving them permission to sink to his standard - to make a push to recover their white (largely male) privilege; to be bigoted and angry; and to rail against everything that scares them.

We saw it in Brexit, as the UKIP leaders lowered the standards and many Britons rushed to the bottom to meet them. We're seeing it here in Australia with the election of three One Nation senators (among others) and the popular desire to drive that narrow-minded, fear fueled discourse back into our society - giving groups like Reclaim Australia a legitimate voice.

And it's difficult, because we should allow a public debate on our standards and what is acceptable for our country. But that debate should not happen as a bigoted free-for-all where people get to lie about the facts and are never held accountable for the standards they create.

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Select Your Standard America

So American friends, as you head to the polls on Tuesday, think about the standard you are willing to accept! Don't get me wrong, your choices are not wonderful, you really are selecting the lesser of two evils here.

But are you willing to accept Trump's standards as a human being who has enjoyed every second of catering to the lowest common denominator and reducing the standard of public debate and discourse? By electing Donald Trump, you are accepting a standard for your President that you shouldn't accept in any aspect of your life - a mindless bully who speaks without thinking of the implications and belittles the people with actual knowledge and expertise.
by Justin H. Gross, Ph.D.

According to the latest data from our national tracking poll, Latino Decisions projects that between 13.1 million and 14.7 million Latinos will vote in 2016. This estimate represents a three percent to five percent increase over the 2012 Latino turnout rate which, coupled with the dramatic growth of the age-eligible Latino population, will yield between 1.9 million and 3.5 million additional Latinos voters in 2016 compared to the 11.2 million who voted four years ago.

Latino Decisions also projects that 79 percent of Latinos will vote for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, 18 percent for Republican nominee Donald Trump, and the remaining three percent voting for other candidates. Clinton's projected share is higher than both Latino Decisions' estimated 75 percent Latino vote share and 71 percent exit poll share Democrat Barack Obama received during his 2012 re-election bid.

Over the past seven weeks, the Latino Decisions weekly tracking poll has demonstrated heightened enthusiasm for voting in 2016 and record-high levels of support for Hillary Clinton. Each week, the released poll has captured a rolling cross-section of 500 bilingual interviews conducted nationwide with Latino registered voters and has found little fluctuation either with respect to likely turnout or the proportion of the Latino electorate anticipated to vote for each presidential candidate. From a statistical modeling perspective, this stability is good and suggests more confidence in our model estimates for Election Day.

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Another record turnout for Latinos

As has been the case in recent elections, the increase in Latino turnout in 2016 will be driven largely by the rise in eligible voters and the success of registration efforts. Our own analysis is based on a probability sample of registered Latino voters, but the final numbers will depend on the degree to which registration efforts have succeeded in capitalizing on "Trump anxiety" in places such as Arizona, Florida, and Texas or whether--as some analysts have asserted--the Democratic Party may not have sufficiently taken advantage of a golden opportunity to mobilize eligible Latino voters.

Latinos have historically lagged behind other groups of eligible voters in their registration levels. Once registered, however, Latinos turn out to vote in high proportions, similar to non-Latinos. According to our LD Turnout Predict model, which we apply to survey response data in order to estimate likely turnout, we anticipate between 13.1 million and 14.7 million Latino voters will cast votes in this election. LD Turnout Predict estimates the relationship between key predictors of turnout (such as voter history and each respondents' own intention to vote) and the probability of casting a vote in a given contest according to previous surveys and validated votes. Using the same methodology in 2012, and examining official validated vote history in that year, our model estimated turnout about 3 percent to 5 percent lower than what we predict in 2016.



According to Pew Hispanic, 4 million additional Latinos have become eligible to vote since 2012, with totals estimated to reach 27.3 million. If this is correct, we should see at least 13.1 million and as many as 14.7 million Latinos casting votes this year, up from an estimated 11.2 million in 2012. Among registered voters, Latino turnout will be at least as high as in 2012, according to our model estimates, and likely 3-5 percent higher. Depending on how successful various Latino voter registration efforts have been--and early indications from states like Florida are promising -- it is possible that we may see numbers approaching 15 million Latino voters this election. Again, a lot depends on exactly how many Latinos are currently registered to vote for the November 2016 election. A simple linear projection would yield an estimate of about 16 million Latino registered voters this year, however this cycle has seen more Latino registration drives than ever before, leaving open the very real possibility of 17 million to 18 million Latino registered voters. Thus we have an estimated range of 13.1 million to 14.7 million Latino voters in 2016.

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Our models of both vote choice and voter turnout utilize background information on sampled voters, survey responses, validated vote history, and post-stratification weighting. Model selection is based on a combination of social scientific knowledge of key predictors of voting behavior as well as machine learning feature selection techniques.

For each model, voters are grouped by "type" according to their profiles with respect to characteristics that make them more or less likely to turn out to vote and more or less likely to vote for particular candidates if they do vote. In the case of turnout, voter profiles take into account not only respondents' self-assessment of their likelihood of voting, but also background information such as validated vote history that may make their claims more or less credible.

Conditional probability of voting--given voter type--is estimated from validated turnout and post-election surveys in previous years, and estimation error due to model uncertainty and sampling uncertainty are incorporated via a widely accepted Bayesian simulation routine. So, for example, if we have interviewed few individuals of a particular profile in previous elections, assessment of their probability of particular voting behaviors will be less precisely estimated and this uncertainty will naturally lead to more widely varying possible outcomes in our simulations.

The same approach is used for estimating likely support for individual candidates, with the probability of voting for each candidate estimated conditional on stated intention, partisanship, and indicated enthusiasm for a candidate. As an example, it would be quite unusual to encounter a respondent who is registered as a Republican, claims to identify strongly as a Democrat, and yet says that they support the Green Party candidate in the current election. Our assessment of what such an individual is likely to do on Election Day is based on precious little data and the resulting uncertainty will effectively be captured by our estimation methods. However, the fact that so few voters send such mixed signals also means that our ignorance of these types of voters will not have a large impact on our results.

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Hillary Clinton Likely to Set New Record in Latino Vote Preference

Applying our LD Vote Predict model to the most recent wave of our poll data, we currently predict that 79 percent of Latino voters will choose the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, 18 percent will choose Republican nominee Donald Trump, and 3 percent will cast votes for other candidates. This estimate is within the confidence interval of our previous estimate from October 6 of 82 Clinton/15 Trump/ 3 other (+/- 5.5).

Whether the final tally will be closer to 75 percent or to 84 percent for Clinton may depend on the Latino turnout in Florida, which has the fourth largest Latino population among states and the least Democratic-leaning Latino voters in the nation. Even in Florida, however, the tides are turning, as twice as many newly registered Latinos have registered as Democrats than as Republicans, a ratio more consistent with figures elsewhere in the nation.

Our statistical model estimates over the seven waves of our weekly tracking poll have reached as high as 82 percent for Clinton but never dipped below 77 percent. It is looking extremely likely that Secretary Clinton will set a new record of Latino support, possibly by a large margin.

Justin H. Gross is Chief Statistician at Latino Decisions and Assistant Professor of Political Science at UMass-Amherst. Justin holds a Ph.D. in Statistics and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University. His applied research interests are in public opinion, Latino politics, political communication, and public policy. He works on methodological problems in measurement, text analysis, and network analysis, and is especially interested in methods that put statistical and computational tools to use in service of our ability to achieve rich qualitative insights.

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Right now Americans are talking. We are talking about Donald Trump. We are talking about Hillary Clinton. And we are talking about WikiLeaks. But what we aren't talking about is one of the most important public health issues of our time - domestic violence.

That needs to change. Not just because it's October, which means it's Domestic Violence Awareness Month - but because nearly one in three women and one in four men will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes. It's simply too big a problem to stay quiet about. So, as we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it's vital that we spark an honest and candid dialog. The only way we can unite domestic violence perpetrators, survivors, researchers and service providers to create a world free from domestic violence is if we banish it from the shadows.

Make no mistake, incidents of domestic violence are occurring every day in every community, in every socio-economic group and every race. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 10 million women and men in the United States experience physical violence each year by a current or former partner. In 2011, one in 12 children witnessed a family assault, and one in three reported witnessing one in their lifetime, according to the National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence, a U.S. Justice Department-sponsored study that is considered the most comprehensive on the subject. And yet we remain silent.

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But we know that domestic violence is much more than violence between a man and a woman. Those affected by domestic violence are husbands, wives, children, partners, grandparents, grandchildren, and even pets. If left unaddressed, the cycle of domestic violence is reproduced generation after generation. When children are exposed to domestic violence they are being set up to either become perpetrators or to experience violence themselves. In fact, children who grow up with domestic violence are 74 percent more likely to commit a violent crime against someone else. They are also at risk for higher rates of infant or child mortality.

The staggering numbers and the heartbreaking stories compel us to begin the conversation. It is time to end the silence. According to a 2013 survey conducted for the Avon Foundation, 53 percent of Americans know a person affected by domestic violence, but only 15 percent say it is a problem among their friends. Two out of three people have never talked about domestic violence with their friends, and almost three in four parents have never discussed it with their children. A staggering 75 percent of domestic abuse occurrences go unreported.

The most vulnerable and voiceless members of our society are constrained from speaking out on their experiences with domestic violence, even to family members. Sometimes the reasons are cultural. In some communities, asking for help can be seen as a sign of weakness. Others are financially dependent on their abusers, and still others don't know how to begin a conversation or whom they can trust. If there are children involved, there are legitimate fears of statements to friends and family being used against the speaker in family court, if there is a custody battle.

In our communities, silence also comes from fear of confronting our assumptions about domestic violence. For some, domestic violence is something that happens to people who are "not like us." So, in a superficial way, we empathize with the women, children and men who have experienced domestic violence, but we keep them at a distance and are reluctant to truly listen to them.

We vote for politicians who say they will "crack down" on perpetrators of domestic violence, but we don't ask the deeper questions. Domestic violence has devastating long-term effects on all who are involved in it - women, children, men and pets - and it is part of a cycle of behavior that is difficult to break. But policymakers do not hear the voices of people who experience domestic violence.

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The silence has had another devastating impact - stagnation in the domestic violence field. In the past 40 years, there has been remarkably little change in strategies to address domestic violence. That is unacceptable. Our goal at Sojourner Center is to create a world free from domestic violence. We know this can happen, but not if the domestic violence field remains so complacent.

We must all take a hard look at our assumptions, engage the academic community in searching for evidence of what works and what doesn't, challenge what we think we know about the problem and begin to have conversations that will be uncomfortable for some. It is crucial that we develop better programs that will reach men, including men who abuse. We need to increase our cultural sensitivity and awareness, and recognize that we are trying to change norms in diverse communities. Most importantly, we need to make the public aware that we all have a stake in creating a world free from domestic violence because it is at the root of many other costly social problems.

Each year that the domestic violence status quo persists, more women, children, men and pets are caught in the cycle. If you believe, as I do, that we can solve this, we must both speak up and listen harder. Domestic violence deserves our attention and our resources. We must foster safe space where we can have real conversations with the women and men who experience domestic violence, and from a foundation of truth, begin the transformation our communities need.
Toward the end of any election campaign in which polls are omnipresent, attention inevitably turns to "the undecided" voters and their potential to shake up the race in its final hours.

In 2016, as is often the case, this focus is misguided. One reason, particularly in the context of presidential elections, is that truly undecided voters are few and far between. SurveyMonkey's nationwide Election Tracking, for example, finds just 2 percent of likely voters who are still totally undecided about a choice between Trump, Clinton and third party candidates Gary Johnson and Jill Stein.

That said, there are far more people -- 7 percent of likely voters -- who choose a candidate but also say (on a follow-up question) that their chance of voting for that person is just "50-50" or less. Let's call them uncertain voters.

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Ordinarily, polls have difficulty yielding statistically meaningful results about undecided or uncertain voters because the subgroups are too small. SurveyMonkey interviewed just over 43,000 likely voters in the past week, however, so we have ample data for these critical subgroups.

A closer analysis of 4,007 likely voters who are either undecided or uncertain -- including 1,049 who are totally undecided -- finds no evidence of a "hidden vote" lurking that might upend the race.

Let's take a closer look. First, any discussion of the uncertain and undecided vote in 2016 needs to begin with voters supporting third party candidates, as their support is unusually high compared to recent elections. Also, these voters are less certain of their support than those currently favoring Clinton or Trump.

More specifically, nearly all Clinton and Trump supporters say there's at least a "large chance" they will actually vote for their chosen candidate, and 81 percent of Trump voters and 83 percent of Clinton voters say they are "absolutely certain" about that choice. By comparison, just 35 percent of voters supporting Johnson and 37 percent of those supporting Stein say they are absolutely certain, and only about two-thirds say there's a "large chance" or better they'll end up voting for that candidate (again, note the exceptionally large sample sizes, over 3,042 likely voters for Johnson, 1,017 for Stein).

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SurveyMonkey's tracking has shown support for Gary Johnson gradually declining since the summer, from 11 percent among all registered voters in mid-August to just 6 percent among likely voters this past week. Similarly, support for Jill Stein has fallen from 5 to 3 percent over the same period. Will any further erosion change the margin separating Clinton and Trump?

Currently, Clinton leads Trump by 7 percentage points (51 to 44 percent) on a two-way vote question, but by 6 percentage points with third party candidates included. That gap exists mainly because supporters of Jill Stein favor Clinton over Trump overwhelmingly (57 to 15 percent) in a two-way race. Yet Stein's overall support remains relatively low, and only some of it uncertain, so the potential for a shift to Clinton is minimal.

Gary Johnson's support, which has been consistently higher than Stein's, is a somewhat different story. His voters currently divide right down the middle (36 percent each) on whether they'd prefer Clinton or Trump in a two-way race, so a continuing decline for Johnson is still unlikely to affect the margin separating Clinton and Trump.

Other measures yield no evidence of a hidden vote or an impending late "break" of the undecided or uncertain voters toward either Clinton or Trump. Whether we focus on the totally undecided 2 percent or the 9 percent that also includes the uncertain, these potentially persuadable voters divide nearly evenly in terms of their partisan leanings and impressions of Clinton and Trump.

On party identification, nearly half of the totally undecided (47 percent) and even more of the uncertain voters (54 percent) identify as independent. Those that remain break almost evenly among the two parties -- 21 percent Republican, 20 percent Democrat among the totally undecided, and 21 percent for each party among the larger pool of undecided and uncertain voters.

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With leaners included, Republicans and Republican-leaning independents slightly outnumber Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents among both the undecided (29 to 25 percent) and the larger pool of undecided and uncertain (35 to 30 percent).

They also divide almost evenly on President Obama's approval rating: 48 percent of undecided voters and 50 percent of all undecided and uncertain voters approve of the job President Obama is doing.

Despite a slight Republican lean, the undecided and uncertain voters also show a slight preference for Clinton on a two-way vote choice (by 36 to 33 percent among all undecided and uncertain voters, and by 9 to 7 percent among those totally undecided on the vote with third party candidates included).

The low favorable ratings for both candidates help demonstrate both why so many of these voters are uncertain about their choice and why, when pressed, slightly more lean to Clinton than Trump.

The patterns are similar for both, but consider the 9 percent that are either undecided or uncertain about their choice: Clinton's favorable rating (24 percent) is low, but Trump's is lower (18 percent). Her unfavorable rating is high (68 percent) but his is even higher (73 percent).

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Not surprisingly, those uncertain or undecided about their choice are far more likely to rate both Clinton and Trump unfavorably (54 percent) than are all likely voters (21 percent). The dislike of both candidates is a big part of the reason so many of these voters are uncertain in the first place. However, even among these voters, many dislike one candidate more intensely than the other, so the 54 percent who dislike both breaks out into 11 percent who dislike Trump more than Clinton, 12 percent who dislike Clinton more than Trump and 31 percent who dislike both with the same intensity.

So again, while indecision remains a factor in the final week of the race for president, nearly all likely voters have made their minds up about Clinton and Trump. While some are still deciding between the lesser of two perceived evils among the major party nominees, a third party candidate, or perhaps not voting at all, the sum of those decisions does not appear poised to upend the race.

This SurveyMonkey Election Tracking survey for October 24th, 2016 through October 30th, 2016 was conducted online among a national sample of 44,396 registered voters. Respondents for this survey were selected from the nearly 3 million people who take surveys on the SurveyMonkey platform each day. This entry is cross-posted to the SurveyMonkey Election Tracking blog
The infinity pool at the Marina Bay Sands. Photo: Marina Bay Sands

Ive probably travelled to Singapore about 20 times in the past 3 years. I visit frequently to work with clients of Xpat Media. A couple of weeks ago I visited to speak at ITB Asia with several bloggers from the Professional Travel Bloggers Association.

As I was zipping around town to meetings I realized how well Ive gotten to know the city and wanted to pass along a few of the things that have helped me make the most of my time there.

Get The 100GB Sim Card

Photo: Pexels

This probably wont last forever, but for as long as its around its great. At the airport you can pick up an S$50 ($37 USD) M1 SIM Card. It normally gives you 5GB of data for 7 days, which is lots, but right now you get a bonus 100GB, so you never have to worry about struggling to connect to overloaded conference wifi or a slow hotel network. With that much data you can stream HD Netflix every night in your room.

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Use The Right Transport For The Right Travel

Photo: Pexels

I use five methods of transportation in Singapore. Taxi, Uber, Mass Rail Transit (MRT), and walking. Each are great for some situations, but terrible for others. Heres the deal.

To And From The Airport: Taxis and Ubers will be fastest most of the time, but the MRT is very fast and convenient. I usually take the MRT into town out of habit. If youre in a rush to get to the airport, a taxi or Uber will almost always be fastest. However, if youre traveling during evening rush hour youll want to take the MRT or budget extra time for your drive.

Taxis And Ubers: I almost always prefer using Uber instead of taxis for one simple reason: I dont have to tell the driver where to go. In a strange city its always a chore to explain where you need to go, especially if theres a language barrier. In Singapore I default to Uber...most of the time.

Downtown Singapore is a maze of one way streets. On my last trip I tried several times to order an Uber only to watch it painfully try to wind its way through a circle of one-way streets during busy middle-of-the-day traffic to find me. Its not worth it. If youre in the city center youre better off walking or asking somebody where to find the nearest taxi stand (there are many).

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Walking: Central Singapore is really small. You can walk to a lot of places in 20 minutes. Before you jump into a cab or an Uber, its worth asking yourself if you can just walk it. This is especially recommended if your route will take you along river, which has a beautiful, wide, pathway lined with bars and restaurants.

Use The Best Meeting Room In The Marina Bay Sands

Photo: Pexels

Every time I visit Singapore for a conference its in the Marina Bay Sands, which is great. The MBS has the nicest conference area Ive ever been in. What I love most, though, is the cafe where I hide out to work and have meetings: the Sweet Spot Cafe on the second floor.

This place is great. Its just far enough from the conference center that it doesnt get too crowded, but its close enough that anyone can find it and get there in 10 minutes. It has good coffee, sandwiches, and regular tables as well as sofas and coffee tables. There are power outlets along one wall and a business center next door.

I usually spend more time there than in the conference hall.

To find it, take the escalators from the conference area up to the main floor. Then walk into the mall. On your immediate left youll see a very tall escalator. Take it to the top and walk straight ahead. Youll walk right into it.

Check Out Singapores Air BnB For Business Travelers

Photo: MetroResidences

MetroResidences is a Singapore-based Air BnB-style service for business travelers to find serviced apartments. I stayed with them on my last trip and it was just what I needed. The room had a great view and kitchen where I could make coffee while working. The building had a nice gym and a pool. But most importantly it was right downtown within walking distance of most of my meetings and right across the street from Telok Ayer food market, which has a crazy selection of good cheap restaurants to grab a quick bite on my way to or from the apartment.

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Dont Stress Too Much About Your Flight Home

Photo: Pexels

I would never advise anybody that they shouldnt show up two hours early for an international flight.
While I certainly can't claim to have been a close friend to Tom Hayden, news of his death hit me hard. His impact on my life has been sweeping. Like others who worked with him over the decades, I've spent the weeks since his passing on October 23rd processing the loss. For me, this includes conversations this past year about mortality ... both mine and his.

I was too young to have followed Tom's early trajectory as an activist and student journalist in the Civil Rights movement and too self-focused in high school to have noticed him during what George Skelton calls his "radical rock star" period working against the Vietnam War. But I hit college in California in time to become a foot soldier in his 1976 effort to take a seat on the U.S. Senate. It was my first time fusing together with like-minded people in pursuit of a better world. I was both inspired and challenged by Tom -- an enthusiastic intellectual with a kind of crumpled charisma. He managed to formulate the best real-world arguments I'd ever heard as to why America needed sweeping social and economic change.

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Tom didn't win that first race, but his crusade launched the Campaign for Economic Democracy -- a grassroots organization that promoted a progressive agenda within the Democratic Party. I was all in. With Tom leading the charge, activists in chapters across the state pushed for solar energy and against polluters; for equal rights and against racism; for progressive candidates and against income inequality. We challenged the status quo, battled corporate interests and learned to organize.

During the early days of CED, we students fought to get the University of California to divest from apartheid South Africa (which it finally did decades later.) We conducted sit-ins for this cause and attained a bit of notoriety -- at least with our lawyers -- when a benevolent Jane Fonda, then married to Tom, wrote the check that bailed a handful of protestors at UC Davis and UC Berkeley out of jail. Later, Students for Economic Democracy was birthed -- a kind of subset to CED that further solidified the crucial role young people play in any movement for social change. I served as an early staffer of SED and travelled the state promoting economic democracy my first year out of college.

It was a heady period and Tom served as a touchstone for many of us throughout the late 70s and into the 80s. Many of those I labored with to make change back then remain close friends today and are now leaders in different arenas fighting the good fight.

Tom went on in 1982 to get elected to the California state legislature and forged a path as a radical insider there for the next 20 years. He carried on throughout and beyond writing books, teaching movement history, influencing policy and engaging future activists.

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As founding editor of the Sacramento News & Review in 1989, I was fortunate to overlap with Tom over subsequent decades -- getting his read on the politics of the day, sitting down for the occasional formal interview. At my request, he agreed to write for SN&R on a swath of subjects over the years: Bill Clinton, 9/11, the Iraq War, Jerry Brown, the climate crisis. With his permission, I'd often offer his pieces to alternative editors across the country. In one 2008 essay that published in dozens of weeklies, Tom mused on the direction of the country as it headed into a presidential election. Reading his newly relevant essay "Dreams of Obama" again this past week, I recalled his skill at articulating the long view:

What is missing in the current equation is not a capable and enlightened centrist [Obama] but a progressive social movement on a scale like those of the past.

The refrain is familiar. Without the militant abolitionists, including the Underground Railroad and John Brown, there would have been no pressure on President Lincoln and no black troops for the South. Without the radicals of the 1930s, there would have been no pressure on President Franklin Roosevelt, no New Deal, no Wagner Act, no Social Security. Without the civil-rights and peace movements pressuring President John F. Kennedy, there would have been no march on Washington and no proposal to reverse the nuclear-arms race.

More recently, Tom participated in a national project SN&R launched in advance of the 2015 Paris climate talks. In Letters to the Future, we asked authors, artists, scientists and others to write to future generations predicting the success or failure of the Paris talks. Tom's letter heaped praise on Gov. Jerry Brown and then-House Speaker Kevin DeLeon for helping create what Tom called the "California Model" for how others might address the climate crisis by reducing carbon emissions with "co-equal benefits" for disadvantaged communities.

Tom and I exchanged emails last April about his choice to back Hillary Clinton in the California primary rather than Bernie Sanders. Surely progressives could agree to disagree when it came to this strategic choice about who to back in an all-important election? Well no. I was distressed to see Tom personally skewered as a "traitor" in social media by legions of one-time allies, all for daring to say he was "with Hillary" in the month leading up to the California primary. Like others who knew he was still recovering from a 2015 stroke that nearly felled him, I was distressed by the vitriol to which he was suddenly target. I told him I agreed with his position and advised him to ignore social media for a while and just take care of himself.

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Ultimately, though, I don't think the disparagement mattered much to him. After all, he'd spent a lifetime on the frontlines, taking heat for his opinions, making enemies and friends in equal and sometimes counter-intuitive measure.

In the end it was just what he got for being Tom Hayden.

This last year my running association with Tom hit a bit closer to the bone.

He'd read an essay I'd written for the LA Times in late 2015 revealing that I'd been diagnosed with terminal cancer and given a "yearish" to live. The piece was my own musing on mortality and what to do with the time I had left. The warmth of his response moved me deeply and reminded that he was not too far from such considerations himself.

He wrote: "i was very touched by your writing about death and dying during a time i was recovering from a serious stroke last year. Please, please keep in touch by email or phone. Love, tom ... Ps how can i help?"

He continued to exhort me to write down my thoughts about mortality and life's meaning and share them with him, my friends and readers. "Every thought, every bit of advice" that I might offer would be worthy, he said, "but only if yu are up to it."

I've been attempting take his advice on this. My own "year to live" prognosis has played out in an unexpected way, as I've been one of the lucky patients to respond -- at least partially -- to immunotherapy and gene-based cancer breakthroughs. Though still living with terminal cancer, my days have been happily extended by an unknown amount and my effort to live a full and meaningful life proceeds.

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Still I know -- and surely Tom was aware -- that no amount of time on this earth is guaranteed. As he wrote to his friend Steve Wasserman from his hospital bed after surviving that 2015 brush with death - he was left "wide awake in the unforgettable present moment." How we spend that moment -- in this one life we've got -- is for each of us to determine.

In an email chain among colleagues after Tom's death, my friend Don Villarejo (another important mentor during my college days) remarked that, during his years in the peace movement, he was most inspired by the thought, attributed to Ghandi: "Almost everything you do will seem insignificant, but it is important that you do it."

Tom "did it" better than most.

Eight years ago, in his essay on Obama, Tom wove a forceful argument for grassroots change that connected all the dots in a way that only he could do. The message is still quite relevant today. Basically, he did what he'd always done - inspired us to consider the past then work in the present to summon a better future.

That essay concluded: "This is a moment to live and fight for."
It started with a simple question. As a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2012, Raj Karmani, the founder of Zero Percent, was a regular at a neighborhood bakery. The store was always fully stocked with more than a dozen different bagel flavors, and that got Karmani thinking. "I wondered, 'When all those beautiful bagels are made fresh each day, what happens to the ones that don't sell?'" So Karmani asked the bakery's owner, and learned that he did his best to donate what he could to area nonprofits. Still, many of those bagels were thrown out at closing time. Karmani vowed to change that.

Then a computer science student, Karmani first built the app that would become Zero Percent during a hackathon. "Technology is going to be the core of this solution," he says. Zero Percent's app allows restaurants, schools and other institutions that sign on to easily note what kinds of food they have available and in what quantity, and when they would like to have it picked up. The system then notifies a local nonprofit, giving them the option to pick up the food. In Chicago, where the startup is based, Zero Percent also hires drivers to make daily, pre-scheduled pickup and drop-off runs.

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That a city like Chicago would have such a need for surplus food initially surprised Karmani, who grew up in Pakistan. "Coming to the United States, I felt I came to a country that is the richest and most powerful country in the world, and that I had left poverty and hunger behind," he says. But his conversation with the bakery owner opened his eyes to two huge problems in the U.S.: the dual issues of hunger and food waste. "Forty percent of the food produced in the United States goes to waste," Karmani says. That translates to more than $22 billion worth of prepared and perishable food every year. "That's why we named the company Zero Percent," he explains. "We wanted to bring that statistic down to zero percent."

Join the cause! Commit to reducing food waste in your community. See how to donate unspoiled food here.

Restaurants and other businesses pay a fee to participate in the program. In return, Zero Percent streamlines the process of donating excess food. "It's just a great way to know that we're feeding others who need it," says Jon Naylor, a managing partner at Blackwood BBQ in Chicago. It's a morale-booster for staff, and they mention it during interviews with new potential hires, Naylor says. Customers also like to hear that the restaurant is giving back to the community, he adds.

The participating institutions can also gain financial benefits. Zero Percent's functionality includes a dashboard that shows them exactly what they've donated and where their donations have gone. This makes it easy for them to document donations for tax purposes. It also helps them track how much excess food they're ordering and making, so they can make their operations more efficient. "We had a lot of lettuce leftover at the beginning," says Timothy Muellemann, a manager at Sopraffina in Chicago. "Since we began using Zero Percent, we've been able to see the items that we had been ordering too much of, and it's helped us keep that in check," he says.

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The benefits for local nonprofits are obvious -- fresh, healthy, prepared food they can serve to those who need it most. Besides going to soup kitchens and food pantries, Zero Percent provides surplus food to after-school programs and organizations that serve underprivileged populations. "What's amazing is that we get so much fresh, nutritious food from Zero Percent," says Kylon Hooks, a program manager at Chicago's Broadway Youth Center, which primarily serves homeless LGBTQ youth. Hooks says that getting healthy food from a high-quality source has an emotional benefit too. "It gets young people to think, 'I'm worth eating this way,'" he says. "Zero Percent is an invaluable resource."

Since its launch in 2013, Zero Percent has distributed more than 1 million meals to almost 150 nonprofits in the Chicago area. But Karmani has his sights set on bigger goals. "I firmly believe that food waste can be entirely eliminated," he says. "I'm still striving to reach that utopia of zero food waste. I'm not going to congratulate myself until we have, step by step, shown that we can move the needle on food waste, first in Chicago, and then elsewhere."

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The seed for HandUp, a crowdfunding site that solicits donations to help the homeless, was planted in early 2012 when Rose Broome passed a shivering woman huddling in the doorway of a real estate office in San Francisco. "On a cold night, I was walking down the street and saw a woman sleeping on the sidewalk," recalls Broome. "She didn't have a jacket, she didn't have a sweater -- just a thin blanket protecting her from the cold ground." That night, Broome says, "I made a commitment to myself to do one thing to make a difference, and that one thing turned into HandUp."

The platform for HandUp allows those battling homelessness to appeal directly to donors to fund their particular needs. Since 2013, more than 2,000 people have raised nearly $1.6 million. By sharing their stories on the site, those in need are able to fundraise for housing assistance -- security deposits, moving costs, help paying back rent, and so on -- as well as for food, education, medical care and technological access. "Having a phone, the Internet, the ability to text is extremely important for everyone, especially for the most vulnerable people," says Broome, who, besides cofounding HandUp, acts as its CEO.

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The need for funding is enormous. Nationwide, 3.5 million people struggle with homelessness every year, and 50 million people live below the poverty line. But there's a misconception about what being homeless looks like, says Broome, pointing out that the image of a person sleeping on the street, wrestling with mental health issues or drug addictions (or both), tends to capture the public's imagination. In reality, however, 30 percent of those who are homeless are part of families. As Broome puts it, "You could walk right past 80 percent of people experiencing homelessness and not know any different."

HandUp works by partnering with organizations that serve homeless populations. These organizations help their clients sign up and create profiles on the site (to date, they've launched more than 5,800 campaigns in 29 cities). When donors give, the money goes to the organization, which will pay for the items requested. Donors get an email update when their money has been put to use. HandUp also helps homeless people create donation request cards, which they can hand out to people they meet on the street, and donors in San Francisco can buy HandUp gift cards in $25 increments and distribute them when they meet someone in need (the cards can be used for groceries, clothes and other goods at HandUp's nonprofit partners).



Join the cause! Help those experiencing poverty or homelessness. Read their stories, then post a message or make a donation here.

Broome and her cofounder, Sammie Rayner, are passionate about using technology to solve problems and create change. "It's surprising, but right now, only 8 percent of charitable giving happens online," Broome says. And unfortunately, the nonprofit sector tends to lag far behind the private sector in adopting new technologies. "So often, nonprofits are the last to get some of the best technology to do their work," adds Rayner.

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For the nonprofits that work with HandUp, the platform allows them to fund needs that wouldn't otherwise be met, filling in the gaps left by restrictive government and foundation grant funding. SF Cares, a collaborative project of several Lutheran churches working to serve low-income and homeless individuals in San Francisco, has used HandUp to raise $18,000 for the needy they work with, plus another $20,000 toward their general operating costs. "They're funds our organization never would have gotten before," says the Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer, the executive director of SF Cares and pastor at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. And the people doing the giving through HandUp are new donors that SF Cares might not have reached on its own, she adds.

Rohrer says she loves the way HandUp lets people combatting homelessness "speak in their own voice." And she likes that the site lets people decide for themselves what they need to improve their lives. "Plus," she says, "any time that I don't have to spend fundraising means I get to eat with the homeless, and I get to sing songs with them too."

Creating human connections is as much a part of HandUp's purpose as developing innovative technological solutions. "On HandUp, you can read the stories of thousands of people who need help with very specific goals," Rayner says. "As soon as people read the human story and have that connection through our platform, it's harder to have the same stereotypes, and it's harder to judge." When donors give on HandUp, they can also post words of encouragement. The people who receive money through the site often say those kind words mean more than the donation, adds Broome. "A lot of people who are homeless feel invisible," she says. HandUp helps them feel seen.

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Billy Parish studied climate change as a student at Yale, but it wasn't until a summer trip to India after his sophomore year that the reality of the problem hit home. It was 2002 when Parish traveled to the source of the Ganges River, in the Himalayas, and met with scientists who were studying a glacier there. "They told me that the glacier had melted and was much further upriver than it was the year before, and that it was melting faster than anyone had been predicting," he says. "The source of water for millions of people was at risk." The experience had a huge impact on Parish. "Seeing the glacier was the first time I saw climate change face-to-face," he says. "That for me was the moment of no turning back, when I said, 'I need to do something about this.'"

That urge to do something eventually led Parish to create Mosaic, a company that provides financing for homeowners who want to go solar, in 2011. It's a Certified B Corporation, meaning that in addition to turning a profit, Mosaic aims to have a positive impact on the world. Today, it's the largest residential solar lender in the country. Mosaic works with roughly 250 solar installers, equipping them with software and financing products that they can offer to their customers. "There are now over 50,000 people who are prospering from clean energy through Mosaic," Parish says, including not just those who own homes, but salespeople and installation crews too.

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The typical Mosaic customer is a homeowner who wants to save money while doing something positive for the environment. Larry Allen and Heather Crawling, for example, recently had solar panels installed on their home in Cortlandt Manor, New York. They expect to save $100 a month initially, and twice that once they've paid off their loan. The installer they worked with, Sungevity, also guarantees them a minimum amount of savings; if they don't realize those savings, they'll get a check for the difference. "It's very straightforward," says Parish. "Our borrowers save money from day one."

Mosaic is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the growing interest in solar technology. "There was a time where most analysts thought wind was going to be the dominant renewable energy," notes Parish. But since 2009, the cost of solar panels has fallen 80 percent, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, and the price is expected to continue to drop. Solar is also readily accessible to most everyone, leading Parish to predict that it "will be the dominant renewable energy technology of the future."



Join the cause! Help the environment by signing up for renewable energy with your local provider. Need convincing? See 5 advantages of solar energy here.

The business opportunities in clean energy are enormous. Ultimately, Mosaic aims to move beyond providing loans for just solar panels. "Our plan for the coming years is to help homeowners finance everything they need to take their home to 100 percent clean energy," says Parish. That could include updating HVAC systems; replacing windows, doors, and lighting; and purchasing a home automation system that helps conserve energy. For Parish, Mosaic is a unique opportunity to make a career out of making a difference. "What I love about coming to work every day is that I get to do something that overlaps completely with my personal mission, and do something that represents a big business opportunity," he says.

That profit motive isn't incidental. Getting people invested, literally, in the transition to clean energy is a key piece of Mosaic's mission. "We started Mosaic because we believe that the more people who are participating in and benefitting from the transition to clean energy, the faster that transition will occur," Parish says. People care about climate change, he notes, but it can be tough motivating them to make big changes. "We needed to tap into people's interests in making money and saving money, and use that power to help drive this transition faster."

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Allen and Crawling agree that the financial benefits are partly why they decided to go solar. They expect to not only save money right away but add to the value of their home. They're also excited about reducing their carbon footprint and doing something to help the environment. "It's one of the motivating factors we had for doing this," Crawling says. "It's a big lesson we're teaching our kids." The couple have also noticed more and more homeowners in their area installing the panels. "I definitely feel like it's a trend, at least in our area," says Allen.

The solar movement is gaining momentum in a lot of communities around the country and around the globe. "The transition to clean energy will happen faster than people think," predicts Parish. "I believe we can get to 100 percent clean energy by 2050." The statistics are encouraging: Today, the solar-energy industry in California employs more people than does all of the state's electric utilities, he says, and nationally, more people work in solar than in coal, oil and gas exploration, and mining combined. "The clean-energy forces are growing stronger, we are accelerating this transition, and I'm focused on getting us there faster by getting more people involved."

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Recently, I needed to book a lunch meeting. To help coordinate, I asked Amy to assist and cc'd her on the email. "Amy," I wrote, "please help us find a time to meet. Let's plan for sushi at Tokyo Express on Spear Street." Amy looked at my calendar, found an open time suitable for everyone invited, and booked the meeting.

Amy works just like a human assistant, except she's not human. It's an AI bot made by X.ai, a company specializing in scheduling assistants that respond to natural language. Amy is so good at what she does that I find myself thanking her for booking a meeting, forgetting she needs no more thanks than my microwave.

It's impossible to ignore all the buzz about AI bots. Last month, Facebook's David Marcus announced that over 30,000 bots have been built since the opening of its Messenger app to bot developers in April. Other companies like Google, Amazon, and Slack are welcoming bot-building developers to their platforms with open arms. Slack even created an $80 million fund to support chatbot projects.

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As with any tech trend, most companies building bots today won't survive. However, some are bound to have a massive impact and will profoundly change the way we interact with our software and services.

The deciding factor between which bots will live and which will die is how well they keep users engaged. After all, if a personal technology isn't habitually used, it is easily forgotten. Since most bot companies are built on other companies' platforms, like Facebook Messenger, Amazon Echo, WeChat, and Slack, they must stay top of mind or they may as well not exist.

So what makes for an engaging bot -- one that users come back to again and again?

today won't survive. However, some are bound to have a massive impact and will profoundly change the way we interact with our software and services.

The deciding factor between which bots will live and which will die is how well they keep users engaged. After all, if a personal technology isn't habitually used, it is easily forgotten. Since most bot companies are built on other companies' platforms, like Facebook Messenger, Amazon Echo, WeChat, and Slack, they must stay top of mind or they may as well not exist.

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So what makes for an engaging bot -- one that users come back to again and again?

Beyond Bots

First, it is helpful to expand the scope beyond what most people call "bots" and consider a much larger and more interesting technological shift. Although "bots" has become a buzzword for the artificial intelligence powering many fledgling services, that's only part of the story. It's the way we interact with these bots -- and the way they are designed for those interactions -- that makes them special.

An AI Bot uses a Conversational User Interface (CUI) to turn the tediousness of tapping through drop-downs and app menus into the simple act of asking. On a screen, a CUI looks like a text message, an interface anyone with a mobile phone understands. However, it's important to remember that CUIs don't necessarily require a screen at all.

CUIs can work beautifully through a voice exchange. In the best cases, communicating with a CUI by just talking should feel like a chat with a good friend or a helpful assistant. In fact, science fiction inspiration like Jarvis, the virtual butler from "Iron Man," or Samantha, the digital companion in the movie "Her," is where enthusiasts hope this technology is headed.

Engaging Conversation

If communicating with CUIs is going to be as simple as talking to a good friend, we should design them as such. William Rawlins, a professor of Interpersonal Communication at Ohio University who studies friendship, says a friend has three qualities: they're easy to talk to, enjoyable, and dependable. We form routines around turning to important people in our lives in the same way we build habits with our technologies.

In my book, "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products," I describe a four-step model that companies utilize to keep users coming back -- a trigger, action, reward, and investment. Hooks are the reason we check our tech hundreds of times per day with little or no conscious thought. Integrating the Hooked model with Rawlins' three qualities of a good friend provides important insights into designing engaging technology that feels familiar and is the key to building great CUIs.

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The first step to changing habits is identifying what I call an "internal trigger." Internal triggers are the momentary psychological pain we feel right before we use a product. It's why we check Facebook when we're lonely, why we Google when we're uncertain, and why we watch YouTube videos when we're tired after work. These services have bolted themselves onto frequently felt negative emotions. The same goes for calling upon a friend and, by extension, using a CUI.

For example, Sensay.co uses an AI bot to put strangers in touch with one another. The company serves over 1.5 million people across messenger services and SMS. CEO Ariel Jalali told me the company wants to "be the first place people go to when they feel bored or indecisive and want to connect with someone with relevant experience."

Whether it's looking for a quick recommendation or a lengthier conversation with an anonymous new friend, http://Sensay.co wants to serve users whenever they feel the frequently occurring need for a social connection. http://Sensay.co is an example of a company that uses people, combined with a back-end AI bot, to scratch its users' itch with a simple, conversational interface.

Easy To Talk To

The next step of the Hooked model is the "action phase" -- a simple behavior that might yield a reward,like scrolling the feed on Facebook. Like a friend, a CUI needs to be easy to talk to. It's in the action phase that well-designed CUIs can surpass their traditional app cousins. CUIs can present information and functionality exactly when it's needed, without requiring the user to tap through complicated menus and options or exit one app, like email, to get the task done somewhere else, like a calendar.

For example, as part of the recent fanfare around Google's new Pixel phone, the company showcased how the Google Assistant provides helpful information at just the right time by integrating with different services. If two people text about a restaurant, the Google Assistant can provide directions with Google Maps and make a reservation through OpenTable, all from within the conversation. By anticipating what's needed and bringing disparate services together, the CUI makes communication a breeze.

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Enjoyable

Next in the Hooked model comes the reward. The reward gives users what they came for, scratching their itch, and yet leaves them wanting more. Just as we keep engaging with friends who are fun to be around, a good CUI keeps us on our toes.

For example, one of my daily habits is using Quartz, the news service that looks like a simple conversation. Quartz is both enjoyable and easy to talk to in a number of ways.

First, Quartz inserts funny quips and gifs to keep me engaged while I read the news. However, Quartz doesn't ask for too much. The CUI gives me the news in quickly consumed tidbits without forcing me to click through to an article to get the most important information. Unlike other news sites, Quartz doesn't care if I read the entire article and understands I just want to know the gist of the top stories. If I want to get the entire story, I can follow the link, but I rarely do.

Furthermore, while other news sites try to keep me scrolling through articles forever so they can rack up ad revenue, the Quartz CUI literally tells me to go away when it's done giving me the most important stories, saying, "You're all caught up! Check back later."

By giving me a sense of completion that I'm caught up on the day's news, Quartz gives me exactly what I want. While other news sites feel like a nagging librarian telling what I should be reading, Quartz is easier to talk to and more enjoyable because it demands less of my time and attention while keeping me engaged with humor and surprise.

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Dependable

Imagine you meet your friend for lunch. You sit together and as you enjoy your meal, you tell each other about what's happening in your life. You open up and make yourself a bit vulnerable. Being vulnerable brings people closer together and you leave the lunch thankful for the relationship.

Now imagine that the next time you see your friend, they don't remember a word you told them. Everything you disclosed seems to have vanished from their memory or, worse yet, they didn't pay attention to what you said in the first place. Unless they suffer from amnesia, this is not the kind of friend you'd like to keep around.

According to Rawlins' research, a good friend is dependable. Relationships can't grow unless people invest in each other. We expect our investment to yield a return in the form of shared information and a history -- which make us more efficient at understanding and anticipating our friends' wants and needs. The same is true of our technology.

The fourth and final step of the Hooked model is the "investment phase." This is where, like in a friendship, we put something into the service in expectation that it will improve over time. Far too many products don't ask for investment or they don't reward it, collecting but never reinvesting the information that users share. But the CUI makes asking for and integrating user investment much easier and more useful.

For example, the more I use Pana, a travel service utilizing a CUI, the better it becomes. (Full disclosure: I loved the service so much, I invested in the company.) Pana remembers my preferences every time I use it. Where do I like to sit on the plane? What's my frequent flyer number? Which credit card do I use for business versus personal travel? The list goes on.

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However, unlike a traditional app or website that would ask for all this information up front, Pana asks for it as needed, but remembers it for life. Like a good friend, Pana doesn't ask me to repeat myself. With all that information, Pana can be helpful in ways no other travel service can.

Pana can tell me, for example, when I should buy a ticket with points versus cash and handles the transaction for me. Another case in point: Last week, on the way to Phoenix from San Francisco, I noticed I'd forgotten to enter my TSA Precheck number into my flight reservation. Instead of having to call the airline, wait on hold, and negotiate with the representative, I sent a quick text to Pana and it was done for me.

CUI + You = BFF

Amy, the AI bot that booked my lunch meeting, is an example of a CUI that saves time by doing things that a traditional interface of menus and buttons can't. The proof of Amy's helpfulness is that, although she's not human, I can't help interacting with her as if she were. Amy and the other examples above are just the beginning. In the years to come, CUIs are going to change our lives for the better by treating us like friends.

Of course, friends must help each other. Likewise, the service provided by a new technology must be genuinely helpful. As my friend Amir Shevat of Slack told me, "no matter how good the bot or CUI is, it cannot compensate for a shitty service." But when built well, CUIs can leverage the four steps of a habit-forming product and create bonds between the user and the technology. By designing services that are enjoyable, dependable, and easy to talk to, companies can build products that feel familiar even when we are using them for the first time.

Nir's Note: This article is co-authored by Nir Eyal and Alexis Safarikas. Nir Eyal is the author of "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" and blogs about the psychology of products at NirAndFar.com. Alexis Safarikas is a digital strategist at Springbok.

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Renowned author and activist Isabel Allende explains why she's a feminist and encourages women to keep working on behalf of each other.

I have been a feminist since before the word was invented. I grew up in Chile. At the time Chile was a socially conservative and Catholic country--a patriarchy like everywhere else. I come from a family of very strong men, and the patriarch was my grandfather. I had never heard the word feminism, but I was an angry kid and grew up with rage against all forms of authority.

I was very protective of my mother. I felt that she somehow was a victim. I didn't know the word victim either, but I felt that everything was so unfair to her. My father abandoned my mother when I was three. The marriage was annulled, and my mother was a 24-year-old woman with 3 babies and no money and no training in a social class where women mostly did not work. She had to go back to live with her father, my grandfather, who gave us a home and protected us.

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I grew up observing my mother, feeling very protective toward her but wishing that I could be like my grandfather. Wishing I could be powerful and free and have my own resources to take care of my mom. While my uncles had money and freedom, they could come any time and no one would ask. My mother was treated like a kid--she had no income of her own and depended completely on the benevolence of my grandfather or her older brother.

This anger was reflected, from a very young age, in every aspect of my attitude toward the patriarchal society--against the police, the teachers, the institutions, and of course against the church. I left the church very early, to my mother's and everybody's dismay. But I couldn't handle it. By age 15 or 16 I was already getting a feeling that I was not the only one who felt this way, and that there was nothing wrong with me and that something was happening--not in Chile, but somewhere else.

I got married at 19 years old and had kids by age 21. My husband got a scholarship and we went to Europe with our oldest daughter Paula. Then, in my early 20s, I read The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer, in English, with a dictionary. Here was articulate language, with humor, expressing what I had felt all my life. I couldn't believe it. I started reading like crazy. I realized that this movement was going on. When I came back to Chile, I was pregnant with my second child.

For the first time in Chile people were talking and reading about things like virginity, abortion, domestic violence, contraception, drugs, and early pregnancy. All the stuff that was hidden under the table and never spoken of was exposed. A young woman I didn't know--she was around my age but brought up in Europe and the United States--was creating the first women's magazine in Chile. It was a feminine, glossy magazine, like Elle, but with a feminist take. She read a letter that I wrote to my mother at some point and said, "Do you want to work for us?" While working for the magazine I became a real feminist because I knew what I was talking about and was able to publish.

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I can't remember a time when I have not been a feminist. I'm very proud of it. And yet, it's not enough. There are still countries in the world where women will be executed for adultery, where it is illegal to be a woman. And I know that now some young women don't want to be called feminists. Find another word, because we still have a lot to do.

Explore more on feminism in the Omega Women's Leadership Center's Women & Power Video Library.


Thornton Law Firm partner Garrett Bradley is named in a complaint alleging an illegal straw donor system at the firm. (Barry Chin/Globe Staff), Section: Metro

By: VIVECA NOVAK and ANDREA ESTES

This story was co-published by The Boston Globe and OpenSecrets Blog.

A money-in-politics watchdog group and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey on Wednesday called for a federal investigation of possible campaign finance violations at Thornton Law Firm in Boston as the number of politicians disavowing the lawyers' money continued to grow.

An aide to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said that she, too, will return contributions from Thornton lawyers, after initially saying that she would wait for the results of an investigation. At least 21 politicians nationwide have now said they would return or give away more than $600,000 in donations from Thornton, a leading funder of the Democratic party.

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The Campaign Legal Center, a Washington-based campaign finance watchdog organization, filed a formal complaint against Thornton and three of its lawyers with the Federal Election Commission, arguing that the attorneys illegally acted as "straw donors" for the law firm, which gave the lawyers "bonuses" that offset their donations.

Under FEC rules, the agency must ask Thornton and the individual attorneys for a response within five days.

A spokeswoman for Healey, who has already said she would return Thornton donations, said she supports both federal and state investigations of the law firm.

"The Attorney General is concerned by reports about campaign donations and alleged bonus reimbursements at the Thornton Law Firm and believes it is important that the Federal Election Commission and (Massachusetts) Office of Campaign and Political Finance ... immediately investigate the matter," said Jillian Fennimore, the Healey spokeswoman.

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A lawyer for Thornton Law Firm has insisted that the law firm's contribution system is legal since the lawyers were receiving the bonuses out of their equity -- or ownership -- in the firm.

"We'll review the complaint, but the law firm has done nothing wrong," said Brian Kelly, a lawyer for Nixon Peabody who represents the Thornton Law Firm. He declined further comment.

The calls for investigation follow a story published Oct. 29 by The Boston Globe and the Center for Responsive Politics describing a system used by Thornton to pay hundreds of "bonuses" to partners that matched their campaign donations.

Three partners at the firm -- Michael Thornton, Garrett Bradley, and David Strouss -- contributed more than $1.6 million over five years, mostly to Democratic candidates and the party. The partners received bonuses totaling about $1.4 million, often in the exact amount of the donation and on the same day.

Almost as soon as the story was published, politicians -- especially those up for election -- began disavowing the Thornton donations. Sen. Edward Markey (Mass.) and Rep. Joseph Kennedy III (Mass.) were the latest to say they are returning donations from the lawyers or contributing an equivalent amount to charity or the U.S. Treasury. They join Senate candidates Jason Kander (Mo.), Katie McGinty (Penn.), Patrick Murphy (Fla.) and other Democratic politicians -- many of them in tight races for Senate seats -- to say they were giving up the money.

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A spokewoman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which has received $1.5 million from Thornton partners in the past decade, said the committee was "reviewing" the contributions.

Warren, one of the biggest recipients of donations from Thornton lawyers, initially said she would await the results of an investigation to decide whether to return the money. On Wednesday, however, an aide said that she would give back the money out of an abundance of caution. Records show that Warren and her PAC have received nearly $130,000 in Thornton money.

The 11-page complaint from the Campaign Legal Center argues that both the Thornton lawyers and the Thornton law firm violated federal election law. Giving the lawyers offsetting bonuses for their political donations was a way to hide the fact that the law firm was giving the money, the center argued, allowing the law firm to greatly exceed campaign donation limits.

Thornton Law Firm "misled the public . . . about the true sources of support for those candidates and political committees," according to the complaint.

The complaint also casts doubt on the law firm's explanation that its system was legal because it deducted the reimbursements from each partner's capital account -- representing his equity in the firm. Under this system, each lawyer would have to settle the account when they left the law firm, repaying any outstanding bonuses.

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The firm's explanation is "not credible," the Campaign Legal Center complaint maintains. One former employee told the Globe that the reimbursement policy was started after partners began complaining that they were being asked to contribute thousands of dollars to political causes each year.

If the Thornton lawyers were receiving bonuses that came from their own money, the Center contended, "then the reimbursement program would appear to provide little incentive to make contributions and would do little to address the 'grousing'" mentioned in the story."

But Thornton does have defenders. One campaign finance expert agreed with Kelly.

"It is likely that they did not violate the law and that would be my position," said Vincent DeVito, of the firm Bowditch & Dewey LLP. He added that it is acceptable for the firm to pay the partner a bonus for each donation "as long as it comes out of their equity position or income. The (donation) doesn't have to come out of their pocket."

Thornton will have 15 days to respond after the FEC sends the formal complaint. Then, FEC lawyers will make a recommendation on further action for the commissioners to vote on; possibilities include opening a formal investigation, sending the matter to arbitration and dropping it.

People have gone to jail for reimbursing political donations. Two years ago, the former CEO of the Fiesta Bowl, John Junker, was sentenced to eight months for a scheme in which the Bowl reimbursed employees for at least $46,000 in donations to federal, state and local politicians using payments labeled as "bonuses."
As some of you know, I was a federal prosecutor for many years and was at Department of Justice (DOJ) during the Whitewater era. James Comey was a Whitewater special counsel.

I am appalled by the eleventh hour gamesmanship by Comey. The DOJ and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have a longstanding policy of NOT interfering in elections. It is unheard of for a federal prosecutor - let alone the FBI Director -- to pull a stunt like this so close to a Presidential election. It is especially absurd where there is not a suggestion that anything is wrong - just that there is another laptop that might contain e-mails that might have issues. I do not believe that Comey is somehow above the fray of politics as some have suggested.



This is not the first time that Comey has violated DOJ or FBI policy in connection with the Hillary Clinton e-mail investigation. In July, he held a bizarre press conference where he announced that the FBI could not find sufficient evidence to indict Clinton in connection with the e-mails - but went on to state that Clinton and her staff "were extremely careless." Declining to prosecute and then issuing a statement characterizing evidence in an investigation violates DOJ and FBI policy. There are strict rules that state that the DOJ and FBI may not comment on an ongoing investigation - let alone comment on a closed investigation. If the investigation is over, it's over - there isn't a roundabout provision for after the fact mud slinging. Comey was roundly criticized by legal scholars and former prosecutors for this stunt.

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So, who is Comey? He is a University of Chicago trained attorney and until this summer was a registered Republican (during the afore-mentioned press conference he stated that he was no longer a registered Republican). He started his career at the white shoe firm Gibson Dunn before joining the Whitewater team. As we know, the Whitewater investigation did not uncover any wrongdoing on behalf of the Clintons in the financial fraud arena, but it did "unearth" the sex scandal which led to the Bill Clinton impeachment hearings. Although Hillary Clinton was cleared of any wrongdoing- lots and lots of mud was slung.

Comey then joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) where he worked on the investigation into Bill Clinton's controversial pardoning of financier Marc Rich. The investigation went nowhere but, again, lots of mud was slung.

Comey ultimately became the U.S. Attorney for the SDNY and was lead on the celebrity Martha Stewart prosecution.

In 2003, during the George W. Bush administration, he moved over to DOJ where he was second in command to Attorney General John Ashcroft and, among other things, signed off on the use of water boarding, wall slamming and other forms of torture. (See the ACLU's website for a good summary of Comey's role in the various torture memos. aclu.org/blog/james-comey-two-thumbs-waterboarding).

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In one bright spot, as Acting Attorney General, Comey refused to sign off on Bush's mass surveillance and wiretapping program which had been justified by White House Counsel Alberto Gonzalez. Comey and then FBI Director Robert Mueller threatened to resign unless changes were made to narrow the surveillance program. This incident is the one that many Democrats used to justify their support of Comey's elevation to FBI Director.

When Gonzalez was promoted to Attorney General, it was time for to leave the government in pursuit of a more lucrative private practice. So, Comey spent five years as General Counsel and Senior Vice President for Lockheed Martin (the U.S. Department of Defense's largest contractor) and then joined an investment management firm. He later moved over to academia (Columbia Law School) and joined the board of HSBC, one of the world's largest banks.

Obama, in an effort to "reach across the aisle," in 2013 nominated Comey to become head of the FBI to replace Mueller. This was a tremendous disappointment to the human rights community because of Comey's role in the torture memos. This also gave Comey an opportunity to participate in another politically motivated Clinton investigation - this time into e-mails. Are you beginning to see a pattern here?

On Friday (10.28.16), Comey sent his extraordinary letter based on an investigation grounded in a sex scandal involving Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin. More mud anyone? (As an aside, what is the FBI doing handling this investigation in the first place? Isn't this normally the purview of local authorities?).

In direct contrast, and in adherence with longstanding DOJ/FBI policy, Comey has NOT sent a letter to Congress on the FBI investigation into what role, if any, the Trump campaign may have played in the hacking of e-mail accounts of various Democrats by Russian operatives. (As another aside, Trump who has extensive business dealings in Russia, called for the Russians to hack into Clinton's e-mail account).

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In the end, I fear that by sending this letter eleven days before the election, Comey is more interested in protecting the FBI's reputation than in protecting the integrity of our Democratic process. Rules exist for a reason.
Our punitive approach to marijuana has demonstrably harmful impacts on public safety, child welfare, tax revenues, health, education and housing equity, community revitalization, and police-community relations. There is reassuring precedent to support the common sense notion that marijuana can be successfully regulated provided we remove it from the grip of gangs and cartels and put it in the control of the regulatory system, with all of its fixable imperfections.



While alcohol is seductive and has great potential to negatively impact public order, driving, and personal safety, its prohibition made it even more dangerous. Gangs and cartels supplied contaminated drinks of unknown potency and purity, killing and blinding consumers



Yet, unregulated and based on a big business model as that repeal was, nobody questions the fact that it was significantly better than the prohibitionist status quo.



As with alcohol, marijuana becomes far more threatening, yet no less available, when it is prohibited and gangs and cartels control its quality and marketing. And while the early statistics are clearly favorable in states that have already legalized, prohibitionists will always find hairs to split in their ongoing effort to distract from the central, overwhelming fact that criminalizing any widely used mood enhancer is a futile, destructive approach to protecting public health and safety.



More telling, anti-legalizers completely ignore the impact on those in the cross hairs of enforcement--lower-income people of color and language, whose communities are criminalized and torn apart by archaic marijuana laws. Federal estimates say some 900,000 of our youth are risking their lives and freedom by selling illegal drugs. They are not selling alcohol. The claim that we don't imprison large numbers of people for simple possession is deeply misleading, as first-time offenders are typically put on probation with impossibly high behavioral standards, thus creating a predictable two-step path from possession to prison. And every soul we cage takes their family and part of their community along with them. And every dollar taken from low-income families to pay drug-related fines adds to their daily burden; a drug war burden invisible to the more privileged.



Moreover, the hysteria of our approach makes it virtually impossible to communicate the real perils and pitfalls of marijuana use to the vulnerable young, who only hear, and predictably tune out, threats and bombast.



And how tempting the forbidden fruit that even their parents are not allowed to touch!



Question 4 has robust safeguards, reasonable regulations, and room for inevitable refinement. Alterations concerning the tax rate, the oversight committee, siting equity, edibles, promotional limitations, and impaired driving will of necessity be confronted once the initiative passes. Even today, we refine our regulations on alcohol and cigarettes with tangible success. Indeed, neither crops nor community-police relations were poisoned as we tamed Big Tobacco and saw youthful smoking rates plummet. Regulations and education work; punishment backfires. This holds true whether the drug use is a personal choice or a personal problem.



The much ballyhooed heightened potency of today's marijuana, is irrelevant. We did not decide to keep hard drinks illegal when we re-legalized beer and wine. A drug's potency is certainly a factor in how it is regulated, but it cannot be regulated until it is legalized.



Cost is a factor in youthful usage, and, as with cigarettes, taxes can be adjusted to find the sweet spot that will discourage use and undercut the underground market. Availability is also a factor, but it will not be meaningfully changed through this initiative. Some 40 percent of Americans have used marijuana despite over 600,000 arrests each year. It remains available.



I worked with incarcerated populations for over 20 years, as a child care worker in a maximum security Department of Youth Services facility and with the Hampden County Sheriff's Department. Nothing good came out of our punitive drug laws, which thwarted every effort we made at genuine rehabilitation.



The ongoing prohibition of marijuana is an abdication of our responsibility to effectively regulate both the drug and its consequences. It is an abdication of our responsibility to our children.



That is why I support Question 4.
"What motivated me to spend fifty years investigating facial expressions, gestures, emotion and lies? Why these topics, which had been abandoned as fruitless by the academic establishment?... In much of my life I have been a bit oppositional, some would say rebellious, so I am not surprised that I gravitated towards topics scorned by academia as the stamping grounds of charlatans and fools. My eyes told me they were wrong. I delighted in the opportunity to prove that. But from where did my oppositional nature come, and the motivation that drove me unmercifully? ... After a year of moving from one army base to another, changing schools three times that first year, [my family and I] settled for the next three years in Pasadena, California, where a radical change in my approach to life was forced upon me. After a happy first two months attending John Marshall Junior High School, everything abruptly exploded. The band teacher (I played the clarinet, badly) asked each student to name the church he or she attended. When I said I was Jewish the teacher asked me to come to the front of the class and bend over so my fellow students could see my horns. I didn't know if I had them, but the looks of disappointment in my classmates' faces let me know that if I did, the horns must have been too small to be visible. The boy I regarded as my closest friend complained after class that I had ruined his reputation for having befriended a Christ killer. Those were the last words he spoke to me. They were the last words any child spoke to me for the next two and a half years... Between the ages of nine and twelve, I had no opportunity for friendship. Slowly I became resentful towards my fellow students, resentful towards my teachers. Resentful! This is where I trace the origin of my oppositional, somewhat rebellious nature as an adolescent and as an adult. I was forced to become self-sufficient. I became my only friend. I began to talk to myself, encouraging myself in whatever I did, a habit I continue to this day, although now I do have friends."
Judaism is a millennia-old faith rooted in tradition, but the makeup of its adherents is diverse and continues to change. I don't believe the way its taught in university courses has adapted to those changes. I've been teaching the same course about Judaism at Oakland University in suburban Michigan for the past eight years, sometimes for as many as three semesters in the same year. I created the syllabus based on a similar course I personally took as an undergraduate student at Michigan State University where I later returned and taught the same course as a visiting professor. In all those many semesters I never updated the required texts for the course. It wasn't for a lack of desire, but no updated texts have been published that I feel provide a modern survey of the Jewish community.

Until now. Aaron Hahn Tapper, an associate professor in Jewish studies at the University of San Francisco and a Fulbright Senior Scholarship winner, must have recognized such a contribution was long overdue. Hahn Tapper's book "Judaisms: A Twenty-First-Century Introduction to Jews and Jewish Identities" (University of California Press) successfully frames the Jewish faith in the context of its peoplehood and shows the variety of communities and theologies that make up the Jewish people today. Brilliantly, Hahn Tapper pluralizes the term "Judaism" in recognition that the modern adherents of the Jewish faith are not merely a diverse group, but we are made up of diverse groups within our diverse groups.

We've all been taught not to judge a book by its cover, but the cover images of "Judaisms" alert the reader that this is not your typical course reader on the Jewish religion. A photo of an ethnically diverse group lighting a menorah at a biracial Hanukkah event is joined on the page with women at the Western Wall adorned in tallit (prayer shawl) and tefillin (phylacteries) along with a gender transition ceremony at a Jewish day school. This book, which serves both as an easy-to-read text for undergrads as well as a more advanced selection for graduate students (footnotes are available online), articulates that today's Jewish community is vastly different than the one at the turn of the last century let alone a century ago.

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Hahn Tapper, who received a master's degree from Harvard and his doctorate from UC Santa Barbara, takes the reader through the many denominations of the Jewish faith with background on how they were formed, what their adherents believe and how they differ from each other. Sidebars are used strategically to dispel common myths (the Treifa Banquet that was the harbinger of the Conservative Movement was likely a caterer's mistake rather than an outright insult to kosher observance) and the author isn't afraid to include the aspects of Judaism that are often left out of such texts, including the always controversial Jews for Jesus sect. A helpful chart clearly delineates the differences among the Jewish sects in a host of important topics -- from observance to belief. Returning to the technique of using the plural form as he does in the book's title, Hahn Tapper titles many chapters with plural form (e.g., Sinais, Zions and Messiahs).
In its tenth year, Stand Up for Heroes remains one of the great nights, with Bruce Springsteen performing an acoustic "Dancin' in the Dark" spiced with dirty jokes. And after a decade of working it, Bruce's comic timing is almost as good as his philanthropy. After Bob Woodruff was nearly killed, embedded with troops in Iraq in 2006, he and his wife Lee started this benefit celebrating the bravery of our military and raising funds to help those wounded. Working with Caroline Hirsch and Andrew Fox, the Woodruffs host this event, also the opening of the New York Comedy Festival, and last night Jim Gaffigan, Louis CK, Jerry Seinfeld, and Jon Stewart, who, in the spirit of the upcoming election recounted a tale of unprovoked, unsavory, racist tweets from Trump.

The night also featured a state of the art auction with Lydia from Christie's keeping that bidding rising by the thousands. It's hard to keep your eye on the fast moving money but by the end of the night certain traditions were maintained. Bids were matched up to $770,000, and Springsteen sold his guitar, throwing in all the burgers and dogs his buyer could eat for a mere $280,000. The buyers, two Dans, will also ride around in Bruce's 1967 Cadillac and eat his mother's lasagna. For the sale of a donated Harley Davidson, all the comedians kicked in an extra $50,000 each. As to Jon Stewart, well, Trump kept referring to the comic by his Jewish name in those tweets: "Doesn't my face tell it all," he asked the laughing crowd. A rose by any other name would be as prickly.
Co-authored by Bryan Mercurio*

When Australia and Singapore upgraded their free trade agreement last month, the news did not garner much attention even in the media outlets of the two countries. It was probably assumed that small tweaks to an existing agreement between trade-friendly countries offered nothing of much interest.

This is an oversight. While the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) is just a bilateral pact, the revision carries a new clause which will have ramifications across the Asia-Pacific and the world. The update includes a provision that excludes tobacco control measures from the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system, marking the first such carve out in FTAs in this region and likely the first to be in force anywhere in the world.

ISDS is an investment protection mechanism often found in trade deals. ISDS gives investors the right to sue a foreign government through international arbitration rather than domestic courts. Its goal is to entice foreign businesses to invest in the host state, by giving them security in their investments, especially in developing economies. Whether it achieves this is open to debate, and ISDS has become increasingly controversial.

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The SAFTA creates an exclusion from ISDS for "tobacco control measures." The change means companies will no longer have the right to use ISDS with respect to such measures. In short, these companies will not have the same recourse that all other foreign investors have with regard to the authorities in Singapore and Canberra.

The purported reason behind the revision is to promote public health. Both governments want to tighten controls of tobacco and lower smoking rates.

While there may be some merit behind the general goal, the specific implementation of that goal here is misguided, from both a legal and business standpoint. The tobacco exclusion is both unnecessary and unfair. Instead of crudely singling out a single industry, the drafting of the treaty could be more nuanced, such that safeguards are introduced without compromising basic fairness. For instance, if they were worried about their ability to adopt public health measures, the parties could have amended the text of the agreement so that the existing "general exceptions clause" would explicitly allow governments to take action "related to" (as opposed to the stricter "necessary") the protection of public health, or even to follow Singapore's recent agreement with the European Union in significantly paring back the instances where a claimant can bring a claim under the notoriously investor-friendly "fair and equitable treatment" clause.

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For tobacco firms operating in both countries, the revision is unsettling. For 13 years since the SAFTA was ratified in 2003, all investors have had the opportunity to enforce their rights under the treaty through ISDS. All of a sudden, enforcement rights have been removed for investors from a single industry. Such arbitrary treatment of investors by governments does not engender confidence in the system. It sets a dangerous precedent on free trade and investment, introducing capriciousness into the international economic regime and an already slowing global economy. As the world grapples with the fallout from Brexit and struggles to see a few bright sparks in this part of the world, it is unwise to add greater uncertainty to businesses. After tobacco, there is no telling which industry will be targeted next. It could be alcohol, processed foods, sugar or even mining.

Similarly, this exclusion clause could be copied by other trade pacts. As it is, the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement, which covers 12 Pacific Rim countries, contains a similar clause excluding tobacco claims. But that clause has caused some Republicans in Congress to oppose the deal and ratification is uncertain. The tobacco exclusion now threatens to derail the entire agreement.

Moreover, SAFTA's impact as a role model cannot be understated. Despite being a small nation, Singapore holds a pre-eminent role as a regulatory beacon in Asia and particularly South-East Asia. It is likely that other Asean countries could copy SAFTA's move, and that is when things could spiral downwards rapidly. The exclusion of industries from ISDS could give carte blanche to governments. In the hands of Singapore and Australia, two countries where the rule of law is observed and enforced, the carving out of a particular industry is problematic but unlikely to lead to rampant exploitation and abuse.But if other countries in the region follow suit, it offers fertile ground for cronyism and corruption. For instance, there will be no legal recourse when, under the guise of a tobacco control measure, a corrupt official grabs the business of a MNC and boots it out of the country, leaving the market open for a friendly local contact. This is patently unfair and makes a mockery of the underlying investment agreement.

For those in favor of tobacco exclusions, or even of removing ISDS altogether, the argument rests in part on a supposed "regulatory chill" - meaning governments are afraid of enacting tobacco control measures for fear of being sued. The most frequently cited example is Philip Morris bringing claims against Uruguay and Australia for their respective tobacco laws. Both claims failed.

This argument is overstated and unconvincing. Even after the Philip Morris claims, over thirty countries have revised or enacted tobacco control laws, from banning retail display to plain packaging and raising the minimum legal age for smoking.

In the interests of public health, governments will continue to restrict tobacco usage and sales. Properly drafted treaties offer ample protection for legitimate measures. If obligations are drafted precisely, and general exceptions included, international economic agreements should not interfere with domestic public policy. There is no need to discriminate against tobacco and strip one industry defenceless.
This article is cross-posted on SocialActionNews.org.

The Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (S. 1214/H.R. 1942), before Congress now, would prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption in the U.S. It would also ban horses being exported by the US to be killed for human consumption.



Here are a few reasons why, horse lover or no, you should care.



1. THINK IT'S CRUEL TO SEND AN OLD DOG TO THE POUND? HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH HORSES. AND IT'S WORSE.



Around 150,000 horses are trucked to Mexico and Canada each year to be killed and their meat sold for human consumption. That is approximately 2,885 horses every WEEK. They include pregnant mares, foals and horses who are injured, or simply horses no one wants.



We are going to leave out the details of how they are transported and killed as it will either nauseate you or you will be thinking about it before you go to sleep tonight.

2. THERE IS MORE TO THE STORY BEHIND THOSE BIG BROWN SOULFUL EYES.



If you've never connected with a horse, or if you just want to be reminded of connecting with a horse, we recommend you watch the new documentary, Harry and Snowman. Based on a true story, Snowman, am Amish plow horse, was on a truck heading to slaughter when Dutch immigrant and rider Harry deLeyer bought him for $80.00 and saved his life. Snowman went on to become a show jumping champion and became known as "The Cinderella Horse."



It's not just a horse story. It's about giving an animal a second chance at life. It's about family. You are going to fall in love.



3. THE WILD ONES.



As reported by the the ASPCA, an advisory board to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently proposed that the agency kill more than 45,000 of America's wild horses and burros, either by destroying them outright or selling them indiscriminately - which means selling them at auctions, where they will be bought en masse, then trucked abroad to be slaughtered.



The BLM has said it will not take up the proposal. For now. But as new administrations come in, the future of our wild horses is far from secure.



The SAFE act will secure their future.

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4. WE ARE POISONING OUR NEIGHBORS.



Literally, no one is minding the store on what is in the horse meat we are sending abroad. The US is an integral part in a food chain that is virtually unregulated.



Horses are not raised for human consumption in this country. They are routinely given hundreds of drugs and other substances, both legal and illegal, over their lifetimes that can be toxic to humans if ingested.



Just one example, a common pain reliever routinely administered to all types of horses, Phenylbutazone, is known to cause potentially fatal human diseases. There is no known safe level for residues of these drugs in horse meat.



There is just no system in the U.S. to track medications and veterinary treatments given to the horses being slaughtered and sold to consumers. Basically no one knows. Which is one of the reasons why the European Union suspended horse meat imports from Mexico. And by the way, in case you think "Well that's Mexico," 87% of the horses slaughtered in Mexico for export to the EU came from the US.



5. THE SAFE ACT IS NOT A NEW IDEA. IT JUST NEEDS A FEW MORE FRIENDS.



Anti-horse-slaughter bills have been introduced in each Congress for the past decade. Despite widespread bipartisan support, not one of these bills has made it over the finish line. In those 10 years, approximately 1,000,000 horses have been sent over our borders to horrific deaths.



Vocal is important.



6. IT'S EASY TO DO SOMETHING.



The current session of the US Congress ends at the end of this year. Work is being done now, prior to the November election, and will continue into 2017.There is already strong support for the SAFE Act, from legislators on both sides, from non-governmental organizations and the public, but it needs more. Find out what you can do at the Humane Society of the United States and at Homes for Horses.
Colombo-based journalist Namini Wijedasa has recently penned a clear, thought-provoking piece about the current situation in Sri Lanka and the performance of the new government. An essential point is that baselines matter. Expectations matter too. And skewed baselines and unrealistic, misguided or excessively modest expectations can be quite unhelpful.

Here's the start of Ms. Wijedasa's piece:

You know what, I'm not comfortable with the yardstick used by some to measure the performance of this government. I'm not happy with being asked to appreciate and be grateful for regaining some of my most basic rights, such as the freedom to express myself freely.

Here's the next paragraph:

I am entitled, as much as anyone is, to my rights. Just because one government deprived me of them does not mean another is granting me a favor by allowing me to exercise them. I was born with certain privileges and they are enshrined in the constitution. Having them honored is not a matter for praise. It's a question of prerogative.

Comparing the current administration to the previous regime of Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ms. Wijedasa goes on:

For a while, yes, I was grateful. I enjoyed the freedom in the air, the feeling of not being afraid, of democracy-or some form of it-returning. But I believe this has an expiry date. I cannot be expected to indefinitely compare the present with the horrible immediate past and accept the morsels that are thrown at me.

Indeed, Sri Lanka has seen significant political changes since Mr. Rajapaksa lost the presidency in January 2015. However, there seems to be an increasingly common view that the new government isn't necessarily dramatically different than the previous administration. It's true that things are undoubtedly better on the rights front, but -- given the authoritarianism that prevailed on Mr. Rajapaksa's watch -- that's not saying all that much.

Whether one's taking stock of government performance in Colombo, Washington, Beijing or elsewhere, a key part of the process relates to what one uses as a reference point to measure performance. One can see this when the Obama administration, for example, makes assessments about Sri Lanka's new government.

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Criticism of Donald Trump for charging that the upcoming election is "rigged" rightly focuses on the threat his comments pose to the perceived legitimacy of our political system. Yet his statements are not the start but just one result of a half-century decline in respect for many of our major institutions.

In 1964, 76 percent of Americans said they "trusted the government in Washington to do the right thing" "most of the time or just about always". That figure is now 19 percent. Those who report "a great deal or a lot of confidence" in the presidency dropped from 72 percent in 1991 to 36 percent today. For Congress, the figure went from 42 percent is 1973 to 6 percent now. Even the Supreme Court has suffered - from 56 percent in 1985 to 36 percent today.

But it's not only national governmental institutions on which Americans have soured. The declines in confidence in the church (63 to 41 percent), banks (60 to 27 percent), big business (34 to 18 percent), and TV news (46 to 21 percent) over recent decades have also been marked.

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While we don't know exactly what has caused these changes, we have clues.

For the federal government, the twin ravages of Vietnam and Watergate heralded over a forty percent drop in trust between 1964 and 1976. Decades of political infighting in Congress, politicians constantly running against Washington, major government leadership failures, and politicization in Supreme Court nominations have taken their toll.

For business, major scandals, from the collapse of Enron to the damage done by the tobacco industry, auto safety defects, price gouging by big pharma, and the BP oil spill, to cite just some examples, leave the impression that bad behavior is rewarded with big executive payouts and that fines for getting caught are treated as just a cost of doing business.

In banking, the Great Recession owed much to speculation and loose standards among financial institutions, in which the gains were privatized and the astounding costs of failure passed on to taxpayers. Recent practices, such as Wells Fargo's opening of customer accounts without their knowledge, have continued to feed public anger.

In the church, sexual abuse by priests and the immersion of evangelical ministries in partisan political activity has led many to wonder whether attending to spiritual needs is any longer the central aim of organized religion.

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In the media, success in uncovering the truth about Vietnam and Watergate spawned generations of reporters almost singularly focused on uncovering the errors of major institutions. While needed, the impression given is that all large institutions are suspect and that finding examples of institutional success is not doing your job. Further, the blurring of the distinction between factual reporting and analysis has led the public to confuse objective truth with opinion. The growth of talk radio and politicized cable channels have also damaged respect for reporting and reporters.

As there is no single cause of declining trust, there is no easy remedy.

Laws can help restore trust in our institutions. Nonpartisan redistricting to make Congressional races more competitive and compromise more rewarded; the criminalization of some forms of corporate misdeeds so that the result is jail not a golden parachute; Constitutional restrictions on the power of money to warp both campaigning and governing - are just a few examples. But laws will never be enough. The chief corrective we need is in our values.

In the private sector, the pursuit of higher stock prices, profit, and executive compensation have too often been all-consuming, unbalanced by the values of attending to product safety, job creation, and preservation of the environment. Market values have not only taken precedence over the public good, they have acted as if the two are the same.

In the public sector, the values of fundraising and winning have too often been treated as permanent ends rather than temporary means. The values of civility, compromise and courage required to put public needs (not wants) above partisan gain are viewed as admirable yet naive.

Ethics must be the driving force for the re-prioritization of values. We are a society consumed by the question: is it legal? When that is the test of acceptable behavior, it reduces the need for a serious, personal investment in moral decision making. The higher standard is to ask: is it ethical? Yet ethical behavior is too seldom the subject of substantial educational time in schools, colleges, and the professions, and in the operation of business and government. Ethical sanctions are seldom applied. We settle for ignoring unethical behavior, except for an occasional public flogging in a Congressional hearing. Rewards are too infrequently given for ethical conduct, which is seldom deemed worthy of national news coverage. The result is a lack of moral exemplars in private and public institutions, while moral failures are daily thrown at us. A society which treats ethics as a largely irrelevant subject in institutional life is one whose major institutions will never earn the trust that comes only from right action.

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Cyrus Mistry, in happier times. Reuters

It should have been a regular, business-as-usual board meeting at the iconic Bombay House, which headquarters the century-old company Tata Sons. But the October 24th gathering turned out to be a shocking event in the history of Indian corporate governance and the Tata group.

The 48-year-old executive chairman of the group, Cyrus Mistry, was ousted by a no-confidence motion, even though there was no such explicit item on the agenda.

As usual, there was an "other items" section on the agenda for the meeting. And replacing the chairman of the board under the guise of "other items" is not illegal, as Mistry initially said. But it is surely improper.

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Of the nine-member board, six voted against Mistry and two abstained; the ninth was Mistry himself.

No explanation for the ouster has so far been given, although media speculation suggests a difference of opinion with former executive chairman, 78-year-old Ratan Tata, had been brewing for some time. The board returned Ratan Tata to his former position of executive chairman; although the present arrangement is a four-month interim solution, after which a permanent replacement will be installed.

Incidentally, it was Ratan Tata who handpicked Mistry back in 2011, describing the move as a "far-sighted choice" after his own 21-year innings at the helm of the Tata group.









Danish Siddiqui/Reuters





What is Tata Sons?

Tata Sons is the privately held limited holding company that oversees the Tata Group of companies, the largest private business conglomerate in India.

The diversity of the group is so huge - comprising more than 100 companies across eight business segments - that the global media often emphasises its range as "salt to software".

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In spite of this diversity, a large amount of the group's profit has lately come from a small number of leading companies, notably from Tata Consultancy Services - India's largest software services exporter - and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Ratan Tata's biggest success from a global acquisition spree in 2008.









Shailesh Andrade/Reuters





A family affair

By virtue of his father, Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, who holds an 18% stake in Tata Sons, Cyrus Mistry has been a board member of the company since 2006.

The market value of his family's holding in Tata Sons is estimated to be around US$13.5 billion, and Mistry remains on the board despite his ouster as its executive chair.

Mistry is also still the chairman of many of the 29 listed public companies of the Tata Group. The outcome of the October board meeting has yet to percolate down to the boards of individual Tata companies.

Mistry has family connections to the group as well. His sister is married to Ratan Tata's half-brother, Noel Tata, a contender for the position of chairperson back in 2012, who is being reconsidered now.

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Mistry's family has been a significant shareholder of the Tata Sons since the 1930s.

Letting go

So why did the ousting of Mistry become necessary and what now? Allegations and counter allegations have been exchanged about why it happened; but the road ahead is still unclear.

Mark Tully, a former BBC journalist who has a deep understanding of India's social landscape, argues in his book, No Full Stops in India, that "a country like India can never have a full stop, it can at the best have some commas coming and going". Even though, he goes on to say India's Westernized elite, cut off from local traditions, "want to write a full stop in a land where there are no full stops".

It's possible Ratan Tata never successfully let go of his former role. In the world of business, the position of a former chairman of a hundred-billion-dollar-plus group cannot be both out and in, with "some commas coming and going".

Following the rules of the group, Ratan Tata retired at the age of 75 from Tata Sons, but by virtue of his being Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Trusts, the philanthropic arm of the group which hold 66% of Tata Sons, he remains influential in the business arena of Tata Sons too.

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Philanthropy and business often do not go together; and the way to support philanthropic activities is to follow what Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have done, without affecting shareholders of their respective business empires.

Any professional manager knows and accepts that some of his or her decisions will be successful, and some not. Ratan Tata is no exception. He may be highly revered by board members of the Tata Sons and the Indian media, but the company had his fair share of successes and failures under his leadership.

If acquisition of the Jaguar Land Rover was his biggest success, in same breadth one should also acknowledge that his acquisition of Corus, a catastrophic failure for Tata. In 2006, that acquisition was touted as "reverse colonisation" in India, because Corus had part of British Steel plc in its formation.

Most importantly, Mistry was picked by the committee where Ratan Tata himself had the most influential voice. Looking at the current affairs of Tata Sons, one may naturally wonder what history will judge to be the worst business decision that Ratan Tata made: acquiring Corus in 2006; selecting Cyrus Mistry as his successor in 2011; or getting rid of Mistry in the way he has done.

It is absolutely wrong to think that the reason for the ouster was that Mistry's style was significantly different from Ratan Tata's - their styles should be different. Each professional manager should be allowed to bring in his or her own style when holding such an important position - without any intervention beyond formal accountability to the board.

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By no business or financial measure can it be said that Mistry was a significant failure for the group. Problems at Tata Steel (or Tata Tele), for that matter, were inherited.

Cleaning up

The present incident mirrors the famed differences of opinions that prevailed between Bill Gross and Mohamed El-Erian of investment management firm PIMCO, which resulted in both leaving the company. In a conversation reported by the Wall Street Journal, their differences were made clear.

"I have a 41-year track record of investing excellence," Mr Gross told Mr El-Erian, according to the two witnesses. "What do you have?" "I'm tired of cleaning up your s***," Mr. El-Erian responded, referring to conduct by Mr. Gross that he felt was hurting PIMCO, these two people recall.

This dispute bears significant resemblance to the Tata case. Mistry, knowing his profile, probably never retorted to Ratan Tata in the same tone as El-Erian did to Gross, although deep in his mind, he might have felt the same.

The house of Tata, with its more than century-old legacy, may overcome this tumultuous period. Institutions have a longer span of life than managers, and get chances at damage control; individuals do not.

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The outcome of this dispute has been disastrous for Cyrus Mistry. What it means for the rest of the Tata board remains to be seen.


Donald Trump in New Mexico. Carlo Allegri/Reuters

These comments on the topical subject of populism have been gathered by the University of Sydney's Sydney Democracy Network and its Democracy Futures team. SDN is a global network of researchers, journalists, activists, policy makers and citizens concerned with the future of democracy. The comments form part of a longer series on populism on The Conversation.

Populism is everywhere on the rise. Why is this happening? Why are the peddlers of populism proving so popular? Are there deep forces driving the spread of their style of politics, and what, if anything, has populism to do with democracy? Is populism democracy's essence, as some maintain?

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Is the new populism therefore to be welcomed, harnessed and "mainstreamed" in support of more democracy? Or is populism on balance politically dangerous, a cultish recipe for damaging democracy by bringing to life what George Orwell termed the "smelly little orthodoxies" that feed demagogy, big business and bossy power?

As US voters consider whether to vote for Donald Trump, and Filipino citizens live with the fall-out of Rodrigo Duterte's populist rhetoric, scholars from China to Brazil to Australia analyse the phenomena behind populism's ascent in 2016.

John Keane, University of Sydney

Ancient Greeks knew democracy could be snuffed out by rich and powerful aristoi backed by demagogues ruling the people in their own name. They even had a verb (now obsolete) for describing how people are ruled while seeming to rule. They called it demokrateo. It's the word we need for making sense of the contradiction that cuts through contemporary populism.

Populism is a democratic phenomenon. Mobilised through available democratic freedoms, it's a public protest by millions of people (the demos) who feel annoyed, powerless, no longer "held" in the arms of society.

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The analyst D W Winnicott used the term to warn that people who feel dropped strike back. That's the populist moment when humiliated people lash out in support of demagogues promising them dignity. They do so not because they "naturally" crave leaders, or yield to the inherited "fascism in us all".

Populism attracts people because it raises their expectations of betterment. But there's a price. In exchange for promises of popular sovereignty, populism easily mass produces figures like Napoleon Bonaparte, Benito Mussolini, Viktor Orban and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

And in contrast to the 19th-century populist politics of enfranchisement, today's populism has exclusionary effects. The demokrateo of it all isn't stoppable by anodyne calls for "dialogue", or false hopes populism will somehow burn itself out. What's needed is something more radically democratic: a new politics of equitable redistribution of power, wealth and life chances that shows populism to be a form of counterfeit democracy.

Once upon a time, such political redistribution was called "democracy", or "welfare state", or "socialism".

Benjamin Moffitt, Stockholm University

If there's one thing we need to do in response to populism's triumphant return to the global political landscape, it is this: stop shaking our heads and feigning shock. Media pundits, mainstream parties, pollsters and experts of various stripes are continually dazed by populists' success - think Donald Trump, Brexit, Pauline Hanson, Rodrigo Duterte - but these are not weird one-offs: these events are happening across the globe.

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Erik De Castro/Reuters





Why now? There are at least five central factors. "The elite" is on the nose, for good reason, in many parts of the world. The shifting media landscape favours the simple, headline-grabbing, dramatic message of populists. Populist actors have become increasingly savvy and increased their appeal over the past decade. Populists have seized the crisis-ridden moment, and have been remarkably successful at not only reacting to crises, but actively aiming to bring about and perpetuate a sense of crisis. Finally, populists have been very effective at exposing the deficiencies of contemporary democratic systems across the globe.

So let's drop the surprise, the shaking of heads in disbelief, the paralysis brought on by continually asking ourselves "how can this be?" It's now time to acknowledge that populism is a central part of contemporary politics.

Cristobal Rovira Kaltwasser, Diego Portales University

Whether we like it or not, populists around the world are posing legitimate questions about the state of democracy. Many citizens feel betrayed by mainstream political forces. To a great extent, this can be explained by the growing influence of unelected bodies.

Although elected leaders can take important decisions, their room for manoeuvre is increasingly limited by unelected institutions, which in theory are autonomous and contribute to the provision of public goods. However, nothing precludes that unelected bodies run amok or side with powerful minorities.

Consider the way the US Supreme Court has intensified the role of money in politics, or the failure of the European Union to force the financial sector to pay its fair share of the costs of the recession.

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Populists are real experts in politicising these and other issues ignored by the political establishment. This is why policy makers and scholars need to avoid falling into the populist trap: portraying themselves as the good and smart fighters against bad and stupid populists. The best way of dealing with populists is to engage them in honest dialogue and to propose solutions to the problems they seek to politicise.

Jan Zielonka, University of Oxford

Ruling elites in the Western world have recently identified a convenient scapegoat explaining all their failures: they call it populism.

The future of America, Europe or Australia, they say, would be bright if not for a bunch of populists destroying all the good work done by (neo-)liberals. These distasteful populists propose simple solutions to complicated problems. They use moralistic rhetoric, make unrealistic promises and launch unfair personal attacks on their opponents. They demonise the elite and idealise ordinary people, setting the latter against the former. Populists manipulate the confused and uninformed electorate. They make it difficult for the elite to govern in a rational and effective manner.

The story is too devious to be true. There's nothing wrong with simple solutions if they are just, efficient, and based on democratic procedures. Moralistic rhetoric is used by the ruling elite itself on a daily basis: remember the "axis of evil" on the eve of the 2003 Iraq invasion?









Eriko Sugita/Reuters





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Smearing opponents and making empty promises are the daily bread and butter of mainstream politicians. And what is wrong with implementing the will of the people? Aren't elections a means of defining citizens' preferred policies, and not just a beauty contest of politicians? Mainstream elites, centre-left and centre-right today presume that government is a kind of enlightened administration on behalf of an ignorant public. Yet their political practices betray their proclaimed liberal ideals: they tolerate rampant inequality, spy on citizens, torture prisoners, and invade other countries.

The borders between democracy and autocracy, civility and barbarity have become blurred. No wonder voters are searching for alternatives. Ruling elites should look at themselves in the mirror before blaming others.

Takashi Inoguchi, University of Niigata Prefecture

John Maynard Keynes' Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren (1930) speculated that in one hundred years productivity would so increase by leaps and bounds that most of humanity would no longer need to work. The economic problem of how to produce and allocate goods and services, and how to distribute money, would cease to exist. Economics would lose its raison d'etre.

Although, as Keynes predicted, productivity has risen, economic policy has obviously not reduced the need for work, or consumption. Understandably, American political economists came to argue that recent employment growth and per capita income increases would explain more or less which US presidential election candidate would win. No more!

What we witness today is not the end of economic policy but the beginning of populism. People the world over are now allured by the folksy slogans of populism, which raises the question: why didn't Keynes imagine the thriving of populism after the death of economics?

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Thamy Pogrebinschi, Social Science Research Centre Berlin (WZB)

The concept of populism is highly contestable, but clarifying the difference between its left-wing and right-wing variants is both the best and the worst starting point for making sense of its contours.

Populism is not an ideology. Yet populism of the left and populism of the right produce different sets of ideas, identities and effects. Populism can be so politically empty that it joins forces with ideologies as different as socialism and nationalism. Populist discourses can thus favour exclusion, or inclusion.

The experiences of Latin America and Europe illustrate this difference well. In Latin America, populism has tried to include workers and middle class citizens socially dislocated by capitalism. In contemporary Europe, populism is attempting to exclude people dislocated by wars, and by capitalism in different parts of the world.

In both cases, however, the appeal to popular sovereignty exposes the deep tension between democracy and capitalism. We should therefore care less about definitions, and ask the real question: is representative democracy now so overshadowed by capitalism that it is no longer able to make room for the popular sovereignty upon which it was founded?

Ulrike Guerot, Danube University Krems

Two hundred words on populism are barely sufficient to point out that a century ago, before populism became a swear word mostly directed at right-wing parties such as the Alternative for Germany, Hungary's Fides and the Front National in France, populism was the pride of social democracy.

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The "classes populaires" were important for left-wing leaders such as Jean Jaures, Leon Blum and Jules Ferry. These were men who cared for the people, especially exploited workers; they wanted to improve their lives. Caring was their key word.









Axel Schmidt





Today, nobody seems to care for people. The European losers in today's globalisation, people living, and failing, mostly in devastated rural areas, are mainly left to themselves. If they fail, due to lack of education and life chances, they're told they are living in free societies, where everybody has the potential to succeed.

Hatred for democracy stems from the fact that opportunity remains a fiction for many people. Hence Etienne Balibar's warning: since there's no such thing as freedom without equality, the right to rebel and change a political order is a human right, especially when "equaliberty" and dignity are quashed. Populists know this.

Wolfgang Merkel, Humboldt University

From a normative standpoint, things are clear: cosmopolitans who uphold equality, global justice, ethno-religious tolerance and human rights cannot accept right-wing populism. Nationalism, chauvinism, ethno-religious intolerance are incommensurable with the values of an open and tolerant society.

Things are less clear when we try to explain the rise of right-wing populist parties. People who belong to the enlightened, cosmopolitan, middle and upper classes often argue that right-wing populism is the result of a demagoguery that is especially attractive to uneducated people from the lower classes. This explanation is not just inadequate; it bespeaks arrogant ignorance.

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Right-wing populism in Europe has three causes: a general discontent with European integration; economic exclusion; and disaffection and fear of a large influx of migrants and refugees. Large swathes of the lower middle class complain of their exclusion from public discourse. The neo-liberal version of globalisation and the general failure of the moderate left to address the distributive question have created feelings of impotence and marginalisation among the lower classes.

Right-wing populism is thus a rebellion of the disenfranchised. The establishment parties have arguably committed serious political errors. It's high time that they leave their fortress of normative arrogance and grant a democratic voice to the non-represented. If they fail to do so, right-wing populists will transform our democracies: they will become more parochial, intolerant and polarised.

Yu Keping, Peking University

Both the Chinese government and Chinese intellectuals are acutely aware of the phenomenon of populism, which last flourished here during the Cultural Revolution. In 1996, I urged Chinese policy makers to prevent populism, which always tends towards extreme forms of plebeianism. Plebeian standards are seen as the ultimate source of legitimacy of all social and political dynamics.









SCMP





In its opposition to elitism, populism ignores, or radically negates, the vital role played by political elites in processes of social and political change and historical development. Populism instead advocates radical reforms, and deems ordinary people the only decisive force capable of promoting these reforms. The hopes, needs and emotions of the people are the origin and destiny of its concerns. By affirming their spirit and capacity for innovation, populism has a positive implication: it teaches us to pay attention to the historical role played by people.

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But populism has its limits. Not only does it ignore the role played by elites in making historical progress, by emphasising the need for mobilising the general population, it also calls for absolute obedience to the passions and will of the people. That is why populism often manages to manipulate and control people in highly centralised ways. Populism can thus easily lead to autocracy, and to anarchy.
Global climate change produces many effects - warming air energizes the atmosphere and intensifies storms; warmer water expands and raises sea level; storage of more carbon dioxide in the oceans is acidifying large realms. Now it is becoming clear that another, profound result of human activities is underway: lower oxygen levels in our oceans.

The world's oceans, coastal seas, estuaries, and many rivers and lakes are experiencing declines in dissolved oxygen. Long known as an issue associated with sewage discharges and fertilizer runoff, the problem now is exacerbated by climate change, often independent of nutrient loads, and is global in scale.

If left unchecked, this decline will result in losses of fisheries and biodiversity, poorer water quality, and knock-on effects ranging from falling tourism to reduced marine ecosystem services.

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In 2015, scientists from around the world formed an IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission)-UNESCO working group called the Global Ocean Oxygen Network or GO2NE, of which I am a member. Our goals are to raise awareness about this problem, called deoxygenation, and stimulate research and policy to understand and mitigate it.

The how and why of oxygen in water

The aquatic environment holds dissolved gases; oxygen is one of them. Add in aquatic plants, a CO2 source, nutrients and light, and the resulting photosynthesis creates biomass and oxygen. Add more nutrients, and more photosynthetic production occurs. Consumers of the plant matter also use oxygen in the process and recycle the nutrients and carbon from organic to inorganic forms. This simplified cycle describes most aquatic ecosystems.

Next, consider the nutrients running off from farmland and urban areas, and the CO2 emissions responsible for much of the global greenhouse effect. At local, regional and global scales, these inputs stimulate the growth of aquatic plants. An excess of nutrients - known as eutrophic conditions - can cause massive algal blooms. Once those algae die of off, they are decomposed by microbes that draw down the dissolved oxygen.

Now add in physics: Warmer water is less dense and holds less oxygen than cold water, and salt in seawater lowers its oxygen carrying capacity too. As the estuaries, coastal seas and oceans heat up, less oxygen is held, stratification (the separation of water into layers) intensifies, and deeper waters lose even more oxygen. This is the additional impact of global warming.

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Water holding low levels of oxygen - less than two milligrams of oxygen per liter - is called hypoxic, borrowing the term from medicine where tissues are not oxygenated adequately. This level is generally deleterious for much aquatic life such as fish and shellfish. Water completely devoid of oxygen is called anoxic. Few higher organisms can make a living under these conditions.

Oxygen declines are widespread

From the waters off the Oregon coast, to the upwelling zones off Peru, to the Baltic and Black seas, Bay of Bengal, South China Sea and Gulf of Mexico, to name but a few regions, so-called dead zones are on the increase. Low oxygen areas in the deep ocean are also expanding, primarily due to warming. Those with very low oxygen are called oxygen minimum zones, or OMZs.

Worldwide, the ocean volume in a state of hypoxia, in which dissolved oxygen is at about 1.6 mg/liter, is 60.4 million cubic kilometers. Put another way, it would take close to 58 billion Empire State Buildings to contain that volume of water (or over 250 billion Wal-Mart Supercenters!) in a low-oxygen state.

Scientists have used climate change models to examine future scenarios of ocean conditions, including temperature, pH, oxygen and biological production. Despite very different assumptions in the models and different scenarios, from "business as usual" to very strong mitigation of CO2 emissions, the models project that oxygen levels will decline from 1.8 percent to 3.45 percent over the next century due to climate change.

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The effects of deoxygenation, which depend on complex sets of interactions in the ocean, will not be evenly spread: the north Atlantic, north Pacific, and Antarctic waters will be particularly affected.

Research has documented these changes in other regions as well. Long-term records in the Adriatic Sea show stable summertime dissolved oxygen concentrations up until the mid-20th century; hypoxia began in 1960 and intensified thereafter. Using data from as far back as 1899, one study found increasing hypoxic and anoxic conditions in the bottom waters of the Baltic Sea. Currently, this zone is about three times the size of the Gulf of Mexico dead zone and is only expected to worsen as the Baltic continues to warm.

Impacts on aquatic life

Even under the best of circumstances, water holds much less oxygen than air, so organisms must work much harder to get the oxygen they need from water for metabolism. For example, experiments have shown that reduced oxygen greatly limits the metabolic scope of fish, and their whole metabolism slows down. Feeding and growth can be greatly reduced.

This effect has been considered in various studies, but one study projected the combined influence of rising sea temperatures and lowered dissolved oxygen on distribution and maximum sizes of fish. On average across all seas, maximum fish size is predicted to decline 10 percent, with considerable variability among different species.

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Karin Limburg, Author provided





Even a 10 percent reduction in fish mass may have large impacts on fisheries; in parts of the world that depend on fisheries for protein, this will exacerbate the situation already taxed by overfishing and pollution.

A recent study on Baltic Sea cod shows that cod condition, including its size, has been in serious decline over the past two decades. Although a number of factors were suspected, hypoxia was the most important explanatory variable, followed by lack of prey and by a 30 percent reduction in living space ("habitat squeeze") due to reduced oxygen.

In the tropics, warming has led to a shallowing of oxygen-rich waters, which appears to be compressing habitat for some tuna and billfish species, potentially making them more vulnerable to fishing. And in a different twist, Atlantic croaker, a common fish in the Gulf of Mexico, now experiences declines in reproduction brought on by hypoxia stress on its endocrine system.

What can be done?

Although the oceans have experienced great oxygen declines in the past, there is clear evidence that human actions, notably higher water temperatures and continued nutrient inputs from agricultural and urban areas, are in large part responsible for the present changes.

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The solution is also clear, but the path forward is complex: Reducing nutrient runoff and halting greenhouse gas emissions requires a total overhaul of how societies do business. Nevertheless, ocean deoxygenation is already showing effects. If left unchecked, it will further compromise the largest part of our biosphere. Although more research is needed on climate-induced deoxygenation and its effects, policy action is needed now.






By Tami Kakarapathi, Harvard Business School, Class of '17 & Harbus Contributing Writer

We all know Eventbrite as the platform where we buy (overpriced?) HBS event tickets - but what do we really know about the man behind this venture? Kevin Hartz, from the (in)famous Paypal mafia opens up about some other things that are also top of mind for HBS students (Networking, Silicon Valley and Communicating with Machines!)

Kevin Hartz is currently a partner at Founders Fund and the Chairman (and Founder) at Eventbrite. He is Founder and Board member of online money transfer service, Xoom. Some of the firms where he has invested and played an advisory role include Airbnb, Yammer, Counsyl, Milo, Lookout, Minted, Pinterest, Skybox Imaging,Trulia, Flixster, Uber, PayPal, Palantir, Thumbtack, and Tripit.

Kevin, you have been involved in creating businesses for a while now which requires extensive networks. Would you describe yourself as an extrovert or an introvert and how does this influence your style of networking?

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KH: While I am an introverted person, there are certain areas that I am really passionate about and within these areas, it is really easy for me to reach out and talk to new people.

I also think this the essence of how networking works in works in Silicon Valley. It is built around intellectual curiosity, knowledge gain and the advancement of certain areas. The perverse essence of networking for networking's sake or with the end goal of monetary gain does exist, but to a much smaller extent.

How has this passion changed over the years as you move from starting companies to building them to investing in them?

KH: I think people who have built amazing and longstanding businesses have a child like curiosity - something I want to retain my entire life as well. It is that curiosity that drives me to interact with new people that are doing great things, which are not necessarily related to just business activities but also include a lot of the new initiatives that are coming from disciplines like the hard sciences.

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How has technology changed networking? Do you think it has made it more superficial or has worked toward extending reach?

KH: There have always been different mediums to connect with people in different contexts. With a lot of these new technologies and phenomenon, we are much more connected as a whole and that is wonderful, from many perspectives. Take the Arab Spring for example and the role of technology in it or scientists who can now pre-publish their information, allowing for timely dissemination without waiting for peer reviews. But as with any technology, some systems are being abused, but the benefits are far greater.

How would an outsider, someone not inherently part of the ecosystem in the Valley, tap into mediums that are not superficial? How would you go about building relationships?

KH: One way to approach this is to make a meaningful contribution. We want more talent and new ideas in the fold, but what you see oftentimes is a lot of taking and not a lot of giving. What has become a common problem with the email inbox in the valley today is that it is an "email to-do" list for someone else. If someone could offer some assistance with this particular issue, that would be very valuable.

For example, I just met a technology investor who is on the boards of multiple interesting companies in Europe, especially in Portugal. There is potential for common knowledge gain here and hence, a better opportunity to build a meaningful relationship.

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When does the network to mentor/mentee transition take place? Does the process differ?

KH: My mentees have evolved very organically and my closest confidants and advisors have evolved in the same manner. Many relationships in the valley tend to splinter and face challenges and it is really important to get to know people on a deeper level. For instance, I was just meeting a company where one of the three co-founders had just left. One could argue that if they had built a stronger relationship before exposing it to the stresses of a startup, they could have continued working together.

When has having a network been invaluable to you and helped you progress where you might not otherwise have moved forward?

KH: Everyone talks about the Paypal mafia and I owe it a big debt of gratitude. I was an early investor and watched it go on to do great things. I stayed close to the team and interactions with different members of the group have helped me through my career. Roelof Botha, who was the CFO of Paypal through its IPO, is now on the board of Eventbrite and he was also an investor in Xoom.com. This is an example of a long-term relationship and a network node that has been extremely valuable, and transcends beyond just a transactional relationship into a deep friendship.

So what drives the hierarchical structure in Silicon Valley? Is it money or insights or investments?

KH: In the valley, you are only as good as your last investment. There is an automatic gravitational pull towards success but you need to keep re-earning that success, because there is enough democratization in the system and with new entrepreneurs arriving in the valley everyday, you can quickly become irrelevant.

Given the importance placed on success and the metrics used to measure it (valuation), do you think the ecosystem in the valley is unduly influenced by mass opinion?

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KH: I think there are cases of both. I have not seen the financials or other information for Jet.com but a lot of investors wrote it off and it had a US$ 3bn exit to Walmart. If an investor had truly assessed the company and found the unit economics unsound and passed it up, that is reasonable. But if you passed it up because everyone else disliked the business, then you potentially missed on a great deal. It is hard to go against the trend but it is very important to not just go with heresy.

If you could use all your network and resources towards solving one problem, what would it be?

KH: Brain Computing Interfaces (BCIs) are a very interesting area for me. Being able to communicate directly with a machine is quite incredible. Humans communicate at a very low rate of output and if we could capture all the thoughts that actually behind are behind what we speak, we would reach new heights. The challenges of recording a billion neurons are vast and there are a lot of interesting people working on this right now. There is quite a bit of research in the academic phase about using BCIs for stroke and Alzheimer's patients as well.



So if you weren't Kevin Hartz, how would you approach these researchers?

KH: We have something we call "Getting a Ph.D" at Eventbrite, which is getting really knowledgeable and smart about a particular topic. I would use a similar approach here. I would gain a lot of information and bring my particular skillsets, in this case commercializing technology, to the researchers.

Most people who are passionate about their fields don't get a lot of attention and they love to talk about their work and get a new perspective. One would be surprised by their responsiveness.

BCIs are indeed futuristic. You one mentioned that your superpower of choice is Time Travel - is it still the same? And when would you go to if you had this power?

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KH: Yes it does! And it depends - if you can come back to when you started, then going forward is extremely powerful. If not, then going backward would be very interesting. If I could do just one thing I would go back to try and fix some of the issues we should have fixed. I will experience the future in my own time

Given your curious mind, would you not want to see what life would be like a few hundred or thousand years down the line?

KH: While it would be interesting to jump forward a few thousand years as a thought experiment, going forward a few decades would give you more actionable goals to work on in the present. I am more interested in changing the present to create a better future.

What are your biggest concerns about the future? That we as civilized human beings should have fixed by now?

KH: Trend wise, it feels like there is a growing inequity. I think it is really pronounced in San Francisco. It is such an expensive place, to the extent that it is challenging for a well-educated engineer to live in a city like this. This mega city trend seems to be happening everywhere, an increasing disparity in wealth. Growth in recent years is slowing with great technology and paling in comparison to what we have seen in the past.

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While there has never been a better time to bootstrap oneself up in certain aspects, the divisive scale has been expanding globally in others. This has historically ended very badly; take for instance the revolution in France or the rice of Fascism in post world war one Germany.

What excites me about the Silicon Valley is that we are working towards potentially solving it, but we need to be cognizant that we are on a short time frame.

It is interesting to hear you talk about these global problems, because people commonly hear allegations of the Valley being very inward looking? Do you think that is justified?

KH: Silicon Valley (the show) shows a humorous, satirical and sometimes bitingly real view of the Valley - there are a lot of crazy things that happen here. On the flip side, the products are getting out there as well, with certain companies (like Facebook) connecting people across the globe on an unprecedented level.

This is just a personal opinion, but comparing valuations, wealth etc. creates a very competitive environment and places a lot of stress on individuals. This is just a cautionary warning for everyone to remember that this is not a zero sum game. Our focus is in trying to create a positive impact on society, not striving for a larger house.

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With the recent explosive news regarding Samsung, batteries are on a lot of people's minds. We have been using the same lithium-ion type batteries for over a decade and it's time to upgrade. Aside from our cell phones, this issue impacts the future of sustainable clean energy.

Both solar and wind energy are getting cheaper all the time but, before we can make any energy alternatives cheaper than so-called "brown energy" or fossil fuels, we need to have a way to store that energy, for when the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't shining. A better battery is the logical answer, until we solve the problems that we have with today's batteries, clean energy will be held back.

Let's take a look at some of the issues plaguing the current generation of batteries and some companies and research teams that think they have found the solution.

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Capacity

Now we aren't talking about storing high-def pictures of your cat here, we are talking about energy storage capacity. The amount of energy a battery can hold by it's weight makes or breaks, scientists have been working for years to expand battery capacity, and that essentially defines the field of battery research. Better batteries a range of applications, from utility companies being able to store more solar power, to us being able to go a few more days without charging our Apple Watches. As the cost of solar power continues to come down, a larger capacity battery will not only be a battery game changer, but, with its alternative energy implications, a world changer.

Speed of Charge and Discharge

As of right now, to charge your Tesla electric car at home, it could take you 3 or 4 hours. At a supercharger station charging only takes 40-ish minutes, but, there are just under 700 of those in the US (compared with some 168,000 gas stations). For clean energy to take off, the charge and discharge rate has to improve. When Tesla CEO Elon Musk released his patents to the world two years ago, he was hoping for advancement in this type battery technology.

Efficiency

Last but not least is the efficiency of the battery. This relates directly to the other two components that must be improved: along with the charge being fast, it must last. Clumped in with this is the ability to recharge multiple times with no degradation. Over their lifespan, batteries degrade progressively, due to chemical changes in their electrodes, reducing capacity, cycle life, and safety. We have all experienced this with our cellphones and other gadgets, and, while it may not seem like a big deal to get a new phone every year or two, when we are talking about the degradation of a microgrid, or your car, that's another story.

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Now that you know how desperately we need a battery upgrade, what solutions are out there? There are several ideas, and scientists around the world are working on this, here are the few of the most innovative ideas that we could find:

Nanotechnology: Using materials invisible to the naked eye, the scientists working in this field are changing the nature of the materials used in batteries from flat to three dimensional, enabling them to absorb more energy during charge-ups. The idea of using nanotech to improve the battery is not new: back in 2005-Toshiba said that they were working on a nano-battery that would charge 80 times faster than a Lithium-Ion. Just this year HE3DA, a Prague-Based company, said it has prototypes that have undergone successful tests and is hoping to have a product on the market by the end of the year.

Graphene: The world's first two-dimensional material(consisting of a single layer of atoms): 200 times stronger than steel, transparent, flexible and more conductive than copper. This year a Spanish company introduced a graphene battery that could be charged in a matter of minutes and run an electric car for nearly 500 miles.

Next Generation Lithium, Using Air or Sulfur: With the potential to hold 10 times the energy of their very popular predecessor, a Lithium-Air/Sulfur - very exciting move forward. Sadly, this progress may be held back, as some new batteries have garnered negative press after the massive Samsung recall, due to some of their phones shorting out and exploding. Nevertheless, an updated Lithium battery may be the future.
Interest in E-Commerce is quickly becoming a popular subject for startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. From platforms like Etsy to WooComerce, making and selling your own products, as well as opening an online store, has never been easier.

Although it is possible for almost anyone with a WiFi connection to open a store, there are many things to consider before taking that step, if you want to make good sales. Before you open an online store, a great deal of research should be done so that you don't pay the price of failure later.

1. SEO Is Everything

If no one can find your website, then you won't get any business. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which sounds complicated, but is just a fancy word that refers to how much Google prioritizes your website in its search results.

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In terms of what you need to be aware of to have good SEO, you need to optimize your: content, page titles, keywords, tags, and links. This is the process of on-page SEO.

2. You Need To Always Test the Backend.

I've actually learned this lesson the hard way! Before launching your ecommerce platform, make sure that customers can actually use your cart and checkout features without issues, or else you won't be able to actually process your customer's purchases, which means no money in your pocket.

3. Pick the Right Platform.

The platform is everything, as different services offer different features, levels of customization, and opportunities for customer engagement.

If you're wanting to prioritize ease over all else, choosing a built-in service like Etsy that comes with all of the bells and whistles, is the way to go if you are selling hand-crafted goods like jewelry.

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If you want to go as DIY as possible but still have a built-in support network, a service like Shopify is a great option.

Do yourself a favor and research your options before launching though, so that way you won't choose an option that isn't ideal for you and end up having to switch or upgrade E-commerce providers over time.

4. Understand the Cost.

Most e-commerce services are going to charge you some kind of fee, so do your research to see what that actually entails. For some platforms, they charge a small fee per product you post, while others require a monthly subscription, or one flat upfront fee that you pay in the beginning. Don't get surprised when an unexpected bill comes that eats away at your profits like Google AdWords. Always research how much these services will cost you to use them before signing up.

5. Differentiate (And Do Your Research).

Make sure to choose a brand name that is clever, easy to remember, and SEO friendly for your store. Do your research to make sure no one else is currently using your brand name. Also, think about what makes your products unique or special as compared to your competitors. Also, try to find a niche market so that you limit the competition before you even start marketing your website.

6. Integrate Social Media.

Social media is a great marketing tool to use for e-commerce websites, since there is often built-in integration and it makes it easy to reach potential customers. Make sure to build your social media networks to match your store branding. That way you can easily be found elsewhere online to convert your visitors into sales.

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7. Focus on Quality over Quantity.

It's better to be selling one fantastic product than it is to be selling 1000 mediocre ones. People tend to focus on aesthetics for obvious reasons when it comes to e-commerce products. So only sell as many high-quality products as you can, even though it's tempting to sacrifice quantity for quality.
Colonial New England has given America the tradition of election sermons. On the day of the annual elections for office, the representatives gathered in the colonial capitols. Each year, a minister was chosen to preach to the retiring and newly elected officials. The clergy had to connect whatever text the lectionary called for with a reflection on the foundations of government.

While I was in Germany last week, watching the American election from afar, the Lutheran lectionary called for Micah 6:6-8 as text:

"With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

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Micah is one of the social prophets of the Hebrew Bible. In this passage, he is rejecting the practice of sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem. He is harshly criticizing all the attention paid to the excesses of worship, while people are numb towards the social injustices in front of them. In the history of Israel, Micah, like the prophets Amos and Isaiah, stepped to the fore while the political and religious institutions steered towards crisis. The social prophets reminded the rich and powerful of their responsibilities, called for repentance and contemplation, and urged all citizens to live according to the principles spelled out in the covenant between God and Israel at Mount Sinai. In the Bible, those prophets become God's voice to correct a society out of whack. Jesus of Nazareth, too, is one of those biblical prophets standing up for social justice and responsibility. And six hundred years after him, Muhammad will renew their call on the Arab Peninsula.

The last verse of this passage in Micah 6:6-8 also happens to be a key verse in the history of religion in America. The verse plays an important role in America's self-perception. It leads back to the year 1630, when a group of pious Calvinists sailed from England to North America. Guided by their flagship Arbella, these pious Pilgrim fathers and mothers left England with the intention to freely live their faith in the new world. Boxed in between state church and English monarchy, they longed for more space to truly follow their religion. The Pilgrims wanted to build a society centered around the word and rules of the God of the Bible. They decided to leave the European world and its institutions behind to become American immigrants. They were desperate to start over again. No walls could have stopped them.

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The famous sermon delivered on deck of the Arbella by John Winthrop, who later became governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, shaped these immigrants' imaginations and intentions, and provided moral language as they forged their new model community. In this sermon, Winthrop used the verse from Micah 6:8 to qualify two other verses from the Bible: Ephesians 4:3 ("keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace") and Matthew 5:14 in which Jesus approaches his followers as "light of the world" that shines like "a city that is set on a hill." For Winthrop, the Puritan Pilgrims are that light of the world. His phrase, "for we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill," became one of the most influential biblical quotations in the American political vocabulary.

The sermon laid out the moral ground work of a society organized around responsibility, justice, and community. The Pilgrims were called to "do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with God" - just like Micah had once urged. Winthrop also reminded the people aboard the Arbella that they had to be "knit together in this work as one man," and had to "hold each other in brotherly affection." Faith, Winthrop assured his congregation, had immediate social consequences by shaping the believers' sentiments and their attitude towards each other. So the Pilgrims work in the new world had to be based on "meekness, gentleness, patience, and liberality." They were supposed to strive together in the spirit of peaceful commonality to "make others' conditions our own and rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together." The people sought to become one exemplary community "always having before our eyes our commission and common work, our community as members of the same body."

Though the Puritans themselves fell short of this "liberality" and "brotherly affection" towards other dissenters, the biblical imagery and this sketch of a Christian social utopia stuck. Generations of Americans have drew on the sermon in an attempt to shape society according to ideas of social justice, tolerance, and community. Winthrop's sermon soon became an obligatory read in many school curricula. Scores of Americans have pointed to Winthrop's sermon to maintain an exceptional role of the United States among the nations. As stated by Harvard literary scholar Sacvan Bercovitch, Winthrop's sermon is a "cultural key-text" from "colonial times to our own" and through "all forms of discourse."

In the 20th century, the phrase "city upon the hill" became a popular image to remind Americans of that uniqueness. The image no longer described a small group of pious people, but it became common coinage for the pluralistic melting pot. John F. Kennedy used it in his farewell address to the State Legislature of Massachusetts in 1961. Bill Clinton drew on it in his commencement address at Portland State University in 1998. But it was Ronald Reagan especially who repeatedly worked with the image in his speeches and directly related it to the diverse American nation. For Ronald Reagan, adding some more glitz, America was now the "shining" city upon a hill, "where people of all kinds lived in harmony and peace" as he reminded his fellow citizens in his farewell address of 1989.

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Yet curiously, while the image of a "city upon the hill" has enjoyed a vibrant career in American political rhetoric, its preceding and qualifying passages from Micah are almost but forgotten. Micah's prophetic admonition has disappeared from America's collective memory.

In the age of Donald Trump, America still strives to look like a shining city. But with the republican candidate for president, the emphasis is on theatrics, deal making, and deal breaking, while "meekness," "gentleness," "patience," and "liberality," invite withering scorn and condescension. As Trump explained in his The Art of the Deal, "people want to believe that something is the biggest and the greatest and the most spectacular." For the master of hyperbole and bravado, everything is about the facade of greatness. Yet the closer one looks, the more one realizes that goodness is often better than greatness, certainly when it comes to be an exemplary city worthy of the world's appreciation and admiration.

One is left to wonder why such amnesia has taken place. No doubt, reflection about the principles of a just society fits poorly with the expansionist idea of a global superpower. No doubt, America's haves do not like to hear too often that their wealth and security are not only built on but also breaking the backs of the increasing rolls of have nots. And, no doubt, the cancer of racism keeps too many willing or able to see that gross inequities along racial and ethnic lines call America's democratic institutions into question.

In this election season in America, high idealism has gone missing. Hillary Clinton cannot muster it while fighting against an opponent who lacks empathy and thinks this makes him a "winner." Instead of idealism, America gets an airspace filled with boasts of sexually assaulting women, and mockery--when not hate speech--against immigrants, Muslims, and people with disabilities. Where is Winthrop's prophetic voice audible over the shrieks and vitriol in an age of Trump?

It's high time to reinstate the election sermon tradition in the spirit of early America. Maybe then America's pastors, rabbis, and imams can remind the candidates for political office of the high moral ideals at America's beginning, and help them find ways to be realized in our 21st-century world. It's the moral idea of an America that transcended material abundance and power. It's the idea of an America that is strengthened by its diversity, social justice, and tolerance. A gilded city with a flashing "Trump" sign towering over its inhabitants is a far cry from the city upon a hill that once inspired Winthrop, countless school kids, and political leaders on both ends of the political spectrum.

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Once the elections are over, Americans should think very hard about the ways they intend to live together and with the rest of the world in the years to come. Winthrop's interpretation of Micah can offer helpful advice. Even if Americans are no longer a pious community on voyage to another world, they are still called by the prophetical voice of its beginnings. They are called to imagine themselves anew with humility and patience as one community that practices tolerance and social justice. They are called to remember that the Pilgrim settlers came as immigrants who aimed to build a society around a moral center.
By Sarah Brown, President of Theirworld and Executive Chair of the Global Business Coalition for Education

There does seem to be a big need for some good news - with so much access to 24/7 news, we learn heartbreaking stories of the impact of conflict, abuse and other dark challenges faced by people everywhere. Yet as a society we are doing better in lots of ways, and wonderful, committed people exist everywhere who are taking daily actions to help others, innovate to improve lives and enrich our world in all kinds of inspiring, creative ways. It is important to celebrate those who are helping to make the world a better place and learn from them too.

In the midst of unprecedented global change we do still need to figure out smart ways to share the world's resources and to ensure that each person can be safe, have enough to eat, the change to grow and learn and thrive. In my work I am privileged to meet all kinds of astonishing women, men and children, and for years I have been saying how I must interview them and share their stories more widely.

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This year I have finally recorded interviews at the World Humanitarian Summit, at the United Nations General Assembly and on trips to places as diverse as Los Angeles, Beirut and Edinburgh. I have been finding out all kinds of interesting things from Nobel Laureates, political leaders, business executives, writers, performers and comedians, journalists, and some remarkable young people who are dedicated to changing the world. Our conversations focus on change, laughter, challenge and overcoming fear, and more.

Each episode looks at a different subject and provides an opportunity to share the insights of a range of fascinating people. The first episodes span: Education by Inspiration, Finding Your Voice I, Activating Yourself, Power of Laughter, Changemakers, and Risking Your Life for Change. A number of longer Interview Specials will also be dropped over December 16/January 17.

Recording the Better Angels podcasts offers a luxury to talk in depth to some extraordinary people and to explore how the medium opens up a thoughtful and reflective discussion often not easy to find when cameras are around. I have been an early adopter of Twitter finding easy access to a supportive and engaged audience at a time when I was firmly in the public eye. While that audience has stayed and followed my engagement with many campaigns and causes, I hope that many will find the world of podcast appealing for a more in depth, substantial but no less entertaining look at the people in my world. This is another great way to find my voice and share the voice of many others.

I hope this is the just the start of a longer series, but the first episodes of my Better Angels podcast start on 3rd November 2016 and drop weekly after that.

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You can subscribe to the Better Angels podcast feed and find out more at www.theirworld.org/betterangels.

If you have any suggestions or ideas for themes and interviews send to betterangels@theirworld.org.
This past September, when four- and five-year-olds across the U.S. entered kindergarten, more than one million of them weren't ready to be there. Some lacked the cognitive skills they would need to do the work. Others hadn't developed the emotional maturity that would help them make it through long hours at school. As a result, these kids will struggle mightily to overcome their limitations in kindergarten and beyond.

Already, social-service programs have failed these children--and this won't be the only time. Coming from largely low-income families, they will likely face other challenges as well, such as hunger and homelessness. While social services may help them from time to time, the safety net has too many holes in it. In just a single grade level, a million children are falling through.

In its May 2016 report, "Billion Dollar Bets' to Create Economic Opportunity for Every American," The Bridgespan Group identifies 15 areas in which philanthropy can help restore economic opportunity and build pathways to the middle class for low-income Americans. Upgrading social-service interventions, which are often costly and do not have the kind of impact we may hope for, is on that list. Given that we're already spending hundreds of billions of dollars on these services, real improvements could have an exponential effect on bettering the lives of low-income Americans.

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Marginal at Best

It's worth noting, social services' shortcomings are not for lack of effort: over the last decade, the Administration for Children and Families, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and state governments have worked tirelessly to provide high quality pre-K programs, early childhood software applications, and training for early childcare professionals. But even the strongest of these programs aren't making enough of a difference. The programs, however high quality, are simply not effective enough.

Keep in mind, early childhood education is just one piece of the puzzle. Social services aim to assist with education, food, health care, job training, subsidized housing, and more--all very much needed and all falling short.

Social services struggle to have the time, resources, and expertise to probe problems deeply, experiment with solutions, track data, and rigorously refine approaches. This translates into a huge opening for any philanthropist looking to improve social mobility for those living in poverty.

The Opportunity for Philanthropy

Here's the good news: many philanthropists already have skin in this game. They often invest alongside government in agencies that provide social services, and they have a vested interest in seeing their dollars used more effectively. What's more, philanthropists have the unique ability to take on the risk that may be required to adopt a better way.

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And that better way exists: the notion that we can use data and evidence of effectiveness to sharpen decision making and service delivery is already gaining momentum. We have the tools to track and interpret data. Now, we need to commit to them. Specifically, philanthropists can:

Build data systems to create the foundation for evidence-based funding. Working with local stakeholders, philanthropists can support the development of robust, cross-cutting data systems, so stakeholders can measure programs according to the outcomes the community cares most about. Philanthropists can also work across cities and states to create a national hub for building and using data systems.



Train practitioners and policymakers to collect, analyze, and use data to improve social services. In addition to funding training, philanthropists can fund fellowship programs to educate future leaders in data-driven and evidence-based policy.



Establish incentives to support the use of data and evidence to improve social services. Philanthropists can expand the "what works" movement by advocating for federal policies that reward evidence-based improvement, funding organizations already advocating for performance-based rewards, and creating awards programs to incentivize evidence-based decision making.

The potential upside? If just 25 percent of those million kindergartners were better prepared for school, 250,000 students would benefit. According to Bridgespan's calculations, a $1 billion investment in harnessing data to improve pre-K services for those 250,000 children would lead to a cumulative increase in their lifetime income of between $3 billion and $6.1 billion. By any measure, that's an outsized ROI.

Indeed, the only real question here isn't, "Can we afford to invest in increasing social services' capacity to access and use data for continuous improvement?" but "Can we afford not to?"

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***
By Annika Andersson, ZEALnyc Contributing Writer, November 2, 2016

When the 2016 Margaret Mead Film Festival celebrated it's 40th Anniversary October 13-16, the festivities included a first-of-it's-kind virtual reality documentary lounge and a closing night Cuban salsa party. The main draw though, of course, was the 44 documentary and ethnographic films from 50 countries, illuminating the history, complexity and diversity of human cultures across the world.

One such film was the opening night U.S. premiere of A Revolution in Four Seasons, directed by Jessie Deeter. The documentary follows two women in Tunisia, secular journalist Emna Ben Jemaa and Islamist politician Jawhara Ettis, in the years following the Arab Spring.

The revolutionary wave known as the Arab Spring was sparked by Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation, protesting police corruption and ill treatment after his fruit wagon had been confiscated in December 2010. Demonstrations, protests, riots, coups and civil wars spread from Tunisia throughout the Arab world. We are still seeing the devastating effects, such as the largest refugee crisis in modern times with 4.5 million people having fled Syria since the start of the conflict.

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But the film doesn't bring us in to the battle fields. Instead, we follow the events through the eyes of Jemaa and Ettis, who both appear to lead somewhat privileged existences. Jemaa is a celebrity blogger, who's marrying a software engineer during the course of the movie. Having spent many years working in the U.S., he has returned to participate in shaping the new Tunisia, and the couple appears to live a very comfortable, modern, upper middle-class lifestyle.



A scene from Jessie Deeter's 'A Revolution in Four Seasons,' recently screened at the 2016 Margaret Meade Film Festival.

Ettis' family stems from generations of nomads, who are now permanently settled in countryside villages. They live in multi-generational households guided by traditional values, where religion plays a large part. Etti is a teacher who works for the Islamist party Ennahda, aiming to create a new Tunisia guided by Islamic principles. Jemaa's vision for Tunisia is inspired by France and Sweden, while Etti's future Tunisia resembles Turkey.

When a documentary follows subjects like this, through visits over the course of a few years, time will tell if the cause of events will be interesting or not. While history is being written with the Arab Spring uprisings, we are too far removed from them to be emotionally affected. When Jemaa describes the danger of participating in a demonstration, and how someone got beaten up with blood on his face, it appears somewhat innocent to the American viewer, who's exposed to much worse at home with all the recent cases of police brutality and mass shootings.

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Instead, we follow the parallel lives of the two women, and what's interesting is perhaps to challenge our ideas of how a secular lifestyle in Tunisia looks compared to an Islamist one. Etti has a higher education, and represents her whole village as a member of the constituent assembly. She gives fiery speeches to promote female education, and wants to find ways for the opposite sides to meet and find commons grounds when writing the new constitution.

Etti continues to work after getting married, throughout her pregnancy, and even brings her infant daughter to the parliament afterwards, when she has to. She and her husband agree that her work comes first, and he stays home with their daughter in an arrangement similar to what you find in Sweden. Jemaa, on the other hand, leaves politics to her husband after their daughter is born. And at the film's opening night, when the two protagonists appeared on stage afterwards, Jemaa brought her husband while Etti came alone, ready to answer questions with more strength and passion than ever.

The 2016 Margaret Mead Film Festival is over, but the journey of the films have only begun. While no opening dates have been set for A Revolution in Four Seasons at this time, two of the other films shown during the festival is coming to theatres soon, and a third film is available online:

Best and Most Beautiful Things by Garrett Zevgetis, opens in theatres December 2, 2016.

A coming of age tale about Michelle Smith, legally blind and diagnosed on the autism spectrum, handling her label as an outsider. For Festival information click here. For future ticketing information click here.

The Price of Peace by Kim Webby, available on Amazon Video now.

The film follows the case of Tame Iti, an Indigenous activist from the Ngai Tuhoe community of Ruatoki in New Zealand, on trial for alleged terrorist activities, while at the same time representing the relationship between Maori communities and the government of New Zealand. For Festival information click here. For viewing information click here.

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Underfire: The Untold Story of Pfc. Tony Vaccaro by Max Lewkowicz, an HBO Documentary Film, opens in theatres October 28, 2016.

A film about the life and personal journey of American G.I. Tony Vaccaro, from photographing the day-to-day life of soldiers on the battlefield during WW2, to becoming a 93-year-old pacifist. For Festival information click here. For ticketing information click here.

For more information on the Margaret Mead Film Festival 2016, click here.

Cover: Panel discussion at opening night premiere of Margaret Mead Film Festival; (l. to r.) co-producer Sara Maamouri, Emna Ben Jemaa's husband (name unavailable), Emna Ben Jemaa, Jawhara Ettis, Jessie Deeter and Sevanne Kassarjian (Margaret Mead's granddaughter); photo: Annika Andersson.

Annika Andersson is a Contributing Writer for ZEALnyc and writes about film and related events.

For more features from ZEALnyc read:
This year's 'Best of' goes to local
Local officials discussed, rejected law enforcement consolidation in past

Voters are being asked to consider a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 8 ballot that would enshrine the election of sheriffs into constitution .
Librarian Of Congress Fails To Alert Oversight Committees Of Massive Abuse Of Copyright Loophole By Google, Amazon [Op-Ed]

Owing to a convenient loophole, Google and Amazon are enjoying selling off the world's music without the inconvenience of having to pay royalties to songwriters. This recent exploitation comes partly, it seems, courtesy of Carla Hayden, recently appointed Librarian of Congress, writes

__________________________________

Guest post by Chris Castle of MusicTechPolicy

[OP-ED] The Librarian of Congress? You may ask what in the world does the Librarian of Congress have to do with the music business? The answer ismore than you might think, mostly due to the fact that the U.S. Copyright Office is under the direct and total control of the Librarian. The recently installed Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, seems more than willing to look the other way when crony capitalists with Obama Administration influence come calling. Google and Amazon are the first two vastly wealthy multinational media companies to enjoy the Librarians collaboration. These two companies are currently exploiting a copyright law loophole to sell the worlds music without paying royalties to the worlds songwriters on millionsmillionsof songs. How? A process that starts with buying from the Library of Congress a data file that contains some of the post-1978 copyright registrations and other recorded documentsand by paying a hefty fee to the Library of Congress. Its not exactly a back door purchase, but you have to know who to ask (Bonita Brown at bobr@loc.gov) and you have to know what page its on. We asked the research desk at the Library of Congress and they had no idea what we were talking about. Heres the page for the Copyright Select weekly updates, price AQ:

And heres the scam: Users of the compulsory mechanical license have to send a notice of intention to the song copyright owner (NOI). Finding that copyright owner is usually a process of song research in readily available databases. In Googles case, this would include Googles own Content Management System and data it acquired in its purchase of Patrick Sullivans company Rightsflow (which is essentially a snapshot of the Harry Fox Agency database that was either sold to Rightsflow or came under its control some other way). Howeverin a remnant from the 1909 Copyright Act that required registrations in order to enjoy the rights of a copyright owner, Google need not look further than the public records of the Copyright Office in order to comply with the search requirements of the compulsory license. Even if Google has actual knowledge of the song owners contact.

Reflect on the phrase Google cant find the song owner. The largest purveyor of other peoples information in commercial history cannot find someone? Sound like moral hazard?

Heres an example in Googles filing of Fragile by Sting. Google is claiming that it cant find Sting and that theres no Copyright Office filing for Fragile (Live. Aside from the fact that Google probably has a direct publishing license for Fragile through Sony/ATV-EMI, it is patently absurd to register an address unknown NOI for Fragile.

The reason Google gets away with it is due to the negligence of the Librarian of Congress. The Librarian allows this scam to get started and has no controls in place to determine if Google and Amazon are even entitled to the filings which they are clearly not in Stings case. And it clearly isnt just hit songwritersits mostly the little guys who are being bullied by Big Government and Big Tech.

But the Librarian wouldnt know because the Librarian never checked. If Google cant find the song owner (as determined by Google, not by the Library of Congress), the law allows Google to send that NOI for the unfindable song owner to the Copyright Office. And Google and Amazon are sending these address unknown notices to the Copyright Office in the millions at great expense to the taxpayer because the filing fees for NOIs cant possibly come anywhere near covering the cost of the processing. Why are Google and Amazon doing this? One reason is that by filing the NOIs, they do not have to pay royalties until the songwriter identifies themselves in the Copyright Office system, they cannot be sued as infringers, and they cannot ever be audited. I happened to speak to a representative of one of the mass NOI filing companies after a recent panel in Los Angeles who assured me that the reason that his clients were filing these NOIs was not because they did not want to pay royalties but because they were so worried about liability from a Jeff Price jihad and that his clients fully intended to pay royalties retroactively once the song owner became known unlike the record companies who are thieves. I believe that he believes that his client believes that theyre just trying to avoid being sued for not having the rights, but humor this unbeliever. My bet would be that getting that retroactive payment will take the effort worthy of an act of Congress. Perhaps literally. If his new boss clients had a reputation for or history of treating creators fairly, Id be far more inclined to bet on sunshine and puppy dog tails, but they dont so I wont. The problem would be easy to solveall they would need to do is issue a press release or even a blog post on the Google Public Policy blog stating that it is the official position of the company to pay retroactively. Even if you accept his premise that record companies and music publishers are thieves, they never filed millions of NOIs. In the meantime while were waiting for that post, I think we have to act as if it is not coming.

But what is really clear is that the Librarian of Congress is turning a blind eye to this abuse, and is even aiding and abetting this overt attack on songwriters by selling the crucial data. Not to mention injecting the Library into picking winners and losers in ongoing class actions.

Another problem with the Librarians position is that there is a real possibility that permitting the mass filings of millions of NOIs for foreign works may very well violate international copyright and trade treaties and could land the U.S. back in a WTO arbitration at great cost to the taxpayer. So another debacle by the Librarian of Congress that really hurts songwriters, exposes the U.S. taxpayer to great costs and for which the government is entirely unaccountable unless Congress exercises its oversight authority through the House Committee on Administration and finds out what is going on over there. For more detail on government complicity in the mass NOIs, see this three part post.

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What Weve Lost In The Age Of Streaming Music

Here Paul Cantor laments the lost age of downloadable mix tapes, bootlegs, and artist catalogues as well as other forms of content no longer available on streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music, plus the the demise of the blogs which once contained them.

___________________________

Guest post by writer and producer Paul Cantor

I have been searching wide and far for a series of recordings that Im certain, were this six or seven years ago, Id have no trouble finding with a simple Google search.

Back then, any number of music blogs featured download links to songs and albums, DJ mixes, sometimes an artists whole catalogue  but now, while the webpages are still active, the links to the music are not.

Id be inclined to suggest this music could be found on streaming sites  and might even try looking for it  yet I know its a waste of time. What Im looking for, specifically, are bootleg tapes that in some cases survived for twenty, thirty, forty years, before some thoughtful person digitized them.

Unless Spotify or Apple Music open themselves up to user-generated contented, these bootlegs will never be online ever again.

Which is sad. You land on an abandoned music blog  all dead links, YouTube clips no longer available, low-res pictures snatched from Google Images  its enough to put a tear in your eye.

But dont tell the music business that.

The nearly 20-year depression in the music business is finally over, says an article recently published in the Wall Street Journal. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, global music sales grew 3.2% last year.

3.2%!  shit, lets break out the champagne.

Look, all kidding aside, anyone who knows knows, the music industry has been back for a while now. Its not exactly the 90s again, but the money is definitely flowing and flowing fast.

In fact, the average mid-tier act is putting away more money in 2016 than they were twenty years ago. Its just that money doesnt go very far these days  in New York, a million dollars is basically a dollar.

So, the money is back, and yes, with streaming and YouTube  lets not forget YouTube, which does more for music than probably anything else  there is a lot of energy in this space. Most importantly though, music seems to be in a good place creatively (although many of you, predictably, will say things were better back in the day).

And yet  yet!  I cant help but pine for the days of yore. I subscribe to three streaming services that, for better or worse, have the same exact music and do the same exact shit. So nobody can tell me Im not supporting the business. But I still feel file-sharing has a purpose.

For one, files are the go-to format for DJs; I dont need to explain how important DJs are. Pulselocker, which you can use with Serato, allows DJs to mix with streaming files but reviews have been mixed and Ive never seen anyone use it.

And files are the go-to format for people who share music that isnt widely-available  records only in limited release; demos; bootlegs; live recordings. In short, anything not officially sanctioned by a record label.

People always shared this stuff, but in the old days, it might have happened through cassettes or burned CDs, passed from one hand to the next. In the Napster era, you downloaded it.

But then, when MP3-infested music blogs became popular, things really got interesting. Because now you had the music, but you also had commentary. You had content and context. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

I say this because, theoretically, nobody directly involved with the music itself was making any money from this stuff. What made things worse was that, eventually, many blogs began selling ads against this content. So, they were profiting at the expense of the people whose music they claimed to love so much.

But when it was good, it was really good. Some of these blogs catered to very small niches, trafficking in music that wouldnt make any money regardless of whether it was being sold or not. Putting it up for free was doing the artist a favor  through that, people discovered them.

Now, I dont know where that exists anymore. Maybe all these fans and file-sharers have migrated to Facebook or Reddit, and theyre trading in some closed ecosystem, where the long arm of internet law can no longer see them. Which would be smart.

Until I can figure out where they are though, I will remain sad about a short-lived period when the internet was the wild west, and free music was everywhere.

It was a music nerds paradise. A paradise lost.

For more from Paul Cantor, sign up for his email list or contact him at paulcantor@gmail.com.

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Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash, Apex COO Donald Rochelo, state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, APEX President Donna Rochelo, and Mayor Linda Tyer on Tuesday.

Secretary Jay Ash Presents Award To Apex, Discusses Manufacturing



Secretary Jay Ash, Apex COO Donald Rochelo, and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier discuss the future of manufacturing on Tuesday. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Apex Resource Technologies, an injection molding company who found a particular niche in the medical device manufacturing business, is just one example of the manufacturing that Massachusetts stills has, and wants to grow.

Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash joined state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier on Tuesday to highlight the company's efforts with the presentation of the first annual Massachusetts Manufacturing Caucus Award.

"It is people like you who are investing in our community by growing your business right here and, in particular, all of your investment in workforce development, is why we want to honor you today," Farley-Bouvier said.

Donald Rochelo, chief operating officer, has grown his business locally, doubling his space at the Downing Industrial Business Park fairly recently, while remaining active in other manufacturing-oriented groups like the Berkshire Applied Technology Council and as the co-chair of the Berkshire Innovation Center.

"Don has been a leader, as far back as I've gone 18 years. Don was head of the plastics network, then Berkshire Applied Technology Council just encouraging area companies to pursue training and education. He's always been out front in doing that," said Berkshire Community College's Vice President for Community Education & Workforce Development William Mulholland, who has become one of the most active people in the community pushing for the re-emergence of manufacturing.

Ash said attracting new companies can sometimes seem like "finding a needle in a haystack" but there are manufacturing companies all across the state. His visit wasn't just to present an award but also to find out if there are areas in which the state can support the company's future growth.

"There are a lot of companies here like Apex that we should be trying to help grow and it has been my experience and one of our priorities to help local companies grow," Ash said.

Workforce development rose to the top almost immediately, with Rochelo saying it is one of the company's biggest challenges. He said he needs engineers with certain skills and they just don't live around here. That leads him to hiring recruiters, which makes hiring a much more expensive and complicated process. Rochelo believes that through trade education, all local companies will benefit.

"It's a significant challenge at every level. We need more people at the ground level. Like, mold making is a very sophisticated business these days," Rochelo said. "We need good people and there are a lot of good people coming out of trade schools."

He added, "education is everything, it is power. If you bring everybody up, we're going to have a heck of a country here."

Ash estimated that nationwide there are some 5.5 million jobs being unanswered. Workforce development has to be part of the answer, he said. Where Massachusetts is going to be competitive, in Ash's opinion, is through knowledge and innovation.

"We believe that the key to our manufacturing success in the future here in Massachusetts is around innovation. We are not going to be competing on cost, on low-quality, high-volume products. What makes Massachusetts and manufacturing throughout Massachusetts special is the high-quality products that we create which require innovation," Ash said.

While the are companies like Apex in the state, Ash said he is continuing to work on finding more companies as well.



Secretary Jay Ash was also in Pittsfield to discuss the future of the Berkshire Innovation Center and will return to Boston with a report to the governor. "I've always been frustrated when people say manufacturing is gone and we'll never get it back. I'm glad to be in a position as secretary under the governor and supported by the Legislature who believes we can recapture the manufacturing," Ash said.

Recently, he received a call when he was on vacation in Florida about a company there had interest moving to the William Stanley Business Park. He detoured his vacation and visited the company, making a pitch bring them back.

Mayor Linda Tyer has been connected with the company and discussions of a possible move to vacant land is happening. Ash said that type of coordination is one way to help attract new companies.

Meanwhile, what took up most of Ash's day on Tuesday wasn't presenting an award but visiting with those behind the Berkshire Innovation Center. That center, which is eyed to serve as a research and development facility for many local companies and educational institution, is short on funds.

Gov. Charlie Baker has asked Ash for recommendations on where to allocate state resources, and that could mean closing that funding gap.

"We have a variety of funding sources that are available to support innovation centers. In fact this past year we had a new economic development bill that created a fund to support innovation centers," Ash said, though he said money for the BIC may not come from that pool of money.

"There are sources of funding available. We'll look at a variety of sources depending on what the governor and the lieutenant governor decide."

Ash said he expects the administration to make some decisions about the project by the end of the year. But if it gets the funding from the administration has yet to be determined and will depend on other opportunities for investment the government could make elsewhere.

"We are cutting budgets. We are faced with tough fiscal choices on Beacon Hill so we have to be mindful of taxpayers' dollars. I'm out here to see the vision but I also need to weigh what opportunities exist not only here in Berkshire County but in the state," Ash said.

Rochelle spoke about the innovation center, highlight the particular ability to share equipment. He said he can't afford much of the additive manufacturing equipment on his own, but that would be at the BIC if and when it gets constructed.

"It would be great to have access to that on a daily basis. We could make things out of metal that would be important to product development," Rochelo said.

Rochelo shares Ash's optimism for the future of manufacturing, saying it is coming back strong. He lauded the collaboration among government, educational institutions, and businesses.

"This is one of the best times to live because we've got government, we've got education, and we've got manufacturing working together for a common goal. That was not always the case," Rochelo said.

Ash also spent time with Tyer to discuss their shared vision for Pittsfield, during which the mayor said she was able to "showcase some of our assets."

"There are opportunities for economic development in Pittsfield. I share with the mayor her vision of economic development and am excited about that. There is a tremendous amount of opportunity there and we need to find the right combination of local permitting and state policy that can help advance the agenda," Ash said.

Despite what the future economic development and manufacturing may be, the award ceremony on Tuesday was a reminder that these companies are operating here and contributing to the economic landscape already.

"I'm very, very privileged. You never really stop and think about what you are doing. You just put your shoulder to the stone and keep going. We're privileged to be recognized like that, especially a state award like that," Rochelo said of the award.

Farley-Bouvier said the award was determined by the 50 or so Legislatures who serve on the manufacturing caucus. She had nominated Apex.

"October is manufacturing month and we wanted to tell the story of the manufacturers we have here in the commonwealth and the great work they are doing," Farley-Bouvier said. "We wanted to show the rest of the companies what one company can do and help inspire them to do other things."

The mayor echoed those sentiments from her perspective, saying "it's very exciting that a Pittsfield company is the first award winner. It is really special and I am very happy that Don has received it. He's been in the trenches for a long time and there is a lot to show for that hard work."
Alexandra Bernard is presented the Superintendent's Certificate of Excellence by Barbara Malkas. Alexandra poses with her parents, Tom and Jennifer Bernard, and her grandparents Tom and Jane Bernard, both former teachers. PreviousNext

Drury High Senior Earns Top Academic Award



Molly Polk of Williams College explains some of the elementary school programs students at Williams are participating in.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Drury High School senior Alexandra Bernard was presented with this year's Superintendent's Award for her academic achievements.



The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents' Certificate of Academic Excellence is given to the highest ranking high school senior within a district.



"Alexandra is a worthy nominee," said Superintendent Barbara Malkas at Tuesday's School Committee meeting.



Bernard, daughter of Thomas and Jennifer Bernard of North Adams, has taken honors classes and six Advanced Placement classes.



"She not only has the highest [grade point average] in the senior class but she has been an active member of both band and theater, and the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program," Malkas said in presenting her with the certificate.



She is also band president and vice president of the Student Council and plans to attend college in Boston to pursue a career in health care management.



"You never get to any place of greatness by yourself," Malkas told her in acknowledging the support of her parents and of her paternal grandparents, Tom and Jane Bernard, "who have collectively contributed 68 years of educational service to our district."



In regular business on Tuesday, the committee endorsed the district's pursuit of a state Efficiency and Regionalization Grant Program that will allow it to develop a regionalized shared-services program for special education students within Northern Berkshire needing more intensive programs. The proposed collaborative could gain up to $200,000 of the $2 million being dispersed.



"Whenever we have a student who rises to an intensive level of need, our options are at minimum a 45-minute commute ... over the mountain for them to get to school," she said, adding that special education placement can weigh heavily on a district because of "not only the private tuition cost, but the transportation cost for sending a student that far for services."



Having already seen the results of working with a collaborative during her time in the Webster schools, Malkas said there is the potential for hundreds of thousands in savings while also serving students and their families closer to home and "positively impacting the quality of education for all students."



Malkas said superintendents of the other four districts and their directors of student support and special education are very interested in making this work. The grant application will be built on the agreements with the Collaborative for Educational Services of Northampton, which will "step back" as the Northern Berkshire group takes the lead if the grant is approved.



The program will have to be "turnkey" within a year of being awarded, which would give the districts a deadline of Jan. 1, 2018, to have a shared-services program in place.
Governor Brown Statement on Death of Fresno County Sheriffs Sergeant Rod Lucas

Sacramento, California - Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued the following statement regarding the death of Fresno County Sheriffs Sergeant Rod Lucas:

Anne and I extend our deepest sympathies to Sergeant Lucas family, friends and colleagues as they mourn this tragic loss. We join all Californians in honoring his dedication and service to the people of Fresno.

Sergeant Lucas, 46, was fatally shot while on duty yesterday in Fresno when a gun was accidentally discharged. He was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. The incident is under investigation.

Sergeant Lucas served with the Fresno County Sheriffs Office for 20 years and is survived by his wife, four children and one grandchild.

In honor of Sergeant Lucas, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.
California Proposition 51 School Bonds Funding and Community College Facilities Initiative

Sacramento, California - California Proposition 51 School Bonds Funding and Community College Facilities Initiative

Authorizes $9 billion in general obligation bonds for new construction and modernization of K12 public school facilities; charter schools and vocational education facilities; and California Community Colleges facilities. Fiscal Impact: State costs of about $17.6 billion to pay off both the principal ($9 billion) and interest ($8.6 billion) on the bonds. Payments of about $500 million per year for 35 years.

WHAT YOUR VOTE MEANS

YES: A YES vote on this measure means: The state could sell $9 billion in general obligation bonds for education facilities ($7 billion for K12 public school facilities and $2 billion for community college facilities).

NO: A NO vote on this measure means: The state would not have the authority to sell new general obligation bonds for K12 public school and community college facilities.

ARGUMENTS

PRO: Our children deserve safe schools where they can learn, but many schools and community colleges need repairs to meet health and safety standards. Prop. 51 will fix deteriorating schools, upgrade classrooms, and provide job-training facilities for veterans and vocational education. All projects are accountable to local taxpayers.

CON: Prop. 51 was created for greedy developers to exploit taxpayers for profit. Prop. 51 stops legislators from providing fair school funding. Disadvantaged schools are left behind. Theres no improvement in taxpayer accountability. It does nothing to fight waste, fraud and abuse. Governor Brown opposes Prop. 51. Vote NO on 51.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FOR

Yes on Proposition 51

Californians for Quality Schools

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.californiansforqualityschools.com

AGAINST

G. Rick Marshall, Chief Financial Officer

California Taxpayers Action Network

621 Del Mar Avenue

Chula Vista, CA 91910

(310) 346-7425

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

StopProp51.org
California Proposition 57 Criminal Sentences Parole Juvenile Criminal Proceedings and Sentencing Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute

Sacramento, California - California Proposition 57 Criminal Sentences Parole Juvenile Criminal Proceedings and Sentencing Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute:

Allows parole consideration for nonviolent felons. Authorizes sentence credits for rehabilitation, good behavior, and education. Provides juvenile court judge decides whether juvenile will be prosecuted as adult. Fiscal Impact: Net state savings likely in the tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on implementation. Net county costs of likely a few million dollars annually.

WHAT YOUR VOTE MEANS

YES A YES vote on this measure means: Certain state prison inmates convicted of nonviolent felony offenses would be considered for release earlier than otherwise. The state prison system could award additional sentencing credits to inmates for good behavior and approved rehabilitative or educational achievements. Youths must have a hearing in juvenile court before they could be transferred to adult court.

NO A NO vote on this measure means: There would be no change to the inmate release process. The state's prison system could not award additional sentencing credits to inmates. Certain youths could continue to be tried in adult court without a hearing in juvenile court.

ARGUMENTS

PRO California public safety leaders and victims of crime support Proposition 57the Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016because Prop. 57 focuses resources on keeping dangerous criminals behind bars, while rehabilitating juvenile and adult inmates and saving tens of millions of taxpayer dollars. YES on Prop. 57.

CON

Vote NO on 57 because it:

Authorizes EARLY RELEASE of violent criminals, including those who RAPE unconscious victims.

Authorizes immediate release for 16,000 dangerous criminals, even convicted murderers.

Amends the California Constitution; takes rights away from victims; grants more rights to criminals. Vote NO on 57.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FOR

AGAINST
California Proposition 59 Corporations Political Spending Federal Constitutional Protections Legislative Advisory Question

Sacramento, California - California Proposition 59 Corporations Political Spending Federal Constitutional Protections Legislative Advisory Question:

Asks whether California's elected officials should use their authority to propose and ratify an amendment to the federal Constitution overturning the United States Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. Citizens United ruled that laws placing certain limits on political spending by corporations and unions are unconstitutional. Fiscal Impact: No direct fiscal effect on state or local governments.

Shall California's elected officials use all of their constitutional authority, including, but not limited to, proposing and ratifying one or more amendments to the United States Constitution, to overturn Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) 558 U.S. 310, and other applicable judicial precedents, to allow the full regulation or limitation of campaign contributions and spending, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of wealth, may express their views to one another, and to make clear that corporations should not have the same constitutional rights as human beings?

WHAT YOUR VOTE MEANS

YES A YES vote on this measure means: Voters would be asking their elected officials to use their constitutional authority to seek increased regulation of campaign spending and contributions. As an advisory measure, Proposition 59 does not require any particular action by the Congress or California Legislature.

NO A NO vote on this measure means: Voters would not be asking their elected officials to seek certain changes in the regulation of campaign spending and contributions.

ARGUMENTS

PRO Vote YES on Prop. 59 to tell Congress we want big money out of politics and overturn misguided Supreme Court rulings saying unlimited campaign spending is free speech and that corporations have the same constitutional rights as real people. Send a message to Congress that we'll hold them accountable.

CON The Legislature should stop wasting taxpayer dollars by putting donothing measures on the ballot that ask Congress to overturn the Supreme Court. Instead of wasting time and money on donothing ballot measures, politicians in Sacramento should focus on transparency and bringing jobs to California. Proposition 59 DOES NOTHING. Vote NO!

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FOR

AGAINST
Antigua and Barbuda Independence Day

Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Antigua and Barbuda on the 35th anniversary of your nations independence today.

The United States values its longstanding friendship with you and looks forward to continued cooperation between our countries in support of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and our shared commitment to sustainable development, human rights, environmental conservation, and equal opportunity for all. The inscription in July 2016 of the Antigua Naval Dockyard as a UNESCO World Heritage site is a valuable reminder of the shameful institution of slavery and a testament to the role played by the African diaspora within the rich history of your nation.

On this special day, I wish you all a future of happiness, prosperity, and peace.
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In Danse Macabre, his study of horror, Stephen King describes Wait Until Dark (1967) as the scariest movie ever made, and hails Alan Arkins performance in the film as maybe the greatest evocation of screen villainy ever.

Wait Until Dark, like Rope or Sleuth, is a suspense thriller that started life as a stage play and is set largely in a single location. Audrey Hepburn plays Susy, a recently blinded woman terrorised by a trio of thugs as they search for a heroin-stuffed doll they believe is located in her New York apartment. The enjoyable Don't Breathe, a recent release, had a similar premise but turned the tables by ensuring the blind victim was a far less vulnerable figure than Hepburn.

Wait Until Dark Director Terence Young, best known for his work on the early James Bond films, ratchets up the tension expertly and there is no danger of us rooting for anyone but Hepburn as the helpless figure with the odds stacked against her. Despite receiving an Oscar nomination for her troubles, the actress did not make another film until 1976 in order to focus on raising her children.

Arkin is terrifying as the central antagonist, slipping between characters in an attempt to confuse the blind heroine and make off with the drugs. As the film reaches its denouement, Susy levels the playing field by turning off the lights in her apartment one by one. In an ingenious ploy, the filmmakers put out a trailer declaring: During the last eight minutes of this picture the theatre will be darkened to the legal limit, to heighten the terror of the breathtaking climax which takes place in nearly total darkness on the screen.

This is an innovative and compelling psychological horror with excellent performances from Hepburn and Arkin that are essential in enabling us to suspend our disbelief when confronted with the occasional plot hole. A superior chiller, and one that ought to be considered a Halloween staple.
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The first instalment of the Harry Potter spin-off franchise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, is yet to hit screens; yet, Warner Bros. is already hyping up expectations for the second in what's been announced as a five-film series.

Deadline has announced that Johnny Depp has joined the Wizarding World, making a brief cameo in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them ahead of joining its sequel in an undisclosed role.

Apparently, Depp's role is quite hard to spot in Fantastic Beasts, but eagle-eyed viewers will hopefully be able to figure out who he might be playing in the second film; and what aid or dangers he may pose to our hero Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne).

With director David Yates having revealed the sequel will take place in Paris, should we be expecting an Inspector Clouseau-esque accent from Depp for this film?

The first Fantastic Beasts sees Eddie Redmayne's young wizard Newt Scamander arrive in 1920s New York with a sense of adventure in his heart, and an obsession with magical beasties. However, an unfortunate incident with his case containing all his finest specimens unleashes said beasts onto an unknowing muggle population, threatening to tear the fabric of magical/non-magical society apart.

 Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them - Latest Trailer

The film also stars Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton, Jon Voight, Ron Perlman, Carmen Ejogo, Jenn Murray, Faith Wood-Blagrove and Colin Farrell. Waterston has recently spoken about her character, Magical Congress employee Tina, promising fans that she'll be "nothing like Hermione".

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hits UK cinemas 18 November.
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Its brilliant, she says. There are so few dedicated places for composers to work, and even then you just get a desk and a piano. Im used to making music in my bedroom, going nutty sitting in my pyjamas. But you need a proper room for electronics. So I love coming to work. I can bring my packed lunch!

Unwittingly or not, Meredith offered the perfect snapshot into the two distinct strands of her creative life. Having long since conquered the classical field  a former Composer in Residence for the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Froms, her 2008 Last Night of the Proms composition, was simultaneously performed by five symphony orchestras across the UK to over 40 million people  2016 has seen Meredith become an intriguing, and unique, crossover success. Varmints, her debut album, is a bold, expressive avant dance-pop record unlike anything else this year. Merging electronics with acoustic instrumentation (tuba, clarinet, cello) it takes its cue equally from synth-pop, industrial noise, techno, arcade video games and, yes, sweeping orchestration, using the same building blocks of rhythm and harmony that underwrites her classical work. I know people define things by instruments, but I hear the structure, she says. I wanted to create a story, so it had to have shape, build up here, have a pallet cleanser here, keep the energy there. People talk a lot about genre but to me, Im just transferring my skill set.

Dizzying in its scope, Varmints was rightly rewarded with the Scottish Album of the Year in June. You hope its not for nothing, Id be lying if I say dont care if people like it. She laughs. Im not that nice a person!



All the clues of Merediths playful restlessness were already evident: in the often staid classical world, she would take on projects that baffled her contemporaries. Shes written music for MRI scanners in Suffolk, park benches in Hong Kong and sleeping pods in Singapore; soundtracked Pradas 2015 spring/summer collection, performed on the M6 and, with Handsfree, made use of the National Youth Orchestra for a pioneering body percussion piece.

Venturing into the pop world, though, was a braver step still. As Meredith admits, the direction of travel is usually the other way, with bands looking to add substance to their repertoire by association. For Meredith, it was simply a case of extending herself. Ive not got a problem with the classical music industry. I still love my commissions. It was a desire to broaden my own scope. I didnt want to be just a composer.

The move from symphony to synths wasnt the result of a 2am nightclub epiphany, or a sudden discovery of dance music: Meredith says she doesnt listen to other music. I found that I would end up doing a really watered-down version of whatever it was I got into. Id be like, listen to this amazing James Blake track and then Id end up doing a shit James Blake track. People say to me, youve clearly heard this or, this reminds me so much of this and Ive genuinely never heard any of these things.

It was more a slow process to add something more visceral to her output. It took a long time to pluck up the courage and believe in my own skills and find what worked, she admits. It was about doing the truest version of something that you can.

The desire for control, something the classical world seldom affords, also drove her forwards. I wanted complete autonomy, she says. When you write electronics you own from start to finish the entire product and answer to nobody. With classical the hardest thing is that you work on something for months, it gets performed once and theres often no recording of it. Its just one moment in time, which is a hard thing to sit with. If somebody sits during this thing that youve spent months and months doing and thinks about what they need from Sainsburys on the way home, its hard to work out if it was worth it. And then the worst thing you can ever say to a composer after a one-off event is, so whats next? she laughs. Just for one night can we act like this was the best thing youve ever heard that changed peoples lives?

Self-sufficiency came in many forms. Meredith hadnt sung since her school days in Edinburgh (she lived on the outskirts in South Queensferry), where she was a geeky kid in an edgy school with a good music department that became a haven. That was, until her 2012 debut EP Black Prince Fury. I have a five-year-old boys voice, but its about accountability. Its my thing, so if anyone was to sing it was me. Lyrics, too, were a new concern. I was very worried about being pretentious. Ive heard people say its all head and no heart, but thats not true. You might think its academic, but its written with real visceral instinctiveness.

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Perhaps the greatest challenge was getting the album made at all: Meredith was stunned at the cost of funding Varmints. I had a quite Nineties idea of a record deal, she says with a regretful smile. The interesting misconception from the classical side is that there is money in this. They are like, oh youre doing some commercial stuff now. Theres no money in this! My commissions fund this stuff.

That balance Meredith now straddles between pop and Prom is hers alone. She says there have been few issues with her classical peers (the people who are like that probably werent that into my classical stuff in the first place) despite her increased profile that saw her asked to arrange Marc Almonds versions of Starman and Life on Mars at Julys BBC Bowie Prom at the Royal Albert Hall. I wasnt massively into Bowie before, I wasnt like, Oh my God when he died, but some people hate that youve tampered with greatness.

Juggling classical commissions which pay the bills with 35 gigs with her live ensemble (wed only done two a year before now so its been enjoyable but its been a slog) is still a novelty, but doing both has convinced Meredith that the gap between her twin creative outlets is narrowing.

There are lots of different things about standing, sitting, etiquette, volume, but that is superficial, she says. Im really chuffed some people have said to me I was the first concert theyve ever been too because theyd seen me at a band gig. Similarly, people into orchestral stuff have come to their first ever gigs. More and more people are less fussed about where you come from. And thats a good thing, isnt it?

Varmints is out now. Anna Meredith is on tour and headlines London Scala on 23 November
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Intriguing Danish duo AyOwA are new to the electronic scene but it seems that they'll make their mark soon enough.

Their debut single 'Sommer' was picked up by radio over, well... summer, and we're now premiering their new track/video for 'Newcross', which was inspired by and filmed in south London.

Check it out below:

Q&A with AyOwA

What are you listening to at the moment

Were very much into the Norwegian artist Jenny Hval at the moment - noisy but soft, and evocative vocals that takes us back to PJ Harvey.

Cocteau Twins is a band both of us keep coming back to, Flying Lotus has such an inspiring sound that we draw much inspiration from, and John Grant is always a favorite. Biggi Veira, of Icelandic band Gus Gus, who produced John Grants fantastic 2013 album Pale Green Ghosts, is currently mixing our forthcoming EP. We're so happy to be working with this eloquent artist.

What are your plans for 2017?

Were releasing an EP in the beginning of the year, followed by concerts and festivals- and we always spend a lot of time in the studio- we feel its our second home!

We are very grateful that people outside of Denmark are starting to listen to our music, and we will extend touring to the UK in the new year.

What was the first gig you ever played and whats been the best so far?

Our first gig was in a Copenhagen club called AMOC - great underground 70s inspired and really fun club night. We were extremely underpractised and overly happy about it!

Our most important gig was probably at Spot Festival (Scandinavian equivalent of SxSW ) this year- many people whom we started working with afterwards came to see us there.
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Having been in retirement for almost a year, Jon Stewart finally returned to Late Night TV earlier to talk about the one and only, Donald Trump.

The comedian took over The Late Show with Stephen Colbert for a ten-minute segment in which he blasted the Republican candidate and Fox news presenter Sean Hannity.

Highlights include the ex-Daily Show presenter calling out Hannity for hypocrisy, addressing Trump supporters, and not knowing who Kanye West, Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian are.

Read the full transcript below.

Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Show all 14 1 /14 Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Isis: "Some of the candidates, they went in and didnt know the air conditioner didnt work and sweated like dogs, and they didnt know the room was too big because they didnt have anybody there. How are they going to beat ISIS?" Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On immigration: "I will build a great wall  and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me and Ill build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Free Trade: "Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." PAUL J. RICHARDS | AFP | Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Mexicans: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists." Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On China: "I just sold an apartment for $15 million to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike them?... I love China. The biggest bank in the world is from China. You know where their United States headquarters is located? In this building, in Trump Tower." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On work: "If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable." AP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On success: "What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate." Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On life: "Everything in life is luck." AFP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On ambition: "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On his opponents: "Bush is totally in favour of Common Core. I don't see how he can possibly get the nomination. He's weak on immigration. He's in favour of Common Core. How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can't do it." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Obamacare: "You have to be hit by a tractor, literally, a tractor, to use it, because the deductibles are so high. It's virtually useless. And remember the $5 billion web site?... I have so many web sites, I have them all over the place. I hire people, they do a web site. It costs me $3." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Barack Obama: "Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him. I have the best courses in the world. I have one right next to the White House." PA Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On himself: "Love him or hate him, Trump is a man who is certain about what he wants and sets out to get it, no holds barred. Women find his power almost as much of a turn-on as his money." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On America: "The American Dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before and we will make America great again." GETTY

Well, the conventions over. I thought Donald Trump was going to speak. Ivanka said that he was going to come out. She said he was really compassionate and generous, but then this angry groundhog came out and he just vomited on everybody for an hour.

The Republicans appear to have a very clear plan for America, and theyve articulated it throughout the convention. One, jail your political opponent. Two, inject Rudy Giuliani with a speedball and Red Bull enema. Three, spend the rest of the time scaring the holy bejeezus out of everybody. But Im not interested in that. Im actually interested in gymnastics.

With the Rio Olympics coming up, Im enjoying the gymnastics portion of the program thats about to occur. That would be the contortions that many conservatives will now have to do, to embrace Donald J. Trump, a man who clearly embodies the things that they have, for years, said that they have hated about Barack Obama.

(Clip of Fox News presenters calling Barak Obama thin-skinned, straightforwardly authoritarian, and a raging narcissistic who has no grip on reality.)

Yes. A thin-skinned narcissist with no government experience. Yes, that sounds exactly like Barack Obama. So now the right-wing medias going to have to spend 24 hours a day, seven days a week, justifying this choice theyve made. Can they make the turn? They already are. Lets trace their journey through the eyes of one of their most talented gymnasts.

(Photograph shown of Sean Hannity.)

Uhhhh, his name escapes me. Lets just refer to him as Lumpy. Hey, Lumpy. For instance, heres how Lumpy felt about Barack Obamas divisiveness.

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(Clips of Hannity calling Obama the most divisive president in history, bringing up black vs white, racial lines)

Cats versus dogs! Batman versus Superman!

(Photographs of Taylor Swift, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.)

That one against the other two! Ive been out of the business a while, I dont know what that is. If you dont like divisiveness, what about when Trump suggested Mexico is sending us their rapists?

(Clip of Hannity explaining how Trump didnt call all Mexicans rapists)

Youre right, and on Cinco de Mayo, we had the Trump Tower taco bowl, and thats one of the healing-est meals on the Trump Tower menu. Im not an expert on racial unity. But I do believe that some of our more vaunted historical leaders in that area did retweet white supremacists less than Trump. So I believe Im just saying. Then there was the Obama crony that Lumpy couldnt stand. His old friend, Teleprompty.

(Clip of Hannity saying Obama cant read a sentence without using a teleprompter.)

He probably sleeps with the darn thing and then probably doesnt call it the next day because it didnt say so on the teleprompter. Lumpy, your 180, please.

(Clip of Hannity praising Trumps use of teleprompters.)

[Shouting] You hate teleprompters! Youre saying now, Teleprompters are for stupid people, and I thought Trump handled it pretty good. O.K., inexperience aside. Divisiveness aside. The worst thing about Barack Obama is his elitism.

(Clip of Hannity asking the audience we have to wonder how in touch Obama is because he has a $1 million home and ordering a burger with Dijon mustard.)

Yeah, you elitist! You probably eat that burger with your mouth instead of acting like a real American and having a Magnum fire it up your ass. Like they serve them at Arbys. Thats how they serve them, actually, at Arbys, they shoot them right up your ass. Meanwhile, heres how Lumpy feels about the guy who sits in a literal golden throne at the top of a golden tower with his name in gold letters at the top of it, eating pizza with a knife and fork. How do you feel about that guy?

(Clip of Hannity describing Mr. Trump as a blue-collar billionaire.)

Thats not a thing. You know what? It is true, Trump does seem like the kind of guy you want sit down and own a fleet of airplanes with. Look, all that stuff is actually superficial and Im sure its easy for people without ethics or principles to embrace someone who embodies everything that they said they hated about the previous president for the past eight years. Because, really for a president, its about whats inside. And thats where Lumpy and friends, this is where they really have found the president lacking.

(Clip of Hannity criticising the Rev. Wright Jr. and saying he would not go to his church.)

Obama would. Hes the type of Christian thats, you know, [whispers] not Christian. When the pope said that Trumps talk about immigration was not Christian, surely that gave Lumpy pause.

(Clip of Hannity asking how the pope can decide who is a real Christian at heart.)

Yeah. Who died and made that guy pope? So lets just say, for real, heres where we are. Either Lumpy and his friends are lying about being bothered by thin-skinned, authoritarian, less-than-Christian readers-of-prompter being president. Or they dont care, as long as its their thin-skinned prompter-authoritarian-tyrant-narcissist. You just want that person to give you your country back. Because you feel that youre this countrys rightful owners.

Theres only one problem with that. This country isnt yours. You dont own it. It never was. There is no real America. You dont own it. You dont own patriotism. You dont own Christianity. You sure as hell dont own respect for the bravery and sacrifice of military, police and firefighters.

Trust me. I saw a lot of people on the convention floor in Cleveland with their blue lives matter rhetoric, who either remained silent or actively fought against the 9/11 first responders bill reauthorisation. I see you and I see your [audio cuts out, Colbert appears from beneath the desk to whisper something to him].

Were live. [Colbert gives audience thumbs up] Never been on a television show with stakes before. So I see you. Youve got a problem with those Americans fighting for their place at the table. Youve got a problem with that because you feel like  whats Representative Steve Kings word for it? Subgroups of Americans are being divisive. Well, if you have a problem with that, take it up with the founders. We hold these truths to be self-evident. [Singing.] That all men are created equal. Respect, Lin-Manuel. Those fighting to be included in the ideal of equality are not being divisive. Those fighting to keep those people out are. So, Lumpy, you and your friends have embraced Donald Trump. Clearly, the c next to your names dont stand for constitutional or conservative. But cravenly, convenient [Colbert interrupts with an air horn.]
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Microsoft has released a new chat program meant to let colleagues talk to each other.

The app will allow people to chat as well as to work together on documents at the same time, in a way similar to Google Docs.

But its main competitor will be apps like Slack and Hipchat, which are both instant messaging services that have taken over many connected offices.

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

Called Microsoft Teams, the company's new app is built into its Office 365 software, which is a version of popular work apps like Word, PowerPoint and Excel that is hosted in the cloud. People can work on those projects within the new program, using all of those apps.

But they'll also be able to use updated features that allow people to share emoji, GIFs and stickers within their conversations. They'll also be able to have voice and video calls.

The software will be a direct competitor to Slack, the chat-based software aimed at groups of workers that launched in 2013.

Recommended Read more Microsoft Office 2016 has been released

Ahead of Microsoft's announcement, the firm placed a full back-page advert in Wednesday's New York Times in which Slack said it was "genuinely excited to have some competition".

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said Teams was aimed at improving the way people communicate when working.

"At Microsoft we aim to empower every person and organisation with the technology to be more productive as individuals and in groups," he said.

"Office 365 is the broadest toolkit and platform for creation, communication and collaboration. Microsoft Teams adds a new experience to Office 365 as the chat-based workspace designed to empower the art of teams."

Microsoft revealed last week that Office 365 now has 85 million monthly active users.

Additional reporting by Press Association
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If youre reading this in a comfortable chair, surrounded by tasteful soft furnishings and perhaps even a candle or two, that sense of cosiness youre feeling might just be hygge.

The latest fashionable export from Denmark, following on from interior design and high-quality television drama, hygge is the Scandinavian countrys latest gift to the world.

But this particular export is a concept. Roughly described as a feeling of cosy contentment, tips on how to achieve a sense of hygge fill lifestyle and fashion magazines. As is often the case with lifestyle concepts, an older cultural practice has been commodified. Real hygge can happen anywhere: in Denmark or somewhere else, alone or in company, indoors or outdoors, with or without candles, hand-knitted socks and stylish furniture.

And after a turbulent, less-than-cosy year, its not hard to grasp why hygge has usurped mindfulness as the wellbeing trend of the moment. As one commentator has observed, hygge is a soothing balm for the traumas of 2016.

Hygge is also hitting the lifestyle supplements at a time when the idea of Denmark as the worlds happiest nation lingers in the collective imagination. The Danish Tourist Board has not been slow to leverage this reputation for the purposes of nation-branding, diagnosing Denmarks chronic state of contentment as an effect of the welfare state, high levels of social trust, and of course hygge as a lifestyle.

This small northern European nation has emerged as a safe, familiar and yet aspirational kind of foreign; the kind of foreign that can capture our attention with a notionally untranslatable and distinctive looking word. A word that can easily be dressed up as a philosophy and a set of lifestyle choices complex enough to inspire a dozen Christmas stocking-filler books (and counting).

Shiny hyggelige people (Shutterstock)

Splashing out on felt slippers, scented candles and gourmet beverages in a frenzy of consumerism can be rationalised as an investment in our emotional wellbeing. And while hygge is often defined in such gorgeously designed books as enjoying the simple, homemade, hand crafted things in life, consumerism is integral to the contemporary use of the term in Denmark, too. Lifestyle supplements and manufacturers make liberal use of the term in their advertising, especially as the nights draw in at this time of year, and candles begin to appear on the doorsteps of Copenhagen shops and cafes.

It is as a noun that hygge has made its way into foreign lifestyle pages, but the Danes are just as likely to use the concept as an adjective or verb. The Danish dictionary traces the verb form back to the Old Norse "hyggja" and Old English "hycgan", whereas the modern meaning (to comfort or give joy) comes from Norwegian. But the word peppers contemporary Danish conversation in ways that are highly context-specific. Compound nouns can indicate seasonal variations with associated activities ("julehygge" at Christmas or "paskehygge" at Easter, for example).

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. 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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. 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The Danes trademark fine sense of irony can also easily re-purpose hygge as a euphemism for alcohol abuse or other forms of overindulgence. "Hyggelig(t)", the adjective, can be used to mean cosy or enjoyable, but in some contexts is closer to the English nice, damning with faint praise.

The verb form, at hygge sig, is often used as a casual goodbye  "kan du hygge dig": have fun, or all the best. "At hygge sig med"  to do hygge with someone  can simply mean to enjoy a fun or cosy experience together, but can also serve as a euphemism for more intimate activities.

Hygge seems to be the hardest word

That outlandish sequence of the letters y, g and e has spawned many an opening gambit to an article. In the introduction to his hilarious The Little Book of Hygge, Meik Wiking tests out hooga, hhyooguh and heurgh before reassuring the reader that the term can only be felt, not spelt. The otherwise beautifully designed cover of Louisa Thomsen Brits book Hygge: The Danish Art of Living Well features a pronunciation guide (hue-gah) which, one Dane of my acquaintance remarked, is a much closer approximation of the sound made the morning after a night of too much hygge than it is the phonetic transcription ("hyg").

More egregious is the attempt by one Daily Mail headline writer to rhyme hygge with snug. Indeed, if theres one thing guaranteed to thwart a trainee hyggethusiasts evening of hygge, its a fruitless struggle to pronounce the word. In fact, the angst that strikes new learners when they discover just how tenuous is the relationship between written and spoken Danish can be characterised by adding a negative prefix to create the conceptual opposite of hygge  "uhygge"  a feeling of fright or unease.

Perhaps the tension between hygge and uhygge is at the heart of this latest craze. After all, fans of Danish television drama spent much of the last five years peering into the stylish Copenhagen apartments and cosy provincial homes featured in The Killing, Borgen and The Bridge. Based as it is on emotional as well as material comforts, hygge is a gift to the screenwriter and set designer.

In fiction as in real life, then, hygge is the perfect foil for unspeakable crimes  and the perfect antidote to uhyggelige times.

This article first appeared on The Conversation (theconversation.com). Claire Thomson is a senior lecturer in Scandinavian film, at UCL
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A baby and two children were among a group of 15 suspected migrants found by police in a chilled potato lorry in Worstead, Norfolk.

Police were called after the desperate group was discovered at the Albert Bartlett potato factory on Tuesday.

The lorry had reportedly travelled from Spain, delivering sweet potatoes to be processed at the factory, which makes chips and roast potatoes.

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The migrants pushed sweet potatoes out of a hole in the lorry try to alert people to their presence, according to the Eastern Daily Press.

A Norfolk Police spokesman said: "On attendance, officers found 15 people, including a baby and two children, in the container. They will be dealt with by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Agency in due course."

The 15 were assessed at the scene by paramedics and a man was treated for a hand injury, but nobody required hospital attention.

The lorry driver, whose nationality is unknown, has been arrested on suspicion of facilitation.

The Independent has approached the Albert Bartlett factory for comment.

It comes as French authorites begin moving 1,500 migrant children from the "Jungle" camp in Calais.

They will be taken to centres around the country where their individual cases will be assessed, including by UK officials.

Many of the children had been living in shipping containers in the camp while they attempted to find a way into the UK.

France has consistently urged the UK to take in more of the child refugees but the British government has so far resisted pressure to do so. It is unknown whether the suspected migrants discovered in Norfolk had boarded the lorry in France or Spain.
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Facebook has blocked one of Britains biggest insurance companies from looking at peoples Facebook posts to price their car insurance premiums.

Admiral Insurance designed an algorithm to rate drivers for safe traits such as conscientiousness or organisation, based on how they interact with their friends and family on social media.

Under the new system, customers judged by the the companys computer to have reckless personalities were set to pay higher premiums than those deemed to be safe drivers.

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But Facebook has said the app will be in breach of its terms if it uses personal data to set prices.

A Facebook spokeperson said: Protecting the privacy of the people on Facebook is of utmost importance to us. We have clear guidelines that prevent information being obtained from Facebook from being used to make decisions about eligibility.

We have made sure anyone using this app is protected by our guidelines and that no Facebook user data is used to assess their eligibility. Facebook accounts will only be used for login and verification purposes.

Our understanding is that Admiral will then ask users who sign up to answer questions which will be used to assess their eligibility.

Admiral said reading social media posts allows it to judge how big a risk customers pose. Those who write lists, set a concrete time and place to meet friends and write in short, specific sentences, could be deemed to have the personality of a safer driver, the company suggested.

Conversely, excessive use of exclamation marks could be seen by the computer as overconfident, as could liberal use of words like always or never instead of the more measured, maybe.

Initially, only first-time drivers will be targeted by the pilot called firstcarquote, which is voluntary.

Yossi Borenstein, the principal data scientist behind the project told The Guardian that the system could be revolutionary. It could be truly transformational.

He added: Our analysis is not based on any one specific model, but rather on thousands of different combinations of likes, words and phrases and is constantly changing with new evidence that we obtain from the data. As such our calculations reflect how drivers generally behave on social media, and how predictive that is, as opposed to fixed assumptions about what a safe driver may look like.

Privacy campaigners have said the move is part of a drive to gather increasingly personal data about people and questioned whether it would be effective or even legal.

If you are messy, does that make you an erratic driver?, asked Renate Samson, chief executive of Big Brother Watch. If youre clean and tidy and dont go to parties does that make you a good driver? Is a hot-head more likely to have a crash?

There are no historic answers to these questions, so why all of a sudden does a company think they can be answered by a computer?

Samson said she believed the innovation was a ploy to get young people to hand over even more of their data. The insurance companies think all young people are happy to share everything online with businesses, but they are more savvy than that, Samson said. "People shouldn't have to hand over such personal information just to get a good deal on their insurance."

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. 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Laws to be introduced in 2018 prevent companies from using personal data to build a profile of users. The full details of firstcarquote arent yet known but mining peoples social media profiles to establish personality traits would apparently be banned.

The scheme may also breach Facebooks own privacy policy which says: Don't use data obtained from Facebook to make decisions about eligibility, including whether to approve or reject an application or how much interest to charge on a loan.

The pilot, which was due to launch today but has been delayed while Admiral addresses what it describes as a few outstanding issues.

The Independent has contacted Admiral Insurance for comment.
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Nissans decision to build new cars in Britain will not be enough to persuade other businesses to remain in the country following the Brexit vote, one of Japans top business strategists has said.

The car manufacturer announced last week it would build two new models at its Sunderland plant, following government support and assurances.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the announcement was fantastic news, adding: This vote of confidence shows Britain is open for business.

But Kenichi Ohmae said investment in Britain will decline in the wake of the referendum result and said he is advising companies to hold fire on similar decisions.

In an interview with BBC Newsnight, Mr Ohmae said the deal between Nissan and the Government was a minor decision involving one company.

I don't think other companies will follow suit, he added.

Mr Ohmae advised Nissan to set up its main European plant in the UK in the early 1980s.

The warning comes after Business Secretary Greg Clark resisted calls to reveal the details of the Governments agreements with the Japanese car giant Nissan following last week's announcement that the company will build the new Qashqai and the X-Trail SUV models at its plant in Sunderland, securing the future of 7,000 jobs.

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It also follows alarm from Haruki Hayashi, the president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in the UK and chief executive of Mitsubishi in the EU, who urged Britain to give more than general reassurances to Japanese firms or risk putting investment decisions at risk.

In September, a Japanese government taskforce delivered a warning to the UK in a 15-page document entitled Japans Message to the United Kingdom and the European Union.

It said: Uncertainty is a major concern for an economy; it evokes a sense of anxiety, causing volatility in markets, and results in the contraction of trade, investment and credit.

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

What Japanese businesses in Europe most wish to avoid is the situation in which that they are unable to discern clearly the way the Brexit negotiations are going, only grasping the whole picture at the last minute.
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JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has said his pub chain could stop selling European drinks brands unless EU leaders stop bullying Britain.

Mr Martin, who distributed 500,000 beer mats calling for the UK to leave the EU, accused European leaders such as Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel of adopting a hostile approach to Brexit negotiations. Mr Martin said his firm would buy less from European brewers if it is unable to agree on tariff-free transactions.

Recommended Read more Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin attacks Brexit critics again

He said: I dont think Wetherspoon or British buyers are in a weak position because we can switch from Swedish cider to British cider. So the people put in a weak position are the sellers and I think that is the paradox that has not been illustrated.

He added: According to press reports, Juncker told European business leaders in October not to negotiate with UK companies and to adopt an intransigent attitude. I would not advise any EU companies to follow that advice. If we, and companies like ours, are unable to agree on tariff-free transactions, it will inevitably result in a loss of business for European companies which have done nothing to deserve this outcome.

Mr Martin who donated 200,000 to the Leave campaign, has accused the IMF, the Bank of England and other major financial organisations of irresponsible doom-mongering, after the UK voted to leave the EU.

His latest comments came in a trading update for the first quarter ending 23 October. Wetherspoons' like-for-like sales were up by 3.5 per cent. However, the figure fell to 2.3 per cent for the last five weeks of the period.

The company added that it expects to be hit by higher costs in wages, business rates and repairs.

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

Mr Martin said: The company has made a reasonable start in the current year, but any forecasts for the full year are inevitably tentative, with nine months still to go  and the outlook for the current financial year is unchanged.
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Britain could suffer another credit rating downgrade if Prime Minister Theresa May fails to secure a deal allowing the UK to preserve core elements of its access to the EU single market after it leaves the bloc, ratings agency Moodys has warned.

Moodys downgraded its outlook on the UK to negative from stable the day after the EU referendum in June. The agency warned Britain's economic growth will be weaker, its economic policymaking may be diminished and the Government's fiscal strength reduced following the UKs decision to leave the EU.

In a report released on Wednesday, Moodys has said it will downgrade the UKs sovereign rating if Brexit leads to a loss of access to the single market, as this would materially damage growth.

Kathrin Muehlbronner, senior vice-president at Moodys Investors Service, said: We would downgrade the UKs sovereign rating if the outcome of the negotiations with the EU was a loss of access to the Single Market as this would materially damage its medium-term growth prospects.

A second trigger for a downgrade would be if we were to conclude that the credibility of the UKs fiscal policy had been tarnished as a result of Brexit or other reasons.

Put simply, the closer the UKs new trade relationship with the EU resembles the current privileged access, the more limited the conomic impact of Brexit will be for the UK and vice versa.

Moodys currently rates the UK as AA1, which is the second-highest rating.

Tusk Warns UK There Can Be No Single Market 'A La Carte

The agency said the loss of passporting rights, which allow financial services to sell their services freely across the rest of the EU and give firms based in Europe unfettered access to Britain, would be credit negative but not sufficient to prompt a downgrade.

The greatest impact would be felt through higher costs and increased inefficiency as companies restructure, leading to reduced profitability for some time, Ms Muehlbronner said.

Moodys current baseline expectation is that the UK will eventually manage to enter some form of free trade agreement with the EU.

However, it said that such an outcome is far from certain and it does not expect to have clarity on the UKs objectives or its chances of achieving them, until the negotiations are under way in March next year.

Ms May has predicted difficult moments ahead in Brexit negotiations but said she is optimistic she can get a deal that is right for the UK.

She said she aimed to cement Britain as a close partner of the EU once we have left, with the country able to control its immigration but trade freely with the EU.

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

However, European politicians have dismissed claims that the UK could have its cake and eat it.

Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, said there could be no compromises on retaining benefits such as access to the single market and customs union, while rejecting the free movement of people.
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Coffee drinkers have slammed Starbucks for 'politicising coffee' with the chain's new 'community cups'.

The coffee giant began serving its popular holiday beverages such as the Chestnut Praline Latte, Caramel Brulee Latte, and Peppermint Mocha in its US stores on Tuesday.

Recommended Read more Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz endorses Hillary Clinton for president

However, instead of serving the drinks in its traditional red holiday cup, Starbucks opted for green takeaway cups featuring a mosaic of more than a hundred people drawn in one continuous stroke.

The release sparked uproar among US coffee fans, who took it to social media to complain.

One user tweeted: "My coffee should not (and does not) come with political brainwashing."

While another customer said he was "disgusted" with the companys "forced agenda."

Created by artist Shogo Ota, the artwork on the green cups is meant to symbolise shared human connection.

Starbucks explained the green cup has not actually been launched for Christmas but will be available for a limited time at Starbucks stores in the United States.

Howard Schultz, chairman and chief executive of Starbucks, said: "The green cup and the design represent the connections Starbucks has as a community with its partners (employees) and customers."

"During a divisive time in our country, Starbucks wanted to create a symbol of unity as a reminder of our shared values, and the need to be good to each other."

In September, Schultz has declared his support for Hillary Clinton, saying he remains optimistic about America despite effort by some politicians and the media to paint the nation with cloudiness and despair."

Starbucks is expected to launch its official festive red cups on November 10.
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The Chairman of China's largest private car maker, Zheijiang Geely Holding Group, has poured cold water on media speculation that his firm would buy Lotus Cars.

Li Shufu, who is the owner of the group, confirmed that Geely had been in talks with Lotus' Malaysian parent, which manufactures Proton cars two years ago over a possible partnership or technological cooperation but that there has never been any discussion about equity stakes and there was "no progress" since.

Mr Li said that he had read rumours about Geely and Lotus but that "as of today we have not made any arrangement."

The Geely group also owns Volvo, and the London Taxi Company. Currently Geely is planning a major investment in the Midlands to support a new generation electric cab, which will also be the base for an electric light van, which the company will export.

Asked if the vote for Brexit would affect their British interests Mr Li said that there would be "no impact" on trade between the UK and China. For Geely, he added, "there is no plan to change the decision for future investment".

Geely made around 1 million vehicles last year, generating some $2.5 billion in profit.
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Jon Stewart has kept a relatively low profile since retiring from his long-standing post as the acerbic and acutely funny stalwart of The Daily Show. But those who may have forgotten his ability to eviscerate his ideological foes were given a quick reminder during his Stand Up for Heroes performance on Tuesday evening.

Stewart took aim at Donald Trump a week before the US presidential elections and at a time when shifting polls are leaving both sides feeling jittery, particularly after an ABC poll showed the embattled Republican nominee creeping ahead of his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton with a one point lead. While such a narrow margin leaves the election too close to call at this stage, it also places the business mogul ahead for the first time since May.

Stewart urged the audience to use their vote carefully at the otherwise politically neutral fundraiser for wounded veterans in New York. His caution was preceded by a vignette about a time when Mr Trump began attacking Stewart on Twitter for being overrated and a phoney. In tweets Stewart described as toxic, Mr Trump suggested Stewart wasnt proud of his Jewish heritage because he changed his name from Jonathan Leibowitz.

Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Show all 14 1 /14 Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Isis: "Some of the candidates, they went in and didnt know the air conditioner didnt work and sweated like dogs, and they didnt know the room was too big because they didnt have anybody there. How are they going to beat ISIS?" Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On immigration: "I will build a great wall  and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me and Ill build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Free Trade: "Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." PAUL J. RICHARDS | AFP | Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Mexicans: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists." Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On China: "I just sold an apartment for $15 million to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike them?... I love China. The biggest bank in the world is from China. You know where their United States headquarters is located? In this building, in Trump Tower." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On work: "If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable." AP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On success: "What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate." Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On life: "Everything in life is luck." AFP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On ambition: "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On his opponents: "Bush is totally in favour of Common Core. I don't see how he can possibly get the nomination. He's weak on immigration. He's in favour of Common Core. How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can't do it." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Obamacare: "You have to be hit by a tractor, literally, a tractor, to use it, because the deductibles are so high. It's virtually useless. And remember the $5 billion web site?... I have so many web sites, I have them all over the place. I hire people, they do a web site. It costs me $3." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Barack Obama: "Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him. I have the best courses in the world. I have one right next to the White House." PA Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On himself: "Love him or hate him, Trump is a man who is certain about what he wants and sets out to get it, no holds barred. Women find his power almost as much of a turn-on as his money." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On America: "The American Dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before and we will make America great again." GETTY

Its a little something I entitled the day I woke up to find out somebody was tweeting weird s**t about me, he explained. "So, on 24 April 2013, at 11am, somebody comes into my office and says, Donald Trump just tweeted: I promise you Im much smarter than Jonathan Lebowitz, I mean Jon Stewart, who by the way is totally over rated.'

So I start to think to myself, oh, I think this guy is trying to let people know Im a Jew, Stewart continued, recalling how the tweets from Mr Trumps account became increasingly bizarre.

Watch the full video below:

A tweet from Mr Trump's official account added:

Stewart eventually retaliated:

The man who will more than likely, given the FBIs preference, be our next president, then tweeted, Amazing how the haters and losers keep tweeting the name F**k Face Von Clownstick.

What happened, as it turned out, was a lot of people had picked up on the name F**k Face Von Clownstick and began tweeting it at him.

After four days of radio silence, Stewart said Mr Trump's account finally responded to his subsequent tweet about hitting a von nerve stick with a p***y comment, a response that now carries more significance in light of the lewd grab her by the p***y" remarks which threatened to derail his bid for president.

I s**t you not," said Stewart. "Perhaps the next president of the greatest country in the world, at 1.30 in the morning, tweeted, Little Jon Stewart (?) is a p***y and would be hopeless in a debate with me.

Since Stewart's departure Mr Trump still has to contend with being mercilessly parodied by John Oliver, the host of Last Week Tonight, his satirical deconstruction of Mr Trumps claims the election is being rigged being a recent case in point.

But Stewart had one final warning before leaving the stage on Tuesday evening: Vote wisely this 8 November.
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Miranda Kerr has described how she fell into a "bad depression after her marriage to Orlando Bloom ended.

The model and actor began dating in 2007 and married a month after announcing their engagement in 2010.

Kerr says she is naturally a very positive, happy person and never fully understood what depression meant until she suffered it herself after she and Bloom split in 2013.

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

When Orlando and I separated, I actually fell into a really bad depression, she told Elle Canada. I never understood the depth of that feeling or the reality of that because I was naturally a very happy person.

Kerr said her depression began to improve after learning that every thought you have affects our reality and only you have control of your mind, saying daily meditation, yoga and healthy eating have all helped to keep her mindful.

The couple has presented a united front since their split and share custody of their five-year-old son Flynn. Earlier this year, Kerr said she moved from New York to California as Bloom had a house in Malibu and they wanted to be close as a family".

Romantically, both Bloom and Kerr have both moved on. The Pirates of the Caribbean actor is in a relationship with Katy Perry and Kerr is engaged to Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel.
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The young woman in the Stanford sexual assault case has spoken of her horror when she learned of the light sentence handed out to her attacker, Brock Turner.

The young woman, who chose to be identified by the name Emily Doe, wrote an essay for Glamour, after being named as the magazines Woman of the Year. She was 22 when she was attacked by the swimmer after attending a Stanford fraternity party with her younger sister in January 2915.

In her essay, the student said she was happy when a jury convicted Turner, but was struck silent in court when she learned of the light sentence handed down by Judge Aaron Persky.

Brock Turner, the former Stanford swimmer convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman, leaves the Santa Clara County Jail in San Jose, California, U.S. September 2, 2016. (Reuters)

Immediately I felt embarrassed for trying, for being led to believe I had any influence. The violation of my body and my being added up to a few months out of his summer, she wrote.

I began to panic; I thought, this cant be the best case scenario. If this case was meant to set the bar, the bar had been set on the floor.

Judge Persky sparked outcry after sentencing Brock to just six months in jail. He only ended up serving three for good behaviour and was released earlier the year. There was a petition in California to remove Mr Persky from his position.

She said that she felt support from around the world after allowing the media to republish her victim's impact statement. It was then that she started getting letters of support from every corner of the globe,.

I started getting e-mails forwarded to me from Botswana to Ireland to India, she said.

I received watercolor paintings of lighthouses and bicycle earrings. A woman who plucked a picture of her young daughter from the inside of her cubicle wrote, This is who youre saving.
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Val Kilmer has issued a statement about his health after Michael Douglas appeared to suggest he had been diagnosed with cancer.

The Top Gear actor said he has no cancer whatsoever a day after Douglas, who was diagnosed with stage four oral cancer in 2010, reportedly told an event in London that Kilmer is dealing with exactly what I had.

The picture didnt turn out as well as I hoped but I had a wonderful time, Douglas, 72, told Jonathan Ross during a discussion about the 1996 film they appeared in together, The Ghost and the Darkness, according to Variety. Val was a wonderful guy who is dealing with exactly what I had, and things dont look too good for him.

Kilmer, 56, responded to reports in a message on his Facebook page, where he said he received treatment for a lump in his throat two years ago. He did not specify what the lump was or the type of treatment he received.

I love Michael Douglas but he is misinformed. The last time I spoke to him was almost two years ago, when I asked him for a referral for a specialist to get a diagnosis for a lump in my throat, which prevented me from continuing a tour of my play Citizen Twain.

Val Kilmer, aka Batman, the next governor of New Mexico? Show all 13 1 /13 Val Kilmer, aka Batman, the next governor of New Mexico? Val Kilmer, aka Batman, the next governor of New Mexico? 54552.bin MATT BARON / BEI / Rex Features Val Kilmer, aka Batman, the next governor of New Mexico? 54433.bin Getty Images Val Kilmer, aka Batman, the next governor of New Mexico? 54431.bin Getty Images Val Kilmer, aka Batman, the next governor of New Mexico? 54432.bin Getty Images Val Kilmer, aka Batman, the next governor of New Mexico? 54447.bin Getty Images Val Kilmer, aka Batman, the next governor of New Mexico? 54445.bin Getty Images Val Kilmer, aka Batman, the next governor of New Mexico? 54452.bin Getty Images Val Kilmer, aka Batman, the next governor of New Mexico? 54434.bin Getty Images Val Kilmer, aka Batman, the next governor of New Mexico? 54435.bin Getty Images Val Kilmer, aka Batman, the next governor of New Mexico? 54436.bin Getty Images Val Kilmer, aka Batman, the next governor of New Mexico? 54437.bin Getty Images Val Kilmer, aka Batman, the next governor of New Mexico? 54438.bin Getty Images Val Kilmer, aka Batman, the next governor of New Mexico? 54444.bin Getty Images

I ended up using a team at UCLA and have no cancer whatsoever. I still have a swollen tongue and am rehabbing steadily. I've made three films in the last year, one of which I directed and am presenting as a personal appearance introducing it and then answering questions after.

Whatever led Michael Douglas to speculate about my health, he's a loving and devoted friend to a privileged group of talent people around the world, and I'm sure he meant no harm.

A spokesperson for Douglas declined to comment on Kilmer's post.

Kilmer has repeatedly denied having a tumour after being admitted into UCLA for treatment in 2013. He said at the time: I have not had a tumour, or a tumour operations, or any operation. I had a complication where the best way to receive care was to stay under the watchful eye of the UCLA ICU.
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Loneliness could be a factor in Alzheimers disease, according to new research.

Researchers used brain-imaging techniques to determine levels of amyloid  a protein associated with the disease  in the brains of a group of 79 apparently healthy people with an average age of 76.

They then compared this to a test designed to find out how lonely someone is.

After controlling for factors such as age, sex, genetics, depression, anxiety, socio-economic status and the participants' social networks, they concluded that people with preclinical Alzheimers were 7.5 times more likely to feel lonely compared to people who did not have any early warning signs of the disease.

While the study found evidence of a correlation between loneliness and early signs of the disease, it was unclear whether social isolation might actually be one of the reasons why Alzheimers develops or if it was simply one of the symptoms.

Writing in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, the researchers said their findings might help spot the condition more quickly.

We report a novel association of loneliness and cortical amyloid burden in cognitively normal adults and present evidence for loneliness as a neuropsychiatric symptom relevant to pre-clinical Alzheimers disease, they wrote.

This work will inform new research into the neurobiology of loneliness and other socio-emotional changes in late life and may enhance early detection and intervention research in Alzheimers disease.

Alzheimers disease tends to get progressively worse from the preclinical stage through to mild cognitive impairment, dementia and then significant functional declines.

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The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has more than 100 officials investigating the cause of the mystery illness, and has warned citizens against smoking e-cigarette products until more is known, particularly if modified or bought off the street Getty Health news in pictures Baldness cure looks to be a step closer Researchers in the US claim to have overcome one of the major hurdles to cultivating human follicles from stem cells. The new system allows cells to grow in a structured tuft and emerge from the skin Sanford Burnham Preybs Health news in pictures Two hours a week spent in nature can improve health A study in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that a dose of nature of just two hours a week is associated with better health and psychological wellbeing Shutterstock Health news in pictures Air pollution linked to fertility issues in women Exposure to air from traffic-clogged streets could leave women with fewer years to have children, a study has found. 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The researchers, led by Dr Nancy Donovan, of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, cautioned that their findings might have been affected by the better mental and physical health of participants in the study, compared to the general population of about the same age.

They also did not seem to be particularly lonely with an average score in the tests of 5.3 on a scale of three to 12.

However the association between high amyloid levels and loneliness was stronger than the association with a known genetic risk factor.

Dr Clare Walton, research manager at the Alzheimers Society, said: This study didnt involve people with Alzheimers, but it looked at a protein called amyloid in the brain which is known to build up many years before dementia is detected.

"Those who had high levels of amyloid were much more likely to say they felt lonely, even when the quality of their social environment was taken into account. These findings suggest that loneliness could be an early predictor of developing Alzheimers disease, but as it was a small study, more research is needed to cement these claims.

Loneliness is a growing concern for our ageing population and we know that too often dementia and loneliness come hand in hand.

"No one should feel alone but if people are not properly supported, dementia can be an incredibly isolating experience. It is essential people with dementia are supported to maintain meaningful social connections and continue living their life as they want.


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The contraceptive pill sparked a sexual revolution for women when it hit the mainstream in the 1960s, but how much do we really know about its side effects?

Hormonal contraceptives are used by 3.5 million women in the UK alone, allowing them to prevent pregnancy on their terms, but many of the side effects affecting women today havent improved since its inception.

Last week, a pioneering trial of the male contraceptive injection was halted due to intolerable side effects suffered by 20 of its 320 participants, including depression, muscle pain, mood swings, acne and changes to the libido.

While the advantages of the contraceptive pill are well-documented, how much do we really know about the side effects women endure?

From low libido to depression, weight gain and irregular bleeding, some women suffer symptoms that drastically affect their quality of life, despite being recognised as normal by the medical profession.

One of the biggest risks for women of taking the combined pill is an increase in the chance of developing deep vein thrombosis, which, while only affecting two in 10,000 women, can be fatal.

There is also an increased risk of breast cancer associated with certain contraceptives, along with a higher chance of getting cervical cancer or having a stroke.

One woman told The Independent how she ignored headaches and nausea for weeks as they were listed as normal side effects on the leaflet.

I started having headaches and feeling nauseous after a few days of starting the combined pill but these side effects were listed on the leaflet, which said it was normal. It was a month and a half later that I couldn't deal with it any longer. I would have a migraine that started in the morning and got steadily worse throughout the day. The pressure in my head made it feel like I was drowning. I felt as though I couldn't get oxygen to my brain and I couldn't keep food down, she told The Independent.

When I went back to the doctor she took my blood pressure and she was alarmed because it was extremely high. I was risking a stroke or a heart attack if I carried on taking it. It turns out I'm sensitive to oestrogen and I should never have taken it. I wish I had not accepted that the side effects were something we were supposed to just endure. The side effects went when I stopped taking it - I should have stopped sooner.

A recent study found women who take the pill, had implants, patches or intrauterine devices, were 23 per cent more likely to suffer from depression, with anxiety, mood swings and low mood all commonplace side effects of female contraceptive methods.

One woman, who took the combined pill Microgynon, told The Independent: It made my world monochrome. I didn't cry, I didn't laugh. I was just dead inside and couldn't figure out why for a long time. I was completely fine after I stopped taking it.

Another said: I've tried a couple; all make me feel like a zombie. Like I'm just not myself. So I don't take it any more.

One woman told how her libido was completely zapped when she took the pill, immediately returning to normal when coming off it.

"While it's disappointing that this new hormone injection will take longer to reach men's medicine cabinets, we strongly advocate better research into the side effects of contraceptives - for men and women," Sophie Walker, Women's Equality Party leader, told The Independent.

"Women have been putting up with the debilitating effects of contraceptives since the invention of the combined pill in the 1960s - they've also borne the brunt of responsibility for birth control since then. We need new options that take the onus away from women handling this on their own - time for their partners to man up, I'd say."

Natika Halil, chief executive of the sexual health charity FPA, said there were options for both men and women if they suffered unwanted side effects from their contraceptive methods.

Women may experience different side effects with different methods, sometimes including beneficial ones, like lighter, less painful bleeds or improved acne, she told The Independent.

Its important to remember that nobody has to put up with unwanted side effects  there are 15 methods of contraception available (for men and women) in the UK, so they arent limited to just one option and there are others they can try.
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Britain and other European nations are making the refugee crisis worse by forcing people fleeing conflict and persecution to undertake covert and treacherous journeys, a report has found.

The damning report by the Unravelling the Mediterranean Migration Crisis (Medmig) project, seen exclusively by The Independent ahead of its release, concluded that the refusal to open up legal routes for those seeking safety in Europe has increased demand for people smuggling on ever more dangerous routes.

Operations to combat the thriving trade has driven the use of smaller and less seaworthy boats to cross the Mediterranean, contributing to the deaths of almost 4,000 migrants so far in 2016  now the deadliest year ever for refugees.

 Italian coastguard rescues thousands of refugees off coast of Libya

Professor Heaven Crawley, an author of the report from Coventry Universitys Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations told The Independent politicians have been wantonly ignoring the reality of the crisis to maintain ill-informed government positions.

The problem is theres a huge political agenda around migration, so more pragmatic of effective alternatives are being overridden by political aspirations of leaders across the EU, she said.

Theyve backed themselves into a political corner where its very difficult to do anything else.

Professor Crawley said the UKs initial refusal to resettle refugees who had already crossed into Europe was appalling as an estimated 60,000 migrants remain trapped in Greece alone.

"All that response does is reinforce some of the perceptions that if youre a proper or genuine refugee you stay in a camp and wait for however long it takes to be rescued, and those who make it to the EU are punished, she added. Families find that inconceivable.

Life jackets are pictured on the Topaz Responder, a rescue ship run by Maltese NGO MOAS during a navigation to reach the rescue area, off the Libyan coast in the Mediterranean Sea, (AFP/Getty)

Far from combating people smuggling, the report found European operations, border closures and the tightening of asylum regulations in several countries was directly driving refugees into their hands, with every single person interviewed using a smuggler for at least one leg of their journey.

Dr Franck Duvell, from the Centre on Migration Policy and Society at the University of Oxford, said: EU politicians and policy makers have repeatedly declared they are at war with the smugglers and that they intend to break the smugglers business model.

The evidence from our research suggests that smuggling is driven, rather than broken, by EU policy.

The closure of borders seems likely to have significantly increased the demand for, and use of, smugglers  who have become the only option for those unable to leave their countries or enter countries in which protection might potentially be available to them.

One in 10 refugees interviewed in Greece for the report had attempted to find a legal way to enter Europe but failed, resorting to almost a hundred different and potentially deadly routes that often cost far more than a legal journey.

( MEDMIG) ( MEDMIG and Chris Davies WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff)

Many used smugglers for boat crossings but needed them to leave conflict-ridden countries like Syria, where hostile governments or militant groups have attempted to seal borders.

European politicians frequently depict smugglers as part of vast criminal networks but the Medmig report found they are often found in asylum seekers local communities or social networks, with names and numbers travelling by word of mouth.

State officials, the military, law enforcement, and border guards are also involved in smuggling, researchers said, citing numerous testimonies of smugglers bribing police in Greece, Turkey and other countries of transit.

Boat journeys across the Aegean Sea have dropped sharply since the controversial deal made between the EU and Turkey in March, which is seeing migrants arriving on Greek islands detained under the threat of deportation.

The agreements impact has been widely hailed a success but it has been made fragile by growing tensions with Ankara. Most people agree that its only a matter of time before that deal falls apart or people find another way, Professor Crawley said.

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.

Meanwhile, the number of asylum seekers arriving from North Africa has remained consistent despite high-profile anti-smuggling initiatives, with almost 160,000 migrants and refugees landing in Italy so far this year.

The desperate journeys have made the central Mediterranean the deadliest sea crossing in the world, seeing asylum seekers drown, suffocate or die of fuel inhalation in overcrowded boats.

In previous years smugglers commonly used repurposed commercial vessels fitted with satellite phones and GPS, or large fishing boats, but to evade detection by the EUs Operation Sophia and authorities in North Africa, they are now loading migrants into dinghies incapable of journeying hundreds of miles to European shores.

Echoing previous warnings by the UN, the Medmig report said smugglers responded to increased controls by looking for alternative routes or sent boats onto the water at night when they were less likely to be detected and also to be rescued.

Treacherous sea journeys are far from the only risk  researchers said the failure of the EU to resettle refugees or provide legal routes were forcing people to flee from one conflict zone to another at the risk of violence and abuse by both people smugglers and state authorities.

A Worker with the international charitable organisation Save the Children carries a young Syrian girl, brought aboard the Vos Hestia after being rescued from a migrant boat in the Mediterranean Sea (AP)

More than three quarters of people interviewed for the research in Italy and Malta had experienced physical violence, with almost a third watching their fellow migrants be killed or die of illness.

Among the horrors described are border guards shooting migrants trying to leave Iran, Syria and Eritrea, and people being raped, kidnapped, beaten and tortured or simply left to die in the desert while journeying through countries including Algeria and Niger.

Many described a living nightmare in Libya, which remains in a widespread state of lawlessness following the British-backed removal of Muammar Gaddafi and subsequent civil war, with rival armed groups including Isis locked in bloody competition for control.

Many refugees interviewed by Medmig reported being detained and tortured either for ransoms of thousands of dollars, or forced into labour or prostitution to earn their freedom.

Libya was once a popular destination for migrant workers from elsewhere in Africa but the deteriorating situation has driven many of those who previously saw it as a safe haven to flee across the Mediterranean.

A Gambian man interviewed by Medmig told how he was trapped into forced labour by the promise of a prosperous construction project.

I spent nine months in prison, it was too long  we were two, three, four days without food or water, many people lost their life there, he said.

You work for them, when somebody dies you have to move the body for them, they take you and tell you to throw the body in the ditch. It is inhuman.

Migrants and refugees arrive in the port of Messina following a rescue operation at sea by the Italian Coast Guard ship 'Diciotti' on March 17, 2016 in Sicily (AFP/Getty)

Leaving Libya via land is not considered an option, with widespread reports of border guards and militias shooting those trying to get out.

A Nigerian woman said she saw a border guard pour petrol on a migrant and set him on fire, adding: You cannot get out of Libya alive. You have to give your money to someone and hope they will take you. They tell you, you must take the boat.

Medmig researchers says the country was one of many examples where refugees and economic migrants cannot be clearly defined.

The definition is just out of kilter with reality, Professor Crawley said. The longer and more protracted the journey is, the more likely it is people move out of those categories and then back into them.

She gave the examples of Syrian refugees who were not directly affected by the war but fled because their livelihoods were destroyed, and migrant workers from sub-Saharan Africa caught up in the Libyan conflict.

The report was also critical of moves to prioritise refugees from Syria, and sometimes Iraq, Afghanistan and Eritrea over asylum seekers from other countries, in a possible violation of the 1951 Refugee Convention.

The Medmig project, believed to be one of the largest of its kind, used interviews with more than 500 asylum seekers who crossed the Mediterranean in 2015.

Its report, to be launched at a meeting of European policy makers, international organisations and NGOs in Brussels on Thursday, is a collaboration between the universities of Coventry, Birmingham and Oxford with specialists in Greece, Italy, Turkey and Malta.

Refugees struggle not to drown as they wait to be rescued in the Mediterranean Sea, north of Libya on 4 October 2016. (AFP/Getty Images)

The cause of the flow hasnt been addressed, smugglers havent been addressed, deaths are going up and people who are in Europe are not being integrated as they should be, Professor Crawley said.

The response has been an absolute failure.

A Government spokesperson said the UK has committed more than 2.3 billion to help displaced people in Syria and neighbouring countries and almost 65 million to support humanitarian assistance within Europe.

The Royal Navy also started training the Libyan coastguard in October as part of the EU's Operation Sophia, which sees boats patrolling the Mediterranean tracking smugglers and performing rescues.

We are clear about our moral responsibility to assist those who are suffering as a result of the migration crisis," the spokesperson said.

"This includes providing financial and practical support in conflict regions, working upstream to stop the most vulnerable making perilous journeys and providing protection to those who need it."
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Article 50, the untested protocol for a member state leaving the European Union, could be revoked once the process has been triggered, senior academics have claimed.

In a wide-ranging report from the UK in a Changing Europe  an independent group of academics led by Professor Anand Menon at Kings College London  the authors also warn that Brexit will place enormous pressure on Parliament, the civil service and the British constitution.

It comes after Theresa May announced on the eve of the Conservative party conference she would trigger the two-year process of negotiating Britains separation from the EU by the end of March 2017. But the authors of the report claim the debate around whether Article 50 can be revoked has received considerably less attention.

While the Government's top lawyer told the High Court the decision would be irrevocable the senior academics claim: Given that the process is likely to take an extended period of time, the situation  internally in the UK and/or EU as well as externally in the wider world  might well change, necessitating a breaking off of the process before it can be concluded.

A non-exhaustive list of potential reasons would include: changes in government, major economic shocks, major diplomatic shocks and military aggression, they add.

In summary, Article 50 can be revoked, certainly by mutual consent, and probably unilaterally by the UK. However, in the latter case the UK would find itself having to defend a very uncertain legal and very troubling position.

However, Professor Menon added aborting the process would make the UK the "most obstructive" partner in the EU.

He added: "We would be so paralysed by our politics  imagine the politics of this country if we stayed and ignored the referendum result. Id find it inconceivable that Britain could ever vote in favour of another EU budget again.

Unfortunately, the authors add, the legal position on the revocation of Article 50 is not clear as the article itself makes no provision for this situation. They add: It does note that a member state that has left the EU can only be readmitted via the Article 49 procedure, as used for more normal accessions. On a broad reading, this might be taken to imply that prior to this point, a departing member state might have access to a different set of options, but this is very unclear.

The academics suggest looking to the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties for guidance.

Articles 65-8 establish that a member state is not only free to leave a treaty if it no longer wishes to be subject to it, but that until it finally leaves, it is also free to change its mind on the matter and retain its membership. While instances of this being effected are rare, they have occurred, working from the general concept that until one is not a member state, one is a member.

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Speaking at the launch of the report, at the Institute for Government, Dr Simon Usherword, one of the authors, said the most obvious reason the UK might follow such a track would be a change of government. Situations change and it might be there is a decision the UK doesnt want to pursue, he added.

Article 50 itself doesnt actually say whether you can stop it or not. I think whats clear though is if both the 27 and the UK are agreed that they want to stop this process then there is no political issue with that.

The conclusion is yes, you can stop this process once its started.

The academics of the report, entitled Brexit and Beyond: How the UK might leave the EU, also accused Brexiteers who accuse those warning of the difficulties of leaving as talking Britain down are making a pathetic argument.

An irritating aspect of the current debate is the tendency of Brexiteers to accuse those who warn of difficulties of talking Britain down.

Its a good line but a pathetic argument. Since when was rational debate a bad thing? Forewarned, surely, is forearmed, and this report will help identify potential stumbling blocks ahead, Professor Menon added.
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The High Court is set to rule on whether Theresa May has the right to bypass Parliament when she triggers Britains exit from the European Union.

Three judges will decide a historic case which will either allow that exit to start by the end of March - or could hand MPs and peers the opportunity to challenge, or even delay, the process.

Legal experts believe the case  to determine whether the Prime Minister can use the Royal Prerogative to invoke Article 50, without the involvement of Parliament  is finely balanced, after weeks of argument.

 Tony Blair says there must be a second vote on UK's membership of EU

When it began, the Government was expected to win, but the three High Court judges have appeared far more sceptical about its case than many had expected.

If it loses, Parliament will be given the muscle to influence the Governments negotiating position, to demand regular checks on its progress  or even to choose when Article 50 is triggered.

Such a ruling will send tremors through Downing Street, which is facing growing criticism that it has no strategy to deliver Ms Mays promise to make a success of Brexit.

Already, in recent weeks, MPs have become far more outspoken in demanding a say over what appears to be her determination to pursue a so-called hard Brexit.

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It seems likely that  whoever wins  an appeal will go to the Supreme Court, to be heard by a full panel of Britain's top judges, or even to the European Court of Justice.

But, at that point, the Government might be forced to change its argument in order to retain control of Article 50, perhaps by agreeing the exit process can be halted, if necessary.

That would represent a huge setback for the Prime Minister who has staked her authority on her insistence that it is up to the Government to trigger Article 50 - and the Government alone.

At the Conservative conference last month, she tore into anyone arguing for Parliament to influence the process, claiming they are not standing up for democracy, theyre trying to subvert it.

Theyre not trying to get Brexit right, theyre trying to kill it by delaying it. They are insulting the intelligence of the British people, Ms May said.

That is why, next week, I can tell you that the Attorney General himself, Jeremy Wright, will act for the Government and resist them in the courts.

The challenge was brought by Gina Miller, a London businesswoman, arguing the inevitable consequence of invoking Article 50 was the loss of statutory rights enjoyed by UK and EU citizens.

They included the right to refer a legal case to the European Court of Justice, of freedom of movement and to sell services  rights which should only be taken away by Parliament.

But the Attorney General argued the court challenge was an attempt to invalidate the publics decision, in the June referendum, to leave the EU.

To add to the tension, none of the lawyers have been given advance drafts of the judgment  as they usually are to check for mistakes and to prepare their submissions.

One expert said that suggested concerns about leaks, or that that the judgment was still being refined, ahead of the 10am announcement.
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Theresa May could trigger Brexit within weeks to avoid resentful EU leaders becoming vicious in the exit talks, the Irish Premier has claimed.

Enda Kenny said the timetable set down by Ms May  to invoke the Article 50 notice by the end of March  could be derailed by a growing backlash in the rest of the EU.

Speaking before a conference in Dublin on the impact of Brexit on Ireland, the Taoiseach said: That doesn't mean it mightn't be triggered in December - or January, or February.

The other side of this argument may well get quite vicious after a while, because there are those around the European table who take a very poor view of the fact that Britain decided to leave.

That argument, I think, will be fought very toughly, in a really difficult negotiating sense.

The refusal of EU leaders to allow membership of the single market unless Britain accepted continued freedom of movement for EU citizens was the critical issue, he said.

Labour seized on the comments to claim they showed the Governments refusal to move beyond empty sound bites on Brexit was backfiring.

Dave Anderson MP, the Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, said: Labour has been pressing the Government to spell out their plan, but it is clear they dont have one.

It is time we had some real answers and some clarity, so we can see what the Governments intentions are. That is why it is so vital that Parliament has to get a grip over this process.

But the Prime Ministers spokesman insisted that Ms May remained committed to the timetable of invoking Article 50 by the end of next March.

Asked about the suggestion that other EU leaders were turning vicious, he added: We have been very clear that we want to have constructive dialogue with all the member states, a mature debate.

Mr Kenny was speaking at the All-Island Civic Dialogue, a specially convened forum of politicians, business leaders, community representatives and others from both sides of the border.

He also said Europe had to decide for itself where it wants to be in the years ahead, rather than become obsessed with what the UK might or might not get.

Britain's decision to leave the EU was the most significant economic and social challenge to hit Ireland over the last half a century, he added.

The Taoiseach also said he agreed with Ms May that the "benefits of the Common Travel Area" between both countries should be preserved.

The deal, which dates back to the 1920s, secures freedom to travel between Britain and Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland is one of 27 countries that the EU will be negotiating on behalf of, but it is the only member with a land border with the UK.

Northern Ireland's main unionist parties, the power-sharing Democratic Unionist Party and the Ulster Unionist Party, both snubbed the talks.
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A Government minister has declared war on brutalist architecture, arguing that it is aesthetically worthless and embodies a cult of ugliness.

John Hayes, a transport minister, said in a speech that the Government would be the vanguard of a renaissance in architecture by rebuilding a Doric arch that stood outside Londons Euston station before it was demolished in 1962.

The minister said the public crave harmony in architecture and that when it came to modernist architecture, people dont like it.

Brutalist architecture, which was popular from the 1950s until the 1970s, emphasises exposed concrete and brickwork and functional, modern designs.

Though the style had fallen out of favour with architects by the 1980s, it has recently seen signs of a revival in interest  with a push to list famous buildings built in the style.

Examples include Preston Bus Station, which was granted Grade II listed status in 2013 after attempts to demolish it by the local council.

Prince Charles famously slammed brutalist and other modernist buildings in a 1984 speech to the Royal Institute of British Architects, describing one proposal as a monstrous carbuncle

In his speech this week Mr Hayes said: The overwhelming majority of public architecture built during my lifetime is aesthetically worthless, simply because it is ugly.

The Doric arch at Euston Station (Public Domain)

This assertion is not so much challenged by defenders of contemporary architecture as dismissed out of hand.

They say that yes, I might find it ugly, but thats nothing more than my subjective personal judgement  and as such, of no significance.

He continued: The aesthetics of our built environment  including our transport architecture  has suffered from what Sir Roger Scruton has called the Cult of Ugliness.

Be warned! The descendants of the brutalists still each day design and build new horrors from huge concrete slabs to out of scale; rough-hewn buildings, and massive sculptural shaped structures which bear little or no relationship to their older neighbours.

Consider swathes of the worst of our towns and cities; then say that I am wrong.

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He claimed that proponents of the new brutalism in architecture  cling to a tired desire to shock, a sad addiction to the newness of things.

The minister cited Boris Johnsons New Routemaster as a triumph in design for others to follow, as well as the redeveloped St Pancras, Blackfriars, and Kings Cross stations.

Campaigners have long pushed for the Doric arch outside Euston to be rebuilt. The station is set to be redeveloped as part of the HS2 railway project.

Mr Hayes said he had seen the arch's stones pulled from the river Lea and that plans for rebuilding the arch would be developed "in the coming weeks".

The Alexandra Road estate in Camden, an example of brutalist housing (Creative Commons, geograph.co.uk)

Ben Derbyshire, president-elect of the Royal Institute for British Architects, said not everyone would agree with the minister's comments.

For every person or minister who favours a particular architectural style or building, there is another with a completely different viewpoint or preference," he said.

It is interesting to see John Hayes so stridently asserting his design preferences, but not everyone is going to agree with him. What we can all agree on is the importance of ensuring that whatever is built in this country makes a positive impact to its locality and community and we are pleased to see another Government minister recognising the vital role of a talented design team in achieving this.

An exterior view of Preston Bus Station, another brutalist icon (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Our country has a long and proud history of designing transport projects in the UK and around the world. British designers have helped build some of the worlds most celebrated transport projects: from railways stations and airports to entire mass transit systems. Some of these projects are soaring achievements of modern architecture which inspire with technical innovation, matching advances in transportation technologies. Others, use traditional materials, forms and details where context demands.

We would be delighted to show the Minister the best of both and will continue our work with Government and others to ensure the next generation of transport infrastructure is the best it can be.
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Attempts by International Trade Secretary Liam Fox to secure a pre-Brexit free-trade deal with Europe has been dealt a blow by a leading member of the European parliament.

Danuta Hubner MEP, a former Polish minister and EU commissioner, said UK would not be able to conclude any trade deal while still a member of the European Union.

Ms Hubner now chairs the European parliament's constitutional affairs committee that will vet any post-Brexit trade deal with the UK.

She stated next year's negotiations over the UK's exit from the EU would be on different tracks from any talks regarding a post-Brexit relationship.

Ms Hubner told The Guardian: "Formally you cannot conclude or even negotiate the agreement that belongs to a third-country situation while you are still a member.

"Article 50 is only about withdrawal and only when you are out can [you] negotiate another agreement."

While she admitted post-Brexit trade deals and Article 50 negotiations would be linked, she said the pair would not be merged.

The Polish MEP said: "Our major challenge is how to ensure that between the withdrawal agreement and the future agreement there is no legal vacuum."

 Stephen Hawking cracks Brexit joke with Theresa May at Pride of Britain awards

Mr Fox has called on all those involved in the UK's exit from Europe to avoid "a position of ultra-legality" which could cause an unwanted delay in producing a post-Brexit UK-EU trade agreement.

He said: "It makes sense for all parties to take down the political temperature, to stop adopting a position of ultra-legality and get to where we might be able to improve the prosperity of citizens who elect us.

"If we work together, we will not end up introducing, intentionally or otherwise, trade impediments that do not exist at the present time, which can only harm the prosperity of our own people."

The recently signed EU free trade deal with Canada was nearly foiled after Belgium said it could not ratify the treaty due to opposition from the Wallonia regional parliament.

Similarly, Liam Fox was criticised by MPs for not putting the deal to a Commons vote.
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Theresa May has risked the anger of hardline Brexit supporters by deciding to opt in to a series of EU-wide crime-fighting measures, The Independent can reveal.

Britain will agree to the automatic sharing of millions of DNA samples, fingerprints and vehicle registrations, to speed up the hunt for suspected terrorists and major criminals.

Parliament supported opting back into the so-called Prum Convention last December  but ministers had refused to say if the decision would be derailed by the June decision to leave the EU.

Recommended Read more British police foil at least 10 UK terror attacks in two years

Now Brandon Lewis, a Home Office minister, has revealed the Government will press ahead, in a letter sent to a Commons committee which is investigating the issue.

The decision will come as a relief to the police and security services, who have argued EU-wide co-operation is essential to catch foreign criminals and terrorists who commit offences in Britain.

Senior officers had spoken of their fear that having to renegotiate vital information sharing would take years, leaving dangerous gaps in intelligence in the meantime.

It will also raise their hopes that Britain will also remain a member of Europol  a decision that must be made by the end of the year  and continue to enforce the EU-wide arrest warrant.

But some Brexit-supporting MPs have attacked moves to tie Britain into EU police and criminal justice measures, on the grounds of cost and democracy.

They argue it will involve spending millions of pounds on new IT systems to allow EU members to search this countrys DNA, fingerprint and vehicle registration databases.

Some have disputed a guarantee that only the personal details of people who have been convicted of an offence in the UK will be handed over to a foreign police force.

And they have attacked putting Britains DNA and fingerprint databases under the control of the European Court of Justice (ECJ)  which Ms May has vowed to break from.

One Brexit-supporting Conservative MP, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, said she would be writing to David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, to demand the move was only temporary.

She told The Independent: I have no problem with data-sharing if its important in fighting crime, but as long as that data remains under our control.

It will be unacceptable to the British people  who have voted to regain control of their nation  to find out that their most important data, such as fingerprints and car registrations, will continue to come under the ruling of the ECJ.

Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat leader, said it was now crucial that the Prime Minister also sign up to Europol and other crime fighting powers.

He said: Organised crime and criminals do not stop at the cliffs of Dover and Britain gains from being part of the European Arrest Warrant, Prum and Europol.

I worry that with Brexit we will recreate the Costa Del Crime and we should do everything in our power to make sure no criminal can avoid justice.

Mr Lewis revealed the decision in a letter to the Commons European Scrutiny Committee, which assesses all draft EU legislation brought before Parliament.

He wrote: The Government does not envisage the initial timeline for implementing Prum being affected by the decision to leave the EU, and is continuing with the implementation of Prum.

We are confident that the exchange of data will start to take place in 2017.

Mr Lewis added that it was premature to speculate on what sort of agreement the UK would seek to reach after leaving the EU.
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The Government will bring forward new policies to reduce air pollution following a High Court ruling that it is not doing enough, Theresa May has signalled.

At Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday the PM accepted the ruling that the Government had failed to take steps to bring the UK into compliance with the law as soon as possible.

She said there was more to do on the issue and said the Government would take action to bring policy in line with the law.

Recommended Read more High Court rules against Government over air pollution

I have always made it clear that we recognise that there is more for the Government to do, the Prime Minister said.

We have been doing a lot in this area. We have been putting extra money into actions that will relieve the issues around air quality, but we recognise that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs now has to look at the judgment that has been made by the courts, and we have to look again at the proposals that we will bring forward.

Nobody in this House doubts the importance of the issue of air quality. We have taken action, but there is more to do and we will do it.

The PMs statement comes after ClientEarth, the NGO which took the Government to court over the issue, said Ms May had to take personal control of the urgent public health crisis.

Opposition politicians however criticised the PMs record. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said some of the Governments flagship policies were incompatible with bringing air pollution down to legal and safe levels.

A seagull flies above the smog-filled skyline of the City of London (Reuters)

This ruling deals a huge blow to the Theresa May's reckless Heathrow expansion plans, Mr Farron said.

The Government has already illegally delayed meeting EU pollution limits until 2025, building a third runway would make the situation even worse.

"Without sensible EU safeguards, this Conservative Brexit government will be free to disregard targets which are there to save lives and improve people's health.

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"The Liberal Democrats will fight against Heathrow expansion and to ensure vital EU air quality limits are not scrapped.

The British Lung Foundation also welcomed the ruling. Dr Penny Woods, the groups chief executive, called for further and faster action on the issue.

Its a public health crisis. Thats why we urgently need a new clean air act that restricts the most polluting vehicles from our urban areas and protects everyones lung health, she said.

The judge in the case, Mr Justice Garnham, ruled that the Government had used an overly optimistic model of pollution when deciding on its policies.

It seems to me plain that by the time the plan was introduced the assumption underlying the Secretary of State's assessment of the extent of likely future non-compliance [with legal pollution limits] had already been shown to be markedly optimistic, the judgment said.

In a statement issued after the judgment, a spokesperson for Defra said: Improving air quality is a priority for this Government and we are determined to cut harmful emissions.

Our plans have always followed the best available evidence  we have always been clear that we are ready to update them if necessary and have been at the forefront of action in Europe to secure more accurate, real-world emissions testing for diesel cars.

Whilst our huge investment in green transport initiatives and plans to introduce Clean Air Zones around the country will help tackle this problem, we accept the courts judgment.

We will now carefully consider this ruling, and our next steps, in detail.
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Tackling radical Islam should be the next big battle for Ukip following its successes over migration and the European Union, leadership candidate Suzanne Evans has said.

Her stance was echoed by the frontrunner in the race to succeed Nigel Farage, former deputy leader Paul Nuttall, who told a campaign hustings in London: We need to tackle radical Islam. We need to say 'No' to Sharia courts in our towns and cities and 'No' to any Saudi funding of mosques in our country.

And a third candidate, London Assembly member Peter Whittle said the party must defend British values and British institutions by fighting the advance of Sharia law and enforcing the legal ban on female genital mutilation (FGM).

Mr Nuttall was loudly applauded at the first hustings of Ukip's second leadership election in a matter of months as he declared his ambition to replace Labour as the party of patriotic working class people

And he declared: Ladies and gentlemen, we are the future. We have a fantastic opportunity to not only ensure that Brexit means Brexit but to shape the future of our country.

Mr Nuttall has positioned himself as the unity candidate following vicious faction fighting within Ukip which has seen the party described as being in a death spiral by MEP Steven Woolfe, who pulled out of the leadership contest after being involved in an altercation at the European Parliament.

In an LBC radio debate ahead of the hustings, the former deputy leader admitted Ukip had been dysfunctional over the past year and appealed for feuding activists to let bygones be bygones.

At the hustings, rival candidate John Rees-Evans said that Ukip is sick as he set out plans for members to determine policies for the party's manifesto. The party was currently pandering to the Westminster bubble and trying to get pally with the media rather than following its members wishes, he said.

Ms Evans, who presented herself as the candidate able to reach out beyond Ukip's traditional support and attract ethnic minorities and Labour voters, said it was time for the party to fight multiculturalism as strongly as it previously tackled uncontrolled migration.

And she said: One of things I feel very strongly about is radical Islam. I really think this is where the next big battle is going to be fought. The EU we've fought, immigration we've fought. This is, I think, the next big battle.

I want to fight this from a feminist perspective, because I think the way women are treated by Sharia law and FGM is staggering. How can this be happening in our country in this day and age?

I get so angry about the fact that I have certain rights as a white middle-class woman that a woman in a minority community doesn't have. That is unacceptable.

Following speculation that victory over Brexit has left Ukip a spent force, Mr Nuttall said that the way forward for the party was to replace the Labour Party.

We replace them and we take away a party that dislikes our flag, refuses to sing our anthem and says nice things about the IRA, he said. We replace them and we become the party of the patriotic working class.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty UK news in pictures 12 September 2022 Crowds line the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, as King Charles III joins a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS UK news in pictures 11 September 2022 Members of the Public pay their respects as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, is driven through Ballater AFP/Getty

Mr Whittle told the audience of around 200 that he would like to see every school in the UK flying the Union flag and putting a picture of the Queen on the wall.

And he said it was disgusting that Olympic gymnast Louis Smith should be subjected to a show trial after being caught on video mocking Islamic prayers.

During the earlier radio debate, the four candidates split over capital punishment.

While Ms Evans and Mr Whittle opposed the death penalty, Mr Nuttall said he backed its reintroduction for child killers and Mr Rees-Evans said he would bring it back for paedophiles and child murderers.

Challenged over whether all paedophiles should be executed, Mr Rees-Evans said Yes, before adding that he would not necessarily impose the death penalty in cases involving someone who looked 18 and was 15-and-a-half.

It obviously depends what you define as a paedophile, he said. I would have the death penalty for somebody who is (targeting) pre-pubescent (children).

PA
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None of the Ukip leadership candidates is good enough to rescue the party from its crisis, its biggest donor has suggested.

Arron Banks dismissed the abilities of all four remaining candidates pitching to take over Ukip later his month, criticising them for wanting to push it to the centre.

Mr Banks also suggested his close ally Nigel Farage could return again as leader to stabilise the party, particularly if Theresa May backtracks on Brexit.

And he hinted he could be a leadership candidate at some point in the future, noting that he was not in the running at the moment.

Paul Nuttal, a North West MEP, Suzanne Evans, the partys deputy chairwoman, London Assembly member Peter Whittle, and John Rees-Evans are the four candidates.

Mr Banks had backed Raheem Kassam, Mr Farages former chief of staff, who quit the leadership race earlier this week, citing a lack of support.

Today, he said: Were struggling at the moment, theres no point in denying it  I think Ive backed something like two or three different leaders in the space of three months.

At the moment, Im struggling with the candidates on offer.

Mr Banks predicted Mr Nuttal will win, but warned he did not have the strength to carry out the badly-needed clearout of troublemakers in the party.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme, he said, of Ukip its got to be neither right, nor left, its got to be radical and its got to be anti-establishment.

And he said: My problem with all of the candidates is that they seemingly want to push it to the centre which seems a ludicrous place for it to be.

Asked if Ukip was finished, Mr Banks added: It could be - it's at a crossroads.

I don't know if it's over for Ukip. It's certainly achieved its main goal in politics, which was to get the [EU] referendum and win it.

Since October 2014, Mr Banks and Rock Services, of which he is a director, have donated more than 1.25m  but he has warned that he may never give it money again.

Steven Woolfe, the early frontrunner in the leadership contest and Mr Bankss first preferred candidate, bowed out and quit the party altogether.

Nominations to replace Diane James closed this week and the new Ukip leader will be announced on November 28.
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South Africa's opposition has called for the President to resign after a long-delayed report into Jacob Zuma's links to a well-known family of businessmen revealed "worrying" evidence of possible corruption.

The State of Capture report, compiled by former public protector Thuli Madonsela, recommends the government should establish a judge-led inquiry within 30 days to investigate the allegations.

Mr Zuma and the Gupta family, which is accused of using its links to the President to wield improper influence on the South African government, have denied the accusations.

But on the key allegation of whether the president allowed members of the Gupta family to be involved in the appointment of ministers, Ms Madonsela writes in her report about a series of "worrying" details regarding Des van Rooyen's appointment as finance minister in December 2015.

Recommended Read more State broadcaster bans negative news about South African President

"Minister Van Rooyen ... can be placed at the Saxonwold area [where the Guptas have a mansion] on at least seven occasions, including on the day before he was announced as minister," the investigation found.

One of two advisers brought in by Van Rooyen on his first day in office "had contact with someone at the Saxonwold area the day before", Ms Madonsela says, describing this detail as "a source of great concern".

Elsewhere, the report highlighted the "potentially unlawful" influence that may have been wielded by mineral resources minister Mosebenzi Zwane, in the awarding of a mining contract to the company Tegeta  which is co-owned by the Guptas and the president's son, Duduzane Zuma.

The report recommends a judge, appointed by the Chief Justice, lead a commission of inquiry into these and other areas of concern and that it report its "findings and recommendations" to the president within 180 days.

"The public protector ... brings to the notice of the National Prosecuting Authority and the DPCI those matters identified in this report where it appears crimes have been committed," Ms Madonsela said.

Mr Zuma had tried to block the release of the report which, if it had contained a "smoking gun" of corruption evidence as the opposition had hoped, would surely have led to another impeachment vote against the embattled President. As it is, the setting up of a new inquiry could delay any real action against Mr Zuma for another seven months at least.

Opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane was named in Ms Madonsela's report as one of the key figures in bringing the allegations of corruption forward. He described the release of the report, which came after Mr Zuma withdrew his attempt to challenge it, as "another victory for the constitution, the rule of law, and the fight against corruption".

He said: "Following the findings in the State Capture Report, Jacob Zuma should do the honourable thing and resign."

Ms Madonsela's report was triggered in March, when the deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas alleged that the Guptas had offered him the finance minister role, in doing so making "a mockery of our hard-earned democracy". The Guptas denied this, and accused him of trying to score political points.

The report says that if Mr Jonas's claim is found to be true, and Mr Zuma's denials proved to be false, "the people of South Africa would lose faith in open, democratic and accountable government".

"There seems to be no evidence showing that Mr Jonas allegations that he was offered money and a ministerial post in exchange for favours were ever investigated by the executive," Ms Madonsela notes.

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. 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Ms Madonsela had aimed at publishing last month, before the end of her term as public protector, but the release of the report was suspended on 14 October after Mr Zuma's application to the High Court, arguing he had not been given enough of an opportunity to respond.

Before he withdrew his challenge and the report was released, thousands of protesters had marched on his offices calling for his resignation. Reports from the scene described police using tear gas and stun grenades to push back demonstrators.

Ms Madonsela's report is her second into Mr Zuma's conduct since he became president in 2009. The first found he "unduly benefited" from government money to upgrade his private rural home, but Mr Zuma survived an impeachment vote thanks to his ANC backing. His current term as president is due to run until 2019.
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The UN has sacked the commander of its peacekeeping force in South Sudan following a report showing he failed to protect civilians from rape and murder.

Hundreds were killed in heavy fighting in the capital of Juba in July as forces loyal to President Salva Kiir clashed with those of vice president Riek Machar with helicopter gunships and tanks.

The report from a UN special investigation found lack of leadership in the UN mission culminated in a "chaotic and ineffective response" to the fighting.

Peacekeepers abandoned their posts and failed to respond to pleas for help from aid workers under attack in a nearby hotel compound, according to a summary of the report.

Around a dozen aid workers and UN staff housed at the Terrain hotel compound were attacked by South Sudanese soldiers on 11 July, but the peacekeepers failed to come to their aid despite being less than a mile away.

In pictures: Hundreds killed in South Sudan clashes Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: Hundreds killed in South Sudan clashes In pictures: Hundreds killed in South Sudan clashes The clashes began when uniformed personnel opened fire at a meeting of the governing party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement Benjamin Lowy/Getty Images In pictures: Hundreds killed in South Sudan clashes Civilians queuing outside the UNMISS compound in Bor, South Sudan AFP/UNMISS/Rolla HinediRolla In pictures: Hundreds killed in South Sudan clashes The mission is stepping up provision of basic health facilities AFP/UNMISS/Rolla HinediRolla In pictures: Hundreds killed in South Sudan clashes South Sudanese civilians fleeing an outbreak of intense fighting between groups of government forces take shelter at the United Nations Mission to South Sudan base in Juba, South Sudan Benjamin Lowy/Getty Images In pictures: Hundreds killed in South Sudan clashes South Sudan's fugitive former vice president denied accusations he led a coup bid against his archrival President Salva Kiir after days of fierce fighting that has killed hundreds of people and sent thousands fleeing to UN bases Benjamin Lowy/Getty Images In pictures: Hundreds killed in South Sudan clashes An injured man sits in a shelter at the United Nations Mission in Juba, South Sudan Benjamin Lowy/Getty Images In pictures: Hundreds killed in South Sudan clashes French UN ambassador Gerard Araud, who holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council, confirmed that up to 20,000 people had taken refuge in the UN mission in Juba Benjamin Lowy/Getty Images In pictures: Hundreds killed in South Sudan clashes Fighting in South Sudan has claimed up to 500 lives in recent days Benjamin Lowy/Getty Images In pictures: Hundreds killed in South Sudan clashes Former Finance Minister Kosti Manibe, former Justice Minister John Luk Jok and former Interior Minister Gier Chuang Aluong were among the 10 people arrested Benjamin Lowy/Getty Images In pictures: Hundreds killed in South Sudan clashes South Sudan's President Salva Kiir gestures during a news conference in Juba. Kiir said he was ready for dialogue with his rival who he has accused of trying to force him out of power through fighting that has killed up to 500 people and brought the two-year-old nation close to civil war Reuters/Goran Tomasevic In pictures: Hundreds killed in South Sudan clashes South Sudan has struggled to achieve a stable government since becoming independent from Sudan in 2011. The independence referendum was intended to end a decade-long conflict, led by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, against the north. But the oil-rich country remains ethnically and politically divided, with many armed groups active Benjamin Lowy/Getty Images In pictures: Hundreds killed in South Sudan clashes People arrive to seek refuge in the UNMISS compound in Juba Stringerstr/AFP/Getty Images

During the attack, "civilians were subjected to and witnessed gross human rights violations, including murder, intimidation, sexual violence and acts amounting to torture perpetrated by armed government soldiers," the report said.

One victim said a soldier pointed an AK-47 at her and delivered an ultimatum: "Either you have sex with me, or we make every man here rape you and then we shoot you in the head." She was raped by 15 South Sudanese soldiers.

There were multiple requests to the peacekeepers from China, Ethiopia, India and Nepal for forces to be dispatched, but each contingent "turned down the request, indicating their troops were fully committed".

The mission, known as UNMISS, has 16,000 troops deployed in South Sudan, which has been at war since December 2013. It was led by Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki of Kenya, who had been the force commander since May.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said: "The special investigation found that UNMISS did not respond effectively to the violence due to an overall lack of leadership, preparedness and integration among the various components of the mission."

Mr Ban said he was "deeply distressed by these findings" and "alarmed by the serious shortcomings" of the UN mission.

The UN chief "has asked for the immediate replacement of the force commander," Mr Dujarric said.

 UN urges South Sudan to accept more peacekeepers

The inquiry found Chinese peacekeepers abandoned their positions at least twice and Nepalese peacekeepers failed to stop looting inside the UN compound.

It said peacekeepers "continued to display a risk-averse posture unsuited to protecting civilians from sexual violence" and other attacks after the crisis.
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Former Miss Universe Alicia Machado said Donald Trump did not respect women and she was "scared" of him when she was competing as a teenager in his beauty pageant.

Speaking at a rally in Dade City, Florida, the former model said she was surprised and honored to hear Ms Clinton say her name during the first presidential debate, adding that she "could not be prouder" to cast her vote for the Democrat.

Ms Machado was the first Miss Universe after Mr Trump bought the pageant contest in 1996 when she was 19 years old, representing her home country of Venezuela.

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"Trump was overwhelming. I was scared of him. He made fun of me and I didnt know how to respond.

"He told me that I looked ugly and I was massive. He even called me names. He said to me [I was] Miss Piggy, Miss Housekeeping, Miss Eating Machine.

"Soon it became a joke. Alicia Machado was a 'fat Miss Universe'. It was really painful for me. He was cruel. For years afterwards I was sick, fighting back eating disorders."

 Obama tells a spooky story on Full Frontal: 'Donald Trump could be president'

Mr Trump was widely criticised for his comments about the model. In the 1990s he forced her to work out in the gym and do sit-ups in front of television reporters.

He has faced a slew of sexual assault allegations - which he has denied - as well as claims that he walked in to the models' dressing rooms while they were semi-clothed.

Ms Machado added that it was clear that Mr Trump did not respect women, and only "judges" women on their looks.

"He thinks he can do whatever he wants and get away with it," she said.

"Well, now Im standing here on behalf of women and Latinas across the country, and Americans who have been horrified with his dangerous ideas and vision of America.

"And together we are going to say loudly and clearly: 'No, Trump is not getting away with it'."
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The woman who accused Donald Trump of raping her when she was 13 years old at a party failed to show up at a press conference to give her first public statement as she "received terrible threats" and was "in great fear".

Her lawyer, Lisa Bloom, told reporters at a Los Angeles press conference that the accuser was "unable ultimately to do this".

Ms Bloom said the accuser planned to reschedule the press conference.

The accuser, known only as Jane Doe, alleged that the presidential candidate raped her at a 1994 party in a New York apartment of billionaire investor Jeffrey Epstein.

"Jane Doe has received numerous threats today, as have all the Trump accusers that I have represented," Ms Bloom told reporters.

"She is living in fear. She has decided that she is too afraid to show her face. She has been here all day, ready to do it, but unfortunately, shes in terrible fear."

Mr Trump has strongly denied the allegations. His lawyer, Alan Garten, said the allegations were reckless, irresponsible and categorically untrue.

The lawyer is the daughter of Gloria Allred, the lawyer who has represented various other women who have accused Mr Trump of sexual assault, including former Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos.

Two witness statements have been submitted from Tiffany Doe, a woman who claims to have worked as a recruiter of young women for Epsteins parties. Joan Doe said that the alleged victim shared the story of the assault a few months after she said they occurred between 1994 and 1995.

In court documents, the plaintiff said she was assaulted at four different parties. She is suing for $75,000.

Jane Doe told her lawyer she had been persuaded into attending the parties with the promise of money and a modeling career.

During the course of this savage sexual attack, Plaintiff loudly pleaded with Defendant Trump to stop but with no effect. Defendant Trump responded to Plaintiffs pleas by violently striking Plaintiff in the face with his open hand and screaming that he would do whatever he wanted.

The alleged victim claimed that Mr Trump threatened to physically harm or kill her and her family if she told anyone what had happened.

There has been little media coverage of the alleged rape case - the press conference was not aired on CNN or MSNBC on Wednesday - even though there is a court date set for 16 December.

Epstein was convicted in 2008 of soliciting an underage girl for prostitution and served a portion of an 18-year sentence.

In a New York magazine profile of Epstein before he went to prison, Mr Trump said: "Ive known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy.

"Hes a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it  Jeffrey enjoys his social life."

The accuser remained anonymous for months, which posed problems for reporters covering the case, as they had to be sure before alleging a very serious crime against a presidential candidate.

Mr Trump has also denied allegations from at least a dozen other women over the last few months, who have come forward to share their stories of alleged assault, groping and kissing without consent, some accusations going back decades.

Mr Trump said the women were sick, liars, and he was planning to sue them all once the election was over.
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Legendary American pilot Amelia Earhart may have died after living as a castaway and not in a plane crash as was previously thought, researchers have discovered.

Researchers from the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) revealed parts of a skeleton which washed up on the island of Nikumaroro in the Pacific Ocean may have belonged to Mrs Earhart.

Mrs Earhart was an aviation pioneer who became the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, in 1932. In July 1937 her plane went down off the coast of Howland Island, near Nikumaroro, during a circumnavigational trip around the world.

Efforts to find Mrs Earharts remains were unsuccessful at the time. The unidentified bones were first discovered in 1940, and experts from TIGHAR said they believed Mrs Earhart lived out her final days as a castaway stranded in the middle of the Pacific.

TIGHAR has been trying to prove the bones uncovered belong to the American pilot since 1998, and says they appear consistent with a female of Earhart's height and ethnic origin.

The bones had been previously confirmed to have belonged to a castaway, and not the victim of a plane crash. A comprehensive study of the Nikumaroro area showed bonfires had been lit and fish bones left around by someone living on the atoll.

There is an entire final chapter of Earhart's life that people don't know about. She spent days -- maybe months - heroically struggling to survive as a castaway," Ric Gillespie, who led the study, told CNN.

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"There are historical documents that prove official airlines received radio calls for help in 1937. If we look at the press of the time - people believed she was still alive.

It was only when planes were sent to fly over the islands where the distress signals were coming from and no plane was seen that the searches shifted towards the ocean. But she lived and died in that island for a while,"

The human remains from 1940 were initially dismissed by British authorities who were convinced the bones belonged to a male, and ended the investigation.

"We believe she survived heroically, and alone, for a period of time, in terrible circumstances. History needs to tell her story right, Mr Gillespie added.
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Atheists have hit out at an American civil rights advocacy organisation who published a list of anti-Muslim extremist authors.

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), specialising in civil rights and public interest litigation, published the report earlier this month which included Christian conservatives and two high-profile campaigners credited for their work in the Muslim community.

Critics called the SPLCs decision dangerous and disgraceful, and a petition has been launched for the organisation to remove certain members of the list.

"By including liberal reformists and human rights activists in its list of 'anti-Muslim' extremists, the SPLC has effectively chosen to silence and ignore many very important voices from whole groups of marginalized people, explains the petition.

In doing so, it is inadvertently accepting the most hardline and fundamentalist interpretations of Islam which chooses to remain divorced from liberal and humanitarian values.

The change.org movement specifically calls for the removal of Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Maajid Nawaz from the list.

Ms Ali, a Somali-born human rights activist and former Dutch MP, is an an ex-Muslim atheist who has publicly criticised fundamentalist Islamic practices such as female genital mutilation - of which she was a victim.

Mr Nawaz is a practicing Muslim and former recruiter for Islamist group Hizbut Tahrir. He has since launched the Quilliam Foundation, a think tank based in Britain which focuses on issues of anti-extremism, deradicalisation, and counter terrorism.

Heidi Beirich, SPLCs intelligence project director, said her concern with figures such as Mr Nawaz was the way they "misrepresent" America's Muslim community.

"Our concern specifically with Mr Nawaz is he has spread conspiracy theories about Muslims infiltrating universities and law enforcement, and that kind of conspiracy- mongering to us is not sane discussion on Muslim America," she told The Independent.

"If we're going to talk about Muslims, we want to stay away from that kind of rhetoric, it's a false representation of a community so we are using our free speech to expose that. He can call himself a Muslim reformer but his communications about the community have been absurd - just because he's a Muslim, that doesn't exempt him."

However Mr Nawaz claimed the "regressive left" had issued a "fatwa" against him as a "Muslim reformer".

"I have survived violent neo-Nazi racism and served as a former War on Terror political prisoner in Egypt, witnessing torture," he told the Daily Beast.

"Yet, in a trip that takes us through the looking glass, the largely white American non-Muslim 'progressive' leadership at the pro-civil liberties group Southern Poverty Law Center has just published a 'journalist's field list' naming me as an 'anti-Muslim' extremist."

Mr Nawaz also claimed he was the target of muslim fundamentalists who wanted him dead for his liberal views.

"Meanwhile, from the comforts of sweet Alabama comes this edict that liberal Muslims working to throw open a conversation around reforming Islam today are somehow to be deemed 'anti-Muslim extremists,'" he said.

Other critics suggested the SPLCs decision discredited them as a serious organisation.

"If criticizing religious beliefs makes them extremists, then it won't be long before other vocal atheists end up on that list too. And make no mistake, that's what Nawaz and Hirsi Ali are doing. That's all they're doing. They're not anti-Muslim; they work with moderate Muslims. They're critical of the worst aspects of Islam," Hemant Mehta of The Friendly Atheist blog said.

However, both campaigners have also been criticised in recent years with Ms Ali being branded a "veiled bigot" after she declared "Islam is not a religion of peace".

The SPLC said the list was published to expose a "network of anti-Muslim extremists and their enablers" creating "propaganda" that served to fuel hatred in the US.

It said a coalition of four research groups SPLC, Media Matters for America, the Center for New Community and ReThink Media, came together to write the manual in the hope that journalists will "use it as a guide to effectively counter these extremists and their damaging misinformation."

"A shocking number of these extremists are seen regularly on television news programs and quoted in the pages of our leading newspapers. There, they routinely espouse a wide range of utter falsehoods, all designed to make Muslims appear as bloodthirsty terrorists or people intent on undermining American constitutional freedoms. More often than not, these claims go uncontested," the report read.

"These propagandists are far outside of the political mainstream, and their rhetoric has toxic consequences  from poisoning democratic debate to inspiring hate-based violence."
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A black church in Mississippi has been burned and vandalised with pro-Donald Trump graffiti, in what authorities have described as a hateful and heinous act.

Police and fire services were called to the scene at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in the city of Greenville on Tuesday night. They arrived to find parts of the structure had been set alight and the words Vote Trump had been spray-painted on the side of the building.

No one was hurt during the attack and an investigation has been launched into who was responsible.

The local community is said to be in shock over the attack on the church, which has existed for more than 100 years and has historically been a place of worship used by members of the black community.

The mayor of Greenville, Errick D Simmons, described the act as an evil attack and strategy" to deprive black people of their civil rights, and said such an attack "should not happen in 2016".

During a news conference following the attack, Mr Simmons said: At 9:16 last night, the Greenville fire department was dispatched to Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in regard to a reported fire.

"Four units responded to the scene to discover the church fully engulfed in flames. The church was vandalised with the words: Vote Trump.

We have contacted state authorities of this hateful and heinous act and this matter is being investigated as a hate crime. This act is a direct assault on peoples right to freely worship.

"The matter is being investigated with all deliberate speed and we will not rest until the culprit is found and fully prosecuted."

When asked whether he believed the act was racially motivated, the mayor said: The black church has always been a symbol of the black community and more importantly of rights and civil liberties that were deprived from African Americans. I see this as an attack on the black church, the black community.

It appears to be a race crime. This used to happen in the fifties and sixties. But we are in 2016 and this should not happen. I see it as an evil attack and strategy to deprive, intimidate and put fear in the civil liberty and rights that folks enjoy in this country.

Greenvilles fire chief, Ruben Brown, told the news conference the fire service had arrived on the scene to see there had been heavy smoke and flames coming from the structure".

Mr Brown added: The fire was primarily in the sanctuary of the church, which was heavily charred from front to back. But damage also sustained in other parts of the building.

It took 12 minutes to extinguish, but it took an additional hour and a half to do savage overhaul and extinguish hot spots.

The pastor of the Hopewell Missionary church, Caroline Hudson, described the sadness in the community following the attack. She said: The act that has happened has left out hearts broken, but we are strong together.

"We are not angry, but our hearts are broken. We are sad about what happened. We now need to come together and show love for each other. Many people in the community have already come out to offer their assistance.

Ms Hudson added that there had been no political statement made by the church leadership prior to the incident.

The police officer heading the investigation into the incident said the case was under investigation but confirmed it was being treated as a hate crime.

Police chief Wilson said: We feel that the words that were placed on the church were an intimidation of someones right to vote whichever way they choose.

That would definitely be considered a hate crime. This is a predominantly black church, and no one has the right to pressure someone in the way they decide to vote.

The incident took place just over a week before the US presidential election, when Americans will decide whether they want Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Hillary Clinton to become the next leader of the US.
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No man can run a country alone, not even Donald Trump. That fact has been obscured by the outsize personality of the real estate tycoon turned political bulldozer, and his craving for the limelight. But if he wins Tuesdays presidential election he will have to form a cabinet  and one that measures up to Trumps promise to turn Washington on its head. The question is, who?

The man himself has given the odd clue, but given Trumps short attention span and fondness for off-the-cuff replies, its hard to judge how much thought he has given to the shape of a future administration. But a couple of things seem clear. The priority will be on domestic, above all economic, affairs. And his cabinet could be one of the most big business-flavoured in US history.

Take the Treasury. The most widely tipped names are the investor Carl Icahn (even though Icahn has turned 80 and has let it be known hes not thrilled at the prospect) and the former CEO of General Electric, Jack Welch. Another possibility, according to reports, is Trumps chief fundraiser Steve Mnuchin, once of Goldman Sachs.

However that background on Wall Street  the insider America that so many of Trumps grass roots supporters object to  could be a problem. Fundraisers and big financial allies of winning candidates have often gone to the Commerce Department, and that could be where Mnuchin ends up in a Trump administration.

Of the other domestic agencies, the oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm is on most lists of possible Energy Secretaries, a choice that would be consistent with Trumps promise to unleash Americas domestic oil industry. Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate and early Trump supporter, is also being mentioned either for the Energy Department or the Department of the Interior. Another option, reportedly, is Trumps son, Donald Jr.

 US election: Trump and Clinton on attack in final week

But putting a CEO in charge of a big economic department has obvious pitfalls, above all possible conflicts of interest that could bedevil confirmation hearings, especially if Democrats were to regain control of the Senate. Indeed Trump himself would almost certainly face major conflict of interest issues if he wins next week.

Widely tipped as Health Secretary is Ben Carson, the retired neurosurgeon and 2016 republican presidential candidate who switched to Trump early and is a fierce opponent of Obamacare which Trump has vowed to repeal.

On the law enforcement and domestic security fronts, things are more straightforward, but only a little. Rudolph Giuliani, former mayor of New York and a key Trump surrogate, would be a natural fit for the Homeland Security Department. Joe Arpaio, who calls himself Americas Toughest Sheriff has also been mentioned. But mounting legal problems, not to mention the fact hes 84, surely rule Arpaio out.

The job of Attorney General though is up in the air. It had long appeared destined for Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, who narrowly missed being Trumps vice-presidential pick. But Christie is ever more deeply entangled in New Jersey's Bridgegate scandal. An alternative might be Alabamas Jeff Sessions, the first Senator to endorse Trump back in February, and a former federal prosecutor and state attorney general.

Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Show all 14 1 /14 Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Isis: "Some of the candidates, they went in and didnt know the air conditioner didnt work and sweated like dogs, and they didnt know the room was too big because they didnt have anybody there. How are they going to beat ISIS?" Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On immigration: "I will build a great wall  and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me and Ill build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Free Trade: "Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." PAUL J. RICHARDS | AFP | Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Mexicans: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists." Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On China: "I just sold an apartment for $15 million to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike them?... I love China. The biggest bank in the world is from China. You know where their United States headquarters is located? In this building, in Trump Tower." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On work: "If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable." AP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On success: "What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate." Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On life: "Everything in life is luck." AFP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On ambition: "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On his opponents: "Bush is totally in favour of Common Core. I don't see how he can possibly get the nomination. He's weak on immigration. He's in favour of Common Core. How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can't do it." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Obamacare: "You have to be hit by a tractor, literally, a tractor, to use it, because the deductibles are so high. It's virtually useless. And remember the $5 billion web site?... I have so many web sites, I have them all over the place. I hire people, they do a web site. It costs me $3." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Barack Obama: "Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him. I have the best courses in the world. I have one right next to the White House." PA Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On himself: "Love him or hate him, Trump is a man who is certain about what he wants and sets out to get it, no holds barred. Women find his power almost as much of a turn-on as his money." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On America: "The American Dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before and we will make America great again." GETTY

Sessions, who has been an informal foreign policy adviser to Trump, could also feature in the national security team. He is frequently mentioned as a possible Secretary of State, along with John Bolton, the abrasive, ultra-conservative former US ambassador to the United Nations and senior State official under George W. Bush. Trump himself once said he was seriously thinking about choosing Bolton to the job.

The other top post to be filled is the Pentagon. The obvious candidate is retired general Michael Flynn, ex-head of the Defence Intelligence Agency, as outspoken and hardline as Bolton, and who has been Trumps chief defence policy adviser during the campaign.

Keep an eye however on Stephen Hadley. National security adviser for George W. Bush, Hadley is about the only member of the traditional Republican foreign policy establishment who hasnt come out against Trump. Quiet and a fixer by nature, Hadley could be the bridge between the disaffected grandees and the new boys aiming to take Washington by storm.
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With just days to go before the 2016 election, the Republican-leaning state of Utah is still up for grabs - but it could be claimed by former CIA operative Evan McMullin instead of Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton.

Mr McMullin, a self-professed "nobody" who has risen through the political ranks since joining the campaign in August, could be another dreaded "October surprise" for either Mr Trump or Ms Clinton.

The former investment banker and operative turned candidate has outstripped interest in other independent candidates like Gary Johnson and Jill Stein, with the help of his strategist, Mandy Finn.

Recommended Read more Trump supporter launches smear campaign against independent candidate

If Mr McMullin took the state of Utah, which has been Republican-leaning for 50 years, along with its six electoral college votes, it could push Mr Trump off course just as he had narrowed the gap with Ms Clinton after the FBI announced it would reopen the investigation into her emails.

Trump supporter William Johnson called Mr McMullin a "closet homosexual" and tried to smear him by pointing to his mother who married another woman after divorcing his father.

Mr McMullin, who said he joined the race as he was tired of Mr Trumps heated rhetoric, responded the attack was consistent with "Trumps bigoted, deceitful campaign and vision for America. Utahns wont be fooled."

Rick Wilson, a veteran GOP strategist who is advising the campaign, told the LA Times: "We wanted a place for conservatives to say, I cast a vote in 2016 that I didn't feel I had to take a shower in bleach after'."

The 40-year-old so-called member of the Mormon mafia - Utah is 60 per cent Mormon - said he was not aiming to win 270 votes, but earn enough electoral votes to block both the mainstream candidates.

University of Birmingham US politics professor Scott Lucas said there was "certainly a possibility" he could win, as he appeals to Mormons who have been repelled by Mr Trumps comments about immigrants and women.

"Utah should be a solid Republican state hands down, but a lot of Mormons were very unsettled by Trump," he told News.com.

Utah Republicans were also vocal after the release of a 2005 video which showed the nominee bragging to Billy Bush about grabbing womens genitals and doing "anything he wanted" with women as he was a "star". Utah governor Gary Herbert withdrew his endorsement.

But Larry Sabato, director of the centre for politics at the University of Virginia, said Mr McMullins success was very unlikely.

"Some of these states are tops that are spinning, they go one way one day and another way the next.

"But right at the end, due to FBI director [James Comey], weak partisan Republicans have decided to vote Trump. Comey is responsible for a lot of it [Trumps likely success in Utah]."

Mr Comey announced last Friday that his team were taking investigative steps after they found new emails that were pertinent to the now closed investigation of Ms Clinton and the alleged misuse of her personal email server when she was secretary of state. Although the emails are reportedly linked to the investigation of disgraced Democrat Anthony Wiener, very little information about the emails or the investigation has been given.

Mr Sabato added that no other candidate except Mr Trump or Ms Clinton would win the election overall.

"Stein and Johnson have been dropping like rocks," he said.
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Many Muslim Americans cringe at the way they have been portrayed by both candidates during the US presidential campaign - either as potential jihadis or eyes and ears who can help the government's anti-terror efforts.

Those descriptions, offered by Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton respectively, are troubling to Muslims who complain they are being pigeonholed and their concerns on other issues ignored.

I think that there is some level of dismissiveness about Arab-Americans and American-Muslims that allows candidates to talk about us, not really to us, said Omar Baddar, a political analyst and media producer based in Washington.

Chaumtoli Huq, a lawyer from the New York City suburb of Yonkers, said: We're not able to talk about issues that impact us as citizens - education, jobs, things that any other voter would care about. It's a really demoralising way to be seen to be part of this country.

One of the campaign's more memorable moments for Muslim Americans unfolded at the Democratic National Convention in July, when a grieving Khizr Khan addressed delegates about his son, Humayun, an American soldier who was killed in Iraq.

The Republican candidate soon pushed back against Mr Khan's anti-Trump comments, setting up an almost unprecedented episode in which a presidential nominee criticised a military family that lost a loved one in a war zone.

Ms Huq and others said Mr Trump's campaign has clearly been the more negative one, starting with his call to ban foreign Muslims from entering the United States as an anti-terrorism measure.

In the second presidential debate in St Louis, Mr Trump answered a question about how to stop Islamophobia in America by saying American Muslims must report other Muslims engaging in dangerous behaviour.

Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Show all 14 1 /14 Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Isis: "Some of the candidates, they went in and didnt know the air conditioner didnt work and sweated like dogs, and they didnt know the room was too big because they didnt have anybody there. How are they going to beat ISIS?" Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On immigration: "I will build a great wall  and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me and Ill build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Free Trade: "Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." PAUL J. RICHARDS | AFP | Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Mexicans: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists." Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On China: "I just sold an apartment for $15 million to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike them?... I love China. The biggest bank in the world is from China. You know where their United States headquarters is located? In this building, in Trump Tower." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On work: "If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable." AP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On success: "What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate." Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On life: "Everything in life is luck." AFP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On ambition: "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On his opponents: "Bush is totally in favour of Common Core. I don't see how he can possibly get the nomination. He's weak on immigration. He's in favour of Common Core. How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can't do it." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Obamacare: "You have to be hit by a tractor, literally, a tractor, to use it, because the deductibles are so high. It's virtually useless. And remember the $5 billion web site?... I have so many web sites, I have them all over the place. I hire people, they do a web site. It costs me $3." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Barack Obama: "Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him. I have the best courses in the world. I have one right next to the White House." PA Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On himself: "Love him or hate him, Trump is a man who is certain about what he wants and sets out to get it, no holds barred. Women find his power almost as much of a turn-on as his money." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On America: "The American Dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before and we will make America great again." GETTY

He also repeated the false claim that neighbours of the San Bernardino, California, shooters saw bombs all over the floor in the shooters' home last year, but did not report it.

That led to a widely retweeted comment from Brooklyn College professor Moustafa Bayoumi, who posted: I'm a Muslim, and I would like to report a crazy man threatening a woman on a stage in Missouri.

By the time the debate ended, his retort had been retweeted more than 32,000 times and liked more than 43,000 times.

Mr Bayoumi said Muslim Americans get exceptionalised to such a degree that their average Americanness disappears in the wind.

But Mrs Clinton did not escape censure from Muslim Americans, who said that the Democratic nominee's public remarks had primarily revolved around recognising them for what they could do to support counter-terrorism efforts.

Hillary Clinton in quotes Show all 11 1 /11 Hillary Clinton in quotes Hillary Clinton in quotes Hillary Clinton After losing the 2016 election: 'To all of the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.' Getty Hillary Clinton in quotes Hillary Clinton On running for President in 2016: 'I'm going to decide when it feels right for me to decide. ... certainly not before then [the end of 2014].' AP Hillary Clinton in quotes Hillary Clinton On the Monica Lewinsky affair: 'Its liberating to be able to reach the point in your life where you feel you can forgive. Everybody feels they have been trespassed upon and nearly everybody has trespassed on somebody else, maybe not intentionally.' Hillary Clinton in quotes Hillary Clinton On news and hair: 'If I want to knock a story off the front page, I just change my hairstyle.' Getty Images Hillary Clinton in quotes Hillary Clinton On being asked which fashion designers she preferred: 'Would you ever ask a man that question?' Getty Images Hillary Clinton in quotes Hillary Clinton On equality: 'Well I'm very conscious of how important it is for us to shatter that glass ceiling in my country. A country that has done so much for so many women and really has set the standard for women's rights and responsibilities, and I do want to see that glass ceiling shattered.' Getty Images Hillary Clinton in quotes Hillary Clinton On not winning in 2008: 'I think because I really didn't have a good strategy for my campaign. I didn't plan it the right way. ... As a candidate who was already so well known ... I don't think I ever said, 'Yes, you may have known me for eight years, but I don't take anything for granted. I have to earn your support.' Getty Images Hillary Clinton in quotes Hillary Clinton On self-confidence 'You have to be true to yourself. You have to be enough in touch with who you are and what you want, how you want to live and what's important to you, to make your decisions based on that. Sometimes that's very difficult.' AP Hillary Clinton in quotes Hillary Clinton On 9/11: 'Every nation has to either be with us, or against us. Those who harbor terrorists, or who finance them, are going to pay a price.' Getty Images Hillary Clinton in quotes Hillary Clinton On women around the world: 'If women are healthy and educated, their families will flourish. If women are free from violence, their families will flourish. If women have a chance to work and earn as full and equal partners in society, their families will flourish. And when families flourish, communities and nations will flourish.' Getty Images Hillary Clinton in quotes Hillary Clinton On her political life: 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

At that second debate, in answering the same question as Mr Trump, she said: We need American Muslims to be part of our eyes and ears on our front lines. I've worked with a lot of different Muslim groups around America. I've met with a lot of them, and I've heard how important it is for them to feel that they are wanted and included and part of our country, part of our homeland security, and that's what I want to see.

Nour Eidy, a freshman at the University of Michigan, grew up in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, which is heavily Arab and Muslim. She was troubled by the call to root out radicals, mainly because she has not come across any.

I don't know anything about terrorism. I don't know their game plans, their strategies, she said. We're just as victimised by them as anybody else.

But Hussien Kazwini said he did not object to calls for Muslims to identify dangerous extremists. The college student in Toledo, Ohio, whose parents were born in Lebanon, said it was what every US citizen should do.

We, at the end of the day, are around more Muslims at a mosque or an event, he said. Maybe we do have an ability to more easily see if someone is going over to the extreme side.

Frustration with the race is enough to make Ramah Kudaimi want to skip voting altogether.

People are so shocked by what Trump is saying, that he's - and he's so openly racist - that they are giving Hillary Clinton a pass, the Washington DC organiser said. The Democrats, frankly, have not necessarily done what is needed to also earn my vote as a Muslim American.

In New York, Ahsia Badi, a 44-year-old health professional who has two children, said the campaign rhetoric had also affected how non-Muslims interacted with Muslims. This sort of dialogue is forcing people to sit there and see their friends who happen to be Muslim, to be their 'Muslim friends, she said.

AP
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Studies funded by the soft drink industry are more likely to mask links to obesity and type two diabetes, according to a new report.

Researchers from the University of California analysed 60 studies published between 2001 and 2016 for a link between soft-drink consumption and health risks.

The analysis showed 100 per cent of the studies reporting no connection between obesity, diabetes and sugar-sweetened beverages, were industry-funded.

Of the 34 that did establish a link between soft drinks and poor health, only one was funded by the industry.

This study adds to the growing literature that industry studies are inherently biased in their assessments, and for some time have attempted to influence the research agenda, Professor Carl Heneghan, Director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine at the University of Oxford, told The Independent.

Importantly, industry-funded research can undermine health and distort public health messages Therefore, it is essential that the public is made aware of study funding and its effect. Policymakers and decision makers should always seek out the source of funding when assessing whether a study is more likely be true or not and ensure non-industry studies are used, when available, to inform policy.

He added that biases in industry-funded studies were not usually due to poor methodology, but due to inherent problems in their design, including poor choice of comparators and problems with the way data is analysed and reported.

If you look at just the independent studies, it becomes exceedingly clear that these drinks are associated with diabetes and obesity, yet there are pockets of society that believe that they dont cause these diseases because of the controversy that industry has created, Dean Schillinger, lead author of the report, told The New York Times.

The reality is we are in a public health war with diabetes right now. In every war there is propaganda. What the public should take away from this is that we are being played. If you exclude the studies funded by industry and only look at the independently funded studies, it becomes apparent that sugar-sweetened beverages cause obesity and diabetes.

The report, published on Monday in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, is not the first to criticise industry bias.

In October, the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found 96 health organisations in the US between 2011 and 2015 had accepted money from Coca-Cola, PepsiCo or both companies.

The latest research was commissioned following a legal battle between the soft drink industry and San Francisco, after city officials made it compulsory for advertisements of sugary drinks to contain a health warning, similar to the tobacco industry.

The beverage industry sued, claiming the warnings were misleading and violated free speech.

The amounts of sugar in food and drink Show all 6 1 /6 The amounts of sugar in food and drink The amounts of sugar in food and drink Minstrels A 42g bag contains 28.9g of sugar The amounts of sugar in food and drink Dairy Milk A 49g bar contains 26.8g of sugar The amounts of sugar in food and drink Skittles 45g of Skittles (about a quarter of a large 174g pouch) contains 40.4g of sugar The amounts of sugar in food and drink Ribena A 500ml bottle of Blackcurrant Ribena contains 23g of sugar, down from 50g/500ml after it was reformulated to avoid the government's tax on sugary drinks The amounts of sugar in food and drink Coca Cola A 330ml can of Coca Cola contains 35g of sugar The amounts of sugar in food and drink Innocent Smoothies A 250ml bottle of strawberries & bananas Innocent Smoothie (the middle size) contains 26g of sugar

Dr. Schillinger was hired to assess the scientific link between soft drinks and health problems.

We have a right  and a responsibility  to engage in scientific research. The research we fund adheres to the highest standards of integrity for scientific inquiry based on recognized standards by prominent research institutions, the American Beverage Association said in a statement.

Its ironic that [Schillinger] would write about bias in research when he himself is clearly not an impartial researcher. This paper is the latest in a trend of pro-tax forces writing speculative opinion papers to influence voters a week before a vote on several ballot initiatives to tax beverages. Clearly pro-tax forces are worried that the voters are skeptical of their demands for regressive and discriminatory taxes.

Sugar has been blamed by many as the biggest contributor to the world's growing obesity crisis.

Warnings in the UK about its impact on health saw a tax on sugary drinks introduced in March by George Osborne in his eighth government budget.

However, increased awareness has failed to curb UK consumption according to Public Health Englands latest figures.

The Independent has contacted the British Soft Drinks Assocation for comment.
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George Bush and his father could "potentially" vote for Hillary Clinton, the nephew and grandson of the former US presidents has said.

George P Bush, the son of Mr Bush's brother Jeb, said he was the only member of his powerful Republican political dynasty who would be voting for the Grand Old Party (GOP).

His remarks came as he was addressing a small Republican rally in San Marcos, Texas.

Pressed later to clarify his comments, Mr Bush said of grandfather George HW Bush and uncle George W: "I don't know how they voted. I'm speculating, to be honest."

Asked if either could vote for Democratic presidential candidate Ms Clinton, Mr Bush, a land commissioner, answered: "Potentially. But hard to speculate."

Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Show all 15 1 /15 Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Who are famous people voting for in the US election? George Clooney HILLARY CLINTON Getty Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Leonardo DiCaprio HILLARY CLINTON Getty Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Mike Tyson DONALD TRUMP Getty Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Beyonce HILLARY CLINTON Rex Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Chloe Grace Moretz HILLARY CLINTON Vivien Killilea/Getty Images Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Sarah Jessica Parker HILLARY CLINTON Getty Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Jon Voight DONALD TRUMP Getty Images Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Katy Perry HILLARY CLINTON Getty Images Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Jennifer Lopez HILLARY CLINTON Angela Weiss/Getty Images Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Denis Rodman DONALD TRUMP TIMOTHY CLARY/AFP/Getty Images Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Salma Hayek HILLARY CLINTON Getty Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Le Bron James HILLARY CLINTON Justin Carissimo Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Hulk Hogan DONALD TRUMP Reuters Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Kid Rock DONALD TRUMP Theo Wargo/Getty Images Who are famous people voting for in the US election? Stacey Dash DONALD TRUMP Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush was defeated by Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primary.

Meanwhile Ms Clinton said Mr Trump had "no excuse" for not releasing his tax returns and called on him to do so before the 8 November election.

She said she was particularly interested in learning about any dealings Mr Trump has had with Russian interests and whether he contributed to charity.

She told a crowd in Florida that most of those there had probably paid more in federal taxes than billionaire Mr Trump.

Breaking with decades of tradition, Mr Trump has refused to make his tax returns public, citing an ongoing audit, but tax experts say there is no reason why he could not.

Ms Clinton also attacked Mr Trump's business record, calling him the "poster boy for everything that is wrong with our economy".

 Swing states: how could they determine Trump or Clinton win?

But there was no escaping Ms Clinton's own problems. Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee chairman Ron Johnson said her choice to blend public and official business on her private email server could be impeachable if she won the presidency.

The Wisconsin senator Johnson told the Beloit Daily News that Ms Clinton "purposefully circumvented" the law, adding "this was wilful concealment and destruction" involving information related to national defence.

Mr Johnson said under federal law anyone found to have concealed or removed such records would be disqualified from holding office.

The FBI found that classified information had passed through Ms Clinton's home server but declined to recommend charges.

Mr Johnson is locked in a re-election battle with Democrat Russ Feingold, whom he defeated in 2010.

For his part, Mr Trump urged early voters who have had second thoughts about their presidential choice to recall their ballots and change their minds.

He told supporters that Wisconsin was one of four states in which someone who voted early could potentially change it at a county clerk's office.

He said that voters who "are having a bad case of buyer's remorse" should change their ballot "if you think you made a mistake".

Mr Trump said the four states that allowed early ballots to be changed were Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.

In Wisconsin, voters can change their minds up to three times. The deadline for doing so is Thursday. But changing votes is very rarely done, according to the Early Voting Information Centre at Reed College.

Earlier US president Barack Obama told working-class voters not to be "bamboozled" by Mr Trump, saying he had "shown no regard for working people".

Repeating his disbelief, Mr Obama said: "C'mon, this guy?" and added that Mr Trump "wouldn't let you into one of his hotels unless you were cleaning the room".

Mr Obama was campaigning at Capital University near Columbus, Ohio, a state he won twice by winning just enough working-class voters, while pumping up turnout among African Americans.



Press Association
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Nearly 400 economists have signed an open letter to voters denouncing Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and telling voters to "choose a different candidate."

"Donald Trump is a dangerous, destructive choice for the country," the letter said. "He misinforms the electorate, degrades trust in public institutions with conspiracy theories, and promotes willful delusion over engagement with reality."

The economists did not specifically endorse Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the letter.

Among prominent economists who signed the letter were Oliver Hart, the Harvard University professor who won a Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences this year, and Paul Romer, the chief economist of the World Bank.

The economists  a mix of professors, Ph.D. candidates, and policymakers  said they opposed Trump's campaign based on the Republican nominee's history of promoting falsehoods and misleading the public.

Among the issues addressed in the letter were concerns by the economists that Trump:

"Misled voters in in states like Ohio and Michigan" by saying that renegotiating the NAFTA trade agreement would increase employment in manufacturing. The economists said manufacturing losses were due mostly to automation and not trade.

"Claims that he will eliminate the fiscal deficit" while proposing a plan that the Tax Foundation says would decrease tax revenue by $2.6 trillion to $5.9 trillion.

"Uses immigration as a red herring to mislead voters about issues of economic importance," including the stagnation of wages in households with lower education levels, which the economists say "diverts the public debate."

"Misled the public by asserting that U.S. manufacturing has declined," though the economists point out that the level of manufacturing output in the US has more than doubled since 1980.

"Has lowered the seriousness of the national dialogue" by proposing that the elimination of government departments such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Education would significantly reduce the fiscal deficit.

"If elected, he poses a unique danger to the functioning of democratic and economic institutions, and to the prosperity of the country," the economists wrote.

Nineteen Nobel laureates in economics, including Joseph Stiglitz and Daniel Kahneman, published a separate open letter on Monday endorsing Clinton for president.

More than 300 conservative economists from universities, think tanks, and business groups, however, published a letter in September denouncing Clinton's policies.

Read the economists' letter here.

Read more:

 This chart is easy to interpret: It says we're screwed

 How Uber became the world's most valuable startup

 These 4 things could trigger the next crisis in Europe

Read the original article on Business Insider UK.  2016. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.
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An evangelical bishop who once said homosexual people were victims of a terrible evil has been elected mayor of Rio de Janeiro, as Brazilian voters largely turned to right-wing politicians to deal with deteriorating social conditions in major cities.

Marcelo Crivella from the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God won with 59 per cent of the vote to 41 over his socialist rival Marcelo Freixo, and said he would dedicate his efforts to improving health, education, transport and public safety in Brazils most popular tourist destination.

In the past Mr Crivella has taken hardline stances against homosexuality - which he described as malign - and abortion in books he authored. He previously called Catholics demonic and accused Hinduism of sheltering unclean spirits.

"Millions of people around the world are victims of this terrible evil," he wrote of homosexuality in his 1999 book Evangelizing Africa. "They live without peace and in a pitiable condition for a human being."

The bishop went on to warn such spirits could be "transmitted to the next generation" from father to son: "When the father dies, the spirit [of homosexuality] can be manifest in his son who readily neglects his wife and children to pursue this evil conduct."

At the end of a hard-fought campaign, Mr Crivella told supporters: I pray to God that my modest public service will leave all Rio citizens with the example that your time comes if you do not give up.

According to the 2010 census, Rio has the highest percentage of non-heterosexual males in Brazil, with 19.3% of its population being gay or bisexual men. The 21st iteration of its famous gay pride event, due to begin on November 13, is expected to attract more than 1,000,000 participants.

Mr Crivella was the clear favourite in the run up to the election according to various polls, despite the fact he had run for mayor in previous years and been unsuccessful.

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. 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Across Brazil, right-wing candidates have strengthened their influence at the expense of the Workers party, which commanded the majority of public support until the impeachment of former president Dilma Rousseff in August this year.

The Workers party lost every mayoral post it contested on Sunday, including its former strongholds of Sao Paulo and Recife.

Meanwhile, right-wing evangelicals are in the process of consolidating their power in Brazils federal congress, where they hold 199 of the 513 seats in the lower house.

Political analysts believe significant gains by right-wing politicians will set them in good stead in the run up to the presidential elections in 2018.
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Campaigners protesting the building of the four-state Dakota Access oil pipeline have crowd funded more than $1 million despite only setting a goal of $5,000 on their GoFundMe page.

Thousands have gathered in North Dakota to support the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in their legal battle against the plan for the 1,200 mile-long pipeline across their land.

This GoFundMe page is one of several cash streams that have provided the campaign more than $3 million to help protesters pay their legal costs, camp on the reservation and buy any other necessary supplies.

Between Thursday and Friday alone, the collected funds totalled $200,000. The money will allow the protesters to prolong their months-long encampment while the the tribe's legal battle in federal court continues.

Organisers are keen to state the amount of money raised goes out as quickly as it comes in mostly on operating costs for the camps.

Ho Waste Wakiya Wicasa, who originally set up up the fundraising page, said: "It still feels unreal sometimes because it is such an astronomical figure to me.

"The money goes as quickly as it comes, but without it having been as much as it is, we certainly wouldnt have been able to be as productive as we have been in the fight."

 Hollywood Stars Join Standing Rock Sioux Members to Protest North Dakota Pipeline

Since April, opponents of the $3.8 billion pipeline have been camping in North Dakota about 50 miles south of Bismarck.

They worry the pipeline will disturb cultural artifacts and threaten drinking water sources on the nearby Sioux reservation and downstream.

The pipeline's operator, Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners, insists the project is safe.
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Stock markets across the world appear to be reeling after a tracking poll put Donald Trump in the lead with less than a week to go to election day.

Hillary Clintons campaign team has rejected the findings of the poll for ABC News and the Washington Post, which put Mr Trump a single percentage point ahead, calling into question the methodology used.

The poll gave the Republican 46 per cent to Ms Clintons 45 per cent nationally, a slump for the Democrat after news emerged that the FBI was investigating a new tranche of her emails.

And as shares in Asia hit a seven-week low following losses on Wall Street, FXTM Chief Market Strategist Hussein Sayed said he believed the markets were in the early stage of panic about next weeks vote.

 Donald Trump says US 'should just cancel the election' and call it in his favour as Hillary Clinton leads polls

British government bond prices jumped on Wednesday, tracking US and German debt prices higher as markets reacted to the increased uncertainty.

Europes Stoxx 600 index, which includes the 600 largest companies across the region, has hit its lowest level since 11 July, and the VIX, a volatility measure dubbed the "fear gauge" for Wall Street, jumped 14 per cent on Tuesday to its highest level since June.

Ms Clinton flew in for a number of campaign events on Tuesday night in Florida, a state which her team sees as holding the key to victory on 8 November.

And a senior aide told reporters on the campaign plane that they simply do not believe the new email story could have given Mr Trump the lead - or even affected their position in the polls at all.

The official said: Its not what we see all, according to a report in The Guardian. There seems to be something about that [ABC/Post] model that seems odd.

Recommended Read more Trump overtakes Hillary Clinton for first time since May in ABC poll

The race has tightened the way that we thought it would tighten, but we do not see anything that would suggest [the tracking poll] is right.

It is not just the ABC/Post poll that indicates a negative fallout for Ms Clinton from Fridays announcement, when FBI director James Comey said the agency was looking into emails, sent by the then-Secretary of State to senior aide Huma Abedin, found during an unrelated investigation into Ms Abedins estranged husband Anthony Weiner.

According to the Real Clear Politics tracker which averages most major polls, the Democrat's lead slumped from 4.6 percentage points on Friday to 2.5 points late on Monday.

And a Reuters survey conducted in the midst of the FBI's announcement showed Ms Clinton on 44 per cent of the vote to Mr Trump's 39 per cent, already slipping slightly from a six-point lead with that pollster.

But the aide was reportedly adamant. We do not see any evidence that the Comey story has had an impact. Weve seen anecdotal evidence about turnout and our voter registering, volunteer numbers, etc, that suggests that if anything it has encouraged our supporters.

ABC News and the Post said the latest poll was conducted by Langer Research Associates by telephone on October 27-30, among a random national sample of 1,773 adults including landline and cellphone respondents. Among the results for likely voters, the error margin was plus or minus three points - a fact noted in reporting of the poll.

Both sides continued to spar on Tuesday over the FBI revelation, with an Abedin lawyer saying her client learned only from media reports on Friday that a laptop she shared with Mr Weiner might contain some pertinent emails. The attorney said Ms Abedin had still not been contacted by the FBI about the development and she would cooperate if asked.

"The Trump campaign is on the offensive and we're expanding our map," Trump aide David Bossie said, suggesting the campaign now sees opportunities to compete in traditional Democratic states such as New Mexico and Michigan.

In Wisconsin, Mr Trump urged early voters there who "are having a bad case of buyer's remorse" to change their ballots before Thursday's deadline. A lot of stuff has come out since you voted, he said.

Four states  Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania  allow early vote switches but the practice is extremely rare, according to the Early Voting Information Center at Reed College.

US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Show all 12 1 /12 US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump shakes hands with Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at the conclusion of their first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York Reuters US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures President Barack Obama embraces Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton on stage at the party's convention in Philadelphia US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Donald Trump's wife Melania delivered a speech at the GOP convention in Cleveland that was later found to have been cribbed in part from Michelle Obama's 2008 convention address AP US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Hillary Clinton talks to reporters aboard her new campaign plane on Labour Day, 5 September, her first 'press conference' since 2015 (Getty Images) US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Donald Trump held a joint press conference with Mexican leader Enrique Pena Nieto in Mexico City in August, hours before reiterating his harsh immigration plans at a campaign rally in Arizona Reuters US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Bernie Sanders officially endorsed Hillary Clinton, saying his progressive vision for a transformed America would be best served by the defeat of Donald Trump Reuters US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Khizr and Gazala Khan appeared at the DNC to slam Trump for his stance on Muslim immigration, citing the case of their son Humayun Khan, who was killed in combat while serving as a Captain in the US Army in Iraq US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson is doing better in polls than any third party candidate since Ross Perot, 20 years ago Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Green Party candidate Jill Stein (centre) marches with supporters in Colorado AP US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Hillary Clinton and Virginia Senator Tim Kaine at a rally in Kaine's home state in July, days before Ms Clinton tapped him to be her running mate Getty US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Trump on the campaign trail with his vice presidential pick, Indiana governor Mike Pence AP US election 2016: the race for the White House in pictures Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage appears at a Trump rally in Mississippi in August, where he told the crowd that he 'wouldn't vote for Hillary Clinton if you paid me'.

Otherwise, Mr Trump strove to blend a quieter, presidential tone with his usual tough rhetoric. Clearly briefed to focus on policy prescriptions, he spent the day on message, delivering carefully scripted remarks focused mostly on health care. He cautioned that Clinton's plan to strengthen "Obamacare" would lead to dire consequences, although he offered few specifics about his own plan.

"If we don't repeal and replace Obamacare, we will destroy American health care forever," Mr Trump said in a speech outside Philadelphia.

He also promised, if elected, to call a special session of Congress to replace the law. However, Congress would already be in session when the next president takes office, raising the question of just what he meant.

Having addressed the FBI announcement at two events on Monday, Ms Clinton  with help from President Barack Obama  used her Tuesday events to unleash a fresh offensive against her rival and his vulgar comments about women.

"For my entire life, I've been a woman," Ms Clinton said. "And when I think about what we now know about Donald Trump and what he's been doing for 30 years, he sure has spent a lot of time demeaning, degrading, insulting and assaulting women."

Trump has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct in recent weeks, complicating his efforts to win over women in both parties. He has denied every accusation, but President Obama said there was a pattern at work to which voters needed to pay heed.

"This is a lifetime of calling women pigs and dogs and slobs," Mr Obama said at a rally in Ohio. "The part we're concerned about is if we start acting like this is normal."

"If you disrespected women before you were elected, you will disrespect women once you're president," Mr Obama said.
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The Clinton campaign is once again fuming at the FBI after the agency posted a Twitter message on Tuesday advertising a dump of 129 pages of records related to the deeply controversial pardoning by Bill Clinton of a fugitive financier at the moment he left office.

With what seemed like exquisite timing, the agency dropped the documents into the public sphere exactly one week before the election with polls showing a tightening race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

The action came just four days after FBI Director, James Comey, caused an earthquake in the race for president by announcing steps to examine a huge new trove of emails that may or may not have some bearing on an earlier investigation into Ms Clintons use of a private email server.

Will FBI be posting docs on Trumps housing discrimination in 70s? Brian Fallon, a Clinton campaign spokesperson, asked sarcastically after the latest FBI document release. He added that the timing of the new release appeared odd. Demcrats noted that the Twitter account where news of the document release was posted, called @FBIRecordsVault, had been dormant for over a year before being reactivated just on Sunday.

The agency contended that the new documents, which detail what steps were taken to investigate Mr Clintons decision to pardon Marc Rich, a fugitive financier who had fled to Switzerland after being convicted of massive tax evasion in the US, were released only in response to a Freedom of Information Act, FOIA, request. Such releases are automated, it said.

But the timing - both of the reactivation of the Twitter account that was used and of the release itself - clearly creates additional doubts about the agencys commitment to keeping itself out of the political fray and at sufficient distance from the presidential election so as not to influence it, as required by law.

While at first glance there did not appear to be anything fresh in the Marc Rich documents, they inevitably will serve as a reminder of one of the darkest blots on Mr Clintons reputation that came at the moment he left office.

The pardon got so much attention because Mr Richs wife, Denise Rich, had become a major donor to the Democratic Party and to the Clinton family, giving generously, for instance, to Ms Clintons successful 2000 campaign for the US Senate in New York.

The newly disclosed documents made clear, in fact, that within the agency the investigation, which was only wound up in 2005 without any charges being filed, had concerned possible public corruption surrounding the pardons granted by former president William Clinton. That is language hardly likely to be helpful to Ms Clinton in the ebbing days of a campaign that has been marked by public distrust of her and her family.

In a statement defending its latest dump-surprise, the FBI said the documents were published after Freedom of Information Act requests and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBIs public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures. This happens, the statement said, on a first-in, first-out basis. Officials added that the agency had been working to upgrade a website in recent months and the completion of that work was the reason the Twitter account had come back to life at the weekend.

The storm created by Mr Comeys decision to make public the discovery of a new cache of emails possibly pertaining to Ms Clintons emailing habits while Secretary of State - they were found on devices belonging to Anthony Weiner, the former Congressman and estranged husband of Clinton top aide Huma Abedin - continues unabated, meanwhile. Democrats have roundly accused the FBI of double standards by declining at the same time to make public any details of work it has done this year to investigate potentially illegal ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.

While there is still no evidence to suggest that the new materials contain anything that would persuade the FBI formally to re-open the investigation into Ms Clintons server which it closed in July, it has sent shockwaves through the campaign with Mr Trump using it to double down on his contention that Ms Clinton is crooked and deserves to be in jail.

The fall-out for Mr Comey and the FBI is already intense and may last far beyond the election next week.

Americans now look at the FBI and see a political entity, not a nonpartisan entity  and that has huge ramifications for the FBI and for all of us, Matt Miller, former chief spokesman for the Justice Department and a Clinton supporter told The Washington Post. It sows disbelief in our system of government and is hugely toxic.
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In a surprise show of comradeship, a number of Republicans have joined Democrats in attacking FBI chief James Comey for revealing his organisation is investigating newly uncovered emails associated with Hillary Clintons private server just 11 days before the presidential elections.

The Clinton campaign is currently working to contain damage from Mr Comey's announcement on Friday after the Democrat's lead dropped from 4.6 percentage points on Friday to 2.5 points on Monday, according to Real Clear Politics.

The FBI said it had found thousands of emails, during an unrelated investigation, which may be "pertinent" to its review of Ms Clinton's use of a private server from 2009 to 2013.

Recommended Read more Trump overtakes Hillary Clinton for first time since May in ABC poll

Mr Comey concluded in July that while Ms Clinton and her staff had been "extremely careless" in handling classified information, there were no grounds for any charges.

The announcement sparked intense backlash, with Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook calling the revelation a "blatant double standard" following a CNBC report that Mr Comey opposed releasing details about possible Russian interference in the US election because it was too close to election day.

 Hillary Clinton email probe: Donald Trump hails decision to investigate new emails

Senator Harry Reid, the Democrat leader of the US Senate, accused the FBI of double standards in a letter sent to Mr Comey on Sunday, while Ms Clinton said the timing raised "a few questions" for the FBI, adding: Voters deserve to get full and complete facts, so we call on director Comey to explain everything right away and put it all out on the table."

As criticism mounts against the FBI director, even Republicans have denounced the timing of the email revelation and a potential post-election spillover.

Ohio Republican congressman Jim Jordan, who chairs the House Freedom Caucus, told Fox News Radio: I think this was probably not the right thing for Comey to do - the protocol here - to come out this close to an election, but this whole case has been mishandled, and now it is what it is."

In a letter addressed to Mr Comey on Monday, the Iowa Senator and head of the Senate Judiciary Committee Chuck Grassley called for more details about the revelation.

I agree that your disclosure did not go far enough. Unfortunately, your letter failed to give Congress and the American people enough context to evaluate the significance or full meaning of this development, wrote Mr Grassley.

Without additional context, your disclosure is not fair to Congress, the American people, or Secretary Clinton.

Newt Gingrich, a Trump campaign surrogate and former House speaker, said on Twitter: We should not be forced to vote with ten thousand or more emails still hidden by the FBI. John Podesta [chairman of the Clinton campaign] and Hillary Clinton are right."

In an op-ed for the New York Times, chief ethics lawyer in the Bush White House Richard Painter wrote: "I never thought that the FBI could be dragged into a political circus surrounding one of its investigations. Until this week.

Joe Walsh, a Trump supporter and former Republican congressman, has posted a series of tweets slamming the timing of Mr Comeys decision. His remarks include: What he just did 11 days [before] the election is wrong and unfair to Hillary.

"I want Trump to win, but what Comey just did to Hillary Is wrong & really unfair to her."

Larry Thompson, a Bush deputy attorney-general, wrote in an op-ed in The Washington Post co-authored with Jamie Gorelick: "We now have ... a kind of reality TV of federal criminal investigation ... it is antithetical to the interests of justice, putting a thumb on the scale of this election and damaging our democracy."

Jeanine Pirro, a former GOP prosecutor, judge and Trump supporter, said on Fox News that Mr Comey's actions "disgraces and politicises" the FBI.

The Justice Department, moving to address concerns over the timing of the revelation of the emails and a potential post-election spillover, said it would "dedicate all necessary resources" to concluding the review promptly.

At the White House, spokesman Josh Earnest said he would neither defend nor criticise the timing of Mr Comey's disclosure. But he also said President Barack Obama did not believe Mr Comey was trying to influence the election, or attempting to benefit one candidate or party.

Additional reporting by agencies
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KKK newspaper The Crusader, the voice of The Few, The Proud, The Fed Up and the exclusively alabaster, has made it official.

Make America Great Again its front page howls, atop an editorial piece endorsing the Republican candidate and discussing its feeling of alienation in a new America.

We are living among people who have been disconnected from the spirit, values, morals and faiths of our forefathers, it whines, adding that America was great not because of what our forefathers did - but because of who our forefathers were. America was founded as a White Christian Republic."

The Crusader is the paper of choice for the KKK and White Christian racists across America. The front page was written by Pastor Thomas Robb, national director of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, and the edition links to several KKK sites and features fan letters from Klan supporters in the police.

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

Trump is unlikely to be fervently tweeting about this endorsement but has also yet to reject it.

Ronal Reagan previously renounced the KKKs support, saying: Those of us in public life can only resent the use of our names by those who seek political recognition for the repugnant doctrines of hate they espouse.

Asked in July whether he would vote against former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, who has also backed Trump and is running for Senate, Trump said: I guess.
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White supremacist groups say they will mobilise members to watch polls in areas largely populated by people of colour on Election Day, prompting concerns of conflict and an effort to disenfranchise black voters by the alt-right wing of Donald Trumps support.

Leaders of the Oath Keepers, the National Socialist Movement, the Ku Klux Klan, and the American Freedom Party told Politico that they intend to monitor polling places informally or on behalf of the Trump campaign.

The Trump campaign  which recently earned the endorsement of the KKKs official newspaper  has galvanised supporters from the white supremacist fringes of US politics. Mr Trump himself urged his supporters to watch the polls in certain areas of Pennsylvania.

Last week, a senior Trump official told Bloomberg Businessweek that the campaign had initiated a voter suppression to discourage black voters, white liberals, and young women from voting.

Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Show all 14 1 /14 Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Isis: "Some of the candidates, they went in and didnt know the air conditioner didnt work and sweated like dogs, and they didnt know the room was too big because they didnt have anybody there. How are they going to beat ISIS?" Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On immigration: "I will build a great wall  and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me and Ill build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Free Trade: "Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." PAUL J. RICHARDS | AFP | Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Mexicans: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists." Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On China: "I just sold an apartment for $15 million to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike them?... I love China. The biggest bank in the world is from China. You know where their United States headquarters is located? In this building, in Trump Tower." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On work: "If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable." AP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On success: "What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate." Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On life: "Everything in life is luck." AFP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On ambition: "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On his opponents: "Bush is totally in favour of Common Core. I don't see how he can possibly get the nomination. He's weak on immigration. He's in favour of Common Core. How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can't do it." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Obamacare: "You have to be hit by a tractor, literally, a tractor, to use it, because the deductibles are so high. It's virtually useless. And remember the $5 billion web site?... I have so many web sites, I have them all over the place. I hire people, they do a web site. It costs me $3." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Barack Obama: "Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him. I have the best courses in the world. I have one right next to the White House." PA Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On himself: "Love him or hate him, Trump is a man who is certain about what he wants and sets out to get it, no holds barred. Women find his power almost as much of a turn-on as his money." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On America: "The American Dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before and we will make America great again." GETTY

A representative from the alt-right website The Right Stuff, who have reportedly partnered with Neo-Nazi leader Andrew Anglin, told Politico that they plan to act on the suppression plan in Philadelphia.

We are organising poll watchers in urban areas to cut down on the most traditional type of voter fraud, the anonymous representative said, detailing a plan to hide cameras in various locations.

They added: We also have some teams going into the ghettos in Philly with 40s and weed to give out to the local residents, which we think will lead to more of them staying home. We have had success with this in the past.

 Trump Quickly Rebukes David Duke

Mark Pitcavage of the Anti-Defamation League told Politico he was sceptical any efforts by Mr Anglin or his alt-right associates would come to fruition. However, he said, plans of the Oath Keepers  the militia made up of former law enforcement officers and military personnel  seemed much more likely to materialise.

America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking Show all 11 1 /11 America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking

The Oath Keepers issued a call last week for members to form up incognito intelligence gathering and crime spotting team  dressed to blend in with the public and monitor polling places for voter fraud.

Civil rights advocates are concerned that the presence of these white supremacists will spark violence on 8 November.

The possibility of violence on or around Election Day is very real, Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Centre told Politico. Donald Trump has been telling his supporters for weeks and weeks and weeks now that they are about to have the election stolen from them by evil forces on behalf of elites.

But Mr Potok said that a presence of white supremacist monitors could certainly encourage voters to hold their ground and cast their ballots in spite of the intimidation.

If on the morning of Election Day it turns out that we have white supremacists standing around looking threatening at polling places, I think it would arouse anger, he said. People would vote just to prove theyre not being intimidated by these radical racists.

Although Mr Trump decries the rigged electoral system, there is no definitive proof that voter fraud is a widespread problem in the US. A Loyola Law School study found only 31 certifiable cases of voter fraud among 1 billion ballots cast between 2000 and 2014.

In fact, the most recent case of actual voter fraud came from an Iowa woman arrested after she attempted to cast two ballots for Mr Trump. She claimed she feared her initial Trump vote would be changed to a vote for Hillary Clinton.
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A Pakistani court has refused bail to an Afghan woman famed for appearing on a National Geographic cover and who had been arrested for living in the country illegally.

The image of Sharbat Gula in a Pakistan refugee camp became emblematic of Afghanistans suffering during the 1980s, as the country was caught between Soviet occupation and a US-backed mujahideen insurgency against it.

Ms Gula, now in her 40s, has been held in jail since her arrest on Wednesday after the Federation Investigation Agency (FIA) accused her of possessing fake documents following a two-year investigation into her and her husband, who has now absconded.

The special court for anti-corruption and immigration in Peshawar denied Ms Gula bail on the grounds her application to be freed did not contain any legal arguments and emphasised only humanitarian reasons for her release.

During her illegal stay in Pakistan, she twice misused her position by obtaining a Pakistani Computerised National Identity Card, said Judge Farah Jamshed.

Prior to the bail hearing there were indications she would be released and Pakistans Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, said her case should be reviewed because she is a woman and we should see it from a humanitarian angle.

Mr Khan added: As a first step the FIA should arrange her bail as soon as possible so that she should get of jail.

But a judge in Peshawar rejected bail for Ms Gula, saying she had failed to make her case after impersonating herself as Pakistani citizen without legally adopting the status of same."

If she is convicted of fraud Ms Gula faces up to 14 years in prison, although it is more common for refugees from Afghanistan to be deported rather than serve jail time.

Afghanistan's ambassador in Pakistan, Omar Zakhilwal, said the verdict contradicted government promises to release her and called on the Prime Minister to intervene.

"Despite being world famous, Sharbat Gula is a poor widow and the sole head of her family," Mr Zakhilwal said in a statement.

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

I call on the Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan, to whom I will also send a formal request, to intervene.

For decades Pakistan has provided safe haven for millions of Afghans who fled their country after the Soviet invasion of 1979, hosting up to 1.4 million Afghan refugees, according to UNHCR, making it the third-largest refugee hosting nation in the world.

But the government has stepped up its crackdown on Afghan refugees, insisting that many attacks in the country had links with Afghanistan and therefore the refugees must now go home.

According to the UNHCR more than 350,000 Afghans, documented and undocumented, have returned from Pakistan so far this year, and a further 450,000 are expected to do so by the end of 2016.
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Secret recordings smuggled out of North Korea have revealed how the former leader and father of Kim Jong-un lambasted his own people - as well as making fun out of himself - while he was in office.

A new documentary has unmasked audio clips in which Kim Jong-il, who ruled the country from 1994 to 2011, can be heard openly criticising the closed-mindedness of his people and joking about his "small" stature.

According to the documentary, titled 'The Lovers and the Despot', the audio clips were secretly recorded by a South Korean actress and her film director husband, who were kidnapped by the North Korean regime in 1978 and forced to make films for eight years. At the time, the secretive republic was ruled by Kim Il-sung, while his son and heir apparent, Kim Jong-il was in charge of the ministry for culture and propaganda.

The couple are said to have secretly taped some of their meetings with the future dictator with a hidden audio recorder, and later smuggled the tapes to the US state department in 1985.

In the recordings, Mr Jong-il complains about North Korean movies, saying: Why are there so many crying scenes? All of our scenes have crying scenes. This isnt a funeral, is it?

He can also be heard stating his countrys films lack originality and claiming they don't match the quality of South Korean films. He says: Why do all of our films have the same ideological plots? There is nothing new about them [] People here are so closed-minded

We dont have any films that get into film festivals. In South Korea they have better technology. They are like college students and we are just in nursery schools.

Mr Jong-il also reportedly makes fun of his small stature in one of the clips, saying: Look at me. Aren't I small, before making a crude self-deprecating comparison.

David Straub, who was an official at the State Department when the tapes arrived there, told CNN the recordings would be an intelligence windfall for the American government.

Mr Straub said: My jaw dropped. Hours and hours of recordings of Kim Jong Il speaking relatively freely would be an intelligence windfall for the American government, since we'd never heard him speak before, much less privately.

Inside the daily life in North Korea Show all 19 1 /19 Inside the daily life in North Korea Inside the daily life in North Korea People reading a newspaper at the metro station Inside the daily life in North Korea Thoughts of the leaders on the tram. They have about a dozen of these on every tram, all with different thoughts Inside the daily life in North Korea Young people training for a big upcoming festival Inside the daily life in North Korea People at the Pyongyang's annual marathon Inside the daily life in North Korea Many stars on one of the trolleys in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea An intimidating poster in a primary school in North Korea. Inside the daily life in North Korea Solar panels installed on a street lamp. Inside the daily life in North Korea A poster on the window next to one of the venues we visited in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea Kids playing football next to the Arch of Triumph. After a while tourists were allowed to join, so some of us did Inside the daily life in North Korea Class in an educational center in Pyongyang (where people over 17 years old can attend any classes they choose after school, for free) Inside the daily life in North Korea People waving at me during the Pyongyang marathon Inside the daily life in North Korea People having a great time dancing at a public park Inside the daily life in North Korea A metro driver in a metro station in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea Fireworks to mark the birthday of the Eternal President Kim Il Sung on our last night in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea My wonderful tour guide at a public park Inside the daily life in North Korea One of the parks in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea A person rowing some boats for the day at a river in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea The National War Museum Inside the daily life in North Korea Public park in Pyongyang

Greg Scarlatoiu, of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, said the tapes reveal he shared traits with Mr Jong-il's son and current North Korean leader, Mr Jong-un, in their "complex of inferiority".

He said that the tapes suggested Kim was insecure about everything including the thing he loved most  movies  and this trait was likely shared by his youngest son Kim Jong-un.

Mr Scarlatoiu said: Just like his father before, this leader of North Korea must suffer from a complex of inferiority as well. The insecurity was surely something that Kim Jong-un inherited."

* Update: This article originally stated that Kim Jong-il ruled North Korea until 1994. In fact, that is when his leadership of the country began, following the death of his father Kim Il-sung, and he ruled until his own death in 2011. 15/11/16
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Thailand is preparing for the Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to be named as the countrys new king on 1 December.

There are concerns among Thais that the late kings only son  a colourful character who has been criticised for indulging in a playboy lifestyle  will not have the same authority as his father and will jeopardise the countrys fragile political stability.

The death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was the longest serving monarch in the world, has led to a deep sense of uncertainty in the country that was intensified when the prince requested to delay taking the throne so he could mourn his father's death.

News that the prince will be named as king in December follows the prince's departure for Germany at the weekend, where he has spent much of his time, a senior military source told Reuters. The source added that the prince would return in November.

"We are making preparations. Everything is being prepared for 1 December," another senior military source said. "But this timeframe also depends on His Royal Highness."

The masses mourn for Thai King Show all 40 1 /40 The masses mourn for Thai King The masses mourn for Thai King Robot arms perform during a synchronisation show to pay tribute to Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at an exhibition hall in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters The masses mourn for Thai King Robot arms perform during a synchronisation show to pay tribute to Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at an exhibition hall in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters The masses mourn for Thai King Thai government officials gather to pay respects and pledge an oath of allegiance to the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej during a ceremony at the Government House in Bangkok Getty The masses mourn for Thai King Thai mahouts riding on elephants participate during a parade to honor the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand EPA The masses mourn for Thai King Thai mahouts riding on elephants and law enforcement officials pay respects during a parade to honor the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand EPA The masses mourn for Thai King Thai mahouts on elephants outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand EPA The masses mourn for Thai King Mourners line up to get into the throne hall at the Grand Palace for the first time to pay their respects in front of the golden urn of Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters The masses mourn for Thai King Thai mourners hold portraits of late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej as they queue up EPA The masses mourn for Thai King Thai mourners hold pictures of late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej over their heads as a sign of respect EPA The masses mourn for Thai King Thai mourners wearing black clothing line up to pay respects to the Royal Urn of late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej EPA The masses mourn for Thai King Thai mourners pay their respects Bureau of the Royal Household via AP The masses mourn for Thai King In this photo released by the Bureau of the Royal Household, Thai mourners pay their respects in front of royal urn containing the body of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, at Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand Bureau of the Royal Household via AP The masses mourn for Thai King Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn arrives at the Grand Palace before he takes part in a ceremony honouring Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters The masses mourn for Thai King A large black and white portrait of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej is displayed on the facade of a building in Bangkok, Thailand EPA The masses mourn for Thai King Mourners offer food to monks at Siriraj Hospital for one week anniversary the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand AP The masses mourn for Thai King Thai Princess Soamsawali Mahidol arriving to a royal religious merit making ceremony for the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand EPA The masses mourn for Thai King Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (front, R) accompanied by royal family members, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (front, L), Princess Chulabhorn (back, L), Princess Soamsawali Mahidol (back, 2-L), Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya (back, C) and Princess Adityadhornkitikhun (back, R) during a royal religious merit making ceremony for the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall, Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand EPA The masses mourn for Thai King People hold pictures of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej during a gathering at Narathiwat City Hall in the southern province of Narathiwat Getty The masses mourn for Thai King People gather in the shape of a heart in honour of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Narathiwat City Hall in the southern province of Narathiwat Getty The masses mourn for Thai King A Thai man holds an image of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej as people pray for the late monarch in a park beneath Bhumibol Bridge in Bangkok Getty The masses mourn for Thai King Supreeda Sorapakdee shows his tattoo which is the Thai number 9 and a silhouette of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is also known as King Rama IX, in Bangkok, Thailand AP The masses mourn for Thai King A tattoo artist works on a woman's back with the words "I pledge to be your loyal subject in every lifetime," under the Thai number 9, which is short for King Rama IX, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand AP The masses mourn for Thai King Thai police officers march next to a replica of a London Bus which is used as a shuttle bus service for mourners to pay their respects to late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand EPA The masses mourn for Thai King A worker works on scaffolding to install a portrait of Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej near the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters The masses mourn for Thai King A Thai Buddhist monk takes a picture of drawing portraits of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand AP The masses mourn for Thai King The Thai national flag flutters at half mast at the Ministry of Defence following the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters The masses mourn for Thai King People stand in line to offer condolences for Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters The masses mourn for Thai King A woman holds an image of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej as she waits in a queue to pay her respects at the Grand Palace in Bangkok Getty The masses mourn for Thai King Thai well-wishers stand in queue to pay their respects to late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej ahead of a procession to transport the king's body at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand EPA The masses mourn for Thai King Thai buddhist monks and well-wishers stand in a line as they mourn during the royal funeral bathing ceremony for Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej outside the Sahathai Samakom Pavilion, inside the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand EPA The masses mourn for Thai King Thai Prime Minister, General Prayuth Chan-o-cha attends royal bathing ceremony at The Grand Palace The masses mourn for Thai King A woman signs a condolences book for Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Thai Embasssy in Tokyo, Japan Reuters The masses mourn for Thai King Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows after he signs a condolences book for Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in front of a portrait of the king at Thailand's Embassy in Tokyo, Japan Reuters The masses mourn for Thai King Thai women read the newspaper before attending royal bathing ceremony at The Grand Palace Getty The masses mourn for Thai King Mourners sit in a coffee shop in front of the Grand Palace decorated with paintings of Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters The masses mourn for Thai King Thai people attend royal bathing ceremony at The Grand Palace. Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, died at the age of 88 in Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital on Thursday after his 70-year reign. Getty The masses mourn for Thai King Thai Royal guards march as mourners line up to enter the Grand Palace to pay respect to Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters The masses mourn for Thai King People mourn as they offer condolences for Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters The masses mourn for Thai King Buddhist Monks pray in front to a portrait of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Wat Thai Temple in the North Hollywood section of Los Angeles AP The masses mourn for Thai King A Thai national offer prayers at a Phra Phrom shrine in the 'Little Thailand' area of Singapore Getty

The late monarch was a stabilising force in Thailand and experts credit his intermittent interventions in public life with keeping peace in the country.

Since 2001 Thailand has been rocked by clashes between royalist-military establishments and populist political parties that have led to several fatal demonstrations and two coups.

Although Thailand has strict laws that protect the royal family from insult or threat, the 64-year-old prince has occasionally been surrounded by scandal.

He is renowned for his dedication to his pet poodle, Foo Foo, which was awarded the rank of Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Thai Air Force and given its own Wikipedia page.

The is also famed for having an eclectic dress sense  earlier in 2016 he was photographed at a Munich airport wearing a small white crop top and a fake tattoo sleave.

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (left) photographed at Munich airport in July 2016 (Bild)

Although he is due to be named as king in December, his formal coronation cannot take place until after the king's cremation in a year's time.

Thailand's baht has dropped by 0.9 per cent during October amid uncertainty about the future of the country.
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Fresh analysis of the final moments of doomed Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 suggest nobody was at the controls when the aircraft came down, investigators have said.

The new information was published in a report released on Wednesday and supports the investigators long-held theory that pilots were not at the controls of the Boeing 777 when it ran out of fuel.

The report, from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, said the planes flaps were not extended when it crashed, ruling out a controlled descent.

Researchers analysed debris from the planes right wing and found the damage sustained was consistent with the flaps in the retracted position.

Data from the final communications with the aircraft was consistent with the aircraft being in a high and increasing rate of descent at that time, the report says.

This scenario means the plane would have plummeted at high speed into the Indian Ocean.

The report is at odds with the controlled descent scenario, which critics of the investigation have pointed to, in which it is argued someone was still piloting the plane when it crashed.

If that was the case a pilot could have glided the plane much further than the estimated crash zone.

The Boeing 777 disappeared with 239 passengers and crew after leaving Kuala Lumpur en route to Beijing in March, 2014.

MH370 debris - in pictures Show all 7 1 /7 MH370 debris - in pictures MH370 debris - in pictures MH370 debris French police officers carry a piece of debris from a plane in Saint-Andre, Reunion Island. AP MH370 debris - in pictures MH370 debris Police carry a piece of debris from an unidentified aircraft found in the coastal area of Saint-Andre de la Reunion, in the east of the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion AFP PHOTO / YANNICK PITOUYANNICK PITOU/AFP/Getty Images MH370 debris - in pictures MH370 debris The plane part is being taken to France for further investigation Reuters MH370 debris - in pictures MH370 debris French gendarmes and police inspect a large piece of plane debris which was found on the beach in Saint-Andre, on the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion Reuters MH370 debris - in pictures MH370 debris French gendarmes and police inspect a large piece of plane debris which was found on the beach in Saint-Andre, on the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion Reuters MH370 debris - in pictures MH370 debris Johnny Begue, a member of a local shore cleaning association, in Saint-Andre, French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion, holds the remain of a suitcase found the day before on the same site Getty Images MH370 debris - in pictures MH370 debris Searches continued on Friday for other possible MH370 debris along beaches on the island of Reunion AP

So far just 20 pieces of debris have been found, but no major wreckage from the plane has been discovered.

Additional reporting by Associated Press.
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Sony Music has apologised after a Japanese girl band performed in a public concert wearing outfits that bore resemblance to uniforms worn by the Nazis during World War 2.

The group, called Keyakizaka46, wore military-style black coats similar to those worn by the paramilitary wing of Hitlers Nazi party in a Halloween performance.

The costumes consisted of long, black coats and caps featuring a bird insignia that ressembles the Pateiadler eagle emblem of the Nazis.

They provoked a wave of criticism on social media and were described as deeply offensive by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, a Jewish human rights organisation.

Sony Music Japan, the band's record label, has since issued a statement saying: We express our heartfelt apology for causing offence [] because of our lack of understanding.

We take the incident seriously and will make efforts to prevent a reoccurrence of a similar incident in the future.

The spokesperson added that there had been no intention to link the performance to Nazism, according to Sky News.

It is not the first time a Japanese music group has attracted criticism for wearing clothing similar to that of the Nazis.

In 2014 a girl band called PRITZ was lambasted for wearing black shirts with red arm bands resembling those bearing the swastika worn by the Waffen SS.
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A third person has been arrested for not making student loan repayments in New Zealand.

The man, who has not been named, was arrested at the border of Australia and forced to start paying back his loan before he was allowed to leave.

He was reportedly travelling with his wife and family at the time of the arrest.

The arrest is part of a New Zealand's policty to crack down on borrowers moving abroad after taking student loans in the country.

Steven Joyce, the tertiary education minister, said 10,000 people in Australia had been identified and should expect a knock on the door if they did not start making student loan repayments, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Approximately 90 per cent of the NZ $1.07bn (588 million) that has been borrowed is owed by people living overseas.

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

Legislation to make it a criminal offence for borrowers overseas to refuse to repay their loans came into force in 2014 and has so far resulted in six arrest warrants.

Ngatokotoru Puna, 40, was the first person to be arrested and was detained in January as he tried to leave New Zealand.

In a separate incident another woman, whose name has not been disclosed, was also arrested as she tried to board a flight to Australia.
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Security services believe foreign residents could be buying up large amounts of property in Finland in order to accommodate troops in the event of a potential Russian invasion, a local newspaper has claimed.

A report recently commissioned by the Finnish government revealed intelligence agency Supo had concerns about property owned by foreigners in politically-sensitive regions being used in a crisis situation in the future.

Measures which may be linked to preparations for gaining influence in a crisis situation are being constantly investigated [by Supo], the report said. This could be the case with land transactions which do not appear to be business-related or in line with the logical value of real estate.

 Russian warships move through English Channel under Royal Navy watch

A landowner could build real estate constructions that a foreign state could take advantage of in a crisis situation - using them to close transport routes and accommodate troops unchecked, for example.

There is a link between this report and Russias previous use of so-called little green men - unmarked special forces - occupy property and land in the 2014 annexation of Crimea, the Finnish tabloid Iltalehti claimed.

The report showed Supo had concerns about Moscow acting to assert its authority on the border with Finland through the purchase of property, according to the paper. The Defence Ministry has begun looking into property deals involving land and other real estate thought to be critical to Finnish security.

In October, government ministers in Finland said they were becoming increasingly concerned about a campaign of destabilising propaganda attacks from Russia.

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

Government communications chief Markku Mantila said Finnish officials had recently observed a barrage of aggressive state-sponsored media attacks by Moscow.

Earlier in the month, Finland's defence ministry confirmed it had scrambled planes twice in 24 hours to monitor suspected airspace violations by Russian fighter jets.

In 2014, a former advisor to Vladimir Putin said the Russian president wanted to reclaim ownership over Finland as he believed it belongs to him.
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Germanys EU commissioner has refused to apologise for describing Chinese people as slit-eyed in a speech to businessmen, arguing there is no scandal for him to answer for.

Guenther Oettinger told a conference in Hamburg that visiting Chinese CEOs had Schlitzaugen (meaning slit eyes) and claimed they had no democracy.

Publisher Sebastian Marquardt said he began filming the speech after Mr Oettinger spoke about "slit-eyed rascals" determining international trade rules, and posted his video on YouTube.

Last week, the Chinese ministers were in town for the annual China-EU summit. Nine men, one party, no democracy, Mr Oettinger continued.

All of them in dark blue, single-breasted suits. All of them had their hair combed from left to right, with black shoe-polish.

He also joked about gay marriage becoming compulsory under Chancellor Angela Merkels liberal government, prompting condemnation from gay rights organisations.

Everything has been said. There is nothing to apologise for. There is no scandal. Its the press that has made this a scandal, Mr Oettinger told EurActiv when asked whether he intended to apologise for his words.

Mr Oettinger previously emphasised the need to see the overall context of his speech and agreed his jokes were a little sloppy, in an interview with Die Welt.

EU commission president Jean-Claude Juncker promoted Mr Oettinger to be in charge of the EU budget shortly before the speech leaked online, and it was reported the scandal could mean his promotion was reversed.

The commission has so far refused to comment on or investigate Mr Oettinger's comments, with spokesman Margaritis Schinas saying: "We have nothing to add."

Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a news conference: The remarks reveal a baffling sense of superiority entrenched in some Western politicians.

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

We hope that they can learn how to view themselves and others objectively and respect and treat others as equals.

Mr Juncker and Mrs Merkel should impose an adequate punishment in the face of this behaviour unworthy of a member of the European Commission, French activist group SOS Racisme said in a statement.
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The Bourbon Argos is journeying towards what has become the deadliest sea crossing in the world, on a mission to save the lives of some of the hundreds of thousands of refugees continuing to risk their lives in desperate attempts to reach safety in Europe.

The ship, run by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), is the largest humanitarian vessel patrolling the Mediterranean Sea, rescuing or transporting 8,534 migrants in the past six months alone.

A letter from the government of Luxembourg is pinned on the wall of the mess, recognising the international crews exemplary service providing safe passage for thousands of men, women and children.

Refugees sleeping on the Bourbon Argos rescue ship in Palermo, Sicily, on 5 October (MSF)

Like other humanitarian organisations, MSF is doing what it can to boost the European Unions limited anti-smuggling mission off the coast of Libya, where smugglers continue to launch overcrowded and unseaworthy dinghies towards European shores.

In the latest disaster on Wednesday, a dinghy is believed to have capsized in rough seas, killing up to 100 migrants and refugees.

A rescue vessel operated by Save the Children rescued almost 30 people and recovered several bodies, but with around 130 people likely have set off on board, many were feared to have drowned.

Little over a week ago, the crew of the Bourbon Argos was witness to another disaster, finding the bodies of 29 men and women at the bottom of a rubber boat.

Prosecutors believe the wooden floor of the vessel broke shortly after it was launched from Libya, causing water to seep in as people slid towards the dip in the middle.

In panicked efforts to bail out the boat, passengers are believed to have attempted to use a plastic fuel container, but while trying to empty it overboard they tipped the contents inside, creating a toxic liquid that started burning through the refugees skin while giving off noxious fumes.

People board the Bourbon Argos during a rescue operation in the Mediterranean Sea (EPA)

MSF workers said they could not be sure whether the victims were drowned or killed by fuel inhalation, but the solution was so potent that they had to limit contact with the boat for their own safety.

Among more than 100 survivors was a man whose brother had reportedly jumped off the boat to escape the burning substance and drowned, and a father with his young baby who had lost his wife in the disaster.

Seven of those rescued had to be evacuated for urgent medical treatment, with dozens more suffering chemical burns that left several with skin peeling from their bodies.

Michele Telaro, the Bourbon Argos field coordinator, described horrific scenes as the corpses were recovered over two days to be held in a shipping container that serves as the ships morgue, just metres from grieving relatives.

We were mentally prepared in theory but when you face the situation it is not the same thing, the 41-year-old said.

You cannot imagine the suffering for those people, they had been on the boat with those bodies for hours in extreme pain it was clear they were traumatised.

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.

Mr Telaro said that although most asylum seekers rescued by the ship have witnessed violence, with a huge majority of women having been raped or sexually abused, the overwhelming emotion is normally relief to be safely on board.

But in this case it was different, he added, describing refugees weeping or simply withdrawing into themselves in shock.

Recommended European leaders blamed for record high deaths in the Mediterranean

The whole team were deeply affected by the disaster but, despite being given the option to leave the mission, the vast majority have stayed.

Luwam Bede, a cultural mediator who speaks to refugees in English, French and Tigrinya  one of the dominant languages in Eritrea  is among those who chose to remain.

Its difficult to know what to say to someone who has lost their brother that day, she said. I dont even know how to begin to prepare myself; I hope that nothing like this happens again, but I know it could at any time.

The 29-year-old, from Sweden, is on the receiving end of asylum seekers trauma, memories, hopes and fears for the journey ahead into Europe.

Its a lot to take in, she said. They ask a lot of questions about Europe and Italy. They talk about where theyve come from and what theyve experienced in Libya they call it hell.

 Italian coastguard rescues thousands of refugees off coast of Libya

Ms Bede and other translators on board give information about where passengers will be taken and how to register as asylum seekers, but with policy constantly shifting in the EU, many questions remain unanswered.

I dont think theyre very aware of how difficult its going to be or the borders, she said.

MSF had originally intended to pull back the Bourbon Argos in October but has extended the mission as boats continue coming from North Africa, and Europe seems no closer to offering a safe or legal route to those trying to reach safety on its shores.

Recorded refugee deaths in the Mediterranean have hit an all-time high, with almost 4,000 people dying while attempting boat crossings so far this year.

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 according to the latest UN figures.

More than 330,000 people have so far made the journey from countries including Syria, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Iraq, with the passage from Libya towards Italy becoming the dominant route since the controversial EU-Turkey deal reduced crossings over the Aegean Sea.

The Bourbon Argos is the largest of numerous naval and humanitarian boats patrolling a search and rescue zone off the Libyan coast but numbers will dwindle as winter closes in and weather conditions continue to worsen.

Mr Telaro expects more difficult rescues ahead for his crew. I know that we could face something similar to the last one or even worse than that, he said.

Together we can try to do our best but we will not be able to save everyone.

Benjamin Hargreaves, the Bourbon Argos British deck manager, said the crew have prepared themselves and their ship for all eventualities.

He described last weeks rescue as horrific but that the disaster was only one of many refugees attempting to cross the Mediterranean will face.

Theres so many situations that can lead to serious trouble and we just have to pick up the pieces when we find them, said the 29-year-old.

Obviously no one should have to see that but if we arent here, who else will be?
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A man jailed in Russia for peaceful protest says he has been beaten, repeatedly tortured and threatened with rape.

In a letter to his wife and smuggled out of prison by his lawyer, Ildar Dadin alleges he had his head forced down a toilet and was strung up by his handcuffed wrists.

The 34-year-old is serving two and a half years after becoming the first person sentenced under a controversial new law banning public assembly.

Kremlin spokesman Demitry Peskov said the case demanded the closest attention and that President Vladimir Putin would be informed.

Local Russian media have reported an investigative committee would also be looking into the claims, though the prison service denies any wrongdoing.

Amnesty International is calling for Mr Dadins release in light of the letter.

We are urging Russian authorities to end the pattern of impunity for torture and other ill treatment and investigate Ildar Dadins appalling allegations, said Sergei Nikitin, director of Amnesty International Russia.

They must also immediately and unconditionally release Ildar Dadin, and provide him with full remedy for the injustice done to him. No one should be in jail for peacefully expressing their opinion.

According to Dadins letter, which was published in full by Meduza, he arrived at Segezha prison in north-west Russia on 10 September 2016.

The following day he was allegedly beaten four times by groups of up to a dozen people.

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. 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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. 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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. 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On 12 September he says he was hung up by handcuffs, before having his underwear taken off and threatened with rape unless he stopped his hunger strike.

In the letter he states that Maj Sergey Kossiev, the head of the prison, warned him: Youve been just lightly beaten. If I order it my officers will beat you much more severely. If you try to complain, youll be killed and buried outside the prison fence.

Dadin alleges he suffers regular beatings, bullying, humiliation, insult, intolerable conditions of detention and it all happens with the other prisoners.

Prison authorities have confirmed the use of force against Dadin, but claim only to have used it when he refused to leave his cell or defied orders, according to The Moscow Times.

He finishes the letter with a warning that he cannot hold out for much longer.

If I am again subjected to torture, beatings and rape, it is unlikely that I will last more than a week," he writes.

In case of my sudden death, you may be told that I committed suicide, had an accident, was shot while trying to escape, or while fighting with another prisoner, but this would be a lie.

It would have been planned in advance to eliminate witnesses and victims of torture.

Amnesty reports Dadin managed to secretly dictate the letter to his lawyer during their last meeting, before it was smuggled past prison authorities.

On Wednesday, the charity's Moscow office was sealed off by Russian authorities. Staff arrived to find the office doors sealed, the locks removed and the electricity turned off.

Dadins supporters gathered outside the Kremlin on Tuesday evening in protest.
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Moscow has announced a further humanitarian pause in the bombed city of Aleppo which it is feared signals that Russian-backed Syrian forces are on the verge of a final push to oust rebels from the city once and for all.

The break in hostilities is planned for daylight hours on Friday, with two corridors opened for rebels, whom are allowed to take their arms, and six others for civilians and the wounded.

It has been comprehensively rejected by the estimated 8,000 rebel fighters inside east Aleppos siege barricades: one group described it as a media stunt for public consumption.

Both rebel and Western officials have expressed worries that Russia plans a renewed onslaught while Washington's attention is focused on the American presidential election on 8 November.

There have been several such pauses in which humanitarian passageways have been opened from besieged east Aleppo into government held west Aleppo in recent weeks, but few people have used them.

The rebels and the regime blame each other for preventing people from leaving under the amnesty for neighbouring rebel-held Idlib province by targeting checkpoints with sniper and mortar fire. The UN says both sides could be guilty of war crimes for targeting civilians in shelling.

Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo Show all 16 1 /16 Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo A girl who fled areas of conflict rides a vehicle in Dahiyet al-Assad, west Aleppo city, Syria REUTERS/Ammar Abdullah Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo Rebel fighters from the Jaish al-Fatah (or Army of Conquest) brigade have a tea in a building under construction Getty Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo A rebel fighters' armoured vehicle in Dahiyet al-Assad Reuters Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo Rebel fighters from the Jaish al-Fatah (or Army of Conquest) brigades sit on a tank Getty Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo Abandoned magazine of shells after rebel fighters took control of Dahiyet al-Assad Reuters Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo Rebel fighters ride a pick-up truck with civilians who fled areas of conflict in Dahiyet al-Assad, west Aleppo city, Syria Reuters Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo A rebel fighter gestures with a girl who fled areas of conflict while they ride a pick-up truck in Dahiyet al-Assad Reuters Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo Smoke rises near a damaged road in Dahiyet al-Assad, west Aleppo city, Syria Reuters Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo Syrians carry their belongings as they leave the southwestern frontline neighbourhood of Dahiyet al-,Assad Getty Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo A view shows a damaged minaret of a mosque after rebel fighters took control of Dahiyet al-Assad, Syria Reuters Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo Rebel groups have pledged to push from newly captured positions in the Dahiyet al-Assad district towards Hamdaniyeh. Rebels and allied jihadists launched a major offensive on October 28, 2016 to break through government lines and reach the 250,000 people living in the city's east Getty Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo Rebel groups have pledged to push from newly captured positions in the Dahiyet al-Assad district towards Hamdaniyeh Getty Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo Rebel fighters from the Jaish al-Fatah (or Army of Conquest) brigades hold a position at an entrance to Aleppo, in the southwestern frontline neighbourhood of Dahiyet al-Assad Getty Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo Smoke billows from the frontline district of Dahiyet al-Assad following an attack by rebels on Syrian regime forces in the northern city of Aleppo Getty Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo Syrians carry their belongings as they leave the southwestern frontline neighbourhood of Dahiyet al-Assad Getty Dahiyet al-Assad - Aleppo People who fled areas of conflict ride a pick-up truck in Dahiyet al-Assad, west Aleppo city, Syria Reuters

Russia says it has not bombed the city since 18 October. Rebel activists and residents on the ground report some shelling of their homes and neighbourhoods  although far fewer attacks than the unprecedented bombing campaign which began in September, killing more than 500 people and decimating civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities and the water supply.

Rebels  among them al-Qaeda affiliated al-Nusra, or Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, fighters  last week launched a fierce counterattack including explosives aimed at breaking through the regimes siege barricades in Dahiyet al-Assad neighbourhood which has since made little headway.

The Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that rebels inside east Aleppo had suffered heavy losses and were effectively trapped.

 Aleppo offensive

All attempts by the rebels to break through in Aleppo have failed, the ministry said. The terrorists have suffered heavy losses in lives, weapons and equipment. They have no chance to break out of the city.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the prospect of further international peace talks aimed at ending the almost six-year-long conflict are delayed indefinitely.

Speaking from Athens, Greece, Mr Lavrov told reporters that countries which had funded and armed groups intent on toppling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had sabotaged the diplomatic process.

He did not name any states, but major players in peace talks in favour of the removal of Mr Assad from power include the US, UK, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Retaking Aleppo would be a significant victory for Mr Assad, potentially strengthening his position enough for Russia to begin a military exit from the conflict.
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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is under fire for comments made on the progress of US-backed coalition Iraqi troops progress in liberating the city of Mosul from Isis.

The attack on Mosul is turning out to be a total disaster. We gave them months of notice. US is looking so dumb. VOTE TRUMP and WIN AGAIN!, a tweet sent last Friday read, which has been blasted by security experts as unhelpful."

Despite criticism from several quarters over the weekend that he appeared to be rooting for US defeat in the complex operation to free Mosul, Mr Trump this week doubled down on his prediction that Operation Inherent Resolve will fail.

The US and its Iraqi partners should have planned a sneak attack on the Isis stronghold, he said - something experts say would be impossible given the large size of the city, the number of troops involved, and the flat plains surrounding Mosul for miles.

You see whats going on. You see how badly that fight is going, Mr Trump said. If you want to go into Mosul, you dont tell people for four months. Now they are having a hard time and they are really dug in, and the people that we wanted, the leaders of Isis, are gone.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Wednesday, Charlie Winter of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at Kings College London said Mr Trumps comments were actively damaging in the fight against extremism.

Donald Trump is a fantastic recruitment sergeant for Isis, he said.

The comments come on top of an earlier claim to be more knowledgeable about the extremist group than Obamas military officials.

I know more about Isis than the generals do, believe me, he told NBC in September.

Mr Trump has changed his tune on how best to deal with Isis before he even announced his presidential candidacy last year, more than once claiming that he is keeping his foolproof plans to defeat the group secret.

Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Show all 10 1 /10 Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis An Iraqi Christian prepares for the first Sunday Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi priests hold the first Sunday mass Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christian soldiers attend the first Sunday mass at the Grand Immaculate Church since it was recaptured from Islamic State in Qaraqosh Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis An Iraqi Christian soldier holds his weapon during the first Sunday mass Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis An Iraqi Christian soldier lights a candle Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi priests hold the first Sunday mass at the Grand Immaculate Church since it was recaptured from Islamic State Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi priests hold the first Sunday mass Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Reuters

One thing he has repeatedly said is that he would knock the hell out of Isis - but US backed forces attempts to finally do that after Isis seized Mosul two years ago appear not to have impressed him.

A 30,000 coalition of Kurdish Peshmerga, Sunni tribal fighters, Shiite militias and Iraqi army troops have been making uneven but steady progress since the assault on Mosul began on October 14, moving the frontline forward village by village in an operation complicated by fierce Isis counterattacks on other cities, suicide bombers, and landmines littered around the countryside.

On Tuesday, units from Iraqs elite Counter Terrorism Service reported that they had finally entered Mosuls city limits from the east. The battle is expected to be slow and gruelling as coalition troops attempt to secure the city building by building from the estimated 4,000 fighters inside.

 Isis releases video claiming everything is fine in Mosul

Presidential rival Hillary Clinton also called out Mr Trump at a rally in New Hampshire on Monday.

This is a guy who says he knows more about Isis than the generals. I dont think so, she said.

Hes basically declaring defeat before the battle has even started. Hes proving to the world what it means to have an unqualified commander in chief. Its not only wrong, its dangerous.
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The European Unions foreign policy chief has affirmed the right of EU citizens to boycott Israel, but said the EU remains opposed to a boycott on the country.

Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said the EU firmly protected the freedom of expression, including with regard to BDS actions carried out on EU territory.

The BDS movement - which stands for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions - attempts to increase economic and political pressure on Israel to meet obligations regarding its relationship with Palestine.

In a written reply to a query by an Irish member of the European Parliament, Ms Mogherini wrote: The EU stands firm in protecting freedom of expression and freedom of association in line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which is applicable on EU Member States territory, including with regard to BDS actions carried out on this territory.

Freedom of expression, as underlined by the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, is also applicable to information or ideas that offend, shock or disturb the State or any sector of the population.

But she continued: The EU rejects the BDS campaigns attempts to isolate Israel and is opposed to any boycott of Israel.

In response, the Palestinian BDS National Committee, which bills itself as the largest coalition in Palestinian civil society promoting the anti-Israel boycott movement, said it welcomed the EUs belated defence of human rights.

Riya Hassan, a senior member of the group, reportedly said: We welcome the EUs belated defense of the right of European and other citizens to stand in solidarity with Palestinian rights, including through BDS tactics.

Ms Hassan went on to state that the Palestinians expect the EU to take steps against Israel, including at the very least, imposing a military embargo on Israel, banning products of companies that do business in Israels illegal colonies.

The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Show all 10 1 /10 The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Medics evacuate a wounded man from the scene of an attack in Jerusalem. A Palestinian rammed a vehicle into a bus stop then got out and started stabbing people before he was shot dead AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Israeli ZAKA emergency response members carry the body of an Israeli at the scene of a shooting attack in Jerusalem. A pair of Palestinian men boarded a bus in Jerusalem and began shooting and stabbing passengers, while another assailant rammed a car into a bus station before stabbing bystanders, in near-simultaneous attacks that escalated a month long wave of violence AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Getty Images The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinians throw molotov cocktail during clashes with Israeli troops near Ramallah, West Bank. Recent days have seen a series of stabbing attacks in Israel and the West Bank that have wounded several Israelis AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Women cry during the funeral of Palestinian teenager Ahmad Sharaka, 13, who was shot dead by Israeli forces during clashes at a checkpoint near Ramallah, at the family house in the Palestinian West Bank refugee camp of Jalazoun, Ramallah AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies A wounded Palestinian boy and his father hold hands at a hospital after their house was brought down by an Israeli air strike in Gaza Reuters The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinians look on after a protester is shot by Israelis soldiers during clashes at the Howara checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus EPA The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies A lawyer wearing his official robes kicks a tear gas canister back toward Israeli soldiers during a demonstration by scores of Palestinian lawyers called for by the Palestinian Bar Association in solidarity with protesters at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, near Ramallah, West Bank AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Undercover Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian in Ramallah Reuters The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinian youth burn tyres during clashes with Israeli soldiers close to the Jewish settlement of Bet El, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, after Israel barred Palestinians from Jerusalem's Old City as tensions mounted following attacks that killed two Israelis and wounded a child

The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem declined to comment on Ms Mogherinis statement, which came on 15 September but was only published recently.

In February it was revealed the UK Governments ban on boycotting Israel was at odds with its own advice on the dangers of procuring goods and services from its occupied territories.

The Government had introduced the ban days before, which stated all publicly funded institutions in the UK would lose the freedom to refuse to buy goods and services from companies involved in the arms trade, fossil fuels, tobacco products or Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
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An Orthadox Israeli politician has said the country's college programs are part of an effort to securalise haredi jews.

MK Moshe Gafni, Chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee, reportedly criticised participation of ultra-Orthadox jews in higher learning programs, claiming that it is an attempt to "secularise" haredi young men.

Mr Gafni added that this was the reason he doesn't visit haredi academic institutions, because he did not want to be seen as identifying with them.

It comes after it was reported there had been a significant increase in haredi participation in Israeli academic institutions.

Mr Gafni also claimed there was clear-cut discrimination against ultra-Orthadox jews in the workplace.

He said: Explain to me why the police commissioner didn't want a haredi rabbi as Chief Rabbi of the police.

"Why isn't there a haredi person at the head of the haredi department in the Education Ministry? Why aren't there Knesset workers at senior levels from the haredi community? They don't want us because we are haredi.
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Iraq and Turkey are threatening to go to war with each other over who should hold power in Mosul and the surrounding region after the defeat of Isis. Turkish tanks and artillery have deployed along the border and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said that while Iraq did not want war with Turkey it is ready to fight one if necessary.

The confrontation is sharpening as the Iraqi Army enters eastern Mosul and Shia militia known as the Hashd al-Shaabi advance towards the town of Tal Afar, threatening to cut Isiss last escape route from Mosul to Syria. Turkey sees itself as the protector of the Sunni Arabs of Mosul and northern Iraq, a community left vulnerable by the likely defeat of Isis by Shia and Kurdish forces backed by US-led airpower.

The dependence of the anti-Isis forces on air strikes and drones was underlined on Wednesday when Iraqi Special Forces delayed their advance into east Mosul because high humidity and clouds made it difficult for aircraft to identify and attack targets on the ground. They had entered the industrial suburb of Gogjali on Tuesday and were Wednesday going from house to house looking for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and booby traps.

The population of Mosul east of the Tigris River, which divides the city in half, has in the past consisted largely of well-educated professional people such as doctors and engineers, few of whom are likely to be sympathetic to Isis. Residents in the east say they expected Isis to withdraw to the western side of Mosul, which is more sympathetic to them, crossing the five bridges spanning the Tigris which, the residents say, have been rigged with demolition charges.

The Iraqi government reacted angrily to the possibility of Turkish intervention. The invasion of Iraq will lead to Turkey being dismantled, said Mr Abadi at a news conference in Baghdad on Tuesday. We do not want war with Turkey, and we do not want a confrontation with Turkey, but if a confrontation happens, we are ready for it. He added that Iraq would consider Turkey as an enemy and would deal with it as an enemy.

In pictures: Mosul offensive Show all 40 1 /40 In pictures: Mosul offensive In pictures: Mosul offensive A doctor carries an Iraqi newborn baby at a hospital in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi girls play at a yard of a school in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017alal Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A woman on crutches who is a relative of men accused of being Islamic State militants is seen at a camp in Bartella, east of Mosul, Iraq July 15, 2017. Picture taken July 15, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A displaced girl, who fled from home carries a doll at Hamam al-Alil camp south of Mosul, Iraq July 13, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi federal police members and civilians celebrate in the Old City of Mosul on 9 July 2017 after the government's announcement of the "liberation" of the embattled city. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office said he was in "liberated" Mosul to congratulate "the heroic fighters and the Iraqi people on the achievement of the major victory" AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken on 9 July 2017, shows a general view of the destruction in Mosul's Old City. Iraq will announce imminently a final victory in the nearly nine-month offensive to retake Mosul from jihadists, a US general said Saturday, as celebrations broke out among police forces in the city. AFP In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of the Iraqi federal police raise the victory gesture as they ride on a humvee while advancing through the Old City of Mosul on 28 June 2017, as the offensive continues to retake the last district held by Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Smoke billows as Iraqi forces advance through the Old City of Mosul on 26 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district held by the Islamic State (IS) group. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi man wearing the green scarf of the Shi'ite faith kisses an Iraqi Army soldier on safely reaching the Iraqi forces position as Iraqi civilians flee the Old City of west Mosul where heavy fighting continues on 23 June 2017. Iraqi forces continue to encounter stiff resistance with improvised explosive devices, car bombs, heavy mortar fire and snipers hampering their advance. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken from the inside of an Iraqi forces armoured vehicle shows residents walking through a damaged street as troops advance towards Mosul's Old City on 18 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district still held by the Islamic State (IS) group. Military commanders told AFP the assault had begun at dawn after overnight air strikes by the US-led coalition backing Iraqi forces. They said the jihadists were putting up fierce resistance. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi Army soldiers advance in a destroyed street after an Iraqi forces airstrike targeted an Islamic State sniper position 17 June 2017 in al-Shifa, the last district of west Mosul under Islamic State control. IS snipers, as well as car and suicide bomb attacks continue to hinder the Iraqi forces efforts to retake the final district. A series of airstrikes by Iraqi helicopter gunships attempted to hit multiple Islamic State sniper positions in al-Shifa. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier frisks a displaced Iraqi man at a temporary camp in the compound of the closed Nineveh International Hotel in Mosul on 16 June 2017 which was recovered by Iraqi troops from Islamic State group fighters earlier in the year. A screening centre set up in the compound's fairgrounds sees a constant stream of Iraqis fleeing the battle for Mosul, awaiting their turn to be checked by the Iraqi forces who are searching for suspected Islamic State (IS) group members. The small fairground lies at the end of a pontoon bridge across the Tigris recently opened to civilians that is the only physical link between the two banks of the river. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis staying at the al-Khazir camp swim in a river near the camp for internally displaced people, located between Arbil and Mosul on 11 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi government forces drive on a road leading to Tal Afar on 9 June 2017, during ongoing battles to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi policeman carries a poster bearing an image of Mosul's iconic leaning minaret, known as the "Hadba" (Hunchback), on 22 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis stand in line to receive food aid in western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood on 7 June 2017, during ongoing battles as Iraqi forces try to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. Living conditions in Mosul have again deteriorated since the start of the Iraqi government's offensive on the city in October in which they retook a large part of the west of the city. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced Iraqis carry lightbulbs and sacks as they evacuate from western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood as government forces advance in the area during their ongoing battle against Islamic State (IS) group fighters on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) flashes the victory gesture as he patrols in western Mosul's al-Islah al-Zaraye neighbourhood on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi army soldiers from the 9th armoured division on a truck flash the sign of victory as they drive back from Mosul to the town of Qaraqosh (also known as Hamdaniya) Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of Iraqi forces flash the sign of victory on their vehicle as they advance towards Hammam al-Alil area south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi security forces gestures in Hammam al-Alil, south of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi children, one flashing the sign of victory, greet Iraqi army's soldiers from the 9th armoured division in the area of Ali Rash, adjacent to the eastern Al-Intissar neighbourhood of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Peshmerga forces look at a tunnel used by Islamic State militants near the town of Bashiqa, east of Mosul, during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier takes a photograph with his phone as his comrade stands next to a detained man, whom the Iraqi army soldiers accused of being an Islamic State fighter, who was fleeing with his family in the Intisar disrict of eastern Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iranian Kurdish female members of the Freedom Party of Kurdistan (PAK) hold a position in an area near the town of Bashiqa, some 25 kilometres north east of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families, who fled their homes in Hamam al-Alil, gather on the outskirts of their town Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced people walk past a checkpoint near Qayara, south of Mosul, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families who were displaced by the ongoing operation by Iraqi forces against jihadists of the Islamic State group to retake the city of Mosul, are seen gathering in an area near Qayyarah In pictures: Mosul offensive A boy who just fled Abu Jarbuah village is seen with his family at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi child eats a pomegranate upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive People who just fled Abu Jarbuah village sit as they eat at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A couple who just fled Abu Jarbuah village are escorted by Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Women carry a boy over a wall as civilians flee their houses in the village of Tob Zawa, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier and a civilian ride a motorbike as smoke rises behind them, on the road between Qayyarah and Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces, wearing a skull mask, waits at a checkpoint for people fleeing the main hub city of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier sits at a checkpoint in an area near Qayyarah Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi men prepare food portions for Iraqi forces deployed in areas south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi forces celebrate upon the arrival of vehicles bringing food to them Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi childen smoke cigarettes upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces distributes drinks to children in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty

The exchange of abuse between Ankara and Baghdad continued on Wednesday when Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu denounced Mr Abadi as weak, asking: If you have the strength, why did you surrender Mosul to terror organisations? If you are so strong, why has the PKK occupied your lands for years? Earlier Turkeys deputy prime minister Numan Kurtulmus had tried to lower the temperature by saying that the military build-up was a precaution and not a threat.

Iraqi leaders in Baghdad have long privately blamed Turkey for aiding or tolerating al-Qaeda-type movements like Isis which operated in Iraq, but the ill-will is now becoming more public on both sides. On 11 October President Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched a furious tirade against Mr Abadi, saying: He insults me. You are not on the same level as me! You are not my equal! Scream all you want from Iraq! It will not change anything! We will do what we want to do. On 23 October, Mr Erdogan further raised the stakes by asserting Mosul has historically belonged to Turkey and it should therefore play a role in determining its future.

 Iraqi forces enter Mosul

Turkey already has 700 troops at a base in Bashiqa, north of Mosul, and has been training a Sunni Arab militia force of former policemen from Mosul numbering about 2,500. This force is probably not big enough to make Turkey a player in the struggle for the city and political observers in Irbil believe Turkey will not intervene militarily. But this could change if the Hashd attack Tal Afar, whose Turkman population is about 80 per cent Sunni and which is the home town of many Isis commanders, judges and religious police. Turkey would also be energised if the PKK was visibly benefiting from developments in and around Mosul. Another more cynical interpretation of Turkeys focus on Mosul is that it is to divert attention from its muted response to the Syrian and Russian assault on East Aleppo.

The fall of Mosul is likely to give birth to a series of crises because the province of Nineveh, of which it is the capital, is a mosaic of warring sects and ethnic groups. After years of war these are divided by deep hatreds, with Yazidis, Kurds and Christians all accusing their Sunni Arab neighbours of complicity in Isis massacres. In Nineveh Plain most of the Sunni Arabs have fled into Mosul city fearing revenge from returning Christians and the Shabak minority who are largely Shia.

Revenge is taking place within sectarian and ethnic groups, some of whom joined Isis while others fought it. Amnesty International says that pro-Iraqi government Sunni tribal fighters taking part in the Mosul operation are carrying out revenge attacks on men and boys in liberated areas suspected of belonging to Isis. Fighters from the Sabawi tribe, originally from Mosul, are said by Amnesty to have illegally detained civilians, beaten them with metal rods, given them electric shocks and tied some of them to the bonnets of vehicles and paraded them through the streets while others were placed in cages, according to interviews with local officials and eyewitnesses. Many people displaced from Mosul and surrounding towns and villages say they will not return home until security is restored and this is still a long way off.
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Israeli authorities have demolished several graves in occupied east Jerusalem's historical Bab al-Rahmeh cemetery next to a long fought-over mosque, a Palestinian official has said.

Parts of the ancient cemetery were confiscated in September 2015 by Israeli authorities to make way for a national park according to local sources.

Personnel from the so-called Israeli Nature Authority  backed by large numbers of Israeli forces  stormed the historical Bab al-Rahmeh cemetery and knocked down eight graves, Mustafa Abu Zahra, head of the committee for the preservation of Islamic cemeteries in Jerusalem told the Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency.

Israel wants to transform the cemetery into a national park for Israeli Jews, he added.

Sheikh Omar al-Qiswani, the director of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, told Anadolu: Israel claims the graves are situated on land owned by the Israeli Nature Authority.

But Israel has no historical or legal basis on which to claim any right to the cemetery. The site is an Islamic Waqf [endowment], and will remain so.

Recommended Read more Israel in crack down on Palestinian journalists

In a varying account of the damage, Mr al-Qiswani, told Palestinian news agency Maan six graves had been destroyed,

He underlined past efforts by Israels Nature and Parks authorities to seize land from the cemetery and to ban Palestinians from digging grave plots in the confiscated zones

The Muslim cemetery is over 1,400 years old and is considered a significant historical site in East Jerusalem.

The United Nations cultural agency Unesco recognised the Al-Aqsa Mosque as a Muslim holy site in mid-October. Many Muslims consider the site to be their third most sacred place.

Unesco's decision was welcomed by Palestinians, who said it was an important message to Israel that it must end its occupation and recognise the Palestinian state".

But the ruling prompted Israel to accuse Unesco of "denying Jewish history" and saw the country suspend all ties with the international body.

Palestinian Authority adviser on religious and Islamic affairs Mahmoud al-Habbash told Ma'an the destruction of the graves was a sign of Israeli political confusion following the decision by the organisation.

Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Show all 12 1 /12 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict The fire in my heart is beyond my ribs. You left me beloved - Soliman Shaheen, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict Let me get enough of you, as Im still hungry for your smile my son - Soliman Shaheen, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict They besiege me in my homeland so I flew to heaven - Rodaina Al Agha, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict And I am still facing the pain all by myself - Lama Shakshak, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict My brother, I watched you go while my heart was tearing - Helen Mo'amar, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict My new doll is lonely in the rubble - Ayah Sha'ath, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict When a soul hugs another soul they never split, even in death - Ismail Matar, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict Everyone is gone and I stayed alone to make the world witness the injustice done to me - Hamza Shaheen, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict The hand that carries the arms carries roses too - Madeeha Al Majayda, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict My eyes tell you about a dream that overcame the fence - Soliman Shaheen, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict A childhood caught in an unjust siege - Hadeel Quidh, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict All the details are torn after you - Hamza Shaheen, 17

Relations between United Nations agencies and the Jewish state have become further strained after the body released a report that found Israel was causing rising poverty and despair among Palestinians by refusing their development rights.

Israel first annexed East Jerusalem following its invasion in 1967 as part of its military occupation.

Jewish settlers and Zionist organisations have long called for complete Jewish control over the mosque compound.

The Independent has contacted Israeli Nature and Parks Authority for comment.
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We arrived so soon after Jabhat al-Nusras retreat from the village that one man and his family had only just buried the remains of four Islamists at the bottom of their field. We found them at the back and they stank so much that we had to get rid of them, Mohamed Kenjo said. So we took the remains and put them under a covering of earth away from our home.

But the house he once shared with his wife and six children had been looted  everything, from the washing machine and the water tank, to cups and saucers and kettles  and the homes of Kenjos neighours lay in ruins, broken open by shells and rockets. This was the front line north of Hama, a city whose history lay in the blood of insurrection more than 34 years ago.

So close to the front line, in fact, that the fighter bombers were still howling over our heads to attack the Islamists  Ahrar al-Sham, Nusra, all the usual suspects  in the next village to the north-west. The Syrians say you can only see their jets, that the Russian fighter-bombers are so fast its impossible to catch them with the naked eye. You could make out the spray of anti-missile flares that the aircraft released, four or five bright stars that drifted through the imperial blue sky like fireworks.

But then, as the planes turned one after the other from their bombing runs, you could just see them as the sun caught their swept-back wings, daggering up into the heavens to the south before their bombs exploded with a loud, hollow sound like two giant wooden planks banging together on the ground. Amid the soldiers, sweating, tired, a general turned up, steel helmet over his eyes, marching briskly with his officers through the ruins. I wanted to know how many of the Nusra men had died.

Many, many, he replied. But when I asked how many of his Syrian soldiers had been killed in the broken, smashed village of Soran, his answer came without hesitation. We had 42 martyrs, he said bleakly. I didnt doubt the figure. And when soldiers tell the truth, it means they are winning. But thats a lot of men to lose for one dust-covered hamlet. The Syrian armys death toll in six years of war is a state secret. But Ive been given a reliable figure for the government armys fatalities in this terrible war: around 75,000. These are the dead, not the hundreds of thousands of wounded. Soldiers expect to die. They live by the sword.

Civilians on both sides are the innocents whose lives should be spared. Their mortality statistics come from all sides, including the United Nations. Is it 250,000 or 300,000 as the UN now states? Or 400,000 as the experts in faraway cities now claim? Whatever the figure, add another 75,000 to it.

The ruins of the village of Soran north of Hama (Nelofer Pazira)

The Nusra men and their allies had only captured this place two and a half months ago. House after house in what had been Soran had been blown apart. Some remained, their doors ajar, the bougainvillea still spilling over their concrete walls. But always, when I walked inside, there were cupboards torn open by the retreating Islamists, piles of childrens clothes and toys and clocks and family snapshots scattered across the floor. One picture showed a baby smiling from a cot, another a husband and wife surrounded by their children. The Islamists had probably been looking for money hidden in the cupboards. But why did the looters want a washing machine? Did they plan to lug this rubbish away in their retreat? What happened to those who lived here?

There was no doubt of the tragedy of one middle-aged man. He stood forlornly in the street beside a huge bomb crater surrounded by heavy, jagged pieces of steel casing that lay at his feet. I am a policeman in Hama, he said. My father stayed behind. He was an old man. And on the day they left, the killers murdered him. They shot him at the back of his home. And he led me into his fathers blackened house and pushed open the door to a small, darkened closet. We found him there, on the floor, he said.

Other Syrian villagers, returning now that the Islamists had fled, told similar stories, of missing women, of bodies in the wreckage. Highways seem to survive wars, as if history insists that the basic geography of a society should remain mapped out amid the ruins for a villages later reconstruction. So on the main road, those who had fled the invaders last August had turned up in pick-up trucks and old cars to see what remained of their homes, to collect what detritus was left.

In the neighbouring village of Maardes, I found a woman and her daughter  her name was Qamar, which means moon, and they had returned to a real moonscape. She and Qamar found part of a wardrobe and a mat carpet which they loaded pathetically onto a pick-up which a relative had brought up from Hama. In a different age, in 1982, the Muslim Brotherhood  a pale ghost compared to the Islamists of today  had staged a fearful insurrection in the city, put down with more than equal ferocity by Hafez al-Assads army all those years ago.

The statistics of those long dead civilians who had died in the governments reprisals are as slippery as todays death toll. Was it five or six thousand? Or 20,000 as we journalists claimed at the time?

Many of the ruins of Hamas old city were bulldozed away to make room for new apartment blocks and a luxury hotel. But a few ancient houses remain beside the ancient nouriah water wheels that still wail and creak away in this haunted city. Its Sunni Muslim citizens are quiet now. Maybe they have learned their terrible lesson. Or maybe the government learned to treat them with respect, leaving new generations with their new-found trade and wealth and schools. Today, its market packed with shoppers, it feels like a memory of the old, dubiously safe dictatorship that dominated Syria before this war; content, subdued, careful, aware  to use an old British wartime maxim  that careless talk costs lives. Brotherhood prisoners back in 1982 were later slaughtered in a prison massacre at Palmyra.

The Ibrahim mosque still displays a three-decade old shell hole in its minaret. But Nusra has not let the city forget its past. Less than a month ago, a suicide bomber set off a truck load of explosives outside the Baath party headquarters. One governor has been assassinated. Its a relief to drive north again to a wooded hillside whose burned trees and massive earth revetments show that it was an artillery position until a few days ago. Two 120mm guns stand on a parapet above the plain of Hama.

On top of the hill, there stands the almost untouched shrine of Ali Ibn Hussein al-Abdin, the fourth Imam who survived the seventh century battle of Kerbala, a Shiite holy place  the Alawi sect to which the al-Assads belong is Shia  and soldiers had arrived from the battlefront to pray and kiss the black marble shrine beneath its cupola of antiquity. A major later stood outside the courtyard and pointed to the horizon. You could see 30  perhaps 40  miles across the flat, featureless countryside where around 7,000 armed opponents of the Assad regime are still fighting to retake the lost villages and cut the desert military supply road to Aleppo. Are they all Nusra men? A few Isis members, no doubt. Perhaps they were the moderate rebels whom David Cameron, a former British prime minister seemingly invented.

And how long before the Syrian army could recapture all those lands which ran seventy miles to Aleppo and linked up to the Turkish border north of the city? The major looked across this vast expanse of territory. Then he pointed to the sky and opened his hands. The gesture said it all. Only God knows.
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A campaign demanding that the UK issue a formal apology for supporting the idea of a Jewish state in the Middle East almost a century ago is growing in popularity after the launch of a new parliamentary petition.

Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Jenny Tonge hosted an event at the House of Lords announcing the launch of the Palestinian Return Centres (PRC) initiative to pressure the UK government into acknowledging its role in almost a century of Palestinian suffering and the UK's wider colonial impact on the region last Tuesday.

If the petition (currently pending approval) reaches more than 100,000 signatures, parliament will have to consider a debate on the subject.

The Balfour Declaration, as it is known, was a 1917 letter from British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour to Lord Rothschild, head of the Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland, promising support for the idea of a Jewish homeland in historical Palestine as long as the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities were not prejudiced.

Britain ended up governing Palestine shortly afterward under mandate rule after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in WWI.

The controversial meeting in Westminster caused outrage in Israel after video from the event surfaced showing one audience member claiming If anybody is anti-semitic, it's the Israelis themselves, going on to say Jews antagonised Adolf Hitler.

Baroness Tonge was criticised for not appearing to challenge the unidentified man. She later said that she did not hear his full rant.

Freedom for Palestine's sons comes at a price Show all 1 1 /1 Freedom for Palestine's sons comes at a price Freedom for Palestine's sons comes at a price 657547.bin Quique Kierszenbaum

The Lib Dems decided to suspend Baroness Tonge pending an investigation into the event, which led her to announce that she has quit the party. The PRC also distanced itself from the comments, which they said were made by a member of the ultra-Orthodox Neturei Karta group.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas joined the chorus in calling on the UK to apologise for the Balfour Declaration ahead of the centenary during a speech at the United Nations in New York last week.

We ask Great Britain, as we approach 100 years since this infamous declaration, to draw the necessary lessons and to bear its historic, legal, political, material and moral responsibility for the consequences of this declaration, including an apology to the Palestinian people for the catastrophes, misery and injustice this declaration created and to act to rectify these disasters and remedy its consequences, including by the recognition of the state of Palestine, Mr Abbas said. This is the least Great Britain can do.

 Pro-Palestine protest turns violent at UCL student Israeli society

The UKs delegation to the UN did not comment on Mr Abbas remarks.

In a statement sent to Al Jazeera, A British Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesperson said that the government would not apologise for a historic statement but recognised that for many, it is a sensitive subject.

The Balfour Declaration was a historic statement and one that the UK Government will not be apologising for We are focused on encouraging the Israelis and Palestinians to take steps which bring them closer to peace, they said, adding that the government supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

However, we do recognise the sensitivities many people have about the Balfour Declaration and will mark the anniversary accordingly.
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Frankfurt, the third-busiest airport in the EU after Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle, has long been a bastion of network airlines, and is the home of Lufthansa. But from March 2017, Ryanair will base two Boeing 737s at Frankfurt for flights to Spain and Portugal. Alicante, Malaga, Palma and Faro will be served daily through the summer.

Stefan Schulte, the chief executive of Fraport, the company that operates Frankfurt Airport, said: Ryanairs decision to come to FRA underscores the increasing importance of Frankfurt for low-cost traffic.

Ryanair, the biggest no-frills airline in Europe, has a history of building up new hubs rapidly. It is likely that for the winter season 2017/18  beginning a year from now  the airline will expand the base and serve more business-orientated routes. Ryanair has said it will shift its focus for expansion away from its main base, the UK, because of the vote to leave the European Union.

At present the airlines version of Frankfurt is Hahn airport, in the Hunsruck region high above the Moselle River, and closer to Luxembourg than it is to the German financial hub. Hahn is currently served from Stansted, with seasonal flights from Edinburgh and Newquay.

Michael OLeary, Ryanair's chief executive, has long been dismissive of primary hub airports, regarding them as too expensive and complex for efficient operations. But as competition between airlines increases, Ryanair is looking for new opportunities.

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It has been more than two years since Mosul fell under the control of Isis, the terrorist organisation that has falsely sought to portray itself as the defender of Sunni Muslims throughout Iraq and Syria.

Since the fall of Mosul began we have seen a stream of analysts emerge who seek to explain what is happening in Iraq through the lazy framework of sectarian conflict, a position that is frankly offensive to most Iraqis.

That is not to say there havent been cases of sectarian abuse within the country and pressure must be constantly exerted on the Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, to take action to address it where it occurs. But what is very promising for the future of Iraq  and is missing from the perspective of so-called experts on the nation  is the qualitative change that is emerging from Iraqi society.

We are seeing, from the military, media, government and civilians, a unified effort to counter the false image of division. Nothing has brought the people of Iraq together like the desire to rid their land of Isis.

In pictures: Mosul offensive Show all 40 1 /40 In pictures: Mosul offensive In pictures: Mosul offensive A doctor carries an Iraqi newborn baby at a hospital in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi girls play at a yard of a school in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017alal Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A woman on crutches who is a relative of men accused of being Islamic State militants is seen at a camp in Bartella, east of Mosul, Iraq July 15, 2017. Picture taken July 15, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A displaced girl, who fled from home carries a doll at Hamam al-Alil camp south of Mosul, Iraq July 13, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi federal police members and civilians celebrate in the Old City of Mosul on 9 July 2017 after the government's announcement of the "liberation" of the embattled city. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office said he was in "liberated" Mosul to congratulate "the heroic fighters and the Iraqi people on the achievement of the major victory" AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken on 9 July 2017, shows a general view of the destruction in Mosul's Old City. Iraq will announce imminently a final victory in the nearly nine-month offensive to retake Mosul from jihadists, a US general said Saturday, as celebrations broke out among police forces in the city. AFP In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of the Iraqi federal police raise the victory gesture as they ride on a humvee while advancing through the Old City of Mosul on 28 June 2017, as the offensive continues to retake the last district held by Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Smoke billows as Iraqi forces advance through the Old City of Mosul on 26 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district held by the Islamic State (IS) group. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi man wearing the green scarf of the Shi'ite faith kisses an Iraqi Army soldier on safely reaching the Iraqi forces position as Iraqi civilians flee the Old City of west Mosul where heavy fighting continues on 23 June 2017. Iraqi forces continue to encounter stiff resistance with improvised explosive devices, car bombs, heavy mortar fire and snipers hampering their advance. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken from the inside of an Iraqi forces armoured vehicle shows residents walking through a damaged street as troops advance towards Mosul's Old City on 18 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district still held by the Islamic State (IS) group. Military commanders told AFP the assault had begun at dawn after overnight air strikes by the US-led coalition backing Iraqi forces. They said the jihadists were putting up fierce resistance. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi Army soldiers advance in a destroyed street after an Iraqi forces airstrike targeted an Islamic State sniper position 17 June 2017 in al-Shifa, the last district of west Mosul under Islamic State control. IS snipers, as well as car and suicide bomb attacks continue to hinder the Iraqi forces efforts to retake the final district. A series of airstrikes by Iraqi helicopter gunships attempted to hit multiple Islamic State sniper positions in al-Shifa. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier frisks a displaced Iraqi man at a temporary camp in the compound of the closed Nineveh International Hotel in Mosul on 16 June 2017 which was recovered by Iraqi troops from Islamic State group fighters earlier in the year. A screening centre set up in the compound's fairgrounds sees a constant stream of Iraqis fleeing the battle for Mosul, awaiting their turn to be checked by the Iraqi forces who are searching for suspected Islamic State (IS) group members. The small fairground lies at the end of a pontoon bridge across the Tigris recently opened to civilians that is the only physical link between the two banks of the river. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis staying at the al-Khazir camp swim in a river near the camp for internally displaced people, located between Arbil and Mosul on 11 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi government forces drive on a road leading to Tal Afar on 9 June 2017, during ongoing battles to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi policeman carries a poster bearing an image of Mosul's iconic leaning minaret, known as the "Hadba" (Hunchback), on 22 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis stand in line to receive food aid in western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood on 7 June 2017, during ongoing battles as Iraqi forces try to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. Living conditions in Mosul have again deteriorated since the start of the Iraqi government's offensive on the city in October in which they retook a large part of the west of the city. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced Iraqis carry lightbulbs and sacks as they evacuate from western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood as government forces advance in the area during their ongoing battle against Islamic State (IS) group fighters on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) flashes the victory gesture as he patrols in western Mosul's al-Islah al-Zaraye neighbourhood on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi army soldiers from the 9th armoured division on a truck flash the sign of victory as they drive back from Mosul to the town of Qaraqosh (also known as Hamdaniya) Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of Iraqi forces flash the sign of victory on their vehicle as they advance towards Hammam al-Alil area south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi security forces gestures in Hammam al-Alil, south of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi children, one flashing the sign of victory, greet Iraqi army's soldiers from the 9th armoured division in the area of Ali Rash, adjacent to the eastern Al-Intissar neighbourhood of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Peshmerga forces look at a tunnel used by Islamic State militants near the town of Bashiqa, east of Mosul, during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier takes a photograph with his phone as his comrade stands next to a detained man, whom the Iraqi army soldiers accused of being an Islamic State fighter, who was fleeing with his family in the Intisar disrict of eastern Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iranian Kurdish female members of the Freedom Party of Kurdistan (PAK) hold a position in an area near the town of Bashiqa, some 25 kilometres north east of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families, who fled their homes in Hamam al-Alil, gather on the outskirts of their town Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced people walk past a checkpoint near Qayara, south of Mosul, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families who were displaced by the ongoing operation by Iraqi forces against jihadists of the Islamic State group to retake the city of Mosul, are seen gathering in an area near Qayyarah In pictures: Mosul offensive A boy who just fled Abu Jarbuah village is seen with his family at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi child eats a pomegranate upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive People who just fled Abu Jarbuah village sit as they eat at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A couple who just fled Abu Jarbuah village are escorted by Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Women carry a boy over a wall as civilians flee their houses in the village of Tob Zawa, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier and a civilian ride a motorbike as smoke rises behind them, on the road between Qayyarah and Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces, wearing a skull mask, waits at a checkpoint for people fleeing the main hub city of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier sits at a checkpoint in an area near Qayyarah Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi men prepare food portions for Iraqi forces deployed in areas south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi forces celebrate upon the arrival of vehicles bringing food to them Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi childen smoke cigarettes upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces distributes drinks to children in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty

This unity of peoples in Iraq has manifested itself most recently with the launch of the campaign to liberate Mosul. This is a significant operation as Mosul has thus far been Isiss de facto capital in Iraq within their so-called Caliphate, in addition to being the place of residence of top Daesh leaders including Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

For the first time in Iraqi history, we are seeing a coordinated effort from the Kurdish Peshmerga forces and Iraqi Security Forces. The significance of KRG president Masoud Barzani coming to Baghdad for a joint press conference with PM Haider al-Abadi, his first visit to Baghdad in five years, cannot be underestimated.

Further promising signs emerged when Barzani announced the start of Mosul operations from the Khazir front stating, This is the first time the blood of the Peshmerga and the Iraqi forces are mixed. We hope its a good start to create a bright future for both sides.

Recommended Read more This is what will happen to Mosul after Isis is pushed out

Perhaps most importantly, the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) involved in liberating Mosul have been drawn primarily from local Sunni tribesmen and Assyrian groups such as the Nineveh Plains Unit, uniting of different social factions, including Sunni and Shia groups. Assyrian villages such as Bakhdida, which have been under Isis control for the last two years, have finally been liberated with the help of local resistance forces such as the Nineveh Plain Protection Units in conjunction with Iraqs broader security forces, again revealing expanding levels of trust and cooperation.

However, though the unity we are seeing today is cause to celebrate, it is inevitably fragile. Sustaining this unity after the liberation of Iraqs land from Isis militants will be a defining challenge for the people of Iraq. With the vast swathes of displaced peoples from Nineveh seeking to return home, it is crucial that the government has a clear and implementable plan to resolve the refugee crisis within Iraq.

 Dramatic footage shows Elite Iraq forces battle on road to Bartella in fight for Mosul

Questions arise, for instance, about children who have been affected by Isis social should be rehabilitated and reintegrated back into Iraqi society. Other questions also emerge around reconciliation. How will Iraq ensure that reprisal attacks do not arise between various tribal groups that may feel betrayed? These questions are certainly sobering food for thought.

However, the liberation of Mosul is a major step towards defeating Isis and it brings new hope for the future of Iraq. Reconciliation is possible.

Mustafa Field is director of the Faiths Forum for London
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First, a warning. You must read what follows knowing that I predicted Ukip would be finished after the 2015 election. Indeed, I said in public a year before the election that in five years time, we will have forgotten who Nigel Farage is.

So there is a danger of confirmation bias in my view that Ukip really is finished. Although it is hard to avoid that conclusion when the party is reduced to brawling in Strasbourg and its new leader resigns after 18 days in the post.

My basic argument, though, which I tentatively assert was not wrong, was that the election was bound to bring Ukip to an end. If David Cameron had lost, he would have been replaced by an anti-EU leader. Remember that two-thirds of Conservative Party members, who make the final choice of leader, voted to Leave. So they would probably have chosen Boris Johnson or Theresa May who, in this alternative history, would have been an Outer.

 UKIP leadership candidate 'would bring back capital punishment'

Once the Conservatives were committed to leaving the EU, there would be no point to Ukip.

As it was, David Cameron won and held the referendum, which also meant there is no point to Ukip. If he had won the referendum, it would have settled the question. Ukip might have lingered as a vehicle for those who refused to accept the result. As a mirror image of the Tim Farron, Nick Clegg and Tony Blair refuseniks now, Farages one-man-band could have campaigned for a second referendum on the ground that the first one had been won by a campaign of lies.

Now that Britain is leaving the EU, however, there really is no point to Ukip, and it shows. There were two things that sustained the party  the cause and Farages character  and they have both gone. Farage has wisely declared victory and retired from the limelight. Even if he tried to come back for a fifth turn as party leader, it is hard to see how the party might be relevant again. He ought to come back as Lord Farage of Iwonthereferendum, but I suspect the establishment parties will conspire to keep him out of the Upper House.

Witney and Richmond Park confirm that the Liberal Democrats are back as the by-election protest-vote party. There is one possible niche for Ukip in the ecology of post-Brexit politics, and that is as the protest party of the northern working class against the metropolitan elite Labour leadership.

It is no coincidence that this is precisely the pitch of Paul Nuttall, the bookies favourite for the Ukip leadership contest currently under way. His main rival, Suzanne Evans, sounds much more like a traditional Tory. Yesterday she urged Ukip members to become teachers to mould the minds of future  dangerously Remainer  generations. If the party wanted to compete head-on with Theresa May on its back-to-the-Fifties programme (grammar schools, windmills and gay marriage), it would choose her, but the new Prime Minister seems to be doing quite an effective job of winning back that territory.

Ukip is mostly running on inertia now. It is still the third party in British opinion polls  still on 12 per cent in yesterdays two polls, just down on the 13 per cent it won in the 2015 election, and still ahead of the Lib Dems on 8 per cent.

But it has lost its purpose. Steven Woolfe, who was a candidate for the leadership before the stramash in Strasbourg, said the point of the party under him would be to hold the Government to account and to ensure a hard Brexit. That may be important to some of Ukips more ideological theologians, but it lacks the clarity of getting Britain out of the EU.

Whoever emerges as leader in this contest will find that they do not have much of a party to lead.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny opens the All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin

Theresa May could trigger Brexit within weeks as she faces "quite vicious" leaders around the European table, Enda Kenny has warned.

The Taoiseach also cautioned Europe against "losing the plot" over the UK's decision to leave the EU.

In unscripted remarks before a conference in Dublin on the impact of Brexit on Ireland, Mr Kenny said the UK prime minister had indicated she will trigger Article 50 - the mechanism for leaving - before the end of March.

"That doesn't mean it mightn't be triggered in December ... or January, or February," he added.

Mr Kenny suggested some European leaders would become very hostile to Britain.

"The other side of this argument may well get quite vicious after a while, because there are those around the European table who take a very poor view of the fact that Britain decided to leave," he said.

"That argument, I think, will be fought very toughly, in a really difficult negotiating sense."

The issue of access to the single market being wedded to freedom of movement would be critical, he suggested.

Europe also has to decide for itself where it wants to be in the years ahead, he added.

"If it becomes obsessed with what the UK might or might not get, then Europe itself loses the plot," he told the All-Island Civic Dialogue, a specially convened forum of politicians, business leaders, community representatives and others from both sides of the border.

Northern Ireland's main unionist parties, the power-sharing Democratic Unionist Party and the Ulster Unionist Party, both snubbed the talks.

Earlier, Mr Kenny told the gathering people will be able to travel freely between the UK and Ireland after Brexit.

The Taoiseach said he has agreed with Mrs May that the "benefits of the Common Travel Area" between both countries should be preserved.

The deal, which dates back to the 1920s, secures freedom to travel between Britain and Ireland.

"I have agreed with the prime minister that there will be no return to the borders of the past," he said. "Therefore, the retention of an open border is critical.

"Neither I, nor the prime minister, desire to limit the freedom of people on both sides of the Irish Sea to trade, to live, to work, to travel freely across these islands.

"Therefore, we have agreed that the benefits of the Common Travel Area be preserved."

He said Northern Ireland and the peace process would be central to Dublin's priorities in the negotiations between Britain and the remaining 27 EU leaders over the terms of Brexit.

"I also acknowledge that the electorate in Northern Ireland did not vote to leave the European Union," he said.

Mr Kenny added that the Government remained fully committed to the Good Friday Agreement, pointing out it was a co-guarantor along with the British government of the 1998 peace deal.

He said Britain's decision to leave the EU was the most significant economic and social challenge to hit Ireland over the last half a century.

Micheal Martin, leader of Fianna Fail - whose support is needed by the minority government - attacked British government ministers for pushing a "crude and chaotic" Brexit agenda.

Urging Ireland to attempt to soften Britain's exit from the EU, he said June's "divisive and damaging" referendum result had profound short, medium and long-term implications for Ireland.

"Our agenda is the clear one of wanting to minimise the damage and division of Brexit and to maximise progress for all parts of this island," he told the forum.

"Let's explore radical ways of softening Brexit, but we also have to talk about the crude and chaotic Brexit which some in the London cabinet appear to be advocating.

"Unlike the foreign secretary (Boris Johnson), we don't have the luxury of being pro having the cake and eating it."

Mr Martin said Brexit negotiations must lead to a specific package which recognises the unique economic and social impact on Ireland.

"And, of course, we have to respect the will of the majority in Northern Ireland and equally the majority in this jurisdiction which voted overwhelmingly for a political settlement which sets a shared European context for overcoming the legacy of sectarianism and violence on this island," he added.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said his party wanted a referendum on Irish unity.

But he also suggested a "designated special status" for Northern Ireland, citing other unique EU arrangements such as Denmark/Greenland.

"That threatens no-one's constitutional preference and this state, as a continuing member of the EU, has the right, and in our view the obligation, to bring forward such a proposal," he said.

"The EU has proved itself capable of accommodating unique circumstances."

A Downing Street spokesman later said it remained Mrs May's position that Article 50 would be triggered by the end of March 2017 but not before the end of this year - leaving January, February and March as the only possible dates.

On the issue of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, the Number 10 spokesman added: "We have been very clear we don't want to see a return to the borders of the past. Nobody does.

"The arrangement that currently exists has served both sides of that border extremely well and we've no desire - and neither does the Irish Government - to change it."

Asked whether Mrs May expected "vicious" talks with EU partners, the spokesman said: "We've been very clear that we want to have constructive dialogue with all the member states, a mature debate about the key areas both for Britain and the other 27 member states as we negotiate an exit from the European Union.

"What's important for us is to make that as smooth a transition as possible."

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Dave Anderson said: "Enda Kenny's comments on Brexit show the huge level of concern in both the North and South of Ireland.

"Any hardening of the border will hurt the Northern Ireland economy, but it will also disrupt the lives of the many people who live and work in border areas."
Pictured at The All Ireland Civic Dialogue on Brexit at The Royal Hospital, Kilmainham today was Taoiseach, Enda Kenny addressing the conference. Pic Colin O'Riordan

Ireland and the UK have agreed to preserve the benefits of the Common Travel Area in the wake of the Brexit vote, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.

The Taoiseach also warned that the Brexit negotiations could get "vicious" as some EU countries have taken a "poor view" of the UK's decision to leave.

And he warned Article 50 could be triggered as soon as next month.

Launching the All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit this morning, the Taoiseach said neither government wants to limit the free movement of people between the two islands.

Expand Close Pictured at The All Ireland Civic Dialogue on Brexit at The Royal Hospital, Kilmainham today was Taoiseach, Enda Kenny. Pic Colin O'Riordan / Facebook

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And he said the ultimate objective will be to ensure that the Brexit negotiations lead to the closest possible trading relationship between the UK and EU.

"Neither I nor the prime minister desire to limit the freedom of people on both sides of the Irish Sea to trade, to live, to work, to travel freely across these islands. Therefore we have agreed that the benefits of the common travel area be preserved," Mr Kenny said.

He described Brexit as "the most significant economic and social challenge of the last 50 years".

"That's why it's so important to have a conversation about what it means to all of us," he said.

Expand Close Pictured at The All Ireland Civic Dialogue on Brexit at The Royal Hospital, Kilmainham today were, Sinn Feins' , Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness. Pic Colin O'Riordan / Facebook

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Whatsapp Pictured at The All Ireland Civic Dialogue on Brexit at The Royal Hospital, Kilmainham today were, Sinn Feins' , Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness. Pic Colin O'Riordan

He said clarity has been achieved on a number of issues, including the fact that Article 50 will be triggered before the end of March, and that access to the single market requires acceptance of the freedom of movement of people principle.

Mr Kenny also reiterated that the Irish Government remains committed to the Good Friday Agreement.

The day-long event is being attended by politicians, business and civic society representatives from across the island.

However, neither the DUP or UUP are represented.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan described this as a "missed opportunity".

He also said the recent remarks from DUP lead Arlene Foster that the Republic was looking to poach investment from Northern Ireland as not being helpful.

"This is a most serious challenge and it's important therefore that everybody works together because there is the old cliche, strength in unity. I think if we divide, or if we engage in unhelpful activity, we will be the weaker," Mr Flanagan said.
Martin McGuinness urged Enda Kenny to fight for people both north and south of the border

Northern Ireland may still remain within the European Union despite Britain voting to leave, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said.

The North voted to remain within the bloc in the June referendum and Mr McGuinness said leaving the Union presents "massive challenges" for the island of Ireland.

"The British government need to understand there is a strong feeling across Ireland that our future remains in Europe," he told Newstalk Breakfast.

Mr McGuinness was speaking ahead of the All-Ireland Brexit forum, which is due to take place at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham today.

Controversially the North's First Minister Arlen foster refused an invitation to the meeting that is being hosted by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Mr McGuinness said it was "absolutely vital" for both Governments to work together in order to minimise the negative effects of the Brexit vote.

The Sinn Fein politician also said he "did not accept" that the Irish Government would have no problem in relocating jobs from the North down to the South.
The new Macra CEO, Denis Duggan, is in receipt of a yearly salary of between 70,000-80,000, the Farming Independent has learned

The Macra na Feirme team, based at the Farm Centre in Bluebell, Dublin 12, are also set to grow from 14 to 16 members as two new training development officers are set to take up posts.

Sean Finan, Macra President, hopes a new CEO will bring new perspective to the organisation.

Edmund Connolly served with great distinction for eight years and now we are looking forward to a new chapter with Denis. Engagement with members, the industry and key stakeholders will be prioritised over the coming months, he said.

As a youth organisation and a charity funded by the Government, Macra Na Feirme is part of the National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF)  a support and development tool for the youth work sector to assess, indicate and enhance their work.

As such the organisation is embarking on the process of a full strategic review which they must complete as a NQSF requirement.

That will fundamentally tell us what farmers want from Macra  do they want an organisation focused on training or one that continues to lobby on their behalf or do they want us to represent them any differently than we have done in the past? he said.

Launching a campaign around the National Reserve which provides a top-up of entitlements for young farmers and new entrants is also on the cards.

We intend to lobby at a farm organisation level, a political level and department level will take up a lot of our time, said Mr Finan.

Last year Macra received over 400,000 in Government grants from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. It also receives annual funding from membership, 20pc of the milk levy from farmers and industry funding.
Four months on since Irish manufacturing beef, which is used for mince-based products, was granted access to the US none has been exported.

Ireland was the first EU Member State to be granted access to the US for manufacturing beef, which is typically used in burgers and processed products.

Access was granted to Irish manufacturing beef after more than a year of intensive work by the Department of Agriculture, it said, and built on the January 2015 granting of access to raw, intact Irish beef. The first shipments of Irish beef landed in the less than three months later, in time for St Patrick's day.

At the time, the then Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said the US market could be worth 100m per annum to Irish beef exports.

However, Department of Agriculture figures, obtained by FarmIreland.ie show that by the end of quarter three this year, only an estimated 1,800t of beef has been exported to the US, with an estimated value of 13m.

It said trade in manufacturing beef has not yet commenced so trade to date is entirely composed of intact cuts.

Total Irish beef exports to the US in 2015 were worth 14m.

Last year, before access was granted Bord Bia said access for manufacturing beef would be the 'big prize' for Ireland.

It also said that finding buyers and distributors for Irish manufacturing beef would be less challenging than that for intact beef.

Bord Bia said that following overall approval from USDA/FSIS for manufacturing beef in July this year, the industry set about clarifying a number of issues around securing the necessary approval at individual plant level.

It says USDA-approved plants in Ireland are now in the process of undertaking the plant baseline survey for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) that is required to be completed in advance of specific plant approval to start shipping this meat.

Currently, there are six Irish plants approved to export beef to the US. Meat Industry Ireland, the representative body for Meat Processors in Ireland, said that following the July announcement, companies have been engaging with the Department on the technical steps and process necessary to obtain individual plant approvals for manufacturing beef.

US Beef Imports

Bord Bia says US beef imports are down year on year due to recovery in domestic supplies coupled with reduced supplies from Australia and New Zealand due to herd rebuilding there.

It says the main import suppliers remain Canada, Australia, Mexico and New Zealand. However, Bord Bia does say that Brazil is also gaining more market share but is still significantly lower than Oceania and North American imports.

The total US beef market is estimated at 11m metric tonnes per annum and is split 60pc foodservice/40pc grocery retail. Approximately 1m tonnes of this is imported, the bulk of which is manufacturing beef.

In relation to Irish beef export volumes to the US market, MII stated "while volumes being exported are low relative to other markets, there has been a steady, albeit modest increase in trade throughout 2016 and we understand that approximately 2,300 tonne (carcase weight equivalent) have been exported up to end-September".



"While the strong beef price witnessed in the US during 2014 and 2015 has passed, and with it some of the immediate opportunity, full access to this market is nonetheless important in terms of future potential," it said.

Ireland is the largest net exporter of beef in the Northern Hemisphere.
A review of the controversial beef grid will be on the agenda at the next Beef Forum meeting, the Irish Creamery Milk Supplier Association (ICMSA)has insisted.

The farm organisation last week published a study which claimed the grid had cost farmers close to 80m since 2011.

ICMSA president, John Comer, said the findings of the study vindicated the association's longstanding opposition to the beef grid and its repeated calls for "a root-and-branch review" of the manner in which it operated.

"All parties can be absolutely certain that we'll be pursuing the fundamental questions raised by our latest analysis of the QPS Beef Grid," Comer said.

"We will be pursuing this matter at every opportunity and we have sent a copy of the report to the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, specifically requesting that the review of the grid is an agenda item at the next Beef Forum," he added.

"I also confidently predict that Minister Creed will be fielding questions on this when he's our guest at our AGM in Limerick's Castletroy Park Hotel on November 28," he said.

The ICMSA leader called on State agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Teagasc and Bord Bia to clarify their position on the grid in light of the findings of the report.

The ICMSA study found that the grid would never deliver a 'cash neutral' outcome for beef producers. It claimed that annual farmer losses as a result of the grid ranged from 12m to 19m in the five years from 2011 to 2015.

The beef grid was introduced in 2009 with the support of the factories, Teagasc and the IFA.

Comer said the silence these groups have shown on the ICMSA report's findings reminded him of the adage that while victory had a thousand fathers, defeat was an orphan.
A farmer has been given a suspended jail sentence for animal cruelty.

Leslie Stewart, 69, of The Thorn, Letterkenny, was given a three month suspended term for animal cruelty in Letterkenny District Court on Tuesday.

The case resulted from a joint investigation made to Mr Stewarts farm by ISPCA Inspector Kevin McGinley and Department of Agriculture Veterinary Inspector Desmond Lavin in February and March of 2014 during which a number of serious animal welfare issues were discovered.

A number of animals were euthanized on the farm, including a donkey too weak to stand, two emaciated calves and an emaciated pony mare unable to bear any weight on one of her fore-legs. A further seven ponies were surrendered into the care of the ISPCA.

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Veterinary Inspector with the Department of Agriculture, Desmond Lavin, told the court that he had called to Stewarts farm on October 1 last after Judge Kelly had ordered Mr Stewart not to keep any animals on his farm.

On that occasion he found five goats, one pot-bellied pig with nine piglets, three dogs and three cats. He had advised him that he was not allowed to keep animals and told him he would be returning to the property which he did on October 30th last. On this date all the animals had been removed apart for three cats Mr Steward said were strays.

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Judge Paul Kelly said the only reason preventing him from sending Mr Stewart to jail was 'due to his age' and sentenced him to three months in prison on one cruelty charge but suspended the jail sentence for 12 months and took other charges into consideration.

Judge Kelly also awarded the ISPCA 250 veterinary fees for the removal of several ponies from Mr Stewarts lands at an earlier date.

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He also warned Ms Stewarts solicitor, Mr Kieran OGorman to advise his client that he risks going to jail if he keeps any more animals on his land in future.

ISPCA Senior Inspector Kevin McGinley said he would like to thank the Department of Agriculture Veterinary Inspector Desmond Lavin for his efforts in this joint operation that resulted in a conviction and a court order that the individual involved not keep any animals.

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"We believe this case sends out a clear message that animal cruelty will not be tolerated," he said.
Nissan Ireland is to hire 40 new apprentices in a bid to address a skills shortage created by the rapid growth in demand for connected, autonomous and electric cars.

The company will begin hiring immediately and it is expected that the 40 new recruits will be in place at Nissan dealerships across the country before the end of this year.

The apprenticeships will last for four years under the Nissan Generation Next Apprentice Academy, which has been launched by the company in a bid to identify talented technicians who want to develop a career in the motor industry.

Nissan Ireland ceo, James McCarthy, said: "This is an exciting time to be employed in the motor industry.

"Nissan is driving the development of autonomous and electric vehicles.

"We have a very clear vision of where we see the motor industry in 2020 and our apprentices will be trained to ensure that we realise it and to lead the way into the future

"We created the Academy to future-proof our business and our aim is to fully train and retain our apprentices across our dealer network". Applicants need to have completed the Leaving Cert and the company is particularly keen on receiving applications from first and second-year engineering students who may be reconsidering their college choice.

The top-performing graduate under the scheme will receive a scholarship to pursue a degree in automotive engineering at a third-level institute, as well as a new Nissan, which they can drive for a year.

The Nissan Leaf is one of Ireland's most popular electric car modesl.

Figures show that 237 out of a total of 249 electric cars bought this year were Nissan Leafs.

Nissan is ireland's fifth most popular car brand, with the company enjoying a rise of 25pc in sales in the first six months of the year.
Here are the main business stories from this morning's papers:

Irish Independent

* Private debt in Ireland surged by more than 40pc last year, to stand at three times the size of the economy, according to official data. However, the statistics are again distorted by one or more multinationals restructuring balance sheets.

The figures released yesterday claim that private sector debt now stands at 776.1bn - or just over 300pc of the value of the economy - driven by a jump in the debt of non-financial corporations (NFCs).

* Ireland's manufacturing sector last month posted its largest improvement since June, signalling companies may be starting to shrug off the effect of the Brexit vote.

But the level of new export orders only grew marginally, as sterling weakness made securing new work in the UK more difficult, according to the latest Purchasing Managers' Index for the sector.

* First Derivatives is "well geographically diversified" to withstand the effects of Brexit, its chief financial officer Graham Ferguson said yesterday. However, he did not rule out moving its head office from Newry if the situation demanded it.

The financial technology services firm generates over 60pc of its revenue outside of the UK and Mr Ferguson doesn't expect Brexit to have a major effect on the business.

The Irish Times

* The looming implications for Ireland from Brexit is to be discussed today by representatives from all over the island of Ireland and will be hosted by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

While the North's First Minister Arlene Foster declined the invitation, employer groups, trade unions, farmers, and NGOs are all expected to attend.

* Irish cyber security firm Integrity360 is to add 150 new jobs over the next two years as the company looks to expand into the US and the UK.

The business is expected to add 50 of the roles by the end of this year with the remainder to be added by the end of 2018.

* Ulster Bank Ireland has been fined 3.3m for breaching anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regulations, with the bank admitting the breaches.

The breaches occurred over a six-year period with regulators pointing to significant failures in the bank's procedures.
Irish cyber security firm Integrity360 is to create 150 new jobs at its headquarters in Sandyford, Dublin as it gears up to cope with strong demand for its services both here and abroad.

The company will conclude recruitment for 50 of the positions by the end of this year, with a further 100 set to be added by the end of 2018, which will see it double in size.

The jobs will be spread across a variety of areas including infosec consultants, security analysts, and cyber-risk and assurance consultants.

Integrity360 was founded 11 years ago and has doubled its staff count over the past 18 months. It now employs 140 people operating out of Dublin, London, Birmingham, and New York.

Chief executive Eoin Goulding described the new jobs as a "milestone" for the business.

"This reflects the relevance of IT security to businesses on their own growth path, both at home and in export markets.

"IT security is central to business development in terms of enabling growth, improving efficiency and productivity in organisations, as well as reducing risk."

The company has a strong track record of employment, with a 91pc staff retention rate so far this year.

Integrity360 was also voted Best Place to Work in IT at the Tech Excellence Awards in 2016.

Two-thirds of workers there are involved in technology roles -with 22 different nationalities spread throughout its workforce.

The Sandyford-based firm is adding the extra jobs to further the development of its managed security services arm, which it expects to propel growth over the next two years.

Almost a third of the new positions are supported by Enterprise Ireland.

The State body's chief executive Julie Sinnamon said it would work with the firm to optimise its full international growth potential.

"Enterprise Ireland has been working with Integrity360 since 2012 and seen first-hand how this innovative company has gone from strength-to-strength, growing a strong customer base internationally and recruiting people at home," she said.

Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor welcomed the additional new roles.

"Integrity360 is an example of an Irish indigenous company that has grown and developed to compete on a global scale.

"The announcement today of 150 new jobs shows that Ireland is to the forefront of development and innovation in the IT sector," she said.

The news comes after another cyber security firm Cylance announced the creation of 150 new roles in Cork on Friday.

Cyber crime has become an increasing threat to Irish businesses over the last number of years, with fraud soaring in the last two years.

In 2014, IT fraud cost companies 498,000; however, that has jumped to more than 1.7m earlier this year.

Cyber attacks have become increasingly commonplace for firms now, with more than half of Irish business owners expecting to suffer an attack over the next 12 months.

The announcements from Integrity360 and Cylance come as Ireland is set to become a chief regulator for some major companies including Apple, eBay, and Microsoft.

A new National Cyber Security Centre will be charged with protecting some of the world's biggest tech firms.
INM's Stephen Rae with Billy Keane and his daughter Laura Keane at the book launch of 'The Best of Billy Keane' at the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin. Photo: Arthur Carron

It was standing room only as household names from the worlds of politics, business, sport, arts and the media queued to get a signed copy of Irish Independent columnist Billy Keanes new book this evening.

Former Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan, businessman Bill Cullen and his partner Jackie Lavin and RTE journalist Katie Hannon were among the familiar faces who attended the launch of the county Kerry writers latest book, The Best of Billy Keane - From a Writer Who Sees Extraordinary Deeds in Day-to-Day Living at Dublins Shelbourne Hotel.

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The book, published by Ballpoint Press and retailing for 14.99, is the columnists first collection of columns published in The Irish Independent and The Kerryman over the past 12 years and according to the self-effacing writer, I think they got better as I got older.

Theres a bit of humour and sadness but the whole idea is about the shop face on putting on a brave face when things go wrong and that becomes your actual face, he said.Hopefully it will inspire people to go on, he said.

But he said the real heroes of the book are his colleagues at the Irish Independent who worked with him on the collection which he described as very much a team effort.

These are the people who went into making me the superstar that I am today, he said with a laugh.

But Stephen Rae, Editor-in-Chief of Independent News and Media, said Billy is one of Irelands most vibrant writers. No one can capture Irelands psyche as well as Billy. Its a really enjoyable book.

Mr Deenihan, who hails from Billys hometown of Listowel, praised his versatility and flair for creativity.

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Hollywood star Michael Fassbender has ruled himself out of becoming the next James Bond - suggesting a woman should play a female 007.

The 39-year-old X-Men actor had been tipped as a favourite to land the plum movie role and is rumoured to be on a shortlist of actors in the running to take over from Daniel Craig, 48.

But Fassbender told the December issue of British GQ that the film franchise needed a new spin as Craig had already excelled in 007's tuxedo and that nobody of Craig's age could improve the Spectre star's performance.

Asked whether he would sign up as Bond, the Irish-German star said: "To be honest, no.

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"As an acting role, I think Daniel has done such a cracking job in this age group ... I think the franchise needs something new."

Fassbender suggested that an actress should play "Jane Bond" or a young actor such as Unbroken star Jack O'Connell, 26, could take the famous character back to his roots.

"What about we start the film back in Sandhurst, Army training rather than on a yacht, or he's in the Middle East on an op and gets thrown in the brig for insubordination? He's going to get court-martialled... I have thought about it a lot," he said.

Fassbender told the magazine he is a huge fan of the Bond films.

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"I just love Bond. Doesn't everyone? I grew up with him," he said.

"It's always a fun conversation to have. But Bond should be someone in their early 20s ... I always thought Bond should be British, but let's get an American in o r maybe someone like Jack O'Connell would be good?

"Or even better, how about Jane Bond? A woman. One thing is for sure, it won't be anyone on the bookies' lists. It never is."

Luther star Idris Elba, 44, The Night Manager's Tom Hiddleston, 35, Poldark's Aidan Turner, 33, Welsh actor Luke Evans, 37, Victoria star Tom Hughes, 30, and War And Peace's James Norton, 31, have all been tipped for the role.

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Craig, who has played Bond in Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre, is also rumoured to be considering returning for a fifth instalment.

But reports that the actor had been offered 120 million to play the role in two more films were reportedly denied.

Fassbender also spoke about his relationship with Oscar-winning actress Alicia Vikander, 28, after the pair met on the set of romantic period drama The Light Between Oceans.

The star said that the couple's relationship did not influence the film, directed by Derek Cianfrance.

"Derek was trying to create an environment where the actors can be as real as possible. You service the characters," he said.

"You use elements of reality but also the imagination. The relationship myself and Alicia went on to have did not pollute the journeys of Tom and Isabel, the characters. Not for me, anyway."

He also voiced his opposition to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, calling him part of the problem.

"I think people are angry and that's why Trump got such a huge following," he told GQ.

"They feel disenfranchised and this is their way to strike back. But is he the answer they are looking for?

"Feels to me like he's someone who got us into this mess in the first place, with the bankers and so on - he's just part of the problem."
Heart and depth: Ruth Negga as Rosie in Love/Hate with co-star Darren Sheehan

Actor Joel Edgerton and actress Ruth Negga attends Focus Features' "LOVING" at Atlanta Pride on October 9, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Focus Features)

Actress Ruth Negga attends the premiere of Universal Pictures' "Warcraft at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on June 6, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images)

The reviews are in and Irish actress Ruth Negga is pretty much a lock in for an Oscar nomination.

The Limerick actress has been collecting rave reviews for her performance in Loving, which sees her take the lead role alongside Australian actor Joel Edgerton.

The Academy Awards don't take place until March, but Negga has already been tipped for an Oscar nomination thanks to her stellar performance.

The film follows an interracial married couple, Richard and Mildred Loving, who are arrested because in 1958 Virginia, interracial marriage is a crime.

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Directed by Jeff Nichols, Loving was inspired by Nancy Buirskis 2011 HBO documentary The Loving Story which consisted of footage of the couple and contemporary interviews with Peggy Loving, their daughter.

Loving is set to be released in the US on November 4th, and critics have had nothing but high praise for the 33-year-old Ethiopian-Irish actress.

"Joel Edgerton as Richard and Ruth Negga as Mildred give performances that will be talked about for years," writes The Rolling Stone.

"Negga, a breakout from AMCs Preacher, is an instant awards contender. As Mildred, she fuels much of the films emotion, sitting in jail pregnant, dealing with relatives divided on whether her love is worth being in quasi-exile, and needing to return to farm life for the good of her kids. Negga gives her vulnerability but also strength of heart," applauds USA Today.

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Negga, who previously starred in season one of RTE gangland drama Love/Hate, has also featured in 12 Years A Slave, World War Z, the Jimi Hendrix biopic Jimi: All Is By My Side and has a recurring role on Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Earlier this year, Carlow actress Saoirse Ronan was nominated for Best Actress in the Academy Awards for her role in Brooklyn, while Dublin author Emma Donoghue was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for Room.
Dozens of fans were turned away from Justin Bieber's first Dublin date for having bogus tickets.

Aiken Promotions has issued a warning to fans advising not to buy tickets from any unofficial source ahead of Justin Bieber's 3Arena concert tonight.

The concert promoter has highlighted that tickets from unofficial sources may not be genuine and run the risk of you not gaining entry to the show.

Tuesday saw the first of Bieber's two sold-out Dublin concerts, and Aiken has said that numerous people arrived at the show with bogus and invalid tickets that had been bought online.

"Purchasing from these sites can result in huge financial loss and disappointment for fans who may arrive at the venue only to be refused entry without recourse," reads a statement from Aiken Promotions.

Aiken Promotions has urged people to buy tickets via Ticketmaster.ie and official retail outlets only.

They also warned fans not to arrive earlier than 6pm for the show as queuing will not be allowed.

Doors will open at 6:30pm.

Under 16s will not be permitted in the venue without an accompanying adult, while under 14s are not permitted in the general admission/standing area.

Justin Bieber is set to perform for his second show in the 3Arena, Dublin, tonight as part of the Purpose World Tour.
A video of an Ice Monster spotted in a river in Alaska has sparked imaginations on the internet.

Some people are comparing it to Scottish legend, the Loch Ness Monster, while others are suggesting it is a giant arctic crocodile.

In the video, large chunks of ice can be seen moving together in a side-to-side motion, but nobody seems to know what it actually is.

An employee of the Bureau of Land Management recorded the video.

Were not sure what it is . Were letting you all be the judge.
Ms Justice Kennedy said that this was a violent and callous crime perpetrated on a vulnerable inebriated young woman (Stock photo)

A Brazilian man who left a young woman severely injured in a lane-way after raping and assaulting her has been jailed for 13 years.

Rafael Tiso (31) was captured on CCTV leaving a nightclub with the intoxicated victim and walking with her down a side street before going into a lane.

He left the lane 40 minutes later and returned to drink in the same bar for over an hour.

A passer-by heard a moaning noise and discovered the woman lying on the ground between a truck and a car with her legs spread apart. The man believed the woman was dead at first as her eyes were closed and he did not want to touch her to contaminate the scene.

He saw blood on the ground beside her. The woman's clothing and hair were soaking wet. Gardai were alerted and the woman was taken to hospital.

The 23-year-old victim, who cannot recall the incident, suffered an internal injury.

Tiso, who was living in rented accommodation on Offaly Road, Cabra, Dublin, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to rape, oral rape, aggravated sexual assault and assault causing harm to the woman at Montague Lane, Dublin on January 18, 2016. He has no previous convictions and has been in custody since his arrest.

Garda Chris Fitzgerald told Martina Baxter BL, prosecuting, that the woman had been socialising in a nightclub and was described as very intoxicated and incoherent. She was seen on CCTV being escorted out by security and accompanied by Tiso, who helped her out of the club. A young man passing by about 40 minutes later discovered the woman in "a shocking condition" in the lane way, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said.

Tiso had returned to the nightclub and remained there for a further hour and a half. The woman was taken to hospital and had no memory of events. The young woman had numerous lacerations and bruising. Gardai began an investigation and recovered the CCTV footage showing Tiso with the victim.

Tiso, who was working as a rickshaw driver in the Harcourt Street area, was nominated as a suspect and interviewed. He claimed he had consensual sex with the woman.

Violent

Ms Justice Kennedy said that this was a violent and callous crime perpetrated on a vulnerable inebriated young woman.

She said the fact that Tiso had left the woman in such a dreadful state and the severe emotional and mental impact of his attack were aggravating factors. She suspended the final year of a 14-year sentence on condition that Tiso leave the State on his release for a period of 10 years.

In her victim impact report the woman described it like being "an episode of a horror series." She said she would like to "delete that day" and described "a daily fight between going forward or making a martyr of myself."
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 was handed a three year suspended prison sentence.

Pat ODwyer (53) had 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 2015.

He received a three year suspended sentence for that offence yesterday.

But he was also told he must have no further contact with his sister in law.

O'Dwyer had been remanded in custody for the past week awaiting sentencing.

He spent his 53rd birthday in prison as a result.

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.
A man who stole almost 54,000 from the shop he worked in by awarding himself fake Lotto wins has been jailed for 18 months.

Paul Kavanagh (25) spent the money on take-aways, taxis and cannabis, his counsel said.

Judge Melanie Greally previously agreed to adjourn the case at Dublin Circuit Criminal court to allow him repay 1000 a week to the owner of the Londis shop. He also agreed to pay over, within three days, a sum of 3,600 he had saved up.

However he was unable to follow through on his intention to repay the stolen money in full as he lost his last job in security as a result of the publicity around this case.

Counsel for Kavanagh, Tom Neville BL, said he has nothing to show for the money, some of which was used to pay for his cannabis habit.

Kavanagh of Belgard Square, Tallaght, Dublin pleaded guilty to theft from Ray Sheehan, owner of the Londis Store on Park Gate Street between 2014 and 2015. He was also found with a small amount of cannabis at his home.

Prosecuting counsel Marie Torrens BL said Kavanagh, a father of two, began working in the shop in 2014 and started having money troubles. She said he would process lottery wins through the system and pocket the money.

The thefts came to light when the owner noticed three 150 lottery payouts on a day when the Lottery machine was broken. Kavanagh was arrested and told gardai that he was experiencing personal and family problems and he thought he could take the money without anyone noticing.

Judge Greally said that repayment would have formed a significant mitigating factor. She said that other mitigating factors were Kavanagh's considerable remorse, his lack of previous convictions, and his early plea of guilty.

She also noted that Kavanagh was at a low risk of re-offending and had shown considerable insight into the effects of his crimes. She said very few businesses could absorb a loss of such an amount.

She noted that Kavanagh had a good work history and had found himself in very challenging personal circumstances.
A Dublin woman was unaware she was being sued for a 1.2 million mortgage debt, including 357,000 repayment arrears, until the matter was reported in the newspapers, a judge heard yesterday.

Evelyn Shanahan's barrister told Judge Jacqueline Linnane in the Circuit Civil Court that while possession proceedings had been served on her two years ago, she thought her husband, Niall Shanahan, had been dealing with the matter.

Judge Linnane said the court had been told it appeared there was an estrangement between the two defendants and that Mr Shanahan had gone off to somewhere in the UK.

She said the couple, both of whom were responsible for the debt, had been served with the civil bill seeking possession of Woodley, 52 Fosters Avenue, Mount Merrion, Dublin, the family home. Neither defendant had ever attended court.

Counsel for Ms Shanahan said she had not known that she faced a court judgment against her prior to having seen it in the newspapers. She had recently returned to the workforce and sought an adjournment until January to see if some sort of arrangement could be reached between herself and Mr Shanahan that might meet the situation.

Dylan West, counsel for Ulster Bank Ireland Limited, said the bank had entered a motion for November 24 when it would apply to amend its name, in accordance with the Companies Act, to Ulster Bank Ireland DAC (Designated Activities Company).

Judge Linnane said the 357,000 arrears was among the highest to come before the court, which had been told earlier the total debt stood at 1.2m without a penny having been paid off the mortgage for the past two years.

Having been told there was no question of the arrears being paid off before January, Judge Linnane said she would adjourn the proceedings until November 24.

The judge said that in the meantime, the two defendants could put their written proposals before the bank.

"We will see then what level of co-operation has been reached," Judge Linnane said.
Gangland criminal 'Fat' Freddie Thompson has been arrested by gardai investigating the feud murder of David 'Daithi' Douglas earlier this year.

The Kinahan cartel associate was detained by members of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) as he returned to the capital yesterday afternoon.

It is understood Thompson (35) had returned to Dublin from Birmingham via the North, and gardai were waiting to detain him.

He is being questioned at Kilmainham Garda Station over the murder of Douglas (55), who was shot dead outside a shop on Bridgefoot Street, Dublin, on July 1.

Thompson is being held under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act and can be detained for a period of up to seven days.

It is not yet known what procedure will be put in place if the planned garda strikes commence on Friday while he is still in custody.

The cartel associate has rarely been seen in this jurisdiction in recent months, and often wears a wig when appearing in public.

Sources have revealed further arrests are expected as part of the investigation into the murder and gardai have identified the people involved.

Douglas, a father-of-one, was blasted six times outside the Shoestown shop which is run by his wife.

He was a convicted drug dealer and a close associate of Darren Kearns, who was shot dead last December as part of the ongoing feud.

Douglas was linked to the Provisional IRA in the 1980s and took part in a post office robbery in Tallaght during which he fired a rifle at a garda. He received a 12-year sentence for attempted murder.

Douglas had previously survived an attempt on his life last year after being blasted a number of times while walking his dog.

Gardai believe Douglas was shot because of his suspected involvement in a botched hit on a Kinahan cartel member.

The attempted murder, outside the Red Cow Hotel in November of last year, failed when the gunman's weapon jammed, allowing Kinahan associate Liam Roe escape

The cartel suspected Douglas was involved in the attempted hit, but gardai are satisfied that he was in the north inner city at the time.

'Fat' Freddie gained notoriety for his involvement in the Crumlin/Drimnagh feud and was suspected of involvement in a number of attacks on rival mobsters.

He is also related to senior cartel members Liam Byrne (36), whose brother David (33) was shot dead at the Regency Hotel earlier this year.
Spanish police carrying out a major operation against the Kinahan Cartel have arrested a man in relation to the feud murder of Gary Hutch.

Hutch was shot dead near his flat in Miraflores, Fuengirola, Spain in September 2015. His murder sparked a year of bloodshed between the rival Hutch and Kinahan factions.

Officers from the Guardia Civil detained a man, understood to be an Irish national in Malaga this afternoon.

A spokesperson for the Gurdia Civil confirmed that an operation is currently ongoing but could not comment further.

It is understood that the arrested man, who is originally from Dublin has close ties to cartel members on the Costa del Sol.
A US gunrunner who detectives wanted to fly to Northern Ireland to give evidence against one of the IRA's most senior commanders has died suddenly in Florida.

Stockbroker turned gunrunner Mike Logan was asked to testify against Sean 'Spike' Murray, the head of the IRA's Northern Command.

Logan alleged he had sent Murray hundreds of weapons during his five-year gunrunning career, which began after the IRA ceasefire and continued post-Good Friday Agreement.

Murray is one of Sinn Fein's most senior officials in Belfast. Last year, a high-powered PSNI delegation travelled to the US to ask Logan to give evidence against him. They included Det Chief Supt Tim Hanley, head of Serious Crime Branch.

Murray has continually denied any involvement in the gun-smuggling plot, describing the allegations as "without foundation".

Logan had changed his mind several times on whether or not to testify. He initially refused, telling detectives that it would mean "a death sentence".

He later agreed, telling the Belfast Telegraph: "The cops are really serious about going after Spike. I've been promised immunity from prosecution by the PSNI. It's a cast iron guarantee so f*** it, I'm going for it."

He alleged that police had told him that they had new forensic evidence linking Murray to gun-running and other serious crimes, and that his testimony would also be crucial.

Logan (57) died suddenly in his sleep in Florida last Saturday.

A family member said he had passed away peacefully, adding: "There isn't an exact diagnosis but it appears to just be natural causes."

When asked for an update on the investigation into Murray and the Florida gun-running, a PSNI spokesman yesterday said: "Inquiries are continuing. This remains a live investigation and as such we can't comment further at this time."

Logan had sent the IRA a deadly cache of weapons including 200 handguns which were used in several murders, including that of two police officers in Lurgan in 1997. He claimed he had reported directly to Murray, who has served seven years in the H-Blocks for explosive offences and is a regular visitor to Sinn Fein's Stormont offices.

Logan said that police had told him that if a successful prosecution case could be constructed, he would he housed in secure accommodation in Northern Ireland during the trial. A volatile character, given to regularly changing his mind, he said that he had to overcome his instinctive hostility to police in order to co-operate.

Logan admitted sending the weapons used to murder Constables John Graham and David Johnston in Lurgan in 1997.

Another gun he sent to the IRA was used to kill Real IRA Belfast commander, Joe O'Connor, three years later. He believed a third was used in the 1999 attempted assassination in England of former British agent, Martin McGartland.

Logan was interviewed in 2014 in a BBC Spotlight programme which suggested that the British authorities, at the highest level, knew the full details of Murray's alleged involvement in the arms' importation, but turned a blind eye in order to protect the peace process.

The US authorities gave Logan immunity from prosecution in 2002 in return for information about the weapons he had bought.
Ceejay McAardle (4) was made an honorary Garda this year, in light of his bravery in his cancer battle Photo: Sean Curtin

The mother of a four-year-old who is battling leukemia has spoken about how devastated she was when she heard her young son's diagnosis.

Ceejay McArdle (4) from Castleblaney, Co Monaghan was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of two.

His mum, Susan Brown, told RTE's Ray DArcy Show that she and her husband Matthew found the heartbreaking news very hard to digest.

We got into the car and decided that we couldnt go any further. I said to Marcus, 'I cant do it', and Marcus agreed. I kind of said... it sounds dreadful... I said, 'will we drive off the road?'

"I said 'I can't put him through this. If hes going to die, I want to die with him'. And then he [Marcus] said, 'well we could jump on a plane and instead of putting him through this will we go off to a happy place and just be together', she told Ray, speaking about her emotionally fragile state at the time.

Susan called a man from her area who had a child in a similar situation and he in turn rang St Johns Ward in Crumlin Childrens Hospital and told them to expect Susan, Marcus and Ceejay.

I thought, if there is a small chance of him getting better, we have to do this, Susan said.

Ceejay (4) will finish his treatment January 29 2018.

In the meantime, during treatment, Susan has set up a non-profit called 'Bravery Blanky', an organisation aimed at giving a bravery blanket to children in Ireland diagnosed with cancer. Comfort and hope wrapped in a blanket, she said.

We were in St Johns and I saw all these children, little heroes, lying up in the beds waiting for theatre and fasting and getting their five-hour-long chemotherapy and I just wanted to bring some colour and happiness.

Expand Close Ceejay McArdle (3) from Co. Monoghan was made an honorary guard last year during a ceremony held in Dublins Garda HQ but this week / Facebook

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Whatsapp Ceejay McArdle (3) from Co. Monoghan was made an honorary guard last year during a ceremony held in Dublins Garda HQ but this week

"So I started thinking, what if every child had their own little cosy? So I started researching it and I set up a Facebook page and just asked people could they donate blankets.

Originally I thought Id give some to our local hospital in Drogheda. Id say within two days we knew wed have enough to bring them to St. Johns and give one to every child. The response just blew us away.

Ceejay became Ireland's youngest guard in September 2015, as he dreams of being a guard when he grows up.
A garda and a security man at Longford Shopping Centre into which the victim staggered after being attacked. Photo: Steve Humphreys

A man is being questioned by gardai after a foreign national was stabbed to death outside a shopping centre.

The victim, who was in his early 30s, was stabbed a number of times in the chest after several confrontations with his attacker in Longford town yesterday.

It is understood the victim and his attacker were involved in an altercation shortly before 12pm yesterday just off Great Water Street.

The victim attempted to flee by running into the Longford Centre nearby.

After rushing into the Longford Centre, the man collapsed onto a bench at the front of a cafe near the top of the centre.

He was found lying in a pool of blood on the bench with multiple chest wounds. Despite being rushed to Mullingar Hospital by emergency services, he was pronounced dead later in the day.

The victim, understood to be originally from Poland, had been living at an apartment complex in the town centre.

A number of areas around the shopping centre were sealed off by gardai.

Last night the garda regional crime scene investigation unit carried out forensic tests around the bench where the victim collapsed.

A forensic team also carried out searches at an apartment directly across the road from the shopping centre.

The apartment was sealed off by gardai last night.

It is not yet known whether the confrontation began around the apartment and spilled onto the street or if the attacker was in the apartment after the attack.

A bloodied tissue was found outside the building, which is being examined by forensics.

Footage

However, garda are still investigating whether it is connected to the crime.

Garda sources indicated they are examining clear CCTV footage of the incident. Locals and shop owners said they were shocked by the attack.

One employee in the shopping centre said: "Nobody knows what it's in relation to and it's hard to know if nobody really seen what happened or whether they don't want to know about it or say too much about what they seen."

A 24-year-old man was later arrested by gardai and was being held at Longford Garda station.

The 24 year old male who was arrested is scheduled to appear at Mullingar District Court on Thursday at 10.30am charged in connection with the fatal stabbing.

People in Longford are shocked by this happening in broad daylight. It is completely out of the blue. In the last ten years you could count on one hand the amount of murders that have happened in Longford," Fianna Fail councillor Seamus Butler told independent.ie.

The poor victim was some mothers son. Our sympathy goes out to the family. We hope it is an isolated incident and not indicative of a feud between two families.

I live only 500m from where it happened. A recent meeting of the joint policing committee, of which Im a member, indicated that in the first ten months of this year, crime is down on all fronts in Longford, so its a bit of a shock.

Gardai are appealing for anyone who may have been in the Great Water Street/Rue Noyal Chetillon Street or the area of the shopping centre between 11.30am and noon to contact them at Longford on 043-3350570, the Garda Confidential Line 1800-666-111 or any Garda station. Gardai will hold a briefing this afternoon.
Gardai have issued an appeal for help locating a missing man.

William Mulvihill (54) vanished from the Tralee area on August 22.

A native of Ballybunion, Mr Mulvihill was last seen in the Tralee bypass area.

William is described as being 5 3 in height, of medium build with green eyes.

He has red receding hair and a thick moustache. When last seen William was wearing a tweed suit jacket, chequered shirt and blue jeans.

In a statement gardai said that they and Williams family are concerned for his welfare.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Listowel Garda Station on 068 21000, The Garda Confidential Line, 1800 666111 or any Garda Station.
With an all-out strike of rank-and-file Gardai, sergeants and inspectors on the cards for Friday and no sign of a deal in sight, everyone is wondering what contingency plans are in place.

Given the constant Garda presence at Irish airports, will they stay open and operate normally? Here is everything we know at this point.

Dublins Terminal 2, Cork and Shannon may have to close for the day

The Garda National Immigration Bureau operates passport control at Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport and in Shannon and Cork airports. Without passport control in operation, these airports would have to close.

It is possible that the airports could open with a reduced number of flights if some staff report for duty, but it is unclear whether the three airports can be managed with the limited number of probationary Gardai and reservists available.

This could also affect Dun Laoghaire and Rosslare ferry ports.

Dublins Terminal 1 is most likely to stay open

Passport control in Terminal One of Dublin Airport is civilianised and will not be as affected by the strike. Terminal 1 may stay open if Terminal 2 closes.

It is unclear whether the other terminals and airports could temporarily civilianise their passport control, but the Gardai do not comment on ongoing operational matters and we will likely have to wait until Friday to find out.

However a spokesman for the Civil Public and Service Union (CPSU), said that they would not be able to cover for gardai as they do not have the powers to detain a suspect.

Eoin Ronayne previously told the Irish Daily Mail: "It is hard to know how the airport will operate without gardai. What happens if we find someone who is a problem? We do not have the power to detain people."

Airport police will be available even if the Gardai are not

The airport police are not a part of An Garda Siochana and will be reporting for duty.

If the Gardai and the Department of Justice can find a way to keep passport control open for the day, airports should be able to operate as normal.

The negotiators have stayed tight-lipped about their plans

The Department of Justice will sit down with the GRA in the Labour Court this afternoon and the AGSI tomorrow, but both the Justice department and Garda management have been reluctant to lay out their plans for Friday.

In a statement to Independent.ie, a Department of Justice spokesperson said: The department is working closely with stakeholders including the Garda National Immigration Bureau and the Dublin Airport Authority in relation to immigration control at Dublin Airport and the options for dealing with the planned Garda action in the event that it goes ahead.

Immigration control at other approved airports in the State is an operational matter for An Garda Siochana who are dealing with this as part of their overall contingency planning.

When contacted for comment on their plans, a Garda spokesperson said: In order to ensure a guaranteed policing service and maintaining the security of the State so as to protect and support communities on November 4 2016, the Garda Commissioner has written to all Garda members directing them to report for duty during the period 7am November 4 2016 to 7am November 5 2016.

The Commissioner has also directed that all leave and rest days for Garda members for November 4 2016 are cancelled. Local Garda management will direct personnel under their control on their required duties to ensure appropriate policing of their areas of responsibility.

Based on these statements there could be a solid plan or no plan at all, but management clearly want to emphasise the importance of keeping Gardai on the streets in a bid to avoid the strike.

A source told independent.ie last week that talking about contingency plans could spook the pay talks.
A 23-year-old man has died after being struck by a car in County Tipperary last night.

Gardai are investigating a fatal road traffic collision that occurred on the N24, Limerick to Waterford Road at Ballykisteen, County Tipperary last night at approximately 8pm.

A male pedestrian, 23 years, suffered serious injuries when he was struck by a car. He was taken to University Hospital Limerick where he was later pronounced dead.

A post mortem is to be arranged.

No other injuries were reported and no arrests have been made.

The N24 is currently closed at Ballykisteen to facilitate Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Diversions are in place at Monard and Barnstown Cross.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information, particularly those travelling on the N24 at Ballykisteen, County Tipperary yesterday evening between 7.45pm and 8.15pm is asked to contact them at Tipperary Garda Station on 062 80670, The Garda confidential Line, 1800 666111 or any Garda station.
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors' 2,500 members are still set to go on strike on Friday after rejecting Government proposals.

President Antoinette Cunningham said it was presented with a proposal which was "inequitable".

"We represent 2,080 sergeants and inspectors and we will not part-negotiate on their behalf," she said. "However, we remain open and available for talks and await more coherent and realistic proposals from the official side. But (as of yesterday evening) our third day of industrial action is set for Friday, November 4 and individual members of this association are planning on withdrawing their service for a 24-hour period."

Ms Cunningham would not say if the proposal was the same one that yesterday was rejected by the Garda Representative Association's executive committee.

The proposed 2,500 pay boost in the deal would bring a 4,115 rent allowance into their wages, and boosting premium payments and overtime by 1,025 a year. There would be a payment for holding briefings for 15 minutes before starting work, worth 1,459 a year.

Although AGSI has signed up to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, it has accused the Government or reneging on its side of the deal and lodged a pay claim for a 16.5pc pay rise.

It is seeking the wage increase, the right to negotiate its members' pay, and access to the Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court. It also wants recognition and implementation of an EU Social Committee's decision of 2014, which would permit strikes.

The association has accused ministers of suggesting the AGSI has been provided with access to the Workplace Relations Commission after current talks with the Government were referred there.

Ms Cunningham said access to the body was on an ad hoc basis and the issue of long-term access has not been resolved.
The issue of abortion in Ireland serves to exemplify the general ambiguity that characterises moral decisions, often leading to abusive confrontation between the differing protagonists, driven by non-negotiable certainties, rarely moving beyond predictable mutual antipathies.

Moral discourse has changed in character over time. There is far less emphasis now on determining what actions are right, with a sharper focus on what sort of person I should be.

In religious terms, there has been a tendency to overemphasise the notion of the soul as the bit of us that survives death.

Our duty was to ensure that our souls were kept free from serious sin. We spoke of the souls in purgatory and of saving or losing our souls.

It seems more appropriate to see our purpose as that of becoming a person rather than that of saving our souls.

Our lives are essentially bound up with one another; saving our souls is a rather self-centred enterprise.

Another un-illuminating consideration in discussing abortion is that concerning the concept of rights, which has a legal rather than a moral ring to it. It seems more helpful to speak of having responsibility for the foetus and for the mother.

The central responsibility rests with the mother. In the exercise of that responsibility, the presumption must be in favour of allowing the foetus to go to term unless there are relevant reasons why it shouldn't. We do not expect one another to act arbitrarily.

It is for the mother, informed by appropriate medical advice, to decide whether or not to seek a legal termination that is supported by relevant reasons.

There are no rules to apply other than the imperatives of a thoughtful conscience.

If there is one thing that characterised the life of Christ, it was his mistrust of rules, his relentless emphasis on the notion of love and his reluctance to judge others. 'Judge not and you shall not be judged' was one of the defining sentiments of his ministry.

Philip O'Neill

Oxford, England

Give hardworking gardai their due

What a pathetic excuse given by the Public Expenditure Minister, Paschal Donohoe, in regards to what the gardai are seeking.

Might I remind him that we, the ordinary taxpayers, have for the past six or seven years been forced to repay loans we did not borrow.

Might I also remind him that the amount involved to solve the garda dispute is but a mere drop in the ocean when compared to what we have already paid to rotten banks and speculating bond-holders.

A simple question requiring a simple, straightforward answer, either yes or no: are gardai entitled to what they are looking for?

Will the taxpayers take to the streets if the gardai are given their rights?

Give gardai their due before our country becomes the laughing stock of the world - some are still laughing at the idea of soldiers standing guard at our ATMs.

Fred Molloy

Dublin 15

Leprechaun politics alive and well

Political promises come and go. We have grown used to the outlandishly ambitious targets set by party leaders as they climb the slippery pole to political success.

"Let's keep the recovery going!" Fine Gael told us. We were all led to believe there was a new way of doing politics but unfortunately, as the dark clouds of industrial unrest sweep the country, we see that the real business of doing politics has not changed one iota.

Our teachers and gardai are now heading for the picket line, with the nurses' union keeping a close eye.

Government negotiators are busy, beavering away trying to come up with a formula that will satisfy both, but hopefully fool others.

The only way to solve both disputes, be it right or wrong, is extra money - and it will be paid.

Finding it is easy but from the Government's point of view, camouflaging a pay increase as something else is much more difficult.

When all is done and dusted, the Irish people will go about their business happy but complicit in the lie that a negotiated settlement was reached by a government sticking rigidly to its financial guidelines.

Our European colleagues will not be that easily fooled.

It's this lack of transparency and political massaging of the eventual agreements that leads to charges of 'leprechaun politics' which ultimately do Ireland a disservice.

We need politicians with backbone and integrity, who have the courage of their convictions and who conduct negotiations in a fair but transparent way - the Irish people deserve nothing less.

Continuing to deceive with politics as it always was will only compound the belief that Ireland is a corrupt little country, where in order to balance our books, we send our less-than-qualified politicians to fumble in the greasy till of Europe.

Eugene McGuinness

Bishop Birch Place, Kilkenny

Taxpayers' cash and the HSE

Where is the hospital money going to? There was shock and dismay this week at the news that there is a shortage of surgical equipment in our hospital emergency departments, and especially the intensive-care units.

This is news that no one wants to hear - after all, the HSE is responsible for the upkeep of our hospitals and has got huge amounts of taxpayers' money from the Government.

They would want to know where it's going and what it's spent on and how it's spent.

As a former patient of St James's Hospital Burns Unit in Dublin, I saw at first-hand how the doctors and nurses battled to save patients' lives, day and night, seven days a week - including my own life.

Some didn't make it, but through no fault of the excellent staff at that particular hospital.

Money is well spent there when they receive it.

Charles Reilly

Moyne, Co Longford

Boffins are not always right . . .

So scientists tell us that "chubbier older dads are more attractive to women".

Do I hear a chorus of females saying: "Fat chance!"?

Tom Gilsenan

Beaumont D9
The garda pay row will end up on the Labour Court's doorstep today. And even though the first strike by gardai in the history of the state is due to take place in two days, it is still not too late to avert it.

Senior sources have revealed that the court of last resort could ask the GRA to suspend its potentially devastating action. Otherwise, it could be argued, there is no point in it issuing a recommendation to resolve the dispute.

For years, the garda bodies have been campaigning to gain access to the Labour Court and the Workplace Relations Commission. And today they will discover that engaging with these institutions involves a lot of give, as well as take.

Nothing infuriates mediators in Haddington Road more than feeling that they are being used for any purpose other than the one they are employed to carry out.

The industrial relations system is a voluntary one - and the recommendations of the court are not binding unless the parties decide they will be bound by them beforehand. But the court is likely to put it up to the GRA that normal procedure dictates that they should ballot their members on any recommendation. This is what usually happens.

Because they are legally restricted from going on strike, the garda associations have followed their own rules. Under industrial relations legislation, they would be required to ballot their members and give at least a week's formal notice before going on strike. In a normal situation, the announcement by gardai that they were going on strike without a vote or serving notice would be classified as unofficial action.

This is causing big problems for unions with particularly militant wings that are asking why they can't do something similar, to resolve their own grievances.

What is making it even more difficult is the fact that it appears there will be no repercussions for gardai if they break the law. Instead, they have been offered a 30.5m pay package.

Aside from the legalities of the GRA position, it could be argued that the decision to go on strike has been undemocratic. We do not know what the GRA's 10,500 members really think.

To be fair, in a recent survey, the majority said they were in favour of withdrawing their labour.

However, that survey was carried out before the association did its first deal with the Department of Justice.

The deal was rejected by around 150 delegates at a conference in Tullamore, rather than the members. The 'tweaked' deal that was thrown out by the association's central executive committee on Halloween night has also not been put to the members.

The Commissioner's letter to gardai instructing them to turn up for work on Friday could be seen as naive or simply just a matter of course. But she may be banking on the fact that perhaps not all of the force are as militant as their representatives. It could also be the first step before she threatens disciplinary action.
8/8/1987 Bono and his wife Ali Hewson arriving at Cork Airport prior to the U2 Joshua Tree Tour concert in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. (Part of the Independent Ireland Newspapers/NLI Colection)

Ashley Graham arrives for GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2016 at Tate Modern on September 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Model Ashley Graham attends the Prabal Gurung fashion show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows September 2016 at The Gallery, Skylight at Clarkson Sq on September 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows)

Bono (R) and Alison Hewson attend Beats By Dr. Dre Kick Off RUSH TO ZERO Campaign at Beats By Dr. Dre Store on June 2, 2012 in Soho in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for (RED))

Bono (C) of the rock band U2 and wife Ali Hewsonon arrive on the red carpet at the 86th Academy Awards in 2014

Humanitarian and rock icon Bono has become the first man to make Glamour Magazine's Woman of the Year list.

For the first time, Glamour have added a Man of the Year to their list of powerful women, giving the award to Bono.

The magazine is honouring Bono for his humanitarian work, trying to help the rights and needs of girls who live in poverty.

Bono told Glamour magazine: Im sure I dont deserve it. But Im grateful for this award as a chance to say the battle for gender equality cant be won unless men lead it along with women. Were largely responsible for the problem, so we have to be involved in the solutions.

Bono will feature in the list alongside Fashion designer Miuccia Prada, IMF chief Christine Lagarde, ISIS kidnap survivor Nadia Murad, Black Lives Matter activists Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi, and model and body activist Ashley Graham.

Speaking to the Press Association, Glamour's Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive said: "We've talked for years about whether to honour a man at Women of the Year and we've always kind of put the kabash [sic] on it.

"You know, men get a lot of awards and aren't exactly hurting in the celebration and honours department."

She added: "But it started to seem that that might be an outdated way of looking at things, and there are so many men who really are doing wonderful things for women these days. Some men get it and Bono is one of those guys."

Expand Close Model Ashley Graham attends the Prabal Gurung fashion show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows September 2016 at The Gallery, Skylight at Clarkson Sq on September 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Model Ashley Graham attends the Prabal Gurung fashion show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows September 2016 at The Gallery, Skylight at Clarkson Sq on September 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows)

He will be honoured as Man of the Year at a ceremony in Los Angeles on November 14.
(L-R) Director Lee Daniels, Mariah Carey, and James Packer attend the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York on May 14, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)

US singer Mariah Carey and co-chairman of Melco Crown Entertainment James Packer stand on the red carpet ahead of the opening ceremony of the Studio City casino resort in Macau

Mariah Carey and James Packer attend "The Intern" New York Premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on September 21, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Mariah Carey And James Packer are seen on June 26, 2015 in Portofino, . (Photo by Photopix/GC Images)

Singer/songwriter Mariah Carey attends the NBCUniversal 2016 Upfront Presentation on May 16, 2016 in New York, New York. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

(L-R) Mariah Carey and James Packer attend the 2016 G'Day Los Angeles Gala at Vibiana on January 28, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images)

Did Scientology play a role in Mariah Carey and James Packer's split?

The superstar singer (46) and billionaire businessman (48) ended their eight-month engagement in September, but news only broke last week that the pair had parted ways.

And while neither has shied away from mud-slinging in a bid to control who dumped who and why - both sides refer to an incident on Packer's boat over the summer which was the catalyst for the split.

Sources close to Carey claim it was the casino mogul's business manager Tommy Davis, who previously worked as a spokesperson for the Church of Scientology from 2005 to 2011, caused a wedge between the couple.

Expand Close Mariah Carey And James Packer are seen on June 26, 2015 in Portofino, . (Photo by Photopix/GC Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Mariah Carey And James Packer are seen on June 26, 2015 in Portofino, . (Photo by Photopix/GC Images)

Packer was a practicing Scientologist from 2002 to 2006.

Davis reportedly urged the Aussie businessman to partake in the religion's "Purification Rundown" - which the church describes as a "a detoxification program which enables an individual to rid himself of the harmful effects of drugs, toxins and other chemicals that lodge in the body and create a biochemical barrier to spiritual well-being".

A new report in Page Six refers to the boat incident, quoting insiders in Carey's camp who claim the five-time Grammy winner felt he was acting strangely when she boarded his yacht and asked him flat out, "What is going on, are you back in Scientology?"

Mariahs manager Stella [Bulochnikov] clashed with Tommy, and she demanded to know what was going on," according to the report.

A photo posted by Mariah Carey (@mariahcarey) on Sep 26, 2016 at 5:28am PDT

"James was acting so strange that Mariah asked him directly, What is going on, are you back in Scientology? Then she was told by his staff, 'James isnt well and he doesnt want you to see him like this, so please leave.'"

The source claims she moved out of him LA home soon after.

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But sources in Packer's camp claim Davis wasn't present on the boat and was attempting to control his finances in a bid to reduce the Honey hitmaker's spending.

"This isnt true. James is not a part of the Church anymore. Tommy wasnt even on the boat with Mariah, James, and her team this summer, the only time he has met Mariah was in February when he went as a guest to her concert with James," the Packer source said.

Expand Close (L-R) Director Lee Daniels, Mariah Carey, and James Packer attend the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York on May 14, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD) / Facebook

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Whatsapp (L-R) Director Lee Daniels, Mariah Carey, and James Packer attend the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York on May 14, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)

"His relationship with Mariah ended because she is a diva, she has an entourage around her, and shes filming a TV show, which is a crazy world James doesnt want to be involved with."

In a new twist, Carey, whose divorce to Nick Cannon was finalised last week, is suing Packer for $50m citing "emotional distress".

She is keen to keep her $10m engagement ring after being "blindsided" by the split.
About 90 people were on the boat

At least 20 people, including a young child, were killed when a speedboat carrying Indonesian workers home from Malaysia capsized in stormy weather, police said.

About 90 people were on board the vessel, which capsized off the Indonesian island of Batam at about 5am local time, said the island's police chief, Sambudi Gusdian.

He said searchers had rescued 39 people, and a child under the age of five was among the bodies taken to a local hospital.

Police suspect the trip was illegal and the workers were undocumented because of the high fares that passengers said they paid.

Mr Gusdian said an Indonesian woman believed to be responsible for the voyage was arrested as she tried to leave Batam for nearby Singapore.

Haryanto, a 51-year-old survivor, said the boat capsized in heavy rain and high waves about two hours after it left Johor Bahru in Malaysia. He also said the boat was overcrowded.

"It was so crowded, some of us could not sit," said Haryanto, who was saved by fishermen after swimming for about two hours. Like many Indonesians, he goes by one name.

A police helicopter and more than a dozen boats were involved in the rescue effort.

Speedboats and ferries are a common form of transport in Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago. Capsizes are common due to poorly enforced safety regulations.

One of the worst ferry sinkings in recent years happened off Sulawesi island in 2009, killing more than 330 people.

AP
A police officer at the scene of the shooting in Urbandale, Iowa (AP)

US police have arrested a man suspected of killing two police officers in Iowa.

Scott Michael Greene, 46, was taken into custody after two shootings in the Des Moines and Urbandale areas.

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

Greene is suspected of fatally shooting the officers as they sat in their patrol cars. Police identified the men killed as Officer Justin Martin, who had been with the Urbandale force since 2015, and Sergeant Anthony "Tony" Beminio, who joined the department in Des Moines in 2005.

Greene was taken to a hospital for treatment of unknown health issues and will be brought later to Des Moines police headquarters, where he will be questioned and charged, Sergeant Paul Parizek said.

Police initially responded to a report of shots fired at 1.06am and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot.

Authorities from several agencies saturated the area after that shooting, and about 20 minutes later discovered that a Des Moines officer who had responded to the initial killing had been shot in a patrol car at an intersection, Mr Parizek said.

The shootings happened less than two miles apart and both took place along main streets that cut through residential areas.

Urbandale Police Chief Ross McCarty said that in the first shooting, investigators believe the shooter walked up to the officer's car and shot without warning.

"I wouldn't call it a confrontation," Mr McCarty said. "I don't think he may have even been aware that there was a gunman next to him."

Earlier a video on social media appeared to show a man identified as Greene being removed from a high school football game.

In the confrontation at Urbandale high school, Mr McCarty said Greene appeared to be trying to antagonise African-American fans when he shook a Confederate flag in front of them during the national anthem.

In the video, officers can be seen asking Greene to leave, telling him that displaying a Confederate flag there was inflammatory. Greene meanwhile argues that his constitutional rights are being violated.

Des Moines and Urbandale Police later said they had identified Greene, of Urbandale, as a suspect in the killings through "a series of leads and investigative tips." It is unclear if either of the shootings was captured on police cameras.

The shootings follow a spate of police killings, including ambushes of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Five officers were killed in Dallas on July 7 and three were killed later that month in Baton Rouge.

The attacks on police this summer in Dallas and Baton Rouge came in the wake of several high-profile police shootings of black men, fuelling a national debate about police use of force, especially against minorities - a frequent topic in the nation's presidential race.

Republican nominee Donald Trump has argued that police need the freedom to use greater force, while Democrat Hillary Clinton has supported officers while calling attention to what she and others have called examples of bias in policing.

Mr Parizek said the officers' deaths are a blow to the city.

"They are our friends and co-workers," he said. "Des Moines is not a big city. We all know each other. We're heart broken."

AP
Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the parents of fallen US Army captain Humayun Khan, take the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in July (AP)

Many Muslim Americans cringe at the way they have been portrayed by both candidates during the US presidential campaign - either as potential jihadis or eyes and ears who can help the government's anti-terror efforts.

Those descriptions, offered by Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton respectively, are troubling to Muslims who complain they are being pigeonholed and their concerns on other issues ignored.

"I think that there is some level of dismissiveness about Arab-Americans and American Muslims that allows candidates to talk about us, not really to us," said Omar Baddar, a political analyst and media producer based in Washington.

Chaumtoli Huq, a lawyer from the New York City suburb of Yonkers, said: "We're not able to talk about issues that impact us as citizens - education, jobs, things that any other voter would care about. It's a really demoralising way to be seen to be part of this country."

One of the campaign's more memorable moments for Muslim Americans unfolded at the Democratic National Convention in July, when a grieving Khizr Khan addressed delegates about his son, Humayun, an American soldier who was killed in Iraq.

The Republican candidate soon pushed back against Mr Khan's anti-Trump comments, setting up an almost unprecedented episode in which a presidential nominee criticised a military family that lost a loved one in a war zone.

Ms Huq and others said Mr Trump's campaign has clearly been the more negative one, starting with his call to ban foreign Muslims from entering the United States as an anti-terrorism measure.

In the second presidential debate in St Louis, Mr Trump answered a question about how to stop Islamophobia in America by saying American Muslims must report other Muslims engaging in dangerous behaviour.

He also repeated the false claim that neighbours of the San Bernardino, California, shooters saw bombs all over the floor in the shooters' home last year, but did not report it.

That led to a widely retweeted comment from Brooklyn College professor Moustafa Bayoumi, who posted: "I'm a Muslim, and I would like to report a crazy man threatening a woman on a stage in Missouri."

By the time the debate ended, his retort had been retweeted more than 32,000 times and "liked" more than 43,000 times.

Mr Bayoumi said Muslim Americans "get exceptionalised to such a degree that their average Americanness disappears in the wind".

But Mrs Clinton did not escape censure from Muslim Americans, who said that the Democratic nominee's public remarks had primarily revolved around recognising them for what they could do to support counter-terrorism efforts.

At that second debate, in answering the same question as Mr Trump, she said: "We need American Muslims to be part of our eyes and ears on our front lines. I've worked with a lot of different Muslim groups around America. I've met with a lot of them, and I've heard how important it is for them to feel that they are wanted and included and part of our country, part of our homeland security, and that's what I want to see."

Nour Eidy, a freshman at the University of Michigan, grew up in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, which is heavily Arab and Muslim. She was troubled by the call to root out radicals, mainly because she has not come across any.

"I don't know anything about terrorism. I don't know their game plans, their strategies," she said. "We're just as victimised by them as anybody else."

But Hussien Kazwini said he did not object to calls for Muslims to identify dangerous extremists. The college student in Toledo, Ohio, whose parents were born in Lebanon, said it was what every US citizen should do.

"We, at the end of the day, are around more Muslims at a mosque or an event," he said. "Maybe we do have an ability to more easily see if someone is going over to the extreme side."

Frustration with the race is enough to make Ramah Kudaimi want to skip voting altogether.

"People are so shocked by what Trump is saying, that he's - and he's so openly racist - that they are giving Hillary Clinton a pass," the Washington DC organiser said. "The Democrats, frankly, have not necessarily done what is needed to also earn my vote as a Muslim American."

In New York, Ahsia Badi, a 44-year-old health professional who has two children, said the campaign rhetoric had also affected how non-Muslims interacted with Muslims. "This sort of dialogue is forcing people to sit there and see their friends who happen to be Muslim, to be their 'Muslim friends," she said.

AP
Two children and their father have been found dead in a house in the UK after reports of a disturbance.

The deceased have been named locally as David Stokes (43) and his two sons, Adam (11) and five-year-old Matthew.

A woman who was found with injuries and taken to hospital in the early hours of Wednesday, has also been named locally as Sally Stokes (44).

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "They were very nice people."

Leicestershire Police attended the address in Welwyn Road at 9.30pm on Tuesday after calls from concerned residents.

Contact was made with a man and woman in the property.

Negotiators and specialist officers were sent to the scene on Tuesday night, but when police gained access to the house a man was found dead in the property.

A search of the house also uncovered the bodies of two children.

Forensic examinations are being carried out at the scene, and the cause of death is not yet known.

Officers have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Welwyn Road remains cordoned off at its junction with Glebe Road and Trevor Road and is likely to remain so for some time yet.

As officers had been in contact with the man and the woman, the Independent Police Complaints Commission has been informed.

Detective Chief Superintendent David Sandall, head of Leicestershire Police's crime and intelligence directorate, said: "A number of inquiries are now under way to understand what caused the three deaths, and the circumstances surrounding the events of last night in the house.

"Whilst we are not, at this stage, looking for anyone in connection with what happened, we would like to hear from anyone who may have information for us."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident 748 of November 1 2016.
Iraqi army soldiers warm themselves next to a fire near the Qayara air base, south of Mosul (AP)

Iraqi special forces were holding their positions along Mosul's eastern outskirts on Wednesday as poor weather hampered visibility in operations to rout Islamic State fighters from the country's second-largest city.

Brigadier General Haider Fadhil said no advances were planned for the day, as high humidity and clouds were obscuring the view of aircraft and drones - a key component of the operations provided by a US-led air campaign.

In the Mosul neighbourhood of Gogjali, which is inside city limits but just outside more urban districts, the guns were largely silent, though sporadic rifle cracks could be heard as well as some army artillery fire on IS positions.

The pause came a day after Iraqi troops set foot in the city for the first time in more than two years, gearing up for urban warfare expected to take weeks, if not months.

In the next stage, troops will have to navigate streets probably lined with booby traps, fighting house-to-house while trying to avoid killing civilians, more than one million of whom are still in the city.

Fighting to clear the IS extremists is expected to be a long haul. Mosul is the last major IS stronghold in Iraq, and driving the militant group from the city would be a major blow to its ambitions of creating a cross-border "caliphate" stretching into Syria. IS announced the project in Mosul in 2014, after it routed the much larger Iraqi military, which had been neglected and demoralised by corruption.

However, concern over the fate of civilians caught up in the fighting has been growing, after residents reported that IS militants were rounding up thousands of people to use as human shields and killing those with any suspected links to the security forces.

In one such account made to the Associated Press, the fighters went door to door in villages south of Mosul, ordering hundreds of residents at gunpoint to march north into the city, where urban fighting is expected to be heaviest and the presence of civilians will slow the army's advance as it tries to avoid killing innocents.

In the latest international condemnation of IS, which has carried out mass killings of perceived opponents in the past and boasted about them in grisly photos and videos circulated online, the United Nations called on authorities to collect evidence of IS abuses of civilians for future use by tribunals.

Adama Dieng, special adviser to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the prevention of genocide, also expressed concern over "the increasing risk" of sectarian violence or revenge attacks during the Mosul campaign, especially where state-sanctioned Iraqi Shiite militias are approaching Sunni communities.

"Any kind of retaliatory violence against individuals on the basis of their membership of a specific group is unacceptable and will undermine the legitimate calls of these communities for their own protection and for their long-standing grievances to be addressed," he said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Aid agency the Norwegian Refugee Council warned that the lives of more than one million civilians trapped inside Mosul "are in grave danger" as Iraqi troops advance into the city.

The group, which works with refugees and internally displaced Iraqis, said around 18,000 Iraqis have fled their homes since the start of the massive military operation to retake Mosul more than two weeks ago.

The council's Iraq chief, Wolfgang Gressmann, said the agency's aid workers were "bracing ... for the worst".

"The lives of 1.2 million civilians are in grave danger, and the future of all of Iraq is now in the balance," he said.

AP
On the campaign trail last night, Hilary Clinton launched a fierce attack on a heckler at a rally in Florida who shouted that her husband Bill Clinton was "a rapist".

The Democratic nominee slammed the "dark, divisive, dangerous vision" of Mr Trump after she was interrupted by the heckler during the rally, which did not start until way after 10pm local time.

A man shouted shouted Bill Clinton is a rapist! at her and waved a sign with the same sentiments.

Mrs Clinton, who has had a tough few days after the announcement that new emails connected to her were being investigated by the FBI, turned on him.

I am sick and tired of the negative, dark, divisive, dangerous vision and the anger of people who support Donald Trump, she shouted.

Her voice cracking, but determined, she stated: "Well, I'll tell you what! Donald Trump has proven himself to be temperamentally unfit and unqualified to be president of the United States."

She was bolstered by a poll in Florida - a state that Mr Trump must win to have any chance of claiming the White House - that forecast last night that she holds a 48-40 lead there.

The FBI came under further pressure last night after reports the agency had decided not to publicise an investigation into Mr Trump's former campaign manager.

Adding to claims the agency is "meddling" in the US presidential election, the New York Times stated the FBI chose to keep quiet both on the investigation into Paul Manafort, and his secretive business dealings in Ukraine, and the investigation into the Clinton Foundation.

James Comey, the FBI director, announced on Friday that fresh emails, discovered on the laptop of Anthony Weiner, the disgraced former New York congressman and estranged husband of Huma Abedin, the top Clinton aide, were being investigated.

That decision "has plunged the FBI and the Justice Department directly into the election, precisely what Justice officials were trying to avoid," the New York Times said.

FBI agents are currently racing to review the new batch of emails in search of potentially incriminating evidence in their high-pressure probe before the election on November 8.

However, it is increasingly unlikely the probe will be complete by election day, officials repeated yesterday, adding that they may offer updates before then.

Mr Trump received a $10 million advertising boost yesterday from a super PAC attacking Mrs Clinton as too scandal-plagued for the White House.

With this late ad buy, Future 45 and a companion nonprofit group became the top big-money helpers to the Republican nominee.

An advert set to debut nationwide this morning calls the FBI's disclosure that it is again looking at Clinton's email practices "a new bombshell".

And he can also count on the support of one member of the Bush family. George P. Bush said he was the only member of his powerful political family who will be voting straight-ticket Republican and says his grandfather and uncle, both former presidents, could "potentially" cast ballots for Mrs Clinton.

Mr Bush is Texas' land commissioner. His father, Jeb, is the former Florida governor who was defeated by Mr Trump in the Republican presidential primary.
Thousands of South Africans have called for the resignation of president Jacob Zuma in a series of demonstrations.

Mr Zuma is caught up in a series of scandals which critics say are undermining the country's democracy.

The protests in the administrative capital of Pretoria came as a court ordered the release of a state watchdog report on allegations that a business family linked to Mr Zuma sought to influence some cabinet post selections to benefit its own interests.

The public protector's office must release the report on Wednesday, the North Gauteng High Court ruled.

Mr Zuma had earlier sought to block the release of the report, but his lawyer, Anthea Platt, said he was dropping the effort.

The possibility of new revelations of alleged wrongdoing at top levels of the South African government is likely to increase pressure on Mr Zuma, who apologised earlier this year after the Constitutional Court said he flouted the constitution in a scandal over more than 20 million dollars (16 million) in state funds which were used to upgrade his rural home.

Mr Zuma eventually paid back more than 500,000 dollars (400,000), an amount determined by the national treasury.

In a separate scandal, the director of the national prosecuting authority this week dropped fraud charges against finance minister Pravin Gordhan following an outcry by South Africans who suspected the move to prosecute him was an attempt by government factions to take control of the national treasury.

Business executives, religious leaders and others gathered in a Pretoria cathedral to demand Mr Zuma's resignation. They said alleged corruption linked to the president was undermining one of Africa's biggest economies, which is experiencing weak growth, as well as a constitution which was crafted after the end of white minority rule in 1994.

"It is not possible to turn the situation around" as long as Mr Zuma remains president, said Sipho Pityana of Save South Africa, a coalition of groups which seeks to protect the constitution.

Separate rallies were also held in Pretoria by South Africa's two biggest opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters. The ruling African National Congress party, which took power after the end of apartheid, lost several key municipalities in local elections in August, partly because of public dissatisfaction with the president.

The marches were mostly peaceful, but some shop windows were smashed and police fired rubber bullets to disperse a crowd in one area during the street demonstrations. Four people were arrested for throwing stones at passing cars.

Mr Zuma has not commented this week on growing calls for his removal. He is scheduled to chair a forum in Harare on Thursday with Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe.

AP
Vladimir Putin has ordered that the aid corridors be opened on Friday

Vladimir Putin has offered a new humanitarian pause in Aleppo, urging rebels to use it to leave besieged eastern districts of the Syrian city.

The Russian defence ministry said the president has ordered that the aid corridors, which Moscow opened earlier, also be opened on Friday - for longer hours, from 9am to 7pm - along with two new exit routes for the rebels to leave eastern Aleppo.

The ministry announced Mr Putin's new gesture in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement said the exits will be open on Friday for civilians and rebels, "to prevent a senseless loss of life".

It also said the rebel offensive on government-held districts in western Aleppo, launched last week, has failed to break through the siege.
MIDLAND- Mayor Kathy Kitts has enormous support in Midland, especially at Bethel Elementary School.

The school held a Pink Out Day on Monday, Oct. 31 to honor Kitts who has battled breast cancer several times. The majority of the school wore pink and $300 was collected to donate to the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

There is no stranger to cancer. It impacts our school, community and town, Carrie Whitley, communications staff at the school, said. The kids love to dress up and today is Halloween so it went well together.

As parents dropped their children off for school in the morning, members of the Bethel Safety Patrol asked for change donations and students were also encouraged to empty their pockets for the cause.

As children came in, they were able to donate in two different locations within the building, Whitley said.

Pink hair, tutus and shirts that said Tough Guys Wear Pink could be seen roaming the halls of the school. One employee also wore a shirt that said Get Your Pink on for Kathy Kitts.

Others wore pink and made donations on behalf of their friends or family members that have been impacted by the disease.

Second-grade student Nicole Esernio said the day was about celebrating her mother, who passed away from breast cancer.

My mom passed away when I was a baby, Esernio said. Its important to celebrate my moms breast cancer and for others.
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A view of Shiprock, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation. Photo by Bowie Snograss



Republicans on the Navajo Nation are bringing in some big names to the reservation in hopes of turning out the vote for the November 8 election.

The Shiprock Republican Committee is hosting Donald Trump Jr. , the son of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump , for a rally in Shiprock, New Mexico, on Friday. Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), a member of the Cherokee Nation who is serving as chair of the campaign's new Native American Coalition is also due to appear.

The Navajo people are conservative by traditional teaching, said Vern R. Lee, who chairs the Shiprock Republican Committee. If you youre a traditional Navajo, youre conservative -- the spirit of self sufficiency, entrepreneurship, raising a good family, life, not abortion are your values.

The event marks the Trump campaign's second foray in Indian Country. Vice presidential nominee Mike Pence hosted a town hall at a venue at Sandia Pueblo in New Mexico in August although tribal issues did not play a role at all in the event.

The Navajo Republicans Get Out The Vote event on November4, 2016, features Donald Trump Jr.



That certainly won't be the case on Friday. The program is filled with a slew of prominent Navajos , including Peter MacDonald Sr. , a former four-term chairman of the tribe who served as a Code Talker during World War II.

And while the candidate on top of the GOP ticket won't be there in person, the event speaks to the importance of New Mexico in the presidential race. Trump campaigned in Albuquerque on Sunday and vowed to carry the state next week.

"Im going to tell you a little secret," the real estate mogul said during his second visit to the Land of Enchantment . "Were tied in New Mexico."

Trump is actually trailing Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the polls, according to RealClearPolitics . And voters who might otherwise support a Republican candidate appear to be attracted to Libertarian Gary Johnson , a former two-term governor of the state.

New Mexico only has five Electoral College votes but even that small number could help determine who wins the presidential race. And turnout in Indian Country might also sway the outcome -- Native Americans represent 10.5 percent of the population in the state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau

Friday's rally is due to take place from 4-6pm Mountain time at the Shiprock Chapter House KNDN 960 AM plans to broadcast the event.

Prior to his appearance on the reservation, Donald Trump Jr., will speak at the Pinon Hills Community Church in Farmington on Friday afternoon.

Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez have endorsed Clinton for president . Both have called Trump dangerous to Indian Country, citing his past statements about tribes, sovereignty and gaming.

Clinton released her Indian policy platform earlier this year. Trump has not offered any specific goals or promises.

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The border security force (BSF) has responded to the unprovoked firing from Pakistan side, by destroying fourteen outposts of the Pakistani army, which also reportedly facilitated infiltration. The Indian response came after the toll in cross-border firing rose to eight civilians on Tuesday. 25 civilians were also injured in Pakistani firing in Samba, Rajouri, Jammu, Poonch, Ramgarh, Nowshera and Balakote areas even as Indian forces responded with massive fire.

BCCL/representational image

The escalated tension in the wake of Indian Army's surgical strikes on terror pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and targeting of border areas, resulted in the death of four civilians in Samba district and two in Rajouri sector. The Border Security Force said it destroyed 14 posts manned by Pakistani Rangers along the international border in Ramgarh and Arnia sectors of Jammu.

Pakistan's wanton shelling prompted the administration to begin evacuation even in villages not too close to the border. "Around 20 camps have been set up in the district, of which seven-eight are operational with facilities including medical treatment," Samba deputy commissioner Sheetal Nanda said.

AFP/representational image

On Monday, an Army jawan and a woman were killed and five others, including two Army jawans, were injured in heavy Pakistani mortar shelling along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts. Pakistan hit Indian targets with 82mm and 120mm mortar guns.

"BSF gave a calibrated retaliation on the international border in response to unprovoked firing and shelling by Pakistani Rangers in areas of Ramgarh and Arnia sectors since morning," DIG Dharmendra Pareek said.

AFP/representational image

Earlier, Army sources said two Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory firing along the LoC opposite Nowshera sector of Rajouri. A teenager identified as Rajinder Kaur (19), from Jerda village in Samba district died of splinter injuries while two villagers were injured in the same area.

"A girl and two minor boys (Abhi and Ravish) died in the crossborder firing," Nanda said. Defence spokesperson in Jammu Lt Col Manish Mehta said, "Pakistan fired unprovoked in Nowshera sector from 5.30am."

AP/representational image

Meanwhile, in Nowshera sector, two Army porters were injured. The Jammu administration has geared up for emergency situations and relief camps have been established under the contingency plan for displaced border dwellers.
Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh and Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan (Photo: VNA)



Vinh is leading a senior military delegation to the sixth Vietnam-China defence strategic dialogue slated for November 4th in China.

At the meeting, Chang Wanquan acknowledged good outcomes of bilateral defence ties over the recent past, including the organisation of strategic dialogues, delegation exchanges, personnel training and sharing of experience on UN peacekeeping activities.

China is planning to replicate the model of annual border defence friendship exchange with Vietnam in its relations with other countries, he noted.

For his part, Vinh said the Vietnamese delegation attends the 6th defence strategic dialogue with the aim of expanding the bilateral defence partnership towards practical results and effectiveness.

He added that both sides have made careful preparations for the sixth dialogue, including proposals to be submitted to the Central Military Commissions and Defence Ministry leaders of the two countries, with the goal of making defence ties a pillar of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Deputy Minister stated that Vietnam welcomes increased defence collaboration between China and ASEAN member states for peace and security in the region.

The same day, the Vietnamese delegation also took part in the annual Munich Security Conferences Core Group Meeting in Beijing. Topics of the two-day meeting included regional security in the South Pacific, China's role in the global security order, and the geopolitical implications of the "New Silk Road".

As part of the visit, the Vietnamese Institute for Military Strategy and the Chinese Academy of Military Science signed a memorandum of understanding on join research and collection of documents and memorabilia about the friendship between the two countries armies and the Ho Chi Minh-Mao Zedong ideology on solidarity during the resistance wars against France and the US./.
Life in exile can only be described by those who experience it. Leaving your motherland is not an easy decision, but people are forced by the circumstances to do so. Zulfiqar Siyal Shah and his wife Fatima Siyal Shahis, a Pakistani couple from Dadu district of Sindh province, now stay in a two-room squalid in North West Delhi's Sultanpuri area. No, its not a choice that they made, they were forced to leave their country for raising voice against injustice done to the people.

Zulifiqar Shah

I wish I could go back to my country but my conscience doesnt allow me. We cannot go back unless Sindh become free or there is political resolution, he told Indiatimes.

They say they will not return to their homeland Sindh till it becomes free or there is political resolution.

Born in a rural town Radhan in Singh, Zulfiqar Shah is a civil rights activist, journalist and writer. He has been engaged with the political and democratic rights activism and movements in Sindh since last two decades.

He was allegedly forced by the Pakistan Army to leave the country and close down his organisation - Institute for Social Movements (ISM), which was playing a leading role in land rights movement in Sindh and Balochistan in May 2012.

Our organisation (ISM) initiated a movement against Pakistan Rangers which had occupied the fishing bodies from the fishing communities. The movement ended with then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf offered apologies on their behalf, he said.

This  according to Shah  was the beginning of his troubled times in Pakistan as he was leading that movement. Since then, I have been under close watch of ISI and Pakistan armed forces, he claimed.

But the real trouble for him, Shash said, began when he along with his colleagues raised voice against the disappearances of political activists in Sindh and Balochistan at the behest of the Pakistan Army.

In 2007, I joined SAPP (South Asia Partnership Pakistan) and reported about 1,400 disappearances from Sindh and Balochistan in that year alone, he said.

Zulifiqar Shah

I was poisoned by the ISI in Nepal

Shah resettled in Nepal where the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) had approved him refugee status. In Kathmandu, he started freelancing with the newspapers and websites on the issues of Pakistan particularly concerning Sindh and Balochistan. "I was about to get refugee identity card and refugee travel documents by the UNHCR in January 2013. But before that, I was given heavy metal poison by Pakistani intelligence agency ISI with local facilitation. However, I was rescued by the local doctors," he said.

He was allegedly forced to leave Nepal, thus he left for the country in December 2013. "Five officials of the Pakistan armed forces were secretly accompanying me in the aircarft when I was travelling back," he alleged.

Things did not improve in India as well

He came to India on medical visa on February 11, 2014, for treatment at city's Moolchand Hospital. But life did not become easy for him here too.

"I was not only denied appropriate health treatment at the behest of Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, but also was harassed by the high commission officials," he said.

He later went to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) but of no avail. The doctors here as well allegedly advised him to go Pakistan as written on his prescription. It was Apollo Hospital that agreed to provide medical treatment to Zulfiqar.

"I could sense people following me to keep an eye on my movement here," he added. He wrote numerous letters to the Prime Minister of India, President of India and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for their security in the country.

"We also filed a writ petition in India's Supreme Court. I along his wife staged a sit-in at Jantar Mantar for 285 days against Pakistan High Commission and its facilitation by Indian authorities. Later, on the intervention of Amnesty International, the Indian government gave us a long-term visa, which we get extended every year," he said.

kausiki Sharma

Sindh and Balochistan have highest military presence in Asia after Iraq and Afghanistan

Shah, who is well versed in history, claims Sindh and Balochistan have the largest military concentration in Asia after Iraq and Afghanistan but hardly anybody knows about it. He further said the freedom movement of Sindh is the largest and oldest in Asia.

In March 2014, 5 million Sindhi people marched in Karachi demanding freedom. Except Afghan media, no other media has ever tried to highlight the situation in Sindh despite the fact the two regions have the largest military concentration in Asia after Iraq and Afghanistan, he said.

Like other South Asian regions, Sindh has a multi-layered history, interpretation of which varies. Sindh became a part of British India after the first Anglo-Sikh War in 1843. Thereafter, it remained a British protectorate until Independence, after which many wanted Sindh to return to its pre-1843 status.

In the early 1970s, the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz was formed and the movement for freedom gained momentum.

And the movement is still active. Sindh and Balochistan will always march ahead on the path of freedom, and probably may reach the destination sooner or later, said confident Zulfiqar.

Zulifiqar Shah

'PM Modi should also talk about Sindh'

Although Prime Minister Modi's made a reference to Balochistan in his Independence Day speech, Shah said it will help Sindh too since Balochistan and Sindh are twins.

However, according him, Modi should also specifically talk about Sindh, which would bring forth the plight of Sindhis to the world.

Where will I go if something happens to Zulfiqar, asks his wife

Fatima Zulfiqar broke down while talking about the price they had to pay so far for taking part in Sindh freedom movement.

"My brother who was just eight was arrested and kept in confinement. I could not attend the last rites of my elder sister who passed away recently," she said.

"I don't know what will happen to me if - god forbid - something happens to Zulfiqar. I do not have anyone here, where will I go? But I left everything on God. Let him do justice for us," Fatima added.
The Pakistani spy network currently active in India may have more members operating from Indian territory. The Pakistan high commission official detained last month for spying is believed to have revealed that he was part of a bigger espionage ring operating from the mission.

ANI

ISI officer, Mehmood Akhtar, had admitted as much during questioning after he was detained by the Delhi Police crime branch. They claimed that apart from the four high commission officials he specifically mentioned, Mehmood said that there were at least 10 others tasked with sourcing information from Indians.

Also Read: Spying Row: Pakistan High Commission Official Asked To Leave India, Two Others Held

Akhtar, a former soldier with the Pakistan army's Baloch regiment, told police that he was merely following instructions issued by his seniors in the ISI and at the high commission.

He has identified some of his seniors at the mission as Syed Farrukh Habib, counsellor (trade); Khadim Hussain, first secretary (visa); Muddasir Iqbal Cheema, first secretary (press); and Shahid Iqbal.

BCCL

Akhtar, who could not be interrogated in custody on account of diplomatic immunity, was sent back to Pakistan soon after he was detained. Police are now trying to extract information from the Indian agents arrested as part of the investigation into the espionage ring to corroborate Akhtar's claims. Crime branch officials said they were yet to verify certain details.

Also Read: Fearing Detention Pakistan May Recall Four Delhi High Commission Officials After Spy Racket Bust

AFP

"He has named a lot of people, but we need to establish it (the truth) through call detail analysis and other tools," said a senior police officer.
Over 200 schools along the border in Jammu and Samba districts have been shut down indefinitely in light of the heavy firing and shelling by Pakistan. Nearly 174 schools in Jammu and 45 in Samba will remain shut "until further orders".

The order applies to government as well as private schools in border areas and along the LoC in Khour, Jourian, Marh, R S Pura, Arnia , Satwati (only Mandal/Makhwal/Lalyal), Akhnoor, Bishnah and Miran Sahib, etc.

BCCL

The unrest in Jammu & Kashmir has taken a particularly severe toll on students, with miscreants setting the buildings of at least 27 schools on fire in the Valley, amid a nearly four-month shutdown of educational institutes on the orders of separatists. Police said on Tuesday that they had arrested 12 suspects, with a search underway for another 23.

The arson attacks on schools in Kashmir are seen by the central security establishment as an attempt by local mischief mongers and separatists to keep the "fires burning", now that the protests over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani have died down.

BCCL

Sources in the intelligence agencies said nearly 80% of the schools attacked over the past three to four months were set on fire after Eid ul Adha on September 12.

"By that time, the violent stone-pelting agitations had largely been brought under control. So, the trouble-makers changed their strategy and started targeting schools. This way they could deny that normalcy was back in the Valley," said an intelligence operative.

BCCL

By instigating local youth to set schools on fire, those orchestrating violence in the Valley since July aimed to keep the authorities "engaged". A J&K police officer said the arsonists, as evident from the profile of those arrested so far, are mostly uneducated and unemployed youth blindly following directions of local separatists. They may also be getting paid by "agents".

Reuters

The motive behind targeting schools goes beyond just creating unrest. Schools in Kashmir close for vacations in the winter and are used to accommodate the security forces.

"The idea is to deny the forces logistics for their stay," said an officer. Also, given that most of the schools targeted are modern educational institutions, the agencies suspect a "radical" agenda.

Through an intelligence crackdown on separatist elements and local mischief mongers in September-October had managed to break the cycle of violence in the Valley, the reluctance of the state government of late to persist with arrests and raids may have given the trouble-makers a breather to bounce back.

BCCL

"We suspect local Jamaate-Islami leaders as being behind the school attacks. Some local boys have been identified and arrested. But certain big names in south Kashmir still roam free," the officer conceded.

Officials feel there is a silver lining to the targeted attacks on schools in the Valley.

"The civil society elements who were, until now, unwilling to take a stand against the separatists and the lead trouble-makers, are now coming out to condemn the burning of educational institutions," said a police officer.
Two slain under trial prisoners,allegedly associated with banned outfit Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), who were gunned down by the Madhya Pradesh Police in an alleged encounter on Monday  were in the police custody even before they were formally declared arrested under terror charges on June 13, 2011.

BCCL

Mohammad Aquil Khilji and Amjad were killed by the police along with six others in a shootout at hillock in Khijradev village after they allegedly escaped from the high-security Bhopal Central Jail.

At the time of their arrest on June 13, 2011, the Khandwa police claimed that they had raided Khiljis house in the Gulmohar Park area at 11:45 pm and busted a SIMI meeting where Khilji and others were planning a terror strike. Among those arrested along with Khilji were Khaleel and Amjad, also killed in the encounter.

After taking Khilji and Amjad into custody, the cops claimed the duo along with others was planning terror strikes across the country. But the court documents accessed by Indiatimes contradict the police version. These documents - including bail applications, affidavits and an order by a magistrate (all dated between June 6 to June 10, 2011) show that the accused were in the police custody before June 13.

BCCL

In two separate applications moved in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), the families of Khilji and Amjad had moved applications in the CJMs court complaining that the police had picked up and detained their sons on June 6, failing to produce them before the magistrate even after the lapse of 24 hours.

According to the court order, the matter was heard in the court of Khandwa CJM DS Chauhan on June 10. The CJM further posted the matter to be heard on June 13, while the police claimed that accused were arrested on the intervening nights of June 12 and June 13.

Amjad's mother claimed in one of the applications dated June 6 that her husband Ramzan Khan was picked by the police first and later released in exchange of Amjad. In another affidavit filed by Amjad's father Khan on June 10 showed that he was in the custody of the police at the time. The family's applications cite Section 437 (when bail may be taken in case of a non-bailable offence) suggesting that it was not serious terror charges as claimed by the police.

BCCL

"Such are the SIMI stories of Madhya Pradesh police. In trying to prove the encounter genuine, they have outdone even themselves. The killing must be situated in this context of longstanding criminalization of SIMI, and these numerous cases booked against Muslim men across the state," Advocate Javaid Chauhan, who represented Khilji, told Indiatimes. He further said that two of the four cases against his client were cleared.

Chauhan also claimed that the evidence gathered by the police against the SIMI suspects was weak. "In some cases, the evidence of guilt is identical: for example, the same copy of a magazine has been produced in at least four different cases across the state. The same receipt of contribution to SIMI funds has been produced as evidence in two different cases," he said.

His statements were also supported by Parvez Alam, the advocate for the rest of the slain SIMI activists.

Four of them were near acquittal and it defies logic to believe they would do a jailbreak, he added.

Tahawur Pathan, another advocate representing the accused, also said the main evidence brought on record by the police was literature supporting SIMI, communalism or extremism.

BCCL

"All accused were booked under multiple sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The main charge slapped against them was Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc. and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony)," he said adding that the allegation levelled by the cops were about to be demolished.

Some of the accused were already acquitted of this offence. The Madhya Pradesh police could not be reached for comments.
The suicide of Ram Kishan Garehwal, an ex-serviceman, reportedly over his disappointment over the One Rank One Pension (OROP) has taken a nasty political turn.

On Wednesday Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was blocked and later detained by police at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi.

Manish Sisodia detained? He had gone to meet family of deceased Ram Kishan ji. He is elected Dy CM. Whats wrong wid u Modiji? So insecure?  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

Later, Congress Party vice president Rahul Gandhi, who also reached the spot was not allowed entry inside the hospital or meet the family of Garehwal.

Naya Hindustan ban raha hai bhaiya: Rahul Gandhi after not being allowed to meet family of ex-serviceman in RML Hospital pic.twitter.com/v1IWKaOSVl  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

RGandhi detained at Mandir Marg PS for 'disruption of duty'after he wasn't allowed to enter RML hosp to meet ex-serviceman's family-MK Meena pic.twitter.com/bqtfShbuKe  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

Earlier in the day AAP MLA Commando Surinder Singh alleged that the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre was indulging in politics over the Indian Army.

"A very unfortunate incident has taken place with this family. For the last one day, Grewal and 50 other ex-servicemen were sitting on strike. They wanted to present their memorandum to the Defence Minister. He had to wait for two days for the Defence Minister. When he was going to meet him, he faced many hurdles. In his memorandum he wrote that he is sacrificing his life for the nation and for the soldiers," he said.

Garehwal, a 70-year-old ex-serviceman had ended his life by consuming poison at Jantar Mantar.

ANI

His family and OROP campaigners said Garehwal was disappointed over the delay in implementation of the scheme which was announced earlier this year.

Even while celebrating the Diwali with the army and ITBP personnel in Sumdo, Kinnaur, had said that the first instalment of nearly Rs. 5,500 crore has been paid for implementing OROP.
With over a staggering 3.1 crore cases pending in various courts of the country as on 31 March 2016, the jails across the country are filled with inmates beyond the limits. What's even more appalling is that almost 70 per cent of these inmates are undertrails, who have been languishing behind bars despite most of their offences being bailable.

AFP

According to the Prison Statistics of India 2015, the country's 1,387 jails have a 4.19 lakh inmates and out of these 2.82 lakhs which accounts for almost 70 per cent (68 to be precise) are undertrials, who have spent a time ranging from as early as 3 months to five years behind bars depending on their offence and financial condition to obtain bail.

Over 55 % of them are Muslims, Tribals and Dalits

According to NCRB records, out of these 2.82 lakh undertrial inmates, over 55 per cent are either Muslims, Dalits and Tribals. Collectively, these three groups form a population of 39 per cent with a share of 14.2, 16.6, and 8.6 per cent of population respectively according to 2011 census, but their share in prisoners, both convicted and undertrials is far bigger than their share in country's population.

AFP

As far as conviction is concerned, they seem to get convicted faster than the rest as they account for 50.4 per cent of all convicts which means that they are criminals in the eyes of law.

Among Muslims, the communitys share of convicts is 15.8 per cent, slightly above their representation in population, but their share among undertrials  at 20.9 per cent is far higher. Among all convicts, SC and ST have a population of 20.9 and 13.7 respectively which is fairly higher.

Jailed up to five years despite being undertrial which legally means not guilty

According to NCRB data, between 2010 and 2014, nearly 25% undertrials had been jailed for more than one year. In some cases, the undertrials have spent as many as five years behind bars which speaks volumes of the judicial apathy in the country.

In 2014, seven in every 10 prisoners were undertrials, and two in these 10 prisoners were detained for more than one year without being convicted.

AFP

Undertrials are legally considered to be not guilty till their crime is established, but it's also a fact that they go through rigorous physical and psychological torture in jails across the country. They also get exposed to violence inside prison by other inmates which also includes the alleged sexual exploitation which often doesn't surface at all.

Despite Article 21 of Constitution and Section 436A of CrPC promise bail, they languish behind bars?

Most undertrials tend to have limited access to legal help and lack of resources and lack of liberty to communicate with lawyers from within the jail premises are two main reasons for this. Despite 1980 Supreme Court ruling that Article 21 of the Constitution entitles prisoners to a fair and speedy trial as part of their fundamental right to life and liberty, most of the undertrail inmate don't neither the speedy trials, thanks to the burgeoning deadlock of pending cases, nor the legal help which could get them easy bail as majority of their offences are bailable.

AFP

The law itself promises to safeguard their interests under Section 436A of CrPC which came in being in 2005. It mandates the release, on personal bond with or without surety, of undertrial detainees who have been imprisoned for half the maximum sentence they would have received if convicted for the offence they are charged with.

However, this section doesn't apply on those who could be sentenced to life imprisonment or death, but it's also a fact that around 39% of those charged for crimes under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) couldnt be punished with life term or death penalty, Prison Statistics 2014 show.

Most spend over a year in Jail, J&K is worst for an undertrial

Nearly 43 per cent which accounts for roughly 1.22 lakh undertrails remain detained for more than six months to more than five years by the end of 2014. What's more disturbing is that many of them have spent more years in prison than the actual term, they would have spent, had they been convicted.

AFP

According to NCRB data, roughly 25 percent remain in detention for over a year, while 35.2 percent of the undertrial prisoners remain in jail under detention for up to 3 months.

Of all the states/UTs with more than 1,500 undertrial prisoners, 55.2 percent in Jammu & Kashmir have been in detention for more than a year. In Gujarat, 39.8 percent have been behind bars for more than a year. In Jammu & Kashmir, 9.5 percent of the undertrial prisoners have been in jail for more than 5 years, while in Gujarat, this number is around 3.5 percent of the undertrial inmates.

Reuters

Telegana seem to be the best state for an undertrial as only 3 percent of undertrials spend over a year in detention. Kerela which fares better in other terms in the country is among top here as well with nearly 62.8 percent of the undertrial prisoners remaining in detention for up to 3 months which is highest for any state followed by Tripura and Telangana, with 62.2 per cent and 61.4 per cent respectively.

UP, Bihar house maximum undertrials with Delhi on top in terms of population ratio

Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with 62,669 and 23,424 undertrial inmates respectively have maximum number of inmates across the country. Apart from these two, four states have more than 20,000 undertrial prisoners each while eleven states have more than 10,000 undertrial prisoners each.

Delhi fares worst when it comes to undertrial per lakh population ratio. All India average for number of undertrial prisoners per lakh population is 23.3 where as in Delhi, this average is a staggering 64.94 to be followed by Punjab with 47.09 and Haryana 41.37. In the top 10 are Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar.

Thirteen states/UTs have more undertrial prisoners per lakh population compared to the all-India average.

AFP

Andhra Pradesh and Telengana have least average per lakh population with only 9.93 and 10.01 understrials per lakh population respectively respectively.
Should the British Prime Minister bend on knees and apologise for the Jallianwala Wala Bagh massacre in 13 April, 1919, Amritsar's Jallianwala Bagh? Many of us think so and so the Congress leader Shashi Tharoor who British PM should 'bend on knees' and ask for forgiveness on the centenary of Jallianwala Bagh, massacre as it will wash away, in many ways, the sense that there are wrongs that have not been acknowledged.

Reuters

Tharoor who spoke at Oxford on the proposition Britain Owes Reparations to Her Former Colonies last year brought up the issue of reparation and was hailed by both his fans as well as critics. Tharoor's speech was even praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had congratulated him for having said the right things at the right place."

Now Tharoor has come up with his book 'An Era of Darkess: The British Empire in India', which deals with a variety of ways in which the British exploited India.

You cannot quantify the wrongs done. What is far more important than financial reparation would be an apology. People who are not responsible today for the wrongs done by their fore bearers in the past era apologise nonetheless to people who are not the ones to whom wrong was done. But it is in a sense an entire society apologising to entire people, Tharoor, MP from Thiruvananthapuram, told PTI in an interview.

According to him, a viable reparation formula is difficult as a just sum would not be payable and a payable sum would not be just. Tharoor also cited two example where leaders of the countries apologised for the crimes they themselves weren't even the part of. Two examples included, Willy Brandt, the German social democrat leader who was in no way related to the crimes of the Nazis, going on his knees at Warsaw ghetto and apologising; and more recently Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologising for the Komagata Maru incident though Canada did not actually kill anybody, he says these offer a model in the Indian context too.

Reuters

"These two apologies offer a model for a future British Prime Minister on the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre to come to that site, bend his or her knees and beg forgiveness for all sins committed in the past.

That I think will wash away in many ways the sense that there are wrongs that have not been acknowledged, the former Minister of State for External Affairs was quoted by PTI.

In his book, he also writes, David Camerons rather mealy-mouthed description of the massacre in 2013 as a deeply shameful event does not, in my view, constitute an apology.

Nor does the ceremonial visit to the site in 1997 by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, who merely left their signatures in the visitors book, without even a redeeming comment. Whoever the PM is on the centenary of that awful crime will not have been alive when the atrocity was committed, and certainly no British government of 2019 bears a shred of responsibility for that tragedy, but as a symbol of the nation that once allowed it to happen, the PM could atone for the past sins of his or her nation, Tharoor said.

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre had taken place in Amritsar on April 13, 1919. On hearing that a meeting of nearly 20,000 people was taking place at Jallianwala Bagh, Brigadier General R E H Dyer had ordered 50 riflemen to shoot at the crowd. More than 1000 innocent Indians were killed and over 1,100 injured.
The girl of National Geographic fame, Sharbat Gula - also known as Sharbat Bibi - has been denied bail in Pakistan.

The 'Afghan Girl', who once stunned the world with her feature on the magazine's cover, was arrested last week in Peshawar for falsifying documents and living illegally in the country, reports CNN.

Twitter

Her attorney, Mubasher Nazar said that her petition was turned down by a special court. Bibi, who is now in her 40s, can face up to 14 years in jail if convicted.

Last year as well, Bibi was arrested on similar charges but was later released.

Zahir Shah Shehrazi

Steve McCurry, the photographer who photographed Bibi, is fully supportive of her and said in a statement,

"I object to this action by the authorities in the strongest possible terms," he said in a statement. "She has suffered throughout her entire life. Her arrest is an egregious violation of her human rights."
A team of determined firefighters saved not one, not two, but ten innocent lives in China recently.

They pulled out nine puppies and a pregnant dog from under a collapsed house in Jingdezhen. The hapless animals had been trapped for nearly four days under the debris, reports People's Daily Online.

Facebook

But the firefighters didn't give up on their fight and after relentlessly trying to save the dogs, they finally succeeded after two days.

People

The following footage that was posted on Facebook by China Xinhua News, shows the incredible moment when the firefighters rescued the dogs.

The house belonged to an elderly woman who was at the hospital when demolition workers brought down her house. They, however, didn't see the puppies and the dog while carrying out the demolition.

The animals are now being well cared for by an animal organization.
As the battle to drive the Islamic State militants out of their Iraqi stronghold, Mosul continue, the first batch of elite Iraqi commandos have swept into the eastern edge of Mosul.

Troops entered Gogjali, a neighborhood inside Mosul's city limits, and later the outskirts of the more built-up Karama district, according to Maj. Gen. Sami al-Aridi of the Iraqi special forces.

AFP

But the army is facing stiff opposition from the ISIS fighters who are continuing their resistance.

The army has been attacked with heavy shelling, suicide car bombs and IEDs.

"Daesh is fighting back and have set up concrete blast walls to block off the Karama neighborhood and our troops' advance,'' al-Aridi said.

AFP

Even though the Iraqi army has managed to enter Mosul, it is believed that it will be at least a couple of weeks before the city falls.

This is because as the fighting moves more into urban areas, it will give ISIS a chance to better defend themselves from the army as they have been controlling the city for well over two years.

The nearly one million people who are still caught up in the city is also facing threats as ISIS is using them as human shields.

AFP

According to the UN dozens of civilians have been beheaded by ISIS inside the city in the recent days while they tried to flee the war.

Also it is just the Iraqi army in the eastern front that has managed to breach the ISIS defence. Others including the Peshmerga, the Shia militias and the Sunni tribesmen who are part of the coalition are only consolidating their positions.

Even before the operation was launched the Iraqi government had made it clear that only it army will enter Mosul.

AFP

This was aimed at dowsing fears of sectarian conflict in one of few Sunni dominated cities in Shia majority Iraq.

In fact it was the Sunni discontent over discrimination by the then Nouri al-Maliki government that 'helped' ISIS over run Mosul in 2014.
Men in Muslim dominated Indonesia are leading a movement to end violence against women and by doing so challenging a deep-rooted and often hidden issue in Indonesias patriarchal society.

And as a part of this movement involves them to wear skirts.

Syaldi Sahude recalls how he was left speechless eight years ago when he came across a study that showed 85 per cent of Indonesian women who have suffered violence at the hands of their partners remain in the relationship.

itn/representational image

Astonished, Sahude discussed the subject with his friends as he sought an explanation  and then he realised something was missing.

There were womens empowerment, legal aid and trauma programmes for survivors but the root cause of this is men, said Sahude, who was working at a womens rights group at the time. More discussions followed with like-minded activist friends, and a year later a campaign group Aliansi Laki-laki Baru  or the New Mens Alliance  was born.

Mini-Skirt Protest

Broadly/representational image

Through online campaigns, public rallies, discussions and counselling targeted at men, they challenge misconceptions about masculinity and broach subjects such as sexual identity, rape and consent. While the activities are also open to women, their main targets are men and boys, groups that womens rights campaigners have traditionally had difficulties reaching, Sahude said.

Many Indonesian men still think women have no rights to tell them this or that, that women are inferior to men, the 37-year-old co-founder of the group said. Violence against women has come under the spotlight in Indonesia this year after the brutal gang-rape and murder of a schoolgirl, which prompted the government to introduce harsher punishments for sex offenders including the death penalty and chemical castration.

Activists say cases of violence against women have been on the rise although the real scale remains hard to gauge in the Southeast Asian country of 250 million people. There were 321,752 such cases in 2015  including domestic violence and sexual assaults  a threefold surge from 105,103 in 2010, according to the government-backed National Commission of Violence Against Women.

Reuters/representational image

The commission said the figure, compiled mainly based on complaints lodged with religious courts, was just the tip of the iceberg as many women lack the resources or are too afraid to report abuse. A nationwide online poll in July found 90 percent of rape cases go unreported, with activists blaming social stigma for many womens unwillingness to go to the authorities.

Sahude said the stigma surrounding victims of sexual abuse is an issue his group wants to tackle. Some men in the group, for instance, have donned mini-skirts to protest a senior government officials suggestion that women should not wear short skirts on public transport to avoid being raped.

Too often its about the way women dress or the way they behave. So we thought if its really about mini-skirts, how about men wearing them? Sahude asked.

Agents Of Change

A 2013 United Nations study in Asia showed nearly half of 10,000 men interviewed in six countries  including Indonesia  had used physical or sexual violence against a female partner, while nearly a quarter had raped a woman or girl.

Guardian Liberty Voice/representational image

The tendency towards sexual violence is common in cultures where male toughness is celebrated and men have a sense of sexual entitlement, it found.

Risya Kori, a gender equality expert from the Indonesian office of the UN Population Fund, one of the UN agencies which sponsored the 2013 study, said involving men in the fight to end violence against women would have positive effects.

The New Mens Alliance initiative is one of many around the world aimed at engaging boys and men to tackle violence against women. In Colombia, for example, the Men and Masculinity Collective uses theatre and music to challenge gender stereotypes. And in Mozambique, another approach has been to get thousands of boys and men in kitchens and cooking to confront machismo.

Reuters/representational image

The needs are great in Indonesia, as many practices that violate womens rights are considered normal, Kori told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Sahude of the New Mens Alliance said men used to be branded effeminate for speaking up on womens issues but the tide is turning slowly, as more men seek to become agents of change.

At one of its monthly training sessions in the capital Jakarta, 24-year-old Fajar Zakhri was among a group of young men learning about topics including gender-based violence. Raised by a single mother, Zakhri said womens rights concern everyone and said he hoped more men would speak up. If I can change one person, then its a success already, said the freelance translator. I cant change the world on my own but everyone can contribute a little something.

With inputs from Reuters
Ditching the bigoted stigmas, more than 1,000 migrants gathered together and threw a block party for nearly a 100 migrants on Tuesday. With pasta lunch, brass band, and crafts for everyone, this party welcomed migrants to their neighbourhood in Milan.

Setting in opposition to the existing anti-migrant tension throughout the country that has kindled several protests in the region, this event came as a surprise to those who were migrating in.

foxnews

I feel happy, said 22-year-old Zakaria Abdellahi from Ethiopia, who arrived in Italy three months ago with his wife. I feel like I am famous. Everywhere I look, they are taking pictures. I think I am Obama.

The moment these migrants entered the vicinity, shouts of welcome amplified.

This was city's first welcome party for its migrants that welcomed close to 30 migrants, who came out of a recently repurposed army barracks.

The region, however, remains tension-stricken. It was only the previous night when nearly 200 people from an extremist movement protested, carrying banners that read Italians first.

foxnews

The city often finds itself sunken with anti-migrant campaigners pledging more and more against those who are coming in. Thus, over the past few months, the tension has only aggravated.

Locals from the area suspect that a lot of politicians from the region are behind such massive campaigns; planning on stirring up anti-migrant sentiment, leveraging Italys economic stagnation to create uncertainty and fear.

foxnews

Yet these locals believe that such welcome parties can narrow down the instigating moment and bring peace and harmony among the newcomers and the residents.

It is very important that we meet each other and try to face the future in a different way. This is one reason for this event. The other is that politicians are trying to use the migrant issue to get votes, said Selana Tesfai, a founder of the Zone 8 Solitary Committee.

foxnews

Over the period of last 10 months, 153,000 migrants have arrived in Italy and since the crisis began on Oct. 18, 2013, 108,000 migrants have passed through Milan. Milan remains a city with one of the most migrants arrivals, simply because its a major transit point.
Investigation of the lost Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has suggested that no one was controlling the plane when it fell into the ocean. A report released by investigators as experts hunting for the aircraft gathered in Australia's capital to discuss the fading search effort.

Reuters/representational image

Debris found from the missing plane points towards the fact that the right wing flap was positioned for cruising when it separated from the plane, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said in a report.

At the same time, the aircraft's final satellite communications suggest MH370 was set to a fast rate of descent.

In the initial months after the plane vanished on March 8, en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur with 239 people on board, there were reports that someone had glided the plane to descent but this report weakens that speculation.

Reuters/Representational image

Some flight simulations after the plane ran out of fuel produced a descent rate "outside the aircraft's certified flight envelope," the ATSB said in its report. The plane lost at least 3,800 feet of altitude and that accelerated up to 25,000 feet every minute, the ATSB said.

And added, simulations suggest the aircraft could have reversed track and flown back north even as it fell from the sky.
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Unidentified attackers shot two US police officers dead in their cars early Wednesday, in the Des Moines suburb of Urbandale, Iowa, local media reported.

The police officers were killed in what the police called ambush-style attacks in two separate locations.

Sgt. Paul Parizek, spokesman for the Des Moines Police Department, said at a news conference that the officers were gunned down when they were sitting in their cars.

He revealed that the second was fatally shot at a location about a five-minute drive from the first scene.

There is a clear and present danger to police officers. Theres definitely danger out there right now, said Parizek.

It doesnt look like there was any interaction between these officers and whoever the coward is who shot them while they sat in their cars, the police spokesman added.

Police officials have however identified a Scott Michael Greene as the suspect.

They said in a statement that they were looking for the 46-year-old resident of Urbandale, Iowa, where one of the officers was shot.

They said thGreene was believed to be armed and that he should be considered dangerous. The police did not explain how they had identified him as a possible suspect.
A total of thirty-six persons comprising of 19 women and nineteen children were rescued by the troops of the Nigerian Army from the claws of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists on Tuesday in Borno State.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman as he said the captives were released by the troops of the 8 Task Force Division at Dumba Village in a operation code-named Operation Hardknock designed to clear the insurgents from the borderline between Nigeria and Niger.

According to Usman,six members of the insurgents were killed while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

He listed the items recovered from the operation to be 22 motorcycles, flags and other items.

The statement reads in parts: The troops of 8 Task Force Division have commenced an Operation code-named Operation Hardknock to clear pockets Boko Haram terrorists hiding in remote areas of northern Borno State, along the Nigeria-Niger border.

As the operation progressed, troops have cleared pockets of insurgents from their hideouts in Momo and Tunshe villages around Marte general area Borno state.

The troops have rescued 19 women and 19 children held hostage in Dumba village by the terrorists. During the rescue operation, the troops killed six Boko Haram insurgents while others fled with gunshot wounds leaving behind 22 motorcycles, flags and other items.
A friend to a newly wedded bride, who took off from her wedding reception half-way in Delta State at the weekend, has disclosed what led to the drama.

The 32-year-old bride, simply identified as Josephine, sparked confusion among guests on Saturday when she disrupted her wedding reception half-way, following her pronouncement that she was no longer interested in the few-hours-old marriage.

DAILY POST had reported that the bride, who ran away from the reception venue, screaming I am no longer interested was given a hot chase by her 41-year-old husband.

The incident, which occurred at Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, created serious scene in the Orhunwhorhun road area as the husband was seen begging his bride to reconsider her decision; but all pleas by the bewildered husband for his bride to reconsider her decision, were to no avail.

The incident attracted a large crowd, as well as members of their families, who made frantic efforts to settle the matter.

Following the bizarre incident, a close friend of the bride told Vanguard that she (the bride) saw her true love at the reception venue and decided to follow her heartthrob.

As at the time of filing this report, Roseline, has since disappeared into thin air and all efforts to trace her whereabouts have reportedly yielded no result.

The friend, who pleaded not to be mentioned, told the newspaper: I believe she did what she did because she saw the previous man in her life at the reception.

We heard that he had earlier promised to marry the bride, but he later traveled to Lagos and never showed up again.

When the bride waited for a long time and he (former suitor) was nowhere to be found, she decided to marry another man, who was ready although she still loved her former suitor.

So when her true love showed up at the reception without notice, the woman saw him and decided to call it quits with her husband to follow her heartthrob.

Asked about her whereabouts, the unnamed friend was quoted to have simply said, she is fine.

Source: Dailypost
No fewer than six persons, comprising a mother, three of her children and two of their neighbours, have been killed in Ogaminana, Okene, in the the Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, after eating a meal made from cassava flour.

The Public Relations Officer of the LGA, Mr. Abdulhamid Salahudeen, told our correspondent on the telephone that three of the victims died on Tuesday one after another at the Okene General Hospital, while the remaining three had earlier died on Monday in the house.

He put the ages of the dead five children at between nine and 15, while the age of the mother had yet to be ascertained.

He said the mother had on Sunday, October 30, brought the cassava flour from her farm at Ohuepe village.

The woman was said to have prepared dinner from the yam flour for herself and other members of the family and extended the food to her neighbours.

Salaudeen said the victims later went to bed, but developed severe stomach pains over the night which later resulted in the death of the woman and two of her children.

He said neighbours, who sensed that the sudden deaths may be due to the cassava flour dinner, quickly rushed the remaining three children that ate the food to the Okene General Hospital, where they later died.

Salaudeen said the authority of the local government believed that the cassava flour was poisoned and had informed the police for investigation.

A senior nursing officer at the Okene General Hospital, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said three of the victims died in the hospital on Tuesday.

The nurse said the victims were brought in late on Monday.

Source: Punch
The Oyo State Police Command on Tuesday said it has arrested 30 pupils for their alleged involvement in the destruction of classrooms of public schools during a protest against the state governments decision to stop automatic promotion in secondary schools.

Some pupils in five public secondary schools in Oyo town and Ibadan went on the rampage last week over the decision of the state government, leading to indefinite closure of Community Secondary School, Iyana Idi-Ose; Ojoo High School, Ojoo, Ibadan; Isale Oyo Community High School, Oyo; Anglican-Methodist Secondary School, Oyo; and Oba Adeyemi High School, Oyo.

The Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Adekunle Ajisebutu, told our correspondent that 25 of the erring pupils were arrested in Oyo, while five others were picked up in Ibadan.

He said, The police have arrested 30 pupils for their involvement in the protest and destruction of public property.

Those arrested in Ibadan have been charged to court, while their counterparts from Oyo will be in court before Thursday.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adeniyi Olowofela, advised pupils against acts capable of disturbing the peace of the state.

He added that the decision to cancel automatic promotion was taken to address falling standard of education in the state.

The commissioner said the government would not reverse the decision.

Source: Punch
Nigerian engineers have themselves to blame for the federal governments preference for foreign contractors, the Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has said.

The minister said Nigerian engineers created the vacuum that led to foreign contractors being the preferred choice for most projects in the country.

Speaking Tuesday when a delegation of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) led by its President, Otis Anyaeji paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Abuja, Fashola noted that the failure of Nigerian engineering firms to bid for government projects was responsible for the patronage of foreign contractors.

If there was no vacuum, there would not be foreign engineering consultants and contractors in Nigeria.

Unless we honestly stand up and accept that there is a vacuum, we look in the mirror and tell ourselves that we honestly do not like what we see, it will not change.

I can tell you from experience when I was a state governor, that when I advertised for rail project, no Nigerian firm bidded for it.

Government will not stop the development of the country if you are not ready, the minister asserted.

According to him, while we point a finger at government, we must also point the same fingers at ourselves because foreign companies doing business in Nigeria are privately owned.

Mr. Fashola, therefore, advised Nigerian engineers to accept their deficiencies and build their capacities to be able to compete with foreign firms.

Meanwhile, the minister decried what he called the over legislation of procurement process and called for a review, to enhance the speedy development of infrastructure in the country.

In a developing economy like Nigeria, I think that we have over-legislated our procurement process.

Some of the fast-track procurement systems that we need, given also our weather circle, are still in the way of project intervention to deliver infrastructure.

Let us do a review and see what we have delivered and look back at 20 years ago when all these procurement laws were not there what we achieved and measure them.

I think that in my personal view, we have over-legislated procurement process to our detriment, he added.

In his remark, Anyaeji called for the patronage of local engineers and the use of indigenous materials for the execution of government projects.

He pledged the commitment of the society to partner the Federal Government to deliver on its mandate to Nigerians.
The Federal Ministry of Education has directed principals of the 104 unity colleges to intensify efforts toward standing out as flagships in the nations education sector.

Ben Goong, the Deputy Director (Media), disclosed the ministrys directive in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos.

Mr. Goong said that the ministry had set targets for the principals to shore up academic performance in their respective colleges.

He said that the directive became necessary in view of the huge investments government was making on the colleges and the education sector in general in recent times.

Henceforth, targets are being set for the unity colleges across the country.

The targets will be in terms of each colleges performances in major external examinations, such as WASSCE (WAEC), SSCE (NECO), UTME (JAMB), NABTEB and other related examinations, Mr. Goong said.

According to him, beginning from the 2016/2017 academic session, principals of unity schools whose students post outstanding performances in external examinations will be rewarded.

Those colleges whose students fail to live up to the desired expectation will equally be sanctioned, Mr. Goong said.

He added that so far, the Federal Science and Technical College, FSTC, Yaba, had distinguished itself in various academic competitions within and outside the country.

The deputy director added that the FSTC had remained the flagship of unity colleges across the country.

According to Mr. Goong, the school has won several laurels in various competitions in recent times and posted spectacular performances in external examinations.

Source: NAN
A 22-year-old Ghanaian, John Kojo, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly supplying a locally-made pistol to a suspected robber in the Morogbo, Badagry area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Kojo was arrested on Saturday when a robbery suspect, Banhusa Abujuny, identified the Ghanaian as the owner of the gun he (Abujuny) allegedly used for robbery.

Our correspondent gathered that the duo was being detained by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja.

The police said the gun was stolen from another robbery gang.

PUNCH Metro learnt that on Friday, October 7, some armed robbers came to Kojos area in Morogbo and unleashed terror on the residents.

It was gathered that some residents put distress calls across to the police, while some vigilance group members mobilised against the robbers.

PUNCH Metro learnt that as the robbers fled, they abandoned the pistol, while Kojo, who was reportedly around the scene, picked and hid the weapon.

According to the police, Kojo later gave the gun to Abujuny to rob.

Kojo, however, told PUNCH Metro that he hid the gun abandoned by the robbers, adding that he was afraid to turn it in to the police.

The Ghanaian said he was not aware that his friend, Abujuny, took the gun from his house.

He said, I got the gun after the robbers, who attacked Oko Afo, fled. The robbers came to our area and were moving from house to house. Some residents confronted them and they fled. I was one of those who chased the robbers.

As they fled, they left one of the guns by the roadside and I picked it. I brought the gun home and hid it. I did not give the weapon to the police because I was afraid. I did not show the gun to anyone.

Abujuny is my friend. He did not tell me that he had taken the gun. I was at home last week Saturday when SARS officers came and arrested me.

Abujuny, who said he had not robbed with the gun, stated that he was arrested during a street fight in the Alaba Market, Ojo.

He said, I had yet to rob with the gun. There was a fight in the Alaba Market on Friday and I threatened someone with the gun.

The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said the suspects would be charged to court at the end of investigation.

Source: Punch
The Bakassi Strike Force, BSF, a militant group that operates in the creeks of Cross River State, on Tuesday expressed a desire to embrace peace if the concerns of Bakassi returnees are addressed under a scheme brokered by international mediators.

A leader of BSF, Simply Benjamin, aka Humble Lion G1 in a telephone interview on Tuesday, explained that the grievances of his group had nothing to do with destruction of critical national assets.

The BSF leader expressed regrets that the Nigerian military had killed several innocent people under the guise of fighting members of the militant group.

He, therefore, urged the federal government to withdraw the military from his community as they were in the struggle for self-determination and posed no threat to national security.

Mr. Benjamin, who spoke from his camp in the creeks of Southern Cross River, said that unlike other militant groups in the Niger Delta, the BSF had no record of destroying oil installations and were not involved in molesting innocent citizens.

He also said that despite offering to work with the government to address the concerns of the Bakassi returnees, the military had been on his trail.

According to Benjamin, the Bakassi Strike Force had been agitating against the poor implementation of the Green Tree Agreement after Nigeria ceded Bakassi to Cameroon, which left Nigerians in the peninsular without proper resettlement.

Our grievance against the federal government has to do with the way Nigeria ceded our ancestral land to Cameroon without recourse to the feelings and rights of the people to self-determination.

Under the Green Tree agreement, there were steps to be taken to ensure that the fundamental rights of the returnees were protected but the government has not fulfilled its obligations under the agreement.

We have not resorted to destroying national asset(s) like other Niger Delta militants because it does not make sense, if we destroy assets that yield revenue, how will the federal government get money to fund the projects we yearn for? Mr. Benjamin said.
English premiership side Liverpool have been handed a blow as one of their strikers has sustained an injury which has ended his season prematurely.

After being out for the best part of 12 months following an ACL tear in his left knee last October, Danny Ings, has suffered another injury to the right knee this time.

The 24-year-old was injured last week after coming off the bench late against Tottenham in Liverpools 2-1 EFL Cup win at Anfield.

It was his first appearance at home for 13 months and the ex-Burnley player got injured on in a tackle and now needs surgery on his damaged cartilage.

Liverpool confirmed that Ings will now travel to London for the operation on his right knee.

In a statement on their website, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp expressed his sadness about the setback.

He said: To say we are gutted would be an understatement; he is such a great boy and has worked so hard that he deserves better luck than this.

It is typical of Dannys personality, on and off the pitch, that he picked up this injury to his knee when courageously trying to win the ball back for his team by making a tackle. But it is this same personality that means he will come back as good and as strong from this latest setback as he has done in the past.

Im told the likely lay off is anywhere from between seven to nine months. He is mentally strong, physically strong and will have the very best treatment and rehab possible to make sure when he returns he is ready to play for us at the level we know he is capable of.

Ings has been playing for Liverpools U23 team this season in order to regain fitness, and has impressed by scoring 7 times in 4 games.
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola got their pound of flesh at the Etihad on Tuesday night as they beat Barcelona 3-1.

Pep Guardiola saw his methods come into question following a heavy 4-0 loss to Barcelona at the Camp Noun but his team put up such a stellar performance that his critics were silenced.

Aguero and Zabaleta made it back to the team and despite Kompany being rested during the weekend, John Stones and Otamendi were the preferred center backs.

Despite looking compact, City conceded first as Lionel Messi beat two defenders. City once again looked to be on the wrong end of a beating.

However, to their credit, their enthusiasm and determination ensured they kept pushing and Ilkay Gundogan scored the equalizer in the 39th minute.

Barca looked shell-shocked in the second half and Kevin De Bruyne scored from a free kick to give City the lead. Coty pressed forward but their profligacy meant the match still seemed open.

Suarez squared the ball for Andre Gomes who then struck the bar with only the keeper to beat.

Eventually, it was Gundogan again who put the match beyond doubt with a third goal to send City fans into raptures.
Six people, including a mother, three of her children and two of their neighbours, on Tuesday lost their lives in Ogaminana area of Okene in Kogi after eating a meal made from cassava flour.

The Public Relations Officer of the Adavi Local Government, Mr. Abdulhamid Salahudeen told newsmen on phone that three of the victims died on Tuesday at the Okene General Hospital while the woman and two of her children had earlier died on Monday in their house.

He said that the woman died along side three of her children, two sons and a daughter

He added that two male children of her neighbour that partook in the meal also died .

He put the ages of the dead five children at between 9 and 15 years.

Salaudeen said that the mother had in the evening of Sunday, October 30 brought the cassava flour (white Amala) from her farmland at Ohuepe village.

He said that the woman prepared a dinner from the cassava flour for the family and extended the food to her neighbour.

The officer said the victims later went to bed but developed severe stomach pain over the night which later resulted in the death of the woman and two of her children.

He said that neighbours who sensed that the sudden deaths might be due to the cassava flour dinner quickly rushed the remaining three children that partook in the eating to Okene General Hospital where they died on Tuesday.

Salaudeen said that the authority of the local government believed that the cassava flour was poisoned and had informed the police for appropriate action.

A senior nursing officer at the Okene General Hospital, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the death of the three victims at the hospital on Tuesday .

The nurse said that the victims were brought in late Monday afternoon.

Source: Punch
Nigerian newspaper headlines November 2, 2016.

Vanguard

The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has apprehended three Cameroonians and a Nigerian with 66 drums containing 250 litres of product suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit, each.

Punch

Stakeholders from the Niger Delta under the aegis of the Pan Niger Delta Forum on Tuesday attributed the renewed militancy in the region to what they called alienation and lack of meaningful development of the region. They said they had consulted widely and had come up with 16 points that could help the Federal Government achieve its quick wins initiative.

Premium Times

A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, will remain in custody till his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on November 10, PREMIUM TIMES can report. EFCC sources said Mr. Fani-Kayode would be charged for allegedly receiving about N26 million from a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Thisday

The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) stood at 44.1 index points in October 2016, compared with the 42.5 recorded the preceding month.

Guardian

The three-member panel of justices of the Court of Appeal yesterday withdrew from all appeals relating to the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State. Their action was due to a petition accusing them of compromising their position.

Leadership

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the leadership of Sen Ahmed Makarfi, yesterday charged Nigerians to support the military in the war against insurgency just as it condemned the recent bomb attacks by Boko Haram in Borno State last weekend.

The Sun

As investors in the nations power sector assets mark the third anniversary of the power sector privatisation programme, the Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors (ANED), has faulted the call by billionaire businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for a reversal of the programme.
The Taraba State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday endorsed the appointment of Malam Mustapha Jaji as an ambassadorial-nominee from the state.

The States PDP Chairman, Mr Victor Bala, announced the endorsement at a news briefing in Jalingo.

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari has the right to give political appointment to any qualified Nigerian irrespective of party affiliation.

The President has the right to appoint every qualified Nigerian into any available office. Therefore, I am very happy with this appointment.

Look, if you ask me which political party Mustapha belongs to, I will tell you I dont know.

But I do know that he neither belongs to the state nor the zonal executives of the PDP.

If they say he is a member of our party at the local level, then may be it is the ward officials that can know that.

Mark my words it is a well-deserved appointment because Mustapha has all the necessary academic qualifications and experience to hold such an office.

You will recall that he did well when he was the Executive Secretary of TETfund. So there can never be anything wrong with this kind of appointment, he said.

On the upcoming local government election, Bala said the party would use its popularity to win the election.

Look, the PDP is the ruling party in this state since 1999, there is no opposition in Taraba.

I assure you we will win this election come February 2017, using our popularity and, of course, our firm belief in internal democracy, he said. (NAN)
The Presidency has said it will engage the Senate rather than dispute its decision to reject the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to borrow $29.9 billion.

The Senate on Tuesday rejected the presidents request to borrow $29.9 billion as part of the federal governments external borrowing plan for 2016 to 2018.

The rejection of the loan request came as a shock to some observers considering the fact that Buharis party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has majority control in both chambers of the National Assembly.

Explaining the Senates decision, its leader, Ali Ndume, told journalists after plenary that the request was rejected due to the absence of certain documents that should have accompanied the presidents letter.

Speaking on the development, Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Ita Enang, told journalists in Abuja on Tuesday that the Presidency would not be disputing with the Senate but would rather engage with them on the issue that had been raised.

We are not disputing with the distinguished Senate.

There are certain information and details which will enable them to consider in detail, and appropriately the request of Mr President.

So we are collating that information. The Budget Office of the Federation, the Debt Management Office, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Minister of Finance and the economic team are collating the information so that it can be submitted to the Senate to enable them take the appropriate decision.

We would be engaging the Senate. We will not be disputing with them but we will be engaging with them.

When we present a matter before the legislature it is for them to consider and as they have considered, more information is needed and that information they are entitled to it and we would provide, he said.
The Senate on Wednesday resolved to suspend plenary if the inconclusive National Assembly elections in Rivers State, fail to hold by December 10, 2016.

Three senatorial seats of Rivers State in the Senate and some seats in the House of Representatives have been vacant since the Appeal Court ordered a rerun election last year.

Several attempts by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct elections into the vacant seats have proved futile as a result of what the electoral commission considers a threat to the lives of its personnel.

The commission had in March this year, vowed not to return to Rivers to conclude rerun elections in the state until peace is restored, following the killing of a corps member and INEC ad-hoc staff, Okonta Samuel, by suspected political thugs during the rerun polls in the state.

Subsequent attempts by the electoral commission to conclude the rerun were not feasible as acts of violence, such as the burning down of the INEC office in Khana Local Government Area on July 22, forced a shift in the date for the elections.

A tentative date for the inconclusive elections has now been fixed for December 10 amid fears of another postponement by INEC.

But the Senate today, vowed not to tolerate another postponement in the date for the inconclusive legislative elections in Rivers.

The decision was taken following a motion moved by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, that the chamber was not properly constituted because all the states were not represented.

In his remarks, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, said the delay in the conduct of the elections endangers the countrys democracy.

When the motion was put to a voice vote by Senate President Saraki, majority of senators voted in its support.
The troops of the Nigerian Army have foiled a planned suicide attack by the Boko Haram sect, resulting in the death of eight suicide bombers in Borno State.

The acting Director, Army Public Relations Unit, Col. Sani Usman, said in a statement on Tuesday that the troops foiled the suicide attempt at a checkpoint in Gubio, Gubio Local Government Area of the state.

He said that the troops stopped the eight suicide bombers who drove to the checkpoint in a Bedford van loaded with Improvised Explosive Devices and suicide vests.

Usman said that the suicide bombers blew themselves up while resisting the directive of the soldiers to screen the vehicle.

However, the statement was silent on whether the military suffered any casualty or not.

The troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at a checkpoint in Gubio, Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State at about 9.15am today, foiled a suicide attack on Gubio town by eight Boko Haram terrorists.

The suicide bombers, who came in a Bedford van loaded with Improvised Explosive Devices, attempted to force their way through the checkpoint but met a stiff resistance from troops, who insisted that the vehicle must be thoroughly checked.

The suicide bombers refused and blew up themselves by detonating one of the suicide vests, killing all the eight Boko Haram terrorists in the van. the statement read.

Meanwhile, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party under the leadership of Senator Ahmed Makarfi has condemned the multiple bomb attacks in Borno State, which occurred on Saturday and Sunday.

It described the attacks, which took place in Maiduguri, killing about six people on Saturday, as unfortunate.

It also said that the ambush of some troops the following day in Damboa, Borno State, by the Boko Haram sect, was barbaric.

A statement issued by the spokesperson for the faction, Dayo Adeyeye, in Abuja, on Tuesday, commended the Special Operation Unit of the military known as Operation Lafia Dole for their courage and commitment to the security of lives and property in the North-East.

Adeyeye also commended the military for averting another attack late Sunday.

The statement said, While we applaud the dexterity of our officers and men in the field, we wish to further advise the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to stop the needless and diversionary propaganda on the issue of insurgency in the North-East and rather concentrate more on providing all the moral and technical support needed by the military to end this campaign of terror.

Source: Punch
Troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Bauchi, have killed two suspected kidnappers and rescued a 16-year-old boy in Rafin Gigi village, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The teenager, who was kidnapped last Friday, was rescued after a heavy gun battle between the troops and his abductors.

Platoon Commander of the troops, Captain Harrison Chiagozie, while presenting the rescued boy before newsmen at the Brigade headquarters on Wednesday in Bauchi, said the cash sum of N770,000 was recovered from the kidnappers.

Chiagozie disclosed that the suspected kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N1.6m from the family, but the family was able to raise N770,000.

According to the Platoon Commander, We got a report of the kidnap of the boy, Muhammad Musa, on Saturday and immediately, we swung into actio

When we got to the bush, it was around 10pm and as soon as the family exchanged the N770,000 they had with them and took their son, our men who were hiding came out.

An exchange of fire ensued between us and the kidnappers and we killed two of them while the others escaped. There was no casualty on our side.

They used torchlight to know where we were because it was very dark. And our aim was to rescue the boy alive.

An uncle of the victim, Ali Umar, while commenting on the abduction, said the miscreants left a letter after picking the boy, adding that prior to the rescue, he was in touch with one of the kidnappers.

I have been the one speaking with the kidnappers. They demanded the sum of N1.6m from the family before the boy would be released to us; but we were only able to raise the sum of N770,000 and even that was borrowed, he said.

Source: Dailypost
Microsoft's latest contribution to Facebook's Open Compute Project -- a forum that allows big names in IT to share datacenter hardware designs with minimal licensing restrictions -- not only introduces a new server design, it also changes the way the designs are conceived and submitted, as well as their collaboration process.

Microsoft plans to share designs with the OCP as early as possible in the design process.

[ From Docker containers and Nano Server to software-defined storage and networking improvements, Windows Server 2016 is packed with great additions: Get the scoop on Windows Server 2016 from InfoWorld. | Stay up on key Microsoft technologies with the Windows Report newsletter. ]

The incompleteness theorem

Microsoft's Project Olympus involves "contributing our next generation cloud hardware designs [to the OCP] when they are approx. 50% complete -- much earlier in the cycle than any previous OCP project," Microsoft said in a post on the official Azure blog.

Microsoft's rationale for sharing an incomplete design is that "open source hardware development is currently not as agile and iterative as open source software. ... By sharing designs that are actively in development, Project Olympus will allow the community to contribute to the ecosystem by downloading, modifying, and forking the hardware design just like open source software."

One of OCP's original benefits was a faster design process, and some of the products Microsoft has been experimenting with seem to demand a shorter iteration cycle. Consider Microsoft's recent foray into using FPGAs to accelerate datacenter operations. The overall layout of a system board that implements FPGAs may change only slightly, but the manner in which an FPGA is integrated into the whole could change a great deal. Sharing each interim iteration might inspire others to take the path less traveled.

Azure or not Azure?

Microsoft's pitch for Project Olympus -- both the most recent incarnation of the hardware and the project itself -- focuses mainly on products for Microsoft's own datacenters. "[Microsoft's] initial contributions were server and datacenter designs that power the Azure hyperscale cloud," Microsoft said.

With any talk of Azure cloud hardware, you'll likely find discussion of Azure Stack, Microsoft's hybrid cloud system that deploys Azure's bits in a private cloud via certified partner hardware. But Olympus is not intended to influence design decisions for Azure Stack -- at least not directly. The two projects were conceived separately and with discrete aims. When asked if the two projects would have any connection, a Microsoft spokesman said that "today, there is no overlap between Project Olympus and Azure Stack."

However, there's nothing that says Microsoft's hardware partners couldn't take cues from Olympus, either for their certified Azure Stack creations or anything else they come up with. As Microsoft's spokesperson said, "[Microsoft] intends for Project Olympus to become the foundation for a broad ecosystem of compliant hardware products developed by the OCP community, including something that Microsoft partners could build on."
Mesosphere, the main commercial outfit behind the Apache Mesos datacenter and container orchestration project, has taken a good look at its user base and found that they gravitate toward a few fundamental use cases.

Survey data released recently by Mesosphere in the "Apache Mesos 2016 Survey Report," indicates that Mesos users focus on running containers at scale, using Mesos to deploy big data frameworks, and relying heavily on the core tool set that Mesos and DC/OS provide rather than using substitutes.

We got this contained

Created in 2009, Mesos was built to run workloads of all types and sizes across clusters of systems. DC/OS, released back in 2015 by Mesosphere, automates the deployment, provisioning, and scaling of applications with Mesos as the underlying technology. Thus, it casts Mesos as a commodity similar to Docker, which offers ease in working with long-standing containerization techniques.

The Mesosphere survey doesn't cover a very large sample of users -- fewer than 500, with 63 percent of those surveyed running Mesos for less than a year. Deployments are also modest -- the overwhelming majority are fewer than 100 nodes -- and by and large favor generic software/IT industry settings. Retail, e-commerce, telecom, and finance made up about 19 percent of the total combined.

Among the workloads deployed in Mesos, the largest slice (85 percent) covers containers and microservices, with 62 percent of all users deploying containers in production. Containers have long been a major part of Mesos' and DC/OS's focus, but Mesos sets itself apart from other container projects by providing a robust solution to container management, including native support for GPU-powered applications.

Do it yourself

The second biggest slice of the pie is data-centric applications. No prizes for guessing the top entry in that category: Apache Spark (43 percent of users), followed by other major big data infrastructure components like the Kafka messaging system (32 percent), the Elastic search system (26 percent), and the Cassandra NoSQL database (24 percent). Hadoop is in the mix as well, but only at 11 percent.

If there's a takeaway to be found, it's that specific solutions like Spark demonstrate more immediate payoffs than general solutions like Hadoop, especially when projects like DC/OS make them easier to deploy.

The survey also makes clear that Mesos users have historically put together projects themselves, but they like the idea of having the option to not have to. Of those who use Mesos, few currently do so with DC/OS's automated deployment. Only 26 percent of those surveyed are running it in a production context, with another 12 percent "piloting for broader deployment." That implies that many existing Mesos-powered deployments are hand-built.

However, newly minted Mesos users are going straight to DC/OS to get their Mesos fix. Eighty-seven percent of users who started with Mesos in the past six months did so through DC/OS. Thus, it's safe to assume as DC/OS becomes more widely used and Mesos continues to evolve (it recently hit a 1.0 release), DC/OS will become the predominant preference to deploy both Mesos and all the apps that run with it.

It's important to think about Mesos and DC/OS as complementary technologies to the rest of the container world, not total replacements for it. Kubernetes, for instance, can run in Mesos (and 8 percent of the respondents do use Kubernetes somewhere, according to the survey). Rather than eclipsing such arrangements outright, it's more likely that DC/OS and Mesos will provide a more convenient option to build with them.

[Edited to clarify Kubernetes use amongst the survey respondents.]
Knowing what data you have, along with where it's located and lives, then managing that data to the needs of your organization are all part of data governance strategy. If you use Microsofts Office 365, you know it has many aspects ripe for data collection -- and that can be confusing.

Clearly, data governance in Office 365 goes well beyond email archiving because there are now so many different conduits for data. In today's world, people might communicate through email (a key data governance focus point), SharePoint, OneDrive, Skype for Business, and/or Yammer. Then there's all the data from your other systems that Office 365 can ingest via third-party tools.

[ The InfoWorld Deep Dive: How to make document sharing really work in Office 365. ]

As a result of this greater universe of data and data conduits, Microsoft is planning changes to its data-management tools. As an admin, you can see the current version's import, archive, and retention options in your Office 365 portal, in the Security & Compliance section's Data Governance tool.

Microsoft says it will soon release an enhanced version tool with a data governance dashboard that provides data analytics and improved tools for data retention.

Office 365's new data governance dashboard will provide at-a-glance information about the data in the system.

The new tool will take a broader look at the entire system of data so that you can easily establish policies with retention settings through a wizard. When creating a policy, you'll be able to choose specific locations to preserve or all locations (including email, OneDrive, SharePoint, Skype for Business, Outlook Groups, and public folders).

Oddly, Yammer is not included, so you might still need to use Yammer's own data-export feature or a third-party tool. (Perhaps Yammer is excluded because of Microsoft's new Slack-like alternative called Microsoft Teams.)

The new data-management tool's wizard supports the recently released preservation-lock feature, which prevents even an IT admin from disabling the policy. (This was meant to conform with SEC Rule 17a-4, to ensure certain policies can't be tampered with, even by IT.) The preservation-lock feature lets you extend how long you keep data but not disable that retention -- ever. As you would imagine, the tool warns you several times that you are about to permanently lock the policy.

I should note that Microsoft is not changing its fundamental governance architecture: There is no copy or separate data bank for the retained (held) data; it's not a true archive but a state applied to the source data. Some organizations prefer to keep their retained data as a truly separate archive, which requires using a third-party tool in the case of Office 365.

But I believe Microsoft is focusing on the right approach to data governance in the more expansive world of Office 365. It should help alleviate compliance burdens on businesses large and small.
IT workers in the infrastructure team at Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) were notified recently of their layoff. They expect to be training replacements from India-based contractor HCL. The layoff affects more than 500 IT workers, according to the insurance firm.

This familiar IT story began a little differently. A few days before employees were notified in mid-October of their layoff, HCSC CEO Paula Steiner talked about future goals in an internal, company-wide video.

Steiner's comments weren't IT-department-specific, but the takeaway quote by one IT employee was this: "As full-time retiring baby boomers move on to their next chapter, the makeup of our organization will consist more of young and non-traditional workers, such as part-time workers or contractors," said Steiner in the video.

What Steiner didn't say in the employee broadcast is that some of the baby boomers moving "on to the next chapter" are being pushed out the door.

"Obviously not all of us are 'retiring' -- a bunch of us are being thrown under the bus," said one older employee, who requested anonymity. Employees contacted say many older workers are affected by the outsourcing decision, although they had no numbers.

Employees have known for several months that HCSC was moving work offshore. But until last month, they didn't know their individual fates.

HCSC is defending the layoffs, scheduled in the first two quarters of next year. HCSC operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. It has 22,000 employees.

In a statement, HCSC spokesman Mark Spencer, said, "To meet our members' needs in today's rapidly changing healthcare marketplace, we are adapting how we work. Our members want technology solutions that make navigating the healthcare system easier and that help keep rising costs in check. Our information technology teams are being transformed to work with colleagues across the company, focusing on those and other member needs," he said.

Spencer also said that "our new IT approach uses more flexible and agile ways of working with new tools, allows us to invest in developing new capabilities and innovation, and reduces complexity by leveraging the latest technology solutions. As part of this effort, we have made the difficult decision to eliminate some roles."

"We do not make decisions about our workforce lightly, and we are committed to ensuring employees are supported throughout their transitions," said Spencer. Employees will get severance and "transition" services, he said.

Spencer also provided an expanded portion of Steiner's comments to give it "full context." It follows:

"A few years ago we created our own view of what the year 2020 could look like. One of the things we envisioned was that businesses, including ours, would be designed to reflect the complexity of a changing world around us. We envisioned for example that companies will become flatter -- or have fewer layers -- and they will be more cross-functional and virtual in many instances with improved collaboration. As full-time retiring baby boomers move on to their next chapter, the makeup of our organization will consist more of young and non-traditional workers, such as part-time workers or contractors. Future positions will require skills in analytics, process excellence, and the use of technology in addition to our more traditional dependence on functional or business 'know how.'"

Computerworld heard from four IT employees. They have provided differing estimates of the affected headcount, and some believe the number of affected employees is considerably higher, although the company denies this.

Employees also said there is little optimism that many will find jobs elsewhere in the company.

One said those who are offered jobs by HCL will have little choice but to accept. Rejecting a job with the contractor may mean loss of severance. HCSC did not confirm or deny that aspect of it.

HCL is user of H-1B visa workers, which means some of the laid-off workers may be training foreign replacements. This firm was also recently hired by the University of California, San Francisco.

Employees at the university, a public, taxpayer-supported institution, are trying to fight the university's action and stop their jobs from going overseas.

Federally required notices alerting the university's IT staff to the use of foreign workers were posted. The visa workers will be doing the same jobs IT staff now does. "Many of us can easily fill the job. We are training them to replace us," said a university IT employee getting laid off.

This story, "CEO's message a jolt to IT workers facing layoffs" was originally published by Computerworld .
Genelec strengthens Denmark pro audio presence with key industry appointment

Genelec has appointment well-known industry figure Morten Laulund Uldbk to the position of Area Sales Manager for Denmark. The appointment will see Uldbk greatly expand Genelecs presence throughout the country, drawing on an extensive network of dedicated dealers whilst offering support to existing customers.

Having worked within the industry for more than 15 years, Uldbk is a familiar figure in Danish professional audio. Located near to the city of Aarhus, hes experience in the professional audio business offered him the opportunity to work with many of the industrys most respected brands. He is, he says, excited to be joining Genelec.

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Video: Genelec ramps up residential support with new architectural speakers

I have known Genelec for many years and am very familiar with the companys products and values, he commented. With their leadership position in active monitors, innovations such as Smart Active Monitoring (SAM), and audio-over-IP, there has never been a more exciting time to join this company. Im very much looking forward to expanding Genelecs customer base in Denmarks pro-audio market.

Genelec Sales Director, Mikko Tuomi, added, Id like to welcome Morten to the Genelec family and also to thank our previous partner, DTK Audio, for their efforts in the Danish professional audio segment.

Uldbks appointment follows the recent arrival of another high profile member of the Danish industry, Thomas Lund, who joined Genelec earlier in 2016, as Senior Technologist. Working with Uldbk, Lund will continue delivering educational seminars both in the region and beyond.
Dips to Buy Monica Kingsley - 5 minutes ago S&P 500 indeed entered yesterday in a corrective mode, which turned out to be a shallow downswing. USD and yields moved up  a bit too much to my liking, in a move that I saw as fake, especially when...

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Airbnb Inc and New York state are in talks to resolve a lawsuit brought by the company challenging a law it says could expose it to significant penalties for advertising short-term apartment rentals, a person familiar with the matter said on Monday.

The potential accord was revealed after U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest in Manhattan canceled a hearing that had been set for Monday. The person said the hearing was adjourned so both sides could work out a consensual resolution.

Without referencing the potential resolution, Forrest, in a one-page order, directed the parties to provide her with a status update by the end of the week.

The company filed the lawsuit in Manhattan federal court on Oct. 21 after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law legislation that imposed fines of up to $7,500 on hosts who advertise illegal short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb.

Airbnb had contended that the laws ambiguous wording could allow New York authorities to apply the law to online platforms like itself that host third-party listings, creating the risk of significant civil penalties and criminal liability.

Airbnb did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. A spokesman for Cuomo had no immediate comment.

The lawsuit came amid ongoing clashes between the online lodging service and local public officials seeking to minimize the impact of short-term rentals on neighborhoods and urban housing markets.

In a case that is a crucial test of Airbnbs business model, the company has filed a lawsuit in San Francisco to block a new requirement that it reject booking fees from property owners who have not registered with the city.

Airbnb argues it cannot legally be held responsible for how landlords use its platform. If it is required to enforce local laws on short-term rentals, that could drastically reduce listings in some of its biggest markets.

The case is Airbnb Inc v. Schneiderman, et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 16-08239.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; additional reporting by Dan Levine in San Francisco; Editing by Andrew Hay and Dan Grebler)

Topics Lawsuits New York
Officials say a child who was burning items on the familys deck in western Maryland was responsible for igniting the flames that destroyed the two-story home.

Maryland Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Ed Ernst says the Saturday night fire in Smithsburg was caused by juvenile fire play that occurred while the parents were not home.

The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown reports that no one was injured in the fire.

Smithsburg Volunteer Fire Co. Lt. Steven Lewis says the family  the parents, three children and a dog  found shelter through family members and friends.

Ernst estimated the value of the damage to the structure and its contents at $120,000.

Information from: The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown, Md.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Maryland
A judge in Columbus is preparing to hear arguments in a dispute over Ohios authority to regulate oil andgas operations, including wells disposing of fracking wastewater.

Attorneys for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the operator of a Youngstown-area wastewater injection well addressed Judge Kimberly Cocroft on Tuesday.

At issue is the departments power to take action against the well, which disposes of wastewater from hydraulic fracturing and sits nearby at least 20 small seismic events that occurred in 2014.

American Water Management Services disputes the legal authority of the oil-and-gas chief at the department to take action against its well. The company also claims state actions against its well defy science.

State regulators believe the 2014 tremors tapped the same fault as a 4.0-magnitude earthquake in Youngstown in 2011.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Ohio
The Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared unlikely to throw out a jury verdict against State Farm that found the insurance company defrauded the U.S. government when it assessed damage caused by Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf of Mexico coast in 2005.

The eight justices heard arguments in State Farms challenge to a 2015 lower court ruling upholding the verdict in a 2006 lawsuit brought by two whistleblowers, sisters Cori and Kerri Rigsby, under the False Claims Act, which lets people sue on behalf of the government over allegations it has been defrauded.

The suit accused the Bloomington, Illinois-based company of improperly seeking to foist the costs of covering Katrina-related damage to a Biloxi, Mississippi home onto the government rather than covering the costs itself.

State Farm argued the claims brought by the sisters, former claims adjusters who worked for the company after the hurricane, should be voided because their lawyer violated a court order requiring that details of the case be kept under seal.

The womens former lawyer, Dickie Scruggs, had distributed information about the lawsuit to members of the news media. False Claims Act lawsuits are required to be filed under seal and remain private for 60 days.

In 2008, Scruggs was convicted of conspiring to bribe a judge in a different case. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

The jury found that the federal government had been defrauded of $250,000, and State Farm was ordered to pay $758,000 in damages. The sisters were awarded $227,000 for disclosing the fraud under the False Claims Act and almost $3 million in attorneys fees and expenses.

Based on the one-hour argument, it appeared unlikely the justices will find that Scruggs disclosures to the media merit throwing out the 2013 jury verdict. None of the media organizations disclosed the lawsuits existence to the public.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said the seal requirement is intended to ensure defendants like State Farm do not get tipped off about a pending case. If a suits existence is disclosed, the one who is really penalized  is the government not the defendant, Ginsburg added.

Chief Justice John Roberts said it rings a little hollow for State Farm to claim the disclosure harmed the government when the Obama administration has sided with the Rigsbys and has urged that the verdict be upheld.

The Rigsbys said the damage was caused by wind, which would be covered by the owners insurance policy with State Farm. But State Farm concluded the damage was flood-related, which instead was covered by the federal governments flood insurance program.

In 2015, the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the jury verdict.

A ruling is due by the end of June.

(Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham)

Related:

Topics Lawsuits Claims
A man who claims that the online lodging site Airbnb violated his civil rights must take his complaint to arbitration with Airbnb and cannot sue the online service, a federal judge has ruled.

In a Nov. 1 ruling, Judge Christopher Cooper of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia upheld the arbitration clause in Airbnbs terms of service. He found that Airbnbs mobile sign-up screen adequately places users on notice of Airbnbs terms of service including arbitration, and that users agree to those terms by clicking the sign-up box and using the service.

The ruling came in the case of an African-American man, Gregory Selden, from Virginia who was suing Airbnb because he claims a property owner refused to rent space to him because of his race. Selden cited Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that bars discrimination in public accommodations.

The case was an attempt to create a class action against Airbnb.

The judge said it may not seem fair to some but its the law, writing:

No matter ones opinion of the widespread and controversial practice of requiring consumers to relinquish their fundamental right to a jury trialand to forego class actionsas a condition of simply participating in todays digital economy, the applicable law is clear: Mutual arbitration provisions in electronic contractsso long as their existence is made reasonably known to consumersare enforceable, in commercial disputes and discrimination cases alike. 

The judge said that since the arbitration clause applies to all disputes, it thus applies to claims of unlawful race discrimination that may arise out of or relate to use of the Airbnb service.

He rejected arguments that that federal civil rights claims are not subject to arbitration and that the Airbnb arbitration clause is unconscionable.

Judge Christopher said the court is not the proper place for objections to mandatory arbitration clauses in online adhesion contracts. Such objections should be taken up with the appropriate regulators or with Congress, the judge wrote.

Federal policy dictates that doubts about the applicability of an arbitration agreement should be resolved in favor of arbitration, he wrote.

Judge Cooper, an African-American, was nominated for his position on the court by President Obama in 2013 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March, 2014.

Seldens Experience

Airbnb allows property owners or their representatives known as hosts to list their properties on its site, where users then attempt to book them. While Airbnb facilitates the transactions, the hosts decide to whom they will offer their homes for short-term stays.

In March, 2015, Selden and a friend used Airbnb to try to book accommodations for a trip to Philadelphia. Selden signed up on Airbnb and created a profile. To do so he had to click a sign-up button with this language: By signing up, I agree to Airbnbs Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, Guest Refund Policy, and Host Guarantee Terms. The text included links to the various terms and agreements17 pages worth.

The Dispute Resolution clause, by which Airbnb seeks to compel arbitration, appeared on page 15 of the document and stated in part: You and Airbnb agree that any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity thereof, or to the use of the Services or use of the Site or Application (collectively, Disputes) will be settled by binding arbitration

Selden included a photograph of his face in his profile, along with his name, age and education. Shortly after creating his account, he inquired with a host about the availability of a listing but, according to Selden, the host told him that the accommodation was not available. However, while browsing Airbnb later that day, Selden found that the listing was still posted.

Suspecting that he was denied accommodations due to his race, Selden created two fake Airbnb accounts with photos of white men. He then used those accounts to apply to the same listing, and, he claims, the host accepted both. Selden later took to social media with his claims of discrimination and his posting quickly went viral.

Related:

Topics Legislation Claims
An explosion along the Colonial Pipeline in rural Alabama injured at least seven workers Monday not far from where the line burst and leaked thousands of gallons of gasoline last month, authorities said.

The blast, which sent flames and thick black smoke soaring over the forest, happened about a mile west of where the pipeline ruptured in September, Gov. Robert Bentley said in a statement. That break led to gasoline shortages across the South.

Well just hope and pray for the best, Bentley said.

Georgia-based Colonial said in a brief statement that it had shut down its main pipeline in the area.

In September, the pipeline leaked 252,000 to 336,000 gallons of gasoline and led to dry fuel pumps and price spikes in several Southern states  for days, in some cases. There was no immediate indication Thursday whether or not Mondays explosion near Helena southwest of Birmingham would lead to similar shortages.

Plagued by a severe drought after weeks without rain, the section of the state where the explosion happened has been scarred by multiple wildfires in recent weeks, and crews worked to keep the blaze from spreading across the landscape.

Coleen Vansant, a spokeswoman with the Alabama Forestry Commission, said crews built a 75-foot-long earthen dam to contain burning fuel, which will be allowed to burn itself out. The Shelby County Sheriffs Office said in a statement Monday night that the blaze had been contained but it was unclear how long the fire may take to burn out.

Two wildfires caused by the explosion burned 31 acres of land, Vansant said.

Houses around the blast scene were evacuated, and Sheriffs Office Capt. Jeff Hartley said it wasnt clear when people might be able to return home.

Theres a large plume of smoke; theres a large fire. Were not sure exactly how it started or what caused it, he said.

Firetrucks were still arriving on the scene hours after the explosion, and ambulances were parked along a highway nearby.

Were got first responders entering the area, and a lot of them, Hartley said.

Bentley said the explosion seems to have been an accident, but no details were available about its potential cause.

The seven injured workers were taken to Birmingham hospitals by helicopter and ambulance, the governor told WBRC-TV in a live interview. Their conditions werent immediately known.

Eight or nine subcontractors were working on the pipeline when it exploded about 3 p.m. Monday, Shelby County sheriffs Maj. Ken Burchfield told Al.com.

Colonials top priorities are the health and safety of the work crew on site and protection of the public, the company said in a statement.

Colonial Pipeline, based in Alpharetta, Georgia, transports more than 100 million gallons of products daily to markets between Houston and New York City, serving more than 50 million people, it says on its website. Those include petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel. Authorities have not said which type of fuel was involved in the explosion Monday.

___

Jay Reeves reported from Helena, Alabama; Jeff Martin reported from Atlanta.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Alabama
A federal judge on Monday tentatively approved a $151 million settlement involving two companies sued over a 2014 chemical spill that contaminated drinking water in southern West Virginia.

U.S. District Judge John Copenhaver approved the proposed deal after more than two hours of closed-door negotiations on the wording of the class-action agreement.

Stuart Calwell, an attorney representing residents and businesses, said that under the settlement, West Virginia American Water Co. will pay $126 million and chemical maker Eastman Chemical will pay $25 million. The money will be distributed to any resident or business in the affected area through an application process to be determined later.

Calwell said he was very pleased by the settlement and that the money involved is a recognition of what folks had to endure.

He said Copenhaver indicated that I want that money to go to those who were deprived of water.

The water company also agreed not to seek a rate increase from state regulators to recoup the costs of settling the lawsuit. Copenhaver was adamant earlier Monday that those costs must be paid by the companys investors and stockholders, not customers who were spill victims.

If so, this becomes a fools errand, Copenhaver had said.

The companies said in separate statements Monday evening that the settlement isnt an admission of liability. West Virginia American Water went further, saying the lawsuits brought against it were without merit.

But the water company, which was accused in the lawsuit of not adequately handling preparations and response to the spill, said the settlement allows us and our dedicated employees to serve our customers without the distractions of ongoing lawsuits. Our commitment to the highest standards of customer service will always be a top priority.

Eastman Chemical said in a statement the settlement will provide benefits and closure to the community.

Copenhaver has scheduled a Nov. 14 conference in his chambers to receive the final agreement. A trial that was to start last week has been continued until Dec. 5.

In January 2014, a tank at Freedom Industries in Charleston leaked thousands of gallons of coal-cleaning chemicals into the drinking water supply for 300,000 people in and around Charleston, prompting a tap-water ban for days. Businesses were temporarily shut down and hundreds of people headed to emergency rooms for issues from nausea to rashes.

More than 224,000 area residents, more than 7,300 business owners and an undetermined number of hourly wage earners were part of the class of plaintiffs in the suit. Copenhaver certified the lawsuit more than a year ago.

Joy Gunnoe, who owns a sausage and salad company bearing her name, said she lost $387,000 in revenue when she couldnt produce any products because of the tap-water ban. She said outside the court that she had feared the lawsuit could have gone on for years. A trial was set to start last week but was repeatedly delayed to allow for settlement negotiations.

Both Gunnoe and Charleston City Council member Karan Ireland said they felt relieved by the settlement.

Its a great day, Ireland said. I really encourage all of my fellow residents to fill out their forms and get whats coming to them.

The spill prompted Freedoms bankruptcy and resulted in 30-day prison sentences for two company officials on federal pollution charges, as well as fines and probation for four others. A state law enacted after the disaster requires more inspections and registrations of aboveground storage tanks.

In September the U.S. Chemical Safety Board said the spill could have been avoided if Freedom had inspected its storage tanks and spotted two tiny holes forming at the bottom of one of the tanks.

The facility, now closed and torn down, was 1.5 miles upstream from West Virginia Americas regional drinking water intake on the Elk River.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Pollution Virginia Chemicals
A federal judge says Spokanes lawsuit against the agrochemical giant Monsanto regarding pollution in Washingtons Spokane River can move forward.

The city sued Monsanto last year, alleging the company knew for decades that chemicals it made and sold were a danger to people and the environment.

The Spokesman-Review reported that Monsanto asked U.S. District Judge Salvador Mendoza to dismiss the case based on eight claims, including that too much time had passed. The judge denied all but one claim, clearing the way for the case to proceed.

Monsanto says the ruling ignores that similar cases have been dismissed. A company official says it plans to vigorously defend the case.

Spokane, Seattle and other cities have sued Monsanto to help pay to clean up contamination caused by the polychlorinated biphenyls it manufactured. Monsanto was the sole producer of PCBs between 1935 and 1979, when Congress banned most of them.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Legislation Washington Pollution
Oltre 26 milioni di americani hanno gia votato anticipatamente per le elezioni presidenziali che vedono in gara, in un testa-a-testa Donald Trump e Hillary Clinton. Si tratta di circa il doppio di quanti usarono learly voting (voto anticipato) una settimana prima delle presidenziali del 2012. A molti lentourage di Trump ha chiesto di rivotare in considerazione delle ultime rivelazioni sullex First Lady

Grazia di Clinton a Rich, file Fbi su web

LFbi ha infatti pubblicato via Twitter i documenti dellinchiesta sulla grazia concessa dallallora presidente Clinton (nellultimo giorno del suo mandato, il 20/1/2001) al finanziere Usa, Marc Rich, morto in Svizzera nel 2013, accusato di 60 reati, tra cui frode, evasione di 48 mln di tasse e traffico di petrolio con lIran. Rischiava 300 anni di carcere. I file sono stati diffusi a 7 giorni dalle elezioni e dopo la bufera scatenata dallannuncio dellFbi sullapertura di una nuova indagine sulle email della candidata Hillary Clinton.

Fbi: carte grazia Clinton note per legge

LFbi ha pero difeso la propria decisione di pubblicare a una settimana dalle presidenziali le carte di una inchiesta  archiviata  sulla controversa grazia concessa da Bill Clinton nel 2001 a un finanziere amico, Marc Rich, scappato in Svizzera per sfuggire alle accuse di evasione fiscale. Per procedura standard  spiega lFbi  questi materiali diventano disponibili per la diffusione e sono postati automaticamente ed elettronicamente nella sala di lettura pubblica dellFbi nel rispetto della legge e delle procedure

Evocato limpeachment per Hillary

Evocato anche lo spettro di una messa in stato di accusa per Hillary se fosse eletta alla Casa Bianca. Lo ha fatto il senatore repubblicano Ron Johnson, presidente della Commissione per la Sicurezza nazionale e per gli Affari governativi. Johnson ha detto al Beloit Daily News che Hillary ha deliberatamente aggirato la legge usando un server privato per trattare affari pubblici quando era Segretario di Stato. Il senatore ha accusato la candidata dem di aver intenzionalmente nascosto e distrutto materiale riguardante la difesa nazionale.

Hacker, NYT: nessun legame Trump-Putin

E Trump oggi ha piu di un motivo per sorridere. Non solo le nuove accuse alla rivale, non solo i sondaggi lo vedono in crescita, ma lFbi non ha trovato finora alcun legame diretto tra il candidato repubblicano alla Casa Bianca Trump e il governo russo.

Secondo i servizi Usa, gli attacchi di hacker contro i democratici sono volti a minare le elezioni presidenziali piu che a favorire Trump. Lo scrive il NYT, citando fonti investigative. Queste rivelazioni, se confermate, sconfesserebbero le convinzioni dei democratici sui legami Trump-Putin.
The beer industry is made up of companies specializing in the production of beer, although many of them also produce other alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Some of the big names in the industry include Netherlands-based SABMiller International B.V.which is now part of fellow big name Belgium-based Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A./N.V.  as well as Japan-based Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. Demand for beer historically has remained stable throughout economic cycles. As a result, the beer industry is part of the much broader consumer staples sector.

According to a report by Technavio, the beer industry in 2022 is seeing increasing demand for premium beers, which continue to drive market growth. The beer industry is expected to continue growing at a steady compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.45% between 2020 and through 2025.

Beer stocks, represented by the broad S&P 500 Consumer Staples Sector Index, have outperformed the broader market. The index has provided a total return of 1.8% over the past 12 months, above the -13.1% total return of the Russell 1000 Index. Note that the consumer staples sector is much broader than beer stocks as a category, so the sector's performance compared with beer stocks specifically may diverge. These market performance numbers and the statistics in the tables below are as of Sept. 15, 2022.

Here are the top three beer stocks with the best value, the fastest growth, and the best performance.

These are the beer stocks with the lowest 12-month trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio. Because profits can be returned to shareholders in the form of dividends and buybacks, a low P/E ratio shows that youre paying less for each dollar of profit generated.
What Is the Turing Test?

The Turing Test is a deceptively simple method of determining whether a machine can demonstrate human intelligence: If a machine can engage in a conversation with a human without being detected as a machine, it has demonstrated human intelligence.

The Turing Test was proposed in a paper published in 1950 by mathematician and computing pioneer Alan Turing. It has become a fundamental motivator in the theory and development of artificial Intelligence (AI).

Key Takeaways The Turing Test measures the intelligence of a test subject to determine whether a machine can demonstrate intelligence.

According to the test, a computer program can think if its responses can fool a human into believing it, too, is human.

Not everyone accepts the validity of the Turing Test, but passing it remains a major challenge to developers of artificial intelligence.

There are variations to the Turing test as well as modifications to the approach of asking questions in different AI tests.

The Turing test has several limitations including requiring a controlled environment, not having a dedicated definition of intelligence, and needing to adapt to evolving technological advancements.

Understanding the Turing Test

Rapid advances in computing are now visible in many aspects of our lives. We have programs that translate one language to another in the blink of an eye, robots that clean an entire home in minutes, finance robots that create personalized retirement portfolios, and wearable devices that track our health and fitness levels.

At the forefront of disruptive technology is the development of artificial intelligence and what limitations computer can experience. For this reason, the Turing test was designed to evaluate whether a computer could be "smart" enough to be mistaken for a human. Critics of the Turing Test argue that a computer can be built that has the ability to think, but not to have a mind of its own. They believe that the complexity of the human thought process cannot be coded.

The test is conducted in an interrogation room run by a judge. The test subjects, a person and a computer program, are hidden from view. The judge has a conversation with both parties and attempts to identify which is the human and which is the computer, based on the quality of their conversation. Turing concludes that if the judge can't tell the difference, the computer has succeeded in demonstrating human intelligence. That is, it can think.

History of the Turing Test

Alan Turing developed some of the basic concepts of computer science while searching for a more efficient method of breaking coded German messages during World War II. After the war, he began thinking about artificial intelligence. In his 1950 paper, Turing began by posing the question, Can machines think? He then proposed a test that is meant to help humans answer the question.

Several early computers hold early claims to have the ability to have fooled humans in very basic situations. In 1966, Joseph Weizenbaum created ELIZA, a machine that took specific words and transformed the words into full sentences. ELIZA was one of the earliest computers to have fooled human tester into thinking it was human.

Less than a decade later, a chatbot named PARRY was modeled to imitate the behavior of a paranoid schizophrenic. A group of psychiatrists were asked to analyze conversations with real patients and PARRY conversations. When asked to identify which transcripts were computer programs, the group was only able to identify the machine 48% of the time. Critics of both ELIZA and PARRY state the the full rules of the Turing test were not met and do not indicate full machine intelligence.



A chatbot named Eugene Goostman is accepted by some as the first to pass the Turing Test, in 2014.

The Turing Test Today

The Turing Test has its detractors, but it remains a measure of the success of artificial intelligence projects. An updated version of the Turing Test has more than one human judge interrogating and chatting with both subjects. The project is considered a success if more than 30% of the judges, after five minutes of conversation, conclude that the computer is a human.

The Loebner Prize is an annual Turing Test competition that was launched in 1991 by Hugh Loebner, an American inventor and activist. Loebner created additional rules requiring the human and the computer program to have 25-minute conversations with each of four judges. The winner is the computer whose program receives the most votes and the highest ranking from the judges.



In 2014, Kevin Warwick of the University of Reading organized a Turing Test competition to mark the 60th anniversary of Alan Turings death. A computer chatbot called Eugene Goostman, who had the persona of a 13-year-old boy, technically passing the Turing Test in that event. He secured the votes of 33% of the judges who were convinced that he was human.

In 2018, Google Duplex revealed the capability to performing tasks via the telephone. In various demonstrations, Duplex schedule a hair appointment as well as called a restaurant, with the human on the other end of the line not realizing they were interacting with a machine. However, critics point out that the interaction does not conform to the actual Turing test and claim the test has still yet to be beaten by a machine.

Turing Test Versions

There are several variations of Turing tests, all with the same intention of detecting whether a respondent is a human or a machine. Each variation takes a different approach in asking the respondent different questions and evaluating the responses.

Imitation Game

One of the earlier applications of the Turing test, the imitation game version often utilizes three parties. The first person was a male, the second person was a female, and the third person was responsible for determining the gender of the first two people. The first person is often tasked with trying to trick the third person, while the second person is often tasked with trying to help the third person correctly identify each gender.

Future iterations of the imitation game have evolved into both parties attempting to trick the third person into incorrectly identifying the genders. In any case, the objective of the imitation game is to determine whether an interrogator can be fooled.

Standard Interpretation

Another commonly version of the Turing test does not strive to see whether a computer can be fooled but rather to see whether a computer can imitate a human. In the standard interpretation variation of a Turing test, the first person is a computer and the second person is a human of either sex.

In this variation, the third person attempts to discover which of the first two people is a human and which is a computer. The interrogator is not the subject being tested; instead, it is the computer that is trying to fool the human (as opposed to the opposite direction under the imitation game). For example, it may be asked a series of personal finance questions to determine whether or not its responses are reasonably expected regarding behavioral finance.

The fictitious Voight-Kampff in the science fiction dystopian series Blade Runner is a play on the idea of testing a machine for its intelligence behavior.

Variations of the Turing Test

Since the creation of the Turing test, more modern approaches have evolved in an attempt to better detect humans and machines. These variations of the Turing test are continually evolving to maintain relevance during technological advancements.

The Reverse Turing Test aims to have a human trick a computer into having the computer believe it is not interrogating a human.

aims to have a human trick a computer into having the computer believe it is not interrogating a human. The Total Turing Test incorporates perceptual abilities and the person being question's ability to manipulate objects.

incorporates perceptual abilities and the person being question's ability to manipulate objects. The Marcus Test has test subjects view media and respond to questions about the content consumed.

has test subjects view media and respond to questions about the content consumed. The Lovelace Test 2.0 has test subjects create art and examines their ability to do so.

has test subjects create art and examines their ability to do so. The Minimum Intelligent Signal test asks test subjects only binary questions (i.e. only true/false or yes/no answers are allowed).

Limitations of the Turing Test

There are many critics of the Turing test, and the variations above attempt to mitigate some of the limitations of the original Turing test. Still, it is important to be mindful of the downsides of the Turing test and where its analysis may fall short.

The Turing test requires a very controlled environment to be performed. Test participants must be hidden from view of each other during the entirety of the test, though the parties must have a reliable means of communication.

The Turing test may not be suitable to test for intelligence as different computing systems are structured differently. Therefore, there may be inherent, natural limits to what a computer is capable of performing.

The Turing test is evolving; however, technological advancements are evolving even faster. Consider Moore's Law which states the rapid growth of processing ability with the rapid decline in cost. As computer gain more capabilities, historical testing methods may no longer be suitable as computers gain more human-like capabilities.

The Turing test assesses intelligence, though it may not be an appropriate gauge of all types of intelligence. For example, a computer may successfully fool an interrogator based on its ability to process responses similarly as a human. However, this may not truly indicate emotional intelligence or awareness; it may simply mean the computer had a highly relevant and competent set of code.

How Does a Turing Test Work? A Turing test works with an interrogator asking a test subject a series of questions. Each party is kept in a separate area, so no physical contact is allowed. The responses given by the test subject are evaluated based on whether answers can discriminate between whether a human subject would give the response or not.

Has Any Machine Passed the Turing Test? In 2018, Google Duplex was introduced at the annual Google I/O Annual Developer Conference. The machine scheduled a hair salon appointment and interacted with a hair salon assistant via the phone as part of the conversation. Though some critics view the outcome differently, some believe Google Duplex passed the Turing test.

Can a Human Fail the Turing Test? Yes. Although a Turing test is based on knowledge and intelligence, it is also about evaluating how responses are given and whether the answers are interpreted to be sneaky. For example, imagine being asked to provide the sum of 43,219 and 87,878. Whether or not you can provide the correct answer is only part of the exam; the Turing test evaluates how long it takes you provide an answer, any clarifying questions you ask in response, or whether you comprehend to add and not subject the two figures. Based on any human's responses, it is possible to be mistaken for a computer (i.e. if you accidently subtracted instead of added the figures, that may be incriminating evidence).

What Are Examples of Turing Test Questions? An interest example of a potential Turing test question may be based around language and the play on words. For example, a question may ask "what is the different being time flying and an airplane flying?". Though this type of question may be unfair for participants not familiar with the English language, it is also an example of being able to make logical distinctions where a single instance (i.e. the word fly) may mean different things in different contexts. Another example of a Turing test question is often nonsensical questions. Questions such as "Is the difference between football that the batter wears a helmet?" is grammatically incorrect and easily detectible by a human as not making any sense. However, a machine may still try to parse a response.



The Bottom Line

The Turing test is an assessment to determine whether a machine is able to exhibit the same intelligence as a human. There are now many variations of the Turing test, and as technology continues to advance, new solutions of determining intelligence may be required.
Ive already shared a blind shootout between these two phablets/super-phones, from which the result was a resoundingly inconclusive more detail needed. Unsurprisingly. Its hard to tell any difference between camera phone snaps at web/social resolution. Which is why Im revisiting the iPhone 7 Plus and Google Pixel XL, arguably the top two smartphones/phablets, here but this time looking at sheer image quality, looking at colours, at noise, at details and at artefacts. Which one will triumph?



Disregarding small differences in sensor size, the core differences between the two phone cameras are in the phsyics-vs-software approach. The iPhone 7 Plus opts for natural single-image photos on the whole, with OIS on its main camera and a physical 2x zoom lens to handle any zooming, while the Google Pixel goes for a (usually) multi-shot approach, taking 3 or more quick photographs and then using software to auto-align them (think algorithmic OIS  or is that an oxymoron?), average out pixel values in order to reduce noise, take pixel value spreads to increase dynamic range, and so on. Both approaches have their advantages  I usually say that physics always wins but the Pixel is looking to challenge that statement.

As usual, I keep most tests challenging, looking at how the phone cameras behave when faced with low or awkward light, and including zooming in. For each test shot, I show the full scene to give you some context for the 1:1 crops from the photos taken by each phone. This is especially important for the two tests where zooming is involved, to show the degree of (2x) zoom. In case you want to check other aspects of each photo or to do your own pixel-peeping, Ive also linked to full resolution JPGs (totalling 48MB), just click the links for the phone names above the crops.

To keep track, objectively, of how each phone camera does overall, Im going to score the photos out of 10, and then add up at the end. Any differences in framing are due to the slight difference in the angle of the optics and the sensor resolutions (12.3MP 4:3, or just over 9MP when cropped to 16:9, vs 8.3MP 16:9)

Test 1: Sunny detail

In a rare moment of semi-sun(!), I snapped this shopping plaza, with oodles of detail and texture.

A nice easy shot for both phone cameras, of course. Heres central detail from the two, first the iPhone 7 Plus and then the Google Pixel XL:

High-Resolution version

High-Resolution version

Pretty similar results, though the Pixel XLs shot is obviously more processed and shows signs of significant over-sharpening (e.g. look at the bricks on the left of the crop). Mind you, the initial impact to the eye is of greater detail, so it very much depends on what the user prefers. Personally, Id always go with the less processed, natural look (here on the iPhone), since you can always enhance and sharpen later if needed.

iPhone 7 Plus: 9 pts; Pixel XL: 8 pts

RELATED :Apple Facing a Pair of Class Action Lawsuits Over iPhone 7 Audio Issues

Test 2: Gloomy landscape, zoomed

Its bleak, its dim, its the UK heading into winter. But hey, theres an interesting aircraft in view!

The planes a bit too far away, so lets experiment with a little zoom  an iPhone 7 Plus speciality, of course, but I was curious as to how much Google could pull off in software. Heres central detail from the two (approximately 2x zoomed) shots, first the iPhone 7 Plus and then the Google Pixel XL:

High-Resolution version

High-resolution version

As expected, the iPhone 7 Pluss 2x zoom lens triumphs here, despite the low light (and lack of OIS for this camera), but the Pixel XLs digital zoom isnt terrible  Ive seen much worse examples of the dangers of lossy digital zoom. Certainly edges are smooth and zoom artefacts well under control. Still, detail and noise levels are both superior on the 7 Plus photo, despite a few ragged sharp edges here and there, signs that even the iPhone is using some image processing and edge enhancement.

iPhone 7 Plus: 9 pts; Pixel XL: 7 pts

Test 3: Striking architecture

OK, its our local Asda, Ive always loved this apex, with all the glass and signage, against the setting sun. Except that theres little sun this week in the UK, so again its rather bleaker than usual.

Plenty of finely edged texture to examine though. Heres central detail from the two, first the iPhone 7 Plus and then the Google Pixel XL:

High-resolution version

High-resolution version

Googles HDR+ algorithms (on, by default, all the time) are certainly spectacularly effective, look at the way they picked up and enhanced the fine reinforcing mesh on the glass. Too artificial? Perhaps  even my eyes had trouble picking up the mesh, but I have to give this one to the Pixel overall.

iPhone 7 Plus: 8 pts; Pixel XL: 9 pts

Test 4: Lights, zoomed

Some arty lights against a dark and dusky sky:

A real test of light handling and also zoom, again by 2x (or so). Heres central detail from the two, first the iPhone 7 Plus and then the Google Pixel XL:

High-resolution version

High-resolution version

Again the 2x zoom lens in the iPhone 7 Plus is used to good effect, though again the Pixel XLs digital zoom isnt that far behind. Trying to focus on and capture a relatively small light cluster with challenging illumination is tough and both phone cameras did a good enough job. Overall, theres less noise and more detail from the iPhone shot though.

iPhone 7 Plus: 8 pts; Pixel XL: 7 pts

Test 5: Christmas come early

Youve got to love the rich colours in a Christmas display:

The low but warm lighting and abundance of reds make for a sumptuous photo. Heres central detail from the two, first the iPhone 7 Plus and then the Google Pixel XL:

High-resolution version

High-resolution version

Despite the lack of OIS, I have to give this by a head to the Pixel XL again  the sharpening is subjective, but the colours are also slightly brighter and clearer. Both do a great job, mind you  its just that Google has put a lot of effort into its HDR+ system and it shows.

iPhone 7 Plus: 9 pts; Pixel XL: 10 pts

Test 6: Fluorescent Flowers

Brightly lit, but artificially, I still thought these would make a great subject:

The colour and the detail are both desirable and tricky to capture at the same time. Heres central detail from the two, first the iPhone 7 Plus and then the Google Pixel XL:

High-resolution version

High-resolution version

This ones tough to call. Im going to give it to the iPhone 7 Plus by a whisper, since the detail looks more natural. The Pixel XLs photo, by comparison, is so sharpened and processed that at 1:1 here it looks artificial. But, overall, both phone cameras did a stunning job here.

iPhone 7 Plus: 10 pts; Pixel XL: 9 pts

Test 7: Estate matters

Shooting backlit detail in an estate agents window and through glass, this was a something of an ultimate challenge in terms of lighting:

This is a great example of a tricky subject you might capture in the real world, for example when snapping details like this for later recall (obviously, if the estate agents was open then youd pop in and ask for a paper version!) Heres central detail from the two, first the iPhone 7 Plus and then the Google Pixel XL:

High-resolution version

High-resolution version

Understandably, shooting under difficult circumstances through glass, neither image is perfect in terms of artefacts, plus I should mention that the photos themselves are printed and thus contain (printing) artefacts. Im going to call this one a tie  the Pixel XLs photo has more contrast, but equally more digital noise and looks processed.

iPhone 7 Plus: 8 pts; Pixel XL: 8 pts

Test 8: Dark of night, at the pictures

Shooting across my local multiplex car park, a great test of light handling with everything from darkest night to retina-scorching neon

These were shot handheld, by the way, so a good test of OIS or, in the Pixels case, alignment algorithms. Heres central detail from the two, first the iPhone 7 Plus and then the Google Pixel XL:

High-resolution version

High-resolution version

The Pixels HDR+ system performs astonishly well here, perhaps with the mass of linear detail to help the auto-align algorithms. Even inside the cinemas foyer you can see lit detail. The iPhone 7s OIS does really well, but falls a little short here. I could have used its 2x zoom lens, but then Id have been without OIS to help steady the shot

iPhone 7 Plus: 7 pts; Pixel XL: 9 pts

Verdict

Although the points scores throughout are somewhat subjective, its instructive to add them up anyway:

Apple iPhone 7 Plus: 68 pts (/80) Google Pixel XL: 67 pts

So not a lot in it overall then, and certainly within the margin of error. But my physics wins prediction still holds just. The iPhone 7 Pluss extra 2x zoom lens makes a big difference  if the iPhone 8 Plus (in 2017) manages to squeeze OIS in as well then wed have something really special. Here I used zoom in 2 of the 8 test shots, a typical fraction, I estimated. If you use zoom more than this (and its tempting on the 7 Plus) then the iPhone would pull ahead  if you simply never plan to use zoom then the Pixel, without the 2x lens, would probably get the nod overall. So it depends on your use case for a camera phone. If theres a takeaway here its that both phone cameras do a really good job and will delight their owners  I cant imagine any user complaining.

If you need the zoom facility then the iPhone 7 Plus becomes the obvious choice, though for general photos the two contenders are on level pegging. No win for a phone, then, but a win for us, the consumers.

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For the first time in nine months a national poll in the US has Donald Trump in front of Hillary Clinton in the race to become President ot the United States.

The surge in support for the Republican candidate follows the re-investigation of Mrs Clinton by the FBI over her use of government emails.

Meanwhile, George Bush and his father could "potentially" vote for Hillary Clinton, the nephew and grandson of the former US presidents has said.

George P Bush, the son of Mr Bush's brother Jeb, said he was the only member of his powerful Republican political dynasty who would be voting for the Grand Old Party (GOP).

His remarks came as he was addressing a small Republican rally in San Marcos, Texas.

Pressed later to clarify his comments, Mr Bush said of grandfather George HW Bush and uncle George W: "I don't know how they voted. I'm speculating, to be honest."

Asked if either could vote for Democratic presidential candidate Mrs Clinton, Mr Bush, a land commissioner, answered: "Potentially. But hard to speculate."

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush was defeated by Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primary.

Meanwhile Mrs Clinton said Mr Trump had "no excuse" for not releasing his tax returns and called on him to do so before the November 8 election.

She said she was particularly interested in learning about any dealings Mr Trump has had with Russian interests and whether he contributed to charity.

She told a crowd in Florida that most of those there had probably paid more in federal taxes than billionaire Mr Trump.

Breaking with decades of tradition, Mr Trump has refused to make his tax returns public, citing an ongoing audit, but tax experts say there is no reason why he could not.

Mrs Clinton also attacked Mr Trump's business record, calling him the "poster boy for everything that is wrong with our economy".

But there was no escaping Mrs Clinton's own problems. Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee chairman Ron Johnson said her choice to blend public and official business on her private email server could be impeachable if she won the presidency.

The Wisconsin senator Johnson told the Beloit Daily News that Mrs Clinton "purposefully circumvented" the law, adding "this was wilful concealment and destruction" involving information related to national defence.

Mr Johnson said under federal law anyone found to have concealed or removed such records would be disqualified from holding office.

The FBI found that classified information had passed through Mrs Clinton's home server but declined to recommend charges.

Mr Johnson is locked in a re-election battle with Democrat Russ Feingold, whom he defeated in 2010.

For his part, Mr Trump urged early voters who have had second thoughts about their presidential choice to recall their ballots and change their minds.

He told supporters that Wisconsin was one of four states in which someone who voted early could potentially change it at a county clerk's office.

He said that voters who "are having a bad case of buyer's remorse" should change their ballot "if you think you made a mistake".

Mr Trump said the four states that allowed early ballots to be changed were Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.

In Wisconsin, voters can change their minds up to three times. The deadline for doing so is Thursday. But changing votes is very rarely done, according to the Early Voting Information Centre at Reed College.

Earlier US president Barack Obama told working-class voters not to be "bamboozled" by Mr Trump, saying he had "shown no regard for working people".

Repeating his disbelief, Mr Obama said: "C'mon, this guy?" and added that Mr Trump "wouldn't let you into one of his hotels unless you were cleaning the room".

Mr Obama was campaigning at Capital University near Columbus, Ohio, a state he won twice by winning just enough working-class voters, while pumping up turnout among African Americans.
The flights will likely start from the summer 2017 flight season, which begins in March.

German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, citing industry sources, said Ryanair would fly to popular Spanish tourist destinations such as Mallorca.

Airport operator Fraport has been in talks with low-cost carriers to boost passenger numbers at Europes fourth largest hub, and chief executive Stefan Schulte told Reuters last month that Fraport could offer financial incentives for a limited time to encourage new budget routes.

Ryanair boss Michael OLeary has previously said high fees and long turnaround times at Frankfurt, London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle, make it difficult for low-cost operators to fly from those hubs.

The news will provide a further headache for Fraports main customer Lufthansa, which has slowed growth at its main brand and has faced strikes while it tries to lower costs and expand its own budget unit Eurowings.

In August Fraport cut its forecast for passenger numbers at Frankfurt this year, after attacks in Europe put off long-haul travellers.

Only a few low-cost carriers, including Spains Vueling and Icelands Wow Air, offer flights from Frankfurt.

Ryanair has been expanding in Germany, taking advantage of retrenchment by Air Berlin, to add flights from Hamburg and Berlin, including on the Berlin-Cologne route popular with business travellers.
With 354,000 students in higher education across the island of Ireland, the level of available services have not been matched to the increasing number of students accessing them, according to the report.

While one third of 18-19-year-olds experience mental health difficulties, fewer than one in four students seek support, it finds.

The report identifies third-level assessment methods like oral presentations and absenteeism among students as challenges to those experiencing difficulties.

While the concerns raised by students are very serious, an overhaul of the entire system is not required, states the report from the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (Ahead) and the National Learning Network, a division of the Rehab Group.

These systems can be easily changed and adapted to ensure that students struggling with mental health can reach their full potential, said Rehab chief executive Mo Flynn.

Twenty-two higher-level educational institutions took part in the report.

Oral presentations were identified as very challenging when dealing with a mental illness, as they can cause students intense anxiety. One student described being left as a nervous wreck after delivering her presentation.

The use of less stressful assessment methods such as one-on-one presentations can make the difference between a student failing and dropping out, it finds.

A students absenteeism when suffering with a mental health difficulty is another struggle.

While varying responses from different colleges were recorded, unreliable access to online lecture notes, the need for additional time, and a lack of understanding of reasons for absenteeism among staff are key issues for students, finds the report.

To combat this, the report recommends a review of teaching and learning practices. Disability awareness training is provided on a voluntary basis for academic staff, but it says this training should be mandatory for all full- and part-time staff.

Education Minister Richard Bruton said: It is essential that we listen to the experiences of students and hear their voices in order to improve how we tackle mental health difficulties in our colleges.

Ahead executive director Ann Heelan said students struggling with anxiety often hide it and dont look for help. Yet we know that the right supports at the right time really help students to cope, he said.

While the increasing number of students seeking help suggests there is less stigma round the issue, it also puts more pressure on stressed services.

Mental health difficulties are a real issue in colleges and it makes sense to acknowledge and address it head on.
He was speaking amid appeals for unionists to attend the forum, after the Norths first minister claimed it would be full of grandstanding remoaners.

Sinn Fein and others have called on unionists to attend the event in Dublin, reiterating that the majority of the electorate in the North voted to remain in the EU in the June referendum.

The Norths first minister, DUP leader Arlene Foster, said the event will be full of anti-Brexit voices, or remoaners.

Sinn Fein deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said: She should be there. Maybe she will reconsider, maybe the DUP will reconsider and participate.

I think they have a duty to do so. If they have a point of view, they should be in Dublin articulating it.

The Norths deputy first minister, Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness, party leader Gerry Adams, and Ms McDonald will attend today.

Ms McDonald says the event will not be a talking shop.

This isnt a case of North versus South, this isnt a case of orange versus green, it is perhaps one of the biggest political challenges we will experience in our lifetimes, she said.

British prime minister Theresa May has said she will trigger Brexit in March. But the terms of the move remain largely unknown.

Unanswered questions for Ireland relate to what will happen to the border region and Irelands trade with Britain, which amounts to over 1bn going back and forth every week

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will give the opening address at the forum today, which will be followed by statements from political parties and community organisations.

Mr Flanagan last night said that the forum would be, first and foremost, a listening exercise.

He also stressed that the conference would not be a one-off event.
Until now, she has stood on the sidelines, waiting for the two sides to come to a resolution.

Now, as the dispute enters extra time, Noirin OSullivan has intervened.

As revealed by the Irish Examiner yesterday, she issued an edict to members ordering them to turn up for duty this Friday, the first of four planned strike days.

In her letter to each garda, she directed them to make themselves available for duty from 7am on Friday to 7am on Saturday  and said local management would be in contact with them to confirm compliance.

Senior sources yesterday pointed out that she had wanted to give talks as much space as possible, but that a red line stage had been reached.

It was either do this or rely on 300 people, said the source, referring to the number of senior gardai of superintendent rank up. The commissioner is in charge of providing a policing and security service. She had to do it, she didnt have a choice.

It is thought that the unanimous decision by the Garda Representative Association (GRA) executive on Monday to reject the latest Government offer, made after two days of talks at the Workplace Relations Commission, was the clincher in Ms OSullivans decision.

Her order came as the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) was considering the same proposal yesterday, which it later rejected.

At a scheduled meeting of senior gardai  from superintendent rank up  at Westmanstown yesterday, the commissioner laid out her reasoning and her direction.

Update: Garda Commissioner orders all Gardai to report for duty on first day of strike https://t.co/UTIrZAoG1T pic.twitter.com/Kb7ECrD3KW  Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) November 1, 2016

The senior officers were told to go back to their regions, divisions, and districts in the afternoon to communicate the message, along with an instruction to find out how many are going to work.

They need to talk to them and find out will they turn up for work on the day and the officer will then provide a return to HQ on the numbers, said one source.

The local officers are expected to provide that assessment early this morning.

Sources in both the GRA and AGSI were unsure last night about the impact of the commissioners intervention.

A GRA source pointed out that its members were making an individual choice regarding industrial action and were not acting on the instructions and advice of the GRAs leaders.

We cannot advise people to breach discipline  people are making up their own minds, said the source.

An AGSI source said he was not sure it would have an impact. He said members detailed for duty were already in breach of discipline if they failed to turn up.

He said: This could mean two discipline charges, not one: Disobeying a lawful order and absent without leave.

Anyone who was going to show up will do so without a direction; anyone who is staying out will stay out regardless of the direction in my mind.

A Garda HQ source last night said: This is bigger than any of us, bigger than the associations or departments. This is about State security and protecting the public. If we dont do this, the public is left unprotected. We do not have the luxury of abandoning our duty.
Judge Elizabeth McGrath said Lar Corbett, who has two All-Ireland medals, was an honest and fair witness but said there was a lack of a proper stocktaking process at the pub.

Mr Corbett, the nominee of his company Marlstone Investments, denied breaching Revenue legislation by having 16.1 litres of spirits for sale at his pub in Thurles, Co Tipperary, without having paid the appropriate rate of tax.

The offence was detected by Revenue officials after a visit to his Coppingers Bar on Parnell St, Thurles, on January 29, 2015. The court heard in September a sample from one of 23 bottles taken from Coppingers Bar was found by the state laboratories to be neither pure vodka nor Smirnoff vodka. which it purported to be. An expert from Diageo said the closure on a bottle given to him for testing was fake and the Smirnoff labelling was fake.

Two customs and excise officials told the court that both visual inspections and the use of an authenticator showed up discrepancies on a number of bottles labelled as Smirnoff vodka. They said further testing revealed the spirit in the seized bottles to be counterfeit vodka.

Lar Corbett took the witness stand yesterday and was presented with one of the counterfeit bottles and a genuine bottle of Smirnoff vodka. He said that he could not tell them apart.

He named a wholesalers and an off-licence where he had bought all the vodka and said he had since changed suppliers. He had receipts and told the officials to call him if they had any further questions.

Asked in court if he had changed the way he purchases vodka or any other spirits, he said: Keep away from Smirnoff We are with Huzzar now. After this scenario, I didnt want to get into another fix like this.

Under cross-examination, he accepted the buck stops with him over the premises and its stock but said he thought he did take reasonable care to ensure there were no counterfeit goods in the pub. He did not have a recording system at that time for keeping track of stock orders, he said.
The review is in line with a previous commitment to examine changes made under the 2009 Defamation Act.

Media groups in recent years have expressed concern at high levels of damages awarded. Plaintiffs taking cases also want stronger rights to protect their good names.

Ms Fitzgerald said a balance must be struck and that the review would include input from all sides, including from the Press Council and Press Ombudsman.

The review will look at changes to defamation law since the 2009 legislation and how this is operating as well as how practices work in other jurisdictions, including Britain. Crucially, the review will look at any potential changes for the roles of a judge or a jury in High Court defamation cases, where awards can exceed 75,000.

The review will examine whether any change should be made to the level or type of damages which may be awarded in cases. While the 2009 legislation allowed judges to give direction in cases, there has been concern that juries are allowed to decide on amounts without more specific rates or instructions in cases.

Arguments made by publishers will also be reviewed, including the defences of truth, absolute privilege, honest opinion, fair and reasonable publication on a matter of public interest. The review will also examine whether the current laws are adequate and appropriate when it comes to digital defamatory cases or online communications.

Remedies provided in cases, including an offer of money or an apology, will also be scrutinised as part of the review.

Submissions made to the Department of Justice, which is overseeing the review, will be published on its website and accepted up until the end of the year.

The Press Council of Ireland welcomed the review, but also said that central to any proposed changes in the Defamation Act must be the protection of the right of freedom of expression.

NewsBrands Ireland, which represents all national newspapers, said it had already highlighted for some time the significant challenges posed to freedom of expression. Since 2010, defamation actions had cost newspapers in excess of 30m, it said adding that awards granted here were also wholly out of kilter with other jurisdictions.
Kiara Kenneally, aged 27, was just 16 years of age when she had a left hip replacement, her counsel, Liam Reidy, told the High Court.

She was 16 years of age when she had her first hip replacement. Her life was ruined as a result, Mr Reidy told Mr Justice Bernard Barton.

He said Ms Kenneally has since had to have two revision operations and is due another in the next two years. Mr Reidy said that, as a result of the hip replacement, Ms Kenneally lost out on the enjoyment of life from 16 to 26 years of age and he contended that requires significant compensation.

Ms Kenneally, a sales technician from Hillview, Waterford, but now living in Sandyford, Dublin, has sued hip replacement implant manufacturer DePuy International Ltd as a result of a hip replacement implant she received on her left side on August 17, 2005.

She has claimed the implant was defective or not suitable and as a result, she has suffered personal injuries, upset, distress, loss, and damage.

She further claims she was provided with an implant device which released shards of metal and or metal ions into her body and there was an alleged failure to exercise any or any reasonable due care and attention in and about the manufacture of the replacement device.

It is further alleged that Ms Kenneally, because of her hip problems, missed out on unique bonding and parenting time and interaction with her daughter, who was born in February 2010.

The claims are denied and DePuy contends the product was not defective. Ms Kenneally also had hip surgery to the right side in 2006 but counsel said this side has been OK.

Opening the case , Mr Reidy said his client was told when Ms Kenneally was a teenager there was no choice but to replace both hips. He said she had the operations but in 2008, she began to have pain in her left hip and there was a clinking clunking sensation. She became pregnant and counsel said she had to wait until after the birth of her daughter to have revision surgery in October 2010.

Three years later, she had to have further revision surgery on the left hip.

The court also heard DePuy recalled its hip implant product in Ireland in August 2010.

The case before Mr Justice Bernard Barton continues today.
Polish national Marek Krol pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman on February 1 this year.

The court heard that the woman left the Bowery bar, Cork, in the early hours of the morning. At 1.20am, gardai were alerted by a member of the public who had become concerned for the safety of the woman.

The member of the public said the woman had passed out and that a man in his 50s was caressing her and kissing her neck. Gardai arrived at the scene. When they woke the woman, she said she did not know Krol. Gardai brought her home and an investigation was launched.

Garda John Twomey said that CCTV footage indicated the incident was more serious than they first believed. The footage revealed that Krol had opened the womans pants and put his hand inside. The woman was informed of the assault and said she did not know that it had happened. She was very disturbed and distressed.

On April 1, Krol was arrested at his home in Clarence Apartments, St Lukes, Cork. Initially, he was evasive with gardai but when he saw the CCTV footage he made a full admission of guilt. He admitted to gardai he had found the 25-year-old passed out and had touched her inappropriately. He apologised for his actions.

In a victim impact report, the woman said: Before the incident, I would have described myself as a positive person. I was horrified and extremely embarrassed to see the footage. I felt ashamed and angry with myself.

Alice Fawsitt, defending, said her client had experienced regret and disbelief at his actions. She described the offence as having been opportunistic. She said it was Krols first offence.

Taking the guilty plea into account, Judge David Riordan imposed a two-year suspended sentence on Krol. He was ordered to pay the victims medical bills for the period after the assault.
A public notice issued by Minister Denis Naughten says the department intends to grant the licence to Group Eleven Resources Ltd, which will allow the company to search the land for the valuable minerals.

If granted, the licence will cover an area of approximately 1050sq km consisting of 179 townlands in the Pallas Green region of Co Limerick.

The company is particularly interested in searching for zinc, rather than gold or silver.

Set up by John Barry, David Furlong and Bart Jaworski in 2015, Group Eleven Resources focuses on exploring for minerals.

Mr Barry was involved in the original discovery of the Lisheen zinc-lead deposit, which later became the Lisheen mine in Co Tipperary. The plans the company has for the area are purely exploratory at the moment, according to Bart Jaworski with the first stages involving screening for potential mineralisation in the ground.

Whether there is mineralisation there remains to be seen but thats the question were trying to answer, he said. The entire process of examining the land for zinc could take five to 10 years, with the team not guaranteed to find what they are looking for, according to Mr Jaworski.

While a prospecting licence permits the holder to explore for mineral deposits it does not allow mining of any minerals, according to the Department. Mr Naughtens notice says the proposed activities by Group Eleven Resources Ltd are not likely to have a significant environmental effect.
Tusla chief executive Fred McBride said while they had developed a bank of experience in dealing with unaccompanied minors over the past 15 years, it was more on the scale of 100 referrals a year rather than 200 overnight.

Some of the children had very challenging issues he said, and even though the proposal to accept children here from the French port town was well-intentioned, there are some real challenges in trying to bring in so many at one time, he said.

Mr McBride, who was speaking on RTE radios Today with Sean ORourke show, said he was due to meet with Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone today to discuss the issue. The matter was discussed at Cabinet yesterday.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fail Foreign Affairs spokesperson Darragh OBrien added his voice to the call for the Government to notify French authorities of its willingness to accept unaccompanied minors from the camp known as the Jungle which was demolished over the weekend.

Speaking ahead of statements on the issue in the Dail today, Mr OBrien said the children were exceptionally vulnerable and that Ireland should accommodate them on humanitarian grounds.

However, it was imperative appropriate procedures were followed because children in the Calais camp do not fall under the various resettlement and relocation programmes that Ireland has agreed to, he said.

Mr OBriens comments echo those of Fine Gael MEP for Dublin, Brian Hayes, who said he agreed with Government chief whip Regina Doherty it was a no-brainer to relocate 200 unaccompanied children here.

A cross-party Opposition motion calling for the immediate relocation of 200 of the children from the makeshift camp is due to be debated in the Dail today.

A park of specially adapted shipping containers near the Jungle is being used to house upwards of 1,000 unaccompanied children, some as young as six, whose fate is in the hands of the French and British authorities.

Calls to bring 200 of them here are being spearheaded by the Not On Our Watch campaign and supported by the Childrens Rights Alliance, the Immigrant Council of Ireland and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

A vigil supporting the relocation of unaccompanied children here from Calais takes place outside the Dail at 7pm tomorrow.
AS President Vladimir Putin reinforces Russias position as a global power, by means of nuclear sabre-rattling and military campaigns in Ukraine and Syria, the next US administration will have to contain him and co-operate with him.

That may become easier in the years ahead. The reason: The transformation of the worlds natural-gas markets is weakening Moscows economic toolkit. And that will make Putins pipeline politics  his use of natural resources for foreign-policy purposes  obsolete.

Russia will make a last stand to hold onto its natural-gas market in Europe. Last week, the European Union granted Russian gas behemoth, Gazprom, access in Germany to the Opal pipeline, which connects to central and eastern European markets. Other Moscow plans include building new pipelines in the Black and the Baltic seas.

Recently, Putin signed an agreement with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdo?gan, to build the on-again-off-again Turk Stream undersea gas pipeline, which will allow Moscow to strengthen its position in the European gas market. In addition, Moscow is ignoring strong opposition from such EU member states as Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia to bulldoze ahead with its planned Nord Stream II pipeline, which will bypass Ukraine to bring Russian gas to Germany.

Even if these pipelines are built, which is increasingly unlikely in the case of Nord Stream II, Russian energy politics are coming to the end of their heyday. Since the late 2000s and the early 2010s, the global gas sector has experienced a significant shift, following the boom in US shale-gas development.

The breakthroughs in hydraulic-fracturing and horizontal-drilling techniques have irreversibly altered the American natural-gas industry. The US is the worlds leading gas producer and, since 2016, a liquefied-natural-gas (LNG) exporter to Brazil, India, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Portugal, Kuwait, Chile, Spain, China, Jordan and, most recently, the United Kingdom. This creates competition for Russian gas, both inside and outside Moscows traditional European turf.

Outside of the rise of shale-gas production, growing global LNG trade, and the expansion of gas-transport infrastructure have transformed the markets, too. International sales of this previously localised resource have boomed. By the end of 2015, global LNG trade rose to its highest-ever, 244.8m tonnes (about 270 US tons), having surpassed 241.5 tonnes (267 tons) in 2011. There are 19 LNG-exporting countries  the largest include Qatar, Australia, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Indonesia  and 37 importing countries.

Two newcomers, Colombia and Ghana, entered the import market in 2016 and 2017, respectively. In Europe and beyond, this spells competition for Russian gas pipelines, because importing states can increasingly turn to liquefied natural gas and new pipelines  such as the planned Southern Gas Corridor  not controlled by Moscow.

These developments have changed the geopolitical rules governing traditional gas suppliers, like Russia, and consuming states. In this new age of gas, all suppliers face increased competition and greater market pressure; the era of monopolists and near-captive markets is gone.

Long-term gas-supply relationships still matter, but there are abundant opportunities for spot trading and the establishment of mutually beneficial, short-term relationships.

Large-scale infrastructure, with its sizable investment requirements and long-term commitments, still plays a significant role, but new technology (such as floating LNG, compressed natural gas, and other innovations), offers buyers more options.

Russia, which has a history of using natural gas supplies for foreign policy purposes, will bear the brunt of this change. It is already losing its monopoly, and its accompanying political leverage.

This will force Gazprom to make commercial concessions, such as lowering prices, removing destination clauses that restrict gas re-exports to other markets, moving away from long-term contracts, and allowing more spot-trading and hub-based natural-gas pricing versus oil-linked pricing.

A case in point: Before Lithuania, hitherto 100% dependent on Russian gas, built its LNG import terminal, in 2014, it renegotiated from Gazprom a 20% discount in its new contract.

Meanwhile, Russias efforts to shift its gas exports from Europe to China demonstrated that it will be Beijing, not Moscow, setting the terms of their gas relationship, at a time when liquid global markets give importing states the upper hand.

Putins Russia still presents Europe and the United States with a number of challenges.

One will include Moscows last stand to use Turk Stream and Nord Stream II to remain a dominant supplier to the European gas markets. But between Moscows weakening economy and Washingtons new energy power, the strongman in the Kremlin is much weaker.

Agnia Grigas, non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, is the author of The New Geopolitics of Natural Gas (Harvard UP, 2017) and Beyond Crimea: The New Russian Empire (Yale UP, 2016).
Business Swiss Govt to Launch Vocational Trainings in Burma

Switzerlands Ambassador to Burma, Paul Seger / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON  The Swiss Embassy has announced a plan to promote vocational training for Burmese youth in collaboration with the ministries of education and of labor and industry.

Paul Seger, the Swiss ambassador to Burma, spoke to journalists about the upcoming initiative on Wednesday morning in Rangoon ahead of a series of events acknowledging 60 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Burma.

We have target groups to promote vocational skill trainings [to] university students, teachers and the private sector, Seger said.

Swiss representatives say that their priorities in Burma will be engagement in cooperation regarding development and support for the government-led peace process. In December 2015 and January 2016, Switzerland invited respective delegations from the Karen National Union and the Restoration Council of Shan Statetwo of the largest nationwide ceasefire agreement signatoriesto the country for exposure trips relating to Swiss federalism.

The ambassador said that the Swiss Embassy would spend US$5 million in 2017 on a series of skills-based trainings in Burma, targeting high school students, teachers, owners and managers of local businesses, as well as a wide range of government authorities.

Carin Salerno, deputy director of cooperation at the Swiss embassy, said that vocational trainings for Burmese youth would focus on the hospitality, beauty and clothing industries, as well as offer mechanical skills like welding.

Ambassador Seger described the initiative as an alternative to country loans.

This is not charity, this is a business opportunity for people, he said.

In an August interview with The Irrawaddy, Ambassador Seger said that Swiss firms including Nestle, as well as pharmaceutical and construction companies, are currently working in Burma, and that he hoped that business opportunities for Swiss entities would increase.

Swiss companies are also listed among those engaged in controversial dam projects on Shan States Namtu River, the risks of which have been described by Shan civil society groups, and include environmental degradation and potential displacement of villagers. In the same interview, the ambassador told The Irrawaddy that the company takes [these] concerns seriously.

The upcoming vocational trainings will be promoted through road shows throughout the country in 2017, which will be partnered with youth round table discussions on federalism.

The Swiss Embassy in Burma opened in 2012 after the country transitioned from a military regime to a quasi-civilian government in 2011.
Burma Pyin Oo Lwin Township Administrator Arrested for Abuse of Power

Pyin Oo Lwin Township. / Myat Pyae Phyo / The Irrawaddy

MANDALAY  The Pyin Oo Lwin Township administrator and two of his staff were arrested on Oct. 26 and are now awaiting trial on corruption and abuse of power charges following complaints from locals, according to police.

We have detained Pyin Oo Lwin Township administrator U Tin Naing Soe and his deputy U Kyaw Kyaw Naing and have sent them to Obo Prison, a police officer from Mandalay Divisions No. 3 regional police station told The Irrawaddy.

We heard that the Anti-Corruption Commission will sue them at the divisional court, he added.

U Tin Naing Soe and his staff are accused of extorting 40 million kyats from the townships residents to register a village after they were relocated.

Residents of Ma Gyi In village relocated after the military regime begun the Yeywa Hydropower Project in 2000 which caused flooding on the Dokhtawaddy River, also known as the Myitnge River.

Over 1,000 people from 150 households have moved to the current location, said U Maung Tun of Ma Gyi In Village.

Ma Gyi In locals applied to authorities to register the new village and in 2014, the township general administration department and other departmental personnel conducted a land survey and agreed to allot 170 acres of land for the village.

The department demanded 100,000 kyats for each acre of land but, following discussions, the fee was settled at 12.5 million kyats.

Township administrator U Tin Naing Soe and his colleagues, however, took 40 million kyats in payments and bribes from the villagers in the following days, according to the investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission.

In August 2015, the township administrator summoned local villagers and asked them to sign the registration document but the designated boundaries of the village were smaller than agreed in 2014 and the villagers refused to sign.

The administrator threatened not to register the village. Locals complained to the divisional and the Union level government and to the Anti-Corruption Commission which probed the case, according to local farmer U Chit San.

We received complaints from Ma Gyi In villagers together with strong evidence and questioned them and the township administrator, said U Kaung Zaw Thant of the Anti-Corruption Commission. We found that three officials including administrator U Tin Naing Soe have abused power.

The commission is preparing to sue the three individuals at the Mandalay Division Court said U Kaung Zaw.
Burma State Counselor Calls For Corruption Complaints

Burma is considered among the worlds most corrupt countries, according to an index by Berlin-based graft monitor Transparency International. / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON  The State Counselors Office, under Burmas de facto leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, on Tuesday called for the public to submit complaints against corrupt government officials, ensuring the confidentiality of all submissions.

The announcement stated that such an effort would contribute to the fight against deep-rooted corruption in Burma and quicken the countrys economic development. Submissions must be addressed to the State Counselors Office deputy minister U Khin Maung Tin and include the senders name, complete contact details (mobile number and email address if any) and a copy of their citizenship scrutiny card.

The sender has to specify the corruption and wrongdoing in detail, with evidence and facts, the announcement said.

It also stressed that the content of the complaints should be concise and transparent, and should expose government corruption that could harm public welfare.

The statement ensured that all submissions would be kept confidential and would not be disclosed.

The announcement also highlighted, however, that the office would not take action against cases that are being brought to court, are already in the legal process or have received a legal judgment.

The announcement was released following the encouragement of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at a meeting with the countrys top business people in Naypyidaw on Oct. 23 to file corruption complaints with the State Counselors Office. She stressed the important role played by every citizen in the fight against corruption.

In April, in the opening days of the National League for Democracy government, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in her capacity as Presidents Office minister ordered all civil servants not to accept any gifts worth more than 25,000 kyats (US$21), an amount 10 times lower than the threshold set by the previous government. Public expectations have since been raised.

Burmas current anti-graft law, enacted in Aug. 2013 under former President U Thein Sein, mandated a new commission to investigate corruption, which was formed six months later with 15 members appointed by U Thein Sein. U Mya Win, a former major-general in the Burma Army, chairs the commission.

Lawmakers urged the cabinet in August to take a stronger stance on deep-rooted nepotism and corruption in Burma, commenting that Burmas three-year-old anti-corruption commission had not achieved any significant reduction in corruption and suggested forming a new commission under the popularly-elected government.

During the legislative discussion, one lawmaker highlighted the profound impact of corruption on Burmas economy, politics and society. He stated that corruption could harm the countrys reform process and its dignity, and that the need to fight it is one of the most challenging realities facing the new government.

The discussion prompted the house speaker to order the parliamentary bill committee to review the countrys anti-graft law.

U Tun Tun Hein who chairs the Lower Houses Bill Committee told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday that the review process has not yet started.

We have many emergency cases that ministries have asked us to review ahead of this case, he said.

We dont see any prospect of reviewing it anytime soon.

Burma is considered among the worlds most corrupt countries, ranking 147 out of 168 in 2015, according to an annual index published by the Berlin-based graft monitor Transparency International.

Observers have cited several drivers of corruption in Burma, including low pay for government employees, and a complex and nontransparent bureaucracy, which creates an abundance of opportunities for bribery and other forms of corruption.

All complaints can be submitted to the State Counselors Office located at:

The State Counselors Office Ministry

Office No. (20)

Naypyidaw.

Email address : [email protected]

Fax Number : 067 409292
Burma State Counselor Meets Burmese Exiles in Japan

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi meets in Tokyo on Wednesday with members of the Burmese expatriate community in Japan. / Ministry of Foreign Affairs Myanmar / Facebook

Burmas State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met over one thousand Burmese residents of Japan in the capital Tokyo on Wednesday. Exiled democracy activists present expressed a keen desire to return to Burma but face difficulties obtaining new passports.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also Burmas foreign minister, began her five-day official visit to Japan on Tuesdaythe first trip to the country since the National League for Democracy government assumed power in April. She is expected to secure additional aid and investment for Burma from the worlds third largest economy.

On the same day, she met with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. She will later visit Kyoto, where she once lived while researching the life of her father, independence hero Aung San, who was trained by the Japanese to fight the British during World War II.

At the hour-and-a-half gathering on Wednesday, arranged by the Burmese embassy in Tokyo, the State Counselor encouraged Burmese expatriates to work hard to better themselves and contribute to their host country. She took questions on political, social, economic and cultural topics, delivered to her in envelopes by attendants.

Questions touched on poverty in Chin State, rule of law in Burma, the peace process, the state of education, and difficulties in reclaiming Burmese passports for Burmese expatriates in light of demands to pay hefty back-taxes.

Members of the Burmese community in Japan were among the first activists to be driven into exile by the Burmese military junta after it crushed the 1988 pro-democracy movement. Many of are now eager to revisit or move back.

Many exiled activists discarded their passports or allowed them to expiregetting by since with residency documents provided to political asylum seekers in Japanand refused to pay tax to the junta. However, the Burmese embassy has demanded they pay back-taxes on all the years spent abroad before being issued new passports.

Exiled activists have objected to this as overly harsh, given that they have been paying tax to the Japanese government, which does not have a tax treaty with the Burmese government. The added burden would be more than they could afford, they say.

Before we boycotted our passports and did not want our tax money to be used by the military dictatorship, said Ye Nyein, who has been living in Japan for 18 years, and is a member of the Union of Myanmar Citizens Association-Japan.

He said they now wanted to pay their taxes as Burmese citizens, but drew the line at paying the back-taxes. Many others in his community desperately wished to return to their homeland, he said, but were unable to do so without new passports.

We, who were the pro-democracy activists, are hoping to be able to return to our home country with dignity, Ye Nyein told The Irrawaddy.

During the meeting in Tokyo, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that the Burmese government is trying to enable them to come home as quickly as possible, so long as they do not have a criminal record.

Regarding the passport dilemma, she said the government was trying to find a fair solution, taking into account those who continued to pay tax regularly while abroad and those who are now facing demands to pay substantial back-taxes.
Guest Column After Burmas Supply Spike, Tin Looks for a Brighter Future

A worker pictured in a tin mine factory at Maw Maw, in ethnic Wa territory in northeast Burma on October 5, 2015. / Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters

MELBOURNE  Tin prices appear to have well and truly recovered after being mugged by an unexpected supply surge from Burma, but there are still questions as to whether they are now ready for an extended rally.

London benchmark tin has surged 56.4 percent since hitting a near seven-year low in January, ending Tuesdays session at US$20,850 a tonne.

This makes the metal, whose main uses include solder, batteries and plating, one of the top performing commodities this year, even if the current price is still some 38 percent below the all-time high reached in April 2011.

What is impressive about tins gains this year is they have been achieved despite the flow of tin ores and concentrates from Burma to top importer China.

In the first nine months of the year, China imported 345,884 tonnes of ore and concentrates from the Southeast Asian nation, up 94 percent from the same period last year.

This massive increase comes on top of a 64.9 percent gain in imports from Burma in 2015 from the prior year.

Given the flood of ore from Burma, its no surprise that tin dropped in January to the lowest since August 2009, but it is somewhat more surprising that the metal has recovered so strongly, even as China continues to soak up output from the country that returned to democracy after elections in November 2015 ended more than five decades of military rule.

This is likely because Burmas tin production has surged at a time when output from other major producers has slipped, most notably in Indonesia, Peru and as well as in China.

The main question is whether Burma can continue to supply the volumes it has in the past couple of years, or whether it has already picked all the low-hanging fruit and rising mining costs and lower grades will result in sharply lower output.

Data from industry group ITRI, presented on Tuesday at a function in Melbourne hosted by consultants Beer & Co, show that Burmas ore grades are falling from 10 percent tin to something closer to 2-3 percent.

While 2-3 percent would be considered a good resource in other tin producing areas, the rapid drop in ore grades in Burma does call into question how long they can continue to meet much of Chinas demand.

Its likely that rising costs in Burma, and the need for new investment to develop underground mines, will result in a loss of both volumes and the countrys competitive edge from its higher grades enjoyed up to now and its proximity to China.

Tin Supply Outlook Is Key

The bullish case for tin is largely built on the tapering of supply from Burma, the slow ramp up of mines elsewhere and no new surprise sources of ore.

Certainly, there are numerous relatively small tin mining projects under development in Australia, but many of these are still months, if not years from production and even then volumes will be relatively small.

In the meantime, world tin stocks continue to draw down, with the ITRI data estimating that total stocks across the London Metals Exchange, the Shanghai Futures Exchange, producers and consumers will end this year around 25,000 tonnes, down from about 65,000 in 2009.

If tin is to stage a sustained rally, it will most likely be on the basis of constrained supply, as demand appears to be largely flatlining, with ITRI estimating global consumption of refined tin rose 0.1 percent in the 2015-16 fiscal year, after shrinking 1.5 percent in 2015-15.

What happens in China will also be key, as the country is both the worlds largest producer and consumer of tin, meaning any rise or decline in domestic output or demand could have an outsize influence on the amount it imports.

Higher prices may also buoy Indonesias tin output, which dropped by about a third between 2010 and 2015 as prices slumped and government policies restricted the export of raw ores.

Tin may not yet be assured of a place in the sun, but any evidence of lower supply from Burma could well be the key to giving the current rally a long-term support base.

The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016 (5:13 pm) - Score 859

The International Airlines Group and Satellite ISP Inmarsat have announced that in-flight WiFi will be introduced to 341 short-haul aircraft, including 132 British Airways, 125 Vueling, 45 Iberia and 39 Aer Lingus aircraft.

Apparently the first shorthaul aircraft to be equipped with WiFi connectivity  a British Airways A321  will be in service next summer 2017. Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling aircraft will follow later in 2017. By 2019 its predicted that 90% of IAG airlines fleets will be fitted with the same connectivity.

The move follows a similar announcement for long-haul flights in May 2016 (here), which will be implement on 118 British Airways, 4 Aer Lingus (Boeing 757) and up to 15 Iberia long-haul aircraft.

Willie Walsh, CEO of IAG, said: We are giving our customers the fastest connectivity you can get on any aircraft. Having announced Wi-Fi for longhaul flights earlier this year we are now equipping our airlines shorthaul fleets with inflight broadband access. Connectivity is essential because its what our customers demand and IAG will be the first European airline group to offer high-quality air to ground Wi-Fi on shorthaul flights.

Leo Mondale, President of Inmarsat Aviation, said: The European Aviation Network is a game changer for the millions of airline passengers that have been cut-off from fast, reliable and consistent broadband access during flights in Europe. It will provide IAG airlines with unprecedented high-speed capacity by combining the strengths of Inmarsats satellite connectivity with a powerful ground network operated by our partner Deutsche Telekom. We look forward to working with Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling on the rollout.

Apparently Inmarsat intends to deploy its latest European air-to-ground connectivity, which will mix a Satellite and 4G based broadband network in order to deliver the service. Its claimed that this setup should deliver enough bandwidth capacity to use multiple devices at the same time and the connection speeds will be similar to what [people] have at home, although that last claim could mean different things to different people.
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016 (2:47 pm) - Score 589

The Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) group, which claims to be a unified voice for all those who own land and rural businesses in Scotland, has criticised the UK Governments proposals for making it easier and cheaper to build new fixed line broadband and mobile infrastructure on their property.

The central UK Government is currently attempting to revise the existing Electronic Communications Code (ECC) through their new Digital Economy Bill 2016-17, but land owners in England and Wales have already expressed concern (here).

One of the key fears is that the effort to remove barriers for new infrastructure, which would help to roll-out new broadband and mobile communications into rural areas, could also result in land owners receiving significantly lower rental income than today and having less control over their own land. Now those living North of the border have joined in the fight.

Katy Dickson, SLEs Senior Policy Officer, said: We firmly support improved digital connectivity. Our members are mainly based in rural areas and enhanced broadband and mobile signal would be a huge asset to rural communities allowing forms to be completed online, tourism businesses to be developed and create new opportunities for home working and business start-ups. Sadly, we believe the Electronic Communications Code as currently drafted will have the opposite effect, discouraging farms, estates and other land-based businesses from engaging with telecoms companies and playing a vital role in improving telecoms infrastructure. The draft code alters the valuation basis for telecoms sites meaning the telecoms companies will pay less money to station their equipment while giving them even more substantial rights of access, to sublet and share the equipment, and to assign the rights. There is clearly a desire to reduce cost and time in securing mast sites but we believe that significantly altering the property rights of businesses  when the current system functions well  will lead to more and more contested cases ending up in court.

Over the past few years we have seen some occasions when operators have struggled to gain access to the land they need because some land owners make it very difficult or far too expensive to access and install the necessary equipment, which ultimately benefits those residing in the local area. This is one of the reasons why mobile operators linked ECC reforms to a recent 5bn agreement for improving geographic mobile coverage (here).

Katy Dickson disagrees and claims to have seen little evidence that landowners and farmers are holding telecoms companies to ransom, although thats perhaps partly because such issues arent usually recorded in public and tend to be handled privately between land owners and operators.

However the SLE notes that the new law could result in a rise in contested cases. If a large number of cases are contested, existing digital networks may become fragmented and the roll-out process will become slow and expensive, said Dickson (here). It should be noted that the new rules are only intended to apply to future and not existing agreements.

The Scottish Government also has a related consultation on relaxing planning regulations for digital infrastructure (here), which is due to close on 4th November 2016.
Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2017

I spent the evening of Dec. 31, 1999, embedded in the data center of Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd., the largest air cargo operation in Hong Kong. Despite the years of preparation to handle the Y2K rollover, nobody really knew what was going to happen when the clock struck 12, and the tension was written on the face of every IT pro there. Meanwhile, at the massive ocean shipping container terminals scattered across Hong Kong, it was just another night. Nobody was all that worried about Y2K, and the reason was simple: The operations werent technologically sophisticated enough for it to really matter.

Thats the experience that came to mind recently when I spoke with Adam Compain, founder and CEO of ClearMetal, a predictive logistics technology provider in San Francisco. Compain had spent two months in 2014 in a Stanford Business School immersion program at OOCL, a giant ocean shipping line in Hong Kong. It was an epiphany Compain had during that experience that led to the founding of ClearMetal, and I opened the conversation by asking him to describe that experience:

There were really two insights that I took away, that led to the founding of ClearMetal. First was that every decision that ocean carriers  and everyone else in the shipping industry  makes is based on a prediction of some sort. An ocean carriers decision where around the world to position a container, a freight forwarders decision on the rate they should offer a customer, is all based on a prediction of what will happen in the future. The second insight was that there is so much complexity and uncertainty in the shipping world, around customer behavior and operational performance, and the industry hasnt had the technology to make sense of that complexity.

The hypothesis when I went back to Stanford, and met my cofounders, was that if we could use the data in the shipping cycle to better predict what would happen in the future, it would give the carriers, and all the operators in the shipment cycle, a clearer picture of what will happen. And that will enable them to make better decisions and become more profitable.

Hence, the name of the company:

The industry, to date, has been focused on its assets  the ships and the containers. Honestly, if I owned 100 billion pounds of metal, Id probably be focused there, too. But the hypothesis we had was if you actually look through all the metal at the underlying flow of behaviors, data, and information, you can actually make more sense of the world. Its seeing through the metal to see the true, underlying source of uncertainty and patterns.

I asked Compain to what he attributes the fact that the ocean shipping lines have lagged behind the times technologically. He explained it this way:

Part of it might have to do with the structure of the industry  many large companies that are often state- or family-run. That could have something to do with it, but I think the reason technology hasnt infiltrated the shipping industry as it has all others is because at its core, the shipping industry is an operational one  thats the core competency. If you look at the past few decades, the way they have chosen to solve their problems is the way they know how  essentially through operational means, manual means, and creating economies of scale to drive the unit cost down. This is merging and allying, and building bigger and bigger ships.

And I think the reason technology hasnt entered yet is because those solutions did really bring a lot of efficiency. You build a much larger ship, it drives the unit cost of the shipment down, and you actually do gain profitability and efficiency. The problem, however, is now, that method is sort of tapped out. Ill also say that it wasnt possible to use this kind of sophisticated technology out of Silicon Valley before, because the data infrastructure in the industry wasnt yet there. Only recently have large platform companies brought the industry to the 1.0 of digitization.

Compain spent five years at Google, and I wrapped up the conversation by asking him how that experience helped prepare him for what hes doing today. He said what he learned at Google was the true power that technology, and cloud-based software in particular, can provide:

Used in the right way, it really does drive efficiency gains. And if you think about the way the shipping industry has used its core competency  operations and infrastructure build-outs to solve problems  it makes sense that a lot of innovation around IT would come from outside of shipping. The way ClearMetal views itself is being able to partner with these large logistics providers and really help get new technology into their hands  not to disrupt them or to replace jobs, but to provide a sharper tool. At Google, what I consistently saw is everyone  from consumers to local merchants to the largest enterprises in the world  equipped with technology, can be better.

A contributing writer on IT management and career topics with IT Business Edge since 2009, Don Tennant began his technology journalism career in 1990 in Hong Kong, where he served as editor of the Hong Kong edition of Computerworld. After returning to the U.S. in 2000, he became Editor in Chief of the U.S. edition of Computerworld, and later assumed the editorial directorship of Computerworld and InfoWorld. Don was presented with the 2007 Timothy White Award for Editorial Integrity by American Business Media, and he is a recipient of the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award for editorial excellence in news coverage. Follow him on Twitter @dontennant.

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10 Surprising Ways Automation Can Simplify IT

Using a more declarative approach to IT automation that doesnt require IT operations staff to learn how to program has the obvious benefit of being simpler for more IT organizations to embrace. Now Red Hat is extending the reach of that approach with the release today of an update to the agentless Ansible open source framework that reaches deeper into the realms of networking, containers and the cloud.

Tim Cramer, engineering director for Ansible for Red Hat, says version 2.2 of Ansible will support Cisco (ASA), Dell, F5 Networks, Nokia SR-OS, Pluribus Networks (Open Netvisor) and VyOS devices. In addition, Ansible 2.2 provides expanded support for Cisco NX-OS configured with Virtual Extensible LAN (VxLAN) software. In total, Cramer says, Ansible now supports 17 different platforms.

One of the things that differentiates Ansible is that our agentless approach makes it possible to support legacy networking equipment that doesnt run a modern operating system, says Cramer.

Couple that with extended support for cloud services and container technologies such as Docker, Cramer says, and Ansible provides a unique way for IT organizations to apply the same IT automation framework across both cloud-native and legacy IT environments.

In the case of cloud native applications, Ansible 2.2 specifically adds support for new VMware virtual machine management modules as well as Amazon Web Services (AWS) services such as Amazon Elastic File System (EFS), Amazon Redshift and AWS Lambda. Other enhancements that can be applied to AWS, Google Cloud Platform and OpenStack include support for Ansible Roles, a reusable playbook framework for running automations.

Meanwhile, to enhance Docker containers support, with this release Red Hat is also extending its control over those containers to the network level. Red Hat has a concerted effort underway to significantly reduce the need to rely on container management tools from Docker, Inc.

Finally, Cramer says, Ansible 2.2 also improves module parity between the Windows and Linux versions of Ansible, which Cramer says remains an ongoing work in progress.

As more IT organizations become comfortable with relying more on automation to manage IT at scale, the issue they will need to contend with is to what degree they will want to standardize on a common framework. Red Hat is clearly making a case for a single framework that spans all forms of IT infrastructure wherever it resides. Of course, there is also now some form of IT automation framework available from just about every vendor that provides modern IT infrastructure. Getting all those frameworks to play nicely with one another represents a major endeavor that many IT organizations may not have the wherewithal, or even desire, to accomplish.

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5 DDoS Myths Debunked

Between all of the hacked documents being released by WikiLeaks, the massive Yahoo email hack and the recent super-sized DDoS attack, its natural to wonder whether a technical hack could affect or rig the upcoming U.S. elections.

Although there is no doubt that throughout history, attempts have been made toward voter fraud, the question we ask in this post is whether it is actually possible to hack a voting machine.

The Voting Machine Hardware

In 2002, the U.S. congress passed the Help America Vote Act, in the hopes of making sweeping reforms to the nations voting process. The goal was to address issues with voting systems that arose following the 2000 presidential election.

The Acts guidelines were voluntary but it came with $4 billion in federal funding for help in updating voting methods. The majority of voting machines were sold prior to 2006 and they included Advanced Voting Solutions WINvote, the Sequoia (Dominion) AVC Advantage and the Premier/Diebold (Dominion) AccuVote TS & TSx. Now 10 years old, these machines are considered vintage and have had a lot of press about their security. (Take a look at this list for some of the concerns about voting machines.)

The Opinions

In an interview with NPR, Rick Hasen, founder of the Election Law Blog, said that, Voting machines themselves are not connected to the Internet  so its not as though we have a central repository of all votes. Someone could go in and change the numbers and thats it.

One of the benefits of a decentralized election system is that things are done on the local level, he added.

He does concede that some places, like Pennsylvania, have electronic voting machines without a paper trail. I think that in terms of voter confidence thats a real problem. I think we have to get rid of those machines, Hasen said.

The DDoS attack that occurred earlier this month has increased concerns about election rigging. Could a DDoS attack be used to rig the vote?

Hasen says that the election might be disrupted by a DDoS attack, but not in the way people think:

If we had a hack that took the internet down for effective communication, took down internet-based telephones or affected traffic signals or affected get out the vote efforts, you could easily imagine that a major attack on the internet could interfere with our election, could shut down polling places that lack electricity, could make it harder to get out the vote. You could then imagine people aggrieved by whats going on running to court and seeking to have voting extended a certain period of time. And you could see that leading to concerns about the legitimacy of the election. But such an attack would not be capable of changing votes that come in.

Shelly Palmer, writing for AdvertisingAge, says that, even though hacking an individual machine is relatively easy, hacking the right machines in the right places to successfully and undetectably rig a national election would take an almost impossible-to-imagine coordinated effort by an army of technicians and wizened election volunteers from both political parties.

Chris Ashby, a Republican campaign finance and election lawyer, stated in his blog on Vox,

I believe in election fraud  voter impersonation, double voting, absentee ballot fraud, ineligible voter registrations. It all happens. How much, to what effect, and what should be done about it are subjects of great debate. But it does happen  certainly not anywhere even remotely near the extent that Donald Trump is contending it does  and so we should guard against it. None of that, however, means our system of voting is rigged. It is not.

Ryan Godfrey is an independent (and occasional Republican) voter who has served as a minority voting inspector through five elections, acting alongside an appointed clerk and machine inspector and, as a check and balance to, the Democratic judge of elections and majority inspector. His job is to sign in legal voters, take down their names, and keep the voting machines humming.

Godfrey addressed the question of whether voting machines can be rigged:

If you had access to the machines motherboard and logic chips, you could theoretically change out the hardware and get it to perform any way you wanted (although to my knowledge this has never been fully demonstrated with this machine). But youd have to gain physical interior access to literally every machine you wanted to affect. These machines cannot be networked; there is no chance of infecting one with a virus and having that malevolent code spread to any other machine.

Most of the pundits say that, while the odds are low, our election results could be affected by some kind of social engineering. However, they also say that everyone who can do anything about it is fully aware that it might happen and is as ready for it as anyone can be.

Toni Bowers is a veteran technology reporter and editor. She currently writes the SMB blog for IT Business Edge, which advises small businesses on how to get the most out of tech on a small budget.
The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S8 could have a whole lot of display, actually, 90 percent of the whole smartphone.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 may have an OLED display with 90 percent screen-to-body ratio, according to a new report from The Investor. An engineer from Samsung commented during the last week iMiD 2016 display exhibition happened in Seoul that the company would roll out such a design next year, 2017. But there was no confirmation whether is was set for the Galaxy S8 or another model.

During the iMiD presentation, Mr Park Won-sang, a principal engineer for Samsung's display manufacturing unit, also showed concepts regarding a bezel-less Galaxy S7 Edge. This is to confirm that the full design idea has been floating around Samsung Company. Won-sang said that it could produce a device with a 99 percent screen-to-body ratio in the next more years.

It was previously rumored that Samsung would remove the Galaxy S series long-standing physical home button on the Galaxy S8. This would be congruous with the speculation of a larger display area, as the home button may no longer fit on the front of the device, according to Android Authority.

Also, it would also mean that the removal of the fingerprint scanner is possible. However, it is built into the home button of the smartphone. Another rumor suggests that Samsung has taken care of that with its next generation display technology, and will allow users to have fingerprint scanning directly from the screen.

Samsung is expected to launch the the Galaxy S8 at MWC 2017 in February. Given Xiaomi's recently revealed Mi MIX also features an almost bezel-less display, the time could be right for Samsung to launch its own moel with the same feature.
According to sources, PC makers are now allowed to buy licenses for Microsoft Windows 7 and 8.1. But this doesn't mean Microsoft will any longer support the said operating system, what this means is that the company is now pushing to make PCs that run Windows 10 by default. It makes sense since it is the latest and greatest iteration of the company's list of operating system.

According to Ubergizmo, Microsoft stopped giving Windows 7 Professional and Windows 8.1 licenses to OEM partners yesterday. For customers, this means that they can only get their hands on a PC powered by Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 if its available because OEMs wont be restocking existing PCs or shipping new ones with these iterations anymore.

Microsoft company has already stopped marketing licenses of Windows 7 operating system such as the 7 Home Basic, 7 Home Premium, and 7 Ultimate, to all PC makers. It actually did that two years ago so that the only alternative that PC makers have right now is to avail the Windows 10 and thats precisely what Microsoft wants them to focus their energies on.

It deserves stating that Microsoft has already stopped mainstream support for Windows 7, it covers warranty claims, fixes for non-security bugs, free incident support, feature requests, and design changes. The extended support that consists of security updates will be provided until January 14th, 2020. And after that, no support anymore.

Windows 7 has lost about a fifth of its user share since the mid-2015 launch of Windows 10, but according to U.S. analytics vendor Net Applications, it powered 48% of all personal computers in October, more than twice Windows 10s share, as reported by PCWorld.

Note that Windows 7 Professional PCs won't vanish immediately; OEMs will be allowed by Microsoft to use what licenses they have in stock. As of now, Windows 10 is worth using for. Actually, these past few months, there are lots of updates and upgrades regarding the operating system.
Uber has just announced that it is partnering with General Motors' car sharing company Maven. This is despite the fact that GM is connected with Uber's rival Lyft. In fact, GM has invested $500 million in Lyft. Will this affect the automaker's partnership with the other? Or will it be business as usual?

Uber And GM Working Together

According to TechCrunch, the partnership will allow Uber drivers to rent GM vehicles on a weekly basis. It will be a 90-day pilot program. Uber and Maven will observe if the said arrangement will work. The said project will debut in San Francisco. The drivers will have to operate within the city for now.

Furthermore, they will be charged with a $179 weekly fee for the use of GM vehicles. That will include the pilot project, plus taxes and fees. Fortune reported that the drivers can choose to use between GM's Chevrolet Cruze, Malibu and Trax vehicles. The good thing is the fact that Uber drivers will also be able to use the cars for personal trips.

According to Reuters, GM's Vice President for Urban Mobility Julia Steyn mentioned that the pricing is similar to that of Lyft drivers pay. She added that both companies offer incentives to their own drivers.

GM's Partnership With Lyft

The Express Drive program was the result of the partnership between GM and Lyft. The connection is even more evident. Lyft's Sheila Bryson said that the Maven's partnership is similar to how Lyft worked with Hertz. The said program will let Lyft drivers use Hertz cars.

Bryson also pointed out that vehicle access programs have multiple partners. This seems to reflect the current scenario. GM is not the only car provider for Lyft. Likewise, it is not an issue for GM's car-sharing service Maven to partner with Lyft's rival Uber.

It Is All About Business

A spokesman for GM told Fortune that the partnership with Uber is unrelated to its investment in Lyft. GM also ensured that it will protect its partner's data from other parties. This applies to both Uber and Lyft.

An Uber spokesman agreed that there is no conflict of interest. Uber is aware that GM is also involved with Lyft. He pointed stated that Uber has been working with several other manufacturers over the years.
"The Walking Dead" Season 7 recently aired a heartbreaking pilot episode, taking away the life of two beloved characters - Abraham and Glenn. Now that his character is off the series, actor Steven Yeun, who impressively portrayed Glenn, is now ready to take on bigger roles and challenges. Will he be playing Nightwing in "Batman" movie?

Recently, reports have been circulating online that "The Walking Dead" actor is in talks to play his next major role as the Nightwing in "Batman." It all started back in September when rumors that Steven Yeun might take the said role spread on Twitter.

There were even claims that his upcoming character Nightwing will have its own HBO show. At one point, it was even speculated that Steven Yeun will appear as Nightwing in "Batman vs. Superman" but never really materialized due to his hectic "The Walking Dead" schedule.

A photo posted by Spidermonkey23 (@spider.monkey23) on Oct 28, 2016 at 11:38am PDT

Hopeful fans even went as far as creating photos of Steven Yeun donning the Nightwing costume. And by the looks of it, he may just make the cut in case the producers decided to push through with the plan. However, there were some who doubt that it's a good idea since it would probably go a different direction than the original version in the comics, given that Steven Yeun is of South Korean descent.

To recall, Nightwing is originally the Robin to Batman. He eventually set out on his own and goes by the character Nightwing. His alter ego, Dick Grayson, first met Batman when he was young. He used to be an acrobat who witnessed his parents' murder. Batman then took him in, making him his sidekick. Dick Grayson is also the leader of the Teen Titans.

So far, there has been no confirmation if "The Walking Dead" actor Steven Yeun will really play the role of Nightwing in "Batman" movie. Both the actor and producers have not addressed the said claims so it's best to take everything lightly.
"March Comes in Like a Lion" manga official website revealed on Wednesday, Nov. 2 the first trailer and poster for the upcoming "March Comes In Like A Lion" live-action movie. The two-part film will premiere in Japan on March 18 and April 22, 2017.

"March Comes in Like a Lion" is an ongoing manga series created by Chika Umino (Honey and Clover). It follows the story of 17-year-old shogi professional player Rei Kiriyama. Rei lost his parents at a young age; he lives alone in an apartment and had a black and white life until his path crosses with the Kawamoto family composed of three sisters and a grandfather. The eldest of the Kawamoto sisters, Akari Kawamoto, found Rei collapsed from too much alcohol in front of her workplace and brought him home. Since then, the sisters have gotten close to Rei, frequently inviting him on dinners. The story features how Rei matures into an adult and his challenges as a young shogi player.

The first teaser features familiar scenes from the manga like Rei gazing at the town across from his apartment's balcony, visiting the Kawamoto sisters and playing shogi. Meanwhile, the official poster features cast members Ryunosuke Kamiki as Rei Kiriyama, Kana Kurashina as Akari Kawamoto, Kaya Kiyohara as Hinata Kawamoto, Chise Niitsu as Momo Kawamoto, Gin Maeda as Someji Kawamoto, Hideaki Ito as Masamune Goto, Ryo Kase as Toji Soya, Kasumi Arimura as Kyoko Koda, and Etsushi Toyokawa as Masachika Koda.

The manga series was serialized in Young Animal in 2007. It received several awards including the Manga Taisho Award (2011) Kodansha Manga Award (2011) and 18th Tezuka Osamu Prizes' Top Award (2014). An anime adaptation of "March Comes in Like a Lion" is currently airing on NHK produced by Shaft and directed by Akiyuki Simbo. It is licensed by Daisuki and Crunchyroll in Japan and Aniplex in the U.S.
One of the biggest well-known telescope projects might be forced to move its location from Mauna Kea in the US state of Hawaii to Canary Island, Spain. The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) ran into opposition with indigenous groups which consider its proposed area sacred.

Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is a proposed astronomical observatory with an extremely large telescope (ELT) that has become the source of controversy over its planned location on Mauna Kea in the US state of Hawaii.

Sacred Site

The construction work had to be postponed due to revocation of the permit by orders of the Supreme Court of Hawaii. Opposition to the construction of observatories atop Mauna Kea has existed for decades. To many Native Hawaiians, Mauna Kea is considered the most sacred of all mountains on the island, with a special connection to their religion's deities. So continued development is considered a desecration. But others who are against the project cite environmental and conservation concerns, as reported by BBC.

The construction began last April 2015. But in In December 2015, the Hawaii State Supreme Court rescinded a 2011 construction permit for the next-generation telescope. It contemplated that the permit had been issued before opponents got the chance to state their case. "Quite simply, the board put the cart before the horse when it issued the permit," said Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald. This meant the TMT project would have to ask a new permit if they want to continue with construction on Mauna Kea telescope.

TMT Plan

According to The Indian Express, the TMT International Observatory Board of Governors met last week to discuss the progress of TMT in Hawaii and to consider potential alternate sites.

"The TMT International Observatory (TIO) Board of Governors has explored a number of alternative sites for TMT. Every site we considered would enable TMT's core science programs," said Henry Yang, Chair of the TMT International Observatory Board.

"After careful deliberation, the Board of Governors has identified Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos (ORM) on La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain as the primary alternative to Hawaii," he added.

However, a move from the Pacific to the Atlantic would result in a major outbreak for the project, which has been in progress for the past 15 years.

The board of the biggest telescope said that they would do their best and continue its efforts to gain approval for construction on Hawaii. But if those efforts continue to meet opposition, it's credible that astronomers will have to invoke their Plan B.
Leaving the Space Station last week, the three Soyuz astronauts lands in Kazakhstan after completing an 115 days expedition. The projects they dealt on consisted of Space DNA Sequencing & International Docking Spots Projects.

NASA's Kate Rubins, Roscosmos' Anatoly Ivanishin and Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency Takuya Onishi arrived Last Oct. 29, landing safely in Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. The International Exploration wrapped up a four-month long journey, leaving behind three more astronauts in the space station.

Last Aug. 19 US astronauts Rubin and Jeff Williams, one of the three replacement crews, had their first mission completed when they installed the first-ever universal docking system in space. It will be used as ports for commercial capsules, According to Nasa Blogs, Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft will be the first clienteles of the docking port.

Soyuz astronauts Lands in Kazakhstan has been the hottest space topic on the web now. Aside from the arrival of Soyuz MS-01 spacecraft carrying the three international astronauts, one of their goals in the exploration is also precisely interesting. Apart from installing the docking system, the space cadets did DNA sequencing of different specimens in space.

Redorbit reports that the sequencing is a big project. It will be able to help scientist to spot hazardous microbes aboard the ISS. This will also lead the potential identification of the health problems the crew can get in space. There are so much to learn about life in space, the plan's purpose will serve as a determining factor for human life in the outer space.

The joint exploration by US, Russia, and Japan is an ambitious undertaking, more missions are in line for the astronauts still staying in the space station. For now, the Soyuz astronauts that landed in Kazakhstan were being re-adapt to the Earth's environment after the prolonged months in space.
Following his Dos Equis' parody of "Most Interesting Man in the World" advertisement last week, the 38-year-old topless James Franco released a newer and hotter sequel today, still in support for Democratic Party presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton.

As reported last Thursday, the American actor posted on his Instagram account @jamesfrancotv a video narrating reasons why he supports Clinton's candidacy. With almost half million views for the old endorsement video, Franco went all the way today as he posted a sequel to his previous endorsement, topless!

As reported by Huffington Post, the 30-second video posted by Franco was produced by EMILY's List, Priorities USA and Schlep Labs. The video starts with the actor's voice over montaged clips of the former US Secretary of State.

Franco narrates, "She didn't just bring Iran to the table, she whittled the table from a single piece of oak." The actor continues, "Her laugh is in the Smithsonian. Yoda was her apprentice."

Now you know Yoda-the legendary Jedi Master from "Star Wars", right? He was literally small but very capable, wise, and potent. And Franco teasingly lined him up as Clinton's apprentice to establish the latter's credibility.

As the video ends, Franco further says, "She's ... the Most Interesting Woman in the World." Finally, while tucking in a sharply worn towel with the candidate's logo, the topless Franco said, "vote wisely my friends".

The "Sausage Party" actor was born in Palo Alto, California and was previously hailed as the Sexiest Man Living by Salon in 2009. He was nominated for an academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of canyoneer Aron Ralston in the 2010 biographical film "127 Hours".

But he won a Golden Globe Award for playing a title character in another biographical film for TV titled, "James Dean". James Franco is also notable for his roles in "Spider-Man" and "Spring Breakers". He is also the older brother of the "Now You See Me" actor, Dave Franco.
North Korean dictator's wife, Ri Sol-Ju has disappeared for seven months! Rumors were circulated over the internet that Kim Jong-un's wife was either pregnant or fallen out of favor.

The wife of the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-un has not been seen in public view for over seven months. As reported by the South Korean news agency, Yonhap News that North Korea's first lady was last seen on March 28, when she visited a new commercial district and health facility in Pyongyang together with her husband. Many speculations dispersed that Ri could either be pregnant or fallen out with Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, whom who has a great influence over her brother and has the power behind the throne.

It was reported that Kim lacks political ability than his younger sister. According to the report, Kim Yo-jong influenced her brother much more than Ri and by that she was given a task to take in charge of. Kim's younger sister was in charge of North Korea's Propaganda and Agitation Department. In 2014, it was reported that Kim Yo-jong took over her brother's regime while recovering from a medical issue.

On the other hand, one of the professor at Tokyo's Waesda University, Toshimitsu Shigemura, who focuses on Pyongyang leadership told 'The Telegraph' that Ri's public disappearance could be for her own safety. As it was reported that there was an instability in Pyongyang and even several attempted attacks which included the factions of North Korean military against their dictator, Kim. "It is possible that Ri has not been seen in public because she is being closely guarded," the professor said.

Ri was in public views numerous times together with his husband, Kim Jong-un. In 2012, she appeared 18 times, 22 times in 2013 and 15 times in 2014. Last year, her public appearance was decreased unexpectedly at seven. Apparently, she has not been seen in public for seven months and made a public view thrice this year. As reportedly, the first lady limits her public visitation after it came out that she was connected with Unhasu Orchestra.
Moody's Analytics, a model used to accurately predict winners in over nine US elections since Ronald Reagan (1980), sees Hillary Clinton as the victorious presidential candidate in 2016.

The aforementioned model calculated 332 electoral votes for Hillary Clinton, as opposed to Donald Trump's 206. There are two main factors that assured Clinton's victory according to Moody's Analytics - cheap gas and the previous Obama administration's high approval rating.

According to CNN Money's recent report, the twilight period of Obama's presidency has achieved a relative decrease in the gas price as well as an increase in real estate market value and the average American income. The intrinsic value of decreased gas price is relevant to all sectors of civil society, regardless of whether or not they own an automobile. Cheap gas roughly translates with good economy.

A similar account is also conveyed by Reuter's Raw Story. State-level economic conditions and political history have placed Hillary Clinton in a favorable position for the 2016 US elections.

As far as political history goes, incumbent US president Barack Obama and the Democratic Party reaped their best performance since 2009. Despite the public's natural confidence in the Democratic Party, the model does not take into account the personalities of the competing candidates.

Hillary Clinton is a natural choice in the 2016 US election due largely in part of her political party's esteem. It is worth mentioning, however, that the initial public opinion about Hillary Clinton was nearly overshadowed by another left-leaning presidential candidate - the Democratic nominee Bernie Sanders.

It was widely believed that she needed the help of the Vermont senator's supporters in light of her very controversial email hacking fiasco. Nonetheless, there are only 6 more edgy days before America finally declares its very own 45th president.
The BRSM-Nafta filling station network believes that the ruling of Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky district court to permit raids at the company's facilities and arrest its property is unlawful, Director of Strategic Marketing Network at BRSM-Nafta Oleksandr Melnychuk said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Wednesday.

"Now we are preparing not only a counterclaim, but also an application to the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine and the High Council of Justice against actions of the judge Raids and arrest of property actually paralyzed the operation of the company. This is a sign of a traditional illegal seizure: a court ruling written in haste  raids  property arrest  the stoppage of the company's operation," he said.

According to the company, during the raids officers of Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) and employees of the State Fiscal Service violated legislation and this will be also challenged in court.

"BRSM-Nafta is shocked with statements of PGO head Yuriy Lutsenko that the company's assets could be transferred for storage to the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry.

"We consider this as an extremely alarming signal for international investors who would be afraid of investing funds in the Ukrainian economy, as tomorrow their property could be nationalized and resold to the companies of illegal seizers," Melnychuk said.

According to BRSM-Nafta, at present, operations of 41 filling stations and one oil depot have been blocked.

On Tuesday Lutsenko announced large-scale raids at BRSM-Nafta's facilities and accused the company of tax evasion (around UAH 1 billion).
Ukraine intends to develop military-technical cooperation with Indonesia.

According to the press service of Ukroboronprom state concern, promising partnership was the subject of negotiations between the parties within the framework of the seventh international exhibition of defense technology Indo Defense 2016 Expo & Forum, taking place in Jakarta (Indonesia) on November 2-5.

According to the report, during the meeting representatives of the Armed Forces of Indonesia showed interest in Ukrainian radar systems, guided air-to-air missiles, as well as new Ukrainian military transport aircraft.

Indo Defense 2016 Expo & Forum has been held with the support of the Defense Ministry of Indonesia since 2004 every two years simultaneously with Indo Aerospace and Indo Marine, and covers almost the entire spectrum of weapons and military equipment used by the armed forces in South-Eastern Asia. According to the organizers, more than 600 companies from about 50 countries participate in the exhibition.
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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has accepted a report from Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Viktor Muzhenko about the completion of the process of discharge of servicemen of the sixth wave of demobilization, the president's press service reported.

The chief of the general staff said the process of demobilization of servicemen of the sixth wave of mobilization has been completed, with the exception of those military who are undergoing medical treatment or who are under internal investigation. The president of Ukraine said that the last sixth wave of demobilization was completed by the beginning of November.

"As president and commander-in-chief, I can report to the Ukrainian people that henceforth there will not be a single mobilized serviceman on the frontline in the ATO zone. And the Armed Forces of Ukraine must be fully staffed with well-trained, motivated and well-provided-for volunteers and contract soldiers," Poroshenko said.

In the past two years, the mobilization played a part of the utmost importance in maintaining Ukraine's national defense capability in order to "repel the aggressor that attacked our country in the most difficult days of Ukrainian history", he said.

"The Ukrainian Armed Forces that we have today are qualitatively new," Poroshenko said.

He went on to emphasize that only contract soldiers, volunteers remain at the front, who have undergone quality training and drilling, including with assistance from Ukraine's foreign partners, Poroshenko said.
Home prices remained on a slow but steady incline during September, according to a CoreLogic report released Wednesday.

Prices were up 1.5 percent year over year for the second consecutive month, but down 0.2 percent from August.

The Winston-Salem metropolitan statistical area comprises Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Stokes and Yadkin counties.

CoreLogic, a national real-estate research company based in Irvine, Calif., does not disclose a median price.

It no longer provides a home-sale price breakdown that excludes distressed and foreclosed houses.

The Winston-Salem MSA again had the lowest year-over-year increase of North Carolinas five largest metropolitan areas.

Home prices in the Greensboro-High Point MSA rose 2.4 percent year over year but fell 0.5 percent from August.

Prices in the Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord MSA rose 6.1 percent year over year and 0.6 percent from August.

Prices in the Durham-Chapel Hill MSA were up 5.3 percent year over year and 0.2 percent from August.

Prices in the Raleigh-Cary MSA increased 5.5 percent year over year and by 0.6 percent from August.

For North Carolina overall, home prices were up 5.1 percent year over year.

Home prices (nationally) are now just 6 percent below the nominal peak reached in April 2006,  said Frank Nothaft, chief economist for CoreLogic. With prices forecast to increase by 5 percent over the next year, prices will be back to their peak level in 2017.

The Winston-Salem Regional Association of Realtors reported July 18  the latest numbers available  that the average sales price of houses in June was $190,777, up 5.5 percent from $180,804 in June 2015 and up 4.7 percent from $182,217 in May.

The associations statistics are based on numbers from the Triad Multiple Listing Service, which includes selected housing areas outside of Forsyth County, such as Bermuda Run.
A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. waited too long to appeal a federal judges ruling that requires the company to run two sets of corrective warning statements for its cigarette products.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled against Reynolds request to avoid running corrective statements on behalf of Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corp., which it acquired in July 2004 for $4.4 billion.

Reynolds had argued it should be required to run just one set of corrective statements for all its traditional cigarette products. It declined comment on the ruling Tuesday.

U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler ruled in 2006 that the manufacturers had concealed the dangers of smoking for decades. The U.S. Justice Department filed a civil case in 1999 under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations law, or RICO.

Part of Kesslers ruling was a requirement that the manufacturers run corrective statements on their products. Reynolds did not appeal the double set of corrective statements requirement until 2014, saying its remedial obligations related to Brown and Williamson was unclear until that time.

Simply put, RJR cannot have it both ways, according to the appellate judges opinion.

Either the remedial order imposes a double-ad requirement, in which case we have appellate jurisdiction, but RJR has no excuse for its untimeliness.

Or the order is unclear, in which case we would lack jurisdiction to entertain this appeal. ... RJRs challenge to the double-ad requirement comes too late.

The ruling is the latest update in the case.

The appeals court ruled in May 2015 that proposed federal corrective statements on cigarette advertising exceeded their legal reach with some parts of their language, particularly that tobacco manufacturers lied to consumers.

The three-judge panel also ruled that language on other related advertising requirements is legal.

In court filings, Reynolds, Altria Group Inc., Philip Morris USA Inc. and Lorillard Tobacco Co. have said the 2009 Tobacco Control Act eliminated any reasonable likelihood the companies would commit future violations, thus making the need for remedies, such as corrective statements, moot.

Kessler ruled in November 2012 that cigarette marketing carry the statement: A federal court has ruled that the defendant tobacco companies deliberately deceived the American public about the health effects of smoking, and has ordered those companies to make this statement.

Kessler ordered the statements appear on company websites, cigarette packages and in newspaper and television ads.

The manufacturers filed a joint appeal in January 2013. They have tried to persuade Kessler to reject the statements, calling them forced public confessions in legal filings.

The appellate court judges ruled Kesslers overarching statement and five preambles exceeded in part the District Courts limited remedial authority. The statements were sent back to Kessler for further review.

Kesslers order provides specific truth statements for five categories:

Adverse health effects of smoking, such as more people die every year from smoking than from murder, AIDS, suicide, drugs, car crashes and alcohol combined.

Addictiveness of smoking and nicotine.

Lack of significant health benefit from smoking low tar, light, ultra light, mild and natural cigarettes.

Manipulation of cigarette design and composition to ensure optimum nicotine delivery, such as when you smoke, the nicotine actually changes the brain  thats why quitting is so hard.

Adverse health effects of exposure to secondhand smoke, such as second hand smoke kills over 3,000 Americans each year.The appellate panel said the preamble on the addictiveness of smoking and nicotine might provide an effective  perhaps even the very best  means of curing consumer misconception and preventing consumer deception going forward.

However, the panel also said correcting consumer misinformation, which focuses on remedying the effects of past conduct, is thus an impermissible objective under RICO.

After all ... the statute reads prevent and restrain, not prevent, restrain and discourage.
Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc. benefited from a surge in firearms sales during the third quarter, reporting Tuesday that its net income soared 65.9 percent to $19.8 million.

The company, which has 315 employees at its Mayodan production plant, said the sales boost came primarily from demand for new firearms, increased production of popular firearm models, and stronger-than-normal industry demand during the summer, likely bolstered by the political campaigns for the November election.

Sales jumped 33.5 percent to $161.4 million.

Ruger likely aided its sales surge after launching in July its Ruger Take Action campaign, which it described as a challenge grant to benefit the NRAs Institute for Legislative Action. Ruger said it will donate $2 from every gun sale to the institute.

We hope this call to action inspires our customers and all freedom-loving Americans to take action in support of the Second Amendment, especially in the months leading up to the election, Michael Fifer, the companys chief executive, said in July. Sandra Froman, a past NRA president, serves on Rugers board of directors.

Fifer also said in July that I have no doubt about it, the makeup of the Supreme Court is on the ballot this November, and therefore, the Second Amendment is also firmly on the ballot."

During a Wednesday conference call with analysts, Fifer said that "to our shareholders, I would tell you that we have done extensive contingency planning."

"And so, sort of, for any combination of who wins the White House, who wins the Senate, who wins the House, we have a plan in place and we will act decisively and accordingly."

Pro-gun advocates have expressed concern that Hillary Clinton, the Democrat presidential nominee, may continue President Barack Obamas push to close loopholes on gun purchases and background checks through Congress and possibly through future appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Investment expert Louis Navellier, chairman of Navellier Associates, has said Obama is the best gun salesman on the planet.

Analysts say high-profile shootings, such as in Orlando, Fla., Colorado and Connecticut, tend to push gun sales, either for individuals wanting weapons out of fear for personal safety or because they worry about potential federal tightening of gun ownership.

The day after the Orlando mass killings, which left 50 people, including the shooter, dead and 53 wounded, the share price of Sturm, Ruger & Co. jumped 8.5 percent to close at $62.29. Its 52-week share price range is $48.10 to $78.09. It closed Tuesday at $60.70, down 80 cents.

Fifer told analysts that looking at historical product numbers in the industry, "you'll find that those products that are most at risk from political fix are the ones that have the greatest volatility when the volume level of the politics increases, their sales skyrocket."

"And when it tapers off, those sales plummet. And a product that's likely never to be affected by the politics, for example, a bolt action rifle, an old cowboy single action revolver, they're pretty steady. They hardly move up or down. And so, knowing that, you can make your own predictions."

Manikandan Raman, an analyst with Benzinga, said investors were expected to pay close attention to Rugers sales performance for determining the current state of gun manufacturers.

Firearm background checks data are released monthly by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. For September, checks rose 11 percent to 1.99 million.

This year, fear levels surrounding potential changes to gun laws have been doing the rounds following high-profile campaigning of Hillary Clinton and other Democrats who have made gun violence a central part of their platforms, Raman said.

Among Clintons stances on gun sales are tightening background checks by closing the gun show and internet sales loopholes, and revoking licenses from dealers who break the law.

Tony Plath, a finance professor at UNC Charlotte, said the NRA strategy likely will be a win-win for the company.

If the NRA loses some portions of its hold over the Second Amendment in the fall due to a Hillary Clinton victory, thats going to increase gun sales in the short run as well.
Our local emergency responders work so well and effortlessly that its easy to take them for granted. We shouldnt, of course. And were sure our friends in Eastern North Carolina arent taking them for granted.

The Lewisville Fire Department and Davie Countys swift-water teams were among the many who responded to the floods brought on by Hurricane Matthew.

Whether it was saving people stranded in trees or gathering donated supplies, local people and organizations have played roles big and small in the aftermath of flooding that devastated Eastern North Carolina, Lisa ODonnell reported in last weeks Journal West.

She wrote: After arriving in Wake County, the Lewisville team got to work, rescuing people through tethered swims and on boats, said Chief Scott Alderman  The crew was later dispatched to Johnston, Sampson, Columbus, Bladen and Pender counties. They were able to remove people hanging from trees, on vehicles, Alderman said. I know they removed several adults, children and pets during those swift water rescues. Unfortunately, they were also involved in a body recovery.

Davies crew was working just as hard, hitting the ground, or water, in Johnston County Their first mission was to rescue a young woman whose car was swept away, ODonnell wrote. But as they reported to the scene, and it became clear the woman had died, they were steered to a rescue of three adults hanging in a tree. A few hours later they saved four people who had escaped their car and were hanging in a tree.

God, what heroes.

The Lewisville and Davie teams were only established a few years ago. But they showed their merit and more, moving from rescue work to delivering medicine to flood victims. Later, they joined forces with the swift-water team from Winston-Salem, part of a large wave of emergency responders.

Others from our region, whether with their houses of worship, nonprofit organizations or individual efforts, helped bring relief as well through donations or serving on the ground.

Thats the way we roll as Americans.

We know we may one day need the help of neighbors from afar. But the best dont respond for that reason. They do so because they know deep down its the right thing to do. Thank God for them.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has submitted a declaration of his 2015 income and assets, which is open for viewing on the website of the Unified State Register of Declarations.

According to this document, Poroshenko owns a 1,331-square-meter house and plots of land totaling around 42,000 square meters in Kozyn in the Kyiv region. The president has 12,400 square meters of land and two apartments, 134 and 82 square meters in size, in Kyiv. His properties in the Vinnytsia and Odesa regions are up to 100 square meters in size. In turn, the president's wife, Maryna Poroshenko, owns 1,900 square meters of land in the Boryspil district of Kyiv and a 344-square-meters dacha.

The president included a 2010 Mercedes Vito 116 CDI, a 2005 Bayliner 185 BR speedboat and leased BMW F02/750Li xDrive and Range Rover SALLMAM in his declaration. The president's wife owns a 2008 Jaguar XF 4/2 Lv8.

Poroshenko's income at his main place of work, the State Administrative Department, stood at UAH 121,054 in 2015.

During the same year, he earned UAH 12,375,404 as interest on deposits at the International Investment Bank, UAH 984,834 as investment revenue on domestic governmental bonds, UAH 45,938,404 as exchange difference on the value of domestic governmental bonds in their redemption and UAH 2,742,123 as exchange difference on investment revenue in the redemption of domestic governmental bonds.

The chief of state had $26,324,870, EUR 14,372 and UAH 540,478 in his accounts at the International Investment Bank, and his wife had UAH 71,146 and EUR 8,943 in her accounts at the same bank.

The president's wife earned UAH 88,772 in 2015 as salaries at three places of her employment: Interstarch Ukraine LLC, Interstarch Ukraine Trade House LLC and the all-Ukrainian charity organization, the Petro Poroshenko Charity Foundation.

In addition, the president declared his contribution of UAH 8.19 million to the non-diversified corporate investment fund, Prime Assets Capital. He lent UAH 1.111 million and $3.85 million to third persons in 2015.

According to the declaration, the chief of state had UAH 900,000 and $60,000 in cash.

Poroshenko declared UAH 159,878,738 spent on properties and securities as his biggest expense in 2015. He also spent money on the lease of vehicles (UAH 480,000) and acquisition of art (UAH 209,792). His utility (gas and electricity) bills stood at UAH 571,387.
Lara Trump came by the Forsyth County Republican Party headquarters here Wednesday morning to motivate party volunteers and officials in a Women for Trump tour that also included a stop in Greensboro.

Trump is the wife of Eric Trump, the second son of GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump. She is a North Carolina native, and she and her husband visited the North Carolina delegation during the GOP convention in Cleveland in July.

Also speaking were Diamond and Silk, North Carolina sisters who are video bloggers supporting Trump and who have appeared at many of Donald Trumps rallies.

Lynnette Hardaway, the Diamond of the pair, told the folks at the GOP headquarters that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton wrongly feels that just because we are black we are supposed to be voting for her.

She dont understand shes not our slave master, Hardaway said to cheers from the audience.

There were about 40 people at the event and some empty chairs in the room, but party officials said turnout was light because most of the Republican women volunteers are out working the polls. Early voting is underway in Forsyth County, with 17 early-voting sites scattered around the county.

Lara Trump alluded to polls that show Donald Trumps support increasing as the campaign heads to a close. Polls continue to show a wide gender gap among voters, with women less likely to support Trump. Trump has also faced allegations of sexual misconduct and had to apologize for comments he made on a video in which he talked of using his fame to kiss and grab women.

I have women come up to me constantly saying, Why do people keep saying women dont support Donald Trump? Every woman I know supports Donald Trump, Lara Trump said in an interview after her appearance. She said the women she has talked to say they believe the Trump comments are a media distraction and represent neither the candidate they are voting for nor their concerns as voters.

This is a choice about national security, about jobs, about their childrens futures, she said . I would love to see a woman be president of this country, but I want it to be a woman we can all be proud of, and that woman is not Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Two Mount Airy women who came to the event, Teresa Lewis and Diana Gwyn, said they were college-educated women for Trump and thus counterexamples to the stereotypical Trump supporter as presented in the media.

Gwyn said the Trump comments captured on the video dont bother her because shes heard men say things as bad in male-dominated work environments.

My mother is 76 years old and is very religious and she likes Donald Trump, she said. I havent had a single woman friend bring up any of this stuff about Trump. Instead, she said, they talk about the need to control the national border, fix the economy and provide more jobs.

Kay Williams, who came to the event, called Trump someone who can save the country from the Muslims, and called the allegations of sexual misconduct by Trump lies in the media. Williams and her twin sister, Faye Lail, wore bright pink T-shirts and had Lara Trump sign them with a black marker.

Lara Trump told voters that her father-in-law has to win North Carolina to win the White House.

This is the election that determines whether our country will be run by the politicians or the people, she told the audience. He is going to go to Washington D.C. and ... tell them that the gravy train is over  the Trump train is coming through.
WASHINGTON  North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, whose prime mission as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee is to ensure the government wages an effective fight against terrorism, played a central role 11 years ago in relaxing U.S. controls over the export of bomb-grade uranium.

In 2005, the Republican lawmaker won passage of controversial legislation to ease restrictions on U.S. shipments abroad of highly enriched uranium  material that terrorists could employ to build a Hiroshima-type nuclear bomb.

Burr said at the time that he wanted to ensure a steady supply of medical isotopes, which are chemical elements containing low levels of radiation. These isotopes can be used in nuclear imaging devices to detect heart disease and some forms of cancer. While Burrs role was described in news stories at the time and was raised again during his 2010 re-election campaign, events since the legislation passed could cast him in a different light as he monitors U.S. efforts to keep weapons of mass destruction from the Islamic State and al Qaida.

Theres no evidence that any of the deadly material has fallen into the wrong hands.

But Burrs legislation, which was co-sponsored by Republican Sen. Christopher Kit Bond of Missouri, delayed for at least seven years the conversion of nuclear research reactors that use highly enriched uranium to technologies that avoid the use of material that could be weaponized.

In 2012, Congress reversed course and passed new restrictions. Lawmakers set a deadline of 2020 for isotope makers to convert their operations to low-enriched uranium. Burr voted for that bill.

The senator, who is seeking a third term, premised his 2005 legislation on fears that if Congress failed to ease particular export restrictions, it could impair Canada and four European countries from producing a crucial isotope, molybdenum-99, thats used in making diagnoses. He warned that could lead to a shortage: Without the isotope, thousands of patients could be delayed in learning whether they had cancer or heart disease.

Molybdenum-99 is an element that breaks off during nuclear fission. As such, it is not what provokes terrorism concerns. Rather, whats troubling to some is the bomb-grade uranium used during the controlled nuclear reactions.

Parties that support relaxed export controls have showered Burr with upward of $100,000 in campaign contributions since he first pressed his amendment in 2003 as a member of the House of Representatives, a year before winning a seat in the upper chamber.

Although the full Senate narrowly rejected Burrs legislation in 2005 because of national security concerns, a House-Senate conference committee on which he served inserted a House-passed version of his bill into a broad energy package in a closed-door vote.

Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and a fellow Democrat, Rep. Edward Markey of Massachusetts, voiced deep worries at the time that relaxing export controls would undercut U.S. efforts to contain proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Burr declined to be interviewed for this story, but his Senate spokeswoman, Becca Glover Watkins, said campaign donations never influenced his policy decisions.

An aide to Burr, who was made available only on the condition of anonymity, per the senators office policy, said, The guiding concern driving his work on it was really around the necessity of having these medical isotopes available for patients.

The senator wanted to ensure you dont suddenly exacerbate or create issues for patients by causing shortages of diagnostic material, the aide said. You could suddenly not have something that so many patients and their doctors and health care providers rely upon to provide the highest quality of care for them.

While it may have appeared to Burr and others in 2005 that isotope shortages were looming, a recent study of Medicare data by Harvard Universitys Health Policy Institute found that expenditures on nuclear diagnostic procedures plummeted from a peak of $1.77 billion in 2006 to $641 million in 2014.

Thats because radiologists are making greater use of other technologies that dont require highly enriched uranium.

The concerns about shortages were nonsense, said Alan Kuperman, an associate professor of public affairs at the University of Texas whos the author of a 2013 book on the subject, Nuclear Terrorism and Global Security: The Challenge of Phasing Out Highly Enriched Uranium.

From 1992, when the original restrictions were passed, until they were relaxed in 2005, the supply of medical isotopes was not in jeopardy, Kuperman said in a phone interview and email exchanges with McClatchy.

All Burr did was perpetuate commerce in bomb-grade uranium, thereby increasing risks of radical states and terrorists acquiring nuclear weapons, he said.

A 2009 National Academy of Sciences study, which was requested by Congress, concluded that no major technical hurdles remained for converting medical isotope production from highly enriched uranium to low-enriched uranium.

Burrs legislation lifting export curbs was sought by an Ottawa-based company now known as Nordion Inc., which has sold molybdenum-99 for four decades. Nordion relied on highly enriched uranium that a Canadian government-owned company, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., acquired from the United States. That was then used to conduct controlled nuclear reactions, of which molybdenum is a byproduct.

Armando Travelli, former head of the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors program at the Argonne National Laboratory outside Chicago, said he and other U.S. officials had met with Nordion executives on several occasions in the years before Burrs legislation was enacted to encourage a shift to low-enriched uranium. They got promises but little progress, he said.

Travelli, who left the lab in 2004, said he was very much disappointed by the passage of Burrs legislation. He said the new law caused a chain reaction.

It not only slowed Nordions ongoing conversion from highly enriched to low-enriched uranium, but it also convinced everybody else to resist conversion, he said.

Finally, under mounting pressure from the United States, the Canadian government decided several years ago to halt processing of highly enriched uranium for Nordion. Canada ordered the aged, government-run research reactor at Chalk River, Ontario, to be shuttered effective on Oct. 31, 2016.

Canada said the reactor would resume operations only if a molybdenum shortage developed.

As a House member in 1992, Schumer wrote a law restricting the export of highly enriched uranium amid deepening concerns that too much of the material had circulated worldwide.

His legislation permitted exports of highly enriched uranium for the production of medical isotopes, but only if manufacturers demonstrated progress toward developing a low-enriched uranium process.

Joining Nordion in the congressional lobbying effort was Mallinckrodt plc, a firm domiciled in Ireland that has a large presence in St. Louis. Mallinckrodt also has been a major player in the market for molybdenum, which it processes at a plant in the Netherlands.

Nordion and Mallinckrodt for years distributed the entire U.S. supply of molybdenum and more than 60 percent of the global supply. The molybdenum is later processed further to strip out technetium-99m, the isotope used in diagnostic devices.

With U.S. assistance, Argentina in 2002 developed a method of converting its isotope production process to function with low-enriched uranium. South Africa and Australia have since followed suit.

Nordion and Mallinckrodt took a different path. Nordion set up a U.S. committee, the Council on Radionuclides and Radiopharmaceuticals, to push for legislative relief.

The council, initially chaired by a Nordion senior executive and including representatives from Mallinckrodts parent company, hired a Washington lobbying firm, the Alpine Group, in 1999 and since has paid the firm over $6 million to represent it on Capitol Hill.

Kuperman, then with the Washington-based Nuclear Control Institute, said hed attended one early meeting with aides to Burr and other members of Congress and saw that a bill rolling back the 1992 restrictions was being crafted.

I do vividly remember saying with incredulity to the Alpine lobbyists and the congressional staffers: Do you really think the U.S. Congress is going to water down U.S. national security law just to benefit one foreign company?  he recalled.

Phil Larabie, the general manager of Nordions medical isotope business, said in a phone interview that Nordion never touches highly enriched uranium, which is processed entirely by the Canadian government firm.

Kuperman said, however, that the Canadian reactor was vulnerable because it had been guarded like a civilian nuclear power plant. Those plants don't use bomb-grade material.

Larabie said Nordion now was spending tens of millions of dollars on building a new plant that could produce molybdenum-99 using alternative technologies and should be operational by mid-2018.

Mallinckrodt, which says it began efforts years ago to convert its operation to low-enriched uranium, never got there. It announced in August that it has reached an agreement to sell its nuclear imaging business to a French firm, IBA Molecular.

Kuperman later came into possession of a 2003 letter, drafted by an Alpine lobbyist, for doctors and radiologists to send members of Congress urging support for Burrs legislation.

From 2003 to 2006, physicians, faculty and other officials at Wake Forest Universitys medical school and health services unit, in Burrs hometown of Winston-Salem, gave him more than $33,000 in campaign contributions. By comparison, Burr received only a few thousand dollars in donations from the schools medical staff from 2007 to 2010, when he ran for re-election.

Since 2003, lobbyists for the Alpine Group, who also have represented unrelated clients, have donated more than $26,000 to Burrs Senate campaigns.

He received $9,000 from the Radiology Advocacy Alliance, a political action committee supporting the legislation in 2003 and 2004. He has collected at least $3,500 from Mallinckrodts political action committee since the issue first arose.

The American College of Radiology joined in backing the 2005 legislation, but it also lobbies Congress on other issues. Its PAC has donated $27,000 to Burrs campaigns since 2003. This year, the radiologists PAC has spent nearly $240,000 on radio ads supporting Burr.

Greg Gordon: 202-383-6152, @greggordon2
This time next week we will know, I hope, who will be our next president.

What we will not know, however, is what else the election will have decided.

Both major candidates told us over and over again how terrible the other candidate was. They persuaded us. As a result, the new president will have no post-election honeymoon. The war to defeat the new president in 2020 begins Nov. 9.

The negative personal focus of both campaigns made for little substantive discussion of the real challenges and decisions facing our country. Therefore, the winner has no clear mandate for action on urgent matters such as:

Immigration

Both candidates talked incessantly about immigration. Trump told us how important it was to stop the flow of illegal migrants from Mexico. He promised to build a 2,000-mile wall. But he gave us nothing in the way of a workable, practical and sound immigration program.

Hillary Clinton properly criticized Donald Trumps ranting. But neither she nor Trump made an effort to develop and sell a plan to bring the country together to adjust and then enforce its immigration laws. We are left without a program that could pass the Senate and the House, no matter how this years congressional elections turn out or who becomes president.

The Supreme Court

Both candidates gave us hard-nosed political talk about the Supreme Court. But neither showed a pathway to a workable solution to the unbelievable acrimony surrounding court appointments. It will be virtually impossible to hav e a Supreme Court justice confirmed no matter who wins the presidency. If Clinton wins, her appointments can be blocked by the majority in a Republican-controlled Senate or by a strong Senate Republican minority if there is a thin Democratic majority. Democrats, whether they are in the majority or in the minority, will be determined to thwart Trumps appointment of any justice who would swing the Supreme Court to the right. Whoever is elected president, the Supreme Court appointment process promises to be a mess.

Foreign Affairs

Although Clinton showed a deeper understanding of foreign affairs than Trump, neither candidate gave us hope that our election results would lead to practical, winnable solutions to the challenges of Russia in Ukraine and Syria, China in the South China Sea, the Middle East or North Korea.

Race

During the election season, the country suffered from further deaths of young blacks in encounters with law enforcement officers. The terrible disruptions and demonstrations that followed were agonizing reminders of how far the country has to go to deal with its racial divide. Neither candidate brought forth plans or programs to move forward on the incredibly slow resolution of our racial challenges.

Trade Policy

Much talk there was about trade, mostly by Trump. But both candidates parroted a growing angry consensus in the country that trading goods and services with businesses in other countries is bad for America and its people.

Still, many economists believe that abandonment of ongoing trade arrangements and termination of efforts to expand international trading would harm many Americans and our economy. Thus, the day after the election, the country will have no trade policy. And there is no clear pathway to finding one that is beneficial for most Americans and can gain the support of a majority of our people.

Health Care

Whichever candidate is elected, attention is needed for the modification or replacement of the Affordable Care Act. But whoever is elected will find it impossible to craft a workable solution that can gain the support of the majority of Americans.

There is much more. More to assure that the angry politics of this election season will continue long after Election Day.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman backs the expansion of a list of persons obliged to fill in electronic declarations by including representatives of state-run companies.

"I think that now we need to expand the list of everyone who is obliged to fill in these declarations. They are those who were not added first, representatives of state-run companies," he told reporters after the opening ceremony for the Worldskills Ukraine contest in Kyiv on Monday.

He said that the absolute majority of his personal property was earned during the period when he was running own business.
WASHINGTON  When FBI Director James Comey testified before Congress in July about his recommendation not to prosecute Hillary Clinton, he mentioned at least 10 times how important it was that he be transparent.

What I decided to do was offer transparency to the American people, he said, because I thought it was very, very important for their confidence in the system of justice, and within that their confidence in the FBI. I was very concerned that if I didnt show that transparency, that in that lack of transparency people would say, What is going on here? Something seems squirrelly here.

Now, in the final days of the presidential election, Comey has shocked the nation by announcing that he is looking into more emails apparently related to Clinton  and he is offering no transparency at all about what is going on here. And something indeed seems squirrelly.

Ive long believed in Comeys integrity. But if he doesnt step forward and explain his October Surprise, he may inadvertently wind up interfering in the political process  perhaps even reversing the outcome of a presidential election  in a way that would have made J. Edgar Hoover gape.

We now know that Comey defied warnings by the Justice Department that he was violating longstanding policy against interfering in elections. But its just as clear that Comeys actions  tarring Clinton with a new hint of scandal while providing no details that might allow Clinton to defend herself  violate his own standards of transparency that he preached a few months ago.

If he has the goods on Clinton, lets hear them. If he doesnt, as his admission that we dont know the significance of this newly discovered collection of emails suggests, he must make clear that this is just a pro forma notice he sent to Congress. But what hes doing is essentially proposing a political death sentence for Clinton without providing the charges. The weight of Comeys thumb on the scale is greater now than it was in July, when there was still time to absorb the information.

Some Democratic partisans suspect this is a dirty trick by a man who was the No. 2 official in George W. Bushs Justice Department. It could make people feel the election is being rigged after all  in Donald Trumps favor. I dont believe that. As I wrote in July, Comeys reputation for integrity is as unimpeachable as it gets. Theres nothing about Comey that suggests he would like to install Trump in the White House; his passion for the rule of law clashes with Trumps threats to use the Justice Department to go after his political opponents.

But why would a man of integrity, at a time when the nation is already inflamed, add gasoline by insinuating wrongdoing by the presidential front-runner even though he admits he cant yet assess whether or not this material may be significant? And give Clinton no chance of exonerating herself by saying I cannot predict how long it will take to assess the material?

The most benign, and likely, explanation is CYA: Comey wanted to inoculate himself against future allegations from Republican members of Congress that he sat on relevant information before the election. If so, self-preservation trumped his professed love of transparency.

Back in July, when he made his recommendation not to prosecute, he read a lengthy public statement explaining that I am going to include more detail about our process than I ordinarily would, because I think the American people deserve those details in a case of intense public interest.

Then he testified to Congress about being a big fan of transparency and a huge fan of transparency because transparency matters tremendously and thats what makes our democracy great. Said Comey: Transparency is the absolute best thing for me and for democracy.

Now Comey has decided opacity is better for him, sending a vague letter to Congress while leaving it to anonymous officials to attempt to explain his reasoning to the public, via the press. Does he suppose that the American people no longer deserve those details in a case of intense public interest? In his brief words written to FBI employees Friday, Comey acknowledged there was a significant risk of being misunderstood. But the way to avoid being misunderstood is to explain himself publicly and fully, the way he did in July.

By falling short of his own standards of transparency, Comey is harming both election integrity and his well-deserved personal integrity. He needs to explain himself if he hopes to salvage either.
Despite Hillary Clintons best efforts to hand the election over to Donald Trump, his chances of winning remain miniscule.

So long as he is losing significantly in states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado and even Alaska, Trump cannot win an electoral majority  even if he manages to win Florida, Ohio and Iowa.

That reality, plus Donald Trumps continued loathsomeness, opens up an opportunity for conservative independent Evan McMullin. He got a break this week when Trump stupidly attacked him. Declaring that McMullin (a Mormon) is going from coffee shop to coffee shop in mainly Mormon Utah, Trump was unintentionally hilarious. Even aside from Mormons aversion to caffeine, Trump doesnt seem to understand that retail politics is a positive thing. McMullin, who grew up Mormon in Utah, is showing people in a close religious community that he cares about them and will devote time to them.

Trumps whining boiled down to: McMullin is going from voter to voter listening to their problems!

Vice-presidential candidate Mike Pence stupidly insisted that nobodys heard of him. Well, Trump and Pence lashing out gave him more valuable free media to make his case.

McMullin seized the chance to blast Trump-Pence on Twitter: Yes youve never heard of me because while you were harassing women at beauty pageants, I was fighting terrorists abroad. He went on to tell Trump that hes an authoritarian, life-long liberal who disrespects life, liberty, & equality. He added, We cant trust you on justices.

On Meet the Press on Sunday, McMullin used his time to boost his name recognition, give out his website and tell voters: Were on the ballot ... in 11 states. Were registered as a write-in in a number of others, bringing the total number of states that we have ballot access to 43.

He was candid that hes interested in helping lead a major shakeup on the right. Im not sure I want to remake the Republican Party. I think we need a new conservative movement in this country that rededicates itself to the cause of liberty and to equality, the, the truth that all men and women are created equal, he said. Thats what this country needs. Thats the kind of leadership it needs. The Republican Party has drifted away both from the cause of individual liberty and equality. And so we need something new.

Like many on the right, hes not certain that can be done within the confines of the current GOP. He reeled off a list of reasons he  and other Republicans  cannot support Trump:

On the fiscal side, sure, he wants to expand the size of government, he wants to lower taxes, which is great. But he also wants to increase spending, so thats a problem. This is a man who has unhealthy relationships and admiration for dictators overseas. I believe that he has some of the same ideas about leadership or domination that they do. I think hes dishonest with the American people. Where are his tax returns? We dont know much about Donald Trump. ...

I think hes somebody who doesnt understand the Constitution. I think hes somebody who doesnt respect the separation of powers. This is somebody who would be very dangerous to our country.

McMullin can surely capitalize on voter dismay over both candidates, and further emphasize the jaw-dropping lapse in the GOPs judgment in nominating Trump. With the newest email flap involving Clinton, Republicans are once again gnashing their teeth. Any other Republican could be winning this. That frustration may translate into some protest votes, or depressed turnout for Trump.

In most recent Utah polling, McMullin is ahead or within the margin of error. (Trumps nasty comments will make some news in the state, thereby giving McMullin a boost in the campaigns final week.)

McMullin may be helped by further reporting that confirms Trump lied for years about his philanthropy. A months-long investigation by The Washington Post has not been able to verify many of Trumps boasts about his philanthropy, David A. Fahrenthold reports. Instead, throughout his life in the spotlight, whether as a businessman, television star or presidential candidate, The Post found that Trump had sought credit for charity he had not given  or had claimed other peoples giving as his own. His biggest gift  $1 million to veterans groups  was paid out only after The Post pressed for evidence of the donation. After calling 420-plus charities with some connection to Trump, The Post found only one personal gift from Trump between 2008 and the spring of this year.

That will not sit well with community-minded Utahans.

Beyond Utah, McMullins campaign also sees prospects in other Mountain West states, especially Idaho, where he has drawn big crowds. Hes also on the ballot in some states where he could deprive Trump of valuable votes (Virginia, Iowa and Colorado).

Picking up even one state would be extraordinary and a stinging rebuke to the RNC and other passive Republicans who dutifully lined up behind Trump. Contrary to the high-handed declarations from the RNC, Republicans actually do have a choice  and that may include leaving the party.
WENTWORTH  A Superior Court judge strongly chastised an Eden man on Tuesday as he sentenced him to a maximum of 13 years and four months in prison for killing a 5-month-old baby.

Im very hesitant to accept this plea, Judge David Hall said. The punishment should match the crime, but this punishment does not match the crime.

Steven Shockley, 35, took an Alford plea to second-degree murder and felony child abuse in the death on June 2, 2012, of Dagan Gammon, the son of Shockleys girlfriend.

An Alford plea means the defendant is not admitting guilt but feels its in his best interest to take the plea.

Hall shook his head as he viewed a photo of the infant and read the babys autopsy report.

One is either evil or severely mentally ill to do this to a child, he said.

Caswell County District Attorney Wallace Bradsher told Hall that Shockley had a violent criminal history that included threats and oral and physical abuse. He had a history of mixing alcohol and pills.

The prosecutor said sometimes when Shockley did so he would believe he was called by the devil to harm people and would crawl across the floor on his belly, threatening to do so while talking in a raspy voice.

Bradsher served as a special prosecutor on the case because Rockingham County District Attorney Craig Blitzer had a conflict. Eden-based defense attorney Wayne Hollowell said he had consulted Blitzer before Blitzers election as the countys prosecutor.

Bradsher told Hall that, although he is confident Shockley committed the murder, the prosecution had little evidence to implicate him as the killer. The state relied almost solely on a witness statement taken from Shockleys now 10-year-old son.

The prosecutor said Shockleys child said he saw his father hit Dagan on his head, smother him with pillows and then hit him again, in an attempt to stop the infant from crying.

The fact that your own son would identify you as the killer speaks volumes, Hall told Shockley.

Police first learned about Dagans injuries after his mother, Dusty Gammon, took the infant to Morehead Memorial Hospital in Eden. Bradsher said that the child was unresponsive, and Gammon continued to change her story about how the child was injured.

Dusty Gammon was not present in court Tuesday.

Bradsher told Hall to accept the plea deal because the state only had the boys statements as reliable evidence. He worried that there was enough evidence to overcome reasonable doubt that Shockley committed the crime.

You, sir, if you can live with yourself, are now benefiting from two children, Hall said as he accepted the plea deal.

In addition to prison time, Shockley must undergo a psychiatric evaluation, enroll in a drug alcohol treatment program, cannot be considered for work or early release and, if possible, must be kept away from the general prison population.

He was given credit for the four years he has served in jail while the case was being adjudicated.

There is no greater coward on the face of the earth, Hall said, than one who would hurt a child.
NBU head Gontareva declares $1.8 mln in bank, shares belonging her son in two companies

Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Valeriya Gontareva has filled in e-declaration for 2015 and declared a deposit account with $1.831 million in Ukreximbank, UAH 61,934 in Oschadbank and shares belonging to her son in two companies.

Gontareva earned UAH 1.754 million of salary at the NBU, UAH 1.507 million in interest on a deposit at Ukreximbank, UAH 23.518 million from selling her shares in ICU Holdings Limited and UAH 48,400 of retirement investments to the pension fund of the NBU.

She owns an apartment of 106 square meters in Kyiv, a land parcel of 900 square meters in Kyiv region and a country house of 250 square meters.

She declared two cars - Porsche Panamera manufactured in 2012 and Porsche Cayenne manufactured in 2013.

She spent UAH 1.37 million last year (education fee, property maintenance and living costs).

Her husband Oleh Gontarev owns a land parcel in Irpen (Kyiv region) with gross area of 2,050 square meters and a house of 396 square meters. He owns a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado manufactured in 2006.

Gontareva's son Anton Gontarev owns two apartments in Kyiv (55.7 square meters and 41.3 square meters bought in December 2014).

He also declared 80% of capital of Europyvzbud and 33% in Vanser Group LLC.

His income was UAH 51,800 of salary, UAH 90,000 of interest and UAH 749,300 from selling movable property (apart from securities and corporate rights).

He declared UAH 500,000 in Oschadbank, UAH 200,000 in Alfa-Bank, UAH 200,000 in FUIB and UAH 200,000 in PrivatBank.
11/02/2016





Jacksonville Opera Theatre presents Gilbert and Sullivans most famous musical The Pirates of Penzance, a tale of misfit pirates, inept policemen, and a clumsy major general with more daughters than he ought to have. Join us for a hilarious trip through land and sea!



In The Pirates of Penzance, Frederic was as a child apprenticed to a band of tenderhearted, orphaned pirates by his nurse who, being hard of hearing, had mistaken her masters instructions to apprentice the boy to a pilot. Frederic, upon completing his 21st year, rejoices that he has fulfilled his indentures and is now free to return to respectable society. But it turns out that he was born on February 29 in leap year, and he remains apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday. By the end of the opera, the pirates, a Major General who knows nothing of military strategy, his large family of beautiful but unwed daughters, and the timid constabulary all contribute to a cacophony that can be silenced only by Queen Victorias name.

Performances are at the Oxford Performing Arts Center (OPAC) on November 4, 5 at 7:00 p.m. and also on November 6 at 2:30 p.m.

Premium front orchestra tickets are available for $25, and orchestra tickets are $18. Rear orchestra tickets can be purchased for $10. To purchase, please visit www.jsupirates.com or call (256)-241-3322.
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Maan News Agency |  

JERUSALEM (Maan)  Israeli Nature and Parks Authority forces demolished several graves inside a Palestinian cemetery in occupied East Jerusalem on Tuesday morning, according to local sources.

Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, the director of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, told Maan that forces from the Nature and Parks Authority raided the Bab al-Rahma cemetery  which runs along the eastern wall of Jerusalems Old City  and demolished six Palestinian graves and crumbling tombstones.

According to al-Kiswani, the authorities claimed the graves and gravestones were constructed on confiscated land belonging to the Israeli Nature and Parks Authority.

Al-Kiswani countered the claim, citing official documents that state the graves that were demolished were owned by the al-Husseini and al-Ansari families.

An Israeli Nature and Parks Authority spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.

This video filmed by locals shows the aftermath of the demolitions at the cemetery.

Al-Kiswani highlighted past efforts of Israels Nature and Parks Authority to confiscate parts of the cemeterys land, and to prohibit Palestinians from digging grave plots in the so-called confiscated zones, as part of a larger aim to turn the area into a tourism park surrounding the Old City.

Mahmoud al-Habbash, a Palestinian Authority (PA) adviser on religious and Islamic affairs, condemned Tuesdays grave demolitions in a statement.

Al-Habbash called the demolitions a sign of Israeli political confusion following the recent UNESCO resolution denouncing Israeli violations at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound that cause a political and media uproar in Israel, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claiming that the UN agency had denied the over 3,000 year old connection between the Jewish people and its holiest site in Jerusalem.

Al-Habbash added that the demolitions were a crime that Israel must be punished for, in accordance with international law. He stressed the sanctity of the the Bab al-Rahma cemetery, as it is considered an Islamic heritage site and part of the Al-Aqsa compound.

He concluded his statement by demanding that the Arab League, and other international organizations, specifically UNESCO, to hold Israel responsible for its crimes against Palestinian and Islamic heritage in Jerusalem.

Via Maan News Agency
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By Simon Johnson | (Project Syndicate) |  

WASHINGTON, DC  With the United States presidential election on November 8, and a series of elections and other political decisions fast approaching in Europe, now is a good time to ask whether the global economy is in good enough shape to withstand another major negative shock. The answer, unfortunately, is that growth and employment around the world look fragile. A big adverse surprise  like the election of Donald Trump in the US  would likely cause the stock market to crash and plunge the world into recession.

There is always a great deal of insight in the International Monetary Funds semi-annual economic outlook, which is based on detailed data from around the world. And, because the latest version was published in early October, it is particularly relevant. (I was previously the IMFs chief economist and oversaw the forecasting process, but I left that position in August 2008.)

Table 1.1 of the Funds World Economic Outlook covers the main points: a baseline forecast of 3.1% global GDP growth this year and 3.4% in 2017. This represented a nudge down from the projections in April, with signs of weakening perceived in the US, the eurozone, and of course the United Kingdom (grappling with the consequences of impending Brexit  the big and potentially traumatic step of leaving the European Union).

The most obvious dark cloud on the global horizon is Europe. The British issues are not helping, but the deeper issues continue to be related to the eurozone itself (Britain never adopted the euro). The headline growth number in Spain is somewhat encouraging, continuing to show some rebound. But the ongoing gloom about Italy  the third-largest eurozone economy, growing at less than 1% per year  is a serious matter.

Compounding these macroeconomic issues is the continuing pressure on eurozone banks. These banks have never fully recovered from earlier losses, and their equity capital levels remain low relative to international competitors (like the US) and to what investors regard as reasonable.

The bigger problem remains uncertainty about who is on the hook if a banks losses imply potential insolvency. These banks are clearly too big to fail  no European government in its right mind would allow a default on bank debt. But there is no agreement on how to share bank losses across countries. Taken as a whole, the eurozone has enough fiscal capacity to stand behind its banks. But, unfortunately, doing so is still a country-by-country decision  the collective mechanisms for recapitalizing European banks remain partial and far too weak.

Compounding these difficulties, growth in middle-income emerging markets is not strong. Slower growth in these countries is reflected in lower projected imports and lower expected commodity prices, which will negatively affect countries that export raw materials and energy resources. The Nigerian economy, just to take one example, is expected to contract by 1.7% this year.

Growth in the US, as reported by the IMF, was 2.6% in 2015, and is forecast to slip to 1.6% this year before rebounding slightly to 2.2% in 2017. There has been a long steady recovery from the 2008 financial crisis, but the effects of that collapse still linger.

Trump promises to boost US growth immediately to 4-5%, but this is pure fantasy. It is far more likely that his anti-trade policies would cause a sharp slowdown, much like the British are experiencing.

In fact, the impact of a Trump victory on the US could well be worse. Whereas British Prime Minister Theresa Mays government wants to close the UKs borders to immigrants from the EU, it does want trade with the world. Trump, on the other hand, is determined to curtail imports through a variety of policies, all of which are well within the power of a president. He would not need congressional approval to slam the brakes on the US economy.

< Even in the best of times, US policymakers often do not think enough about the impact of their actions on the rest of the world. Trumps trade-led recession would tip Europe back into full-blown recession, which would likely precipitate a serious banking crisis. If this risk were not contained  and the probability of a European banking debacle is already disconcertingly high  there would be a further negative spiral. Either way, the effects on emerging markets and all lower-income countries would be dramatic.

Investors in the stock market currently regard a Trump presidency as a relatively low-probability development. But, while the precise consequences of bad policies are always hard to predict, if investors are wrong and Trump wins, we should expect a big markdown in expected future earnings for a wide range of stocks  and a likely crash in the broader market.

Simon Johnson, a former chief economist of the IMF, is a professor at MIT Sloan, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, and co-founder of a leading economics blog, The Baseline Scenario. He is the co-author, with James Kwak, of White House Burning: The Founding Fathers, Our National Debt, and Why It Matters to You.

Licensed from Project Syndicate



Related video added by Juan Cole:

The Young Turks:  Trump On Letting The Economy Collapse
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

AFP Arabic reports that Iraqi PM Haydar al-Abadi said Tuesday that We do not want a war with Turkey, and do not want a confrontation with Turkey, but if a confrontation takes place, we are ready for it. He added that if Turkey attacks Iraq, it will break up because Turkey does not have the ability to fight outside its borders.

Iraq was alarmed by the announcement by Turkish military authorities that they are sending some 30 armored vehicles and tanks and artillery pieces down to the Turkey-Iraqi border.

Al-Abadi said, we fear that a reckless step may be taken. He said he hoped it would not take place, not because he feared such a step itself but because he feared the reaction. He called any such move stupid.

There are also hundreds of Turkish troops inside Iraq at Bashiqa near Mosul, who are training Sunni militiamen. Turkey had claimed Mosul in the aftermath of the breakup of the Ottoman Empire but the British wanted it for their new colony of Iraq, and the British prevailed. Turkey is a Sunni-majority country and Iraq is a Shiite-majority country though that statistic for Iraq only really began to matter politically with the 2005 elections. Turkey feels protective of Mosul Sunni Muslims, who are coming back under the rule of Baghdad.

Iraq demands that the Turkish troops withdraw from the country, terming them occupation forces.

Despite al-Abadis bluster, in fact Turkey is the country with the big, well-trained and well-equipped NATO army. Iraqis army collapsed in 2014 and has only partially been rebuilt; it is moreover bogged down in an epochal fight with Daesh (ISIS, ISIL) which is notorious for its tactical suicide-bombings and booby traps.

At the same news conference, al-Abadi indicated that the shaping operations just outside Mosul have now apparently been completed and the Iraqi armys Ninth Division or counter-terrorism brigades have now entered the city of Mosul itself. It will, however, be a long slog through back alleys with a constant threat of ninja suicide bombers dropping into the alley or of buildings being booby-trapped with trip wires.

I know that Secretary of State John Kerry is more or less a lame duck, but I cant understand why he isnt mediating this Baghdad-Ankara saber-rattling, which can only benefit the Daesh terrorists.



Related video:

Press TV:  Turkey deploys military vehicles to border with Iraq
A federal appeals court ruled [opinion, PDF] Tuesday against RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co.s [corporate website] appeal citing that they waited too long. Reynolds appealed a decision [Winston-Salem Journal report] by a federal judge who rules that Reynolds was required to place two sets of corrective warning statements for its cigarette products on behalf of Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corp., which Reynolds acquired in 2004. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit [official website] ruled against Reynolds request. US District Judge Kessler ruled in 2006 [opinion] that manufacturers had concealed the dangers of smoking for decades and had to run corrective statements. Reynolds filed an appeal in 2014 and claims it was uncertain about its responsibilities toward Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corp. during that time. The court ruled that Reynolds untimeliness was unacceptable.

Cigarettes continue to be a serious health and legal issue around the world. In June 2015 a judge for the Quebec Superior Court awarded over $15 billion [JURIST report] in damages to Quebec smokers in a case against tobacco companies JTI-Macdonald, Imperial Tobacco, and Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, making this the largest award for damages and the biggest class action lawsuit in Canadas history. In May 2014 the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upheld the dismissal [JURIST report] of a consolidated lawsuit brought against various tobacco companies. In August 2014 the World Health Organization called for strict regulation [JURIST report] of electronic cigarettes, including a ban on the usage of the devices in public places and advertising targeting minors. In June 2014 the Supreme Administrative Court of Thailand approved a new regulation [JURIST report] requiring packs of cigarettes in the country to be 85 percent covered with graphic health warnings.
The Ukrainian army is ready to implement the Minsk agreements with regard to the 'mirror' disengagement of forces and hardware in the Stanytsia Luhanska area yet the hostiles continue to mar the truce.

"The truce should hold for at least seven days in order to make the withdrawal happen. They kept shooting in Stanytsia Luhanska, just the day before yesterday and prior to that. We are ready to pull back if the hostiles do the same," Viktor Shubets of the anti-terrorist operation staff in eastern Ukraine told Interfax-Ukraine.

The Ukrainian army is fully prepared to begin the withdrawal, he said.
[JURIST] Nigerian authorities have sexually abused and exploited women and girls displaced by the Boko Haram conflicted, according to a report [text] released Monday by Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website]. HRW documented sexual abuse of 43 females in July 2016 living in seven internally displaced persons camps in the Borno State capital. The majority reported being coerced into sex with false marriage proposals and false promises of assistance, while other reported being drugged and raped. HRW chastised the Nigerian government for not doing more to protect displaced females or to ensure they have basic rights and the ability to sanction the abusers.

The militant Islamic group Boko Haram [BBC backgrounder; JURIST news archive], whose name means Western education is a sin, has been fighting to overthrow the Nigerian government in the interest of creating an Islamist state. In August the UN stated [JURIST report] that it is becoming increasingly alarmed by catastrophic levels of suffering in Nigeria, as more rights violations are being exposed while the anti-Boko Haram military campaign advances. In August UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon [official profile] applauded [JURIST report] the EU for donating 50 million euro (approximately USD $55,435,000) to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF). The MNJTF was created by Lake Chad basin countries in an effort to combat Boko Haram. In July the Secretary-General condemned [JURIST report] yet another attack by Boko Haram in Nigeria that left 30 dead and approximately 80 injured. In April the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Raad al-Hussein, reported [JURIST report] that Boko Haram militants in Nigeria have been murdering women and girls previously taken captive by the group.
[JURIST] The North Carolina National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) [official website] filed a federal lawsuit [complaint, PDF] on Monday challenging North Carolinas sudden cancellation of voter registrations across three counties. The voter removals, executed by the North Carolina State Board of Elections [official website], were the result [CNN report] of third party challenges to an estimated 4,500 voters who had mailings returned as undeliverable. Such challenges were performed under a state statute that allows citizens to challenge the voter eligibility of others up to 25 days prior to election day. The NAACP argued, however, that these challenges made on the basis of residency concerns were largely brought against state citizens who have either not changed their residency or still remain in their respective counties. Furthermore, the NAACP accused the board of violating the National Voter Registration Act [materials] by performing an en masse systematic voter removal program within 90 days of election day. According to the NAACP, such systematic cancellations also disproportionately affect minorities and thereby suppress the votes of thousands of African Americans. The board has continued to defend these cancellations, stating that they were not the result of systematic action but rather third parties using an established statutory process. Nonetheless the NAACP hopes to reverse the voter cancellation before election day arrives.

Voter rights continue to plague this election cycle. Last week the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit [official website] granted a stay [JURIST report] on the preliminary injunction that had halted Michigans ban on taking ballot selfies. Also last week a New York law prohibiting a person from showing the contents of her prepared voting ballot was challenged as unconstitutional [JURIST report] by state voters for violating their First Amendment rights. The complaint alleges that the law infringes on voters freedom of speech and freedom of expression under the US Constitution as well as the New York state Constitution. In the past month similar laws banning the ballot selfie have been rejected in Michigan and New Hampshire [JURIST report]. Last week a federal court denied an emergency motion [JURIST report] from North Carolina counties to extend the hours of early voting. Earlier last month a district court judge ruled [JURIST report] that Ohio must allow most unlawfully purged voters to vote in November. In September a district court judge granted [JURIST report] a motion blocking Illinois from allowing voter registration on election day in the states most populated counties.
[JURIST] A coalition of more than 70 rights groups on Monday sent a letter [text, PDF] to Facebook [corporate website] asking for clarity on the social media websites policy on removing video and other content, especially human rights documentation, at the request of government actors. The letter, signed by groups including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 350.org and the Indigenous Environmental Network [advocacy websites], points to specific instances of removal and suppression of human-rights related content. Nicole Carty of SumOfUs [advocacy website], stated, [i]n order to mitigate these issues, Facebook must recognize these broader policy failures as human rights and free speech issues. From Black Lives Matter in the United States to journalists in Palestine, Facebooks lack of transparency has resulted in reports of censorship on almost a weekly basis, which proves that this is not an individualized glitch but a broader policy problem.

Popular social media services and transforming technologies have posed new and unique challenges to rights groups worldwide. In late October Amnesty International released a report [JURIST report] ranking the privacy protection measures taken by the most popular social media websites, finding Snapchat and Skype to be the least private. Earlier this month the ACLU, along with the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and 50 other interest groups, sent a letter [JURIST report] urging the US Department of Justice [official website] to investigate the increasing use of facial recognition technology. And in September Swiss voters approved [JURIST report] a new surveillance law allowing their national intelligence service broad powers to spy on terrorist suspects and cyber criminals, as well as the ability to cooperate with foreign intelligence agencies.
The National Assembly of Venezuela [official website, in Spanish] has postponed a symbolic trial of President Nicolas Maduro [BBC profile] in an effort to ease political tension in the nation. Maduro welcomed [press release; in Spanish] the decision saying he would like to strength dialogue in the country. A march to protest the President, planned for Thursday, was also suspended [Al Jazeera report]. Negotiations between the central government and its opposition are scheduled for November 11. The National Assemblys trial of Maduro was wholly symbolic, because the laws of Venezuela do not provide for such an action. By suspending the proceedings, the National Assembly hopes to show willingness in talks to alleviate the economic crisis and settle political unrest.

There has been considerable legislative tension between the pro-government controlled Supreme Tribunal of Justice and the opposition-majority National Assembly of Venezuela following the December election. In October the National Assembly voted to open criminal impeachment proceedings [JURIST report] against Maduro, alleging that he manipulated the constitution to remain in power. That same month the Assembly also declared [JURIST report] that there is a breakdown of constitutional order and that the government had staged a coup by blocking an attempt to remove Maduro from power. In June government officials asked the Supreme Court to deny a referendum [JURIST report] to remove Maduro proposed by opposition leaders. In April Venezuelas opposition-led parliament approved [JURIST report] new referendum rules. In March the Supreme Tribunal of Justice ruled that the Venezuelan national assembly may not review the appointment of 13 justices [JURIST report] to the high court by the Socialist Party. The 13 justices were sworn in on December 23, immediately prior to the exit of prior Socialist Party majority. In February the court upheld Maduros economic emergency decree [JURIST report] as legal and valid despite a rejection by the national assembly. The decree allows the president to control the budget, companies and the currency.
South Korean anti-trust authorities have fined two Japanese automotive parts manufacturers for colluding to fix prices, according to local reports.

The South Korean Fair Trade Commission (FTC) found Denso Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) had colluded in 2009 on bid prices for the supply of scroll type air conditioner compressors supplied to General Motors Korea.

MHI eventually won the contract to supply up to 1m compressors.

The FTC imposed a fine of KRW7.4bn (US$6.4m) on MHI and KRW3.7bn on Denso this week.

MHI has sales and aftersales operations in South Korea covering a broad range of industries and licenses product technology to local manufacturers. Denso directly owns a number of automotive component manufacturing operations in the country.

The FTC said it has successfully investigated eight cases of price fixing among global automotive component manufacturers in the last two years and has vowed continue to protect South Korean businesses and consumers from international cartels.
Kyiv's Pechersky district court in October satisfied a claim of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), obliging the State Enforcement Service to arrest movable and immovable property of businessman Oleh Bakhmatiuk and his current accounts in bank Financial Initiative and VAB Bank, the regulator has said on its website.

The total cost of the property arrested is UAH 1.2 billion.

The enforcement case was opened on October 28.

"This concerns a sum of UAH 1.2 billion under a credit agreement of VAB Bank where Bakhmatiuk acted as a financial guarantor. A house with gross area of 1,049 square meters in Kyiv region was also arrested," the NBU said.

The central bank reminded that court on September 25 the court satisfied its claim and arrested property and funds of Bakhmatiuk, while the State Enforcement Service did not open the case, as the court ruling did not contain address and ID number.

The central bank challenged the refusal in court.

VAB Bank operated on the Ukrainian financial market from 1992. On March 20, 2015, the NBU decided to liquidate the bank. The central bank said that Bakhmatiuk is responsible for worsening of the situation at the bank.
Nordic food group Orkla is expanding its business in China in cooperation with Alibaba, with the launch of its own e-commerce store on the e-commerce giants Tmall platform.

Detailing the companys long-term objectives during a conference call with analysts on Orklas third-quarter results yesterday (1 November), CEO Peter Ruzicka said the company believes export sales are an important driver for growth in the future.

Orkla intends to use its existing brands and reputation to expand in international markets such as China. We have a lot of unique Nordic products, they are regarded to be healthy, safe from a food safety perspective, produced in cleaner environment with clean air, clean water and so on, Ruzicka said. China is a quite big market, actually its the worlds largest e-commerce market and we have now entered into cooperation with Alibaba or their web shop, Tmall. So we are now on with our own Orkla store on Tmall with our Nordic brands, Nordic approach, natural healthy and safe food.

Orkla has launched 25 SKUs through its Tmall portal, orkla.tmall.hk. The company plans to extend the range at the start of next year.

Rusicka said the approach will not dramatically change Orklas sales trajectory in the short-term. Nevertheless, he insisted China is a strategic market for Orkla in the longer term.

In short-term, we dont expect huge sales but we think this is an important way to learn the Chinese consumer and to learn Chinese market and the e-commerce market, and we think this will give great opportunities going forward, he said.
Kyiv reported on the most recent losses in Donbas: two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and five injured.

"As a result of the hostilities, two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and another five injured in the 24 hours," Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Andriy Lysenko told at a press briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Two soldiers were killed in a shelling in the village of Slavne (the Maryinka district, the Donetsk region) and another two soldiers were injured there, according to Lysenko. Still another two servicemen sustained injuries near the Avdiyivka industrial zone and one soldier was injured in Pyshchevyk, he said.

In the Luhansk sector, the regime of calm was violated three times when Kyiv's adversary used artillery in the Stanytsia Luhanska district, Popasna and Krymske, Lysenko said.

In the Donetsk sector, 80% of the shelling hit the Avdiyivka industrial zone. The latest one lasted without interruption for three hours. Kyiv's adversary used mortars in all the episodes recorded there, Lysenko said.

Fourteen mortar shells fell on the village of Luhanske. The entire Donetsk sector saw seven instances of violation of the ceasefire in the 24 hours, Lysenko said. Of those, five involved the use of heavy weapons, Lysenko said.

In the Mariupol sector, in addition to Krasnohorivka and the Pavlopil-Shyrokyne section, the opposing side conducted a number of shellings targeting Novomykhailivka, Slavne, and Pyshchevyk. The adversary employed mortars, cannons, and infantry fighting vehicles. In total, 27 instances of violation of the ceasefire were recorded in the Mariupol sector over 24 hours, including 11 cases that involved the use of heavy weapons, Lysenko said.
Photos Credit: Mercedes Benz

Look out, luxury vehicle makers. Mercedes-Benz has just unveiled their newest concept car: the X-Class. Two versions of the vehicle were previewed at their showcase in Stockholm, Sweden this past week, giving the public a peek at both a luxury model and a model more suitable for off-road usage. Mercedes-Benz claims that this is the world's first premium pickup truck, despite the fact that it has been producing various models of trucks for several years.

This new model comes at a time when pickup truck purchases are at an all-time high. According to Business Insider, the Mercedes-Benz is seeking to fill a gap in their portfolio of vehicles and get an edge on a market where truck purchases have increased by nearly 20% in the past year.

The truck is set to hit markets in Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia by the end of 2017. Despite the massive popularity of pickup trucks in the United States, there has been no word from the company about a release date. There has also been no indication about the purchasing costs of the vehicles, though many are speculating that they will begin at approximately $75,000.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev in a telephone conversation have discussed the ways to overcome the problems that have arisen with the supply of Ukrainian products to Kyrgyzstan due to Russia's restricting transit of Ukrainian goods, as well as possible alternative transport routes.

In addition, the sides discussed the topical issues of bilateral relations, noting the need to intensify political dialogue at all levels.

"The two sides noted the need to intensify political dialogue at all levels, as well as strengthening the trade and economic component of bilateral relations. In particular, they noted the importance of holding another meeting of the joint intergovernmental Ukrainian-Kyrgyz commission on cooperation," the press service of the Ukrainian president said.

Considerable attention was also paid to interaction between Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan in the framework of international organizations, primarily the United Nations.
Illegal armed groups continue violating the Minsk Agreements on the settlement of the situation in the east of Ukraine, Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine on European Integration Ihor Dolhov has said at a meeting with a delegation of the Subcommittee on Security and Defense of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee in Kyiv on Wednesday.

"Unfortunately, we have facts of violations of the agreements by the Russian-terrorist forces. We have losses, including among the civilian population. I would like to note once again that this conflict is not an internal conflict of Ukraine, it is the conflict of Europe and the threat to whole European security system," Dolhov said.

According to him, the situation with forces withdrawal remains to be difficult due to violations of the ceasefire regime by militants, despite the political reached agreements. Dolhov said that it would be difficult for Ukraine to resist Russian aggression without the strong support of partners, and urged European partners to strengthen the sanctions regime against the aggressor.

As reported on the official website of the Defense Ministry, representatives of the European Parliament were interested in the military-political situation in the zone of anti terrorist operation (ATO), the state of reforming the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the defense sector in conditions of the Russian military aggression.

Chairman of the Subcommittee on Security and Defense of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs Anna Fotyga assured the representatives of the Ukrainian side in further support in the fight against the Russian propaganda and aggression, the website of Ukrainian Defense Ministry said.
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic has called on OSCE participating states on International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists to step up their investigations, identify and prosecute those who commit crimes against journalists.

"Authorities throughout the OSCE region are failing to take action to reduce the high number of attacks against journalists, and they are failing to confront the issue of impunity. ()"The grim facts are that nine out of every ten murders of journalists are never solved and that the vast majority of physical attacks against journalist are not investigated. These statistics alone show that we can never give up and never give in to the fight for journalists' safety and media freedom," Mijatovic said on the OSCE site on Wednesday.

The long list of murdered journalists in the OSCE region in whose cases the perpetrators still remain at large includes, among many others, Slavko Curuvija (1999), Georgy Gongadze (2000), Martin O'Hagan (2001), Milan Pantic (2001), Veronika Cherkasova (2004), Dusko Jovanovic (2004), Paul Klebnikov (2004), Elmar Huseynov (2005), Anna Politkovskaya (2006), Alisher Saipov (2007), Hrant Dink (2007), Natalya Estemirova (2009), Khadzhimurad Kamalov (2011), Akhmednabi Akhmednabiyev (2013), and Pavel Sheremet (2016).

"The names of these brave journalists are not only proof of the failure in safeguarding members of the media, they are also evidence of the low or even non-existent political will to tackle the issue of impunity," Mijatovic said.

As reported, well-known Belarusian journalist Sheremet was killed in an explosion of a car downtown Kyiv on July 20, 2016. The blast occurred when Sheremet was driving the car.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said it: There are so many pussies in your presidential campaign, on both sides, that I prefer no to comment about this.

Mr. Lavrovs jewel of literary inspiration should go to the anales of historic quotes for not only it is hilarious but it also fits perfectly in the Russian establishments current endeavour: to ridicule, both in their domestic market and abroad, US democracy as a non-serious, roten system, lost in frivolity, lies and immorality, incapable of bringing order and of catering for honest and working people. It is a masterpiece soundbite of apparently unintended mockery -though he may be somewhat right in the substance.

Lavrov tried to sound naif and humble, as if his lack of command of the English language did not allow him to fully comprehend what the candidates had actually been talking about, or as he did not posses the ability to express the subtleties of his own thoughts with enough precision or propriety. And, therefore, decided not to comment. Yet, Mr. Lavrov possesses a mastery of English vocabulary likely superior to a vast majority of American native English speakers -years of attending meetings at the UN certainly helped. And he indeed commented, for a statement such as there are so many pussies in your presidential campaign on both sides is as much a politically charged description as an implicit assessment of the situation. He did not forget to clearly extend his observation to the Clinton camp -surely not an accident.

The ever present CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour did as if she was trying to hide her laughter at Lavrovs words, but you bet she was enjoying the situation, fully aware that this would become one more in her long list of moments of global glory. In fact, it was her who introduced the word pussy in the conversation (had Lavrov been warned beforehand?), thus appearing in front of her audience as a daring interviewer, yet without trespassing on politically unacceptable territory or vocabulary, as she was paraphrasing others -this is the CNN after all. But she doubtlessly knew the episode would make big waves, and big audience.

Maybe Amanpour was expecting an answer exculpatory of Mr. Trump, reflecting both Russian predilection for this candidate and its lack of sensitivity to gender questions, of the type you know, this is just mans talk, not so important. What she got instead was a kind of to us the problem is present not only on Mr. Trumps side but everywhere in the American political spectrum.

Yet, the point is that there is a lot of truth in Mr. Lavrovs implicit message: so much talk on personal conduct, lies, emails and so on leaves little room for serious confrontation of views on policies, and on concrete economic, social and political issues, beyond slogans and generic, ideological posturing. The result is a poorly informed electorate left with no alternative than voting with the heart and not the brain.

But there is another way of looking at it. Sex is like philosophy: you cannot dedicate too much attention to it with an empty stomach or if you are too afraid about your physical survival. There is a lot of sex in politics in the US. In Russia, there is none. This may be an indicator of what the situation is in each country.

As for Mr. Trump, he missed a great opportunity to make further populist pronouncements (that would no doubt bring millions of, mainly masculine, votes) such as no immigrant will grab our American pussies or something of the like. We, in Europe, would have looked with envy to our American friends as our boring political leaders would never walk that path.
The Ukrainian military men in Donbas recorded 25 instances of gunfire at their positions between midnight and 6 p.m., according to the press center for the headquarters of the anti terrorist operation taking place in eastern Ukraine.

"There were 16 shell attacks in the Mariupol area. A hostile sniper operated in the Krasnohorivka area. During provocations near Pavlopil, the enemy used grenade launchers, 120 millimeter mortars were used in Taramchuk, while Shyrokyne and Talakivka were attacked with machineguns, grenades and mortars of both calibers," the press center said on Facebook on Wednesday evening.

In the Donetsk area, the ceasefire was violated five times, according to the statement. Grenades, machineguns and small arms were fired towards Ukrainian positions near Novhorodske, as well as Avdiyivka where 82 millimeter mortars were also used. Mortars and infantry fighting vehicle weapons were fired at Ukrainian military positions near Troyitske.

Four armed provocations were recorded in the Luhansk area, with small arms fired at Ukrainian troops near Novo-Oleksandrivka, grenades in Triohizbionka, and mortars used in Krymske.
Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Oleksandr Turchynov says it is inadmissible to ease sanctions against Russia as it continues violating the Minsk Agreements, and calls for their strengthening until Russian-occupied territory is freed.

Turchynov told Chair of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Security and Defense Anna Fotyga and other EP members at a meeting that the earlier imposed sanctions have "just started yielding results," and therefore "to talk about easing or rolling back the sanctions would mean to break the united front, which has been formed in Europe against the aggressor [Russia]," the NSDC's official website said.

"On the contrary, we must begin to strengthen the sanctions until concrete results are achieved - the liberation of the occupied areas, a cessation of offensive military operations by the Russian Federation, and an end to the arms race, which is currently being performed by Russia," he said.

According to Turchynov, Russia defiantly violates the Minsk Agreements every day, and until militant attacks are ceased, statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin about his willingness to peacefully resolve the conflict are "cynical and misleading."

The NSDC's chief also pointed to militarization of the occupied Crimea, the build-up of Russia's military capacities in the Kaliningrad region, the establishment of military bases in Syria, which is "proof of the active militarist position taken by Russia, which does not even conceal its aggressive intentions."

Summing up, the NSDC head said that Ukraine has no alternative to integration into the European Union and NATO, and "despite the ongoing aggression against our country and economic hardships, we continue to constantly move in this direction."

In turn, Fotyga expressed the EU's support of reforms and the European integration course of Ukraine, as well as understanding of the need for maintaining the sanctions against Russia. European MPs also expressed hope that the ratification of the Association Agreement by all the EU member states and visa liberalization will take place in the near future."
BROKEN BOW - Broken Bow said goodbye to a hero Saturday.

Although he was no longer an active Marine, Michael Doheny put his life on the line to serve his country as a contract worker in Iraq.

Doheny, 30, died Dec. 9 when the convoy he was with was hit with an improvised explosive device. He was one of three in the convoy that was killed, another was injured.

They were providing security for civilian contractors who searched for and destroyed ammunition supplies left behind by Saddam Hussein's army to keep it from getting into the insurgents' hands.

He grew up in Broken Bow. He and his wife, Melissa, had moved to Omaha.

Doheny's family knew he was doing what he felt he needed to do.

"You only get one shot at this life, so you'd better live it like you want to," was the quote from Doheny that his family chose for his funeral program.

The Broken Bow Municipal Building's auditorium Saturday was filled with about 300 family and friends as Kevin Cooksley, part of his "second family" remembered a sometimes mischievous Doheny who lived with the Cooksleys for a time.

"We'll laugh at some memories and cry at others," he said adding that all of the memories would be honored and cherished.

Cooksley reminded those gathered that Doheny was a Marine and the motto Semper Fidelis means always faithful.

"Not sometimes faithful or usually faithful, but always faithful," Cooksley said.

Doheny joined the U.S. Marines shortly after graduating from Broken Bow High School in 1996. He served eight years with the Marines, and was discharged in February 2005.

After the Marines, Doheny became employed with Tetra Tech subcontractor SOC-SMG, a Nevada private security company. On Aug. 26, he headed to Iraq for his third tour there with the company.

During his funeral Saturday, Doheny's brother, Robert Kugler, a U.S. Marine who was stationed in Iraq at the time of his brother's death, read a goodbye letter that Doheny had written to his family in case of his death.

"Today should be a day of thanks," he read later adding that his family shouldn't worry about him.

"My next week is filled up, I'm going to tell my dad I love him and give him a hug," Doheny's letter read of his father who had passed away.

"Then my schedule will be filled up with looking over all of you."

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KEARNEY - Attending counseling and working toward his GED wasn't enough to keep a Kearney man out of prison.

Calvin R. Steinmark, 20, was sentenced last week to three to 12 years in prison for selling 1.34 grams of cocaine to a police informant in February in the Walgreen's parking lot. He also was sentenced to one to three years in prison for attempted delivery of marijuana, a felony, in March, and 20 months to five years in prison for felony strangulation of a pregnant woman in March.

Buffalo County District Court Judge John Icenogle gave Steinmark 140 days credit for time already served in jail. With good time he could be eligible for parole in two years and two months, and possibly discharged in 8 years.

During the hearing, Steinmark's public defender Tom Stewart said after Steinmark's arrest he started counseling and was making progress toward his GED. Steinmark apologized to Icenogle for dealing drugs and asked for the chance to continue his treatment and education.

But Mike Mefferd, a deputy Buffalo County attorney, said Steinmark didn't deserve a chance.

"He's a drug dealer. Let's make no bones about it," Mefferd said. "And not just any drug. Cocaine, which the Legislature has given its own classification because of the seriousness involved with it."

Brian Reeves, 23, of Kearney also was sentenced in district court earlier this month for felony distribution of meth for selling the drug to an informant in Elm Creek. He was placed on three years of intensive supervised probation under the conditions that he attends the Work Ethic Camp in McCook, serve 90 days in jail in increments, and attend alcoholic anonymous/narcotics anonymous twice a week after the camp.

In March, Steinmark and Reeves were two of several people arrested on Buffalo County warrants for selling marijuana, cocaine or methamphetamine to informants working with police. The arrests were part of a city and countywide sweep for dealers in the area by officers from the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the Compact for the Apprehension of Narcotic Dealers and Offenders, and the Tri-City Drug Task Force.

Dealers who were recently convicted are:

- Dan Dreher, 47, of Odessa pleaded guilty to felony distribution of meth in exchange for the Buffalo County Attorney's office dismissing two other cases of felony distribution. Sentencing will be in October.

- Stan Buchmann, 35, of Kearney pleaded guilty to aiding in the consummation of a felony by profiting from the distribution of meth between a drug dealer and a police informant in November. Sentencing is in October.

- Donald Greuter, 42, of Upland pleaded guilty to attempted distribution of meth, a felony, and distribution of marijuana in November. Sentencing is in October.

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An early morning fire has left two children dead and their parents injured.

When North Platte firefighters arrived at the scene of a trailer fire at Key Estates Mobile Home Park at 2300 E. Philip Wednesday morning, flames and smoke had engulfed the trailer and was threatening neighboring structures, according to North Platte Fire Chief Paul Pedersen.

Jayden Ritter, 2, and Adrian Ritter, 5 months, died in the fire, according to Lincoln County Attorney Jeff Meyer. Their parents, Eric and Sheena Ritter, were transported to Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte and then transferred to a hospital in Lincoln, suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.

"The call came in at 5:15 a.m.," Pedersen said. "All three stations responded and volunteer firefighters were paged."

A rescue crew attempted to enter the trailer immediately, looking for victims, Pedersen said, but could not locate any due to flames and smoke.

"Any time there is a fire, our first priority is rescue," Pedersen said. "Whenever there is full involvement of fire, it's not conducive to survival. We go in, hoping against hope we will find someone."

Fire Station 2 was first on the scene, the chief said.

"They arrived within five or six minutes of the call," Pedersen said. "Station 1 was already out on an ambulance run when the fire call came in."

All three fire stations responded to the fire, Pedersen said, and a neighboring trailer was evacuated.

No cause of the fire has been released.

"The investigation is still in progress," Pedersen said.
In September, the U.S. Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a space subcommittee hearing entitled: Are We Losing the Space Race to China? The hearing was held because Chinas space program is making major advances and breakthroughs, and the U.S. is concerned about Chinas steady and rapid progress.

The U.S. views Chinas progress as a threat to peace and prosperity. Subcommittee Chairman Brian Babin blamed the outgoing administration for creating a leadership void that has facilitated the ascendance of China as a leading space faring nation. He expressed concern about Chinas steady and measured progress, and even greater concern about Chinas ambitious long-term goals. The consequences have already been significant, he said, and warned that the future prosperity of the U.S. depends on our leadership in space.

The U.S. can only blame itself for falling behind and creating a more competitive environment. China has expressed willingness to cooperate with other nations, including the U.S. In fact, Babin recognized Chinas cooperative approach as something that has strengthened [Chinas] soft power and international standing. But the U.S. Congress banned scientific collaboration with China in 2011, forcing China to develop space programs of their own. Once the International Space Station is retired in 2024, China will be the only nation left with a permanent presence in space.

Unless U.S. foreign policy changes to include rather than exclude China, collaboration between China and NASA is unlikely in or before 2024. NASA has repeatedly expressed willingness to cooperate with China, and the second Civil Space Dialogue between China and the U.S. to enhance cooperation on space-related issues concluded in late October. But the relationship is mired by counterproductive U.S. legislation that seeks sustain U.S. dominance by excluding China.

U.S. foreign policy is premised on the assumption that America is exceptional. Peace and prosperity depend on U.S. leadership, and the U.S. should set the rules in space. The ideology that America has a unique mission to transform the world was voiced by members of Congress at the hearing. For example, Babin said that space should become a domain that is centered on American ideologies and principles, and Lamar Smith, the Committee Chairman, said that the U.S. must reassert its leadership and warned China does not hold the same values.

The experts who testified before Congress all agreed that China presents a challenge. Dennis Shea, Chairman of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, said that Chinas approach will open up opportunities for Beijing.Mark Stokes, Executive Director of the Project 2049 Institute, said that from a technology perspective, China is closing the gap. Dean Cheng, Senior Research Fellow at the Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation, expressed concern about Chinas plans to put a man on the moon.The day that the Chinese are able to do the same thing, is the day that American uniqueness will be openly challenged and Chinese prestige will be put on the same level as that of the United States, he said. Congress was warned to take note of Chinas progress.

Concern about China gaining too much ground is part of larger narrative that says the U.S. is in decline. Regardless if that is the case, Chinas gains are real, and the perception of U.S. decline is real. While the two sides are not de facto opponents, the new environment necessitates a new framework for cooperation. For example, Cheng argued that China is trying to push its sovereignty into international common spaces, including space. He warned that if the U.S. does not lead in space, then it will find itself operating within the Chinese framework. The concept of at least two competing frameworks is evidence that a new framework for cooperation is needed.

A new framework of cooperation is not possible if Chinas progress is viewed as a challenge. In October, Peoples Daily published an article in Chinese entitled, U.S. Media Says China is Challenging the U.S. in Space  Analysts: Americas Guilty Conscience. The article pointed out that despite being decades behind the U.S.in terms of space programs, China is catching up by taking advantage of the latest technology; for example, Chinese quantum technology, which Congressman Don Beyer called revolutionary technology. But the congressman was not praising Chinas progress. Congressman James Bridenstine, for example, said that the U.S. must treat Chinas actions in space as the threat that they are.

NASAs role in space should be space exploration, not Cold War politics. While the role of NASA during the Cold War was to demonstrate U.S. preeminence and technological prowess over the Soviet Union, the Cold War is history. Cold War mentality by certain members of the U.S. Congress should not be allowed to creep into the modern China-U.S. relationship. Space exploration is an area of common interest, and the world can benefit greatly from Chinas pragmatic progress. NASAs quiet effort to work with China in space is the right approach for future peace and prosperity. As the experts pointed out, China and the U.S. are not competing in space. However, if U.S. foreign policy does not wise up, then future cooperation is unlikely.
LINCOLN  Changes in law will affect voters heading to the polls on Election Day.

According to a press release from the office of Secretary of State John Gale, the most publicized update is the taking of ballot selfies. A law passed during the most recent legislative session permits voters to take a photo of their completed ballot within the polling place and without penalty.

Gale asks voters to be respectful of the privacy and wishes of other voters.

Another change in law affects the placement of campaign signs near polling places. They now can be placed within 200 feet of a polling place, but cant be on property on which the polling place is located.

Other Election Day reminders include:

- People can check the status of their voter registration and location of their polling place by contacting their county election office or accessing https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/. That also is the same place where voters can check the status of their early voting ballot or their provisional ballot.

- If a registered voter has moved within a county (out of their former precinct) and not updated their registration, the person should go to the polling place associated with their current residence. The person will be required to vote a provisional ballot. Voters can locate the polling place for their current address at https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/.

- Before going to the polls, make an effort to become aware about the candidates and issues on the ballot. Sample ballots are printed in newspapers and posted on county websites. Mark and take the sample ballot with you to the polling place.

- To maintain proper decorum at the polls, it is requested that people turn off their cellphones, smartphones and other electronic devices for any purpose other than their ballot selfie.

- Campaign items such as buttons, stickers and T-shirts are not allowed in a polling place. It is illegal to campaign within 200 feet of a polling site, other than placing campaign signs according to law and off site of the polling site property.

- Proper identification may be required at the polling place of people who are newly registered by mail and have not voted previously in Nebraska or provided identification with their application. Identification at the polling place is not required of other voters.

- Until Monday, people may still vote early in person at the county election office. Early ballots sent by mail must be received at the county election office by the close of polls on Election Day. Anyone with a completed early ballot can turn it in prior to closing time at the county election office or by using an official election drop box, available in some counties. Early ballots will not be accepted at the polling place.

- Voters whose early voting ballots are lost, spoiled or not received from the county election office may vote at the polls on Election Day with a provisional ballot. That ballot will be counted once it is confirmed that no other ballots have been cast for that particular voter.

- Unofficial election results for statewide races will be posted starting at 8 p.m. on the main page of the Secretary of States website http://www.sos.ne.gov.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) holds a welcome ceremony for visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2016.

China and Malaysia on Tuesday signed agreements on railways, energy, defense, and joint development of Malaysia's naval ships, during Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's visit to Beijing.

The deals were signed after talks between Premier Li Keqiang and Najib. They covered areas ranging from infrastructure, agriculture, education, tax, quality inspection to customs and defense.

Describing China and Malaysia as good neighbors, partners and friends, Li said China is willing to work with the Southeast Asian country to boost neighborly cooperation, stability, development and prosperity.

China will link the Belt and Road Initiative with Malaysia's development strategies and build pilot programs for industrial cooperation, Li said.

"China and Malaysia can enhance cooperation in railways, including high-speed rail to strengthen regional connectivity," Li said.

He also called for further cooperation in finance, law enforcement, security and culture, particularly the operating of Xiamen University Malaysian campus.

Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters after the talks that China plans to join the construction of railways in Malaysia's east coast, and oil and gas pipelines in Sabah.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue, and ASEAN will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2017.

Premier Li said China staunchly supports the building of the ASEAN community and its central role in regional cooperation.

China is willing to enhance communication and collaboration with Malaysia for better China-ASEAN relations and regional peace and stability, he said.

Najib said Malaysia-China ties are in the best period in their history, pointing to smooth progress in the joint industrial park in Kuantan and Malacca.

Malaysia will work with China to boost cooperation in trade, investment, railway construction, finance, education and defense to advance relations, Najib said.

He said Malaysia will also enhance relations between ASEAN and China for the development of the region.

Also on Tuesday, China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang met with Najib, who is on an official visit to China from October 31 to November 6.
FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2015 file photo, former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke is escorted to a vehicle by FBI personnel outside an FBI office in Melville, N.Y. Federal prosecutors say Burke recruited a long list of accomplices to cover up his precinct house beating of a man suspected of stealing embarrassing items from his SUV, and have signaled that more people, including Auhigh-ranking officials," could face charges. Burke is to be sentenced Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. (Steve Pfost/Newsday via AP, File)
Rescuers work at Jinshangou Coal Mine in Yongchuan District of Chongqing, southwest China, Nov. 1, 2016. Eighteen miners have been confirmed dead after an explosion at the coal mine in Chongqing Monday morning. [Photo/Xinhua]

CHONGQING -- The bodies of 18 miners had been recovered as of Tuesday afternoon after an explosion at a coal mine in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality Monday morning.

Fifteen miners remain missing and rescue work is still underway.

Altogether 35 workers were in the pit when the accident happened. Two escaped unharmed, leaving 33 trapped in a pit at Jinshangou Coal Mine, Yongchuan District at 11:33 a.m. Monday.

The police are looking into possible misconduct by the mine's management team, according to Luo Qingquan, head of the district government.

More than 400 rescuers worked through the night, digging carefully through debris from the collapse to avoid secondary disasters. At least 20 ambulances and dozens of medical workers are standing by.

When the explosion occurred, Tao Puzhang, 60, working on his land about 500 meters from the mine, heard a bang and felt the ground shake under his feet.

Liu Fuxiu, a winch operator with the mine, working 40 meters from the entrance to the pit, was knocked off her feet by the blast and received injuries to her face and back. "My injuries are nothing," she said while responding to investigators. "I have a relative down the pit and I hope he is still alive."

Following the explosion, Chongqing has ordered a safety overhaul and temporarily closed all collieries with less than 90,000 tonnes of annual output.

The Jinshangou mine has a designed annual output of 60,000 tonnes, according to its license.
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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...
The world is so big, I want to see more of it, 21-year-old Liang Jun shared on WeChat. Liang often turns to the Internet to share her feelings, as no one there knows she has never stepped out of her home except the few times she was taken to the hospital.

Liang lives in Huaizi, a mountain village in Zunyi, Guizhou province. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was 3 years old. Unable to stand up and walk, she relies on her mothers help to do almost everything. She can, however, independently use chopsticks and her cell phone, as well as work on cross-stitch sewing projects.

Every day, Liang's mother carries Liang from her bed to the living room, where she then washes her daughter's face and combs her hair. Then Liang spends her day sitting in a chair while her mother is at work.

Most of Liang's peers in Huaizi have already moved away to attend school. When they return home, they spend time chatting with her, sharing their perceptions of the outside world and teaching her how to use a cell phone. Liang seldom tells her Internet friends about her disesase because she doesn't want them to pity her.

Most of the time, a TV set is Liang's only companion. Gradually, she learned to read characters and to sing from TV programs. She also can sew, excelling at cross stitch.

"I've sewed a few pictures, and one even sold for 800 RMB," she said proudly.

On the subject of love, Liang is shy. She said her biggest wish is to stand up and walk independently. She also hopes to one day meet a man who loves her.

"Will my illness ever be cured? Doesn't someone like me also deserve love?" she asked.
Mainland expects KMT to contain DPPs independence moves: expert

Xi Jinping (R), general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with a delegation led by Hung Hsiu-chu, leader of Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) Party, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Kuomintang (KMT) met in Beijing Tuesday to mend relations across the Taiwan Straits, which has suffered since a pro-Taiwan independence party took office in May.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, held a meeting on Tuesday with KMT Chairperson Hung Hsiu-chu, who is on a five-day visit to the Chinese mainland.

During their meeting, Xi stressed the importance of adherence to the 1992 Consensus and called to maintain the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

Both parties agree that the 1992 Consensus, which endorses the one-China principle, is vital for cross-Straits communications.

Relations between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan began to suffer after pro-independence DPP leader Tsai Ing-wen assumed the island's leadership in May and has dodged acknowledgement of the consensus.

"To ensure national integrity and protect the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation is the common will of all Chinese people," Xi said during the meeting.

Hung responded by saying that her party, though not in office, will uphold their "mission" to promote "positive energy" across the Straits, and maintain bilateral stability and protect peace and economic development. She also raised the possibility of achieving a peace agreement between the two sides.

"The meeting between Xi and Hung showcased Chinese mainland expectations for a greater role that the Kuomintang party, which carries the advantage of promoting peaceful development across the Straits, can play in Taiwan to contain the DPP," Zhang Wensheng, a research fellow at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, told the Global Times.

Considering the KMT party still holds the second-highest number of seats in Taiwan's "Legislative Yuan," "only the party is capable of containing the ruling DPP so far," Zhang said, adding that KMT lawmakers can, for instance, oppose "constitutional" amendments once sensitive topics are tackled.

Hung's visit would also reassure the mainland that only some Taiwan people advocate independence and attempt to seek considerable leeway in future exchanges, Tang Shaocheng, a senior researcher at National Chengchi University in Taiwan told the Global Times.

"It has mended an official channel between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan to consolidate cross-Straits peace," Tang said.

Ma Xiaoguang, State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, warned in May that the existing communication mechanisms between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits can only be sustained if Taiwan confirms its acknowledgement of the 1992 Consensus.

Peace agreement

"We [the Kuomintang] will actively play a role in pushing for the institutionalization of peaceful relations between the two sides of the Straits, and explore the possibility of terminating cross-Straits hostility through a peace agreement," Hung said in a speech at the meeting after listening to Xi's speech.

A new policy platform that aims to end cross-Straits hostility through a possible peace treaty was approved by the KMT's national congress in September, the Taipei Times reported.

The ex-presidential candidate also put forward the "one China, same interpretation" framework, which was seen as a further step toward unification, but slammed for being "out of tune" with the KMT by some influential party figures like former "vice president" Wu Den-yih.

"Although the Chinese mainland is open to discussing the possibility of a peace agreement toward the goal of unification, it recognizes the current Taiwan society," Zhang told the Global Times.

The DPP caucus called on Hung on Monday not to cross the "red line" by proposing bilateral agreements with the mainland without government authorization, the Taipei Times reported.

Echoing Zhang, Tang said the visit's significance was deepening mutual understanding of the 1992 Consensus, indicating that Hung lacks first-hand election experience.

On November 7, 2015, former KMT and Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou held talks with Xi in Singapore at the historic, first-ever meeting between leaders from across the Taiwan Straits in 66 years.

Ma told Xi that the 1992 Consensus with the one-China principle is the common political foundation for advancing the peaceful development of cross-Straits ties, Xinhua reported.
The J-20, China's new-generation stealth fighter, makes its debut with a flyby exhibition on the opening day of the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition 2016, in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province on Tuesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

China's biggest air show kicked off Tuesday with a brief but spectacular display of its latest aviation technology, with the debut of its latest stealth fighter jet thrilling spectators.

The display is a symbol of the progress China has made in military technology, observers at the show said, while cautioning that there is still a gap between Chinese and US air force hardware.

Two J-20 stealth fighter jets flew over thousands of spectators in formation during the opening ceremony of the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition 2016, or Airshow China in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province.

A member of the Pakistani Air Force delegation, who did not give his name, told the Global Times that "it [J-20 flight] was very impressive," except it was too short.

Although its appearance was less than one minute, those watching with knowledge of military matters could sense the advantage of this China-made fifth-generation fighter jet.

"The angle of the climb that the J-20 achieved during its exhibition flight was about 90 degrees. That proves the quality of the engine is very high, and this will give us advantages in actual combat," a Chinese air force officer surnamed Wang told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Currently, only the US (F-22 and F-35), China (J-20 and J-31) and Russia (T-50) have their own domestically built fifth-generation fighter jets, so the comparison between these countries' most advanced fighter jets is unavoidable.

However, Chen Hu, chief editor of Chinese military magazine World Military Affairs, told the Global Times that comparisons are not necessarily useful, as there are many differences.

"The F-22 was built to destroy enemy anti-aircraft systems and airborne fighter jets to gain air domination, not to attack large surface ships like aircraft carriers, because the US' potential rivals don't have many carriers," he said.

"But in this area, China's defensive needs are totally different from the US'," so the F-22's capability has no comparison with the J-20 on attacking large surface ships, Chen said.

"The J-20 is not for sale so far because it is the most advanced fighter jet that China has, that's why the debut was very short," Chen said Tuesday, adding that China only wants to send a signal to the world that it formally has the fifth generation stealth fighter jet but that further details will remain secret.

Chen stressed that the F-22 is fully operationally tested, but the J-20 is yet to see any combat, "which means the gap in military technology between the US and China still exists."

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) also demonstrated its new products at the air show on Tuesday, including the CH-5 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and a solar energy drone.

The "CH series" is the UAV with most combat experience in the world, said Shi Wen, chief engineer of CH series.

"The CH-3 and CH-4 are very popular in South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. These drones have destroyed more than 300 targets in combat in these regions, and the strike rate is 99 percent, which is remarkable," Shi told the Global Times.

A few years ago, The CH-3 and CH-4 drones could already launch strikes from an altitude of 5,000 meters, which US-made drones could not do. The CH-5 is even more advanced, and can stay aloft in a battle zone for more than 60 hours, Shi said.

"The CH series' control system is very smart, just like playing a video game, so it's very easy for clients to learn and train their own pilots, and this is also an important advantage in the military UAV market," Chen said.

Zhou Naien, associate director of CASC's design department at its research institute, said that at first, the core competitiveness was "surveillance plus strike," but that other areas would be explored.

"The CH-5 can be used for forest protection, exploration of underground resources, and ocean environment monitoring," Zhou said.

China is a newcomer to the world's arms market, which was previously dominated by the US and Russia.

"China is quickly expanding its share of the global arms trade, however, it still lags behind the US. Take drones, the US is far ahead, and China is on the same level as Israel, Europe and Russia," Chen said.

Arms exports are not only decided by the quality of the product, but also heavily affected by diplomatic relations, he noted.
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My father worked as a middle manager in the textile industry for many years after he graduated with a degree in textile engineering from Georgia Tech in Atlanta. As far as I know, he was the first to graduate from college in his family. I can only imagine how exciting it was for him to leave the little town of Cochran, travel to the big city of Atlanta, work to get a college degree, then go out into the world of work in the early 1950s. Business was booming, jobs could be had and an ambitious young man could go far if he just put his mind to it.

Things went well.

I was born and my brother came along four years later. My family was clearly living the middle-class dream: a nice, small brick home, two cars (one new, one used), food on the table and new school clothes from Sears every fall. I remember being very happy then, as happy as a kid could be in 1960s America, I think.

Something happened later on. When my Dad was clearly and firmly middle aged, he was laid off  downsized or rightsized or whatever they would call it nowadays. I only have vague memories of that time, but I dont think my father was ever quite the same. The textile industry was pulling out of America shipping jobs to foreign countries where labor was plentiful and cheap.

My father would work various jobs until his untimely death at the age of sixty-two, but I can only imagine the pain he felt when he saw his beloved vocational framework slipping away. He was powerless against the tide of offshore industrial development.

Another community hospital closed its doors a few weeks ago in the small town of Barnwell, SC. We have a mental health center satellite clinic a stones throw from the hospital parking lot, and there was a freestanding medical clinic affiliated with the hospital twenty yards from our office. There are various stories and rumors about how the hospital got into trouble, but the fact remains that it could no longer afford to operate, and the decision to close came fairly precipitously, at least from the perspective of those of us who live or work in the community.

It was not the first and it will not be the last community medical facility to close. The fact is that it threw the town into a mini-crisis, leaving it to figure out how to manage medical emergencies, what to do when there is no emergency room to go to and how to establish new methods of caring for the needs of its citizens. Mental health was not immune to this, as we often used the hospital to evaluate, stabilize or refer mental health patients in crisis. The nearest hospitals for referrals are from seventeen to thirty-five miles away. Law enforcement, medical providers, ambulance services, probate court and other parties had to get busy creating new processes and lines of communication to ensure that services are provided when needed  even without a hospital. Telepsychiatry has become an active player.

Its hard not to draw parallels between the textile industry of the 1960s and the medical industry today. Our services and institutions are not being shipped overseas for the most part, but small players are being swallowed by larger ones, the weak links are being forced to close, and managed care is moving in to regulate what remains. It is definitely a challenging environment to be working in, and I would certainly not call it fun.

As many small mill villages like the one I grew up in relied very heavily on that large manufacturing plant for jobs and security, many communities have been accustomed to having decent medical care close to home. When providers leave and hospitals close, the sense of security and safety often leaves with them. Communities are forced to think outside the box, come up with new links between the providers left behind or fashion completely new protocols.

I do not, like my father must have, worry about my job security. There are plenty of patients and plenty of positions in the mental health field and I do not see those going away soon, if ever. However, I mourn the loss of the small town family doctor, the local clinic and the community hospital. Some of these will never come back.

Health care in this country is going through tremendously stressful changes and passing on to a new system of health care provision.

I only pray that we never lose sight of why we all do this  to help the patients who need us.

To paraphrase Sir William Osler, one of the best physicians to ever practice the healing arts, maybe we should,  listen to the system, and it will tell us what is wrong with it.

Greg Smith is a psychiatrist who blogs at gregsmithmd.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Yu Zhengsheng (C, 1st row), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), presides over the closing session of the 18th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 12th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, Nov. 1 -- China's top political advisory body on Tuesday wrapped up a two-day meeting studying the spirit of the sixth plenary session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held last week.

Members of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee hailed the sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee as a milestone in strengthening the Party and socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The attendees said learning and implementing the spirit of the session was a major political task of the CPPCC, and the task should be fulfilled through its daily work.

The addition and dismissal of several CPPCC National Committee memberships were also approved during the meeting.

Top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng attended the meeting, chairing Tuesday's closing session.

Wang Qishan, secretary of the CPC's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, was invited to attend and speak at the opening session on Monday.
Xi Jinping (R), general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with a delegation led by Hung Hsiu-chu, leader of Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) Party, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, Nov. 1 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Tuesday said that hostility across the Taiwan Strait should end and a peace agreement be reached through talks based on the one-China principle.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with a delegation led by Hung Hsiu-chu, leader of Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) Party.

The CPC and Kuomintang, the mainland and Taiwan, still have some complicated political disagreements, which will have to be solved eventually in a phased manner, Xi said, adding that with resolve and sincerity, solutions would be found.

"We have always advocated talks, on the basis of the one-China principle, to put an end to hostility across the Strait and reach a peace agreement," Xi said, suggesting the CPC and the Kuomintang have discussions in this regard.

Xi said the one-China principle is at the core of the 1992 Consensus, which affirms that both sides of the Strait belong to one and the same China.

"Changes in Taiwan's political landscape cannot change the historical facts underlying, and the core connotation of, the 1992 Consensus," he said.

"Whether the 1992 Consensus is acknowledged or not raises the essential question of whether the mainland and Taiwan belong to one country or two," Xi said. "When it comes to this cardinal issue of right or wrong, not the slightest obscurity or wavering is allowed in our stand."
A Kilkenny woman was killed as she walked her dog across the road at a pedestrian crossing in the US.

Maggie Lacey originally from Byrnesgrove, Ballyragget died instantly in Denver, Colorado at an intersection while her pet dog, Jessie, that she had on a lead, couldn't be found after the tragedy.

After four days combing the area, one of Maggie's friends found Jessie bleeding out in a sewer. She died a few hours later after being operated on by vets.

Maggie was the director of nursing at Regis University in Denver where colleagues said she was an inspiring individual who chose the humble under paid dearly needed role of a Nursing Educator, over a corporate job that paid five times more.

In her mid fifties, she was brought home for burial on Saturday and her ashes were buried in St Finnan's Cemetery, Ballyragget, next to her deceased parents, James and Anne.

In his homily at her funeral Mass in St Patrick's Church, Ballyragget, Fr Tommy Murphy said it was significant that Maggie died in the week after Mission Sunday because she was a real, true missionary - A caring person who nursed all over the world.

She gave her life in the service of others and all she knew was love and we can find comfort in the fact that she made such a huge difference in the lives of many young people who passed through her hands, he said.

Police are continuing their investigations into the cause of the collision.
Gardai responded to incidents across the city on Halloween night with numerous complaints from residents reporting anti-social behaviour.

Missiles were thrown in the Larchfield area with one resident complaining that a glass bottle was thrown at him and eggs were thrown at several properties.

Up to 30 teenagers were also ordered to disperse and move on by gardai who attended the scene.

Fireworks were also seized from another large group teenagers on the Castlecomer Road and from youths in Loughboy including rockets and bangers.

Stones were also thrown at houses and people in the Loughboy area and gardai received a number of complaints and attended the area and spoke to a number of young people.

Meanwhile earlier in the weekend there was a large amount of public order incidents around the city resulting in a number of arrests.

Gardai also attended an incident on Parliament Street in the early hours of Sunday morning and there were a number of assaults reported in the Parade and on John Street on Sunday night and the early hours of Monday morning. A number of people sustained minor injuries and a number of people are due to appear in court over the coming months in relation to the public disorder.

Meanwhile gardai locally are also appealing to the public following a burglary at a business premises in the Hebron Industrial Estate.

Anyone who saw any suspicious activity on Friday night or in the early hours of Saturday morning is asked to contact Kilkenny gardai on (056) 7775000.
There has been an outpouring of support for the family of a Kilkenny man killed in an accident on the M1 motorway in recent weeks

Robert (Bobby) English, a father-of-three, died following an accident on the M1 motorway near Northampton on October 10.

Bobby was part of a crew that were working in a cordoned section of the M1 motorway between Luton and Northampton.

Just before 9am a truck driver lost control of his vehicle, which hit parked dumper truck, impelling it forward and killing Bobby.

Currently there are two on-going investigations into this accident, one by Northampton Police Force, and a second one by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive).

Bobby is survived by his wife Caroline, his daughters Samantha, Rebecca, and Jennifer, his father Billy, and his siblings Evelyn, Liam, Maureen, Jennifer and Derek.

Bobby was a native of Gowran and had lived in Luton for the past 20 years. He is pre-deceased by his mother Annie.

On Friday it was announced that proceeds from the auction at the annual Kerry Association London (KAL) dinner, which was attended by over 360 people, will be donated to the family.

His funeral will take place on November 17 and 18 in Luton.
Every year, millions of American workers take time off to care for aging parents, and they must use unpaid leave to do it. But that's changing. Last September, Deloitte LLP, a professional-services firm with more than 70,000 employees, announced that workers may take up to 16 weeks of paid time off to care for children, elderly parents, or a sick spouse or partner. Earlier, Nike announced that its employees may take up to eight weeks of paid leave to care for ill family members.

As elder-care demands continue to affect employee productivity, more companies will likely follow Nike and Deloitte's example, says Jody Gastfriend, vice president of senior care at Care.com, an online marketplace for family-care services. Although the benefit is attractive to older workers, it's also valued by younger employees, she says. About 25% of millennials are caregivers, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving.

And expanding paid leave beyond time off for new parents creates a more equitable workplace, Gastfriend says. Not all employees have children, or their kids have grown up.
Back in 1951, the mutual fund industry was tiny, and index funds didn't exist. Enter John C. Bogle. That year, the young Princeton graduate went to work for Wellington Management Company. By the mid 1970s, he had founded the Vanguard Group, now the largest U.S. fund family, with more than $3 trillion in assets, and created the first index mutual fund.

Mocked in its early years as "Bogle's folly," the Vanguard 500 Index fund is now one of the world's largest funds. And its creator has been vindicated in an even bigger way: Index funds now account for roughly 30% of total fund assets, up from 14% in 2005, according to Morningstar. Vanguard, meanwhile, continues to play a leading role in driving down costs for fund investors. The asset-weighted average expense ratio of Vanguards funds dropped to 0.12% in 2015, from 0.18% five years earlierthe largest percentage decline among major fund providers.

Although Bogle transformed the fund industry, he never changed his stripes. At 87, the heart-transplant survivor is still battling for the same principle he laid out in his senior thesis at Princeton: Mutual funds' "prime responsibility must always be to their shareholders."

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In this lightly edited conversation, Bogle reflected on today's markets, his lengthy career and his ongoing fight to put fund investors first.

Congratulations on 65 years in the fund industry. Do you think the markets have changed for the better or the worse during that time?

Oh, I'd say much for the worse. Theres much more speculation. Portfolio turnover is much higher. High turnover is great for Wall Street and bad for Main Street. Too much of the rewards of investing are diverted to the sellers and not the people who put up the money. And the average expense ratios have gone up since 1951, even though we've had a lot of growth at Vanguard and have come to dominate the market totally.

This was an industry that was ripe for disruption. And we have been the disruptor. The rebirth of this industry is all around index funds.

Yet despite that, the average expense ratio has gone up?

It's a highly profitable business. The key of this whole thing is making sure investors get their fair share of the market's return. If you own an index fund, you can get the market's return for 0.05%. And if you have typical active management, the costs are at least 2% per year. So if the market returns 7%, the index investor gets 6.95%, and the active investor gets 5%. If you put 7% and 5% on a compound interest table, $1 at 7% a year will grow over 50 years to about $30, and at 5% it will grow to about $10. You're getting a third of the market return, even though you put up 100% of the capital and took 100% of the risk.

Whats your advice to retirees who are struggling to generate income from their investments in this low-yield world?

In whatever category they're in, in terms of mutual fundsbonds, stocks, whateverthey can and must look at the expense ratios of the funds. If you look at the large cap funds, an index fundsay our S&P 500 [Vanguard 500 Index Admiral shares] has a gross yield of 2.06%, an expense ratio of 0.05% and a net yield of 2.01%. We took the five largest competitive fundslarge-cap fundsand their gross yield was 1.87%, their expenses were 1.26%, and their net yield was 0.61%. So investors should look above all at the amount of yield consumed by expenses. To give up 68% of your income to the manager is not going to help you get income.

Number two: Don't reach out for yield. Reaching for yield is like going out on a limb of a tree. When you go out too far, the limb snaps.

If you want to go into a high-dividend-paying equity fund, look carefully at the portfolio. These funds give you a higher yield and probably a little bit more risk. Our high-yield dividend fund [Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index] has a yield of 3.04%. So that's a one percentage point improvement over the S&P 500's yield. Doing that with a portion of your assets, maybe 10 to 20%, is not a dumb thing to do.

How do you generate income in your own portfolio?

I'm about 50/50 bonds and stocks, and that goes back to an era when bond yields were much higher than stock yields. Municipal bonds are attractive to me. My largest investment is in my retirement plan, where I dont have any tax issues. But in my personal account, I use Vanguard's intermediate-term and short-term muni bond funds, which have the lowest costs and deliver the highest yields.

You've said that investors should expect lower returns over the next 10 to 20 years. What do you say to people who haven't saved enough for retirement and are facing lower returns in the decade ahead?

The stock market is not cheap. The dividend yield is 2%, and over my career in this business it's been about 4% or 4.5%. That's a 2 or 2.5 percentage point dead-weight loss. Earnings growth during the long period of my career was about 5.5% or 6%. Thats too optimistic for today. With GDP [gross domestic product] growing at far lower rates, you'd be doing well to do 4%. That's another 2 percentage points. And valuations in the market are high. So when you put all these numbers together, you're looking at a rate of return on stocks in the 3% or 4% range, before fund expenses. If those expenses run 2%you can do the math yourself. It's not a very attractive prospect.

Maybe you can get 3% out of a bond portfolio and 4% or 5% out of your stock portfolio. But I think everybody should have some bondssmall amounts when you're young and large amounts when you're old. It's not a precise formula but a policy guideline for asset allocation. I just think that there's not a lot you can do except accept today's yield.

The uncertainty surrounding the presidential election is making a lot of investors nervous. Whats your advice for people who are worried about the stability of the markets and economy in this election season?

It's a vexing, difficult year, with I think two flawed choices. We have a bit of a lunatic fringe going on here, yet the market seems to ignore it all. Investors seem to have great equanimity about the outcome.

Try and discipline yourself not to get excited. Markets fluctuatefluctuate wildly. I've been through three 50% declines, and I haven't liked a single one of them. People ask me, "What do you do?" I get out one of my old books and read it.

What do you think about the debate surrounding the Department of Labor's fiduciary rule? You've suggested the rule should go even further.

The rule is going to go further, whether I like it or you like it or anybody else likes it. We're in this peculiar situation where the registered investment advisers have been fiduciaries, and brokers are now moving to a fiduciary standard from a suitability standard, but only with respect to retirement plans. If Im a stockbroker and have an investor with a retirement plan and a regular account, is it really possible Ill operate his retirement account with fiduciary principles and do something different with his regular account?

Nobody likes change. Nobody likes regulations. But in the long run, the fiduciary duty is going to happen whether we have a fiduciary standard or not. Why? Because investors want to be treated as the first priority of a broker, and the marketplace over a long period will take care of all this.

Back in 1776, Adam Smith said the sole responsibility of the producer is to serve the consumer, and this proposition is so self-evident, I'm not even going to try to explain it to you. That's almost a direct quote from the great Scot. We'd say the sole responsibility of the manager is to serve the investor. We'll get there. Maybe not in my lifetime. But I'll be watching from above.

Like so many people who are well past "retirement age," you've never stopped working. Do we need to rethink the whole concept of retirement?

I don't think you should be forced to withdraw money from your retirement plan once you retire. You should be able to save it up and keep it until you really need it. More people should be informed about the value of waiting to take Social Security. They ought to be much more conscious of expenses on the fund side.

I've fought the good fight and will continue to fight it. I'm happy with Vanguard's growth, although Im worried about it getting too big. I have no authority anymore except a voiceI think a voice of reason and common sense.
Detour Gold (TSX: DGC) reversed to a profit in the third quarter as gold output topped guidance and all-in sustaining costs were below the companys expectations. Detour says it produced 127,758 ounces of gold, more than prior guidance of 120,000 for the quarter. The tally in the third quarter of 2015 was 128,222 ounces. All-in sustaining costs of $1,042 per ounce sold for the quarter were lower than expected as a result of a slower capital-spending profile during the quarter despite higher costs for the planned mill shutdown, Detour says. AISC was also down from $1,071 in the same period of 2015. Net earnings were $9.7 million, or 6 cents per share, compared to a net loss of $44.3 million, or 26 cents, in the year-ago period. Adjusted earnings were $1.3 million, or a penny per share, compared to a year-ago loss of $13.3 million, or eight cents. Detours average realized price of gold climbed to $1,281 from $1,164 in the year-ago quarter. Detour says gold production for 2016 is expected to be at the midpoint of its Sept. 6 revised guidance of 525,000 to 545,000 ounces. AISC guidance is $970 to $1,020. Meanwhile, the company issued preliminary guidance for 2017 of 540,000 to 590,000 ounces. AISC for next year are estimated to range from $1,050 to $1,150 per ounce sold, using a U.S. dollar-to-Canadian dollar exchange rate of 1.30.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

Teranga Gold Announces $65 Million Equity Offering

Teranga Gold Corp. (TSX: TGZ; ASX: TGZ) announces agreements to offer 62 million in common shares at $1.05 each for gross proceeds of approximately $65 million. There is also an option for underwriters to purchase additional shares, which could push proceeds to as much as $70 million. The company plans to direct approximately $30 million of the net proceeds of the offering to construction-readiness activities for its newly acquired Banfora gold project in Burkina Faso, West Africa, Teranga says. Such activities may include reserve development drilling, updating scientific and technical report and optimization studies, commencement of village relocation and early engineering works. The company intends to use the remainder of the net proceeds to fund exploration activities associated with its Banfora, Golden Hill and Gourma gold projects in Burkina Faso and for general corporate purposes. However, Teranga adds, actual allocation may vary depending on future developments with its mineral properties or unforeseen events. The offering is scheduled to around Nov. 21, subject to certain conditions.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com
ASTANA, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan, the world's biggest uranium producer, has shelved plans to build its first fully fledged nuclear power plant due to excessive capacity of existing facilities, Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev said on Wednesday.

The Central Asian nation has been discussing the construction of a plant with Russia's Rosatom and Japan's Toshiba .

"Kazakhstan has a surplus of electric power," Bozumbayev told reporters. "We see no deficit within the next seven years, so we see no (need for) new facilities such as a nuclear power plant within the next seven years."

Kazakhstan produced 23,800 tonnes of uranium last year, about 40 percent of global mined output. The country had operated a low-power nuclear reactor in the city of Aktau between 1973 and 1999, with most of its output used for heating and desalination rather than providing electricity.

(Reporting by Raushan Nurshayeva; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Louise Heavens)
NZD up 1.47 pct in early Asia-Pacific trade



WELLINGTON, Nov 3 (Reuters) - The New Zealand dollar rallied 1.47 percent to be quoted at $0.7293 in early Asia-Pacific trading on Thursday. The Kiwi rose overnight from around $0.7181 the previous day, to a one-month high, as U.S. dollar weakness and strong local economic data boosted the currency. "Despite the risk-off mood the NZD has been the best performer," said BNZ currency strategist Jason Wong in a research note, adding recovering global dairy prices and strong New Zealand employment data had helped buoy the currency.

(Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Alison Williams)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

kitco news
Changshu Institute of Technology has announced that it is not liable for the recent suicide of a female student, according to the family of the deceased girl. The student's body was reportededly found naked on the ground beside a dormitory building in the early morning of Oct. 21.

According to an employee of the university, the school informed the student's family immediately after the body was discovered. The university has also set up a special group to work with police, the employee added. However, refusing to answer questions about possible motivation for the suicide, the employee said an official conclusion has yet to be reached by the police.

Already, the girl's family has disputed the university's statement. A family member surnamed Fan explained that the school didn't inform them until nine hours after the body was found. In addition, Fan said the university agreed to negotiate with them, but no one from the school showed up at the scheduled appointment. Later, university security blocked them from entering campus, even shoving the girl's mother to the ground, Fan said.

In a previous conversation, a vice president of the university stressed that the school is free from accountability for the incident. The vice president claimed that the girl's family could file a lawsuit against the school if they wish. When the family questioned the safety measures of the university, the school replied that such measures are designed for the student body as a whole - not individual students.
Russia's Gazprom skeptical over EU's role in solving gas spat with Ukraine



MOSCOW, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Russia's gas giant Gazprom is skeptical over the European Union's role in mediating a gas price dispute with Ukraine, the company's Deputy Chief Executive Officer Alexander Medvedev told Rossiya-24 TV channel on Wednesday. Medvedev also said that the second line of TurkStream gas pipeline via the Black Sea will only be constructed with the approval of the EU authorities.

(Reporting and writing by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Lidia Kelly)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

kitco news
HANOI, Nov 2 (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 0410 GMT.

Nov 2 Nov 1 USD/VND mid-point 22,027 22,033 USD/VND interbank 22,319/22,320 22,322/22,327 USD/VND unofficial 22,320/22,340 22,330/22,345 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 35.85/36.11 35.64/35.89

Interbank offered rates Overnight 0.8-1.2 0.8-1.2

1 week 0.8-1.5 0.8-1.2

1 month 1.5-2.0 1.5-1.9

3 months 3.3-4.2 3.5-4.1

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)
LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Britain is unlikely to issue new government debt with a maturity much greater than the current maximum of around 50 years, the head of the UK Debt Management Office said in an interview published on Wednesday.

"We're pretty anti-trophy. My sense is, in the long run, that is likely to be better value for the taxpayer," DMO chief executive Robert Stheeman said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

Austria issued a 70-year bond on Oct. 25, attracting over 5 billion euros of investor interest. Britain's longest-dated gilt matures in July 2068 . A consultation in 2012 into possible issuance of 100-year debt found this would not be cost effective.

(Reporting by David Milliken, editing by Andy Bruce)
(Adds details, coordinating minister of economics comment)

By Wilda Asmarini

JAKARTA, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Indonesia may allow the export of copper concentrates beyond 2017 with certain restrictions, an official at the Ministry of Industry said on Wednesday.

Indonesia banned metal ore exports in early 2014 to encourage miners to build smelters to create jobs and shift exports from raw materials to higher-value finished metals.

But the government has been comprehensively reevaluating the domestic mineral processing requirements, amid concerns that the January 2017 deadline for full processing of all minerals will come too soon for certain metals.

The government is now considering extending the deadline extension for copper producers, but with quotas and export taxes to give them an incentive to build smelters in the country, I Gusti Putu Suryawirawan, the director-general of the metal industry at the Industry Ministry, said.

He said there would be no extension of the deadline for other metals, repeating that the government is unlikely to allow exports of nickel ore and bauxite. Suryawirawan had attended a meeting of various ministries to discuss the subject.

An extension could benefit U.S. mining giants like Freeport-McMoran Inc. and Newmont Mining Corp . Both companies disputed Indonesia's decision to close ore exports in 2014, but eventually settled their differences with the government.

Suryawirawan said the extension could be granted to copper producers because "the process of adding value from (copper) concentrate to metal is not always profitable".

He highlighted PT Freeport Indonesia's problem looking for a partner to invest in a smelter in East Java. Indonesia's coordinating minister for economics Darmin Nasution said the government is discussing the rule changes thoroughly and new mineral export rules should be enacted before year-end.

"We want to create a policy that reflects the government's credibility," Nasution said, adding that strict penalties could be applied if any new deadline for full processing of minerals is not met.

(Additional reporting by Hidayat Setiaji; Writing by Eveline Danubrata and Gayatri Suroyo; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
Editor's Note:Kitco News' Gold-Ocracy series first launched in April. Over the coming days, we will be reposting expert opinions on the U.S. election and its potential effects on the gold market. Dennis Gartman's comments were originally published on April 22, 2016.

Kitco News has launched a new series  Gold-Ocracy  that asks veteran industry experts how they think Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, and of course, Donald Trump could affect the global economy. Stay tuned every Friday as a new expert opinion is unveiled and as they share who they think would be best for gold and stock markets, as well as who they think the Federal Reserve fears most at the White House.

(Kitco News) - With the New York primaries now in the rearview mirror, Kitco News heard from outspoken, NY-native and longtime trends forecaster Gerald Celente, who suggests gold might want to see Republican Senator Ted Cruz at the White House come 2017. Meanwhile, Wall Street might push for a Hillary Clinton presidency.

Tuesday, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump won the majority vote in New York, with both candidates maintaining the lead in their respective parties.

You can also catchup on previous articles:

Week 1 of the series included comments from famed financial commentator Dennis Gartman.

of the series included comments from famed financial commentator Dennis Gartman. Week 2 had comments from 25-year veteran commodities trader Vince Lanci.

had comments from 25-year veteran commodities trader Vince Lanci. Week 3 included insights from famed libertarian and contrarian investor Doug Casey.

included insights from famed libertarian and contrarian investor Doug Casey. Week 5 shares insights from famed economist Mark Skousen, who says Clinton is the less likely candidate to rock the Fed's boat.

shares insights from famed economist Mark Skousen, who says Clinton is the less likely candidate to rock the Fed's boat. Week 6 check out market visionary Keith Fitz-Gerald comments on the U.S. presidential candidates and why he thinks the U.S. central bank may not be too happy about Trump's lead.

check out market visionary Keith Fitz-Gerald comments on the U.S. presidential candidates and why he thinks the U.S. central bank may not be too happy about Trump's lead. Week 7 read now to find out why veteran market watcher Rick Rule thinks Trump & Clinton would both help gold.

read now to find out why veteran market watcher Rick Rule thinks Trump & Clinton would both help gold. Week 8 read now to find out why Dundees chief economist Martin Murenbeeld thinks Trump would likely hurt the dollar, and thus gold.

Expert: Gerald Celente

Claim to fame: Founder of The Trends Research Institute & Publisher of the Trends Journal

Which presidential candidate would be best for gold? Why? According to Celente, Sen. Cruz has already been campaigning for a gold standard, which would suggest he is the best presidential candidate for gold prices. On a global level, if the dollar, still the worlds dominant reserve currency, was pegged to gold, other nations would be obliged to follow, Celente explained. Thus, demand for gold would far outstrip supply; and, the more demand, the higher the price. However, Celente added that a gold standard could also work against gold, if not properly pegged to the dollar. Who would be best for U.S. economy and the dollar? Why? Celente said that if Hillary Clinton were elected, she would bring more of the same for the U.S. dollar and the economy, which he argues isnt working. As for wild card Donald Trump, the American people perceive him as the best alternative, he said. [C]onsidering his campaign rhetoric, he would be viewed by the general public as best for the economy and dollar. Who would be best for stock markets? Why? With Hillary as President, Wall Street will be delighted, Celente said. Clinton has been scrutinized throughout the presidential race for her ties to Wall Street, with a CNN report showing that big banks have paid her at least $1.8 million in speaking fees from roughly eight speeches. Celente questioned the motives behind Wall Streets payments to Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton  as well as husband, and former President Bill Clinton  over the years. Where I come from, it's called pay-offs. Bill Clintons favorable equity market measures  including the deregulation of the Glass-Steagall Act  have enriched both the Clintons and Wall Street, he said. Who do you think the Fed wouldnt want in the White House? Why? Ted Cruz, says Celente. If he truly favors the gold standard, he would tend to be anti-Fed. Of the candidates running now, who would be your best pick? Celente said that the current so-called Presidential Reality Show has no worthy candidates. I dont vote for liars, cowards, freaks and fools. The last person running for President I would have voted for was Ron Paul, and no one comes close to him, he added.

By Sarah Benali of Kitco News; sbenali@kitco.com

Follow @SdBenali
Bremerton Police Chief Steven Strachan greets Ruth Head, a former officer in 1955 who donated her uniform to the department. LARRY STEAGALL/ KITSAP SUN

SHARE Ruth Head (left), the Bremerton policeas second female office, donated her uniform and other police equipment to be on display at the departmentas headquarters. With her at the display are her daughters Tracy Willis (center) and Nancy Widen, both of Bremerton LARRY STEAGALL/ KITSAP SUN An early photo of Ruth Head, her uniform and other items are displayed at the Bremerton Police Department headquarters. LARRY STEAGALL/ KITSAP SUN Ruth Head's daughter Nancy Widen, of Bremerton, looks at some of her mom's items. LARRY STEAGALL/ KITSAP SUN

By Josh Farley of the Kitsap Sun

BREMERTON ? More than three decades after she retired, Ruth Head returned to her former employer, the Bremerton Police Department, with a gift to posterity in tow.

Head, the department's second female officer, has donated her department-issued uniform, complete with tie and leather satchel, to the department's mini-museum of artifacts at the front counter of its Burwell Street headquarters.

Though she wore it walking the beat downtown in the 1950s, it appears freshly pressed, with a badge that shines like she wore it yesterday.

"We're so happy to have your uniform," Bremerton Police Chief Steve Strachan told Head when she arrived Tuesday to see it in the department's display for the first time. "You can tell we're pretty proud of it."

Head, now 89, said she was "very proud" to have the uniform displayed. And how about knowing it would last for future generations to see?

"It feels pretty good," she said.

Head, a native Bremertonian, was the first woman to graduate from Olympic College's law enforcement program.

To say Head ? who was Ruth Bozarth during her career at Bremerton police ? worked in a different era of law enforcement is a gross understatement. She had no patrol car and, if a sergeant wanted to reach her while she was working the beat, certain lights around the city would flash, prompting her to go to a telephone.

Being the second female officer presented its own challenges, though. She couldn't get promoted, for no other reason than her gender.

"I couldn't be a sergeant because women couldn't be sergeants," she said.

In her scrapbooks, she kept the letter to prove it. When the department asked the city attorney for his opinion on whether she could be promoted, the answer was no.

"It is the opinion of this office that such examination is not open to a person in her classification as policewoman," then city attorney Gordon Walgren wrote in a letter to the department.

Nonetheless, she held her head high, working alongside her male colleagues in keeping order at the then city jail, answering and dispatching calls and responding to them. Some things never change: She was often called to deal with the same drunkards and miscreants she'd dealt with before.

She carried her revolver in the leather satchel she swung over her shoulder.

The uniform isn't all she brought. Scrapbooks filled with newspaper clippings, photos and police credentials chronicle a career that spanned from 1955 to 1980.

Nancy Widen, Head's daughter, said her mother will often donate clothing and other belongings to Goodwill. But after Head got in touch with the Bremerton Police Department, her uniform and other memorabilia found a new and permanent home among other artifacts ? early versions of breathalyzers, Tasers and night-vision goggles.

For the police department, the addition was a no brainer.

"We said, ?What a great addition to the historical display,'" said Joe Sexton, the department's community resource officer.
Experts expect hundreds of people to turn out Saturday at area creeks for tours to watch the salmon return, like Kathy and Tom Malley did with granddaughter Phoebe several years ago at Chico Creek.

LARRY STEAGALL / KITSAP SUN FILE

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By Tristan Baurick of the Kitsap Sun

Kitsap's salmon runs aren't growing, but the tours that celebrate them are.

The number of salmon-watching tour sites in Kitsap County has grown from the three offered last year to seven scheduled this year. Attendance at Saturday's tours could easily top 700.

"Interest just always seems to be growing," said Renee Johnson, who coordinates the free tours for Washington State University's Kitsap Extension service. "A lot of people return every year, but we always see people who are doing it for the first time. They're amazed they can see so many salmon right from where they're standing."

Six creek-side tour sites are slated for Saturday at locations in Silverdale, Chico and just outside Bremerton. Salmon biologists, habitat restorationists and trained volunteers will be stationed at tour sites starting at 10 a.m.

The Poulsbo tour at Dog Fish Creek was held last weekend.

Four years ago, the tours drew just under 400 people. In 2014, about 725 people turned out.

"Then last year, it poured rain on the tour day," Johnson said. "It was shocking anyone came out at all."

Nearly 600 people braved the downpour to talk and watch salmon.

October's record-breaking rainfall didn't trigger the early rush of returning salmon some fisheries managers predicted. But rest assured they are coming, said Andy Rankis, the Suquamish Tribe's marine fish program manager.

"Some of us fisheries managers thought the heavy (creek) flows would pull more (salmon) than it has," he said. "But it's a little early, perhaps, to have big numbers."

The numbers began growing this week. By Saturday it should be easy to spot salmon thrashing upstream.

Chum make up most of the salmon returning to Kitsap's creeks. About 525,000 chum are forecast for central and south Puget Sound. That's a touch better than last year's returns, but only about half of 2007's levels.

Coho salmon are facing another tough year.

"The forecast this year is the same disaster as 2015," Rankis said.

But the forecast might be a bit off, he said. Rankis surmised that the recent combination of tougher fishing restrictions and cooling ocean temperatures might give coho a boost.

The record 14.22 inches of October rainfall means salmon can push farther upstream and into tributaries that were too shallow last year and other dry years. Better distribution means less competition for prime spawning grounds.

"The more dispersed they are the less they bother each other," Rankis said.

Johnson said the tours were expanded to highlight several recent projects aimed at improving salmon habitat. Recent work at the mouths of Chico and Clear creeks and along Dickerson Creek will be discussed at three of the new tours.

"There's a lot of pride in what's happening at these sites, and these (added) tours have grown out of that pride," she said.

Saturday's salmon tours

Jarstad Park: 4230 W. Belfair Valley Road, near Gorst; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

4230 W. Belfair Valley Road, near Gorst; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mouth of Chico Creek: 4270 Kittyhawk Drive in Chico; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

4270 Kittyhawk Drive in Chico; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Chico Salmon Viewing Park: South of Chico Way-Gold Club Hill Road intersection in Chico; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

South of Chico Way-Gold Club Hill Road intersection in Chico; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dickerson Creek: Near Northlake Way-Taylor Road intersection north of Kitsap Lake; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Near Northlake Way-Taylor Road intersection north of Kitsap Lake; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rhododendron Preserve: 3153 Seabeck Highway near Kitsap Forest Theater; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

3153 Seabeck Highway near Kitsap Forest Theater; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Clear Creek Sa'quad Interpretive Center: 9461 Levin Road, Silverdale; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Info: Renee Johnson at 360-337-7224 or go to kitsapsalmontours.org
By Kitsap Sun Staff

EAST BREMERTON  A motorcyclist was flown Wednesday morning to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after crashing into a utility pole.

At 6:48 a.m., the man was southbound on Wheaton Way. Witnesses say he was speeding and riding recklessly, according to Bremerton police.

He went though the Sylvan Way intersection, struck the back of a car, bounced off and hit a pole.

He was initially taken to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton before being flown to Harborview.

The right lane of southbound Wheaton remains closed for an investigation.
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David Sharp Bary

of Bremerton

Nov. 16, 1941

to Oct. 24, 2016

Veteran

Commander David S. Bary, SC, USN (Ret.) passed away on Oct. 24, 2016 at the age of 74 years at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.

He was born on Nov. 16, 1941 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina to Robert and Bertha Bary. He married Brenda Thalheimer of Batesville, Indiana on May 22, 1971. Their daughter, Rachel, was born on April 17, 1975.

The son of a career Army officer, "Dave" traveled extensively growing up, attending ten different schools in the United States, Japan and Europe. He graduated from Paris American High School, Paris, France in 1959. He received a Presidential appointment to the Naval Academy and graduated with the class of 1964. He was a member of the 18th Company.

After graduating, Dave attended the Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, Georgia and then was assigned as the Supply Officer of the USS Sarsfield (DD837). He next attended the Navy Submarine School, Groton, Connecticut and then served as the Supply Officer, Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617). His subsequent assignments included positions at the Naval Supply Systems Command Headquarters, Alexandria, Virginia; Staff, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and at the Polaris Material Office, Bremerton, Washington. Dave's final tour was at the Navy Supply Center, Puget Sound in Bremerton, where he served as the Planning Officer and the Comptroller. He retired from the Navy in 1984. While in the Navy, he received a master's degree in business administration, with Distinction, from the University of Michigan in 1974.

After retiring from the Navy, Dave enjoyed administrative positions in the pediatrics department, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington for the next 23 years, before retiring in 2007. For 18 of those years, he was the department director, where he was responsible for all financial and administrative functions of the large medical department, whose mission entailed extensive research, teaching and clinical care. In 2006 he was nominated to receive the Distinguished Staff Award and was recognized at the annual University of Washington Recognition Ceremony. During his 23 years with the University of Washington, Dave commuted from Bremerton to Seattle, a commute that included a one-hour ferry trip across Puget Sound each way. He apparently needed to make up for having only two shipboard assignments in the Navy.

Dave enjoyed all sports, watching them and playing them. He loved travelling and once he retired, he and Brenda went on several cruises, road trips and some vacations with Rachel and her family. His hobbies included photography, reading and using his smart phone where he had numerous apps. He loved spending time with his daughter, Rachel; son-in-law, Brian; and grandchildren, Alex (13 years) and Natalie (9 years). He especially enjoyed watching the whole family take part in the Chelan Man races at Lake Chelan, Washington in July 2015. Dave loved visiting and spending time with friends, especially when the talk was about the Seahawks.

Dave is survived by his wife of 45 years, Brenda Kay Thalheimer Bary of Bremerton, Washington; daughter, Rachel Oathout (Brian) of Bremerton, Washington; grandchildren, Alex and Natalie Oathout of Bremerton, Washington; sister, Susan Alexander of Lake Wales, Florida; and brother, Mark Bary of Mt. Airy, Maryland.

Memorial services will be conducted on Nov. 12, 2016 at 1 p.m. at Sylvan Way Baptist Church in Bremerton, Washington with inurnment at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Department of Neurology at the University of Washington Medical Center.

Dave loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest. He will be missed deeply by his family and friends.
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Roy Jurgensen

Bremerton, WA

May 15, 1932 to Oct. 17, 2016

Roy Jurgensen lived the American Dream. He was born in LeMars, Iowa May 15, 1932. He had one brother, Herb, who was eight years older. His father was killed in a trucking accident when Roy was 13. Roys first job, at age 10, was working for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader delivering the morning newspaper at 4 a.m.

At age 13, he responded to a national contest in Boys Life Magazine. Roy won first prize in the General Motors-Fisher Body Craftsmans Guild designing and building a prototype car from a block of wood. Roy entered this contest for five consecutive years, always a winner.

General Motors additionally awarded Roy a scholarship to the University of Michigan. Roy was an honor student, excelling in math. He was homecoming king. He attended the University of Michigan for two years, returned to Sioux Falls and graduated with honors in business administration from the University of South Dakota.

He held top management positions with Kaiser Aluminum, was recruited by Foss Maritime to head their Seattle operation, then recruited by Crowley Maritime to head their west coast operation during the building of the Alaska pipeline.

Roys passion was boating and fast cars. He was a licensed captain. Roy was a big man at 64, but a gentle giant. He believed in hard work and often said, the harder I worked, the luckier I was. He was a man of integrity. He kept his word.

Roy Jurgensen made this world a better place just by being here. He loved life and truly lived The American Dream.

Roy Jurgensen

Bremerton, WA

May 15, 1932

to Oct. 17, 2016



Roy Jurgensen lived the American Dream. He was born in LeMars, Iowa May 15, 1932. He had one brother, Herb, who was eight years older. His father was killed in a trucking accident when Roy was 13. Roys first job, at age 10, was working for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader delivering the morning newspaper at 4 a.m.



At age 13, he responded to a national contest in Boys Life Magazine. Roy won first prize in the General Motors-Fisher Body Craftsmans Guild designing and building a prototype car from a block of wood. Roy entered this contest for five consecutive years, always a winner.



General Motors additionally awarded Roy a scholarship to the University of Michigan. Roy was an honor student, excelling in math. He was homecoming king. He attended the University of Michigan for two years, returned to Sioux Falls and graduated with honors in business administration from the University of South Dakota.



He held top management positions with Kaiser Aluminum, was recruited by Foss Maritime to head their Seattle operation, then recruited by Crowley Maritime to head their west coast operation during the building of the Alaska pipeline.



Roys passion was boating and fast cars. He was a licensed captain.



Roy was a big man at 64, but a gentle giant. He believed in hard work and often said, the harder I worked, the luckier I was. He was a man of integrity. He kept his word.



Roy Jurgensen made this world a better place just by being here. He loved life and truly lived The American Dream.

Donations may be made to Alzheimer's research.
(Xinhua) 13:09, November 02, 2016

WELLINGTON, Nov. 2 -- New Zealand's burgeoning Chinese population will be the subject of a visit to China by Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga this month.

Lotu-Iiga left Wednesday for talks in Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong to discuss New Zealand's growing diversity and issues related to his other portfolio as Minister for Local Government.

Lotu-Iiga would meet senior State Councillor Yang Jiechi and other government officials from Nov. 3 to 10.

"I will also be meeting officials from the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. The office oversees and co-ordinates relationships with Chinese communities internationally," Lotu-Iiga said in a statement.

"I will be reinforcing the importance of our Chinese communities in New Zealand and will take the opportunity to share New Zealand's approach to promoting social cohesion and the benefits of ethnic diversity," he said.

"With the increased flow of trade and investment our people to people and cultural relationships become increasingly important."

Chinese people had been part of New Zealand society since the 1850s and now comprised New Zealand's third largest ethnic group with 171,411 people or 4 percent of the population.

About 6,000 people arrived from China to live in New Zealand every year.

He said he would also be looking at issues affecting local governments in China.

"Chinese municipal authorities are at the forefront of innovation in many areas of infrastructure development. Transport and water control are significant issues. There is much to share around innovative approaches to local government," he said.

"China is also at the leading edge of international 'Smart City' projects. These provide new evolving opportunities for future community development by leveraging the use of technology."
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Timothy Wentworth Lawson

Bremerton, WA

Aug. 13, 1948 to Oct. 12, 2016

Timothy Wentworth Lawson ended his four-year battle with cancer on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016 while at his home in Bremerton, Washington. Surrounded by his family, he remained unbelievably brave and resolute to the very end, and was able to tell us one last time that he loved us before he left.

Anyone who knew Tim well will surely grieve with us that someone of his deep-rooted integrity, boundless good humor, and loving heart is now gone. Ramona E. Lawson (wife), Nolan W. D. Lawson, Thea A. Valenzuela, and Maevis R. Lawson (children), Alonso and Roldan Valenzuela (son-in-law and grandson), along with John and Tina Lawson (brother and sister-in-law), will miss him beyond measure. Our thanks go out to the countless other family members and friends who have lent us their words of comfort, brought us food, or offered to help in any way.

Tim was born in Tacoma, Washington on Aug. 13, 1948 to Doris Adele (Kaufman) and David Stanton Lawson. He graduated in 1966 from East High School in Bremerton, then joined the Army where he served in Germany and Vietnam as an air traffic controller. Although Tim graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in accounting, he went on to use his meticulous sense of detail at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard as he realized a desk job would be too stifling. At PSNS, he cycled through many work areas: nuclear inspection, pipe-fitting, and what he dubbed hack n whacks. Ultimately, he retired from the shipyard in 2005, at age 57, with the idea of finally having the time to devote to repairing his Harley, finishing his many construction projects, and getting his pocket yacht seaworthy.

A diagnosis of cancer in 2012 led him, instead, to a series of surgeries and grueling clinical trials which he valiantly endured with selfless practicality, heroic stoicism, and absolutely no sense of self-pity. No one gets out of this alive, he would remind us. As a loving husband and father, he often shrugged off his own evident courage and unflinching resolve as just being logical, pragmatic. To the very end, he devoted himself to working through each mundane preparation meant to ease his familys life without him.

Please visit the Lewis Chapel website (www.lewischapel.com) to share with us your remembrances of this truly wonderful man. The family is planning a private celebration of his life (TBA date and location); however, if other individuals leave us their contact information, we will adjust accommodations of the venue.

Timothy Wentworth LawsonBremerton, WAAug. 13, 1948to Oct. 12, 2016Timothy Wentworth Lawson ended his four-year battle with cancer on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016 while at his home in Bremerton, Washington. Surrounded by his family, he remained unbelievably brave and resolute to the very end, and was able to tell us one last time that he loved us before he left.Anyone who knew Tim well will surely grieve with us that someone of his deep-rooted integrity, boundless good humor, and loving heart is now gone. Ramona E. Lawson (wife), Nolan W. D. Lawson, Thea A. Valenzuela, and Maevis R. Lawson (children), Alonso and Roldan Valenzuela (son-in-law and grandson), along with John and Tina Lawson (brother and sister-in-law), will miss him beyond measure. Our thanks go out to the countless other family members and friends who have lent us their words of comfort, brought us food, or offered to help in any way.Tim was born in Tacoma, Washington on Aug. 13, 1948 to Doris Adele (Kaufman) and David Stanton Lawson. He graduated in 1966 from East High School in Bremerton, then joined the Army where he served in Germany and Vietnam as an air traffic controller. Although Tim graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in accounting, he went on to use his meticulous sense of detail at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard as he realized a desk job would be too stifling. At PSNS, he cycled through many work areas: nuclear inspection, pipe-fitting, and what he dubbed hack n whacks. Ultimately, he retired from the shipyard in 2005, at age 57, with the idea of finally having the time to devote to repairing his Harley, finishing his many construction projects, and getting his pocket yacht seaworthy.A diagnosis of cancer in 2012 led him, instead, to a series of surgeries and grueling clinical trials which he valiantly endured with selfless practicality, heroic stoicism, and absolutely no sense of self-pity. No one gets out of this alive, he would remind us. As a loving husband and father, he often shrugged off his own evident courage and unflinching resolve as just being logical, pragmatic. To the very end, he devoted himself to working through each mundane preparation meant to ease his familys life without him.Please visit the Lewis Chapel website (www.lewischapel.com) to share with us your remembrances of this truly wonderful man. The family is planning a private celebration of his life (TBA date and location); however, if other individuals leave us their contact information, we will adjust accommodations of the venue.
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The last place  and I do mean the very last place  any candidate wants to be is in the frame with Anthony Weiner.

This is especially true if you're Hillary Clinton.

Even worse than being associated with the infamous sexter this week is being FBI Director James Comey, the least-envied man in America.

Not long ago, Comey was beloved by Democrats and reviled by Republicans for his decision not to recommend charges against Clinton, despite her extreme carelessness with a few classified documents through the use of her private email server. Today, he is vilified by Democrats and celebrated by Republicans for his disclosure to Congress that new emails possibly relevant to the agency's investigation have been found, of all places, on Weiner's laptop.

Politics, in other words, continues to happen.

Stepping back for the Republican long view, this isn't just a case of a wife, Clinton aide Huma Abedin, possibly using her husband's laptop to send emails to her boss. This is a case of potentially classified documents pertaining to the secretary of state's business being found on the personal computer of an individual whose mental state is questionable. Even little-known Republican Vladimir Putin must be reaching for the Purell.

Oh, for the days of amateur burglars and profanity in the Oval.

No one seems to know what's in the emails, but this is beside the point to Republican minds. Perhaps more troubling still is the fact that FBI investigators apparently have known about these emails for several weeks, but didn't give Comey a full briefing until last week.

Despite being an inch away from Election Day, Comey decided to tell Congress about the "new" emails, probably in the interest of self-preservation. If he had waited until after the election, and the emails contained information that might have helped put Trump in the White House, then Republicans likely would have dropped a dead chicken on Comey's porch.

Yet, without knowing what's in the emails, Comey has created enough suspicion to potentially hurt Clinton's chances. Complicating matters, Comey allegedly expressed concern about fingering Russia for trying to influence American politics because of the election. But, he showed no such concern about the latest emails so close to Election Day. Double standard? Poor judgment?

Or, is it can't win for losing? Unlike the orangutan swinging from the chandelier and singing, "Winning, winning, winning!" Donald Trump is the happiest (alleged) crotch-grabber on the continent. Depending on the poll, he's either ahead by a point, tied, consistently below Clinton or, if you average them all together, a mere four points behind the pantsuited lady in red.

Here he was only a few days shy of calling the election rigged and, voila (or however you say it in Russian), here comes another batch of email  and ypa!  on Weiner's laptop to boot. Further gratifying was that Trump long ago aired concerns about Abedin sharing state secrets with her husband.

Whether the contents of those emails are of any importance remains to be seen, though apparently not until after the election. And, lest Trumpsters spit their tobacco on my cute shoes, let the record show that Trump only said his celebrity entitled him to seize women's nethers, but he obviously thought it was a fine thing to say.

Also, one cannot fail to note that in the minds of many millions, there are worse things.

One worse thing is the very idea of Weiner perusing his wife's and Clinton's correspondence, imaginably during a break from making a Snapchat of his own nethers.

Substantively, it may mean nothing, but Weiner offends diseases. Adultery is one thing. Having illicit thoughts, as Jimmy Carter once confessed to Playboy magazine, is almost adorable. But exposing yourself to women in the juvenile pursuit of virtual titillation crosses a line.

The subliminal effect of a Clinton-Weiner connection falls into the category of worst-case scenarios, not least because it triggers memories that lead inevitably to her own "connoiterer-in-chief." And to think, all Hillary ever wanted was to save women and children from men such as these.

Ironically, the man she replaced in the Senate, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, was foreshadowing today's rock bottom when he observed that America was defining deviancy down. Though it would be unfair to lump Hillary Clinton with the rest of this bunch, it has never been truer that you are judged by the company you keep.

For her forbearance, as well as her lack of forthrightness, losing on Election Day 2016 could be Hillary's ultimate Trump-up-Pence.

Kathleen Parker's email address is kathleenparker@washpost.com. She writes for The Washington Post Writers Group.
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It happened because a white man was scared.

Chase Coleman was on a park road, probably lost and confused, having straggled far behind the pack  he's a cross-country runner from Syracuse, N.Y. -- when the white man got out of his car and shoved him. A witness said Chase flew back 10 feet and landed on his backside.

Because that white man was scared.

He had no reason to be. As described by witnesses in The Washington Post and on Syracuse.com, Chase is a gangly black kid, 15 years old, who weighs about 130 pounds. The white man is said to be very tall and to weigh twice that.

But that white man was scared.

Fifty-seven-year-old Martin MacDonald told police he feared that Chase  on foot, unarmed, wearing a runner's uniform with a number pinned to his chest  might mug MacDonald's wife, who was in the car next to him. MacDonald was also incensed the boy did not respond to his commands to get out of the road.

But Chase has autism and is nearly nonverbal. He doesn't respond to much of anything.

Except running. He's not very good at it, often finishes last. But his mom says being on his high school track team is one of the few ways he has ever been able to participate with others, to connect to the world beyond his unknowable thoughts. He loves running.

Or did. Chase turned in his uniform after the Oct. 14 incident.

His mother sought a warrant to arrest her son's attacker on a charge of harassment, which carries a maximum 15-day sentence. In an act of breathtaking moral obtuseness, a judge in Rochester, where this happened, turned her down. In a victory for systemic bigotry, the judge is African American. On Monday, police said their investigation was ongoing.

Which is all well and good. But try to picture some burly black man assaulting an autistic white boy. Try to conceive of authorities still hemming and hawing about it almost three weeks later. You can't. Not even Stephen King has that much imagination.

How many times have black people bled because white men were scared? Of retribution or uprising. Of robbery or rape. Of social equality and the loss of place and prerogative. Of blackness itself.

Tamir Rice was shot and killed within two seconds because a white man was scared.

Trayvon Martin was stalked and killed because a white man was scared.

Levar Jones was shot while complying with a state trooper's command because the trooper, a white man, was scared.

White men's fear has long been the story of black people's lives and deaths. It is a story told in spectacle lynchings and burning schoolhouses, in poll taxes and restrictive covenants.

Someone will say violent crime statistics justify a white man's fear. They don't. To the contrary, they warn that if you are fated to be victimized, the attacker will probably look a lot like you.

Someone else will say that not all white men are scared and that some actively fight against fear. This, of course, is true.

But what does that matter to Chase? How do you explain any of this to an indrawn boy who had been used to adults being kind to him? How do you tell him that he terrifies some people just by standing in a road, lost? How do you make him understand what can happen when white men are scared?

Consider that a man assaulted him, then justice betrayed him, suggests that it could have been much worse. Then ask yourself:

Who should be frightened of whom?

Leonard Pitts is a columnist for The Miami Herald, 1 Herald Plaza, Miami, Fla., 33132. Readers may contact him via email at lpitts@miamiherald.com.
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G. Owen Ray, Allyn

Trump's not on a worker's side

Donald Trump has called for a federal employee hiring freeze as part of his plan to occupy the White Hosue.

Well, since the 1960s, population of this country has increased 67 percent; the private sector work force by 136 percent; state and local government (excluding education) by 127 percent; but the federal workforce has increased by just 10 percent.

David Cox, Sr., president of the American Federation of Government Employees, the country's largest federal union, has said "He (Trump) has a record of disrespecting, demeaning and failing his employees. There's no doubt he would continue those habits as leader of the executive branch."

Just saying.
The Auditor-General reports:

I found no evidence that the arrangements entered into as part of the Saudi Arabia Food Security Partnership were corrupt. To understand whether there was corruption, we looked at whether there had been an abuse of power for private gain or an offence against the Crimes Act 1961 by a Minister or an official. The payments did not amount to bribery or facilitation payments. Instead, they were made as part of a legally valid contract for services. Public money was spent within the necessary financial approvals.

So nothing illegal.

That said, I share many New Zealanders concerns about the arrangements. I found significant shortcomings in the paper put to Cabinet in support of the decision to enter into the Saudi Arabia Food Security Partnership. The contracts benefits to New Zealand were unclear in the Cabinet paper, the business case, and its subsequent implementation.

It is not clear on what basis the amounts paid to the Saudi Arabian investors company under the contract were arrived at. A key objective of the Saudi Arabia Food Security Partnership was to remove a perceived obstacle to a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council. That agreement remains unsigned, although in two recent joint statements (in April and September 2016) New Zealand and Saudi Arabia have indicated progress, including towards completion of the free trade agreement.

In my view, settlement of a grievance was provided under the guise of a contract for services. The Saudi Arabia Food Security Partnership was the result of a need to resolve a diplomatic issue and, in the view of Ministers, to settle a Saudi Arabian investors grievance. The situation was complicated by views about live sheep exports. The contract does not outline those different policy objectives or the complexities. Importantly, the contract does not specifically reflect the settlement component relating to the grievance.

This lack of transparency, both at the time of the decision and subsequently, has led to the concerns from the New Zealand public about the nature of the payments made. To date, explanations from Ministers or officials have not resolved those public concerns. Without transparency, people will speculate. This report is an opportunity for the complete story to be told.

At a lower level, but still important, we found that:

Ministers and officials gave mixed messages to Saudi Arabia;

there were shortcomings in the contract for services; and

the timing of a payment was not best practice.

To date, slightly more than $8.7 million has been spent. There are some benefits, such as an improved diplomatic relationship and business opportunities, but whether those benefits are a good return on investment is unclear to me. Given the level of public interest, and that the benefits of the spending remain largely uncertain, I expect the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the Ministry) and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) to assess and report on what the Saudi Arabia Food Security Partnership has achieved once all of the $11.5 million (increased from $10 million for the additional cost of exporting pregnant ewes) has been spent.
The Wairarapa Times-Age reports:

The death of a former Wairarapa MP has rekindled memories of one of the most bizarre election battles in New Zealands history.

Reg Boorman, 80, who was Labour MP for Wairarapa from 1984-88, and a veteran of the Malaya conflict in the late 1950s, died at his Bay of Plenty home on Sunday.

He entered parliament when the David Lange-led Labour Party swept the Muldoon government aside in a snap election, and served a single term.

But it was his manner of departure from politics that is best recalled.

In the 1987 election Mr Boorman clung to an election night majority by a mere 11 votes, reduced to seven on the final count, from National Party challenger Wyatt Creech.

This was cut to a paper-thin majority of a single vote after Mr Creech had sought a judicial recount, leading to Mr Boorman being nicknamed Landslide by his parliamentary colleagues.

The drama did not end there though as months later Mr Creech renewed his challenge, petitioning the Electoral Court to revisit the issue claiming some special votes should have been disallowed and in other instances voters were not qualified to vote.

The petition hearing was held at the then Solway Park Hotel, taking almost a month involving the top-guns of the law fraternity.

Mr Creech was represented by Brian Henry and Peter Gilkison, with then National Party MP Winston Peters who helped out by briefing witnesses.

Mr Boorman was represented by Colin Carruthers and Peter Ahern.

The end result of the petition was the final act in the topsy-turvy election, with Mr Boorman losing out to Mr Creech who was deemed to have a majority of 34.

In the process the electoral court found Mr Boorman to have breached the law by over spending on his election campaign, a finding that resulted in him being declared guilty of a corrupt practice.
The Herald reports:

The Corrections Department has agreed to take another look at whether a woman who is dying in prison should be released early. Vicki Letele, 35, is eight months into a sentence of three years and two months for fraud. She has terminal cancer and is expected to live for five months. The mother-of-three wants to spend her remaining time with her family. The Parole Board has decided that Letele does not meet the exceptional circumstances test for early release. But Collins revealed this afternoon that the Corrections Department would reconsider its position. Until now, the department has opposed early compassionate release and has told the board that she is being adequately cared for in prison. Corrections chief executive Ray Smith has spoken to me today on this matter and advised me that hes asked the chief doctor at Corrections to review the decision, Collins said. Its ultimately a decision for the parole board but obviously Corrections makes recommendations. So theyre reviewing [if] Corrections can properly look after the prisoner.

So what is Letele in prison for? An earlier report:

A former mortgage broker has been convicted of fraud in the Auckland District Court over a scheme where she sold properties to low income families for a profit, using forged documents to allow them to obtain home loans. Vicky Ravana Letele, a former director of Focus Property Investment, was found guilty on 10 charges under section 228 of the Crimes Act for dishonestly using a document. Letele was facing 11 charges relating to 11 property transactions undertaken during the second half of 2010 with a total value of $3.9 million. A former mortgage broker has been convicted of fraud in the Auckland District Court over a scheme where she sold properties to low income families for a profit, using forged documents to allow them to obtain home loans. Vicky Ravana Letele, a former director of Focus Property Investment, was found guilty on 10 charges under section 228 of the Crimes Act for dishonestly using a document. Letele was facing 11 charges relating to 11 property transactions undertaken during the second half of 2010 with a total value of $3.9 million. The finance was then used to purchase properties from interests related to Letele and Kumar, who profited from the transaction. The SFO said the case was one where inexperience had been exploited. Vulnerable investors are often targeted by those who are aware of their inexperience in dealing with significant financial transactions, SFO director Julie Read said.

So the fraud was not insignificant, hence why she is in prison.

Now I agree that not releasing someone until they are a few days away from death is overly harsh, especially as she has children. So a review is good.

But I would caution on the five months to live as accepted fact. Even if a doctor does give such a specific prognosis, they can be wildly wrong.

I recall the case of the Lockerbie bomber allowed to return to Libya on compassionate grounds to die from terminal prostate cancer. It was said he had three months to live. In fact he lived for 33 months.

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By Peter Mertz (Xinhua) 13:15, November 02, 2016

DENVER, the UNITED STATES, Nov. 1 -- With a week to go before the highly contentious 2016 U.S. presidential election, voter fraud emerged as a controversial theme, which was mentioned by Republican candidate Donald Trump frequently and used as a consistent weapon against his Democratic counterpart Hillary Clinton.

On the campaign trail, Trump regularly quoted a 2012 study by the Pew Center on the States, saying that 24 million registrations were outdated or invalid, 2 million registrants were dead, and 2.75 million were registered in more than one state.

He fueled the voter fraud debate again last week in Golden, Colorado when he asserted that elections officials who count ballots, "will say, 'Oh, here's a ballot, bing, here's another ballot, throw it away, throw. Oh, here's one I like, we'll keep that one.' I have real problems..."

For these two areas of possible fraud spoken by Trump -- mail in votes that were individually handled and counted by elections officials, and cases of identity fraud where individuals would vote more than once using falsified identifications, election experts believed that the pugnacious billionaire intentionally overstated problems and it was a campaign tactic.

"By raising doubts about the integrity of the voting system, Trump is making it easier to explain what happened if he loses, and is sowing seed of doubt about the legitimacy of Hillary Clinton's presidency," Barry Burden, professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin, told Xinhua Tuesday.

Burden, considered one of the foremost experts on the American voting system and election fraud, conducted extensive research and authored more than 100 articles on the issue in the past decade.

"Voter fraud is extremely rare and not widespread," Burden asserted, "Although the U.S. election system is far from perfect, in no sense are American elections 'rigge' in the ways Trump is suggesting."

He also told Xinhua that fortunately states such as Colorado had impressive systems in place to track mailed ballots throughout the process.

Last week, an investigative report by Denver's CBS4 TV uncovered a dozen cases where Coloradans were suspected of voting twice.

The study cited Lincoln Wilson, a registered Republican from Hale, Colorado, for voting in both Colorado and Kansas in 2010, 2012 and again in 2014, and Hale admitted he had double-voted.

Kansas also charged James Criswell and Sharon Farris, both Colorado Republicans, with double voting. Their cases were still pending.

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach said he believes there were up to 10,000 people double registered in Colorado and Kansas. He publicly warned them, "Don't do it...we'll catch you."

Other instances emerged in the study whereby ballots were cast in the names of Coloradans who were dead, yet someone else cast a vote in their name.

Trump campaign officials also pointed to a 2014 report in the political journal Electoral Studies that figured out U.S. election registration procedures were flawed and as many as one in 15 non-United States citizens living in the country could have cast illegal ballots in the 2008 election.

Like Pew surveys cited by Trump often, the Electoral Studies also drawn fire and criticism from academic sources, who insisted that both represented a great minority of research supporting American voter fraud claims.

The oft-repeated assertion from the Trump campaign was that Democrats steal elections via fraud, however, the first such case of election fraud prosecuted in 2016 was last week when an Iowa Trump supporter was arrested and charged for attempting to vote twice in the upcoming election.

Terri Lynn Rote, 55, was charged with first-degree election misconduct and faced a 5-year prison sentence if convicted. She told the media her reason for breaking the law was that she thought the election was "rigged" and that her vote might go to "Hillary Clinton."

"Of the many types of fraud that might exist, voter impersonation at the polls is the least common and easiest to detect," Burden said, who pointed to a study suggesting that voter fraud was just a tiny part of the American election landscape.

A study investigating claims of voter fraud between 2000 to 2014 by Los Angeles' Loyola Law School uncovered only 31 credible claims of voter impersonation out of 1 billion ballots that were cast.

A 2012 Arizona State University journalism project analyzed 2,068 allegations of election fraud between 2000 and 2012 and said only 10 had involved misrepresentation.

And a Missouri study, after the 2000 presidential elections, concluded that only six of the 2,361,586 Missouri votes cast were found to have been ineligible.

However, not all voters trusted the research results. Many Democratic supporters still kept in mind that 2000 presidential candidate Al Gore was robbed of the presidency by widespread voting fraud in Florida, a case that eventually went to the U.S. Supreme Court, dominated by Republicans, who awarded the presidential election to George W. Bush.

Gore won the 2000 popular vote, 50,999,897 to 50,456,002, but due the American 'Electoral College' system, Bush was able to claim victory based solely on the Florida outcome, which was widely suspected to be fraudulent.

The Florida controversy triggered widespread voting reform, as many individual states took the initiative to review their voting systems and replace outdated lever and punch card voting machines.

The U.S. Congress also addressed the problem, passing the "Help America Vote Act" of 2002 that established basic guidelines for voting machines used in federal elections, and provided federal funds to states to replace outdated voting machines and to meet the new federal requirements.

But the new voting machines raise new concerns this year as more than 125,000 signed a petition posted Oct. 21, on the White House website that said, "We the people ask Congress to meet in emergency session about removing George Soros-owned voting machines from 16 states."

With recent WikiLeaks emails showing that Clinton received foreign policy directives and coordinated on domestic policy with Soros, along with receiving tens of millions of dollars from the billionaire, it's clear some Americans suspected that these shadowy players may pull the strings behind the curtains of the upcoming presidential election.
On Nov. 1, Yuan Longping, China's "father of hybrid rice" and academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, introduced the prospect of sea rice at the 2016 World Life Science Conference in Beijing. Yuans target is to increase the yield of sea rice per mu (0.0667 hectares) to 300 kilograms.

Yuan explained that the key element of popularizing sea rice is to increase its salt tolerance. There are two main methods of achieving this change: either by grafting the characteristic of salt tolerance or by transplanting the cloned gene of salt tolerance to an existing high-yield breed.

Yuan said that the current yield of semi-wild sea rice per mu is around 100 kilograms. Farmers are less enthusiastic about this variety of rice, as they are unlikely to get back their energy and capital input in terms of irrigation, fertilization and disease prevention. If the yield per mu can reach 300 kilograms, however, farmers would enjoy far greater economic benefits.

Previously, Yuan's plan was to expand the yield of sea rice to 200 kilograms per mu within three years at the Sea Rice Research and Development Center, headed by Yuan in Qingdao, Shandong province, according to Xinhua.

As for the prejudice some consumers maintain toward hybrid rice, Yuan explained that yield used to be the top priority, as China had to focus on maintaining an adequate food supply. However, with living standards on the rise, rice cultivation needs to prioritize both quality and quantity.
A lawyer in Chengdu, Sichuan province recently filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics Huizhou Company due to a loss of data caused by a boot-up failure by his newly purchased Samsung mobile phone. The lawyer, surnamed Luo, is requesting a refund, a compensation of 2,000 RMB ($296) and the recovery of the data.

Luo purchased the Samsung S7 on Oct. 23, and had his old data transferred to the new phone by an employee at the store where he purchased the phone. Luo claims the employee guaranteed the safety of the data. However, his new phone started to update automatically as it charged that night. Luo said the phone continued updating for almost two hours, and he had no way of getting it to start.

"More than 800 contacts, 500 chat records and hundreds of video clips are lost," said Luo.

According to the local Samsung service center, the phone's system can be fixed, but the data cannot be recovered because the latter can't be exported unless the phone is able to boot up.

After failing to reach an agreement with Samsung and the retail store where he purchased the phone, Luo filed a lawsuit against both at a local court. Requesting a refund of 5,799 yuan, a compensation of 2,000 yuan for diminished wages, and the recovery of his data, Luo said he would raise his claim to 50,000 RMB if the data could not be recovered.

According to Deng Xiaoying, a lawyer from Chengdu, an infringement did occur if the data loss was caused by automatic updating. However, the proper amount of compensation is hard to determine due to a lack of related laws and regulations.
A revised draft of the general rules of the civil code is expected to add content about personal information protection, China News reported on Tuesday. The draft has been submitted to the National Peoples Congress Standing Committee for a second reading.

According to the draft, any organization or individual is forbidden from being involved in illegally collecting, using, processing or transmitting personal information. It is also a violation to illegally provide, disclose or sell personal information.

The rise of telecom and cyber fraud made headlines across China in August when three teens lost significant sums of money to telecom scammers. Two subsequently died of heart attacks.

Currently, there are no concrete rules regarding personal information protection, except for regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and decisions handed down by the National Peoples Congress Standing Committee. Therefore, it is necessary to write relevant laws, said Zhu Wei, deputy director of the Communication Law Center at China University of Political Science and Law.

Bu Chaoxia, chief lawyer at Beijing Meiqiao Law Firm, said he believes there should be clearer punishments, which may require additional research.
Chefs from ASEAN countries pose with their dishes during the ASEAN Culinary Festival, hosted by the ASEAN-Korea Centre, at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre



By Nam Hyun-woo



A festival offering an opportunity to taste various ASEAN cuisines took place at COEX in southern Seoul, Wednesday.



The ASEAN Culinary Festival, hosted by the ASEAN-Korea Centre, featured renowned chefs from 10 ASEAN countries, offering a chance for visitors to watch more than 30 ASEAN dishes being cooked and then sample them.



Also on the sidelines of the festival, a trade fair of 100 ASEAN restaurants and food product makers exhibited their products.



"The fair will most effectively introduce ASEAN and its products to the Korean business community as well as the general public," said ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Young-sun. "It will do this by showing competitive food products of ASEAN and the wide spectrum of the region's culinary culture by demonstrating and allowing people to taste for themselves."



The events were held as part of the ASEAN-Korea Cultural Exchange Year and Visit ASEAN Year in 2017. Kim noted that: "At this juncture, we need to enhance the level of our exchange, cooperation and partnership between ASEAN and Korea."



The opening ceremony was highlighted by a Pad Thai cooking exhibition by Nooror Somany Steppe, founding partner and director of Blue Elephant Restaurant & Cooking School in Bangkok.



"I'm really excited with today's event," she said. "Many ASEAN foods may seem similar to each other to some people, but when you look into it, you can find each country's food has its uniqueness and differences," she said, stressing that the event was an opportunity for her to feel the importance of ASEAN being together.



At the trade fair, officials from food product makers within and outside of Korea scoured booths to find new business opportunities. Exhibitors expressed their wish for the fair to serve as a communication channel to Korea.



"The fair is very much an opportunity to expand our businesses in Korea," said Roberto Amores, CEO of Hi-Las Marketing Corp., a Philippines-based processed mango company which has been exporting products to Lotte, E-mart and other distributors in Korea for 15 years. "However, there are issues that we have to take care of for expansion, such as high tariffs on agricultural products in Korea, but the Korean government is not responding very well to requests for explanations on why the tariff is high."



Korea's mango products market is shared by exporters in Thailand, the Philippines, India and Taiwan. Following the Korea-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in 2009, trade barriers between the two countries have been lowering, with tariffs on mango at 16.9 percent currently. Meanwhile, that of ASEAN remains at 24 percent.



"I hope the Korean government would be more proactive in dealing with ASEAN countries," said Amores.



An ASEAN-Korea Centre official said that they ran the fair to better serve as a communication channel for ASEAN countries down the road.



At last year's fair, about 2,000 business meetings were conducted between ASEAN companies and Korean buyers. This year's event will be held until Saturday.
By Kim Tae-gyu



A former Deloitte Anjin executive was detained Wednesday on charges of deliberately ignoring a multibillion dollar accounting fraud involving embattled shipyard Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME).



The Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for the former executive surnamed Bae, the first employee of the accounting firm to be arrested with regard to the DSME scandal.



Deloitte Anjin has come under criticism over its alleged incompetent audit of DSME  the shipbuilder has been blamed for cooking the books to make huge losses it incurred over the past few years look smaller and even claimed to have made profits.



The total value of the fraud is estimated at more than 5 trillion won between 2012 and 2014. Anjin has reviewed DSME's financial statements since 2010.



Allegations have been made that Deloitte Anjin partially admitted its mistakes after a recent confession that around 2 trillion won of DSME's 5.5 trillion won in 2015 operating losses should have been reflected in 2013 and 2014.



DSME said that it recorded 424.2 billion won in operating profit in 2013 and 454.3 billion won the next year although its competitors were stuck in the red amid the protracted slump in the industry.



If the 2 trillion won loss in question had been recognized in the two years it was made, DSME would have faced deficits of more than 700 billion won during the two respective years.



Observers point out that the restructuring efforts of the struggling shipbuilder would have started much earlier and saved some of the 7 trillion won of taxpayers' money channeled into it up until now.



The country's financial watchdog has looked into the case to learn whether Deloitte Anjin accountants were complicit with the accounting fraud with DSME financial officials so as to mislead investors.



Investors have already filed a lawsuit against the accounting firm.



The National Pension Service announced in July that it lodged a 48.9 billion won damages suit against both the accounting firm and the shipbuilder, while many other groups of individual investors have also resorted to the court to recover their losses.



The combined amount of damage suits is higher than 100 billion won, prompting concerns that DSME and Deloitte Anjin might not be able to pay if they lose in court.




Yim Jong-yong, a nominee for Korea's deputy prime minister and finance minister, speaks during a press conference at the government complex in Gwacheon, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon



Yim vows not to tolerate speculative real estate investment

By Park Hyong-ki

Yim Jong-yong, the nominee to become Korea's deputy prime minister and finance minister, said Wednesday that the country needs to further implement an expansionary fiscal policy in the face of growing economic uncertainties both at home and abroad.

Also, the nominee underlined that he will not allow speculative investments in real estate as they are hazardous to the economy.

"I believe there is a need (for a further fiscal stimulus) as the economy has been in a slump for a long time amid growing external uncertainties," Yim told the press after his nomination.

"I will not allow speculative investments in the real estate market as they will harm the economy."

Yim said he will make sure that surging household debt will not become a hazardous element for the economy.

"I will manage household debt stably to prevent it posing risks to the economy," he said.

He also said the government will take steps to surgically tackle increases in home prices depending on regions.

The former Financial Services Commission (FSC) chairman said he accepted the nomination with great responsibility to fix and reform the market.

A number of challenges await Yim, besides low economic growth  rising youth unemployment, corporate debt restructuring, high household debt and sluggish consumption among others.

However, it remains to be seen whether Yim will be able receive full bipartisan support and secure the nomination as the new finance minister amid the scandal involving President Paark Geun-hye and her associate Choi Soon-sil, who is being dubbed "Park's shaman advisor" by some of the foreign press.

Observers say the new nominees named today, including Yim, will find it hard to secure their jobs and pursue structural reform, which he said was one of his top priorities, while trust in the government has hit rock bottom.

"Unless confidence can be restored in the government and the broken system is repaired, they are expected to face difficulties in gaining support to tackle socioeconomic problems in the country," said an analyst, who asked not to be named.

The Democratic Party of Korea announced its opposition to the president's appointment of Yim and others, saying that it will not hold a nomination hearing.

Already, the political parties are refusing to ratify the appointment of the country's new Prime Minister Kim Byong-joon by Park, which political analysts say was a move to withstand the growing pressure and public outcry demanding her resignation.

Even before securing a bipartisan agreement on a neutral Cabinet and giving more authority to a prime minister, President Park, whose approval rating has fallen to around 9 percent, pushed ahead and appointed a new finance minister without yielding to demands.

As FSC chief, Yim was criticized for belatedly dealing with the debt fallout of Hanjin Shipping and rising mortgages.
American actor Tom Cruise will visit Korea on Nov. 7 to promote his new film, "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back." / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment



By Lee Jin-a

Hollywood star Tom Cruise will visit Korea on Monday to promote his new movie, "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back."

According to movie industry sources Wednesday, Cruise will hold a press conference at the Ritz Carlton Hotel at 1:30 p.m. Monday and a red carpet event at Lotte World at 5:40 p.m.

This will be his eighth visit to Korea, with the first promoting "Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles" in 1994.

His second Jack Reacher' film, set to be released on Nov. 24 in Korea, tells the story of Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise), a man with exceptional intelligence and sharp intuition, who strives to uncover the truth behind a government conspiracy and the assassination of his colleagues.
South Korea's opposition parties decided to reject the Cabinet reshuffle announced on Wednesday that was announced without prior consultation, as the country tries to cope with an unfolding scandal surrounding the chief executive's confidante.

Political pundits said the opposition parties' boycott of parliamentary hearings on the candidates will emerge as a hurdle since such sessions calls for participation of more than half of the lawmakers, while nominees can only be appointed with a majority backing.

Park earlier named Kim Byong-joon, who served as a senior policy adviser to late President Roh Moo-hyun, as the new prime minister

"Park is attempting to overcome the crisis by implementing a reshuffle that only looks like a neutral Cabinet from the outside by tapping officials who served under a liberal administration," said Rep. Woo Sang-ho, the floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party.

The lawmaker said the opposition has been demanding an investigation into Park, adding such a reshuffle will not ease public anger.

"The presidential office's decision to seek a Cabinet reshuffle without giving prior notice is hard to understand," said Rep. Park Jie-won, the floor leader of the People's Party. "Park cannot cover the situation through a reshuffle while avoiding the fact-finding efforts."














By Park Si-soo



President Park Geun-hye seems determined to ignore mounting calls for her resignation.

Her snap nomination of a new Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Public Safety and Security Minister on Wednesday morning reflects her "firm determination" to hold on to her position as head of state despite the growing Choi Soon-sil scandal that has pushed her leadership to the brink of collapse, according to experts.

Park's approval rating plunged to a single digit in a recent poll, which experts said indicates that her leadership is in a state of "death."

Park's nomination of Kim Byong-joon, who served as a senior presidential policy advisor during the liberal Roh Moo-hyun administration, as the new Prime Minister is considered a maneuver to placate mounting public anger and a gesture of accepting opposition parties' suggestions that the conservative President form a politically neautral new Cabinet with her political foes.

"The new Prime Minister will be given an extensive scope of authority," a ranking Cheong Wa Dae official was quoted as saying, indicating that Kim, if endorsed by the National Assembly, will become a de facto No.1 of the administration, while President Park remains a toothless, symbolic head of state with limited influence on state affairs such as diplomatic and security issues.
Kim Byong-joon, tapped as South Korea's prime minister Wednesday, served as a policy secretary to late President Roh Moon-hyun, a liberal figure who is still admired by those in the opposition.

The 62-year-old, who graduated from Yeungnam University in southern South Korea, has served as a professor at Kookmin University in Seoul since 1986. He worked in various public and nongovernmental organizations as a policy adviser.

The prime minister nominee has been an advocate of decentralization of power, and sought balanced development among different provinces of the country.

Kim joined Roh's election campaign in 2002 and oversaw key policies pushed forward by the administration. He then held the post of education minister.

Roh, who led the country from 2003 to 2008, killed himself in May 2009, expressing emotional stress over a months-long corruption probe involving his immediate family.












The Beijing Inspection and Quarantine Bureau has announced on its official website its interception of gender prediction tests among other commodities purchased overseas.

The bureau noticed two batches of gender prediction tests when viewing customs declaration forms. The confiscated products consist of three boxes of gender prediction tests, which describe their function as testing a fetuss gender via the expectant mother's urine during early pregnancy. If the urine-saturated portion of the test turns green, it suggests the baby will be a boy. Orange indicates that the baby will be a girl.

[File photo]

An overseas student surnamed Wang, who currently runs a "daigou" business purchasing overseas commodities for Chinese people, explained that the gender test can be bought in some pharmacies for the price of around AU$60. Wang said several potential customers have inquired about the test, but none have gone on to buy it.

Under Chinas existing law, it is forbidden to test a fetuss gender unless such a test is deemed medically necessary, for fear that such information will lead to the intentional termination of the pregnancy. Gender prediction tests are also banned from entering the Chinese market via cross-border e-commerce.

The bureau plans to destroy the three boxes of confiscated tests. Meanwhile, the bureau reminds consumers to obey all laws and regulations while making online purchases.
Korean students at UC Berkeley hold an anti-Park rally near the university's front gate on Tuesday. The rally came amid the political scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye and her confidant Choi Soon-sil. / Courtesy of CalFocus



By Hong Dam-young

Korean students at the University of California, Berkeley, are furious at the political scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her confidant Choi Soon-sil.

Thirty Korean students from the U.S. school on Tuesday denounced Park and her administration for not taking full responsibility for the deepening democratic crisis.

They are the first Korean students studying at American universities to hold a protest rally over the scandal.

The students read a statement in Korean and English that said: "As students of Korean heritage, we are furious to find out about the recent political scandal known as Park-Choi Gate.' To restore democracy in South Korea, we demand President Park, her administration and her party assume full responsibility.












By Yi Whan-woo

Three opposition parties said Wednesday that they would refuse to approve President Park Geun-hye's partial Cabinet reshuffle announced the same day, calling the move a trick to avoid responsibility for the scandal involving her confidant Choi Soon-sil.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the two minor parties  the People's Party and Justice Party  said they will boycott confirmation hearings for the three nominees tapped by the President.

The three are Kim Byong-joon for prime minister; Yim Jong-yong as minister of strategy and finance and deputy prime minister for economic affairs; and Park Seung-joo as public safety and security minister.

Park named them earlier in what was seen as a desperate bid to grapple with a leadership crisis amid suspicions that Choi had been interfering with state affairs from behind the scenes.

Hearings are required before Cabinet nominees officially take their posts. Additionally, the endorsement for a prime minister requires a majority vote at the National Assembly after the hearing. The three opposition parties occupy 167 of 300 parliamentary seats.

Citing that the President's decision was made without consulting them in advance, the opposition party leaders criticized Park for trying to maintain a grip on power through "tricks" amid growing calls for her to resign.

In particular, they questioned the eligibility of Kim for prime minister. They pointed out that he is closely connected to the former senior civil affairs secretary Woo Byung-woo, who is mired in a string of corruption allegations, including abuse of authority and embezzlement, and also allegedly has personal ties with Choi.

Citing a newspaper report in July 2013, People's Party's interim leader Rep. Park Ji-won said that Kim delivered a memorial address during a ceremony to mark the fifth anniversary of the death of Woo's father-in-law Lee Sang-dal, who was a wealthy businessman. Both Kim and the late Lee were born in Goryeong North Gyeongsang Province.












Bereaved family members of the Sewol ferry disaster victims and members of civic groups demand President Park Geun-hye reveal the truth about the sinking, including where she was during the first seven hours after the accident, as well as for her to take responsibility for the scandal involving her confidant Choi Soon-sil, during a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap



By Kim Bo-eun

The unraveling influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye's confidant Choi Soon-sil is again raising questions about the President's "seven missing hours" in the aftermath of the Sewol ferry disaster on April 16, 2014.

Suspicions and rumors link Choi with the unknown whereabouts of Park, with some even saying the accident was related to a sacrificial ritual.

The President was absent during the crucial first seven hours of the ferry's sinking, which killed more than 300 passengers on board, mostly high school students on a school excursion.

Cheong Wa Dae has never given a clear explanation about what the President was doing during those hours, just repeating she was in her office working. This prompted public outrage and demands for the truth behind the accident.

At the time of the Sewol disaster, there were rumors that the President had been with her former aide Chung Yoon-hoi, who is Choi's former husband. Choi was barely known to the public at that time.

Tatsuya Kato, former Seoul bureau chief of Sankei Shimbun, wrote a column based on the rumor, alleging the two were in a romantic relationship. He was indicted on defamation charges and later acquitted.

With the Choi scandal emerging, new rumors are spreading now that Park was with Chung, but for a different purpose related to Choi's father.
An Chong-bum, former presidential secretary for policy coordination, answers reporters while entering the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul, for questioning Wednesday. An is believed to have assisted President Park Geun-hye's confidant Choi Soon-sil in the corruption scandal. / Yonhap



Arrest warrant sought for Choi Soon-sil



By Jung Min-ho, Kim Se-jeong

A former senior presidential secretary, suspected of abusing his power to help Choi Soon-sil, the central figure in a snowballing influence-peddling scandal, turned himself in to the prosecution, Wednesday.

At the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office, An Chong-bum was questioned over allegations that he abused his authority to force conglomerates to fund the Mir and K-Sports foundations, which Choi allegedly used as personal banks.

Entering the prosecutor's office at 1:50 p.m., he told reporters, "I'm sorry. I will take responsibility, if I did anything wrong."

During questioning, An reportedly kept mum about his relationship with Choi. But many people involved in the scandal have claimed that he played a key role in helping Choi by "raising" 80 billion won ($72 million) from the Federation of Korean Industries (KFI), the nation's largest business lobby group.

KFI Vice Chairman Lee Seung-cheol and Lotte officials, who previously denied the role of the former presidential secretary in the "fundraising," have shifted their stance saying that he indeed forced them to cough up the money.












Ruling Saenuri Party Chairman Rep. Lee Jung-hyun attends an emergency party meeting at the National Assembly, Wednesday, to discuss the scandal involving President Park Geun-hye's longtime confidant Choi Soon-sil. / Yonhap



By Kang Seung-woo

Ruling Saenuri Party Chairman Rep. Lee Jung-hyun and other loyalists to President Park Geun-hye rejected calls from rival factions to give up their party membership, Wednesday.

Their move is expected to deepen an internal feud over how to tackle the fallout of an ever-growing influence-peddling scandal involving President Park's confidant.

The ruling party plans to hold a general meeting to discuss the issue on Friday, in which rival factions are expected to clash head-on. There is speculation that the party may be split if the pro-Park faction maintains its grip on party affairs.

In the wake of the scandal that Choi Soon-sil, Park's confidant, has meddled in state affairs, both the Saenuri Party and the President are suffering a sharp decline in their respective approval ratings, casting a shadow on the party's bid for next year's presidential election.

"I am earnestly asking for help from senior party members to tackle the fallout from the scandal," Lee said in a joint meeting with the party's Supreme Council members, senior lawmakers and leaders at the National Assembly.

"I am merely an inexperienced three-term lawmaker from the Jeolla region, so I need much assistance from the party's senior members."












Participants of the annual conference of the Association of Asia-Pacific Business Schools (AAPBS) hold their home countries' national flags during the event on the KAIST College of Business campus in eastern Seoul, Oct. 27.

/ Courtesy of KAIST College of Business



By Chung Hyun-chae



Business schools in Asian countries are seeking ways to cooperate to advance their educational content to meet diversified industrial demands.



"Collaboration among business schools in Asian countries will produce synergy as they have similar but unique cultures," Ruey-Shan Andy Guo, dean of the College of Management at the National Taiwan University, told The Korea Times on the campus of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) College of Business in Seoul, Oct. 27.



He visited Korea to attend the annual conference of the Association of Asia-Pacific Business Schools (AAPBS) from Oct. 26 to 28, where about 100 professors and deans of business schools in the Asia-Pacific region shared their ideas and knowledge.



"For example, there are more small- and medium-sized companies than big ones in Taiwan, which represent various kinds of entrepreneurship," Guo said.



He believes that studies of Asian countries' way of doing business, which reflects various cultural aspects of many nations, can be helpful to figure out how products and services can fulfill various individuals' needs.



"I think the strength of Asian business schools is that we have more various business cases and models compared to European countries and the United States, because we have different cultures, different tastes and different ways of business," Guo added.





(From left) Kim Tong-suk, Ruey-Shan Andy Guo and Park Sung-joo



Association for academic exchange



Established in 2004 by the KAIST College of Business, the AAPBS has been a venue where business schools of the region promote academic exchanges and cooperation.



"The AAPBS is a collaboration platform in which the member schools work together and help each other," said Park Sung-joo, the first president of the association and a professor emeritus at the KAIST College of Business.



The AAPBS mainly focuses on the co-prosperity unlike the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), a global business education network to accredit business schools, and the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), an international non-for-profit association of educational organizations of business education.



For example, KAIST, the National Taiwan University and the Universitas Prasetiya Mulya (UPM) in Indonesia discussed setting up a joint program, called KIT (Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan), in the conference.



"The students can gather to have classes together in each others' countries," Kim Tong-suk, dean of the KAIST College of Business, said.



The program will kick off in January.



Park revealed another plan to work with other overseas schools.



"What I am trying to do is to dispatch retired professors to the countries in need of faculty," Park said. "It is a big problem to waste the talent of retired professors who are still energetic."



He pointed that many nations are suffering from the shortage of faculty.



"For example, China currently needs more IT professors, and we have enough of them. But we need more leadership and strategy professors, who we may be able to bring from overseas schools. We can help each other," Park said.



He added that he is now in talks with Myanmar to run this project and also plans to draw financial support from companies or institutions.



Future landscape of business



Kim noted that the landscape of industries will become different from now very soon.



"When I visited Germany, I realized that the country, which has been very strong in car manufacturing, is worrying about changes in the transportation business which is not driven by car manufacturers but by Google," Kim said. "For the transportation industry, hardware will be just a small part of it."



Kim stressed the importance of cultivating business leaders who can think creatively and comprehensively.



"Everything needs to be integrated in the future and you need to think in a multi-dimensional way," Kim said.



Guo said advancement in technology is crucial in all industries.



"In the past, if you had technology, you had good products. But now, you must be smarter to integrate everything together," Guo said. "Those working in the financial industry only dealt with finance in the past. But with improved technology, now they need to deal with fintech, which is beyond their previous expertise."



He emphasized that a paradigm shift is needed in business education.



"We should educate business leaders to have a technical view and at the same time we need to educate engineers and technicians to have a sense of business," Guo added.
U.S. intelligence officials reacted negatively to calls in South Korea for the country's own nuclear armament, but said it is ultimately up to the country whether to pursue the option or not, according to South Korean lawmakers Tuesday.



Reps. Won Yoo-chul of the ruling Saenuri Party and Lee In-young of the Minjoo Party made the remark, saying they met with officials of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).



"They said it's basically an issue that South Korea should make a decision on, but questioned whether it would be effective," Lee told South Korean reporters.



The North's fifth nuclear test in September has given rise to greater calls in South Korea for the country's own nuclear armament, with not only lawmakers of the conservative ruling Saenuri Party, but also members of liberal opposition parties making the pro-nuclear weapons case.



The government of President Park Geun-hye has rejected such an idea as running against the principle of a Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons. Officials also say it would have negative effects on efforts to end the North's nuclear programs.



U.S. officials have also expressed staunch opposition to the idea.



Earlier this year, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump also came under strong fire after he suggested that South Korea and Japan arm themselves with nuclear weapons so as to reduce U.S. burdens in helping defend the Asian allies.



U.S. intelligence officials also talked about the possibility of North Korean undertaking provocations, such as missile launches and skirmishes along the Demilitarized Zone, around the U.S. presidential election or the presidential inauguration, according to the lawmakers.



The officials also expressed serious concern about the North's nuclear and missile capabilities, warning that the North's intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities, though not reliable now, could be perfected through trial and error, they said. (Yonhap)




U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice and Secretary of State John Kerry held talks with Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi in New York on Tuesday, the White House said, as the two countries have been struggling in negotiations on a new package of sanctions on North Korea.

The two sides "reviewed progress in bringing about a more durable, stable, and productive bilateral relationship. To this end, they committed to manage differences constructively and to expand practical cooperation on regional and global challenges," National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement without elaborating.

The meeting came as the two countries have been struggling to narrow differences in negotiations to put together a new package of U.N. Security Council sanctions aimed at punishing the North for its September nuclear test.

The main point of contention in the negotiations is the U.S. demand for banning all of North Korea's exports of coal, a key source of hard currency for the communist regime, including exports for "livelihood purposes."

The latest U.N. sanctions, adopted in March in response to the North's fourth nuclear test in January, ban the North's exports of coal, but those sanctions are not applied in case of exports for "livelihood purposes."

Closing the loophole is the main U.S. goal in the sanctions talks, but China has balked at it. (Yonhap)
(Xinhua) 18:26, November 02, 2016

TAIPEI, Nov. 2 -- The number of tourists to Taiwan is likely to shrink this year due to fewer travelers from the Chinese mainland, according to the island's tourism authority on Wednesday.

Inbound tourists are expected to decline by 300,000 to 400,000 this year, Chou Yung-hui, Director-General of Taiwan's tourism bureau, said when testifying before the local legislative body.

The number of mainland tourists has plummeted since Taiwan's leader Tsai Ing-wen took office in May. The tourism bureau estimated earlier that mainland tourists decreased by 28.4 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier.

The decline in mainland tourist arrivals cannot be offset by increasing tourists from Japan, the Republic of Korea and Southeast Asia, he added.

Tourism-related sectors have felt the pain and demanded the government take measures to help them make ends meet.

Although the government has offered loans to help the struggling sectors cope with their plight, business owners don't expect them to sort out their long-term woes.

The island's Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) estimated earlier that if the number of mainland tourists to Taiwan declines 10 percent this year, it will trim the island's annual economic output growth by 0.1 percentage points.

Taiwan's economy has just emerged from a recession and grew 2.06 percent in the third quarter. While the island's economy is highly relevant to the tourism industry, experts said it will face more uncertainties from dwindling mainland tourists.
North Korea is seeking ways to export its workers to Mongolia as the central Asian country is recruiting foreign laborers to work at its mines, a U.S. broadcaster, monitored here, said Wednesday.

"(As far as I know), the North Korean authorities recently set up ways to make use of its workforce, and keeps trying to make contacts with the Mongolian side," the Radio Free Asia (RFA) cited a Mongolian construction official as saying over the phone.

As Mongolia is currently recruiting foreign laborers as miners, North Korea workers are likely to aggressively apply, the official said.

The mining work will go on full scale in March next year, he added.

Mongolia began to hire North Korean workers en masse in 2008, and such employment peaked with 5,000 in 2013.

At present, however, the number of North Korean workers working in Mongolia has decreased to some 1,000 due to an economic slump that hit the central Asian nation in 2014.

More than 50,000 North Koreans are believed to be forced to work overseas, mainly in China and Russia, sending substantial amounts of their salaries to the Pyongyang regime. The North reportedly earns more than $200 million per year through labor exports. (Yonhap)
Sudan has completely severed its previous military ties with North Korea, the country's foreign minister said, condemning Pyongyang for its nuclear and missile development.

"Sudan once maintained military cooperation with North Korea, but this has been completely severed now," Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour was quoted by the foreign ministry in Seoul as saying during talks with his South Korean counterpart Yun Byung-se on Tuesday.

"(Sudan) currently has no exchange of embassies with North Korea, nor does it have any plans for personnel exchanges," the top Sudanese diplomat said.

Any kind of nuclear weapons impedes maintaining peace and security, he said, stressing that "Sudan is strictly complying with the United Nations Security Council's resolutions on North Korea."

During the meeting, Yun also urged Sudan's continued cooperation in the international community's push to step up pressure on North Korea, according to the ministry.

In addition to North Korea, the policymakers touched on bilateral relations and cooperation in economic and development areas, the ministry said.

Yun stressed the 40th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations next year will provide momentum for boosting bilateral exchanges and relationship.

Ghandour called for more corporate investment in Sudan's agricultural and agro-processing sectors.

Yun also prodded Sudan to quickly bring into force a bilateral investment treaty and two other pacts on preventing double taxation and official development assistance.

Signing a memorandum of understanding between the two foreign ministries, the top diplomats also agreed to continue high-level dialogue.

The Sudanese foreign minister is in South Korea for a four-day visit that began Monday to attend a business forum and meet with officials from South Korea's official development assistance agency KOICA. (Yonhap)
North Korea provided 300 grams of food per person a day on average during the third quarter of this year, just half of some 600 grams that the United Nations recommends as the minimal daily requirements, a U.S. broadcaster, monitored here, said Wednesday.

"The food ration is also far below the (recommended) 573 grams, which the North Korean regime aims to provide to its people," the Voice of America said, citing World Food Programme (WFP) data.

The third-quarter per person rations are down 17 percent from the 360 grams in the first quarter and down 19 percent from 370 grams in the second quarter, the broadcaster said.

On the other hand, the WFP's food aid to the poverty-stricken nation last month was an all-time high this year, the broadcaster said.

In October, the U.N. aid body sent 2,861 tons of food to 792,761 North Korean people in the flood-damaged North Hamkyong Province, according to the broadcaster.

Comparable figures were 2,728 tons in September, 2,114 tons in August and 379 tons in July, the broadcaster said.

Meanwhile, the WFP said some $7.20 million is required to rehabilitate the flood-devastated province, the broadcaster said. (Yonhap)
By Bae Eun-joo.





"Dear Abby," an advice column carried by The Korea Times, is one of my favorite sections. I enjoy reading it every day.

Started in 1956 by Pauline Phillips under the pen name Abigal Van Buren, Dear Abby has maintained its popularity as over 1,200 newspapers worldwide have published the column.

One of the stories I remember from past columns is about a senior driver who sought advice from Dear Abby. The elderly man in his 70s living in the U.S. claimed that his poor vision and declining motor skills brought on by his age no longer enabled him to drive long-distances. He said that he heavily relied on his neighbors for his mobility, which varied from every day grocery shopping to regular visits to his doctors.

Kind enough to help out this elderly man, the good-hearted family next door was willing to take him downtown along with them for daily chores. Whenever the man knocked on their door, he was gladly accepted. Or so it seemed.

After a few months of lending a helping hand to the old man, the "gracious" family members started to change their attitude.

The elderly man was not refused the rides with his neighbors but instead was met with one unexpected factor _ a dog. Knowing that the man was allergic to dogs, the family started bringing along the canine pet on every ride with him.

Frustrated by the family's sudden change in attitude, the man turned to Dear Abby for advice. And the columnist recommended that the man arrange dates with the neighbor when he wants to continue asking for free rides and repay their favors with small presents or payments in return.

The National Police Agency announced recently that it would seek to revise current license regulations to require senior drivers to take license renewal tests more frequently. Current regulations demand that drivers aged 65 and older renew their licenses every five years, but the revised plan would require drivers aged 75 and older to renew their licenses every three years.

Recent data released by the Samsung Traffic Safety Research Institute show that accidents caused by drivers aged 65 and older grew from 13,596 cases in 2011 to 23,063 in 2015.

Data also indicate that accidents involving senior drivers increased 70 percent and deaths related to senior drivers increased 40 percent during the past five years.

The police say that the number increases dramatically when it comes to senior citizens who account for the largest part of the driving population in rural areas who mostly drive farm tractors and other agricultural vehicles for their livings.

The number of accidents involving farming vehicles recorded in rural areas was 435 last year and the number of deaths in these accidents increased to 75 in 2015 from 39 in 2010. Among the 435 accidents, senior drivers were involved in 75 percent of them.

There is no doubt that regulations about senior drivers need to be strictly reinforced as the rapidly aging population is one of the biggest issues Korea is faced with.

Many countries have adopted different measures to minimize accidents relating to senior drivers. In Japan, for example, drivers aged 75 and older are required to be tested for Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive functions. Some U.S. states and European countries require senior drivers to take road tests and follow up with their doctors in submitting medical information when renewing driver's licenses.

Just as important as reinforcing regulations, the government needs to come up with countermeasures to solve the issue in the long term.

Some of the suggested solutions include providing senior citizens with transportation expenses for returning their driver's licenses or offering them medical benefits or insurance discounts when they relinquish their licenses.

A researcher at the Samsung Traffic Safety Research Institute proposed that the government start providing senior citizens with a "100-won taxi," which would be an ideal solution considered most safe and most affordable.

Some of the other alternatives I suggest are free car pools provided exclusively for senior citizens by local governments and complimentary chauffeur services. This I believe is a true win-win game as the government can both benefit the elderly drivers as well as create new jobs.
By John J. Metzler



Autumn brings falling temperatures, chill winds, and mournful memories which swirl like fallen leaves on the historical landscape. Darting shadows hide in the golden sunlight to reappear as the specter of the past in the late afternoons. History needs retelling as the calendar tells us it is late October.



The cavernous UN General Assembly hall which once echoed with poignant pleas to help the embattled Hungarians sixty years ago, today became the setting for a spectacular Hungarian musical concert, Freedom First, in which the orchestra of the Hungarian State Opera and soprano Andrea Rost commemorated and honored the spirit of the 1956 Revolution against the Soviets.



UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recalled that, as a twelve year old in his native South Korea, he and his classmates had heard that "Hungary was under the boots of communist oppression" and had appealed to the former Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold for help. Ban confided that when he became Secretary General, he hoped he would never receive such letters from besieged places, but he has from throughout this troubled world.



Autumn 1956 was an anxious period in America with a presidential election between Dwight Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson and the Word Series showdown between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees. Yet in far off Hungary the glowing embers of resentment against communist rule exploded into a full scale armed revolt against the Soviet rulers and their local comrades, the first and last such sustained uprising in the former East Bloc.



Sandor Petofi, a prominent 19th century Hungarian poet, became a literary beacon for the generation of 1956: "God of Hungarians We swear on to Thee, We swear on to Thee, that slaves we will no longer be!"



The Soviets were stunned and fought to a standstill in Budapest. Crowds of pro democracy demonstrators ripped down communist symbols and gleefully smashed Stalin's massive statue, and tore the socialist symbol from the center of the Hungarian flag. A new reformist Prime Minister, Imre Nagy, became the symbol of a free Hungary.



Hungary had crossed the Rubicon to political freedom; there was no going back. Yet, Imre Nagy's government appeared, through an extraordinary turn of fate, to have beaten the Soviets. Late October's euphoria was short lived.



In early November the Soviets counterattacked with massive and brutal force. Budapest became a battleground as Soviet tanks and artillery pounded the city. The free Hungarian government made a desperate plea to the world and the United Nations for help.



That same fateful weekend in the Middle East, the Suez Crisis was at its height with British/French forces trying to secure the strategic Suez Canal in Egypt. The UN Security Council was in overdrive with back to back meetings on both Hungary and Suez. To further complicate the situation these momentous events were just days before the U.S. Presidential election which would see Dwight Eisenhower returned to the White House.



On Sunday morning 4 November at 3 AM the Security Council met in urgent session on Hungary. American Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge extolled, "If ever there was a time when the action of the United Nations would literally be a matter of life and death for a whole nation, this is that time. If ever there was a question which clearly raised a threat to the peace, this is the question. A few minutes ago, we received word of the appeal of the Prime Minister of Hungary for help from the whole world while his capital city is burning."



James Mitchner's book the "Bridge at Andau" masterfully chronicled these epoch times. The Hungarian Freedom Fighters, even in defeat, emerged as a political pole star for a generation of Americans and Europeans. Even today, walking around Budapest, one sees bullet holes from the revolution.



Over 200,000 Hungarians fled their homeland in those anxious days into Austria and then onwards to the USA, Canada and elsewhere. Despite enforced exile, their education and perseverance saw that they would prosper. A friend told me recently, "In the late 1950's all the taxi drivers in Montreal were Hungarian; today their kids and grandkids are doctors, lawyers and successful business people."



Sixty years later Hungary recalls these fateful times.



John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He's the author of Divided Dynamism The Diplomacy of Separated Nations: Germany, Korea, China. Contact jjmclumn@earthlink.net.












President Park Geun-hye appears at the top of what is emerging as an extortion racket to force corporations to cough up billions of won for her confidant, Choi Soon-sil, in her attempt to raise funds for two foundations. The two attracted donations to the tune of 80 billion won ($72 million) virtually overnight.



Park's supposed main enforcer was Ahn Chong-bum, now former senior presidential secretary for policy coordination. Ahn was called in as a suspect Wednesday and questioned by prosecutors. Although he denied even knowing Choi, he has reportedly changed his stance and argued that he was just an errand runner acting on the President's order.



At the bottom of this food chain acting as legman is Lee Seung-cheol, vice chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), the big business lobby, who also reversed his earlier claim that the fundraising effort had nothing to do with Cheong Wa Dae.



The way this racket worked goes beyond the pale, being reminiscent of the era of dictatorships. As often with a street racket, Ahn picked the weak ones such as Lotte and SK. As it was facing multiple accusations of irregularities amid a family feud over management control, Lotte, which already donated 1.7 billion won to K-Sports Foundation, was asked to chip in 3.5 billion but it doubled its payment.



In May, the foundation returned it to Lotte, when the prosecutors pressed ahead with their investigation. SK, whose vice chairman was in jail, was asked to pay 8 billion won but when the conglomerate offered only 3 billion won, the foundation rejected it. Then, Samsung Group reportedly paid out 7.9 billion won to the pot. Under probe is its additional payment of 3.5 billion won sent to Choi's firm in Germany, which Samsung said was for the purchase of a horse for Choi's daughter, who won the gold medal in the Asian Games dressage competition.



CJ, whose chairman was pardoned in August, is suspected of financing much of a 1.4-trillion won theme park project, pushed by a member of the Choi clique, visual art director Cha Eun-taek. According to Chaebul.com, the online specialist in corporate affairs, a total of 554 companies donated to K-Sports and Mir, the other foundation. Twelve of those firms failed to make ends meet last year.



The ongoing investigation should bring to light the whole picture of this corruption scandal. A worrisome likelihood is that Park may have taken the nation back to the era of her father, the army general-turned president for life, who had chaebol under his thumb and used them as his extended personal coffer. Disappointingly, most big firms resorted to behavior befitting the 1970s and 1980s. Would this unsavory deja vu prove that Korea Inc. remains stuck with a bad case of "old habits die hard"? We hope not.




Anne Choe, president of Seoul International

Women's Association (SIWA) Justesse Gomis, chairwoman of 2016 SIWA and

Diplomatic Community Bazaar



By Yi Whan-woo

The Seoul International Women's Association (SIWA) will run an annual charity bazaar on Nov. 14 at Lotte Hotel in downtown Seoul, the association announced on Wednesday.

SIWA, a social club for women from different countries in Korea, said more than 30 embassies, spouses of ambassadors, private companies, welfare organizations and other women's groups here will participate in the 2016 SIWA and Diplomatic Community Bazaar.

"The annual bazaar brings SIWA, the diplomatic community and other expat organizations in collaboration to raise money to help the many disenfranchised members in our host country," said SIWA President Anne Choe.

Justesse Gomis, the chairwoman of the bazaar, speculated that the fundraising event will be "the best place to discover wonderful international products in a good atmosphere, but also a great opportunity to help a lot of charities."

Under the theme "Share Culture, Share Love, Share Life," the bazaar is expected to draw over 5,000 visitors, including Koreans, foreign residents and international tourists. Admission will be free for visitors.

A wide range of ethnic cuisines and cultural products from Korea and abroad will be sold. SIWA will also invite several musical performances by acts such as the Iced Americano Trio and Camarata Music Company.

Visitors can buy raffle tickets with the chance to win prizes offered by restaurants, spas and other stores.

The funds raised will be donated to some 20 Korean charities to help orphans, the homeless, the disabled and others in need in the Korean community.

SIWA began the bazaar in the 1960s. Since then, it has raised more than 2 billion won ($1.74 million).

Established in 1962, SIWA is one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in Korea.

It has more than 400 members from over 45 countries, including Argentina, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Mongolia, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Visit siwapage.com/major-events/bazaar or facebook.com/SIWAkorea for more information.
Models demonstrate SK Telecom's smart home technology at the Hyundai Hill State Gallery in southern Seoul, Wednesday. The company has teamed up with Hyundai Engineering & Construction to showcase its IoT-integrated smart home technology. / Courtesy of SK Telecom



By Lee Min-hyung

SK Telecom has showcased an Internet of Things (IoT)-integrated apartment that takes advantage of its technological expertise in voice recognition and artificial intelligence (AI).

The smart home system has become the talk of the mobile town in Korea, with leading mobile carriers here expanding their presence into the next growth area amid market saturation in the conventional wireless business.

The nation's leading mobile carrier joined with Hyundai Engineering & Construction for the event, displaying a series of home IoT functions at the latter's model apartment in southern Seoul. SK Telecom said its intelligent smart home system can enable total home automation through voice commands.

The firm has sought leadership in the area by accumulating massive datasets to become one of the nation's largest machine learning-based business operators. The company said its home IoT system can understand more than 95 percent of the Korean language. At the event, the company demonstrated how the voice-controlled smart system turns lights on and off.

Another key function is the enhanced security system connected to users' smart devices. Both companies developed what they call a smartphone key system. This is connected to their application, helping users unlock doors, which the companies believe will enhance security compared with conventional door-locking systems.

Residents can also check in real time such things as energy and water consumption.

SK Telecom said residents could not only control indoor electrical systems with the apps, but also check community facilities, such as the parking lot or elevator.

"We are going to continue to expand our presence into the smart-home sector by forging continuous ties with Hyundai Engineering & Construction," Cho Young-hoon, head of SK Telecom's home business division, said. "In particular, our technological expertise in voice recognition and AI will drastically change general perception of residential life."

SK Telecom said the company plans to equip more Hyundai Hill State apartments with the home IoT system, catering for some 29,000 residents in 2017.

The company is aggressively pushing to lead in the AI era with its own AI-based home assistant service, NUGU, launched last month. The company previously said it will continue to build more partnerships with startups to turn the business into its major revenue source.
By Yoon Sung-won



Innocean Worldwide will team up for digital media advertising with Facebook, the world's top social networking service (SNS), the companies said Wednesday.



Facebook Creative Shop Chief Creative Officer (CCO) Mark D'Arcy and Innocean Worldwide CCO Jeremy Craigen met at the ad agency's office in Yeoksam-dong, southern Seoul, and signed an agreement for a joint ad business optimized for Facebook and mobile platforms.



"Innocean's differentiated creativity will be a great help in upgrading Facebook's ad services," said Seo Heung-kyo, creative strategist for Facebook Creative Shop. "We expect that the partnership will generate content that consumers find worthwhile of their time even though they know it is an advertisement."



Under the partnership, Innocean Worldwide will launch a dedicated task force tentatively named Digital Creative Team to receive consultations from Facebook, which will be able to improve ad campaigns and user experience services for its clients, the two companies said. Innocean Worldwide Executive Creative Director Kim Jung-a will lead the Digital Creative Team.



"Business cooperation with Facebook is the optimal strategy to push for innovation in the rapidly changing digital ad market," Craigen said.



For the next year, Facebook and Innocean will collaborate in analyzing ad consumption patterns of Facebook users and producing 360-degree ads, canvas ads and virtual reality ads that are optimized for Facebook's platform. They will also organize regular workshops for joint ad campaigns.



As an ad business arm, Facebook Creative Shop has more than 130 creative experts around the globe to help its clients, including advertisers and ad agencies, to boost marketing and ad campaigns.




U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has accused her Republican rival, Donald Trump, of treating allies "like the small businesses and contractors" that he exploited.



Clinton made the remark during a campaign speech in Ohio, pointing out Trump's ignorance of international affairs.



"Trump has repeatedly suggested he would abandon our allies in Europe and Asia," she said. "Treating our allies like the small businesses and contractors that Trump exploited and stiffed ... would make our country and our world less safe."



Clinton also said she's running against "a man who says he doesn't understand why we can't use nuclear weapons."



"He actually said, 'Then why are we making them?' And he wants more countries to have nuclear weapons, Japan, South Korea, even Saudi Arabia. Imagine, imagine nuclear weapons smack in the middle of the Middle East," she said.



She also accused Trump of praising tyrants and dictators, "like Saddam Hussein and Kim Jong-un in North Korea and (Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad for their supposed strong leadership."



Trump has unnerved allies, such as South Korea and Japan, as he has displayed deeply negative views of U.S. security commitments overseas, contending the U.S. should stop being the policeman of the world.



The real-estate tycoon has said that the U.S. should be prepared to end protection of allies unless they pay more. He even suggested allowing South Korea and Japan to develop their own nuclear weapons for self-defense so as to reduce U.S. security burdens.



How to view alliances has been one of the biggest differences between Clinton and Trump. Trump thinks of alliances as a cumbersome burden sucking up taxpayer dollars, while Clinton praises them as a "source of strength" that makes the U.S. safer. (Yonhap)








Chinese premier calls for efforts to cement public support for China-Japan ties

(Xinhua) 18:32, November 02, 2016

BEIJING, Nov. 2 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday called on business leaders and former government officials from China and Japan to make joint efforts to consolidate public support for improved bilateral relations.

Li made the remarks when meeting representatives attending the second China-Japan Business Leader and Former High-Level Government Official Dialogue, in Beijing.

With the exchanges between China and Japan in recent days, bilateral relations have seen improvement, but the foundation of the relationship is still not solid, Li said.

"There is more work to be done to get bilateral ties back on track," he said.

He suggested that both sides should maintain the right direction of China-Japan ties and keep improving stable development of bilateral relations on the basis of the four important political documents between China and Japan.

Li commended efforts in bilateral exchanges and cooperation by business leaders and former government officials on both sides.

He hoped that dialogue, as a platform for second-track diplomacy, would continue to play a positive role in reducing uncertainties in bilateral ties and reinforce public support for such relations.

The Japanese representatives said Premier Li pointed out the direction for the improvement and development of Japan-China relations, voicing a willingness to enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation in the improvement of bilateral ties.

Chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges Zeng Peiyan, former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, and Chair of the Japan Business Federation Sadayuki Sakakibara attended the meeting.

The dialogue, lasting from Tuesday to Wednesday, covers trade, investment and financial cooperation, innovation, infrastructure, energy resources and environmental protection.

The first dialogue was held in Tokyo, November 2015.
(Xinhua) 19:01, November 02, 2016

BEIJING, Nov. 2 -- Most economists would agree that foreign direct investment (FDI) is a good thing, however, it is being hindered by protectionist measures.

An obvious victim of FDI protectionism is China, with signs of resistance mounting in the United States, Australia and recently in Europe, too. Measures that have been rolled out to impede FDI are often described as being in the "national interest."

As a result of tightened measures -- in the national interest -- planned Chinese deals worth nearly 40 billion U.S. dollars, or 14 percent of the total, have been scuppered since July 2015.

One possible reason for this Chinese investment-phobia is its explosive growth. Owing to the global economic slowdown, high asset prices and low-interest loans at home, China's outbound investment surged by 53.7 percent year on year in the first three quarters of this year.

Yet, these facts are feeble excuses for restrictions.

After almost four decades of reforms and opening up, Chinese companies have become more market-oriented and profit-driven than many foreigners realize. The prevailing bias, including claims that they are financial tools or weapons of the government, have been repeatedly proved groundless. Investment by Chinese companies has been generally welcomed by recipient countries, and has helped generate jobs and support economic growth.

Although it is not unreasonable for governments to review FDI in "sensitive sectors," some governments are claiming that an extensive range of sectors, from mining to agriculture, are "sensitive" and should be protected.

It is hard to measure how FDI protectionism has contracted global flows, which can be affected by many economic factors beyond government regulations. What is certain, however, is that protectionism has led to certain proposed transactions being denied -- discouraging other potential investors. A situation, such as this, would harm both FDI source and recipient countries and exacerbate the already ailing world economy.

To stem this trend, specific actions are required.

For China, the government needs to accelerate reforms and opening up, reduce red tape and improve access for foreign investment to create a fairer competition environment.

From the relaxing of regulation to the removal of market barriers, China has been, and will remain, committed to openness. However, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi posited, "China is still a developing country, it is neither scientific nor comparable to simply evaluate and measure the investment environment with the standard of highly developed countries."

For Chinese businesses that go global, they must abide by local laws and regulations and make their finances more transparent to gain the trust of foreign regulators.

For foreign regulators, they must extend the same trust to Chinese investors that they give other foreign investors. They must also ensure that investment reviews are conducted transparently, and within a definite time and reference frame.

International cooperation can also help. Communication and policy coordination should be enhanced to ensure countries to safeguard their national interests without distorting investment. Multilateral organizations, such as the G20, should reinforce policies that curb protectionism and, instead, promote global investment.
(Xinhua) 20:54, November 02, 2016

BEIJING, Nov. 2 -- With Brexit a reality, Donald Trump's emergence in the U.S. presidential election and the rise of extreme right-wing parties in Germanyand France, populism has resurged in the Western world and has become a great force on the European and U.S. political scenes.

As Paul Taggart, professor of politics at the University of Sussex, said, populism is a barometer through which the health of a political system can be assessed.

Looking into the current rising of populism, it is easy to see that the Western political system has encountered problems deeply rooted in the contraction of the middle class and a widening wealth gap.

According to McKinsey &Company, the real household income of 65 percent of families or 540 million people in advanced economies has stagnated or decreased from 2005 to 2014.

In the United States, the income of the poorest 20 percent of its population accounts for only 3.1 percent of the national wealth, while the richest 20 percent possess more than half.

The American people are dissatisfied and even angry with economic inequality, and they hate the current economic and political system.

Political outsider Trump capitalized on this popular sentiment and successfully disguised himself as a champion of the public will.

According to a CNN report, 150 voters for Trump in 31 cities confessed that they would not vote for Trump himself in the election but are casting a vote based on their discontent.

According to a poll by the U.S. television network MSNBC, most of Trump's admirers are white, blue-collar male workers belonging to the silent majority who had refused to vote in the past. Over 70 percent of them have an annual income of no more than 100,000 U.S. dollars, less than the average annual income of the Republican Party's voting tank, and another 43 percent are poorly educated without a university diploma.

These voters have chosen Trump over Hillary Clintonbecause of their own discontent with the latter whom they have found unreliable, citing Clinton's email controversy as an example.

With Wikileaks releasing more information and casting doubt on Clinton's ability to lead, American voters have found themselves caught in an electoral nightmare, a Trump-vs-Clinton dilemma in which neither candidate is a good choice. Trump and Cinton have become the least popular nominees in American electoral history.

Pro-Brexit voters are similar to Trump's supporters in many aspects: most of them are older, white, poorly-educated people who live in rural areas, dissatisfied with their living conditions, and fear a massive influx of immigrants.

Fiona Hill, director of the Center on the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution, said that the parallels between the United States and the United Kingdom show the "depth of the anger" against elites.

Brexit supporters and Trump followers are both "anti-establishment, anti-globalization and anti-immigration," Hill said.

With the triple shock of the financial crisis, rising debt and the refugee fiasco, Europeans loath economic recession and are struggling to keep their own cultural identity.

Jakub Grygiel, a senior fellow-in-residence of the Center for European Policy Analysis at the U.S. Foreign Policy Research Institute, wrote about the heated populism in Europe.

In his essay titled "The Return of Europe's Nation-States" published in the magazine Foreign Affairs, Grygiel wrote that "Europe currently finds itself in the throes of its worst political crisis since World War II. Across the continent, traditional political parties have lost their appeal as populist, Euroskeptical movements have attracted widespread support."

To draw votes, European politicians are preaching protectionism and isolationism. French conservative hopefuls for the 2017 presidential ticket have tried to reach out to disillusioned voters by presenting their ideas to tackle mass unemployment and handle security and immigration.

Similarly, Clinton and Trump have also focused on these issues in all three of their televised debates. Trump accused certain countries of stealing U.S. companies and jobs, and insisted that a wall along the Mexican border should be built and paid for by Mexico to block the flow of illegal immigrants.

Populism has endangered the stable development of the global economy. According to the AFP, Brexit and the rise of Trump have exacerbated the global economic crisis.

During The G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting held on Oct. 6 in Washington D.C., trade protectionism and anti-globalization sentiments were identified as a big threat to the global economy.

Business and financial leaders worldwide also expressed concerns over rampant anti-globalization sentiments at the Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank held in early October.

One thing remains certain in today's uncertain world: unless underlying issues are addressed, the worst of populism could be yet to come.
(Xinhua) 20:59, November 02, 2016

BEIJING, Nov. 2 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Guinean President Alpha Conde in Beijing on Wednesday, and both decided to set up bilateral strategic cooperation partnership.

The two leaders agreed to take the opportunity in implementing the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to expand two-way cooperation in diversified areas, and ensure a broader future for China-Guinea ties.

Citing Guinea as the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to forge diplomatic ties with new China 57 years ago, Xi said the two countries always support each other on issues regarding respective core interests and major concerns, and their bilateral cooperation has withstood the test of time.

Xi called on the two countries to enhance cooperation between governments, ruling parties, legislative organizations and localities, to consolidate political foundation for long-lasting friendship.

China is ready to expand agricultural cooperation with Guinea to help the country's agriculture production, he said. Xi pledged stronger bilateral cooperation in resource exploration in a bid to facilitate capacity cooperation and infrastructure building in railways, ports, electricity and communication.

Xi also vowed to boost cultural and educational cooperation with Guinea, and strengthen coordination on global and regional issues such as China-Africa renewable energy cooperation, climate change, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals, as well as Africa's peace and security.

China will fully implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit and combine its own development with assisting Africa's sustainable growth, in order to achieve common development, Xi said.

Conde congratulated the successful convening of the sixth plenary session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee held in Beijing last week, and spoke highly of China's economic and social development under the CPC's leadership.

He expressed appreciation for China's support over the past years, citing China's aid in fighting the Ebola epidemic.

Guinea hopes to expand cooperation with China in resources, energy, technology, agriculture, hydropower, infrastructure and port construction, said Conde, who is on a state visit to China from Oct. 26 to Nov. 4.

Conde said that his country appreciates China's Africa policy that features sincerity, practical results, affinity and good faith and endeavors to participate in Africa-China cooperation under the framework of the Xi-proposed "ten major cooperation plans."

"Guinea hopes to be China's strategic partner in Africa," Conde said.

At the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit last December, Xi announced ten major China-Africa cooperation plans for the next three years, backed by 60 billion U.S. dollars, including interest free loans and preferential policies.

After their talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as diplomacy, economy, infrastructure, aviation, culture, public health and finance.

China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang also met with Conde earlier on Wednesday. Zhang said the Chinese National People's Congress hopes to enhance exchanges with Guinea's National Assembly on legislation and governance, to improve policy and the legal environment for bilateral cooperation.

Conde said he hopes to learn from China's development experience through his current visit and beef up cooperation with China in all areas.

Before arriving in Beijing, Conde visited northwest China's Shaanxi Province. He will later head to Sichuan Province.

This is Conde's first state visit to China since he was elected president of Guinea in November 2010. He was reelected as Guinean president in October 2015.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

Trend:

Pakistan's Federal Minister for Commerce will visit Azerbaijan in the nearest future to discuss opportunities for expanding trade and economic relations between the two countries, Pakistans Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan said.

Dastgir Khan made remarks at the meeting with Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Alizade, the embassy of Azerbaijan in Pakistan told Trend November 2.

Azerbaijan and Pakistan have great potential for development of economic cooperation, the minister added.

The social-economic development of Azerbaijan, favorable business sphere created for foreign investors in the country, transportation corridors, production enterprises and other economic and trade opportunities, make the country attractive to investors, he said.

According to the message, Dastgir Khan and Alizade also discussed the possibilities of expanding the legal framework and mutually beneficial cooperation issues.

The volume of trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Pakistan varied from $17-25 million in the last five years.
At least 17 people have been detained in South Sudan, most of them soldiers, suspected of committing rape and other crimes in July during an attack on a hotel in the capital, Juba.

It comes a day after the UN said it was sacking its force commander for failing to respond to pleas from aid workers, who were based at the hotel.

South Sudans Deputy Justice Minister Martison Oturomoi told reporters that the soldiers had exploited the war to do their own criminal acts.

He cited soldiers raping women and killing the journalist, John Gatluak, based on his ethnicity. A special court would also be set up,

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

Trend:

Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 26 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops by using 60 mm caliber mortars, grenade launchers and heavy machine guns, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry said in a message on Nov. 2.

The Azerbaijani army positions located in Qizilhajili village of Azerbaijans Qazakh district took fire from the Armenian army positions located in Berkaber village of Armenias Ijevan district.

The Azerbaijani army positions also were shelled from the Armenian positions located near occupied Goyarkh village of Azerbaijans Tartar district, Qaraqashli village of Aghdam district, as well as from the positions located on nameless heights of the Goranboy, Fizuli and Jabrayil districts.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
The US government has begun deporting scores of Liberians deemed undesirable because they have committed various crimes or offences.

The first batch of around 20 were flown into Monrovia, Liberias capital, today.

Liberias ambassador to the US, Jeremiah Solunteh, told state radio that 53 of those to be deported have already been processed and are awaiting deportation. In the end between 100 and 200 will be deported.

The Liberians are coming home just as tens of thousands of others rush to meet the 7 November deadline for playing the annual US governments diversity visa lotto.

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Louis Kahn, a name most of us know as the designer of the Salk Institute, is considered one of the major forces in 20th-century architecture. A new exhibition coming to San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park, Saturday, Nov. 5 will show the evolution of his work, including models, sketches and photos of his most important projects, filmed interviews with Kahn and some of the architects he influenced, and rarely-seen watercolors, pastels and drawings he made on his world travels that show he was a skilled artist, too.

Louis Kahn: The Power of Architecture is the first retrospective of Kahns work in more than 20 years. Originating at the Vitra Design Museum in Germany four years ago, it has traveled to Rotterdam, Oslo, London, Taipei, and Bellevue, Washington, since then. At SDMA, it will be accompanied by a showing of photographs of the Salk Institute, taken by students from the Woodbury University School of Architecture in Barrio Logan.

Kahn is really a subject of global interest, said Ariel Plotek, SDMAs Curator of Modern & Contemporary Art. What we know of his completed buildings is just a small part of his production. Even the ones that never got built have exercised their influence over other architects, particularly the Philadelphia City Tower, one part of his proposed plan for redesigning the downtown center of his adopted city, which has pride of place in the exhibition.

Besides the 13-foot model of the City Tower, there are more than 200 objects on view in Louis Kahn: The Power of Architecture, including selected works from the Kahn familys private collections and the Architectural Archives of the University of Pennsylvania. The exhibit, on view through January, is a chance to get up close and personal with a visionary who was truly one of a kind.

IF YOU GO: Louis Kahn: The Power of Architecture, will be on exhibit Nov. 5-Jan. 3 at San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park, San Diego. Adult admission: $15. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Exhibit-related events: Musical Art Stop, a 30-minute concert by San Diego Youth Symphony, inspired by the exhibit (included with admission) 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13. Culture & Cocktails: The Power of Architecture, 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17, admission $5-$35, pre-purchase recommended. Tickets: (619) 232-7931. sdmart.org
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

Trend:

On Nov. 2 night, the Armenian armed units again opened fire at Azerbaijani positions in the north-west direction of the frontline using 60-mm mortars, grenade launchers and heavy machine guns, the press service of Azerbaijans Defense Ministry reported.

The enemy was silenced with return fire, according to the ministry.

Azerbaijani Defense Ministry stated that criminal military and political regime of Armenia is fully responsible for the deliberate escalation of the situation on the contact line of the two countries troops.

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.
GUEST COMMENTARY: A word or two about Measures K and L

By Sherri Lightner

San Diego City Council President

Did you know that the Mayors race and three of the five City Council races in San Diego ended in June? Unlike California and the federal government, San Diego has a rule that if a candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote in June, then that candidate wins and the election is over, even though only a small number of people voted. This means there is no runoff and no chance for voters to decide the winner in November.

When I ran for City Council, I was concerned by how many voters didnt understand the City election process. Many told me they assumed it was the same as the state system, and that they would have a chance in November to vote for the two candidates who received the most votes in the primary. They were shocked to learn that there was a possibility there wouldnt be a November general election in their council district.

Fortunately, the voters in the City of San Diego now have a chance to make sure this issue no longer exists. Measure K would align the procedure for electing the Mayor, City Attorney and City Councilmembers with the process we already use for electing all state and federal elected officials. The amendment would require a runoff in November, giving voters a chance to decide between the top two finishers in the primary.

Its companion Measure L is also an important voter reform that will do the same for ballot measures as K does for candidates. Measure L also deserves support.

Historically, voter turnout in June primary elections is much lower than in November. This is in part because final decisions are made in November and voters make that election a priority. In June 2012, roughly 240,000 voters turned out to vote in San Diego, while in November, approximately 470,000 turned out. That means nearly twice as many people cast ballots in November as in June.

The November electorate better reflects the diversity of San Diego. The participation of voters of color is three times higher in November, and for young people it is five times higher.

Measures K and L will enhance voter participation, eliminate confusion caused by differing local and state election procedures, and increase voter confidence in our elected representatives. State and federal elections use the top-two runoff system and maximize voter participation, and it is time San Diego adopted this same inclusive standard for our candidates and measures.

Challenges exist at The Cove, but some healthy choices, too!

Before you read my letter, let me assure you that I am very grateful for the attention La Jolla Light is dedicating to the problems the sea lion population is still creating at The Cove. I can see, sense and fully support the good intention of provoking La Jolla residents, local committees, the City of San Diego and other authorities to take the much-needed action to produce some changes so we can claim back our beautiful beach and enjoy walking and swimming without the fear of getting sick.

On the other hand, the title The Cove: Health Risk? may possibly discourage many people from even visiting The Cove, although the title is perfect to make one curious. Still, these days people are so busy with the news about the upcoming Elections that some may just glance over it, without inquiring deeper.

The Cove: Health Risk? in the Oct. 20 issue provoked my curiosity. I bet I am not the only La Jolla resident concerned about the current seals/sea lions-sea-and-sand sanitary situation of The Cove waters and seashore (well described by reporter Maria Jose Duran). Kudos to our lifeguards who willing to jump in to jumpstart someones heart if necessary. But while swimming, snorkeling, splashing, surfing and sand-walking may present potential risk to your health, lets not forget that visiting The Cove can be also a spirit-lifting and health-boosting experience.

Apart from strolling, playing or running through The Cove area to get your body warm and strong, you can visit one of the classes at the iconic La Jolla Bridge Club building. Not everyone may be aware that the purpose of three expansions of President F. D. Roosevelts New Deal building at The Cove (1958, 1967, 1969) were to serve the needs of community for boosting aerobic and yoga classes (in addition to the popular bridge and cribbage games held there).

While enjoying this Room with a View, you might be pleasantly surprised that there is no need to be fit or flexible in order to benefit. For example, sitting comfortably on a chair, you can learn how to use four parts of the breath (inhale, hold, exhale, suspension) to meet your needs, health limitations and personal goals to boost your energy, aid digestion, build immunities, manage stress and anxiety, or make meditation easier.

Consider (Christian author and speaker) Joyce Meyers words, I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you, for they remind us that people visiting The Cove have many choices!

Jaruska Solyova

High school should share track with community

A recent Letter to the Editor and your response to it suggested the track will be open to the public when all construction is complete. I called the high school office to learn the date and was informed I should call the school district, as the track will NOT be open to residents unless it is rented. The head of rentals for the district told me a bill was passed: once a high school stadium is renovated, there is no public use other than rentals by groups.

I personally find this outcome upsetting, as we moved into the Village in part because of the access to the track for running. Parents and their children use the tracks, teenagers practice lacrosse, and elderly people seeking to avoid sidewalk cracks walk on the track.

What can we do as a Village to return the track to the public? If vandalism is a concern, place cameras. Or let us sign up for keys. But our property taxes pay for the stadium. We should have access to it. At a minimum, could we rent the track during set hours every weekend and weekday?

Kay Plantes

Editors Note: You are correct, Kay. After speaking with La Jolla High School officials Oct. 31, The Light learned that because the stadium and track facilities were built with district funds authorized by Proposition S, they are considered a school district asset and will not be open to the public for community use. However, the track can be rented by e-mailing Deb Beaver with school district rentals at dbeaver@sandi.net

Sayings add spice to life

You had a marvelous little Scottish saying in the Oct. 26 issue,

From ghoulies and ghosties

And long-legged beasties

And things that go bump in the night,

Good Lord, deliver us!

I havent heard that for years and the first time I heard it was when I was a student at the University of Buffalo, School of Medicine and my professor was Scottish, Dr. Bernard Smith. He had the full Scottish accent. He also gave us another good one:

Its the smells rather than the sights and sounds that warm the cockles of the heart.

I find this marvelous because at the start of every Christmas Eve dinner at our home with our entire family, we always start out with the saying from the ghoulies and ghosties.

I thank you for having that saying published in your paper, I hadnt heard it in years, and appreciate it very much.

James Lasry

Whats on YOUR mind?

To share your thoughts in this public forum, e-mail editor@lajollalight.com or mail them to La Jolla Light Editor, 565 Pearl St., Suite 300, La Jolla, CA 92037

Editors Note: Letters published in La Jolla Light express views and comments from readers in regard to community issues. Letters do not necessarily reflect opinions of the newspaper staff or publisher.
The almost-half-mile-long boardwalk running from Avenida de la Playa to Calle Opima (on the north side of Kellogg Park) has caught the attention of La Jolla Shores Association (LJSA) board members. More specifically, its jagged cracks, unfilled gaps and crumbling seawall have caught them and they want something done about it.

Im down here every day, either walking my dogs or riding my bike, and I see the progressive breakdown (of the boardwalk), LJSA trustee Richard Montemarano told La Jolla Light as he pointed at the sidewalk cracks close to where he was standing near the lifeguard tower. Like that over there, thats dangerous! Someone could twist an ankle or a skateboards wheel could get stuck there.

The board has finally agreed upon a project it will advocate for  a new boardwalk for La Jolla Shores. The present 3-foot-tall seawall and a sidewalk that operates as view corridor and first impression of the famous beach separates Kellogg Park from the sand. The infrastructure is frequented by beach-goers, pedestrians, bicyclists, surfers and skateboarders.

Angie Preisendorfer, a longtime resident and LJSA member said, We have 3 million visitors to this beach every year, and we should have a showcase boardwalk, like they do at The Cove, so people come here and know were proud of our beach.

Montemarano continued pointing out the various problems he sees along the boardwalk, like the run-down beach entrances, the eyesore trash cans, and the drainage of the northern comfort station that permanently floods the adjacent sidewalk. You go up to Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach ... and its pristine. You come down here and it looks like crap, he said.

The cause of the cracks in the sidewalk, Montemarano explained, is the pressure the concrete receives from the adjacent seawall when the high tides reach it, I think the walls rebar was anchored under the concrete of the sidewalk, so the stress, when the ocean hits the wall, keeps cracking the sidewalk.

LJSA trustee John Sheridan added, The biggest motive for the City (to fix the boardwalk) should be that we dont want people walking and skateboarding on this thing, because people can trip and fall.

A mystery boardwalk

It appears that the La Jolla Shores Boardwalk was planted one day without anybody noticing in the middle of the public beach. The City doesnt seem to hold any records of when, why or who constructed it. Shores fixtures such as Mary Coakley-Munk or Bill Kellogg scratch their heads at the questions. The Light has narrowed down the construction date to somewhere between 1964 and 1972, and in the maps the public right-of-way is identified as La Vereda, which is Spanish for trail, but thats as far as records go.

The City charter mentions it in its Article 3: Environmental Health Quality Controls, Division 10: Smoking Regulations, defining the public street as a boardwalk susceptible to the Citys alcohol ban. For purposes of this Division, the following definitions shall apply: Boardwalk means the public walkway ... (the La Vereda and Calle Opima rights-of-way) at Kellogg Park at La Jolla Shores Beach.

The City confirmed the public street status of the boardwalk. Like any other sidewalk in San Diego, the responsibility of maintenance falls on the owner of the adjacent property. In this case, almost 80 percent of the sidewalk runs by City-owned Kellogg Park, except for a segment that sides the La Jolla Shores Hotel. Public information officer Anthony Santacroce wrote in a statement, The Park & Recreation Department is responsible for general maintenance of the existing Boardwalk.

However, a 2012 report elaborated by City staff for the approval of the ongoing sewer and water infrastructure replacement project at Avenida de la Playa, includes a mention of the boardwalk. The document reads: An accessible sidewalk, public seating and public access near and on the boardwalk leading onto the sandy beach, will be maintained or constructed as part of the project in order to preserve and improve public beach access.

Asked for an update on the status of this construction, Santacroce wrote, The stormwater project on Avenida la Playa is still ongoing. The status of and consideration for any recommended improvements to the boardwalk with respect to added seating and beach access is still uncertain. Similarly, however, improvements were made adjacent to the new lifeguard tower at the shores.

As Santacroce indicated, the sidewalk in front of the new main lifeguard tower at The Shores, as well as the segment where the old main tower stood, have been improved and are noticeably more satisfying than the rest of the surface, said LJSA trustees. Montemarano criticized that, even though the sidewalks were improved, there is no direct access to the beach in front of the tower, Right in front of the lifeguard tower, there should be beach access. The lifeguards should have better access (to the beach) than jumping over a wall, thats insane.

Some 11 years ago, a similar project started at LJSA to remodel Kellogg Park and the boardwalk. However, as the La Jolla Light reported in May, 2005, the plans caused a public uproar of rejection. Mark Broido, then-president of LJSA, said, The genesis of our planning was that the boardwalk and the seawall are in disrepair and could stand to be renovated.

Sheridan elaborated, This is now 10 years older than it was when it was a problem. Construction-wise this structure is way past its life cycle.

However, the opposition to remodel the boardwalk 11 years ago came from a lack of consultation to the public. Resident Karen Boger said in the same Light story from 2005, The Shores Association knows very well this workshop should have been brought to public notice so the community could have their input on the goals of Kellogg Park. Everybody wants to be involved, especially because that park is for everybody in San Diego and abroad. Were upset the process wasnt followed.

So this time, the LJSA needs to include the area neighbors from the beginning. What we would like to do is get everybody on board that would like to do something about it, and go to the City, Montemarano said.

Members are aware, were the project to come true, it will be at least partially privately funded. During their last meeting, chair Nick LeBeouf hinted at the possibility to create a Capital Improvement Project to secure funding.
Details added (first version posted on 18:16)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

By Seba Aghayeva  Trend:

Egypts position on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is principled in nature and is based on international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, said Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

Shoukry made the remarks Nov. 2 during his meeting with Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend Nov. 2.

Mammadyarov is on an official visit in Egypt.

Egypt wants the restoration of sustainable peace and stability in the region, said Shoukry.

In turn Mammadyarov said the support by Egypt to Azerbaijans territorial integrity and sovereignty and the countrys position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts settlement by peaceful means in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group (MG) are welcomed.

The Azerbaijani minister informed his counterpart about the situation around the conflicts settlement and noted that the conflict must be resolved only in line with international norms and principles based on the UNSC resolutions within Azerbaijans territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognized borders.

Armenia continues to impede the progress in the negotiation process by its destructive position and provocative actions, added Mammadyarov.

The minister also noted that the presidents of the OSCE MG co-chairing countries  the US, Russia and France  consider the current status quo as unacceptable and unsustainable, and as the forceful violation of internationally recognized borders.

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 SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary

Read more
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

By Seba Aghayeva  Trend:

The next meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development - GUAM will be held in Baku in December, GUAM secretariat told Trend November 2.

According to the message, the agenda of the meeting includes the discussion of the integration processes of the GUAM member-states into Europe, namely, cooperation within the Eastern Partnership program; the role of multilateral parliamentary cooperation in ensuring regional and international security, the role of regional and international parliamentary organizations in the development of interregional cooperation, energy potential of GUAM area and others.

The timing of the meeting is being agreed, the GUAM secretariat said.

According to the message, the delegations of GUAMs member-states, namely, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine will attend the meeting.

The representatives of the Baltic Assembly, the Visegrad Group member-states and TurkPA representatives will also attend the meeting as guests, the message said.

The GUAM was created by post-Soviet countries in 1997 during the summit of heads of states of the European Union in Strasbourg.
PRESS RELEASE

British Intelligence Chief Blathers about the Increasingly Aggressive Russian Threat

Nov. 1, 2016 (EIRNS)Great Britains Director General of British Intelligences MI5, Andrew Parker, granted an interview to the Guardian in which he blabs that Russia poses an aggressive threat to Great Britain.

"It [Russia] is using its whole range of state organs and powers to push its foreign policy abroad in increasingly aggressive ways involving propaganda, espionage, subversion and cyber-attacks,"

the daily quoted Parker as saying. "Russia is at work across Europe and in the U.K. today," he said.

"It is MI5s job to get in the way of that. Russia increasingly seems to define itself by opposition to the West and seems to act accordingly. You can see that on the ground with Russias activities in Ukraine and Syria. But there is high-volume activity out of sight with the cyber-threat. Russia has been a covert threat for decades."

This is the first time an incumbent MI5 director general has given a newspaper interview in the agencys 107-year old history.

The more immediate threat to Great Britain is of its own making: radical jihadist terrorists. In the interview, Parker referred to 12 jihadi terror plots that had been foiled by the security services in the past three years and said there are about 3,000 "violent Islamic extremists in the U.K., mostly British."

Spokesman for the Russian Presidency Dmitry Peskov dismissed Parkers allegations as fiction. "Those words do not correspond to reality," said Peskov during a press briefing. "Until someone produces proof, we will consider those statements unfounded and groundless."

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was just as derisive: "I would like to ask the head of MI5 if he also sees the hand of the Kremlin in the appointment of Boris Johnson as head of the Foreign Office."

The Russian Embassy to the Court of St. James in a missive on their Twitter account said it was "saddened to see a professional trapped to his own propaganda-created world." Alongside the message was a poster from the 1966 comedy movie "The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming."
PRESS RELEASE

Heroin Epidemic Wiping Out an Entire Generation of Children

Nov. 1, 2016 (EIRNS)In Cincinnati today, doctors, nurses, social workers, and addiction specialists gathered at Xavier University for an all-day conference to discuss the destruction of an entire generation of children, either born addicted to heroin, or living chaotic lives because their parents are addicted to heroin or opioid painkillers.

The heroin epidemic has devastated once-industrialized Ohio, which last year witnessed a 20% increase in heroin-overdose deaths, which rose to 3,050. Over the past seven years, Ohios Public Children Services Association reported a 19% increase in the number of children taken into custody, due largely to their parents heroin and painkiller addiction. Add to this the paradigmatic case of Huntington, West Virginia, once a thriving center of the coal industry. As CNN reported on Sept. 16, one in ten babies born at Cabel-Huntington Hospital is addicted to some type of drug15 times the national average! Two dozen addicted babies are cared for in the hospitals neonatal therapeutic unit, 12 more than it was built to accommodate.

According to Associated Press, Dr. Kathy Wedig, a neonatologist at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital, reported at todays conference that the physical problems of addicted newborns and the chaos faced by the children of addicts, combined, mean that these children "cannot have what we would consider a normal childhood." Dr. Jennifer Bowden, a child psychiatrist, reported on the significant increase, both in numbers and severity, of cases of children suffering from what she called "toxic stress," caused by exposure to trauma and neglect related to their parents addictions. Toxic stress negatively affects a childs physical, emotional, social, and language development, and leads to serious health risks later in life, she explained.

Conference attendees are concerned about the astronomical cost of caring for and treating such children, rightly so, given that drug legalizer Barack Obama has denied Americans access to decent healthcare and necessary social services.

CBS News quotes Sam Quinones, author of the book Dreamland: The True Tale of Americas Opiate Epidemic (published in April 2015), who pointed to the absolute lack of any serious discussion in this years presidential campaign of the heroin epidemic or addiction to opioid drugs. The issue is splashed across Ohios media every day, he said. Highway billboards promote Narcan, the antidote to heroin overdose. But

"the presidential election seems to be fantasyland. People are covering bizarre little details that matter not one iota to many American lives. But no one has spent time talking about the opiate epidemic."

At a recent Cleveland campaign event addressed by Obama, CBS added, a woman sat in the front row close to him, clutching a picture of a deceased relative, and each time Obama paused, she shouted, "What about heroin?" He never responded or mentioned the problem of drug addiction once during his speech.
PRESS RELEASE

Head of Russian Security Council Lays Out Vision of Global Security

Nov. 1, 2016 (EIRNS)In an interview with Sputnik, Russian Security Council head Nikolai Patrushev reviews what Moscow considers major threats to Russias security and lays out a "vision of global security" in five steps.

"Its essence is simple, and includes the primacy of international law, the priority of the peaceful resolution of conflicts within the existing frameworks of international organizations, led by the United Nations, the inadmissibility of backroom agreements and unilateral actions, bloc politics, and the unacceptability of interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states,"

Patrushev says.

Sputnik introduces Petrushev by saying that it is as if President Vladimir Putin were speaking:

"Given the Security Councils status as an advisory body reporting to the president, Patrushevs word is basically the Kremlin line on national security issues."

Moscow considers as major threats in the order: the NATO build-up, terrorism, and tensions in the Korean Peninsula, Patrushev says.

He stresses that the Security Council is part of a cooperation process within a series of institutions, which include the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa): "Our main goal is to ensure Russias interest

to create the conditions for sustained economic and social development, and to strengthen sovereignty and constitutional order."

Then he says the following on the U.S.:

"We are ready to cooperate with our American partners on the basis of equality and mutual respect for one anothers interests. Right now, Russia is listed among the main threats to U.S. national security. We cannot but be surprised by [the] kinds of criteria Washington thinks in, when it puts Russia on a par with Daesh [ISIS] and Ebola in its national security strategy."

Unfortunately, Patrushev noted,

"when such sentiments prevail in the minds of American politicians, and when these stereotypes are projected onto ordinary citizens by the media, it is hardly possible to establish a full and comprehensive dialogue on a wide range of issues."

He stresses that U.S. missile defense systems on the border with Russia can launch cruise missiles whose range includes many facilities of Russias strategic nuclear infrastructure. "The U.S. naturally denies this capability, but does not offer any real arguments."

Reading the documents of the recent NATO meeting in Warsaw, you would think that nothing has changed since the Cold War, Patrushev says. Nevertheless,

"Russia continues to use the Russia-NATO dialogue platform, and to work on bilateral agreements on the prevention of incidents on the high seas and in the air."

Ever the optimist, Patrushev stressed that he was confident

"that with the joint efforts of the world community, it will eventually become possible to build an effective architecture of common and indivisible security, in which military and political blocs will become a useless anachronism."

Notably, Patrushev says that the impression is that the Russian-U.S. negotiations on Syria
PRESS RELEASE

UN Envoy Unveils Details of Yemen Peace Plan

Nov. 1, 2016 (EIRNS) United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed presented a UN Security Council meeting his peace plan to end the conflict in Yemen. It envisages a new vice-president for Yemen and a national unity government. The Russian government has expressed support of the initiative.

"The roadmap includes establishing military and security committees to be able to oversee the delivery of weapons and the withdrawals from Sanaa, Hodeida and Taiz,"

Ould Cheikh Ahmed said.

"The military committees are supposed to ensure the end of military violence and to supervise the safety and security of citizens and the institutions of the Yemeni country."

Among the measures proposed are

"the appointment of a new vice-president, formation of a national unity government to lead the transitional period, overseeing the resumption of political dialogue and then holding the elections."

He said these are

"in line with 2216s Security Council resolution and in line also with the initiative of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the outcomes of the national dialogue." "Ive been informed that there is a tendency among the Yemeni rivals to reject the roadmap, but this is an indication for the Yemeni political elites inability to overcome their differences and to put the public interest above anything else,"

he said.

Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Oleg Ozerov told Sputnik that Russia supports the proposal.

"Russia from the very beginning has advocated and continues to back the idea of fastest cessation of hostilities and search for a political solution to the conflict"

in Yemen, said Ozerov. According to the ambassador, peaceful and political solutions to this conflict do exist.

"Within such solutions, Russia supports the efforts by UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, who is working very actively, including with the active support from Russia." "In order to emphasize our visible efforts in this regard, I would like to say that Russian Ambassador to Yemen Vladimir Dedushkin has several days ago, on Oct. 16, arrived to Riyadh and will actively aid efforts made by [UN Special Envoy] Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on finding practical solutions to reaching a ceasefire and taking the situation from the level of an armed confrontation to the level of political dialogue on existing platforms,"

Ozerov said.
PRESS RELEASE

Azov and Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) Seize Progressive Socialists Office

Nov. 1, 2016 (EIRNS)The Schiller Institute received an e-mail from Kiev, reporting on the seizure and occupation, by government security forces, of the offices of the Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine (PSPU). The raid occurred on Oct. 28. The statement below was issued by the PSPU Press Service today.

"Azov" refers to the Azov Battalion, an armed formation rooted in the fascist Right Sector movement, which was instrumental in the violent coup of February 2014, in which Ukraines elected President Victor Yanukovych was overthrown. This year, Azov registered itself as a political party, called the National Corps.

Dr. Natalia Vitrenko, the economist who leads the PSPU, has warned since the early 1990s that the brutal economic policies demanded by the International Monetary Fund would set the stage for political chaos and a fascist movement in Ukraine. She was a Presidential candidate in 1999, running at over 30% in public opinion polls before her campaign was thrown into disarray by an assassination attempt. Her party this year has been physically attacked by Right Sector toughs and is facing government attempts to deregister it.

Background information and Dr. Vitrenkos speeches in English are available via the links shown at the end of this release.

* * *

PSPU Press Department Statement

The Ukrainian governments political terror machine is moving to crush any free thinking, any small shoots of independent opinion, and any evaluations of current events, made on their own by political parties, public organizations, journalists or writers.

Hiding behind the cover of slogans about European values, democracy and the rule of law, in reality the institutions of state power in Ukraine are acting through law enforcement agencies and neo-Nazi battalions, to carry out a systematic mop-up of any dissidence.

The struggle of the Euromaidan government against the Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine (PSPU) and its leader, Natalia Vitrenko, is a challenge to the world community.

On 28 October 2016 a group of individuals, including fighters from Azov, broke down the entrance door and seized the premises of Siver Ukraina LLC. Since 2005 among the tenants of this building has been the PSPU, as well as the editorial offices of the PSPU newspaper Dosvitni ogni (Light before Dawn), and later the public organizations Dar zhizni (Gift of Life), the Eurasian Peoples Union, and the Assembly of Orthodox Women of Ukraine.

Siver Ukraina LLC obtained ownership of these premises in 2003 and has not been legally deprived of these rights in the intervening years. Neither has any party contested or dissolved the leases contracted with the aforementioned tenants.

Nonetheless, carrying out a political order to act against the PSPU, which has a unique status as a party in opposition to current domestic and foreign policy, and against its leader, Natalia Vitrenko, the police essentially allowed these premises to be seized and handed over to the SBU for an illegal search. This marks the beginning of a new phase of political terror against the PSPU.

Background information "Ukrainian Economist Natalia Vitrenko: Finding a Noble Path out of the Crisis," EIR, 6 November 2009.

"Ukrainian Patriots Expose EU Support for Neo-Nazi Coup," EIR, 10 March 2014.

"Let us end this nightmare, and turn to building things," speech by Natalia Vitrenko to Citizens Electoral Council of Australia International Conference, March 2015.

"Facing Terror Under a Kiev Regime," EIR, 24 April 2015.

See video interview posted Nov. 1 (in Russian): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luE8frGHjgY&feature=youtu.be
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

Trend:

Student delegation from Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University) paid a visit to Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS). The visit of the representatives Gubkin University SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Student Chapter was arranged with support provided by the Higher School and SPEs Azerbaijani branch. We asked Evelina Gadilshina, fourth-year student of the Mechanical Engineering faculty, Dmitry Koshechkin, fourth-year student of the Automation and Computer Engineering faculty, Anton Runenkov, third-year student of the Chemical and Environmental Engineering faculty, and Sophia Shoshkovich, third-year student of the Reservoir Engineering faculty to answer a few questions and share their impressions about the visit.

What was the main purpose of your visit? Was it achieved?

Sophia: The main purpose of our visit to Baku was to strengthen ties with your Higher School and its SPE Student Chapter for future cooperation. It was certainly achieved. But there is more than that: we found true friends, we learned a lot about your unique country and its people, we gained knowledge about Azerbaijani oil industry and we met many interesting people.

Dmitry: Our main goal was to enhance existing cooperation between young people of our countries. This goal was successfully achieved, as we defined our coordinated efforts and actions such as, for example, participation in the conferences or work with schoolchildren.

Being representatives of the one of the leading oil and gas industry-oriented universities in Russia, you have visited one of the most prestigious higher education school in Azerbaijan. Did you have a chance to learn about BHOS, its teaching process Baku and the technological infrastructure?

Dmitry: I did like the idea about arranging one-year Foundation Program specifically for studying English and Information Technologies. At the new campus of school, we saw that it modern technical equipment, which would help organize practical lessons for students.

Sophia: Yes, the teaching process did attract my attention, as it very much impressed me. I also liked that all the subjects are taught in English, for this approach meets nowadays realities and requirements. Moreover, establishment of the higher education school with support from companies builds a bridge between the education and practice. In addition, Baku Higher Oil School offers the students good opportunities for internship and further employment at the leading oil and gas companies. Finally, the modern equipment of the laboratories helps the students to successfully complete their education, which, in its turn, is aimed at real practical tasks in their profession.

Anton: I am very impressed by the School. I noticed that it is equipped up to the highest standards. I was also impressed by the fact that BHOS applies the system developed by the Heriott-Watt University. Graduates from the Baku Higher Oil School are specialists required by oil and gas companies all over the world.

Evelina: We were pleasantly surprised by the dimensions of your new campus. It is a modern, bright, well-equipped and comfortable building. The view of working pumpjacks from the lecture halls windows is really unusual. At the same time, it so wonderful to study oil and gas engineering and observe the process with your own eyes!

What can you say about the students of Baku Higher Oil School?

Evelina: They are very good and they know a lot about their future profession. It is them who made our visit so special and memorable. They managed to show and tell us about the city and the country in such a way that we also grew to like Baku and Azerbaijan. Thanks to all, especially to Fidan, Riad, Fahmin and Ramil!

Anton: We were delighted to meet the BHOS students. They demonstrated good knowledge of the subjects at the technical presentations session; we were pleasantly surprised by their reports. When we had free hours, they devoted their time to us to show around the city. I shall admit that warm hospitality towards the students of the Gubkin University is exemplarys

Sophia: BHOS students are friendly and intelligent young people with good knowledge of English. They also have deep knowledge of the culture and history of their country, and I would say that they are best representatives of the Azerbaijani Youth.

Dmitry: The students are professionals and, at the same time, they are very hospitable. It was a pleasure to meet them.

For all of you it was the first visit to Baku. What would you remember most of all? What impressions do you leave with?

Evelina: Indeed, it is my very first visit to Baku, but, as I hope, there will be more! I will always remember Azerbaijani people, kind and hospitable. I will also remember the old city with its narrow streets and ancient atmosphere. Of course, I will never forget the Heydar Aliyev Centre. It is a very beautiful construction with impressive architecture, size and design. We leave with fond memories and with very tasty pomegranates. I very much hope to come here once again!

Sophia: Frankly, I do not know where to start from. Baku is a very beautiful city! It is unique in a sense that it combines the West and the East and the ancient history and modern buildings. The citys splendid parks and fountains, houses of the sandy color and marble pedestrian undercrossings make it warm and nice even in rainy and windy day. In general, I do not like to see modern buildings next to old houses, but they are located ideally in Baku. The old buildings reminded me of the sand, while the modern ones were associated in my mind with the sea and the sky. The interior of Baku buildings are equally beautiful. I will never forget the elegant and splendid beauty of the Taghiyevs home which is a History Museum now. I also liked the design of the Opera and Ballet Theatre. I will surely remember Azerbaijani dishes and sweets. However, I was most impressed by the people and by their cordiality. It is them who make Baku a nice place to visit.

Anton: Azerbaijan is a wonderful country which cannot be described by mere words. It is absolutely necessary to visit the country and see everything with ones own eyes. I would like to come back soon to see the country and meet Azerbaijani people again.
AT&T Inc.s hopes of completing its $85.4-billion purchase of Time Warner Inc. depends on convincing federal regulators that they should allow one of the nations telecommunications giants to become even bigger.

Getting hit with a collusion lawsuit doesnt help make that case, particularly for a deal that already has drawn bipartisan criticism, antitrust experts and consumer advocates said.



For the record: An earlier version of this article said Public Knowledge was among the organizations that sent a letter to Clinton and Trump urging them to reject the AT&T/Time Warner Deal. Public Knowledge did not sign the letter.

The Department of Justice on Wednesday sued AT&Ts DirecTV unit, alleging it was the ringleader in unlawful efforts to prevent widespread carriage of the SportsNet LA television channel owned by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Making matter worse for AT&T, the Justice Department is the same agency that must review the Time Warner deal to make sure it passes antitrust muster.

All things being equal, you dont want to be sued by the DOJ when youre trying to get a merger approved by the DOJ, said John Bergmayer, senior counsel at digital rights group Public Knowledge. I dont think it helps them.

But how much it might hurt AT&Ts attempt to acquire Time Warner Inc. was unclear.

Although the suit names DirecTV and AT&T, the unlawful activity took place before AT&T completed its purchase of the satellite provider in July 2015.

AT&T was one of the pay-TV providers that the Justice Department said was part of the collusion. But the Time Warner deal is a vertical integration of companies that dont directly compete against one another instead of a horizontal merger with another pay-TV provider, which would raise additional collusion concerns.

Time Warner spun off its Time Warner Cable unit in 2009. Charter Communications Inc. bought Time Warner Cable last year and is renaming the service Spectrum.

AT&T said the allegations regarding SportsNet LA shouldnt have any effect on regulatory approval of Time Warner.

This civil suit has nothing to do with our proposed acquisition of Time Warner Inc., said AT&T spokesman Michael Balmoris.

Andrew Jay Schwartzman, a Georgetown University law professor, said the Justice Department would review the deal on its own merits. But the collusion suit could have an impact on the margins, he said.

It affects your judgment and your assessment if they have a track record of behaving anticompetitively, he said of Justice Department antitrust regulators.

If the deal also must be approved by the Federal Communications Commission, which appears likely, the DirecTV suit could have a larger impact, Schwartzman said.

Theyre looking at the broader effects on the marketplace, he said of the FCC. Something like this underscores for the FCC some of the problems that are exacerbated if you increase AT&Ts and Time Warners collective clout in the marketplace.

Concerns about increased media consolidation led the AT&T/Time Warner deal to get a frosty reception when it was announced last week.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said his administration would block the deal if he wins next weeks election. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, said the merger raised questions and concerns.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) called for a robust review. The panels antitrust subcommittee has scheduled a hearing for Dec. 7.

Opponents of AT&Ts deal to buy Time Warner said the collusion suit was another reason for regulators to reject the deal.

AT&T and DirecTV had too much power over the pay-TV, Internet and content markets even before their multibillion merger closed last year, said Matt Wood, policy director of Free Press, another digital rights group.

Now that theyve joined forces, the absolute last thing we need is approval of a deal to put these bad actors in control of Time Warners video content empire, he said.

Bergmayer said the collusion case raises obvious concerns about whether AT&T would have the incentive and ability to harm consumers if it were permitted to acquire Time Warner.

The past behavior of a company is relevant, he said. Were not saying this by itself is the reason to block the merger. Its one more data point.

Hours before the suit was announced, Free Press and 17 other digital rights, consumer advocacy and social justice organizations sent a letter to Clinton and Trump urging them to reject the deal because it would make AT&T too powerful.

There is little evidence that anyone  other than the executives and shareholders of the merging companies  benefits from these massive deals, the letter said. The recent history of media concentration is littered with broken promises and higher prices for customers.

ALSO

DirecTV and the Dodgers: When you dont have a monopoly, create one by collusion

Why the Justice Department gets it wrong in lawsuit over Dodgers channel
SolarCity expects to contribute $1 billion or more in revenue to Tesla Motors next year after they complete their merger this month, the two companies told investors Tuesday.

Additionally, SolarCity expects to add more than $500 million in cash to Teslas balance sheet over three years, the companies said.

Thats our forecast, Lyndon Rive, chief executive of SolarCity, told investors during a joint conference call by the two companies. When we install solar systems, we incur the cost immediately and immediately recognize the revenue.

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The call was part of a flurry of presentations in recent days that the sustainable energy firms have delivered to the public, including last weeks anticipated unveiling of glass solar shingles to replace the boxy panels that sit atop home roofs.

Elon Musk, Teslas chief executive and SolarCitys chairman, who is known for his brassy marketing style, touted the creation of the worlds only integrated and sustainable energy company with a product he said should have hit the market long ago.

Were confident it can be very low cost, he said.

When pressed further on their companies finances by investors on the call, Musk and Rive declined to discuss details, saying they would disclose more information during SolarCitys upcoming earnings call.

The combination of Tesla and SolarCity will fold solar power generation, energy storage and electricity-driven cars into one package under homeowners roofs.

Its very unwieldy to do so as two separate companies, Musk said.

Efraim Levy, an analyst at CFRA Research, questioned the financial sustainability of Musks operations.

It looks like a lot of positive spin, Levy said. Elon Musk is literally changing the world and the way people look at energy and driving etcetera. But as for an investment in a stock?

Thats not so clear, he said. Adding cash in the short term doesnt help you when you need cash down the line.

ivan.penn@latimes.com

For more energy news, follow Ivan Penn on Twitter: @ivanlpenn
Wells Fargo & Co. reached a $50-million settlement this week with homeowners who alleged that the bank marked up home appraisal fees for borrowers who defaulted on their residential loans.

Under the terms of the settlement, which is still subject to a judges approval, San Francisco-based Wells Fargo will be required to automatically mail checks to more than 250,000 mortgage holders.

Based on a class of 275,000 people, each person will receive at least $120, which is the highest amount Wells Fargo charged for one of these appraisals, said Roland Tellis of the law firm Baron & Budd, which represented the homeowners.

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The plaintiffs wont need to fill out a claim form or provide any documentation to get compensated, according to Baron & Budd.

The case focused on broker price opinions, which are informal home appraisals done by real estate brokers when borrowers default on residential loans.

Plaintiffs alleged that although their mortgage agreements allowed Wells Fargo to pass along the costs of obtaining these appraisals from third-party real estate brokers, the bank charged homeowners more than it paid for the appraisals. The plaintiffs racketeering claim was certified as a class action.

Wells Fargo believes its practices related to broker price opinion were proper and disagrees with the claims in the suit but agreed to settle to avoid further litigation, bank spokesman Tom Goyda said in a statement.

The settlement comes as Wells Fargo faces increased scrutiny from lawmakers over a separate issue: revelations that bank employees created as many as 2 million accounts in customers names without those customers knowledge or consent. The accounts scandal has led to a $185-million settlement with regulators and last months sudden retirement of Wells Fargo Chief Executive John Stumpf.

samantha.masunaga@latimes.com

For more business news, follow me @smasunaga

ALSO

Private-sector job growth slows to lowest level since May, ADP says

Justice Department sues AT&T-DirecTV, alleges collusion in blocking Dodgers channel

Why City National Bank sticks with cross-selling, a strategy that led up to Wells Fargos scandal

UPDATES:

2:40 p.m.: This article was updated with details of how much each homeowner in the lawsuit will receive from Wells Fargo.

This article was originally published at 8:55 a.m.
Scream Queens star Emma Roberts has sold her home in Hollywood Hills West to actress Sarah Paulson for $1.65 million in a deal completed off-market.

The single-story home, built on a flat lot overlooking the Kirkwood Bowl, was recently renovated and has warm yet minimalist vibe.

Among details of note are custom oak finishes, skylights and bi-folding doors. Walls awash in light gray concrete lend an raw note to the exterior.

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A living room, a media room, three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms are within more than 2,100 square feet of open-plan living space. The modern kitchen, complete with Calacatta gold countertops and a small island, opens to a dining area with a wall fireplace.

An attached two-room guest house features flooring reclaimed from a French chateau.

Roberts, the daughter of actor Eric Roberts and niece of actress Julia Roberts, gained fame on the Nickelodeon series Unfabulous. The 25-year-old has film credits that include Scream 4 (2011), Were the Millers (2013) and Nerve (2016).

Paulson, 41, won an Emmy this year for her role as Marcia Clark in the FX true crime series The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Among her other credits is the series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Jack & Jill and the Oscar-winning film 12 Years a Slave.

The two actresses were castmates for three seasons of the anthology horror series American Horror Story.

neal.leitereg@latimes.com

Twitter: @NJLeitereg

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Beverly Crest home once owned by Kenny G and Pete Sampras fetches $5.25 million

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Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, currently on the disabled list due to a groin injury, has made a move away from the ice, buying a home in Manhattan Beach for the asking price of $2.95 million.

Found in the Manhattan Beach Tree Section, the shingled ranch-style house was described in the listing notes as a development opportunity. The corner-lot property includes 80 feet of street frontage on one side and 120 feet of frontage on another.

Mature trees and landscaping surround the 1,621-square-foot house, which has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. A two-car garage sits off the front entry.

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The home, built in 1947, came to market during the summer and was under contract in about a week, according to the Multiple Listing Service. In August, the median sale price for single-family homes in Manhattan Beach was $2.05 million based on 24 sales, according to CoreLogic.

Vicki Goorchenko of Vista Sothebys International Realty was the listing agent. June Emerson, also with Vista Sothebys, represented the buyer.

The 30-year-old Quick is expected to miss about three months after undergoing a nonsurgical procedure in October for his injured groin. The all-star goaltender is in his 10th season with the Kings.

neal.leitereg@latimes.com

Twitter: @NJLeitereg

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La La Land leads the pack with 12 nominations for Critics Choice Awards By Libby Hill The Broadcast Film Critics Assn. announced its film nominees for the 22nd Critics Choice Awards on Thursday, with whimsical Los Angeles love story La La Land landing 12 nominations. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone both garnered nominations for their performances in the film, as did Damien Chazelle for director and screenplay. Arrival and Moonlight scored a hefty 10 nominations each, including nods for picture and director. Due to the inclusion of genre-specific categories, several actors managed multiple nominations, some for the exact same role. Read More Facebook

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Review: Jackie is a transporting, transfixing biopic By Kenneth Turan Jackie, we hardly knew you. Though no more than that single name is needed to bring to mind an entire universe of memories, mythology and celebrity, the woman it conjures had a core mystery that remained unassailable despite media scrutiny of the most relentless kind. To convincingly pull the curtain back on that kind of a life, to be true to the tragic history and alive to the unexplored drama, to take smart and fearless ownership of what could have been an overly familiar story could not have been more difficult. But what makes the success of Jackie even more remarkable is the paradoxical team that came together to persuasively imagine the behind-the-scenes drama that followed the Nov. 22, 1963, assassination of President John F. Kennedy.  Jackie follows First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, played by Natalie Portman, after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Crafting the compelling script, which won the screenwriting prize at Venice, was a man best known as a successful television executive. Directing this story of an American legend was a Chilean filmmaker whod never worked in English before. And the star was an actress who, despite an Oscar already under her belt, seems with this performance to be finally coming into her own. Read More Facebook

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CMT releases a new Nashville trailer By Libby Hill Weddings, babies and teenage emancipations  oh, my! Fans of Nashville, rejoice: New episodes of your favorite country music drama are on the way. CMT, which picked up the TV series for a fifth season after ABC canceled it, released the first official trailer for the return of the show centered around the always-complicated lives of country music stars Rayna James (Connie Britton) and Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere). Read More Facebook

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Amazon makes a series out of Sid & Marty Kroffts revamped Sigmund and the Sea Monsters pilot By Jevon Phillips  Brothers Sid and Marty Krofft, creators of family television shows H.R. Pufnstuf and Land of the Lost, dicuss their latest creation, Mutt & Stuff. Amazon Studios has picked up the Sid & Marty Krofft-produced series Sigmund and the Sea Monsters  a remake of their classic childrens TV show from the 1970s  after the show had been presented to viewers as a pilot. Sigmund and the Sea Monster centers on two brothers, Johnny and Scotty, who along with their cousin Robyn befriend Sigmund, a friendly young sea monster. David Arquette stars as Captain Barnabus, a seagoing villain-type who relentlessly pursues the mini sea monster. The show will be part of Amazons Prime Video lineup. As chronicled in an article earlier this year, the Krofft brothers have been on a bit of a roll lately. They have a successful ongoing kids program in Mutt and Stuff on Nickelodeon. Their action show, Electra Woman & Dyna Girl, launched online on Fullscreen. They are also looking to revive other past hits The Bugaloos, H.R. Pufnstuf and a new reinvention of Land of the Lost. Facebook

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Amanda Seyfried is expecting a baby with Thomas Sadoski By Christie DZurilla Amanda Seyfried and Thomas Sadoski are going to be parents. (Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images) Amanda Seyfried is pregnant, expecting a child with fiance Thomas Sadoski, her rep confirmed Wednesday. The Ted 2" actress and her Life in Pieces beau started dating earlier this year and got engaged in September, according to People, which first reported the baby news. Seyfried showed off her bump in black Givenchy on Tuesday at an event launching the designers Live Irresistible fragrance. In the not-too-distant future, the parents-to-be will be seen on screen together in The Last Word, a comedy scheduled to hit theaters in March. Facebook

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Drinking and driving? In Canada, you could get punished with Nickelback music By Tracy Brown Canadian police officers are turning to an alternative form of punishment in order to deter people from drinking and driving this holiday season. Police officers in the town of Kensington have concocted a new plan in hopes of preventing people from the offense: music by Nickelback. Are we having fun yet? When we catch you, and we will catch you, on top of a hefty fine, a criminal charge and a years driving suspension, we will also provide you with a bonus gift of playing the offices copy of Nickelback in the cruiser on the way to jail, the Kensington police said in a Facebook post, which included tips about planning ahead to avoid drinking and driving. Adding insult to injury? The post included a photo of a sealed copy of Nickelbacks 2001 album, Silver Side Up. Please, lets not ruin a perfectly good unopened copy of Nickelback, continued the post. You dont drink and drive and we wont make you listen to it. The post does not reveal exactly why the Kensington police department owns a brand-new cassette of the Nickelback album, but at least its power is being harnessed for good. Hopefully, the threat of listening to Chad Kroeger and his fellow Canadian rockers will be enough to keep the streets of Kensington safe this winter. Facebook

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A tour through dark chapters of American history hits close to home at site of internment camp By Carolina A. Miranda A banner hung in place in a barracks at Camp Tulelake depicts what it looked like when it housed Japanese American internees during World War II. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Over the last month, Ive logged some serious mileage across California for a story about race and the national parks that was published on Sunday. It explores the ways in which the National Park Service, a federal agency originally charged with protecting wilderness, has come to conserve places that have been the sites of both contentious and inspiring incidents related to race in American history. As part of the assignment, I toured the Port Chicago Naval Magazine outside San Francisco and sat next to the graves of labor activists Cesar and Helen Chavez in the bucolic Tehachapi Mountains outside Bakersfield. I visited the sites of the former Japanese American internment camps at Tulelake and Manzanar. On one of those journeys, I casually posted a photograph of an old theater on Tulelakes main street on social media. My pal Nate Chinen, a New York-based jazz writer whose father was Japanese American, left me a comment: This is the town where my father spent his first four years, in internment. When I saw it, my heart sank. An exhibit of articles inside a replica barracks at Manzanar National Historic Site. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Read More Facebook

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Netflix offering downloads of some shows to watch offline By Samantha Masunaga Netflix Inc. will now allow users to download shows and movies to their smartphones and tablets to watch when theyre offline, the company said Wednesday. Netflix said many popular movies and series are already available for download, including its original shows Orange Is the New Black and The Crown. Besides garnering some amount of goodwill from customers, Netflix may also benefit from the data it can gather from users of the new feature. Read More Facebook

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Miley and Dolly are begging of you, please dont take their man By Libby Hill NBCs celebration of all things Dolly Parton continued Tuesday night as the country music legend joined The Voice to perform her classic song Jolene with goddaughter Miley Cyrus (with an assist from Pentatonix.) Parton was perfect, but the collaboration was really Cyrus moment to shine, her voice nicely suited for the songs soulful lyrics. Fans yearning for more Dolly content can check out her NBC film, Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, premiering tonight at 9. Facebook

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See how awards shows rank, from must-see to pass By Glenn Whipp Martin Scorsese after winning the director trophy for The Departed at the 2007 Oscars. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Were just turning the calendar to December, and already awards shows are popping up fast and furious, keeping statue assembly line elves working long into the nights. The Gotham Awards were Monday. Something called the National Board of Review announced its nominees Tuesday. The New York Film Critics Circle and Broadcast Film Critics Assn. will reveal their slates Thursday. And on Friday they rested. Because even God probably cant keep up with awards season. Which is why we decided to rank the awards shows, letting you know which groups to watch and which to ignore. No need to thank us  unless you win one of these things someday. Then you damn well better mention us in your acceptance speech. (Except if its a Hollywood Film Award, that is.) Read More Facebook

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JoJo, Bebe Rexha and Serayah join VH1s Divas holiday special By Libby Hill VH1 is returning from its four-year Divas hiatus with a vengeance. The network announced Wednesday that JoJo, Bebe Rexha and Serayah will be performing a live version of Darlene Loves All Alone on Christmas on VH1 Divas Holiday: Unsilent Night. The artists join an already-stacked lineup of powerhouse voices for the special, including Mariah Carey, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Vanessa Williams and Teyana Taylor. VH1 Divas Holiday: Unsilent Night airs Monday. Facebook

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Hillary Clinton surprises Katy Perry with an intro at UNICEF Snowflake Ball By Christie DZurilla Hillary Clinton and Katy Perry with UNICEFs Pamela Fiori, left, and Caryl Stern, right. (Jason Kempin / Getty Images) Katy Perry was there for Hillary Clinton during the presidential campaign, and on Tuesday night in New York City, the politician was there for the pop star in return. We need champions like Katy, surprise guest Clinton said as part of the presentation of UNICEFs Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award to Perry, who has been an international goodwill ambassador for the childrens charity since 2013. The former presidential candidate got a sustained standing ovation at the fundraising gala when she appeared onstage, plus more cheers when she said that the Roar singers lyrics remind us when you get knocked down to get back up, the Associated Press reported. In her acceptance speech, Perry credited Clinton with motivating her to do more than just sing. Hillary has lit that voice inside of me, Perry said, and that light will never go out! The California Gurls singer attended the gala with a British guy: boyfriend Orlando Bloom, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador since 2009 and last years Hepburn award recipient. NOW: @HillaryClinton introduces UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador @KatyPerry at the #UNICEFSnowflake Ball pic.twitter.com/U439FM9mMs  UNICEF USA (@UNICEFUSA) November 30, 2016 The Associated Press contributed to this report. Facebook

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Grant Tinker, former NBC boss and MTM Enterprises founder, dies at 90 By Associated Press Grant Tinker in Beverly Hills in 2006. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press) Grant Tinker, who brought The Mary Tyler Moore Show and other hits to the screen as a producer and a network boss, has died. Tinker died Monday at his home in Los Angeles, according to his son, Mark Tinker. He was 90. Though he spent years at NBC, Tinker is best known for his work at MTM Enterprises. He founded the company in 1970 with then-wife Mary Tyler Moore. In addition to Moores own groundbreaking situation comedy, MTM scored with series including Rhoda, The Bob Newhart Show and Hill Street Blues. Tinker became NBC chairman in 1981 and led the network out of the cellar with hits such as The Cosby Show and Cheers. Read More Facebook

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Hawaii Five-O actor Keo Woolford dies at 49 By Jevon Phillips Actor and filmmaker Keo Woolford, known recently for his role as Detective James Chang on CBS remake of Hawaii Five-0, died Monday after suffering a stroke three days earlier, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Publicist Tracy Larrua confirmed his death, noting also that he died at Pali Momi Medical Center in West Oahu. His other credits included 2012s Act of Valor and 2014s Godzilla. He was also recently appointed kumu hula (teacher of hula, basically) of Kumu Hula Robert Cazimeros award-winning performance Halau Na Kamalei o Lililehua. Hawaii Five-O co-star Daniel Dae Kim and actress Kelly Hu were among those adding tributes on Twitter. As talented as you were, I will remember you most for your kindness. Thank you for sharing your light with us, @KeoWoolford. Rest In Peace.  Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) November 29, 2016 Heart breaking for the loss of dear friend Keo Woolford, writer, director, singer, dancer, spreader of love. #RIPKeoWoolford #TheHaumana pic.twitter.com/8TntjBoVHn  Kelly Hu (@KellyHu) November 29, 2016 Facebook

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Lin-Manuel Miranda joins The Kingkiller Chronicle film and TV adaptations By Tracy Brown Lin-Manuel Miranda (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Looks as if Lin-Manuel Miranda has no plans to slow down anytime soon. The Hamilton mastermind has added the film and TV series adaptations of The Kingkiller Chronicle to his ever-expanding list of projects. Miranda will be the creative producer behind Lionsgates adaptations, in addition to serving as a producer. Miranda will also compose original music and write the songs for the project. A fantasy trilogy by Pat Rothfuss, The Kingkiller Chronicle tells the story of the master sword fighter, magician and musician Kvothe. So Miranda will only be creating music for the greatest musician in the world -- no big deal. *stares at a lute for 20 minutes, sweats profusely*

Okay, so we're doing this. @PatrickRothfuss  Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) November 29, 2016 The film adaptation will be based on The Name of the Wind, the first book of the trilogy, and will be written by Lindsey Beer. The TV series, on the other hand, will look beyond the books storyline. Miranda will join Rothfuss in developing new characters and storylines for the show. The film and TV show will be developed simultaneously. Miranda, of course, has previously revealed that there is a connection between Hamilton and The Kingkiller Chronicle. The Story of Tonight is me trying to capture the feel of Kvothe & his friends leaving the Eaolian, Miranda tweeted, before sharing the specific passage from The Name of the Wind. In addition to the film and TV adaptations, Miranda has the option to be involved in future stage adaptation of the books. Facebook

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Grab a tissue: Idina Menzel sings Wind Beneath My Wings in new Beaches trailer By Tracy Brown Lifetime has released a trailer for Beaches, giving viewers their first extended look at the upcoming TV remake starring Idina Menzel and Nia Long. Of course, the trailer is set to Menzels rendition of the tear-jerker Wind Beneath My Wings. Like the original, the new Beaches follows the lifelong friendship of aspiring performer C.C. Bloom (Menzel) and wealthy heiress Hillary Whitney (Long). Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey originated those respective roles in the 1988 film. Beaches will air on Jan. 21, giving you plenty of time to stock up on tissues. Facebook

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Bachelor in Paradise? Not so much for Grant and Lace, who have split By Christie DZurilla Grant Kemp and Lace Morris, the high-strung couple known as Grace on the most recent Bachelor in Paradise, are affianced no more, according to Entertainment Tonight. We have so much love for each other, and its weird because the chemistry is there, Morris said, and Im thinking, Why cant we make this work? Issues were part of what pumped up the drama between the two before they got engaged on the most recent incarnation of BIP. That and the matching wrist tattoos. Their post-"Paradise adventures have included an appearance on Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After? in which Grant had to lead a blindfolded and terrified Lace through a relationship-retreat high-wire ropes course. View Instagram post (Because reality TV makes for a totally normal relationship experience. Also, on Happily Ever After?, Bachelor Ben Higgins is still talking about his fear of being unlovable -- only now hes doing it in couples counseling. Turns out it goes all the way back to when he was in second grade.) I think the odds are definitely against us, Grant told ET. But I know the person that she is. Thats the person I wanted to marry. Lace moved out of their San Francisco place a few days ago and is back in Denver. We both have our issues we need to work on, she said, and we cant really give each other what we need at this time. View Instagram post Facebook

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Dolly Parton heartbroken by fires in Tennessee, says Dollywood is OK By Christie DZurilla After raging fires in Tennessee forced thousands to evacuate and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses in and around Gatlinburg, Dolly Parton offered her prayers and support Tuesday and gave fans an update on the fate of Dollywood in nearby Pigeon Forge. I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains and I am heartbroken, the Tennessee native said Tuesday in a statement. I am praying for all the families affected by the fire and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe. It is a blessing that my Dollywood theme park, the DreamMore Resort and so many businesses in Pigeon Forge have been spared. Our thoughts are with our neighbors over in #Gatlinburg and #PigeonForge. Prayers for those fighting those terrible wildfires.   Grand Ole Opry (@opry) November 29, 2016 The fires, which were fueled by wind after burning for weeks in Tennessee and nearby drought-stricken states, were believed to have wiped out an entire resort of more than 100 buildings in the Great Smoky Mountains as National Guard troops arrived early Tuesday to help overwhelmed firefighters, the Associated Press reported. Read MoreLast night, for the safety of our guests, resort staff evacuated families in 50 rooms staying at Dollywoods DreamMore Resort and families staying in 19 cabins at Dollywoods Smoky Mountain Cabins, the park said Tuesday on its website. Itll be closed at least through Wednesday, though DreamMore Resort will be open on a limited basis for those in need and for registered guests. Emergency officials ordered evacuations in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and in other areas of Sevier County near the Great Smoky Mountains, the Associated Press reported. About 14,000 residents and visitors were evacuated from Gatlinburg alone, officials told the AP. Facebook

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Review: Leah Reminis Scientology docuseries is a compelling, if unsophisticated, investigation of church By Meredith Blake Its hard to imagine it now, but there was once a time when few Americans outside the Celebrity Centre knew what an E-meter was. For decades, Scientology was known as a mysterious religion popular with Hollywood A-listers such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta. But in recent years, the church, founded by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, has spawned a cottage industry of journalistic exposes and jaw-dropping memoirs in which former devotees allege abusive, cult-like behavior and outlandish beliefs. At this point, Scientology is as much an active religion as it is fodder for the various juicy tell-alls that have familiarized readers of People magazine with once-obscure concepts like Operating Thetans and the Bridge to Total Freedom. The latest entry in this flourishing sub-genre is Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. Premiering Tuesday on A&E, the eight-part docuseries follows actress and former Scientologist Leah Remini as she meets with other church defectors and listens to their often-harrowing stories. Read More Facebook

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I hate it: Shannen Doherty starts radiation for breast cancer By Christie DZurilla First day of radiation treatment. I look like Im about to make a run for it, which is accurate. Thats what Shannen Doherty wrote on Instagram as she documented her experience Monday, giving the world glimpses of both her bald head and her trepidation. The former Beverly Hills, 90210" actress said radiation therapy was frightening. Something about not being able to see the laser, see the treatment and having this machine moving around you just scares me, said Doherty, 45. Im sure Ill get used to it but right now, Doherty concluded, I hate it. View Instagram post Doherty has been fighting breast cancer since March 2015 and had a single mastectomy in May 2016. In August, she shaved her head and explained that because the cancer was in at least one lymph node, she was going through chemotherapy and then radiation. Her diagnosis came to light because of a lawsuit Doherty filed against her former management company in which she alleged, among other things, that the firm failed to pay her 2014 insurance premium on time, resulting in a lack of medical coverage until she could re-enroll in 2015. The firm has denied the allegations. Facebook

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Kanye West reportedly isnt stable enough to leave the hospital By Christie DZurilla (Kamil Zihnioglu / Associated Press) A week after Kanye West was reluctantly hospitalized, the rapper reportedly doesnt appear ready to head home anytime soon. Despite rumors that West would check out after the holiday weekend under the care of his personal physician, people with direct knowledge of the situation told TMZ on Monday that West still wasnt stable enough leave Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. A West rep had no official update on the rappers status early Monday, but insiders clues have been filling in some of the blanks. One major topic of discussion has been Kim Kardashian Wests role as a stabilizing factor in her husbands life. Sources involved with the situation told The Times last week that it had taken two hours to persuade Yeezy to agree to hospitalization  ostensibly for dehydration and sleep deprivation. Read More Facebook

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Paisley Park will mark the anniversary of Princes death with a four-day celebration By Christie DZurilla Prince, at one of his final shows, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta on April 14. (Amiee Stubbs / For The Times) The first anniversary of Princes death will be a big deal at his former home in Minnesota, where friends, musicians and others will come together for four days of programming and music in honor of the artist, Paisley Park Studios announced Monday. In addition to live music, Celebration 2017, from April 20 to 23, will include panel discussions, guided tours and other presentations focusing on Princes creative contributions. General admission runs $499 for 20 hours of access; a $999 VIP ticket includes that plus reserved seating, autograph opportunities, meals and more. Tickets went on sale Monday. Prince was found dead at his Chanhassen, Minn., home on April 21, 2016. He was 57. Facebook

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Food Network is rebooting Iron Chef America franchise By Tracy Brown Culinary titans will clash once again in Kitchen Stadium. The Food Network is planning a new Iron Chef America series called Iron Chef Gauntlet. According to Variety, Iron Chef Gauntlet is expected to start production early next year. While details about the new show are sparse, the series will bring back longtime Food Network host Alton Brown. Brown, who was the host and commentator of both Iron Chef America and The Next Iron Chef, confirmed his involvement with a photo teasing his new role for Gauntlet. For the uninitiated, Iron Chef America (based on the Japanese Iron Chef TV show) saw chefs from around the world challenge various Iron Chefs to a 60-minute showdown involving a secret ingredient. The two teams present judges with five courses that were scored based on taste, plating and originality. Finally. #IronChefGauntlet pic.twitter.com/92lrDF8uW7  Alton Brown (@altonbrown) November 28, 2016 Facebook

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H&M wishes you a very Wes Anderson Christmas By Tracy Brown Wes Anderson fans are in for a Christmas treat. The filmmaker has brought his distinct flair -- and recurring collaborator Adrien Brody -- to a holiday ad for the clothing company H&M. And its basically exactly what you think a Wes Anderson H&M commercial would be. Set on a train, the short film stars Brody as Conductor Ralph, who has the unfortunate task of informing passengers that, due to circumstances beyond his control, the train will be arriving 11 hours late. As the delay will likely ruin most holiday plans, Conductor Ralph invites all the passengers to a brunch complete with seasonal decorations and chocolate-flavored hot beverage with whipped topping. The short, titled Come Together, definitely bears Andersons quirky hallmarks, with the train and Brody conjuring a Darjeeling Limited feel. You almost forget that its an H&M ad until you realize the passengers wardrobe doesnt quite match the rest of the Anderson aesthetic. Watch the full short above. Facebook

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Black film critics predict the end of #OscarsSoWhite By Trevell Anderson The African American Film Critics Assn. released a statement Monday naming 2016 the best year ever for black people in cinema. The national organization also predicted an end, albeit potentially temporary, to #OscarsSoWhite. The studios and major film distributors really gave it to us this year, said Gil Robertson, AAFCAs co-founder and president. By any measurement, its been an exceptional year for blacks in film. From comedies to high-quality dramas and documentaries, 2016 will forever represent a bonanza year for black cinema, and all cinema really. Black films in 2016 have ran the gamut from comedies and romantic thrillers to dramas and documentaries. Read More Facebook

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Tom Ford crafts a layered thriller-within-a-thriller with Nocturnal Animals By Mark Olsen Filmmaker and fashion designer Tom Ford talks about his new film, Nocturnal Animals. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Tom Fords day job as one of the worlds best-known and most successful fashion designers puts him in an unusual position regarding his filmmaking. While audiences and critics may bring expectations that his movies occupy the same precise world as his fashion work, Ford sees them as very different endeavors with very different purposes for him. Well, Im not doing it to make money. I make my money doing other things, he said. Fashion is where I make my living, and so consequently, when I design a fragrance, I think, Is this going to sell? I love it, OK, but is it going to sell? And thats not the way I think when I approach film. Its What do I want to say?  In the coolly unnerving Nocturnal Animals, Ford takes on the empty consumerism and lack of personal connection in modern life, which might also be seen as something of a rebuke of his other career. Amy Adams plays Susan Morrow, a Los Angeles fine-art dealer weary of her high-end world, who receives a package from her ex Edward Sheffield (Jake Gyllenhaal) containing a novel dedicated to her.  Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Armie Hammer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson star in Tom Fords Nocturnal Animals. Fashion, Im just making surface... Whereas film can be about what you are deeply inside.  Tom Ford Read More Facebook

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Grace VanderWaal performs I Dont Know My Name, shares her age-related angst on Today By Christie DZurilla Forget not knowing her name: Now Americas Got Talent winner Grace VanderWaal doesnt know her age, either. And its pretty stinkin cute. The 12-year-old is stuck in sixth grade, she said Monday on the Today show, where she performed her original tune I Dont Know My Name as a palate cleanser after the long holiday weekend. I never went into seventh grade. I am now home-schooled. Im stuck in sixth grade. I cant get it out of my mind, Grace told the hosts with a frustrated demeanor typically reserved for people going through retirement, menopause or the end of grad school. You know when you have a birthday, and youre like, Im 9  10! she said. I dont correct myself. Im just like, Hi, Im a sixth-grader! So set an alarm and someone give her a heads-up on Jan. 15, OK? Thats when Grace turns 13. Meanwhile, Her EP Perfectly Imperfect comes out Friday. Facebook

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Moana bests Fantastic Beasts with $81-million five-day Thanksgiving box office haul By Mikael Wood Disneys Moana sailed to No. 1 at the box office over the long holiday weekend, with estimated ticket sales of $81.1 million  more than enough to bump last weeks chart-topper, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, to No. 2 on the U.S. tally. Even more encouraging for Disney, though, might be that Moana  an animated musical about a Polynesian princess on a mission to save her island  now holds the record for the second-biggest five-day Thanksgiving opening. Its haul from Wednesday to Sunday beat that of Pixars Toy Story 2, which raked in $80.1 million in 1999. Early box-office returns for Moana came close to matching figures for 2013s Frozen, which leads the five-day Thanksgiving list. But in the end, Disneys summery adventure fell short of the wintry crown holders unsurpassed $93.5-million opening. Read More Facebook

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Anne Rice looks to bring Vampire Chronicles to TV, Game of Thrones'-style By Jevon Phillips Anne Rice at her home in Palm Desert. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Anne Rice is once again in control of the vampire Lestat and her other creations from the Vampire Chronicles, and shes looking to expand on the legend through an epic television series. Posting on her Facebook page, Rice talked openly about how Universal Studios and Imagine Entertainment had optioned the series, but the deal did not work out. Now, she and her son Christopher plan to develop a detailed outline for an open ended series, and they already have a good idea where their story will be heading. We will likely begin with The Vampire Lestat and move on from there. ----- When we sit down finally to talk to producers, we will have a fully realized vision of this project with Christopher as the executive producer at the helm. I will also be an executive producer all the way, said Rice on Facebook. The Vampire Chronicles book series centers on Lestat de Lioncourt, a French nobleman turned into a vampire in the 18th century, and it has made onscreen appearances. The 1994 film Interview with the Vampire, starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, focused on Lestat (Cruise) himself, while a 2002 film presented a loose adaptation of the third novel of series, The Queen of the Damned. Facebook

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Why Steve Harvey left stand-up to become the hardest working man in showbiz By Greg Braxton Comedian and game show host Steve Harvey is like Elvis these days: Hes everywhere. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) The taping for Steve Harveys Funderdome, an upcoming Shark Tank-style ABC competition series in which two entrepreneurs vie for the approval of a live audience, was just ending. But as the crowd started to leave the Television City studio in Hollywood, Harvey, the host who has unofficially inherited the late James Browns title of the hardest working man in show business, made it clear he was not done with them yet. Read More Facebook

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Florence Henderson, TVs Brady Bunch mom, dies at 82 By Anh Do Florence Henderson, whose portrayal of Carol Brady on the iconic television show The Brady Bunch created an idealized mother figure for an entire generation, died Thursday. She was 82. Henderson died from heart failure about 7:30 p.m. while surrounded by her four children, her longtime manager and publicist, Kayla Pressman, said. As Pressmans telephone continued ringing, the woman who has worked with Henderson for 43 years  starting as her personal assistant  said the actress was the most vibrant, beautiful inside and out person Ive ever known in my entire life. We just never left each other. She was so wonderful to be with, and she was most loyal. READ MORE > Maybe I should thank that terrible makeup man because in a way, his botch job helped me get the part.  Florence Henderson on her Star Trek makeup job before her Brady Bunch audition Facebook

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The Alien: Covenant poster has a warning for viewers By Dave Lewis Weve slowly been getting small glimpses of Ridley Scotts Alien: Covenant over the last year or so, and now the films title beast gets its closeup. Twentieth Century Fox today tweeted the films minimalist -- but maximally creepy -- poster with one word of advice: Run. May 2017 pic.twitter.com/kseBXC8Ecv  20th Century Fox (@20thcenturyfox) November 23, 2016 Although shrouded in shadows, the xenomorph in question appears to be very similar to the one seen in the very first Alien. The latest installment in the long-running franchise, Covenant acts as a follow-up to the 2012 Alien prequel Prometheus and will presumably provide a bridge between that film and 1979s Alien. It reunites the films stars Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace and Guy Pearce, and adds newcomers Katherine Waterston, Danny McBride, Demian Bichir and Billy Crudup. Facebook

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Lady Gaga sees bravery & courage in Kanye Wests decision to stop his tour By Christie DZurilla Lady Gaga reached out to Kanye West on Wednesday, offering her support in his decision to cancel the rest of his Saint Pablo Tour and urging others not to joke about him right now. I see in you bravery & courage to stop this tour & take care of YOU, she said in a series of tweets. You are a GREAT artist. It's not funny to joke about anyone's possible or not possible mental illness, this is a sensitive time for many. Let's be kind & loving.   Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) November 23, 2016 While I don't agree with everything he does I hope the public shows compassion and for @kanyewest and each other. One love. One Race.  Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) November 23, 2016 . @kanyewest i support & love u brother, I see in you bravery & courage to stop this tour & take care of YOU. You are a GREAT artist   Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) November 23, 2016 In September, the Born This Way singer -- whose new album, Joanne, was released last month -- revealed via the Mirror that she has battled depression and anxiety and takes medication daily. I needed a moment to stabilize after releasing her 2013 album, Artpop, she told the publication. When my career took off, I dont remember anything at all. Its like Im traumatized. I needed time to recalibrate my soul. Facebook

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Doctor indicted in overdose death of founding 3 Doors Down guitarist Matt Roberts By Christie DZurilla Founding 3 Doors Down guitarist Matt Roberts in 2005. He died in August 2016 of an apparent overdose. (Matt Sayles / Associated Press) An Alabama doctor has been indicted in the August overdose death of original 3 Doors Down guitarist Matt Roberts, who helped found the Kryptonite band in 1996. Dr. Richard Snellgrove was charged in October with prescribing opioid drugs illegally to Roberts, according to a federal indictment unsealed last week and obtained by the Associated Press. Snellgroves attorney told the AP that the doctor had done nothing wrong, saying any possible connection between drugs and the musicians death was due to improper use. Police found Roberts dead in the hallway of a West Bend, Wis., hotel the morning of Aug. 15. The 38-year-old had been in town to perform at a benefit concert for veterans. According to a sworn statement by a Drug Enforcement

Administration agent, the musician was wearing a Fentanyl patch like one prescribed by Snellgrove two days earlier, and he also had pills matching ones the doctor prescribed, the AP reported. (The synthetic opioid was the same drug found in Princes home in pill form after the singers overdose death.) The guitarist, who launched 3 Doors Down with vocalist Brad Arnold and bassist Todd Harrell, left the group amicably in 2012 to take care of health and circulation issues. I know he had prescription drug addiction. He suffered greatly from anxiety, the guitarists father, Darrell Roberts Sr., told CNN in August. I thought he had beaten it all. Facebook

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Mystery Science Theater 3000 returns with new blood for Turkey Day marathon By Meredith Woerner Twenty-eight years ago the little science fiction show that could, Mystery Science Theater 3000, premiered on Thanksgiving Day. It all started with one Earthling, series creator Joel Hodgson, and his gang of lovable robot puppets. It was an odd show whose shoe-string budget and screwball tone often mimicked the very movies it skewered. The misfit humor struck a note with fans and despite multiple cancellations and resurrections (including a recasting of Hodgson with Mike Nelson), the series endured for 197 episodes. And now, thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign, MST3K will rise again -- this time on Netflix with Hodgson once again steering the ship and new host Jonah Ray (the Nerdist Podcast). They will be joined on their new adventures by Felicia Day and Patton Oswalt. But before the new episodes premiere in 2017, Ray and Hodgson will engage in the time-honored tradition of hosting the MST3K Thanksgiving marathon, featuring six fan-selected classic episodes (beginning at 9 a.m. PT at ShoutFactoryTV.com). The two recently reunited by phone to talk turkey. Read More Facebook

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Review: Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life is a welcome slice of smart holiday escapism By Meredith Blake From Bedford Falls of Its a Wonderful Life to Mayberry of The Andy Griffith Show, the idyllic small town has always held a special place in American pop culture, providing fictional refuge in times of real-life turmoil. On Friday, anyone exhausted by the effort of avoiding political conversations with that one uncle should consider a visit to Stars Hollow, Conn., the impossibly quaint and harmonious community at the center of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. Nearly a decade after Gilmore Girls concluded its seven-season network run, the whimsical dramedy about quick-witted single mother Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham), her overachieving daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel) and WASPy mother Emily (Kelly Bishop) returns in a much-anticipated Netflix revival. Read More Facebook

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Another Olympian wins on Dancing With The Stars as Laurie Hernandez and Val Chmerkovskiy are crowned champions By Jevon Phillips An Olympian has taken home the Mirrorball Trophy once again as Laurie Hernandez joins Apolo Anton Ohno, Kristi Yamaguchi, Shawn Johnson and Meryl Davis as champion of ABCs 23rd season of Dancing With the Stars. The Final Five member is the youngest competitor (16) ever to win the reality dance competition. This the second time that professional dancer Valentin Val Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy grabs the trophy. The teams of James Hinchcliffe and dancer Sharna Burgess, and Calvin Johnson Jr. with dancer Lindsay Arnold, came in second and third. ----------------------------------------------------- FOR THE RECORD, 4:13 p.m.: It was incorrectly stated that Laurie Hernandez was part of the Fierce Five. Shes a member of the Final Five. ------------------------------------------------------ Facebook

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Hear the unreleased Prince song Moonbeam Levels from 1982 By Dave Lewis Prince in 1985. (Liu Heung Shing / Associated Press) The vault is opening. Very slowly. When Prince passed away on April 21, he reportedly left hundreds of unreleased songs in a vault at his Paisley Park estate in Chanhassen, Minn. The very tip of that musical iceberg is now visible, as NPG and Warner Bros. today released Moonbeam Levels, a song originally recorded in 1982 during the same recording sessions for his smash album 1999. While it was later considered for inclusion on the 1999 album Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic and has been bootlegged in the past, the song never officially saw the light of day until now. The mid-tempo tune is largely piano-driven but features some vintage Prince guitar flourishes and subtle synth. Overall, it would fit comfortably on either 1999" or 1984s Purple Rain, although itd be a sin to break up the already well-established flow of those beloved records. ABC News premiered the song for fans at a listening session at New Yorks Cutting Room Recording Studios. Moonbeam can be found on the new collection titled Prince 4Ever, which was released today, and features 40 songs including Kiss, When Doves Cry and Purple Rain. A deluxe reissue of Purple Rain will be released next year and will include a second album of previously unreleased material. Facebook

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Chance the Rapper extends a special prayer to Kanye By Tracy Brown During a U.K. radio appearance, Chicago artist Chance the Rapper extended a special prayer to Kanye West, who was hospitalized in Los Angeles on Monday. On Tuesday, Chance stopped by Trevor Nelsons BBC Radio 1Xtra and performed two songs with the Social Experiment. During the performance of All We Got from his mixtape Coloring Book, which opens with the lines: This aint no intro, this the entree/ Hit that intro with Kanye/ And sound like Andre, Chance took a moment to offer some words to his mentor. I want to extend a very special prayer to my big brother, Kanye West, he said. I know theres a lot of weird folks out there. But you already know that Im a hundred grand. I want to just extend this prayer and extend this love from all the way in Britain. We might come home early to see this man. Happy Thanksgiving. Chance also spoke about his friendship with and appreciation of West. When asked what he thinks West is going through, Chance said, I think everybody goes through it. And I think right now, probably what he needs more than anything is his real, close friends and family around. Listen to Chances prayer for West here or listen to the full segment and performance here. Chance the Rappers appearance kicks off at around the 2:16 mark. What a performance from @chancetherapper in the Live Lounge  pic.twitter.com/vlKlmOK3Hu  BBC Radio 1Xtra (@1Xtra) November 22, 2016 Facebook

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James Corden will replace LL Cool J as host of next years Grammys By Randall Roberts James Corden (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) CBS has announced its host for the 59th Grammy Awards, and for the first time in five years its not LL Cool J. Instead, James Corden, The Late, Late Show host and star of the wildly successful Carpool Karaoke videos, will lead musics biggest award ceremony when it airs on Feb. 12, 2017. The British comedic actor, who took over his late-night slot from Craig Ferguson in 2015, has become a breakout success, and part of the reason is his unabashed enthusiasm for pop music. I am truly honored to be hosting the Grammys next year. Its the biggest, most prestigious award show in music and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of such an incredible night.  James Corden Read More Facebook

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Kanye West exhausted, Kris Jenner says; rapper hospitalized after LAPD visit By Richard Winton Kanye West hovers above the crowd at the Forum on Oct. 25. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) The Los Angeles Police Department visited Kanye West as part of a disturbance call Monday, according to law enforcement sources, a day after the rapper abruptly canceled the rest of his tour. The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, did not provide details about the incident but confirmed that police were called about 1:20 p.m. The case turned into a medical emergency and was handed off from the LAPD to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the sources said. West agreed to seek medical treatment, according to a law enforcement source, and he was treated for stress and exhaustion at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Realty TV star Kris Jenner, who is Wests mother-in-law, told Vanity Fair on Monday night that West as exhausted but doing good. Read More Facebook

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Cars 3 teaser trailer looks like Lightning McQueens worst nightmare By Christie DZurilla  Teaser trailer for Disney/Pixars Cars 3. If youre still recovering emotionally from the incinerator scene in Toy Story 3, please look away from the teaser trailer for Cars 3, which was released Monday. Pixar meets NASCAR meets nightmare in the summer 2017 release as Lightning McQueen hits the track as the leader of the pack and then, after a shifty move by another car, hits the track wall. Ominous smoke and sparks and slow-mo are involved as our hero launches sideways into the air doing barrel roll after out-of-control barrel roll. Draaaaaaaama. From this moment, everything will change, reads the tagline. Our inner child is sobbing already. Pass the popcorn, please, and dont text and drive. Facebook

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Angela Bassett joins the cast of Marvels Black Panther By Tracy Brown Angela Bassett will play Ramonda in the upcoming film Black Panther. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Black Panther has added Academy Award-nominated actress Angela Bassett to its cast. Marvel Studios has announced that Bassett will be playing Ramonda, mother of TChalla (a.k.a. Black Panther). In the comics, Ramonda was TChakas second wife and one-time queen of Wakanda. Originally from South Africa, TChaka married Ramonda after his previous wife, NYami, died giving birth to TChalla. She was abducted and held captive by a man named Anton Prestorius until TChalla rescued her and welcomed her back to Wakanda. Bassett was most recently seen in the latest season of American Horror Story as Monet Tumusiime. Black Panther will see Chadwick Boseman reprise his role as the titular superhero. The film also stars Michael B. Jordan, Forest Whitaker, Lupita Nyongo, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke and Florence Kasumba. Directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther is scheduled to hit theaters Feb, 16, 2018. Facebook

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The spice must flow: New Dune adaptations might be in the works By Libby Hill Legendary Entertainment has reached an agreement with the estate of Frank Herbert for the television and film adaptation rights to Herberts Dune, the iconic sci-fi book released in 1965. Herberts tale centers around Paul Atreides and the politics of controlling the desert planet Arrakis and its resources. Adapted into a 1984 film by David Lynch -- as well as a 2014 documentary about cult director Alejandro Jodorowskys failed attempt to bring it to the screen in the 70s (Jodorowskys Dune) -- Dune has been an obvious influence on Star Wars and The Matrix. The projects, whatever they might eventually be, would be produced by Thomas Tull, Mary Parent and Cale Boyter, with Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert serving as executive producers. Facebook

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Green Day gets political at the AMAs: No Trump, no KKK, no fascist U.S.A. By Mikael Wood Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) Green Day is at its best when a widely divisive president ascends to power. That was true in 2004 for American Idiot, and its maybe even more true in 2016 for Revolution Radio. At Sundays American Music Awards, where Green Day played the double-time barnstormer Bang Bang, the band had the one truly political moment of the night when its members led a chant of No Trump, no KKK, no fascist U.S.A. It wasnt quite a real risk for the band, which enjoyed a mid-career renaissance for saying similar things about George W. Bush. Nor were too many in the audience inclined to disagree with the group. Read More Facebook

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Lady Gaga, Gigi Hadid, Ciara and more hit the red carpet at the American Music Awards By Jevon Phillips This years American Music Awards are being held at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles, and the stars -- musical or otherwise -- showed up in style. Check below for a few of the celebrities hitting the red carpet, and view our entire gallery of arrivals. Facebook

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Patriots Day closes the 2016 AFI Fest in moving fashion By Josh Rottenberg Mark Wahlberg and his wife, Rhea Durham, attend the AFI Fest premiere of Patriots Day. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) One of this holiday seasons most anticipated  and most timely  films, director Peter Bergs Boston Marathon bombing drama Patriots Day, had its unveiling Thursday evening, drawing a warm reception from the audience at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood that could portend a potent run at the box office and perhaps in this years awards race as well. The special closing-night presentation of this years AFI Fest, the debut of Patriots Day came just 3 years after the events the movie dramatizes  and barely more than a week after a bitterly divisive presidential election in which thorny questions of the proper response to terrorism loomed large. Actor and producer Mark Wahlberg, far left, and director Peter Berg, far right, introduce some of the real people from the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)  Patriots Day is an account of the Boston Marathon bombing. Read MorePHOTOS: AFI Fest red carpet Facebook

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Cellphone included directions for reaching family in suspected suicide death of actress Lisa Masters By Christie DZurilla Actress Lisa Masters, shown in 2003, was found dead this week in Lima, Peru. (Evan Agostini / Associated Press) Lisa Masters, an actress who appeared in shows including Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Law & Order: SVU, was found dead earlier this week in her hotel room in Peru, her manager confirmed to the Los Angeles Times on Friday. She was 52. Police in Lima told the Associated Press that they are investigating the case as a possible suicide. Her cellphone included directions on how to reach her family in the United States, the AP said Thursday. In these darkening days, we hope those who have had the pleasure of knowing her will see how brightly she shined and will find that light within themselves and continue to share it with others  just as she would have, manager Christopher Silveri said via email from New York. Read More Facebook

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Trump outcry was missing from Latin Grammys. It was all J. Lo and Marc Anthony By Carolina A. Miranda Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez perform at the Latin Grammy Awards. (Christopher Polk / Getty Images for LARAS) For two years running, the Latin Grammy Awards show has offered high moments of political drama. In 2014, the telecast was delayed by 20 minutes to show President Obama delivering a speech on immigration. Once the show got rolling, the politically minded Puerto Rican band Calle 13 sang a rousing political anthem that ended with a show of support for the 43 disappeared Mexican students from Ayotzinapa. Last year, the gala featured a lively performance of Somos Mas Americanos (We Are More American)  a defiant song about immigrant life  by the Mexican bands Los Tigres del Norte and Mana. At the end of the tune, the two bands held up a sign that read Latinos Unidos No Voten Por Racistas (Latinos United, Dont Vote for Racists), a reference to Donald Trumps declarations about Mexican immigrants being criminals and rapists. So expectations were high that this years awards, held Thursday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, would offer an impassioned outcry over Trumps election to the presidency  which has already spurred talk of mass deportations and the construction of a border wall. Not so much. .... The 17th Latin Grammys are more likely to be remembered for the dramatic laser-light-filled duet between former couple Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. Read More Facebook

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Kanye West didnt vote, but would have gone Trump -- and thinks people should stop focusing on racism By Christie DZurilla (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press) You thought Kanye West would stay quiet about the election? You thought wrong. (Seriously, if you did take that bet? Lousy odds, kids. Bad move.) Yeezy cut loose at the San Jose stop of his Saint Pablo Tour on Thursday night, revealing he would have gone against his wifes endorsement of Hillary Clinton and picked the president-elect -- if hed voted at all. I told you I didnt vote ... but if I wouldve voted, I wouldve voted on Trump, he said, earning a chorus of boos and a wee smattering of support. According to the San Jose Mercury News, folks threw things at him -- hats, shoes, T-shirts -- and complained that he talked too much during the show. Video clips and quotes can be seen on social media and in roundups like the ones from Quartz and the Boom Box, though its not possible to string the snippets together in order with certainty. But even as stand-alones, theyre little bundles of dynamite as he warms up toward supposedly running for prez himself in 2020. I hate the fact that because Im a celebrity, everybody told me not to say that I loved the debates. I loved his approach, the rapper said. West reportedly orated for 25 minutes and included a comment specifically to black people: Stop focusing on racism, he urged. This world is racist, OK? Lets stop being distracted to focus on that so much. Its just a ... fact. We are a racist country, period. Do not allow people to make us talk about that so ... long. ... Its a racist ... country. And not one or the other candidate was going to instantly be able to change that because of their views. Kanye also seemed a little frustrated by the continuing protests in the wake of the vote. Sometimes things you might think are bad have to happen in order for change to ... happen, he said. Sometimes you might have to not get your way to really understand what to do in the future to be able to get your way. READ MORE: Kanye West, a Trump supporter? As always, its complicated Facebook

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Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling to be honored for La La Land performances at Santa Barbara International Film Festival By Christie DZurilla La La Land stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone at the 41st Toronto International Film Festival in September. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone better get their La Las out -- theyre going to be honored for their work in La La Land at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February. Stone and Gosling, who won the festivals first Cinema Vanguard Award in 2008, will be given the 2017 Outstanding Performers of the Year award for their work in writer-director Damien Chazelles film, the festival announced Friday. Ryan and Emmas luminous performances in La La Land remind us of the transformative and magical role of cinema, said film festival executive director Roger Durling, who will moderate the Feb. 3 tribute. We are so proud to celebrate them and this incredible film and its nod to the classic love stories of old Hollywood with a contemporary twist. Recent winners include Brie Larson for Room and Saoirse Ronan for Brooklyn, Steve Carell for Foxcatcher, Jennifer Lawrence for The Hunger Games and Silver Linings Playbook, Viola Davis for The Help, Angelina Jolie for A Mighty Heart and Helen Mirren for The Queen. The 32nd Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place at multiple theaters in the beach city from Feb. 1-11, 2017. Facebook

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Jennifer Lopez, Juanes and more stroll the red carpet in Las Vegas for the Latin Grammys By Jevon Phillips The 17th Latin Grammy Awards, held this year at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, is a good bet to bring a fashion-forward crowd to the red carpet. Here are a few images, including another Jennifer Lopez statement outfit, and a gallery with more beyond that. Read More Facebook

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First Lemony Snicket trailer has all the Neil Patrick Harris you could want ... and more By Libby Hill Netflix released the first full trailer for its upcoming series Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events on Thursday morning, giving fans their first real look at whats to come. Based on the series of childrens novels by Daniel Handler, whose pen name character of Lemony Snicket is the narrator of the books, Netflixs new series centers around the newly orphaned Baudelaire children and their mysterious, nefarious relative, Count Olaf, played by Neil Patrick Harris. Read More Facebook

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Megyn Kellys Year of Trump: Armed guards at Disney World and violent feedback from Trump supporters By Lorraine Ali Megyn Kelly poses for a portrait in New York. In Settle for More, released Tuesday, the Fox News anchor talks about her childhood and her high-profile career. (Victoria Will / Associated Press) Fox News anchor Megyn Kellys new book, Settle for More, gives a behind-the-scenes look at her dealings with two of the most influential men in media and politics  Roger Ailes and Donald Trump. Kellys book, released Tuesday, is meant to be an uplifting memoir about her impressive rise from middle-class Syracuse, N.Y., girl to one of Americas most successful news anchors. But its her painful and disturbing account of what it means to be a high-profile female journalist in the age of Fox News, Twitter and Trump that resonates. Kelly writes that she became the target of Trumps relentless personal attacks in 2015 after she reported that his second wife, Ivana, had testified in divorce proceedings that he raped her (an accusation later retracted). She explains that his fury was further stoked during a heated exchange in the August 2015 Republican primary debate in which Kelly, as moderator, asked Trump about the derogatory way in which hed referred to women as fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals. Like many before and after her, Kelly became the target of Trumps now infamous social media assaults. She figured it would blow over. It did not. When Trumps attorney, Michael Cohen, retweeted a supporter who wanted to gut her, she writes, things turned dangerous. Most disturbing were the overwhelming and violent nature of the messages [I] was receiving  and the way Trumps anger was evidently seen by some as a call to action.  Megyn Kelly By the time the mother of three flew to Disney World for vacation, it was with her family  and our security guard, she writes. Yes, we took an armed guard to the Magic Kingdom. More guns, more guards. My year of Trump.  Megyn Kelly Read More Facebook

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You can own a Haunted Mansion stretching portrait from Disneyland  for a price By Deborah Vankin The portrait is tall and stately, its subject a distinguished gentleman who stands with chest puffed out, proudly. But heres the thing: He wears no pants. The man, it turns out, stands atop a barrel of lighted dynamite, in striped boxers. If this image stirs childlike glee in the depths of your soul, you are not alone. Disneylands famous stretching portraits inside its Haunted Mansion elevator are among the most beloved of the parks images. And now one of them is up for grabs. Van Eaton Galleries in Sherman Oaks will hold on Saturday the Souvenirs of Disneyland sale, the largest auction to date dedicated to Disneyland memorabilia, it says. Among more than 1,000 rare artifacts, from about 30 collectors nationwide, is an original, hand-painted stretching portrait  our man, sans his pants. Theyre pretty rare. If I had to guess, Id say there are only 15 or 20, total, of the hand-painted ones out there.  Mike Van Eaton, gallery co-founder Read More Facebook

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Get a better look at Kong: Skull Island in new trailer By Libby Hill The new trailer for Kong: Skull Island premiered on Jimmy Kimmel Live Wednesday night and gave viewers a much more expansive look at Skull Island. The film is beginning to look like a pastiche between Jurassic Park and Platoon, which, though it seems unlikely, may actually be a combination that pays off. With John Goodman channeling Richard Attenborough in Jurassic Park realness and John C. Reilly bringing his quirky comedic sensibilities, the films cast of characters is shaping up to be pretty interesting. That said, its worth noting that its still pretty unclear what Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson are doing in the film, beyond looking pretty while sweaty. But the trailers reveal that Skull Island is home to enormous creatures beyond just Kong was a great one, particularly if it means were heading to a Godzilla vs. Mothra-type blood feud. Kong: Skull Island lands in theaters March 10, 2017. Facebook

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Archie and the gang will get dark on CWs Riverdale on Jan. 26 By Dave Lewis The new year will bring a new TV take on the Archie Comics gang, now that CWs Riverdale has a premiere date. Riverdale, inspired by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasas recent comic book revamp of the storyline, is set to premiere Jan. 26 at 9 p.m. EST/PST, and will continue to air Thursday nights thereafter. Riverdale has been described by the shows creators and cast members as a dark, noir and subversive version of the colorful and kid-friendly Archie Comics saga, initially launched in 1941. The series stars K.J. Apa as Archie, Cole Sprouse as Jughead, Camila Mendes as Veronica and Lil Reinhart as Betty. This is a historic moment for Archie Comics -- and its been a long time coming, Archie Comics CEO and publisher Jon Goldwater said in news release. Partnering with Roberto, Greg Berlanti, Warner Bros. and the CW has been a wonderful experience, and its been stunning to see the show bring our iconic characters to life, adding to the mythos and legend of Archie and his gang. You will be hooked from the first scene, I promise you. The show will be written by Aguirre-Sacasa and produced by Warner Bros. Studios and Berlanti Productions. A special one-shot comic book tie-in will follow one week later on Feb. 1 and will fill in some backstory. Heres a sneak peek at the issues cover: Watch the cast discuss the show and the new versions of the classic characters here:  The cast of Riverdale talk about the new look for the Archie. Facebook

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Rae Sremmurd on embracing the Mannequin Challenge By Mikael Wood Slim Jimmy and Swae Lee, of the hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd, visit ESPN SportsCenter to film a bit about the Mannequin Challenge. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) In the 2 years since Rae Sremmurd broke out with the rowdy hit single No Flex Zone, this Southern hip-hop duo has established itself as a reliable source of renewable energy. Its two studio albums  2015s SremmLife and Augusts SremmLife 2  are full of boisterous thrills, with brothers Swae Lee and Slim Jimmy shouting sticky catchphrases over lurching beats. And the twentysomething rappers are even livelier in concert: Bouncing across the stage like each had inhaled a bag of Halloween candy, the two use those catchphrases to encourage their young fans to go wild (or turn up, as the saying goes). Yet Swae Lee and Slim Jimmy had a different goal in mind Monday afternoon on the set of ESPNs SportsCenter, and that was to go as un-wild as possible  to stand completely still while a guy with a camera weaved between them. SCLA is joined by @RaeSremmurd and do their best #MannequinChallenge. pic.twitter.com/YSqz9faXAx  SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 16, 2016 Read More Facebook

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Taking risks and not playing it safe are what draw Jonah Hill to those non-'bro roles By Amy Reiter Jonah Hill starred in the summer release War Dogs as a brash, duplicitous and greedy arms dealer. (Michael Nagle / For The Times) Efraim Diveroli, the character Jonah Hill plays in the summer film War Dogs, is probably not a guy youd want to meet for lunch. The character from Todd Phillips based-on-a-true-story film about two Yeshiva-educated Miami twentysomethings (Miles Teller plays the other) who rake in millions with a shady business supplying arms to the U.S. military during the war in Afghanistan, is loud, duplicitous and greedy in the extreme. Diveroli is a character who, if initially charming, would almost certainly leave you feeling compromised. You could imagine him ordering heaps of the priciest thing on the menu and then  laughing  leaving you holding the check. Hill, apart from the charm, is nothing like that. Over lunch on a rainy Thursday in New York City, at his usual table at the rustic-Italian restaurant Il Buco, the 32-year-old actor, who has memorably appeared in such films as Superbad, 21 Jump Street, The Wolf of Wall Street and Moneyball, earning Oscar nods with those last two, is polite, thoughtful and engaging. Hes the kind of guy who will hold your chair and offer you the first bite of his risotto. (Want some? he asks, with apparent sincerity.) Burned by the news media for not being as bro-ish as some of his roles might indicate, Hill comes off as careful, perhaps a bit chastened, yet candid and generous as he entertained questions about, among other topics, a performance critics have hailed as a standout in an otherwise dismissable film. For Efraim, part of the sexiness of the scam is burning people, and thats a scary kind of person.  Jonah Hill Read More Facebook

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Bob Dylan wont be going to Stockholm to pick up his Nobel Prize after all By Associated Press (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Bob Dylan wont be coming to Stockholm to pick up his 2016 Nobel Prize for literature at the Dec. 10 prize ceremony, the Swedish Academy said Wednesday. The academy said Dylan informed it that he wishes he could receive the prize personally, but other commitments make it unfortunately impossible. The singer-songwriter previously stated he planned to attend the ceremony if its at all possible. Dave Lewis contributed to this post. Read More Facebook

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The Green Hornet looks to wipe away the camp in another return to the big screen By Jevon Phillips The Green Hornet is taking a Dark Knight path back to the big screen courtesy of Paramount and Chernin Entertainment. Gavin OConnor, who recently directed Ben Affleck in The Accountant, is set to direct the film, which aims to veer away from the 60s camp that established vigilante Britt Reid on screen, according to an interview with Deadline. Sean OKeefe will write the script. Paramount and OConnor follow the road trod by Batman in the 1989 movie that darkened and modernized the comic book heros established on-screen 60s image. This will, though, be the second recent relaunch of the character; Seth Rogen attempted to revive him in 2011 alongside his partner, Kato -- played in the film by Jay Chou. The results werent well-received, to put it mildly by Rogens own standards. But OConnor has a different vision for the world of the Green Hornet. With the rights now in our loving hands, Im beyond excited to bring the Green Hornet into the 21st century in a meaningful and relevant way; modernizing it and making it accessible to a whole new generation. My intention is to bring a gravitas to the Green Hornet that wipes away the camp and kitsch of the previous iteration, said OConnor. Facebook

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Stranger in a Strange Land will journey from classic novel to TV as a Syfy series By Jevon Phillips Stories about Mars are getting some attention these days with The Martian and the upcoming film The Space Between Us, and now television is joining in: A series adaptation of Robert Heinleins 1961 science fiction novel Stranger in a Strange Land " is headed for Syfy. Paramount Television, in partnership with Universal Cable Productions, will develop the series from a seminal story set on the Red Planet about a human born on Mars who comes to Earth and eventually helps transform the whole culture. The book is considered by many to be a science fiction staple in American literature. From my point of view, Stranger in a Strange Land isnt just a science fiction masterpiece. ... It also happens to be one of my favorite books ever! NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Chairman Bonnie Hammer said in a statement. The tome is even said to have predicted many of the movements and messages of the 1960s  including free love, hippie communes and organized attempts at world peace. Heres to Mars. Facebook

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Straight up: Paula Abdul announces first tour in years with NKOTB and Boyz II Men By Libby Hill Paula Abdul is ready to step out from behind the judges table and back into the spotlight, as the singer announced Tuesdays on NBCs Today that she will be going on tour for the first time in nearly 25 years. Abdul is heading back on the road in good company, joining fellow 1980s and 90s hitmakers New Kids on the Block (now known as NKOTB) and Boyz II Men for a 2017 North American tour. The Total Package tour will stop in more than 40 cities, including a show at the Hollywood Bowl on June 2. Our fans know we love to bring them a party, and this tour is no exception, NKOTBs Donnie Wahlberg said in a statement released Tuesday. Its not just a show, its an experience. Read More Facebook

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Megyn Kelly thinks Roger Ailes would still be running Fox News if he hadnt been sued for sexual harassment By Stephen Battaglio (Chris Carlson / Associated Press) Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly believes Roger Ailes would still be her boss today if former colleague Gretchen Carlson had not sued him for sexual harassment. Appearing Tuesday on ABCs Good Morning America, the first stop on the tour for her new book Settle for More, Kelly noted that Fox News contracts include arbitration clauses preventing on-air talent from filing lawsuits. Carlson, who claimed that Ailes hurt her career at Fox because she rebuffed his sexual advances, went public with her complaint after her deal with Fox News expired. The suit, which has been settled, led to an internal investigation and the departure of Ailes in July. Gretchen filing publicly was a big deal and an important step in this whole process, Kelly told GMA co-anchor George Stephanopoulos. [Ailes] tried to kiss me three times. So I rejected that, and when I rejected that he asked me when my contract was up.  Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly on ABCs Good Morning America When asked if Ailes would still be running the top-rated cable news channel if Carlsons lawsuit had not been filed, the star anchor said, I think so. Kelly acknowledged that Ailes was a loyal and supportive boss during most of her tenure at Fox News. But she added that such situations are not unusual for women subjected to sexual harassment. A woman can be harassed and go on to have a good working relationship with the man harassing her, and that is what happened in my case.  Megyn Kelly Read More Facebook

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Guess who People just named its Sexiest Man Alive By Libby Hill Still up at 4am trainin' hard & takin' care of my babies.. sexily;).

Thank U @people & all the fans. Grateful for the luv! #SexiestManAlive pic.twitter.com/e8O2orOBJR  Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) November 15, 2016 Dwayne Johnson no longer has to stare into the mirrors at his gym, poring over his reflection, asking himself: Am I sexy? People just confirmed it Tuesday, declaring Johnson 2016s Sexiest Man Alive. With the tagline, Hes sweet, smart & sculpted! the magazine splashed his image on the cover of its annual special issue. With the award, the man formerly known as the Rock joins an elite club of beautiful men including Chris Hemsworth, Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford. Read More Facebook

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Westworld, Insecure, The Great Outdoors and more are renewed as HBO, CBS and Amazon announce plans By Chris Barton HBO, CBS and Amazon announced on Monday plans to extend some shows to full-season orders, while others are getting renewed for next season. HBO is renewing its three fall series for second seasons, which includes the hit Westworld, a futuristic drama that explores sin and the complexities of consciousness. The show has proved a ratings hit for HBO, averaging a gross audience of 11.7 million viewers through its first seven episodes. Bring yourself back online. #Westworld is renewed for Season 2. pic.twitter.com/AxU71qRPs2  Westworld (@WestworldHBO) November 14, 2016 The renewal also includes critically acclaimed comedy series Insecure, created by and starring Issa Rae, and Divorce, the series that brought Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker back to the network. CBS announced that it was giving full-season orders to the new sitcoms Man With a Plan and The Great Indoors, and completing the renewal trifecta was Amazon, which announced a second-season renewal for Tig Notaros semi-autobiographical series One Mississippi. Read More Facebook

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John Oliver on Donald Trump: He is not normal By Libby Hill During its first three seasons, Last Week Tonight and host John Oliver have never shied away from going after Donald Trump with both barrels. But how would last weeks election and subsequent victory for Trump change things on the weekly late-night show known for its pointedly liberal intelligentsia? Not much, it turns out. In Sundays episode, which also served as the third-season finale, Oliver dissected Trump and America, examining how the country got to this juncture and where those horrified by the election go from here. Read More Facebook

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Stagecoach 2017 will welcome country stars Shania Twain, Kenny Chesney and ... Kiefer Sutherland? By August Brown (From left: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times; Charles Sykes / Invision; Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) Shania Twain, Dierks Bentley and Kenny Chesney will top the bill at next years Stagecoach country music festival, joining a diverse lineup that will likely attract broader crowds. The bill pairs two pop-friendly male acts with a relative rarity at Stagecoach: a 90s-veteran female artist at the very top of the roster. Farther down the Stagecoach lineup the acts are a mix of contemporary chart staples, rising acts with Nashville-outsider vantage points, and classic acts. Theres also a fair share of veteran, cross-genre acts, including Cyndi Lauper, Los Lobos, Tommy James and the Shondells, and the Zombies, whose appeal to rock and vintage pop crowds may make for a more adventurous bill than usual. An early-day Kiefer Sutherland set on Sunday will likely be a must-see curiosity as well. Read More Facebook

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Seth Meyers cracked jokes about a Trump presidency in 2011. Now hes a critic of the reality By Meredith Blake In May 2011, Seth Meyers, then-head writer on Saturday Night Live and anchor of SNLs Weekend Update, hosted the White House Correspondents Dinner, a frivolous schmoozefest that would go on to take huge historical importance  in more ways than one. At the time, Donald Trumps political profile was on the rise thanks to his status as an outspoken birther, and hed been toying with the idea of a 2012 presidential run. He was a guest  and the butt of many a joke  at the annual celebration, attended by power players from the world of media, showbiz and politics. Several sources, including the New York Times, Frontline and the New Yorker, have cited the dinner as a turning point that inspired Trump, roasted before the Washington elite, to run for the White House. Five and half years later, Meyers remarks now seem uncomfortably prescient, reflecting the bewilderment of the 60 million or so Americans who voted for Clinton on Tuesday, many of whom considered the idea of a Trump presidency too ludicrous to contemplate. While that reality is still sinking in, Meyers has already positioned himself as one of late nights most outspoken Trump adversaries. Read More Facebook

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Beauty and the Beast trailer: See Emma Watson as Belle, living your childhood dreams By Libby Hill After weeks of eager anticipation, fans of the tale as old as time can finally feast their eyes on the first trailer for Disneys live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. Emma Watson and Dan Stevens fill the eponymous roles and both look the part (even if Stevens makeup resembles that of Beast from the 1980s TV series more than the animated versions). There are talking teacups and swirling dance numbers and the theme underscoring the entire trailer, but does this live-action retelling have the magic of Disneys first go-round?  Emma Watson, Dan Stevens and Luke Evans star in the live-action movie Beauty and the Beast. Read More Facebook

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Jackie Chan, Anne V. Coates, Lynn Stalmaster and Frederick Wiseman are awarded honorary Oscars By Josh Rottenberg Actor Jackie Chan accepts his Oscar during the Governors Awards. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) Months after weathering the tumultuous #OscarsSoWhite controversy  and just days after an earth-shaking and deeply divisive presidential election  Hollywood insiders largely set aside politics Saturday evening at the motion picture academys eighth Governors Awards to pay tribute to four very different talents: editor Anne V. Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster, documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman and action-comedy star Jackie Chan. A chance to honor filmmaking luminaries for their lifetime contributions to the art form and a key early stop on the awards-season campaign circuit, the ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in the Hollywood & Highland Center brought together many of the industrys biggest power players as well as actors and filmmakers looking to gain traction in this years Oscar race. Despite controversies that have roiled the industry and the country at large over the last year and red-carpet questions about Donald Trumps ascension to the presidency, the mood at the nontelevised ceremony was generally relaxed and upbeat. After 56 years in the film industry, making more than 200 films, breaking so many bones, finally this is mine.  Jackie Chan Read More Facebook

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10 films to see at the AFI Fest By Justin Chang Held in Hollywood each November  well after the Venice, Telluride, Toronto and New York film festivals have come and gone  the American Film Institutes annual showcase is invariably well-positioned to showcase a handful of the years late-breaking awards hopefuls for the first time, as it did with 2014s American Sniper and Selma, and last years The Big Short. The 2016 edition got off to a similarly high-profile start on Thursday night with Warren Beattys Rules Dont Apply, a romantic drama torn from a chapter of the life of Howard Hughes (played by Beatty). The festival closes on Nov. 17 with the world premiere of Patriots Day, a dramatization of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings that marks the latest collaboration between director Peter Berg and Mark Wahlberg after Lone Survivor and this years Deepwater Horizon. The festival has long embraced a programming methodology that prioritizes excellence over exclusivity, and that routinely seeks out some of the finest titles from the international festival circuit. Here are 10 that you shouldnt miss  not the only 10, by any means, but a good 10 to start with. Read More Facebook

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So long, Leonard Cohen. We need you now more than ever By August Brown Leonard Cohen performing in 2009. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Of all days, of all years. What a time for one of musics greatest, wisest and kindest points of light to go dark. At 82, Leonard Cohen became the second epochal songwriter to foresee his own death on an album released this year. You Want It Darker, like David Bowies Blackstar, tried to find some grace and meaning  and even some obsidian humor  in the inevitable. Under different circumstances, that may have been occasion for a bit of Cohen-ish irony, one last wink from one of musics greatest poets in the face of the abyss. But not today. Cohen, the only songwriter whom Bob Dylan would place himself beneath, who could make the Old Testament sexy, could have maybe seen us through this divisive political time. Read More Facebook

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Leonard Cohen dies at 82; a singer-songwriter who was as much a poet as a musician By Richard Cromelin Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen pictured in 1980. (AFP / Getty Images) Leonard Cohen, a singer-songwriter whose literary sensibility and elegant dissections of desire made him one of popular musics most influential and admired figures for four decades, has died. He was 82. Unmatched in his creativity, insight, and crippling candor, Leonard Cohen was a true visionary whose voice will be sorely missed, said his manager Robert Kory, confirming Cohens death in statement. He leaves behind a legacy of work that will bring insight, inspiration, and healing for generations to come. The cause of death was not released. In songs such as Suzanne, Bird on the Wire and Hallelujah, and in his poems and two novels, the Montreal-born artist provided a rarefied alternative to more accessible troubadours, employing meticulous language to plumb the vagaries of the human condition. Read More Facebook

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Late-nights Seth Meyers, Samantha Bee and others offer post-election encouragement By Chris Barton Free from the quick turnaround required by the live comedy shows that aired on election night, the late-night hosts regrouped Wednesday to offer their thoughts on Donald Trumps presidential victory. Seth Meyers, who quickly became one of the best sources for political comedy during the long campaign, came back strong with a thoughtful, emotional tone. With a special Wednesday night episode on TBS, Samantha Bee opened with a hazy dream sequence that featured giddy cameos from CNNs Van Jones as well as her fellow Daily Show alumni Larry Wilmore, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. After the inevitable rude awakening, Bee, in her monologue, quickly refuted an idea that a Trump victory would be good for late-night hosts, that the jokes would basically write themselves. (Warning: The video below uses explicit language.) Read More Facebook

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What did Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna name their new daughter? Take a wild guess. By Libby Hill Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian welcomed their newborn daughter into the world on Thursday. (Prince Williams / WireImage) Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna made their dream a reality on Thursday morning with the birth of their daughter, according to E! News. And speaking of dream, thats what they named their newborn. Yes, Dream. The reality stars have been in a tumultuous relationship since January, announcing their engagement in February and pregnancy in May. E! News sources report that Dream Renee Kardashian was delivered Thursday morning via cesarean section, weighing 7 pounds, 5 ounces. Read More Facebook

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5 documentaries to watch for this Oscar season By Sam Adams Theres no Oscar category tougher to predict than documentary feature, but at this point in the year, its clear the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has an embarrassment of riches to choose from  145 have been submitted this year. There are no sure things, but heres a look at just a handful of the contenders. Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened

I Am Not Your Negro

Weiner

Fire at Sea

Cameraperson Read More Facebook

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Ava DuVernay raises cry against racism with 13th By Sam Adams Wih its focus on mass incarceration and the criminalization of African American men, Ava DuVernays 13th seems tailor-made for the era of Black Lives Matter. But a key part of the movies thesis is that theres never been a moment when its critique of systemic racism wouldnt have been timely: The 13th Amendment may have outlawed slavery, but the loophole allowing those convicted of crimes to be forced into involuntary servitude allowed the system to be rebuilt under another name. Its a film of big, bold ideas, articulated by a slew of subjects including activist Angela Davis and scholar Henry Louis Gates, spanning centuries of American history and cutting through the fog of political rationalizations. DuVernay took a moment away from that production to talk with us about 13th. We need that 100 minutes to take you through the greatest hits of racism, basically, but not leave you there, to be able to say this is important and were not letting you off the hook and we need to all look at it  but also please know that side by side with the struggle has been a survival thats beautiful and should be acknowledged.  Ava DuVernay Read More Facebook

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Lady Gaga, Mark Ruffalo and other celebrities join anti-Trump protests in person and online By Libby Hill Anti-Trump protesters burn an effigy of the president-elect, Donald Trump, outside City Hall in Los Angeles, Calif., on Nov. 9, 2016. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) As thousands of protesters across the country took to the streets for a second night following Donald Trumps election victory, many celebrities turned to Twitter to register their support (and disdain). Stars such as Lady Gaga, Mark Ruffalo, the Roots drummer Questlove, and Saturday Night Live alum Taran Killam took part in protests, while others made their points through social media. View Instagram post It begins. Protest and more protest. My niece in Chicago is already voicing what we all are feeling! #notmypresident pic.twitter.com/6TRCUOTZSU  Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) November 10, 2016 Read More Facebook

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Trumps election means bitter new music from Run the Jewels and a new politically charged video from Rick Ross By Dave Lewis Donald Trump is not even in the White House yet, but already some in the music community are incensed and reacting the best way they can: through songs. Hip-hop stars Rick Ross and Run the Jewels, and rockers the Black Angels and Best Coast, react to the election with a variety of ways, all of them anti-Trump. Read More Facebook

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How election night went sideways for those who were covering it By Robert Lloyd Even in as strange and gaudy a cycle as this one, modern political moments tend to announce themselves well in advance. The expected train arrives in the station, the tracks lead to the next scheduled stop. Tuesday was a different, twistier trip. Like all election days, it was a long haul on television, starting slow, with cable news on the job long before there was anything to know. Though everyone was careful not to predict a winner, discussions took place against a backdrop of polls that indicated Hillary Clinton would be elected president. The stunning lack of support for Donald Trump by the elders and organs of his own party was duly noted, his surrogates treated with a solicitous sympathy. Dont forget to enjoy the moment, whatever it is, MSNBCs Chuck Todd would say to Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway when it still seemed as likely as not that the moment he referred to would constitute a loss. Read More Facebook

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A Trump presidency? The Simpsons did it first By Libby Hill What served as a throwaway gag in 2000 has become eerily prescient, thanks to President-elect Donald Trump. In a Season 11 episode of The Simpsons, Bart has a vision of the future in which his sister Lisa has ascended to the highest office in the land and is serving as the new president. However, Lisas legacy is already in trouble, thanks to the immense debt left by the previous administration. The head of the previous administration? None other than Donald Trump. You can see the gag on the Simpsons World website. Judging from the sites own metrics, the episode in question, Bart to the Future, has been the most popular video of the day. Facebook

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Now that Trump will be president, Martin Shkreli may actually share that secret Wu-Tang Clan album By Dave Lewis Martin Shkreli, left, and the Wu-Tang Clan. (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press; Suzi Pratt / FilmMagic) Hillary Clinton supporters dont have much to celebrate today, unless they also happen to be fans of the Wu-Tang Clan. The much-maligned pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli appears to be making good on a promise to publicly release Wu-Tang Clans Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, the secret, one-of-a-kind album he purchased for a reported $2 million last year. Earlier this year, Shkreli said he would make the album available to fans if Donald Trump won the presidency, and late last night he posted audio snippets from the album during a live Periscope video posted on Twitter, according to the Associated Press. The video has since been deleted
First, it was one campaign sign that vanished, then another.

Before long, 10 were missing, then 20, then more.

I found my sign torn and thrown behind some bushes, next to my fence, said one resident.

Another resident ran a stakeout with binoculars, watched someone uproot a sign, and notified the police.

What the heck is going on in Pismo?

Well, the trail of mystery and intrigue leads back to my favorite government agency: the California Coastal Commission.

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Last week, I drove up the coast to see what I could find out. My plan was to meet with Erik Howell, whose name is on the missing signs.

Howell is running for reelection to the City Council and also happens to serve on the Coastal Commission. He has supporters and he has critics. It was the critics who ordered 50 small white rectangular posters with the words Integrity Matters, and a red cross through Howells name.

Citizens for a Better Pismo Beach is a small group of folks who dont like the way Howell has conducted himself on the Coastal Commission. The group is running ads, distributing fliers in addition to signs, and mounting a case against Howell on its website, hoping to upend his City Council reelection bid. Howell is one of four candidates running for two open council seats. If he loses in Pismo, hell be forced to give up his seat on the Coastal Commission.

Howell has ignored my emails and phone calls in the past, so I thought Id try knocking on his door instead.

I didnt have to. The front door was open when I arrived. Howell was sitting on the sofa inside but told me he was busy. Next thing I knew, he was coming out of the house, putting on his shoes, and hurrying across the street to his car.

I told him I was flexible. I could come back in the evening.

Howell said his campaign was going well, but he really had to run. He took my phone number, drove away and never returned my subsequent messages.

Howell is one of the seven commissioners who voted in February to fire Coastal Commission Executive Director Charles Lester, whose dogged defense of Coastal Act building restrictions rubbed a lot of developers raw. He also voted for a controversial housing development in Pismo  a development that will block ocean views for motorists on the coast highway.

As a councilman, Howell was opposed to the project, which was later modified when it got to the Coastal Commission.

Residents still didnt like the project, but they say Howell told them it was sure to be approved by the Coastal Commission because the developers lobbying would be done by a powerful hired gun  Susan McCabe.

On the eve of the commissions vote on the project in November 2015, Pismo residents were shocked to see Howell and McCabe dining together at a restaurant.

The next morning, they went from shocked to incensed when Howell voted to approve the project.

And then, a few months later, they made a discovery that boiled their blood.

Here is your smoking gun, Pismo resident Ed Henry wrote to me in a February email. My daughter found this online.

What Lindsey Henry had found was a record of a $1,000 donation to Howells City Council reelection campaign from Antoinette DeVargas.

Whos she?

The domestic and business partner of Susan McCabe. On the campaign disclosure form, DeVargas occupation was listed as Operations Mgr. McCabe & Company.

The donation was made in September 2015. Howells vote in favor of the project came two months later.

Even if that was legal, residents screamed, the stink was worse than yesterdays chum. They filed a complaint against Howell with the state Fair Political Practices Commission, arguing that he should have recused himself from voting on the Pismo project  and other Coastal Commission projects represented by McCabe. The FPPC investigation is ongoing.

Howell was also named in a September lawsuit accusing him and four other coastal commissioners of violating disclosure laws by not properly reporting private conversations about matters before the commission. The suit accuses Howell of 96 such violations.

Its a shame I didnt get a chance to talk to him about all of this, and how it might be affecting his campaign. If he loses the election and is forced off the Coastal Commission because of it, he would be the second commissioner to meet that fate, following Martha McClure. She too received a campaign donation from Antoinette DeVargas, joined the posse that calf-roped the executive director, and screamed at me when I asked why she stayed at the home of a consultant with business before the commission.

Do you see why this is my favorite public agency?

Getting back to the signs, they were disappearing almost as soon as they were spiked into the ground.

I put one up at Marilyns house at 9 a.m., and by the time I roll back at 11 oclock, its gone, said Jim Harris of Citizens for a Better Pismo.

Hes talking about Marilyn Hansens house.

I drove by and I said to myself, The sign is gone, said Hansen, who, by the way, filed a lawsuit against Howell earlier this year over the controversial housing development.

Hansen went searching for the sign and found it.

Somebody tore it down because the wind couldnt do that. Its impossible, she said. And I could see how it was torn from the staples that were in it and stashed in the bushes.

Ed Henry decided to do a little detective work. He put up a sign on Highland Drive, parked about a block away with a pair of binoculars, and waited to see what happened.

It wasnt 45 minutes, said Henry, who saw a light-colored Hyundai approach. Someone got out, removed the sign and drove off.

It happened so quickly, all Henry could do was snap a quick photo of the departing car. Then he drove to the Police Department to report the incident.

I checked the license in the photo, and the DMV reports that the Hyundai is registered to Don Stewart.

Whos he?

Public records show that Stewart and Erik Howell live at the same address in Pismo. Stewart is running for reelection to the local school board, and his campaign sign is stuck in the frontyard next to Howells campaign sign.

Stewart did not respond to my many attempts to reach him. I guess its contagious.

The same day Henry reported to police that his sign was confiscated, Citizens for a Better Pismo got an email from a Don Stewart.

At the request of the property owner, I have removed your signs from his  property, said the message, which added that the signs  note the plural  could be picked up from the owner of the property. They were illegally placed there without the owners permission.

Henry messaged Stewart back to ask if he might know something about where all the other missing signs might be. He said he has gotten no response.

With the election fast approaching, I have two pieces of advice for Pismo Beach.

Like the missing signs say, integrity matters.

And vote early and often.

Get more of Steve Lopezs work and follow him on Twitter @LATstevelopez

MORE FROM STEVE LOPEZ

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Details added (first version posted at 11:23)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

By Maksim Tsurkov, Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

Working with legal entities will become a priority for the VTB Bank Azerbaijan in 2017, Mikhail Oseevskiy, deputy president and chairman of management board of Russias VTB Bank, told reporters at a press briefing in Baku Nov. 2.

Oseevskiy, who is also chairman of supervisory board of VTB Bank Azerbaijan, said two main challenges are faced by the management of the VTB Bank Azerbaijan.

The first one is related with devaluation of Azerbaijani manat, Oseevskiy said. Repayment of bad loans, their restructuring is hard and unpleasant work, but, nevertheless, we consider it very important and necessary to improve our financial indicators.

The second challenge is related with attracting new customers, implementing the new strategy of the bank, he added. We see good results here, and we would like to return to profit in 2018. This depends on how the economic programs are implemented.

He noted that in the first place, the bank aims to attract legal entities as customers.

Although we are famous for our work with individuals, our shareholders would like to expand and strengthen the work with legal entities, Oseevskiy noted. Under the new strategy, we would like to strengthen our work on development of trade between Russia and Azerbaijan, as well as support Russian businessmen working in Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani businessmen working in Russia.

He went on to add that the main challenge currently faced by VTB Bank Azerbaijan is the high level of dollarization in Azerbaijan.

Russia also faced a similar problem, so time is needed for Azerbaijani manat to become the main means of payment, he said. We are waiting for a road map that should come in the near future in order to understand what measures exactly we will take in this direction. But currently, Azerbaijans banking sector experiences deficit of manat, and therefore we are looking for some alternatives in order to lend to our customers.

He noted that lending in Russian rubles is one of these alternatives.

We would like to offer everyone, whose business is mainly related to Russia, to lend in rubles, Oseevskiy said.

Another challenge faced by the VTB Bank Azerbaijan is investment lending, which requires resources, he said.

We expect that developmental institutions, able to partially or fully provide this kind of funding, will enter the government programs, Oseevskiy added. However, we can provide investment loans with 5 to 7 years of maturity to companies with strong positions in the Russian market.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov , @Anvar_Mammadov
The hour was getting late and the audience growing tired when Darrell Park took the stage last week in a San Fernando Valley church.

Park, seeking to replace longtime Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, was the final speaker at a forum of candidates for state and local office. And he made one particular point crystal clear: his party affiliation.

My name is Darrell Park and Im the Democratic candidate for the 5th District supervisor seat, he said  a fact he would repeat.

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Two days later his better-funded opponent, Kathryn Barger, mingled with business leaders and hugged sheriffs deputies in a hotel lobby before the annual Santa Clarita state of the city luncheon. Barger, who is Antonovichs current chief of staff, talked hiking trails with an environmental activist and told a reporter that she wanted to work with people on both sides of the political aisle.

Officially, the Board of Supervisors is a nonpartisan governing body. But the race to succeed Antonovich  a conservative forced out of office by term limits after more than three decades  largely has come to be defined by political affiliation and the value of experience.

Experience is only useful if its positive and things are working well, said Park, a green energy entrepreneur and former staffer in the White House Office of Management and Budget under Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush.

One of the main themes of his campaign is that the county needs new ideas  and has too many problems for Barger to brag about her decades working for Antonovich.

Theres not a single person in this district who can say things are working well, he said in an interview before the forum in Lake View Terrace last week. Were paying first-rate taxes and getting third-world services.

Experience is only useful if its positive and things are working well.  Candidate Darrell Park

Park points to the countys problems  homelessness, the jail scandals and the massive Aliso Canyon natural gas leak  as signs that new ideas are needed after years of longtime incumbent leadership.

He also is hoping to capitalize on anti-Donald Trump sentiment that has marked the presidential contest. In a proposed candidate statement he planned to distribute to voters with their sample ballots, Park said Barger would support Trumps extreme Republican agenda. Barger challenged the wording in court, and a judge ordered it stricken.

Endorsed by labor groups that typically support Democrats, Barger  a moderate Republican  started working for Antonovich as an intern 28 years ago and has been his chief of staff for the last 15. She also has the backing of four of the countys five supervisors, two Republicans and two Democrats.

In a time of partisan bickering, Im focused on solving problems, Barger said. And I can work across party lines.

The diverse 5th District is by far the largest geographically. With a population of about 2 million, it encompasses 2,800 square miles through much of the San Gabriel Valley and foothill communities of the San Fernando Valley and into the High Desert communities of the Antelope Valley.

During Antonovichs 36 years on the board  an era that saw a courthouse and regional park named after him  the 5th District became more racially diverse and shifted to the left. According to the county registrars office, Democrats outnumber Republicans, 42% to 29% (25% of registered voters declined to state a party preference).

Barger won a hotly contested June primary over seven other candidates, pulling in 30% of the vote.

Parks second-place finish, at 15%, was a surprise. He defeated better known and better funded candidates like state Sen. Bob Huff and Los Angeles City Councilman Mitchell Englander, both Republicans.

Dan Schnur, director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at USC, said that while the split Republican primary vote was enough to get Park into the runoff, its going to be much more difficult for him in a general election because Barger has been able to reach across party lines.

Its hard to think of another Republican candidate for any level of office in recent political history whos done as effective a job of reaching out to labor and other Democratic interests without sacrificing their own core principles, Schnur said of Barger.

Born and raised in the district, the 56-year-old Barger says she would focus on job creation, child welfare, mental health and homelessness.

I believe Im the right candidate because I understand the diversity, she said. Whats right in the Antelope Valley is not going to be reflective of whats needed in Santa Clarita or in the east San Gabriel Valley. I know the district.

Park, 48, has lived in the district for 11 years. He describes himself as a policy wonk who reveled in the minute details of working with the federal budget and has run a campaign fueled by grass-roots activism.

He is quick to speak about solar energy as a solution to many of the countys financial ills, saying he wants to get solar energy on every rooftop and increase jobs by growing new solar companies. He said he envisions former gang members having really successful solar companies and sees Southern California being the innovation center of the world.

With the longtime supervisors and their staffs, you just get this narrow vision, he said.

Theres just such an amazing chance to change this  to get this county really working.

hailey.branson@latimes.com

Twitter: @haileybranson

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A man accused of killing a U.S. Marines wife and dumping her body in a 140-foot mine shaft has confessed to the slaying just days before the case is to go to the jury.

Christopher Brandon Lee, 25, is charged with murder and a special circumstance of lying in wait for allegedly strangling his married lover, 19-year-old Erin Corwin, in June 2014.

For the record: A previous version of this article said that Erin Corwin had been shot to death. She was allegedly strangled.

On the stand Thursday, Lee admitted to the killing during questioning by his attorney David Kaloyanides, the attorney said. According to The Desert Sun newspaper, Lee elaborated further this week during questioning by prosecutor Sean Daugherty.

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Lee claimed that he killed Corwin because he believed she had molested his daughter, the paper reported.

I made the decision to kill her, Lee told jurors, according to the paper. I was controlled by the anger. The hate I felt that day, it was something I never want to experience again.

Investigators believe Corwin and Lee, who were next-door neighbors at a military base in Twentynine Palms, were having an affair. Corwin was pregnant with Lees child when she was killed.

Corwin was reported missing by her husband June 28, 2014, when she did not return home from a trip to Joshua Tree National Park.

Lee was arrested in Alaska, a day after search crews found Corwins body in the mine shaft. Authorities had scoured the desert for weeks before finding her body.

Lee moved to Alaska with his wife and daughter after being discharged from the Marines in July 2014. He had been upset after he was rejected for deployment overseas, the Desert Sun reported.

According to an arrest warrant posted on the San Bernardino County district attorneys website, rebar found near Corwins body matched rebar found in Lees Jeep. Lee had used rebar to strangle Corwin, the paper reported.

Closing arguments in the case began Wednesday.

Joseph.serna@latimes.com

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter.

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After years of litigation and negotiation, Ontario officials assumed ownership of LA/Ontario International Airport from Los Angeles on Tuesday.

They say they hope to turn around the once fast-growing airport, which saw dramatic cuts in airline service and its annual passenger volume plunge from 7.2 million in 2007 to 3.97 million in 2013 during the economic downturn.

The transition from Los Angeles World Airports to the Ontario International Airport Authority became official after the authority paid off $55.5 million in bonds issued by Los Angeles for airport improvements and the Federal Aviation Administration issued an operating certificate to the authority, an independent government agency.

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Last year, the number of air travelers rose to 4.2 million, a modest upward trend that has continued this year. The gains, however, lag behind the recoveries of similar airports around the country.

...The Inland Empire has been adding jobs during the economic recovery and. . . represents a large market...Theres a lot of potential.  John Husing, economist for Inland Empire Economic Partnership

The transfer process began in August 2015, when a lawsuit brought by Ontario to gain control of the faltering airport was settled with Los Angeles.

The case, filed in 2013, alleged that mismanagement by Los Angeles World Airports triggered the facilitys loss of passengers and flights. Los Angeles contended that the severe recession prompted the decline in air travel and created an incentive for airlines to relocate service to major airports like LAX.

In the near future, Ontario officials say they will make improvements to terminals, signage, parking and concessions to enhance the passenger experience. To attract airline services, they plan to cut costs by streamlining operations and eliminating the high administrative fees Los Angeles World Airports used to charge the airport.

The formula could lead to lower fares for travelers, a greater variety of airlines to choose from and more nonstop flights to major destinations. Authority officials said they are already targeting markets on the East Coast and meeting with airlines, including Chinese carriers.

We will be aggressive on air service development, said Kelly Fredericks, the authoritys chief executive. We are looking at a whole host of international and domestic markets, cargo operations as well as charter and private jet operations for business travelers.

Southwest Airlines, the large discount carrier, announced that it will begin nonstop service Jan. 15 from Ontario to Love Field in Dallas, officials said.

The trick is getting airlines to invest in Ontario. That is pretty hard.  Jack Keady, airport consultant

Aviation and economic consultants say the recovery will take time and the Ontario authority still faces substantial hurdles to revive the facility, which earned a Forbes magazine nod years ago as one of the nations top alternative airports.

The trick is getting airlines to invest in Ontario. That is pretty hard, said Jack Keady, an aviation and airport consultant in Playa del Rey. You wont get many international flights, and the airport lacks first-class and business-class customers that provide a substantial amount of profit. What are you going to do? You need to make a big pitch to get the discount carriers and establish a reputation as an airport with low fares.

Ontario also will have to compete with LAX, which provides travelers a large number of airlines, low fares and far more nonstop flights to a wide selection of domestic and international destinations.

John Husing, an economic consultant and chief economist for the Inland Empire Economic Partnership, a group of major employers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, expressed optimism for a full recovery, though it will take time.

Husing said Ontario officials are in a better position than Los Angeles World Airports to cut operating costs and they can resume advertising and marketing, which was virtually eliminated during the recession.

He noted that the facility, which might be able to handle 15 million to 30 million passengers a year, has an enormous amount of undeveloped land. If used to expand aviation services and cargo operations, it could dramatically increase airport revenue, he said.

The airport also needs to lure more business travelers, Husing said. But the Inland Empire has been adding jobs during the economic recovery and its population of about 4.5 million people  more than the state of Oregon  represents a large market.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and members of Congress, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), are scheduled to attend a formal ceremony on Wednesday in Ontario.

dan.weikel@latimes.com

To read the article in Spanish, click here

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An Uber driver was arrested during the weekend after police said he kissed and groped a female passenger, then later returned to her Bay Area home and told her he was outside.

Pedro Liborio-Anorve, 35, of Redwood City was taken into custody on suspicion of sexual battery and stalking following Sundays assault, said Lt. Zach Perron, spokesman for the Palo Alto Police Department.

The assault occurred just after 11 p.m. when the woman and her husband had been dropped off by Liborio-Anorve at their Palo Alto home, police said.

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The woman realized she had left her home cellphone in the drivers car and called him to return it. After he arrived, she went outside to retrieve her phone.

Thats when Liborio-Anorve kissed her and grabbed her breast, Perron said. The woman pushed him away and ran to her home, where she and her husband reported the assault to Uber.

About an hour later, Liborio-Anorve called the woman and told her he was outside her home, the lieutenant said.

She told him to go away and immediately called the police, Perron said.

Police arrived at her home, but Liborio-Anorve was not there.

Officers later found Liborio-Anorve at his home and arrested him.

Liborio-Anorve no longer has access to Ubers smartphone app, said Tracey Breeden, spokeswoman for the ride-sharing company.

The behavior described is disturbing and is not tolerated on the Uber platform, she said. We have been working in cooperation with police and will continue to assist with the investigation.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.

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Plans to build a $1.2-billion residential, hotel and retail complex in South Los Angeles are one step closer to approval after city officials Tuesday rejected the arguments of community activists who said the project could lead to widespread displacement of low-income residents.

The proposed development, called the Reef Project, would transform two empty parking lots and the 12-story Reef Building on Washington Boulevard into a walkable community of skyscrapers and low- and mid-rise residential buildings just blocks from a Metro Blue Line station.



For the record: An earlier version of this article referred to the Reef Project as SoLA Village. That was the projects previous name.

The village would include luxury condominiums and apartments as well as a hotel, grocery store, fitness center and restaurant space.

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City Councilman Curren Price, who represents the area, called the project unprecedented in that it will not require any public money or subsidies.

For too long, the area has been overlooked and disregarded, Price said. The proposed project will be a tremendous asset to South Los Angeles  and will set the tone for the rest of developments not only in South L.A. but in the city.

The Planning and Land Use Commission cleared the project to move forward by denying an appeal by community group United Neighbors in Defense Against Displacement and Joe Donlin, with nonprofit Strategic Actions for a Just Economy. According to the appeal, the city had not properly weighed the economic impact of the project on one of the poorest parts of the city.

The decision to reject the appeal and approve the environmental review for the project comes as Los Angeles lawmakers face mounting criticism over soaring rents and are poised to ask voters next week to pay higher taxes to address the homelessness crisis.

During recent heated hearings at City Hall, Donlin and South L.A. residents argued that the project would accelerate gentrification. Opponents fear the project will bring in residents who have been priced out of downtown L.A., Echo Park and Silver Lake, causing rents to rise, pushing poorer people out.

UNIDAD calculated that the project could lead to the displacement of 43,000 residents of modest means.

As part of its agreement with the city, the developer promised to set aside 5% of the rental units for low-income housing, provide $15 million for an affordable housing fund and give an additional $3 million to community organizations for job training, youth programs and violence prevention efforts.

Some residents said the concessions are not enough.

Lamar Banks said his grandmother was just priced out of the neighborhood, and hes concerned it will happen to other low-income residents.

Were scrambling right now trying to find her a place, he said. Shes 65 years old and shouldnt be working, but all shes thinking about is how shes going to pay the rent for the new spot. Im looking at all these families, and they are going to be going through the same thing we are going through.

Supporters said the project would bring jobs, services and much-needed investment to an area that has long been ignored by developers.

Mark Escobar, 32, owns a tax-preparation business next to the proposed project. While he said he does not look forward to the construction, hes still excited.

My familys business is going to be directly affected by this, he said at Tuesdays meeting. Im still standing here saying bring it on. We need more projects like this in our community.

The project still needs to be approved by the City Council before it can be built.

For more California breaking news, follow @AngelJennings. She can also be reached at angel.jennings@latimes.com.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

Trend:

Azerbaijan and Russias Dagestan agreed to cooperate on development of foreign economic relations.

A memorandum of cooperation was signed between Agency for Entrepreneurship and Investments of Dagestan Republic of Russia and Azerbaijan Export and Investments Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) during the 7th Azerbaijani-Russian Interregional Forum in Baku.

The memorandum was signed by Bashir Magomedov, head of the Agency for Entrepreneurship and Investments of Dagestan Republic and AZPROMO President Rufat Mammadov.

The sides agreed to cooperate on the development of foreign economic relations, including the assistance in organizing and holding business forums, business meetings, and exchange of delegations in order to familiarize businesses with economic opportunities in both countries, said the Agency for Entrepreneurship and Investments, TASS agency reported Nov. 2.

Moreover, the two countries will contribute to the search for potential partners and attracting investments for their businesses.

In January-August 2016, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia exceeded $1 billion, according to Russias Economic Development Ministry.
Aiming to boost turnout, Clinton warns minority groups they dont have a place in Trumps America

(Andrew Harnik / Associated Press)

Hillary Clinton cast Donald Trump on Wednesday as indifferent, if not hostile, to minority groups  a troubling trait that has no place in the Oval Office, she said as she made a closing pitch to Latino voters.

If you dont fit into a very narrow category of people he can relate to, then somehow you dont have a part of Trumps America, she said at a union hall in Las Vegas. That really bothers me.

Clinton, trying to both demonstrate confidence and motivate Democrats to vote, acknowledged that the election has posed a difficult choice for many Americans.

Though her campaign maintained that it expects to win, Clinton urged supporters to imagine what it would be like to have Trump sworn in as president in January.

What kind of change are we going to have? she asked. Someone who demeans women, mocks the disabled, insults Latinos and African Americans. What would it be like to have that person in the most powerful office in the world?

That is Clintons final pitch to Latinos  a reminder of what her campaign calls Trumps record of insults against minority groups.

Clinton reminded voters of how Trump has denigrated the contributions of immigrants and the children of immigrants, such as the Mexican American judge overseeing the Trump University case, whose impartiality Trump repeatedly questioned.

In her first general election visit to Arizona later Wednesday, Clinton will also point to elected Republican officials, namely former Gov. Jan Brewer and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, dismissing the potential clout that Latino voters have in helping to turn the state from red to blue.

Clinton also debuted new English- and Spanish-language ads Wednesday. Twenty-seven million are ready to put up a fight, and not be intimidated by hatred and spite, the narrator says in the minute-long English-language spot.

Campaign spokeswoman Jennifer Palmieri said it was important in the closing week to contrast Trumps dark vision with Clintons record and experience in national security. She maintained that the campaign continued to see positive trends in early voting in key states such as Nevada and Arizona. Clinton herself noted here that no Democrat had won the state since her husband in 1996.

Its close and competitive. And its going to be a great honor to campaign in these last six days across this country. Because this, my friends, is not a normal election, she said.
Donald Trumps campaign denounces support from KKK newspaper

(Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

Donald Trumps campaign Tuesday night said that he denounces hate in any form and disavowed support for his candidacy offered by a newspaper associated with the Ku Klux Klan.

The campaigns statement came hours after the Crusader devoted its front page to Trumps well-known campaign slogan.

 Make America Great Again! It is a slogan that has been repeatedly used by Donald Trump in his campaign for the presidency, wrote Thomas Robb, the papers editor. You can see it on the shirts, buttons, posters and ball caps.  But can it happen? Can America really be great again? This is what we will soon find out!

In an interview with the Washington Post, Robb said that his paper was not officially endorsing Trump.

Overall, we do like his nationalist views and his words about shutting down the border to illegal aliens. Its not an endorsement because, like anybody, theres things you disagree with, Robb told the Post. But he kind of reflects whats happening throughout the world. There seems to be a surge of nationalism worldwide as nationals reclaim their borders.

How about that? Trump's struggled to earn newspaper endorsements, but just secured one from the KKK's "Crusader"... pic.twitter.com/W63k54Yivx  Brendan Reilly (@AldReilly) November 1, 2016

Trumps campaign sought to distance the newspapers views from the nominee and his supporters.

This publication is repulsive and their views do not represent the tens of millions of Americans who are uniting behind our campaign, Trumps campaign said in a statement.

The back-and-forth marked his campaigns latest brush with individuals or groups tied to racist remarks and beliefs.

Trumps yearlong campaign has been marked by divisive and racially coded rhetoric. He has received support from white supremacist groups and former KKK leaders, including David Duke, who is running for Senate in Louisiana.

On Monday, a white nationalist leader who has funded several ads supporting Trump unveiled a new robocall in Utah targeting write-in candidate Evan McMullin. Trumps campaign denounced the ads.

Over the weekend, at rally in Phoenix, a Trump supporter was captured on video shouting Jew-S-A at reporters.

Kellyanne Conway, Trumps campaign manger, denounced the rhetoric as disgusting.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

Russias Ministry of Economic Development deems it reasonable to create an Azerbaijan-Russia fund for financing the joint projects.

A special fund can and should be established, Russias Deputy Minister of Economic Development Alexander Tsybulskiy told Trend Nov. 2.

Earlier, Ramazan Abdulatipov, head of the Dagestan Republic of Russia, said Azerbaijan and Russia need to create a special fund for financing the joint projects.

Such funds always enhance the opportunity to implement special projects. If such an initiative has been voiced by the head of Dagestan, I think it will be worked on, Tsybulskiy said.

In case there are interested people, such suggestions should be realized, the deputy minister added.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @AzadHasanli
To the editor: Some families of murder victims are urging voters to to pass Proposition 66, a measure designed to speed up Californias death penalty. (I am 25 and still afraid of the dark: Victims families wrestle with grief as they weigh the death penalty on the ballot, Oct. 28)

Actor Mike Farrell, who is against the death penalty, was quoted in a previous Times article as saying, We have determined that some human beings are not human, are not worthwhile or capable, and that we can just do away with them.

Unfortunately, this is true: There are evil people with no heart or soul.

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One doesnt have to look far beyond the Grim Sleeper. Ask Mark Klaas, the father of Polly, about these people. Ask the parents of the USC student from China who was beaten to death while walking home at night. One of his killers was a 16-year-old girl who followed the badly beaten young man and viciously attacked him again.

Life without parole guarantees these people what they viciously took from their victims and the families whose suffering never ends. Give these people the justice they deserve.

Judy and Jerry Winick, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: What convicted murderer Robert Rhoades did to 8-year-old Michael Lyons is incomprehensible to me, in the sense that my brain cannot grasp the 10 hours of horror the poor child endured before dying.

Yet I also cannot accept his mothers insistence that we should execute this monster. Killing Rhoades wont bring the boy back.

It wont stop future monsters; these people are clearly not sane, and we know the death penalty doesnt deter them. There are only two plausible justifications for an execution. First, it would prevent him from killing again. Yet permanent imprisonment does the same. The other justification is revenge. I understand this instinct; I would love to subject Rhoades to the same agony his victim suffered.

But thats my gut speaking, not my civilized self. And making him spend decades behind bars, knowing he will never see freedom, is in the long run more painful.

Geoff Kuenning, Claremont

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
To the editor: Gender gap widens, with more women planning to cancel out husbands votes, reads the print subheadline of a piece on the differences between husbands and wives assessments of the presidential candidates. (Till death do us part in life, but these married couples part ways at the ballot box, Oct. 27)

Could there be a more tone-deaf rendition of this story in an election that has brought persistent misogyny and sexism to the forefront of American life? Did The Times consider that perhaps it could be the other way around, and that a woman might have an influence on her husband? The subheadline reinforces a patriarchal and offensive notion of society and marriage.

First Lady Michelle Obama was absolutely correct to be shaken to her core by Trumps belief in his right to sexually assault women. We should never have to minimize the effect of sexually predatory behavior, the discomfort and downright fear that we often feel, or the lack of validity our opinions elicit simply by virtue of our sex.

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Enough is indeed enough, and The Times should know it.

Michelle Aberle, Signal Hill

..

To the editor: Hazardous to couples? I find this campaign hazardous, period.

I have stopped talking about Clinton and Trump with just about everyone, including my mailman. When the subject comes up, I usually raise my eyebrows and say nothing except to those closest to me who I know have the same views.

I hope couples caught in this political and psychological conundrum will be able to mend fences and continue their lives together without permanent damage after the election. However, I doubt all will be rosy, as emotions are strained to the breaking point and many of us are horribly stressed and unsure as to what the outcome will mean.

Bette Mason, Corona del Mar

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
California Democrats ask Obama to pardon nearly 750,000 Dreamers, but White House says it wouldnt work

The members of Congress who persuaded President Obama to grant temporary legal status to hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought into the country illegally as children are now asking him to use a pardon to prevent those immigrants from being deported by President-elect Donald Trump.

The White House, however, promptly batted down the idea.

Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Downey) and Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) sent a letter to Obama on Thursday asking him to use his pardon authority to forgive the past and future civil immigration offenses of the nearly 750,000 people granted deportation deferrals under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program.

They believe that would keep those people from being deported, and even though it would leave them in legal limbo without work permits or visas, they could more easily apply for legal status from within the U.S. without immigration offenses on their records.

They wouldnt have a piece of paper, they wouldnt have work authorization, but they wouldnt have to be living in fear every moment of their lives about deportation, Lofgren said after a news conference Thursday.

Lofgren, a former immigration attorney, said the pardons would probably be applied to the civil offenses related to entering and remaining in the country without authorization.

But whether a pardon would actually be applicable in the so-called Dreamers situation is unclear. Lawyers disagree over whether the immigrants could be pardoned for civil crimes they havent been formally accused of, and whether such a pardon would actually prevent them from being deported while they seek legal status.

A White House official signaled late Thursday that the administration was not considering a pardon for those registered under DACA because it believes a pardon would not allow them legal status.

We note that the clemency power could not give legal status to any undocumented individual. As we have repeatedly said for years, only Congress can create legal status for undocumented individuals, an administration official said.

After immigration reform efforts stalled in Congress during Obamas first term, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus pressured Obama to act independently to protect from deportation certain immigrants brought into the country illegally when they were children. He then used an executive order to create the DACA program in 2012.

The Dreamers, one in three of whom are estimated to live in California, gave the Department of Homeland Security their fingerprints, home addresses and other information to undergo background checks that allowed them to defer deportation under DACA.

At the time, advocates and the administration emphasized that providing the information would protect the Dreamers and was worth the risk. But with Trump vowing to deport millions of people who are in the country illegally and many fearing he may let the DACA program expire, Dreamers are worried the information they provided will be used to deport them.

Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), whose husband is an immigration attorney, said at the news conference she has been getting a flood of messages from frightened Dreamers. On Tuesday she sent a letter to Obama asking him to keep their information from the Trump administration.

We promised these recipients security, and now they are facing a nightmare, she said.

Roybal-Allard said those who pushed Obama to create the program and persuaded people to come out of the shadows to register with the government have an obligation to protect them.

These are kids. We feel a sense of responsibility. We went out into our districts and we talked to the Dreamers, and they asked us, Is it really OK for us to do this? Roybal-Allard said. And we said, No, dont worry, you need to come forward. Now we are in a situation where all that we said, in fact, could possibly be reversed.

Although the presidents pardon power is normally used for individual cases, there is some precedent for the chief executive to pardon a large group of people.

President Jimmy Carter pardoned half a million Vietnam War draft evaders in 1977, and at least seven other presidents have issued broad pardons.

Congress and the Supreme Court cannot undo a presidential pardon, nor can a new president.

Lofgren said if Obama doesnt pardon the Dreamers, she hopes he responds with his own idea to help them.

These young people are not alone, they are not going to be abandoned by us, she said.

UPDATES

4:59 p.m. This post was updated with additional details throughout.

2:15 p.m. This post was updated with the White Houses response to the proposal.

This post was originally published at 11:30 a.m.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

The Azerbaijani-Russian joint pharmaceutical plant will come to full production capacity in 2020, said Azerbaijans Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev.

He made the remarks Nov. 2 during the plants groundbreaking ceremony in the Pirallahi Industrial Park.

This is Azerbaijans first pharmaceutical plant, said the minister, adding that a 10-percent share in the joint venture will be owned by Azerbaijan Investment Company (AIC), a 45-percent share - by Russias R-Pharm company and a 45-percent share - by Azerbaijans Vita-A LLC.

Mustafayev noted $74 million will be invested in the plants construction.

The project will be implemented in stages, he said.

The work on infrastructure will start late 2016, and the construction of production sites will begin in 2017, he added.

Azerbaijan has not been engaged in the production of medicines, therefore, this is a new sphere for us, said Mustafayev. Today's event is very significant, both in terms of reducing the import and development of non-oil sector, and the economys diversification.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Azerbaijani-Russian joint pharmaceutical plant Hayat Pharm was held in Azerbaijans Pirallahi industrial park on Nov. 2.

Russias R-Pharm, Azerbaijan Investment Company (AIC) and Azerbaijans Vita-A LLC are the plants shareholders.

Hayat Pharm will produce medicines of various pharmaceutical groups, including cancer, antifungal, antiemetic, antiviral and other drugs.

The plant's capacity will be 22.5 million packages, or 500 million pills and capsules.
Donald Trump has whipped up a political movement like none other in modern politics, but theres a surprising ambivalence from his army of supporters  and even the candidate himself  over what to do next.

Beyond the bombast of picking up arms to storm the White House should Hillary Clinton become president, ardent Trump voters are beginning to think seriously about their post-election role in American politics.

Will they organize as a new political force, spark a revolution inside the GOP or, as some supporters at Trump rallies recently hinted, retreat into the background after an exhausting and divisive campaign?

The FBI director had a choice in the new Clinton email probe: Follow custom, or go public 

Kathy Smith and her neighbor were waiting eagerly last month for Trump to speak at a rally in Golden, Colo., wearing matching Deplorable American T-shirts.

But Smith acknowledged that political fatigue has set in  along with the frustration of polls showing Trump was unlikely to win her state.

I want my life to be back, the hairstylist said. Smith has been active locally in politics, but said she is ready to hunker down if Trump loses to take care of my birds, my dogs, my family. I figure, I give him my best shot.

On the other hand, Eddie Creech, a tobacco, corn and bean farmer who lives near Kinston, N.C., said hes ready leave his little slice of heaven at a moments notice and go protest in Washington, D.C., if Clinton is elected and Trumps supporters call for help. We will kick her out, he said.

Kathy Smith, right, and her neighbor Tina Griffiths attend a Donald Trump rally in Colorado. (Lisa Mascaro / Los Angeles Times) (Lisa Mascaro / Los Angeles Times )

Eddie Creech, a tobacco, corn and bean farmer, attends a Donald Trump rally in Kinston, N.C. (Lisa Mascaro / Los Angeles Times) (Lisa Mascaro / Los Angeles Times )

Win or lose, Trump is in a prime position to either lead a remaking of the party he has upended or launch a new one.

But if Trump does not win the White House, its not clear whether the Republican nominee will stay as actively engaged in politics as he has been in the many months of the campaign.

He has offered mixed messages as he jets across the country making closing arguments before election day.

I will never let you be the forgotten people again, he told a packed crowd at the St. Augustine amphitheater in battleground Florida. I will never let you down. I promise.

But at the same rally, Trumps comments raised questions about his long-term commitment, saying if his supporters dont get to the polls to elect him, we will have wasted a hell of a lot of time, energy and  in my case  a lot of money.

What happens next to Trumps movement is one of the big unanswered questions of the 2016 election and one that will shape the GOPs future.

Scope of Donald Trump's falsehoods unprecedented for presidential candidate 

Will the party of Abraham Lincoln morph into the party of Trump, or will the movement that catapulted the celebrity businessman to the top of the ticket fade as quickly as it rose?

Its unlikely the election will sweep away the anger and frustration felt by the mostly white, working-class Americans who now proudly call themselves deplorables  embracing Clintons derisive label. Trump built his unlikely ascent by reviving many of their long-simmering fears and resentments over race, class and the Washington elite.

But it remains to be seen whether those passions will be sustained without the pageantry of campaign season as Trump supporters return to jobs and families without the luxury of post-election navel-gazing.

Justin Smith, 31, a hog farmer who attended a Trump rally in Kinston, N.C., with his daughter, Ella Lynn, predicted that the businessmans followers will keep alive the ideas and philosophy that drove the campaign, but likely will take a less active role in politics.

Its going to be a movement, he said, but were going to give up on the government.

Neighbors Kathy Smith and Tina Griffiths wear matching Trump T-shirts at a rally in Colorado. (Lisa Mascaro / Los Angeles Times) (Lisa Mascaro / Los Angeles Times )

Stephanie Moore sports a Donald Trump button at a rally in Springfield, Ohio. (Lisa Mascaro / Los Angeles Times) (Lisa Mascaro / Los Angeles Times )

Other disruptive political forces, including the tea party, sputtered partly because they lacked a central leader, despite their robust presence online and ability to organize nationally through social media.

While Trump can inspire voters like few others, transforming rally-goers into a formidable political force takes a kind of nuts-and-bolts savvy that has been missing from Trumps insular campaign operation.

Trumps ability to amass a mammoth-sized list of backers  and the credit card numbers of small-dollar donors  will be the envy of any traditional campaign apparatus in laying the groundwork for future organizing.

But Trump has said little in public about his next moves. One recent report mentioned his desire for some much-needed time off.

Also, Trumps team may prefer to monetize the movement as a new business venture rather than a purely political one.

The Trump TV enterprise that once seemed a logical next step after he brought in Foxs Roger Ailes and Breitbarts Stephen Bannon has failed to impress with its initial launch of a nightly Facebook news show, an unpolished program that has struck some as a political version of Waynes World.

For a man who has a tendency to flit from one trending topic to the next, politics may not provide a lasting relationship. He may choose to move on to other opportunities.

Many of Trumps supporters  some inspired to get involved in politics for the first time  say they imagine Trump will simply return to the life of a wealthy New York businessman because, as he often reminds them on the campaign trail, he didnt have to do this.

Were praying for him every day, said Kim Carney, with her husband, Dave, and their granddaughter at a Trump event in Charlotte.

I think hell find another [way] to make things better  whether its a behind-the-scenes effort or on the front lines, her husband said.

Others predict the movement will go on, with or without Trump.

I dont think its going to go away, said Shauna Godwin, wrapped in an American flag-styled sweater as Trump alighted from his plane in Kinston, N.C. Theres too many people.

Shauna Godwin, left, wear a flag-themed sweater at a Trump rally in Kinston, N.C. (Lisa Mascaro / Los Angeles Times) (Lisa Mascaro / Los Angeles Times )

Some refused to even entertain such questions because they fully expect that Trump will beat Clinton and become president.

I just cant believe hes as far behind as they say because of things like this, said Stephanie Moore, a retired government budget officer, looking over the thousands of people filling a livestock arena for Trump in Springfield, Ohio. Im a little scared as to what might happen. People are so hyped up about it, and I dont want to see any rebellion.

In the closing days of the campaign, Trump has done little to lower expectations, boasting of his movements shock to the system.

Alongside Lock her up! and Drain the swamp! supporters have added a new regular chant at rallies.

Trump starts a sentence, If we win  

When! the crowd dutifully shouts back.

When we win, he said, your voice will boom through the halls of Washington and will be heard across the world.

lisa.mascaro@latimes.com

Twitter: @LisaMascaro

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The Rev. Alyn E. Waller was appalled when he learned that Donald Trump was dispatching supporters to Philadelphia to watch for vote fraud on election day.

Most Trump supporters are white. Nearly half of Philadelphias population is black. The racial dimension was obvious.

It is absolutely racist, said Waller, the pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, Philadelphias largest black congregation. He fundamentally believes that we are less than who he is, and therefore capable of robbing and stealing and being dangerous.

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Trumps slew of inflammatory remarks have led many Americans to see him as a bigot. Since 1968, when segregationist George Wallace of Alabama won five states in the South, no major presidential contender has used such raw rhetoric on race or ethnicity.

Thats why its hard for Waller and other leaders of Philadelphias black churches and mosques to view Trumps poll-monitoring plan as anything but an attempt to suppress the black vote. Waller recently convened a group of them, and they agreed to station patrols of up to seven black men at polling stations across the city.

If its an older woman whos on a cane, if its somebody whos thirsty, if its someone who just needs some encouragement  were there to do that, said Waller, 52. And if anyone comes around to do anything that would deter from the free, fair opportunity to vote, we will shut that down.

For Michael Rashid, a leader of Masjidullah, one of the mosques forming the patrols, Trumps aggressive racial politics have stirred painful memories of his upbringing in Birmingham, Ala.

Obstacles to black voting rights were part of the citys strict regimen of segregation. The white sections of movie theaters, buses and swimming pools were off-limits to Rashid.

It was apartheid down there, he said.

Rashid, 69, a retired healthcare executive, was one of hundreds of black children jailed in 1963 for kneeling in the streets of Birmingham to protest segregation in a landmark rebellion led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. His voice cracked as he recalled the relentless trampling of civil rights in the era of Bull Connor, the police chief who turned attack dogs and fire hoses on the children.

These poor black people who made maybe $10 a week  and Im not exaggerating  they had to pay a $2 poll tax to be able to vote, he said. So that was a great way of holding down the black vote.

Now, Rashid fears that Trump supporters will deter black voters, especially the elderly, from going to the polls.

You hear all this rhetoric about these white people going to come down here, and you see on television, Trump people  they carry guns, and they rough people up, he said.

Trump denies appealing to racism. I am the least racist person youve ever met, he has repeatedly told journalists who raised the topic.

Trumps suggestion that urban voters might steal the election comes after months of comments he has made that offended Latinos, Muslims, women and African Americans.

In a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll, Trump drew support from just 3% of black voters. He often argues that African Americans have been failed by Democrats and says they have nothing to lose by voting for him. Trump describes blacks as living in ghettos with bad schools, no jobs and streets so dangerous that people get shot when they walk to the store for a loaf of bread.

Waller, who once ministered in western Pennsylvania steel country, says he believes Trump has been exploiting the fears of Rust Belt whites reeling from decades of factory shutdowns.

Yes, this country has let them down, but theyve been tricked into thinking its my fault, Waller said after a Sunday sermon enlivened by a gospel choir. The race-baiting language has poor, white, uneducated people thinking that their enemy is black and brown people  that were the reason that theyre poor and without jobs.

The Rev. Alyn E. Waller has a 1967 photo showing him as a 3-year-old sitting in the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s lap. (Michael Finnegan / Los Angeles Times )

Waller grew up in Cleveland, where his father was pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church. King was a guest preacher at Shiloh in 1967, seven months before his assassination. On the wall facing Wallers desk at Enon Tabernacle hangs a framed black-and-white photo of himself, at 3 years old, in Kings lap by his fathers pulpit.

That picture has been either in my bedroom, my dorm room or my office all of my life, Waller said.

Also on the wall is a photo of President Obama. For years, Trump spread the lie that Obama might be a Muslim born in Africa, challenging him to produce a birth certificate to prove his eligibility to be commander in chief.

It reminded Waller of a white cop demanding a black mans papers.

Under Pennsylvania law, poll monitors must live in the county where they are watching the vote. But at an August rally in Altoona, Pa., a town that is 94% white and more than 200 miles from Philadelphia, Trump called for volunteers to scout for cheating in certain parts of the state.

Were going to watch Pennsylvania, go down to certain areas ... and make sure other people dont come in and vote five times, he told the crowd. He has made similar appeals several times since, naming Philadelphia, Chicago and St. Louis as cities where he anticipates bogus voting.

Neither Trumps vote monitors nor the black religious leaders patrols would be permitted inside polling places. But both parties are allowed to station state-certified poll watchers inside.

Trumps threat to dispatch poll watchers to Philadelphia fits a pattern that dates to Reconstruction, said J. Morgan Kousser, a Caltech historian and expert in minority voting rights. Like Jim Crow laws, including the Alabama poll tax that a federal court struck down in 1966, its a tactic to impede the right of African Americans to vote, he said.

Republican poll watching a generation ago led to legal trouble. Under a 1982 federal consent decree, the party pledged not to use fraud prevention as a pretext to block people from voting in minority neighborhoods. That court order could apply to Trumps campaign.

Election 2016 | Live coverage on Trail Guide | Sign up for the newsletter

When Rashid was a boy, his father served as a poll monitor safeguarding the voting rights of black neighbors in Birmingham. At the time, Rashids name was Michael Coar. He converted to Islam at 23.

His older brother, David Coar, now a retired U.S. District Court judge in Chicago, remembers the literacy test that Birminghams election registrar required him to take in 1964.

A white clerk flipped through a Rolodex of constitutional provisions, plucked a card on war powers and demanded that Coar read and interpret it. They told me they would notify me within a few days whether I had passed, Coar said.

He did.

The Voting Rights Act would outlaw literacy tests the following year. At the time, many blacks in the South risked retaliation even for registering to vote. Some were fired from their jobs.

Going to the polls and voting, it was a big deal, Rashid said.

Standing up for civil rights was dangerous. The Ku Klux Klan bombed so many houses and churches in the Coars neighborhood that it became known as Dynamite Hill. Rashid was friends with three of the four girls killed in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church.

Rashid remembers sitting on his familys front porch one time when a car full of white men drove up. They just sit out there and start looking at us, he said. My father goes in the house and comes out with a rifle, and he just sits there and holds his rifle. And they stare at him some more, and then they pull off.

A few weeks after Rashids arrest at the King protest, Wallace  flouting a federal court order  stood in a schoolhouse doorway to block integration at the University of Alabama. Trump shows the same defiant streak and, like Wallace, panders to a more brutish kind of behavior, Rashid said. Weve been here before.

michael.finnegan@latimes.com

Twitter: @finneganLAT

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It was another wild day on the campaign trail, with President Obama heckling hecklers right back and a Texas politicians name-calling getting off-color.

Im Christina Bellantoni. Welcome to Essential Politics in the final stretch, as everyone recognizes they are a little cranky.

The only thing that really matters at this point is the map.

Donald Trump kicked off the final full week before the election campaigning in states that havent backed a Republican for president since the 1980s. Hillary Clinton will hold a rally Wednesday in Arizona, turf that last went blue 20 years ago.

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Melanie Mason and Michael Memoli look at how, in the waning days of the presidential race, both candidates are encroaching on rival territory, in an effort to pull off upset wins or at least wage some psychological warfare.

Play out the Electoral College scenarios yourself.

ORANGE COUNTY TURNS BLUE? AND HOW ABOUT SOME ELECTORAL TRIVIA?

When you think Republicans and California, nowhere comes to mind faster than Orange County, a GOP stronghold for some eight decades.

Might that change next week? Seema Mehta takes a close look at how Democrats are on the verge of flipping the reddest of red counties in the Golden State to blue.

For the historic view, you can see the Republican dominance in the O.C. on The Times new data offering of California presidential election data by county since 1936. Not only does it show you how the state went from reliably red to believably blue in the race for the White House, it also offers a glimpse at which counties have been most reliably in one major partys column or the other.

And were having a great time poking through the data ourselves. David Lauter emailed several of us to ask which county has the longest Democratic winning streak. John Myers says he accepted the bureau chief challenge with gusto.

Not only was he wrong, I was wrong, as were our colleagues Cathleen Decker and Mark Z. Barabak, who also came up empty-handed.

Myers initial guess was Sacramento County, the seat of state government. Nope. San Francisco? Nope, as it was a moderate and business-focused GOP bastion in the mid-20th century. I guessed Marin, then realized it must be Alameda.

The answer: Yolo County, home to UC Davis. The largely rural county just outside Sacramento has been won by the Democrat in every presidential cycle since 1956. Even then, Republicans have only prevailed once  during the first campaign of President Dwight D. Eisenhower  since 1936.

NEWS FROM THE TRAIL

Experts are saying it would take a true bombshell in the emails investigation to charge Clinton.

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said he has cast his vote for our nominee and that if Clinton is elected the next few years will be full of scandals like a repeat of the 1990s.

Michael Finnegan reports from Philadelphia that many black leaders have a hard time seeing Trumps poll monitoring plan as anything but an attempt to suppress the black vote.

Get the latest from the campaign trail on Trail Guide and follow @latimespolitics. Check our daily USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times tracking poll at the top of the politics page.

WORDS YOU USED TO DESCRIBE CLINTON AND TRUMP

Over the course of the year, thousands of readers have told us what they think about Trump and Clinton, and Christine Zhang, Andrea Roberson and Collen Shalby combed through your responses to find the most common words and build a visual representation. Racist, ignorant, strong and corrupt were among the words they saw again and again associated with Trump. As for Clinton, the most frequently used were liar, corrupt and qualified.

Have your say here.

ANOTHER DEMOCRAT JOINS THE 2018 GOVERNORS RACE

The field of hopefuls in the race to replace California Gov. Jerry Brown now includes a candidate who says her effort will be almost completely focused on public schools.

Delaine Eastin, who served eight years as state superintendent of public instruction from 1995 to 2003, said on Tuesday shes throwing her hat into the ring for the 2018 race. As Myers reports, Eastin argues that education funding is too often ignored by lawmakers and that all of the states most critical needs come back to having good schools.

Im a very frustrated person whos been watching from the sidelines for some time now, she said in an interview.

KAMALA HARRIS RALLIES FOR A NO-SHOW CANDIDATE

U.S. Senate candidate Kamala Harris took her campaign bus tour up to Santa Barbara on Tuesday to help rally the Democratic faithful for congressional candidate Salud Carbajal in the open (and competitive) 24th Congressional District. But Carbajal couldnt make it  even though it was held at his campaign headquarters. The candidate was stuck in a Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting all day. Phil Willon reports that Harris picked up the slack, firing up the crowd with vows to ban assault weapons and protect immigrants.

Harris roadshow then motored south to Cal State Northridge, where both she and Senate rival Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Orange) spoke to students. They each pitched proposals for making college more affordable, but some students were skeptical about promises of free tuition.

EXPANDED TERM LIMITS HELP ATTRACT RECORD SPENDING

A flood of cash has hit Californias legislative races this year: A record $63 million has been spent by outside groups so far in an attempt to sway state Senate and Assembly races. Christine Mai-Duc reports that part of the reason is Californias recently expanded term limits law, which allows any lawmaker elected after 2012 to stay and build influence in one chamber for up to 12 years.

The prospect of having a sympathetic lawmaker in Sacramento for more than a decade  or the idea of having to wait that long for a changing of the guard  has significantly raised the stakes in this election.

Its playing for keeps this year, said Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount).

For up-to-the-minute news on California elections, keep an eye on our Essential Politics news feed.

THE COSTS OF THE DEATH PENALTY

Will repealing the death penalty in November save California more money than speeding up executions? Jazmine Ulloa reports that researchers are at odds over the answer. Independent legislative analysts, meanwhile, have found Proposition 62, which would end the death penalty in California, could save taxpayers millions of dollars, while concluding that the fiscal impact of Proposition 66s attempt to expedite death sentences is unknown.

NEWS ON THE PROPOSITIONS

Activist billionaires Sean Parker and George Soros and companies hoping to profit from legalizing marijuana in California have helped this years campaign for Proposition 64 raise close to $16 million, about four times the amount spent on a failed effort in 2010. With a week left before voters go to the polls, the campaign to legalize recreational marijuana use is leading in surveys and has a massive fundraising lead over the opposition, which has brought in a little more than $1.6 million, Patrick McGreevy reports.

Dont miss The Times ballot box guide to Californias 17 propositions.

You can also check out video of debates on each of the ballot measures from SeePoliticals BallotCon event over the weekend.

Prop 51: School Bonds | Prop 52: State Fees on Hospitals | Prop 53: Revenue Bonds | Prop 54: Legislation and Proceedings | Prop 55: Tax Extension | Prop 56: Tobacco Tax | Prop 57: Criminal Sentences | Prop 59: Citizens United Advisory | Prop 60: Condoms in Adult Films | Prop 61: Rx Drug Pricing | Props 62/66: Death Penalty Repeal: Death Penalty Reform | Prop 63: Firearms and Ammunition | Prop 64: Marijuana Legalization | Props 65/67: Carry Out Bags: Plastic Bag Ban Referendum

TODAYS ESSENTIALS

 Rep. Darrell Issa and his Democratic rival Doug Applegate are back to bashing each other on the airwaves.

 More than 3 million Californians have already cast ballots, which is a bigger ballot bonanza than four years ago. But theres a catch: There are also more voters in the state than 2012, which means turnout could be sagging.

 The family of a slain Palm Springs police officer spoke out in favor of the ballot measure to speed up the death penalty.

 Yesterday was the final day to request a vote-by-mail ballot, but weve got the details on voting early this weekend.

 As we reported recently, ballot selfies will still be illegal in California when voters go to the polls next Tuesday. A new law repealing the states ban on sharing photos of marked ballots doesnt take effect until Jan. 1. But the ACLU of California is suing state officials, hoping to get a judge to give voters in the Golden State the go-ahead to share ballot selfies, after all.

 Bryan Cranston sees Canada in his future if Trump becomes president.

 Trump says if elected he would call Congress into a special session on Obamacare.

 Matt Pearce details what has to be one of the most unusual lawsuits Trump was ever involved with: One of his businesses was accused of being sexist. Against men. For promoting breast cancer awareness.

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.
Activist billionaires Sean Parker and George Soros and companies hoping to profit from legalizing marijuana in California have helped this years campaign for Proposition 64 raise close to $16 million, about four times the amount spent on a failed effort in 2010.

With a week left before voters go to the polls, the campaign to legalize recreational marijuana use is leading in surveys and has a massive fundraising lead over the opposition, which has brought in a little more than $1.6 million.

Observers say the outpouring of cash for the initiative is, in part, due to recognition by the national movement against marijuana prohibition that this may be the best chance in years to pass legalization in California, which could spark similar changes in other states.

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One reason: The presidential election may draw more younger, liberal voters. In addition, legalization proponents who have differed on approach in the past have come together this year to support Proposition 64.

We have broad support from a generous coalition of donors who care deeply about social justice because they know you cant end the failed war on marijuana in America without ending it in California first, said Jason Kinney, a spokesman for the Proposition 64 campaign.

But money is also flowing to the campaign because legalization in California would generate large profits for the industry, according to Jack Pitney, a professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College.

Legal marijuana is no longer a pipe dream: Its an investment, Pitney said. Public opinion has shifted strongly in favor of legalization, and the smart money is following the people.

Proposition 64 would allow Californians who are 21 and older to possess, transport and use up to an ounce of cannabis for recreational purposes and allow individuals to grow as many as six plants.

The measure would also impose a 15% tax on retail sales of the drug. Similar legalization measures are on ballots this year in Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada and Arizona.

A web of eight campaign committees, including New Approach PAC and Californians for Responsible Marijuana Reform, has emerged to support Proposition 64, with millions of dollars from out of state moving from one account to another in a way that makes it difficult for voters to track who is bankrolling the effort.

The biggest individual donor, by far, is former Facebook presidentParker, who has contributed $8.5 million to the cause through various committees. Parker has declined interview requests, but Kinney said the tech entrepreneur sees the initiative as a social justice issue and California as a key state in which to end criminalization.

Its never been about him  its about the thousands of lives ruined and the billions of dollars wasted by the failed war on drugs, Kinney said.

Parker has no current nor future interest in the commercial marijuana industry, the spokesman added.

Another $4 million has been contributed by a nonprofit called the Fund for Policy Reform to a group called Drug Policy Action in support of Proposition 64.

When asked where the money originated, Drug Policy Action confirmed that it came from Soros, the New York hedge fund billionaire. Representatives declined a request for comment from Soros.

Our marijuana laws are clearly doing more harm than good, Soros wrote in an op-ed for the Wall Street JournaI in 2010, the last time California considered legalization.

Others opposed to criminalization of marijuana possession and who have contributed to Proposition 64 include Henry van Ameringen, a New York-based heir to fragrance company International Flavors & Fragrance, and Daniel Lewis, a retiree tied to the Progressive insurance company. Each donated $1.25 million to Proposition 64.

Lewis and van Ameringen contributed through a committee called New Approach PAC, which is also active in other states, and have no other investments in the marijuana industry, according to Graham Boyd, head of the political action committee.

These are philanthropists who have been involved in social justice work for years, Boyd said. They come from a place of really believing that regulating and controlling and taxing marijuana is a better policy than arresting and incarcerating people.

The initiative campaign is also getting large amounts of money from companies that may profit from legalization.

They include:

 $1 million from a committee funded by Weedmaps, a website that helps marijuana users find cannabis storefronts, doctors and deals.

 $250,000 from Nicholas Pritzker, who is chairman of Tao Capital Partners, a major investor in MJ Freeway, a firm providing software to help the legal marijuana industry track and report on its product. He is also former CEO of the Hyatt hotels firm.

 $50,000 from Privateer Holdings, a Seattle company that invests in marijuana products and services, including the official Bob Marley brand of cannabis, and Leafly, which provides news articles on the cannabis industry and information on strains and products.

Updates from Sacramento 

Those donors appear to be investing contributions now in hopes of cashing in on a new industry later, said Andrew Acosta, a spokesman for the campaign against Proposition 64.

Much of the money coming into Prop. 64 is not about social justice, Acosta said. It is a business investment for the industry to crack into the California market.

Kinney, the spokesman for the initiative campaign, disputed the opposition.

As the opposition well knows, the vast majority of our funding comes from organizations and individuals who care deeply about social justice and ending the failed war on marijuana and have zero interest whatsoever in the marijuana industry, Kinney said.

Californias measure has such strong support and is so flush with cash that the campaign here recently transferred $35,000 to the effort to legalize pot in Nevada.

The opposition has largely been funded by a Virginia group called Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action Inc., an anti-legalization group founded by former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy and others.

The group has collected $1.3 million so far from Pennsylvania activist Juliet F. Schauer, a retired art professor, to fight drug legalization measures in various states and has spent $971,730 in California so far.

Schauer, whose family made money in the banking industry, declined to be interviewed, but a representative said she is concerned about the effects of strong marijuana and the industrys resistance to cap its potency in Colorado.

She certainly is concerned with the harm of marijuana, said Kevin A. Sabet, president of SAM.

Schauer has said on social media that she believes marijuana is linked to paranoia, psychosis and violence. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says studies have linked marijuana use to increased risk for psychiatric disorders, including psychosis (schizophrenia), depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, but whether and to what extent it actually causes these conditions is not always easy to determine.

Law enforcement groups concerned about the spread of drug use and drugged driving have made up most of the rest of the money for the opposition campaign.

Those giving $25,000 each include the California Assn. of Highway Patrolmen and the Peace Officers Research Assn. of California, while the California Police Chiefs Assn. has contributed $20,000.

Even so, Pitney said it is not surprising the opposition campaign is not getting more financial help from those who oppose marijuana legalization.

They read the polls, too, he said.

patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com

Follow @mcgreevy99 on Twitter

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.2



By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:



The interconnecting gas corridor between Macedonia and Greece will use the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) for supply of natural gas from Azerbaijan, CEO of Macedonian Energy Resources Skopje company Krste Miladinov told Trend.

A request was submitted by MER JSC Skopje regarding the connection of Macedonia to TAP, he said.



TAP project envisages transportation of gas from the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas and condensate field to the EU countries.



The 870-kilometer pipeline will be connected to the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, run through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Italy's south.



On Oct.14, Macedonian Energy Resources (MER) and DESFA, the natural gas transmission system operator in Greece, signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of a 160-kilometer-long gas interconnecting pipeline.



"he signing of the memorandum of understanding is primarily in line with the realization of the project for construction of interconnection for transmission of natural gas that should connect the national gas pipeline systems of Macedonia and Greece," said Miladinov.



The construction of this gas interconnection will enable supply of additional quantities of natural gas, as well as possibility of using natural gas from many sources and global projects, for example natural gas from Russia and Azerbaijan, then the possibility for direct connection to the existing LNG Terminal Revithoussa in Greece and other sources that will be available through Greece, he added.



Miladinov pointed out that this project is very significant for the EUs energy security, as it will enable transmission of additional quantities of natural gas which will be intended for the EU countries.



As for the projects implementation process, he said that MER JSC Skopje and DESFA S.A. are in stage of preparation of the study for realization of the project.



"After the completion of the study, the realization of construction shall start. The realization is planned to begin in 2017 and finish in 2020 at the latest," he said.



By connecting MER JSC Skopje and DESFA S.A., Macedonia will be able to use all natural gas sources that are available for Greece, thus providing greater security of the country in supply of this energy fuel and of course transit of additional quantities in the EU countries, added Miladinov.
New short-term rental lodging options remain on hold in Laguna Beach, even though the moratorium on new permits for such housing ended Oct. 1.

About eight property owners have applied to rent out their units for 30 consecutive days or less  a period Laguna defines at short term  but cannot because city officials are waiting on California Coastal Commission staff to weigh in on the citys amended short-term lodging ordinance, Community Development Director Greg Pfost said.

The revised ordinance, passed in August, banned any additional short-term lodging in Lagunas residential areas in an effort to both limit and increase the lodging type to commercial areas. The decision came after more than a year of heated debate on an issue affecting vacation-destination communities nationwide, where rooms or entire units are listed online on platforms like Airbnb.

Pfost sent a letter to the commission last month arguing that the ordinance would not reduce the number of low-cost overnight accommodations or impede peoples access to the coast  two key tenets of the state Coastal Act.

Pfost said he hopes Coastal Commission staff agrees and considers Lagunas changes de minimis, meaning that they have no impact, individually or cumulatively, on coastal resources.

A commission spokeswoman said the agency received Pfosts letter, but no decision has been made.

Under the Coastal Act, if commission staff determines a project  or, in Lagunas case, an ordinance change  is de minimis, the opinion would be noted on the agenda of a future commission meeting, said Teresa Henry, the commissions South Coast district manager.

If a member of the public or three or more commissioners object to the de minimus opinion, commission staff would schedule the matter for future consideration at a public hearing, Henry added.

Laguna first enacted its moratorium on new short-term lodging permits in May 2015 to allow staff time to research and gather input on a possible ordinance change. It came after residents claimed renters held loud parties, littered sidewalks and yards, and used up coveted parking spaces.

Proponents objected to the notion that all renters are obnoxious and claimed they offer a different kind of experience for visitors other than a hotel.

Of the 36 currently approved permits, 10 are located in commercial zones, according to Pfosts letter. Under the amended ordinance, those property owners, even if they lived in residential areas, could keep their permits.

About 2,816 units  located within 789 properties  in commercial zones could house short-term lodging under the proposed rules, the letter says.

Pfost also claimed short-term lodging is not necessarily a more affordable option than staying in a hotel.

The average nightly rate of 1,305 hotel/motel units in Laguna from Sundays through Thursdays is $292, while the rate from Fridays through Saturdays is $350, he wrote.

The average nightly rate, across all seasons, for Lagunas 36 approved short-term lodging permit holders was $403, according to data city staff gathered in September from each units online hosting platform.

Visit Laguna Beach, a nonprofit that markets Laguna Beach and operates the citys visitor center, supplied hotel data to Pfost. The data included hotel room rates from August 2015 through July 2016.

In Newport Beach, where short-term rentals have long been part of the tourism industry, city staff proposed this year to make the rentals regulations more stringent by limiting how many adult guests can stay in a home and requiring adequate parking, among other measures.

The proposals, however, did not gain traction with City Council members during a study session in September.

Nevertheless, Newport officials said they plan to continue their efforts to negotiate with online rental platforms so the properties comply with existing city regulations.

Daily Pilot staff writer Hannah Fry contributed to this report.

bryce.alderton@latimes.com

Twitter: @AldertonBryce
Gay conservative speaker Milo Yiannopoulos returned to UC Irvine on Sunday, minus the picketing and shouting that accompanied his visit to the campus in June.

The College Republicans at UCI invited Yiannopoulos, an editor for right-leaning website Breitbart.com, for a second time for a rally supporting GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Before Sunday, some UCI students had posted an online petition, which as of Friday had more than 1,000 signatures, urging Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Thomas Parham to keep Yiannopoulos off the campus.

The rally at the universitys Crystal Cove Auditorium didnt attract protesters, but the UCI Police Department and student affairs staff were present before, during and shortly after the event, according to university officials.

Yiannopoulos first visit to UCI in June drew a crowd of more than 500 hoping to hear his critiques on topics such as feminism, which he called cancerous, and white privilege, which he believes doesnt exist. About 40 students demonstrated outside the lecture hall against his presence, leading to shouting matches with some of Yiannopoulos supporters.

alexandra.chan@latimes.com

Twitter: @AlexandraChan10
Allegations of misconduct against the Episcopal bishop of Los Angeles stemming from his attempt to sell the St. James the Great Episcopal Church property in Newport Beach are expected to be considered during a disciplinary hearing in March.

On Oct. 26, a five-member national Episcopal Church panel in Chicago made up of a priest, three bishops and a layperson denied Bishop J. Jon Brunos motion to dismiss the allegations by the St. James congregation, which include entering a sale agreement without proper authorization, making false statements to the St. James congregation and Newport Beach city officials regarding his intentions for the property and locking out the congregation from the church at 3209 Via Lido.

The Episcopal Church panel will conduct the March hearing.

Robert Williams, a spokesman for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, said he is not authorized to comment since both civil litigation and canonical proceedings continue in these matters.

Tensions between Bruno and the St. James congregation began in May 2015 when Bruno announced during a Sunday service that the church was being sold for about $15 million to developer Legacy Partners, which planned to build luxury townhomes on the site. Less than a month later, parishioners held their final service in the church, and days after that, Bruno had the locks changed and wouldnt allow the congregation back inside, churchgoers said.

In response, St. James parishioners filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the sale. However, Orange County Superior Court Judge David McEachen ruled in 2015 that the church did not have a legal right to file a claim seeking to stop the sale since the parishioners group is not listed on the deed. The congregation is appealing the decision.

The sale of the property was terminated about a month later, but parishioners have said Bruno remains unwilling to allow them to use the church. Churchgoers have held Sunday services at a local park, an art museum and the Newport Beach Civic Center.

Its better than where weve been, but its not the church, parishioner Walter Stahr said of the Civic Center. There are no pews, prayer books or stained-glass windows. Theres a reason people build churches.

The panel last week also denied a motion to allow the congregation back in the church building, saying it should wait to consider that until the disciplinary issues against Bruno have been resolved.

Stahr said its difficult for the parishioners, especially those with long ties to the church, to pass by the property and not be able to walk inside.

I feel for the people on Lido, he said. They see the church every day, and I know its emotional. I get emotional every time I go by the locked church.

The church remains tangled in a legal battle between Bruno and Griffith Co., which owned the property before it was transferred to the Episcopal Diocese in 1945.

Shortly after Bruno announced his plan to sell the church, the Griffith Co. sent him a letter asserting that the company had never released the deed restriction requiring that the property be used exclusively for church purposes. In response, Bruno sued Griffith for clear title and for interfering with the sale.

In May this year, Orange County Superior Court Judge David Chaffee ruled in favor of Bruno and the diocese. Griffith Co. has filed an appeal.

Still, Stahr said the congregation remains optimistic that it will one day be able to return to the church.

Last weeks hearing was not quite everything we wanted, he said. But there are definitely some things to celebrate.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN
What? KP duty in the military pays off? Some of the best chefs in the U.S. armed services will show off their talents at a stove-top smackdown in Las Vegas this month.

The Military Culinary Competition will be held Nov. 12 (over Veterans Day weekend) at the Tropicana Las Vegas and feature 50 serving members of the military plus a celebrity chef.

TV personality and fitness guru Robert Irvine will host the cook-off. Irvine began honing his culinary skills during a 10-year stint in Britains Royal Navy (he enlisted at age 15).

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The cooking challenge kicks off at 7 a.m. in the resorts Trinidad Pavilion and continues until 4:30 p.m. Working in teams of four, military cooks will prepare a variety of dishes.

Admission is free for folks who want to see cooks stationed at home and abroad shatter stereotypes about military chow.

Fans of Irvine can attend a free meet-and-greet from 1 to 3 p.m. Hell be signing copies of his newest book, Fit Fuel: A Chefs Guide to Eating Well, Getting Fit, and Living Your Best Life.

Irvine recently joined the Tropicana team and plans to open Chef Irvine Restaurant next year. In a stunt to announce the partnership, Irvine rappelled 220 feet down the hotels tower last May.

The contest is organized by the Military Hospitality Alliance, a charity that supports military food service personnel and helps them find employment in civilian life.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 1

By Elena Kosolapova  Trend:

A need will emerge to transport oil from Kazakhstans Kashagan field through Azerbaijan when Phase 2 of the fields development starts, the press service of the Kazakh Energy Ministry told Trend.

Production at the Kashagan field started in October 2016. Several years will be needed for it to enter the second phase of development, although the exact period is not yet known. To date, the second phase of the fields development is at the stage of the initial designing.

The ministry reminded that creation of the Kazakhstan Caspian Transportation System (KCTS) is expected in the future for the export of increasing volumes of Kazakh oil, mainly from the Kashagan field.

The KCTS will consist of Yeskene-Kuryk oil pipeline in Kazakhstan and Trans-Caspian Oil Transport System, including an oil terminal on the Kazakh coast of the Caspian Sea, tankers and other vessels, an oil terminal on the Azerbaijani coast of the Caspian Sea and facilities connecting it to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.

Further, oil will be transported to international markets through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and/or other oil transportation systems located in the territory of Azerbaijan and other transit countries.

Currently, Kashagan oil is exported via pipelines of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium and the Kazakh national company KazTransOil.

The Energy Ministry noted that the capacity and stages of development of the KCTS will be determined based on the volume of oil production at the Kashagan field (phases 2 and 3).

It is planned to implement the project of the Trans-Caspian Oil Transport System, which is a part of the KCTS, on a parity basis (50/50) with Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR in accordance with the terms of the previously signed contracts, the ministry said.

Previously, Azerbaijans Energy Minister Natig Aliyev said Kazakhstan will be able to daily export 150,000 barrels of Kashagan oil through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.

Kashagan is a large oil and gas field in Kazakhstan, located in the north of the Caspian Sea. Its total oil reserves amount to 38 billion barrels. Some 10 billion out of them are recoverable reserves.

Kashagans natural gas reserve exceeds one trillion cubic meters.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova
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Brazil's state-owned energy company take high-yield issues to a five-year high in the first nine months of the year, Moody's says
Argentine Finance Minister Alfonso Prat-Gray announced the results from the first phase of Argentina's tax amnesty program as both countries hope their plans will narrow government budget deficits and stimulate investment
Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, the ex-pair reunite on the stage for presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. In front of more than 8,000 people the pair has performed their numbers. Both are said to be the admirer of Hillary and supporting her in the US presidential election. JLo and Marc have participated in the Miami in a free concert. Clinton also joined them on the stage. The couple also urged people to vote while fans seem happy to see Jennifer and Marc reunion. The beautiful ex-pair was looked comfortable with each other in the concert.

The lovely ex-pair was secretly married on June 5, 2004 at her home in Beverly Hills, California. Previously, Jennifer had two marriages and several relationships. She also had engaged with Ben Affleck in October 2002 reports, About Relationships.

After the break-up, both have performed at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. In 2014, Anthony has married to Venezuelan model, Shannon de Lima. While Jlo was in relationship with the choreographer Casper Smart but later break-up.

As US presidential election is coming closer, Hollywood celebrities are also showing their support for their favorite candidate. According to ET, few days before Katy Perry also showed her support to Hillary by singing in a rally organised by Hillary Clinton.

The pair split in 2011 and has 8-year-old twins Maximilian and Emme. Earlier the news came out that Anthony's Magnus Media and Sony Music Latin have signed a deal with Lopez for the new Spanish-language record. The album might come in November. Lopez's last Spanish album was released in 2007.

Jennifer Lopez admits in an interview that divorcing Marc Antony was her biggest disappointment in life but it was the right thing to do too.

The ex-couple reunite was a sheer delight for the fans.
The largest marine reserve in the world has been created through an agreement sealed by 24 nations and the European Union (EU). The Ross Sea, a deep Antarctic Bay 3,500 kilometers south of New Zealand spanning 1.55 million square kilometers, has been designated as off-limits from commercial fishing and mineral exploitation.

Nature reported that the international deal is set to take effect on December 2017. It's the first time in history that countries are united for this kind of objective.

The meeting was held in Hobart, Australia and was signed by members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). Russia and Ukraine have been noted for blocking the agreement since its proposal.

Now, both countries have given way and joined the agreement. This indicates a positive development in international relations as Peter Jones, a specialist on marine environmental governance at University College London, said, "Russian support of any agreement is a very positive signal in the current political situation."

Scientists are expecting intensified international marine protection efforts around the globe. Daniel Pauly, a marine biologist at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, said, "The designated reserve is a "first dent into the notion that we can't do anything to protect the high seas."

The increasing number of fishing activities in the Ross Sea resulted in the decline of some marine species such as Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) and Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), a shrimp-like crustacean that's one of the largest protein sources on Earth and a key creature in the marine food chain off Antarctica.

Russia, which operates a large fishing fleet in the region, will be included in the agreements' compromises. The reserve will be closed to all commercial marine activities. Only a limited area will be assigned for controlled fishing known as research fishing, and a special research zone for limited fishing for toothfish and krill.

In connection to this, the Kremlin expressed a statement in favor of the agreement. In politically turbulent times, Russia is "pleased to be part of this collaborative international effort", Sergei Ivanov, special representative on ecology to Russian President Vladimir Putin, told the BBC.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

By Anakhanum Hidayatova  Trend:

The next OPEC meeting is facing a number of same challenges as from the last meeting, namely disagreement on the path forward, Theodore Karasik, senior advisor at Gulf State Analytics, Washington DC, told Trend Nov. 2.

Politics, of course, are increasingly playing a critical factor given that oil is fluctuating near $50 a barrel amid uncertainty over whether OPEC can implement meaningful supply cuts for the first time in eight years, said Karasik.

The expert noted that OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo warned of the consequences if producers dont follow through on an agreement to reduce output further as was reached temporarily in last week's Geneva.

The price recovery has already taken far too long and suppliers cant risk delaying action any longer, he added.

Complicating matters is Iraq's position on any OPEC agreement given the country's ongoing domestic turmoil in both fighting the Islamic State but also sharp accusations flying back and forth within the Iraqi government, said Karasik.

He went on to add that Venezuela, which is facing a dramatic domestic revolt that could lead to a number of possibilities including a civil war, must be taken into account.

Thus, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro traveled to Azerbaijan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, for help in the current OPEC crisis, said the expert.

He thinks that positions of Russia and OPEC contradict each other.

Moscow is arguing that its willing to freeze production, rather than cut, but only if there is an OPEC agreement first, noted Karasik.

The expert believes that the meeting wont bring significant results, but disagreements between the parties will remain.

In September, OPEC producers agreed during the informal meeting in Algiers to cut down the oil output to 32.5 million barrels per day (bpd) from current production of 33.24 million bpd.



How much each country will produce is to be decided at the next formal meeting of OPEC on Nov. 30 in Vienna.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Anahanum
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

The Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) project is running in very professional manner, European Commission Vice President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic told New Europe newspaper during a press conference at TATRA Summit in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Sefcovic said that the competition is very tough, but he is confident that Caspian gas would reach Europe before 2020 via the Southern Gas Corridor.

An enormous investment was made. The project is running in very professional manner and, of course, the business scale is clearly there and is based on the timely conclusion of the construction of the Southern Gas Corridor and there are already agreements of purchase signed. So I believe that before 2020 we will have the Caspian gas in the European Union, Sefcovic said.

The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority energy projects for the EU. It envisages the transportation of 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas from the Caspian region to the European countries through Georgia and Turkey.

At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor project. Other sources can also join this project at a later stage.

As part of the Stage 2 of the Shah Deniz development, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of TANAP and TAP.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

By Maksim Tsurkov  Trend:

Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR exported 715.9 million cubic meters of gas to Georgia in January-September 2016, said Rahman Gurbanov, SOCAR vice president for oil and gas transportation and gas facilities, in his interview published by Natural Gas World Nov. 2.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan swapped 167.3 million cubic meters of gas with Iran during the period, he noted.

Iran takes 15 percent of the received Azerbaijani gas as swap fee and delivers the remaining volume to Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with which it shares a border, added Gurbanov.

SOCAR exported 1.363 billion cubic meters of gas to Georgia in 2015.

SOCAR annually provides Georgia with about 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas produced at Azerbaijani fields using its own funds without participation of foreign companies.

Georgia also additionally receives about 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year produced at Azerbaijans Shah Deniz field with participation of SOCAR and foreign companies.

Deliveries to Iran are carried out in order to send gas to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR), located in the blockade because of the occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia.

About 287 million cubic meters of gas was delivered from Azerbaijan to Iran in 2015 for the needs of NAR.

Azerbaijan and Iran are connected with the Gazi-Magomed-Astara-Bind-Biand gas pipeline.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

Trend:

The representatives of Azercell Telecom have held a number of meetings with students from higher institutions in the country in the framework of Student Bursary Program which was established in 2008. They visited Azerbaijan State Agrarian University, Ganja State University, Azerbaijan Technologies University, Mingachevir Polytechnical University, Baku Higher Oil Academy, Azerbaijan Technical University, Baku branch of Moscow State University in October and provided detailed information about the program.

The students were informed that young fellows who want to become professionals in their field of specialty and lay steady foundation for future career may apply for Bursary Program 2016-2017 starting from September 30. Bursary Program is aimed to encourage the successful students and young talents with outstanding academic achievements, and support the professional growth of the students with high potential in their field of specialization.

The talented youth qualified for the program will be offered a monthly stipend throughout the remaining period of their university studies. Furthermore, they will gain an opportunity for career growth. Thus, they will have a chance to enrich their knowledge about telecommunications, participate in Azercells corporate events and social activities, receive various trainings, as well as take internship at Azercell.

Since its initiation in 2008, over 120 students from various universities in Azerbaijan have been honored the title of Azercell Scholar. Apart from getting a monthly stipend from Azercell, they have also gained unique experience for their future careers with the support of the company employees. As a result, Azercell Telecom improves its activities in terms of social responsibility and provides more benefits for the society.

The leader of the mobile communication industry of Azerbaijan and the biggest investor in the non-oil sector Azercell Telecom LLCwas 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.
A court in the southern Kazakhstans city of Almaty sentenced to death Ruslan Kulekbayev, who was accused of killing 10 people including eight police officers, Sputnik news agency reported.

"[The court] imposes a death penalty on Ruslan Kulekbayev," a judge said.

On July 18, an armed man, later identified as Ruslan Kulekbayev, attacked police officers in Almaty killing nine people. Another woman was killed by Kulekbayev at night before the attack. At the court Kulekbayev admitted his guilt and said that he did not repent of the committed attack. He said that the victims were on the "wrong path" and that he retaliated for oppression of the Muslim Brotherhood. The attack was qualified as an act of terrorism.

Although Kazakhstan has had a moratorium on the death penalty since 2003, the constitution still allows it to be used in exceptional circumstances, including over terror attacks.
Dieruff high school building

Dieruff High School in Allentown.

( )

Two Allentown teens have been charged as adults, accused of bringing guns to a group attack outside Dieruff High School and pistol-whipping the victims.

Javien Sabater, 15, and Exzavier Scales, 17, were charged Wednesday with aggravated assault, conspiracy, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, riot and possession of a firearm by a minor, the Lehigh County District Attorney's office said in a news release.

Scales was also charged with being a person not to possess a firearm. Each teen was jailed in lieu of $150,000 bail.

Authorities previously said a female Dieruff student was being mistreated during lunch on Oct. 25, and two 16-year-old boys stood up for her. That led to a confrontation, and the two sides planned to meet after school to fight, according to police.

The two 16-year-olds were met by a group of 50 students at North Kearney and East Washington streets, and the victims were assaulted by a least 20 students in the crowd, police said.

One victim reported being punched in the head and body by the mob, pistol-whipped with a gun, and kicked in the head and face after falling to the ground, according to police. This victim had a front tooth knocked out and lost consciousness during the assault, and was taken to St. Luke's Hospital in Fountain Hill by ambulance for treatment, police said.

The second victim said he was also pistol-whipped on the neck, and his next memory was waking up at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township, according to investigators.

Police said seven students were arrested soon after the assaults, after being stopped in the 800 block of East Dent Street.

Sabater had a Mossberg .22 caliber handgun in his pants, and a Lorcin .380-caliber handgun with seven rounds of ammunition was discovered in Scales's backpack, prosecutors said.

There have been 12 arrests so far in the case -- nine juveniles and three adults. Cases for the seven other juveniles are being handled in juvenile court.

Three adults have also been charged in the attacks, and are awaiting their preliminary hearings:

Joushten Rodriguez, of the 700 block of West Emaus Avenue in Allentown

Isaiah Alarcon, of the 1700 block of Cambridge Street in Allentown

Brian Pearsall, of the 500 block of Sixth Street in Whitehall Township

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Bethlehem City Council backed a 10 percent sewer rate hike proposed as a way to help balance the 2017 city budget.

Bethlehem is considering raising its sewer rates by 10 percent. (Lehighvalleylive.com file photo)

Council also endorsed a plan to consolidate the parks and public works departments, a move that is expected to save $300,000 next year.

Mayor Bob Donchez is expected to release his $75 million budget Friday, Nov. 11.

The budget preparation comes as the city faces the loss of a multi-million-dollar host fee paid by Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. Lawmakers have struggled to restore the fee, after it was struck down by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. City Business Administrator has said the fee comprises about 12 percent of its $73 million 2016 budget, or the equivalent of 100 police officers.

Council on Tuesday backed the sewer rate hike and department consolidation in separates votes on first reading.

The proposed 10 percent sewer rate hike would mean an increase of about $36 a year for the average residential customer. That household would pay a total of $396 annually if the rate increase is approved.

It would affect all customers in the city and in Hanover Township, Northampton County.

The city last raised sewer rates an extra $33 annually in 2014.

Bulk sewer rates for contributing municipalities will rise as well, but they are subject to inter-municipal agreements. Contributing municipalities make additional payments to offset the city's debt service costs.

The city treats wastewater for users in parts of Allentown, Freemansburg, Fountain Hill and Hellertown and Bethlehem, Lower Nazareth, Lower Saucon, Salisbury and both Hanover townships.

The increase is needed to avoid a projected deficit in 2018 that would force the city to start borrowing money for all of its sewer upgrades and increase its debt load. Any budget surplus is reinvested back into the system.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A Bethlehem teen is facing child corruption charges after allegedly driving four juveniles who skipped school to a vacant shed to smoke marijuana.

Willie Junior Moya, 18, of the 1200 block of East Sixth Street, at 2:43 p.m. Tuesday was found with the four juvenile males at a vacant property in the 2800 block of Fairview Street, Bethlehem Township. The juveniles were aged 15, 16, 16 and 17, according to police.

The property housing the shed is bank-owned, enclosed by a fence and has several signs stating "no trespassing." Police said responding officers immediately smelled the odor of marijuana.

Officers seized a small amount of marijuana, a grinder and cigars from the shed. Some of the juveniles told investigators -- with their parents present -- Moya picked them up in his vehicle so they could skip the last class of the school day.

Moya then allegedly drove the teens to buy marijuana and some of the teens admitted to smoking the marijuana they bought inside the shed, according to police.

Moya is charged with corruption of minors (four counts), possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and defiant trespass. He was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge Alicia Zito, who set bail at $5,000 unsecured.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Labor relations in America's steel industry hit a boiling point in 1941, resulting in violent labor clashes across the nation.

It was felt locally in Bethlehem on March 25, 1941, when Steel Workers' Organizing Committee -- the precursor to the United Steelworkers of America -- protested the start of the officer elections for the Bethlehem Steel Corp. plant's local union, according to The Morning Call's "Forging America: The Story of Bethlehem Steel."

By midnight, 2,000 workers had walked out and things turned violent the following day.

More than 50 cars were overturned and many people were hurt, including three Bethlehem police officers, according to the book. Gov. Arthur H. James declared an emergency, shut down the bars and liquor stores and sent in 125 state troopers to restore the peace.

The strike lasts for four days. A settlement was reached that held off on voting in new officers to the company union until a federal case was resolved, according to Forging America.

The victory parade past the company's Steel General Office building headquarters on East Third Street drew 4,000 marchers. By fall, workers choose SWOC as their union.

The strike had been brewing for years. Bethlehem Steel had long refused to recognize any outside union other than its Employees Representation Plan, whose members could not negotiate wages or strike.

SWOC got a major victory in March 2, 1937, when U.S. Steel, the world's biggest steel company, signed a contract. But Bethlehem and a group of other companies, known as the Little Steel, stuck to their company unions.

Steel President Eugene Grace gave Bethlehem Steel workers the same pay but refused to recognize the new union. He chose to arm the company's police with tear gas, machine guns, shotguns and other weapons and hired people to spy on union organizers, according to Forging America.

In May of 1937, SWOC went on strike at plants across the country. Eventually, 10 demonstrators were killed as they tried to march towards the Republic mill in Chicago. The strike spread to Bethlehem's Johnstown plant and 8,000 workers walked out. But Grace managed to quash the strike.

In August of 1937, SWOC filed a complaint with the newly created National Labor Relations Board saying that Bethlehem Steel intimidates workers who want to join or help the new union

Two years later, the labor board finally backs SWOC and orders Bethlehem Steel to break up its company union.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
In this election cycle, rife with lawsuits and claims of a "rigged" system, state and federal authorities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey want voters to know where to turn for help on Election Day.

Not that Pennsylvania's top election official, Secretary of State Pedro Cortes, anticipates any problems on the scale of a coordinated effort to affect the outcome Tuesday.

"The counties work very hard. I have great confidence in the county election officials," Cortes said last week on television's "Pennsylvania Newsmakers," hosted by political analyst G. Terry Madonna. "They're professionals that know what they're doing.

"It's in everyone's best interest to have a good election, an election that is fair, that is secure, that is smooth. So I don't have concerns. The concerns that I have now have to do with the rhetoric that seems to suggest that there are massive problems with elections, which it's creating some confusion on the voters and I hope that voters aren't dissuaded from participating."

Human error, even fraud, can happen, Cortes allowed in the segment. Pennsylvania State Police revealed Tuesday they are investigating a case of possible election fraud and forgery after a Schuylkill County couple's voter registration was changed from Republican to Democrat without their knowledge, The Associated Press reports.

The lawsuits over Election Day concerns have come from both Democrats and Republicans in Pennsylvania. Claims the election is rigged have come primarily from Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for president.

The Republican Party of Pennsylvania has a suit pending in federal court, filed Oct. 21, that seeks to overturn the state's ban on poll watchers appointed under the state Election Code serving outside their home county.

"Whether a voter's candidate wins or loses, the most important thing is that the public accepts the outcome with the confident knowledge that the election was conducted fairly and according to law," the party said in a statement about the suit.

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump appear Oct. 9, 2016, during the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. (Getty Images | For lehighvalleylive.com)

Party leaders will have a "robust legal team," as Democrats are sure to as well, to address voter concerns Tuesday, said state Republican Party spokeswoman Megan Sweeney.

"Really the issue is, especially once it's Election Day, what would usually take days, you have minutes that would make the difference," she said after attending a Trump rally with running mate Mike Pence in King of Prussia, in Pennsylvania's Montgomery County.

"We'll have people, volunteers or county poll watchers," she continued. "We'll have regular citizens and voters calling our office if they see something that they think might be an issue, anything from issues at the polling booth itself to issues outside."

Also in federal court, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party last week sued for immediate relief, alleging Trump's campaign is threatening and intimidating minorities to suppress voter turnout in the battle against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and running mate Tim Kaine, pennlive.com reports.

The suit states it's "become clear in recent weeks that Trump has sought to advance his campaign's goal of 'voter suppression' by using the loudest microphone in the nation to implore his supporters to engage in unlawful intimidation at Pennsylvania polling places."

Cortes, Pennsylvania's secretary of state, issued a statement Monday outlining voter rights in Pennsylvania. Among them:

Only first-time voters or individuals voting for the first time in a new precinct must show ID. Registered first-time voters who do not bring ID to the polls can return with identification or vote using a provisional ballot.

If your name is not in the poll book, poll workers should call the county Board of Elections to see if your name was left out of the poll book inadvertently. A provisional ballot may be cast if problems persist. Visit votespa.com to find your polling place and other information.

If you have moved within Pennsylvania but did not update your address in time before the election, you may vote in your previous precinct one time as long as you update your address at the polling place.

If 50 percent or more of the voting machines at a polling place are not working, you have the right to use an emergency paper ballot.

If you are challenged on the basis of identity or residency, you may vote normally by signing a challenge affidavit and producing a witness who is also a registered voter in the precinct to vouch for you. Or cast a provisional ballot.

You also have the right to assistance at the polling place, including foreign language or literacy assistance. You may select any person to assist as long as the person is not your employer, union representative or a judge of elections.

You have the right to vote without being subjected to intimidation, harassment or discriminatory conduct. If you experience intimidation, please report it immediately to the county Board of Elections and the District Attorney's office. Or call the Department of State at 877-868-3662 (877-VOTESPA) or the U.S. Department of Justice's Voting Section at 800-253-3931.

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Zane David Memeger and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tomika N.S. Patterson will also oversee Tuesday's election. Complaints in the Eastern District may be lodged during polling hours 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. by calling 215-861-8200.

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached at 215-418-4000.

Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws may be made directly to the Civil Rights Division's Voting Section in Washington, D.C.; online at justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php; by email to voting.section@usdoj.gov; by phone at 800-253-3931 or 202-307-2767; or by fax to 202-307-3961.

Federal law prohibits such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input, according to Memeger's office.

"It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them," Memeger's office states. "For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law."

In New Jersey, polls are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman says his office will receive and respond to reports of election irregularities, voter intimidation or any other activities that would interfere with a citizen's right to vote on Election Day. His office's Election Day Hotline at 888-636-6596 will be active Monday through Wednesday, and will be staffed live on Election day in English and in Spanish.

The office of New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman will staff an Election Day Hotline at 888-636-6596 in English and in Spanish during voting hours from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016. (Courtesy images | For lehighvalleylive.com)

New Jersey voters may be asked to show identification at their polling place if they did not do so when registering with the county commissioner or if identification information cannot be verified, such as with a driver's license or the last four digits of a Social Security number.

Identification accepted statewide includes any current and valid photo ID such as a New Jersey driver's license, military or other government ID, student or work ID, store membership card or United States passport. Examples of acceptable non-photo identification are a bank statement, car registration, government check or document, non-photo New Jersey driver's license, rent receipt, sample ballot, utility bill or any other official document.

Find your polling place in New Jersey at elections.nj.gov.

The goal Tuesday is to get everyone who wants to vote into the voting booth.

"Emotions are really high in this election and it's really important that everybody goes to the polls and performs their civic duty," said Sweeney, from the Pennsylvania Republican Party.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
For at least two years, Efrain "Baby" Miranda III wrote letters to law enforcement agencies offering his "services" as a police informant, according to prosecutors.

In hundreds of letters, Miranda said he could help set up drug dealers or homicide suspects, but would need to be out of state prison in Huntingdon to do so. Miranda is currently serving a 12- to 29-year sentence handed down by Lehigh County Judge Maria Dantos in 2012 in a drug case.

Then came a letter where Miranda said a judge's life was in danger, Allentown police Detective John Brixius III testified on Wednesday.

It seemed Miranda's information was good when, on July 21, two men came to the door of Judge Robert Steinberg's Allentown home, Brixius said.

A second attempted break-in in the early morning of July 28 only confirmed prosecutors' fears.

But while the 33-year-old Miranda was claiming a judge was being targeted, he was recruiting a crew of unwitting men to break into what he claimed was a random home to get drugs, guns and money, prosecutors said.

Recorded prison phone calls, emails and letters revealed Miranda arranged the home invasion of the judge's house to bolster the accuracy of his information to prosecutors, Brixius testified.

Miranda, who previously lived in Allentown, was charged with criminal solicitation of burglary, criminal use of a communication facility and conspiracy to commit racketeering in connection with the case.

Miranda now faces trial in his case, after a district judge on Wednesday sent all the charges against him to Lehigh County Court.

Defense attorney Robert Kirwan said his client was merely a go-between for another state prison inmate, who is currently serving a 30- to 64-year-sentence for rape handed down by Judge Steinberg.

"This was not his creation," Kirwan said of the plot.

"There's not one piece of evidence to support that, that I'm aware of," Brixius responded.

Brixius testified the other inmate told investigators it would be stupid to attack a judge to get a lesser sentence. First Deputy District Attorney Steve Luksa confirmed that inmate has not been charged in the burglary case.

As prosecutors left the courtroom, a woman who had sat on the defendant's side of the courtroom whispered "disgusting" as they passed. The woman in the courtroom previously started crying when Miranda was brought into court.

Seven arrests, investigation not over

Prosecutors have arrested seven people in connection with the burglary. Miranda was one of four people in court Wednesday for hearings.

The other three men, who waived their hearings in the case are: Robert "B.O.B." Bullock, 34, an inmate at the state prison in Huntingdon; Stephen "Shyne Po" Pearson, 25, of Bethlehem; and Tyrice Harvey, 24, a Philadelphia resident who was attending college in North Carolina.

Attorneys for Bullock, Pearson and Harvey said their clients had no idea the burglary mark was a Lehigh County judge, and Brixius testified Miranda was the only defendant who knew the address belonged to Steinberg.

The three other men previously charged in the case, who are awaiting formal arraignments are: Antoine Johnson, Roy Williams Jr. and Troy Butler Jr.

An out-of-county judge has been assigned to handle the Lehigh County cases, Luksa said.

All seven defendants are being held on six-figure bails. At the time, Harvey was on bail for a Philadelphia drug charge. Attorney Paul DiMaio tried to have Harvey's bail lowered, but District Judge Wayne Maura denied the request.

Prosecutors said the investigation is ongoing, and they are looking for at least one other suspect.

Police were called by the judge the night of July 21 to his home in Allentown for a report of two men at his door.

The judge told officers the men repeatedly rang the doorbell, and the judge went to the door and asked who was there, police said. The men said they need help because they were having car trouble, and wanted to come in the house to use the phone, according to police.

When the judge said he would call the police, the men left the house and drove off, police said.

Prosecutors said they later learned the men were Harvey and Williams.

A week later, a little after midnight on July 28, the judge reported two people tried to break into the house through a rear door, but fled after activating motion lights.

A surveillance camera installed after the July 21st incident caught the men, who were wearing masks covering their faces. One of the men carried a revolver and had gloves on, while the other man did not have gloves and was carrying a roll of duct tape, police said.

The man with the tape opened a screen door and began placing tape on the glass of the interior door, before the pair spotted the camera and disabled it, police said. As they disabled the camera, security lights were triggered and the pair fled, but left the tape, police said.

Fingerprints found on the door matched Antoine Johnson and latent prints matched Williams, who was also at the house the night of July 21, police said.

In an interview with investigators, Bullock confirmed providing the information to Pearson, and that he received it from Miranda.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Two teens accused of hundreds of incidents of BB gun damage around Lehigh County are now facing trial in connection with the case.

Miguel Lista-Santos, 19, and Jose Cintron-Martinez, 18, both waived their preliminary hearings Tuesday. Each is charged with three counts of criminal mischief and three counts of conspiracy.

Police said the pair and a teen under the age of 18 shot BB guns at vehicles or homes during the spree over the month of September. The juvenile's case is being handled in juvenile court, and he is awaiting an adjudication hearing, prosecutors said.

Lista-Santos, of the 100 block of North Poplar Street in Allentown, and Cintron-Martinez, of the 400 block of North 10th Street in Allentown, have been free after posting 10 percent of $6,000 bail each.

From Sept. 1 to Sept. 22, police in Allentown and the townships of Whitehall and Salisbury took reports for more than 200 incidents where either car windows or house windows were shot out by BB/pellet guns.

Police said 175 of the incidents were in Allentown, with total damages estimated at $65,785. Whitehall had 13 reports, with $15,000 in damages, and Salisbury had 14 reports with $10,825 in damages.

While witnesses had a general description of a light-colored Honda sedan in the area around the times of the crimes, one witness in Whitehall Township was able to get a license plate number, which matched a car registered to Lista-Santos, police said.

On Sept. 23, Allentown officers stopped the vehicle in the city, and inside were Lista-Santos, Cintron-Martinez and the juvenile, police said.

Officers found one black BB gun under a front seat, as well as BBs and new and used CO2 cartridges, police said.

In interviews with police, all three reportedly admitted being involved in the BB gun-related vandalism. Officers later found BB guns at the homes of Cintron-Martinez and the juvenile, police said.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 2

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

The mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), observing Uzbekistans presidential election, has started its work, Johan Peter Traugott Theiler, head of the OSCE ODIHR mission, told reporters Nov. 2.

He said the OSCE ODIHR mission was sent to Uzbekistan at the invitation of the Central Election Commission and authorities of Uzbekistan.

The mission, said Theiler, will assess the conformity of the presidential election with OSCE commitments and other international standards and requirements for democratic elections, as well as with local legislation.

Members of the mission will observe the pre-election campaigns, activities of election commissions, state bodies and the resolution of electoral disputes.

The mission members will also hold meetings with representatives of state bodies and parties, as well as representatives of civil society, media and diplomatic corps accredited in Uzbekistan.

On the election day, the OSCE ODIHR observers will monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting process, the counting of ballots and summarizing of voting results.

A statement on preliminary results will be officially presented the next day after the election, and a final report on the observation of the entire electoral process, including recommendations will be released after two months.

Uzbek Central Election Commission said earlier that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) Executive Committee, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Association of World Election Bodies as well as representatives of parliaments, electoral bodies and experts from Europe, Americas, Asia-Pacific and the CIS have already expressed readiness to observe the presidential election in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is to hold an early presidential election Dec. 4 due to the death of Islam Karimov, who passed away after suffering a stroke at the age of 79 on Sept. 2.
A Kildare town man who began studying the art of well being after noticing an imbalance in how people view themselves, was selected to take part in the Mind, Body, Spirit and Well being Festival at Dublins RDS last weekend.

David Doran, from Inchaquire, Cookstown practises the relatively new therapy called Accunect, as he believes it helps inner healing.

I began studying Accunect because I saw an imbalance with people in how they see themselves, he said.

Accunect accesses the whole of our consciousness and allows the body to heal inner scars and fears.

It activates the bodys ability to heal at all levels, working on the basis that the mind, body and spirit are all connected.

This year's festival offered a variety of disciplines including laughter yoga, soulful yoga, yin yoga and animal flow yoga.

Dubbed Irelands longest established wellbeing festival it celebrated 21 years this year with 75 talks from top Irish and international experts in the fields of positive psychology and self-help, plus exhibits by over 150 complementary and healing practitioners.

The amazing spectrum of holistic and complementary practitioners at Mind Body Spirit makes for a truly stimulating, vibrant and potentially life-changing experience, said festival organiser Louis OSullivan.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 1

By Farhad Daneshvar  Trend:

Interest for putting investment in various sectors of Irans economy has surged since the Islamic Republic and the worlds major powers reached a historic nuclear deal last year and here are some bullet points that investors need to know about Irans job market.

A glance at Irans economy, job market:

Irans GDP growth for the current fiscal year, which started on March 21, is expected to reach 4.5 percent, however the economic growth will decrease in 2017 to 4.1 percent. The figure is expected to hit 4.3 percent in 2021.

While Irans unemployment rate during the spring (March 20-June 21) stood at 12.2 percent, about 22.6 million of Iranians above 10 years old were employed in the mentioned three-month period. The figure is 742,882 more compared to the spring of 2015.

A group of employers offer higher salaries in a bid to keep and attract skilled workers.

Meanwhile a group of job seekers and employees tend to agree with the lowest level of salaries in order to keep their jobs or find a job.

A number of workers annually leave their jobs to find better vacancies, but not all of them manage to hunt down a job.

Most of employers consider the norm salaries as a factor in offering wages.

Employees argue that the salaries must be defined according to living costs and inflation rates.

Pay gap between managers and administrative personnel:

Managers receive the highest and administrative personnel receive the lowest salaries.

In the capital city of Tehran, managers in average receive about $1,700 (55 million rials according to official rate on Nov. 1) per month.

In the same city, administrative personnel receive $300 (10 million rials), leaving a gap of $1,400 (45 million rials) between managers and administrative personnel.

The highest paid jobs:

Oil and gas engineering as well as economy graduates in average earn about $600 (20 million rials) per month, ranking the first among others.

Industrial, mechanical and electrical engineers have the second highest paid jobs receiving $470 (15 million rials).

Factors that affect the pay:

Employees with masters degrees receive 15 percent more than those with bachelors degrees.

Graduates of state universities are paid 16 percent more than the graduates of Islamic Azad University of Iran, the largest non-state university in Iran.

Graduates with English language skills earn 16 percent more than the others.

There is a gender pay gap in the country, as females are paid 23 percent less than males with similar criteria.

Reports from IMFs World Economic Outlook (WEO), Iranian Statistical Center, IranTalent, a leading Iranian job service website, contributed to this article.

----

Farhad Daneshvar is Trend Agency's staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @Farhad_Danesh
A programme dedicated to the Kildare-based Irish Injured Jockeys organisation will be aired on RTEs Nationwide tonight, Wednesday, November 2, at 7pm, and viewers will get a chance to see first-hand what the charity does and the people it helps.

The programme features interviews with injured jockeys including Irish National Stud employee Robbie McNamara and really gives people an insight into the lives of people who have been badly hurt as a result of a riding accident.

Multi-Cheltenham winning jockey Robbie McNamara turned professional in November 2014, having rode close to 150 winners as an amateur rider.

Sadly, Robbies professional career as a jockey was also short lived, as he suffered a career ending fall in April of 2015 at Wexford.

There is also action from one of the Irish Injured Jockeys fundraisers, Jog for Jockeys.

This run was held at the Curragh Racecourse back in August and shows the hundreds of people who lined out on the track to support Irish Injured Jockeys.

Other people the programme caught up with include Irish Injured Jockeys chairman, Ruby Walsh and the General Manager of the charity, Michael Higgins.

The Corinthian Challenge fundraiser has raised over 120,000 for Irish Injured Jockeys and people can still donate.

Donations to can be sent directly to Irish Injured Jockeys, Curragh House, Dublin Road, Kildare or www.irishinjuredjockeys.com.

Irish Injured Jockeys was set up in 2014 to provide financial support to jockeys and their families who have suffered a result of a racing accident.
Bank of Ireland has issued an apology to customers in the Mohill area after their on-street ATM broke down over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Mohill based County Councillor, Seadhna Logan, expressed his anger and frustration over what he described as ongoing service issues with the town's Bank of Ireland ATM.

The ATM went out of service on Saturday night leaving the town with no on-street ATM services for the remainder of the Bank Holiday Weekend.

"I don't believe this is the case. It happens too often and this needs to be addressed," he said.

In a statement received by the Leitrim Observer, a spokesperson for Bank of Ireland said they always strove to provide customers with the highest standard of service.

Once Bank of Ireland was alerted to the fact that customers were unable to withdraw cash from the ATM we responded to ensure the machine was brought back into service for customers as soon as possible. The ATM was functioning fully again by the afternoon of October 31st, but we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to customers during the time when it was not available for use, said the spokesperson.

Bank of Ireland is the only bank which has invested in the infrastructure required to provide branch and ATM services to the Mohill and surrounding communities, and continues to invest in these services.

Mohill branch has recently undergone a major renovation which included an upgrade of the ATM, additional self-service devices added within the branch, and also providing a digital kiosk for our customers to access online banking, the spokesperson said in conclusion.
Jo Holmwood from Kinlough is one of just ten writers highly commended in this years prestigious Bridport Prize short story competition for her story Porn Star Names.

Her winning piece was selected from over 4,500 entries by short story judge, the novelist Tessa Hadley who praised the winning writers saying, A good short story has a satisfying single-mindedness, it drives purposefully and economically towards its ending, you can hold it in your mind all at once.

Jo grew up in Devon in the south-west of England and has lived in Ireland since 1997. Her work has been shortlisted for the Bristol Short Story Prize, the Fish Publishing Prize and the Mslexia Womens Short Story Competition. In 2013 she published a book of short stories entitled Under the one roof as an outcome of a six-month writer-in-residence project at the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon. She also writes plays for stage and radio and has directed and produced her own work for audiences in Leitrim, Galway and Dublin.

The Bridport Prize based in Bridport, Dorset is one of the most prestigious open writing competitions in the English language with categories in poetry, short stories and flash fiction (stories of 250 words or less) and the Peggy Chapman-Andrews Award for a first novel, named in honour of the Prizes founder. Established in 1973 and with over 18,000 in prize money to be won annually, the competition attracts entries from across the globe. This year almost 13,000 writers from 80 countries competed for one of the 34 winner and highly commended awards.



The Bridport Prize is the flagship project of Bridport Arts Centre and known as a tremendous literary stepping-stone  the first step in the careers of writers such as Kate Atkinson, Tobias Hill, Carol Ann Duffy and Helen Dunmore. The competition is open to anyone as long as the submitted work is previously unpublished.

An anthology of this years winning entries including Jos short story, is available from the Bridport Prize website at www.bridportprize.org.uk

The competition for 2017 is launched on 15 November with a closing date of 31 May 2017. Entries can be made by post or online with full information on how to apply available on the website.
The US midterm elections as seen from my French window

In his first daily column on the 2022 midterms, Le Monde's former US correspondent Gilles Paris discusses America's craze for redrawing electoral districts.
Yesterday, members of the Partys delegation to next months ALDE Party Congress in Warsaw, Poland, met to discuss the draft resolutions as submitted from liberal parties across the European Union and beyond.

Naturally, there will be much discussion on the future of the European Union post-Brexit, and resolutions on the subject have been submitted not only by the Liberal Democrats, but by our sister parties in Germany, the Czech Republic and Sweden, amongst others. It is noteworthy that Liberalerna (Sweden) call for;

a balanced deal for both the EU and the UK which does not involve the introduction of unnecessary barriers to trade and mobility (my emphasis)

However, it does appear that there is an acknowledgement that, with or without the United Kingdom, the European Union needs to evolve further as an entity. The resolution proposed by VVD (Netherlands), FDP (Germany), ANO (Czech Republic) and Venstre (Denmark), calls for;

an EU that focuses on cross-border issues such as controlling migration, fighting climate change, protecting external borders, finishing the internal market, improving security and combating terrorism; in order to regain the trust of European citizens

All in all, there is a sense of sorrow rather than anger, although whether or not that will survive any post-Article 50 negotiations might be questionable.

Otherwise, there are resolutions on building a more effective Europe, looking at the sharing economy, the circular economy and calling for more innovative industrial policy and the completion of the Digital Single Market, whilst the FDP seek agreement on their call for improved transport infrastructure.

There are a series of resolutions linked to enhancing European democracy, with calls from the Partys Individual Members for a European Convention based on the will of the citizens, and for the introduction of transnational elections to the European Parliament, something that will warm the cockles of Andrew Duffs heart

Finally, amongst the other highlights are resolutions on;

European cohesion policy

Microplastics

Antibiotics in food

Youth unemployment

EU-NATO defence cooperation

Womens sexual and reproductive rights

Liberal Democrat Voice will be looking at the resolutions more closely over the coming month, and will be covering the Congress, which takes place between 1-3 December.

* Newshound: bringing you the best Lib Dem commentary in print, on air or online.
Good morning, readers, and welcome. Im your locum day editor, here to support the LDV team for a little while, especially whilst Caron is otherwise occupied. For those of you who dont know me, Im a former day editor and Readers Editor (an experiment to see if a different way of handling reader complaints and queries might work  it didnt really). But enough about me, what have we got for you today?

Well be covering the elections to the Bureau of the ALDE Party (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe), the pan-European liberal party of which the Liberal Democrats are a member (still), as well as a report on the resolutions to be discussed at its Congress next month in Warsaw. Therell be news from Richmond Park and the House of Lords, plus anything else that takes my fancy. Its also the closing date for nominations for the Partys internal committee elections, and well have a list of candidates as soon as it is made available to us. And yes, therell probably be articles from you, our readership, if any of you have submitted anything.

Yes, well publish you here, if you can write well and interestingly. We dont even have to agree with you, as long as youre not offensive, libellous and all of those other things that we like to avoid, here at LDV Towers. And so, time to get on with it, I guess

* Mark Valladares is a parish councillor in Creeting St Peter, Suffolk. That means that he isnt really part of the metropolitan elite, but he is an aspirant member of the country gentry
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

Trend:

Trade between Britain and Iran is beginning to grow and the government is working to resolve banking sector concerns which are limiting further expansion, UK trade minister Liam Fox said, Reuters reported Nov. 2.

Fox said that Anglo-Iranian relations had improved since the UK reopened its Tehran embassy last year and that the UK would work to expand bilateral trade following Brexit.

He said that while this was an opportunity to put UK-Iranian relations on a new footing, the government was also "deeply concerned" about Iran's record on human rights and about a number of British-Iranian dual nationals detained there.

Despite the removal of international banking restrictions in January, Tehran has secured links with only a limited number of smaller banks as US sanctions remain in force and large foreign institutions still fear potential fines.

"Slowly but with increasing enthusiasm, British companies are starting to do business with Iran again ... We are seeing the first signs of growing trade between the UK and Iran," Fox told a City and Financial Global conference in London.

"The banking sector's ongoing concerns about facilitating payments or providing financial services means that the benefits of sanctions relief are not yet being fully realized, resolving these problems remains a priority for this government."

Norman Lamont, UK's trade envoy to Iran and a former British finance minister, said the deadlock over progress on banking access to Iran was "profoundly unsatisfactory".

The administration of US President Barack Obama has tried to promote deeper international trade for Iran while still limiting US business engagement due to sanctions that bar US banks from doing business with Iran and prevent transactions with Iran in dollars being processed through the US financial system.

US Secretary of State John Kerry has spent months trying to encourage non-US banks and companies to boost trade, although he has acknowledged the tough process ahead.

Iran's ambassador to the UK, Hamid Baeidinejad, said the banking problems were "highly troublesome" for Iran and said the US was "disappointed" with the situation.

Fox said the government was working with the banking sector to find a solution for Iranian payments, and that UK was well-placed to help private Iranian banks modernise.

The British government is prioritising opportunities for exporters in sectors such as retail, healthcare, water, advanced manufacturing, mining, airports and aviation, Fox said, and will send a mining sector delegation to Tehran in December.
The Liberal Democrat Voice team now appear to be on the Partys press release list  it wasnt like that in my day (mind you, there were dinosaurs then). It dawns on me that, for campaigners out there, and the generally curious, it might be interesting to see what the Party is telling the world

Commenting on the Govenrments announcement that there is to be extra investment in cyber security Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary Judith Jolly said:

It is crucial that more is done to increase our cyber security in a world where attacks on computer systems are growing ever more common. But the weakening of the pound in the wake of the European Referendum result means the Government must go further and bring forward a new Strategic Defence and Security Review that considers how we properly fund our defence services with a weakened economy

A gay man has won a nine-year legal battle with the Metropolitan Police after the force admitted it failed to investigate alleged homophobic abuse. Commenting on the news Shadow Home Secretary Brian Paddick said:

The Police are not learning lessons and this tragic case is yet another example. Coming straight off the back of the Orgreave inquiry rejection, surely this shows how we cannot just say these things happened too long ago. The Met has said that they have learnt lessons but how can they say that when it has taken them nine years to admit what happened and to finally take responsibility. The Met have a duty of care and frankly they failed.

After St Georges Hospital  which serves people in the Richmond Park and North Kingston constituency  was placed in special measures, Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson said:

This is really worrying, especially the decline in safety. The Trust serves 1.3m people in South West London. Issues involving management have been identified but other problems are clearly caused by the scandalous under-funding under this Conservative government. It is particularly concerning that children and young people with mental health problems have been put in wards that have not even been safety checked.

Liberal Democrat by-election candidate for Richmond Park Sarah Olney said:

Seriously ill people in the constituency depend on St Georges. This is not criticism of the dedicated staff who work there but there are clearly problems which must be addressed for the good of people in Richmond Park and North Kingston.

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Shadow Secretary Lord Paddick has today spoken on the Governments proposals to reassess whether or not the full implementation of the Leveson Inquirys recommendations are in the public interest via a consultation.

Lord Paddick who was himself subjected to a trial by media following false accusations of criminal conduct spoke passionately in the House of Lords this afternoon on the need for an effective press regulator and an inquiry into a relationship between the police and the media.

The Government are playing into the hands of their friends in the right-wing press by preparing to consign Lord Justice Levesons recommendations to the dustbin. In Coalition, Liberal Democrats committed to implementing Leveson Parts 1 and 2 and we will push the Conservatives every step of the way to ensure that they do.ho work but there clearly are problems

Just another typical day in Liberal Democrat Press Office
A DOORADOYLE lady who provides round-the-clock support to her daughter who has a rare neurological condition has been named Mid-West Carer of the Year.

Dorothy Meaney gave up work in order to provide care to her daughter Zondra, 33, who has paralysis of her stomach, cervicocranial instability and Chiara Malformation.

And her efforts have been recognised by Family Carers Ireland in the mid-west, who named her the regional carer of the year following a nomination by her daughter.

Now, she will face 11 other carers from across the country at a Grand Final in Dublins Westin Hotel later this month, hosted by RTEs Marty Whelan and Mary Kennedy.

Dorothy revealed she did not realise her daughter had nominated her for the title.

I'm thrilled and overwhelmed. When I got the phone call, it was a huge surprise. I was over the moon. There has been loads of tears - but I'm delighted. Her nominating me was a beautiful thing. Day to day life can be tough going. For her to do this to me means so much. All I ever wanted in life is to feel appreciated, she told the Limerick Chronicle.

In her nomination, Zondra, who has a nine year old son Carrick, wrote: I dont think she ever expected to be looking after her 31-year-old daughter full-time like this, and I cant help feel bad this is how it is for her. My mam has to be a mother, friend, companion, nurse, grandmother and carer. It is a lot of roles to lead and she does them all brilliantly.

Zondra added: She has sacrificed her life for me and my son. I am so proud she has won. It really shows what carers do. They give their whole life each week.

Finait Mitchell of Family Carers Ireland, said Zondras application form really highlights what caring is all about.

She really put out there what 24/7 caring is. Caring is such a hard role. Sometimes people can become very isolated. With Zondra's application, you could see she draws strength from her mum, and they remain strong for each other. That is so important, she said.
A 23-year-old man has been killed on the N24 Limerick to Waterford at Ballykisteen.

The pedestrian was walking at the location  approximately half way between Oola and Tipperary Town  at 8pm on Tuesday evening.

He suffered serious injuries when he was struck by a car.

The young man was rushed to University Hospital Limerick where he was later pronounced dead. A post mortem is to be arranged.

No other injuries were reported and no arrests have been made.

The N24 has now re-opened at Ballykisteen after garda forensic collision investigators examined the scene.

The N24, Limerick-Waterford Rd has fully reopened following a fatal road traffic collision at Ballykisteen Co. Tipperary.  An Garda Siochana (@GardaTraffic) November 2, 2016

Gardai are investigating the fatal road traffic collision and are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information, particularly those travelling on the N24 at Ballykisteen on Tuesday between 7.45pm and 8.15pm is asked to contact Tipperary garda station on 062-80670, the Garda Confidential line on 1800-666111 or any garda station.
OVER 550 members of the Limerick garda division are still preparing for an all-out strike this Friday and say they won't be bowed by the Commissioner's bully-boy tactics  pending the outcome of a Labour Court hearing this Wednesday afternoon.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) are both expected to attend a Labour Court hearing today in what is likely to be the final chance to avert the unprecedented industrial action on Friday.

The Labour Court hearing is due to begin at 2.30pm today, following by a meeting of the GRA at approximately 7pm this evening.

In a statement yesterday, Commissioner Noirin OSullivan wrote to all garda members directing them to report for duty on Friday, directing that all leave and rest days were cancelled.

Proposals aimed at averting the strike were rejected.

As it stands, gardai will not report for duty on each of the Fridays in November (4, 11, 18 and 25th) following the rejection of pay proposals from the Department of Justice.

Frank Thornton, Roxboro road station, who represents the Limerick members on the central executive committee of the GRA, told the Limerick Leader this Wednesday morning that at present the "status quo" maintains at this point in time.

"It's a sad day that it has come to this, but who helps the helpers? Where can we go to air our grievances in relation to pay? The Government has failed [to honour] the previous agreement and when the membership rejected the Lansdowne Road Agreement, froze our incremental pay, our rights and entitlements - that just sums up how our public representatives view the foot soldiers of An Garda Siochana.

"We would be hoping it could be resolved, but it's extremely late at this stage. The Government has had plenty of opportunities to address the issues put forward by the membership, but have in no way engaged with the Association in a meaningful manner. As of now the industrial action on Friday is still going ahead.

"If anything, I think the Commissioner's direction [to resist strike action] has solidified our members. Members received phone calls late last night from district officers while at home with their families, being directed into work on Friday. These bully-boy tactics are in no way acceptable in modern day society.

"Trying to comprehend that a police force can't have a voice in airing their concerns is ludicrous in the 21st century. The Commissioner has known about the decision of the Special Delegate Conference since last September, and yesterday evening, two days away [to strike], a contingency plan was being drafted up. That says it all really," he said.

The single biggest event locally which may is likely to be under threat is the highly anticipated clash between Munster and the Maori All Blacks which is due to take place at Thomond Park on November 11.

In the event of a strike, there will be no gardai on the beat, investigations will be stalled, public services such as the processing of passport applications will cease and there will be minimal enforcement of road traffic laws.

Court sittings across the city and county are likely to be affected by any industrial action along with operations at Shannon Airport.

Limerick councillor and barrister Emmett O'Brien is among those who has expressed strong concerns about the implications of the strike in Limerick.

"No matter how much spin is put on this, and posturing from the government, we are facing a scenario where we will have effectively no gardai protecting our families, our homes, our vulnerable and our elderly, said the independent councillor.

"To add insult to injury, the silence from our local TDs is deafening. Over a month ago when it was clear that this appalling vista was going to occur I asked whether the Government actually had a contingency plan should the gardai actually go on strike. It is absolutely clear now that it had not.

"To compound matters and further alienate a police force that has served this State honourably, the Commissioner has ordered gardai to report for duty. Whether you agree or not with the gardai's demands, do we expect Government by passivity and policing by dictat? The Gardai deserve better than that and I hope a resolution will finally be found before it's too late," said Cllr O'Brien.

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald and Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe last night met the Garda Representative Association (GRA) and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI).

Both groups have rejected pay proposals put forward by the Government in recent days in an attempt to resolve the dispute. The Ministers urged them defer the planned strikes pending the Labour Court hearing.

Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan has ordered all members of the force not to take part in the planned strikes and warned protests over pay could irreparably compromise the Gardas authority to police the State.

Members of specialist units such as the armed Regional Support Unit (RSU) and probationer gardai are not being asked to take part in the industrial action while members of the Garda Reserves are likely form part of any contingency plan.
AN ARCHITECTURE lecturer in the University of Limerick has described the situation in Calais  where the Jungle has been demolished  as utterly inhumane and said its remarkable that no one died during its destruction.

Speaking to the Limerick Leader from Calais, Grainne Hassett, said that the humanitarian issues that persist near the French port town are huge, but said that the number of human rights organisations on the ground appeared to be scant.

The award-winning architect has been particularly concerned about the huge number of children left to fend for themselves on the site, who were left to sleep in a field after the Jungle was demolished by French authorities.

There has been an immense number of sexual abuse claims filed to police, but zero action, by the police, by the authorities, anyone, and that has been absolutely heart-breaking.

There is no protection of anybody here, and children have an absolute right to protection under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

It has been a spectacular failure of child protection. For the past couple of nights the minors slept out on the side of the road on their own, and have now been moved to containers.

The situation has been extremely badly handled. In terms of the protection of human rights, its just abysmal, she said.

That doctrine was adopted in Paris more than 60 years ago, and now ironically, many of the refugees who have fled war-torn countries have moved camp to the French capital, setting up mini-Jungles on Parisian streets. They too are being removed by French police.

Many [refugees] have asked us Where do I go? And we simply dont have the answer.

.#calaischildren eyes haunting, as I leave. Asking simple reasonable things. Was asked if I could make it safe. French & UK Gov can.  Grainne Hassett (@GrainneHassett) October 30, 2016

Ms Hassett, a senior lecturer at UL, designed some of the key buildings in the camp, including a women and childrens centre, a therapy and community space, a vaccination unit and a youth centre.

She was moved to help those affected in August 2015, as images of refugees making their way across the Mediterranean flooded TV screens, establishing the Calais Builds project.

She did the work in her own time, and not as an official university project. The structures were designed by two of her former students and made at Fab Lab Limerick.

It has now been proposed that Ireland should take in 200 unaccompanied minors who are stranded in Calais, and the matter is due to be discussed at Cabinet on Wednesday. The make-shift camp in Calais has been home to up to 8,000 migrants, fleeing war and poverty in countries including Syria, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan and Iraq, hoping to make the final leg of their journey across the English Channel.

About 6,000 adult migrants have now been dispersed around France, however, an estimated 1,400 children and teenagers remain in Calais and they are currently being accommodated in over 100 shipping containers.

The children have been left marooned in container ships without food or water. They are being supervised by people not really trained in child protection, but who are doing their best. It really is quite hard to believe whats happening. The NGOs were never there in a very visible way, she said.

Before the destruction of the sprawling camp, she said in spite of the poor standard of conditions it was a surprisingly wonderful and welcoming place, a place which was a triumph of human inventiveness.

In a talk in UL this Wednesday, November 2, Ms Hassett will discuss the building and breaking of many systems of social and collective organisation in the camp.

.our drawings bearing witness. A town destroyed. pic.twitter.com/aZxtYrfyyS  Grainne Hassett (@GrainneHassett) July 14, 2016

This is a story of architecture and building without budgets, without political will, without a future, and without hope, devoid entirely of the utopian hubris surrounding architecture, but for people.

It will be held in the Jean Monet lecture theatre, room DG016, main university building, from 5-6pm.
A GAA club in Limerick city is to hold a special meeting this week after a pillar of the community was the subject of a horrific attack.

The man was walking home with his family after attending a Halloween party in St Patrick's GAA club and was badly assaulted by a man wielding a timber plank.

On Sunday night, at 11.15pm, the club official was attacked by two men while he was walking home with his wife and daughter from St Patricks GAA clubhouse in Rhebogue.

It is alleged that the victim attempted to defend himself when a man jumped him, but was later grabbed from behind in a headlock by another individual. It is alleged that the first man briefly left the scene, returned with a plank and started beating him.

A local told the Limerick Leader this Tuesday: Only for a taxi driver coming down the road, to pick up somebody in the club, you could have been looking at something very, very serious.

Mayor of Limerick City and County, Cllr Kieran OHanlon, who met with the victim this week, described the incident as horrific.

He was badly shaken up by the unprovoked attack. He wasnt, thankfully, seriously injured, but he is frightened to go back down to the club ever again, as a result of the attack.

"And for the wife and daughter, it was a terrible experience for their husband and dad to be attacked like that, for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

He is a pillar of the community in Rhebogue. He would have been very much involved in the club, itself. He would be one of the unsung heroes of the community.

Sinn Fein councillor John Costelloe, who used to play for St Patricks GAA, said that he was shocked. He added that these incidents have been going on for far too long in the area.

It is understood that members of St Patricks GAA club will convene a meeting this Thursday evening to discuss the incident and safety measures for the club.

A member of the club said that this is the third serious assault to take place around the grounds in three years.

And then there is a problem of getting people to volunteer. If you are looking to get people to volunteer and to look after teams, and you have people assaulted, youre not going to get anyone. How can you run a club like that?

According to garda sources, inquiries are ongoing and the victims injuries are not thought to have been serious.
CRAFT in piano compositions very much relies on the manner in which it is performed, coupled with ones expert knowledge of the instrument.

A fairly salient example was jazzmaster Thelonious Monk, who was first accosted by critics for his aggressive, slamming fingers. But this was the inception of a new age of expressive music.

And while Limerickman Paddy Mulcahy is exponentially moulding himself to fit such a parallel, the craft in his latest Twenty Six extended play is certainly paving a way forward in innovating a sound style.

Released on Swedens 1631 Recordings, the record is built for the tiresome and jetlagged. But on the other hand, in a tonal twist in his musical career, the five-track record is also a statement of optimism.

He says: The energy and optimism must come from a new-found confidence. I think before, there was an element of holding back; but now that Im feeling a lot more comfortable, I can express myself musically with more freedom in different ways. My new album is a good example of this. There are a lot of different emotions, instruments and dynamics happening throughout; all a good sign of me feeling comfortable.

And while there is a charm in Mulcahys dripping keys in the opening Vancouver, and Saint Martin, the endearing trait in his newly-enveloping style is the clear sound of the pedal. Depending on the tempo, it beats like a steady percussion, or speedily triggers like a timer.

As I strayed away from in-the-box digital music composition, using midi instruments, I became more and more captivated by the presence of the composer in the room. I feel that the person responsible for the recording is as important an instrument as the piano or guitar itself, he explains.

As always with this city musician, in his early 20s, his releases are alluring teasers. The young man who once supported Lubomyr Melnyk in Ormston House, is currently in the final stages of his new album, The Words She Said.

And though it has been confirmed that he will be moving into a more polychromatic sound with synthesisers, glockenspiels, new mics and recording techniques, imaginably there will be scribbles of his crafted minimalism in the record.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

At least five brand new civil aircraft are expected to join Irans aviation fleet by March 2017, a transportation official said.

Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan, an Iranian deputy transport minister, said the countrys aviation system plans to receive from five to nine new planes by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (starting March 20), Tasnim news agency reported Nov. 2.

He added that there are some obstacles that need to be removed before acquiring the aircraft.

Earlier in September, the US issued a permission allowing Airbus to sell 17 airplanes to Iran following the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

After 21 years of embargo on Irans aviation, on January 28, Tehran signed a historic deal with Airbus for the purchase of 118 airliners (73 wide-bodies, 45 single aisle), including 12 A380 Superjumbos worth $25 billion at list price.

Iranian officials later announced that the country would receive eight Airbus planes this year and the rest would be delivered until 2024.

However Airbus, so far, has not managed to accomplish the deal, as it was restricted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US in doing business with Iran.

Iran plans to buy about 500 aircraft in 10 years to refurbish its ageing fleet. Iranian airliners average 25 in age.
Nov 1, 2016, 11 PM

Three U.S. stamps have honored President James K. Polk. This 32 issue, the most recent, is from 1995.

By Michael Baadke

The 11th president of the United States, James Knox Polk, was born Nov. 2, 1795, in Pineville, N.C., very near the states southern border with South Carolina.

The oldest child in a family of 10 children, Polk was studious but not sturdy; his health was a matter of continuing concern to his parents.

The Polk family moved to Tennessee in 1806, but Polk returned to his home state in 1816 to study at the University of North Carolina. He became an attorney, and was elected to the Tennessee state legislature in 1823.

He married Sarah Childress the following year.

Polk was a supporter of Andrew Jackson, the nations seventh president, who was elected in 1828 as a member of the newly formed Democratic Party. Polk won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1833 and became Speaker of the House just two years later, during Jacksons second term.

He left the House in 1839 to run for governor of Tennessee, but served only one term before losing the next two gubernatorial elections.

In the presidential election of 1844, Polk hoped to be named as the vice presidential candidate, but to nearly everyones surprise, the Democrats, divided on the subject of national expansion, chose Polk to run as president. Most believed his opponent, Whig party candidate Henry Clay, would defeat him, but Polk again defied the odds by winning the presidency.

Polk has been described as a successful president for accomplishing the goals he set forth as a candidate, including the acquisition of California from Mexico, and establishing the northern border of the United States.

Stamp collectors owe a debt to President Polk, because it was during his single term in office that the first U.S. postage stamps were issued.

Serving as president took a toll on Polks health, and he died just three months after leaving office, on June 15, 1849.

Nearly 90 years passed before Polk appeared on the 11 stamp in the 1938 Presidential definitive series (Scott 816). A 22 stamp honoring Polk was issued in 1986 as part of the Ameripex Presidential commemorative set (2217b), and a 32 stamp celebrated the presidents 200th birth anniversary in 1995 (2587).
Nov 1, 2016, 10 AM

The pane of six $2 Jenny Invert stamps, originally issued in 2013, has been taken off sale at USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services, but is still available at many post offices.

By Michael Baadke

The United States Postal Service is no longer selling the 2013 $2 Inverted Jenny pane of six stamps through its Stamp Fulfillment Services retail division.

USPS spokesman Mark Saunders told Linns Stamp News that the Inverted Jenny panes are still being sold at post offices nationwide, and that more than half a million panes are still available from those retail locations. The full print run of this issue was 2.2 million panes.

Saunders explained that the stamps were taken off sale at the Stamp Fulfillment Services facility in Kansas City, Mo., because the warehouse inventory of the $2 stamps had been depleted.

The $2 Inverted Jenny stamp pane (Scott 4806) was issued Sept. 22, 2013, as a commemoration of the 1918 24 Jenny Invert airmail stamp error (C3a) that shows the blue Curtiss Jenny airplane flying upside down within the red stamp frame. The normal 1918 airmail stamp (C3) has the airplane flying right side up.

As a promotional scheme, the Postal Service intentionally created 100 panes of an upright variety of the 2013 $2 Jenny Invert stamp. Like the millions of normal $2 stamps that show the plane flying upside down, these rare variety panes, which show the plane flying upright, are hidden within sealed blind packaging which, from the outside, cannot be distinguished from the regular issue.

The variety panes were then mixed in with the normal stamps. Stamp customers who come upon the variety in their purchases have found they can make a substantial profit selling the pane at auction or to a stamp dealer or collector. Some of the scarce variety panes have sold for $50,000 or more.

The 100 upright variety panes were also packaged with a card printed with a phone number the finder could call to receive a certificate signed by the U.S. postmaster general to register the purchase and discovery.

At least 30 of the 100 variety panes have been found and reported to the Postal Service. Linns has requested updated information from the USPS to determine the total number of panes reported by finders to date.
Nov 2, 2016, 1 PM

The recently published 2017 Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue of Stamps and Covers 1840-1940 includes many editorial enhancements and thousands of value changes.

By Donna Houseman

The 2017 Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue of Stamps and Covers 1840-1940 was published in early November. Now in its 23rd year, the Scott Classic Specialized catalog is widely recognized as the best single-volume catalog for the classic-era stamps of the world.

As you scan the pages, you will find thousands of value changes; 677 new number changes and additions; and myriad editorial improvements, including many hundreds of revised and expanded listings. More than 6,600 value changes were made in the 2017 Scott Classic Specialized catalog. Add to this the almost 13,000 value changes brought over from the six volumes of the 2017 Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, and the total number of value changes soars to 19,370.

Each year special editorial consultant Sergio Sismondo works tirelessly to expand the editorial content and listed values in the Scott Classic Specialized catalog, and this year was no exception. James E. Kloetzel, editor emeritus, and Bill Jones, a former Scott associate editor, also provided substantial input by updating values and making significant editorial enhancements throughout the catalog. Special thanks also goes to our many advisors who offer improvements each year to make this catalog an invaluable reference work for worldwide classic stamps.

Now we turn to the content of this years catalog.

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A review of the stamps of our neighbor to the north reveals that the marketplace for Canada and Canadian Provinces has been very calm during the past year, and there are few value changes for stamps commonly seen, both unused and used.

This was a good opportunity for the Scott editors to pay special attention to values of covers in early Newfoundland. With the help of expert advisors and cover census numbers, adjustments have been made for cover values from No. 1 through No. 60, as well as in air posts. Most values rise somewhat, but a few that were overvalued previously have been lowered. Newfoundland surcharged stamps also were reviewed extensively, including values and editorial treatment.

Buy your 2017 Scott Classic Specialized catalog: Digital version | Print version

There were 68 value changes in Canada semi-official air posts, all increases with some substantial increases. Among the Canada perforated Official stamps, several of the five-hole perfin (perforated initials) varieties increase in value, while many of the four-hole varieties see decreases. In all, 183 values were changed in these Official stamps.

The almost 2,000 Classic-catalog-only value changes in France reflect a continued softening in values. Another 544 value changes were brought over from Vol. 2 of the 2017 Scott Standard catalog.

A softening also is reflected in the almost 120 value changes that occur in Germany for the 1872 sets. Values for stamps with no gum have been added. Values are now provided for multiples for Scott 1-26, including pairs, strips of three, and strips of three or blocks of four.

Values for covers and stamps with no gum have been added for the first time to Guatemala. The 81 value changes for this Central American country show significant increases overall.

Hot off the press: 2017 Scott U.S. Specialized catalog now available: Almost 5,400 value changes have been made in the 2017 edition of the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers.



Almost 300 value changes were made to the stamps of Montenegro. Again, most of the changes reflect increases.

Many increases are among the 235 value changes made to the listings of Serbia. The countrys first issue, the 1-para green on dark violet rose paper (Scott 1), soars from $55 to $72.50.

In 1911, Turkey overprinted stamps issued during 1901-05 for Sultan Mehmed V Rashads visit to Macedonia. According to the editors note that precedes the listings, the overprint was applied to 18 denominations in four settings with change of city name, producing individual sets for each city: MONASTIR [Scott 165-182], PRISTINA [165a-182a] SALONIQUE [165b-182b] and USKUB [165c-182c]. New values have been assigned for most of the overprints, including similar overprints on newspaper stamps (P69-P81, P69a-P81a, P69b-P81b, and P69c-P81c). Significant increases in value are seen among some of these stamps.

Values for the stamps of the Virgin Islands show an overall softening of the market.

A mix of increases and decreases are found among the 141 value changes in the East African islands of Zanzibar.

An abundance of editorial enhancements

Fans of Newfoundland are urged to examine all of the enhancements to this provinces listings and values. Clarifying notes have been added in many places, as well as single frankings on covers. Of significant importance, the 1919 manuscript Aerial Atlantic Mail stamp, previously footnoted, has been given deserved recognition in the 2017 Scott Classic catalog as No. C1a, with values unused, used and on cover. Here, as with many other air posts, explanatory footnotes and other enhancements round out the story of these fabled stamps.

In Canada, shade varieties now are shown for the King Edward VII issue, Nos. 89-95, and other enhancements have been added to many other listings.

Collectors of Switzerland will be pleased to find that many on-cover and never-hinged listings have been added, beginning with the 1907-25 set and continuing through the classic period for regular issues and back-of-the-book issues.

Until 1927, Jordans stamps consisted of overprinted issues of Palestine and Hejaz, a region of Saudi Arabia. The basic Palestine stamps used for overprinting were inscribed EEF and were perforated gauge 14 or gauge 15 by 14.

The overprints listed as Jordan Scott 1-63 are now expanded into separate sets of major numbers and minor numbers for stamps that are perforated gauge 15 by 14 and those that are perforated gauge 14. Where different overprint types are known, the types are now listed and illustrated.

Similar to Jordan, new listings have been added for perforation varieties of classic Montenegro. The 1894-98 overprinted set (Scott 32-44) on the 1874-93 Prince Nicholas I stamps has been expanded to include new listings for stamps perforated gauge 11, small holes, and perforated gauge 11, large holes. Similar reorganizations are made for Scott 45-56.

New listings have been added for the four types of overprints for the 1905-06 Constitution issue. The YCTAB is found in four settings measuring 9 millimeters (type I), 11mm (type II), 10mm (type III), and 8mm (type IV). The four types are now valued and illustrated. The perforation varieties for Montenegros first postage due stamps (Scott J1-J8) also have been broken out into new minor listings.

Among the stamps of the Federated Malay State of Pahang issued under Japanese occupation, the 1942 overprints (Nos. N1-N12) are now organized by the color of the handstamp (black, red, brown, or violet). The same is true for the stamps of Perak issued under Japanese occupation (Nos. N1-N16).

Several new minor listings also were added to Serbia for perforation and paper varieties.

The 23rd edition of the Scott Classic Specialized catalog brings to a close the 2017 Scott catalog season.

As always, we encourage catalog users to pay special attention to the Classic Specialized Additions, Deletions & Number Changes.

To purchase the 2017 Scott catalogs, contact your favorite dealer, or call Amos Media at 1-800-488-5349. Also visit AmosAdvantage.com. For Scott eCatalogues, visit ScottOnline.com.
Tehran, Iran, Nov. 2

By Mehdi Sepahvand  Trend:

Iran is going to hold an international electrical industry exhibition November 5 to 8.

The exhibit will house four special pavilions, one for China with 134 companies attending, one for Turkey with 18 companies, one for South Korea with 12 companies, and one for Germany with 11 companies, exhibit secretary Kuimarth Jalilian told PAWN news agency November 2.

Companies from East Asia, Central Europe, Scandinavia, the Americas, as well as Russia will also attend the show, he said.
Nov 2, 2016, 3 PM

The first issue of Reunion Island, from 1852, was produced by a local printer in St. Denis, the capital, using type ornaments and letters to form the design.

Reunion Islands second stamp, issued with the first stamp in January 1852, also was designed using type ornaments and then typographed.

By Kathleen Wunderly

Two postal directives from Paris reached the officials of St. Denis, capital of the French colony of Ile de la Reunion, in the summer of 1851. The dispatches were not well-received.

This volcanic island in the Indian Ocean, while admittedly remote (110 miles southwest of Mauritius and 420 miles east of Madagascar), was prosperous because of thriving trade in sugarcane and spices, and boasted a population of more than 121,000. The island was fairly sophisticated, with some fine buildings, especially in St. Denis, and at least eight newspapers.

The island was uninhabited until the French landed in 1638, and initially was known as Mascarin. In 1649, it was officially claimed by France and named after the ruling dynasty, becoming Ile de Bourbon.

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Twenty members of the French East India Co. arrived in 1665, and over the next hundred years the population grew, including many slaves imported to tend the commercial crops.

Before 1853, France had few specific laws dealing with internal posts of its colonies, and several of the older colonies  Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Bourbon  had organized their own letter posts by the second half of the 18th century. Bourbons first official internal post began in 1784.

The elected national convention in Paris abolished the monarchy on Sept. 21, 1792, and in March 1793, Ile de Bourbon became Ile de la Reunion, a name reflecting what Maurice Jamet (150 Ans dHistoire Postale des Anciennes Colonies Francaises, 1980) called a sense of union of wills and a name to remind us of our victories and revolution [translation].

In 1806, the island became Ile de Bonaparte, after the first French emperor (as of 1804). The British captured the island but kept the name in 1810, but reverting to France in 1815 after the Congress of Vienna, the island became Bourbon once more. Finally, in 1848, it became, and still is, Ile de la Reunion  Reunion Island: a French department in 1946, and an overseas department and one of Frances 18 regions in 1974.

Returning to the summer of 1851 on Reunion: France had issued its first stamps in January 1849, and their success led authorities to consider sending stamps for use in the colonies. The official dispatches of June 13 and Aug. 14, 1851, said that certain denominations of the 1849 Ceres stamps  the 10-centime, 25c and 1-franc denominations  would be sent to Reunion. (Four other colonies eventually received stamps as well.)

The dispatches also listed all the postal rates in effect for mailing from the island to France and its settlements, including the special and local rates (not specified) that would have to be prepaid for letters to reach the port of mailing (St. Denis) on Reunion. The implication was, however, that the French stamps to be supplied could be used for all mailing purposes.

The problem was that local rates on Reunion were 15 centimes for a letter mailed within a city, and 30c for a letter sent between two post offices within the island, and no French stamps in those denominations were to be sent. Thus, there would be no stamps of the correct denominations to prepay letters to get them to St. Denis, from which they would then be sent overseas.

The website of the Philatelic Circle of Bourges, in central France, describes the Reunion governor (possibly an apocryphal anecdote, but humorous nonetheless) as reading the dispatches and then saying, A Paris, decidemment, ils ne comprennent rien (translation: In Paris, decidedly, they understand nothing).

And, so, the Reunion officials decided to print the stamps they needed for their own purposes, no matter what Paris chose to send. A decree dated Dec. 10, 1851, signed in St. Denis by the islands governor, Louis Doret, and the director of the interior, Edouard Manes, listed all the postal rates both for mail leaving Reunion and for internal postal fees, and stated that, There will be 10c, 25c, and 1fr stamps for the letters for France and foreign countries, and 15c and 30c stamps for the interior service of the colony.

This decree did not note that the 10c, 25c and 1fr stamps were existing French issues, and that the 15c and 30c issues were being printed on the island.

The official government printer in St. Denis, Gabriel La Huppe (there is still a street in St. Denis named after him), was charged with both designing and producing the new stamps, with a different design for each of the two denominations.

Scotts Monthly Journal of May 1925 quoted prolific philatelic author Fred Melville on the birth of the Reunion stamps, saying that La Huppe made up the designs from type ornaments and letters, and apparently set each denomination four times, as four variations are found of each value.

The stamps were printed by typography in black ink on thin, blue pelure paper, unwatermarked and not perforated. The stamps also were ungummed, a factor that Melville blamed for the stamps unpopularity with the public, who sometimes added glue or used pins to affix the stamps. Use of the stamps was optional, with payment noted in manuscript markings by postal clerks on the letters.

Melville said that the St. Denis postmaster allegedly stated that he did not sell more than eight francs worth of the stamps in the years of their validity, Jan. 1, 1852, to Dec. 31, 1859, after which they were replaced by the first general issue of the French colonies.

That figure is difficult to believe, but on the subject of scarcity, Melville also mentioned that an old-time philatelist of Bordeaux who thought himself in clover when he unearthed a mass of 2,000 letters of the period all originating in Reunion, found only six copies of the islands stamps amongst the lot.

How many examples were printed of the first issues of Reunion? The number often quoted in catalogs and articles is 7,500 of each denomination, and Melville stated in the 1925 Scotts Monthly Journal article that 14,960 were destroyed in 1860, without giving his source for this figure. Because this would leave only 40 stamps ever extant, 15,000 becomes unbelievable.

A document discovered in recent years in the archives of St. Denis, described in a monograph by its finders, Jean Francois Brun and Benedict Chandanson, published in December 2008 (Les Deux Premiers Timbres-Poste de lIle de la Reunion) sheds light on both the question of quantities of Reunion Scott 1 and 2 and their ungummed state.

The handwritten document, dated Feb. 16, 1852, at 8 a.m., in St. Denis, states [translation] that the signatories  Planta, director of letter mail in Reunion; Gardillane, curator of mortgages; Morin, representative of the controller; and La Huppe, government printer  have examined in accordance with the orders of the director of the interior, on receipt of the stamps, the issue of which was ordered by decree of 31 December 1851 and whose surrender to the director of the office could not take place due to damage incurred during the application of a coating used to stick them on letters.

The document continues, stating that the examiners found it appropriate to accept four thousand eight hundred, including 2,400 of each denomination, and there was need to destroy an amount of three thousand two hundred, 1,600 of each denomination, which were immediately burned in the presence of the committee.

The accepted and the destroyed numbers add up to 8,000, but at least some of the new stamps had been on sale for more than month. Had some ungummed examples been put on sale, and then La Huppe tried to apply gum to some of the rest, with disastrous results?

I do not have a copy of the Brun-Chandanson monograph, to see what the authors have to say about any ungummed stamps that had been placed on sale Jan. 1, 1852. The use of the figure 7,500 of each denomination in various sources continues to be inexplicable.

No matter what their original quantities, Reunion Scott 1 and 2 are mighty scarce today.

Melvilles 1925 article discussed the examples offered in the April 1925 auction of material from the holdings of the truly legendary collector, Count Philippe la Renotiere von Ferrary (1850-1917). The French government had seized the enormous collection as war reparations and auctioned it in 14 sales between 1921 and 1926.

Melville exclaimed that Ferrary had owned six examples of the 15c and four of the 30c: ten stamps with a total philatelic value of at least $9,000! That sum wouldnt buy half of a single example of Reunion Scott 1 or 2 these days.

The values in the 2017 Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue of Stamps and Covers 1840-1940 for the two issues are given in italics, to indicate the elusiveness of examples. Reunion Scott 1, the 15c, is valued at $39,000 unused and $25,000 used, and $45,000 on cover.

Reunion Scott 2, the 30c, is also valued at $39,000 unused and $25,000 used, but $35,000 on cover.

The two stamps were reprinted using the surviving plates (some had rusted away) in 1866 in Brussels, with three types of each denomination instead of the original four, on paper of a lighter blue than the original.

The reprints are easily identified by the outer frame of one thick and one thin line, rather than the originals frame of one thick and two thin lines.
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Tehran, Iran, Nov. 2

By Mehdi Sepahvand  Trend:

Said Mortazavi, former Tehran prosecutor and director of Social Security Organization, has been sentenced to 135 lashes by a law court.

Mortazavi will receive the lashes for having misused public property, said Mostafa Tork Hamediani, a lawyer of workers who had plead against the former Social Security officer, IRIB news agency reported November 2.

He explained that the convict had embezzled the properties of the Social Security Organization while in office.

Mortazavi has also been sentenced to pay 460 million rials ($14,260) as well as to one year in prison.

Mortazavi was also involved as Tehran prosecutor in a series of tortures of post-2009 presidential election protestors, which had led to the death of some of them. He was acquitted of the charges, however.
Tehran, Iran, November 2

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ruled out the prospect of any talks with the United States over the Syrian crisis.

Speaking to students in anticipation of the anniversary of the seizure of the US Embassy in Tehran which triggered the hostage crisis in 1979, Ayatollah Khamenei said the US has proven untrustworthy especially in the post-JCPOA era by violating the nuclear agreement upon many occasions, the Leaders website reported November 2.

This is the reality of the US. Yet there are some, who say lets go talk Syria, Lebanons Hezbollah, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, or even our domestic problems with the US. Is it likely that a country which does not abandon its enmity toward the Iranian nation for one second, to be able to resolve the countrys [Iran's] problems?

A few months before he became president in 2013, Hassan Rouhani had said, The US is the sheriff. We would be better off hammering things out with the sheriff.

Today it is not just me saying they are unfaithful. Our officials, even the (nuclear) negotiators themselves are saying it. Talks with the US will worsen problems rather than solve them, said Khamenei, adding that Americas goal is to prevent the progress of Iran.

Iran and Syria are close strategic allies, and Iran has provided significant support for the Syrian government in the conflict.

The US, on the other hand, works with Saudi Arabia and other regional allies so support to opposition.
Tehran, Iran, Nov. 2

By Mehdi Sepahvand  Trend:

The details of court sentences for 20 people who acted as leaders of an assault on the Saudi embassy in Tehran in January have been disclosed.

All the suspects were acquitted of charges of sabotage, their lawyer Mostafa Shabani said, ILNA news agency reported November 2.

He explained that the total number of suspects of the case was 45, but said 25 of them are being tried at a clerical court and the rest in a government employees court, for whom he is the lawyer.

According to the lawyer, Saudi Arabia had not filed suit against the suspects for any sabotage, which provided the ground for their exoneration.

All of the 20 were Basij members who had been in the [Iraqi-imposed war] front or in Syria, and were angry with the execution of Sheik Nimr al-Nimr, the lawyer stated.

However, he said, the court sentenced some of them to 91 days to six months in prison for disturbing public order.

One of my clients with the initials M.A. has been sentenced to 6 months for having led the assault, but he had not even approached the embassy, Shabani said elsewhere. We will plea against the sentences, because I do not consider my clients having earned them They have all told the court that the police did not prevent them from rallying.

He went on to say that the verdicts have not been communicated to the convicts yet, adding that they will have 20 days for plea after the communication.

On November 1 the court issued the verdicts, but did not disclose the details.

Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic relations with Iran after protesters stormed the kingdom's embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad on January 2 in response to Riyadh's execution of a prominent Saudi Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

The Iranian government condemned the assault and President Hassan Rouhani, keen to improve Tehran's long-strained relations with its neighbors and the West, asked the judiciary to punish the protesters and prevent further attacks.

Iran's judiciary announced in April that more than 100 suspects had been arrested over the attack on the Saudi missions and 48 were charged. All were released on bail.

Irans trial of the Saudi embassy attackers comes amid Tehrans call on Riyadh to hold court sessions for those responsible for the death of some hundred Iranians, among many more internationals, in a vast stampede during the 2015 Hajj season in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

According to a count by the Associated Press, more than 2,400 people, including at least 460 Iranian pilgrims, lost their lives in the incident on September 24, 2015. Iran had the highest confirmed death toll among foreign nationals in the Mina stampede. Saudi Arabia claims that nearly 770 people had been killed in the incident. Iran says the total death toll from the tragedy stands at over 7,000.

Riyadh has so far refrained from taking any legal action or investigation as to who is responsible for the incident that took many Muslim lives on a single day.
Eating plant protein may help keep you feeling full longer  and help you eat less at your next meal  than eating animal protein, a new study suggests.

In the study, 43 young men in Denmark ate three different breakfast meals, on three different days, each two weeks apart. The meals varied in the protein patty and mash that was included: The first included a high-protein meat patty and a potato mash, the second had a high-protein patty that was made from legumes (a plant group that includes beans and lentils) and a split pea mash, and the third had a low-protein legume patty with a combination split pea and potato mash. The researchers found that the men reported feeling fuller, and less hungry, after they ate the high-protein legume patty meal than they did after eating the other two meals.

Even more surprisingly, while the participants rated the high-protein vegetable patty meal as the most filling, they also said that the low-protein vegetable patty meal was just as filling as the high-protein meat patty meal, said Anne Raben, the study's senior author and a professor of obesity research at the University of Copenhagen. [The Science of Hunger: How to Control It and Fight Cravings]

The researchers also found that after the participants consumed the high-protein legume patty meal for breakfast, they consumed 12 to 13 percent fewer calories at lunch than when they consumed either a high-protein meat patty meal or the low-protein legume patty meal at breakfast  a difference of 95 to 105 calories, Raben told Live Science.

All meals consisted of oven-baked patties, either of veal, pork and potatoes (the high-protein meat patty); fava beans and split peas (the high-protein legume patty); or fava beans, split peas and potatoes (the low-protein legume patty). All patties included a variety of spices, rapeseed oil and butter.

In both the high-protein meat patty and the high-protein legume patty, 19 percent of the calories came from protein, while 53 percent of the calories came from carbohydrates. Where the high-protein patties differed, however, was in the amount of fiber each had: The high-protein meat patty had only 6 grams of fiber per 100 grams, while the high-protein legume patty had 25 grams of fiber per 100 grams.

In the low-protein legume patty, on the other hand, only 9 percent of the calories came from protein, while 62 percent came from carbs. That patty had 10 grams of fiber per 100 grams. [Which Types of Food Are the Most Filling?]

The higher amount of fiber in the high-protein legume patty may have contributed to the higher levels of satiety, or fullness, that the participants felt compared to when they consumed the high-protein meat patty, according to the findings, published Oct. 19 in the journal Food and Nutrition Research.

"Fiber and protein act through different mechanisms," Raben told Live Science. The body does not break down fiber, so it remains in the gastrointestinal tract until it passes out of the body. But protein is digested and absorbed into the body, so that its components can be used by body tissues, including the brain.

The researchers noted that the results do not necessarily mean that eating vegetable protein will always lead people to feel more satiated than eating animal protein. "Testing meals with both similar fiber and protein content could be useful," Raben said.

One limitation of the study was the difference in the taste of the meals: The participants said that the high-protein legume patty was significantly less tasty than both the high-protein meat patty and the low-protein legume patty. This is important, because in general, tastier foods are considered to be less filling than foods that are not as tasty, which may have affected the study's results, the researchers said.

The study is the first, the researchers said, to directly compare the effects on appetite regulation of vegetable meals that are based on beans and peas to animal meals that are based on pork and veal. Similar studies have compared soy and dairy proteins (in the form of whey, casein and milk), or have used food substitutes (such as dissolved protein powder in water) instead of real foods as their test meals.

The researchers are interested in the environmental implications of such findings. Raben said that from "a global perspective, it would be more ecological to choose the more vegetable-based approach" to eating.

Originally published on Live Science.
The ancient cave lion cub named Uyan is so well preserved that researchers guessed that its mother fed it milk a few hours before it died.

SALT LAKE CITY  For more than 30,000 years, northern Russia's cold permafrost has preserved the small bodies of two furry and wide-pawed cave lion cubs, one of them in almost pristine condition, a new study found.

The two mummified cubs, nicknamed Uyan and Dina after the Uyandina River where they were found, were just about 1 week old when they died, likely crushed by "extensive collapse of the sediments in the den," the study's researchers wrote in a summary of their research. The report was presented as a poster here on Wednesday (Oct. 26) at the 2016 Society of Vertebrate Paleontology meeting.

"They were squished to death," said study co-researcher Olga Potapova, the collections curator at the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota. [10 Extinct Giants That Once Roamed North America]

The last known cave lion lived in what is now Alaska about 14,000 years ago, Potapova said. Little is known about the development of cave lions from cubs into adults, making the finding an extraordinary one, because it tells researchers about how these ancient cubs grew in comparison with their modern-day relatives, the lion (Panthera leo).

For instance, Uyan's body, which was more intact than Dina's, weighs about 6 lbs. (2.8 kilograms), which is about 4.6 lbs. (2.1 kg) heavier than a modern lion newborn, Potapova told Live Science. She added that because newborn lions don't have any identifiable sex characteristics, it's unclear whether Uyan and Dina were male or female.

Uyan's body is about the size of an adult house cat, approximately 17 inches (43 centimeters) long, Potapova said. At about 3 inches (7 cm) long, the cub's tail is just about 23 percent of its body length, "which is significantly smaller than that in modern lions," whose tails are about 60 percent of their body length, Potapova said.

Moreover, Uyan's legs had yet to grow long enough for walking, but the little one could likely crawl, Potapova said. Uyan was also a furry cub, with fur about 1.2 inches (3 cm) long on its body, Potapova noted.

Dina and Uyan were so young, they likely couldn't see yet, Potapova said. "Dina's eyelids were tightly closed, while in Uyan, the left eye was closed, but the right eyelids were positioned a little apart," Potapova wrote on the poster. However, it's unclear whether Uyan's right eyelids were already open when the animal died, or if they opened postmortem, Potapova said.

But modern lions don't open their eyes for two to three weeks after birth, and they can't even see properly for another week after that. So, given Uyan's young age at time of death, it's likely that the animal's eyes were closed when it died, Potapova said.

Cave lion canines

In modern lion cubs, the milk (baby) teeth erupt when the cub is about 3 weeks old, and permanent canines replace them when the cub is about 3 months old. However, a computer tomography (CT) scan of Uyan and Dina showed that although the cubs were still toothless, the milk and canine teeth were already erupting below the gum line in both animals.

"The advanced development of Uyan's dentition indicates that the milk teeth were likely to be shed at a sooner time, possibly at 2 months," the researchers wrote in the poster. [My, What Sharp Teeth! 12 Living and Extinct Saber-Toothed Animals]

However, because the cubs were still toothless, they likely fed by suckling milk from their mother. Uyan's stomach was empty, but a CT scan of the gut showed that the cub likely had milk just a few hours before dying, Potapova said.

Along with the cave lion mummies, which lived between 29,000 and 57,000 years ago, the researchers also found bones of approximately the same age belonging to a wooly mammoth, steppe bison, reindeer and wolf, along with two large brown bear skulls on the Uyandina's banks, Potapova said. However, these bones were collected about a year after the cubs' discovery, and so those fossils may not be from the exact same site where the cubs were found.

The cave lion finding is "fantastic," said study co-author Beth Shapiro, an associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

But despite the mummies' impressive preservation, their DNA is "in terrible condition," and it won't be possible to clone them, as a team of scientists in South Korea has proposed doing, Shapiro told Live Science.

An international team of paleontologists and geneticists is studying Uyan and Dina. The institutions include the Yakutian Academy of Sciences in Russia; the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs; the University of California, Santa Cruz; and the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The study has yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Original article on Live Science.
This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Live Science's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump claims our system of elections are rigged. He has asserted widespread voter impersonation exists. He has claimed that large numbers of dead people vote. And, he maintains that many noncitizens have successfully registered to vote and regularly do so.

Don't believe it.

Our democratic system of government counts on voters rejecting these claims that our electoral outcomes are at risk. Citizen trust in election outcomes and the accurate tabulation of votes is fundamental to the legitimacy of representative government.

How American elections are administered

As a political scientist who studies election administration and works with election officials to make the voting process successful, I know from firsthand experience that rigging a presidential election would not involve just undermining one system  it involves undermining thousands.

A key feature of the American system of election administration is hyper-localism. More than 5,000 municipal and county election officials administer elections across more than 8,000 local jurisdictions across the United States.

A 2009 survey of local election officials found that about half of local election officials are nonpartisan, meaning they are not Democrats or Republicans. The other half is about evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. In other words, only 25 percent of election officials support either party, significantly limiting the number of potential coconspirators who may back any given outcome.

Moreover, the United States Constitution grants broad power to state legislative bodies regarding the regulation of elections. States regulate ballot design, vote tabulation technology, absentee ballots and early voting. This means that someone attempting to rig an election would need to master 50 states' methods of administering elections, including polling place management.

Another roadblock is the sheer number of votes involved. Presidential elections generally prompt higher turnout than any other election. In the 2012 presidential election, 130 million people cast their ballots. President Obama received nearly five million more votes in the popular vote compared to Republican nominee Mitt Romney. The sheer size of the electorate suggests that attempting to "rig" the system would require a level of coordination even greater than the coordination needed to "get out the vote" on Election Day itself.

Voters who know their history may be under the impression that influencing the popular vote isn't really necessary. In 2000, Palm Beach County Florida played an outsized role in the outcome of the presidential election. That year, as few as 537 votes divided Vice President Al Gore from then Texas Gov. George W. Bush. Those few votes had the power to decide into whose column Florida would fall, and which candidate would win the Electoral College.

This recent history may tempt voters to think that would-be riggers need to tamper with the outcome in only one county to change the vote. Yet, nobody could have reliably predicted that Palm Beach County would be the lynch pin in 2000. The odds of a state result within half a percentage point  close enough to trigger a recount  are only about 7 percent, according to the website fivethirtyeight.com.

Let us examine each type of rigging method Trump identifies as a problem.

Rigging by voter impersonation

Voter impersonation involves casting a fraudulent ballot.

One could do that by getting a group of people to register to vote multiple times under false names. In this way, a single person could pretend to be more than one person and go to several polling locations to cast several ballots.

Alternatively, one could get a group of people to go to multiple polling locations, pretend to be someone else and hope that someone else had not yet voted and would not vote later in the day.

In either case, the costs of voter impersonation are high not only because of the risk of arrest for illegal activity, but also because actually engaging in such activity requires extensive planning, time and travel cost.

Although many Americans believe that voter fraud is "very common," it is, in fact, rare.

The famed urban machines at the turn of the century like New York City's Tammany Hall were often accused of controlling electoral outcomes through fraud and manipulation at the polls, but much of the evidence for stolen elections is largely anecdotal in nature (opens in new tab).

When fraud is attempted now, as it apparently was (opens in new tab) during Iowa's early voting period, the system worked to stop the attempt.

Election law scholars, including University of California Irvine School of Law's Richard Hasen, Rutgers' Lorraine Minnite and Loyola Law School's Justin Levitt, have searched to find evidence of large-scale fraud and come up empty-handed.

"There is  no evidence in at least a generation that [voter impersonation fraud] has been used in an effort to steal an election," Hasan has written. "The reason voter impersonation fraud is never prosecuted is that it almost never happens."

Rigging by impersonating deceased voters

Trump also claims that dead people vote.

Here, the concern is that deceased people remain on voter registration lists after their deaths, permitting living people to impersonate them and vote in their place.

It's certainly true that inaccuracies exist on the voter rolls. According to a Pew Center on the States issue brief, voter registration lists across the 50 states suffer from inaccuracies largely because of they have "not kept pace with advancing technology and a mobile society."

In many states, for example, registration information is entered into computers manually. When people move, even within a state, their voter registration does not move with them. When a citizen changes his or her address with one government agency, that information is not communicated to the election department. Citizens need to reregister to vote every time they move. The report states that "1.8 million deceased individuals are listed as voters." To put that number in context, 2.4 million U.S. residents die each year.

The question then turns to how an organization, person or political campaign interested in perpetuating fraud could turn these 1.8 million deceased voters into votes.

Bad actors would have to proactively locate the deceased voters  focusing on key states or even counties  and then impersonate them to successfully turn an election.

Does it happen? The evidence is scant. According to a report from New York University's Brennan Center investigating voter fraud, the vast majority of cases in which allegations of fraud by dead voters are asserted end up being clerical errors when voter lists are matched against death lists.

Rigging by having noncitizens vote

Trump has also asserted that noncitizens have successfully registered to vote and will be able to successfully cast ballots during the 2016 election.

Here we need to look at motives. The costs associated with attempting to register and vote as a noncitizen are high, including criminal prosecution and deportation. The reward of committing such fraud for the individual noncitizen is simply the addition of one vote. A campaign would need to convince hundreds or thousands of noncitizens to take this substantial risk to influence the outcome in even one county  and then keep quiet about it.

According to the Brennan Center, no documented cases exist in which individual noncitizens have "either intentionally registered to vote or voted while knowing they were ineligible."

All of this adds up to a system of election administration that is virtually impossible to penetrate in the name of massive fraud that would shift the results of an election. So don't believe it when someone tries to tell you the vote is rigged.

Rachael V. Cobb, Associate Professor of Government and Chair of the Government Department, Suffolk University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

Trend:

Russia along with the US, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey continue the efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis, RIA Novosti reported citing Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

We have been aspiring to solve the problem in the city of Aleppo for several months now. Relevant Russia-US agreements were signed. Unfortunately, the US basically quit the agreements when the agreements were coordinated, said the foreign minister.

The humanitarian pauses were repeatedly declared. It has been two weeks that neither Russian nor Syrian air forces operate in Aleppo. But each time, extremists use these humanitarian pauses to replenish their forces and weapons arsenal, Lavrov said during his meeting with the Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

The Jabhat al-Nusra group controls the eastern Aleppo, there are armed groups under its subordination, said Lavrov.

They hold innocent civilians as hostages, he added.

We continue putting efforts together with Americans, representatives of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, and we are looking for the opportunities to resolve this crisis, said Lavrov.
A clock hangs on the wall at Brown's Old Time Clock Shop in Plantation, Florida, on March 6, 2007, the year that daylight saving time was extended four weeks in the United States.

On Nov. 6, most Americans will sigh heavily and turn back their clocks one hour for the end of daylight saving time.

The time change is loved by some (retailers, which lobbied Congress for an extension in 2005) and hated by others (farmers, who find that livestock don't respect the clock). The change has a variety of effects, including longer summer evenings, but the reason for daylight saving time's persistence is supposedly to save energy.

The problem is, no one really knows whether daylight saving time saves energy at all. Research is decidedly mixed on the subject, with some studies actually finding that daylight saving time boosts energy consumption.

"I could see the answer being either way," said Stanton Hadley, a senior researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, who helped prepare a report for Congress on the energy effect of extending daylight saving time by four weeks  a policy that became effective in 2007.

Energy savings?

The problem, Hadley told Live Science, is that studying the effect of daylight saving time is not easy. You need some sort of before-and-after comparison, he said, where a state or country has either dropped the time change or adopted it.

"There are few examples of that sort of thing happening," Hadley said.

Daylight saving time was originally invented to save energy. Germany was the first country to implement a daylight saving program, which it did in World War I, in an attempt to conserve energy for the war effort. The United States followed suit near the end of the war, and would reinstitute daylight saving time again during World War II. After the war, states set their own schedules for "springing forward" and "falling back," which caused confusion. So in 1966, Congress established the dates for daylight saving and standard time: The U.S. would "spring forward" on the last Sunday in April, and "fall back" on the last Sunday in October. Starting in 2007, the dates were adjusted to extend daylight saving time: It now starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

When Congress made the decision to extend daylight saving time by four weeks, it required a Department of Energy study into the energy impact of the policy after its implementation. Hadley and his colleagues explained the possibilities of energy-use changes: People should go outside during sunny evening hours, thus decreasing their electricity use at home and saving energy. However, they noted, people might use more heating during dark mornings and cooling during sunny evenings, thus using more energy. [5 Crazy Chapters in the History of Daylight Saving Time]

The report authors examined the effect of just the four weeks Congress had just added to daylight saving time. They found that a total of 1.24 terrawatts of electricity was saved, or about 0.03 percent of the country's total electricity use in the year studied (2007), and about half a percent of total energy consumption per day during those four weeks. There was no evidence that extending daylight saving time altered gasoline consumption.

Lighting, electricity

Another report released that same year, though, examined the effects of the entire daylight saving period in Indiana, and found that turning the clocks forward an hour during summer actually increases residential energy use by 1 percent. The increased energy use was particularly stark in October. Overall, the researchers concluded, daylight saving time does save on electricity for lighting, but it also increases the use of electricity for heating and cooling. Indiana is a relatively representative state in terms of heating and cooling demand, the researchers wrote, so the same effect might be seen around the nation. However, the researchers didn't have access to data from commercial buildings, and thus couldn't look at total energy consumption for the state.

Simulations can shed some light on the question: In a 1997 study, published in the journal Energy and Buildings, researchers used data from a residential home in Kansas to attempt to extrapolate the effect of daylight saving time. That research showed a slight increase in energy usage when daylight saving time was instituted in the summer compared with when standard time was used all year.

But simulations don't tell the whole story. In another study, scientists used the extension of daylight saving time in some states in Australia during the 2000 Olympics to examine the real-world effects of the policy.

"Our results show that the extension failed to conserve electricity," the researchers wrote in their 2007 report. In fact, energy usage went up with additional daylight savings, especially in the mornings. Notably, a popular simulation model predicted that the change would have saved energy, suggesting that simulations leave something to be desired.

It's often said that daylight saving time saves about 1 percent of energy consumption over the year. That number comes from a 1975 report to Congress about the effect of the time change during the Arab oil embargo, in which Arab members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) banned petroleum exports to the United States and other nations that supported Israel during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.

Since that time, energy usage has shifted. Lighting, in particular, has become increasingly energy efficient in recent years, Hadley said, meaning that heating and cooling might be a bigger chunk of the electricity pie.

"Lighting is not the big driver that it used to be," he said.

So although the 2008 report authored by Hadley and colleagues did find energy savings for the weeks tagged on the front and back of daylight saving time, Hadley isn't so sure that the same could be said for midsummer. In Arizona, he pointed out, daylight saving time isn't observed because the cooling needs for long summer evenings would likely overshadow any sort of savings on lighting.

Latitude matters, too, Hadley said. Those extra evening hours are a lot more valuable in Montana or Maine than in Florida or Texas, which don't have as big of a difference in daylight between summer and winter.

To find out more, Hadley said he'd want to look at the hour-by-hour electricity use in Indiana. (Researchers in 2008 studied monthly billing.)

"It would be a cool study to do," he said, "but I don't see any organization that would really drive it  In the vast scheme of things, the energy saving is not the big driver [of daylight saving time]. It's people wanting to take advantage of that light time in the evening."

Original article on Live Science.
The "shotgun marriage" may be on the decline: It's only very rarely now, statistics from one state suggest, that couples hastily marry to avoid the social stigma of an out-of-wedlock pregnancy.

Nevertheless, new research finds that even as overall marriage rates have declined, the "midpregnancy marriage," as it's more scientifically known, has become an important subset of marriages in some demographic groups. And surprisingly, in some groups whose members are generally at a higher risk of divorce, getting married during the woman's pregnancy may not make a couple more likely to split.

"These were fairly resilient marriages, much to our surprise," said study author Christina Gibson-Davis, a researcher in public policy at Duke University. [6 Scientific Tips for a Successful Marriage]

Marrying midpregnancy

In the study, Gibson-Davis and her colleagues analyzed all records of new marriages and births in North Carolina between 1992 and 2012 and found that overall, midpregnancy marriages are down. Only 5.2 percent of all births in 2012 were to parents who married during a woman's pregnancy, according to the findings that were published today (Nov. 1) in the journal Demography.

When considered as a percentage of all births, births after midpregnancy marriage dropped between 1992 and 2012 among both blacks and whites. In 1992, 8.8 percent of all births to white mothers were in the context of a midpregnancy marriage, compared with 6.3 percent in 2012. For black mothers, the decline was smaller, from 2.7 percent of all births to 2.6 percent of all births.

These findings echo what earlier national studies have suggested  that the stereotypical "shotgun marriage" is getting pretty uncommon: Only about 4 percent to 8 percent of births in the U.S. were to women who got married during the pregnancy, according to a 2012 study that analyzed data from 1997 and which was co-authored by Gibson-Davis. (For comparison, 10 percent of births were to women who started living with their partner but who didn't marry during the pregnancy, the same study found.)

"Nobody thinks there's a man out there with a shotgun pointing at some quivering guy, saying, 'You must marry my daughter'" because she's pregnant, Gibson-Davis told Live Science.

Nevertheless, she and her colleagues were interested in the role of midpregnancy marriages and what they might reveal about how people's childbearing choices and their marriage choices influence each other.

Disadvantage and divorce

Gibson-Davis and her colleagues narrowed their data to 244,753 "married births"  meaning births that occurred among couples who had both married in North Carolina and had their first child there sometime after they got married. Among these marriages, there were 46,772 divorces over the study period.

While the first numbers in the study examined midpregnancy marriages in the context of all births, this matched data allowed the researchers to study midpregnancy marriages in the context of only married births. Marriage rates in general are on the decline, especially in more disadvantaged groups like black Americans and those with lower education  thus, midpregnancy marriages could represent a decline overall (because fewer people feel the stigma of an unwed pregnancy and can just dispense of marriage entirely), while still making up a growing percentage of the shrinking slice of births to married couples.

"What we were really surprised to find is that the prevalence of these midpregnancy married births among more disadvantaged groups is actually pretty high," Gibson-Davis said. "It was about 20 percent [of all married births], roughly."

For example, among white women under 25, midpregnancy marriages made up 24 percent of births to married couples, the researchers reported. For black women under 25, the percentage was 26 percent of all married births. For white women with a high school diploma or less, 23 percent of births were to married couples, up from 16 percent in 1990. For black women with a high school diploma or less, 19 percent of births were to couples who married during midpregnancy, up from 12 percent in 1990.

In comparison, midpregnancy marriages among white women older than 25 with at least a bachelor's degree was a steady 5 percent of all married births between 1990 and 2012, highlighting the fact that for more-educated and white couples, marriage is still likely to precede pregnancy. [I Don't: 5 Myths About Marriage]

Another surprise was the finding that "shotgun marriages" don't always herald relationships that are headed for divorce. Among white women, these marriages did increase the divorce rate: A midpregnancy marriage raised the risk of divorce to 30 percent over the first 10 years of marriage, compared to 19 percent among couples who married before the woman became pregnant.

But for black women, midpregnancy marriages had a 23 percent chance of ending in divorce by 10 years, while couples who married before the woman became pregnant had a 20 percent chance of breaking up  a "striking" similarity in rates, the researchers reported.

The data doesn't speak directly to why the risk of divorce for white women who marry during midpregnancy might be bigger than it is for black women. Women in higher-educated demographics may experience more pressure and stigma to marry before they have a child, Gibson-Davis said, meaning that they might be more likely to choose to marry more for the baby than for any real desire to cement the relationship. Women in demographic groups where marriage is comparatively less common may not feel as much pressure to just get married, and might marry only if they really want to.

"Maybe these are more relationship-based decisions," Gibson-Davis said.

The researchers did not look at racial or ethnic groups beyond whites and blacks, and focused only on North Carolina  though that state's numbers are relatively representative of the rest of the nation, Gibson-Davis said. There are many questions left to answer, she said. The study couldn't discern whether the couples who had midpregnancy marriages were happy, or how children of these relationships fare.

Government programs to encourage marriage, especially for low-income families, are predicated on the idea that children of married parents are better off than children of unmarried parents. It's important, Gibson-Davis said, to find out more about how the timing of those marriages might influence the children.

Original article on Live Science.
Prenatal screening for genetic disorders could be done as early as five weeks into a pregnancy with a simple Pap smear, according to a small new study.

Current methods for screening fetuses for genetic disorders are more invasive, and cannot be used until a woman is nine to 12 weeks pregnant, the researchers said. A Pap smear involves scrapping a small sample of cells from a woman's cervix.

The new findings suggest that Pap smears could one day help doctors diagnose and treat babies with genetic diseases, the researchers said in their study, published today (Nov. 2) in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Genetic disorders that are caused by a certain gene, such as the blood disorders thalassemia and sickle cell anemia, are not common, but still "are a major health burden," the researchers wrote in their study. [7 Diseases You Can Learn About from a Genetic Test]

Being able to detect genetic disorders as early as possible is important because doctors can then begin treating some of these disorders before birth, the researchers said.

For example, fetuses with a genetic disorder called congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which affects the functioning of adrenal glands and in some cases might be life-threatening, could be treated while the fetus is still in the womb, the researchers said. However, more research is needed to determine whether those treated in utero might have better outcomes than those who begin treatment after birth.

In the new study, the researchers tested the Pap smear method of prenatal testing in a group of 20 healthy women who were between five and 19 weeks pregnant. During the procedure, the researchers extracted cells from the placenta inside the mother's reproductive tract. Placental cells contain DNA material from the fetus. [Unraveling the Human Genome: 6 Molecular Milestones]

The researchers tested the cells and were able to identify and analyze detailed genomic profiles of the fetuses in the study. The study did not indicate whether any of the fetuses in the study turned out to have a genetic disorder.

The researchers did not report any adverse effects from the procedure.

One of the advantages of a Pap smear for prenatal testing is that it is less invasive than methods that are currently available, the researchers said. Those other methods involve direct sampling of the placenta or of the fluid that surrounds a developing fetus and that contains fetal tissues, the researchers said. Some of these procedures come with a small risk of fetal loss.

"If you can look at the whole genome as early as five weeks, it is kind of amazing," said Dr. Jennifer Wu, an OB-GYN at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, who was not involved in the study.

However, the study was small and more research is needed to test this method of prenatal testing in a larger number of women, before it could be done regularly, Wu told Live Science.

Originally published on Live Science.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.2



By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:



The decision to replace Saudi Arabias finance minister is unlikely to mark a shift in the Kingdoms approach to dealing with the fallout from lower oil prices, according to the analysts of the UK Capital Economics consulting company.



Saudi Arabias King Salman issued a royal decree replacing Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf, with Mohammed al-Jadaan, a former lawyer and previously head of the Capital Markets Authority.



While Al-Assafs role as finance minister inevitably placed him in the spotlight as fiscal austerity hit, he was not solely responsible for formulating economic policy, said the Capital Economics report obtained by Trend.



In fact, as chair of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has played an increasingly influential role in driving economic policy in the Kingdom, including the governments efforts to wean the country off oil, said the analysts.



The analysts believe that Al-Jadaans first major job will be to deliver the 2017 budget towards the end of this year.



As we argued recently, the majority of spending cuts have probably now happened, so we expect he will be able to outline plans to ease the pace of fiscal consolidation over the next couple of years. But austerity is far from over and many Saudis may have been premature in celebrating Al-Assafs departure.
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NUI Galway graduate and Longford lady Anne Byrne (nee Gannon) is set to be celebrated by her alma mater, eighty years after she graduated.

101-year-old Anne is NUIGs oldest living alumna, having graduated in 1936, and has recently been recognised as the first private individual to make tape recordings of Irish traditional music in Ireland. She will be honoured by NUIG tomorrow, Thursday, November 3 at 6pm, with a public interview about her time spent at University, her life in America and her music.

Annes collection of music, which she first began in 1954, is being digitised and preserved by the Irish Traditional Music Archive in Dublin, to whom the collection was donated. During tomorrows celebrations, pieces from the archives will be played in a fully-restored format and one of Irelands most-respected and loved musicians, Mairtin OConnor, will also perform some of Annes favourite tracks live on the night.

Anne is not only remarkable for her position as our oldest alumna; but her wonderful life story and achievements are such that warrants celebration, said Aisling Nolan, Alumni Relations Officer at NUI Galway.

Stating that it has been a pleasure getting to know Anne, Aisling continued; Annes many vivid memories of her time at NUI Galway in the 1930s will be fascinating for the wider alumni community.

Meanwhile, Dr Meabh Ni Fhuarthain, Acting Co-Director of NUI Galways Centre for Irish Studies, who will conduct the interview with Ms Byrne, added; Annes importance to Irish traditional music collection in the mid-twentieth century is only now being given due credit and it is a real honour to be part of the celebration of that cultural contribution.

We will get to hear Anne tell her story, and also get to listen to some of the archive recordings of the music she collected.

Her experience as the daughter of an emigrant to Ireland and as an emigrant herself, raises fascinating questions about received notions of the Irish emigrant experience.

The event will take place with a pre-interview reception in Aras na Mac Leinn, NUI Galway, followed by the public interview and music in The Cube.

The event, which will be co-hosted by the Universitys Alumni Relations and the Centre for Irish Studies, is free and open to all alumni and friends of NUI Galway as well as the wider Galway community. Book your place now by contacting Aisling on 091 494310 or by email at aisling.nolan@nuigalway.ie.
The Leinster Property Auction is expecting an uplift in enquiries from buyers over the next few weeks as it heads into the final public auction of 2016

The group currently has a number of local properties and sites on its books including a site at Granard Road in Ballinalee.

Offered at bids over 149,000 in partnership with John Columb, the site has attracted lots of attention in recent weeks and is described as a well-positioned, prime development site with excellent planning potential for the construction of 11 residences with access to the public road.

The site is conveniently situated within walking distance to Ballinalee village where all local amenities are readily available.

Patrick Folan from The Leinster Property Auction added: Without fail over the past number of years there has been a significant increase in enquiry levels during the months of October and November versus August and September.

One of the most anticipated budget announcements was the new help to buy scheme for first-time buyers, Mr Folan continued.

This scheme will hopefully give a helping hand to first time buyers attempting to get on the property ladder by offering a tax rebate of up to 20,000 towards a deposit on newly built homes.

In recent weeks, the Government also allocated 50 million for a local housing activation fund. Mr Folan said it will help provide for the build of 20,000 homes by 2019.

I do believe, he added, that these new measures will improve the housing issues, however there are still major hurdles we need to cross in terms of supply and access of funding for buyers.

For more details, contact The Leinster Property Auction on 01 687 5040 or visit www.leinsterpropertyauction.ie.

The next auction is on December 1 at the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, Dublin at 7pm. Registration at 6pm.
South Korea's presidential office on Wednesday named a new prime minister and finance minister, the highest-level shake-up yet since President Park Geun-hye's administration was rocked by a scandal involving a friend accused of meddling in state affairs, Reuters reported.

But the reshuffle quickly provoked anger from opposition parties saying Park was trying to divert attention from the political crisis, which has dragged her approval rating to an all-time low.

The Blue House named Financial Services Commission chairman Yim Jong-yong as finance minister and deputy prime minister. Yim, who will replace incumbent minister Yoo Il-ho, has been well-regarded by policy makers and market participants in his current role.

Kim Byong-joon, a senior presidential secretary during former president Roh Moo-hyun's administration, was named the new prime minister to replace Hwang Kyo-ahn. The prime minister's role in South Korea is largely administrative.

The late Roh was from a liberal party that rivaled the conservative predecessor to Park's conservative Saenuri Party, and naming Kim appears intended to placate the opposition.

South Korean stocks and the won currency were unmoved by the news.

The shake-up, which also include a new minister of public safety and security, was seen as an effort to soothe public anger over the scandal involving Park's friend, Choi Soon-sil, who is in custody and under investigation by prosecutors.

But it did not please the opposition.

"This replacement of the prime minister and finance minister can't be happening without discussing it with the opposition," Park Jie-won, leader of the opposition People's Party, told a party meeting.

"We won't stand by such a move to turn around the current situation with the personnel change."

The prime minister's appointment is subject to parliamentary approval.

Yim, the finance minister nominee, was due to hold a press conference on Wednesday at 0200 GMT, according to his press office.

"The Blue House named Kim as the right person to lead the cabinet for the country's future and to overcome current hardships," presidential spokesman Jung Youn-kuk said.

Neither incumbent Yoo or Hwang has been implicated in the scandal, although Yoo had been under pressure from opposition lawmakers over his close relationship with Park.

A televised apology by Park last week for giving Choi access to draft speeches during the first months of her presidency has done little to deflect demands that Park reveal the full nature of her ties with Choi and whether she enjoyed favors because of her friendship with the president.

Choi arrived at the prosecutors' office on Wednesday morning in handcuffs for a third day of questioning.
Garda detectives have until later this evening to either charge or release a man arrested in connection with the murder of a Polish national in Longford yesterday.

Chief Supt Padraig Rattigan of the Roscommon/Longford Garda Division has extended the time investigators are allowed to question the man who was arrested shortly after yesterday's incident.

He is a 24-year-old man who is currently being held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994.

It's understood his detention runs out at around 9:30pm when a decision must be made as whether any formal charges will be issued.

Gardai say they are pursing a "number of lines of inquiry" in a bid to further their investigation into how a 31-year-old man was stabbed in broad daylight in one of the busiest areas of Longford town.

The victim, who had been a resident in the Longford town area, was attacked as he walked along the Great Water Street and Rue Noyal Chetillon Street area just before midday.

In a desperate attempt to flee his attacker, the man ran into Longford town shopping centre where he collapsed in front of stunned shoppers.

He was taken to Mullingar's Midland Regional Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

His identity has not been released as gardai await the outcome of a postmortem later today.

They are also trying to track down the dead man's family and have appointed a family liaison officer.

The scene of yesterday's incident was cordoned off for several hours pending a technical examination by forensic experts.

Earlier, at a press briefing with assembled media, Supt Jim Delaney said a murder investigation was now in full swing and an incident room had been set up.

He also confirmed a series of searches had been carried out in the Longford town area by the Roscommon/Longford Garda Scenes of Crime Unit.

One of those was a flat situated close to the murder scene.

Supt Delaney was staying tight lipped when asked by longfordleader.ie whether those searches had yielded any breakthrough or helped to move the investigation forward.

"I have no comment to make on that whatsoever," he said.

"It's too early in the investigation. We have a person detained. The detention has been extended and we are pursuing other avenues of the investigation.

"We have to have as broad an investigation as possible to make sure we are complete.

"This was a 31-year-old male and he has suffered fatal injuries, totally unjustified.

"He is a father, he is somebody's son and he has siblings.

"He is a brother and we have to do everything within our powers to ensure we don't leave anything behind during our search for evidence.

The Longford Garda chief was more at pains to renew his appeal for witnesses to the incident and released details of the alleged assailant.

He is described as wearing a blue tracksuit top with a thin red stripe down the sleeve, grey tracksuit bottom and runners.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Longford Garda Station at (043) 3350570, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Longford literary fans are being asked to vote for local writer John Connell, who has been shortlisted for a prestigious Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Award.

John's short story 'The Birds of June', originally published by Granta, UK, is among six stories shortlisted for the Writing.ie Short Story of the Year Award.

With previous winners including Donal Ryan and John Boyne (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas), it's a much-sought after accolade, and one which John would love to claim.

I'm delighted, he told the Leader this week. I took the last year out to work on my writing and the hard work is starting to pay off, which is great.

Speaking about his shortlisted story, John revealed that 'The Birds of June' was written approximately two years ago and though written in Canada, it's very much Longford-based.

It's set in Longford and it's about my mother's life, he admitted, pointing out that Mount Bridget is modelled on St Joseph's, where his mother, Maraget worked.

The story is a mix of both John's recollections and his mother's.

She loved it, he added. she said it reminded her of her earlier life when we were kids.

Originally published by Granta, a literary magazine in London, the piece was nestled amongst works by other excellent Irish authors such as Colm Toibin, Emma Donoghue and fellow Longford writer Belinda McKeon.

I sent in three stories and they chose that one, John continued.

After coming home from Australia to spend a year writing in his native Parish - Killoe - John said that the nomination was a nice nod from the industry.

Now the Editor of a farming website in Mayo, John is also working on the second draft of a book of short stories, based on his own experience of farming in Longford, which he described as a 'nature memoir'.

As the old adage goes; write about what you know, he laughed.

On a more serious note, he revealed that the year of writing helped him to greatly improve in his craft.

It's like any skill - you have to work at it, and you have to do your 10,000 hours.

I do a lot of running and training, I do triathlons and like that, you have to get fit.

You can't just do it all at once, you have to build the muscle.

Now, John is looking forward to the gala Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards dinner, which takes place in Dublin on November 16.

It's a black tie event and will feature numerous household names. Though he was accompanied by his father, Tom, to hear the shortlist, John will attend the awards with his girlfriend Vivian, who will fly in from Australia prior to the event.

Thanking his supporters, including his parents, his girlfriend, Granta UK and Parish Priest, Fr Sean Casey, who reads all of his stories, John concluded with a smile; It's been a while since I was nominated for an award, so it would be nice to get this one.

To read 'The Birds of June', visit https://www.writing.ie/interviews/writing-ie-short-story-of-the-year-shortlist-read-vote/

To cast your vote, visit www.bgeirishbookawards.ie.

You can vote up until midnight on Friday, November 11.

The winner will be announced at the gala dinner on November 16, which will be broadcast on RTE on November 19.
Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: November 02 2016

Always Best Care Senior Services of Central Suffolk is committed to end the fight against hunger by hosting an online food drive to benefit Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry.

Central Suffolk, NY - November 1, 2016 - This holiday season, Always Best Care Senior Services of Central Suffolk, is committed to ending the fight against hunger by hosting an online food drive to benefit Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry. Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry is an ecumenical project that depends on the parishioners of the seven church congregations within Smithtown to work together as one in order to provide food and to staff the pantry on a rotating basis.

Dec. 13 , local residents are encouraged to visit Now through, local residents are encouraged to visit online and select from a variety of goods to purchase for donation. The online food drive will culminate in a one-day delivery to Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry. The online food drive is made possible through YouGiveGoods , an innovative company that connects tangible giving to community needs through a free, easy-to-use online service.

Community involvement and support is at the heart of our companys mission and at Always Best Care, we are always looking for opportunities to give back, said Anthony DAmico, Always Best Care of Central Suffolk franchisee. We are so proud to be associated with Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry and invite everyone to make an online donation to support a very good local cause.

In addition to the food drive, Always Best Care gives back to the communities it serves by supporting senior citizens through Always In Touch, the companys telephone reassurance program that provides a friendly voice each weekday for seniors and disabled adults. The service is especially appreciated by those seniors during the holidays.

Always Best Care is one of the nations leading providers of non-medical in-home care, assisted living placement services and skilled home health care. The company delivers its services through an international network of more than 200 independently owned and operated franchise territories throughout the United States and Canada.

By working with case managers, social workers, discharge planners, doctors and families, Always Best Care franchise owners provide affordable, comprehensive solutions that can be specifically matched to meet a clients particular physical or social needs. The hallmark services of Always Best Care include non-medical in-home care and assisted living finder and referral services, with skilled home health care now being phased in throughout the country.

For more information on services available through Always Best Care of Central Suffolk, or for a free evaluation, please call (631) 780-7117 or visit online.

About Always Best Care

Founded in 1996, Always Best Care Senior Services is based on the belief that having the right people for the right level of care means peace of mind for the client and family. Always Best Care assists seniors with a wide range of illnesses and personal needs, and currently provides more than 4 million hours of care every year. Franchise opportunities are available to individuals interested in leveraging the companys clear strategy and proven track record for delivering affordable, dependable service to seniors in their local areas.

Always Best Care also offers an exclusive program called Always in Touch, a telephone reassurance program that provides a daily phone call to seniors and disabled adults who are living alone and have limited contact with the outside world. Always in Touch is the only absolutely free national telephone reassurance program of its kind anywhere in the USA and Canada. For more information on Always in Touch, or to request an application, visit www.Always-in-Touch.com.

About YouGiveGoods

YouGiveGoods is based in Mendham, New Jersey and is operated by a group of people who strongly believe in the importance of helping others in need. It is a for profit company devoted to social good that partners with the United Aid Foundation, a 501c3 organization. The company's website, YouGiveGoods.com, was developed to make it easier for people and organizations to set up and run in-kind charity drives, including food drives and animal shelter drives. The site provides free services to charities and makes it simpler for people to donate goods to the charities they want to support. The innovative technology platform is designed to inspire people to give and help others. Visit YouGiveGoods.com
Nature & Weather, Local News, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: November 02 2016

Nitrogen oxide emissions contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, the principle component of smog.

Albany, NY - November 1, 2016 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State has adopted regulations that will improve air quality and protect public health by limiting emissions from existing diesel generators and natural gas-fired engines. The new regulations, originally proposed in December 2015, specifically target nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions from existing equipment and actually go beyond the new standards recently established by the federal government which only apply to new equipment.



"The harmful pollution that emanates from diesel generators is a proven health risk for New Yorkers and it's critical we do all we can to limit exposure to it," Governor Cuomo said. "These new standards not only place New York at the forefront of reducing air pollution, but also further our efforts to encourage the development of renewable energy resources to both combat climate change and grow our economy."



Nitrogen oxide emissions contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, the principle component of smog. Both ozone and particulate matter can cause adverse health effects, including respiratory problems such as asthma, shortness of breath, coughing, and nasal irritation. This new rule will contribute to lower ozone and particulate matter levels, particularly in crowded urban areas where many diesel generators and natural gas-fired engines are located. This new rule also reduces other toxic pollutants caused by diesel fuel combustion.



The equipment covered under this new regulation include units that provide short-term power to facilities during times of peak electricity demand when ozone levels are often elevated. These sources, which produce more than 150 kilowatts (kW) in the New York City region and in excess of 300 kW in the rest of the state, will be required to meet these new emissions limits unless they are used solely for emergency purposes, such as during blackouts. Existing distributed generation sources that do not meet the revised standards can install control equipment to meet the new emissions limits.



The regulations include provisions for compliance date extensions for certain generators owned by municipalities or municipal agencies in order to prevent direct sewage discharge to waterways in the state. This limited extension will provide municipalities with additional time to control the emissions from their generators.



New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "These new regulations are bolstering the state's comprehensive efforts to improve air quality, protect public health, and tackle climate change. This new rule will help reduce fossil fuel use while supporting Governor Cuomo's commitment to generate 50 percent of New Yorks energy from renewable sources while reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030."



The proposed rule will complement New Yorks Reforming the Energy Vision program, which is intended to transition the state to a more efficient and cleaner distributed electricity grid that will reduce the carbon pollution that causes climate change. It is also important component of the State's effort to meet the new, stricter ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard by July 2018, as required under the federal Clean Air Act.



The regulations take effect 30 days after filing with the Department of State.



For additional information, visit DEC's website.

Click here to view regulations.
Local News, Travel & Local Attractions, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: November 02 2016

Federal highway safety grants awarded throughout NYS to improve highway safety and reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries from vehicular crashes.
Local News, Crime, National & World News, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: November 02 2016

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Acting Commissioner of Police Thomas C. Krumpter express their heartfelt prayers and condolences following the Iowa shooting.

If you see something, say something. If you hear something, say something. Immediate threats should be called into 911 and tips can be called into Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244- TIPS.

Nassau County, NY - November 2, 2016 - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Acting Commissioner of Police Thomas C. Krumpter express their heartfelt prayers and condolences to the Police Officers, their families and the Des Moines and Urbandale Police Departments for the police officers that were killed in the Line of Duty last night in Iowa.



The Nassau County Police Department is taking all steps necessary to ensure the safety of the public and its Police Officers. There will be intensified patrols in areas of public gatherings and near critical infrastructure. Social Media outlets will be intensely monitored and we request the publics assistance in any way possible to stop threats to public safety.



The NCPD is coordinating with other federal and local authorities and are assessing national and local threat levels.



If you see something, say something. If you hear something, say something.

Immediate threats should be called into 911 and tips can be called into Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244- TIPS.
Police Chase Down Van Refusing to Adhere to Traffic Stop Request and Catch Two Men Fleeing on Foot, One Suspect Still at Large

Crime, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: November 02 2016

The Major Case Bureau reports the arrest of two men for Grand Larceny that occurred on Tuesday, November 01, 2016 at 10:32 pm in Elmont.

Elmont, NY - November 2, 2016 - The Major Case Bureau reports the arrest of two men for Grand Larceny that occurred on Tuesday, November 01, 2016 at 10:32 pm in Elmont.

According to Crime Against Property Squad detectives, Fifth Precinct plainclothes officers while on routine patrol observed a tan 1995 Ford Econoline van travelling westbound on Hempstead Turnpike with a Georgia plate not belonging to the vehicle. The officers attempted a Vehicle Traffic Stop of the automobile which was occupied by three male subjects. The van accelerated speed and refused to stop.

Officers followed the vehicle through the streets of Elmont onto the Cross Island Parkway. The subjects fled on foot after crashing the van into a guardrail on the Grand Central Parkway.

Police Officers from the Fifth and Third Precincts, Crime Against Property Squad detectives along with the Nassau County Police Department Aviation Bureau and the New York City Police Department Aviation Bureau joined in the search of the above subjects. Officers apprehended defendant Taalib Quinshawn Webb-Burris, 20, of Laurelton at 11:00 pm in front of 242 31a Oak Park Drive, Douglaston. Defendant Norel Thomas (the driver), 18, of Laurelton was apprehended in front of 239-12 Douglaston Parkway, Little Neck at 11:05 pm after attempting to steal another vehicle. The third subject has not been arrested.

Both defendants are being charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree, Unlawful Fleeing, and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property. Defendant Thomas has three additional charges of Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree, Attempted Possession of Stolen Property and Reckless Driving. They will be arraigned on Wednesday, November 02, 2016 at First District Court, Hempstead.
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Columnists Press Releases
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev will take part in a two-day summit of the heads of government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on Wednesday, TASS reported.



"The meeting will focus on prospects of developing economic interaction among the SCO member states," the Russian governments official website reported. "The heads of government will discuss how a multilateral program of trade and economic cooperation of the SCO states is being carried out," the Russian government said. A list of events aimed at promoting the organizations project activities in 2012-2016 will also be part of agenda.



"The organizations 2017 budget and a list of events for 2017-2021 is to be approved. An agreement for the establishment and functioning of an SCO University is being prepared for signing," the Russian government went on to say.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

Trend:

Russia will soon take more Turkish-grown fruits and vegetables off its sanctions list, said Turkeys Customs and Trade Minister Bulent Tufenkci, Sputnik reported Nov. 2.

"The Russian market has reopened its doors for us. We can already import oranges, tangerines, apricots, peaches, and plums, said the minister. We continue talks with Russia and we know that Russia will soon allow sales of other crops.

Russia banned imports of many agricultural products, including meat, from Turkey starting on Jan. 1, 2016 after the crisis, when Turkey shot down a Russian Su-24 bomber with two pilots on board in late 2015.

Turfenkci said that prior to sanctions, Russia imported around 40 percent of Turkeys fruits and vegetables.

It was Turkeys first largest buyer of tangerines, lemons and grapefruits, and the second largest market for oranges, he noted.

As of now, Russia still keeps Turkish grapes, apples, pears, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, onions, cauliflower, whole chickens and turkeys and their subproducts, among other food items, added the minister.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 2

Trend:

Turkey supports Russia on the issue of the territorial integrity of Syria and it does not lay claim on the neighboring countries territories, TASS news agency reported citing Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

The minister made the remarks in an interview to the Russia-24 news channel.

Cavusoglu noted that Turkey in no way lays up claim on the territories of the neighboring Syria and Iraq.

We support the territorial integrity of Syria, and we share this point of view with Russia, he said.

Turkey also shares Russias viewpoint on the secular nature of Syrias future leadership that represents such a regime that would not exclude any political force.
The Defense Department announced today that Haydar Kirkan, an al Qaeda veteran who was trained in Afghanistan during the 1990s, was killed in an airstrike in Idlib, Syria on Oct. 17. US intelligence officials concluded that Kirkan was planning attacks against the West.

Kirkan was a long-serving and experienced facilitator and courier for al Qaeda in Syria, the Defense Department said in a statement. Kirkan had ties to al Qaeda senior leaders, including Osama bin Laden, and was al Qaedas senior external terror attack planner in Syria, Turkey and Europe.

According to Agence France Presse, Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis told reporters that Kirkan was intent on plotting and carrying out attacks against the West.

Al Qaeda began relocating senior leadership cadres to Syria several years ago. But according to the Defense Department, additional personnel were moved to the country in the past year. Approximately one year ago, more core al Qaeda fighters began arriving in Syria, even creating [a] leadership council called a shura.

They had a friendly, hospitable environment with al Nusra, which is their affiliate, Davis said. They are people who are from outside Syria in many cases and who are focused on external operations.

Leaked cable summarizes Kirkans network in Turkey

More details on Kirkans career can be found in a leaked State Department cable authored at the US Embassy in Ankara in 2007. Consistent with the description provided by the Defense Department today, State found that Kirkan was an al Qaeda veteran who had military training and religious education at Al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan in 1999.

After the 2003 bombings in Istanbul, according to the cables author, Turkish authorities detained dozens of suspects. As a result of operations carried out against Al Qaeda after these attacks, the cable continued, many people linked with Al Qaeda groupings were captured and their plans for terrorist actions were foiled.

It was [w]ithin this framework that Kirkans group was active in Turkeys Konya, Istanbul, Kocaeli and Izmir provinces.

Intelligence indicated that [Kirkans] group was in preparation for a big scale terrorist act in Turkey and most probably about to finish its reconnaissance activities to this end, the State Departments representative wrote. However, the target of such an act has not been discovered yet.

Turkish police cracked down on Kirkans network during raids across six provinces on Jan. 29, 2007. In all, according to States summary, 47 people were taken into custody and transferred to a facility for interrogation. Twenty-three (23) of them were detained in Konya province, another 17 in Istanbul, and the remaining seven were arrested across four other provinces.

The counterterrorism raids uncovered various small arms and jihadi paraphernalia, including: 3 handguns, 3 blank-firing guns, 6 shotguns, 1 air rifle, 2 swords, 205 bullets (9 mm), 27 computers, 5 laptop computers, 4 walkie-talkies, 2 forged ID cards and passports, 1,000 CDs including images of terrorist acts conducted in Iraq etc., hard disks, flash disks and numerous documents of the organization were captured.

In Kirkans own house, according to States summary, two practicing certificates for lawyers as well as a membership card for IHA-DER (Association for the Protection of Human Rights) in the name of Osman Karahan was found. Karahan was described in the cable as a publicly known lawyer who defended Al Qaeda members in Turkey, but was himself arrested on charges of allegedly providing assistance to the terror organization in December 2006.

The US Embassy in Ankara concluded that Kirkans group had intensified its efforts to carry out an attack in Turkey and had potential to realize it, but it was likely an al Qaeda terrorist act had been foiled at an early stage.

Series of al Qaeda veterans and external operations planners targeted in Syria

The US has targeted a number of senior al Qaeda leaders and operatives in Syria since September 2014. The first US airstrikes aimed at al Qaeda were intended to take out members of the so-called Khorasan Group. Although there was much confusion surrounding the Khorasan cadre, it was simply a collection of al Qaeda operatives sent to Syria to perform a variety of functions, including laying the groundwork for attacks in the West.

Khorasan Group figures such as Sanafi al Nasr, Muhsin al Fadhli and David Drugeon, all of whom had a hand in al Qaedas external operations, perished in US airstrikes in northern Syria. Other senior al Qaeda leaders killed in US airstrikes in Syria include Abu Firas al Suri, Rifai Ahmed Taha Musa, and Ahmed Salama Mabrouk, among others.

The airstrike targeting Kirkan indicates that the US thinks that al Qaeda is still plotting against the West from Syrian soil. In the past, Ayman al Zawahiri issued a stand down order on this front. While Zawahiri wanted the Khorasan Group and affiliated al Qaeda members to prepare attacks against the West, he did not give them the go ahead to actually launch the offensives. However, that calculation could change at any time.

Al Qaeda also rebranded Al Nusrah Front, which provided safe haven for Kirkan and his associates, in late July in an attempt to distance the al Qaeda branch from any external entities. Al Qaeda wants Al Nusrah to be seen solely as a force dedicated to fighting Bashar al Assads regime and its allies. But this wouldnt necessarily stop al Qaeda from hatching a plot from Syrian soil if Jabhat Fath al Sham, as Nusrah is now known, could somehow escape blame.

The Defense Department warned today that al Qaeda threatens the West from multiple countries. In addition to the airstrike targeting Kirkan in Syria, the US hunted senior al Qaeda operatives in Afghanistan and Yemen in October. The Pentagon emphasized that the airstrikes show the transregional nature of both the terrorist group [al Qaeda] and the approach to countering them.

Al Qaeda doesnt recognize borders when they conspire to commit terrorist attacks against the West, and we will continue to work with our partners and allies to find and destroy their leaders, their fighters and their cells that are planning attacks externally, Pentagon spokesman Davis said.

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.
The US military says that the Taliban influences at least 25 of Afghanistans 407 districts and controls only 8 more. The numbers are at odds with an assessment by The Long War Journal of Taliban control in Afghanistan. The US militarys estimate does not explain how the Taliban is able to support multiple concurrent offensives across the country and threaten five provincial capitals.

The US militarys estimate of Taliban control and influence of Afghan districts was reported by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, in its quarterly report to Congress that was released on Oct. 30. The data are current as of Aug. 28, 2016.

[O]f the 407 districts within the 34 provinces, 258 districts were under government control (88 districts) or influence (170), 33 districts (in 16 provinces) were under insurgent control (8) or influence (25), and 116 districts were contested, SIGAR noted, based on discussions with US Forces-Afghanistan, or USFOR-A.

USFOR-A described contested districts as having negligible meaningful impact from insurgents,' SIGAR continued. It is unclear if the so-called contested districts have a negligible meaningful impact from the Afghan government.

The names of the Taliban controlled and influenced districts, as well as those that are contested, were not disclosed by USFOR-A.

Additionally, USFOR-A said that the Afghan government controls or influences 68.5% of the population (~22.0 million) and controls 61.3% of Afghanistans territory (~350,000 square kilometers), and the Taliban controls or influences 8.1% (~2.8 million) and controls 8.7% of the ground (~66,000 square kilometers). The remaining 28.5% of the population (~7.3 million) and 22.7% of the land (~183,000 square kilometers) is contested.

The Long War Journal believes that the US militarys assessment of the state of play in Afghanistans districts is flawed. A study by The Long War Journal estimates the Taliban controls 42 Afghan districts and contests (or influences) another 55. [Note, USFOR-As definition of influence matches that of LWJs definition of contested. The term influenced/contested will be used for clarity to describe these districts. LWJ does not assess districts that are defined by USFOR-A as contested, which means neither the Taliban or Afghan government hold sway.]

The number of Taliban controlled and influenced/contested districts has risen from 70 in October 2015 to 97 this month.

Districts under Taliban command are typically being administered by the group, or the group controls the district center. Additionally, districts where the district center frequently changes hands are considered Taliban-controlled. In influenced/contested districts, the Taliban dominates all of the areas of a district except the administrative center.

A map created by LWJ [below] lists the districts thought to be controlled [black] or influenced/contested [red] by the Taliban. LWJ believes that the Taliban controls and contests more districts displayed on the map above, however the districts listed on the map are ones that can be confirmed via independent sources such as Taliban claims, US and Afghan government reports, and news reports. For instance, the Taliban has traditionally held significant sway in many districts in eastern and northeastern Afghanistan, however the status of these districts cannot be assessed based on open source information.

Without USFOR-As list of Taliban controlled or influenced/contested districts, it is difficult to compare the discrepancies between the US military and LWJs assessments. However, USFOR-A did provide information on one province which reveals that the military is providing a best-case scenario of the situation on the ground.

According to SIGAR, USFOR-A said that only 21% of Helmand province is controlled or influenced/contested. This means that, according to USFOR-A, only 3 of Helmands 14 districts are Taliban controlled or influenced/contested.

However, numerous local and international press reports indicate that all of Helmand remains a battleground, and the Taliban controls or influences/contests far more than three districts. Based on these reports, LWJ has assessed that of Helmands 14 districts, six are known to be controlled by the Taliban (Now Zad, Nawa, Musa Qala, Baghran, Dishu, and Khanashin), and another seven, including the provincial capital, are heavily influenced/contested (Lashkar Gah, Nahr-i-Sarraj, Kajaki, Nad Ali, Marjah, Garmsir, and Sangin). The status of Washir district is uncertain as new reports from the district are scarce. Nearly all of Helmand has been controlled or influenced/contested for well over a year.

The situation in Helmand is so bleak that the Taliban has effectively surrounded the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah for well over a year, and have launched several forays into the city. Less than three weeks ago, the Taliban ambushed a large convoy of Afghan troops after they negotiated their safe passage from their base on the outskirts of Lashkar Gah. More than 200 Afghan troops were killed, wounded, captured, or surrendered. [See LWJ report, Taliban details deadly ambush of Afghan military convoy.]

The Taliban has also attacked four other provincial capitals: Kunduz City, Tairn Kot, Maimana, and Farah City over the past several months. Additionally, last week, the Taliban cut off the main roads to Maidan Wardak, the capital of Wardak province just outside of Kabul.

In order to threaten these provincial capitals, the Taliban has deliberately sought to control the rural districts surrounding them. These districts are vital to the Talibans insurgency. The areas are used to recruit and train fighters, raise funds, resupply, and launch attacks into the population centers. This strategy was explained by Mullah Aminullah Yousuf, the Talibans shadow governor for Uruzgan, in April 2016.

Despite the success the Taliban has had employing this strategy, General John Nicholson, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan and Resolute Support, NATOs mission in the country, has downplayed the Talibans control of rural areas.





Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of 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.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and President Xi Jinping meet in China. (Photo : Getty Images)

The prime minister of Malaysia Najib Raza arrived in China to talk to President Xi Jinping and was open for discussion on Chinese trade and the naval dispute on the South China Sea.



The move of the Malaysian prime minister followed the Philippines' suit in terms of Chinese diplomatic relations. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte pronounced his pro-China sentiments before and after his meeting with the Chinese president.



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According to Euan Graham, director of the international security program at the Lowy Institute for International Policy in Sydney, "Malaysia being a South China Sea claimant, and hot on the heels of Duterte, there is an obvious symbolism there. In the maritime geopolitical aspect, it's almost back to dominoes. The Philippines has caved, and Malaysia looks wobbly."



Upon returning to the Philippines from his China trip, President Duterte reported that the Philippines' ties with China are tighter.



He said, "My state visit to China signaled a turning point in our shared history and showed that both countries are fully capable of working together for mutually beneficial cooperation even as we remain committed to settling disputes peacefully in full adherence to international law."



He added, "To realize the vision of a deeper and more meaningful engagement, we have opened formal lines of communications between our government and agreed on the full resumption of the regular bilateral consultations mechanisms which were put on hold for several years."



Following the Philippines' move, Najib is expected to discuss a high-speed rail project, real estate, energy projects and "the first significant defense deal."



"Beggars can't be choosers," said James Chin, director of the Asia Institute at the University of Tasmania, and noted that the prime minister is pressured to close deals before the elections next year.


Cars / Jets

Crystal AirCruises has launched a round-the-world jet tour that will help inaugurate the debut of their Boeing 777-200LR jet, which takes to the skies in 2017.

Nov 02, 2016 | By AFPRelaxnews

From a private dinner on the Great Wall of China, to a trip to Champagne for a bubbly-soaked luncheon in France, a new round-the-world travel package is being launched for high-rolling travelers with $159,000 to spare.

In partnership with The Peninsula hotel brand, Crystal AirCruises has launched a round-the-world jet tour that will help inaugurate the debut of their Boeing 777-200LR jet, which takes to the skies next summer.

Over 27 days, guests will fly to 10 metropolitan cities that include New York, Paris and Tokyo, for a variety of cultural and culinary experiences unique to each destination.

While staying at The Peninsula Beijing, for instance, guests can learn the art of making dumplings, and participate in a traditional Chinese tea ceremony.

Local insiders such as artists, gallerists, and fashion and jewelry designers, will greet guests and share their personal insights into what makes their city tick.

The launch marks Crystals expansion from luxury cruise liners  for which the brand is best known  into the world of luxury air travel.

The Boeing 777 has been reconfigured to convert seats into 180-degree lie-flat beds. The plane will also feature a more social lounge area with stand-up bar and table seating, while in-flight meals will be prepared by a designated executive chef.

Amenities include Bose Noise Cancelling headphones, Apple iPads and complimentary wifi.

Crystal AirCruises is not the first to hit upon the idea of an air travel and hotel tie-up, or expand from sea to sky.
Randy Orton addresses the crowd in last year's Summerslam. (Photo : Getty Images/JP Yim)

The 30th edition of the Survivor Series is shaping up to be the biggest one in its history but two huge superstars are expected to miss the event. According to the latest rumors, John Cena and Randy Orton may not be present at Survivor Series on Nov. 20 in Toronto, Canada.



Cena and Orton are part of the SmackDown Live roster but they apparently won't make it in the event due to different circumstances. The 15-time WWE world champion was advertised for Survivor Series but he was pulled out just recently, per Wrestle Zone.



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It should be noted that Cena is currently on hiatus from WWE television because he is filming the second season of his reality television series. He is expected to miss time until late December when he returns for the post-Christmas WWE Live Event on Dec. 26.



On the other hand, Orton is currently in the middle of a confusing feud with The Wyatt Family and Kane. He was teaming with The Big Red Monster in the past several weeks but he helped Bray Wyatt defeat Kane in a match last week.



The Viper has seemingly joined Bray and Luke Harper in The Wyatt Family but his actions have not been explained. In a recent live event in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Orton, Bray and Harper teased the crowd by posing at the turnbuckle together.



Rumors backstage suggest that Orton was planned to be part of the SmackDown Live team for the traditional Survivor Series match against Team Monday Night Raw. However, he is now expected to miss the event just like his good buddy Cena.



According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required), Orton will take a short time off around Survivor Series because his wife, Kimberly Kessler, is expected to give birth on Nov. 22. He is scheduled to return to television on the Nov. 29 edition of SmackDown Live.



Nevertheless, these are just rumors at the moment and Cena could be used for one night only since the WWE needs all the star power they need. As for Orton, it is more of a paternity leave and it is mandatory for the company to let him take some time off.



The 30th edition of the Survivor Series will be held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. The main event for the match is Brock Lesnar vs. Bill Goldberg with Raw and SmackDown having three 5-on-5 Survivor Series matches against each other.



Check out the video below to see some of the highlights between Cena and Orton in an I Quit Match in 2009.




The great Gold Rush Music Festival returns to the township of Waihi, with the first nuggets of gold dropping for the highly anticipated return of the 2023 festival.
The Communist Party of China wants to purge corrupt officials. (Photo : Getty Images)

The Chinese government has recovered over $1.1 billion worth of assets from the country's most corrupt officials. There were 2,210 individuals deported from 70 countries and the 35 of the top 100 were arrested.



The data was released by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the government's anti-corruption agency.



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The commission reported that half of the 35 people fled to Western countries such as the U.S., the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. Those countries do not have an extradition treaty with China.



There were seven that were detained in Cambodia, Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia, There were six in Africa and three in China. These officials were involved in embezzlement, bribery, and fraud, and half have been accused of corruption, according to the CCDI.



One of these arrested officials is Fu Yaobo from the labor and social security department of Northeast China's Liaoning Province. He was able to embezzle public funds with the help of Zhang Qingzhao, a cashier.



They fled to the Caribbean island state of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which eventually deported them.



The campaign against fraud, called Sky Net, released its most wanted list in 2015. The Interpol's National Central Bureau in China also released a list of 100 people wanted worldwide.



The Communist Party of China released a communique during a recent plenum that stated, "To maintain Party leadership [over the country] is first and foremost to maintain the Party Central Committee's centralized, unified leadership."



This means that the government is determined to maintain control and through the anti-corruption campaign, President Xi Jinping strengthens his hold.



The Party also aims to improve governance that "has both centralization and democracy, discipline and freedom, unified willpower and individual thought."


Being a police officer and following the rules book is not an easy job to do. But an American police's act was garnering applauds in the social media. Tim Glover, who was working as an officer in charge of monitoring red light in Haines city did not hesitate to pay the fine, when he found out that he ran into a red light during his patrol.

But it happened unintentionally. Even Tim came to know about the incident while reviewing camera footage and remembered his patrol route during the other day.

Instead of being a hypocrite, he did not excuse himself in any way, and went to his superior office to notify the situation. And he was fined with 160 dollars. However Tim's actions were widely appreciated in the social media.
Jammu : Eight people were killed and 22 injured when Pakistan troops heavily shelled border hamlets and posts with mortar bombs along the International Border (IB) and the LoC in Samba, Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir today. Two women were killed and 13 others injured during shelling with 82 and 120 mm mortar bombs in Rajouri, Jammu, Poonch districts. Army sources said two Pakistani soldiers have been killed opposite to Noushera sector along the LoC in Rajouri district.

"Five people died and nine others were injured in the shelling in Ramgarh sector of Samba district today," Deputy Commissioner Samba, Sheetal Nanda told PTI. "One persons died due to shock during shelling in the same area taking the total of those killed to six," she said.

While three of the injured were given treatment in Ramgarh hospital, the rest were shifted to GMC hospital in Jammu, she said. The casulaties took place during shelling in Jarda and Rangoor camp villages along the IB in Ramgarh sector.

Along the LOC, two women were killed in firing and shelling by Pakistani troops in Panjgrian border hamlet in Manjakote belt of Rajouri district, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Shabir Ahmed Bhat said.

PTI
Actors Jonny Lee Miller (L) and Lucy Liu speak at the 'Elementary' discussion panel during the CBS portion of the 2012 Summer Television Critics Association tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 29, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo : Getty Images/Frederick M. Brown)

CBS' "Elementary" is back for Season 5 and its followers wonder if the characters of stars Johnny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu will have a romantic relationship. The two co-stars have an onscreen chemistry while solving crimes together as detective Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Joan Watson, respectively.



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"Elementary" fans may not like it but Liu and Miller said the romance between their characters is unlikely. Robert Dohery, the series creator wants to stick to the original material.



"We want to hold true to the literature of their relationship," Liu told CBS on its morning show Oct. 28, Friday. "And how that develops into friendship, which is what drew people into the stories to begin with."



Liu thinks Dohery may have intended to have a woman around Holmes all the time, as he is not comfortable with women. The actress had directed three episodes of the series and will do that again in Season 5. While being complimented by Miller of her skills, she admitted it was not easy being pushed to the max.



Meanwhile, the movie iteration of Doyle's story, "Sherlock Holmes" has been a blockbuster. Its 2009 and 2011 release grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. The film which stars Robert Downey, Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. John Watson is due for a third release.



The third screen adventure of Holmes and Watson was planned in 2011 and has kept many fans waiting. Downey mentioned filming of the movie will begin in the fall which did not happen as the script is not ready. The actor will soon be occupied for Marvel's upcoming production of "The Avengers: Infinity War," where he will return as Iron Man.



In the third installment of Doyle's story, the hero is said to be taken to North America. To make the production fast, five screenwriters are now signed to write the duo's next case.



The production hired five writers. They are Nicole Perlman of "Guardians of the Galaxy," Gary Whitta of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," Justin Malen of "Baywatch," Kieran Fitzgerald of "Snowden" and Geneva Dworet-Robertson of "Tomb Raider," Malay Mail Online reported.



Here are some of Holmes and Watson's funny moments in CBS' crime-solving series:






New Delhi : In its biggest-ever drug seizure, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized a huge haul of banned narcotic substance worth over Rs 3,000 crore from a factory in Udaipur and also arrested Bollywood producer Subash Dudhani in this connection. On October 28, DRI officials raided the premises of Udaipur-based Marudhar Drinks and detected a room filled with cartons of banned Mandrax tablets.

"The total number of tablets are estimated to be about 2 crore in numbers with a weight of about 23.5 metric tonnes. The international market value of seized tablets is estimated to be over Rs 3,000 crore," CBEC chairperson Najib Shah said. This is the biggest ever drug seizure done by DRI, the investigative arm of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC). We have arrested the mastermind and efforts are underway to nab others involved with the drug syndicate," he said.

Shah said that Subhas Dudhani, who has produced Bollywood films, also had businesses and properties in Mumbai. The information came to DRI Mumbai and then it was traced to Udaipur and with active assistance from Border Security Force (BSF), the mastermind was arrested. The drug is commonly known as Mandrax,M-Pills, buttons or smarties and is usually smoked mixed with cannabis. It is used as a recreational drug in Africa and Asia.

PTI
Massachusetts voters should take note of Education Secretary John King's charter school endorsement.

Charter schools are in the news. The NAACP's national board recently passed a resolution calling for a moratorium on charter school expansion across the United States. In Massachusetts, voters are about to decide on a ballot initiative to raise the state's charter cap so that up to a dozen charter schools can be opened or expanded each year.

As we've come to expect in 21st century America, the debate over charters is generating more heat than light. In October, however, U.S. Secretary of Education John King offered some remarks that the NAACP leadership and Massachusetts voters might find illuminating.

In a gentle rebuke to the NAACP leadership and those opposing the expansion of charters in Massachusetts, King said during a talk at the National Press Club that "any arbitrary cap on the growth of high-performing charters is a mistake in terms of our goal of trying to improve opportunity for all kids."

The most recent Suffolk University poll shows Massachusetts voters evenly split (45 percent to 45 percent) on the question of whether the charter cap should be raised. It is interesting to note, however, that while white voters oppose raising the cap by 48 to 43 percent, nonwhite voters support raising the cap by a wide margin: 58 percent to 33 percent. Thus, it is King and not the NAACP who is on the side of the majority of nonwhite Bay State voters.

(It's also worth noting that representatives of the nation's other venerable civil rights organization, the National Urban League, have come out in favor of raising the cap. And, on a related note...

Read the entire piece here at U.S. News & World Report

______________________

Charles Sahm is the director of education policy at the Manhattan Institute. Follow him on Twitter here.
Pope Francis is hopeful that the Vatican will have a better relationship with China. (Photo : Getty Images)

The Chinese government and the Roman Catholic Church are seen to renew ties after five decades of separation.



The two heads of state are looking into the possibility of Vatican waiving its rights to select bishops from China. There are eight bishops that are awaiting nomination.



This also comes in conflict with the state-run Catholic institutions, but the final decision of Pope Francis is still pending.



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According to sources from the Vatican, "Vatican negotiators aren't happy about the deal but consider it the best they can hope for at this time, according to people familiar with the matter. It would be a historic breakthrough from Rome's point of view since the Communist government would for the first time recognize the pope's jurisdiction as head of the Catholic Church in China."



Despite the issue, analysts believe that Chinese and Vatican relations are at a historic high. Last month, President Xi Jinping gave the pontiff a gift, symbolizing an improvement of ties between the two countries.



According to Pope Francis, "They're talking slowly, but slow things are good. Things that move fast aren't good. The Chinese people have my highest esteem."



"They have bridged the key disagreement over the appointment of bishops. Building diplomatic ties is just a matter of time," said Professor Edward I-hsin Chen at Taiwan's Tamkang University.



Chen added, "Beijing already used the Gambia as an example to show they won't worry about Taiwan's diplomacy under the new DPP government."



Jiang Shixue of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences agreed with Chen.



He said, "There was a diplomatic truce between Beijing and Taipei during Ma Ying-jeou's presidency, but cross-strait relations have been more uncertain since [President Tsai Ing-wen] was sworn in. Xi's sending the gift says a lot about the warming ties with the Vatican."


India, China Face Trade Choices

In the coming years, China and India must decide whether their bilateral ties will be based on economic cooperation, political facilitation and strategic trust - or economic walls, political barriers and strategic containment.



In early October, militants attacked an Indian army camp in Indian-administered Kashmir, killing a soldier. In this contested region, the two nuclear powers, India and Pakistan, have occasionally been close to devastating military friction. In the mid-October BRICS Summit, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Pakistan "mother-ship of terrorism."

However, fringe groups went further and a unit of the Indian right-wing Hindu nationalist organization, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, torched a pile of 200 Chinese-made electronics in West Bengal. For now, opportunistic political attacks remain marginal but there are concerns that determined fringes could aim higher. In turn, these efforts are compounded by past mistrust on the quality of some Chinese goods, and deliberate hoaxes.



Today, China is India's largest trade partner. However, New Delhi has a huge trade deficit with China, which many Indians also perceive as the key partner of Pakistan.



How serious are these threats to boycott, ban and embargo Chinese products by Indians?

Avoiding economic mistakes



Despite recent calls against Chinese products, China has currently a dominant position in many sectors and Chinese investments are sought and welcomed by companies of all sizes across the vast India. Exports from China are estimated at $2.3 trillion (of which a fourth is accounted by electronic equipment), up over 20 percent since 2011.



Industry and bilateral lobbies see strong trade relations as vital to both nations but hope and expect that trade will grow more balanced over time. But official trade and investment cooperation remains fairly new between New Delhi and Beijing. While Chinese are concerned for potential trade barriers, Indians fear that overcapacity challenges could pave way for dumping by China.



Nevertheless, banning or boycotting Chinese products would be the wrong thing in the wrong time. It would harm India economically, politically and strategically.



Economically, it would hurt India more than China, especially over time. In development, India is now where China was some 10-15 years ago. It needs aggressive modernization, industrial expansion, infrastructure investment and inclusive urbanization to lift hundreds of millions of people from abject poverty. In this quest, affordable but quality products made in China can provide immense consumer welfare.



The potential of a great takeoff has existed for decades; it can only be realized through focus on economic reforms at home and peaceful external relations regionally. As long as this promise is unrealized, India is likely to continue to suffer from periodical balance of payments challenges.



When China launched its reforms, Deng Xiaoping did not foster "Made in China" campaigns. First, China had to learn to manufacture things that had adequate quality and were affordable. Today, the mainland is in a different position, but it took several decades. Slogans do not make competitiveness; productivity does.



In fall 2014, Modi's government launched the "Make in India" initiative to encourage multinational and national companies to manufacture their products in India. Last year, India also became the top destination globally for foreign direct investment (FDI), surpassing both the U.S. and China.



Nevertheless, India's trade deficit with China has soared in the past few years and exceeded $51 billion in 2015. While India should be vigilant against deficits, protectionism won't help, and could turn against the manufacturing initiative.

Favoring investment against politics



Politically, bans or boycotts would slow progress in bilateral relations. Moreover, the timing couldn't be worse.



In the past, China was mainly the recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI). However, in the past few years, Chinese multinationals have not only expanded domestically but initiated broad-scale internationalization. As a result, Chinese outward FDI now exceeds their investments at home.



In the regional neighborhood, that's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and  even more importantly  an effective way to learn more about Chinese manufacturing.



Furthermore, China's huge Road and Belt (B&R) initiative has potential to serve as a catalyst for the kind of infrastructure investment that India needs and that's provided by the new emerging-economy multilateral banks (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the BRICS New Development Bank).



The accumulation of Chinese products in India today is not a win-lose proposition. It could mean the accumulation of Indian products in China in the future. But while Chinese products became known for their cheap prices a decade or two ago, they were shunned initially until they proved their competitiveness in price and quality  as once was the case with Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.



In each case, it was the gradual opening of the economy that facilitated positive change  not new walls.

Beware of strategic miscalculations



Strategically, bans or boycotts could foster the perception in Beijing that Indian trade policy is subject to the U.S. pivot in Asia, as the U.S. and India remain the largest sources of trade remedy probes against Chinese goods, respectively.



In China, there is some unease about New Delhi, particularly vis-a-vis Washington. While India's primary defense contractor is Russia, New Delhi has a central role in the U.S. pivot to Asia, particularly among those who see India as the South Asian front of containment.



In turn, Chinese-Pakistan ties are longstanding. What is now fueling this relationship is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a portfolio of projects under construction at an estimated $50+ billion. The goal is to rapidly expand and upgrade Pakistani infrastructure. The CPEC is seen as an extension of China's B&R initiative. In Pakistan, it is expected to create 700,000 jobs directly in 2015-30 and to add 2-2.5 percent to its annual economic growth.



While the focus of China-Pakistan cooperation is economic, it has strategic aspects as well. But the foundation of the bilateral ties is predicated on economic development.



Naturally, India enjoys proud independence in foreign policy. In the past, periods of non-alignment highlighted this autonomy and efforts at South-to-South cooperation. Today, India shows interest in strategic cooperation with Japan, Australia and other countries that figure centrally in the U.S. pivot to Asia, which may account for some caution in China.



However, the appropriate way to build bilateral strategic trust is increasing economic, political and strategic cooperation  not new barriers.

Keeping eye on the prize



Despite political and strategic differences, both China and India can greatly benefit from bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as evidenced by the BRICS activities, the AIIB, and the BRICS NDB.



In this cooperation, perhaps still another aspect could be, at least over time, a purposeful effort to China-India Economic Corridor. It might be something to discuss and develop in bilateral summits  and something that would complement existing regional initiatives in which the two already work together.



From India's standpoint, there is another multilateral area that could prove even more vital, particularly in the short-term. China is currently leading the G20; Beijing seeks to foster globalization against protectionism. In the coming years, that is critical to India.



Between the 1980s and 2008, China benefited greatly from global economic integration, through foreign investment and export-led growth. That will be even more vital to India, which must industrialize and urbanize at a time, when major advanced economies suffer from secular stagnation and emerging economies can no longer benefit from export-led growth as they have in the past.



Indeed, any new protectionist barriers between China and India would only result in a tit-for-tat responses that ultimately would impair economic progress in both nations  while benefiting the perceived and tacit adversaries of the two nations.

Dr. Dan Steinbock is an internationally recognised expert of the nascent multipolar world. He is the CEO of Difference Group and has served as Research Director at the India, China and America Institute (USA) and visiting fellow at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (China) and the EU Centre (Singapore). For more, see www.differencegroup.net

 2016 Copyright Dan Steinbock - All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




People watch the fireworks display during the opening of the Sands new mega resort, The Parisian, in Macau in September this year. (Photo : Getty Images)

China's investigation into possible gambling-related crimes of Australian casino operator Crown Resorts Ltd, including the detention of 18 employees, should serve as a warning to other foreign companies doing business in China, according to legal experts.



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Experts and gambling industry insiders also believed that the move indicates that the Chinese government is intent on strictly enforcing the rules on marketing and promotion of gambling in the country, a Wall Street Journal report said.



The report said that the news about the detention has raised concerns among businesses in Macau, Las Vegas and other areas as consultants have advised foreign executives to stay out of China in the meantime.



Jason O'Connor, an executive of Crown's international VIP business, was among the three Australians detained in Shanghai.



China is intensifying its efforts against businesses that do not comply with its laws, according to Dan Harris, a partner at law firm Harris & Moure in Seattle. He also advised executives not to travel to the country.



"Fifteen years ago, not many companies got caught. China didn't have the forces in place to catch these people, and they probably didn't have the desire," Harris said. "Now, China has begun to "step up its game."



Although Chinese President Xi Jinping has implemented a campaign to crack down on corruption by party officials and restrict capital flight, some Chinese nationals are still into gambling.



In Las Vegas, 10 percent of gambling revenues to casinos came from Chinese nationals while in Australia, it accounts for about 15 percent, according to analysts from CLSA, a brokerage group.



CLSA, however, said that in other parts of Asia, the impact of Chinese nationals on casinos is much greater. In the Philippines, 25 percent of the gambling revenue is contributed by Chinese nationals, with 30 percent in Singapore, 60 percent in South Korea and more than 80 percent in Macau and Saipan.



Aside from gambling, Chinese authorities have also looked into foreign business interests in mining, pharmaceuticals and financial services.



In 2010, Xu Feng, an American citizen, was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for acquiring data on China's onshore oil wells, on behalf of his employer. The data were classified as state secret.



Similarly, in 2014, British national Peter Humphrey and his American wife, Yu Yingzeng, who had been investigating a case for GlaxoSmithKline China office, were convicted for buying personal information on Chinese citizens. The couple was also later found guilty of bribery.



Experts said the recent cases indicate that foreign companies must be aware of Chinese laws and changes in its political system.


STUART -- A Patrick County District Court judge found enough probable cause Tuesday to send an attempted murder case to trial.

Judge Marcus Brinks sent the charges against Stuart resident Betsy L. Irvin to Patrick County Circuit Court. Irvin faces two counts of attempted murder and two counts of child endangerment. Three of the charges were in Judicial and Domestic Relations Court and one in General District Court.

The commonwealth dropped a fifth charge  misdemeanor domestic assault and battery  against Irvin.

Randy Smith, an acting assistant commonwealths attorney for Patrick County, called one witness during the preliminary hearing: Junior Ray Cardwell, Irvins ex-husband.

He testified about the domestic disturbance, which occurred on Sunday, Aug. 14, about 5:30 or 6 p.m. at his wifes home, which, according to a previous news release from the Patrick County Sheriffs Office, was on Russell Gunter Drive, off Dangler Mountain Road, Stuart.

Junior Cardwell, who now lives in Lawsonville, North Carolina, said he and Irvin married in 2005 and separated in April 2010, and that on this occasion he went to Irvins home to pick up two of their children, ages 6 and 10, who usually spend the weekends with her and live with him during the week, going to school in North Carolina.

Cardwell said one of the children was ready to go home with him on this occasion, but one wanted to stay with Irvin. Cardwell said he responded that he was fine with that and that either the child could be brought to Cardwells house later or Cardwell could return to get the child.

Cardwell testified that Irvin said that child was going to stay with her a week or so. After a disagreement, he claimed Irvin at one point came at him with a pair of scissors, but he grabbed her arm, took the scissors and threw them down a hill. He also claimed in testimony that Irvin went to a car and got a .45-caliber automatic pistol, trying to fire it at him. It clicked, however, because it contained no bullets, Caldwell said. Then he testified that Irvin went to her home, put bullets in the gun and began firing it.

From my point of view, it looked like she was aiming at me, Junior Cardwell said.

He later testified that he had gotten back into the 2015 Hyundai driven by his mother Martha, who hadnt gotten out of the car at that point. Cardwell said he was in the back seat behind his mother, trying to protect her from the gunfire as he looked back, as well as protect the children, who were on the floor boards of the back seat.

Cardwell testified that he heard three gun shots, while his mother heard four. No one was shot in the incident.

Irvins lawyer, Christina Slate, asked if the Hyundai then drove away fast.

Not as fast as I would have liked, Junior responded.

Slate asked Junior why he didnt mention the scissors on his application for a protective order against Irvin. He responded the reason might have been nerves.

Slate asked him if he previously had assaulted Irvin.

He responded that once he karate-chopped her in self-defense, but said I think its very wrong to put your hands on a woman.

Slate asked Junior Cardwell if he cursed the child or children on that occasion. He responded he didnt remember doing that and normally doesnt curse the children.

Junior testified he didnt know what caused Irvin to, as he put it, snap or what caused her to grab the gun.

I hope this is downsized or dismissed, he said of the charges, adding that he wanted her to get help. I want all of us to get help. I dont want to hurt her.

Cardwell said he didnt kidnap the two kids and didnt know what caused Irvin to react how she did. He admitted however it aint all her. It aint all me. It takes two people to argue.

Slate called no witnesses on behalf of her client and presented no evidence in her defense.

Paul Collins reports for the Martinsville Bulletin and can be reached at paul.collins@martinsvillebulletin.com.
This is my opinion. Every election, we hear how it is one of the most important elections ever. Well, anyone who has been paying attention must know that this election is the most important in history. It is not about two individual personalities, but rather it is about saving America from going into socialism.

If Hillary is elected, she has advocated and I believe she will push through these things. First, having open borders. Second, appointing only liberal judges to the Supreme Court, ensuring that her liberal ideas will be fully supported and embraced by the court. Third, she would increase taxes on the middle class. Fourth, she would go after the second amendment and, who knows, with the help of a liberal Supreme Court, she may abolish the second amendment. Fifth, she will continue the policies that President Obama has implemented in the past eight years, which will without a doubt take us into more government control, government regulations and make this country a socialist state.

Poverty, food stamps and welfare programs are at record highs. Weve had the worst recovery after a recession ever. We have 94 million Americans out of work and Hillary wants to continue the same policies that got us here. How can any American vote for any of the things that she wants? Trump will have protected borders and will not appoint radical liberal judges to the Supreme Court. He will reduce taxes, keeping money in the peoples hands to invest and grow our country, which right now has stagnant growth. His tax policies will create jobs and help to get the country back on its feet, just as Ronald Reagan did when he cut taxes.

If you think Hillary would make a good commander in chief, all you need to do is look at the way she handled Bengazi. We had our four soldiers over there who were trapped for hours, thinking she would send help. She failed to provide additional security, letting them die at the hands of the terrorists. Then she told the American people and the parents of the dead soldiers that a video caused the whole thing, which was a lie. Now she wants to be rewarded by making her commander in chief of the Armed Forces. If she could not handle Bengazi, what would she do in a real crisis?

In my opinion, Hillarys main objective is to make this country a socialistic society with government control of everything. This country did not become the greatest country in the world by being a country under socialism. We became great because we worked hard and invested in businesses, not by expecting a free handout from the government and doing nothing, even when we are able to work.

I know there are some people who are not sure who to vote for. I would ask you to think long and hard before you vote for a bigger government and socialism, which would bring an end to the America that you have cherished and loved for so long.

Carl Barrow

Martinsville
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton shakes hands with husband and former U.S. President Bill Clinton after the second 2016 Presidential Debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. (Photo : Getty Images/Joe Raedle)

The U.S. Justice Department announced on Oct. 31, Monday, that it will dedicate all resources at its disposal to review emails potentially linked to Hillary Clinton. The announcement comes in the midst of mounting public pressure over the surprise revelation by the FBI that it had found emails in an unrelated case.



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Earlier, the FBI stated that it will require sorting through several thousand recently discovered emails in order to renew examination of the practices by Democratic presidential nominee and her aides. This had raised questions about whether or not the FBI will be able to release any findings before the Election Day, the Associated Press reported.



The emails were discovered on the computer of Anthony Weiner, a disgraced former New York congressman, who is being probed regarding alleged online sexual communications with a teenage girl. Early this year, Weiner separated from Huma Abedin, who is one of Clinton's closest advisers.



The timing of the FBI director James Comey's revelation regarding the existence of the emails in a letter to the Congress on Oct. 28, Friday, is significant because the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has been utilizing the opportunity to assail Clinton more and more vigorously.



In fact, the agents were planning to review the new emails over several weeks. However, law officials said that following a surge of condemnation over the weekend, they scrambled to examine the trove of emails found on a computer seized during an unrelated investigation involving the estranged husband of a Clinton aide.



While the FBI is expecting to complete the initial round of assessment in the coming days, it has not decided on the course of action yet. The officials were still not sure whether they will publicly disclose the results of their findings, or whether the complete review would be finished by the Election Day.



Meanwhile, though the FBI chanced upon the emails from Weiner several weeks back, it did not make the discovery public until Friday, CNN reported quoting the U.S. law enforcement officials on Oct. 30, Sunday. This has given rise to questions as to why the agency did not reveal the matter earlier and disclosed this just few days before the Election Day.



In fact, the investigators seized several computers related to the inquiry in early October, they told the website. FBI's technical experts started cataloguing the emails found on one computer and discovered that they belonged to Weiner.



Several top FBI officials, including its deputy director Andrew McCabe, were briefed on the issue. By mid-October Comey also came to know that investigators in the Weiner case may possibly laid hands on something, which could influence the closed probe into Hillary Clinton's private email server. The investigators told their director that they were still trying to ascertain the precise number of emails and how they could be related to the probe into the Clinton case.



The investigators briefed senior Justice Department officials on the issue about a week ago and on Oct. 27, Thursday; they gave a complete briefing to Comey. Subsequently, the FBI director shot off a letter to the Congress saying that the agency was assessing some emails which may be related to the Clinton case.



Watch the final debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election 2016 below:






US Sends Nuke Sub to Guam; will Hold Largest Invasion Exercise with Japan

USS Pennsylvania (Photo : US Navy)

The United States has sent two clearly ominous warnings to China and North Korea it's prepared to use its military power to thwart their ambitions to dominate Asia and expel the U.S.



For the first time since the 1980s, the United States has deployed one of its ballistic nuclear missile submarines (SSBNs) to Guam. Analysts see this as a clear signal U.S. Navy SSBNs have been patrolling and will continue to patrol the Pacific Ocean and waters closer to the Chinese and North Korean mainland.



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Equally ominous, the U.S. and Japan said 37,000 of their troops for the first time will conduct amphibious assault drills in an exercise that has taken place over the last 17 years. This number of troops is the biggest committed to this exercise now taking place around Japan, Okinawa, Guam and the island of Tinian in the Northern Marinas, an American territory.



The USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) is making what the Navy formally describes as a "scheduled port visit" to Guam. The Pennsylvania's unexpectedly showing-up at Guam, however, comes as an awkward time of rising military tensions involving China and North Korea.



The Navy said it revealed the Pennsylvania's port visit to Guam in part to show its presence to allies and adversaries in Asia.



"This specific visit to Guam reflects the United States' commitment to its allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, and complements the many exercises, training, operations, and other military cooperation activities conducted between the US and its partner nations," said the Navy.



"Ballistic missile submarines such as USS Pennsylvania are on patrol continuously, providing a critical, stabilizing and highly effective element of the US nuclear deterrence force."



The Pennsylvania is one of 14 Ohio-class SSBNs and carries 24 Trident II D-5 ballistic nuclear missiles.



Exercise Keen Sword 17 taking place from Nov. 1 to 11 involves 11,000 US and 26,000 Japanese troops.



Keen Sword is a joint and bilateral exercise held between the U.S. military and Japan Self Defense-Forces (JSDF) in an effort to increase operational readiness and interoperability to enhance the Japan-U.S. alliance.



U.S. Navy and Marine Corps units and personnel will combine with JSDF units to conduct a range of amphibious missions for the first time since the inception of Keen Sword. Accompanying surface ships are conducting live-fire exercises and other maritime missions to simulate protecting the amphibious task force and providing supporting fires to ground forces ashore.



"We're honored to work together with our Japanese Self-Defense Force counterparts and learn from each other," said Rear Adm. Marc H. Dalton, Commander, Amphibious Force United States Seventh Fleet.



"By improving our bilateral amphibious capability, we increase interoperability and readiness as part of our deep and long-standing military cooperation in support of the U.S.-Japan defense alliance."



Personnel assigned to Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and 3rd Marine Division have embarked on Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) ship JS Hyuga (DDH 181) to assist in integration of U.S. forces into the amphibious task force and overall build on bilateral relationships.



JS Hyuga is the flagship for a four-ship Japanese amphibious task force, complimented by USS Comstock (LSD 45) and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines.



The culminating amphibious landing will include an insertion of ground forces via combat rubber raid craft and a heli-borne assault.


Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS Wollongong sails in-company with Indonesian Naval vessel KRI Sampari at Exercise Cassowary. (Photo : Royal Australian Navy)

A stunning blow to China's unlawful claim to own the South China Sea was delivered by Indonesia and Australia, both of which might soon begin joint patrols of this strategic but highly volatile waterway.



China hasn't budged a millimeter from its claim to own this sea despite being told this claim is patently illegal and unlawful by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that handed out a ruling against China last July 12 in a case filed by the Philippines.



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China, however, has drawn strength from the pro-China stand of the Philippines' new president, Rodrigo Duterte, a known communist sympathizer who's also believed to be a member of the Philippine communist party.



With the Philippines no longer in play as a Chinese foe, both Indonesia and Australia have become more vulnerable to China since their northern sea flank is left open to military exploitation by China.



Indonesian Minister of Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu said he had proposed a "peace patrol" with Australia in the South China Sea to "bring peace" and combat illegal fishing when the two countries' defense ministers met in Bali last week.



"It's a joint patrol or coordinated patrol, it's the same thing," said Ryamizard. "There are no intentions to disrupt the relationship (with China). It is called a peace patrol, it brings peace. It is about protecting fish in each other's areas."



Australian Minister of Defense Marise Payne said she and Ryamizard agreed to explore options to increase maritime cooperation.



"This could include coordinated activities in the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea consistent with Australia's policy of exercising rights of freedom of navigation in accordance with international law and our support for regional security," she said.



Joint patrols will antagonize China, which has militarized natural islands or its man-made islands in the South China Sea.



Australia, however, vowed to continue to exercise the right of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea after the ruling.



Last March, ships from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Laut (or Indonesian Navy) completed bilateral Exercise Cassowary, an important training activity for the two navies, off Darwin



Both navies rehearsed combined maritime surveillance patrols and tested their core mariner skills. This involved everything from communication and safety drills through to boarding operations.



"Conducting regular exercises with our colleagues from the Indonesian Navy is important as it enhances our ability to operate together. It's also a great chance for us to build friendships and undertake professional exchanges," said RAN.



RAN and the Indonesian Navy conduct several exercises with a maritime security focus, including Cassowary and Exercise New Horizon, as well as annual coordinated maritime security patrols.


Westworld (Photo : HBO/YouTube)

Lewd content which outrages netizens and TV viewers had become more prevalent on video-sharing sites and American TV. After a video of a Chinese man playing with a sex doll became viral in social media sites in China, a four-minute orgy scene on HBOs Westworld outraged TV viewers on Sunday.



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The HBO series, described as wilder than Game of Thrones, had an orgy scene with 40 actors engaged in various sex acts. The scene lasted for four minutes, Fox News reported.



Subscribers of HBO  known for programming that features incest, rape and very gory scenes  tweeted their thoughts on Sundays episode.



Ahmad merhebi found the orgy scene awkward and wrong. Joe Marshall described the futuristic cable TV series as filth, and RomeyKimball wrote: This episode made me question my own taste. The gold painted ladies seemed gratuitous, yet, the orgy made total sense.



Episode 5 of the series, titled Contrapasso had guests William (Jimmi Simpson) and Logan (Ben Barnes), plus robot host Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) find a new area of the park in Pariah, a city, full of outcasts, delinquents, thieves, murderers and other horny hosts. They also found explosives for local mercenaries.



For their work, William and Logan are invited to a sex party thrown by people of Pariah. Men and women coated in gold and crimson paint were pleasuring each other and themselves in varying amounts of partners, positions, and other P-words that are not quite fit to print, according to Hollywood Reporter.



Because of that episode, Dan Gainor, vice president of Business and Culture at the Media Research Center, said Westworld is a disturbing reminder of the sick and demented ways how Hollywood views the world. He urged parents to turn off the cable channel, stop paying for it and block HBO.



However, Richard Lewis, co-executive producer and supervising director of Westworld said, I think all of us have a modicum of taste that keeps us from taking it too far into the pornographic world.



Geoff Skinner, a TV producer, said since the series is on cable TV, viewers can tune it out. However, he defended the orgy scene as appropriate for the story the series was telling. But Skinner conceded that Parents like myself should never allow a child to watch this until they are old enough to understand all of the thematic and semiotics that this show is trying to achieve.



Lewis said their intention for the orgy scene was to create a palette that was very sensual and very dark and not particularly rote or done. He disclosed it was shot in a Compton mausoleum, a very narrow building where 40,000 bodies are buried aboveground. A sex stylist ensured the very surreal scene was properly choreographed.






Andorid 7.0 Nougat (Photo : YouTube / Marques Brownlee)

None of the smartphone OEMs have stared Android 7.0 Nougat roll out. Speculations are rife that the Android Nougat is imminent for Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, and Galaxy Note 5.



Android 7.0 Nougat Imminent for Galaxy S7, S7 Edge and Note 5?

When Samsung had announced, Galaxy Note 7 in August this year, the company had hinted that the phablet would be getting the Nougat update by this month. However, the South Korean tech giant had to discontinue the Galaxy Note 7 as several cases of battery explosion surfaced from various parts of the world.



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In October, the Snapdragon and Exynos variants of Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were spotted being tested with Nougat update. Hence, it seems that Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge will be the first smartphones to test the new software.



Samsung fans had expected that Nougat update for S7 and S7 Edge would be available in October. The Nougat update for these flagship devices was expected to bring along more Always-On Display features, but both the S7 models have already received without Nougat update.



This shows that after the debacle of Galaxy Note 7, Samsung may have deliberately delayed the release of Android 7.0 Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. Samsung will not want owners of S7 and S7 Edge users to suffer from performance issues by releasing an unstable Nougat update.



The Android 7.0 Nougat update seems to be imminent for Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. It is likely to roll out either by the end of this month or in the next month. The Nougat update will also include Grace UX to Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge smartphones.



The Galaxy Note 5 users in South Korea and China are now enjoying the beta version of Android 7.0 Nougat. Hence, the Note 5 is also expected to get Nougat update either in this month or in December, The BitBag reported.



Since Samsung will focus on releasing Android 7.0 Nougat update to 2017 flagships by the end of the year, it is likely that Galaxy S6, S6 Edge and S6 Edge+ users will receive the update in the first quarter of 2017.



Android 7.1 Nougat Update for Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, Note 5, S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+

As far as Android 7.1 Nougat update is concerned, Google is expected to release the update for its Nexus devise by next month, Ars Technica reported. Hence, Galaxy S7, S7 Edge and Note 5 are expected to get it by first quarter of 2017. In the second quarter of 2017, the 7.1 Nougat update is expected to be available for Galaxy S6, S6 Edge and S6 Edge+.



Here are the 7 best features of Android 7.0 Nougat:






Officials from a new biotech company, Inimmune Corporation http://inimmune.com/ , met with Gov. Steve Bullock today to discuss how the University of Montana connects researchers and entrepreneurs and the potential impacts for the states economy. The meeting was held at the Montana Technology Enterprise Center http://www.montanaenterprisecenter.com/ (MonTEC), UMs business and technology incubator.

"Universities play a key role to play in the development of new technology and bringing it to the marketplace," said Scott Whittenburg, vice president for research and creative scholarship at UM, which is positioned to surpass last years unprecedented record of $87 million in external research funding.

The Inimmune biotech firm emerged from a unique partnership with UM. In February 2015, GSK http://www.gsk.com/ Vaccines announced consolidation of its research and development operations, resulting in the closure of its research operations in Hamilton later that year. Having worked together for more than 15 years and not wanting to leave Montana, the research team needed to find the necessary laboratory space and infrastructure capable of supporting a large multidisciplinary research program.

Enter UM. Seeing the potential connections between the Universitys research mission and its available resources for technology transfer and entrepreneurship, officials began exploring possibilities with the research team. The team forged a strong public/private partnership, resulting in the transfer of over $20 million in National Institutes of Health research contracts and equipment to UM.

"Inimmune is uniquely positioned to expand into a growing immunotherapy sector by harnessing the immune system to treat diseases with a high unmet medical need" said Jay Evans, president and CEO of Inimmune. The company is focused on the discovery and development of new therapeutics for treatment of allergy, autoimmunity, upper respiratory tract infections and cancer.

Earlier this year, 15 of the employees from the GSK-Hamilton research team were hired at UM, including five new faculty members. Between Inimmune and the University, the team has expanded to 22 employees and will grow to 25 by the end of the year.

There are many benefits to come from this new partnership. Among them, UM has proposed a new Center for Translational Medicine, with this highly experienced team of researchers at the core, which will assist UM faculty in translating research ideas from the laboratory to practical applications. Evans will direct the new center and seek to expand opportunities for biotechnology partnerships at UM and prepare students for careers in the biotech industry. Evans said this collaboration was what sparked the creation of Inimmune.

After meeting with officials, the governor toured the Inimmune laboratories and discussed plans for creating additional research facilities on the UM campus.

"As Montanas economy grows and diversifies, getting research breakthroughs to market quickly propels new innovations, new businesses and more technical, high-paying jobs for Montana," Bullock said.

Contact: Scott Whittenburg, UM vice president for research and creative scholarship, 406-243-6670, [email protected]

Jay Evans, Inimmune Corp. president and chief executive officer, 406-201-1940, [email protected].

This release is online at: http://bit.ly/2fsxCI3.

***

In search of a cure: Upstart Missoula biotech company Inimmune on the cutting edge of science http://www.matr.net/article-73150.html

How a Decision by a Major Company is Going to Have a Very Positive Impact on Missoula, Montanas Economy http://www.matr.net/article-72793.html

***

New biotech company forms at University of Montana business incubator

Two dozen good-paying scientific research jobs almost left western Montana for Maryland last year  but they ended up here in Missoula thanks to an innovative partnership with the University of Montana.

GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, a giant pharmaceutical company with an office in Hamilton, announced in February 2015 that it was consolidating its research and development operations to Maryland.

DAVID ERICKSON [email protected]

http://missoulian.com/news/local/new-biotech-company-forms-at-university-of-montana-business-incubator/article_70259a1f-f919-50f8-957f-3b0ba2c5c1ee.html

***

Missoula biotech firm meets with governor, university officials in research gathering

Leaders of an upstart biotech company in Missoula met Tuesday with Gov. Steve Bullock to discuss how the University of Montana connects researchers and entrepreneurs, and the potential impacts to the states economy.

Inimmune, which conducts research at both the Montana Technology Enterprise Center and the UM campus, has emerged as one of several promising new biotech firms based in Missoula, each looking to make global impact.

Martin Kidston

Full Story: http://www.missoulacurrent.com/business/2016/11/inimmune-biotech-um/
Elections, Thanksgiving, travelthere are a lot of things vying for your attention this month. In the midst of all that, make sure youre not losing sight of your marketing goals for 2016 and beyond. Refocus your efforts on your business with a quality print project!

This month were making it easy for you to get it right. Need to know what paper is the best for your project? If you hear a foreign language when someone mentions 100# glossy cover or 16 point dull matte text stock, weve got your translator. Our comprehensive article on paper stocks will clear up any confusion and give you the details you need to make an informed decision. Check out the link below for the nitty-gritty.

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Choosing Paper Stocks

How to Choose the Best Paper for Your Printing Project

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Custom holiday cards are the perfect way to deliver a personal message to your clients and friends throughout the holiday season. Choose from one of our beautiful designs or upload your own image and/or logo.

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'Scream Queens' stars Abigail Breslin, Billie Lourd, Keke Palmer, Lea Michele, Taylor Lautner, Emma Roberts, John Stamos, Jamie Lee Curtis and writer Ian Brennan attend Comic-Con International 2016. (Photo : Getty Images/Alberto E. Rodriguez)

Lea Michele's Hester Ulrich has joined C.U.R.E. Institute's hospital staff, which means the ex Red Devil is no longer confined within the walls of her cell and is free to go around the mental health facility like the rest of the staff. If anything, this certainly does not bode well for the Chanels on "Screen Queens" Season 2.



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At this point, it is unclear what Hester's position and job description would be. Also, it wasn't revealed why Dean Cathy Munsch (Jamie Lee Curtis) gave Hester her freedom back. All that was shown was that they agreed on something-as to what, it remains a mystery. Considering that she has zero medical background, it's likely she would take part in the facility as a student just like the Chanels, instead of actually working at the institute.



With everything that's been going on at the mental institute-such as Chad Radwell's (Glen Powell) shocking death, thing can only get more intense especially with the Hester situation. "Halloween night is upon us," Hester tells Dean Munsch and Denise Hemphill, TVLine reports. And massacres tends to happen in this hospital on Halloween night. I hope you two are prepared, because I have a feeling that this year is going to be a doozy."



Meanwhile, speaking of Chad, there's been a lot of talk regarding the character's fate. For the most part, some characters don't always stay dead on the show and there are hopes that Chad's death might be a farce.



However, "Scream Queens" creator Ryan Murphy confirms to E! News that Chad is definitely dead-that is he is "dead and gone" and will not re-appear on the show. As to the decision to kill off the Dicky Dollar scholar, Murphy says that while he loves Powell and finds him funny, he needed to kill his character as he increases the stakes on the show.



Certainly, this says a lot about what's coming to "Scream Queens" Season 2 in the coming show. With Murphy "ramping up the stakes," there are definitely more shocking kills and no character is going to be safe-even fan favorites! Murphy adds that "someone major" is going to get the boot in every episode.



"Scream Queens" Season 2 airs every Wednesday on FOX.


To share with friends and brethren The Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (the Everlasting Gospel), and to prepare a people to stand when He returns to redeem His remnant. Also, to share relevant information of current events, and to show how they relate to prophecy; By means of articles, editorials, opinions, scripture readings, and poetry.

Disclaimer

Endrtimes does not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article/video posted on this site. The information provided here is done so for personal edification; It's up to the reader to separate truth from error, and to examine everything (like the Bereans) from a Biblical perspective. Let the Holy Scriptures be you guide! - - - FAIR USE NOTICE: These pages/videos may contain copyrighted () material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Such material is made available to advance understanding of ecological, POLITICAL, HUMAN RIGHTS, economic, DEMOCRACY, scientific, MORAL, ETHICAL, and SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES, etc. It is believed that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior general interest in receiving similar information for research and educational purposes.
The McDowell County Commissioners held an emergency meeting Tuesday morning to approve the application for a state building reuse grant. If approved, this grant could provide money for the renovation of an existing building in the county for a new industry.

County Manager Ashley Wooten said the commissioners had to hold an emergency meeting due to the application deadline for the grant. This is sort of a rare thing for us, he said Tuesday morning. The deadline is actually today.

During the meeting, the commissioners approved applying for a $500,000 building reuse grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce. The commissioners also approved the 5 percent local match, or $25,000.

However, county officials would not elaborate on the details because they said it is a competitive grant through the Department of Commerce. This means they are competing with other counties or cities for the money and the announcement has to be made through the state Commerce Department.

Since this is a competitive project, I can add no more detail, said Wooten.

Commissioner Matthew Crawford was one of the three who attended the meeting. He declined to comment on which building would be renovated, if the grant is approved. He also declined to say if this would be for an existing business or one that would be new to McDowell County.

I wish we could say more but we cant say anything, said Crawford.
Former Egyptian vice president Mohamed ElBaradei released a long statement on Tuesday defending himself against what he described as a years-long "smear campaign" against him by the Egyptian media.

In a statement issued on his Facebook page, ElBaradei defended himself against what he called "lies" in the Egyptian media regarding his role in the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi; his resignation as vice president; his role as the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency prior to the 2013 US invasion of Iraq.

He also revealed how he and other key political players who opposed Morsi only learned of the detention of former president Morsi during their meeting with the Supreme Council of Armed Forces on the morning of 3 July 2013.

"The options at that moment became extremely limited and of course having early presidential elections was no longer an option," he said, defending himself.

Holding early presidential elections was among the main demands of the anti-Morsi 30 June protestors.

"According to the facts, there was a detained president and millions in the squares protesting -- my priority then was to avoid civil unrest and keep things peaceful through the political transitional road map," ElBaradei said in his 13-point statement.

ElBaradei was appointed as Egypt's vice-president after the ouster of Morsi, with Adly Mansour appointed as interim president. He resigned from his post on 14 August 2013, hours after the dispersal of the pro-Morsi sit-ins by force.

ElBaradei said that he had held talks with the pro-Morsi camp until 13 August 2013 in an effort to mediate a peaceful dispersal of the sit-ins. He added that during the National Security Council meetings he clearly expressed his rejection of forced dispersal of the sit-ins.

The Nobel Peace prize laureate also slammed what he described as vicious media attacks after his resignation, which reached the point of broadcasting in 2014 his personal phone calls on TV in violation of the constitution and law.

ElBaradei, who has been living outside Egypt since his resignation, has been increasingly vocal on Twitter in the past couple of months, criticising current policies in Egypt.

Local media outlets have accused the 73-year old of "working against Egypt's current government."



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Neither kids nor their parents really like going to the doctors office, but the days of at-home doctor visits are already long gone. Modern technology can help to overcome this by allowing doctors to examine kids remotely, as long as the right device is available. TytoCare, an Israeli firm, just received FDA clearance to introduce its digital stethoscope for the Tyto telehealth system.

Tyto is a modular system that can be used to perform a number of examinations under the watchful eye of a live physician. The main unit can accept a number of attachments, such as a thermometer, otoscope, or a stethoscope. The front features a touchscreen display to interface with the different devices and share the data and recordings with your doctor. The physician can connect to the familys phone, tablet, or other device to get a video feed from the home and to guide through positioning the devices to obtain quality readings.

Heres a company promo video presenting the Tyto:

Product page: Tyto

Via: TytoCare
by Chase Martin , November 2, 2016

Mobile is forecast to grow in North America over the next four years and IoT connectivity is likely to play a key role.

This growth will mostly be driven by increased machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity and general digitization of industries and services, according to a new study by GSMA Intelligence.

Almost $1 trillion will be generated by mobile technologies and services in North America in 2020, up from $710 billion last year, according to the study.

While subscriber and smartphone growth is maturing, North Americas mobile operators are now looking to connect a growing range of other devices, everything from cars to drones, and bringing the Internet of Things to life, Michael OHara, chief marketing officer at GSMA, said.

Earlier this year, the number of connected cars entering the market surpassed the number of new smartphones in the U.S. for the first time.

AT&T is the top network for connected cars, with 9 million cars in the U.S. this year. The network supplies connectivity to the systems in many major auto manufacturers in the U.S., including Ford.

These and other M2M connections will double to make up 30% of total cellular connections in the U.S. by 2020, according to GSMA.

Several IoT-specific network standards are being developed to connect more IoT devices without relying on 4G.

For example, Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile plan to launch IoT connectivity capabilities that leverage their current networks, but are optimized for the low power and low data size needs of IoT devices.

The number of connections over these IoT networks will top 1 billion by 2020, according to the study.

Major networks are also working with federal and state governments to create smart cities. As part of the Advanced Wireless Research Initiative, the White House plans to invest $400 million in IoT and wireless technologies beginning next year. Part of this initiative involves transforming four cities across the U.S. into connected smart cities.

The first city is Columbus, Ohio, and the U.S. Department of Transportation plans to invest up to $40 million to help the city integrate IoT technologies, like sensors and connected and autonomous vehicles, directly into its infrastructure.

Other cities that plan to pursue IoT integration, with the help of AT&T, include Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Miami-Dade County and Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Slate, Wednesday, November 2, 2016 5:34 AM

Donald Trump's campaign has reportedly used a private server to communicate directly with Alfa Bank in Russia. Researchers stumbled upon the system while trying to chase down Russians hacking into American political parties. The server revealed a link between the bank and a server linked to Trump.

Read the whole story at Slate 
by Thom Forbes @tforbes, November 2, 2016

Just as with the polling numbers for the election itself, its difficult to tell whats what with Ivanka Trumps line of clothing. Is it benefiting from all the exposure, including that afforded the #GrabYourWallet boycott campaign started a few weeks ago after the videotape of her fathers salacious brags to Billy Bush surfaced, or is it taking a hit?

The boycott was started on October 11 by Sue Atencio, a 59-year-old grandmother, and marketing specialist Shannon Coulter, who said they were shocked by Trumps recently unearthed interview with Access Hollywood in which the then-reality TV host bragged about his sexual conquests of women and his ability as a celebrity to grab them by the psy, Itay Hod writes for The Wrap.

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The New Yorkers Sheelah Kolhatkar wrote an insightful look at Ivanka fighting to save the brand the following week.

She embraced the family philosophy of turning everything into an opportunity for personal enrichment; the morning after she introduced her father at the Republican National Convention, she broadcast on Twitter an image of herself wearing one of her fashion labels dresses on the stage with the exhortation: Shop Ivankas look from her #RNC speech, Kolhatkar wrote.

The pushback against Ivankas line gained steam last week when a woman describing herself as a lifelong Nordstrom customer posted an open letter to the department store demanding that it stop selling items from Trump's $100 million clothing and accessories line, Hayley Peterson reports for Business Insider.

The hate speech directed at African Americans, Latinos, Jews, Muslims, LGBT people, and women by the Trump campaign is unacceptable and does not seem to represent Nordstrom's values, she wrote, according to a copy of the letter that she posted on Twitter. Yet Ms. Trump continues to defend it, and Nordstrom continues to defend her.

The letter's author, whose Twitter handle is @shewhovotes, asked her followers to share the letter if they agree. She tagged the tweet with the hashtag #GrabYourWallet, which has become a rallying cry on social media to boycott Trump's brand.

The hed on The Wraps story tells us Ivanka Trumps Brand Takes Beating as Consumer Boycott Gains Momentum. Hod opens the story with an anecdote about a student who was about to buy a T-shirt in a TJ Maxx in Maryland before recoiling when she realized it was part of Ivankas collection.

She is one of tens of thousands of consumers who have joined the #GrabYourWallet campaign, Hod reports. And as of Monday, it has garnered nearly 119 million impressions on Twitter, according to Retweet Rank. That number includes retweets from high-profile celebrities like Ben & Jerrys co-founder Ben Cohen, writer Joyce Carol Oates, Valerie Bertinelli, Lucy Lawless and Oscar nominee Don Cheadle.

While acknowledging that the recent numbers show the boycott might be working, new data from ShopRunner suggests that consumer interest in the Ivanka Trump brand has risen considerably since the beginning of July, Anjali Mullany writes for Fast Company on a story posted Sunday. During one week in October, searches for Ivanka's products were up as high as 338% over April 2016.

Mullany also reports that Trumps staff claimed Web site traffic was up 50% over last year when she was reporting for a piece published Oct. 17. There could be a push-pull effect in play here. Pace University marketing professor Larry Chiagouris told her that the boycott might encourage more pro-Trumpers to buy her products, even as consumers on the left avoid them.

Avoiding in droves, apparently  at least in the Philly burbs.

There is nothing not to like about Ivanka Trump's working-woman-appropriate collection of leather-trimmed sheaths and winter-floral T-shirt frocks. Last week at the Bala Cynwyd Lord & Taylor store, a cold-shoulder blouse whispered, Elizabeth, take me home, girl, recallsPhiladelphia Inquirer fashion writer Elizabeth Wellington.

But instead of teeming with women looking to buy the generous assortment of Trumps ponchos, blouses, and cashmere sweaters, the sections where the brand is carried at L&T in Bala and King of Prussia Mall and at two Main Line T.J. Maxxes  at least the two days that I was there last week  were pretty much empty.

But in the end, Elissa Bloom, executive director of a Philadelphia fashion incubator that specializes in building brands, tells Wellington that Ivankas brand can prevail.

Time is the best healer, says Bloom. I mean, bad things happen in fashion all of the time. Look at Martha Stewart, look at Steve Madden, referring to their convictions. People move on.

Indeed, moving on is just about the only thing that gets people agreeing with each other nowadays, with 81% of adults polled by YouGov Oct. 23-24 saying they wished the election were over.
by Sara Guaglione , November 2, 2016

Troncs third-quarter earnings report revealed the company suffered an advertising revenue loss of 10.9% compared to the same period last year, due to declines in print advertising in line with industry trends, according to the publisher formerly known as Tribune and owner ofand

Total revenues were down 6.8% to $378 million, compared to $406 million in the third quarter of 2015.

Total revenues for troncM, which is made up of Troncs media groups excluding their digital revenues and expenses, were $323 million or a decrease of 7.6% compared to the third quarter of 2015.

Advertising revenue declines were the main contributor to the decrease, the company stated.

Total revenues for troncX, which includes all the digital revenues and related expenses of the company, were $57 million or a decrease of 2.3% from last year. Advertising revenues for troncX declined by 2.2% while content revenues declined by 2.8%.

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Yesterday, rival publisher Gannett pulled out of a deal to acquire Tronc after six months of negotiations. Several banks set to finance the deal got cold feet last week, claiming Gannetts bid of $18.75 per share overvalued Tronc.

In Troncs third-quarter earnings report, CEO Justin Dearborn said the company is disappointed Gannett pulled out of the deal, but not surprised their board wants to refocus their attention to operating the assets they currently own. He noted their third-quarter earnings report showed a 11.7% year-on-year drop in its ad revenues and a 6.4% drop in its circulation revenues.

We have repeatedly acknowledged that we must all undertake significant change to our business to address the challenging environment facing our industry, Dearborn stated.

According to Politicos Morning Media, in an earnings call yesterday afternoon Dearborn said speculation that Tronc got greedy and tried to renegotiate for additional value is completely false.

Gannett pulled out of the deal to focus on improving their own cost structure and integration issues rather than compounding their challenges, he said.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, November 2, 2016

A group of black lawmakers are calling on Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to revise a targeting feature that reportedly enables marketers to prevent ads, including housing and job ads, from being shown to minorities.

"It is our sincere hope that the advent of this customization microtargeting feature was to be innovative and efficient, and that Facebook did not wittingly create this feature with the purpose of separating communities or violating federal civil rights law," Reps. Robin Kelly, G.H. Butterfield, Emmanuel Cleaver and Yvette Clarke wrote in a letter sent to Zuckerberg on Tuesday.

The lawmakers, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, call on Zuckerberg to "remedy this matter swiftly and responsibly."

The letter comes several days after ProPublica reported that Facebook enables advertisers to prevent their ads from being shown to users who belong to certain "ethnic affinity" groups -- including people the social networking believes have an ethnic affinity of black, Asian-American and Hispanic.

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It's illegal to publish housing or job ads that discriminate based on factors including race, religion, sex and national origin.

ProPublica reported that it was able to use Facebook's self-service tool to create an ad for an event aimed at renters, and then block it from pages of users with black, Asian-American or Hispanic ethnic affinities.

The lawmakers ask Zuckerberg to outline how its "ethnic affinity" targeting feature is used in housing ads, and what steps the company is taking to ensure it isn't "empowering discriminatory housing practices."

Facebook's Christian Martinez, head of multicultural marketing, said in a blog post that the company's policies prohibits advertisers from excluding minorities from job or housing ads. "If we learn of advertising on our platform that involves this kind of discrimination, we will take aggressive enforcement action," he wrote.

On Tuesday, a Facebook spokesperson added that multicultural marketing "is a common practice in the ad industry and helps brands reach audiences with more relevant advertising."

The spokesperson added: "We've heard from groups and policy makers who are concerned about some of the ways our targeting tools could be used by advertisers. We are listening and working to better understand these concerns."
by Gavin O'Malley , Staff Writer @mp_gavin, November 2, 2016

Worldwide, more people now rely on mobile gadgets than desktop computers to browse the Web, new research shows.

Occurring at some point in October, the shift marks a major milestone in the way we communicate, consume and share information.

By the end of last month, mobile and tablet devices accounted for 51.3% of Web usage compared to 48.7% by desktop, according to a new report from StatCounter.

Remarkably, the landmark moment comes at a time when many businesses have yet to make the necessary mobile modifications, according to Aodhan Cullen, CEO of the analytics firm.

This should be a wake-up call  especially for small businesses, sole traders and professionals to make sure that their websites are mobile friendly, Cullen notes in the report.

In the United States and the United Kingdom, mobile has yet to overtake desktop computing -- but the shift is coming.

In the U.S., desktop computing still accounts for 58% of Web usage, while smartphone and tablets account for 42% Web usage. In the U.K., the distribution is 55.6% to 44.4%.

Of course, many American and British businesses have to factor international trends into their models.

For example, Post-Brexit, U.K. businesses should be aware, as they look to increase trade outside the EU, that India, for example, has over 75% internet usage through mobile devices, Cullen warns.
Mercury News, Wednesday, November 2, 2016 4:01 PM

The American Civil Liberties Union is asking federal judge to block the state from enforcing a law banning people from sharing photos of their completed ballots. The ACLU says the ballot selfie ban violates people's free speech rights. People increasingly use photographs of their marked ballot as a way to express their support for candidates and issues, ACLU attorney said in a statement.

Read the whole story at Mercury News 
A three-paper series published this week in The Lancet gives details on the state of breast and cervical cancer in the developing world. Although treatable and preventable, the majority of deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Share on Pinterest Global variation in survival rates for womens cancers highlighted in new series of papers. Each year, 800,000 women die of breast and cervical cancer. Where a woman lives plays a large part in whether she will survive the disease. A concerning 9 out of 10 cervical cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Of course, certain high-cost preventive and treatment measures, such as mammography and radiotherapy, are not available in these regions; but this is not the whole story. As the papers in The Lancet argue this week, there are cost-effective, proven interventions that could save hundreds of thousands of lives per year. These include cervical screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for young girls. Neither of these interventions needs highly trained medical staff or specialist centers. The series, launched at the 2016 World Cancer Congress in Paris, France, argues that more must be done by the international community to implement these and other interventions more widely.

Predicting future cancer burden Predictions made in The Lancets special edition are bleak. They estimate that the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer across the globe will almost double  from 1.7 million last year to 3.2 million in 2030. Similarly disturbing, cervical cancer is predicted to increase by 25 percent to over 700,000 by 2030. These increases will be predominantly in LMICs. There is a widespread misconception that breast and cervical cancers are too difficult and expensive to prevent and treat, particularly in resource-poor countries where the burden of these diseases is highest. But nothing could be further from the truth, notes series lead author Prof. Ophira Ginsburg. This series clearly shows that high-impact, cost-effective interventions exist for countries at all stages of development. Recent estimates suggest that a basic cancer control package could be introduced in low- and middle-income countries for as little as $1.72 per person  equivalent to just 3 percent of current health spending in these countries. Prof. Ophira Ginsburg As it stands, LMICs only receive 5 percent of global funding for cancer, which has compounded the problem. The authors call for an international push, similar to the one that led to huge improvements in maternal health. This argument makes a great deal of sense when the figures are examined. Currently, cervical and breast cancer kills almost three times as many women each year than complications of pregnancy and childbirth.

Survival rates by country To highlight the disparity in early screening, prevention, and treatment, the series compared the 5-year survival rates following breast cancer diagnosis. The range of rates is surprisingly wide. In South Africa, Mongolia, and India, the 5-year survival rates are just 50 percent. However, rates are over 80 percent in 34 countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Ireland, and Germany. The overall rates of disease in the countries vary, too. Because cervical cancer screening is commonplace in higher-income countries such as the U.K., Canada, and the U.S., cervical cancer affects just 7.9 per 100,000 women. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of South America, screening is much less common, and rates can exceed 40 per 100,000. Even within one continent  Europe  survival rates vary. For instance, in Sweden, the 5-year survival rate is 86 percent, yet, a few hundred miles away in Lithuania, it is 66 percent.
Egypt and Jordan will conduct joint military drills next week at Jordan's Armed Forces/Arab Army (JAF) military fields, Jordanian news agency Petra reported.

According to the news agency, a military source said that the drill will last from 5 to 25 November.

The source said that the exercise aims at boosting military cooperation between the armies of the two countries and ensure their readiness to carry out joint missions.

Egypt has carried out 30 joint military exercises in 2016 with 20 Arab and African countries, as well as European countries including France and Russia

In October, Egyptian and Russian paratroopers conducted drills in Egypt's Mediterranean city of Alamein.

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Here are some key points about home births. More detail and supporting information is in the main article.

This article looks at what happens when someone plans to give birth at home. It includes information on the benefits, risks, and possible safety concerns.

While most women in the United States give birth in a hospital or birthing center, there are some who choose to have a planned home birth. This number is slowly increasing .

Pregnancy comes with a host of decisions to be made, including where to give birth.

It is up to a doctor or midwife to decide whether or not a home delivery is a safe alternative for a mother and her baby.

Share on Pinterest A home birth cannot be undertaken for every pregnancy.

A planned home delivery will be attended by a midwife, physician, or both. They will be on hand to check the mothers temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and fetal heart rate.

After the birth of the baby, they will be examined by the midwife or physician, who will also support the mother during the period right after birth. If mother or infant needs to be transferred to a hospital at any point, the midwife or physician will arrange for this.

Not all health organizations are in agreement about home births. While the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) are hesitant about recommending planned home births, the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) are supportive.

In the opinion of the ACOG, the safest place for a woman to give birth is a hospital or birthing center. The ACNM strongly feel that a home birth is a safe alternative to giving birth in the hospital setting.

The one thing that both associations agree on is that a home delivery is not appropriate for all women or in all situations. Certain criteria must be met to consider home birthing as an option.

The criteria that should be met to consider a home birth include:

A low-risk pregnancy

Presence of a certified midwife or physician for the birth

Living within 10-30 miles of a hospital and having readily available transportation

Being pregnant with no more than one baby and that they are in the head down position

Undergoing a spontaneous labor, or if the labor was induced, it was done in an outpatient setting

A healthcare provider may recommend avoiding a home birth if someone:

Has certain medical conditions such as diabetes, long-term high blood pressure, or seizures

Has a history of cesarean delivery or other uterine surgery

Has pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, breech presentation, or premature labor

Is pregnant with more than one baby

Is less than 37 weeks pregnant or more than 41 weeks pregnant

It is important for people to speak with their doctor or midwife about their specific risk factors or medical history that might make home birth inappropriate.
Among released prisoners in Sweden, rates of violent reoffending were lower during periods when individuals were dispensed antipsychotics, psychostimulants, and drugs for addictive disorders, compared with periods in which they were not dispensed these medications, according to a study appearing in JAMA.

There were more than 10 million prisoners worldwide in 2015, with approximately 2.2 million in the United States alone. Despite reported decreases in violence in many countries, reoffending rates remain high. From 2005 through 2010, more than one-third of released prisoners in the United States and the United Kingdom were reconvicted of a new crime within 2 years. Most programs to reduce reoffending focus on psychosocial interventions, but their effect sizes are weak to moderate. As psychiatric and substance use disorders, which increase reoffending rates, are overrepresented among jail and prison populations, treatment with appropriate psychotropic medications offers an alternative strategy to reduce reoffending, although there is uncertainty about whether pharmacological treatments reduce reoffending risk.

Seena Fazel, M.D., of the University of Oxford, England, and colleagues examined the associations between major classes of psychotropic medications and violent reoffending. The study included all released prisoners in Sweden from July 2005 to December 2010, through linkage of population-based registers. Rates of violent reoffending during medicated periods (dispensed prescription of psychotropic medications [antipsychotics, antidepressants, psychostimulants, drugs used in addictive disorders, and antiepileptic drugs]) were compared with rates during nonmedicated periods. Prison-based psychological treatments were also included in the analysis.

The study included 22,275 released prisoners (average age, 38 years; 92 percent male). During follow-up (median, 4.6 years), 4,031 individuals (18 percent) had 5,653 violent reoffenses. The researchers found that three classes of psychotropic medications were associated with substantial reductions in violent reoffending: antipsychotics, a 42 percent reduction; psychostimulants, 38 percent; and drugs used in addictive disorders, a 52 percent reduction. In contrast, antidepressants and antiepileptics were not significantly associated with violent reoffending rates.

Analyses also demonstrated that completion of psychological treatments targeting general criminal attitudes and substance abuse was associated with reductions in violent reoffending. The associations with these psychological programs were not stronger than those for medications. "These findings may have implications for risk management, because prison psychological programs need appropriate facilities, require sufficiently trained and supervised therapists, and are likely to be relatively expensive. Provision of medication after prison release needs evaluation as a possibly cost-effective crime reduction alternative. Because prisoners with psychiatric disorders benefit from both pharmacological and psychological treatments, research should investigate whether combining therapies improves outcomes," the authors write.

"The absolute numbers of prisoners with psychiatric disorders are large worldwide, and most individuals who could benefit from psychotropic treatment do not receive it after prison release. The magnitudes of the associations reported in this study may warrant correctional services to review policies for released prisoners. Evidence-based provision of psychotropic medications to released prisoners may have the potential to make substantial improvements to public health and safety, particularly in countries that are undergoing decarceration [reducing the number of persons imprisoned or the rate of imprisonment]."
In light of the conflicting interests of Iran and Turkey in the war zones in Syria and Iraq, and in light of the bitter rivalry between the two countries over this issue, the Iranian daily Kayhan, which is close to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, devoted its October 26, 2016 editorial to describing Iran's geopolitical superiority over Turkey, and what it sees as Iran's inevitable victory in the military conflict that will most likely take place between the countries after the Islamic State (ISIS) is defeated in Mosul. The editorial, titled "The Outcomes of Erdogan's Security Dreams," explained that Turkey has no effective strategic depth in countries that neighbor it and that its relations with them are hostile - in contrast to Iran, which enjoys good relations and friendly borders with its own neighbors, and which has a positive influence in those countries.

The daily stated that Turkish President Erdogan has realized that the secret of Iran's success in the region lies in its ideology and in the help it receives from proxies, which it calls "beneficial revolutionary organizations," such as Hizbullah in Lebanon, Islamic Jihad in Gaza, the Badr Force in Iraq, and Ansarullah in Yemen. In an attempt to emulate this success, he tried to use Sunni terrorist organizations such as ISIS in Iraq and Jabhat Al-Nusra in Syria, with their extremist ideology, to gain regional control. But now that Iran has thwarted Erdogan's plans by defeating ISIS, it said, he is trying to minimize the damage by gaining direct control over parts of Syria and Iraq. However, the daily stressed, Iran will not leave Erdogan to "play his own solitary game" in that region, which it considers its own exclusive area of influence.

It should be noted that despite Kayhan's intimidating statements directed at Turkey, associates of Khamenei, among them Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Deghhan and top Khamenei advisor Ali Akbar Velayati, have taken care to clarify that not only has Iran not launched a war against any neighboring state and will not do so,[1] it will even be willing to mediate between Baghdad and Ankara in order to prevent military conflict[2] - because of Iran's fear of a clash with the Sunni world.

The following are excerpts from the Kayhan editorial:[3]

"In an internal session of [his] Justice and Development party, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: 'ISIS and Jabhat Al-Nusra can do for us what Hizbullah does for Iran.' The comparison between ISIS and Hizbullah reflects the depth of Erdogan's jealousy of Hizbullah in Lebanon. It also reveals an important and strategic problem faced by Turkey... which lacks a strategic and effective depth in neighboring countries and in the region, compared to Iran.

"Examining Iran's useful ties with its neighbors, [we find that] Iran's land borders are friendly and that its relations with at least two of its neighbors - Russia and Iraq - are on a strategic or near strategic level. There is no [mutual] hostility or threat in Iran's relations with any of its neighbors, including even its second-tier neighbors, namely Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. Iran has friendly relations with them, and with some of them even strategic ties. Furthermore, there is no opposition to Iran's regional might, which stretches uninterrupted from the Gulf of Oman to the Mediterranean Sea.

"No [other] regional power [enjoys] such status. Assessing Turkey and the issues that concern it according to these criteria, we find that great obstacles [are hampering] Turkey's relations with its neighbors in the first and second tier. Most of Turkey's land borders are red [i.e. hostile], and on its other side is a country [Russia] that has become its enemy due to the policies of Turkey's current or previous government. Perhaps it is the magnitude of this vacuum that prompted Turkey to extend its hand in friendship to the most notorious regime in the region, namely Israel.

"Turkey has long been searching for an ally to help it overcome this suffocating problem. When ISIS conquered large swaths of Iraq and found a platform for its ideology and activity, Erdogan thought [ISIS] might serve as an effective rival [of Iran and would] strip Iran of its 'ideological supremacy' and of its weapon of 'leading revolutionary organizations.'

"In internal investigations, the Justice and Development party reached the conclusion that the secret of Iran's success in the region is due to the existence of beneficial revolutionary organizations like Hizbullah [in Lebanon], Islamic Jihad [in Gaza], the Badr [Force in Iraq] and Ansarullah [in Yemen], and that the secret to confronting a regional power [like] Iran is to employ a similar ideology and similar organizations. The Erdogan government and its intelligence apparatuses [therefore] formed effective ties with ISIS in Iraq and Jabhat Al-Nusra in Syria, in a bid to gain strategic regional allies on [Turkey's] southern borders. Erdogan did not take into consideration that Iran has a neutralizing agent for the deadly poison of ISIS and Jabhat Al-Nusra - and, to be honest, neither did anybody else. Erdogan was certain that ISIS's rule would spread throughout western Iraq and eastern Syria, and that the world would be compelled to officially recognize it, if somewhat belatedly. So, in parallel to the Castello road connecting western Turkey to the area controlled by Jabhat Al-Nusra in Syria, Turkey opened a robust route to the area controlled by ISIS in western Iraq, which not only [served] to transport ISIS's oil, but [was also used for] delivering troops, arms and provisions to ISIS.

"However, it was not long before Erdogan discovered the truth. Iran soon repelled ISIS in Iraq and [Jabhat] Al-Nusra in Syria. At the same time, the Muslims' hatred of these groups' ideology and their hatred of groups like ISIS [was a source of] immense pressure on Erdogan. When the repeated terror attacks in Turkey escalated, this pressure was compounded by pressure at home.

"Today, Erdogan's Turkey is thinking only of benefiting from the chaos caused by the spread of terrorism throughout the region, namely of direct intervention. Today Erdogan is like a man who has gambled away all his money and needs some cash to get home. That's why he is fighting tooth and nail to maintain [Turkey's] presence in certain parts of Syria and Iraq. But the same elements that thwarted the ISIS-Turkey plot [i.e., Iran] will not leave him to play his own solitary game [in those areas].

"What is being heard these days, and what is somewhat worrying, is that Erdogan is attempting to get help from America, and that in the name of fighting ISIS and liberating Al-Raqqa, [he is seeking] to deploy his military forces in [Syria's] northern and western Al-Raqqa region, and in the Hasaka and Aleppo provinces, and to gradually make [the Turkish] presence in these areas permanent, based on empty historical pretexts.

"A thing or two must be taken into account in this matter. Erdogan is insisting that the agreement with America not include the Kurdish PYD party, which belongs to Salih Muslim [Muhammad], because America itself cannot bring in ground forces, yet knows that without the Kurds' consent there is no possibility of Turkish success, which is why [America] has proposed a tripartite agreement. However, there is no chance that the Kurds will agree to a tripartite agreement that includes Turkey. Another thing is that [Iran's] 'resistance front' forces fight against [Turkish] invaders, particularly if [the invader] is scheming together with the Great Satan [America].

"Therefore, it is predicted that the Turkish ground presence in this region will only exacerbate the war - a war that has become semi-classic [sic. - likely meaning that it involves guerrilla elements], which means that the invading side [i.e. Turkey] will suffer more casualties."

Endnotes:
Egypt's army said it is continuing efforts to overcome the damaging effects of floods in the Red Sea area and Upper Egypt last weekend, an army spokesperson said on Wednesday.

In an official statement, the spokesperson said that specialised army personnel have been deployed in Red Sea's Ras Gharib since Tuesday with equipment to drain water and sand inside hospitals, schools and government facilities. Water vacuum trucks have been deployed in streets and main squares to restore traffic.

In Upper Egypt, the army's southern command distributed 50,000 food boxes to people affected by the bad weather, which hit several villages in Sohag governorate.

The army said it assigned a medical convoy to conduct checkups and provide medicine to residents. It also mobilised a veterinary medical convoy to attend to livestock.

According to the statement, a technical committee was assigned to assess the extent of damages and is developing solutions to repair them.

The army started on Sunday clearing roads in and out of the Red Sea town of Ras Gharib, which was nearly cut off from the world due to heavy rain.

The Red Sea town was stricken with unprecedented rainfall that reached 120 million cubic metres over the weekend.

On Friday and Saturday, 26 people were killed in accidents resulting from the torrential rain and flooding in several Egyptian governorates.

Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ordered a total of EGP 50 million (around $5.6 million) to be allocated as compensation to the victims of the floods nationwide, with a further EGP 50 million allocated for the urgent restoration of infrastructure in areas affected by the floods.



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Egypt's prosecution has ordered on Wednesday a 15 day detention for five men over inciting protests on 11 November and joining a terrorist group that aims to obstruct state institutions.

According to prosecution, the five men formed a "terrorist cell" in Cairo's Al-Salam City.

In recent week, an anonymous call circulated on social media for demonstrations on 11 November to protest the government's economic policies.

Police has already arrested others over similar charges.

No political parties or social movements have backed the call.





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The co-founders of the Tamarod campaign  whose petitions against Islamist president Mohamed Morsi eventually led to his ouster in 2013  dismissed on Tuesday as lies the recent remarks by ex-vice president Mohamed ElBaradei on his role in Morsis ouster and its aftermath.

Mahmoud Badr, Mohamed Abdel-Aziz and Hassan Shahin  the founders of the Tamarod campaign  accused ElBaradei in a joint statement of lying and misleading the public.

ElBaradei, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former head of the UN nuclear agency, released a statement on Tuesday to respond to what he called lies and moral decline in the media, as pundits have accused him in recent years of being a "traitor" who is working against the interests of the state.

ElBaradei said that he was under the impression that a meeting called for by the Armed Forces hours before the announcement of Morsi's removal was to prepare for the presidency to call for early presidential elections; a major demand by protesters in Tahrir Square at the time.

He said that he instead learned at the meeting that Morsi was being held by the army incommunicado and that he, ElBaradei, had to accept Morsis toppling so as to avoid civil strife and preserve peace.

However, the Tuesday statement by the Tamarod founders said that Mohamed ElBaradei attended the 3 July meeting while knowing Morsi was in custody he believed there was no solution but the overthrow of Morsi and the implementation of the roadmap that political forces had agreed upon beforehand.

ElBaradei opposed conducting a poll to hold early presidential elections as did Tamarod membersand all insisted on the immediate removal of Morsi, the statement added.

They said the poll was proposed by then-army chief Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.

El-Sisi announced Morsi's ouster and a roadmap to democracy on 3 July in an address broadcast on TV as he was flanked by major political and youth leaders as well as senior religious clerics.

ElBaradei also said in his statement that he strongly objected to the subsequent deadly dispersal of two major pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo over a month after his ouster, given what he said were other political solutions that were nearly agreed on by political forces.

However, the Tamarod founders said that ElBaradei knew the camps were armed and that he endorsed their forcible dispersal when he attended a meeting by the National Defence Council, which comprised key military and security leaders and where the decision to disperse was taken.

Hazem El-Beblawi, prime minister of the interim government appointed following Morsi's ouster, said in December 2013 that ElBaradei was opposed to the dispersal of the protest camps. He said he rejected attempts to condemn or judge the ex-vice president, adding that ElBaradei's stance was in line with his values and had been different to that of the defence council.

Both Tamarod founders Abdel-Aziz and Shahin left the campaign in 2014 amid an internal split within the group over support of presidential candidates, with both of them backing leftist hopeful Hamdeen Sabahi and Mahmoud Badr supporting El-Sisi.

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President Vladimir Putin has ordered a 10-hour truce on Friday in the war-ravaged Syrian city of Aleppo, the Russian defence ministry said.

"A decision was made to introduce a 'humanitarian pause' in Aleppo on November 4 from 9:00 am (0600 GMT) to 19:00," the chief of Russia's General Staff Valery Gerasimov said in a statement on Wednesday.

Gerasimov said the decision was approved by Syrian authorities and was meant to "prevent senseless casualties" by allowing civilians and armed combatants to quit rebel-held eastern Aleppo.

He said eight corridors -- six for civilians and two for fighters -- could be used for this.

Rebels launched a major assault Friday to break the siege of Aleppo but have been met this week by fierce resistance from regime forces.

Aleppo has been hit by some of the worst violence in Syria's five-year conflict, turning the once bustling economic hub into a divided and bombed-out city.

Defence ministry Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday that Russia had ceased air strikes on eastern Aleppo for 16 days, following criticism over a Russian-backed Syrian government assault that has killed hundreds of civilians and destroyed infrastructure, including hospitals.

The halt in bombing was initially declared ahead of a short ceasefire that ended last month. Moscow at the time ruled out a truce extension.

Shoigu accused the US-led coalition of failing to rein in hardline rebels and said that the chances of a political settlement to the crisis was now remote.

The West has accused Moscow of committing possible war crimes in Aleppo through indiscriminate bombing to support a brutal Syrian government offensive.

Moscow has been conducting a bombing campaign in Syria in support of long-time ally Bashar al-Assad since September 2015.

More than 300,000 people have been killed since Syria's war devolved from a widespread protest movement against Assad's rule in March 2011 to a multi-front war between rebels, Islamist militants , Kurds and regime forces.

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Russia seeks "honest cooperation" for a political solution in Syria, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday as Moscow declared a brief truce in the war-ravaged city of Aleppo.

"We hope our partners will draw (the) necessary conclusions (so that) we will all aim for honest cooperation... for a political process involving both the government and opposition forces," Lavrov said at the start of an official visit to Greece.

However, he insisted that Washington help enforce a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning support for extremist groups in Syria.

"When we adopted this resolution, I remember US Secretary of State John Kerry's words. He said: 'Whoever wants to be part of (the political) process must sever links to terrorists'," Lavrov said through a translator.

"Almost a year has passed and we await these words to be carried out," he added.

Russia has accused the US-led coalition of failing to rein in hardline Syrian rebels, warning that the chances of a political settlement to the crisis was now remote.

In turn, the West has accused Moscow of committing possible war crimes in Aleppo through indiscriminate bombing to support a brutal Syrian government offensive.

Moscow has been conducting a bombing campaign in Syria in support of long-time ally Bashar al-Assad since September 2015.

More than 300,000 people have been killed since Syria's war devolved from a widespread protest movement against Assad's rule in March 2011 to a multi-front war between rebels, Islamist militants , Kurds and regime forces.

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U.S.-backed Iraqi forces moved closer on Wednesday to a town south of Mosul where aid groups and regional officials say Islamic State (IS) militant group has executed dozens of prisoners.

A military statement said security forces advanced to the edge of Hammam al-Alil, a thermal water resort, after an elite unit breached the eastern limits of Mosul, the ultra-hardline group's last major city stronghold in Iraq.

The battle that started on Oct. 17 with air and ground support from a U.S.-led coalition is shaping up as the largest in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003.

Mosul still has a population of 1.5 million people, much more than any of the other cities captured by IS two years ago in Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

The United Nations cited reports on Tuesday that IS which is also known as ISIL, is attempting to displace Hammam al-Alil's estimated population of 25,000 for use as human shields and protection against air and artillery strikes.

"We have grave concerns for the safety of these and the tens of thousands of other civilians who have reportedly been forcibly relocated by ISIL in the past two weeks," U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said.

The town, 15 km (9 miles) south of Mosul, had a pre-war population of 65,000, a local official said.

Aid organizations, local officials and Mosul residents have cited reports that IS has executed dozens of people in Hammam al-Alil and barracks nearby on suspicion of planning rebellions in and around Mosul to aid the advancing troops.

Abdul Rahman al-Waggaa, a member of the Nineveh provincial council, told Reuters last week that most of the victims were former police and army members. The men were shot dead, he said, quoting the testimony of remaining residents of the villages and people displaced from the area.

The U.N has said the Mosul offensive could trigger a humanitarian crisis and a possible refugee exodus if the civilians inside in Mosul seek to escape, with up to 1 million people fleeing in a worst-case scenario.

The International Organisation for Migration said nearly 21,000 people have been displaced since the start of the campaign, excluding thousands of villagers taken into Mosul by retreating Islamist militants who used them as human shields.

Elite Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) troops were the first to breach Mosul's official boundary this week. They said on Tuesday they were in control of the state television station.

A CTS commander, Lt. General Abdul Ghani al-Assadi told reporters in Bartella, a village west of Mosul, that the unit will pause its advance on the eastern front because of bad weather.

"God willing the next stage will begin within hours. This depends on the weather," he said.

A curfew had been imposed on the recaptured eastern suburb of Kokjali, he said, to protect residents from mortar bombs fired by the insurgents.

Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are also deployed on the eastern and northern fronts, and Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi'ite militias are attacking IS militants west of Mosul.

The involvement of pro-Iranian militias is causing alarm in Turkey which has had troops deployed north of the city since last year to train and support Sunni Arab volunteers who also want to take part in the battle.

Turkey's army has begun deploying tanks and other armoured vehicles to the town of Silopi near the Iraqi border. Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik said on Tuesday the move was related to the fight against terrorism and developments across the border.

Turkey says it has a responsibility to protect ethnic Turkmens and Sunni Arabs in the area around Mosul, once part of the Ottoman Empire. It fears both PKK militants and Shi'ite militias, which the Iraqi army has relied on in the past, will be used in the campaign and stoke ethnic bloodletting.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told a news conference after a cabinet session in Baghdad on Tuesday that tensions with Turkey have eased in the last week, but warned that Iraq would respond to any "violation" of its territory.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday called Turkey's latest arrests of opposition newspaper journalists "highly alarming" and said they would impact Ankara's EU membership negotiations.

"For me and the entire government, it is highly alarming that freedom of the press and speech are being restricted again and again," she said after Turkey detained at least a dozen journalists and executives from the Cumhuriyet daily.

The arrests were "the latest example of this already very sad trend," Merkel said at a joint press conference with Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann. "We have great doubts that it complied with the rule of law."

Adding that the German ambassador had visited the Cumhuriyet newsroom Tuesday, Merkel said: "The journalists can be certain of our solidarity, just like all the others in Turkey who, under difficult conditions, are active for freedom of the press and speech."

She said the issue would "obviously play a central role" in talks on Ankara's long-standing but currently stalled bid to join the European Union.

The Cumhuriyet arrests came after Turkish authorities fired more than 10,000 civil servants at the weekend and closed 15 pro-Kurdish and other media outlets, the latest purge since July's failed military coup aimed at ousting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Merkel's strong comments follow a series of rows this year between Berlin and Ankara on civil rights and sensitive historical questions.

Relations took a dive after the German parliament in a June resolution declared the Ottomans' World War I-era massacre of Armenians a genocide.

The vote infuriated Erdogan and for months Ankara blocked German parliamentarians from visiting German troops at a NATO base in southern Turkey, until Merkel's government publicly clarified that the vote was non-binding.

Another major dispute was sparked by German TV comic Jan Boehmermann who in a so-called "Defamatory Poem" satirically accused the Turkish president of bestiality and paedophilia, sparking a criminal complaint by Erdogan and an ongoing civil case.

Germany is home to a three-million-strong ethnic Turkish population, the legacy of a massive "guest worker" programme in the 1960s and 1970s.

As Europe's top destination for refugees last year, Germany has relied on an EU-Turkey agreement designed to stop the massive influx of people fleeing war and poverty.

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South Korea's presidential office on Wednesday named a new prime minister and finance minister, the highest-level shake-up since President Park Geun-hye's administration was rocked by a scandal involving a friend accused of meddling in state affairs.

But opposition parties denounced the reshuffle as a bid by Park to divert attention from the political crisis, which has dragged her approval rating to an all-time low.

The Blue House named Financial Services Commission Chairman Yim Jong-yong as finance minister and deputy prime minister. Yim, who replaces incumbent minister Yoo Il-ho, has been well-regarded by policy-makers and market participants in his current role.

Kim Byong-joon, a senior presidential secretary during former president Roh Moo-hyun's administration, is expected to replace Hwang Kyo-ahn as prime minister. The prime minister's role in South Korea is largely administrative and requires parliamentary approval.

Kim initially scheduled a news conference but later called it off, saying he would speak further on Thursday.

"This situation is moving pretty quickly and I will voice my thoughts tomorrow after having listened to those around me," Kim told reporters, declining to comment further.

Appointing Kim, who has a reputation as a liberal, appears to be a bid by the conservative Park to placate the opposition and soothe public anger over the scandal involving Park's friend, Choi Soon-sil, who is in custody and under investigation by prosecutors.

But the shake-up, which included a new minister of public safety and security, did little to please the opposition.

"This replacement of the prime minister and finance minister can't be happening without discussing it with the opposition," Park Jie-won, leader of the opposition People's Party, told a party meeting.

"We won't stand by such a move to turn around the current situation with the personnel change," said Park, adding that his party would boycott nomination hearings.

South Korean stocks and the won currency did not react to the cabinet changes.

Neither incumbent Yoo or Hwang have been implicated in the scandal, although Yoo had been under pressure from opposition lawmakers over his close relationship with Park.

"The Blue House named Kim as the right person to lead the cabinet for the country's future and to overcome current hardships," presidential spokesman Jung Youn-kuk said.

RESIGNATION CALLS

A growing number of opposition politicians, as well as many members of the public have called on Park to step down, although the opposition has not called for impeachment proceedings.

Despite numerous scandals over the years, no South Korean president has ever resigned or been successfully impeached.

If Park, 64, were to step down before the end of her five-year term, an election would be held in 60 days, with the winner serving five years, making for a high-stakes race for which neither of the main parties has prepared.

Park apologised on television last week for giving Choi access to draft speeches during the first months of her presidency, but that did little to deflect demands that Park reveal the full nature of her ties with Choi and whether she enjoyed favours because of her friendship with the president.

Choi, 60, arrived at the prosecutors' office on Wednesday morning in handcuffs for a third day of questioning.

Prosecutors asked a court for a warrant to arrest Choi after charging her with abuse of power and attempted fraud, a court official said.

Prosecutors have said they are looking into allegations Choi forced conglomerates to donate funds to non-profit foundations using her friendship with the president and whether she benefited financially through the foundations.

Choi told South Korea's Segye Ilbo newspaper last week that she received drafts of Park's speeches after Park's election victory but denied she had access to other official material, influenced state affairs or benefited financially.

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Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann staked out a hard line on EU immigration before meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday, insisting it could not be linked to a broader treaty Brussels wants.

In an interview aired by broadcaster SRF before Wednesday's meeting in Berlin, he also said Swiss plans to curb the influx of European Union citizens by giving local people hiring preference may not require any more EU negotiations.

Switzerland, which is not an EU member, must implement next year the result of a 2014 referendum in which voters demanded quotas on EU workers.

Such limits would violate bilateral treaties that give the Swiss enhanced access to the EU single market, their largest trading partner, in return for citizens' freedom of movement.

The EU also wants to replace around 120 sector-specific bilateral treaties with a broad new "framework agreement" that would make the Swiss automatically adopt many EU laws.

Schneider-Ammann, who holds the rotating presidency of his country's executive Swiss Federal Council this year, said his country will not be pressured into sacrificing sovereignty.

"Above all else, Mrs Merkel will hear from me that we are counting on the EU not to force upon us a connection between freedom of movement and a framework agreement," he said.

At their long-planned meeting, the president will also inform Merkel about the political state of play in Switzerland.

Last month, the lower house of parliament passed a plan that includes hiring preferences but no quotas for workers already in Switzerland.

The upper house is likely to take a similar line.

If so, Schneider-Ammann said the upshot "could be that we are compatible with the EU's freedom of movement rules already".

Some European diplomats say any plan to regulate immigration must win the EU's blessing, especially given its potential effect on Britain's talks on EU ties after the country quits the bloc.

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Belgium's immigration minister is refusing to grant humanitarian visas to a family in the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo despite being fined 4,000 euros ($4,438) a day for defying an appeal tribunal.

A lawyer for the family, Olivier Stein, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the Belgian tribunal ruled three times that visas should be granted to the two adults with children aged 5 and 8 living in one of Syria's most dangerous cities.

Immigration Minister Theo Francken, whose office supervises Belgium's visa authority, has been visited by a bailiff directed by the tribunal, demanding 1,000 euros per person for each day that visas are not delivered. The tally so far is more than 30,000 euros ($33,000). The bailiff could confiscate goods to pay the fines.

"We're going to use all possible legal means to fight this affair. This is going too far," Francken told state broadcaster RTBF on Tuesday.

Friends in the city of Namur have offered to lodge and feed the family. But Francken said their links with the would-be refugees are tenuous and that granting visas could set a precedent that would open the floodgates to other demands. He also believes the government and not courts should rule on visa policy.

Stein said the family is only interested in finding sanctuary.

"We offered him the opportunity to drop this, to just give us the visas and forget the money. But he refused. So he's the one putting himself in a position where he faces a fine or sanctions. He's making the Belgian taxpayer pay for not granting these visas," Stein said.

He rejected Francken's claim that the case might set a precedent.

"This is a family who can prove they are in immediate danger of being killed. This is a very special case. We have provided proof of that," Stein said.

Francken "can't cry about migrants drowning in the Mediterranean, then force people to put their lives in danger," Stein added.

The friends of the Syrian family say they are hopeful that things will turn out well, but they too insist that they aren't seeking money.

"We're not the ones who are asking for money. It's the Belgian justice system that set this amount," one friend said. She declined to be named out of concern for the security of both families, saying that hers had already received threats.

Aleppo is the main focal point of the conflict in Syria.

East Aleppo has been subjected to a ferocious campaign of aerial attacks by Russian and Syrian government warplanes, and hundreds of people have been killed in recent weeks, according to opposition activists and trapped residents. The U.N. estimates that 275,000 people are trapped in the city.

With no Belgian consular facilities in Syria, the father had to leave his family there to travel to Beirut to apply for the visas, Stein said.

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LINCOLN TOWNSHIP  While the names of donors to a Lincoln Township legal fund remain a mystery to the public, it has been revealed that the $1,100 donation was for zoning purposes.

Township resident Arlene Schipinski received a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) response from the township last week for her fourth recent FOIA request.

All donations were made by local citizens wishing to remain anonymous, and to be used towards legal fund in helping to establish our own zoning. No outside groups were involved, stated the response from township Treasurer Patricia Weber.

An Aug. 15 receipt was provided from the request that showed $1,100 received from attorney fee donations.

The in payment for section of the receipt listed (Legal Services Fund) zoning.

Weber had signed the receipt.

A deposit slip dated Aug. 15 shows $100 in cash and two $500 checks, totaling $1,100.

It doesnt take much to connect the dots to show that the contributors lobbied for the writing of the Lincoln township ordinances 201601 and 201602, specifically zoning wind energy, Schipinski said.

Township Supervisor Melvin Drake commented on whether special interests were responsible for the donations.

The donations were all local, he said. There was not any outside interest. Theyre just local people and they want to remain anonymous.

On Aug. 8, the township introduced an ordinance establishing its own planning commission.

Other action at the August meeting included an interim ordinance placing a moratorium on wind development, and establishment of a $10,000 legal fund.

Schipinski has also questioned the township for flip flopping on a June decision to remain county-zoned.

Drake said the township sent letters to the Huron County Board of Commissioners and Huron County Planning Commission in March stating that the board felt there were enough turbines in the area.

It seemed like that part was ignored, Drake said. So we took back our own zoning.

Four of the five township board members have wind contracts, Drake said; all except Trustee Timothy Pawlowski.

Some members of the public have accused the board of passing the moratorium in order to get out of their wind contracts.

Drake answered that claim by saying that it was a board decision.

He said its impossible to know where this is going, because county commissioners recently approved a wind overlay district for the township, yet also voted to pull Lincoln Township from the district.

The issue will likely come up at next weeks board meeting.

We really dont know at this point where this is really going, Drake said.

In her most recent FOIA request, Schipinski asked for acquisition and disposition records of all transactions from the treasurer from Jan. 1 to Oct. 10, 2016

Her request was granted.

Township Clerk Irvin Kanaski recently called on township residents to tell Schipinski to stop her frivolous freedom of information requests, which Kanaski said is wasting township money.

Consulting township attorneys for Schipinskis first request cost the township $2,300 to $2,500, Kanaski said.

Schipinski said the its the board that is wasting taxpayer money because the township attorney attended the October county planning commission meeting, and two recent board of commissioners meetings.

Lincoln Township will conduct its regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at 1975 E. Filion Road.
American Homes 4 Rent is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on the US rental industry. The company is a leader in the single-family home rental industry and "American Homes 4 Rent" is fast becoming a nationally recognized brand. The company is known for high-quality rental homes, providing good value and tenant satisfaction while generating profits for investors. The primary investment objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns through dividends and capital appreciation.

The company plans to achieve its objective through the disciplined acquisition of new properties, by expanding its own construction and neighborhood building efforts, growing its geographically diverse portfolio, efficient property management, building a strong brand, and maintaining a sound capital structure.

The company was founded in 2011 by David Singelyn and his partner. Mr. Singelyn has served as a Trustee and CEO since 2012. The company began by acquiring homes in underserved areas and remodeling them to modern standards. The firm has since expanded its operations to construction and now builds planned communities tailored to different lifestyles as well. The company went public in 2013 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

American Homes 4 Rent is an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing, and operating attractive, single-family homes as rental properties. The company operates through a network of offices and the website AH4R.com. The company owns more than 55,000 properties across 22 states featuring move-in-ready and pet-friendly homes for individuals and families of all sizes.

All previously used properties have been renovated to a high Certified Property standard that brings them to a like-new condition. Interested parties can view listings by area on the website and even use the site to fill out applications and sign leases. Properties are located in communities that fit a variety of lifestyle needs including fences, marble countertops, and even attached 2 and 3-car garages. The communities are located in hand-picked neighborhoods with features including access to commerce, schools, and amenities like lawn care, pools, trails, and fitness centers.

Tenants are afforded many benefits by renting through American Homes 4 Rent. The first and most obvious is the freedom and flexibility of a mortgage-free lifestyle. On top of that, tenants can pay rent or schedule maintenance on their homes through the website, and dedicated service representatives are available 24/7.
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and Other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, prime brokerage, and data analytics. This segment also provides trustee, paying agency, fiduciary, escrow and other financial, issuer, and support services for brokers and investors. The Market and Wealth Services segment offers clearing and custody, investment, wealth and retirement solutions, technology and enterprise data management, trading, and prime brokerage services; and clearance and collateral management services. This segment also provides integrated cash management solutions, including payments, foreign exchange, liquidity management, receivables processing and payables management, and trade finance and processing services. The Investment and Wealth Management segment offers investment management strategies and distribution of investment products, investment management, custody, wealth and estate planning, private banking, investment, and information management services. The Other segment engages in the provision of leasing, corporate treasury, derivative and other trading, corporate and bank-owned life insurance, renewable energy investment, and business exit services. It serves central banks and sovereigns, financial institutions, asset managers, insurance companies, corporations, local authorities and high net-worth individuals, and family offices. The company was founded in 1784 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
The Opening of the 9th Panorama of the European Film was held on Tuesday 1 November at Karim Cinema in Downtown Cairo

The opening of the 9th Panorama of the European Film was held on Tuesday 1 November at Karim Cinema, in Downtown Cairo.

The Panorama of the European film is an annual event which showcases award-winning European films of various genres, ranging from fiction to documentary. This year, Panorama will run between 2 and 12 November.

The opening ceremony began with an introduction by president Marianne Khoury, in which she thanked the numerous sponsors of the festival. Subsequent speakers announced new screening locations available to audiences outside Cairo -- this year in Alexandria, Ismailia and Port Said -- as well as the festival's new sections (Urban Lens: Spotlight on Berlin and Panoranimation) and the breadth of content this year's films will cover.

Present at the opening was Angel Gutierrez, representative of the European Union Delegation to Egypt. In his opening speech, he highlighted Panoramas capacity to not only explore European culture, but also reveal the old continents perspective on other cultures.

The film selected to open the festival was director Cesc Gays Truman (2015 Spain/Argentine).

Truman was screened on numerous international festivals to critic and audience acclaim. Festivals included the Toronto International Film Festival (2015), and the San Sebastian International Film Festival the same year, where the film was awarded the Silver Shell for Best Actor, for the two lead roles. The film also received five Goya Awards: Best Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.

The comedy-drama follows the story of Julian (Ricardo Darin), a terminally ill man living in Madrid who receives an unexpected visit from his friend Thomas (Javier Camara), who lives in Canada. The eponymous Truman, Julians loyal dog, accompanies the two men on a short, yet unforgettable journey of love, laughter, tears and acceptance. The film is a beautifully honest depiction of dying and illness, stripped of all romanticisation.

Gay tackles a dark, complex subject, yet manages to incorporate many light and humorous passages. While dramatic scenes drive the plot forward, the story is lifted by well-timed comic relief.

The film will be screened again at Karim Cinema on Wednesday, 9 November, at 9:30pm.



Check the Panorama's complete programme here



Ahram Online is the media sponsor of The Panorama of the European Film and of Zawya.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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DATE TIME

VENUE FILM

Tue

2 Nov 9.30

Zawya ON THE OTHER SIDE (Croatia) - European Cinema

Vesna is a middle-aged visiting nurse in Zagreb. Quietly she goes about her daily life of mundane chores: babysitting for her son, helping her daughter to prepare for her wedding. Out of the blue she gets a call from her husband Zarko, who left his family on the eve of the war to fight for "the other side". His reappearance sends her carefully reconstructed life into a tailspin, endangering her new identity.

Tue

2 Nov 9.30pm

Karim DUST CLOTH (Turkey/Germany) - European Cinema Shuttling between the destitution and wealth of the city, two cleaning ladies, Nesrin and Hatun, try to understand life and find a way of their own. As Hatun tries to save up enough money to buy a home in a neighborhood where she cleans houses, Nesrin struggles with the absence of her husband and her own loneliness, while also trying to find a way through life with her five year-old daughter. The paths of these two women may be different, but their companionship is enduring as they cling to disparate dreams.

Thu

3 Nov

6.30pm Karim A WAR (Denmark) - European Cinema

Claus Pedersen, a Danish army commander in Afghanistan, does his best to lead his men with integrity and maintain their morale after one of their young comrades is killed by a landmine. During an unexpected siege, Claus makes a decision that will have consequences not only for him but for his family back in Denmark. He is faced with a moral dilemma while his wife Maria is trying to keep her family together in spite of the horrible thing that has happened.

Thu

3 Nov 6.45

French Institute DONT BREATHE (Canada) - Documentary Rendez-vous The film is a dark comedy set in Tbilisi, Georgia. It tells the story of Levan, a man in his forties, who is suddenly led to question his existence because of a routine medical examination. This apparently minor event turns into the complete reassessment of his life, as he finds himself caught in a downward spiral of paranoia and doubt as he fumbles his way through the theatre of the absurd that we call life. Then a serendipitous event occurs... Using a playful tone and humor, the film examines the psychological nature of mankind when our bearings get lost and our imagination takes over, highlighting our common fears,fragility, hopes and resilience.

Thu

3 Nov 9.30pm

Zawya THE WAIT (Italy/France) - Emerging Directors In the vast rooms of an ancient villa, Anna spends her days in solitude. Only the footsteps of Pietro, the handyman, break the silence. Unexpectedly, Jeanne arrives, a young woman saying she is the girlfriend of Annas son, Giuseppe. He has invited her to spend a few days together but hes not there. Soon he will be back, says Anna, unable to reveal an unspeakable truth. As the days go by, the two women slowly get to know each other and together they wait for Easter Day when Giuseppe will finally come home.

Thu

3 Nov 9.30pm

Karim GREETINGS FROM FUKUSHIMA (Germany) - European Cinema

With the Clowns 4 Help organization, Marie, a german woman, hopes to bring joy to the Fukushima disaster survivors but she soon realizes shes unsuited for the task. About to run away, she decides to stay with cantankerous old Satomi, the last geisha of Fukushima, who decided to retreat back to her ruined house in the formerly radioactive Exclusion Zone. Two women who couldnt be more different, but who, each in her own way, are trapped in the past and must learn to liberate themselves from guilt and the burden of memory.

Fri

4 Nov 10.30am

Karim B-MOVIE (Germany) - Urban Lens: Spotlight on Berlin

Music, art and chaos in the wild West-Berlin of the 1980s: the walled-in city became the creative melting pot for sub- and pop-culture. Before the iron curtain fell, everything and anything seemed possible. B-MOVIE is a fast-paced collage of mostly unreleased film and TV footage from a frenzied but creative decade, starting with punk and ending with the Love Parade, in a city where the days are short and the nights are endless. Where it was not about long-term success, but about living for the moment  the here and now.

Fri

4 Nov 1pm

Zawya FREAK ORLANDO (Germany) - Carte Blanche

In the form of a "small theater of the world", Freak Orlando tells a history of the world from its beginnings to our day, including the errors, the incompetence, the thirst for power, the fear, the madness, the cruelty and the commonplace. Set in five episodes, Ottingers garishly costumed tales involves the Spanish Inquisition, traveling entertainers, Greek mythology, assorted bodily oddities, and general carnivalesque intrigue.

Fri

4 Nov 1pm

Karim ADIEU BONAPARTE (France / Egypt) - Panorama Classics

In 1978, Napoleon lands his army in Egypt, defeats the Mameluke warlords, and goes to Cairo. Three brothers, fervent Egyptian patriots, reject the prospect of the French domination. Bakr, the eldest, is a hothead, quick to advocate armed rebellion; Ali is more philosophical and poetic while Yehia is young and impressionable. One of Bonapartes generals, Caffarelli, a scientist and a humanist, makes friends with two of them, Aly and Yehia. While the resistance fighters set against the bloody oppression, Caffarelli, leaves all warlike concerns behind and rebels himself Bonapartes destructive conquests.

Fri

4 Nov 6.45pm

Americana Plaza ON CALL (France) - Documentary Rendez-vous The consulting service is located in the Avicenne Hospital in Bobigny. Its an outpost that seems abandoned at the end of a corridor. A large, dingy, run-down room where sick men show up, bearing physical scars, and whose pain seems closely linked to the suffering of exile.They keep coming back here because they still harbor hopes that this place will give them the means to stay afloat, to survive the turmoil of their lives hitting rock bottom.

Sat

5 Nov 10.30am

Zawya THE LIVES OF OTHERS (Germany) - Urban Lens: Spotlight on Berlin

East Berlin, November 1984, five years before its downfall, the East-German government ensured its claim to power with a ruthless surveillance system. Party-loyalist Captain Gerd Wiesler hopes to boost his career when given the job of collecting evidence against the playwright Georg Dreyman and his girlfriend. What he didn't anticipate, however, was that submerging oneself into the world of the target also changes the surveillance agent. The immersion in the lives of others - in love, literature, free thinking and speech - makes Wiesler acutely aware of the meagerness of his own existence.

Sat

5 Nov 3.30pm

Karim A SYRIAN LOVE STORY (UK, France, Lebanon, Syria) - Crossroads

Comrades and lovers Amer and Raghda met in a Syrian prison cell 15 years ago. When the director, McAllister, first meets their family in 2009, Raghda is back in prison leaving Amer to look after their 4 boys alone; but as the Arab Spring sweeps the region, the familys fate shifts irrevocably. Filmed over 5 years, the film charts their incredible odyssey to political freedom. For Raghda and Amer, it is a journey of hope, dreams and despair: for the revolution, their homeland and each other.

Sat

5 Nov 6.30pm

Zawya FIRE AT SEA (France) - Documentary Rendez Vous

About 200 km off Italys southern coast, Lampedusa has hit world headlines in recent years as the first port of call for hundreds of thousands of migrants hoping to make a new life in Europe. The documentary captures life on the Italian island and the everyday reality of its local population as hundreds of migrants land on its shores every week. The resulting documentary focuses on 12-year-old Samuele, a local boy who loves to hunt with his slingshot and spend time on land even though he hails from a culture steeped in the sea.

Sat

5 Nov 6.45pm

French Institute DEATH OF THE SERPENT GOD (Switzerland) - Documentary Rendez Vous

After a street fight goes wrong; Koumba, 20 years old, is expelled to Senegal. Having arrived in France at the age of two, she neglected to ask for French nationalization at her majority.In 48 hours, the young restless Parisian teenager becomes a Senegalese villager lost in the bush, far from her family and Paris life.The story of a five year exile: a news item becomes a tragic epopee.

Sun

6 Nov

10am

Karim ANIMATION CENTRE OF TORINO - Panoranimation

Animated films from: Italian National Film School - Animation Center of Torino / Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia Animation Short Film Program

Read more about the Panoramas spotlight on animation here

Sun

6 Nov

1pm

Karim FREAK ORLANDO (Germany) - Carte Blanche

In the form of a "small theater of the world", Freak Orlando tells a history of the world from its beginnings to our day, including the errors, the incompetence, the thirst for power, the fear, the madness, the cruelty and the commonplace. Set in five episodes, Ottingers garishly costumed tales involves the Spanish Inquisition, traveling entertainers, Greek mythology, assorted bodily oddities, and general carnivalesque intrigue.
Equifax Inc. provides information solutions and human resources business process automation outsourcing services for businesses, governments, and consumers. The company operates through three segments: Workforce Solutions, U.S. Information Solutions (USIS), and International. The Workforce Solutions segment offers employment, income, criminal history, and social security number verification services, as well as payroll-based transaction, employment tax management, and identity theft protection products. The USIS segment provides consumer and commercial information services, such as credit information and credit scoring, credit modeling and portfolio analytics, locate, fraud detection and prevention, identity verification, and other consulting; mortgage services; financial marketing services; identity management services; credit monitoring products; and online information, decisioning technology solutions, as well as portfolio management, mortgage reporting, and consumer credit information services. The International segment offers information service products, which include consumer and commercial services, such as credit and financial information, and credit scoring and modeling; and credit and other marketing products and services, as well as offers information, technology, and other services to support debt collections and recovery management. The company serves customers in financial services, mortgage, employers, consumer, commercial, telecommunication, retail, automotive, utility, brokerage, healthcare, and insurance industries, as well as state, federal, and local governments. It operates in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, the Republic of Ireland, Russia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. The company was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
The unmanned mission for the Air National Guard has become a sweet spot for airmen not only looking to maintain a part-time Air Force career, but also to develop their skills at a time when the service is making strides in drone capabilities, the head of the National Guard Bureau said.

"I saw many former F-16 units go kicking and screaming into the [MQ-1] Predator mission and now, almost, you can't go to one of these places [without them] telling you, 'We regret resisting this,' " Gen. Joseph Lengyel told defense reporters last week in Washington, D.C.

Lengyel said Air Force leaders worried at first about how the remotely piloted aircraft mission would impact airmen in the long term as they aimed to rapidly grow the drone field.

The service plans "to add 2,500-3,000 personnel to the [remotely piloted aircraft, or RPA] enterprise" as a whole through its Culture and Process Improvement Program, Air Combat Command spokesman Benjamin Newell told Military.com last month.

RELATED: Air Force Seeks to Change How Drone Pilots Train, Fly

"We've been able to build up the enterprise such that the quality of life, work schedules for our Guardsmen have been built in a more sustainable kind of  rhythm, working 12-hour days, six days a week," Lengyel said.

Lengyel cited units in Fargo, North Dakota, and Ellington Field in Houston as examples of recently transitioned units where "you'll see all those folks going to university at night, but flying Predator missions during the day."

But even that lifestyle may be on the cusp of an overhaul in the next few years.

"I think RPA in general is a growing industry, not just in defense, but automated, requiring less people to actually control an airborne platform  there will be more of that," he said.

"It's an insatiable product that it produces -- I don't know a single unit that isn't highly motivated and ready to do it."

More Automation (and Swarming)

Without disclosing details of how the service may start automating its drones, the why is clear: The demand for robotics is on the rise.

Air Force Col. Brandon Baker, chief of the remotely piloted aircraft capabilities division, last week said the service is investing in small unmanned aerial systems technologies to operate in a much different sphere "than RPA systems today."

He envisioned an Ender's Game-style battle, in which an airman -- nonaligned to a ground station -- would be able to control swarms of drones, "thousands of platforms at the wave of a hand."

"We're looking at something different, not man in the loop operations, but man on the loop operations, meaning our levels of autonomy and levels of cognition have to increase," Baker said during the Unmanned Systems Defense Conference outside Washington, D.C.

The Air Force reached out to the Defense Department's Defense Innovation Unit Experimental, or DIUX, in Silicon Valley to test the concept, he said.

"We're not going to be flying these airplanes, we're going to [be] orchestrating where these airplanes go, what they do," Baker said, adding that the service will need more individuals who are "air minded, folks who understand . application of airpower" for these roles, especially when it comes to drone swarming in highly contested environments.

Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh, the service's commanding general for combat development, detailed a similar plan at last week's conference to incorporate swarming, or bringing in small unmanned aerial vehicles paired with underwater drones, unmanned surface vessels and underwater mine countermeasures, to storm areas -- either on land, air or sea -- in hopes it would not only slow down the enemy but save troops' lives.

RELATED: Drone Swarms to Storm Beaches: Marine General

"Instead of Marines being the first wave in, it'll be unmanned robotics  sensing, locating and maybe killing out front of those Marines," Walsh 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."

Echoing Walsh, Baker said, "We're seeing a lot of development in these areas. Manpower, efficiencies and the future for United States Air Force  has got to be baked in from the beginning. It's a must-have."

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.
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.
Prior to the festival's opening 15 November, Tamer El-Said's film was removed by the event's organisers due to the "films participation in a large number of international film festivals preceding CIFF"

On Tuesday, 1 November, on her show Hona Al-3asema that airs on CBC satellite channel, Egyptian TV presenter Lamis El-Hadidi hosted Tamer El-Said, director of Akher Ayyam El-Medina (In the Last Days of the City), a film that was removed from the programme of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) in its upcoming edition to open 15 November.

The festivals decision baffled the producers and the whole crew who continue their fight for the films right to be screened. The film's director, Tamer El-Said, and the film's team were notifed by CIFF's administration that the film will not be part of the festival," claiming that the reason for the decision is "the films participation in a large number of international film festivals preceding CIFF," which the festival administration asserted could be "interpreted by some as a sign of disrespect to the festival."

On El-Hadidi's show Tuesday, El-Said restated that the only condition the festival communicated to him was to have the Middle East premiere at CIFF and not take any new invitations to festivals.

This was an oral agreement they had told me by phone, and I agreed to it and complied by declining invitations from other regional festivals. However the official written invitation doesnt specify any first screening, and the film was compliant with all the terms written there, El-Said told El-Hadidi.

He added that it was clear to the organisers that In the Last Days of The City had already been screened at many festivals before, starting with its world premiere at the Berlinale, and that they accepted the film into the competition fully knowing this, and even congratulating him on the films success.

CIFF director Magda Wassef joined the conversation with a live phone call.

We made a mistake in the beginning by accepting it in the competition section. The film is distinctive and has a place in the festival, but outside of the competition, she said.

We talked with El-Said on a friendly basis, with no formalities. When we watched the film and liked it we thought to have it out of competition, then we decided to give it a chance.

She then compared the situation with that of another Egyptian film at CIFF, Kamla Abo Zekris A Day For Women. Her [Abo Zekris] film was screened in London once, then we asked them not to further screen it in more festivals so as not to spoil it for CIFF, she said.

Wassef added that, In the end, CIFF is not an exclusive festival and that there is no such thing as the only Middle East premiere," to which El-Said noted that what was asked of him and of Abo Zekry indicated otherwise, since they were both requested not to screen their films at other festivals.

Egyptian actress Elham Shahin, a jury member in one of CIFFs sections and the star in A Day For Women, also called the show on air.

CIFF told us not to screen A Day For Women in other festivals, and we declined invitations from the Carthage Festival, the Dubai Festival, and Montpelier Festival, and when it was screened in London it was out of competition. This was all to give CIFF its prestige and honor its status among the festivals, Shahin said, siding with the festivals stance on disqualifying El-Saids film.

Wassef stated that CIFF was not aware that In the Last Days of The City was screened in that many festivals, something that when discovered they felt would be unfair to Abo Zekris film.

How can we make an exception for El-Saids film that we didnt give to Abu Zekri? Wassef asked.

Abo Zekri herself also joined the conversation by phone to clarify her current opinion.

She said that, At the beginning I felt it was unfair that I had to refuse festivals while El-Saids film was in the same competition and had toured many festivals already. But if I were in El-Saids place I would be doing the same and fighting for it to stay in competition. If there were terms, the CIFF should have made it clear to him before accepting the film, but they agreed to take the film knowing it was screened internationally.

Abo Zekri is one of over 300 important cinematic figures who signed a petition, launched recently by the Egyptian filmmakers, for In the Last Days of the City to be re-accepted in competition at CIFF.

Among the signees were directors Khairy Beshara and Ali Badrakhan, media person Reem Maged, director Yousry Nasrallah, director Mohamed Diab, writer Medhat El-Adl and actress Yousra El-Lozy, to name a few.

I have no problem with the film being in competition, or else I wouldn't have signed the petition. My situation is different, my film has a number of stars and my chances of screening elsewhere are higher. El-Saids film has no stars, so I think CIFF was an important opportunity for the film, Abo Zekri said.

El-Hadidi then asked Wassef if a middle ground could be found to settle the situation, especially since many people, including Abo Zekri, fully support that it returns to the competition.

Since the situation has escalated, we can look into it again. We have a consulting committee that will see what we can do about it. For the competition section, it's difficult, but out of competition there is a possibility, Wassef said.

Besides the already launched petition, another petition supporting the film's participation in the CIFF has been opened by the journalists. The culture committee of the Journalists' Syndicate also announced a statement in support of the films return to CIFF.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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Iraq warned Wednesday that Turkey risks war over its threats to intervene militarily in northern Iraq even as Iraqi forces worked to secure a first foothold within Mosul against the Islamic State.

"We do not want war with Turkey, and we do not want a confrontation with Turkey," Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Iraqi state TV. "But if a confrontation happens, we are ready for it. We will consider [Turkey] an enemy, and we will deal with it as an enemy."

Turkey has repeatedly rejected Abadi's demands to withdraw a contingent of about 500 troops near the town of Bashiqa, about 10 miles north of Mosul. The Turkish troops have been training local tribes that Turkey wants to participate in the occupation of Mosul.

Abadi also expressed concerns over Turkey's buildup of tanks, artillery and troops on the border and threats to intervene if Shia Popular Mobilization Units, which are part of the Iraqi Security Forces, move to take Tal Afar to the west of Mosul.

Turkey scoffed at Abadi's warning. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, "If you have the strength, why did you surrender Mosul to terror organizations? If you are so strong, why has the PKK occupied your lands for years?" Cavusoglu referred to the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, which has bases in northern Iraq and has been labeled a terrorist organization by Turkey and the U.S.

"You cannot even fight against a terror organization. You are weak," Cavusoglu said of Abadi, according to Turkey's Anadolu news agency.

The Iraq-Turkey friction was the latest evidence of regional, sectarian and ethnic divides in northern Iraq that U.S. officials have warned could imperil the Mosul offensive and make governing in its aftermath a daunting task. The local population is a mix of Sunni, Shia, Turkmen, Kurds, Yazidis, Shabaks and Assyrians.

On Wednesday, the Iraqi Security Forces reported that the Counter Terror Services units, or Iraqi special forces, were consolidating a foothold inside the city limits of eastern Mosul while preparing for a drive on the city's center.

Other Iraqi units were arrayed on Mosul's outskirts to the south for possible moves against ISIS defenders on other axes.

Outside Mosul to the north and east, Kurdish Peshmerga forces reached their objectives in the offensive that began Oct. 17 and were consolidating their positions in support of the Iraqi advance into the city itself, the Kurdish news agency Rudaw reported.

"The Peshmerga have stopped now and carried out their plans. We are completing the rest of the plan from our fronts," Abdul Ghani Assadi, a commander of Iraq's counter terror units, was quoted by Rudaw as saying.

Under the plan approved by Abadi, Kurdish forces are not to enter the city to avoid exacerbating sectarian tensions.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
An Air Force KC-10 Extender air tanker lost its refueling boom Tuesday during an exercise over Idaho.

The aircraft, from the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California, made an emergency landing at 11:20 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, according to a base press release posted on Facebook.

No injuries were reported on the aircraft or the ground, and all crew members were deemed safe and accounted for, the release said.

"The KC-10 was conducting training in support of Mountain Home AFB's Gunfighter Flag Exercise when the refueling boom separated from the aircraft near the range complex," it said.

Photos of the boom showed it landed in a hay field near the base, according to a popular social media page for airmen.

The incident is under investigation. A spokesperson from Travis did not provide additional details.

The KC-10, originally manufactured by McDonnell Douglas as the DC-10 before being upgraded by Boeing, has a single boom, or hose, and drogue centerline refueling system, according to the Air Force. The boom operator sits in the rear of the aircraft to control the boom "through a digital, fly-by wire system," and observe the receiving aircraft.

The aircraft, which carries more than 356,000 pounds of fuel in its six tanks, can transfer fuel at a maximum rate of 1,100 gallons per minute.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct the manufacturer.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.
Career-oriented troops favor Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump over his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton by a 3:1 margin, a new Military.com reader survey has found.

Of the more than 1,300 active-duty, National Guard and Reserve members who responded to the questionnaire and plan to vote in the Nov. 8 presidential election, about two-thirds, or 67 percent, said they plan to vote for Trump, while about a fifth, or 21 percent, said they intend to cast a ballot for Clinton.

"Write this down: T-R-U-M-P," said one respondent who identified himself as Hispanic or Latino and politically independent, spelling out the candidate's last name after a reporter introduced himself on the telephone.

"I have a lot of reasons to vote for him because I've been following him my whole career," said the Army major, who requested anonymity to speak freely about the election without fear of professional repercussion. "I know he's wacky  but I really think he cares about us and cares about America. Plus, there are a lot of negatives on Hillary."

Troops for Trump

Across almost every demographic group, from branch of military service to paygrade to gender, Trump was the clear winner in the survey. (The Republican presidential candidate was also heavily favored by thousands more veterans and military spouses who filled out the questionnaire.)

Breaking down results by service, his support was highest among Marines, with 74 percent of Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve respondents saying they plan to vote for Trump. That compares to 68 percent of Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard respondents; 68 percent of Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard respondents; and 62 percent of Navy and Navy Reserve respondents.

Trump's lead narrows when the results are filtered for the active component. For example, among only active-duty respondents, 63 percent said they plan to vote for him. His lead further slips when the results are filtered for the officer corps. Among active-duty officers, 55 percent plan to support Trump; 29 percent, Clinton; 10 percent, Gary Johnson, the third-party libertarian candidate; and less than 1 percent, Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate.

RELATED: Vets Back Trump's Plan for More Private Health Care, Survey Says

About six in 10 active-duty, Guard or Reserve respondents, or 59 percent, who identified themselves as Independent said they plan to vote for Trump, compared with about one in four, or 26 percent, who said they intend to vote for Clinton.

About the same percentage of those who identified themselves as Libertarian, or 58 percent, said they plan to vote for Trump, compared with about one in three, or 34 percent, who said they intend to vote for Johnson -- a notable difference from a separate poll of military members but potentially in keeping with recent research indicating many undecided Republicans or one-time Johnson supporters are now backing Trump.

Even among female troops, Trump fared better than Clinton, according to the survey. Just about half, or 50 percent, of female active-duty, Guard and Reserve members said they plan to vote for Trump, while slightly more than a third, or 36 percent, intend to vote for Clinton.

Racial Differences

However, Trump loses to Clinton among black troops, according to the survey. Almost six in 10 respondents, or 59 percent, who identified themselves as black or African American said they plan to vote for Clinton, while more than a quarter, or 27 percent, said they intend to vote for Trump.

An Air Force sergeant who identified himself as black and a Democrat said he can understand how race might play a role in some people's decisions, but it didn't for his. Rather, he cited Clinton's experience as a senator and secretary of state.

"I don't think Donald Trump has anywhere near the foreign policy experience as Sen. Clinton," he said in a telephone interview. "I trust her more as commander in chief, given her experience and everything else."

He added, "I think she's more contrite. I see Donald Trump's vision being very, very partisan, very dark and very weak. I personally feel like he cares more about the Trump brand than the American people."

Military Boost

Six in 10 respondents, or 61 percent, said Trump would do a better job as president handling foreign and military affairs. Seven in 10 respondents, or 70 percent, said he would do a better job as president handling domestic issues such as the economy. And nearly eight in 10 respondents, or 79 percent, said they support Trump's plans to boost the size of the military.

In September, Trump called for increasing the size of the Army to about 540,000 active-duty soldiers, the Marine Corps to 36 battalions, the Navy to 350 surface ships and submarines, and the Air Force to at least 1,200 fighter aircraft.

By comparison, the Pentagon's $583 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2017, which began Oct. 1, requests funding for 460,000 active soldiers, 24 Marine infantry battalions, 287 naval ships and roughly 1,170 fighter aircraft (excluding A-10 ground attack aircraft) -- all for the active component. The figures don't take into account additional troops and equipment for the Guard and Reserve.

Many respondents also said they welcomed Trump's comments that he "would listen to the generals" in deciding on military matters, including combat operations. At the same time, the candidate has suggested he would look to replace military leadership if elected to office: "They'd probably be different generals, to be honest with you," he said during a forum.

ISIS, Afghanistan

Troops listed their five biggest issues, in order of importance, as foreign policy, including U.S. military operations abroad; veterans' issues; terrorism; the economy; and the Supreme Court.

Support for Trump runs high among active, Guard and Reserve members who deployed in support of combat operations, the survey shows. Almost three-quarters, or 73 percent, of respondents who said they served in Iraq or Afghanistan said they back Trump, while just 15 percent said they support Clinton.

Slightly more than half of respondents, or 54 percent, said they support President Barack Obama's decision to keep about 8,400 U.S. troops in Afghanistan next year. A slightly higher percentage, or 59 percent, said they support his decision to deploy about 5,000 U.S. troops to Iraq and about 300 more to Syria to help fight militants affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

Yet almost half of respondents, or 46 percent -- and highest percentage -- said they oppose Clinton's proposal to create a no-fly zone and safe zone in Syria.

An Air Force pilot who recently returned from a combat zone said he's against the idea because the strategic goal of such an undertaking remains unclear. He also noted that even though Russia supports forces loyal to the regime of Bashar al-Assad -- the U.S. has said the civil war won't end if Assad remains in power -- Russian airstrikes also target ISIS militants.

"The bad guys don't have aircraft -- ISIS doesn't have aircraft," he said. "So what purpose does a no-fly zone serve? To what end? What's the point? Even if we took out Assad, who would fill that vacuum?"

Clinton Email Controversy

The Army major also said he and many of his colleagues are dismayed by the controversy surrounding Clinton's use of a private server to send emails containing classified information. The candidate this week criticized the FBI for launching a new probe into a potentially related matter, saying "there's no case here."

But the officer said the issue goes to her trustworthiness. "If you do something like that recklessly, you get demoted, you get your pay taken," he said, referring to troops who make a similar mistake. "If you do that on purpose, you go to jail for like 15 years."

The controversy has simmered on the campaign trail. Trump has repeatedly raised the issue during both the debates and stump speeches. During the Republican National Convention, Al Baldasaro, a state representative in New Hampshire, delegate for Trump and a Marine Corps veteran, gave a radio interview in which he said Clinton should be "shot for treason" and referenced the case of Marine Maj. Jason Brezler.

The career of Brezler, a reservist and member of the New York City Fire Department, hangs in the balance after he was accused of improperly handling classified material. In 2012, Brezler sent colleagues an email from a Yahoo account containing a classified profile of an Afghan policeman whom the Marines believed was corrupt and sexually abusing young Afghan boys.

The Army officer said he and his colleagues feel Clinton has received a different level of legal scrutiny because of her position and status.

"If we did the same thing, we'd be in jail," he said.

Survey Methodology

Military.com conducted a voluntary online survey of readers from Oct. 24 through Oct. 31. The questionnaire was posted on the website and distributed to readers via newsletters, a mobile alert and on social media.

A total of 17,149 respondents completed the questionnaire, the vast majority of whom were veterans. Except where noted in this story, survey data were filtered for the 1,313 responses from active-duty, Guard and Reserve members who said they plan to vote.

The sample is not a perfect representation of the military as a whole. It includes a higher percentage of airmen, soldiers, officers and noncommissioned officers, and a lower percentage of women, minorities and junior enlisted personnel than are in the force.

However, the high number of NCOs and mid-grade officers who responded represent the more senior and career-oriented members of the military.

-- Brendan McGarry can be reached at brendan.mcgarry@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Brendan_McGarry.
About three in four veterans back Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's plan to give them greater access to private health care, a new Military.com reader survey has found.

Of the nearly 11,000 respondents who identified themselves as veterans and likely voters, 74 percent said they support Trump's plan to allow them to use private health care instead of services through the Veterans Affairs Department.

The Republican proposed reforming the department in part by ensuring that "every veteran has the choice to seek care at the VA or at a private service provider of their own choice. Under a Trump Administration, no veteran will die waiting for service."

Marvin Parker, a Vietnam veteran who medically retired from the Army as a staff sergeant, said he supports Trump's proposal after using VA health care for two decades.

"It is hard to get treatment," the former vehicle mechanic wrote in an email to Military.com. "Also in my area the doctors and nurse staff are incompetent and care very little for their patients' care. They're mainly pill pushers. They spend more time looking at a computer screen than trying to diagnose and take care of problems. I would like a choice of doctors and facilities."

Wait-Time Scandal

In 2014, just a few months after CNN reported that at least 40 people died waiting for appointments at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care system, President Barack Obama signed the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act.

The bill created a new program, called Veterans Choice, designed to let veterans seek care outside of the VA system if they faced a wait time of 30 days or more, lived 40 miles or more from a VA facility, or met other conditions.

RELATED: Trump Leads Race Among Military Spouses, Survey Says

During a forum with his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, Trump called for giving veterans greater access to private care if they face waits of several days for appointments at hospitals and clinics run by the VA, which he described as "almost a corrupt enterprise."

"People are  dying waiting to see a doctor," he said. "Under a part of my plan, if they have that long wait, they walk outside, they go to the local doctor. They choose the doctor. They choose the hospital, whether it's public or private. They get themselves better. In many cases, it's a minor procedure or a pill."

Both Trump and Clinton said they would not seek to privatize the VA.

'Out of Reach'

Harold Brenner, 70, a former chief petty officer in the Navy who served as a construction mechanic during Vietnam, said the service at the VA hospital in Reno is "absolutely excellent" but he supports Trump's proposal because the facility is 40 miles away.

"VA clinics are a lot of time out of reach of veterans," he said in a telephone interview with Military.com.

But Brenner, who visits private-care doctors closer to home under his Tricare for Life and Medicare health insurance plans, said the issue was a relatively small one for him this election season.

Registered as an Independent, Brenner said he previously voted for Barack Obama. "I didn't vote for him because he was a Democrat," he said. "I voted for him because I believed in him. But with these two," he added, referring to Trump and Clinton, "oh my goodness, I have no faith in either one of them.  To me, this is a sad state of affairs that this is the best we've got."

Even so, Brenner said he intends to vote for Trump -- and he's not alone.

Three quarters of veterans who responded to the Military.com survey said they plan to cast a ballot for the Republican nominee. That compares to 20 percent of respondents who support Clinton and less than 3 percent who support Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate.

Election Issues

Like troops serving on active duty or in the National Guard or Reserves, veterans generally feel Trump would do a better job handling both domestic and foreign policy issues, support Trump's plans to boost the size of the military, back President Barack Obama's plans for Afghanistan and to fight ISIS, and oppose Hillary Clinton's calls to create a no-fly zone in Syria, according to the survey.

Veterans, however, ranked terrorism as the single most important issue, followed by veterans issues; the Supreme Court; foreign policy, including U.S. military operations abroad; and the economy.

Veterans issues certainly matter for Martin Joseph Young, 65, a former Army sergeant who served as a UH-1H Huey crew chief during Vietnam. The Coventry, Connecticut, resident has to travel about 30 miles to the nearest VA facility in either Millington or Rocky Hill.

"It's a lot easier for me to go seven miles next to the Windham Hospital than for me to travel to Millington," he said. "Any savings of money or savings of time or savings of convenience is certainly appreciated at this stage and age."

-- Brendan McGarry can be reached at brendan.mcgarry@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @Brendan_McGarry.
Turkey has finished a 167-mile stretch of a 10-foot-high concrete wall along the Syrian border and expects to complete the 560-mile project by mid-2017, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said Wednesday.

While inspecting a section of the wall in Hatay province, Isik said it will run the length of the Syria-Turkey border, except for about 50 miles where the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers flow -- "for which we will take different measures" to block access by Islamic State militants, Turkey's Anadolu news agency reported.

He did not specify what the different measures would be.

Isik said that about 167 miles of the wall had been completed and construction of another 124 miles had begun. The wall will also serve as a barrier to Syrian refugees fleeing that country's five-year-old civil war.

The U.S. and its NATO allies had long pressured Turkey to seal off the border against areas in Syria controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. In August, Turkish troops and tanks moved into Syria in Operation Euphrates Shield to clear border areas in concert with the construction of the wall.

Early efforts at building a border wall began in 2014 to combat smuggling and illegal migration, even as Turkey maintained an open-border policy that has seen nearly three million Syrians seek refuge in the country. But the pace of construction accelerated this year.

Turkish officials have compared their wall project to the walls along parts of the U.S.-Mexico border aimed at stopping illegal migrants and drug trafficking. Walls and other barriers now cover about 650 miles of the 2,000-mile long U.S.-Mexico border.

Illegal migration from Mexico has become a major issue in the U.S. presidential election. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has pledged to build a wall along the entire length of the border and have Mexico pay for it.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
The U.S. military's top official told troops Wednesday that the recent anti-American comments by the Philippine president will have no effect on the United States' growing presence in the Pacific region.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter spoke to a room full of troops that included U.S. Army, Marine and Air Force personnel at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

One Marine staff sergeant asked Carter how the recent comments by Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte about "breaking ties with the U.S. and aligning itself with Russia and China" will affect the U.S. presence in the Pacific.

"The Philippines is a long-standing ally of the United States. We continue to regard them as an ally and, obviously, we are having conversations with the government of the Philippines about the future of that," Carter said.

"That has been good for the Philippines; it's good for the United States. Our strategy, however, is strong and isn't dependent on any single one of our friends or our allies there. We have many, and there is a huge demand for us to do more."

Carter's comments come amid increasing uncertainty about Washington's treaty alliance with Manila. Duterte, who took office June 30, has displayed antagonism toward America, declaring his desire to scale back military engagements with the U.S. and telling President Barack Obama to "go to hell."

Duterte has also begun rekindling once-frosty relationships with China and Russia, The Associated Press reported recently. Duterte said Wednesday that he'll consider continuing to acquire weapons and defense equipment from the United States if his military recommends he do so, despite offers from China and Russia, according to AP.

Carter maintains that the U.S. has many allies in the Pacific because "many of them have concerns about Chinese behavior or also concerns about one another that go way back in history. It has been the case for both of those concerns for decades."

The American military presence has been the "flywheel in that part of the world," he said.

"In a region that has no NATO, no formal structure for security -- where the wounds of the past have not healed the way you see at least in Western Europe, the American military presence has had a stabilizing effect," Carter said.

Most Pacific nations want the U.S. presence to continue, he said.

"We intend to continue to do that because it is very much in the United States' interest to do that," Carter said. "This is the part of the world that is going to have half the economy of the world, half the world's population, and it is the single part of the world of greatest consequence to America's future."

It is important that the United States have a strong position in the Pacific and that it be peaceful, Carter said.

"And one of the ways we do that is by having the awesome power of our military there, but the other way is by having friends and allies there, and we have lots of them.

"I'll remind you of our other formal allies there -- Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Australia. Plus, we have lots of partners that we work with and they are asking us to do more -- India; Vietnam; Singapore, a longstanding friend. So there is a tremendous appetite for American presence and American persistence there, and we are going to meet that appetite because it's not just good for the countries out there and good for the region, it's good for us and good for the United States."

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.
Almost half the world's population are at risk of malaria

Efforts to end malaria, which killed an estimated 438,000 people in 2015, are under threat as mosquitoes become increasingly resistant to drugs and insecticides.

To outpace rising resistance, the scientific community in the U.S. city of Seattle is developing innovations from data modeling and genetic modification to single-dose drugs and sugar traps.

Here are ten facts about the deadly disease:

* Some 3.2 billion people - almost half the world's population - are at risk of malaria. In 2015, there were 214 million new cases reported in 95 countries, and 438,000 deaths.

* Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected region, home to 88 percent of cases and 90 percent of deaths last year.

* Children under five years old, pregnant women and people living with HIV/AIDS are particularly vulnerable to malaria

* Since 2000, malaria death rates have fallen by 60 percent, and new cases have dropped by 37 percent. In Africa, death rates dropped by two thirds, and by 71 percent among children under 5.

* These advances came through widespread use of insecticide-treated bednets, indoor spraying, rapid diagnostic testing and artemisinin-based combination therapies over the past decade.

* Mosquitoes are developing resistance to insecticides used to treat bednets and for indoor spraying. In Southeast Asia, the disease is becoming resistant to malaria drugs, and scientists are worried this resistance will spread to Africa in the future.

* In January, WHO recommended large-scale pilot projects of a new vaccine in parts of Africa, which could pave the way for wider deployment.

* The World Health Organization has targeted malaria for elimination in at least 35 countries by 2030, and reducing death rates by 90 percent. The U.N. Sustainable Development Goals have set a target of ending epidemic levels of malaria by 2030.

*The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation aims to eradicate malaria by 2040 and have called for a doubling of funding by 2025.

*Global spending on malaria stands at $2.7 billion a year.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN- The midwest is notoriously overlooked by the national food scene. We residents of the "flyover" states usually receive little attention from national publications about our culinary offerings. Grand Rapids, however, is starting to generate some buzz.

Cheaptickets.com, an online travel company owned by Orbitz, recently named GR as one of their picks for "7 most underrated foodie cities in America".

Other cities included are: Greenville, SC; Milwaukee, WI; Healdsburg, CA; Tucson, AZ; Burlington, VT; and Indianapolis, IN.

Those of us who live here, and especially those of us in the restaurant industry, have known this fact for years. Our food scene has been on the rise, with a veritable explosion of restaurants over the last few years.

The article goes on to applaud our beer scene, and mentions brewery titan Founders as a must stop. Another brewery the author, Amy Cavanaugh, recommends is Belgian inspired Brewery Vivant. I recommend that you get the burger at Vivant, it's fantastic.

Award winning coffee has been found at downtown favorite Madcap Coffee since 2008, and that's one foodie secret thats been out for a while, and mentioned in the article. In 2013, an independent panel for the website Thrillist named them the third best coffee roaster in America. Hit them up for a meticulously brewed cup of joe.

On our searches for Michigan's Best we always spend time in GR, trying out the best places our MLive readers nominate. This year alone we've visited top notch restaurants and bars during our searches for bloody mary's, fried chicken, new brewery, and pizza.

It is always great for national attention to fall on Grand Rapids. Our restaurant scene is vibrant and growing, seemingly almost every day. In the last year, we've seen several new players enter, including Iron, and Wheelhouse, both located across the street from Van Andel Arena.

On the west side, Harmony Hall, a brewery and restaurant that features house made sausages, just celebrated their one year anniversary. In September, the massive New Holland Knickerbocker opened their doors, offering beer, cocktails, and hand crafted food.

Neighborhood gems now include Creston Brewery, located on Plainfield, and That Early Bird, nestled in the heart of Eastown.

Michigan is second in the country in terms of agricultural diversity, and our local chefs make good use of the amazing product that grows right here. We have a top notch culinary school, the Secchia Institute of Culinary Education at GRCC, that is training new chefs every day.

Grand Rapids itself has changed, with our citizens seeking out new, and different cuisines to experience. Popular groups on Facebook like Eat GR and GR-EAT, have helped expose both recently opened and established restaurants to a new clientele.

So while we say thank you for the shout out, we already knew that our food scene rocks here in Grand Rapids. But feel free to keep the accolades coming, we are happy to accept. And to keep eating fantastic dishes from our favorite local chefs.
PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI - Janika Edmond had tried before through strangulation with a sheet in jail and suffocation with a towel in prison.

She warned probation officers that incarceration didn't help her behavior and a health professional at the prison cautioned corrections officers against forms of punishment that might cause her depression to worsen.

Then, on Nov. 2, 2015, the 25-year-old Adrian woman was accused of misbehaving - again - at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Washtenaw County.

She was taken to segregation, where, while waiting in a shower area, she said she wanted a suicide-prevention vest. She didn't get one.

Several minutes later, a corrections officer found Edmond unconscious on the floor. Edmond is believed to have used a bra in an effort to hang herself.

She was taken to a hospital and died four days later, according to her death certificate.

A year later, prosecutors are still reviewing the incident to determine if criminal charges are warranted after accusations that Edmond's appeal for help went unheeded. The Michigan Department of Corrections also is reviewing its policy after failing to immediately notify police of her death.

The MDOC's mission, according to its website, is to "create a safer Michigan by holding offenders accountable while promoting their success."

Records obtained by MLive and The Ann Arbor News show Edmond's mental health didn't improve in prison, and her behavior worsened as she spent more and more time behind bars.

Under state supervision, Janika Edmond wasn't safe from herself.

Prisons 'swamped' with mental-health issues

Edmond's struggle with mental health issues is one shared by many Michigan inmates, according to Mark Reinstein, consultant and former president and CEO of the Mental Health Association in Michigan and the Michigan Partners in Crisis: Justice & Mental Health Coalition.

"Facilities in Michigan are swamped with mental health cases - and we're not unique in this country - and it's a terrible, terrible situation," Reinstein said.

Reinstein argues that some inmates aren't receiving the level of mental health treatment they need. His group also feels segregating prisoners - as Edmond was at times - exacerbates mental illness.

Edmond family attorney David Steingold said her death highlights a need for state-level self-analysis on imprisoning those with severe mental health concerns - something Reinstein's organization has called for.

"These aren't the types of environments where treatment is going to thrive," Reinstein said.

Although he noted the methodology of the study has been questioned, Reinstein pointed to a 2010 report by the University of Michigan, in which investigators determined that about 20 percent of men and 25 percent of women in Michigan prisons have mental health concern symptoms, but 65 percent of those prisoners with symptoms did not receive mental health services during the study.

MDOC spokesman Chris Gautz confirmed that the MDOC disagrees with the methodology of the study.

He said of the about 41,000 prisoners in MDOC facilities, 9,600 have been identified to have some level of diagnosable mental illness. In the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility - the only women's prison in Michigan - 950 of the about 2,200 prisoners have been identified to have a mental illness.

Relatives of Edmond could not be reached for comment to discuss her life or the issues she faced and Gautz said the MDOC could not discuss the specific mental-health care she received in prison. However, the department does offer such care, he said.

"The MDOC offers comprehensive mental health care at a number of different treatment levels ranging from outpatient care to acute crisis stabilization," Gautz said. "Prisoners are treated by Qualified Mental Health Professionals via counseling, programming, and prescriptions, with the goal being to stabilize and improve the mental health of the prisoners."

The Women's Valley Correctional Facility has separate housing units for prisoners with severe mental health concerns through its residential treatment program, which can accommodate about 40 prisoners, and an acute care psychiatric inpatient unit, which can accommodate about 30 prisoners, Gautz said.

Gautz said he could not comment on whether Edmond was ever housed in one of these units, but an MDOC incident report indicates Edmond was in a general population unit prior to her death.

Gautz said the department has taken significant steps in recent years to improve mental health care in its facilities. He noted the department previously changed its mental health screening evaluations and moved to an integrated care model through a single care provider in the last year.

The department also continues to work with the Mental Health Diversion Council, which launched its pilot in 2014, to prevent individuals with mental health issues from being incarcerated.

"In many cases, it better for them to be treated out in the community than in a setting behind bars," Gautz said. "That's a much more challenging environment to treat and to try to work through that illness rather than if they were out in the community and had other support mechanisms with them."

Steingold believes Edmond would have benefited from such treatment. Her pattern of misbehavior while incarcerated "suggests that somebody along the way should have said this woman needs some tender love and care and some serious counseling more than being locked up."

He said he realizes the department and state have limited resources to handle issues of prisoners' mental health.

"To me, it's a failure of the system," he said.

Gautz disagreed. He says about $60 million of the department's roughly $2 billion budget for this year is allocated for mental health services, including an extra $1 million specifically aimed at adding nine full-time psychologists and social workers.

Mental illness before prison

Before Edmond arrived at the prison in early 2013, she was already facing serious mental health concerns and involved in criminal behavior.

She completed probation for an incident in 2008 of "entry without breaking with intent," MDOC records indicate. In 2011, she was sentenced to five years probation for a 2010 incident of assault with a dangerous weapon in Lenawee County.

She violated that probation by using marijuana and spent six months in jail, during which time she assaulted a jail officer, according to her prisoner file.

This would eventually lead her to prison, where a probation violation report included in her prisoner file showed Edmond knew she would not fare well.

"She does not feel incarceration is appropriate because it just makes her more hostile and therefore, more assaultive," according to the report.

The probation violation report also showed Edmond was taking Zoloft and Seroquel. One is an antidepressant and the other is used to treat a number of mental illnesses.

A newly released, though redacted, version of the Michigan State Police investigation into Edmond's death includes MSP Detective Sgt. James Bundshuh's own review of Edmond's prisoner file.

In it, he highlights key aspects of her past in the file he received, including her troubled childhood, the fact that she adopted her child out and her assaultive history.

"(W)hile at Lenawee Jail Edmond had made multiple attempts and threats of suicide specifying she tried to strangle herself with a sheet, and that Edmond received medical and mental health treatment," Bundshuh wrote.

According to a report by The Daily Telegram in Adrian, Edmond collapsed in tears during her 2013 sentencing, when she was discharged from probation and sentenced to prison.

Edmond began serving one year and four months to two years for assaulting, resisting or obstructing an officer and one year and five months to four years in prison for violating probation, MDOC records show.

It was during this incarceration that she died.

Suicide attempts and aggressive behavior

The portion of Edmond's prisoner file previously obtained by The News and the recently released Michigan State Police police reports provide a look at Edmond's condition inside the Huron Valley Correctional Facility.

While the records don't shed much light on her treatment, they do shed light on Edmond's behavioral problems and the response by the facility.

Edmond was repeatedly placed in administrative segregation - a form of punishment and a major concern for inmates with mental health concerns, according Reinstein. She was denied parole several times due to her behavior, her prisoner file shows, and she had a growing number of misconduct reports each year, with about 50 included in the prisoner file provided to The News.

In Bundshuh's MSP report, he noted that Edmond had a higher security classification year after year.

In 2014, she threw a chair at a psychologist, according to the file. The MSP report confirmed that in an incident the same year, she made a rope out of a towel in an attempt to suffocate herself.

MDOC records show the incident with the towel resulted in a misconduct report for destruction or misuse of prison property. Details of that incident are heavily redacted in MDOC files.

In separate incidents documented in 2015, a broken piece of razor blade was found in Edmond's cell and, when told to stop resisting an officer who was escorting her to a segregation cell, she dropped to the ground, began kicking her feet and had to be carried the rest of the way. She also reportedly charged at an officer once, and later said she was hearing voices.

"I'm very tired of being here," Edmond wrote in a segregation behavior review dated Aug. 20, 2015.

The final misconduct report in Edmond's prisoner file showed she was supposed to see a qualified mental health professional, but took more than the time she was allotted to get there and chose an indirect route.

At the time of her death, Edmond also had an open Michigan State Police assault case against her for wrapping leg irons around a guard's leg while resisting on July 13, 2015.

She was taken to a segregation area where a corrections officers forced her to stand in the shower, the MDOC records in the MSP report show. She then banged her head into the wall until she bled and was calmed by an officer.

After the incident, Edmond was placed under face-to-face observation, a tactic required by MDOC policy directives on suicidal behavior in which visual contact is kept with a prisoner.

On July 14, 2015, a misconduct sanction assessment was filled out, noting that Edmond had depression.

"Detention is not recommended as it would likely exacerbate her depression," the assessment read. "Toplock or LOP is recommended instead."

According to the MDOC policy directive on prisoner discipline, detention is punitive segregation in a separate unit. A prisoner on toplock is restricted to their room, cell or bunk area. "LOP" stands for "loss of privileges," Gautz said.

Edmond was scheduled to lose privileges for 45 days for the leg-iron incident and another offense beginning on Nov. 2, the day she was found unconscious.

Steingold believes Edmond's mental health concerns were exacerbated, not improved in the prison.

"Just watching them when they claim they are going to commit suicide is just prolonging the inevitable," Steingold said.

'I can become a better person'

Edmond envisioned happier days for herself, once.

Although her family could not be reached for comment, Edmond described her feelings in two undated letters, believed to have been written sometime before her 2013 sentencing, to Lenawee County Circuit Court Judge Margaret M. S. Noe.

Edmond told the judge she was trying to improve herself and wanted to be a cosmetologist. She said she had started work to get her GED.

"You told me I should want better for myself. at firs (sic) I did not really care. I did not care about life," she wrote.

"Now that I have been working on my life I see I can do it. I can become a better person in life."

UPDATE: Dianna Callahan was charged on Dec. 21, 2016 in connection with Edmond's death.
ANN ARBOR, MI - It looks likely the city of Ann Arbor is headed to court to fight for a better cleanup of the Gelman dioxane plume.

The City Council voted unanimously at a special meeting Tuesday night, Nov. 1, to direct and authorize the city administrator and the city attorney to take steps they believe are necessary to seek intervention in the state of Michigan's previously settled litigation against polluter Gelman Sciences Inc.

City officials are interested in protecting the city's interests in any potential amendments to the Washtenaw County Circuit Court consent judgment between the state and Gelman Sciences that essentially governs the management of the toxic chemical plume slowly spreading through the area's groundwater.

It's expected the court case will be reopened now that the state has established stricter dioxane exposure standards.

The pollution has been spreading from the former Gelman Sciences property on Wagner Road for decades, originating between 1966 and 1986.

There are concerns it could someday reach Barton Pond, an impoundment on the Huron River where the city gets most of its drinking water.

At the moment, the risk of vapor intrusion into homes and the potential for more private wells to be contaminated are more immediate concerns.

The City Council is directing the city administrator and attorney to take steps to further protect the health, safety and welfare of the public and the environment, and to protect the property and interests of the city.

The council's action comes after the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality last week announced new emergency rules that establish stricter exposure criteria for dioxane, acknowledging the standards the state had been using for many years were outdated and not protective of public health. Local officials and citizens have been arguing that for years, pointing to 2010 federal data showing the cancers risks from dioxane are greater than previously believed.

The DEQ, under Gov. Rick Snyder's administration, was required by law to update the standards to reflect current science three years ago, but there were numerous delays and missed deadlines. Now the limit for dioxane in residential drinking water is finally coming down from 85 parts per billion to 7.2 ppb.

Just a few parts per billion in drinking water, with long-term exposure, poses a 1 in 100,000 cancer risk, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, so some believe the limit actually should be lower than 7.2 ppb, but nonetheless it's seen as a step forward and an opportunity to revisit the Gelman case.

The DEQ acknowledges the new rules won't necessarily mean better cleanup, though. That's because they're merely exposure limits, not cleanup mandates, and Michigan law allows for managing the risk of exposure in lieu of cleanup.

When the new exposure limits are exceeded -- such as if a private well in Scio Township is contaminated with dioxane above 7.2 ppb -- the remedy can be that the home is simply supplied with bottled water or hooked up to municipal water, while the pollution stays in the ground.

Gelman Sciences was acquired in 1997 by Pall Corp., which was acquired last year by Danaher Corp., a multibillion-dollar corporation that some local officials and residents argue has the financial resources to do a better cleanup.

The state has been in confidential settlement negotiations with Pall/Gelman regarding amending the consent judgment, which was last amended in 2011, but the DEQ has given no indication it will fight for a better cleanup. A DEQ official said last week it remains unclear if a better cleanup is warranted.

However, if the city is able to intervene, the city's attorneys could argue for doing more to hold the polluter accountable, and the case is going to be before a different judge this time around, presumably Judge Tim Connors.

"We need to be at the table so that we can ensure that any revised consent judgment provides for better cleanup and more monitoring," Mayor Christopher Taylor said last week following a town hall meeting on the issue.

Some still are urging the city to petition the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ask for a Superfund cleanup. The council's action Tuesday night does not preclude the city from going that route at some point in the future, though at the moment there doesn't seem to be momentum in that direction from the city.

However, Ann Arbor Township, Scio Township and the local Sierra Club are planning to submit a petition to the EPA this month, seeking a Superfund cleanup, and they're allowing local residents to sign the petition online.
ANN ARBOR, MI - The Washtenaw County Clerk's Office is reminding absentee voters they can track the status of their ballots online if they're concerned about whether their ballots have been received yet.

The clerk's office issued the reminder after the Michigan Democratic Party recently mailed postcards to voters who were issued absentee ballots.

This postcard paid for by the Michigan Democratic Party seems to have given some voters who already submitted absentee ballots the impression that their ballots were not received by their city or township clerks, according to the Washtenaw County Clerk's Office.

Ed Golembiewski, the county's elections director, said the postcards seem to have given some voters who already submitted absentee ballots the impression that their ballots were not received by their city or township clerks.

"Our office has received probably close to two dozen calls from absentee voters who were wondering if their ballot really was received," Golembiewski said, adding city and township clerks have received similar calls. "They all seem to be related to this postcard, as far as I know."

Golembiewski provided a copy of the postcard causing the confusion. On one side, it shows a large exclamation point and the attention-grabbing message "Important Election Notice."

It then shows an alarm clock on the other side and reads, "Our records indicate that you have not voted."

It continues, "It is important that you return your absentee ballot right away. Remember, who you vote for is private, but whether or not you return your ballot is a matter of public record. Your friends and neighbors are counting on you."

Golembiewski said voters concerned about the status of their absentee ballots can visit www.michigan.gov/vote to track them.



An absentee ballot must be returned to the city or township clerk that issued the ballot by the time polls close at 8 p.m. election day, Tuesday, Nov. 8. Absentee ballots cannot be submitted to the county clerk's office.

A spokesperson for the Michigan Democratic Party couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

Golembiewski said he isn't sure how widely the postcards were circulated.
YPSILANTI, MI - Hundreds of people gathered outside Ford Hall on Eastern Michigan University's campus Wednesday, Nov. 2, with a united message in support of black members of their community: This is their house too, and they will not leave.

Wednesday's rally was organized in response to another incident of racist graffiti discovered on EMU's campus on Monday. The gathering came on the heels of a sit-in students held in the Student Center Tuesday night that lasted to about 6 a.m. Wednesday.

The rally, which started at 11 a.m. and went on for more than two hours, was organized by faculty as a way to protest racism on campus and support black students and staff members. Dozens of people took turns with a bullhorn to vent their frustration, anger, sadness and fear caused by the graffiti as well as talk about next steps.

Gathered around a bust of Martin Luther King Jr. in MLK plaza on campus, students held signs that read "Pro-black," "We're not leaving," and "White silence is the real national anthem." The crowd frequently broke into chants of "Black Lives Matter" and "No justice, no peace."

Those in attendance also grappled with how much difference the protests, sit-in and discussions would make in truly changing the state of race relations on campus, in the larger community and across the country.

"You guys have a voice, but more than that, the Bible says love is an action word. Action. You can tell me you love me all day, but if you will not take action with that word, your love is meaningless," said Nechelle Simone, a 2014 EMU graduate who lives in Ypsilanti. "So I ask that you put action to your words, and to those saying black lives matter, I want action."

Simone encouraged those at the rally to continue attending events organized by black student and faculty groups on campus. Faculty members also shared the steps their departments are taking to create more inclusive environments on campus and foster further discussion about social justice, racism and African American history.

At the EMU board of trustees meeting on Tuesday, President James Smith announced the creation of a Commission on Diversity and Inclusion that will make recommendations on how to improve the campus climate and create a more inclusive culture.

Professors are planning a teach-in on topics related to racism and social justice on Nov. 14, the art department is coordinating the design of a mural in McKenney Hall to illustrate the importance of diversity, and the School of Social Work is hosting a social justice series, among other upcoming events.

"I am teaching research methods, so there's not a lot of place to discuss Black Lives Matter," said Perry Silverschanz, a social work faculty member. "But what I am doing in class is telling my white students and my students who appear to be white - regardless of how they identify - that if they don't make themselves visibly known as an ally, they will be seen as not an ally. ... Why black lives matter is because when we're in a neighborhood, we care about everyone in the neighborhood. If one house is on fire, we go put that fire out."

Amid the diverse perspectives shared at the rally by people of various races, there was a consistent message: these type of racist messages will not be tolerated on campus.

"This is a very diverse campus. It's rich, it's a blessing, it's a gift to all of us. Get it together," said Sandy Norton, a retired professor who taught at EMU for 27 years. "We have to talk to each other. We have to be with each other. I may sound really stupid to say Eastern Michigan University is a family, but it is a family because it's my family."

Andrew Maniotes, a professor in the art department, said he was proud to see students putting to use the concepts from his poster design and propaganda course to protest the recent racist incidents on campus.

"Propaganda gets a very bad rap. Propaganda also has good uses when you want to protest or combat something," Maniotes said. "The underlying theme of propaganda is, 'We are right, they are wrong.' There is a time for a safe place. There is a time for nice language. When someone (paints) grafitti on our house though, they crap on your door. We are right, they are wrong."

Faculty also made a point to take time to listen to students.

Several white students who spoke during the rally acknowledged the privilege afforded them by their race, and they said they wanted to offer their support to their black peers without speaking over their message.

At one point, Biyi Akinlude, coordinator of Upward Bound at EMU, called for a visual representation of that sentiment, asking all the African American people at the rally to step forward and the white allies to gather behind them in a show of support.

"There you go, you stand behind them as your brothers and sisters and you back them up," Akinlude said. "The reality is that whoever's doing this thing (painting racist messages on campus buildings), guess what they might be listening right now. So let's give them a message. Because they want to tear us apart, they want to aggravate us, and they're doing this intentionally. ... Well here's what they need to know, whoever's doing it: As much times as it happens, we will rise."

Some students urged their peers not to skip class for the Black Lives Matter events on campus, saying abandoning their education would be following the directive to "leave campus." One student pointed out the difficulty of carrying on and continuing to excel in the classroom in the face of this type of hate speech.

"Your frustration, your anger is valid. I need us to have honest conversations about what this actually is," said Taylor Amari Little, a freshman at EMU who is from the metro Detroit area. "It's based off of white supremacist ideologies. We have to be honest about this. It's not just graffiti. It's not graffiti at all, graffiti is art. This was vandalism. This was a hate crime. This was terrorism."

About an hour into the rally, the crowd began to dwindle and more students than faculty members remained to carry on the conversation. There was one point of contention toward the end of the rally when participants called on a 16-year-old boy wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat to explain why he wore that to an event protesting racism.

Some people felt the representation of Donald Trump's presidential campaign stood in opposition to the type of racial inclusion they were advocating for, and others disagreed with publicly calling out the boy to explain himself if he didn't feel comfortable.

"I don't fault him for wearing that hat. That's not why we're here. We are here today to talk about our climate and our culture here today," said EMU senior Constance Chege. "If racism was an actual person, I'm sure we would all have some choice words for ... whatever they would be, racism. But they're not an actual person. Racism is an ideology that people embody."

Monday was at least the third time racist messages have been spray painted on EMU's campus this semester. EMU has doubled the reward leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for the incidents of vandalism from $5,000 to $10,000 and have invested another $200,000 toward the installation of new surveillance cameras and lights to increase visibility on campus.
YPSILANTI, MI - In the wake of recent incidents of racist vandalism impacting the black student community on the Eastern Michigan University campus, President James Smith announced the creation of a new commission he hopes can address issues of diversity and inclusion.

Smith announced the creation of the President's Commission on Diversity and Inclusion during EMU's Board of Regents meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 1, one day after racist graffiti was discovered again on campus, this time on the east side exterior of Ford Hall.

Smith said the commission is modeled after EMU's Women's Commission and is charged with the following:

* Providing recommendations to undertake systematic campus climate studies, including a study on the campus racial climate;

* Identifying existing programs and resources that have succeeded in strengthening a climate of respect and inclusiveness on campus and other campuses; and

* Providing input, and making specific recommendations, to the President and campus community about the campus climate and how to provide a more inclusive culture.

The Commission is the product of the University's Strategic Plan and Mission, Vision, and Core Values, all of which anchor the University's commitment to inclusion and diversity.

Smith said the commission is expected to consist of student leaders, faculty, staff and members of the community. The Office of the President appoints the commission and commission membership. Nominations are welcome from the campus and the broader community and can be emailed to president@emich.edu and should include the nominee's resume.

"Starting in September I think we all knew we wanted to get a broad-based group to help us," Smith said following Tuesday's Board of Regents meeting. "Obviously, we want to have as inclusive of a campus as we possibly can have and that's what we want this commission to help us do.

"It is critical that we, as a university, strive to ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, employees, and visitors, regardless of race, ethnic or national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability," he added in a statement. "The Black community on our campus was targeted by hateful acts of racist vandalism last month and again yesterday. Similar events have occurred on campuses throughout Michigan and the nation. When events like these occur, it strengthens our resolve to continue our work towards a campus that embodies our values of respect, equity, and inclusion."

Smith estimated the committee could have as many as 11 to 13 members, starting as soon as applications are received. He expects a wide range of students to be involved in the commission from all classes at EMU.

Smith said the most recent act of racist vandalism has "eaten at his stomach," as he searches for new ways to address the incidents that have occurred on campus.

EMU has doubled the reward leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for the incidents from $5,000 to $10,000 and have invested another $200,000 toward the installation of new surveillance cameras and lights to increase visibility on campus.

"Honestly, I was furious," he said of the most recent incident. "I'm angry, I'm frustrated, I don't sleep well. A student said to me that she's 97 or 98 pounds and she doesn't feel safe walking around campus with people spray painting KKK on buildings. I don't know what that's like because I'm a 60-year-old white guy, but it sure makes me angry and it makes me feel like: Why am I not doing more?"

EMU faculty rallying at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2. outside Ford Hall to protest racism on campus and support Black students and colleagues as well as other affected members of the University community.

In addition to the commission and campus forums, a website has been developed as a resource for ongoing updates and information about the racist graffiti incidents. The site includes links to campus update messages sent to date to students, faculty and staff; forums that have taken place; and, information about resources available to the campus community, including counseling services provided by the offices of Counseling and Psychological Services and Diversity and Community Involvement.

EMU Student Body President Tanasia Morton applauded Smith's efforts to address issues of diversity on campus and believes students can work with the administration to work toward a more inclusive campus climate.

"We are a diverse university and community," she said. "We cannot tolerate the acts of racism discovered on this campus over the last several weeks, including the incident yesterday.

"These acts have and will always unite us," she added. "You have not made us weaker, but have made us stronger."

EMU Black Student Union President Jaren Johnson said he has been frustrated with the amount of apathy he sees in the campus community from students to faculty and staff, adding that calls to action have largely been taken on by the same people.

"For all of the virtues of diversity and inclusion that this university prides itself upon, I constantly wonder, 'Why is it when black lives are under persecution on this campus, are so many content to look in other directions?'" he said. "When dialogues and forums were held around campus to address how we as an institution could begin to implement policies to actualize racial empathy across all classes of the university, these events were largely attended by those who were already aware of the major institutional change that was required.

"It was almost as if the professors and students here have become so desensitized from the previous incidents, their silence served as undeniable validation," he added. "The President's remarks served as the only acknowledged that there were individuals at this institution that cared about the well being and safety of black students."
YPSILANTI, MI - A peaceful protest that began at the Eastern Michigan University student dormitories went into the early hours of the morning with students sitting inside the Student Center as of 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2.

Students assembled around 10 p.m. Tuesday, marching and chanting in protest of recent incidents of racist vandalism on campus, making their way through several dormitories before arriving at the student center shortly after midnight, according to EMU senior Demajae Muray, who was still with a group of approximately 40 students inside the student center at 4:30 a.m. Students indicated they were leaving the student center shortly before 6 a.m. via social media.

At around 12:45 a.m., Muray said EMU Police informed students they needed to vacate the building at 1 a.m. when the student center closed, but many students refused to leave. While no students were arrested, police warned students at around 2:15 a.m. that they could face punishment from the school for being in the building past its open hours.

Muray estimated there were between eight and 12 officers inside the student center at that time and around 200 students. Officers and students dwindled into the early hours of the morning, with another approximately 30 students standing outside the student center in support of the sit-in.

Even as of 4:30 a.m., officers watched over students inside the student center without taking any action to remove them.

"We told them we weren't leaving," Muray said. "They tried to use fear by getting us on video threatening us with expulsion."

Muray said the protest was intended to demonstrate that students "weren't leaving" in response to racist messages that have been left on campus buildings in recent months that said "Leave N*****s" in spray paint, most recently outside of Ford Hall.

"The message is simple: We're not going anywhere," he said. "We're not trying to cause chaos. They're trying to depict us as criminals and threaten us with expulsion, but we're just standing up for our rights and what we believe in."

A number of black students camping outside of the student center said they wanted to stand in solidarity with the students who remained inside but didn't want to face punishment.

Prior to the student center closing, EMU senior Chey Wright said students sat peacefully, danced and did homework before being asked to leave.

"What we want first is for EMU to be accountable for what happens on campus," she said. "This has happened multiple times, including inside Hoyt Hall, and it just keeps happening. We want people to know that we're not leaving.

"They're writing 'Leave N*****s' and we're not leaving," she added. "We are going to feel just as safe as the rest of you on this campus. We're going to demand it, because our money is just as good as yours here."

EMU Spokesman Geoff Larcom said while the university supports the students' right to protest, those who were in the student center after 1 a.m. are subject to the conditions of the student code.

"There is a possibility of students being dealt with under the code because the building was closed at 1 a.m., and at that point, you're trespassing," Larcom said. "With that said, the university is very concerned by these incidents (of vandalism) and shares the students' strong concerns and we are actively investigating these criminal acts.

EMU has taken a number of steps to create a safer campus environment since the first act of racist vandalism was found on Sept. 20 on the wall inside the courtyard of King Hall.

Earlier in the day on Tuesday, EMU President James Smith announced the creation of a new commission he hopes can address issues of diversity and inclusion.

EMU has doubled the reward leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for the incidents of vandalism from $5,000 to $10,000 and have invested another $200,000 toward the installation of new surveillance cameras and lights to increase visibility on campus.

A website also has been developed as a resource for ongoing updates and information about the racist graffiti incidents, although no arrests have been made in connection to any of the three incidents of vandalism.

"Honestly, I was furious," Smith said of the most recent incident. "I'm angry, I'm frustrated, I don't sleep well. A student said to me that she's 97 or 98 pounds and she doesn't feel safe walking around campus with people spray painting KKK on buildings. I don't know what that's like because I'm a 60-year-old white guy, but it sure makes me angry and it makes me feel like: Why am I not doing more?"

The protest and sit-in took place hours before EMU faculty had planned to rally at 11 a.m. Wednesday outside Ford Hall to protest racism on campus and support Black students and colleagues as well as other affected members of the university community.
YPSILANTI, MI - Eastern Michigan University is honoring alumnus Lt. Col. Charles Kettles with an honorary degree during its winter commencement ceremony after Kettles received the military's highest honor earlier this year.

An Ypsilanti resident who distinguished himself in combat operations in Vietnam, Kettles was approved to receive an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree at EMU's commencement on Saturday, Dec. 17. The EMU Board of Regents approved the speaker and honorary degree recipient during its regular board meeting Tuesday, Nov.1.

Nearly 50 years after his heroic actions saved the lives of 40 soldiers and four of his crew members during the Vietnam War while serving as a flight commander assigned to 176th Aviation Co., 14th Combat Aviation Battalion, American Division, Kettles received the Medal of Honor on July 18 during a ceremony with President Barack Obama in the East Room of the White House.

Then-Major Kettles distinguished himself in combat operations near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam, on May 15, 1967. He led a platoon of UH-1Ds to provide support to the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, during an ambush by a battalion-sized enemy force.

It took an act of Congress to waive a rule stipulating the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor, be awarded within five years of the heroic act. The Medal of Honor is awarded by Congress to members of the armed forces who distinguish themselves by risking their lives beyond the call of duty.

In addition to the degree, EMU announced Bridget Mary McCormack, who has served as a Michigan Court Supreme Court Justice since 2012, has been selected as commencement speaker.

McCormack joined the Michigan Supreme Court in January 2013. Before her election to the Court in November 2012, she was a law professor and dean at the University of Michigan Law School, where she continues to teach.



McCormack is a graduate of the New York University Law School. She spent the first five years of her legal career in New York, first with the Legal Aid Society and then at the Office of the Appellate Defender, representing over 1,000 clients in New York's trial and appellate courts. In 1996, she became a faculty fellow at the Yale Law School.
MIOSHA logo

This article has been updated to reflect the correct name spelling of one of the victims and additional funeral information.

GREEN OAK TOWNSHIP, MI - The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating circumstances surrounding the deaths of two men who drowned while attempting to save two co-workers on Friday, Oct. 28, on a lake in Livingston County.

MIOSHA is not discussing details about its open investigation into the deaths of Ian Tracey, 38, and Michael Biven, 20, who were identified as the 35th and 36th worker fatalities in the state of Michigan in 2016, a MIOSHA spokesperson said.

But preliminary details of the incident are posted on the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website and are similar to those in a press release from the Green Oak Township Police Department.

The police department is one of the agencies that responded to a report of a boat containing two individuals that was sinking about 7:22 p.m. Friday near the Hidden Lake subdivision at 10873 Stoney Point Drive.

Police determined that two 20-year-old men from Clarkston were on a 2006 aluminum, 10-foot boat conducting lake maintenance and removing buoys from the lake when the boat began to sink, according to the release.

Tracey and Biven attempted to swim out to the men from the sinking boat, but went under the water themselves, police said. Attempts to resuscitate the two were made and they were taken to University of Michigan hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

One man from the capsized boat managed to swim to shore and the other was rescued by a resident with a watercraft. The two men who were in the capsized boat were treated at the scene and released.

According to the preliminary MIOSHA report, none of the employees involved in the incident used or had access to personal flotation devices.

An obituary through Wint Funeral Homes in Clarkston states that Tracey died "in a heroic attempt to save others" and was the owner of IC Waterfalls, which has built and designed custom waterfalls since 2004, according to the business website.

Tracey is survived by his wife, Kerri, and three sons; Ethan, Leif and Oliver. A funeral mass is planned for 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 at St. Daniel Catholic Church in Clarkston. In lieu of flowers, donations are being asked for future care of Tracey's sons.

Biven's obituary is available to view on the Temrowski Family Funeral Home, located in Fenton, and describes the 20-year-old as well-liked and "loved by everyone who knew him."

"He had a heart of pure gold and will be deeply missed by his entire family and tight network of friends," the obitiuary reads.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to raise money for Biven's funeral and burial costs.
UPDATE:

Dianna Callahan was charged

on Dec. 21, 2016 in connection with Edmond's death.

PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI - It's been one year since Janika Edmond was found unconscious in the segregation shower unit of the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility - the only women's prison in Michigan.

The 25-year-old inmate attempted to hang herself with a bra on Nov. 2, 2015. She was pronounced dead several days later at a hospital.

Police finished an investigation of the incident this summer and have sent their findings to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office, which is reviewing the case. While prosecutors examine details of her death, MLive and The Ann Arbor News combed through about 200 pages of Michigan State Police reports regarding Edmond.

Though the documents were redacted, with portions erased or blacked out, they shed some light on Edmond's death and on accusations that guards had a bet that she would ask for a suicide-prevention vest and ignored her when she did request one.

The documents also showed the MDOC's delay in notifying the state police of the incident and a back-and-forth in which state police and the medical examiner's office struggled to get information.

MDOC spokesman Chris Gautz said the department is now reviewing the incident and will evaluate whether its policies need to be changed or clarified.

To learn more about Edmond's death, watch the video above.

Read the complete series of MLive reporting here:



New records shed light on death of state prisoner Janika Edmond

A cry for help, a prisoner's death and the case of Janika Edmond one year later

MDOC admits fault in handling prisoner's death

Subway sandwich at center of alleged bet in inmate's death, documents show
Ypsilanti Water Street Project

Water Street property pictured on Thursday, April 28, 2016, in Ypsilanti, Mich. (Junfu Han | The Ann Arbor News )

YPSILANTI, MI - The Ypsilanti City Council has given final approval for a package of budget adjustments that include police cuts and the elimination of funding for community centers.

The package also calls for an increase in parking ticket revenue and new business fees.

At its Tuesday, Nov. 1 meeting, council approved by a 6-1 vote the second reading of an ordinance to adjust its budget to help cover $950,000 in annual Water Street debt payments. The city owes $10.6 million on debt for the purchase of the largely undeveloped 38-acre Water Street property.

The city also has a $1.2 million budget cut.

Council had hoped voters would approve a 2.3-mill debt retirement millage in August, but the measure was defeated by 40 votes. Council members say they are acting on voters' wishes to pay down the debt without a new tax.

"We're sorry, everyone," Mayor Amanda Edmonds told the audience after council approved the package.

Council Member Brian Robb was the lone vote against the package. He said the cuts didn't go far enough and didn't fix the city's budget problems.

"The cuts didn't go deep enough because we still have a massive deficit," he said. "I made some cost saving proposals, but because those proposals fell on deaf ears. In order to reduce the structural deficit, we need to reduce expenditures. This budget adjustment didn't do that."

When the first reading was approved on Oct. 5, several council members assured the audience more cuts and new fees are likely in the coming months.

The city will save a combined $69,000 by cutting funding to the Parkridge Center, Rutherford Pool and Senior Center. However, the Washtenaw County Parks Commission may provide some funding for each.

According to city documents, eliminating three police officers will save $394,000 over the next two fiscal years. Eliminating a record clerk and property room position will save another $114,000 over the next two fiscal years, while delaying the purchase of new police cruisers will save $80,000.

Although the city is reducing the number of sworn offers from 32 to 29, those positions are currently open and won't be filled. Chief Tony DiGiusti said residents won't feel much of an impact. In recent years, the YPD has regularly had fewer than the 32 officers for which it's budgeted, but it still has enough manpower to field five patrol officers on each shift.

"We're always in a state of flux with our personnel," DiGiusti said, adding that the road shifts are always filled first.

DiGiusti previously said fewer officers creates more strain and impacts the "efficiency and appropriateness" of the department's work.

The city will also save around $120,000 annually by eliminating and combining several planning department positions.

To generate more revenue, Ypsilanti plans to collect an additional $68,000 from parking fees and tickets, and an additional $50,000 annually from certificate of occupancy fees paid by local businesses.

But council kicked down the road the biggest revenue generating options while it gathers more information.

That includes the implementing a citywide streetlight fee that could generate nearly $350,000 annually. Council would have to approve a citywide special assessment district and property owners would pay a fee for streetlights.

A draft plan discussed in December would require Ypsilanti's 4,148 residential parcel owners to pay $71.92 annually, while the 677 commercial, industrial and nonprofit parcel owners would pay $126.12 annually.

Council also delayed a proposal to install parking meters in the city-owned lots behind Aubree's Pizzeria and Grill in Depot Town. That could find an additional $150,000 in revenue over the next two fiscal years.

Council Member Pete Murdock previously said the city and DDA are already proposing changes to the lots, and council should delay the meters' installation until those plans are developed and solidified.

Robb previously proposed eliminating contributions to SPARK and Reimagine Washtenaw that total $13,500 annually, but the measures were delayed while staff gathers more information.

He also suggested implementing the recommendations of a 2010 Department of Public Services efficiency study that called for a reduction in the number of management positions. Robb estimated that would save around $50,000.

Ypsilanti bonded and took out loans in the late 1990s and early 2000s to purchase the 38-acre Water Street property for around $35 million.

City leaders at the time envisioned filling the former industrial land with mixed-use development that would essentially extend downtown east and increase Ypsilanti's tax revenues by around 25 percent. But the real estate market crashed, only a Dollar General was built and Ypsilanti is now contending with the debt on the property.

The payments the city started making in 2011 grew to as much as $1.4 million before it took a series of steps to pay down the principal over the last year.

Ypsilanti, which has a $14.5 million general fund budget, previously made annual payments using its savings. But while the city had over $12 million in fund balance stored away just five years ago, its reserves are down to around $2.7 million.

Prior to the August primary election, city officials warned that a defeat of the measure would force it to make deep cuts and look at new fees as revenue-generating measures. The main opposition group, Stop City Increasing Tax (SCIT), argued that the city should live within its budget, taxes were too high and the city was bluffing when it said it would cut public safety if the tax failed.



Find more Ypsilanti stories here.
blackleadermugs 07

Sheldon Neely

(Samuel Wilson)

BAY CITY, MI -- The Bay City Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People celebrates its 60th annual Freedom Fund Banquet this weekend.

The banquet is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, 614 Center Ave., in Bay City. The Freedom Fund Banquet is a fundraiser that provides scholarships and raises money for other NAACP activities.

Banquet tickets are $50.

This year's theme is "And Justice For All!" Social hour begins at 5 p.m. with dinner served at 6 p.m.

State Representative Sheldon Neely is the event speaker. Neeley is currently serving his first term in the Michigan House of Representatives. He represents the 34th District, which includes most of the city of Flint.

For more information, call Freddie Jones at 989-893-4764 or Carnelia Welch at 989-892-3334.
BAY CITY, MI -- A Standish teen is charged with two felonies in Bay County, with police alleging a woman caught him red-handed breaking into her house and rifling through her purse.

On Thursday, Oct. 27, Michigan State Police troopers responded to a burglary complaint in rural Gibson Township. Police arrived at the home and spoke with a 52-year-old woman who said she was awakened by the barking of the family dog. She went into her kitchen and found 19-year-old Chase A. Previch going through her purse, she said.

She recognized Previch because he is a longtime friend of her son, she told police. Previch told her he was intoxicated and her son told him it was OK to be in the house, court records show.

The woman grabbed Previch and escorted him out of her home, she told troopers. She then awoke her son, who went outside and saw Previch driving away at a high speed, court records show.

The woman's son then went into his girlfriend's parked vehicle and noticed it had been rummaged through. The girlfriend herself told troopers she was missing $25 from her purse, which was in her vehicle.

Troopers determined Previch had entered the house through the unlocked door of an attached garage, court records show.

A short while later, troopers were contacted by Arenac County sheriff's deputies, who told them two subjects had walked into their office to turn themselves in for crimes committed in Bay County. One of the subjects was Previch; the other was a 15-year-old male.

Previch told the deputies he and his younger friend had broken into a Bay County home and stolen items. He said they also stole a vehicle at another house and crashed it into a ditch.

Deputies found the vehicle, a green 1996 Chevrolet pickup truck, in a ditch, court records show. Deputies contacted the truck's owners, who said they had left the keys in the unlocked vehicle the previous night.

Police interviewed the younger teen with his mother's permission. He said that he and Previch had been drinking before wandering off to commit their crimes. He added his sister is dating Previch, court records show.

The juvenile's sister/Previch's girlfriend told police she received a call from Previch saying he stole a truck. She told him to leave it in a lot with the keys and attempted to drive behind him as he did so, but she lost sight of him and he ended up crashing in a ditch.

In his interview with police, Previch laid the blame on his younger accomplice. He said he only entered the one house illegally to return cash his younger friend had taken, court files show.

Previch on Friday appeared in Bay County District Court for arraignment on single counts of unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle and first-degree home invasion. The former is a five-year felony, while the latter carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence.

The arraigning judge set Previch's bond at $20,000 cash-surety or 10 percent, which a bonding agency posted.

Previch is to appear for a preliminary examination before District Judge Mark E. Janer at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Previch's younger alleged accomplice has not been petitioned with a crime in Bay County Probate Court.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, together with his family, from left, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Trump, Melania Trump, Tiffany Trump and Ivanka Trump, cut the ribbon during the grand opening of Trump International Hotel in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Donald Trump and his children hosted an official ribbon cutting ceremony and press conference to celebrate the grand opening of his new hotel. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

TROY -- Ivanka Trump, daughter of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, will visit Michigan on Wednesday ahead of next week's presidential election, the Trump campaign announced Tuesday evening.

Stopping at the Detroit Marriott Troy, Ivanka will take part in the Michigan Women in Business Roundtable at 6:30 p.m.

While that initial event is not open to the public, a community question-and-answer session is scheduled to follow at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.

Trump's other children and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, will also be making appearances in the Great Lakes State this week.
DETROIT -- On a Sunday afternoon last month, Detroit resident Dustin Oliver was scrolling through his Facebook feed when he saw a picture of a dog abandoned on the side of Detroit street.

Minutes later, Oliver found the pit bull near a pile of discarded items from a home near Six Mile and Wyoming. The dog was waiting for his family to return and, according to neighbors, had been waiting for at least a week.

The dog was curled up on a mattress left near the road, near other memories of a family that had left him on the street.

"That original picture of him lying on the mattress just pulls at your heartstrings," Oliver said.

Some of the neighbors say the dog had been there for upwards of a month, but no one can say for sure how long he was there. Neighbors also told Oliver that at one point the family returned to gather some of their stuff outside the home, but left the loyal dog once again.

Oliver wasn't going to leave the dog. As the founder of the Detroit Youth & Dog Rescue, Oliver's mission to save dogs that are without a place to go.

He found the dog at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 16 and stayed with him until 1 a.m. the next day. Oliver has since named the dog "Boo."

"Through that day, it was just a lot of trust building and conversation between me and Boo," Oliver said.

The next day, Oliver returned with breakfast sandwiches from McDonald's for the both of them. Boo was so hungry that he ate both of their breakfasts. That's not to say Boo looked to be in poor health, as neighbors had been feeding the dog.

"Looking at Boo you could tell that he was at least being fed because he wasn't skin and bone like a lot of the dogs that I rescue," Oliver said.

Oliver said he spent so much time with Boo that first day or so because he needed to build a level of trust with the dog who was clearly waiting for his family to return. Oliver thinks Boo stayed by the mattress because it smelled like his owners.

Oliver sat with Boo for some time on that Monday before finally slipping a collar on Boo and getting him into his truck.

"Went straight to the vet," Oliver said.

It was discovered that Boo has heart worm and will need treatments for the next few months, but for all intents and purposes, he's not in bad shape.

"He's doing amazing," Oliver said.

Boo's story has made headlines around the United States as new outlets and websites continue to share the story of the dog who waited on a mattress for his family to return. Photos of Boo's recovery have been shared all over the world as people hear about his incredible story.

Boo is now living in a foster home for the time being until his treatments are complete and he receives a clean bill of health from the vet. Oliver thinks the foster parent will eventually end up adopting Boo once he is healthy.

"He hit the jackpot as far as a foster goes," Oliver said.

So far, Oliver says he's spent $1,000 on health care for Boo and there are more treatments to come. As with every dog he rescues, Oliver says he has to make sure the dog gets the help it needs before being adopted.

To help cover some of Boo's costs and those of dogs rescued in the future, Oliver is hosting a fundraiser this weekend in hopes that some of Boo's celebrity can help raise money for the organization.

The fundraiser starts at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6 at the Firebird Tavern located at 419 Monroe Ave. in the Greektown district of Detroit. There will be raffles and silent auctions to raise money feature gift cards from local businesses. The fundraiser ends at 8 p.m.

Oliver said the fundraiser is intended to raise money for veterinary care for the dogs like Boo who are rescued by the organization and to find people willing to take in rescued dogs.

"We're hoping to raise awareness for both and hopefully find more fosters for dogs we find," Oliver said.

The Detroit Youth & Dog Rescue has officially been in operation since April 2014, but Oliver says he's been rescuing dogs since he was a child. His mother instilled that helping nature in him as a kid and she always stopped to pick up dogs the family saw while driving around Detroit.

Since launching the organization, Oliver estimates he's rescued between 80 to 100 dogs.

The rescue also holds yearly events around the holidays that feed the homeless in Detroit and hosts barbecues throughout the summer that is free for people to attend. Oliver says the organization has fed over 10,000 people since operations began.

For more information on the Detroit Youth & Dog Rescue, visit the organization's website.


HFCs agreement aims to reduce global warming

A 0.5 K curbing of the overall rise in global temperature is expected to be achieved by the phasing out of HFCs (hydro-fluoro-carbons), potent greenhouse gases that are used in refrigerants such as R410A, in the agreement by nearly 200 countries at the 28th meeting of the parties to the Montreal Protocol in Kigali, Rwanda, last month. The agreement reflects existing EU policy to dramatically reduce the use of HFCs. And that 0.5 K is a significant proportion of the 2 K maximum rise that the recent Paris Agreement seeks to achieve.

The agreement will be implemented in three stages.

The first group includes counties such as the USA and members of the EU. Their production and use of HFCs will cease by 2018 and their use reduced by about 85% of 2012 levels by 2036.

The second group comprises countries such as China, Brazil and all of Africa The use of HFCs will cease by 2024 and be reduced by about 80% of use in 2021 by 2045.

The third group includes India, Pakistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia. The year for freezing the use of HFCs is 2028, followed by an 85% reduction of 2025 levels by 2047.

This agreement extends the scope of the 1987 Montreal Protocol to control the use of gases that broke down ozone molecules in the ozone layer.

HFCs, although not affecting ozone, have a high global-warming potential GWP; R410A, for example has a GWP 2088 times greater than carbon dioxide.

While HFCs are responsible for only 5% of total global greenhouse-gas emissions, rapid growth in their use for applications such as air conditioning could, if unchecked, account for 19% of global emissions by 2050.

The European Partnership for Energy & the Environment (EPEE) has welcomed the agreement. Director General Andrea Voigt said, The Kigali amendment on a global phase-down of HFCs is a long-awaited breakthrough and, after the Paris Agreement, the second major milestone for our climate.

Now we have to make it happen, and ensure that energy efficiency is taken into consideration. This is because the transition towards lower-GWP refrigerants needs to go hand in hand with high energy efficiency if we are serious about reducing overall CO2 emissions.

Related articles:
UK heat policy: getting from Germany to Sweden

Optimistic about heat decarbonisation  Ilias Vazaios.

Ilias Vazaios of Ecuity examines the UK approach to heat as part of UK energy and climate policy, and draws on the experience of other countries to suggest a way forward.

Heat is no longer the Cinderella of UK energy and climate policy. Heat accounts for around 45% of UK energy consumption and a third of all carbon emissions. The UK political class has come to realise that concerted intervention is necessary to reduce heat demand and render heat generation less carbon intensive, but solutions will not be straightforward.

In November 2015, the then Secretary for Energy & Climate Change Amber Rudd noted that nowhere in the energy system is the need for innovation more acute than in how we use heat to keep warm in our homes and that progress to date has been slower here (in the heating sector) than in other parts of our economy. Only this September saw the publication of two weighty reports on heat policy by Policy Exchange and the, now defunct, Parliamentary Committee of Energy & Climate Change.

The new Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (DBEIS) now has to develop proposals and offer solutions. It will not be easy. The UK has an old and inefficient building stock. Also policy interventions as they evolved during the 2010-15 policy cycle were not seen as a resounding success. ECO (Energy Company Obligation) had a stop-start effect on the thermal insulation market. The RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) has not yet proven instrumental in creating a lasting installer and consumer drive towards low-carbon technologies.

Getting the basics right will be key  especially encouraging best practice and optimal available solutions. In March 2016, the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC, and now part of BEIS) published its policy direction for building heat which considers tightening current requirements for boilers and other parts of the central-heating system under the Building Regulations. If the UK Government sees this policy through it would have significant impact across retrofit applications at no cost for the Exchequer. Also by encouraging condensing boilers to operate at their true potential in lower operating temperatures, low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps could become more competitive in the right applications.

Germany, often seen as the foremost energy policy innovator, introduced legislation in August 2016 for a 5-year funding budget to optimise heating-system operation. The German scheme includes support for efficient pump replacement, hydraulic balancing and measures to improve heating-distribution efficiency such as thermostatic radiator valves, individual room thermostats and automatic balancing valves. Germany expects this programme to contribute at least 1.8 Mt of CO2 towards the 2020 carbon-reduction target; the UK looks set to follow by example.

But what happens in the longer term? The UK is still expected to reduce heating emissions by almost 40% by 2030 to meet its 4th Carbon Budget. To do this significant deployment of a mix of low-carbon solutions such as electric heat pumps, efficient gas technologies (small-scale CHP, gas heat pumps, hybrid heat pumps), heat networks and green-gas applications is necessary. In that area the UK is lagging behind. For instance, heat-pump deployment per capita in the UK is one of the lowest in Europe.

Countries like Sweden and Finland have managed to reduce significantly their carbon emissions from heating through widespread penetration of low-carbon heating solutions, including heat pumps. Although the UK has differences with these markets (older building stock and an extensive gas grid infrastructure being just two of these differences), it should take note that forward-looking policy innovation was instrumental for both of these countries to achieve this feat.

Along with time-limited subsidy instruments, such as the RHI, the UK has to seek ways to encourage the deployment of low-carbon heating systems early on where these make the most sense. For instance, both Sweden and Finland used the Building Regulations to ensure new buildings meet very high energy-efficiency standards. The regulations also account for renewable heat solutions such as heat pumps that perform optimally in these settings and can reduce heating bills significantly. In the UK retrofit sector, the Government should consider how thermal-insulation deployment supported under ECO could integrate better with heat- pump applications as it resumes its on-going review of the ECO scheme for the period 2018-22.

As heat policy gains more central stage in the policy process within a new department, the Government will have to examine carefully what has worked effectively in other markets and adjust it to the UK market needs and characteristics. A focus on best practice, as in the case of Germany, can allow the UK to lay the foundations for a lower-carbon energy mix that resembles that of Sweden.

Policy makers are now more experienced on heat decarbonisation policy and can build on the learnings of the 2010-15 period; this and the increased focus on heat policy makes me optimistic that the new Government can succeed.

Ilias Vazaios is a partner with Ecuity Consulting LLP, a specialist sustainable energy policy and strategy firm.

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The chronicle of a life split between urban Manhattan and rural Montana.
November 02, 2016

The Syrian Army's "Election Campaign" - Al Bab Or East-Aleppo?

The Russian president Putin declared another unilateral ceasefire in east-Aleppo for Friday:

"A decision was made to introduce a 'humanitarian pause' in Aleppo on November 4 from 9:00 am (0600 GMT) to 19:00," the chief of Russia's General Staff Valery Gerasimov said in a statement on Wednesday. Gerasimov said the decision was approved by Syrian authorities and was meant to "prevent senseless casualties" by allowing civilians and armed combatants to quit rebel-held eastern Aleppo.

...

Defence ministry Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday that Russia had ceased air strikes on eastern Aleppo for 16 days, following criticism over a Russian-backed Syrian government assault that has killed hundreds of civilians and destroyed infrastructure, including hospitals.

This is probably the last ceasefire on offer before al-Qaeda and CIA proxy forces in east-Aleppo are attacked in full force.

These head-chopping "rebels" rejected the Russian offer:

Rebel groups in Aleppo dismissed Russia's latest offer, with one of the groups describing it as a media stunt for "public consumption." Yasser al-Youssef, a spokesman for the Nour el-Din el-Zinki rebel group, said Russia "is not serious" and its latest initiatives "don't concern us." He added that the Russian leader's comments do not reflect the reality on the ground.

The great "rebel" attack from Idleb in the west on Aleppo to open a corridor to the government besieged "rebel" area in east-Aleppo has failed. Local fighting is still ongoing but the main attack has stopped. Most of the major hardware of the attacking "rebels", tanks and multiple rocket launchers on trucks, have been destroyed by the Syrian and Russian artillery and air forces.

The Syrian Army and Russia have assembled major fresh forces in Aleppo. Syrian special forces are preparing for a big attack and Iran supported groups as well as some Russian units are on the ground. On Friday the Russian aircraft-carrier Kuznetsov will arrive on the Syrian coast. It adds some 30 fighter planes and attack helicopters to the assembled land based air forces. The carrier is accompanied by several destroyers and frigates as well as submarines. These add to the air defenses but can also launch salvos of cruise missiles.

But this whole build up may have a different purpose than an all out attack on east-Aleppo.



Open Street map by Agathocle de Syracuse - bigger

North-east-east of Aleppo is Al-Bab, a city held by ISIS (grey) and campaign aim of Turkish (green) as well as Kurdish (yellow) forces. The Kurdish YPG forces (named SDF to disguise them as mixed Kurdish-Arab group) want to connect their areas in northwest-Syria to those in north east-Syria. They need the line from north-Aleppo through Al-Bab to the city of Manbij further east which is already in their hands. They are generally capable and well equipped but their forces are stretched and they lack major artillery and reliable air-support. From the north Turkish proxy "rebel" forces, supported by Turkish artillery from north of the Turkish-Syrian border, have moved south to prevent a Kurdish west-east uniting of their areas and to keep supply lines for ISIS to Turkey open. They are now on the geographic limits of the Turkish artillery support. The Turkish army is reluctant to move its artillery south of the border into Syria. The army is based on conscript forces and the Turkish people would start to make trouble for Erdogan if their drafted sons get killed in Syria. There is also no legal base for an invasion by regular Turkish forces.

The Turkish air force has been supporting the Turkish "rebel" proxies in central Syria. But after it recently bombed and killed about 100 Kurdish fighters northeast of Aleppo the Russian and Syrian air forces have warned it off. Any Turkish plane entering Syrian air space is a legitimate target. The Turks understood the warning and have since stayed out of Syrian airspace.

Turkish supported forces taking Al-Bab could be in preparation of an attack on Aleppo from the east, endangering the Syrian progress in the city. Kurdish forces are known for their notorious unreliability as allies. They change sides for minor bribes or issues. They could probably be trusted to take Al-Bab now without bothering the government forces in Aleppo but that could change any day.

The third possible power to take Al-Bab is the Syrian Arab Army (red on the map). Since it took the Qweiris airbase south of Al-Bab back from ISIS it is only some 10 kilometers away from the city. A second direction of attack could come from the eastern parts of Aleppo. Taking Al-Bab would consolidate the areas between Qweiris and Aleppo and would be a good position to prepare for a later attack on the ISIS "capital" Raqqa southeast of Al-Bab and east of Qweiris. Areas directly north of Al-Bab could be let open for the Kurds to bother with the Turkish supported forces. The Syrian government will not protest when those fight each other.

Starting this weekend we will probably see two Syrian government campaigns. A major bombing campaign against "rebel" positions in east-Aleppo as well as a ground attack by Syrian government forces against Al-Bab. I find this more plausible than an imminent ground attack on "rebels" in east-Aleppo that was not prepared so far by a major campaign from air and artillery forces.

Some big Syrian military "election campaign" will happen in Syria while the U.S. public, government and media are distracted by their election circus. Are the other forces fighting in Syria, the U.S. supported proxies, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, the Turks prepared for such a new Syrian government campaign? Do they have plausible counter moves in store?

Posted by b on November 2, 2016 at 19:49 UTC | Permalink

Comments
WASHINGTON (AP)  There is no doubt the two presidential candidates have dramatically different approaches on immigration.

In tone, Republican Donald Trump often highlights violent crimes perpetrated by immigrants in the country illegally, with aggressive rhetoric that emphasizes nationalism. Democrat Hillary Clinton features a softer approach that embraces diversity and the value of keeping immigrant families together, even as her critics accuse her of promoting "open borders."

It's not just talk. The White House contenders' policies would send the country  and the lives of roughly 11 million people  down very different paths.

Trump says he would build a massive wall, target millions for deportation and deny legal status to anyone currently in the country illegally. Clinton would offer a pathway to citizenship for most immigrants regardless of how they arrived, continue to defer enforcement action against families, and offer health care options to immigrants here illegally.

Here is a summary of their proposals:

CLINTON: She promises to propose immigration legislation in her first 100 days that would include a route to citizenship. Her approach is largely in line with that approved by Democrats and Republicans in the Senate in 2013 but turned aside by the House.

TRUMP: He has clarified that he opposes any pathway to legal status for immigrants in the U.S. illegally. They would have to return to their home countries and apply for legal entry should they wish to come back. He has not said what would happen to those who choose to stay, but said they are subject to deportation. Trump has also called for an end to "birthright citizenship," currently granted to anyone born in the United States.

A BORDER WALL

TRUMP: A centerpiece of Trump's immigration plan is a wall along the border between the United States and Mexico. There are already some 650 miles of fencing along the border, including roughly 15-foot-tall steel fencing in many urban areas. Trump says he'll extend a huge wall across the vast majority of the 2,100-mile border, which would be a major construction feat costing billions of dollars. He promises to make Mexico pay for it. He would also add 5,000 border patrol agents and expand the number of border patrol stations.

CLINTON: She says there are places where a physical barrier is appropriate but opposes large-scale expansion of a border wall. She prefers relying on technology and more border patrol agents to ensure the border is secure.

BARACK OBAMA'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS

CLINTON: She supports President Obama's executive actions that deferred immigration enforcement against millions of children and parents in the country illegally. A deadlocked Supreme Court decision in June blocked his order, but Clinton insists that such actions are within the president's authority.

TRUMP: He has said he would "immediately terminate" the executive orders, which he said gave amnesty to 5 million immigrants. One part of the president's executive action that remains in place has shielded about 740,000 immigrations from deportation, all of them people who came to the United States as children. The president's plan to expand the program would have protected as many as 4 million immigrant parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

DEPORTATION

TRUMP: He has softened his approach on dealing with those already in the country illegally. He has pledged to begin deportation of criminal immigrants on his first day in office, but backed off his earlier pledge to forcibly remove all of the estimated 11 million immigrants in the country illegally, saying only that those who aren't immediate threats would have to go home and then apply for legal status. Critics have likened that piece of the plan to Mitt Romney's widely panned call for "self-deportation."

CLINTON: She would continue Obama's policy of deporting violent criminals and others who break the law after entering the United States. But she would scale back the current administration's immigration raids, which she says produce "unnecessary fear and disruption in communities." Under her plan, the vast majority of people in the country illegally would be allowed to stay and apply for legal status and eventual citizenship.

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE

CLINTON: She would allow all people to buy into the federal health care exchanges, although she has said those in the country illegally wouldn't qualify for subsidies. Her policy would also allow some to collect Social Security, so long as they pay into the system for at least 10 years.

TRUMP: He would deny immigrants in the country illegally access to any government benefits, including the federal health care exchanges. He has said that such immigrants should not be allowed to get food stamps, welfare payments or government-backed housing assistance. Those who do, he said, would be priorities for deportation.

SANCTUARY CITIES

TRUMP: Like many Republicans, he vows to crack down on so-called sanctuary cities that shield residents from federal immigration authorities. Trump has pledged to block taxpayer dollars from going to any cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Municipalities like San Francisco, for example, have passed ordinances preventing city officials from asking about immigration status unless required by law or court order.

CLINTON: She has not directly answered whether she supports sanctuary cities, but her campaign has said that "Hillary trusts our local police to make sound decisions about protecting their communities." That suggests she would not interfere with local ordinances, like San Francisco's. She has said such systems allow immigrants to freely report crimes and communicate with local policy without fear of deportation. Her campaign noted, however, that she believes violent criminals should be deported and a system is needed to ensure that happens.
Lynne King, a retired teacher, has tried to ensure her investments have a more ethical stance in recent years. She and her husband invest in ISAs with a view to supplementing their income later in life.

At the moment King, who is 66, gets both her teachers pension and the State Pension, so is not taking any additional income from her ISA. Currently the income they produce is reinvested for our future. But at some point we probably will start to take an income from these funds.

More recently the couple invested in EdenTree Amity Sterling Bond fund. EdenTree Investment Management was previously known as Ecclesiastical, but rebranded its investment management arm in 2015. Although the name is only a year old, this fund management group has a 30-year track record when it comes to responsible investment strategies, and it launched one of the first ethical investment funds in the UK.

King says: I liked the fact that this fund doesnt invest in weapon manufacturers. I dont want to be a shareholder of companies engaged in such activities. Id prefer it if the money we have invested is doing some good.

Armament companies are not the only sinful sector EdenTree avoids. Its funds do not invest in companies that have a material involvement in alcohol and tobacco, gambling or the publication of violent or explicit materials.

As a bond fund, this investment aims to provide an attractive level of income. To do this it invests in a diversified portfolio of Government and corporate bonds, which are issued by companies which EdenTree deems make a positive contribution to society and the environment through sustainable and socially-responsible practices.

King says she also likes the fact that the group is essentially a charity. EdenTree is part of the Ecclesiastical Group, which in turn is wholly owned by the Allchurches Trust Limited, a registered UK charity. She says: I like the fact that there arent shareholders taking their cut. Instead they give surplus profits to good causes.

This is Investment, Not Charity

However, King says she is not totally altruistic, adding: I want to ensure that Im also getting a decent return on my money. This is an investment, not a donation to charity.

The couple also have some money in Kames Ethical Cautious Managed, another ethical fund with a strong track record managed by Audrey Ryan and Iain Buckle. This has a four-star performance rating from Morningstar, and a Bronze Analyst Rating.

This fund has a higher equity component, but also invests in bonds, cash and other fixed-interest securities.

Morningstar says: Kames Ethical Cautious Managed is a strong choice for ethically conscious investors. It applies relatively high standards of ethical screening, yet performance has been strong and consistent relative to peers in the IA Mixed Investment 20-60% Shares group.

The fund's rolling three-year returns have been consistently above that of the IA peer group and mostly in the top quartile. Morningstar analysts add that the fund's charges are also competitive adding to the attractions of this proposition.

Seeking Financial Advice in Retirement

King says not all of the couples investment have such a strict ethical criteria. We invest in a broad portfolio of funds. We use a stockbroker and he has advised us as weve moved into retirement.

She adds: Im a fairly independent and strong-minded woman, but I have to admit that when it comes to pensions and investments I do leave some of the leg-work to my husband. I find it time-consuming and a bit boring. But I have been more interested in these ethical investments.

The couple, who have two grown-up sons, and one granddaughter, have also invested in property.

King explains: We bought a holiday home in the North of England with the small inheritance I received. We use this ourselves but can also let it out for additional income.

She says this has proved to be a fantastic investment and have given them a good return on their money. Who knows, with the pound falling perhaps we will get more interest from abroad.
Morningstar's "Perspectives" series features investment insights from third-party contributors. Here, Esme van Herwijnen, Responsible Investment Analyst, EdenTree Investment Management, explains the virtues of sustainable investing.

The ethical investment market, while increasing rapidly, is still only a very small part of the total market. However, the market has increased, with strong interest from both investors and consumers on the ethical credentials of companies. People are certainly more aware of business practices today and there is clearly a sense of mistrust of corporate behaviour  which has certainly contributed to increased demand for more responsible investment products. Millennials are especially interested in investing ethically, which is likely to contribute to future the growth of the market. Overall, the rapid pace of growth augurs well for ethical investment.

We believe good corporate citizens and companies contributing positively to society are more likely to perform well over the long term. Investing ethically also adds an additional layer of risk management. Climate change remains a key challenge not only for ethical investors, but mainstream funds are beginning to recognise the material impact carbon footprints have on the long-term investment performance of companies. Adequate sustainability performance is also a sign of positive long term focus and can contribute to the prevention of poor practices or misconduct. Reputation risk has become a key metric for company management  more so in the current age of social media, where even the smallest transgression can lead to a material impact on a companys share price.

What is Sustainable Investing? It is an approach to investing with a long term view to invest in sustainable companies. Investors would typically look for companies that are good corporate citizens with strong environmental, social and governance policies and adequate performance in these areas. This can result in excluding companies that are deemed harmful and not considered to be sustainable, while instead looking for companies that contribute positively to society as they are more likely to perform well over the long term. Sustainable investing can be very powerful as it aims to align investment practices with principles and provides better risk management; it also allows better stewardship and thus influences companies to improve practices. Growth of Sustainable Investing Sustainable investing is rapidly growing. Despite still being a niche area of the market, there are now more than 80 sustainable funds in the UK alone. Practices have also changed. It started with solely exclusion practices, avoiding companies linked to controversial issues such as the Vietnam war or Apartheid; today a large variety of sectors or business practices can be excluded such as tobacco, alcohol, gambling, pornography, weapons, GMOs, animal testing, intensive farming, palm oil, nuclear power generation and more recently coal or fossil fuels  based on client demand. In addition to negative screening some sustainable investment strategies look for positive contributions from businesses in environmental, social and governance criteria, sometimes taking a best in class approach. Thematic funds investing in specific environmental opportunities such as renewables and water continue to grow, and so does impact investing. Drivers of Sustainable Investing People are generally more aware of business practices and there is a sense of mistrust in corporate behaviour. Frauds in the banking sector and cases like Volkswagen have attracted strong media attention. A wide array of corporate scandals leaving no sector untouched has contributed to increased demand for more responsible investment products. The urgency of issues such as climate change also adds to the increased attraction of green bonds or thematic investments. There are also more and more tools available for investors, data quantity and quality on sustainability performance continue to improve, making true ESG integration easier than before. More and more investors, including EdenTree, now calculate the carbon emissions of their investments enabling further risk management and improve portfolio resilience. Millennials will also drive the responsible agenda with increased interest in this area. Disclaimer

The views contained herein are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of Morningstar. If you are interested in Morningstar featuring your content on our website, please email submissions to UKEditorial@morningstar.com
Broker fears were confirmed Tuesday, with one big bank raising its prime rate less than a month following new mortgage rules.



TD Canada Trust announced in a note to brokers Tuesday that it is changing its mortgage rates, including increasing its mortgage prime rate to 2.85%.



The prime rate has been held at 2.70% for more than a year, according to the broker who shared the announcement with MortgageBrokerNews.ca on condition of anonymity.



When a bank changes their version of bank prime it also serves as an invitation for the other banks to join in and do the same, the broker said. Naturally if they all change the public is screwed and all the banks make more profit.



You see by effectively changing the goal posts on the rate the bank can continue to say: we are prime less 0.50% which is a good deal. So as you can see this a clever move if it works.



The announcement also confirms what one economist speculated  that big banks could influence the market by altering posted rates.



The new mortgage rate stress test, which forces all holders of insured mortgages to qualify at the Bank of Canadas benchmark five-year rate.



The Bank of Canadas benchmark rate is closely tied to big bank posted rates. And that relationship could allow lenders to tinker with their posted rates in a bid to influence the BoCs, thereby allowing them to also influence the ease with which homebuyers can qualify for an insured mortgage.



Another possible solution is that posted rates could fall, reducing the impacts of the stress tests. Since they are not set by the market, lenders could decide to lower them if, for example, they find that they are saying no to too much good business, Will Dunning, chief economist of Mortgage Professionals Canada, wrote in a research paper entitled Slamming on the Brakes: Assessing the Impact of Changed Criteria for Mortgage Qualification. The posted rates are set administratively by the lenders, based on their assessments of what is in their best interests, and their assessments could change.


445 Princess Street (student residences; Kingston)

525 Princess Street (student residences; Kingston)

555 Princess Street (student residences; Kingston)

1234 Richmond Street (student residences; London)

2168 Ghent Avenue (Alzheimers/dementia care facility; Burlington)

105 Garden Drive (Alzheimers/dementia care facility; Burlington)

169 Bordon Avenue North (Alzheimers/dementia care facility; Kitchener)

Silver Seven (Silver Screen commercial building; Ottawa)

774 Bronson Avenue (student residences; Ottawa)

Legacy Lane (townhomes; Huntsville)

Guildwood (waterfront condominiums, Kingston Road; Scarborough)

Vaughan Crossings (medical office building, Dufferin Street and Centre Street; Vaughan)

1614 Charles Street (harbourfront condominiums; Whitby)

28 McMurray Street (lofts/condominiums, Bracebridge)

Keele Medical (medical office building; Toronto)

Highlights Mississauga Condominium and Towns (Mississauga)

The regulator was successful in its application to protect investors involved with one syndicated mortgage case.The Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) granted the Superintendent of Financial Services application for a court-appointed officer to protect the interests of syndicated mortgage investors in certain real estate development projects, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario said. The Court appointed Grant Thornton Limited as Trustee over 11 corporations that were previously performing mortgage administration functions on behalf of syndicated mortgage investors in Tier 1 real estate development projects.According to a bulletin posted by FSCO, the trustee is tasked with acting in the best interest of investors.The trustee will have the power to administer scheduled mortgage payments received by developers; take steps to address defaults; and review requests to subordinate mortgages tapped to go to construction financing.However, the trustees mandate does not extend to the developers of the Tier 1 projects, FSCO said.Last week, the Superintendent of Financial Services issued a cease and desist order against Tier 1 Transaction Advisory Services Inc. It 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 following is a list of projects that will fall under the purview of the trustee.
Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High around 80F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 59F. Winds light and variable.
If you shrugged off the new screentime guidelines issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics earlier this month, you may want to grab your kid's tablet back for a second and re-evaluate your position.

An analysis published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics of data from 26,000 children provides the strongest evidence yet of a link between bedtime use of electronic devices and poor sleep, inadequate sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness.

While the popular characterization of America's sleep-deprived children walking around like little zombies is a bit of an exaggeration, the problem is a serious one.

Researchers say that our overscheduled and media-addicted kids, especially teens, are experiencing an epidemic of sleep disorders and that this is contributing to all sorts of health issues, including obesity, depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, enhanced appetite, mood issues, slower reaction times and degraded memory.

In recent years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been pushing for later start times for middle schools and high schools as a way to increase the odds that teens can get in the eight-hour minimum. That idea is supported by science but has been controversial for all kinds of financial, logistical and political reasons.

The new JAMA Pediatrics paper, led by researcher Ben Carter at King's College London, involved analyzing past studies of school-age children between the ages of 6 and 19 in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Carter and his colleagues found that children who have mobile media devices at bedtime are more than twice as likely to sleep less than nine hours a night. Those who keep phones or other gadgets in their rooms are 50 percent more likely to get poor sleep and 200 percent more likely to be excessively sleepy during the day.

In a commentary accompanying the study, Charles A. Czeisler, of the sleep medicine division at Harvard Medical School, and Theresa L. Shanahan, a pediatrician at Harvard, explained that "the use of mobile media devices at bed time provides socially and physiologically stimulating material at a time when the transition to sleep requires the brain to wind down."

"Interesting content is often difficult to resist, and children frequently have a fear of missing out if they disconnect," they wrote.

The issue is not just about delayed bedtimes. There's also a physical component to screen exposure. Czeisler and Shanahan described the blue light emitted by screens, as well as by LED lamps, as "biologically potent" and said that it suppresses the hormone melatonin, which tells the brain to sleep. And don't forget awakenings due to the ping of text messages.

Czeisler and Shanahan note that the study shows the mere presence of a device in the room at bedtime can cause sleep disturbances and suggested that more work needs to be done to understand what this is doing to children's minds and bodies.

"These findings make it clear that the rapid development of technology and media use has outpaced the ability of medical researchers to assess the positive and negative effects of ubiquitous exposure to media during the critical years of brain development in children and teenagers," they said.
New members inducted into Institute of ...
Sonora, CA  A man on the U.S. Marshals Most Wanted list for shooting his pregnant ex-girlfriend could be in the Mother Lode and is considered armed and dangerous.

Ricardo Colindres, 26, from the bay area is wanted on two counts of attempted murder and attempted kidnapping in connection with the shooting of his former girlfriend in April. Investigators report she was pregnant at the time, when Colindres shot her point blank in the face at her Pacifica apartment in San Mateo County and has been on the run ever since.

The U.S. Marshals in the Northern District of California alerted Tuolumne County Sheriffs officials today asking that the public be notified as Colindres has ties to the area. Deputy U.S. Marshall Joe Palmer points out, We dont have anything solid that hes thereWe know that his family has property in Calaveras County in the Burson area. He also has known associates and has been known to frequent Tuolumne County in the Groveland area. He might have fled there because it is more rural. Palmer indicates Colindres is an avid dirt bike rider and his brother is a professional rider noting that both have ridden on the trails in the Burson area. Palmer cautions, We want to get the word out that hes dangerous and that the firearm that he used in the incident is still outstanding.

Additionally, the Marshals office and the Pacifica Police Department have increased a $2,500 reward to $10,000 for any information leading to the arrest of Colindres. Palmer remarks that investigators believe someone has to be helping him or he would have been caught by now. Palmer warns, If anyone has been helping him. It would behoove them to come forward now instead of waiting for us to find him because we will be able to piece together who was helping him, giving him supplies and money. Those people will be charged to the fullest extent of the law.

Palmer notes that the mother and baby, which is not Colindres, both survived the attack. He provides this description of Colindres:

Hispanic

55 inches, 125 pounds

Brown eyes and hair

Anyone with information is asked to call the U.S. Marshals at 1-800-336-0102, or email usms.wanted@usdoj.gov. Click here to view the Northern California Most Wanted website.
Gov. Rick Scott is asking the Obama administration to put a rush on the money allocated for Zika funding, and a local congressman is echoing that plea.

Congress approved $1.1 billion for Zika funding

Governor Scott says Florida is in serious need of its share



Congressmen Jolly agrees with Scott



Tuesday, the governor sent out a press release asking for the Sunshine States share of the $1.1 billion in federal funding Congress passed for the Zika fight.

While some may be asking if Zika is still an issue with the cooler temperatures, experts say its just as dangerous. Its why Pinellas County Mosquito Control's entomology and education support specialist, Rob Kruger, and his team arent letting up on the fight against Zika.

Mosquito season for aedes aegypti really in Florida where we live in central, western Florida, pretty much is all year round, Kruger said. This is what the community wants from us. And so if they want us to take more of an aggressive action towards things like Zika, we would already do that but now were going to even do it further.

Scott says the state is in serious need of its funding. Congressman David Jolly echoed those statements.

I agree with the governor," said Jolly. "In fact when we passed the emergency bill after I took the mosquitos to the floor, I actually penned a letter to the administration saying please expedite the money and allocate it proportionately to the states that are most affected."

Back in September, Jolly took a jar filled with mosquitoes to the house floor. He said it was to show the urgency here in Florida. Its something he said is just as important now.

So whats the hold up with the funding?

As a result of the governors letter today," started Jolly, " as a result of the administration articulating its position, I believe theres a little bit of disagreement and so my job is to try to resolve that as best as I can. Its why I engaged senior leadership in the House just today to say let's figure out the story between what the governors asking for and what the administration is saying. Lets get this done and do whats right for the people of Florida."

That Zika funding will help provide additional Zika prevention kits as well as research and support for the pregnancy risks associated with the virus.
Several mail-in ballots in Altamonte Springs were not just stolen but apparently forged and sent into the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Office.

5 mail-in ballots stolen, possibly from mailboxes, in Spring Valley Neighborhood

Victims can vote using provisional ballots

Elections supervisor turned fraudulent mail-in ballots to police unopened



Whats not clear is if someone tampered with the absentee ballots at the post office, or right outside of the homes of the victims, through their very own mailboxes.

Upset and sad that someone would go ahead and do that, said Joy McGahey, who waited for a mail-in ballot that never came. I was on the lookout for these ballots a couple of weeks ago and they never showed up.

The McGaheys are a family of five living in the Spring Valley neighborhood. With the lack of a mail-in-ballot, they decided to check their status online.

We noticed it had been sent out in the mail, our absentee ballot and it had been sent back into the elections office with us actually never seeing the absentee ballot, said husband Matt McGahey.

And they werent the only ones. Within a two-mile radius, it was discovered three more voters had their mail-in ballots stolen, illegally signed and sent off on their behalf. The elections office is asking voters to be on the lookout.

Go to your local elections office website in Seminole County, its Track My Mail Ballot.com, and track the status of your ballot to see where it is," said Elections Supervisor Michael Ertel. "You can track your mail ballot like you can track a FedEx package.

Florida Decides Voting Guide: Candidates, races, ballot measures that affect you



Join us for exclusive coverage of the general election throughout October and through the Nov. 8 election. Here's your guide to our special coverage:

Special editions of Political Connections Florida Decides 2016 election preview | 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7 Election day coverage on-air, online and on mobile starting at 7 a.m.



The McGaheys were given new ballots to cast their votes and were also able to teach a lesson to their little ones along the way.

They were able to see the whole process and go with us to fill out a provisional ballot and that way that one will be counted instead of the one that somebody else turned in, Joy said.

The supervisor of elections said those flagged envelopes were never opened. This is all being investigated by the Altamonte Springs Police Department and will likely be turned over to the federal postmaster.

According to state law, this crime can be punishable with up to 5 years in prison or a $5,000 fine.

If you want to check on the status of your mail-in ballot, but you do not live in Seminole County, call your county elections office or use the Check Voter Status form on the Florida Division of Elections website.


Iconic civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis marched again Tuesday -- this time to a polling place, along with hundreds of college students.

Congressman John Lewis at Bethune-Cookman University

Marched with 500 students to an early polling place

Florida Decides Voting Guide: Candidates, races, ballot measures that affect you



Lewis, D-Georgia, marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama in 1965.

On Tuesday he marched across City Island Bridge in Daytona Beach with about 500 Bethune-Cookman University students like 20-year-old Diamond Grier.

I think its more meaningful when more of us come together. It makes a statement, said Grier as she marched.

"Theres not anything more powerful, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would say, than the marching feet of a determined people. I know something about marching, said Lewis.

Lewis was a key member of the Civil Rights Movement, taking part in several historic events in the fight to end segregation in the south.



In 1964, Lewis helped organized voter registration drives and programs during the Mississippi Freedom Summer, even though Mississippi's laws prevented most African-Americans from voting.

In 1965, he helped lead over 600 peaceful protesters across the Pettus Bridge in a march for voting rights from Selma to Montgomery. Alabama state troopers attacked the protesters in what came to be called Bloody Sunday.

The act of peaceful protest helped push passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Join us for exclusive coverage of the general election throughout October and through the Nov. 8 election. Here's your guide to our special coverage:

Special editions of Political Connections Florida Decides 2016 election preview | 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7 Election day coverage on-air, online and on mobile starting at 7 a.m.



Lewis' 2-mile march through the streets of Daytona Beach Tuesday was much more peaceful.

Its a long walk, but its faster when theres more people, said Grier.

Once Lewis and actress Aja Naomi King led the group across City Island Bridge, Lewis reminded the group why they marched.

Theres no tomorrow, we've got to do it now! Go out and vote like weve never voted before. Can we do it?" said Lewis to the group of students.

After the speech, Grier and fellow students lined up to cast their ballot. But the importance of being led to this point by an historic figure was not lost on the Social Science major.

That's a once in a lifetime thing. That's a great experience, said Grier.

Murphy joins Lewis at Bethune-Cookman University

Congressman and Senate candidate Patrick Murphy attended Tuesdays Get Out the Vote march at Bethune Cookman University with Lewis.

Murphy, a Democrat, is running against incumbent Republican Marco Rubio.

Murphy said recent election cycles have been getting uglier with too much finger pointing -- and then criticized his opponent for launching negative ads against him.

Unfortunately, Senator Rubio and his right-wing friends have lobbied many false attacks against me," Murphy said. "Thats what politics has become and I think the voters see through that, theyre smart.

Murphy said he would rather discuss critical issues like climate change, education and raising the minimum wage, than concentrate on negative attacks.

Murphy also told the crowd that our fact-checking partners at Politifact had debunked all of the attacks against him. Politifact, however, debunked that claim.


An Orange County teacher faces multiple criminal charges after investigators say she exchanged many explicit, sexual text messages with a 14-year-old girl and former student.

Apopka teacher accused of inappropriate relationship with girl

DCF looked into anonymous report, according to police

DCF investigator reported findings to Apopka Police, cops say



Alyson Nicole London, 45, was arrested Friday by Apopka Police after an investigation by the Florida Department of Children and Families.

London was a physical education teacher at Apopka Memorial Middle School, where she met the 14-year-old girl, according to a police report.

The report says that on Sept. 27, Apopka Police was notified of a DCF investigation at Apopka High School involving allegations of a sexual/inappropriate relationship between a student and teacher. The DCF investigator told the police officer that a female student who attends Apopka High had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a teacher who works at Apopka Memorial Middle School, which the student attended last year.

An anonymous report notified authorities of the relationship, which began last year, police said. The teacher, identified in the police report as London, was instructed to cease contact with student, but their interactions got worse.

The 19-page Apopka Police report detailed what investigators say happened in the relationship, including sexually explicit texts exchanged over the SnapChat and Kik messaging apps. Police said London exchanged about 129,000 text messages with the student, some about sex, rape, drugs and abuse.

During the investigation, both the student and London denied having a sexual relationship.

London faces multiple criminal charges, including solicitation to commit sexual battery (oral), failing to report child sexual abuse as a mandatory reporter, attempted interference with custody and transmission of material harmful to minors.
Just a day after his rival swung through Florida, Donald Trump spoke in Orlando on Wednesday with the hopes of swaying precious undecided voters to cast their ballot for him.

Hundreds lined up early Wednesday at the Central Florida Fairgounds for the campaign rally by the Republican presidential nominee. Several in line said they're excited to hear what Trump has to say, believing his campaign stop may sway undecided voters to their candidate.

"To all Americans, I say it's time for new leadership," Trump said during the rally. "Just think about what we can accomplish in the first 100 days of a Trump administration."

Trump said that he wants to make America a rich nation again, but to do that, "we must also be a safe nation."

Trump claimed the murder rate doubled "last year."

According to the Orlando Police Department, there were 17 homicides in 2014 compared to 32 homicides in 2015.

As of Wednesday, there were 30 homicides in Orlando compared to 26 on Nov. 2, 2015  up four. The 30 so far in 2016 doesn't include the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub.

Trump, who was speaking not long after the latest Quinnipiac University poll was released, said he is winning Florida  and many other swing states.

"We are winning, like, almost everywhere," Trump said toward the end of the rally. "Give us two more days, and I think we're going to be winning everywhere."

The Quinnipiac poll shows Hillary Clinton holds a 1 point lead over Trump in Florida.

Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate, spoke Tuesday in Sanford, one of three stops along the I-4 corridor, an area where every individual vote could make a difference.

For those attending, Donald Trump delivered exactly what they wanted -- promising them a brighter tomorrow.

"We need to support this man, he will change our country," Gwendolyn Rendlemana said.

They also hoped his speech would help sway those uncertain voters.

"Maybe there are some undecided voters out here now, so maybe that will encourage them as well," Victoria Lazrek said.

Trump will make four stops in Florida between Wednesday and Thursday, after campaigning in the Midwest on Tuesday.

I-4 corridor visits by presidential candidates

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The FBI has reopened its investigation into Hillary Clinton, Trump told a crowd in Wisconsin. He also offered some advice for Clinton supporters in Wisconsin if they have a "bad case of buyers remorse."

Wisconsin is one of several states where you can change your early ballot if you think you've made a mistake, Trump said. A lot of stuff has come out since you voted. So, if you live here or in Michigan or in Pennsylvania or Minnesota, those four places, you can change your vote to Donald Trump. We'll make America great again, OK?"

Those states do allow early voters to change their ballots, but the deadline was Tuesday in Minnesota and deadlines in the other states are fast approaching. Election officials say voters rarely change absentee ballots.

Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, Vice President Joe Biden campaigned for Clinton in Tampa on Wednesday morning, and President Barack Obama will be back in Orlando on Sunday to rally for Clinton, following a stop he made at the University of Central Florida last Friday.

LIVE UPDATES: Donald Trump in Orlando
It took less than two hours for investigators to find Scott Michael Greene.

Police says hes the suspect in killing two officers in their squad vehicles in separate shootings early Wednesday morning in the Des Moines area.

Des Moines Police released his name to the public after receiving a series of leads and investigative tips and described him as armed and dangerous.

Officers from the Dallas County Sheriff's Office and Iowa State Patrol took the 46-year-old Greene into custody and were taking him to Des Moines, police said.

His arrest came about eight hours after the killings to two officers.

Des Moines Sgt. Paul Parizek told CNN that he had few details about the circumstances of Greene's capture, but that Greene was on foot on a roadway at the time and was alone when he was taken into custody.

According to the Associated Press, Iowa court records show the suspect has a record of confrontation with police and others, including resisting a pat down for a weapon he had on him back in 2014.

Just two days after that, police say he threatened to kill another man during a confrontation in an apartment complex parking lot.

Wednesday marked the first time a Des Moines police officer has been shot and killed on duty since 1977, when two died in separate incidents months apart, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety. With Wednesday's deaths, 113 Iowa officers have died in the line of duty in 2016, according to preliminary data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.


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The U.S. Justice Department has dropped a three-year legal fight to shut down a prominent Berkeley medical marijuana business, the latest signal that the federal government is backing away from challenging dispensaries allowed to operate under California law.

Federal prosecutors in San Francisco filed a motion Monday to dismiss their civil forfeiture case against the Berkeley Patients Group, which opened in 1999 and bills itself as the oldest medical marijuana dispensary in the country.
The U.S. trustee administering Bill Hall Jr. Trucking GP LLCs bankruptcy has moved to have the Chapter 11 case dismissed.

The move comes as manager Frances A. Hall, who signed the papers to put the company into bankruptcy in June, serves a two-year prison sentence for the 2013 murder of her unfaithful husband, Bill Hall Jr. She was convicted by a Bexar County jury in September.
Mad Pecker Brewing Co. / Courtesy of Mad Pecker Brewing Co.

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Canada holds the rights to one of the worlds great bar foods: Poutine.

This simple assembly of french fries, gravy and cheese curds is showing up on restaurant and bar menus across San Antonio. Humble versions at the hot dog place called Frank and the brunch place Eggspectation. Juiced-up versions at Cured and Smoke. Off-the-wall versions at Einstein's Kitchen (duck) and Stone Werks (carne guisada).

What they all share is the American knack for taking liberties. Scroll the slideshow for nine places to discover poutine in San Antonio.

For the full story on poutine, read the story in the Sundays Taste section or on our subscriber website, ExpressNews.com.
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Troy

The federal government needs to tell Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh residents that two toxic PFOA-contaminated sites will be cleaned up, Rensselaer County officials said Wednesday.

The county doesn't want to see delays that have occurred at Superfund sites such as the Dewey Loeffel site in the town of Nassau, they said.

"Residents of Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh need and deserve a clear timeline for the cleanup of these sites, and to ensure progress is made in months, not decades," said Legislature Chairman Stan Brownell, R-Hoosick.

Perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA is a toxic chemical used to manufacture non-stick products that has contaminated drinking water supplies in Hoosick Falls, Hoosick and Petersburgh. It is a suspected carcinogen found in elevated levels in the water and in people who have been exposed to it in the communities.

An application has been filed to include the Saint Gobain/McAffrey Street site in Hoosick Falls on the federal Superfund National Priorities List. It's viewed by officials as a PFOA source as is the Taconic plant in Petersburgh.

"Cleaning up the pollution in Hoosick Falls, the town of Hoosick, and the town of Petersburg is crucial to the health and safety of the residents as well as to the economic vitality and stability of the area. I am hopeful that the EPA takes immediate steps to begin the cleanup as quickly as possible," said County Executive Kathleen Jimino.

Brownell also said creating a website for upstate residents on the PFOA cleanup should be done.

Brownell has sponsored a resolution for the County Legislature's November meeting seeking a clear timeline and funding from the federal government for the cleanup.

kcrowe@timesunion.com  518-454-5084  @KennethCrowe
/ Associated Press

DANBURY - The planet Venus will be visible Friday in the skies over Danbury if you have the help of a high-powered telescope.

Western Connecticut State University will host a free public night of stargazing Friday on its west side campus, offering residents the chance to see Venus, Neptune the waxing crescent moon and other sights, according to an event posting.
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NEW MILFORD  The Catskills are just passe at this point, and Litchfield county is the new weekend spot, according to Vogue.

For those looking for a city escape thats just a tad less buzzy, theres an equally impressive and just as easy to get to option on the other side of the Hudson River: Connecticuts Litchfield County, said the article posted Tuesday.

Vogue urges weekenders to make the trip to Washington, New Milford and Kent among other towns in the rolling-hill county. And now is the time to do it, Vogue said: Connecticut has the longest fall foliage season in New England, and since its peaking for the next few weeks, theres never been a better time to plan your own leaf-peeping weekend away.

Leaf peepers have plenty of options when it comes to where to stay, the magazine said. And Washington comes in with two inns The Mayflower Grace and the Hidden Valley Bed & Breakfast  in the Vogue list.

Visitors could opt to stay in Kent at the Inn at Kent Falls if they want a more old school B&B experience, Vogue said.

For shopping, its back to Washington, the magazine says.

Historic New Preston has quickly become a serious shopping destination thanks in part, to recently opened Plain Goods.

The article also lists Pergola and J. Seitz & Company as Washington hotspots.

New Milford makes the shopping list with Applebrook At Home.

For eats, Vogue urges visitors to try New Milfords The Pine Leaf, Washingtons Community Table  aptly abbreviated as CT  and Washingtons White Horse Country Pub.

The Vogue article can be read here: http://www.vogue.com/13497291/litchfield-county-connecticut-fall-getaway-new-catskills/
Voting is one of the most fundamental rights in the United States. Many of our clients are first time voters or have limited English proficiency. Because of this, it is one of our obligations to reach out to these voters about this election.

One of the roles of a community health center is to provide affordable health services. However, HOPE Clinic also plays an important role within the community as a gathering place and resource outside of providing a wide range of health services. As such, we are in a unique position to reach out to the Houston community and serve a diverse group of clients. We pride ourselves in the ability to provide quality care, but also connect and communicate. While serving Houston's most underserved and limited English communities with health care, we are also expanding our efforts to increase education and information about voting in this election.
In the 18 days the state comptroller's office spent finalizing a decision to impose sanctions on a Beaumont police equipment dealer for a fraudulent transaction involving the future Hardin County sheriff, that same law enforcement agency spent $260 on clothing, county records show.

Hardin County made $5,600 in small purchases on equipment and uniforms with Texas Code Blue in the past three years, including two recent transactions while the state comptroller's office considered the supplier's failed appeal of its five-year ban from state purchases and federal grants.

In approximately the same time period, the Silsbee Police Department purchased about $6,200 worth of supplies and equipment, including almost $1,600 on Sept. 20, less than three weeks before the state debarred Code Blue.

That total didn't include purchases made using money from the Homeland Security grants division, which made the accusations against Code Blue and Silsbee police chief Mark Davis.

Davis is unopposed for Hardin County Sheriff in the Nov. 8 election.

In May 2015, Davis instructed Code Blue owner Tony Cervantes to overcharge his department by $500 for a purchase made with grant funds and issue a credit for later use by his department, according to the comptroller's findings.

The Texas Rangers are not investigating the fraud as a criminal case because of lack of interest by any local prosecutor.

Meanwhile, Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties have cut ties with Code Blue.

Hardin County Judge Wayne McDaniel earlier this week said he was worried the county might be eliminated from consideration for Homeland Security grants because of Davis.

A spokesman for the governor's office, which administers such grants, said last month it considers the history of any individual or organization when approving grant applications but declined to comment specifically on Davis' situation.

Davis did not return multiple phone calls seeking comment.

Imposing financial penalties on companies in highly regulated industries like government purchasing often is more efficient than pursuing criminal charges, according to David Kwok, an assistant professor at the University of Houston School of Law.

"It's definitely easier to blame an organization than it is to track down the responsible individuals for a particular wrongdoing," Kwok said. "But there are barriers to criminal prosecutions. You usually need to see more culpable, deliberate behavior.

"To restrict a company from doing business, you don't have to convict it of a crime."

'Outstanding reputation'

Code Blue is the only police equipment dealer in the three-county Southeast Texas area.

If local officers need a duty belt or a gun holster, that's where they go to avoid the longer trip to Houston.

McDaniel called Code Blue's reputation before the state ban "outstanding."

"They've always been good to deal with, good with their prices, and I just hate this for them," McDaniel said.

McDaniel sent an email Oct. 12 telling county officials not to do business with the company until it was removed from the state's debarment list. Earlier that day, the sheriff's office sent Code Blue an invoice for $172 - for four dark-colored uniform shirts.

The following week, McDaniel lifted Code Blue's Hardin County ban while the state debarment was on appeal.

On Oct. 20, four days before the appeal was denied, Hardin County spent another $88, for two uniforms.

"I allowed them to make purchases during the appeal since Code Blue was briefly taken off the debarment list and as soon as we found out the appeal had been denied, we stopped placing orders," McDaniel said.

In its failed appeal last month, an attorney for Code Blue characterized Davis as a powerful manipulator who took advantage of the dealer, only to suffer no consequences himself.

"Texas Code Blue's sole source of income comes from sales to police departments and a falling out with or negative comments from a person like Chief Davis would be devastating to its viability," attorney Kristi Morgan Aronica wrote in the appeal.

"(Cervantes) believed that he needed to comply with Chief Davis in order to satisfy his customer and not be on the wrong side of a man that wielded power and influence in the community to which Texas Code Blue belonged."

Compared to Hardin County's purchases from Code Blue, Jefferson County averaged more than $50,000 a year in the past three years.

Orange County paid Code Blue $18,000 last year for items similar to the May 2015 Silsbee PD purchase negotiated by Davis.

'Answer to the voters'

McDaniel said Tuesday when Davis takes office next year, he will not answer to commissioners court.

Davis beat Beaumont Police Department Lt. Bryan Skinner in the May 24 runoff election for the Republican nomination with about 55 percent of the vote.

He replaces Sheriff Ed Cain, who retires Dec. 31 after 20 years.

No Democrat is on the general-election ballot this month.

Skinner sold himself as the outsider candidate whose Beaumont experience prepared him for the county's growing population.

Skinner won at every ballot box outside of Silsbee.

About 76 percent of Silsbee voters supported their city's police chief. Skinner's victories elsewhere in the county were more modest.

"He'll answer to the voters," McDaniel said of Davis.

Commissioners could take action against a sheriff for misconduct during his tenure, but not for something that happened almost two years before the sheriff is sworn in, McDaniel said.

Silsbee city manager DeeAnn Zimmerman - Davis' direct supervisor - deferred the issue of possible punishment of Davis to the City Council, which in August took no action against its chief.

BScott@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/BrandonKScott
NORWALK  A 32-year-old Norwalk man is facing felony sexual assault charges in the alleged assault of a local woman.

Jose Pavon-Fermin, of Laura Street, was arraignment Wednesday at Norwalk Superior Court on the charge of first-degree sexual assault. His bond remained at $75,000, and his case transferred to state Superior Court in Stamford, where more serious matters are adjudicated. Pavon-Fermin is due back in court Nov. 21.

Few details about the charges were available, as Pavon-Fermins arrest file was ordered sealed by a judge. Lt. Thomas Mattera, commander of Norwalk Police Departments Detective Bureau, said police received a complaint in July 2016 about the alleged assault.

Through interviews and evidence from the State Forensic Laboratory, Mattera said detectives had sufficient evidence to apply for an arrest warrant against Pavon-Fermin.

With assistance from the Bridgeport Police Department, Norwalk officers arrested Pavon-Fermin at a Bridgeport residence Tuesday evening.

Superior Court Judge Alex Hernandez issued an order of protection barring Pavon-Fermin from contacting the alleged victim. He was also ordered to surrender any firearms to the state.

Sexual assault is a Class A or B felony. First-degree sexual assault carries a penalty of at least 10 years in prison.

Pavon-Fermin had additional criminal charges pending in Norwalk Superior Court. Those charges, some of which date to 2014, include: breach of peace, risk of injury to a minor, evading responsibility and operating a motor vehicle without a license.

llake@hearstmediact.com
NORWALK  The public school district will now pay out an additional $160,000 each year to new positions dedicated to bolstering the districts internal and external communication.

The money will go toward the hiring of a full-time executive assistant to Chief Communications Officer Brenda Wilcox Williams and a part-time writer and communications manager.

The executive assistant position will receive roughly $100,000 annually in both salary and benefits.

The part-time writer and communications manager will rack in roughly $60,000 annually for 25 to 30 hours of work per week, without benefits.

The new positions came out of a proposal district staff members created as a part of the Board of Educations requirement to significantly enhance communications with teachers, parents and the community in 2017, said Mike Lyons, chair of the board.

The board approved the positions at an October meeting and the executive assistant position has since been posted on the school districts website.

We have continuously striven to improve our communications with parents and the public over the last couple of years, through a variety of means ranging from the traditional paper notices sent home with kids, to a greatly enhanced participation in social media, Lyons said. Nevertheless, communication lapses have created unnecessary problems, and we want to close those gaps.

Expansion of the district's communications is one of the Priority Implementation Steps passed by the board for the 2016-17 school year.

It is also a part of the broader 2016-2019 Strategic Operating Plan that mentions refining and implementing a communication plan that increases transparency, improves feedback to the district, and delivers regular communications to parents, teachers, staff and the community about NPS events and developments.

Lyons said the two new positions should allow the district to meet the Implementation Steps in alignment with the Strategic Operating Plan.

Good communications with teachers, parents and the community is not a luxury; it is an absolute necessity if we are to make our Strategic Operating Plan a success, Lyons said.

Part of meeting the relevant Implementation Steps means having bi-weekly School Messenger Newsletters sent out to teachers and parents beginning Jan. 1, 2017.

Williams, who is currently the only member of the communications department within Norwalk Public Schools, said the department would be on track to meet that goal with the successful hiring of the new positions.

The original proposal presented to the board to expand communication within the district included three other recommendations. They were to develop a paid college internship program that would cost an estimated $3,000 annually, a contract with agencies or freelancers to work on special projects that would cost an estimated $30,000 annually, and communications training of school-based staff that would cost an estimated $20,000 annually.

Lyons said the boards passing of only two of the recommendations reflected the districts tight budget.

What we actually approved was a scaled-down version (of the proposal) that will allow us to move forward but in a manner that reflects fiscal limits, Lyons said.

Williams said the focus for now will remain on the two new positions.

Getting those in place would be a tremendous asset in our ability to expand our outreach both externally and internally, Williams said. Once those are in place will re-evaluate and look forward to the next school year.

KSchultz@thehour.com; 203-354-1049; @kevinedschultz
NORWALK  Norwalk Board of Education members may be able to call or video chat into meetings in the coming months as a part of a proposed policy discussed at Tuesday nights meeting.

In the new bylaw, drafted by the boards Policy Committee, any board member wishing to participate in a meeting electronically could do so, as long as they notify the board chairperson and superintendent as early as possible.

Members participating electronically would be counted as present and would be able to vote through a roll call system.

Board member Bryan Meek applauded the effort.

I plan to support the policy when it comes forward for a full vote, Meek said. I want to thank the Policy Committee for bringing us into the 21st century, 16 years later.

Board member Mike Barbis agreed with Meek.

As a member of the Policy Committee, Barbis said the option to participate electronically has been adopted by the Norwalk Board of Estimate and Taxation, along with the boards of education in Greenwich, Stratford, Shelton and the combined Redding, Easton, Region 9 school districts.

Calling for public input

Barbis said the drafted policy passed through the Norwalk school boards Policy Committee with a 3-0 vote, with one member absent.

More Information Mixing new, old rules To comply with the State Freedom of Information Act and Robert's Rules, the Board of Education's Policy Committee included eight requirements in its draft of the policy for electronic participation in a meeting. Arrangements must be made to allow the public to attend the meeting at a physical location where the greatest number of participating board members will be gathered. Any physical or demonstrable materials used by a board member must be provided where the public is gathered. Everyone in attendance must be able to hear and identify all participants. Electronic participation in meetings may, but doesn't have to, include two-way video. The chairperson will decide on technical questions that arise such as whether audio only or video will be used. All other provisions of Robert's Rules, guidelines for conducting meetings, will remain in effect. Electronic participation will not be allowed in executive sessions due to security concerns. The superintendent will arrange meetings involving electronic participation to take place in a location with appropriate equipment to allow members participating electronically to be able to interact effectively and so that the public may observe comments made. See More Collapse

Board member Shirley Mosby was that absent committee member. During Tuesday nights discussion of the policy, she expressed strong concern at the idea of passing such a policy through the committee with only 90 minutes of conversation and without community input.

Mosby read an email to the board that she had sent to Policy Committee Chairwoman Heidi Keyes earlier in the day after seeing the drafted policy on the meetings agenda.

In that email, Mosby questioned the rationale for passing such a policy, asked who it would benefit and whether there would be any safeguards to stop board members from abusing it.

I think its very important that we have the community be a part of this and weigh in on it, Mosby said. Because they are the ones that elected and put us in office to come here and sit at this table. And when they come to the mic to talk to someone, sometimes they might want to have a person thats in a chair that they can talk to.

Mosby asked the Policy Committee to hold another meeting to address some of her concerns before bringing it to the board for a vote.

Two meetings a month

Board member Artie Kassimis said he wouldnt support the policy.

I have several reservations, he said.

He said issues with information technology could make electronic participation difficult. Kassimis also said the citys Board of Estimate and Taxation may allow electronic participation, but that board is made up of assigned and not elected officials like the Board of Education.

The electorate has put us here, Kassimis said. They want to see our faces. This is one of those policies that I believe the community should chime in on.

Officials were forced to cancel the Board of Education meeting Oct. 4  the second cancellation in seven weeks  because not enough members could show up. But Mike Lyons, chairman of the board, has said he was not concerned about the cancellation of meetings, and that member absence has not been an ongoing issue.

The Norwalk Board of Education meets two times per month. The first meeting, held each first Tuesday of the month, is a workshop session. The second meeting, held each third Tuesday, is a business meeting.

Board members are all elected volunteers.

Officials said the policy could come before the board for a vote in December, pending Keyes decision to have the committee revisit it, in accordance with Mosbys request.

A similar policy was brought to the board in 2014 but was met with similar reservations.
NORWALK  The second of two suspects in a September robbery at the Gold Rush jewelry store has been arrested in Florida by federal marshals.

Police said that Antonio Barreto, 21, of Meriden, was apprehended by United States Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force officers in Kissimee, Fla. on a warrant out of Norwalk.

The robbery occurred on Sept. 9 at Gold Rush, 495 Connecticut Ave., a precious metals store that buys and sells gold and silver

Barreto is being held on $250,000 bond and will be extradited to Connecticut to face charges.

He will be charged with first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robber, first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny.

On Sept. 29, the first suspect in the armed robbery of Gold Rush jewelers was arrested by federal authorities in North Carolina.

Police said that the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested 28-year-old Donald Outlaw of Hartford in High Point. N.C., on a warrant following an investigation by Norwalk police detectives into the robbery.

Lt. Thomas Mattera, commander of Norwalk Police Departments Detective Bureau, commended the lead investigator in the case, Detective Dominick Cisero, in this investigation in which he said the suspects were identified through forensic evidence and witness identification.

One of the men displayed a handgun during the robbery, which was caught on surveillance video.

At the scene, Mattera said that the two suspects ran to a white car parked next door in the driveway of the Post Road Electric store following the robbery.

The lone employee in the store was not injured.

llake@hearstmediact.com
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The Willis High School marching band wrapped up a successful competition season beginning with Division I ratings from all three judges at the Region IX UIL High School Marching Band contest Oct. 25 at Conroe ISD's Woodforest Stadium.

The band also did well in several other marching competitions, including class champions at the Sam Houston State University Marching Festival, second in class at the Blinn Marching Invitational, second in class at the Lone Star Preview Marching Band Competition and fourth in class at the Waller Marching Festival, according to Willis ISD.
LUBBOCK  Two Littlefield men, Juan Carlos Lara-Ochoa and Jose Alberto Cibrian, pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge D. Gordon Bryant Jr. to their roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Lara-Ochoa, 24, admitted that on June 1, 2016, he possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He faces a statutory sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison and a $10 million fine. Cibrian, 41, admitted that on March 4, 2016, he possessed with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. He faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine. Judge Bryant ordered a presentence investigation report for each defendant with sentencing dates to be set after the completion of those reports.

Three additional defendants charged in the case, Jonathan Lovato, 33, Arleen Theres Keithley, 36, and Crystal Ann Alaniz, 32, are scheduled to enter guilty pleas on Monday, November 7, 2016.

According to documents filed in court, on June 1, 2016, officers with the Lubbock Police Department learned that Lara-Ochoa would be delivering about two pounds of methamphetamine to Christopher Paul Andrade in Lubbock. Law enforcement set up surveillance and followed Lara-Ochoa from Littlefield, Texas to the La Michoacana grocery on Clovis Highway in Lubbock. Lara-Ochoa parked in the grocery stores parking lot, and a short time later, Andrade arrived and parked next to him. Andrade got into the front passenger seat of Lara-Ochoas vehicle, stayed for less than one minute, and then exited that vehicle, returning to his. Law enforcement followed Andrade as he drove out of the parking lot, and after a brief pursuit, detained Andrade and found approximately 444 grams of methamphetamine that he had attempted to discard during the pursuit. Andrade pleaded guilty in August 2016 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 2, 2016, by Senior U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings.

Law enforcement observed Lara-Ochoa depart the parking lot and return to Littlefield, where they arrested him. They obtained a search warrant for his vehicle and located a hidden compartment under the front passengers seat that contained two separate packages of methamphetamine, weighing a total of 2,230 grams. One of those was packaged exactly the same as the methamphetamine Andrade had discarded. Officers also obtained a search warrant for Lara-Ochoas storage unit and found an additional 1,782 grams of methamphetamine and five firearms.

On March 4, 2016, officers with the Littlefield Police Department learned of a suspicious vehicle at a nearby RV park. Upon arrival, officers found Jose Alberto Cibrian passed out in the drivers seat of that vehicle, with the engine running and the gear shift in the drive position. After removing him from the vehicle, officers found a plastic bag containing methamphetamine in the center console, a methamphetamine pipe, a digital scale and a firearm in a bag in the backseat. Cibrian admitted he had recently purchased the methamphetamine and the firearm.

The case is being investigated by the Lubbock Police Department, the Littlefield Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Long is in charge of the prosecution.
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A Beaumont charter change to eliminate the city's legal department and replace it with an outside law firm could result in conflicts of interest and might cost taxpayers more, said a former mayor who also serves as legal counsel for smaller cities in the region.

Guy Goodson, former Beaumont mayor and former Ward 2 city council member, made the comments after learning current Ward 2 councilman Mike Getz asked council on Tuesday to support a May ballot initiative to change the charter so the city could do away with its city attorney's office.

"When I get calls from my clients, the first thing I have to do is to ensure there are no conflicts of interest," said Goodson. "A city attorney has one client. It never occurred to me to look at the (Beaumont) legal department as a cost center to be outsourced."

Getz said in prepared remarks that "the elimination of the current in-house law firm" would save taxpayers several thousand dollars a year.

He offered as an example the City of Richardson, located in the Dallas area, which he said contracts out its legal work and spends about $600,000 per year.

The city of Beaumont spends about $1.3 million for its city attorney's office, which employs nine people. In addition to representing the city in all legal matters, the city attorney's office provides permanent in-house counsel for the police department and pays a full-time prosecutor in municipal court and a municipal court clerk.

Before making his comments at council, Getz proposed the charter change on his personal Facebook page.

That drew criticism from Mayor Becky Ames, who told Getz that he should have brought his plan to council first because it is the elected governing body.

Ames said the issue should be presented in a work session that weighs benefits and drawbacks.

"I would like to hear where your information is coming from," she said.

A week ago, Getz was the sole "no" vote in granting City Attorney Tyrone Cooper a base salary increase. Cooper asked for and received an increase of $36,000 a year  or almost 24 percent  from $153,000 to $189,000 a year in base pay.

Cooper, 62, has worked in the city attorney's office for 36 years, the past 12 years as the lead counsel. Beforehand, he was first assistant.

During last week's meeting, Getz said Cooper failed to guide council appropriately in legal issues, particularly a federal lawsuit governing placement of group homes for physically or developmentally disabled people.

The city settled the suit with the U.S. Department of Justice for $700,000 and paid a fee of about $250,000 to an outside law firm from San Antonio.

On Tuesday, Getz said he spoke with a partner from a local law firm whom he said told him that the firm would be interested in taking the city's legal work. Getz declined to identify the firm or the partner with whom he spoke. It was not the firm for which Goodson works.

During the public comment portion of Tuesday's meeting, Lane Nichols, who served as city attorney for 20 years when Cooper was his first assistant, told council a charter change makes no sense, as a practical matter or as a possible cost savings.

"Department heads and the city manager always came in to get advice," he said. "I disagree with the reasoning (that a charter change would save money). The facts are not there."

Former Ward 4 Councilman Bill Sam told council that "contracting out" never works.

"Don't go for it," he said. "It's a bad deal."

Paul Jones, president of the Beaumont NAACP, urged council members to pay close attention to any petition.

"It could be real deceiving," he said. "You're elected to serve all people. Take your personal feelings out of it."

Getz said his vote against Cooper's pay raise wasn't personal.

"It's business," he said.

DWallach@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/dwallach
Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman is asking the state jail commission to let nearly 200 inmates sleep on plastic cots on the floor of the already overcrowded county jail system, a request challenged by more than a dozen Houston-area lawmakers.

Hickman, joined by Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, are asking the Texas Commission on Jail Standards to extend their existing variance of 580 bunk beds and add another 192 plastic cot-like bunks known as "low riders."
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An August fight between motorcycle gangs has led to the arrests of 11 bikers and El Paso police found guns, weapons and explosive materials while investigating. Seven of those arrests were made Tuesday.

The seven suspects were charged with aggravated robbery while engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony, on Tuesday, according to the El Paso Police Department.

RELATED: Whites-only Oregon gang members suspected in brutal murder of 'brother' who broke club rules

Carlos Sepulveda, 48

Arnulfo Ramirez, 42

Jose Luis Holguin, 41

Dean Rascon, 45

Alejandro Jimenez, 40

Aaron Michael Palmer, 37

Loren Jay Bingaman, 48

Sepulveda is a member of the Bandidos, officials said. The Bandidos gang was involved in a shootout in Waco in 2015 that left nine injured, 20 hurt and more than 100 bikers in jail.

RELATED: Bandidos' leader pleads guilty in racketeering case

Ramirez, Rascon, Jimenez and Palmer are members of the One motorcycle club. Holguin and Bingaman are members of the Brass Knuckle motorcycle club, officials said.

Police also found short-barreled rifles, military-style weapons and bomb-making materials at the address listed for Bingaman, in the 400 block of Benton St. in Horizon City.

On Aug. 3, police arrested three top leaders of the local Bandidos chapter: Juan Martinez, 60, the president, Thomas Decarlo, 32, the secretary, and James Heredia, 45, the sergeant at arms of the gang. Each were charged with aggravated robbery and engaging in organized criminal activity after they were involved in a confrontation with another motorcycle gang.

RELATED: New, graphic dashcam footage shows biker gang shootout at Twin Peaks in Waco

Police said Martinez, Decarlo and Heredia beat a 29-year-old man, and another person with clubs and bats." After police arrested the men, they recovered four guns, three bats and one expandable baton during their investigation.

Robert Grant, 33, was arrested Aug. 26 for aggravated robbery while engaging in a criminal activity, and police believe he was involved in the Aug. 3 incident. Grant is the sergeant at arms of the "Brass Knuckle" motorcycle club, police said.

Sepulveda, Holguin, Jimenez and Bingaman are each being held on a $50,000 bond. Ramirezs bond is set at $75,000 and Palmers is $125,000, according to the news release. Rascons bond is set at $75,000.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5
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SAN ANTONIO  Schertz police performed a swearing-in ceremony for a 3-year-old boy who is battling leukemia, making him one of the youngest "officers" on the force.

SPD spokeswoman Helen Lafitte and Sgt. John Eisen went to the home of Eli Hoag on Tuesday to give him treats and goodies when Lafitte decided to take it one step further.

RELATED: 'Superhero' cops, firefighters wear costumes, rappel down kids hospital in honor of cancer victim

Lafitte said she gave Eli  who donned a police uniform shirt  the same sleeve patch that the departments officers wear on their uniforms. They also let him tour the inside of a patrol car.

I wanted him to have something tangible, Lafitte said. I wanted him to have something not everybody gets.

She also had him swear the same oath she and all the other officers are required to stand by in their duties as an officer.

RELATED: Two children battling cancer to kick off races at annual Virginia Gandy 5K Run & Walk in Kingwood

It took everything I had not to start crying, Lafitte said.

Junior peace officer Eli Hoag is currently battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia, according to his mothers Facebook page.

Lafitte first learned of Hoags condition in a Facebook community group that she follows. One of Elis family members asked if an officer could come by to see him, and Lafitte made it happen.

She said Eli and his family will be going to Disney World as part of a Make-A-Wish Foundation trip.

RELATED: Texans' Devon Still visits cancer patients at Texas Children's Hospital

Lafitte also said she hopes to one day give Eli and his family a tour of the police department, the SWAT unit equipment and more.

I wanna see him beat this, she said.

twhite@mysa.com

Twitter: @tylerlwhite
A South Texas sheriff's department is investigating bullying allegations that a 15-year-old girl's family claims occurred at school and online and eventually led to her suicide last week.

Natalie Natividad, a 15-year-old from Hebbronville, a valley town of about 5,000 people located about 200 miles south of San Antonio, committed suicide Friday night after "continued" bullying, including messages from peers that she was "ugly" and "should kill herself," her family said on a GoFundMe page set up for funeral expenses and a media interview.

RELATED: Alamo Heights student was a victim of bullying before committing suicide, family says

The alleged bullying she encountered at Hebbronville Middle School and online is now being investigated by the Jim Hogg Sheriff's Department, which has enlisted the help of the Texas Rangers, Sheriff Erasmo Alarcon told mySA.com Wednesday.

Alarcon said his department, Texas Rangers and school officials began investigations Wednesday, prompted by claims made via social media that Natividad had ended her life because of bullying. He said there are not any leads yet, but they are interviewing family, students, classmates and apps allegedly used in the cyberbullying to identify persons involved.

Natividad's family spoke with KIII TV and alleged she was "always" bullied at school and online via an app called After School, an online community created to foster a "positive environment with zero tolerance for bullying," according to the website, but the Natividad family said the opposite happened when their daughter and sister logged on.

After School told mySA.com they have been supporting the investigation and determined Natividad posted the messages about herself.

"Our proactive moderation prevented these messages from being seen on the school's feed," After School told mySA.com in an email. "Natalie was also offered to chat with Crisis Counselors through the app after she submitted the message."

MORE: Exclusive: Fellow students threatened violence, insulted David Molak online before his suicide

The teen cried out to campus counselors and to her loved ones about how she was being treated and was removed from school by her mother at one point, according to the interview.

The posts regarding Natividad were published by anonymous users, a feature the After School app offers so students can "share openly and honestly without fearing judgement or ridicule."

Alarcon said charges will be decided once responsible parties are identified.

RELATED: San Antonio-area schools with the most bullying, harassment complaints in 2014-15

Jim Hogg County School District Superintendent Juan Maldonado declined to comment on the investigation, but extended sympathies to the family and friends of Natividad, who he called a "beloved student that will forever remain in our hearts."

Maldonado told mySA.com the community is a "close-knit family" and they will "lean on each other" for support following Nativdad's death with the help of counselors who are helping student with the grieving process.

RELATED: S.A. student film sheds new light on David Molak's life, death

Similar allegations were made earlier this year in San Antonio when David Molak, a 16-year-old boy in Alamo Heights, killed himself, causing an outpour of support from the community, calls to punish alleged offenders and new state law proposals.

The Bexar County District Attorney has said no one will be charged in that case because of a lack of evidence that a crime was committed.

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye
Two blouses valued together at $42 were taken about 2:20 p.m. Tuesday during a shoplifting incident in the 1600 block of Quincy Street.

A residence in the 200 block of East Roselawn was burglarized. The crime was reported about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Courtesy

The oldest of 13 children born to into a family of sharecroppers, John Lewis Robinson Sr. left home at an early age to join the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Depression-era program developed to put young men to work during the Great Depression.

Later drafted into the Army, Robinson was one of a million African Americans who served in a still-segregated military during World War II, and, even though President Harry Truman had signed Executive Order 9981 eliminating segregation in the Armed Forces in 1948, also during the Korean War.
Ranch dressing, the salad dressing invented from buttermilk, is having a moment. New York Magazine reports that the "Great American Condiment" is appearing on the city's hippest restaurant menus as a topping or dipping sauce on everything from chicken sandwiches and onion rings to pizza. Last year a restaurant serving ranch dressing on all its dishes opened in St Louis. National food blogs recommend putting ranch on every inappropriate food one can imagine, from pasta to breakfast cereal, while a list of top organic restaurants in L.A. praises one place for putting ranch on french fries and another for adding it to lettuce tacos.

Ranch was invented by a Nebraskan who began serving it in at a dude ranch in California, but its spiritual home has always been the Midwest. In its purest form, it's made of buttermilk, salt, garlic, onion, herbs and spices, although the stuff sold in stores and served in chain restaurants has ingredients like sugar, vegetable oil and unpronounceable chemicals.

It's the kind of topping serious chefs correctly disdained for decades as extravagant and trashy. But now, animated by a kind of faddish philistinism, professional food connoisseurs are giving it another look. Today's hip chefs revel in finding ways to profit from glorified junk food, from cronuts to little $8 jars of artisanal bacon mayonnaise, and the food critics cheer them on, as if this were a worthy endeavor. The current ethos is something like this: The more lowbrow a dish is, the more drenched in fat a dish is, the better.

It isn't. There are three main problems with ranch dressing.

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First, it's disgusting. It tastes like exactly what it is, which is milk that's halfway rotten. Why would anyone want to take something that they would throw out if they unexpectedly smelled it in their fridge and put that on their salad? The gooey goop doesn't even spread well when tossed. Since 1992, ranch dressing has been America's most popular salad dressing, and it currently has twice the market share of its nearest competitor, blue cheese dressing, which is basically a better, more flavorful version of ranch. So Americans have bad taste, as is their right. But the whole point of expensive restaurants that get glowing reviews is to expand a diner's horizons with something better than the stuff he or she picks up at the supermarket.

Second, diners are using it incorrectly. Putting ranch on salad at least has a rationale: Many people don't appreciate vegetables and feel compelled to slather everything in processed fat. Fine. But why would anyone use it on french fries? Because deep-fried food isn't greasy and caloric enough? And putting it on pizza -- a horrifying, common practice -- is insane because pizza is already dripping with mozzarella. It's completely redundant, wildly unhealthy and disrespectful to any halfway decent pizza, the chef who made it and to the Italian people who gave it to us. (One pizzeria in Houston, owned by Italian Americans, has banned ranch dressing.) Pizza does not need a dipping sauce, because it's already perfect. If it needs ranch to improve the taste, it's bad pizza, and you shouldn't eat it at all.

Finally, our vulgar extravagance is going to destroy the planet and starve the global poor. Like meat, dairy produces more local and climate pollution than most plant-based foods. Dairy cows also require more land, water and other resources than grains and vegetables. Unless we moderate our habits, we will run out of resources to feed the Earth's 7 billion-and-growing population and cause massive climate disruption. Here's an easy way to cut back: Don't slather milk products on foods already awash in them.

Putting ranch dressing on pizza springs from the same idiotic thinking -- that more milk fat on everything is always better -- that inspires such revolting innovations as Pizza Hut's new Grilled Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza. The dish, which contains "extra gooey cheddar and mozzarella cheese" in the crust and toasted bread crumbs and melted butter on top, prompted Thrillist to enthuse, "It simply contains way too much cheese for any mere mortal to resist."

Defiling pizza by turning its crust into a fake grilled cheese sandwich, or by putting ranch dressing on it, is the culinary equivalent of setting your air conditioner to 62 degrees or driving a Hummer. It's tacky, wrong even on its own terms -- it doesn't taste better, just like over air-conditioned rooms are uncomfortable and Hummers are blocky, unattractive cars -- and it's also worse for the environment.

Emily, a restaurant mentioned in the New York article for offering ranch dressing on one of their highly-regarded pizzas, happens to be near my apartment, so I've been a few times. It's great -- if you want to stand for 25 minutes in a dark, cramped entryway waiting for a table and then pay $25 for a personal pizza. And judging from the patrons waiting in line, a shocking number of inexplicably skinny young people do.

But overpriced pizza is just one of the many trends fetishizing down-market food. Cities are awash in lists of the "best hamburgers" that add toppings such as pork belly or fried pork rinds. Every hip neighborhood has a new barbecue joint or four. Fried chicken is featured in upscale restaurants. And expensive pizza is served with crude American toppings that would have any nonna worth her red sauce spinning in her grave. This is not doing any favors for our planet or our health.

The ingredients may be organic, locally sourced and so on. But no matter where you raise the beef for your burger, it's still less healthy and more carbon-intensive than vegetables -- and that's before you put ranch dressing on the fries. Socially responsible eating isn't knowing the name of the heritage breed of pig your ribs came from. It's actually minimizing your impact on the planet.

How about, in exchange for feeding tastemakers willing to line up and pay handsomely, chefs serve something that won't kill their clientele or do gratuitous harm to the planet? They should do the work of finding interesting flavors instead of just asking what they serve at Buffalo Wild Wings and cooking a twee version of it.

- Adler is a staff writer at Grist, where he covers environmental politics and policy with a focus on climate change, energy and urban planning.
The Texas Education Agency finally did the right thing Wednesday  ending a policy penalizing school districts that did not cap special education services.

The move comes a week after Texas House Speaker Joe Straus sent a letter to the agency asking it to halt the controversial practice. Starting in 2004, the agency imposed an arbitrary 8.5-percent cap on the number of special education students a school district could have without facing punitive measures.

The practice negatively impacted countless families who have struggled to provide their children needed services after local public schools  afraid to answer to the state for high special education enrollment numbers  turned their backs on them.

An investigation by Hearst Newspaper writer Brian M. Rosenthal found that a time when most states special education enrollment figures were in double digits, Texas decided to limit access to only 8.5 percent without any research to justify the move.

It will be a priority for the Texas House to make special education services available to all students who need them, while also ensuring that schools do not identify students when special education isnt appropriate, Straus said in his letter to Education Commissioner Mike Morath. He pointed out that students should not have to wait for the Legislature to provide relief.

The issue led to state officials on both sides of the aisle asking TEA to address the issue immediately. On Wednesday, the agency made the appropriate move, despite defending the policy in a letter to the U.S. Department of Education, Rosenthal reported.

Rosenthals reporting revealed troubling trends. In some school districts, officials made getting students evaluated difficult by complicating the application process. In other cases, children were forced back into regular education, or transferred to less expensive alternatives or into home-schooling, knowing that it would not address their needs.

TEAs actions were indefensible and appear to have been motivated by an attempt to keep the bottom line in check. The new rules on special education were implemented as the state faced a $1.1 billion budget shortfall. State lawmakers have a bad habit of balancing the budget on those least able to help themselves  and its wrong.

Federal law requires public schools to provide special education to all eligible children with disabilities. That the TEA decided to limit access without consulting lawmakers, the U.S. Education Department or letting parents know its intentions is unconscionable. There is no long-term cost saving to be had by denying children access to special education.
Re: New emails linked to Clinton inquiry, front page, Saturday:

Lets face it: Both political parties have chosen immoral candidates with unsavory pasts. It is not the FBI directors fault that Hillary Clintons deceptive, lying past is surfacing again through the laptop computer of her ever-present aide, Huma Abedin, and her sexting husband, Anthony Weiner.

There is a significant difference between the indiscretions of both presidential candidates, however. Donald Trumps disgusting personal behavior did not expose the nations security to harm; Clintons did, and it demonstrates, throughout her entire political history, how little respect she has had for her position and for the citizens she purports to want to help.

Charles E Bailey, Windcrest

Holding your nose

Let me begin by saying that Im not a fan of Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton and wish someone else could be elected president. But I think its time that all registered voters accept one basic truth. One of these two people will become our next president. Not my choice or your choice, perhaps, but that is reality.

I must, therefore, exercise my privilege as a citizen to cast a vote for the one I consider less damaging to our country. If anyone reading this would have done half the things Clinton has done, hed be in jail. This person must never be allowed to hold the highest office in the land. I will not let my vote be wasted by abstaining. I will not waste it by writing in someone else. I will hold my nose and vote for Trump. I urge all thinking people to do the same.

George Waterman, Cibolo

Fire Comey

Re: New emails linked to Clinton inquiry, front page, Saturday:

I have heard two urgent messages recorded in my email from Donald Trump declaring positively, We are going to win this election  He spoke as if the results were already known. Of course, he has stated, I will accept the results of the election, if I win. He also asserted with no proof that the election is rigged by the nasty woman. What does he know that the rest of us dont?

Then he gloated when FBI Director James Comey said emails had surfaced in an unrelated case and that they appear to be pertinent to the investigation.

But it was unclear if the emails were sent from Clintons private server, which has been thoroughly investigated by the FBI. If his allegations were true, they should have been verified first before releasing them.

Trump is now claiming that Clinton is unqualified to run for the presidency. The FBI director should be fired for his incompetence and bias in releasing such undocumented information.

Jose P. Filio

Sorry choice

Re: Time to vote; Our choices this election, Editorial, Oct. 24:

I am not surprised that you endorsed Hillary Clinton, Im just sorry you did. Someday there will be a woman president, but one with honesty and integrity, I hope.

James P. Porter, Garden Ridge

Trumps value

With his obvious flaws, including coarse language and behavior, Donald Trump is not an ideal presidential candidate.

Despite this, and regardless of their political leanings, average citizens should thank Trump for exposing the disgusting amount of corruption, deception and arrogance in our political system, particularly within the Clinton organization. Though the government remains far more honest and transparent than most, it is clearly far from perfect.

Trump, as a nontraditional candidate, seems to possess the courage to say what most professional politicians are afraid or reluctant to say, and tends to view the political establishment from the perspective of the average citizen rather than as a member of the elite.

Win or lose, Trump has made a valuable and perhaps lasting contribution to our nations political process.

William Erichson

Repeating the past

If youre still undecided about whether to vote for Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, consider this: Clinton seems both willing and able to learn from her mistakes, whereas Trump has proven time and again that he is incapable of learning from his mistakes, much less anything or anyone else.

Charles R. Allen

No excuses

If you dont vote in this election, your opinion counts for nothing for the next four years. Your Facebook page should refuse to allow likes, and you shouldnt be able to comment on a post.

Most important, your letters to the editor should not be published, because you abdicated a basic right in America. So go vote! You have plenty of time and chances to do so.

Randy G. Whitworth

Reasons to vote

We may not like a particular choice for president, but whoever we choose will be selecting people for top government positions whom I know I can support, including a Supreme Court justice or two. A negative vote for president will affect other important positions, and we should not want to take that chance.

Terry Dill

So what is it?

Donald Trump said he does not need to be concerned with details because he will hire the best people, the experts to formulate his policies. Yet he dismisses and mocks the best people regarding climate change, tax policy, immigration and law enforcement, and other areas. Which are we supposed to believe?

Wayne Haymes, Leon Valley

Connections are key

When an ordinary citizen lies under oath, its called perjury and can bring jail time and a fine. However, if one is a well-connected career politician liar like Hillary Clinton, nothing will happen. Shell probably get four years, in the White House.

Gerald Lopez
Its become a familiar formula with Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.

Miller, or a staffer on his behalf, does something stupid, offensive or ethically challenged. It blows up in his face, prompting harsh rebukes from all corners of the political world. He initially obfuscates and later apologizes, but it comes across as empty because its just a matter of time until the cycle repeats itself.

Cue Millers recent tweet describing Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton as the c-word. And no, he wasnt calling her corrupt. Miller deleted the tweet, but these things tend to stick around.

At first, Miller and his lackeys said his twitter account had been hacked. Then he blamed a staffer for copying and pasting the tweet from another Twitter account and not reading the text closely. Hey, these things happen ... to Sid Miller. Its worth noting, Miller has bragged, as recently as last week, that he tweets for himself (what a man!).

There is no excuse for such vulgar language in any setting. Not in a locker room. Not at the dinner table. Not in the cesspool known as Twitter. Not anywhere or any time.

Miller has had quite a run as Texas agriculture commissioner. Hes been on a crusade to bring junk food into schools. He has referred to Syrian refugees on Facebook as rattlesnakes, he also posted to Facebook a picture suggesting we nuke the entire Muslim world, he traveled to Oklahoma initially at taxpayer expense to get a Jesus shot to alleviate chronic pain, hes doled out bonuses and raises and hes used state and campaign funds to attend an out-of-state rodeo.

Miller has said he doesnt want his good name associated with a vulgarity like the c-word. Unfortunately, Texas is associated with him.
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STAMFORD  Police have released a sketch of a man wanted for exposing himself and fondling a 14-year-old girl at a bus stop last week.

Lt. Tom Barcello said the girl was walking to the bus stop at the corner of Ursula Place and Orange Street when the man approached her about 6:45 a.m. last Thursday.
An indicator that measures economic activity in China's emerging sectors decreased in October while manufacturing continued to perform well, raising questions about whether the country's shift from traditional industries toward the new economy has slowed.

The MasterCard Caixin BBD China New Economy Index (NEI) slid to 29.2 in October, down from a peak of 30.1 the previous month. The October reading, which shows that the new economy accounted for 29.2% of the overall input into the economy last month, was the second-lowest since the index was publicly released in March.

The NEI measures the labor, capital and technology that go into up-and-coming industries such as IT services, green energy, biotechnology, finance and legal services.

The decrease is mainly a result of a drop in investments, one of the NEI's three sub-indexes, which fell to 27.9 from 30.9 in September. The other two components  labor and technology  saw a combined uptick of 0.8%.

Shen Minggao, president and chief economist of Caixin Insight Group, a think tank that co-compiles the NEI, told Caixin that trends in the NEI and the manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) have always diverged because new and traditional industries are playing a zero-sum game.

Both the official PMI, compiled by the National Bureau of Statistics, and the Caixin General Manufacturing PMI rose to two-year highs of 51.2 for October, signaling that traditional industries, mostly comprising capital-, labor- and resource-intensive factories, are performing well.

The drop in NEI and growth in the PMI reflect the fact that China's transition toward a new economy is still slow, Shen said, adding that the country should continue to reduce excess capacity in heavy industries such as coal mining and steel making.

As of September, both the coal and steel sectors had successfully trimmed 80% of their targeted overcapacity for the year, or 224 million tons of coal and 36 million tons of steel, said Xu Kunlin, deputy secretary-general of the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planner, at a news conference in late October.

But not everything is as rosy as the figures suggest. Some shuttered mines have recently restarted operations to chase higher profits amid a surge in coal prices that is driven mainly by this reduction in production volume. Some local governments also counted long-closed steel mills as newly reduced overcapacity in a bid to create more-attractive economic figures.

The NEI is co-compiled by Caixin Insight Group and Business Big Data, a data firm based in southwestern Chengdu, in collaboration with the National Development School, Peking University. It will be issued on the second day of every month at 10 a.m. in Beijing.

Contact reporter Coco Feng (renkefeng@caixin.com); editor Calum Gordon (calum@caixin.com)
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A day after election officials were reminded to tell voters they can still cast ballots if they don't have photo IDs, poll workers across Harris County were still giving incomplete instructions to voters waiting in line.

Earlier this year, federal judges earlier this year ordered Texas to offer citizens without government-issued photo IDs  about 600,000 people, many of them minorities  another route, which has been little utilized at polling places across Harris County. The order came after the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in July found Texas' original voter ID law violated federal ballot-box protections for minorities.

RELATED: Clinton falls behind Trump in enthusiasm, but has edge in early voting

The state agreed to let these voters cast ballots after they sign declarations explaining the "reasonable impediment" to getting a photo ID such as lack of transportation, disability or work schedule. The "declaration" voters then must present a supporting document such as a birth certificate, bank statement or utility bill.

Few Harris County voters have taken advantage of the alternative route, according to election judges at locations visited across the county Tuesday. Officials at polling places in southeast

Ballot-access advocates worry potential "declaration" voters may be discouraged when they hear poll workers instruct voters waiting in line to pull out their photo IDs without mentioning the alternatives, as they were Tuesday at polling locations in Spring Branch, the Hobby Airport area and at Prairie View A&M University's Northwest campus, according to on-site reporting guided by tips from ProPublica's Electionland project.

That instruction may not violate the letter of the law, but county and state officials have said it is incomplete.

READ MORE: Democrats outnumber Republicans in Harris County early voting

The Harris County clerk's director of logistics and training, Judy Owens, sent a memo Monday clarifying the proper language. "We have received a number of complaints regarding the language that the greeters are using in the polling locations," Owens wrote to the election judges who oversee polling locations. "Please have your greeters state the following: 'Please have your identification ready for the qualifying table. If you have any questions about the necessary identification, please ask me.' "

Read more on the incomplete instructions and the alternative route to voting on HoustonChronicle.com.

The Houston Chronicle is participating in Electionland, a ProPublica project that will cover access to the ballot and problems that prevent people from exercising their right to vote during the 2016 election.

Sign up with us now - by texting ELECTIONLAND to 69866 - and we will check in on Election Day to find out how long it took you to vote and whether you had or saw any problems.


WILTON  A sound that defies description yet is eminently enjoyable fills the Brubeck Room when 9 Horses takes to the stage for its Wilton debut in a Hot & Cool: Jazz at the Brubeck Room concert on Sunday, Nov. 13, from 4-5:30 p.m.

9 Horses, formed in 2013, features Joe Brent (10-string mandolin), Sara Caswell (violin and Hardanger fiddle), and Andrew Ryan (bass). Each brings a unique element to the ensemble. 9 Horses is a musical experience unlike any other, perhaps like its name.

The name of the band comes from a Billy Collins poem of the same name, which talks about a simple gift with a great significance, Brent said. Small things with big meanings is a recurring theme in Collins' work, and in ours as well.

9 Horses debut album, Perfectest Herald, was released in 2015 on Sunnyside Records. The title was influenced by Shakespeares Much Ado About Nothing from the quote, Silence is the perfectest herald of joy: I were but little happy, if I could say how much. The cornerstone of the album is a four-movement suite that involves the trio taking the listener through tragedy, triumph and renewal. Budd Kopman from All About Jazz noted, 9 Horses is a very special group from which there is no doubt more will be heard and Perfectest Herald is a very special creative work.

The group comes to this Hot & Cool concert after recently being named the winning ensemble in the 21CM Emerging Artists competition designed to showcase groups re-imagining the future of art music that took place this past September.

Brent, who plays 8 string and 10 string mandolins, graduated from the Berklee College of Music in 1999 with a focus on contemporary music and he immediately began working closely with many of the great modern composers, premiering and performing works by Elliot Carter, Pierre Boulez, Magnus Lindberg, Olga Neuwirth, David Loeb, and Nathan Davis, among many others. He has performed with numerous well-known chambers and orchestras, traveling and playing internationally as a result.

Caswell has been recognized as a brilliant world-class violinistone of the very best of the present generations of emerging young jazz stars, according to the late David Baker, internationally-renowned jazz educator and former Director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks. She is becoming known as an eloquent jazz soloist, sideman and teacher. She performs regularly with clarinetist David Krakauers The Big Picture, bassist Brian Coughlins Fireworks ensemble, and 9 Horses.

Ryan has toured and performed internationally in a wide array of projects, and has studied at Ithaca College, the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, and Le Festival International du Domaine Forget, where he studied with virtuoso Francois Rabbath. A gripping performer and a sensitive collaborator, he strives to use his mastery of the instrument to seamlessly traverse genre and style.

The Hot & Cool concerts are made possible through funding from the William and Karen Tell Foundation with special thanks to Catherine and Ed Romer and Tish and Chris Brubeck. An informal reception follows the concert. There is a suggested donation of $10 per person. Advance registration is strongly suggested. Pre-registrants should arrive by 3:50 p.m. to be guaranteed seating; wait-listed and walk-in registrants will be admitted after 3:50 p.m. if space is available. Wilton Library is located at 137 Old Ridgefield Road in the heart of Wilton Center. For information, directions and registration, visit wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-6334.
Online homestay specialist Airbnb said it will provide some data on its users in China to local officials, following other high-tech names like Apple Inc. and LinkedIn that have surrendered individuals' personal information to satisfy Beijing's national security concerns.

As it prepares to launch its China-based peer-to-peer service on Dec. 7, Airbnb also said it will store within the country the data it has on users of its China-based services, according to a series of statements on its blog and in an updated notice of changes to its privacy policy.

Governments in the United States can request similar information from locally based companies as part of criminal probes, but only after justifying their actions to a subpoena-issuing judge. By comparison, China has no independent judiciary and demands much freer access to information from companies that do business within its borders.

Airbnb said it will officially spin off its China business into a separate company that will host all mainland home listings on servers there. The move won't affect listings in Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan. Airbnb said that anyone affected will be notified first before information currently hosted outside China is transferred to China-based computers.

Airbnb's main service allows users from most countries to register on its site regardless of where they or their properties are located. But the new move will create a separate service specifically for China-based users, and will host listings for all China-based properties.

Beijing requires that all providers of China-based services store data on their users within the country, giving it jurisdiction to request such information when it deems necessary. Travelers in China already need to register with their identity cards or passports whenever they stay at hotels, making their movements traceable by authorities.

"Like hotels and other businesses operating in China, Airbnb China has to comply with local laws and regulations, including privacy and information disclosure laws, and may be required by Chinese government agencies to disclose information held by it, such as host, guest, and listing information relating to stays in China," the company said in an email to its users informing them of the changes.

Airbnb first announced its plans to open a China site in August, as it aims to tap one of the world's fastest-growing travel markets with its business model that lets homeowners rent out their properties to short-term travelers. The service has logged more than 3.5 million visits to its properties by Chinese travelers worldwide, and Airbnb travelers have logged nearly 1 million stays at China-based properties registered on the site.

China's huge size and big growth potential often force technology service companies that want to do business there to accept tough policies that Beijing deems necessary to protect national security and limit potential for unrest.

When LinkedIn first launched a China service two years ago, it issued a lengthy statement explaining a move that would require it to self-censor its site for sensitive information on the service in accordance with China's strict censorship laws. Around the same time, Apple also reportedly agreed to host information from its China-based users on servers inside China.

Contact reporter Doug Young (dougyoung@caixin.com); editor Ken Howe (kennethhowe@caixin.com)
DES MOINES, Iowa  The Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores of Iowa (PMCI) and the American Petroleum Industry (API) are highlighting the need for more women in the petroleum industry. Recently during a meeting with female business leaders, Dawn Carlson, PMCI president and CEO, and Reo Menning, PMCI executive vice president, discussed the issue with Tara Anderson, API director of external mobilization.

We were discussing the strong need to recruit and retain women within the petroleum industry, Carlson said in a press release. At PMCI, were fortunate 50% of our staff are female. But thats an anomaly when you take into consideration that 81% of the workforce in our industry was male in 2010.

Fortunately, the attitudes and perceptions of women considering employment in the oil and natural gas industry are changing. According to a recent API study, even before hearing any specific information about the industrypositive or negativea majority of women (53%) are willing to work in the industry.

Yet the overwhelming majority of respondents admit never applying for employment in the industry, with only 3% having applied for an industry-related job. The No. 1 obstacle is lack of awareness and understanding about job opportunities and career development. In addition, 19% did not think they had the right background, and the same amount believed the jobs in the industry were outside their field.

Our success at PMCI can be attributed to actively involving our female members. Specifically, our members have partnered with Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds on her Stories of Womens Lives Tour. In addition, PMCI has encouraged female college students to become part of our full-time internship program, Carlson said.
California, Colorado and North Dakota would each raise the cigarette tax, to as high as $2.87 per pack.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.  Next week, voters in three states will decide whether to increase their states tobacco tax, AMI Newswire reports. Californias Proposition 56 would increase its cigarette tax to $2.87 a pack, plus apply a proportional tax to e-cigarettes.

Over in Colorado, voters are considering Amendment 72, which would jack its cigarette tax to $2.60 per pack while exempting electronic cigarettes. North Dakotas Measure 4 would raise the cigarette tax to $2.20 a pack, along with a similar measure to California for e-cigs.

The measures would significantly raise cigarette taxes in each of the three states. Currently, California has a 87 cent per cigarette pack tax. Colorados comes in at 84 cents per pack, while North Dakotas is 44 cents per pack.

Opponents, including tobacco firms, have been out in force in all three states to drum up support against raising tobacco taxes. For example, those against Measure 4 in North Dakota have voiced their concerns about the impact on local merchants, given that tobacco sales comprise 38% of all convenience store transactions. The higher tax could cause a decline in taxable cigarette sales in North Dakota as people look for alternatives to avoid the higher tax, such as purchases across state lines or buying cigarettes on the Internet or from Native American reservations, read one fact sheet against the measure, the news source reported.
(Shanghai)  Creditors of Guangxi Nonferrous Metals Group have vetoed an insolvency plan in a case that shows the obstacles that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) face as they try to complete the bankruptcy process.

In the plan, the firm's bankruptcy administrators proposed auctioning, presumably at a discount, not only the equity stakes the parent has in its seven subsidiaries but also the debts that the subsidiaries owe to the parent, according to several of the firms creditors who voted on the bankruptcy plan on Oct. 28.

The debt assets proposed for sale include 937 million yuan ($138.3 million) that Guangxi Nonferrous has in Huiyuan Manganese Industry Co. Ltd., 155 million yuan in Guibei Investment Co. Ltd., and 1.07 million yuan in Yulin Rare Earth Investment Co. Ltd.

According to an evaluation report that Caixin has seen, the assets of Guangxi Nonferrous are estimated at 5.97 billion yuan. So far, creditors have demanded repayment of 14.5 billion yuan in debts, including 10.6 billion yuan in unsecured liabilities. If the assets were to be auctioned on the basis of this evaluation, the liquidation rate of unsecured debts would be only 19.27%.

The administrators proposed the combined sale of equities and debt assets because some of the firm's subsidiaries are also facing difficulties, and the strategy could protect the subsidiaries against bankruptcy. But this would further undermine the benefits of Guangxi Nonferrous' creditors, sources who attended the creditors meeting told Caixin.

The creditors' views of the plan are mixed, however. Some told Caixin that tying up debt assets with equities was no different from a debt-to-equity swap. "It means that the parent group gives up its right to demand repayment of debts from its subsidiaries, and it is unfair," said one creditor. But others hold that such a proposal might broaden its appeal, attracting a greater number of purchasers.

The number of bankruptcy cases in China is on the rise as the government moves to wipe out overcapacity, reorganize distressed companies and restructure the economy. According to data released by the Chinese Supreme People's Court, 1,028 firms successfully filed for bankruptcy in the first quarter of 2016, up 52.5% compared with the same period a year earlier.

But while many SOEs with excess capacity have been kept afloat to bolster the economy, liabilities have been mounting, creating companies that are too big to fail. And legal and institutional obstacles make going bankrupt difficult in China.

"At this stage, it is very hard for creditors to push for more compromises from the bankruptcy administrators, even though they will revise the insolvency plan," said Song Yixin, a lawyer with Shanghai Tianming Law Firm, which focuses on investment and bankruptcy. "Bankruptcy law in China is not aligned with the interests of the creditors, and the fact that the administrators are always appointed by a court raises the suspicion that there is government intervention."

In fact, creditors opposed a debt-to-equity swap plan in April, when the administrators proposed to cancel a 912 million yuan debt in Huiyuan Manganese Industry in exchange for equities on the grounds that it ignored their interests.

Several analysts told Caixin that bankruptcy was an inevitable way to get rid of "zombie enterprises"  heavily indebted companies that have no meaningful operations and are kept afloat through local government protection  but that if insolvent companies seek legal loopholes to dodge creditors, investor confidence will be undermined.

The next step for Guangxi Nonferrous Metals is another round of creditors' meetings, which will be convened after the administrators revise the insolvency plan. And if the revised plan is rejected, the courts will step in to make a decision.

The government-run metals producer in September became the first interbank bond issuer to be declared bankrupt.

Contact reporter Dong Tongjian (tongjiandong@caixin.com); editor Kerry Nelson (kerry@caixin.com)
Chimp study shows how hanging out with friends makes life less stressful The Conversation

11 incredible facts about lemurs Mother Nature Network

Sing to Me Real Life. Now we know whos to blame for karaoke.

Putting Wheat in Its Place, Or Why the Green Revolution Wasnt Quite What Its Made Out to Be The Wire

Ride-Hailing Apps Have a Racism Problem MIT Technology Review

Health Care

Too Smug to Jail Rollin Stone. Matt Taibbi back on form.

Big Brother is Watching You Watch

New leak may show if you were hacked by the NSA Ars Technica

Oil drilling caused killer earthquake in boomtime California, scientists suspect Guardian

Study: Next U.S. president faces Colorado River problem The Journal

Clinton Email Tar Baby

Aeon Row strives to close the loop on fashion Treehugger

Australia curbs flow of disgruntled UK junior doctors

FT

The people of South Yorkshire deserve the truth about Orgreave Guardian. Yes, they do. And theyve waited more than 30 years to hear it.

Brexit

Pope says he believes ban on female priests is forever Reuters

A Visit From the SEC? Doesnt Happen for Thousands of Money Managers WSJ

Trump Fan Peter Thiel Says Single-Digit Millionaires Have No Effective Access to Our Legal System The Intercept

Hong Kong money laundering and terrorism financing reports hit record high SCMP

How a Pillar of German Banking Lost Its Way Der Spiegel

Tom Hayden and the Vocation of Politics The Baffler

SINO-INDIA RELATIONS THE BRITISH FORGERY AT THE HEART OF INDIA AND CHINAS TIBETAN BORDER DISPUTE SCMP. Yet another well-considered US diplomatic initiative.

As China Battles Corruption, Glaxo Lands in the Cross Hairs NYT. Long, but worth it.

2016

Turkeys PM rejects EU criticism on media freedom Al Jazeera

Class Warfare

Antidote du Jour

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She now spends most of her time in India and other parts of Asia researching a book about textile artisans. She also writes regularly about legal, political economy, and regulatory topics for various consulting clients and publications, as well as writes occasional travel pieces for The National.

Since FBI Director James Comeys bombshell announcement Friday that the bureau was reviewing new evidence regarding Hillary Clintons email tar baby, many questions have arisen among the Naked Capitalism commentariat, as well as more widely about the scope and details of the Presidents pardoning powers. There are a few things to clear up right away, because Ive seen a considerable amount of misinformation bandied about as to what the United States Constitution permits. Readers will please indulge me if in the interest of keeping this post short and sweet, I dont debunk each and every wrong argument Ive seen since Friday. If I responded to all the crazypants stuff out there tempting as that might be Id never get to my main points.

Article II, Section 2 of the United States Constitution says that the President shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.

So allow me to summarize the salient points.

Absolute Power, Can Neither Be Reviewed nor Overturned As a Matter of Law

The Presidents pardoning power is absolute. Pardoning decisions are not subject to judicial review, nor can any individual pardon be overturned by an act of Congress. The pardoning powers also unlimited as to offenses against the United States, so in theory, at least as a matter of law, a President could pardon someone for committing any offense against the United States ( I leave to one side the question of whether such an action would be politically possible). A President could also, at least in theory, pardon him or herself for anything except in cases of impeachment.

No Indictment Necessary

Its not necessary for someone to be charged or convicted of a crime against of the United States for the President to pardon that person. The most famous example of a President granting a pardon in a case where no indictment had been brought is President Gerald Fords September 1974 pardon of Richard Nixon shortly after he resigned the office of President. Allow me to quote at length from Proclamation 4311 Granting Pardon to Richard Nixon:

Richard Nixon became the thirty-seventh President of the United States on January 20, 1969 and was reelected in 1972 for a second term by the electors of forty-nine of the fifty states. His term in office continued until his resignation on August 9, 1974. Pursuant to resolutions of the House of Representatives, its Committee on the Judiciary conducted an inquiry and investigation on the impeachment of the President extending over more than eight months. The hearings of the Committee and its deliberations, which received wide national publicity over television, radio, and in printed media, resulted in votes adverse to Richard Nixon on recommended Articles of Impeachment. As a result of certain acts or omissions occurring before his resignation from the Office of President, Richard Nixon has become liable to possible indictment and trial for offenses against the United States. Whether or not he shall be so prosecuted depends on findings of the appropriate grand jury and on the discretion of the authorized prosecutor. Should an indictment ensue, the accused shall then be entitled to a fair trial by an impartial jury, as guaranteed to every individual by the Constitution. It is believed that a trial of Richard Nixon, if it became necessary, could not fairly begin until a year or more has elapsed. In the meantime, the tranquility to which this nation has been restored by the events of recent weeks could be irreparably lost by the prospects of bringing to trial a former President of the United States. The prospects of such trial will cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969 through August 9, 1974.

What Can Congress Do?

Article, section 4, of the US Constitution grants Congress the power to impeach any federal officeholder:

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Further, note that, Article I, Section 1, specifies:

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present. Judgment in Cases of Impeachments shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust, or Profit under the United States, but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment, and Punishment, according to Law.

A few considerations to note here, even though an extended discussion of impeachment is beyond the scope of this post. First, impeachment is a political process, with the penalty (to reiterate from above) limited to to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust, or Profit under the United States. A party that has been convicted by the Senate in an impeachment proceeding shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment, and Punishment, according to Law.

Second, although were all well aware of the history of impeachment proceedings and the presidency (e.g., involving Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton), Congress can actually pursue impeachment proceedings against all civil officers of the United States. And in fact, theres a long common law tradition of such proceedings. I mention impeachment only in passing because such power lurks in the background, particularly in divided government situations but I defer a more comprehensive discussion of impeachment issues in the current context until we know who has been elected President, and what the partisan composition of each house of Congress will be.

What Will the Obamamometer Do?

Back to the pardoning question. So, now that Ive outlined the constitutional authority for pardoning, the main issue I wish to address is: What Will the Obamamometer do?

On first glance, its obvious that a President who has been, at least to my mind, unduly concerned with his legacy, and who also fetishizes the concept of bipartisanship, would not want to touch the issue of pardoning Hillary Clinton with a barge pole. I should also point out that the Obamamometer has been an unusually timid politician, and has often articulated soaring rhetoric thats never backed by bold action. In other words, all hat, not cattle.

What the Obamamometer wil do, I believe, hinges on the outcome of the election.

If Hillary Clinton Wins

If Hillary wins next Tuesday, I believe the Obamamometer will not grant her a pardon, for the simple reason that she wont ask for one. To accept a pardon from Obama would be tantamount to an admission of guilt for her email practices, the Clinton Foundations activities, , influence peddling, and pay-to-play, among other issues .

Hillary Clinton as President can probably get away with foregoing a pardon, at least with respect to herself. After all, does anyone seriously believe that she will nominate candidates for high-level Department of Justice positions that will vigorously pursue investigations into her and hear activities prior to becoming President? I dont think so.

The more interesting question is whether shell be able to contain investigations that have already started and will no doubt draw in members of her inner circle. Im going to put these questions aside for the time being I promise readers I will revisit them if theyre not moot, after the election. But in the interests of keeping this post short, and confining its focus on the main question at hand the Obamamometers options Im not going to delve further into these issues now.

If Donald Trump Wins

If Donald Trump wins, were in a completely different ballpark.

Trump promised in the second debate to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary Clintons (alleged) corruption (although I think the Wikileaks revelations should dispense with the need to put in an alleged, even in parenthesis). I believe he will have to follow through on this pledge. His smart move would be to ask his Attorney General to appoint a special prosecutor nominally a Democrat who has extensive experience investigating complex financial frauds, misuse of information, and influence peddling. And if Hillary Clinton also understands this to be Trumps next move, this would leave her in the market for a pardon.

Now, theres a lot of chatter out there that suggests the Clintons hate the Obamas and that the Obamas hate the Clintons. Ive also heard it said that theyre all great pals.

For the purposes of my argument, however, it really doesnt matter one way or the other. I think Hillary will ask for a pardon, and the Obamamometer will grant it. It will be justified on the grounds that shes suffered enough in losing the election, and that shes been the subject of an unprecedented political vendetta. The Democratic nomenklatura laid the groundwork for this point in the immediate aftermath of the second debate, where Trump was lambasted for calling for appointing a special prosecutor, if he were elected, into Clintons activities. This pledge was taken as a beyond-the-pale statement of vindictiveness rather than as a logical follow-through to investigations launched during the administration of a President of the same party as the candidate, into serious allegations involving mishandling of classified information and other offences. And I might add, Comeys late innings interjection should suggest that these investigations were neither comprehensively conducted, nor concluded.

Given that Trumps next move is fairly obvious, I predict that the Obamamometers is too. Hillary will seek, and he will grant, a pardon, while promoting the line that shes suffered enough in not getting her turn to be President, and that further, shes exposed to extreme vindictiveness from Team R. The unlikely outcome of a Trump victory will undoubtedly shake up the political, economic and cultural elite. It will trigger widespread concern that they might have to pay for their past sins. In order to forestall the possibility that punishment will indeed be meted out to fit crimes, wagons will be circled. The Obamamometer covets a reserved place at the top table, and to attain that, will have to deliver on a solution, and protect poor Hillary. Otherwise, no more summers on the Vineyard.

The more interesting question is how far the Obamamometers pardoning power will extend: will he provide get-out-of-jail free cards to Huma Abedin, John Podesta, Doug Brand, Cheryl Mills, any other Clinton minions, even the Big Dog himself? (I do of course realize Bill is probably untouchable). I dont think so. Because although I have and will continue to criticize the Obamamometer for being politically timid not to mention intellectually not all hes been touted as being I dont think hes personally corrupt in the narrow influence peddling sense. So lets hope he takes the legacy stuff seriously enough to hold the line at a tightly-drawn pardon for Hillary only, in the unlikely event Trump wins next week.

As for the broader political issues what Congress will do to address these issues these will depend on the election results. Again, I defer further analysis until we see the election returns.
Jerri-Lynn here. Normally, I would not post another Real News Network interview with Colin Powells former chief of staff when he was Secretary of State, Tom Wilkerson so close to Yves posting Is the US Headed Towards War in Syria?, another interview with the same subject just last week. Yet given the urgency of the topic, reader interest in last weeks post, and the perhaps Panglossian hope that high-level focus on this issue now might limit the range of future options that hawkish Hillary Clinton can take in future in what I must admit still looks to be the likeliest scenario, that she is inaugurated come January I upload this post. Perhaps if the Obamamometer took time off from his rounds of legacy-burnishing interviews and concentrated on this problem, he might have a chance of correcting one specific aspect of his horrendous existing foreign policy legacy before the clock runs out on his administration.

This Real News Network interview with Lawrence Wilkerson, offers some suggestions on what would be necessary to stop the immediate ongoing slaughter and reach a peaceful solution in the longer term. Its by no means the most comprehensive nor the last word on the subject. I cleaned up the rush transcript as best I could. Please excuse any remaining errors.

SHARMINI PERIES, TRNN: Welcome to the Real News Network. Im Sharmini Peries coming to you from Baltimore.

As the civil war in Syria rages on, a school was struck in an airstrike in a rebel held area of northern Syria last week. Reports indicate that 22 children died in the attack along with several civilians. The Russians who are supporting Syrias president al-Assad denied any involvement in the strike. Theres also much speculation that Russians were not reelected to the UN Human Rights Council last Friday because of its involvement in Syria. But this is not known for certain since nations do not need to disclose why they choose to reject candidates for the council. Also last week, Amnesty International released a report in which it estimates that US-led coalition airstrikes in Syria have killed at least 300 civilians. It suggests the US military must come clean on the casualties that they have caused. So far, the war in Syria has cost somewhere between 250 thousand and 400 thousand deaths and has created over 4 million refugees. The highly complicated conflict has increased tensions between the US and Russia and a ceasefire seems more remote than ever.

Joining us now to take a closer look at the conflict and what is required to end this is Larry Wilkerson. Larry is a retired United States army soldier and former chief of staff to the United States Secretary of State, Colin Powell. Larry, its so good to have you with us today.

LARRY WILKERSON: Thanks for having me Sharmini.

PERIES: So Larry, last week when we talked, you mentioned that Hillary Clintons proposal to implement a no fly zone over Syria and what that would probably mean is that it would worsen the conflict. So then, what steps need to be taken by the US to bring this conflict to a peaceful resolution?

WILKERSON: Sharmini, this is going to sound like the impossible but there are two steps that need to be taken right away, immediately. The first is a high-level policy step which says President Obama and his council of elders, his National Security Council, whatever, should decide that Bashar al-Assad does not have to go. I think from what we have seen, the United States continuing to insist that Bashar al-Assad being untenable that is unacceptable as President Obama said it earlier is simply a position that now is part and parcel to all this blood and carnage and treasure and lives and diaspora being caused. If you cant back up from a strategic error like this and count your loses and say okay I made a mistake. You dont have to publicly say that but you have to say that in the councils of government and you have to be able to say Im going to rectify that mistake. I miscalculated.

Bashar al-Assad has enormous support. He has support not just outside Syria from Iran and Russia and elsewhere. He has support from inside Syria. Significant support. Then you have to face the reality too that on the other side you are largely supporting your own enemy, Al Qaeda. No matter what you say about the CIAs ability to differentiate between so called moderate rebels and those of the Al Nusra Front and those of Al Qaeda affiliates, that is pure nonsense. The CIA does not have that kind of capability. It does not have that kind of discrimination. So, most of the people we are now arming to fight Assad look a lot like Al Qaeda to me. So, youve got to admit youve made two huge errors and you have to rectify those errors. Those are the steps you need to make immediately.

PERIES: Now whats preventing them from doing that and is what youre proposing unrealistic in the US diplomatic and military milieu?

WILKERSON: Unrealistic if you dont have the political will nor the political courage to pursue a rectification of your errors. But what is the consequence? The consequence is more death, more conflict, more destruction, more damage, more tragedy, more refugees, more making Jordan unstable, and so forth. Youve got to be able to back up from these strategic errors and instead of doing what throughout history, bad leaders have done, that is reinforce the strategic error until it becomes catastrophic, youve got to reverse it. And youve got to replace it with a better policy. Youve got to force Saudi Arabia, youve got to force the Qataris, youve got to force the Turks however way you may do it. Economic, political, financial, whatever, youve got to force them to follow you. They dont have to follow you like lapdogs but at least they do have to recognize your change in policy and begin to at least for appearances sake, support it.

If the United States were to leave I think the rest of them would, reluctantly somewhat, follow in domain. What does that mean? That means you quit supplying these opposition forces with the massive arms that we are supplying them with. That includes anti-tank missiles and other elements. Theyre just going to make them go on and on and on. After all, Iran and Russia and Syria had an inexhaustible [coffers] of the kind of equipment that they need to oppose us as we do to oppose them. So, what are we doing here? Were having a great power confrontation over the graves and the blood of the Syrian people. This just simply has to stop.

PERIES: Now in the past, Larry you said that Israel seems to be playing a contradictory role in Syrias conflict. If one is to believe that Israel actually prefers Assad to be in power than an Islamic regime there, would it not make sense for US to do what youre saying? To reassess and take a step back and keep Assad in power?

WILKERSON: I think Id have to say the contrary is operating right now Sharmini. Michael Horne has said point blank, he has that Israel would rather when I say Israel, let me be more precise, Bibi Netanyahu and Bibi Netanyahus government would rather see ISIS in command, Al Qaeda in command in Damascus, than they would Bashar al-Assad. So, thats what were up against here. But I dont think were up against the Israeli people. If the Israeli people were confronted with the reality of this chaos and this collapse of nations all around them, its more detrimental to their long-term security than coming to some accommodation with these countries and helping them come back to some reasonable degree of stability and political feasibility, I think itd get a change of attitude in Israel.

But no ones telling them the truth. Everyone is scaring them and everyone is saying well youve got to keep these people in chaos. Youve got to keep them on the verge of collapse if not collapsing. Youve got to change these regimes and it would be better to have ISIS in charge in Damascus rather than have Assad. Just think how preposterous that is and yet thats whats being said.

PERIES: Now in the last few weeks Larry, weve seen the battle of Aleppo covered extensively in the media. However theres another battle going on in Mosul similar in that sense in terms of the number of people that its attacking and very devastating there as well but very little attention in the media about whats happening in Mosul. What is going on there and whats the comparison here?

WILKERSON: Well the media in this country dont care about this place Sharmini. They dont care about anything but Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and how big Kim Kardashian is today. Whats happening in Mosul is in one sense a tactical defeat and maybe even an operational and maybe even strategic defeat for the group known as ISIS, ISIL and their ideal of upholding territory. Its going to happen in Mare. Theyre going to be roundly defeated with regard to that aspect of their strategy. But whats going to happen in Mosul afterwards is going to refer back to their previous comments just now Sharmini which are going to have happen in Mosul afterwards is going to be the Turks and the Iraqis confronting one another.

Everyone has made it pretty clear that hes not going to respond to the Baghdad governments request for him to stay out of Mosul in any real way. Youre going to have Kurds. Youre going to have all manner of different groups that have sufficient power to contest power in Mosul after ISIS is kicked out. Then youre going to see the proof of the pudding with regard to whether Iraq stays a state as it is currently constituted, however fragile, or it goes into something else. Splinters into two or three or possibly even more states. And youre going to see whether or not the Kurds can be talked into an autonomous relationship with these countries rather than an independent country of their own or whether everyone in Turkey will bless any of that.

So, youre going to have the aftermath of Mosul and the defeat of ISIL which I think is going to happen. Youre going to have that aftermath determine the future of several countries in that region if not the future of the region for many years to come and its going to be indicative of whether or not were going to be able to politically, diplomatically, economically and otherwise forge some kind of stability, some kind of peace, some kind of prosperity for the many young people in the region and bring people home from places like Jordan and Lebanon. And put them back in their own homes in places like Libya and Syria and so forth. The proof of the pudding as I said is going to be in the aftermath of Mosul, not necessarily in the tactical battle occurring there right now.

PERIES: Alright Larry, Ill let you go for now but looking forward to having you back next week.

WILKERSON: Thanks. Take care.

PERIES: And thank you for joining us on the Real News Network.
Jerri-Lynn here: The following post summarizes the state-of-play regarding production cutbacks for twelve oil-producing states invited to participate in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) ongoing discussions regarding a much-anticipated output freeze. As the post suggests, failure to agree restrictions and stabilize prices might heighten the risks of terrorist attacks and political instability in some of the non-OPEC countries invited to participate in wider negotiations. Yet inviting new participants to the negotiating party is only likely to complicate the situation and slow further the implementation of an internal production reduction already delayed for nearly a year.

By Zainab Calcuttawala, an American journalist based in Morocco. She completed her undergraduate coursework at the University of Texas at Austin (Hookem) and reports on international trade, human rights issues and more. Originally published at Oilprice.com

Last week, Venezuelan oil minister Eulogio del Pino released a list of states invited to participate in the OPEC ongoing negotiations regarding a much-anticipated output freeze.

Russia, Egypt and ten other oil exporters made the list, though the high variation between the economic and political standings of the non-OPEC participants add to the already complicated and delicate orchestration of the deal if there is to be a deal, that is.

This past weekend, several of the invited non-OPEC countries sent representatives to Vienna for consultations regarding the terms of a potential freeze deal. No details have been finalized, but those who participated agreed to meet again before the 30 November OPEC summit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Energy Minister Alexander Novak have recently agreed to freeze output in coordination with OPEC, if the groups members can flesh out a plan amongst themselves.

According to OPEC Secretary-General Mohammed Barkindo, the bloc is on track to deliver a deal by the end of November. Barkindo also said that Russia has agreed to participate in OPECs official meeting this month.

As outlined by the Jamestown Foundation last month, Kazakhstan is desperate for a freeze deal to help economic development rebound to the 6-7 percent expansion rate that the former Soviet Republic saw when barrel prices exceeded $100. But just because they are desperate for a cut doesnt mean they will participate.

Kazakh Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev said on Tuesday that Kazakhstan itself would not be doing any cutting, because, according to Bozumbayev, their production levels are small in proportion to some of the others at the negotiating table, namely Russia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Iran, and Mexico.

This year, Kazakhstan does not expect its economy to grow more than 0.1 percent, while 2017 forecasts from the World Bank predict a low one-percent increase in GDP. Kazakhstan  which recently reopened its Kashagan field, depends on oil exports for over 60 percent of total government revenues and a quarter of its GDP.

A failed deal could mean renewed terrorist attacks and political instability for Kazakhstan as the Kazakh economy continues to spiral downwards.

Asked what he hoped Saturdays meeting would achieve, a Kazakh official in attendance in Vienna desperately said: We just hope the price will react and it will increase. That desperation is shared by many other oil-dependent countries, but this desperation is also a sign that these countries are not in any position to scale back the production that generates the most revenue.

Azerbaijan was also at the table. Halfway through October, Azerbaijan  a country that produced more than half of the worlds oil a century ago  also announced its support of an OPEC/non-OPEC cut, which, as ClipperData noted, is convenient because the countrys September oil production was 10.2 percent lower than its August rate.

Venezuela and Azerbaijan agree that some measures will be taken to stabilize the market, Azeri Energy Minister Natig Aliyev said this weekend. We agreed the price of oil can be around $60 per barrel. Statements revolving around price, however, do not speak to who is ready to share the burden of cutting production, and do little to assuage market fears that a cut is but a wispy goal.

Oman wasnt buying the feasibility of OPEC cuts either, and before the Algiers meeting in September, Oman said as much, stating that it did not believe in the blocs ability to solve the pricing crisis due to several failed efforts to freeze output over the past year.

Newer reports on Oman show that they officially support an output freeze and overall reduction, with the expectation that similar measures be taken by other countries. It remains unclear if Iraq, a war-torn nation currently defying production limits, and Iran, a country trying to regain its legs now that sanctions were lifted, count as one of the other countries that Oman expects to cut output.

As a net oil importer, Egypt does not have the market power or political capital to sway the momentum of a freeze one way or another. The North African countrys recent spat with Saudi Arabia  the de facto leader of OPEC  over suspended petroleum shipments will also limit the salience of Egyptian interests in the blocs proceedings.

Sources from the Egyptian Parliament say the countrys energy ministry will be asked to review Saudi Aramcos five-year agreement to supply Egypt with petroleum derivatives in the coming weeks, further complicating relations between the two nations.

Ninety-nine percent of Canadian oil exports go straight to the United States, according to governmental data from the buyer and seller countries.

Neither of the two North American countries is part of OPEC, and they have their own agreements for energy supplies. So even though Canada has been invited to participate in the freeze talks, the country does not have the economic or political incentive to reduce output.

Brazil elected to observe Saturdays meeting as the country prepares to increase production rates over the next few years. This makes them extremely unlikely participants in any efforts to scale back production.

Other countries present this weekend included Mexico, which has spent the better part of this summer building a hedge against low oil prices for the next fiscal year.

Small-scale producers such as Bolivia and Trinidad and Tobago have already turned down production over the past two years, which had a limited effect on market fundamentals.

Norway, a 1.6 million barrel per day producer that has increased output by 2.1 percent in 2014 and 3.08 percent in 2015, declined to meet with OPEC over the weekend.

The geopolitics of oil within OPEC has already delayed the implementation of an internal production reduction for almost an entire year. By adding new nations from previously uninvolved continents (North America and Europe), the bloc has flooded the negotiation table with new interests  creating a fresh slate of diplomatic obstacles to overcome before an output freeze can be implemented.
NASCAR championship contenders have plenty of ARCA Menards Series experience The Championship 4 have been set for the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and the contenders in each series all have plenty of experience  and in most cases success  within the ARCA Menards Series platform.
Giulia Naddeo has won a Leargas Language Learner of the Year award.

Teacher Caoimhe Ni Riain, who runs the Blue Star programme in Gaelscoil Chluain Meala, where Giulia is a pupil, nominated her for the award, which was presented at a ceremony in Farmleigh House in Dublin.

Giulia and Caoimhe are pictured above at the presentation ceremony.

Fifth class student Giulia is an outstanding language learner.

Despite being only ten years old she speaks English, Irish, German and Italian. She started in Junior Infants at Gaelscoil Chluain Meala with no knowledge of Irish, but it soon became clear she had a talent for languages and was soon speaking confidently to her teachers and other pupils.

Her teacher then found out that she speaks German at home. Giulia even helps with vocabulary and corrects any mistakes!

She was brought up by her German-Irish mother and Italian father and was raised in a multilingual environment, speaking German, English and Italian prior to starting Irish in school. She had German and Italian from birth and English was then introduced.

She attended an English pre-school and began to learn Irish in Junior Infants. She frequently travels to Germany and Italy to see family and friends, and speaks to her grandparents in German. She also watches DVDs, listens to CDs and reads in German and Italian.

Giulia has a wide understanding of different cultures and the traditions of countries outside Ireland as a result of her ability in languages. She often reads about Germany and Italy and when she visits her family in these countries she sees the way they celebrate special occasions, and the ways they differ from Ireland.

Giulia wants to travel the world when she is older and knows that speaking four languages will be very useful. However, for Giulia it's not just about knowing the languages; it's about learning about different cultures and she knows she is really lucky to experience so many different traditions.

She is very proud of her languages, as are her family  particularly her grandmother who lived in Cork and spoke Irish, just like Giulia, before moving to Germany. She is looking forward to all her future language-learning adventures.

Comhghairdeas leat a Giulia agus go n-eiri adh leat.

The European Language Label awards is an annual event co-ordinated by the European Commission and managed in Ireland by Leargas.
Irish Water is pleased to announce that a long-standing boil water notice affecting almost 200 people in the community of Burncourt, Co Tipperary has been lifted.

The lifting of the notice, on the advice of the Health Service Executive, follows completion of the Burncourt scheme and the subsequent recording of satisfactory monitoring results.

Tipperary County Council originally imposed a boil water notice in the area in 2009, while a subsequent notice was issued in 2013. A total of approximately 196 people were affected by the notice, including 53 premises, one of which was a national school. Customers can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.

The Burncourt Regional Water Scheme involved the construction of a new 2,600 cubic-metre per day Treatment Plant, a new reservoir, sludge holding tanks and ancillary works.

This is part of an overall 15 million upgrade of the Burncourt and Fethard water supply schemes in the county. The upgrade of these water supply schemes will ensure that a sustainable and reliable supply of drinking water is provided to the communities in Burncourt and Fethard.

Katherine Walsh, regional manager with Irish Water, commented: Irish Water and Tipperary County Council acknowledge the patience, cooperation and assistance of the general public during the period of the boil water notice and greatly regret any inconvenience caused to householders and the business community.

This latest notice follows last months announcement by Irish Water that the Tipperary communities of Gortnapisha and Cloran had been removed from long term boil water notices following completion of the new Fethard Regional Water Supply scheme.

Irish Water and the Local Authority/Health Service Executive Water Quality Liaison Group will continue to meet and will review ongoing process control, monitoring and testing of the drinking water supply

The Irish Water Customer Contact Centre (1850 278 278) is available to answer customer queries in relation to this water notice.
Farmers against transparency and choice

GMO agriculture: 20 years of failed promises
Will fracking boom cause childhood cancer surge?

Exposure likely widespread

(NaturalNews) The chemicals used in fracking are a toxic brew of carcinogens that pollute both water and air, according to a new study conducted by researchers from Yale University, and published in the journalFracking, a popular name for the drilling practice known as hydraulic fracturing, consists of injecting a proprietary blend of chemicals deep underground to fracture the bedrock and allow access to oil and gas inaccessible to conventional drilling techniques. New technologies combined with declining reserves of easier to extract oil have led to a boom in the practice, particularly in North America."Previous studies have examined the carcinogenicity of more selective lists of chemicals," lead author Nicole Deziel said. "To our knowledge, our analysis represents the most expansive review of carcinogenicity of hydraulic fracturing-related chemicals in the published literature."For the new study, researchers reviewed the scientific research on the carcinogenicity of 143 different air pollutants and 1,177 different water pollutants known to be released during the process of fracking, or to be contained in fracking wastewater.When fracking is completed, changes in pressure cause nearly all the injected water to flow back to the surface. This water contains not just the fracking-specific chemicals, but also heavy metals, radioactive isotopes and volatile organics picked up from thousands of feet below the surface.Alarmingly, there was insufficient cancer safety data available to make an assessment for more than 80 percent of the chemicals tested.Among the remaining 20 percent, the researchers found that 55 different chemicals fell into the category of known, probable or possible human carcinogens. A shocking 20 of these have been linked specifically to leukemia or lymphoma.The findings have grave implications for human health. Fracking now takes place in 30 separate states, with more than 15 million people living within a mile of a fracking well in the United States alone. A study by Environment America found that more than 650,000 children attend schools within a mile of a fracking well in nine separate states."Because children are a particularly vulnerable population, research efforts should first be directed toward investigating whether exposure to hydraulic fracturing is associated with an increased risk," Deziel said."Childhood leukemia in particular is a public health concern related to [fracking], and it may be an early indicator of exposure to environmental carcinogens due to the relatively short disease latency and vulnerability of the exposed population."The researchers are expanding their research by testing air and water samples from a community near a fracking well, to look for evidence of exposure to the identified carcinogens.Anyone living near a fracking well is likely exposed to the air pollutants identified, but what about the water pollution? The amount of wastewater generated by fracking operations is enormous, with a single well producing up to 4 million gallons. This adds up fast; Pennsylvania alone has nearly 8,000 active fracking wells.Typically, fracking wastewater is injected back underground. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 2 billion gallons of wastewater are injected nationwide every single day.A recent study by researchers from Duke University, published in the journal, suggests that yes, people in fracking regions are being exposed to wastewater chemicals. The study found that millions of gallons of wastewater spill each year, contaminating rivers, streams and groundwater. In North Dakota alone, there were 3,900 accidental spills  roughly one spill per three wells. Nationwide, the researchers found evidence of more than 21,000 spills between 2009 and 2014, resulting in the dumping of more than 180 million gallons of wastewater.The real figure is much higher, they warned, as many spills are unreported. Spills on Indian reservations are particularly likely to go unreported, they noted, even though more than a quarter of U.S. oil and gas fields sit on reservation land.
(NaturalNews) Is bio-agriculture giant Monsanto, king of genetically modified foods and seeds, about to suffer an irreversible decline while the planet Earth gets a huge chemical reprieve?Well, it may be a bit too early to declare the St. Louis-based corporation dead in the water, but that day may soon be upon us, thanks to a nifty new pesticide patent that would make BioAg chemicals unnecessary.As reported by the website Anonymous , one man who has dedicated his life to the study of mushrooms may have just stumbled upon the one invention that will dramatically change the way we protect food crops from voracious pests.Paul Stamets has unearthed medical cure after cure, and he says the key to saving the planet can be found in the mushroom.Stamets, one of the world's leading mycologists  if nottop researcher of fungi  filed a patent in 2001 that has since been all but ignored. Why? Because most of his research has been viewed as hostile to conventional industries, including the pesticide industry. Anonymous notes that some executives of the pesticide industry have remarked that the patent he filed was the most disruptive they had ever seen.And indeed, a read of the patent reveals a remarkable claim."The present invention relates to the use of fungal mycelium as a biopesticide. More particularly, the invention relates to the control and destruction of insects, including carpenter ants, fire ants, termites, flies, beetles, cockroaches and other pests, using fungal mycelia as both attractant and infectious agent," the patent says.In other words, fungus that can be present on crops will both attract destructive pests and then infect and kill them after they have eaten it. In his patent, Stamets claims that more than one fungus can be used in combination, can be dried or freeze-dried, then packaged and reactivated for use "as an effective bioinsecticide."No more chemicals. No more spraying. No more need for Monsanto's chemical-first approach to growing our food.In his patent Stamets noted that the widespread use of chemical pesticides is a primary cause of a number of secondary environmental problems that occur besides the death of targeted pests. They include soil poisoning, the toxifying of underlying water tables and aquifers, as well as the pollution of surface water due to runoff.In addition, they lead to increases in cancer, allergies, neurological diseases, immune disorders Even the deaths of some agricultural workers and consumers have been linked to the use of chemical pesticides.Increasingly regulated and even banned in some countries, chemical pesticides like Monsanto's Roundup, with the cancer-causing primary ingredient glyphosate , have become so dangerous that many communities are scrambling for natural solutions to pest problems."Compounding these problems, many pest type or vermin insects have developed a broad spectrum of resistance to chemical pesticides, resulting in few commercially available pesticides that are effective without thorough and repeated applications," the patent says. "In addition to being largely ineffective and difficult and costly to apply, chemical pesticides present the further disadvantage of detrimental effects on non-target species, resulting in secondary pest outbreaks."But his invention, he wrote, offers the agriculture industry an "environmentally benign" alternative to insect control by working to attract insects that latent preconidial mycelium that is fresh, dried or freeze-dried, that later infects and kills the host.Infected insects will then carry the fungal hyphae back to the central colony, then disperse the fungal pathogen even further.In essence, he wrote, fungal mycelium is both a bait/attractant as well as a food insecticide, and all without harming one thing in the environment.It's a harmless pesticide that works without genetically modifying our food, poisoning our earth and filling humans with toxins. Using just mushrooms.Now  who will step up and market it? You can bet it won't be Monsanto.
Conspiracy to conceal risks

Thirty years of deception

(NaturalNews) Once again, a St. Louis jury has ruled that Johnson & Johnson damaged women's health by engaging in a decades-long coverup about the potential risks of talcum powder ("baby powder") as a feminine hygiene product. On October 27, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $70.1 million to Deborah Giannecchini of Modesto, California, who received an ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2012.For 40 years, Giannecchini had used Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder to keep her genital area dry, a use promoted by the company.The main ingredient in talcum powder is talc, a mineral widely used in paints and plastics as well as cosmetics, where it is used to absorb moisture. Some evidence suggests that regular exposure to talc, particularly in the genital area, can increase the risk of ovarian cancer.The jury found Johnson & Johnson guilty of negligence for failing to warn customers of this fact.Ovarian cancer is a rare but highly lethal disease. Well-established risk factors include obesity, not having children, estrogen therapy after menopause, and a family history of ovarian or breast cancer.The evidence linking talc to ovarian cancer is compelling but not yet conclusive. The International Agency for Research on Cancer lists talc as a "possible" carcinogen.Among the robust studies suggesting a connection are two meta-analyses that found a roughly one-third increase in ovarian cancer risk among women who were regularly exposed to talc . The first, published in 2003, found the connection in all cases. The second, published in 2013, found it only in women who applied talc directly to the genital area.The case marks the third guilty verdict against Johnson & Johnson over this issue. St. Louis juries have previously slapped the company with $55 million and $72 million judgments.The first case was filed by the family of Jackie Fox of Birmingham, Alabama, who had died of ovarian cancer after long-term use of talcum powder. In that case, the jury found the company guilty not just of negligence, but also of "failure to warn and conspiracy to conceal the risks of its products."Another 2,000 lawsuits are pending.Even after the recent verdict, Johnson & Johnson continues to insist on the safety of its product, including for genital use. In its home state of New Jersey, the company has successfully gotten two lawsuits over the issue dismissed. It is appealing all three guilty verdicts from Missouri.Investors seem to believe the company will prevail. Its stock price seemed unaffected by the recent guilty verdict.Alexandra Scranton, director of science and research at Women's Voices for the Earth, has characterized Johnson and Johnson's behavior as typical of Big Pharma and other companies that go to extreme lengths to keep selling products even as evidence mounts of their dangers.Scranton said that documents uncovered during the Fox trial show that for decades, Johnson & Johnson sought to take advantage of the scientific uncertainty over the talc-ovarian cancer link, downplaying the potential risk rather than pursing a "clearly more ethical role, to take a precautionary approach." Indeed, Scranton notes, the company "poured money over years into defending talc."Among the documents revealed during the Fox case are internal memos showing that Johnson & Johnson had been preparing to be sued over the health risks of talc for 30 years. In one 1997 memo, a medical consultant warned that anyone who continued to deny a connection between ovarian cancer and genital talc use would eventually be seen as on par with tobacco companies denying a cancer link: "denying the obvious in the face of all evidence to the contrary."Another memo laid out a strategy to counter falling talc sales caused by health concerns by more aggressive marketing to minority communities.
Michael O. Johnson, the CEO of Herbalife Ltd., is stepping down next year after quadrupling sales over his 13-year tenure and reaching a widely publicized agreement with federal regulators in 2016 to change the marketers business practices. Effective June 1, 2017, he will transition to the role of executive chairman.

Johnsons successor is Herbalife Chief Operating Officer Richard P. Goudis, who has overseen various operations, including human resources, global manufacturing and product development.

Herbalifes announcement coincided with the release of its third-quarter results, demonstrating just how large the 36-year-old nutrition company has become under Johnson, a fitness buff who spent 17 years with The Walt Disney Co. before joining Herbalife. For the three-month period that ended Sept. 30, the Los Angeles-based company reported net income of US$87.7 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, on net sales of $1.12 billion.

"Over the past 13 years, Michael's incredible vision, leadership and passion for Herbalife Nutrition's mission have strengthened the company's global leadership, expanding our positive impact on the health and wellness of millions of people in more than 90 countries," said Jeffrey T. Dunn, lead independent director of Herbalife Nutrition's board of directors, in a statement. "Michael has skillfully led the company through a period of significant expansion, quadrupling annual net sales from $1.1 billion to $4.5 billion over the course of his tenure and deepening relationships with distributors and customers around the world."

In a regulatory filing reporting its third-quarter results, Herbalife cited as the predominant reasons for its success the relevance of its products in light of a worldwide obesity epidemic, the effectiveness of its distribution network, and its geographic expansion.

The company is one of the largest multilevel marketers in the world, but its success hasnt been universally praised. Since late 2012, Herbalifeand Johnsonhave labored to refute accusations that the company is a fraudulent pyramid scheme destined to collapse. The predictions by Herbalifes chief adversarybillionaire Bill Ackman of the hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Managementhavent come to pass.

Three months ago, however, Herbalife announced an agreement with the government to pay $200 million and restructure its U.S. business. Under an FTC consent decree that became effective on July 25, Herbalife must implement the majority of changes to its business within 10 months, leaving its critics to question the long-term viability or success of the company.

In a written statement in July, Johnson described the FTC settlementand a separate agreement with the Illinois Attorney Generalas an acknowledgment that our business model is sound," and he said the agreements highlighted the companys confidence in its ability to move forward successfully."
The Voynich Manuscript Edited by: Raymond Clemens Yale University Press: 2016. 9780300217230 | ISBN: 978-0-3002-1723-0 Edited by:

In a Connecticut archive sits a manuscript justifiably called the most mysterious in the world. Since its rediscovery more than a century ago, the Voynich manuscript has been puzzled over by experts ranging from leading US military cryptographer William Friedman to cautious (and incautious) humanities scholars. Since 1969, it has been stored in Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library in New Haven. Pages from the 'herbal' section of the Voynich manuscript. Credit: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Lib., Yale Univ.

The fine calligraphy of the 234-page 'MS 408', apparently alphabetic, has never been decoded. Copious illustrations of bathing women, semi-recognizable plants and apparent star maps remain undeciphered. No one knows who created it or where, and there is no reliable history of ownership. Its parchment was radiocarbon-dated in 2009 to between 1404 and 1438, with 95% probability. The manuscript could still be a forgery using medieval parchment, but most experts, including Yale's, are convinced it is genuine.

Now The Voynich Manuscript, a volume edited by the library's curator, Raymond Clemens, revivifies this tantalizing artefact. A handsome facsimile is accompanied by an introduction by historian of science Deborah Harkness and six up-to-date essays by conservators, historians and literary scholars. As Harkness remarks, the collection does not attempt a definitive solution of the conundrums raised by the manuscript. Instead, the contributors invite the reader to join us at the heart of the mystery as we strive to better understand this complex book and its history.

The manuscript is named after Wilfrid Voynich, a Polish-born revolutionary who escaped Siberian exile to become a dealer in rare books and manuscripts in London and then New York City. In 1912, under condition of absolute secrecy, Voynich bought the manuscript from a Jesuit archive in Italy that he never identified, but that was selling part of its collection to the Vatican Library. Up to his death in 1930, Voynich marketed it as the work of thirteenth-century English scientist and friar Roger Bacon  a theory discredited only by the radiocarbon dating. In 1961, the manuscript was purchased by book dealer Hans Kraus, who presented it to Yale; the university put it online in 2004 (see go.nature.com/2dlns1c). Today, it attracts 16% of traffic to the Beinecke digital library, and for close to half of all traffic to the zoom viewer that allows examination of individual pages of manuscripts. When the late semiotician and novelist Umberto Eco visited Yale in 2013, MS 408 was the only manuscript he asked to see, notes Clemens.

The high-quality colour facsimile makes up most of the book. Each page, including foldouts, is reproduced at almost its original size (around 23  16 centimetres). Among the essays, researcher Rene Zandbergen covers the disputed history of the manuscript's ownership from the fifteenth century to 1912. Manuscript curator Arnold Hunt looks at Voynich's respected, but not always scrupulous, career. A group of six conservators details the forensic investigation of the parchment, ink and binding. And historian Jennifer Rampling probes the relationship of the illustrations to those in alchemical manuscripts, finding no clear parallel in alchemical writing to the predominance of female bathers.

The story of the various failed attempts to decipher the script, told by Clemens and Renaissance scholar William Sherman, is particularly fascinating. It begins in the 1920s, when US philosopher William Newbold convinced himself that the text was meaningless, but that each letter concealed an ancient Greek shorthand readable under magnification. He further claimed that this 'finding' proved the authorship of Bacon, who he claimed had invented a microscope centuries before Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. After Newbold's death, the 'shorthand' was revealed to be random cracks left by drying ink.

Wisely, little space is devoted to the many speculative theories of origin and meaning. The manuscript has been cast, for instance, as a Middle High German hygiene manual written in 'mirror writing'  the technique used by Leonardo da Vinci  and as a herbal manuscript in the Aztec language Nahuatl. (Readers with a taste for these can consult The Voynich Manuscript (Orion, 2004), a study by Gerry Kennedy and Rob Churchill.) And no new decipherment is offered.

Some idea of the complexity of the story is shown by a letter in Latin that Voynich apparently found affixed to the manuscript. This is reproduced in the volume, oddly without translation. Dated 1665, it was written by Johannes Marcus Marci (physician to the Holy Roman Emperors) and addressed to his former tutor, the Jesuit Athanasius Kircher. (The foremost polymath of the age, Kircher was wrongly credited with deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs.) In the letter, Marci notes that he is sending Kircher the entire manuscript, asks him to decode it and mentions the claim that Bacon authored it. We know that Kircher received the manuscript, but made no progress with it. After his death in 1680, it disappeared into Jesuit archives in Rome until it came into Voynich's hands.
SpaceX's Elon Musk has been straightforward with his plans about taking humans to Mars in 2025 -- earlier than NASA's "Journey to Mars" scheduled in 2030. But NASA is not racing against the private space company.

According to Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA's new associate administrator for science, SpaceX getting to Mars and bringing samples back to Earth should be a good thing.

"If Elon Musk brought the samples in the door right now I'd throw him a party out of my own money," Zurbuchen said in a report by Seeker. "I think that would be a huge success out of the strategies that were pursued by this administration of helping ... the private industry to really grow capabilities that 10 years ago were not around."

Zurbuchen, a former professor of space science and aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, also told the media that opposing viewpoints on space science should be tackled with empathy.

"Just because somebody doesn't agree with us the first time we open our mouths doesn't mean that they're stupid, or we're smart or the other way around. I think it's really important to create, bring some empathy to the table," Zurbuchen said. "There's a lot of stuff that can be learned by just talking to people."

Early last month, aerospace company and manufacturing giant Boeing expressed its intent to beat SpaceX in the race to the Red Planet.

"I'm convinced the first person to step foot on Mars will arrive there riding a Boeing rocket," Dennis Muilenberg, Boeing CEO, said during a conference in Chicago last month. The company is also set to launch the CST-100 Starliner -- its first space capsule -- in 2018. The vehicle was created in partnership with NASA and will transport astronauts to the International Space Station.

Musk accepted Boeing's challenge and welcomed the competition. "I really don't have any other motivation for personally accumulating assets, except to be able to make the biggest contribution I can to making life multi-planetary," he said in a statement.

"I think it's actually much better for the world if there are multiple companies or organizations building these interplanetary spacecraft. You know, the more the better."
Wildlife killings are not new, but a recent study has taken a deeper view in understanding why people still kill animals. Specifically focusing on the declining population of the Bangladesh tigers, the study highlighted the typologies of tiger killers, shedding a better light to manipulate their behaviors and decrease the killing spree.

Led by Samia Saif of the University of Kent in Canterbury, United Kingdom, the research tried to explore the reasons behind the Bangladesh tiger killings. Employing a qualitative research approach involving 144 respondents, they were able to categorize the types of people engaged in slaughtering the big cats.

In their findings, they have identified five major categories: village residents, poachers, shikaris, trappers and pirates. Each group has interestingly different motives, but what topped the list was for safety.

Since tigers can truly pose threat to human lives and were noted to kill 30 people a year, it is but normal for the Bangladesh community to fight for their lives. Another noted reason behind the killings was the tigers' attack on livestock, especially cows. Losing a great deal for the farmers because of the high value of cows in Bangladesh, they end up hunting and poaching tigers to compensate for their losses.

Another highlight in Saif's paper was the organization of "pirates." According to their findings and in-depth interviews, these so-called local versions of the Mafia have been engaged in large-scale poaching and killing of tigers. These activities were due to several factors such as to "show off" and threaten local hostages or create a good name for the group by appearing as "heroes" who saved the people from tigers.

There were also statements wherein pirates believed that tigers can be used for medicinal and spiritual purposes. For instance, a tooth of the tiger is worn by male pirates as pendants on necklaces since it is believed to increase sexual virility.

The Bangladesh government tried to resolve the issue of tiger killings by increasing forest guards, but this move was ineffective. Since pirates are well equipped and armed, they even killed guards in 2009.

Instead, the government offered lower punishments in return of their surrender to the authorities and many expressed their interest to surrender. The results of the paper were featured on BBC Earth.
What could be more mesmerizing than an eclipse that occurs right before Halloween? Last Sunday, Oct. 30, a lunar transit occurred where the moon traveled across the Sun, blocking the giant ball of fire along the way.

The Sun emits solar flares and radiation that make it bright and are responsible for its glow. The glowing Sun can be seen from Earth using telescopes. This is the reason why any obstacles that block the view of the Sun can easily be spotted and can create a fascinating effect like the recent lunar transit that resulted in an eclipse in space when the moon passed through the Sun. The stunning lunar transit occurred right before Halloween. But despite the Sun's pumpkin-orange glow, NASA says there's nothing scary or spooky about the lunar transit.

"From SDO's point of view, the sun appears to be shaking slightly - but not because the solar observatory was spooked by this near-Halloween sight," a NASA official said in a statement. "Instead, the shaking results from slight adjustments in SDO's guidance system, which normally relies upon viewing the entire sun to center the images between exposures," the official added.

The dubbed "space eclipse" lasted for about an hour last Oct. 30. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captured the whole thing live where thousands of individuals managed to watch and enjoy. NASA also released another shorter animation render of the space event after the live coverage.

During the lunar transit, the moon covered about 59 percent of the Sun during the peak of the partial eclipse. The moon, having no atmosphere, made the solar eclipse more interesting. The edges are very distinct and sharp making an almost smooth carve on the surface of the Sun. Experts at NASA described the edges of the moon on earlier lunar transits.

"Note in the picture how crisp the horizon is on the moon, a reflection of the fact that the moon has no atmosphere around it to distort the light from the sun," a NASA official said in a press release.

SDO has managed to film most of the Sun's activities including what seemed to be a hole on the surface of the Sun and the movements of Sun's magnetic field.
Researchers at NASA are trying to utilize a sensing instrument used by the US military, which monitors the air to detect the presence of dangerous chemicals, toxins and pathogens, to help the search for possible alien life in Mars and other objects in the solar system.

The instrument, called Bio-Indicator Lidar Instrument (BILI), is a remote-sensing technology that uses light to detect and analyze the composition of particles in the atmosphere.

According to NASA, the use of the fluorescence-based lidar is not new in the field of science. NASA has previously used fluorescence instrument to detect chemicals in the Earth's atmosphere as part of its climate-studies research. However, the agency noted that the sensing instrument has never been use before in a planetary ground level exploration.

"NASA has never used it before for planetary ground level exploration. If the agency develops it, it will be the first of a kind," said Branimir Blagojevic, a NASA technologist at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland and formerly worked for a company that developed the sensor, in a statement. "BILI's measurements do not require consumables other than electrical power and can be conducted quickly over a broad area. This is a survey instrument, with a nose for certain molecules."

Blagojevic and his colleagues already developed a prototype using the same technology as BILI. The prototype were able to use the same remote-sensing technology applied to BILI and could be effective at detecting organic bio-signatures on Mars.

The re-engineered BILI will be mounted on the mast of the rover and will serve as the "rover's sense of smell." The instrument will first search for dust plumes in the terrain. Two ultraviolet lasers will then pulse light to the dust plumes. The laser would cause the particles inside the dust plumes to resonate or fluoresce. Using these fluorescence, scientists could determine the size and how recent the particles inside the dust plumes.

Due to BILI's ability to detect small levels of organic material from the distance of several hundred meters, the sensing instrument would be the perfect fit in searching organic evidence of life in Mars. Mars is known for its recurring slopes, which could make it hard for the rover to reach certain destinations.
China's space programs are unstoppable. After launching space labs and astronauts one after the other, the Chinese space agency is reportedly interested in purchasing Russian rockets for its space exploration programs.

The new collation of different countries and their space agencies called BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are said to be looking at developing their own joint satellite systems to enable a fluid data sharing among the members. A report said that these alliance work well for China. Since China and Russia are both members of BRICS, the former's interest in the later's space systems including rockets did not come as a surprise.

Beijing reportedly showed its interest towards Russian rockets during BRICS space agencies inaugural meeting held at the Chinese City of Zhuhai. The member nations Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa and China all agreed to cooperate in terms of space explorations.

BRICS meeting will now be a regular occurrence and future partnerships among members are expected to occur in the near future. One of the major projects the meeting discussed is the 'joint grouping of satellites' that will be used for Earth remote sensing systems. In order to do that, the legal system has to be remodeled as well to enable to working framework that will work for all the members.

"We think that, for our countries, going in this direction will allow us to increase the pool of information we receive about Earth by several times," Russian space agency (ROSCOSMOS) head Igor Komarov said in a statement.

The joint satellite system will harbor "immense" advantages for the members for natural disaster observation and environmental purposes. However, some fear that it could be used for military systems as well.

Reports say that China blatantly showed interest in acquiring Russia's rocket science and engineering. "We are talking about practical spheres such as engines. Our Chinese partners are interested in purchasing engines, as well as creating perspective engines and carrier rockets, including heavy-lift launch vehicles," Komarov said in another statement. This statement confirmed that China may be using Russian rockets in the future.

The BRICS alliance proved to be a powerful one and what ever space exploration project they decided to pursue has an infinite potential. The next meeting will take place in Moscow around May to June 2017.
When five juveniles used an SUV as a battering ram to slam through the front window and metal security gate of the Rocklin Armory gun shop on an early July morning, Walter Fords ultra-high-definition security cameras captured the entire incident in near perfect clarity.

The burglars stream into the store and begin searching for the cache of weapons they expect to find. One disappears from view, then reappears carrying a rifle and runs out of the store. The other four, though, cant find any weapons to steal. They quickly check the shelves, find nothing and run back through the smashed entrance. The entire incident takes less than two minutes.

The brazen burglary was one of five Sacramento-area gun store thefts in less than three months this year. In all, more than 200 guns were stolen, but only one came from the Rocklin Armory.

Thats because Ford, one of the stores two owners, takes precautions. Guns are high-value items, especially to criminals, and Ford knows hes a target. Each night before closing, Ford locks up every gun in a safe. The one rifle he lost was left out because it was being worked on for a customer. But not every gun store takes those steps. Just two months earlier, a nearby gun store lost more than 100 guns in a single burglary. None of it was captured by surveillance cameras.

Im a responsible gun owner, Ford said. My guns at home, even though I live alone with no kids, theyre locked up. The ammos kept separate. Theres no reason I shouldnt do the same here.

The next morning, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was on the case. Graham Barlow, ATF special agent in charge of the agencys Sacramento field office, said gun shops are increasingly becoming targets of criminals. For some gangs, gun theft has even become a specialty.

They have a very unique way of doing it, Barlow said. Thats their business. Gun stores.

The number of guns stolen from gun shops in California nearly doubled between 2013 and 2015. Last year, more than 400 guns were reported stolen from California gun stores, according to ATF data. And those are just a fraction of all guns stolen in California.

According to data from the California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms, more than 70,000 guns were reported lost or stolen by gun owners in the past five years. A joint investigation by NBC stations across California found at least 4,000 of those lost or stolen guns were later seized by police in connection to crimes.

The national numbers are even more troubling. In the past 10 years, more than 2 million guns have been reported stolen in the United States, according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Barlow appreciates firearms and the right to own them, but said people need to do a better job of keeping guns out of the hands of thieves.

I keep my firearms in a safe, a gun safe, and Im the only person that has the combination to it, Barlow said.

But stealing guns in California, and particularly the Bay Area, is getting harder.

Following the high-profile killing of Kate Steinle on Pier 14 with a gun stolen from a Bureau of Land Management ranger and an NBC Bay Area investigation that found local and federal law enforcement agencies had lost more than 800 guns in recent years, San Francisco passed an ordinance prohibiting any person from leaving a gun in an unattended vehicle unless stored in a lock box or locked in the trunk.

Oakland, which experienced its own tragedy when muralist Antonio Ramos was killed with a gun stolen from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, soon followed with some of the most aggressive gun safety legislation in the country.

The Oakland ordinance bans anyone from storing a gun in their own home unless its stored in a locked container or disabled with a trigger lock.

If we want to put a stop to the spiral of shootings, we have to do things differently, Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan said. And if Congress is unwilling to act, those of us who are willing to act to save lives need to do so.

And less than two months ago, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill authored by state Sen. Jerry Hill prohibiting law enforcement officers from leaving an unsecured gun in a vehicle. Like San Franciscos ordinance, it would require law enforcement officers to keep firearms stored in a lock box or in the trunk.

Passing any sort of gun control legislation at the federal level has largely been an exercise in futility for some time, but Bay Area Congressman Mark DeSaulnier is now attempting to do just that. A bill he proposed in September, similar to Hills California legislation, would require all federal law enforcement officers to safely store service weapons when not in their possession. After Steinles death and NBC Bay Areas investigation, DeSaulnier said its time to act.

It became shockingly obvious to me that we needed to have a policy at the federal level, DeSaulnier said. When you have 90 different agencies that have armed public safety officers, and theres no coherent policy amongst all of those groups. There needs to be one.

DeSaulnier said hes not deterred by what will most likely be an uphill battle.

We should all be ashamed, DeSaulnier said. Everyone in the federal government, that these requirements arent in existence now, and they were in existence prior to the [Steinle] tragedy and other tragedies. Im a little frustrated with my colleagues in Congress.
California officials are sending a message: The state has a clean elections process with few confirmed instances of voter fraud.

The assertion came as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump repeatedly claims the election is rigged in favor of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

"There's nothing rigged about our elections, and even when there are some minor irregularities, the reality is that they will be statistically insignificant," San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon said Tuesday at a news conference meant to reassure voters.

Rick Hasen, a law professor who specializes in election law at the University of California, Irvine, said the state has a good record on election participation.

"The situation in California is much better than what the picture looks like in other parts of the country," he said.

Here are answers to some other election-related questions:

___

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE?

Paul Mitchell of the data tracking firm Political Data Inc. expects voter registration to hit a record 19.4 million for Tuesday's election, an astonishing figure that reflects enthusiasm around the election as well as easier online registration.

The company says more than 3.3 million ballots had been cast in early voting as of Tuesday.

"Thirty-five percent of houses that have a voter in California have a newly registered or reregistered voter," Mitchell said. "That's unprecedented."

___

HOW DO ELECTION OFFICIALS PROTECT AGAINST VOTER FRAUD?

Dean Logan, Los Angeles County registrar-recorder and president of the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials, said voter lists are routinely updated to remove dead people.

In addition, each voter has a signature on file that is compared to the signature required on a mail-in ballot envelope or roster list, San Francisco elections director John Arntz said.

Each county maintains a database to mark whether someone has cast a ballot.

Jesse Melgar, spokesman for the California secretary of state, said double voting in California is rare. His office saw 23 convictions for double-voting from 1994 to 2012.

___

HOW DO OFFICIALS PROTECT AGAINST VOTER INTIMIDATION?

Elections officials say they will be on alert for any attempts to intimidate or coerce voters. Also, people cannot campaign  wear a button or hold a sign  inside or near a polling place.

Nonpartisan groups say they will step up monitoring at polls on Election Day.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliates and the Dolores Huerta Foundation are among groups that want to make sure voters  some who speak limited English  receive proper assistance and are not hassled. There is no requirement that voters speak or read English in order to vote.

___

HAVE THERE BEEN ELECTION IRREGULARITIES REPORTED IN CALIFORNIA THIS SEASON?

Opponents of a development measure in Beverly Hills have accused backers of registering more than 300 people to vote using post office boxes, which is illegal. They also claim three people associated with Ballot Measure HH have registered using addresses where they don't reside.
Parents of a San Diego woman fatally shot by police officers in Torrance say their daughter, a law school graduate who had just moved to the Los Angeles area, suffered from bipolar disorder.

They spoke with NBC 7 exclusively on Tuesday, a day after Michelle Shirley, 39, was killed.

Shirley was behind the wheel of a vehicle that led police on an eight-minute chase through Torrance.

The chase ended with a barrage of bullets fired into her car, the entire incident recorded on video, authorities said.

Shirley's parents told NBC 7 their daughter was a graduate of the University of California, San Diego and Loyola of Chicago Law School. She was a successful entrepreneur, but for the last 10 years she struggled with bipolar disorder.

According to the family, there were several psychological episodes that led Shirley to run-ins with police in San Diego as well.

I always had the same prayer and that is, 'God if she gets sick, please don't let anything happen to her. Let her get the help,'" said her mother, Debra Shirley.

When she did not get rest, when she doesn't sleep regular, she spirals out of control, father Ronnie Shirley said.

Shirley moved to Los Angeles two weeks ago and became an Uber driver to make some extra money to help her advertising business, her parents said.

She was happy," according to her father, who added that he spoke to her Friday. "She was driving and she just said, 'I am happy,'" Ronnie Shirley said.

Just three days later, Shirley became involved in the police pursuit.

Officers were called to the residential neighborhood by someone reporting a reckless driver.

After the eight minute chase, officers forced the vehicle into a spin, then surrounded it.

From the video, it appears Shirley attempted to escape, slamming into police cars. That's when officers are seen apparently shooting, firing more than 20 rounds into her car.

I know the officers had no clue of what they are dealing with, they just shot. They're thinking 'we have a crazy person just shoot them,'" her father said.

To take that kind of aggressive action, to just, like spray bullets, I could not imagine something like that, her mother added.

The Shirley family says they appreciate the officers who had helped Shirley get help in the past. But they want this tragedy to serve as a lesson to police in the future.

There is value in human lives that makes you stop for a minute and think about this person as a human being, Debra Shirley said.

Torrance police confirmed that the shots came from three officers. All three are on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

One officer was injured, then treated and released from a hospital the same day.
Doctors felt burned out and some nurses seemed indifferent to inmates' care at a prison along California's central coast even after 10 years of federal oversight intended to improve conditions there, the state inspector general reported Tuesday.

Salinas Valley State Prison "demonstrated a profound inability to provide patients with adequate access to care," with inspectors finding problems "in virtually all areas," according to the inspector general's report.

The prison in Soledad had just four doctors for nearly 3,800 inmates during the inspection last spring, while three physician positions were vacant. That led to low morale, with doctors complaining they were overworked and faced "perpetual scheduling backlogs with no end in sight."

Joyce Hayhoe, a spokeswoman for the federal receiver who controls prison medical care, agreed that the prison has a serious, ongoing doctor shortage and said officials are trying to hire doctors.

"We're currently addressing the problems contained in the report," Hayhoe said.

Inspectors also found that some nurses "demonstrated an attitude of indifference toward patients' wellbeing" at the prison about 130 miles southeast of San Francisco.

In one case that inspectors called "an extreme lapse in medical care," a nurse sent an inmate back to his cell even though he was disoriented, missing his eyeglasses, dentures and medications, and was unable to clean himself so his clothes were soiled with feces.

He was sent to the hospital five days later, after a second fall from his wheelchair left him with head trauma. He died three weeks later.

Inspectors found nurses often delayed or missed visits with inmates. Follow-up appointments were frequently delayed or skipped entirely, the report said.

One inmate's referral to an outside specialty medical center for a liver tumor was delayed for nearly two months. During that period, his tumor grew so much that it became inoperable.

Medical care in California prisons has been controlled by a receiver since a federal judge ruled a decade ago that an average of one inmate each week was dying of medical neglect or malpractice. The inspections are part of the state's efforts to regain control.

Since last year, inspectors have found that nine prisons, including Salinas Valley, are still below standards, while 14 of the state's 34 prisons are providing adequate care. Eleven prisons still face inspections or have been inspected and reports on them have not yet been made public.

Also at Salinas Valley, prison officials said one inmate was killed on Saturday during an attack by two other inmates. A prison spokesman, Lt. Eduardo Mazariegos, identified the victim on Tuesday as Zachary Scott, 36, who was serving a 25-year sentence from Del Norte County for robbery and carjacking.

Scott drew local headlines in 2013 after he was arrested following a lengthy car chase.
A San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) janitor made $271,243 last year, quadruple of his base salary, based on $162,050 in overtime pay and other compensation, according to public pay data

Transparent California, which compiled compensation data for a number of public sector employees, released 2015 public compensation data Tuesday for over 100,000 special district workers statewide.

According to the report, Liang Zhao Zhang, who worked an average of 114 hours a week last year, received a combined compensation of $682,000 over the last three years.

His base salary is $57,945.

Zhang was the only service worker to make over $200,000 in 2014, the 2015 report shows four BART janitors, all of whom received overtime payouts in excess of their regular salaries.

Transparent Californias research director Robert Fellner said the high concentration of overtime among a select few BART employees appeared to violate the agencys guidelines that overtime pay be rotated equally.

Itd be great if all janitors were paid $200k, but I seriously doubt many of BARTs riders  who must pay for this excess  are ever afforded that opportunity, Fellner said.

BART spokesperson Alicia Trost defended Zhangs compensation.

This employee signs up for every overtime slot that becomes available. He is likely working almost every day of the year cleaning our stations. He is signing up for time that is also available to others- if he doesnt take them, someone else will, Trost said.

Fellner said that even without benefits, the average BART service worker made $77,777 last year, triple of what janitors made in the rest of the country.

BART spent over $470 million on employee compensation last year, 10 percent more than 2014.

Station cleanliness is a priority for us, Trost said. If we didnt have system service workers working overtime, our stations would be more dirty and the overall BART experience would be impacted.

Trost said overtime for BART service employees was available for a number of reasons: vacation and sick leave backfill, special events such as games, parades, or when stations have a tremendous need.

We try to balance the right level of staffing and overtime. Hiring more employees would cost more than paying overtime, Trost said.

Top Bay Area earners:

Washington Hospital Healthcare System CEO Nancy Farber was the highest paid special district worker in the Bay Area, with a $931,839 compensation package.

The three highest-compensated Bay Area special district workers, excluding hospitals or health care systems were:

1. San Ramon Valley fire chief Paige Meyer, with $510,671 in compensation

2. San Ramon Valley battalion chief Daniel McNamara, with $485,251.

3. East Bay Municipal Utility District GM Alexander Coate, with $478,077.

For more information on all state and local government pay visit TransparentCalifornia.
An LGBT community center in Concord has been repeatedly burglarized over the past two weeks, with police labeling the latest attack a hate crime.

The East Bay Times reported Tuesday that thieves broke into the Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa four times in the past two weeks.

Center Executive Director Ben Barr said that in the first three incidents the burglars broke doors, locks and stole laptops, flash drives, a cash box and fraudulently charged $10,000 on three stolen credit cards.

Officials said police are treating the last attack as a hate crime because the burglars also scrawled homophobic graffiti on the outside of the building, the newspaper reported.
The San Francisco Police Commission has chosen its three finalists for chief.

The commission has decided to keep the names confidential when it hands the list over to Mayor Ed Lee on Wednesday morning.

A source confirmed to NBC Bay Area that Acting Police Chief Toney Chaplin and Deputy Chief Denise Schmitt are on the list.

San Francisco Police Commission President Suzy Loftus would not speculate on the names. But she did speak with NBC Bay Area late Tuesday night.

Well, you know I always tell my kids there are things within our control and things not but we all as commissioners have to be sure that were passing on names of people who can do whats an incredibly difficult and important job," Loftus said. "It was an important and difficult discussion because there are great candidates, and there are a lot of people who want to be San Franciscos chief and so the commission is advancing three great candidates and it will ultimately be up to the mayor.

The department needs a permanent chief since former chief Greg Suhr resigned in May.

NBC Bay Area's Richard Faustino contributed to this report.

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Donald Trumps claims about a rigged election prompted San Franciscos district attorney to call a news conference Tuesday to reassure voters.

San Francisco DA George Gascon and the city's Director of Elections John Arntz told the media voter fraud isnt a problem, but investigators will be standing by on Election Night.

San Francisco has always had personnel available to investigate voter fraud claims, and it has never had a complaint that was sustained by their investigation, Gascon said. But the system is in place just in case.

"I think its important for the public to recognize that theres a lot of rhetoric out there that is baseless, and our elections are clean both at the local and national level," Gascon said.

Arntz said sometimes voters will show up at the wrong polling place and are told they arent registered. In those instances, they can always vote provisionally. The provisional ballot is a regular ballot that is placed into a pink envelope with the voter's information outside. If its determined later that the voter is elegible to vote, then the ballot will be counted, Arntz said.

As of Tuesday, 100,000 returned ballots were being entered into the Elections Department database. When the polls close on Election Day, those ballots will be tabulated.

Ballots that have been crossed out or marked in such a way that the machines cant read them are being checked manually, Arntz said. Two-person teams determine the intent of the voter and enter the information into the system.

Voters can even watch the process on their computers; its being live-streamed through the Elections Department website.

Anyone who witnesses someone being harassed at a polling place or someone campaigning within 100 feet of a polling place or any other behavior that doesnt look right, can call a hot line to the DA's office: 415 551-9507.
Great White Sharks concentrate in large numbers in Bay Area waters during the month of October, but the Pacifica Beach Coalition wants the community to help our sharks, not fear them.

"Sharks have more to fear from us than we do from them," Pacifica Beach Coalition President Lynn Adams said.

[[C, 399548651]]

At an evening held to celebrate their annual guests, local groups and advocates wanted to get the word out about the challenges facing many shark species.

One young activist in Heirs to Our Oceans, says it is up to their generation to make a difference at @PacificaBeachCo Sharktober evening. pic.twitter.com/0MFg49eO7q  Rebecca Greenway (@RebeccaGreenway) October 29, 2016

Bay Area marine biologist David McGuire emphasized that fear surrounding shark attacks popularized by movies like Jaws and Shark Week, can hurt conservation efforts.

Sharks are really important for the health and balance of the ocean, McGuire said.

He said sharks keep the quality of fish species high by preying on the weakest.

Without them, he said, we are left with lower quality fish that are more likely to have diseases as well as an out-of-balance, overpopulation of hungry seals.

On a sailing expedition about 15 years ago, McGuire said he first learned the extent of damage shark finning has done to the population of sharks.

I saw sharks being killed just for their fins," he said.

Nearly 100 million sharks are killed every year for their fins in "unregulated, illegal or unreported fisheries," according to McGuire.

He said he has since made it his mission to put a stop to the trade of shark fins.

McGuire wasn't the only ocean advocate highlighted at the Sharktober celebration.

A group of young activists shared the stage at the beginning of the evening to tells the audience about a mobilized kid force they're gathering to improve the health of our oceans.

[[C, 399550731]]

Charley, one of the young members of Heirs to Our Oceans, said they are working on a documentary about how human treatment on the oceans will affect future generations.

A movement started from the ground up, Charley is excited to see it take off.
The Sharks surely knew headed into their Tuesday night meeting with Arizona that the young, rebuilding Coyotes had been struggling mightily lately.

Perhaps thats why they went to sleep in the second period. Arizona outcompeted and outclassed the Sharks in the middle frame, scoring three times and went on to beat the Sharks at Gila River Arena, 3-2.

San Jose (6-4-0) saw its three-game winning streak come to an end, while the Coyotes (3-6-0) won for just the second time in their last eight.

The Sharks seized a 1-0 lead on a Patrick Marleau goal in the first period, but it quickly evaporated in the middle frame.

First, Brad Richardson was permitted to waltz to the front of the net from the back wall, after Brent Burns and Paul Martin were both caught out of position. Richardson slipped it past Martin Jones at 3:42.

Just one minute and 18 seconds later, Lawson Crouse redirected a Kevin Connauton floater for his first career goal to give Arizona its first lead.

The Sharks had a brief chance to equalize the score shortly after the Crouse goal when Joe Pavelski smacked the crossbar with a shot, but instead it was Arizona increasing its lead when Jamie McGinns wrister from high in the zone fluttered past the glove hand of Jones at 11:59.

Louis Domingue, who entered the night with downright horrid numbers in goal, kept it a 3-1 game when he robbed Brenden Dillon with just five seconds to go in the second period.

The Sharks pushed in the third, firing 16 shots on goal, but only managed a Mikkel Boedker marker with 10 seconds left in regulation. San Jose didnt get another shot after that one.

The Sharks fell to 14-5-3 in their last 22 meetings with Arizona.

Tomas Hertl had a secondary assist on both of San Joses goals.
A 20-year veteran of the Fresno County sheriff's office was killed by a bullet in the chest from a colleague's gun in what officials said Tuesday appeared to be "a tragic accidental shooting."

Fresno Sheriff Margaret Mims said that Deputy Sgt. Rod Lucas was having a conversation with a detective about how to carry their backup weapons when the shot was fired that killed him on Monday. The incident occurred at a sheriff's office near the Fresno Yosemite International Airport.

Mims said Lucas, 46, and the detective were in a room with two other colleagues and there was no dispute, just a conversation about weapons safety.

"The detective had his weapon out. During this discussion, the detective's weapon discharged," the sheriff said. "Sgt. Lucas was struck by the bullet in his chest, and he dropped to the ground."

Lucas was immediately given CPR and rushed to Community Regional Medical Center, where he died of his injury.

Mims did not disclose the type of firearm involved in the incident, calling it "an improved secondary weapon for the detective." She said all witnesses have been interviewed except for the detective, who was not identified, due to his mental state which she described as extremely upset.

"We do not know yet the mechanics of how the weapon discharged," Mims said. "So far, we have absolutely no reason to believe this was anything more than a tragic accidental shooting."

During an emotional news conference, Mims described Lucas as a father of four and a well-liked, respected officer who joined the Fresno County Sheriff's Office in 1996.

"He truly was a leader, in the best terms I can describe," Mims said. "We are hurting right now. We're hurting."

Lucas' death marked the 12th officer to die in the line of duty in Fresno since the sheriff's office opened in 1856, Mims said.
Microsoft says a newly discovered flaw in its Windows software was used by a hacking group that other researchers have linked to Russia's government and computer intrusions at the Democratic National Committee.

The flaw was detected by researchers at Google, who recently alerted software makers Microsoft and Adobe Systems about vulnerabilities in their programs. Adobe issued a fix for its software last week. Microsoft says it's testing a patch and will release it next week.

Microsoft acknowledged the problem Tuesday, saying only that it affected older versions of Windows and was used by a group called Strontium to target "a specific set of customers."

The security firm Crowdstrike and others have linked Strontium, also known as "Fancy Bear," to recent attacks on government, media and political targets in several countries.

Meanwhile, according to a senior U.S. intelligence official, the Kremlim is backing a plan to purge government offices and state-controlled companies of all foreign software, including Microsoft, and replacing it with Russian ones, NBC News reported.

As Russia braces for the U.S. to retalitate for months of hacking attacks that Washington says were ordered by Putin to influence the American election, it is signaling to its own population that "we can't trust American technology  and once again feed into Russian hostility and paranoia towards America and its products," Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said.

The move shows Russia is serious "about nationalizing the internet and making sure they can create their own secure content," said Fiona Hill, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
A white man with a history of racial provocations and confrontations with police ambushed and fatally shot two white Des Moines-area officers in separate attacks Wednesday as they sat in their patrol cars, authorities said.

Police took 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene into custody hours after the killings and less than three weeks after he argued with officers who removed him from a high school football game where he had unfurled a Confederate flag near black spectators.

Greene flagged down a state Department of Natural Resources employee in a rural area west of Des Moines, identified himself and asked that the employee call 911. Sheriff's deputies and state patrol officers responded and took him into custody.

He's suspected in the early morning slayings of 24-year-old Justin Martin, who had been with the force in the suburb of Urbandale since 2015, and 39-year-old Sgt. Anthony Beminio, who joined the Des Moines department in 2005.

The first officer was found dead at around 1:06 a.m. CT in Urbandale, a suburb of the Iowa city which has its own force, police said in a statement. The second officer's body was located in Des Moines at 1:26 a.m., it added.

The shootings happened less than 2 miles apart, and both took place along main streets that cut through residential areas. The officer died shortly after being taken to hospital.

[NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More

Police said during a news conference that they were not aware that the suspect has a criminal record, though Iowa corrections records show Greene was twice on probation for serious misdemeanors. The probations ended in 1992 and 2015.

Court records show Greene was jailed and charged with interference with official acts after resisting Urbandale police officers trying to pat him for a weapon on April 10, 2014. An Urbandale officer described him as hostile and combative. He entered a guilty plea and was fined.

Two days later Urbandale police were called to answer a complaint of harassment at the apartment complex where Greene lived. The complaint said he threatened to kill another man during a confrontation in the parking lot. He was charged with harassment.

He pleaded guilty and received a suspended jail sentence and a year of probation. Court records show he completed a substance abuse and psychological evaluation.

Greene was taken into custody by the Dallas County Sheriff's Office, police said at about 10:30 a.m. Dallas County is immediately west of Polk County, where Des Moines and Urbandale are located. Officials plan to take Greene back to the Des Moines Police Department for further questioning, Scott said.

Parizek, who stopped briefly during a news conference as he worked to control his emotions, also said the shootings left a pall over the department.

"Imagine that you lost a friend or family member," Parizek said. "That's the only way I can describe it."

He said, "these were our friends. These were our co-workers."

The shootings follow a spate of police killings, including ambushes of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Five officers were killed in Dallas on July 7 and three were killed later that month in Baton Rouge.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch said at a Veteran's Day ceremony Wednesday that the Justice Department will support state and local authorities as they investigate the killings.

"This tragic incident is yet another reminder of the tremendous dangers that law enforcement officers face each and every day," Lynch said. "The men and women in law enforcement deserve our gratitude and our respect. And more than that, they deserve our support."

Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump both expressed support for the victims' families on Twitter.

Praying for the families of the two Iowa police who were ambushed this morning. An attack on those who keep us safe is an attack on us all.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2016

Urbandale Sgt. Chad Underwood said he believes this is the first time an officer in his department has been shot in the line of duty, while Wednesday marked the first time a Des Moines police officer has been shot and killed on duty since 1977, when two died in separate incidents months apart, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

"Des Moines is not a big city. We all know each other. We're heartbroken. There's really no words at times like this," Parizek said.
Police are asking for assistance in identifying a vehicle wanted after a 3-year-old boy was struck by a hit-and-run driver on Chicagos South Side Monday night.

Patrick Zbylut was supposed to spend Halloween trick-or-treating with his cousinsbut instead ended up in the hospital fighting for his life after being struck by a motorist who did not stop. Police say a woman who lives nearby gave them surveillance footage from her home security system that shows the incidentincluding the vehicle involved.

Police are looking for an older model Toyota Corolla, possibly gray or beige in color. They say it may or may not have some slight front end damage. The driver is believed to be a man in his 20s.

This 3-year-old boy is in very serious condition at the hospital and we would really like to get this person who did this to him, said Lt. Allison Scholoss, of the Chicago Police Departments Major Accident Investigations Unit.

Patrick was hit about 6:15 p.m. Monday near West 63rd Street and South Natchez Avenue where he was crossing this street with his mom, dad and older brother. Witnesses say the driver stopped momentarily before taking off. Now police are asking for information about the car.

My nephew was hit by a hit-and-run driver, said Thomas Rykala, Patricks uncle.

Neighbors and people in the area came to the aid of the family and tried to comfort Patricks mother.

I was just trying to get her to breath, said witness Virginia Padilla. She was hyperventilating and the older boy who was with herhe was freaking out.

Family members say Patrick likes to play with toy cars and ride his bikethings they pray hell be able to do again. Those who live in the area say theyve always feared something like this would happen.

This street is very dangerous, said neighbor Kimberly Melendez.

Araceli Solis agrees.

They need to put a stop sign to make sure there is more control of the speed limit, she said.
A suburban family says their dryer nearly burned down their Island Lake townhome over the summer, and it appears theyre not the only ones making such a claim.

Dryer fires are nothing new. When they happen, theyre often blamed on operator error, like forgetting to clean the lint trap. But NBC 5 Responds has found that thousands of fires connected to dryers made by Electrolux may tell a very different story  including the one that almost burned down the Rathgebers townhome.

The smell was overwhelming, that electrical burning smell, Liz Rathgeber recalled. My house would have burned down.

Unbeknownst to the Rathgebers, their 2007 Electrolux Frigidaire ball-hitch model was one of many models linked to fires across the country. A potential pattern Rathgeber said she had never heard of until she read about it in the fire report on her own home, where the Battalion Chief specifically advised investigators it was an Electrolux dryer.

"I googled the dryer and saw that it had been under a class action lawsuit," Rathgeber said.

The suit was settled for $8 million in 2014, and included Lizs model, along with a list of other well-known brand names like Kenmore, Tappan, White Westinghouse, Kelvinator, Gibson and Crosley  all made by Electrolux between 2002-2011.

The suit accused the manufacturer of concealing a dangerous defect in millions of dryers, putting consumers at serious risk of injury. Specifically, that the dryer has a dangerous design flaw that traps lint in a place consumers cant see or reach, perilously close to a heating source.

"The lint goes completely under the drum and it will go to places you can't reach, Rathgeber told NBC 5 Responds.

Electrolux denied the allegations and admitted no wrong doing.

Chicago attorney Ed Wallace, who litigated the class action, said the problem is a lack of transparency by manufacturers and lack of action by safety regulators.

"We're talking about hundreds and thousands of machines and across the country, literally," Wallace said. "I think you have agencies that are disinterested, and really dont have a lot of teeth. In fact, a lot of times there have to be unfortunately a number of deaths to occur for this kind of issue to even get attention.

Court documents suggest a very different story took place in Japan, alleging Electrolux dryers were recalled there 10 years ago because of the same problem. So why arent they being recalled in the US? Electrolux disputes that a recall took place in Japan, denies any wrong doing connected to the lawsuits, and would not answer the question: how many of these ball-hitch dryers are still in homes today?

A worry that remains very much on Liz Rathgebers mind. The family of four is now back in their home, after insurance paid for the $12,000 clean up. Rathgeber said shes speaking out so that others are aware of a serious safety issue that she believes has gone largely ignored.

"The reason we're telling this is so that other people know that if they have it in their home, it's not safe," Rathgeber said.

Electrolux said its ball-hitch dryers are safe when installed, maintained and operated correctly. The manufacturing giant said it changed to a different design in 2011 to meet changing demands.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission told NBC 5 Responds it is currently looking into incidents connected to these dryers.
A mental health center project spearheaded by both Cook County and the city of Chicago has opened on the citys South Side in response to an issue law enforcement and the Cook County Jail staff see regularly.

The Community Triage Center, a former police district office, has been transformed into a mental health facilityincluding new safe rooms to assess those in need of mental health assistance. The partnership between the city and county also extends to more training for police officers to recognize whos in need of help.

I have spoken to many police officers over the years who have arrested people that they would have rather put into treatment, said Cook County public defender Amy Campanelli.

The facility is located at East 115th Street and South Indiana Avenue in the city's Roseland neighborhood.

Dr. Kenya Key, the chief psychologist of Cook County Hospital, knows how helpful that assessment can be.

Jail is not a therapeutic environment to provide mental health care, she said.

The CTC will be open year round, 24 hours a day, seven days a weeka chance to diminish a criminal situation from a mental health need.

Were imagining this will reduce the need for emergency room services, or jail services, both of which are quite a bit more expensive, said Dr. Jay Shannon of Cook County Hospital.
The NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters have found one Connecticut fire district where commissioners earn thousands, including bonuses, get free gas and they have taxing authority.

Read the full story here.

Here is the full interview investigative reporter Len Besthoff had with a representative from Blue Hill Fire District:

Q: In an earlier response to an FOI request, Commissioner Farmer said regarding the annual $5000 stipend and 20 gallons of gas per week for each commissioner that..."Those precedents were set many, many years ago and have been followed traditionally by each administration." Is that also the case for the FYE (fiscal year end) bonuses and the Christmas bonuses? Also, how are the bonuses calculated? We noticed Commissioner Hughes received a $600 Christmas bonus while the other two commissioners received $2000 Christmas bonuses.

Answer from Blue Hills Fire Commission: Christmas bonuses for paid employees and Commissioners have been in existence for quite some time. Performance bonuses began approximately 3 years ago. Funds for both types of payments are budgeted by the District.

For Commissioners the Christmas bonus in 2015 was calculated based on relative performance and active participation in business of the District. Commissioners evaluated each other, and the amounts paid out ($2000 to Commissioners Farmer and Marzouca-Jaunai and $600 to Commissioner Hughes) were based on those evaluations. As far as the fiscal year end performance bonuses all Commissioners received $6000. For paid employees the fiscal year end performance bonuses ranged from 3% to 10% of base pay and were based on job performance. Paid employees received up to a week of base pay for their Christmas bonus.

Q: This year commissioners held an executive session at the Chowder Pot restaurant in Hartford, outside the district. We understand notice was posted inside the fire headquarters. Was it posted elsewhere? Why did the commissioners hold an executive session outside the district, at a private restaurant, when state law says even executive sessions must be opened and adjourned in public, and then put into executive session, with the reasons for the meeting and any votes taken disclosed to the public? What accomodations, if any, were made for the public to attend at least the opening and adjournment of this executive session? Since an executive session is for members of a board or commission to discuss sensitive issues, what steps were taken to insure that no one at neighboring tables or booths in the restaurant were not within earshot once the meeting went into executive session? On the one notice for the meeting we obtained, it said the executive session was to for a "fiscal year discussion". Why did that need to be behind closed doors? Also, why did commissioners charge a $90+ restaurant bill to the district from the Chowder Pot?

Answer from Blue Hills Fire Commission: Public notice for the Commissioners meeting in July 2016 was posted only in the firehouse. We should not have held such meeting outside of the District; nor should our discussion have been in executive session. For many years we have been deficient at compliance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and the meeting at the restaurant is just one example of that. We are seeking and advice and guidance to be sure we comply with FOIA rules in the future. No decisions, no votes and no action was taken at this meeting. The Commissioners discussed the retirement of the Assistant Chief, whether to fill his position, operating procedures for the future and fundraising to purchase equipment. We are putting together minutes of that meeting and I will be glad to send them to you once they are completed if you would like them. As for the meal charge, we did charge the expense to the District as we were meeting for the purpose of discussing District business.

Q: Why does the district give its fire commissioners cellphones and credit cards?

Answer from Blue Hills Fire Commission: Have in the past been issued cell phones as we get calls from our paid employees and members of the public regarding business of the District. We do not maintain office hours and so the cell phones keep us in contact with the firefighters and members of the public. Commissioners are issued District credit cards to purchase fuel, to the extent of our weekly fuel allowances, and other purchases made on behalf of the District. Commissioners should not make purchases for personal items using their District cards and if they do use the District card in an exceptional circumstance they promptly reimburse the District for such purchases.
In most small communities people in charge of local fire departments do it on a volunteer basis.

The NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters have found one Connecticut fire district where commissioners earn thousands, including bonuses, get free gas and they have taxing authority.

The Blue Hills Fire Districts three commissioners get credit cards, cellphones, and more. And two of the three commissioners are married to full time firefighters in that department and they have to vote on things like pay, expenses, and working conditions. The mostly volunteer department has an annual budget of $1.5 million and covers half the town of Bloomfield. The board includes Tanya Farmer, former Blue Hills firefighter Jerry Hughes, and Ariel Jaunai.

Documents obtained by the Troubleshooters show Jaunai gets a $5000 annual stipend. Last year she also received a $6000 fiscal year end bonus, a $2000 Christmas bonus and 20 gallons of free gas per week, worth at least another $2000 per year. Jaunais grand total is roughly $15,000 for the most recently completed fiscal year.

Tanya Farmer, who chairs the board of commissioners, also received the same $5000 stipend, $6000 year end bonus, $2000 Christmas bonus, and gas package worth roughly $2000, which puts her total from the district also at approximately $15,000.

Jerry Hughes, a retired Blue Hills firefighter, got a little less. He receives the $5000 stipend and got the $6000 year end bonus. His Christmas bonus was $600, and he has not taken the free gasoline, so his perks total close to $12,000. These benefits for the three volunteer commissioners approach $42,000, which is almost 3 percent of the fire districts budget and money that could have been spent on fire department equipment or training.

In an email response to one of our FOI requests seeking department bylaws explaining the $5000 and gas allowance, Commissioner Farmer said, I have been unable to locate any written bylaws that outline what the commissioner's stipend or gas allowance is. Those precedents were set many, many years ago and have been followed traditionally by each administration.

In response to our written questions about the thousands in bonuses the commissioners received, the board did not cite bylaws but said Christmas bonuses for paid employees and commissioners have been in existence for quite some time. Performance bonuses began approximately 3 years agofor commissioners the Christmas bonus in 2015 was calculated based on relative performance and active participation in business of the district. Commissioners evaluated each other, and the amounts paid out were based on those evaluations. As far as the fiscal year end performance bonuses all commissioners received $6000.

Taxpayer Anne Wall has concerns with the perks.

"Thats ridiculous. The public doesnt know that," Wall said.

Contrast that to what commissioners from the towns other fire district tell us they receiveonly an expense reimbursement of up to $1000 per year.

We also had questions about this past July when Blue Hills fire commissioners held an executive session out of town at a popular seafood restaurant. The meal cost taxpayers $90, including tip.

Commissioners wrote us the executive session involved personnel, procedures, and fundraising and, We should not have held such meeting outside of the district; nor should our discussion have been in executive session. For many years we have been deficient at compliance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and the meeting at the restaurant is just one example of that. We are seeking advice and guidance to be sure we comply with FOIA rules in the future. No decisions, no votes and no action was taken at this meetingas for the meal charge, we did charge the expense to the district as we were meeting for the purpose of discussing district business.

So who has the final say when it comes to how smaller fire districts in our state are managed? Most answer to their local governments. But more than 50 departments, including the Blue Hills Fire District, have taxing authority and often answer to no one. Bloomfield Mayor Joan Gamble confirms the Blue Hills Fire District gets almost all its funding from the $330 per year it collects from the average Bloomfield homeowner. Gamble adds, "I can voice my displeasure but unfortunately we're shackled. You want to be able to fix everything. And you can basically fix nothing."

Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association president Mike Thurz tells us there is also no one on a state level overseeing how fire departments are managed.

"There's got to be some sort of checks and balances applied to any of those situations. Without that it's just chaos!" Thurz said.

Mayor Gamble tells NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters shes looking further into what we uncovered, and has shown up at fire district meetings in the past to voice her displeasure. The next commissioners meeting is Wednesday Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Blue Hills Fire Department headquarters at 1021 Blue Hills Avenue in Bloomfield.

Find the full interview with Blue Hill here.

Below is the full list of fire departments in Connecticut with "taxing authority."

NOTE: They are often called special taxing districts. This means they levy a separate tax on anyone with property on a towns grand list. Since they generate their own revenue they often (but not always) do not have to answer to local governments on any decisions they make on staffing, pay, etc. Many of these Fire Tax Districts are run by boards of commissioners.

Municipality

Barkhamsted Fire District

Berlin - Kensington FD

Berlin -Worthington FD

Bloomfield, Center FD

Bloomfield, Blue Hills FD

Cromwell Fire District

Enfield Fire District #1

Enfield Thompsonville FD #2

Enfield, Hazardville Fire Dist.#3

Enfield, No. Thompsonville Fire Dist. #4

Enfield Shaker Pines Fire Dist #5

Groton, Poquonock Bridge Fire

Groton, Mystic Fire

Groton, Noank Fire

Groton, Old Mystic Fire

Groton - Center Fire

Groton, W. Pleasant Valley Fire

Killingly Attawaugan FD

Killingly Dayville FD

Killingly E. Killiingly FD

Killingly So. Killingly FD

Killingly Williamsville FD

Manchester 8th Fire + Sewer

Middletown, South Fire

Middletown, Westfield Fire

Middletown, City Fire

New Hartford Village FD #1

New Hartford Pine Meadow #3

New Hartford South End FD #4

New Milford Fire Association

North Canaan Fire District

Norwich City (Vol Fire)(Town)(TCD)

Norwich, City of (Paid Fire) (CCD)

Plainfield FD # 255

Plainfield Moosup FD

Plainfield Central Village F.D.

Plainfield Wauregan F.D.

Pomfret Fire District

Redding Fire District One

Redding Fire District Two

Redding Georgetown FD

Simsbury - Fire District

Sterling, Fire District

Stonington Mystic FD #239

Stonington Pawcatuck FD #264

Stonington Quiambaug FD #378

Stonington FD #265

Stonington Wequetequock FD #379

Stonington Old Mystic FD #366

Trumbull Long Hill FD

Trumbull Center FD

Trumbull Nichols FD

West Haven, First Center

West Haven, West Shore (2d)

West Haven, Allingtown (Third)

Weston - Georgetown FD

Wilton - Georgetown FD

Windsor, Wilson Fire District

Windsor, Windsor Fire District
A Hartford man was sentenced to life in prison for his role in a 2010 murder case, according to the US Attorneys office.

Dominique Mack, also known as Lil Sweets of Hartford, was sentenced Tuesday. On April 27, 2016, a jury found Mack guilty of conspiring to commit witness tampering by murdering one person and planning to murder a second.

In December 2010, Mack was a suspect in a drug conspiracy case and was trying to avoid arrest. Police said that Mack conspired with several others to murder Ian Francis because Mack believed Francis was going to tell authorities where to find him.

Francis was shot on Dec. 21, 2010 while in his car on Sigourney Street in Hartford. Investigators said that Keronn Miller, an associate of Macks lured Francis to that location. Francis died of his injuries on Jan. 15, 2011.

Mack was arrested on June 15, 2011.

Before Macks trial began, police were tipped off that Mack, who was in a detention center in Rhode Island, was conspiring with another suspect in his case, Tyquan Lucien to have a potential government witness killed. An undercover officer met with Lucien under the guise of being capable of committing the murder to confirm these suspicions. During this meeting, Lucien ordered the witness killed and made throat-slashing motions to make his intent clear, investigators said.

A jury found Mack guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit witness tampering by committing first-degree murder, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, and not guilty of two counts of tampering with a witness.

Miller pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting in the murder of Francis in December 2014 and was sentenced to 210 months of prison on Aug. 2, 2016.

Lucien pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit witness tampering by first-degree murder in August 2014 and awaits sentencing.
North Branford High School science teacher Lauren Danner has been selected as the 2017 Connecticut State Teacher of the Year.

Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) made a surprise visit to her 10th grade science class before a school-wide assembly Tuesday afternoon.

This is truly one of the most exciting days of my life ever, Danner told the packed auditorium.

A proud graduate of North Branford High School in 1993, Danner took an unconventional path to becoming a teacher. Her first career was as a scientific researcher.

While I loved working in a lab I realized Im too much of a talker and storyteller to be working silently for most of my day, Danner said, I found my true calling when I began teaching.

For the past seven years, through her passion and positivity, Danner has inspired students like 11th grader Sarah Criscuolo.

When a person simply spends a few moments with Mrs. Danner they can understand her combination of her constant enthusiasm, warm smile and loving nature make her remarkable, Criscuolo said, speaking on behalf of the student body.

After thanking the students, parents and faculty who recommended her for this award, Danner ended her remarks with some words of wisdom.

At the end of life what really matters is not what we bought, but what we built, not what we got, but what we shared, not our competence but our character, and not our success but our significance, she said.

Last years Connecticut Teacher of the Year Jahana Hayes from John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury went on to win the National Teacher of the Year award.
The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is in danger of losing its accreditation because of budget cuts and staffing levels, according to a letter from the National Association of Medical Examiners.

Chief Medical Examiner James Gill received a letter earlier this month saying that an increased workload and the number of autopsies each pathologist is performing will result in whats called a Phase II deficiency, which will lead to the department losing full accreditation and instead being demoted to a one-year provisional accreditation. From there, it must fix the issues to get full accreditation back.

The OCME faces many challenges related to inadequate funding and insufficient staffing. Most notably, there are insufficient numbers of forensic pathologists, medicolegal death investigators, and clerical personnel for the volume of cases in Connecticut, Barbara Wolf, chair of the inspection committee for the National Association of Medical Examiners, wrote in the letter.

A statement from the state Office of Policy and Management, which functions as a staff agency of the governor, said the governor and legislature must set the resource levels for the department.

Dr. Gill and his staff have the unenviable duty of facing the worst of the opioid crisis which has increased the number of autopsies the Chief Medical Examiner must perform. We appreciate the insights of outside accreditation entities, but the legislature and Governor must ultimately set the resource levels for the agency. We will strongly consider the requests of OCME in developing the Governors budget proposal and we will continue working with DMHAS and first responders across the state to fight opioid addiction and prevent overdose deaths, Chris McClure, spokesperson for the Office of Policy and Management, said in a statement.

In 2010, each pathologist performed 276 autopsies and the chief medical examiner had a 50 percent caseload because of other administrative duties, according to the association. However, the most recent data showed the seven pathologists performing several more  more than 325 autopsies -- and the chief medical examiner with a full caseload.

In May, Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano said Connecticut towns would be responsible for processing bodies when a deaths is not a medical examiner case.

In the past, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner would take the bodies of people who had died and not been claimed by family as a courtesy, Fasano said.

However, Gill said that "due to budget cuts and storage facility limitations," local municipalities will need to take on the burden.

In her letter to Gill, Wolf wrote an insufficient number of investigators and clerical staff will lead to more deficiencies of the same kind.

The office under your leadership has been putting forth maximum effort in order to handle an ever-expanding number of increasingly more complex cases without a sufficient increase in funding and personnel, Wolfs letter says. There is only one chance to perform a complete and thorough initial death investigation, so the importance of maintaining sufficient numbers of trained and competent personnel available at all times cannot be over emphasized.

If the office does not show a good faith effort to correct deficiencies, it will lose its accreditation entirely, according to the national association, which could lead to attacks on the offices credibility in the event of criminal or civil cases.

When an overburdened staff results in the failure of reports of postmortem examinations to be completed within a reasonable time frames, the impact is felt at many levels, Wolf wrote. Law enforcement cannot conclude homicide investigations, prosecutors cannot indict cases properly, family members cannot obtain needed insurance money or emotional closure and donor tissues cannot be delivered to patients in need in a timely fashion, Wolf wrote.

The office will have an onsite inspection in January and anticipates losing full accreditation.

He said he shared the letter and staffing issues have been shared with the executive and legislative branches of the Connecticut government.
U.S. marshals have arrested another suspect in an armed robbery at a Norwalk pawn shop in September.

Antonio Barretto was arrested Tuesday in Kissimmee, Florida and will be extradicted to Connecticut to face first-degree robbery and first-degree larceny charges.

Barretto and Donald Outlaw, 28, of Hartford, are suspected in the armed robbery at Gold Rush Pawn Shop, at 495 Connecticut Ave., on Sept. 9 at 11:10 a.m.

Outlaw was arrested in South Carolina on Sept. 29.
We are less than a week away from Election Day and Wednesday state officials held a news conference about the states preparedness for the election and residents casting votes for the next president, as well as other ballot items.

There are 2.1 million registered voters in Connecticut, which surpasses the number of the 2008 election. Officials are expecting a large turnout. In the 2008 presidential election, Connecticut saw 78 percent voter turnout.

The deadline to register in advance was Tuesday. Residents who did register in advance should check to make sure it went through properly by visiting myvote.ct.gov. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said everyone who registered in advance should be listed on the site by Friday.

Anyone who did not register in advance can register on Election Day, but residents should call their town or city to find out where the voter registration will be located. Registration will be at a separate location from your designated polling place.

Residents must be registered and in line to vote by 8 p.m. on Election Day or they will not be able to vote. Being in line to register by 8 p.m. will not count. Because state officials expect record turnout, it is likely there will be long lines at some locations.

Many states offer early voting, but this is not available in Connecticut. The only way to vote in advance is an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots must be physically in by 8 p.m. on Election Day or it will not be counted  a postmark before 8 p.m. will not suffice.

There are 760 polling places throughout the state and every town and city has emergency plans in place to deal with issues such as power outages to ensure that everyone is able to cast their vote.

Moderators at every polling location are trained to handle potential issues such as voter intimidation. Anyone who comes across an issue that cannot be immediately solved by a moderator is encouraged to call the Voter Information Election Day hotline at 1-866-733-2463.

The state is also coordinating with the Connecticut Bar Association and lawyers will be scattered across the state prepared to respond to voting related issues if necessary. There will be 110 volunteer lawyers on call for Election Day.

Officials said the state is working with with the Department of Homeland Security to address safety and security concerns.

Merrill stressed that voting machines are not connected to the internet. Towns will upload the data from the tabulators at the conclusion of voting. A paper-based system makes it possible to check back if needed.

I cant say it often enough. No tabulator is connected to the Internet. Not anywhere in the country. So I hope by now we have sort of debunked this theory that theres going to be some internet explosion, she said.
Gawker.com, the brash New York website, has reached a settlement in the legal case brought by former wrestler Hulk Hogan, according to the site's founder and CEO.

Nick Denton wrote Wednesday that the site's four-year legal "saga" is over, ending the company's appeal of a $140 million judgment against Denton and the site for publishing a video of Hogan having sex with a friend's wife.

It had already shut down earlier this year after operating for 14 years. Gawker's gossipy coverage of media, culture and politics changed the online news landscape, but it couldn't weather the lawsuit brought by Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, and backed by billionaire PayPal founder Peter Thiel.

Gawker's parent company has already been sold to Spanish-language broadcaster Univision, along with several of its sister websites, including Deadspin.com and Jezebel.com.

Writing on blogging platform Medium, Denton didn't give many details on the settlement, though he said it "allows us all to move on, and focus on activities more productive than endless litigation."

Court documents reportedly revealed the case was settled for $31 million, according to CNBC.

Additionally, Denton said stories about Hogan, a person who said he invented email, and a feud between two founders of the dating app Tinder are being removed from the web.

All of the stories were true, Denton said, calling that part of the deal "the most unpalatable."

"Yes, we were confident the appeals court would reduce or eliminate the runaway Florida judgment against Gawker, the writer of the Hogan story and myself personally," Denton said. "And we expected to prevail in those other two lawsuits by clients of Charles Harder, the lawyer backed by Peter Thiel. But all-out legal war with Thiel would have cost too much, and hurt too many people, and there was no end in sight."

Gawker Media went into bankruptcy protection after the verdict was reached in a Florida court in March. Denton, an outspoken former Financial Times journalist, also declared personal bankruptcy as a result of the Hogan case.

Thiel has said he bankrolled the Hogan lawsuit as a way to end its "incredibly damaging way of getting attention by bullying people even when there was no connection with the public interest," he told The New York Times in May.
President Obama on Wednesday criticized FBI Director James Comey's decision to communicate to Congress that investigators have discovered new emails related to Hillary Clinton's server.

We don't operate on innuendo. We dont operate on incomplete information, Obama said in an interview with Now This. We dont operate on leaks. We operate based on concrete decisions that are made.

Obama continued: When this was investigated thoroughly the last time, the conclusion of the F.B.I., the conclusion of the Justice Department, the conclusion of repeated congressional investigations was that she had made some mistakes but that there wasnt anything there that was prosecutable.

Comey revealed the existence of the emails in an ambiguous letter to Congress on Friday, less than two weeks before the presidential election. He said agents would take steps to review the messages, which were found on a computer seized during an unrelated investigation involving the estranged husband of a Clinton aide.

Rep. Anthony Weiner, the disgraced former New York congressman, is being investigated in connection with online communications with a teenage girl. He was separated this year from Huma Abedin, one of Clinton's closest advisers.

Asked if he was surprised about the timing of Comey's letter, Obama said he had made a very deliberate effort to make sure that I dont look like Im meddling in what are supposed to be independent processes for making these assessments."

He expressed confidence in Clinton and said she made an honest mistake with the emails which has been "blown up as some crazy thing."

Obama's comments Wednesday come after White House, spokesman Josh Earnest said Monday he would neither defend nor criticize the timing of Comey's disclosure. He also said the president does not believe Comey was trying to influence the election, or strategizing to benefit one candidate or party.

"He's in a tough spot, and he's the one who will be in a position to defend his actions in the face of significant criticism from a variety of legal experts, including individuals who served in senior Department of Justice positions in administrations that were led by presidents in both parties," Earnest said.

It was not immediately clear exactly how many emails have been recovered or what significance, if any, they might have. The FBI, which obtained a warrant and has begun the review, would be focusing on those deemed pertinent to its earlier Clinton email server investigation. It's unclear how many emails might be relevant.
A $13,000 reward has been offered for information to help find a 10-year-old East Texas girl who went missing Tuesday night. [[399612761,C]]

Authorities issued an Amber Alert for Kayla Gomez, who was last seen at the Bullard First Assembly Church along U.S. 69 in Bullard in Cherokee County after a prayer service.

Gomez's brother told NBC 5 the kids often attend a special service and meet up with their families afterward. The family waited for Gomez in the church lobby, but she didn't return.

Gomez was described as 4 feet tall and 90 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black Racquet & Jog shirt and a peach-colored skirt.

The Cherokee County Sheriffs Office issues an Amber Alert Wednesday morning for a 10-year-old girl who was last seen at a church in Bullard, Texas, Tuesday night.

Police originally said the person believed to have taken Gomez may have been driving a red Cadillac SRX. Police later said the vehicle information was no longer valid after police contacted the owner and learned there was no connection to the girl's disappearance.

Authorities said they think Gomez could be in immediate danger.

Cherokee County Sheriff's deputies asked anyone with information about this incident call them at 903-683-2271.
A $50 million gift announced Monday for a Dallas Trinity River Park brought new questions Tuesday about how the money can be used and how much more will be needed.

The $250 million estimated total cost for the Trinity Park is nearly as much as the entire $275 million list of high priority needs from the city Parks Department for all the other Dallas parks.

Voters first approved a Trinity River Park in a 1998 bond referendum that also included a Trinity roadway and levee improvements, but the project has been tied up in red tape ever since.

Mondays gift from the family of deceased businessman Harold Simmons comes with a stipulation that the $50 million be spent on a park operated by a private foundation, according to Dallas City Council Member Philip Kingston.

Kingston said the gift is generous, but he opposes the restrictions for using it.

How does this decision get made by fiat, apparently from wealthy people, who can use the money to essentially make us do anything they want, Kingston said.

The Trinity Trust has been raising money and promoting the park idea for years.

Kingston said the arrangement seems like Mayor Mike Rawlings push to turn management of Dallas Fair Park over to a private foundation, which met with strong resistance.

Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas is also run by a private foundation which provides extra service for cleaning and activities not found in other Dallas parks.

Its a nice little park for picnics, said visitor Noelle Kelso. They have an area over there you can read magazines and the newspaper. I think thats great.

The Klyde Warren Park organization has a $3.75 million 2016 budget to run the popular deck park over Woodall Rodgers Freeway, much more than the budget for other individual Dallas parks.

Theyre an extremely talented group who had experience in park management before they started on this, Kingston said. But the other thing that is true is that they havent been able to break even yet. Klyde Warren Park is running on its reserves.

Klyde Warren Park is five acres. The Trinity River Park would be 285 acres.

Klyde Warren Park visitor Steven Childers said the Simmons gift that specifies private management for a Trinity Park makes sense to ensure that it will not degrade over time.

If its run like this, it could be wonderful, Childers said. My curiosity is how theyre going to keep it dry. It floods over there all the time.

Features of a Trinity Park inside the levees would have to be built to withstand floods and will require new approval from the US Army Corp of Engineers. An earlier park plan already had Corp approval, but that plan included fewer trees and other park features in the floodway.

Klyde Warren Park visitor Mary Anne Cox said building a new Trinity Park would be money well spent.

Youre investing in something thats going to make the city better and more of an attraction, so youre going to bring more people here, Cox said.

The Trinity Park includes plans for lakes along with bike trails and picnic areas.

The Dallas White Rock Lake Park includes those features. The city of Dallas spends $671,657 a year to maintain 160 acres of the 476 acres of park land beside the lake. Private fundraising also benefits White Rock Lake Park.

Trinity Park maintenance could be more expensive if it includes more of the features found at Klyde Warren Park.

White Rock cyclist Gale Daniels said the city of Dallas should have the Trinity Park, too.

It would draw, in my opinion, just as many people as come to White Rock and it would be a great addition, I think, Daniels said.

Kingston said Dallas needs much more discussion about money and management before going ahead with the latest Trinity Park Plan.

Anybody listening to the mayors speech yesterday would say hes not all that interested in a discussion. He wants us to name this thing Harold Simmons Park and be done with it, Kingston said.

Monday, Rawlings said public meetings would be held for input with the goal of beginning Trinity Park construction next year.
Friends of the Dallas Police held its annual awards ceremony Tuesday, but this year took a bittersweet and somber tone just months after the darkest days in department history.

Only the sounds of Amazing Grace could be heard as a video played for a room full of officers and their loved ones honoring the fallen five of July 7.

The tribute was followed by an emotional gathering of family members, each honored with a police cross for the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Many of the officers and civilians honored at the ceremony were there the night the department was changed forever.

"It sometimes doesn't even seem real," said Homicide Detective Eric Barnes, who was recognized for his work on the force.

He said he was humbled to be nominated but said the event is about the fallen.

"I actually thought about it tonight when I was driving from downtown," Barnes said. "It's tough anytime to lose coworkers, but especially in this line of work, everyone is close-knit because you work hand-in-hand with everybody."

"It seemed surreal when it was happening," recalled senior police dispatcher Rene Lozano, who was awarded for maintaining composure on that dark night.

"It is for them, for every officer and every civilian who's behind the scenes and play a big role in this as well," he said of the recognition.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said the officers maintained incredible composure in the days and months following the tragedy.

"When they have that pride in what they did, it makes them a better officer and they're not trying to prove themselves. I think for all the pain we've been through, our force is better today because of that," he said. "My greatest admiration came through our grieving process."

The man many call the pillar of strength through it all is former police chief David Brown, who offered symbolism through music.

"Baby, there ain't no valley high enough, Dallas, even in retirement. Ain't no valley low enough to keep me from you, I love you," said Brown.
Two Fort Worth SWAT officers were injured Tuesday night when a flash bang device exploded in an officer's hand, police said.

The officers were at the police training center, where they were staging prior to serving a search warrant at another location, when the accident happened, said department spokesman Sgt. Marc Povero.

One officer was rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas with serious burns to his hand, Povero said.

Another officer went to John Peter Smith Hospital complaining of trouble hearing.

The SWAT officers often use stun grenades as a distraction device. Police say they don't know why this one went off unexpectedly while an officer was holding it.
Crime near and on college campuses continue causing concern across the nation and North Texas is not immune.

Southern Methodist University recently released its annual "Security and Fire Safety Report" for 2015.

Statistics in the report show two aggravated assaults on campus in 2015 and six aggravated assaults handled by Dallas police in an area near East Campus.

"In 2015 six aggravated assault reports were made to the Dallas Police Department in areas of the DPD jurisdiction next to SMUs East Campus, east of Central Expressway. While any case of aggravated assault near campus is concerning, overall case numbers remain low," SMU Campus Police Chief Rick Shafer said in a statement.

None of the six off-campus aggravated assault cases involved students.

"SMU officers patrol the SMU campus 24/7, including the East Campus. We provide security awareness, crime prevention and self-defense training to students, faculty and staff members," Shafer said. "We are available day and night, and can be reached on emergency phones across campus."

According to Campus Police there have been no reports of aggravated assault on or in that area near East Campus so far in 2016.

Read full report: Security and Fire Safety Report

You can also see crime statistics for more colleges and compare schools using tools from the United States Department of Education.
Dealing with financial aid and registration can be a huge headache for new college students, but the headache turned into a nightmare for a North Texas student that had to withdraw for family reasons.

Fort Worth's Rosalia De La Cruz wears many different hats. Student by day and mother by night, but education has always been a top priority.

She applied to the University of Texas at Austin back in 2014. She was accepted and awarded a partial academic scholarship.

"I kind of wanted to see the big university life, and experience that," she said. "I was in the top 5 percent of my class so I got right in," she says.

But with growing financial and family health issues, De La Cruz decided living a couple hours away from home wasnt a good idea.

"I figured I wouldn't put a financial burden on [my family] and I would stay here and do community college here," she said.

Her problems at home kept her from withdrawing from classes in person, so she reached out to the university via phone and email.

"I didn't get help from the coordinator, he didn't respond. I didn't get help from the Dean, he didn't respond. And then the counselor just told me I had to come in person," De La Cruz says.

But with no car and a 200-mile commute, De La Cruz said withdrawing in person just wasnt possible. Months later, she realized the situation wasnt going away.

"I started getting letters that $4,000 and $5,000 is due for financial for you not keeping up your grades and I was like, how can this happen," she says.

When we contacted the University of Texas about her situation. They quickly researched the issue, waived her tuition bill and made sure her transcript is clear of any negative marks for the missed semester. They said De La Cruz didnt officially withdraw from the University.

"I know some of it was on my part and some on their part," De La Cruz said.

But the university acknowledged in a statement that the system needs some changes:

Improvements to the enrollment systems will be addressed so that in the future, if a student does not show up for classes, they will be automatically withdrawn, even if they do not notify us."

De La Cruz said the money she now doesnt have to pay back will go straight toward her continued education. Shes finishing her up prerequisite courses at a local community college.
A tweet sent out on Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller's Twitter account referred to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as a sexually explicit, derogatory term for women.

NBC 5 political reporter Julie Fine reached out to Miller, who said the tweet was a retweet sent by a staffer that was later removed after someone realized what it said.

Someone from my campaign retweeted it without reading it closely enough, and did not catch the derogatory term. Right when we found out we took it down," Miller told NBC 5.

The tweet referenced a Pennsylvania Auto Alliance poll showing Republican candidate Donald Trump receiving support from 44 percent of voters and Clinton, refered to as "c---" in the tweet, earning 43 percent support. "Go Trump Go!" the tweet said.

Miller later tweeted an apology for anyone who saw the tweet and added that he found the term "vulgar and offensive."

Gov. Greg Abbott, a fellow Republican, released a statement in response to Miller's tweet: "The language is reprehensible and is an embarrassment. No true Texas gentleman would ever talk this way."

On his Twitter page Miller describes himself not only as the 12th Agriculture Commissioner of Texas, but also as a "deplorable" -- a description Clinton made when describing some of Trump's supporters.

Miller, of Stephenville, has been the state's agriculture commissioner since 2014.

NBC 5's Julie Fine contributed to this report.
Mara Wilson is fighting back after a media report dubbed the former child star as "unrecognizable."

Following an interview on British morning show "Lorraine," The Daily Mail tweeted a headline about Wilsons appearance, saying the now 29-year-old looked nothing like the star who achieved fame for her roles in "Matilda," "Mrs. Doubtfire," and "Miracle on 34th Street" in the 1990s.

Wilson thought the answer to her "unrecognizable" look was obvious.

"Its called being an adult and wearing makeup she tweeted after the story published.

It's called "being an adult and wearing make up" https://t.co/NJm0xMlvbf  Mara Get Rid of the Nazis Wilson (@MaraWilson) November 2, 2016

Wilson went on to retweet other social media users who agreed that the Daily Mails headline was ridiculous. Its not surprising that 29-year-old Wilson no longer looks like her 9-year-old self, Wilson fans tweeted.

Wilson went on to tweet, They called me pretty so I guess thats nice, referring to the Daily Mails article which referred to her as beautiful even if not recognizable.

They called me pretty so I guess that's nice. I didn't know they called anybody who wasn't a British-born WASP pretty  Mara Get Rid of the Nazis Wilson (@MaraWilson) November 2, 2016

Wilson was on Lorraine to discuss her time as a child star and the untimely death of her mother shortly after Matilda was released in 1996. Wilson revealed she was worried her mother wouldnt see the movie and later found out costar Danny DeVito brought an unfinished cut of the film to the hospital so that her mother could see it.

Wilson published her autobiography, Where Am I Now? in September.
California voters who want to share photos of their bubbled-inballots when they vote in the current election are out of lock.

A federal judge in San Francisco refused Wednesday to block a state law that bans ballot selfies, mostly for a technical reason, not a philisophical one.

U.S. District Judge William Alsup said allowing the images so close to Election Day would create confusion among voters and poll workers.

The American Civil Liberties Union sued Secretary of State Alex Padilla on Monday, eight days from the Nov. 8 election, seeking a court injunction preventing enforcement of the "ballot-selfie ban" in the current election. The ACLU argued, unsuccessfully, lawyers were concerned about the chilling effect the ban could have on voters free speech.

In a statement, Padilla reiterated that Alsups ruling means ballot selfies are not authorized for the Nov. 8 election. Voters are still allowed to use their smartphones in the voting booth and may still take photos with their I Voted stickers, he added. It's just selfies with photos showing the actual checked-off ballots that are forbidden.

The heart of the controversy is not really about selfies, perse, but showing the actual bubbled-in ballots and displaying those choices on social media.

The fuss is not really over taking a selfie outside a polling station or near a booth, which is still allowed, even though the exact photography laws at election spots are unclear, said Michael Risher, a senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Northern California.

The issue is showing marked ballots, such as Hillary Clinton for president or yes on California's marijuna legalization proposition, for the world to see.

California already has a 125-year-old ban on the books regarding voter intimidation, and the Secretary of State's position is that showing the marked-in ballots on Twitter, for example, falls in this unlawful category. The ACLU sees it otherwise, and believes that freedom of expression is paramount.

"We already have laws that make it a felony to ask someone to show you a marked ballot," Risher said, "and to buy your votes. We're not challenging that. "Social medial, for millions, is how people talk."

He added he was disappointed with the judge's ruling, but acknowledged there was no time to make an effective appeal. He also said he wished that this issue had been brought to the court earlier, which may have resulted in a different ruling.

A federal judge in Colorado is hearing arguments in a similar case Wednesday.

Last week, an extensive review by The Associated Press of the array of ballot selfie laws in all 50 states found that 18 states prohibit sharing photos of ballots. Another, California, joined the list on Wednesday, when a federal court judge denied a request to allow them.

The ballot selfie saga should not be a problem by the next election. A new law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown this year will repeal Californias ban on sharing photos of marked ballots. But it doesn't take effect until January 1.
Police have released a photo of one of the men arrested in the 2014 beating death of a San Francisco homeless man.

Two men were arrested in connection with the brutal beating of 67-year-old Tai Lam, a disabled homeless man who was attacked as he slept in an alleyway in San Francisco's Financial District.

Police released a photo of Idaho resident Joseph Stull, 21, of Spokane, Washington, who was arrested on Sept. 22 while he was already serving time for an unrelated crime in a Kootenai County, Idaho jail.

Stull's crimes in his March conviction in Idaho included grand theft, petty theft, destroying evidence and possession of stolen property. In August, he was convicted of petty theft and being a fugitive from justice.

Another suspect in the Lam's beating, Stockton resident David Peters, 21, was arrested Oct. 25.

Stull and Peters were booked into San Francisco County Jail on Friday on suspicion of murder, robbery, elder abuse and mayhem. They remain in custody on $5 million bail according to jail records.

Stull and Peters are accused of attacking Lam on Nov. 23, 2014, along with an unidentified third person. The trio allegedly attacked Lam twice between 11 p.m. and midnight in the 100 block of Sutter Street, as Lam slept on the ground in a sleeping bag, police said.

A surveillance camera allegedly captured Stull, Peters and an unidentified third person, as they smoked a cigarette on the steps to Crocker Galleria near Montgomery and Post streets, shortly before the assaults. The attack itself was also caught on camera.

Both Stull and Peters were scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday morning.
Federal and local authorities investigating firearm-and drug-related crimes in the San Fernando Valley conducted a series of pre-dawn raids Wednesday and took 17 people into custody.

The arrests followed a six-month investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Los Angeles Police Department.

Law enforcement personnel arrested 11 federal defendants and six state defendants in the early morning hours.

Those taken into federal custody Wednesday were expected to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon in federal court in downtown Los Angeles on charges that could bring statutory maximum sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment.

Some of the federal defendants are also facing mandatory minimum sentences of five or 10 years in connection with certain drug distribution charges. Three fugitives who have been federally indicted remain at large.

From February to July, ATF and LAPD personnel conducted a joint investigation," working the streets and targeting violent offenders, the criminal activity of gang members, shooters and multi-convicted felons," according to an ATF statement.

"These individuals were involved in illegal firearm possession/sales, narcotics distribution and shootings within the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles County," the ATF said.

Investigators used confidential informants to introduce an ATF undercover agent, who made controlled purchases of contraband from the suspects resulting in the seizure of 30 weapons, including restricted firearms such as short-barrel rifles and silencers, and about 18 pounds of methamphetamine.

In Wednesday morning's operation, the Department of Children and Family Services took custody of 14 youngsters and placed them in protective care.

ATF Los Angeles Field Division Special Agent in Charge Eric Harden said his agency "is committed to reducing violent crime. ATF accomplishes this by working with LAPD and identifying and targeting criminal organizations and the persons responsible for perpetrating violence in our communities.

"Working together we successfully arrested 11 federal defendants with a criminal history of more than 100 prior arrests and more than two dozen felony convictions," Harden said. "The six state defendants (have) a combined criminal history of more than 30 prior arrests and more than a handful of felony convictions."

The investigation did not target specific criminal organizations but instead zeroed in on "the worst criminal activity to include recent shootings related to street gangs Blythe, Langdon, Pacoima and San Fer," Harden said.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said: "There is no doubt that removing guns from our streets and arresting criminals who use and carry guns prevents senseless violence in our communities. "Removing even one gun from the streets means one less Angeleno robbed, shot or murdered," Beck said. "Nearly 950 people have been shot in Los Angeles this year; 169 have been murdered with a firearm. Removing illegal guns is one of the LAPD's highest priorities and working with our federal partners will help make our communities safer."
A 12-year-old child was in the hospital Wednesday morning after he was shot while playing in an alley near his backyard in Pomona Tuesday night, Pomona police said.

The boy told police he was in an alleyway in the 800 block of East La Verne Avenue when he heard a gunshot and was struck by a bullet around 8 p.m. Tuesday, Pomona police said in a statement.

His parents drove him to Pomona Valley Hospital, and he was airlifted to a trauma center in stable condition, according to police.

Police were notified about the shooting once the child was at the hospital.

Investigators spent several hours in the neighborhood looking for witnesses, bullet casings, and other evidence in the alleyway and nearby homes.

Police said the child, his mother and the rest of his family were not cooperating and would not talk to police Wednesday.

Neighbors said they did not hear gunshots around the time of the shooting, and only realized something had happened once they spotted detectives driving up to the alley.

"I don't think nobody just rolled up and shot him, somebody had to know something," said one neighbor, Prentiss Pryor. "Nobody wants to run their mouth because there's repurcussions to that ... But for him to get shot, it was like, the parents probably took it to heart."

There was no description of the gunman Wednesday, but the investigation was ongoing.

Detectives were trying to convince the child and his family to come forward with any information about the shooting.

Anyone with information about the shooting was encouraged to call Pomona police at 909-620-2085.
From his San Diego home, Ronnie Shirley said he knew exactly what was happening as he watched cell phone video of his daughter's erratic driving spree.

"She had no idea what was going on," he said. "She was not in her mind at all."

He said his daughter, Michelle Lee Shirley, had bipolar disorder.

"She was just special," he said. "Michelle was just special."

Michelle, 39, was shot and killed Monday by police in Torrance after she steered her car at officers at the end of a chase.

The shooting occurred about 2:35 p.m. outside a gas station at Cabrillo Avenue and Sepulveda Boulevard, according to Torrance police Sgt. Paul Kranke.

Michelle Lee Shirley died at a hospital a short time later, Kranke said.

Ronnie Shirley said that incident was her disorder spiraling out of control.

He could not bring himself to watch the cell phone video.

"I understand the police did not know what they were dealing with, but not knowing that didn't make it OK to just shoot," he said.

The family said Michelle -- who had a law degree -- was a mother to a 14-year-old boy and wanted to become an attorney to help people. They said she moved to LA just two weeks ago to make money as an uber driver.

"To just spray someone with bullets, I could not imagine something like that," said Debra Shirley, her mother.

Michelle appeared in public service announcements, acting as a spokeswoman to bring awareness to the bipolar disorder she suffered from.

Her parents want to continue their daughter's message: bringing awareness to mental illness.

"It mattered to us -- it really mattered to us," Debra Shirley said. "She was loved by people."

Shirley's parents said they want police to make changes to the way they respond to situations where the subject may suffer from mental illness.

Torrance police told NBC4 the three officers involved in the shooting are on administrative leave.
The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday approved a controversial mixed-use project designed by famed architect Frank Gehry that will replace an existing strip mall on the eastern end of the Sunset Strip.

The project at 8150 Sunset Blvd., near Crescent Heights Boulevard and the border with West Hollywood, will replace a shopping center whose tenants include a bank, fast-food restaurants, a dry cleaner and an ice cream shop.

The neighborhood surrounding the project -- which was approved on a 13-0 vote -- includes the Chateau Marmont hotel, Granville Towers, Colonial House and other iconic Hollywood residences that stars such as Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe once called home.

The developer envisions 229 residential units of mostly apartments and 65,000 square feet of commercial space, along with a grocery store, restaurants and retail shops.

The developer, Townscape Partners, last week agreed to lower the height of the tallest building from 234 feet -- or 15 stories -- to 178 feet, and to bring the number of residential units down from an initial 249.

Townscape also agreed to set aside $2 million for the city to use on improvements to a traffic island within the project.

The changes to the project met many of the demands made by City Councilman David Ryu in a letter sent to the planning committee.

Ryu, who represents the area, said he "fought to the very end'' for the changes to reduce the scale of the project, "and while this compromise isn't perfect, 8150 Sunset Blvd. is a much better project today.''

Ryu said his goal upon being elected was to "restore trust in the city, through meaningful community dialogue and participation, by refusing campaign contributions from developers and by ensuring that our community plans are respected.''

Gehry, who designed the Walt Disney Concert Hall among other iconic buildings worldwide, was brought in after residents balked at the more traditional designs and plans initially presented at public meetings.

When Townscape last year unveiled Gehry's more fanciful vision for the project, featuring the architect's signature swooping facades, some residents and stakeholders complained that the developer became less open to compromise.

While the project sailed through the early approval stages, including the city planning commission in July, it continued to face multiple challenges and appeals from community groups and neighbors, including the city of West Hollywood.

Opponents say the project will dwarf nearby buildings, which must follow a 45-foot height limit. One appellant, the owner of a nearby apartment building, called it a "monstrosity'' that would negatively affect her property.
A new law aimed at holding police accountable for use of force incidents has raised concerns among both police departments and civil rights groups.

California Assembly Bill 71 requires police departments to submit annual data of their use of force, from shootings to altercations resulting in great bodily harm, and makes the records accessible to the public.

Many police departments, like the Oxnard Police Department, already keep track of use of force incidents.

The new law, said Oxnard Police Department Cmdr. Greg Hebert, will only require a "few" incidents that qualify under AB 71 to be submitted to the state's database.

The Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement saying it trusts the law will strengthen accountability and offer grater transparency.

However, others argue that merely implementing a new policy does not guarantee officer accountability.

"I think it can create change," said Melina Abdullah, who is a part of the Black Lives matter contingent.

However, Abdullah fears that the new policy will not be used for justice. "That's incumbent upon us," she said.

The new law is merely a "drop in the bucket," said Leo Martinez, who is part of the Todo Poder al Pueblo Collective, an Oxnard group that fights against what it says are systematic problems in the city.

Some Black Lives Matter members said they wish the law would include reprimands for shootings that are deemed unjustified.

"They can collect all the data they want, but ultimately, what happens to those officers?" Martinez said.

"It's a long, long way to go before we see accountability from [the Oxnard Police Department] and other departments that are similar, too," he said.
Retired UPS driver Steven Cox wanted to lease his dream car, a red Porsche Cayman, with money he had saved.

I was intent on driving it home and I did, Cox said about his new car.

But he says a closer look at the paperwork he signed raised questions.

It was a little more than I expected, Cox said. When I got home I looked at the numbers, it just seemed excessive.

Cox is now suing Porsche Financial Services claiming the auto maker swallowed the value of the trade-in he used to reduce the cost of his lease. Hes being represented by Miami-based attorneys Ronald Weil and Mark Schweikert.

The bottom line is his trade was swallowed which means he was not given full credit for his trade, Weil said.

Cox says he traded in his paid off Hyundai Genesis and was told the value of his trade-in was $25,000. But on his lease agreement, there is no value listed for a trade-in. The space provided is filled in with N/A or not applicable. Cox and his attorneys say that means the trade-in was not factored in to reducing the cost of the new lease.

What that allowed the dealer to do was start with that $65,000 cost for the Porsche and reduce by zero, Schweikert said.

Before filing a lawsuit, Cox says he went to the dealership in Naples assuming it was an error.

They werent really willing to talk about it, Cox said. It was a done deal and they said it was fair and there was no negotiation.

Porsche denies any wrongdoing and says it couldnt comment because of the lawsuit. However, in response to a complaint Cox filed with the Better Business Bureau, Porsche wrote, We executed this lease paperwork in accordance with Florida law.

The paperwork shows the lease was for 36 months, but Cox used some of his retirement from UPS to pay it off at once. In the response to the BBB complaint, Porsche says the one time payoff is another reason why a reduction doesnt apply in his case.

Cox and his attorneys believe the same thing may have happened to others.

At the end of the day, we think he is just the point of the spear and this is an industry-wide practice, Weil said. Consumers are being deceived and its got to come to a stop.
With only one week until the presidential election, both Bill and Hillary Clinton were in South Florida Tuesday at separate campaign rallies.

Bill Clinton visited the Florida City Youth Activity Center, one of three stops in the Sunshine State Tuesday. He stressed the importance of Florida in the 2016 election.

"If Hillary wins Florida she will be the next President of the United States," he said.

President Clinton touted his wife's accomplishments and insisted her policies on the economy, education and national security will serve Americans best.

"Most of the people who have been heavily involved in protecting the security of this country for the last 20 years in both parties have endorsed her," he said.

Hillary Clinton spoke Tuesday night at a rally at Reverend Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park in Fort Lauderdale.

Arriving late to the rally, Clinton was greeted with cheers from a rousing crowd.

"We cannot take anything, anybody, anywhere for granted. Are you ready to work hard and win this election," Clinton told the crowd.

Clinton tried to veer focus away from another email scandal after the FBI announced last week it may have new "pertinent" emails to review days before the polls open.

"I have stayed focused on you, on your lives, your families, the problems that keep you up at night," Clinton said.

She took jabs at her Republican contender Donald Trump saying, "He starts out by insulting immigrants. He moves on to insult all Latinos, insults African-Americans, insults Muslims, insults people with disabilities, insults POWs and then insults women."

A protestor tried to throw Clinton off balance by yelling and carrying a sign that read "Bill Clinton is a rapist". The presidential nominee responded with the full backing of her supporters. "I am sick and tired of the negative, dark, divisive, dangerous vision and behavior of people who support Donald Trump."

Clinton also talked policy. She addressed income inequality and encouraged people to vote early.

Earlier in the day, Hillary Clinton spoke at rallies held in Sanford and Dade City.
An Orange County, Florida, teacher is facing charges after authorities say she exchanged more than 100,000 inappropriate messages with a female student.

Local news agencies report that 44-year-old Alyson London was arrested Friday on multiple charges including solicitation to commit sexual battery, failure to report child abuse as a mandatory reporter and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Police say London, a physical education teacher at Apopka Memorial Middle School, began messaging the 14-year-old student last year using SnapChat and Kik and the relationship grew.

Police discovered London exchanged roughly 129,000 text messages with the student, most of which were sexually explicit in nature. Investigators say some of the messages included discussions about sex, rape, drugs and abuse.

Authorities say both the student and London denied having a sexual relationship.
The tears and pain still fresh even though the slaying off Soheila Marchal's father was just shy of a year ago.

Ali Arezoumandifar sold his Boynton Beach liquor store and was working his very last shift hours from retirement when a gunman robbed, shot and killed Ali.

Soheila is making a plea for someone to come forward and name the killer.

"My father was all for fairness so it would be the fair, the right thing to do, Marchal said at a news conference Tuesday.

Just before that plea for help, Boynton Beach detectives announced they have suspects and they know who the shooter is.

"The suspects we have identified are from the South Florida area; however, they're familiar with Boynton Beach. We will not rest to we get justice for the family," said Det. Marco Vellari.

Why dont police make the arrests?

They wouldnt answer only to say any other information would jeopardize the investigation.

But theyre hoping Marchals emotion will touch someone enough to come forward.

"He has a great grandson who just turned 2 years old. The holidays are very difficult for us, brings tears of sadness. The only way we'll feel better is by capturing the people who did this, Marchal said tearfully.

Ali had 4 kids, 6 grand kids and one great grandson. His retirement was to be spent enjoying them.

With a crushed heart, Marchal has one, simple thing to say to the trigger man.

"Why?"

Since the shooting, the liquor store Ali sold went out of business.
A man accused of killing his wife and son then shooting an attorney at a law office in Kendall was shot by officers during a standoff in southwest Miami-Dade Wednesday afternoon.

Miami-Dade Police officials said the gunman, Fadel Jabado, went to the office at 11420 N. Kendall Drive where he shot attorney Larry Harshman around 10:30 a.m.

The office shooting led officers to Jabado's home on Southwest 192nd Street in southwest Miami-Dade, where officers found his wife, Bassima, and son, Admed, dead, police said.

It's unknown which incident happened first, police said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

Police said a SWAT team responded to an area about two miles west of the house on Southwest 192nd Street, a field off Southwest 200th Street and Southwest 157th Avenue, where they negotiated with Jabado.

Jabado had a firearm and shot at officers, and told negotiators he wanted police to kill him, officials said.

When Jabado made a move toward officers with the gun, the officers opened fire, hitting him in the midsection, officials said.

"The individual did tell our negotiators that he intended to die today and that he wanted police officers to kill him. He did not want to do it to himself because of his religion," said Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez.

Footage showed him being placed into the back of an ambulance at the scene. He was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he is listed in critical condition.

According to police sources: Shooting at Kendall law office is tied to discovery of two bodies at a home on SW 192 Street #Miami @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/RaG69EE4zq  Marissa Bagg (@MarissaNBC6) November 2, 2016

Court records showed Larry Harshman, the attorney whose office was the scene of the shooting, represented Jabado in an October 2012 foreclosure case.

Employees at the building said Harshman was the man who was shot. Police said the victim was shot in the stomach and taken to Kendall Regional Trauma Center, where he was in critical condition. The motive is unclear at this time, but detectives believe the violence began over a domestic incident.

"We had a girl come downstairs and the secretary was coming up screaming to please call 911, that Mr. Harshman had been shot," Gonzalo Cordoba said.

Employees at scene say Larry Harshman is the lawyer shot by client at his office Wednesday. The shooter fled in silver Chevy truck @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/XHrR1Xf3pY  Marissa Bagg (@MarissaNBC6) November 2, 2016

Jabado had also threatened to kill his other children, a police source said. As a result, the childrens' schools - Herbert A. Ammons Middle School, Terra Environmental Research Institute and Jack David Gordon Elementary School - were placed on lockdown Wednesday morning, the source said. The lockdowns were later lifted.

Police said the roads in the area of 147th Avenue to 167th Avenue and between 184th Street and 200th Street were closed for the investigation. Drivers were asked to stay away from the area and residents were told to remain indoors, police said.
Miami Beach Police are looking for a man caught on camera using a firearm to rob a hotel this past weekend.

Officers say a man came into the Ocean Surf hotel off Ocean Terrace around 8:30 PM and demanded money from an employee working at a register. He made off with $600 in cash. No one was hurt.

The suspect is described as a white male in his late 20s, around 56 tall with a medium build and black hair. He was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and may have tattoos near his eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade CrimeStoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
Miami-Dade commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday to rename a street near Marlins Park in honor of Jose Fernandez.

Jose Fernandez Way will be on 17th Avenue from the Miami River to U.S. 1 in honor of the 24-year-old pitcher who was killed in a boating crash along with two other men on September 25.

Commissioner Bruno Barreiro sponsored the resolution and said it will be done not just for Fernandez's on the field accomplishments but for his community involvement.

"Jose brought a lot of enthusiasm to this community and obviously as a player he accomplished a lot of incredible achievements in his short career being one of the best pitchers in the league, Barreiro said. "As a person he was very involved in the community with charitable organizations, Boys and Girls Club, all these different organizations."

It was revealed Saturday that Fernandez had cocaine and alcohol in his system when his boat crashed into the jetty off Government Cut. It's not clear whether Fernandez was driving when the boat crashed but an attorney for the Fernandez family said authorities have interviewed a "highly reliable" witness who said he was on the phone with Fernandez just before the crash and heard the pitcher giving another person directions about where to steer the boat.

The associate medical examiner listed the cause of death as "boat crash" for Fernandez, 27-year-old Emilio Jesus Macias and 25-year-old Eduardo Rivero.

Each man had suffered blunt force injuries to his head and body, the examiner wrote.
A former mail carrier in South Florida is facing charges after authorities say he was caught throwing a bag full of mail into a dumpster.

John Henry Caddle, Jr., 58, of Hollywood, is facing four counts of delaying and detaining mail, according to the Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.

Caddle made his first appearance in federal court in Fort Lauderdale Wednesday. No attorney information was immediately available.

Authorities say a witness saw Caddle toss a garbage bag into a dumpster near Caddle's home back in August. The witness found the bag and discovered undelivered mail inside, authorities said.

Postal agents went to Caddle's home the next day and found found five garbage bags full of mail outside the home, authorities said.
A woman who survived after a man shot at passing cars in Hollywood over the weekend is speaking out.

It was Saturday morning around 10 a.m. when police say 40-year-old Carl Washington went on a shooting spree in the area of Garfield Street and 64th Avenue, hitting at least five cars.

Victims tried to duck and speed past him once they realized what was happening. Police arrested Washington after one of the victims found an officer blocks away.

"I'm lucky, I'm alive, I'm not hurt any part of my body," the victim, who didn't want to be identified, told NBC 6 Tuesday.

Neighbors said the man fired more than 20 shots. The mother of two said Washington pointed a rifle at her and pulled the trigger over and over.

"When I saw him shoot me in my window, I try to drove really fast to see a police," she said.

Three bullets hit her car, one shattering the glass. One driver was shot in the back of the head and crashed his car. That driver remains in critical condition.

"I'm scared for me, for my family, for the neighborhood, for everybody," the woman said. "It's danger to have people around you shooting innocent people."

Washington has been charged with five counts of attempted murder. It's unknown if he's hired an attorney.
The discovery of another cache of emails potentially important to the FBI's investigation of Hillary Clinton's email practices raises an immediate question: How could close Clinton adviser Huma Abedin have been unaware of their existence?

The emails were found on a computer seized during an unrelated investigation involving Abedin's estranged husband, disgraced former New York congressman Anthony Weiner. He is being investigated in connection with online communications with a teenage girl.

It's possible that Abedin did not know about the emails on Weiner's computer, forgot about them or for some other reason did not turn them over.

In a sworn deposition taken in June as part of a lawsuit filed by the conservative legal group Judicial Watch, Abedin was asked about what devices she had used to send or receive messages from her account on the clintonemail.com server. As part of the process in 2015 of returning her work-related emails to the State Department, Abedin said she "looked for all the devices that may have any of my State Department" work and provided two laptops and a Blackberry to her lawyers for review.

Abedin made no mention of using additional devices to check her email, raising questions about how her messages could have ended up saved on her husband's computer without her knowledge.

If the FBI finds emails Abedin sent or received through the clintonemail.com server archived on the device recently recovered from her home, that might appear to conflict with what she told the FBI earlier this year.

According to the FBI's summary of their April interview with Abedin, she told agents that after she left the State Department in 2013, Clinton's staff transitioned to a different email server and she "lost most of her old emails as a result." Abedin said she only accessed her clintonemail.com account through a web portal and that she did not have a method for archiving her old emails prior to the transition, according to the FBI's summary of her statements.

Karen Dunn, an attorney for Abedin, said Abedin had cooperated extensively with FBI and State Department requests and had provided "her work-related and potentially work-related documents."

"She only learned for the first time on Friday, from press reports, of the possibility that a laptop belonging to Mr. Weiner could contain emails of hers. While the FBI has not contacted us about this, Ms. Abedin will continue to be, as she always has been, forthcoming and cooperative," Dunn said in a statement.

The FBI has discovered a trove of thousands of emails and has obtained a warrant to search the messages related to the Clinton investigation. It's not clear how many emails might be considered relevant to the probe or what significance, if any, they might have.

It's also not clear how long the additional email review will take or whether the process will be done by Election Day.

The official who spoke to the AP was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.

FBI Director James Comey revealed the existence of the emails in a remarkable and ambiguous letter to Congress on Friday. The notification, two weeks before the election, came over the objections of Justice Department officials and drew scathing criticism from former prosecutors and Democrats in Congress.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said he would not defend or criticize Comey's decision, but noted that Comey was in a "tough spot." Comey has said he felt compelled to alert Congress after having already told lawmakers that the investigation was concluded.

Even if the recovered emails are found to contain classified information, it's not clear what impact that would have on the investigation. Comey has already described Clinton and her aides as "extremely careless" and has said agents found scores of classified emails on Clinton's server.

But he also said there was no evidence they intended to mishandle classified information or obstructed justice, elements he suggested would be necessary for a prosecution.

The Justice Department, moving to address concerns over the timing of the revelation of the emails and a potential post-election spillover, said Monday it would "dedicate all necessary resources" to promptly concluding the review of the new emails.
Val Kilmer took to Facebook Tuesday evening to shoot down a rumor started by friend and former co-star Michael Douglas that he was suffering from cancer.

"I love Michael Douglas but he is misinformed. The last time I spoke to him was almost two years ago, when I asked him for a referral for a specialist to get a diagnosis for a lump in my throat, which prevented me from continuing a tour of my play CITIZEN TWAIN," Kilmer wrote.

Kilmer, who starred in "Batman Forever," "Tombstone" and "Heat," said he consulted with a medical team at UCLA and has "no cancer whatsoever," although he still has a swollen tongue and is "rehabbing steadily."

[NATL] Top Entertainment Photos: Best of the American Music Awards, and More

It was unclear what he may have suffered from.

The rumor first started circulating Sunday when Douglas, who recovered from stage 4 oral cancer in 2013, spoke at a Q&A in London where he talked about Kilmer battling oral cancer. "Things dont look too good for him. My prayers are with him. Thats why you havent heard too much from Val lately."

The two men starred in the 1996 film "The Ghost and the Darkness."

"I hope this puts to rest any further concerns about my health by publications that have no respect for the truth," Kilmer wrote. "Whatever led Michael Douglas to speculate about my health, he's a loving and devoted friend to a privileged group of talent people around the world, and I'm sure he meant no harm."

Kilmer invited concerned fans to come check him out in person if they live in the Westwood, California, area where he'll be performing later this month.

"Come see me live and happy and in person in Westwood next week if you think I'm fibbing!! I've done 3 Q and A's so far and am having the best time. The film is called CINEMA TWAIN and is a recording of my play," Kilmer wrote.

Host Jimmy Fallon takes suggestions from the audience, including one where he sings a duet of To All the Girls Ive Loved Before with Telemundos Don Francisco.
An employee of a Babies "R" Us in Connecticut has been arrested and police said hes accused of taking a photo up a womans dress while he was at work.

Joseph Matthews, 32, of Stratford, is accused of using his cell phone to take a photo up a womans dress without her knowledge while he was at work on Boston Post Road in Milford, according to a police news release.

Police later said Matthews works at Babies "R" Us on Boston Post Road.

Matthews was arrested on Sunday and charged with voyeurism. He was released on a promise to appear and is due in court on Nov. 22.

"We have a zero tolerance policy for any alleged behavior of this nature and have moved to terminate this employee," a Toys "R" Us spokesperson told NBC Connecticut.
What to Know Hillary Clinton is focusing on women and minority voters as the presidential race tightens

Two officers were shot and killed in what Iowa police are calling "ambush-style" attacks

Former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke is sentenced Wednesday following a 2012 beating

Get the top headlines of the day in your morning briefing from NBC 4 New York, Monday through Friday. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Clinton Focuses as Trump Gains Steam

As her national lead shrinks in the final days of the race after the FBI's renewed examination of her email practices, Hillary Clinton is relying on a firewall of support from women and minority voters in demographically diverse swing states. In Pennsylvania, Donald Trumps running mate Mike Pence slammed President Obama's healthcare plan for "killing jobs" and destroying small businesses and promised Trump will repeal and replace Obamacare if elected. Meanwhile, an analysis has found that Clinton's chances of winning 270 electoral votes have hardly changed from last week.

Officers Killed in Iowa Ambushes

Police in Iowa said two officers were shot and killed in separate "ambush-style attacks" in the greater Des Moines area on Wednesday morning. Police were searching for the shooter. Its not the first ambush on police officers this year. In July, five officers were killed in Dallas and three officers were killed in Baton Rouge.

Suffolk County Police Chief Sentencing

A police chief who beat a handcuffed man bloody for stealing embarrassing items from his department vehicle faces more than four years in prison when he is sentenced Wednesday. In a letter this week, federal prosecutors said that charges may be looming for accomplices who helped Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke cover up the crime.

NY Smart Lake Nears Completion

The worlds smartest lake will be in upstate New York. A $917,000 National Science Foundation grant has ensured the completion of a project that aims to connect Lake George to the internet of things.

Cute Video of NJ Twins

A pair of adorable twin sisters from New Jersey were delighted to learn that being identical means they get to look alike, but one of them wasnt so happy when she learned that she's a minute younger than her sister. Her priceless reaction was caught on video.
What to Know An Arizona boy with a life-threatening illness was treated to a day out in New York by the NYPD.

Officers from NYPD Brooklyn North precinct got to know Jacob Priestley, 14, when they send him boxes of cards for his birthday.

On Tuesday, Priestley and his family were flown to New York, where they had a VIP tour of the city.

An Arizona boy battling a terminal illness was flown to New York for a VIP tour of the city -- courtesy of the NYPD.

On Tuesday, Jacob Priestley, 14, was flown to New York City and given a very special tour of the city, spanning from Radio City Music Hall to the NYPD station in Brooklyn North.

The heartwarming story began in August, when an internet post from Jacob caught the attention of officers in the NYPD Patrol Borough Brooklyn North.

Jacob suffers from mitochondrial disease, an illness that robs him of energy and causes organ failure.

With his 14th birthday approaching in August, he had sent out a post asking whether people could send birthday cards to cheer him up: 10,000 birthday cards at that.

To his surprise, officers from NYPD Brooklyn North saw the post, and quickly mobilized, collecting as many cards as they could and sending them off to him in boxes.

But the generosity didn't stop there. NYPD officers decided they wanted to do something else for the teenager.

So on Tuesday, Jacob and his family were flown to the Big Apple for a whirlwind tour.

The morning saw them whisked to Radio City Music Hall, where the teenager carried holy water for Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

Dolan was there to bless the animals for the Christmas show.

Jacob then received a special proclamation from Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and dropped in for a surprise visit to the Barclays Center.
What to Know A city spokeswoman said the kids' symptoms are similar to those of norovirus, but it's not known if they have the infection

Norovirus, a highly contagious infection, can cause nausea, stomach pain, fever, headache and diarrhea, among other symptoms

The school is being disinfected as a precaution

More than a dozen students were sent home from their Brooklyn elementary school Wednesday after complaining of flu-like symptoms, authorities say.



Paramedics responded to a call about the sick children at William T. Sampson School in Borough Park and encountered about 15 to 20 kids complaining of nausea and other ailments, according to the FDNY.

Officials said that there didn't appear to be any abnormal readings on meters at the school, and that several students had been sent home sick on Tuesday. One child was taken to a hospital with a minor case of nausea, officials said.

A city Department of Education spokeswoman said that their symptoms were consistent with norovirus, a highly contagious infection that can cause fever, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain and body aches, though it is not confirmed the students have the infection.

The spokeswoman said the school is being disinfected "out of an abundance of caution." Officials say there is nothing to suggest flu or any airborne virus, and the reason for the children getting sick is under investigation.

Chopper 4 footage showed several ambulances parked outside the school. The building, which serves more than 1,330 students in kindergarten through Grade 5, was not evacuated.
As Seen On

As seen on News 4
A suspect featured on "Americas Most Wanted" following the 2007 killing of a New Jersey scrapyard owner has been arrested in Guatemala, according to authorities.

Welder Dario Morente Dubon, 30, was arrested late in October in San Francisco el Alto by FBI agents and Guatemalan authorities. Prosecutors in New Jersey said that he is suspected of killing 23-year-old Joseph Tremarco at the tire shop where Dubon worked on March 29, 2007.

Prosecutors said that Tremarco, who owned a scrap metal salvage business, went to the shop to make a deal with Dubon and got into some sort of argument. They said that Dubon then beat the 23-year-old to death with some sort of blunt object before putting his body into a pickup truck and abandoning the vehicle on a residential street in North Plainfield.

Tremarcos body was found the next day, and authorities said that by the time a warrant was issued for Dubons arrest, he had fled the country.

Dubon was featured on Americas Most Wanted in October 201, and the New Jersey State Police also added the man to its list of most wanted fugitives.

Prosecutors said that authorities had gotten tips about Dubons whereabouts multiple times since the killing, but authorities only recently learned that he was living in working in the southwestern portion of the Latin American country.

Tremarco's parents said they were grateful police never gave up on finding their son's killers. They said Tremarco called himself a "scrapaholic" and had been running his own scrap metal business since he was 19 years old.

"When he was abruptly and viciously taken from us 9 years ago, our world crumbled to pieces," said his mother, Deborah Tremarco.

Dubon is expected to be extradited to New Jersey and will face multiple charges, including first-degree murder. It wasnt immediately clear if he had retained an attorney.
Camden County police officers and sheriffs officers jumped into the Delaware River Monday and rescued a suicidal man from drowning.

Sergeant Bob Plews and Investigator Jake Sidwa of the Camden County Sheriffs Department arrived near the Delaware River at Pearl Street in North Camden, New Jersey around 4 p.m. Monday where they found a man wearing only his underwear standing on the bulkhead. After seeing the officers, the man jumped into the river and began swimming toward deeper water, police said.

Plews and Sidwa removed their gear and entered the water. When they were about 50 yards out into the water they managed to reach the man and prevent him from swimming any further. Camden County Metro police officers Joseph Olivo, Daniel Fiori and Alex Rodriguez went into the water as well to help with the rescue. The group surrounded the man and brought him back to shore.

They continued to talk with the man and relay to him that they were there to help and get him the assistance he needed, but he continued to resist the officers, Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said. The man yelled and flailed his body, but the officers were able to maintain control of the situation due to their professionalism.

The man was taken to Cooper University Hospital and is expected to fully recover. Cappelli praised the officers for their efforts during the incident.

These officers used their training and experience to prevent a real tragedy from taking place on Monday, said Cappelli. These officers all put service before self by jumping into [the] river. Their quick action is the reason this man is still alive today.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call 1-800-273-8255.
Following the lead of Philadelphia election officials, city District Attorney Seth Williams declared Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps questioning of local election oversight as false allegations.

Williams and the City Commissioners who oversee elections in Philadelphia said Wednesday that the much-anticipated presidential election will be closely watched -- as usual -- by a 70-member-strong task force from the District Attorneys office on Election Day next week.

Not that they expect any of the rigging that Trump has prophesied about the past couple months.

The coverage of this upcoming election is unlike anything we have seen before, not to mention the fact that one of the nominees for president has been making false allegations about the integrity of Philadelphias elections for weeks now, but we are ready, Williams said. The Election Fraud Task Force is ready to respond to whatever happens on Nov. 8 and I want to make sure each and every Philadelphian who has a concern or is experiencing difficulty casting their ballot calls us.

The task force operates every election, and often investigates complaints by voters, poll workers, and poll watchers in the many hundreds of divisions that are the ground-floor units of the citys political apparatus.

It is made up of 70 assistant district attorneys and several dozen county detectives. Williams said any of his offices 300 assistant DAs are available to respond to court complaints filed. Typical Election Day allegations include illegal voting, candidate write-in issues, refusal of election boards to recognize poll watcher certificates, intimidation and illegal electioneering.

Here are some pertinent contact numbers and websites for Philadelphia voters on Election Day:

Once the polls open, Philadelphians can call the Election Fraud Task Force at (215)686-9641, -9643 or -9644 if they are experiencing difficulty casting their ballot.

To find a polling place, go to philadelphiavotes.com or call (215)686-1590 to find out their polling location.
Officials say a Wilmington high school student has been shot to death while visiting with friends in Pennsylvania over the weekend.

Alexis I. duPont High School Principal Kevin Palladinetti told the school community in an email Tuesday evening that Taymir Germany was shot and killed while riding in a car in Chester, Pennsylvania.

No other details into the shooting were immediately known.

Germany was a senior at the school.

Germany's death is the second incidence of gun violence to affect the high school community in the past week.

Tommy Vandergrift, a 19-year-old who graduated from the school this summer, was shot while attending a party at a home near Newport on Oct. 27. Palladinetti says Vandergrift "continues to fight for his life."




President Barack Obama unloaded on Donald Trump in battleground North Carolina and suggested to voters there that "the republic is at risk" if the GOP nominee makes it to the White House.

Obama told the Chapel Hill crowd on Wednesday that Hillary Clinton is "steady ... tough" and well-prepared for the job. He said Clinton's "heart has always been in the right place," while Trump doesn't have the character for the job.

The president said Trump has many supporters who see him as "their voice."But he argued that Trump has never cared about working people. Obama also cited Trump's litany of boorish comments about women, his mockery of Republican Sen. John McCain's status as a war hero and his spat with the family of a Muslim soldier killed in Iraq.

Obama also argued for Democratic candidates down ballot.

North Carolina is the largest presidential battleground state that also has competitive races for governor and U.S. senator.

Obama singled out Democratic Senate nominee Deborah Ross and blasted Republican incumbent Richard Burr. Their matchup will help determine which major party controls the Senate in January.

The president blasted Burr for not opposing Trump and told a Chapel Hill audience they don't want a senator who says "yes, sir, Mr. Trump."

Obama said a President Clinton will need more Democratic senators like Ross because Republicans are promising gridlock. Burr recently joined other Republicans who said they will block any Supreme Court nominee from Clinton.

It's the first of two visits Obama has planned this week to North Carolina. It's one of a handful of states The Associated Press rates as toss-ups in the presidential race. On Friday, the president will headline get-out-the-vote rallies for Clinton in Fayetteville and Charlotte.

Obama eked out a win in North Carolina in 2008, but narrowly lost the state four years later.

Democrats want to deny Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump a victory in the state next week.
Philadelphias district attorney joined city officials and non-partisan vote checkers to remind voters of what to do if they experience any trouble voting on Election Day.

District Attorney Seth Williams hosted Wednesday mornings news conference announcing the District Attorney's Election Day Task Force.

City commissioners and David Thornburgh, president and CEO of non-partisan government watchdog group Committee of Seventy, joined Williams to "remind voters about what to do if they experience any difficulty voting," said the DAs office.

"Voters should have confidence that our offices are working, and will continue to work, together to ensure a fair election," said City Commissioner Al Schmidt.

Williams tweeted that anyone who faces voter intimidation should call 215-686-9641/9643/9644. [[399642941, C]]

"The coverage of this upcoming election is unlike anything we have seen before, not to mention the fact that one of the nominees for president has been making false allegations about the integrity of Philadelphias elections for weeks now, but we are ready," said Williams. "The Election Fraud Task Force is ready to respond to whatever happens on Nov. 8 and I want to make sure each and every Philadelphian who has a concern or is experiencing difficulty casting their ballot calls us."

Part of the plan to combat voter intimidation includes deploying up to 300 assistant district attorneys throughout the city to respond to any concerns, said Williams.

The event comes ahead of an election where Pennsylvania voting officials have pushed back against voter fraud fears. [[338107532, C]]

The task force has made arrests in the past -- eight to date -- including four election officials charged for voting times after the polls closed and for falsely verifying residencies, said Williams.

Anyone looking for their polling place can go to philadelphiavotes.com.
SEPTA released a Survival Guide for customers during the strike. CLICK HERE to read it.

Philadelphia's transit agency called on the union representing about 4,700 striking workers Wednesday night to engage in good-faith negotiations to bring an end to the walkout.

NBC10s Randy Gyllenhaal tells us how the union and SEPTA are coming along with a deal to stop the strike.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority said in a statement that it's clear the strike is "causing severe hardship" for residents.

Negotiations between SEPTA and the Transport Workers Union continued on Day 2 of the SEPTA strike that caused delays on crowded commuter rails since bus, trolley and subway services were suspended.

"On several occasions this week, SEPTA negotiators believed progress toward a deal had been made," said SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale T. Deon Sr. "However, at each of those seemingly positive turns, TWU Local 234 has brought a halt to negotiations."

SEPTA and its union are back at the bargaining table as the strike continues but theres still no deal. Pennsylvania congressman Bob Brady joined the negotiations to try and help both sides reach an agreement. NBC10s Brandon Hudson has the details.

Deon also asked the union after talks ended for the night to assure residents that they will suspend the strike on Election day if no agreement is reached.

The union called SEPTA's statement "outrageous" and was expected to issue an official response later Wednesday night.

The strike began at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, shutting down buses, trolleys and subways that provide about 900,000 rides a day. A current cap on union pension benefits and the amount of time off provided to operators between shifts were among the issues on the table.

SEPTA strike latest:

1. Congressman Brady helping with negotiations.

2. Union rejects SEPTA offer.

3. Negotiations to resume this morning.  Matt DeLucia (@MattDeLucia) November 2, 2016

Frustrated motorists fought traffic gridlock at morning and evening rush hours Wednesday during the second day of the strike.

Highways around the region experienced major backups as thousands of people who normally take city transit used their cars instead.

New York businessman Cesar Rivera, 34, said late Wednesday it was "useless" to try to drive out of the city during the evening rush.

NBC10 followed the chaos of the SEPTA strike on Tuesday. NBC10s Brandon Hudson has the latest developments from 30th Street Station.

"I will be thinking about crashing at a friend's place if it stays like this," Rivera said. "Everytime I cross the street tonight it's been on a green (light) because the traffic has been so bad and hardly moving."

Regional rail lines experienced delays for a second night as a result of increased demand caused by the idling of city buses, trolleys and subways.

The city's bike-share program was doing a booming business.

Gabby Richards, 23, said she was relieved Wednesday morning to get the last bike available at the stand near her home.

"There's a powerful message coming with this strike about how important public transportation is to the city of Philadelphia and to people like me," Richards said. "I've been making my plans each day around Uber surge pricing and traffic. It's clear that something needs to happen to get people moving smoothly again."

SEPTA on Strike

Uber said it had 41 percent more unique riders during rush hours Tuesday compared with the same day the previous week.

This is the ninth strike since 1975 by the city transit union. The last one, in 2009, lasted six days.

Bus operators walking the picket lines said they were striking to protect their benefits, lift a limit on pension benefits and secure better working conditions.

"We're on the front lines every day, battling out here with these people getting spit on, punched at, getting called all kinds of names while they (management) sit up in their cushy office doing nothing," bus operator Andre Rhoads said.

The continuing SEPTA strike is halting service on buses, subway lines and trolleys. SEPTA made an offer to the union on Tuesday but that offer was rejected.

Bus operator Anthony Lindsay said the strikers understand the inconvenience they are causing. "But we also have cousins and mothers and fathers and uncles and nieces and nephews and neighbors who are also suffering with us. So, it shouldn't last long, but it is what it is," he said.

The strike is also affecting the Philadelphia school district. SEPTA provides rides for nearly 60,000 public, private and charter school students.

SEPTA SERVICES THAT ARE STILL RUNNING DURING STRIKE

Regional Rail

Norristown High Speed Line

Suburban Bus, Trolley Routes 101 & 102

LUCY (Loop through University City), Route 310 (Horsham Breeze), Routes 204, 205 and Cornwells Heights Parking Shuttle

CCT Connect: Regular Service will operate for registered ADA and Shared Ride customers. There may be some delays due to increased demand and local street traffic.

SEPTA SERVICES THAT ARE NOT RUNNING DURING STRIKE

City Bus Routes (Including Route 78, Cornwells Heights to Center City Express)

Market Frankford Line

Broad Street & Broad Ridge Spur Lines

Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 15, 34, and 36

CLICK HERE to read SEPTA's complete survival guide

NON-SEPTA SERVICES FOR STUDENTS AND VISITORS

Temple University student Victor Lourng created a map of bus routes that will run and provide services for students, hotel guests and some workers during the strike.

Here's my updated map of all the special student & visitor bus routes operating during the #SEPTAstrike: https://t.co/yOzXh8vGiY pic.twitter.com/QLbZAa0Obz  glitch witch  @ { libertyjs   la  } (@pixelyunicorn) November 7, 2016

UPENN'S SEPTA STRIKE CONTINGENCY PLAN

The University of Pennsylvania partnered with Drexel University, the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to provide complimentary transit services to all employees of these institutions and organizations at Penn. CLICK HERE for more information.

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY'S SEPTA STRIKE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Temple University released contingency plans to help members of the university community during the strike. CLICK HERE to learn more.

UBER EXPANDS UBERPOOL COVERAGE

Uber announced they would expand its uberPOOL coverage throughout the greater Philadelphia area during the strike. CLICK HERE to learn more.

LYFT SERVICES



Lyft announced prices will remain low for passengers during the strike. CLICK HERE to learn more.

ZIPCAR DISCOUNTS

Zipcar announced they would discount its cars in Philadelphia with $5 hourly reservations available on more than 100 zipcars near SEPTA stops for those who are without transportation. CLICK HERE to learn more.

BIKESHARE

Indego increased the amount of bikes available at some key pickup and drop-off stations to deal with more bikers. CLICK HERE to learn more.

PPA DISCOUNTS, RELAXED ENFORCEMENT

The Philadelphia Parking Authority discounted parking prices at some garages and relaxed residential and meter parking rules to deal with more drivers in Philadelphia. CLICK HERE to learn more.
More California community colleges may soon offer four-year degrees programs, even in highly competitive fields like nursing or electrical engineering.

In September 2014, the state legislature made it possible for the community college system to award bachelor degrees. The move was aimed at providing more education to help high school graduates get the training required to enter a competitive job market.

Ten of those colleges are slated to begin this year.

A Senate panel met Tuesday in San Diego and reviewed a proposal to expand bachelor degree programs from 15 community colleges to 150.

They talked about ways to keep the programs from duplicating private and state systems and, offer specialized degrees in medical or technology programs for less money.

"A lot of these degrees, students had to go to the private for-profit schools," said State Sen. Marty Block who authored the bill approved two years ago. "The community colleges can do a better job than the private, for-profits for less money."

An estimated cost for a four-year degree through the community college stystem is approximately $10,000, Block said.

Initially, the community college BA degree programs were not to include degrees offered at nearby UC or CSU campuses. However that may soon change.

"In certain communities they need more programs than the CSU can process for them," Block said.

"Clearly the community needs more nurses, and more people in many fields, than the California State University is just too impacted to prepare enough students."

Participants in the hearings also discussed finding ways to transfer students who were in private universities that closed unexpectedly.

In September, ITT Tech closed its doors and shut out students who were in the process of getting degrees.
A Fallbrook couple is warning voters in San Diego to be aware of mail-in ballots and make sure that it is complete.

Jerry Bob and Patty Beasley told NBC 7 that they received their mail-in ballots last Friday and noticed the problem.

I opened up her ballot and my ballot, and I realized, I only have card one. Im missing card two with some of the propositions on it, Jerry Bob Beasley said.

He added that he is also concerned the problem may be more widespread.

If Im the only one who got a half a ballot, somebody messed up," he said. "I forgive them, but I can't believe Im the only one."

The San Diego Registrar of Voters said they investigated and that there is no indication there was a problem with an incomplete ballot.

This is automation we are talking about here, to make sure every mail-in ballot is properly packaged, said Michael Vu, from the Registrar of Voters.

Vu said since there is a barcode on every ballot card, if both cards are not inside the envelope, the machine stops. But there is no indication the machine stopped.

So were sure both cards were added into the mail ballot package, he said.

The Beasley said they are still concerned that some voters may have received incomplete ballots and not realized it.

Patty Beasley added that she does hope her husband is the only one who received an incomplete ballot.

But the odds aren't good with that, I dont think," she said. "With this many people, this many ballots.

Jerry Bob Beasley added: I commend them with the job they have to do down there, but it needs to be done right."

The Beasleys told NBC 7 they have also not received a ballot book, which they say they need to be informed voters.

They said the Registrar of Voters' office told them to go online but it's something they prefer not to have to do.

Vu says he personally is looking into why they have not received a ballot book and that he wants them to have all the information they need.
Ten months after a raid at a medical marijuana distribution company, there are still no charges against the former business owner, who says San Diego police have yet to return his and his familys assets.

The last 10 months have been very stressful. said James Slatic. I mean, I put my life's savings into this and where am I now?

Slatic is now the former CEO of Med-West Distribution, a company he says was legal. But everything changed on the morning of January 28.

They came through the door with a sledge hammer and 28 armored, helmet-wearing automatic weapon-carrying SWAT guys, he said.

San Diego police and DEA agents detained and then arrested two of Slatics employees who were later released. Within a matter of hours, they had seized everything, including $324,000.

I cant afford to be optimistic, I have to be pessimistic," he said.

The medical marijuana business was shut down and 35 employees lost their jobs. The building where Slatics city and state permits once hung is now vacant, even the parking lot has no parking signs surrounding it.

Slatic told NBC 7, thats not even the worst of it.

The raid has gone beyond the company. Within days, police had also frozen Slatics, his wifes and his daughters personal bank accounts. Then in June, they seized all of the money in their accounts.

They've taken it and now we have to prove why the money is not guilty and to give it back," he said.

Authorities were able to do this using civil forfeiture, which Slatic says he now calls the American justice systems dirty little secret.

Tanya Sierra, a D.A. public affairs officer, said in a statement:

"The primary mission of the asset forfeiture program is to enhance public safety by removing the proceeds of crime and other assets relied upon by criminals to perpetuate their criminal activity. When it comes to spending the funds, we're obligated to follow nationwide policies, procedures and guidelines set up by the Department of Justice."

But as of now, Slatic is not a criminal.

I haven't been arrested, I haven't been charged. And I didn't do anything wrong by the way, he said.

Regarding the now 10-month long case, Sierra said: The investigation related to this DEA task force raid is ongoing and the case remains under review for potential criminal charges.

Slatics attorney Wesley Hottot with the non-profit law firm Institute for Justice said the D.A.s office has up to a year after seizing their money to bring a case to court.

A judge has already denied a motion to unfreeze Slatics bank accounts.

But now Hottot has filed for a motion in court to get the familys seized money back. They expect to be in court on November 14.
The San Diego City Council voted 7-2 Tuesday to reject an ordinance which would have banned most short-term rentals.

Hundreds of San Diego residents voiced their opinions during an all-day city council meeting regarding the issue.

Many long-time residents feel that the act of renters moving in and out of homes destroys the integrity of the neighborhood.

Approximately 300 speakers on both sides of the issue sounded off in a meeting so big, they held it at Golden Hall.

On the table, was a proposal by Council President Sherri Lightner to clarify the definition of short-term and, in effect, 'ban' a majority of the rentals.

Pacific Beach resident Tom Coat lives right next door to one of those rentals. He supports a change in the city ordinance because he said short-term tenants are noisy.

There were just as many people against a ban.

Many of those people rent out their property through web sites like AirBnB. They argued the rentals are good for the local economy, and gives them extra money.

They also said a ban would be a nightmare to enforce.

City Councilmember Todd Gloria offered an alternative motion to direct mayors office to create a budget for enhanced enforcement of short term rentals. He suggested discussion of a policy that will allow for and regulate short term rentals and home sharing.

Councilmembers approved the Gloria proposal.

In a statement following the vote, Belinda Smith, the founder of Short Term Rental Alliance of San Diego, called the decision an "enormous win."

"We are encouraged by the Councils level-headedness, and their sincere desire to bring about a future fair ordinance to regulate Short Term Rentals for all San Diegans," Smith said. "We think the Gloria proposal is the right way to go, and we are very happy with the results."

Opponents Save SD Neighborhoods said they were obviously disappointed with the outcome.

"SSDN is optimistic that when San Diego has a new City Attorney the Code will be enforced as written and STVR will be removed from our residential zones," the group said in a written statement.
A suspect who holed himself up inside a home in Mira Mesa was not found inside the residence after officers searched the home, according to Acting Captain Charles Lara, from the San Diego Police Department (SDPD).

Officers swarmed a Mira Mesa neighborhood Tuesday in search of 27-year old Michael Paganvega, wanted for assault with a deadly weapon.

Paganvega is connected to a shooting that happened at Hourglass Park in Mira Mesa Tuesday morning. A victim went to the hospital with a gunshot wound, according to SDPD, but it is considered to be non-life threatening.

At 2:30 p.m., officers set up a perimeter around Brentford Avenue and Westonhill Drive. The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) said detectives had tried to arrest Paganvega in the area but he escaped.

A search ensued.

One hour later, the SDPD said officers had zoned in on a house in the 8800 block of Brentford Avenue where they believed he was hiding.

Officers attempted to call out to Paganvega but he was not responding. SDPD said one person -- not the suspect -- had come out of the house.

SWAT officials moved in and a standoff began, lasting for hours. Around 5 p.m., police set off flashbangs.

Neighbors told NBC 7, the police activity made then nervous about their own family members.

"It's a first time for me and like I said, it's kind of nerve wracking," said witness Robert Jardinano.

A neighbor who lives down the street from the home where the standoff took place said it's a good neighborhood and they often don't see crime.

"I'm terrified, man, I have four little siblings," said Tyler. "So I fear for their safety and other kids too."

At approximately 7:45 p.m., Lara said that officers conducted a through search of the home but Paganvega was not found.

At this time, a motive for the shooting is unknown.

He is considered to be armed and dangerous. If anyone has information or has seen him, they are asked to not engage with him in any manner, and instead call SDPD.

No further details were immediately released.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story.
The San Diego Registrar of Voters is calling for bilingual volunteers to step forward for Election Day.

Poll workers are needed in Bostonia, Carlsbad, El Cajon, Encinitas, Poway, Santee, Solana Beach, and University City, and bilingual volunteers fluent in English and one of the following languages are need in the associated neighborhoods:

Chinese: Carlsbad, Centre City in downtown San Diego, Encinitas, Oceanside

Filipino: Del Dios, Escondido, Oceanside, Poway, Spring Valley, Valley Center

Spanish: Fallbrook, Lemon Grove, Poway, Santee, Spring Valley

Vietnamese: Del Dios, El Cajon, Encanto, Escondido, La Mesa, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, Linda Vista, Mira Mesa, Normal Heights, Paradise Hills, Poway, Rancho Penasquitos, San Marcos, San Ysidro, Santee, Serra Mesa, Spring Valley, Vista

The Registrars Office is also recruiting volunteers fluent in Khmer, Japanese, Korean and Hindi.

Stipends of $100 to $175 are offered to poll workers depending on their assignment, and specifically-assigned bilingual volunteers receive an additional $15.

Poll workers must be registered voters in California, or permanent residents of the United States with transportation to their assigned polling location. A two-hour class and additional online training is necessary.

The Presidential Election is Tuesday, November 8.

Click here to apply to be a poll worker.
Republican nominee Donald Trump's claim that the election will be rigged against him has raised concerns about voter intimidation and poll monitoring during the November 8 election.

A variety of political organizations say they'll have people monitoring polling places.

How could that affect polling places in San Diego?

"If certain campaigning is happening within 100 feet, then we are going to advise that individual, that is doing so, to get past that 100 foot mark," said Michael Vu, of the San Diego Registrar of Voters.

It is illegal to campaign within 100 feet of a polling place. Outside of 100 feet, political signs, shirts, positive or negative words about candidates or issues is fair game.

According to the San Diego Registrar of Voters there will be hundreds of field support representatives circulating throughout the 1552 precincts in San Diego during the election. To help enforce the polling place rules those field representatives have some power behind them.

"If we have to get law enforcement involved we will," Vu said.

But what do voting rights activists think about the registrars ability to protect polling places?

"We think there's a good system to catch these sorts of things," said Christopher Wilson, Associate Director of Alliance San Diego.

Wilson believes that the system in place will not only prevent campaigning within 100 feet of polling places, but also protect voters from all sorts of things even voter harassment and intimidation.

"I'd tell people not to be worried, afraid,or intimidated. Go out there and make sure your vote is cast and if someone does try to intimidate you, then there are rules and laws to protect you," he said.

NBC 7 spoke to various San Diego voters--most felt the system would protect them. Voter David Burch said that if someone tried to interfere with him at a polling place, he'd tell that person to "get out of my way! It's a freedom of choice."

San Diego voting polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 8.
A former Marine shocked the courtroom during his own murder trial, admitting to strangling the wife of another Marine and pushing her head-first down an abandoned mine shaft in the remote California desert.

Christopher Brandon Lee, 27, made those statements after taking the stand Thursday in testimony that continued into Tuesday, The Desert Sun reported.

Lee had pleaded not guilty to killing 19-year-old Erin Corwin, with whom Lee's suspected of having an affair.

"I'm no longer scared to tell the truth. People have to know what I did," Lee testified in San Bernardino County Superior Court.

When prosecutor Sean Daugherty asked Lee if he's the one who strangled Corwin, he replied, "Yes, I am."

Corwin's body was found hidden 100 feet down a mine shaft in a remote area of the high desert near Joshua Tree National Park after a nearly two-month search. She had disappeared in June 2014.

Friends told investigators that Corwin, whose husband was stationed with Lee at the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps base, believed she was pregnant and that Lee might be the father.

"I made the decision to kill her," Lee testified Tuesday. "I was controlled by the anger. The hate I felt that day. It was something I never want to experience again."

Lee said he approached Corwin from behind and strangled her for at least five minutes with a garrote made up of two pieces of rebar and a cord. He said he then dragged Corwin's body to the mine shaft and pushed her in head first.

Lee's attorney, David Kaloyanides, questioned his client only briefly, trying to emphasize that the Lee had not planned the killing.

Kaloyanides did not return messages seeking comment Tuesday.

Lee testified that he decided to kill Corwin because he said she had molested one of his family members -- the first time that accusation has come to light.

An investigator and a spokeswoman with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the agency in charge of investigating the case, didn't respond to telephone messages seeking comment about whether they had heard of the molestation accusation before or looked into it.

Closing arguments in the case are set for Wednesday.

Erin Corwin, 20, was last seen June 28, 2014. Her husband, a Marine corporal, reported her missing the next day when she did not return home from a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park. Corwin was reportedly three months pregnant.

Corwin's body was discovered days later 140 feet down a mine shaft in a remote area several miles southeast of Twentynine Palms on property owned by the Bureau of Land Management.

The search for Corwin spanned 300 square miles of the Mojave Desert. Hundreds of rescue workers and volunteers searched in helicopters and on the ground, often in sweltering heat. Dive teams searched bodies of water in the area.

Forensic exams of computers, cell phones and other electronic devices led detectives to a mine shaft outside Joshua Tree National Park.

Court documents obtained by The Desert Sun indicated that Corwin may have been having an affair with Lee. Evidence showed their relationship could have started as early as February 2014, Newport said Monday.

Corwin's friend from Tennessee confirmed to authorities that the two were romantically involved and that Lee was afraid his wife would find out, according to the court documents. The friend said they were planning a hunting trip for June 28 -- the day Corwin disappeared -- to celebrate the pregnancy.

Lee initially told investigators that Corwin was just an acquaintance but later admitted they had kissed and were growing closer.
A man linked to two violent sexual assaults that happened in San Diego more than two months ago has been arrested in Arizona, officials confirmed Wednesday.

Jeremiah Williams, 24, is accused of two attacks on two separate victims: an Aug. 13 assault in University City and an assault one day later at a Motel 6, San Diego Police Department (SDPD) Capt. Brian Ahearn said.

Earlier this week, the SDPD asked for the public's continued help in tracking down the suspect.

After a lengthy manhunt led by multiple agencies and spanning several states including California, Texas, Arizona and Illinois, police announced a break in the case Wednesday.

SDPD Lt. Paul Phillips, of the Sex Crimes Unit, said Williams had been arrested on Oct. 27 on West Crown King Drive in Tolleson, Arizona.

Officers from the Arizona Wanted Violent Offender Task Force received a tip about Williams in the area, which led to his arrest. Williams was booked into the Maricopa County Jail in Arizona for outstanding warrants.

Phillips said leads and tips from the public were a critical part of helping authorities capture Williams.

Many long hours were put into searching for Williams, the lieutenant explained.

The lieutenant said Williams had been staying in Arizona at the time of his arrest, although Phillips wasn't sure how long he had been there.

Phillips said that, at this point, investigators are not aware of any additional assault cases linked to Williams, but the investigation is ongoing.

"There's a lot of work to be done," he added.

Williams was identified as the suspect in both cases early on.

According to police, physical evidence from the scene of the University City sex assault linked Williams as the suspect. In this assault, a woman was attacked at the Venetian Condominiums in the 3900 block of Nobel Drive after she was dropped off at the complex by a friend.

It was 10:30 p.m. and, as the woman walked to her apartment, she felt as if someone was following her.

Before the victim could unlock the door to her home, Williams allegedly knocked her to the ground and demanded money at gunpoint. After giving him money, the woman was dragged into her apartment where police said she was beaten and sexually assaulted.

Three days after that attack, SDPD officers were called to Sharp Memorial Hospital for a report of another assault.

In that case, a 23-year-old woman told police she had been violently sexually assaulted on Aug. 14 at a Motel 6 located at 4380 Alvarado Canyon Road in Mission Valley.

"The suspect, who she had recently met, entered her room choked and sexually assaulted her and then hit her in the head with a hand gun," Ahearn said.

Sex crimes detectives went to the motel and collected evidence. During their investigation, detectives learned that police officers had been called out to the incident at the motel on Aug. 14 at 10:45 p.m. The call had come in as a man hitting a woman.

That night, witnesses told police they heard the victim yell for help, and saw a suspect flee on foot. The Motel 6 manager told NBC 7 that the victim smashed a window in the room and drove off in a car before police arrived at the scene.

In a strange twist, the SDPD said officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) had detained Williams that night, after the incident at the motel, for possession of a firearm. He was cited for a firearm violation and released.

Back at Motel 6, officers found a crime scene, but no victim.

It wasn't until Aug. 17, when the victim went to Sharp Memorial Hospital and reported the assault, that investigators linked the victim to the Motel 6 incident. The woman's description of her attacker matched the description of the man accused in the University City assault.

During the investigation, through physical evidence and victim interviews, detectives identified Williams as the suspect in both cases.

Investigators launched a manhunt for Williams, and warned the public that the suspect was considered armed and dangerous.

The San Diego County District Attorney's Office confirmed Wednesday that Williams will be extradited back to San Diego at an undisclosed date.

We anticipate bringing him back shortly to face charges, Phillips added an afternoon news briefing.

The SDPD said he will face multiple charges related to the two sexual assaults from August. Williams has a criminal background in California and Texas.

Anyone with information on these cases can call the SDPD's Sex Crimes Unit at (619) 531-2210.
The U.S. Navy sailor accused of driving drunk and crashing into a crowded park beneath the Coronado Bridge appeared in court Wednesday, in his first court appearance since his arrest.

Richard Anthony Sepolio, 24, an active duty service member stationed in Coronado, will remain in custody on $2 million bail. A San Diego judge rejected the defense request to release Sepolio into the care of the U.S. military.

Sepolio's truck plunged 60 feet off the Coronado Bridge ramp on Saturday, October 15. The vehicle landed onto a crowd below, killing four people.

He has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges related to the fatal crash, including four counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence causing injury or death, and four different great bodily injury allegations.

Attorney Paul Pfingst argued his client was not drunk and was not texting. Sepolio should be released from jail and confined to base where he could undergo surgery for injuries to his back, his ribs and his hands, the attorney told the court.

This young man is serving his country and he has no criminal record and the breath tests that were taken shortly after the accident show that his blood alcohol level was below the legal limit, Pfingst said explaining how breath tests conducted by the CHP showed his client had a blood alcohol level under the legal limit.

In court, the prosecutor said the defendants injuries prevented an accurate breathalyzer test and that blood drawn later provided a more accurate measurement.

An hour after the initial tests, a blood sample was drawn and Sepolio's BAC was measured at .08.

The idea that his client was texting at the time of the crash is not accurate, Pfingst said.

"After he hit the ground and was trapped in the vehicle, he took out his cell phone to call for help," Pfingst said. "The evidence will show when they check the time on his cell phone, the cell phone times match up to after the accident occurred."

The crash was a tragic accident, Pfingst said, caused when Sepolio was driving at approximately 60 miles an hour when he was forced off the bridge by another vehicle.

However, the district attorneys office maintains there is no evidence the defendant was forced off the bridge.

Judge Frederick Maguire rejected the defense request and ordered Sepolio to be held on $2 million bail.

Sepolio is facing a maximum sentence of 23 years and eight months in prison.

The four people killed in the collision were identified as Cruz Elias Contreras, 52, AnnaMarie Contreras, 50, Andre Christopher Banks, 49, and Francine Denise Jimenez, 46.

They were attending the La Raza Ride motorcycle festival being held at Chicano Park.
The D.C. Council gave preliminary approval to a death with dignity bill Tuesday.

The measure would give limited rights for terminally ill persons with less than six months to live to take drugs to end their lives.

Supporters of the bill wore yellow shirts in the Council chamber, while opponents wore red.

If you want to give me dignity, give it to me while I live, opponent Leona Redmond said.

The Council passed the bill 11-2 on a preliminary vote. That was good news for Sally Epstein, 91, who wants to control her life to the end.

I say that everybody should have a choice, she said. I'm not telling them they should do something, and they should not tell me that I should do something.

Opponents expressed concern that lower-income residents would be pushed to end their lives prematurely rather than undergo costly treatment. Supporters said the bill, which goes to a second vote in two weeks, has safeguards against family or medical abuse.

Councilmember Yvette Alexander voted no and said citizens should have more of a say.

I think with this particular issue, it would be fitting that we would take it to the voters of the District of Columbia with regard to a ballot issue, she said.

Mayor Muriel Bowser has not taken a position on the bill.

Physician-assisted death is legal in five states, and several others are considering legislation.
China debuted its J-20 stealth fighter Tuesday at Airshow China in the southern city of Zhuhai.

Two J-20s made a brief appearance in the show's opening ceremonies, performing a series of maneuvers and generating enough noise to set off car alarms in a nearby parking lot, Reuters reported.

The warplane is China's second stealth fighter. The J-31 was unveiled to the public at the Zhuhai airshow two years ago.

While the J-31 is expected to be China's entrant in the global arms market, the J-20  which resembles the U.S.'s F-22 Raptor  is unlikely to be exported.

"This is the airplane for China in the way that the J-31 is not," an aviation industry official told Reuters. "This is the one they develop for themselves."
A preschool boy carried a loaded pistol into an elementary school in southeast Washington, the Metropolitan Police Department said.

Detectives arrested the boys father, Anthony Earl Chiles, 31, of Southeast, after a security guard at Moten Elementary School on Morris Road SE checked the childs backpack and found a loaded Glock 17 9mm, semi-automatic pistol around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The boy is 3 years old, according to the police report.

Chiles was charged with carrying a pistol without a license, possession of unregistered ammunition and recklessly endangering a childs physical, mental or emotional health.

On Wednesday, Chiles appeared in court and denied putting the gun in his son's backpack. He said it must have been in there when he picked the child up from the boy's grandmother's house to take him to school.

According to court documents, the grandmother and another adult in the grandmother's home have denied any knowledge of the gun being in the backpack.

Chiles is being held in jail overnight, pending another hearing on Thursday.
A local chapter of Black Lives Matter is planning to flood Twitter Wednesday afternoon to demand answers in the shooting of a man by D.C. police.

Mark George, 23, was in critical condition after being shot multiple times by officers Oct. 14. He has since been released from the hospital and is now at the D.C. Jail, according to a woman who answered the phone at the jail's records office.

April Goggans, a core organizer with Black Lives Matter DC, says the group and its supporters are planning a Twitterstorm using the hashtag #MarkGeorge at 4 p.m. Wednesday. A Twitterstorm is a sudden spike in activity surrounding a topic and often serves as a way for users to show solidarity.

"We want answers. We want the names of the officers," Goggans said. "We're just really tired of the freewill of these officer to just shoot, and no one gets indicted. They just get a vacation."

Just after 11 p.m. Oct. 14, undercover officers responded to calls for shots fired on Whaler Place Southeast, police have said. George was standing with a crowd of people but ran as police chased him.

Officers say he pulled a loaded gun and they shot him.

"We started following the shooting the night it happened," Goggans said. "There's no one other than the officers that say there was a gun."

George's family asked to see body camera video of the incident, but police have said the undercover officers weren't wearing body cameras so there was no footage to release.

"It's irresponsible for six officers on scene of a police shooting, for none of those officers to be wearing a body camera is unconscionable," Mark George's attorney, Brian K. McDaniel, told News4 last month.

Police said they are in the early phases of deploying the cameras and many officers still do not have them.

George's mother said she doesn't believe he had a gun.

"I know my child," Daphne George said. "He's a good kid."

Groggins said the goal of the Twitterstorm is to activate, educate and organize a long-term campaign. During the Twitterstorm, supporters will share George's story and a variety of other information.

"His family is 100 percent behind these efforts, and they are looking for support from anyone and everyone," Goggans said. "They're upset, sad and disgusted."

Daphne George said her son's shooting is something she says every mother now has to fear.

"I'm still numb," she said. "This is something no one should have to go through."

Mark George has been charged with carrying an illegal gun and assault on an officer.
Virginia state government has a new website designed to help battle opioid and heroin addiction.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced Tuesday the creation of VaAware.com , which he said was an informational tool for the public, health care practitioners and law enforcement officials.

Opioid deaths in Virginia have risen dramatically in recent years. In 2015, there were 801 deaths, a nearly 50 percent increase since 2012.

The website was recommended by McAuliffe's newly created task force on prescription drug and heroin abuse.
Local school districts are at risk of running short on male teachers.

A new report from the Maryland State Department of Education shows seven of every eight teachers hired last year were women.

The shortage is especially egregious in special education, early childhood education and languages.

"Our undergraduate programs are not creating enough people who are interested in education," said Dana Davison, Montgomery County Public Schools Human Resources and Development. "It's our job as a school system to say we need you."

The state school board recommended formally declaring a shortage of men in public school classrooms. By making a formal declaration, state officials change some of the rules in public schools. In some districts, retired teachers will be allowed to be rehired and rejoin the workforce. Some college students who choose teaching will qualify for extra financial incentives and loan assistance.

Public school officials in Prince Georges and Montgomery counties said they are aware of the problem and trying to address it.

"It's imperative that students have a connection with a male teacher so they can have the kinds of conversations they need to have to grow socially," said Pete Daddone of Urbana Middle School.
An advocacy group announced Wednesday they are filing lawsuits against Washington Gas and a management company on behalf of the victims of the devastating explosion in August at an apartment building in Maryland.

"It's not just about money. This actually is about justice," CASA Executive Director Gustavo Torres said.

The blast at the Flower Branch Apartments in Silver Spring, Maryland, killed seven people, including two children, and left dozens injured. CASA has said that more than 30 residents were injured and dozens now suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

On Wednesday, Torres sharply criticized the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for the lack of information released on the investigation.

"Seven people died, but no one is saying who is responsible for this," Torres said.

He said the group believes that Washington Gas was the entity responsible for the gas lines, and the community's management company, Kay Apartment Communities, had a duty to residents.

"We truly believe that Washington Gas and Kay Management are responsible for these seven dead and many people [who] have been injured," Torres said.

Victims had previously said they intended to file a lawsuit, but Wednesday was the first time that CASA announced whom they intended to sue. Torres did not say how much compensation would be sought.

Victims said the explosion changed their lives dramatically. One resident said he has been forced to use a wheelchair after the blast. Solomon Weldemariam said he fled with only the clothes on his back.

"Everything lost. I don't have anything ... no documentation, my passport, my social security, my naturalization certificate," he said.

Resident Maria Escobar said the lawsuits were not only about the money.

"We are here fighting this lawsuit to fight for our dignity, but also to fight to improve our community and make it better and safer," she said via an interpreter.

Authorities have said that natural gas was a factor in the blast that involved two buildings at the apartment complex. However, investigators have said they were still trying to determine what caused the gas explosion.

"If this happened in a rich neighborhood, you know what?" Torres said Wednesday. "We would have an answer immediately."

Residents of the apartment complex told News4 that they had long complained of a smell of gas around the apartments, which each have a natural gas furnace and stove.

"They were sleeping in the car for a while," one resident told News4 in the wake of the blast. "Now they've returned to the apartments, but they're afraid to turn the gas stove on. They're afraid to cook."

Residents and CASA are asking Kay Apartment Communities to meet with them to discuss the condition of the remaining buildings.

"We have been sending letters. We have been rallying in front of the offices to request a meeting and we still have not had that meeting yet," Torres said.

Kay said in a statement that they were working with CASA to agree on terms for the next meeting. The company said it could not comment further because of the pending lawsuits.
A Virginia woman who was counting on her $3,000 2014 tax refund waited almost three years to get it.

The money was something I really needed, said Emma Trollerud of Springfield.

Trollerud hired a certified public accountant and filed electronically but never received her refund. She called the IRS multiple times.

I called the IRS and I started asking questions, she said.

She said she spent hours on hold and didnt find anyone to help her.

So then I get a letter from them saying that my ID had been compromised, she said.

Thinking she was a victim of identity theft, Trollerud closed her credit cards and bank account and went back to her maiden name.

After more time passed with no word from the IRS, she sent them a letter asking what to do next.

No response from them, I sent them a new letter, she said. Now they respond to me saying that I needed further proof of my income.

Thinking it was an issue of identity theft, Trollerud was confused.

I didnt see any reason for that because my W2s and everything were attached to my tax return, she said.

But the IRS never again mentioned the possibility her identity was compromised.

I got four or five letters from them, and each one was very different, she said.

The final letter stated she never filed her 2014 taxes.

So now Im really frantic, she said.

When NBC4 Responds asked the IRS about Trollerud's tax return, it said it wouldnt discuss specific taxpayer information but was working on Trolleruds case.

Soon after, she learned her CPA made a mistake by entering the wrong income and deductions on her return.

After almost three years, she finally received more than $5,000  her refund plus interest.
A woman was killed Tuesday afternoon following a three-vehicle crash in Salem, New Hampshire.

State Police said the crash happened at the intersection of Route 111 and Ermer Road at about 4:39 p.m.

Authorities said a Honda Accord, driven by a 45-year-old man, turned westbound onto Route 111 striking a Kia Optima traveling west bound. The collision pushed the Kia into the eastbound lane where it struck a Toyota Camry.

A 69-year-old woman in the Camry was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the driver of the Toyota, a 58-year-old man, was taken by medical helicopter to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston where his condition is unknown. The driver of the Kia was taken to Elliot Medical Center in Manchester with serious injuries. Two people in the Toyota suffered serious injuries in the crash, police said. The driver of the Honda was treated and released with minor injuries.

Salem police said they are working with the Rockingham County Attorneys office to see if any charges may be filed as a result of the crash. Anyone who may have witnessed it, is urged to call the Salem Police Department at 603-893-1911.
Two men are dead after their car crashed through the perimeter fence at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts, struck a cement barrier and then burst into flames on Tuesday night.

Massachusetts State Police said they have found no evidence that the crash was an attack on the base or terror-related, but the investigation is ongoing.

The accident occurred at 11:18 p.m. at the end of Sheridan Street, police said. The Kia Soul crashed through a fence and barrier at the dead-end of the street, continuing onto a perimeter road on base property and rolling over. The driver was partially ejected from the vehicle.

Firefighters responded to the crash in less than two minutes, put out the fire, and extricated the driver and passenger, the air base said. Both men died in the accident. Their names have not yet been released.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but state police said preliminary information suggests that excessive speed may have been a contributing factor.

According to its website, Westover is the nation's largest Air Force Reserve base, and is home to more than 5,500 military and civilian workers.

The damaged fence has already been repaired in order to secure the base's perimeter.
Two pedestrians were hospitalized Tuesday night after being struck by a utility truck in Woburn, Massachusetts.

Police said the crash happened at about 7 p.m. on Common Street, near City Hall.

Authorities said when officers arrived, they found a 71-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman, suffering from injuries after being struck by a truck.

Police said both victims were taken to Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington with serious, life-threatening injuries.

The names of the victims have not been released.

Police said the driver of the truck stayed on the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by Woburn Police.
Coast guards fired live rounds at Chinese trawlers fishing illegally in Korean-controlled waters for the first time on Tuesday, a month after the government authorized their use.

Around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, three coast guard patrol boats fired M60 machine gun rounds at about 30 Chinese fishing boats that were bearing threateningly down on them while they towed away two trawlers that had been fishing about 90 km southwest of Socheong Island in Incheon.

Three hours earlier the patrol boats had spotted some 50 Chinese trawlers fishing illegally about 5.5 km inside Korean waters.

Within an hour they dispatched six speedboats and captured two Chinese trawlers and started escorting them away when some 30 other Chinese trawlers began to gave chase, apparently with the aim of freeing the two trawlers.

At 5:45 p.m., two more patrol boats arrived to help but the Chinese trawlers started ramming into patrol boats.
Authorities say a man has been arrested after woman was killed and two people were seriously injured in a crash on state Route 111 in Salem, New Hampshire.

Forty-five-year-old Todd Gurley of Hampstead is facing multiple charges, including negligent homicide, aggravated DWI causing serious injury, heroin possession and falsifying physical evidence.

Police say Gurley's vehicle, a Honda Accord, was turning westbound onto the road around 4:40 p.m. Tuesday when it hit a Kia Optima that was traveling westbound through an intersection. The force of the crash pushed the Kia into oncoming traffic and it struck a Toyota Camry.

Police say a 69-year-old Atkinson woman, a passenger in the Toyota, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, a 58-year-old man, was airlifted to a Boston hospital with injuries considered life-threatening.

The Kia's driver was hospitalized in Manchester with life-threatening injuries.

Gurley was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

He was held on no bail overnight in Rockingham County Jail, and will be arraigned Wednesday.

It's unclear if Gurley has an attorney.

The names of the Atkinson woman and the other injured people have not been released.
Following the killings of two police officers in Des Moines, Iowa, early Wednesday, local police departments offered their condolences on social media.

The two officers were shot "ambush-style" while inside their cars in separate attacks.

Local police departments such as the Newton Police Department, Tewksbury Police Department, and Nashua Police Department took to Twitter to offer their support for the officers.
Police in Sterling, Massachusetts spent Wednesday chasing leads a day after a 70-year-old woman was bound with duct tape and robbed in her home.

"I have been robbed by three men and they have taken off with my 2004 black DeVille," the victim told a 9-1-1 operator in a call released by Sterling Police on Wednesday.

"How long ago were they in your house?" the dispatcher then asked the victim.

"About three minutes ago," the victim responded. "They left they have to be in Sterling in my 2004 Deville."

Police Chief Gary Chamberland said investigators received a number of tips overnight. Late Tuesday afternoon, the victim's Cadillac was recovered about seven miles from her home.

Chief Chamberland said Mass. State Police and Worcester Police are also assisting investigators.

The victim was not injured. The chief said about $1,000 was stolen.
A Stoughton, Massachusetts, synagogue is being criticized for allowing three controversial speakers to highlight an event on Wednesday night.

Rabbi Jonathan Hausman, of Avhavath Torah Synogogue, is sticking by his convictions to invite three controversial speakers, who critics call Anti-Muslim hate group leaders.

Its meant to be an educational contribution to the public policy discussion at this particular time," said Hausman.

The event is open to the public and called 'national security chaos.' It features Frank Gaffney who's said in the past, most of the Muslim-American groups of any prominence in America are now known to be hostile to the United States and its Constitution.

Jerry Boykin, has also been quoted as saying we need to realize that Islam itself is not just a religion, it is a totalitarian way of life. It should not be protected under the first amendment.

Tom Trento is on record saying mosques are not houses of worship but more so, bases of operation to launch a cultural jihad against America.

But John Robbins with the Massachusetts Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations is asking the rabbi to cancel this event and calling these men, the unholy trinity.

"Speakers who the southern poverty law centers identified as extremist hate groups alongside the KKK and white supremacist groups," said Robbins.

The Anti-Defamation League says whatever is said by the speakers is likely protected speech. However, the group issued a statement saying demonizing an entire faith is counterproductive to enhancing the communities understanding of the threat posed by a radical interpretation of Islam.

An interfaith coalition is planning to protest peacefully if the speaking engagement moves forward.
Police in Derry, New Hampshire are investigating repeated incidents of vandalism.

Police first responded to a report of a damaged vehicle on Oct. 21 and investigated it as criminal mischief. They found racial slurs carved into the paint of a vehicle outside the home of Jaci Stimson on Scobie Pond Road. Stimson told police the car was vandalized while they were home and the car was parked in their driveway.

Three days later, Derry Police received another report of an intimidating message left at the same location. In this case, a sign containing racial slurs was placed at the end of the residents driveway in the late night/early morning.

On Wednesday, a third incident was reported. This time, the family woke up to find eggs, fried chicken, and watermelon thrown onto her car.

Stimson's seven year old son is mixed race and all three crimes appear to be racially motivated. Derry Police say these crimes are very much out of character for the community and it is unknown why this particular family has been the focus.

But Stimson will not be intimidated. She believes it is important to show her son neither she nor him have done anything wrong.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Derry Police at 603-432-6111.
Police in Springfield, Massachusetts continue to look for a man considered armed and dangerous who they say was in a car that ran down two city police officers.

Meanwhile, two co-defendants are in court Wednesday to face charges connected to a string of alleged crimes that started late Monday night in Connecticut and involved a convenience store robbery in Springfield.

Police say they tried to pull over a vehicle with Rhode Island plates and three occupants wanted in connection with a shooting in Enfield, Connecticut.

The vehicle fled, striking two officers, who were treated and released from the hospital. Police opened fire at the fleeing vehicle.

After the car crashed at about 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, police arrested Derek Fernandes, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and Melquon Alford, of Springfield. The third person ran away.
Four Vermont students have been cited for allegedly luring a man onto their campus with the promise of drugs in order to beat him up last month.

Colchester Police said the students -- 20-year-olds Megan Benson and Tyler Malone, and 21-year-olds Daniel Barry and Zachary Szczechowicz -- contacted 21-year-old Amrou Mohamed to sell him marijuana, according to NBC5.

The students tried to assault Mohamed when he arrived on campus, but he escaped after pulling out a gun.

Police have cited the students with false information to law enforcement authorities, first-degree unlawful restraint and simple assault. The students are scheduled to appear in court Nov. 3.
How should Christians view mental distress?

Regular columnist John Myhill challenges the way Christians should view those who are seen to have a mental illness.

I have just attended a Quaker gathering in London considering mental distress in Quaker Meetings, and realise that each of your churches must have a similar process going on. I really would like to hear from those of you involved in responding to mental health problems in your churches, as this is a growing issue for all of us, as services and benefits are cut.



The idea of mental illness assumes that a loss of rationality is involved. But is rationality any proof of wellness?

The final solution worked out by the Third Reich was put into operation with extreme rationality.

Bringing the war with Japan to an end rapidly by using atomic bombs, was a rational decision, which may well have reduced the numbers who would have been killed had the war continued.

Given any particular objective, Rationality claims to offer the most effective way of achieving that objective; but if people do not want that objective it would be irrational of them to act in ways to bring it about.



Rationalisation is often confused with rationality. Rationalisation allows people to hide the real reasons for their actions behind a more acceptable explanation, which others are likely to see as more rational. Most of us do this from time to time, but it is a symptom of what psychiatry calls a Personality disorder.



If we allow the individual, rather than the professional, to tell us about their suffering, we find most complain of mental distress. It is their subjective experience that they are in pain, which leads them to seek help (not their lack of rationality).



There are of course a few people who gain a mental illness diagnosis because others have complained about them, although they themselves claim to be happy and are not suffering mental distress. By giving them an illness diagnosis the psychiatrist says that the person should not be dealt with by the law but by the NHS. We might feel that most of the people in prison have behaved irrationally, and should therefore be seen as mentally ill?



If we see someone as distressed, our compassionate response is surely to provide comfort?

You are ill and must undergo treatment to make you better. May be comforting if it is true. But what if they are not ill, and the treatment does not make them better?



Surely it is better to say: you are a unique human being with special abilities and the distress you are suffering is a side-effect. The side-effects are actual physical states and can be treated best if the person is valued. You are not defined by your cancer, heart disease or infection, so why should you be defined by an ability, which rationalists view as a disaster/ disease.



Now re-read the Beatitudes in Matthew 5: 3-10, and see in each description a person you know, who is suffering mental distress.



The image above is courtesy of https://pixabay.com
Rosebery Road Methodist Church in Norwich will be holding its annual Cribs and Trees Festival in December.

Rosebery Road Methodist Church in Norwich will be holding its annual Cribs and Trees Festival in December.

Transforming Norwich lunch offers ministry tips Ex-Brighton vicar, Rev Phil Moon, will offer tips on how to keep going in ministry to the Transforming Norwich leaders lunch on Wednesday November 16. Read more

Quiet Waters in Bungay offers healing retreat Quiet Waters Christian Retreat in Bungay is holding a gentle day retreat exploring healing in the Kingdom of God. Read more

Latest Norfolk Christian community events Events of interest to the Norwich and Norfolk Christian community happening over the next few weeks are listed. Read more

Norfolk ministry coaching duo are guest speakers Former church leaders and now freelance ministry coaches, Jonathan and Paige Squirrell, are the guest speakers at the next dinner of Norwich FGB on Monday, November 21. Read more

Bringing light to Halloween Anna Price encourages Christians to engage positively with Halloween rather than hide away, on what many see as the darkest night of the year. Read more

First service takes place at Norwich church site SOUL Church hosted around 400 people for a special service on the site of their new building on Heartsease Lane. Read more

Dereham draws up list of warm places for winter As rising energy prices make it harder to heat homes, churches in Dereham are leading the way in creating warm spaces where people can go. Read more

South Norfolk church scoops national award A medieval Anglican church in a tiny hamlet in South Norfolk has won a national award and a 10,000 boost. Read more

Dereham churches help people to help themselves A group of churches in Dereham have launched an ambitious project which aims to meet needs in the town, including the provision of food and skills training. Read more

Executive assistant and nursery manager jobs SOUL Church is a vibrant, welcoming and growing church in Norwich. They are seeking an organised and versatile Executive Assistant to provide key support to the churchs Senior Pastors, as well as a qualified Nursery Manager to head up SOUL Nursery. Read more

Halloween light in Gorleston church On Halloween this year, St Mary Magdalene Church in Gorleston will be preparing to welcome around 200 families to experience their Light on a Dark Night event. Read more

An opportunity for Norwich to pray for the nation Rev Nigel Fox, who has served as a Methodist Minister for 15 years in Norwich, shares an open invitation to pray for the nation at a crucial moment. Read more

Norwich church seeks musicians Kingdom Ambassadors International Church is appealing for instrumentlists, keyboardists and guitarists to be part of their worship experience. Read more

Please keep Rishi in your prayers Andy Bryant urges us to pray for our political leaders, especially the new Prime Minister, and avoid unhelpful judgementalism. Read more

Emilys art boosts growing Yarmouth foodbank A pupil at a primary school in Bradwell has been selling her pictures in order to raise money for the Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank, which is expanding its capacity and is seeking more volunteers. Read more

Patrick Regan helps Norwich to bounce forwards On Saturday St Stephens in Norwich hosted Bouncing Forwards as part of a national tour by the mental health charity Kintsugi Hope. Read more

Painting and biblical feasting in Overstrand There will be opportunities to improve your painting skills and indulge in some biblical feasting next month at the Pleasaunce in Overstrand in North Norfolk. Read more
A hyperscale cloud data center looks different from an enterprise data center, or even a large hosting provider. The problems they face are different from the problems you face. And your approach to everything from how you choose a site to how you manage power to how long you keep servers is not their approach.

Microsoft recently gave CIO.com a tour of its Quincy, Washington facility, as part of the first group of journalists to see inside an Azure data center in a decade, and there were plenty of restrictions: no photographs or recordings and no information that would compromise the security of the facility (the images here were supplied by Microsoft).

Here are some of the significant differences to think about if youre considering a hybrid cloud that involves you running Azure Stack or a hyperconverged infrastructure:
The National Tax Service is investigating how Choi Soon-sil, the presidential confidante whose alleged interference in state affairs and influence peddling threatens to bring down President Park Geun-hye, amassed her wealth and whether she evaded taxes.

Choi declared real estate assets worth W36.5 billion during her divorce from then-presidential secretary Chung Yun-hoi (61) in 2014 (US$1=W1,143). They include two buildings in Sinsa-dong worth W20 billion and W8.5 billion each, W3 billion worth of real estate in Yeoksam-dong, as well as a W4 billion worth of property in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province and land in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province worth between W700 million and W1 billion.

In early September, when the scandal started unfolding, Choi hotfooted it to Germany and bought a hotel in the town of Schmitten near Frankfurt for 550,000 euros and a home nearby.

The horse her daughter Chung Yoo-ra rides in competition apparently cost around W1 billion and was bought with money from Samsung, and it costs tens of millions of won a month just to maintain the animal.

These transactions suggest that Choi has stashed away much more money than has been revealed so far.

Choi's father Choi Tae-min had three daughters with her mother as well as a slew of other children with up to five more wives. A figure sometimes likened to Rasputin, he was the leader of an obscure cult and became Park Geun-hye's mentor in the 1970s, when she was acting as first lady to her father, strongman Park Chung-hee.

The three full sisters are all unusually rich. Soon-sil's younger sister Soon-cheon owns a posh apartment in the tony Hannam-dong area of central Seoul as well as W130 billion worth of real estate in Gangnam. Her older sister Soon-deuk, who some allege was the real power behind the throne, runs a building management business.

It remains largely a mystery how the Choi family became so fabulously rich. Choi Tae-min already in the 1970s came up with the ruse of establishing a dubious nonprofit foundation by extorting corporate money, a feat later replicated by his daughter.

Above board, Choi Soon-sil ran a lucrative crammer and kindergarten in Gangnam in the 1990s, while Soon-cheon owns a clothing company for children, but how much money the daughters inherited from their father is unclear.


Microsoft issued a warning about the APT group most commonly known as Fancy Bear, or APT 28, and how it is exploiting the zero-day disclosed by Google on Halloween.

Microsoft agreed that the zero-day is being actively exploited and pointed a finger of blame at a hacking group that is believed to be tied to the Russian government; the same group is believed to be responsible for hacks that resulted in data breaches at the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign.

Microsoft does not call the APT group Fancy Bear as its codename for the threat group is STRONTIUM. Terry Myerson, executive vice president of Microsofts Windows and Devices Group, wrote:

Recently, the activity group that Microsoft Threat Intelligence calls STRONTIUM conducted a low-volume spear-phishing campaign. Customers using Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 Anniversary Update are known to be protected from versions of this attack observed in the wild. This attack campaign, originally identified by Googles Threat Analysis Group, used two zero-day vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash and the down-level Windows kernel to target a specific set of customers.

A patch is coming, but not an out-of-band fix; Microsoft will release the patch when it normally releases all security updates, on Patch Tuesday, which also happens to be Election DayNov. 8.

Until then, Microsoft advised using Windows 10 and enabling Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), as it will detect STRONTIUMs attempted attacks thanks to ATPs generic behavior detection analytics and up-to-date threat intelligence.

Microsoft has attributed more zero-day exploits to STRONTIUM than any other tracked group in 2016, Myerson added. He explained that STRONTIUM usually compromises email accounts and then sends malicious emails from those accounts to other targets. The group will persistently pursue specific targets for months until they are successful in compromising the victims computer. Once inside, STRONTIUM moves laterally throughout the victim network, entrenches itself as deeply as possible to guarantee persistent access, and steals sensitive information.

Fancy Bear must complete three steps to successfully pwn a target. Exploit Flash and then a kernel elevation of privilege flaw, which is in every supported version of Windows. However, Myerson noted that Microsoft implemented mitigations in Windows 10 Anniversary Update, which should stop all observed in-the-wild instances of this exploit. Otherwise, once Fancy Bear has achieved EoP, a backdoor is downloaded, written to the file system and executed into the browser process.

Microsoft couldnt resist remarking upon responsible disclosure and its disappointment in Google: We believe responsible technology industry participation puts the customer first and requires coordinated vulnerability disclosure. Googles decision to disclose these vulnerabilities before patches are broadly available and tested is disappointing and puts customers at increased risk.

Googles disclosure came seven days after notifying Microsoft, but before Microsoft patched. Adobe released security updates for Flash Player on October 26. Google believed going public was the right thing to do, saying, This vulnerability is particularly serious because we know it is being actively exploited.

Both companies say using their browsers, Chrome on Windows 10 or Microsofts Edge on Windows 10 Anniversary Update, should protect you from a successful attack.
The Internet of things (IoT) has already been used to launch the biggest DDoS attacks ever, but now it represents a potential path for attackers to compromise cell phones.

Flaws in Belkin WeMo devices - electrical switches, cameras, light bulbs, coffee makers, air purifiers, etc.  enabled Invincea Labs researchers to not only hack into the devices, but to use that access to attack an Android phone running the app that controls the WeMo devices.

This is the first instance weve seen of IoT hacking something else, says researcher Scott Tenaglia, who pledges to look for other vulnerable devices that might be abused to carry out similar attacks.

MORE: CIO security lessons, including about IoT

Tenaglia and his fellow researcher Joe Tanen are presenting their research this week at Black Hat Europe in London.

Belkin says it has issued patches for the flaws.

Invincea Labs This is the first instance weve seen of IoT hacking something else, says Invincea Labs researcher Scott Tenaglia

CARRYING OUT AN ATTACK

To carry out the attack the researchers attached a laptop to the same network that the WeMo device was connected to. They communicated with the device via universal plug and play (UPnP) messages, which are essentially Web requests to particular URLs on the device, Tenaglia says.

One request they sent was for the device to change its name, and they substituted the original name with a malicious string of code.

A customer can control WeMo devices via an Android application that, when it is first turned on, queries the environment for WeMo devices. One of the things the devices respond with is their names. If the name is a malicious string, as soon as it hits the application the code executes, Tenaglia says.

As a demonstration of what such a string might do, the researchers had it download all the pictures from the phones camera to a remote server. They also had it beacon the phones location to the researchers so the phone then acted like a geolocation tracker.

The hack doesnt compromise the entire phone, just the services that the WeMo application has access to. These are the telephone, the camera, storage and location, he says.

The hackers access continues even when the application is running in the background, he says. The only way to stop it is to force-quit the app, which few users do, he says.

The researchers tapped into the WeMo device via its local network, but it might be possible through Belkins cloud infrastructure. Tenaglia says Belkin doesnt permit researchers to meddle with its cloud infrastructure, but that restriction wouldnt necessarily be observed by hackers.

Going forward, apps for controlling IoT devices will have to be considered a possible security threat. The consumer has to make the decision: Do I want the internet-enabled whatever device? Because I know it might affect the security of my phone, he says.

While he plans more research into IoT security, he sees others jumping on this new means of compromising phones. There are going to be more second- and third-order effects of having an IoT device  things we havent thought of yet, he says.

This story, "Black Hat Europe: IoT devices can hack phones" was originally published by Network World .
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Festive season demand has boosted automobile sales in the country to record highs for several manufacturers, with Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata Motors posting high sales growth. In fact, Tata Motors recorded the highest monthly sales in the last four years this October.

While Nissan Motor India and Volkswagen also reported robust sales numbers for October, Toyota saw a decline of 6 per cent primarily due to its reliance on large engine diesel vehicles.

Market leader MSI reported domestic sales of 1,23,764 units as against 1,21,063 units during the same month last year. An increase of 2.2 per cent. Market demand for Maruti Suzuki products remained strong during the month. Strong retail sales of Ciaz, S Cross and Ertiga, besides of course Brezza and Baleno, kept the momentum positive for us, MSI Executive Director (Marketing and Sales) R S Kalsi said.

However, Marutis mainstays in the mini segment cars (Alto and WagonR) have declined by 9.8 per cent.

Rival Hyundai meanwhile, logged its best ever domestic sales numbers since it entered the India market, posting 50,016 units, a growth of 6.4 per cent. Hyundai with a highest-ever domestic volume of 50,016 units registered record cumulative sales of 64,372 units in October 2016, Hyundai Motor India MD and CEO Y K Koo said.

Tata Motors however, was the star as far as growth was concerned, witnessing domestic sales growth of 28 per cent to 16,311 units last month.

The Tata Tiago continued to receive strong response and Tata Zest retails were highest ever during this festive season, Tata Motors President Passenger Vehicle Business Mayank Pareek said.

CHENNAI: Festive season demand has boosted automobile sales in the country to record highs for several manufacturers, with Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata Motors posting high sales growth. In fact, Tata Motors recorded the highest monthly sales in the last four years this October. While Nissan Motor India and Volkswagen also reported robust sales numbers for October, Toyota saw a decline of 6 per cent primarily due to its reliance on large engine diesel vehicles. Market leader MSI reported domestic sales of 1,23,764 units as against 1,21,063 units during the same month last year. An increase of 2.2 per cent. Market demand for Maruti Suzuki products remained strong during the month. Strong retail sales of Ciaz, S Cross and Ertiga, besides of course Brezza and Baleno, kept the momentum positive for us, MSI Executive Director (Marketing and Sales) R S Kalsi said. However, Marutis mainstays in the mini segment cars (Alto and WagonR) have declined by 9.8 per cent. Rival Hyundai meanwhile, logged its best ever domestic sales numbers since it entered the India market, posting 50,016 units, a growth of 6.4 per cent. Hyundai with a highest-ever domestic volume of 50,016 units registered record cumulative sales of 64,372 units in October 2016, Hyundai Motor India MD and CEO Y K Koo said. Tata Motors however, was the star as far as growth was concerned, witnessing domestic sales growth of 28 per cent to 16,311 units last month. The Tata Tiago continued to receive strong response and Tata Zest retails were highest ever during this festive season, Tata Motors President Passenger Vehicle Business Mayank Pareek said.
U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Vincent Brooks on Tuesday said South Korea and the U.S. are ready for war if necessary.

Speaking at a press conference at Naval Base Guam with Lee Sun-Jin, South Korea's chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Brooks said, "We seek alternatives other than war, but it is our mission to remain ready for war if we have to."

The two heads visited Guam to show off the range of weapons at their disposal in the event of a provocation by North Korea and arranged themselves photogenically in front of the USS Pennsylvania, a nuclear-powered submarine.

"Let's be clear: If something were to happen, or if things go in the direction where they're going, Kim Jong-un and the North Korean regime must accept responsibility for anything that comes as a result," Brooks said.
By PTI

MUMBAI: To encourage banks to ensure genuine requirements of the public for Rs. 100 banknotes are met, RBI today said it has decided to conduct a pilot under which 10 per cent of ATMs in the country will be calibrated to dispense such notes exclusively.

"In keeping with the objectives of the Clean Note Policy and to ensure genuine requirements of members of the public for Rs. 100 denomination banknotes are met, the banks should increase dispensation of Rs. 100 banknotes through ATMs which are widely used for distribution of banknotes for retail use,"

the central bank said in a notification.

"With a view to encouraging the banks in that direction, it has been decided to conduct a pilot project wherein 10 per cent of the ATMs in the country will be calibrated to dispense Rs. 100 banknotes exclusively."

The Reserve Bank further said banks are, therefore, advised to configure / calibrate 10 per cent of ATMs to

facilitate this arrangement.

The central bank recently had conducted a review of steps taken by banks for installing ATMs dispensing lower denomination banknotes.

Noting that the process of configuring the requisite number of machines is not complex, RBI said the banks are required to complete the exercise within 15 days from the date of the circular and report compliance.

"For this purpose, banks are free to select the branches with the sample covering relatively large number of centres / states," it said.

MUMBAI: To encourage banks to ensure genuine requirements of the public for Rs. 100 banknotes are met, RBI today said it has decided to conduct a pilot under which 10 per cent of ATMs in the country will be calibrated to dispense such notes exclusively. "In keeping with the objectives of the Clean Note Policy and to ensure genuine requirements of members of the public for Rs. 100 denomination banknotes are met, the banks should increase dispensation of Rs. 100 banknotes through ATMs which are widely used for distribution of banknotes for retail use," the central bank said in a notification. "With a view to encouraging the banks in that direction, it has been decided to conduct a pilot project wherein 10 per cent of the ATMs in the country will be calibrated to dispense Rs. 100 banknotes exclusively." The Reserve Bank further said banks are, therefore, advised to configure / calibrate 10 per cent of ATMs to facilitate this arrangement. The central bank recently had conducted a review of steps taken by banks for installing ATMs dispensing lower denomination banknotes. Noting that the process of configuring the requisite number of machines is not complex, RBI said the banks are required to complete the exercise within 15 days from the date of the circular and report compliance. "For this purpose, banks are free to select the branches with the sample covering relatively large number of centres / states," it said.
Akram Mohammed By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Depleting reservoir levels and the weak Northeast monsoon have set the alarm bells ringing in Bengaluru and drought-hit districts of the state. If rains continue to play truant, Bengaluru could face a severe drinking water shortage in the harsh summer months.

As of Wednesday, the total availability of water in the four major reservoirs of South Interior Karnataka was 19.33tmcft, according to T N Chikkarayappa, Managing Director of Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd. In places like Chamarajanagar, officials say that borewells have started to dry up all of a sudden, forcing district administrations to prepare for contingency plans for a harsh summer. Across the state, temperatures too are hovering one to two degrees above normal.



The availability of a mere 19.33tmcft of water is a concern since at least 9tmcft of the water will be required for Bengaluru city for the next six months. According to Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board, the annual consumption of water in Bengaluru is 18tmcft.

A resolution by the state government not to release water from Krishna Raja Sagar and Kabini reservoirs to Tamil Nadu has been of little help. On September 23, both Legislative Assembly and the Council resolved not to release any water as reservoir levels had reached alarmingly low levels, with only 27.6tmcft water left in them. It also mandated the state government to utilise the available water from the four reservoirs in South Interior Karnataka, only to meet the drinking water needs of Bengaluru and other towns in Karnatakas Cauvery basin.

On October 3, both the Houses adopted a modified resolution to release Cauvery water to farmers after ensuring adequate storage to meet drinking water needs. However, successive decisions of the Supreme Court compelled the state to release water to Tamil Nadu.

Though both North Interior Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka regions have been equally affected by drought, the north fares a lot better in terms of water availability. Save Malaprabha, all other major reservoirs in the north have more water than the combined capacities of all four major reservoirs.

For instance, water availability in Bhadra and Tungabhadra dams is 25.98tmcft and 20.95tmcft respectively. The total water availability in all reservoirs in North Interior Karnataka region is 224.13tmcft.

Chamarajanagar is among the most drought-prone districts in the state. B Ramu, Deputy Commissioner of Chamarajanagar district, told Express that water scarcity issues have cropped up in some parts of the district.

The water table has plummeted following the monsoon failure, and borewells have suddenly gone dry in some places. In order to meet the water demands, new borewells are being dug, he said. Considering the problems faced now, he said that a water shortage crisis is on the cards for the district in the coming summer months.

Task forces will be set up to deal with the water scarcity issues. Though tanker water is not being supplied to any part of the district, we might have to take it up in the coming months, he added.

BENGALURU: Depleting reservoir levels and the weak Northeast monsoon have set the alarm bells ringing in Bengaluru and drought-hit districts of the state. If rains continue to play truant, Bengaluru could face a severe drinking water shortage in the harsh summer months. As of Wednesday, the total availability of water in the four major reservoirs of South Interior Karnataka was 19.33tmcft, according to T N Chikkarayappa, Managing Director of Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd. In places like Chamarajanagar, officials say that borewells have started to dry up all of a sudden, forcing district administrations to prepare for contingency plans for a harsh summer. Across the state, temperatures too are hovering one to two degrees above normal. The availability of a mere 19.33tmcft of water is a concern since at least 9tmcft of the water will be required for Bengaluru city for the next six months. According to Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board, the annual consumption of water in Bengaluru is 18tmcft. A resolution by the state government not to release water from Krishna Raja Sagar and Kabini reservoirs to Tamil Nadu has been of little help. On September 23, both Legislative Assembly and the Council resolved not to release any water as reservoir levels had reached alarmingly low levels, with only 27.6tmcft water left in them. It also mandated the state government to utilise the available water from the four reservoirs in South Interior Karnataka, only to meet the drinking water needs of Bengaluru and other towns in Karnatakas Cauvery basin. On October 3, both the Houses adopted a modified resolution to release Cauvery water to farmers after ensuring adequate storage to meet drinking water needs. However, successive decisions of the Supreme Court compelled the state to release water to Tamil Nadu. Though both North Interior Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka regions have been equally affected by drought, the north fares a lot better in terms of water availability. Save Malaprabha, all other major reservoirs in the north have more water than the combined capacities of all four major reservoirs. For instance, water availability in Bhadra and Tungabhadra dams is 25.98tmcft and 20.95tmcft respectively. The total water availability in all reservoirs in North Interior Karnataka region is 224.13tmcft. Chamarajanagar is among the most drought-prone districts in the state. B Ramu, Deputy Commissioner of Chamarajanagar district, told Express that water scarcity issues have cropped up in some parts of the district. The water table has plummeted following the monsoon failure, and borewells have suddenly gone dry in some places. In order to meet the water demands, new borewells are being dug, he said. Considering the problems faced now, he said that a water shortage crisis is on the cards for the district in the coming summer months. Task forces will be set up to deal with the water scarcity issues. Though tanker water is not being supplied to any part of the district, we might have to take it up in the coming months, he added.
Siva Sekaran By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The CMDA Member-Secretary was in trouble with Madras High Court issuing summons, requiring him to appear before it on November 16 and say why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for not complying with its earlier orders relating to regularisation of unauthorised constructions.

The first bench of Chief Justice SK Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan gave the direction, when a batch of PILs, including one from MG Devasahayam, a member of the Monitoring Committee, constituted pursuant to its earlier orders, came up before it on Tuesday.

The orders strongly condemned the practice of allowing regularisation of buildings, which have violated rules. It also directed the CMDA to convene a meeting of the Monitoring Committee within a week and to hold it regularly.

One of the PILs urged the CMDA to call for an emergency meeting of the Monitoring Committee and ensure periodic and regular meetings and to implement the committees decisions regarding regularisation of illegal buildings. Except the first meeting in July, no other meetings were conducted, the petitioner contended.

Originally, the petitioners challenged the practice of allowing unfettered violations of building rules by announcing regularisation schemes from 1999 and continuing the same beyond that year. In its August 23 order, the bench had quashed the regularisation schemes announced for 2001, 2002 and 2003 and issued several directions and guidelines and the action to be taken to ensure compliance of building rules and safety.

It also appointed the Monitoring Committee headed by the CMDA Member-Secretary and comprising other officials and non-officials as its members. As the Committees functioning was not regular, as per courts directions and guidelines, Devasahayam filed a petition to direct the government to call for an emergency meeting of the Committee.

CHENNAI: The CMDA Member-Secretary was in trouble with Madras High Court issuing summons, requiring him to appear before it on November 16 and say why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for not complying with its earlier orders relating to regularisation of unauthorised constructions. The first bench of Chief Justice SK Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan gave the direction, when a batch of PILs, including one from MG Devasahayam, a member of the Monitoring Committee, constituted pursuant to its earlier orders, came up before it on Tuesday. The orders strongly condemned the practice of allowing regularisation of buildings, which have violated rules. It also directed the CMDA to convene a meeting of the Monitoring Committee within a week and to hold it regularly. One of the PILs urged the CMDA to call for an emergency meeting of the Monitoring Committee and ensure periodic and regular meetings and to implement the committees decisions regarding regularisation of illegal buildings. Except the first meeting in July, no other meetings were conducted, the petitioner contended. Originally, the petitioners challenged the practice of allowing unfettered violations of building rules by announcing regularisation schemes from 1999 and continuing the same beyond that year. In its August 23 order, the bench had quashed the regularisation schemes announced for 2001, 2002 and 2003 and issued several directions and guidelines and the action to be taken to ensure compliance of building rules and safety. It also appointed the Monitoring Committee headed by the CMDA Member-Secretary and comprising other officials and non-officials as its members. As the Committees functioning was not regular, as per courts directions and guidelines, Devasahayam filed a petition to direct the government to call for an emergency meeting of the Committee.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A day after a senior citizen living alone in an in T Nagar was allegedly murdered, police expressed suspicions that it could be related to properties owned by the deceased.

A senior police officer said, the deceased Shanthi owned a property in Bengaluru besides her house on Habibullah Road. Police suspect three men to be involved in the case.

A close relative of Shanthi told Express that there were no jewels in the house and she had sold a land in Perungudi eight years back. She also owned land in Bangalore and the documents were kept in the house. But I am not sure, if the documents were robbed, the relative said, adding, She never discussed properties with anybody.

On Monday morning at around 7 am, Shanthi was found with her hands gagged and her mouth stuffed with a piece of cloth. The discovery was made when her relative visited the house when she failed to answer the phone. A case was registered with the Teynampet police station and five special teams have been formed to probe the case.

The murder has made police beef up security for senior citizens. As a part of this, they have urged senior citizens to furnish their details to the local police station.

The Additional Commissioner of Police, North, C Sridhar, told newsmen on Tuesday that the local police will ensure that calls made by senior citizens to any police station or toll free numbers during times of distress are answered immediately.

So far, around 4,600 senior citizens have registered themselves with the city police, of which 2,500 have a register book that is maintained by every police station.

He also pointed out that the toll free number 1253 was to receive calls from senior citizens when in distress. He said that on an average the department received around 75 calls per day on the toll free number of which 70 per cent pertained to medical assistance and transportation issues.

Sridhar also said instructions had been given to every police station to visit houses which had senior citizens everyday to ensure they are safe. Also, a separate sub-inspector will be assigned in every station to ensure that the register book is signed by the senior citizen everyday.

CHENNAI: A day after a senior citizen living alone in an in T Nagar was allegedly murdered, police expressed suspicions that it could be related to properties owned by the deceased. A senior police officer said, the deceased Shanthi owned a property in Bengaluru besides her house on Habibullah Road. Police suspect three men to be involved in the case. A close relative of Shanthi told Express that there were no jewels in the house and she had sold a land in Perungudi eight years back. She also owned land in Bangalore and the documents were kept in the house. But I am not sure, if the documents were robbed, the relative said, adding, She never discussed properties with anybody. On Monday morning at around 7 am, Shanthi was found with her hands gagged and her mouth stuffed with a piece of cloth. The discovery was made when her relative visited the house when she failed to answer the phone. A case was registered with the Teynampet police station and five special teams have been formed to probe the case. The murder has made police beef up security for senior citizens. As a part of this, they have urged senior citizens to furnish their details to the local police station. The Additional Commissioner of Police, North, C Sridhar, told newsmen on Tuesday that the local police will ensure that calls made by senior citizens to any police station or toll free numbers during times of distress are answered immediately. So far, around 4,600 senior citizens have registered themselves with the city police, of which 2,500 have a register book that is maintained by every police station. He also pointed out that the toll free number 1253 was to receive calls from senior citizens when in distress. He said that on an average the department received around 75 calls per day on the toll free number of which 70 per cent pertained to medical assistance and transportation issues. Sridhar also said instructions had been given to every police station to visit houses which had senior citizens everyday to ensure they are safe. Also, a separate sub-inspector will be assigned in every station to ensure that the register book is signed by the senior citizen everyday.
Gokul M Nair By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Pensions and welfare funds for war veterans have always been a norm in India, a country where soldiers are given a high degree of respect and admiration. But while the government ensures that its veterans  those on record  are ably compensated, what about those who fall in between? Many people arent aware that a large number of Indian soldiers were drafted into and had fought for the British Army during World War II.

Unlike the pension received by soldiers who served in the post-Independence army, the Ex-Services Association disburses funds received from charitable donations in the UK, distributed in the name of the Crown. The association is affiliated to the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL) in London.

There were a lot of soldiers from India, including Tamils and Anglo-Indians, who were drafted into the British Army during the World War II, says Capt Balaretna Singh, chairman of the association.

Most were young men of 17-18 years and they performed various duties including being signalman, gun handlers, morse coders and so on. After the war ended and India gained independence, there were several soldiers who were not receiving any gratuity for their service despite India being part of the Commonwealth.

To make sure that soldiers who served the British still got a gratuity, it was decided that the RCEL  established in 1921 with local bodies in the Commonwealth nations  would identify people who were not getting any subsistence from their local government, mainly due to lack of records.

Though the Indian Army would not have a record of service, the British Army certainly would. Theyd verify claims and records and thereby start giving a grant for their subsistence, says Singh.

From 400 people in 2006, the number has fallen to a mere 73 beneficiaries across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Pondicherry till date. Our oldest veteran is 98, while the youngest is nearly 73. Most of the beneficiaries today are their widows, since a lot of them have died over the years, elaborates Singh.

The Association also tries to coordinate with different regimental funds in the UK to get them to donate an amount to persons who had once served in the units. A lot of them worked for units like armoured corps. While some get a handsome gratuity, other people used to get less than `1,000 a month. Today each of them get `3,500 a month.

Recently, Colonel Nigel Dransfield, controller finance, Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League, was in the city on a visit where he presided over a small function. Though there are a few nonagenarian veterans in Chennai, none of them could make it to the function because of their advanced age, with their widows and family members attending the event for them.

The RCEL got an additional grant of 5 million this year, which was donated by the UK government from fines accrued in the aftermath of Libor Scandal, says Dransfield. This will allow us to double up payments to our beneficiaries for the next five years. Purpose of my visit is from a governance point of view; to ensure the monies go to the recipients, especially the wartime nurses and widows. He also distributed amounts to beneficiaries who had gathered at the function held last week.

The grant given by the association helps a great deal to cover my medical expenses, said Josephine Maurice (76), whose late husband Francis Gregory Maurice served for 10 years during the war in

London. Its a great help for us. It was given to him when he was alive, and now its been passed onto me.

Hazel Duggin (84) and her son, Noel, were also part of the function. My father, Nicholas Duggin, served as a signalman during the war, said Noel. Whatever small pension we get from his service helps cover my mothers expenses, especially since she likes to be independent, In the same spirit, Singh welcomes the general public to contribute for the welfare of the beneficiaries. We try to organise meetings once in a while. We will have one at St Marys Church on Armistice Day, and also during Christmas.

To contact the Ex-Services Association or contribute, call 25612181

CHENNAI: Pensions and welfare funds for war veterans have always been a norm in India, a country where soldiers are given a high degree of respect and admiration. But while the government ensures that its veterans  those on record  are ably compensated, what about those who fall in between? Many people arent aware that a large number of Indian soldiers were drafted into and had fought for the British Army during World War II. Unlike the pension received by soldiers who served in the post-Independence army, the Ex-Services Association disburses funds received from charitable donations in the UK, distributed in the name of the Crown. The association is affiliated to the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL) in London. There were a lot of soldiers from India, including Tamils and Anglo-Indians, who were drafted into the British Army during the World War II, says Capt Balaretna Singh, chairman of the association. Most were young men of 17-18 years and they performed various duties including being signalman, gun handlers, morse coders and so on. After the war ended and India gained independence, there were several soldiers who were not receiving any gratuity for their service despite India being part of the Commonwealth. To make sure that soldiers who served the British still got a gratuity, it was decided that the RCEL  established in 1921 with local bodies in the Commonwealth nations  would identify people who were not getting any subsistence from their local government, mainly due to lack of records. Though the Indian Army would not have a record of service, the British Army certainly would. Theyd verify claims and records and thereby start giving a grant for their subsistence, says Singh. From 400 people in 2006, the number has fallen to a mere 73 beneficiaries across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Pondicherry till date. Our oldest veteran is 98, while the youngest is nearly 73. Most of the beneficiaries today are their widows, since a lot of them have died over the years, elaborates Singh. The Association also tries to coordinate with different regimental funds in the UK to get them to donate an amount to persons who had once served in the units. A lot of them worked for units like armoured corps. While some get a handsome gratuity, other people used to get less than `1,000 a month. Today each of them get `3,500 a month. Recently, Colonel Nigel Dransfield, controller finance, Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League, was in the city on a visit where he presided over a small function. Though there are a few nonagenarian veterans in Chennai, none of them could make it to the function because of their advanced age, with their widows and family members attending the event for them. The RCEL got an additional grant of 5 million this year, which was donated by the UK government from fines accrued in the aftermath of Libor Scandal, says Dransfield. This will allow us to double up payments to our beneficiaries for the next five years. Purpose of my visit is from a governance point of view; to ensure the monies go to the recipients, especially the wartime nurses and widows. He also distributed amounts to beneficiaries who had gathered at the function held last week. The grant given by the association helps a great deal to cover my medical expenses, said Josephine Maurice (76), whose late husband Francis Gregory Maurice served for 10 years during the war in London. Its a great help for us. It was given to him when he was alive, and now its been passed onto me. Hazel Duggin (84) and her son, Noel, were also part of the function. My father, Nicholas Duggin, served as a signalman during the war, said Noel. Whatever small pension we get from his service helps cover my mothers expenses, especially since she likes to be independent, In the same spirit, Singh welcomes the general public to contribute for the welfare of the beneficiaries. We try to organise meetings once in a while. We will have one at St Marys Church on Armistice Day, and also during Christmas. To contact the Ex-Services Association or contribute, call 25612181
By Express News Service

KOCHI: Though the city police had initiated stringent action against rash driving, the private buses in Kochi continue to have a free run. Negligent driving, overtaking and signal jumping by private bus drivers continue to instill public fear.

The buses plying to Thoppumpady, Mattanchery and Fort Kochi areas are the main violators of the road rules.

Earlier, the City Traffic Police conducted a special drive to book private bus drivers engaged in overspeeding and other violations. In the wake of the drive, the private buses ensured they followed the rules. However, after a short hiatus, when police wounded up the drive, the drivers began throwing caution to the wind.

On Monday morning, two persons were injured after a private bus hit the van in which they were travelling at Thevara Bridge. Fort Kochi native Stephen John and his wife Mercy sustained severe injuries in the mishap.

The van was completely destroyed. The police said that the driver did not even realise the presence of the van in his quest to overspeed.

Stephen and his wife were on their way back to Fort Kochi after dropping their son, who is a student at Tamil Nadu, at the Ernakulam Railway Station. While Stephen who suffered multiple fractures is critical, his wife Mercy is stable. Traffic Police has registered a case.

KOCHI: Though the city police had initiated stringent action against rash driving, the private buses in Kochi continue to have a free run. Negligent driving, overtaking and signal jumping by private bus drivers continue to instill public fear. The buses plying to Thoppumpady, Mattanchery and Fort Kochi areas are the main violators of the road rules. Earlier, the City Traffic Police conducted a special drive to book private bus drivers engaged in overspeeding and other violations. In the wake of the drive, the private buses ensured they followed the rules. However, after a short hiatus, when police wounded up the drive, the drivers began throwing caution to the wind. On Monday morning, two persons were injured after a private bus hit the van in which they were travelling at Thevara Bridge. Fort Kochi native Stephen John and his wife Mercy sustained severe injuries in the mishap. The van was completely destroyed. The police said that the driver did not even realise the presence of the van in his quest to overspeed. Stephen and his wife were on their way back to Fort Kochi after dropping their son, who is a student at Tamil Nadu, at the Ernakulam Railway Station. While Stephen who suffered multiple fractures is critical, his wife Mercy is stable. Traffic Police has registered a case.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: Cornered after the arrest of its chiefs wife, a Meghalaya insurgent group on Wednesday freed 10 abducted Assam traders. They were kidnapped by the Achik Songa Anpachakgipa Kotok (ASAK) on October 28 at gun-point when they were travelling to a weekly market in Meghalayas Bilkona near the India-Bangladesh border from Assams Mancachar.

Due to heavy police pressure mounted on the kidnappers, all the 10 victims were released early today (Wednesday) morning. They were released unconditionally at a forested area near Gasuapara (in the district), South Garo Hills superintendent of police Anand Mishra told Express. Theyre now in Gasuapara outpost. All of them are fine.

Theyll be escorted to their homes after examination. Meanwhile, an intensified offensive has been launched against the militants, he added. The outfit was under tremendous pressure following the arrest of Fernia N Sangma, wife of its chief Reding T Sangma. Following her arrest, she was charged with colluding with the insurgent group.

The insurgents were under pressure following her arrest. We had seized Rs.2.3 lakh, which was to be used to lure youths to join the outfit. We cracked down on five bank accounts, which she operated on behalf of the outfit and were going after their overground workers and sympathizers, Mishra said. He said the outfit was being run with just around a dozen rebels.

Usually, after an incident of abduction, they contact the family of the abductees for ransom. In this incident, they kept quiet leaving us to worry about the fate of the traders. They have been released as the outfit is under pressure following Fernias arrest, Mishra added.

This was the second major incident of abduction of traders in the district in recent times. Eight other Assam traders were kidnapped by the militants of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) on September 29.

A week later, all of them were released following payment of ransom. Extortions, abductions and killings of traders and government officials by the militants are common in the insurgency-infested Garo Hills. After committing a crime, the insurgents would often sneak into Bangladesh, making it very difficult for the police and paramilitary forces to go after them.

GUWAHATI: Cornered after the arrest of its chiefs wife, a Meghalaya insurgent group on Wednesday freed 10 abducted Assam traders. They were kidnapped by the Achik Songa Anpachakgipa Kotok (ASAK) on October 28 at gun-point when they were travelling to a weekly market in Meghalayas Bilkona near the India-Bangladesh border from Assams Mancachar. Due to heavy police pressure mounted on the kidnappers, all the 10 victims were released early today (Wednesday) morning. They were released unconditionally at a forested area near Gasuapara (in the district), South Garo Hills superintendent of police Anand Mishra told Express. Theyre now in Gasuapara outpost. All of them are fine. Theyll be escorted to their homes after examination. Meanwhile, an intensified offensive has been launched against the militants, he added. The outfit was under tremendous pressure following the arrest of Fernia N Sangma, wife of its chief Reding T Sangma. Following her arrest, she was charged with colluding with the insurgent group. The insurgents were under pressure following her arrest. We had seized Rs.2.3 lakh, which was to be used to lure youths to join the outfit. We cracked down on five bank accounts, which she operated on behalf of the outfit and were going after their overground workers and sympathizers, Mishra said. He said the outfit was being run with just around a dozen rebels. Usually, after an incident of abduction, they contact the family of the abductees for ransom. In this incident, they kept quiet leaving us to worry about the fate of the traders. They have been released as the outfit is under pressure following Fernias arrest, Mishra added. This was the second major incident of abduction of traders in the district in recent times. Eight other Assam traders were kidnapped by the militants of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) on September 29. A week later, all of them were released following payment of ransom. Extortions, abductions and killings of traders and government officials by the militants are common in the insurgency-infested Garo Hills. After committing a crime, the insurgents would often sneak into Bangladesh, making it very difficult for the police and paramilitary forces to go after them.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: After last years indication that New Delhi will lean towards Tel Aviv more, India is back to its balancing act between Israel and Palestine. Ahead of Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbars visit to Palestine, India inked an agreement to establish a techno park in Ramallah with a $12 million grant.



The decision to establish the park was announced during President Pranab Mukherjees visit to Palestine last year. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India will be giving a grant of $12 million for setting up the Palestine-India Techno Park with $3million being provided every six months. The park will be a one-stop solution for all IT-related needs of business firms and investors alike.



The signing of the agreement came as Akbar will be heading to Palestine on November 8 to participate in the first India-Palestine Joint Commission Meeting that wll be covering a plethora of issues covering economy, energy, tourism, agriculture, water and environment, education, health, IT, sports, culture, media etc.

India has last year signalled that it might rethink its foreign policy in the region when it abstained from a UN Human Rights Council vote criticising Tel Aviv for alleged war crimes in Gaza. It seemed as India will court Israel more openly as it was indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Jewish state. However, one year later, the dates of the Prime Minister visit remains far from being announced and it seems that India wont want to antagonise its Arab allies by eschewing its studied neutrality towards Israel.

NEW DELHI: After last years indication that New Delhi will lean towards Tel Aviv more, India is back to its balancing act between Israel and Palestine. Ahead of Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbars visit to Palestine, India inked an agreement to establish a techno park in Ramallah with a $12 million grant. The decision to establish the park was announced during President Pranab Mukherjees visit to Palestine last year. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India will be giving a grant of $12 million for setting up the Palestine-India Techno Park with $3million being provided every six months. The park will be a one-stop solution for all IT-related needs of business firms and investors alike. The signing of the agreement came as Akbar will be heading to Palestine on November 8 to participate in the first India-Palestine Joint Commission Meeting that wll be covering a plethora of issues covering economy, energy, tourism, agriculture, water and environment, education, health, IT, sports, culture, media etc. India has last year signalled that it might rethink its foreign policy in the region when it abstained from a UN Human Rights Council vote criticising Tel Aviv for alleged war crimes in Gaza. It seemed as India will court Israel more openly as it was indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Jewish state. However, one year later, the dates of the Prime Minister visit remains far from being announced and it seems that India wont want to antagonise its Arab allies by eschewing its studied neutrality towards Israel.
By Express News Service

MUMBAI: Asserting that the insurgency in Balochistan is not an internal matter of Pakistan and that India shouldnt compare it with the Kashmir problem, a prominent Baloch leader on Tuesday accused the Pakistan army of illegal organ trade and chemical warfare.

As many as 100 Baloch people are killed every day by the Pakistani army. Over 30,000 Baloch men are missing. We know that they must have been going through hell of a torture and their organs would be taken out, said Naela Quadri Baloch, president of the World Baloch Womens Forum.

The army bombards Baloch civil settlements. They poison the water reservoirs. They use chemical weapons and dangerous gases. They rob and burn down Baloch villages regularly. When they rob Baloch villages, they take away women and kill men and children. They also abduct young Baloch men and their mutilated bodies are found a few days later. This happens very often, the Baloch leader told reporters at the Mumbai Press Club.

After thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending moral support for the Baloch people, Naela said, We dont want India to use Balochistans demand for independence as a card to be played in the international politics to counter Pakistans claim over Kashmir, she said.

The Balochistan freedom movement will concentrate on developing people-to-people contact in India, she said adding, Balochistan issue is not human rights violations. Its the issue of independence. We are not Pakistanis, we know it.

The atrocities by Pakistan army have increased after they started developing the Gwadar port, she said and added that Pakistan wants to displace Baloch people in and around Gwadar and settle Punjabis there.

The Chinese army does not have a direct role in killing Baloch. But they have played a secret role. Chinese doctors trained torture cells of the Pakistani army deployed in Balochistan. This was witnessed by several of Baloch leaders, she said.

According Naela, between seven and 10 lakh Balochs live in India and Balochs have been living in the country for the last 500 years.I heard people here debating cow slaughter. In Balochistan no one sacrifices a cow in a Hindu-dominated area, she said while explaining the tolerance in Baloch culture.

MUMBAI: Asserting that the insurgency in Balochistan is not an internal matter of Pakistan and that India shouldnt compare it with the Kashmir problem, a prominent Baloch leader on Tuesday accused the Pakistan army of illegal organ trade and chemical warfare. As many as 100 Baloch people are killed every day by the Pakistani army. Over 30,000 Baloch men are missing. We know that they must have been going through hell of a torture and their organs would be taken out, said Naela Quadri Baloch, president of the World Baloch Womens Forum. The army bombards Baloch civil settlements. They poison the water reservoirs. They use chemical weapons and dangerous gases. They rob and burn down Baloch villages regularly. When they rob Baloch villages, they take away women and kill men and children. They also abduct young Baloch men and their mutilated bodies are found a few days later. This happens very often, the Baloch leader told reporters at the Mumbai Press Club. After thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending moral support for the Baloch people, Naela said, We dont want India to use Balochistans demand for independence as a card to be played in the international politics to counter Pakistans claim over Kashmir, she said. The Balochistan freedom movement will concentrate on developing people-to-people contact in India, she said adding, Balochistan issue is not human rights violations. Its the issue of independence. We are not Pakistanis, we know it. The atrocities by Pakistan army have increased after they started developing the Gwadar port, she said and added that Pakistan wants to displace Baloch people in and around Gwadar and settle Punjabis there. The Chinese army does not have a direct role in killing Baloch. But they have played a secret role. Chinese doctors trained torture cells of the Pakistani army deployed in Balochistan. This was witnessed by several of Baloch leaders, she said. According Naela, between seven and 10 lakh Balochs live in India and Balochs have been living in the country for the last 500 years.I heard people here debating cow slaughter. In Balochistan no one sacrifices a cow in a Hindu-dominated area, she said while explaining the tolerance in Baloch culture.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: A viable reparation formula for colonial exploitation by British is difficult but a British Prime Minister "bending on knees" asking forgiveness on the centenary of Jallianwala Bagh massacre will wash away in many ways the sense that there are wrongs that have not been acknowledged, feels Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.

The issue of reparation came into limelight after Tharoor spoke at Oxford on the proposition 'Britain Owes Reparations to Her Former Colonies' last year and his speech went viral on social media and was hailed by fans and critics alike. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also had congratulated him for having said "the right things at the right place".

And now he has come out with a book 'An Era of Darkness: The British Empire In India' which discusses, in depth, the variety of ways in which the British nearly destroyed India during the heyday of the Empire. "You cannot quantify the wrongs done. What is far more important than financial reparation would be an apology.

"People who are not responsible today for the wrongs done by their forebearers in the past era apologise nonetheless to people who are not the ones to whom wrong was done. But it is in a sense an entire society apologising to entire people," Tharoor, MP from Thiruvananthapuram, told PTI in an interview. According to him, a viable reparation formula is difficult as a just sum would not be payable and a payable sum would not be just.

Citing two examples of Willy Brandt, the German social democrat leader who was in no way related to the crimes of the Nazis, going on his knees at Warsaw ghetto and apologising, and more recently Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologising for the Komagata Maru incident though Canada did not actually kill anybody, he says these offer a model in the Indian context too.

"These two apologies offer a model for a future British Prime Minister on the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre to come to that site, bend his or her knees and beg forgiveness for all sins committed in the past. "That I think will wash away in many ways the sense that there are wrongs that have not been acknowledged," the former Minister of State for External Affairs said. In the book, he also writes, "David Camerons rather mealy-mouthed description of the massacre in 2013 as a 'deeply shameful event' does not, in my view, constitute an apology.

"Nor does the ceremonial visit to the site in 1997 by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, who merely left their signatures in the visitors' book, without even a redeeming comment. "Whoever the PM is on the centenary of that awful crime will not have been alive when the atrocity was committed, and certainly no British government of 2019 bears a shred of responsibility for that tragedy, but as a symbol of the nation that once allowed it to happen, the PM could atone for the past sins of his or her nation," Tharoor said. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre had taken place in Amritsar on April 13, 1919.

On hearing that a meeting of nearly 20,000 people was taking place at Jallianwala Bagh, Brigadier General R E H Dyer had ordered 50 riflemen to shoot at the crowd. More than 1000 innocent Indians were killed and over 1,100 injured.

Tharoor, however, feels reparation is a bit of red herring. "I got into that debate because that happened to be the topic of the debate at Oxford that I was invited to. "It is not necessarily the principal theme that I would have chosen for the debate and is certainly not the principal theme of my book because it actually concludes in the brief discussion on reparation issue that almost any amount that would do justice to crimes and losses suffered would be unpayable."

He said his speech at Oxford was inspired by decades of reading and passion about engagements with history and based on what he thought he knew. On three most unpardonable things of the British, he names economic exploitation and ruination of India on the basis of which the colonial rulers built up their own property; cruelties and exaltation and glorification of those who perpetrated these; and racism and discrimination.

He said his book, published by Aleph, is written as an argument and it is not a narrative history or a dry scholarly work.

NEW DELHI: A viable reparation formula for colonial exploitation by British is difficult but a British Prime Minister "bending on knees" asking forgiveness on the centenary of Jallianwala Bagh massacre will wash away in many ways the sense that there are wrongs that have not been acknowledged, feels Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. The issue of reparation came into limelight after Tharoor spoke at Oxford on the proposition 'Britain Owes Reparations to Her Former Colonies' last year and his speech went viral on social media and was hailed by fans and critics alike. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also had congratulated him for having said "the right things at the right place". And now he has come out with a book 'An Era of Darkness: The British Empire In India' which discusses, in depth, the variety of ways in which the British nearly destroyed India during the heyday of the Empire. "You cannot quantify the wrongs done. What is far more important than financial reparation would be an apology. "People who are not responsible today for the wrongs done by their forebearers in the past era apologise nonetheless to people who are not the ones to whom wrong was done. But it is in a sense an entire society apologising to entire people," Tharoor, MP from Thiruvananthapuram, told PTI in an interview. According to him, a viable reparation formula is difficult as a just sum would not be payable and a payable sum would not be just. Citing two examples of Willy Brandt, the German social democrat leader who was in no way related to the crimes of the Nazis, going on his knees at Warsaw ghetto and apologising, and more recently Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologising for the Komagata Maru incident though Canada did not actually kill anybody, he says these offer a model in the Indian context too. "These two apologies offer a model for a future British Prime Minister on the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre to come to that site, bend his or her knees and beg forgiveness for all sins committed in the past. "That I think will wash away in many ways the sense that there are wrongs that have not been acknowledged," the former Minister of State for External Affairs said. In the book, he also writes, "David Camerons rather mealy-mouthed description of the massacre in 2013 as a 'deeply shameful event' does not, in my view, constitute an apology. "Nor does the ceremonial visit to the site in 1997 by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, who merely left their signatures in the visitors' book, without even a redeeming comment. "Whoever the PM is on the centenary of that awful crime will not have been alive when the atrocity was committed, and certainly no British government of 2019 bears a shred of responsibility for that tragedy, but as a symbol of the nation that once allowed it to happen, the PM could atone for the past sins of his or her nation," Tharoor said. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre had taken place in Amritsar on April 13, 1919. On hearing that a meeting of nearly 20,000 people was taking place at Jallianwala Bagh, Brigadier General R E H Dyer had ordered 50 riflemen to shoot at the crowd. More than 1000 innocent Indians were killed and over 1,100 injured. Tharoor, however, feels reparation is a bit of red herring. "I got into that debate because that happened to be the topic of the debate at Oxford that I was invited to. "It is not necessarily the principal theme that I would have chosen for the debate and is certainly not the principal theme of my book because it actually concludes in the brief discussion on reparation issue that almost any amount that would do justice to crimes and losses suffered would be unpayable." He said his speech at Oxford was inspired by decades of reading and passion about engagements with history and based on what he thought he knew. On three most unpardonable things of the British, he names economic exploitation and ruination of India on the basis of which the colonial rulers built up their own property; cruelties and exaltation and glorification of those who perpetrated these; and racism and discrimination. He said his book, published by Aleph, is written as an argument and it is not a narrative history or a dry scholarly work.
The government is mulling sanctioning Hongxiang Industrial Development Co. after a similar move from the U.S. over the company's alleged support for North Korea's weapons program.

Seoul, Washington and Tokyo last week discussed joint sanctions on businesses that help the North with its nuclear and missile programs.

Once the company included in the sanctioned list, it will be banned from making transactions with businesses here and the assets of the company and its executives will be frozen.

The final decision will be announced "when its effects can be maximized," a government spokesman said, hinting that the government is taking into consideration a possible backlash from China.
By PTI

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked ally Shiv Sena to stop attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cautioning that it will only boomerang on it. However, he asserted that their alliance is intact and the government will complete its full term, despite frequent taunts and digs from Sena.

"Speaking about Modiji will only put the Shiv Sena in bad light and people do not like it at all. As far as I am concerned I am ready to face and give them a proper reply. So I do not care. "Governance and politics are two different things.

The Sena should refrain from criticising the Prime Minister, but I am ok with their criticism," Fadnavis told PTI in an interview. Fadnavis (46), who heads the first BJP-led Government in Maharashtra which has sailed into its third year, also dwelt on other current issues like the campaign by the Maratha community for reservation, the Vidarbha issue and the controversy regarding his intervention in defusing the stand-off over Karan Johar's film "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'.

On the film row, the Chief Minister said that in hindsight, he feels the issue could have been handled in a better way. In a veiled dig at the previous Congress-NCP regimes, he said the "established leadership" in the state are trying to use peoples' anger that has now spilled on to the streets in the form of silent protests by Marathas to carry out their agenda against him either directly or by "proxy" means.

Fadnavis, however, rejected the apprehension voiced by observers that the Maratha morcha and reaction to it from the OBC and Dalit outfits, could cause caste tensions in the state. He noted that the Maratha community had only raised its demands without seeking to upset the benefits of other social segments and the same is the case of OBCs and Dalits.

He said the Government has already stated its commitment to meet the genuine demands of the Maratha community. The fee waiver scheme announced recently is an initiative that will benefit a large number of students from the community.

Expressing confidence that the BJP and Sena will complete the full term of the government, he said, "We are two different parties and there is bound to be some friction owing to different ideologies in matters of policy implementations and style of governing. "But I can claim that we have been able to run the government successfully where all major policy decisions have been undertaken by a unanimous vote," he said.

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked ally Shiv Sena to stop attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cautioning that it will only boomerang on it. However, he asserted that their alliance is intact and the government will complete its full term, despite frequent taunts and digs from Sena. "Speaking about Modiji will only put the Shiv Sena in bad light and people do not like it at all. As far as I am concerned I am ready to face and give them a proper reply. So I do not care. "Governance and politics are two different things. The Sena should refrain from criticising the Prime Minister, but I am ok with their criticism," Fadnavis told PTI in an interview. Fadnavis (46), who heads the first BJP-led Government in Maharashtra which has sailed into its third year, also dwelt on other current issues like the campaign by the Maratha community for reservation, the Vidarbha issue and the controversy regarding his intervention in defusing the stand-off over Karan Johar's film "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'. On the film row, the Chief Minister said that in hindsight, he feels the issue could have been handled in a better way. In a veiled dig at the previous Congress-NCP regimes, he said the "established leadership" in the state are trying to use peoples' anger that has now spilled on to the streets in the form of silent protests by Marathas to carry out their agenda against him either directly or by "proxy" means. Fadnavis, however, rejected the apprehension voiced by observers that the Maratha morcha and reaction to it from the OBC and Dalit outfits, could cause caste tensions in the state. He noted that the Maratha community had only raised its demands without seeking to upset the benefits of other social segments and the same is the case of OBCs and Dalits. He said the Government has already stated its commitment to meet the genuine demands of the Maratha community. The fee waiver scheme announced recently is an initiative that will benefit a large number of students from the community. Expressing confidence that the BJP and Sena will complete the full term of the government, he said, "We are two different parties and there is bound to be some friction owing to different ideologies in matters of policy implementations and style of governing. "But I can claim that we have been able to run the government successfully where all major policy decisions have been undertaken by a unanimous vote," he said.
Sumit Kumar Singh By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: A 70-year-old ex-serviceman allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday in the national capital at the lawns behind Jawahar Bhawan over anomalies in the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.



The ex-serviceman identified as Ram Kishen Grewal, who hails from Bamla Village in Haryanas Bhiwani district, also left a suicide note saying that he is taking his life due to the delay in meeting the demands of the army veterans. Five minutes after consuming sulphas tablets, he also called his son Jaswant Grewal at his native place and stated he has committed suicide eating sulphas tablets.



He came to Delhi on Monday along with his four friends  Matu Ram, Sube Singh, Prithvi Singh and Rajkumar  telling at his family members that they are going to Delhi to support protest for OROP. On Tuesday afternoon at between 12 noon and 12: 30 pm , they went to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajans residence in a bid to meet them and give a one page memorandum but as they were not having any prior appointments, they were asked to seek an appointment and meet the them, police said.



However, according to records, Grewel did not seek appointment with Defence Minister.

They then planned to join other ex-servicemen protesting at Jantar Mantar and walked till Jawahar Bhawan, which houses the Ministry of External Affairs, and sat in the lawns behind it. There two of his friends left to buy something to eat and in the meantime, Grewal sitting in lawns committed consumed sulphas tablets. Grewal scribbled three lines, I, for my country, for my mother land and for my countrys army sacrificing my life. He scribbled on the single page memorandum. Grewal writes in the memorandum that as per the announcements made by the government they are unable to get benefits of OROP. In three points memorandum, he says, We are unable to get increased amount of sixth and seventh pay commission.



I served in 105 infantry battalion in Rajputana Rifles for six years and 11 days and there after got discharged and joined in Defence Security Crops. There I served for 30 years, nine months and 26 days. Like me thousands of armymen have served in both the places but they have not yet got benefits of OROP, he stated. In last, he requests to fulfill the anomalies in OROP scheme.



He then called his son, the deceased tells his kin the reason why he takes the extreme steps. Both father-son duo breaks down after the confrontational conversation. I have consumed poison. okay, Grewal said following which his son stated, What you have done. He replied, You leave all these thing, I am sitting at India gate in a park and behind Jawahar Bhawan. I have consumed poison. Injustice is happening with me. Injustice is happening with our jawans, our jawans did not get justice.



He continues, Now, its up to God.

The his son persistently asked him hi how much tablets he has consumed won which he replied three to four and ask him to connect the phone with his wife Chitab Kaur. Both son and father breaks down, thereafter Grewal said, "I am a man of principles. I am sacrificing my life for my family, nation."



In the meantime, his friend Prithvi Singh made a call at police control room about it around 1: 15 pm. The police reached immediately at the spot and rushed him at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where he was declared dead during medical treatment. We informed his family members who arrayed arrived by 11 pm, said a senior police officer.



The officer said that Grewal financial conditions were not good. Further inquest proceeding has been initiated and post mortem was carried out at Lady Hardinge Medical College, the officer said. He further stated that they have found a suicide note, a recorded conversation between the deceased and his son and bottle of suplas tablets.



The police is now verifying with his deceaseds friends where they stayed on entire Monday and when what all they did on Tuesday before Grewal consumed poison. We are also trying to find out from where he procured the sulphas tablets, the officer said.



The police also said that they are also taking the statements of Grewals friends and close associates to find out whether any one motivated him to commit suicide.



NEW DELHI: A 70-year-old ex-serviceman allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday in the national capital at the lawns behind Jawahar Bhawan over anomalies in the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme. The ex-serviceman identified as Ram Kishen Grewal, who hails from Bamla Village in Haryanas Bhiwani district, also left a suicide note saying that he is taking his life due to the delay in meeting the demands of the army veterans. Five minutes after consuming sulphas tablets, he also called his son Jaswant Grewal at his native place and stated he has committed suicide eating sulphas tablets. He came to Delhi on Monday along with his four friends  Matu Ram, Sube Singh, Prithvi Singh and Rajkumar  telling at his family members that they are going to Delhi to support protest for OROP. On Tuesday afternoon at between 12 noon and 12: 30 pm , they went to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajans residence in a bid to meet them and give a one page memorandum but as they were not having any prior appointments, they were asked to seek an appointment and meet the them, police said. However, according to records, Grewel did not seek appointment with Defence Minister. They then planned to join other ex-servicemen protesting at Jantar Mantar and walked till Jawahar Bhawan, which houses the Ministry of External Affairs, and sat in the lawns behind it. There two of his friends left to buy something to eat and in the meantime, Grewal sitting in lawns committed consumed sulphas tablets. Grewal scribbled three lines, I, for my country, for my mother land and for my countrys army sacrificing my life. He scribbled on the single page memorandum. Grewal writes in the memorandum that as per the announcements made by the government they are unable to get benefits of OROP. In three points memorandum, he says, We are unable to get increased amount of sixth and seventh pay commission. I served in 105 infantry battalion in Rajputana Rifles for six years and 11 days and there after got discharged and joined in Defence Security Crops. There I served for 30 years, nine months and 26 days. Like me thousands of armymen have served in both the places but they have not yet got benefits of OROP, he stated. In last, he requests to fulfill the anomalies in OROP scheme. He then called his son, the deceased tells his kin the reason why he takes the extreme steps. Both father-son duo breaks down after the confrontational conversation. I have consumed poison. okay, Grewal said following which his son stated, What you have done. He replied, You leave all these thing, I am sitting at India gate in a park and behind Jawahar Bhawan. I have consumed poison. Injustice is happening with me. Injustice is happening with our jawans, our jawans did not get justice. He continues, Now, its up to God. The his son persistently asked him hi how much tablets he has consumed won which he replied three to four and ask him to connect the phone with his wife Chitab Kaur. Both son and father breaks down, thereafter Grewal said, "I am a man of principles. I am sacrificing my life for my family, nation." In the meantime, his friend Prithvi Singh made a call at police control room about it around 1: 15 pm. The police reached immediately at the spot and rushed him at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where he was declared dead during medical treatment. We informed his family members who arrayed arrived by 11 pm, said a senior police officer. The officer said that Grewal financial conditions were not good. Further inquest proceeding has been initiated and post mortem was carried out at Lady Hardinge Medical College, the officer said. He further stated that they have found a suicide note, a recorded conversation between the deceased and his son and bottle of suplas tablets. The police is now verifying with his deceaseds friends where they stayed on entire Monday and when what all they did on Tuesday before Grewal consumed poison. We are also trying to find out from where he procured the sulphas tablets, the officer said. The police also said that they are also taking the statements of Grewals friends and close associates to find out whether any one motivated him to commit suicide.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Amidst escalating tension, India on Wednesday summoned Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to express grave concern at the increasing ceasefire violations along Line of Control and International Border. This came as 6 staffers of Pakistan Embassy in the capital have reportedly left India.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries have spiraled down after India acknowledged conducting of surgical strikes across the LoC and busted an espionage ring involving a Pakistan Embassy staffer.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement said that Pakistans Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah was summoned and was conveyed the Governments grave concern and strong protest at the recent escalation in the incidents of ceasefire violations by the Pakistan side at the border, which have resulted into several fatalities and casualties on the Indian side among civilians and security forces personnel.

Both the countries have been summoning each others diplomats on almost daily basis even as guns are booming along the border in contravention of the 2003 Ceasefire Agreement.

The Government also registered its strong protest on the mutilation of the body of an Indian soldier by a terrorist who escaped across the Line of Control after committing the heinous crime, the MEA said in the statement.

On the same day, the PTI reported that six officials of the Pakistan Embassy left India, even though an official confirmation is awaited on it. The Pakistan Embassy sources have held Indian security establishment responsible for vitiating the atmosphere after the spy ring was allegedly unraveled by the Indian sleuths.

India and Pakistan have been locked in a confrontational approach towards each other after New Delhi declared Masood Akhtar persona non grata followed by a tit for tat reaction from Islamabad that expelled another Indian High Commission official.

NEW DELHI: Amidst escalating tension, India on Wednesday summoned Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to express grave concern at the increasing ceasefire violations along Line of Control and International Border. This came as 6 staffers of Pakistan Embassy in the capital have reportedly left India. Diplomatic relations between the two countries have spiraled down after India acknowledged conducting of surgical strikes across the LoC and busted an espionage ring involving a Pakistan Embassy staffer. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement said that Pakistans Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah was summoned and was conveyed the Governments grave concern and strong protest at the recent escalation in the incidents of ceasefire violations by the Pakistan side at the border, which have resulted into several fatalities and casualties on the Indian side among civilians and security forces personnel. Both the countries have been summoning each others diplomats on almost daily basis even as guns are booming along the border in contravention of the 2003 Ceasefire Agreement. The Government also registered its strong protest on the mutilation of the body of an Indian soldier by a terrorist who escaped across the Line of Control after committing the heinous crime, the MEA said in the statement. On the same day, the PTI reported that six officials of the Pakistan Embassy left India, even though an official confirmation is awaited on it. The Pakistan Embassy sources have held Indian security establishment responsible for vitiating the atmosphere after the spy ring was allegedly unraveled by the Indian sleuths. India and Pakistan have been locked in a confrontational approach towards each other after New Delhi declared Masood Akhtar persona non grata followed by a tit for tat reaction from Islamabad that expelled another Indian High Commission official.
By PTI

PATNA: Confirming his party's stand, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) President Nitish Kumar today said he is not going to Lucknow for the November 5 Samajwadi Party foundation day function. "I will not be able to go to Lucknow for the function (of SP) due to Chhath festival. Chhath is observed in my house and 'Kharna' (an auspicious part of the festival) falls on November 5.

In such a situation it will not be possible for me to go there," Kumar told reporters. JD(U) had made it clear yesterday that the party president would not be able to make to the SP programme and Kumar himself made it public today.

Its ally RJD's President Lalu Prasad has confirmed his participation in the function but Kumar's absence is bound to weaken Mulayam Singh's efforts to cobble up a broad coalition of socialist and secular forces ahead of the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh early next year by parading prominent leaders on one platform.

Kumar, who returned to Patna last night from Delhi where he led talks with JD(U) veteran Sharad Yadav, said a Bihar-like 'mahagathbandhan' is possible in UP only on the condition of SP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) joining hands, which is, however, not seen anywhere. Otherwise only 'gathbandhan' (alliance) is possible in the crucial assembly poll in UP.

"However, all paths are open for a tie-up as much time is left for UP poll," he said. Kumar, who scripted victory in Bihar together with RJD and Congress, said during his stay in Delhi he had telephonic talks have been held with RLD chief Ajit Singh but no discussion had taken place with Congress. While Kumar attributed his non-participation in the Lucknow function to Chhath, Bihar JD(U) President Basistha Narayan Singh had said yesterday the party does not wish to be seen standing with any one group in view of the raging feud between Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle and SP state president Shivpal Yadav.

"There is fight within Samajwadi Party family and we do not want to be seen with any one side in this feud." Some JD(U) leaders even said the invitation for the function came from Shivpal Yadav and not from SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. They also vented their anger at the role played by SP chief in foiling attempts of merger of six parties of Janata Parivar and the party entering the Bihar poll against the Grand Alliance.

The chief minister said he had received a letter from Shivpal Yadav inviting him to the Lucknow rally. "Whether somebody from JD(U) will go to participate in the Lucknow rally or not will be discussed," Kumar, who formally took over as party president at the party national council meet at Rajgir in October, said.

He asserted that he was "very much" in favour of unity among secular and socialist forces and recalled past efforts for merger of the six parties of Janata Parivar. "We had made sincere efforts for the merger and had unanimously chosen Mulayam Singh Yadav as its leader, but things did not materialise somehow," Kumar said.

On the raging feud within SP, Kumar said it as an "internal matter" of that party and he was not interested in meddling in it. Asked about talks with Congress for the UP assembly poll, he said no parleys have been held with it so far. "Congress has to take an initiative ... It is a big party." "The election in Uttar Pradesh is a matter of a specific state.

JD(U) will fight poll there but what kind of participation it will have is not yet decided," he said. In reply to a question on formation of a non-BJP front in the country, Kumar said "I am always in contact with Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. My relationship with Odisha CM Navin Patnaik is also cordial."

Lalu Prasad had said he has been invited by his SP counterpart Mulayam Singh Yadav for the November 5 and he is going there to take part. His son and Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav told reporters "He (Nitish Kumar) has his own party and it is the decision of that party (not to go to the SP function) ... As far as RJD is concerned our top leader Lalu Prasad is going to the foundation day function of Samajwadi Party in Lucknow."

RJD national vice-president Raghubansh Prasad Singh, however, described Kumar's decision as "wrong" and said this would give advantage to BJP. "Nitish Kumar should go in SP function to strengthen socialist and secular forces ... His not going there is wrong," Singh, whose hard-hitting comments on Kumar had recently triggered a tiff between RJD and JD(U) told PTI.

"His not going would only give advantage to BJP," he said adding socialists and secular forces which had registered a thumping victory in Bihar could gain momentum to emerge as national alternative only by fighting that party together. Reacting to the comment, JD(U) spokesman Niraj Kumar said the party's national leadership is competent enough to take its decision and "We do not need any advise."

PATNA: Confirming his party's stand, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) President Nitish Kumar today said he is not going to Lucknow for the November 5 Samajwadi Party foundation day function. "I will not be able to go to Lucknow for the function (of SP) due to Chhath festival. Chhath is observed in my house and 'Kharna' (an auspicious part of the festival) falls on November 5. In such a situation it will not be possible for me to go there," Kumar told reporters. JD(U) had made it clear yesterday that the party president would not be able to make to the SP programme and Kumar himself made it public today. Its ally RJD's President Lalu Prasad has confirmed his participation in the function but Kumar's absence is bound to weaken Mulayam Singh's efforts to cobble up a broad coalition of socialist and secular forces ahead of the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh early next year by parading prominent leaders on one platform. Kumar, who returned to Patna last night from Delhi where he led talks with JD(U) veteran Sharad Yadav, said a Bihar-like 'mahagathbandhan' is possible in UP only on the condition of SP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) joining hands, which is, however, not seen anywhere. Otherwise only 'gathbandhan' (alliance) is possible in the crucial assembly poll in UP. "However, all paths are open for a tie-up as much time is left for UP poll," he said. Kumar, who scripted victory in Bihar together with RJD and Congress, said during his stay in Delhi he had telephonic talks have been held with RLD chief Ajit Singh but no discussion had taken place with Congress. While Kumar attributed his non-participation in the Lucknow function to Chhath, Bihar JD(U) President Basistha Narayan Singh had said yesterday the party does not wish to be seen standing with any one group in view of the raging feud between Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle and SP state president Shivpal Yadav. "There is fight within Samajwadi Party family and we do not want to be seen with any one side in this feud." Some JD(U) leaders even said the invitation for the function came from Shivpal Yadav and not from SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. They also vented their anger at the role played by SP chief in foiling attempts of merger of six parties of Janata Parivar and the party entering the Bihar poll against the Grand Alliance. The chief minister said he had received a letter from Shivpal Yadav inviting him to the Lucknow rally. "Whether somebody from JD(U) will go to participate in the Lucknow rally or not will be discussed," Kumar, who formally took over as party president at the party national council meet at Rajgir in October, said. He asserted that he was "very much" in favour of unity among secular and socialist forces and recalled past efforts for merger of the six parties of Janata Parivar. "We had made sincere efforts for the merger and had unanimously chosen Mulayam Singh Yadav as its leader, but things did not materialise somehow," Kumar said. On the raging feud within SP, Kumar said it as an "internal matter" of that party and he was not interested in meddling in it. Asked about talks with Congress for the UP assembly poll, he said no parleys have been held with it so far. "Congress has to take an initiative ... It is a big party." "The election in Uttar Pradesh is a matter of a specific state. JD(U) will fight poll there but what kind of participation it will have is not yet decided," he said. In reply to a question on formation of a non-BJP front in the country, Kumar said "I am always in contact with Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. My relationship with Odisha CM Navin Patnaik is also cordial." Lalu Prasad had said he has been invited by his SP counterpart Mulayam Singh Yadav for the November 5 and he is going there to take part. His son and Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav told reporters "He (Nitish Kumar) has his own party and it is the decision of that party (not to go to the SP function) ... As far as RJD is concerned our top leader Lalu Prasad is going to the foundation day function of Samajwadi Party in Lucknow." RJD national vice-president Raghubansh Prasad Singh, however, described Kumar's decision as "wrong" and said this would give advantage to BJP. "Nitish Kumar should go in SP function to strengthen socialist and secular forces ... His not going there is wrong," Singh, whose hard-hitting comments on Kumar had recently triggered a tiff between RJD and JD(U) told PTI. "His not going would only give advantage to BJP," he said adding socialists and secular forces which had registered a thumping victory in Bihar could gain momentum to emerge as national alternative only by fighting that party together. Reacting to the comment, JD(U) spokesman Niraj Kumar said the party's national leadership is competent enough to take its decision and "We do not need any advise."
By Express News Service

AMRITSAR: Still getting to grips with the horror of its durg-abuse phenomenon, Punjab is discovering that the problem has mutated into version 2.0. Rehab professionals and deaddiction centres across the state are reporting that addicts are getting hooked on the very drugs being used to treat them.

The most serious problem is with buprenorphine and tramadol, both drugs of choice to treat serious heroin addiction. Patients walk out of detox centres clean, but many relapse, this time habituated to the two prescription drugs, both of which are easily available across the state.

At the Government Drug De-addiction Centre in Amritsar, I met a 22-year-old youngster who had been hooked on heroin for three years. He told me he used to take at least two grams of heroin per day, spending up to Rs 4,000 some days. One day he collapsed in the bathroom of his house in Tarn Taran, and was brought to the rehab centre in Amritsar by his parents.

After the initial detoxification, he was administered buprenorphine, which is part of the Punjab health departments oral substitution therapy (OST) for treatment of drug addicts. He got hooked to the medication as well.

Buprenorphine is a narcotic analgesic. It works on the nervous system to reduce pain. It is mostly administered to addicts who are HIV positive or those suffering from cancer or hepatitis C. The drug, meant only to be dispensed at deaddiction centres, has found its way into the open market and is sold on the sly by chemists.

Another typical relapse case was of Sandeep Singh (name changed) at a government run de-addiction centre. After his medical reports confirmed heroin addiction, he was administered 5 mg buprenorphine per day. After he was discharged eight months ago, he continued to procure the drug through an acquaintance, and was taking it daily. He is now back in detox again.

Professionals in anti-narcotics policing and rehab services said drug addiction 2.0 is proving to be just as lethal as heroin.

We give buprenorphine only to those patients whose urine test reports are positive for heroin or any other drug addiction. The dosage per day is between 2 mg and 4 mg. However, with so many government and private centres around, this drug is falling into the wrong hands, explains Dr P D Garg, head of the department (HoD) at the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar.

Recently, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) director-general Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar informed the Union home ministry that an unintended consequence of stricter anti-narcotics vigilance by the Border Security Force and the Punjab Police was the switch to buprenorphine and tramadol. The drug abuse pattern in Punjab is changing and more and more people are getting addicted to medications, said Bhatnagar.

J P S Bhatia, a psychiatrist who runs the Hermitage Deaddiction Centre in Amritsar confirmed this: The drug is to be administered only in rehab centres but yes it is being abused. I have come across reports suggesting that the government is planning to ban the drug altogether.

However, many doctors are reluctant to elaborate on the abuse of buprenorphine since it may not reflect well on the reputation of deaddiction centres.

Doctors say they find buprenorphine very effective against heroin addiction. We give one mg of the drug (buprenorphine) five times a day for two days and reduce it to three times a day for the next two days. After that, only one tablet is given for three days and the treatment lasts for about 10 days,'' Dr Bhatia explained.

Asked whether they get more cases of heroin, opium, cocaine addiction when compared to buprenorphine or tramadol, both Dr Garg and Dr Bhatia said yes. However, the Chandigarh-based zonal director of NCB, Dr Kaustabh Sharma begs to differ. In my opinion, more and more people are getting hooked to buprenorphine and tramadol and other prescription drugs when compared to heroin. It comes cheap and is easy available, so why would they go for other substances? he says.

Dr Sharma is emphatic that tramadol and buprenorphine are increasingly being dispensed over the counter, despite the fact that they are meant to be given out only at rehab centres. Some deaddiction centres are procuring it in bulk and the drug is ending up with peddlers,'' he says.

Anti-narcotics professionals say they have inputs that some private psychiatrists who have been issued sale licences by the health department are hoarding the drug and then supplying to addicts for small profits.

A senior IPS officer told New Indian Express, ''Besides those working in drug de-addiction centres, some chemists are able to procure buprenorphine in bulk and are selling it to addicts.'' He added that these drugs are being abused more than heroin, opium, poppy or cocaine.

A Health Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that cases of buprenorphine reaching drug addicts have come to light. It is true that addiction to such drugs is on the rise,'' he added.

AMRITSAR: Still getting to grips with the horror of its durg-abuse phenomenon, Punjab is discovering that the problem has mutated into version 2.0. Rehab professionals and deaddiction centres across the state are reporting that addicts are getting hooked on the very drugs being used to treat them. The most serious problem is with buprenorphine and tramadol, both drugs of choice to treat serious heroin addiction. Patients walk out of detox centres clean, but many relapse, this time habituated to the two prescription drugs, both of which are easily available across the state. At the Government Drug De-addiction Centre in Amritsar, I met a 22-year-old youngster who had been hooked on heroin for three years. He told me he used to take at least two grams of heroin per day, spending up to Rs 4,000 some days. One day he collapsed in the bathroom of his house in Tarn Taran, and was brought to the rehab centre in Amritsar by his parents. After the initial detoxification, he was administered buprenorphine, which is part of the Punjab health departments oral substitution therapy (OST) for treatment of drug addicts. He got hooked to the medication as well. Buprenorphine is a narcotic analgesic. It works on the nervous system to reduce pain. It is mostly administered to addicts who are HIV positive or those suffering from cancer or hepatitis C. The drug, meant only to be dispensed at deaddiction centres, has found its way into the open market and is sold on the sly by chemists. Another typical relapse case was of Sandeep Singh (name changed) at a government run de-addiction centre. After his medical reports confirmed heroin addiction, he was administered 5 mg buprenorphine per day. After he was discharged eight months ago, he continued to procure the drug through an acquaintance, and was taking it daily. He is now back in detox again. Professionals in anti-narcotics policing and rehab services said drug addiction 2.0 is proving to be just as lethal as heroin. We give buprenorphine only to those patients whose urine test reports are positive for heroin or any other drug addiction. The dosage per day is between 2 mg and 4 mg. However, with so many government and private centres around, this drug is falling into the wrong hands, explains Dr P D Garg, head of the department (HoD) at the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar. Recently, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) director-general Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar informed the Union home ministry that an unintended consequence of stricter anti-narcotics vigilance by the Border Security Force and the Punjab Police was the switch to buprenorphine and tramadol. The drug abuse pattern in Punjab is changing and more and more people are getting addicted to medications, said Bhatnagar. J P S Bhatia, a psychiatrist who runs the Hermitage Deaddiction Centre in Amritsar confirmed this: The drug is to be administered only in rehab centres but yes it is being abused. I have come across reports suggesting that the government is planning to ban the drug altogether. However, many doctors are reluctant to elaborate on the abuse of buprenorphine since it may not reflect well on the reputation of deaddiction centres. Doctors say they find buprenorphine very effective against heroin addiction. We give one mg of the drug (buprenorphine) five times a day for two days and reduce it to three times a day for the next two days. After that, only one tablet is given for three days and the treatment lasts for about 10 days,'' Dr Bhatia explained. Asked whether they get more cases of heroin, opium, cocaine addiction when compared to buprenorphine or tramadol, both Dr Garg and Dr Bhatia said yes. However, the Chandigarh-based zonal director of NCB, Dr Kaustabh Sharma begs to differ. In my opinion, more and more people are getting hooked to buprenorphine and tramadol and other prescription drugs when compared to heroin. It comes cheap and is easy available, so why would they go for other substances? he says. Dr Sharma is emphatic that tramadol and buprenorphine are increasingly being dispensed over the counter, despite the fact that they are meant to be given out only at rehab centres. Some deaddiction centres are procuring it in bulk and the drug is ending up with peddlers,'' he says. Anti-narcotics professionals say they have inputs that some private psychiatrists who have been issued sale licences by the health department are hoarding the drug and then supplying to addicts for small profits. A senior IPS officer told New Indian Express, ''Besides those working in drug de-addiction centres, some chemists are able to procure buprenorphine in bulk and are selling it to addicts.'' He added that these drugs are being abused more than heroin, opium, poppy or cocaine. A Health Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that cases of buprenorphine reaching drug addicts have come to light. It is true that addiction to such drugs is on the rise,'' he added.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRI NAGAR: Eight civilians including four women and two children were killed and 18 others were injured in heavy firing by Pakistani troops across the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. While five people were killed and one died of shock in the Samba district, two others were killed in the Rajouri district. Ceasefire violations were also reported from the Poonch district which falls near the Line of Control. Counting Tuesdays attacks, there have been more than 60 ceasefire violations by Pakistan after Indias surgical strike across the LoC, according to the Armys estimates.

Later in the day, the Border Security Force claimed that it destroyed at least 14 Pakistani posts in retaliatory firing. They also claimed to have killed 2 Pakistani Rangers.

Wife of Swaran Singh, who was killed in the

cross-border firing breaks down in Samba

district on Tuesday | PTI



The Pakistani troops allegedly resorted to unprovoked firing along the Ramgarh sector in Samba district around 6:30 am. The sector has so far remained unaffected by the cross-border firing. Five civilians including two children and two women were killed in this attack, district Deputy Commissioner Sheetal Nanda told Express. Another perso died of shock during the attack. Nine other people were injured in the Samba attack who were later shifted to Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu. A woman and her daughter-in-law were killed in the attack in Rajouri district, district Deputy Commissioner Shabir Ahmed Bhat said. Unprovoked firing by Pakistan continues across sectors along the IB, the BSF said.



The government is planning to evacuate about 25,000 people from about 55 villages located close to the International Border as attacks continue unabated. We have set up 7-8 camps in every tehsil for the evacuated people, where adequate facilities have been made available, Sheetal Nanda said. with schools increasingly becoming a soft target in the attacks, about 174 schools in the border areas have been closed to avoid mishaps.



Meanwhile, agencies reported that Pakistan was considering pulling out four of its officials posted in its New Delhi embassy  Syed Furrukh Habib, Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal. This is under consideration. A final decision would be taken shortly, the Dawn News reported quoting a source. Earlier last week, India expelled one Pakistani embassy staff for his connections with the ISI.

SRI NAGAR: Eight civilians including four women and two children were killed and 18 others were injured in heavy firing by Pakistani troops across the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. While five people were killed and one died of shock in the Samba district, two others were killed in the Rajouri district. Ceasefire violations were also reported from the Poonch district which falls near the Line of Control. Counting Tuesdays attacks, there have been more than 60 ceasefire violations by Pakistan after Indias surgical strike across the LoC, according to the Armys estimates. Later in the day, the Border Security Force claimed that it destroyed at least 14 Pakistani posts in retaliatory firing. They also claimed to have killed 2 Pakistani Rangers. Wife of Swaran Singh, who was killed in the cross-border firing breaks down in Samba district on Tuesday | PTI The Pakistani troops allegedly resorted to unprovoked firing along the Ramgarh sector in Samba district around 6:30 am. The sector has so far remained unaffected by the cross-border firing. Five civilians including two children and two women were killed in this attack, district Deputy Commissioner Sheetal Nanda told Express. Another perso died of shock during the attack. Nine other people were injured in the Samba attack who were later shifted to Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu. A woman and her daughter-in-law were killed in the attack in Rajouri district, district Deputy Commissioner Shabir Ahmed Bhat said. Unprovoked firing by Pakistan continues across sectors along the IB, the BSF said. The government is planning to evacuate about 25,000 people from about 55 villages located close to the International Border as attacks continue unabated. We have set up 7-8 camps in every tehsil for the evacuated people, where adequate facilities have been made available, Sheetal Nanda said. with schools increasingly becoming a soft target in the attacks, about 174 schools in the border areas have been closed to avoid mishaps. Meanwhile, agencies reported that Pakistan was considering pulling out four of its officials posted in its New Delhi embassy  Syed Furrukh Habib, Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal. This is under consideration. A final decision would be taken shortly, the Dawn News reported quoting a source. Earlier last week, India expelled one Pakistani embassy staff for his connections with the ISI.
By Express News Service

Political high drama erupted over ex-serviceman's alleged suicide over the non-implementation of the OROP scheme. While the government received flaks from various political quarters, political parties used the occasion to take swipe at the BJP and government over the issue of surgical strikes.

Hitting back, BJP accused Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal of doing "politics over deaths" after they targeted Modi government over suicide by an ex-serviceman, and asserted that it had fulfilled its commitment on OROP, while Congress had failed to do so.

Political reactions and comments stated pouring in soon after the incident came to light on Wednesday morning. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was first to target PM Narendra Modi saying both farmers and soldiers were ending their lives in his regime. The AAP leader also rued that it was "very sad" to see that soldiers have to fight against external enemy along border and "within" for their rights.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi asked the PM to implement One Rank, One Pension in a meaningful way in the wake of alleged suicide by an ex-serviceman over the issue and said soldiers should not have to struggle to claim what is their due.

Thereafter, the Congress scion reached RML hospital to meet the family of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal. Naya Hindustan ban raha hai bhaiya, isko pehchaniye (A brand new India is forming)," Rahul said after he was turned away from the gates of RML hospital by security forces. "For the first time, we are not being allowed to meet the families of our soldiers. Kaisa Hindustan banaya ja raha hai? (What sort of a country are we living in?)," asked the Congress leader, taking a jibe at PM Modi.

In the meantime, Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia was also stopped by the police while he was trying to enter the hospital.

Gandhis detention led to more reactions as the Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "Since the NDA government came to power, the democracy of India has finished and dictatorship is in power. Rahul Gandhi's arrest is the last draw towards dictatorship."

Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee also criticised the move to prevent Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia from visiting the hospital. "It is very sad that one of our former jawans committed suicide. Very unfortunate that Rahul Gandhi and Manish Sisodia were stopped from visiting the bereaved family," she said in a tweet.

However, home minister Rajnath Singh defended the action of Delhi Police. "Whatever has to be done for risk reduction, the Delhi Police will do," he said while replying queries on the issue.

Taking advantage of the raging controversies Kejriwal targeted the BJP over the issue of surgical strikes and the recent controversies on 'downgrading' of military ranks and the 'cuts' in disability pension of defence personnel. The day after the surgical strikes, government brought huge cuts to army's disability pensions. Then, ranks of the military officers were lowered. These are big deceits. And they go about town tomtomming the surgical strikes. The army is being deceived and misused for political gains," the AAP chief said.

Left parties accused Centre of killing an ex-serviceman, who allegedly committed suicide over OROP, contending its "betrayal" over the scheme caused the tradegy. "The basic issue is that a soldier has not been killed by anyone across the border, but has been killed by a government which betrayed its promises on OROP causing him to commit suicide which is great tragedy for the country," CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat said.

BJP criticised the politics ove the alleged suicide. "What Rahul Gandhi and Kejriwal are doing is nothing but politics over death. It seems they keep looking for doing politics wherever such deaths occur," BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said.

Time line of events:

Tuesday

12 :00 Ram Kishen Grewal and his friends went to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajans residence

12: 15 pm: Ram Kishen Grewal and his friends went to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajans residence

1 pm: Reaches Jawahar Bhawan, which houses the Ministry of External Affairs, and sat in the lawns behind it.

1: 10 pm : Consumes poison and calls his sons saying he is sacrificing his life:

1: 15 pm : A call to Police Control Room

1: 14 : He was declared dead by hospital authorities .

11 pm : His family members arrive at hospital



Wednesday

4: AM : The body was Ram Kishen Grewal at Lady Hardinge Medical College

1 :19 PM: Deputy CM Manish Sisodia arrives at RML Hospital

1: 28 PM: Deputy CM Manish Sisodia was detained by Delhi Police from RML Hospital

1: 45 PM: Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala arrives at RML hospital

2: 05 PM: Congress Vice president Rahul Gandhi arrives at RML hospital

2: 09 PM: Rahul Gandhi left RML hospital

2: 10 PM: Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala was detained from RML hospital

3: 00 PM: AAP leader Sanjay Singh and Dilip Pandey sat on dharna at Parliament Street police station

3: 30 PM: Rahul Gandhi detained at Mandir Marg police station

3: 30 PM: Arvind Kejriwal reached at Lady Hardinge Medical College

4:00 PM Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi leaves Mandir Marg police station

6: 14 PM: Kejriwal was detained after he was not allowed to enter Lady Hardinge Medical College

6: 15 PM : Rahul Gandhi, Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia detained after meeting late ex-serviceman's family

6: 27 PM : AAP Dilip Pandey & Sanjay Singh detained as they protested outside Parliament street police station

8: 39 PM : Rahul Gandhi, Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia and other Congress leaders released

Political high drama erupted over ex-serviceman's alleged suicide over the non-implementation of the OROP scheme. While the government received flaks from various political quarters, political parties used the occasion to take swipe at the BJP and government over the issue of surgical strikes. Hitting back, BJP accused Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal of doing "politics over deaths" after they targeted Modi government over suicide by an ex-serviceman, and asserted that it had fulfilled its commitment on OROP, while Congress had failed to do so. Political reactions and comments stated pouring in soon after the incident came to light on Wednesday morning. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was first to target PM Narendra Modi saying both farmers and soldiers were ending their lives in his regime. The AAP leader also rued that it was "very sad" to see that soldiers have to fight against external enemy along border and "within" for their rights. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi asked the PM to implement One Rank, One Pension in a meaningful way in the wake of alleged suicide by an ex-serviceman over the issue and said soldiers should not have to struggle to claim what is their due. Thereafter, the Congress scion reached RML hospital to meet the family of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal. Naya Hindustan ban raha hai bhaiya, isko pehchaniye (A brand new India is forming)," Rahul said after he was turned away from the gates of RML hospital by security forces. "For the first time, we are not being allowed to meet the families of our soldiers. Kaisa Hindustan banaya ja raha hai? (What sort of a country are we living in?)," asked the Congress leader, taking a jibe at PM Modi. In the meantime, Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia was also stopped by the police while he was trying to enter the hospital. Gandhis detention led to more reactions as the Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "Since the NDA government came to power, the democracy of India has finished and dictatorship is in power. Rahul Gandhi's arrest is the last draw towards dictatorship." Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee also criticised the move to prevent Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia from visiting the hospital. "It is very sad that one of our former jawans committed suicide. Very unfortunate that Rahul Gandhi and Manish Sisodia were stopped from visiting the bereaved family," she said in a tweet. However, home minister Rajnath Singh defended the action of Delhi Police. "Whatever has to be done for risk reduction, the Delhi Police will do," he said while replying queries on the issue. Taking advantage of the raging controversies Kejriwal targeted the BJP over the issue of surgical strikes and the recent controversies on 'downgrading' of military ranks and the 'cuts' in disability pension of defence personnel. The day after the surgical strikes, government brought huge cuts to army's disability pensions. Then, ranks of the military officers were lowered. These are big deceits. And they go about town tomtomming the surgical strikes. The army is being deceived and misused for political gains," the AAP chief said. Left parties accused Centre of killing an ex-serviceman, who allegedly committed suicide over OROP, contending its "betrayal" over the scheme caused the tradegy. "The basic issue is that a soldier has not been killed by anyone across the border, but has been killed by a government which betrayed its promises on OROP causing him to commit suicide which is great tragedy for the country," CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat said. BJP criticised the politics ove the alleged suicide. "What Rahul Gandhi and Kejriwal are doing is nothing but politics over death. It seems they keep looking for doing politics wherever such deaths occur," BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said. Time line of events: Tuesday 12 :00 Ram Kishen Grewal and his friends went to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajans residence 12: 15 pm: Ram Kishen Grewal and his friends went to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajans residence 1 pm: Reaches Jawahar Bhawan, which houses the Ministry of External Affairs, and sat in the lawns behind it. 1: 10 pm : Consumes poison and calls his sons saying he is sacrificing his life: 1: 15 pm : A call to Police Control Room 1: 14 : He was declared dead by hospital authorities . 11 pm : His family members arrive at hospital Wednesday 4: AM : The body was Ram Kishen Grewal at Lady Hardinge Medical College 1 :19 PM: Deputy CM Manish Sisodia arrives at RML Hospital 1: 28 PM: Deputy CM Manish Sisodia was detained by Delhi Police from RML Hospital 1: 45 PM: Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala arrives at RML hospital 2: 05 PM: Congress Vice president Rahul Gandhi arrives at RML hospital 2: 09 PM: Rahul Gandhi left RML hospital 2: 10 PM: Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala was detained from RML hospital 3: 00 PM: AAP leader Sanjay Singh and Dilip Pandey sat on dharna at Parliament Street police station 3: 30 PM: Rahul Gandhi detained at Mandir Marg police station 3: 30 PM: Arvind Kejriwal reached at Lady Hardinge Medical College 4:00 PM Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi leaves Mandir Marg police station 6: 14 PM: Kejriwal was detained after he was not allowed to enter Lady Hardinge Medical College 6: 15 PM : Rahul Gandhi, Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia detained after meeting late ex-serviceman's family 6: 27 PM : AAP Dilip Pandey & Sanjay Singh detained as they protested outside Parliament street police station 8: 39 PM : Rahul Gandhi, Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia and other Congress leaders released
By Online Desk

Senior journalist Akshaya Mukul, who was to receive the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award on Wednesday, boycotted the ceremony in a show of dissent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from whom he was to receive the honour.

Mukul was quoted by a magazine as saying he boycotted the ceremony as he couldnt live with the idea of Modi and me in the same frame. He indicated to the magazine that the governments perceived clampdown on the media and freedom of speech in general was unacceptable.

Krishan Chopra, chief editor at HarperCollins India, the publishers of Mukuls book Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India for which he was accorded the honour, received the award on his behalf. Mukuls book examines the ideological roots of Hindutva.

Mukul received both bouquets and brickbats on social media over his decision.

Mukul not only deserved the award for his brilliant book, but is also one of the most spunky journalists of the day, tweeted Hridayesh Joshi.

Never knew real lions still exist! said S K Jain, another social media user.

There were, however, others who criticised the journalist for refusing the awards. By refusing the Ramnath Goenka Award, the journalist disrespects all citizens, tweeted Animesh Sarma.

Senior journalist Akshaya Mukul, who was to receive the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award on Wednesday, boycotted the ceremony in a show of dissent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from whom he was to receive the honour. Mukul was quoted by a magazine as saying he boycotted the ceremony as he couldnt live with the idea of Modi and me in the same frame. He indicated to the magazine that the governments perceived clampdown on the media and freedom of speech in general was unacceptable. Krishan Chopra, chief editor at HarperCollins India, the publishers of Mukuls book Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India for which he was accorded the honour, received the award on his behalf. Mukuls book examines the ideological roots of Hindutva. Mukul received both bouquets and brickbats on social media over his decision. Mukul not only deserved the award for his brilliant book, but is also one of the most spunky journalists of the day, tweeted Hridayesh Joshi. Never knew real lions still exist! said S K Jain, another social media user. There were, however, others who criticised the journalist for refusing the awards. By refusing the Ramnath Goenka Award, the journalist disrespects all citizens, tweeted Animesh Sarma.
Namita bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is all set to start his rath yatra on Thursday, two days before the date chosen by his uncle and rival Shivpal Yadav to celebrate the Samajwadi Partys silver jubilee.

Preparations are underway for the two much anticipated events, touted as a show of strength by factions led by Akhilesh and Shivpal ahead of the crucial UP Assembly polls early next year.

Akhileshs Vikas Sey Vijay Tak yatra with a procession over 5,000 SUVs and trucks will begin from Lucknow on Thursday and pass through Unnao en route to Kanpur. It will be a show of strength. We want to show Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) that Akhilesh Bhaiya is the most popular leader in the party, said a loyalist. The Samajwadi Partys silver jubilee function will be held on Saturday.

CM Akhilesh Yadavs Vikas Rath at his residence in

Lucknow on Tuesday | PTI

Arrangements are being made to ensure that Akhileshs yatra is a success and to establish him as the undisputed political heir of the SP chief.

Akhilesh, who ruled out parting ways with the party, has said he will participate in the silver jubilee event. However, a large number of his loyalists are likely to boycott the event in view of the strife in the party.

The trendy Vikas Rath painted in red and green  characterisitc of the Samajwadi Party  was presented before media on Tuesday. Interestingly, the details of the first day of the 75-km yatra was released by the Janeshwar Mishra Trust and not by the Samajwadi Party. The trust was revived with the setting up of a new office close to the SP headquarters in Lucknow. It has turned into the abode for sacked youth leaders close to Akhilesh.

On Tuesday, the state capital was full of banners announcing two events  Akhileshs yatra and SPs 25th anniversary. While most of banners about the yatra were released by the trust, the ones about the anniversary were issued by the party. The Janeshwar Mishra Trust is handling preparations for the yatra. Former Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary, vice-president of the trust, said, This historic rath will help him reaffirm the Samajwadi ideology and thoughts. People from all sections of society are very motivated and enthused by the idea of this rath yatra. They are reaching the state capital in large numbers.

LUCKNOW : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is all set to start his rath yatra on Thursday, two days before the date chosen by his uncle and rival Shivpal Yadav to celebrate the Samajwadi Partys silver jubilee. Preparations are underway for the two much anticipated events, touted as a show of strength by factions led by Akhilesh and Shivpal ahead of the crucial UP Assembly polls early next year. Akhileshs Vikas Sey Vijay Tak yatra with a procession over 5,000 SUVs and trucks will begin from Lucknow on Thursday and pass through Unnao en route to Kanpur. It will be a show of strength. We want to show Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) that Akhilesh Bhaiya is the most popular leader in the party, said a loyalist. The Samajwadi Partys silver jubilee function will be held on Saturday. CM Akhilesh Yadavs Vikas Rath at his residence in Lucknow on Tuesday | PTIArrangements are being made to ensure that Akhileshs yatra is a success and to establish him as the undisputed political heir of the SP chief. Akhilesh, who ruled out parting ways with the party, has said he will participate in the silver jubilee event. However, a large number of his loyalists are likely to boycott the event in view of the strife in the party. The trendy Vikas Rath painted in red and green  characterisitc of the Samajwadi Party  was presented before media on Tuesday. Interestingly, the details of the first day of the 75-km yatra was released by the Janeshwar Mishra Trust and not by the Samajwadi Party. The trust was revived with the setting up of a new office close to the SP headquarters in Lucknow. It has turned into the abode for sacked youth leaders close to Akhilesh. On Tuesday, the state capital was full of banners announcing two events  Akhileshs yatra and SPs 25th anniversary. While most of banners about the yatra were released by the trust, the ones about the anniversary were issued by the party. The Janeshwar Mishra Trust is handling preparations for the yatra. Former Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary, vice-president of the trust, said, This historic rath will help him reaffirm the Samajwadi ideology and thoughts. People from all sections of society are very motivated and enthused by the idea of this rath yatra. They are reaching the state capital in large numbers.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: Expressing ire over not being allowed to meet the kin of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly committed suicide over the delay in implementation of the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over this strange behaviour.

Lets see how long I have to wait here. I am certain that I will talk to the family. This is a strange behaviour. This is Modis jis country, he told ANI after being denied permission to visit the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

Meanwhile, Special Commissioner Mukesh Kumar Meena told the media here that Rahul Gandhi has been detained for trying to enter the hospital despite being advised otherwise.

It is a hospital and not a place for demonstration. Rahul Gandhi detained at Mandir Marg Police Station for 'disruption of duty'. Democracy doesn't mean creating obstruction. Leaders must also understand that hospital is not the place to hold any demonstrations, he added.

Grewal consumed poison last afternoon. However, the cause behind Grewals suicide is yet to be ascertained. RGandhi detained at Mandir Marg PS for 'disruption of duty'after he wasn't allowed to enter RML hosp to meet ex-serviceman's family



Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be visiting Grewals family in Bhiwani, Haryana, later in the day.

Grewals son Jaswant urged the government to look into the matter.

My father sacrificed for the nation. He was demanding the One Rank, One Pension. The Modi Government should think about this, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while celebrating the Diwali with the army and ITBP personnel in Sumdo, Kinnaur, had said that the first instalment of nearly Rs. 5,500 crore has been paid for implementing the OROP scheme.



The Prime Minister also asserted that he has "fulfilled the promise" which he made to ex-servicemen on the issue that has been hanging fire for the last 40 years.



OROP scheme has been a long-standing demand of nearly three-million ex-servicemen and war widows in the country.

It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel, who retire at the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement.

NEW DELHI: Expressing ire over not being allowed to meet the kin of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly committed suicide over the delay in implementation of the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over this strange behaviour. Lets see how long I have to wait here. I am certain that I will talk to the family. This is a strange behaviour. This is Modis jis country, he told ANI after being denied permission to visit the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Meanwhile, Special Commissioner Mukesh Kumar Meena told the media here that Rahul Gandhi has been detained for trying to enter the hospital despite being advised otherwise. It is a hospital and not a place for demonstration. Rahul Gandhi detained at Mandir Marg Police Station for 'disruption of duty'. Democracy doesn't mean creating obstruction. Leaders must also understand that hospital is not the place to hold any demonstrations, he added. Grewal consumed poison last afternoon. However, the cause behind Grewals suicide is yet to be ascertained. RGandhi detained at Mandir Marg PS for 'disruption of duty'after he wasn't allowed to enter RML hosp to meet ex-serviceman's family Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be visiting Grewals family in Bhiwani, Haryana, later in the day. Grewals son Jaswant urged the government to look into the matter. My father sacrificed for the nation. He was demanding the One Rank, One Pension. The Modi Government should think about this, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while celebrating the Diwali with the army and ITBP personnel in Sumdo, Kinnaur, had said that the first instalment of nearly Rs. 5,500 crore has been paid for implementing the OROP scheme. The Prime Minister also asserted that he has "fulfilled the promise" which he made to ex-servicemen on the issue that has been hanging fire for the last 40 years. OROP scheme has been a long-standing demand of nearly three-million ex-servicemen and war widows in the country. It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel, who retire at the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement.
Choi Soon-sil, the key figure in an influence-peddling scandal that leads straight to President Park Geun-hye's inner sanctum, was taken into custody on Tuesday.

Prosecutors said they arrested her because of a risk that Choi could destroy evidence or flee.

When she first reported to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on Monday, Choi was overheard wailing that she "committed an unpardonable crime," but as questioning began she reportedly stalled.

The interrogation has so far focused on her role in setting up and running the dubious Mir and K-Sports foundations, which she is suspected of exploiting for her own gain and financing from donations solicited directly by Cheong Wa Dae.

Under questioning Choi either flatly denied trading on her ties to Park or meddling in government, or claimed not to remember. "The investigation is not going smoothly," a prosecutor said.
Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: With Assembly polls round the corner, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has upped the ante on the controversy over sharing river waters with neighbouring Haryana. Badal on Tuesday said the State would not spare even a drop of water regardless of the judgment of the Supreme Court on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal issue.



My government will not accept the ruling of any court on sharing of river water via SYL canal and Punjab is ready for any sacrifice for this, Badal said while addressing a State-level event here to mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of Punjabi Suba. I want to use this occasion to state one thing clearly, even if it is taken adversely... even if the highest court decides on this issue (sharing of water), we will not give even a drop of water, he said in the presence of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP president Amit Shah. We will not allow Punjabis to die of hunger, he stated. The Supreme Court is seized of the SYL issue and is likely to pronounce its verdict soon.

The SYL canal, which was to link both rivers in these states, has been a bone of contention for over three decades. Punjab maintains that it has no water to spare for other states. Haryana, which has a BJP government, is awaiting the Supreme Court verdict on the issue. In Punjab, the Shiromani Akali Dal has an alliance government with the BJP.

Badal, while soliciting the personal attention of Jaitley and Shah, categorically stated that people were making sarcastic remarks for not getting these territorial issues resolved through the intervention of NDA government at the Centre, in which the SAD is an ally. He said the inter-State issues, including denial of capital to Punjab, transfer of Punjabi-speaking areas and resolving river water issues within the ambit of internationally accepted Riperian Principle, were hanging fire for long due to the apathetic attitude of the erstwhile Congress governments at the Centre. Badal urged both the national leaders to deliver prompt justice rather than making any favour.

In his address, Jaitley said NDA governments both at the Centre and the State will bring development to the State.Training guns at the Opposition for defaming the hardworking youth of the State as drug addicts, Shah said the SAD-BJP alliance is proud of its immense contribution to the country. He said those who were hellbent on tarnishing the image of Punjabis deserve no leniency at all.

CHANDIGARH: With Assembly polls round the corner, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has upped the ante on the controversy over sharing river waters with neighbouring Haryana. Badal on Tuesday said the State would not spare even a drop of water regardless of the judgment of the Supreme Court on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal issue. My government will not accept the ruling of any court on sharing of river water via SYL canal and Punjab is ready for any sacrifice for this, Badal said while addressing a State-level event here to mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of Punjabi Suba. I want to use this occasion to state one thing clearly, even if it is taken adversely... even if the highest court decides on this issue (sharing of water), we will not give even a drop of water, he said in the presence of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP president Amit Shah. We will not allow Punjabis to die of hunger, he stated. The Supreme Court is seized of the SYL issue and is likely to pronounce its verdict soon. The SYL canal, which was to link both rivers in these states, has been a bone of contention for over three decades. Punjab maintains that it has no water to spare for other states. Haryana, which has a BJP government, is awaiting the Supreme Court verdict on the issue. In Punjab, the Shiromani Akali Dal has an alliance government with the BJP. Badal, while soliciting the personal attention of Jaitley and Shah, categorically stated that people were making sarcastic remarks for not getting these territorial issues resolved through the intervention of NDA government at the Centre, in which the SAD is an ally. He said the inter-State issues, including denial of capital to Punjab, transfer of Punjabi-speaking areas and resolving river water issues within the ambit of internationally accepted Riperian Principle, were hanging fire for long due to the apathetic attitude of the erstwhile Congress governments at the Centre. Badal urged both the national leaders to deliver prompt justice rather than making any favour. In his address, Jaitley said NDA governments both at the Centre and the State will bring development to the State.Training guns at the Opposition for defaming the hardworking youth of the State as drug addicts, Shah said the SAD-BJP alliance is proud of its immense contribution to the country. He said those who were hellbent on tarnishing the image of Punjabis deserve no leniency at all.
By IANS

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who had been detained on Wednesday as he tried to meet the family of an ex-serviceman who had committed suicide over the One Rank One Pension demand, was freed in the night after hours being "detained".

Walking out a south Delhi police station where he had been taken after beindg detained by police after he tried to meet the family of a retired soldier who committed suicide, he said their struggle for implementation of the OROP would continue.

Delhi Tourism Minister and AAP leader Kapil Mishra tweeted that Kejriwal had been detained by Delhi Police when he tried to go to a police station where the dead soldier's family had been detained earlier.

Kejriwal who had earlier tried to go to the hospital, had said: "The central government is intent on goondagardi. I am the Chief Minister of Delhi. An ex-serviceman has committed suicide. Is it not my duty to meet his family?"

Kejriwal's deputy Manish Sisodia and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi were also detained - the latter twice - and let off earlier at night.

After nine hours of unexplained detention, Sisodia walked out of the Parliament Street police station at night and drove to the R.K. Puram police station in south Delhi where Kejriwal was detained along with fellow minister Gopal Rai.

A senior police officer told IANS that Kejriwal and the dead soldier's family members would also be allowed to leave soon. The officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, insisted that no one had been arrested but could not explain why the family was detained for hours at a police station.



NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who had been detained on Wednesday as he tried to meet the family of an ex-serviceman who had committed suicide over the One Rank One Pension demand, was freed in the night after hours being "detained". Walking out a south Delhi police station where he had been taken after beindg detained by police after he tried to meet the family of a retired soldier who committed suicide, he said their struggle for implementation of the OROP would continue. Delhi Tourism Minister and AAP leader Kapil Mishra tweeted that Kejriwal had been detained by Delhi Police when he tried to go to a police station where the dead soldier's family had been detained earlier. Kejriwal who had earlier tried to go to the hospital, had said: "The central government is intent on goondagardi. I am the Chief Minister of Delhi. An ex-serviceman has committed suicide. Is it not my duty to meet his family?" Kejriwal's deputy Manish Sisodia and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi were also detained - the latter twice - and let off earlier at night. After nine hours of unexplained detention, Sisodia walked out of the Parliament Street police station at night and drove to the R.K. Puram police station in south Delhi where Kejriwal was detained along with fellow minister Gopal Rai. A senior police officer told IANS that Kejriwal and the dead soldier's family members would also be allowed to leave soon. The officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, insisted that no one had been arrested but could not explain why the family was detained for hours at a police station.
Ajit Ranade By

It is said that when you borrow a thousand rupees, you have to worry about repayment. But if you borrow a thousand crores, the bank has to worry. This is the bane of banking. Of course this does not mean that banks should stop lending for large projects.

The very business of banks is to lend money for investments, which in turn creates a new productive capacity, new jobs and economic growth. In doing so they assess the risk of such lending, and even after the loan is disbursed, they monitor the project and the loan until it is fully repaid. Most of such lending is against collateral that is pledged to the lender.

SAAI

The notional or market value of the collateral is typically much higher than the value of the loan. This offers extra security in case of a loan default. But the fact is that in times of distress it is difficult to liquidate the collateral and recover any dues. The collateral may be in control or custody of the borrower. Or its value may sharply deteriorate with falling business conditions. Additionally there is legal protection available to the borrower that can thwart the recovery process. Such legal protection is a legacy from the past when loan sharks or usurious lenders exploited borrowers.

In India, the rights of borrowers became so strong that lenders were often helpless. Even to possess and liquidate the collateral the lender has to overcome legal hurdles like court orders or other delays. The latest example is of how one of Indias leading banks had to wait two years simply to gain access and auction the villa of an industrialist who is a declared willful defaulter. Banks rights got strengthened somewhat with mechanisms like Debt Recovery Tribunals for fast tracking, and the SARFAESI Act of 2003.

The bank recovery of bad loans is part of a bigger challenge of how to resolve bankruptcies in general. If a firm has become insolvent, how long does it take creditors to resolve the bankruptcy and salvage some value? This is an important metric that determines overall ease of doing business in global ranking done by the World Bank. On an average it takes up to four years to resolve an insolvent business in India, and recovery is about 20 percent of what is due.

Thats why Indias rank is 136 out of 169 countries. This is about to change with a landmark reform in the bankruptcy law. In May this year the Parliament passed the new Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which creates a new institutional structure for insolvency resolution. It consists of a new regulator called the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) that will regulate new entities called Information Utilities (IU) and a new class of Insolvency Professionals (IP). The draft procedural rules that will apply to IU and IPs are already out and will be finalised in the coming month. The regulations will cover areas like registration of the professionals and their agencies, and the process of resolution.

The new code envisages a tighter timetable for insolvency resolution, and will depend critically on the coexistence and smooth functioning of three entities: the regulator, the IUs and the IPs. The information utilities will be a central repository of data, and prevent misuse of bankruptcy process delays by serial defaulters. The IPs is a new class, much like chartered accountants and lawyers, and will be regulated by a self-regulatory organisation, much like CAs. The new code is expected to be functional in two months, and will change the landscape of bankruptcy resolution. It is not as if the rights of borrowers have suddenly been diluted.

Nor is it that lenders have been given greater teeth. But by introducing the objectivity of third party professionals, and a tight limit on timelines, the process will be more efficient and predictable. For instance, despite the SAFRAESI Act of 2003, and emergence of asset reconstruction companies (ARC), the recovery rate and the time taken for recovery has not improved much. The Debt Recovery Tribunals, specially set up to speed up recoveries, so that they wouldnt get delayed in the conventional courts, are now themselves clogged.

The last two years have seen mounting non-performing loans in Indian banks. These are simply manifestation of older problems, not tackled at the right time, or postponed with wishful thinking. The older NPA resolution remains a stubborn challenge, which of course will not be solved by the new bankruptcy code. The Reserve Bank of India has suggested various measures, including restructuring, haircuts, debt for equity swap and lengthening of loan tenure (the 5/25 scheme). The government is also toying with the idea of a bad bank to store and dispose toxic assets. But beyond the inherited problems of NPAs of the past, the new bankruptcy code and the insolvency resolution ecosystem, will impact new risk taking in a very positive way. It allows entrepreneurs and investors to take risks, and speedy resolution if those ventures fail.

This can drive the entire ecosystem to truly unleash entrepreneurship and to do so at scale and at the same time separate out egregious abuse of the banking system that has given business a bad name. The former is to be nurtured and encouraged and celebrated; the latter is to be put down with a heavy hand. Competitiveness and ease of doing business needs ease of setting up businesses (i.e. free entry) and also ease of winding them down (free exit). The latter is what will be enabled by the new Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code in a manner that is fair, objective and most importantly time bound.

It is said that when you borrow a thousand rupees, you have to worry about repayment. But if you borrow a thousand crores, the bank has to worry. This is the bane of banking. Of course this does not mean that banks should stop lending for large projects. The very business of banks is to lend money for investments, which in turn creates a new productive capacity, new jobs and economic growth. In doing so they assess the risk of such lending, and even after the loan is disbursed, they monitor the project and the loan until it is fully repaid. Most of such lending is against collateral that is pledged to the lender. SAAIThe notional or market value of the collateral is typically much higher than the value of the loan. This offers extra security in case of a loan default. But the fact is that in times of distress it is difficult to liquidate the collateral and recover any dues. The collateral may be in control or custody of the borrower. Or its value may sharply deteriorate with falling business conditions. Additionally there is legal protection available to the borrower that can thwart the recovery process. Such legal protection is a legacy from the past when loan sharks or usurious lenders exploited borrowers. In India, the rights of borrowers became so strong that lenders were often helpless. Even to possess and liquidate the collateral the lender has to overcome legal hurdles like court orders or other delays. The latest example is of how one of Indias leading banks had to wait two years simply to gain access and auction the villa of an industrialist who is a declared willful defaulter. Banks rights got strengthened somewhat with mechanisms like Debt Recovery Tribunals for fast tracking, and the SARFAESI Act of 2003. The bank recovery of bad loans is part of a bigger challenge of how to resolve bankruptcies in general. If a firm has become insolvent, how long does it take creditors to resolve the bankruptcy and salvage some value? This is an important metric that determines overall ease of doing business in global ranking done by the World Bank. On an average it takes up to four years to resolve an insolvent business in India, and recovery is about 20 percent of what is due. Thats why Indias rank is 136 out of 169 countries. This is about to change with a landmark reform in the bankruptcy law. In May this year the Parliament passed the new Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which creates a new institutional structure for insolvency resolution. It consists of a new regulator called the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) that will regulate new entities called Information Utilities (IU) and a new class of Insolvency Professionals (IP). The draft procedural rules that will apply to IU and IPs are already out and will be finalised in the coming month. The regulations will cover areas like registration of the professionals and their agencies, and the process of resolution. The new code envisages a tighter timetable for insolvency resolution, and will depend critically on the coexistence and smooth functioning of three entities: the regulator, the IUs and the IPs. The information utilities will be a central repository of data, and prevent misuse of bankruptcy process delays by serial defaulters. The IPs is a new class, much like chartered accountants and lawyers, and will be regulated by a self-regulatory organisation, much like CAs. The new code is expected to be functional in two months, and will change the landscape of bankruptcy resolution. It is not as if the rights of borrowers have suddenly been diluted. Nor is it that lenders have been given greater teeth. But by introducing the objectivity of third party professionals, and a tight limit on timelines, the process will be more efficient and predictable. For instance, despite the SAFRAESI Act of 2003, and emergence of asset reconstruction companies (ARC), the recovery rate and the time taken for recovery has not improved much. The Debt Recovery Tribunals, specially set up to speed up recoveries, so that they wouldnt get delayed in the conventional courts, are now themselves clogged. The last two years have seen mounting non-performing loans in Indian banks. These are simply manifestation of older problems, not tackled at the right time, or postponed with wishful thinking. The older NPA resolution remains a stubborn challenge, which of course will not be solved by the new bankruptcy code. The Reserve Bank of India has suggested various measures, including restructuring, haircuts, debt for equity swap and lengthening of loan tenure (the 5/25 scheme). The government is also toying with the idea of a bad bank to store and dispose toxic assets. But beyond the inherited problems of NPAs of the past, the new bankruptcy code and the insolvency resolution ecosystem, will impact new risk taking in a very positive way. It allows entrepreneurs and investors to take risks, and speedy resolution if those ventures fail. This can drive the entire ecosystem to truly unleash entrepreneurship and to do so at scale and at the same time separate out egregious abuse of the banking system that has given business a bad name. The former is to be nurtured and encouraged and celebrated; the latter is to be put down with a heavy hand. Competitiveness and ease of doing business needs ease of setting up businesses (i.e. free entry) and also ease of winding them down (free exit). The latter is what will be enabled by the new Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code in a manner that is fair, objective and most importantly time bound.
Sukumaran C V By

In my childhood there was no TV or cell phone to separate us from even our neighbours while bringing the world itself into our fingertips. Whenever I was not in the company of my friends, in my late teens, I used to explore nature and, on close observation, I have learnt that the non-human world around us is filled with many wonders. Observing the sunbirds still fills me with ecstasy.

Their agility, the intermittent chirping sound and their expertise in drinking nectar from the hibiscus flowers are really captivating. Once I was watching the quick movements of a male sunbird in the hibiscus plant that stood behind our home. He was drinking nectar from the flowers.

One by one he visited almost all flowers and I was standing still enjoying his movements and his iridescent plumage around his neck when suddenly I heard a skirmishing sound and the shrill cry of the sunbird caught in the strong claws of a hawk! I didnt know the fact that while I was observing the little bird, the hawk was also observing it from somewhere and it swooped on the tiny bird and flew away with it in lightning speed. The hawk perched on top of a gigantic tree pierced the little bird alive and the blood-stained feathers and the beak and other non-eatable parts fell under the tree. After eating the prey completely, the hawk rubbed its beak on the branch and flew away and I stood petrified watching all the terrible drama that is an integral part of the living world.

The little bird whom I enjoyed for his beauty was enjoyed by the hawk as food! Still I consider it as the greatest tragedy I have witnessed in my life, apart from my fathers sudden demise. The tragicomedy is related to a chick, an eagle and a crow. In the past there were no poultry farms and people used to grow cocks and hens in their homes.

In our neighbourhood there were many cocks and hens. One day I was observing a hen who was looking after her newly hatched- chicks in our neighbours compound. A crow tried to catch a chick and the hen drove the crow away and while the hens attention was distracted by the crow, an eagle swooped down and picked one of the chicks and flew away. The crow, who didnt like the eagle winning at his cost, started to chase the eagle and in the melee the chick had fallen from the grip of the eagles claws. But the eagle dived down like a warplane and caught hold of the chick in mid-air even before it could fall and flew away in another direction! The crow didnt have any idea of what was happening and it went its way.

In my childhood there was no TV or cell phone to separate us from even our neighbours while bringing the world itself into our fingertips. Whenever I was not in the company of my friends, in my late teens, I used to explore nature and, on close observation, I have learnt that the non-human world around us is filled with many wonders. Observing the sunbirds still fills me with ecstasy. Their agility, the intermittent chirping sound and their expertise in drinking nectar from the hibiscus flowers are really captivating. Once I was watching the quick movements of a male sunbird in the hibiscus plant that stood behind our home. He was drinking nectar from the flowers. One by one he visited almost all flowers and I was standing still enjoying his movements and his iridescent plumage around his neck when suddenly I heard a skirmishing sound and the shrill cry of the sunbird caught in the strong claws of a hawk! I didnt know the fact that while I was observing the little bird, the hawk was also observing it from somewhere and it swooped on the tiny bird and flew away with it in lightning speed. The hawk perched on top of a gigantic tree pierced the little bird alive and the blood-stained feathers and the beak and other non-eatable parts fell under the tree. After eating the prey completely, the hawk rubbed its beak on the branch and flew away and I stood petrified watching all the terrible drama that is an integral part of the living world. The little bird whom I enjoyed for his beauty was enjoyed by the hawk as food! Still I consider it as the greatest tragedy I have witnessed in my life, apart from my fathers sudden demise. The tragicomedy is related to a chick, an eagle and a crow. In the past there were no poultry farms and people used to grow cocks and hens in their homes. In our neighbourhood there were many cocks and hens. One day I was observing a hen who was looking after her newly hatched- chicks in our neighbours compound. A crow tried to catch a chick and the hen drove the crow away and while the hens attention was distracted by the crow, an eagle swooped down and picked one of the chicks and flew away. The crow, who didnt like the eagle winning at his cost, started to chase the eagle and in the melee the chick had fallen from the grip of the eagles claws. But the eagle dived down like a warplane and caught hold of the chick in mid-air even before it could fall and flew away in another direction! The crow didnt have any idea of what was happening and it went its way.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Tuesday denied that his son and party president H D Kumaraswamy owned 200 acres of land as alleged by activist S R Hiremath recently.

Addressing a press conference, Deve Gowda said that Kumaraswamy owned about 80 acres and nothing more than that. Gowda fumed that Hiremath was trying to rake up issues that did not exist and said that the government had conducted inquiries into such allegations but found nothing.

No one could find any irregularities. Not just Kumaraswamy, other members of my family have also been investigated. Hegde, Bangarappa and Yeddyurappa have all had inquiries conducted. The land in Ketaganahalli was sold in 1982. We have no such land. This is another attempt to finish us politically, Deve Gowda said.

He also said that once Kumaraswamy returns from the US, they would embark on revitalising the core committee and that the new JD(S) office will be inaugurated after the Sankranti festival next year.

On rumours of former minister Srinivasa Prasad joining BJP, Gowda mocked that BJP was quick to welcome newcomers with a lot of fanfare but there were several examples to see the poor fate suffered by such people after they joined BJP.

Meanwhile, Deve Gowda has written to the chief minister seeking his intervention in the ongoing tussle between former employees and management at Bosch. Deve Gowda said that the retrenched employees must be accommodated elsewhere and a suitable compensation package should be allotted to them from the company.

The company was given land from the government and other facilities like electricity and water at reduced rates. This move of Bosch to remove 263 workers and 650 other workers on the job has hurt them economically and mentally. The CM should attempt to resolve this issue and prevent a confrontation between the workers and management, he said.

BENGALURU: JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Tuesday denied that his son and party president H D Kumaraswamy owned 200 acres of land as alleged by activist S R Hiremath recently. Addressing a press conference, Deve Gowda said that Kumaraswamy owned about 80 acres and nothing more than that. Gowda fumed that Hiremath was trying to rake up issues that did not exist and said that the government had conducted inquiries into such allegations but found nothing. No one could find any irregularities. Not just Kumaraswamy, other members of my family have also been investigated. Hegde, Bangarappa and Yeddyurappa have all had inquiries conducted. The land in Ketaganahalli was sold in 1982. We have no such land. This is another attempt to finish us politically, Deve Gowda said. He also said that once Kumaraswamy returns from the US, they would embark on revitalising the core committee and that the new JD(S) office will be inaugurated after the Sankranti festival next year. On rumours of former minister Srinivasa Prasad joining BJP, Gowda mocked that BJP was quick to welcome newcomers with a lot of fanfare but there were several examples to see the poor fate suffered by such people after they joined BJP. Meanwhile, Deve Gowda has written to the chief minister seeking his intervention in the ongoing tussle between former employees and management at Bosch. Deve Gowda said that the retrenched employees must be accommodated elsewhere and a suitable compensation package should be allotted to them from the company. The company was given land from the government and other facilities like electricity and water at reduced rates. This move of Bosch to remove 263 workers and 650 other workers on the job has hurt them economically and mentally. The CM should attempt to resolve this issue and prevent a confrontation between the workers and management, he said.
By Express News Service

MALAPPURAM: A pressure cooker bomb placed in a car exploded on the Malappuram Civil Station premises on Tuesday, spreading panic in the region. The incident took place near the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court around 1 pm when the Malappuram Collectorate was abuzz with activities. No casualty was reported but the effect of explosion broke windshields of two cars.

Police did not confirm the explosion as a terrorist act but recovered a letter attributing the blast to Base Movement.

The car under which a pressure cooker bomb exploded at the First Class Magistrate Court in Malappuram

They also recovered a box containing a pen drive, a photograph of slain Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and a message referring to Mohammed Akhlaq, a farm worker who was killed in mob lynching in Uttar Pradesh.

On September 28, Mohammed Akhlaq was killed by the terrorists of India (cq)...became shame in front of the world. Because of eating beef he was killed, the message read. The letter concluded with a warning - Count your days. Police said the attack bore similarities to blasts at the Kollam Collectorate, Chittoor court and Mysore court complex. It is learnt that Base Movement is behind all the three incidents.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will join hands with the state police to take forward the investigation into the bomb blast took place on the premises of a court in Malappuram on Tuesday. On Wednesday, an NIA team from Kochi will examine the blast spot and materials recovered by the police during the preliminary inquiry.

According to NIA officials, there are similarities between the Malappuram blast and the explosion occurred in Mysuru in August, which is currently under investigation. In the Mysuru blast, a pressure cooker with explosive was detonated using a timer.

The latest blast is the fourth reported in South India this year, with the first two locations being Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh (April 7) and the Kollam Collectorate (June 15). All of them were low intensity explosions.

Considering the similarity between the latest incident and the Mysuru blast, which is being probed by the NiA, we will work with the state police in the investigation, said an NIA official. In 2009, a low intensity explosion had taken place at the Ernakulam Collectorate at Kakkanad.

However, the investigations into these cases have not made any headway yet.

MALAPPURAM: A pressure cooker bomb placed in a car exploded on the Malappuram Civil Station premises on Tuesday, spreading panic in the region. The incident took place near the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court around 1 pm when the Malappuram Collectorate was abuzz with activities. No casualty was reported but the effect of explosion broke windshields of two cars. Police did not confirm the explosion as a terrorist act but recovered a letter attributing the blast to Base Movement. The car under which a pressure cooker bomb exploded at the First Class Magistrate Court in Malappuram They also recovered a box containing a pen drive, a photograph of slain Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and a message referring to Mohammed Akhlaq, a farm worker who was killed in mob lynching in Uttar Pradesh. On September 28, Mohammed Akhlaq was killed by the terrorists of India (cq)...became shame in front of the world. Because of eating beef he was killed, the message read. The letter concluded with a warning - Count your days. Police said the attack bore similarities to blasts at the Kollam Collectorate, Chittoor court and Mysore court complex. It is learnt that Base Movement is behind all the three incidents. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will join hands with the state police to take forward the investigation into the bomb blast took place on the premises of a court in Malappuram on Tuesday. On Wednesday, an NIA team from Kochi will examine the blast spot and materials recovered by the police during the preliminary inquiry. According to NIA officials, there are similarities between the Malappuram blast and the explosion occurred in Mysuru in August, which is currently under investigation. In the Mysuru blast, a pressure cooker with explosive was detonated using a timer. The latest blast is the fourth reported in South India this year, with the first two locations being Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh (April 7) and the Kollam Collectorate (June 15). All of them were low intensity explosions. Considering the similarity between the latest incident and the Mysuru blast, which is being probed by the NiA, we will work with the state police in the investigation, said an NIA official. In 2009, a low intensity explosion had taken place at the Ernakulam Collectorate at Kakkanad. However, the investigations into these cases have not made any headway yet.
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: Even as the Odisha Government was praised by the Centre for taking required steps to contain Japanese Encephalitis (JE), the deadly vector-borne disease continues to haunt the State claiming six lives in Malkangiri district in the last 24 hours.

Sources said the children succumbed to the disease while undergoing treatment in the district headquarters hospital (DHH). While 80 children have died of the disease in 54 days so far, the Health and Family Welfare Department put the toll at 74, including 27 JE cases till Monday.

Officials said of 74 cases, 47 children have succumbed to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) which has assumed epidemic proportion. As many as 108 villages in six blocks of the district and the municipality are under the grip of the disease which refuses to relent despite all possible measures by the district administration.

Admitting that the situation is grim, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Nruparaj Sahu, who was deputed to the district after the outbreak, said a team of experts will visit the affected areas in the weekend. The team will study the causes of outbreak and suggest measures.

In the last two days, the district reported six deaths of which two were JE cases. The surveillance has been strengthened. All fever cases are being referred to the DHH. The number of patients affected in JE has come down. Now, only one patient is admitted in the ICU, he said.

So far,130 patients have been cured and discharged from the hospital. Of the collected 196 serum samples, 63 have been found JE positive while of 171 pig serum samples, 91 were found positive for JE.

Meanwhile, the Health Department has decided to go for further laboratory tests for identification of other encephalitis causing viruses following the recommendation of the Central team which visited Malkangiri last month.

The Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar and National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune will also be informed to preserve the serum samples and conduct tests for other virus identifications.

Officials concerned have also been instructed to take steps for purchase of one fogging machine for each gram panchayat. The machines would be utilised for fogging in villages on a weekly basis to reduce mosquito density. As per the recommendation, Malathion will be used for fogging instead of cyphenathrine.

The Centre has agreed to start vaccination from first week of December for JE in Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur and Keonjhar districts for which a training programme will start from Wednesday.

BHUBANESWAR: Even as the Odisha Government was praised by the Centre for taking required steps to contain Japanese Encephalitis (JE), the deadly vector-borne disease continues to haunt the State claiming six lives in Malkangiri district in the last 24 hours. Sources said the children succumbed to the disease while undergoing treatment in the district headquarters hospital (DHH). While 80 children have died of the disease in 54 days so far, the Health and Family Welfare Department put the toll at 74, including 27 JE cases till Monday. Officials said of 74 cases, 47 children have succumbed to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) which has assumed epidemic proportion. As many as 108 villages in six blocks of the district and the municipality are under the grip of the disease which refuses to relent despite all possible measures by the district administration. Admitting that the situation is grim, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Nruparaj Sahu, who was deputed to the district after the outbreak, said a team of experts will visit the affected areas in the weekend. The team will study the causes of outbreak and suggest measures. In the last two days, the district reported six deaths of which two were JE cases. The surveillance has been strengthened. All fever cases are being referred to the DHH. The number of patients affected in JE has come down. Now, only one patient is admitted in the ICU, he said. So far,130 patients have been cured and discharged from the hospital. Of the collected 196 serum samples, 63 have been found JE positive while of 171 pig serum samples, 91 were found positive for JE. Meanwhile, the Health Department has decided to go for further laboratory tests for identification of other encephalitis causing viruses following the recommendation of the Central team which visited Malkangiri last month. The Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar and National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune will also be informed to preserve the serum samples and conduct tests for other virus identifications. Officials concerned have also been instructed to take steps for purchase of one fogging machine for each gram panchayat. The machines would be utilised for fogging in villages on a weekly basis to reduce mosquito density. As per the recommendation, Malathion will be used for fogging instead of cyphenathrine. The Centre has agreed to start vaccination from first week of December for JE in Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur and Keonjhar districts for which a training programme will start from Wednesday.
By Express News Service

COIMBATORE: The country has seen a 60 per cent decrease in the sale of Chinese products this Deepavali, thanks to the social media campaign to boycott Chinese products. The statistics are based on the data provided by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) from 20 cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Nagpur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Kanpur and Bhopal, which are considered as distribution cities.

Four days ago, the CAIT had said that the demand for Chinese goods from retailers has come down by 45 per cent when compared to last year.

The fresh data showed how people were motivated to boycott Chinese goods following Chinas continued support of Pakistan in the aftermath of Uri attack.

Not just people, even traders were reluctant to sell Chinese products after sensing the peoples mood from the social media. Some even displayed Make in India boards in their shops to woo consumers.

Instead of Chinese goods, people preferred earthen lamps and decorative items made from paper, clay and plastic. As for firecrackers, those made in Sivakasi were preferred, CAIT national president B C Bhartia said.

The recent Chinese media statement that India can only bark about trade deficit further strengthened the sentiments against Chinese products, said CAIT secretary general Praveen Khandelwal.

The alternatives to Chinese products were very limited. Now, focus should shift towards how to make viable alternative products in our country, he said.

COIMBATORE: The country has seen a 60 per cent decrease in the sale of Chinese products this Deepavali, thanks to the social media campaign to boycott Chinese products. The statistics are based on the data provided by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) from 20 cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Nagpur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Kanpur and Bhopal, which are considered as distribution cities. Four days ago, the CAIT had said that the demand for Chinese goods from retailers has come down by 45 per cent when compared to last year. The fresh data showed how people were motivated to boycott Chinese goods following Chinas continued support of Pakistan in the aftermath of Uri attack. Not just people, even traders were reluctant to sell Chinese products after sensing the peoples mood from the social media. Some even displayed Make in India boards in their shops to woo consumers. Instead of Chinese goods, people preferred earthen lamps and decorative items made from paper, clay and plastic. As for firecrackers, those made in Sivakasi were preferred, CAIT national president B C Bhartia said. The recent Chinese media statement that India can only bark about trade deficit further strengthened the sentiments against Chinese products, said CAIT secretary general Praveen Khandelwal. The alternatives to Chinese products were very limited. Now, focus should shift towards how to make viable alternative products in our country, he said.
B Satyanarayana Reddy By

Express News Service

RAVINUTALA (KHAMMAM dISTRICT) : Despite death toll reaching 23 in Ravinutala, L-Govindapuram and Bonakal of Khammam district, Health minister C Laxma Reddy claimed that only two people had died due to to dengue.

The Health minister along with Roads And Buildings minister Thummala Nageshwar Rao on Tuesday, visited these areas. The ministers claimed that though fever was prevalent in these areas but all cases were not dengue. People need not worry as the situation is under control. Though many are suffering from fever, but they are not all dengue. Only two deaths have been recorded due to dengue.

Health minister Laxma Reddy and Roads

and Buildings minister Thummala

Nageswara Rao interact with patients

at Ravinutala on Tuesday | Express photo

People are linking all deaths due to dengue, Reddy said. He conceded that there were many dengue cases but insisited that the government had prepared a plan in advance to deal with the dreaded disease.

He said that the government had sent teams to affected areas, especially agency areas for creating awareness about the disease. However, he admitted that the awareness programme was not effective in few places resulting in the outbreak.

As many as 351 dengue positive cases have been noticed in the affected areas, Reddy said. The health minister said Medical and Health department had appointed a medical team from Hyderabad to deal with dengue and viral infections.

We have asked medical and health department officials to coordinate with Rural Water Supply Department (RWS) and Panchayatraj department for the awareness programmes on the control of viral and dengue fevers, the health minister said. Rao asked collector DS Lokesh kumar to sanction funds to improve sanitation.

Fearing protests over failure to contain dengue, the ministers made their visit under heavy police protection. Special forces were deployed and the duo spent an hour in the three villages. They met with some patients but not everyone was allowed to meet the ministers.

RAVINUTALA (KHAMMAM dISTRICT) : Despite death toll reaching 23 in Ravinutala, L-Govindapuram and Bonakal of Khammam district, Health minister C Laxma Reddy claimed that only two people had died due to to dengue. The Health minister along with Roads And Buildings minister Thummala Nageshwar Rao on Tuesday, visited these areas. The ministers claimed that though fever was prevalent in these areas but all cases were not dengue. People need not worry as the situation is under control. Though many are suffering from fever, but they are not all dengue. Only two deaths have been recorded due to dengue. Health minister Laxma Reddy and Roads and Buildings minister Thummala Nageswara Rao interact with patients at Ravinutala on Tuesday | Express photoPeople are linking all deaths due to dengue, Reddy said. He conceded that there were many dengue cases but insisited that the government had prepared a plan in advance to deal with the dreaded disease. He said that the government had sent teams to affected areas, especially agency areas for creating awareness about the disease. However, he admitted that the awareness programme was not effective in few places resulting in the outbreak. As many as 351 dengue positive cases have been noticed in the affected areas, Reddy said. The health minister said Medical and Health department had appointed a medical team from Hyderabad to deal with dengue and viral infections. We have asked medical and health department officials to coordinate with Rural Water Supply Department (RWS) and Panchayatraj department for the awareness programmes on the control of viral and dengue fevers, the health minister said. Rao asked collector DS Lokesh kumar to sanction funds to improve sanitation. Fearing protests over failure to contain dengue, the ministers made their visit under heavy police protection. Special forces were deployed and the duo spent an hour in the three villages. They met with some patients but not everyone was allowed to meet the ministers.
By AFP

KARACHI: The death toll from an explosion and fire at a Pakistan shipbreaking yard has risen to 16, officials said Wednesday, as a search continued for more victims.

At least 59 others were wounded on Tuesday when a gas cylinder exploded and started a fire inside an oil tanker at the Gadani yard in the southwestern province of Balochistan, 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Karachi.

"The death toll is now 16," Zulfiqar Hashmi, a local government official, told AFP.

"We have found four more bodies in the sea. These bodies have minor burn injuries, so we are unsure whether they died inside the tanker and fell down in the sea or they jumped down to save themselves from the fire," he said.

Muhammad Hashim, commissioner of Kallat region of which Gadani is a part, confirmed the latest toll.

It was not clear how many people may still be missing.

Local firefighters supported by the navy and coastguard were still battling to extinguish the fire Wednesday, Hashim said.

He said the contractor for the tanker work had been arrested and all shipbreaking at the yard has been banned while safety standards are reviewed.

Industrial accidents are common in Pakistan, with workplaces often forgoing basic safety measures and equipment in the absence of legislation to protect labourers.

A devastating fire at a textile factory in Karachi killed 255 people in 2012.

KARACHI: The death toll from an explosion and fire at a Pakistan shipbreaking yard has risen to 16, officials said Wednesday, as a search continued for more victims. At least 59 others were wounded on Tuesday when a gas cylinder exploded and started a fire inside an oil tanker at the Gadani yard in the southwestern province of Balochistan, 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Karachi. "The death toll is now 16," Zulfiqar Hashmi, a local government official, told AFP. "We have found four more bodies in the sea. These bodies have minor burn injuries, so we are unsure whether they died inside the tanker and fell down in the sea or they jumped down to save themselves from the fire," he said. Muhammad Hashim, commissioner of Kallat region of which Gadani is a part, confirmed the latest toll. It was not clear how many people may still be missing. Local firefighters supported by the navy and coastguard were still battling to extinguish the fire Wednesday, Hashim said. He said the contractor for the tanker work had been arrested and all shipbreaking at the yard has been banned while safety standards are reviewed. Industrial accidents are common in Pakistan, with workplaces often forgoing basic safety measures and equipment in the absence of legislation to protect labourers. A devastating fire at a textile factory in Karachi killed 255 people in 2012.
By Associated Press

DES MOINES: The Latest on two officers in the Des Moines, Iowa, area who were killed in what authorities describe as ambush-style attacks (all times local):

5:10 a.m.

Police in Des Moines, Iowa, say two officers who were killed in ambush-style attacks were both shot while they were sitting in their patrol cars.

Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said Wednesday that authorities are developing suspect information but there was nothing that authorities were ready to share with the public.

Parizek was emotional during a news conference. He says there is "clearly danger" right now for police officers in the area because the officers were gunned down while sitting in their cars doing nothing wrong. He says the department has doubled up its officers to better protect them.

The first officer, an Urbandale officer, was shot about 1:06 a.m. About 20 minutes later, a Des Moines officer was found shot about 2 miles away.

___

4:50 a.m.

Authorities say two police officers in the Des Moines, Iowa, area were shot to death in ambush-style attacks about 2 miles apart.

The Des Moines Police Department said in a news release that officers responded to a report of shots fired at about 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot.

Des Moines officers responded to help. About 20 minutes later, a Des Moines officer was found shot about 2 miles away. Both officers have died.

The Des Moines Police Department said suspect information is being developed. The agency didn't immediately release any other information but said a news conference was planned for 5 a.m.

Urbandale is a city in the Des Moines metro area.

___

4:30 a.m.

Police in Des Moines, Iowa, say two officers have been shot and killed in ambush-style attacks.

The Des Moines Police Department said in a news release that the shootings took place early Wednesday. Officers responded to a report of shots fired at about 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot.

Des Moines officers responded to assist. About 20 minutes later, a Des Moines officer was found shot. Both officers have died.

The Des Moines Police Department said suspect information is being developed. The agency didn't immediately release any other information but said a news conference was planned for 5 a.m.

DES MOINES: The Latest on two officers in the Des Moines, Iowa, area who were killed in what authorities describe as ambush-style attacks (all times local): 5:10 a.m. Police in Des Moines, Iowa, say two officers who were killed in ambush-style attacks were both shot while they were sitting in their patrol cars. Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said Wednesday that authorities are developing suspect information but there was nothing that authorities were ready to share with the public. Parizek was emotional during a news conference. He says there is "clearly danger" right now for police officers in the area because the officers were gunned down while sitting in their cars doing nothing wrong. He says the department has doubled up its officers to better protect them. The first officer, an Urbandale officer, was shot about 1:06 a.m. About 20 minutes later, a Des Moines officer was found shot about 2 miles away. ___ 4:50 a.m. Authorities say two police officers in the Des Moines, Iowa, area were shot to death in ambush-style attacks about 2 miles apart. The Des Moines Police Department said in a news release that officers responded to a report of shots fired at about 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot. Des Moines officers responded to help. About 20 minutes later, a Des Moines officer was found shot about 2 miles away. Both officers have died. The Des Moines Police Department said suspect information is being developed. The agency didn't immediately release any other information but said a news conference was planned for 5 a.m. Urbandale is a city in the Des Moines metro area. ___ 4:30 a.m. Police in Des Moines, Iowa, say two officers have been shot and killed in ambush-style attacks. The Des Moines Police Department said in a news release that the shootings took place early Wednesday. Officers responded to a report of shots fired at about 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot. Des Moines officers responded to assist. About 20 minutes later, a Des Moines officer was found shot. Both officers have died. The Des Moines Police Department said suspect information is being developed. The agency didn't immediately release any other information but said a news conference was planned for 5 a.m.
By Associated Press

CAIRO: Egyptians this week watched the Nile's water turn a murky brown-yellow color, the result of days of heavy rain in parts of the country and subsequent flooding that swept tons of soil into the waterway.

Officials say the murky water, now loaded with silt, forced the closure of several main water treatment stations. That has caused the disruption of water supplies in some areas.

Egypt, a mostly desert country of some 92 million, is almost entirely dependent on the Nile for agriculture and drinking water.

Experts warned against drinking tap water for now. Ahmed el-Shennawi, a water expert, told the Rotana Egypt TV network that the "change of the color to yellow is a disaster and we should be cautious until water filtering takes place."

Some disgruntled Egyptians viewed the change as a reflection of the country's worsening economic conditions.

"We will end up drinking the mud," said Tarek Gamel. "The color of the Nile is just like our dark days."

Heavy flooding killed 26 people and injured more than 70 across the country, according health authorities  mostly in four coastal and southern provinces.

In addition to polluting the Nile, the floods caused power outages, displaced hundreds of people, and swept away dozens of cars, particularly in the Red Sea city of Ras Ghareb.

Earlier this week, angry citizens in Ras Ghareb turned away Prime Minister Sharif Ismail who tried to inspect the damage. Residents there blocked his convoy to protest what they saw as poor infrastructure and insufficient government response to the disaster.

CAIRO: Egyptians this week watched the Nile's water turn a murky brown-yellow color, the result of days of heavy rain in parts of the country and subsequent flooding that swept tons of soil into the waterway. Officials say the murky water, now loaded with silt, forced the closure of several main water treatment stations. That has caused the disruption of water supplies in some areas. Egypt, a mostly desert country of some 92 million, is almost entirely dependent on the Nile for agriculture and drinking water. Experts warned against drinking tap water for now. Ahmed el-Shennawi, a water expert, told the Rotana Egypt TV network that the "change of the color to yellow is a disaster and we should be cautious until water filtering takes place." Some disgruntled Egyptians viewed the change as a reflection of the country's worsening economic conditions. "We will end up drinking the mud," said Tarek Gamel. "The color of the Nile is just like our dark days." Heavy flooding killed 26 people and injured more than 70 across the country, according health authorities  mostly in four coastal and southern provinces. In addition to polluting the Nile, the floods caused power outages, displaced hundreds of people, and swept away dozens of cars, particularly in the Red Sea city of Ras Ghareb. Earlier this week, angry citizens in Ras Ghareb turned away Prime Minister Sharif Ismail who tried to inspect the damage. Residents there blocked his convoy to protest what they saw as poor infrastructure and insufficient government response to the disaster.
By Associated Press

BEIJING: The Latest on an explosion in a western China coal mine (all times local):

11:30 a.m.

Chinese state media say all 33 coal miners trapped underground in a gas explosion earlier this week have been found dead.

Two miners survived Monday's explosion but rescuers working around the clock found no others alive. All bodies have been recovered and rescuers were shown bowing their heads in memorial for the dead.

Gas explosions inside mines are often caused when a flame or electrical spark ignites gas leaking from the coal seam. Ventilation systems are supposed to prevent gas from becoming trapped.

The State Administration of Work Safety ordered an investigation, saying those responsible must be strictly punished. Local officials in Chongqing also ordered smaller mines to shut down temporarily.

China's mining industry has long been among the world's deadliest.

___

4:30 p.m. Tuesday

The death toll has risen by two to 15 following a gas explosion in western China, with 18 other miners still trapped.

It still wasn't known Tuesday afternoon if the 18 were alive more than a day after the blast ripped through the privately owned Jinshangou mine in the sprawling western Chongqing region. Just two miners were confirmed to have survived the blast.

Thirteen fatalities had been confirmed Tuesday morning. Later, two more bodies were recovered from among the 33 left in the shaft following the explosion, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Authorities said hundreds of rescuers were conducting an all-out search for those still trapped.

___

10 a.m.

State media now say 13 miners have been found dead after a gas explosion inside a coal mine in western China, and rescuers continue to search for another 20 people trapped inside.

The state-run Xinhua News Agency said Tuesday that rescuers had found the bodies of 13 people inside the Jinshangou coal mine in China's Chongqing region where the explosion occurred before noon Monday.

Xinhua had previously reported 15 deaths in the explosion, but said Tuesday that Chongqing's deputy mayor corrected previous reports from local coal mine safety authorities.

Local officials did not answer phone calls from The Associated Press, and a person answering the phone at the coal mine hung up.

9:30 a.m.

Fifteen people have been confirmed dead from a gas explosion inside a coal mine in western China, and the status is still unknown for 18 others trapped inside.

Rescuers on Tuesday were still trying to locate survivors inside the Jinshangou coal mine in China's Chongqing region where the explosion occurred before noon Monday.

Xinhua News Agency cited the Chongqing municipal coal mine safety inspection bureau in reporting the deaths. Local officials did not answer phone calls from The Associated Press.

Two people had been rescued earlier.

BEIJING: The Latest on an explosion in a western China coal mine (all times local): 11:30 a.m. Chinese state media say all 33 coal miners trapped underground in a gas explosion earlier this week have been found dead. Two miners survived Monday's explosion but rescuers working around the clock found no others alive. All bodies have been recovered and rescuers were shown bowing their heads in memorial for the dead. Gas explosions inside mines are often caused when a flame or electrical spark ignites gas leaking from the coal seam. Ventilation systems are supposed to prevent gas from becoming trapped. The State Administration of Work Safety ordered an investigation, saying those responsible must be strictly punished. Local officials in Chongqing also ordered smaller mines to shut down temporarily. China's mining industry has long been among the world's deadliest. ___ 4:30 p.m. Tuesday The death toll has risen by two to 15 following a gas explosion in western China, with 18 other miners still trapped. It still wasn't known Tuesday afternoon if the 18 were alive more than a day after the blast ripped through the privately owned Jinshangou mine in the sprawling western Chongqing region. Just two miners were confirmed to have survived the blast. Thirteen fatalities had been confirmed Tuesday morning. Later, two more bodies were recovered from among the 33 left in the shaft following the explosion, Xinhua News Agency reported. Authorities said hundreds of rescuers were conducting an all-out search for those still trapped. ___ 10 a.m. State media now say 13 miners have been found dead after a gas explosion inside a coal mine in western China, and rescuers continue to search for another 20 people trapped inside. The state-run Xinhua News Agency said Tuesday that rescuers had found the bodies of 13 people inside the Jinshangou coal mine in China's Chongqing region where the explosion occurred before noon Monday. Xinhua had previously reported 15 deaths in the explosion, but said Tuesday that Chongqing's deputy mayor corrected previous reports from local coal mine safety authorities. Local officials did not answer phone calls from The Associated Press, and a person answering the phone at the coal mine hung up. 9:30 a.m. Fifteen people have been confirmed dead from a gas explosion inside a coal mine in western China, and the status is still unknown for 18 others trapped inside. Rescuers on Tuesday were still trying to locate survivors inside the Jinshangou coal mine in China's Chongqing region where the explosion occurred before noon Monday. Xinhua News Agency cited the Chongqing municipal coal mine safety inspection bureau in reporting the deaths. Local officials did not answer phone calls from The Associated Press. Two people had been rescued earlier.
By AFP

LONDON: A sense of kinship has emerged between British eurosceptics and Donald Trump supporters who are united in their efforts to unseat -- and shock -- the establishment, despite being separated by an ocean.

The self-declared "biggest fan of Trump in the UK" is a 46-year-old IT professional, who goes by the initials CT. He also voted for Britain to leave the European Union in the country's June 23 referendum -- "for independence", he tells AFP.

Preferring to remain anonymous, CT is convinced the Republican will win. To show his support he runs the @UKforTrump Twitter account, although it has only attracted several hundred followers.

Finding someone who will openly identify as a Trump supporter in the UK is no easy task.

When Channel 4 organised a TV debate on the presidential election, "they literary flew someone over" from the US to give the pro-Trump perspective, according to Brian Klaas, one of the guests and a specialist in US politics at the London School of Economics.

Britain is also where some of the strongest opposition has been voiced to the American billionaire's policy proposal to ban Muslims from the US.

Foreign minister Boris Johnson, one of those who championed Brexit, said he would stay away from certain New York neighbourhoods to avoid the risk of bumping into Trump.

'Farage's magic'

Admirers of Hillary Clinton's rival are most likely found within the ranks of the anti-immigrant UK Independence Party (UKIP), a key driving force behind Brexit.

Invigorated by the vote, UKIP's co-founder and interim leader Nigel Farage has been spending ample time in the US recently, warming up the crowds at Trump rallies.

"The parallels are there," Farage told Trump supporters as he recalled his UK referendum success.

He believes American voters are also facing a historic opportunity to "beat the pollsters, the commentators and Washington".

It is of little importance that few in the US have heard of Farage.

"Trump was drawn to the fact that Farage beat the odds and beat the establishment. He wanted to sort of bring that magic, as it were, to his campaign," he said.

From Rochdale to the Rust Belt

Although Trump and Farage are addressing different electorates, Klaas said they appeal to the same voters: "white men without college degrees."

Those left behind by globalisation, whether they live in post-industrial areas of northern England and Wales or in the American "Rust Belt", are drawn to the politics and polemic rhetoric of Farage and Trump.

"They are both tapping into this global moment of fear, not just economic fear but also fear of terrorism and extremism," said Klaas.

Jon Stanley, a commentator for the right-leaning think tank The Bow Group, agreed there are parallels between the two supporter groups.

"There are effectively three things: anti-globalisation, anti-uncontrolled immigration, and anti-establishment," he told AFP.

'Trump will win'

Within UKIP, many are convinced Trump can repeat the shock outcome of the British referendum, when experts and pollsters were proven wrong, and beat Clinton to the presidency.

"I do believe that Donald Trump will win," said David Coburn, an MEP representing UKIP.

Speaking to Business Insider UK, Coburn said his party has in many ways "helped start a revolution in the United States".

The British party's chief financier, millionaire Aaron Banks, likened Trump supporters to anti-EU voters in the UK and said they were "much more motivated" than their rivals.

But not all UKIP members have been charmed by Trump, with two of the party's MEPs openly criticising Farage for backing the bombastic billionaire.

"Trump's sexist and derogatory comments have unequivocally proven he is totally unfit to be president of the United States, and Nigel Farage should think very carefully about defending him," said MEP Jane Collins.

UKIP member Pete Durnell, an unsuccessful candidate in last year's election, also distanced himself from Farage's US strategy.

"Trump has made some really stupid and very offensive comments about Mexicans, Syrians, certain women, war veterans," he told AFP.

While Trump critics remain vocal, his backers often prefer to remain discreet after being vilified in the press and by the elite. That is until they head to the polls, en masse, aiming to prompt another political earthquake.

LONDON: A sense of kinship has emerged between British eurosceptics and Donald Trump supporters who are united in their efforts to unseat -- and shock -- the establishment, despite being separated by an ocean. The self-declared "biggest fan of Trump in the UK" is a 46-year-old IT professional, who goes by the initials CT. He also voted for Britain to leave the European Union in the country's June 23 referendum -- "for independence", he tells AFP. Preferring to remain anonymous, CT is convinced the Republican will win. To show his support he runs the @UKforTrump Twitter account, although it has only attracted several hundred followers. Finding someone who will openly identify as a Trump supporter in the UK is no easy task. When Channel 4 organised a TV debate on the presidential election, "they literary flew someone over" from the US to give the pro-Trump perspective, according to Brian Klaas, one of the guests and a specialist in US politics at the London School of Economics. Britain is also where some of the strongest opposition has been voiced to the American billionaire's policy proposal to ban Muslims from the US. Foreign minister Boris Johnson, one of those who championed Brexit, said he would stay away from certain New York neighbourhoods to avoid the risk of bumping into Trump. 'Farage's magic' Admirers of Hillary Clinton's rival are most likely found within the ranks of the anti-immigrant UK Independence Party (UKIP), a key driving force behind Brexit. Invigorated by the vote, UKIP's co-founder and interim leader Nigel Farage has been spending ample time in the US recently, warming up the crowds at Trump rallies. "The parallels are there," Farage told Trump supporters as he recalled his UK referendum success. He believes American voters are also facing a historic opportunity to "beat the pollsters, the commentators and Washington". It is of little importance that few in the US have heard of Farage. "Trump was drawn to the fact that Farage beat the odds and beat the establishment. He wanted to sort of bring that magic, as it were, to his campaign," he said. From Rochdale to the Rust Belt Although Trump and Farage are addressing different electorates, Klaas said they appeal to the same voters: "white men without college degrees." Those left behind by globalisation, whether they live in post-industrial areas of northern England and Wales or in the American "Rust Belt", are drawn to the politics and polemic rhetoric of Farage and Trump. "They are both tapping into this global moment of fear, not just economic fear but also fear of terrorism and extremism," said Klaas. Jon Stanley, a commentator for the right-leaning think tank The Bow Group, agreed there are parallels between the two supporter groups. "There are effectively three things: anti-globalisation, anti-uncontrolled immigration, and anti-establishment," he told AFP. 'Trump will win' Within UKIP, many are convinced Trump can repeat the shock outcome of the British referendum, when experts and pollsters were proven wrong, and beat Clinton to the presidency. "I do believe that Donald Trump will win," said David Coburn, an MEP representing UKIP. Speaking to Business Insider UK, Coburn said his party has in many ways "helped start a revolution in the United States". The British party's chief financier, millionaire Aaron Banks, likened Trump supporters to anti-EU voters in the UK and said they were "much more motivated" than their rivals. But not all UKIP members have been charmed by Trump, with two of the party's MEPs openly criticising Farage for backing the bombastic billionaire. "Trump's sexist and derogatory comments have unequivocally proven he is totally unfit to be president of the United States, and Nigel Farage should think very carefully about defending him," said MEP Jane Collins. UKIP member Pete Durnell, an unsuccessful candidate in last year's election, also distanced himself from Farage's US strategy. "Trump has made some really stupid and very offensive comments about Mexicans, Syrians, certain women, war veterans," he told AFP. While Trump critics remain vocal, his backers often prefer to remain discreet after being vilified in the press and by the elite. That is until they head to the polls, en masse, aiming to prompt another political earthquake.
By AFP

TOULOUSE: Police in southern France arrested a young man celebrating Halloween early on Tuesday after passers-by alerted them to a menacing figure brandishing a rifle and shouting "Allahu Akbar" -- Arabic for 'God is greatest'.

The rifle turned out to be fake and the 26-year-old suspect, who was dressed in black and khaki, told investigators he didn't understand what the problem was, a police source in the southern city of Toulouse said.

The youth said he had just dressed up for a night out, telling investigators: "You can do anything on Halloween".

French police and citizens are on high alert after a series of deadly attacks by Islamic extremists over the past two years, which claimed more than 200 lives.

TOULOUSE: Police in southern France arrested a young man celebrating Halloween early on Tuesday after passers-by alerted them to a menacing figure brandishing a rifle and shouting "Allahu Akbar" -- Arabic for 'God is greatest'. The rifle turned out to be fake and the 26-year-old suspect, who was dressed in black and khaki, told investigators he didn't understand what the problem was, a police source in the southern city of Toulouse said. The youth said he had just dressed up for a night out, telling investigators: "You can do anything on Halloween". French police and citizens are on high alert after a series of deadly attacks by Islamic extremists over the past two years, which claimed more than 200 lives.
By AFP

TEHRAN: The Iranian students who stormed the US embassy in 1979 and released thousands of secret CIA documents were the WikiLeaks of their time, their former lead spokesperson has told AFP.

Every year on November 3-4, Iran celebrates the 444-day siege of the embassy when more than 50 diplomats, staff and spies were taken hostage by Islamist students demanding the extradition of the shah, who had fled to America after being deposed a few months earlier in the Islamic revolution.

Massoumeh Ebtekar is now Iran's vice-president and one of its most recognisable politicians, feted globally for her work as head of the environment department.

But back then, she was a 20-year-old medical student -- nicknamed "Mary" by the international press -- who became the face of the hostage crisis thanks to her fluent English.

She now regrets the diplomatic isolation that followed the embassy siege, but she is still proud of their work in releasing documents found in the CIA's files -- some painstakingly reassembled after embassy staff frantically shredded as many as possible when the students stormed the building.

"Revealing these documents was very similar to what WikiLeaks is doing these days. It was the WikiLeaks of those ages," Ebtekar told AFP.

The documents unveiled the CIA's attempts to recruit leading Iranian politicians -- including a liberal who became the first post-revolution president, Abol Hassan Bani-Sadr.

Although he denied being on the CIA payroll, the allegations contributed to his decision to flee the country.

"The hostage crisis... is hugely important to Iran's domestic politics. It was used as a weapon to destroy the opposition," said Michael Axworthy, a British historian who has published several books on Iran.

'Important milestone'

Ebtekar says the documents, later compiled in 77 volumes of "Documents from the US Espionage Den", also showed how Washington was working to subvert popular uprisings around the world.

"(It) was a very important milestone in terms of global politics," she said.

Despite her past, Ebtekar is now a firm supporter of her government's efforts to rebuild ties with the West through last year's nuclear deal.

"Even the students who took part in (the siege), many of them believe that maybe in some aspects, relationships could have been maintained in a more rational manner," she told AFP.

But she remains unrepentant about the hostage crisis. At the time, the students were convinced the US was preparing another coup to reverse the revolution.

"They were not militants, radicals. They thought there was an imminent danger... of another coup d'etat that would have led to the downfall of the very young and fragile Islamic revolution."

Such fears were not completely unfounded. Looming large in every Iranian's mind was the 1953 CIA-organised coup in which the US and Britain conspired to overthrow the enormously popular prime minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, who had dared to nationalise Iran's oil resources.

"They installed a government that was a puppet to American policies for 25 years, a tyrant who had imposed dictatorship, very dark ages for Iran," said Ebtekar.

Washington's decision to grant asylum to the deposed shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was seen as proof of the plot.

However, historians now say it was unlikely a conspiracy was brewing, not least since Pahlavi had terminal cancer.

"The strong impression is that the US government was thrashing around, really not sure what was happening," said Axworthy.

"There was a degree of paranoia on the part of the students, but that's not necessarily unreasonable. (The 1953 coup) had a huge influence on how people viewed the actions of the US and UK."

TEHRAN: The Iranian students who stormed the US embassy in 1979 and released thousands of secret CIA documents were the WikiLeaks of their time, their former lead spokesperson has told AFP. Every year on November 3-4, Iran celebrates the 444-day siege of the embassy when more than 50 diplomats, staff and spies were taken hostage by Islamist students demanding the extradition of the shah, who had fled to America after being deposed a few months earlier in the Islamic revolution. Massoumeh Ebtekar is now Iran's vice-president and one of its most recognisable politicians, feted globally for her work as head of the environment department. But back then, she was a 20-year-old medical student -- nicknamed "Mary" by the international press -- who became the face of the hostage crisis thanks to her fluent English. She now regrets the diplomatic isolation that followed the embassy siege, but she is still proud of their work in releasing documents found in the CIA's files -- some painstakingly reassembled after embassy staff frantically shredded as many as possible when the students stormed the building. "Revealing these documents was very similar to what WikiLeaks is doing these days. It was the WikiLeaks of those ages," Ebtekar told AFP. The documents unveiled the CIA's attempts to recruit leading Iranian politicians -- including a liberal who became the first post-revolution president, Abol Hassan Bani-Sadr. Although he denied being on the CIA payroll, the allegations contributed to his decision to flee the country. "The hostage crisis... is hugely important to Iran's domestic politics. It was used as a weapon to destroy the opposition," said Michael Axworthy, a British historian who has published several books on Iran. 'Important milestone' Ebtekar says the documents, later compiled in 77 volumes of "Documents from the US Espionage Den", also showed how Washington was working to subvert popular uprisings around the world. "(It) was a very important milestone in terms of global politics," she said. Despite her past, Ebtekar is now a firm supporter of her government's efforts to rebuild ties with the West through last year's nuclear deal. "Even the students who took part in (the siege), many of them believe that maybe in some aspects, relationships could have been maintained in a more rational manner," she told AFP. But she remains unrepentant about the hostage crisis. At the time, the students were convinced the US was preparing another coup to reverse the revolution. "They were not militants, radicals. They thought there was an imminent danger... of another coup d'etat that would have led to the downfall of the very young and fragile Islamic revolution." Such fears were not completely unfounded. Looming large in every Iranian's mind was the 1953 CIA-organised coup in which the US and Britain conspired to overthrow the enormously popular prime minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, who had dared to nationalise Iran's oil resources. "They installed a government that was a puppet to American policies for 25 years, a tyrant who had imposed dictatorship, very dark ages for Iran," said Ebtekar. Washington's decision to grant asylum to the deposed shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was seen as proof of the plot. However, historians now say it was unlikely a conspiracy was brewing, not least since Pahlavi had terminal cancer. "The strong impression is that the US government was thrashing around, really not sure what was happening," said Axworthy. "There was a degree of paranoia on the part of the students, but that's not necessarily unreasonable. (The 1953 coup) had a huge influence on how people viewed the actions of the US and UK."
By AFP

ATHENS: Russia seeks "honest cooperation" for a political solution in Syria, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday as Moscow declared a brief truce in the war-ravaged city of Aleppo.

"We hope our partners will draw (the) necessary conclusions (so that) we will all aim for honest cooperation... for a political process involving both the government and opposition forces," Lavrov said at the start of an official visit to Greece.

However, he insisted that Washington help enforce a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning support for extremist groups in Syria.

"When we adopted this resolution, I remember US Secretary of State John Kerry's words. He said: 'Whoever wants to be part of (the political) process must sever links to terrorists'," Lavrov said through a translator.

"Almost a year has passed and we await these words to be carried out," he added.

Russia has accused the US-led coalition of failing to rein in hardline Syrian rebels, warning that the chances of a political settlement to the crisis was now remote.

In turn, the West has accused Moscow of committing possible war crimes in Aleppo through indiscriminate bombing to support a brutal Syrian government offensive.

Moscow has been conducting a bombing campaign in Syria in support of long-time ally Bashar al-Assad since September 2015.

More than 300,000 people have been killed since Syria's war devolved from a widespread protest movement against Assad's rule in March 2011 to a multi-front war between rebels, jihadists, Kurds and regime forces.

ATHENS: Russia seeks "honest cooperation" for a political solution in Syria, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday as Moscow declared a brief truce in the war-ravaged city of Aleppo. "We hope our partners will draw (the) necessary conclusions (so that) we will all aim for honest cooperation... for a political process involving both the government and opposition forces," Lavrov said at the start of an official visit to Greece. However, he insisted that Washington help enforce a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning support for extremist groups in Syria. "When we adopted this resolution, I remember US Secretary of State John Kerry's words. He said: 'Whoever wants to be part of (the political) process must sever links to terrorists'," Lavrov said through a translator. "Almost a year has passed and we await these words to be carried out," he added. Russia has accused the US-led coalition of failing to rein in hardline Syrian rebels, warning that the chances of a political settlement to the crisis was now remote. In turn, the West has accused Moscow of committing possible war crimes in Aleppo through indiscriminate bombing to support a brutal Syrian government offensive. Moscow has been conducting a bombing campaign in Syria in support of long-time ally Bashar al-Assad since September 2015. More than 300,000 people have been killed since Syria's war devolved from a widespread protest movement against Assad's rule in March 2011 to a multi-front war between rebels, jihadists, Kurds and regime forces.
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka should show convincing progress in implementing 19 international human rights covenants by early 2017, if it is to get the European Union (EU) to restore trade concessions under the General System of Preferences Plus scheme in May 2017 ,a four-member EU inspection team has said.

The team, which concluded its tour of the country on Tuesday, acknowledged that Sri Lanka has made progress in the field of ethnic reconciliation and strengthening of democratic institutions since the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution on it in September 2015, but stated that there is still work to be done.

Jean Lambert, the head of the team, told the media here, that she hoped that the Sri Lankan government will seize the moment to fulfill the conditions in time to get the concessions in May 2017.

The EU team found that progress has not been up to the mark in a number of fields, such as the return of lands to Tamil civilians in the former war zones; the release of prisoners taken in during the conflict; amending the Code of Criminal Procedure to allow legal assistance from the time of arrest; replacing the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act by a more internationally acceptable one; establishing an Office of Missing Persons; carrying out security sector reforms; and devolving power to the provinces as per the 13 th.Amendment of the constitution.

The EU has an elaborate process to grant GSP-Plus concessions. The inspection team will submit its report to the EU Council, which in turn, will submit it to the EU parliament along with its recommendations. Finally, it would be up to the EU parliament to decide. In Sri Lankas case the decision is expected to be taken by May 12, 2017.

While land is being given back to Tamils in installments, the fate of 111 war time prisoners remains uncertain. The Code of Criminal Procedure is still to be amended to allow a lawyers presence during the first questioning when torture is generally resorted to. The amended PTA was so full of loopholes that government was forced to withdraw it. The Office of Missing Persons is yet to take concrete shape. The 13 th. Amendment devolving power to the provinces is still being flouted with the Central government constantly undermining the provincial administration.

The problem is acute in the Tamil speaking Northern Province where the Central Government executes projects without consulting the provincial council, even in matters under the Provincial or the Concurrent List. Most importantly, the 100,000 man Sri Lanka narmy stationed there is executing projects which ought to be left to the provincial administration to do.

Despite pressure from the UN, US and EU, the Sri Lankan government is proceeding at a snails pace so as not to alienate the vast southern Sinhalese nationalist constituency. This constituency, which is wary of giving more power to the Tamil minority, is cultivated even by the liberal Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, who loses no opportunity to publicly declare that he would never compromise on national security or let down the armed forces.

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka should show convincing progress in implementing 19 international human rights covenants by early 2017, if it is to get the European Union (EU) to restore trade concessions under the General System of Preferences Plus scheme in May 2017 ,a four-member EU inspection team has said. The team, which concluded its tour of the country on Tuesday, acknowledged that Sri Lanka has made progress in the field of ethnic reconciliation and strengthening of democratic institutions since the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution on it in September 2015, but stated that there is still work to be done. Jean Lambert, the head of the team, told the media here, that she hoped that the Sri Lankan government will seize the moment to fulfill the conditions in time to get the concessions in May 2017. The EU team found that progress has not been up to the mark in a number of fields, such as the return of lands to Tamil civilians in the former war zones; the release of prisoners taken in during the conflict; amending the Code of Criminal Procedure to allow legal assistance from the time of arrest; replacing the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act by a more internationally acceptable one; establishing an Office of Missing Persons; carrying out security sector reforms; and devolving power to the provinces as per the 13 th.Amendment of the constitution. The EU has an elaborate process to grant GSP-Plus concessions. The inspection team will submit its report to the EU Council, which in turn, will submit it to the EU parliament along with its recommendations. Finally, it would be up to the EU parliament to decide. In Sri Lankas case the decision is expected to be taken by May 12, 2017. While land is being given back to Tamils in installments, the fate of 111 war time prisoners remains uncertain. The Code of Criminal Procedure is still to be amended to allow a lawyers presence during the first questioning when torture is generally resorted to. The amended PTA was so full of loopholes that government was forced to withdraw it. The Office of Missing Persons is yet to take concrete shape. The 13 th. Amendment devolving power to the provinces is still being flouted with the Central government constantly undermining the provincial administration. The problem is acute in the Tamil speaking Northern Province where the Central Government executes projects without consulting the provincial council, even in matters under the Provincial or the Concurrent List. Most importantly, the 100,000 man Sri Lanka narmy stationed there is executing projects which ought to be left to the provincial administration to do. Despite pressure from the UN, US and EU, the Sri Lankan government is proceeding at a snails pace so as not to alienate the vast southern Sinhalese nationalist constituency. This constituency, which is wary of giving more power to the Tamil minority, is cultivated even by the liberal Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, who loses no opportunity to publicly declare that he would never compromise on national security or let down the armed forces.
By Associated Press

GENEVA: Swiss police raided a mosque in a northern city on Wednesday, detaining eight people including an Ethiopian imam who allegedly called for the killing of Muslims who refused to participate in prayers, the state prosecutor's office said.

Police searched the An Nur mosque in Winterthur and the apartments of three people as part of the morning operation, according to a statement from the regional prosecutor's office in nearby Zurich.

In a public sermon on Oct. 21, the Ethiopian imam allegedly called for the killing and denunciation of Muslims who refuse to participate in common prayers at the mosque, the statement said. Prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation centering on the imam and three others.

In a separate statement, Zurich police said another four men aged 23 to 35 from countries including Algeria and Tunisia were also detained. They were inside the mosque at the time of the raid, and were believed to be illegally in Switzerland, said Corinne Bouvard, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office. They weren't believed to be connected to the imam and three others, whose nationalities weren't identified, she said.

Bouvard also said prosecutors so far have turned up "no connection" to any possible international extremist groups. Earlier on Wednesday, Swiss daily Tages Anzeiger reported that investigators were focusing on the mosque's new preacher, who it said was from Somalia  not Ethiopia. The report also said some young men who were once regulars at the mosque had later left to join the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.

In the wake of extremist attacks in Europe in recent years, Swiss authorities have been stepping up controls and surveillance of suspected militants who could cause violence.

The Swiss intelligence service estimates that 77 people "motivated by jihad" have left Switzerland to travel to conflict zones since 2001, more than four in five of them to Iraq and Syria. The service says 21 of them are believed to be dead, while others are still active in the conflict regions or have returned to Switzerland.

GENEVA: Swiss police raided a mosque in a northern city on Wednesday, detaining eight people including an Ethiopian imam who allegedly called for the killing of Muslims who refused to participate in prayers, the state prosecutor's office said. Police searched the An Nur mosque in Winterthur and the apartments of three people as part of the morning operation, according to a statement from the regional prosecutor's office in nearby Zurich. In a public sermon on Oct. 21, the Ethiopian imam allegedly called for the killing and denunciation of Muslims who refuse to participate in common prayers at the mosque, the statement said. Prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation centering on the imam and three others. In a separate statement, Zurich police said another four men aged 23 to 35 from countries including Algeria and Tunisia were also detained. They were inside the mosque at the time of the raid, and were believed to be illegally in Switzerland, said Corinne Bouvard, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office. They weren't believed to be connected to the imam and three others, whose nationalities weren't identified, she said. Bouvard also said prosecutors so far have turned up "no connection" to any possible international extremist groups. Earlier on Wednesday, Swiss daily Tages Anzeiger reported that investigators were focusing on the mosque's new preacher, who it said was from Somalia  not Ethiopia. The report also said some young men who were once regulars at the mosque had later left to join the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq. In the wake of extremist attacks in Europe in recent years, Swiss authorities have been stepping up controls and surveillance of suspected militants who could cause violence. The Swiss intelligence service estimates that 77 people "motivated by jihad" have left Switzerland to travel to conflict zones since 2001, more than four in five of them to Iraq and Syria. The service says 21 of them are believed to be dead, while others are still active in the conflict regions or have returned to Switzerland.
By AFP

PORT-AU-ANCE: A teenager was fatally shot Tuesday in Les Cayes, Haiti's third-largest city, as frustration rises over the slow pace of humanitarian aid efforts for Hurricane Matthew victims, the city's mayor said.

"A Puerto Rican ship was in the process of unloading its cargo in the port, but something went amiss at the dock and an adolescent was felled by bullets," Mayor Gabriel Fortune told AFP.

Almost a month after Hurricane Matthew slammed Haiti, devastating the poorest country in the Americas, distribution of humanitarian aid has been frustratingly slow, partly because of damaged roads and bridges.

The Caribbean country's southern coast suffered the greatest damage from the storm, which killed a total of 546 people and caused nearly $2 billion in damage across Haiti, according to official data.

In Les Cayes -- located in the south some 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the capital Port-au-Prince -- the mayor described a tense situation Tuesday after the shooting death.

"The angry population filled the streets and people came to my home," Fortune said.

"Together we headed downtown to the court, to report the incident to a judge, but we couldn't reach it because the streets were blocked," he added.

Reeling from the powerful storm that made landfall on October 4, Les Cayes still has barricades on the main streets blocking all traffic.

Fortune, who was not at the scene of the fatal shooting, could not identify who did it. "An investigation will determine who is responsible," he said.

Haitian Justice Minister Camille Edouard condemned the shooting and offered condolences to the family and loved ones of the slain teen.

"The Haitian National Police have already begun to look into it," the minister said.

He said a delegation was on its way to Les Cayes with the intent of "investigating, evaluating and adopting measures to restore order and reinforce security."

Just a week ago, gunfire killed a teenage girl and wounded three people when chaos broke out during humanitarian aid distribution in the southwestern port of Dame-Marie.

The UN's humanitarian coordinator in Haiti, Mourad Wahba, suggested the latest incident in Les Cayes could impede efforts to get the country back on its feet.

"The only security would be a better coordination and distribution of aid," he told AFP.

PORT-AU-ANCE: A teenager was fatally shot Tuesday in Les Cayes, Haiti's third-largest city, as frustration rises over the slow pace of humanitarian aid efforts for Hurricane Matthew victims, the city's mayor said. "A Puerto Rican ship was in the process of unloading its cargo in the port, but something went amiss at the dock and an adolescent was felled by bullets," Mayor Gabriel Fortune told AFP. Almost a month after Hurricane Matthew slammed Haiti, devastating the poorest country in the Americas, distribution of humanitarian aid has been frustratingly slow, partly because of damaged roads and bridges. The Caribbean country's southern coast suffered the greatest damage from the storm, which killed a total of 546 people and caused nearly $2 billion in damage across Haiti, according to official data. In Les Cayes -- located in the south some 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the capital Port-au-Prince -- the mayor described a tense situation Tuesday after the shooting death. "The angry population filled the streets and people came to my home," Fortune said. "Together we headed downtown to the court, to report the incident to a judge, but we couldn't reach it because the streets were blocked," he added. Reeling from the powerful storm that made landfall on October 4, Les Cayes still has barricades on the main streets blocking all traffic. Fortune, who was not at the scene of the fatal shooting, could not identify who did it. "An investigation will determine who is responsible," he said. Haitian Justice Minister Camille Edouard condemned the shooting and offered condolences to the family and loved ones of the slain teen. "The Haitian National Police have already begun to look into it," the minister said. He said a delegation was on its way to Les Cayes with the intent of "investigating, evaluating and adopting measures to restore order and reinforce security." Just a week ago, gunfire killed a teenage girl and wounded three people when chaos broke out during humanitarian aid distribution in the southwestern port of Dame-Marie. The UN's humanitarian coordinator in Haiti, Mourad Wahba, suggested the latest incident in Les Cayes could impede efforts to get the country back on its feet. "The only security would be a better coordination and distribution of aid," he told AFP.
By IANS

WASHINGTON: Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at a campaign rally accused her Republican rival Donald Trump, of "demeaning, degrading, insulting and assaulting women" for decades.



"Look at what he does. He calls women ugly, disgusting, nasty, all the time. He calls women pigs, rates bodies on a scale of 1 to 10," she said on Tuesday, before going on to say how the mogul has insulted former Miss Universe Alicia Machado.



"Can we just stop for a minute and reflect on the absurdity of Donald Trump finding fault with Miss Universe? But, you've got to ask, why does he do these things? Who does this? I will tell you who: a bully, that is who," the former secretary of state said to cheers and applause from the audience.



Accompanied by Machado - who introduced her - at Miami's Dade city rally, Clinton said that she had "been a woman my entire life," adding that "(Trump) thinks belittling women makes him a bigger man. He doesn't see us as full human beings," Efe news reported.



Machado, who Trump has previously described as "Miss Piggy" and who was on her first campaign appearance with Clinton, said of Trump "He was cruel. For years afterward I was sick, fighting back eating disorders."



In late September, Trump had focused on criticizing the 1996 Miss Universe, urging his followers on Twitter to view her "sex tape," although no such tape exists.



Clinton, meanwhile, said she was sorry to have to talk about the treatment Trump had given to women instead of talking about her own policy plans if she becomes president, but she said it was necessary for her to do so.



The former secretary of state said that as a mother she knows the effort the parents make to try to get their children to believe in themselves, adding that they should not let anyone take that confidence away from them.



Machado went on to say that "It's really clear that he does not respect women. He just judges us on our looks. He thinks he can do whatever he wants and get away with it. Well, now I'm standing here on behalf of women and Latinos across the country" and "together we are going to say loudly and clearly - no Trump. He's not getting away with it."



Clinton returned to Florida on Tuesday to hold three campaign events amid discussion and reporting about recent voter surveys that gave the magnate a lead in the Sunshine State, which he needs to win to have any chance of prevailing nationwide in the election.



According to two surveys published in the past two days, the Republican candidate is leading Clinton by 4 points, although the former first lady had topped him in the great majority of the polls in recent weeks, although generally by a tight margin.



WASHINGTON: Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at a campaign rally accused her Republican rival Donald Trump, of "demeaning, degrading, insulting and assaulting women" for decades. "Look at what he does. He calls women ugly, disgusting, nasty, all the time. He calls women pigs, rates bodies on a scale of 1 to 10," she said on Tuesday, before going on to say how the mogul has insulted former Miss Universe Alicia Machado. "Can we just stop for a minute and reflect on the absurdity of Donald Trump finding fault with Miss Universe? But, you've got to ask, why does he do these things? Who does this? I will tell you who: a bully, that is who," the former secretary of state said to cheers and applause from the audience. Accompanied by Machado - who introduced her - at Miami's Dade city rally, Clinton said that she had "been a woman my entire life," adding that "(Trump) thinks belittling women makes him a bigger man. He doesn't see us as full human beings," Efe news reported. Machado, who Trump has previously described as "Miss Piggy" and who was on her first campaign appearance with Clinton, said of Trump "He was cruel. For years afterward I was sick, fighting back eating disorders." In late September, Trump had focused on criticizing the 1996 Miss Universe, urging his followers on Twitter to view her "sex tape," although no such tape exists. Clinton, meanwhile, said she was sorry to have to talk about the treatment Trump had given to women instead of talking about her own policy plans if she becomes president, but she said it was necessary for her to do so. The former secretary of state said that as a mother she knows the effort the parents make to try to get their children to believe in themselves, adding that they should not let anyone take that confidence away from them. Machado went on to say that "It's really clear that he does not respect women. He just judges us on our looks. He thinks he can do whatever he wants and get away with it. Well, now I'm standing here on behalf of women and Latinos across the country" and "together we are going to say loudly and clearly - no Trump. He's not getting away with it." Clinton returned to Florida on Tuesday to hold three campaign events amid discussion and reporting about recent voter surveys that gave the magnate a lead in the Sunshine State, which he needs to win to have any chance of prevailing nationwide in the election. According to two surveys published in the past two days, the Republican candidate is leading Clinton by 4 points, although the former first lady had topped him in the great majority of the polls in recent weeks, although generally by a tight margin.
By Express News Service

NEW YORK: Many Muslim Americans cringe at the way they have been portrayed by candidates during the presidential campaign  either as potential terrorists or as eyes and ears who can help the government's counterterrorism efforts.

Those descriptions, offered by Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, respectively, are troubling to Muslims who complain they are being pigeonholed and their concerns on other issues ignored.

"I think that there is some level of dismissiveness about Arab-Americans and American Muslims that allows candidates to talk about us, not really to us," said Omar Baddar, a political analyst and media producer based in Washington.

Chaumtoli Huq, a lawyer from the New York City suburb of Yonkers, agreed.

"We're not able to talk about issues that impact us as citizens  education, jobs, things that any other voter would care about," she said. "It's a really demoralizing way to be seen to be part of this country."

One of the campaign's more memorable moments for Muslim Americans unfolded at the Democratic National Convention in July, when a grieving Khizr Khan addressed delegates about his son, Humayun, an American soldier who was killed in Iraq. The GOP candidate soon pushed back against Khan's anti-Trump comments, setting up an almost unprecedented episode in which a presidential nominee criticized a military family that lost a loved one in a war zone.

Huq and others said Trump's campaign has clearly been the more negative one, starting with his call to ban foreign Muslims from entering the United States as an anti-terrorism measure.

In the second presidential debate in St. Louis, Trump answered a question about how to stop Islamophobia in America by saying American Muslims must report other Muslims who are engaging in dangerous behavior. He also repeated the false claim that neighbors of the San Bernardino, California, shooters saw bombs all over the floor in the shooters' home last year but did not report it.

That led to a widely retweeted comment from Brooklyn College professor Moustafa Bayoumi, who posted, "I'm a Muslim, and I would like to report a crazy man threatening a woman on a stage in Missouri." By the time the debate ended, his retort had been retweeted more than 32,000 times and "liked" more than 43,000 times.

Speaking to The Associated Press, Bayoumi said Muslim Americans "get exceptionalized to such a degree that their average Americanness disappears in the wind."

But Hillary Clinton did not escape censure from Muslim Americans, who said that the Democratic nominee's public remarks have primarily revolved around recognizing them for what they could do to support counterterrorism efforts.

At that second debate, in answering the same question as Trump, Clinton said: "We need American Muslims to be part of our eyes and ears on our front lines. I've worked with a lot of different Muslim groups around America. I've met with a lot of them, and I've heard how important it is for them to feel that they are wanted and included and part of our country, part of our homeland security, and that's what I want to see."

Nour Eidy, a freshman at the University of Michigan, grew up in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, which is heavily Arab and Muslim. She was troubled by the call to root out radicals, mainly because she has not come across any.

"I don't know anything about terrorism. I don't know their game plans, their strategies," she said. "We're just as victimized by them as anybody else."

Hussien Kazwini does not object to calls for Muslims to identify dangerous extremists. The college student in Toledo, Ohio, whose parents were born in Lebanon, said it's what every U.S. citizen should do.

"We, at the end of the day, are around more Muslims at a mosque or an event," Kazwini said. "Maybe we do have an ability to more easily see if someone is going over to the extreme side."

Frustration with the race is enough to make Ramah Kudaimi want to skip voting altogether.

"People are so shocked by what Trump is saying, that he's  and he's so openly racist  that they are giving Hillary Clinton a pass," the Washington, D.C., organizer said. "The Democrats, frankly, have not necessarily done what is needed to also earn my vote as a Muslim American."

In New York, Ahsia Badi said the campaign rhetoric had also affected how non-Muslims interact with Muslims. "This sort of dialogue ... is forcing people to sit there and see their friends who happen to be Muslim, to be their 'Muslim friends.'"

The 44-year-old health professional has two children, ages 10 and 8.

Because of the constant linkage between Muslims and terrorism issues, she said, "I'm worried about how my children see their own opportunities and what their role is" as Americans.

NEW YORK: Many Muslim Americans cringe at the way they have been portrayed by candidates during the presidential campaign  either as potential terrorists or as eyes and ears who can help the government's counterterrorism efforts. Those descriptions, offered by Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, respectively, are troubling to Muslims who complain they are being pigeonholed and their concerns on other issues ignored. "I think that there is some level of dismissiveness about Arab-Americans and American Muslims that allows candidates to talk about us, not really to us," said Omar Baddar, a political analyst and media producer based in Washington. Chaumtoli Huq, a lawyer from the New York City suburb of Yonkers, agreed. "We're not able to talk about issues that impact us as citizens  education, jobs, things that any other voter would care about," she said. "It's a really demoralizing way to be seen to be part of this country." One of the campaign's more memorable moments for Muslim Americans unfolded at the Democratic National Convention in July, when a grieving Khizr Khan addressed delegates about his son, Humayun, an American soldier who was killed in Iraq. The GOP candidate soon pushed back against Khan's anti-Trump comments, setting up an almost unprecedented episode in which a presidential nominee criticized a military family that lost a loved one in a war zone. Huq and others said Trump's campaign has clearly been the more negative one, starting with his call to ban foreign Muslims from entering the United States as an anti-terrorism measure. In the second presidential debate in St. Louis, Trump answered a question about how to stop Islamophobia in America by saying American Muslims must report other Muslims who are engaging in dangerous behavior. He also repeated the false claim that neighbors of the San Bernardino, California, shooters saw bombs all over the floor in the shooters' home last year but did not report it. That led to a widely retweeted comment from Brooklyn College professor Moustafa Bayoumi, who posted, "I'm a Muslim, and I would like to report a crazy man threatening a woman on a stage in Missouri." By the time the debate ended, his retort had been retweeted more than 32,000 times and "liked" more than 43,000 times. Speaking to The Associated Press, Bayoumi said Muslim Americans "get exceptionalized to such a degree that their average Americanness disappears in the wind." But Hillary Clinton did not escape censure from Muslim Americans, who said that the Democratic nominee's public remarks have primarily revolved around recognizing them for what they could do to support counterterrorism efforts. At that second debate, in answering the same question as Trump, Clinton said: "We need American Muslims to be part of our eyes and ears on our front lines. I've worked with a lot of different Muslim groups around America. I've met with a lot of them, and I've heard how important it is for them to feel that they are wanted and included and part of our country, part of our homeland security, and that's what I want to see." Nour Eidy, a freshman at the University of Michigan, grew up in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, which is heavily Arab and Muslim. She was troubled by the call to root out radicals, mainly because she has not come across any. "I don't know anything about terrorism. I don't know their game plans, their strategies," she said. "We're just as victimized by them as anybody else." Hussien Kazwini does not object to calls for Muslims to identify dangerous extremists. The college student in Toledo, Ohio, whose parents were born in Lebanon, said it's what every U.S. citizen should do. "We, at the end of the day, are around more Muslims at a mosque or an event," Kazwini said. "Maybe we do have an ability to more easily see if someone is going over to the extreme side." Frustration with the race is enough to make Ramah Kudaimi want to skip voting altogether. "People are so shocked by what Trump is saying, that he's  and he's so openly racist  that they are giving Hillary Clinton a pass," the Washington, D.C., organizer said. "The Democrats, frankly, have not necessarily done what is needed to also earn my vote as a Muslim American." In New York, Ahsia Badi said the campaign rhetoric had also affected how non-Muslims interact with Muslims. "This sort of dialogue ... is forcing people to sit there and see their friends who happen to be Muslim, to be their 'Muslim friends.'" The 44-year-old health professional has two children, ages 10 and 8. Because of the constant linkage between Muslims and terrorism issues, she said, "I'm worried about how my children see their own opportunities and what their role is" as Americans.
By IANS

NEW YORK: The wife of Omar Mateen who gunned down 49 people in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida said that she knew her husband had a dark side, but did not know the depths of his evil.

Mateen's second wife Noor Salman, 30, said in an interview with the New York Times published on Tuesday, that she was "unaware of everything" about her husband's plans to attack the Pulse night club on June 12.

"I don't condone what he has done," she said, adding "I am very sorry for what has happened. He has hurt a lot of people."

She also denied any involvement in the attack or any knowledge of what her husband was going to do. Salman described him as someone who angered easily, beat her often and lived his life in secret.

This is the first interview Salman - who married Mateen after meeting him through an online dating site in 2011 - has given since the mass shooting.

Mateen, the son of Afghan immigrants, never told Salman that his first wife left him after he began beating her. They were engaged shortly after meeting online and married soon afterward.

In the interview, Salman admitted that she was aware Mateen watched jihadi propaganda videos, but, she said, "the FBI let him go".

Mateen was investigated twice by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2013 and 2014; both times federal authorities said he did not pose a threat.

Her husband's crime, Salman said, has left her shattered and afraid. She lives in fear of turning on the television and hearing Mateen's name.

She often cannot get out of bed and depends on members of her family to take care of her son.

Salman has moved three times since the attack, hoping to avoid the news media.

According to the New York Times, Salman lives in legal limbo, with prosecutors weighing charges that could include lying to the FBI.

Her lawyers, Linda Moreno and Charles Swift, has said that their client did nothing wrong.

They declined to let Salman, dislose about her discussions with the FBI during the interview, but Swift said she had told investigators "everything she knew to the best of her ability".

In the interview, Salman said she had a reason for talking publicly now: "I just want people to know that I am human. I am a mother."

On the day of the attack, Mateen came home from work around 3 p.m. He told Salman about the trip to California to visit her mother for the first time in years. He gave her $500 for the trip, and drove her and their son to McDonald's. They stopped at a bank, where Mateen withdrew another $500 for his wife. Then he left.

At home that night, Salman filled out a Father's Day card she had bought for her husband and went to bed. At about 4 a.m., Mateen's mother called, worried and looking for him. Salman tried calling him on his cellphone but got no answer.

Finally he sent her a text message: Did you see what happened? She texted back that she had not.

"I love you babe", he responded, the last she heard from him.

Later that morning, she learned from the FBI that her husband had died in a shootout after carrying out the mass murder.

NEW YORK: The wife of Omar Mateen who gunned down 49 people in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida said that she knew her husband had a dark side, but did not know the depths of his evil. Mateen's second wife Noor Salman, 30, said in an interview with the New York Times published on Tuesday, that she was "unaware of everything" about her husband's plans to attack the Pulse night club on June 12. "I don't condone what he has done," she said, adding "I am very sorry for what has happened. He has hurt a lot of people." She also denied any involvement in the attack or any knowledge of what her husband was going to do. Salman described him as someone who angered easily, beat her often and lived his life in secret. This is the first interview Salman - who married Mateen after meeting him through an online dating site in 2011 - has given since the mass shooting. Mateen, the son of Afghan immigrants, never told Salman that his first wife left him after he began beating her. They were engaged shortly after meeting online and married soon afterward. In the interview, Salman admitted that she was aware Mateen watched jihadi propaganda videos, but, she said, "the FBI let him go". Mateen was investigated twice by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2013 and 2014; both times federal authorities said he did not pose a threat. Her husband's crime, Salman said, has left her shattered and afraid. She lives in fear of turning on the television and hearing Mateen's name. She often cannot get out of bed and depends on members of her family to take care of her son. Salman has moved three times since the attack, hoping to avoid the news media. According to the New York Times, Salman lives in legal limbo, with prosecutors weighing charges that could include lying to the FBI. Her lawyers, Linda Moreno and Charles Swift, has said that their client did nothing wrong. They declined to let Salman, dislose about her discussions with the FBI during the interview, but Swift said she had told investigators "everything she knew to the best of her ability". In the interview, Salman said she had a reason for talking publicly now: "I just want people to know that I am human. I am a mother." On the day of the attack, Mateen came home from work around 3 p.m. He told Salman about the trip to California to visit her mother for the first time in years. He gave her $500 for the trip, and drove her and their son to McDonald's. They stopped at a bank, where Mateen withdrew another $500 for his wife. Then he left. At home that night, Salman filled out a Father's Day card she had bought for her husband and went to bed. At about 4 a.m., Mateen's mother called, worried and looking for him. Salman tried calling him on his cellphone but got no answer. Finally he sent her a text message: Did you see what happened? She texted back that she had not. "I love you babe", he responded, the last she heard from him. Later that morning, she learned from the FBI that her husband had died in a shootout after carrying out the mass murder.
Portsmouth boy bullied for long hair has plan to donate it

It makes me feel so proud of him, his generous spirit. He cares about others more than he cares about himself sometimes."
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Areas of fog early, becoming sunny this afternoon. High 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Areas of patchy fog developing. Low 46F. Winds light and variable.
A team of researchers from the University of Minnesota and The Dow Chemical Company have discovered a new method for customizing ingredients that help oral medications dissolve in the body and be absorbed into the bloodstream. The materials discovered in this study could allow life-saving drugs to work faster and more efficiently.

The University of Minnesota and Dow have filed a patent on the discovery that may also lower the cost to produce new medications.

The research study is now online and is published in the current issue of the American Chemical Society's ACS Central Science, a leading journal in the chemical sciences.

One of the biggest challenges for pharmaceutical companies when developing oral medications is to ensure that the body will fully absorb the drug molecules. Many therapeutic structures do not easily dissolve on the molecular level, which means they are less effective. In that case, the dose must be increased for patients, which may increase side effects.

"A way to explain the differences in solubility of medicines is to think of how sugar easily dissolves in water and is rapidly absorbed by your digestive system, whereas sand doesn't dissolve in water and if swallowed, would pass right through the digestive system," said Theresa Reineke, a chemistry professor in the University of Minnesota's College of Science and Engineering and lead researcher on the study.

Drug companies add substances, called excipients, to help the medicines dissolve in the stomach and intestinal fluid, but there have been few improvements in recent years to this decades-old technology. The process outlined in the study is a major breakthrough that revolutionizes the process of making drug structures more soluble in the body so that they are better absorbed.

Funded by Dow, researchers examined two medications--phenytoin, an anti-seizure drug, and nilutamide, a drug used to treat advanced-stage prostate cancer. The team used automated equipment at Dow to synthesize long-chain molecules. Their efficiency as excipients with these drugs were then tested with facilities at the University of Minnesota, including the Characterization Facility located in the University's College of Science and Engineering. One particular excipient discovered by this research allowed these insoluble drugs to fully dissolve in simulated intestinal fluid in a test tube. When they tested phenytoin with the new excipient in rat models, it promoted drug absorption three times better than the previous formulation.

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"While we were pleased with the results with these specific drugs, the most important thing is that we have developed a high throughput methodology for excipient development that could be used by many companies to create other life-saving medicines," Reineke said.

"It takes about $1 billion dollars and 10 to 15 years for a pharmaceutical company to develop a new drug, but then they sometimes find marketable formulations are limited by solubility," said Steven Guillaudeu, a lead R&D manager at Dow and co-author of the study. "The methodology our team has created could help drug companies advance their pipeline compounds by using a better method to improve solubility and therefore bioavailability. The approach could have a major impact on the multibillion-dollar industry."

The research discovery is one result of a five-year collaboration between Dow and the University of Minnesota for research partnerships to develop new chemical solutions, improve research facilities, and train the next generation of scientists.

"This discovery is a perfect example of what can happen when industry and academia come together," said Frank Bates, a Regents Professor in the University's Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and co-author of the study. "This research has yielded something that could have a huge effect on human health and lower the cost of medications."

Source: University of Minnesota
It's never too late to reap the benefits of exercise, and that includes older adults with arthritis and other muscle and joint conditions, according to a study.

Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) found that a low-impact exercise program in senior centers in New York City's Chinatown and Flushing, Queens communities helped decrease pain, improve mobility and enhance quality of life for many participants.

The study, titled, "Effects of a Culturally Tailored Low-Impact Exercise Program for Chinese Older Adults in NYC," was presented at the American Public Health Association annual meeting on November 1 in Denver.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Asian seniors had the highest rate of physical inactivity (defined as no physical activity beyond basic daily life activities), 29% of them lived in poverty, and 75% had limited English language proficiency in 2012. In addition, Chinese Americans were less likely to seek health care because of cost and language and cultural barriers.

"In 2011, HSS developed the Asian Community Bone Health Initiative, a culturally-tailored low-impact exercise program aimed at improving musculoskeletal health in the underserved Chinese older adult community," said Minlun (Demi) Wu, MPA, research coordinator, Department of Public & Patient Education at Hospital for Special Surgery.

"Joints will often stiffen if not used, and muscles will weaken if not exercised. Our bodies are meant to move, and inactivity leads to weakness and stiffness, and joints with arthritis often worsen with inactivity," said Theodore Fields, MD, director, Rheumatology Faculty Practice Plan at HSS.

The exercise classes, which were free and open to community members, took place once a week for eight weeks. Participants performed chair and floor mat exercises using stretch bands and other gentle exercises. Certified bilingual instructors made the sessions culturally relevant by integrating Chinese breathing techniques and meditation into the program.

A survey was distributed to participants before the classes started and again after they ended to evaluate pain, physical function, stiffness, fatigue, balance and other health indicators. A total of 256 adults completed the questionnaires between September 2011 and June 2016. Ninety-three percent of participants were female, and 73 percent were between 60 and 79 years of age.

"Overall, the program was very well-received," said Wu. "After completing the classes, statistically significant differences were found in pain intensity, physical function, balance, and confidence about exercising without making symptoms worse."

Participants also reported significant improvements in the ability to perform activities of daily living, such as lifting or carrying groceries; climbing stairs; bending, kneeling and stooping; and bathing and getting dressed.

Additional findings:

84% of respondents reported less pain after participating in the program

95% of participants reported less stiffness

92% of participants reported less fatigue

95% of participants reported that their balance improved

100% of participants said they were very satisfied with the program and would recommend it to others

"The study results are consistent with the experience of rheumatologists and with prior studies showing that exercise, even of mild degree, helps with pain," said Dr. Fields. "Getting people up and moving does appear to help with mood, pain and overall functioning."

"Given the social and financial implications of musculoskeletal diseases, it is paramount to identify effective programs that reduce the impact of these debilitating conditions," said Wu. "Our findings indicate that implementing a bilingual low-impact exercise program can play an important role in pain relief, improved quality of life and improved levels of physical activity in the underserved Chinese community." The classes are ongoing and have become so popular there is a waiting list.
Reston, Virginia - Researchers at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, have demonstrated that cardiac amyloidosis (abnormal deposits of proteins in the heart), which is notoriously difficult to diagnose, can be visualized noninvasively with positron emission tomography (PET) using the radiotracer fluorine-18 (F-18)-florbetaben. The study is published in the November issue of "The Journal of Nuclear Medicine."

Amyloidosis eventually leads to dysfunction of the affected organs. When the heart is affected, the prognosis is extremely poor. Dr W. Phillip Law, the corresponding author of the study, explains, "The first signs and symptoms of the disease are nonspecific and usually attributed to other conditions. Currently, there is no definitive test to diagnose cardiac amyloidosis other than an invasive biopsy of the heart muscle. Cardiac amyloidosis is often not diagnosed until late in the course of the disease, as the typical appearance of the infiltrated myocardium on echocardiography and MRI can be mistaken for other more prevalent disorders."

While previous research of amyloid radiotracers in the heart has used normal subjects as controls, this study compared subjects with thickened heart muscle secondary to amyloid deposition to those with thickened myocardium due to hypertensive heart disease.

Being able to visualize and quantify amyloid deposition in heart muscle may provide an accurate and noninvasive means of diagnosing the disorder and also may be useful in monitoring disease burden.

F-18-florbetaben PET was performed in 14 subjects. Target-to-background standardized uptake values (SUV) ratio and percentage myocardial radiotracer retention were higher in amyloid patients compared to hypertensive control subjects. A cut-off value of 40 percent was able to differentiate between cardiac amyloid patients and hypertensive control subjects.

The study shows that F-18-florbetaben PET imaging can accurately identify and differentiate between cardiac amyloidosis and hypertensive heart disease. Percentage myocardial F-18-florbetaben retention was an independent determinant of myocardial dysfunction in cardiac amyloidosis.

Looking ahead, Dr Law envisions, "Tailored molecular imaging with PET using florbetaben may significantly simplify the diagnostic algorithm for patients with suspected cardiac amyloidosis. Future studies investigating florbetaben uptake pattern in other [non-amyloid, non-hypertensive] causes of heart muscle thickening would further clarify the specificity of florbetaben." He adds, "The relationship of PET quantification of florbetaben retention in the heart, with histological amyloid plaque burden, may provide another means of monitoring disease and could also be useful in monitoring response of cardiac amyloid to treatment, but further research needs to be undertaken to investigate this relationship."
A new study from the University of Chicago Medicine examines the use of social media platforms to inform young physicians about proper use of antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics. Currently, as much as 50 percent of all antibiotic use is inappropriate, leading to such unintended consequences such as antibiotic toxicity and increased antimicrobial resistance. Ensuring optimal use of antibiotics continues to be a central public health concern, and medical residents are a central focus of efforts to improve education in this field. But the question remains as to the best way to reach them.

A study by Jennifer Pisano, MD, and colleagues appearing in the American Journal of Infection Control, finds that social media platforms - including Facebook and Twitter -- provide an effective method to reinforce antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) and encourage the use of ASP resources to promote antimicrobial mindfulness among internal medicine residents. The strategy pioneered by the researchers successfully directed medical residents to the appropriate use of clinical pathways.

Over the course of six months, 55 medical residents received Facebook posts and tweets of basic information promoting both educational tools and clinical pathways located on the researchers' hospital's ASP website. The medical residents also received identical infectious disease and antibiotic knowledge "trivia questions," as well as interspersed questions.

Participants' knowledge of how to use the ASP website increased from 70 percent to 94 percent, while these residents' antibiotic knowledge also improved. Crucially, use of relevant clinical pathways sometimes, frequently, or always increased from 33 percent to 61 percent (P = .004).

Each year in the United States, at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and at least 23,000 people die as a direct result of these infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The use of antibiotics is the single most important factor leading to antibiotic resistance.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center today announced the official opening of a first-of-its-kind clinic dedicated to providing innovative immunotherapies for cancer patients in clinical trials.

The Bezos Family Immunotherapy Clinic, named in recognition of a family that has been deeply committed to the Hutch and its work to advance immunotherapy, will allow researchers to conduct twice as many immunotherapy trials in the next year in pursuit of speeding cures for cancer.

Patients will be able to receive the Hutch's novel immunotherapies for cancer at roughly double the capacity that existed before the 9,222-square-foot clinic opened. More importantly, intensive monitoring in this groundbreaking facility will enable researchers to better understand why some patients respond, where others do not, and to achieve the goal of developing the best curative approach to treatment for each individual patient.

"We and scientists worldwide have been working for decades to understand how to harness the power of the immune system," said Dr. Gary Gilliland, Fred Hutch's president and director. "Over the last few years we have taken what we have learned in the Hutch's research labs and started to produce experimental treatments that we now can test; this clinic should inspire hope that we will find cures for cancers once thought incurable."

The clinic features 15 patient care suites designed to accommodate a wide array of outpatient services, as well as offer ample space for family and friends who accompany patients. Since the "soft opening" on Oct. 10, there have been more than 188 patient visits to the clinic, located on the sixth floor of the main outpatient building of Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. SCCA, which is Fred Hutch's clinical care partner, is based on the Hutch campus in the South Lake Union neighborhood of Seattle. Fred Hutch will celebrate a grand opening of the clinic on Dec. 12 with a scientific symposium.

Much of the focus at the new clinic is on therapies involving T cells, which play a central role in the immune system. Hutch scientists have been at the forefront of genetically modifying these cells so that they will more effectively target cancers. Staff at the clinic will take these immune cells from a patient, have the cells specially engineered in a nearby Hutch cell-processing facility, and then re-infuse them to attack the patient's cancer.

The Hutch's genetically engineered T-cell products differ from those being tested at most other major research centers. One example is with the approach to T cells programmed to carry a synthetic molecule known as a CAR, or chimeric antigen receptor, which enables the T cells to target and eliminate cancer cells. While a number of institutions produce CAR T cells, the Hutch was the first center where nonessential immune cells are removed, resulting in a product with a defined ratio of engineered helper and killer T cells. This approach increases the growth of cancer-fighting cells in the patient after infusion and potentially decreases side effects, since lower doses of T cells are needed. Hutch scientists are also making other types of genetic modifications to T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Furthermore, Hutch scientists are exploring the value of combining CAR T cells with other immunotherapies.

With the new clinic, the Hutch anticipates conducting about 12 immunotherapy trials in 2017, up from five trials running in 2016. There are plans to open four trials in the immunotherapy clinic for patients with types of solid tumors that have not previously been treated with cellular immunotherapy.

Researchers say the clinic will focus on early-stage trials and will build on the recently published results showing high remission rates in some leukemias and a 50 percent remission rate in refractory lymphoma patients using CAR T cells. This will enable them to test new treatment approaches for a wider range of cancers, including some being tested in humans for the very first time. They'll be able to collect more extensive samples to learn from and gather data more quickly.

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Team members collect the samples and data needed to evaluate how the engineered T cells are functioning and whether the cancer cells are surviving. The clinic has a separate research lab where specimens are received, processed and stored before being distributed to Fred Hutch labs. Proximity to core research facilities allows for faster delivery and faster analyses of these materials, which may lead to new questions to bring back to the lab.

Dr. David Maloney, Fred Hutch's first medical director of Cellular Immunotherapy, is medical director of the Bezos Family Immunotherapy Clinic. He also holds the Leonard and Norma Klorfine Endowed Chair for Clinical Research. The clinic has a team-based model of care tailored for immunotherapy patients' unique needs and is staffed by physician-scientists who are experts in these emerging therapies.

"Seeing patients always gives you perspective on the disease you're treating," said Dr. Maloney. "I view oncology as more than just a snapshot, but managing challenges with cancer over a long period of time."

Fred Hutch chose to name the center after the Bezos family to recognize their generosity through the name of the clinic, said Dr. Gilliland. The clinic is a public sign of the partners' shared commitment to groundbreaking, lifesaving science and serves as a daily source of encouragement to the physicians, staff, patients and their families at the clinic.

The rapid growth in Hutch-based immunotherapy trials, which prompted the creation of the new clinic, could not have occurred without the Bezos family's generosity and the support of the many people who joined them. Their collective contributions covered research costs that would have been difficult, if not impossible, to fund through other mechanisms.

The clinic was made possible by support from SCCA and Juno Therapeutics, a Seattle-based biotech company focused on developing cellular immunotherapies aimed at curing a broad range of cancers. Fred Hutch has licensed to Juno intellectual property for potential treatments that the company seeks to commercialize. The Hutch joined with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Seattle Children's to launch the company in December 2013.

The Hutch's contributions to the field of immunotherapy can be traced back to its work on bone marrow transplantation, pioneered by Fred Hutch's Dr. E. Donnall Thomas, who earned a Nobel Prize in 1990. This research led to the first definitive and reproducible example of the human immune system's power to cure cancer: Hutch scientists discovered that healthy donated immune cells, once engrafted, could recognize the patient's cancer cells as foreign and attack them. Ever since, Fred Hutch has been a leader in immunotherapy, tapping into the immune system to boost survival rates for patients with leukemia and other blood cancers and demonstrating the promise of immunotherapy for treating many other cancers.

Recent Hutch advances in the area of T-cell therapy include:

The development of a CAR T-cell therapy that has so far shown promising results in early-phase clinical trials, including remission rates of over 90 percent for patients with certain advanced blood cancers

The development of TCR, or T-cell receptor, therapies for certain patients with acute myeloid leukemia, non-small cell lung cancer and mesothelioma that are now in clinical trials; TCR therapies for pancreatic and ovarian cancers are currently in preclinical development

The development and clinical testing of adoptive T-cell therapies for patients with certain sarcomas as well as for patients with Merkel cell carcinoma; the latter involved the first use of T cells that target a portion of the virus responsible for the cancer's development

Drs. Gilliland and Maloney announced the opening of the new clinic as featured guests at today's meeting of the National Press Club Newsmaker series in Washington, D.C.
Schizophrenia impacts family living arrangements the most

Serious mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia has been shown to affect relationships and parenting capabilities. Children of parents with serious mental illness are vulnerable, and therefore comprehensive knowledge about their life circumstances is warranted for public health strategies to provide helpful supportive services.

A study published in the November 2016 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP), http://www.jaacap.com/, found that the living arrangements of children whose parents have a serious mental illness differ from the general population.

More specifically, the study found that more children of parents with serious mental illness than without lived with a single mother or away from both parents, and more relationships between parents dissolved when parents have a serious mental illness. Among the three disorders of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, the latter affected family living arrangements the most.

"Going through the literature, we were surprised to find that so little research has been conducted about this very important topic. Many studies have examined the children's risk of developing a mental illness, but the basic question of where and with whom children live while growing up has only been addressed superficially," said Anne Ranning, psychologist and senior researcher at Mental Health Center Copenhagen and the Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research- iPSYCH.

Two research groups within iPsych, Mental Health Center Copenhagen and Nordic Center for Register-Based Study in Aarhus, used the Danish national registers to determine whether a child lives with both parents, with a single parent, in a reconstituted family, or with neither of the parents. Using a prospective design, the team looked at changes in living arrangements from children's birth to age 17. The team looked at data from 1.8 million Danish children and their parents and focused on whether family living arrangements were different for children born to parents with serious mental illness than without. In addition, the researchers linked information from various Danish registers to describe important characteristics of the parents such as educational level, employment status, and substance abuse.

The researchers found that living arrangements for children born to parents with serious mental illness deviated considerably from the pattern observed in the general population: fewer children born to parents with serious mental illness lived with both parents, and they were more likely to live with a single mother or away from both parents. The pattern was clear already from birth. For example, 20% of children born to a mother with schizophrenia lived with a single mother as opposed to 8% in the general population. The most untraditional living arrangements were found for children born to parents with schizophrenia, where mothers' illness had somewhat higher impact than fathers'.

"We found that nuclear families were 2-3 times more likely to dissolve when parents have serious mental illness compared to the general population. In Denmark, we generally see high rates of separation between parents, but in the context of mental illness this pattern is exaggerated: in fact, only 20% of parents stay together until the child's 17th birthday if a parent has schizophrenia, as opposed to 60% in the general population," Dr. Ranning explains.

In addition, the researchers found considerably lower employment rates for parents with serious mental illness, higher rates of substance abuse, and that parents with serious mental illness were more likely to have children with a partner who also had a serious mental illness. A parent's diagnosis of schizophrenia was found to be most associated with these factors. The risk for family dissolution was dependent on other factors in addition to parents' serious mental illness, so that, for example, being employed or having an advanced degree was found to be protective against family dissolution.

The findings are perhaps not surprising, but this is the first study to show these demographic characteristics in this population. As discussed by Dr. Myrna Weissman in her editorial in the same issue of JAACAP, describing living arrangements does not equal measuring the quality of family relations and child care in these families. Family structures are changing in society at large, and the supremacy of the traditional nuclear family as the ideal living arrangement is to be questioned. Yet, consequences of family dissolution and of living with a single parent may be different for children when parents have serious mental illness than not. Also, the results may indicate that close relationships are more difficult to maintain in the context of mental illness.

Dr. Ranning noted that child psychiatrist Dr. Anne Thorup, a co-author on the study, is about to implement a specialized, integrated supportive intervention for families where a parent has serious mental illness. "It will be interesting to see if such an intervention will strengthen family functioning and perhaps even affect rates of family dissolution", she said. Also, in a future register-based study, the research team plans to focus on the specific needs of children living alone with parents with serious mental illness and investigate whether this is an underserved population. Using national registers, they aim to investigate the level of support these single-parent-headed families receive from social services, which also would indicate the level of public awareness of these families.
A European health consortium is developing a set of low radiation, low cost, flat panel X-ray detectors that use novel photonics technology to make diagnosis safer for patients, hospital and dental staff, generating some of the highest resolution images ever seen in rapid moving body functions, such as malicious growths or the beating heart of a baby.

DICOMO 5m view of (top) Scintillating micro-particles (white) embedded in an organic semiconducting bulk (dark) and (below) Active pixel metal-oxide backplane.

With over 22 million X-rays being recorded in the NHS in England last year, they are a diagnostic test that most of us are familiar with. Scientists have often sought to reduce harmful ionizing radiation, the high-energy particles that penetrate tissue to reveal internal organs and bone structures that can damage DNA, from single x-ray records or CT scans.

Although this ionizing radiation can be reduced, traditionally it has come at the expense of the image resolution and type of detector.

As a result of the two types of X-ray technology that exist today, diagnosis can only take the form of a high resolution image, seen with Direct Converters that are used in Mammography, or a low radiation dose, seen with Indirect Converters that are used in Radiography or Fluoroscopy.

Direct converters are based on semiconductors which directly convert X-Rays into electrical signals (e.g. amorphous Selenium), while indirect converters make use of scintillators (e.g. Caesium Iodide) which emit light upon X-Ray irradiation, and convert it into electrical signals by a photodetector.

One is fine for micro anomalies in breast tissue, the other for larger structures like bones or larger blood vessels, but never has there been a hybrid of the two.

Combining these advantages the DiCoMo, (or Direct conversion hybrid-organic X-ray detectors on metal oxide backplane) project is developing a new digital X-Ray detector capable of producing high resolution images that, in the envisioned product, rival a 16 mega pixel photograph. With lower radiation doses and at a fraction of the cost this is excellent news for staff at hospitals like radiologists or dentists and patients, particularly small children.

Current indirect detectors, which offer a lower dose of radiation, generate light in all directions as soon as an X-ray photon is absorbed in it, hitting a large number of pixels on the photodetector array and creating limited spatial resolution. Project coordinator Dr Sandro Tedde of SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS explains:

The result is like a blurred photograph, or frosted bathroom glass, where light bounces off the surface at different angles. In indirect converters there is always a compromise between resolution and sensitivity.

DiCoMo combines the advantages of both technologies by fusing radical innovations in the frontplane, the part of the device converting X-rays into electrical signals, and the backplane, which stores and drives the signals from the pixels to the readout circuitry and digital image reconstruction.

It works by getting an indirect converter, with low radiation output, to behave in the way we would expect to see a direct converter perform, a technique DiCoMo calls the Quasi-Direct effect. This allows the images to have the high resolution typical for direct converters by using scintillators and the great sensitivity they enable.

Contrary to the indirect approach, where the scintillator is stacked on top of the photodetector array, the DiCoMo technique embeds the scintillator into the photodetector itself, meaning the absorption of light occurs right where it has been generated and no optical crosstalk between pixels occurs. This produces high spatial resolution typically seen in direct converters, a result never before achieved.

DiCoMos second innovation is in the technology of the backplane, which is developed by TNO and IMEC, where the Active Pixels made from metal-oxide thin-film transistors amplify the charge within the backplane pixel itself, creating a stronger signal in situ.

Active pixels are state of the art in CMOS imagers but have not been used so far in imagers based on transistor technologies made of amorphous semiconductors, like those used in medical X-Ray detectors. A customised readout chip (ROIC) developed by the partner ICSense is key for enabling the readout of the active pixel array and achieving the envisioned high frame rates.

Similar to CMOS camera technology, where millions of tiny photo sensors and transistors create an electrical current when exposed to light, our Active Pixel technology gives us a louder signal at a much higher frame rate than ever before says Dr Tedde.

The fastest flat panel X-Ray detectors with state of the art technology deliver around 60 frames per second, whereas DiCoMo aims to double this by capturing at 130 fps, permitting a physician to examine vital organs not only in high resolution, but also moving images in slow motion.

DiCoMo came up with the solution of using a hybrid X-ray absorption and conversion layer by embedding scintillating micro-particles into an organic semiconductor photo detecting bulk, in a pattern resembling the raisin parts in a raisin loaf. This prevents the light from being widely spread over several pixels since the light to electrical signal conversion occurs in the same pixel where the X-ray photon has been absorbed preserving the spatial information.

Earlier last year, the DiCoMo consortium received funding of 3,277,034.75 from the Photonics Public Private Partnership, via the European Commissions H2020 program for a three year research project in a Research and Innovation action. Hoping to have these revolutionary new x-ray detectors ready within 5 years, Tedde is excited about the implications for the future:

The versatility of this device is impressive not just for its use medical, veterinary and dental surgeries, but also with its increased speed and resolution the DiCoMo detector would be really attractive to customs or the military for scanning relevant material.

Coordinated in Germany by SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS, the project is made up of partners from Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, and Italy, including BASF Switzerland, Belgian microelectronics center IMEC, Dutch research company TNO, Belgian chip designer ICsense NV and Italian simulation specialist MorphwiZe.
OrthoPro Services, Inc.,has successfully completed a rigorous process to earn highly-coveted DMEPOS (Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies) Accreditation from the Board for Certification/Accreditation (BOC).

Facility accreditation is awarded only when a healthcare facility has successfully demonstrated its compliance to standards set by the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) and BOC. Facility accreditation shows a supplier's focus and commitment on providing quality patient care.

"We're honored and proud to have earned accreditation through BOC," said Jack Aizenstein, CO, BOCO who is a Board Certified Orthotist and OrthoPro Services' President. "We are fully committed to further improving positive patient outcomes by meeting and exceeding facility standards set by CMS and BOC."

For the New York based company, he added, "We are focused on the growing demand for cost-effective home medical devices through our local and national distribution channels. The accreditation process has helped us to better serve our patients, medical professionals and insurance payors."

"The goal of facility accreditation is to demonstrate a facility's ability to provide patients with quality care," notes Claudia Zacharias, President & CEO of BOC, located in Owings Mills, Maryland. "With the American population spanning five generations, we are seeing an increased need for the types of products and services OrthoPro Services, Inc. offers."
Millions of Australians suffering from kidney stones could soon get relief, with researchers discovering a prostrate treatment can also help ease the painful condition.

Patients with kidney stones were treated with the drug Tamsulosin in an Emergency Medicine Foundation Australasia (EMF) funded clinical trial run across five Australian hospital emergency departments.

Trial leader and specialist emergency medicine physician at The Townsville Hospital, Dr Jeremy Furyk, said Tamsulosin was normally used to treat an enlarged prostate, but the research team found the treatment could also assist the passage of large kidney stones in the urine.

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"Kidney stones are a bit of a mystery, occur frequently in the community and generally affect young, healthy adults," Dr Furyk said.

"It can be extremely painful to pass these jagged little crystallized minerals and it's very common for sufferers to go to an emergency department for treatment.

"Of more than 400 patients in the trial, we found those who received Tamsulosin passed their large kidney stones more often than the placebo group.

"This means patients with large stones might not need more complicated treatments including surgeries, and this has potential to improve care and reduce costs. We're very excited because Tamsulosin treatment may also allow patients to be treated closer to home rather than needing referral to a major centre."

EMF Australasia awarded more than $270,000 to support Dr Furyk's research, through its Queensland Research Program, which is funded by the Queensland Government Department of Health.

EMF Australasia Chair, Associate Professor Sally McCarthy said this research had the potential to help millions of Australians suffering with this extremely painful condition.

"It may also have implications for patients living in rural and regional areas, where access to urologists - the specialist doctors who treat this condition - can be limited."

Up to 15 per cent of the Australian adult population and 1 in 11 people in the United States suffer from kidney stones, which range in size from a grain of sand to a pearl or even larger, and can be excruciating to pass through the urinary tract.
Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation, a coalition of Minnesota's leading health organizations, voiced their cautious optimism about the results of the Minnesota Student Survey today. The Survey shows that fewer kids are smoking, but also that they are using flavored tobacco products and e-cigarettes at alarming rates.

"A record low number of Minnesota teens smoking is cause for celebration," said Molly Moilanen, Director of Public Affairs for ClearWay Minnesota and Co-Chair of Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation. "These findings reinforce that our comprehensive approach to tobacco prevention - including smoke-free spaces and high tobacco prices - is working.

"But the tobacco industry still spends millions of dollars in our state each year, marketing new and kid-friendly products," Moilanen said. "And nearly all adult smokers started in their teens. Too many young people are still using tobacco, which can lead to a lifetime of addiction and disease."

The 2016 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) is compiled by the Minnesota Department of Health's Center for Health Statistics. It showed that in 2016, 11th graders were smoking at a record low rate of 8.4 percent, down from 12.2 percent three years ago.

The Survey also showed that many students are using other tobacco products, including cigars, e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Many of these products come in kid-friendly candy, fruit and menthol flavors. In fact, 35 percent of all tobacco users said that they use menthol products, and 40 percent said they use other flavors.

Research shows that flavored products are attractive to youth. These products contain nicotine, which can harm adolescent brain development. They can mask the harshness of the tobacco, making it easier for kids to start using them. And once teens start using one tobacco product, they are more likely to experiment with others.

"Despite this progress, there is more to be done. We look forward to working with lawmakers to create a smoke-free future in Minnesota," said Moilanen. "The tobacco industry hasn't given up on our young people, and neither will we."
A group of young scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University are developing a bioactive coating for medical implants. Due to its properties, it will be able to "convince" the body not to reject the artificial bones and joints.

Basically, implant rejection is caused by the negative reaction of immunity cells. "Detecting" a foreign body in the body they can cause inflammation and the cascade of reactions leading to rejection.

The young scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University propose to resolve implant rejection problems by covering implants with biologically active compound, which is an analogue to the cytokine interleukin 4. This substance is able to control the behavior of the innate immune cells - macrophages - forcing them to stimulate the healing process, not rejection of the implant.

"A feature of macrophages is their enormous plasticity: under different conditions the same immune cells can either fight with the implant or, conversely, stimulate the healing process. We are trying to synthesize these compounds, which could force macrophages to differentiate into a positive phenotype," says the project manager Ksenia Stankevich, a PhD student at the Department of Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry, the TPU Institute of High-Technology Physics.

The young scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University plan to put the developed compound analogues on biodegradable polymeric implants. Small joints and parts for dental implantology are made of them. The project manager also notes that the material is suitable for application in titanium implants which large bones to restore the hands and feet are preferably made of. Thus, the development of the polytechnicers will become a universal assistant in implantology.

Now the scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University are on the stage of synthesizing the compound: laboratory experiments help them find the compound's optimal composition. This development has already received the support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research and a gold medal at the RusBioTech international exhibition in 2016.
Shafiqul Islam, Sc.D., of Tufts University School of Engineering, has been awarded the 7th Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW) Creativity Award, one of most prestigious international awards focusing on water-related scientific innovation. Islam was recognized for his work in developing and testing a model using chlorophyll information from satellite data to predict cholera outbreaks at least three to six months in advance.

Islam, along with his colleague, Rita Colwell, Ph.D., of the University of Maryland at College Park, are receiving the award at a ceremony Nov. 2 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The event is being hosted by the U. N. Friends of Water and presided over by the U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and PSIPW Chairman Prince Khaled Bin Sultan Bin Abdulaziz.

This collaborative initiative between Tufts University and the University of Maryland involved several former students, university faculty and researchers from these two institutions. It also involved international partners, integrated and advanced scholarship, field experience in ecology and microbiology of cholera; hydrology and remote sensing; limnology and plankton taxonomy; and public health, epidemiology and biostatistics, and modeling. Doctoral research by two recent Tufts graduates - Dr. Ali Akanda of the University of Rhode Island and Dr. Antarpreet Jutla of West Virginia University - led to the discovery that the macro-environmental factors that drive cholera can be tracked using remote sensing data and other forecasting methods, opening up the possibility of an early warning system for cholera.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The World Health Organization estimates it sickens 1.3 million to 4 million people each year and causes 21,000 to 143,000 deaths worldwide.

"This interdisciplinary and highly productive team has demonstrated consistent and significant accomplishments, and has made a considerable effort towards cholera prediction for effective intervention and mitigation," said Kurt Pennell, Ph.D., PE, BCEE, professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tufts. "We are grateful that PSIPW has not only recognized their achievements but also provided prominence to this timely and humane work."

Colwell is an internationally acclaimed oceanographer and microbiologist who has spent the bulk of her career studying the V. cholerae bacterium. Colwell and her team were the first to identify linkages between phytoplankton, zooplankton and cholera. Islam applied Colwell's findings and related chlorophyll and phytoplankton information obtained from NASA satellites to develop cholera prediction models. Currently, the team is testing this satellite-based model - where hydrology and microbiology meet epidemiology and engineering - with ground-based observations for different regions of the world.

"The Cholera Outbreak Prediction system from Satellite has the capabilities and functionalities to be useful for many regions of the world where minimal or no resources are available for ground measurements. My hope is that our findings will enable medical professionals to anticipate and prevent cholera outbreaks," said Islam. "I'm honored and humbled to receive this recognition and hope it will call global attention for action and operationalize this predictive model to save lives in cholera-endemic and resource-limited regions of the world."

In addition to serving as a civil and environmental engineering professor at the School of Engineering, Islam is the director of the Water Diplomacy program and a professor of water diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts. He was the first Bernard M. Gordon Senior Faculty Fellow in Engineering at Tufts. His research group Water Diplomacy and WE REASoN integrates "theory and practice" and "think and do" to create actionable water knowledge. Islam is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, and has authored more than 100 articles in journals and other publications.
Women experience a notable decline in sexual function approximately 20 months before and one year after their last menstrual period, and that decrease continues, though at a somewhat slower rate, over the following five years, according to a study led by a researcher at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

The study, published ahead of print in the online issue of Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society, also found that various factors that frequently co-occur with menopause have less direct influence on declining sexual function than menopause itself.

"Sexual functioning in women declines with age, and there has been much debate about how much this is due to menopause, aging or other physical, psychological or social factors," said the study's lead author, Nancy Avis, Ph.D., professor of public health sciences at Wake Forest School of Medicine, part of Wake Forest Baptist. "Our findings support that menopause has a negative effect on sexual functioning in many women."

Additionally, the study found that women who have a hysterectomy before the onset of menopause do not experience a marked decline in sexual function immediately before undergoing the procedure but do so afterward, for as long as five years.

The researchers based their findings on information collected from 1,390 participants in the federally funded Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), which began in 1996. These women, who were between the ages of 42 and 52 at the time of enrollment in the study and who had a known date of final menstrual period during their participation, responded to questionnaires dealing with various aspects of sexual function - including desire, arousal, satisfaction and pain - between one and seven times over the course of the study. The researchers analyzed 5,798 of these self-assessments (4,932 from the 1,164 women in the natural menopause group and 866 from the 226 women in the hysterectomy group) and tracked the changes in the respondents' scores on the sexual-function questionnaires relative to either their final menstrual period among women who experienced a natural menopause or the hysterectomy.

Of note, in the natural menopause group the researchers found that race/ethnicity played a major role in the decline of sexual function, with African-American women experiencing a significantly smaller decline and women of Japanese descent experiencing a much greater decline when compared with white women.

"Sexual functioning is an important component of women's lives. More than 75 percent of the middle-aged women in the SWAN study reported that sex was moderately to extremely important to them when the study began," Avis said. "It is important for women and their health care providers to understand all the factors that may impact women's experience of sex in relation to both the natural menopausal transition and hysterectomy, and we hope our findings will contribute to better understanding in this area."
Zipnosis is getting the word out about an incredibly effective means of avoiding the spread of germs this cold and flu season: Use virtual care.

"One of the best ways to be a good healthcare citizen and avoid spreading germs to others in overcrowded waiting rooms at clinics, urgent care centers and emergency rooms is to take advantage of online virtual visits," said Kevin Smith, DNP, FNP, FAANP, Chief Clinical Officer at Zipnosis, the first virtual care company enabling leading health systems to launch virtual care service lines staffed by their own clinicians.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concurs, noting that the flu (influenza) is a serious condition that can require hospitalization and can even lead to death. On a web page focused on advice to stop the spread of germs, the CDC advises: "If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others."

Evidence-based clinical research supports this strategy. For example, a widely cited study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology found strong evidence that well-child visits subsequently resulted in a 3.17% increase in influenza-like illnesses among children and their family members within two weeks of the visit. This germ swap results in more than 766,000 additional office visits for flu-like symptoms each year and nearly $492 million in annual costs.

Virtual care to the rescue

The convenience of virtual healthcare is magnified during the busy cold and flu season when wait time at the clinic or urgent care center are sure to be longer than usual.

"When you're suffering from cold or flu symptoms, virtual healthcare delivered by providers from your community's own health system allows you to receive the same accurate diagnosis and high-quality care you would in person, but more cost effectively and in the comfort of your own home," Smith explained. "In addition, if you're contagious, you're doing your part: You won't spread your germs to the high school player who's at the urgent care center getting treated for a sprained ankle or to the parent at your family practice clinic whose child has a preventive care appointment."

Even on a normal day, primary care provider offices tend to be booked solid, with perhaps one or two open slots available for urgent, unscheduled appointments, Smith explained. "Along comes an outbreak of the flu, and getting in to see a primary care provider can be challenging," he said. "Meanwhile, the local urgent care clinics are overwhelmed with walk-ins."

During major community outbreaks of the flu, health systems such as Fairview Health Services in Minnesota that use the Zipnosis virtual care platform have actively encouraged patientson their websites, on voicemail, and through any other means possibleto take advantage of the virtual visit option.

"Virtual care is a great 'relief valve,' to ensure all who need care receive it promptly, especially during cold and flu season," said Dang Tran, MD, physician executive at Fairview Heath Services. "In addition, by offering virtual care, we are providing patients with greater choice and convenience. Virtual care also has the additional benefit of keeping ill patients out of our waiting rooms and clinics, where they cannot infect some of our most medically fragile patients."

The Zipnosis virtual care platform can be launched at a health system in just 60 days and allows the patient to use a smartphone, tablet or PC to complete an online, adaptive interview to document their condition. Without adding staff, a provider from the patient's local health system then reviews the patient's information and follows evidence-based, best practices-guided pathways to provide a diagnosis and treatment plan within an hourusually less. If needed, the interview can be supplemented with a phone or video visit. If laboratory testing is required, a "ZipTicket," or healthcare "boarding pass," is issued that provides the patient front-of-the-line access to lab services at a location within the health systemwhile still allowing him or her to bypass crowded clinic waiting rooms.

"When health systems and good healthcare citizens team up to use virtual healthcare to prevent the spread of germs during cold and flu season, it can make a truly positive difference for their communities," Smith said.
Volkswagen Atlas Interiors. (Photo: AFP Relaxnews)

Volkswagen has unveiled its new seven-seater 2018 Atlas, pitched as the SUV built with the modern American family in mind.The 2018 Atlas will become the largest Volkswagen sold and assembled in the US, where it will be built in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The SUV can accommodate up to seven adults and their luggage.Access to the third row has been designed to be within easy reach via an innovative folding seat solution that works even with child seats installed in the second row. Other features include a full suite of connected services and smartphone platforms such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink and driver assistance. The Atlas comes with two engine options: four-cylinder TSI turbo or the VR6, both with eight-speed automatic transmission.As of now, there have been no reports on whether the Atlas or a variant of the SUV will make its way into the Indian market. Watch this space for updates.
Well, the roots of this success at the business high table go back to the bifurcation of the state of united Andhra Pradesh.

For both states, moving up the ease-of-doing-business table would attract industry and send an all is normal signal after a messy divorce.

The rationale for attracting business is that increased industrial activity will fill the state coffers through increased tax revenue.

The latest ranking for ease of doing business, that has Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as joint toppers, has surprised the country. So just what worked for the two Telugu states that they managed to push down the eternal favourites Gujarat to No.3?In 2009 the agitation for a separate state of Telangana had gathered momentum once again. Among the main demands was jobs.People of Telangana origin did not want to compete with Coastal Andhraites for government jobs. Once Telangana became a reality in 2014 one of the main issues was how to provide employment beyond the narrow pool of government jobs. The Telangana governments solution was to attract industry in order to create jobs and increase tax revenues.Meanwhile in Andhra Pradesh, public finances were thrown into disarray because of the loss of Hyderabad, which provided the bulk of commercial taxes. The solution the state hit on was: attracting industry, especially with a Chief Minister like Chandrababu Naidu, who likes to see himself more as a Chief Executive Officer than a Chief Minister.Both states started implementing reform measures proposed by the World Bank and the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion aggressively. The measures included tax, environmental and labour reforms, single-window online clearance and setting up of commercial courts.The centrepiece reform was the establishment of a single online window for cutting red tape.The Telangana State Industrial Project Approval and Self Certification System (TS-iPASS) is an online portal for granting clearances based on self-certification by entrepreneurs. The TS-iPASS Act passed in 2014 provides the legal backing.The equivalent in Andhra Pradesh is the Single Desk Portal.According to the new system, if the government doesnt respond to an entrepreneurs proposal in 15 days (Telangana) or 21 days (AP) it is deemed as accepted.A top Andhra Pradesh government official told News18 that in the last 1.5 years the state has cleared 11,000 proposals.The state is currently tracking 357 projects worth Rs 4.5 lakh crore with a potential to generate 7 lakh jobs, the official claimed requesting he be not named since he is not authorised to talk to media.Among the reforms Andhra Pradesh has initiated are tax and power subsidies  VAT reimbursement, power at Rs 1 per unit  a digitised database of land, doing away with inspection systems and commercial courts for settling disputes.For instance, earlier an industrial proposal needed to get as many as 54 clearances from 15 departments. The entire process would take 3 months or more. The whole process will now be over online in 21 days.However, there is enough criticism that the obsession to become business-friendly has come at a social cost.However, a government official from Andhra Pradesh explained that this was a long-term goal, something that would take 5-7 years. In the short run the state would be revenue neutral, which in fact may mean that the exchequer may bleed money via subsidies and incentives to industry.The AP government is focusing on attracting the auto, biotech, defence, Information Technology and food processing industries. The Telangana administration is targeting the IT, life sciences, automobiles, textiles, and precision engineering.Narsimha Reddy, an activist who has studied industry in Andhra Pradesh for the past 15 years, says that both states may be confusing ease of doing business with subsidies.The World Bank rationale is to reduce the cost of regulation on businesses, but the states may be confusing this remit by providing subsidies to industry in the form of land, power and loans, he said.Land for industry may be the biggest hurdle for both states. Although there is a lot of barren land in both states, the problem is not land, but location.Industry requires land that has water and good infrastructure, which tends to be agricultural land, hence the conflict between industry and farmers. Although both governments are trying to build a land bank, it remains to be seen if they can avoid the conflicts around land that have plagued industrial projects in the rest of India.
One for the camera.at the Nandan Van Jungle Safari in @Naya_Raipur. pic.twitter.com/KpqVjjI8Xx  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2016

#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Nandan Van Jungle Safari in Naya Raipur (Chhattisgarh), earlier today pic.twitter.com/WJV2w7nKcr  ANI (@ANI_news) November 1, 2016

When you are mad excited about your new DSLR but the subject doesn't cooperate pic.twitter.com/Du4ofY7CHf  Neha Yadav (@JustAnotherNY) November 1, 2016

PM Modi Collecting Evidence Of His Zoo Visit In Raipur. Just In Case Kejriwal Asks For It Tomorrow. #PMatNayaRaipur

pic.twitter.com/qQVuiK6yKt  Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) November 1, 2016

After stealing Nehru's jacket, PM Narendra Modi trying to copy his lifestyle now by clicking picture of Nehru's pet tiger. (2016) pic.twitter.com/mDLbjxARcI  History of India (@RealHistoryPic) November 1, 2016

Modi is training and convincing that Tiger to kill me.. pic.twitter.com/ucXls5OLU2  Arvind KejriwaI (@ArvindkejriiwaI) November 1, 2016

Tiger: "Poori duniya ke saath selfie lete ho.. Mere saat bhi ek lekar dikha do" ... pic.twitter.com/7VFCVaUoOU  MediaCrooks (@mediacrooks) November 1, 2016

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the Nandanvan Zoo during his visit to Naya Raipur to mark Chhattisgarh's 16th foundation day.Well, the event would have come and gone unnoticed had PM Modi not decided to turn photographer that day.It is no secret that our beloved Prime Minister has a liking for selfies and on most occassions we have seen him pay attention to being infront of the cameras more than any other politician or celebrity. But this time PM Narendra Modi turned a photographer to experience what it is like to be on the other side of the lens.So, while taking a tour of the Nandanvan Zoo, PM Modi who was accompanied by CM Raman Singh, decided to click images of the majestic tiger, who was of course caged.Several images of PM Modi photographing the tiger were shared on the verified Twitter page of the Prime Minister with the caption, 'One for the camera.at the Nandan Van Jungle Safari in Naya Raipur'.In fact, ANI news even shared a video of Modiji's camera expedition.As soon as social media users noticed the photographs, there was no stopping them.There were mixed reactions from social media users. They lauded as well as mocked Modiji's efforts and enthusiasm to photograph the tiger.Here are some memes, hilarious one-liners and jokes that social media users came up with after they saw the image of the PM on social media platforms.
A man riding a horse, waving a rifle amid a busy, crowded market area in Belagavi town in north Karnataka has once again stoked the smouldering boundary dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra.The protestor/activist on the horse, identified as Ratnaprasad Pawar of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), now faces criminal cases under the Arms Act, with Belagavi police taking up investigations into the MES observation of black day on November 1.November 1 is celebrated across Karnataka as Kannada Rajyothsava Day, the date on which the state was unified way back in 1956.Police say the MES, which has long been fighting for Belagavi city to be made a part of Maharashtra because of its Marathi population, observes a black day every year on November 1.This time too, when they sought permission for a procession, they were given conditional approval by the police to go ahead with its protest.For the record, the boundary dispute has long been thought of as settled after the Centre-appointed Mahajan Commission gave its report nearly fifty years back. But Maharashtra approached the Supreme Court once again about ten years ago, and the matter is still pending.In the meantime, the people of Belagavi have elected representatives to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, accommodated a second Vidhana Souda building, seen winter sessions of the Legislative Assembly being held there and even got used to the name of their city being changed from Belgaum to the more Kannadiga Belagavi'.The issue took a serious turn this time as a local MLA, the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and a few corporators of the Belagavi City Corporation decided to participate in the black day observation  wearing black clothes and bands and participating in the procession.Permission was given for this. If it was merely a peaceful procession, it would have been allowed. But the organisers and other miscreants disrupted it. They tried to cut the Karnataka flag and when police intervened, they started pelting stones, says G Radhika, DCP (Law and Order) of Belagavi.Complaints have been taken up under charges of rioting and unlawful assembly, and video footage from the protest is being scrutinised to identify the participants. As of now, it is against 5060 unidentified persons, but the effort is on to pin them down from all available video footage, says Radhika.The whole episode  from beginning of the procession to dispersal of the crowd  lasted barely four hours. But the daring support of elected corporators and an MLA has shocked the Karnataka government.These elected representatives are representing the Karnataka government, and administration, too in that city. What they did is not right, we need to see what action we need to take, said Law Minister TB Jayachandra, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru.His colleague Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa called it a betrayal of Karnataka.Many Kannada organisations are holding counter-protests on Wednesday. They will submit memoranda to the Deputy Commissioner (Collector) and the government to supersede the Corporation  a suggestion the government seems to be taking seriously, as the DC has been asked to submit a detailed report on exactly to what extent did the corporators participate in the protest.
Visuals of 23.5 metric tons of Mandrax tablets seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in Udaipur (Rajasthan) pic.twitter.com/s8D4wbNFxF  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

In its biggest-ever drug seizure, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized a huge haul of banned narcotic substance worth over Rs 3,000 crore from a factory in Udaipur and also arrested Bollywood producer Subash Dudhani in this connection.On October 28, DRI officials raided the premises of Udaipur-based Marudhar Drinks and detected a room filled with cartons of banned Mandrax tablets."The total number of tablets are estimated to be about 2 crore in numbers with a weight of about 23.5 metric tonnes.The international market value of seized tablets is estimated to be over Rs 3,000 crore," CBEC chairperson Najib Shah said.This is the biggest ever drug seizure done by DRI, the investigative arm of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC)."We have arrested the mastermind and efforts are underway to nab others involved with the drug syndicate," he said.Shah said that Subhas Dudhani, who has produced Bollywood films, also had businesses and properties in Mumbai.The information came to DRI Mumbai and then it was traced to Udaipur and with active assistance from Border Security Force (BSF), the mastermind was arrested.The drug is commonly known as Mandrax, M-Pills, buttons or smarties and is usually smoked mixed with cannabis. It is used as a recreational drug in Africa and Asia."The consignment was manufactured in Rajasthan and consigned for Mozambique or South Africa," he said.In last 5 years, the DRI has seized more than 540 kgs of heroin and 7,409 kgs of ephedrine along with other narcotics and psychotropic substances.In recent past, the DRI has also neutralised 10 other factories manufacturing synthetic drugs like Mephedrone, Ketamine, Alprazolam and Ephedrine, across several states.
New Delhi: Two top intelligence officials working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi returned home on Tuesday after an ISI officer caught by Delhi Police last week blew the cover off an elaborate spy ring operating out of the mission.



Top sources told News18 that Pakistan is recalling altogether nine of its intelligence officers working out of the high commission after the detention of spy Mehmood Akhtar last week.



Trade counsellor Syed Farruq Habib and press officer Mudassir Cheema went home by the 3.30 pm New Delhi-Lahore flight on Tuesday. Habib and Cheema were among the four intelligence operatives named by Akhtar in his confession that was videotaped. He had also named Farruqs deputy Khadim Hussain and Major Shahid Iqbal.



Syed Farruq Habib was functioning as the station chief of ISI in the high commission, Indian intelligence sources told News18.



Akhtar, who was nabbed by Delhi Police outside the Delhi Zoo on Friday, had returned to Pakistan on Saturday after he was declared a persona non grata. In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan expelled Surjeet Singh, an Indian employee working at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, for "conduct not in accordance with his diplomatic status. Singh returned to India on Saturday.



A few days ago the Pakistan daily Dawn had reported that Islamabad was pulling out from India four of its officers posted in its High Commission in New Delhi.



Akhtar, now back in Pakistan, told Dawn that he had given the statement about other ISI officers under duress.

"They took me to a police station after detaining me where I was forced to read out a written statement provided by them in which the names of the four officers were given and was told to state that they belonged to Pakistan's intelligence services," he told Dawn.


Srinagar: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday asked the army personnel posted along the Line of Control to remain alert and give a befitting response to any "misadventure" from the across the border.



Parrikar, who arrived here on a two-day visit, visited Uri frontier area in Baramulla district where militants last month had staged a deadly attack on an army base, killing 19 soldiers and injuring several others, an army official said.



The official said the Defence Minister, accompanied by Army Chief General Dalbir Singh, was briefed by the local commanders about the situation prevailing in the area.



The Minister also interacted with soldiers posted in forward areas.



"While complimenting their valour and fortitude, which Parrikar said was the entire nation's pride, he also impressed upon the soldiers to remain in a very high state of alert to give a befitting response to any misadventure from across," the official said.



Militants attacked an army base in Uri on September 18, killing 19 soldiers and injuring several others.



The attack led to army carrying out surgical strikes against militant positions in Pakistan occupied Kashmir on September 29.



Later, the Defence Minister and Army Chief were briefed at Badamibagh Cantonment here on the latest internal security situation and all the security measures initiated by the army and other security agencies along the Line of Control as well as the hinterland, the official said.



Parrikar is scheduled to pay homage to the country's first Param Vir Chakra, highest military honour, recipient Major Somnath Sharma on his 69th death anniversary on Thursday.



The Defence Minister will join senior army officers and other ranks in paying tribute to Major Somnath Sharma near the Srinagar Airport in Budgam district, the official said.



Major Sharma was awarded the medal posthumously for his bravery in the Kashmir operations in November 1947.



He down his life while evicting Pakistani raiders from Srinagar Airport during the war with Pakistan in 1947 48 in Kashmir.



He belonged to the 4th Kumaon Regiment.




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I am sitting near India Gate and I have consumed poison. These were Subedar Ram Kishan Grewals last words to his family before the ex-servicemen allegedly killed himself on Tuesday evening."The government is doing injustice to jawans and I cant tolerate this.I am a man of principle. I am sacrificing my life for the betterment my family, ex-soldiers and my nation, 70-year-old Grewal is heard saying in an audio clip of the conversation.Ram Kishan Grewal's son Kulwant Grewal confirmed to CNN-News18 that the phone conversation took place between his father and brother.In the audio clip, the veteran is also heard telling his son that he consumed two to three tablets five minutes before he made the phone call.Grewal was reportedly drawing Rs 23,000 as pension as against Rs 28,000 he would be entitled to under one-rank, one-pension scheme. He had written a letter to the Defence Ministry describing his plight but the government denied receiving any such letter.Grewal, from Haryana's Bhiwani district, allegedly consumed poison in the lawns behind the Jawahar Bhavan, which houses the Ministry of External Affairs, on Tuesday evening.Police said he along with three of his companions had come to the city apparently to submit a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP.
New Delhi: Dharamvir Gandhi, Lok Sabha MP from Punjab, wants to legalise cannabis. And he is getting able support from a few of his Parliament colleagues like actor-turned-politician and BJP MP Vinod Khanna besides a former head of India's narcotics watchdog.



Gandhi, the AAP MP from Patiala in Punjab, is moving a private member's bill seeking to legalise the recreational use of cannabis in India. The bill has been cleared by the legislative branch of Parliament and will be moved in this session starting November 20.



"Soft drugs are part of the cultural history of India and does not lead to an abusive lifestyle or rise in crime. It was only used as a measure of 'mauj-masti' (relaxation and enjoyment) by the common people," Gandhi told News18.



Gandhi believes that the current law governing narcotics has only helped the case of the drug mafia and has helped proliferation of more harmful drugs like cocaine, smack and heroine. His bill seeks to permit authorised and monitored sale of soft drugs and seeks to legitimise cultivation, production, possession, manufacture, sale, transport, and inter-state export, import, use and consumption of such soft drugs.



"Even after 35 years of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, it has failed to achieve the objectives for which it was passed. Neither could it make India a drug-free nation nor was it able to curtail the dangerous network of drug mafias across the nation and the globe," Gandhi said, adding that his bill already has the support of a few MPs including his fellow Punjabi MP and BJP leader Vinod Khanna and Odisha's BJD MP Tathagata Satpathy.



News18 could not contact Khanna and Satpathy



Well, of course, private member's bills have a history of failing at the hustings and this too might suffer the same fate. In the last 46 years, no private member bill has been passed except a bill pertaining to transgender rights.



Tripti Tandon, deputy director of Lawyers Collective and a researcher on Indian narcotics, told News18 that regardless of its fate the very fact that the issue will be taken up by the House is a positive step.



"This bill will be debated and that is a positive step, but this bill will never be passed by the House. There are regulations and rules with NDPS act to be followed by the states, but they are never looked into. Though this bill will have some supporters it will not gain majority support because of the lack of understanding concerning drugs and the entire paranoia surrounding this issue," she said.



Last year, the Uttarakhand government had legalised hemp cultivation (a variant of the cannabis strain) but it was only for industrial purposes.



Interestingly, Gandhi's move has got support from a former head of the Central Bureau of Narcotics.



Romesh Bhattacharji, former commissioner of Central Bureau of Narcotics, and currently a member of the Institute for Narcotics Studies, told News18 that the bill would be "an excellent move to rectify an erroneous law."



"This is a good move, and this needs to be debated in the face of such stiff ignorance which often takes root in the moral high grounds people take after being influenced by the UN conventions. This law has been victimising people since 1985," he said.



Bhattacharji said that he had conducted a survey in Punjab from 2001 to 2011 and the data showed that around 25,003 were languishing behind bars under the NDPS Act. Out of that only 10 to 60 people were drug-traffickers and the rest were the poor charged with offences of possessing soft drugs.



"In 1999, during my tenure at the Narcotics Control Bureau, I had proposed the idea of creating an Opium registry which would deliver opium to Registered Opium users in India since 1971 from the government treasury, but the Ministry of Finance rejected the idea without applying any mind to the grave concern staring at us. I am happy at least now there will be deliberations to amend this act," he said.



Analysts believe that the classification of hard drugs and soft rugs  which is what essentially Gandhi's bill demands  is not something which is new, and has its roots in the early legislative history of the NDPS act.



Lawyer's Collective's Tandon said even when the present NDPS act was being passed, many MPs had voiced their opposition citing the need for such a classification. "But it never gained any traction, primarily because government believes these soft drugs are 'gateway drugs' which leads to addiction to the harder ones," she said.



Tandon said there has been no study to validate government's claim of 'gateway drugs' and even symptoms like seizures, fits, etc did not corroborate the claim of the authorities.
















Chennai: It was the worst-ever man made disaster in a decade. Over 61 people were killed as an eleven-storey building, in one of Chennais upcoming realty hotspots, came down crashing after a heavy spell of rain in 2014.



While the first building collapsed two years ago, the second tower was demolished on Wednesday by the State Government after the Supreme Court gave a go ahead based on a report submitted by a three-member committee that inspected the site and termed the construction illegal.



This certainly has left behind unending woes for investors. Seventy six buyers have spent their savings for the project developed by Prime Sristi Housing Private Limited. The distraught buyers continue to pay monthly loan instalments for homes they will never own.



Ratna Mishra, a buyer, said, We used our savings for the initial investments. We approached the SBI that sanctioned a loan of Rs.58 lakhs. Apart from that, bank also gave a valuation report stating that this building will last for 60 years. The dream we had, that we will own the house became a nightmare since June 2014. My entire savings of 25 years of has gone into this project and over it, we have a liability to the bank.



Most surprising is the fact that this project got all the necessary approvals.



Ironically, the same CMDA that initially gave the approval for the project in 2013 is now demolishing the same tower.



We are in a deep financial crisis. Most of the buyers are salaried employees who have invested their hard-earned money and savings into this with a high hope that they would own a property. We are not just paying our rentals but also paying EMIs to banks. Banks are putting in a lot of pressure through DRT. Some of the buyers who had defaulted in payments are now getting notices from Debt Recovery Tribunal. We are paying EMIs for a property that does not exist, said a buyer Mohammad Shafiq.



The buyers are now banking on the legal remedies. They have moved the National Consumer Bankruptcy Rights Centre in December 2014, and the case still remains pending.



The buyers say they have time and again approached the builder who has washed his hands off the tragedy.



Rajiv Kumar Mishra said, When this incident happened, we met the builder in jail and asked him to return the money. He said he will pay the money once he is out of jail. Once he came out, he didnt do anything. He kept giving deadlines to repay our money and breached it every time. We had no option but take a legal action against the builder for not reimbursing the money we have lost. The matter is still pending before the court as the builder is seeking time on some pretext or the other. We will wait for this judgement and move the Apex Court if we dont get a positive order.



For these buyers, there is no light at the end of the tunnel at least in the short-term. The buyers have knocked on the doors of both the Chief Ministers office and the Prime Ministers office and hope both the Governments come to their rescue.



In what turned out be a case of dark irony, the project had two towers- faith and belief - but literally and metaphorically, both did not last long.
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday dismissed speculations of the state moving back on the new liquor law and asserted that there is no question of "diluting" after advertisements of excise department appeared seeking public opinion on it.



Kumar categorically said there was no question of going back on prohibition or "diluting" the liquor law. "Prohibition has been enforced and will continue with all strength," he said.



His remarks came in the wake of excise department's advertisement in newspapers seeking opinion of the public, particularly that of critics of the new Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016 notified on October 2.



Kumar said the government has invited suggestions till November 12 as to how to make the liquor law "non-draconian and non-Talibani".



"People will be invited on November 14 for suggestions which I myself will hear," he said.



Kumar had gone to Delhi on Tuesday to discuss the appeal filed by Bihar government in Supreme Court against quashing of the Prohibition of Liquor Act by Patna High Court with senior lawyer Gopal Subramaniam.



He said he had discussed every aspect of the anti-alcohol law with him.



"Gopal Subramanium has fully supported prohibition and is arguing for the state in Supreme Court at a token fee of Re 1 only. I had talks with him over telephone and I decided to meet him and discuss every aspect of the Excise Act with him," Kumar told reporters.



Principal Additional Advocate General Lalit Kishore, Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh and Principal Secretary to Home and Excise Department Amir Subhani had accompanied him, the chief minister said.



The Bihar Chief Minister said a study on social and economic dimensions of prohibition is being conducted.



Referring to allegations that he has no other work than prohibition, he said his Grand Secular Alliance government in the state had launched 'seven resolves' which started "20-25 new schemes for welfare of people".



Kumar launched a skill development scheme for youths to provide them better prospects in jobs.



A total of 74 courses have been decided for sharpening skills of youths and would be implemented by different departments, he added.
A verbal battle ensued between Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Police personnel after the former was detained at the Mandir Marg Police Station for disruption of duty.Rahul was detained outside the RML Hospital when he tried to meet the family members of an ex-servicemen who allegedly committed suicide over the non-implementation of the one-rank, one-pension scheme on Tuesday evening.In a video shot inside the police station, the Congress leader is seen lashing out at a group of policemen for taking into custody few relatives of Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal.Do you not feel ashamed? He is a son of an army veteran... and you are arresting them?" an angry Rahul Gandhi said, pointing towards the deceased soldiers son.When a policeman said the force was just doing its job, Rahul said, What kind of job is this?"Pointing to Grewal's son and brother, Rahul demanded their release and termed their detention as "shameful"."What is your name? You think the family of India's martyr should be arrested? Do you not feel ashamed?" Rahul asked a senior police official.He was released after a 70-minute detention."A martyr's family is arrested. This is Modi ji's India," he earlier told reporters outside RML Hospital.(With PTI inputs)
Top sources told News18 that seven Pakistan diplomats left India with their families on Wednesday.

Syed Farruq Habib was functioning as the station chief of ISI in the high commission, Indian intelligence sources told News18.

In a tit-for-tit measure, Pakistan has accused two diplomats working at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad of being involved in activities to destabilise Pakistan by facilitating and funding terrorism paving the way for their eventual expulsion from the country.Pakistani news channel Geo TV reported that Commercial Counselor Rajesh Kumar Agnihotri and press officer Balbir Singh were reportedly running a network of individuals involved in subversive activities in Pakistan. Agnihotri is working for RAW and Singh for IB, the report said, adding that more names of spies posing as diplomats at the Indian High Commission would be revealed soon.The retaliatory accusations come on the same day that two top intelligence officials working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi returned home after a spy caught by Delhi Police last week blew the cover off an elaborate espionage ring operating out of the mission.Trade counsellor Syed Farruq Habib and press officer Mudassir Cheema went home by the 3.30 pm New Delhi-Lahore flight on Tuesday. Habib and Cheema were among the four intelligence operatives named by Akhtar in his confession that was videotaped. He had also named Farruqs deputy Khadim Hussain and Major Shahid Iqbal.Akhtar, who was nabbed by Delhi Police outside the Delhi Zoo on Friday, had returned to Pakistan on Saturday after he was declared a persona non grata.Immediately after Akhtar was detained, Pakistan had expelled Surjeet Singh, an Indian employee working at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, for conduct not in accordance with his diplomatic status. Singh returned to India on Saturday.A Geo TV report quoted Pakistani sources as alleging that Surjeet Singh had possessed a fake card of a mobile phone company under the name Abdul Hafeez.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the security arrangements along the border areas after Pakistani Rangers resorted to heavy firing and shelling on the Line of Control (LoC), killing seven civilians, on Tuesday.



The meet to discuss border situation is being attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.



Two young boys, a teenage girl, two women and a man were among the seven civilians killed on Tuesday when Pakistani troops violated ceasefire by shelling border hamlets and posts with mortar bombs along the Ramgarh sector at Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir.



Condemning the attack by Pakistan Rangers on the civilians, J&K Deputy CM Nirmal Singh slammed Pakistan and claimed that it is frustrated after Surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army on September 29.



Further, accusing Pakistan of violating the Vienna Convention, Singh urged the World Committee to come forward and deal with it.



Earlier on Tuesday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag and other top officials to take a stock of the situation along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.



Noteworthy, India retaliated to Pakistan's attack in border areas by destroying 14 Pakistani bases along the LoC and killing 3 Pakistani soldiers on Tuesday.
I offer to rebuild the 27 schools burnt in Kashmir.  Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (@SriSri) November 1, 2016

Art of Living Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Tuesday offered to rebuild 27 schools in the valley after unidentified men set ablaze the District Institute of Education and Training in Kashmir in the wee hours.He made this announcement on social networking site Twitter.Reportedly, over the last few weeks, the police have identified 35 suspects and arrested 21 persons from Kulagam and Anantnag, where most of the schools were burnt down .Meanwhile, the police is questioning the suspect while continuing with the probe.On Tuesday the authorities shut down 174 schools near the Indo-Pak border following heavy shelling and firing by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.At least 7 civilians have lost their lives, mostly women and children in cross border firing and around 20 were injured after Pakistani Rangers repeatedly violated the ceasefire near the International border.Earlier on October 31, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court directed the police and civil administration to ensure the protection of the civilians as increasing number of schools were being burnt in the Valley triggering outrage.The court also ordered the officials to unmask the mysterious enemies of education and deal with them with an iron hand.
A Vatican directive barring Catholics from scattering ashes of the dead, a central practice among Hindus, has raised the hackles of Hindu organisations, who slam it as narrow-mindedness and an unnecessary restriction on the faithful from adopting best practices based in science only because its origins lie in other religions.



The Vatican last week issued guidelines that seek to prevent Catholics from scattering the ashes of the dead into the water, or anywhere else, and decreed that they may only be stored in an urn and kept in a church. The document issued by the Vaticans doctrinal watchdog, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), and also approved by Pope Francis said that many modern cremation practices increasingly reflected non-Christian ideas about fusion with Mother Nature and ran counter to Christianitys central belief in resurrection.



(The church) cannot, therefore, 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, the Vatican document said, adding that while it was not against cremation per se it continues to recommend that the bodies of the deceased be buried in cemeteries or other sacred places.



The Vatican document did not specifically refer to Hinduism or any other faith in the document, but its target appeared to be in no doubt. Hindus regard death as liberation of the soul from the body and as another stage in the cycle of regeneration of the being.



Predictably, the Vaticans decree has raised the hackles of Hindu organisations, who view it as a reaction from the church to the growing popularity of cremation and scattering of ashes.



The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said the Vaticans decree showed its narrow-mindedness



When Hinduism inspires other religions to adopt certain good practices, why are adverse guidelines issued? This actually shows the narrow minded attitude of the Vatican. Hindu religion has certain good practices, and if any religion is inspired to carry out the same, why put sudden restrictions? asked VHP spokesperson Vijay Shankar Tiwari.



Others cautioned the Indian government from getting influenced by the Vaticans rulings and warned of major retaliation if such a thing was sought to be enforced in India.



Why are they (the Vatican) questioning the practice of cremating a body and scattering the ashes? If this view in any manner hampers the practice of the Hindus, then we will strongly oppose it. The government must steer clear of letting such views affect the religious customs in India, said Pooja Shakun Pandey of the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM), adding that the government must not provide space for such views in India.



Added Tiwari of VHP: If any political rulings are given based on such a decision by the Vatican then VHP will leave no stone unturned to retaliate and make its voice heard.



Hindu groups say the practice of cremating and scattering ashes have a scientific basis and it was this facet that made it popular among adherents of other faiths, and suggest the Vaticans latest intervention appeared aimed at preventing the spread of competing ideas among the faithful.



They are issuing these guidelines in the garb of protecting the sanctity of the religion, but it is nothing but a mere joke. Our Vedas have inspired generations in America and China because all our custom and practices are based on scientific proofs. I am confident Indians wont be inspired by such ludicrous rulings by the Vatican, said the ABHM chief.



For centuries the Catholic Church forbade cremation altogether, primarily because of the teaching that Christians will be raised from the grave ahead of the Day of Judgment. The ban was finally lifted in 1963 in a landmark Vatican document which accepted that there were often pressing social and sanitary needs for cremation. The Vatican, however, urges Catholics to choose burial wherever possible.



Christian groups in India said the Vaticans latest directive was not mandatory and bishops could always make exceptions to the ruling.



This is just another custom among the Christians. I know people in Italy who preferred to be buried along with their pets. So there are other extreme situations as well, said Father Savarimuthu Shankar, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Delhi.



On the possibility of the diktat influencing customs of other religion in India, he said: Its a strict guideline only for the Catholics, not even for all Christians. Then how can it influence other religions?








If the latest rumours are anything to go by, actress Mahira Khan has been replaced in Shah Rukh Khans much-awaited film Raees. However, the films producer Farhan Akhtar clearly mentioned in one of his recent interviews that she is still a part of the film.Farhan also stated that Raees was already finished, and the parts which featured Mahira were already shot. Hence, in no way could the actress be 'dropped' from the film.Raees was originally planned for Eid 2016 release, however, Shah Rukh Khan and Excel finalized the date for the Republic Day weekend in January 2017.Farhan further added that had he shot Raees after the Uri attacks whichkilled 19 military personnel, the team wouldnt have roped in any Pakistani artiste.Akhtar had recently lashed out on MNS who allegedly demanded a 5 crore donation for Army from the makers of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, for a safe release of the film.Akhtar slammed MNS for demanding filmmakers to contribute Rs 5 crore to Army welfare fund as penance for casting Pakistani artistes in their films, and said that it has set a terrible precedent. During a press conference, the director turned actor made it clear that he does not support such extortion and the government should protect the makers if the film has been made lawfully."There is no question of paying any money as the Army has itself denied any money which seems extorted from the producers," Akhtar had said.
New Delhi: The alleged suicide of an ex-servicemen reportedly over the governments failure to implement the one-rank, one-pension scheme, took a sharp political turn on Wednesday when politicians making a beeline to meet his family were detained by the Delhi Police.

While Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was stopped from entering the Lady Hardinge Hospital, where the body of Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal was kept for post-mortem, his deputy Manish Sisodia was detained at the RML Hospital where he tried to meet the relatives of the deceased veteran. The 70-year-old veterans body was kept at the RML Hospital before being moved to Lady Hardinge.

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi was also prevented from entering the RML Hospital and detained at the Mandir Marg police station for 70 minutes before being released. Hours later, he was detained again while trying to meet the veterans family. Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia was also detained.

Grewal, from Haryanas Bhiwani district, allegedly consumed poison in the lawns behind the Jawahar Bhavan, which houses the Ministry of External Affairs, on Tuesday evening.

Police said he along with three of his companions had come to the city apparently to submit a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP.

(With PTI inputs)

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                  ?

      ?  Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) November 2, 2016

      65        23         Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) November 2, 2016

 RML hospital           ,        ?  Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) November 2, 2016

Manish Sisodia detained? He had gone to meet family of deceased Ram Kishan ji. He is elected Dy CM. Whats wrong wid u Modiji? So insecure?  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

: Delhi Police On Wednesday released Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi after he was detained for over an hour while trying to meet the kin of dead ex-serviceman Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal at Delhi's RML Hospital, Delhi's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) chief Mukesh Kumar Meena said."Rahul Gandhi has been detained at Mandir Marg Police Station for 'disruption of duty' after he wasn't allowed to enter RML hospital to meet ex-serviceman Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal's family", Meena told reporters."No politician is allowed in the hospital and they were causing disturbances. Democracy doesn't mean creating obstruction. Leaders must also understand that hospital is not the place to hold any demonstrations," Meena said."Family members of Grewal were detained as well as they were contacting political leaders and holding demonstration here," Meena added.Gandhi had gone to the hospital to meet the family members of Grewal after he committed suicide by consuming poison on Wednesday at Jantar Mantar over the delay in implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP).Infuriated Congress workers staged a protest outside Mandir Marg Police Station after Delhi Police detained Rahul Gandhi. Senior Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala and Kiran Choudhary were also detained by Delhi Police.Also read: Ex-Serviceman Commits Suicide At Jantar Mantar Over OROP, Arvind Kejriwal Attacks Centre Reacting on the issue senior Congress leader and Raja Sabha member Ahmed Patel told reporters, "The way government is working since day 1 is anti-democratic, this is a well thought conspiracy to stop Rahul Gandhi wherever he goes."Political slugfest began over the alleged suicide of ex-serviceman Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal in Delhi after Rahul and AAP leader Manish Sisodia were prevented from meeting Grewals kin at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RML) on Wednesday.After not being allowed to meet family of ex-serviceman in RML Hospital, a disgruntled Rahul said, Naya Hindustan ban raha hai bhaiya this is Modijis india, I am certain that I will meet Grewal's family.Speaking to CNN-News18 Rahul Gandhi said, "I was not allowed to visit Grewal's kin because of government's non-democratic mentality...OROP Must be implemented in a meaningful way to satisfy our ex-servicemen"Earlier, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia was detained by police at RML on Wednesday while speaking to the family of the retired soldier who committed suicide."A former soldier commits suicide due to actions of the central government and I get detained just for talking to his family. This is too much," Sisodia tweeted later.Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal too attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Sisodia's detention.Earlier, highlighting the plight of ex-servicemen, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called him a "liar".In a series of Tweets, Kejriwal had expressed grief over the incident and asked the entire country to fight for the rights of Jawans.Read: OROP Row: All You Need to Know About Contentious Issues Between Government & Ex-Servicemen Blaming Defence Minister Parrikar over Grewal's death, in a fresh video released on Twitter, Kejriwal on Wednesday said, "It is a matter of pity that for the past more than one year, ex-servicemen are protesting at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar for their right but Parrikar ignored it. Grewal sacrificed his life as mark of protest against government's lackadaisical attitude"."Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "lying about OROP implementation. If he implemented OROP then why did Grewal commit suicide? ...the BJP has betrayed the nation on OROP and surgical strike", said a miffed Kejriwal.Ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal hailing from Haryana's Bhiwani district allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison on Wednesday at Jantar Mantar over the delay in OROP, Delhi Police said.The 70-year-old ex-serviceman left a suicide note in which he said that he was taking this extreme step for the benefit of soldiers, sources told CNN-News18.According to CNN-News18, Grewal was drawing Rs 23,000 as pension instead of Rs 28,000 and he had written a letter to the Home Ministry describing his plight but the government denies receiving any such letter.Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday expressed his condolences over Grewal's death and asked for details regarding the incident from the department of ex-servicemen welfare.The suicide comes two days after Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in a veiled attack on Congress over One Rank One Pension (OROP) for soldiers, had said that Narendra Modi government was the first regime to implement this scheme unlike others who merely paid "lip service" to the issue.One Rank One Pension (OROP), or "same pension, for same rank, for same length of service, irrespective of the date of retirement", has been a longstanding demand of the Indian armed forces and veterans.Ex-servicemen had in January protested massively over the issue of One Rank One pension (OROP) moving from Jantar Mantar to Finance Minister Arun Jaitleys residence whose Ministry, according to them, was responsible for the delay in OROP implementation.The implementation of the one rank, one pension (OROP) for ex-Servicemen has been a perpetual source of discontent for the veterans community as their key objections have allegedly remained unaddressed.
Rahul Gandhi and top Congress leaders were on Wednesday detained twice as a high-voltage political drama unfolded here following the alleged suicide by a former soldier over OROP, prompting the party vice president to demand an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi."The least this government can do is to apologise to the family of the deceased soldier for making them suffer," said an angry Gandhi after being finally released at night amid strong protests by party leaders.At a joint press conference at the AICC headquarters, former Defence Minister A K Antony warned that "things will be difficult" if the government did not implement the OROP in toto immediately and remove the pay commission anomalies.Holding the Modi government responsible for the suicide of Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal (70), a resident of Bhiwani district in Haryana, Antony and party chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala demanded that Prime Minister apologise to the nation and the armed forces for "misleading them" that OROP has been implemented."The present government is responsible for this suicide. Modi government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister, is talking for last one year that they have implemented OROP fully, but have not yet done so. They have diluted the OROP as implemented by UPA."Government must implement OROP in toto at the earliest and remove all pay commission anomalies otherwise things will be difficult," Antony said, adding had everything been implemented fully this tragedy would not have happened.He added, "If is government has any kind of loyalty left for armed forces, my humble request to Prime Minister is please apologise to the nation and the families of soldiers for misleading them that OROP has been implemented. Such action has been unheart of in the history of India."Rahul Gandhi after his release said, "The minimum that government should do is to apologise to the family of the deceased ex-serviceman." The family has made a sacrifice and what has happened to them (their detention) is wrong, he added.The Congress immediately latched on to the issue after reports of the suicide came in the morning with party leaders taking to the streets. Rahul Gandhi went to RML Hospital to meet the bereaved family and express his condolences, but was taken into custody and kept at Mandir Marg police station. He was again detained at the Tilak Marg police station and released late at night.Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia also met similar fate.Striking a defiant note, Congress declared that Rahul Gandhi will agitate for the cause of soldiers no matter how many times he has to go to jail."Rahul Gandhi is unfazed and no matter how many times he has to go to jail, he will continue to agitate for the cause of soldiers," said Surjewala.
The court actually asked the government advocate repeatedly: why are you insisting on celebrating a warrior? If you have to, there are many warriors you need to celebrate then. If what he did contribute to the freedom struggle, it may have merited... But there is no public interest in this... We too know our history, said Pavan Chandra Shetty, advocate for the petitioner KP Manjunath, a farmer from Kodagu (Coorg) district.

Protests against Tipu have been most vocal in Kodagu, 250 kms from capital Bengaluru, where Tipu is a much-hated figure. Kodava legends mourn the invasions of Tipu and his forcible conversions to Islam.

The Karnataka governments grand plans to celebrate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan has met with a cold shoulder from the Karnataka High Court, which wondered how the common public will benefit from a government-sponsored function to celebrate the anniversary of the 17th Century Mysore ruler.Making its observations on a petition filed by a farmer, the court asked: Why not let him (Tipu) rest in peace, how will celebrating his birth anniversary benefit the public in any way?The courts observations come amidst protests from different sections of people across the state, primarily the BJP and the RSS. The protestors have been questioning the rationale behind observing Tipu Jayanthi on November 10. Most of the protestors have argued the logic of the government holding a grand celebration of a warrior who ruled two centuries ago whose legacy is at best divisive.The governments argument that Tipu fought valiantly against the British has not gone down well either  with most pointing out that if he fought the British, it was to protect or expand his own kingdom, not as part of any freedom struggle. Tipu, in fact, met his death in 1799  over a 100 years before India got independence.The Congress government in Karnataka started celebrating Tipu Jayanthi only last year with a grand function in the Vidhana Soudha  but protests had turned violent, particularly in Kodagu district where two people died in rioting.The preliminary hearing that began on Wednesday has been adjourned to Thursday, when the Advocate General is likely to argue the States case. The petition also points to last years violence, arguing that the celebration of Tipu Jayanthi will leading to communal disharmony.The state government has so far defended its move in public, arguing that Tipu was one of the most progressive and secular rulers of his time  he is credited with building the worlds first rocket, got together a navy, and was even known for big grants to many temples in the region  especially the Sringeri temple which had been looted during a Maratha invasion.The RSS, in the meantime, has announced plans for a series of protests  a protest by women activists holding an onake (Kannada word for a long pestle/ wooden club) was held on Wednesday in Chitradurga, where the story of Onake Obbavva is a part of legend. Obbavva is known as the wife of a guard who saw enemy soldiers approaching the Chitradurga fort and killed them one by one with an onake.A seminar is planned on November 5, and another big demonstration in Bengalurus Town Hall on November 8  two days before Tipu Jayanthi.
The strapping six-footer Naseemuddin is from Banda in Bundelkhand, and won his first election in 1991 against the sitting MLA and a state minister. Since then he has never looked back.

"BJP and SP are the two sides of the same coin. Together they have engineered 400 riots in UP over the last four years," he tells the audience in this minority-dominated locality.

"Wo chilman ke is par se dekhein, hum chilman ke us par se dekhein,

Laga do aag chilman mein, na ye dekhein na wo dekhein."

It's the first working day after an extended Diwali break, stretching the office hour rush to well past 11am. Amid honking two-wheelers and fume-belching auto-rickshaws a small cavalcade tries to manoeuvre past the traffic snarls on Lucknow-Sultanpur highway.Every inch of the roadside space is plastered with buntings and hoardings. CM Akhilesh Yadav will kick-start his election campaign from the state capital on Thursday. Naseemuddin Siddiqui takes a look around, dons his trademark shades and tries to focus on work at hand.The BSP leader, party's Muslim face and perhaps one of the most trusted lieutenants of Mayawati, is on his way to Mohanlalgunj. Thirty five kilometres from Lucknow, Naseemuddin will be addressing a bhaichara sammelan in support of the party candidate, a retired IAS officer contesting on BSP ticket.He's stood by Behenji through the thick and thin. As the party faces, perhaps, its toughest political challenge after being wiped out of the last Lok Sabha polls, Siddiqui has been entrusted with a key task in the new socio-political alliance BSP is attempting to cement before the upcoming polls: the Dalit-Muslim combination."SP will be reduced to less than 60 seats. And we are way ahead of BJP," he tells party workers at a brief stopover before the public meeting. With the SP imploding, it is BSP which is now trying to make UP polls a BJP vs BSP contest. The political message to the minorities is clear: a strong BSP with a solid Dalit vote bank is better placed to take on the BJP.This precisely has also been the preponderant message in Mayawati's rallies over the last two months. She was the first one to raise the issue of Dalits being flogged in Una during the Monsoon session of parliament. Ever since then, the larger political message from the BSP has been that both Dalits and Muslims have been at the receiving end under the current dispensation in Delhi.Naseemuddin Siddiqui takes the same message to the masses, albeit, at the micro level. It's an onerous task. And there are reasons for that.In politics, it is perception that counts. Perhaps that's the only thing which matters. It's been almost two decades that BSP last struck a post-poll alliance with the BJP to form the government here. So it is not without reason and purpose that Siddiqui launches into a long-winding declamation on Mulayam Singh Yadav and his politics."Do you know Mulayam Singh and Kalyan Singh were the minister in the same Janta Party government in 1977," he says.The crowd listens in. Siddiqui makes an earnest appeal to Muslims to give BSP one chance, for once to join hands with the Dalits.Then pauses, looks around and ends his speech with an urdu couplet:
Communications Minister Manoj Sinha said that the government is planning to set up a platform in the next one month through which subscribers can directly give their feedback on call drops.



"We are setting up a platform through which the consumers will be able to directly give their feedback to the government, especially regarding call drops," Sinha told reporters in a press meet.



He was briefing media after holding a meeting with telecom service providers' CEOs on the call drop issue.



Talking about the 100-day plan floated by the operators where they had assured that 60,000 base transceiver stations (BTS) will be set up with an investment of Rs 12,000 crore, the minister said: "They have met the target of setting up 60,000 BTS, rather exceeded that target."



Bharti Airtel has installed 22,000 BTS, Idea Cellular, 25,382 and Vodafone, 13,870, the minister said, adding that Reliance Jio, which was not part of the 60,000 BTS plan, has additionally set up 35,000 BTS.



Sinha said call drops should be wiped out from the country.



The telecom operators also discussed the next phase of action for better services with the minister.



"Consumers are of paramount importance. They should not be affected," the minister added.


After Sundays violent attacks in the Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh where around a 3,000-strong mob attacked over a dozen Hindu temples and hundreds of minority households, the Dhaka Tribune reported on Tuesday that the Hindu community in the area is now considering moving to India to save their lives.



The Bangladesh daily also said the community is now being forced to resort to the India option, something they didnt have to even in the face of the 1971 liberation war in Bangladesh with Pakistani Army on the rampage.



Speaking to News18 in New Delhi, Farid Hossain, Minister Press at Bangladesh High Commission, dismissed the report and said that these were regular incidents and in no way would compel Bangladeshi citizens to leave their home country.



This is a stray incident and it has happened in the past as well. The attackers in such cases have often been arrested by the ruling government and a delegation has been sent there to create peace in the disturbed area, he said Hossain.



The Press Minister said Brahmanbaria was an area of religious bigots, and stressed that it was a violence prone zone.



The Brahmanbaria incident which was triggered by a social media post has again brought the atrocities committed towards the minorities in Bangladesh after of a series of murders of atheist bloggers.



Such incidences have happened in the past in this area, and this place is also a haven for the cadres of Islamic fundamentalists. This area also houses a lot of madarasas where students clash with people opposing their views. However this violence was controlled by timely action of the government, Hosain said



Nazrul Islam, Editor of Newsnext Bangladesh, an online web daily, told News18 that not only the district was violence prone but there is a sense of insecurity among the minority residents of the area. The attackers were mere fanatics. But such incidents have been growing in the past; take the recent attack on Hindus and Buddhists in Chittagong and Sylhet, he said.



The rally which led to the bloody attack on the Hindus was called by local leaders of the radical Islamist groups Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and Hefazat-e-Islam.



Criticizing the time lapse of the authorities in preventing the situation, Nazrul said the government in such a situation often blamed the right wing political parties, and this blame-game often led to the escape of the real culprits.



Deb Mukharji, former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, said claims of Hindus migrating to India is nothing but a rumour which is fuelled by the radical Islamic organizations to further bolster their agenda to drive away Hindus from Bangladesh.



This is not the first attack to have happened on a temple or minority homes. There have been graver incidents in the past, and this in no way can compel them to leave Bangladesh. During the allocation of enclaves recently, majority of Hindus in Bangladesh chose to stay back there instead of coming to India, so why would they do so now? Mukharji told News18.



However, Minister Press Hossain seemed to agree that Hindus of Bangladesh were looking out to India. When some atrocities are unleashed over HindusI agree that they do come to India leaving their native land. There are families who are educating their children in India, and this incident might have sparked this migration rumour because not only temples were not attacked but even the houses of locals were not spared.



This attack also comes close on the heels of the government of India mulling over a new Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, which seeks to provide citizenship to minority communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who fall victim to religious persecution.



Mukharji said that NDA governments move to confer citizenship based on religion is a thoroughly bad idea. He says, How should we react if Pakistan decides to grant citizenship to Muslims from other countries that are facing persecution? We cannot ignore the plight of Ahmadiyyas, Shias, or the Bengali Rohingyas. Such a badly thought out move will have major political repercussions.



Hossain chose not to comment on it. He says, It is an internal move by the government of India which merits no comment.
Islamabad: Accusing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of corruption and financial wrong doings, Pakistan opposition leader Imran Khan on Wednesday said he was "eagerly" waiting to see the premier and his younger brother and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif behind bars.



Addressing thousands of his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) supporters at Parade Ground here, Khan accused Sharif of transferring corruption money out of the country to let his children buy properties abroad which they manage through offshore companies as mentioned in the Panama leaks.



Three of Sharif's four children are said to be owners of offshore companies, according to the Panama Papers.



Khan had yesterday turned his proposed million men protest march in capital to force Sharif to step-down to a thanksgiving gathering after Supreme Court agreed to hear petitions against Sharif in the corruption cases.



"I am eagerly waiting for the day when Nawaz (Sharif) and his brother (Shahbaz) are put behind bars (for corruption)," he said to the applause of his workers.



He said the Supreme Court has started the accountability of Sharif and hopefully his fate will be sealed soon.



Sharif and his family have dismissed the allegations of money laundering and denied any wrongdoing but the opposition is demanding an independent probe.



Khan also blasted Sharif's government for using police to stop workers from coming to his protest and alleged that even women supporters were beaten by the police.



He said that it was the people's right under a democracy to stage a protest against corruption.
Islamabad: European Union Ambassador Jean Francois Cautain has said that the 28-nation bloc is working to defuse ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.



"The EU is raising the issue of Kashmir with different stakeholders," Ambassador Francois was quoted by Associated Press of Pakistan as saying. He said EU's diplomatic efforts were an ongoing process and were not always visible to the people, the Express News reported.



He said the EU was taking the issue of alleged human rights violation with both India and Pakistan. He stressed that both sides had to sit at the negotiating table to resolve the issue.
Baghdad: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has warned Turkey against provoking a confrontation while saying he does not want war, after Ankara deployed tanks and artillery near the border.



Turkey on Tuesday insisted that it will play a role in the battle to retake Mosul from the Islamic State group, but Baghdad has rejected this assertion and repeatedly called on Ankara to withdraw troops it has deployed near the jihadist-held city.



"The invasion of Iraq will lead to Turkey being dismantled," Abadi said at a televised news conference. "We do not want war with Turkey, and we do not want a confrontation with Turkey," he said.



"But if a confrontation happens, we are ready for it. We will consider (Turkey) an enemy and we will deal with it as an enemy," Abadi said.



Turkish military sources said Tuesday that it had deployed tanks and artillery to southeastern districts near the Iraqi border.



The 30-vehicle convoy left Ankara for Silopi, the sources told AFP, adding that it was now close to Adana province in southern Turkey.



Turkey's Defence Minister Fikri Isik said the deployment was part of Ankara's preparation for "important developments in the region", referring to Kurdish rebels inside the country and events in Iraq.



"Turkey is preparing in advance for whatever happens (and) this is one element of that," he said, quoted by the official news agency Anadolu.



It is the latest escalation in a protracted dispute between Baghdad and Ankara that has seen repeated calls from Baghdad for Turkish troops to be withdrawn, and increasingly belligerent and dismissive remarks from top Turkish officials.



A military confrontation between the two countries would be a disaster for Iraq, whose forces are tied down in the battle for Mosul that it launched on October 17.
Washington: The White House is not in loop of sensitive probes conducted by career prosecutors with the FBI's assistance, a top US official has said.



White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the White House stays out of providing any guidance or influencing any sort of criminal investigation.



His remarks came in the wake of FBI Director James Comey's decision to re-open investigations into the alleged email scandal of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.



For the past few days, Comey is under fire from the ruling Democratic party for his decision.



"There's a reason he was appointed. Obama continues to have confidence in his ability to do that job," Earnest told reporters while travelling with Obama from Washington to Ohio for various election rallies in support of Clinton.



Asked what advice Obama will eventually offer to his successor, Earnest said he cannot say right now.



"The president's not just having a good time, he looks like he's having a good time. I think he's mindful of the fact that over the course of this week this will essentially be the last big campaign swing of his political career," he said.



"So I think he's looking forward to making a spirited case on behalf of Secretary Clinton as well as Democrats up and down the ballot. Part of this is an indication of exactly how big he thinks the stakes are in this election," Earnest said.



In the last week of the presidential election to elect his successor, Obama is on a campaign blitz addressing rallies in key battleground States like North Carolina, Ohio and Florida.



On reports of an FBI investigation into Trump's connection to Russian associates, Earnest did not confirm the probe.



At the same time he reiterated the importance of the White House staying out of the Department of Justice and FBI's way in their prosecutorial and investigative decisions, whether there's an election around the corner or not.



Earnest brought up the recent intelligence findings about Russian involvement in cyber breaches, but did not connect them to Trump.



"The president is certainly mindful and monitoring threats to our political system that could be emanating from Russia," he said.



"But any sort of criminal investigation that is conducted is one that is led by career prosecutors with the assistance of the FBI, they are going to follow the facts where they lead, they will carefully examine the evidence, and they will make the prosecutorial and investigative decisions that are required to reach a conclusion. That is something that they will do without any guidance or influence by the White House," Earnest said.



On the release of FBI information on the Clinton-era pardon of Mark Rich, Earnest said he did see the tweet from the FBI records vault.



"I did see the tweet from the FBI Records Vault. That's the first time I've ever noticed a tweet from the FBI Records Vault," he said.






The Virginia Department of Transportation no longer plans to purchase the former Montvale High School property from Bedford County, owner of the property.

VDOT said in a News & Advance interview in August it planned to purchase the property and demolish it to make room for a new area headquarters building. The new headquarters would replace VDOTs aging facility in Irving.

According to the Bedford County Geographic Information System, the land was valued at $259,200 as of this year.

Jason Bond, communications manager for VDOT's Salem District, said at the time VDOT set out to purchase the building, it was unaware the property was eligible for a historical designation by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. VDOT learned of the propertys eligibility in mid-September and withdrew their offer to purchase the building.

We are currently looking for another property in that same vicinity, he said.

At some point, someone probably pursued having the property listed, Bond said.

Just because its eligible on the list doesnt mean its historic. It poses a problem for us as an agency because we try to avoid impacting those types of properties, he said.

He said the agency prefers a location with access to U.S. 460 with water and sewer and where staff would not have to cross the Norfolk-Southern Railroad line.

County Administrator Carl Boggess said the Bedford County Board of Supervisors feels it is unfortunate VDOT opted not to purchase the property.

The board will be discussing the future uses of the property within the next six months, he said.

In April, the board voted unanimously after a closed session to authorize a contract with VDOT for the sale of the old Montvale school, which sits on about nine acres.

The former Montvale High School building is one of four vacant school buildings within the county and town of Bedford including Thaxton and Body Camp elementary schools and the former Bedford Middle School, known as Old Yellow.
Virginias public universities will likely have to budget for a 7.5 percent decrease in state funding in the next fiscal year, according to a Tuesday letter sent from the governors office to public university presidents and chancellors.

The letter from Gov. Terry McAuliffe's Chief of Staff Paul Reagan  obtained by The Roanoke Times through the Virginia Freedom of Information Act  instructs universities to begin preparing for a reduction in state funding, which mostly pays for personnel and general functions of a university.

The cuts will come from the general fund's appropriation, but will be adjusted so financial aid from the state will not be impacted. The exact figure of how much money will be cut at each school will be determined by the state Department of Planning and Budget.

Tech's total budget is $1.5 billion, Radford's is $206 million.

State funds represent a sizable, but shrinking, fraction of university budgets. Much of Tech and Radfords budgets are paid for through tuition, fees and grants.

The move comes after the state experienced an approximately $1.5 billion budget shortfall this year.

Executive branch agencies were instructed to prepare savings plans equal to 7.5 percent, of their expected funds from the state, according to the letter. Many of those agencies experienced cuts this year. Despite the shortfall this year, state appropriations at public universities had been protected.

McAuliffe doesnt want the decrease in state support to represent a hike in student cost, according to the letter.

Tuition and fee increases beyond what was already being proposed in an institutions six-year plan should not be considered as a mechanism to offset these reductions, the letter said.

Radford University President Brian Hemphill addressed the shortfall with the university community in an email sent to faculty, staff and students Tuesday. He wrote that university officials will soon begin meeting with leadership teams of various business units across campus to meet the governors guidelines.

This budgetary development will not deter our strategic focus on excellence, nor will it deter our vision to transform Radford into an innovative, premier university within the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond, with a focus on teaching, research and service, Hemphill wrote.

Spokespeople at Virginia Tech did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the budget cuts.
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Unicomer VP: TT economy will bounce back

Speaking to reporters following the official opening of the nations first Ashley Furniture Homestore (AHS) Chaguanas yesterday, Guerrero observed that the company considered itself a long term operator in the market and studied those countries in which they had investments in the long term future. We are very confident that the Trinidadian market will recover, there are bound to be ups and downs, but we believe that over time, the future looks very good and we will continue to support in the ways that we can, Guerrero said. Asked whether the economy was presently experiencing a down cycle, he said, well, the economy, it has been weak since oil crisis but we believe that it is now stabilising. Its actually recovering a little bit and normally all these cycles, they are very quick to go down, but the recovery is a little bit slower but I think that we have to continue to perserve and maintain a positive outlook, we are confident that we are going to get there, he added.

Delivering the feature address earlier, Guerrero said, In Trinidad, we have continued to invest with confidence in the future, expanding our store chains across the country to provide greater access to our products and services to the twin island state and creating new employment opportunities.
Unions are not an osbtacle to profitability

The conference announced the union of Caribbean trade unions who are affiliated with UNI Finance, to lobby for union representation for employees of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC).

De Cristo urged employers to not see trade unions as problematic, but as an asset to the companys profitability. He said, We had a financial crisis which started in the US. And in the US, there is no trade union representation in the banking industry, in the banking sector. And then, we have some signs that this crisis is not over, small signs that this crisis is not over, and we are concerned. What we are demanding, is to have a real...dialogue between the trade unions and the companies, because the trade unions know very well the territory where the banking is acting. They can also advise the banking sector in the Caribbean how they can manage for example, commercial problems. Its advice, not to impose. Its a dialogue...

What we want is a dialogue between the banks and the trade unions, to give the right to collective bargaining, to give better conditions to our workers. I think we have to break this kind of idea that the trade unions are an obstacle to have benefits, and also in terms of profitability, when the contrary is true. Meanwhile, president of the Bahamas Finance Sector Union, Theresa Mortimer, affirmed that when employees are happy, then their employers are happy. Like de Cristo, she emphasised that the relationship between a trade union and employer can be a positive one.

In fact, de Cristo echoed her sentiment that when the employee is treated well, then the employer will reap the benefits, financial and otherwise.

David Massiah, General Secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union, explained that the alliance of trade unions across the Caribbean will allow the various unions to make headway in discussions with RBC across the Caribbean to advance the cause of the workers represented by them.
Haitian student ordered deported

The student, Luxon Saint-Herve was on October 25 ordered to secure an airline ticket to return to Haiti by November 5 after being told by local immigration officials that he does not satisfy the requirements to study in Trinidad and Tobago according to ESC Chairman Kafra Kambon.

In an open letter to Chief Immigration Officer Charmaine Ghandi-Andrews and copied to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, Kambon called on Ghandi-Andrews to prevent the deportation which, will pain all those who possess a sense of humanity and bring shame and disgrace upon our nation. Saint-Herve came to TT on August 16 to pursue an associate degree at Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperative Studies (CCLCS).

Kambon said, he met all the academic requirements to pursue studies in project management, but being a French speaker he was required to pursue two developmental courses.

Coming from difficult circumstances, Kambon said that it took tremendous sacrifice from family members, friends and organisations to get him to Trinidad.

A TT national also undertook to sponsor his expenses in the country while he studied.

Saint-Herve began studies at CCLCS on August 22 while undergoing the formalities to obtain a student visa. The college provided the information about his course of study and responded to all queries in writing, and he provided original transcripts in French of his qualifications which were translated to English and notarised as requested.

His sponsor presented his banking information and all seemed well, Kambon said.

On October 25, to his dismay, Saint-Herve was told that his application had been refused. No reasons were given at the time. To subsequent queries by those who were looking into Saint-Herves welfare, immigration officials raised issues about the number of courses he was studying, the quality of his English and his financial status. The CCLCS responded in full to the academic issues raised.

On his financial status, Kambon told Newsday Saint-Herves sponsor was told he had not had sufficient money in the bank to be a sponsor. He said that when the sponsor told the immigration officials that he had other savings in other accounts, he was told that the matter was already decided on.

If money was the issue, Kambon said, there were other nationals who were willing to meet the students financial needs.

Despite all this being known, he said, Saint-Herve was made to return to the immigration office on October 28 with the airline ticket.

All efforts to overturn the deportation have failed. Without higher intervention, Kambon said, Saint-Herve will have to return to Haiti.

This is incomprehensible, reprehensible and particularly cruel in view of Haitis current plight, Kambon said.

He noted that Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake in 2010, mass unjust deportations of tens of thousands of people of Haitian origin from the Dominican Republic starting in 2015, and Hurricane Matthew last month which claimed some 1000 lives, destroyed homes, buildings, crops and livelihoods and precipitated a rise in cases of cholera.
King told sister: I am going

King,74, suffered a heart attack while at the facility. She was pronounced dead at the Chaguanas Health Facility. Only days earlier, King bade farewell to her husband Melville King, who died at the age of 70. Melville died on October 21 and was laid to rest on Friday last, following a funeral service at the Our Lady Of Mount Carmel RC Church in St Marys.

King, a mother of three, was admitted to the facility after her home at Enterprise Street, Chaguanas was destroyed by fire last November. The actress who suffered with asthma had also had been hospitalised in November 2015.

Speaking to Newsday yesterday, a close relative recalled that days before her death, King was visited by one of her sisters. During the visit, the relative said, King held on to her sisters hand and whispered the words, I am going,.

It was a really sad moment, no one wanted to believe it, but King knew she was going, the distraught relative said. On Sunday, the relative said family members and officials from the church King attended also visited at the home for the aged.

Her (Kings) mood was different, she was calm and seemed a little depressed, but we still did not know that would have been the last time we were going to see her alive, the relative said.

In her teenage years, King joined, as an actress, the Strolling Players theatre company led by playwright Freddie Kissoon who died in August at the age of 86. She was known for her role in the television series Beulah Darling, Calabash Alley and numerous advertisements with now deceased veteran actor, Errol Stork St Hill for products such as Nisa Corned Beef, evaporated and powdered milk, sardines with the parrot saying, Come to borrow, Scotia Bank and National Lottery. She was also featured in the Newsday commercial buying the paper for only $1 when the other two dailies were being sold for $1.50.

King would not only be remembered for her smile and her ability to make others laugh, but also for her melodious voice which captured the hearts of many during mass at the St Augustine RC church on Sundays. She would often lead the choir in song. Close friend, Joyce Ali, who would often attend service with King, said the actress was always active in church as a catechist, member of Catholic Youth Organisation (CYO) and more.

She assisted with fundraising events and more. She has been doing it all and always with a smile, Ali said.

King would be laid to rest at the Longdenville Cemetery following a funeral service at the Chaguanas Roman Catholic Church tomorrow.
TT scores low in employment on youth development index

This years youth development index (YDI) which is the second of its kind and released by the Commonwealth Secretariat on October 21, ranks TT at 179 out of 183 countries on the employment and opportunity domain ahead only of Tanzania, Yemen, Niger and Iraq.

The first YDI was released in 2013.

Rankings were in five domains - education, health and well being, employment and opportunity, civic participation and political participation.

In the overall YDI ranking, TT has been ranked at 84 out of 183 countries. At a press conference at the University of the West Indies St Augustine Campus to address the issues of the YDI, Nikoli Edwards, Vice Chairperson (Policy, Advocacy and Projects) of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) noted that according to the YDI, the largest period of youth development in TT was between 2010 and 2015.

We are now in 2016 moving forward and we have seen a stagnation in many areas when it comes to youth development, Edwards said.

Many youth groups, he noted, no longer receive the subventions they got in the past due to the economic situation.

Despite these cutbacks, he said, society need to invest heavily in young people as they would be the ones to take over the reins of power, and lead corporations and other entities into the future.

He noted that since he became a vice chairperson of the CYC in November 2015, he met with Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith and President Anthony Carmona to highlight a number of concerns. Sad to report, since those conversations, he said, I have not seen any marked improvement or willingness to assist young people in the manner on which we deserve to be assisted, he said.

Edwards is due to meet with Smith in the coming days and will present him with ten recommendations in an effort to improve the situation among young people. The recommendations include appointment of youth ambassadors to Commonwealth, United Nations and Caricom, reservation of a percentage of jobs and opportunities for youths within the public and private sectors, and the re-establishment of the National Youth Council of TT. The recommendations also include a national youth parliament meeting monthly.
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(Newser)  The Los Angeles Basin has the reputation of being a dangerous place when it comes to earthquakes, but a new study suggests that reputation might be overstated. Two scientists with the US Geological Survey looked at the region's biggest quakes between 1900 and 1935 and found that we humans might be more to blame than natural fault lines, reports the Los Angeles Times. The reason? Oil production. In the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, researchers Susan Hough and Morgan Page show that big quakes of that era often occurred near oil wells not long after production started, reports Scientific American. That includes the magnitude 6.4 Long Beach quake of 1933 that killed 120 people, though the study merely shows a link, not proof the drilling was to blame.

It was kind of more of a Wild West industry back a hundred years ago, and the technology wasnt as sophisticated, says Hough. People would just pump oil, and in some cases the ground would subsidefairly dramatically. The scientists say their study shouldn't be used in the modern debate over fracking, which involves an entirely different process. They also note that today's oil-drilling practices are safer, including the use of water to replace oil, and thus their results "do not necessarily imply a high likelihood of induced earthquakes at the present time," per NPR. The LAT sees good and bad news: The study suggests the region isn't as prone to natural quakes as believed, but it also suggests that humans play a greater role in inducing them than thought. (Are the Sierras overdue for a big one?)
(Newser)  For the first time, scientists have identified areas of DNAspecifically, 12associated with reproductive habits, in this case the age when men and women have their first kid and how many kids they have. Reporting in the journal Nature Genetics, researchers at the University of Oxford analyzed more than half a million men and women in the Netherlands and Sweden and found what they are calling a "biological basis for reproductive behavior," though they acknowledge social and environmental factors reign supreme. Still, "we now know where to find the DNA areas linked to reproductive behavior," lead author Melinda Mills says in a statement. "For example, we found that women with DNA variants for postponing parenthood also have bits of DNA code associated with later onset of menstruation and later menopause."

As such, the findings could one day have implications for fertility and help doctors advise women on how long they can wait based on these DNA variants. But when taken together, those variants "predict less than 1% of the timing ... and of the number of children [men and women] have in the course of their lifetime." The paperco-authored by more than 250 sociologists, biologists, and geneticistsacknowledges that the figure seems "extremely small," but it notes the variants can predict a woman's likelihood of never having children. The findings are being modestly hailed by one of the researchers as a "small piece to understanding this very large jigsaw puzzle." (This world-renowned chef has been accused of pregnancy discrimination.)
(Newser)  As ISIS retreats from villages surrounding Mosul, detailed evidence of the group's harsh rule is emerging. In documents discovered by Reuters in recently abandoned ISIS offices near the Iraqi city, the group sets out strict requirements for beard-growing, the proper way of prayingand the treatment of sex slaves. "Pre-pubescent girls can be taken as concubines. You cannot have penetrative sex but you can still enjoy them," states a leaflet that answers 32 questions on how to deal with female captives. The leaflet says "non-Muslim women can be taken as concubines," and a senior ISIS cleric has the authority to award female captives to the group's fighters.

The records found in the village of Shura also include a detailed log of who had given alms to the poor, and of what property individuals owned. ISIS propaganda found in the abandoned offices included a poster giving 20 reasons why satellite dishes were banned. Residents say that those who disobeyed ISIS rules were whipped or taken to Mosul to be killed. On Tuesday, Iraqi forces fought their way to the outskirts of Mosul for the first time and seized a state television building. Officials say that with the weather creating poor visibility for air support, including US drones, they plan to hold their positions today instead of trying to push further into the city, the Guardian reports. (Read more ISIS stories.)
(Newser)  The University of Wisconsin-Stout has been shaken by the killing of a student from Saudi Arabia in a possible hate crime. Police say Hussain Saeed Alnahdi, 24, was attacked and beaten at around 2am Sunday near a pizza restaurant in downtown Menomonie by an attacker described only as a white male around 6 feet tall, NBC News reports. Alnahdi, a junior who was majoring in business administration, died from his injuries Monday. In a blog post, UW-Stout Chancellor Bob Meyer expressed his horror at the attack while also pleading for people not to jump to conclusions about what led to the incident. Police have urged anybody with any information about the attack to come forward.

Linda Bark, who taught Alnahdi English as a second language, tells the Journal Sentinel that he wanted to be an actuary and he was "very popular, very well liked." She says she placed a plastic bee at a makeshift memorial outside the pizza restaurant because Alnahdi was proud of his father's profession selling honey. Tommy Hutson, one of Alnahdi's roommates, says he was a friend so close he was like family. "If I ever spoke to someone [who] thought negatively of Saudis or Muslims, I would tell them they needed to speak to Hussain and they would feel differently," he tells NBC. "We came from different worlds, but he showed me every day how much we had in common." (Read more University of Wisconsin stories.)
(Newser)  China's newest stealth fighter was surprisingly unveiled Tuesday as two Chengdu J-20 twin-engine prototypes flew at an airshow in Zhuhai in front of a cheering crowd. According to US officials, Washington is actually deserving of the applause. They believe Chinese hackers stole data on America's F-35 and F-22 fighter jets to help build the J-20, in the works since 2011 and scheduled to take to the sky around 2018. The J-20which China claims can detect the F-22, per Popular Mechanicscertainly looks like its US counterparts and could potentially overpower them in number. But one analyst suspects it won't be as stealthy or as quick, based on a visual inspection and China's issues with engines, per NBC News.

The jet will have the "sacred mission of safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity," says a Chinese military rep. Of concern to the US, however, is how the jet will be used amid territorial disputes in the South China Sea. "It gives China a modern long-range strike capability that is able to carry much heavier payloads into areas of the Pacific and South China Sea that it was previously unable to reach in an effective manner," says an analyst. US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein certainly didn't seem too worried in August, though. "It's no longer about a [single aircraft], it's about a family of systems and it's about a network, and that's what gives us an asymmetric advantage," he said when asked about the J-20. (Read more China stories.)
(Newser)  "I was unaware of everything," says Noor Salman in her first interview since her husband killed 49 people at Orlando's Pulse nightclub. As the FBI considers pressing charges against her, including lying to authorities, Salman tells the dark tale of her marriage to Omar Mateen. Six months after they were married, while Salman was pregnant with their son, Mateen began beating her, Salman tells the New York Times. It started with a punch to the shoulder; soon, Mateen was pulling her hair, choking her, and threatening to kill her. "He had no remorse," says Salman, 30. Scared of her husband, Salman says she had no idea what Mateen was planning, though she saw him buy ammunition and once drove with him to Orlando from their home in Fort Pierce, Fla. Salman says she had no idea Mateen was canvassing Pulse during their visit; Mateen said only that he wanted to take "a drive."

The ammunition was no surprise, Salman says, since Mateen often went to a shooting range. Though Mateen watched jihadist videos, Salman says she didn't believe he was a threat because he'd been cleared by the FBI after telling colleagues he was a member of Hezbollah. A professor who studies women's roles in terror groups is skeptical of Salman's professed ignorance: "It's possible she didn't know because he was not confiding in her, but she does have every incentive in the world to retell this story as a different kind of victim," she says. In fact, Salman says she only learned about the Pulse shooting hours afterward, though she'd called looking for her husband around 4am. In a text message, he wrote, "I love you babe." "I don't condone what he has done. I am very sorry for what has happened," says Salman. "I just want people to know that I am human." Read the full interview here. (Read more Pulse Orlando shooting stories.)
(Newser)  The FBI has followed up its October surprise for Hillary Clinton with another shocker: the release of 129 pages of internal documents related to Bill Clinton's highly controversial pardon of financier Marc Rich. The heavily redacted documents were released Monday and the agency drew attention to them with a tweet on Tuesday, USA Today reports. Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon described the timing as "odd" and wondered: "Will the FBI be posting docs on Trump's housing discrimination in '70?" The FBI issued a statement late Tuesday saying the documents had been requested under the Freedom of Information Act and "were posted automatically and electronically to the FBI's public reading room."

Rich, who died in 2013, was pardoned just hours before Bill Clinton left office in 2001. He fled the US for Switzerland in the 1980s to avoid fraud and tax evasion charges, and the fact that his wife had donated to the Democratic National Committee, the Clinton Presidential Library, and Hillary Clinton's Senate campaign made the pardon appear very suspicious, NPR notes. The FBI documents offered little new information on the Rich pardon, though they were an unwelcome reminder of the episode for the Clinton campaign and caused renewed accusations that the agency is trying to meddle in the election, the Washington Post reports. Former Obama adviser David Axelrod tweeted that the agency had branded itself the "Federal Bureau of Intervention" with the latest release. (Read more Marc Rich stories.)
(Newser)  Putting Donald Trump in charge of the world's biggest economy would be a "dangerous" and "destructive" move and would endanger America's prosperity, hundreds of prominent economists warn in an open letter released Tuesday. The 370 economists, including eight Nobel laureates, did not endorse Hillary Clinton in the letter but strongly recommended not voting for Trump, reports the Wall Street Journal, which describes the letter "as less partisan or ideological than such quadrennial exercises." Among the economists' concerns:



"He has misled voters in states like Ohio and Michigan by asserting that the renegotiation of NAFTA or the imposition of tariffs on China would substantially increase employment in manufacturing."





"He has misled the public by asserting that US manufacturing has declined. The location and product composition of manufacturing has changed, but the level of output has more than doubled in the US since the 1980s."

"He uses immigration as a red herring to mislead voters about issues of economic importance, such as the stagnation of wages for households with low levels of education."

"His statements reveal a deep ignorance of economics and an inability to listen to credible experts."

"He promotes magical thinking and conspiracy theories over sober assessments of feasible economic policy options."

Trump adviser Peter Navarro tells the Journal that since economists were wrong about the impact of deals like NAFTA, they have no right to criticize Trump's position on them. "You shouldnt believe economists or Nobel Prize winners on trade," he says. (In September, 306 economists released a statement arguing that Clinton's policies would not deliver the "agenda of economic freedom" that they believe America needs.)
(Newser)  Some men want to save our souls through religion. Two Georgia men arrested last week allegedly wanted to save them by shooting up an Alaska research facility that has been at the center of multiple conspiracy theories. Det. Michael Vickers tells the Alaska Dispatch News the men30-year-old Michael Mancil and 22-year-old James Dryden Jr.claim "that God told them to go and blow this machine up that kept souls, so souls could be released." Some conspiracy theorists believe the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program, or HAARP, can control people's minds and the weather. Vickers tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Mancil believes it keeps people's souls from getting to heaven.

Last week's arrest of Mancil and Dryden started with an investigation into Mancil for allegedly dealing drugs, WALB reports. Georgia authorities believe the men were bound for Alaska when they were arrested last Thursday in South Georgia. Sheriff Doyle Wooten says the men had an "arsenal": four AR-15 rifles, four handguns, another rifle, thousands of rounds of ammo, and two flak jackets. Vickers tells the Dispatch News the men planned "to try to find a scientist, to steal his car and ID badge to gain access." A spokesperson for the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which took over HAARP from the government in 2014, says they've had threats before but nothing "quite this extreme." HAARP researches Earth's ionosphere, which has an impact on communication and navigation systems. (Read more weird crimes stories.)
(Newser)  In 1985, the green-eyed "Afghan Girl" became famous worldwide as the haunting cover model for National Geographic. In 2016, Sharbat Gula (spelled Gulla in some sources) is making headlines once again after she was arrested last week in Pakistan for allegedly harboring fake ID papersand this week, a Pakistani court denied her bail, Australia's ABC News and Al Jazeera report. Although Gula, who reportedly is suffering from hepatitis C, denies the charges, a Peshawar judge said "she impersonated herself as [a] Pakistani citizen without legally adopting the status of same," per Al Jazeera.

The broadcaster notes the Pakistani government has been coming down hard on Afghan refugees lately, millions of whom ended up there after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Per CNN, a human rights lawyer says Gula could be deported or face 14 years in prison if convicted. Meanwhile, Steve McCurry, the photographer who took the iconic photo of a 12-year-old Gula in a refugee camp, has said he'll help her out any way he can and has been advocating for her release on social media, posting pictures of her and calling the widowed mother of four "the symbol of refugees for decades." (National Geographic's fascinating 2002 story on Gula.)
(Newser)  A 2-year-old girl was killed last month in China while her mother stared at her smartphone, leading many Chinese social media users to call for a change, the New York Times reports. Surveillance video (Warning: graphic content) posted online on Oct. 20 shows the toddler walking near an SUV while her mother is on her phone a few steps behind her, reports McClatchy. The SUV starts moving, running over the little girl as she walks in front of it. The mother doesn't appear to look up from her phone until her daughter had already been hit. The girl, identified as Tutu, died before an ambulance could arrive. Police determined the driver wasn't at fault because Tutu was in his blind spot.

The video spread all over the Chinese web, leading to outrage, New China reports. "If the mobile phone was so much fun, then why had you given birth to the child?" one person writes online. "Everyone should be alerted not to play with a smartphone while walking. God knows how regretful the mother is," writes another. A local prosecutor's office calls it "heart-wrenching." "Put down your phone. Save the children!" it posts online. At least two other 2-year-olds were killed by cars while their mothers were looking at their phones in the past 15 months in China. "There's not enough discussion or awareness" of "potential dangers," a smartphone addiction expert tells the Times. (Two women go blind in one eye after using their smartphones.)
(Newser)  You'd think a man wouldn't soon forget all those times he stole from a bank, but Gabriel Patterson apparently wanted to remember his fraud foreverhence the tattoo of the Bank of America logo on the inside of his left elbow. Now he'll also have the memory of 33 months in prison. The 21-year-olda Crips gang member and son of a retired NYPD detectivewas sentenced Wednesday in New York after pleading guilty to a check fraud scheme in which he cashed checks with stolen account and routing numbers, reports the New York Daily News. Says his lawyer of Patterson's tattoo: "He was just an immature kid. I don't think any great thinking went into it." (Read more weird crimes stories.)
(Newser)  For three weeks, a construction worker drank four or five energy drinks per day to help keep up with his intense workload. Then his body went haywire. In a bizarre case Florida doctors describe in the British Medical Journal, the 50-year-old man started gulping down energy drinks on the job but suddenly began vomiting after about three weeks. Soon, his skin turned yellow, but it wasn't the caffeine or even the sugar that was the problem. At a hospital, the man showed signs of liver damage, and a biopsy confirmed he had acute hepatitis, believed to have been brought on by high intake of vitamin B3, or niacin, found in his energy drink of choice. (It wasn't named.) Each bottle had about 200% of the daily recommended dose, reports Gizmodo.

In safe quantities, niacinalso found in green vegetables, meat, and eggscan improve cholesterol levels and liver function and lower cardiovascular risk. But it also wreaks havoc on the body if too much is consumed. Though the man's daily intake of 160 to 200 milligrams was below the toxic level, the accumulation of niacin over three weeks was enough to do damage; the same thing happened years ago to a woman who drank 10 energy drinks daily for two weeks, reports Medical News Today. The male patient recovered and was told to avoid similar niacin-rich products in the future. But "as the energy drink market continues to rapidly expand, consumers should be aware of the potential risks of their various ingredients," doctors say. (Even a single energy drink may be dangerous.)
(Newser)  Things are heating up between Prince Harry and his new lady friend, Meghan Markle: The 32-year-old British royal recently made a low-profile visit to her Toronto home. They spent last weekend and Halloween night cooking and hanging out at Markle's place, friends tell Us. Says one: "It's very serious." Markle is a 35-year-old American actress currently appearing on the USA Network's show Suits. She met Harry through a mutual friend in June, and has visited him in London almost every month since then, though their relationship only recently made headlines.

"She's met his closest circle of friends, and they all love her," says one source. "It's an exciting time." Sources tell People she's even met Prince Charles, and a royal engagement could be a possibility. Markle has been married before and divorced in 2014, but the Telegraph notes that there is precedent for a royal to marry a divorcee, so a royal wedding could indeed be on the horizon. Weirdly, Markle's own 51-year-old half-sister recently told the Sun Harry should stay away, claiming Markle is just a "social climber" with a "soft spot for gingers." (Read more Prince Harry stories.)
Mark Salling, former Glee star from 2009 to 2015 is now in the pit of another controversial allegation. Salling was indicted on child pornography charges, before the rape report allegation.

Salling was arrested in December 2015 because of child pornography, and he was indicted on two child porn charges in May of 2016. Salling pleaded not guilty to the accusations. His ex-girlfriend Roxanne accused her of forcing himself on her. But the case was settled after the actor paid her over $ 2.7 million.

But now he is currently being investigated for rape after a 22-year-old woman claimed that Salling force himself on her. The woman said that she and Salling had been dating for months before the incident took place.

According to TMZ, the woman says that she was a 22- year old virgin at that time. She also stated that she agreed to have intercourse with Salling. But just when they entered the room, she suddenly changed her mind and realized that she did not want to have sex with him. So then she said, "I can't do this." But even if she refuses to, the actor allegedly forced himself on her anyway.

The 22-year-old filed this police report in April of 2016, four years after the incident took place. She said that she found the courage to report the alleged crime after Salling was arrested for possession of child pornography. The L.A. County D.A. is deciding whether charges should be filed against the actor.

But last October 31, 2016, the L.A. County District Attorney rejected the rape case against the actor Mark Salling, Because of insufficient evidence and lack of corroboration. Aside from that the cased filed four years late after the alleged incident. If the Los Angeles PoliceDepartment discovers more evidence in the future, the case could be reopened again.

Meanwhile, Mark Salling still don't want to give any statement about the allegation.
'Blackberry' inked an agreement with Ford that allows expanded use of its QNX software. The Canadian company has achieved a "Tier One" supplier status which eliminates the need for middleman bringing it to one of the top software providers in the automobile industry.

Prior to the deal, Ford was paying third-party supplier Panasonic, for its SYNC software. The agreement presents the possibility of Ford working on self-driving cars, and asked the Canadian company for help in the software area of automobile development.

The deal of 'BlackBerry' with Ford allows expanded use of Blackberry's QNX software. The agreement includes the infotainment and security software of Ford vehicles. The QNX will power the SYNC3 in-car infotainment system, supplied previously by Microsoft. BlackBerry will form a team that is focused on improving the software supplied to ford. However, no details about the financial terms have been revealed.

In a report by CNBC, "Auto technology is a growth opportunity for 'BlackBerry'; the industry overall is expanding at breakneck speed." BlackBerry is adding a team dedicated to Ford, which will help in expanding the use of QNX in several areas of automobile software. "The fact that the company is still in business and pushing forward into new spaces speaks volumes about the determination of management to remake the company for a new path forward," CNBC writes. While the company is not starting over, the history that 'BlackBerry' has with Ford has progressed into adding more intelligent vehicular operating systems that Ford will be offering to its consumers.

After years of struggling in the mobile phone arena, 'BlackBerry' has expanded to the automobile software development. This is great news for both Ford and BlackBerry, the first having to transact direct to the software developer, while the latter progressing towards the automobile industry. Indeed, the deal is a win-win situation.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 7F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 0F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
New Delhi:

People in Delhi woke up to thick blanket of smog spread all across the national capital on Wednesday. It has been witnessed after the Diwali festival.

As per the report, PM 2.5 levels on the day of Diwali (October 30) across each of the 11 pollution monitoring centres were anywhere between a staggering 4 times to 12 times of what they were the week before (October 24).

As Delhi recorded PM2.5 levels at nearly 21 times higher than permissible limit on Diwali, the Centre summoned governments of Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh over enforcing ban on stubble burning.

Also read: As smog irritates Delhi, Sisodia mulls war footing ways to combat it

(With PTI inputs)

Dense fog looms large over Delhi and NCR Dense fog looms large over Delhi and NCR Dense fog looms large over Delhi and NCR Dense fog looms large over Delhi and NCR

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New Delhi:

Three people were killed and ten injured after fire broke out in a building in Mohan Park area of Shahdara in New Delhi on Wednesday. Fire department rushed to the accident spot and reported that few people were unconscious when they were rescued.

E-rickshaws were being charged in the parking of a 4 storeyed building when the fire accident took place. 15 e-rickshaws were parked in the parking lot of the building.

The fire has been extinguished and the situation is under control. Everyone has been rescued from the building. Injured people are admitted to hospital.

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Washington:

McDonalds Corp. has agreed to pay $3.75 million to settle a labor dispute with workers. The federal lawsuit that sought to hold the company liable for allegations that a franchise owner in the San Francisco Bay Area cheated hundreds of workers out of wages and overtime.

If approved by a federal judge, the agreement is the first time McDonalds has reached a deal with employees of a franchise.

The deal would resolve a class action lawsuit filed in San Francisco two years ago. Under the plan, McDonalds Corporation will pay USD 1.75 million to the employees and USD 2 million in court costs.

The employees claimed the restaurant franchise withheld wages and overtime pay, as well as reimbursement for the upkeep of uniforms, and denied them legally-required breaks.

McDonalds had previously avoided involvement in such labor disputes, saying franchises were independent of the parent company. Attorneys for the workers said the settlement would be historic and could open the way for other legal cases.

McDonalds told AFP, however, that it agreed to the settlement to end costly litigation.

With this agreement, McDonalds reconfirms that it is not the employer of, or responsible for, employees of its independent franchisees, company spokesperson Terry Hickey said in an email.
Washington:

The US has asked all parties in Pakistan to refrain from violence even as it reiterated its support to freedom of expression and right to peaceful protest.

The United States will continue to support freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Its well documented that we do that. We talk about it every day, including the right of peaceful protest, State Department Spokesman John Kirby told reporters at his daily news conference.

Noting that the right to protest must be exercised responsibly by following the rule of law, Kirby said, All parties should refrain from violence and exercise restraint.

He was responding to a question on the ongoing protests in Pakistan. Kirby refused to comment on changes in military leadership in Pakistan.

The specific decisions about who leads the military in Pakistan thats for the Pakistani Government to decide as those are sovereign decisions that Im not going to comment on, he said.

Obviously, were aware of the reports about protest activity, bans on protest activity, decisions to protest or not to protest. Again, those are questions that are better answered by Pakistani authorities, Kirby said.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan yesterday called off anti-government protest to be held today and instead announced celebrations after the Supreme Court ordered a probe against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family over the Panama Papers scandal.

PTI chairman Khan had threatened to lockdown the capital today by mobilising a million supporters to force Sharif to step down over corruption allegations against him and his family.

Earlier, Pakistan high court had barred Khans planned lockdown of the capital and ordered it to hold a sit-in at the designated place here instead, as authorities arrested at least 1,500 party activists in a crackdown.

If any attempt to block or lockdown the capital is made, the district administration shall act in accordance with law, Justice Shaukat Siddiqui had said.

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New Delhi:

Chhath Puja 2016 will begin from Nov4- 7, Chhath Puja is performed inorder to thank lord Surya and Chhati Maiyya (Usha, lord Surya's wife),for sustaining life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes. Chhath means sixth, because it falls on the sixth day of the month of Kartika (October/November) or simly on the sixth day after Diwali. God Surya is worshipped very passionately for the well being of their family and near and dear ones. Chhath Puja is celebrated mainly in the states of Bihar, UP, Jharkhand and some parts of Nepal. This year Chhath Puja, it starts on 4th November and continues till 6th november.



Chhath Puja 2016: Date, Vidhi and Muhurat

Chhath Puja 2016: Day 1 (November 4)



Chhath Puja 'Nahay Khay'

Sunrise at 06:35

Sunset at 17:34

The ritual starts on the fourth day of Kartika month where people take a holy dip in the water of Ganga to purify themselves. Devotees first take a bath, eat something before the fast starts, which then continues for the next 36 hours.



Chhath Puja 2016: Day 2 (November 5)



Chhath Puja 'Lohanda and Kharna'

Sunrise at 06:36

Sunset at 17:33

The second day of Chhath is known as Kharna. On this day fasting without water is observed from the sunrise to the sunset. The fast is broken just after sunset after making food offering the Sun God. The third day fasting begins after having Prasad on the second day.



Chhath Puja 2016: Day 3 (November 6)



Chhath Puja 'Sandhya Argh'

Sunrise at 06:37

Sunset at 17:32

The third day of Chhath Puja is known as 'Sandhya Argh' as all the rituals take place in the evening. Devotees stand in water for long hours and pray for their family and loved ones. A full day fast without water is observed on the third main day of Chhath Puja. Offering Arghya to the setting Sun is the main ritual of the day. It is the only time of the year when Arghya is given to the setting Sun. The third day fasting continues throughout the night.



Chhath Puja 2016: Day 4 (November 7)



Chhath Puja Usha Arghya, Parana

Sunrise at 06:38

Sunset at 17:32

The fourth and the final day, also known as Suryodaya Argh is the day to offer early morning prayers to the God of life and energy followed by 'Parana' where devotees break their fast after 36 long hours.











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Los Angeles:

Brosnan, 63, will be honored at the 29th European Film Awards in Wroclaw, Poland, on December 10. Irish actor Pierce Brosnan, best known world wide for his turn as James Bond in blockbusters including "Goldeneye", "Tomorrow Never Dies" and "The World Is Not Enough", will receive the achievement in world cinema award from the European Film Academy.

In addition to his role as 007, Brosnan has carved out a position somewhere between leading man and character actor with numerous roles in independent and studio productions, including starring roles in John McTiernan's "The Thomas Crown

Affair", John Boorman's "The Tailor of Panama" and Roman Polanski's "The Ghost Writer."

Not renowned for his singing voice, Brosnan nevertheless also charmed audiences worldwide with his turn as one of Meryl Streep's suitors in Abba musical "Mamma Mia". He revisited comedy with "Love Is All You Need" from "The Night Manager director Susanne Bier.

Brosnan has remained active both as an actor and as a producer through his Irish Dreamtime shingle. Currently, he is co-starring in Marc Webb's "The Only Living Boy in New York alongside Jeff Bridges, Kate Beckinsale and Callum Turner.

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New Delhi:

The Indian team for the first two Tests of the upcoming five match Test series against England has been picked up by the five national selectors on Wednesday.

With the stupendous performance in the Test series against the Kiwis, the selectors have stuck to the winning combination against England with minor changes to the squad.

The squad is be pretty much the same as what featured against the Kiwis in the three match Test series. Veteran seamer Ishant Sharma has made a comeback after being sidelined with injury and missing out in the NewZealand series. Allrounder Hardik Pandya has been given his maiden call up in the Test squad. Meanwhile Karun Nair has been included as a specialist batsman to beef up the batting.

Indian squad (First Two Tests): Virat Kohli, Murali Vijay, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Gautam Gambhir, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravinder Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Umesh Yadav, Karun Nair, Amit Mishra, Saha and Cheteswar Pujara

So let us have a close look at the squad which would feature in the first two Tests against England.

Batting:

With seasoned opener Shikhar Dhawan nursing an injury, Murali Vijay in all likelihood shall be partnered by veteran opener Gautam Gambhir.

Comeback man Gautam Gambhir looked good at the crease and is in full control whenever he got an opportunity to bat against NZ.

KL Rahul has not yet recovered from his hamstring injury fully. The selectors will hope to receive a good report card about Rahul because the Karnataka opener has become adept at opening in all conditions and built a reputation to face the new ball operators with confidence.

The middle order would once again be led by Virat Kohli who has become the lynchpin of the Indian batting order. Pujara who looked in good touch against the Kiwis would once again look to hold the fort with his solid technique and sound defence. Meanwhile Ajinkya Rahane would add that bit of calming infuence and depth to the middle order.

Bowling:

The pace attack would be bolstered by the return of veteran seamer Ishant Sharma. Meanwhile Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami retain their places and would once again be raring to go against the English. Shami and Yadav were consistently among the wickets all through the Kiwi series.

Ravichandran Ashwin has been India's bowling trump card on sub-continent wickets. Ashwin has cast a web around most of the visiting sides with his subtle variations. He has been simply been phenomenal and run though the batting of most of the visiting sides.

Ashwin has a good partner in leggie Amit Mishra. Mishra adds variety to the attack.

Meanwhile Ravinder Jadeja is likely to compliment the spin attack with his left arm bowling.
New Delhi:

Several political parties, including Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), began their protests in Delhi hours after reports about the suicide of former serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal came to light onA .

Delhi PoliceA Special Commissioner MK Meena made an emphatic statement on Rahul Gandhi's detention, quoting "Democracy doesn't mean creating obstruction. Leaders must also understand that hospital is not the place to hold any demonstrations".

Congress Vice-President Rahu Gandhi was detained at Mandir Marg Police Station for 'disruption of duty' after he wasn't allowed to enter RML hospital to meet ex-serviceman's family, said Delhi PoliceA Special Commissioner MK Meena.

Here are the LIVE updates:

#Arvind Kejriwal released after being detained

#Ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Garehwal suicide issue: Son of Ram Kishan Garehwal leaves from Connaught Place Police Station



#What is happening? I am meeting the family of the ex-serviceman and you detain me? This is undeclared emergency: Manish Sisodia, Deputy CM

#What worse could be than arresting the son of an ex serviceman just because they sought help from a political party?: Manish Sisodia,Dy CM



#We didn't stop anyone from meeting the family, our concern was just that medical services shouldn't get hampered: Delhi Police



#But when nobody paid heed to our direction to vacate the area, we detained people at different locations: Delhi PoliceA



#We were submitted a written complaint saying that crowd be removed from here so as to maintain medical services: Delhi Police



#Leaders from across parties were requested to not gather near gate because of hospital services getting hampered due to crowd: Delhi Police



#Family is cooperating with us in the due process, and all leaders who were detained have been released: Delhi Police



#Government of India has to respect its people and the soldiers: Rahul Gandhi after being released

#Was it my fault that I wanted to express my condolences? I wanted to meet them, is it wrong?: Rahul Gandhi after being released



#This is not the way to operate, this is not how you run the country: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi after being released

#Government should at least apologize to the family of the deceased ex-serviceman for making them suffer: RahulGandhi after being released



#This is the most difficult day for them (family members of late ex serviceman) but even today they were made to suffer: Rahul Gandhi



#Arrest me if you want, I said to the police. But why detain them?(family of ex serviceman) Whatever happened with them is wrong: Rahul Gandhi

#When I asked the police at the station why he acted this way he said he had orders from higher up: Rahul Gandhi



#Wanted to speak to bereaved family for 2 mins, when family came out to meet me they were beaten & dragged to police station: Rahul Gandhi



#FLASH Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal brought to RK Puram Police Station pic.twitter.com/TiNdbQj57J a ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

#This ex-serviceman was in perfect mental state, his suicide was only because of the wrong-doing of this Govt: GN Azad, Congress



Formally detained by the police. No idea where they are taking me. a Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

#WATCH Rahul Gandhi & Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia & other Cong leaders inside Tilak Marg police station, Delhi. pic.twitter.com/15tZBpwBc4 a ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

#Formally detained by the police. No idea where they are taking me: Delhi CM's tweet



#Rahul Gandhi requested many times to PM that #OROP should be implemented as early as possible: AK Antony



Rahul Gandhi and Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia inside Tilak Marg police station, Delhi. pic.twitter.com/UHOYsjzAyl a ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

#PM ji, Congress kay sab netayon ko jail bhej do. Bas iss desh kay sainiko ko to nyaya to do?: RS Surjewala



#Rahul Gandhi has been taken to Tilak Marg police station: RS Surjewala



#We want to ask Modi ji, you used #OROP issue to get votes and this is what you do? To family of a nation-worshipping soldier?: RS Surjewala



#Ajay Maken, Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia and Rahul Gandhi reach Parliament street police station



#We will meet the family, thats my responsibility. Something is dodgy, why arent they letting us meet the family?: Delhi CMA



#Humare saath gundagardi ho rahi hai woh to alag, uss sainik ke paivaar kay saath to ye sab matt karo: Gopal Rai



Delhi: Ex-serviceman suicide case - Dilip Pandey & Sanjay Singh detained as they protested outside Parl street police station pic.twitter.com/FR2DV3QCep a ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

News feed: New Delhi District pic.twitter.com/xZ2Zpzs3ud a Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) November 2, 2016

Delhi: Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia also detained by the police #OROP pic.twitter.com/kwxIUwFQs8 a ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

#Rahul Gandhi detained again after meeting ex-serviceman's family



My vehicle surrounded by police. Not allowing me to leave. a Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

Spoke to his son just now. He said he was manhandled by police. They hv been detained in CP police stn. Am gng there now to meet family a Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

#Unfortunate that ex-serviceman committed suicide.On one hand Govt glorifies soldiers &on the other hand doesn't fulfil promises:Anna Hazare



#They should be allowed( to meet ex-serviceman's family). Our A representative is on his way to Delhi: WB CM Mamata Banerjee



#Very sad one of our former jawans committed suicide.Unfortunate that Rahul Gandhi&Manish Sisodia stopped from visiting bereaved family:WB CM



#Reason for his suicide being reported is OROP, don't know what his mental state was, need investigation: VK Singh



#OROP should be kept away from politics. Rahul Gandhi should not politicise this: VK Singh



#I don't have anything to say, police will do what it has to for risk reduction: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Rahul Gandhi detention



#Rahul Gandhi has been released from Mandir Marg Police station (Delhi) after being detained by police



#WATCH: Inside visuals of the Mandir Marg Police station (Delhi), where Congress VP Rahul Gandhi has been detained. pic.twitter.com/Tr0F34XMTn a ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

Ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Garehwal suicide: Police used force against family members who were dragged on the ground & beaten up: Anand Sharma



#Rahul Gandhi had gone alone (to meet family of ex serviceman), there was no violation of any law...it is illegal detention: Anand Sharma, Congress



Ex-serviceman suicide case: Inside visuals of the Mandir Marg Police station (Delhi), Congress VP Rahul Gandhi detained. pic.twitter.com/3SGahkRKFL a ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

#Deputy CM has also been detained, we have a cabinet meeting today which we will have to cancel now. This is 'gundagardi': Delhi CM Kejriwal



#The way Govt is working since day 1 is anti-democratic, this is a well thought conspiracy to stop Rahul Gandhi wherever he goes: Ahmed Patel



#Ex-serviceman suicide case: Congress workers protest outside Mandir Marg Police Station in Delhi as police detains Rahul Gandhi



#Congress' Randeep Surjewala and Kiran Choudhary also detained.



#No politician is allowed in the hospital and they were causing disturbances: Delhi ACB chief M K Meena on detaining Rahul Gandhi



#Democracy doesn't mean creating obstruction. Leaders must also understand that hosp is not the place to hold any demonstrations: MK Meena



Delhi: Family members detained as well as they are contacting political leaders and holding demonstration here: MK Meena pic.twitter.com/Ks7FwlK2qt a ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

Democracy doesn't mean creating obstruction. Leaders must also understand that hosp is not the place to hold any demonstrations: MK Meena pic.twitter.com/yLKvutCRG9





Naya Hindustan ban raha hai bhaiya: Rahul Gandhi after not being allowed to meet family of ex-serviceman in RML Hospital pic.twitter.com/v1IWKaOSVl a ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

A

Security personnel not allowing Rahul Gandhi to enter RML Hospital to meet family of ex-serviceman(who committed suicide) #OROP pic.twitter.com/Nnd3a8M8qk a ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

Delhi PoliceA Special Commissioner MK Meena while commenting on Rahul Gandhi's detention said - "It's hospital & not place for demonstration. Rahul Gandhi detained for trying to enter hosp despite being advised otherwise".

Earlier in the day, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi was reportedly denied entry by the security personnel at the gate of Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital when he was trying to go inside the hospital to meet the family of Grewal.A

Earlier on the day, Delhi's deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was detained while he went to meet the family of deceased at the RML hospital. Congress MLA Randeep Surjewala was also detained.A A



Later, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the detainment of Manish Sisodia.A



aManish Sisodia detained? He had gone to meet family of deceased Ram Kishan ji. He is elected Dy CM. Whats wrong wid u Modiji? So insecure?a wrote Kejriwal on Twitter.



Ex-serviceman allegedly committed suicide over the issue of delay in One Rank One Pension scheme (OROP) in Delhi, police said.



The 70-year-old ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal from Haryana's Bhiwani district ended his life in the lawns behind the Jawahar Bhavan, which houses the Ministry of External Affairs, onA as evening.



Police said he along with three of his companions had come to the city apparently to submit a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP.



Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said he was saddened over the death of Grewal.



"Saddened by the death of subedar Ram Kishen Grewal. I express my heartfelt condolences. I have asked officials to provide me with details," Parrikar said in a tweet.



Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in an emotional video message, said that the Narendra Modi government had deceived the soldiers of the nation.

This is the beginning of @INCIndia"s revival. Just as Indira Gandhi's arrest in 1979 led to her triumph just over a year later. #FreeRahul! https://t.co/TTNPcn1KbN a Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 2, 2016

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New Delhi:

The alleged Bhopal encounter that left 8 SIMI operatives killed after they managed to escape from Central jail is already caught in a rut of questions.

Amid criticism from Opposition over inefficient handling of the jailbreak, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the matter is being politicised for vote bank.

Advocating for quick trial, Chouhan added, How long can you keep them under trial? Some people even get chicken biryani in jail. We should seriously consider setting up fast-track courts. He further said that the slain men were dreaded terrorists who could have wrecked havoc.

ALSO READ: (Bhopal Encounter: Dead SIMI activists suspect in Pune Bomb Blast case too)

Slamming the opposition and skeptics who have been doubting the authenticity of encounter, Chouhan said, Certain politicians are making a hue and cry for these terrorists but not lending a word of solace for the martyred jawans.They are still playing dirty politics over the issue, I appeal everyone to stop playing dirty politics. Patriotism is important.

ALSO READ: (Bhopal Encounter: 7 SIMI men buried in MP; body of 8th one taken to Gujarat)

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday also lamented saying that, First of all we should stop this habit of raising doubts and questioning the authorities and police. This is not a good culture.

ALSO READ: (Bhopal encounter: Amid growing opposition clamour on judicial probe, MP home minister, DGP speak different versions)

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London:

Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been trapped by Iraqi Army, which entered the terrorist groups stronghold of Mosul for the first time in more than two years for a final assault, a report has claimed.

The battle for Mosul, where the self-declared caliph of IS is believed to be hiding, is likely to end in a decisive defeat for the terrorist group, the Independent reported.

Fuad Hussein, chief of staff to Kurdish President Massoud Barzani, told the daily that his government had information from multiple sources that Baghdadi is there and, if he is killed, it will mean the collapse of the whole [IS] system.

ALSO READ: (India under Islamic State threat? US Embassy warns of possible attacks at places frequented by foreigners)

Baghdadi has kept himself concealed for the last eight or nine months according to Hussein, who added that the caliph had become very dependent on IS commanders from Mosul and Tal Afar, a city just to the west of Mosul.

Other senior and better known figures in IS, particularly those from Syria and other countries, have been killed since their initial triumphs in the summer of 2014 when they took over much of northern Iraq and eastern Syria.

The presence of Baghdadi in Mosul may complicate and prolong the battle for Mosul as his surviving adherents fight to the death to defend him.

If he is killed, IS would have to choose a new caliph in the middle of a battle, but no successor would have the authority and prestige of Baghdadi, the leader who surprised the world by establishing the caliphate after capturing Mosul in June 2014. Hussein said it is obvious that they will lose, but not how long this will take to happen.

ALSO READ: (Iraqi forces aim to cut ISIS supply lines between Mosul and Syria)

He said Kurdish Peshmerga forces had been impressed by the extraordinary number of tunnels that Isis had dug in order to provide hiding places in the villages around Mosul.

Yesterday, Iraqi Special Forces advanced into Mosul, which once had a population of two million, seizing the state television on the east bank of the Tigris River that divides the city in half.

Hussein said the speed of the fall of Mosul would depend on many factors especially whether or not IS is going to destroy the five bridges over the river.

Iraqi troops entered Gogjali, a district inside Mosuls city limits, and later the borders of the more built-up Karama district, according to Major General Sami al-Aridi of the Iraqi special forces.

Daesh (IS) is fighting back and have set up concrete blast walls to block off the Karama neighbourhood and [stop] our troops advance, General Aridi said. The anti-IS offensive is dependent on US-led air strikes and the presence of US special forces.

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New Delhi:

The alleged suicide of an ex-serviceman in Delhi over the implementation of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme created a political slugfest on Wednesday with opposition Congress and other rival parties targetting the Modi government over the issue.A

Wednesday's bedlam began with Delhi's deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia's visit to the RML hospital to meet Ram Kishan Grewal's bereaved family.

Police also detained Grewal's relatives who were not ready to send his body for post-mortem.

Later in the day, several leaders including Congress vice-president made a beeline at the hospital to meet and console Grewal's family. However, police did not allow them to enter the hospital premises and detained them for few hours.A

The incident triggered furore in the political arena as the parties questioned Centre's strategy in dealing with the situation.A We take a look at who said what in this regard:

Rahul Gandhi:A What is your name? You think the family of Indiaas martyr should be arrested? Do you not feel ashamed?

Manohar Parrikar: OROP should be kept away from politics, that will be better. Rahul Gandhi should not politicise this.

Arvind Kejriwal:A Both farmers and soldiers are committing suicide in Modi Raj. That means the Prime Minister is lying that OROP has been implemented. Why would Ram Kishan ji have committed suicide if OROP was being implemented?

We will meet the family, thats my responsibility. Something is dodgy, why arent they letting us meet the family?: Delhi CM #Exserviceman pic.twitter.com/uASn0cd4UB a ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

#OROP should be kept away from politics, that will be better. Rahul Gandhi should not politicise this: VK Singh on #RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/H1UB19zc59 a ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

Unfortunate that ex-serviceman committed suicide.On one hand Govt glorifies soldiers &on the other hand doesn't fulfil promises:Anna Hazare pic.twitter.com/H2vz56BpbT a ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

Very sad one of our former jawans committed suicide.Unfortunate that Rahul Gandhi&Manish Sisodia stopped from visiting bereaved family:WB CM a ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

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Washington:

President Barack Obama likes to say the White House is the "people's house." Now, the people are getting a look at the rooms where he lives.

Exclusive photos published by Architectural Digest are giving the public its first glimpse of private areas on the second floor of the White House that Obama, his wife, Michelle, daughters Malia and Sasha and family dogs Bo and Sunny have called home for nearly eight years.

Los Angeles-based interior designer Michael Smith decorated the rooms, as well as the Oval Office. A mutual friend in Chicago introduced him to the Obamas after the 2008 election.

The first lady said Smith managed to reflect her family's tastes while respecting the history of the White House. "Above all, it has truly felt like a home for our family," she told the magazine.

Photos show the Yellow Oval Room; the Treaty Room, where Obama retreats late at night to read briefing material for the next day; a sitting room; a dining room; and the master bedroom.

The rooms are adorned with a variety of modern and contemporary art borrowed from major art institutions, such as the National Gallery of Art and Smithsonian museums.

Architectural Digest has also published photos of the private living quarters of Presidents John F Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and George W Bush.

Amy Astley, the editor in chief, said the Obamas' personal style, and the history and diversity of the nation, are reflected in their art and decor choices. The Architectural Digest issue with photos of the Obama living quarters is scheduled to appear on newsstands on Nov. 8, Election Day.

Decorated in beige hues, the master bedroom has an antique canopy bed decked out with fine Italian linen. Identical, footed tables at either side of the bed, one bearing family photos and one stacked with books. Matching, upholstered chairs and a sofa form a sitting area.

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Islamabad:

Pakistan may ask at least two officials of the Indian high commission to leave the country for their alleged involvement in subversive activities, a local media report said on Wednesday.

The two officials were identified and their photographs were being flashed by different TV news channels.

Geo TV reported that commercial counsellor Rajesh Agnihotri and press counsellor Balbir Singh may be expelled.

Espionage row: 4 Pak high commission officials named by Mehmood Akhtar leave India

Citing sources, the channel claimed that Agnihotri was directly linked with RAW while Singh was working for Intelligence Bureau (IB) and they were allegedly using their positions in Pakistan as cover to hide their real identities.

It claimed Singh was also running a network of militants in Pakistan and expelled high commission official Surjeet Singh was also part of his network.

The development came after reports that Pakistan may call back at least four officials at its high commission in India after they were named in a recorded statement of Mehmood Akhtar who was briefly detained and then expelled by India.

They include commercial counsellor Syed Furrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal. There were no immediate comments from the Indian High Commission about the reports.

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Peshawar:

A Pakistani court Wednesday denied bail to an Afghan woman who was immortalised on the cover of National Geographic magazine in the 1980s and arrested last week on fraud charges, days after the Interior Minister indicated she may soon be released on humanitarian grounds.

Sharbat Gula, who attained fame on the cover of an issue of the National Geographic magazine, has been in police custody since October 26 for allegedly having obtained fake identity papers to stay in Pakistan as a refugee.

The special court in Peshawar had reserved its verdict a day earlier and today rejected her bail application citing a lack of evidence to prove her Pakistani citizenship. The green-eyed Gula was arrested from her Peshawar residence for alleged forgery of a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC).

ALSO READ: (Pakistan's FIA arrests Nat Geo's famed 'Afghan girl' Sharbat Bibi over forged papers)

During the bail hearing yesterday, Gulas lawyer had told the court that his client is the sole bread earner of her family and is suffering from Hepatitis C.

Earlier in the week, Gula was sent to prison on judicial remand by a local court. She faces up to 14 years in jail. Her arrest highlighted the plight of millions of Afghan refugees staying in Pakistan.

For decades, Pakistan has provided safe haven for millions of Afghan refugees who fled their country after the Soviet invasion of 1979. It hosts more than 1 million registered Afghan refugees, according to United Nations Refugee Agency. The agency also estimates a further one million unregistered refugees staying in the country.

ALSO READ: (Pakistan Govt to free on bail National Geographic 'Afghan girl')

Pakistans Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had on Sunday indicated that Gula may be released on humanitarian grounds. Khan had said Pakistans Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) should arrange bail for her as soon as possible.

Gulas haunting photo, taken in a refugee camp in Pakistan in 1984 by Steve McCurry, was one of Nat Geos most famous covers. She surfaced in Pakistan in 2014, but had gone into hiding after authorities accused her of buying a fake Pakistani identity card.

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Bhopal:

An SIT formed by Madhya Pradesh Police Wednesday inspected the site of alleged encounter where eight SIMI men were gunned down on Monday while a separate investigation began into the jailbreak by extremists by recreating the scene.

The CID team led by SP Anurag Sharma also examined some people about the encounter, which has come under scanner with opposition parties and the lawyer of the slain SIMI activists pointing to several alleged smoking guns to claim that it was fake.

ALSO READ: (Undertrials get chicken biryani in jail, we should consider setting up fast-track courts: MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan)

Former Director General of Police Nandan Dubey, assigned by the state government with the task of investigating the daring jail break, visited the Central Jail here. The jail break scene was recreated as part of the probe and Dubey examined some prisoners also.

Yes I spent more than three hours in the jail. I have started the investigation, Dubey told PTI. Asked about the lapses that led to the SIMI activists escape, he said it was too early to jump to any conclusion.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also inspected the Central Jail here and directed strengthening of security measures.

The lawyer of the eight SIMI activists today claimed that they had sustained gun shots in the head and chest. He claimed that he had seen the autopsy reports of the slain men.

ALSO READ: (Bhopal Encounter: 7 SIMI men buried in MP; body of 8th one taken to Gujarat)

They were fired upon from the front and all of them sustained injuries in their head and chest, above the waist, lawyer Parvez Alam told PTI. Repeating his claim that it was a fake encounter, he said that according to a Supreme Court ruling, police should fire below the waist.

The SIMI activists were killed on the city outskirts at Malikheda following their escape from the high-security jail after slitting the throat of a security guard and scaling the 32-ft wall using bedsheets in the wee hours of October 31.

Meanwhile, state Home Minister Bhupinder said any video or evidence about the encounter should be submitted to the SIT. The minister said the slain men were dreaded terrorists who had killed policemen earlier.

ALSO READ: (Bhopal Encounter: Dead SIMI activists suspect in Pune Bomb Blast case too)

The swiftness with which the police acted against then should be appreciated, he said, adding that, Ending terrorism is a pripority for our government. We will not compromise at any cost when dealing with terrorism.

On claims that the SIMI men were unarmed, he said, It could have been so when they escaped from the jail. But they had lot of time after that (to get hold of weapons).

ATS Chief Sanjeev Shami maintained that the police was well within the law to resort to maximum force if they see the possibility that dreaded criminals who are a threat to society may escape.

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The youth organisation affiliated to CPM, which is the major party in the ruling front, has said raising the pension age to 60 will affect lakhs of job seekers.
New Delhi:

In the light of upcoming Chhath Puja, the Patna administration has launched a mobile app named 'Chhath Puja Patna' for making available all necessary information regarding the festival.

Launching the app on Wednesday, Patna district administration emphasieed that the app will help devotees in determining different Ghats available for Chhath Puja. The app will also play useful in case of emergency.

Patna district magistrate (DM) Sanjay Kumar Agarwal has been the key constructer of the idea of this app. The app is made available to download for android users from the Google Play store.

The app will be useful in locating available medical teams, parking slots and their distance from the main road and the phone numbers of magistrates deputed there.It also alerts users about the Ghats which have been termed dangerous along the Ganga river bank.

The app also lets users to download songs related to Chhath Puja

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New Delhi:

Delhi Police on Wednesday said that prohibitory orders imposed under Section 144 of CrPC in the Connaught Place sub-division of the city will be strictly enforced in view of the chaos that prevailed on Wednesday due to day long political protests over alleged suicide by an ex-serviceman.



The prohibitory orders are enforced in Connaught Place till December 28 and in view of the problems faced by public due to protests and demonstrations, the orders will be strictly enforced, said Delhi Police.



Reports have been received indicating that such conditions now exist that unrestricted holding of public meetings, processions, demonstrations in the area are likely to cause obstruction to traffic, danger to human safety and disturbance of public tranquility, ACP Connaught Place Ramesh Kumar said in a statement.



The prohibitory orders will cover the whole of Connaught Place sub division excluding the area surrounding Jantar Mantar. Any person contravening prohibitory orders will be punished under section 188 of IPC, he added.

Political slugfest

The alleged suicide of an army veteran over the OROP issue on Wednesday snowballed into a huge political showdown in the capital with Rahul Gandhi being detained twice by Delhi police amid high drama and the movement of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal restricted.

The Congress immediately latched on to the issue after reports of the suicide came in the morning with party leaders taking to the streets. Rahul Gandhi went to RML Hospital to meet the bereaved family and express his condolences, but was taken into custody and kept at Mandir

Marg police station. He was again detained at the Tilak Marg police station and released late at night.Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia also met similar fate.

Rahul said the Delhi police action was symbolic of undemocratic mentality of the Modi government while Kejriwal accused the prime minister of being guilty of deceit and indulging in lies over the One Rank One Pension(OROP) issue.



The Congress and AAP leaders also accused the Modi government of being responsible for the death of Grewal who ended his life by consuming poison on the lawns of a government building in Janpath.

They alleged that the Delhi police was unleashed on them by resorting to unprecedented hooliganism in quelling their protests.

The Congress and AAP leaders called the police action an assault on democracy and fundamental rights while calling the treatment meted out to the grieving family as utterly shameful and unprecedented. The BJP on its part accused the Congress and AAP of playing politics over the suicide.

Politicians detained



The Congress Vice President was detained at Mandir Marg and Parliament Street police stations while Kejriwals movement was restricted when he went to meet the grieving family members of Ram Kishan Grewal. Rahul was later taken to Tilak Marg rpt Tilak Marg police station.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal refused to leave the RK Puram police station where he was detained despite being released by police.However, Kejriwal claimed that he was still being held in detention after he expressed his desire to meet the family of ex-serviceman Ram Singh Grewal who allegedly committed suicide over the OROP issue.

Kejriwal was detained from Lady Hardinge Hospital around 7.45 PM and brought to the RK Puram police station in south District since there was no media or presence of political leaders there. We asked him to go at around 8.45 PM but he didnt leave the police station, said police sources.

Several leaders of Congress and AAP including Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia were also held by the police even as Rahul and Kejriwal tore into Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Several Congress leaders including Randeep Surjewala, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kumari Selja were detained while police was seen dragging scores of AAP workers and many office bearers outside the Parliament Street Police station. Sisodia was kept at the police station for several hours.

Family members of deceased allegedly thrashed

Twelve family members of the deceased including his son Jaswant were detained and some of them alleged that they were thrashed by police when they came out of RML hospital, where Grewals body was kept.



What Rahul Gandhi said



A martyrs family is arrested. This is Modi jis India, Rahul told reporters outside RML Hospital.



How can you arrest the son and father of martyr? And if you have not arrested them, then why are you not letting them go, he said after his request for releasing Grewals family members was turned down.



A new India is in the making, you have to identify it. What is happening in India today, you have to identify it. It is a result of their mentality. It is a particular type of mentality. It is an undemocratic type of mentality.Rahul also vent his profound anger at policemen over the detention of Grewals family members it shameful and symbolic of undemocratic mentality of the Modi government.

Kejriwal slams Modi govt



Tearing to Prime Minister Modi, Kejriwal asserted that Grewals martyrdom will not go in vain and emphasised on the need to take his struggle forward.



The Prime Minister is lying to the entire country claiming that OROP has been implemented. If it was implemented then why Ram Kishan had to commit suicide? The extent of the deceit of the BJP government over the issue is unprecedented.



Protests over Rahuls detention

Rahul Gandhi and top Congress leaders were detained twice as a high-voltage political drama unfolded following the alleged suicide by a former soldier over OROP, prompting the party vice president to demand an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.



The least this government can do is to apologise to the family of the deceased soldier for making them suffer, said an angry Gandhi after being finally released at night amid strong protests by party leaders.

What AK Antony said?

At a joint press conference at the AICC headquarters, former Defence Minister A K Antony warned that things will be difficult if the government did not implement the OROP in toto immediately and remove the pay commission anomalies.Holding the Modi government responsible for the suicide of Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal.

Government must implement OROP in toto at the earliest and remove all pay commission anomalies otherwise things will be difficult, Antony said, adding had everything been implemented fully this tragedy would not have happened.



He added, If is government has any kind of loyalty left for armed forces, my humble request to Prime Minister is please apologise to the nation and the families of soldiers for misleading them that OROP has been implemented. Such action has been unheart of in the history of India.



Audio conversation of Grewal emerges



An audio of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly committed suicide on Wednesday, emerged. The audio allegedly reveals a telephonic conversation between the ex-serviceman and his son.



Grewal can reportedly been heard conveying his son that he has committed suicide by consuming poison. He also allegedly can be heard explaining the apathy of the ex-servicemen.

VK Singh kicks up controversy

Union minister VK Singh on Wednesday sparked a controversy by saying that the mental state of ex-service man Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly committed suicide on Wednesday, needs to be investigated.

Reason for his suicide being reported is #OROP, don't know what his mental state was, need investigation, said ANI quoted VK Singh as saying.



Anna Hazare questions lacunae in OROP

Attacking the union government over the alleged suicide of an ex-serviceman, social activist Anna Hazare has asked why the Centre had devised an imperfect OROP scheme.



The Centre and leaders are speaking about bravery of soldiers with much pride. But then why the lacunae were kept in OROP for the past soldiers. Grewals death has raised many questions and the Centre has to answer them, Hazare said.

Ex-armyman was OROP recipient: Def Ministry

Grewal was one of the recipients of benefits under the revised pension scheme, Defence Ministry sources said today as his death sent political temperature soaring in the national capital.



However, Ministry sources said Grewal had received a lesser amount as part of the One Rank-One Pension scheme under the 6th pay commission due to an error in calculation by the SBI bank branch in Bhiwani district of Haryana, a matter which was being looked into.

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Srinagar:

At least 100 people, including a superintendent of police (SP) and 35 other security personnel were injured on Wednesday in clashes between stone-pelting mobs and law enforcement agencies in different parts of Kashmir valley, officials said.

The intense clashes took place in Soura area in the outskirts of Srinagar after police tried to arrest some youth allegedly involved in disturbing law and order, leaving 80 people including SP Hazratbal and 35 other securitymen injured, they said.

Among the civilians injured, three received pellet injures while another was hit by a tear-smoke shell during the clashes which continued throughout the day, the officials said.

The clashes broke out when police, assisted by paramilitary forces, launched a cordon and search operation to nab some youth in Anchar locality of Soura.

Commenting on the incident, a police spokesperson said miscreants in large numbers pelted stones heavily upon the deployments at Anchar-Soura resulting in grievous injuries to SP Hazratbal and 35 other police and security forces personnel.While dealing with the law and order in the area, three civilians who were part of the mob also sustained injuries.

They were shifted to SKIMS Soura for treatment. The condition of all of them is stated to be stable, the spokesperson said.

He said a deputy superintendent of police was injured during another clash which took place between stone-pelting protesters and security forces at Tarzoo village of Sopore township in north Kashmirs Baramulla district.

However, officials said 15 people were hurt in the clashes during which police fired dozens of teargas shells and used batons to restore law and order.

Miscreants pelted stones on police and security forces deployed at Dachoo, Rabben, Nagbal and Sugan during the day. Police chased the protesters, using mild force, he said. However, officials said at least five persons sustained minor injuries in the clashes.

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Washington:

The FBI has once again courted controversy as it released heavily redacted files from its 2001 investigation of President Bill Clintons pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich, just one week from Election Day.

The bureau yesterday posted 129 pages from its 2001 investigation of Rich, a former hedge-fund trader who had been indicted on multiple counts of tax evasion. The releaseissued by an automated FBI Twitter account quickly drew complaints from Democrats who have assailed FBI Director James Comey for his decision last week to tell Congress the bureau was reviewing emails potentially related to Hillary Clintons private server.

ALSO READ: (White house praise of FBI Director blow to Clintons election campaign: Trump camp)

The bureau has been accused by some of meddling in the final days of a hard-fought US presidential election on November 8.

Hillary Clintons supporters were already fuming after Comey revived the specter of her email scandal in the tense final days of the presidential election, a move that played right into Donald Trumps hands, CNN reported.

But their frustrationsand suspicionsintensified yesterday when the FBI suddenly released redacted files about its 2001 probe into President Clintons pardon of Rich, it said.

In an election hinging on voter perceptions of character and trustworthiness, the move revived memories of yet another political fracas surrounding the Clinton family, the network commented.

The FBIs tweet led some to conclude the documents were related to the Clintons charitable foundation, but the tweet was referring to Bill Clintons presidential library, which is governed by the William J. Clinton Foundation.

Bill Clinton pardoned Rich on his last day in office, one of his most controversial decisions as president. The FBI closed its investigation of Clintons pardon for Rich in 2005 and no charges were filed against the former president.

Absent a (Freedom of Information Act) litigation deadline, this is odd. Will FBI be posting docs on Trumps housing discrimination in 70s? tweeted Brian Fallon, a spokesman for Clintons campaign.

The FBI defended its actions in a statement yesterday. The FBIs Records Management Division receives thousands of FOIA requests annually which are processed on a first in, first out basis, the bureau said.

ALSO READ: (FBI reopens investigations into Hillary Clinton's use of private email server, Trump praises probe)

By law, FOIA materials that have been requested three or more times are posted electronically to the FBIs public reading room shortly after they are processed. Per the standard procedure for FOIA, these materials became available for release and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBIs public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures.

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Sweeping estates far from friends, restaurants and schools are more often being turned down by home-buyers in favor of smaller lots close to amenities, according to real estate experts and housing trends.

This pattern isnt new, but its turned some parts of southwestern Connecticut towns into hot-spots for buyers, especially first-time homeowners heading out of New York City looking for a place to settle down.

The Riverside section of Greenwich, for example, showed a significant increase in number of sales in a year-over-year analysis provided by Jonathan Miller of Miller Samuel Real Estate in Douglas Ellimans third-quarter sales report.

Several real estate agents who work in the area, including one whos raised her family there, all emphatically agree Riverside is a popular choice for home-buyers.

People are choosing to live here for the same reason my family chose to live her 20 years ago, said Cynthia De Riemer of Coldwell Banker. Its an old-fashioned, community-oriented place with a sense of freedom for kids who can ride their bikes and walk to school and parents who volunteer and help each other out.

The close-knit community, quality schools, Binney Park, beach access at Tods Point and Old Greenwich businesses all contribute to what makes Riverside desirable for homeowners, De Riemer and Scott Elwell of Douglas Elliman said.

Riverside is selling a lifestyle and community, Elwell said. I refer to it as a trick-or-treating community where, depending on which street you live on, you can get a lot of trick-or-treaters with block parties and people coming over with a pie to introduce themselves to you.

This sense of community togetherness appeals to former city-dwellers who associate that camaraderie with the suburbs, he said. They get all of that along with slightly larger lots than are typically found in next-door Old Greenwich, De Riemer said. Plus, they are a short drive down the Post Road from the heart of town commerce on Greenwich Avenue.

Accessibility is everything, Elwell said.

Riversides allure made it the only Greenwich submarket that increased in average sales prices since last years third quarter, the Douglas Elliman report showed. With its 32 closings in the third quarter, Riverside bumped up its average sales price by about a half-million dollars.

Proximity is key

A similar story is playing out across southwestern Connecticut including in Stamford and Norwalk. Home-buyers are lately attracted to Stamford neighborhoods like Turn of River, Newfield and Springdale because of their proximity to the downtown and Metro-North rail  and because of affordability, according to Linda Sentementes, a Stamford-based realtor with William Pitt Sothebys International Realty.

People still love living in North Stamford, but increasingly people want to be closer to downtown, Sentementes said. Even though there are high-end homes in the Newfield area, for instance, the majority are in that $400,000 to $700,000 range.

People are applying for mortgages lower than they can get because they no longer want to spend so much money on their homes, Sentementes said. They also want to have second homes and be able to travel, in many cases. Homes with those price points between $400,000 and $700,000 are basically flying off the shelf.

Though Rowayton generates the lions share of seven-figure sales in Norwalk  including a Five Mile Landing condominium sale this week for $2.9 million  the citys 06851 ZIP code has generated the most activity of late, anchored in its southwest corner by the citys historic town green and its neighborhoods flanking East Avenue and Newtown Turnpike heading northeast, and bounded along the southern tier by Westport Avenue heading east.

Like many parts of Norwalk, the district encompasses both upscale single-family properties in leafy settings, and more-affordable condominium units along its busy thoroughfares. Hearst Media Connecticut tracked more than 50 sales in the neighborhood in September and October.

Trends evening out

Matthew Nuzie, an agent with Remax Right Choice in Trumbull, said Bridgeport has several neighborhoods that do better than others, especially Black Rock and the North End, in terms of selling price and attractiveness to a buyer. These neighborhoods are still doing well despite the latest tax increase in the city, Nuzie said.

But that storyline doesnt hold true in all markets, some of which experience competition more equally across the board. Nuzie said that while the Tashua area was once seen as more active than other neighborhoods in Trumbull, the Jane Ryan School area has become more attractive in recent years. He said no single neighborhood really stands out now as the so-called best area to buy a home.

Its evened out over the years, Nuzie said.

Similarly, David Vieira, owner and broker of Danbury-based Rebelo Realty, said he rarely gets requests from clients to concentrate on a specific area of Danbury.

Danbury is more homogeneous than most towns Ive dealt with, Vieira said. Even with schools, I rarely get someone wanting a specific school area. In some towns, people want to be on a certain side of the street to be in a specific school district. I dont see that in Danbury.

 Includes reporting by Chris Bosak, Alexander Soule, Paul Schott and Keila Torres Ocasio.

MBennett@hearstmediact.com, 203-625-4411; Twitter @Macaela_
The office of the state medical examiner is on the verge of losing its national accreditation, due to understaffing. The change means that the office does not meet the minimum standards for an adequate medicolegal death investigation system, said Chief Medical Examiner James Gill.

On Tuesday, Gill sent a letter to media announcing its looming change in status and attaching a letter from the National Association of Medical Examiners, which handles the accreditation process. In the letter, Barbara C. Wolf, chair of the national organizations inspection and accreditation committee, sites many challenges related to inadequate funding and insufficient staffing. Most notably, there are insufficient numbers of forensic pathologists, medicolegal deaths investigators and clerical personnel for the volume of cases in Connecticut.

The letter also mentions that each of the states seven forensic pathologists is responsible for more than 325 autopsies, which is considered too high.

Understaffing in the medical examiners office results in an increased risk of mistakes, Gill said in an email. Mistakes by a medical examiners office put peoples lives at risk, can result in the innocent imprisoned, and cost millions of dollars in civil claims. We are trying to maintain our core duties but there will be delays in the release of autopsy reports and death certificates.

The offices budget woes have been a discussion topic for the past several months. When the new budget was enacted, the medical examiners office had to make such changes as ceasing to collect the bodies of those who die without family or friends, and storing them in the refigerator of its office in Farmington.

Instead, municipalities  mainly local funeral directors  had to take on the collection, and its costs of nearly $200 per body.

Gill said the office will be put on probation for one year. If we can get the funding to staff the office appropriately in that time, we could avoid complete loss of accreditation, he said. The only way to prevent this is if we can convince the State government to fund our office to allow us to hire sufficient staff.

The Governors office could not immediately be reached for this story.
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BETHEL - The old downtown train station could soon go from bikes to beers.

A brew pub called Broken Symmetry Gastro Brewery proposes to move into the space once occupied by Bethel Cycle before its closing last year. It would be part of the Bethel Forward project, a transit-oriented development plan that aims to improve downtown.

Director of Economic Development Janice Chrzescijanek said the microbrewery could spark this revitalization. A Bethel Forward analysis found that residents leave town to go to restaurants and drinking establishments, so officials want to bring more of these types of businesses downtown. Microbreweries also attract a younger crowd, as well as encourage other businesses to open, she said.

Once a microbrewery has entered a community, you see a burst of other businesses trying to enter the area as well, Chrzescijanek said.

Resident Daniel Labrecque, who spoke in favor of the proposal during a public hearing Tuesday night, said he is originally from Bristol, where a brew pub known as Firefly Hollow has been a great success. He said Bethel could benefit just as much.

Instead of driving to Stratford to Two Roads Brewery or Bristol or to Thomas Hooker Brewery in Hartford, I can stay here and spend my money here in town, Labrecque said. It would be nice to keep those dollars here in Bethel, and it would also be a draw for other people to come into Bethel to spend money. And once theyre downtown they can go to the Greenwood Ale House or up the street to get an ice cream at Dr. Mikes.

Resident Bob Legnard said he supports the project, too, but asked whether there would be enough parking spaces nearby.

We think its a good idea....but we dont want to hurt other businesses while were doing that, he said.

But town officials said there would be enough parking along Greenwood Avenue and the side streets, as well as at the old train station.

Paul Mannion, one of the four prospective owners, agreed, adding that people could notice other businesses they want to visit while parking and heading to their location.

Its going to help everybody, he said.

Chris Sanzeni, one of the other owners, said the train station was his dream location when he and his team started to look for a space for their pub three to four years ago.

One of the things we loved about Bethel was that its a walking town, its that small New England town, he said. We were like, Wow what a great scene. It reminded me of reading stories about colonial America with the old pubs and taverns.

The owners said they plan to have long community tables on the lower floor where patrons can intermingle, a counter where drinks are poured and ordered, and a stage where beer is fermented. They also plan to use outdoor space.

Sanzeni said the microbrewery would have traditional New England style IPAs, porters and stouts, but his favorite to brew is the Belgium style, which he said few places in the area offer. He said he wants to come up with creative recipes and include the community in that process.

The owners have also already heard from local businesses who want the pub to use their coffee or other products.

The approach for us too is about really being part of the community and collaborating with other businesses in the area, Sanzeni said. Its not about competing and pushing people away from each other. Its about bring everyone together. We want to be that nucleus. Its local-based people trying to do the best for what we have right next door.

Residents will vote on the project at a Nov. 10 meeting.
David Arconti Jr. has done a fine job these past four years representing the 109th District, which is the northeast side of Danbury. He has made the health of Candlewood Lake a priority  working to get $1 million to fight invasive species  and fights for education funding for one of few municipalities with school enrollment increasing.

The 30-year-old Democrat has worked effectively in a bipartisan fashion  which Hartford sorely needs  in a seven-member delegation that has been mostly Republican and with a strong Republican mayor anchoring the city.
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Both candidates vying for the states 32nd Senate District see Connecticuts failure to secure business and job growth as their number one issue, but disagree on how to fix the problem.

We havent seen much in the way of job creation in the 32nd, said Democrat Greg Cava, who is running for state office after several years on the Region 12 Board of Education.

Cava said businesses have fled the area because the state has cut programs in vocational training and education that need to be bolstered for what he called re-shoring, which will happen when companies start coming back to the states. Companies need to find Connecticut ready to supply the infrastructure and workforce needed to build business, he said.

Incumbent Republican Sen. Rob Kane, seeking his fifth term, wants to cut taxes on everything from businesses to over-the-counter medication.

Kane, of Watertown, is a small-business owner who wants fewer regulations and lower taxes that he said would create a pro-business climate.

Democrats have just made an atmosphere that's anti-business, Kane said. Taxation from Hartford has just put a thumb in the face of small business over and over, he added.

Cava, a land-use lawyer, thinks the state should play a leading role in making the state business-friendly instead of just cutting taxes. The state should play matchmaker between the the states universities and businesses, he said. Cava said he thinks the state can create a Connecticut that businesses wouldnt want to leave.

The state has to create what business needs to prosper, Cava said.

What do we have? he said. Incomparable universities, smart, highly-skilled workers and great communities.

Kane, citing his years in Hartford, said state programs only do so much for businesses. Its taxation that is driving them away, he said.

Instead, Kane said hed like to replicate the successes of tax-abatement programs, such as the one he pushed for on the Waterbury-Oxford Airport Development Zone.

Despite being in the legislative minority, Kane said he was able to pass a bill offering eligible businesses tax incentives equal to five-year, 80 percent abatement on local property taxes and up to 10-year breaks on corporate business-tax credits.

Cava argued that selective tax breaks only deepen the budget deficit. He said hed rather the state use its limited capital to reinforce move-in incentives the state already has on the books. And while there are opportunities to cut costs, cutting taxes too much would require service cuts that hurt state residents more than boost their income.

You can only cut so much fat. Then you cut into the muscle, said Cava.

Kane argued that there is plenty of fat to cut, saying that the state should be involved in only four facets of residents lives: public health, public safety, infrastructure and education.

Line items such as administrative salaries need to be slimmed down, Kane said, and state programs that dont fit in the four categories should be left to nonprofit organizations with the help of state grants.

Cava said hed like to see the state push programs such as 2012s Learn Here, Live Here, which was created to help students who graduated from Connecticut universities and vocational programs to buy a first home here, he said.

Concerning proposals for tolls on state roads, Kane said he would oppose them because they would be another burden on residents, and he doesnt trust the state to use the money properly anyway.

But Cava said tolls, if properly administered, could bolster infrastructure funding. Surrounding states have tolls, he noted, and he would favor studying the idea.

Both candidates brought up General Electrics move to Massachusetts as an example of the other partys failings. Kane argued that GE was just another example of Connecticuts overbearing taxation pushing out business, while Cava said the company moved to Boston because the city and its universities attract young workers  the type Cava hopes to attract to Connecticut.

And if the Democrats maintain a majority in the state Senate, Cava said, several of his proposals could become reality.

Kane, who thinks a Republican swing is likely on election night, believes hell be able to push his tax-cutting, business-friendly agenda further after Nov. 8.

Both Republican and Democrat said they would see a measure of success regardless of the party in power.

Weve seen one-party rule in the state of Connecticut, and it has not worked, Kane said. People want a new chance.

blytton@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3411; @bglytton
Kerala to seek Centre's help for rehabilitation schemes for returning diaspora

Kerala,National,Politics,Diaspora,Business/Economy, Wed, 02 Nov 2016 IANS

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 2 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said though the Centre was lukewarm to requests for help with rehabilitation schemes for returning members of the diaspora, he would again take up the issue with New Delhi.

According to the latest study on Kerala's 23.63 lakh diaspora, 90 per cent are working in various Middle East countries, of which UAE accounts for 38.7 per cent, followed by Saudi Arabia which has 25.2 per cent.

Vijayan told the state assembly that a grave situation now prevails in the Middle East with many countries implementing so-called "nationalisation" programmes, leaving thousands of the state's disapora in a tight spot.

So far, though the situation in many Middle East countries is worrying, no exodus has been reported of returning diaspora.

"Falling oil prices in the Middle East have caused a huge dent to the hopes and aspirations of many Keralites who are now employed in various Middle East countries. In our budget early this year, we set aside Rs 40 crore for programmes for rehabilitation of the returning diaspora and for strengthening existing schemes," said Vijayan.

Former Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty, who raised the matter through a calling attention motion in the house, pointed out that while migration to the Middle East began in the 1970s, the situation today "is tough as many of these countries have now started the process of nationalisation by appointing locals to many of the jobs that were the forte of Keralites".

"As things stand, with expenses mounting and oil prices dropping, the bright side of a job in the Middle East has dramatically dropped and signs are not that good," said Kunhalikutty.

He said that while we have to explore if there are job options in countries in Africa and other places, Keralites must also introspect over the "false prestige" that prevents them from taking up jobs in Kerala.

"The situation in Kerala is that migrant labour from various states are drawing higher salaries than what some Keralites are earning in the Middle East. Things will dramatically change if Keralites shed their false prestige that they can't do such jobs in Kerala, while they do all types of job once outside," said Kunhalikutty.

Vijayan pointed out that the Norka (Non resident Keralite's affairs) Department has already set up a scheme to extend a loan, subject to a maximum of Rs 20 lakh, for the returning diaspora to start their own ventures.

"This scheme has a liberal subsidy that is being provided by the state government. We will also encourage the returning diaspora to set up cooperative societies and all support will be provided for that," said Vijayan.

--IANS

sg/ss/sac
TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2016 /CNW/ - Innovative fintech companies in Australia and Ontario will be able to draw on support from the combined resources of their financial regulators as they seek to operate in the others' market, under a new agreement.

Under the agreement, signed in Toronto this week, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) will refer to one another those innovative businesses seeking to enter the others' market. The regulators may provide support to innovative businesses before, during and after authorisation to help reduce regulatory uncertainty and time to market.

The agreement follows the creation of the Innovation Hub at ASIC in April 2015 and the OSC LaunchPad in October 2016. These initiatives were established to help businesses with innovative ideas navigate financial/securities regulation, support them through the authorisation process and ease their engagement with the regulator.

Signing the agreement, John Price, ASIC Commissioner, said:

'ASIC is committed to encouraging innovation that has the potential to benefit financial consumers and investors. Since we launched our Innovation Hub last year we have seen a surge in requests by fintech startups seeking assistance about how to navigate the regulatory requirements. These have covered a wide range of issues, as you would expect of such a young and exciting sector, but include robo or digital advice, crowd-sourced equity funding, payments, marketplace lending and blockchain business models. Some of these business concepts are already looking to expand internationally, and these agreements with like-minded regulators will be a significant factor in paving the way.'

Maureen Jensen, Chair and CEO of the OSC, said:

'Last month, the Ontario Securities Commission unveiled OSC LaunchPad. This is the first dedicated team by a securities regulator in Canada to help fintech businesses navigate securities law requirements and accelerate time-to-market. Today's agreement  another first for a Canadian securities regulator  reflects our commitment to improving the regulatory experience for emerging businesses that are offering innovative services, products and applications of benefit to investors.'

To qualify for the support offered by the agreement, innovative businesses will need to meet the eligibility criteria of their home regulator. Once referred by the regulator, and ahead of applying for authorisation to operate in the new market, the business will have access to dedicated staff that will help them to understand the regulatory framework in the market they wish to join, and how it applies to them.

ASIC and the OSC have also committed to share information on emerging trends in each other's markets and the potential impact on regulation.

Related links

ASIC Innovation Hub

OSC LaunchPad

Background

In March 2015, ASIC announced that it would establish an online Innovation Hub to assist innovative fintech businesses navigate ASIC's regulatory system. Through its Innovation Hub, ASIC engages with the fintech community, provides assistance to innovative fintech start-ups and liaises with fintech experts through ASIC's Digital Finance Advisory Committee.

On October 24, 2016, the OSC announced "OSC LaunchPad" to engage with fintech businesses, provide the opportunity for support in navigating securities requirements and strive to keep regulation in step with digital innovation. This initiative supports innovation while fulfilling the OSC's mandate to provide protection to investors and promote confidence in its markets.

SOURCE Ontario Securities Commission

For further information: [email protected], [email protected]
MONTREAL, Nov. 2, 2016 /CNW/ - ENERCON Canada Inc. ("ENERCON") is pleased to announce the closing of a C$825.5 million non-recourse project financing for its 230 MW Niagara Region Wind Farm project located in the Ontario, Canada counties of Lincoln, West Lincoln, Wainfleet and Haldimand in the Niagara Peninsula.

The wind farm, which comprises 77 ENERCON E-101 3MW wind turbines and has a 20-year feed-in tariff contract with the Independent Electricity System Operator of the Province of Ontario, was commissioned on October 30, 2016. In addition to bringing clean energy to the province, the wind farm has created 700 jobs during project construction and will create another 25 direct long-term jobs during operations. The wind farm is owned by ENERCON and Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation. Boralex Inc. will acquire 25% of ENERCON's interest in the project by December 31, 2016.

The financing totals approximately C$825.5 million, consisting of:

a construction loan of approximately C$789.5 million that will convert into an 18-year amortizing loan after the start of the commercial operation, and

that will convert into an 18-year amortizing loan after the start of the commercial operation, and a letter of credit facility of approximately C$39 million .

A portion of approximately C$252.4 million of the financing will be covered by a guarantee offered to the lenders by the Federal Republic of Germany through its Export Credit Agency Euler-Hermes.

MUFG acted as administrative agent, collateral agent and account bank. KfW IPEX-Bank acted as Hermes agent and technical bank. Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg acted as insurance agent. The documentation banks are MUFG and KfW IPEX-Bank. The mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners are KfW IPEX-Bank, MUFG, CaixaBank, S.A., Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg, ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC and DZ Bank AG New York Branch.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP acted as legal counsel to the lenders. Fasken, Martineau DuMoulin LLP acted as legal counsel to ENERCON. Plan A Capital Inc. acted as financial advisor to ENERCON.

About ENERCON in Canada:

Established in Germany over 30 years ago, ENERCON is an international leader in wind turbine design and sales. Known worldwide for its gearless generator technologies, high manufacturing standards, and comprehensive long-term service agreements, the company has become synonymous with reliability and performance. To date, ENERCON has installed more than 26,400 turbines worldwide, ranging from 500 kW to 7.5 MW, representing more than 43.1 GW of installed capacity.

A major player in the Canadian market since its entry in 2001, ENERCON Canada Inc. has over 450 employees with offices located in Montreal, Toronto and Dartmouth, service stations coast-to-coast, a manufacturing site in Matane (QC) and a dedicated training and warehouse facility in Boucherville (QC). ENERCON Canada Inc. currently has over 2,100 MW installed throughout seven Canadian provinces and territories.

For more information please visit www.enercon.de/en

About Boralex

Boralex develops, builds and operates renewable energy power facilities in Canada, France and the United States. A leader in the Canadian market and France's largest independent producer of onshore wind power, the Corporation is recognized for its solid experience in optimizing its asset base in four power generation types  wind, hydroelectric, thermal and solar. Boralex ensures sustained growth by leveraging the expertise and diversification developed over the past 25 years. Boralex's shares and convertible debentures are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols BLX and BLX.DB.A, respectively.

For more information please visit www.boralex.com or www.sedar.com.

About Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation:

Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) manages the Six Nations' economic interests in a number of renewable energy projects and economic development opportunities, on and around the Six Nations territory. SNGRDC's current green energy portfolio is capable of producing over 900 MW of renewable energy through its direct or indirect involvement in 13 solar or wind projects. SNGRDC has over 100 employees working in the areas of Administration, Corporate Affairs, Business Development, Property Management, and Nation Enterprise.

For more information please visit www.sndevcorp.ca

SOURCE ENERCON Canada Inc.

For further information: ENERCON Canada Inc., Eva Lotta Schmidt, Business Development Manager, (514) 363-7266; Boralex, Julie Cusson, Director Public Affairs & Communication, (514) 985-1353; Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation, Tabitha Curley, Corporate Communications Officer, (519) 753-1950
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION ON U.S. WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

HALIFAX, Nov. 1, 2016 /CNW/ - Holloway Lodging Corporation (TSX: HLC, HLC.DB, HLC.DB.A) ("Holloway") will release its 2016 third quarter results on Wednesday, November 9, 2016. An investor conference call will take place on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. EST, with Holloway's senior management.

Investors and analysts are invited to access the call by dialing 1-416-764-8688 or 1-888-390-0546 depending on your area code. You will be required to identify yourself and indicate if you represent an organization or if you are a private investor. A recording of this call will be available from 12:00 p.m. EST on November 10, 2016 through November 17, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. EST. To access the recording, please dial 1-416-764-8677 or 1-888-390-0541 and enter the playback passcode 526456#.

ABOUT HOLLOWAY LODGING CORPORATION

Holloway is a real estate corporation focused on owning and operating select and limited service lodging properties and a small complement of full service hotels primarily in secondary, tertiary and suburban markets. Holloway owns 35 hotels with 4,026 rooms. Holloway's shares and debentures trade on the TSX under the symbols HLC, HLC.DB and HLC.DB.A.

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to Holloway's future outlook and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding Holloway's future financial position, business strategy, financial results, plans and objectives. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "continue" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking information is subject to certain factors, including risks and uncertainties, that could cause actual results to differ materially from what Holloway currently expects and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Some of these risks and uncertainties are described under "Risk Factors" in Holloway's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2015 which is available on Holloway's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Holloway does not intend to update or revise any such forward-looking information should its assumptions and estimates change.

SOURCE Holloway Lodging Corporation

For further information: Michael Rapps, Chairman, at (416) 855-1925 or Jane Rafuse, Chief Financial Officer, at (902) 443-5101.
TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2016 /CNW/ - NYX Gaming Group Limited ("NYX" or the "Company") (TSX-V: NYX) today announced it will host a conference call and webcast with members of the investment community to discuss its third quarter financial results on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at 8:30am ET.

NYX's results for the third quarter ended September 30th, 2016 will be disseminated via press release and made available under NYX's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 before 8:30am ET.

Third Quarter Conference Call & Webcast

A conference call and webcast to discuss NYX's third quarter results will be held on November 15, 2016, at 8:30am ET. Matt Davey, Group CEO of NYX, and Eric Matejevich, CFO, will host the call. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation. To participate, interested parties are asked to dial (647)-427-7450 or 1-888-231-8191 prior to the scheduled start of the call. A replay of the conference call will be available by dialling (855) 859 - 2056 and using the reference number 7402226. This call will be available until November 22, 2016.

The Conference Call will also be webcast live at

http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=1298444&s=1&k=0D8F58891D55C7F8D660BDF2A754DCEB. The call will be archived for future reference.

About NYX GAMING

NYX Gaming Group Limited is a leading digital gaming provider headquartered in Las Vegas, USA with a staff of more than 1,000 employees based in over a dozen countries across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. The Company provides one of the world's largest portfolios of leading content and technology to some of the foremost gaming operators, lotteries and casinos across the globe. NYX also has one of the broadest distribution bases in the industry with over 200 unique customers and the widest portfolio of content available from their own global studios and broad partner network. The diversified game catalogue delivers content across web and mobile formats, focusing on Bingo, Casino, Lottery and Sportsbook verticals.

NYX Gaming Group was honoured in one of the most competitive categories with the 2016 Best Platform Supplier award at the iGaming North America Awards (iGNA)  a testament to NYX's commitment to innovation and product development. NYX's Open Gaming System (OGS) was also recently named 2016 Platform of the Year in acknowledgement of its position as the industry's market-leading gaming offering, which allows licensees to leverage the best-of-breed multi-vendor casino content from around the world.

NYX Gaming Group Limited is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol (TSXV: NYX).

http://www.NYXGamingGroup.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE NYX Gaming Group Limited

For further information: Matt Davey, Chief Executive Officer, NYX Gaming Group, 1-702-586-8428; For Media Enquiries please contact: Huw Thomas, Chief Corporate Development and Marketing Officer, NYX Gaming Group, E: [email protected]; For Investor Relations Enquiries please contact: Joann Head, Investor Relations, NYX Gaming Group, E: [email protected]
Signed Agreement with Cell Culture Company (C3) for Manufacturing of Clinical Grade Antibody to Support Planned Clinical Studies

EDMONTON, Nov. 2, 2016 /CNW/ - OncoQuest Inc. ("OncoQuest'), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of immunotherapeutic products for the treatment of cancer, today announced that its Joint Venture Partner in China, OncoVent Co., Ltd. ("OncoVent") has launched its clinical development program for Anti-MUC1 MAb AR20.5 for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Based on previous clinical experience and recently announced positive pre-clinical data on combinatory immunotherapy in the pancreatic cancer model, OncoVent has started implementing its clinical development plan, and has signed an agreement with a U.S. based cGMP cell culture bioproduction facility, Cell Culture Company (C3), located in Minneapolis US, to manufacture clinical grade MAb AR20.5. The manufactured antibody is intended to be used to support a planned U.S. clinical trial for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, followed by additional studies worldwide, including China.

OncoVent is a China-based joint venture company formed by Shenzhen Hepalink Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("Shenzhen Hepalink") and OncoQuest. OncoVent licensed its Antibody based Immunotherapy Technology from OncoQuest for the Greater China territory, and is supported by a US $5 million investment by Shenzhen Hepalink as well as a US $1 million investment by OncoQuest. Dr. Yuenian Shi (Dr. Eric Shi), co-founder of OncoVent has been appointed as its Director and Chief Executive Officer. A biomedical scientist specializing in cancer research and translational medicine development, Dr. Shi was Professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine prior to his return to China in 2010. During his tenure at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine between 1994  2010, Dr. Shi led twelve national research programs funded by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). In 2010, Dr. Shi returned to China and became Vice President of the Academy of Clinical Research and Translational Medicine at Nanjing Medical University. Dr. Shi has extensive experience in the China biotechnology industry and has successfully founded a number of bio-medical companies, including most recently: Dawei BioPharma in China, a medical device company specializing in the urinary tract system, and J&Q Diagnosis in China, a medical diagnosis company building a platform of metabolomics focusing on sex hormone metabolism.

OncoVent will be guided by its own experienced Board of Directors, chaired by Mr. Li Li, President and Chairman of Shenzhen Hepalink, a major global supplier of clinical grade heparin products. OncoQuest's representatives to the OncoVent Board include Dr. Eric Shi, CEO of OncoVent, and Dr. Christopher Nicodemus, President of AIT Strategies and Chairman of OncoQuest's Clinical Advisory Board.

"We are pleased by OncoVent's progress with its Anti-MUC1 Program" said Dr. Madi Madiyalakan, Chief Executive Officer of Quest and OncoQuest. "We look forward to working closely with OncoVent to leverage our extensive immunotherapy clinical experience built upon our oregovomab program."

About Anti-MUC1 MAb AR20.5

Anti-MUC1 MAb-AR20.5 is a novel immunotherapeutic drug for investigational use in the treatment of malignancies expressing the tumor-associated antigen known as MUC1. MAb-AR20.5 binds with high affinity to MUC1, recognizing the tandem repeat peptide sequence DTRPAP of the high molecular weight MUC1 glycoprotein. MUC1 is expressed on many adenocarcinomas including pancreatic, breast, lung, colon and prostate as well as in multiple myeloma. The DTRPAP epitope is uniquely exposed in malignant cells. A Phase I clinical study in MUC1 expressing cancers has established dose-dependent bioactivity and a favorable safety profile. OncoQuest is developing this antibody in conjunction with OncoVent for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

About OncoVent

OncoVent Co., Ltd. is a China-based pharmaceutical company specializing in the development of combination immunotherapy for the Greater China market with registered funds of $9.26 million. OncoVent is focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of anti-MUC1 MAb AR20.5 as a Cancer Immunotherapy Product within China with pancreatic cancer as its first target.

About OncoQuest

OncoQuest is a subsidiary of Quest PharmaTech Inc. (TSXV-QPT) ("Quest"), and is a privately held, Canadian based pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of immunotherapies for cancer. OncoQuest's technology platform includes a panel of tumor antigen specific monoclonal immunoglobulins including CA125, MUC1, PSA and Her2/neu; and the application of combinatorial immunotherapy to enhance tumor specific immunity and clinical outcome. OncoQuest's lead product, oregovomab, is currently undergoing a confirmatory phase IIb clinical trial involving 80 ovarian cancer patients in Italy and the United States. Additional clinical studies are underway or planned for oregovomab in combination with other therapeutic modalities for the treatment of pancreatic and ovarian cancers to identify optimal design for a product registration trial. OncoQuest's MUC1 program has already undergone a phase I clinical trial in breast cancer patients. OncoQuest's next-generation products are based on immunoglobulin E licensed from UCLA, Stanford University and Advanced Immune Therapeutics, Inc. These antigen-specific monoclonal IgE antibodies are currently in preclinical development. OncoQuest's current clinical and preclinical programs are funded by a U.S. $13 million private placement from Hepalink USA Inc., a subsidiary of Shenzhen Hepalink.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "should," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions. These statements are based upon current beliefs, expectations and assumptions and include statements regarding OncoQuest's intended clinical program. These statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements, including the ability of OncoQuest's product candidates to demonstrate safety and efficacy, as well as results that are consistent with prior results, the ability to enroll patients and complete the clinical trials on time and achieve desired results and benefits, the company's ability to obtain regulatory approvals for commercialization of product candidates or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, regulatory limitations relating to the company's ability to promote or commercialize its product candidates for specific indications, acceptance of its product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of products, the company's ability to maintain its license agreements, the continued maintenance and growth of its patent estate, its ability to establish and maintain collaborations, its ability to obtain or maintain the capital or grants necessary to fund its research and development activities, and its ability to retain its key scientists or management personnel. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release and the company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release based on new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE Quest PharmaTech Inc.

For further information: Dr. Madi R. Madiyalakan, Chief Executive Officer, OncoQuest Inc., Tel: (780) 448-1400 Ext. 204, Email: [email protected], Internet: www.oncoquestinc.com; OncoVent Contact: Dr. Yuenian Eric Shi, Chief Executive Officer, OncoVent Co., Ltd., Email: [email protected]; Investor Relations: Amato and Partners LLC, E-mail: [email protected]
Sunnybrook Veterans Centre aims to plant over 30,000 flags for our nation's heroes

TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2016 /CNW/ - In the early morning hours of November 11th, 475 of our nation's veterans will wake up to a patriotic sea of white and red covering the grounds of the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre. Now in its sixth year, Operation Raise a Flag, has officially launched its 2016 fundraising campaign and the public has the opportunity to participate and honour our country's war heroes.

People across the nation are encouraged to donate online by purchasing a Canadian flag to be among the 30,000 flags aimed to be planted the eve of Remembrance Day. A personal heartfelt message of thanks can be included and will be shared with the veterans, showing your appreciation for their sacrifice and courage.

"Sunnybrook has been proudly serving the needs of Canada's veterans since 1948 and each and every day we are reminded of their courage and incredible sacrifices," explains Dr. Jocelyn Charles, Medical Director, Sunnybrook Veterans Centre. "Their generation risked their lives in combat when it mattered most. Operation Raise a Flag is our opportunity to honour their legacy and show them that their efforts will never be forgotten."

Proceeds from the campaign will benefit Sunnybrook's Veterans Centre, home to over 475 heroes making it the largest veteran care facility in Canada. Donations will help veterans benefit from community outings, continued learning opportunities and quality family time. It also provides an opportunity for veterans to fulfill their wishes, such as a special outing with family, tickets to the theatre or attending a major sporting event.

"The war was over 70 years ago but the memories are still so vivid," says Mac Joyner, Second World War veteran. "I am in awe when I see all of the miniature flags outside on November 11th; it is a spectacular show of appreciation, truly awe-inspiring. Our veterans long-term care home is unique and the residents here share a bond that is like no other."

Flags are available online at www.raiseaflag.ca with a $25 donation, or by calling the Sunnybrook Foundation at 1-866-696-2008.

About Sunnybrook Veterans Centre

Working in close partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada, the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre is the largest veterans care facility in Canada and a recognized leader in the care of veterans who are no longer able to live at home independently. No other facility provides such a high level of specialized, compassionate, resident-centred care through a dedicated inter-professional team.

SOURCE Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Image with caption: "Canadian veteran Mac Joyner (CNW Group/Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161102_C3956_PHOTO_EN_809447.jpg

Image with caption: "Operation Raise a Flag celebrates Canada's heroes and honours their sacrifice. (CNW Group/Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161102_C3956_PHOTO_EN_809445.jpg

Image with caption: "Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (CNW Group/Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161102_C3956_PHOTO_EN_809443.jpg

For further information: Sally Fur, Communications & Stakeholder Relations, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, [email protected], B - 416-480-5057, C - 416-786-6402
VANCOUVER, Nov. 1, 2016 /CNW/ - Polaris Materials Corporation ("Polaris" or the "Company") (TSX:PLS) plans to release third quarter 2016 results on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 after the close of trading on the TSX. The results will be available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and also on the company's web site at www.polarismaterials.com. In conjunction with the release, Polaris has scheduled an investor conference call which will be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at 11:00am Eastern time (8:00am Pacific time).

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Details to access the call live are as follows:

Via telephone, toll free, by calling 1-888-390-0605 in North America or +1-416-764-8609 in Toronto .

or +1-416-764-8609 in . Via webcast at: http://goo.gl/rsxlYD

The webcast will be archived for 14 days following the call at the above-noted link. The conference call will also be recorded and available for replay until Wednesday, November 23, 2016. To access the replay, dial 1-888-390-0541 or +1-416-764-8677 and use Playback Passcode 576702# to hear the recording.

About Polaris Materials Corporation:

Polaris Materials Corporation is engaged in the development and operation of construction aggregate quarries in Canada to supply distribution facilities in the United States through coastal shipping. The Company's active construction aggregate interests consist of its Orca Sand and Gravel Quarry in British Columbia and two associated receiving terminals in Richmond and Long Beach, California. The Company also owns the Black Bear Project located in close proximity to the Orca Quarry, and a controlling interest in the Eagle Rock Quarry Project, located on the south coast of Vancouver Island.

For further information, please contact:

Nicholas Van Dyk

Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Development

Polaris Materials Corporation

Tel: (604) 915-5000 Ext. 111

[email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements and information appear in this document and include estimates, forecasts, information and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, among other things, the future financial or operating performance of the Company, including increases in gross margins, increases in sales volumes (including in the Long Beach market), shipments and selling prices, costs of production, capital and operating expenditures, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of quarrying operations, environmental risks, reclamation expenses, and title disputes, the Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar, increases in Californian construction activity and US infrastructure funding, statements regarding potential new customers and the development of Black Bear. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "should", "plans", "expects", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "budget", and "scheduled" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees and there can be no assurance that such statements and information will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's continuous disclosure documents which are filed with Canadian regulators on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), including under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's Annual Report and under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form. Such factors include, amongst others, the effects of general economic conditions, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities, uncertainties associated with legal proceedings and negotiations, industry supply levels, competitive pricing pressures, mineral resource and reserve estimates and the timing and development of the Black Bear project. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements and information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. All written and oral forward-looking statements and information attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements.

SOURCE Polaris Materials Corporation
TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Telefilm Canada released a new study, entitled Understand and Engage with Audiences, at the Playback Marketing Summit. The study, commissioned by Telefilm and partners the Canada Media Fund, Creative BC, the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) and the Societe de developpement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), was conducted by Nielsen, a global consumer insight company. Among its key findings, the report identifies two groups of Canadian viewers"Curious" and "Belonging"as primary targets to promote homegrown content and who together represent 50% of content viewers in the country.

"Providing market intelligence allows us to help the industry make better decisions," said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director of Telefilm Canada. "The study contains valuable information about the viewing habits and preferences of Canadian consumers of audiovisual products. For example, in identifying two key audience segments, "Curious" and "Belonging", and highlighting the genres of films they prefer, the study will help Canadian content producers and promoters better target their audiences. I'm also pleased that, as the study found, almost three quarters of Canadians surveyed believe that Telefilm plays an important role in Canadian film. This is a vote of confidence in publicly funded support for creative talent in Canada."

Study highlights

When producing and promoting Canadian content, producers and funding organizations should engage primarily with two segments of Canadian content viewers, identified as "Curious" highly committed movie buffs who love all sorts of movies, blockbusters as well as smaller-scale, bringing excitement and noveltyand "Belonging"viewers who watch to expand their horizons and who consider movies an opportunity for growth and learning.

Film and television viewing remain a key part of the Canadian lifestyle: 53% of Canadians watch TV shows at least once a day, and 50% watch movies at least once a week.

Canadians are consuming more and more content, across all mediums. Compared to last year, viewers said they watched 13% more TV shows, 3% more movies, 15% more non-traditional videos (such as YouTube, Web series and shorts), and 2% more documentaries.

Canadians have very positive attitudes toward Canadian movies and toward Telefilm Canada. 74% of Canadians agree that Telefilm plays an important role in providing financial support for the private sector to create distinctly Canadian productions that appeal to domestic and international audiences.

Valuable insights for the industry

Based on its findings, the study offers insight into what content producers should consider when producing or promoting to the "Curious" and "Belonging" viewer segments. For example, they should:

Ensure that Canadian films and productions are distributed to streaming sites;

Consider marketing trailers and shorter videos to sites like YouTube;

Ensure trailers for Canadian feature films are readily available online;

Find ways to improve film distribution of Canadian films in larger multiplexes or improve the ways in which they are promoted there;

Consider fostering relationships with, or subsidizing, small theatres to continue to present cinema to their niche audiences; and

Consider new ways to curate content, such as posting different lists of Canadian films in different categories on sites consumers frequent (like IMDB).

Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, Canada Media Fund added: "In an era of abundance and constantly-evolving consumer habits, it's essential for the industry, whether its producers, distributors or funders, to better understand today's audiences. By identifying what motivates audiences, how they can be engaged and what they value in the content they consume, the study's findings will allow us to better position Canadian content in today's borderless, digital world."

Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC also added: "We know that audiences are consuming more content than ever before. By using this data to understand our viewers, funders and industry can collaboratively and strategically allocate resources toward sustainable growth."

Karen Thorne-Stone, President and CEO, OMDC added: "The Ontario Media Development Corporation is keenly interested in research which informs us about connecting content with audiences. Canadian filmmakers are creating compelling, high-quality film and television products and these findings will help producers and distributors from Ontario and across Canada target their marketing and outreach to effectively reach key audience segments in a very noisy digital marketplace."

Monique Simard, President and Chief Executive Officer, SODEC further added: "Times are without a doubt changing, and if we wish to keep pace with these major transformations and continue to achieve our mission of supporting and fostering the development of cultural organizations, we need to better understand the consumption patterns that characterize our audiences. This information is crucial and also valuable to the industry, for it allows us to better identify our required actions."

Methodology

Understand and Engage with Audiences was based on a two-part study conducted by Nielsen. In the first part of the study, Nielsen conducted an online survey, between May 27 and June 10, 2016, of 3,010 Canadian residents, English and French, aged 15 or over. Based on the results of this survey, Nielsen identified five movie-watcher segments. In the second part of the study, Nielsen held focus groups with two of these segments, "Curious" and "Belonging"together representing 50% of content viewers in Canada. The focus groups, which involved a total of 59 participants, were held in Toronto and Vancouver (in English) and Montreal and Quebec City (in French) from September 20 to 28, 2016.

The full study is available here.

About Telefilm CanadaInspired by talent. Viewed everywhere.

Celebrating 50 years in 2017, Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada's audiovisual industry. Through funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual treaty coproductions to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Launched in 2013, the Talent Fund accepts private donations to principally support emerging talent. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada.

SOURCE Telefilm Canada

For further information: Media enquiries: Douglas Chow, Head, Public Relations, Telefilm Canada, (514) 283-0838 ext. 2048 or 1-800-567-0890, [email protected]
More than 1,500 gather in Calgary for Canada's largest wind energy conference and exhibition

CALGARY, Nov. 1, 2016 /CNW/ -Canada's wind energy sector is ready to invest in projects worth billions of dollars in Alberta and Saskatchewan as governments in both provinces implement policies to significantly increase the amount of emissions-free electricity on their power grids, industry leaders agreed at the kick-off of the Canadian Wind Energy Association's 32nd Annual Conference and Exhibition today in Calgary.

More than 1,500 wind energy professionals from Canada and around the world are attending CanWEA 2016, being held Nov. 1-3 at the BMO Centre. Hosted by CanWEA and Hannover Fairs (Canada), the 2 -day event features a dynamic line up of expert speakers on a range of topics that include business development opportunities, wind energy market trends, industry best practices and technology innovation. More than 120 exhibitors representing the industry's leading global companies are showcasing the latest in wind energy-related products and services on the tradeshow floor.

Calgary's mayor, His Worship Naheed Nenshi, delivered the opening remarks at the first plenary session where wind energy opportunities in western Canada were in the spotlight. The Alberta government recently announced that it will support the installation of 5,000 MW of renewable energy as it works to meet its goal of 30 per cent renewable electricity by 2030, a plan expected to attract at least $10.5 billion in new investment and create a minimum of 7,200 new jobs. Saskatchewan has also targeted the addition of at least 1,600 MW of wind energy to its electricity supply mix over the next 15 years.

Both provinces are expected to start the process of purchasing new wind power before the end of the year. Mr. Guy Bruce, the vice-president of planning, environment and sustainable development at SaskPower updated conference participants on the work they're doing to move forward with an initial procurement. Delegates also heard from panels of industry and business leaders who noted that the significant long-term targets for new clean energy development in both provinces has attracted the attention of numerous investors who are looking forward to further implementation details that will enable them to move forward on plans to help both provinces capitalize on their massive wind energy potential.

Alberta will be back in the spotlight on Thursday, when The Honourable Shannon Phillips, Alberta's minister of environment and parks and minister responsible for the climate change office addresses delegates at the morning plenary, followed by the Alberta Electric System Operator's (AESO) vice president of renewables development and sustainability, Mr. Michael Law, who will speak at Thursday's keynote luncheon.

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, the federal minister of environment and climate change will address delegates at Wednesday's keynote luncheon.

Quotes

"Many new growth opportunities for our industry have emerged in the west and that's why it's so important to be here in Calgary at the heart of the action. Wind energy represents a massive opportunity for Alberta and Saskatchewan and capitalizing on the world-class wind resources in the region can help both provinces meet aggressive climate change goals in a cost-effective way. The industry is eager to demonstrate how wind energy can help position both provinces for success in the transition to a low-carbon economy."

- Robert Hornung, president, Canadian Wind Energy Association

"Over the next few years, a large number of SaskPower's generating facilities will reach the end of their life spans, and on top of that, we expect demand for electricity to continue to grow as our province grows. Wind energy is an affordable way to help meet that challenge, and at the same time help SaskPower meet its goal of reducing electricity sector greenhouse emissions 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030."

- Guy Bruce, vice-president of planning, environment & sustainable development, SaskPower

Background

Canada currently has more than 11,200 MW of wind energy, the seventh largest wind generating fleet in the world. More wind energy has been built in Canada over the last five years than any other form of electricity generation, with installed capacity growing by an average of 23 per cent a year over that time frame. To learn more, please visit the Wind Markets section of CanWEA's website.

currently has more than 11,200 MW of wind energy, the seventh largest wind generating fleet in the world. More wind energy has been built in over the last five years than any other form of electricity generation, with installed capacity growing by an average of 23 per cent a year over that time frame. To learn more, please visit the Wind Markets section of CanWEA's website. CanWEA's recently-released Pan-Canadian Wind Integration Study demonstrates that provinces across Canada can reliably integrate the large amounts of renewable energy required to meet climate change goals.

can reliably integrate the large amounts of renewable energy required to meet climate change goals. CanWEA 2016 event website: www.windenergyevent.ca. Download the mobile app by searching CanWEA2016 in the App Store and Google Play.

About the Canadian Wind Energy Association

CanWEA is the voice of Canada's wind energy industry, actively promoting the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy. A national non-profit association, CanWEA serves as Canada's leading source of credible information about wind energy and its social, economic and environmental benefits. Join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Learn more at www.canwea.ca.

About the CanWEA Annual Conference and Exhibition

The CanWEA Annual Conference and Exhibition is organized by Hannover Fairs Canada, Inc., a subsidiary of Deutsche Messe AG, in partnership with the Canadian Wind Energy Association. The event is Canada's biggest wind-energy fair. CanWEA 2016 is scheduled for November 1-3, 2016 at the BMO Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

About Hannover Fairs

Hannover Fairs develops and manages marketing programs at Deutsche Messe events in Hannover, Germany and the United States, as well as in such key emerging markets as China, India and Turkey. Working closely with its clients, Hannover Fairs helps them maintain their competitive position on and off the event floor. The company's programs reflect the global scope of Deutsche Messe's activities and include such world-renowned B-to-B trade fairs as CeBIT (information and communications technology), DOMOTEX (floor coverings), HANNOVER MESSE (industrial technology), and LIGNA HANNOVER (forestry and wood industries).

SOURCE Canadian Wind Energy Association

Image with caption: "Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) welcomes Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi during the opening of CanWEA 2016 in Calgary, Alta. on Tuesday, Nov. 1 2016. Bryan Passifiume/CanWEA (CNW Group/Canadian Wind Energy Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161101_C6213_PHOTO_EN_809625.jpg

For further information: Lejla Latifovic, Communications Advisor, Canadian Wind Energy Association, On-site/cell: 613-608-8226, [email protected]
Blog_2016-10-05-ll-chobani1.JPG

Hamdi Ulukaya, show here speaking to a group of Chobani Greek yogurt employees at the plant in South Edmeston, Chenango County, is under fire from some conservatives for his commitment to hiring refugees to work for the company. He is an immigrant from Turkey.

(Lauren Long)

NEW BERLIN, NY -- They've accused the company of trying to "drown" the United States in refugees. There have been racist tweets aimed at the company founder. Now, there are calls for a boycott.

The commitment by Chenango County-based Greek yogurt company Chobani to hire refugees has drawn the outrage of far-right conservatives, also known as the alt-right, according to a report this week in the New York Times.

The company now employs about 300 refugees, out of total workforce of 2,000. About half of Chobani's employees work at its yogurt plant in South Edmeston or at the company headquarters in New Berlin, both in Chenango County.

It has a larger production facility in Twin Falls, Idaho, where, according to reports, most of the refugees have been hired. The mayor of Twin Falls, who has supported Chobani's efforts, has received death threats, the Times reported.

Chobani declined to comment on the Times' report.

Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya, a Kurdish immigrant from Turkey, has made no secret of his desire to find places in his company for refugees. He spoke of his commitment -- and made a call for more American companies to do the same -- at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland in January.

Ulukaya also founded the Tent Foundation, whose mission is to assist refugees. Its mission statement reads: "The Test Foundation seeks to improve the lives and livelihoods of the 65 million people who have been forcibly displaced around the globe. We do this by funding direct assistance, investing in innovation, and promoting policies and partnrships to help the displaced realize their full potential."

Conservative web sites and bloggers are on the attack. A headline in the far-right site WND declared "American Yogurt Tycoon Vows to Choke U.S. With Muslims." The site Breitbart, whose former chairman is now running the presidential campaign of Donald Trump, ran several stories that have been proven false: One, for example, tied the Twin Falls refugees to to a rise in tubuerculosis cases in the area.

Ulukaya founded Chobani in a former Kraft Foods cheese plant in South Edmeston in 2005. It is now the largest Greek yogurt company in the United States, with $1.5 billion in annual revenues. It has 20 percent of the total U.S. yogurt market and almost 37 percent of the Greek yogurt category. Recent reports put the company's value at between $3 and $5 billion.

After Chobani products began appearing on store shelves in 2007, it became one of the "most explosive food start-ups to ever hit the market."

Ulukaya began looking to Upstate refugee centers to help supply workers to his plant as it began its rapid expansion. He did the same in Idaho.

The company founder has made other employee-related headlines this year. In April, he announced workers would be eligible to share an ownership stake in the company's future growth. In October, he announced a policy providing fully paid parental leave for employees, starting in 2017.

Among the tweets criticizing Chobani is this one from conservative Upstate radio commenter Bob Lonsberry, who cited U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer's efforts to get Greek yogurt in to public schools:

Schumer forced Greek yogurt on America's schools, to create jobs -- for non-Americans.https://t.co/wNuPdt2YqG  Bob Lonsberry (@BobLonsberry) October 31, 2016

But since the New York Times story this week, there have been more tweets like this one:

Don Cazentre writes about food, beverages, restaurants and bars for syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Contact him by email, on Twitter, at Google+ or via Facebook.
The United Kingdoms first aircraft carrier in more than 30 years is just months from sea trials. HMS Queen Elizabeth is expected to be fully operational by 2020, with her sister ship Prince of Wales following in 2023. The two ships will give the United Kingdom a powerful capability to fight at sea and attack targets under water and on the ground.

Britain will soon have two larger carriers with complements of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.

HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are the largest ships ever built for the Royal Navy, displacing 70,600 tons and 920 feet long. The Queen Elizabeth will have a crew of 679, and attached Fleet Air Arm personnel will double that number. As a bonus, it can carry up to 250 Royal Marines for helicopter assault operations.

The carriers were originally set to use catapults to launch airplanes, but the price ballooned and the Royal Navy opted to do without them. Instead, the Queen Elizabeth class features an angled ski deck on the ships bow to launch airplanes. This will allow F-35B Joint Strike Fighters to do rolling takeoffs with heavier weapon loads and achieve greater ranges

Queen Elizabeth will carry approximately 12 F-35Bs during normal operation, plus a number of Merlin helicopters for anti-submarine and utility duties. In a crisis the air wing will surge to up to 40 planes, including 36 F-35Bs.

SOURCES  Popular Mechanics, Youtube
Establishing a lunar base is probably a wise first first step to colonizing Mars, and colonizing Mars will be a giant leap forward for humankind to travel to the stars. We begin our discussion by noting that the bare minimum for sustaining life on the Moon exists in the water brought by comets to the bottoms of some lunar craters. Electrolysis of this dirty water can produce clean oxygen (and hydrogen) for the lunar base, A reliable source of primary energy is needed for such tasks, but anywhere on the surface of the Moon, there is no sunlight two weeks out of four, and no wind whatsoever. Nuclear power is the default option, just as is the case of naval submarines where the crews need to live and work in closed environments submerged under the water of the ocean for months at a time. However, the light water reactors of naval submarines are not a good choice for environments that lack large bodies of water, and we argue, as first realized by a former NASA Engineer, Kirk Sorensen, that molten salt reactors, of the type invented by Oak Ridge National Lab in the 1960s, are much better suited for a lunar base, or for that matter, a Mars colony.

Dr. Shu discussed his patented design for the best possible two-fluid molten-salt breeder-reactor (2F-MSBR) that one could build, using thorium that can be mined locally without requiring shipments from mother Earth. He will close by considering two spin-off applications:

(1) saving civilization on Earth from the worst ravages of climate change by scaled-up 2F-MSBRs;

(2) using the fission fragments of related nuclear fission reactions for ion-propulsion that produces rockets two to three orders of magnitude faster than achievable with chemical rockets, making possible, perhaps, a first generation of starships.

SOURCES- youtube
The Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Tunde Fowler, has said that the organisation received more than 700,000 applicat...

The Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Tunde Fowler, has said that the organisation received more than 700,000 applications from the recent job advert it placed. Fowler made this known on Wednesday in Abuja when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petition.The FIRS boss appearance at the lower chamber followed a petition from some applicants, who claimed to have been excluded from the employment processes. The Service had invited applications for various positions in series of adverts placed in some national dailies.Fowler said that out of the 700,000 applicants more than 2,000 had first class degrees in various disciplines and were qualified to be engage by the Service. He said that FIRS would recruit only 500 people, adding that the exercise was designed to increase manpower for tax revenue collection and expand the countrys revenue base. He assured that the organisation would ensure fairness and due process in the recruitment process.We have secured waiver and endorsement from the Federal Character Commission in order to ensure that the right thing is done.In his remarks, Chairman of the house committee, Mr Nkem Abonta, directed Fowler to submit to the committee the services nominal roll to assist it in arriving at a decision.
Some notable leaders in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday described the action of the Acting National Publicity Secr...

Some notable leaders in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday described the action of the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Comrade Timi Frank as harmful to the countrys democracy.They also appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to take steps to protect the countrys democracy by stopping Frank and his sponsors from destroying the ruling party.The leaders in a statement issued after their meeting in Abuja described the APC as democratic in organizational practice and goals.In a statement signed by the Chairman of APC United Front, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa, the leaders praised the National Chairman of the Party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun for taking into consideration the shapes of opinion of the different party leaders, supporters and well-wishers concerning the partys growth and progress.APC is not in trouble. Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is not APCs problem. He is a man of facts, not given over to wild speculation or sensationalism.His moral reputation is a great asset to the party, they said. The leaders also commended the national chairman for playing according to the rules and policies of the party.The leaders said controlling the party ahead of 2019 election cannot happen through political blackmail and intimidation They chided Frank for not respecting the national chairman of the party, urging him and his sponsors to stop factionalizing the party and focus on party programs and policy statements. People like Frank are very inexperienced politicians without focus, Musa said.The leaders who also praised Oyegun for promoting democratic values and adhering to basic elements of internal democracy, urged him not to succumb to any intimidation from anybody.
I hope you find some sense in this post and my cry out. Please read and share, this is not to tarnish any damn image but the truth, she might try to ignore this but in the future people would know the truth. Please read below.



"All my life I have never thought that I'd feel this way towards a fellow woman, I mean I love women that are go getters but some how someone sent me a link to watch a video of what she launched yesterday.



She claimed to have a new site called LIS and she's the first to do it, I paused all I was doing to watch this video... I was in silence for a while and I thought about what to do.



She stole her LIS idea from my site www.vivalasgidi.com, I had been working on the site for months and currently it's in a beta version because that's what you do when you set up a social media site with so many capabilities and still open to better developments.



How can she say she's the first to do that, ahn ahn Aunty you no dey fear God. I'm a developer and I know a lot of things, people who monitor the security of websites can tell where traffic come from and go back to later, I have seen very many times a user come from her blog and goes back to Google. I even found it interesting but I never suspected this.



Three days ago I noticed my own website started to misbehave and I started working on it again only to find out that my hosting partner was trying to fix the same issue as well and so I became paranoid on Tuesday thinking could sister Linda be the type to drag her competitions into the ground?



While my site has been in the beta version I have been going from meetings to meetings to seek a sponsor but so many Nigerians are still trying to grasp the social media business and then this woman would do this. Some would rather copy than try something new and groundbreaking.



The funny thing there's that vivalasgidi.com has so much more to offer in the future but I want you all to know where she stole the idea from and if she tried to steal another when we launch new things you'd remember I said this.



Ask her why she did not kick start her media ish like she bragged sometime ago, how come all of a sudden her LIS had to come first, why is she trying to buy people's loyalties as she advertised giving out so much money like she was telling me to try to beat her on that, why was everything all about incentives, I bet she can't explain all the site is about except what she's been fed from the thief developers too, awon ole.



I can breakdown my website to bits and tell you everything about it, we have some few members there already giving it a trial and giving us feedbacks so tell the liar to stop claiming to be some brilliant person with a groundbreaking idea, now I really don't like her anymore and it's sad. I thought she was smart but now I know she ain't, she waited like 10 years to release a social media site with all her money? I built a site using my two lovely hands with the small money I saved in weeks and I could have spent more if I didn't know how to build my site at all.



Nigeria would keep choking the brilliant and creative entrepreneurs if people don't learn to be willing to learn from them but instead to steal from them. I was so fuckin pissed off watching her stupid pancaked face talking about what she rarely knew about.



People should just know she stole the idea from me and the investors I spoke with in the past, I hope you guys can see what I was talking about now, can you grasp the business idea I tried to sell to you."



It's deeply saddening, I hope people learn to speak out on things like this everytiome, if there's no system to protect you you can have dated on a platform for a start. Smh!

According to Adedeji the whole idea was first conceived by him but stolen by Linda Ikeji and her developers hence the reason why she quickly had to set aside her media company to launch it first.Adedeji in a lengthy email sent tostated that LIS is just an imitation of his social network known as "Vivalasgidi".According to him Linda tried to sabotage his site, after she paid developers to drag his site down.has however tried to access the site multiple times only to meet a dead end every time, we guess the site is down for now. Below is what the site looks likeBelow is the email we received from Adedeji.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday grilled a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. ...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday grilled a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), for his alleged role in the $182m Halliburton scandal.It was learnt that Aondoakaa, who served as AGF under the late President Umaru Yaradua, arrived the office of the EFCC around 10am and was grilled for about eight hours.As of 7pm, he was still in EFCC custody, an indication that he may spend the night at the commission.A source at the anti-graft agency said, Aondoakaa has been in our custody since morning and has been answering questions on his alleged role in the Halliburton scandal. More details will be revealed later.Aondoakaas alleged involvement in the scandal could not be immediately ascertained as of press time.However, he had been accused of frustrating investigations into the case during his time as the AGF between 2007 and 2010.The Halliburton case relates to an alleged $182m contract involving a four-company joint venture to build a liquefied natural gas plant on Bonny Island.Earlier in 2009, KBR, a former subsidiary of Halliburton, agreed to pay $402m after admitting that it bribed Nigerian officials, and Halliburton paid $177m to settle allegations by the US Securities and Exchange Commission without admitting any wrongdoing.In mid-December 2010, the case was settled when Nigeria agreed to drop the corruption charges against the companys former boss, Dick Cheney (and former US Vice-President); and Halliburton in exchange for a settlement of over $200m settlement.However, no Nigerian official involved in the scandal has been jailed.The Office of the AGF under the leadership of Mohammed Adoke (SAN) set up a team of five lawyers which would ensure the swift recovery of the funds.However, $26m was said to have been paid to the lawyers as legal fees to the lawyers under controversial circumstances.The lawyers include a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Joseph Daudu (SAN); Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), Chief Godwin Obla (SAN), Mr. Damian Dodo (SAN) and Mr. Roland Ewubare, who have all been quizzed by the commission.
The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, and leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria have met in Ado Ekiti t...

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, and leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria have met in Ado Ekiti to sort out their differences over the new law restricting cattle grazing in the state.The governor granted the request of the MACBAN leaders that they should be part of the patrol teams to enforce the law and commended them for their effort to support his administration in getting rid of bad eggs among the herdsmen.The governor, at the meeting, held at the Government House in Ado Ekiti, agreed to bring in members of MACBAN as part of the grazing marshals to enforce the grazing law.Fayose stated, I have nothing against you or any other ethnic group. Nobody should bring politics into this matter. If a Yoruba person destroys your property, I will defend you too. Leaders are not supposed to discriminate and as a leader, I dont discriminate.The law of the land is not against anybody who obeys it but those who flout it. It is those people destroying other peoples farms that are causing this problem.We have given land to people to farm and they have paid; some, for many years to use the land and somebody now comes and destroys their means of livelihood and make them suffer losses; we wont allow that.If anybody says Fayose is after the Hausa or Fulani people, that person has no sense.The MACBAN Chairman in Ekiti, Alhaji Muhammad Nasamu, commended the governor for his frankness and openness.He noted that the meeting had disabused the minds of his members about wrong information being circulated by some people about the governor and the state government.The MACBAN Secretary in Ekiti, Alhaji Zaiyanu Mohammed, said his members were also not in support of cows destroying peoples means of livelihood.
Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, is wondering why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not concluded the rerun...

Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, is wondering why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not concluded the rerun elections in Rivers state when it did the same around the Sambisa stronghold of Boko Haram insurgents.Ekweremadu said this when the lawmakers were about deliberating on the petroleum industry bill (PIB), and there was no senator from Rivers to make contributions.The three lawmakers from the state  George Sekibo (Rivers east),Olaka Wogu (Rivers southeast), and Osinakachukwu Ideozu (Rivers west)  lost their seats in December.The appeal court had ruled that the election, which brought them into office, was fraught with irregularities, and ordered that a fresh one be conducted within 60 days.In compliance with the directive, INEC conducted another election in February, but there was an outbreak of violence in virtually all the constituencies where the exercise held.This made the commission to postpone the election indefinitely.But Ekwermadu faulted the commission excuse of insecurity, and asked the chamber to deliberate on pending elections and failure of INEC to act accordingly.We are aware that INEC has conducted elections in the northeast, even in places close to Sambisa forest, he said at plenary on Wednesday.This motion is out of a need for every state to be part of the government.Ekweremadu urged the senate to ask INEC to conduct the elections by December 10, failure of which the senate will suspend plenary pending the time the elections are conducted.Senate President Bukola Saraki commended his deputy for raising the very important motion, and promised that the senate would take the necessary action.This is a very important motion targeted to improve our democracy we will go with the information from the INEC Committee, he said.We all saw the INEC chairman during his screening, this a very challenging time for him and his organisation to prove themselves.The INEC chairman has given us his words and we will hold him accountable to it.Saraki put the question and the prayer mandating INEC to conduct all pending elections on or before December 10 to a vote, and majority of the lawmakers voted in support of it.The development comes a day after the house of representatives deliberated on the same issue.Leo Ogor, minority leader of the house, had moved the motion to urge INEC to conduct the rerun election.
Suspected militants have bombed a state-run oil pipeline near the southern Nigerian oil hub of Warri in the latest blow to the industry, a...

Suspected militants have bombed a state-run oil pipeline near the southern Nigerian oil hub of Warri in the latest blow to the industry, a security source and community leader said Wednesday.The Trans Forcados export line was attacked late Tuesday, they said, just hours after President Muhammadu Buhari met with representatives of militant groups in the oil-rich Niger delta to discuss how to end the unrest plaguing the region.No group has yet claimed responsibility for Tuesdays attack.The attack was carried out with the aid of dynamite and it is coming less than 48 hours after the resumption of operations at the flow station, a security official, who declined to be named, told AFP.The pipeline was attacked in July and had only resumed operation at the weekend following repairs.Dickson Ogugu, chairman of Batan community where the pipeline is based, confirmed the incident, saying a surveillance team had identified the site of the attack.The entire river is flooded with contents from the damaged trunkline and we are at the receiving end.The line is operated by the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) and receives crude from Batan near Warri.Since February, several militant groups have attacked oil facilities, slashing the nations output and hammering revenues.The groups claim to be seeking a fairer share of Nigerias multi-billion-dollar oil wealth for residents of the region  as well as greater political autonomy.Following peace talks in Abuja chaired Tuesday by the president, junior oil minister Emmanuel Kachikwu said the countrys oil production was returning to normal.The reality is that as of today and this morning, we are at 2.1 million barrels production. Thats substantial, he said, adding that efforts to secure peace were succeeding.Nigeria normally produces around 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd), but output dropped to a low of 1.4 bpd this year due to rebel attacks.
The Federal Government has concluded plans to establish the first Information and Communication Technology (ICT) University in Nigeria...

The Federal Government has concluded plans to establish the first Information and Communication Technology (ICT) University in Nigeria within the next three months.The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, stated this on Tuesday while featuring in a quarterly radio programme, Guest of the month, at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Ibadan Zonal Office.The minister spoke on Harnessing the Potentials in the Communications Sector for Sustainable Development.Shittu said that the university would be an off-shoot of an existing ICT-based institute, The Digital Bridge Institute , currently in operation in six centres across the country.It is time to leverage on the bountiful opportunities in the Communications sector to generate additional revenue for the government.We all know that ICT is now redefining how we live, how we deliver businesses and services in terms of government to government as well as between government and citizens, he said.He said that the university would be the first of its kind on the continent of Africa.We currently have what we call Digital Bridge Institute. It has six campuses- one in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Owerri, Yola and in Benue state.Shittu said that the present standard of education in the universities do not meet the needs of industry operators.He said this informed the proposed upgrading of the Digital Bridge Institute.The minister said the institute would become the ICT University in partnership with all the leading institutions in ICT throughout the world.I have had the privilege of speaking with a lot of operators throughout the world ,including Motorola, Mark Zuckerberg (FaceBook founder) and others.They have promised to partner with us and bring in a lot to fund and logistics to be able to sustain such a university which will provide world class hands to train experts in the telecoms industry, the minister said.He also said that he had embarked on an administrative process to ensure that all the stakeholders were carried along in the establishment of the 21st century university.The minister said that as soon as the process was completed, Nigerians would see the birth of the institution.This will be the fastest means to create employment for our teeming youths, improve access and enhance the quality of service delivery and affordability in our country.I took a memo to Mr President on it and he asked me to get the input of the Ministry of Education and the National University Commission (NUC).I am glad to say that I got positive inputs from the two agencies and we are at the stage of going to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.As soon as we get the approval of FEC, we will set up an implementation committee and within three months, we should be able to take off.The infrastructure is on ground because it is an existing institution that we are set to transform to the ICT University, Shittu said.
THE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has explained that promotion in the force is based on seniority, contrary to insin...

THE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has explained that promotion in the force is based on seniority, contrary to insinuations.He said the police management decided to adopt seniority as criteria for promotion, stressing that it would help people know their projection in service.He warned officers and men of the Force to avoid lobbying for posting, noting that the Force will only post people based on requirements.Idris spoke in Abuja yesterday when the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, visited him at the Force Headquarters to unveil the Change Begins with Me Campaign to senior officers.The IGP said: We dont look at people; what we consider is pure seniority in promotion. We are all witnesses to so many situations in the past where they use different criteria for promotion. But in this time, like some of you that contacted me, even the names promoted are arranged based on seniority.When we entered this job, there was a time we looked at it, we had people of a particular part of the country that were promoted but there was no rancour then and to avoid rancour within the system now, we at the senior level have decided that even the names of those to be promoted should be purely based on seniority.We believe that it will help people in the Force to know their projection in the service.He urged his men: Please we should rededicate ourselves to the service of this country and try to avoid tribalism or reading meanings to postings. Posting in the police is based on experiences in the service and we have the management that assesses people because we dont want people to start lobbying for postings.I want our colleagues to observe some of these issues and know that postings are based on requirement of the moment and everybody should be loyal to service, Idris said.The police boss also hinted that violent crime have reduced to the barest minimum despite believe that crimes were more prevalent at the end of every year.He said: We are in ember months and crime rates have reduced to the barest minimum in virtually all the states.He urged officers and men of the Force to ensure adequate security throughout the country.I implore you to provide the best service to the people of this country. I also want us to be very decisive on the issue of discipline. Police service is to the Nigerian people and nobody should be under any illusion. Irrespective of your location, as far as you are a policeman, you should be ready to provide the security in whatever capacity.I am saying this because of some of the reports that some people are trying to instigate their colleagues on some unwholesome attitudes. I want to indicate that our uniform is for the service of Nigerians and every police officer, in whatever capacity you find yourself, you should offer that service.On kidnapping, the police boss said the Force has made significant breakthrough.We have made a lot of breakthrough in the area of kidnapping, but we are trying to enhance and improve on our performance. Kidnapping is not limited to a particular geographical location and we have to approach these issues using multidimensional approach.Mohammed said Change begins with me campaign was designed to start from President Muhammadu Buhari.He told the police hierarchy that the re-orientation programme was meant to change the way things were being done.He stressed that it is a campaign for all Nigerians, irrespective of coloration, religion and what have you.Contrary to the misconception in certain quarters, this campaign was designed to start from the very top, right from the President, the Vice President, Ministers and other top government officials, and then cascade down to all Nigerians.Therefore, those who have said the campaign is aimed at saddling only the ordinary citizens with any burden have been unduly hasty. They should have at least waited for us to roll out the campaign before commenting on it. As you are all aware, President Buhari launched this campaign on September 8.Change begins with me campaign is a pan-Nigerian campaign that has no coloration whatsoever  whether it is political, religious or ethnic. It is a campaign for all Nigerians, with the sole objective of achieving a paradigm shift in the way we do things. The campaign is based on one principle: Each one of us must be the change we want to see in our society! he explained.
The Nigerian senate yesterday rejected President Muhammadu Buharis request to borrow $29.96 billion under the 2016-2018 External Borrow...

The upper chamber voted massively against the request.Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki put the question twice  that the Senate do consider the request of the President C-in-C on the 2016-2018 External Borrowing Rolling Plan. Twice it was rejected.Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume moved the motion for the consideration of the request. Deputy Minority Leader Emmanuel Bwacha seconded.The lawmakers were not comfortable with some glaring omissions in the Executive Communication forwarded to them by President Buhari.A source said the President failed to attach draft of Federal Government 2016-2018 External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan for consideration of the Senate as indicated in the Executive Communication.The source noted that by asking the National Assembly leadership to approve the borrowing plan that involves huge sums of funds without formal consideration of the Senate in session smacks of some blackmail.The last paragraph of the communication said, Given the emergency nature of these facilities and the need to consolidate the peace and return the region (North East) to normalcy and considering the time it will take to get the National Assemblys approvals, it has become inevitable to request for the National Assembly leadership approval pending the consideration and approval of the 2016-2018 borrowing plan by the National Assembly to enable us disburse these funds immediately.Senator Ndume who spoke on the rejection of the Presidents request said there was technical error in the request.He however promised to represent the request on a later date.Ndume said: I was shocked as the Senate leader that they rejected the programme. I was not anticipating what happened. It was rejected on technical ground. If you look at the letter, it said attached but there was no attachment. There are no details. I will appeal to my colleagues and represent it for consideration. There is nothing to worry about. We cannot throw away the baby with the bath water.The list of 46 non-career ambassadors was also rejected but Saraki used his veto power to over turn the nay vote.Saraki also put the question twice for the Senate to consider the request of the President on the confirmation of the nomination of the following persons for appointment as non-career ambassadors-designate.
At resumed plenary today, Senators immediately went into closed-door session, where they would brainstorm on the controversial Petroleum I...





At resumed plenary today, Senators immediately went into closed-door session, where they would brainstorm on the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB and the establishment of grazing areas management agency bill.Senators went into the executive session at 10.25am.In todays Order Paper, one of the bills slated for consideration is A Bill for an Act to provide for the Governance and Institutional Framework for the Petroleum Industry and for other related matters, 2016(SB.237) scheduled to scale the second reading.The bill is sponsored by the Chairman, senate Committee on Petroleum, Upstream, Senator Omotayo Alaosaodura, APC, Ondo Central. The other controversial bill contained in the Order Paper which has necessitated the Executive session is  A Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of grazing Areas Management Agency and for other related matters sponsored by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, APC, Kano Central.There is another bill to be discussed as contained in the order paper and it is  A Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of National Ranches Commission for the regulation, Management, Preservation and Control of Ranches and for connected purposes sponsored by Senator Barnabas Gemade, APC, Benue North East.Another bill titled,  A Bill for an Act to control the Keeping and Movement of Cattle in Nigeria and for related matters sponsored by Senator Chukwuka Utazi, PDP, Enugu North is contained in the Order Paper for discussions.Meanwhile, the Senate President Bukola Saraki asked Senator Barnabas Gemade, APC, Benue North East to act as the Chief Whip for todays plenary.
The federal government plans to pour $125 million into the fight against a mysterious disease that has ravaged corals in Florida and much of the Caribbean, and now poses a dire threat to the treasured reefs off the Louisiana and Texas coasts.
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.
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Understand and abide by the statute of limitations for lawsuits over damaged or destroyed property in Massachusetts, or you could lose your right to hold the at-fault party accountable.

If you've incurred damage to your property in Massachusetts, you could be thinking about filing a lawsuit against the person or organization you think is legally responsible for what happened. If so, it's important to understand the Massachusetts statute of limitations for property damage claims, whether your potential case involves real property (damage to your house or your land) or personal property (including vehicle damage).

First, let's explain that a "statute of limitations" is a state law that affects your right to file a lawsuit over any kind of legal dispute or harm suffered, by putting a limit on how much time can pass before you file the case in court. Every state has passed these laws, and the time limits vary depending on the subject matter of the lawsuit.

The Property Damage Lawsuit Filing Deadline in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, a three-year filing deadline applies to any lawsuit seeking the repair or replacement of damaged or destroyed property, whether it's real property or personal property. That deadline is codified at Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 260 section 2A.

It's important to note that this three-year deadline applies any time you're asking a court to award you monetary compensation for damaged or destroyed property, whether that claim is part of a larger legal action (a car accident case that includes claims for both personal injury and vehicle damage, for example) or is a standalone lawsuit.

If You Miss the Massachusetts Filing Deadline

If you try to file your Massachusetts property damage lawsuit after the three-year deadline has passed, the defendant (the person or organization you're trying to sue) will almost certainly make a motion asking the court to dismiss the case. And, except in rare cases where an exemption from the deadline applies (more on these exceptions in the next section), the court will grant the dismissal. If that happens, you've essentially lost your right to any legal remedy for your damaged property. So, even if you're pretty sure your property damage case will settle, you still want to leave yourself plenty of time to file a lawsuit if you need to.

Extending the Statute of Limitations Filing Period in Massachusetts

In any Massachusetts lawsuit over property damage -- and most other kinds of civil cases -- a number of situations could pause the running of the statute of limitations clock, effectively extending the lawsuit filing deadline. These include:

If the defendant (the person you're trying to sue) was (or is) residing out of the state, the time of the defendant's absence likely won't be counted as part of the three-year period. (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 260 Section 9)

If the defendant takes steps to fraudulently conceal the cause of the property damage or destruction, the running of the statute of limitations "clock" is paused until the property owner discovers the true cause. (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 260 Section 12).

If the property owner is, at the time the underlying property damage occurs, a minor (under 18 years of age) or "incapacitated by reason of mental illness," he or she will have three years to file the lawsuit upon reaching the age of 18 or having the legal incapacity removed. (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 260 Section 7)

Other exceptions (too complex to cover in this article) may also apply to extend the Massachusetts statute of limitations time limit. To learn the details of exceptions to the statute of limitations, especially if the filing deadline has passed on your property damage lawsuit -- or if the filing deadline is fast approaching -- talk with an experienced Massachusetts attorney.
If you don't comply with the deadline set by the Texas statute of limitations for lawsuits over damaged or destroyed property, you could lose your right to get compensation from the at-fault party.

If you've had your property damaged in Texas, you could be thinking about filing a lawsuit over what happened. If so, it's important to understand the Texas statute of limitations for property damage claims, whether your potential case involves real property (damage to your house or your land) or personal property (including vehicle damage).

In case you're not familiar with the term, a "statute of limitations" is a state law that affects your right to file a lawsuit over any kind of legal dispute or harm suffered, by putting a limit on how much time can pass before you file the case in court. Every state has passed these laws, and the time limits vary depending on the subject matter of the lawsuit.

The Filing Deadline in Texas

In Texas, a two-year filing deadline applies to any lawsuit seeking the repair or replacement of damaged or destroyed property, whether it's real property or personal property. You'll find this law codified at Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code section 16.003, which says, "[A] person must bring suit for trespass for injury to the estate or to the property of another...not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues."

That last part just means the case must be started within two years of the day on which the property is damaged or destroyed.

It's important to note that this two-year deadline applies any time you're asking a court to award you monetary compensation for damaged or destroyed property, whether that claim is part of a larger legal action (a car accident case that includes claims for both personal injury and vehicle damage, for example) or a standalone lawsuit.

Missing the Filing Deadline

If the two-year filing deadline has passed, but you try to file your property damage lawsuit anyway, the defendant (the person or organization you're trying to sue) will almost certainly make a motion asking the court to dismiss the case. And, except in rare cases where an exemption from the deadline applies (more on these exceptions in the next section), the court will grant the dismissal. If that happens, you've essentially lost your right to any legal remedy for your damaged property. So, even if you're pretty sure your property damage case will settle, you still want to leave yourself plenty of time to file a lawsuit if you need to.

Extending the Statute of Limitations Deadline in Texas

In a Texas property damage lawsuit -- and most other kinds of civil lawsuits, for that matter -- a number of situations could pause ("toll" in legalese) or extend the lawsuit filing deadline set by the statute of limitations. These include:

if the defendant is absent from the state of Texas for any part of the two-year period, the running of the statute of limitations "clock" is suspended for the length of that absence (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code section 16.063), and

if the property owner is "under a legal disability" (for example, he or she is under the age of 18 or has been declared "of unsound mind") at the time the property damage occurs, the time of the disability is not included in the two-year period. (But note that if a legal disability comes up after the limitations period has already started, that will not suspend the running of the period.) (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code section 16.001)

Other exceptions may also apply to extend the Texas statute of limitations time limit, but they're too complex to cover in this article. To learn the details of exceptions to the statute of limitations, especially if the filing deadline has passed on your property damage lawsuit -- or if the filing deadline is fast approaching -- talk with an experienced Texas attorney.
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Nebraska Public Power District board members use of a plane to travel to and from meetings has become a point of contention between incumbents and their opponents.

In the local race for the Subdivision 4 seat, candidate Bill Hoyt of McCook says incumbent Larry Linstrom of North Platte should be ashamed, but Linstrom argues that flying to Columbus for board meetings is more cost effective.

According to a group called Nebraskans for Fiscal Responsibility, based in Kearney, NPPD has spent about $10 million on aviation in the last 10 years in addition to purchasing planes.

Linstrom said the plane is necessary because the district covers so much space.

If we have an outage  theyll fly and get parts, said Linstrom, who has been on the board since January 2005.

Linstrom said the plane will be used whether board members are riding it to meetings or not.

The cost of the plane, whether we ride it or not, is going to be there, Linstrom said.

Last month, Linstrom said two board members and six NPPD staff members were on the plane during his flight.

But Hoyt called flying to meetings a very wasteful way to spend our money.

During my previous board experience, we would frequently carpool so the district only needed to reimburse mileage to the driver, rather than all three, said Hoyt, who has served on several regional boards.

Linstrom said that the cost of flying members to meetings was small in the grand scheme of things.

Hoyt said hed be in favor of rotating meeting locations to cut down on the drive once in a while, but mostly because it would give him an opportunity to get to know the public the board serves.

Hoyt said he knows the issues of southwest Nebraska but isnt as familiar with challenges faced by people in Valentine or Lincoln without traveling to them or speaking with them directly  something he believes the board doesnt do enough of.

He also suggests that meetings be live-streamed so people from across the state can keep up on board actions without making the drive themselves.

The way to be effective is to communicate with the people you serve, Hoyt said.

Hoyt said he wants to improve transparency and communication so the public is more aware of how money is being spent.

Between 2008 and 2013, rates went up by about 40 percent. Linstrom said rates rose because NPPD lost revenue from selling excess power generation when the market went south. Linstrom said rates havent increased in 2015 or 2016 and they will not increase in 2017.

He said the board is still confident that NPPD can make money from excess generation. I think the market will come back stronger, he said.

Linstrom said overall, he feels that NPPD has a strong business model.

Were in the energy market, and thats a pretty tough market, Linstrom said. Were trying to become more efficient and more competitive.

Linstrom attended Hershey High School, Luther Junior College in Wahoo, and Kearney State College. Linstrom retired with nearly 40 years of service with the City of North Platte, working mostly in the Engineering Department. During his last 13 years of employment, he was utility manager for the city.

He is married, has five children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Hoyt is a farmer and a retired police officer. Hoyt graduated from McCook High School in 1974 and attended McCook Community College and Fort Hays State University, focusing on animal science.

He married his wife, Barb, in 1979. The couple have two sons and a granddaughter.

Hoyt has previously served on the Middle Republican Natural Resource District Board of Directors, Republican River Management Association, Republican Basin-Wide Planning Committee and the Southwest Nebraska Prescribed Burn Association.

Linstrom said being on the board has allowed him to stay on top of the industry that hes spent most of his life being a part of.

I want to continue giving my support to public power in Nebraska, Linstrom said.

Hoyt said hes passionate about conserving natural resources and about helping the people of southwest Nebraska.

The Nebraska Public Power Board allows me to help both things at the same time, Hoyt said. My baseline for decisions is conservation of our natural and financial resources. Because if we squander either in pursuit of the other, the people suffer.
The Gold Coast Titans have moved quickly to replace Greg Bird, signing Kevin Proctor from the Melbourne Storm on a four-year deal.

The second-rower has played all his 179 NRL games for the Storm, having debuted in Round 10, 2008, while he has also played 15 Tests for New Zealand.

The 27-year-old scored six tries in 24 games for the Storm in 2016.

"This is a great opportunity to return home to the Gold Coast with my young family to be closer to all of our family," Proctor said.

"It has been a long process and I needed to feel comfortable with the decision as I have had a successful time at the Melbourne Storm and made some great friends, but now I am looking forward to joining Neil and the Titans players and contributing to the team's success."

Read more at titans.com.au
In a move that sent shockwaves across the craft brewing community, Surly Brewing Co. Head of Brewing Operations Todd Haug left the Minneapolis craft brewery to come to Three Floyds.

Surly Brewing has a 100 out of a possible 100 score on RateBeer.com, and is renowned for such beers as its Furious IPA/British Extra Special Bitter mashup, its Bender brown ale and its Overrated West Coast IPA. The alt weekly Cities Pages called it Minnesotas most famous brewery.

Surly, which operates a destination brewery in the Twin Cities and changed Minnesota state law to let craft brewers brew more, credited Haug with setting the pace of the craft beer revolution in Minnesota for more than 10 years.

Id like to thank our family, friends and fans  Surly Nation  for always believing in our vision, Haug said on the brewerys website. It never gets old to hear people tell you how much they enjoy your beer. Omar and I set out with the modest goal to build a brewery so we could create a different kind of craft beer  the kind we wanted to drink  and I think we achieved that.

Surly called the gold medal winning brewer, known for his idiosyncratic style, as the wizard, the bitter brewer and the creative genius.

Todd has been an incredibly influential part of Surly since the beginning and was instrumental in building the brewery from the ground up, often with his own two hands; brewing, welding, making connections and forming collaborations to establish the irreverent brand it is today, Surly Brewing founder Omar Ansari said. His talent is undeniable, and he will always be a huge part of who we are. He will be missed.

Haug had played in the speed metal band Powermad, and Three Floyds is known for its heavy metal aesthetic, as well as the metal bands that play every Dark Lord Day.

Three Floyds owner Nick Floyd, who could not be reached for comment, told the craft beer website The Full Pint that Todd and Linda Haug were joining the brewery as a veteran elite brewer who can not only brew amazing beer but engineer, machine, weld, brand, innovate, program and teach younger brewers.

Floyd said Haug would brew and brand beer that would fit in with the Three Floyds mythology.

Read the full interview here: http://thefullpint.com/beer-news/nick-floyd-talks-todd-linda-haug-joining-3-floyds/.
DYER  Not even a World Series Cubs game could keep some Dyer residents from attending a meeting on transit oriented development around a proposed South Shore commuter train station.

The meeting room at Plum Creek Center was half-full Tuesday night as consultants for the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority made presentations and also took an interactive PowerPoint survey of those in attendance as to what they might like or dislike in a transit oriented development.

Dyer Town Administrator Tom DeGuilio asked for civility at the beginning of the meeting, perhaps mindful of a similar meeting in Munster the week before that provoked shouts of protest from some audience members. For the most part DeGuilios request was complied with, although some attendees were openly skeptical of the process, opining that any such development would eventually be acquiring property and installing low-income housing.

Officials at Tuesday nights meeting stated a number of times that no homes would be taken for private development. However, some properties may need to be taken for the commuter rail line extension that would lead to the station.

Transit oriented development, also known as TOD, leverages the attraction of a commuter rail station to build up housing, shops and restaurants. It is credited with transforming some downtowns in Chicagos northwestern suburbs and in other parts of the nation.

Four new train stations would be created for the proposed West Lake Corridor South Shore extension. Two would be in Hammond and two in Munster. But one of the Munster stations would be right on Dyers northern border, so development around the train station could include spaces in Dyer.

We are making up a place. It will be a postcard of your town, said consulting architect Doug Farr.

Since public input is needed, meeting organizers set up a PowerPoint polling system, whereby attendees could instantly react to commercial and residential options and also community makeup. Poll results concluded, among other things, that attendees would be open to the concept of townhomes, but not to rental houses or four-unit or six-unit buildings.

Those who led the meeting insisted that the process is only in the earliest stages and that more information, including types of housing, will be available during a February meeting.

Tuesdays meeting was meant to be an informational one, to gather information as to what kind of development Dyer citizens would like to see. Three possible designs will be unveiled in February and a final proposed design in April. And from there, the process for the extension still has a long way to go.

Munster, Hammond and the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District have owned abandoned rail right-of-way since 1993, where the West Lake Corridor extension would run.

NICTD hopes to obtain 50 percent federal funding for the $615 million extension project. The Final Environmental Impact Statement required for the federal funding application will not be complete until next year.

Around a dozen communities in Lake County have already committed portions of County Economic Development Income Tax they receive from Lake County to pay for much of the local share of the project.
As one walks through the parking lot of Doc's in Dyer, the rich, smoky aroma immediately grabs your attention.

It's obvious from not only that deliciously arresting aroma, but its rustic yet modern interior and meat-heavy menu, that this is a place where barbecue is taken seriously.

Doc's Smokehouse & Craft Bar was established in April by Dr. Himanshu Doshi and Brent Brashier. Doshi's wife, Parul, and Brashier's wife, Aimee, also are partners with their husbands in bringing the quality barbecue business to local foodies.

"We wanted to create a place in Northwest Indiana where people can come in and enjoy the food with their family," Himanshu Doshi said. He said many barbecue joints are largely carry-out businesses, but they wanted a sit-down eatery where the full barbecue experience could be savored.

Brashier said he and Doshi explored barbecue places all over Chicago, other locales and states prior to opening Doc's. Brashier, who honed his culinary talents largely in Texas and Alabama, is at the culinary helm at Doc's while Doshi, a Dyer resident, takes the lead in the brews and spirits department.

As avid barbecue fans, Doshi's and Brashier's paths were meant to cross. They met after Brasier, of Cedar Lake, gave a lecture for one of Purdue's Hospitality classes. Doshi's nephew heard him speak and told the doctor about Brashier's enthusiasm for barbecue and quality food in general.

Doshi, who's a practicing radiologist, had wanted to open a restaurant/bar for awhile. When he and Brashier began to talk about their mutual food interests, the spark was lit.

"I've been in restaurant management for 25 years," Brashier said. He's worked for various restaurants around the country and the area including acting as the opening general manager for The Farmhouse at Fair Oaks Farms.

At Doc's, meat takes the spotlight but other offerings including sides, starters and salads, are also a highlight of the menu. Meat platters, starring everything from Pulled Pork and Brisket to Chicken, Ribs, Sausage and Turkey, are available.

Other menu offerings include LA Caviar, which is also known as Lower Alabama Caviar, and is a blend of black eyed peas, sweet peppers, cilantro and aged balsamic vinegar marinade. The mixture is something Brashier grew up eating and is served with Saltines.

Also starring at Doc's is Smoked Onion Dip, Sausage and Cheese, Fried Pickles, Carolina Hot Slaw, Mac & Cheese, Bacardi Baked Beans and more.

"Nationally, barbecue is having a moment," said Brashier, who added diners are definitely interested in the style of cooking. He said with the amount of cooking shows on TV touting barbecue and celebrities and star chefs praising it, the general public has taken even more of an interest in the fiery, smoky food. It's the "original, comfort food," he said.

"We put a lot of effort into our food, and we make everything from scratch here," Brashier said. That homemade touch is given to everything from the chips to pickles and barbecue sauces.

"Pickles are an intrinsic part of the barbecue experience," Brashier said. All of Doc's dishes are served with homemade pickles. "And at its core, true barbecue is about the meat, the smoke and the rub." Doc's meats are hickory-smoked on the premises.

Brashier added, "It's also important to know where our food is coming from." He and Doshi make it a point to support local businesses as well.

Meat used at the restaurant comes from various local businesses including Belstra Group Farms in DeMotte, Rob's Meat Chop and Deli in Dyer and Meats by Linz in Calumet City.

Doshi said they've received great feedback about their restaurant from diners. There are many repeat customers. Even Doshi said he finds himself eating at the restaurant every day.

"People appreciate the food," Doshi said. While Doshi and Brashier converse about what goes onto the menu, the doctor said he definitely steps aside to give Brashier the main sayso on that. When it comes to the craft beer and spirits menu, Doshi is at the helm.

Doc's features a full bar with 60 craft beers, 4 draft cocktails, a selection of wines, bourbons, whiskeys and other spirits.

Doshi pointed to a screen set up at the entrance to the dining room.

"This is a digital menu and it's in real time," Doshi said, adding the menu lets diners know what brews and spirits are available on the premises. Diners can log onto the menu from their devices prior to visiting Doc's.

Doshi said he's enjoying his first restaurant experience. "I'm here every day. I'm a people person and love talking to people. It's fun," he said.
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GARY  Improved training is not the answer to the problem of police behavior that has been grabbing headlines across the nation, according to Christopher Cooper, an attorney and former police officer.

The solution must come at the source, he told those gathered Tuesday afternoon at Indiana University Northwest for the Chancellors Commission for Community Engagement.

We need to do a better job at screening police applicants, said Cooper, who defends police officers as part of his legal practice.

Longer psychological evaluations need to be done, he said, as well as testing exposure to high-stress situations.

Many police officers break down when things start to happen, he said.

While opposed to the current militarization of police, Cooper said he believes returning military veterans make good police officers, in part because of the discipline and more thorough weapons training they receive.

Cooper was part of a panel discussing the topic, Policing: Revisiting Serve and Protect.

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson asked for tips in changing the mindset of veteran police officers.

Thomas Stuckey, a professor at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis School of Public and Environmental Affairs and a former police officer, said the police culture is resistant to change.

But he said the more educated the officer, the fewer complaints they receive.

Police also have better outcomes if they treat the public fairly, Stuckey said.

If you treat people with respect, it goes a very long way, he said.

Terry Johnson, a steelworker representing the Imagine Griffith Project, said the public also has a role in improving police and community relations.

We have to respect the police because that is the law, he said.

Using his own experience as an example, Johnson said a simple smile and pleasant attitude can make a big difference when interacting with police.

When the panel was asked how police could be more effectively addressing the gun violence in Chicago, which left 17 people dead and 41 others wounded last weekend, Cooper had an immediate response: Foot patrol.

If you are there when that guy pulls out the weapon and starts shooting, you can apprehend that person, he said.

The sight of a police officer can also postpone a shooting, he said.

IUN Police Chief Wayne James said his department uses foot patrols effectively.
VALPARAISO  Jurors were presented Wednesday morning with two very different versions of an encounter nearly two years ago between a Portage police officer and a local man, who wound up behind bars that night.

Portage Police Officer Dan Martinez claims 33-year-old Steven Hale pointed a loaded handgun at his face late in the night on Feb. 28, 2015 after the officer knocked on his door in response to a noise complaint.

But defense attorney Larry Rogers said Hale answered the door at his home with a gun because he had a conflict underway with two men.

Hale never lifted the gun from his side, and when he discovered the visitor was a police officer, he dropped the weapon immediately, Rogers said. But the officer pulled Hale out of his house, threw him in the snow and repeatedly called him a vulgar name.

Hale is on trial this week before Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary Harper on felony counts of intimidation, criminal recklessness, pointing a firearm and resisting law enforcement, and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Ashley Fifield told jurors Wednesday morning that Martinez was contacted directly by an acquaintance, who asked him to respond to the noise complaint.

When Martinez arrived at the house in the 2300 block of County Line Road, he heard loud music and saw Hale inside, she said. He knocked on the door, identified himself as a police officer and noticed the music was turned down momentarily.

Martinez identified himself again as a police officer before the music was turned back up, Fifield said. It was at that point that Hale opened the door and Martinez said he was staring down the barrel of a black and chrome semi-automatic 9-mm Smith & Wesson handgun.

Rogers said Hale was at his house having a few drinks with a couple of friends and listening to loud music when someone noticed the knock at the door.

Hale had an ongoing conflict with a neighbor and had sent a text earlier that night to another man defending a friend, Rogers said. Hale walked to the door with the gun at his side out of concern that one of these two men was knocking.

After Martinez handcuffed Hale, other officers handcuffed his two visitors, for no apparent reason, Rogers said.

Hale registered a .183 blood alcohol content on a portable breath test, police said at the time.
CROWN POINT  A 45-year-old Crown Point man accused of strangling to death two Calumet Township women last January appeared in court again Wednesday for his third omnibus hearing since being extradited from Ohio in March.

During the brief hearing before Lake Criminal Court Judge Samuel Cappas with public defender John Maksimovich, James A. Lohnes requested permission to use the law library at Lake County Jail. Cappas granted that request, and set Lohnes next omnibus hearing for Jan. 25. Defense attorney Arlington J. Foley also represents Lohnes.

Lohnes faces two counts of murder in the strangling deaths of Velia Val Taneff, 86, and her daughter, Lana Taneff, 63. They were found Jan. 17 after police were called to their home in Calumet Township to do a welfare check.

Lana Taneff was discovered in the basement of the home she shared with her mother in the 2300 block of West 44th Avenue. Velia Taneffs body was found in an upstairs apartment of a building she owned next door to her home.

According to court records, Lohnes was captured on surveillance video walking with Velia Taneff sometime after 4:27 p.m. Jan. 16. He also was seen walking in and out of the home and the rental property.

His DNA profile was found under one of Velia Taneffs fingernails, according to court records.

In addition, Lohnes is charged with auto theft, a level 6 felony, for taking Taneffs car. He was arrested the night of Jan. 16 on the Ohio Turnpike near Montpelier after an Ohio state trooper saw him walking near Taneffs 2003 Cadillac STS that was parked along the side of the road. Lohnes was initially charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, but that charge was later dismissed.

Lohnes fought extradition and could not be brought back to face charges in Lake County until a hearing was held. Ohio Gov. John Kasich reportedly signed the order for his extradition to Indiana in early March.

Lohnes worked periodically as a handyman for the Taneffs, Lake County Sheriff John Buncich said during a news conference in March announcing the defendants arraignment.

At that news conference, Buncich called the murders gruesome and said what made it even worse was that Velia Taneff was a longtime community activist in Lake County and she was known by a lot of the officers, including the investigators here, so it meant a lot that this crime was solved.

Lohnes also faces felony charges stemming from a Jan. 6 incident that happened at the Taneffs home. He was accused of putting his arm around a mans neck and punching him, according to an affidavit. Velia Taneff reportedly kicked Lohnes to get him off the man, court records indicate.
A majority of Northwest Indiana political candidates this fall said they support the Shared Ethics Advisory Commission's goal for public officials and employees to get ethics training.

Calvin Bellamy, commission president, said all eight Lake County candidates on the Tuesday ballot recently pledged to provide training at least once every two years for themselves and government employees who would work in their department, if they are elected.

Bellamy said 16 of 26 candidates in LaPorte County and 14 out of 16 Porter County candidates took the same pledge.

The commission doesn't request judicial candidates to take the pledge since they and their employees are held to standards set by the Indiana Supreme Court.

"It's catching on. We are getting a larger percentage in all three counties. The biggest change is in LaPorte County. We are least known there, but we are starting to increase our numbers there, too.

Bellamy said the ethics pledge is becoming a badge of honor for many politicians.

"I've even had calls from candidates from the last election, wondering why their name wasn't mentioned. I think (voters), to some extent, talk about this.

"We have some detractors. Some public officials think its pressuring them. I don't know why it's bad to tell the public that a candidate is willing to provide ethics training for his or her employees," Bellamy said.

Bellamy said this reflects the growth in the last two years in the number of local government agencies that have joined the Shared Ethics Commission and begun the training.

The commission now provides training to county government employees in Lake, LaPorte and Porter counties as well as municipal employees for: Crown Point, East Chicago, Gary, Hobart, Lake Station, Valparaiso, and Whiting, Towns: Burns Harbor, Cedar Lake, Chesterton, Dyer, Hebron, Highland, Lake Station, Lowell, Merrillville, Munster, Ogden Dunes, Schererville and Westville.

"We don't have every city, but I have to think that everything we do that raises the visibility of our activities helps that growth, including these pledges. We need to keep doing this because we need their continuing support.," Bellamy said.

Lake County Surveyor Bill Emerson Jr., who is running unopposed for re-election, said, "I think it's important all elected officials and public employees get continuous ethics training. It's an ongoing learning experience. You need a refresher over time."
MICHIGAN CITY  The citys Common Council on Tuesday approved a resolution that moves forward a plan to put double tracks for the South Shore commuter railroad in the city.

The council voted 8-1 in favor of the agreement with the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which operates the South Shore Line.

The project is intended to improve commute times from Michigan City to downtown Chicago.

U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., urged the council to approve the resolution, but cautioned that nothing in human endeavor is perfect. He acknowledged there would be dislocation of homes and businesses.

He said $2 billion per year is spent at the federal level for transportation projects like this, but there is competition for those tax dollars.

He cited the loss of population and household income in Michigan City since 1970 and said the project would help stop those declines.

State Sen. Jim Arnold, D-LaPorte, called the project a golden opportunity to bring economic development to the city.

The project also has the backing of LaPorte Mayor Blair Milo, the LaPorte County convention and Visitors Bureau and the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Council President Tim Biety noted there is pain with change, but there is pain with staying the same and said the city should seize the opportunity to move forward with the project.

Mayor Ron Meer said the project can be summed up with one word  advancement.

This is going to advance the city in so many ways.

Funding for the project would have to come from federal, state and local funds. Officials on Tuesday said how the funding would be secured must still be decided.

Its part of a larger project, called Double Track NWI, which calls for adding a second set of tracks to the South Shore Line from Gary to Michigan City.

The project includes removing the tracks embedded in the middle of 10th and 11th streets on Michigan Citys north side and replacing them with a more traditional line off the pavement, allowing trains to increase speeds to 45 mph through the city.

Tracks have been running down 10th Street, through residential and commercial areas, since the line was established in 1908.

West of the city to Gary, the Double Track NWI project follows the railroads existing path.

The goal is to improve commuting times from the Region to Chicago and improve safety, officials said.

It would require laying more than 16 miles of track and improving five stations.

There also would be improvements to train stations at Miller, Portage/Ogden Dunes, Dune Park, Beverly Shores as well as the 11th Street station at Michigan City.

New train bridges would be constructed over the CSX and Norfolk Southern rail lines and Hobart Road and the ArcelorMittal main west entrance in Burns Harbor.
HIGHLAND  The cause of a garage fire at the home of a woman who later died remained under investigation Wednesday, police and fire officials said.

Sara Smith, 21, died Tuesday at a hospital after police found her unconscious at the scene of the fire in the 9300 block of O'Day Drive, officials said.

Firefighters were dispatched about 1:30 p.m. and found a fire in the detached garage at the property, Fire Chief Bill Timmer said.

Firefighters have not yet determined how Smith was involved in the fire, he said. She was immediately taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Smith was pronounced dead at 1:55 p.m. Tuesday at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary, according to the Lake County coroner's office.

Crews extinguished the fire within a half hour. The garage was a total loss, Timmer said.

The Indiana state fire marshal's office was called in to assist in the investigation, which is protocol for near-fatal or fatal fires, Timmer said.

A Highland police detective is assisting the Fire Department in the investigation, Cmdr. George Georgeff said.

"That's just to ensure we know what transpired," he said.

Investigators also are awaiting a determination from the Lake County coroner's office regarding the cause and manner of Smith's death, Georgeff said. That determination is pending toxicology, which could take weeks to be completed.

A couple of neighboring fire departments assisted Highland because of the scope of the blaze, Timmer said.
EAST CHICAGO  As families remain at the West Calumet Housing Complex, city officials are requesting up to $8 million in emergency capital funds to secure and ultimately tear down the lead- and arsenic- contaminated low-income housing complex.

The East Chicago Housing Authority finalized and submitted its application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Oct. 27, said Carla Morgan, attorney for East Chicago.

Ideally, we hope to get a quick answer from HUD, and an affirmative one, and get it funded quickly, Morgan said. We would love to make our goals that we set, to have people out before winter hits so kids arent exposed again in the spring, when they go out and play ... We certainly want to demolish in a year or less after its vacated.

This summer, the city and the ECHA ordered residents to relocate and moved forward with a plan to demolish the 346-unit complex. More than 1,000 people are being forced to relocate. As of Oct. 26, just 33 of the 332 families have relocated, according to HUD.

Morgan said the ECHA has requested between $5.5 and $8 million, with the higher estimate including funds to demolish the property. The funding would also help secure the complex by boarding up windows and cutting off utilities as people vacate, she said.

On Tuesdsay, U.S. Sens. Daniel Coats, R-Ind., Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, urged HUD to quickly approve the citys application. In a letter to HUD Secretary Julian Castro, they urged a timely review, noting the dollars are central to providing a long-term solution to address the public health crisis.

Morgan said the approval process typically takes months, but the city hopes to have an answer by the end of November. HUD has agreed to expedite its review.

Morgan in an emailed statement said Copeland appreciates the trios efforts to work hand in hand with the city.

The Mayor is confident that with the help of these members of Congress, the remaining problems related to relocation for residents, demolition of this troubled property, complete remediation and redevelopment of the West Calumet neighborhood will each be solved, Morgan said in the email.

HUD gave the ECHA about $1.9 million to help permanently relocate residents, and the state has kicked in another $100,000 to help with moving expenses. The state also chipped in another $100,000 to help fund a public health nurse and public health educator.

Shortly after the Chicago-based Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law filed a housing discrimination complaint, ECHA set aside about $1 million to assist residents with moving costs, security deposits and application fees.

HUD officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the U.S. EPA has agreed to re-evaluate cleanup alternatives at the site of a public housing complex slated for demolition, including an option the city favored in 2012 calling for excavation down to native sand.
HIGHLAND  Police officers tried to revive a 21-year-old woman found unconscious at the scene of a garage fire Tuesday, but she later died at a local hospital, according to police and coroner officials.

Sara Smith, of Highland, was pronounced dead at 1:55 p.m. Tuesday at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary, according to the Lake County coroner's office.

Her cause and manner of death is pending, according to the coroner's office.

Highland Police Cmdr. George Georgeff said police officers arrived on scene at 9340 O'Day Drive in Highland shortly after the Highland Fire Department.

Smith was found unconscious and officers performed CPR until an ambulance could arrive, Georgeff said.

Georgeff said the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Highland Fire Department. Fire officials were not immediately available for comment Tuesday.
MICHIGAN CITY  The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is trying to find out who fatally shot a deer in a heavily residential area of Michigan City last weekend.

The concerns include use of what appears to be a small caliber rifle or handgun in a heavily populated neighborhood and killing it out of season, said Tyler Brock, a DNR conservation officer.

Not a good place to be shooting a gun, Brock said.

Brock said the 2-year-old doe was found dead Sunday morning in a back yard in the area of Dickson and East 8th streets on the citys north side.

Brock said the doe could have been shot right where it was found because the bullet pierced her heart and there was no blood trail.

He estimated the deer was dead for about 12 hours.

Also of concern is the deer was probably shot at night, which is illegal, and if a light was used deer have a tendency not to scamper off right away when illuminated, making them an easy target for poachers, he said.

Firearms season for deer runs Nov. 12 to Nov. 27, and only certain caliber weapons can be legally used.

The bullet in this shooting was not the required caliber, and the work doesnt seem to be that of a hunter, Brock said.

According to DNR officials, its perfectly legal to hunt deer in cities, but its against law if there are local ordinances that prohibit the discharging of a firearm. Firing a gun is illegal in Michigan City, police said.

Anyone with information about the apparent poaching is asked to contact the DNR 24-hour dispatch center at (812) 837-9536.
The estate of the author Maurice Sendak has emerged mostly victorious in a legal battle with the Rosenbach Museum and Library in Philadelphia, which had been the repository of thousands of his original drawings and parts of his book collection before his death in 2012. In a ruling in Connecticut probate court, a judge awarded the bulk of the disputed book collection to the Sendak estate, not to the museum.

Some items had been on loan to the Rosenbach for decades, and many in the museum world expected that the Sendak material would remain there. But Mr. Sendaks will specified that the drawings and most of the loans would remain the property of the Maurice Sendak Foundation. In 2014, representatives of his estate withdrew the works, saying they intended to follow Mr. Sendaks directive in his will to create a museum or similar facility in Ridgefield, Conn., where he lived, and where his foundation is based, to be used by scholars, students, artists, illustrators and writers, and to be opened to the general public as the foundations directors saw fit.

The Rosenbach filed an action in 2014 in state probate court in Connecticut, contending that the estate had kept many rare books that Mr. Sendak had pledged to the library in his will, including two highly valuable illuminated books by William Blake and a selection of rare Beatrix Potter books.

The judge in the case, Joseph A. Egan Jr., ruled on Oct. 25 that the Blake illuminated works, which could be worth millions of dollars, do not fit Mr. Sendaks specific language in his will that the museum should receive rare edition books. The estate had argued that the Blake pieces were not edition books as such but were more akin to unique works.
The Story of Cats, a two-part Nature presentation, is hard to resist for pure visual beauty. Marilyn Manson joins the cast of Salem as a bloodthirsty barber. And Triumph the Insult Comic Dog tries to find humor in the final days of the presidential election.

Whats on TV

THE STORY OF CATS 8 p.m. on PBS. Nature traces the evolution of lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, jaguars, ocelots and their predator cousins as they conquered the wild and eventually us. It is gloriously filmed, with breathtaking slow-motion shots of acrobatics and enough purring to thrill the heart of any cat lover  and maybe instill a bit of fear when they learn that domesticated varieties kill more than 20 billion mammals a year and drink the blood of their prey like water. When she looks at me now, Hermione seems to be working out the details of how to drag my rib cage upstairs to the bathtub, Neil Genzlinger wrote in The New York Times about watching the two-part documentary with his own cat. It concludes next Wednesday.

THE 50TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS 8 p.m. on ABC. Country musics biggest night celebrates its milestone with Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Competing for entertainer of the year: Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton and others.
In the latest hit to the battered bank, Wells Fargo has agreed to pay $50 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that accused the bank of overcharging hundreds of thousands of homeowners for appraisals ordered after the homeowners defaulted on their mortgage loans.

The proposed settlement calls for Wells Fargo to automatically mail checks to more than 250,000 customers nationwide whose home loans were serviced by the bank between 2005 and 2010.

The checks will typically be for $120, according to Roland Tellis, a lawyer with Baron & Budd, the law firm that represented Wells Fargos customers. If a judge signs off on the settlement, as expected, the checks will be distributed next year.

When a borrower falls behind on a loan, mortgage contracts typically let the lender order an appraisal of the homes current value. The cost of that appraisal, known as a broker price opinion, can be passed on to the borrower, but Wells Fargo used one of its own subsidiaries to conduct appraisals and then routinely marked up the cost, according to the lawsuit.
LONDON  Somerset House, the lavish palace perched on the banks of the Thames River that houses restaurants, the Courtauld Institute of Art and numerous galleries, has been home to exhibits on Big Bang Data, Bjork and the possibilities of a future Utopia. But until this week it had never been a frame for  hair.

On Wednesday Hair by Sam McKnight was unveiled, a retrospective on 40 years of cutting, drying and pinning artistry by the Scottish stylist, and the first show to contextualize the critical role of the hair guru in shaping todays fashion industry. It is testament to his position as one of the most important image makers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, with more than 190 international Vogue cover credits to his name.

Indeed, Mr. McKnight has had a hand in shaping and shifting our perceptions of some of the most recognizable people of the modern age, including Diana, Princess of Wales; Madonna; Tilda Swinton; and Lady Gaga. He was responsible for the hair color swap between Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid in March at the Balmain show in Paris that went viral on social media, as well as Lady Gagas extensions the night she wore a dress of meat to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.

The transformative power of hair  how quickly and easily it can turn you into something or someone else  has always fascinated me. It keeps fascinating me today, said Mr. McKnight, 61, who left his small Scottish village for London in the mid-1970s. After early stints as a window cleaner, van driver and teacher trainee, he realized he had a talent for hair after taking a Saturday job in a friends salon.
That e-cigarettes are less harmful is a message American smokers rarely hear, partly because American regulation prevents it. Companies are banned from making such claims unless they go through a long process to prove it, and so far, no e-cigarette maker has done so. More states are also passing laws that lump e-cigarettes in with traditional cigarettes, levying taxes on them and banning their use as part of local smoke-free rules.

When they are regulated just like tobacco, people draw the conclusion that they are just as dangerous, said Daniel I. Wikler, an ethicist at the Harvard School of Public Health. You didnt say it, but you didnt have to. People make that assumption and you dont try to disabuse them of it.

Last week, Georgia State University published a report finding that the percentage of Americans who thought e-cigarettes were as bad as cigarettes or worse than them had tripled, to 40 percent in 2015 from 13 percent in 2012.

Image A vape and a safety notice at Sababa Vapes in Philadelphia. The United States top public health authorities have often discouraged vaping. Credit... Mark Makela for The New York Times

If smokers have tried everything else, and use an e-cigarette to quit completely, thats a good thing, said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, the director of the C.D.C. He has heard anecdotes about that happening, he added.

But the plural of anecdote is not data, he said. And counterbalancing that good trend, there are at least three negative things that might be happening, like people who have never smoked using them, children picking them up as a path to smoking, or smokers using them to perpetuate their habit.

But smoking has been declining. The 2015 adult smoking rate dropped by more than 10 percent from the previous year, the biggest decline since the government began tracking the measure in 1965, said Kenneth E. Warner, a professor of public health at the University of Michigan, citing the governments National Health Interview Survey. Past dips have always been linked to some event, he said, like a tax. But there was no single event to explain this one, and some suspect e-cigarettes may have played a role.
Seven men have been indicted on sex trafficking charges in what federal officials said on Tuesday was an international organization that exploited adult and underage women for more than a decade in Mexico and the United States.

Four of the men  identified as Efrain Granados-Corona, 41; Alan Romero-Granados, 24; and the brothers Pedro Rojas-Romero, 37, and Emilio Rojas-Romero, 34  were arrested in Mexico by the authorities there last week. Raul Romero-Granados, 32, and Isaac Lomeli-Rivera, 34, were arrested in the United States, the United States attorneys office in Manhattan said. The seventh man, Juan Romero-Granados, brother of Alan, remained a fugitive.

All seven could face life sentences in federal court in New York on charges of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.

In a statement announcing the arrests, federal authorities enumerated the often brutal methods of the organization, which they described as a family business that has been operating since at least 2000.
Three years after the 2013 elections revealed serious flaws in New York Citys campaign finance laws, the City Council may finally be moving to fix some of the worst problems  but not without including a few changes that would benefit individual Council members.

Up to a dozen new bills are being shaped behind closed doors, and although no drafts have been released yet, word coming from the Council has alarmed some of the citys most persistent and careful advocates for better and fairer elections. At least some of the legislation being discussed would make it easier for candidates to amass war chests of public money for future races, or to spend campaign money on expenses that are not permitted by the city law but are for state politicians. By way of egregious example, one powerful state senator used campaign money to buy covers for his swimming pool, somehow deeming them not to be a personal expense.

What I am hearing definitely raises concerns, said Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York.

Gene Russianoff, a lawyer with the New York Public Interest Research Group who helped drive reforms 30 years ago, said, The Council is considering what additional goodies it wants to put onto these necessary changes.
As Mayor Bill de Blasios administration moves forward on plans for a new streetcar line from Queens to Brooklyn, city officials on Tuesday unveiled the different routes they are considering for the project.

The $2.5 billion waterfront streetcar would run on streets in some of New York Citys most popular and crowded neighborhoods along the East River, including Williamsburg and Downtown Brooklyn. City officials plan to discuss the routes at community meetings over the next two months before selecting a path early next year.

Mr. de Blasio proposed the streetcar, known as the Brooklyn Queens Connector, in February, and now New Yorkers can see where exactly it might run and the potential impact on their neighborhoods. The streetcar line, which would travel about 16 miles from Astoria in Queens to Sunset Park in Brooklyn, is the mayors most high-profile transportation priority and could open by 2024.

In a 25-page report on the routes, city officials outlined the benefits and drawbacks of using certain streets in each neighborhood, including the width of the road and how close the street is to subway lines for riders who want to transfer. Maps also show how the streetcar could travel over bridges to cross Newtown Creek and the Gowanus Canal  a potentially expensive part of the plan if new bridges are built.
Officer Galante testified that on Jan. 26, 2015, as what was expected to be a historic blizzard bore down on New York City, he went to the lot beside the tire shop in response to numerous complaints from animal advocates.

People were stating that there were rabbits in the back yard running around and they were attacking each other, and we went to investigate, Officer Galante said.

He testified that his captain had told Ms. Trec that she needed to get the rabbits to a warm place and that she said she would. You took responsibility for the rabbits, he told Ms. Trec, who was cross-examining him. When he asked you who the rabbits belonged to, you said, Me.

Reverting back to the first person, she asked, Was there noise on the street at that moment when the captain was speaking to me?

I dont remember, Officer Galante said.

That night, the police came back with employees from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and rounded up 72 of her rabbits. Prosecutors said the rabbits lacked shelter and were in danger because of the imminent snowstorm. Three days later, the authorities returned with a warrant and seized 104 more rabbits.

If found guilty, Ms. Trec faces a possibility of up to two years in jail.

On a break, Ms. Trec discussed her strategy. The first batch of rabbits was taken without a warrant. The city used the condition of those rabbits to get the warrant that led to the seizure of the second batch, Ms. Trec said. She would move to suppress the evidence stemming from the warrantless search, and the states case, she said, would fall apart.
The New York Police Department has had a long history of trampling on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens engaged in political movements and other activities through illegal and suspicionless surveillance.

Judge Charles Haight of Federal District Court in Manhattan pointed to that dishonorable record in a ruling made public on Monday in which he rejected the proposed settlement of two lawsuits brought against the citys Police Department for its surveillance of Muslim citizens. The judge is right not to accept the settlement unless the city and the plaintiffs lawyers agree on a revision to strengthen oversight of the Police Departments intelligence operation.

The issue of police surveillance was the subject of a landmark class-action lawsuit in 1971, when civil rights lawyers uncovered the activities of the Police Departments Red Squad, which tried to subvert and disrupt the Black Panthers, who were acquitted of plotting to blow up police stations and other buildings in the city. That suit, named for the plaintiff Barbara Handschu, was broadened to include other groups and was settled in 1985. It prohibited the city from investigating political or religious groups unless the group is linked to a crime that has happened or that is about to be committed.

After the 9/11 attacks, the city  with the courts agreement  relaxed those guidelines to allow the police broad authority to root out terrorist threats. But it didnt take long for the department to stray beyond the broadened parameters. In 2003, Judge Haight, who oversees the Handschu case, chastised the city after learning that police officers had questioned demonstrators protesting the Iraq war about their political beliefs, including their views on President George W. Bush.
Donald Trumps claim that he was smart for figuring out how not to pay federal income taxes was obnoxious when he said it, at least for the millions of Americans who pay their fair share. Now we learn that he was able to avoid some of those taxes decades ago with a tactic that is illegal now and was highly dubious even then.

In the 1990s, with his Atlantic City casinos and other businesses tottering on the verge of collapse, Mr. Trump negotiated a deal under which his creditors  investors and banks  would forgive part of the debt in exchange for equity in partnerships he controlled. Without such swaps, Mr. Trump would have had to report the forgiven debt as income, offsetting a big portion of the $916 million loss he claimed on his tax return in 1995. That loss allowed him to avoid paying taxes for up to 18 years.

It is impossible to know whether the Internal Revenue Service challenged Mr. Trumps use of the swaps because, unlike every major party presidential nominee for nearly 40 years, he refuses to release his tax returns. But as The Times reported on Monday, the maneuver was so suspect that his lawyers advised against it.

And its clear that even then tax officials and federal lawmakers were hoping to end the practice because it allowed businesses and rich individuals to avoid taxes by swapping forgiven debt with equity that was worth little or nothing. Indeed, even as Mr. Trumps lawyers were advising him against this approach, one tax expert wrote that trying to find legal support for it was like trying to find evidence for the existence of the Loch Ness monster.
There are two possible explanations for James Comeys decision to announce last week that he was examining emails that appear to be pertinent to the investigation of Hillary Clintons use of a private email server.

One explanation, which I tend to believe, is that Comey, the director of the F.B.I., set out to interfere in the campaign on behalf of the Republican Party, a shocking act that would render him unfit for his powerful office.

(In that scenario, the aim may have not primarily been to help Donald Trump, but to preserve the Republican majorities in Congress, which suddenly seemed in danger this fall. Can you imagine how intense the pressure on Comey from the Hill must have been following his announcement this summer that the investigation was being closed?)

The other possible explanation is that he acted out of what you might charitably call a sense of moral rectitude. I think its better described as self-righteousness  a dangerous current in modern right-wing politics that has its roots in the rise of the Moral Majority, which aimed to make politics a choice between good values (the rights) and bad values (the lefts) rather than a competition of ideas.
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Republicans are starting to talk openly about refusing to fill Antonin Scalias Supreme Court seat not only through the end of President Obamas term but indefinitely. Ted Cruz, Charles Grassley and John McCain have all sent such signals, as have some other prominent conservatives.

Its worth taking this talk seriously.

Too many top Republicans have made clear in recent years that they care more about winning than about adhering to political norms or doing whats best for the country. You can see this attitude in the willingness to shut down the government, the threats to default on the national debt and the stated desire to make Obama a failed president.
The crackdown has been accompanied by a slew of provocative speeches by Mr. Erdogan lamenting the loss of Ottoman territories, proposing to reinstate the death penalty, intensifying the suppression of Kurdish nationalists and lambasting the United States and Europe. Mr. Erdogan is also demanding a combat role in the battle in Iraq to liberate Mosul, but any involvement there of Turkeys predominantly Sunni troops could create new sectarian complications.

Mr. Erdogan has not concealed his ambition to replace Turkeys parliamentary system with an executive presidency that would formally expand the considerable power he already wields. But his Justice and Development Party (A.K.P.) is short of the 330 votes it needs in the 550-member Parliament to start the process of constitutional change. Mr. Erdogans solution has been to fan the flames of grievance, nationalism and fear.

The United States and Europe are horrified that Mr. Erdogan has strayed so completely from the track he was on when he first became the Turkish prime minister in 2003 and was hailed for building a model Muslim democracy. Turkey remains a critical NATO ally in a tumultuous region, a repository for allied nuclear weapons, and its migration deal with the European Union has helped reduce the flow of Middle Eastern refugees to Europe.

There is no easy way for the West to keep Mr. Erdogan in the tent while making clear to him that his actions are unacceptable. But there is a Turkish saying that a real friend tells the bitter truth. In a speech on Tuesday, Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken attempted to do that, warning pointedly that the crackdown would shake the business climate and urging Turkey to respond to the failed coup in ways that reinforce public confidence in the rule of law and Turkeys traditions of freedom of expression and pluralism. Is Mr. Erdogan listening?
Over so many of her travails hangs a cloud of testosterone.

No woman before her earned a major partys presidential nomination, drawing this close to the Oval Office. Should she reach that milestone and make that history, shed probably also work with a Congress in which there are more female lawmakers than ever before.

But her journey doesnt only reflect the advances of women. It has also been shaped by the appetites and anxieties of men. (Maybe the two dynamics go hand in hand.) And it has exposed gross male behavior while prompting fresh examples of it. Prominent men on the edge of obsolescence have never acted so wounded, so angry, so desperate. Yes, Newt Gingrich, Im looking at you, though youll have to wait your turn while I assess your master.

Donald Trumps candidacy is an unalloyed expression of male id: Yield to me, worship me, never question the expanse of my reach, do not impugn the majesty of my endowment. Its less a political mission than a hormonal one, and it harks back to an era when women were arm candy and a man reveled in his sweet tooth.

His archaic masculinity is her opportunity: a stroke of good fortune in a presidential bid with plenty of bad luck, too. When he seethed that she was a nasty woman, he might as well have been offering to carry her luggage into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Its hardly the first time that a mans cravings colored her fate. How much of her Achilles-heel defensiveness is a byproduct of her marriage to Bill? When he was governor of Arkansas and when he ran for president in 1992, there were constant rumors of his philandering and a ceaseless effort to keep them from spreading. She learned early on to see the media as invasive, her opponents as merciless, and privacy as something to be guarded at all costs. That doesnt excuse her use of a private email server as secretary of state, but it does help to explain it.
In their new book, Parliament, the partners in XML, a creative agency in Amsterdam focusing on architecture, urbanism and research, compared 193 different legislative buildings. Despite major differences among countries and cultures, the authors were able to sort the design of parliamentary structures into five typologies: the opposing benches, derived from the medieval royal court; the neo-Classicist semicircle of 19th-century European nation-states; the horseshoe, a hybrid of the previous two; the circle (rarest of all); and the classroom (commonly found in authoritarian countries).

This relative homogeneity, the architects observe, suggests a systematic lack of innovation. The three dominant typologies (opposing benches, classroom and semicircle) were developed for the most part between 1800 and 1850, and remain mostly unchanged. The XML principal David Mulder (one of the authors, with Max Cohen de Lara, of Parliament), said in our recent interview:, They are fixed in time. Thats crazy. The world has changed enormously.

Todays legislative buildings are responding to that change from a context that, in the case of the British Parliament, dates from 1215 when Magna Carta formalized an agreement between the king and his subordinates. The opposing benches typology emerged from this; early meetings took place in the nave of St. Stephens Chapel, creating the archetype of two long oppositional rows.

These typologies persist in an inward orientation despite the huge changes in governing, from the emergence of global convenings and agreements to the hyperlocal decision making seen at the grass roots level. Voting can be done by machine. Developments in mass media from radio to Twitter have extended and transformed the space of politics outward. Yet in the room where it happens (to steal one of Aaron Burrs lines from Hamilton), the process and physical space remain frozen in time.

Could architecture help shift parliamentary politics into a new era? Mr. Mulder points out that opportunity for change may be imminent: Because so many Parliament buildings were constructed around the same time, they tend to go through similar renovation cycles. In Europe alone, the buildings in Austria, Britain, France, the Netherlands and Norway are all due for an update. Usually governments incline to preservation and restoration, but this time around a few are revealing an openness to change.
The week before her first Los Angeles show, on her first visit to the city, the Londonbased artist Samara Scott rented a car and slowly cruised around the dryness, ingesting the landscape under the presence of the sky that is so intense here that everything feels like a backdrop, like its been flat-packed.

Funneled along roads and through store aisles, Scott collected bits of discarded material and organic matter, which she is suspending in local drinking water (among other liquids, including used cooking oil) to create a shin-deep liquid pool, opening this Friday in the floor of the Mid-City project space Four Six One Nine. Im interested in the nostalgia embedded in products, Scott says of the discarded and already hungover pieces of yoga mat, dollops of fake Halloween blood, eyeshadow and fruit juice that collide in a viscous archive of the citys current material composition. She calls the pieces still lives of vanity, and works of confessional impressionism  after all, the accumulations are her own. At last years Frieze London and in the fountains of Londons Battersea Park, her impermanent, slippery ponds have replicated the mastication, the assimilation, the dispersal, as she puts it, of consumed detritus into the environment. Im not interested in stabilizing too much, Scott says. I think maybe its a lie if you do, but there are definitely lies in my work, too.

Scott is loath to be too specific about all that floats in her deepest pool to-date  the inaugural Los Angeles exhibition for the London-based gallery the Sunday Painter  and her materials lists for each project can run into the hundreds. She describes the work as a neon, sex-shop sign, sewer-y autumnal landscape, containing in its fluid molecules all the projected glamour and melancholy of the L.A. environs and contained in the afterlives of things, including those that we are encouraged to rub onto our bodies or ingest. In her many alchemic studio experiments, Scott tests combinations: how hair gel might wrap itself around a spill of milk, for example. Translated into the site-specific pools, the layers of iridescent liquids used to scrub our homes and our skin become both broad and bodily: a marketing gambit that worked, but also something personal, the intimacy of chemical against skin.
But Mr. Brown  in interviews and a television advertisement  said this is just the latest in a long line of California laws and initiatives that have had the effect of bungling governing and building. (Case in point: the tax-slashing Proposition 13.)

If this passes, it will lead to lawsuits, Mr. Brown said. And in California we have enough damn lawsuits.

He said that the measure would give Nimbys  the unflattering acronym for development foes known as Not in My Backyard  power on projects anywhere in the state.

Its another element of dysfunctionality, he said. Its insidious. Its contrary to any decent civic spirit and once again underscores the power that money from one or a few can have, with possibly devastating consequences.
African-Americans are failing to vote at the robust levels they did four years ago in several states that could help decide the presidential election, creating a vexing problem for Hillary Clinton as she clings to a deteriorating lead over Donald J. Trump with Election Day just a week away.

As tens of millions of Americans cast ballots in what will be the largest-ever mobilization of early voters in a presidential election, the numbers have started to point toward a slump that many Democrats feared might materialize without the nations first black president on the ticket.

The reasons for the decline appear to be both political and logistical, with lower voter enthusiasm and newly enacted impediments to voting at play. In North Carolina, where a federal appeals court accused Republicans of an almost surgical assault on black turnout and Republican-run election boards curtailed early-voting sites, black turnout is down 16 percent. White turnout, however, is up 15 percent. Democrats are planning an aggressive final push, including a visit by President Obama to the state on Wednesday.

But in Florida, which extended early voting after long lines left some voters waiting for hours in 2012, African-Americans share of the electorate that has gone to the polls in person so far has decreased, to 15 percent today from 25 percent four years ago.
Mr. Trumps tally appeared to include money raised into party accounts he jointly controls, but did not specify what threshold he used for small donations, and a spokeswoman did not immediately reply to a request for clarification. The release did not specify whether the total represented any money that was raised earlier in the year but was only recently transferred into his campaign accounts.

The Trump teams last official F.E.C. report was filed last week and covered the first 19 days of October. Using a conventional measure of small donations  checks from people giving less than $200  Mr. Trump would have had to raise about $65 million from small contributions during the remaining days in October, effectively tripling his clip with these donors. That would be a huge jump.

But it is also possible that Mr. Trump is including contributions of more than $200 in his tally, since he has been collecting relatively few large checks. If Mr. Trumps figure included all the money raised in the first part of October, then he would have had to raise $40 million to reach $100 million by the end of the month.

That would leave him at more or less on the same pace as earlier in the month  and only a slightly faster clip than in September.

In a statement accompanying Mr. Trumps news release, his digital director, Brad Parscale, said: Hitting a 100 million dollar goal in October is an amazing milestone for the campaign as it shows how Mr. Trumps message is resonating with millions of voters across the country.
A panel of outside investigators, appointed by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said in its report that a lack of leadership on the part of key senior Mission personnel culminated in a chaotic and ineffective response to the violence. Mr. Ban said in a statement that he was deeply distressed by these findings, and reiterated his outrage over the acts of violence committed in Juba in July and the continuing betrayal of the people of South Sudan by too many of its leaders.

His spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters at a daily news briefing that Mr. Ban had asked for the immediate replacement of the force commander.

That commander, Lt. Gen. Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki of Kenya, was appointed less than six months ago and was described in an official announcement at the time as a highly accomplished international military officer with 34 years of experience.

In days of fighting that convulsed Juba, the inquiry said, two Chinese peacekeepers were killed and several wounded, and 182 buildings in the United Nations compound were struck by bullets, mortar shells and rocket-propelled grenades as thousands of civilians sought refuge there.
OTTAWA  Investigators looking into corruption within Montreals police force for almost six months focused their attention on one of Quebecs most prominent journalists even though he had neither reported on the corruption case nor had any strong connection to it.

Advocates of press freedom expressed alarm about revelations this week that the police had captured calls and text messages to and from an iPhone belonging to the journalist, Patrick Lagace, a columnist with the Montreal newspaper La Presse, and were given permission to track his movements by using the phones GPS function.

In response, legal scholars have questioned the legality of the police action, and journalism organizations and politicians have condemned the police monitoring. On Tuesday, the government promised greater protections for journalists.

On Monday, La Presse reported that Mr. Lagace had been spied on as part of an effort by Montreals police force to find the source of leaks to news outlets about an internal inquiry into allegations that members of a drugs and street-gang unit had fabricated evidence.
SYDNEY, Australia  Extensive tracking of debris from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which disappeared more than two years ago in the southern Indian Ocean with 239 people onboard, has further narrowed the search area in a remote swath of ocean off the coast of Western Australia.

The tracking was detailed in a report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau that was released in Canberra on Wednesday.

The report said it was likely that debris drifted from an area around the midpoint of the current search site, due west of Australias southwestern corner. Modeling and ocean tests showed it was unlikely the debris began to drift from farther north or south.

The report also said that the planes pilot had not manipulated a wing in readiness for a controlled landing or ditching into the water. But it failed to draw any conclusions as to why the Boeing 777 had deviated from its route or whether the pilot was flying the plane or it was on autopilot when it plunged into the sea.
One evening in 1968, Mark Rothko regaled the art dealer Arne Glimcher, who had dropped by his studio on his way home from Pace Gallery in New York, with the story of a visit from a collector that day.

Pointing to an enormous painting of dark blue and black rectangles floating on a deep burgundy field, Rothko, the Abstract Expressionist painter, described offering his work to the woman, who had been pestering him for a canvas. Mr. Rothko, she had said with disappointment, I want a happy painting, a red and yellow and orange painting, not a sad painting. Amused, Rothko had responded: Red, yellow, orange  arent those the colors of an inferno? The woman left empty-handed.

The memory of this exchange now has inspired an exhibition that Mr. Glimcher hopes will disprove the prevalent interpretation by many critics, collectors and viewers that Rothkos brilliantly colored paintings of the 1950s were sunny and joyous, while his darker-palette works in the 1960s reflected his progressing depression and foreshadowed his suicide in 1970.
LONDON  Its one of the most demanding roles in theater, but Glenda Jackson, the two-time Oscar-winning actress, will open a new production of King Lear on Friday having not stepped onstage for 25 years. In the interim, she worked to keep a realm together as a member of the British Parliament; her first act in her return to the theater will be to play a monarch who breaks one up.

Many major actors take a run at the role in Shakespeares tragedy, a part so daunting that its nicknamed Mount Lear. It would seem especially so for Ms. Jackson, whose last performance came in 1991, in Eugene ONeills Mourning Becomes Electra at the Glasgow Citizens Theater. Her return, after such a long hiatus, is highly unusual and, at 80, she is older than all but one of Britains last 10 Lears in major productions.

Whats more, shes playing him at the Old Vic  a 198-year-old, 1,000-seat theater with an imposing history. Laurence Olivier was Othello there; Judi Dench was Juliet. Shes part of that tradition now, its artistic director, Matthew Warchus, said.

Before starting his job, Mr. Warchus invited Ms. Jackson for a meeting. He had tried to tempt her back into acting while she was still in Parliament, to no avail, and he arrived with very, very low expectations.
Only in the last 50 pages, when he appraises the excesses of the modern internet  which mutely scrapes our data and stalks us with weight-loss ads; which narcotizes us with listicles and hands to preening no-talents their own micro-platforms on which to strut their micro-stuff  does Mr. Wu turn savage, sinking enough venom into Twitter and Instagram to kill a baby monkey: Fame, or the hunger for it, would become something of a pandemic, swallowing up more and more people and leaving them with scars of chronic attention-whoredom.

But because The Attention Merchants is comprehensive and conscientious, readers are bound to stumble on ideas and episodes of media history that they knew little about. Mr. Wu, the author of The Master Switch, writes with elegance and clarity, giving readers the pleasing sensation of walking into a stupendously well-organized closet. As a lawyer and star professor at Columbia Law School  he famously coined the term net neutrality  he is clearly in the habit of laying out his arguments in logical, progressive steps.

Throughout his book, Mr. Wu explores the fundamental, continual dilemma for the attention merchant  just how far will he go to get his harvest? Almost inevitably, these merchants run afoul of our core sense of privacy. But over time, that sense has eroded.

By the end of the 1920s, most Americans were accustomed to being cajoled and sold to in print and on billboards. By the end of the 1950s, advertisers had wormed their way into the family living room, with television and radio networks owning times of the day that were previously sacred, like dinner hour. Then came the personal computer, the internet and, finally, the fourth screen: our mobile phones. They devoured every morsel of attention we had left, rather in the way fracking would later recover great reserves of oil once considered wholly inaccessible.

Mr. Wus chapters about the early days of advertising are some of this books most enjoyable, easily serving as a readers companion to Mad Men. (They contain great product trivia, too: Listerine was once marketed as a floor cleaner.) But its the last third of The Attention Merchants, in which Mr. Wu charts the rise and fall of the utopian internet, that is truly memorable.
LONDON  A former fund manager at BlackRock pleaded guilty to insider trading charges in a London court on Wednesday, the British authorities said.

The fund manager, Mark Lyttleton, 45, who oversaw the BlackRock UK Dynamic and BlackRock UK Absolute Alpha portfolios before he left the firm in March 2013, entered a guilty plea on two counts of insider dealing, the equivalent of insider trading in Britain, at Southwark Crown Court.

Insider dealing convictions carry a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. Mr. Lyttleton is to be sentenced on Dec. 21.

The Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates British financial services, said Mr. Lyttleton had admitted to making trades based on insider information that he had obtained while employed at BlackRock, either while working on deals or in being party to conversations with colleagues.
The dust hasnt even settled on the scandal over fake accounts at Wells Fargo. And now, the bank has even more bad headlines to deal with, with a $50 million payment to settle a class-action lawsuit.

The battered lender was accused of overcharging hundreds of thousands of homeowners for appraisals made when borrowers fell behind on their loans.

The lawsuit claims that Wells Fargo used one of its own subsidiaries to conduct appraisals on the value of the homes and routinely marked up the cost.

The proposed settlement calls for Wells Fargo to automatically mail checks to more than 250,000 customers nationwide whose home loans were serviced by the bank between 2005 and 2010.
The founders of Willing, Eliam Medina and Rob Dyson, wanted to create a platform that allowed users to complete their own estate planning documents like a will, power of attorney and health care directive.

If you look at what TurboTax has done for tax planning, we wanted to do the same thing for estate planning, said Mr. Medina, the companys chief executive.

An early version of the platform was introduced in Florida in January 2015. Consumers were invited to try the service free and about 500 wills were created, Mr. Medina said. That summer, Willing, based in Miami, went through the start-up incubator Y Combinator, where it expanded to all 50 states. The company has raised $7 million. Mr. Medina says 25,000 wills a month are created on the platform.

Until the 2008 recession, the funeral industry had largely been unchanged, said David Nixon, president of Nixon Consulting, which works with funeral home owners. But since then, consumers have been actively looking for deals and other ways to simplify the funeral process.

Enter the start-up Parting, founded about a year ago in Los Angeles, an online directory of funeral homes searchable by ZIP code, which allows users to compare prices and services, and view the homes locations.

A team of people posing as shoppers seeks out pricing and services information from funeral homes that are unaware the information is for the site. An increasing number of funeral directors, however, are voluntarily working with Parting to put their information in the database, which now has more than 15,000 funeral homes.

It is backed by an angel investor and is increasing about 27 percent a month in searches and visitors, said Tyler Yamasaki, a founder.
Way back before the primaries, when the coming presidential election seemed like just another quadrennial exercise of our nations democratic ideals and not a referendum on our nations soul, Molly Rose Quinn decided she was going to give a party on Nov. 8.

Ms. Quinn is director of public programming at Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in Lower Manhattan, where she will host an election-night party, screening the TV coverage on a projector and serving beer and wine.

Recently, Ms. Quinn recalled her own election nights past, especially in 2008, the year Barack Obama was first elected president.

There was such a sense of excitement, she said. I sought out a big group of friends and wanted to be in a celebratory place.
Making connections with other Christians, as well as Muslim and Jewish women, has probably been the most exciting benefit of blogging, says Liz Roy, a Christian who runs the personal style blog Downtown Demure. We all have different standards for modesty, but we share this common goal, which can be a bit contradictory to secular standards.

These connections have the potential to yield more than just warm, fuzzy feelings, according to the Jewish Orthodox sisters Simi and Chaya Gestetner of the modest indie label the Frock. While they enjoy the personal connections they build with customers of any faith (including their Orthodox neighbors in Brooklyn and their Mormon fans in Salt Lake City), they also see the mobilization of the modest-fashion community as a real boon for business.

The sisters report seeing a significant increase in sales every time the Jewish Orthodox street style star Adi Heyman posts Instagram images of herself wearing their pieces, often mixed with separates from brands like Gucci or Chanel. Since Ms. Heymans blog, Fabologie, flows from her desire to find more modest options in mainstream fashion, the continued success of brands like the Frock is something she is deeply invested in.

And while linking commerce and religion may seem distasteful to some, modest-fashion entrepreneurs like Melanie Elturk see it as a natural way to live out their faith and serve their communities. Ms. Elturk, a former lawyer who founded the online retailer Haute Hijab in 2010, uses her online following to offer style inspiration and practical resources to young Muslim women who are seeking to honor the tradition of wearing hijabs in the face of cultural pushback.

I have a whole network of psychiatrists, therapists, social workers and community leaders who I put in touch with girls who are struggling so they can hash out any issues, said Ms. Elturk, whose responsive social media presence engages many younger followers. I want to see a thriving community of girls who are proud to wear hijab.
This is something oncologists should be aware of, said Dr. Jedd D. Wolchok, chief of melanoma and immunotherapeutics services at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, who was not an author of the journal article. Its rare, but the fact that people have died from it is a reason for us to try to spare them that toxicity.

New Developments in Cancer Research Card 1 of 5 Progress in the field. In recent years, advancements in research have changed the way cancer is treated. Here are some recent updates: Uterine cancer. Women who use chemical hair straighteners frequently could have a higher risk of developing uterine cancer than women who have never used the products, according to new findings from a national study that has followed nearly 34,000 U.S. women for more than a decade. Breast cancer. A new study suggests surgery may not always be necessary for all breast cancer patients. A small early-stage clinical trial found that a carefully selected group of patients who responded remarkably well to chemotherapy could skip surgery altogether. Cancer vaccines. For a long time, the promise of cancer vaccines that would protect healthy people at high risk of cancer has only dangled in front of researchers. Now, though, encouraging animal data and preliminary studies in human patients are making some doctors feel optimistic. Rectal cancer. A small trial that saw 18 rectal cancer patients taking the same drug, dostarlimab, appears to have produced an astonishing result: The cancer vanished in every single participant. Experts believe that this study is the first in history to have achieved such results.









Dr. Wolchok said the problem had occurred in one patient at Sloan Kettering but had cleared up on its own. He agreed that it was advisable to order extra heart tests for patients taking checkpoint combinations.

Dr. Benjamin A. Olenchock, a study author from the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, was not available for an interview but said in a written statement that the heart problem had affected patients at his hospital. As the number of patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors has markedly increased, rare cases of cardiac toxicity associated with the use of these cancer therapeutics, sometimes resulting in death, have been seen at multiple institutions including our own, the statement said.

The first checkpoint inhibitor was approved in 2011. The drugs work by unleashing T-cells, a type of white blood cell, to kill cancer. But sometimes, the T-cells go into hyperdrive and attack healthy tissue. Doctors have known for years that the drugs can have dangerous side effects, including gut, lung and thyroid trouble. But the cardiac problems have taken longer to emerge.

There have been scattered reports in other, less prominent medical journals of heart problems, some fatal, in small numbers of patients taking checkpoint inhibitors alone or in combination. The new report is the most in-depth analysis, including tests for possible genetic or viral causes (none were found) and an examination of a drug-company database to identify other cases.

The patients described in Dr. Moslehis article  a woman, 65, and a man, 63  developed heart problems and died a few weeks after just one intravenous treatment with a combination of two checkpoint inhibitors: Opdivo and Yervoy. Both patients had advanced melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, and were enrolled in studies. Neither had a history of heart disease.

The woman had chest pains, shortness of breath and fatigue, and was admitted to the hospital 12 days after her first dose of the drugs. She had myocarditis  inflammation of the heart  as well as other inflamed muscles and abnormal heart rhythms.
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y.  The once popular and swaggering chief of the Suffolk County Police Department, James Burke, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison on Wednesday for a series of misdeeds that began after a duffel bag belonging to him was stolen from his parked sport utility vehicle.

The duffel bag contained pornography and sex toys. Its disappearance in December 2012 set Mr. Burke off on a furious effort to find the thief, teach him a lesson, recover the bag and make sure the episode stayed quiet. It did not.

Mr. Burkes efforts at a cover-up set in motion a scandal that reverberated through Long Island politics, making new enemies out of old allies and leading to an ever-widening inquiry by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that is now scrutinizing not only the police, but also prosecutors and the judiciary.

That larger investigation showed no signs of having ended on Wednesday, even as the man at its center was given a stiff sentence by a federal judge who was unimpressed by Mr. Burkes apology, or the more than 80 letters he had received from Mr. Burkes friends and family, pleading for leniency.
GREAT FALLS, Va.  When I was in third grade, my teacher asked who among us wanted to run for class president. I raised my hand along with a few boys, and the teacher told me to come to the front of the class. He turned me around to face the class and slapped my hands with a ruler, hard, and said, Thats for thinking that a girl can be president of anything.

That was almost 40 years ago in Seoul, South Korea, a few years before my parents and I moved to Baltimore. Ive told that story often, as an example of the ingrained sexism in Korean patriarchal culture that I thought I had escaped when we immigrated to America.

After I became a naturalized United States citizen in high school, I wrote college admissions essays about this experience, about how lucky I felt to have officially joined a nation that valued egalitarianism. In my 20s, when I became president of a company I co-founded, I gave speeches that began with this story, and I spoke about how grateful I was that my parents had brought me to a country where girls can dare to become president of whatever they want.

People liked this story. I liked telling it. Whenever I shared it, I could see in the listeners faces what I was feeling: disbelief that such a thing could happen anywhere, combined with an almost conspiratorial sense of superiority in being American, of pride in our progressive, forward-thinking society that had long ago abandoned such outdated ideas of what women could and couldnt do.
The Obama administrations Syria policy has collapsed under the weight of a brutal assault on Aleppo by the forces of President Bashar al-Assad and Russia. Shrugging off global condemnation, Russia and Mr. Assad have dispatched their aircraft to attack schools and hospitals, singling out civilian targets to make the city uninhabitable and force its remaining population to flee.

Secretary of State John Kerry and other world leaders are now calling for Russia and the Assad government to be investigated for war crimes. But for the past year, Mr. Kerry had held firm to the belief that only through cooperation with Russia could the United States pressure the Assad government, reduce violence in Syria and move the country toward a political transition. The United States is now struggling to respond to the reality that Russia has little interest in a political settlement.

With an election days away, the Obama administration is reluctant to do anything that might tie the next presidents hands. Mr. Obama himself remains as resistant as ever to increasing involvement in Syrias war. But continuing his hands-off approach will have crippling effects on his successors ability to make diplomatic progress.

Two steps are needed to advance Americas Syria policy. The first is to move beyond a discussion limited to no-fly zones or increased support to the armed opposition; the second is a cleareyed, fact-based assessment of just how risky further American involvement might be. Both are possible between now and when the next president takes office.
REDMOND, Wash.  In the last couple of years at Microsoft, some old habits have been tossed away, like obsessively placing Windows software at the center of all the companys big bets. But the company would still dig trenches to protect Office, its $23-billion-a-year software franchise.

Microsoft on Wednesday took the wraps off Microsoft Teams, an addition to the Office package that will allow professionals to huddle virtually with colleagues in private chat rooms to talk about anything from work projects to where to get lunch.

If you think Microsoft Teams sounds a little like Slack, the relatively new chat service that has pulses pounding among Silicon Valley investors and customers, you would be correct.

In fact, if this were 1997, a more bellicose time at Microsoft, people inside the company would be whispering that the new application was a Slack killer. But the tone is different these days, even if the intent is essentially the same.
North Carolina has become perhaps the most important state in the election. It has the potential to decide the Senate and the presidency.

Hillary Clinton has led every live-interview survey conducted there since the first presidential debate, even though Mitt Romney won it four years ago. She has a comfortable lead in the surveys taken after the third presidential debate, with Upshot/Siena, NBC/Marist, Quinnipiac, Monmouth and Elon polls showing her ahead by an average of four points.

Its also a state where the election is well underway. Nearly two million voters  perhaps 40 percent of the electorate  have already cast ballots, and the data from early voting suggests that she has banked a considerable lead. The same data implies that pre-election polls are largely right about the composition of the North Carolina electorate.

This doesnt mean the pre-election polls will be right. There are a lot of reasons the polls could be wrong besides the composition of the electorate. For instance, undecided voters or the supporters of Gary Johnson could break for Mr. Trump.
GREENVILLE, Miss.  A predominantly African-American church here was badly burned on Tuesday evening, with the words Vote Trump spray-painted on the side of the building, an episode that comes amid rising concerns over possible violence in the final days of a polarizing and racially charged presidential race.

Mayor Errick D. Simmons of Greenville said that firefighters, responding to a call around 9:15 p.m., discovered the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church engulfed in flames. Fire Chief Ruben Brown said the blaze took about an hour to fully extinguish. The church sanctuary was heavily damaged by heat, fire and smoke, he said.

By Wednesday evening, Mr. Brown said investigators had concluded that the fire was definitely arson after discovering some type of solvent or flammable substance inside. And Police Chief Delando Wilson said a person of interest was being interviewed by authorities to see if this person was an active participant in this crime, or to rule them out from being a participant.

The 200-member church has been a fixture for more than 110 years in Greenville, a Mississippi Delta city of about 32,000. Our hearts are broken but are not angry, Carolyn Hudson, the church pastor, said at a news conference called Wednesday by city officials. But hearts are broken, and we are saddened by what has happened.
GRAND FORKS, N.D.  Cameras on drones stare down at the Canadian border from as high as 28,000 feet, scanning vast stretches of mountains, rivers and forests for potential terrorists and drug smugglers.

The drones are intended to compensate for the Department of Homeland Securitys lack of personnel and other surveillance equipment to adequately patrol the longest international border in the world.

Equipped with high-tech cameras and radar, and capable of staying in the air much longer than planes flown by humans, the drones fill a critical gap in border security, officials with Homeland Security say. While the bulk of the departments drones are flown on the more troubled American border with Mexico, the ones here are used to surveil remote parts of the 5,500-mile border with Canada that are too risky for ground access or normal aircraft.

The use of drones has been criticized by government auditors as costing too much  about $60 million a year  and producing too little, less than 2 percent of all apprehensions and drug arrests by the Border Patrol. In addition, privacy activists say that the government may be taking video of people who are not engaged in criminal activity.
DES MOINES  They were each on overnight patrols early Wednesday, a rookie police officer and a veteran a few miles apart in the Des Moines area, when officials say they had the lethal misfortune to cross paths with an armed, disturbed man whose life was unraveling. Each officer was gunned down in the drivers seat of his patrol car, without so much as a chance to unholster his weapon.

Investigators quickly identified a suspect in the slayings, who then surrendered  a local man described as a troubled loner who was familiar to the police in his suburban town, Urbandale. He had a string of arrests and confrontations with officers and others, but nothing in his record approached the scale of violence that erupted here.

Just hours before the two officers were killed, a court had ordered the man, Scott M. Greene, 46, to move out of his mothers house, after she accused him of emotional and physical abuse. A few weeks ago, the Urbandale police had escorted him out of a football game being played by his daughters high school, after he waved a Confederate flag in front of black students, leading to restrictions on his ability to set foot on school property.
The roster of retired military officers endorsing Hillary Clinton in September glittered with decoration and rank. One former general led the American surge in Anbar, one of the most violent provinces in Iraq. Another commanded American-led allied forces battling the Taliban in Afghanistan. Yet another trained the first Iraqis to combat Islamic insurgents in their own country.

But as Election Day approaches, many veterans are instead turning to Donald J. Trump, a businessman who avoided the Vietnam draft and has boasted of gathering foreign policy wisdom by watching television shows.

Even as other voters abandon Mr. Trump, veterans remain among his most loyal supporters, an unlikely connection forged by the widening gulf they feel from other Americans.

After 15 years at war, many who served in Iraq or Afghanistan are proud of their service but exhausted by its burdens. They distrust the political class that reshaped their lives and are frustrated by how little their fellow citizens seem to understand about their experience.
What people are seeing now is that the demographic trends in North Carolina and several other Southern states are moving in an unchangeable direction toward more progressive politics, Mr. Foxx, a Democrat, said.

Bolstered by carefully drawn legislative maps and the results of nonpresidential elections, in which minority turnout usually dips, Republicans have maintained an iron grip on state government in places like Georgia and North Carolina, as well as some Western states.

But Republican leaders acknowledged that a moment of reckoning was ahead, perhaps sooner than expected because of this years presidential contest. State Representative B. J. Pak of Georgia, a Republican of Korean descent, said that he doubted that Mrs. Clinton would win the state but that his partys leaders were acutely aware of the fast-changing terrain.

Mr. Pak, who represents Gwinnett County, a suburban area near Atlanta where minorities now outnumber whites, said it had been hard this year to recruit a diverse slate of candidates, or to win over women and minorities.

Donald Trump has really made it extremely difficult, said Mr. Pak, who has not endorsed Mr. Trump. They feel that the partys not welcoming, and thats a tremendous challenge when youre trying to get people to give the party a chance.

Bob McDonnell, the former governor of Virginia, whose 2009 election marked the last major Republican victory in a once-reliably red state, said his party must embrace the new Americans, the immigrants that are really kind of remaking America, like how the Irish did in the mid-1800s. He noted that he had learned phrases in Korean and Mandarin to campaign in Northern Virginia.

We get accused, as conservatives, of writing off certain groups of people because they dont fit a certain political stereotype. You cant do that as a Republican, Mr. McDonnell said. Its a recipe for certain minority status.
BELLINGHAM, Wash.  The American coal industry, with its billions of dollars and army of lobbyists, has a storied history of muscle and might. But in this northwest corner of Washington, people like Christopher Grannis, a 69-year-old building contractor and stalwart in local civic causes, are standing up to coal.

And coal is losing.

There are financial rewards for a few, but risks are borne by many, Mr. Grannis said, standing at a microphone at a recent Whatcom County Council meeting in support of a moratorium on new applications for fossil fuel transport through the county. Council members passed the moratorium later that evening.

American coal producers, suffering under the weight of Obama administration regulations, have sought to export their fuel to Asia, hoping that a new hub of proposed export terminals along a stretch of the Pacific Northwest could serve as their industrys economic lifeline. Instead, local activists have shot down almost every project, adding a western blockade to what President Obamas critics have called the war on coal.

And on Election Day, this state may go further, with a vote on a first-of-its-kind ballot initiative to tax carbon emissions  a policy that most economists say is the most effective way to tackle global warming. Across the country, both advocates and opponents of climate change measures are watching closely to see if the Washington ballot initiative will herald national efforts to fight global warming through higher taxation of fossil fuels.
GRANTVILLE, Pa.  It didnt take long for Jack Morris to regret voting for President Obama. A few months after Mr. Morris, a lifelong Republican, cast his first vote for a Democrat in 2008, he learned that the carpet company where he worked planned to lay off 36 people in Pennsylvania and move his job to Maryland.

He went home and lamented to his wife that he had made a big mistake buying into Mr. Obamas message of hope and change. The president had been in office less than half a year, and already the disappointment that would color the next eight years for Mr. Morris was sinking in.

I just told my wife, I screwed up. I shouldve never voted for him, said Mr. Morris, 46, who now supports Donald J. Trump. I took the chance, left my party to come and try and vote for him to change. It didnt work, and now Im back to my party.

Mr. Morris is one of a small subset of voters who supported Mr. Obama in 2008 and have now embraced Mr. Trump, attracted by his vow to shake up the political status quo and restore lost jobs. A CBS News poll conducted last month found that 7 percent of likely voters who supported Mr. Obama in 2012 now back Mr. Trump, a ray of hope for a candidate who remains behind in most polls and has alienated many centrist voters.
But Mrs. Clinton has struggled so far to motivate black voters and millennials, two constituencies that played an important role in propelling Mr. Obamas victories in 2008 and 2012. In North Carolina, which Mr. Obama narrowly lost in 2012, black turnout is down 16 percent from where it was in the early vote four years ago. And aides to Mrs. Clinton estimate that the millennial vote in the state is also modestly off from where it was in 2012.

Democrats have seen improvements in these numbers in recent days as more early voting locations have opened and they were able to drive African-American souls to the polls last weekend. But given Mr. Trumps appeal among working-class whites and a drift of some Republicans back to him in the races final days, Mr. Obama could play a crucial role. After his visit in the Research Triangle area on Wednesday, he will appear in two cities with sizable black populations, Charlotte and Fayetteville, on Friday.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.  President Obama threw the power of the White House behind Hillary Clinton on Wednesday. He faulted how the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, handled new emails related to the investigation into Mrs. Clintons private server, and then shouted out to college students here in a pivotal battleground state that it was crucial that they vote because the fate of the world is teetering.

Mr. Obamas comments about Mr. Comey, broadcast early in the day as recent polls showed a tightening race, were striking for a president who has insisted he does not comment on F.B.I. investigations. But Mr. Obama appeared to be doing exactly that in implicitly criticizing Mr. Comeys decision to send a vague letter last week to Congress  and by extension, the public  informing lawmakers about a discovery of new emails related to Mrs. Clintons use of a private server as secretary of state.

We dont operate on incomplete information, Mr. Obama said in an interview with NowThis News. We dont operate on leaks. We operate based on concrete decisions that are made.

Without mentioning Mr. Comey by name  although it was clear whom he meant  Mr. Obama suggested that the F.B.I. had violated investigative guidelines and trafficked in innuendo by alerting Congress last week. Mr. Obamas remarks, which followed searing criticism of the F.B.I. director from both parties, make it harder for Mr. Comey to defuse the worst crisis of his tenure at the bureau.
In Colorado, a federal judge will soon hear challenges to a 125-year-old law that bars people from publishing their ballots, similar to the one in California. In Colorado and New York, publishing a ballot remains a misdemeanor crime.

According to The Denver Post, the case for keeping the law protects against possible cases of voter coercion.

We believe the current law protects the integrity of the election and protects voters from intimidation or inducement, Suzanne Staiert, Colorados deputy secretary of state, said in a statement to the newspaper. In fact, given Colorados unique election system and rise of social networking, the prohibition may be more important in Colorado than in other states and may be more timely today than ever.

This argument was used unsuccessfully by officials in New Hampshire, which overturned a ban on ballot selfies in September. The media company Snapchat was involved in that case and filed an amicus brief that argued ballot selfies were the latest way that voters, especially young voters, engage with the political process.

Activists also found the voter-coercion argument moot: There isnt much evidence, if any at all, that this kind of activity is actually occurring, Justin Silverman, the executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, told The New York Times in April.

Because of the muddled laws in several states, some voters are still at risk of breaking the rules. In one high-profile case, the musician Justin Timberlake published a ballot selfie after voting in Tennessee, apparently unaware that doing so constitutes a misdemeanor crime there, punishable by fines and jail time.

Mr. Timberlake, however, is not being investigated for his legal slip-up, according to USA Today.

In other states, lawmakers seem willing to keep the debate over ballot selfies running down to the wire: In Michigan, an appeals court reversed a lower courts ruling to allow ballot selfies, leaving voters with just over a week to figure out whether the act was legal in their state.

And in New York, three voters filed a lawsuit in October against the ban in a district court.

On Thursday, Judge P. Kevin Castel declined to lift the ban, though he called such selfies a potent form of speech. Lawyers for the plaintiffs said they will continue to fight for ballot selfies to be allowed in future elections.
WASHINGTON  Senator Claire McCaskill, Democrat of Missouri, got her first tutorial about life as a woman in politics as a college intern at the statehouse in Jefferson City in 1974, when male lawmakers made lecherous remarks to her in the elevator; she took the stairs after that. When she became a state legislator in 1983, the lessons became more explicit when she asked the House speaker on the dais his advice for getting legislation passed.

Claire, she recalls his saying in a tone-deaf attempt at humor, did you bring your kneepads?

So you can imagine how depressed I was, the 63-year-old senator said the other day, recalling her reaction to news that a top Democrat in the Missouri General Assembly had sent explicit late-night texts to interns and that the Republican speaker of the Missouri House had exchanged sexually charged texts with a 19-year-old intern. Both men resigned last year.

It has been 25 years since Anita Hill testified against Clarence Thomas before an all-male Senate Judiciary Committee, and propelled the term sexual harassment into the national spotlight. Once again, the nation is debating gender roles, amid a presidential campaign that features a woman, Hillary Clinton, who stands a chance of becoming Americas first female president, against a man, Donald J. Trump, who has been caught on a recording bragging about kissing and groping women whenever he wanted.

Across America, women are increasingly emboldened to discuss the harassment they experienced. Last week, an Alaska lawyer accused Justice Thomas of groping her at a dinner party in 1999; he has denied the claim as preposterous, as he did after the charges made in 1991 by Ms. Hill, who is now a Brandeis University professor. Since the release of the Trump recording, more than 10 women have accused the candidate of groping them  accusations that he too has denied.
William F. Weld, the Libertarian Party nominee for vice president, defended Hillary Clinton on Wednesday against attacks from Donald J. Trump, insisting her character should not be impugned by someone as flawed as he is.

Mr. Weld made the remarks in a brief interview with The New York Times, the latest comments he has made as part of a highly unusual move to use his remaining time in the race standing up for one of his rivals instead of making the case for his own running mate, Gary Johnson.
Energy Transfer Partners, which has been working to finish construction on the 1,170-mile, $3.7 billion pipeline, contends it would be a safer way to transport oil from North Dakota to Illinois. But Native American tribes say it threatens the local water supply, sacred land and tribal burial ground.

David Archambault II, the chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, said in a statement on Wednesday that the tribe applauded Mr. Obamas commitment to protect our sacred lands, our water and the water of 17 million others.

But he said work on the pipeline should be stopped while the Army Corps examined the issue.

The nation and the world are watching, Mr. Archambault said. The injustices done to Native people in North Dakota and throughout the country must be addressed.

The number of protesters has grown to several hundred, many drawn from across the country. Last week, the standoff boiled over as officers in riot gear tried to force crowds from protest camps near Cannon Ball. In the monthslong unrest, more than 400 people have been arrested, some accused of engaging in riots and conspiracy to endanger by fire and explosion.
JOHANNESBURG  A South African government watchdog group recommended on Wednesday that President Jacob Zumas administration be officially investigated for possible corruption.

The public protectors office, a group charged with investigating official corruption and misconduct, said in a report that it was concerned about the apparent influence exercised by a family close to Mr. Zuma in choosing cabinet ministers. The report also raised questions about the presidents lack of interest in investigating possible corruption in his own administration.

The highly anticipated 355-page report fell short of providing clear evidence of malfeasance by Mr. Zuma, whose seven-year presidency has been marred by a series of scandals. But it is likely to increase pressure on Mr. Zuma  who is widely blamed for the poor performance of his party, the African National Congress, in local elections in August  to step down before the end of his term in 2018.

The report was released at the end of a day of large protests against Mr. Zuma in Pretoria, the capital, by the political opposition and civil society groups. The A.N.C.s top leaders have stood behind Mr. Zuma, but there have been recent cracks in the partys facade. Last month, the partys chief whip, Jackson Mthembu, became the first insider to turn on Mr. Zuma, calling for the resignation of the president and other top leaders, including himself.
Another alternative to crop burning, Mr. Lal and the farmers said, would be to create a market for the excess straw. So far, seven power plants that generate electricity from straw have been built in Punjab, and six more are on the drawing board.

But together, all 13 would consume only 1.5 million of the 20 million tons of straw produced in Punjab every year, or less than 10 percent, said Polash Mukerjee, a researcher at the Center for Science and Environment, a New Delhi research and advocacy group, who also assists Mr. Lals environmental authority. That is not enough to create a market for the straw, so it would still cost farmers far more to gather it and bring it to the plant than to burn it in their fields.

If the government paid me for my straw, Id stop burning it today, said Shabaz Singh, 32, who grows 25 acres of rice and wheat in Maulviwala.

The burning of crops was outlawed some time ago. But, like many laws in India, it is widely ignored. Certainly, none of the farmers feared being hit with fines that are supposed to range from $38 to $225.

If the government wants to stop it, it can stop it, said Harjinder Singh, a father of two school-age children from Duttal village, who was the only farmer I met on my visit who said he did not intend to burn his crop. But the government lacks the will to do so.

Mr. Singh and his brother, Narinder Singh, 38, were riding on a tractor pulling the Happy Seeder device when I stopped by their 12-acre farm last week. They used a government subsidy to cover half of the cost of the device, and paid about $950 themselves.

It has worked well for them in the three years since they bought it, the brothers said. Not only did they avoid burning their straw, they said, but their yields of both wheat and rice went up, suggesting that leaving the straw on the ground instead of burning it was improving the fertility of the soil.
DHAKA, Bangladesh  Crowds of Muslims attacked Hindu homes and temples in eastern Bangladesh this week, raising concerns that the authorities are not taking steps to curb rising religious tensions.

Attacks on Hindus are not unusual in Bangladesh, but it is rare to see multiple crowds targeting temples in an organized way as they did on Sunday and Monday. The countrys human rights commission has initiated an inquiry into the episodes, which the panels chairman says appear to have been coordinated.

On Saturday, an Islamic group in Nasirnagar organized a protest against a Facebook post it found offensive. The post included an image of the Hindu god Shiva appearing at a Muslim holy site in the Saudi city of Mecca.

The crowd demanded that the young Hindu man who created the image be put to death. Nevertheless, the group was given permission to hold a rally the next day, and mosque loudspeakers were used to mobilize an even larger group, said Anjan Kumar Deb, the vice chairman of Nasirnagar subdistrict.
HONG KONG  It started with an oath of office that two young, newly elected lawmakers altered to insert a derogatory term into the formal name of Hong Kongs sovereign ruler, the Peoples Republic of China, with one also adding a crude epithet.

In addition to substantially revising the pledge of loyalty that all members of Hong Kongs Legislative Council are required to take, the lawmakers, Yau Wai-ching and Sixtus Leung, known as Baggio, displayed a banner with the words Hong Kong Is Not China at their swearing-in.

And China is responding with some bluntness of its own.

Hong Kongs government, loyal to Beijing, has asked the court system in the city, a former British colony, to review whether the council can let the lawmakers retake their oaths of office. The Hong Kong government and Beijing want the two representatives, who support independence for the territory, to vacate their seats rather than simply retake the oaths. A court in Hong Kong is set to hold a hearing on the matter on Thursday.

But a fusillade of invective against the pair in Chinas state-controlled news media on Wednesday is leading to fears, backed by reports in Hong Kong news outlets, that Beijing may circumvent Hong Kongs legal process by issuing a rare interpretation of the citys mini-constitution that would effectively bar Ms. Yau and Mr. Leung from office.
BEIJING  For years, the United States and its allies have struggled to contain Chinas ambitions in the South China Sea, even as China steadily seeded the waters with artificial islands and military installations.

Now, by cutting its own deal with China, the Philippines has suddenly changed the calculus, persuading the Chinese to let its fishermen operate around a disputed shoal but setting a worrying precedent for the United States and its hopes of using regional alliances to preserve its place as the dominant power in the Pacific.

What had been a fairly united front against Chinas expanding maritime claims, stretching from Japan to Malaysia, now has a gap in the southeast corner where the Philippines lies, and could soon have another at the southwestern end, where Malaysia is making noises about shifting its alliances.

In both cases, resentment over what is seen as American interference in unrelated problems  a wave of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines and a huge financial scandal in Malaysia  may have contributed to the shift.
South Korean news outlets have been reporting for weeks that Ms. Choi, 60, who has known Ms. Park since the 1970s, is deeply involved in state affairs despite having no government job or background in policy. In a televised address last week, Ms. Park, whose office had denied the reports, acknowledged that Ms. Choi had edited some of her speeches and apologized to the country.

Ms. Chois father was the leader of a religious sect and a mentor to Ms. Park, and many South Koreans have come to believe that Ms. Choi also wields influence over the president. Ms. Parks polling numbers have reached record lows, and thousands of people demonstrated during the weekend calling for her resignation or impeachment.

Earlier Wednesday, Ms. Park tried to recover from the scandal by replacing the prime minister, the No. 2 official in her government, as well as two other cabinet ministers. But the opposition parties that constitute a majority in Parliament said they would not approve the appointments. Opposition lawmakers said a more drastic government shake-up was needed to rebuild public trust, and they demanded that Ms. Park submit to questioning by prosecutors.

Prosecutors declined to say whether they planned to question the president.

The South Korean news media has said that Ms. Choi, in addition to coercing donations from businesses, helped her associates win lucrative government contracts. On Wednesday, in accusing her of attempted fraud, prosecutors said a private company Ms. Choi owns, The Blue K, had tried in vain to use phony business transactions to steal funds from one of her two nonprofit foundations and divert them to her company.

Ms. Park has long been accused of insufficient transparency in her government and of relying too heavily on a few trusted advisers, and the reports of Ms. Chois influence have fed into that criticism. But her family background is also a factor in the scandal.
GIZA, Egypt  In a dank stable in the shadow of the Pyramids, a stallion lay on the ground, his broken leg at an odd angle despite the cast wrapped around it.

The owner, Farag Abu Ghoneim, hovered nearby as the animal was tended by an Australian nurse known here for her horse sense  and her passionate defense of suffering animals.

The stallion had been in pain for a week, after being kicked by a mare. Hes not going to get any better, said the nurse, Jill Barton, who came for the Great Pyramids of Giza in 2013 but stayed to help battered workhorses in Nazlet el-Samman, a ramshackle slum nearby. You need to let him rest.

Ms. Barton faces strong resistance from an impoverished community that has long seen horses and donkeys as working beasts, with little sentimentality about their pain.
The Western Wall, the holiest place where Jews can pray, has become the crucible of a fight over rituals and a sense of belonging. Together with their Israeli counterparts, North American Jews, who overwhelmingly identify with the liberal, non-Orthodox Reform and Conservative streams of Judaism, have challenged the strictly Orthodox authorities who enforce the traditional practice at the site, in which scores of Torah scrolls are restricted for male use.

With Orthodoxy dominating many other aspects of Jewish life here, many liberal Jews abroad say they feel increasingly alienated from Israel.

After years of negotiations, the rancorous dispute over the wall was supposed to have been resolved in January, when the Israeli government approved the creation of an upgraded egalitarian prayer space where men and women would be allowed to worship together. Liberal Jews hailed the decision as historic at the time, but the government has failed to advance the plan because of opposition from the ultra-Orthodox parties that Mr. Netanyahu relies on for his governing coalition.

Frustrated by the lack of progress, and with a petition pending before Israels Supreme Court, non-Orthodox rabbis and lay leaders defied traditional convention by marching to the Western Wall holding 14 Torah scrolls. Despite some violent pushing and shoving by orderlies and ultra-Orthodox counterdemonstrators, they broke through the security barriers.

Activists with Women of the Wall, a Jewish feminist group that has for decades fought the male-dominated establishment for equal prayer rights in the sacred space, held a prayer service with the scrolls at the womens section of the wall. The non-Orthodox rabbis then led a joint egalitarian prayer service in the upper plaza, where men and women read from the Torah.
Tim Arango entered the city of Mosul, Iraq, on Wednesday with Iraqi special forces soldiers.

For the first time in more than two years, residents of eastern Mosul enjoyed a day without the Islamic State. As Iraqi security forces drove the muddy streets of the neighborhood, families stepped from the gates of their driveways, waving, flashing two-fingered victory signs and yelling, Heroes! Others held white flags.

Some men, in ankle-length Arab gowns in the jihadist-regulation style, were smoking cigarettes, while others had them tucked behind their ears. They were celebrating the Iraqi forces victory over the Islamic State in their area by savoring some of the small pleasures banned under more than two years of militant rule.

We are very, very happy, said one man, Qais Hassan, 46, surrounded by soldiers. Now we have our freedom. The Islamic State, he said, had asked us to implement religion. But they had nothing to do with religion.
MOSCOW  Russia said on Wednesday that it would extend a moratorium on airstrikes in the Syrian city of Aleppo until Friday to give embattled antigovernment rebels a chance to leave the city and to avoid senseless victims of continued fighting.

Under terms of the cease-fire ordered by President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, insurgents would be allowed to retreat with their own arms through two corridors between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time on Friday. Six separate corridors were to be established for the evacuation of civilians and those needing medical attention.

Last month, Moscow was accused of war crimes by the United States and others as it unleashed the heaviest bombardment of the war in an effort to break the will of rebels and civilians surrounded by government forces in eastern Aleppo.

Moscow called off airstrikes on the city ahead of a three-day truce on Oct. 20 intended to let rebels and civilians leave. The effort largely failed, with both sides accusing the other of attacking anyone who tried to leave.
They suck your blood and buzz annoyingly around your ears. Their itchy bites can turn a festive barbecue miserable or ruin a bucolic walk in the woods. The most baneful ones spread diseases.

In almost every country in the world, mosquitoes are a menace.

Everywhere but Iceland, that is.

Iceland is one of the few habitable places on the planet that is mosquito-free, and nobody really seems to know why.

Its not nearly as cold as Antarctica, which is so frigid that mosquitoes (and people, for that matter) could never survive exposure to the elements there for long. Nor does Iceland lack the ponds and lakes where mosquitoes love to breed. And the insects are able to thrive in Icelands neighbors  Norway, Denmark, Scotland, even Greenland  which only adds to the mystery.

The most likely theory proffered so far, scientists say, is that Icelands oceanic climate keeps them at bay. When mosquitoes lay eggs in cold weather, the larvae emerge with a thaw, allowing them to breed and multiply. Iceland, however, typically has three major freezes and thaws a year, creating conditions that may be too unstable for the insects survival.
Some of them are fortunate to happen across investment advisers like Ms. Brunson. About a decade ago, she was a stay-at-home mom with a side job ghostwriting financial newsletters for investment advisers.

Unlike advisers promising to deliver outsize results by chasing one hot stock after another, she was so convinced by the cheaper, more measured approach that Dimensional Fund Advisors uses that she went to work full time for an adviser who used those funds. There, she vowed to spread the gospel of rational, low-cost investing to as many Catholic dioceses and their 403(b) plans as she could.

What she found when she started smiling and dialing, and eventually offering up advice in her book, Tending the Flock, was a real hodgepodge. Every diocese around the country was making its own decisions about what sort of retirement plans to offer. Some of the insurance companies providing the plans were locking peoples money away for years before allowing them to switch. A few of the plans she saw had remained unchanged for decades, with money parked in mutual funds that had been hot for a moment in the 1990s.

There was not a lot of effort, not a lot of energy and not a lot of oversight, said Tom Burnham, director of human resources for the Orange County diocese in California, a former pharmaceutical executive who came out of retirement to help it straighten things out. There were way too many choices, the costs were too high and the investment choices were not aligned around any Catholic values.

He worked with Ms. Brunson, becoming one of 11 dioceses so far that have done so. She had helped persuade Dimensional to expand its offering of funds to satisfy those like Mr. Burnham who wanted their dollars aligned with their religious principles. In practice, this meant avoiding investments in the manufacturers of military weapons, companies in the pornography business and others that have anything to do with abortion or contraceptives.

The Orange County diocese moved to its new plan in September, lowering its costs from about $1.30 for every $100 in the plan to about 60 cents.
The Bolshoi management would not comment, except to make clear that Mr. Dmitrichenko was given the pass at his request merely for morning exercise routines. But that does not mean that he will join the company later, said Katya Novikova, the spokeswoman for the Bolshoi. This question is not even under discussion for now.

Vladimir Urin, the general director of the Bolshoi, said immediately after Mr. Dmitrichenkos release that he could audition for the company if it had an opening and if he proved himself as an artist.

Mr. Dmitrichenko said he had encountered Mr. Filin at the theater, describing the meeting in an offhand manner as nothing special.

Filin was never interesting to me, so I cannot really tell you anything about him, he said.

Mr. Filin could not be reached for comment. His sister Elena, who had spoken for him previously, often via Facebook, responded to a request for comment by unfriending the reporter who asked. In a May interview, Mr. Filin said he feared for his safety if Mr. Dmitrichenko were to be released, but his attempt to block it in court failed.

Mr. Dmitrichenko said he got his new Bolshoi pass when he happened to encounter for the first time the companys new artistic director, Makhar K. Vaziev, on a Moscow street.
Fans of Orange Is the New Black know her as Lorna Morello, the hard-on-the-ears, sweetly delusional Litchfield Penitentiary inmate whose romantic travails have kept Netflix viewers in stitches for four seasons. But somewhere beneath Morellos ruby-red lipstick, cockeyed accent and histrionics lurks the Australian actress Yael Stone. And in Deep Water, a crime thriller debuting Monday, Nov. 7, on Acorn TV, shes virtually unrecognizable. Her face scrubbed bare and her vowels subdued, Ms. Stone plays Tori Lustigman, a police detective investigating a vicious killing with sexual undercurrents in a suburb of Sydney. But when a clue links the case to a similar one from 26 years earlier, Tori uncovers 70 possible murders of gay men spanning decades along New South Waless glorious shoreline  and the possibility that the culprit is back at it. Every day, Tori, you come to work prepared to give up your life to protect others, her boss says. But youve got a son. Why would you do that? Some secrets cant be washed away.
Im a happy person. Heres my secret: Every day I anticipate things will go horribly wrong, and when they dont I am surprised, grateful and a little bit elated. For example, today I dont have a brain tumor! My children can be obnoxious, but theyre not (as far as I know) plotting ways to trigger my life insurance policy! Theres always tomorrow, of course, but right now things look good. Im the Queen of Low Expectations, and proud of it.

Many of us seem to want much, much more, and the distance between reality and our expectations is making us miserable. So we live in a state of perpetual disappointment, ping-ponging between wild self-blame (Everyone loves being home with their infant, except me!) and virulent finger-pointing (If my parents just gave me a million for my emu farm, I wouldnt be living in their basement). If you search for books on happiness on Amazon, you get around 17,000 results. Thats a lot of happy happy joy joy. And I have to say  and this is just a guess  there are probably not a lot of these books published in Somalia. Worrying about happiness is a luxury.

For one thing, becoming happier can be a little time-consuming, so I appreciate books that are (a) basically lists, and (b) basically short lists. Rachel Kellys WALKING ON SUNSHINE: 52 Small Steps to Happiness (Atria, $18) falls neatly into this category. It is organized seasonally, since it is based on how the author brought pleasure into her life over the course of one year. Kelly has a history of clinical depression; and while I might not entirely subscribe to her notion that happiness is a byproduct of calm  if Im not worried, I dont feel alive  I do think that for those who believe it is, she has some excellent ideas. Take, for example, habit tacking: Here, you connect something you want to work into your life with something you already do and love. For Kelly, who loved good coffee, this meant that she got herself to exercise more by biking to her favorite coffee place, and stopping for a cup of joe. This might not work as well if she biked to, say, a crack den, but her point is well taken: Rather than having to magically transform yourself into the kind of person who always exercises enough, you become that person by building the activity into your pre-existing routine. Its also hard to argue with a woman who proposes poetry as a means toward calm, and therefore happiness. She quotes Yeatss The Lake Isle of Innisfree: And live alone in the bee-loud glade. . . . Try it. I took my blood pressure before and after. It dropped.

Great poetry as a means to happiness might fall under the rubric moral elation  which Edward Hoffman suggests as a route to pleasure in PATHS TO HAPPINESS: 50 Ways to Add Joy to Your Life Every Day (Chronicle, $16.95). Hoffman, a psychologist and adjunct professor at Yeshiva University, says we are uplifted when we simply witness (never mind perform) an act of moral good. Hoffman organizes his suggestions alphabetically, from Acting Improv to Zen Meditation, and as an animal lover I paused most fondly on his chapter about pets. I learned, among other things, that some of the greatest psychologists believed in the ability of pets to elevate our happiness quotients. (Freud kept dogs  Run, G-Spot, run!  Carl Jung, a small pig.) It turns out, too, that the happiness dynamic goes both ways. According to one study he cites, gazing at our dogs elevates our levels of oxytocin, the pleasure hormone associated with attachment  and when dogs stare at us, their levels of oxytocin go up too. Try that with a cat, people.
I manage my elderly fathers financial affairs and was unable to stop payment on a check he sent to a tech-support scammer. His bank investigated and determined, properly, that they could not intervene because he had signed the check. My phone calls to this company bore no fruit, so I offered them a choice: If they didnt return half the money, I would report them to the consumer-affairs division of their states attorney generals office and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, register complaints on websites and so forth. My instructions were that they were to send me a certified check, made out to my father, by a certain date. They did send me a check, which cleared. But it was not certified, and it arrived after the due date. Do I have an obligation to uphold my end of the deal, by not registering complaints about an outfit that is clearly scamming elderly people? Charles W. Mitchell, Parkton, Md.

Because they didnt honor the terms of the deal, youre not bound to keep it. You can go ahead and report them. In fact, you should. Doing so may help other people they plan to exploit  people like your elderly father, who are particularly vulnerable to their wiles.

But the interesting question is what the situation would be if they had kept their part of the bargain. What  speaking morally, not legally  would you have owed them? Lets proceed in two steps.

First, should you have made this offer to them in the first place? Lets agree that, given the kind of people they are, they werent going to do the right thing without your threat to report them. You had a choice, then, between doing two worthwhile things: reporting them or trying to get something back for your exploited father. Which represented the greater obligation? In my view, it wasnt your duty to report the company, in part because you werent the only person in a position to do so. On the other hand, you were the only person in a position to do something for your father, and family relationships create obligations of concern and assistance. My conclusion is that you were entitled to make the offer.
In 2001, the composer and lyricist David Yazbek, who wrote for Late Night With David Letterman for a stint in the early 1980s, told a Toronto newspaper: Id always wondered if I could write a song that could get the kind of laughs that a good sketch could get. His career in musical theater has made that possible, starting in 2000 with his delightful Broadway debut The Full Monty, a charming musical that was funnier than the 1997 movie. He has since worked in many mediums, including television and cabaret, but has written a new musical about every five years. His latest, which starts previews Off Broadway at the Atlantic Theater Company on Friday, Nov. 11, is another adaptation, this time of the movie The Bands Visit, about an Egyptian group that arrives in Israel to play a show but ends up stranded in a remote village after a mix-up at the border. Itamar Moses wrote the book, and David Cromer, who replaced Hal Prince, directs a cast that includes John Cariani and Tony Shalhoub. (atlantictheater.org)
Id never been to New York City.

Peter met me at the airport and said, Lets hop on the subway and go downtown. He could have said, Lets take off all our clothes and paddle to Rikers, though at that point, I didnt realize Manhattan was an island. I thought that was allegory for a place so complete unto itself that it was suspended in the midst of something other than ordinary dirt. New York City was where magical things happened. Men sported jazz shoes and snapped their fingers constantly. Women wore diamonds to breakfast, and people tried to hustle you. I knew, also, that there was a place called Broadway, but I knew this in the same way that I knew there was a place called Xanadu.

When Peter gave me my first spin around the city, we ended up on Broadway, a street anyone was allowed to walk down without apparent qualifications. It was too much for me to process, and I trailed along, trying not to stare at everything and everyone.

Our performance was the next night, and that one tech rehearsal went until 4 in the morning. The dressing room was a corner of the stage, barely big enough to hold all nine of us. As we sat on the ground of that tiny theater behind the curtain, which was actually a sheet someone had brought from home, Peter kept popping back and saying that the theater was filling up, which was not an impossible feat in a space that small, but still a thrill. With that show we became the Edge Theater company.

To work in the theater in New York City is to be ridiculously lucky, but it comes with pressure. Some nights I crawl home frustrated and shamed in a way that makes my face flush, but I snap out of it, in part maybe because I ended that first performance here with actual egg on my face, put there myself, with abandon and good intentions. I took my first bow in this city standing next to Joe Mantello, pie smeared across our widely grinning mugs. We started our company with the unwavering ambition to create exciting and truthful theater and made our work wherever we could.

Once we appeared at something called Lunchtime Theater in Times Square with two homeless people making up half our audience, but we welcomed anyone. Lanford Wilson would tell a story about one night at Caffe Cino. Joe Cinos tiny Off Off Broadway room gave birth to great theater on an eight-by-eight stage, some nights for whatever meager audience it could gather. One evening a storm waylaid anyone from attending, and there was not one soul in a seat. The actors all stood there in silence, wondering if they should shuffle out and go home, until Joe said, Do it for the room. That became the mantra for Joe, and the lucky actors who performed there for no reason other than the joy of it.
Protesters on opposite sides yelled at one another as guests approached the auditorium doors guarded by Secret Service agents wearing dark suits and sunglasses.

Shouts of, Do you want a racist for president? competed with calls to build that wall!

Inside, there were cheers, boos, hisses and even chants of Lock her up!

Welcome to campaign 2016, Temecula Middle School style.

The school hosted a mock presidential debate Tuesday featuring eighth-graders playing candidates Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Gary Johnson and Jill Stein. Debate performances also are set for Wednesday and Thursday.

The debates  complete with wigs and dark-colored coats  are part of the schools social studies curriculum, which includes lessons on the Constitution and the electoral college.

The presidential campaign has evoked strong reactions from students who support Trump and Clinton, leading to spirited discussions in campuses across the Inland region.

Ill release my tax returns when you release your emails, Sean Farrow, who played Trump, told Annie Durant, who played Clinton, during the debate.

Durant, 13, said the race has sparked her interest in politics. She said she would vote for Clinton because she likes her experience and agrees with her on most issues  except her support of Common Core academic standards.

Farrow, 13, mimicked Trumps facial expressions during the debate and called his opponent a liar when she questioned whether he was fit to run the country. He said he would vote for Trump because he would make the country safer and the economy stronger.

I will make America great again, he said to thunderous applause, repeating Trumps campaign slogan in his closing statement.

Robert Eilek, who is in his 38th year teaching in the Temecula Valley Unified School District, has never seen so much interest in a race for the White House. He teaches social studies at Temecula Middle School, and his students organized the debates.

Many students auditioned for the roles of the four presidential candidates. The best-prepared were selected and wrote their own questions and researched and practiced delivering their answers.

Students also participated in mock voter registration drives during lunch three days in October. Eilek has four voting booths he plans to set up outside his classroom on Election Day so students can cast mock ballots.

The intensity this time around is whats driven this whole thing, Eilek said.

Some of the anger at Trump and Clinton campaign rallies has appeared on campus, he said.

Students campaign posters put up around campus were torn down. Eileks attempt to keep the applause to a minimum went unheeded during Tuesdays debate.

Thats genuine, sincere emotion being expressed, he said.

Edwin Rumsey, who teaches eighth-grade U.S. history at Sierra Middle School in Riverside, has seen a similar level of passion.

Students are intrigued by the race between Clinton, who is vying to become the first female president, and Trump, a billionaire businessman who has never held public office, he said.

Its just so scandalous, said Rumsey, who has taught at the school 17 years. Its so compelling.

He said Trump has touched a nerve on both sides.

Rumsey said he tries to remain objective and wont answer when students ask him his choice for president.

I say, Whats important is who would you vote for if you could? he said.

After the last debate, he showed a recap of various TV news sources, including Fox News, CNN and MSNBC, urging students to act mature and refrain from booing and hissing.

I tell my students to look at this election as if they are reporters, he said. Just report what youre seeing. Dont give your opinion.

He tap-danced when one student mentioned Trumps sexual misconduct allegations in a discussion after the final debate.

I was like, Oh. yes, that was something that was brought up, Rumsey said. I wanted to get past that because I didnt feel it wasnt appropriate for their age.

Some teachers say they are leery about a backlash from parents and school administrators if they bring up the sexual assault issue.

Youre always worried about parental reaction, said Eilek, who doesnt tell his Temecula Middle School students for whom hes voting or his political party. Its a touchy and uncomfortable topic. Some parents would be fine with it. Others would have a problem.

He believes the subject is more suitable for discussion in a high school class.

Eilek said he keeps his opinions to himself because he doesnt want to be accused of indoctrinating students.

Ill keep it balanced, he said. If I criticize one candidate, Ill criticize the other.

Julie Driskell, a seventh-grade social studies teacher at North Mountain Middle School in San Jacinto, encouraged her students to watch and discuss the debates at home with their parents.

Afterward, they watched kid-friendly TV news clips in class. About 350 students participated in a campus mock election after researching the history of the Republican and Democratic parties.

She attributed the increased interest in this years election to social media, which she said has changed the way young people look at politics.

Mostly, I want the kids to become educated about their civic duties and responsibilities and encourage future involvement and voting, Driskell said. I want students to think for themselves and do their research.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9292 orstwall@scng.comTwitter: @pe_swall
Banc of California, the Irvine-based lender whose stock was dented by an anonymous short-sellers report, is facing a crisis of confidence and credibility, according to activist investor PL Capital.

The recent disclosures and actions taken to date by the company are completely inadequate to restore confidence, Richard Lashley, a principal at PL Capital, wrote in a letter to the bank. He called for the lender to replace the law firm investigating the claims, saying the one it chose isnt truly independent.

Banc of Californias stock plunged the most in a decade on Oct. 18, when the anonymous report was published on the website Seeking Alpha, noting the banks senior managers had ties to an imprisoned con man. The shares rebounded the next day when the company denied the claims. Lashley said he still thinks the bank is undervalued and bought more shares after the report, bringing PL Capitals stake to about 6.6 percent.

Lashley also called for the bank to replace its board of directors and ban related-party transactions and for its top executives to stop running other companies on the side. Hes been pushing the lender to improve its governance since mid-2014. In the Oct. 21 letter, disclosed Oct. 24 in a regulatory filing, Lashley reiterated his request to meet with the board.

The anonymous short-seller, who uses the name Aurelius, called the bank un-investible because of the alleged ties to Jason Galanis, a California financier. John Grosvenor, the banks general counsel, said an independent investigation has shown so far that Galanis has no control over the bank or a lending relationship with it. Lashley said he was able to confirm some of the facts in the post, even if he disagreed with its thesis.

While our own due diligence has uncovered many of the same troubling connections and questions that the Seeking Alpha blogger has, we do not agree with the bloggers conclusion that the Banc of California is in effect a criminal enterprise secretly controlled by Jason Galanis, Lashley wrote. We clearly do believe significant changes are needed.
Even in the midst of the heated presidential campaign, two news stories about alleged corruption in California government managed to draw significant headlines and public attention.

One came when the state auditor issued a call for significant changes in procedures at the Public Utilities Commission, which sets rates for almost all electricity and natural gas used in California, routinely deciding billion-dollar issues. Changes similar to what the auditor recommended passed the state Assembly with a massive majority, but died without a state Senate vote on the last day of the years legislative session.

The other item saw the states Fair Political Practices Commission announce it will investigate charges of improper donations to the California Democratic Party brought by the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, which raised the question of links between those donations and significant actions by Gov. Jerry Brown that affected oil and energy companies which made the contributions.

But the FPPC said it wont investigate Brown. This was no surprise, considering Brown appoints the powerful commission chair. But leaving Brown out of this investigation is a bit like eating a hot-dog bun without the sausage. It quite possibly omits the meat of the matter, not to mention vital questions.

Auditor Elaine Howell, lacking power to do more than issue reports, meanwhile, took 64 pages to say the PUC has not effectively guarded against the appearance of improper influence in its public decision-making. The report noted that former PUC President Michael Peevey engaged in private discussions that were not disclosed in a timely manner, casting legal and ethical doubts on key commission decisions.

Peevey met with former officials of both the Southern California Edison Co. and Pacific Gas & Electric Co. around the times of the shutdown of Edisons San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and the multi-fatal 2010 natural gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno.

In both cases, meetings, emails and phone calls went unreported to the public. One case resulted in a token fine to PG&E, the other in forcing Edisons customers to pay the bulk of the costs of the SONGS closure, caused by an Edison blunder.

The PUC last spring reopened that Edison decision, but has yet to make a new ruling.

The FPPCs investigation comes after Consumer Watchdog documented large Democratic Party contributions from Occidental Petroleum Corp. and Chevron Corp. Oxys donation came just after Brown fired two oil and gas regulators the company felt were slow to approve its desired fracking projects. Chevrons arrived on the very day tough regulations were dropped from the 2013 Senate Bill 4, which was intended to restrict fracking operations where agricultural and drinking water aquifers might be threatened.

Oxy also gave $250,000 to Browns 2012 campaign for the Proposition 30 tax increases and another $100,000 to one of the governors pet charities, the Oakland Military Institute. These donations and others Consumer Watchdog reported smacked of old-fashioned pay-to-play politics.

To investigate the state Democratic Party for accepting the money begs the question of who solicited those donations. There also is no announced investigation of how the military school donation came about.

Similar donations in the late 1990s from insurance companies regulated by former Republican Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush led to his being hounded from office in the midst of his term amid charges the donations were actually payoffs. Considering the timing of Oxys donation, not investigating Browns possible link to it amounts to a clear-cut double standard.

One likely outcome of all this appears to be that there will be no immediate changes at the PUC. The appearance of undue influence by utilities over the agency that regulates them continues. Brown, meanwhile, will likely coast through his final term as governor.

The question remaining is whether his legacy will be the green-and-clean one he so clearly desires or whether hell be remembered instead for the alleged corruption among some of his appointees.
IRVINE  Political action committees have funneled $1.1 million into the Irvine mayoral and City Council races as of Tuesday, according to a Register analysis, dwarfing campaign contributions candidates are raising and spending on their own.

Forty-three percent of that money has been used to attack Mary Ann Gaido, a candidate for mayor who has promised to halt new residential developments in the city. Gaido, a planning commissioner, said developers are pouring money through independent expenditure committees.

It is hurting our democracy, Gaido said. They are essentially buying up the City Council.

The city limits direct contributions to candidates to $470 per donor. But theres no limit to how much PACs can receive  typically from corporations, labor unions and wealthy individuals  to run campaigns parallel to those of the candidates they support or oppose.

I think it really undermines the system, Bob Stern, former president of the Center for Governmental Studies and a campaign finance expert, said about independent spending by PACs.

Although independent expenditures have nothing to do with candidates, he said, they allow wealthy people to wield more influence than individuals who give money directly to candidates.

Independent expenditure committees are pouring money into crowded Irvine city elections, featuring five candidates for mayor and 11 for council, because they are close races, Stern said.

Four PACs have spent $466,908 in media ads, literature and mailers attacking Gaido, according to campaign finance reports. That trumps the $91,596 shes received in monetary contributions this year, the most of any Irvine candidates.

In addition, two of the PACs have spent $95,839 opposing council candidates Melissa Fox and Farrah Khan, both of whom are endorsed by the Democratic Party of Orange County, along with Gaido.

Its sometimes difficult to trace what groups, companies or individuals are funding PACs because money can go through multiple committees before being spent on candidates in various races.

For example, the California Homeowners Association committee has spent over $255,305 opposing Gaido and $172,140 supporting mayoral candidate Don Wagner and council candidates Christina Shea and Anthony Kuo. The PAC received $49,000 from developer Starpointe Ventures, which has stakes in Irvine projects.

Moving Orange County Forward  funded by such entities as the Building Industry Association of Southern California PAC, Orange County Business Council PAC and Disney Worldwide Services  has spent over $93,000 supporting Wagner and incumbent Shea, as well as contributing to PACs opposing Gaido.

Building Industry Association of Southern California PAC received $100,000 from FivePoint, which is overseeing the development of thousands of homes near the Orange County Great Park, $75,000 from the Irvine Co., and $50,000 from Starpointe Ventures.

Starpointe and FivePoint officials said they had no comments for this article.

Independent expenditure committees have spent $274,065 in support of Wagner, which is nearly 25 times the amount the Republican state assemblyman has spent for his mayoral campaign through Oct. 22  $11,177.

Despite receiving support from these PACs, Wagner said hes frustrated with outside spending because he cannot control the messages. Candidates are not allowed to coordinate with independent expenditure committees.

Campaign finance expert Stern said independent expenditures occasionally backfire against candidates when messages get nasty.

Some people say, Why do you run negative ads? Wagner said. I have not put out any negative stuff. Its unfortunate.

Shea also said shes not a fan of outside spending. In the past, it was her opponents who received support from independent expenditures, she said.

Shea said she would like to see independent expenditures banned. However, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that freedom of speech prohibits the government from restricting them.

I totally believe that these independent expenditures, they just dont create a fair playing field, and its really driven by political agendas of people, she said.

Wagner blames the low contribution limit to candidates for the excessive independent expenditures in Irvine.

Kuo said the $470 cap is too low to send out messages to the more than 119,000 voters in Irvine. Santa Ana, for instance, has a $1,000 limit per election cycle.

Wagner and Kuo stressed they would not be beholden to special interest groups funding independent expenditure committees that support them.

They like things I stand for, Wagner said. They dont like things Mary Ann stands for.

Gaido said Wagner, as a seasoned state assemblyman, must be aware that the $23,308 he has raised isnt enough to fund a campaign in a large city like Irvine.

Wagner says hes raising enough to get his positive message out.

Hes allowing big developers to totally fund his campaign and smear my name and character, Gaido said about Wagner. It is very disappointing.

Contact the writer: tshimura@scng.com
In the midst of a difficult election season, Carol Snyder welcomed an easy choice. Shes dumping the incumbent  in this case, her Medicare prescription drug plan.

Snyder, 72, of Huntington Beach found a less expensive plan for 2017 during an open enrollment event last week where a counselor entered her nine medications into a computer algorithm.

Her choice for president has been less clear.

I just hate both of them, Snyder said from the Senior Center in Central Park. Which is the best  Im not even sure of that.

Polls have shown health care to be a far less important issue than the economy and foreign policy in the race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. But as early voting and Election Day coincide with open enrollment for Medicare, Obamacare and employer-sponsored insurance, some Southern Californians are weighing the future of the nations health care system or their own out-of-pocket costs, as they cast their votes.

Policy issues havent exactly been front and center in this election, said Larry Levitt, a senior vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit health care research group in Menlo Park. The outcome of the election would have big implications for the future of health care, but it hasnt emerged as a prominent issue in the campaign.

RELATED: Election 2016: How Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump set the tone in California

Levitt said one potential area of confusion for voters has been about rising premium costs for next year. He said most Americans are insured through their jobs, Medicare for seniors or Medicaid for low-income residents, which is called Medi-Cal in California.

He said non-Obamacare premiums are going up generally pretty modestly.

People are seeing these headlines about big increases in Obamacare premiums, and they think it affects them, but in most cases people arent affected, Levitt said. Its only a small sliver of the population thats covered through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, which is where the premium increases are hitting. In employer plans, rates are going up at historically low rates.

Covered California rates will rise an average of 13.2 percent, more than three times the rate of previous increases the last two years. The jump is far lower than the average 22 percent increase for midlevel plans announced for the federal Obamacare exchange, which covers 39 states.

State officials have attributed the increase to factors such as the end of federal funds to stabilize premiums by helping cover high-cost claims; rising costs of specialty drugs; and some consumers signing up only after becoming sick.

Covered California has done a great job of holding the line on prices, said Dr. J. Mario Molina, CEO of Long Beach-based Molina Healthcare, which offers plans in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Covered California is an activist purchaser. They actually get in and negotiate with the plans, trying to keep costs down. Generally speaking, the rate of the increase in premiums overall is lower under the Affordable Care Act than it was before.

Hollie Young, 58, of Newport Beach was initially upset when she received a letter from Kaiser Permanente indicating that the Obamacare plan for her and her husband would increase to $630 a month from $523. The self-employed couple receive a subsidy of about $900 a month.

At first we were upset about the $100 raise, and then we remembered before we were paying $1,650, so were still saving $1,000 a month, so we should be happy, she said. It was ridiculous. There were times we had to borrow money, take money out of our IRA; $1,650 a month is like a mortgage.

Young said she mailed her ballot for Clinton, noting the candidates strong support for health reform since the days when her husband was president.

Snyder, who visited the nonprofit Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program workshop for help choosing a Part D prescription plan, is struggling with paying for expensive medications because shes fallen into the coverage gap known as the doughnut hole. Three of her medications cost $1,000 for a three-month supply.

Snyder said she has worked to trim her budget, including cutting back on cable, has changed to a cheaper medication and comparison shops between pharmacies. She also signed up with one drugmakers assistance program to receive a cholesterol medication at no cost.

The plan she selected for next year will keep her out of the gap, which is scheduled to be phased out in 2020 because of the Affordable Care Act. The option, offered through AARP, cuts her premium by more than half  to $33.40 a month from $68.60.

I love it, Snyder said. Theres no doughnut hole. Thats very good news.

Snyder, a registered Republican, said Monday that she ultimately decided to vote for Trump because overall she supports his policy views. He has called for a repeal of Obamacare, a program Snyder said she doesnt particularly like.

Its about picking the best of two evils, she said.

Richard Chambers, senior vice president of policy and advocacy at Molina Healthcare, said debate over the Affordable Care Act is reminiscent of the reactions to the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.

The program has survived Republican and Democratic administrations, Chambers said. Its much different. It doesnt look like it did back in 1965. It went through a lot of changes and adaptation, and the parties agreed. It may not be any different for the ACA over the next 10 years but we dont know.

But not all with a stake in the Affordable Care Act will head to the polls.

On Tuesday morning, Gene Yancosky, 50, of Azusa signed up for an Obamacare plan through Covered California after paying a $700 penalty on his taxes last year for forgoing insurance. He chose a Health Net plan for $376 a month and did not qualify for a subsidy.

Thats perfect, he said of the price. This is about what I used to pay through work. I think thats good, I just dont like the fine.

Yancosky, who works in construction but said his employers insurance has too high of a deductible, said hes not registered to vote. He said he doesnt feel educated enough on political issues but was pleasantly surprised by the ease of enrolling at Quote Selection Insurance Services in Huntington Beach.

It was extremely easy, he said. It was simple.

Contact the writer: 714-796-3686 or cperkes@scng.com
DANA POINT  Sanford Edward, the developer of The Strand at Headlands community, said this week that he has decided not to enter into mediation with the city over a lawsuit alleging he owes the city $553,754 in legal fees.

City officials last week announced plans to mediate with Edward after a previous effort in August failed. City Attorney Patrick Munoz said Edward requested the second mediation and asked that two of the City Council members be present.

The city agreed to return to mediation, and also agreed two council members would attend, Munoz said.

But Edward said this week that the citys offer was a publicity stunt to appear intent on ending the pattern of costly and unsuccessful litigations.

We withdraw our offer to mediate, Edward wrote in an Oct. 26 letter to Mayor John Tomlinson.

The citys lawsuit, filed in Orange County Superior Court in August, says Edward made verbal and contractual promises to indemnify Dana Point for any legal fees, costs or damages incurred in defense of the Strand at Headlands community.

The city has been battling the California Coastal Commission and the Surfrider Foundation over beach access for more than six years. In April the city signed a settlement agreement with the Coastal Commission to remove restrictions on the gate that provides access to Strand Beach from the community.

The citys lawsuit states that while Edwards Headlands LLC began paying legal fees in 2009, the development company abruptly and without warning ceased paying the legal costs incurred and paid by Dana Point after invoices in August 2015 were presented.

Edward filed a counter-complaint in October saying the allegation he owes the city $553,754 in legal fees is a joke. Edward also alleged that city officials have overcharged him a total of $667.661 since 2003 for fees agreed upon in a development agreement.

He said this week that the city conditioned their agreement to mediate on Headlands LLC paying the money the city says it owes them.

The city defies common sense, Edward wrote to Tomlinson. Why would we give up our overbilling claims, which can comprehensively be documented, and agree that the city retains its dubious undocumented allegations. Who in their right mind would define these preconditions as an honest attempt to mediate?

After letter exchanges between the city and Edward, Munoz said attempts to mediate will likely not happen.

Edward, however, now refuses to mediate the dispute before a professional, neutral third party as is the normal process in all litigation  no doubt because he did not like the evaluation of his case previously received from his chosen mediator.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2254 or eritchie@scng.com or on Twitter:@lagunaini
As far as city elections go, the two districts up for election this year in San Juan Capistrano couldnt have been more different.

In District 1, just Nathan Banda and Sergio Farias are running and there wasnt much disagreement between them on issues in the community, like public safety, parking and the proposed San Diego Gas & Electric Co. substation upgrade. But Banda has some experience, sitting on the citys Cultural Heritage Commission, that we feel will allow him to better navigate City Hall and advocate on behalf of his constituents. Banda, therefore, has our endorsement.

Meanwhile the much more contentious District 2 features accusations of good old boy networks, warring factions and conflicts of interest. But while almost all of the candidates proved knowledgeable, and some offered considerable experience, we thought Brian Maryott had a good grasp on the issues while also possessing the ability to rise above the infighting. Maryott, therefore, has our endorsement.

Maryott is a senior vice president at a bank and stressed fiscal prudence, traffic mitigation efforts, getting the city out of the water business and tackling the citys sober-living home issue.
Re: Clinton cant shed emails shadow [News, Oct. 29]: I will have to agree with Hillary Clinton that the American people deserve to get the full and complete facts immediately. But lets start right from Clinton herself first, and then Huma Abedin, and then all her staff who took the Fifth. Please explain to the American people exactly what happened and how youve lied to the American people without any delay. Lets get you in and then you can ask Trump to pardon you.

Yi H. Doo

Irvine

  

So do the initials FBI now stand for Federal Bullying and Intimidation?

Suddenly, at the last minute, Director James Comey tells Congress hes reopening his investigation into Hillary Clintons emails  when the server he plans to look into doesnt even belong to Clinton, or even to her top aide, but to her aides husband. And Comey not only had no idea whether there were any emails on that server to and from Clinton, classified or not  he hadnt even gotten around to obtaining a warrant to find out. Yet, he made sure he made the headlines just in time to roil the election.

So why hasnt Congress pushed Comey to likewise come out about his departments research on Russias trying hard to interfere with our election this fall? Or about the server registered to Donald Trumps organization that shows an ongoing connection between Trumps campaign and two Russian servers during the same time? Or with his blatant tax schemes in the 1990s that cheated our government out of millions of dollars?

What a terrible, completely political double standard. What happened to liberty and justice for all?

Bonnie Compton Hanson

Santa Ana

No on Prop. 64

Re: Pot taxes and black markets [Opinion, Oct. 30]: If we vote yes on Prop. 64, we will have thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of Californians of all ages using or abusing marijuana. All the tax money raised off this drug pushing will go to educate children and adults about how bad it is to do drugs. If it werent for all the children and families who will be damaged, this sounds like a great self-perpetuating business model. Lets just say no to Prop. 64 and its absurdity.

Clay Bock

Garden Grove
Big partisan money is pouring into west Anaheim, Fullerton, Buena Park and the rest of the 65th Assembly District  a mix of working-class and bedroom communities  that has become a focal battleground of Californias two major political parties.

Incumbent GOP Assemblywoman Young Kim is vying to defend her seat against former Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva. The race is a rematch of the 2014 campaign, when Kim ousted Quirk-Silva, who had held the seat for a single two-year term.

And now the stakes have increased.

The 65th is one of 12 districts in California that could help swing the statehouse to a Democratic supermajority, allowing lawmakers to raise taxes without Republican support.

Related: Orange County state senate race could decide balance of power in Sacramento

But the north Orange County area also reflects a larger partisan rivalry felt throughout the state: one of traditionally red regions slowly shifting blue, with young Democrats registering to vote in high numbers and Republicans wrestling to hold what power they still have in the Legislature.

The districts recent flip-flopping has given both parties hope to claim a region in flux, a fighting chance to do so and incentive to spend a combined $7.4 million on the contest.

LEGISLATIVE TRACK RECORDS

This time around, both candidates have legislative track records to brandish.

Kim said she is most proud of her work on the state budget committee. She said she fought last year to extend tuition freezes at Californias public universities for two more years. She also boasts of securing an additional $10 million in grant funding to help the states homeless youths, and enabling Orange County to apply for that money for the first time.

She said if she is re-elected, shell introduce legislation to change how teachers are evaluated to include additional professional development on use of new educational technology. She has framed her candidacy partly as a bulwark against a Democratic supermajority and potential tax raises.

I will be one of the last votes to make that stop, and my re-election will ensure that we do not give one party dominance, said Kim, a Fullerton resident who formerly served as community relations director for Rep. Ed Royce, R-Fullerton.

Quirk-Silva highlighted her ability to author and pass legislation during her Sacramento term  including a law providing an additional $25 million in tax credits to small businesses and another requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to construct and fund a veterans cemetery in Irvine.

If elected, Quirk-Silva said she will be a bridge for Orange County to make sure were getting the resources to build affordable housing.

My focus has been bringing back funds for Orange County, said Quirk-Silva, a former Fullerton City Council member who has taught grade school for 30 years. Its making sure cities know whats available to help shepherd them through these processes.

DEMOGRAPHICS, SPENDING

If Democrats succeed in winning back the seat, it would partly be the result of stepped-up voter registration efforts over the past seven months. Between April and November, 19,000 Democrats registered to vote in the district  more than four times the number of Republicans  boosting their 2-point advantage over the GOP to a 9-point lead among registered voters.

A sizable chunk of that new registration came from Latinos and people under age 35, according to Political Data Inc. Both tend to be Democratic-leaning constituencies.

Democrats have also benefited from statewide redistricting, which created a blue-leaning district from a formerly red-leaning one. In 2011, the state split a former GOP stronghold, the 72nd District, so that its conservative-leaning areas joined an already-Republican district to the east. The more liberal areas were then merged with part of a Democratic district to the northwest, forming the 65th.

That set up Quirk-Silvas 2012 victory, the first for a Democratic in the area.

Democrats have outspent Republicans in the district this election cycle.

Nearly $4.2 million has gone to support Quirk-Silvas campaign, including $3 million from Democratic state and county party committees.

Meanwhile, $3.3 million in donations and spending have backed Kim, with almost $1 million coming from the California Republican Partys committee.

Most of that money in the race has been spent on political mailers and television ads.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7960 or jgraham@scng.com
ARCADIA  A thoroughbreds name is part of the romance.

Take Syndergaard, for example. Hes in the Breeders Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita on Saturday and is named after New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard.

If he runs 97 mph with some downward movement, and if he isnt lifted after five furlongs for a left-hander, hell probably win.

And theres Effinex, who finished second in the Breeders Cup Classic to American Pharoah and is back at the Classic on Saturday, with his aim on California Chrome.

Effinex was bred and named by Russell Cohen, whose mother Bernice owns the horse. Russell is an equine veterinarian who has appeared in comedy clubs. He has a handlebar mustache and might be the Secretariat of storytellers, in a sport full of them.

Cohen petitioned the Jockey Club to call his colt Effinex. He was turned down. Then he wrote a letter with a lot of big words in it and explained that Effinex was a German term for efficiency and integrity. He had used Google translations to discover this. That was approved.

But if you approach it phonetically, Effinex sounds like a sanitized term for a former spouse in a particularly brutal divorce, like the one Cohen had just experienced.

Ive decided to name all my horses after significant people in my life, Cohen said. And I had an epiphany: This particular person needs a horse named after her.

Effinex is trained by Jimmy Jerkens, whose father Allen was a Hall of Fame trainer and master of the long shot. Allen had two wins over Secretariat in 1973, with Onion and Prove Out. He also trained Beau Purple to three wins over Kelso in the early 1950s, and Wagon Limit, a 34-to-1 shot, beat Skip Away in 1998.

He saw that Secretariat was struggling after an awful hard Triple Crown campaign, Jerkens said. Usually thats where theyre vulnerable. He respected great horses, but youre not going to be good all the time.

He always felt he had a horse peaking. No sense in having a good horse and sitting on him. You cant concede races. Are you going to wait three months because Secretariat is running? Second place is not horrible.

A win by Effinex would not be a shocker, although Jerkens is properly respectful of California Chrome.

You cant imagine him having a bad day in his own backyard, Jerkens said. Hed have to be unlucky.

Effinex ran here in the Hollywood Gold Cup, recovering from a case of hives. He still finished third, and he has six wins since the beginning of 2015.

I was proud of him at the Breeders, Jerkens said. You had Honor Code, Frosted, Tonalist, a lot of good ones, all together at the half-mile pole. Ours was the only one who emerged and took on the race.

Yet Effinex used to make bettors drop verbal bombs. Jerkens first saw Effinex as a 3-year-old in 2004, as he was saddling Wicked Strong for a win in the Wood Memorial. The race was held up five minutes because Effinex wouldnt go into the gate. When he did, he finished eighth.

Effinex rode out to nowhere in both turns at the Brooklyn Handicap last summer and didnt finish. At the Woodward at Saratoga, he suffered stage fright and tried to back out of the gate. Then he steadied and finished fourth.

Jerkens adjusted his blinkers and fitted him with a Houghton bit. Horses tend to respect that bit a little more, and it gives jockeys more control, Jerkens said. Some things you try out of desperation.

But his biggest problem was that he used to hit his left hind pastern with his front toe. It would get sore for a long time. Id like to think that its passed.

Effinex lost his last start by a half-length to Hoppertunity in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Here, Flavien Prat will ride Effinex, as Mike Smith goes to Arrogate, who broke the Saratoga mile-and-a-quarter record as he won the Travers by 13 1/2 lengths.

Every time that little sucker runs, he gives his best effort, Cohen said of Effinex. Hes the most classic Saturday afternoon horse you can imagine. He had to grow up,, but it was a matter of horsemanship skills. Now we get to play again.

Cohen says he hasnt done stand-up in a while, at least not for money.

Every day at the racetrack, I hold court, he said. Thats my stage.

Funny, when I put effinex in the English-to-German translate bar and tried it, it came out effinex. Maybe the translator has his own special someone.

Contact the writer: mwhicker@scng.com
HUNTINGTON BEACH His grandchildren remember him as a quiet, humble man. Although they were told he was a prominent member of the community, their memories of Grandpa are of him chasing them from the fruit trees and hen house at his home.

But Andres Arevalos lived at a crossroads of local history. He came to the United States in 1905, worked on the Pacific Electric Railway and not only planted roots for the sugar beets, corn and pepper that he farmed, but the family that would follow him.

And though he never became a U.S. citizen or learned English, he was an integral part of the fabric of the development of Fountain Valley. He was enough of a figure that the Fountain Valley School District, which overlaps parts of Huntington Beach, named a school and adjoining park after him as one of its pioneers.

According to his family, Arevalos was the first Mexican-American settlers in the area to be recognized in that way.

The school has since closed and was converted into the private Pegasus School. The park, identified only by a small sign at its entrance, is a modest 2.5-acre lot tucked between the school and Santa Ana River. It has a grassy area and a small playground.

And yet it is important to his family. Crystal Bracey, a great-granddaughter who lives in Huntington Beach, remembers she would take family visitors to show off the school and park.

For me, its been a part of my whole life, she said. I carried a sense of pride my whole life.

To the clan, the story and recognition of Andres Arevalos is not only of one man and his family, but so many immigrants like him who settled in the area, farmed the land, built the railroads and endured.

I think its important, said Donna Sianez, one of the Arevalos grandchildren who still live in Fountain Valley.

STANDING TOGETHER

The family was shocked when it heard the Huntington Beach Park Naming and Memorials Committee was thinking of renaming the park, along with several others adjacent to closed schools from the Fountain Valley School District that were across the line in Huntington Beach.

In a show of strength and unity that probably would have touched the old man, the Arevalos family responded with strength and in numbers.

We couldnt let it stand, said Sianez, one of six of Andres Arevalos grandchildren who helped lead the fight to retain the name.

At a meeting in March to consider the name change, about 40 family members showed up wearing T-shirts emblazoned with Arevalos, the idea of Judy Arevalos Malgeri, another grandchild.

The show of force had its desired effect and the Park Naming and Memorials Committee recommended  and the City Council concurred at its Oct. 17 meeting  that the name should remain.

STORY OF ANDRES

So who was this man to whom so much attention was given?

Beyond the fruit trees and chicken coop, not a lot is remembered and little is written.

He and his wife, Guadalupe, raised nine children. On the railway he was a traquero, or track worker, during a high-water period of employment for Mexican-Americans from 1880 to 1915, between the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Mexican Revolution and federal restrictions on Mexican immigration.

In the early 1920s, he lived in the Colonia Juarez tract in Fountain Valley  a neighborhood created in 1923 that provided affordable housing for Mexican-American laborers and also segregated the community. The small neighborhood is bounded by Warner and Slater avenues just west of Ward Street.

Guadalupe Arevalos died in 1957, the same year Fountain Valley incorporated, and Andres died nine years later of emphysema at age 85.

Grandpa went through a lot of tough times, said Rodney Arevalos, another grandson, referring in part to anti-Mexican sentiment that arose during and after the Mexican Revolution. That was pretty hard stuff to live through.

TIES THAT BIND

In the process of battling to keep Andres Arevalos  legacy, alive, the family also learned more enduring and personal lessons.

For Mercedes Bracey, 13, a great-great granddaughter who testified in support of the park, the endeavor was an important civics lesson.

I wanted her to understand her voice is important, her mother Crystal Bracey said.

For the elders, it reaffirmed the importance of family and community.

Its brought us closer, said Doris Arevalos, bringing back memories for all of us.

No one in the family knows exactly why this quiet, unassuming family man was chosen among all the early Mexican-American immigrants to be recognized.

Doris Arevalos jokes that he may just have been the first on the list alphabetically.

In the O.C. Historical blogspot, local historian Chris Jepsen said that during the 1965 school naming ceremony, Edward Baubier, then Fountain Valley school district superintendent, said, It doesnt bother us that we named a school after a man who is neither rich nor famous.

We are honoring the man because he was a pioneer in our community and has been a credit to it all these years. he said. You cant measure what a man is by money but by his success. Arevalos success is that he provided a good education for his family and knitted his family together with strong ties that are lacking in many families today.
SANTA ANA  A 36-year-old La Habra mother accused of pushing her infant son off a parking structure to his death in 2011 has been found mentally fit to stand trial.

Sonia Hermosillo has been in custody for more than five years as attorneys argued over her mental state. A judge previously found her to be mentally competent, but another evaluation determined her to be mentally unfit and she was committed last year to Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino.

In a final evaluation, an Orange County Superior Court judge on Monday determined that Sonia Hermosillo is now mentally fit to assist in her defense after a report from the hospital medical director said she has been under treatment and is capable of understanding the criminal proceedings.

She has been transferred to the Orange County Jail and is due back in court on Nov. 16 for a pre-trial hearing.

Hermosillo has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to charges of murder and assault on a child causing death. If convicted, she faces 25 years to life in prison.

In a case that made national headlines, Hermosillo drove to the parking structure at Childrens Hospital of Orange County, where her 7-month-old son, Noe Hermosillo Jr., was receiving treatment for a congenital problem because his neck twisted to one side.

Authorities said Hermosillo removed her sons helmet, which he wore for another condition known as flat-head syndrome, then pushed him from the fourth floor of the parking structure. She then validated her parking permit before driving off but later returned and was arrested.

The boy died two days later.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Scott Simmons said there is evidence that Hermosillo was aware of what she was doing and deliberated before pushing the baby over the edge.

Her defense attorney, Jacqueline Goodman, maintains that Hermosillo, who has two older daughters, was mentally ill and suffered from post-partum psychosis after the birth of her third child.

Goodman said Hermosillo developed her illness during the pregnancy and suffered a psychotic break as her husband desperately tried to get her help.

Goodman said Hermosillo received inadequate mental-health care in the months prior to the incident.

This case should serve as the tragic example of the real-life consequences of blame, shame and misunderstanding of mental illness, in general, and postpartum, in particular, she said.

Contact the writer: kpuente@ocregister.com
A former Orange County cab driver convicted in 2013 of supporting terrorists in his home country of Somalia was turned over to authorities in the city of Mogadishu on Tuesday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, authorities said.

Ahmed Nasir Tahlil Mohamud, 41, formerly of Anaheim, was flown on commercial flights escorted by two Los Angeles-based ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations deportation officers, Lori Haley, an ICE spokeswoman in Santa Ana, said in a statement.

ICE agents flew with Mohamud as far as Narobi, Kenya where he was placed on a nonstop flight to Mogadishu and met by Somali law enforcement officials at Aden Adde International Airport.

Mohamed and three conspirators were convicted for conspiring to send money to al-Shabaab, a terrorist organization that engaged in suicide bombings, explosives and assassinations to undermine Somalias government.

He had been labeled a terrorist by authorities in February 2008. According to the indictment, the case involves several 2008 transfers of money from San Diego to Somalia totaling $10,930.

Mohamud collected money from donors in Orange County to support al-Shabaab. He was sentenced in U.S. District Court to six years in prison.

In March 2014, ICE officers filed an immigration detainer against Mohamud while he was incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Lompoc, Haley said.

Mohamud was placed in ICE custody in February following his release from prison and was ordered to be removed from the U.S. the following month by an immigration judge in Los Angeles.

Becoming a lawful, permanent resident of the United States is a privilege, said David Marin, deputy field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Los Angeles. ICE will move aggressively against those who engage in actions that could potentially harm those responsible for safeguarding the very freedoms that privilege affords.

Department of Homeland Security databases show Mohamud had became a permanent U.S. resident in August 2004.

Marin said it isnt common for Los Angeles-area ICE officers to repatriate terrorists.

To get someone providing material support to terrorists and then to get them back to their home country is huge for us, he said.

Nationwide, ICE repatriated 351 individuals in fiscal year 2015 who were classified as high-profile removals.

Of that number, 274 were wanted for crimes committed overseas, often for a serious or violent nature; 20 were classified as human-rights violators; and 54 were considered national-security threats.

The investigation into Mohamud was conducted by various agencies including the FBI, ICE, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7767 sschwebke@scng.com Twitter: @thechalkoutline
LAGUNA BEACH  Former Laguna Beach lifeguard Al Mendez spent seven months restoring a vintage lifeguard Jeep that is likely the only one of its kind along the Southern California coastline.

The restoration, which began as a fun project to do while reminiscing over a few beers with fellow former lifeguards Rob Patterson and Jon Brick, turned into a bigger undertaking. The effort brought the fun and challenges of being a Laguna Beach lifeguard back to the trio, who remember the simpler days of guarding Lagunas beaches.

Last week, Mendez, Patterson and Brick handed over the restored vintage rig to the citys Laguna Beach Lifeguard Department. Like the Laguna Beach Fire Departments 1931 Seagrave antique fire engine, the Jeep will participate in educational community events and at Project Wipeout at the OC Fair next year. On Sunday, Laguna Beach lifeguards showed it off during a Halloween fundraiser to honor fallen Laguna Beach Motor Officer Jon Coutchie.

Laguna Beach lifeguards  and most every other guard shop along beaches from San Diego to Santa Barbara  used the bright-yellow Jeeps. They were open-air, accessible to the public and drove along the coast to the waters edge.

There were three Jeeps in operation  in South Laguna, at Main Beach and north up to Corona del Mar. They were used in Laguna from about 1973 to 1986.

To the guards who used them, they were symbols of the freedom of an endless summer, and for many, like Mendez, who moved on to other professions, the Jeeps represented a symbol of the best years of their lives.

It was a different time then, Mendez said. Today you have Toyota 4Runners or other SUVs. Theyre nothing like these were. The experience I got through lifeguarding changed my life. The camaraderie, the responsibility and the life-saving moments were all life-changers. To me, those were some of the best days of my life.

A labor of love

As a hobby, Mendez restored old BMWs, Volkswagen beetles and buses. He finished his last project in 2015 and started planning the restoration of the lifeguard Jeep, a 1974 Jeep CJ5 he found on Craigslist. The then-green Jeep was owned by a private pilot who lived in Highland. Mendez bought the Jeep for $4,000 and put an additional $10,000 into it.

Mendezs brother, Jed Mendez, worked on the engine while Mendez and Brick looked around for the perfect bright-yellow color. They used a historical photo of a 1973 Jeep from Laguna to get the color right, and the Jeep was taken to Tijuana for painting. Next, Mendez went online and found gear such as the rescue cage, buoys and a red light for the top. Jed Mendez, 59, died Aug. 31.

His sudden death was tragic, Al Mendez said. The Jeep will always put a smile on my face in his memory for all the work he did on it.

Brick, who shapes surfboards, re-created the lifeguard rescue board for the top of the Jeep.

You cant get boards from that era anymore, Brick said. Theyve evolved and are more high-performance. The ones we used then were state-of-the-art, but are not what they use today. Hobie Alter was shaping those boards then. I went back and hand-shaped it.

When the Jeep was done, it was appraised at Jeeps R Us for $21,500, Mendez said.

To celebrate its completion, Mendez threw a party at his house and dedicated the Jeep to the memory of Laguna Beach Lifeguard Chief Bruce Baird, who ran the guards from 1973 to 1991.

He was a second father to many of us, Mendez said. He was an incredible mentor and leader. He died from cancer in his early 60s; he was much too young.

That night, the Jeep became like an E-Ticket ride, with veteran lifeguards taking it out for a spin to relive memories.

It takes you back, Brick said. That was your tool when you patrolled as a 20-year-old. You remember the camaraderie and all the situations. It was like a pump to spike your brain to remember.

Keeping It local

Last week, Mendez and Patterson presented the Jeep to Laguna Beach Lifeguard Chief Kevin Snow and Laguna Beach Capt. Tom Trager on behalf of 30 veteran and active lifeguards.

Trager was just starting out as a lifeguard at age 16 when the Jeeps were still in use. They influenced his decision to become a lifeguard.

I grew up in Laguna and I used to see them roll up to the beaches, he said. It was part of the professionalism I could appreciate. The towers and the beaches with the yellow Jeeps definitely drew me in.

For Mendez and other former Laguna Beach lifeguards, lifeguarding and the Jeep symbolize a brotherhood of mentoring, trust and self-reliance that they hope will be passed on.

For the young kids growing up today, the Junior Lifeguards, it will add another dimension about belonging to this organization where there is real history behind it, Brick said. It gives more history to what youre doing. Its not just something that will come and go.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2254 or eritchie@scng.com
President Barack Obama, in his first remarks on the standoff over an oil pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota, called on both sides to show restraint, and revealed that the Army Corps of Engineers was considering an alternative route for the project.

In an interview with NowThis News, Obama said: We are monitoring this closely. I think as a general rule, my view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans.

I think that right now the Army Corps is examining whether there are ways to reroute this pipeline.

Protesters have been gathering since April outside Cannon Ball, N.D., a town in the south-central part of the state near the South Dakota border, to rally against the pipeline.

Energy Transfer Partners, which has been working to finish construction on the 1,170-mile, $3.7 billion pipeline, contends it would be a safer way to transport oil from North Dakota to Illinois. But Native American tribes say it threatens the local water supply, sacred land and tribal burial ground.

David Archambault II, the chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, said in a statement on Wednesday that the tribe applauded Obamas commitment to protect our sacred lands, our water and the water of 17 million others.

But he said work on the pipeline should be stopped while the Army Corps examined the issue.

The nation and the world are watching, Archambault said. The injustices done to Native people in North Dakota and throughout the country must be addressed.

The number of protesters has grown to several hundred, many drawn from across the country. Last week, the standoff boiled over as officers in riot gear tried to force crowds from protest camps near Cannon Ball. In the monthslong unrest, more than 400 people have been arrested, some accused of engaging in riots and conspiracy to endanger by fire and explosion.

On Wednesday, the Morton County Sheriffs Department said in a statement on its Facebook page that officials were in a standoff with protesters across a creek north of the main camp area and had been given orders to arrest anyone who trespassed on private property.

The two sides have also accused each other of violent tactics, with law enforcement officials accusing the protesters of attacking contractors working on the pipeline. Activists have said that the police have marked them with numbers and held them in dog kennels.

But the Morton County Sheriffs Department said in a statement that the enclosures were temporary holding cells made out of chain link fence.

The Army Corps of Engineers was expected to review a crucial stretch of the proposed path for the pipeline, through Army Corps land and under the Missouri River.

Obama said in the interview on Tuesday, We are going to let it play out for several more weeks and determine whether or not this can be resolved in a way that I think is properly attentive to the traditions of the first Americans.

Asked to comment on law enforcement tactics, including the use of rubber bullets, Obama said: It is a challenging situation. I think that my general rule when I talk to governors and state and local officials, whenever they are dealing with protests  including, for example during the Black Lives Matter protests  there is an obligation for protesters to be peaceful, and there is an obligation for authorities to show restraint.

I want to make sure that as everybody is exercising their constitutional rights to be heard that both sides are refraining from situations that might result in people being hurt, he added.

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said on Twitter on Wednesday that he was grateful Obama was listening to the protesters and that the pipeline work should stop until the Army Corps review was completed.

Sanders, a former Democratic presidential candidate, has been a vocal supporter of the movement by rallying outside the White House and calling on Obama to protect the protesters.
Today, adult film industry bosses regularly disobey an existing rule  crafted by health professionals  that requires the use of condoms in their films. When workers get infected with serious sexually transmitted diseases while having unprotected (condom-less) sex on the job, they are on their own.

I know because I was a porn performer briefly in 2010. When I got HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea my bosses didnt provide health insurance  they didnt even send me a get-well card.

Proposition 60 will protect adult film performers by giving Cal/OSHA, our states workplace safety agency, additional tools to crack down on porn bosses who disobey the condom rule and who tell their young employees not to wear condoms  on pain of losing their jobs.

Whats the industrys beef with condoms? Simple  it believes condoms dont sell porn. Its all about profits over worker health.

Dont be fooled by porn industry complaints about Prop. 60. They boil down to this: The industry doesnt want to comply with workplace safety rules like other industries. What makes this industry so special? Go figure.

The adult film industry should join the 21st century and stop denying the medical science that supports the condom rule. Condoms are the gold standard for protecting against sexually transmitted diseases and thats why the California Nurses Association, the American Sexual Health Association and the California Medical Association support the mandatory condoms-in-porn rule.

Why is Prop. 60 relevant to folks outside the porn industry? Answer: What happens in the porn studios doesnt stay in the studios. The rates of sexually transmitted diseases in young porn performers are extremely high compared to the general population. A 2014 study concluded that one in four adult workers were infected; the rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea, respectively, were 34 and 64 times more than in peer groups.

And infected porn performers dont have sex in a bubble. They have sex with non-porn industry partners. In other words, the risky sex practices of the porn industry can quickly bleed into the general population and become a public health problem.

Many public health professionals are also troubled that the porn industrys glorification of unprotected (condom-less) sex with random partners teaches adult film viewers that this kind of sex is normal  even preferred  and safe. In fact, this kind of sex is very risky and a prescription for STDs. Condoms in porn could send a safer sex message.

Prop. 60 will help our workplace safety and health authorities get a better grip on the states STD crisis.

It will increase to one year the amount of time Cal/OSHA has to file civil complaints against porn producers who violate the condom rule (now Cal/OSHA must file within six months of observing a violation); require producers to pay for performer STD testing (now performers have to pay); additionally hold distributors and talent agents accountable if theyre involved in the unlawful production of condom-less films; and enable whistleblowers, including performers, to occasionally pinch hit for Cal/OSHA and file private lawsuits against condom violators if Cal/OSHA lacks the manpower to file such litigation itself.

Remember: Prop. 60 is not anti-porn. It is anti-unsafe porn. It does not create a new rule requiring condoms. It helps enforce an existing condom rule. Join former adult performers, like myself, and medical professionals who know Prop. 60 will help fight STDs and protect our young people.

Derrick Burts is a former adult film performer who is now an advocate for workplace safety protections in the porn industry. He now lives in Riverside County with his fiancee and their child.
Its not entirely unusual for bosses of successful companies to give out bonuses to employees on major holidays, but how many can claim that they are as generous as Savji Dholakia, CEO of Hari Krishna Exports, who recently gifted some 1,200 cars and 400 apartments to over 1,600 of his most loyal and hardworking staffers.

If we keep our employees happy, God will keep us happy, Dholakia says, and while he is certainly not the only boss to claim that he puts his staff first, the man actually puts his money where his mouth is. He started a long streak of generous bonuses 20 years ago, when he gave three of his top employees their own cars, and he has been upping his game every year since then. In 2014, he distributed Rs 500m (6m, $7.5m) as performance incentives and last years he gave away 491 cars and 200 apartments, but this year seems to be the most special yet. To celebrate his companys 25th anniversary, the man known as Indias most generous boss just gave away over 1,260 cars and 400 apartments to over 1,700 of his most valuable employees.

We have selected 1,716 employees as the best performers this year. We are arranging houses for those who already have cars, while those who dont have a four-wheeler will get one, Dholakia said. We have exports worth $700 million across more than 70 countries, but nothing is more valuable than our employees.

The 53-year-old diamond merchant was born in a rural family in Saurashtra, dropped out of school in fourth grade an joined his uncle at a small diamond trading firm when he was just 13 years old. In 1982, he started his own business with his uncles support, and after his three brothers joined him, Dholokia managed to turn Hari Krishna Exports into a powerhouse with an annual turnover of $750 million. Living in a settlement for diamond polishers for years when he was young, Dholokia rode a moped and dreamed of one day owning his own house and a nice car. He claims those early days inspired him to take care of his employees.

I realized that once you have taken care of basic needs of your family, which I feel is having your own house and car, you can focus and give 100% to work. I want my employees to give their 100%. And, thats why I want them to be free of worries of meeting basic necessities, he said in an interview.

Dholakia also takes his employees family members, especially their parents, on a 15-day sponsored vacation, twice a year. It is during this time that he tries to find out how his employees treat their families. Besides, we also occasionally organize family get-togethers so that he can remain in touch with their families, said Naresh Mayani, HR manager of Hari Krishna Exports.

Regarding what these generous gifts mean to his workers, Savji Dholakia said: I dont have words to describe the happiness we see in them, and the happiness we feel.

Sources: The Hindustan Times, CNN Money
A Tokyo-based dating service is trying to make it easier for shy Japanese singles to interact with the opposite sex by organizing masked speed dating effects where participants wear surgical masks to help them be more outgoing.

Surgical masks have been a big part of Japanese culture for many years. Some people wear them on the street everyday, be it to avoid catching diseases, to prevent hay fever and other allergic reactions, or simply to keep their faces warm. But the people at Def Anniversary, a popular dating service in Tokyo, have come up with a new use for the humble accessory  theyve turned into a tool for konkatsu (marriage hunting). At their speed dating events, singles meet at various locations all over Japan, and spend a limited amount of time trying to learn as much about them as they can, but the catch is that everyone has to wear a surgical mask, so the focus is less on physical appearance and more on personality and character.

In order to achieve marriage, it is important to provide chances to know a partners personality and values in the early stages, said Kei Matsumura, head of Tokyo dating service Def Anniversary. We chose surgical masks as an essential tool for that.

But the masks also have the added bonus of making shy singles more comfortable when interacting with the opposite sex. Japanese youths brought up in the digital apparently find face-to-face interaction daunting, but after taking physical appearance out of the equation, they tend to be more outgoing.

Since I wasnt judged by my appearance, I think I was able to be more outgoing with women, 28-year-old Yasumasu Kishi told Reuters.

I think I was able to find out more about their inner selves and not just judge them by their looks, Chiharu Tsukahara, a 28-year-old office worker, added. In this event, personality matters. I quite liked that.

But singles shyness is only part of the problem that has led to the dramatic aging of Japans population and a serious decrease in the marriage rate  from 10.1 per thousand in 1975 to 5.1 per thousand in 2014. Other causes include long work hours that dont leave much time for romancing and the famous Japanese ultra-politness.

via Japan Trends
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Before you buy new windows, replace your roof or overhaul your air ducts, Corbett Lunsford wants you to demand proof that the job needs to be done.

The house is a system exactly like your body is a system, said Lunsford, a national educator and author of Home Performance Diagnostics: The Guide to Advanced Testing.

You would never let your mother walk into a doctors office and say My stomach hurts, please take out my appendix. Youd be, like, Whoa, whoa! Lets do some tests and figure out exactly whats wrong before doing surgery. 

On Saturday, Lunsford will give his Home Performance Crash Course during the Green Omaha Coalitions Smart Energy Talks event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University of Nebraska at Omahas Milo Bail Student Center, 6203 University Drive South. The expo also includes exhibitors who will give demonstrations and offer advice, plus a self-guided tour of three energy-efficient properties in the Aksarben area.

The event kicks off at 9 a.m. with opening remarks and Lunsfords crash course. In it, Lunsford urges homeowners to focus on analytics to make sure their houses are healthy and efficient, instead of relying on the advice of contractors, who have financial incentive to sell you costly repairs.

If you want to know for a fact that youre making your home a healthier, better-performing place thats going to be more comfortable, have better air quality, etc., you need the metrics, Lunsford said, the actual quantifiable stuff so you can make a measured improvement.

Lunsford will also share photos and video of his high performance tiny house on wheels, called the Tiny Lab. His tiny house rolled through Omaha on the way to Denver in August but isnt coming with him on this trip, so attendees will have to settle for the digital experience on Saturday.

For more information, visit smartenergytalks.com.

Smart Energy Talks

Hosted by: Green Omaha Coalition

What: a smart energy expo including a speaker, exhibitors and a self-guided tour

When: Saturday; Home Performance Crash Course starts at 9 a.m., exhibits open at 10 a.m., expo runs until 2 p.m.

Where: University of Nebraska at Omahas Milo Bail Student Center, 6203 University Drive North.

Speaker: Corbett Lunsford, author of Home Performance Diagnostics: The Guide to Advanced Testing

Green home tour: self-guided tour of three homes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Homes: 6454 Woolworth Ave., 909 N. 49th St., 720 N. 58th St.
It was summertime, and Roberta Wilhelm was excited about selling corn.

The Leavenworth, Kansas, high schooler was working at a Long John Silvers seafood restaurant, wearing a polyester pirates outfit, as her crew competed with others in the region to sell the most sweet corn.

The incentive was an extra months pay, a big deal for the youngsters at the time.

Wilhelm, now executive director of Girls Inc. in Omaha, said her team quickly figured out that they could game the system because a medium drink cost the same as a serving of sweet corn. If a customer ordered a medium drink, you could punch the corn button on the cash register and it counted as an ear of corn.

But the group also realized, collectively, that winning by cheating wasnt the right thing to do. Instead, they cheerfully encouraged customers inside and at the drive-up window to buy sweet corn.

We sold a lot of corn, Wilhelm told about 120 people at a meeting Tuesday of the Omaha Business Ethics Alliance, held at Temple Israel.

But another crew in a nearby town sold more and got the incentive pay. Sure enough, it eventually came out that the other team had padded its corn sales by medium-drink fraud.

Still, Wilhelm said, We learned a lot about teamwork. ... Even though we didnt get the cash, I felt good because the team had decided not to cheat.

Her corn story illustrated problems that incentive programs can cause for businesses. The decision to discuss the ethics of incentives was prompted by an incentive program that led some Wells Fargo Bank employees to open fraudulent accounts without customers knowledge.

A show of hands indicated that most of the people at the meeting still favor incentive programs for employees despite the problems they can cause.

But panelists at the session also said incentives have to be carefully planned and monitored so they dont encourage cheating or cause other unintended consequences.

Audience member Jack Hosking, of the TitleCore National title insurance company, said having incentives implies that people wont do their jobs unless theres an extra incentive beyond regular salaries.

Some incentives dont work well. Audience member Janet Walker said she knew of a company, outside Omaha, where the performance incentive was having lunch with the CEO.

Problem was, she said, Nobody really liked the CEO.

Panelists for the discussion were Angie Quinn, co-owner of Baxter Auto; Rodrigo Lopez, executive chairman of NorthMarq Capital Finance; and Sherrye Hutcherson, vice president of human resources for Union Pacific Railroad.

Quinn said she still remembers winning a trip to Cancun as a youngster by reaching her sales goals at her familys auto dealership. I hit my truck number, she said, and learned a lot of about trucks in the process.

Incentives still work in the auto business, she said. The company once hired six salespeople on a straight salary basis, but within three months they all asked to be switched to commission. They wanted to be rewarded for superior performance.

Hutcherson said its important to structure incentives properly. If they are too challenging, people will be discouraged. If they reward only a narrow type of performance, they wont help the company.

If incentives set up competition among people, she said, you find people working against one another, which can be unhealthy for an organization.

Lopez said incentives must align with a companys goals. For instance, manufacturers may gain from incentives that increase production, but for health care businesses, thats the worst thing you could do. Instead, incentives should be aimed at improving quality of care.

Many banks in the early 2000s had incentives that encouraged loan officers to approve mortgages for people who couldnt repay them, he said, contributing to the financial crisis and recession that started in 2008.

Since then, Lopez said, the rules have totally shifted. Were doing much better.

The group discussed noncash incentives, such as a company pizza party or a simple thank you from the boss.

Human motivation is far more complicated than dollars and cents, Lopez said.
Testifying three times in Anthony Garcias quadruple-murder trial, Omaha Police Detective Derek Mois had plenty of chances to observe the man.

Mois saw someone who appeared unconcerned with his own trial. The details of the gruesome killings did not seem to surprise him.

I looked at a guy who in my own opinion was well aware of why he was there, Mois said. He did it.

It reminded Mois of three years earlier, when Garcia first was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in Illinois. Mois, who was in Illinois as part of the effort to find Garcia, told Garcia that he also would be booked on arrest warrants charging him with four counts of first-degree murder.

He very calmly, with no reaction whatsoever, said, Oh, OK, and turned and was escorted to his cell, Mois, a 17-year veteran of the Omaha Police Department, said in an interview with The World-Herald. To me, an innocent man is going to yell and scream. I think he knew, eventually, that this was going to catch up to him, and it was just reckoning time.

Last week, Garcia was found guilty of the March 2008 murders of 11-year-old Thomas Hunter and 57-year-old Shirlee Sherman and of the May 2013 murders of Dr. Roger and Mary Brumback, both 65.

Mois, 42, had been assigned to both the crime scene in the Hunter familys Dundee home and the one at the Brumbacks west Omaha home.

It was eerie, he said of the similarities between the killings.

During the police investigation in the days after the Brumbacks were killed, Mois was given Garcias records from when he was a medical resident in Creighton Universitys pathology department in 2000. Drs. William Hunter and Roger Brumback both worked in the department, along with Dr. Chhanda Bewtra, who police later learned had been another of Garcias targets.

Tragically and coincidentally, Mois analyzed each major part of the years-long case.

He credits the two dozen members of the law enforcement task force that investigated the 2008 and 2013 homicides, a probe full of false leads and red herrings that produced more than 40 thick binders of reports and required thousands of hours of effort.

Nobody got to see any of that work, Mois said. These guys are the unsung heroes in my mind.

After Mois read through Garcias file, he told his sergeant that he needed assistance from two other officers and time to chase leads. Mois peeled away layers of Garcias life that revealed a festering grudge against Creighton doctors and evidence that he was in Omaha at the time of the slayings.

Mois wasnt surprised by the many years between Garcias time at Creighton and the murders.

If somebody wants revenge, he said, theyll get revenge when they feel they have to exact it. Theres no rhyme or reason or sense to it.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said Garcias trial gave the public a glimpse into how much work it takes to investigate crimes. Immediately following the verdict, relatives of the victims, the prosecutors and officers met in a room at the Douglas County Courthouse.

I could see and feel the complete emotional dump on every one of them, Schmaderer said about the officers. They have poured their souls into this case to bring closure to the victims. I sense complete exhaustion and satisfaction for all the work they have done.

Mois was in the courtroom when the guilty verdicts against Garcia were read.

He got emotional when he saw Jeff Sherman, Shirlees son, react to the first guilty verdict.

I just felt overwhelmed for them, Mois said. You just want them to be OK and start to have their lives back and not to have to think about it anymore.

Mois said hes relieved to return to the tedious and difficult work of solving homicides. Many slayings in Omaha remain unsolved, and more keep happening  Mois has been assigned the case of Cornelius Hodges, a 30-year-old Omahan who was found slain Sunday.

Mois is thankful that Garcias case is considered solved.

Ive been living it for so long, I dont even know how to make sense of it anymore, he said. Its nice to be able to get back to the grind. I only know how to do one thing, and Im doing it.

* * * * *
DES MOINES (AP)  A white man with a history of racial provocations and confrontations with police ambushed and fatally shot two white officers Wednesday in separate attacks as they sat in their patrol cars, authorities said.

Police took 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene into custody hours after the killings and less than three weeks after he argued with officers who removed him from a high school football game where he had unfurled a Confederate flag near black spectators.

Greene flagged down a State Department of Natural Resources employee in a rural area west of Des Moines, identified himself and asked that the employee call 911.

Sheriffs deputies and State Patrol officers took Greene into custody.

Hes suspected in the early morning slayings of 24-year-old Justin Martin, who had been with the force in the Des Moines suburb of Urbandale since 2015, and 38-year-old Sgt. Anthony Beminio, who joined the Des Moines force in 2005.

Greene was taken to a hospital for treatment of unknown health problems and was to be questioned later at Des Moines police headquarters, Sgt. Paul Parizek said. Greene had not been formally arrested.

Police responded to a report of shots fired shortly after 1 a.m. and found the Urbandale officer. Authorities from several agencies soon saturated the area. About 20 minutes later, they discovered the Des Moines officer, who had responded to the first shooting, Parizek said.

The shootings happened less than 2 miles apart. Both took place along main streets that cut through residential areas.

Urbandale Police Chief Ross McCarty said investigators think that in the first killing, the shooter walked up to the officers car and fired more than two dozen rounds.

I wouldnt call it a confrontation, McCarty said. I dont think he may have even been aware that there was a gunman next to him.

The shootings follow a spate of police killings in recent months, including ambushes of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Five officers were killed July 7 in Dallas. Three more were killed later that month in Baton Rouge.

Race was an issue in those cases and others involving unarmed black men killed by officers. Greene is white, as were the officers.

Greene appeared to have problems with people of other races.

In the confrontation at the Urbandale High School football game, which Greene videotaped and posted on social media, he appeared to be trying to antagonize African-American fans when he shook a Confederate flag in front of them during the national anthem, McCarty said.

In the video, officers can be seen asking Greene to leave school property as he insists that he was assaulted and his flag stolen.

He demands that officers file theft and assault charges, saying someone hit his head and grabbed the flag.

In a back-and-forth that lasts nearly 11 minutes, officers say they can take a report but they cannot let Greene back inside the stadium because the school has banned him from the property.

They also note they were returning his flag and ask if he was trying to create a conflict by displaying it near African-Americans.

I was peacefully protesting, he responds. Thats my constitutional right.

The video ends with Greene promising not to set foot on school property and officers saying they will take down his information.

Ardis Gardner of Des Moines told the Associated Press that he was at the Oct. 14 football game to watch his teenage son play.

Gardner, 47, who is black, sat with a group of other friends and family members when Greene, who was dressed in Army fatigues, approached them within a few feet and waved the flag at them during the national anthem.

I was angry, Gardner said. It was senior night, and the spotlight should have been on those senior players. This was calculated for him to do it at that moment.

After the video was posted on YouTube, Scott Greene commented: I was offended by the blacks sitting through our anthem. Thousands more whites fought and died for their freedom. However this is not about the Armed forces, they are cop haters.

In other incidents, court records show that Greene was jailed and charged with interfering with official acts after resisting Urbandale police officers who tried to pat him down for a weapon April 10, 2014.

An Urbandale officer described him as hostile and combative. He entered a guilty plea and was fined.

Two days after that incident with police, Urbandale police were called to answer a complaint of harassment at the apartment complex where Greene lived. The complaint said he threatened to kill another man during a confrontation in the parking lot and yelled a racial slur used against blacks. Greene was charged with harassment.

He pleaded guilty and received a suspended jail sentence and a year of probation. An officer wrote that Greene had complied with the terms of his probation, noting that he had obtained a mental health evaluation and reports to have complied with the medication recommendations. The officer did not elaborate.

A criminal complaint indicates that soon after the football game incident, Greene was involved in an altercation with his 66-year-old mother Oct. 17. Greene accused her of scratching and hitting his face. He captured the fight on cellphone video, which he used as evidence of the assault.

A judge ordered Greenes mother to stay away from her son, and she was released on $1,000 bail.

The Urbandale police chief said Greene was known to officers.

Most officers in the city have some understanding of Mr. Greene, McCarty said. Theyve taken trips to his house, delivered service to him  never anything to this extent.

It was unclear if either of the shootings was captured on police cameras.

Greene has a daughter who attends Urbandale High School. The Urbandale shooting occurred near the school, and the citys entire school district closed for the day.

Parizek said the officers deaths are a blow to the city.

They are our friends and co-workers, he said. Des Moines is not a big city. We all know each other. Were heartbroken.

* * *

Reaction to officers' deaths

Early Wednesday, Ben Hammes, communications director for Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, released this statement:

The governor and lieutenant governor have been alerted to the attacks on law enforcement this morning. Shortly after the shootings, our office was briefed by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) on the shootings. DPS is working hand in hand with local law enforcement in the investigation. We will continue monitoring and working with law enforcement in the interest of public safety.

An attack on public safety officers is an attack on the public safety of all Iowans. We call on Iowans to support our law enforcement officials in bringing this suspect to justice. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the police officers who were tragically killed in the line of duty as well as the officers who continue to put themselves in harms way.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, also issued a statement:

My thoughts and prayers are with the two Iowa police officers who were killed in the line of duty, as well as their families and the entire Iowa law enforcement community as they face this devastating loss.

Although the investigation is still unfolding, what appears to be an ambush attack of police in the line of duty is an attack on the community at large and all of the men and women who risk their lives every day to protect us. This was a senseless act of violence and it cannot be tolerated.

Iowa Attorney General Thomas Miller said in a statement:

There are no words to adequately express my sorrow and heartache over the senseless murders of two police officers in the line of duty. I offer my deepest condolences to these officers families, their law enforcement colleagues, and loved ones.

As Iowans, we are thankful for these two law enforcement heroes who tragically lost their lives. We are grateful for all the men and women in uniform who selflessly risk everything to protect us and keep our communities safe.

I hope law enforcement officers across our state, who are feeling a profoundly numbing loss, can take at least some solace and comfort from the gratitude and support they have from Iowans.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer's statement:

"On behalf of the Omaha Police Department, I offer our condolences to the families of the fallen officers, their agencies, and the communities they serve. The homicides of the Des Moines and Urbandale, Iowa officers is an affront to all of society. Law Enforcement has been on high alert since the ambush-style killings and the suspect's arrest is the result of the collective efforts of brave officers. Law enforcement remains a challenging profession and yet, we are committed to serving and protecting our communities despite the inherent dangers. Thank you to the Omaha community for your unwavering support of the Omaha Police Department and its officers during times of need and for your willingness to create strong partnerships to move Omaha forward."

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert's statement:

"The people of Omaha send our condolences to the families of the police officers killed overnight in Des Moines and the citizens they so bravely served every day.

This is another reminder that our police officers have difficult and dangerous jobs. They risk their own lives to protect our families and our neighborhoods.

These tragedies bring communities together in ways we hope never happen, but sadly do. Those who choose careers in public service and safety certainly deserve our respect and gratitude.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Des Moines and Urbandale Police Departments as they mourn their fellow officers and friends."

World-Herald staff writer Jay Withrow contributed to this report. Information from the Tribune News Service was used in this report.

Copyright 2016, the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert is letting her disagreements with the Douglas County Board get in the way of supporting the countys public safety bond issue, her opponent said Wednesday.

Heath Mello, a Democrat, issued his first major criticism of Stothert of the 2017 mayoral campaign over the bond issue.

He criticized Stothert for remaining neutral and suggested the real issue is her disagreements with the board over a potential crime lab merger.

Also Wednesday, the citys fire union president, Steve LeClair, said he had a conversation with Stothert in September that he took to be an effort to lobby the union to not support the bond issue.

Stothert disputed Mellos accusation and LeClairs account of the conversation. She said she is remaining neutral on the bond issue on the advice of the city attorney.

I dont take a position on every ballot question and will remain neutral on the countys bond vote, said Stothert, a Republican.

In his statement, Mello said he will support the $45 million county bond issue, and he urged Stothert to do the same.

If the bond issue passes, the county would spend the money on replacing and upgrading 911 call center equipment, replacing Douglas County Sheriffs Office and police radios that will soon be obsolete, renovating space in the former Thomas Fitzgerald Veterans Home for 911 and making renovations in the Douglas County Jail.

Mello asked that Stothert set aside her past disagreements with Douglas County over the crime lab merger discussion and join me in voting for the public safety bond issue.

Stothert has clashed with some county officials, including Board Chair Mary Ann Borgeson and one-time supporter Sheriff Tim Dunning, over the prospect of a new crime lab at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Borgeson, Dunning and some other county officials want to see the countys crime lab remain at the Fitzgerald Home. Others on the county board are open to Stotherts favored proposal, which is to open a new, full-service crime lab at UNMC.

Members of a working group have recently agreed to come up with a detailed cost estimate for that proposal.

Stothert said Mello was mistaken in tying the bond issue to the crime lab.

Sen. Mello is misinformed, Stothert said. The neutral position that Chief Schmaderer and I have taken on the county board issue has nothing to do with the crime lab discussions, but based on legal advice from our city attorney.

City Attorney Paul Kratz said Nebraska city officials  including the mayor and council members  are not allowed to take a position on a bond issue. They can discuss facts, such as what it would cost and what that would buy.

Other people might have different interpretations, but weve always been pretty conservative, he said.

Kratz said that a politician maybe could say how they intended to vote, though that would be a gray area.

Stothert added that Mellos tying the question of the bond to the crime lab only jeopardizes the cooperation and progress we have made to this point. Doing so is unnecessary and disappointing.

Stothert has previously said that she couldnt support a bond issue that could raise taxes later.

County officials have said they dont expect the bond issue to lead to a tax increase, but they cant guarantee it wouldnt. Mello said in his press release that the bond issue would not raise taxes.

Supporters of the bond issue include the citys police and fire unions as well as government watchdog Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom.

LeClair said he didnt understand why the mayor wouldnt support broadening the costs to the whole county for badly needed public safety upgrades that will benefit the city.

LeClair said he doesnt want a dispute over his September conversation with the mayor to be a distraction.

I dont want to have this whole contested issue affect the real important issue, which is the worthiness of the bond, LeClair said.

But he said Stothert privately made a case to him in September that he took to be an effort to lobby the union to not support the bond issue.

LeClair says she called him to say that the city had a grant to buy new portable radios and that she would put a new fire station alerting system in the citys capital improvement budget.

I firmly believe it was an effort to get us to not support it, LeClair said. I interpreted it that way, and thats how I interpreted it to our executive board and our general membership.

In a more recent conversation, LeClair said, Stothert told him that the city attorney had advised her not to take a position on the bond issue.

She told The World-Herald that she could only recall having one conversation with LeClair, not two. She agreed that she told him the city was going to buy the radios and put in the new alerting system. But she said she never told him whether or not to support the issue.

I said to him you have every right to support it if you want, Stothert said.

Stothert said shes not opposed to the bond issue.

Im not saying theres anything wrong with it or that I oppose it, she said. I am just staying neutral on it.

* * * * *

Read more on the proposed crime lab merger
A town hall meeting hosted by Mayor Jean Stothert in South Omaha erupted in protests Tuesday as people challenged the mayor on the Dakota Access pipeline and objected to the Police Departments handling of an officer who made disparaging remarks about Black Lives Matter.

A host of other issues came up as well, including the death penalty, Donald Trump, the citys nondiscrimination ordinance and Sarah Root, the woman who authorities say was killed by an illegal immigrant as he was drag racing while intoxicated.

And one protester accused Stotherts chief of staff, Marty Bilek, of pushing her as she walked out.

Bilek, a former sheriffs deputy, said he didnt push her but was walking behind her out the door.

Republican congressional candidate Don Bacon, who is challenging Democrat Brad Ashford in Nebraskas 2nd District, had a front-row seat as the evening unfolded.

Bacon said he came to the town hall meeting to support the mayor and to learn about city issues.

Stothert has held seven town hall meetings each year shes been mayor.

In contrast to Tuesday evening, Stotherts five other town hall meetings this year have been relatively tame, with many questions about issues specific to one person or neighborhood.

Stothert has one more town hall, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Saddlebrook Community Center in northwest Omaha.

Several people had posted on social media that they planned to go to Tuesdays meeting to ask Stothert the hard questions that no one else will ... she must be confronted about her support of the neo-Fascist Donald Trump and his racism.

But the topic that seemed to raise the most audience outrage was the case of Omaha Police Officer Bryan Kulhanek, who had been put on leave after he posted on Facebook that Black Lives Matter is racist plain and simple.

Several people questioned his discipline. One woman asserted that he was back to work a month later.

You dont know that, Police Chief Todd Schmaderer responded.

He said he couldnt say what discipline he had imposed. The police unions contract with the city says the city shall not divulge the reason for any disciplinary action that is not appealed beyond the Human Resources Director.

Schmaderer said Kulhanek was disciplined very severely. The police chief added that he was not OK with Kulhaneks actions.

Stothert didnt take a position on the Dakota Access pipeline and said she would study it.

As that discussion continued at some length, Bilek, the mayors chief of staff, said the mayor should move on to a new question. Apparently unhappy with the answers, a group of protesters walked out as one yelled Power to the People!

As they were walking out, some in the group turned to talk with a crowd member. Thats when a woman, Maria Regalado, said Bilek pushed her.

The group, numbering about 15, stood outside and said Bilek had assaulted her.

Police Capt. Kathy Belcastro-Gonzalez and a handful of other officers spoke to her and took her information for a police report.

A television station camera apparently recorded the incident; Belcastro said police would review the footage.

Capt. belcastro and the woman pic.twitter.com/tTzMwZs7ju  Roseann Moring (@roseannmoring) November 2, 2016

Inside, tensions de-escalated a bit. Schmaderer and the police received some compliments and even a round of applause.

Still, Stothert faced more tough questions.

When asked about Trump, she said she didnt want to talk about national politics, an assertion that she had made at previous town hall meetings as well. Stothert, a Republican, repeated a previous statement that said she wasnt certain how she would vote.

On the death penalty, she said she supports it.

On the citys nondiscrimination ordinance, she said shes made no move to remove the protections for gay and transgender people, though she voted against those when she was on the City Council.

After the meeting, Stothert said shes glad people brought their concerns to the town hall.

She said shell keep doing seven town halls each year.

As long as Im mayor, she said.
The group campaigning to permanently end the death penalty in Nebraska has released an audio clip of Gov. Pete Ricketts lieutenant governor voicing his opposition to it in 2014.

Then-State Auditor Mike Foley was running for governor at the time and was explaining during a debate why he opposed capital punishment, a position that would place him at odds with the eventual winner, Ricketts.

Voters are being asked to decide whether to ratify the Legislatures repeal of capital punishment.

The group, Retain a Just Nebraska, on Tuesday distributed audio of Foley from that March 2014 debate.

We dont have a functioning capital punishment system today in Nebraska, Foley was recorded saying. Yet were spending millions of dollars pretending that we can execute people. We cant do it. We dont have the drug protocol in place, we dont have the legal structures in place to carry out that objective.

Ricketts has been a strong proponent of the death penalty and has invested his own money in seeing it restored.

On Tuesday, Foley said in a statement that he would defer to Ricketts. The Governor sets policy, and he has been clear that his administration supports keeping the death penalty as an option for the most heinous crimes in Nebraska, Foley wrote.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  President Barack Obama has called for "peace" and "restraint" on the disputed Dakota Access oil pipeline, and says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is examining whether the four-state project can be rerouted in southern North Dakota to alleviate the concerns of American Indians.

Obama told the online news outlet NowThis that his administration is monitoring the situation closely but will "let it play out for several more weeks."

"As a general rule, my view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans, and I think that right now the Army Corps is examining whether there are ways to reroute this pipeline," Obama said an interview Tuesday.

Corps spokeswoman Eileen Williamson said Wednesday the agency had no immediate comment on the president's remarks. She said a statement by the agency was expected later in the day.

The White House said the Corps was exploring a range of options that would address concerns raised by tribal officials and others. Separately, the Army, the Justice Department and the Interior Department are discussing with tribal governments how to prevent future disputes with the federal government over public works projects, according to the White House.

Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault welcomed Obama's statement but said the administration and the Corps should go farther and stop work on the pipeline and do a full environmental impact study.

The 1,172-mile, $3.8 billion pipeline will carry oil from North Dakota through South Dakota and Iowa to a shipping point at Patoka, Illinois. It will skirt the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation that straddles the North Dakota-South Dakota border.

The tribe objects to the project, saying it could threaten drinking water and destroy sacred sites. The tribe has sued federal regulators for approving permits at more than 200 water crossings.

Protests that have included clashes with police and pipeline security also have gone on for several months in North Dakota, where hundreds and at times thousands of people have set up a large camp on corps land. More than 400 protesters have been arrested since August. No serious injuries have been reported.

Obama called it "a challenging situation."

"There's an obligation for protesters to be peaceful, and there's an obligation for authorities to show restraint," he said. "I want to make sure that as everybody is exercising their constitutional rights to be heard, that both sides are refraining from situations that might result in people being hurt."

The Dakota Access pipeline's capacity is about half of North Dakota's current production at present. The state, the No.2 oil producer behind Texas, this summer slipped below 1 million barrels daily for the first time in two years due to a slump in world oil prices.

About 350 miles pipeline would pass through North Dakota at a cost of about $1.4 billion, making it the longest leg of the project and its most expensive.

The pipeline's path in North Dakota would cross beneath the Little Missouri River once and the Missouri River twice, near Williston and at under Lake Oahe, a river reservoir, near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. The company said the pipeline would include safeguards such as leak detection equipment. Workers monitoring the pipeline remotely in Texas could close block valves on the pipeline within three minutes if a breach is detected, the company said.

The federal government in September ordered a temporary halt to construction on corps land around and underneath Lake Oahe, a Missouri River reservoir in the Dakotas. The corps is reviewing its permitting of the project, but has given no timetable for a decision.

The company still needs federal permission to build the pipeline for about a mile stretch on either side of the reservoir and under it.

The corps also asked that the pipeline company voluntarily stop construction within 20 miles of Lake Oahe, but the company has ignored the request and continued construction.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple said Tuesday that construction on private land was slated to be completed by this weekend, leaving only the small section near the reservoir and under it remaining.
Alma Cerretta writes, "Paying fair wages is the single best way you can show your employees that you value them."
Call farmers to tobacco control meet, government told

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Nov 2: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Wednesday urged the health ministry to invite all stakeholders, including farmers, to the upcoming Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world's biggest conference on tobacco control policies.

CII said in a letter to the ministry that participation of the tobacco farmers was important during the conference as India was the world's second largest producer of tobacco.

"It provides livelihood to 4.6 crore people, including farmers, farm labour, rural poor, small self-employed retailers, women, more than 70 per cent of whom are engaged in the agricultural sector and have no other means of sustenance," said the letter.

The 7th Conference of Parties (COP 7) of FCTC is being hosted in Noida between November 7 and 12. As per the agenda, strict tobacco control policies are to be formulated during the convention.

According to CII, adequate participation of all stakeholders will help in arriving at a balanced and pragmatic position on various proposals and guidelines at the conference.

Earlier, the tobacco farmers in the country had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and World Health Organisation to let them participate in the conference.

IANS


How the flame of Azadi was kept ablaze by the tribal community: PM Modi explains

Congress says Modi "broke" faith of farmers, courts arrest in Chhattisgarh

India

oi-PTI

Raipur, Nov 1 On the day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 16th Foundation Day celebrations in Chhattisgarh, thousands of Congress workers today courted arrest at various places in suppport of their party's 20-point demands including minimum Rs 300 bonus to farmers for paddy.

State unit Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel alleged that Modi has "broken" the faith of farmers hit by "economic crises" in state.

Congress spokesperson Sushil Anand Shukla claimed that over one lakh party workers courted arrest across the state as part of the 'Jail Bharo Andolan'.

Around 18,722 Congress workers, including leaders, courted arrest at different police stations in Raipur district alone, he said.

Besides Baghel, the Leader of Opposition TS Singhdeo, Rajya Sabha MP Chhaya Verma, MLA Satyanarayan Sharma, senior leader Mohammad Akbar were among those who participated in the protests at various places in the state capital.

Similarly, 11,865 workers in Sarguja district and 12,346 workers in Bilaspur courted arrest. However, they were later released unconditionally, Shukla added. Baghel alleged that Chhattigarh did not get anything out of the Prime Minister's visit.

"He (Modi) has once again broken the faith of farmers who have been bearing the brunt of economic crises in state. Neither Modi nor Chief Minister Raman Singh said anything about raising the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy. They were also silent over bonus to farmers," he said.

Among the prominent demands of Congress are payment of Rs 300 bonus and MSP of Rs 2,100 to farmers for each quintal of paddy, distribution of 35 kg rice to every ration card-holder family and a judicial enquiry into "fake naxal encounters" in Bastar.

The Congress leaders also demanded CBI probe into the 2013 Jiram Valley massacre, in which a number of Congress leaders were killed allegedly by naxals, and to discourage outsourcing in local jobs.

PTI
How the flame of Azadi was kept ablaze by the tribal community: PM Modi explains

Don't attack Modi, Fadnavis to Sena; alliance intact

India

oi-PTI

Mumbai, Nov 2: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked ally Shiv Sena to stop attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cautioning that it will only boomerang on it.

However, he asserted that their alliance is intact and the government will complete its full term, despite frequent taunts and digs from Sena.

"Speaking about Modiji will only put the Shiv Sena in bad light and people do not like it at all. As far as I am concerned I am ready to face and give them a proper reply. So I do not care.

"Governance and politics are two different things. The Sena should refrain from criticising the Prime Minister, but I am ok with their criticism," Fadnavis told PTI in an interview.

Fadnavis (46), who heads the first BJP-led Government in Maharasshtra which has sailed into its third year, also dwelt on other current issues like the campaign by the Maratha community for reservation, the Vidarbha issue and the controversy regarding his intervention in defusing the stand-off over Karan Johar's film "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'.

On the film row, the Chief Minister said that in hindsight, he feels the issue could have been handled in a better way.

In a veiled dig at the previous Congress-NCP regimes, he said the "established leadership" in the state are trying to use peoples' anger that has now spilled on to the streets in the form of silent protests by Marathas to carry out their agenda against him either directly or by "proxy" means.

Fadnavis, however, rejected the apprehension voiced by observers that the Maratha morcha and reaction to it from the OBC and Dalit outfits, could cause caste tensions in the state.

He noted that the Maratha community had only raised its demands without seeking to upset the benefits of other social segments and the same is the case of OBCs and Dalits.

He said the Government has already stated its commitment to meet the genuine demands of the Maratha community. The fee waiver scheme announced recently is an initiative that will benefit a large number of students from the community.

Expressing confidence that the BJP and Sena will complete the full term of the government, he said, "We are two different parties and there is bound to be some friction owing to different ideologies in matters of policy implementations and style of governing.

"But I can claim that we have been able to run the government successfully where all major policy decisions have been undertaken by a unanimous vote," he said.

PTI

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, November 2, 2016, 15:44 [IST]
In Uttar Pradesh, the Grand Alliance remains a non-starter

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Nov 2: The grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh may just be a non-starter. Mulayam Singh Yadav who had floated this idea following a bitter war within his family is finding it hard to stitch up an alliance.

It is now confirmed that Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) will skip the silver jubilee celebrations of the Samajwadi Party to be held on November 5.

Many others who were invited too are apprrehensive about being part of the alliance. It would be a wait and watch policy for many who were invited to be part of the celebrations.

Mulayam Singh had invited several leaders for the event and this was a signal of whom he wanted to be part of the grand alliance.

Grand Alliance in UP: Wait there are many twists to the tale

Several leaders are apprehensive for now. They would wait and watch how the affairs within the Samajwadi Party would shape up. For one most of these leaders are apprehensive as Mulayam had walked out of the secular alliance ahead of the Bihar elections.

Secondly these leaders would prefer to back Akhilesh Yadav. They feel that he has a better image and hence backing him would make more sense. It is wait and watch for now.

Sources say that many would join the alliance without any hesitation if Akhilesh comes out of the SP and forms his own party. If he does not then they would want an assurance that he will be the face of the SP ahead of the UP polls.

OneIndia News
Massive social media campaign--Boycott Chinese Goods--proves successful

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

New Delhi, Nov 2: This Diwali season, Indians whole-heartedly supported the massive social media campaign-Boycott Chinese Goods-says report.

Amid rising tension in India-Pak ties, there have been calls from some fringe entities, including through social media platforms, about boycott of Chinese goods to protest against China's support to Pakistan.

Now, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has claimed that there was a 60 per cent dip in the sales of Chinese goods this Diwali as a result of the massive social media campaign urging people to boycott Chinese products.

"Even the traders showed lack of enthusiasm in selling Chinese products," a CAIT spokesperson said.

"Realising the mood among the people because of the social media campaign, traders across the country were seen reluctant in displaying Chinese goods on the counter and some traders had even put "Make in India" boards at their business establishments to woo consumers," the CAIT spokesperson added.

These statistics are based on the indications gathered by the CAIT from 20 cities in different states, including Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Jaipur, Ahmadabad, Kanpur and Bhopal which are generally considered as distribution cities.

Instead of Chinese goods, people preferred earthen lamps and decorative items made from paper, clay and plastic to decorate their houses, and some households even used last year's material for decoration purposes.

Less consumption of Chinese goods did not deter people from celebrating the festival with great fanfare.

Earlier, China had warned India that boycott of Chinese products will negatively impact the India-bound investments from its enterprises and also the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

OneIndiaNews

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 2, 2016, 12:47 [IST]
Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar to be next Chief of Naval Staff: Defence Ministry

Navy, Coast Guard discuss inter-operatability issues

India

oi-PTI

Visakhapatnam, Nov 1 The 10th Command Level Navy Coast Guard (COMNAVGUARD) meeting to discuss inter-operatability issues between Navy and Coast Guard was held at eastern naval command headquarters here today.

The meeting was co-chaired by Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain and Inspector General Rajan Bargotra, Commander, Coast Guard Region (East) and Inspector General K R Nautiyal, Commander Coast Guard Region (North East), along with senior officers of Navy and Coast Guard, a Naval release said.

During the meeting, various initiatives taken by the Navy and Coast Guard towards augmentation of coastal security efforts and enhanced inter-operatability were reviewed and deliberated.

The discussion also included measures to enhance synergy of operation, sharing of resources and futuristic plans to enhance effectiveness of the Naval and Coast Guard operations on the east coast, it added.

PTI
No comment on Pranab Mukherjee book before reading it: Former Union Minister

After controversial excerpt, Pranab Mukherjees family feuds over his memoirs

PM Modi did not discuss demonetisation: Pranab Mukherjee in memoir

Pranab memoirs: PM Modi must speak more often in Parliament

News Flash: Govt of India has to respect its soldiers, says Rahul Gandhi

News

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

New Delhi, Nov 2: President Pranab Mukherjee will leave for a three-day visit to Nepal today and BCCI is to hold All-India Senior Selection Committee meet to select the Indian team for upcoming Test series against England today.

Get news update of the day:

11.45 pm: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal released.

11.06 pm: Indigo 6E 766 Hyderabad to Delhi flight delayed because of low visibility in Delhi. Passengers stranded at Hyderabad airport.

10.55 pm: Home Min should remove Delhi Police Commissioner. If he's powerless to do so, he should tender his resignation: Chidambaram.

10.45 pm: Kathmandu (Nepal): President Pranab Mukherjee meets Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dagal & Nepal Vice President Nanda Kishor Pun.

Kathmandu (Nepal): President Pranab Mukherjee meets Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dagal & Nepal Vice President Nanda Kishor Pun pic.twitter.com/HJR8Tep3Jt  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

9.45 pm: Manish Sisodia reaches RK Puram police station where Arvind Kejriwal and Gopal Rai have been detained.

9.30 pm: Donald Trump now leads Hillary Clinton by 4 points according to a LA Times poll conducted on Oct 31st.

8.52 pm: Government of India has to respect its people and the soldiers: Rahul Gandhi after being released.

8.34 pm: Wanted to speak to bereaved family for 2 mins, when family came out to meet me they were beaten and dragged to police station: Rahul Gandhi.

Wanted to speak to bereaved family for 2 mins, when family came out to meet me they were beaten & dragged to police station: Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/CJ3uNjubs9  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

8.25 pm: Rahul Gandhi released after being detained for the second time in the day

8.13 pm: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal says he has been detained.

Formally detained by the police. No idea where they are taking me.  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016

7.54 pm: Ramnath Goenka was always committed to his ideals: Narendra Modi.

7.45 pm: Separate probes begin into the Bhopal jail break by eight SIMI men and their alleged encounter by the police.

7.16 pm: Rahul Gandhi at Parliament street police station, Delhi.

Rahul Gandhi at Parliament street police station, Delhi. pic.twitter.com/JApwnEoZUu  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

7.03 pm: Delhi remains covered in thick smog with pollutants keeping air quality in 'severe' category, three days after Diwali: PTI

6.40 pm: India summons Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner, protests ceasefire violations on the LOC and International Border.



6:20 pm: OROP issue: Delhi: Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia also detained by the police.

6:15 pm: Rahul Gandhi detained again after meeting late ex-serviceman's family.

5:45 pm: Unfortunate that ex-serviceman committed suicide. Anna Hazare

5:25 pm: 2 RSS activists arrested in Kerala's Kannur in connection with the murder of CPM worker on Oct 10.

5:00 pm: Espionage racket: Pakistan pulls out four officials posted at its High Commission in New Delhi

4:45 pm: Very sad one of our former jawans committed suicide: Mamata Banerjee

4:30 pm: OROP should be kept away from politics, that will be better. Rahul Gandhi should not politicise this: VK Singh

4:15 pm: Rahul Gandhi detention: I don't have anything to say, police will do what it has to for risk reduction: Rajnath Singh

4:00 pm: Ex serviceman suicide issue: Cong VP Rahul Gandhi has been released from Mandir Marg Police station in Delhi.

3.53 pm: Ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Garehwal suicide: Police used force against family members who were dragged on the ground and beaten up:Anand Sharma.

3.51 pm: Rahul Gandhi had gone alone (to meet family of ex serviceman) ,there was no violation of any law...it is illegal detention:Anand Sharma,Congress.

3.50 pm: Ex-serviceman suicide case: Inside visuals of the Mandir Marg Police station (Delhi), Congress VP Rahul Gandhi detained.

3.30 pm: Deputy CM has also been detained, we have a cabinet meeting today which we will have to cancel now. This is 'gundagardi': Delhi CM Kejriwal.

3.15 pm: The way Govt is working since day 1 is anti-democratic, this is a well thought conspiracy to stop Rahul Gandhi wherever he goes: Ahmed Patel.

3.00 pm: Ex-serviceman suicide case: Congress workers protest outside Mandir Marg Police Station in Delhi as police detains Rahul Gandhi.

2:55 pm: President Pranab Mukherjee receives guard of honour upon arrival in Kathmandu.

2:45 pm: Two civilians injured after ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Mendhar sector.

2:30 pm: Indian troops respond to ceasefire violation by Pakistan in BG sector.

2:20 pm: We targeted their posts, the number of casualties on their side is very high, can't confirm numbers: BSF IG DK Upadhyaya.

2:02 pm: Why am I not being allowed? What kind of India is this: Rahul Gandhi after being stopped at RML hospital.

2:00 pm: Rahul Gandhi stopped at the gate of RML Hospital. He went to meet the kin of ex-jawan who committed suicide over OROP.

Smelling blood scavengers making a beeline for RML Hosp!Del pol doesn't allow d 2 jackals Sisodia & Pappu to meet d family of ex army man!  St Whimsy  (@Neera_26) November 2, 2016

1:55 pm: Whoever is doing this is wrong, burning of schools is unacceptable: Muzaffar Wani(Burhan Wani's father).

1:47 pm: OROP: Defence Minister did not receive ex-jawan's letter. Ex-jawan who committed suicide wrote to Manohar Parrikar on Oct 31. Defence Minister seeks report.

1:42 pm: President Pranab Mukherjee arrives in Nepal on three-day state visit.

1:40 pm: Deputy CM of Delhi Manish Sisodia detained by police at RML Hospital.

1:25 pm: ECI issues notice to AAP MLAs in 'office of profit' case. 27 MLAs asked to reply by Nov 11.

1:10 pm: Pak troops open fire in Nowshera, also shells Mendhar, Rangroor. Civilian areas, posts under attack.

12.42 pm: Indigo flight 6E-641 (Bangalore - Jaipur) diverted to Delhi due to low visibility at Jaipur airport (Rajasthan).

12:07 pm: Indonesia: 20 dead after boat capsizes off island of Batam: AFP

12:05 pm: The NIA to probe the explosion that took place at Mallapuram in Kerala.

12:00: Bhopal jail break: CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan visits the Bhopal Central jail to take stock of security situation.

11:48 pm: PM Modi chairs high level meet on border situation. Home Minister, NSA present. Issues relating to schools in Jammu and Kashmir also to be taken up.

11:40 pm: Pak is violating Vienna Convention as well; World committee needs to come forward & deal with it: J&K Dy CM.

11.22 am: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar will not attend the silver jubilee celebrations of Samajwadi party on November 5.

11.04 am: Central to TN Govt on the proposed dam across Siruvani river by Kerala: Matter examined by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change.

11.00 am: Signing of MoU between Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) and IT, Union Ministers Venkaiah Naidu and Ravi Shankar Prasad present in Delhi.

10.40 am: Krishna had forgiven Shishupal 99 times before killing him;Pak is expecting the same, says Satyapal Singh,BJP on 8 civilians died in Pak shelling.

10.17 am: Shutdown and restrictions continue for the 117th day in Jammu and Kashmir.

9.45 am: Unfortunate that terrorists,separatists have taken to this heinous act of burning schools in J&K,this is totally condemnable: Venkaiah Naidu.

9.34 am: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will visit family of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Garehwal in Haryana who allegedly committed suicide over OROP issue.

9.30 am: Amritsar airport shut as dense fog continues to engulf the area.

9.15 am: He called us and informed he is committing suicide as the Govt has failed to fulfil their demands related to OROP: Son of Ram Kishan Garehwal.

9.00 am: Ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Garehwal (who was protesting at Jantar Mantar) allegedly commits suicide over OROP issue in Delhi.

8:54 am: Hyderabad: Man sleeping under parked crane at construction site crushed to death after operator allegedly started it unknowingly.

8:45 am: US warns of possible Islamic State attack in India; tells citizens to remain vigilant.

8:33 am: J&K CM forms SIT to probe burning of schools in Kashmir.

8:10 am: 3 dead, 10 injured after fire broke out in a building in Mohan Park area of Shahdara, Delhi.

7.44 am: Delhi: A thick blanket of smog engulfs the national capital two days after Diwali festivities

7.40 am: Yet to confirm if there has been any death as a few ppl were unconscious when rescued. 2-3 have sustained burn injuries: Fire Dept official

7.38 am: Delhi: Fire broke out in a building in Mohan Park area of Shahdara, fire now doused. Over 7-8 people rescued and taken to hospital.

7.34 am: BCCI to hold All-India Senior Selection Committee meet to select the Indian team for upcoming Test series against England, today

7.32 am: President Pranab Mukherjee will depart for a three-day visit to Nepal today.

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh): Dalai Lama inaugurated a book by BJP leader Shanta Kumar Red shadow on Himalaya (1.11.2016) pic.twitter.com/D2AnSq655y  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

Surat: Tallest cake pyramid measured 1.98 m & weighing 3750 kg which was made for PM Narendra Modi's birthday breaks Guinness World Record. pic.twitter.com/iVkXC6YHQF  ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016

7.18 am: Delhi's Patiala House Court to hear petition filed by Union Min. Prakash Javadekar & Hansraj Ahir in coal block allotment matter

OneIndia News
Woman, her two children mowed down by train; Suicide not ruled out

Suspicious bird with rings on its legs caught near India-Pakistan border

'Notorious criminal' arrested in Rajasthan

India

oi-PTI

Jaipur, Nov 2: An alleged "notorious criminal" was arrested in Karauli district today, police said.

Following a tip off, a police team combed a forest area and nabbed Banti Meena alias Gajendra who was carrying a cash reward of Rs 5000 on his head, SP, Karauli, Anil Kayal said, adding a gun and three live cartridges were seized from his possession.

He was active in Dholpur, Bharatpur and Karauli districts and nearby areas, he said.

PTI
Opposition raises a stink over killing of SIMI activists, seeks probe

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Bhopal, Nov 2: A united opposition on Tuesday sought an impartial probe into the death of eight undertrial SIMI activists in an alleged shootout with police after a Bhopal jailbreak even as the government strongly defended the deaths of the "dreaded terrorists".

Seeking a judicial probe into the police "encounter" deaths on Monday, the CPI-M, the BSP and the RJD raised doubts over the government's version about the prison escape and the subsequent killings of the SIMI activists.

The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had earlier called for a probe, suspecting that the "encounter" may have been staged to kill the accused.

A Communist Party of India-Marxist statement said the eight men were undertrials whose guilt had not been established.

"How the accused could have escaped from a high security prison raises serious questions. The (Madhya Pradesh) government owes a full explanation how this occurred."

The statement asked how was it possible for these men to secure arms after escaping from the prison "while being unable to get a vehicle to make good their escape".

"All these raise serious doubts about the veracity of the police claims."

RJD chief Lalu Prasad also demanded a high-level impartial probe to clear the suspense over whether it was a real or fake "encounter".

BSP chief Mayawati said: "Prima facie the matter appears to be very suspicious and only a judicial probe can answer these doubts."

She alleged that use of police force for furthering their political agenda was not new to BJP-ruled states and pointed out that attempts to hush up the Vyapam scam showed the Madhya Pradesh Police in poor light.

"There are many other incidents in MP which reflect the ideology of the BJP to use police to serve its political ends."

Hitting out at the opposition for doing electoral politics, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said those killed were "of course dreaded terrorists who could have wreaked havoc had they succeeded in escaping".

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said the opposition was doing "dirty politics" to secure minority vote banks.

"Patriotism is important," he said, hailing "the sacrifice" of a policeman who was allegedly killed with a sharpened spoon by the accused while breaking out from the high-security Bhopal Central Jail.

In Delhi, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting M. Venkaiah Naidu slammed the Congress for being "concerned about terrorists", calling it "all cheap politics" against the national interest of the country.

BJP leader Shrikant Sharma went a step ahead and said those killed were "supporters of Osama Bin Laden and working as sleeper cells".

He said the Congress "has taken to communal politics" because it was unable to defeat the BJP over its development agenda.

The eight SIMI activists were killed on Monday on the Bhopal outskirts after police claimed they escaped from the prison by killing a police guard with a spoon and plates and forging keys out of "toothbrush and wood" to open the locks of their prison barracks.

The accused, police said, were armed when they were cornered and asked to surrender.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 2, 2016, 6:02 [IST]
Pak off the FATF grey list doesn't mean it's not under scrutiny anymore: MEA secretary

'Pak will pay heavily, India has suffered enough in silence'

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Nov 2: If Pakistan inflicts injuries on India, the costs are going to be far heavier for them, Union Minister Arun Jaitley has said, asserting that there is a shift in India's approach towards dealing with cross-border tensions as it has "suffered enough in silence" for Pakistan's terror export.

He also lashed out Pakistan for consistently violating the 2003 ceasefires saying the "de facto violation has become de jure violation".

Eight civilians were killed yesterday as Pakistan indulged in heavy shelling in an escalation of cross border military tensions since the surgical strikes by army targeting terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on September 29.

"The new normal is that India doesn't accept that Pakistan can keep sending terrorists and keep inflicting injury on India. If they do that then costs are going to be much heavier," Jaitley said. He was asked about the "new normal" in Indo-Pak ties after the recent tensions. "2003 ceasefire was being violated by Pakistan.

After all what is terrorism- you train people, you smuggle them in. Today, de facto violation has become de jure violation," he told NDTV.

"We have suffered enough in silence and we have been taking just some diplomatic initiatives. I think times have now changed and the Government of India has a more proactive approach.

Pakistan's trade official was an undercover ISI agent in India

"And, the proactive approach is if you indulge in terrorism in India and kill people across the border then there is a cost involved and you will have to pay a price for it. I think that policy of government of India is extremely clear."

He also pointed out that the internal turmoil in Pakistan has further made its position precarious.

"We paid a price in Uri and in Pathankot. But it was a one-sided price. Today the cost Pakistan has to pay is far heavier and Pakistan in a very precarious situation as far as their own government, democracy and civil-military relationships are concerned. "Therefore, the cost involved for Pakistan is extremely severe," Jaitley said.

PTI
Pak off the FATF grey list doesn't mean it's not under scrutiny anymore: MEA secretary

Pakistan's trade official was an undercover ISI agent in India

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Nov 2: Syed Furukh Habib is a top ISI officer and chief of intelligence operations in India. A few years back he was a commercial counsellor in the Pakistan High Commission in India.

He was in charge of India-Pakistan trade relations. He was however outed by Mehmood Akthar, the staffer in the Pakistan mission who was detained and then released after being caught for spying.

This has raised a big question on the manner in which Pakistan has been operating. OneIndia in a series of articles had reported how terror modules and spy rings were being run out of Pakistan's High Commissions.

Under the garb of trade:

Akthar names Habib as the module boss. He says that Habib was in charge of the operations in India. Habib was posted in India as a commercial counsellor.

This was just a cover say Intelligence Bureau officials. He was sent specifically to oversee this operation.

How spy rings operate out of Pakistan missions in India and Sri Lanka

Going by this confession made by Akthar which has been caught on camera, it becomes clear that not all in the Pakistan High Commission have clean hands. There are several officials in the mission who are ISI agents or officers. They have expertise in spying and hence have been sent to India, the IB officer also says.

Are Pakistan high commission staffers running terror modules too?

India will raise this issue strongly with Pakistan. Moreover a through back ground check of all those being posted in the Pakistan High Commission will be undertaken in future to ensure that such incidents do not occur, officials also add.

OneIndia news
IRCTC update: 115 trains cancelled on Nov 01; here is the complete list

Rahul's detention an attack on democracy: Delhi Congress

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Nov 2: Delhi Congress "strongly condemned" the detention of party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi by police on Wednesday, terming it an "attack on democracy".

Gandhi was detained twice by Delhi Police while trying to meet the family members of ex-servicemen Ram Kishan Grewal who allegedly committed suicide over then One Rank One Pension (OROP) issue on Tuesday.

"Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee strongly condemns the illegal detention of Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi by Delhi Police. In an unprincipled Goondaraj, it's a blatant attack on democracy," chief spokesperson of Delhi Congress Sharmistha Mukherjee told reporters.

Also read: OROP politics: Rahul Gandhi released, Arvind Kejriwal detained

She alleged that Rahul was prevented from meeting the sons and family members of Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital today and was "illegally" detained by the police.

"This act of the Delhi Police is not only an attack on democracy but also shows how the dictatorial Modi government at the Centre is destroying democratic principle and values," she said in a statement.

PTI
SIMI- Never down, never out, always plotting the destruction of India

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Nov 2: It has been a long journey for the Students Islamic Movement of India. Each time there is talk of the outfit being down and out, it is back in the news.

While arguments take place on the authenticity of the encounter that took place in Bhopal after 8 of its operatives escaped from jail, the fact of the matter is that the outfit has been looking to regroup and revive itself.

Those who escaped from jail were part of the Safdar Nagori faction. In fact the SIMI is divided into two. The moderate and the radical faction. While the moderate faction was headed by Dr Shahid Badr Falahi, the radical outfit was led by Safdar Nagori.

The split in the SIMI:

After the SIMI was banned in 2001, the Falahi faction said that it would seek legal recourse. However Nagori decided that attacking India is the only solution. While it is made to appear that the split in the SIMI took place because of the ban, the fact is that trouble was already breweing within the outfit.

SIMI will look to strike after it lost 8 of its men says Intelligence Bureau

The Nagori faction was unhappy with the moderate approach by the likes of Falahi and the rest. He felt that a soft approach would not help the SIMI.

He insisted that a movement be launched to implement the Sharia and take the government of India head on. While a split was brewing already since 1998, the two groups parted ways following the ban in 2001.

SIMI explained in ten points

Under Nagori the SIMI became extremely dangerous. Take any major Indian terrorist and he would have been linked to the Nagori faction. This faction carried out two major attacks at Bombay and Gujarat. In the Bombay train blasts of 2006, 187 died while in the 2008 Gujarat attack, 45 were killed.

Post Nagori's arrest:

Nagori was arrested in 2008 in Madhya Pradesh. However the activities of the SIMI did not stop following his arrest.

Several members of the Nagori faction decided that they needed to re-brand and come out as a new outfit. This led to the birth of the Indian Mujahideen. The first attack carried out by the IM was in Uttar Pradesh at a court following their announced their arrival.

Over a period of time, many from the IM moved into their own space. They were separate from Nagori but followed his path. After Yasin Bhatkal was arrested in 2013, the IM began to crumble gradually. This period witnessed another split and this time it was ideological.

The members of the IM decided to tow the line of the ISIS while the SIMI remained inclined towards the al-Qaeda. In 2013, when the Khandwa jail break took place, seven SIMI men managed to flee. They were on a rampage for two years before three were killed in Telangana and the rest arrested in Odisha.

During this period these 7 members carried out blasts in Chennai, Pune and UP. They also undertook bank robberies which was primarily meant to fund their revival.

Fortunately on Monday the police managed to corner the 8 persons who escaped from the Bihar jail. It was clear that they were on another mission of revival.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 2, 2016, 10:45 [IST]
Eight SIMI men were not carrying weapon at encounter spot: Official

India

oi-Jagriti

New Delhi, Nov 2: The 8 members of banned group SIMI or Students Islamic Movement of India, who were killed in an encounter hours after they managed to escape from Bhopal jail on Sunday had no weapons. This has been stated by the the chief of the Madhya Pradesh anti-terror squad or ATS.

"The eight prisoners had no gun at the site where they were killed, Sanjeev Shami was quoted as saying by NDTV.

The SIMI men who were killed have been identified as Sheikh Mujeeb, Khaled, Aqeel, Majid, Zaqir Hussain, Mohammad Saliq, Sheikh Mehboob and Amjad.

8 SIMI operatives who escaped from Bhopal jail killed in encounter

Immediately after the escape, the Madhya Pradesh police swung into action and tracked the operatives down. They were planning their escape out of the state but were cornered at the Einthkedi village on the outskirts of Bhopal. The operatives were accused in the Ahmedabad serial blasts case. They were also being tried for the Karimnagar, Pune and Chennai blasts.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, November 2, 2016, 14:41 [IST]
SIMI will look to strike after it lost 8 of its men says Intelligence Bureau

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Nov 2: A high alert has been issued following the encounter that took place in Bhopal in which 8 operatives of the Students Islamic Movement of India were killed.

The Intelligence Bureau has warned that some operatives of the SIMI may trying to avenge this killing.

The alert is high particularly in those states where the SIMI is considered to have a strong base. The SIMI has strong bases in the states of Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.

IB officials say that the SIMI has attempting to revive itself. It seeks help from outfits that lean towards the al-Qaeda school of thought. The operatives would look to hit back following this encounter, the IB official also said.

SIMI explained in ten points

Meanwhile police of various states with inputs from the IB are on the trail of operatives of this outfit. Several persons are likely to be rounded up and taken into custody. The operation is being carried out to ensure that attempts to revive are foiled.

OneIndia News
Slain SIMI activists were shot above waist, claims lawyer

India

oi-PTI

Bhopal, Nov 2: The eight SIMI activists killed in an alleged encounter on Monday sustained gun shots in the head and chest, their lawyer claimed today citing the postmortem reports.

"They were fired upon from the front and all of them sustained injuries in their head and chest, above the waist," lawyer Parvez Alam told PTI claiming that he has seen the postmortem reports of the slain SIMI men.

Repeating his claim that it was a fake encounter, he said that according to a Supreme Court ruling, police should fire below the waist.

Alam said that he will petition the local court for medical examination of the remaining members of the banned organisation lodged in the jail here and alleged they were assaulted. He also claimed that there was threat to his life.

The activists were killed on the city outskirts at Malikheda following their escape from the high-security jail after slitting the throat of a security guard and scaling the 32-ft wall using bedsheets in the wee hours of October 31.

"I am going to move the Bhopal Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court today seeking to conduct medical examination on 20-odd so-called SIMI members in jail," he said. "I have learnt that they have been brutally beaten," he alleged.

"Besides, I am going to meet MP Director General of Police and seek security for myself," Alam said. "As I am openly speaking against the encounter, now I fear for my life and family members after the cold-blooded murder of my clients," he added.

Yesterday, bodies of seven of the eight SIMI activists, who were killed in the encounter, were buried in different parts of Madhya Pradesh amid tight security. While the last rites of Amjad Khan, Zakir Hussain, Mohammad Salik, Sheikh Mehboob, Aqueel Khilji, Mohammed Khalid and Abdul Majid were conducted in the state, the body of another deceased Sheikh Mujeeb was taken to Ahmedabad by his family members.

All the bodies were handed over to the kin after post-mortem here. While taking custody of the bodies, the relatives questioned the genuineness of the police encounter.

However, police has dismissed criticism over the encounter killing of the SIMI activists, saying there was heavy exchange of fire in which they were felled and four countrymade guns and some sharp-edged weapons were recovered from them.

PTI
Tipu Jayanthi: Why is anniversary of bigot being celebrated asks Mohandas Pai

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Nov 2: The state government's plan to celebrate Tipu Jayanthi in Karnataka is like the central government celebrating Aurangazeb's anniversary, said T V Mohandas Pai.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Pai, a Padma Shri awardee and technology investor said that the government is playing politics over the issue.

Amidst much opposition, the government of Karnataka has decided to go ahead with the Tipu Jayanthi celebrations on November 10. The BJP and the RSS have opposed the event and will stage state wide protests on that day.

The government should instead celebrate anniversaries of benevolent rulers such as the Wodeyars and Mysuru Diwan Islamil he also said. I would request the government not to do politics over this issue, he also said.

Bigot, tyrant, freedom fighter? Karnataka gears up for Tipu Sultan trouble

The government is there to rule the state and it must not do things to divide the state, Pai further observed. As a Konkani, I feel offended that the anniversary of a bigot and a tyrant is being celebrated. Pai went on to state that there is a dark side to Tipu.

He killed many people and converted them by using the sword. The Kodavas are angry with him. In Manguluru, the Christian community because Tipu had put 26,000 Catholics in dungeons. He destroyed Konkani temples near Sulthan Bathery and Kasargod, Pai also said.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, November 2, 2016, 8:54 [IST]
Various bodies seek hike in proposed sin tax on tobacco items

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Nov 1 The 26 per cent 'sin' tax on tobacco products proposed by GST Council will "negatively" impact revenue and public health, and anything below 40 per cent will make those items more affordable to the youth and other vulnerable populations, various bodies said today.

With India having the world's second largest number of tobacco users - 275 million or 35 per cent of all adults in the country - and of these at least 1 million dying every year from tobacco related diseases, the bodies said there is an "overarching consensus" that tobacco be taxed at the highest rate.

The bodies in a statement said tobacco be taxed at the highest rate under GST as recommended in the Chief Economic Advisor report, which seeks a 40 per cent GST sin rate on all tobacco products including cigarettes, bidis and chewing tobacco.

They said the GST council meeting that concluded on October 20 proposed a much lower 26 per cent GST sin rate which will have "significant impact on the revenue as well as the health of our nation, both of which require serious consideration".

"Compared to a GST 'Sin' rate of 40 per cent, imposing a 26 per cent 'Sin' rate will reduce total tobacco tax revenue by almost one fifth (17 per cent or roughly Rs 10,510 crores) even if the government retains the current excise on tobacco products post GST," said Rijo John, Assistant Professor, IIT Jodhpur.

"Clearly, 26 per cent 'Sin' rate will be well below what is required to maintain a revenue neutral position for tobacco and will significantly reduce tax burden on all tobacco products since the existing average VAT rates themselves are higher than 26 per cent on most tobacco products," John said.

Tobacco-use imposes enormous health and economic costs on the country. The total direct and indirect cost of diseases attributable to tobacco use was a staggering Rs 1.04 lakh crore ($17 billion) in 2011 or 1.16 per cent of India's GDP.

A much lower GST rate will make all tobacco products even more affordable to the youth and other vulnerable populations, leading to the impact of the tobacco epidemic becoming more severe driving up healthcare costs and resulting in productivity losses.

"This will certainly lead to an increased number of fatalities per year, which is not a good news for any country. I firmly believe and urge that the government should tax tobacco products at very high rate to ensure it discourages mass consumption," said Pankaj Chaturvedi, Oncologist at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

Approximately 48 per cent men and 20 per cent women consume tobacco products (35 per cent of the adult population overall). Of these at least 10 lakh are dying each year from tobacco related diseases.

PTI
Even if not contesting 2020 polls, Hillary Clinton will not be entirely out of scene

Hillary Clinton says Julian Assange must 'answer for what he has done'

US presidential poll: Clinton, Trump launch aggresive ad campaigns ahead of vote

International

oi-PTI

Orlando, Nov 2: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have launched aggressive advertisement campaigns running into millions of dollars, with the two rivals virtually carpet bombing key battleground states with their election rallies a week ahead of the US presidential polls.

The advertisement blitz came as the Clinton campaign battles to contain the fallout from her latest brush with the FBI after the investigating agency revived questions about her use of a private email server as secretary of state.

Latest polls have shown Trump gaining in the opinion polls he trailed until before the announcement by the FBI. Trump and Clinton now are neck-and-neck in several national polls, and in such a situation, the swing states hold the key for them.

Given the schedule of Clinton and Trump, along with President Barack Obama, Ohio and Florida states have emerged as the nucleus of the November 8 presidential elections. On the first day of the last week before the elections, Clinton addressed three rallies in Florida, while Obama campaigned for her in Ohio.

Trump campaigned in Pennsylvania and will address three rallies in Florida over the next two days. Obama would hit the ground in Florida with a series of rallies until tomorrow.

Hillary Clinton campaign dismisses polls putting Trump in lead

The two rival campaigns have said new meetings would keep adding to their leaders' schedule even till the last minute. The two campaigns yesterday released video commercials.

According to an estimate, the two campaigns and their supporting groups are expected to spend a whopping USD 42 million on commercial advertisements.

Trump's campaign released a television commerical titled "Choice", which outlines a clear choice voters have between Clinton's "future of stagnation, and Trump's vision for a better, stronger, and more prosperous America."

The commercial serves as Trump's closing argument to the American people, and will air in major markets across the country. "At the end of the day, this election is simply a choice between the stale, failing policies of the past, and Mr Trump's bright, positive vision of the future," said Jason Miller, senior communications advisor to the Trump Campaign.

"The overwhelming majority of Americans believe our country is headed down the wrong path, and this is the direct result of eight years of failures both at home and abroad by the ObamaClinton administration," he said.

'Hillary for America' is also airing a series of new ads in which Republican voters explain their decision to support Clinton after a recent video showing Trump's revolting views on and actions toward women.

Since the tape was released, 12 women have come forward to confirm Trump engaged in the type of behaviour he had boasted about and then denied. In Dade City, Florida, Clinton continued outlining the choice in this election, including Trump's views, rhetoric and action that show how bad his presidency would be for women and girls.

PTI
Even if not contesting 2020 polls, Hillary Clinton will not be entirely out of scene

Hillary Clinton will be sorely missed in 2020 presidential election, says Donald Trump

Hillary Clinton says Julian Assange must 'answer for what he has done'

Donald Trump orders disclassification of documents on interference in 2016 presidential polls

Hillary Clinton retweets own tweet, she put after her 2016 defeat

Hillary loses her cool after heckler calls Bill a 'rapist'

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Washington, Nov 2: US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton lost her cool at a rally after a protester denounced her husband and former President of the US Bill Clinton as a sexual predator.

About three minutes into her 20-minute stump speech on Tuesday, a heckler shouted "Bill Clinton is a rapist!" as he waved a neon green sign declaring the same statement, New York Post online reported.

Clinton pointed a finger at the protester.

"I am sick and tired of the negative, dark, divisive, dangerous vision and the anger of people who support Donald Trump," Clinton shouted at her Fort Lauderdale, Florida rally.

It's not uncommon for "rapists" protesters to show up at Clinton rallies, but the Democratic nominee offered a rare reaction.

"It is time for us to say no, we are not going backwards, we're going forward into a brighter future," the New York post quoted Clinton as saying.

Supporters chanted "Hillary, Hillary, Hillary!" to overcome the male heckler. He was eventually escorted out of the rally.

Trump ally, Roger Stone, and conservative radio host Alex Jones are behind the spate of Bill Clinton rape T-shirts and signs.

Donald Trump gains lead over Hillary Clinton in new poll

Jones recently announced on his website infowars.com that he is offering people who get on TV yelling "Bill Clinton is rapist" up to $5,000.

Stone is peddling "Clinton Rape" T-shirts online for a sale price of $9.99.

IANS
India's steel industry now 2nd biggest, target is to double crude steel output in 10 years: PM Modi

Fact Check: Rishi Sunak never said India needs a PM like Manmohan Singh

From being a victim of terrorism to exploring global solutions: India praised at UN's Counter Terrorism meet

Indian university withdraws from plan to buy 2 US campuses

International

oi-PTI

Boston, Nov 1 A chain of colleges based in India has canceled its plan to buy two for-profit colleges in Massachusetts and New York City.

The Amity University chain filed paperwork in July proposing to buy the New England Institute of Art and the Art Institute of New York, which are now owned by Pittsburgh-based Education Management Corp. Amity had planned to buy the colleges as part of a global expansion.

But Education Management Corp. officials said today that Amity has withdrawn from the transaction. They would not say why Amity officials did not immediately comment.

State officials in Massachusetts had said they were skeptical of the chain because it has no track record in the US.

In a separate deal, Amity also recently purchased a campus on Long Island in New York.

AP
No comment on Pranab Mukherjee book before reading it: Former Union Minister

After controversial excerpt, Pranab Mukherjees family feuds over his memoirs

PM Modi did not discuss demonetisation: Pranab Mukherjee in memoir

Pranab memoirs: PM Modi must speak more often in Parliament

President Mukherjee holds talks with Nepalese counterpart

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Kathmandu, Nov 2: Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, who arrived here on Wednesday on a three-day state visit, held talks with his Nepalese counterpart Bidhya Devi Bhandari.

During the talks, both Mukherjee and Bhandari hoped that the presidential visit from India, which comes after a gap of 18 years, would help further cement bilateral ties.

While welcoming her Mukherjee at her office, President Bhandari discussed wide range of issues and expressed satisfaction over the present status of Nepal-India ties and underscored regular interactions among the top political leadership, Bharat Raj Poudyal, spokesperson at Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters.

Mukherjee told Bhandari that he was eager to host her in New Delhi very soon.

After the meeting, Mukherjee headed to the Indian Embassy to participate in a reception hosted by the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Ranjit Rae.

Leading a 60-member team including one state minister, some parliamentarians, senior Indian government officials and security personnel, Mukherjee arrived in Kathmandu at 12.30 p.m.

President Bhandari received him at the VVIP lounge at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

President Mukherjee arrives in Nepal on 3-day visit

Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minister for Urban Development Arjun Narsingh KC, political leaders and Nepalese Army high-ranking officers were at the airport to welcome Mukherjee.

On the occasion, a contingent of Nepalese Army offered a guard of honour to the Indian President. A 21-gun salute was also offered on the occasion.

After the special welcome ceremony, President Bhandari and her Indian counterpart proceeded in the same limousine to the President's Office, Shital Niwas.

People were lined up at different places on the sides of the road from the airport to Shital Niwas waving the national flags of both the countries.

The Nepalese government has announced a public holiday in honour of the visiting President.

Mukherjee is also scheduled to hold separate meetings with Vice President Nanda Kumar Pun and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.

Later in the evening, President Bhandari will host a state banquet.

IANS


A high alert has been issued following the encounter that took place in Bhopal in which 8 operatives of the Students Islamic Movement of India were killed. The Intelligence Bureau has warned that some operatives of the SIMI may trying to avenge this killing.
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by  Graham Pierrepoint



Could poor eyesight prevent Cosby from taking part in a fair trial?

US comedian Bill Cosby was one of the most enduring and recognisable faces of American TV for over three decades, from his role in bringing iconic cartoon character Fat Albert and his gang to our screens, through to his cementing as the archetypal TV Dad in long-running sitcom The Cosby Show. Alongside this, Cosby became a hugely popular public speaker and author, having continued to tour a stand-up comedy act until recent years. Any iconic images built up by Cosby over the years, however, came under serious threat in 2014 as several women came forward to advise that the comedian had seriously sexually assaulted or raped them  with many concurrent allegations of drugging running alongside. The allegations have only built since that time, with over fifty women having publicly spoken out about Cosby having allegedly assaulted them. The comedian has continued to vehemently deny such claims, though the damage may already be done to his once wholesome reputation.

Cosby is facing a criminal trial for the first time in June 2017, where he stands accused of drugging and raping Temple University employee Andrea Costand in 2004. He is expected to defend against three charges of felony indecent assault  and the prosecution is expected to call on at least thirteen women for testimony during the trial. Certainly, it is expected to be a particularly tense trial, and one which Cosbys alleged victims are hoping to claim justice from.

Cosby and his defence team, meanwhile, are already building a strategy  as his attorneys have filed a court document in recent days that claim he is legally blind and therefore unable to identify his accusers. It is this defence that his attorneys are hoping will lead to the case being dropped  however, it will remain to be seen whether or not such claims hold water, and whether or not the trial is deemed right to go ahead. It his Cosbys attorneys claims that the 79-year-olds eyesight will prevent him from taking part in a fair trial.

The Cosby allegations have been reverberating for some time now, and they come during a time period where several high profile entertainers have stood accused of indecent assault  in the relatively recent case of Australian entertainer Rolf Harris, accusations of indecent assault put to the jury were declared to be truthful, resulting in his incarceration. It will remain to be seen exactly how Cosbys trial will transpire, if indeed that it will commence  but for many, it is a tense time of waiting indeed.
by  Stephanie Boyd



Volunteering leads to an enhanced social life, less loneliness, a better job, and  for one in 10  a partner, according to new research.



Around eight in 10 people said volunteering improved their social circle  with people on average gaining six new friends.



Before becoming a volunteer, those asked were typically lonely for more than three hours a day. This fell to one hour after volunteering.



Half of those asked said giving free time to help others boosted their career prospects, with ten per cent getting a pay rise or promotion.



The research of 1,000 volunteers was commissioned by Oxfam to encourage people to volunteer for the charity over the Christmas period.



Daniel ODriscoll, Oxfam Head of Volunteering, said: Sparing just a small amount of your free time makes such a big difference to peoples lives, because our shops raise vital money for our work fighting poverty across the world.



But more than that, this research is proof volunteering helps you make new friends and boosts job prospects.



Its clear volunteering makes people happier, more confident and positive about the future.



The fall in loneliness was most significant among those aged over 55, whose time spent feeling isolated went from three and a half hours to just half an hour.



Ten per cent of those polled met their other half as a direct result of volunteering.



Fifty one per cent said volunteering made them more confident, and four in 10 more motivated.



Thirty-six per cent said donating their time had given them more purpose. More than a third felt like a better person and one in 10 reported their health had improved.



Over half of those polled said they have acquired best friends for life thanks to volunteering. More than half think they have more in common with their co-volunteers than anyone else they know.



As a result of helping others, volunteers declared they get out of the house almost three times as much as before.



A third of people asked replied they are happier due to helping others, 32 per cent had learnt to be a team player and a fifth said their mental health improved  all as a direct result of volunteering.



The average person asked started volunteering aged 27 and offers up their time almost five times a month.



The number one reason people volunteer is to do something good for others. Supporting a cause they are close to, and using up free time, are the second and third reasons respectively.



Daniel ODriscoll of Oxfam said: In the run-up to Christmas we are looking for extra volunteers in our shops. Christmas is a hugely important time for us as its when we take twenty per cent of our sales, selling cracking cards and gifts  all raising money to deliver help and hope to people around the world who are struggling in horrible circumstances.



Our shops are buzzy and fun at this time of year. Anyone thinking of volunteering in one of them is assured of a warm and friendly welcome. So please come and give it a go.
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Ladbrokes and Coral Merger Confirmed Creating New Ladbrokes Coral Group

Published November 2, 2016 by Ivan P

Two UK betting and gambling giants, Ladbrokes and Coral, have confirmed their merger, creating a new Ladbrokes Coral Group.

Two UK gambling giants, Ladbrokes and Coral have finalized their merger, creating a new business entity under the Ladbrokes Coral Group name. The newly created entity is estimated at around $2.8 billion, as it will include a number of Coral's operations, primarily their online business as well as Coral Retail and Eurobet Retail.

The CMA Gives Its Blessing

The huge merger has been in the works for some time, but they needed the approval of the UK's CMA (Central Market Authority). That approval finally arrived last week, when the companies agreed to sell 360 of their betting shops to their rivals, Stan James and Betfred, addressing competition and market monopoly concerns raised by the Authority.

New Opportunities for Both Companies

Announcing the merger, both companies have expressed a very positive future outlook. John Kelly, who will be taking on the role of the chairman of the newly formed group, emphasized that both of these brands have a long tradition and are admired by the customers. Both Coral and Ladbrokes are almost a part of the UK culture and heritage, explained Kelly, and both brands also have a very strong international presence as well.

The new Ladbrokes Coral group will have new business opportunities, allowing them to affirm their market position even more. The sentiment was echoed by Jim Mullen, the CEO of the new group, who described the merger as a historic event. Given the fact both companies demonstrated an ability to survive and strive in a very competitive market, working together they will be in a position to truly create a leading UK betting and gambling business.

Ladbrokes Coral Shares Rising

After the merger was announced, Ladbrokes shares experienced a slight increase in price, which is the trend likely to continue. The new gambling and betting company does have all prerequisites to establish a dominance on the market. Both Coral and Ladbrokes have the experience, means, and knowledgeable management to take them down the this new path of success.
In the old Soviet Union, people had "free" elections and were "free" to choose any Communist candidate that had been selected for the election. Most of the people of the Soviet Union understood well that their elections were shams.

Here in the United States, we also have "free" elections and the corporate media narrative is that you need to vote for one of the two candidates that have been selected for you, because if you go outside of that "choice", the other terrible candidate that you do not want will win the election. You may not particularly like the candidate you plan to vote for, but that candidate is certainly the "lesser evil". The corporate media has successfully spun that illusion so now many people do not even realize that there are choices outside of the Democrat/Republican duopoly that is strangling our election process.

So exactly how has the media created this illusion? Here are 2 examples:

Peoples' Exhibit A:

In Maryland, there are 3 candidates that are on the ballot for the office of U.S. Senator. Logically, you would think that the televised debate to inform voters of all their choices that the televised debate of these candidates would therefore include all three candidates. Unfortunately, you would be wrong.



3rd Party candidate challenges sham debate rules

(Image by Margaret Flowers) Details DMCA



The YouTube video below will show Dr. Margaret Flowers boldly going on to the stage and challenging the censoring of her voice. (Things start getting interesting around 5:50) Once you have seen this video, what are your thoughts about how "free" our elections really are? Do you like the fact that the corporate media gets to make the decisions of who should be heard and who should not?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix98YXLWUJg

Additional information can be found on Dr. Flower's FaceBook page:

https://www.facebook.com/flowers4senate/?fref=ts

After being ejected from the stage, Dr. Flowers issued a statement:





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From The Guardian

We shouldn't be surprised at the FBI director's intervention in the presidential campaign. He has a track record of dubious decisions

FBI director James Comey set off a torrent of criticism late last week when he directly inserted himself into the presidential campaign with a vague letter to Congress about the reopening of the Clinton email case. His conduct has shocked many observers across the political spectrum, but the only thing truly surprising about this episode is that people are only now realizing how power-hungry and dangerous Comey actually is.

During his stints in the Bush and Obama administration Comey has continually taken authoritarian and factually dubious public stances both at odds with responsible public policy and sometimes the law. The Clinton case is not an aberration, it's part of a clear pattern.

Liberals were once enthralled when Obama appointed the Republican as FBI chief in 2013. They talked about Comey as if he was above reproach because of his role as acting attorney general under George W Bush, when he threatened to resign over an aspect of the president's illegal warrantless wiretapping program.

As Glenn Greenwald explained at the time of Comey's confirmation in 2013, this story is incredibly misleading. Yes, Comey did curtail a small part of the NSA's sprawling surveillance program in 2004, however, that occurred before the public ever knew of the existence of any NSA domestic program. The version of illegal warrantless wiretapping that the New York Times revealed in 2005, which sparked a firestorm of liberal criticism and widespread accusations of illegal conduct, was the program that Comey was totally fine with and signed off on.

Why he is celebrated as anything close to the hero is baffling. During the Bush administration, Comey also aggressively defended the arrest and due process-free imprisonment of a US citizen, Jose Padilla, on US soil. He was held as an "enemy combatant," tortured, and refused a lawyer for three and half years -- to this day, one of the most egregious violations of the constitution by the Bush administration. In addition, Comey also gave his legal sign-off on torture techniques during the Bush administration, despite harboring personal doubts.

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If you're a fan of the Netflix show Black Mirror, go watch the episode called "Men Against Fire" before reading this. It's the one about war.

In this 60-minute science fiction show, soldiers have been (somehow) programed so that when they look at certain people they see them as freaky monsters with pointed teeth and bizarre faces. These people look frightening and non-human. They are thought of as objects, not as people at all. In reality they are themselves terrified, unarmed, ordinary looking people. And they have a tool with which to protect themselves, a stick with a green light. It doesn't kill or injure. The stick deprograms a soldier so that when he looks at someone he sees them as they really are without the monstrous distortion.

Of course a deprogramed soldier is of no use to the military. In "Men Against Fire" the military offers a deprogramed soldier two choices. He can re-experience on an endless loop a recent reality in which he murdered helpless human beings, but this time experience it while seeing them as human beings instead of as "roaches" (what the military calls the intended victims made to appear monstrous), or he can be reprogramed and get back to the untroubled work of extermination.

While this story is more fiction than science, some reality breaks into the Netflix drama. During World War I, we're told accurately, a commander beat troops with a stick to get them to shoot at enemies. Troops we're also routinely drugged for the same purpose. During World War II, we're told, also on the basis of actual studies, only 15% to 20% of U.S. troops fired at opposing troops. In other words, 80% to 85% of the Greatest Heroes of the Greatest War Ever were actually a drain on the killing campaign, whereas the conscientious objector featured in the new Mel Gibson movie or, for that matter, the guy who stayed home and grew vegetables contributed more to the effort.

Killing and facing killing are extremely difficult. They require the closest human reality to programing. They require conditioning. They require muscle memory. They require thoughtless reflex. The U.S. military had so mastered this programing by the time of the war on Vietnam that as many as 85% of troops actually fired at enemies -- though some of them also fired at their own commanders. The real trouble came when they didn't remember these acts of murder as the extermination of "roaches" but as the reality of what they were. And veterans remembered their acts of murder on an endless loop with no option to be re-programed out of it. And they killed themselves in greater numbers than the Vietnamese had killed them.

The U.S. military has advanced not an inch in the matter of reconciling its killers to what they have done. Here's an account just published of what that means for veterans and those they know and love. You can easily find another such account every day online. The top killer of members of the U.S. military is suicide. The top killer of the people who live in "liberated" nations during their liberations is members of the U.S. military. This is not coincidental. Veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (only a disorder from the perspective of those who'd like to suppress healthy inhibitions), moral injury (what a veteran friend calls "a fancy word for guilt and regret"), and neurocognitive disorder/brain injury. Often the same individual suffers all three of these types of harm, and often they are hard to distinguish from each other or to fully diagnose prior to autopsy. But the one that eats your soul, the one solved only by science fiction, is moral injury.

Of course science fiction only works when it overlaps with nonfiction. U.S. troops conditioned to kick in doors in Iraq or Syria and view every person inside as a non-human threat don't use the term "roaches," preferring "hadjis" or "camel jockeys" or "terrorists" or "combatants" or "military aged males" or "Muslims." Removing the killers physically to a drone piloting booth can create psychic "distance" aided by reference to victims as "bugsplat" and other terms in the same vein as "roaches." But this approach to producing conscience-free killers has been a spectacular failure. Watch the real suffering of the real drone killers in the current movie National Bird. There's no fiction there, but the very same horror of the roach-killing soldier re-experiencing what he's done.

Such failures and shortcomings for the military are never complete failures of course. Many kill, and kill ever more willingly. What becomes of them afterward is not the military's problem. It couldn't possibly care less. So, awareness of what becomes of those who kill won't stop the killing. What we need is the real life equivalent of a little stick with a green light on it, a magic tool for deprograming members of every military on earth, every potential recruit, every investor in weapons dealing, every profiteer, every willing tax payer, every apathetic observer, every heartless politician, every thoughtless propagandist. What can we use?

I think the closest equivalents to the stick with the green light are passports and telephones. Give every American a passport automatically and free. Make the right to travel inviolable, including for felons. Make the duty to travel and to speak multiple languages part of every education. And give every family in every nation on the Pentagon's potential enemies list a phone with a camera and internet access. Ask them to tell us their stories, including the stories of their encounters with the rarest of species: the newly appearing Unarmed American.